~Chapter 53~

Practice

*POW!*

"Agh! …Er, you almost got it that time, Esther! Try it again!" Marcassin half-yelped, half-called. The young sage was standing by the ruins of a once-standing kingdom from ages ago, having kept his promise of helping Esther master magic with his imperial scepter. They had been practicing the whole morning, working on some basic spells, practicing on a few Sore Boars that dared engage them.

Esther sighed- she had tried casting 'Frostbite', but when a Boar charged at her, she panicked and cast 'Fireball' instead… and while dodging her aim was off, and she nearly set the younger prince's head aflame, if he hadn't ducked in time. The Boar itself, in its frenzy, had ran past her over to the other side of the hill, encountering one of its kin and deciding to go head-on with it instead. "I'm sorry, Marcassin- I'm trying my best, but I keep getting the spells mixed up!" she admitted, embarrassed for her fluke.

"Don't be so hard on yourself- I had been the same way when I first started practicing… and as a child, it was a lot more overwhelming. For you, you're just nervous. The moment a creature comes at you, the pressure kicks in and you can't think clearly."

"That never stopped me in battle before," Esther sighed, sitting on a stone. "Then again, I was always using my familiars, or just healing others…" she paused, smelling something burning…

Noticing that the end of Marcassin's hair was singed- and a tiny flame sparked up! Gasping, she waved the scepter aside… and a shot of water doused the prince! "H-Hey! …What was that?!"

"I'm sorry! Your hair… was kind of… on… fire."

"No, I mean… what was that spell you used?"

"Um… I don't know. I only thought of having one of my familiars use 'Water Bomb', but the scepter did something first."

Marcassin rubbed his chin. "How did you wave it, while you were thinking this?"

"Um, something like this…" Esther waved the scepter up in a 'wave' pattern a couple times, before striking a vertical line down the middle wave of it. The symbol she traced glowed, and a shot of water once again shot out, this time dousing a nearby Tin-Man, which collapsed quickly after. She gasped, gripping the staff.

"It seems you've mastered an old spell without realizing it…"

"Really?! But… it was an accident! Spells can't work like that all the time…"

"No… unless you make the symbol by accident. I did the same with the 'Thunderstorm' spell- one that was long forgotten, until Oliver got the page on it from his ghostly friend, Horace."

Esther pondered this. She remembered Horace, the 'Sage of Ages', a spirit whom Oliver had encountered in every town, who gave him a riddle to solve in order to earn a new spell. Could it be she learned one of his old spells? "Wow… Maybe he might know something about this spell- or Cassiopeia! She was around in his time, wasn't she?"

"We can ask… Right now, I'd like to congratulate you- you mastered a spell in the blink of an eye… much less saved me from suffering a horrid burn," Marcassin lifted up a strand of his hair, noticing the singed end, now damp. "You acted fast, focusing on helping- and that's the kind of effort you need to put in. Put your nerves aside and just focus on what matters,"

Esther nodded, smiling. "Thank you… but perhaps I should keep practicing outside of battles, just until I get the hang of things- I don't want to accidentally end up conjuring a dangerous spell,"

"Ha ha, I understand. It's about time we went back into the palace, after all." He looked ahead at Hamelin, his expression solemn. "I wonder if Abyssa is doing any better, today."

"I hope so, too." Esther then snapped her fingers. "Wait, I know what might cheer her up! I have a Ruffian in the Familiar Retreat- he should be ready to metamorphose by now into a Gruffian. We can give it to her, and our errand-run will be complete- then we can put the Azen in a safe place!"

"Very true- plus, with that 'Dust' spell, we'll have a way to handle those Senkradists causing all this trouble. …I hope Oliver and Swaine will be back before then. We'll need all the help we can get,"

"We can wait- even if Abyssa doesn't." she paused, concern on her face. "Actually… I'm hoping she'll want to continue. Don't ask me why… but something seems different about her attitude- like her determination dropped. Maybe we should wait until her heart is mended,"

The young sage thought it over. "Perhaps you're right. The Azen's power is determined by how strong its Keeper's heart is- she'll stand a better chance once she has her trust back,"

"Let's go talk to her now- maybe talking to her will help open it. I know it's a long-shot, since she's not one for conversation… but maybe she just needs to be around pleasant company. After going through such a hard life… She might just need some good friends."

Marcassin nodded in agreement, and they walked on. As the familiar-tamer stated, it was a long-shot, but they were determined to help the drifter- and hoped she still wanted it.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"…The fact is, I don't know if they'll ever want to face me- so, what do you think? If it happened to you- I mean, in my own universe- would your parents want to hear me out, or should I just forget everything?"

No response… though, if Swaine's reflection could talk, it would tell him to rethink his dialogue.

The elder prince sighed. "…Yeah, that's not going to work, is it?" he walked out of the bathroom, pacing down the hallway. He had been rehearsing how to talk to Angus- it was simple to approach him last night, since Oliver gave him a boost in confidence, but after seeing how the kid reacted to him, he had to work on his delivery- even with the young wizard at his side to help things go along smoothly, he had to make sure he got things right.

Especially in order to make things right with Barnabas' family… if they wouldn't kill him on sight, first.

His friend always claimed they weren't the most patient of people…

"Pretty uptight, huh? And they just let you take to sea?" the young 18-year-old thief asked, as he sat in the galley of the ship with the cabin-boy.

"Not exactly- they were against it from the start. Claimed that Wellstone bloods shouldn't do such 'common' work. I left anyway- Dad was real pissed, Mom told me to think hard about the role I took… honestly, I think the only one who supported the idea was my little brother," he grinned. "But, what else would you expect from little brothers, right? Always standing beside their big brothers," Barnabas looked out the port-hole window, a wondering gleam to his eye- Swaine never thought he'd grow to notice it so much as time went on. "I bet he wishes I stayed… Sometimes I wish I never left,"

The ex-prince couldn't help but think about his own little brother. "…Yeah. But, you'll see each other again, so no need to worry,"

Barnabas chuckled. "Too right- though I do miss his stories sometimes. Stories about new places, different kinds of people… That's what inspired me to take to seas and become a captain. Once I get my own vessel, I'll take him with me, and we'll explore the world together." He looked at Swaine. "What about you? Do you have any plans for the seas?"

Swaine scoffed. "Yeah right- the only reason I'm a sailor now is because I need to work for a ride. I'm trying to find a place that needs an opening for an ace-mechanic like myself," he took out his gun, spinning it in his hand- it was just a prototype, not yet a pickpocket's pistol, but it was in the works. "Been working on this puppy myself- just need a few more gears, a hook or two, and it'll be the kind of weapon every man will want in his holster,"

Barnabas observed the gun, rubbing his chin. "You sure know your mechanics… Are you from Hamelin? That's the only place I know with such technology- actually, that's where I used to live, before my family moved a month ago, claimed it was 'too industrial' for their tastes."

"They're never pleased, huh? …I bet they'd change their minds once they met the Emperor,"

"You mean Prince Marcassin? They would probably kiss up to him- but once he would turn his back, they would make remarks about how 'a child' is running the kingdom. …Of course, as well as he's doing, I say they should told their tongues. The lad has a lot of wisdom for one so young,"

Of course- he was always the big brain of the family, Swaine thought, itching the side of his face. "What about Gascon?"

"The lost prince? …I don't know about my parents, but I'm aiming to meet him. Took off with some strangers from the future, but never came back- at least, so says the rumors. I always heard talk he was quite the tough one- wherever he is, I bet he's done grand things. Probably strong enough to take out Shadar!"

Or, he became a petty criminal, had to change his name, and living on a dream that may never happen, The ex-prince thought to himself, but only shrugged. "Guess we'll see…"

"OI! BARNS! Get back to work!" came a shout from the ship's cook as he entered the galley. "Stop shooting the breeze with this riffraff!" he pointed an accusing finger at Swaine. "And you- keep outta my kitchen. I don't want some thief scrounging around here!"

"Alright, alright, I'm leaving! Keep your hair on…" Swaine stood up as the cook stormed by- though swiped an apple from a barrel on his way out. Barnabas held in a chuckle, shaking his head. With one glance, both of them silently agreed to meet up again later.

Swaine sighed, calmly grinning at the memory. The two of them had started off as complete strangers- Barnabas desperate to set sail that he took on the cabin-boy rank, while the young thief needed to hitch a ride… and had secretly stowed away on the ship, asking the captain for a job instead of being cast overboard or placed in the brig- he was fortunate the latter hadn't happened. But after the cabin-boy caught him sneaking around the galley, he was sure he would be behind-bars in a heartbeat again... That is, until he offered him a quick bite to eat while the cook was gone, claiming he knew a starving face when he saw one. After an introduction and swapping a story or two, Swaine could tell Barnabas would be a worthy ally.

…Eventually, he found a new best-friend- someone who helped him find trouble, but also a way out of it, every time. Though Barnabas wasn't keen on his stealing-habit, he would still help him out in a scam or two, claiming once they achieved their goals, they could always pay back the people they wronged. Funny how fate works out, he commented to himself, after thinking about his former-mission. If Barnabas were still around, he would probably have thought up a dozen ways to solve each problem they had faced so far.

He was gifted like that- he had a vision for tactics. When the thief would find himself in a bad situation, his 'partner-in-crime' would already have a plan mapped out. He was always there for him during a crisis…

And that's what caused him so much guilt now. Maybe if I had been a little more careful, he wouldn't have had to come save my skin… he thought, but shook his head. "It's over now. The past doesn't matter- what matters is what I have to say now," he told himself, sternly.

He looked at the door that led into the shop. The clock on the mantle read 4:30- within half an hour, his 'practice' would begin.

He looked up. "Barns, if you're watching, help me find the right words…" he whispered, rubbing the back of his neck. "…If there are any."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Esther looked up and down the corridors. It had been hours since she and Marcassin returned to the Porcine Palace, yet they hadn't seen any signs of Abyssa. Thankfully, the guards claimed she hadn't left, either.

"Ah, there ye are, Esthy-girl! 'Been wonderin' where youe've been," came Mr. Drippy's voice, as the fairy met up with her. "What were ye up to, this morning? Is Ollie-boy an' Thief-Face back?"

"I was just out practicing magic with Marcassin. We haven't seen Oliver or Swaine, yet… Or Abyssa." Esther replied, looking towards Abyssa's now-empty room. "I'm starting to feel like something's wrong…"

Mr. Drippy crossed his arms, nodding. "Youe're feelings are right, lass. Something is wrong,"

She looked at him, alarmed. "There is?! W-What is it?!"

The fairy gave a small wave of his hand, motioning her to follow. "Come wit' me- but keep quiet,"

Esther followed the Lord High Lord of the Fairies around the corridors, leading her to the lower corridors they had stayed in during the tornado. She rubbed her arm, cringing a bit as she remembered that night- the howling winds, sounds of the city's steel-walls being pelted with boulders and uprooted trees, how the power went out and the halls were dark…

She paused, something catching her eye- the black curtain that hid the portrait of the late-Empress, Desirae. She pulled the curtains apart, just far enough for a glimpse as she didn't get a good look last time.

The woman in the portrait had long bluish-black hair, sea-green eyes, and fair, flawless skin- a striking resemblance to Marcassin. However, her smile seemed to be… mischievous- like the smile Swaine would develop whenever he was up to something or acting casual. She wondered which of her sons had her personality…

"Over here," Mr. Drippy whispered, snapping her out of her sneaking. She quietly hurried over to where the fairy was standing, pointing around the corner.

Peeking over, she saw Abyssa looking around at the portraits on the walls, of cities, people, islands, creatures… though didn't really seem to be paying attention, as if she were just gazing into space. Perhaps she had been pacing around all day, and absentmindedly wandered into the basement. Once in a while she would pause, look at the Azen, shake her head, then continue pacing.

Mr. Drippy tapped Esther, motioning her into another room. "Call it a hunch, but it seems Abby-girl en't happy wit' that powerful gem," he explained, quietly. "Could see it as plain as day when Ollie-boy handed it back to her- th' relief on her face only lasted a brief moment."

"You mean she might be having second thoughts?" Esther guessed.

"Possibly- either that, or something back in those flippin' caves made her question her intentions."

"Poor Abyssa… I feel so bad for her. I wish there was something more we could do,"

"Glad ya brought it up!" Mr. Drippy hopped upon a dresser, beaming. "We may need Ollie-boy's help later for it, but there's still something we can do."

"What is it?"

"Go around an' find some trust to stick in her heart!"

Esther rubbed her chin. "But, her heart's closed…"

"Not anymore, it en't! It's as open as an unlocked door,"

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me on this, lass- Ha! 'Trust' me on this! There's funny there, ha ha! …*ahem* Jokes aside, I believe her heart opened- something about her trauma must've helped her put her stubbornness aside an' let it open. Just gotta give her the trust she needs, an' she'll be back on her feet in no time- possibly ten times better than she was in the past!"

Esther nodded. "Alright, if you're positive. Let's go find someone with some trust!"

"Tidy enthusiasm, lass- race ya outside!" Mr. Drippy was then out the door, heading up the stairs.

Esther began to follow, but heard footsteps behind her, which had stopped. She looked, seeing Abyssa staring at the portrait of Desirae, suddenly realizing she forgot to close the curtains. The drifter didn't seem to notice her yet, so she decided to take a casual approach. "Abyssa… there you are," the familiar-tamer stated, walking over.

"You were looking at this portrait the other night," Abyssa quietly stated, her tone calm, though she still seemed deep in thought. "When the tornado hit."

Esther, albeit a bit creeped out, nodded. "How did you know?"

"I saw you and Swaine looking at it. I heard you two talking, and was curious…" she looked at Esther, her eyes a bit misty. "You both seem really close. He seems really open with you," she looked at the portrait. "So… this was his mother, huh? She looks a lot like Marcassin. I feel like I've seen her before," she shrugged. "Then again, I've seen a lot of faces…"

She stepped closer, her concern rising. "Are you alright? You don't seem well…"

The drifter sighed. "Just… I don't know how to feel about this whole situation anymore." She faced her once more. "Esther… you're good with familiars, right?"

That reminded Esther of another idea. "Yes! In fact, I think I have an easy way for us to get a Gruffian-"

"Actually… I have another favor," Abyssa summoned Angel and Ghibli. "My familiars are still at a low-level… and I figure it'll be a while before I'll be fighting again, so I was wondering if… maybe you could take care of them? Just until I'm better,"

Esther stared at her, surprised- but, if it would help, she decided to take the job. "Of course, I can help… That's what friends do, right?"

"You consider me a friend?"

"Well… if you'd like me to be." Esther stroked Angel's chin, making the auroralynx purr. "I figure it's time we put our differences aside and just…"

"Call a truce? …Yeah, I guess we could." She gave a shrug. "It'll be easier with you than the thief, at least."

Esther gave a smile. "I know what you mean…" she then paused, remembering something Abyssa said a moment ago. "…But we still managed to become good friends. He might be a pain at times, but-"

"He's a good man,"

That statement nearly caused Esther to die from shock. Abyssa had never complimented Swaine before! "Um… yes, he is, at times…"

"Yeah. …Is he back, yet?"

Esther shook her head.

"Let me know when he is… I'm going to walk around the city," Abyssa then walked upstairs.

Ghibli gave a snort, trying to follow, but sensed Abyssa telling him to stay with Esther. He looked up at her with concern in his eyes. Esther gave him the same look, and knelt down, stroking his head. "Don't worry. We're going to help her," she promised.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Her heart is starting to weaken… just a little more provocation, and the Azen will have no Keeper," Leon rasped as he and Kyani stood within the darkened caves. Cold wind blew, but the chill has no affect on the undead.

"But that damn gem has been passed around… suppose it has a chain of Keepers," Kyani spoke up. "I have been pondering it…"

"You forget- once the Azen has been passed on, its connection to its past Keepers is broken. ...I was hoping it would end with that blasted girl. To think, we had to spend the best years of our lives taking care of that whelp, all because-"

"Let it not bother you anymore, Leon… soon, our vengeance shall be fulfilled- and all our hard work will be paid off. …But we will have to take care of that other… 'obstacle'. The Pure-Hearted One has interfered far too much,"

"I worry more of the Witch Queen… Perhaps it is time she returned to her former identity,"

"Hmph. How do you plan to do that? That young wizard reformed her with his purity,"

"Yes… but there is one method we can try," Leon waved his hand, conjuring something round from the darkness around them. "The power of 'Cyn'- the thing that brought forth the first Senkradist, and helped the chain continue…"

"…Until we became the last. Let us hope those fools are too late to find the cure,"

"Oh they will… We shall make sure of that,"

"Then plan your tactics carefully. I chose you both for a reason… Do not be weakened like those before you. I can assure you, your fates shall be far worse than any pain you have afflicted over the ages." A voice rumbled within the caves, stern and menacing.

"Do not worry, master… you shall be free soon," Leon assured- for a moment, his voice seemed to quiver. "Before the winter season has passed!"

"Do not keep me waiting…" The voice faded after that.

Deciding not to waste any more time with words, Leon and Kyani vanished.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

A/N: Well, there's another dose of suspense. Next chapter, it may increase… or be dramatic. Or a tear-jerker. …Maybe I'll throw in a twist and add some humor. Only time will tell. All I know is… someone had better do something quick 0_0

Review, add some constructive criticism if you need to, but don't flame- please and thank you.