Chapter 9: The new magic shield.
"Let's go," Zelos told the general.
"Where?" David asked.
"To the others," the chosen responded, "The battle may have been lost but there is still hope."
"What hope?" David said shaking his head as he began to follow, "the militia is destroyed and soon the city will be as well. We have nothing else to fight with."
"Ah, but that is where you are wrong. We have the magnificent Zelos."
David cracked a brief smile. "You really think you can stop this army yourself?"
"Only one way to find out," he responded in his usual cheery demeanor. David rolled his eyes and followed him throughout the city, seeing all the fires and destruction the monsters had caused. They were most surprised by the lack of monsters. A number of citizens had evacuated their homes in the hope of surviving the brutal destruction that they only imagined would return soon. David even saw his own house in ruins. The general tried to move through the city while avoiding the people he had let down.
The pair approached a house near the opposite end of the city from where they began. "Come on in," Zelos instructed. As they entered the door, a familiar face greeted them.
"I'm surprised you returned so quickly. I thought for sure those monsters had destroyed you," Rhys said.
"It takes more then a few monsters to stop the great Zelos. Anyway," Zelos said as he glanced across the one-room house, "where did the kid and my beauty run off to?"
"They are out trying to help the wounded. I only returned to my house so I could get more supplies."
"We will come help you too," Zelos said speaking for the both of them. Rhys gathered some medicine and the three of them left the house. They did not need to travel far to find the injured. Rhys was known for his healing powers so anyone who could, made their way to his home. This part of the city was, thus far, untouched by the invasion. Those who were able, set up a makeshift hospital, in a field, near the doctor's house. Those who know anything of medicine or healing attempted to help the sick while other uninjured citizens did anything they could to get people to treatment.
"You're back," Genis said running to the doctor. "Quick, there is a woman who was burnt badly and needs healing now. The boy then ran, without any crutches, and the three others followed. He led them to a women covered with horrible burns. Rhys held his staff over her, trying to cure the burns. He then noticed she had no breath.
"I did this," David said quietly, "if I had been willing to fight, she might still be living." David then took a brief look at her face, "it can't be. Miss Beth, my old teacher," David voice began to grow louder, "you were always such a kind women. You didn't deserve to die; I did."
"What's wrong?" Genis said gently putting a hand on David's arm.
"What's wrong! I'll tell you what's wrong! All these innocent people are dead, and it's because of me. They should still be living their lives but I wouldn't let them. I'm the one who should be dead and not them. I killed them and yet I am living. It isn't right!" David yelled. The others took a step back.
"What's done is done," Rhys said logically, "you did everything you could."
"No you idiot! If I had done everything, I could, then none of this would be happening! I am a coward who ran when things got too tough! I ran, I killed them, and yet I live and they pay the price for my cowardice!"
"Okay, you did mess up but that doesn't mean you can't at least do something now. Don't dwell on your mistakes and instead go help to heal these people," Rhys said assertively, without raising his voice. Genis noted the logical wisdom Rhys gave, was so much like his older sister. He remembered Raine using logic to battle Lloyd's irrational emotions. Genis wondered what happened to Lloyd, but after a brief time thinking about his friend, he snapped back to reality, and returned to helping the sick.
David swallowed Rhys' logic and went around mending the wounds he could. He thought that each life he could save would be one less he killed. Zelos went around using his healing magic to cure those he could. His magic would not solve every problem, but it did save many victims. Zelos' supply of manna quickly ran out, with him continually using powerful magic. Genis attempted to help the doctors by moving people and occasionally using his magic to aid them. Without any healing spells, Genis' assistance was limited.
The half-elf noticed Zelos becoming tired after exhausting a massive supply of manna. "Hey Zelos," Genis called, "I think I know a way to help you."
"How," he said walking over to Genis, "are you going to magically restore my manna?"
"Uh, yea actually. I think I have a new spell that can link our manna together." Genis began to chant the spell he had only used once before, "manna of the world, connect my body with your life". Genis raised his hand toward Zelos and the two's manna connected. "I don't know how long this will hold but for now you should be able to use your spells with my manna supply".
"Thanks," Zelos said going off to heal more people.
_
"David," Collette called, "where do you want me to put these new wounded people I found?" she asked as she was carrying two wounded men in her arms.
"Set them anywhere you see a spot for them and tell a healer to take care of them," David replied. David switched his gaze from the person he was healing to where he assumed Collette was standing. To his surprise, no one was there.
"Oh okay," he heard her say but did not see where she was standing.
"Where are you Collette?"
"Up here silly." David then looked up and saw Collette hovering about 10 feet over him with her wings out.
"You can fly!" he exclaimed.
"Yea, I guess you didn't know that I was an angel did you," Collette giggled as she landed near him and set the two men she was carrying, on a makeshift hospital bed. David remembered seeing her wings when he was first trying to heal her, but never imagined he would actually see her flying through the sky. He was also amazed at the fact that she easily could carry the men around without breaking a sweet. "I'm just glad the monsters stopped attacking," she commented.
"You have any idea why they did?" David asked.
"I'm not sure; I wish the professor was still here. She would know something about this," Collette said, as she remembered her old teacher.
"Raine?" David asked.
"Yea, she was an incredible person. Her wisdom and knowledge helped us so many times. I really miss her"
"I wish I had the chance to know her," David responded.
"You missed someone great," Genis said, entering the conversation. "My sister saved us so many times. I can't believe she is really gone. "
Collette said, "It must be hardest on you Genis. One moment you think everything is alright, and then all of a sudden, she is gone."
"I got to see her one last time. When I was in that comma, she somehow taught me a spell to revive myself. I could feel myself dieing and she reached out to me and saved me."
"Even after death she continues to look out for you," she said.
"She was more then just a sister to me. She was my mom, my friend, everything," Genis said as he thought fondly of the memories of Raine. Before the memories turned to sadness Genis changed the subject, "I think I might know why the monsters stopped attacking. I can feel the manna the barrier produces throughout the city. It isn't that strong but it must immobilize monsters. They are waiting for the shield to go down again."
"Another fight then," David said remembering the battle the night before.
"What happened last night?" Genis asked.
David sighed heavily. "I ran from the fight so we lost. If I had stayed then we should have run. It's my fault we lost," David said, trying to be as unemotional as possible but he couldn't help the tears that began to gather in his eyes.
"Oh," Collette tried to be sympathetic.
"Yea I'm a coward," David admitted.
"You feel alone in this city don't you?" Genis asked.
"No, not really, why?"
"Back in my world I would always run when things seemed to be getting too hard. Alone I couldn't change anything. As hard as I tried, whenever I had to face a tough challenge I ran. It wasn't until I had a true friend that I could relay on did I get better. He motivated me and gave me a purpose that allowed me to overcome."
"I guess you are right," David replied, "being the general's son all my life, I never had a chance to find those people."
"It's never too late," Collette said, "you have us anyway." David smiled for the first time of the day.
"We have people to protect tonight then. Will you help me?" David asked.
"You saved our lives so I guess it is time that we repay the favor. You can count on me," Genis said.
"Me too," Collette added.
"And don't forget about me," Zelos said, as he and Rhys walked toward the others. "I can't say I know everything about this place but I know it is worth defending these people."
"Then you should get some rest before the monsters arrive. It won't matter if we heal these people if they aren't safe to recover," Rhys said.
David, Genis, Collette, and Zelos went back to Rhys' house in order to rest for the coming night. Genis severed the manna link between Zelos and himself. The massive manna supply of the half-elf was barely drained by Zelos' constant healing. While the four of them slept, they were worried about the attack that would soon come. David saw what his cowardice had done earlier. Collette just wanted to help the people. Genis was inspired by the unity of the city, despite its many races. Zelos wanted to repay the city for its kindness to complete strangers. Three of them wondered if they would be able to find a way to return home.
_
The sun began to set once again. Rhys tried to move all of the wounded away from where the monsters would be attacking. The four readied their weapons for what might be their last battle. The cities militia was all either wounded or dead. A few volunteers came to help in the battle but they had no battle experience before.
The sunset, the shield fell; the monsters let loose a horrendous cry. 'Don't run,' David told himself as the monsters approached. The first wave was Death. David fired a sphere of wind at one of them, killing it. Zelos and Collette ran at the monsters while Genis prepared his magic. Zelos blocked their scythes with his blade while Collette did the same with her chakrams. Then Zelos began slashing through the monsters while Collette used her para ball attack to stop the incoming attacks.
David and Genis stayed away from the monsters, trying to aid them from afar. David's wind-field spell took down groups of monsters swiftly, while Genis was preparing his advanced spells. "I call upon the power of the holy blades," Genis chanted. After the incantation, giant swords of light came falling from the sky. The light that emanated from them vanquished dozens of the monsters. A phantom knight came charging at Genis after seeing his power. Collette threw her chakram at the creature, knocking it of its mount. Zelos then came and stabbed the creature through its chest, killing the fiend. David was amazed at the power his allies possessed.
After the wave of death retreated, a force of demons came. With their axes drawn, they charged at them. "Stay back," Zelos told the others. The chosen attempted to hold of the demons while the others cast their spells. "Honor us with the splendor of thy song," Collette chanted, as an aura of light spread out from Collette. The light infused the others increasing their power. David continued to attack the enemies with his wind-field but it was less effective on the large enemies. Genis cast cyclone and David added wind-field, which tore through the demons. In the process, Zelos sustained several wounds.
"Are you all right?" Collette said flying over to him.
"Yea, nothing major," he responded.
"Here come more of them," Genis said as he slowing backed away from the approaching mob.
"Let's take things up a notch then," Zelos said, "ready Collette?"
"Yea let's do it."
Zelos and Collette faced one another and grabbed each other's hands. Wings similar to Collette's emerged from his back, and they began floating in the air. In unison they chanted, "Holy powers use our bodies as your vessel and illuminate our darkest fight." As they finished the chant, pillars of light fell from the sky striking the monsters. The monsters that were surviving the attack fled for safety. As the strikes continued, the entire night sky became illuminated with the light of the angels.
"I see his plan," Genis commented. David looked on, awestruck by the display of lights. The two continued casting their spell but instead of targeting the monsters, the spell spread across the night sky, making it as bright as day. The manna shield reformed from the light. The two descended back to the ground and released one another's hands. They were exhausted after casting such and immense spell.
"What was that?" David asked.
"Just a little something I like to call unity judgment," Zelos responded. With the shield renewed the town was safe, at least for another day.
A/N: The longest chapter I have written yet and hopefully one you enjoyed. As always this is where I beg for reviews, and as always this is where most of you will ignore me.
