Chapter 38
After journeying over the great mountain that led to the shrine, which took even longer then last time due to the fact they had to move around the giant nest as opposed to through it, they finally found themselves standing before the broken edifice. Upon entry Lucile's Dragoon Spirit shone out, resonating as if to acknowledge its past involvement with its original master, and then ceased.
"So this is the shrine" Zack mused as he looked around. It looked like it could have once been a magnificent structure in ages past, sitting above the flowing water, towering next to the green forestry surrounding it. Now, only remnants of what it once was stood broken and incomplete. The narrow path on what they now stand on, made of various broken white bricks and other materials, stood a few centimeters above the gushing water, leading further into the grove of shrubby forestry that had crawled around the damaged construction. In the water various pillars and other objects that once were apart of the shrine were visible, and several paths and stairs led into the water or into nothing, coming to a sudden dead end.
"Was this also a result of the Dragon Campaign?" Zack asked. Rose nodded, but said no more on the subject. Zack knew that it was still a very personal topic for her, and for her best friend to be buried here meant that it held some significance, or once did despite it's appearance, and took the hint and left it alone also.
"Where is this Shirley?" Lucile asked next, glancing around. Rose pointed to the North West, where the stream of water divided the land into two sides, one which still housed the devastated shrine, the other side seemingly nothing more then greenery.
"She's at the top" Rose enlightened, as she continued to survey the area. What happened to the roaming monsters that made their home here? Rose could see none, or hear none for that matter. Only white, green and blue remained visible, the ambient sound of the water rushing and the trees whistling the only sounds she could hear.
"Be careful. Last time I was here fiends housed themselves here" Rose warned uneasily.
"But I see none" Zack replied.
"That's why we're taking extra caution." Rose looked off into the entryway; it may have once been a small dome, but now only one side stood, and even that was tattered as green overgrowth made its home around the cracks and openings. They continued on, walking briskly into a more congealed area.
"Wow, what a place" Lucile remarked, and while inside looked no better then out, cracks and holes as well as broken pillars and other support still loomed but broken cart tracks were evident and strange mural like insignias that appeared on some of the more well kept walls and columns. The water still splashed around them, crashing against the missing parts of floor.
"Like a kind of maze" Zack though aloud, surveying the several different exits and entrances.
"We go straight ahead, up the tower" Rose informed, pointing the half broken stair case that led upwards towards a large, almost teetering tower that stood in front of them. The tower itself was in no perfect condition either.
"Lead on Rosie" Zack gestured with his hand, stepping back a fraction. Rose sighed and moved on, her steps echoing within the quietness of the area. Again Rose spotted no monsters, no native wildlife that had otherwise taken refuge in this peaceful area.
"I don't know whether to be amazed or horrified with this place" Zack commented as they strode on, climbing up the stairs carefully. Rose shrugged, as if his opinion was of no consequence.
"The damage this placed received during the campaign was not this serious. It appears the shrine's biggest enemy was time, slowly eroding a once magnificent human outpost into what you see before you."
Lucile had broken a part of the crumbled side she used to support herself, which nearly resulted in her falling off and plunging into the water below had Rose not been there to restore her balance.
"Careful. This place is very frail." Lucile nodded gingerly, looking over at the shockwave of ripples the fallen bricks had created.
The tower ascended into several levels, most of which were uninhabitable and consequently unreachable. It seemed to have once rounded itself into a circular building, and while each level appeared similar in design, neither Zack nor Lucile had any idea what it would be used for. The one thing that had been constant though was it was all light, shades of white, grey and silver. A fitting tomb for the original owner of the White Silver Dragoon Zack supposed inwardly.
As they continued to ascend the various stairways, Rose finally signaled them to a stop. "To progress, we will have to climb the ladder behind me which will take us to the next set of stairs"
"Geez, is stairs all this place is made of?" Lucile complained, rubbing the tops of her now tender legs. Rose ignored her companions protests, and began to climb the ladder, although ever so carefully. Not could they blame her, the rickety old thing looked like it could collapse at any second.
"Is it usually this deserted?' Zack asked, moving his head around.
"Save for the unusual absence of the monsters, yes. In fact, there are only a handful of people alive today who know of such a place." Rose glanced up and saw the sun beginning to wane behind the clouds that were just above the inevitable horizon that would soon mask it for another day. She guessed only a couple of hours of daylight left, and that was if they were lucky. "Let's quicken our pace, lest you want to be navigating through this crumbling shrine throughout the night." She knew that neither of them did, and even her herself didn't want to be trailing through here without the sun to unmask the dangerous breaks and traps that such an ancient structure would surely have, no matter how well she knew the place.
The three finally arrived at the last part of the shrine that led to Shirley's resting quarter. It was a thick, almost up hill flight of stair that aggravated the groans of disapproval from both Zack and Lucile. On either side of the base, their was a gold and silver angel like statue, the golden one to the left was facing northward, towards the top of the stairs, the silver one on the right facing left towards the golden statue. Beside them was nothing more then dense shrubbery.
"This is the last serious stairway" Rose announced although it did little please her two friends.
"I swear, if I ever have walk up another set of steps after we reach the top, I'll throw myself off this evil place" Zack remarked, groaning breathlessly.
"We still have the trip back down to consider" Rose replied dryly. "So you may as well cast yourself off now."
"So cold" Zack sulked in a low voice.
"Did you really expect any sympathy?" Lucile said before Rose could. Zack's face turned even sourer, and turned his eyes to the task he now had to climb.
"Let us be done with it then" he said with a sigh, and that was the last words uttered until they reached the top of the stairs.
"Do you really think it's alright to confront her yet? She won't be unconscious this time, and if we don't play this right she'd sooner kill us then give us a second chance" one of the grey figures, now standing outside the entrance to the shrine. The two of them stood aside from the other four, talking in a low voice that only they could hear. The leader put her hand up causally.
"We'll be fine, trust me" she reassured. The wind picked up and the grey leather suits that covered their entire body rustled a little.
"Will we be revealing ourselves this time?" the second one asked, his voice carrying a distinct masculinity that established he was indeed male.
"I think so, yes."
"And how will she take it?"
The female, the leader, seemed to consider it for a few moments before answering. "Like everything thing else, as a fact."
"How long do you think she'll be up there?" he asked again, his tone softening a fraction.
"One day at least, possibly two. Either way, we'll be here waiting for them when they come down." Her partner seemed satisfied with the answers he received, and proceeded to join the other four members who were talking amongst themselves.
"Rose, whatever you are doing out there, let it be quick" she whispered to herself. "I fear we don't have much time, and if we don't meet now, then I think we never will."
"And here we are' Rose announced standing in the middle of a circular platform, which (not surprisingly) was accessible by a dual flight of stairs, although one side was obstructed a pillar that may have once served as a support beam. Below it was a small walkway that led to the large stairway they had climbed earlier with the two gold and silver statues. Below them, flowing freely around what was left of the shrine was the ever present water that also buried a good portion of the top area they now stood on, and the mystery as of why with it. Beyond it was the constant green trees and bushes, along with the last gleams of sunlight shining through, signifying the end of another day, and the beginning of another night.
"Where is she?" Zack asked, setting his eyes upon the almost house like building that was at the end of the circle platform, a large almost tunnel like entryway stood, although it looked crippled and far from stable.
Before Rose could answer however, three long silver needle like projectiles shot out of the opening, missing them all narrowly. Zack and Lucile were at arms at once, Zack withdrawing his spear and Lucile assuming her battle stance. Rose however stood completely unfazed by the attack, raising her hand up to stop them.
"Drake, it is only me" she spoke casually. Silence ensured, and after a few moments, a gaunt figure approached, walking up cautiously, another round of those silver needles gleamed in its left hand. It seemed to survey the three, its face under the witch like hat that towered over his head squinting intently.
"You're one of her friends, who were here a while ago" he spoke, his voice high and almost impish. He was covered with dark leather garments that were tied to him with various belts and other restraining additives that made his movements completely silent, even to Rose's ears. Had Rose not already encountered the bandit earlier and his attack was intended to harm, there was a very good chance he would have succeeded.
"Who is that?" Zack asked, looking unimpressed as he sized up the smaller thief.
"Drake, a bandit who guards this area" Rose replied plainly. "He once tried to pillage the area, and apparently Shirley enticed him, and he took it upon himself to guard the shrine from other would be robbers."
"How ironic" Lucile replied. Drake's features were dark and unattractive, his sharp nose and small eyes were comparable to a goblin, which coincidently was exactly what he sounded like.
"I trust Shirley has returned?" Rose questioned, completely ignoring the fact he still hadn't relinquished his battle stance. The bandit looked at her with a mixture of mistrust and malice, the hand holding the silver projectiles raising threateningly a fraction.
"Let's not have a repeat of last time" Rose warned, her hand dropping to her sword. "I haven't the patience for mercy this time."
Drake scoffed, but knew the truth; if she really wanted to continue, he wouldn't be able to stop her. "Fine, but I'm watching you, the meathead and the brat closely" he spat scornfully.
"You're one to talk, mister beauty contest winner over here" Lucile rebuked. Drake eyes flashed with rage.
"You better watch your tongue you git or I'll tear it off." Lucile laughed, provoking him to follow up on his threat.
"Enough!" The sharpness of Rose's demand brought on an immediate silence that no one, not even Drake, was wiling to be the first to break.
"My, my, with all this shouting it's any wonder anyone can find any peace and quiet" a familiar voice echoed from within. Rose's head snapped towards the entrance behind Drake at once. What followed was a light ghostly figure which would be identified as the remnants of Rose's oldest friend. Only her face, although ghastly was exposed, the rest (Zack made particular note of her she seeming lack legs, her body floating apparently on nothing, although whether that was just an ability she had with her legs hidden behind her tattered robe or not he didn't know) of her body was laden with a bright white and blue robe that bore several rips and tears. Under it appeared to be another set of clothing, but it did well to hide her body, only her ethereal pale face, large brown eyes and dazzling auburn hair that fell to her shoulders were visible. It almost looked like a girl who wore a bathrobe too large for her, covering her legs and hands.
"It's been a while, not counting the time you saved me from the moon and disappeared again" Rose started, her tone more relaxed. The ghost nodded, a smile creasing her lips, and although Zack never questioned its sincerity, it came across a little wan. Well what do you expect? She is dead after all Zack's mind intruded.
"Good to see you are well" she responded earnestly, moving past Drake to confront the group. She glanced at Zack and Lucile, her smile brightening a touch. Zack and Lucile both thought she would have been rather attractive during her living existence, although that's not to say she wasn't now, even in death. "And with new companions I see."
Rose, who had momentarily forgotten that Shirley was not affiliated with either of the two, introduced them promptly.
"This is Zack. I met him in Fletz. To cut a long story short, one which I'm sure you'll hear later, he inherited the Red Eye Dragon Spirit before recently losing it. He can be a goofball at-- well… a lot of the time."
Zack schooled his features into that of feign hurt, grinning mischievously. "Now, now, Rosie I can't help it if you're deprived of any sense of comedy" Zack jested. Rose sighed and Shirley laughed merrily. She decided on that moment she liked Zack.
"A person with a good sense of humor would do you well Rose. Gods knows, as your friend pointed out you don't have one."
Rose ignored the comment and continued with the introductions. "This here is Lucile." Lucile stepped forward and bowed her head slightly, as was customary where she came from when addressing someone of high respect. Her Dragoon Spirit gleamed once more and Shirley raised her eyebrows with interest.
"The next generation White Silver Dragoon Knight I see" she said. "How interesting."
"I heard you were the first possessor of the spirit. As such, I would humbly request some advice. Being new to this, I would appreciate any knowledge you can offer, and considering you were the first, I'm sure you have plenty." Another wave of laughter consumed Shirley, and Lucile had trouble finding what made the situation so comical.
"Dear, you don't have to act so formal I am a mere spirit, not a queen" she explained warmly. "And yes, I would be glad to offer any assistance I can."
"I am ever thankful."
Shirley liked Lucile as well, and she could immediately sense her heart was pure, and her soul remained untainted. A textbook candidate if there ever was one.
"Shirley..." a concerned voice from behind her murmured. She turned to Drake and smiled reassuringly.
"Worry not Drake, they are friends and mean no harm." The bandit nodded, his eyes flashing over the three one last time (His eyes sparked particularly when they met Lucile's) and he turned and began to leave.
"I'll be inside or patrolling the parameter if you need me."
They all watched as Drake left, no one speaking until he was out of view. "Please forgive him, although he comes across as a little rude, he has protected this sanctuary for years passed. He is also good company for what would otherwise be a lonely dwelling." They all agreed, to which sparked Lucile's next question.
"He seems… quite taken with you" she remarked. Shirley laughed uneasily.
"Oh… that." She didn't say anymore, and Lucile wondered if she felt a little guilty for binding him here, and although she thought she'd release him if he ever sought freedom, she still felt responsible.
"In any event, she would do well to be tested by the original Dragoon holder" Rose said, putting the conversation back on the tracks it was beginning to deviate from. Shirley nodded.
"I don't think she'll be the only one tested." Zack looked at Rose, then at Lucile nervously. Does she mean he'd be tested as well? But what for?
"It's getting dark, and while I have nothing that will adequately supply the likes of you three you are free to use whatever part of the shrine pleases you. I apologize for the lack of human necessities like food and beds, but when you're someone like me you don't expect visitors."
"We'll be fine, we came prepared" Rose replied sternly. "But, I think it's time you and I had a bit of a chat." Rose looked at her two allies. "You two will have to excuse us for a while; I'd like to take this opportunity to talk things out alone. So find whatever you can to occupy yourselves to then.
"Yeah, of course" Zack answered, but the thought of wondering alone in this place during the dark frightened him a little. "Just call us when you finish."
"We will don't worry" Shirley assured brightly. Rose and Shirley turned towards the cavern in front of them, leaving Zack and Lucile to their own devices.
"Well, this is great" Zack expressed in exasperation.
"Let them be. Rose needs this I think. Let's not forget she carries a heaver burden then both of us" Lucile persuaded softly. Zack sighed in resignation.
"It's just… we should be out there, trying to stop Wen and he rest of Sandora from causing any more harm. I know we're only three people, and I know we hold what he is after and to give them up would have disasters effects, but holing up while Rose has a nice little chit chat to one of her dead friends isn't going to help."
"It's more than that and you know it" Lucile shot back with the same softness, yet it held a firm edge. "I may not know Rose as well as you do, but it's easy to see she herself is running out of ideas on what we should do. While Wen may not be succeeding in gaining our own spirits" Zack broke in, reminding her that he was able to attain his, but she ignored him and continued on. "We have only just been able to defend his own advances, and at a heavy price. From here, our next move is critical, and will determine whether we succeed or fail. There will be no in between this time, and Rose doesn't know what option to take." This made sense to Zack, perfect sense in fact, and he was glad for the presence of a second calmer mind.
"So, she's now stuck at a cross road." Lucile paused, seemingly to think on her next sentence. "Not a cross road, a multitude of roads that all intertwine. Only very few of them will not lead us to annihilation, and not knowing exactly which roads will or won't, she's confiding in her best friend in hopes she'll put her in the right direction."
Zack fell quiet, reflecting Lucile's observances. "You really think so?" She nodded.
"I do. And what makes it harder I think, is it's not just her life that is at stake."
"Yeah, most of the world is" Zack replied. Lucile looked at him in the way one does when they answer a question so wrong they wonder how they came up with the answer.
"What?" Zack asked, his hand going to the back of his neck. She shook her head, dismissing the subject. It's your life she worries most about is what she was getting at, and she didn't know whether he was that flat out oblivious and dense or he avoided the subject on purpose. She had some strange idea by the way he moved his hand towards his neck, which he often did in a gesture of nervousness, that it was the latter.
"Why didn't she just say so?' Zack inquired.
"Do you really think she would come out and say she was going here to seek help? She is our leader Zack and whether she will admit it or not, she has taken up the role of leadership and as such, she fears it would appear weak if she admitted she needed help. She has too much pride."
"… You're spot on" he agreed, looking into the dwelling room of Shirley, hearing the faint voices of their leader and her oldest friend exchanging stories. "I just hope it doesn't end up killing her."
As the night wore on, Rose retold the events from when she had first met Zack. They sat in her ruined sanctum, which housed various broken statues that looked like giant sitting cats. The floor was solid at least, and her initial worry that it would collapse and fall into the river surrounding them (as what a lot of the other parts of the floor had done Rose guessed by their abrupt end) were soon put to rest. Rose sat on her knees, and although the stone floor wasn't as uncomfortable as she first assumed, she thought she'd have sore knees all the same when she finished her recollection of her journey so far.
Shirley made a few inquires into Zack, more specifically her feelings towards him, to which Rose would admonish and tell her if she answered all of her questions she'd never finish her recount. Of course, this was just a way to avoid voicing her feelings, but in any event her excuse had succeeded for the most part. Rose had an idea though that Shirley had already gained an understanding of their relationship; she had a knack for doing that.
And as the hours passed, Rose guessed around three or four, Rose's tale finally came to a close. Lucile had listen to every detail intently, not once showing signs of disinterest.
"Sounds like another journey for you. This would be the... fourth now? Including your pilgrimage as the Black Monster?"
"I'm just lucky I guess" Rose replied sourly.
"I think you'll do what's best in the end" Shirley comforted.
"Did I ask for advice?" Rose asked sharply. Lucile giggled.
"Then why else are you here?" Rose sighed and looked up towards the cracked ceiling where shimmers of the pale moon shone through and on to them.
"It's no longer just my own life involved. The lives of many others ride on how this turns out as well." Shirley tilted her head to the side in puzzlement.
"Trepidation is not a feat normally shown by you" she expressed.
"I know, and that's half of the problem." Shirley smiled lightly, attempting to put her friends mind at ease.
"I think it's good that you take others in consideration before you act. But I can see that you are weary, and I urge you to sleep here for the night. This is an amazing place to reflect, and I think it would do well to help clear your mind and unmask your path."
To that she could not argue. She didn't know about the whole reflection thing, but she sure as hell was tired.
"Then I will. First I'll meet back up with Zack and Lucile and tell them to come here and rest as well." Her friend put up a hand, shaking her head softly.
"I'll tell them, but I think it'll do you good to sleep now." Rose examined her friend for a moment, and then agreed.
"Go easy on them, there still fresh" was the last thing Rose said before she undid her sleeping bag, and surrendered herself to the realm of sleep. She didn't know whether it was the place she slept in or her tiredness, but she couldn't remember a time she had fallen asleep so quickly and completely.
Zack and Lucile camped not far from where Rose and Shirley were. They sat at the bottom step that led to the path that descended off the highest point of the building they now stood on. Drake had joined them, at first meeting them with snide comments about how he was watching them and if they tried anything he'd be quick to act, but in time he too sat with them, conversing contently.
"So how did you wind up here?" Lucile asked him. He shrugged.
"I was once a bandit. Not so much by choice, believe it or not I do have morals, but I was kicked out of Lohan… well, forced out rather. My mother had an affair and when my father found out I was a bastard child, he beheaded my mother and sent me on the streets." Lucile grimaced, her sympathy rising to new heights. "So I wondered from place to place, trying to steal what fortunes I could. I eventually found this place, in which I climbed the highest point in hopes that all the treasures were kept there. In was then I met Shirley, who changed my life. She had a certain air about her, a certain resonance that I confided in at once. I told her my past, and she wept for me, the most beautiful tears I had ever seen. It was then she apologized and told me that her shrine already been pillaged, and if not she'd freely give me what goods she had. It was then I just... took it upon myself to be her loyal guarding, guarding the sanctity of this place from the other corrupted bandits that would surely lack the remorse I showed."
"Do you get any? Thieves I mean." Lucile inquired. Drake nodded.
"We get a few, more then I thought we would. But when I'm not fending off robbers, I keep her company. In all honesty, I couldn't think of a better place I'd rather be then here." Lucile was touched, and for the grouchy exterior he exudes, he has a rather sensitive core.
Zack meanwhile was preoccupied in his own thought, about what Lucile had mentioned earlier. He stayed uncharacteristically quiet, which grabbed Lucile's attention.
"You alright?" she asked, looking at him with concern. He had been looking down at the ground the whole time, and it took Lucile two attempts to actually gain his attention.
"Yeah... just thinking is all." He let out a yawn, and as it often does, it sent out a chain reaction, following on to Lucile and even Drake.
"I think it's time we called it a night." She turned to Drake. "Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been hard."
"No, I'm not simple minded like you and dwell on things that cannot be changed" he insulted, but it sounded a little lighter then his usual slurs, and Lucile forgave him for it as he left without another word.
"That Drake" she mused as she unrolled her own sleeping bag at the bottom of the steps. Zack had already done his, and was preparing to get inside. The last few days had taken a toll on them all, and were all eager for a decent nights sleep.
"Don't worry about anything until the morning" Lucile encouraged. "You'll be no good if you're all worn out before we do anything."
"I know I know" Zack said, letting out another drawn out yawn. They both said their goodnights, and were asleep just as their heads hit their pillows.
Sometime later into the night, it mustn't have been much for the moon was still high in the sky; Zack was roused awake by sound of Rose's voice. Far away at first, her voice slowly came into waking clarity, and with a yawn, he sat up, the cool air around them making him shiver.
"What is it?" he asked drowsily. She was on her knees, her face full of worry and concern. Or that's what it looked like to Zack upon first inspection, but as the haze of clouding weariness began to fade, he realized he had been crucially mistaken.
She sat next to him, right next to him. Close enough so their bodies were touching, their shoulders only a few inches apart. This was when the first of Zack's internal warning sirens began to let off.
"I couldn't sleep" she replied in an almost seductive tune, followed by an unheard melody. What the hell is up with her?" he wondered with growing anxiety. He turned to a sleeping Lucile who rested a few meters away, but all she did was stir. That women could sleep through a horde of stampeding buffalo he thought inwardly. He turned back to Rose, who hadn't moved and had her gaze set on his with starry eyes. He shifted uncomfortably.
"Umm, what are you doing out here?" he spoke with all the steadiness he could muster which he guessed wasn't much. She rested her head on his shoulder, her hands wrapping around his back and upper sternum. "Had a bad dream" she replied with that same strange tone which sounded like a passing dream of a kind, surreal almost. But I'm not dreaming. And that much he knew.
Things only became more problematic as she pushed her weight on to him, causing him to fall flat on his back, her still on top of him. She had the awareness to push him onto the cushioning of the sleeping bed, which meant she done it intentionally and hadn't fallen asleep. After a few moments of leaving her head nestled in his chest, she rose, but kept her lower body firmly on his as if to straddle him.
"Rose, what are you doing?" he asked, all calmness now forgotten. She smiled roguishly, and for a second time Zack tilted his head in the direction of Lucile, only to find she was still in a deep slumber. Something is wrong. Even Lucile should be awake by a commotion this close to her. But more importantly….
Rose removed her leather top, revealing only the white bandages that bound her injures. Zack look at her in growing horror. "Rose, stop" he began, his eyes widening as her hands went to tug on her white bindings. For a moment he was stunned into a kind of dumbfounded paralysis, but was able to move before she could ebb away at the last remnants of clothing that would leave her top half completely exposed.
He shot his hands towards her own, grasping her wrists and pulling them away from her body, although it lacked any real restraint. "Rose, what the hell has gotten into you?" She looked at him with mixed confusion and irritation. "Just relax and enjoy" she purred enticingly. She was able to break free of the weak hold, her hands reassuming what she had initially started. Zack shook himself out of the spellbound like trance she had put him in, snatching her wrists once again with more authority this time.
"Rose, stop it" he cried, but she continued to struggle under his restraint. He soon found it was a battle he was beginning to lose, as his grip loosened her hand managed to travel half way towards the bandages around her chest that she intended to strip away. This isn't you, now way is it the Rose I know his mind cried, reeling under the pressure Rose's body had put him under. Yet in every way she was, right from her cold blue eyes (that weren't so cold now) to her natural fragrance. She looked down at him, deciding to give up on her initial goal, and pursue another one instead.
She moved her head towards his, her eyes beginning to close, and he feared he knew what was next to come. She push her face forwards until he could feel her breath on his, her lips guiding towards his like some kind of homing device. Damn it this stops now!
"Enough!" he bellowed, and Rose's eyes snapped open at once, her face pausing. Zack moved his back, which was only a fraction due to the floor below him. "I don't know who you are, but if you do not get off me in the next few seconds, there will be trouble." His voice sounded commanding as well as threatening, all former hesitations dissolved. Rose's face turned blank, and then a broad smile appeared. She hopped off him immediately, standing up wand walking back up the steps a few paces. Zack sat up, confused at what was going on. Before he had too much time to ponder it, the answers came to him directly in the form of the women in front of him. Rose disappeared in a shroud of smoke, and what remained there was not Rose, but a visage that could only be Shirley.
"What the heck?" he voiced in bewilderment. She smiled brightly, clasping her hands on front of her.
"You pass." She said.
"Pass what?" he asked perplexed.
"The test of course." He looked at her queerly, and then the conversation in which she declared all three would be tested came back to him.
"You mean that was the test? A test of what exactly?" Zack questioned, trying not to let his raising anger surface.
"It was a test of your ability to not give in to your desires, as strong as they may be." Zack frowned, as if the victim of some child's prank. She saw this, and elaborated further.
"It was a test to see if you could put away the desires of your body, when your mind, not fogged by that of humanistic lust. I wanted to see if you could put your body aside and let your mind guide you, even when pressured by a force you know is not of whom it appears." She paused momentarily. "From what I hear, such tactics are not above Wen."
He slowly understood what he was being tested on, and why Rose was the subject. "You know my feelings towards her, and as such, she was your apparatus, knowing that if anything was to blind me, it would be her." She nodded lightly.
"And it's good to see you were more then successful. You are a noble friend indeed to not take advantage." Zack rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"I wouldn't say that exactly" he replied quickly. A question then dawned on him, and it was his turn once again to ask. "What if I did give in?"
Shirley winked at him playfully. "Well then, we'd have a problem wouldn't we" she said, looking over at the waning moon, then at Lucile. "But no more questions, I have more work set out for me yet." Before Zack could even hope to get a work out, she pressed both of her palms on either side of his temple, and a haze of irresistible sleep consumed him immediately as she guided his slumbering head to the pillow of his sleeping bag. "You did well" she whispered satisfactorily, and then turned her attention to her second target.
Rose awoke, her eyes fluttering open at once, and for a moment she felt the sensation that she was under attack. Scanning the scenery quickly, she let out a breath of relief to find she was the only one in the room. When that fact had settled in, she felt the bitter disappointment of being falsely alerted out of a beautiful sleep she may never again experience. Sighing, she spent a few minutes looking at the dark corner of the room, before she fell back down, hoping that sleep would once again claim her, although she knew even if it did, it wouldn't be like the sleep she had just had.
Lucile felt a wind whip against her, as an internal throb, almost like a heartbeat began to radiate from her body, which startled her out of her sleep. She opened her bleary eyes, and was rested just in front of her was a fist, covered by a familiar dark glove that wore an insignia she knew all to well. As her vision began to slowly illuminate, she saw an old tanned man in front of her grinning mischievously.
"Good to know my training still has its grip on you" the gruff yet amused voice spoke. At first Lucile thought it a dream, but as her surroundings began to feel all too real, she told herself better. She was then filled with a sense of giddy disbelief.
"Master Haschel?" she asked, uncertain.
His upper lip moustache, dark and thick revealed a smile under it as his hand returned to behind his back, clasping as they always did in anticipation.
"Glad you still remember" he replied softly. He was still in his typical violet Rogue uniform, which wasn't so unlike her own save for the variance in colour. He still wore that dark headband that contrasted his otherwise much tanned skin as it vanished behind his similarly coloured cascading hair.
"How are you alive?" she asked in raising excitement. Was he here? Was her old master, the veteran of the Rogue Martial Arts actually here in front of her?
"Did you really think I'd die? Me? The master of the Rogue Martial Arts? Ha!" he spat, thrusting his fist into the air as if to strike an unseen enemy. Her eyes began to brighten with a happiness that will soon be crushed, and for that, Shirley would be forever regretful. This would hurt her much more than the trial she made for Zack would. She just hoped she wasn't going too far.
Millions of questions flew through Lucile's mind, so many in fact that she was rendered speechless, unable to pick a way to reply. It all dissolved in the pure ecstasy she felt that her idol, the one she looked up to and hoped to one day surpass as the Master of the Rouge Martial Arts was actually here in front of her.
"Master, I –" she was cut off from Haschel. Shirley wanted to get this over with as quick as possible, before any further detrimental, and most probable permanent damage could be done.
"Listen Lucile, and please of not interrupt me if you still consider me your master." Lucile stopped instantly, and her own alarm began to rise and mirror that of her masters.
"Rouge is in danger of another attack, one that will cause our town to be burned to the ground and never again seen."
"What? Again? Why?" she cried in panic.
"Sandora need more land for their operations, and one out of the way. Rogue is isolated, has much land as fits that requirement perfectly. Sandora ships are rumored to be sailing there as we speak. I ask that you accompany me back, and help with our defense."
It took a few moments for the realization and comprehension of what Haschel had just explained to kick in, and when it did her face shook with horror, and not just because of the possible demolition of her hometown, but because of the choice that was placed in front of her. She cringed inwardly. Oh god, not this, please anything but this she cried to herself.
"Well? Are you coming? We haven't the time to waste on loitering." Inwardly Shirley cursed herself for her harshness. This was going to emotionally destroy her, she could tell that by the expressions on the young women's face. But she had a job to do, and she owed Rose much.
"M-master.. I.. I.." she didn't know how to say she couldn't. His anger, his unhappiness and mostly his cold disappointment was something she swore she'd see in her master's eyes since the small time training with him. Yet now she was faced with abandoning her duties as a Dragoon Knight, or abandoning her home town and former master.
"Master... I'm in a delicate situation right now… I'm now a Dragoon Knight" she began, fighting back tears.
"Good! That will further help our defenses" the older man said happily. Now Shirley herself felt like crying, and even thought she could if not for the current circumstances.
"No... I'm with Rose and we're on our own journey… a very important journey that will determine the lives of many more then one town." She tried desperately not to sob, not in front of him of all people. Yet he didn't know how hard he was making this, the conundrum she was now in.
"You are?" he replied, and when she nodded, closing her eyes briefly, the hard, cold, disappointed probing eyes he had expected did not surface.
I could probe on further if I so decided to, I could perhaps even persuade her to believe, but... this is enough, I can't bring myself to hurt her anymore Shirley thought.
"I can maybe try and convince Rose to help a hand, or try and intercept… but... If I can't then I'm afraid…" tears did fall, she was unable to stop them now. Again she expected the relentless eyes that she had heard much about when a student failed, ones that even appeared in front of his daughter, but they didn't come. Instead, ones full of sympathy and understand materialized.
"I understand Lucile" he replied calmly. "You have a job to do, a promise you obviously have committed yourself too, and so your honor. That, above all is what you must keep, and if you were to forfeit that, even to the problem I have put forward, I would be truly ashamed."
Lucile looked up with unbelieving eyes, and when he crouched down to her level, she shot out of her bag and slung her arms around him, hugging her closely.
"Thank you Master, you are the best!" she cried during sobs. She felt a kind of warm vapor surround her, but she kept her eyes firmly shut, absorbing the moment. Then guilt at choosing her duties over her homeland began to bite at her, and she pulled away slowly, keeping her eyes closed until the embrace was broken.
"What about Rogue-" she stopped as she saw an unhappy Shirley hover in front of her.
"What happened to Master Haschel?" she asked nervously, trying desperately to collect herself. The new found confusion made it hard. Shirley sighed unhappily.
"Haschel was never really here. It was me testing your loyalty to your responsibilities" she slowly explained. Lucile's expression transcended the rage Shirley had expected into a melancholy sadness. Shirley thought this expression worse.
"I apologize, it wasn't fair to use him" she professed, bowing her head slightly.
"No, I understand" she said, although Lucile wasn't entirely sure she did. She felt like she was still in a haze, like someone who just woke up from a dream.
"For what it's worth, you passed, you weighed necessary importance on your role as a Dragoon, yet you didn't completely neglect your responsibilities of your homeland." Lucile nodded, seemingly in another world.
"Do you think he's…" she didn't finish. It would sound childish to ask, and she knew that he was really dead, and to think otherwise would just be fooling herself, and she didn't want to live in a reality of false hopes or illusions. "Never mind."
"Speak dear, speak your mind." Lucile first resisted the idea, but thought it could do no harm. She could ask, even if just to put her mind at complete ease.
"Is Haschel really dead?" she asked tentatively.
"I can't say" she answered, but Shirley did know, she felt his passing as she felt the many others. She didn't want plant a seed of false hopefulness, but after she had been through, she couldn't bring herself to say it. At times like this, she really wished she possessed some of the straight bluntness Rose did.
"But remember, dead doesn't always mean end. I mean, look at me" she encouraged. Lucile smiled a little.
"Thank you" she said grimly. Shirley waved it off; she didn't deserve to be thanked.
"But now it is time you seep I think." She pressed her hands on the sides of Lucile's head, much the same way she did Zack, and while she put up some mild resistance at first, she succumbed to the forced slumber.
"I'm sorry" she whispered to her, then looked away into the distance. Her work had been done, and she supposed she should prepare the news for Rose if she was awake. Yet she thought Rose already knew they would pass, if not, then she wouldn't have bothered with them in the first place.
Slowly Shirley wonder her way back towards the place she made her dwelling.
Rose didn't find any sleep after all, and so she lay, staring at the side of the cracked building. She didn't think she'd find nay more sleep tonight, but she wished she could rid herself of the boredom she now faced. Even her own mind seemed to have taken a vacation, as it troubled her none.
Rose was alerted by the sound of faint footsteps. She turned around, her head facing the entrance. A figure emerged, but even her keen eyes could only make out a faint silhouette in the darkness. The figure drew closer, and she could make out a mob of unruly dark blonde hair. Her alarm intensified a little. It appears her boredom may yet be solved.
When the figure walked past the center of the room, she could see the man properly, and who it really was thanks the moonlight that shimmered brightly from the holes above. Although he did have blonde hair, her first (and somewhat nervous) assumption that it could possibly be Dart had been proven incorrect. Her eyes widened for a moment as they met his blue eyes, eyes she felt she hadn't seen in eons.
"It's been a while" Zeig spoke softly. Rose's eyes narrowed sharply, before looking away.
"I'm in no mood for games Shirley." A cloud of smoke appeared, leaving behind the perpetrator.
"Didn't think it'd work on you" she said playfully.
"How did they go?" Rose asked.
"They both satisfy, and even went beyond. But you expected this I assume." Rose nodded. "Lucile is a little distressed though, she had a stronger connected to Haschel then you let on." It wasn't anger in her usual calm and serene voice, but there was a certain edge to it.
"She'll be fine, don't worry, she's a warrior just as we are." Shirley thought to rebuke the response, but thought it'd do no good. Rose hadn't changed all that much after all it seemed.
"The only question left is what you are going to do now." Rose paused, and realized in horror she hadn't another plan of action. Coming here was here itinerary, but now that it has been reach, and the objective now completed, the idea of what to do next has seemingly escaped her.
Her silence said it all, and Shirley knew immediately. "If you would not sleep, then let us speak some more, and perhaps you will find your way" the former Dragoon Knight suggested. And so they did. They spoke until dawn, sometimes about future plans, other times about past adventures and memories. Rose would later reflect that this would be some of the last peaceful moment she would experience before the whole ordeal was over. Almost the calm before the oncoming storm, or hurricane as it would later turn out.
Lucile and Zack were up earlier then Rose predicted, and while the sun began to rise, the four of them spoke until it was high enough in the sky to illuminate what was in front of them, although Rose still hadn't thought of where they would travel, and that worried her greatly. As it would soon turn out, she didn't have to. External forces would once again point them in the direction they needed to go.
Drake shot through the room they were all conversing in, which of course was that of Shirley's dwelling. He glided through hastily, and when he reached them he was panting rapidly.
"Shirley, we have visitors" he said between heavy breaths. Shirley's eyes raised a little as she glanced at her friend. Rose already was suspecting the worst.
"What do they look like" Rose asked fiercely.
"They were all clothed in grey, even their faces. I think there were five or six in total, but there could be more."
"It's them" Lucile chimed in. "The one's who took us to Lohan." Rose's eyes flashed with intense anticipation. That look usually lead to one thing, death.
"Then I think it's time we meet them" she spoke calmly, yet she thought there was almost a hint of excitement in that voice. Lucile found nothing exciting about the situation, for if they decided to attack, they had at least six, and we have three, four if you want to include Drake, but she didn't think Drake would lift a finger to help them; no. He would be more then happy for them to kill themselves. On top of that, Rose was still injured.
"Do you expect a violent confrontation?" Zack asked. Rose shrugged.
"We'll see soon enough, but be ready for anything." She turned to the bandit. "Lead us to them." Drake shot her an uneasy gaze. "And try nothing foxy, I'd soon behead you if I suspect as such." The bandit grunted, but seemed to oblige.
"But they seem to be after you, so this is your fight not mine unless they endanger this shrine" he assured.
"I understand" she agreed. Rose didn't really think they would be any danger to this sanctum, after all it would be them they wanted, and them they would get, for good or ill. Everything went silent for a moment.
"Well? Lead on" Rose gestured, and he did.
They climbed all the way to the bottom of the shrine, as it turned out they were camped just at the entrance. They got to the path that led out back towards the entrance, and it was this that marked Drake's leave.
"I'll go no further" he said. Rose nodded in agreement.
"Send Shirley our regards." Drake nodded, although whether he actually would Rose could only wonder doubtfully. "And look after her." She added. He nodded in acknowledgment again, and once she said no more, he left, scurrying back to the place he had to guard.
"Alright, I'm sure you all know the drill, be careful, and follow me lead." They both agreed, and continued forward, into the camp of the unknown grey intruders.
There was in fact six, but as soon as Rose had walked out the broken dome like tunnel way which spilled into the forests, she was greeted by the first of the several grey trespassers. They had camped along the tin broken walkway between the water around them that led down the mountain back to Lohan, some eating, others talking. The one who approached them requested them to stay, and another one appeared before them, this one seemingly the leader.
"It's been a while, Rose" the captain spoke, the voice definitely feminine, on the verge of girlish. The mention of her name put her even more on guard, if at all possible.
"You have a few seconds to reveal yourself, before I take action" Rose shot sternly, her gaze cold and calculating. She would jump at any sign of hostility.
Slowly, the women brought her hands to hear head, untying the lace that bound the mask to her head from behind her, then pulled it off, dropping it to the ground. Roses eyes widened in shock when she discovered the identity of who stood in front of her. Lucile and Zack looked at her uneasily.
"What is it Rose?" Zack asked, baffled by her look of astonishment.
"Greetings" the now unmasked women began. "I am Shana, happy to make your acquaintance."
Notes: A much larger chapter in comparison to the rest, I know. I didn't expect it to be this big but... well; there was a lot to write about. It'll be interesting to know who did suspect correct about the grey leader; I hoped to hint in the prior chapter without making it too obvious. Anyway, enough ramblings (which seem to have became all too common with the latest chapters), and I hope you enjoyed the chapter, as I think the following chapters will really start to pick up towards the story's climax.
- Michael.