Vandread – Deus Marchen
Disclaimer: Breath of Fire IV and Vandread belongs to their respective owners. The original character that may appear here belongs to me obviously.
Note: Before we begin, I noted that some may have not known Breath of Fire. It's a game series that's about a character having a blood of the Dragon race. Breath of Fire IV focuses on Ryu and his journey. Fou-Lu is from the game and his appearance here is based on the good ending of the game. (That's for those who played it.) Anyways, if you haven't encountered this game, it won't matter. Vandread is at emphasis here (hope it works right)
Here's chapter 2
Evocation
The alarm pierced the silence. Misty turned around, wondering what was going on. Fou-Lu, on the other hand, remained calm upon knowing the nature of the situation. Seeing her being startled at the sound of the alarm, he approached the young lady and asked.
"Remain here. I will converse with the captain." Fou-Lu said to her as he then sauntered out of the garden.
Replying with a nod, Misty remained as she watched the silver-haired youth depart. A question entered her mind regarding this man. "What is he? I can understand him easily without noticing his words. I don't get it."
Fou-Lu walked past the girls rushing to their places. And among those who pass by, he collided with an unsuspecting crew member. He was unfazed by the impact but the girl fell back to the floor. In an act that denoted to the few as a trace of kindness, he reached his hand to her, attempting to help her stand. She clasped his hand and stood, giving a bow as soon as she pardoned.
"I'm sorry." the girl said to him.
"Can thou take me to thy captain?" Fou-Lu asked her, his tone partially leaned to a lighter sense.
"Sure, right this way." Attending to his request, she went ahead. Fou-Lu followed her upon a series of corridors as they pass by the crew rushing to work.
The hangar quickly sent its crew to its work. The pilots inside their Dreads readied themselves as one by one they dispatched. Hibiki rushed to the Vanguard, ascending the steps of steel and reached the cockpit of the machine. Hopping into the cockpit, he prepared the weapon as his hands manipulated the panels and switches as it began to start up. A smirk ran upon his face as his hands itched for this.
"This is going to be fun." He said to himself as he launched.
Rushing into the star-filled darkness, a blue Dread trailed behind him as it then made its action. The skirmish already beginning, the Dread made its strange movements as its shape altered as the Vanguard closed in and merged. From the light that surrounded it emerged a blue mech that was its product, a Vandread.
The screen displayed the details of the battle, every perspective captured for the captain to assess. The door slid open as Fou-Lu sauntered on his way to the room; the image of the battle displayed on the screen welcomed him. He winced as his eyes wandered at each scene displayed. Voices of the staff on the panels are heard, data being reported to the captain and vice captain. Fou-Lu smirked as he watched each battle on its own.
"To fight in a reason hidden within," Fou-Lu contemplated in a whisper as he gazed at the footage where the crimson Dread fired its shots upon a number of cube shaped vessels. Exchanging shots with each other, another Dread trailing the red ship fired in support as it destroyed the others.
"To fare the grim fate in its hold," he then gazed at the next image. The silver Dread with its squadron took respective formations as they engaged at the foes, spreading out and firing their shots without giving its chance of counterattack. Yet as the explosion flashed upon the enemy's destruction, from behind emerged another group of the cube shaped vessels, firing another wave of its weapons once more.
"Yet the tides have not changed, desperation falls into motive of survival." Fou-Lu smirked as the image of the blue Vandread came to his sight. The incoming spiked sphere vessels charged forth at it. The cannons mounted on its back unfolded and channeled its energy upon it. Soon after, it unleashed its shot upon the target and destroying at least one in the process.
B.C. turned around, hearing the soliloquy of the 'visitor'. A smirk ran upon her face as she gazed at the pair of purple eyes with a strange flicker. Fou-Lu made this thing pass as he sauntered to the side of Magno and stared at the outlay of the battle.
"Why art thou fighting this seemingly endless conflict?" Fou-Lu asked with a tone seeping into curiosity. His eyes remained on the images of the battle, then turning his sight to Magno and B.C.
"Give respect to the captain." B.C. quickly recoiled as she took this comment as an insult. Magno raised her hand to restrain the action, B.C. following and brought hand to return to her side.
"This battle is not about the desire to enjoy destroying or fighting." Magno replied. "It is for our survival. We fought to live and protect ourselves as we travel."
"A nature that has not changed among mortals," Fou-Lu whispered. "But has this war fared well to any kingdom involved?"
"I believe it's still inconclusive. If the two planets would impart their action to this, it's their own problem for now."
"Corsairs as thou art in nature, thou possessed thy own law." The silver-haired youth winced in this thought. Yet strangely, a prompting imparted its words.
"Art thou satisfied at our existence, Fou-Lu, that we Endless art brought here?"
Fou-Lu closed his eyes as he remained silent, keeping the matter to himself.
"Well, that's the last of them." Hibiki chirped with a cocky tone.
"Yay, Mr. Alien." The young girl with long auburn hair cheered with her childlike energy. As she was seated in the cockpit with Hibiki behind him, she gazed at the display as they watched the empty space.
The screen suddenly opened, Meia's image displayed through the line.
"Are you two alright?" Meia inquired.
"Yeah, it's all good here." Hibiki answered.
On the other hand, something amiss stirred one's senses as the battle may not fare to be over.
Fou-Lu felt his body slightly recoil in its frigid sensation. In a calm manner, he opened his eyes yet what welcomed him is not the same image of the bridge. Seeing the black space dotted with the stars, he took sight of an incoming object. It was just on that moment that he noted its shape.
He blinked on that moment, his vision reverting to the sight of the ship's bridge. The voice once more spoke.
"This is a path where doth our will danced. If we Endless shalt take action, know that another shalt bear burden of this." A different voice spoke, much still yet imposing the same dominance.
Without any hesitation, he spoke.
"The battle is far from over." Fou-Lu stated, putting the rest of the crew to gaze at him. His voice has caught everyone's attention, including the captain Magno and B.C.
"What do you mean?" B.C. inquired as she noticed the eyes of Fou-Lu shifting its color from its purple shade to a luminescent green.
"Tell thy fighters this. Another enemy approaches. Keep their guards raised and ready them for the next wave." Fou-Lu answered as he retained his gaze at the screen.
"Stagehands, let's go there." The gruff yet warming voice of Gascogne echoed, signaling the rest of the girls with her to their stations.
Each of them scrambled to their areas, carrying ammunitions to the supply ships. As they readied themselves, now prepared to launch, Gascogne winced at the command as the hangar door opened.
"Well, that's what the captain said." She smirked as her ship launched.
The ships proceeded to the squadron of Dreads, sending in their supplies as it was received accordingly.
Fou-Lu stood quietly as he closed his eyes once more. As darkness seeps to his sight, he made his heart still to focus in discerning what else wandered within him. The only thing that surrounded him now at this moment was no longer the bridge as his mind have impressed but a rather familiar place to him.
This place was a hall; a broken part of a certain palace which only the skies of black dotted with the stars surrounded him. The pillars that stood on his side and around this zone were in irregularity, differing in length and at most of these pillars are broken. The circle in the center glowed with its inscribed characters, said to be glyphs of the realm. Fou-Lu noted that not only he stood within its place. There were others that stood around him, finding himself to be in the center of this assembly.
"Hath thou made thy decision in this matter with the mortals?" The voice of a cloaked figure among the seven who surrounded him asked, his voice heard from the center of the group in a still yet masculine tone.
"Or once more, thou hath only to watch the suffering and lose the opportunity of setting motion to changes in this world?" A cold yet feminine voice echoed with another question.
"Let mine voice be heard foremost." Fou-Lu motioned to them. "One within thy council hath brought foresight upon mine eyes. Yorae, enlighten my query for I knew one of thee hath done this."
Silence took over this moment upon imparting this comment. He knew that this was done without him knowing who did. The earlier motion of sensing the enemy coming close was done not be him, but by someone or something. Fou-Lu kept his silence as he patiently waited for their answer.
"'Tis I who imparted foresight upon thee," A voice of masculine tone and a calm manner replied. "I, P'ung Ryong of the Sky, took this action for thou to take thy matter into aiding them. Hear me and mine words; I motion thee to aid the humans. This chaos ensues to long for an end. Though taken without reason, summoned without cause, 'tis but plausible to aid them in this dire need."
"I agree to P'ung Ryong." Said another voice with a mingling tune of both sides male and female. "I, Su Ryong of the Woods, sympathize and thus wished to take part."
"Then so be it." Fou-Lu calmly acknowledged. "But to what motion shalt thou bring this action that thou taketh bear, Sky Dragon, Tree Dragon? And thou and I are banished, shalt this break the seal upon mine behalf?"
"'tis meant to bear working." P'ung Ryong answered. "If thou art split asunder once again, there be but a reason to such. Either way, this half must aid thee."
"Leave this matter upon us, Yorae." Su Ryong consoled. "We shall impart the will of that to the other half."
Fou-Lu closed his eyes as he finished this matter. Opening them once more, he found himself back on the bridge again.
The core room of the ship was surrounded with the bright light of the core. A lady with a yellow jumpsuit and wearing a pair of spectacles carried her data pad as she observed the core. It shone strangely, as if taking reaction to a certain thing. The glowing aura surrounding the white core gave its azure aura for that moment.
"Wha…?! The Paeksys Plagma, it's flashing strangely." She commented. "But what is it?"
A white navibot hovered beside the lady. As the Paeksys resonated with a blue glow, it caused the navibot to fluctuate in reaction. She watched the machine's screen display change to static as it began to speak. She was both surprised and worried, the latter much dominant.
"Pyoro, what's wrong?" the lady inquired.
"…He's here….He sensed my will…" Pyoro's voice answered, yet the speaker itself was the Paeksys.
Puzzled, she just watched as she tried to see what would happen next.
Fou-Lu felt his senses tingle as he gazed at the scene outside, the battle about to take place. The screen opened once more as another transmission made its report. B.C. received it as she opened it. The display took another window as it displayed the lady with her glasses in the core room.
"B.C., we have a situation here." The lady began upon the transmission.
"What is it?" the vice captain asked.
"The Paeksys started to react. Pyoro started to speak about something being here. And the Paeksys itself began to emit a blue light."
B.C. turned to Fou-Lu, noticing the reaction he's displaying. "We'll try to see what this means Parfet."
"Roger that."
The display closed off after this. B.C. observed the silver-haired one as she wondered what this could mean. This remained a question to the rest of them.
The strange objects appeared before the whole squad, counting three of these in number. Its shape differed from the earlier ones, its size comparable as it was twice larger than their Dreads. Its cone shape with its protrusions and its schemed color of crimson and yellow, it was clear that it may be another enemy. Without any warning, it projected beams of light from the protrusions as it rushed at the squadron.
The silver Dread evaded, passing by the barrage of beams aimed at it. Meia locked her sights at the enemy as she opened fire. The squad behind her dispersed with their maneuvers as they did the same thing. The cone-shaped object created a barrier in a counter measure, blocking their shots indefinitely.
"Our attacks are impervious thanks to its barrier. What could hit this thing?" Meia whispered to herself, pondering about the enemy's weakness.
The blue Vandread evaded the shots nimbly as the object made its attack. Folding out its cannons, Hibiki and Dita readied themselves as they retained their aim.
"You're going down!" Hibiki yelled as the whirring sound of the energy was dominant, letting the energy shot out soon after.
The two beams were set out, speeding towards the cone shaped vessel in its lethal velocity. Once more, the barrier projected itself upon the vessel and dispersed the attack. This brought a shock to many of them, Dita and Hibiki in particular.
"No way…" Dita remarked, shocked upon the sight.
"It blocked off the attack." Hibiki grimaced. "Darn, what now?"
The blue Vanguard began its glow as Dita and Hibiki disbanded from the fusion.
"Hey, Mr. Alien, where are you going?" Dita asked.
"I have to find out its weakness!" The spirited youth replied as he charged in against the enemy.
Without any hindrance, the cone shaped objects began their barrage without any halt. The Dreads and the Vanguard dispersed from their formations, avoiding being hit. But it was heading for the ship Nirvana without knowing. Time was without any moment to spare as Hibiki had no choice.
"Jura, get ready." Hibiki yelled through the comm.
The red Dread fused with the Vanguard, a similar fashion to the earlier fusion with the blue Dread. This time, the red one took form of a huge claw with mirror-like prisms hovering in orbit. Without a moment wasted, the lenses spread out around the ship and projected a verdant energy barrier. The beam shots aimed upon it were fended off, absorbed subsequently upon its impact.
"Whew, that was close." Jura snickered.
"Old lady, we can't even lay a finger on this thing." Hibiki's tone through the transmission was gruff in fury.
"Frustrated eh?" Magno smirked as she fended off the comment.
"Meia, what's the situation?" B.C. inquired of the status in the battlefield.
"It seems to be a new type. It's impervious to our weapons." Meia reported.
Magno turned to Fou-Lu as she noted the ability of this lad. "So you knew these things will be after us. Anything else that you would like to aid us with?"
"Is your allegiance truly with these harvesters?" B.C. asked in addition, her suspicion rising in reaction.
Fou-Lu shook his head as he gazed at the screen. Clenching his fist, he gave a calm gaze upon the two. "Nay, I belong to no side. The Harvester's nature was new to mine thoughts. Thou mayest take accusation, but I gained sight of this coming to play."
"So, you predicted this. Is that it?" B.C. was irked with this answer.
"Nay," Fou-Lu replied, "I have gazed afar, sensing their arrival. And 'twas not far from this vessel and the squadron that it carried; to that I warned thee for thy sake."
Fou-Lu gazed at the three vessels. Noticing the capabilities of the two Dreads and the Vanguard earlier, he pondered about the strengths that each had. He knew that there was something else to end this battle. Quiet for a moment, he pondered.
I must know the powers that these vessels possess. It is fundamental for survival.
"To raise our guard would be futile. It will lose its strength, wasted in vain." Fou-Lu stated to them. "Disable the shield."
"But that will leave the ship open." B.C. objected.
"To defeat this enemy, speed is of the essence. Its guard would remain an obstacle, blocking attempts to attack. Strike before they bear opportunity to guard. The ship's welfare shalt be upon mine hands."
B.C. winced at his wits. It bore sense at the least. Faith being trusted, she gazed at the captain for approval. Magno only gave a nod to this action. She then gazed at the crew and to the screen.
"Bart, maneuver the ship once the shield is gone and evade the beams as much as possible." B.C. barked her commands.
The circular interface of the ship was surrounded with the display of the outside scenery of space, the shield covering the vessel shading everything with its verdant color. Encased within this part was Bart's bare-naked body, every sensor detecting his motion and will to run the ship. Being a helmsman, he maneuvered the ship.
"Bart, maneuver the ship once the shield is gone and evade the beams as much as possible." B.C.'s command echoed through the comm. link.
"Roger that." He answered upon hearing the orders.
"Jura, Hibiki, disable the shield and disband. Use Vandread Meia as soon as you disband." B.C. issued command to the comm. of Hibiki and Jura.
"But that will bring the ship open to attack." Jura reasoned.
"Are you nuts? We can't risk the ship." Hibiki added.
"Fou-Lu thought of this measure. It's needed if we have to defeat them." B.C. reasoned the strategy at the two.
"Fine, don't blame me if the ship gets damaged." Hibiki barked as he initiated the disbanding.
The red Vandread separated by a flash of light. The shield followed as it disappeared. Hibiki in his Vanguard charged on, avoiding the laser shots of the three cone types. The silver Dread followed and maneuvered towards the yellow Vanguard. The barrage went on as the two skillfully dodged the shots. Seeing a gap in that moment, Hibiki grasped the opportunity.
"Meia, now." Hibiki signaled through the comm. link.
Meia nodded in agreement as the two made their formation. The Vanguard fused with the silver Dread with the same manner as before. The light dissipates and with its quick velocity came the silver Vandread, its shape similar to a bird that soared upon the heavens. The same barrage came once more, but its speed was more than enough to dodge the beams efficiently. Passing through the beams, the silver Vandread rushed with increasing speed as its body began to circle itself with energy as it moved. Head-on, it collided upon the vessel, piercing through it. The enemy flashed as it exploded.
"One down; two more to go," Hibiki said with his spirit raised.
The Vandread rushed through as it sped towards the next target. This time, it displayed a strange glow as its energy gathers upon it. It was about to ready its barrier. Seeing no time to waste, the silver mech went in its fast motion. Even before the barrier activated, the ship pierced through the enemy once more. Destroyed, only one remained.
"Good, we're almost there." Meia remarked.
"Let's take him down." Hibiki smirked as they charged forth towards the last one.
The last vessel made its barrage. However, its beams caught everyone off guard. It rushed to where it was highly vulnerable; the Nirvana was open as it faced danger of destruction.
"What the!?" Bart gasped as he found incoming lasers rushing towards him.
He steered the ship to the side, evading the beams and its quickness. Yet it was not faring that well as from a blind side it shot another barrage, from the direction it was steering.
"As I have thought…" Fou-Lu whispered to himself, knowing that even with the ship's maneuvering, this would come. He silenced himself as the beams rushed towards the ship. "It would not fare greatly even with the capability of the ship. Stirring away could still initiate another shot."
He sighed as he knew this instance would come. Closing his eyes, his thoughts voiced out to those residing inside him.
"Su Ryong, thou and I art forced to act. No choice could be made. Now, we take action."
"Very well, Yorae. I shalt aid thee by this treasure I impart to thee. Make use of it."
An aura of light enveloped his right hand. Covering the red-bracer on his hand, the verdant aura changed and slowly faded as it revealed a ribbed brace. Upon the edge where the fist is covered are its head and eyes, likened to garnets as ornaments. The rest of its body were similar to gold and upon it protruded butterfly wings. It was the treasure of Su Ryong.
"Call forth the Holy Circle." Su Ryong spoke through the treasure.
Fou-Lu opened his eyes, raising his hand forward. His body began to display its purple aura as he concentrated. Feeling that his body resonated with another consciousness within the ship, he sighed as he initiated the move.
"I regret not if thou hath felt mine presence." He whispered as he activated the treasure upon his hand.
A bright flash enveloped the ship. Its surrounding area was encased in a circle as it formed an octagonal wall. Each panel displayed a specific glyph, glowing and imparting its effect. The laser barrage that rushed upon its target but the beams vanished as it collided upon the 'walls ', seemingly erased or absorbed.
The silver Vandread had no hesitation as it pierced through the last enemy vessel. Passing by, the enemy exploded behind it. The skirmish was over. The whole squadron gazed at their screens as the looked at the Nirvana, seeing the octagonal formation that shielded the ship.
"Whoa," Hibiki marveled as the Vandread disbanded, reverting to their former states.
"I haven't seen anything like it." Jura said in an astonished tone as she gazed at her screen.
"Cool." Dita remarked with her cheerful tone.
"So Fou-Lu did this. This is getting interesting." Meia pondered to herself.
The crew laid their gazes upon Fou-Lu. He stood there without a word, only a feeling of relief. He lowered his hand exhaustingly; the treasure vanished in a dispersion of light along with the barrier that it created. He gazed at B.C. and Magno, calm in thought.
"So, it seems that I doubted you. But you managed to help us so far." B.C. said to him.
"The ship is safe. I held mine vow." Fou-Lu said to the two as he took a breath. But his body began to shake and soon after, he fell to the ground. The toll taken with that action was greater than he had thought of. By that, he drifted to rest.
"Take him to the infirmary." B.C. ordered as she held his head upon her lap as she kneeled down, supporting his body.
The Paeksys Plagma in the center of the ship shone once more. The verdant light flickered back. Yet on that split second, it flashed blue, cold as the soul that entered the ship.
End of Chapter:
Author's notes:
Well, there's the second chapter. If you all noticed some unfamiliar terms, I'll enlighten you all about it.
One, the term Yorae was used in Breath of Fire IV as a name for the Dragons, and also for the temple. In this case, I used it as a title to refer to an Endless, as Fou-Lu did. Another is that there are theories that might spark after reading this. Those who played the game will be aware of that. But for those who did not, it may not matter at all, since the focus is on the Vandread story itself.
So, that concludes everything. Please review this. Hopefully, it went smoothly. Your reviews, suggestions and comments are appreciated as always.
Sydney Grise