As fire begins to bleed
Roaring high
“Just gonna hide behind your familiar?” He taunts
As Leigh charges forward and lands a punch
Socking Thomas right in his smug face
Knocking him off me
As I scramble up in place
Suddenly, wind like a vacuum
It extinguishes the flames
“Masterson! Vashti!” Jewl barks our names
As he walks forward
“There are to be absolutely no co-worker brawls.
Besides, it looks like he bested you both
And is still standing tall.
If you wish to continue
We'll put an official duel on the books.
But to do so without authorization,
You'll both be on the hook.
This assembly has been postponed.”
He finishes addressing the crowd
“To your quarters all of you, now!”
As Leigh and I begin walking away
“Not you two.” Jewl's tone calls
“Thomas as well! You better listen to what I have to
say!”
As the guy who just handed me my butt
Approaches with a grin on his face
“Lose the smirk.” Jewl sighs
“You're all being assigned to an S rank mission
As a three man team.”
Before we continue here's some knowledge,
So listen
O.D.'s missions are ranked hardest to easiest
S-A-B-C-D
Anything that's a potential global catastrophe
Is S – You see?
Let's resume
“What?!” I bark “No way in hell!”
“It's Death related.” Jewl responds
“And you obviously need the help.”
Groaning and grumbling, I mutter under my breath
Expressing my displeasure, still fuzzy in my head
What the hell did he do?
I suddenly lose my balance
Catching myself
Jewl chuckles “Don't tell me you lost your talent.”
I look at him stern
“No sir.” I say rubbing my eyes
“Just didn't eat breakfast.”
If he finds out I can't see
I'll be kicked from the mission
“Continue sir, I'm here to listen.”
“Right.” He begins, looking at me suspicious
Leigh puts her hand on my shoulder
I shrug it off trying to be ambitious
I can sense her concern even without my eyes
All I can do right now is fake it and lie
“Well, here goes.” Jewl presses on
“The recovery of stolen objects, that's the job,
As well as the prevention of any further thefts.
And I expect you all to do your best.”
“Stolen objects sir?” Thomas groans
“Isn't that a bit beneath my skill set?”
Jewl's face gets serious
“These aren't just any ordinary objects.
Someone is targeting the Seven Sins of the mystic races.
Guardian treasures, hidden in their home places.
They contain extraordinary magical power.
If the pattern persists, you have less than twenty-four
hours
Until the next one is stolen.”
“What does this have to do with Death?” I ask
“The man impersonating Jameson,” Jewl's face begins to
twitch
“Has been seen at the crime scenes.
Good money says he's not there sight seeing.
Do you catch my drift?”
“You think they're planning something.” I state
Jewl gives me a look
“They have to be.”
That alone is good enough for me
“Nate,” Leigh chimes in “Your vision.”
“Right.” I concur “They definitely are.”
“As usual,” Jewl smiles “you're ahead by far.
All three of you are to investigate it
And prevent whatever's coming.
Now, if you'll excuse me,” Jewl's face goes sour
“I've got an upset tummy.”
Swiftly, he starts walking away
“Oh,” He presses “This pairing isn't a suggestion.
So try to play nice.”
Rushing away he mumbles
“Note to self, lay off the cheese and rice.”
“Let's report to Jerome.” Leigh says “He'll tell us where to start.
But before that, what's going on with you?”
“Nothing.” I snap
“Well,” Thomas smirks “that's not entirely true.
I weakened the flow of your mana.
Quite the curve isn't it?”
“Put it back.” Leigh growls
“No.” He says straight
“This scumhat needs to learn his eyes aren't everything.
I should know.
Being from the Mana Clan, handicaps sting.”
“Fine, we'll just tell the Chairman.” Leigh begins
heading to the door
Grabbing her arm, “Don't you dare.” I growl
“I'm not writhing on the floor.
I'll be fine.
Besides if you report it, they'll take me off the mission.
I will see this through,
With or without my vision.”
“Bravo.” Thomas applauds
“Leigh, you being alarmed, there's absolutely no cause.
I didn't block his mana or get rid of it.
He can still use magic
And frankly I'd rather him not quit.
His sight'll return in time,
Just give it a few days.
And when it does I wanna hear what he says.
Now then, let's get this thing started.”
Thomas heads to the terminal
Leaving me half-hearted
I can't tell if he's got it in for me or not
It kinda feels like he's got a plan
But what?
Thinking of that vision
It said I'd go blind – Is this what it meant?
Damn it, now's not the time
If I can move that's good enough
On to the next mission
Let's blow stuff up
Trial 4: Out of tune
First stop on our itinerary
Is a hellish sailors' paradise
Home of the Sirens
Via magical ferry
Sailors come in
And almost never come out
Trapped by the song
Without a doubt
As we sail further into the mist
I feel the cold of the mirror
Of Jack's final gift
The cold begins to burn in my pocket
As a voice echoes “Never forget.”
I swiftly turn around
Looking for the sound
As from the mist laughter abounds
Pulling out the mirror
Did I imagine it?
Jack's voice echoing where I sit
This mirror, she said it was important
Then again she said she'd never leave me
So long as I never quit
She couldn't keep that promise
Now I have to wonder
Six months with nothing
Should I toss this mirror?
Let it sink under?
I have to let her go
She's gone
That won't change
I really am a sorry piece of crap
I can't even bring myself to
