"Ready to die?" I said as I took out Balmung.
"No. I don't think I'll be the one to die here. You will be the one to perish." Seff said pulling out daggers, glaring at me.
"I'm guessing your great, great, great, great, great grandfather was the famous Leon." I said, looking at Balmung with a hunger in my eyes.
"Leon? You mean Serge? Yes, that famous blood runs through my veins. Now, this body will destroy you. Prepare!" He yelled, throwing two daggers at me which I easily dodged.
"Seff! Please, stop this! I'm telling the truth! L'Arc is the lost hero and Ryfia is his Diva! Stop!" Leilani cried.
"I'm not stopping." He answered dryly.
"Like hell your not! I haven't had a good fight in 500 years! You're not quitting on me that easily!" I said pointing my sword towards Seff.
"L'Arc! I don't care if you continue, just don't hurt him!" Ryfia pleaded.
"Are you ready?" I asked.
"Born ready." He answered.
"Perfect." I said smirking.
He shot three daggers at me which I once again dodged easily. This boy was good, but still had a long way to go. He shot more at me, but this time I used Balmung to deflect them. I waited until I saw an opening then launched at him pinning him to the ground with Balmung positioned just above his heart, ready to strike.
"You still have a lot to learn if you want to beat me, boy." I shot taking Balmung away.
"What…?" He asked standing up. "Why didn't you kill me? Or at least wounded me?"
"Because Ryfia asked me not to." I replied gesturing at Ryfia.
"Seff!" Leilani screamed running over to him. "What were you thinking, challenging the lost hero? Are you an idiot?" She shrieked slapping him up side the head.
"You mean…you weren't kidding? Or tricked?" He asked astounded.
"Why would I lie about that?" She shouted shocked. "I'm your sister! Why would I lie to you? You're the one who disappears for months, even years, at a time! You leave me here all alone and abandoned! I know you're in the military for mother's sake, but why do you have to leave me alone all the time…?" She cried, tears running down her face; her anger turning to loneliness. "You're my only brother and the closest thing I have to a family right now…mother is in the hospital and I can't visit her because I have to take care of things here…" This boy was in the military so he could care for his mother? I guess I could say I had a newfound respect for him.
"Leilani…" Seff said taking her in his arms. "I promise. I won't leave you alone anymore. I'll quit the army."
"You can't do that! Then how will we pay for mother's hospital bills?" She questioned looking up at him.
"I don't know…maybe I'll become a pirate."
"Oh no you don't! I don't need another pirate on my hands! Your great grandfather was hard enough!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, was he? I thought he was the famous 'Leon' who fought for justice. Not a pirate." Seff challenged.
"He was, then got hurt, then became a pirate. I don't need a repeat of that." I said, pushing the thought out of my mind. "Think of something else to do."
"Like what?" He asked.
"I dunno. Ryfia and I are planning on going around the world to browse and see the how it's changed…you're welcome to ask her if you want to come along." I said averting my eyes from the monstrosity I'd created.
"Ryfia? Can we come?" Leilani pleaded, eyes sparkling and everything. (This girl really wanted to come…?)
"Of course! I'd love to have Leslie's great granddaughter with us for a while. Seff? Will you be joining us?" She said.
"I dunno…I still need to make money for mother." He stated.
"Did I mention that we beat up bad guys along the way and find treasure hidden everywhere and make millions of rico each day?" I stated flatly.
"I'm in!" He said.
"Good. Now, let's get you some guns." I said turning to Leilani. "You're going to need to be able to fight if you come along with us."
"Okay! But, I don't have any rico…" She replied. I could see the disappointment in her eyes.
"Really? Well, it just so happens that Ryfia and I have some extra rico." I said holding out about 200,000 rico for them to see. "If you want some new daggers, feel free to speak up."
"Yes, please!" He answered enthusiastically.
"Alright then. Shall we Ryfia?"
"Mm!" She said moving over towards me.
"Let's go find Cecille. She's been asleep for 495 years. Time for her to wake up." I said heading out the door. "You guys coming?"
"Yes!" They replied in sync following us out the door.
"I wonder what Cecille will think when she sees us," Ryfia thought aloud as we went into the shopping district. We entered a weapon store that had been named after Rastan (well, waddya know? Guess he went and made himself famous too).
"I dunno…hopefully she likes us and remembers us. Anyway, let's find Leilani some guns." I said looking around the shop.
"Excuse me, but can I help you, sir?" A saleswoman asked me.
"We're looking for some double guns for this young lady." I pointed at Leilani, who was admiring a sword in the window. "Can you set her up?" I replied.
"Of course. Right this way, ma'am." She said leading Leilani over to what looked like a gun's section.
"You know what your looking for, don't you?" I asked turning toward Seff, who was floating around the dagger section.
"Yeah, yeah. Just lemme…" He trailed off as a new dagger caught his eye. "I'll take this one!"
"Why?" Ryfia asked curiously.
"If it hits the opponent, the puncture wound becomes poisonous, making the victim fall in petrifaction." He explained.
"Good choice. How much?" I ask.
"15,000 Rico." He answered.
"Here. Now go pay." I said handing him the money. "Where is-" I started but was cut off by Leilani running up to me with two guns in her hands.
"Look! These are perfect! They shoot quicker than all the others and are completely light weight! And, it's only 20,000 Rico!" She exclaimed jumping up and down and pointing at the gun's many wires and gears.
"Only 20,000? Whatever. Here's the money, now go pay and we'll make our way to the Lascarde Skywalk." I explained handing over more money.
"Be right back!" She jumped and took the money over to the counter to check out.
"Did we used to be that excited over buying new weapons?" I asked Ryfia.
"You always were. And you always bought everyone new weapons whenever you got the chance." She said her gaze somewhere else.
"Here they come. Now, let's go see our friend." I said leading them out of the store and towards one of the many teleportation pentagrams around the city. We all stepped into it, and gave it our command.
"Lascrade Skywalk." Ryfia said to the pentagram.
WHOOOOSH!