The Brooch's Guiding Light
Standing blankly beside my master, staring off into empty space. How do I find the runaway ninja...? Reality suddenly crashed down on me. Should I scour the entire route the carriage might take? The continent is so vast—where do I even start? What if they veered off the path? What if they're taking a huge detour far, far away...?
Overwhelm hit me like a wave already. My chest tightened, my mind went white. Where the hell do I even begin...?
As my face darkened, my master patted my head. The moment that cool yet warm touch reached my crown, my heart eased a little.
"Don't worry, Ricoris. We'll find them together."
My master's voice was still like moonlight—soft, warm, subtly soothing. It seeped into my chest, slowly melting away the anxiety. Her touch and voice always carried that magical power.
Then—ting!
Something sparkled near my chest with a chime. What? My heart warmed, and a faint light leaked from the inner pocket of my clothes. Huh? What's this?
I hurriedly reached in. My fingertips met cold, smooth metal. Carefully, I pulled it out—it was that beautiful brooch from Abraksas.
A meticulously crafted lavender brooch, a treasure Abraksas holds especially dear.
A purple glow pulsed from the central gem, like a heartbeat—rhythmic light and shadow. And that light stretched faintly in one direction.
"Huh...?"
I twisted the brooch this way and that, but the light's direction held firm. Like a perfectly tuned compass, stubbornly fixed on one point. The gem's glow intensified, and I felt the brooch vibrate faintly in my hand.
What...? What's this mean? Is Abraksas telling me? She's that way—go quick?
It made sense. He'd told us to take Nis far away, but we'd been hanging around right next to them. Now showing the carriage's location, like time to go...?
"Master!"
I whipped around to her. She gazed curiously at the brooch in my hand. The purple light reflected in her white eyes, sparkling mysteriously.
"It seems Abraksas is guiding us! If we follow the light, we should find them!"
Her eyebrows arched slightly. A subtle emotion flickered in those pale eyes.
"Even Abraksas taking an interest in my Ricoris..."
Her voice carried complex undertones. Jealousy? Wariness? Not exactly friendly, whatever it was.
Wait! Is she misunderstanding!?
"N-no! I'm not really close to Abraksas at all!"
As I blurted my denial, the brooch's light visibly dimmed. The vibrant purple halved, like it was sulking.
...?
Is it pouting?
I couldn't believe it. No... Abraksas... we're really not that close!
Nis approached with graceful steps, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, clearly amused.
"Fufufu... how intriguing."
She followed the brooch's direction, then her expression turned serious. The playful smile vanished, replaced by deep thought.
"That direction... leads to the Land of Death. And the Great Labyrinth."
Land of Death... Great Labyrinth...?
The words spun in my head. Familiar somehow. I'd seen it on Liandel's map...
Lightning strike—ah! Isn't this one of the demon king's Great Labyrinths from the game!?
Of course, Seraphina and Beatrice said no demon king exists, but still—a Great Labyrinth! Insanely dangerous!
"They wouldn't be stupid enough to go into the Great Labyrinth, right...?"
I muttered, and the brooch started flashing. On-off like a traffic light.
What!
"That's it!?"
Flash-flash!
It was answering yes. Flashing faster, like emphatic agreement.
My heart pounded. Liandel and Levy entered the Great Labyrinth? Even with the ace trio, you don't just waltz in there!
Flap-flap!
Suddenly, Miel leaped from my shoulder, spiraling wildly in the air. Then she plucked a few hairs from my head and scribbled in midair.
This pest! Saying that now!?
Time to set the hierarchy straight!
"Hey!"
But my hand sliced empty air. Miel had rocketed up like lightning after writing, now buzzing smugly over Master's head. She knew I wouldn't touch Master—smart and infuriating.
Grr! But no time to waste on anger. My minions might be in danger.
Right... good me will handle Miel's taunts later. Saving the party comes first...
"We gotta go, Master!"
My voice rushed. Impatience made my feet tap. Clutching the brooch, I showed her the direction.
She nodded, stepping back. Cold aura surged from her body. Silver light enveloped her, expanding massively. The elegant woman vanished; a majestic silver dragon appeared.
Whoa... breathtaking every time. Sunlight glittered off silver scales in rainbow hues. Wings unfurled, blotting the sky.
"Climb on, Ricoris."
She could speak in dragon form too! Voice grander, but still that moonlight tone.
Master's the coolest!
I hopped excitedly onto her back. Scales felt sleek and cool—like polished marble pulsing with life. So comfy, I flopped down flat. Rubbing my hot cheeks against her chill scales, I rolled gleefully.
Kyah! Feels amazing! Hehe, smells like Master. Crisp, clean winter morning air. I inhaled deeply, drunk on it.
"Ricoris."
Nis mounted gracefully behind me, clearing her throat lightly.
"Didn't you say it was urgent?"
Oh right! Emergency!
I sat properly near her neck, gripping soft scales.
Master slowly spread her massive wings. Wind howled as they fully extended, powerful updraft buffeting us. Then—we shot into the sky.
"Whoa!"
Real flight! Cool wind sliced through clouds across my face. Thrilling beyond freefall or rollercoasters. Blazing speed, yet her back was steady as a couch—luxurious sky travel.
"Frostia, you can fly this elegantly?"
Nis sounded surprised.
"Not like your usual style?"
"Ricoris is riding."
Master's reply was curt. But it spoke volumes—I was special.
Gasp! Safety flying for me! Heart swelled. Master holding back her usual ferocity for my sake.
"Masteeer..."
Overwhelmed, I flopped again, hugging her neck tight. Tiny laugh rippled through her throat muscles.
Flap-flap!
Emboldened by steady flight, Miel fluttered up from my head. Perching atop, she perked tiny wings. Cold high-altitude wind slipped through her blue wings; she spread them wide, savoring the airflow.
"You excited too?"
She flapped harder at my words. Cloud droplets beaded on her wings—she loved even that chill.
Cute... Fighting her daily felt silly now. Her pure joy made me seem childish.
Wait... no...? She always started it...
We sped on. Landscape below shifted dramatically—from green meadows to barren wastes. Trees thinned, grass yellowed.
How long? Terrain changed starkly. Lush life gone; ominous, polluted zone emerged. Soil crumbly black—like ash or rotted mud. Skeletal trees clawed skyward, withered grass toppled in wind.
Miel darted from shoulder to my nose, fluttering. It tickled, but she was signaling—smell?
I sniffed. Faint rot in the air—rotten eggs mixed with old dirt. Unpleasant, wind-borne.
But weaker than Nis's domain. Hers was true death; this felt... aged, sickly?
"This is the Land of Death?"
I said skeptically. Nis chuckled.
"Pathetic, right? Humans call this the Land of Death—such cowards."
Aha! All hype. Just the "old and sick" lands now!
Huge shapes flitted far in the sky—birds? Wyverns? Big anyway. But they fled at Master's sight.
"Caw! Caaaaw!"
Screeching panic, they bolted. Instinct knew her power. Wise choice.
Further on, unexpected sight below: Amid gray wastes, bright red flame ring blazed circularly.
Huh...? Fire...?
I hate fire... But closer look—no. Intricate flame barrier, circular, guarding something.
Inside: my flashy carriage!
"My carriage!!"