Once upon a time, there existed a giant tree that was the source of manna.
A war, however, caused this tree to wither away, and a hero's life was sacrificed in order to take its place.
Grieving over the loss, the goddess disappeared unto the heavens.
The goddess left the angels with this edict: "You must wake me, for if I should sleep, the world shall be destroyed."
The angels bore the Chosen One, who headed towards the tower that reached up unto the heavens.
And that marked the beginning of the regeneration of the world.
Hotaru's Point of View -
Hotaru wasn't easily impressed, and the village of Iselia was a small place. It had fewer signs of the manna starvation than other towns, but one could see some if they knew what to look for. Brown edges on a leaf. Dried grass. Even something simple as how hot it was, today of all days.
Well, I guess it's a good thing we came. Maybe we can get some work, after all. She looked over at her long-time mentor and teacher. Kratos was a tall man, with auburn hair that fell over his eyes and stuck out in seemingly random directions. He wore a purple suit and a sword rested on his left hip.
"Are you ready?"
Hotaru rolled her eyes. Asking if she was 'ready' for a job was dumb. "Whenever you are…."
Kratos nodded. "Come. The temple is this way…"
Lloyd's Point of View -
"This guy…. Is really strong."
Lloyd had to admit it, his best friend was right. He hated to acknowledge the strength of his opponents, but this giant of a man was huge… with the power to match. "Damn…." He shook his head. "Come on! We can do this!" He gripped his swords tighter in his hands. He wasn't ready to give up. Not when his life and the lives of his friends were in danger.
"Above you!" A female voice he didn't know yell out.
Too late, he noticed that the enemy's war hammer coming down. "Oh, shi-"
First, something hit his side, knocking him out of the way of the blow. It took about three seconds for Lloyd to realize that a girl was the one responsible. She had basically tackled him to save him. He quickly noticed that she wasn't tall, but she wasn't short, either. Her hair was black while her eye color was pale blue.
"Ah… than-"
The girl didn't seem to have the patience to listen. "If you can't fight, get yourself to safety." Her words were somewhat cold as she turned back to the enemy, where a man was already fighting. The girl drew her sword at her right hip with her left hand. It was then Lloyd noticed another on her back, angled so she could draw it out with her right hand.
The man's sword was miraculously making quick work of the giant's weapons. "Hotaru!" He yelled, barely glancing away.
"I'm on it!" The girl called back, running into the battle without hesitation. She ducked under the giant's left arm as he tried to swing at her before plunging her sword deep into his side.
I'd hate to fight them… Lloyd thought as he watched the man finish off the enemy.
"Damn." Lloyd's attention turned to the desian in charge, who was glaring at the man that helped them out. "I didn't think you'd show up….." He looked at his men before coming to a fast decision. "Retreat for now."
Lloyd went over Colette, who fell during the battle, and helped her up. Genis walked up, a bit shaky. Lloyd looked at the two that saved them.
Hotaru's Point of View -
"Who are you?" The brown-haired boy asked. Hotaru could go far enough to say that he looked annoyed.
I guess he wasn't taught manners. Hotaru thought. "When speaking to someone, it's more polite to introduce yourself before asking another's name."
The boy was about to argue when an elderly woman walked up to her and Kratos. "How can I thank you for saving the Chosen?"
Hotaru quickly drifted from the conversation. She stopped listening when she noticed something different about the silver-haired boy.
He's…. he's a half-elf? She made sure that no one realized she knew this.
I have to talk to this kid later.
Colette's Point of View -
Colette was relived. Relived that they lived through that fight, relived that the mercenaries would be there, but most of all, the presence of Lloyd relieved her the most. She knew that it would only be so much longer before she would have to leave it all behind, so she should enjoy it while it lasts.
Right. This is the first step to saving the world. Colette nodded to herself. I can do this. She looked at the other members of the group. Hotaru, Kratos' apprentice, looked distracted by something. Lloyd seemed to be ignoring Kratos while talking to Genis. Kratos didn't seem to care, though.
It didn't take long for the group to get to the altar. Everyone quickly became quiet when the angel appeared. Everyone but Lloyd, that is.
Lloyd's Point of View -
"What is that?" Lloyd asked, then realized how dumb the question was.
"'That' is an angel, smart one." Hotaru said, apparently annoyed at him for some reason.
"I-I knew that…." Lloyd muttered as Genis shot him a 'shut up already' expression.
The blond angel's wings flapped as he hovered above the altar. "I am Remiel. I am an angel of judgment, sent to guide the Chosen on the Journey of Regeneration."
Colette stepped forward to accept the oracle. The Tower of Salvation appeared. Remiel gave some instructions, and began to fly out.
"Wait, please wait!" Colette called out. "Are you really my fa-"
"I shall wait at the next seal, my beloved daughter Colette."
With that, the angel was gone.
