Draconic Testament (21 page)

”…” Bastion didn’t know what to say, and there was a long silence. It wasn’t awkward, because Veronica simply didn’t care about that sort of stuff, especially in this state. “So… I'm not a kind person.” Veronica said.
”Don’t do that.” Bastion said “Rage leads people to do things… you were a neglected child, and from my point of view, you could have turned out a lot worse if you did not have a loving mother. She made you a good person, so... so be grateful, for her sake.”
”I…” Veronica mumbled, but she had nothing to retort with, so she just smiled, larger than the ones that Bastion caught her making in the village. It seemed like such a long time ago, to the two.
After a couch ride from Sheffield, the pair ended up in a place called Bakewell. From there, north is the way towards Split. They walked for a couple of hours, and even though it was in the morning, Bastion was exhausted. He had had no sleep since the couple of hours after his fight with the mad Archmage in the tunnels. He had put the Archmage out of his mind, all that blood and fear was discomforting, but Bastion wasn’t a scared little girl. He had a bunch of self-confidence after having friends like Vander, and going to fighting classes. Now he was on a mission, a mission that he conducted. Banter between the two continued, and Bastion again began to see Veronica become more open. During the Journey, he decided to call both his mother and Talia. They were both fine, and when Bastion said he’s going to be a ‘little’ late, Talia showed a little disappointment, then reverted to happiness when she came to an idea that she would visit if he took too long, which motivated him to hurry the hell up with what he was doing. He often wondered if he would stay with Talia when he was done here, if he would end up finishing this scenario and closing the book on a ‘and they lived happily ever after’, but he didn’t know how exactly he’d feel if he turned his back on the rest of what he predicted would come if he continued. Whenever he investigated on things, he ended up finding answers that led to more questions. On top of everything else, it sounded from Veronica’s story that Sanctum were here much longer than anybody actually believes. He could confirm this, but he was certain of it, and going back to the topic didn’t really suit him. Her personality made sense after hearing her story, and it made him determined to go along with the plan. She was not innocent, but her actions were justified. “Urgh…” Bastion yawned, stretching.
”Tired already?” Veronica asked.
”Already? You mean after hours of travelling abruptly after a mission? Nah, I'm totally fine, it’s nothing.” Bastion said.
”You’re a kitty cat.” Veronica said, smirking as if it was an insult.
”A kitty cat?” Bastion asked, confused.
”You know… a wimp.” Veronica explained.
”Yeah… Yeah, I see. Very effective.” Bastion said, smirking. Before Veronica could snap at him for his condescending tone, he interrupted her. “Ah, so, yeah! Let’s go get some coffee! I feel like I'm about to fall over. Over there.” Bastion said, pointing at a café.
”I wonder… what does it taste like?” Veronica asked.
”I would have indulged your curiosity if you cared not to run away with my stuff that one time you came to my house.” Bastion said.
The pair entered the coffee shop. There wasn’t many people around, since it had just opened. They were greeted by the attendants and seated. Bastion ordered two coffees, and sat patiently, waiting for them. “This should be… interesting. I hear people in cities talk about this sort of drink all the time, but I’ve never actually tasted one.” Veronica said.
”You must be the only 22 year old in Britain who doesn’t know what coffee tastes like, yet alone how to make it.” Bastion laughed.
”Not too loud, idiot…” Veronica said, noticing one of the older female attendants overheard their conversation and squint her eyes at Veronica. “What’s wrong with you?”
”Oh, crap. Sorry. It doesn’t matter, they’re ignorant of what we’re saying. Though… you still look like a pretty teenager.” He whispered. Veronica picked up a menu to try to hide her slight blush, and pretended not to hear what Bastion said. The coffee arrived, and the pair took sips out of the cup. “It’s nasty…” Veronica said. “I like it.”
”Alright then (!)” Bastion said.
”I forgot to tell you this, but…” Veronica began.
”What?” Bastion asked.
”Varnis was anxious about you. You may have been kicked out, or sent to Rhenium even if you didn’t leave Korreal… not that I'm saying that to make you happy you took this route… just…” Veronica explained.
”Why?” Bastion asked “What do you mean?”
”To be the first… you know…” Veronica paused, leaning and whispering. “Human Magi… and progress that well with magic… You were nailing it, easily… Only a month before he gave you a mission… that’s… Incredible.” Veronica leaned back into her seat. Bastion sighed. “Well, it’s alright, I knew that Korreal wasn’t a place that I wanted to spend my whole life anyway. I'm happy I took this route. Anyway, skip the serious stuff for a bit, I’d rather talk about you” Bastion said, smiling. He took a look at the newspaper near him. “Still nothing going on in the world… Crap about pop celebrities… awful music”
”I’ve read things about those people… why are they popular? Because they can sing?” Veronica asked, bemused.
”Yes. Well, no, it’s because they’re nice looking and they don’t sound awful, that’s why. There’s a bunch of ugly people that can sing FAR better than these guys. Yet, they pay these fools loads of money for their awful music, while girls scream and throw their knickers at them.” Bastion said.
”Must you be so vulgar?” Veronica asked.
”Well, yes, when I'm talking about idiots getting fame and wealth who actually don’t deserve it all that much. I mean, there’s far better uses to people’s money. Ah, whatever, who cares.” Bastion said.
“I think you’d make an alright leader.” Veronica said.
”That must be the first time you’ve ever complimented me.” Bastion said, yawning and stretching.
“You know what I don’t get?” Veronica asked.
“What?” Bastion answered.
“Most of this is... American.” Veronica said.
“Yeah, I suppose it is...” Bastion said. “It’s human stuff, don’t worry about it. By the way, you don’t talk much about the Magi in America.” Bastion whispered. The attendant that was around had gone into the back, and there was too much stuff going on around the counter for anyone to hear their seemingly odd conversation.
“There’s not much to tell.” Veronica said.
“Go on. I’m interested.” Bastion said. “Nobody would really talk about them back in Korreal.”
“It’s controversial to take a side in what’s happening in America around Magi from the UK.” Veronica said. “When the ‘new world’ was discovered centuries ago, many flocked to be a part of it. Magi were among the first to get there, and they created a group called the ‘Seneschal’. It was more like a family employing Vampires. From all the different races flocking there, there were very many different cultures colliding. Those that were from another culture that became Magi banded together, creating clans and gangs. Over time, many different groups were formed, and the Seneschal was in charge of keeping them all under control, and keeping the Vampire under the radar.”
“I can’t help but notice you’re calling them ‘Vampire’.” Bastion said.
“That’s because... they’ve thrown away their Magi title and perverted themselves.” Veronica said. “Not that I see the Magi as superior or anything. I’ve never really felt a part of any side. Seneschal became so powerful that it no longer needed to heed the Magi’s orders, and the Magi in Britain were split into two factions that disagreed with each other anyway. Seneschal made their own rules after that, and dubbed them as ‘tenets’. The most controversial act they committed, which made the Magi fall out of love with them, is that they lifted the ban on drinking human blood, and created a rule to make sure the human is incapacitated beforehand, or to make sure they were killed in the process. If you disobeyed a tenet, you were to come before the Seneschal for trial. If you failed to appear, assassins were sent after you. That’s somewhat similar to the system Rhenium has, where powerful and trusted Magi are sent to highly populated areas to watch for rogue, or untrustworthy Magi.”
“Sounds pretty hardcore.” Bastion says. “How do they feel about the Cazrians?”
“From what I hear... they don’t.” Veronica said. “They seem to not care about Cazria or anything like that. They just go about their lives. The ones that do care, usually come to join one of the factions.”
“Well, ain’t that special.” Bastion said, looking at the newspaper again. “Kind of envy them a little.”
“Well, there’s always Drama over there, although the news is always exclusive and underground to us. There’s always some enraged Vampire on a blood high who kills some kids or puts on a show in public. Usually, when that happens, the Vampires twist the news and pin the blame on some brainwashed and insane human, and the perpetrator is usually brutally and slowly killed by the seneschal. I was thinking about escaping over there, myself, since there seem to be some rather interesting clans, but drinking human blood doesn’t seem all that appealing.”
“No shit.” Bastion said, stretching. “Though, for me, that wou-“ Bastion was interrupted by a sharp pain across his right hand. He yelled, and jumped out of his seat, clutching his hand. Blood oozed out of a gash on his hand, and it bled more than he thought a gash would. Veronica was startled, and also got up out of her seat, glaring at the attacker. Only, the person who made the gash didn’t seem to be an enemy. In fact, she appeared to be a young girl. She screeched along with Bastion when she realised what she had done. “Ahh!” She screamed. “Oh no! I’m sorry!”
”You OK now?” The girl asked, beaming a big smile at Bastion. Bastion had covered the wound on the back of his hand with the girl’s cloth. The gash was sort of deep, but it was nothing that couldn’t be healed by magic. “Gimme, gimme!” The girl commanded. She had a Japanese accent, but Bastion got the impression that it was too stereotypical. Probably because he had a teacher from Okinawa. She had two ponytails, and she was obviously very young. She was about 13, by Bastion’s estimation. She had cute ‘Hellokitty’ clothes and accessories on her, which added to the whole stereotype. Bastion gave the cloth back, and replaced it. “Thanks…” Bastion said, a little on edge.
”Aren’t you supposed to be in school or something?” Veronica asked, obviously a little bothered by her presence. “Waaah???” The girl whined. “You’re a big meany!”
”Chill, Veronica, she’s just a kid.” Bastion said.
”You too?? Awww…” The girl said.
”Sorry, hehe. I'm Ba- Sebastian. This is, of course, Veronica. She’s really just a softie when you get to know her.” Bastion chuckled, earning himself a glare.
”I'm… Well, I don’t have a name! I use a sorta codename, like you guys! Magi forever!” the girl shouted, jumping to her feet, making a scene. “The hell are you doing!? Sit down, you fool!” Veronica hissed. “What did she say, anyway? I can’t understand her.”
”She sort of just shouted ‘Magi forever’…” Bastion whispered. “She’s one of us.” The girl sat down again, smiling at Bastion. “My name is Hime!” She said.
”Hime? You mean, as in ‘Princess’ in Japanese?” Bastion asked.
”Bingo! Wow, Mister Sebastian, you’re really smart!” Hime said. Veronica looked depressed.
”So… You’re a..?” Bastion held up his medallion.
”Yah.” Hime laughed.
”Where’s your pendant?” Veronica mumbled, life drained from Hime’s immaturity.
”Uhh…” Hime paused. “I lost it! I know, I know, silly me!”
”You don’t just ‘lose’ it. You could find it through Hollow Sight. What are you hiding?” Veronica asked.
“Ooooh. Your girlfriend is really feisty, isn’t she??” Hime laughed, asking Bastion.
”Wh… What did you say!?” Veronica shrieked, blushing again.
”Hey, whoa. She’s not my girlfriend, kid… Calm down, both of you.” Bastion said, looking around the Café at the entertained customers. “Oooh, no? That’s a shame! Bedtime would be sexy sexy time, if you were!” Hime laughed. Bastion’s jaw dropped with astonishment at what this little girl just said to him. He expected Veronica to explode in a rage, but all he received was shrug. “Wh-what did she just say?...” Veronica asked, still blushing.
”Oh! I gotsa go! Sorry! I’ll see you later!” Hime said, getting up. “It was nice to meet you mister Bastion!”
“Nice to meet you... too...” Bastion said, as Hime turned and left the Cafe. It may have been Bastion’s imagination, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hime simply vanish.
”Well… That was… Yeah…” Bastion said, exhausted just from looking at her energy. “Cute kid, eh?”
”Pfft.” Veronica said, in a bad mood now.
”Come on, don’t be like that. It’s just a kid!” Bastion exclaimed.
”She pisses me off. Hopefully, we won’t have to see her again” Veronica said. “She’s a complete liar also. Something REALLY off about her.”
”It’s just your imagination.” Bastion laughed, but Veronica didn’t buy it.
“That watch...” Veronica pondered.
“Sharp, wasn’t it?” Bastion asked.
“It was... different from yours.” Veronica said.
“What do you mean? Everybody doesn’t have the exact same watch, you know.”
“It was different from anybody’s.” Veronica said. “It was a 24 hour clock that told the time ‘25:32’.” Bastion raised an eyebrow. “Hah! You’re so sharp, aren’t you? It hardly matters, come, we need to get this wound fixed and continue going.” Bastion said, smiling at Veronica.
“Well then… should we talk about the plan?” Bastion asked, resuming their journey.
”What’s to talk about? Stab Dante and get the blood, aye?” Veronica said.
”No, that would likely be impossible. He’s deemed himself an emperor, and if we become king slayers we couldn’t possibly escape the national park alive.” Bastion explained, “We go on, we sign up with the Blue Magi, then you become famous for your healing magic to the point where you can get close enough to the emperor while I do stuff in the village.”