(Magic Knight: Fukusen)

  "I swear to you Bishop Argos, it is of the cursed race, deemed unworthy by the Gods themselves." I'm struggling to keep my volume down, but the Bishop seems unconcerned with this matter. How can a man of the Gods take lightly the commands of those he worships?

  "My dear child, you said she is an adventurer, yes? Surely she, who is working so hard for the greater good, can be trusted, yes? Unless we have proof of wrongdoing, this matter must be left alone."

  From atop his ornate chair in the back of the Hall of Prayer, he seems so intimidating, and kind. Even with his bright smile I can sense the weight of every word he speaks. A tired yet strong voice, that carries with it much wisdom, as it echoes off the thick marble that stretches across the large hall. Alas, it isn't enough to stifle this sinking feeling in my gut. I know that thing is dangerous.

  "But sir, I saw its status menu, that... creature, is indeed cursed. I, Sir Fukusen, swear it to you as a Magic Knight."

  "Proof of a curse is not proof of evil, sir. There have been dozens of generations since they've received divine punishment from our loving Gods. If there were still a reason for more punishment, surely the Gods would make it so.”

  I suppose that makes sense. Yes. Surely the Bishop is right about this. I mustn't let my anger get the best of me. Still though, I'm filled with unease and fear, just knowing that accursed creature is in our kingdom. On top of that, I'm sure the creature knew what I had done when I brushed against it. It must be suspicious as well, which may well make it more dangerous.

  "Understood Bishop. May I continue to at least monitor the creature until my suspicions have been quelled?"

  “Yes, you may keep a watchful eye, but nothing more. If any further concerns arise, you may return here to seek additional guidance."

  Bishop Argos rises from his chair, his robe of the purest white with green trim sways slightly with his slow movements. Even in his silver years, he has a strong presence, yet this does not detract from his calming nature. He is indeed a Holy man.

  I turn around and make my way through the towering hall, my squire following suit just behind me without need of prompting. His weak presence contrasts so greatly with the Bishop, it's as though there's a great chasm between them, greater even than the massive hall we walk through. He could've had a stronger presence, had it not been for his past mistakes.

  "M'lord, do you wish for me to keep watch on this person?"

  "No Gregory, that "person" may very well be a monster in disguise. I will handle the observations myself. Do make sure that Hero Akira receives my deepest apologies for not being available to greet her personally. See to it that her accommodations are met when she arrives."

  "Yes M"lord."

  Gregory is a man of few words, and always has been. He's a trustworthy fellow, and strong ally, despite his dire appearance. Unfortunately, he sought power and strength too fervently, and all but destroyed his body with Mana Poisoning. His regular treatments are going quite well but alas, he has many more ahead of him. He may never return to his original self.

  I ignore the sight of his body leaking mana out of every pore flashing in my mind's eye and press on. I know it must still occur often, but can never see it. With his armor, made from the plates of shelled monsters, and his dark gray cloak of wolf’s hide, I can't see his skin.

  Separating from Gregory outside the temple, I make my way towards the adventurers market. This group of shops near the main entrance to town are fully stocked with everything an adventurer needs and thus, it remains busy all day. This area is always bustling with excitement, so surely, the creature must still be there. I pray it hasn't left yet.

  The adventurers and shop keepers I pass along the way, have an uneasy calmness about them. Perhaps it is I who is uneasy, and I'm simply projecting my dreadful feelings onto them. They know not, the monsters that hide within these busy shops. One of whom has just wandered into view outside Dwarsens Blacksmithing.

  It attempts to hide its nature with a black cloak and a scarf to hide its face. That will no longer work on me of course, for I have seen its cursed status with Identify. A touch is all it takes when you activate the spell, and the target will be none the wiser. Although, I'm sure it knew what I did. These accursed creatures are quite crafty, and the exact nature of their heretical Magic remains a mystery.

  I do know that these beasts have high level detection spells. That, along with their empathic abilities, and perhaps even mind control, makes them formidable and unpredictable. That must be where the Bishop and I disagree. I believe it is simply too dangerous for them to be kept alive.

  I move in closer to the creature as it stops by a small group of new adventurers. Preying on the young and inexperienced I see. I'll have to follow close behind and attempt to remain undetected. This should be possible, as I'm wearing normal leather armor, instead of my Knight's Armor. I can also conceal my presence quite well. I pray that is enough.

  "Cathina said she's ready, are we going or what?"

  The short boy with black hair and cheap leather armor started to speak. There's a single chunk of hair on his head sticking out from the rest, pointing upward. So, the creature has a name, does it? Cathina, your name will remain burned into my mind for years to come.

  "Ugh, fine. Let's go then."

  A young woman with pink hair responded. Very young. I'm not sure if I can call her a woman. Her dress armor is also exceptionally girly. It's enough to make one wonder if she's even old enough to be an adventurer.

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  "You don't have to have an attitude, ya know."

  The black haired kid responded and began walking towards the town's exit. The other three follow after him. The pink haired one, that looks to be a mage, is following in a huff. The creature, "Cathina", and the third one that looks to be a Healer Priest in standard white and green garbs, follow silently.

  I follow as well, roughly 10 meters behind them. I must know what this evil creature is up to. I must protect them, and dispatch that thing if need be. My drive for this has only strengthened now that I see a fellow believer of the Sapen Pantheon among them. That poor child has no idea what dangers lie ahead.

  "Just so you know Mika, there's gonna be tons of monsters in the forest. I'll protect you though, so you don't have to worry.

  "Ugh, I don't need you to protect me. I can handle myself."

  "Ok. Just know I'm here if you need me. I can't let anything happen to my friends."

  "Friends!? Why would you say we're friends? You don't just say that, it sounds weird."

  The two of them bicker back and forth for a bit longer, but they've just passed the main gate. I can't follow close behind anymore, as they're entering the field just outside the walls, over the drawbridge.

  Should I turn back now before I'm spotted? I shake away that thought, and wait briefly for them to shrink from my view. I must follow. I must ensure the safety of those adventurers and all others. There's no telling what that creature might do to them.

  I follow quickly behind, towards Kryath Forest, and prepare for what may come. Once they've entered the forest, I climb the hill after them slowly and carefully until I enter the forest. That creature cannot be left alone with those young adventures.

  Wait. No.

  Just inside the forest edge I see the three adventurers fighting a monster. It's not the monster I thought they'd be engaged in battle with, though. It's a mere hobgoblin with a small amount of backup behind it. The black haired kid is fighting it off while the pink haired one is launching spells into a group of goblins archers.

  No.

  "Dammit, where is that cursed creature? Did it know I was onto it?"

  I speak aloud in spite of myself. I'm so frustrated that it disappeared so easily. It pains me so. It pains me in my heart... and my neck. It's like my heart is breaking and I'm filled with sadness, dread, and pain.

  Wait.

  What's going on?

  I quickly turn around and draw my sword to ready myself for battle. This must be that mind control magic to make me…

  Wait.

  Nobody's there.

  Shing!

  Just then another stab of pain shoots down my neck. It's blade sunk deep into my flesh but not as deep as the pain radiating from my heart and filling me with abject misery.

  No.

  Something cut my throat. If it were not for healing magic, I would surely be dead already. I turn and swing my sword wildly hoping it will find its home, hoping I can end this pain and sadness.

  Wait.

  Shing

  I hit nothing, but feel more pain instead. I swing again in the direction I think it is coming from, but I hit nothing again. I need to stop this. I need to kill that despicable creature that's poisoned my mind and my very soul. I strengthen myself with magic and try to purify my mind and body to rid me of this curse that's eating at my soul.

  Shing

  “Argh, damn you creature. I will find you, I will destroy you.”

  Shing

  No. This can't be happening.

  Panicking, I start to swing back and forth continuously while turning my body, trying to cover the entire area. A Magic Knight should never do this, but I am so full of pain and dread that I can't help it. There's nothing around me but trees. I can't see or feel where that cursed creature might be hiding.

  Shing

  Wait. No. I still hit nothing, but it can still hit me. No matter where I am, no matter what I'm doing, even if I swing wildly, that creature can still attack me any time from unknown locations. I can't detect or predict where it might be coming from. I… I don’t know what to do.

  I pause briefly to catch my breath. Even with healing magic, I'm losing too much health. I can't replace my lost blood. I must find this blasted creature wherever it's hiding or this may spell my doom.

  "You monster! I knew I should have struck you down when I had the chance!"

  Shhiiinngg!!!

  Arg!!! It was even deeper that time! It came from behind me on the left. I try to turn around and swing my sword but fall to my knees instead. My eyes are welling up, my mind is shrouded in a thick and heavy darkness, and my heart is tearing itself apart.

  I activate all the Light Magic I have access to. I must cut through this seemingly endless darkness. I must burn this creature to ash with the light of my Gods. I must win for the sake of those adventurers, for the sake of Sapen, and for the sake of all of Arth.

  Shing!

  “Ahhhrr!!!”

  That strike was far deeper than the others, down to my bones it feels like. I grab my neck where the gash is, press it, and try to close it up with healing magic.

  No. I can't fight this thing.

  I hear something crunching the twigs and leaves beside me. I look through the haze and fuzz my blood loss is causing.

  What!?

  How can this magic be so frightening?

  The shadows of the canopy of branches just above, begins to morph and combine into a frightful shape. They slowly creep and ooze together. It's as though the darkness itself has come alive and taken form and flesh. A form of evil, with flesh of absolute pain. Once the shadows have molded together it drips down to the ground into a puddle of sickly darkness.

  Wait… please.

  That puddle of pure darkness with all the pain, hatred, and fears of the world radiating from it, the most crippling and frightful emotions a mind can conjure are piercing my eyes, filling my mind and slithering down my already shaking spine. Then, through the fear, the dread and the pure evil that makes up the dark mass, an even darker silhouette with piercing, glowing red eyes emerges from the abyss staring into my soul laid bare before it.

  I was wrong. This isn't a monster, but evil itself, a devil of the purest darkness. I know now why the Gods attempted to eradicate these horrid demons.

  Please… Gods… don't let this be the end. Don't let this accursed creature of absolute evil be the last thing I see in this wretched world… no.

  It seems my prayers won't be answered as it starts to walk towards me. The pure, inhuman, hatred flowing out of its eyes ensures my doom. Though, through the madness wrought by the dark, I swear I could see… something I wasn't expecting… sadness.

  "Wait. I don't want to d-"

  Shing!