In a country of roses; where they bloom so brightly,
lives a little girl the age of only eighteen.
When the roses bloom,
she'd stand and watch,
with him right there by her side.
She'd only laugh and smile to him,
for he was there with her.
This little girl; has finally been able to be at his side.
The little princess.
Eighteen-year old Rin Light scurried up the path that led to her house; which was shrouded with a light layer of mist. A brown paper bag filled with groceries were hugged in her arms; a black shadow bird with flowing plumage and glowing yellow eyes flying after her. "Hey, Veidath!" Rin called up to the bird. "Are you hungry? Brayden said that he'd make pizza today, aren't you excited?"
Veidath; a creature that was summoned by Rin three years ago replied with a shrill cry. Rin never stopped smiling; after Brayden was released from the hospital a few months ago, she always smiled, and laughed constantly. Why? Because Brayden was right there by her side. She slowed to a walk as she reached the door; opening it and peering inside. "Brayden! I'm back!" Veidath's chirp echoed through the house as it perched on her shoulder. Slipping her shoes off, she closed the door and went to the kitchen. Putting the groceries on the counter, she went to the living room; where Brayden was sleeping on the couch.
Brayden's parents were divorced, and they were both far too busy to return to the little house that wasn't too far from Rin's house. Rin let Brayden stay at her house; since her mother and father were always so busy with Pandora meetings. Dropping to the carpeted floor in front of the couch, Rin poked Brayden's forehead. Mumbling; he shifted in his sleep. Rin looked at the bird on her shoulder. She nodded to it. Veidath hobbled down her arm and fluttered over to Brayden's ear. Letting out a loud caw, Brayden jolted awake. "W-What…?" He muttered; half asleep.
Rin laughed. "You fell asleep. ~ Veidath decided to wake you up. I came back from the store; shall we make dinner? ~"
Brayden chuckled, and sat up. "Yeah. School is starting in a week, right? Are you ready to go to university?"
Rin nodded; as she led the way to the kitchen. "Yep! I'm really glad that we're going to the same university. You worked really hard to make up your absence at school, and you graduated with the class! I'm proud of Brayden. ~ Nanirine and Veidath are proud too."
"Thanks Rin. I'm ready for university; it'll be great."
"Brayden, you should make a Contract with a Chain!" Rin said unexpectedly while they ate dinner.
"Eh? A Chain?"
"Uh-huh! Mama's friends at Pandora gave her an extra Blood-Sealing Mirror, and with that, you can have a Chain! I can summon one, if you want."
"I don't I can handle being a Contractor yet." Brayden said; finishing his dinner.
"I think you can. ~ Brayden is a strong person." Rin said with a smile; finishing her dinner and carrying her plate to the sink in the kitchen. "A Chain that can soothe pain, perhaps. What do you think?"
"I-I'm not sure."
"Please? It'll be great! I'll summon one now!" Grabbing his hand, Rin rushed outside; where she immediately cut open her thumb. Letting the blood dribble from the cut, she drew the magic circle. "Achyth yrath chreth, muith Iauth lyegaroth!" She chanted the incantation; arm extended and palm down, as shining light billowed out from the circle. Rin winced as she felt pain shoot up her arm. "Tch…normally Chains are easy to pull from the Abyss…" Rin hissed.
Brayden watched the young summoner bite her lip as she took a deep breath. "Rin, you'll hurt yourself!"
"I'm fine! I won't give up!" She answered without looking back. A stronger incantation maybe? The one I used before to summon Veidath all those years ago wasn't exactly the strongest in the book… "Iscida sicocaq resodeni axerul, vidiropi noamo!" She called, her dark blue eyes filled with determination. The light shone brighter. More light flickered out from the magic circle; as another jolt of pain was sent through her arm. Shoot! An even stronger incantation perhaps? What the hell am I pulling from the Abyss; something like one of Glen Baskerville's original five Chains? "Kuh…one more time, and I should be able to summon it! Iscida sicocaq resodeni axerul, vidiropi noamo!" A blast of white light shot out from the magic circle. When it faded; a giant two-headed adder was coiled in the center of where the magic circle has been. One head had glowing yellow eyes and two small, gleaming fangs protruding from its upper jaw. The other head had gleaming green eyes and two small, gleaming fangs protruding from its lower jaw.
Brayden stared at the Chain that Rin had summoned. It stared back at him with two pairs of unwavering eyes. A forked tongue slithered out from one of the heads' mouths as it slowly uncoiled itself; heads down. Arcane. That was the name that floated in to Rin's mind. "Arcane." She whispered softly. The adder Chain swiveled its heads towards her; as she backed up to stand in front of Brayden; her dark blue eyes narrowed. "Arcane." She repeated.
Rin felt Nanirine stirring from her sleep. Nanirine was a phoenix; a creature known for its powerful resurrection skills. Arcane was an adder; a creature known for healing. Perfect; a healing Chain for Brayden. "Arcane, I summoned you from the Abyss." She stated. She let out a sharp, shrill whistle. Veidath escaped from the open door at her call, and landed on her shoulder. "Veidath, go and fetch Mama's extra Blood-Sealing Mirror." She murmured to the shadow bird. Fluttering its wings, it took off back to the house. Arcane slithered towards the little girl; flickering both of its tongues.
"I summoned you from the Abyss, Arcane. Please listen to my request." Rin said. Arcane stopped and stared at the little girl with glowing eyes. Veidath returned; the shiny surface of the mirror catching in the light as it hung from the shadow bird's long beak from a golden chain. Veidath dropped it in to the palm of her hand and perched on her shoulder. She held up the Blood-Sealing Mirror. "Please make a Contract with Brayden. He was very sick before, and I'm worried that he'll fall to his sickness again! So please, Arcane, become his Chain; and lend him your healing power."
I sense….Nanirine…A hissing sound echoed in her head. It was a sharp voice, yet dull. Loud, yet quiet. Her head began to throb; as she winced. "It hurts. Your voice is hurting my head."
Send Nanirine out. Send Nanirine out…Brayden noticed that she was clutching herself with crossed arms; shuddering. "Didn't you hear me, Arcane? Your voice is hurting my head! Make a decision; please make a Contract with Brayden!" Nanirine was stirring again. A pulse of energy coursed through her; as Nanirine woke up. Rin sighed, as black energy blossomed from her body. "You've woken up Nanirine now. So now, please answer."
Arcane stared at them; flickering out its twin forked tongues as it slithered closer to them. "Rin, it's fine. I don't need to make a Contract, don't push yourself to persuade Arcane!" Brayden pleaded softly to her.
"No!" She said stubbornly. "I summoned this Chain especially for you; I want you to be healthy and live long!" She glared up at the two-headed adder with dark blue eyes. "Make your choice now! If you don't wish to form a Contract, then I will send you back to the Abyss!"
Arcane tilted its left head to the side slightly. Very well. Rin's eyes lit up; despite the pain that shot through her head from Arcane's whispering voice.
•
The Contract was complete. The Blood-Sealing Mirror hung around Brayden's neck from a golden chain. "It's done. The Contract has been completed." Rin smiled.
Brayden returned her smile. "Thanks Rin. Thanks for summoning Arcane for me."
Rin grinned cheerfully, and gently touched her hand to his face. "I love Brayden the most! Brayden is my most precious person, and he was the one who stayed by my side! If it means protecting Brayden, then I will do anything!"
Brayden rested his hand on her head. "I know. I treasure Rin the most as well."
In a country of roses; where they bloom so brightly,
lives a little girl the age of only eighteen.
When the roses bloom,
she'd laugh and dance in the sun,
with him right there with her.
She'd treasure the days,
for he was at her side.
This little girl; is finally with him.
The little princess.
A/N:Okay, finally done! :D This was the proper ending to Country of Roses. If you want a more sad ending, there is an alternate ending. Anyway, Brayden, you should be at school; but don't be away too often, okay? After that little reunion a while ago, I haven't seen you around too often, but I hope you're doing well. ^^
