DISCLAIMER: This story is inspired by the setting and characters of Rune Factory 4, but no knowledge of that setting is required to enjoy the following depravity. Happy reading!
Chapter 1: I Am The Bearer Of The Torch
I am the first to wake.
It is only fitting: the sun is yet to rise, but I am the bearer of the torch, needed when darkness still reigns. Lately, the nights have been especially dark, and I am needed more than ever.
My armor clinks as I step outside, into the frosty air of the morning, my trusted blade safe at my side. The sky above is beginning to pale, but Selphia still sleeps. The windows and doors are likely boarded up, as the town hides itself against the dangers of the night.
Normally, at this hour, I would conduct my patrol, go to my training field, perfect my knightly skills. A woman at arms is an uncommon sight, but my father had no choice -- for a long time, I was his only heir.
By the time my brother Kiel was born, I was already trained to perfection, and beyond. Even my name -- Forte -- was chosen for the strength I needed to display, in order to protect those that cannot protect themselves.
It was the only way the Kingdom would tolerate a woman knight, and a heir at that. Perhaps even then, they wouldn't, not for long.
It's not like I wanted to be a knight, I thought to myself as I patrolled the boundaries of the town. The moniker of dragon knight itself was frankly empty, since I was tasked with protecting a god with unimaginable powers.
But I'd promised...
Unbidden, the image of my mother on her dying bed flashes before my eyes. The way she stared into my soul, begging me to inherit my father's title...
To protect my brother Kiel.
He's asleep, like everyone else in Selphia. It is up to me to protect them, with every ounce of strength that I possess.
I make the rounds of the town, empty street after empty street. They're deserted, except I know I'm not alone, not really.
There is a lurking threat in this place. A bewitching predator, snatching people from their very homes, never to be seen again. The disappearances have the whole of Selphia on edge.
Hell, they have me on edge. My armored fist closes around the pommel of my sword, reflexively. I haven't caught the perpetrators yet, but they can't hide forever. Selphia isn't big, and there's only so many people you can disappear before you draw attention.
Still. I am but one person. All that stands between this town, and a fate that may well be worse than death. No ransoms have been asked. Even if that were the case, the people of Selphia have no means to pay, no riches, very few durable goods.
There aren't many reasons why you would want to kidnap townsfolk in a tranquil place like this, and all the possibilities I consider -- ritual sacrifice, human trafficking -- make my skin crawl.
I am Selphia's only hope, the bearer of the torch, thrust against the darkness. I must not fail. I cannot.
Steps resound behind me, crunching against the gravel. I expect my mystery opponent to be stealthier than this, so this is unlikely to be a threat -- probably some villager who woke up earlier than usual. Even still, I pivot in place, my sword sliding out of the scabbard and held ready as I turn to confront my opponent.
Oh.
It's just Illuminata.
The florist stands before me in her typical black-and-gold outfit, her light blue scarf flapping in the wind of the cold morning. Similarly coloured, the flower that feathers her cap goes well with her deep, clever eyes. Her red braids drape her face like a pretty painting.
Most elves have an aloof beauty to them, but Illuminata just drives home the point. Even at this hour, she looks dignified and composed in a way that perfectly masks the playful, bubbly behaviour that's made her a kind of mascot for Selphia.
Even still, I do know her. And my first reaction is annoyance.
Illuminata fancies herself a great detective, never mind that most of her "cases" are completely made up. She once ambushed me inside my own home, over some flimsy investigative justification! That would have been outright creepy, had it been anyone else, but Illuminata is harmless.
If she's out here at this hour, and coming for me, that must mean she thinks she can help.
I relax my stance, sliding my sword back into the scabbard with a thud, as Illuminata bobs her head in my direction.
"Chasing shadows before the sun melts them away?" She asks, with an over-enthusiastic giggle.
I was, until you gave away my location to the whole town by being so bloody noisy, I almost say, but that would be most unkind of me. True, but unkind. I am a knight, and the people of this town are my charges. Even her.
"Illuminata," I say, with a plain nod. "What are you doing out at this hour?"
"Oh, oh!" Illuminata says, hopping from one foot to the other. "I can assist you! I've come across some super duper critical information! Please let me help!!"
I stifle a groan. Here it goes again.
Still, the sun is about to rise from beyond the horizon, and if the attacker was nearby, the noise has likely driven them away. I might as well see what this is all about, and hope it actually leads to something for a change.
"Let's head back to Carnation Flowers," I say. "You can tell me what this is all about over a mug of your famous tea."
That makes Illuminata's eyes glimmer with self-satisfaction. She does love flattery, I suppose. And her tea.
"Follow me," she says, in a tone strangely less bubbly than before. "I'll lead the way!"
"Of course," I say, stepping in to follow her.
I hope no one else goes missing tomorrow night, because I decided to follow a silly lead from a silly florist who actually thinks she's a detective.
But who knows... maybe Illuminata really has found something I can use.
After all... torches exist to bring light to the least expected of places.
***
Carnation Flowers is a cozy place.
That much is always true, but the pale light of the earliest morning drives the point home even more. The wooden floorboards creak underneath my steel boots, as the very first rays of the day stream through the half-closed windows to land on the large carpet at the center.
The first floor is filled with plants, soil, and fragrant flowers. I'm not one to disregard my duty for something so trifling, but I do have to admit, it's nice getting the shop floor to myself before opening hours.
Wooden stairs lead to the second floor, where I assume Illuminata's assistant, Amber, is fast asleep.
I sit patiently and quietly, waiting for Illuminata to brew her tea and begin sharing whatever information she believes she has. In the meantime, my ears strain to listen.
No shouts, even as the town around us begins to wake. No shriek of despair, no sound of people running. Perhaps no one was abducted tonight. This visit to Carnation Flowers is still likely to be a waste of time, but at least no innocent person will have paid the price for my mistake.
Illuminata presents me with a mug of tea, snapping me out of my reverie.
"Thank you!" I say, watching as she sits across from me at the dark mahogany table. Her clever eyes shine with excitement. I can see why people like Illuminata. She's very much in love with life, and for people with fewer worries than I, her enthusiasm is likely contagious.
In this instance, it seems like her entire world depends on me sipping her lovely tea. Of course, if it was terrible, I would tell her -- lying would be most unknightly of me. But the first sip cements Illuminata's reputation as a master brewer. This infusion is delicious, and doubtlessly will help stimulate me too. This might yet prove to be a productive day.
But first, I need to listen to whatever it is she has to say.
"This is wonderful," I say, taking a long sip.
Illuminata's smile lights up the room, and she virtually hops up and down while sitting on the chair. "Yes! So happy to hear that!"
"So, Illuminata," I say, in a more serious tone, "what... critical information did you have to share with me?"
Illuminata leans forward, conspirationally, her eyes theatrically darting this way and that as if to make sure we aren't being overheard in her own shop. "I think I know who's abducting the townsfolk!" She whispers.
I arch an eyebrow, sipping more of the tea. It is delicious, but quite warm. Combined with the cozy atmosphere, and the weight of my full armor, I'm becoming conscious of sweat pearling on my forehead.
"Go on," I say, somewhat curtly. Illuminata's overly dramatized delivery is getting on my nerves a little, if not to the point that it would break my knightly composure.
"They're human traffickers," she whispers. "They're taking people, working them over, and selling them off for money!"
