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Ruin Explorers	By : yukisan Category: +M to R > Ruin Explorers (Hiky? Tanken Famu to ?r?) > Ruin Explorers (Hiky? Tanken Famu to ?r?) Views: 1023 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Ruin Explorers or the characters nor make any profit from this.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Ruin Explorers

Chapter Four: In Limbo No More
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It had been two weeks since they had discovered the treasure. Shigeo kept a close eye on Ihrie, watching her to see if she was holding up. After she changed into the new clothes that night, he could tell the instant relief washed over her. The dark blues fit her better than he had thought. The material was specially woven and, as a result, hugged her like a second skin. The front was laced over her undershirt and the black boots almost met her knees. She didn't wear her gloves but kept Galoria at her side. He had to admit, as he was admiring her back form, that the new outfit and color fit her well. 'Asaya picked well,' he thought, tilting his head slightly.
Eros cleared his throat as he rode up beside the man. “If you make it any more apparent then Ihrie will notice.” Shigeo glanced away from the woman in front of him to glance at the dark-haired male beside him. He ignored his comment but had to be conscious to not let his eyes wander again.
By nightfall, they had made camp and begun dinner. Ava and Fam were out in the forest again. The sweet bread had been a favorite among the group and they had it often. The two had formed a unique, albeit unusual, relationship. Eros had a habit of disappearing to attend to the horses. It seemed to be one of his strange quirks. Tonight was no different. Shigeo and Ihrie were left alone at the camp.
The man shifted his gaze to her. As usual, she seemed distracted. And he could be sure that she was not the Ihrie he had met almost a month ago. He could see how serious she had become but there was a weight he knew she didn't understand. It was something he couldn't help her with either. He stood and walked to stand in her light.
“Ihrie,” he spoke, gaining her attention, “are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was just thinking about something,” she told him, looking back down at the book in her hands.
He already knew that she had read the thing from front to back. “Fam and the others are worried too,” he continued, not giving her a chance to ignore him tonight.
She tossed him a glance before looking into the fire. “Why?”
“What?” he asked, unsure of what she was actually saying.
“Why are you so worried?” she demanded in a low voice, standing to face him. His pestering questions and hovering was getting on her nerves. Ihrie just wanted to be left alone.
“You've led us to almost every coast town in less than two weeks. “What are you looking for?”
“It's none of your concern,” she told him before walking away.
Shigeo followed her, not willing to let her anger detour him. “What about Fam's concerns?” he asked. Ihrie faltered and slowed. “Fam can't get the courage up to ask you about what's going on but I have no problem.”
“I have my reasons. Can't we just leave it at that?” she asked, not turning around.
“I drop the subject if you answer my next question.” Silence filled the space between them. Shigeo didn't expect to easily get any information from her. “Fam and I have noticed that you are practicing magic more and not changing,” he spoke quietly, not wanting Eros to overhear them.
Ihrie stilled. That thought hadn't even crossed her mind. The woman glanced down at where the stones resided in her wrists. 'Is this the power of the stones?' she thought before Shigeo laid a hand on her shoulder.
“Ihrie, just answer me,” he demanded as he turned her to face him. She hadn't realized that Fam had shared so much information with him. “You can't be surprised that I know about your curse,” he told her in the same low tone. He was becoming more and more worried about her.
Ihrie broke free and stepped back. “Just leave me alone, Shigeo,” she told him harshly.
“That's not going to happen, Ihrie.”
“Why!?” she asked. The woman could see the determination in his eyes.
“Because I care!” he spoke slightly louder and grabbed her. “And I'm not going away. You need to accept that.”
His declaration startled her. But what sent her shivering was the tingling sensation of where he was touching her. It felt so familiar.
“I don't know what's going on,” she finally told him. Shigeo released the woman.
Ihrie watched him bow his head before turning around and walking back to the camp a few feet away. It didn't make sense to her. The magic in the book, what she felt from Shigeo, it all felt familiar. It was the same as hers.
When they broke camp at dawn, Ihrie and Shigeo were unusually quiet. Ava and Fam's chatter filled the atmosphere as they brought the rear up. Eros trotted behind Ihrie and Shigeo. It was entertaining to watch the two and the silent man was more intrigued with the duo in front of him than the squawking women behind him.
The stopped around noon and ate before moving forward, trying to reach the town before dusk. An hour later, a strange feeling overcame Ihrie. She could feel that something wasn't right. Her eyes scanned the surrounding forest. She didn't know where it came from but she didn't doubt her instincts either.
Magic began swelling inside her. It was drastically different from earlier. She could feel the change. All she had to do was think a spell and it was set.
“Ihrie, are you okay?” Shigeo whispered to her. He felt a change in her.
“There's someone else besides us,” she told him.
He glanced around but didn't see anyone. However, it didn't prove that there wasn't something about.
“Stay here while I go check it out,” Shigeo told her before commanding his horse forward. Eros followed him, not waiting for any orders.
The women watched the two slip into the forest. Ihrie knew that whatever was roaming around wasn't after her friends. Their intent was focused on her. She felt their eyes. The woman didn't completely understand what was going on but Ihrie knew that it had something to do with the magic she wielded. For years it had been locked away inside her and now that it was out, she was more unsure of herself than before. She had questions and no answers.
The crack of a twig signaled the men's approach before they came into sight. Shigeo shook his head. He could see her relax before she moved to meet them. “We didn't see anything,” he told her when they continued forward.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
“Don't be,” he replied.
They rode in silence until the sun began setting. To Ihrie's relief, the hill they topped revealed the town below, Tiralia, Asalon, on the west side of the large island. The group found a tavern and checked in, requesting three rooms. Ihrie had refused to stay with the babbling females again. Last time they kept her up all night.
She waved to the others as they entered their rooms – Shigeo and Eros then Ava and Fam. She had to pay for her own room but it was a small price after a sleepless night. Ihrie finally opened her door, dropping her bag in the only chair in the room before falling on the mattress. She was happy to see that the fire had been prepared and lit for her. She listened to the crackling of the wood before pushing herself up off the bed. She stripped off her clothes, leaving her underwear and a loose top on, then grabbed Lancaster and began reading in bed.
“Only the chosen ones may wield Agi of the noble and ancestral bloodline of Escernian.”
That sentence bothered her the most. There still seemed to be too much she didn't know or understand. The book referred to the magic as Agi. Ihrie was wondering what was so special about this form of arcane alchemy.
The sound of the wind and fire faded as a man in royal clothing manifested before her. He gave her the creepiest smile as he glided toward her. As the illusion neared, Ihrie thought the symbol on the fabric seemed familiar, but she couldn't place it.
The room shifted and her eyes were filled with a richly decorated space. A fire was roaring under the ornate mantle. Tapestries hung on the walls and a long table sat with books and papers littered from end to end.
She opened her mouth to speak but no sound emerged. Her eyes met his and the elder smiled beneath his black cloak.
“Relax, Ihrie, the transition is almost complete,” he soothed her.
She felt a release of tension before speaking. “Who are you?”
He nodded before speaking. “I am called Degian,” he told her. “You do not need to be afraid of me, child. Come,” he motioned for the woman to move toward the table. “There is much you need to learn and we do not have enough time.” Her brows furrowed when blue eyes landed on a familiar text. “Ah, here it is,” he stated as he grabbed the papyrus Ihrie had been staring at. “This is the first spell. You must be properly trained,” he told her, handing her the page.
“Slow down, I'm confused. Do you know about Agi?” she asked.
“I see you've been reading. That should make this easier,” he exclaimed, moving around the table.
“Can you tell me what it is?” she pushed, following him as he walked past her.
Deigan paused and turned to the woman. “That's something you must find out on your own, Ihrie,” he explained to her before he waved a hand in the air. A rippled of magic flowed from his fingers before a window appeared and Ihrie could see a field and castle.
“My dream,” she mumbled.
The older man pointed to the castle. “The new king is the only one who can help you.”
Her breathe caught in her throat. 'Lyle.' She shook her head.
“With the new king, you can find the truth and restore his kingdom to it's once prosperous and peaceful place.”
“I'm to go to Reon?” she wanted to make sure. He nodded and she swallowed. Now that she knew her next move, it was her decision – move forward or let her magic perish? She had come this far and couldn't turn back now. “I understand,” she told him before the world spun and she found herself on her mattress.
Although relieved to be back in her room, Ihrie had a feeling of dread. If she stayed with her friends, they would end up in danger, entangled in whatever this was. But the woman wasn't sure if she was in over her head and was reluctant to rid herself of them.
The door opening brought Ihrie out of thought as Shigeo appeared in the threshold. “You didn't answer,” he spoke before seeing how pale she was. The man swiftly went to her side, the creak of the wooden slab closed as he placed a hand on her forehead. “You don't have a fever,” he mumbled to himself before she reached up and grabbed his hand, wrapping her fingers into his palm and shifted it down.
“I'm not sick,” she told him.
Their eyes connected and he could see she had let her shield down. Shigeo sat beside her, letting her keep his hand. “Are you studying the book again?” he asked quietly. She nodded. “It hasn't helped you?” he sounded surprised.
“I'm not sure yet,” she told him, breaking the connection. It was becoming increasingly harder to understand how complex the situation was becoming. She didn't want her friends to perish because of her.
“You can trust me,” he whispered to her, “but I won't push you, Ihrie.”
“Thank you,” she told him. It was something she needed.
Shigeo shifted, standing after several minutes. “I'm going back to my room,” he told her as he moved to the door. His hand paused on the handle as he glanced back at her before leaving the room. It made him angry to see her in such torment but Shigeo knew that it was something she had to do by herself.
The next morning, Ihrie descended the stairs to see Shigeo. He was the only one up as he sat, back to her, eating breakfast. After he left the night before, Ihrie felt a weight lift. It was surprising how comforting his presence had been. And how much she hadn't minded it. It confused her but she had finally decided to open-up to the man.
“Up already, Shigeo,” Ihrie spoke as she took the seat beside him and waved a waitress over.
Her sudden presence startled him, but he smiled when she sat down. “It's a habit,” he replied.
“What would ya like?” the woman asked as she balanced a tray of plates. Her brown hair was pulled back in a bun and the dark dress did little for her figure.
“Whatever he had,” Ihrie told her before she moved to the next table.
He raised an eyebrow at the woman before speaking. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yea, thanks again for not being pushy.”
He shook his head. He was sure it was only a matter of time. “You should try to take it easy. Pushing yourself won't help.”
“You're right,” she told him. It wouldn't help anyone if she was exhausted all the time.
Shigeo was taken aback by her admission and was beginning to wonder if she was okay. Before he could speak, the waitress dropped a plate in front of the woman.
“Here ya're, hon,” she smiled at the woman, realizing that she was trying to not blush. Brown eyes glanced over at the man beside her. “Hollar for me if ya need me,” she said before leaving.
Ihrie picked up the fork and shoved part of the egg into her mouth. Shigeo poured her a glass of the cheap wine he had ordered and put it in front of her. She nodded a thanks before grabbing it, washing part of her food down. She glanced up to make sure that the stairs were clear of the others before she spoke.
“I need to go to Reon and speak with Lyle,” she told him before putting a piece of bread and meat in her mouth.
Shigeo refilled both of their cups before training his eyes on the woman. “Very well. I can charter us passage,” he spoke, choosing his words carefully. He was curious but would let her tell him at her own pace.
“I-” she started, then stopped. “This is going to sound crazy but, I was told to go to Lyle.” Shigeo nodded before turning his attention to the wine. “You're not going to ask me who told me that?” she asked after several seconds.
“No. Should I?” he retorted.
“Don't be a smart ass,” Ihrie told him. She loaded the fork with eggs and emptied it in her mouth before she tossed another piece of bread in. Eros caught her eye as he landed on the last step and started toward them. “Thanks,” she mumbled before Eros was close enough to speak.
“Good morning,” his deep voice called to them, sitting on the chair opposite of Shigeo.
Ihrie returned the greeting before the waitress appeared with another bottle of wine and a third glass. “You want the same as 'em?” Eros nodded and she disappeared.
“Have you set the next destination?” the man asked Ihrie. She nodded. “I need to take care of a few things before we leave town.”
“We can stay another day. It's no problem,” Ihrie told him.
“Thank you,” he told her. The waitress approached the table and the plate clinked on the table in front of Eros.
“I wanted to let you know that we will be heading to Reon.”
“We have no problems there,” he replied to her silent question. The woman nodded, reassured and relieved.
The rest of breakfast was light conversation. Neither Ava or Fam showed before Eros announced his departure and walked out the front door. The two glanced at each other when the waitress silently took their plates. Shigeo poured them another mug, letting the silence stretch out between them. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. She looked more worried and nervous about going to see an old friend than he thought. Shigeo suddenly wondered if they had a falling out, or if something happened between them.
“You should get a new outfit,” Shigeo spoke out of nowhere.
Ihrie turned to face him. “What?” she asked, confused by his words.
“You all should get some new clothes if we're going to see a king,” he repeated. She shook her head. “It isn't about the coin, we have more than enough. You can't argue me on this, I'm sure Fam and Ava will out vote you,” he told her and smiled devilishly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ihrie slumped onto her bed as the evening sun was setting. She was completely exhausted from the long day's event – buying a dress. She shuttered at the idea of having to wear it. She sat up, pushing those thoughts aside as she reached for the book.
Ihrie did as Deigan directed; she practiced and practiced. Once she got a spell down, another appeared. It had become a cycle and by the time they left tomorrow, she would know three. She had forgotten how easy magic could be. Her eyes glanced at her wrists as they glowed. She could feel the energy from the jewels as they resonated within her.
A knock on the door caught her off-guard as Shigeo opened it. His reaction wasn't one she expected as he closed the door behind him. The man grabbed a chair and, turning it so the back was against the mattress, sat facing Ihrie. She closed the book, looking at him. “How's it going?” he asked, not bothering to shift his eyes from her.
Ihrie shook her head and sighed, trying to not smile at the ease of his posture. He was ignoring her 'training' to make her more comfortable. “Going well enough. Did Eros run you out?”
“He asked for an hour,” Shigeo shrugged. 'Or two,' he thought when he saw the woman that had entered their room.
“Oh,” Ihrie said, understanding the double meaning of the statement. Her eyes glanced down at his thighs as he sat straddling the wooden seat. A blush crossed her face and she immediately looked away, trying to not think about how the fabric stretched over the muscles.
“I can leave if I'm distracting you,” he suggested to her, not bothering to glance at the red aura emanating from her chest. Shigeo had noticed the same on her wrists when he entered.
“Don't bother, I need to take a break anyway,” she told him and put the book aside.
“So what have you learned so far?”
“Just a few simple spells.” He raised an eyebrow before she felt she needed to elaborate. “A protection, healing and fire spell.”
He nodded. “Sounds like you're doing good. Since you're taking a break, we can go downstairs and get a drink,” he said, standing. Ihrie felt compelled to stand as he moved the chair back to its previous spot and followed him out the door.
Over an hour later, the duo stumbled into Ihrie's room laughing at a joke from one of the other patrons. The door closed loudly behind them before they made it to the bed, limbs entangled from the fall.
“It made no sense,” Ihrie managed to say after she caught her breathe. Shigeo was still roaring.
“Why were you laughing then?” he finally shot back.
“What was I suppose to do when you started?” she told him. “It's contagious, like yawning.” She sat up and Shigeo mimicked her.
“You really didn't understand it?” he asked, serious now.
“No,” she told him for the hundredth time. “Are you're ears full of dirt?” she asked, mad at his teasing.
“I'm sorry, Ihrie, I didn't mean, uh, I,” Shigeo said putting a hand on her shoulder and pausing, realizing that she really might not know. “It means that the woman woke him up by, uh,” he paused again, recognizing the crudeness of the joke, “by putting his penis in her mouth.” He stared at her, waiting for her to hit him.
“What?” she spoke, shaking her head.
“I tried to tone it down,” he told her.
“You're serious?” she asked him. Shigeo nodded. “That's gross,” she said, cringing her face. “That's what Eros is doing?”
“You caught that, huh?” he said, removing his hand to fall back on the bed. He crossed his fingers and tucked them under his head as he stared at the ceiling. “Really, how much longer?” he muttered.
“Surely he'll be done soon,” Ihrie told him, trying to comfort the man.
He laughed. Though Shigeo was sure that Eros was indeed done that hadn't been what he was referring to. Deep blue eyes focused on her as she sat facing the wall to his left, her legs under her. He was glad to see that she hadn't changed all that much. Shigeo closed his eyes. He had too much to drink and didn't think that he would be able to resist touching the woman in such a stupor state. He was a man with needs after all.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Agi – AH-gee, The Magic

Deigan – DEH-ge-on
AN: Added chapter.
- 4
- 5
- 6
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Ruin Explorers