Recovery
Prier yelled, "Croix!" She then began furiously hitting the darkness with her baton; his gun firing just as she'd finished her assault. With a shriek, the being began to disintegrate. Weakened by the very fact that she no longer had a host, and the fact that she had the nerve to mess with Prier, she was no match for the duo. As she began to vanish into white hot light, Croix held Prier back in his embrace.
"Thank you Prier," he whispered, "If it wasn't for you, I'd still be lost in that darkness. You should get back to everyone else now; then we can go home together." With that, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her. Prier was so surprised, and really enjoyed the sensation, that she didn't bother to slug Croix for his preemptive strike. Instead, she savored that moment until she found herself being recalled to the real world. He was right; she did need to get back there so everyone could get on with their lives.
S...S
As Prier found herself slipping back into reality, the first sight that met her eyes was that of her younger brother; Culotte. He was kneeling next to Sister Alouette's lifeless body; his hand in hers and his tears falling upon her robe. She felt herself looking down to the ground; wanting to banish the sight of her dead friend and grieving brother from her eyes. But it was the truth and they would all have to accept it. No matter which of the many paths Alouette took to defeat the Dark Prince, it would end up with her dead.
'She knew what her destiny was the second she took up the title of Maiden of Light. But she also knew that her sacrifice would save many other lives. Thinking back on it, did she know it would come to this all along? Alouette did seem to know how I felt about Croix even before the two of us,' Prier thought.
The silence was broken when Croix let out a small moan. Prier ran over to the machine to let him down; where he promptly collapsed into her arms. Noticing that the entire room seemed to be staring at her, Prier's face acquired a reddish tint. However, that was short lived and followed up with a threat of the fist if anyone so much as breathed a word about this little stunt outside of their inner circle; Homard included once they picked him up from the battlefield. Then she helped Croix to stand on his own feet.
He admitted, "They feel like rubber. I think Noir had those shackles on way too tight; it's like the blood flow to my feet has just started to circulate again. Don't worry; a little walking should get me back in full swing." However, Prier moved to place his left arm around her shoulders so he could support himself on her. Culotte noticed this strange motion from his sister; is that what happens when a person is in love?
Father Salade turned towards the teleporter. "Well, it's time for us all to go. Prier, you can help Croix down; I'm sure he wouldn't let anybody else do so. I'll carry Sister Alouette; Culotte and Éclair are too small to handle the job and so are the remaining members of Homard's crew. When we return to the church, there will be a proper funeral for her. And also, a victory celebration for the rest of our team."
S...S
The way down was not as hard as the way up. For one, they better knew the way; no more choosing the right teleporter in that one room. For two, with the death of Noir, all of the monsters were gone. So nobody had to worry about being picked off. Prier heaved a sigh of relief; she was dead tired.
However, once they returned to the bottom level, a terrible site met their eyes. The floor was splashed with blood; the green/black blood of a Demon and the crimson blood of a human. And off to the side, in a pool of his own blood, lay Homard. His wounds were great; Éclair felt fear rising up in her heart.
"Homard!" she screamed as she ran to him, "Please don't die! You promised us." The young princess took his body in her arms; not caring as the red stains appeared on her good clothes. Feeling his pulse, she breathed a small sigh of relief. He was still alive; however he would die without treatment. She was no mage; the only healing she had ever tried was a small spell that was used in emergencies.
"Captain! I told you that you were the only one who could pilot the Escargot. The Chocolat Gang and I need you. Don't fail us now," Yattanya begged. He and Papillon rushed over to Éclair's side to be nearer to their fallen leader; the two Chocolat Gang warriors and Monya-Monya were right behind them. He looked at Homard's feeble breathing, his bloody body, and began to fear the worst would come.
Culotte, noticing the scene before him, stepped forward. He stated, "Éclair, I can help you heal him. The best thing is to get him to the Escargot where he can rest, however I can spell him long enough to last the journey. In the name of the Goddess…" With that, he cast the Blessing Miracle on Homard.
The wounds instantly began to close and a smile lit on the princess's lips. She followed Prier's lead and placed Homard's left arm around her shoulder. Culotte rushed over to help support his right side; unlike Croix, he was helpless while unconscious. The boy wanted to do something for somebody; he wasn't strong enough to protect Sister Alouette nor big enough to carry her body. But if Éclair and Homard were assisted, then he felt better about himself. And so they set off towards the bottom again.
S...S
When Homard awoke, the first thing he saw was Éclair's relieved face. It was only after then that he noticed where he was; the cabin of his own ship. Off to one side, he spied Croix on another bed; reading some of the chapters on repentance in the Holy Book that Alouette had been carrying. Prier was at his side; half reading along and half simply being there to support him. The pirate had to laugh when he saw her since she wasn't being her usual self. Then again, she did act strangely when around Croix.
However, when he looked to the other side of the room, he saw Alouette's body lying on yet another of the beds; the pallor of death on her skin. Culotte was sitting by her bedside in grief. Homard, like everyone else in the group, had noticed the way the boy acted around the Maiden of Light; he had been in love with her despite his young age. They all knew how mature he truly was; even moreso than his sister in many instances. It wasn't surprising that he would understand his emotions as well then.
But the only thing that concerned the Captain of the Escargot now was Éclair. He gave the young girl a winsome smile. "I'm sorry to have worried you all. He was tougher than I thought but nothing I couldn't handle. Thanks to you, I feel a lot better. So I guess I'll just return to the bridge and guide us home again." And he would have gotten up to leave as well; had Éclair not held him down on the bed.
"No matter what you say, I can tell you're lying so I don't worry," she chided, "You need your rest now; Yattanya is taking care of everything until you recover. If you don't wish to get your rest, then I think my Dark side will have a little say in it." Culotte, listening from the other side of the room, was surprised to hear Éclair of all people talk like that; she sounded almost like Prier. But she was really concerned.
"Ok dear, you win," Homard joked back. Éclair's face lit up like a fire spell; she was really taken by the dashing Air Pirate. But then her heart fell. Although she loved Homard, they belonged in two totally different worlds. In the end, her mother would make her marry a prince and they would be forced to part. Times like this she hated being a princess. And she doubted Dark Éclair could help this situation.
The girl whispered, "If only it could be so…" Then, she turned away so he might not see her tears. But that only made the situation worse. For in looking the other way she had her choice of the grieving Culotte or Big Sister and her honest love for Croix. As Prier would say, life really sucks some times.
Homard looked towards Éclair; her tear streaked face too much for him to bear. Being the Ladies Man Heart Breaking Air Pirate that he was, he never wanted his secret to be let out. However, this was different now. This was the girl he had grown to love; her strong will and free spirit reminded him so much of his own. "Éclair, you don't have to worry so much. I never told anybody this, but I am in fact a prince from a country far away. That Demon Lord that I faced…he was sealed beneath our castle. Ten years ago, I became curious and accidentally let him out. My father was struck with illness while fighting him, my mother overcome by the despair of his pain, and I was scarred when he first left his prison. But I swore that I would avenge everything that has happened to them. I would make up for my mistake and destroy that Demon. So I stole the Airship that was under development by our scientists and ran away from home. I changed my name and began to search for my nemesis; recruiting Papillon, Yattanya and the Chocolat Gang along the way. If you want to follow your heart…you should let nobody stand in your way. Speaking up may be hard, but I know that your mother will understand if you tell her how you feel."
"Homard!" she called, "I don't care whether you're a prince or a pirate; I just care that you're you. And you've proven me wrong again. I should learn to have more courage to speak my true feelings. If Big Sister didn't have the courage, then we would all be dead about now. Our hearts are our treasures."
With that, she gently hugged him; not wanting to disturb his injuries any further. It was then that he actually noticed the blood staining her dress; boy were they going to have to work to get that out again. But to know that she didn't seem to notice or mind the stains told him how concerned she really was.
S...S
Upon their return to Pot au Feu city, they immediately returned to what was left of the Church of the Holy Maiden. Luckily, enough repairs had been made that they could rest the weary and wounded in the Infirmary. And Sister Cherrie was relieved to see them as well; their return to the church meant that victory had been attained. However, her joy quickly vanished when she realized Alouette was dead.
"I guess the Maiden of Light used her last power to destroy the Dark Prince," she whispered.
Father Salade explained, "Yes and no. Prier went into the heart of the Dark Prince and together she and his human soul expelled the darkness. The Goddess herself wishes even the worst of sinners to repent from their ways; Alouette knew that well and also knew that no matter what her life would be over."
Cherrie smiled. "It's nice to know her death was not wasted. I know that if she had killed him with her remaining power, Sister Prier would have ended up in that dreadful condition once again. So it was most likely the best option. Besides, we should get over hatreds and work together to rebuild our lives."
"So true Sister Cherrie," Father Salade replied, "Listen…I need you to get Sister Romaine in here right away. There is something important that I need to speak with her about; it concerns the state of our Church. And tell Sister Olive that the next thing we should be repairing is the study; especially the radio."
S...S
It wasn't long before Sister Romaine arrived. Like Sister Olive, she had green hair; though hers was much darker and she wore it down long. Her eyes were bright blue and she had on a habit. She was Father Salade's second in La Pucelle; a brave woman warrior who had slayed many a Demon.
"Thank you for coming. This battle was the one I had waited for since the day I first saw the Maiden of Light and the Dark Prince fight it out on that mountain. With it behind me, I can at last retire from being a Demon Hunter and live peacefully with my wife. I want you to take my place," he stated.
Everyone was shocked; they never expected this from their strong leader. However, he was firm in his decision. At 55, he was getting a little to old for this sort of thing. Besides, he rarely if ever got to spend some time with his wife and he worried her. Sister Romaine looked towards the man she had been second in command to for the past ten years. "I accept your offer Father; I'll make sure the Church is up and running to serve the people as soon as possible. You just relax; your heart can't take worry."
"My heart is just fine," he muttered, "Just because I'm retiring doesn't mean I'm going to die now!"
Teefa's Last Words...
This story spans three chapters. First is now, right after the game. Second is as the gang gets back on their feet. And third is a few months later. Basically, it's setting up for another story I plan to write; one that's longer and more exciting. Cherrie isthe name that my buddies and I have for the Sister who runs the Infirmary. Mainly because it's spelled almost like Cherry and her hairlooks bright red.