Wandering trio
Ai slowly opened her eyes and the first thing she sees, is the clear blue sky. “You awake?” asked Saphire, who was sitting next to her. Ai sat up slowly and as she looks around, she was surprised to be surrounded by so many humans. “Wha-” Ai struggled to say something so Saphire continued to speak. “Yeah, we’re on Terra. You, me and Zero.” “Zero?” Ai then looked around but couldn’t see Zero anywhere. “He woke up earlier than you. He’s now out there taking a little stroll.”
Outside the castle gates but behind the barrier, Zero took in the sights of Terra. “Enjoying the view?” asked Aion who approached him. “Yeah. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen it.” Aion was confused when Zero said that. “Anyways, there will be a group of us going out to find and save more survivors. We’ll also be hunting for new places that can be used as a secondary stronghold so if you want, you and your friend could join us.” “Why’s that?” “Because you have two elements and that is pretty rare. Plus, your friend, Saphire. She has a crazy amount of aura. We could use more people to help us.”
Zero thought about it but before he could give an answer, Ai and Saphire appeared. “Oh, uh… guess you guys wanna catch up, huh? I’ll leave you be” Aion said as he awkwardly walks back into the castle. “I told Ai about the current situation on Terra. So what, you gonna help the humans?” asked Saphire. “I’m not sure yet.” Zero said as he continued looking out. Ai used her ‘sight’ on Zero and was shocked to see chains around his body. “Zero, those are-” “When I killed Chaos, I vaguely remember the chains attaching themselves on me and telling me a few things. Essentially, I’m now stuck on Terra.” Zero said, interrupting Ai.
Saphire looked at Zero with a concerned expression. “Those chains can be removed… but it’s extremely difficult.” said Saphire. “It doesn’t matter though. Even if we can get these chains off me, We’re still stuck here. Unless you two know a way to get back to Limbo?” he said as he looks at both of them. “There are several places but not knowing the state of Limbo, it could be dangerous. At best, it’s safer if we stayed on Terra for the time being.”
“If worse comes to worse, we could always try and find-” Before Saphire could finish, Ai stopped her. “Saphire, you want to tell Zero about him?” whispered Ai as she pulled Saphire close to her. “We got no other choice. What’s your problem with Zero, anyway?” Both of them continued to argue in silence until someone approached them. “So it is you guys.” said a lady in a red dress.
As the three of them turned, Zero didn’t know who the person was but Ai and Saphire did. “Patience?” said Saphire. The lady ran over and hugged both Saphire and Ai. Saphire was delighted to see her while Ai looked annoyed. She lets go of both of them and turned to see Zero. “And who is this?” she asked as she approached him. “Hmm, you’re definitely not human.” Zero looked to the two, confused and wondering what he should do. “It’s alright, Zero. She knows.” said Ai. “So it’s Zero, huh? Nice to meet you. My name is Patience. One of the seven virtues.” she said as she bows to Zero.
“Nice to meet you too. I’m an elemental reaper. Or, I was. Actually, I’m not so sure anymore.” said Zero. Patience started laughing. “Aren’t you a funny one” she said as she pats his shoulder. “Wait, seven virtues? So you must know the sins then.” “And clever too. Yes, I know about them. Wrath is my opposite.” Her expression then changed to a sad one. “And I’m sorry to hear about what happened in Limbo. “That’s-” Zero couldn’t say anything more.
“I’m guessing this barrier is your doing?” asked Saphire. “When I saw the monsters killing the humans, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. So I made this safe area for them. It’ll last as long as I’m inside. The moment I leave, the barrier will be gone.” said Patience. “But we’re all safe as long as we’re inside so you don’t have to worry.” “Can the barrier last against an army of monsters?” Zero asked. “I’m not too sure myself.” she said in a sad tone.
“I can’t stay here.” said Zero, which surprised Patience. “Why not?” she asked. “It’s the chains, isn’t it?” Saphire asked. Zero nodded. “When I was out here with a few humans, I saw a monster approaching. For some reason, it was showing strong hostility but not to the humans, just to me. I think the chains made me a target the monsters want to kill at all cost. Me being here will put everyone in danger.” Patience looked at Zero with a worried look. She didn’t know what else to say to him.
“If you’re going Zero, then I’ll join you.” said Saphire. “And so would I” said Ai. Patience, saddened by what they all said, couldn’t say anything in return. “It’s alright, Patience. We’ll be alright on our own.” With those reassuring words, Patience smiled. “When are you planning on leaving?” she asked. “We should go now, before anyone sees us. It’s better that way.” As Zero said that, Patience nodded and opened up a door sized hole in the barrier for them to leave through.
“Good luck.” Patience said as she closed the barrier behind them as they leave. Walking along the grassy field, Zero looked back at the castle in concern. “Do you think I made the right choice?” he asked. “I think you did. Plus, If you’d joined those humans, they’ll all probably be dead and you’d be the only survivor. That kind of guilt can get to you.” said Saphire. Zero was now saddened and Ai hits the back of saphire’s head. “What?” I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Anyways, what do you think we should do now, Zero?” asked Ai. “We could just travel for a bit and we can kill any monsters we see along the way.” said Saphire. “We can do that. We can also train our new elemental powers.” said Zero. “Speaking of powers, you still have my ‘Overkill’ symbol, don’t you?” “Oh yeah, I forgot about that. You want it back now?” “Yes please.” Zero gave Saphire back her symbol and the three started to go on a long journey.
Year 1…
The three explored the grassy fields where the first summoning circle appeared. Saphire was able to study the area and find clues about other summoning circles. They stopped in an empty field along the way and started to train their new elemental powers. It took some getting used to but after a few weeks, Ai and Saphire were able to master their new elements. Zero was having a hard time since both of the elements within him were opposites to one another.
Upon battling the monsters and studying them, it is revealed that the monsters were not the same as the ones in Limbo. It appears that they come from a separate world that is full of just monsters and with the help of the summoning circles, they were able to escape and wreak havoc.
Year 2…
Following more training, Zero was finally able to master both elements at the same time. He was also able to come up with unique combination moves that are powerful enough to kill hordes of monsters with a single strike, though it was tiring and drains his aura faster. They stopped at a few surviving villages, meeting new people and help killing monsters to protect them. However, there was a village that they arrived at that was filled with only shriveled up human bodies. They didn’t know what could’ve done it but they mourned for the humans before continuing on their journey.
Year 5…
They arrived at a cave after following some rumors about a summoning circle inside and they proceed to enter. Hearing some noises, they moved silently and deep within the cave, they were able to spot a chaos reaper next to an active summoning circle. Upon sensing them nearby, the chaos reaper ran towards them and the four battled each other. It was mostly one-sided and the chaos reaper was quickly dealt with and the group suffered only minor injuries. They were successful in destroying the summoning circle but as they left the cave, a powerful monster was waiting outside. It was a deer like monster that smelled of blood.
The battle lasted a full day and the deer had not sustained any injuries at all. The trio however, were in serious condition but the worst of them was Ai who was torn to shreds, leaving only a torso and a head. Her limbs had been completely destroyed. They were only able to survive when the deer showed no more interest in them and left without doing anything else.
Year 10…
Zero was alone, traveling to a kingdom that was being protected by a barrier with humans who are able to fully master their elements. He watched as they made a sport in battling against each other, trying to see who is the greatest among all of them. He was impressed at the humans who are able to improve so much in just a decade. Even when a few monsters had breached their barrier, the humans were able to work together and kill them before any serious harm could be done.
However, as Zero left the kingdom, he found that he was being followed by a few humans. They had surrounded him and wanted to take everything he had on him. Zero was disappointed in them and was easily able to take them down without harming them. After reaching a wasteland where humans deemed to be too dangerous to go near as monsters frequent it, Zero entered into a secret chamber. Walking down a few flights of stairs, Zero reached a lab that was being run by a tired looking Saphire. On an operating bed nearby laid the still broken body of Ai. Three of her limbs had been fully repaired and Saphire was currently working on the fourth and final one. However, since the battle with the deer, Ai had not woken up.
Year 12…
The day arrived where Saphire had completely fixed Ai’s body. Checking her systems, Saphire carefully looked through the codes to see if there was a way to wake her up. Zero stood nearby to support Saphire as best he could.
Seeing movement from Ai’s body, Saphire looked on in anticipation and when Ai finally opened up her eyes, Saphire screamed in joy with tears in her eyes. Zero joined her and Ai stared at them with a confused look on her face.
Year 13…
As Ai was fully restored, the three continued their journey in finding and destroying the summoning circles. This time however, they had more teamwork and were successfully able to destroy ten more circles without suffering any major injuries.
Sitting at a campsite, Saphire wondered if enough time had passed. She looked to Ai and she agreed to tell Zero that there was someone important on Terra they should all meet that could help get them back to Limbo and maybe even help to cure the corruption within the inhabitants. Zero agreed to meet with that person but Ai and Saphire told him that it would take a few more years. Zero accepted that condition and decided to wait with them.
Year 20…
Arriving at a new kingdom, the trio made their way to a cafe and sat down together at a table. “He should be here soon, right?” asked an excited Saphire. “Any moment now. We’ll soon get to see him again.” said Ai with a smile on her face. “So, who is this guy that we had to wait so long for?” asked Zero. “You’ll see. After all, you already met him.” The door to the cafe then opened and a group of four people entered. Zero looked towards them and upon seeing one of them, his face showed an expression of disbelief. The face of one of them was one that he saw only once before. It was the face of someone he thought he’d never see again. “Wisdom?”
