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Wild Arms: To the End of the Wilderness
Chapter Twenty Six: Separate World
Written by Estrelita Farr
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The air in Emma's workshop was heavy, silent, yet filled with relief as the pained look finally left Rudy's face. A blanket was drawn to his shoulders as he slept in a chair, seemingly peaceful as though just taking a nap… but everyone knew. Beneath that blanket were bloody bandages wrapped around what remained of his left arm.
Emma took a deep breath. "We're lucky. I wasn't sure the tranquilliser would work…"
"Thank goodness…" Cecilia smiled a little. "I was worried, since healing spells stopped working for him…"
"Yes… but I don't think there's anything else I can do." She shook her head. "I am truly sorry… I wish I could help."
"No!" Hanpan squeaked. "Then what about Rudy?!"
"We all have the same skeletal, muscle and nervous systems, but there is one fundamental difference – he's made of metal rather than flesh, and he has thousands and thousands of tiny machines inside him." She closed her eyes. "It's as if he… has the same body system as a demon."
"That's a lie!" Jane screamed as she came running down the stairs, long golden hair dishevelled.
"Scientists explore the truth. We have no time for lying." She turned, her eyes firm. "We have to face the truth. Lying to ourselves will not save Rudy."
Silence. Jane bit her lower lip. Behind her, Magdalen and Bartholomew arrived, their eyes narrowed in concern as they glanced at the sleeping boy on the chair.
Emma held up several sheets of paper as she readjusted her glasses. "Now let me continue, and please, listen carefully."
The others nodded.
"Now, Rudy's body structure is similar to the demons'. Similar, but not the same. He must have been created using technology that is now lost." She gestured at Rudy's ARM resting on one of the tables. "This is clear from the way he can manoeuvre and control such a complex ARM that is beyond a human's capacity. I believe he is a product of the war a thousand years ago… a human cyborg."
A collective gasp, and Jack shouted, "So what you're saying is he's not a demon!"
Cecilia clapped her hands together with a smile. "Wonderful! He is truly one of our own, a child of Filgaia!"
Magdalen gave a curt nod. "If he is a cyborg, then let us seek out his maker and request for help."
"Of course!" Jane cried. "Let's find his maker!"
"But…" Bartholomew shook his head. "If he was created a thousand years ago…"
"Wait!" Hanpan squeaked, his whiskers twitching madly. "I know of a possibility! The Elw are the creators of ancient technology, and we've met one on our journey–"
"Mariel from Rosetta!" Cecilia and Jack shouted at the same time.
Emma nodded, lips spreading into a wide smile. "As long as there's a chance to help Rudy, we have to do all that we can. Let's not give up yet!"
"Right!" Jack grinned as he held up a fist. "Our job now is to take Rudy to Mariel!"
"In that case"–she turned to Bartholomew–"Captain, please prepare your ship. We are relying on the Sweet Candy."
"You can count on me!" The captain punched the air and rushed back upstairs.
Jane grinned as she raised her hand. "What can we do?"
The engineer readjusted her glasses. "Do you believe that Rudy will be cured?"
"Of course!"
"Then let us plan for after his recovery. Could you lend me a hand?"
"Sure, but what are we doing?"
"I think we should get him a gift for his return. I'll take you to the secret base." She cast another glance at the sleeping boy, then headed upstairs followed by Jane and Magdalen.
Cecilia knelt beside Rudy's chair. "Don't worry, Rudy, you're going to be all right… we're all here for you, and we're going to do everything we can to make you better. So please… hang in there…"
At that moment Jane returned, placing her hands on her hips. "There's more to this than simple fate or destiny, otherwise I wouldn't be so determined. This kind of determination… it means seeing a sliver of hope and giving it all you've got… I only get this determined about someone I really care for, and I will not quit for anything." She pointed at the princess. "No one can make me quit, and that includes you."
Cecilia looked up and gave a determined nod. "I am not quitting either. We have to stick together."
A shrug. "All right. But if something happens to Rudy, you will not be 'all right'." She whirled around, golden hair spreading, and went back upstairs.
Hanpan's ears dropped. "Uh oh… I smell trouble…"
Jack glanced at him. "What?"
"I'm afraid Rudy's real suffering won't start until after he's cured…"
A frown. "Don't talk nonsense. Come on, we have to take Rudy to Mariel."
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Several days passed as they sailed from Adlehyde Castle Town to Rosetta Town, seemingly crawling by just when they needed to hurry. Thanks to the tranquilisers Emma provided, they were able to keep Rudy asleep throughout the whole journey, while Cecilia, Jack, Hanpan and even Bartholomew took turns to watch over and care for him as needed.
Eventually they docked at Rosetta Town's port, thankfully without a crowd mobbing them this time as there were other trading ships nearby. Jack hoisted the boy onto his back, letting the latter's head rest on his shoulder, and with Hanpan on Cecilia's shoulder, they began their trek across the barren ground towards Mariel's home.
Monster attacks had always been common throughout their journey, but with Rudy unable to fight and Jack carrying him, they all depended on Cecilia's Crest sorcery to defeat the monsters, which she did well enough if there weren't too many of them.
Except once when part of a large group slipped past her spells.
"JACK!" she screamed.
Hanpan squeaked as he sped past the monsters in a streak of blue light and drew their attention, but they still went for Jack. The swordsman cursed, fading into a blur, then drew his katana in an arc of blue light.
The monsters finally fell, and they breathed a sigh of relief.
Cecilia lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry… I couldn't stop them…"
Jack shook his head. "Don't be. It all worked out in the end, didn't it?" He glanced over a shoulder at the boy. "They didn't touch him, don't worry."
"Still… I…"
"He's right," Hanpan said. "We'll do better next time. Should we rest a bit?"
She took a deep breath. "No, I'm fine, I can keep going. What about you, Jack?"
Jack gave a nod. "I'm good. I'm not tired at all actually, I can barely feel his weight; he's even lighter than he looks. That's probably why he eats so little…"
Hanpan shrugged. "Now that you know, you should stop trying to get him to eat more when he's done. You know your eat-more-equals-stronger theory has more holes in it than Adlehyde cheese anyway."
A sheepish grin. "Uh… right."
Cecilia giggled. "I'm sure Rudy would be glad to hear that. Remember how fast he escaped at Mr. Maxwell's party?"
"Yeah! Damn it, I really lost my chance that day. And I got a whole steak for him too…"
They all laughed.
Cecilia gazed at the boy. "A party… we should hold one when he's well again."
The others nodded, and the thought made them even more determined.
When they finally reached Mariel's garden at the small woods just north of Rosetta Town, they found the Elw watering the flowers. She looked up at their crunching footsteps and raised a hand to wave… then her smile faded.
"Oh, no," she whispered, her wide eyes focused on Rudy's arm in a bloodied sling. "What happened? Poor Rudy… his arm…"
Hanpan shook his head. "We didn't mean to scare you… let me explain to you what's going on."
Just as he finished explaining, a groan came from Rudy as his eyebrows scrunched together, as he clenched his teeth.
Cecilia's eyes grew teary. "Oh, no, the sedative is wearing off…"
Mariel nodded. "Please bring him inside. I know which herb will help with his pain."
It took them a moment to place Rudy on Mariel's bed and for her to prepare an herbal paste, which she applied directly to the wound. They watched as he trembled, as cold sweat dripped down his face… but the pained look soon eased and he fell into another deep sleep.
Cecilia pulled the blanket up to his chin. "The herb must be working… he already seems to be in less pain."
Mariel nodded. "Yes, with this herb, you can take away the pain. It also cauterises the wound, because it is a Living Metal… just like Rudy."
"Living Metal…" Jack shook his head. "How do you know about that?"
She knelt by a shelf and gently pulled out the broken blade she had shown them before. "This is a broken piece of the sword my brother crafted. It is also a Living Metal. One of the mistakes that the Elw and humans made a thousand years ago was to create Living Metal – it is the essence of life in the shape of a demon. It is capable of closing up a small wound just as any human body would do."
His eyes shone. "Then you're able to help Rudy!"
She shook her head sadly. "No… I am afraid there is not much we can do about Rudy's arm or the sword… not anymore. We have neither skills nor the technology to create Living Metal in this day and age…"
Silence. The others lowered their heads.
"…in this day and age… wait…" Mariel looked up. "If it were a thousand years ago…"
Cecilia shook her head. "A thousand years ago… how can we…?"
"I… I am not sure… but at the deepest end of the woods, we may be able to…"
Jack stood up. "Let's go, then! Even if there's just a small chance of hope to help Rudy, I'm willing to take it!"
"All right. Please, follow me."
The Elw led them through the southern area of the small woods, out the other end through the dry, barren land, and further south to the larger forest in the distance.
About an hour's trek, they emerged in a wide clearing that seemed familiar. The glimmering surface of the pond, sunlight streaming between the trees onto a garden of white flower-like herbs with leaves vibrant with life; this was probably where they had helped Mariel gather herbs for Rosetta's sick mayor the last time, where Rudy had helped protect her from the bullies that were the mayor's sons…
Just another few minutes further in was a wide set of stone stairs leading up to a grand stone platform, upon which a giant symbol resembling a clock was carved. Four stone pillars stood on the low stone wall surrounding the platform.
"What is this place?" Cecilia asked.
Mariel closed her eyes. "A thousand years ago… the Elw left Filgaia because it was ruined in the war against evil. Green trees, blue water… for us who live in harmony with nature, the world has become a harsh place. There was nowhere left in Filgaia for the Elw… so they left and created a second homeland on a floating island that drifts in space. That is the Elw Dimension."
"The Elw Dimension…" Hanpan echoed.
She drew her brother's broken blade from her bag. "This relic opens the passage that connects Filgaia and the Elw Dimension. To begin, we must tell it that the user is an Elw, using the life of an Elw." She closed her eyes as she held the blade up. "Vassim… please lend me strength…" Then she twisted the blade in her hands, drawing red blood that dripped onto the symbol.
"Mariel! Y-your hand!" Cecilia shouted.
She smiled. "The Elw exist by bonding. By our bond with time, we are allowed to live eternally. By our bond with the world, we hear nature's voice. To preserve these bonds, we are not afraid of giving up everything." She closed her eyes. "Rudy protected me in this forest… so I also want to preserve that bond…"
Blood continued to flow from her hand. Her face paled, and she sank to her knees.
Just as the sorceress knelt beside her, a tremor rushed through the ground.
"What's going on?!" Jack exclaimed.
"I don't know!" Hanpan cried from atop his head. "Trust Mariel!"
A burst of light. Obscuring everything from sight, as though to blind them. When it faded a moment later, they found themselves still at the stone platform, surrounded by trees… but something felt different. The wind felt much cooler, the air much lighter, the trees much greener… the Elw Dimension.
Jack glanced over a shoulder at the sleeping boy. "We're here, Rudy, in the Elw Dimension… just a little longer now…"
Cecilia held the Elw in her arms, shaking her head as remnants of healing magic faded from her hand. "Mariel is also weakening considerably… we must find a place to treat them, and soon…"
With Rudy on Jack's back and Mariel's arms around both Cecilia and Jack's shoulders, they slowly and carefully made their way down the wide stone staircase.
Just as they reached the dirt path, they heard footsteps crunching nearby. Two men in simple brown clothes approached, seemingly human from afar, yet upon closer look, they had long furry ears much like Mariel's.
"This cannot be…" one of them said. "Who could possibly activate the–"
"Hey!" Jack yelled. "We're here to ask for your help!"
The Elw glanced at each other, scowling, and one answered, "We, the Elw, do not wish to have contact with humans. Leave our land immediately."
Cecilia shook her head. "We have an injured person here, only you can help him! And we have an Elw who requires your attention too!"
The Elw's eyes widened at the sight of Mariel, then narrowed. "She is the sister of the traitor… there is no reason for us to help her. Take her back to your decaying world!"
The other Elw held up a hand. "Wait… if we let them go, more humans will know about the device… let us take them back to the village. We will ask Fulcani for guidance."
"…very well." He turned around. "Come with us, humans!"
Cecilia and Jack glanced at each other, eyes shining, and followed as quickly as they could.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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At the edge of the woods was a small village, a collection of round wooden huts on either side of a single dirt path winding from one end to the other. Every villager turned, eyes wide at the sight of humans here in the Elw Dimension, and some even disappeared into their huts with the windows and doors slammed shut. Cecilia and Jack tried to ignore the stares as they followed the two Elw, and soon they entered a particular hut, with red and yellow rugs strewn across the floor, tree trunks with their branches cut off supporting the wooden beams that held up the roof. Numerous single beds leant against the wall, and there they placed Rudy and Mariel to rest.
Moments later an old Elw arrived, leaning heavily on a cane as he walked, with small glasses perched on his wrinkled nose, the white beard extending down his green robe.
"Hey!" Jack exclaimed as he pointed. "You're the Elw who warned us about Lolithia!"
The old Elw raised an eyebrow.
"He meant a hologram of you," Hanpan quickly corrected. "We heard your message about Lolithia in one of the ancient ruins."
"Lolithia… it has been a long time since I last heard that name. I certainly hope you heeded my words."
"Um… well…"
The old Elw cast a glance at Mariel, told the younger Elw just outside to treat her, then turned to Rudy on one of the beds. He remained silent as he examined the injured arm.
Cecilia clasped her hands together. "Please, help Rudy! I'm begging you!"
"Will you help us?" Jack asked.
Silence.
Slowly, the old Elw looked up and started towards the door. "Please follow me, travellers from the decaying world."
The wanderers left the two to rest and followed him outside, crossing the dirt path to another hut. Some time later, silence hung in the air as they all sat around the round wooden table, with steaming hot tea placed in front of them.
"So, um," Cecilia broke the silence, "I heard your name is Fulcani."
"Yes." The old Elw took a sip of tea. "So, you wish to ask us Elw to heal that boy's left arm, is that correct?"
She set her cup down and nodded. "Yes. Rudy is a member of our team, we are fighting together to save Filgaia from the demons."
A sigh. "So you are to fight the demons who are once again invading Filgaia? How can you trust that boy when you are aware he is not human? Can you accept him, even if he is more closely related to demons than humans?"
Jack slammed the table with a fist, nearly knocking over his cup. "Why do you think we came all this way?! Of course we trust and believe in him!"
Hanpan nodded. "Yes, and the people of Filgaia feel the same way we do, they're waiting for his return!"
"Rudy is the hope the world needs right now!" Cecilia added. "He's saved the lives of many people, myself included!"
Silence.
"I see…" Fulcani stood up from his chair and turned away, leaning his wrinkled hands on the cane. "You must understand why I ask these questions to you… even now, one thousand years later, regret still remains in our hearts. During the Great Demon War, the Elw and humans created eight giants…"
Jack nodded. "You mean the Golems. They possess a devastating power…"
"Yes. However, a Golem is only as good or evil as the one who controls it. This led us to search for ways to create a Golem with heart and conscience without knowing the consequences… and we began the Holmcross Project."
The Wind Mouse's ears perked up. "The Holmcross Project… we've seen that term in one of the files on the black ghost ship."
"The project started with an analysis of a demon we captured, which would help us create a cyborg utilising Living Metal. The idea was to mimic a human's inner structure so that the cyborg becomes capable of adapting to various situations. The artificial intelligence would be complete only if the cyborg could make its own judgment and had the capacity to reason." He shook his head. "The Holmcross was to be a perfect weapon. It would be fully adaptable to ARM, which was designed to be compatible with demons…"
The old Elw lapsed into silence. A distant look flickered in his eyes, and he closed them.
"However, to our dismay," he continued, "The Holmcross turned out to be a malicious killing machine. We were baffled by the results of our efforts. Perhaps using a body derived from demons triggered a demon-like desire to destroy… and so we destroyed the Holmcross at once, and its prototype was sealed in a chamber deep beneath the sea."
"But Rudy isn't a killing machine!" Cecilia cried. "He has a bigger heart than anyone I know!"
He whirled around to face her. "Are you saying that the boy feels human emotions? That is impossible…"
"Old Man Zepet must have taught him! He was the one who raised Rudy like his own grandson, and the old man's compassion must have transformed him from a cyborg weapon into a being with a kind heart."
Silence. The wanderers gazed at the Elw, hoping their answers swayed him to help them… but he shook his head.
"No matter how much the Holmcross has changed…" He sighed. "We cannot be of any help to you. The technique of coaxing life into metal has long been gone…"
A collective gasp. They all stood up, mouths gaping.
Jack slammed the table once more. "No!"
Cecilia's eyes grew teary as her hands went to her lips. "Are you telling me… Rudy…"
Hanpan shook his head. "But there must be something – anything – we can do for him…"
Fulcani closed his eyes. "There is nothing we can do for him… I am sorry…"
More silence.
"…the Guardian Blade…" a weak voice said.
All eyes turned towards a pale Mariel, her legs trembling as she leant against the door frame.
"Mariel!" Hanpan exclaimed. "You should be resting!"
The Elw girl stumbled towards the table and, as Cecilia rushed to her side to support her, drew the same broken blade from her bag, gingerly holding it up as it gleamed in the sunlight. "The Guardian Blade is derived from Living Metal… I think my brother Vassim can help."
"Do not speak of the Guardian Blade!" Fulcani cried. "Have you forgotten–"
She raised her head. "I clearly remember when it went out of control a thousand years ago! The Guardian Blade ravaged through Filgaia with its uncontrollable and devastating force!"
The others stared at her – they had never heard her with such a loud voice before.
She closed her eyes. "There is a massive crack in the dune near Rosetta Town that disrupted the world. It is evidence of the destruction caused… by a weapon my brother inadequately forged. That is why I stayed behind, until the day when the flowers returned and flourished…"
"Even so…" Fulcani shook his head. "No… I cannot afford to make another mistake… if we wish to revive the world…"
"We must take action now before it's too late!" Mariel raised her voice once more. "Running away from past mistakes will accomplish nothing but the imminent demise of the world!" Her eyes grew misty as she covered her face with her hands. "I… I… I cannot afford to lose Rudy… he is the one who gave me strength to carry on during tough times… please…"
The old Elw turned away once more, gazing out the window, and heaved another sigh. It was a long while before he spoke again. "Vassim lives alone in the west, past the Forest Prison… I will not stop you if you go."
She gave a deep bow. "T-thank you!"
Jack grinned, already heading towards the door. "Let's go then!"
Both of them and Hanpan stepped outside.
Cecilia bowed. "Mr. Fulcani, thank you very much." She turned to leave, but stopped when the old Elw spoke once more.
"You have to understand…" he said. "The Guardian Blade may again ravage the world, even in the hands of a skilled blacksmith like Vassim…" He gazed at her, but there was no malice in his eyes – only regret and sadness. "Are you willing to risk that? Know that it will take a miracle to complete the Guardian Blade…"
She closed her eyes, then looked up and smiled. "A miracle means so much more if you can make it happen yourself. And I am sure to make it happen." Another bow, and she joined her comrades outside.
Fulcani shook his head. "Impossible… a miracle does not happen so easily unless you are…"
He stopped. His eyes widened with a sudden realisation.
"Perhaps… humans… the Guardians of Filgaia are humans…"
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Darkness. An endless darkness where nothing moved, nothing made a sound. Where there was no life… no light. As Zeikfried drifted, the spear Glumzamber in his hand, there was no more purpose in his heart… only death awaited.
Suddenly Glumzamber's eye opened, focused in one direction. A burst of dark purple as it rushed forward, as it emerged from the darkness and stabbed into the ground. Zeikfried landed beside it, crouching as he gripped the handle of the spear.
"A dark voice…" His voice was soft, weak. "Who are you? Summoning us here, calling me and the evil spear…" He snapped his golden eyes open, then straightened with a growl. "What jest is this?!"
The Photosphere. The throne room where Mother had once resided, the glass container she had been in now lay shattered in pieces. Dirt and debris lay among the broken pieces of golden gears. The room was dark, with Glumzamber's dim purple glow being the only source of light.
"The abhorrent Mother's throne is a netherworld for us? That reckless generator and raging dark rift… and us in the midst of it all. It is ironic I am back at this place of hatred… the hatred between child and parent…" A pause, then he spread his hands. "The breakdown was severe, but at the very least we did not die between dimensions. We were selected to control this planet! We were led to the future that we control!"
He stopped.
"Were led…? Between dimensions, I heard the voice that called me… the voice that led me here… I was led by someone to Mother's throne." He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, it cannot be true… I am sure she was destroyed… my scheme was perfect. She was devoured from the world!"
A quiet chuckle from behind.
He whirled around, Glumzamber raised… then his eyes widened.
The smell of dirt, flesh and blood hung in the air, sharp and bitter, like the hatred in his heart. Pieces of pulsating red flesh crawled along the ground and gathered before him, piling on top of each other as though to regain their original shape. The mountain of flesh grew larger and larger, moulding into a familiar shape.
"Mother…" he whispered as he backed away. "Revived…"
Then, as if by command, the mountain of pulsating flesh broke apart and rushed towards him.
Hissing under his breath, he leapt away and sent a burst of dark purple at the flesh. A stab, another stab. Then another burst of light as he tried to escape through the open door on the other end of the room.
But the battle at the Gate Generator and being adrift in the black rift had greatly weakened him… and there were too many of them.
First the pulsating flesh latched onto his feet, so that he could no longer run. Then they latched onto his arms, so that he could no longer hold Glumzamber. The dark spear dropped onto the floor with a clang, its eyes closed.
"Argh! Will you devour me, Mother?! No, I will not let you!" He spread his arms and sent more dark purple light all around, throwing many pieces of flesh off. "I will not be devoured! Instead I will devour you!"
But the pulsating flesh that he threw off returned within moments. They latched onto his arms and hands, so that he could no longer retaliate. They latched onto his chest, so that he could no longer move.
Only his head was free, his eyes widened as the mountain of pulsating flesh grew once more before him… and a familiar voice called out to him.
"…what… scared… Zeik… come… my…"
The mountain of flesh approached, its shadow looming over him. His eyes widened further as it drew nearer and nearer… and he screamed.
Finally, the flesh latched onto his head… so that he could no longer scream.
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End of Chapter Twenty Six: Separate World.
Author's Note:
Yep, I delayed Zeikfried's scene! It was supposed to be around the time the team ended up in Adlehyde's mausoleum, but I moved it here for the dramatic end of chapter! Rather scary though. o_o