A Legend of Legaia fanfic
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Disclaimer:
All rights and privileges to Legend of Legaia and its characters
belong to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The characters of this series are
used without permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work
of fiction is not meant for sale or profit.
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Author's note: SPOILERS are abundant in this story! I suggest you turn back
if you have not played through Legend of Legaia!
Text Conventions
( ) is character thoughts
" " is character dialogue
[ ] is author's note
Vahn walked down the grassy plains of Drake Kingdom, his knapsack carelessly flung over his shoulder, heading towards the distant Biron Monastery. Several hours had passed since he left Drake Castle after offering his gratitude to King Drake for his assistance in aiding him and his former companions, Noa and Gala, to rid Legaia of the mist. Vahn looked up to see the sun beginning to fall under the horizon. He frowned. He slept too late and got a late start.
(If I hurry, I can still make it to Biron just before dark...I'll have to pick up the pace.) Vahn thought as he broke into a jog.
It was a beautiful sunset. So many bright, fiery colors. Fire...the element of his former Ra-Seru, Meta. Vahn's frown grew deeper. He had grown quite fond of the mysterious Ra-Seru in the short time they were bound together. He always would offer his advice and moral support.
(If not for Songi destroying the Great Genesis Tree, then the Seru-kai would not have died, and neither would Meta...) Vahn mused to himself. (No, I can't blame Songi for it...) The kind-hearted boy turned his eyes to the ground, still quickly trotting forward. (...Perhaps it's fate.) With that, Vahn turned his thoughts to his comrades.
Gala was the least effected by the loss of his Ra-Seru, Ozma, or so it seemed. Vahn wondered if he really just wasn't very sad, or if he was just good at hiding his emotions. Gala never seemed to lose his composure, even after his 'friend', Songi had died by his own hand. He probably just was good at hiding them, Vahn decided; after all, he had a lot of emotional training at Biron, no doubt. Gala was more complex than the strong, emotionless Biron Monk that he wanted everyone to think he was...Vahn could see through his act. Vahn looked forward to meeting his friend again at the Biron monastery, who had been reinstated to Biron after his Ra-seru was gone.
Noa, on the other hand, was obviously the one who was most effected by the loss of her Ra-Seru, Terra. After all, she had lost her mother and father by her brother's evil ambitions. Vahn felt sorry for her. He could empathize with her, for Rim Elm almost ended up in the same way as Conkram. He remembered the way he felt as he witnessed his family and friends being sucked into the Sim-Seru known as Juggernaut. He remembered the anger and the pain deep in his heart. But he had been able to save them. On the other hand, Noa's family was unable to escape the grasp of the evil Sim-Seru. After that, Terra was all she had left. Terra died, but Cort was given a second chance in life because of the Ra-Seru's last powers. Vahn believed that helping her brother to grow into a good person was what allowed her to go on after losing Terra. Vahn was anxious to meet up with Noa at her new home in Sol.
Vahn looked back up at the sky. The sun had almost lowered below the horizon, and the stars were becoming faintly visible in the sky. Vahn looked ahead in the direction of Biron Monastery. He could faintly make out the outline of the Monastery in the distance. Filled with new motivation, Vahn broke into a full sprint. He would soon have a well-deserved rest and meet up with one of his companions. Because he was so well fit, he reached the Monastery's door only minutes, without even breathing heavily. As Vahn passed through the gate, he noticed the door was fixed and the lever was removed. Vahn walked up to the door, knocking loudly. Within moments, the door opened, and a Biron monk stood before him.
"Yes, sir! Vahn, it is good to see you are well! Please, come in! Master Teacher will be pleased as well!" The monk gestured to the inside graciously as he stepped aside from the doorway, allowing Vahn to enter.
Vahn simply nodded. He had always been quiet, but always been ambitious and energetic as well. "Thank you." Vahn stated simply, remembering his manners as he stepped inside.
Vahn noted that the monastery had changed very little since he last visited, the only difference being that it was cleaner. Last time he had come, blood stains still littered the floor from Songi's invasion of the Monastery. The thought sent a chill down Vahn's spine as he walked onward. He didn't really know where to find 'Master Teacher', but figured that if he wandered around long enough, he'd eventually find him. Fortunately, the monastery was not a very large place...when compared to somewhere like Zora's Floating Castle, that is. Vahn walked down the hall leading to the kitchen and dining area, men's bedroom, and women's bedroom. Smelling food, he continued onward to the kitchen, suspecting that they may be having supper. Vahn opened the door slowly and peeked his head into the dining area. He saw Zopu eating with his back to Vahn, and one monk on either side of him. Across the table, on the other side, Vahn saw Gala and one monk on either side of him. He and Zopu seemed to be conversing. The conversing in Biron was never casual, their idea of casual conversation was addressing others with "Yes, sir" or "Yes, Ma'am!" and using proper words almost always. Vahn opened the door wider and caught Gala's attention.
"Vahn!" Gala exclaimed as he rose to his feet. Though he immediately bowed to Zopu in apology for doing so and sat back down in his place. "Vahn, would you care to join us?"
Vahn couldn't suppress a small grin as he nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."
Zopu turned to one of the monks at his side and nodded his head. In turn, the monk rose quickly to his feet and bowed to Zopu. "Yes, sir!" The monk said firmly as he rose his head up and walked outside the door. Zopu nodded to the now vacant spot at the table, and Vahn walked over and sat down as one of the women took the monk's bowl and replaced it with a new one for Vahn. Vahn nodded his thanks and turned to Zopu.
"How are things with the monastery?" Vahn questioned Zopu, knowing it would be rude for him to address Gala first.
"We are doing quite well. The monastery is doing well and fully recovered from the attack. We are also adapting once again to a world without the mist. Students are coming from abroad to the monastery since the mist dissappeared." Zopu stated.
Vahn peered in the bowl to see what they were having as Zopu spoke. Tempura noodles. A good dish. Vahn had always loved noodles, and was very pleased with his menu for the night. He looked back up at Zopu just as he finished speaking.
"I'm glad to hear that. Everyone at Rim Elm is rebuilding still, but they all love it, everyone feels so full of life now. It's good to know that you and the rest of the monastery are in good health, Master Zopu."
Zopu nodded in the affirmative. "Yes, thank you for your concern. It has been over 3 months since you defeated Juggernaut, we are humbled to see you. ...But why is it that you have really come here?"
"I'm traveling all around the world to thank those who helped me in our journey to defeat the mist. Considering both you and Gala live here, I think Biron Monastery is high on the list."
"Ha ha ha ha! Vahn, you're just too full of energy to stay in Rim Elm and re-build. You still crave adventure, correct Vahn?" Zopu's tone of voice portrayed that he already knew the answer.
Vahn shrugged simply. "Maybe. I felt an obligation to, and I have to admit, I sure don't MIND traveling..."
"If you JUST wanted to thank those who helped you, then you could go from place to place with a Door of Wind." Zopu pointed out.
Vahn grinned a bit sheepishly. "Oh well. You see right through me. I really do want to thank you, Zopu, for your assistance in destroying the mist," Vahn nodded to Gala. "And of course to you, Gala. Without you, Noa and I would have been killed by the Seru. I'm sure of that."
Gala shook his head. "I was honored to fight alongside you and Noa. I learned much on our quest. I want to thank you as well, for bringing me along."
"Gala, we were more than happy to have you along. Your sensibility kept Noa out of a lot of trouble too!" Vahn laughed.
Gala grinned. "She sticks her nose into anything, no matter how dangerous or how little it involves her, but..." Gala's grin disappeared. "...she seemed to have matured by the end of out journey...I believe that dealing with all the tragedy she had to endure, that it forced her to grow up quickly...too quickly in fact. She is still a bit immature for her age, but not nearly such as when we began out quest. It is to be expected I suppose...afterall, Terra raised her in the form of that wolf in Mount Rikuroa..."
Vahn nodded. "I think you're right...it's sad, but couldn't be helped. The day Cort discovered the Mist was the day Noa's fate was sealed..."
Gala cleared his throat. "Forgive me for speaking on such a morbid topic." With that, Gala went back to his meal to eat in silence.
Vahn began to eat as well, seeing that Gala would say no more. They ate in an awkward silence until Gala finished his food. When he did so, he picked up his bowl and walked into the kitchen. Several moments later, he returned to the table and stopped several yards away from where Vahn sat, eating his tempura noodles. "Vahn, if you need anything, then I will be in front of the Biron statue for the next few hours. Feel free to ask."
Vahn nodded his head and with that, Gala left the eating area. Vahn continued to eat his tempura noodles silently. He noticed they were a bit salty, so salty that it overpowered the seasoning. He wondered how Biron monks could be so healthy if they ate salty food a lot. He then realized that he was jumping to conclusions, as it was only one dish. With that, he finished his noodles. He took his bowl into the kitchen and put it onto a table along with many other dirty bowls. They obviously normally ate in shifts at the monastery. Vahn then walked past the table in which Zopu still dined, nodded his head to Zopu respectfully, and walked out of the kitchen to find Gala. Vahn walked down the few stairs leading to the statue of the face of Biron, and saw Gala alone, kneeling before the statue with his hands clasped together near his chest, and his head bowed. Vahn decided not to bother Gala, as he seemed to be deep in prayer. Vahn decided to join him instead. Vahn kneeled beside Gala in front of the statue, clasping his hands together and bowing his head slightly, exactly mimicking Gala's position. Soon, Vahn was also lost in prayer, finding he had far more to pray about then he first thought. He prayed for everyone in Rim Elm, for Gala, for all of the Ra-Seru's souls, and for Noa...
Sometime after, Vahn became aware of his surroundings once again. He did not know how long he had been praying, but he knew that his whole body felt stiff from being in the stiff kneeling position, thus he decided it obviously was quite awhile. Vahn slowly opened his eyes, slowly turning his head to the side where Gala was praying before. There was no one there.
(I must have really have been praying for awhile for Gala to have left. He's patient as a rock.) Vahn thought as he rose to his feet.
Vahn kicked out his feet lightly to get rid of the stiffness in his legs, mimicking the motion with his hands a moment later. Vahn finally turned away from the statue and noticed Gala standing before him, arms folded across his chest.
"It's about time you noticed, Vahn. If I were an enemy, you would have never even seen me coming." Gala stated, not sounding the least bit smug.
"Hey, don't act like you could do better. You were the same way when I came in." Vahn said defensively.
Gala nodded with a slight smirk. "Vahn, care to spar?"
Vahn was taken aback, he had never spared with Gala, and never imagined doing so. He didn't really want to spar with him either. He was not very confident in his skills despite his mountainous feats. Vahn's pride wouldn't allow him to admit it to his friend, however. Vahn said the only thing that came to his mind. "This late?"
Gala nodded. "Practice is allowed until 11:00 p.m., we still have nearly an hour."
Vahn didn't want to offend Gala, so he reluctantly agreed. Vahn nodded a bit hesitantly. "Alright..."
"Good. I'm ready anytime," Gala said as he tensed just slightly. Gala reared his foot back and raised his hands into a defensive stance. Vahn did the same, as he eyed Gala's form. He had seen Gala fight many times, and knew his style was powerful and unpredictable, though a bit slow and sluggish. Gala rushed towards Vahn quickly, suprising Vahn with the speed. As Gala closed in, he unleashed a left hand aimed at Vahn face, Vahn managed to block the blow, as he anticipated it. However, Vahn wasn't ready for the attack that followed; Gala thrust his head forward immediately and nailed Vahn in the head with a massive headbutt, knocking Vahn backwards. Gala did not stop his attack, as he rushed in at Vahn to close the distance between them, leaping as he neared Vahn, he thrusted his right knee upward towards Vahn's chin. The blow connected, and Vahn was unable to keep his footing and tumbled to the ground.
Gala renewed his stance as Vahn scrambled to his feet, readying his stance as well. Vahn rushed at Gala with great speed, catching Gala off guard. Vahn smashed his right foot forward to the ground to stop himself as he raised his elbow just below his own neck, and thrust the elbow downward towards Gala's chest. The momentum from the attack knocked Gala back well over a foot away, but Vahn advanced quickly on him. Vahn thrust an uppercut up towards Gala's jaw, however, Gala tossed his head backwards to avoid the blow, and grabbed Vahn's arm, taking hold of his shirt with his other hand. Gala allowed himself to fall back from the momentum of Vahn's previous attack, taking Vahn with him. As he fell onto his back, he thrust his leg up into Vahn's abdomen and released his hold on Vahn in unison. The power of the throw sent him all the way across the room, and his back slammed hard into a wall.
Vahn was getting exasperated, realizing Gala was taking him apart, and his strength was nearly spent. Vahn grimaced as he rose to his feet once more, breathing heavily as he regained his composure and repositioned his stance. His eyes narrowed with supreme concentration...a strange fury burning within them. He watched Gala, feeling as though he were untouchable in that moment. Gala, oblivious to Vahn's change demeanor, wasted no time in charging at Vahn once more. Vahn did not flinch as Gala reared back his right arm and thrust towards him with a palm thrust aimed at his upper chest. At the last possible moment, Vahn ducked under palm thrust, leaving Gala wide open. Vahn lunged into Gala's abdomen with a shoulder-rush, and all in one fluid motion, Vahn reared back and smashed Gala's chest with a palm thrust, causing Gala to go sprawling backwards. However, Vahn continued his assault. With speed seemingly impossible for a human to achieve, Vahn leaped into the air after Gala's flying form. A magnificent golden aura surrounded Vahn's body as he did so. Vahn arced his body backwards. The somersault kick connected with Gala's chin, knocking him straight up, slamming his face against the roof, before he hit the ground, nearly causing him to black out.
Vahn blinked his eyes as he saw the barely conscious Gala on the floor before him, his eyes widening in surprise. What had happened?
(Gala was charging at me...but...what happened after that...?) Vahn wondered in horror as he stared down at Gala's heaving form.
Just then, several Biron monks entered, followed by Zopu.
"What is...!? Vahn, what happened?" Zopu asked sternly, kneeling down to look at Gala's battered body on the ground, examining his injuries.
"We were...sparring..." Vahn answered, still unsure what happened as well.
"Vahn, you don't severely injure someone in a spar. Please be more careful! These injuries look somewhat serious..." Zopu said as he stood up, next to Gala. The monks then picked Gala up and left the room along with Zopu, leaving Vahn alone.
(What was that...? That speed...that light...I never had such a feeling of power before...and what's more...why can't I fully remember it? Why is my memory so foggy of something that just happened?) Vahn shook his head at himself in annoyance as he followed the monks out of the room and into the bedroom, where they laid Gala down on a futon, and began to tend to his injuries. Vahn stood over them as they did so, staring regrettably at the result of his actions, and what they had done to his friend. Nearly half an hour, the monks finished treating Gala's injuries, and Zopu turned to face Vahn.
"Vahn, I don't know what you did to him, but this is force you should use unless your life is in danger! Vahn, if you had hit his neck much harder, his neck could have snapped, and he may have died! Gala will be alright, but he won't heal for several days, even as resiliant as Gala is."
With that, Zopu brushed wordlessly past Vahn, and left the room, as did all the other Biron monks. Vahn walked over to the side of Gala's futon and kneeled next to him, noting that he was thankfully still concious.
"Gala...are you alright?" Vahn asked with concern, wringing his hands in his lap.
"Yes, Vahn. They are overreacting...I'll be fine. But you got a bit carried away, didn't you, Vahn?" Gala answered, rubbing his head ruefully.
Vahn nodded sheepishly. "Sorry...I guess I did..." However, Vahn's voice conveyed doubt. He still had no idea how he had done it, and still was struggling to remember what happened.
Gala seemed to notice his discomfort. "Vahn, get some sleep. It's been a long day for both of us, I'm sure. You are probably still tired from your trip."
"All right, Gala. Take care of yourself..." Vahn said quietly as he walked over to a futon on the other side of the room, and layed down, staring at the ceiling, thoughts still circling in his head. Vahn sighed and rolled over on his side, closing his eyes and giving into his fatigue. Perhaps everything would be all right in the morning...