Thread: Bounty Hunters Part II: The New Era

"My queen, will the visitors need an escort?" piped Jeremy.

Brine sat back sipping the wine, "I can see why the people in Gourmet Town like the tase."

Jack sipped his wine in silence. It was a good vintage and he was savoring the flavor.

"Yes, Marisan why don't you and Jeremy scort them?" Klarisa asked as she turned to look at her bodyguard.

"What about you my empress?" Marisan asked curiously.

"I'll be fine, don't worry." she chuckled. "But, can I know something first." she turned to the Slayers. "What are you searching for up there?"

"You'll have to ask your son, he's the one who planned it," said Brine before adding, "Also, if it isn't too much to ask, may I take a bottle of this home?" Brine said before taking some Bull Dragon meat and eating it more cordially than he usually would.

"We want to go to the Tree of Knowledge and learn more about the legend of the True Warrior." Klay said while pointing upwards. He noticed that his mom's expression changed to one of dread and fear.

"I see." she said before she stood up. "Klay, can you come with me for a moment?"

Mark instantly rushed to write soemthing down then turned the sheet of paper inot a plane and threw it over to Klay.

Who is this? and are you sure you want to go alone?

Mark had been passed out until now and was not up to date yet.

"She's Klay's mom." Sakura said to Mark. "She's the queen of this place."

Klay stood up form his seat and turned to look at Klarise.

"You may all come as well if you so wish to." Klarise turned around and began walking.

Mark just grumbled as stared down at his plate. Then wrote a note that he handed to Sakura to say as the paper airplane was a bit much.

I'll pass.

'Though i won't lie I wish I had a bit more of an idea of what the hell is going on in this world. I hope the tree gives seconds...' Mark thought keeping it soley to himself, 'I've spent all this time just looking for redemption maybe this tree will tell me how.'

"I'm definitely interested." Jack said with a smile. "Most definitely interested in coming."

The group was led outside to a large balcony that overlooked the rest of the village. "Klay, if you're really going to climb the tree for that reason." she turned around, tears running down her eyes as the Devil Mark on her hand began to let out dark energy. "I cannot allow you to pass."

"What?" Klay gritted his teeth.

"The secret about the True Warrior, just knowing something like that will make you a huge target, I cannot allow you to face such a fate, neither can I allow your friends to." she shook her head.

"Even if that's not what I'm looking for." Jack stated. He figured he may as well make a play. Because the truth was that he had far more personal interests in mind. "I'd like to climb the tree for a different reason." He explained truthfully.

With two highly conflicting thoughts in his head Mark wrote a not eand left it at his place.

If you'll excuse me.

Mark got up from the table and threw his green gray jacket over his shoulder. Then he walked right out the front door.

'I have a a dedication to these people, but also to myself. I came here for myself first though. If I am not redeeming myself then there is no point to me being here.'

'but you're not just here for that. You're here for me.' A female voice echoed in his head.

'Shut up. you're the last voice I need floating around in there.' Mark replied not angrily but more sorrowfully.

'Mark you did this all because of me. Thats why you needed redemption.' The voice continued.

'I don't even know whats on the otherside. I don't even know if you are there.'

'We all have to go on a little bit of faith now and then Mark. So have some faith in yourself you'll figure this out eventually.' and the voice was gone.

'I'm sure I will Viena. I'm sure I will.' Mark said.

He kept on walking off towards the highest point he could find. The tree.

"We all have different reasons." Sakura nodded her head, she herself wanted to know more about what had happened to her sister, as well as what had happened to Ellen, a former Slayer member whose status was still unknown. She then looked at Mark. "Wait." she said before pulling him back. "We're all going together, we don't know what might happen." she pointed out. "Plus you can't use PSI too much today."

Klay stared at her and stretched his hand out. "Yeah, but just the fact that we're looking to know that story already counts huh." he grinned. "Fine then!" Klarise's arm became completely black as fangs grew out from her mouth and she charged at Klay.

Klay gritted his teeht, his eyes becoming lifeless once more before his whole body became completely black and metallic, allowing him to block the hit.

"My lady." Marisan interrupted, causing the two of them to turn to look at him. "I think he deserves to know, and they all deserve to climb the tree for their own purposes as well."

Klarise just stared at Klay, a worried expression crossing her face as she looked at the floor. "I know it's just that...' she said before grabbing Klay and pulling him into a hug. "Just promise you'll be okay."

"I've survived up till now." Klay blushed in embarassment.

Mark scribbled something down and then crumpled up the paper dropping it where he stood then kept on walking off.

Just walking. Alone.

Since it would be obvious that Sakura would keep bugging him if he kept nearby Mark had to settle on clmibing to the top of a nearby tower attached to the palace.

Serah was on a balcony, sitting over the edge as she looked into the sky. Clearing her head had definitely helped. She was feeling a bit better.

She crossed her legs, attempting to relax as the wind began to flow. "Viena... viena..." that name rung in her head. "Klarise..." Klay's mother. Thinking of these things reminded her of her own past ghosts, including the one who had been strangely quiet. Her aggressiveness the other day was probably the beginning of something far worse, however.

No use in worrying, now.