User:NeloAngelo/Redstuff/Side 7

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Side Chapter 7 - Clauves (1) I dedicate my life in a life of strife, never wanting the tragedy that befall my family happen again. Alongside my brother- Lio, we have fought hand-in-hand against countless Grotesques. It is not the most comfortable role, but I relished the challenge. The sound of steel cutting into sinew, the bravery of man, the fervor of conquest, the adrenaline rush- all painted the portrait of my life. A dedication to a strong warrior.

But, when I came to be, fighting Grotesques became a bore. The same aggression met with the same tactics. Fighting Grotesques became a trained reaction. And with that, came a new home, and a new family- Sister Araya and Chiara.... and the very Sage as my Grandfather in law. Even after marrying sister, Lio continued dedication to fight against Grotesque across the world- but I know his motivation is that of noble. And that's when I realized, though we share the same blood, I am not the same as Lio- I fought Grotesque not out of wanting to protect, but to challenge. Lio probably realized this earlier than I have- that's why he assigned me the commanding role of the Blackguards- Chiara's protectors.

Whether what his true intentions are, I suppose I cannot fault a brother's concern to protect his siblings. By all accounts Lio is a loving husband to Araya, so if he assigned me to protect sister Araya in his absence, then I should be honored. ...However deep my heart of a warrior beats. At the very least, I will not let my new family and home destroyed. In my years of commanding Blackguards, no invaders or trespassers escaped unscathed. Whenever trouble shows up in Chiara, we enter, we invade, and we eliminate.

Never would I imagine the streak would be broken today. At the Sage's sacred shrine, no less. My first priority is to secure sister Araya's safety- she's passed out, but otherwise, she is fine. I touched her face, a smooth, soft skin that never saw the battlefield. And I pray she never does. "Mmhm..." Sister Araya woke. Her voice is goggy, faint. "Sister, it's me Clauves! Are you alright?" "Clau? ...Is something wrong?" "There's a trespasser in Chiara, and you gave the order to arrest him." "There was...? I don't...remember..." Sister Araya is touching her head. Did the shock made her forget about what just happened? Ever since Sage Arato's seclusion, Sister Araya has always overworked herself to death. She's had episodes of fainting, but she never allowed me to tell Lio about her condition, fearing it would interfere with his work. I have hoped Lio's visit to her in the Tournament would lift up her spirits, but this trespasser set it all back to zero. "You should rest for now, I'll have the medic have a look at you." I asked the Blackguard to escort her out, leaving only a small unit to investigate the escape point in the shrine.


 * Clauves: Report.
 * Blackguard: We've checked the edge of the hole. No traces of magic; seems like its broken out by sheer physical force.
 * Clauves: The fragments are knocked outside the shrine too, so it's not broken from the outside.
 * Blackguard: Commander, you've fought the trespasser personally, right?
 * Clauves: Yep. Specialized in hand-to-hand, but doesn't seem to use magic. It's possible for him to have a MAG that compresses a machine, but for something that powerful to punch through the wall, the weight would leave treadmarks.
 * Blackguard: Hand-to-hand...pale hair....a distinct mask....
 * Clauves: Something on your mind?
 * Blackguard: Yes! He fits the description of a combatant in the Tournament.
 * Clauves: Sage's Tournament?
 * Blackguard: Did you not see it?
 * Clauves: I lost my interest after the demonstration match. We all know Lio- Captain Lioves would win anyway.
 * Blackguard: That's true- the physical description of the trespasser match that of a combatant there- one that is defeated by Captain Lioves.
 * Clauves: Interesting. Do we have a name?
 * Blackguard: Solvei, I think.
 * Clauves: So, he's here for a grudge?
 * Blackguard: Well, we can't throw the MO out.
 * Clauves: Any updates from the Search unit?
 * Blackguard: Unfortunately, no.
 * Clauves: Is that so. Tell them to continue searching for another hour.
 * Blackguard: Just another hour?
 * Clauves: Another hour would be already be 4 hours have passed; whatever he is, he would be already long out of Chiara.
 * Blackguard: Ma'am.
 * Clauves: Also, check all foreign entry and exit log of Chiara that happened in 3 weeks, maybe there's some clues from it.
 * Blackguard: Ma'am. What about Maiden Araya?
 * Clauves: I will personally tend to Maiden Araya. Let's see who's brave enough to touch her with me around.
 * Blackguard: Understood. ....
 * Clauves: Something wrong, private?
 * Blackguard: Do you think we should contact Everia?
 * Clauves: For now, let's just exhaust all our options; Chiara and Everia has long enjoyed a close, mutual beneficial relationship, but that doesn't mean we should take advantage of their goodwill.
 * Blackguard: Yes, ma'am.

Solvei, is it...? Well, whoever you are...you are the first to get out of my grasp. Don't think you'll ever be so lucky next time.