Chapter 8: Lone Nyx

"You know what, I think both of you should join me"

I saw it, for a split second I saw it. As Arisu headed for one of the many side doors in this oversized training hall her tails twitched.

She was basically in comfy clothes right now, thick baggy grey pants and a puffy white hooded jacket with no shoes. When I first met her an enchanted clip of sorts hid both her tails so suspicion wasn't raised over her race, at home however, no concern was present.

"Where too?"

"There's a workshop and forge right outside, come I'll show you"

"You forgetting something Ali, you know... the blizzard?"

We happened to be training indoors for that very reason, also under the watchful eye of Enda who'd spent more time outside in the blizzard then with anyone currently present in this hall. I suspect that blood of hers runs hot enough or can just heal any problems that could occur in freezing temperature.

"Oh no no no, I told you the tower and this place was all connected to a rebuilt school right? Well, some... 'workspaces'... aren't suited to be indoors. You both looked out the windows on three walls, allow me to show you why this wall has none"

"So... the one side we couldn't see because of the stage and storage has no windows?"

"..."

"..."

. ... .

"Just, follow me and keep pace. It's still cold outside so we'll run to the forge. It's not far ok?"

When she opened the door outside my confidence vanished as the freezing air brushed against our skin.

"Wow, it's colder than a witches t-"

"LEG IT!"

Taking a few steps back, Arisu practically launched herself over the freezing cold stone ground towards the nearby forge. Leaping about the size of a few houses, she crossed the large open area and landed directly on what appeared to be a hide of a monster used as a rug.

Closing the door behind us, Ota and I ran straight towards the warm glow. The outdoor area was indeed protected from the blizzard and it was an area surrounded by buildings on each side while the last led to an open courtyard with a sole tree.

As we ran I noticed the stone floor underneath our feet was giving off heat and naturally creating mist thanks to the snow storm I could see raging above.

Looking towards that lone tree and what lead to a large balcony, I could see the silhouette of something leaning against the unnatural flora.

"You see that Ota?"

"At the tree?"

"Yeah, I think, no, I feel like they're about to do something... Give me a second"

I knew exactly what intent was, the feeling of hopelessness where death was an escape.

The last time I saw Tsumugi Makino, the paladin, before fighting Ota. I learnt later that day she tried to take her own life but was stopped thanks to Arisu's strange power.

While I ran towards the tree, the cloaked figure stood up and headed for the balcony's railing. Getting further from the forge, passing the lone tree, I felt a warm wind push me towards my goal.

"Hey! You okay?"

"Excuse me?"

"Aren't you cold? It's freezing over here"

Calling out stopped them in their tracks, but that feeling remained.

"Why don't you come over to the forge? Get something warm to eat?"

Finally reaching the hooded figure I could feel warm that I felt push me swirl around us.

"Just, let me say goodbye first"

With a soft voice filled with sorrow responded in a quite tone. Whoever this person was, I knew their race well.

The hood modified for pointy ears was a dead giveaway.

"A Wis.."

I walked with the Wis to the balcony, a race known as direct descendants of the wind spirit Silvestris. Often lumped in as a Human due to their smooth skin, lack of any fur or tail and sharing most characteristics.

Nowadays, due to their abandonment of Irminsul, they're mostly hated or treated as traitors no matter the situation.

Everyone knew about them and everyone has an opinion on their actions ninety one years ago.

Having seen a few already in both Museum and Study/Library floors, I noticed it was never something that was brought up until a problem arose.

Looking over the railing, I could see the raging blizzard and city below. Both tower and school had been built on highest section of the gigantic dragons skull above an eye socket. Distant lights peaked though a blanket of snow far below.

"Farewell... Bron. You were the best big brother in the world. I hope I meet you again in the next"

The warm wind surrounding us picked up again at an alarming rate, snapping of her cloak off at the neck. I reached out my right hand to cast a vortex to bring it back but stopped.

Without turning to face me, she addressed the wind while holding my wrist, her other arm holding an urn with the ashes flowing out with the wind.

"I guess that was your favourite, I did promise to return it. Goodbye"

Not a Wis, a Nyx. Whereas the former was known as traitors who left the world to ruin, the Nyx never left their caves and underground homes to begin with.

In old fairy tales the Goddess Nympha betrayed Silvestris after giving birth to the Wis, she sort out another partner with her insatiable lust. Fearing Silvestris retribution, she fled underground and eventually gave birth to the Nyx.

I've seen many different races, this city itself was incredibly multicultural as the only neutral city under the rule of democracy, and yet, this was the first Nyx I've come across. She wore a deep purple vest over a white button shirt and matching belted pants.

Clothing throughout Dragons Mort was already quite a step above on a base level than everything we wore at Tyrants Rest. Her clothing was luxurious no matter how I put it.

It was formal wear to a one woman funeral.

As the last of the ashes scattered to the wind, she lifted up the urn and it disintegrated.

"I'm sorry for you loss"

"Don't be. He was a great man and his life should be celebrated, not mourned"

Everyone has their own way I guess. I joined her as we walked back to the forge, as I passed the lone tree I felt something very familiar emanating flowing from its curved trunk, similar to Enda's staff although far weaker.

It had its own intent, to comfort the beautiful tan Nyx.

Her deep green eyes never met mine as her long blonde hair moved in tandem with the wind, as if part of it.

Whoever she is, I don't think she needed comfort, maybe something else.

...

"Oh hey Merrah, I had no idea you were here"

"Come by the bar tonight, I'm not drinking alone"

"Ok..."

After that small talk with Arisu, she left paying no heed to Ota and I.

"Who was that?"

"Merrah, I'd of thought you'd at least heard of her"

"No?"

"Probably not by her real name Ota, what about the name 'Thunderstorm' then?"

I've heard that name before, that name of an infamous bounty hunter whose distinctive weapons made a sounds that only meant one thing, blood was spilt.

"Ah there we go. She's a bit of a mystery, well maybe not her but the weapons she uses. Throughout this entire world the single person who uses a gun, or I guess guns, is her. I don't know how or why, because recreating gunpowder out of this worlds materials always causes... problems. Spells, aura, basically anything can ignite the substance, be it black or smokeless powder... sorry you two probably have no idea what I'm talking about"

"No, I'm interested. You know where I came from"

"Yeah, I know"

"I don't"

"Ota, the Orphanage I grew up in was at Tyrants Rest. It was named after a 'lost soul' gathered many of the world's greatest craftsman to make guns and tools. Using alchemy to create an absurd large amount gunpowder and ammunition. After a 'Pulse' spell was cast by the tyrant, it ignited and essentially blew up everything and everyone setting by technology by a hundred years or something"

One of the Orphans was reading a book on our previous home and pointed it out to me. I had wondered what the 'Tyrant of Powder' was a few times back then myself.

Pulse was a spell that I didn't learn until recently myself as well, it's a simple beginner tier spell like sparks that sends a wave of magical energy across an area. Useful in scouting or sending messages while discrete enough to only be seen by those looking for it.

"That basically sums it up. Enda thinks he shouldn't been labelled a tyrant though, saying that guy wouldn't of done it on purpose if he knew the flaws of that powder"

"Wait, as in she remembers him?"

"Mmm hmm, her memory is fine when it comes to 'lost souls'. I think you'll understand if you think it over.

Ok, now I'm lost. What's with Enda's memory?

"You lot done chirpin'? C'mon now, yer shiny new scabbard's waitin'"

I knew that voice, that accent.

"Rider?"