Chapter 10: The Beginning of the New Life
Guile and Varil were in Guile's suite, drinking. Bottles of beer were scattered all over the place. Guile was sitting on the couch, laid back. His bowtie loosened up and his shirt unbuttoned. Varil was sitting in the other couch just beside him. Guile had told him everything that had happened.
"I shouldn't have did that to her." Guile said as he took a sip in the bottle.
"You're human…you make mistakes…you can do that…what you can't do is, turn back time." Varil replied sipping from the bottle.
"God I'm so stupid!" he said angrily as pressed his head on the bottle.
"Where could she be?" Varil asked softly.
"Let's go find her!" Guile said as he stood up.
"Not tonight…first of all, you're drunk and look awful, and second where would we start? Just bring your guild to my agit tomorrow and we'll find her…tomorrow…" Varil said as his speech started to slur.
Guile fell on the couch, sitting down, "Yeah I guess you're right…you'd better get going…it's getting late…" he said as started to doze off.
"Okay…GUILD SKILL NUMBER 5!" Varil shouted.
"What are you saying man?" Guile asked as his speech slurred.
"I'm teleporting to my agit…" Varil replied as he was enveloped be a blue light.
"Cool…I wish I had an agit…" he said half-sleeping
"Join the W.O.E. next month!!" he shouted as he slowly disappeared.
"Okay…okay…" Guile said as he slowly fell to sleep.
Aribeth found herself in front of the Prontera church. She walked inside and out of the dark and cold. She walked into the familiar halls and reached Mother Superior's office. She knocked 3 times on the hardwood door and waited for her sweet voice.
"Come in my child…" a sweet angelic voice called out.
Aribeth opened the door and dropped her bag outside the door as she entered her office.
"Aribeth! What a wonderful surprise! How may I help you my child?" she asked sweetly, breaking the deafening silence of the night.
"I need a new assignment Mother Superior, somewhere far from Prontera." She said softly.
"Oh…having trouble in paradise I see." She said jokingly as she smiled at her.
"Okay, I'll assign you in Geffen…" she said softly as she walked to Aribeth.
"There, you must help everyone in need. You must patrol around Geffen saving lives." Mother Superior said as she brushed her hair.
"Where will I stay?" Aribeth inquired as she looked at the nun puzzled.
"I will reserve a suite for you…in the Geffen tower." She replied.
"There are no suites in the Geffen tower." Aribeth said softly as she stepped back.
"I know! I'm just kidding you…You'll be living with the Sorceress just outside Geffen." She said as she grinned at her.
"With Sierra? Mother Superior!" she protested.
"I thought you wanted to get out of Prontera?" she asked as she smirked at her.
"Okay fine, but are you sure she'll accept me after the…incident?" Aribeth asked as she crossed her arms, frowning in disappointment.
"What incident? When you lied to her that you would be her apprentice?" she said mockingly.
"I didn't lie! She expected too much…and it's a good thing I became a high priest…I can really help people." She reasoned.
"You know why I'm assigning you to Geffen and to her?" the nun asked as she sat on her table.
"Kind of…you want me to reconcile with her and at the same time help people…right?" she answered softly.
"You're forgetting something…" the nun said. She stood up and pinched cheek.
"You're so cute…anyway…" she said as she let go of her cheek, "The other reason is…both of your boyfriends are hybrids, and I'm going to make you one." She continued.
"Wait what?!" she asked half-shouting.
"I'm going to make you a hybrid…" she replied.
"No not that, the boyfriends remark…" she said.
"Varil and Guile." she answered.
"How did you know?" she asked, looking surprised.
"I have my sources, and good job by the way, the beating you gave that perverted knight in the elevator! You go girl!" she said cheerfully. Aribeth then remembered that knight she beat up.
"Okay enough with the catching up tell why you want me to be a hybrid?" she asked as she put her hands on her waist.
"As you know me and Sierra are very close friends, she too uses a heaven's tear, you also know that one of her powers is looking into the future, being half gypsy and all." She said as she looked into the mirror on her table, "She saw something horrible about you and told me that you should know to defend yourself." She continued.
"I know the holy light." She reasoned.
"That wont be enough compared to your next opponent." She said seriously.
"Who is my next opponent?" she asked looking scared.
"Put it this way, all who walk on earth are mortal, even if they call themselves gods." She said.
"This is how you help me? Whit a riddle?" she snapped.
"You'll get it, I promise." She said.
"Yeah, when the time comes…" she said crossly. The nun looked at her seriously as she put her hands on her hips. They both stared at each other then laughed.
"Gosh, I can't remember how much we bonded back then." She said laughing.
"I know…" Aribeth replied.
"Okay, so I'll send you now." The nun said as she pulled out a blue gem out of her drawer.
"Wait! So Sierra knows I'm coming?" she asked.
"Yes." She replied as she set the gem on the ground.
"She knows we were talking?" she asked again
"Yes." She answered.
"No privacy…"she muttered under her breath.
"I heard that." The nun said as she laughed.
"OROS LAINTIMU DRACHIA!" the nun shouted.
"What kind of magic is that?" Aribeth asked
"Mother Superior magic." She replied smiling. Suddenly, the gem burst into shards as their surroundings shifted. The glamorous office of the nun turned into a big, spacious room. The floor turned into alabaster stone and so did the walls and ceiling. The desk turned into a long table with scrolls, bottles and potions on top of it. The light dimmed revealing torches evenly placed across the room. Two beds evenly spaced, appeared in the rightmost corner of the room just opposite of the long table. A door was just adjacent the long table.
"Hey ya'll what's happenin'!" a shrill voice with an African-American accent called out from behind. As they both turned around, they saw a dark woman. She had a curvaceous body and with big breasts and a big butt. Her hair is black and her eyes are brown. She was wearing a beige mini skirt that revealed her well rounded thighs. She also had a beige vest that covered her racing t-shirt that barely covered her breasts.
"Sierra!" the nun said cheerfully as she turned back to hug her.
"Jaina, my girl!" Sierra exclaimed as she hugged her.
"Shit! She's gonna see me!" Aribeth shouted in her thoughts.
"Aribeth, hey! How's the life of a hussy?" she said mockingly as she let go of Jaina.
"So Jaina is your name?" she said smiling at the nun, ignoring Sierra.
"Don't you diss me! I'm the one who's gonna take care of yo sorry ass for the rest of yo sorry life. So you should treat me with the respect I deserve, aight'? She asked peacefully as she offered a handshake. Aribeth shook her hand and smiled at her embarrassed.
"And don't ya worry bout that thang we had back then, it's all over girl! C'mere…" she said cheerfully as she offered a hug. Aribeth hugged her and smiled.
"I'll be leaving you now." Jaina said as she disappeared into thin air.
"Okay girl, I'll be teachin' ya the basics of magic, okay girl?" she said cheerfully as she led her out the door.
"What are the basics exactly?" she asked softly.
"Well, there's the incantation, mind incantation, memorizing, and more." She said as they enetered a lobby filled with mountains and mountains of different kinds of gems. A Giant tinted window shone over them, and Aribeth didn't see a door in sight,
"How are we gonna get out of here?" Aribeth inquired.
"You figure that out girl, I'ma sleep." She said as she went inside the room.
"Wait! I'ma sleep too!" Aribeth exclaimed as she followed her.
The next morning they both entered the jewel room again.
"How are we getting out of here?" Aribeth asked as she put her hands on her waist.
"That's for me to know and for me to find out…" she said as she crossed her arms and look at Aribeth.
Aribeth shook her head and picked up a red gem stone. She gripped it hard and threw it to the glass window. It broke through the window which got Sierra mad.
"What the hell! Girl, don't be messin' with my window! I paid for that!" she said crossly as she raised her hand. The gem flew back in and the shards of the broken glass returned to its place.
"Then just tell me how to get out of here!" she said impatiently.
"Aight, aight, I have a riddle for ya. The path to freedom is unseen in the eyes of the impatient, but clear through the eyes of a bug." She said.
"Eyes of a bug?!" she said half roaring.
"Don't be trippin' girl, take ya time." She said as she returned to the room.
"Eyes of a bug…" she said to herself. She looked around to see if there are any bugs in sight, but there were nine. She knelt down then rested on her heels of her feet. She stared at the gems as she fixed her skirt.
"Hey…they look like compound eyes…" She said to herself as she stood up. She took 3 blue gems and fixed them evenly with their sides. She peered through the crystals but nothing happened. She threw the gems away in frustration.
"Almost there girl…" Sierra said as she leaned on the railing of the doorway with crossed arms.
Aribeth 3 red gems and did the same thing happened. Again, she threw them away in frustration. Sierra laughed at her and returned to the room.
"Stupid riddle…" she said frustrated. She stared at the gems around her. All of them colored red, blue and yellow. This gave her an idea.
"Sierra!" she called out.
"What?" she replied shouting.
"What's the color of the path to freedom?" she asked excitedly.
"Look at you skin white girl!" she shouted as she ran out of the room to see if Aribeth got it.
"Of Course! The laws of color…mix them all up you get white!" She said excitedly as she took 3 gems of different colors and affixed them by their sides. She peered into the gems and a white light shone forming a door shape just under the stained glass. She threw the gems away and ran to the wall. She stopped as soon as she got there. The reached for the wall and her hand passed through.
"I was right!" she shouted as she ran through the wall. Sierra followed her, smiling.
As Aribeth saw the green fields of Geffen, she cheered and twirled and fell to the ground.
"Don't frolic too much white girl, that's just part 1 of our training." She said as she crossed her arms.
"Huh?" Aribeth said, looking puzzled.
"The colors of the gem indicate what element it can summon." Sierra explained as she helped Aribeth on her feet.
"Ice uses a…?" she asked
"Blue gem!" Aribeth answered
"Fire uses a…?" she continued asking
"Red gem!" she answered again.
"Lightning uses a…?" she asked again
"Yellow gem!" she excitedly answered.
"How bout earth?" she asked
"Earth! Uh…yellow?" she answered unsurely.
"Correct! How bout plants?" she continued asking.
"Plants? Hmm…are there green gems?" she asked jokingly.
"No…think it through white girl…" she said seriously.
"Blue and yellow makes green…" she thought to herself.
"Can we use 2 gems at a time?" she asked sweetly.
"Yeah…" she said strictly.
"Then it's blue and yellow gems." She said excitedly.
"Correct…well now that you get the idea, let's begin phase 2." She said as she pulled out a scroll behind her.
"Memorize this…" she said as she gave her the scroll. Aribeth unrolled the scroll and read what's inside.
Peter piper picked a peck of pickled pepper.
"Done!" she said confidently.
"Now say it!" she commanded
"Peter piper picked a peck of pickled pepper." She recited.
"Keep on saying it until I tell you to stop." Sierra said as Aribeth chanted the piece.
"Meditate on it and try to go in a trance." She said as Aribeth continued chanting.
Aribeth continued chanting as she closed her eyes. Sierra sat down on the ground and stared at her.
"Peter piper picked a peck of pickled pepper." She chanted with her eyes closed.
"Peter piper picked a peck of pickled pepper." She continued as she began to feel relaxed.
"Peter…" she said as she slowly opened her eyes.
"…piper…" she continued as her eyes slowly opened
"….picked…"
"…a peck…"she continued as her eyes were already half open
"…of pickled…"
"…pepper…" she said as she opened her eyes completely, looking relaxed.
"Avoid all my attacks…" Sierra said as she raised both her arms. The ground spitted out rocks that floated in mid air.
"Ha!" she exclaimed flicking her wrists. The stones flew right at Aribeth.
"Peter…" she said softly as she leaned left and right avoiding the rocks.
"Very good…now avoid this…" she said as she spread her arms. Vines sprouted out the ground and leveled her hands.
"Ha!" she exclaimed again as she flicked her wrists. The vines immediately darted at her.
Aribeth ducked, leaned, jumped and leaped avoiding darting vines as she was chanting the riddle.
"A little more complex…" she said as she waved her hands. Water, rocks, vines, ice and fire were spat out by the ground.
"Try avoiding this…" Sierra said as she closed her eyes and folded her hands on her chest.
The elements attacked Aribeth randomly. She managed to avoid all of them while chanting the riddle.
"Enough…" Sierra said as she opened her eyes. Aribeth stopped chanting and came out of her trance.
"Okay…that was good…" Sierra said.
"Okay, what's next?" Aribeth asked sweetly.
"Wait here…" she replied as she ran back to the house. Aribeth patiently waited as she lay on the grass.
Meanwhile, in Prontera, Guile brought his guild in Varil's agit. Both G.M.'s were planning as they stood in front of a table.
"Guile, we have to join forces. To find her we need many people as possible." Varil said sympathetically.
"Yeah I know…that's why I brought my guild like you said." Guile replied.
"Okay, we'd better split cities. I'll take Prontera, Morroc, Payon and Al Debaran; you take Geffen, Juno, Alberta and Izlude." Varil said as he laid out a map on the table, pointing at the cities.
"What about Nifelheim, Glast Heim, Ant hell…and the others?" Guile inquired as they both stared at the map.
"That's a given, we have to search every field in every city." Varil replied as he rolled up the map.
"Okay…" Guile replied as he walked away from the table.
Carrie then entered the scene carrying a basket full of gems.
"Why are we doing this for Aribeth? Don't you think she needs time alone?" Carrie asked as she set the gems on the table. Both G.M.'s fell silent.
"I thought so…" Carrie said as she sat on the table looking at both of them.
"Carrie, you wouldn't understand what were going through…" Varil said as he tied the map with a red string and inserted it in his pouch.
"Oh I understand…more than you guys know…both of you are clearly obsessed with her. Hello! There are more fishes in the sea!" she said as she fixed her hair.
"She's not like any other girl…" Guile said as he sighed and smiled.
"How can you say that?!" she shrieked, "You haven't dated every girl in the world, have you?!"
"Well, if I did the things I did to Aribeth to every girl, they would surely put out in a second!" He said as he turned and smirked at Carrie.
"Why? What did you do to her?" Carrie asked as she got off the table.
"I'm not hearing this…" Varil said as he walked out of the room.
"Wait a minute…she didn't put out for you! That's why you're obsessed with her…the old herd to get game…" she said as she picked up the basket and walked to the door.
"I guess you're right. Whenever she plays hard to get, she only makes me want her more." He said as she followed her out of the door.
"Varil!" she shouted as she ran out of the door, "It's your turn to answer!"
Varil was walking the hallway then stopped; "we…have a connection" he said flatly and continued to walk.
"Well there you go…" Guile said as he walked into hallway.
In Geffen, Sierra was carrying 3 books and 2 scrolls.
"Here…read all this shit and try to memorize them." Sierra said as she dropped the books and scrolls beside Aribeth.
"What's this?" Aribeth asked as she sat up and picked at the books. The first book she held was colored red and titled Summoning the Elements, the second book she held was blue and titled The Art of Magic, the third book was black and titled The Awakening.
"Those books and scrolls will explain everything you know about primary magic. They also contain incantations in casting spell skills." Sierra said as she turned around, "Read them white girl, I've some shit to do." She continued as she walked into the house.
"Okay…" Aribeth replied as she began reading red book
Back in Prontera, Guile and Varil gathered their guild members in the hall. They both stood on the lobby to give a speech to their guild members who are standing below them.
"Okay guys…sorry about this, but we really need your help." Varil said sympathetically
"Yeah…think of it as training, where all of you will be trained…in…search…ing?" Guile said unsurely as he turned to Varil.
"Let me handle this…" he replied whispering.
"Guild Sacred, if you help, I will not raise taxes, instead I'll lower them…if you help that is…" Varil said as the half of the crowd cheered.
"What about us Guile?" Missy said as she crossed her arms.
"Uhm…free 1 year stay in my hotel?" Guile said unsurely as he smiled nervously. A brief silence enveloped the crowd.
"Yeah I think that's good…" Missy said as the crowd cheered.
"Okay were good, Alpha team, you take Morroc, Beta team, Al Debaran, Charlie team, Payon and the rest of you, here in Prontera…include the other fields in that city…okay Go!" Varil exclaimed as he jumped down of the balcony and ran out the hall with his guild behind him.
"Okay, Missy…you lead the assassin crosses and stalkers, Al all the high wizards and professors…if any…" He said in a stern Voice..
"Umm...who would like to lead the Arrow squad?" He asked as he stared in the crowd.
"I would!" A male Sniper with dark blue hair and aquamarine eyes said.
"I'll lead them…" he said as he wore the cowboy hat. He carried his arrow quiver and his bow as he glared at Guile.
"I like your attitude kid, what's your name?" Guile asked.
"Derek." He replied.
"Okay Derek, you're leading the arrow team…Carrie, you'll lead the high priests and champions." He said confidently.
"What about us smithies and chemists?" a female biochemist with blazing red hair and green eyes said.
"Oh yeah…you lead them…you are?" Guile asked.
"Janice." She replied.
"Okay, Janice, you're leading the smithies and chemists…okay now for your assignments…" he said as he jumped down the balcony.
"Missy and Al, you take Juno, Derek and Janice, you take Alberta, Carrie, since your alone, take Izlude…it's small…you can handle it…okay go!" the squad left as soon as they heard his signal.
"Okay that's that…I'll just rest here…SHIT GEFFEN!! GUYS!! COME BACK!!" he exclaimed but it was too late. He gave a sigh as he saw a female soul linker still standing there. She looked about 5 years younger than Guile and had bright pink hair and green eyes.
"What about me boss?" she said sweetly.
Guile sighed and patted her head, "You're coming with me to Geffen." He said as he smiled at her.
"Okay! Let's go!" she said as she ran out of the agit.
Guile sighed and started to walk.
Meanwhile, In Geffen, Aribeth was still reading. She was under a tree with the books and the books and scrolls beside her.
"Rule number1: Never cause harm with your magic…sounds reasonable." She said to herself as she turned a page.
"What's this…Eros Revalum." A pink glow suddenly enveloped her.
"What the?!" she exclaimed. She read the rest of the page and it read Call Your Lover Spell.
"Uh-oh…" she said nervously.
A same pink glow immediately enveloped Guile.
"Geffen!" he said as the pink glow slowly disappeared. He ran past the soul-linker and talked to the Kafra.
"Geffen please…Now!!" he exclaimed.
"Alright! Keep your shirt on!" She replied.
"As you can see…I don't have one…" he said as he looked at her crossly.
"Yes…" the Kafra said as she stared at Guile's abs.
"Teleport me now!" Guile demanded and a blue light enveloped him and he disappeared.
"He's hot…" the Kafra said smiling.
The same pink glow enveloped Varil as well.
"Geffen!" he also said as the pink glow slowly disappeared.
"Guys…I'd better leave you a while…" he said as he ran to the Kafra.
"Okay..." they replied as they continued the search.
"Geffen please." Varil said calmly.
"A moment please." She said. A blue light enveloped him then he dissaperared.
"Shit! Sierra!! Problem!!" she cried out as she ran to the house carrying the books and scrolls.
"What?!" Sierra said, sounding concerned. Aribeth showed the page she read. For a moment, Sierra stared at it, they she burst into laughter.
"Girl…they coming for you!" she said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"Can't you do something?" Aribeth asked half begging.
"Girl…you'd better face them." Sierra said as she pushed her out of the house.
As Aribeth was forced out of the house, he saw the 2 guild masters panting, holding their knees, catching their breath. She took a few steps back towards the house but Sierra came out to push her further.
"Girl, get out there!" Sierra shouted as she pushed her.
The 2 guild masters held their heads high and saw Aribeth carrying the scrolls and books.
"Aribeth!" Guile exclaimed as he saw her. Varil just stood there looking at her. Guile attempted to hug her but Sierra blocked him.
"Dang man! Give yo girl some space!" Sierra said as she shoved Guile.
"Get out of my way! I just want to hold her!" he said as he attempted to shove Sierra out of the way. Suddenly, Sierra's hands grew bright with a blue glow.
"ICEWALL!" She exclaimed, then, large spikes darted out of the ground and blocked Guile's path.
"This won't stop me!" he shouted as he punched the ice spikes. All of them immediately broke and fell on the ground. Sierra was surprised. She then looked at Aribeth and gestured to read something out of the books.
"Oh okay…" she said. She flipped open the book and read its contents aloud.
"DOMINUS EXPELIA LIBERATUM LOKI!" she shouted. Sierra's eyes grew wide with fear and turned to Aribeth.
"Which book did you read?" Sierra asked sounding scared.
"This one…" Aribeth said as she showed her the black book.
"Oh shit…" Sierra said. The skies grew cloudy and eventually grew dark. The ground began to rumble as the wind blew hard. A red circle appeared under Aribeth which pushed Sierra and Guile away.
"Sierra…what's happening…" Aribeth asked as fear filled her slowly.
"You freed Loki!" Sierra exclaimed.
"What?!" she exclaimed. Suddenly, an armor of a hand pooped out of the ground. Its gauntlets were spiky and was dark as night, a red ball formed in its palm and shot a red ray into the sky. The sky turned red and so did the clouds. A big red thunder struck the hand that made everybody turn away. As the avoided the bright light, a deep voice roared. As the light grew dimmer they looked at the creature. It's shaped human and was protected by a dark spiky armor. A big red cape covered most of its body. Its helmet was also black. 2 big red horns were present on its head. Its eyes were glowing red as if they were on fire. The creature extended its hand to Aribeth, reaching for her head.
"Sierra, what do I do?!" Aribeth exclaimed with fear.
"That's not Loki…" Varil said to himself as he stared at the creature.
"I don't know…I'm sorry Aribeth…" Sierra said sadly.
"Don't move Aribeth!" Guile exclaimed. He posed to fight as a white glow enveloped him.
"GUILLOTINE FIST!!" he exclaimed. He then leaped for the beast charging his fist first. As he came near, a translucent barrier pushed him away. Sierra stood up and raised her hands.
"SPELL STOP!!" she exclaimed. A bright blue light shrouded the barrier and broke it.
The creature then reached Aribeth's head. A bright yellow light enveloped her and the creature's hand glowed red. It looked as though the creature was sucking her essence.
"Help me!!" Aribeth shrieked.
Varil thrust his sword in the ground and genuflected beside it.
"GRAND CROSS!!" he shouted, immediately, a big cross appeared on the ground. The short end was under Varil and the longer end was under the creature. The cross shone brightly and the creature screamed in pain. The yellow glow from Aribeth returned. The creature fell on its knees and the red glow entered Aribeth. She screamed with agony, her hair and eyes slowly turned bright red.
"GUILLOTINE FIST!!" Guile exclaimed as he leaped for the creature again.
"JUPITER THUNDER!!" Sierra exclaimed pointing her hands to the beast. A big ball of electricity formed between her hands and charged at the beast.
Guile reached the weakened beast and punched it with his glowing right fist as the electric ball reached the creature. The creature screamed in pain and exploded into dust. Aribeth fell to the ground as red electricity flowing in her stopped. Varil, Guile and Sierra rushed to her. Sierra managed to catch her before she fell.
"Poor thing…help me get her into the house." She said as she gave her to Varil.
"Where's the entrance?" Guile asked.
"Just follow me." Sierra said flatly as she led them into the house.
Meanwhile, in Valhalla, A Valkyrie was rushing through the halls. She was wearing a blue armor and her headgear was silver and had beautiful carved ivory wings. Her long brown hair was flowing as she ran into the halls of Valhalla. The halls were beautifully decorated with gold. The green marble pillars looked exquisite matching the white marble of the floor. She reached the throne room where Odin was sitting on his chair, bored. He had short brown hair and his eyes were bright green. He was wearing his usual armor, all shiny and everything. Beside him was his golden spear, gently placed beside his arm rest. Everything in the throne room was silver, the pillars, the walls, the floor, the moldings, the railing etc. It was ridiculously beautiful. The Valkyrie knelt before Odin with t\her arms crossed on her chest.
"Lord Odin, I bear bad news." She said in an angelic voice.
Odin sighed and rested his head on his palm, "What is it?" he said flatly as he looked at the Valkyrie.
"Loki has been freed." The Valkyrie said sadly. Odin then smiled looking happy. He jumped out of his seat and started dancing beside the Valkyrie.
"S-sir, this is bad news, why are you cheering?" The Valkyrie asked as she stood up, looking at Odin.
Odin stopped and hugged the Valkyrie.
"Oh this is a glorious day, prepare my chariot, I'll descend to earth in a moment." He said cheerfully as he stopped dancing.
"Sir, why are you happy? This is grave news she asked looking confused.
"I was bored my dear! I finally have a purpose again! Round up the other gods later when I arrive. Who freed him by the way?" he said as she walked to his spear.
"An Aribeth Tylmerande, high priestess, studying magic…" she replied.
"A high priestess studying magic? Why?" he asked as he took his spear and walked towards the Valkyrie.
"It's complicated just ask her later…" she said flatly as she disappeared in thin air.
"Rude Valkyrie, still, a glorious day!" he exclaimed as he skipped merrily out of the throne room.