Chapter 10: The Return of Freedan! Lol Just kidding…

Here we go!

The trip itself took three whole days. Going to free the slaves as another matter…

I took a deep breath to steady myself and entered the mine. I had to wait for my eyes to adjust seeing as it was so dark. Various torches scattered here and there were the only sources of light.

Erik was right. I'm only at the entrance and already I feel horrible. The Diamond Mine was as quiet as a tomb. A chill went down my spine as I heard screaming from the back of the cave. I shuddered, gulped, grabbed my flute, and proceeded in.

I was expecting to fight Human guards but the guards in this mine were demons. I gripped my flute tightly and charged. My enemy appeared to be a humanoid lizard donned in armor and sporting a chain whip.

I dodged his weapon easily enough and slashed him from behind. Taking flute in both hands, I used a spin attack to administer the final blow. The demon fell to the ground and moved no more.

"Not bad…" Still not as good as Freedan… I was so rapped up in my battle I didn't notice the laborer next to me.

"Excuse me…sir?"

"Huh?" I looked down at him. He was chained to a ball and covered in dust and dirt from working in the mine. I approached him slowly and that's when I noticed all the cuts and bruises on his skin. "Are you alright?"

He hesitated, probably wondering if he could trust me or not. As an act of faith I cut his chain with my flute. He looked up at me like I was some savior, which I guess to him, I was.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!"

"Yeah, no problem…" I wasn't really sure of what to do so I went along with it. "Hey, are there more of you in here?"

"Oh, yes! There are eight laborers, including me, who are forced to work in this mine. Please save them!"

"That's what I'm here for…" That, and Erik would never leave me alone if I said 'No'.

"Oh, bless you!"

By this point the was practically groveling at my feet. To be honest, it creeped me out. "Listen, you should get out of here. I'll handle the rest."

He nodded and quickly left.

I stared deeper into the mine. One down…seven to go…

It wasn't long before I reached the second laborer. He was being guarded by another demon which I dispatched easily. I broke the chain and helped the laborer up.

"You okay?"

"Oh, yes… Thank you…" he said. He leaned in closer. "As a reward I'll tell ye a secret…"

I had to stop myself from gagging. His breath was rank… "W-What is it?"

"There's a secret room in this mine, see? But you should be able to find it easily. Just watch for the wind blow'en through the cracks in the wall…" He started running off.

"Hey!" I called, but he was already gone. Wind through cracks…? I guess I'll keep that in mind…

As I continued through the mine, I came across a portal to Dark Space. I ignored it. There was no way I was going in there. Freedan never talked to me and Gaia just pissed me off. Besides, I'm doing just fine on my own.

That thought remained true until I reached a much larger room. Shit… My heart sank as I noticed an enemy that was far outside my reach. Guess I'll need them after all…

After clearing the room I continued forward. Several demons rushed to defeat me but I destroyed them easily. After killing the sixth one I started to get nervous.

Where are the laborers? I leaned against a wall, trying to catch my breath. Damn… This is harder than I thought… I closed my eyes, resting.

And that's when the demon attacked.

I felt this searing pain on my side and fell to the floor. "Shit! What the hell was that?" I looked up and saw one of those purple demons coming at me. "Dammit!"

I grit my teeth against the pain and got up to attack. I swung with my flute but the demon put up a barrier and my flute went right through him.

I took a step back and that's when the demon began charging its laser.

"Not this time!" I yelled and swung as hard as I could. It connected and crushed its skull instantly.

I leaned against the wall and slid to the floor panting. I put my hand over my wound to stop the bleeding and flinched as a shot of pain went up my side.

"Damn…" I guess I let my guard down… This isn't good… I was hurt, bad, and miles away from any help. I sat there for a good while thinking of what to do.

That's when I felt it. A soft breeze coming through the cracks in the wall. Slowly I stood up and examined it. This wall is just like the one in Itory Village… With that thought in mind I begun storing my energy.

"Psycho Dash!" The wall crumbled easily, revealing another room which was empty except for a Dark Space portal. I sighed, relieved. Who would have thought I'd ever be happy to see that? I stumbled into the portal and collapsed on the floor.

"Will? Are you alright?" asked Gaia.

I looked at her skeptically. Is she actually worried about me?

"Here, let me heal your wounds…"

Thee was a bright flash and astonishingly enough my wounds disappeared.

I sat up awkwardly and checked myself. Wow… "Um…thanks…"

She nodded. "Contrary to what you believe, I am here to help."

Sure you are… I looked around. There was Freedan's' statue on her right except it looked different. "Hey… What's-"

"Will…" she interrupted. "You must learn that we are not your enemies. We are your allies and perhaps the only ones you can rely on when the time comes…"

I listened to her words and thought of what she had to say. "You're probably right. " I said. "I just wish you would be a little more open with me. Gathering Mystic Statues and saving the world is a lot for one guy to handle, you know?"

She nodded, understanding what I was trying to say.

I smiled. Even if we don't see eye to eye…we can still meet each other halfway… "So…" I said, glancing at the new statue. "What's up with this?"

"Touch it."

I laughed. I couldn't help myself. "I've heard that one before…" Sighing, I placed my hand on the statue.

Will…

I was surprised to hear Freedan's voice. Freedan?

You require my assistance?

I nodded. I do.

Alright then.

X

Freedan put his palm on the statue. He flinched slightly as the electric like current swept through his body but quickly passed.

"And what power am I receiving this time?" he asked Gaia.

"The Dark Friar is a dark power that only you, the Dark Knight, may use." said Gaia. "It should make destroying far targets easier."

Before he left, Freedan turned to Gaia. "Did something happen? You seem unusually…pleasant…"

She smiled. "Just the affects of meeting halfway…"

He nodded and left, heading for the demon Will had skipped. When he arrived he examined the enemy. It was far outside his reach so he decided to use his new skill.

Focusing his energy, he swung his sword creating a ball of energy that flew towards its mark. The demon was destroyed in one hit. Now that the demon was out of the way, he continued on his quest.

Um… Freedan? asked Will.

What is it?

Er… Nothing. Never mind.

Freedan shook his head. "They're always the same…" He paused to reflect on his thoughts. "Although… Will is an improvement over my former companion…"

Freedan? Will asked again.

What is it, Will?

He hesitated. Can I ask you something?

Only if you don't expect an answer in return.

There was silence as neither commented.

Eventually Freedan came upon another slave. He cut his bounds easily and helped the man up.

"Oh, thank you, kind sir. There are people who are forced to work deep in the Diamond Mines. Please use this key to save them!" He handed a key to Freedan and quickly ran off.

"But what does it go to?" wondered Freedan.

Freedan! I think it goes to the elevators!

Elevators?

Uh huh. answered Will. There was a shaft awhile back but it was locked. I think that key opens it.

Fine then… He pocketed the key and began to back track to the beginning of the dungeon.

Along the way Will kept trying to ask Freedan something but would stop mid-sentence and discontinue. This got on Freedan's nerves and eventually he stopped.

Will! he yelled. Whatever it is, just spit it out!

Will paused. Well…um… I'm not sure…

Sure of what? he asked, losing patience.

What I should ask…

Freedan nearly slapped himself. "Did I say improvement?" He sighed.

I just…want to get to know you better… he started. After all, we Are supposed to be partners, right?

Will… he said slowly. I believe there is a time and place for everything. And now is neither the time nor the place.

But-

When I deem you ready, Then I shall open up to you. Until then…

He closed off communication and entered the elevator. It was a short trip that ended in a small room. In front of him was a locked staircase and to either side was a door. He chose the one on his right first.

He unsheathed his sword, ready for anything that came his way. The room was empty except for the skeletal remains of laborers. Freedan spotted something shiny next to the remains and went to examine it.

As soon as he got close a worm like demon popped out of the ground in a surprise attack but Freedan was ready. In one swing, he sliced it clean in half.

He bent down and picked up the object. Turns out it was a key. "Probably to the staircase…"

He left the room and headed for the one on the left. This room was full of demons. He shook his head piteously. "Sheer numbers cannot make up for a lack of intelligence."

He dispatched them all effortlessly using Dark Friar and freed the slave who rewarded him with the second key to the locked staircase.

After doing a little back tracking, Freedan opened the door leading to the final room and entered. Inside were the last remaining slaves. He freed them all and they circled around him in awe.

"Oh, thank you! Please, sir, our village is far across the ocean. If you could go there, please, help the villagers regain their strength!" begged Remus.

Imas looked down sadly. "All living things in our country have grown strange. People have turned to stone…some are sick with unknown diseases…"

The last slave, Sam, bowed. "Thank you, oh great Knight… Tell me, were you sent here to save us?"

Freedan hesitated.

Yes! yelled Will. Tell him Erik sent you!

Freedan twitched at having Will yell in his head, yet again. He turned to Sam and nodded. "A man named Erik sent me."

At the mention of Erik, the three slaves exchanged happy faces.

"So he is alright!"

"I had heard from Erik that one of his friends has lost his memory… Legend has it that there is a song that brings back the past."

Really?-! exclaimed Will, yelling in Freedan's head again.

"Please, if you are to see his friend, let him hear this melody…"

Will listened intently as Sam hummed a strange tune. When he was done, he looked at Freedan.

"Thank you, Knight… We shall never forget you."

"And I, you." he said. He turned and began leaving. "You should get out of here while you may." Freedan left and began heading towards the exit.

Yo, Freedan, what's the rush? asked Will.

Its nothing…

Will paused, thinking. Are you…uncomfortable with crowds?

No…

Will snickered. You Are, aren't you?

I Am Not! he denied.

Aw… Then why are you so flustered? Teased Will.

I am Not flustered! he said flustered.

Will laughed in his head. Flustered! Flustered! You Are Flustered! Hahahahaha!

Finally Freedan couldn't take it anymore. "That's it! I'm out of here." He kneeled down and quickly gave himself over to Will.

X

I awoke laughing. "Hahahahaha! Freedan…haha…flustered…hahaha! Good one!" I wiped a tear from my eye and looked around. He had left me at the beginning of the mine. Well, that was nice of him…

I paused, reflecting on my 'detour'. I had managed to free the slaves and find a cure for Lance's amnesia. But what mattered most to me right then was Freedan and my relationship with Gaia.

Sure, we weren't all buddy-buddy but at least now I knew we could get along. And I learned something else too. That deep down, Freedan wasn't as cold as he let on. And that somewhere in all that black armor was a person wishing to some out.

I sighed. But will he finally open up to me?

With those thoughts in my mind, among others, I returned to Freejia.

Is it just me, or are these chaps getting longer? Up next…stuff…

Till next Chap!