Arc 1 Chapter 1

  Lucienda South

  1

  Hikaru awoke after having experienced unmeasurable amounts of pain only hours earlier. He could feel time had passed and stood up looking for Crux the Eye of the Forest. Hikaru could feel the cold dark shadow moving throughout his body.

  What Happened...?

  "Curse that... Creature."

  Hikaru said to himself unaware that Crux was sitting back atop the root where Hikaru first saw him.

  "Curse who deary."

  Crux spoke not moving his vision from in front of him. Hikaru startled turned to look at the man he saw atop the root the lantern was on once more and Crux looked like that dashing young man but retained his coldness.

  "So I take it our Bind or whatever is complete."

  "Yes, it is."

  "So now I go and find this Echidna huh."

  "Not yet there is time before... so go and leave my domain. But never forget our deal if you die before our deal is done. Even hell cannot save you from me."

  Crux said as he turned showing Hikaru the Erie smile on his face and then turning back to his view. No help on how to get out I guess. Hikaru thought to himself.

  "You have the power of the forest in your veins you already know the way. Here try closing your eyes and feeling the area that the forest encompasses."

  Crux gave Hikaru this advice Hikaru followed the list closing his eyes and trying to feel the forest or whatever the man said.

  "Foolish weakling, I see the transference takes time... oh well. Use this boat and follow the river"

  "What boa-"

  Suddenly a boat appeared next to Hikaru on the riverside bumping his leg.

  Stunned Hikaru looked back at Crux who had given no thought to Hikaru since their Bind hours ago. Hikaru climbed inside the boat and pushed off into the river as he passed under the root he turned trying to see Crux's face but when he came into view he was turned around facing the opposite direction.

  "Whatever"

  He mutters to himself he raises his arm rubbing it to check if everything is fine. Not a scratch lay upon it and Hikaru quickly turned his attention forward to the forest ahead.

  I hope the rest of this world and its people aren't like this place or... like him.

  2

  Hikaru Yume had been sailing down the river for at least two hours now he lay in his small rowboat with no paddle and looked up at the forest's canopy wondering when he would see the sky again.

  He blinked and suddenly the canopy was gone. A feeling of time having passed laid on him he could have sworn he just blinked but he was no longer in the dark forest with the canopy.

  The stars were out and he could see them the sun was rising in the east and the orange tint filled the skies it wasn't so bright yet the stars were invisible though he looked up searching for the constellations he would normally see in his own world they were nowhere to be found he laid back in his boat thinking about what his next move should be.

  "Others... He said no one would know Echidna so that means there are others out there Step one find them."

  Hikaru closed his eyes and listened and he could hear them crickets frogs and birds alive not like in the last forest he was in. The area was notably different.

  Normal-sized trees appear to be some kind of pine. The river had a bend approaching and Hikaru saw this and Percked up wondering what was on the other side the boat turned and it was a lake the river had ended and it ran into a lake.

  Hikaru exited the boat and began the next part of his journey on foot. Walking for several hours Hikaru began to get hungry he decided to look around for something edible but there wasn't anything he could find so desperate tired and alone Hikaru sat under a tree thinking about his next move. And as he was he fell asleep.

  3

  Suddenly a noise woke him up he heard what sounded like a howl off in the distance. It sounded like something was coming. Hikaru stood up and began listening to hear where the sound was coming from. Just then a second howl only this one wasn't so far away it sounded as if they were coming at him!

  "What the?"

  He was gazing in the direction where he heard them. Just then he heard a growl from behind him. He turned around to see what looked like a wolf cloaked in the same vile substance as the monster Crux he had met earlier. Yet not as much. The Creature howled at him showing Hikaru its teeth and glowing red eyes.

  "What is that Thing?"

  Hikaru said as he said that the creature took an offensive stance and pounced at Hikaru

  "Hey, Kid."

  Hikaru turned only to see a dagger go flying past his eyes hitting the hound directly in the chest and slamming it against one of the trees. Hikaru had a second of relief before several other wolves covered in the same aura as the eye appeared from the shadows.

  "Duck!"

  Hikaru did so as he did a giant pool of fire came flying over his head at the beasts. Hikaru turned to look at the person or people responsible for the offensive against the wolves there were four men running his way when he turned the men were approaching him.

  "Do you have any Idea of where you are Kid?"

  He turned and what he saw was a taller man with red hair and a red tunic he was wearing a pitch-black cloak on top to fend off the cold and something on it caught Hikaru's attention. And eye. There was an eye stitched onto the cloak.

  "No I don't!"

  "Marx, Light Cover Now!"

  As The man with the cloak said that another man from within the small group stepped forward. He was shorter had short blue hair and wore another cloak but he had the image of a blade emanating light sown onto it.

  "Now come into being light of Rendel stage one"

  The man shouted as he did a massive light was released and the beasts that were attacking suddenly became as if dead falling to the ground. But they weren't the only ones.

  When that beam of light showed on him Hikaru fell to the ground in pain but unlike the monsters,he wasn't on the verge of death the others saw this and were in utter shock.

  "The light cut the light!"

  As the taller man was Running over to Hikaru the light diminished. He ran over and knelt down next to the in pain Hikaru who was grabbing his chest in pain.

  "I see... there is only one explanation..."

  The man looked down at Hikaru as if disappointed. Then saying

  "He is the one who was chosen by the great eye"

  As those words left his mouth Hikaru was shocked wondering how he deduced that.

  "What no the Bind was promised to you wasn't it?"

  The man with the blue hair came next to the one kneeling and grabbed his shoulder.

  "I'm sorry Kaede... but we can't kill him he is but a boy."

  the man kneeling looked at Hikaru who was now recovering from the attack. All their words were slurred in Hikaru's mind the light hit him like a flashbang.

  "Round up the wolves. We leave in the morning"

  He said standing up. Hikaru sat up.

  What was that? That attack why did it only hurt me and the monsters? Perhaps a side effect of the bind.

  Hikaru stoop up bowing to Kaede.

  "Thank you for saving me sir. My name is Hikaru Yume Sir."

  The man Kaede looked at Hikaru as the others began slaughtering and gathering up the wolves.

  "Hikaru huh? The names Kaede, Kaede Kraftlawe"

  His expression changed from a depressing look to a friendly one.

  "So Kid how did you end up here?"

  "I... uh was in this forest it was really dark not like this forest and when i walked in it was light out but the forest still was completely dark there was a canopy over the whole thing."

  Hikaru explained his situation to Kaede leaving out the whole being from another world thing.

  "I see. So you made a Divine Bind with the eye of the forest Crux?"

  The man was trying to clear things up.

  "Yeah I didn't really have a choice as I said"

  Hikaru explained.

  "Well no helping it then. Come join us for a meal and we'll take you to the town in the morning!"

  Kaede said patting Hikaru's shoulders He took Hikaru leading him and the others who finished killing the animals and were carrying them to an opening a little bit away

  "I saw this spot earlier while we were searching for the shadow beasts."

  Hikaru wanted to ask questions about everything but didn't wanna come across as an Idiot.

  "So Kaede right?"

  "That's me!"

  Kaede laughed.

  "How did you know I was in a divine bind with Crux?"

  Hikaru knew he had done something wrong when Kaedes joyful expression changed once more to gloomy the others also looked uncomfortable. Was it something I said? Hikaru wondered looking at Kaede.

  "Come, let's make camp I can tell you anything you want to know then."

  Kaede and everyone walked by Hikaru starting to make camp Marx who was in the back stopped at Hikaru patting him on the soldier and said

  "Take it easy kid a bind with the eye is very dangerous."

  Then Marx joined the others. Somethings not adding up here. What's so dangerous about it what will happen to me if I keep down this path?

  4

  Hikaru and the others reclined around the fire. The tents were pitched the fire roaring and the men drunk with wine of some sort and passed out around the fire, except Kaede, Hikaru, and Marx.

  "So kid you wanted answers, right?"

  "Yeah, about the bind and where I am."

  "The whole washed up on shore thing is kinda weird... and I don't really know all the information about your Bind only the great eye would know that."

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "Crux... he said his name was Crux."

  "I see... you know his name."

  Kaede was disappointed Hikaru could see it.

  "What's with the eye on your cape and Marx the sword on yours?"

  Marx looked over at Kaede who gave him a nod.

  "My Divine Bind."

  Hikaru was interested due to the knowledge he found that there were only 36 of them.

  "What crazy being are you with?"

  Kaede laughed at the Kid's remark.

  "You really are clueless!"

  "Kaede, calm yourself."

  Marx snapped.

  "It's fine"

  Hikaru replied the air felt heavy there was tension sorrow and hate.

  "Hey, Kid."

  Kaede said grabbing an object from his bag.

  "You wanna know why I'm so down huh?"

  "Sure."

  "Your Bind with the eye... I spent my whole life searching for him so that I could be the one to obtain it."

  Kaede looked down at his feet.

  "He saved me I wandered into his Luxurious Doman as he called it and was attacked by raiders from a nearby village who also wandered in. But. When I was about to die after being beaten to a bloody pulp, I saw him a man in a suit and hat just like you explained."

  Kaede was looking at the object he pulled out of his bag it was a small medallion with a symbol on it and writing that said Posseser of Power.

  "This Crux jumped in and saved me killing all those bastards who beat me and then he walked up to me and handed me this. Saying one day I would receive great abilities. Then I passed out."

  Kaede turned to Hikaru.

  "When I awoke I was in a village just north of here. And I had this in my hand still."

  Kaede flipped the medallion and then put it away. Hikaru took in the information staring at the fire so was Kaede and so was Marx all of them staring into the fire as the night wasted away.

  "I see so you think by that he meant Divine Bind, correct?"

  "Of course what else. I spent my life joining parties near and inside the forest but I could never find him."

  "I'm sorry is there any way for us both to receive binds or is it one on one?"

  "No, the only way would be by killing the Bindee the Bind is destroyed, but don't worry kid I won't Kill you."

  Marx looked up at the stars which were so very clearly out that night.

  "Look see how beautiful they are." Marx remarked, "Been a while since we have had a night like this."

  "Indeed."

  Hikaru looked at and so did Kaede the sky was beautiful there were stars scattered across the night sky and galaxies and planets too.

  I wonder if they even know I'm gone and what they think happened... I'm sorry everyone. But this is where I belong...

  "So where exactly am I, I never asked."

  "The one and only Lucienda The southern district to be precise"

  "Do you have a map?"

  "Marx"

  Kaede looked over Marx Turned from the stars to Kaede and turned again to grab a map from his bag which was right next to him.

  "This is the map of the world, Narcantia" Marx hands Hikaru the map. Hikaru opens the map and begins to study it.

  Everyone in this place speaks English, Glad my Aunt taught me English, or I would be so screwed.

  Hikaru's Parents had passed on after his fifth birthday Hikaru was raised in Japan with his Aunt and Uncle on His mother's side. His Aunt was an American and taught him fluent English along with some Russian, and Latin. She was smart and knew quite a lot. His Uncle was a construction worker. And was not that bright to say the least. But he had his humor and always could cheer Hikaru up when he was down.

  "Lucienda?"

  "Where exactly you from kid."

  The question caught Hikaru off guard.

  "Uhhh, nowhere on this map."

  "I see."

  Kaede studied Hikaru and then looked up.

  "So what is the name of your home country."

  I was expecting a cold unwelcome attitude the way Crux talked about us "Other worlders"

  "Japan,"

  "Never heard of it."

  Kaede looks over at Marx who is listening Intently.

  "Well, that's enough for me tonight,"

  Kaede said standing up.

  "I think we all should rest, Hikaru I had the men set up a tent for you over there."

  Marx points to a tent in the corner nearest to the forest. Hikaru all got up and went into their tents and fell asleep...

  5

  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you"

  Where am I?

  "Do not be troubled he says there is a place for you beyond anything you can Imagine"

  Is This?

  "Hikaru!"

  Is That...?

  "Hikaru I will ground you pay attention!"

  I'm sorry.

  "Hikaru? Are you okay?"

  I miss you and Uncle.

  "Repent for the time is at Hand!"

  I know this moment.

  "Ah, so now you wanna pay attention"

  It was the day my parents died.

  "Oh sorry I gotta take this stay right here"

  We were in church, she always took me even though her inlaws and my parents disapproved. But my parents always made her babysit while they were on business so it was whatever.

  "Hikaru... let's go baby"

  She took me from the old pew in that church and we went right to the hospital.

  "Oh my God!"

  She cried for hours her and Uncle. I didn't cry I didn't understand until a little later when I saw them... dead.

  They were shot during a business deal with some shady people.

  "Hikaru, it will all be ok"

  Wait wasn't this the day?

  "Hey!"

  "Hi"

  The day I met Natsumi

  "My name is Natsumi, what's yours"

  "Hikaru."

  She was always there for me even in High school when I was cast out for being orphaned and a weirdo.

  "Hey Hikaru we're getting some food after school want to come"

  "Nah"

  I should of gone... she really liked me for me. But I didn't want her caught up in the mix of all the things going on.

  "Actually sure."

  What? This didn't happen. I'm sure I said no that day.

  "Awesome come on we'll be late for class."

  What's going on?

  "So I invited Hikaru for later is that okay?"

  "That creep why?"

  Yeah, blurt that out like I'm not four seats behind you jerk.

  "Hikaru!"

  She waited outside the place for me. Why?

  "Hey didn't you say some friends of yours were coming?"

  "They decided not to show."

  Figures

  "You didn't have to come then."

  "Nonsense I invited you was I just gonna ghost you."

  "Why not everyone else would?"

  She would be better off without me all of them I just get in their way I should have just died with my parents.

  "Were Friends Hikaru... Right?"

  "Huh? Uh..."

  Why would she want to associate herself with me what am I someone unimportant to her the most beautiful girl in our class...

  "Sure. yeah."

  "Great, then why would I leave a friend alone on such a nice day."

  I see... Kind as always...

  "I see, then shall we eat."

  "We shall"

  Her smile is so beautiful.

  "So what should we get this place serves all sorts of stuff!"

  She's so excited.

  "I don't know. What do you want?"

  In reality, I wouldn't have the guts to pull something like this off eating with her alone together. What kind of crazy dream is this?

  "So what shall I get you... Invader."

  What? Invader... I know that voice, It can't be...

  "Oh I'll just have your most ordered dish"

  What! why am I acting like that bastard Crux isn't standing right there. Move Body Move!

  "And you Milady!"

  "Same"

  "Ah so I see"

  Damn you! If you touch her I'll Kill you!

  "That's no way to talk to a business partner... boy."

  Say what. There's no way this is a dream that feeling and this one that pressure it's the same...

  "Hehehe"

  I'll choke that mocking giggle out of you bastard if I could just move and control myself.

  "This is our special dish... A very delicious soup."

  Like Hell, I'm gonna eat that Natsumi Don't! Please hear me!

  "Hikaru? What's the matter? Is everything alright?"

  No, it's not please say something. what's happening this has gotta be a bad dream.

  "Yes everything is fine, please enjoy."

  No, why is this happening Crux I'll kill you!

  "This is pretty good. Mmm more I want more give me more it's so delicious don't you agree Hikaru eat eat eat eat it up it's good so good."

  What's the matter your eyes there dark what's happening Natsumi stop, please. Please jus-

  "SHUT UP"

  "Hikaru?"

  "I'm... talking?"

  "Idiot."

  "Sorry, I-"

  "You are such an Idiot, why don't you just die hahaha I mean honestly..."

  What is this? I feel sick. I wanna die.

  "What's wrong with you."

  "Natsumi Stop."

  "Honestly you're such a fool and a joke."

  "What..."

  "Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die"

  "SHUT UP!"

  "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to quiet down or leave"

  This Presence...

  "You Monster, why this is your doing!"

  "Hikaru stop your so annoying!"

  "Miss are you okay"

  "No, I want this insignificant loser out of here!"

  Bad dream it's all a dream...

  "Dream... This is no dream"

  "Why what is this then!"

  "Why this is her true thoughts... can't you tell?"

  Crux walked over to Natsumi running his bony hands through her hair he was covered in a thinner layer of shadow revealing an alternate being a bony grey man.

  "Get away from her!"

  There was a silence and a tension.

  "Boy, do you feel it..."

  His tone deep and crude.

  "What?!?"

  "Do you... Despair..."

  Hikaru's body was being controlled by something or someone else he could speak but could not control his body which had picked up the bowl and began to bring it to his mouth.

  "No, get that away from m-"

  He drank. And felt Full of despair and sadness but it wasn't his own it felt like the sadness was emanating off of someone else or something... it was someone else's despair and pain.

  Who did this to you...

  Crux had a change of face from malice to shock.

  "You truly are odd... boy"

  Hikaru lost consciousness.

  6

  "HIKARU!"

  shouted a man's voice it was the familiar Kaede Kraftlawe. He was grabbing Hikaru whose eyes were pitch black the tents they had been resting in were utterly destroyed.

  "Kaede Get back It's gonna happen again!"

  Shouted Marx lying on the ground Injured.

  "Come on Kid, snap out of it!"

  Suddenly his eyes returned. His mind was his own.

  Kaede fell on the floor in relief.

  "Come on Kid, not cool... not cool..."

  Hikaru came too and looked around seeing the forest around them burnt to a crisp and the ground destroyed the men who openly welcomed him scattered around none dead all hurt.

  "Kaede!"

  Hikaru said kneeling down to help Kaede up. Kaede denied it and looked down. Hikaru turned his gaze to the others who also looked away.

  "What happened?!?"

  "You kid... you happened."

  "I did this..."

  The men all stood up and began helping each other cover their wounds.

  "There is no doubt in my mind this boy possesses the divine bind of the eye of the forest,"

  said Marx his voice shaking.

  "Yeah."

  Kaede stood up and went over to Hikaru.

  "It's not your fault kid, Marx did something similar when he acquired his bind... just not on this level."

  So the bind with Crux... that dream. Did he take over my body what exactly did he feed me? That bastard.

  "I'm sorry I-"

  "Don't worry kid, no one was killed."

  Kaede laughed it off and looked at Hikaru.

  "You'll learn to control it."

  "What exactly was it?"

  Hikaru was appalled by his actions.

  "When someone receives a Divine bind from a higher being most times they can't immediately handle its power so the being guides them down the path to control it..."

  Kaede had a look of worry on his face

  "Usually it starts in a vision of the two forces bonding and due to that bond a massive explosion or outpour of mana is released. But you just started attacking us as if you were trying to kill us... it was obvious you weren't in control though. Your eyes... they had no life."

  when Hikaru heard those words he immediately remembered the vision of him and Natsumi and he remembered... Crux.

  7

  "So where are we going"

  Hikaru asked. The sun was rising and after the events of last night, no one could rest.

  "To Lucienda Eastern District."

  Kaede replied looking forward.

  "Remember that map I gave you last night?"

  "Yeah"

  "That's a map of all Lucienda we are heading northeast to the Eastern District. Lucienda is one of the 13 Nations of Narcantia Lucienda is split into three districts."

  "I see"

  The group was walking through the forest uphill the terrain was very mountainous and covered in trees.

  "The southern district is where we are it's separate and no one really lives here but beasts and... the forest where Crux lives is here."

  That's my reason to not stay here a second longer. If I got this right Crux wanted to skip all the "Group Bonding" and just give me the power quick... whoever Echidna is he must really hate her.

  Hikaru looked up through the trees.

  Still, I will never forgive him for what he did messing with my memories to make me bind with him... why what was the point of making me hate him?

  "So where exactly is our next stop Kaede?"

  Questioned Marx.

  "Well, we gotta sell those carcasses from the beasts. So I think the town closest is..."

  He was in thought.

  "I think it's Gagdred the drinking town!"

  The rest of the men yelled with joy but Marx was stricken with worry and anxiety.

  "Ah don't worry buddy if Malissia still works there well just find a different tavern!"

  the group laughed at Marx.

  I Feel ya, people always use to mess with me like that even people who I thought were my friends...

  "No, It doesn't matter you all drink I'll just go sell the beasts."

  "How thoughtful!"

  That was clearly his intention from the start making Marx sell while they got drunk. I still don't understand how they're in such a good mood. I nearly killed them but they still treat me better than anyone in my world would.

  "I SEE HER!"

  yelled one of the men. He was up ahead pointing to a small clearing where a town was

  "Gagdred!"

  The men cheered. Hikaru walked over by Marx.

  "Hey, can I ask a question?"

  "Of course"

  Marx looked down on the town from the cliff. He and Hikaru stopped admiring the view.

  "Why treat me so well, all of you."

  "Like Kaede said no one was hurt and you aren't the first Divine Bind user to have that happen"

  "You did he said right?"

  Marx's head fell in regret

  "Yes"

  "What happened"

  "I killed one of our members..."

  "What? Kaede said yours wasn't as bad as mine though."

  "It wasn't as powerful no, at the time we had just taken on a new member. A young man named Shifan he was from Mythreign a refugee from their civil war."

  That is another one of the thirteen countries I guess?

  "He was weak and needed money so he offered to work with us. Kaede being the man he is let him... But he joined at the wrong time."

  Tears fell.

  "We had just left Southcrest the land of merchants and knowledge we had set out for Lucienda West and I at the time had just received my Divine bind Light of Rendel from Rendel the Third sword king. You wouldn't know any of these places or people I'm guessing"

  Hikaru shakes his head.

  "I see. It was my third night with the Bind and I couldn't figure out how to use it. I went to sleep and then... I had a vision where I was sitting next to my father's grave and praying when suddenly Rendel the third sword king appeared we talked and he showed me how to use it then I passed out. Next thing I know I'm surrounded by Kaede and the rest of the men and there I see it... The boy's body cut in half with light magic... my magic. When I blacked out several magic explosions emanated from my being. For you, it was different you were... possessed by something. I assume the man in the forest the eye."

  More tears.

  "He had a sister... Shifan had a sister and... she killed herself after discovering he had been murdered. Forced to flee their country. Forced to do dangerous work for money. And killed by trusted comrades..."

  "I see..."

  Kaede and the others were below them on a lower part of the cliff climbing down the others continued not paying any attention but Kaede knew the guilt Marx felt. He had stopped and was listening from below.

  "Hey Kid, Marx, Come on."

  He called. They began heading down to the others.

  8

  "Welcome To Gagdred!"

  Said a man standing by the entrance to the town he was obviously drunk.

  "Grandeid that you?"

  Kaede was familiar.

  "Kraftlawe!"

  The two hugged and the other men went on towards the tavern dropping the wolves by Marx

  "Marx, Kid, Take those to this town's guild center for the gold."

  Kaede ordered.

  "Right away"

  Marx said bending to pick up the corpses

  "Well get over here." Marx looked at Hikaru who was zoned out.

  "Huh? Oh yeah."

  Hikaru picked up 2 of the smaller wolves whilst Marx had picked up four somehow.

  "How are you doing that?"

  "Every Bind comes with buffs and weaknesses I am able to lift a lot more weight than the average man but I like watching them carry it I never want to."

  I wonder what perks I get?

  "For you being contracted with the eye. You are vulnerable to light magic you can build tolerance but. It will take time."

  That pain I felt was the light from the Light of Rendel ability.

  "What exactly happened when I was unconscious?"

  Marx looked at Hikaru.

  "Nothing of matter at least for now, we have more important things to accomplish today."

  the two continued to the end of a road where three bigger buildings lay. One read Adventures Hall Another read Medic Hall and the last read Market Hall.

  "The Guild Hall is where were going"

  Marx said leading the way many of the bystanders couldn't take their eyes off the skinny Marx carrying the massive hounds.

  The streets were full and market booths were everywhere. People showing off their magic in the streets and people paying to view them.

  I need to learn more about this world and magic...