A/N: I named my character in Dragon Quest XI "Eli." Okay, now we can start.
Veronica and Sylvando showed up in the nick of time. Eli and Erik were standing near the edge of town in Gondolia, with soldiers from Heliodor surrounding them. Among them was Jasper, who had no doubt shown up in broad daylight so that everyone could witness the supposed evil among them.
Veronica was throwing fireballs everywhere, sending the guards into a panic. Their attention was drawn on them instead. That was when Serena showed up, just at the bottom of a stairway to the side of the plaza.
"This way! Quickly!" Serena said, her voice almost a whisper.
Jasper turned around and saw that the Luminary and his thief friend had run off. Serena was holding Eli's hand dragging him towards one of the lighthouses. Erik looked back just then, seeing a ball of dark magic heading towards them, more specifically, Eli.
"Look out!" Erik yelled. He thought of nothing, but trying to protect his friend. Just before it was in range, the thief threw himself in front of the Luminary and took the blast of dark magic himself.
Eli didn't even know until he heard his body hit the ground. He turned around, horrified at what he saw.
"Erik! No!" Serena yelled.
Eli was frantic, he reached out his hand, flinching when Erik swatted it away.
"What are you doing?" said Erik. "I bought you some time—use it! Get out of here, now!"
"But-" Eli went unheard. Serena took his hand, yanking him along, making the boy yelp. "We can't leave him!" he pleaded. "Serena!" The mage's grip was firm. She was not letting go, no matter how much Eli tried. He was forced to watch the guards close in on his friend.
Veronica, Serena and Sylvando found a safe haven for Eli in the building of the shipyard. Dave made sure no one got to where they were hiding. There weren't many people in the building, anyway. Most people had fled and hid into their homes, and sailors to their ships.
Eli, however, wasn't handling things so well. He was sitting in the corner in the maze of the warehouse, with his legs crossed, while mostly glaring at everyone. The sun was setting, but Veronica didn't want to move until it was completely dark.
"How could we just leave him there?" Eli snapped.
"He was trying to protect you!" said Veronica. "Can't you see that?"
"We swore to protect you," said Serena. "We said that no one shall defeat you."
"Defeat not capture…" Eli said, sternly. "If I'm the Luminary, I should be protecting all of you!"
"Your duty is to defeat the darkness!" Veronica said. "That is how you'll protect us! Just because you're the Luminary does not make you invincible."
"I never said I was!"
"Then why can't you understand what Erik did for you back there?"
"So am I just supposed to just stand by? Am I supposed to let you throw away your lives for me?! I don't want that!"
"That's not your choice!"
"Neither is being the Luminary!" Eli then yelled. "If I could, I'd tear this stupid Mark off my hand!"
Veronica and Serena gasped. Eli stared at his hand, the Mark had brought him nothing but trouble ever since he left Cobblestone.
"All it has done is gotten me thrown in a dungeon, running for my life and my home destroyed!" Eli continued. He sniffled, fighting back the urge to cry as tears filled his eyes. "I don't even know if Mum and Gemma are… still alive… They burned that whole place to the ground. And you want me to just let stuff like this happen?"
Sylvando had been watching the whole time. Was the kid really the Luminary? He hadn't even noticed the mark on his hand. It really was the mark of the Luminary, hero of legend.
"Eli, honey…" Sylvando said. He hadn't been a part of the group for too long, but he didn't want to see one of his new friends so upset.
Eli looked away with another sniffle. Sylvando reached out his hand, but Eli pushed it away and took off to hide behind another wall of giant boxes. They knew he was there because of the lantern he carried off with him.
He sat there on the floor for a while, knees pulled up to his chest. His hands dragged down his face, fighting back tears. He didn't want to be the reason people died. He wasn't the Luminary! He wasn't a hero! At least, he didn't believe it. He didn't want to be…
"I believe in you!" Erik had said. "I believe in the Luminary!"
Eli's left hand formed a fist. All the times Erik protected him… did he do it for him? For this so-called forgiveness he sought? Or was it because he was the Luminary?
"We of Arboria swear to protect you. While we live, none shall defeat you."
He didn't want that. He didn't want them to get hurt and die for him. With a snarl, he stood, his fists balled up tightly. Despite Sylvando's surprisingly good skills with a sword, he didn't want him to become a martyr, as well.
His eyes fell on a window, showing him the night sky and the ocean…
Sylvando sighed. "Ah, poor thing…"
"Oy! What's he acting like a child for?!" said Veronica. "Did he want to get thrown in the dungeon again? Or worse?!"
"It's not that, Veronica," Serena said. "It's Erik. All this time we've been focused on our mission, but we haven't taken into consideration how this could be affecting the one we're supposed to be protecting. We can't expect him to fulfill his destiny, if he's like this. We have to do something to save Erik. Oh, I can't imagine what they'll do to him!"
"Oh, don't worry, sweetie—Erik's tougher than he looks… I think," said Sylvando. "More importantly, why call the one who's trying to BEAT the Dark One the Darkspawn? Honey, that's just confusing!"
"He isn't really the Darkspawn—that's just what the King of Heliodor thinks," said Serena. "It's all some terrible misunderstanding!"
"Well, he didn't tell us the King of Heliodor did that to his hometown!" said Veronica.
Serena sighed. "Poor Eli… We haven't even considered what he's been going through. I'm ever so sorry, Sylvando—we should have explained all this to you earlier, but well… so much has been going on…"
"Oh, please!" Sylvando said, with a flick of his hand. "There's no need to apologize, darling! Darkspawn, indeed—as if a lovely little thing like you would go around with someone like that! Now, are we going to stand around all night, or are we going to take action, huh? If we're sneaky enough, we can get past the guards and find out where they're holding Erik."
Serena nodded. She wandered towards the back of the wall to check on Eli.
Veronica stood up on the crate she was standing by and put her hands on her hips. "Now we're talking! Let's give those jerks from Heliodor some payback for what they did to Erik."
Suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps. Sylvando and the girl had their hands on their weapons for a moment, only to see that it was just Serena.
"Um, guys?" she stuttered. She sounded panicked.
"What is it?" said Veronica.
"It's Eli! He's gone!"
The guards had been sweeping the town since Eli managed to escape. Jasper was in the plaza, giving orders. Erik was tied up to a pole, hands bound to prevent himself from moving with his ropes around his torso, as well.
"I know you are scurrying around in the shadows like the rodent you are, Darkspawn!" Jasper announced. "Show yourself! Or you can stay hidden and see what happens to your friend!"
Some guards reported back to Jasper. They found nothing, which only made the knightly mage more irritable.
"Still you fail to find him? Imbeciles!" he snapped. "Search again—and do not return empty handed!"
Jasper dismissed the guards. He huffed in annoyance. He could sense the Luminary nearby, but wasn't sure where he could be. He certainly wouldn't leave town without his little friend. That much was certain, but he could be anywhere!
Below the bridges and walkways of Gondolia, a tiny boat cut through the waterways. Eli was holding the oar making sure to use slow, quiet strokes to move around without making too much noise.
Eli's breath was heavy, and his palms were sweaty. His heart was beating very fast, but he already snuck away and got this far. There was no turning back now.
Once he was beneath the plaza, he got off the gondola and climbed onto the deck. The stony path before him led him through the lower part of Gondolia's plaza. Once he was on the right side, Eli took the nearby steps upward and squatted down to stay out of sight. He found cover by the wall, where the plaza raised up from the ground. A guard walked down the stairs nearby, when he was grabbed by Eli, who proceeded to punch him right in the gut. It was a move Erik had taught him not long after they met in the dungeon of Heliodor.
The guard collapsed falling forward, but Eli caught him, barely managing to stay standing from the heavy armor the soldier was wearing. He dragged him out of sight, laying him behind some barrels.
With the coast mostly clear, Eli slowly climbed up the steps, seeing Jasper standing at the center of the plaza. Erik was still motionless against the pillar, so Eli made sure to be careful. Sword closely in his hands he began to steadily cut away at the ropes. Once they were loose, he caught the limp thief in his arms, before he hit the ground. He began to drag him away, when Erik grunted, most likely startled awake from the movement.
The pair were almost down the steps back the way Eli came when Erik struggled out of his grasp, suddenly confused. He looked up seeing the night sky, and Eli crouched down near him and pulled him out of sight.
"Wh-What are you doing here?" said Erik.
"Saving you!" Eli whispered. "What does it look like?"
Erik gasped. He looked around but didn't see the girls or Sylvando nearby.
"Alone?"
"So you finally scurry into the light!"
The thief and the Luminary stared up the steps, seeing Jasper glaring down right at them.
"You think to gain advantage, using the darkness of the night to get away from me? Using the chance while I am unguarded? Well, I welcome the chance to tear you apart with my own hands, Darkspawn!"
Guards suddenly came out from where Eli had come from and were coming towards them. Erik stood, and drew his knife, but Eli, in fit of rage, charged right towards Jasper. The thief reached out his hand, but the Luminary was already out of reach. Erik sighed, deciding to keep the guards off Eli's back.
With the sounds of magic and swords clashing, Erik was like a ninja on the battlefield. Guards swinging their spears and swords, were soon met with a boot to the face, or the bottom hilt of his knife.
"Night night!" Erik yelled, as his dagger glowed blue. His blade shined true as he swung stuck guards with its mighty beams. Many of them fell asleep from the special attack and slumped to the ground in moments.
Eli was nimble, jumped over Jasper's swings with the two blades he wielded. Jasper did not doubt for a moment the child must have picked up a thing or two from running around with that thief. However, it wasn't too much to worry about.
The Luminary continued to jump around, deflecting blows. Once he was firmly back on his feet however, Jasper knew his perfect moments to strike. His dark magic was sent forth in balls of darkness. Eli managed to hold out his blade to defend himself, but not without taking the impact of the explosions.
After the third time of doing that, Jasper could see the Luminary's strength starting to wane. Another blast of dark magic made the boy think of dodging instead, but Jasper was ready with more, forcing him to try and deflect his attack again. And once again, the dark power made Eli take another tumble to the floor.
Erik growled as he heard Jasper laughing at his friend groaning in pain.
"You came all this way, Darkspawn," Jasper said smugly as he began his approach towards the near motionless boy. Eli pressed his hands into the ground, right hand still gripping his sword, but he was struggling to gain the strength to stand. "And yet, you can't even manage to protect yourself." He held out his blade, holding it near Eli's throat. "Surrender. End all this nonsense."
Still, the boy wouldn't yield. Sword in hand, he swung Jasper's away, and forced himself to stand on his tired, wobbly feet.
"You burned my village… locked me away… turned entire cities against me…" Eli huffed. His weapon and limbs were suddenly weighing heavy, but he refused to give into that fact, "when I barely even knew what being the Luminary meant…" He swallowed, the pain he felt throughout his body was nothing to all the stuff the kingdom of Heliodor had put him through… all because of a silly little mark on his hand. "But all I know is this: I won't let you hurt my friends or anyone else!"
"Is that so, Darkspawn? Such bold claims…" He raised his hand, summoning for flames of darkness, "when you are proving the opposite." And with that, he threw the flames, but towards Erik instead.
The thief knocked back more guards to the floor when he saw the magic coming towards him. He flinched, covering his face with his arms, only for Eli to throw himself in front of him. Erik opened his eyes, just in time to hear his Luminary friend cry out and slump to the ground.
"No!" Erik shouted. He rushed up the steps placing his hand on his friend, still shaking and trembling from the magic that hit him.
"You have had your fun—now accept your fate and give yourselves up!" said Jasper.
Erik held his teeth tightly, glaring at him. More guards were coming from both ends.
And yet… Eli still moved. Trying to get up. Erik was frantic, trying to stop him, but like he had before, Eli swiped his hand away.
"I… I… s-said…"
Erik stood and backed away. The mark on Eli's hand was glowing. "I won't let you… hurt anyone else!" he then shouted.
"What?!" Jasper said, shocked.
Suddenly, lightning struck down from the sky, as the boy stood and held up his sword. It shined with a bright light, sparkling with the energy of the heavens. Eli cried out, stabbing his blade into the ground and sending wave after wave of electricity to his enemies. The guards and Jasper all yelled out in pain and surprise, but Erik, somehow, wasn't affected by the attack.
Eli pulled his sword from the ground, he stood, but his vision blurred, suddenly overtaken by weariness. His head span and with an exhausted sigh, he fell backwards, eyes sliding shut.
"Eli!" Erik yelled as he caught his friend in his arms. Picking up Eli's sword, he dragged the Luminary's limp body down the steps, but all the ground he had left to go on was the docks behind and the ocean.
Jasper struggled to get up, more so to stand, but seeing Erik looking around with his friend unconscious in his arms caused him to let out a low chuckle.
"So, what'll it be, thief?" he said. "Surrender to me, or entrust your fate to the sharks that circle beneath!"
Erik glared at the mage. He talked big for one who was just defeated, but without an escape, he knew Jasper's soldiers would get up when they could. The knightly mage walked towards them, the thief holding his knife out and his friend close.
Suddenly, more fireballs rained down from above, separating the two opposing sides as they ran for cover. There was the sound of a horn… like it was from a ship, and that's exactly what it was. A large ship was sailing, cutting through the waves. It was edged in gold, with a pair of horse statues near the front. Red sails were above most of the front deck. The captain's helm was decorated with red curtains like it was a stage. From there, Veronica was using her magic and throwing fireballs and Serena was her wind magic to make sure they hit their marks.
Sylvando was standing on the front of the ship, perfectly keeping his balance on it like it was nothing, which wasn't a surprise for anyone.
"Yoo-hoo!" he called. "How's that for a dramatic entrance, eh? Introducing… the Salty Stallion! The finest ship to ever sashay across the seas!" He turned to his first mate, who was steering the ship. "Dave, be a darling and pull over to the quayside so my friends can hop on, will you?"
"Right you are, Sylv!" Dave turned the steering wheel, making the ship sail a bit closer to the oceanside of the city.
Erik grinned, he gathered Eli in his arms and made a run for it.
Jasper stumbled to his knees, and looked around as he saw the other guards regaining their composure.
"Get them!" he shouted.
Erik ran towards the pier and jumped. He landed on the deck, but took a tumble. Veronica and Serena rushed to their side, as Eli slipped from the thief's grasp, but only fell on his back to the floor of the deck with a tiny grunt.
Some guards tried to run after them, but two only managed to fall into the water by accident, seeing as the ship was now too far to jump on to.
"Are you two all right?" said Serena.
Erik nodded, before hastily crawling his way to Eli. Serena knelt down before the unconscious Luminary, her gentle hands checking his face and his bruises, with Veronica scanning the two boys.
"Ciao for now, Jasper darling!" said Sylvando. "Bet you didn't see that ending coming. Ooh, I do love a twist!"
Erik brought Eli down below deck into the captain's cabin. They evaded the guards, and luckily, the monster Jasper later sent out was scared off by Gondolia trading ships. With that, they were able to get away. A carrier pigeon flew to them later. Dave had noticed it and showed it to Sylvando, who read it aloud to Erik and Veronica, while Serena was the captain's cabin tending to their wounded Luminary. Apparently, it was from Doge Rotondo.
If you are reading this, I am hoping that you are all safe now. That monster, always he is harassing the ships in this area! Molto irritante! Placido can speak again! He said he has back his voice thanks to you. He also tell me is you who cure him. And also he convince me that you are no Darkspawn… That is no you who curse him in this way. Scusa, amici… I have done to you and your friends a great disservice.
Some days ago, my son play outside the town, and he observe Sir Jasper talking to the monster. He said is scary, so he make a little scream. He hear him, and curse his voice so he cannot speak about what he see. I know now that the one they call Darkspawn save my boy, and the noble knights of Heliodor, they consort with the monsters. What does it all mean? I cannot understand… But I know that you are heroes. And heroes must escape to fight another day, si?
All of you are welcome back in Gondolia anytime, now. We see you soon! Buona fortuna!
- Doge Rotondo
"I hope they'll be alright," Erik said, putting his hands behind his head. "Things won't be easy for them now—they defied the Heliodorians, and they don't like that."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," said Veronica. "They're tough. We just saw them scare away that monster. A couple of soldiers won't get them down."
Serena stepped up onto the bridge. She was somewhat relieved after what Erik had told them. "Eli should be fine. He's resting now."
"You sure?" said Erik.
Serena nodded. "Yes. He must have just overexerted himself. That lightning attack must have used all of his physical and mental strength, not to mention that he did so after being hit so many times by Jasper."
Erik sighed. He looked to the floor, reminded of what his friend had done for him. Apparently, he was told by Veronica that Eli took off after what happened to save him on his own. In hindsight it sounded kind of dumb to do that. They were almost captured again, but when he thought about how he returned the favor, he soon saw that it was a long time coming.
"You burned my village… locked me away… turned entire cities against me…"
"But all I know is this: I won't let you hurt my friends or anyone else!"
Erik soon brought himself to go into the captain's cabin and pulled up a chair near the bed. Eli looked a lot better now that Serena got him patched up with her healing powers. He would probably still be a bit sore and tired for a little while. For now, however, he remained asleep.
The thief reached out and held Eli's marked hand gently. That silly little mark was causing them so much trouble. His friend didn't deserve that. None of them did, but hopefully, Erik could make Eli see that none of it was his fault. Or anyone's. It was Jasper and the king of Heliodor.
His thumb traced over the back of the Luminary's hand, following the lines of the Mark until before he knew it, he had fallen asleep, as well.
Eli slowly blinked, opening his eyes, finding himself staring at the roof of the cabin. It was a four poster bed, with red curtains and the sheets in blue and white patterns. It reminded him of Sylvando. In fact, a lot of things he saw in the cabin that looked like it belonged to that man.
He turned his head slowly, and noticed Erik hunched over the bed, fast asleep. He was holding his left hand gently.
Eli sat up, taking care not to go too fast. His body was still sore and his limbs still felt heavy and tired. He took great care to gently slip his hand out of Erik's grasp without waking him. He was curious as to where he was and where the others were.
He rubbed his eyes, unaware of how childish he looked as he did so and made his way to the deck. The sound of a harp entered his ears and the salty sea air entered his nose. It was refreshing. He gasped, finding himself at the beginning of sunrise surrounded by the ocean.
Eli smiled. His memory of what happened after that lightning attack was fuzzy, but he knew that they made it to the ocean! To Sylvando's ship! And now, hopefully, they were sailing towards where the Rainbough was taken!
The music suddenly stopped. Next thing he knew, an arm wrapped around him and he was pulled into a sudden embrace.
"Darling! You're finally awake!"
Eli was let go from Sylvando, but he was still smiling, happy as the performer was that he was safe. Veronica and Serena ran up to the pair. The Luminary looked over, happy to see they were safe and happy. Well, until Veronica was almost upon them and she glared, hearing that little growl. Sylvando backed away slowly. Despite his short time being in the group, he was a quick study when it came to Veronica's behavior.
"And what are you doing out of bed?!" Veronica said, pointing at Eli who was still trembling with weariness. "You've got some nerve after the scare you caused all of us."
"U-Uh…" Eli barely had any words. "B-But I-"
"No buts!" Veronica snapped. "You need to rest!"
Without another word, Veronica took his hand and dragged him along, heading back into the captain's cabin.
Erik was still asleep, when he was awakened by Veronica and Eli struggling against each other. The fight was more one-sided since Eli was still exhausted. Even with a young body, Veronica still had the magical and physical strength of an adult.
"I said, naptime!" Veronica snapped. "Hurry up and lie down!"
With another yank, the Luminary was thrown headfirst back onto Sylvando's bed. Erik just sighed in relief that he was okay. Serena and Sylvando were rushing into the room, following Veronica and still dazed Eli.
The boy's face, hidden among the pillows his face was shoved into, was flushed from being forced back to bed by a woman with the body of a small child. Erik gave Eli a comforting pat on the back as he chuckled softly to himself. Judging from Veronica's attitude, his friend was gonna be just fine.
With Erik's touch as reassurance, Eli rolled over onto his back, his limbs and body still sluggish. He would admit laying back down was much better than standing up and walking around at the moment, but there was no way he'd let Veronica know that. Once again, he tried to get up, but the girl had hopped onto the bed and was there to push him right back down.
"You may be the Luminary, but that doesn't mean we're going to allow you to push yourself," said Serena. At least she was more gentle than Veronica.
Eli sighed as he fell back against the pillows. He turned his head to Erik, who was relieved, but his frown said he was still a little upset.
Sylvando grinned. "Well, it looks like you four have a lot to talk about, don't you agree?"
Eli opened his mouth, but other than a confused and nervous grunt nothing really came out. Veronica, Serena and Erik exchanged glances, while Eli just bit his lip.
"Now, now," said Sylvando. "We can't go around saving the world with you all so angry at each other. Besides, you clearly care about each other if he did what he did."
Eli frowned. "I… I'm sorry…" he said, softly. "I… I don't really remember what happened after I attacked Jasper…"
"You fainted," Erik said, crossing his arms, "but you were lucky Sylvando showed up with his ship. I carried you on and we managed to escape."
"Oh."
"What were you thinking?!" said Veronica. "You could've gotten yourself hurt! Or worse!"
"I was… I was trying to prove… I wanted to prove that I could stand on my own," Eli confessed. He didn't turn his head to look at her. His eyes weren't really focused on Erik either. "I didn't want you to throw away your lives for me, just because… I'm the Luminary."
Serena gasped. "Of course not!" she said. "When we swore to protect you, we told you 'while we live'. We can't exactly do that if something were to happen to us."
Veronica huffed, and sat back, her hands settling on her lap. "I may have been a little too hard on you back there." She looked up from her hands, gaze landing on the tired Luminary. She reached out her hand, small palm touching the side of his face, and forced his head to turn to look at her. "I'm sorry. But, if you had stayed put we would've gone to rescue him together. Sylvando was talking about taking action before Serena said you had gone."
"Oh…" Eli said, softly. "Sorry…"
Erik sighed and sat down at Eli's bedside. He would've been more upset, if it weren't for Eli's gentle voice when he was embarrassed. "Besides, even if you didn't help me out, I would've found a way to escape."
"Don't say that!" said Veronica. "We would've helped you out no matter what! Don't make Eli feel bad."
"Isn't that what you were just doing?" Erik said, rolling his eyes.
The little mage growled and put her small hands on her hip. Eli smiled, chuckling a little, with half-lidded eyes.
"In any case," said Serena. "We're here to stand beside you, not in front of you, but more than that, we're your companions now. Don't you agree?"
"And we'll find out what happened with those Helidorians, honey," said Sylvando. "Don't you worry."
Eli sniffled. "Okay…"
Veronica sighed with relief. "Well, good. There's no need to push yourself so much, okay? You've got us to help look after you, now."
The young man was struggling to keep his eyes open. "And so do you…" he mumbled.
Erik grinned. He ran his fingers through the Luminary's hair, who closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.
"Thank-you, though," he stuttered. "For… you know, saving me."
Sylvando smiled. "Well, isn't that much better now," he said. "Now, Dave told me that word on the grapevine that the person with the Rainbough is making his way to Zwaardsrust! So, all of you get rested up, because tomorrow, destiny awaits!"
Erik raised a brow. "This really isn't just a game to you, huh?"
Sylvando just grinned, a small laugh escaping from him. Before Erik could question him, his ears picked up on the soft, deep breathing of his friend. Veronica and Serena were beaming. Eli's eyes had closed and his face had gone slack. He had finally caved in to sleep. Erik just held Eli's marked hand, glad that he trusted his friends enough to fall asleep around them.
"We're in this together, buddy," he said, gently. "To the end."
They would protect each other. That was a promise.