Memories of a New Dawn – (Chapter 02)
Summary
/
The world is in lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic as Nika, Calabolt, and the faes are preparing to move to their new home. Because of all the restrictions, Nika fears disappointing her fans after all the delays with the recording and the light novels. The others, meanwhile, try to cheer her up and seek a solution to ease her worries.
As they are packing up their belongings, a mysterious stranger appears in front of their door notifying Nika that a friend left an important package for her.
Much to Haru’s protests, they set off toward’s its location.
But little did they know that what was supposed to be a short walk would turn out to be a long journey, leaving with them with more questions than answers at every step of the way.
What sort of adventure awaits them now?
This is the summer where it all began…
Chapter 02 - A Troublesome Gift
/
A Troublesome Gift - Part 1
/
?ᏂᏗᏒᏬ? & ?ᎩᏬᏦᎥ?
“A Troublesome Gift – Part 1”
**********
{Shopkeeper}
(caressing the top of his head)
“Creator’s ghost! That stings!”
{???}
“I did not hit any vital points. It is your fault for taking so long.”
{Shopkeeper}
“Alright, alright. I get it.”
{Yuki}
(whispering to Nika)
“Who is that?”
{Nika}
“Oh, that’s the girl I was talking to you about earlier.”
{Haru}
“The odd girl that kept you company while we were away?”
{Nika}
(nervously sweats)
“Yes, well… She doesn’t talk much so I don’t quite know what she is up to…”
(the girl stares at the group causing them to go silent)
{Shopkeeper}
“Oh! My apologies dearies! This is my wi…”
{???}
(heavily glares)
“Your what?”
{Shopkeeper}
(coughs)
“My assistant… Mïllefo-“
{???}
(hits the shopkeeper)
“How many times have I told you not to call me that, you good for nothing pleb! Please call me Mïllia”
{Shopkeeper}
(reflexively protects his head)
“First of all, ouch! and secondly, would you be kind enough to open up a portal and bring us back to the shop.”
{Mïllia}
(sighs)
“I don’t get paid enough for this…”
{Shopkeeper}
“Technically, I’m not even paying you so…”
(Mïllia fiercely glares at the foolhardy man)
{Yuki}
(whispers to Haru)
“Wow… Not paying his employee… I always knew that Creepykeeper-san was a bit weird before but now, this makes him a huge meanie in my books!”
{Haru}
(whispers back)
“I told you so, I knew he was a bad person!”
{Nika}
“Shush. There might be a good reason as to why he is so stingy…”
{Calabolt}
“But still… Poor girl…”
{Shopkeeper}
(nervously sweats as he steps in the portal)
“A-Anyway..! Time’s a wastin. We best be off! Follow after me, for the moon waits for no one.”
〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄
(the group steps out from the portal back to the shop)
{Yuki}
“Wait a minute!”
{Nika}
“What’s wrong, Yuki? Did you forget something?”
{Yuki}
“I just remembered!”
{Haru}
“Oh no…”
{Yuki}
“Toys!”
{Mïllia}
(closing the portal behind her)
“Is that everyone?”
(the shopkeeper nods in approval)
{Calabolt}
(smiles)
“Here we go again…”
{Yuki}
“I want this one and that one and… Oooh! A train! I wonder if there will be a place for a train set in our new house?”
{Shopkeeper}
(snickers)
“Mïllia-chan! If you please…”
(the girl begrudgingly walks towards the counter, sits down, and opens the cash register)
{Nika}
“I’m sorry, Yuki. But we are in a hurry. We’re here for another reason, remember?”
{Shopkeeper}
“Hush, deary. Let the child be. It’s not every day that you see him this happy.”
{Nika & Calabolt}
(nervously sweats)
“He’s like that everyday though…”
{Haru}
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re just letting him do as he pleases because you are going to profit from it?”
{Shopkeeper}
(whistles)
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Haru-kun…”
{Yuki}
(dropping his favourites on the counter)
“I want this one and this one and…”
(the cash register beeps as Mïllia tallies up the sales)
{Haru}
“We don’t have time for that now!”
{Yuki}
“Ow… Why’d you have to scream so close to my ear?”
{Calabolt}
“Well, you were a bit carried away.”
{Shopkeeper}
(grins)
“Hmmm… Anyway, let’s save this matter for later…”
{Yuki}
“Oh yeah! But since we are in a hurry… Has anyone wondered why we had to walk all the way here the first time we came? It’s so much faster to just use a portal! Why didn’t we do that in the first place?”
{Haru}
“Well, we couldn’t. As you know, the extent of our Majïk is greatly limited here in the human world. It is also common knowledge that we faes can only create portals to places we have already seen…”
{Yuki}
“Well, why didn’t Creepykeeper-san make a portal for us?”
{Calabolt}
“Hmmm… You do have a point here, Yuki…”
{Shopkeeper}
(nervously sweats)
“Well… You see… Let’s just say that for some reason I don’t have this Majïk you speak of, in this world… So, I must count on my dearest little Mïllia to do a bit of the heavy-lifting.”
{Mïllia}
“In truth, I do everything around here while he slacks off and annoys all of our customers with his nonsense.”
{Haru}
(nods and whispers)
“Not to mention his stalking habit… Anyway, he truly is a slave driver!”
{Yuki}
(distractingly plays with a toy car from the shelves)
“Poor Mïl-chan… How did you manage to keep this shop running?”
{Shopkeeper}
(coughs)
“A-Anyway! Let’s get on with our business!”
(the shopkeeper moves behind the counter and reaches for the mysterious box)
{Shopkeeper}
“Your key, if you please mademoiselle. Place it here on the lock.”
{Nika}
(places the key)
“Like this?”
{Shopkeeper}
“Perfect! Now… Mïllia, kindly…”
(Mïllia gets up and pulls up the curtains)
{Yuki}
(moves closer towards the window)
“Wow! Was the moon this big when we arrived?”
{Haru}
(follows Yuki)
“I don’t think so…”
{Yuki}
“No wonder it’s called the Petal moon! It’s so pink like a rose.”
{Haru}
“Again, it’s called the full flower moo-“
{Shopkeeper}
(gets in between the two faes)
“Ah! Tonight’s moonlight is just right!”
{Haru}
(heavily panting)
“Will you cut that out!”
{Shopkeeper}
(snickers)
“Cut what out, deary-?”
{Yuki}
(looks behind)
“Hey? Where did Mïl-chan go?”
(without warning, a broom heavily strikes the shopkeeper’s head)
{Mïllia}
(sits back and opens up a magazine)
“Manners!”
{Shopkeeper}
“Ow ow ow ow! It hurts you know!”
{Haru}
(grins)
“Serves you right!”
{Shopkeeper}
“But I didn’t do any-“
(Mïllia glares at the shopkeeper)
{Shopkeeper}
(nervously sweats)
“Moving on! Look!”
(moon rays pierce through the window glass, dissolving the lock and key)
{Calabolt}
“I-It’s gone!”
{Shopkeeper}
(lifts up the lid)
“Well, of course, it is. Tis enchanted after all. You just need to order a new one from me if you want to lock it again! I’ll even give you a discount, dearies!”
{Haru}
(fuming)
“Of course you would…”
{Shopkeeper}
(peeks inside)
“Ooooh! Interesting! This is very interesting indeed!”
{Haru}
“W-What is it?”
{Shopkeeper}
“Something beautiful and dangerous, like its current owner…”
{Yuki}
“Huh?”
{Shopkeeper}
(facing the group)
“Here! See for yourself!”
{Calabolt}
(moves closer to Nika)
“Uhh, an orb?”
{Shopkeeper}
“Not exactly… From where I’m from, we call this crystal a Luna Lacrimae or in the common language Moon Tear.”
{Haru}
(moves to Calabolt)
“Luna Lacrimae? I have never heard of it.”
{Shopkeeper}
(snickers)
“Of course you wouldn’t! For you see, it is a lost magical art so ancient and rare that I highly doubt you would have ever come across it in your lifetime. Let alone, learn of it.”
{Yuki}
“So what is it for?”
{Shopkeeper}
“Well to put it simply, my dear Yuki-chan. A Luna Lacrimae is a sacred relic that can greatly alter the Majïk of a fae.”
{Haru}
(protecting Nika with his wings)
“Alter? Wait! Is it dangerous for humans?”
{Shopkeeper}
“I don’t suppose it’ll have any effect on them since humans do not possess any inherent Majïk. However, I wouldn’t suggest that any of you touch it willy nilly. Just a precautionary measure, you see…”
{Calabolt}
“Such an intense aura… W-Why would Kazan send such an item to Nika?”
(the shopkeeper shrugs)
{Mïllia}
(flips through the pages)
“He probably thought it would be safer in her hands.”
{Haru}
“Still…”
{Yuki}
(moves closer to the box)
“Hey! That’s unfair! Everybody got their turns! I wanna see it too! Ooh! Shiny!”
{Shopkeeper}
“I wouldn’t touch that if I were-“
{Haru}
“Yuki, no!”
(a flash of light envelops the room)
{Nika}
(looks around her)
“Huh? Why is it suddenly so dark? What happened to the light?”
{Calabolt}
(takes his hand away from Nika’s eyes)
“Oh sorry… I-I wasn’t thinking… M-My hand just moved on its own and…”
{Nika}
(blushes)
“I-It’s fine… Y-You were just protecting me…”
{Haru}
(slightly panicked)
“What was that?”
{Shopkeeper}
“I told you, dearies, not to touch it…”
{Mïllia}
“It was just a flash. Everyone is safe. No big deal.”
{Haru}
(nervously sweats)
“Nothing can unfazed this girl. You should take note, Yukïel.”
{Calabolt}
“Huh? Where IS he?”
{???}
“Uuuhhh… Guys?”
A Troublesome Gift - Part 2
/
?ᏂᏗᏒᏬ? & ?ᎩᏬᏦᎥ?
“A Troublesome Gift – Part 2”
**********
(the group gasps after looking towards the voice)
{Nika}
(her eyes widening)
“Y-Yuki?!”
{Calabolt}
“W-What h-happened?!”
{Yuki}
(looks at his hands)
“Ack! W-Why can I see through m-my…!? Wait, why do I have hands? And feet?!”
(Calabolt and Nika moves closer to inspect the now translucent boy)
{Haru}
(flies towards the shopkeeper)
“Y-You! What did you do to our Yukïel?!”
{Shopkeeper}
(gripping tightly on the box)
“Well, I did try to warn you…”
(a slight breeze blows in between the group members)
{Shopkeeper}
(sternly looks at his empty hands)
“Hmmm?”
{Haru}
“Wait, where did it…?”
{Mïllia}
(closes the lid of the box)
“I should’ve known better than to trust you with a task as delicate as this, idiot manager.”
{Shopkeeper}
(turning as white as snow)
“My apologies! Please forgive me!”
{Haru & Calabolt}
(whispers to themselves)
“I really wonder who is in charge of who here…”
(Yuki heads for the nearest mirror)
{Yuki}
“Ooooh! I really transformed into the real me!”
{Calabolt}
“Real?”
{Haru}
(points at Yuki)
“He’s referring to his elven form.”
{Calabolt}
“Oh… I just thought that…”
{Haru}
“Thought what? That we are just weird floating orbs, huh? Is that what you thought?”
{Calabolt}
(nervously sweats)
“Ehehe… Uhmmm no… I was just surprised, that’s all.”
{Haru}
(coughs)
“Anyway, what you see before you is his actual form. You may have forgotten that we faes cannot exist as elves here. That’s why we are forced to take on the form of an elemental spirit orb to interact with things and people from your world.”
{Calabolt}
“I see…”
{Shopkeeper}
“Why are you SO surprised, Cala-chan? You are also one of…”
{Calabolt}
“I-I’m not a fae!”
{Shopkeeper}
(snickers)
“Hmmm… Could’ve almost fooled me.”
(Calabolt glances at the grinning shopkeeper and walks towards Yuki)
{Shopkeeper}
“O-ho!”
{Haru}
“Enough. You still haven’t answered me. There shouldn’t be any majïk artifact in the human world strong enough to elicit this kind of reaction. Not unless…”
{Shopkeeper}
“That’s correct, my dear Haru-chan!”
{Haru}
(whispers)
“Don’t call me that!”
{Shopkeeper}
“This, Luna Lacrimae, is a unique artifact created here.”
{Haru}
“Who in their right mind would manufacture a reliquary here?”
{Nika}
“Uhmmm… Excuse me, but what is a reliquary?”
{Haru}
“Simply put, a reliquary is any chosen item that acts as a container enchanted with a single spell.”
{Nika}
“Uhhh… So, it’s like self-made magic… accessory? Sorry, maybe I’m a bit lost…”
{Shopkeeper}
“Don’t be so down deary, what our intellectual friend here is trying to say is that this Luna Lacrimae works like a computer program. Once it opens up, it executes a very specific function. One encoded spell, so to speak.”
{Nika}
“So… you can program it with any spell you want?”
{Haru}
“That’s the idea. But the thing is… You can’t easily differentiate between a harmless spell or a destructive one.”
{Shopkeeper}
(nods)
“Good thing it was as safe as rain! As you can see it is just…”
{Nika}
(looks towards Yuki)
“…a spell to change faes into their original form.”
{Haru}
“That’s right. Although, looking at Yuki. It seems that the spell was corrupted. Or rather, incomplete. By the Creator, what was Kazan thinking when he sent this to you?”
〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄
{Calabolt}
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
{Yuki}
“Well, sorta. But it feels… weird.”
{Calabolt}
“Weird? But Haru said that this was your real appearance, no?”
{Yuki}
“Yeah… Well, I’m not usually translucent like this. Hmmm… Am I a ghost?”
{Calabolt}
“Uhhh… I don’t think so…”
{Yuki}
“B-But look! I can pass through walls now!”
{Calabolt}
“I’m pretty sure, you could already do that before.”
{Yuki}
“Yes, I can do that as a spirit. But now, this is my real body! Err… Kinda.”
(Yuki sighs as he sits down cross-legged on the ground)
{Calabolt}
“Hmmm?”
{Yuki}
“Am I… going to be like this forever?”
{Calabolt}
(moves closer)
“Don’t worry, the shopkeeper and Haru will definitely fix this.”
{Yuki}
(sighs)
“What should I do? At this rate, I won’t be able to play with the toys anymore…”
{Calabolt}
(whispers to himself)
“Seriously?! That’s what you’re worried about…?!”
〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄
{Haru}
“Well, for now, we can relax. This reliquary is just a Luna Lacrimea of Manifestation.”
{Nika}
“Manifestation?”
{Haru}
“Yes, that is the name of the incomplete spell embedded within it.”
{Nika}
“But what can we do about Yuki? He can’t stay like this!”
{Haru}
“You’re right. Hmmm…”
(Haru looks towards Yuki and Calabolt)
{Haru}
“Well, defusing an incomplete spell is indeed a dangerous task. Even for an experienced fae such as myself. But…”
{Nika}
“But, what?”
{Shopkeeper}
“You can try to complete the spell instead.”
{Haru}
(looks grimly at the shopkeeper)
“Y-Yes. That’s correc- How did you…?”
{Shopkeeper}
(grins)
“Let’s see. If you want to alter a reliquary’s spell, you’ll need a very unique type of wyvern blossoms called Felix Flammae. Luckily for you, my dearies, we here offer a discount on…”
{Mïllia}
(coughs from behind the counter)
“You might have a slight problem there.”
{Shopkeeper}
“O-ho? And what pray tell might that be, my dear Mïllia-cha… ugh!”
{Mïllia}
(stomps the head of the shopkeeper to the ground)
“NEVER CALL ME THAT! You good for nothing pleb!”
{Nika}
“Uhmmm… Excuse me Ms. Mïllia, what were you saying?”
{Mïllia}
(sigh)
“Recently, an idiot had the brilliant idea to buy all of our stocks of Felix Flammae from an EVEN bigger idiot who naturally forgot to order any replacement merchandise.”
{Shopkeeper}
(raising his hand)
“By bigger idiot, she means me…”
{Yuki}
(crouching down)
“Creepykeeper-san, are you alright?”
{Shopkeeper}
“I think I-I’m gonna die…”
{Mïllia}
“Anyway, you can always ask the other idiot if he has some left. He can’t have already used his whole 10000 pounds, can he?”
{Haru}
“And who is that?”
{Shopkeeper}
“She means Kazan-kun… Ack!”
{Mïllia}
(lifts her leg)
“Hmph! It seems you’re in luck. I can sense he is at home in the dream.”
{Yuki}
(surprised)
“Huh? How do you know where Kazan is?”
{Mïllia}
(turns her back to hide her blushing cheeks)
“I-I just know ok! It’s not like I’m stalking him or anything!”
{Shopkeeper}
(grins as he slowly gets back on his feet)
“O-hohoho… I see. I see.”
{Mïllia}
(kicks the shopkeeper in his stomach)
“W-Why can’t you just die already?!”
(the shopkeeper flies from the impact, passing through Yuki’s translucent body.)
{Haru}
(thinks to himself)
“First this shopkeeper then now, his deadly assistant. Something isn’t adding up. They know way too much about our culture and limitations.”
{Yuki}
“Hmmm? What happened? Why did Mïllia-chan kick Creepykeeper-san?”
{Calabolt}
“I don’t know.”
{Yuki}
(sighs)
“I will never understand women…”
〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄
(the shopkeeper waves as the group leaves through the portal)
{Mïllia}
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
{Shopkeeper}
(snickers)
“Well, we wouldn’t have known if it was the real thing. Right? In any case, it isn’t strictly dangerous… Though it could be used for something naughty.”
{Mïllia}
(sighs)
“Your bad habits are showing again…”
{Shopkeeper}
(smiles)
“Are they now?”
A Troublesome Gift Part 3
/
?ᏂᏗᏒᏬ? & ?ᎩᏬᏦᎥ?
“A Troublesome Gift Part 3”
******
(walking through the forest)
{Calabolt}
“So, where are we headed?”
{Haru}
(hovers forward)
“From this garden, we head eastward. Once you feel sand under your feet, it will be just a few minutes until we reach Kazan’s lair. I really hope that jerk hasn’t used up all of those wyvern flowers.”
{Calabolt}
“Felix Flammae, huh?”
{Haru}
“Or at least that’s what that shopkeeper-charlatan said.”
{Nika}
“Surely he hasn’t spent all of it already. And it’s not like Yuki is in any danger in the first place…”
{Yuki}
(floats by Calabolt’s side)
“Yeah! And I’m starting to enjoy this new form of mine!”
{Haru}
“Huh? Really? Then what are you going to do about food?”
{Yuki}
“Hmmm? What of it?”
{Calabolt}
(nervously sweats)
“Uhmm… Yuki, you do remember that all solid objects now pass through you. Right?”
{Yuki}
“Eh?”
{Haru}
“Not to mention, you can’t hold a phone or a tablet anymore. So, playing games is not going to be an option. Are you really sure you want to keep that translucent body despite all those restrictions?”
{Yuki}
(hovers on top of Calabolt)
“I-I… Ehhhhh?! No fair! If I can’t play then Cala-chan can’t too!”
{Calabolt}
“Oh? But I can still hold on to any solid device just fine. Why wouldn’t I?”
{Yuki}
(flushing red)
“No! No! No!”
(tries to tug onto Calabolt’s hair but his elven hand passes right through)
{Haru}
(grins)
“At least, you can’t hurt Calabolt anymore with this awful habit of yours.”
{Calabolt}
(whispers)
“Sorry Yuki, but I think I’m starting to like your new form more.”
{Yuki}
(pouts)
“Y-You guys are just being big bullies! I won’t talk to you anymore!”
{Nika}
“Now now. Yuki feels bad about touching that gemstone. Right?”
(Yuki nods as he tries to hide his watery eyes)
{Nika}
(tries to console Yuki)
“There. There…”
{Haru}
(sighs)
“You shouldn’t have come along, Nika. We could’ve handled it ourselves.”
{Nika}
“It’s fine. My boxes have already been sorted out anyway. Besides, it’s been too long since I’ve visited Kazan. Let alone, seen him in person.”
{Haru}
(continues flying)
“That house has probably more dangerous stuff than the Luna Lacrimea lying around. Including, the owner himself.”
{Calabolt}
“Huh? What do you mean?”
{Haru}
“This guy is an irresponsible fae. He flies around everywhere like he owns all of the worlds and doesn’t care if everything burns in his path.”
{Calabolt}
(whispers)
“Sounds a lot like Yuki, to be honest.”
{Haru}
“And don’t get me started on his fashion sense. It always has to be flamboyant this, fancy that. Oh! You don’t recognize this design? This is the dress worn by the prince of whatchamacallit-stan pfft!”
{Nika}
“Now now. That’s not how you talk about your friends.”
{Yuki}
“I can sorta understand why Grumpy Uncle is saying that though.”
(Yuki bows his head as he reminisces Kazan’s demeanour)
{Haru}
(pouts)
“Is he really a friend?”
{Nika}
“Regardless, when I see him well and energetic, it makes me happy.”
{Calabolt}
(loosens his collar)
“Hmmm? Is it just me or is it getting a lot warmer?”
〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄〄
(the group walks along the sandy path, roughly pushed by a sandstorm)
{Haru}
“What’s happening in Kazan’s domain? The desert climate is a lot more violent than before.”
{Nika}
(trying to shield her eyes from the swirling sands)
“It’s true. It seems to have worsened since the last time I was here. Are you guys ok to fly?”
{Yuki}
“Huh? I have no trouble floating.”
{Haru}
(flying erratically due to the strong winds)
“Easy for you to say when the sand just passes through you!”
{Calabolt}
(trying to catch his breath)
“How much further do we have to walk in this mess?”
{Haru}
“We should be there by now. If it weren’t for this sudden sandstorm…”
{Nika}
(trying to keep her footing)
“I can’t see anything. Ack! I can’t…”
{Calabolt}
(catches Nika)
“Careful. Are you alright?”
{Nika}
(nods)
“Y-Yeah. I was too careless and lost my balance.”
{Calabolt}
(panting)
“Should we take a break?”
{Nika}
(softly pushes Calabolt away)
“N-No, no. I’m fine. We can continue.”
{Haru}
“Maybe it’s best to let the storm pass. It will be troublesome if someone gets separated from the group or get hurt.”
{Yuki}
“But why? We can already see the house from here.”
{Haru}
“What are you talking about? Where?”
{Yuki}
(pointing)
“Here, you see! That shiny house over there! See! It’s right next to those two palm trees and… Oh! A pool!”
{Calabolt}
“Sorry, Yuki. But we can’t see anything.”
{Haru}
“Who in their right mind would build a pool in the… Wait!”
{Yuki}
“Eh? I really thought it was…”
{Haru}
(thinking to himself)
“Is it because Yuki is basically like a ghost at the moment that his view isn’t affected by the revolving sand?”
{Yuki}
“Hmmm? Oh! I have an idea! Follow me!”
