Zectas Volume V: The Sequestered Seminary of Sawtorn (13 page)

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"It's almost night fall, Flora," said Smoke, tightly holding on to the reins of his dirus wolf. "You know, I would have reached there faster, if you just provided me with coordinates on the map."
The two of them were riding on Smoke's rickety cart being pulled by Freifahrt. After a day's travel, they had circumnavigated the red mountain. They were now on the other side, opposite of Votl City.
"Cheer up, Faux. The tournament isn't until six weeks. Well, five weeks and three days, if you want to be anal about it," said the girl, sitting comfortably in the cart.
"How much farther is this place?" asked Smoke.
"Just that cave over there," said Flora, pointing over to a solid wall on the side of mountain.
"What cave?" asked Smoke. "Is it up the mountain?" He strained his neck looking up.
Flora got down from the cart, and walked towards the mountain.
"Come on, Numbskull, it's this way," said Flora. She walked straight into the solid wall and vanished.
"Don't be afraid, Freifahrt," said Smoke. "I'm sure this is perfectly normal in Vitzytl, right?"
The dirus wolf would not move towards the wall. Smoke got down, and pulled his mount into the solid wall.
When they got through, they entered into a huge cavern illuminated with glowing red ember stones.
"Glad you could finally make it," said Flora. She stood on top of a teleportation circle.
"That will take us to wherever it is we're going?" asked Smoke, pointing to the circle on the cavern floor.
"Yes. This will take us to the seminary," said Flora. "Come on, and let your dirus wolf join in as well."
Smoke dragged Freifahrt into the teleportation circle.
"Now, you just need to say those words," said Flora, pointing to the runes on the circle. "And hold them while you say it."
"Doesn't it just teleport us to the target destination?" asked Smoke. "Like those teleportation circles in the city?"
"Those things are powered by energy crystals and other energy sources," said Flora. "And I'm afraid this thing isn't like that."
Smoke knelt down and read "Nos ad Florissant Poisse."

A total blackout overcame his vision.
"Flora? Flora?" said Smoke. He tried calling out to her, but he could not even hear his own voice.
Suddenly, a bright flash of light filled his sight, and a loud ringing in his ear.
"Ah!" he shouted loudly and found himself sprawled onto the teleportation circle.
"Relax, Faux," said Flora.
Smoke squinted his eyes and searched for Freifahrt. Instead, he found the red-haired HighElf standing next to him.
"You're overreacting," said Flora. "Just look at your dirus wolf, he seems fine." She said, pointing to Freifahrt.
He found his furry mount unconscious next to him. Careful not to let Flora see him, he peeked inside his chest to check on Igniz. He let out a deep sigh when he saw his symbiote give him a wink, engulfed in his energetic purple flames.
Slowly, Smoke got up and searched his surroundings. Perturbed by the fact that he barely had any mana left, as a result from their instantaneous trip.
After looking around, he spotted a large building fit enough to be called a small castle, situated on top of a hill. It had one spire, and was surrounded by several dried up trees and large boulders.
"Is that the seminary?" Smoke asked Flora.
"Yes, it is," answered Flora. She then patted Freifahrt's fur and said. "On second thought, we better let your dirus wolf rest here for a while."
"Is it safe here?" asked Smoke. "Aren't there any dangerous monsters nearby?"
"It is," said Flora. "Well, unless there are flying monsters that I haven't heard of, but I highly doubt that. This place is hidden inside a large crater of a dormant volcano."
"I'll just take him along, best to be on the safe side," said Smoke, and carried the one-hundred-kilogram dirus wolf on his back. Freifahrt's massive hind legs dragged behind them.
It took them another fifteen minutes to reach the intimidating wooden doors of the seminary. Flora kept insinuating that it would have been quicker if Smoke had just left his dirus wolf behind, but Smoke would not have it any other way. The seminary doors were dark brown and had two thick iron-rings, which served as its handles.
Flora stood on her toes to reach the iron-rings. She then used them to knock on the door, hard.
TOG TOG TOG
"Be warned, this may take a while," said Flora. "You see, this seminary has at least four-hundred rooms, four mess halls, four infirmaries, and two gardens. At worst, it could probably take us a good hour."
"Really? How many students do you think are staying here now?" asked Smoke, as he gently dropped down the still sleeping Freifahrt next to the door.
"To my knowledge, Only Eleve is left," said Flora.
Before Smoke could respond, the tall wooden doors opened. Two Iron Knights stepped outside with their claymores at the ready.
"Oh, and these guys," said Flora. "If I recall correctly, there are about four-thousand of them, give or take a few hundred."
Smoke stood straight and lowered his head at the two Iron Knights.
"Excuse me, but I think we're here to see someone named Eleve," said Smoke.
"What are you doing?" asked Flora.
"What does it look like?" said Smoke. "I'm talking to the guards."
"Sorry about that," Smoke said to one of the Iron Knights. "Flora, here says she knows this place well. But now, I'm afraid if she was just pulling my leg."
The Iron Knights then stood on the opposite sides of the door and saluted them, giving way for both of them to enter.
"They can't talk," said Flora. "They're Automaton Iron Knights made to protect this seminary. That's why I asked what you were doing," she said, and stepped into the seminary.
"Oh, why didn't you say so," said Smoke, he lifted Freifahrt up and dragged his dirus wolf inside.
Once inside, Smoke saw hundreds of Automaton Iron Knights lined up in a great hall, leading to several hallways. However, the numerous Iron Knights blocked any of the paths farther inside the seminary.
"It would be best if we wait here," said Flora.
Suddenly, a female's high-pitched voice boomed from one of the entrances. "Did you let someone in? I am not expecting any visitors, you bunch of Numbskulls! If Mistress Florissant could see you now, I'm sure she'd be—"
An elderly HighElf, with the same straight, red hair as Flora, appeared from behind the Iron Knights. She was dressed in long ruby robes, and stopped talking as soon as she saw Smoke and Flora.
"That was quick, Eleve," said Flora to the old HighElf.
"You're here! You're back! You're really here!" Eleve said to Flora.
Eleve ran to Flora and hugged her tightly. Smoke was impressed to see such an old HighElf be as nimble as her.
"When did you get back?" asked Eleve.
"I got here about thirty-minutes ago," said Flora. "Oh, and I brought someone along," she said pointing to Smoke.
"Huh? That's not a girl," said Eleve. "Guards! Take him outside, now!" she ordered the Automaton Iron Knights.
At once, all of the Knights in the great hall grabbed Smoke and his dirus wolf, and dragged them towards the door.
Mercilessly, they threw both of them out. Smoke and Freifahrt tumbled on the ground and collided with the large boulders outside.
TUDUG
Smoke heard the large wooden doors hurriedly shut tight.
"Faux, don't worry. I'll be right there!" shouted Flora from behind the door.
Smoke checked on mount, and sighed out a relief as he was uninjured. He then walked back to the door. There, he heard Flora and Eleve having an argument, but could not comprehend as it was almost inaudible.
Shortly after, both doors opened. Both Flora and Eleve stepped outside.
"Sorry about that, Faux," said Flora. "Eleve can get a bit cranky."
"Well, why do you think I'm like that?" asked Eleve.
"Anyway, she wants to see your Gahum, before she decides whether to take you in as her disciple," said Flora.
"My Gahum?" asked Smoke.
"I mean your powers," explained Flora.
"What? He doesn't even know what Gahum is?" Eleve asked Flora. "Why are you even bothering with this guy?"
"Eleve, he gave me the blessings of Tlaltezin's flowers before he faced for the qualifiers in the Magi Gagnant Tournament," said Flora. "In the whole history of the tournament, have you ever heard of anyone do that?"
"I bet it was because he didn't know what those flowers were for," said Eleve.
"No! I asked him point blank, whether he wants to give the blessings to me instead of receiving it himself," said Flora.
"Still, that doesn't really mean anything," said Eleve.
"Not only that, but he also activated the teleportation circle to get here, all by himself," said Flora.
The old HighElf scuffed at the young flower girl.
"Come on, Eleve, do it for me? Please?" begged Flora.
"Fine, but may I remind you? Who was the one who told me to be strict with taking in disciples, anyway?" Eleve asked Flora.
"Faux, was it?" Eleve said to Smoke. "You may proceed and show me your Gahum."
Smoke bowed down before Eleve. He took out his Digger's Wand.
"Hey, Numbskull, I said your Gahum, not your equipment," reprimanded Eleve.
Smoke's initial plan was to create a circular trench and build a large sculpture at its center, but that quickly went down the drain.
"Alright, thank you for clarifying that," said Smoke.
He opened both his palms and used his Earth Manipulation ability, only to see the nastiest notification windows pop up.
 

"Well, Faux? I'm not getting any younger," said Eleve.
"What are you doing? Do it already," Flora said to Smoke. "Eleve isn't known for her patience."
"Um. After using the teleportation circle, I don't seem to have enough mana to show all of my powers," said Smoke. "Can I rest for a while?"
"That's fine," said Eleve. "Take all the time you need. In fact, you can help me out, and not come back at all."
The elderly HighElf went back inside the seminary and shut the large wooden doors behind her.
Flora walked over to Smoke. "You can't manipulate the ground here, can you?"
Smoke shamefully shook his head.
"Alright, I'll try talking to Eleve again," said Flora. "Come back when you've increased your ability. I could probably make her wait for another three days."
"But how am I supposed to improve my Earth Manipulation?" asked Smoke. "That's why I came here in the first place."
"Well, there might be some earth you can manipulate about two-hundred kilometers south of here," said Flora. "If you have some hidden abilities that could get you there faster, It's best if you use them, now."
Smoke was apprehensive, and did not want to glide away in front of her.
"I don't mean now," said Flora, as if reading Smoke's mind. "Do it where no one else will see you."
Smoke kept silent, and continued to study the young flower girl.
"Do whatever you think is best," said Flora and shrugged. "But if you do decide to try and train with Eleve, I suggest that you get back here in three days time."
Flora abruptly left and headed back to the seminary. "Oh, and don't worry about your dirus wolf. I'll take good care of him."
Smoke could not get a fix on Flora. He felt like he could trust her, but that she was keeping something from him as well.
"Well, Igniz? What do you think?" Smoke whispered to the metal orb on his chest.
Igniz let out a bright purple light, and Smoke took that as a sign to fly southward.

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After checking his map, Smoke found four of the OrkElf settlements marked by Colere and Esper in the general area. Thinking that if he needed to improve his Earth Manipulation, he might as well help some of the deprived OrkElves in the process. Smoke and his symbiote were gliding towards one of them now.
One hour and twenty minutes later, Smoke arrived in the supposed settlement. The pomegranate forest was the same as the one he encountered in Souer. When he ventured inside, however, he found nothing but rotten pomegranates stockpiled near the spring.
"Where do you think they could be?" Smoke asked Igniz. "Do you think they moved on, and joined with another settlement?"
The dark ember sprite hurriedly zoomed around the forest and found no sign of the OrkElves. Not even Smoke's Cunning of the Dire Fox sensed anything.
He knelt down next to the spring, and investigated the tracks. There, he realized what had happened.
"Blaise took them," said Smoke out loud. "There are no signs of struggle, but only an orderly march towards that direction," said Smoke, pointing to one of the many exits in this pomegranate forest patch.
Leaping directly from where he stood, Smoke and his symbiote headed to the next settlement. Yet, in the next one, it was the same. Only rotten leftovers of pomegranate fruits were left beside the spring in the center of the forest patch.
"Blaise has been really busy," said Smoke. "I wonder how many OrkElves Cynar and Blaise have now?"
Igniz's purple flames grew dim, as if saying he had no idea.
"Alright, Bud, just one more time," said Smoke. "If the next one is still empty, we'll just start training by ourselves."
Despite traveling at 150 kilometers per hour, it still took them twenty-minutes to arrive at the third supposed OrkElf settlement.
He had traveled farther than he wanted to from the seminary, but his curiosity of the abandoned settlements overcame him.
Softly landing in the outskirts of another pomegranate forest, Smoke's Cunning of the Dire Fox instantly picked up several OrkElves gathered at the center of the forest.
"Finally!" said Smoke out loud. "I knew Blaise couldn't get all of the settlements."
Quickly putting back his full-faced mask on, Smoke entered the forest patch with Igniz hidden inside his metal compartment.
As soon as he walked farther in, Smoke spotted several differences from Colere and Esper's settlement.
Here, he could see wooden fences joined together by vines.
'I don't think even the sand cheetahs could easily break through this fence,' surmised Smoke, as he knelt next to one and touched it.
"Who's there? State your business here!"
Looking up, he saw a middle-aged OrkElf, pointing his rake at him. He calmly raised both his arms and said "I mean you no harm. I got the location of this place from Colere and Esper, maybe you know them?"
"Colere and Esper, huh?" asked the burly OrkElf. "Yeah, I do. They had someone send over a couple of their used sand cheetah furs here. Saying, they don't need it as they recently had a great home put up in their settlement."
The OrkElf slightly lowered his rake and studied Smoke closely.
"You're not the DarkElf who helped them, are you?" asked the OrkElf.
"Yeah, that's me," said Smoke.
"Well, you can turn around and leave," said the OrkElf. "They might have needed your help, but we don't."
Smoke was about to reason with him, when he spotted a familiar silver Flame Knight appear from behind the middle-aged OrkElf.
"Relax, Paysan, I know this DarkElf," said Blaise. "Faux, what are you doing here?"
Smoke was glad his face was covered by his mask. Otherwise, Blaise would have seen his surprised and disappointed face.
"Well, I was going to check whether they needed help with their home," said Smoke. "But I think they have it handled."
"So, it really was you, who built the Souer Settlement!" said Blaise.
"Cynar guessed it might have been you. Thanks to their new home they refused my offer to join me," pleasantly added Blaise. He paused and patted the middle aged Farmer's shoulder.
"Paysan, relax. Why don't we invite him for dinner instead?" asked Blaise. "Faux makes a mean rejuvenison soup. It's made with the juciest venison."
"Blaise, how many times do I have to tell you, we're vegetarians," said Paysan.
"Oh, I can make a vegetarian dish!" exclaimed Smoke. He wanted to enter their settlement, interested to see their way of life.
"Really? What kind?" asked Paysan.
"Um. I can make you some medicinal carrot soup," said Smoke.
"Uck, I've had my fill of carrot soup, even if its medicinal. That's all we ever eat. That and mashed potato," said Paysan
"Wait? You don't eat pomegranates here?" asked Smoke.
"We still do, but only on occasion," said Paysan.
"Maybe, Faux could get a better idea of another vegetarian dish, if he sees your crops?" suggested Blaise.
"That's right," hurriedly added Smoke. "And even if I can't cook you anything new, what's one more mouth to feed?"
"That's already one mouth to many," said Paysan. "On the other hand, I'm sure that everyone would welcome the idea of tasting a new dish."
Paysan held his rake with his right hand, while scratching his head with the other.
"Alright, you can come, but the minute you do something inappropriate I'm having you thrown to the sand cheetahs!" said Paysan.
The moment Smoke stepped inside the tightly bounded wooden fence, a notification window popped up.