Breakfast was made, and the two lovebirds joined, Oswald's perception wasn't needed to see their gleaming faces.
After breakfast, the group stood outside the treehouse, ready for the long trek back to buy some more lanterns.
"We are profoundly grateful for the respite and sustenance you have graciously bestowed upon us," Percival said, bowing. Oswald did the same while Aelindor stood, looking at the future significant other behind the mother.
"As I have already spoken, thou needst not trouble thyself, and pray, take this as thy second home."
Oswald nodded.
"Understood. See you later."
With that, the three departed, but not without the two waving at each other.
Aelindor walked ahead while the two trailed behind, his grin and gleam undimmed since breakfast.
Oswald scoffed, pointing at Aelindor.
"I swear, if he was given wings, he'd be flying away."
Now, I understand the "I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky."
"Heh, indeed…" A sad smile crossed his face. "I concur…" He trailed off.
Oswald pointed at Percival, his grin widening.
"Ohhh, I know that smile. You have one too, don't you?" He nudged Percival.
"Haaah. Have I rendered it so conspicuous, perchance?"
Yep.
He turned to Oswald.
"She is… a noblewoman, born of the Ferrum Tribes."
An animal-eared second half, huh—Wait!
"Is it normal for a human to marry a demi-human? Will your family be okay with that?"
Percival clenched his fist.
"May my honor be DAMNED for the sake of that maiden," he said through gritted teeth.
Whoa!
Oswald blinked profusely.
"Wow uh. Well um, I… bid you good luck and hope… everything works out."
Percival let out a silent whistle, his noble composure returning.
"I hope so too."
The conversation ended, filled with the noise of the forest for the rest of the way.
Man, did I just stumble into chains of… love? Well, I really hope the two get together, just like how she got Aelindor with patience spanning… centuries. Makes me wonder, will I… have one too?
* * *
Three hours later, the trio finally reached the stone pavement leading to the kingdom's archway entrance.
"Aah, the familiar smell of moss and… more moss."
He looked at Aelindor, scratching his chin.
"Y'know, we should really ask their Highnesses to plant flowers around here. Give the people a more… welcoming aroma."
"I am in accord, and would greatly delight in taking the sweet scent of blossoms ere I pass into the kingdom—"
SCREEE! SCREEE! SCREEE!
Many shrieks pierced the sky, causing them to cup their ears. They were quickly followed by black infant wyverns—horse-sized dragons—zipping past overhead.
"WHAT!?"
As the sky filled—leaving only specks of blue—a huge wyvern moved among the sea of smaller ones.
Mother wyvern!
"W-We need to head to the castle, now! Tell them about the parasite!"
Their trance broken, they nodded.
The three sprinted for the castle as explosions erupted around them—near and far—accompanied by the ceaseless shrieks of wyverns.
* * *
They ran past the fountain in the plaza under a volley of arrows and mages' fireballs.
BOOM!
Fiery splinters, wood, and beams exploded toward them, and the trio shielded themselves. Aelindor and Percival winced from the burns, save for Oswald, clad in his armor.
As they passed the exploded building, Oswald glanced inside. The interior burned with magenta-colored flames. A burning beam detached and fell into the inferno below—and yet…
W-Where are the people?! I mean, I'm grateful they aren't there, but… it's a surprise invasion, isn't it?
"There!" Percival yelled, pointing toward a parrotraptor carriage rental.
The parrotraptors—a velociraptor-like body with a parrot's head and feathers—screeched, failing to escape due to the rattling chains on the carriage wheels.
"Great idea!" Oswald said, then his gaze shifted to Aelindor. "You drive!"
With a nod, Aelindor swiftly manned the driver's box, grabbing the reins. Percival and Oswald stood on the step rail on either side of the carriage.
Percival looked at the chain around the wheel and unsheathed his sword.
"On my mark, we split the chains."
The chains… Oh.
"Got it!"
BOOM! BOOM!
"NOW!"
WHOOSH! CLANK! CLATTER!
"Whoa!"
Freed from the chains, the parrotraptor lurched forward. Oswald's body jolted, his legs almost slipping from the step rail.
Their destination leftward, Aelindor turned left sharply, causing the carriage to drift.
HOLY SHIT!
His grip tightened on the bar as the carriage was straightened.
"Ahahaha. Ah, man."
Fujiwara would be proud.
The trio sped through the chaos to their destination: the castle.
* * *
The parrotraptor carriage skidded to a stop. The trio hopped off and sprinted into the courtyard.
They spotted the command post by the castle entrance—a garrison of mages in dark-green cloaks shooting green beams from their staffs, protected by a wall of elite guards clad in gold armor, their broadswords and shields facing the sky.
Which one of them's the commander here?
Nearing the wall of guards, the mages and the guards looked at the three with puzzlement.
"Who's in command here!" He called out, his gaze shifting between the mages and the guards.
A woman's voice—firm and resonant—sounded from the garrison.
"'Tis I."
The guards made way for the commander. She wore a green cloak with lime edges, a diamond-shaped emerald encased in gold resting on her forehead, suspended by a fine gold chain from her scalp.
"Great! You see, I-I personally have fought them before. So I uh, know their weakness. There's a parasite controlling them, right between the eyes and above the forehead. It's invisible, but it can be hit. Therefore—I mean, henceforth—the target is the parasite controlling the wyverns. They aren't themselves dangerous after it's removed. I suggest knocking them down, removing the parasite, and moving onto the next one…"
He inhaled deeply, having forgotten to breathe.
"That's all."
Percival walked to his side.
"I verify his information, Commander. As I, one of many captains of Solara Prime, vouch for the information's credibility."
After a pause, the female elf commander dipped her head.
"Thy message shall be delivered unto all who stand in defense."
She closed her eyes, then opened them. Her aqua iris began glowing.
"O ye who stand 'gainst the invasion, a new intelligence hath reached mine ears. The wyverns are ensnared by a parasite. Strike down the foe, drive thy sword 'twixt its eyes, and there shalt thou find the parasite. Pluck it forth, and anon shall the beast return to its natural state, rendered harmless."
Oswald turned to his friends.
"Our work here is done. Let's go join the battle." He looked at Percival. "We'll be using your flying iceberg technique again."
The trio put some distance between them and the wall of guards. Percival unsheathed his sword, focusing on it. Icy mist released from the cross-guard like a smoke machine. The ice crystals joined together, quickly forming an iceberg large enough for the three to stand on.
"Hurry, climb it!"
Oswald hurriedly climbed the iceberg, the rough surface giving him purchase. On top, he carefully turned around, extending his hand to Aelindor.
"Come on, we don't have time."
Aelindor extended his hand to Oswald, pausing midway.
"Look, I understand your hesitancy, but I promise I'll keep you safe."
Aelindor let out a silent whistle, then grabbed his hand. Both on top, they helped Percival up. Oswald and the others lay on their chests, gripping the top of the iceberg.
"Brace yourselves for the launch. 3… 2… 1… RELEASE!"
WHOOSH!
"Whoa!"
The iceberg lurched violently, shooting skyward at a steep angle.
* * *
ns216.73.216.247da2
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