The dark room made the glowing spirits more visible. The walls were plain, with no windows to the outside, leaving no distractions.
"I prefer to do it on the move. I can't stay here for too long." Lucian touched one of the broken spirits and it sucked some of his energy, like a parasite. The wings healed instantly, and the spirit bird landed on the back of his hand, chirping happily.
Too many tests and trials, and still, they didn't trust Lucian. It was not the Varia's fault, but the Queen's, for setting a bad example. Whoever she trusted caused his past's downfall, and now his present was suffering for it. (He was being petty toward whoever she trusted.)
"..." Krystal stared at the little spirits, which entered Lucian's body one by one through his skin.
"They like me, can we go now?" Lucian stood up from his seat, the spirits gone.
Krystal looked at the empty net, "...Yes...this way."
They walked out of the room, and Lucian had to shield his eyes from the sudden brightness of the outside world. Varia warriors surrounded Lucian the moment he stepped out.
"The elders do not wish for you to stay for too long," one of the warriors said, "You will be escorted out of our lands. Do spread the word of our lands' being closed for outsiders. Any intruders will be dealt with accordingly."
"As you wish," Lucian said. He was already behind on his schedule.
The whole village came to bid him farewell, their blank faces making it hard to tell if they were happy or sad about him leaving.
Lucian didn't know where the rest of Varia people were hiding, but there only existed this village as far as he could tell. They were hiding their numbers and strength, that's for sure.
He invited Krystal to become his Vice, and she agreed, following him quietly. She also helped him recruit four Varia warriors. The men had a strange liking to her and a clear dislike to Lucian.
Lucian's attention was caught by one of the men with straw colored hair.
Noticing Lucian's gaze, the man explained, "I couldn't afford the medicine, and so I came here to gain the power to cure my illness. Krystal helped me along the way, even if I had no money. She is my savior. You can call me Lute."
Lucian's eyes went to Krystal.
She nodded, confirming the man's words, "Varia's people are physically weak by nature, and the impending war requires us to be stronger. Having a Varia with the abilities of the other nations will prove beneficial."
Lucian found Krystal to be straightforward, to the point of being cold. The men she helped seemed to adore her for it though, maybe because she wasn't faking anything, even if her personality was lacking in human warmth.
Lucian bought as many souvenirs as he could carry, which included weirdly shaped weapons, cloth with light absorbing qualities, and a few books that were written in the Varia language. Then left the village with his new recruits.
The heroine would probably be able to make the spirits and Queen's tears react to her, so stopping her from reaching Varia land was a priority.
'How do I get my powers back from her?'
Lucian knocked his head with his hand. Did he have to remember Celine only? What about his own memories? What could he do to unlock them?
He asked Goblin on their way back to the ship.
The small giant scratched his head in return, "Strong feelings usually do the trick. That's why I felt a connection to our people. I had a strong desire to protect them. And my powers were unlocked with that emotion."
'Is he saying I'm too obsessed with Celine to remember anything else?'
Lucian knocked on his head again, this time harder, making the group of Varia people look at him from the side.
Penny rolled her eyes at his actions, "This is a man I'm following. Great. Just great."
Goblin covered his mouth, his shoulders shaking with laughter, "Vice Penny, your sarcasm is improving."
"I'm being serious," Penny continued to provoke Lucian, taking her position as his captain in a literal sense, "He's supposed to be the mastermind, not the clown."
Lucian knocked her head this time, and it sent her flying into the bushes, "Clowns are artists in their own right. It's not that easy to make people laugh. Especially when they are the joke themselves."
Goblin held his stomach as he laughed louder. Penny came out of the bushes. Her flowing hair was a mess and her glare at Lucian promised retribution.
The Varia group looked at her as if she was a rabid animal, and kept their distance.
The ship was still where they left it. The crew was playing games on the deck, waiting for their captain and the boss to return. They were relieved to see them all alive, and pulled the row boats to bring them back.
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Celine Rochefort's birthday came two weeks later. The banquet was held in the Duke's estate, where the city's upper crust gathered.
Lucian was not invited, but that didn't stop him from coming. He took over the gardening work again, wearing a uniform, and walked around the estate with a bouquet of flowers, arranging them in vases, and adding the final touch to the decorations.
He searched the halls for her, but couldn't find her in any of the rooms. The maids were running around, preparing for the guests' arrivals. A band played music to set the mood, and the chefs were busy in the kitchen.
'Where is the birthday girl?'
Lucian searched the second floor with his third eye, and found dozens of guards blocking the whole area with their astral powers.
'Hiding something?'
Lucian sighed, having no choice but to wait for her to make an appearance. He left secret messages for her in the form of flower arrangements, letters in the hidden spots they used to exchange notes in, even drew little drawings on the windows for her to see. Beside that, he also sprayed his scent here and there, making sure his presence would be felt.
He walked around the garden with the remaining flowers in his hands. The fountain in the middle of the garden gurgled, the sound soothing his nerves.
He waited. And waited. He watched the guests arrive in their carriages with his third eye. The Duchess Rochefort welcomed them at the entrance, and led them to the ballroom.
The Duke was still missing, and so was his children, a possible reason behind why the Duchess seemed to be more worried than happy.