Drakengard: Imbroglio

Disclaimer: Again, I don't own the wonderful idea that is Drakengard/ Drag on Dragoon. It belongs to Cavia and Square Enix. That being said, enjoy the story!

Note: Huzzah! First verse, complete! I hope that people reading this story are enjoying it so far. Last night though I just could get my hands off the keyboard! Writing is a dangerous thing, lol. Please feel free to let me know what you think about it!

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Verse I: Guardian

Angelus. The name still rang in his ears, circling his mind and engraving itself there, scalding him like the very runes that had burned themselves into the scarlet hide of his dear friend--a dragon that had become a very part of his soul. He could still hear her strange sibilant hiss, low and rough as she spoke to him, divulging her name, entrusting him with that little sliver of dear information. He could still see her, bright and clear in his mind's eye, as she reared her majestic head high, disappearing before him, gone. Forever…

Angelus! The name died on his lips as he jerked awake, staring up at a high set, wooden ceiling, his ocean eyes jerkily searching the room for enemies. There was nothing…well, nothing saved for the bed he lay in and a stool which carefully balanced a basin full of water. There was a window to his far left, left open to allow a cool breeze. Warm sunlight spilt in, illuminating the cold, stone walls that surrounded him. Frowning, he shook his head, trying to clear out the muggy haze that settled over his brain. He remembered Angelus, and the old bastard who performed the sealing ceremony. And then…there was this strange Union soldier and his men, after that, well…it was a little fuzzy. He had blacked out. For how long…? Frustrated, Caim rubbed at his face with calloused hands, feeling moister against his cheeks. Puzzled, he pulled his hands away, looking down at them. Was it sweat? No, it was tears. When had he been crying…?

Angelus. She was the only creature he had ever shed tears for. Would she always bring about these strange tears? Would the very thought of his crimson dragon echo in his now empty soul? Angry, he pounded a fist into the bed. It creaked unhappily under him. 'Dammit all…' he shouted mentally, hoping to all Holy beings above that his voice could reach her. He hadn't gotten the chance to yell at her enough! 'Why did you do it, you stupid lizard? Why did you leave?' There was no response, as he had half expected. He punched the mattress a second time, letting it know his might and fury…but it was a resilient little thing and it had him exhausting what strands of energy he had left. The door creaked open slowly, and the warrior looked around, searching for his sword. It was not there. In fact, his armor and clothes were missing too--he wore a light, loose tunic and pants, not his own that was for sure. So, unarmed and unprotected, all he could do was sneer at the opening door and face whatever danger came at him. Oh, he would just clobber the stranger to death with his fist! That was a good idea! That'll show the--

A pair of wide, green eyes peered out from behind the thick wooden door, blond hair swaying lightly as he slowly came out of his hiding spot. Caim's anger quickly turned to confusion. Seere? What was the child doing there…? Wherever 'there' was… "Caim, thank goodness you're awake," the little child said, ever the eloquent speaker. He walked into the room and shut the door behind him, giving Caim an eager and happy smile, "I was starting to think you'd never wake up. You slept for a long time."

Caim grimaced. A long time? How long was that?

As if sensing Caim's confusion the little child smiled some more, talking a few more steps and letting his hands rest at the foot of the bed. "You've been asleep for a whole four days now. Everyone was very worried--" Everyone? "--but Hierarch Verdelet told us not to worry, so we just let you rest."

Caim looked around again, frowning. 'Where the hell is this place…?'

"We're a long way from home…" the blond said, carefully reading Caim's expressions. He had traveled with the man for a short amount of time, but it was just enough for him to catch on. Still, it would be world's tougher to understand his mood without the red dragon acting as a translator for him and his other companions. The silent man looked at Seere, as if urging him to continue, and the blond smiled at his own, personal little victory. He had hit the nail on the head, "We traveled all the way out to another country. This place was ravaged by the Empire, too, but it looks the most promising. Hierarch Verdelet says he's going to establish a Shrine here. They're going to build a magnificent shrine, for the Seals, for the Goddess Seal more specifically." The very mention of the Goddess made Caim flinch, the frown growing. Seere watched him closely for a moment before turning and walking back towards the door, his blond hair swaying with each energetic step--how enviable to be a child. The horrors of war had yet to truly strike the child…the burdens had yet to lean full weight against him. "I'll let you rest now, Caim," the child snapped him out of his reverie, standing behind the door now, "I'll return later with some food. The hierarch will want to speak with you shortly." And with that the door shut quietly behind the lad, leaving Caim alone.

Which was just fine with him. It was how he preferred it.

For a while he entertained the thought of running out of the room and leaving the strange place behind, but it was a half hearted and foolish thought. Stripped of his weapon and armor there was very little chance of him getting far, and he rather doubted that he had energy in him enough to pound all of his would-be pursuers into submission. He was, at much as it pained him to admit, stuck there--stuck in some place he sure as hell knew nothing about. Outside, the sounds of men shouting could be heard and, curious, Caim walked over and peered out, surprised to see how high up he was. Down below the men looked so small, all hauling off piles of broken rubble and clearing off what must've been an impressive stone walkway below. The walkway stretched out to a surprisingly still intact wall--granted it was scorched, but it surrounded the whole complex. It must've been some kind of palace before the Empire's attack, but the stones were blackened, charred and threatening to fall should the wind blow hard enough. Caim rolled his eyes, sighing as he pulled away. 'Good luck turning this place into a shrine.' he thought bitterly, stumbling back to the bed and sinking down on it. Already the boredom was getting to him, and he had just woken up. This was not proving to be a good thing. He almost missed those disgusting Imperial vermin. Keyword: almost.

It wasn't long before Seere returned to the room, carefully balancing a large plate of food and a cup filled to the rim with water. He had spilt some of the water, but heck, Caim wasn't complaining. The food, for being left-over's, were actually rather good. Much to his chagrin the child remained by his side, watching him eat with eyes that were so intense and curious that he was momentarily reminded of his deceased sister, the former Goddess, Furiae. However, when he looked up to meet the child's gaze he saw those emerald eyes as ruby, and that smile had twisted into something evil, something unholy… When the blond had broken him out of his reverie he had looked away quickly, gritting his teeth as he struggled to regain his composure. The child, being what he was, did not quite understand the man's struggle, but he had a slight inkling that the man needed to be left alone again. Seere's coming and going had become a recurring event throughout the day--so much, in fact, that Caim had stopped looking up from the mattress whenever the door would creek open. One visit, though, the voice he heard did not come from the little boy.

"It's good to see you're awake, Lord Caim," it was a man's voice, deep and strong. Caim lifted his head, obviously confused by the sight of the man who stood at the threshold. It was the same soldier he had seen shortly after Angelus' sealing. He was smiling that same smile he had seen on his face--that same reassuring expression that simply didn't cut it for Caim. Still, the silent man sat up and nodded his head in acknowledgement, keeping a wary eye on him, "I heard from your little friend that you woke up today. How do you feel?"

Caim just gave him a narrow eyed glare. One that simply read: Do you really want me to answer that?

This made the man laugh, "Not good, huh? Well that's to be expected. Still, glad to have you back among the conscious and living," he bowed his head respectfully, "My name is Oror, a soldier of the Union like yourself. At your service, sir," he straightened and his smile softened, turning apologetic, "The Hierarch wishes to speak with you. He is down in the main foyer with the other Generals."

Caim just rose an eyebrow. And…?

"He'll discuss matters with you down there." Oror replied.

The silent hero just shrugged, forcing himself out of bed. Anything was better than being cooped up in a small tower, even listening to that old bag lecture on about things that had nothing to do with him. Oh, how he would love to give that man an earful had he the voice to spare. 'Listen: the world is saved, you useless old man. Get off your alter and stop preaching, least I practice my swordsmanship on you. I don't want to get rusty.' He was already preparing a speech for the man (mentally), and he was so into it and the daydream that followed that he did not notice he was down in the foyer until his bare feet touched the cold marble floor below. Surprised, he looked up, ignoring the stares of all the men that now watched him. Already the interior was showing much promise--most of it had been spared from the horrors of the Imperial Army's raids. It's walls were set high and cold stone painted white, high-set windows lining the walls to give the room a welcoming glow. Many of the windows, though, were broken in and patches of paint had cracked off from a rather rough attack. As his eyes skimmed around he caught sight of the Hierarch watching him with those disturbingly pale eyes. He sneered a little and forced himself to continue forward, stopping when he was within an arms length of the old fool.

The Hierarch began to speak, and already his gravely voice was giving him goosebumps--like the time Furiae had run her nails across a pane of glass just to see his reaction. At least he never had any sudden urges to punch his sister. "Caim, my boy, it's good to see you--" 'Yeah, yeah. Good to see you awake. Everyone has said it enough. Move along.' Caim rolled his eyes, zoning out for the first few minutes before tuning the old man in again. Apparently, he hadn't missed out a lot. Damn. "I know that you are far from the sanctuary you had once called Home, but I believe that this place will not take too long to grow accustomed to. This place, will be a shrine for the Goddess, the birthplace of the Knights of the Seal."

Yeah, that's great. Wait…the what? Confusion was written clear across the man's face. It made Oror smile and a few men chuckle. Obviously he did not do a good job disguising his inability to care.

Verdelet waited for them to fall silent before explaining, "The Knights of the Seal, it was an idea that Oror himself came up with. Our remaining forces shall now dedicate their lives to maintaining the order of this world. We shall do whatever it takes to keep the remnants of the Empire out of power--anything to prevent another catastrophe."

"The Knights shall return peace to this war-torn nation," Oror said, now standing beside Caim, "We'll help to rebuild towns, and most importantly we will protect all of the seals. This ideal is not mine alone, it is shared by all the men here," he motioned to them all, stopping at a man with dark hair and armor, his gaze far colder than Caim's own, "Lieutenant Gismor over there believes in this ideal just as strongly as I do. Isn't that right, Gismor?"

The dark haired man just lifted his chin, looking down at Oror in a way that almost made Caim feel sorry for the other man. "Hn." he said, and he turned to walk out though the impressively large double doors. What was with that guy?

As if sensing the silent question, the other soldier replied, "Gismor is, to put it bluntly, a bit of a curt fellow," he explained, offering Caim another one of those smiles, "That's nothing you don't expect, I'm sure." The silent man just shrugged, reluctantly turning his attention back to Verdelet, as if hoping the old man would just call it a day and dismiss them. He was probably hoping for too much…

"There are still many matters to solve," the old man murmured, voice echoing in the cavernous room, "The Cult of the Watchers aside, we must restore the other seals."

"These things take time, Hierarch," Oror chided, folding his arms over his chest, "We may not find guardians for the new seals for some time, but don't worry, we'll find them nonetheless. Worthy people will make themselves known."

"Yes…" Verdelet's reply was a weary one. He sighed and turned his attention back to Caim, "Caim, I must ask you: will you stay with us…?"

Stay? Caim made a face, already turning to walk (bare footed and all) out those large double doors. He reached out to push the doors aside when the old man spoke again, voice louder this time.

"You will see her again, Caim," Caim knew very well which 'her' he was speaking of. Well, it certainly did stall him for a grand total of three seconds. It was all the time that Verdelet needed to continue explaining, "If you stay with us, then you will see her again. We need your strength. Please, Caim."

The man turned quickly on his heels, shooting the hierarch an angry glare, his ocean eyes intense and dark. 'This'd better not be a lie.' he mentally snarled, reluctantly stepping away from the door. Verdelet took this as a sign of agreement and he clasped his gnarled hands together joyfully.

"You will stay? Wonderful, Caim!" the old man cheered. The surrounding soldiers, too, looked pleased with such a powerful addition. Oror looked pleased too.

"Sounds good," he turned to the hierarch, smiling, "It looks like we have our first guardian in the Knights."

Caim made a face, brows furrowing in confusion. 'Guardian?'

Verdelet nodded in agreement, pale eyes still on Caim, "Indeed. Caim is the guardian of the Goddess Seal."

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