Author's notes:
Sorry... again. Last August wasn't a really good writing month for me, considering it was the month I got my exam results and all. School has begun and I have to tell you: The advanced level is no joke! I'm getting really busy and the only time I have left for myself whether to write or just relax are literally the Saturdays and the Sundays.
Anyway, enough about me. Get on with the story.
Oh, and by the way, if you guys have any idea who 'Cecille' is, give a review. I'd very much like to hear your speculations/thoughts XD. (Anonymous reviews have been enabled)
One little hint: It is not a character I invented. It is a character originally present in the LA/LA2 series.
Enjoy!
Chapter 7
(Alph's POV)
I rolled and rolled in my bed, but I still couldn't sleep. I was still trying to convince myself that Leon was going to take care of everything for us, but undoubtedly my efforts were in vain.
I sat up. There's no way I'm going to just sit here and do nothing. But it was also clear to me that what Leon had said made perfect sense – I alone couldn't do much to help. And Dia and the others just wouldn't believe me either!
I looked around until I spotted the glass of water on the table next to my bed Luna had just given me, and I made up my mind. Hastily, I dragged myself toward the window and tore a part of the curtain down. Then I bit my finger and dropped a few blood drops into the glass, making the water inside diluted red ink.
I scribbled something on the torn piece of curtain, dried it and carefully folded it and put it on the table. Then quietly, with some effort, I opened the door and walked out. I hadn't expected to see anyone out here in the hall, but it was unbelievably quiet.
The walls in the hall were either adorned with paintings or occupied by bedroom doors. I hadn't exactly explored the whole palace, so I was at a loss of where I was. Grunting internally, I went on, hoping to see any sign that would indicate the way out of the palace.
I walked as cautiously as I could, but my footsteps were still heavy. The hall remained silent as usual. Luckily for me, all the way to the end of the hall, I didn't encounter Dia or Luna. But I was far from relieved.
Approaching the end of the hall, I found myself looking at a huge circular hall with multiple doors. I sighed. Great. How am I supposed to get out of here?
A voice broke the silence. 'Where the hell is Wendell?'
I jumped. I stopped in my tracks as a young man walked in here from another hallway directly opposite to me. It was a man I'd encountered only once. Steiner.
The hall was only lit by the moonlight filtered by the skylights above, but it was bright enough for my dilated pupils to see clearly.
Steiner was wearing his usual green armor, but this time, instead of radiating coolness like the last time, he was walking fast and wearing a desperate expression.
I hid myself in the darkness of the long hallway, and strained to press myself hard against a bedroom door. I was not about to be seen and had my plan ruined.
'That Wendell,' Steiner continued in frustration. 'He's gone every time you need him!' He was now at the center of the hall, but he wasn't heading toward any particular door, as if he himself wasn't sure where he was going to look.
My knees became weaker and weaker, and it occurred to me that the 'attack-boost spell' was taking effect. I grabbed the side of the bedroom door with both hands, but even they were giving in. I sweated on the inside. Give me one more minute.
But Steiner just stood there hesitantly, and by the look of it, he wasn't going to make up his mind anytime soon.
After what seemed like forever, Steiner started moving toward a door labeled 'Audience Room'. By that time, large droplets of sweat were already forming on my forehead. I was using the last few drops of energy to hold myself up.
Just when he was about to open the door and I was about to sigh with relief, my hands slipped and I fell, producing a loud 'thud' sound, echoing clearly in the hall.
'Who's there?' Steiner shouted at my direction.
Great. He was fast approaching and my mind whacked itself for ideas.I pushed the bedroom door as hard as I could but it didn't budge; I reached for the doorknob desperately but the door was locked. I sighed. And there I thought I might actually have a chance.
It didn't take long before Steiner reached me. 'An intruder?' he scowled, and he pulled me to my feet and out of the hallway into the hall. His stern expression turned into one of bewilderment as he saw who he was dealing with. 'Alph?'
I sighed in frustration.
'What are you doing here?' Steiner pressed. 'I thought you were at the castle gate with the others.'
I looked up. 'The Castle Gate?'
'I thought we had every guard and soldier notified. Beast fiends are appearing near the castle. Everyone is doing his job defending it! So what are you doing here?' His expression grew more and more suspicious.
'You mean Dia and Luna are…'
'They're long gone already!'
I felt a pang of realization. No wonder the hallway had been so quiet. And I had been so worried I would be spotted on my way out. I felt so stupid!
He let go of me, but I nearly collapsed as my body didn't have enough strength to support even itself. He caught me again swiftly before my body touched the ground. His face showed only shock now. 'Oh, my God. You're hurt! Who did this to you?'
I was suddenly lost in my own thoughts. The Witches won't listen to me; I can't depend on myself to help Leon, given my condition; all my other comrades have already gone to defend the castle. That left only one choice.
'It doesn't matter,' I said hastily. 'I'm the least of my troubles now.' I took a deep breath before I continued, 'Listen. You have to save Lucia…'
'You mean the girl you were with?' Steiner interrupted. 'Oh yeah. Where is she?'
'I was just getting to that. The person who did this to me kidnapped Lucia. And I need your help to get her back. My friend Leon had already engaged in the rescue mission, but I am very worried. We don't know exactly how strong the enemy is, and we don't know what she's up to…' Steiner stared at me in bewilderment. I sighed and gave him a much abridged version of the story.
Steiner listened patiently, but the frown on his face became more and more pronounced. When I was finished, he sighed. 'It looks to me that it is not just your problem, Alph. According to you, whoever it was that had your friend had the Light Lapistier and the Dark Lapistier, and without knowing her goal, she could be targeting us as well.'
He paused, looking deep in thought. Then he finally said, 'Unfortunately, we have a crisis here in the castle as we speak. I don't know when the attacks will cease and I can't leave the castle yet. So you have to do this alone.'
'But I…' I tried to protest, but I was interrupted.
'That's why I need to take you to my laboratory. I have just the thing you need to regain your power.' He smiled warmly at me. Pulling me to my feet, he wrapped a hand around me to support my weight. Then slowly, he led the way.
I was feeling hopeful again, and I was beginning to like Steiner more and more.
What I didn't notice then was the evil grin he wore when he turned away, a grin he wore to congratulate himself on his successful attempt to lure me into his plan.
That's it for now. Don't forget to give a reviewXD
