Baticul ~ Another Boring Day
Elena Gilbert looked out her window on her room in the Gilbert Manor. She was bored. Sighing she stood up and began to leave her room. She fell to her knees, a headache falling upon her. Standing up once again she looked around.
"...Guess I'm hearing things."
Elena walked into the hallway with a tiny skip in her step.
"Ya know," Jenna Sommers, the Gardner, butler, caretaker and practically everything else there is too be. She's known Elena since she was a baby girl "The Order of Lorelei Maestro, Dorian General Alaric Saltzmen will be arriving soon."
"What?" Elena exclaimed in shock "Master Alaric's coming? Today's not a training day."
"I've heard he's here on urgent business. I was told they'll be calling you later, Young Mistress, so please wait in your room." Jenna explained much to Elena's aggravation.
"Stop calling me "young" already." The brunette said with a pout.
"No, until you reach maturity at age 20, I shall continue to refer to you as Young Mistress." Jenna giggled. Elena rolled her eyes as she headed down the hallway.
"Young Mistress," A guard addressed Elena "Please stop fraternizing with that gardener. It isn't fit for you to speaking to one of her status."
Elena sighed "I know, I know. Sheesh. And quit giving me orders!" She gave him a pointed look and strutted away from him.
"My apologies."
'If they're not going to let me leave, they could at least try and keep me amused. " Elena thought to herself as she walked down the corridor "If I didn't get to train with Master Alaric, all I'd do every day is eat, sleep and hang out with Caroline. There's got to be SOMETHING more interesting to do around here...'
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Elena walked back inside her room. That sound filled her ears once more but this time something different happened. She heard a voice a long with it.
"Elena...fragment...of my soul...heed...voice."
Elena fell to her knees clutching her hair "...Argh! I knew it... It's that voice again!"
"Elena! What is it? Not another one of those headaches?"
Elena rubbed her forehead "Caroline...is that you?"
Outside her window stood Caroline.
" ...It's okay. It's gone."
Caroline frowned sliding into her room "Are you hearing things again?"
"I wish I knew what it was." Elena growled collapsing upon her bed "It's so annoying."
Caroline looked over with a concerned face "They're getting more frequent. They started after you were kidnapped by the Malkuth Empire. What's that, seven years now?"
"Thanks to them, now I'm going crazy." Groaned Elena.
"Well, don't worry about it too much. So, what do you want to do today? How about some sword practice?" Caroline suggested
"Sorry, not today." Elena replied "Master Alaric's here."
"Alaric?" Caroline did a double take "But today's not a training day, is it?"
Elena shrugged "Apparently, something came up."
Knock!
Knock!
"Mistress Elena? May I come in?"
"I can't let anyone see me here." Caroline said in a hurry "I'm out of here before I get caught. See you." She did a small wave and and leaping back through the window.
"Mistress Elena?"
"Come on in, it's open."
The maid walked in "His Grace requests your presence in the drawing room."
"All right." Elena nodded "Dismissed."
The maid bowed and departed.
"Guess I'll get going." Elena sighed.
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Elena entered the drawing room where in Duke Gilbert, Miranda, and Alaric sat at a table.
"You wanted to see me, Father?" Elena asked with a small curtesy.
"Mmm." Grayson nodded "Have a seat, Elena."
"Master Alaric, Do I get to train with you today?" Elena asked as she sat down.
"We'll have time for that later. First, we have to talk about something." Alaric explained.
"Dorian General Saltzman is returning to Daath tomorrow."
"Huh?!" Elena gasped in shock "Why?!"
"You know that I am a member of the Oracle Knights, part of the Order of Lorelei."
"You're their commandant, right?" Elena asked.
"Right," Alaric nodded "As the leader of the Knights, it's my duty to provide protection for Fon Master Matthew."
"What's a "Fon Master Mathew"?" Elena asked with a tilt of her head.
"He's the leader of the Order of Lorelei. It's thanks to Matthew that the truce between the Malkuth Empire and our Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear is in place."
"If Matt's predecessor, Evenos, is the hero who ended the Hod War, then the current Fon Master is a symbol of the peace that reigns today."
"Unfortunately," Grayson sighed "Matthew has gone missing."
"Therefore," Alaric continued "I must attend to my duty as an Oracle Knight and join the search for Fon Master Matthew."
"Hold on," Elena stood up aggressively "You can't do that! If you go home, who's gonna train me?!"
"Settle down." Alaric placed a comforting hand in the girl's shoulder "I'll have one of my men come here until I return to Kimlasca."
"But I want you to teach me..." Elena said staring at the ground.
"Don't be selfish, Elena." Grayson warned "Dorian General Saltzmen will return soon enough. It's high time you learned some patience."
"Please, dear!" Melissa interrupted "You know what this child's been through. She's still traumatized from the kidnapping. She even lost her childhood memories... The poor thing. Don't you feel for her?"
"Melissa." Grayson spat "You spoil her."
"Still," Alaric defended "a life locked inside a mansion like this is hardly easy."
"Seriously." Elena groaned "Why does my uncle have to keep me trapped in here Just because he's the king, he thinks he can just order people around, it makes me mad.
"Elena," Grayson sighed "my brother is merely concerned for your safety. Just three more years, and you'll be free. Hold on a little longer, okay?"
"Cheer up, Elena. We'll train hard enough today to make up for the entire time I'm gone." Alaric stood up "Duke, Milady; by your leave. We must begin our training."
"Thank you. Dorian General." Grayson nodded.
"I'll head on to the courtyard. Come join me as soon as you're ready." Alaric did a bow and departed.
"Elena, dear, please do be careful out there." Melissa worried.
"I know, I know." Elena sighed standing up "Jeez..."
'Man...Master Alaric's leaving... I hope he comes back after he finds that Fon Master or whoever. I mean, sword training's the only thing keeping me sane around here." Elena paused deep in thought 'Oh, well. Caroline's not too bad with a sword. Guess I'll just practice with her.'
Elena headed to the courtyard to find Alaric and Caroline talking.
"I see." Caroline nodded "Sounds like the Oracle Knights have it pretty rough."
"I'll have to leave everything to you for the time being. The Duke, the King, and Elena's-"
"Elena!" Caroline noticed "Hey."
"Caroline?" Elena said suspiciously "What's up?"
"Well," Caroline shrugged "Alaric's a master swordsman, so I thought I'd ask for a
little instruction."
"Really?" Elena crossed her arms "That's not what it looked like to me."
"Elena." Caroline laughed "It's nothing."
"...okay."
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"...Elena! Did you not hear me?!" Elena blinked her eyes open.
"Huh? Oh right!" She nodded getting ready.
"Are you ready?" Alaric asked.
"Yes, sir!" Elena nodded. Behind them Caroline sat on a bench.
"I guess I'll just watch from over here. Let's see what you've got, Elena."
"Yeah, yeah." The girl nodded with excitement. Elena pulled her wooden sword and the sword training began. Elena ran at Alaric and swiped at him. He easily swatted her back.
"What's that?" Elena paused as she looked around. All wen't quiet for a moment before the voice begun again. Alaric fell to his knees in shock
"That voice...!"
"I...I can't move!"
"That's a fonic hymn! Has a Seventh Fonist invaded the manor?!"
"Damn ..." Caroline growled "It's putting me to sleep... What the hell are the guards doing?!" Caroline rolled to the ground her eyes dropping.
A man with dark black hair jumped down from above.
"finally found you Alaric! Prepare to die, traitor!" The man cried with anger.
"Damon! I knew it!" Alaric said with a grimace.
Alaric and Damon clashed. Both were evenly matched with their fighting skills.
"Who the hell are you?!" Elena yelled getting up and going after the mysterious man.
"No! Stop!" Alaric screamed. Elena jumped forward and her wooden sword collided with the man we'll he tried to block Elena's attack. Sparks came from their weapons and soon the voice reappeared within Elena's mind.
"Resound...! The will of Lorelei shall reach you... and open the way!"
"Not that weird voice again..." Elena cringed.
"The Seventh Fonon?!" The man grunted. A light emerged from the sparks and engulfed them both.
"Too late..." Alaric sighed "The Seventh Fonons have reacted with each other."
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"...Elena...wake up...Wake up Elena!" Elena woke up with a gasp her eyes fluttering open. The sky was dark and she looked around to see a valley of flowers.
"Who are you?" Elena questioned.
"You're finally awake." The man smiled.
Elena remained stoic "Where are we?"
"I don't know." The man shrugged "That was pretty strong. I almost thought we'd been"caught in the Planet Storm."
"Wait," Elena jumped with realization "That's right! You were trying to...! Oww!"
Elena squiggled as the man grappled her arm "Stop, don't try to move so suddenly. Are you injured? Does it hurt?"
Elena pushed the man away and jumped up stumbling back.
"I-I'm fine." She stuttered "What I want to know now is what the hell happened. And who are you?"
"I'm Damon." He introduced "I think that a hyperresonance occurred between us."
"A hyperresonance?" Elena repeated "What's that?"
"An isofon-induced resonance." Damon explained "I didn't expect you to be a Seventh Fonist, too. That was careless of me. That would explain why the royal family is protecting you."
"Shush up for a second!" Elena snapped "I don't understand a thing you're saying!"
Damon rolled his eyes but remained quiet.
"Well say something!" Elena exclaimed.
"First you tell me to shut up, now you're telling me to talk." Damon sighed "Let's save the discussion for later. You don't seem to know anything. Talking here would be a waste of time."
"So what are we gonna do now?" Elena asked softly now slightly more calmed.
"I'll escort you back to your manor in Baticul." Damon decided.
"How?" Elena crossed her arms "We don't even know where we are!"
"You see the sea just over there, don't you?" Damon said pointing.
Elena stared mesmerized "So that's what the sea looks like..."
"At any rate, let's head out of this ravine and down to the coast. If we can find a road, there should be carriages passing along. We should be able to find a way back." Damon explained.
"And just how are we supposed to get to the sea from here?"
"Stop and listen." Damon stated "Hear that water flowing? There's a river. If we follow the river, we should come out to the sea."
"Is that how it works?"
"Let's go." Both Damon and Elena stiffened as they heard a growl.
"...Monsters." Damon deduced.
"Monster?" Elena gasped.
"Here they come!" Damon said getting into stance.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Damon jumped forward hacking and slashing well Elena watched.
"Th-that didn't look so tough."
"It may not be tough but it's sure as hell not easy." Damon warned "Don't relax just yet. Look. There's more. If you come into contact with monsters like that, you'll have to fight them. Be careful.
"Think you know everything, don't you?" Elena huffed. Damon shrugged with a smug smile.
"So, are you going to tell me why you broke into the manor, or why'd you attacked Master Alaric or...anything?" Elena asked as they walked.
"I don't see any point in telling you and I doubt you'd understand, anyway. Besides, what would you do if I did tell you?" Damon retorted.
"I just figured, if you're plotting something," Elena exclaimed "It might be kind of risky to travel with you."
Damon shook his head with a small laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Elena asked slightly embarrassed.
"Sorry," Damon exclaimed "Don't worry, I have no intention of harming you. That's all I can tell you for now, but...will you trust me?"
"Fine, fine. It's just the two of us... There's no point in fighting, anyway." Elena paused looking around "I don't like this place. It's all dark, you can't see anything,
there are monsters everywhere..."
"Once you leave the safety of town, monsters can appear anywhere. This is no different from anywhere else. And as for the darkness, well... it's nighttime. There's not much I can do about that." Damon replied.
"Well, yeah, but I mean," Elena sighed. I get out for the first time in years, and as soon as I open my eyes, it's all dark with monsters all over the place. What's up with that?"
"Maybe right now it is dark and eerie and full of monsters, but...I still think it's a pretty place. I mean, I've never been around this much...nature...Shouldn't you like it? Being a girl and stuff?"
Elena rolled her eyes "Boys..."
"Fine." Damon patronized "I'm sorry... I'll get you back to your manor."
"You better!" Elena agreed.
"It is my fault," Damon allowed out a breath now sincerely he said "I'm very sorry."
"Yeah...well," Elena blushed "I don't get out all that often anyway, so I guess a little walking around won't hurt."
"So you want to go home or not?" Damon asked scrunching up his face.
"Of course I want to go home! What kind of a question is that?"
Damon rolled his eyes "Then stop talking and start moving. If you want to go for a stroll, wait until we're someplace safer."
Elena sped up ahead of Damon muttering "He's such an ass"
Elena and Damon reached the exit "There's the way out." Damon exclaimed.
"It's about time. I'm sick of this place." Yawned Elena. Damon froze.
"Someone's coming."
"Uah! D-don't tell me you're with the Dark Wings!" An old man cried pointing st them fearfully.
"The Dark Wings?"
"They're bandits. Two men and a woman... Wait," the old man sighed with relief "There's only two of you."
"Humph." Elena pouted "Don't go comparing me to some pathetic bandit."
"Yeah," Damon laughed "You might upset the bandits."
"Hey!" Elena said shoving Damon who only laughed it off, she walked forward "We lost our way and wound up here. Who are you?"
"I'm a coachman." He explained "One of the wheels on my coach started acting up. We lost our drinking water when the jug fell off, so I came here to draw some more."
"A coach!" Repeated Elena "Perfect! Do you go to the capital?"
"Yeah," he nodded "That's my last stop."
"Let's hitch a ride. I am sick of walking." Damon complained.
"Yes, we don't know this area very well. Would that be all right,with you?"
"To the capital, it'll be 12,000 Gald a piece. You got enough on you?"
"That's expensive." Damon noted.
"Really?" Elena frowned "Sounds cheap to me. My dad'll take care of it when we get to the capital."
"That's no good. I need payment in advance." The coachmen stated.
"Take this." Damon handed the coachmen a pendant
"Wow, this is some gem. All right, hop aboard."
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The coach goes along a road. Another coach approaches, chased by a ship.
"Wh-what was that?" Elena said her eyes fluttering open as she awoke.
"You're finally awake." Damon commented.
"H-hey! That coach is under attack!" Elena realized.
"The army's chasing those bandits! It's those Dark Wings I mistook you for!" The coachman explained.
"You, there! Move your coach before you get caught in the crossfire!"
The coachman moved the coach. Elena almost fell over and narrowly missed
being hit by the ship.
"Wow! That's Malkuth's newest land dreadnought, the Tartarus!" The coachman explained with excitement.
"M-Malkuth?!" Elena stuttered "What's the Malkuth military doing hanging around here?"
"What do you mean? Of course they're here." The coachman replied "There's been no end to the rumors that Kimlasca's going to start a war any day now. They've tightened security in this area."
"Wait a minute." Damon addressed "This isn't Kimlasca?"
"What are you talking about? This is the Malkuth Empire. The West Rugnica Plains."
"Hang on! I thought this coach was headed for the capital, Baticul!" Damon said.
"Nope, Grand Chokmah-capital of Malkuth and home to His Imperial Majesty, Kol the Ninth."
"Guess I was mistaken." Damon sighed.
"How can you be so calm about it?!" Elena worried "How could you make a mistake like that?!"
"I didn't recognize the area. What's your excuse?" Damon said raising an eyebrow.
"I've been confined to the manor. I've never been outside. How should I have known?" Elena defended.
"You're sure acting strange." The coachman commented "Are you two Kimlascan?"
"No." Damon lied "We're from Malkuth. We have business in Baticul. We were on our way there."
"That's the other direction, then. If you're going to Kimlasca, you should've taken the road south, rather than crossing the bridge. Mind you, with that bridge out, you can't go back now..." The coachman explained.
"Are you serious?" Elena twisting her head towards Damon "Now what do we do?"
"We're passing through Engeve to the east on the way to Grand Chokmah. What do you two want to do?"
"If we go all the way to Grand Chokmah, we'll just wind up farther away. Let's stop in Engeve and think about how to get back to Kimlasca." Damon stated and Elena nodded.
"Here we are." The coachman said stopping "Good luck you two!"
"Thank you!" Elena said waving as Damon walked ahead of her and they entered Engeve.
