A/N: Well here it is finally. Sorry to keep you waiting, though please don't expect regular updates as I am still writing much of the story. This is just to tide you over and reassure you that I am still writing. This one has been hard to write, trying to figure where this story goes and how to put it all together. Well enough of me blabbing. Please enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Strawberry Panic or MSGM. They belong to their respective owners. All I own is the story line.
MYHICAL FEW 3: REBIRTH
Prologue
It has been a matter of weeks since I had come to the Isle. Such a short time and everything has changed, both personally and universally. I am no longer who I was, let alone what. From human I came to what I am today. I have been asked if I would choose it all over again and I reply the same way all the time. 'For Her I would do anything.' As I stand on the highest point overlooking the vastness before me, I see the change that is befalling here. I remember from my first brief visit, that all was serene and normal in its everyday tranquillity. How quickly that disappeared. On a new dawn, came forth the darkness of war with the evil of souls as its soldiers. Yet I have seen the best of souls rise to the challenge of defending their homes and family. Quick skirmishes and brief attacks have engaged us and each time we have succeeded in pushing them back. We are holding. For now.
I may sound selfish when I say that this matters least to me. I will defend and fight if I must, but my heart and goals lie beyond this battlefield now. I may not know where but I know that out there is the bravest and strongest person I have ever known. I hope…no…I believe with all my heart that She is still alive and like us fighting to be free. I wish to be by her side once more, to see her smile, hear her laugh and to feel her warmth. I felt complete for such a short time; loving and being loved so completely, that it feels like a dream. My only consolations is when I look in a mirror and see my changed form and until I do it doesn't feel real in the least.
It is not only me that feels Her absence keenly. Her family are searching when they can, her brother even more so and I go with him. Together we search, past places of previous keep and even in the most unlikely of places. No luck seems to come our way. Yet never do we give up. I have learnt from him, as well as others, how to control my new gifts both in and out of battle. I don't enjoy it when I fight and use them, I guess not many do. However if I am to be of any help I will do what I must. I have my new sibling to guide me; my new family will stand by me. For that I am thankful.
Family aren't the only ones who stand firm beside me. I know that friends of ours that still lodge at the school want to be a part of this. Their friendship and care reach me even here. My oldest and dearest friend left to give them news a few days after my bonding, no words of hope did she take back just the reassurance that all was well and events were set in motion. My brother travels the human world more than I, bringing me news of what the Few are up to and how badly they are suffering with the darkness. Squads are stretched thin, barely keeping our secret under wraps. Even I have heard that the youngest of the Few are being targeted. Such innocence they steal away.
My new family and the Council too, have warned that Astraea will be targeted soon. We had stood firm against the darkness, winning a few battles of our own signalling our disapproval of this war. The more I think about it, the more it looks like their tying up loose ends and leaving no room or love left for Her to come back to. I wonder where my friends will go. I know that two of my newest friends have left Astraea to continue fighting with their own, much to the dismay of their families. Friendship is a powerful thing to behold.
We stand firm against the rising darkness. We will not bow nor will we run. The light will shine even stronger, more brightly than before covering both realms in its splendour. My lost love, hidden from my sight I will find and nothing can stand in my way when I do. Alone I can never be. Someone is always by my side, whether in spirit or flesh. The journey for our lives, our freedom, our home but more so our love, has begun.
Two loud knocks broke the quiet and sleep filled room. Under the sheets a figure moved, somewhat slowly, but it moved. The door clicked open and moved inward just a fraction, not enough to see inside but wide enough for sound to penetrate.
"It's morning. I'll be waiting by the portal sister." A soft male voice said as he then shut the door closed
The shuffling and movement became more apparent as the once asleep figure, was trying to get up and out of their comfy setting. Finally after untangling themselves from the sheets, with sleep filled eyes they tottered over to another door, where when opened revealed a simple but elegant bathroom. After a while out walked a much awake and sombre person heading straight towards the wardrobe where they put on a simple black t-shirt, black jeans with some military style boots to finish it off. A grey jacket was then draped over a chair ready to be worn when needed. In front of a mirror they sat trying to tame their hair as well as it could be. Silver hair that hung to the waist was being combed in a rhythmic motion and amongst the vast silver there was a red streak of hair from tip to end, quite distinct and unusual so that when the young woman tied her hair up it was plain to see.
Yellow gold flecked eyes stared at her reflection; a glazed look took over them whilst she sat there in contemplation. Her mind was a whirl of different things, places, past and future. The similarity between her thoughts was easy to see. It was of a red head with red gold flecked eyes and a huge smile adorning her cute face. Her mind recalled their days of peace, their schooling days, bringing a small smile to her own face, even though it held more sadness than joy. As it always did her thoughts became darker and filled with pain, her heart ached with grief and worry overshadowing the smallest hope she still clutched tight. Shaking her head to stop herself from becoming depressed, she finished with getting herself ready as she shook her jacket on and walk out of her room.
The young woman dodged a horde of small people as soon as she stepped out the door. Rolling her eyes a little at the rushed attitude she dodged and weaved past them, heading towards the portal where her brother was waiting. Her feet knew the way as her eyes scanned the corridors. Apart from the dwarves that lived there, there were the new recent additions; all of whom were rushing along the narrow corridors in all directions. Some were loaded down with weapons; others had other items ranging from bandages to food as they transported it from one place to another. The one thing that stood out to her was the lack of happiness in the air as smiles and laughter was missing. The air was thick with tension and suspense. They were all waiting. Waiting for the sound of anything but the silence; this had struck their homes and chilled the air. All of them were watching the horizon for the incoming shadows of darkness to strike, which had appeared but a few days before. Black heavy clouds signalled their approach, with lightning heralding their way. The far villages who had to abandon their homes to seek shelter and protection could only guess as to the true size of what was to come. It was the end. To what end they had yet to find out.
The young woman soon arrived at her destination, which was a small circular room filled with a pale blue light. Runes were etched in silver on the walls, as they were drawn as waves flowing in a never-ending river. Yellow eyes flecked with gold were drawn to the only other occupant in the room. A young man with red spiked hair and when he turned to face her, his red gold flecked eyes shined with warmth that she had to come to cherish from her brother. He walked over as she met him in the middle.
"Ready to go Shizuma?" he asked
"Yes. Where are we headed?" Shizuma asked
"A forgotten place, just as before. It might lead us somewhere."
"Then let's get going shall we Kei? The sooner we do the sooner we get my little fireball back." Shizuma tried to sound upbeat
The two stood directly in the centre of the room, Kei started to hum a simple verse repeating it once it was done. The pale light glowed brighter and brighter as the two figures were swallowed whole within it. With a final burst of bright light the room thrummed in response. Then as quickly as the light came it suddenly went out. Softly the lights came back on resuming their pale colour. The room was empty. The two had simply vanished. A single dwarf came in dressed in a green tunic, leather pants and thick soled boots, puffing on a worn pipe; his eyes scanned the now empty room where they became a little sentimental. Shaking his long haired head slightly, to stop unwanted memories taking over, he tapped the lip of his pipe gently against his forehead in deep thought. Before promptly shoving the well-worn pipe back in his mouth where he presently started to puff on it once more. Turning to leave the empty room he took one last look over his shoulder, his deep set eyes hiding the small pain he tried to conceal.
"Bring that gal back home where she belongs" he whispered earnestly before he slowly walked out to the mad scramble of his once peaceful home.
