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Wild Arms: To the End of the Wilderness
Chapter Twenty Eight: The Miracle of Love
Written by Estrelita Farr
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The stars blinked in the night sky, an owl hooted in the distance. Cecilia sat at Rudy's bedside, watching over him as the others slept, but her eyes felt heavy. She tried to blink them open, but soon her head lowered onto her arms as she drifted to sleep.
Still. Nothing moved.
Silent. Nothing made a sound.
Then her eyes snapped open. Her heart raced – how long had she been asleep? – but when she looked up, she saw nothing but darkness.
Where… was she? Was this a dream? No, it felt as though she was back in the Guardians' abyss, but she didn't feel any Guardian's presence…
She took a step. Another step. She kept on walking, not quite knowing where to go, until a bright light shone in her face. A gasp escaped her as she shielded her eyes with one hand, though her sight soon adjusted.
A town, one that reminded her of Saint Centaur, with stone streets across the ground, the brick walls surrounding the cottages to protect against wild beasts. As she walked, she glanced around in search of landmarks that might clue her in to where she was, but there was none. Perhaps this was not a town she had not been to before…
"Hey, Rudy!" a high voice cried. "Hurry, hurry! Over here!"
A group of small children sped by. Her gaze followed them as they gathered by a building with wooden crates stacked by its wall. There, another small boy joined them, slowly, hesitantly, and her heart jolted when she saw who it was.
Rudy, only younger. A small boy in clothes that seemed rather big for his slender frame, with a bandanna around the familiar azure hair.
"I'm going to be a world-class wanderer when I grow up!" one of the boys declared.
"Like Rudy?" another boy asked, as Rudy's eyes widened.
"No, I will be a much stronger wanderer! And not with my grandfather like Rudy, I'm going to do it all by myself!" He grinned. "Let me show you what I can do. Don't get scared!"
The children approached a lone crate that had fallen off the stack. Many of them gasped.
"No way!" a girl shouted. "You can't pick that up! Maybe when you grow up…"
The first boy shrugged. "I'm sure Rudy can't either, so I guess we're even."
Rudy stared at the crate. He gave a small nod, approached it and placed his small hands on the sides of the crate. His thin arms trembled, his teeth clenched… but slowly, surely, he lifted it off the ground. He held it up to shoulder level, turning to the other children with shining eyes.
But, instead of gazing at him in awe, they stared at him in fear.
"No way!" one yelled. "That's impossible! Rudy's not normal! He's not one of us!"
"Didn't you know?" another said. "He has no mum or dad! His parents were monsters!"
"Monster!" yet another cried.
They ran away screaming and left the street empty… except for Rudy. He hung his head and placed the crate back down. His eyes closed as though about to cry, yet he made no sound.
Cecilia's heart ached at the sight. As the boy walked in her direction, she reached out to give him a hug.
"Rudy!" an old voice came from behind her. "What is it?"
Rudy perked up and started running. Cecilia gasped as he ran into her… and through her. She whirled around as he threw himself at an old man in a travelling coat, his white beard short and neat, white hair tied into a low ponytail.
He placed a comforting arm around the boy. "What's wrong, Rudy? Are they teasing you again?" When he received a small nod, he sighed. "Not again…"
Rudy continued to hold onto the old man, then he looked up with teary eyes. "Grandfather… why am I different from the others…?" His voice was barely above a whisper, just like that time Cecilia had first met him.
Another sigh. "I see… you're old enough to question that now…" He took the boy's hand and led him down the street.
Unsure of what to do, Cecilia followed them. Perhaps this was Rudy's dream, his childhood memory where he ended up after running away from reality, in the memory of Old Man Zepet who protected him…
The calming hush of the sea filled the air. Zepet leant his arms on the railing overlooking the sea and Rudy followed suit, only the latter's chin was barely above the railing. As the sunset rays cast a bright orange glow on the waters, they watched the seagulls flying in the distance.
"Rudy," the old man began, "You have a unique power that no one else has… you are the chosen one with the power that allows you to control ARM."
"Chosen one…" Rudy shook his head. "Grandfather, I don't understand…"
"Oh, I'm sorry. You understand how much it hurts when someone hits your head or when you fall, right?"
A solemn nod.
"You see, that is called a feeling. You know your feelings are hurt when things aren't going your way or when you're sad, and you understand why you don't wish that feeling upon anyone, right?"
Another nod.
A gentle smile as he placed a hand on the boy's head. "That's because you have a kind heart. Anyone with a kind heart will help the people they care for. You see, being strong doesn't just refer to your physical strength. It refers to your inner strength as well."
Rudy gave another nod, this time with a small smile on his face.
And they remained there until the sun completely disappeared beyond the horizon.
Time passed. As Cecilia followed the two on their travels across the barren lands of Filgaia, she could see the years pass like a fleeting wind – the small boy that was once fearful of monsters grew into the adolescent boy she was familiar with, one who would rush to protect his grandfather without fear. They shared peaceful nights around the campfire, they spent quiet days in ancient ruins as Zepet excavated old ARMs. Rudy kept on smiling, as though the happy days would never end.
Then… his grandfather died.
Rudy stood before a wooden cross stabbed into the barren ground atop a mountain. A pendant with a triangular glass shard hung from it, gleaming as it faced the vast blue sky. His head lowered as he sank to his knees, as he clutched at his chest.
His grandfather's last words rang through to Cecilia.
"Do you see now? You are strong… because you have the most kind heart in the world."
She closed her eyes, tears dripping onto the ground. "Rudy, I understand it now… you understand pain because as a Holmcross, your creator bred a feeling of hurt into you… to teach you the power of the heart."
Rudy stood up, cast a final glance at the cross and, with a deep breath, turned to face the world.
But, as time passed, he was always alone. Even if he stayed a few days in towns, even if he met new people, they always cast a strange stare at him when they saw his ARM, as if he was a monster. Even if he fought to protect them from wild beasts, at the risk of his own life, they saw nothing but the destructive power of the ARM.
Monster… monster.
Eventually the smile faded from his face. Eventually his voice reduced to a mere whisper once more. Eventually he wrapped his ARM – his grandfather's last gift – in white cloth as though to hide it.
Without his grandfather… he was alone in the world.
Then the sky grew dark. A swirling darkness, as though to consume aught and all. It hung in the air even as a town blazed with golden flames, like a great evil laughing at the destruction. Rudy's wide eyes darted around as he backed away, trembling, then he bolted as though to escape from it all.
Cecilia chased after him, shouting, "Don't be scared, Rudy! Don't run away! Please! Nothing will hurt you!"
He slowed down. He turned, glancing in her direction, but his eyes narrowed as though peering into the darkness behind her.
A glimmer of hope in her heart. "Rudy… be strong. Running away won't solve anything…"
But the imposing figure of Zeikfried rose from the flames, the single eye of his demon spear gazing down at the Holmcross. Rudy sprang into a battle stance, drawing his ARM… then he stopped. Eyes wide, he stared at his hands, his trembling hands… his left hand that disintegrated, leaving behind dripping blood and crackling machinery as though to remind him.
Monster… monster.
He backed away, shaking his head. His ARM fell onto the ground, forgotten. He bolted once more, running further into the darkness.
The sight sent a stab of pain into Cecilia's heart.
He was not running away from the demons… but from himself. He who had a body more closely resembling demons than humans… did he not want to wake up because he was afraid he would hurt the people close to him…?
"But, Rudy… you're not a demon…" She closed her eyes, then snapped them open as she chased after him once more. "You're not a demon, you're one of us! You're Rudy Roughnight!"
He glanced over a shoulder as though he heard, but he continued to run.
The scene of the burning town melted away into darkness. Then it brightened into a void of swirling purple.
Rudy skidded to a stop, eyes wide.
There, before him, was Old Man Zepet, seated in a rocking chair. He looked up with a smile. "What's wrong, Rudy? What's the hurry?"
Chest heaving, the boy approached him. A trembling hand reached slowly towards him.
"You must have seen something really scary…" A laugh. "Don't worry, Rudy, I can drive away all your sadness and hardship. I will always be here for you…"
Rudy's head lowered, his shoulders relaxed. His arms limp, he stepped slowly towards him.
Cecilia shook her head. No… this did not sound like the same Old Man Zepet from before. He always taught the boy the meaning of kindness, the power of the heart, never that he would protect him from everything.
"Rudy!" she shouted. "Have faith in yourself, you must wake up!"
The boy did not move. His head lowered, as though in a deep sleep.
"Rudy…" Zepet drew his attention once more. "Stay here with me. Do not listen to anyone else, just listen to me…"
By now Cecilia was sure Rudy could hear her. She stepped closer to him. "Everyone's waiting for you, Rudy. Jack, Hanpan, Jane, Magdalen, Emma, the Captain, Mariel… they're all waiting for you… and I'm waiting for you too. You're part of our team. You're one of us, remember?" She shook her head. "I understand you would love to be with Old Man Zepet… but that is only a memory now. This is not where you're supposed to be! Old Man Zepet is gone – I know it, and you know it too!"
The boy's head remained lowered, but she saw a momentary flinch.
Suddenly Zepet stood up from the rocking chair. Cold eyes focused on her. "I know not how you entered, but I cannot listen to your nonsense any longer."
She frowned. "So you're not Zepet after all!"
A smirk. "I cannot let this child go yet. His heart is so pure and delicious."
He raised a hand to his forehead. A flash of dark purple light, then the old man was gone. In his place was a young woman in a dark purple frock, with long purple hair.
"I am Elizabeth, a dream demon," she declared. "I feed on hearts, and this child is mine."
Cecilia held up her magic staff. "So you are the one keeping Rudy from waking up!"
"Not going to leave, are you? All right." She swung a glowing hand. "If you want him so badly, come!"
Rudy's body pulsated with purple light that rushed into the demon, then he collapsed onto the ground.
"Rudy!" the sorceress screamed, then gasped as she leapt back, as purple light in the shape of three claw marks barely missed her.
"Where are you looking?!" Elizabeth cried as she swung a clawed hand, and three more claw marks struck the ground.
Cecilia's narrowed as she twirled her staff, Crest shining red. Flames erupted and swept across the void… but as the demon emerged unscathed.
Elizabeth laughed. "A Crest sorceress! Today is your unlucky day, for I am immune to elements!"
The sorceress' eyes widened. All elements? Did that mean everything – Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Ice, Lightning, Light, Darkness? No, this demon had to have a weakness!
But, no matter what Crest spell she used, her opponent would emerge unscathed and strike back with magical claws. All her spells were elemental or defensive, and so were all the Guardians she could summon. She even tried summoning Holy Guardian Ione Paua, the centaur's shining spear sending a burst of white forward… but even that counted as an element.
Elizabeth scowled. "Resilient like the cockroach you humans are! Now I see why Zeikfried was so concerned with you affiliated with the Guardians. It seems I would need to finish this another way." She licked her claws. "A shame, but I have had my fill of that child's delicious heart, and he would not last any longer anyway. With the power of the Darkness Tear, I shall destroy this dream, and cockroach or not, you will die along with it!"
Another burst of purple. The very air trembled. Eyes glowing purple, she turned in the direction of Rudy's fallen figure and raised a shining hand.
"NO! RUDY!" Cecilia screamed. She rushed to his side, shielding his body with hers, and raised her shining hands.
The purple power struck her white barrier. She gasped at its strength but held on.
"Rudy, be strong!" she cried. "You have to wake up!"
But his eyes remained closed.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Rudy! Please, Rudy, you understand how to care for someone just as much as we do! Please…"
Nothing but silence from him. All that responded to her was more purple light. She gritted her teeth and poured more strength into her barrier.
But her hands trembled. Her body burnt from the inside, especially from the Crest on her back.
The power of the Darkness Tear was strong. Overwhelming. Even the light of the Teardrop was feeble in its dark purple might.
But this pain… she felt it was nothing compared to how much Rudy was hurting. Alone in the world. Being called a monster. Monster. Fighting to protect Filgaia from the demons, only to learn he was just like them… her pain was nothing compared to what he was feeling, and the thought brought tears to her eyes.
She only wanted to ease his pain. Protect him. She cared so much for him that she wished she could bear all of his pain…
She closed her eyes.
Yes… she loved him. It took her a long time to realise… but she loved him.
Love… now she understood why she despised herself so much for being a noble of Adlehyde. Why she hated being treated as a noble. It was because she felt she was not loved… but that was just her way of distancing herself from everyone.
Watching Rudy had shown her. If she wanted to be loved, she would need to love someone first… and she loved him.
A small smile formed on her face. She looked up at the overwhelming purple power, her heart resolute.
Elizabeth laughed. "Still alive? Then take this!"
The purple grew even brighter. A crack formed on the barrier. And another. And another.
But Cecilia refused to go down. She gave a cry as she poured even more strength into the barrier, even as it burnt her from the inside.
"Even at the cost of my life"–she shouted with all of her might–"I will protect Rudy!"
FLASH.
The Teardrop responded with a bright white light.
Cecilia tried to open her eyes and found the idol in the shape of a goddess – that should have been in her pocket – hovering before her.
It shattered.
A brilliant red. A sphere of red light shone and materialised into a young woman with golden hair, her white robe flowing beneath gleaming armour, with great feathery white wings that spread wide open.
White light cut through the void of swirling purple. When she raised her hands, a silver sword materialised and she swung it at the demon in a great arc of white.
Elizabeth gasped, eyes wide against the incoming light. "What?! A non-elemental… no… a Guardian Lord…"
Her scream cut through the void as the swirling purple shattered into millions of tiny gleaming pieces.
Yet, even as the world crumbled around him, Rudy lay unmoving.
"Rudy!" Cecilia knelt at his side and shook his shoulders. "Rudy, be strong! You're free to get out now!"
Silence. His eyes remained closed.
The tears she had withheld flowed all at once, dripping down onto his face.
No… he should have woken up now that the dream demon was gone… but no matter how much she called him, how much she shook his shoulders, he remained still.
The world around them continued to crumble.
She shut her eyes and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Please… if there is someone who would hear my prayer… please, save him…
Pink light glowed above her. Warm, gentle. Coming from the winged woman who gazed down at her.
"I am the Guardian Lord of Love, Raftina," the soft voice resonated within her. "I am the light within a forgotten heart. I have heard your prayers." She floated down towards her. "Shaman… why do you risk your life?"
Cecilia shook her head. "At first, I thought it was because it was my duty as a Guardians' shaman, as a princess… but now I know it is not so." She looked up. "I risk my life because I care for Filgaia, and everyone in Filgaia… and because I care for Rudy."
A smile. "Shaman, you understand love…" The warm glow extended from her hand and surrounded the boy. "His spirit has been greatly weakened by the demon, but your love will lend him strength. He will wake before long."
More tears flowed. "I… I'm glad…"
Her hands and wings spread, shining bright. "If you wish for my hand to protect what you care for, then, in the name of love, call my name…"
The light grew brighter and brighter, turning Cecilia's sight pink, and she closed her eyes.
"Thank you, Guardian Lord of Love, Raftina… I will never forget this feeling."
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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The first thing Cecilia realised was the softness of the bed under her arms, followed by the cheerful chirps of the birds, the rustling of leaves in the wind. She blinked the sleep from her eyes as she raised her head from her arms, then she jumped.
"Oh, no! How long have I been asleep?!" She looked up, and her eyes widened. "Rudy!"
Sure enough it was Rudy. Sitting upright, one hand on the window sill, he turned his gaze from the scenery outside to her and smiled.
"Rudy…" she whispered. "Is that… really you?"
A nod. He held up his left hand that had fully healed, even wriggled the fingers for her to see. What seemed to be part of a black gauntlet covered the back of the hand, the metal plates gleaming in the morning sunlight.
Relief flooded into her as she held his hand. "I'm so glad you're better… I had a dream about you."
"I… think I had a dream about you, too. I heard your voice…"
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Oh, we must have had the same dream… um… do you… remember what I said?"
A momentary frown.
"N-never mind, you don't have to try to remember! I just thought I'd ask…"
He blinked, then nodded.
Outside, hurried footsteps crunched on the dirt path and within seconds a grinning Jack burst through the door. "Rudy! Man, we were worried about you!"
"I told you I heard something!" A streak of blue light and Hanpan hopped right onto Rudy's blanket-covered lap, ears straight up and whiskers twitching madly. "Rudy! It's great to see you up!"
More hurried footsteps and a tearful Mariel burst in. "Rudy! Oh, Rudy, you're awake!"
Even Vassim emerged from the basement, hand still holding a hammer. "He's awake?!"
At the noisy crowd at his bedside, Rudy broke into a grin, and the sight calmed them all down at once.
"How are you feeling?" Jack asked. "You all right?"
The boy nodded. He pulled the blanket off and got onto his feet, only for his knees to buckle beneath him.
Jack caught him in time. "Whoa! You just woke up after a long sleep, don't be too ambitious!"
He sat back down with a sheepish smile. "S-sorry…"
Cecilia shook her head. "It's probably because of the dream demon…"
At the others' confused looks, she recounted her adventure in Rudy's dream. At the mention of the Guardian Lord, Hanpan gave a knowing grin, but said nothing.
Vassim crossed his arms. "A dream demon… I have a vague recollection of that. A thousand years ago some of our own have been inflicted with the same method of torture. I heard the dream demons infect the wounds of injured Elw and humans, much like an illness. They sap spirit and strength from the inflicted and rob them of their lives…"
"Wow," Hanpan said. "It's a good thing you managed to drive it off, Cecilia."
Mariel nodded. "Yes. But now that Rudy is awake, he should regain his strength within a day or so. Oh! Rudy, this is Vassim, my brother, who forged the Guardian Blade into your left hand. We came to the Elw Dimension to find him."
The blacksmith held out a hand. "How are you? Are you getting used to your new hand?"
Rudy shook his hand with a quick bow. "Y-yes… thank you very much."
"I have entrusted you with the Guardian blade as your left hand. My question is… how do you intend to use it?"
A pause. He gazed at his healed hand, touching the metal of the gauntlet, then closed his eyes. "When I was dreaming, there was nothing but darkness and fear, so much that I wanted to give up… but just as I lost my will and strength, I heard Cecilia's voice, and that voice shone a light into the darkness." A deep breath as he looked up, crimson eyes filled with determination. "I… will use this power you entrusted me to do the same for others. I want to protect the world."
Silence.
Rudy glanced worriedly at the others, wondering if he said something wrong.
Vassim nodded with a smile. "Well, it seems my choice to give you the Guardian Blade was right."
A grinning Jack slapped the boy on the back and made him jump. "Hey! This is the first time we've heard you say so much in one go!"
Everyone laughed. Rudy reddened for a moment before laughing together with them.
Two more days passed as the boy regained his strength. Mariel's herbal soups helped quite a bit, though it had such a bitter taste that his expression after drinking it always sent the others into a fit of laughter. Jack tried to stuff him with food once again, shouting, "Eat more! You were already skinny to begin with, and you've gotten even more so while you were asleep! How are you going to get stronger like this?!" Only for an annoyed Cecilia to zap him with lightning and turn him into a twitching charred mess on the floor.
At first Rudy could only stumble about with trembling legs as he tried to offer help with cleaning or harvesting vegetables – only to be rebuffed and told to rest – but soon he was able to jog around the fields and even spar with Jack with a borrowed sword from Vassim. On the morning of the third day after he woke up, they decided to return to Filgaia.
As they paused outside the cottage to bid the blacksmith goodbye, Mariel faced him.
"I'm going with them to Filgaia," she said.
Vassim shook his head. "But why? You could stay here with me. You will be safe here…"
"While you have your battles, I too have mine." She smiled. "I need to plant flowers in the wasteland."
"I see…" He returned the smile. "I understand. Be careful."
The siblings exchanged an embrace, then Mariel joined the wanderers.
Jack held up a fist. "To Filgaia!"
Cecilia nodded. "Yes! We need to tell everyone how well Rudy's doing!"
Rudy gave one last bow to Vassim. "Thank you again for saving me."
And the wanderers set out along the dirt path towards the Forest Prison.
As he watched them disappear among the trees, Vassim shook his head as he muttered to himself.
"I saved him…? No, it is the other way around… he taught me about facing reality. The courage to pursue the truth, the strength to believe in miracles…"
He looked up as a cool wind blew, as the evergreen leaves rustled.
"I pray that they will end this war – what we could not accomplish a thousand years ago."
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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The Forest Prison was as dark and creepy as ever, making a jittery Rudy shiver whenever a chilling wind blew or a bush rustled, though Cecilia, Jack and Hanpan were used to it by now. Monster attacks were more easily dealt with now that he was back in the team, the thunderous roar of his ARM echoing across the forest, loud and reassuring. While he could mostly keep up with them, he still ran out of breath every now and then, and the others slowed their usual pace and stopped for more breaks for him.
As they neared the Elw village, Cecilia, Jack and Hanpan wondered if they should pay a visit to Fulcani since it was him who pointed them to Vassim, but they hesitated at the thought of telling Rudy what happened to the Holmcross Project a thousand years ago… but, with a quiet smile and a voice louder than the usual whisper, he shook his head and told them not to hide anything about himself from him.
And so Mariel retold the old story. The calm look didn't change as he listened, but his gaze grew distant as they arrived at the Elw village.
Unlike the last time they were here, the place was devoid of people, the doors and windows of the huts tightly shut, tools and fallen baskets of fruit left on the ground as though in a hurry. As they stopped outside Fulcani's home, however, occasionally they caught a glimpse of fearful yet curious eyes from between curtains. Rudy pulled the travelling cloak tighter around himself, as though to hide.
Fulcani emerged from his home when Cecilia knocked, the old eyes focused on the Holmcross. He straightened as much as his hunched old body would allow, hands clasped behind his back, but the wanderers could see his shoulders trembling.
Rudy gave a deep bow.
The old gaze softened for a moment, then grew distant. "No doubt you have heard… the history of the Holmcross was paved with blood. Tell me… will you repeat history?"
He raised his head and met his eyes directly. "No, I won't. Thanks to my friends, I've been given a second chance at life… and now, it's my turn to protect."
His comrades stared at him in awe. Before he woke up, when did he ever stand with such confidently squared shoulders or speak with such conviction?
Even after the wanderers left, Fulcani remained standing at his front door. Even when his fellow Elw cautiously emerged from their homes.
But, when he finally entered his home once more, a small smile formed on his lips… a smile with a glimmer of hope.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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After the customary burst of light, the group opened their eyes to find themselves back at the forest temple in Filgaia, as confirmed by the hotter wind, the lush greenery that was tinged with yellow.
Mariel turned to the others. "I can handle it from here. I can return on my own."
"Are you sure?" Hanpan asked. "We could go with you."
She shook her head. "I'm on my own, but I'm not alone. I'd like to hurry home and care for my flowers."
Cecilia smiled. "That is your mission, isn't it?"
"Yes, but not to atone… Filgaia is where my favourite people live. I want to do my best." She closed her eyes. "I think I love Filgaia more than ever…"
Rudy nodded with a smile. Mariel returned the gesture, then waved as she walked along the dirt path to the clearing where the herbs grew.
"Shall we return to Adlehyde?" Cecilia asked. "Everyone is waiting for our return."
Jack crossed his arms. "Yeah, well, I can't say I look forward to hearing our leader's bossy commands." He grinned. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little detour. Rudy, is there anywhere you want to go?"
The boy thought for a moment. There was one place he thought of going, but…
Hanpan hopped onto his shoulder. "A gella for your thought?"
He hesitated. Should he even think of asking them to detour when they should be returning to Adlehyde? Especially since they had risked their lives to help him… but when he looked up, all he saw were kind smiles, and he relaxed.
"Actually… there's one place I'd like to visit. It shouldn't take too long… will you come with me?"
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Somewhere in the wilderness, hidden in a lush forest was a stone cottage. A forgotten place that no one remembered, save for Rudy. His grandfather had told him of it at his deathbed, but in the time he had spent travelling alone he avoided it for fear of pain, for fear of remembering his grandfather's death once again… but now, as he glanced at his comrades, he finally felt ready to face his grandfather's memory.
The crunch of their boots was loud in the still forest air. The cheerful chirps of white doves greeted them as they passed. Some flew to the ground and hopped fearlessly near, perhaps in hopes of getting crumbs, which they did get from Cecilia.
A nostalgic feeling welled up in Rudy's heart, and his eyes stung. Something about this place felt familiar, warm… a vague memory of running around among the doves, laughing freely, as his grandfather smiled from a window.
The interior was covered in a thick layer of dust, part of the walls and roof collapsed in disrepair. In one corner was a round table surrounded by chairs, where Zepet had often sat with a cup of tea as he gazed at the greenery outside. Another corner had two beds, where Zepet had often told stories in the flickering light of a lamp.
From above, Jack called, "Hey, Rudy, you might want to see this."
Stairs led to the loft overlooking the combined bedroom and dining room, with a bookshelf and a desk where Zepet had often worked. With Hanpan on his shoulder, Jack handed over a book, the dust on its cover wiped off to reveal a name: Zepet Roughnight. As Rudy pulled it open, the familiar handwriting greeted him.
"It has been a while since I last wrote in this journal," the page began. "I have been engrossed in my latest discovery. During my study of the artefacts of Ahnen Erbe, I ventured into the ruins past what used to be a secure seal. There, I encountered a perfectly preserved capsule, which opened on its own when I approached, and it had a small life form inside. It looked just like a human child – so small and fragile, so full of fear – that I had to keep correcting myself, yet deep down I knew it was not. The chaos of the war a thousand years ago had tempted us into using our alchemy skills for the purpose of manipulating small life forms, both humans and Elw alike, and the result of our forbidden knowledge lied before me.
"This small life form had been transformed into an ARM.
"I was overwhelmed by its transformation. I felt we had ignored the value of life by creating an ARM. But, as I gazed at this life form's eyes that were so full of fear, I felt the need to protect it. I felt a bond with it. Whether it was fate or simple curiosity, or even an old man's whim, I do not know… but I decided to show this small being the outside world. I took its hand into mine and led it out of the ruins.
"These last few days have been astounding. The more time I spend with the life form, the more I feel it is just like a human child. A simple child with a curiosity of the world, crying at its skinned knee as it fell over while chasing a dove, eyes scrunched up in heartache as I gave it a word of scolding. I was stunned to realise it felt pain. From my study, it had been designed to be a weapon. The discovery left me perplexed, but motivated to take action. If it was possible for it to feel pain, then it should also be able to be kind.
"If the weapon learns to be kind, will we still label it as a weapon? The answer remains to be seen, but I believe we will not wait long for the answer.
"Even as I write this, I am watching the life form playing among the doves in the garden, and I cannot help but to smile at the sight. Perhaps this was what a parent feels while watching a child play. Perhaps I am getting old and sentimental. Even before I made the decision to treat this life form – or rather, this boy – the meaning of kindness, I had already started to think of him as family.
"I will raise him as my grandson, and for that he needs a name. I will give him a name that means both kindness and strength. And that name shall be… Rudy."
Rudy's sight blurred from the tears that dripped down onto the page.
His grandfather had known. He had known that the boy he found was not human, but a weapon made for destruction. He had known from the start… yet he chose to adopt him, to give him a name… to love him as his own grandson.
Because of him, a Holmcross did not remain a nameless weapon, a being without identity, without a heart… but Rudy Roughnight, his grandson, with a heart that cared for others.
His eyes closed, Rudy smiled.
Thank you, Grandfather… for everything.
.
End of Chapter Twenty Eight: The Miracle of Love.
Author's Note:
Yes, this is why I delayed having the team visit the Forgotten House! I thought it'd be a nice closure to Rudy's arc, and I really like the warm, touching feeling it gives. :D
While 'The Miracle of Love' is a soundtrack that is a leitmotif of Cecilia's theme and is played during Love Guardian Lord Raftina's first appearance, I feel it could apply to Zepet too! Because if he didn't lovingly raise Rudy as his own grandson, how would Rudy have learnt to be so kind-hearted?
This actually reminds me of the beginning of Wild Arms: Million Memories, where the prologue depicts the end of the world where all the party members despairingly question, "Rudy… why did you betray us?" And when the game starts, the narrator states that is one of the possible futures, depending on the choices the player (Rudy) makes. It got me thinking that in WA / WAACF, Rudy might have gone on a totally different path if it wasn't for Zepet!