Meltokio
Early Night
As Zelos landed hard on his back for the third time in the past forty-eight hours, he wondered weakly how his luck had turned out to be so bad. The breath in his lungs left him in a loud whoosh, and pain rang out in his ribs from the sudden assault. He found himself unable to move as a pair of thin arms wound tight about his shoulders in a near stranglehold, and only when he heard the relieved gasp did he realize that Seles had been the one behind his latest knockdown.
He heard Sheena snort from somewhere behind him, and he picked up on Raine letting out a rare chuckle as well but the sound of his friends' amusement faded to the background as he sat up awkwardly with Seles clinging stubbornly to him. He raised his good arm to return her passionate embrace, and smiled a little as he felt her face pressing into the front of his chest so she wouldn't need to see his reaction to her uncharacteristic greeting. His voice was hoarse, as he was still breathless from the attack and the pain it'd caused him as he muttered, "It's good to see you too, Seles. I was only gone two months, did you really miss me that bad?"
Her voice was tiny when she answered, quiet enough only for him and maybe Colette to pick up on as she murmured into the front of his vest with her arms still locked about him, "I was worried."
At her confession Zelos felt his amusement fade away, and he sighed as he adjusted his arm around her body to a snugger fit. He rested his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes, letting his sister take all the time she needed. It was the least he could do, especially considering what had happened to him the past few weeks. The laughter had stopped from the others, as if they understood what was happening, and he craned his neck to grin awkwardly at them. They sidestepped around him and Seles gracefully and let themselves through the open door, giving the two siblings some privacy, even if it was outside on the porch.
When the door closed behind the last member, Seles finally untangled herself from his embrace. Her face had turned the same shade as her hair, and she was staring at her lap when she pulled away. Still, there were no hiding the tears in her eyes as she mumbled a shamefaced, "S-Sorry about knocking you down... When Sebastian said that you were coming back to Meltokio I got so excited to see you, I didn't think." She peeked up through her bangs and her face was a picture of concern as she questioned, "Did I hurt you, big brother? Your wounds aren't too bad, are they?"
"You might've cracked a rib or two, but it's nothing I can't handle." Zelos joked with a grin, and she raised a hand as if to whack him but she lowered it after a moment of hesitation. He smiled gently at her kindness, and reached to tenderly pat her rumpled hair down into place. He raised an eyebrow as he finally took in her appearance, and he commented with a hint of exasperation and amusement, "You didn't even think to get changed before rushing, eh? Pink's a good colour on you, by the way."
Seles felt the blush reach up to the roots of her hair as she realized just what a sight she must have been sitting on the porch wearing nothing but a pale pink nightgown that just passed her knees. She leapt to her feet in terror, but Zelos was quicker before she could flee. He dropped his vest over her bare arms and closed it over her before she could argue, and he ducked his face down to kiss her temple as he said, "It's fine, I'm just teasing. We can stay outside like this for a bit longer if you want."
She glanced down at herself, weighing the odds of being seen by a passing noble. It would be the talk of the town if someone caught sight of her like this, but Zelos didn't seem all that bothered. Then again, he never did care about reputations when it came to the men and women of high status. She folded her arms over his vest which was much too large for her, but a timid smile lifted her lips anyway when she answered, "Okay. Just for a little longer, though."
Zelos plopped himself down on the top step almost immediately, and with a chuckle he pulled his protesting sister into his lap and squeezed her tight. She squeaked in protest and tried to squirm away, but her actions were halfhearted and a warm expression had come to her face. She leaned back against his chest and closed her eyes as he rested his chin on top of her head in an embrace she had been missing, and his next words echoed her sentiments clearly. "I missed you a lot, kiddo."
"I missed you too." She tilted her head against his shoulder to catch a glimpse of his frown, and her lips pulled downwards in response. She had already seen everyone who arrived with him, and her heart had caught at their looks of exhaustion and pain. Many of them were in various stages of healing, and looked exhausted. She could imagine that most had probably retired straight to bed, and was glad she'd pestered Sebastian to make up the rooms early. However, what truly brought her worry was the lack of the swordsman they had set out to find. The one she knew her brother loved like family. "You didn't find him... did you?"
The words brought a fresh wave of betrayal to him, and he struggled to keep the emotion from coming to his face as he reminded himself that Lloyd wasn't a man to sunder a friendship so easily. Colette was adamant that there was something driving Lloyd to act as he was, and he was going to believe in her words for as long as he could. It made sense, and it kept his heart strong to do so. To answer his sister, he shook his head and said tiredly, "No, we found him... just... not like we had hoped we would. There's something going on with him, something he's not sharing. We're gonna find out what it is though and drag him back kicking and screaming if we have to."
"Good." Seles nodded her head sharply in agreement, and folded her arms over her stomach. She had every confidence that her brother could do whatever he put his mind to. The two lapsed into silence for a handful of minutes, with Zelos staring thoughtfully at the horizon while Seles finally became aware of how tired she felt now that her brother had returned. She blinked slowly, feeling the adrenalin that had her taking stairs three at a time to reach the door fade away to be replaced by a strong weariness. Though she tried to fight it, a yawn made its way up and out before she could manage to stifle it.
Zelos snorted as he felt Seles growing limp in his arms, and he idly tightened his hold as if he knew she'd be unable to stay awake. He was reminded abruptly of his childhood, being introduced to the little girl he was told was his half-sister. Many days he'd sneak away from the castle to visit her home on the other side of Meltokio, climbing the vines by her window and leaping into her room to entertain her as she lay sick in bed. Every once and awhile she would be too sick to play with him, even getting out of bed would be too much for her frail body. So he would toss back the covers and join her, holding her much like he did now as he made up stories to tell her or read from one of her many books until she fell asleep. They were precious days to him, and he sighed with a fondness for the old memories. He nudged her gently, seeing that she was beginning to fade off, "You really wanna fall asleep outside, Seles? As cute as it is, it'd be a pain getting inside while carrying you."
"M'not falling asleep..." Seles mumbled in response, but another yawn betrayed the truth of her exhaustion. She snuggled against Zelos' chest happily, losing sense of where she was as her mind began shutting down. She had no energy as it was, and the warmth of her brother had her feeling safe and content once again. "Just relaxing..."
"And I'm Martel." Zelos chortled at the lie, but he stayed put and began rocking his sister's body slowly to help her fall asleep. It only took a few moments before she was out, and he grinned at the childlike behaviour she showed him. It had been too long since they'd been able to drop their pretenses and be a simple brother and sister.
Carefully Zelos adjusted her in his arms and stood, freeing a hand so he could open the door to the mansion. He was slow as he entered the mansion, and he glanced around in surprise when silence met his ears. He let out a quiet laugh as he realized that the others had likely already retired to bed, and the tiredness he felt beckoned for him to do the same. He shifted his sleeping sister to a better hold as he started climbing the stairs to her room so he could put her in bed.
The door was slightly open once he got there, and Zelos thanked whoever had the foresight to make his journey a little easier. He sidled in through the crack and moved to Seles' bed to deposit the girl. He tucked the covers around her, and paused for a moment to smooth her rumpled hair out as he stood at her side. She slept on oblivious to him, with a happy smile curving her lips as she dreamt. Zelos chuckled a little at her, and leaned down to kiss her forehead as he whispered, "Sweet dreams, Seles."
He left the room as quietly as he entered, and as he moved down the hall where the guest rooms sat he came to a stop as he saw one of the doors open like Seles' had been. His curiosity got the better of him, and carefully he poked his head inside only to stop short as he realized who had occupied the room.
Asleep in the bed at the window was the blond that had come to plague him as much as he enjoyed what she had begun to do unwittingly to him. Zelos stood perfectly still at the doorway, wondering angrily why fate seemed to be testing him more and more in the passing days. Since the night he'd woken to find her in his tent he had been doing everything possible to avoid being left alone with her whenever she was sleeping. It'd proved to be more difficult than he'd thought, and now it'd happened again.
Zelos felt his mouth go dry as he stared at her sleeping body, and he cursed the fact that she moved so much when she slept. The covers had become tangled about her, and the baby blue nightgown she'd gotten from Sheena last year as a gift was riding up her slim legs. His eyes instantly had moved there, eying the creamy skin that her clothes couldn't hide and his body growled with demand at the sight.
His feet wanted to carry him forward, with his mind already imagining everything he could possibly do to her. However he managed to remain still, gritting his teeth tightly together until his jaw hurt from the effort. She mumbled in her sleep, shifting a little before turning over onto her side. Zelos groaned softly as the thin strap of her gown fell down over her shoulder, giving him a good view of the neckline that was just deep enough to give a hint to her modest cleavage.
This time he couldn't stop his body from moving towards her, and he felt the ache of his awareness for her as it always did at the worst moments. He was at her bedside before he knew what he was doing, and his hand reached out to touch the bared skin of her shoulder. His fingertips just brushed her hair when she murmured again and rolled over, and he heard her sigh quietly in her dreams.
"Thank you for believing me."
Zelos jerked away hard, staggering backwards from the sudden motion. His body was cold, and the hunger he'd felt moments ago had vanished. The thoughts he'd been entertaining turned dark and twisted, and in disgust he turned his back on her. Anger coloured his vision red, and he stormed from her room and down the hall, not knowing exactly where his feet were leading him. He passed by room after room, and took the stairs down to the front door before bursting outside with a muffled curse. The cold air did little to soothe him, and he stared impassively at the city that should've made him feel at home. Instead the walls and buildings felt alien to him, and he growled as he took a well-travelled road that led to the back streets.
He knew the road well as he rushed down it, and the building he had been searching for glowed with light and was loud with laughter coming from inside. He didn't hesitate as he pushed the door open, and the welcome sight of men and women filling the tavern and drinking gave him a strange sense of relief. He picked his way amongst the tables, eying the bar where a single man was wiping off the counters. As he came close the bartender looked up, and a confused smile pulled his lips up as recognition hit him.
"Well, if it isn't Zelos Wilder. Been a long time since I've seen you here." The navy-haired man smiled in welcome, and before Zelos could place an order a large shot glass was placed in front of him on the counter and filled with a strong spirit. Zelos nodded in greeting and sat down heavily, and emptied the glass in a single go. The alcohol burned bitterly as he swallowed it down, but he ignored the feeling as he slammed the glass down back on the counter.
A tiny part of his brain warned him to be careful, remembering that even in his anger that he had responsibilities to take care of now. He ignored it however, and locked eyes with the surprised bartender as he ordered roughly, "Keep 'em coming, Dex. I need it."
"You look like it." Dex answered with a hesitant frown, but he complied to the order and refilled the glass. He stepped to the front as Zelos downed that one too, and leaned over on the counter as he asked conversationally, "I'm gonna guess you're having women troubles? You look like one of the jilted husbands who always come here."
The words hit closer to home than Zelos would have liked, and he snatched the third shot that was poured before the bottle was even upturned. His stomach clenched in protest to the bitter liquid and the speed that it was filling him, but again he paid no mind to it. The need for relief, to forget was too strong for him, and it was easier to lapse back into his old ways than it was to fight against it. When he put the glass down he grunted out bitterly, "You've got no idea, man. Hit me again."
Dex raised an eyebrow, and he paused in refilling the glass. It had been almost a full year since he had seen the redheaded man in his tavern, and only a handful of times in their history had he seen Zelos drown himself in liquor and women. He could sense that something deep was eating at the Chosen, but like every time he'd served the redhead there were no secrets spilling past his lips. Zelos was not the type to get drunk at the bar and mourn his sorrows for the entire place to hear. Rather he would drink until he could handle no more, and then he'd find a woman and sweep her away for a night. He wouldn't return for weeks afterward, seemingly satisfied, but every little while he'd return, needing to fill the emptiness inside of his chest.
"I guess this woman of yours really put a nail in you." Dex finally sighed as he tipped the bottle and refilled the glass for the fourth time. A flicker of true pain came over Zelos' eyes for a moment, but with a glare and a scowl he grabbed his glass and chased it away with the alcohol. "Must've been bad too, if you're gonna drink that much."
"Dex, just give me the drinks." Zelos told him wearily, but without the venom he initially intended to pepper his voice with. His energy was sapped, and the drinks were beginning to slow down his mind and take away what hurt. He relished the feeling gratefully, and looked up at the bartender as he finished, "I don't need the conversation."
"Nurse this one, and I'll give you another. Take it slow." Dex advised seriously, and he poured another shot for the Chosen before setting it down firmly on the counter. He walked away from the man, feeling a strange sense of guilt as he did so. As he put away the bottle, he noted one of the women of the bar eying the redhead with a feral sort of gleam to her eyes. Dex was no stranger to that, and he sighed as the brunette flounced over to chat up the sullen Chosen. As he leaned back against the counter, Dex let out a sigh and shook his head as Zelos returned the chatter with a deadened enthusiasm, "Somehow I just know he's gonna be regretting this in the next few days..."
Zelos was only absently aware of the stranger's hand on his arm, and as he glanced up to see her pulling at her dress' neckline he felt the familiar hunger beginning to stir in his stomach. His mind was still back in Colette's room, but as the woman smiled cattily at him and leaned up against him he knew it'd be easy to take away the last bit of pain he was still feeling. Zelos moved to his feet and wrapped his arm around her waist, muttering in her ear that he knew of a better place to continue to get to know one another. She simpered with pleasure as she pressed up against him, and he sighed at the contact that ached when it should've burned.
As he placed a handful of gald on the counter for the bartender, he heard voices he barely recognized saying words of praise in the back of his mind. He shook his head angrily to clear them, and led away the woman on his arm to complete the night and hopefully settle the ache he was feeling that the alcohol couldn't burn away.
"Lloyd..."
Zelos' Mansion
Following Afternoon
Regal hissed as the wet towel was draped across his back and over his still-irritated skin, and his teeth grit together as the damp cold combatted the hard warmth of the burns. He felt his wife's hand run gently through his hair in a soothing motion, and he closed his eyes tight as she whispered soft words of encouragement. The first-aid he'd received immediately after being injured had saved most of his skin, and as Raine had surmised correctly, also left him able to stand straight again but there was still a large amount of pain that had yet to be extinguished.
Lying on his stomach in the borrowed bed of the guest-room, Regal had to muse that it could've been much worse. Raine's hands were gentle as she peeled the towel back for a moment to check on it progress before lying it back down and sprinkling a little more water onto a drier patch for him. The wet and cold of the fabric began to soak up the head of his burns, and a soft sigh escaped him as the pain began to fade to a tolerable throb. Raine's gentle hand continued its slow motion of combing through his hair, and he tilted his head slightly into it with a weary contentment.
"I wish I could do more for you." Raine murmured with defeat, and she settled down into a better sitting position on the bed beside him. Her healing could regrow lost skin and replenish blood, but even the best of her craft couldn't erase pain entirely, or cover scars that wounds created. A good portion of his upper back had suffered a large scar left from the burn, and though she'd tried to banish it, there was no helping the mark. She noted grimly that Regal joined the rest of the team who bore scars from the journey they were on, leaving only three of them without a blemish.
"You are doing all you can. I cannot ask for more." Regal answered her gently, and he turned his head to the side to meet her saddened eyes. He reached out to take her folded hands within his own, and he squeezed tenderly. She sighed with exasperation but allowed his hand to cradle hers, and she leaned down to brush her forehead against the top of his hair. When she pulled away to check to see how the towel eased the look of his skin he grunted, "Can you keep it there for a little while longer? It goes a long way to easing the ache."
"I can't keep it on you for too long, but a few more minutes will be safe." Raine answered affirmatively, and she carefully poured the last little bit of water she had kept in a pail beside the bed onto the towel. Regal groaned aloud with pleasure as the cold returned with a vengeance and banished the last bit of pain from his back. He closed his eyes and relaxed entirely, gladdened that Raine didn't just give him a dose of first-aid and then let him be like another healer may have. She usually tried many different remedies to ease pain or discomfort along with use of her mana, and the treatments always went a long way to helping the healing process. "Do you feel ready to try stretching again, or would you rather stay in bed for a bit more?"
"Truthfully, I could remain here all day if I could." Regal responded with an embarrassed chuckle, and to his relief Raine laughed along with him and nodded in assent. His body was weak with pain, and the effort it had taken for him to ignore his wounds and return to Meltokio had left him exhausted both physically and mentally. He breathed in wearily as Raine's hand moved south to massage the back of his neck, and he muttered apologetically, "I'm afraid I will be no help in the coliseum... I doubt I will be in peak form by the end of the week."
"That's fine. We have capable fighters who will probably want to do it anyway. I can't blame you for wanting to rest a little longer, and they won't either." Raine told him firmly, and she leaned back against his side slightly as she continued to massage his stiff muscles loose. She rested her free hand on her knee before adding on, "Besides, with your wounds, I wouldn't allow you participate in the matches anyway. You need your rest, and combat isn't going to help."
"I suppose that with my nurse giving me such strict orders, I cannot feel too bad about lying down for the next little while." Regal noted with a cheeky smile, and Raine rolled her eyes with fond exasperation at his comment. Still, the suggestive remarks were better than a sour attitude, and he knew she was glad for it. He turned his head a little as he felt her fingers twining in his hair, and gazed upwards at her as he added in a more subdued voice, "I'm grateful for your care. However, are you feeling well? You garnered a few injuries of your own."
Raine winced at the reminder of the many bruises and cuts that marred her own back from the stint in the temple just two days ago. Most of her body still ached from the beating of fallen rocks, but she had learned to ignore such pain. Healing would be a waste of mana, and she knew her body would manage the pain as it should. She smoothed back her husband's hair as she answered honestly, "It's a bit of a hassle when I'd like to sleep, but I can manage." Her eyes twinkled playfully, and she leaned down to nip at his ear as she added on, "Mind you, if you'd give me one of your massages tonight, I'm sure I can cope."
Regal snorted at the turnabout, and carefully he propped himself on his elbow as his wife pulled away to stare down cheerfully at him. Her actions did well to make him forget about what was happening, and he knew that it was the same for her. "A massage it is, but it will need to wait for tonight. I'll need to rest beforehand to put the required effort in."
A hint of a flush came into Raine's face at the leer he raked over her body when he spoke, but her smile was pleased. She made to shoot back a similar comment when Sheena's voice rang out from the bottom floor and called out for her comrades.
"Oi! There's some trouble outside of Meltokio, and we've been asked to settle it! Anyone interested?"
"I think the Gods have it in for us." Raine sighed, and before Regal could say a word she leaned down to kiss him fully on the mouth. The touch was full of promise, and she pulled away before either of them could get carried away. She laughed softly at his disappointed grunt, and murmured, "Tonight, okay? For now, just sleep."
As she made to leave, he caught her hand and gave it a firm squeeze. His smile was gentle as he nodded, and then he released and allowed her to go. Raine shut the door quietly behind her as she left the room, and she leaned against the cold wood and took in a deep breath. Her body was buzzing, and she closed her eyes to give herself a moment to calm her senses. She could hear the others beginning to move towards the living room to see what Sheena was talking about, and with a grudging moan she trudged off to do the same.
The ninja was perched on the edge of the couch with a piece of parchment in hand and was showing it to an intrigued Presea and Colette. Genis was still stretching and trying to wake from his nap, and Zelos was nowhere to be seen. Raine took the stairs slowly to meet them, a bit puzzled by the hubbub. As she took the last few steps she heard Sheena explaining to the gathered trio as she passed around the sheet she had come inside with.
"There's some sort of monster on the trails that's been causing havoc with the caravans." Sheena watched as Presea took a look at the notice she had been handed, and her voice was calm if a bit curious herself as it was passed to Colette, "I'm not too sure what it is, but it's already took out three wagons in the past few weeks. The leader of the last troupe was trying to find a mercenary or a hunter to take care of it, but so far no one's been interested in doing it for a fair price. He flagged me down outside of the castle and begged me to help."
"And you just couldn't say no, huh?" Genis replied with a raised eyebrow and a sardonic smirk as he knew Sheena simply couldn't resist helping someone in need. He took the missive from Colette and glanced over at the rough scrawl. The request was a simple one, asking for a hunter to exterminate the monster on the trails for a reward. He raised an eyebrow at the sum listed on the bottom, and then looked up to Sheena as he asked, "That's a nice bit of Gald there... Why couldn't he get anyone to answer before?"
"With the monster population nearly disappeared, hunters and mercenaries are out of a trade." Raine spoke up with a bit of a frown, and she edged about to sit down on the second cranberry-coloured couch that wasn't occupied. She rested back against the plush cushions before continuing, "I bet those who did volunteer wanted more than double the reward that's being offered."
"Yeah, unfortunately." Sheena nodded but she was frowning as if she'd just swallowed something bitter. She'd been appalled to learn how often the man offering the job was accosted for more money to do the deed, but he was already in ruins. "The man who flagged me down was in the last caravan the monster tore up... He doesn't have the money to double the reward."
"You didn't take it, did you?" Colette asked with a worried frown, but the expression melted into a smile when she met Sheena's gaze. Genis groaned, but there was no real exasperation in the sound and even Raine gave a little chuckle at the ninja's charity. The dark-haired youth grinned sheepishly at Colette, who had a feeling that the negotiations that followed hadn't gone too well. "How did he react?"
"It took me an hour to convince him that we didn't need the Gald, but he refused to let me do it for free." Sheena shook her head with a fond roll of her eyes as she remembered arguing fiercely with the much older man. He proved that he was a merchant through and through with his ability to barter, and finally Sheena had been forced to stay her hand if just so she could go back to the mansion. She grinned lopsidedly at Raine and said, "I finally told him that we were here in Meltokio to rest and resupply, and he insisted that we take whatever we need from his caravan in exchange."
"Well, that's not that bad of a deal." Genis remarked with a laugh, and he glanced to Raine who was nodding in approval. He stretched out and returned to looking at the missive that had been laid on the table. "Any idea where the creature is? Are you planning on going after it today?"
"Well, I heard it was spotted close to the border earlier today... so I figured I may as well get going before it disappears again." Sheena answered with a bit of a shrug, and she glanced around at the others who were all staring at her. She leaned forward in her perch and questioned in return, "I had to promise the old guy that I wouldn't go by myself, so I figured maybe one of you would maybe want to come along. Anybody interested?"
"I... would like to, but... I need to go and find Zelos." Colette murmured with downcast eyes, and she fiddled with her entwined fingers in concern. She swallowed back her nervousness and tilted her chin up as she looked to a frowning Sheena, "I haven't seen him since yesterday, and I'm a bit worried. Seles and I are going to go into the city to find him soon."
"I need to stay and keep an eye on Regal, so I guess I'm out too." Raine shook her head with a sigh and felt a bit of disappointment that she couldn't venture out with Sheena. She guessed that for once she was looking forward to a battle that wouldn't entirely be one-sided, but she brushed away the feeling and looked to Genis and Presea instead.
Genis pursed his lips and traded a glance with Presea. He could tell the hunter was ready to go, and her eagerness made him willing. He nodded his head happily in assent and piped up, "I'll go. I need to get out and stretch my legs anyway, and it'll be a good chance to practise the new spell I'm working on."
"Myself as well. I would like to see what monsters are still roaming the trails." Presea added on with a nod of her own and she cast a glance to Genis as she added on inwardly that she wanted to remain at his side to make sure he didn't overdo anything.
"Alright, that makes three. That should be fine." Sheena laughed a little at her good fortune in partners, but she looked at Raine as she asked to make sure, "Is that okay with you, Raine?"
Raine blinked, surprised that Sheena was asking for her permission. She shook her head with fond exasperation as she reminded herself that for her stubbornness and reawakening confidence the ninja still regarded herself as a student. The professor nodded and answered the question with a little chuckle, "Yes, of course. Be careful, and come back soon, that's all I ask."
"Of course." Sheena nodded in reply, and she hopped off of the couch and to her feet in a swift movement. She glanced over at Presea and Genis who weren't ready for battle just yet, and said, "Alright, I'll be waiting at the entrance of the city. I'll flag down the guy who asked me for the mission and check over the details one more time. See you in ten minutes?"
"Ten minutes." Genis repeated firmly, and Sheena grinned at him before hurrying out of the mansion. He peered down at himself before letting out a sigh and pushing himself to his feet. The street-clothes he was currently wearing would serve him poorly in battle, as comfortable as they were. He could see Presea evaluating herself too, and he traded a grin with her as he remarked, "Too bad we gotta change to fight. It'd be nice to stay in casual clothing for once."
"That is true." Presea agreed as she ambled to her feet and followed him to the stairs where their rooms waited. Raine had already vanished up the staircase herself, and Colette had taken the hallway instead to find Seles to begin her search for Zelos. Presea paused on the bottom step, wondering where the Chosen could possibly have wandered off to without telling anyone. While that sort of behaviour had become natural to them during the first journey, he had seemed to grown out of it. The change was odd, and she understood why Colette was worried.
Genis halted in climbing the staircase, and he followed Presea's gaze to the hallway. He made to question her, concerned about the look in her eyes but she lowered her chin and began the climb again without comment. Genis followed her example, knowing that if she wanted to say something that she would. They parted at the fork in the hallway at the top of the staircase and moved to their own rooms to suit up for the battle ahead. Neither was sure about the strength of the monster, and while three of them likely would be more than enough to handle it, they weren't going to underestimate it.
By the time they returned back to the main floor, Colette was buttoning up her jacket as Seles slipped into her shoes at the doorway. She smiled halfheartedly at them as they approached the door, and she shook out the creases in her sleeves as Seles opened the door for all of them. They stepped out onto the porch, and Colette nodded seriously as she said, "Good luck, and be careful."
"Don't worry, it's probably not even that big of a monster. We'll be okay." Genis answered with a chuckle and an amused grin. Colette returned the gesture sheepishly, and he found a frown turning the corners of his lips at the look in her eyes. There seemed to be more than concern in her gaze, and he rested his hand on her wrist as he found himself saying, "I'm sure Zelos is just fine. You'll find him without a problem, I'm sure."
"Thanks Genis." Colette smiled a little and gave him a short wave before turning the opposite direction that he was to go down. Seles skipped down the steps in unison with the blond angel, and the two quickly vanished into the thin crowd that was heading into the streets of the city.
Genis watched her go, unsure of why his stomach knotted when she vanished from his sight. He swallowed down the dryness in his mouth as he turned towards the southern exit that Sheena was waiting for them at. He guessed that the unease on his face alerted Presea, as her eyebrows were furrowed as she glanced at him instead of staring at the street like she normally would've. She didn't need to speak before he answered the question he knew was on her lips, "I'm alright... I guess I'm just a bit concerned too. It's not like him to just up and vanish without saying anything. I mean, it's not like him now. If he'd done it two years ago, I wouldn't blink, but now...?"
"Something may have come up that he had to deal with. Why he wouldn't tell us, I'm not certain. However, I don't think he is in danger." Presea shook her head, and out of habit she reached over her shoulder to touch the worn leather grip on the handle of her axe. The familiar touch soothed her anxiety as it always did, and she noted that Genis was favouring the handle of his kendama in a similar fashion. "Colette will find him."
"One of these days, he's going to realize some things." Genis laughed and shook his head with exasperation at the thought of Colette finding the redhead. He knew exactly what would happen, and it amused him to imagine it. The Tethe'allan Chosen simply couldn't say 'no' to Colette, and though he knew that the blond had no idea, she really did have Zelos wrapped around her little finger. "I'm a bit surprised he hasn't made a move already, to be honest."
"A... move?" Presea repeated with raised eyebrows and a confused quirk to her mouth. Genis reacted like he'd been scalded at her questioning tone, and she filed it away as something she would need to ask Raine or Sheena, as the mage didn't seem as if he'd be able to explain it with his sudden stammering. He was a mess the entirety of the trip to the gates, and she smiled secretly as he tripped over his own two feet when he spotted Sheena loitering by the massive doorway.
"Good timing, the old man told me the monster was spotted just five minutes from here. We'll probably find it pretty quickly."
"Th-That's great news!" Genis exclaimed in an awkward squeak, and Sheena raised an eyebrow and regarded him as if he'd grown an extra head at the way his words came out. The silver-haired mage cursed himself for lapsing back into such easy embarrassment, but when he saw Presea smiling at him for it he knew it probably never was going to change. His shoulders slumped down, and he mumbled with defeat, "Let's get this over with."
Sheena shook her head but didn't comment as they made their way out of the gates and to the sloping plains that surrounded the city. She mused inwardly that a little while ago, her friend's actions would have made her laugh and probably launch into a good round of teasing, but now all she felt was longing. She wanted that sense of kinship back more than ever, but every time she began to miss it she found herself back in the Temple of Lightning with one arm twisted hard behind her back and Flamberge at her throat.
"You can't beat me. Turn around and don't look back. Forget you ever saw me. I don't want to fight. I don't... want to hurt you."
Shaking her head fiercely to keep the anger and pain the words brought back, Sheena forced herself to think of the task at hand. She didn't want to rest, it was why she had picked herself up so early in the day to go the castle. If she kept busy, kept her mind off of that encounter, she wouldn't need to feel the indecision. She could ignore it, until a time came when she was ready to face it again. A time when she was strong enough to admit that what she'd seen had shaken her faith in him.
Presea knelt down without warning, and Sheena and Genis stopped abruptly in surprise at her action. She paid neither of them any mind as she touched her hand to the grass and traced out the shape of a paw print she had spotted. The shape was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it as she murmured, "I know this shape... I've seen it before somewhere..."
"A wolf maybe?" Genis questioned with a tilt of his head and a frown as Sheena squatted down beside the hunter to examine the print too. The hunter and ninja were more adept than he at tracking prey, and so he kept a respectful distance as they frowned at the ground where he saw nothing. "There are a lot of different types."
"It's lupine, but not a wolf... I–" Presea stopped short as every instinct inside of her small body roared to life, and she was on her feet and holding her axe within seconds. Sheena shot to her feet as well instantly, and Genis reached for his kendama as a wailing howl broke from the south, not ten feet from where they stood.
Moments later a second howl answered the first, but this time from the east. A third joined in, this one much closer to them but from the west. On unspoken agreement, the three moved to form a triangle, pressing their backs against each other's to cover for any blind spots while facing the threat they couldn't see. Sheena's eyes narrowed as she realized that the monster hadn't been alone, and she growled under her breath, "A pack... That's why they couldn't identify it properly, it was never the same one. Damn."
"They've surrounded us." Presea was perfectly calm as she levelled her axe in front of her, and her eyes caught sight of movement just up the hill to the west. She knew well from hunting that the pack had hemmed them in, and was using the sloping terrain to their advantage. The hills provided good cover, and would give them added momentum in their first rush. Her voice remained steady as she felt Sheena tense as if she'd seen movement too, "There can't be more than three of them... They will attack at once, in a three-pronged formation. Their first wave will be the strongest."
"Get ready, then." Sheena muttered grimly, and she planted her feet firmly into the ground as she gazed up the hill that surrounded them. She cursed that they had walked so stupidly into the valley, but there was no use mourning their bad fortune. In her hand she weighed her first card carefully, and she could hear Genis whispering elven words as a gentle glow surrounded his kendama and the hands that balanced the weapon.
Another howl came, this one closer than the last. Sheena felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end at the piercing sound, and her eyes narrowed as her entire body coiled to spring. From the crest of the hill they appeared, just as Presea had guessed. Two beasts no bigger than a regular wolf stood in the grass, their mud-stained fur bristling as they growled and showed their fangs. Standing between them however was a creature triple their size, and it snarled more viciously than they as it sank down into a crouch and revealed its sharp teeth to those it hunted.
Genis' grip on his kendama went slack, and his eyes widened in horror as he recognized the creamy white fur that was stained by dirt and grime. Though the beast was gaunt now, and his fur lacked its usual lustre... There was no mistaking the large ears and plumed tail. He heard Presea gasp aloud, and Sheena dropped the card she'd been holding as she too understood what had made him pause. His voice cracked as he stared into the eyes of the animal who had been his friend for as long as he could remember from his time in Iselia, but there was no recognition in the coal black gaze that was returned to him.
The creature that had once ran as fast as his long legs would carry him from monsters stood flanked by two snarling wolves, and his voice was added to the din in a commanding growl. Blood, grime and mud coated his fur and matted it down, and when he raised his hackles his fangs glistened in the sunlight. There was nothing tame or gentle about the protozoan they had all come to view as another member of their team, and even as they whispered his name he didn't respond, as if they weren't talking about him at all.
"Noishe...?"
AN:
Dun-dun... Dun-dun... Dun-dun, dun-dun, dun-dun -hit with a frying pan- Sorry... Believe it or not, I had the Jaws theme playing in my head the entire time I wrote this scene out. It seemed oddly fitting, even if weird. Anyway, I've been dying to address the whole; "Where is my favourite dog-slash-protozoan already!" thing but I had to work it in properly. My original idea for him didn't fit with where the story was going, and so I had to cut it out... It was a very disappointing cut for me, but I promised myself I'd write him in eventually. Actually, now that I look back on this, (TWENTY chapters already!), there was a lot that didn't end up making the final draft... I'm a bit sad to see some of those ideas get flushed, but... This story took on a life of its own that I didn't anticipate, so I've been going with it for the most part. While I did always have the bare bones in place since before starting the story, a lot of the flesh simply grew by itself. I'm not complaining, mind you, but I do kinda wish some of my original ideas made it in... Hmm, maybe when I finish I'll upload a second story-companion thingy and include all of the scenes I wanted to put in but didn't feel fit...
Anyway, to celebrate twenty chapters, (Seriously. TWENTY-FREAKIN-CHAPTERS.) I'm gonna give you a nice big hint about the next chapter. Someone is going to finally get some backstory! Also, just because it's kinda fun, I've decided when I hit the 200 page mark, (which is surprisingly only 25 pages away now), I'll be writing out another list of titles for everybody.
It's been a great twenty chapters, and I thank everybody sincerely for reading this far. I hope you guys stick with me for the next twenty, or however many it will take for me to get this blasted piece out of my system. I'd never have made it here without you guys!
But, lastly... Another warning, just to hammer the point I've been making home... Not a lot of... clean stuff will be showing up very early in the next chapter, so I want to let you know again... There is a reason why this story is rated M. Be prepared for adult content, violence, and the like. I'll make sure to post a warning at the beginning of every chapter that will have more darker, or suggestive tones before it, as a secondary and last warning to my readers. Thanks for your patience.
Mood: Ecstatic
Listening To: "Heaven's Dead" - Audioslave
~ Sky