Chapter 92: Arc 3, Chapter 2: Protect Kria for Me Will Ya?

'If only my 'subconscious' is protected, then why can't velatos hurt my physical body…? Come to think of it, my eyes are the same and my hair's still black but only at the ends?

Whatever. The are no more velatos in this world as far as I'm aware. And whatever brought me here, I'm no closer to figuring it out; I'm pretty much back where I started with a little head start. I hate going back to square one.'

Carriages were parked at the Krian customs, lining up like ants going home. Steeds neighed, attached to vehicles ranging from simple carts to luxurious coaches to heavy cargo.

The Indent, the district that travellers would come in and go out of the funnel between Kria and Cravolta. The cleared forest with lingering trees echoed the sounds of morning critters.

The Green Sea and Nilvus Sea were split by the path into the main continent, guarded by trees and modest beaches on either side. One could hear the waves crashing even through the walls of the building.

A large sign, "Warning, powerful rip currents are common near the water's edge. Do not trespass the marked barriers. Perpetrators will be prosecuted," Asobi read aloud.

"Thanks, I couldn't have ever read that."

"You're welcome Meko!"

Their bags carried into a carriage, their identifications and passports cleared; they sat at a table, awaiting their departure. People went in and out, and in and out, and in and out.

The loud noise alone made her groan a little, wanting to be on the carriage already. 'I'll put a pin in this mystery. Right now, I just want to go on an adventure with my friends.' Jotou's hands drifted up to block her ears.

"Aw, poor Jotou. Too much noise for you?" Hotaru leaned forward.

"How could you tell?"

"Even my ears are getting annoyed," the red ears twitched, "This is worse than a courtroom. Still, part of adventuring. It's not all sunshine and rainbows."

"Tell me about it, I've been here before. They make you wait so long and then don't even have food. It's a disgrace!" Fumeko's head fell into her arms.

"Isn't Cravolta all sunshine and rainbows!?"

"Uhm, not exactly," Hotaru laid out a notebook. Beautiful handwriting across each row, "The Empire of Shattering Earth goes from grasslands, to deserts, to rainforests, to mountains.

It's not Kria, the seasons barely change; the weather's generally hotter in the middle regions. Sunshine, lots of it but rainbows, maybe in the rainforests of Cravolta City but not everywhere."

"You didn't tell us we're going into deserts. I don't like the idea of the Sun," Jotou looked out the entrance.

"How do you expect to adventure if you can't stomach some harsh environments? Besides, we're not going to be standing in the middle of the desert at noon."

"Alright, alright. I'm just getting all my complaints out now."

"Speaking of complaints, we barely know the plan going into the biggest country in the world. You pretty much settled everything. Where in Cravolta are we going exactly?" Fumeko blinked next to Hotaru, peeking into her journal.

"Well, we're going to Galuvit Town in the province of Galuvit."

"And how long's that?"

"Depends on the day," Hotaru shrugged. She checked the giant clock ticking on the wall, two minutes to nine. "We can go ask our coachman," she got up with a devious smirk.

"WOAH!!!" Asobi's mouth dropped, holding her wand in both hands she ran around their carriage Hotaru had rented. She poked the wheels of silver, the doors of beautiful golds and purples.

Four horses at the front, "Normal horses. Oh thank hell for normal horses," Jotou said to herself as quietly as possible.

Fumeko checked their bags in the back, secured tightly by straps. People began boarding other carriages around them, with the lash of whips, some began to move. "How much did this cost?"

"Don't think about it. I got the best carriage for the best adventure. I thought I'd surprise you all; every part of the journey can be fun," the redhead wagged her tail seeing their excitement.

"Good morning ladies," a lanky man, walked towards them, dressed in browns and a pair of jeans; a hat that shaded his sharp green eyes. A tail poked out the back, swaying and two cat-like ears revealed, taking his hat off.

"Morning," Hotaru greeted whilst Jotou waved.

"I'll be your coachman for the two days trip to Galuvit Town," he said in a smile.

"TWO DAYS!?" Fumeko fell off of the baggage area.

"Yup. Fourteen hours from now we'll reach Hartamat, stay there for the night. Then by dawn, eleven hours to Galuvit Town," he put his hat back on, sauntering to the front of the carriage.

"Yay! More time in the pretty carriage!" a top hat poked from under the wheels.

"Fumeko, didn't you come to Kria all the way from Burnetrout?" Hotaru planted a fist to her hip.

"In a day! I left at morning and made it by late night! Fourteen hours from now will be eleven and we still won't reach our destination!?"

"…I'm not too familiar with the route to Burnetrout but if I had to take a guess, it'd be two to three days travel along the straight road Miss."

"You must've slept and ate through it, not realizing how many days actually went by."

"Maybe I wasn't paying attention but I can read a calendar wolfy."

"What about time zones?"

Fumeko batted her eyes…

"Anyway, this path's crowded, not to mention all the twists and turns. Even at full speed and no traffic you'll maybe cut about half an hour," the coachman readied himself in his seat.

"What's wrong with being in a carriage with us detective? I mean, other than sitting for fourteen hours straight," Jotou crossed her arms.

"It's not the company… well, maybe a little…" her eyes scanned for the elf, "Mainly no snacks, plus nothing to do means Aru will never stop talking."

"Hey!" Hotaru's ears spiked, then drooped, "I mean, maybe I planned some things to say but still!"

"This will be pleasantly fun," Jotou giggled.

"That's the spirit Jotou! Ooo! Friends!" as Asobi exclaimed, the rest of them turned to the exit of the building.

"I told you they wouldn't've left yet," Zach told, following behind Okod, pointing to the four of them. "And see, nobody recognized us," Zach threw his hands up.

"…Are you done?" Okod side-eyed, a large hood over his entire head.

"What are you two doing here?" Jotou walked forward.

"You guys left early, barely gave us time to say goodbye. Barrel of emotions over here wanted to see you guys off properly," Zach scratched the back of his head.

"I'm surprised you're not getting mobbed," Hotaru's tail still could not stay still when met with the Lexokodac.

"Before you ask, no, I didn't steal any of the food," Fumeko scurried to Jotou's side.

"I'm well aware of all the missing food in the pantry. That's not what we came here for," Okod pulled down his hood, looking around in search of fans or worse; reporters.

"Then, what is it?" Jotou tilted her head.

"Well, you're leaving Kria and you didn't really give us when you'll be back, so the goodbye should at least be appropriate. Not every day beautiful- Guh!"

Okod elbowed Zach in the gut, "It's as he said. It was my idea. Kria needs every fighter it can get and four decent ones leaving isn't something to brush off. I hope for your safe return."

Hotaru's ears spiked, hands clasped together, "We'll definitely try. Though, that probably won't be for a while. Thank you for coming all this way though," her closed eyes smiled.

"It's the least I can do," he adjusted his posture a little to her.

"Humble Okod? I guess it is an appropriate goodbye," Jotou cocked a brow in mocking.

"I know right? I was surprised too," Zach rubbed his torso.

"Bye-bye!" He wanted to… He so desperately wanted to dodge the incoming elf… However, he stood still, accepting the hug from Asobi.

Asobi rushed over to Zach, hugging him from the side, "We'll see you again! I promise!"

"Have fun," Zach patted her back, "That goes for all of you too. Don't forget us on your grand adventure, alright?"

"We'll try," Fumeko's eyes glazed over.

"Thundering Blade," Jotou's eyes widened as Okod approached. He took a breath, "My affinity allows me to only cast on objects with some amount of metal in them," he put his hand out.

Jotou gawked for a moment, before taking his hand into a firm shake, "My magic can only be cast on contact and sorta around myself," she smiled.

Zach approached her as well, taking the fresh sea dandelion from his hair, "For you; something to remember me by if you miss me. Put it in between a book," he winked.

'I'm blushing aren't I…' "Will do," Jotou accepted the flower, twirling it between her fingers, "I don't exactly have something to give."

"The thought alone is enough," Zach put his hand up. Jotou rolled her eyes in a smirk.

With that, the two of them stood; the four entering the carriage. Jotou stepped onto the stairs last but she stopped for a second..

She leaned back, both hands holding onto the handlebars to the side as her blonde locks fell like silk. She faced the two, smiling with her head slanting to the side.

"Keep Kria safe Metallum Blade. I also left something for you on the dining table at home Stormshot Arrow," she gave Zach a little wink before she flung herself forward into the carriage.

Zach gawped… "Looks like the new titles are already giving us some benefits huh?" he nudged Okod.

"She's messing with you, there's nothing there." Zach gave Okod's solemn reply a moment's thoughts. "She's one spiteful son of a bitch," Okod gave the glint of a smirk.

"You're just jealous," Zach shrugged.

Meanwhile, Jotou closed the door, "Zach'll forgive me. I will always hate you Okod Parnell; you prideful brat," she sat beaming her lips to the side.