Chapter 7: Forgotten memories

The day was spent preparing for the enemy. Bows were strung, blades were sharpened; the militia would not give in without a fight. David, for the first time, wielded the elves legendary staff and armor. The infusion of its magic amplified David's powers greatly. The staffs golden colors shinned brighter then ever and the gems embedded in the armor glowed. He felt the awe-inspiring power that was his to command. He would be ready for the coming battle.

The three wounded had made magnificent progress recovering. All of them could be on their feet for some time. Genis used crutches to move but even he was getting better. He was glad to be with his friends once more. David showed him where his sister laid.

"I'm sorry," David said lifting the sheet from her body. Genis throw his crutches to the ground and fell his knees. He pounded the ground with his fist and tears filled his eyes. He saw the mangled body of his sister. It was hardly recognizable but he could still make out whom it was. Through the tears and the anger, Genis did not know what to say. David rested his palm and the boy's shoulder. Genis looked up with the tears in his eyes.

"I knew that she died," he said through his sobs, "but seeing her body like this." His hands were trembling. David thought of his own father.

"It's a horrible sight isn't it? We should give her a proper burial," David said. Genis nodded his head silently in approval. Tears continued to flow down the half-elf's cheeks. He knew that his sister was dead so logically he should have been prepared to see her dead. Logic did not explain emotions though. Before his mind could dismiss her death as a dream but now, it was real, and there was no way to hide from it.

With help from Zelos and Collette, they dug a small grave to lay Raine into. Genis did as much as he could to help without opening old wounds. After some time, the hole was dug and Raine was placed into it. They covered her body with the sheet that covered her before and the blood stained one Genis had lain upon. Zelos took a nearby rock, carved her name into it, and placed it upon the grave. As they walked away from the grave, Genis left slower then the others. He wanted to continue to cry but there were no more tears in his eyes. He moved his crutches forward and slowly walked from the grave.

As the group was returning from to the house, Collette suddenly stopped. "I hear something," she said.

"What is it?" Zelos asked turning to her.

"It's really faint but it sounds like growling. It's coming from the mountains, I think."

"How can you hear something from that far away?" David asked.

"She gained those powers during her angel transformation," Genis said as he caught up to the group.

"It must be the invading monsters," David said, "They are waiting for their chance to destroy us."

"What do you mean their chance?" Genis asked.

"The shield that protects the city from monsters will go down tonight. The monsters have been trying to destroy us for decades but the shield normally keeps them away."

"I have never heard of such a device or a city that had that much to fear from monsters," Zelos said.

"So you people aren't from here?" David asked.

"Collette and I are from the town of Isalia," Genis answered.

"I never knew other cities existed other then us," David said.

"You have never heard of my home, Meltokio?" Zelos said.

"I remember hearing it from old stories. According to the legends it was destroyed by the manna cannon and invaded by monsters a hundred years ago from this day," David explained.

"Meltokio was destroyed! I remember being there in my mansion just a few weeks ago. How is this possible?"

"Perhaps I can explain some things to you," Rhys said walking toward the group, "I was much younger then, but I remember the attack on Meltokio. I was living in Heimdell at the time and word of the attack reached us. It was said that the manna cannon was fired at the king's palace and the blast destroyed much of the town. Then a massive force of monsters and warriors attacked the city and destroyed it. The invaders killed any one they could find and the siege lasted merely a day."

"When did this happen?" Zelos asked

"100 years ago," Rhys replied.

"How is this possible?" Zelos questioned, "Wait did you say the manna cannon did this?"

"Yea, the monsters used it as a weapon to attack the major cities before invading them. After the defeat of Meltokio, other cities were attacked. Palmacosta, Flanor, and even Heimdell fell to the cannon and the monsters. The few survivors united together and worked together to fend of the monsters. Finally, our leader began construction of a new city hidden in these mountains. We are safe from the cannon here, and then our leader began leading construction on the manna shield to stop the monsters. Lord Yuan died the day we finally got the shield working.

"One of Yuan's top advisors took over as the military commander and vanquished the monsters that remained in town. He was your grandfather David," Rhys said.

"I think I might know how we got here," Zelos explained, "the manna cannon is probably the same one we went to investigate. Somehow, after the battle there, we were transported to this city. I remember spring was about to start when we went to investigate it."

"But how is it possible for the manna cannon to transport us 100 years?" Genis asked.

"Your control over manna can bend nature. A concentration of that density could possibly even bend time," Zelos responded.

"I guess it might be possible," Genis said.

"So what happened to the others?" Collette asked. There was silence.

"I don't know," Genis and Zelos said in unison. There thoughts were on their friends who they might never see again.

"Let's try finding out then," Collette suggested.

"I wouldn't mind learning more about this too, but today is not the time for it," David said. Sunset was only a couple hours away. "For now I have a battle to fight but once we get over it then we can try to find them."

"We can help you fight," Collette said.

David shook his head, "While I don't doubt you would be helpful, after those injuries it would be best for you to stay away from the battle."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Collette said sadly.

"Don't worry," Zelos said while putting his arm around Collette, "I'll keep my honey and this kid safe while you go kick butt."

"Thanks," David said as he went to lead the troupes into battle.