The Burning Fiend

Over the calm violet waters, a winged serpent shaped metallic life form flew at high speed. It was nearly five years since they had encountered the storm, and they still have 14 years of traveling before they arrived and Miluo Island. Reynolds was currently working in a new project, the rare book on 'Attack Formations' had a few examples of runic arrays that could be used on weapons, and he had not tried them yet.

He decided that instead of sorely focusing in reproducing the runic arrays that would represent the Elemental Laws and their possible fusions, broadening his understanding in runes and their already existing applications would be just as beneficial in the long run. The effect of the runic arrays used in weapons was not as spectacular as other attack formations might, and the effects hold much less impact in power as well.

In most cases, applying poison to the weapon would have a greater effect that a runic array and the ones Reynolds currently possessed were of the illusory and amplification type. One could change the perception of others on the weapon, making them believe that a blade was smaller or curved when in reality it was larger and straight. Other could amplify the effect of the divine power while reducing the cost.

(A/N- remember the coiling dragon ring? It reduced the cost of magic power required to cast spells and amplified the power of the spell)

Reynolds was trying to master these two runic arrays to apply them into his spear, he would of course use other artifacts to practice being sure of avoiding und.e.s.i.r.ed effects on his precious half-sovereign spear. He was currently working on a rapier hoping that by using the runic arrays, it would be perceived by others as a dagger.

Rosarie was sitting next to him paying rapt attention to what he was doing not willing to blink in fear of missing how he traced even a single line on the artifact. She was talented on runic arrays, but it seemed to come as instinct to Reynolds, and she enjoyed observing while he worked.

---

On the Redbud Continent, a sword shaped metallic life form traversed the land moving in direction to the Amethyst Mountains for a short stop before continuing toward the Starmist Sea hoping to travel all the way to the Bloodridge Continent. Delia and Linley were together sitting in a comfortable room while looking at the rock formations on the distance thinking that they might encounter a few bandits.

On another room a beautiful golden haired woman was talking animatedly with a dark haired youth who wore a straw hat, a recording orb and a file that read 'Burning Fiend' lay on the table. "Are you sure these events are true? He fought and defeated with ease two Asura level figures? I knew he was strong... but that this is just kind of difficult to believe".

The beautiful woman said while blushing and then scowled while she noticed that the young man was looking at the picture of a young woman with black hair and was not listening to her. "Bebe! You are a creep! Stop looking at the picture of a woman that you had never met... at this rate you will die before you even get to talk to her!"

The young man startled and blushed furiously. "I am not a creep! I-I just think that she is pretty". His voice turned lower in volume the more he spoke causing Sasha to laugh at him with glee. "They seem to be traveling to the Bloodridge Continent as well, but why would they go there? Your Boss is traveling that way because his clan is in the Indigo Prefecture, but I don't think he has family in the Infernal Realm. You seriously did not ask your grandpa anything at all?" The beautiful girl looked in disbelief as she always did when touching the subject as if she couldn't believe how much of an idiot Bebe was.

He blushed again and mumbled. "That is Boss fault! I was a child back then... Boss always decided for both of us". Bebe knew that his argument was lacking and tried to change the topic. "So you already managed to fuse three laws, do you have insights on a fourth law?" Sasha smirked at his lame attempt to change the subject and started playing with her hair ignoring him before taking the recording orb again and her eyes shinned as she started to see the battle again.

Bebe growled at being ignored and lay on his back while covering his face with his hat as he prepared to take a nap, that have always helped in improving his mood.

---

Reynolds was holding a dagger with a surprised but delighted expression while Rosarie was pressing her soft full b.r.e.a.s.t against his arms looking at the dagger with a smile and had trouble controlling herself from the excitement of witnessing the successful completion of the runic array. They used their divine sense to probe the weapon, but they could not find the rapier... they both could feel that something was wrong with the dagger, but they were not able to find the real shape or size of the weapon.

Their divine sense screamed 'danger' letting them know that it was an illusion, and they instantly understood that this effect would be remarkable in battle. Reynolds then pierced his finger to extract a drop of blood and bounded the weapon to him, it was only at this moment that he could see the real weapon and his divine sense was unimpeded. He turned to look at the beautiful blue haired woman holding his arm and asked.

"Did you sense any change when I bounded the weapon?" Rosarie was slightly startled at being addressed as she was still completely concentrated on examining the effects of the runic array on the weapon, she shook her head after a moment and Reynolds smiled understanding that the experiment was a complete success. He unbounded the artifact and let her bound it to herself, so she could also experience the convenience of this runic array, her smile was dashing and Reynolds took her in his arms and pulled her to his l.a.p as she examined the artifact completely oblivious to anything around her.

"I think I need to practice more and made some modifications to the runic array... The effect might be better if the illusion is limited. I mean, it might be better if instead of changing the weapon to a completely different type, I should only alter the size and shape slightly to reduce the attention of the opponent on the weapon itself". Reynolds was muttering to himself but Rosarie responded with her own analysis.

"Yes, that might be good for a prolonged battle... but for a surprise attack, a different type of weapon and a significant change of size might do the trick as well". She paused her speech and seemed thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "But I think you were considering that if your movements differ too much from what one would normally use for such a weapon... like using a dagger as a spear, the opponent would be more guarded and the opportunity for catching him unaware decreases significantly". Reynolds smiled and kissed her forehead before saying. "Good girl!"

They still have to travel nearly 10 years before arriving at Miluo Island and it might be enough time to become proficient with this runic arrays, but not enough to start working on the more complicated runic array that would reduce the cost of divine power while amplifying the effects of the attacks, he smiled deciding that it was good progress.

He then took the weapon from Rosarie's hand and put it on the table while she looked aggrieved at being interrupted from her examination, but Reynolds ignored her cute protests and started to free her from her clothes to explore her body with delight. Rosarie kept muttered her protests for a moment before resigning herself but her eyes were still on the artifact for a while before finally responding to the attentions of her husband.

---

A few years later, all their weapon artifacts have being upgraded with new the runic array making them seem slightly smaller than what they truly were and adding a small curvature to them as well to create a confusing effect that, as small as it might be, could create an opportunity in battle.

The five women were happy with the upgraded weapons and even more after learning that they would be approaching Miluo Island in a few months, after nearly 20 years of traveling through the Starmist Sea they were eager to enter a city or at least to experience a change of scenery. Reynolds on his part, was more interested in buying books on runes and information of the Bloodridge Continent.

He felt slightly weary about the island ahead as he considered dubious that so many 7-star Fiends suddenly decided to retire and settle as guard for the Miluo Island, he was not afraid but being cautious would not hurt. Reynolds thought that during their short stay within the island he would not part from his family.

He did not know what kind of information hub he might find within the island, but he would be looking for Asuras living nearby or within the trajectory of their travel toward the Indigo Prefecture to look for battle opportunities and increase his experience, he smiled at the idea and dared to hope for a good battle. Reynolds was curious to know how powerful Lord Beirut was and could not help but imagine that he should be more powerful than a normal Asura, but he could not say why did he have that feeling.

Anyway... it would not take that much time to reach their destination, and he could wait.