Book 1: Chapter 8: (3)

Book 1: Chapter 8: (3)

Fuck, running half a kilometer sure is tough. I knew I shouldve just used the car.

Out of breath, Matoba had arrived at the side of the temple. He held his shotgun in both hands, Tilarnas longsword slung across his back in its scabbard. The clattering sound it made as he moved may be annoying, but it couldnt be helped.

Sneaking around the back of a parked minivan, he spotted a Semanian man standing guard before him. Matoba whistled. The man turned around.nove(l)bi(n.)com

!?

Police. You know what to do, dontcha?

With a shotgun pointed at his face, the man immediately dropped his machine gun and raised his hands up in the air. As he got closer to him, Matoba knocked him down to the ground. Bringing his knee against his back, he was about to handcuff him when he suddenly heard the sound of gunfire coming from the temple.

!

SMGs on full-auto. And a whole bunch of them too. Shit is hitting the fan, and fast.

Shit.

He dashed straight to the temple, leaving his captive behind. Out of the corner of his eye, he could spot a number of Elbajhis men coughing violently as they ran to their cars. Though he wanted to stop their inevitable escape, he didnt have any time to waste arresting the lot of them. As long as they remained unaware of his presence, he would ignore theirs.

Matoba headed for the thick cloud of smoke covering the entrance. Inside, the remnants of Elbajhis men were cursing at one another.

Hey, doesnt putting out the fire come first!?

Who cares! Its useless anyway!

Nothing would come about dilly-dallying. Matoba stepped foot into the temple. The darkness notwithstanding, the smoke had gotten progressively worse in the hallway.

Immediately to his side, someone shouted out through the deluge of smoke.

Hey, wait! One of em Dorinis up to something!

He didnt even get the chance to flash his badge. They shot at him without a word. Ducking down, Matoba saw the pillar behind him get blasted to smithereens from an endless barrage of gunfire.

Police! Throw away your weapons at once!

Ignore him! Keep on firing!

A bevy of submachine guns were fired at him. Matoba hid under the shade of the pillar, staving off the rain of bullets headed his way.

He readied his shotgun, firing at the shadows in his field of vision. Nine pellets hit a man right in the middle of his chest. Its power could not be compared to that of a pistol. Without even raising a scream, the man was blown away by the force of the weapon.

Well, it is what it is

Matoba muttered as he deftly replaced the magazine with his trained hands.

Your fault for making me waste my time with one of your buddies.

Matoba swiftly drew his shotgun once more, firing it in rapid succession.

She could hear the fierce gunfight unfolding above ground. Something had clearly happened. And yet, Tilarna merely ignored it and continued on down. It appeared as though the source of the fire was just up ahead, coming from the underground mausoleum. Her eyes stung. Trapped in a narrow passageway with all this smoke, it was a miracle she could even breathe.

Reaching the end of the corridor, she finally arrived at the catacombs.

Countless statues lined the halls of the mausoleum. Flames were scattered here and there, obscuring the light. Illuminated by the blaze, the shadows of the statues appeared to sway back and forth, almost as if life had been breathed into them. Legends tell of a group of deities and the demigods who served them. It was said that they would watch over the souls of the dead for all eternity.

They brought the fairy to such a place. Just what exactly are they planning?

As she advanced through the flames, Tilarna came face to face with two of Elbajhis lackeys. She swiftly knocked one to the ground before sending the other to join his friend.

The branii was steadily getting stronger. Still alive. Just beyond, she was still alive.

Passing by idols and sarcophagi, Tilarna finally arrived at the Chamber of Everlasting Spring. It was the resting place of members of the ancient house that once ruled over this land. Normally, this chamber would be filled to the brim with the polished statues of ancient warriors. In their stead, rows upon rows of Dorini machinery lined the room. Linen sheets were scattered across the floor. Metal parts lay in one corner of the room. Removing the sheets revealed various boxes underneath. Several layers of cloth had covered their contents. These containers most likely held the fruits of their labour Fairy Dust.

On the left side of the room lay a clear, glass box. Inside, there was.

Quenishba

Within the transparent casing, one could see the ingredients of the drug floating on some type of liquid. The body parts of fairies. Arms. Legs. Heads. Even their organs

It was a wretched sight. Suppressing the urge to vomit, Tilarna broke into a coughing fit.

Hey, Im the one you should feel sorry for. All these goods, gone to waste

A voice. Slowly coming out from under the shadow of the machinery, a man made his appearance known to her. It was none other than Elbajhi himself. His right arm sloppily hung onto his Krge. His left held onto some sort of device outfitted with a glass cylinder. She could spot a small silhouette fluttering from within. There was a fairy inside that cylinder.

It took us quite a while, yknow? Making all thisFairy Dustcost us a pretty penny. And taking into account inflation rates, lets just say these materials aint just for show. We were about to get out a brand-new product too. You know how much that cost? Hundreds of thousands of dollars. We worked damn hard to get that money. And its all gone up in smoke thanks to this FUCKING FIRE! You the one who started it?

I know not.

Thought so. Well, Ive got someone in mind You seen Zelada anywhere? Yknow, that mildita in red?

I know not. More importantly, what exactly is that device? What are you planning to do with that fairy?

As she kneeled on the ground, Tilarna held her blade aloft. Seeing that, Elbajhi smirked.

That stance. That krge. You follow the Vredeni style, missy?

Did I not say it before? I have no obligation to tell you anything!

Hmm, interesting

Taking a lowered stance with his sword, Elbajhi slowly walked towards the thick of the fray.

Need some help?

Matoba asked.

No need!

For her to wield the blade she had once forsook, nothing could be more disgraceful as a knight. Or so the disciplined part of her heart shouted. At the same time, another part, one that beheld her thirst for battle, said this as it jumped for joy.

This blade that accompanied you through life and death. From a young age, you have felt its weight in your hands. The blade that you could finally swing without the slightest hint of hesitation. Tis equal to your own life. As long as it is in your hands

Nothing shall ever get in your way!

This man shall be mine to slay!

OK, have at em.

Daash na zanna!

Expressing words of gratitude, Tilarna kicked off of the ground.

HAHAHA!

Suddenly opening his eyes wide, Elbajhi closed the distance in an instant. He let out a flurry of strikes, to which Tilarna defended herself with the most minimal of movements.

She lightly jumped into the air. Much like a top, Tilarna released a whirlwind of attacks against her enemy.

Elbajhi tried to evade. But it was much too slow. Tilarnas blade dug into his torso. The attack was shallow; it barely grazed the edge of his skin. And yet, this was the first time she had successfully landed a blow on him. Landing to the ground, Tilarna positioned her sword against her head. It blocked the incoming attack aimed straight at her forehead. She followed up with a low sweep of her blade. Elbajhi leapt back, building up momentum for another attack. Right. Left. Above. She parried every strike magnificently.

You bitch

The tables having turned on him, Elbajhi groaned. Tilarna did not say a single word.

Her masters words echoed in her mind.

One must not give their opponent cause for rest.

Faster. Sharper.

Think of your krge as an extension of your fingertips. Think of them as your wings. Be as graceful as a crane. As fierce as a falcon. Feel the wind. Entrust your body to the flow of the rahtena.

Let your blade become a gale.

It shall guide your path to victory!

Khh!

There were cuts all over Elbajhis right arm. They were still much too shallow.

His feet had been crushed. Yet, it was still not enough.

In that case.

Fuh!

Tilarna bounded high up in the air, delivering a swift blow to the crown of his head. Elbajhi tilted his head, narrowly escaping death. However, the krge did not stop at his shoulders, slicing down through the center of his chest.

Ghahak!

An inhuman cry escaped his lips.

As Tilarna retrieved her sword and stepped back, Elbajhi fell down to his knees, collapsing onto the cold, hard floor. A fresh pool of blood leaked out of his wounds.

Before you meet your demise, I shall tell you.

Heaving a deep sigh, Tilarna continued.

The name of my master is Galarda Vredeni. None other than the strongest swordsman in the whole of the Farbanian Kingdom. Do tell that to the demons you meet in the underworld.

Go to hell.

And with that, Elbajhi ceased to breathe.

Translators Notes:

The Farbanian word for scent/odor.'The Farbanian word for awful. Used in this context to mean something along the lines of How terribleThe Farbanian word for longsword.The Farbanian word for magician.'A form of magical energy that can be sensed by the Semani.Earth; lit. The world of the Dorini.The Farbanian word for magic.'The Farbanian word for Shut up.The Farbanian phrase for thank you.'