Chapter 10

The Calm Before the Storm

(Note: This is told from Lavitz's Point of View)

What is wrong with me? From the time we left Lohan to the time that we entered the shrine, I haven't said a word to Dart. As much as I wanted to talk to him, I couldn't even open my mouth to even form a single word. I call myself a knight of Serdio, showing such cowardice. This is the optimal time to bring up what needs to be brought up. So why am I hesitating? I should just go forth and just spit it out. I mustered up the courage and parted my lips, but before I could actually say something, I heard Dart say my name. I paused and responded, "Yes? What is it?" Dart came to a halt in front of the entrance to the shrine and looked at me. "I know there's something that you want to talk to me about. I could sense it the entire is it?" Dart asked the question in the most serious tone of voice, with an expression to match. I didn't let that deter me though. I went ahead and spat out what was on my mind. "I want to know what's wrong...Ever since you found out that had feelings for you...You seemed different..." I could tell that the air around Dart shifted. The young man's serious expression turned into one that was more gentle and for some reason that made me feel relieved.

"Nothing's wrong, Lavitz. It's just..it takes time to get used to the fact that someone has feelings for me. It's quite a bit to take in. I guess you can say-" Dart gives a big silly grin before he scratches his head. "I'm not used to such a thing. I wasn't the type who was extremely popular with the ladies soooooo. You can say that having someone such as yourself tell me that you see me more than a friend, is very much new." I could feel my face grow hot as I watched Dart give that classic grin of his. There were so many things that I wanted to do and say that I just couldn't go about doing...There was too many thing to contend with. I let off a small sigh and then look at Dart, who was making his way towards me. I begin to hesitate a little. What could I do? I couldn't run. The best thing I could do was stand there and see what he was about to do. "I thought...you would be upset with me." Dart muttered.

I immediately raised an eyebrow and could not help but to question what he said. "Why would I be upset?"

"Remember...when I discovered that you had feelings for me. I labeled it as sad."

"Yeah, I remember that."

"Well...I thought that...you would hate me for immediately labeling your feelings as sad so carelessly. I didn't give you a chance to tell me face to face everything. . .Nor. . . did I fully look at how I felt about you..."

"How you felt about me?"

"Yes...I...I thought that I only sought you out as a friend...but..."

My heart began to rush, my face grew hot...I could only imagine how flushed I was right about now. "B-but?" I stuttered. Dart didn't bother to finish his sentence instead he embraced me. I could feel his embrace strengthen as we stood there. Everything seemed to stand still to me. The bodies of water that were on both sides of the path that we were on stopped, the birds that sung their happy song were silent, and the delicate rustling of the trees was muted. The only thing that I could hear was Dart's breathing...the only thing that I could smell was this young man's dark musky scent and the only thing that I could feel was Dart's arms wrapped around my body. I lifted my arms and returned the favor. "I shouldn't have lied to myself...I should've looked at everything more carefully. Lavitz, please...please forgive me. I shouldn't have went at this in such a lax manner." I couldn't help but to smile. "Of course I forgive you...I couldn't hold a grudge against you, but...what about Shana?"

"What about her?

"Doesn't she see you as..."

"I see her as a little sister, I have already told you that nothing is going to come from that."

Then I realize that we have been standing here for far too long. I quickly looked up at Dart and said, "We are here FOR Shana...We need to hurry along before her condition grows worse!" The young man that stood before me widened his eyes. You could tell by his expression that Shana had slipped his mind. Dart lets go of me and darted down the pathway.

That small discussion lifted a ton of weight off of my shoulders. This entire time, Dart simply needed time to figure things out. He needed time to sort through his feelings, or so it seemed, but...I am still concerned for both my sake and Dart's. Albert, His Majesty Albert still concerned me. His mental well being wasn't exactly up to par. Things would have to be different if he was around. This really made me think about how it would work, but I have plenty of time to think about that later. The main focus now was to save Shana.

Dart and I made our way through the shrine. It was quite the gorgeous sight. Lush green trees and pearly white bricks and the air was filled with the scent of fresh water. This place was very relaxing, but what made this shrine odd was that it was riddled with traps and not good traps either. We climbed the stairs and made our way to a vast open area with stone statues and plenty of fresh water. Before us stood a huge, temple, or storage place. I wasn't too sure. "Maybe the Dragoni Plant is in that building over there!" Dart says and makes his way towards it. I reach out a single hand and shout, "No Dart! Don't just go over there so carelessly. There may be..." and as soon as I opened my mouth, arrows rained from the sky. Luckily, Dart managed to dodge them all. A man dressed in green fell down from the sky and gracefully landed before Dart. "How dare you defile this land?!" he shouted. This new person had the most annoying voice that one could imagine. Just hearing him talk made me cringe and wish he was a mute. "Who are you?" Dart questions. "I am Drake the Bandit...Master of traps."

"Master of being annoying as hell..." I say over my shoulder, trying to make sure the annoying little man did not hear any thing that I said. I returned my attention to the situation in front of me and watch the two converse. As the man talked to Dart, I took note that he was afraid that we were going to take his treasure. Even after Dart made it clear that we were after the Dragoni Plant, the annoying bandit did not believe him. Was he serious? What could he have that we would want? It was apparent that this man had been deprived of civilization for far too long. I knew that I was getting sick and tired of hearing this man's ramblings and was ready to just find the plant, take it and leave, but before any one of us could move, a feminine voice filled the area. In a flash of light, a woman with pink hair appeared before me. The annoying bandit and Dart turned around to look at the woman.

"Drake, back down...they mean no harm. .." she states. " Travelers...I am afraid to tell you that this area does not have any Dragoni Plant for your ill friend, but I do know one thing that could help them. Though, I cannot let you have it so easily. I will put you through a series of tests and if your heart reveals that you mean well...then you get the item." It must be one hell of a good item if we have to take a test for it. "No, Shirley!" Drake shouted, but the woman, who I should mention is a ghost, simply floated to the middle of the area and turned around. The annoying little bandit flees and Shirley gives me a look. "Lavitz, bear your heart to me." she states. The woman temporarily disappears before reappearing as...

"You've got to be kidding me..." I mutter, quickly walking to the middle to join Shirley and take this test. Shirley had taken the form of His Majesty Albert himself. "No no no no no..." I said. "I am not going through this." But did I have a choice? I turned around just to find myself face to face with King Albert. I knew that this was only Shirley testing me, but the air about her made my mind think that I was standing before His Majesty. Everything was accurate about this phantasmal copy, from his hair, all the way down to the boots that he wore on the field. I couldn't believe it and yet...I could. Anything was possible. "Shirley...Why?" I whispered.

"Who is this Shirley that you speak of?!" the copy questioned before me in a firm, yet regal tone of voice. I snapped to attention a little as if I were back at Indels, taking orders from the King. I guess, if I wanted to pass this "test", I need to play along. Though, I am well aware that I shouldn't allow myself to get to far into this. I have to remember that this person that stood before me, was Shirley, not His Majesty Albert. I took a deep breath and approached the person. "I'm sorry, your Majesty...I had a minor slip in thought." I muttered. "Albert" began to pace around me slowly.

"Tell me...Why are you here? I need you back at the castle. You are one of my most trusted knights and you must be here just in case the Sandorans decide to attack the castle. I highly suggest that you return at once." He says, continuing to use that authoritative tone. I clench my teeth and tighten my hands into a fist. His Majesty would never say such things. This was a poor rendition of the king. Yet, how well this woman portrayed the king was of no matter. The most important thing to keep in mind was saving Shana and having things situation so that I could safely return to the King. I need to respond, there's no doubt about it.

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"No! I must save Shana."

"Do you dare defy me? You're going to place this one girl...over all of Bale?"

"You have to understand, your majesty...The current task must come first and then I will be able to come back and continue to serve you."

I then saw a small smile spread across the Copy King's face. I thought that I had passed the test, but I was wrong...It was just the beginning. "Remember" A voice, which was Shirley's, echoed through the area. " I can see well into your heart...and this test...comes with more than one part. Tell me, Lavitz, how you fare with your King?" Now what did she mean by that? What was she about to do? It slightly scared me to know that she could see into my heart. Could that mean that she could see...

"What's wrong, Sir Knight? Is something wrong?" The copy questioned. This fake took a single finger and ran it down the side of my face. "You know, you say that you wish to save this girl first, but I can't help but to question, if you are using her as an excuse just to prolong the inevitable." Upon hearing that, I couldn't help but to raise a single eyebrow in confusion. Prolong? What was I trying to prolong? This was beginning to sound highly ridiculous. So in response, I questioned the copy right back. "Prolong? What do you mean?"

"Don't play a fool."

"I don't understand..."

"You're trying to try your hardest to avoid seeing me, as well as avoid bringing that red clad man within my sights."

I noticed that "Albert" began to give Dart a nasty glare.

"No! That's not it!"

"Ever since that one day...you've felt bad about it."

Even though this was true, I didn't want to admit it to someone who I didn't know...Well, someone who I didn't know who was posing as someone that I did know. This person was starting to cross into territories that I didn't want them being in.

"Well...I..."

"Let me take a guess." he repositions himself closer to me and looks me directly into my eyes. "Albert's" eyes were a nice warm brown with a cold feel when gazed into. "You don't want to admit that you want to avoid me because it completely contradicts what you stand for. You want to avoid me for my sake and yet...you want to be near me for my sake. Lavitz, you make no sense...no sense at all."

"It's not..."

It was true...This person was completely right. I didn't want to hurt the king any more. I thought that limiting my exposure to him would not only help him but keep him emotionally safe as well. As a knight have to put my Lordship first. This includes his wellbeing, but talking to this person...I realized that I cannot have my cake and eat it too. Spacing myself from him could cause more damage than do good and I could never stand for that. Also, even though by keeping him far away, I am keeping Dart safe...and that doesn't do any good. It's safe to assume that the best thing to do is to stop. Somethings were meant to happen and when the time comes, the three of us can get along just fine...

"Well?" The copy chimed up, gazing even deeper into my eyes. I turned away and took a deep breath. "I can't have both...What's more important is that I keep the King safe physically. His safety is most important. I should have never thought about spacing myself from him. That was foolish. In this case things just need to work themselves out. Hopefully for the better."

I look over my shoulder and noticed that the copy was giving me a small smile. "You have been trained well. I was right in choosing you to be one of my top knights...Great job." The light that we saw before came back and consumed the version of King Albert and then produced Shirley again. The young female ghost had a content look upon her face. "I am done here." she says. "Take this dragoon spirit and save your friend. I do not need to see more."

I watched Shirley approach Dart and hand him the dragoon spirit. "And here I was, doubting the two of you...Anyways, hurry...That young lady needs you." And without a second thought, Dart and I rushed towards the exit of the temple. Now that we have what we need to save Shana, our main priority was to make it back to Lohan in one piece...

Back at Indels Castle, Serafino fidgeted in the cell that he was being held in. Luckily for him he was able to share a cell with his friend Lucien, who happened to be asleep at the time. The young red headed man squirmed a little bit before becoming frustrated with the fact that he was stuck in such a space. The red head thought for a moment and then he had an idea. He began to smack the leg of Lucien, desperately trying to wake him. "Pssst. Lu! Get up!" Serafino whispered. He didn't want to draw the Sandoran's attention. They were scattered about, keeping watch over the castle. "Come...on! Lucien we don't have much time!" Serafino gave one good hearty blow to his partner's arm. Lucien jolted awake and rubbed his eyes, now red, sleepily.

"What is it...Sera?"

"I need to go."

Lucien was very confused. How could Serafino escape?

"I don't understand...How?!"

"Don't worry about it. How I escape doesn't matter. All that matters is that I am able to get to Lavitz and then help get to His Majesty."

"But..."

"There are no buts, Lucien...Just believe in me. Let's hope that I get to Lavitz...He needs to know of King Albert's imprisonment. Remember...Strength in numbers."

"Your bravery is astounding, Sera. I thought that you were just some whiny little knight, but in all honesty...you are quite the person. You deserve recognition."

"No...No...No...Not me. Maybe Lavitz, but not I. I'm not the type of person who is great with recognition."

"But..."

"No buts...anyways, if you think about it...In the end, it'll all be about Lavitz. He'll get the recognition that he deserves and needs."

Something about what Serafino said caused something to go off in his chest. 'In the end, it'll all be about Lavitz.' Why didn't that sit well with him? Lucien didn't bother to take too much time to figure it out, instead he looks at Serafino and gives a small nod. "Do what you need to do...Just make sure that you make it back safely...make it back so you can tell me how you earned that name..."The Reaper". The young knight gives a nod and with a flash, disappears, leaving Lucien wide eyed and confused. "How did he-?!" Lucien questions. He then shrugs and then closed his eyes. "Serafino has always been the most mysterious of people..."

I didn't want to remain in the same room as everyone else. After that long trip, I wanted to take some time and spend time by myself. I need the alone time. Dart told me that he was going to take Shana and Rose and participate in the small tournament that was taking place within the city. I would go to watch, but my mind is too muddled. I simply took a stroll around town. I visited various shops, bought items, and conversed with the towns people. Life was pleasant. Though, I did lose track of time. By the time I was through with my alone time, a few hours had passed and it was time for me to go back and find Dart and the others. I turned around and began to make my way towards the fairgrounds when I was stopped abruptly by a loud, shrill scream. I whirled around to find a Serdian knight, brutally wounded, dragging his almost lifeless body into town and beside him was someone trying to provide assistance. . .the one assisting him was-

"Serafino!"

I scurried over and began to speak to the two. "What happened?!" I say in a strong voice. Before Serafino could chime up, the wounded man spoke.

"King...King Albert...was kidnapped...and taken...to Hellena Prison..."

I was in shock. Hearing these words was almost like taking a knife to the chest. Immediately, I was determined to set forth and rescue my king. "I- I have to go!" I had one goal in mind now and that was to save the king. I attempted to run forth, but the red headed knight stopped me and looked me dead in the eyes. I could care less that Serafino didn't want me to go. I had to go...I NEEDED to go.

"Lavitz! Stop! You have to think first before blindly charging into dangerous territory." Serfino sternly notified. Pfft. Like I gave a shit. I wanted to, no...needed, to save King Albert, so I struggled to get free from his grip. In a matter of time I was set free and I began to run towards the town's entrance, but before I could take a step outside, I felt a strong blow to my stomach and in a matter of minutes, everything went black.

...

I found myself in a new setting. A room that appeared to be the same room that Shana was taken to when she was sick. "So you're finally awake, Lavitz!" chimed Serafino. I sat up and looked at everyone who was in the room. "What...happened. First I was trying to go save, his majesty...and then everything went black." I rested a single hand on my stomach. "I am what happened." said an unfamiliar voice. I looked over to see a man, seemingly in his sixties, dressed in purple. He approached me and gave a slight bow. "My name is Haschel and I was the one who helped you regain control over yourself...You were blinded by your extreme need to rescue your lord." I felt ashamed. I let my emotions get the best of me. I should've known better than to allow that to happen. I look over at Serafino and then back at Haschel and smiled. "Thank you...I should've known better than to attempt to blindly charge into enemy territory..."

"You are a knight...Protecting your King is your sworn duty. I can understand your strong need to save His Majesty." Haschel said. "but...as a knight you need to be better in control of your emotions. You are a knight, not some inexperienced fighter." I lowered my head slightly and then snapped to attention. I had to ask Serafino a very important question. "Serafino.." I watched the young knight turn his attention to me. "What's the condition of Bale?" He began to look highly uneasy as he parted his lips. "It's under occupation...Sandorans invaded, slaughtered some townsmen and knights before taking the King."

"Were you with King Albert before he was taken?"

"Yes...We were with him the entire time..."

"Then how?! How did become imprisoned?!"

"He-"

I was quickly becoming furious. Before I realized it...I let my impulses jump out at Serafino.

"Were you doing nothing when the King was taken away?! Did you simply allow this to happen?!"

I realized what I said and immediately I could feel my face twist into a pained expression that basically gave hint to the fact that I didn't mean to make that statement. I looked at the red head anxiously and awaited his response. "You...know...absolutely...nothing!" Serafino shouted. He had snapped his eyes so that they were focused intensely on mine. Those emerald green orbs were glowing and the red tint that they had to them were even more intense. It was obvious that he was mad. "How dare you question my actions! King Albert willingly gave himself up to the Sandorans so that no more innocents would be slaughtered. I had the commander at my blade and was ready to make his head roll when His Majesty told me to stand down. There was no need for senseless violence. As much as I was willing to kill for my king...I had to follow orders. Do you understand now? Is everything clear?! Don't you ever dare mistake my obedience for simply allowing something to happen." I could tell that Serafino was well beyond pissed. I felt bad about saying what I had said, but at the moment, it was best if I kept my mouth shut and sealed tight. I wish not to stir up any more hostile emotions between us.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Haschel folded his arms and took a deep breath. "Let's not wait around much longer. We don't know what Hellena has in store for the king of Serdio. If we get moving now, we might make it to the prison before they get any ideas." Everyone nodded and I made my way off of the bed. I wanted to apologize to Serafino, but I thought that now wouldn't have been the right time and so, I held off on my apologies. Dart, Rose, Shana, and Haschel vacated the room, leaving myself and Serafino behind. "It's alright." he muttered. "I know you didn't mean to say that...your emotions were getting the best of you. I can really tell that the King means a lot to you. I accept your apology."

I couldn't help but to stand there flabbergasted at what the young knight just stated. How did he? Oh! That's right. It's been a while since I saw this young man, that I forgot that he was able to read people, simply by looking into their eyes. His abilities were amazing, but I couldn't help but to wonder...where did they come from? I couldn't stand there wondering about him, we had more important things to focus on.

"Thanks, Sera..." I said, looking over at Serafino. I had the feeling that any existing problems had been repaired...and to be honest, that was a great feeling. Now, onto the main task at hand!

We made our way out of Lohan and set our sights on the main destination...Hellena Prison, the epitome of hell on earth.

'Your Majesty...Please...hang in there. For my sake, and Serafino's. We are coming to your aid and we're plotting our course of action as we speak. I will not stand to have you harmed by anyone from Imperial Sandora...If harm were to ever fall upon you, I will use every essence within my being to destroy those who dares place you in danger. King Albert, please...be safe. Your knights are on their way. Worry no more.'