Chaosbound: Elarith Chronicles

Unveiling Luminary Secrets

Luci leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face, her gaze fixed on the dancing embers of their small fire. "No, Kirin," she began, her voice dropping to a measured, serious tone. "I'm not a divinant. There are no divinants among the ranks of the Luminaries, not in the traditional sense, anyway." She paused, letting that sink in before continuing, "Our light divinity isn't inherent. It's through sacred relics, powerful weapons, and sometimes a temporary boost infused directly into our bodies. The effectiveness of that last part, though, depends entirely on the individual's constitution and how well they can integrate such raw power."

Kirin blinked, trying to process the information, his brow furrowing deeper with each word. "You mean... there's no such thing as a true light divinant?" He looked genuinely confused, his gaze searching hers for an explanation.

A small, knowing smile played on Luci's lips. "I can't tell you everything," she admitted, shrugging slightly. "I'm not privy to all the higher-level information. But what I do know is that the higher-ups, the true leaders of the Luminaries, converse with God—or at least, some being of immense light divinity that we refer to as such. It's a very select group, and their knowledge goes far beyond what I'm permitted to share." She lowered her voice on "God," a subtle shift that hinted at the profound secrecy.

Kirin rubbed his temples, a groan escaping him. "Ugh, my brain can't process that right now. That's way too much information for me to take in at once." He looked visibly overwhelmed, leaning back on his elbows as if the sheer weight of the words was pushing him down.

Luci chuckled, finding his reaction amusing. "Oh, if you think that's too much, just wait until you see the records they have about world history. Ancient wars, forgotten civilizations, prophecies of events yet to come… it's all meticulously documented."

Kirin shuddered. "Nah, I don't think I need to know all that," he said dismissively. He then changed the subject, observing Luci more closely. "Anyway, you seem to have some pretty formal training with fighting. Your movements are really fluid."

Luci's chest puffed out ever so slightly, a proud glint in her eyes. "Well, I've been in the company of higher Luminary fighters for a long time," she boasted, a hint of swagger in her voice. "They've certainly taught me a thing or two." Her gaze then turned to Kirin, assessing him. "You know, I'm not sure what divinity you possess, but you also pack a good punch. What is your divinity? Warrior?"

Kirin shifted uncomfortably, a shy expression creeping onto his face. "Uh… I'm a healer." He added quickly, almost in a mumble, "A weird one, though, since I can't actually heal others."

Luci's eyes widened in genuine shock. "What? You're a healer? How is that even possible?" She stared at him incredulously. "I was absolutely certain you were a warrior. You have the body, the movements, and that intense aura you give off in a fight…"

Kirin interjected, a small, self-conscious smile on his face. "Ahh, my master… he wasn't a warrior divinant either, but he was born and raised as a warrior. He taught me the way of the warriors." He paused, then continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "I can't heal others, but I can immediately heal myself. It's like my body just... heals itself. I've learned to use that to my advantage, just the way my master taught me."

Luci considered this, a new understanding dawning on her. "Hmm, your master," she mused. "So he was nice? You mentioned you were looking for him?"

Kirin's expression softened. "Well, he's a really good person, but he's… different when he fights. He's like a demon in battle, and he was the same way when he trained me. Brutal, but effective."

"Ahh, seems like he's a good master then," Luci concluded, a speculative glint in her eyes. Perhaps this Kirin wasn't as simple as he seemed.

Barbecue and Unexpected Company

Their conversation drifted as they settled down to enjoy a good barbecue Kirin had somehow conjured. The smoky aroma filled the air, mingling with the scent of roasted meat. Juices dripped onto the crackling embers, sending up puffs of delicious-smelling smoke.

"Ah, this tastes amazing!" Luci exclaimed, her mouth full, her eyes closing in delight as she savored a bite. "You're a really good cook, Kirin!"

Kirin beamed, a genuine, unburdened smile spreading across his face. "I… I grew up grilling things in the forest," he admitted, a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

Luci swallowed her bite, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "It's so good, I could hire you as my personal chef! Hahahaha!"

A comfortable silence fell between them for a moment, punctuated only by the crackling of the embers and the sounds of them eating. Then, Luci spoke, her tone more direct, her gaze locking with his across the small fire.

"Do you mind if I accompany you on your journey, Kirin?" she asked, her gaze steady. "You were looking for your master, right?"

Kirin hesitated, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "I don't want to get you mixed up in my own problems. It's dangerous. I almost got killed the other day. Some members of the Umbrafang stopped me from chasing my master."

Luci, in her mind, immediately seized on this information. (I knew it. I can definitely get to them if I tag along with this guy. He seems like a nice guy, too. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be enchanted by my looks at all. I thought I was going to need my beauty to charm him into allowing me to follow him. Good thing he's a bit naive, but he seems like a genuinely nice person, so I won't give him trouble.)

Outwardly, Luci maintained a confident demeanor. "I don't mind the danger, Kirin. You saw how easily I can take care of myself earlier." She offered him a reassuring smile, hoping to dispel his apprehension.

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The Detour Diaries

And so, their journey began. Or rather, their series of delightful, yet utterly unproductive, detours. During their travels, they found themselves constantly getting sidetracked by rescuing and helping others.

One afternoon, Luci was about to protest their latest 'urgent' mission when Kirin, with surprising speed, scooped up a whimpering terrier from beneath a thorny bush, its tail thumping against his arm like a drum. He gently returned it to its overjoyed owner, who showered him with tearful thanks. Another day, they helped an old man fix his dilapidated house, hammering nails and carrying timber under the scorching sun. The very next morning, Kirin was lending his incredible strength to local farmers, single-handedly carrying bales of heavy produce that would normally take three men to move.

"Not again, Kirin!" Luci sighed, throwing her hands up in exasperation, a scene that had become an everyday occurrence. "Are you getting sidetracked again? Aren't you supposed to be finding your master?" She punctuated her question with a dramatic eye-roll.

Kirin, looking sheepish, scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, Luci, I can't help it," he said, his voice quiet. "When someone needs help, I just… I have to help."

Luci rolled her eyes, but a small, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. "Ah, that must be a 'healer' thing, huh?" (I have to endure this for a little longer,) Luci told herself, a hint of frustration battling with a growing sense of calculation. (Maybe he does have a weird way of finding his master. I need to trust him… for now.)

Out loud, she sighed again, but with less genuine annoyance. "Okay, I guess there's nothing much I can do about that. So, what's your actual plan, Kirin? How are you going to find your master if we keep stopping every five minutes?"

Kirin was silent. He looked away, fiddling with the strap of his backpack, and didn't answer.

"Hmm?" Luci prompted, her patience wearing thin. "So, what is it?"

Kirin seemed fazed, completely silent, his gaze still averted. Luci waited, then asked again, a suspicion forming in her mind. "Wait a minute… that obnoxious look… Don't tell me…?" Her voice rose slightly in disbelief. "You don't have a plan, do you?"

Kirin finally looked at her, scratching his head. A wide, innocent smile spread across his face, his eyes half-closed in an almost comical expression. "Heheheh," he chuckled, completely unashamed. "Yeah, I'm not really sure where to go or how to find him. Tehehehe." He gestured vaguely. "I just do it the old way: ask around, hoping someone would point me in the right direction."

Luci, mid-sip of her water, promptly spat it out in a comedic, cartoonish spray. "What?!" she spluttered, wiping her mouth. "You can't be serious?!" (He really is that dumb?) she thought, utterly flabbergasted.

A Strategist Emerges

Luci took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. (No, calm down, Luci. He's dumb, yes, but he can still help me find Aurel. That's it! We won't get anywhere near your master this way. I need to take charge.)

She straightened up, her expression resolute. "Alright, Kirin. That's enough of this aimless wandering." She declared, her voice firm and authoritative. "Let me lead us then. We will do it my way. You will do what I say, and I can guarantee we'll find him."

Kirin's eyes, which had been a bit unfocused moments before, now glowed with sudden understanding and agreement. He looked at Luci like she was the smartest person he had ever met, happily nodding his head like an eager puppy. "You will? Then that's great! Yes, please do!" he exclaimed, relief washing over his face.

Luci stared at him, a mix of exasperation and amusement on her face. (Does he have no shame, agreeing just like that?) She shook her head, a small, wry smile playing on her lips. "Oh well, I guess it can't be helped." At least now, they had a direction—her direction.

The morning after Kirin's startling admission, Luci wasted no time. While Kirin was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, she was already tracing lines in the dirt with a stick, muttering to herself. "Right, so if we assume his movements align with known Umbrafang activity, and considering the recent skirmishes reported in the Ironwood, then the most logical path would be to..."

Kirin watched her, mesmerized. "What are you doing, Luci?" he asked, still half-asleep.

"Strategizing, Kirin," she replied, not looking up. "We can't just wander around hoping someone points us in the right direction. That's for lost puppies, not for finding a rogue Luminary." She stood up, brushing dirt from her hands, and revealed a rudimentary but incredibly detailed map scratched into the earth. It had routes, potential strongholds marked with pebbles, and even what looked like escape routes drawn with twigs. She created it with swift, confident strokes, an undeniable efficiency in her movements.

"We need to be objective, gather intel, and move with purpose." Her eyes, sharp and focused, met his. "First, we'll head to the nearest market town. People talk there. Merchants, travelers, even the town drunk – they all have snippets of information. We'll listen. We'll observe. We'll ask very specific questions, not just 'Have you seen a guy who trains like a demon?'" She shot him a pointed look.

Kirin's jaw dropped. "Wow, Luci, you're so good at this!" he exclaimed, genuinely impressed. "You're smart and reliable. I wouldn't be able to do what you can do. My mind just doesn't work that way, always getting lost in the details. At this rate, we can definitely find Master!" His earlier dejection seemed to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of hope. He finally felt like they had a real chance.

Luci felt a surge of quiet satisfaction. (Good. He trusts me. This will make things much easier.) "Before we do anything else, Kirin," she said, her voice softening slightly, but her gaze remaining sharp, "I need more details about your master. Tell me everything. His motivations for leaving, why he'd go on his own... I need a clearer picture to deduce his likely path."

Kirin hesitated, his newfound optimism dimming. He shifted his weight, avoiding her gaze, then ran a hand through his perpetually messy hair. "Hmm, I'm not sure if it's good to tell you this, Luci, since you're a Luminary." His voice was barely a whisper.

Luci immediately picked up on his apprehension. Her brow furrowed with concern, a genuine attempt to reassure him. "Don't worry, Kirin, I won't hunt him if he's a criminal, if that's the reason you can't tell me. Besides, I'm not really a Luminary officer who catches criminals."

(Should I push this further? Will he doubt me if I tell him who I truly am? I need to play my cards right here.) She quickly decided against revealing too much, focusing on maintaining his trust. "Now tell me, Kirin, don't hesitate and don't worry," she urged, her tone firm but reassuring.

Kirin looked at her, searching her eyes. "Promise me you'll still help me if I tell you?"

Luci nodded without hesitation. "I promise."

"Pinky promise?" Kirin held out his little finger, his expression earnest.

Luci almost laughed. (What? He's like a kid.) She suppressed the smile, a momentary hesitation before she linked her pinky with his. "Okay, pinky promise."

Kirin took a deep breath, his easygoing demeanor replaced by a solemnity that made Luci pay even closer attention. "Master is actually suspected of working with the Umbrafang and other chaos beings," he began, his voice barely steady. "After our last mission, he fought a Luminary hero and then... joined the battle on the Umbrafang side." A fresh wave of sorrow washed over his face. His voice cracked, and a sheen of tears gathered in his eyes, but he stubbornly blinked them away. "I've known Master for so long, and I'm not sure why he did what they said he did. This is the reason why I want to find him, to know the truth."

Luci felt a strange pang in her chest, an unexpected urge to comfort him. She reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. She squeezed his shoulder, a surprisingly gentle gesture. "There, there, Kirin," she murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "I'm sure your master has his reasons. Based on everything you've told me about him, he's a good person at heart. And you're right, you need to hear it directly from him."

(Just like what I heard from the battle in Tiriad Pass. It seems Aurel did fight that abomination.) A cold certainty snapped into place in Luci's mind. She needed to find him, and Kirin was her key.