Chapter 50: From Legend to Immortal
*On a hot sunny day a mysterious woman wearing a hooded robe covering her face is walking through the dusty streets of a settlement. Others ignore the woman and go about their business as she walks through the settlement until she comes across the local guild hall. Taking a deep breath, the woman enters the hall where she is greeted with loud sounds of laughter, music, and talking. The hooded woman takes in the environment for a second and calmly smiles as she heads toward the front desk. She removes her hood and untucks her long hair from the hood to reveal that she had green eyes, green hair and tiny brown antlers on her head. Her appearance didn’t go unnoticed by the patrons of the hall as many stopped what they were doing and were awestruck by her beauty. The demihuman approached the desk with grace and was greeted by the receptionist who was a light-skinned female human with brown hair tied in a bun and purple eyes. She was wearing a long-sleeved black buttoned shirt with an orange skirt and platted vest that was orange and black*
(Receptionist): Good day to you ma’am. Welcome to the Wanhausen Mercenary Hall. How may I assist you?
(Female demihuman): I am here to make a request.
*Hearing this lit up the face of the hall patrons who got up from their seats and walked over to the desk. The patrons varied from race and sex, but all of them were rugged and hungry for adventure. As well as money*
(Female demihuman): Oh my. It seems I’ve caused quite a stir.
(Receptionist): I apologize for this. It’s been seven months since the defeat of the Eclipse King and things have been rather slow around here. Some of our members are rather desperate for work. What’s the request?
(Female demihuman): An escort mission. I wish to plant this flower on a certain location.
*The demihuman pulled out a bottle from her pockets which contained a pink flower with mulch inside of it. She held it up to show everyone around her*
(Female demihuman): The reward will be 50,000 credits up front and a special reward once the request is completed.
*The faces of the patrons lit up as soon as they heard 50,000 credits plus a special reward once the job was completed. While the 50,000 credits was more than enough to get them excited the promise of a second reward just sweetened the deal*
(Receptionist): And where may I ask do you wish to be escorted to?
(Female demihuman): The top of Mount Wanhausen.
*As soon as the demihuman said her destination everyone’s faces went grim and some of them started to disperse*
(Female demihuma): Is there a problem with my destination?
(Tiger demihuman): Lady, Mount Wanhausen is the most dangerous place in the area.
(Elf mercenary): That place is crawling with Eclipses. The last mercenary squad who went up there never returned back alive. Sorry, but no reward is worth risking my life going into that death trap.
*The tiger demihuman and elf mercenary walked away followed by others*
(Female demihuman): Please, it is of the utmost importance that I reach the top of that mountain.
*The demihuman’s plea for help fell on death’s ears as everybody ignored her*
(???): I’ll do it.
*Everyone’s attention turned to the mercenary who spoke up. The mercenary was a wolf with long silver hair and tail and red eyes. She wore long leather black pants with black boots and a long sleeved red top that was slightly torn. On her back was a macuahuitl. She got up from the table she was sitting at and let out a yawn as she approached the demihuman*
(Wolf demihuman): I’m bored and could use a good exercise. Besides, somebody has to show they have some balls around here.
(Elf mercenary): What was that you bit-
*Before the elf could finish his sentence, the wolf demihuman glared at him with killing intent and he quickly shut up. The tiger demihuman from before quickly pulled him back into his seat*
(Tiger demihuman): Do you have a death wish? Don’t you know who that is? That’s Aitana Quetzalcoatl.
*The elf went wide eyed*
(Elf mercenary): Aitana Quetzalcoatl!? The legendary hero who defeated the Eclipse King? I’ve heard stories about her. They say she headbutted an Eclipse so hard its head exploded.
(Female cat demihuman): I heard she once ripped out the spine of an Eclipse just to see if they had one. What’s she doing all the way out here in the boonies and not ruling Carnivale?
(Tiger demihuman): Don’t know. Rumor has it there was a heated argument with the council and both sides left frustrated with one another. Then the next day she left the city. Council members tried to stop her but she fought her way out. They say she’s now banished from the city.
(Female demihuman): You’ll really help me?
(Aitana): Sure, why not? I’ve been looking for something to do around here.
(Female demihuman): Should we not try and find more muscle to help us?
(Aitana): I’m all the muscle you’ll need. Although we should look around for a possible healer to help us out.
(Female demihuman): Oh don’t worry about that. I have excellent healing powers. Although I’m not very good at fighting.
(Aitana): Alright. Let’s get some supplies and head out while we still got sunlight. We’ve got a long climb and the higher we go the more dangerous it gets.
(Female demihuman): Right.
(Aitana): By the way. The name’s Aitana. You?
(Female demihuman): Just call me, M.
*Aitana was a little puzzled by the name*
(Aitana): That’s simple and easy to remember. Let’s get a move on, M.
*Aitana and M exit the hall using the front door and head out to get supplies for their climb*
***
*About an hour later, Aitana and M had begun climbing the mountain. Aitana took the lead while M followed short of breath*
(Aitana): Ah~, breathe in that sweet mountain air. This is why you can never get tired of nature.
*Aitana looks back to see M breathing heavily*
(Aitana): How you holding up back there, M? Need to take a little break?
(M): No. I am fine. Please don’t stop on account of me. How are we doing on time?
(Aitana): Well we’re making decent progress, but there’s no way we’re getting to the top of the mountain in one day. We need to get to the first halfway point before sundown. There’s a fresh supply of water and Eclipses won’t reach us. It’s further up but we should make it there, so let’s pick up the pace.
(M): Right behind you Aitana. I must say, climbing a mountain is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
(Aitana): First time climbing a mountain? You should have gotten plenty of experience in Carnivale.
(M): I’m afraid I was born outside of Carnivale. I was raised in the Helunio domain where the land was mostly flat.
(Aitana): No foolin’? So why’d you journey all the way out into the boonies just to plant some flower?
(M): This flower is the last of its kind. The climate in the plains has shifted and this flower can’t survive there. However, the climate upon Mount Wanhausen will be hospitable for this plant to grow healthy.
(Aitana): Seems like a lot to go through for some plant. What makes it so special?
(M): What if I were to tell you that this plant could save hundreds if not thousands of lives? That the fate of this planet rests surely on the success of this mission? That if we were to fail all life would be put in jeopardy?
*Aitana stopped and glared at M for a few seconds. M stared back at Aitana with a stoic face*
(Aitana): Then I say we’d better get a move on and reach the top of that mountain.
(M): *Chuckles* I was only joking.
(Aitana): No, I can tell there was some truth to what you were saying. It wasn’t the full truth but enough to let me know that this flower is very important. And you have my word that I’ll get you to the top even if it kills me.
*Aitana turned back around and continued to climb leaving M stunned at what she just heard. They had only just met yet Aitana was genuinely invested in helping her accomplish her goal. M was puzzled on why someone would go to such lengths for someone they just met. Someone who could have just easily made up a lie and was pulling their leg*
***
*As time went by the two continued to climb the mountain until Aitana sensed someone watching them and stopped in her tracks. M also stopped as she too sensed they were being watched*
(Aitana): We’ve got company, and it’s not the good kind.
*Popping out from the bushes and behind boulders were Eclipses in the form of mountain lions. There were seven total by Aitana’s estimates and they were slowly approaching the two demihumans. Aitana smiled and pulled out her macuahuitl to prepare for battle as the Eclipses growled at her and M*
(Aitana): Alright, there’s seven of them. M, stay behind and far back, but not too far back where I lose sight of you. Make sure you stay within my sight and if I tell you to run, run.
(M): Okay.
*Aitana walked slowly forward toward the Eclipses but stopped when one of them ran toward her. The Eclipse lunged in the air toward Aitana where she swung her macuahuitl vertically at the Eclipse to slash it in half. This sent the other Eclipses into a frenzy and Aitana capitalized on this by running up to the nearest and using her macuahuitl to send it flying all while slashing it in the process. An Eclipse that was nearby lunged at Aitana who stepped back to avoid the attack. Aitana then looked to her sides to see an Eclipse each side running toward her to attack. Aitana jumped in the air just as the two Eclipses lunged at to dodge the attack. While in the air, Aitana threw her blade straight down to pierce the two Eclipses through their stomach/chest areas to kill them. As soon as Aitana landed an Eclipse managed to slash her from behind leaving claw marks on her lower back. Aitana screamed in pain as blood dripped from the open wounds and got an angry look on her face. Before she could attack another Eclipse jumped on her and pushed her to the ground. The Eclipse tried to use its teeth to bite Aitana but she prevented the attack by grabbing its jaws with her hands and keeping its mouth open. Using her strength Aitana managed to pull herself up and back to her feet where she tossed the Eclipse off the side of the cliff nearby making it fall to its death. Aitana then ran towards her blade but the last Eclipse was blocking her path and ready to pounce on her. As the Eclipse pounced in the air toward Aitana she planted her feet firmly on the ground swung her head back and then swung it forward to deliver a headbutt to the Eclipse shattering its skull. The Eclipse hit the ground rolled backwards not moving while a gash opened up on Aitana’s head and blood started pouring out. She ignored the blood and the pain to grab her blade and turned around just in time as the Eclipse that slashed her earlier tried to attack her from behind again. Only this time Aitana was ready. She sensed the attack coming, grabbed the Eclipse by the neck and tossed it to the ground back first where she proceeded to stab it with her blade multiple times in the stomach/chest before it began to disappear. Once the Eclipse was disappearing, Aitana grabbed her head and fell to one knee. M saw this and quickly ran over to Aitana to apply first aid to the gash. Reaching into her traveler’s pouch she pulls out bandages to cover the gash. Just as she finished wrapping the bandages around Aitana’s head, Aitana quickly pushed her out of the way. M fell to the ground looking away wondering why Aitana did such a thing. As soon as she turned around she saw a mountain lion Eclipse on top of Aitana trying to bite her. Luckily, Aitana was blocking its attack by shoving her macuahuitl in its mouth. M panicking picked up a nearby rock on the ground and threw it at the Eclipse. The rock hit the Eclipse in the eye causing a momentary distraction which allowed Aitana to push the Eclipse off her and slice its head off*
(Aitana): Thanks for the assist there, M.
(M): My pleasure, now let me apply first aid to the rest of your injuries.
*The two heard a growl and looked to the side where they saw thirteen more mountain lion Eclipses heading towards them. Aitana smiled and rose to her feet to fight them*
(M): You mustn’t. You’re injured. Let’s just fall back for now.
(Aitana): Not happening. We do that and these things won’t let anyone pass. When battling Eclipses, the best thing to do is show no fear and rip, tear, slash, and cut until none of them are left standing.
*Aitana ran headfirst toward the Eclipses as they charged at her. M watched with a worried expression as the two sides clashed with one other*
***
*It was now nighttime on the mountain. Aitana and M were now at the halfway point where they were staying at a wooden cabin. Against the odds, Aitana managed to defeat all thirteen Eclipses by herself. After defeating the Eclipses the two managed to reach the halfway point just as nightfall was setting. M was relieved as she would be able to tend to Aitana’s injuries uninterrupted. While Aitana boasted that she was fine she couldn’t hide the fact that she didn’t escape unscathed and her wounds were starting to take effect on her. Once they reached the cabin M began applying medical aid to Aitana’s injuries with her magic. Aitana lied down on a bench as M was preparing to treat her*
(Aitana): Ah! That stings!
(M): Please bear with it. I’m going to close up your wounds so that they don’t become infected.
*M concentrated as she applied a green gel like substance to Aitana’s wounds. Once the gel was applied to all of the injured areas, M put her hands above Aitana’s body, closed her eyes, and began to focus magic into her hands. After a few seconds, M’s hands began to glow green as did the gel all over Aitana’s body. Aitana flinched in pain a little at first but after a few seconds she felt a nice warmth all over her body. She could feel her wounds closing and her body beginning to revitalize from the fights earlier that day. The gel that was applied to her wounds was steadily disappearing from her body and once it was all gone M’s hands stopped glowing and she lowered them*
(M): *Sigh* It is done. You can get up now.
*Aitana got up from the bench and hopped around a few times feeling refreshed. She threw a few jabs and kicks at thin air to make sure she didn’t feel any pain*
(Aitana): Wow. I feel great. My wounds are closed and there’s no scars or anything. It’s like I never got injured in the first place. How’d you do that? I’ve never seen healing magic this good before.
(M): It is a healing method that has been passed down in my family for generations.
(Aitana): Well it does good work. Thanks a lot.
(M): Think nothing of-
*Before M could finish her sentence her stomach let out a loud growl and she blushed*
(Aitana): *Chuckles* Looks like one of us could use a nice meal.
*Aitana’s stomach also let out a growl*
(Aitana): Make that two of us.
*M let out a soft chuckle and smiled*
(Aitana): Hold tight, I’ll whip us up some fine vegetable stew.
*Aitana went to her bag and pulled out a pan as well as some hooks. M got a fire started as Aitana handed the pan and hooks over to her. M attached the hooks onto the handle of the pan to make it hang above the fire. As M was pouring water into the pan, Aitana was busy preparing the vegetables*
(M): I must say. As impressive as your fighting prowess is, you’re too reckless. You’re taking too many chances and none of them are paying off as well as you would hope.
(Aitana): Reckless? Have you been out in the world? Everything we do is reckless.
(M): I just thought that a legendary hero would have a much more polished fighting style.
(Aitana): *Chuckles* Sorry to ruin your expectations.
(M): I’m sorry. That was rude of me.
(Aitana): No, it’s fine. Truth be told it’s nice to talk to someone who isn’t high strung on me being a legendary hero.
*Aitana finished chopping up the vegetables and made her way over to the pot to pour them in along with the broth. After adding the vegetables and the broth, Aitana sat down across from M with the pot and firepit separating the two*
(M): Do you dislike the title?
(Aitana): It’s not that I dislike the title, it’s just I really never saw myself as a legend let alone a hero. It was just a title everyone thrusted upon me after the war. And once you have that title everyone is afraid to approach you.
(M): You don’t see yourself as a hero?
(Aitana): Nope. Just a strong wolf traveling the world and going wherever she pleases.
(M): Does that not make you a hero? The strong serve as a beacon of hope for those who are weak and need help.
(Aitana): You and I have different opinions on what it means to be strong.
(M): Really? Then what is your opinion on being strong?
(Aitana): Everybody believes that because a person is strong it’s their responsibility to help others and the world. But in my opinion, being strong means being able to control your path in life. Look at all the kingdoms and empires of the world. Why aren’t they using their resources to help other places who are suffering?
(M): It’s because they don’t have the resources to help everyone.
(Aitana): Maybe. Or maybe it’s because they don’t have a responsibility to those people. When you’re strong your only responsibility is to yourself. If you want to use your strength to help others that’s fine. If you want to use your strength to become a king that’s fine too. If you want to be a tyrant and abuse those who are weak, be my guest. As long as you’re strong enough to pull it off no one can complain.
(M): Hmm~, I think I see what you mean. Then why continue on the path you’re on? Why not become a queen yourself? Rule the way you see fit. It would be so easy for someone like you.
(Aitana): Because I’m not interested in ruling or being ruled. That’s why I left Carnivale. I choose to walk a different path because I’m strong enough to do it.
(M): And what do you hope to gain by following this path? What do you hope to find at the end of the road? What do you wish to see?
(Aitana): I can’t say.
*M was puzzled by Aitana’s response*
(Aitana): There’s no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring or what I’ll find. But that’s why I keep following the path I’ve chosen. It’s exciting and thrilling to see what will happen next and I’ll be sure I’m strong enough to make my own choices and follow the path I’ve chosen.
(M): I see. You’ve given me much to think about?
(Aitana): Glad to be of assistance. Oh~, stew’s ready.
*Aitana grabs a bowl and serving spoon to scoop up some of the stew and pour it into the bowl. After pouring the stew into the bowl she hands it to M who thanks her and then pours herself a bowl of stew. As they eat enjoying the meal, M looks up into the night sky to see the stars and admires them*
(M): Hmm~, the stars certainly are beautiful. No matter how much the world changes, they remain the same. Shining eternally throughout the night.
(Aitana): Kind of a boring life if you ask me. Talk about a dull and colorless life. Just sitting there, shining in the night sky doing nothing.
(M): If you were immortal, what kind of life would you live?
(Aitana): A life of immortality? Hmm~. I would live it like a firework. Exciting, colorful, and shining brightly for everyone to see and be amazed at.
*Aitana smiled cheerfully and continued to eat her stew. M smiled gently and also decided to eat her stew as well. After finishing their stews and cleaning up the two went to bed so that they could get an early start the next morning*
***
*The next morning came and the two demihumans were climbing the mountain once again. Along the way they came across a few Eclipses but it was nothing Aitana couldn’t handle with ease. One thing that M noticed during those fights was that Aitana wasn’t fighting as recklessly as she was the other day. Aitana feigned ignorance and said she was fighting like she normally was, but M knew that she was fighting more cautiously in order not to worry her. It made her happy to know how much Aitana cared about her and listened to what she said*
(Aitana): Alright, we should be nearing the top soon. Once we’re up there be sure to plant the flower quickly. This area is crawling with strong Eclipses. The longer we stay up here the more we get their attention.
*As the two continued to run up the mountain they reached the top where they came upon a patch of wilted flowers*
(Aitana): So this is the place where you’ll plant the flower?
(M): Yes.
(Aitana): Not my first choice but do what you gotta do.
*All of a sudden, the two heard a loud roar and turned around to see Eclipses in the form of mountain lions approaching them. One was much bigger than the average Eclipses Aitana fought previously*
(Aitana): Looks like they decided to bring out the whole pack. Get to planting, M.
(M): It’ll take some time to properly plant the flower. I have to make sure it’s right and-
(Aitana): I got it. Do what you’ve gotta do. I’ll protect you.
*M quickly ran over to the wilted patch and began planting the flower while Aitana pulled out her macuahuitl and drew a line in the dirt*
(Aitana): Alright you bastards. This is the line of death. Cross it and you come face to face with the boogey wolf.
*Two Eclipses who were on the smaller side ran toward Aitana. As soon as they crossed the line Aitana swung her macuahuitl and chopped their heads off. As their heads rolled onto the ground their bodies started to disappear. Aitana motioned for the other Eclipses to come if they dared and they took her up on that offer as they came running past the line to attack Aitana who happily fought back. The first three were small Eclipses where Aitana used her macuahuitl to slash through the first one then delivered a spinning heel kick to the second to send it flying off to the side followed by a left uppercut to the third one who went up into the air. A fourth Eclipse managed to bite Aitana around her right knee. Ignoring the pain she thrusted her macuahuitl downward driving it through the skull of the Eclipse. Seeing another Eclipse about to pounce her out of the corner of her eyes, Aitana quickly flung the Eclipse she just stabbed at the Eclipse about to pounce on her. This momentary distraction allowed Aitana to run up to the Eclipse and deliver an axe kick which shattered the spine of the Eclipse. Aitana didn’t have long to take in her handy work as the sixth Eclipse managed to sneak up from behind her and sink its teeth into her left shoulder followed by a seventh Eclipse which bit into her right elbow causing her to drop her macuahuitl and then finally and eighth Eclipse came to bite her on her left knee. This forced her to go down and almost lose consciousness but she reopened her eyes and using all of her strength she managed to shake the Eclipses off of her. Aitana was breathing heavily as blood was pouring from her body but she wouldn’t back down. The three Eclipses circled around her waiting to make their move. The first to make their move was treated to a headbutt by Aitana which sent it flying backwards and the other two tried to pounce on her from behind but she caught both of them by the neck. She threw the first one to the ground and stomped on its head to kill it and then snapped the neck of the second one. Just as the two Eclipses were fading, Aitana was attacked by the big and final Eclipse who bit through Aitana’s left side. Its teeth piercing through Aitana’s side as it dragged her across the ground. As Aitana was in pain and being dragged she managed to grab her macuahuitl and pulled her upper body up to stab the Eclipse in the eye. Aitana went flying out of the Eclipse’s mouth where a large two holes could be seen on Aitana’s left side where she was pierced by the teeth of the Eclipse. Grabbing her left side and fighting through the pain Aitana ran forward and delivered a drop kick to the Eclipse which staggered it. Aitana followed up with a jumping spinning heel kick to its jaw and once she landed on the ground she jumped up again to deliver a somersault kick to the Eclipse. Just as Aitana landed on the ground, the Eclipse swatted at her which its front right paw to send her crashing into a nearby boulder. Barely able to main consciousness, Aitana picked herself up, her vision blurry due to the blood running down her face creating a crimson mask. Aitana looked to the side and saw a machete by a bunch of bones most likely belonging to a mercenary who died at the hands of an Eclipse. Picking it up, Aitana ran toward the Eclipse who had trouble focusing on Aitana due to being blinded in one eye. With its depth perception gone it miscalculated Aitana’s distance and missed her entirely with its paw. Aitana managed to get underneath the Eclipse where she reached the center of the Eclipse’s belly and thrust the machete upward into its heart and twisted the machete for added measure. The Eclipse let out a roar of pain as Aitana got from underneath just as it fell sideways. With the Eclipse on its last leg, Aitana walked over to the Eclipse, pulled her macuahuitl for its eye and began slashing wildly until it started to fade away. Once Aitana regained her senses and saw that the Eclipse was fading she fell backwards onto her back and stared up into the sky. She could hear footsteps coming toward her and assumed it was M. She was right as M crouched down with a worried expression on her face*
(M): Aitana! Speak to me!
(Aitana): Hey! . . .Not so sound *cough*. I can hear you just fine.
(M): Don’t speak! Save your energy! You’ve lost a lot of blood. Not even my healing gel would be enough to heal these wounds quickly.
(Aitana): Yeah. It doesn’t take a doctor to see that. Looks like this is the end of the road for me. Did you plant that flower properly?
(M): Yes. The flower has been planted properly.
*Aitana smiles weakly*
(Aitana): Good. Looks like the mission was completed. I can die happy knowing I saved the world twice. Too bad about the reward. I was really planning on using those credits to drink some good alcohol.
(M): That’s right. I promised you a second reward for the completion of the mission.
*M reached into her satchel and pulled out a golden apple*
(M): It may not be sake but please eat it.
(Aitana): That’s a very unique looking fruit. Not what I would expect my final meal to be but it’s better than tasting my own blood.
*M props up Aitana and lowers the apple to her mouth. Aitana bites into the apple and begins to chew on it. It tasted like any ordinary apple she’s had before and she swallowed it. As soon as she did her body began to glow. Aitana could feel her wounds healing and any damage done to her body was being fixed. The blood that covered her body was washed away as well. When her body stopped glowing she felt revitalized and shocked at what just happened*
(Aitana): I’m alive? But, how?
(M): That apple I gave was no ordinary apple. I’m sorry, I must apologize. I have not been entirely truthful to you.
*M closed her eyes and began to float in the air as her tiny brown antlers began to grow into big antlers that were gold with green leaves appearing on them. Aitana got up shocked at what she was witnessing. She had never seen anything like this before in her life. Once her antlers stopped glowing, M returned to the ground and reopened her eyes giving a cute and friendly smile*
(M): Do not be afraid child. For I am Midori.
*As soon as Aitana heard that name her jaw dropped open*
(Aitana): Wait, the Midori? As in the Earth Goddess Midori? You’re Midori?
(Midori): The very same. I apologize for deceiving you, but my existence must be kept a secret.
*Aitana just stood there stunned. She couldn’t believe that Midori the Earth Goddess, the god of the demihumans was right in front her and all this time she was traveling with her. Not only that but she shared a stew with her*
(Midori): Now, returning to my previous statement. The apple I gave you wasn’t just any apple, it was an apple from my personal garden infused with my powers. Your body has now been infused with my powers the Blessings of the Earth.
***
*Out in the wilds under the night sky and by a fire, Jade was telling everyone (particularly Jin and Alita) the story of how she met Midori and gained the Blessing of the Earth*
(Jade): And so the goddess went on to explain to me that I’m a demigod. Thanks to the Blessings of the Earth I’m immortal. However, I’m not invincible. I can still get hurt and there are limits to my immortality, but as long as my body touches the Earth beneath me I’ll be fine. Along with being immortal, I’m pretty strong as well.
(Jin): I can’t believe it.
(Jade): I know right? I used to wear boots. What was I thinking? Barefoot is definitely the way to go.
*Jin looked at Jade in disbelief at what he just heard*
(Jin): I’m not even going to respond to that. You met the goddess Midori and you’re the Legendary Hero Aitana.
(Jade): Former Legendary Hero. I’m now just Jade the Stone Wolf. Wandering adventurer and currently a knight in service of Brister.
(Alita): Question. What happened next and how have you been able to keep your identity a secret?
(Jade): Good questions, Alita. Well after Midori got finished explaining to me what happened, she soon disappeared on me. With Midori gone I soon made my way back down the mountain. Since she had already given me the rewards I didn’t have to verify the completion of the requests. I spent my days living normally. Traveling, accepting a quest here and there, fighting Eclipses, partying, and stopping slave traders who captured demihumans. As the years went by I learned how to change up my appearance to make myself appear older or younger. I even learned to change up my hair color. After every couple of years I would change up my appearance as to not arouse suspicion and continue traveling throughout the world. Watching it change for better or worse and doing my best to keep a low profile until I met these guys and started hanging out with them because they’re fun. When you’ve lived for as long as I have the one thing you want to do is find something fun and interesting and I managed to hit the jackpot with these guys. Spending time with them and going on black op missions is the most fun I’ve had in years. They honestly do remind me of my time with the other legendary heroes. In fact, they might be even more fun than them.
(Dust): Wow, compliments from the queen.
(Ryuuji): What an honor.
(Jade): Still, I don’t know what I find more shocking; the fact that I met an actual goddess, the fact that I’m immortal or the fact that her request did in fact save the world.
(Jin): How so?
(Morgan): That flower that the goddess planted was the Delfingo Flower. Roughly 200 years ago a dangerous pandemic swept the south. You might know it as the Divoc Virus.
(Jin): I read about that virus. Nasty stuff. It affected everyone. From children to adults to elves to demihumans. No one was safe from it.
(Morgan): And many people were dying left and right. Thankfully, we managed to find a vaccine with the key component being the Delfingo Flower. Without that flower this pandemic would have spread throughout the world and would have probably doomed us all.
(Alita): The gods truly do work in mysterious ways.
(Jin): Then how did your macuahuitl wind up in a museum?
(Jade): I left it behind. I had to make people believe I was dead so I left it in some ruins. I didn’t expect it to get discovered by Brister. Shocked the hell of me that’s for sure.
(Morgan): And you still don’t have any idea what they could possibly want with the macuahuitl?
(Jade): Nothing.
(Dust): Well there’s no sense in worrying about it. Let’s stay zenquilo and we’ll get the answers we’re looking for in Carnivale.
***
*Meanwhile, back in Brister. The moon was out and shining brightly as Kurai along with a few red knights were composed of Sera, Scarlet and Hua were overlooking an abandoned mine. Amarti, Zia, Sanada, Raika, and Gael were with them and Gael was now sporting a mechanical arm made entirely out of Reindium. They were all watching a suspicious man enter the mines who was wearing the standard prisoner outfit from Brister*
(Gael): Told you I’d find them. I’m detecting multiple auras in that mine.
(Kurai): Good job.
*Kurai smiled as she took out a hunting shotgun from her waist and cocked it*
(Kurai): Let the hunt begin.
Author’s Note: Man it’s good to be back. Hey guys. Welcome to the start of volume 3. Thank you all so much for your patience and excitement. It’s hard to believe we’re already at chapter 50. I wanted to start this volume on an epic note and set the tone for this arc. Jade’s the star of this arc so I wanted the attention to be on her and her backstory. I left volume 2 on a shocking reveal so I wanted to follow up on that reveal and show how she became immortal. The design for Midori was based largely on Fauna from Hololive. Fauna is very gentle, kind, sweet, and motherly. I wanted Midori to radiate that but at the same show her as someone who is all-powerful and a master of nature and healing magic. Midori’s presence will definitely be felt in this arc as Jade faces her past. Looking forward to learning more about her and the other gods in the Records of Rein coming out next Monday. And that’s all for now. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next.