Magic Mayhem

"Now...are you a villager? How did your survive here?" Layla asked and stepped closer to the still hooded figure. They didn't answer and cowered away from her. Layla stopped and stay a good distance away. "It's okay. I don't know who did this but I promise I'm not with them. I was only a baby when this happened.....I was born here...." She said to try and ease the stranger. They looked a little less frightened but still cautious. "I was found outside of the village......but was told that I had to have come from here....I came here to try and find some answers." She said and chances another step closer. "My name is Layla. What's yours?"

Sonia rode off on Kaida and they soon caught up to Feiro who followed the scent back to word the market place but without crossing paths with Akihiko. It wasn't till they turned toward the center of the city the Feiro spoke up. "That girl with you. Her scent is mixed into this strangers scent."
"What?" Sonia asked concerned. "She went this way after this person." He confirmed and Sonia made both of the spirits run faster.

Quan-Li paused as he rose higher up looking down at the village "everyone is going off into separate directions..I have something for this"he said as he took in a deep breath letting it out slowly "Whispers of the 4 winds"he said as his body suddenly split into 4 separate Quan-Li's but with Blue, Red and Yellow hair and eyes differing from his regular green as one continued searching after Akihiko, one flew off after Sonia, one traveled back towards the hideout and the original Quan-Li floated high above monitoring the entire situation throughout the town

"O...Oliver.....my name is Oliver." Said a hesitant voice. Shaky hands moved the hood and revealed a man that had to be at least 50 or older. His hair long and untamed and long beard just as much a mess. Dark grey and signs of white colored both and his one visible eye was a grey blue in color and had seen more then what he wished and from the other side from under the hair, she could see the faintest hint of a burn scar. "It's nice to meet you." She said and stepped closer. "I'm sorry to have scared you....as I said before, my friends and I came here to find out something about who I am."
"It's...it's alright......I'm sorry to have reacted the way I have.....it's....it's just been been almost 20 years since the attack and I have not seen another soul....let alone a wizard and since wizards are the cause of what happened.....I..."

"I understand....I do. Not all wizards are bad though. I'm part of a guild none as Ravens forest. My master there is one of the ten wizard saints." She said with pride and hope that would add to the mans trust, though faint, in her would build. "I see. Well, Miss Layla, I would say welcome to Fayluna valley but as you can see ther is not much here to welcome you to but death and darkness." He said and stepped away from the wall. "Would...would you please lower your wall. I only ask because as the last royal scribe I still tend to the Royal documents."
"Your a scribe?" She asked and a smile bloomed her face as she waved her hands and the stone wall fell away to the sides. "Then this must be yours." She said and pulled out the old book. He reached out when he came closer and astonishment lit the one visible eye. "This was the last record I was writing when the fires began."

Akihiko looked around as he came to a stop. He was standing in the middle of a large amphitheather where he could still feel lingering energy "If this was a ritual...then things wouldnt be left around so casually all over the place. These people had some sort of magic cast on them by an outside force."he said "That originated from this very spot."he said tapping his chin as he walked around "But who did it..and why?"he asked as a blue Quan-Li spotted him finally out in the open and landed beside him "Do you have that strange feeling too?"he asked Akihiko who nodded "Yeah but I don't know what it is"

Oliver lead Layla into the old castle where he lit a torch to light the way. "Id isn't think any of the records outside of what I could save survived the flames. How did you come by this?"
"I worked a job and the man I helped said he had a book about this place. He didn't say how he came by it just that he felt he had to get rid of it."
"I see." He Lead the way through halls that hadn't been touched by the fires but had been victim you raiders and years of neglect. They soon climbed stairs and were in a library that looked well kept. At one of the tables there was a stack of paper, ink and quil. "What was lost I try and re write from memory. It helps pass the time and only when I'm not trying to survive."
"Can I ask how you survived? I thought everyone died."

"As did I. But I am glad to see at least one survivor." He said and a smile adorned his weathered face. "I was in a room not too far from here. A study of sorts for the scribes and recorders. Our soul purpose to look back so the king could look forward while also keeping the history of the kingdom for future generations." He placed the book next to the stack of blank paper. "But....it all changed when the fires started...I was in the study near the window...when a blaze erupted near the outskirts of the city. I looked up just as other fires and explosions began. Screams and shouts began to fill the night. My father was sick and alone in our home and I left to go aide him, leaving the books. As I ran through the streets these men in black robes were using magic to set fires to the houses and shops....used dark spells to either kill or capture the townspeople and what soliders were sent out to fight. I had managed to slip passed unseen to my home, which had also bet set ablaze. I ran in to find my father but I was too late. He had been killed...but I couldn't leave him there to burn....I tried to drag him out of the house when it collapsed. I was hit in the face by a burning beam as I tried to get out the way." Her said touching the hair covered half of his face without shows by her the scar. "You..you said you were born here? A babe when all this happened? How did you survive?"

"I wS found in the wood not far from here....the dragon who raised me for a time said that after having found me and calmed me enjoy ugh to sleep she said she went in search of the person who left me. She had followed the scent here....but everything was already gone. So she decided that she would raise me and tell me what she could about that night was high was very little. She even named me Layla and I took the last name Luna in honor of where I came from."

Sonia eventually came into the courtyard and sensed no magic other then laylas so she was relieved to know the girl was alright. She turned to the colorful Quan-Li, I'm at the castle. Layla must be inside with who ever it is that lives in that home." She said as she dismounted Kaidas back. "I'm going to go look for her, you're u two wait here incase she comes back out." She instructed her spirits before going inside. The stone to n her staff glowed a bright blue and lit her path into the i scorched halls in search of Layla, stepping over debri and knocked over items that hadn't been taken by raiders

Akihiko sighed with his hands on his hips "I dunno I just cant--hm? What's this?"he asked as he jumped off the small platform of the Amphitheater as he moved over a small rock picking up a piece of slightly burned cloth with an emblem etched into it of a dark golden Z with a slash vertically running through it as if on a spike. as Aki tapped his chin "I don't think I've ever seen this mark before? Have you guys?" he asked the cats as Nekka shook her head "Nope." as Aki frowned "I'll show Master Kenji maybe he'll know"

The blue Quan-Li also shook his head "I am afraid I have not seen that symbol before either Little Light. However I have been informed that Layla is safe and at the castle and Lady Witch has gone in after her. Follow me and I will escort us to the castle"he said as he hovered above the ground and began flying ahead as they followed as the Green,Yellow and Red Quan-Li's all merged back to one where the one with Sonia was already waiting at the castle "The winds carry all sorts of secrets near and far"he said to Sonia's pets "I'm surprised you haven't tried eating the boy again yet, that was your favorite pasttime when he was a child, getting lazy in your age Fiero now that he can actually pack a punch?"

"The brat never tasted quite right. Spoiled meat." He teased as he found a comfortable place to sit. Kaida chuckled. "Your just getting to old and soft to chase after him." The wolf hugged and glared at the horse. "Watch it Mare or you'll be running one leg short." That earned another soft laugh from the horse spirit.

"Layla? Are you in here?" Sonia called and her voice echoes through the stone halls. "Hello?" She Called again as she managed to find her way to what was once an old throne room. Dim light filtered in through the windows. The near desolate room had a toppled over throne of tarnished metal. Not gold or by thing precious but one still ornate enough to show importance to whomever were to sit there. Above it was a crooked painting depicting what was to be the royal family. The face of the king was torn but the woman, heavily pregnant in the portrait, was clearly visible. Sonia staired and her eyes looked on confusion. "How is that possible?"
For in the punting stood a near perfect comparison to Layla.

"A dragon? Fascinating. We didn't know one lived so close. Never attacked and animals never went missing." He said with a soft chuckle. "No, Azurtis would never harm anyone. As an earth dragon she ate fruits and vegetables. No need for meat."
"So then I take it she also taught you your magic?"
Layla nodded and smiled. "Yes. Earth dragon slayer magic." She said and beamed proudly as she walked around the table toward him. "Oliver why did you stay here? There's nothing here."
"As a royal scribe....it's my duty to catalog and preserve the history of this once great kingdom.ni cannot abandon that." He said and sat down. "I'm not finished. I'm still trying to restore what was lost in the fire and need to also finished recounting the attack." He said

Soon the blue Quan-Li joined with the other bringing everyone in the group together "Fiero will continue to wait outside, we should hurry after Lady Sonia"he said as Akihiko nodded as they quickly rushed inside the castle sensing Sonia and running down the halls to catch her as they both came to a halt behind her staring up at the painting "Th-that's, that's Layla?"Akihiko asked aloud, confused. "I...I don't get it?"

Layla turned her head hearing the echoes of voices. "I think my friends caught up with us." She said and smiled when she looked at him. "We are all part of the same guild so I can vouch for all of them, you should come meet them." She said and the old man gave a hesitant nod. "I'll go ahead and let them know to take it easy." She said and turned, leaving the room as he had started to stand and follow after her.

"I don't think that IS Layla.....but the likeness is striking....a relative?" Sonia asked but looked to the other two. "Maybe even....her mother?"

"Wait....so if that is her mother since she looks pregnant...than that would make Layla...a...."Akihiko started but trailed off

"Layla is a princess to the Fayluna Kingdom"Quan-Li said in shock as he came to the realization as he looked over at Sonia "That would be the only logical conclusion I could come to, but the bigger question is what happened to her kingdom...and why?"

"Hey!" Layla called when she rounded the corner and into the throne room. "So I found him. His name is Oliver and he was the scribe who had written in the book we used to find this place." She couldn't help her smile. "He's a little scared of wizards he said that a large group of wizard in dark robes were the ones that attacked."
"That's great." Sonia said as walked forward cutting off her view of the painting. "Let's go talk to him." She said and would need to talk with Kenji first about this before telling Layla. "Oh he's right behind me I just wanted to let you guys know to be easy on him before he came in." She said as Sonia tried to steer her away from the room and Oliver stepped into it.

"Akihiko"Quan-Li said once Sonia had moved Layla out of earshot "It is important that neither of the three of you mention this painting and what we found out until we discuss things with Master Kenji. This is going to be a very sensitive subject to discuss with her if what we are thinking is true, so allow the adults to do some extra research before you say anything okay little light?"he told him placing a hand on his shoulder

Akihiko bit his lip but nodded letting out a sigh "Yeah I understand. I'm sure Kenji's going to want to look into this personally now."he said reaching into his pocket and handing Quan-Li the cloth he found "Here I found this, I wanted to show the master, but you can give it to him"he said as Quan-Li shook his head "Oh no, you can be the one to give it to him, you did a very good job in helping to start uncover this mystery"he said with a pat on the back "Now let's go meet Mister Oliver hm?"he said smiling as Aki nodded happily as they went to catch up with Layla

Oliver had seemed hesitant of the trio of wizards at first, rightly so, but he warmed up to them through his fast growing trust and kinship to Layla. He was mostly fascinated with Nekka and chichi and their ability of flight and speech as they were visibly cats.he decided to take them back to his home in the run down house he had taken up space in and with what he had, offered them shelter and tea. "It's not much but it's the least I can do."
"No need to do more mister Oliver. You are far too kind." Sonia said sweetly, having earlier sent off Kiada and Feiro after they had startled the aging scribe. He poured them tea in a mismatch of cups that he had scavenged. "Yes...I suppose....I don't really get visitors." He said with a sad humor. "Now...I'm sure you all have questions....that's why I assume you are all here? I will try to answer them as best I can.

"Yeah the first one is what the hell happened here!?"Akihiko said excitedly earning a solid strike from Quan-Li's fan as it floored the boy once again "Now now Little Light, mind your manners"he said smiling as Aki dusted himself off "Sorry. But yeah what happened here? Magic caused these fires didn't they?"he questioned curiously "I can still feel the residual magic from it in the air"he said

"I'm not too entirely sure. As I told miss Layla, o was in the castle when the first attacks began. I had left to find my father who wants I'll but came home to find he had been killed and our house set on fire. In the streets were men and women in dark robes, capturing all the townspeople the could find" he said as he looked down at his tea, holding the cup to keep his hands from shaking. "When I had tried to save my fathers body from the fire, it had collapsed, a beam struck my in the face and blinding me in one eye." He had said, this time easing away the section of hair that was hiding a scar of webbed and angry looking skin. He let the hair fall back and continued his story. "When I I was able to get back to my feet, I was able to follow a few of the men who had captured a small family toward the amphitheater."

"That must be it then. That marking must be by whatever organization set your village on fire"Akihiko said "Did they ever mention a reason why they did it? I mean, they even went after the castle, so it seems they were serious on getting to whatever goal they were trying to achieve."he commented as Quan-Li nodded his agreeance with his deduction "Very astute of you Little Light."

"No....I didn't get close enough to hear what they were planning." He said. "I stayed back far enough to not be noticed. But when I had gotten to the amphitheater, the sounds of screams were deafening. Men, women, children, elderly. Everyone. Crowded into the center or the stands. The theater was left untouched by the Flames. In the Royal box, I assume the leader, was standing there. He spoke in some language I couldn't understand, casting a spell.." He said and sighed shakily. Layla reached out and put her hand over his to comfort. "You can stop if you want." She said and he shook his head. "No....no it's alright." He said and sighed. "It was then, as he was casting....this..glowing energy began to pull from the townspeople. Like....it was their souls or life force being stolen from them."

"What very dark magic indeed"Quan-Li said pausing for a moment "Perhaps it is time we bring the Guildmaster here now instead of later. This town, these people, this man, they deserve justice no matter how many years later it may be."he said frowning deeply as Akihiko nodded "He's already on standby, he can teleport here in a second since he knows our location from the magic mirror"he said looking over at Layla

"Yes. He and Calista will be a big help." She said. "Maybe with the eye, Kenji might be able to figure out what kind of magic was used." She said and Oliver nodded. Sonia stood and held out her hand to Akihiko. "I will contact him. I wish to talk to him breifly before he and Calista join us." She said a softly

"Hmmmm okay"Akihiko said happily handing Sonia the magic mirror as he nodded his agreement "Yeah I think they would be a huge help. "We can wait for you here then while you go outside and call him. I don't think he'll be able to teleport inside of the building"Aki commented

"Best he do it outside. You know how he loves to make an entrance." Layla said with a small chuckle. She looked at Oliver who smiled back. "You know miss. I get the strangest feeling I must have know your parents....you look familiar." He said and shook his head. "Though....I might be mistaken....I mostly keep my head in books."
"But from the one I had you seemed to know people pretty well."
"Oh here and there. Most of the records and documents I tended to were second hand. I would document, file and then give to the king for inspection. Also take notes and letters for him but most of the time even that was second hand."

"Master Kenji." Sonia called into the middle trot after getting out of direct ear shot of the house or its occupants. "He stepped away for a moment Sonia. What's up?" Calista said and smiled at her friend and Guildmate through the mirror. "There have been some disturbing discoveries made here and we need the master as as you both can get here....but I wanted to tell you that....we may have discovered who Laylas parents were."
"You did?! Oh Sonia that's wonderful! Oh I beat Layla is overjoyed."
"She....doesn't know yet.."
Calista looked at her confused. "Why not?"
"Because.....they were the king and queen.."

"King and Queen what?"came Kenji's voice as he approached the mirror drying off his hands "Sorry I was helping down in the kitchen. I didn't expect to see you on Akihiko's mirror, everything okay?"he asked as Calista filled him in on what they discussed so far "Oh....my..well....that's going to be interesting news to break. Alright, just toss the mirror high into the air and we will be there in a split second."he asked as he put his arm around Calista as they mirror was launched upwards as they disappeared in a dark flash of light before reappearing in front of Sonia as he held the caught mirror in his hand "Yo"he said putting up his hand in his customary greeting "Seems like you guys have had a lot of fun on this little excursion"he smiled "Let's get inside then"

Sonia caught the mirror and smiled. "Welcome to Fayluna." She said and lead them into the house. "Mister Oliver, this is master Kenjib of Ravems Forest and his wife Calista co master of the guild." Said said and Calista smiled and waved. "Master, this is mister Oliver, Royal scribe to the kingdom of Fayluna."

"A pleasure." He said and stood. "Thank you for coming...please come in....would you like some tea?" He asked. "Thank you for coming master. This means a lot." Layla said when he and Calista came to join them at the table.

"Well of course"Kenji said smiling as he rested his hand on Layla's shoulder as he passed her taking his seat "I was the one who found you all those years ago after all, I've been curious about this for quite some time"he said "And yes tea would be lovely thank you"he said as Akihiko walked over to him handing him the piece of cloth he found "I did find this..I don't know if it means something though?"he said handing it to Kenji who took it flipping it over seeing the strange Z as he frowned "Well, it has seem we've come full circle. I recognize that marking alright. That is the marking of the Followers of Zion. They are a militia group that formed that believed in the amazing powers of Zeref and preached his ways across the country to convert others into believing in the darkness, whether they were wizards or not."

"is that what they tried to do here?" Calista asked and Oliver shook his head. "They didn't look to be trying to convert anyone....whatever they did left no one alive from what I could see..." He said sadly as he came back with two more cups of tea. "Besides, no one I knew would have joined."

"From what it sounds like, their intention weren't new member or prisoners." Layla said. "My parents were killed then." She said and sighed and Calista reached over and took her hand. "No it's okay.....can't miss what you don't know right? Besides I figured with what Azurtis said....seeing this place....wasn't expecting much."