Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't sue.
A/N: Author's notes are at the end of this chapter!
Chapter Three
The journey to the border town of Schwartzhaas was made mostly in silence, both Annette and Slayn being absorbed in their thoughts. Once or twice, Slayn did glance back at his companion, curious as to what she was carrying in her small package, but each time he shrugged and didn't think about it. Monster attacks came a little more frequently at this point, but still posed no problem to the two fighters.
Within short order, they arrived at the bridge. Marshal called out to them as they approached:
"Ah, you made good time! Once we cross the bridge, we'll be in Imperial territory. So far, we haven't seen Aggressival troops, which is quite fortunate."
Slayn's eyes narrowed, remembering how quickly the bastards had swarmed upon the Xironian position when he first regained consciousness. Shooting a look at Annette, he could see that she was thinking the same thing. "Nonetheless sir, we'd better remain on high alert! I don't think they'll let us pass this easy," he replied.
Marshal nodded soberly. "Yes, you're right. We shouldn't relax our guard until...hm?"
Looking up at the commander's comment, both companions followed his gaze to see a harried Xironian soldier rushing to them from the rear. Once he got within range, he shouted, "Sir! Aggressival troops are heading this way!"
"What? How did they get this deep into Xironian territory?"
"I don't know, sir...but there IS a lot of them, and they are coming this way!"
"Damn...alright, everyone form up!" Marshal called out to the troops. Pointing at two, he continued, "Marl, Grappa! Go with Lady Annette and Slayn in case there is an ambush waiting at the bridge!"
"Yes sir!"
"Yes sir!"
With those two affirmations, both soldiers in question began jogging down to the bridge. Slayn could hear Annette mutter, almost to herself, "We cannot fail!"
Slayn nodded slightly in answer to her statement. The future of Xironia depended on it. Following the two soldiers at a brisk jog, they were about halfway to the bridge when a shout came from behind. Knowing they couldn't spare the time to look, and yet wanting to, both Annette and Slayn turned back to see a large group of Aggressival troops swarming forward. It made the honor guard look pitiful, and Slayn paled at the inevitable outcome. Shaking his head, he gently pulled on Annette's arm, jerking her attention back to the present. "Come on, Annette! We have to move!"
She nodded, and the two proceeded at a dead run, ignoring(and yet unable to stop wincing) at the sound of metal on metal, or(more prevantly) metal on flesh. They were very close to the bridge when...
"We won't let you go!" a gruff, gravelly voice shouted. Slayn turned his head to see two Aggressival soldiers emerge from the brush to the left of the bridge. A crash of more brush signalled the arrival of more troops from the right, and Slayn tensed.
"This isn't good...that general is strong...strong enough to cause some real damage," Grappa stated. The two siblings looked at each other, and nodded, seemingly of one mind. Turning back to Slayn, Marl spoke, "Get Lady Annette to the bridge...we'll hold off the general!"
He was about to mention the other soldiers, but then saw why Marl hadn't referred to them...the build of their bodies, the way they moved...they were obviously rookies. Something he and Annette could handle fairly easily if need be.
With one question answered, he was about to offer assistance when he caught something in Marl's eye. Knowing that he saw it, the twin smiled sadly, as if in acknowledgement of Slayn's insight.
Frustration and anger welled up within Slayn. Was there to be no end to the deaths?
Grappa's words cut into his thoughts: "Go! Our county is depending on you!"
Shooting a final glance toward the twin siblings, he led Annette to the bridge, hoping that they could get across before people died(and hoping also that it would mean Aggressival's departure). Unfortunately...
"HYAH!"
Slayn called up his Ring Weapon, bringing it forth just in time to deflect his opponent's attack. Twisting his body, Slayn kicked hard at the soldier's chest, sending him crashing into his companion. As the two struggled to separate themselves, he turned to Annette and shouted, "RUN! Get to Schwartzhaas, I'll cover you!"
Annette looked torn, glancing about the field briefly before looking back at Slayn. "Promise me you'll make it!" she pleaded.
Slayn nodded silently, and with that, the young woman ran, faster than he'd seen her move before, down the bridge. A frustrated howl came from one of the Aggressival soldiers, which brought the Ring Master back to the present.
His opponents had now regained their feet and were jockeying to surround him. Slayn knew all too well that he couldn't handle two-on-one as it was, and yet he'd been stupid enough to play hero for a girl he'd barely met...
The soldier in front swung his blade from the side in a large arc, which Slayn deftly blocked with his own sword. A slight whistling sound caught his attention then, and he twisted his body to avoid the second blade slicing down from above. Scrambling, he tried to get into a better position, but the two kept on him, harassing and penning him in.
'Throughout the years, assassins have needed to fight multiple opponents in pursuit of their objectives...'
Slayn blinked as he dodged another blow, this one forcing him away from the bridge.
'To strike your opponents who seek advantage in surrounding you, use this technique...the Perimeter Pulse!'
A flash of memory hit Slayn, less severe than before, but startling in its clarity. Closing his eyes, he could feel the power brimming from within, travelling into his weapon. Bringing it up high, with the blade pointed downward, he thrust it hard into the earth. The blade bit easily, making the two soldiers stop in confusion. Moments later, the ground surrounding Slayn erupted with pure energy, engulfing his opponents in its fury.
They didn't even have time to scream.
Quickly, he pulled his sword from the ground, noting distantly that his limbs were sluggish and almost refused to cooperate. Taking a quick gaze about the battlefield, his heart sank at the scene...almost all of the Xironians had been killed, their bloody bodies strewn across the battlefield. He could distantly see a group of soldiers being hammered back near the point they'd come from, and he could only hope that it was Annette's uncle, Marshal. As much as he wanted to help, he had a mission...and a promise.
Forcing power into his legs, he began to run for Schwartzhaas.
Schelfengrif Empire
Annette was found just inside the gates, pacing worriedly. When she saw Slayn, she smiled and hugged him gently. "I'm glad you're alright, Slayn! What about the others?"
The ensuing wince and way he refused to meet her eyes told her all she needed to know. Slayn was surprised that she didn't cry, though...a strong girl she was.
Keeping her voice calm, she said, "They sacrificed their lives for this. We can't let that go to waste." Turning, she slowly walked away and then suddenly turned back. "We need a pass to get through the South Gate. Give me some time and I'll get one...when you're ready, I'll meet you there, okay?"
Without waiting for an answer, she walked up to a guardhouse, and after briefly speaking with the sentry at the door, stepped inside.
Slayn gritted his teeth and was about to pound the wall near the northern gate when he saw a man unfurl wings from his back and take off into the air. Blinking, Slayn watched the man as he soared up, his wings seeming to leave a trail of sparkles behind.
"A Featherian..." he muttered. He'd heard a lot about them...humanoid offshoots that possessed the most impressive intellects known in the world, yet were utterly incapable of using magic. Seeing one was a rare treat indeed, since many assumed they had died off in the Rolandian Kingdom.
Shrugging again, Slayn's attention was then caught by something in the nearby alley. He could see a man talking to what appeared to be a dark, glowing orb next to some haphazardly dumped trash. Having seen some weird things in the last few days, the young man's curiousity was nonetheless piqued, and he wandered down the alley to listen in...
"Ooohhh...Raimy is so sorry to hear that. But...no one in this world can see you...and if you linger too long here, you won't be able to be reborn!"
The man sighed heavily and shook his head. "I cannot move on until she gets this...there will be no rest for me until then."
"Oooohhhh nnnooo...Raimy wishes she could help, but no one can see her either."
A movement of gray caught the diminutive fairy's eyes, and she turned to see a young man slowly walking down the alley. But she could tell...there was something different about him. It wasn't just the unusual aura he emanated, but the way he walked. It was almost as if he could...
"Um...excuse me sir? Do you need some help?"
Both the fairy and ghost gaped at the man's words before happiness overtook them.
"Y, you can see me? Please, I beg of you...do me one favor!" the ghost pleaded.
"Yes, yes! Please help this poor soul!" Raimy shouted happily.
The man's eyes showed a bit of confusion, but both parties could see the honest desire to help, which was encouraging enough to the ghost.
"This bag," he said, pointing to a small courier satchel, "I want you to deliver it to Falkenfreuk. A girl named Mary lives there...please, deliver the letter within to her."
The man's eyes blinked, and then he smiled. "Falkenfreuk happens to be my next destination." Reaching down, he opened the bag and removed the letter. "You have my word...Mary will receive your letter. Go in peace, friend."
A beatific smile appeared on the ghost's face just before he disappeared. At that point, Raimy hovered down in front of the nice young man, revealing herself to be a diminutive little girl dressed in a black blouse and a pointed hat.
"Raimy will go with to make sure the letter gets delivered to Mary."
A tilt of the head accompanied his question, "So...you're Raimy, huh? I wondered who else was talking to that guy...my name is Slayn. Slayn Wilder."
Ramiy beamed proudly. "Good to meet you, Slayn. Raimy is a Dark Fairy. You're a very special person to be able to see Raimy...were you aware of that?"
Slayn blinked at those words. "No...so not many people can see you?"
Raimy bobbed up and down several times, as if nodding in agreement. "Yep...you have to be special to be able to see fairies of any sort...of course, fairies like Raimy aren't that common either."
Slayn had to smile at Raimy's upbeat attitude. "Well...it's a pleasure to have you on the team, Raimy." Glancing back, he wondered if Annette was done with her business and decided to check. Pocketing the letter, he said, "Let's see about heading to Falkenfreuk, Raimy."
Leaning against a wall casually, Annette scanned the crowds, trying to keep an eye out for her companion...and at the same time, wondering where the heck he was.
Shaking her head, she told herself to stop being so impatient. He probably thought she might have been interested in checking in at the Inn or something for the night...truth be told, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea for that, but even with Aggressival unable to stop them now, speed was still of the essence.
Finally, a wave of the hand heralded Slayn's appearance, and she relaxed, smiling. Once he got within range, she said, "Oh there you are! I got our pass, so let's head for the Capital!"
"...Her name is Annette," Slayn suddenly spoke.
The unexpected comment gave the young woman pause, and she looked around. Seeing no one but the guard, she frowned and turned back to Slayn. "I'm perfectly capable of introducing myself, thank you!"
She was getting very disturbed by the look Slayn gave her. It was like he didn't even see her, his mind somewhere else. His next words almost confirmed it.
"Right...doesn't that make you lonely?"
That put Annette at a loss for words. Covering her embarassment with indignation, she spoke up sharply, "Hello? Are you feeling alright? I don't know what it is with you, but you're acting very strange lately. I mean, I know we've been through a lot, but you don't see me muttering to myself and ignoring you!"
Slayn's eyes suddenly refocused, and he shook his head. "Ah...sorry, Annette. I...well, I was kind of out of it," he apologized.
Shaking her head, this time in exasperation, Annette replied, "Look...just remember that we have a job to do, okay? Let's get back to the mission."
She had just started to leave Schwartzhaas when Slayn spoke up again; "Wait! Why don't we check out the shops first, Annette? Please?"
She turned back to remind him of their timetable, but when she saw his eyes, the words died in her throat. He did feel bad about ignoring her, and wanted a chance to make it up. The effect made him look almost pitiful, and Annette was torn between the mission or letting Slayn 'do his job'.
'Well, it HAS been a while since I've gotten new jewelry...' she thought with a devilish smirk. Thus decided, she returned to Slayn's side. "Alright, Slayn...but let's try to make it fast, okay?"
Nodding in relief and agreement, Slayn led the way back into Schwartzhaas. The two of them had a good time, and Annette nearly forgot about the letter; he treated her to a nice meal(though it was more a snack then anything...the real food would come when they reached Falkenfreuk), and bought her a few Ring Gems that she eyed longingly. Everything was going well until they came to the eastern side of Schwartzhaas...
"Hey Slayn...check out that girl over there," Annette said, surreptitiously pointing. Her companion followed the indicated direction until...
"You mean that young lady in purple talking to the other lady in that house?"
"Yeah...I wonder if she's a Featherian?"
Slayn had to admit it was a possibility. The girl had wings, but...they looked frail and weak, not like the one Featherian's wings that he had seen. It might be the age difference, but...
While he was thinking this, the woman in the house gestured for the other girl to come inside, who smiled and bowed respectfully before doing so, bringing her out of their sight.
"That Featherian girl is weird..."
Both travellers turned in the direction of the other guy who had been standing nearby. He was still staring at the house as he scratched his chin.
The comment piqued Slayn's curiousity enough to have him ask, "In what way? She seemed normal enough to me...well, save for..."
"Her gimpy wings, right? That's just it...I've never seen her use them to fly. I wonder if that's the case...that her wings are just plain gimpy?"
Cautiously, Annette stepped in, "Well...maybe it's just because she's so you..."
The man shook his head to cut her statement off. "Oh no...it can't be her age. I've seen Featherian kids younger than her that fly just fine."
"...Maybe she's sick?" Slayn muttered.
Annette turned while saying, "It could be, but then..." Her voice cut off abruptly as she saw Slayn's look...the same one that he had at the South Gate.
Suddenly, he laughed, and waved his hand. "...It's none of our business anyway..." he added, and then came back to himself.
This time, Annette was almost in his face, her annoyance VERY visible and simmering. "Who, might I ask, are you talking to THIS time?"
Startled, he stumbled back a step or two, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "J, just myself Annette...I'm sorry, I just thought out loud, that's all!"
She didn't look like she was buying it, but she blew out a short breath and shrugged. "This behavior of yours is really starting to concern me, Slayn. Let's just get to Falkenfreuk before you REALLY flip out, okay?" With that, she stormed off to the South Gate.
For a moment, Slayn stood there, shaking his head and letting out a sigh. "It's going to take a bit to get used to having you around, Raimy." A brief pause, and he looked up, a rueful grin on his features. "Funny...real funny, Raimy. Anyway, let's go," he said as his feet followed his companion's trail.
Author's Notes: For those who are interested and have not played Growlanser 3, when Slayn is talking to Raimy, she's saying, from top to bottom...
"Is this girl a friend of yours?"
"Remember, Raimy is rare and invisible to most people. She doesn't see Raimy, remember that!"
"Raimy never thought about that. This is the way it's always been."
(among other things)"What reason could there be for her not flying?"
"Weeellll...it might be. But Raimy didn't smell puke breath."
The last one is left up to your imagination.;)