Kelsey, Mai and Saige walk through town and get shifty looks from everyone, as the people also gossip while eyeing them. “Well this is warm and comforting.”, says Mai. “Don’t worry White Talon, if they try anything, I will protect you.”, says Kelsey. “Thanks, but I think I’ll be fine.. I hope.”, says Saige as he looks around at the people.
“Anyway, let’s go around asking questions.”, says Mai. The team goes around for a while asking questions from person-to-person to groups of people about knowledge on the Beast Tamer. As they do, Saige is the one not saying anything as, mostly Mai does the talking. Some people even walk away as they’re approached. Generally though, they get no luck from anyone on the location of the Beast Tamer.
Eventually, the group stop at a river near the town and sit at it. “So far, no one we talked to has any information.”, says Mai. “Either that or they wanna keep it from us, cause I’m around.”, says Saige. “Alright, that doesn’t make any sense Saige. If they wanted help with this Beast Tamer, regardless who you are, I feel they’d want to help us help them.”, says Mai.
A voice in the distance then calls out, “Saige?”. The group turn their heads to the direction and they see a redheaded woman with long curly hair, wearing a classic black dress. “Who’s that, I wonder?”, says Mai. “Mary?”, says Saige with a hint of surprise to his voice, as he stands up.
Mary then runs over and hugs him. Mary then grabs his hands and holds them. “I’m so glad you’re okay! And your hair got longer, I see.”, says Mary. Kelsey and Mai look at eachother.
In the next moment, they’re all sitting on the river side together. “So how long have you known Saige?”, asks Mai. “Oh me and Saige go way back. We used to hang out as kids.”, says Mary. “Hm, I see.”, says Mai. “Mary’s been my best friend for awhile.”, says Saige while having an embarrassed smirk on his face. “How come you’ve never mentioned her?”, asks Mai. “Yeah, didn’t you say all the people from this dead end town were crappy and scummy, and their religion sucked an-”, says Kelsey, right before Saige uses his hands to cover her mouth.
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“Hey hey now! Watch it! Ha ha Mary I didn’t mean it.”, says Saige. “So I’m crappy and scummy?”, says Mary. “NO! No no! I didn’t say all that.. about you anyway.”, says Saige. “Oh Saige I know. I’m just kidding around.”, says Mary. Saige then breathes out in relief.
“But do you really think that about our religion?”, asks Mary. “Hey what is the religion of Creed Town anyway, I never understood?”, asks Mai. “I can tell it. I still remember.”, says Saige.
“Long ago, even before the Human and Demon War, there was a war of Human Paladins and Demons. Among them was a great Paladin named, Thessia. Who slayed many demons in her way and, just to shorten the story, lead many soldiers to battle and won those battles. While using strength from the Goddess Gloria. Then, one day, Thessia fought the Demon King and took his head, but at the cost of her own life. Now people praise Thessia and Gloria, and believe one day Thessia will rise back to modern day to vanquish the current day Demon King. And that’s basically the religion.”, says Saige.
Kelsey and Mai just look at Saige in wonder. “What?”, says Saige. “Wow, just didn’t think you’d come in handy to be that knowledgeable about something.”, says Mai. “Yeah.”, says Kelsey.
“What’s that mean!? Eh you calling me dumb!?”, says Saige. “Only a little!”, says Mai. “Yeah.”, says Kelsey. “Only a little”!? What the heck!”, says Saige. Mary laughs. “Saige, I see you haven’t changed. I’m glad.”, says Mary. “Heh yeah.”, says Saige.
Mai then lightly knocks on Saige’s head. “Still as hard-headed as ever, right?”, says Mai. “Oh definitely.”, says Mary. “Alright you two, that’s enough.”, says Saige. Mai and Mary giggle abit. Mai then straightens up and faces Mary in a sudden reminder of their mission. “Oh wait, Mary, do you know anything about this Beast Tamer?”, asks Mai. “Actually, I do, if you want to know. You see, I believe they took my pet hedgehog.”, says Mary. “Hedgehog?”, says Kelsey and Mai in unison.
“Yeah. His name was Pincer.”, says Mary. “I remember Pincer. The Beast Tamer stole him?”, asks Saige. “Like I said, I just believe so. One day, in the middle of the night, as I was playing with him, I heard something that sounded like flute music being played and then he ran away from me. When I tried to catch up to him, he was already gone.”, says Mary. “I’ll help get Pincer back.”, says Saige. “Really?”, asks Mary. “Sure we will, right guys?”, says Saige. “You mean girls.”, says Mai, correcting Saige. “It’ll be our pleasure to save Pincer!”, says Kelsey, while standing up, with a raised fist. “Thank you so much.”, says Mary, with a smile.