14 C14: The Old Team (P2)

Aether lead Winry and Alan out of the room to the place where they kept their weaponry.

The squad Alan is going with was formed, and they announced to take their leave the moment they got into their armors.

The room was filled with various weapons, armors, and even some masks. Alan found it quite interesting for the weaponry of an organization.

And the most interesting part was that the weapon room was run by a couple of goblins. They were known to be workers hired for food across Argoth. 'The Magneta," was the name of the species.

"Well... Pick one, Alan." Aether showed him the large swords hung on the wall. There were various types of blades. Magic blades, swords embedded with magic stones, and even enormous cleavers.

Winry already had a powerful staff, so she did not need another. But Alan just started, so he wanted a perfect sword for combat... But he was a mage now...

"Huh... Swords." Alan observed the swords well. Claymores, long swords, broadswords, and all sorts of swords were there.

"Do you think the sword will fit me? I don't know but... I'm a mage." Alan asked Aether.

"Then... Use a magic sword."

Of course... How could have Alan forgotten that? That was the basic rule of magic. His brain wasn't working properly like it did when he was a king. His memories were slowly disappearing along with his characteristics. Though his physical characteristics had disappeared already.

Alan's eyes went to the highest row of swords on the wall. Each sword with a symbol of a different element. Fire, lightning, water, and earth even.

"Huh... I'll choose the hydro blade." Alan pointed at the blade on the edge of the row that had some symbols of spirals along the blade that resembled the element of water.

'A shame... I only know how to control a single element yet...' Alan thought, sighing once more in absolute remorse. He had control over all elements in his past life, but now he was stuck to water.

"Nice choice," Aether said. "If you please bring that sword down," Alan asked a goblin who was walking by. The short goblin raised its thin arm and pointed its fingers towards the sword.

Its fingers were as thin as skeletons. Its skin was an awful purple and it had very long ears. The Magneta had the power of moving objects using their minds... But depending on their power levels, their control over hefty objects differs.

From their appearance, Alan could tell that they weren't ranked above, compared to the goblins in the great cities.

The Magneta pointed its fingers to the sword and it automatically floated down to its hands. It held up the sword by both its hands and presented the sword to Alan.

"Here you go, young one." The ancient goblin handed him the sword. Though, it felt strange for Alan to be called a young one.

"Thank you..." Alan didn't know why but he thanked a goblin. The old goblin grinned at him, showing its wild teeth.

"Hey, how do I use this when I'm in cuffs?" Alan asked Aether who was looking at a claymore on the top of the wall.

"Oh? Well..." he paused. "I think we'll have to wait until Elijah makes a decision. You better start acting less suspicious, otherwise, she won't let you out of those cuffs man."

'Figured...' Alan sighed looking at Winry who was holding on to Alan's chains. She needed to take Alan's hand and comfort him but she couldn't make Aether's suspicion grow.

-

-

"Horses ready?" Elijah asked from the Shadow Phoenix. Riza, Luke, and Lucy were already on their horses, ready to head out of the village.

"We're ready!" Luke said with a beam in his face. All of their baggage was hung on the saddles.

It was a bright morning, the sun was up, the clouds were clear. It was a perfect morning, almost too perfect.

"Owl... Don't you want a horse?" Elijah asked from the little owl who was clinging to her shoulder. The owl shook its head.

"Oh? Do you want to travel on my shoulder? Too scared for a horse?"

The owl nodded pridefully. Elijah chuckled as he did that. The owl was strange compared to the other natural owls. It had a golden tattoo on its head, consisting of three lines and its feathers were blue.

"Now, where's Winry?" Lucy asked Elijah, making herself comfortable on the horse.

"I'm waiting for them. They'll arrive any moment now. And I'll be introducing two new members to you guys." Elijah was thinking about Alan now. She was wondering if she would keep the secret from the Shadow Phoenix or just tell them that... But either way, she knew that they would put their trust in her.

She took a good look at the faces in front of her. The countless journeys they've shared were just too extraordinary.

Their chuckles took her back in time to the moment she first met them.

-

Elijah and Winry were just two little girls. They were hundred years old, but their appearances were just like a 15-year-old human. The incident happened not long after their parents passed away. Only two weeks.

"Hmm... Elijah, Winry. Come here you two. I want you to meet each other." Miandir, the head of the village took us to an old and creaky house filled with cobwebs.

In the village, this little house was known as the Grave of Hemistus, a wrinkly old fae who had passed away long before they were even born. Many kids stood far from this house because their elders used to frighten them, using the stories of the old Hemistus.

Elijah and Winry followed Miandir, up the creaky old stairs. Miandir was a fae, half-goat, half-man. He was chosen by the villagers themselves because he was an honest old man who stood against the bad and cherished the good.

"Hurry up Rayworth sisters. Our little friends are waiting," the old fae pushed open the door and lead them into a quite gloomy room.

3 kids were standing in the midst. One little boy with white hair was wearing the cross of a highborn. One tall girl with a beautiful body and scary eyes.

And there was one more girl who was hiding behind the tall girl, afraid to come out because of her utter shyness.

Winry was too shy to face the strangers. She hid behind her big sister's cape.

"Awahh... Winry, don't be such a scaredy-cat all the time."

Suddenly, the owl who was sitting on the edge of the window that stood high on the wall floated down towards Elijah.

Flash! There was a sudden bright flash. It blinded Elijah's view for a moment and when she opened her eyes again, a boy was standing in front of her.

"Huh? A shapeshifter..." Elijah gasped as she saw the boy. Shapeshifting was a skill earned by the best mages, and this kid already had it... She was truly astonished at that time.

The boy pulled down his hood, revealing his face to Winry. One of his eyes was entirely the color of flames and the other was grey.

Despite the one demonic eye, he looked like a handsome young boy with short black hair.

He smiled kindly at Elijah and gave her his hand for a handshake.

"Welcome...." the boy whispered under his breath, blushing slightly. He was quite shy too but was brave enough to show up in front of her.

"Mmm! Thank you!" Elijah said with a high voice, giving him a handshake. Winry slowly took a peek at the members behind the shape-shifting boy and saw Lucy.

"Now! Now... Everyone... Greet the newcomers as Owl did. They are your last teammates."