A charred village, a smoldering flame bellowed smoke into the sky. The style of buildings were reminiscent of old Germanic buildings– At least the ones that were still standing. A dirt path cut through this rubble, but still littered with the shattered wood.
Over a small bridge led them there, with each new thing Lucian's breath bated. Plowed farms were plucked free of any vegetable or fruit. Some fences were scorched. His eyes widened as splatters of blood sprayed against the sole healthy wall.
This village's story was foretold, yet unknown. What happened here? Where were the ones that lived here? Who caused this? And why did this have to happen? These questions lingered in both their minds. One with more anxiety filled thoughts.
A sole perpetrator perked in Roth's mind. Just in the distance– Not too far, not too close to this village was a forest. If it was like that of Vertealle, it could be filled with beasts or humans alike.
"Keep your eyes peeled, and keep your weapon close…"
"Okay…"
As those words left his mouth, they split their paths. Roth took his path, the more dangerous path. Bulldozing through each blocked path. Whilst Lucian, he took the opposite side.
The first building was still intact, he kept his senses at high alert. This home brought the layout of his and Fei's home. A small living room, just right of the kitchen. Differing in the furniture, a small couch with chairs and a table.
The stench, one that reminded him of old spoiled meat, assaulted his nostrils. Causing him to cover his nose and mouth. Inside the room he now stood in front of, the stench got worse. It was now overwhelming his senses, making the world slightly spin around him.
"Not good… Something died in there…"
"Everything's burnt… Even the furniture."
"I-I don't think there's any survivors. That smell… It's most likely a corpse of someone." Lucian spoke to himself. He still felt the connection between him and Fei. Although waned due to distance, they still can hear each other.
Please- Please stop trying to do that! Bronya- Please- Help!
He focused his mind on listening to Fei's pleas. It helped ease his heart, aside from her cries, he also learned what she was studying.
In the next building, it was even worse. Piles of wood fell as soon as the door was opened. Lucian took a few steps back, covering his mouth even more. Furthest from the door, there… Were bodies of people.
Charred, cracking skin. Their arms covered their heads, bodies shriveled up. Only burned muscle, blackened skin showed their expressions. They were wide, screaming a silent cry.
"What…" Lucian could only mutter. Instantly he curled over on the side, a warm heavy liquid vomited out of his mouth. Everything he ever ate emptied out. Everything he just saw engraved itself into his brain.
What the hell- or what the hell did that to those people?! He screamed inside his mind, Fei's voice ceased inside, even she was caught off guard.
L-Lucian, what happened-? Are you okay? Do I need to ask Bronya to go out there-?
'N-No… Just keep her there… I just- Don't worry, okay?"
Once he stood back up, his body fell to the side slightly. His pinkish skin was now a pure white. Then, he wiped his mouth and turned away from that house. Was it a good idea to keep going? His mind wagered that it wasn't, but he and Roth had a job to do.
At a much slower pace, he searched the houses he could. Never forgetful images emerged into his mind, with each one engraving into his mind. Third, was a mother covering her child. Her spine protruded from her back, as if someone sadistically attacked her before burning her. Then her child.
Fourth house, a much larger one. Inside, glass, everything was thrown around. He cleared his mind, and braced every fiber in his body. Paintings melted off the walls, a few falling to the floor. Only a sole family photo clung to the walls desperately. A man holding a woman tightly, in between them a small child.
"Who did this to everyone…?" Lucian clenched his jaw, at another sight there was a body flat on the ground; another followed shortly after it. Then in the furthest room of the hallway, a large male corpse melted into the floor. He had to close his eyes and run out of the house after witnessing the rest.
Every other searched home was blurred. His mind unable to comprehend what he has seen. Only when someone touched his shoulder did he refocus.
"Hey Kid. Take a breather."
"Thanks…"
Far from their positions, they sat down under a tree. With shade engulfing their bodies, they both released a sigh of relief. But Lucian began to fiddle with his hands, from rubbing them together, scratching them for a second then stopping. Lastly, he began to pat at his legs in an untuned beat. Unintentionally, Roth began to feel something boil up.
When at his maximum irritants meter, Roth spoke out. "You saw a few things, right?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"We were unable to help them, even if it was sooner."
"..."
"This village was set on fire, from most of the boards and items a few weeks ago."
"I-I see."
Once again, silence befell them.
'I knew this kid wasn't going to take it well…' Roth shook his head quietly. He and Bronya went back and forth once they got to this place for a few moments. Every sight was horrific.
The first few buildings were void of any item, being or body. To his bewilderment, they were just charred and destroyed. From a medium village there would've been more in there. Unless they escaped in a frenzy, there would've been deceased individuals.
A small stall stood alone, there were rotten fruits untouched by the smoke. 'Blessed by whoever did this.' Roth's mind concluded. He continued on his way, trudging through felled debris.
His sights stayed glued on a sole goal. The source of the flame, the smoke bellowing into the sky. As quick as he started, he found it. Just a lone cart crumbling at the weight of dirt being thrown onto it.
Thus, he finalized his search. Seeing corpses, although not many, were scattered around.
Shortly after his mind came back to reality, they continued their investigation.
"How much do we have to get through…" Lucian mumbled under his breath. Already warm saliva entered his mouth. "I won't sleep well… Or at all for a while." This feeling welled up in his chest.
Who could sleep soundly, or at all after this? His mind tried to wander, one name came to mind; Bronya, seeing at how casually she teases and plans.
"Roth seems to be taking in all of this… Too well. Just what has he seen, or is he like Bronya? Uncaring towards all of this?" At the village center, stood a well. All dried out of any water, the wood that held the rope, and top crashed inside of it. There was a hole through the top, allowing for him to peer down it.
"I can't… I can't keep doing this. Someone did this. No monster… Would be able to do this."
This conclusion painted itself in his mind. There were too many signs; humans would set fire to a village. After an eternity, Roth yelled out to him. Drawing him towards their now resting spot.
"Did you find anything, Kid?" Roth inquired as they met up together. In his hands was a burnt teddy bear, and a few photographs. On them were pictures of families.
Lucian sucked in his breath. In his own palms, there was nothing. "I-I only found… a few bodies. They were burned to a crisp…" Inside his mind, there were flashes of these charred corpses of scared individuals. "W-What do you think happened here?"
"Kid… I..-" Roth paused, he let out a sigh, then continued. "Sorry you had to see that."
"What do you think actually happened?"
"This village was attacked by monsters, or a group of people."
"B-But why would they do that? If people actually did this, why?" Lucian's mind raced, he took a longing look at this now, deserted village. It seemed those corpses were afraid, blocking their heads or bodies.
"Kid, you'll have to get used to this sight. People in this world will do anything for survival, or just plain greed." Roth said, shaking his head. Just from his tone of voice, his unwavering look; and straightened back. He has seen sights similar in ferocity. A mere glance of Lucian's face and body, he had words pop in his throat.
Without even a second later, Fei's voice roared inside his mind.
We, WE WE NEED HELP!
"Kid, Kid what- Get back here!" Roth screamed after him. Just from her voice, he dashed off without a word. "GET-"
'What happened!? Fei?! Talk to me! WHAT HAPPENED?!
His mind raced, just as his legs kept moving. Making distance between him and the carriage in just mere minutes. His fears and worries grew, as his legs slowed to a walk. Screams suddenly resounded from the other side of the carriage.
"What the hell happ-"
"LET ME GET YOU ST-"
"Oh shut your trap you idiot." Bronya's voice spoke out in a cold and ruthless manner. He turned the corner. In her hand she wielded her axe, standing above a shivering man. "Why did you try to attack us?" She lowered her own body, grabbing the man's shirt collar and easily bringing him to her face. "If you don't tell me, if you keep screaming at me; I'll make sure you scream for a reason."
"You and your stupid group destroyed our home! Are you here to loot it?!"
"What kind of fool are you? You attacked our carriage, or well tried to. Now your accusations of us destroying your village?" She let out a loud chuckle. Even Lucian witnessing this whole felt a wave of cold water flow through his nerves. Next, without any struggle she brought him off his legs and off the ground. "Are you an idiot of some kind? We don't know how this happened to you."
"Then why are- Why are you here?! Why did you send those- Why did you send th-"
"Get your friends away from the carriage."
"To protect-"
In the next moment, Bronya slammed him to the ground. Loud cracks followed his anguished cries. Bronya ordered him a second time. And finally, he complied in between pained breaths.
At last, two other people showed themselves. In each hand were shoddy weapons, a pitchfork and some kind of makeshift spear. A man and a woman, the man was in an old farmer's garb. Meanwhile the woman was in a fettered dress. Both seemed to be middle aged.
"Now, will you tell us why you did this?" Bronya asked all of them in a loud, threatening voice. She still held onto the first man's shirt with an iron grasp. "And why the f-. Oh, hi Little Lucian." Her head tilted slightly, giving a glance at Lucian. Alongside a small, but creepy smile.
"What happened here? Is Fei alright?"
"Hm? Oh sure, I'll deal with this. Go check on your little girlfriend."
Upon hearing that, Lucian opened the flaps of the carriage. Inside was an odd scene, Haru had Fei pinned to the sides. Her hands were slowly reaching to her cut ear. Only stopping when Fei's name left his lips.
A multitude of emotions were shown through her eyes. Paired with her ears flopping down, and quivering lips, his eyebrows and lips softened.
"Aww, how boring~ I just wanted to-"
"What the hell were you doing?! Why are you-"
"I just wanted to touch her ear… I was curious, it looks so fluffy, I wonder why someone would cut it~" Haru explained in an exaggerated manner, waving her hands in "defense". Grinning from cheek to cheek, Lucian felt a bad taste enter his mouth.
'Is that even Haru? She's acting differently.'
I-I-I Fei's voice stammered inside his mind, with a defeated sigh he jumped in the carriage.
"Aww, gonna calm her down? I just-"
"Seriously what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?"
"Acting like that? I'm acting as meee, not someone else." Haru tilted her head in an exaggerated manner, poking her cheek as well. "Say~ Are you her owner? Did he buy you, did he cut that ear?"
'Fei ignore her… Hey, what's wrong? Fei, hey, hey! You need to breathe, listen to me!' Frost started to form on his skin, even the normal air that she had coming from her body started to blister his skin. 'Fei… Hey, listen to me. Breathe, it's okay. You're safe!' He kept repeating to her.
"Hmmm?"
"What the hell were you doing to her?"
"I already told you once~ I just wanted to touch that fluffy ear of hers."
"Why?"
Without knowing how to reach her, he brought Fei closer to his body in a warm embrace. As he recalled, it worked a couple times already. Tightly he held her close, fighting a shiver that kept coursing through his body.
"Oh, wow. You must be a good owner to-"
"Shut your mouth."
"Agh, fine fine…"
As he held her there, finally not listening to Haru's nonsense. Bronya's voice was loud and clear over Fei's hyperventilation.
"We were on our way to the next city over. Those two demi-humans you saw in the back, one of them is a party member of ours."
"Why'd you stop here then?"
"We just saw that village of yours in flames. That young man you saw was another one, that white haired demi-human; Fei is his little girlfriend."
"So.. You're saying you're not the people that stole our friends and family?!"
"Mhhhm, Rothie you're really good at convincing people."
"Just standing here, Long Ears."
"Ya, but your hum-"
"Keep on target."
"Ugh, fine."
Suddenly, an older man spoke out.
"I'm sorry for our attack on your… Party? We've been on the road, searching for who did this."
"Whatever ends well, no one but this idiot got hurt." There was a loud yelp of pain from the first man. "Let's put down our weapons, Rothie, can you grab some rations so we can figure out what happened here?"
"Mm." Listening to her behest, he pulled out a few bags. Ignoring the sight inside the carriage, although with a slight eyebrow raise.
After Fei's panic attack calmed down, she and Lucian pulled away from each other. A slight blush appeared on her face, and her heart never calmed down, causing her to look away from him.
Both stayed quiet, eventually they joined the group.
"So, now that we're all here. Can we ask you what happened at this village?" Bronya asked, snagging a dried fruit off a plate.
"We were attacked, only us three were able to escape. At least as far as we know." The older man spoke up. He rubbed the plate in his hands, his face was glued to a permanent frown. "That's as far as we know."
"Attacked, huh? Rothie, is that what you think happened?"
"Yes."
"That's what happened… Are you the idiot? That's what my old man just told you."
"Hey. Be careful, she could've hurt you way worse."
"Hmph. Fine."
"He's right, y'know? You're like a puppy compared to what I've faced before." Bronya proclaimed with confidence. An arrogant smile curled itself on her lips. "Anyways, Mr Old Man. Seeing as how you're the most sensible one here, can you explain… To the best of your ability as to what happened here? We just need to learn more, we can report this to the guild."