Fantasy Project Anima

[From Darkness]

Arty had woken up as well, as she strolled out the tent groggily. "Morning..." she mumbled to Crimson. From the tent on their right there was a slight commotion, and then out walked Gills with Norman behind him. They looked like they had just had a brawl or something. The two joined Crimson and Arty around the dead campfire. Some of the bandits had woken up following their new boss, and now they were preparing for the coming day.


"So, we'll be leaving soon. Thanks for the hospitality, Norman," Gills started.


"You're going back to Serion?"


He shook his head. "Nope, we're continuing our journey south. To Zebeth."


Norman looked at him funny, then turned to Crimson. "Really? You've just returned from Lapant and now you're going to another Kingdom?"

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson shrugged when Norman looked at her. "I'm just fallowing them" she said as she stretched out. She didn't mind this and kinda wanted to stay a bit longer to let her self heal, but they had a job to do and she was going to get through it with out complaint. She let out a small yawn as she looked up at the sky.


"it is a nice day to travel though we should get spring gear soon" she looked over at Arty then slightly at Gills. After looking at each of them she looked back at the sky, it was a pretty blue with a few clouds.

 

[From Darkness]

Norman seemed sad that they're leaving so soon, but suddenly let out a hearty roar, which shocked Gills, the one in closest proximity to him.


"W-what is it?"


"I've decided! I'm going with you guys!"


There was a few moment of silence before Gills managed to make a reply. "B-but, what? What are you talking about?"


"Well, it's obvious," Norman laughed. "What kind of ally of justice am I if I neglect a lady in need?" He winked at Arty. "And surely getting another arm in a fight will be good. You can trust this good ol' Norman and his axe here!"


"...Norman..." Gills sighed, then turned to Crimson. "What do you think? It's impossible, right?"

 

[Srion Receno]

Hearing Norman yell made her jump and look at him, it was unexpected. She grabbed her chest from the pain her jumping caused. Hearing Norman say he was coming along made her think for a bit about it. "why not I wouldn't mind a actual gentlemen around along with a drinking partner" she said giving Gills a smirk then smiled at Norman happy about the idea.


"and even if it's a bad idea then hey I'll take care of him" she said in a teasing tone as she smiled then stretched before moving her arms around her chest. Everything was hurting and she felt like she was going to get sick. She tried not to show anything but her smile as she got up and dusted her self off. "I'm going into the woods for a bit" she turned and started to walk. "no one fallow or I'll take your eyes out" she said in a happy voice as she walked into the trees.

 

[From Darkness]

"See?" Norman flashed a beaming smile to Gills, who just stood there slack-jawed. He couldn't even say anything as Crimson trotted away into the woods, her words sending chill to the bandits around the vicinity. Gills was too shocked to react. Norman just couldn't hear atop his cloud nine.


"Arty, you're against this, right?" Gills tried again, now turning to his sister.


She gave a slight nod, and an innocent smile. "I'm okay with it. I like Sir Norman."


Norman's grin grew wider while Gills's face just darkened further. "That's decided then! Ey, you miserable bunch! I'm going for a bit! You guys take care of the fort here, okay? We got enough food from our previous razing so don't go mugging random poor chap on the road! And when you take down those rich bastards, do NOT rape the women. Got it? If I ever heard any of you doing that..." He gave a chilling smile while gripping the handle of his battle axe. Suffice to say that the bandits nearly wet their pants that day. Both Crimson and Norman were already a terrifying entity to them, although the latter is easier to please.


"...You know it will turn out like this, huh," Gills grumbled to Arty. She just nodded.


"It will be fine, brother. Or is there any problem with Sir Norman coming along?"


"Nah, I like Norman too, just...it'll be dangerous for him. He's just a normal guy. Ex-bandit, maybe, but normal."


"It will be fine, trust me," she replied again, and he sensed that it was final. Thus Gills just sighed and accepted the decree, although with heavy heart.


"What is that assassin doing though," he murmured, looking at the direction Crimson had disappeared to. "Is she taking a dump or something..."

 

[Srion Receno]

Walking into the woods she looked back, figuring that she went far enough she went behind a tree and started to get sick. "damn this hurts" she said as she grabbed her chest as she got sick again. Feeling her stomach now empty she moved away to another tree and sat down. She took a deep breath letting tears run down her face. She kept a strong front up around them but alone she couldn't and started to cry as she held her chest.


She sat against the tree and held her chest with both arms for a bit until she started to calm down. "I should get back... " she mumbled as she wiped her eyes. She took a deep breath as she slowly got up and started to walk back, taking her time so the last of her tears could make there way down her face and the redness of crying went away.

 

[From Darkness]

With Norman's help, they managed to procure more supply for the journey. Added with Norman's personal steed, they have four horses overall. The bandits would stay in this encampment and wait until Norman returned. The rest had been packaged and ready to go, and now they just waited for Crimson to come back.


Norman had went first to the south with a few of their men to scout ahead. While helping Arty to mount her stallion, Gills spotted Crimson returning to the camp. He held her horse as well as his by their reins and approached her.


"You're finally back. Everything okay?" He queried.

 

[Srion Receno]

Seeing the camp she took a deep breath then walked out of the trees with her hands loosely at her sides. She was still in pain but she pushed it back as she walked up to Gills. "ya everything is fine" she glanced at him then took her reins. "were is Norman?" she asked looking around before getting on her horse. As soon as she made it on the horse she flinched from the pain.

 

[From Darkness]

Gills gave the reins to Crimson then mounted on his own horse. "Norman went ahead of us to scout the path. Don't want to meet any guards and getting caught because we're moving with bandits," he pulled the reins a few time to get accustomed with the feel, then ride slowly to let Crimson catch up.


"...your ribs are still hurting, huh?" the Prince asked, slightly noticing the pain showing from her body language. No matter how much the assassin tried to hide it, someone is bound to notice one way or another. "Then it's imperative that we reach Zebeth as soon as possible. According to Norman, there's a village around a day's travel from here that is in the edge of that Kingdom. We'll get there first for a proper rest before continuing to the capital."

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson blushed as she looked away from the prince. "I'll be fine we can travel through unless Arty needs a rest." she said as she moved her horse in behind his. She didnt know what to think about him worrying, then again it's probably just because so she can protect them.


Crimson sighed as she put her hand on her chest, she will be fine she always is. She looked at the sky and shook her head before looking foreword. She had to remain the assassin they knew.

 

[From Darkness]

Gills didn't say anything until they met up with Norman and Arty down the southern part of the woods. Their horses had been outfitted with bags containing supplies. When Gills and Crimson approached, the lackeys did the same for their horse.


"I'll lead the way," Norman said. "I've traveled throughout the southern part in the past, so I know a lot about it. You can leave navigation to me, hahaha!" He patted his chest proudly. With a silver-plated battle axe on his back and a short sword on his hip, it seems that the old 'noble bandit' hasn't lost his charm.


"Zebeth is a Kingdom famously known as the source of Magecraft," Gills murmured to Crimson. "And so...there should be a healer proficient in Magic. You understand, right?"

 

[Srion Receno]

She was glad that Norman would be going with them and that he was the one to take the lead. hearing Gills she turned to him with a frown, he wanted her healed what was there not to understand? " why would I not understand?" she growled at him then turned away from him. she moved her horse so she was away from him a bit and would be at the back at the group. with one strong person in front and one in the back they should be fine. she didn't even count the prince his weapon was strong but she was unsure about him. in the beginning she liked the look in his eyes, but he seamed more tame now that he had his sister.

 

[From Darkness]

Norman took the front lead with high spirit, with Arty following behind him. Gills stayed behind, close to Crimson, such that the four made a straight line through the tree lines. The lackeys were waving and cheering for them from the distance and as they moved farther into the forest, their voice grew more faint until there was nothing left but the sound of nature rustling around them. Norman knew his way quite well, skillfully taking the path best suited for horses. Arty was just enjoying the solemn silence, while Gills occasionally glanced around to make sure nobody followed them.


Norman's random story from the past would break off the silence here and there. "I was once known as the 'Noble Bandit Norman', you know! I've been doing bandit-ery since I'm twelve. I was just a small boy from Elaros back then...oh, that's a Kingdom that Serion conquered a few years ago. I don't have fond memories in my homeland though, so I don't mind. I just went out and travel the world. Training myself in the art of combat, soon I gained notoriety for my raw strength. But I decided not to use it for evil! I only steal from the rich, and give it to the poor. Suffice to say that the people loves me, while those noble pricks...well, not so much."

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson sighed to her self as they moved on though the land. the voices had long disappeared but Normans took there place. it was nice to hear him talking and telling stories about his past and was happy she didn't half to talk. as she listened she rubbed her chest lightly, it was weird doing it but it helped to relive some pressure on her chest. she was enjoying Norman's stories when she heard something in the trees. she looked around but seen nothing only heard noises, she shook her head. "I must be going crazy" she whispered to herself as the noise moved away.

 

[From Darkness]

Contrary to the usual pattern, Gills was actually the one who listened more seriously to Norman's story. It was more delightful than the fictions he had read in the royal library. In the contrary, Arty looked like she had listened to that story again and again, bearing a bored expression while watching the trees around them rather than looking at Norman.


Gills had noticed Crimson looking around while listening to Norman's story. He slowed his horse a bit so that he was on her side, then whispered, "something bothering you?"

 

[Srion Receno]

seeing the prince move to her she looked slightly away and shook her head at his question. "just thought I heard something but it is gone now...I think it my have just been in my head.." she whispered the last part as she moved her hand to her head. she moved her hand to rub her head slightly then moved it to her side. "I might have to leave for a bit...im losing my mind with you....and Arty"

 

[From Darkness]

Gills was looking at her funny after hearing what she had just said. "Huh?" He tilted his head a bit, still not understanding her intention. "What do you mean...are you abandoning the job?" Norman and Arty had gone farther from them, as Norman just kept on talking while Arty just blindly followed him while not paying attention much to the road. The two couldn't hear their conversation at this distance. "Arty will be upset if you leave, you know."

 

[Srion Receno]

she shook her head slowly as she started to slow her horse. "no my job is to help with the dragons and I will do the job still..." she then looked up at him. she looked him in the eyes before continuing. "after this city I will be taking a different way to the next job sight please do not tell them" she had a faint look of pleading and sadness in her eyes that only lasted for a moment as she looked at him.

 

[From Darkness]

Gills couldn't process her words properly. It seems weird, and the way she looked at him was so unpleasant because it wasn't the usual Crimson that he was looking right now. Even thought it was less than a month, her existence seems to be such a normalcy for him that this Crimson he was seeing right now looked like an impostor. What happened?


"You...what..." he was tongue-tied. Uncertain. "...Is this because of me? Is it my fault?" He murmured, softly, then returned her gaze firmly. "...I don't really care what you want to do. You're free to do what you want. We're just job for you anyway, right? Just...I don't like that. It's like you're avoiding us. What happened, Fang?"

 

[Srion Receno]

she flinched slightly at his words it was him in a way, but it was also Arty though...it was mostly him. she shook her head to rid the thoughts she was having. "you have done nothing it is me...I have become soft in a way..." she looked down at her hands. "my own body feels like it is not mine" she made her hand into a fist. "maybe I am avoiding you both... but these feelings..." she said this quietly then laughed a bit to herself at the word. "it really doesn't matter..." she looked at him again then at Arty's back. "i need to find myself again...if I don't I feel as if I will be no use to you both"

 

[From Darkness]

Soft...Gills didn't expect to hear that word coming from this woman. "And? Is being soft...a bad thing?" He sighed. A heavy sigh. He couldn't understand what this woman was thinking at times, and it is okay. Humans don't have to and will not ever be able to understand each other after all. But hearing that word coming from her as if it was the end of the world...he wondered which of them is actually weird, this assassin or this sheltered prince?


"I'm not hiring you just so you can make bloodbath everywhere," he grumbled. "Also, I don't think Arty want you to come along with us just because you're a meatshield or a killer. You're more than that for her, I don't think I need to tell you that. Is that a bad thing too?"

 

[Srion Receno]

She stayed quiet for a moment then looked at him again. "tell me prince...the more I stay with you the more soft I will become what will happen after we are done?" she looked back at Arty. "the two of you will have each other and most likely will go back to the rich life and Norman will do what he dose...but me...I will no longer have the heart of an assassin only the mind of one...I will most likely be unable to do my job anymore something I enjoy doing...what then?" she said the last part quietly. she was unable to answer his last words not knowing what to say to them. "you all will have someone, something after this....I will have nothing other then money and what good it that when I'm not myself?" she mumbled before moving her horse a little faster.

 

[From Darkness]

Gills sighed and then paced his horse to follow Crimson. "So? What then? If you won't be able to be an assassin anymore, then don't," he replied. "You are Crimson. You are not an assassin. You are not a bodyguard. You are you. Crimson is Crimson. No matter what you do in the future, you are still you. Is that a bad thing?" the prince said those words softly, as if saying that to himself. He solemnly turned to look Crimson in the eyes. "Listen. I...have another job for you. This might not be one suited for an assassin, but I can only trust you. I want you to stay with Artesia. No matter what happened in the future, I want you to stay with her. She looked up to you like a sister. I...one day, there will be a time when she will need someone for her to rely on. I want you to be that person. Will you do it?" He added with a question, in a voice barely registering as a whisper, "For me...?"

 

[Srion Receno]

she looked at him as she heard his words. "....I don't know... you are her family I am just a killer I have no place with her for to long, besides your job seems more like a favor." she looked away from him and at Arty. " you need to be there for your sister, if you ever leave her it will be worse then when I do." she looked over at him. "if you are planning on doing something stupid let me do it I rather do it then you she needs you not me" she then looked back at her back. "besides I was Red Fang before I was Crimson I might go crazy if I don't remember that" after she said this she speed up her horse to get beside Norman. "hey there handsome how long will it be until we get to the next town?" she smiled at him.

 

[From Darkness]

Gills stayed silent as he listened to her reply. It was all sound. Justified. That should be the correct way to do things. However...he couldn't help but laughing a bit mentally. It can't be helped, after all. The prince bit his lips, frustrated with his self.


"So! When there was that rebellion in Unocedor, and I was siding with the rebel faction. My troupe was almost wiped out, but we managed to hold the battle long enough such that the rebel can reach agreement with the royals. It was in my older days though so it was nearing my retirement..." Norman was still talking about his past life. Arty looked like she was about to fall from her horse out of boredom. When Crimson caught up to them she brightened up and turned to her in anticipation. Anything would be better than listening to Norman's (slightly fictionalized) story.


"Huh? Oh, we're not far, look, that's the edge of the forest, and if you see down below the hill, you'll see the town I've been talking about. See?" They had just passed the last of trees in the forest, and now looking down toward an inclined area downward the cliff they're on. Further down the path was a homely-looking town. There was a high clock tower with the statue of the Three Deities on top of it. It was likely that the church building was expanded from the original clock tower. "It's called Jackson's Hamlet, although the size had gone past what we would call a Hamlet. Eh, I'm not complaining as long as I can get fresh food and warm bed."