Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Online.
Saga 7 Part 5
"Ri-anne!" Galicia exclaimed as she and the others were warped back to Geffen City. The crowd, knowing that the Assassin Cross and her companions had visited Louyang, pressed toward them, eager to know what news they might bring.
"Is it true?" shouted most of the people repeatedly, curious and anxious. "Are the culprits the Tenshins?" "My uncle was there! Was he one of the victims?!"
Antares, Ivor and Varrick were trying to fend off the crowd with the assistance of Phelysa, Galicia and Feng-xen. Irritated by the pushing and the noises around her, Ri-anne screamed at the top of her lungs, "IT'S CONTAGIOUS!! WE'VE COME TO WARN YOU!"
There was an instance of confusion and chaos whereby the crowd was baffled by her warning. Suddenly, someone yelled, "They were at Louyang. They're contaminated!"
"We're turning into stone! No!" Ri-anne continued her exaggerated acting.
"Run! Before we're contaminated as well!" a Magician yelped.
There was a messy scramble away from the gang at that. Abruptly, they found themselves isolated and alone. Not even the Kafra lady remained. There was even the classic creaking of crickets.
"Okay, the road's clear. We'll talk when we get home," said Ri-anne indifferently. Her friends gawked at her casual attitude.
"Oi, Ri-anne, are you sure it's okay for you to say that?" gasped Antares.
"Yeah, it's not even a disease to begin with," commented Varrick dully.
"Who cares so long as they're gone!" snorted Ri-anne. She was already striding away, heading to the east end for her villa. The others sighed, unable to believe her. "Hurry up! The crowd comes back!" she snapped, which caused to speedily fall in line behind her.
Arriving at the porch of the villa, the gang was curious as to why May, June and Mr. Thickwood were standing outside, looking perfectly petrified. The first thought that flashed through Ri-anne's mind was that someone must have broken one of the precious antiques or ornaments—or both— in the villa.
She took a step forward.
"No, Lady Ri-anne!" The three helpers of the Zedt villa yelled in unison, stepping in front of the door, blocking her way. The rest glanced at one another, guessing wildly what was behind the door. Hard-headed, Ri-anne knitted her brows and was resolved to enter. They refused to budge. "Lady Ri-anne, you don't want to go in, really!" insisted May.
"You're fired if you don't remove yourself from the door," threatened Ri-anne. She must satisfy her inquisition! At least let me know what you broke, geez!
"Milady, there's a—" Mr. Thickwood tried.
"Say one more word and you're fired."
All three of them became silent after that. June wanted to make a last effort but her twin nudge her and shook her head furiously, not eager for her to get fired.
Ivor thought they must have very good reasons to be standing out here like dummies, instead of carrying out their normal duties like usual. "Miss Zedt, maybe I should go in first."
"Yes, Mr. Ravens should enter first!" agreed the three helpers.
"Ravens! Who is the master of this house!?" she scolded obnoxiously.
He winced, "You are."
"Then, I should enter first," she said righteously, as if it was in any way righteous at all. "No one goes in before me."
Feng-xen grunted, "Oh yeah, like it matters SO much about whoever enters first. Just enter already, if you must be the first! We wanna hear about Louyang!"
"I think this is the part where I, your guardian, should lecture you about being polite, Princess," added Antares with mocked seriousness. Galicia and Phelysa giggled.
"Don't even try," Ri-anne snarled. She turned to the helpers. "Stand aside now."
"Say 'please', sis!"
"Shut up."
Ri-anne brushed past between May and June. Behind her, they twins started to mouth words at their master's friends. Ivor, being the nearest to them, caught the slightest whisper of the word. The other five were dazzled with question marks above their heads.
Ri-anne, unfortunately, had opened the door and was going into the villa even as Ivor rushed to stop her.
She first noticed a strange, huge shadow on the floor cast down by the lighting of the villa. A cold chill ran down her spine and the hair on her neck stood on their ends when she tilted her head upward to see. Once her brain computed what her eyes were seeing, the response began.
For a start, her face turned a sick blue out of dread and terror. Ivor inhaled sharply when he saw it as well.
"M…Miss Zedt?" he prodded, troubled. Her lips quivered. The others made their way in as well. Galicia and Phelysa panicked at the sight of it.
"What's it doing here!" whispered Galicia to Phelysa. "She's not supposed to be near those stuff!!"
That was the limit.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!
The villa practically trembled.
"Ri-anne?"
If anyone was wearing a pair of glasses, Feng-xen was sure it would have dropped onto the floor and cracked. The arrogant, high and mighty Ri-anne Zedt was actually sobbing like a normal girl who was scared out of her wits. He poked Ivor on the shoulder and told him to make a move.
Ivor gulped, unsure what to do. "Err… Ri-anne?"
She began another string of sobs as she turned around to him and cried on his chest. Alarmed, Ivor raised his two arms into the air. Another poked from Antares. He would have hit them if Ri-anne wasn't holding onto him. Awkwardly, he placed his arms on her back in attempt to comfort her. Feng-xen and Antares silently cheered and shook hands to congratulate one another.
Varrick who was the furthest back came to front to have a look too. When he saw it, he burst into delighted glee. "Oh, darling!! You've found your way here!"
An out of place silence.
Galicia stepped forward and swung her broad sword at it. "I'm cutting it into two."
"Over my dead body! She's my beloved pet!!" bellowed Varrick, standing defensively in front of it.
Everyone went into shock mode. "What the hell is a High Wizard doing with an Argos?!"
"It's unique!" he defended.
"It's a big hairy creature with eight legs. It's disgusting," spat Galicia.
"It has worthy research property!" he claimed.
"I don't care about what research it can be used in. The point is Ri-anne hates arachnids!" she shot back. Ri-anne bawled at her words. "Poor girl, don't worry, Ri-anne, I'll remove it from your sight," she assured her kindly and sympathetically.
"It's not Ara's fault she's afraid of spiders! If you're going to kill it, you have to pass me first," braved Varrick.
"Fine with me!" The two appeared as though they were ready for a final showdown. Phelysa, Feng-xen and Antares were dumbfounded at the scenario. What in the world was going on? If they weren't mistaken, just a while ago, they were a determined lot to discuss about an evil organization and perhaps ways to defeat them; not disputing over arachnophobia and a battle to the death over a spider.
Ivor coughed, interrupting the two. In a calm and commanding way, he said, "Mr. Klighten, please tell your pet to stay out of the villa. We'll deal about it later. Miss Tegort, please help me take Ri-anne to her room. Miss Sands, please prepare a cup of warm tea for Ri-anne."
"Yes, sir," said Phelysa before shuffling off to the kitchen. While walking, she wondered why she used 'sir'. Shrugging, she ignored it.
Galicia and Varrick exchanged death glares before giving up their resolution to battle one another. She convinced Ri-anne to go to her room, holding one of her arms. The Assassin Cross grasped her friend and shivered as they walked past the humongous spider which was still clinging onto the ceiling innocently. Ivor followed dutifully by her side. Varrick, on the other hand, was speaking praises to his pet about how intelligent it was.
Antares still could not get over the fact that his prideful was currently crying after taking a look at the monster. "She's completely two different persons!" he muttered.
"Unimaginable, isn't it?" chuckled Feng-xen. "Her fear for spiders is as amazing and embarrassing as it can get."
"I must get an Argos doll to keep her in chain," he joked. "No wonder May and June are so particularly about no spider at home."
"You have no idea how much Zeny we spent back in Morocc just to ensure our place was spider-free. Any inn she stays in would be requested to place super arachnid repellent when preparing for her room," he informed.
Upstairs, Ri-anne cowered under her quilt. Galicia tried to calm her friend down but her fright did not subside. Phelysa came in with the tea which she put on the bedside table.
"I'll keep her company. You girls go down and ask Antares to relate to you what we have seen in Louyang. I doubt Ri-anne would be in any condition to speak now," said Ivor quietly.
Resigned, the two left the room and closed the door behind them.
"That doesn't seem like the normal Ivor Ravens we know," remarked Phelysa when they were walking along the corridor.
"Who knows, maybe the Ivor Ravens we met just now is the real Ivor Ravens," Galicia murmured.
-xx-
"Destroy the Starlink Clan."
Those who were present in the abandoned church in Glaisthelm could not understand the order. "The Starlink Clan?" asked Shenola, the dark High Priestess.
"Three days from now, travel to Einbroch. You will know who they are when you see them," the distorted and eerie voice instructed without any specific clarification.
"Misquelle and I are not going," Misael said.
"Why not?" pouted Misquelle, pursing her lips. She comprehended his reason when he gazed at her. Though to the others his eyes were as blank as ever, she knew the mental message he was sending her.
"Sorry, Lord Versator, I can't go," she sniveled.
"I will not force you, Misquelle. The remaining nine is more than enough to take care of the task," said Versator.
"Tch," grumbled a man who was twirling a steel arrow in a hand. "I'm not interested in it. I am not going as well. I don't work in groups, I do only solos."
The mechanical voice sounded again, "Coincidentally, Ying, I have a different task for you."
His violet eyes darted to the source of the voice. He loathed how their leader hid his face from them. They had worked so hard for him and still, he could not trust them enough to show them his true self.
"Keep an eye on Marylyn. If she shows any signs of weakness and disloyalty, exterminate her from our Organisation."
Ying gave a disgruntled grunt, leaving the church without taking his leave formally from Versator. His high ponytail swished a little as he turned to walk off.
"Be frank, Lord Versator. You merely want me to kill her just the way I killed Shilea if betrays you," he muttered.
-xx-
Marylyn cursed the presence of the Talefing in her room; she cursed the Tenshin Organisation; she cursed her fate for growing up in the Organisation. She hated everything she had done for the past few years of her life. But it could not change her obligation. She was left with no choice. If she disobeyed Versator's command, Elliot would die.
But if I give this Talefing to Elliot, he would never forgive me. I know he would rather die!
She wept to herself. No one could console her, help her. She wiped off the tears. So long as he lives… I have to do it today. Two days had passed since Misael was here. If she procrastinated any longer, Elliot's life would be in danger.
Elliot was in his study room as usual but his countenance was graver than normal. It seemed like he had a million worries in his mind. He stood up suddenly when she entered which frightened her. Realising her presence, he apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you're here."
"It's my fault, I should have knocked," she mumbled.
"I'm going to see a colleague."
Marylyn started. "Wait."
He looked at her queerly, then only did he note a large, long unidentified package she was carrying. He was so occupied to the level of complete ignorance of his surrounding. "What is it, Marylyn?"
"There… there's a parcel for you." She handed him the heavy, oblong bundle which he received in an unwary manner.
"Alright, I'll look into it when I get back."
"I think it's better you see what's in there now, Elliot." She could not believe she was doing this.
All of a sudden, he was suspicious. "Who gave this?"
"A stranger. I couldn't recognize him," she lied lamely.
He changed his mind and unwrapped it. Tossing away the thick yellowish paper, Elliot frowned when the item was covered with another layer of silk cloth. An envelope was enclosed with it. He opened it and read the note inside.
'To Elliot,
This belongs to you, as it once belonged to your father.'
Stumped, he threw away the paper and gradually slid off the cloth off the item. His eyes dilated when he saw the black sword with jagged blade on both sides, its spine curved like a stretched out 's'. He drew back when the sword was surrounded by a malicious aura, fearful. But there was a certain something which brought him back to the sword, magnetized to it.
Marylyn wanted to stop him from making direct contact with it but could not. She could only watch helplessly as he gripped its hilt.
A violent, malevolent current of air blasted from the sword and its owner, causing Marylyn to hit the walls behind her. His eyes shone a bloody red as he let out a vicious howl. The dark aura seeped into his body through his mouth and nose, corrupting his soul. His flesh burnt and tortured him.
Marylyn ran to his side, crying, attempting to force him away from the sword but Elliot who was possessed and no longer aware of his self shoved her roughly to a side. She banged against a bookshelf and fainted.
Something came to mind. Wasn't he supposed to meet someone? Who was it? Ah, yes… Patricia.
An unearthly laugh echoed as he rushed out. The evil pleasure was overwhelming. The Talefing was his source of strength. An insane voice spoke to him, telling him, promising him the pleasure of sinning and evil.