AN: We're finally getting to the meat of this saga. Fun times ahead, so I hope you enjoy~

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Chapter 15:

Their return to the Crescentia seemed to have been an anticipated one. When they stepped inside, the other members of their guild met them all in the foyer. And they were promptly bombarded with questions regarding their well-beings, whether or no they met with those bandits again, or just general queries about Drayce's health.

Drayce did his best to reassure his guildmates by answering their questions honestly.

After he manages to alleviate everyone's worries, Shashi stepped forward to regard him.

"How did you fare?" he asked.

Drayce uttered a small sigh. "They got the token." He would explain the entire circumstance of what happened later. After everyone settled down.

A frown tugged at Shashi's lips. Though, he did look mildly confused for a split second. "I see."

"The compass you gave me worked a treat, though," Drayce added as he reached into his pocket to reveal the golden compass and presented it back to the sigil specialist. "So that's something."

Shashi nodded his head, clearly pleased. "I shall try to work on it further," he said as he retrieved the compass and promptly placed it into the pocket of his coat.

"Ignoring that for just a moment, I take it the map activated?"

Again, Shashi nodded his head. "Indeed. The reaction was, however, different this time around. It lasted far longer than we had anticipated. We were able to gather more information."

"Really?" Drayce couldn't help but wonder why that was. "Well, that's great."

"Come," Shashi motioned toward the stairs. "I'll explain along the way."

Dropping his shield and cannon by the front doors, Drayce moved to follow Shashi up the stairs.

"It seems that we were correct," Shashi began, getting straight to the point. "There were three blades involved. The Shining Lotus, which was created by and belonged to the Turquoise Lotus Father. The other two, however, are a little more mysterious. The Blood Lotus Brother, as he referred to himself, was indeed under the influence of a Cursed Blade, and that blade was indeed connected to the Despot. As of right now, we do not know if that blade held a name or was simply referred to as Cursed Blade as well. However, another was jealous of the powers that both the Shining Lotus and Cursed Blade possessed. So, the currently unknown fourth party stole the original cursed blade and attempted to combine it with the Shining Lotus. But that failed miserably. So, they created a blade of their own."

Drayce nodded his head as they reached the second-floor landing and took a moment to allow all the information to filter in. "So there really were three blades. Do we need to look for the other one, too?"

Shashi, however, shook his head. "There was three, but now there's only two. The creator of this replica blade believed it had the capacity to be far more powerful than the Shining Lotus, and yet they desired even more power. In order to garner yet more strength, they combined that with the Cursed Blade."

Drayce couldn't help but wince as they moved to the third floor. "I can kinda guess where this is going..."

"Indeed," Shashi continued. "By sacrificing the replica blade with the Cursed Blade, it made said blade even stronger. And more dangerous as it has the ability to not only possess the one wielding it, like it had done with Blood Lotus Brother. But it would actively inflict vile toxic curses upon anyone who came into contact with said blade. Fending off attacks with weaponry or armour would still cause infection."

Wow, ok, he hadn't expected something like that!

That fourth therian (most likely) must have been quite...powerful to not only get their hands on the Cursed Blade, but created their own and then fused it with the already very dangerous Cursed Blade.

Clearly, whoever they were, they were exceedingly powerful in their own right.

Which also raised the question of how the Blade Brothers were able to retrieve and then hide the Cursed Blade, along with the Shining Lotus.

That was something that may be worked out later. For now, he needed to concentrate on the fact that the blades were indeed hidden. And a group of bandits were after them.

"No wonder they hid it so," Drayce murmured as he finally reached the third floor and they both stopped by the library doors. "But that still leads to the question of which blade the map and tokens are leading to?"

Shashi shook his head. "That, I cannot answer as of yet."

Drayce sighed as he roughly ran a hand through his hair. "The wait-and-see method is the best solution for now, though I'm not exactly thrilled with that."

That didn't seem to thrill Shashi, either. "No," he frowned.

As Drayce mused about what he should do next, a peculiar thought occurred to him. "Wait. Does the new and improved Cursed Blade also poison its surroundings? If so, then it's either hidden in a place where the environment is toxic in reflection to the blade. Or, it's sealed away so its toxin can't spread."

"Hm." Shashi folded an arm across his chest as he held his chin in thought. "Yes, those are interesting possibilities. Nowhere had I seen it mentioned that it also infected the environment, but I may not be looking in the right places."

With so many different parties involved, there were a lot of questions. Questions they may not get the answers to since it happened so long ago. And since they were dealing with a weapon that had connections to the Legendary War and the notorious Despot himself, they needed to be careful.

"Along with the watch-and-wait method, we should practice being cautious of everything until told otherwise, too," Drayce suggested.

Shashi dropped his arms to his sides and nodded his head. "Yes. That's the best course of action for now."

The sound of footsteps approaching from the stairs caused both Drayce and Shashi to turn to regard whoever was approaching. Unsurprisingly, it was Ashton who swiftly moved up the stairs and approached them.

"I need to interject here," he said, indicating that he had overheard their conversation. And was in caretaker mode once again. He likely already checked in on the others. "You all need rest. Facing off against a toxipede, even though not in battle, is tiring for everyone. And I assume there will be another jaunt into the labyrinth tomorrow?"

Heading into the labyrinth again tomorrow might be a bit predictable, but there was little else they could do for the time being. The discovery of the tokens allowed for a glimpse of the map. So even though they don't physically possess the tokens, they do have the map. Which was a greater advantage.

And yet...Drayce couldn't help but remember Keane's threat. He wanted the map. And Drayce didn't know what he would do to get it...

"Ah, yeah, probably," Drayce replied, smiling in an attempt to push Keane's threat and voice from his mind. "One last token to find, I assume."

"Oh, yes, one more thing," Shashi suddenly said as he reached into the pocket of his coat. "We've locked the map away. It has a celestian seal on it, but you can easily by-pass the lock with this key." He pulled out a small golden key that was engraved with celestian writing and presented it to him. "Here."

Oh, good! That meant that Keane couldn't just sic one of his bandits into the Crescentia to steal the map.

Although...

Drayce smiled as he retrieved the key and promptly placed it into the pocket of his trousers so he wouldn't lose it. "Got it. Ok. First, I'll dump my armour and check in on the others. After that, I'll be in my office if you need me." He turned to move back down the stairs, idly shrugging off his coat as he did so. "Be sure to call me for dinner!"

"Speaking of which; any one seen Tokala or Salim?" Ashton suddenly questioned.

Drayce immediately paused mid-way down the stairs. "No? Did they head out?"

"Perhaps they wished to see more of Iorys," Shashi was the one to suggest. "They're not required to stay here."

"Hmm, that's true," Drayce simply replied before he turned to move down the stairs once more.

Still, he felt as if he should check on them. If they didn't return before dinner, he'd grab Blayke and Nashoba, and go searching. Just to be on the safe side.

... ... ... ... ...

Dressed comfortably in his cargo pants and plain black sleeveless shirt, Drayce leaned back into his office chair and propped a boot on the edge of his desk. After he figured out where he had located the third token, he took a few moments to simply study his hand-drawn map.

As he looked at the map, he was beginning to wonder if there were only three tokens and not the four like he previously assumed. One to indicate each therian that was involved. The Blade Brothers and their friend, Sorataki. Which made some sense as well. In his head, it did.

Which could potentially explain the desperation, or rather ruthlessness, shown by those bandits.

Even so, they should return to the labyrinth in search for a possible fourth token. Or in search for something else that could be of use to them. Another music box. Some information. Even a rune stone hidden somewhere within the undergrowth and vegetation. Something.

Drayce leaned further into his chair as he stared up at the ceiling.

He also needed to find a way to deal with those bandits. He wouldn't be able put it off for much longer. But he wasn't sure what he could do. Dealing with bandits wasn't something he had done before in his life. From what he could remember. But, yeah, what was he supposed to do?

And then there was that oh-so subtle threat from Keane.

That was still bothering him.

Keane was planning something. Drayce just wished he knew what it was so that could potentially plan a counter, either in defence or attack.

A high-pitched crack pulled Drayce from his thoughts, and he immediately turned his head toward the large windows of his office.

What was that noise?

It sounded as if someone had thrown a pebble at his window. Odd.

Drayce placed his map onto his desk as he pushed himself out of his chair. He stood up and walked to his window. He pulled open the curtains and opened the glass windowpanes. He rested his hands upon the sill as he leaned out and looked around.

The view from his office window was a side street that led to the main street, which ultimately led to the pathway to Yggdrasil. On that street was a single horse-drawn wagon that was illuminated by a single street light.

A couple of figures suddenly appeared from behind the wagon. As they stepped into the light, Drayce immediately recognised them. One was Tokala. And the other was Keane himself.

His breath hitched in his voice when he realised that Tokala was ruthlessly tied and gagged, and that Keane was smiling confidently as he roughly handled the skinny therian.

"That's-!"

Keane suddenly brought a finger to his smirking lips, indicating for Drayce to stay silent as he levelled his gun at Tokala's head with his other hand. Tokala's eyes widen, and even from the distance between them, Drayce could see that his eyes were red and puffy. From crying. A lot.

Drayce clenched his jaw. He knew what Keane wanted.

...The map. He wanted the map.

He...hng, he couldn't risk Tokala's life for a treasure map!

Drayce levelled his gaze with Keane, his stomach twisting from that disgustingly smug smirk on his lips. Instead of saying anything, Drayce simply nodded his head. And tried not to clench his jaw further when Keane practically blew his kiss at him.

That...smug bastard!

He must have been planning something like this from the beginning.

Turning from the window, Drayce tried to calm himself down as he stepped out of his office. He plunged his hand into his pocket and clasped his hand around the golden key that Shashi had presented to him just a couple of hours ago.

He...hadn't anticipated in using it in such a way.

The guildhouse was quiet. Everyone seemed to be busy elsewhere. Or at least resting in their rooms. Even Shashi, surprisingly. The library was empty. Lucky for him. Though, also unlucky...no one would know what happened to him, would they?

It was probably for the best.

On the table in the middle of the room, surrounded with crystals and documents, was a hastily made showcase made of glass. The map rested by itself. Blank and still.

Drayce stood before the map and took a moment to stare down at the hand that rested in his hand. He then used the key, placing it in the centre of a small engraved magic circle. And opened it.

Placing his key to the side, he carefully took the map into his hands. He...He hoped the Blade Brothers and their companion could forgive him. But he just couldn't risk anyone else's safety. Anyone else's life.

His...guild and his friends were more important to him.

He would find a way to keep everyone safe. Including the blades themselves.

After uttering another apology in his head, he turned his back on the case and hurried out of the library. He moved quietly down the stairs, his heart pounding in his ears. He could only repeat "please don't let anyone try to stop him" in his head. He didn't want to worry them. He didn't want to involve them.

Please, just...let him do this. He would find a way to make things up to everyone later. He promised that.

Thankfully, everyone seemed busy elsewhere. Or were just momentarily distracted as he had made his way to the ground floor easily. He chose the use the back door, however, as it would allow him quicker access to the side street. Where Keane was holding Tokala.

As he slipped outside and broke out into a jog, he couldn't help but ask himself where in the world could Salim be? He would never willingly leave Tokala's side. He was extremely dedicated in protecting him. So...something must have happened to him. He...

"Don't go..."

A soft, unfamiliar voice pulled Drayce from his thoughts and caused him to immediately stop mid-step. He turned in the direction he estimated the voice resonated from. "Huh?" he uttered involuntarily when his gaze fell upon a young brounii with blond hair and green eyes. He was half hidden behind a large tree found in the back garden, peering around it at him in a frightened and skittish manner. "You-?"

"I-It's a trap," the brounii stuttered, his voice low. And frightened.

"...I know," Drayce said as he took a step toward the other, purposely moving slowly so not to alarm him. He wasn't a threat, so shouldn't be treated as one. "Did...Runihura bring you here?"

The brounii's bottom lip trembled and tears pooled in his eyes. "H-he's..."

Drayce's stomach clenched and he felt a wave of nausea. "I see." So, his injuries were a form of punishment. "Go inside. You'll be safe there."

The brounii shook his head as he grasped the bark of the tree with his hands. "I-I'm scared," he admitted, trembling.

Yes, Drayce could clearly see that. "I know. But they won't hurt you. Tell them everything, ok? And tell them..." that he was sorry. That he didn't want anyone to get hurt. To understand why he did what he did. "...I'll be waiting."

Yeah. He couldn't tell them not to come looking for him. They would. Blayke would. He'd lead the charge. And likely give him an earful afterwards. He could only hope...no one got hurt while looking for him.

Drayce turned and hurried toward the side street once more. He anticipating having to clamber over the tall iron fence that encircled the Crescentia. However, there was an opening within the fencing. Allowing for him to slip out easily. The opening didn't appear new. It had likely been there for years, he just didn't see it before.

In all honesty, he hadn't really inspected the structure of the boundary walls. Never had a reason to.

As he stepped out into the street, he immediately noticed that Bronson and Tomlin had decided to join Keane. Bronson had a hold on Tokala while Tomlin simply sat on the back of the wagon, idly swinging his legs in a casual manner. Far too casual for a hostage situation.

Though, it also indicated that it wasn't a first for him.

Keane immediately glanced over Drayce's shoulder as he approached, his grip tightening on his gun. However, he smirked when he realised that there was no one else to be found. And that no one else was going to come. "Ah, good. You've come alone. As sensible as you are pretty."

Drayce sent him a glare. He was so patronizing.

Keane sent him another self-satisfied smirk. "The map?"

"It's here," Drayce said as he revealed the map.

He knew that he should bargain for it, but he also knew that he was in no situation to do so. Tokala was still under threat and the fact that Salim was nowhere in sight was greatly troubling. Something must have happened to him. And that something was likely because of Keane himself.

"Give it to me," Keane ordered.

And knowing that he had little choice, Drayce offered it to him. Of which, was quickly snatched out of his hand.

Keane immediately looked at the map and a purely disgruntled expression appeared on his face. "A blank parchment, huh?" he muttered as he reached for his cannon.

"There's mana there," Drayce promptly explained, not wanting Keane to do something rash. "Keeping the words hidden."

For the longest moment, Keane just stared at him. Gauging whether or not he was being truthful. Thankfully, and honestly a little unexpectedly, he seemed to believe him as he turned back to study the map. "Ah, is that so? Which explains the tokens."

"You've got the map now, so let Tokala go," Drayce demanded.

Keane, however, chuckled as he idly rolled up the parchment and shoved it into the breast pocket of his coat. "Oh no, this isn't how things work around here. We need him. And we need you, too." The smirk that appeared on his lips was wicked. "Tomlin."

"Right," Tomlin smirked as he stepped forward. "No interruptions this time."

Drayce suddenly felt that cold chill down his spine he felt each time Theodore was summoned. And yet...it was different. Very different. It was far colder. Brutally cold. It made him physically shiver and feel as though he had something, some kind of...entity breathing down the back of his neck.

That cold presence suddenly appeared behind him. And Drayce immediately turned his head to look over his shoulder. What he saw, however, was a bit surprising.

...A tree?

No, it was a wraith in the form of an animated tree. About as tall as Drayce was, with two long flailing arms, and engravings within the gangrene bark that likely represented its face...somehow.

It's two spindly arms suddenly lashed out and snared Drayce's wrists easily in its grubby little hands. And immediately pinned them behind his back. The way that it moved so quickly, knowing exactly what to do indicated that Tomlin had summoned the wraith to restrain others multiple times before.

"H-hey!" Drayce stuttered out, startled.

Keane suddenly reached forward and forced his hand over Drayce's mouth. "Keep that pretty little voice of yours down," he hissed as his eye darted toward the building behind them. "Can't having interreference."

Drayce felt utterly useless as Keane pulled out a handkerchief or some piece of cloth from his pocket. And promptly tied it over Drayce's mouth and around his head. Keane then moved behind him and quickly, but efficiently it felt, tied his wrists together. Drayce winced at how tight and coarse the ropes were.

With Drayce effectively unable to fight back, only fruitlessly struggle, Keane grabbed Drayce roughly by the arm as he motioned with his head toward Tokala. Bronson understood the silent command and swiftly picked Tokala off of his feet and hooked him under his arm as he carried him to the horse drawn covered wagon that was located near-by.

He then all but threw Tokala into the back.

And when Keane dragged Drayce over to him, he wrapped a beefy arm around him and promptly did the same. Drayce hit the floor of the wooden wagon hard. He winced from the pain and lifted his head just in time to watch Keane promptly pull the thick material curtains over the back. Successfully hiding them from view and prying eyes.

As the wagon began to move, Drayce rolled over onto his side and tugged as the binds around his wrists. But the ropes were coarse and strong. Struggling further would only cause injuries to his wrists. He couldn't afford to do that. Not when he had no idea what Keane was planning to do with him and Tokala.

With the jostling of the wagon in movement, it somehow loosened Drayce's gag. He hastily rubbed his cheek against the floor of the cart to remove the piece of cloth from his mouth completely. He struggled to sit up and scooted over to Tokala. With his hands still tightly bound behind his back, he had to lean over awkwardly and fumbled for a bit to pull at the gag that was silencing Tokala.

"Tokala, talk to me," Drayce pleaded. "What happened?"

With fresh tears rolling down his cheeks, Tokala managed to sob out; "H-he shot Salim."

Drayce's eyes widen. "What?"

"S-shot him to get to me."

No...

Dammit it, Keane. There was no need to do that!

"Tokala, Salim will be ok," Drayce attempted to reassure the distressed Therian. "I promise. I bet he's with the others at the Crescentia right now. Don't worry."

Tokala looked up at him with frightened eyes. "Why are they doing this?"

"They're after the treasure," was Drayce's only answer. "Just stay with me and do as I tell you, alright? It'll be all right."

...Hopefully...