Immortality's Journey
By Slim Gohan
Disclaimers - I don't own it. I'm sure you know that though but I wish I did own it though. I would be a rich person.
Summary - 70 years after the Second Flame Champion Wars, crisis and Yuber rises once more. Hugo, Chris Lightfellow and Geddoe go on their final journey together...
Romance - Chris/Hugo
A/N - Thanks for all the reviews so far! I am eternally grateful. I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well. Also, for some reason the transition from Microsoft Word to FF.net makes changes to my indentations to words and pauses in speech for the character's thoughts and sayings. So, I am sorry for that. Also, this is mainly a Chris chapter. Anyway, onward with the story!
*^^@%#*(@#
Chapter 2 - Sidetracked at Brass Castle
@&^(&^(#@*^&
At the Yaza Plains:
The fellowship of the True Rune bearers trekked onward on their horses through the plains. It did not help that there was a thunderstorm and a heavy downpour happening at that moment. What was worse was their heavy, hooded cloaks did not help them stay very dry. Three out of the four of the company, needless to say, were a bit agitated. The fourth was emotionless.
Barely heard through the rain, but somehow was, Thomas yelled "Geddoe! Maybe we should head back! The rain is too heavy!"
Chris and Hugo both agreed. This rain was too heavy to travel in, and figured it would be best to head back to Budehec.
Geddoe stopped and faced his companions.
"Why would we? We are at the point where the path divides to go to Brass Castle and Vinay Del Zexay, or to go to Mountain Hei-Tu or to the Great Hallow."
Hugo yelled to Geddoe through the heavy rain, "Which way?"
"Which way do you want?"
"Whichever way is quicker!" Hugo yelled, much to the agreement of Thomas and Chris.
"Then we're going to Brass Castle."
However, Thomas spoke up. "Hang on! I have to go to Vinay Del Zexay, to meet with the council!"
"Why didn't you tell us before!??!" Chris yelled back.
"We were going the same way, weren't we? Since you are heading to Alma Kinan, why not wait for me at Duck Village?"
Geddoe looked at the young/old castle master, then turned away. "Do what you have to do."
Chris interpreted for Thomas. "He means that we will be there."
"Alright then, I will meet you there. However, for the moment, let us advance towards our respective destinations. I believe I am catching the flu just standing here."
"Thank the Sprits someone said that."
"Yes, thank you Goddess."
"KUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"Hmph."
The party of four continued down the path.
^&*%#&^%*&#*(
After they reached the break in the path that went to either Vinay Del Zexay or Brass Castle, Thomas wished them well, and headed towards Vinay Del Zexay to meet with the still overly corrupted council.
Chris, Hugo, and Geddoe on the other hand, continued to Brass Castle.
^^#(^#(T(^^#^(&
The Three had finally reached the entrance path to the capital of Zexen, Brass Castle. However, the weather had not changed from Yaza Plains to the castle, seeing as it was still a thunderstorm/downpour.
Geddoe walked a bit ahead of the other two true rune bearers, just because he could. Also, inside, he wanted to give them a little privacy. However, he would never show it though.
That being said, Chris and Hugo walked together.
"Chris?"
"Yes?"
"Don't you feel a little nervous coming back here? I mean you did give up your post of Captain of the Zexen Knights and vanish without a trace the next morning. What if someone recognizes you?"
Chris looked up and stared at the castle, and looked like she had a look of nostalgia in her eye.
The events of that night came flooding back to her mind as they went on.
............................................................................ ................. )^&)#(*^&*@^)&*(^#@)&^@)#*&^)@(#*&^)(*#)(*^@#^)#@&^)&@#^)&#@)^#)&^#)*&^)@#*& ^)#&^)&)#^)@#&^)@&#^)@&#^@)#^)#@&^*@&^)#^)&@#^@#&^)&#@^O&@#)#@^)&*@#^@&*#^&@ #^#^&#@#@Hh(^*#^#@&^)&
It was nighttime at Brass Castle, and few people were about. Everyone however was shocked by Lady Chris' announcement that she would relinquish her position of the head of the Zexen Knights after 30 years of her glorious leadership and retire to a private life.
Mainly, the only ones active were the some members of the Seven Knights of Zexen.
Yes, seven. Salome the great strategist, Leo the strong, Borus who was still the Swordsman of Rage, Percival who was still the Swordsman of Gale, Roland the great archer (who was only rivaled by Jacques of the Twelfth Unit of the SFDF), Chris the White Maiden who bore the True Water Rune, and Louis the bold. They were the Seven Knights of Zexen.
They were getting older though.
All except for Chris.
She couldn't just stay there though. As soon as she retired, she knew she had to go. She had to disappear from the pages of history, just like her father did all those years ago.
Also, she knew the council would be after her. She had pissed them off too many times. However, she was still considered a national hero, and they couldn't do anything about it. This reason though, did not matter to her, but it was still in the back of her mind.
She concluded that disappearing was the right thing to do. However, she couldn't do it alone. She approached the oldest of the knights in the meeting room, who was currently staring out the window.
"Salome?"
The older knight turned around suddenly.
"Lady Chris?
"Salome...." She paused, then continued. She did not thought this would be so hard to say.
"Salome, I need to go away."
"You decided on that this morning. Nice speech, by the way."
"Thank you. Roland helped me prepare it." She paused once more, then continued.
"However, that was not what I was getting at though. I mean, I need to disappear. I need to vanish from history."
Salome looked in question in what she meant by "vanish". Chris knew that this would cause this type of question, so she was prepared to elaborate.
"Salome, I mean that I would leave, and never be seen here again."
"Lady Chris, have you thought this through? Where would you go?"
"To Budehec Castle, with Hugo."
"With the Flame Champion? What is it that you want me to do?"
"I need you to fabricate a story, explaining my disappearance during the ceremony for tomorrow."
"I can do that easily."
"I also want you and the other knights to see me off."
"That shall be done."
Chris turned her head toward a darker corner of the room.
"Is that alright with you Roland?"
The elven archer stepped out from the shadows. "Yes, that will be fine."
"I will go and get ready then. Please, gather the others." Chris asked and left the room.
&&*&*&*&&&*&*&*&&&&**&
Chris walked towards the western exit, with her green shirt, blue pants and orange high boots with her hair down. She looked like she did when she had left with Nash that one night.
At the exit revealed Hugo and Fubar, along with Roland, Percival, Salome, Leo, Borus, and Louis.
"Thank you all for coming. I'm sure Salome and Roland told you what is happening."
Borus was being his usual, overprotective self. "Lady Chris! Are is this what you really want to do??"
"Yes, Borus. I am positive this is the right thing to do."
She paused, then continued.
"I am sorry for doing this, however, I must do so. I asked you all out here so I can say goodbye to you all. You have given me the honor of fighting by your sides through all of these years, and for being some of the best people I have ever known."
She stopped to wipe a tear from her eye, then continued.
"It is with deep regret, that I say farewell to all of you. I wish you the best of luck in the future, and if you ever need to see me at Budehec, I would enjoy your company. However, that may not be possible for any of you. But from this point on, it is goodbye."
Leo was the first to step forward. The large man literally picked Chris up off her feet for a bear hug.
"Lady Chris, you will always be missed!" Leo said, as he tightened his grip.
Chris struggled to breathe, but she returned the hug. She looked like a child hugging her father in his arms. This also pissed Borus off, and made Hugo fall down laughing.
Louis and Roland were next. The both knelt down on one knee.
"We swore an oath to you Lady Chris. We will continue to uphold that oath to you until the Goddess welcomes us into Heaven above. Even then, we will still be loyal to you."
"Yes, Louis is right. You are our captain. Whoever fills your role is in a great shadow, even if it is one of us. You will be greatly missed."
Borus stepped forward next, and hugged her. "Thank you for your leadership, Lady Chris. I will miss you, from the bottom of my heart."
Salome was next.
"Lady Chris, it has been an honor to serve under you, to provide my strategies and wisdom unto you, and try to guide you in the right direction while serving under you. I will miss you, Lady Chris."
Chris gave Salome a hug, and kissed him on the cheek. She had always looked up to him as a father figure in her father's absence, and someone she could always depend on.
Finally, it was Percival's turn.
"Chris, It was an honor to serve under you as a knight. It was an honor to be by your side as a lover. I know my heart will be broken, but I know this is something you must do. Lady Chris, I will always love you. Just remember me" he paused, then said "Remember us."
"Always, Percival."
She kissed him on his lips once more, and stepped back. She took one last look at the six, and turned to Hugo and Fubar.
"Let's go."
#&^(&#^$(^@(#&^@#(&^@#(*&@#
"That was so long ago, I almost feel as if I am betraying them just returning here."
"I'm sure that they would be glad that you have returned, that is, if they are still alive."
"From the rumors going around, it seems that Leo is the only one still surviving. The rest passed away from old age, or illness."
"You will visit him?" Hugo asked.
"Yes, I will. I will also go to the grave site of the others, I will honor them."
"I will come with you." Geddoe replied, and continued. "I will honor my old friend."
Hugo struggled to figure out whom Geddoe was talking about, but Chris knew right off the bat of who he was talking about.
"Yes, You and Salome were close, weren't you?"
"As close as a mercenary and a knight could get, honestly. He was one of those people I could trust."
Knowing Geddoe, Chris took this as a compliment for her fellow knight. Geddoe doesn't normally trust very many people. This was a compliment of the highest calibur.
"Alright then, we will visit the gravesite of the Knights of Zexen, and visit Leo, so let's get out of this rain!" Hugo summed up as they entered the castle. However, they made sure their hoods covered the majority of their faces, but still allowed them to see what was ahead of them.
&&&&&&&&
The three checked Fubar into one of the stables. Geddoe and Chris headed off to the castle, ready to get their room. Hugo had to catch up to Chris and Geddoe, since he had to give specific instructions to the stable boys for Fubar's care.
They got their rooms within the castle, and were quite thankful no one recognized them. However, they were getting curious glances, considering they still had their hooded capes on.
Geddoe and Hugo said they would leave Chris to find Leo. They would meet her to go to the gravesite, is what they told her.
So Chris headed off, moving past the residents and visitors alike. She knew this place like the back of her hand, so she knew where to go for information in this place. She headed towards the armory, where the bujuetsu teacher was.
&#&#&#&#&#&#&#&#&
"Well, what can I help you improve mysterious traveler? The skills of the knights may help you on your journey"
"Actually, I am just looking for someone."
"Oh? Who are you looking for?"
"Leo, of the Zexen Knights?"
The teacher gave a hearty laugh, much to Chris' chagrin.
"Old Leo never sees anyone but his nurse and the Grim Reaper himself! What makes you think he will see you?"
"I'm an old friend of his, he would know me."
"Old friend? You're no older than 21!" Chris moved her right hand into her pocket as a reflex, knowing what was there was the reason for her eternal youth. This action however, went unnoticed.
"Please, allow me to see him."
The teacher caved in. "You can go see him, but if he kicks you out, don't blame me. He is up those stairs, down the hall, and in the room on your left."
"Thank you." Chris said. She walked away towards Leo's room.
&&##&#&&#&#
Chris, upon reaching Leo's room, knocked gently on the door. What she received was a less than gentle reception.
"NO! FOR THE LAST TIME, I WILL NOT GO TO SEE YOUR BOSS LANDIS! COME IN HERE AND I WILL CHOP OFF YOUR DEMONIC HEAD AND MOUNT IT ON MY WALL!"
Chris laughed slightly, "So it was true. Leo has had visits from Death himself. He always was a survivor."
She entered the room quietly, and shut the door behind her. The room was lit with 3 candles and a window. There was a disheveled bed, a table with a small bookshelf filled with books, a very comfortable looking set of chairs around it, and a large, slightly muscular elderly man swinging a giant axe at her.
Chris quickly drew her weapon and blocked the axe. The large man quickly realized it was not Landis and withdrew his axe.
"Forgive me, I have been haunted by death recently. However, that is no excuse for my actions. Please forgive me."
"It is alright Leo, I am unharmed."
This voice caught Leo as familiar, however he could not pinpoint it.
"You sound like someone I have known long ago, could you tell me your name, young maiden?"
"How can you have forgotten your captain from all those years ago?"
Leo then looked like he had seen a ghost, and then had been overcome by joy. He knew then it was her.
"LADY CHRIS!!!!" He went up to her, and gave her the big bear hug. His strength had faded in his years, due to old age, but he had still been able to lift her off the ground in his hug.
Just like that day when she left, she could not breathe, but hugged back.
Leo soon put her down and invited her to sit with him at his table. She accepted, naturally.
"Lady Chris, I still cannot believe it is you! You look like you have not aged a day! So those are the effects of a True Rune. Anyway, It is wonderful to see you! We have all missed you so much."
"I missed all of you too, Leo. It has been a long time since I have seen all of you."
"Yes, it has. Unfortunately, I am sure you have heard that the others are now with the Goddess."
"Yes, I have heard that rumor."
"Yes, it seems I am next, but I am holding out. It was a promise we all had made, that at least one of us will stay alive until we can see you one last time. It is not important at the moment, really."
Leo looked upwards for a moment. "And now that promise has been fulfilled."
He looked at her again, and smiled. "But that is small talk for the moment. How have you been all these years, Lady Chris?"
"It has been hard Leo, I will not lie to you. Seeing all those close to me pass on from illness, old age, or battle. All the while I know I can never pass on myself. It has been very hard for me. However, Hugo and I have, well, recently gotten close." She blushed while saying that last part.
Leo's eyes sort of bulged. "Lady Chris! You, and the Flame Champion?!?!?!?!"
"Yes, After Percival and Lilly passed on, we were two lonely hearts looking for someone to console us. Unfortunately, Geddoe was not available to console either of us, and we found each other. One thing led to another, and then we found ourselves in love."
Leo smiled. "A far better story than mine, Lady Chris. My relationship with Lady Viki ended when she, well, teleported one day and I haven't seen her since. I have grown old, as you can see. It crushed me when my comrades fell to age one by one. Louis fell with an incurable illness, but fought on until the end. I, as you can see, am the sole survivor. My strength has all but left me, and age has not been kind to me. I fight the urge to pass on each day, and have dealt with The Grim Reaper myself. I have tended to become reclusive, and very solitary. I go out once in a while to visit the gravesite of the others to say hello. I see them all there peaceful, Lady Chris. It hurts me so. Every time I am there, I notice my stone along with the others, however, that one is empty as you can see. Yours is also empty, Lady Chris. But that is a close kept secret."
"I never knew it was so hard for you Leo." "I think you are the one who has it tougher, Lady Chris. I will soon parish. You will continue living on in this world. You will have to deal with the change that is happening in this world. You must adapt with the change, while I will join the others in Eternity."
Leo then looked at her with some sort of intent on his face. "Lady Chris, would you like to visit the gravesite of Percival and the others?"
"Yes, after I was done here, I was going to visit them with Hugo and Geddoe."
"I will go with you. I need some fresh air anyway. Raining or not."
Chris smiled. "Thank you, Leo. It will be an honor for you to accompany us."
"Alright, let me grab my cloak and my walking stick, and I will be with you."
Leo grabbed a large, red hooded cloak from his walking closet, and his axe, which doubled as his "walking stick". He then turned to Chris, and smiled.
"Let us be off."
With that, they both exited his room. They both headed off to the inn, to pick up Hugo and Geddoe for their visit to the gravesite.
&^&^@#&^#(*^!(*&^@(*&^*(@^(*&^(*@&^(@#&^
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for Chapter 3! Please Review!
By Slim Gohan
Disclaimers - I don't own it. I'm sure you know that though but I wish I did own it though. I would be a rich person.
Summary - 70 years after the Second Flame Champion Wars, crisis and Yuber rises once more. Hugo, Chris Lightfellow and Geddoe go on their final journey together...
Romance - Chris/Hugo
A/N - Thanks for all the reviews so far! I am eternally grateful. I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well. Also, for some reason the transition from Microsoft Word to FF.net makes changes to my indentations to words and pauses in speech for the character's thoughts and sayings. So, I am sorry for that. Also, this is mainly a Chris chapter. Anyway, onward with the story!
*^^@%#*(@#
Chapter 2 - Sidetracked at Brass Castle
@&^(&^(#@*^&
At the Yaza Plains:
The fellowship of the True Rune bearers trekked onward on their horses through the plains. It did not help that there was a thunderstorm and a heavy downpour happening at that moment. What was worse was their heavy, hooded cloaks did not help them stay very dry. Three out of the four of the company, needless to say, were a bit agitated. The fourth was emotionless.
Barely heard through the rain, but somehow was, Thomas yelled "Geddoe! Maybe we should head back! The rain is too heavy!"
Chris and Hugo both agreed. This rain was too heavy to travel in, and figured it would be best to head back to Budehec.
Geddoe stopped and faced his companions.
"Why would we? We are at the point where the path divides to go to Brass Castle and Vinay Del Zexay, or to go to Mountain Hei-Tu or to the Great Hallow."
Hugo yelled to Geddoe through the heavy rain, "Which way?"
"Which way do you want?"
"Whichever way is quicker!" Hugo yelled, much to the agreement of Thomas and Chris.
"Then we're going to Brass Castle."
However, Thomas spoke up. "Hang on! I have to go to Vinay Del Zexay, to meet with the council!"
"Why didn't you tell us before!??!" Chris yelled back.
"We were going the same way, weren't we? Since you are heading to Alma Kinan, why not wait for me at Duck Village?"
Geddoe looked at the young/old castle master, then turned away. "Do what you have to do."
Chris interpreted for Thomas. "He means that we will be there."
"Alright then, I will meet you there. However, for the moment, let us advance towards our respective destinations. I believe I am catching the flu just standing here."
"Thank the Sprits someone said that."
"Yes, thank you Goddess."
"KUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"Hmph."
The party of four continued down the path.
^&*%#&^%*&#*(
After they reached the break in the path that went to either Vinay Del Zexay or Brass Castle, Thomas wished them well, and headed towards Vinay Del Zexay to meet with the still overly corrupted council.
Chris, Hugo, and Geddoe on the other hand, continued to Brass Castle.
^^#(^#(T(^^#^(&
The Three had finally reached the entrance path to the capital of Zexen, Brass Castle. However, the weather had not changed from Yaza Plains to the castle, seeing as it was still a thunderstorm/downpour.
Geddoe walked a bit ahead of the other two true rune bearers, just because he could. Also, inside, he wanted to give them a little privacy. However, he would never show it though.
That being said, Chris and Hugo walked together.
"Chris?"
"Yes?"
"Don't you feel a little nervous coming back here? I mean you did give up your post of Captain of the Zexen Knights and vanish without a trace the next morning. What if someone recognizes you?"
Chris looked up and stared at the castle, and looked like she had a look of nostalgia in her eye.
The events of that night came flooding back to her mind as they went on.
............................................................................ ................. )^&)#(*^&*@^)&*(^#@)&^@)#*&^)@(#*&^)(*#)(*^@#^)#@&^)&@#^)&#@)^#)&^#)*&^)@#*& ^)#&^)&)#^)@#&^)@&#^)@&#^@)#^)#@&^*@&^)#^)&@#^@#&^)&#@^O&@#)#@^)&*@#^@&*#^&@ #^#^&#@#@Hh(^*#^#@&^)&
It was nighttime at Brass Castle, and few people were about. Everyone however was shocked by Lady Chris' announcement that she would relinquish her position of the head of the Zexen Knights after 30 years of her glorious leadership and retire to a private life.
Mainly, the only ones active were the some members of the Seven Knights of Zexen.
Yes, seven. Salome the great strategist, Leo the strong, Borus who was still the Swordsman of Rage, Percival who was still the Swordsman of Gale, Roland the great archer (who was only rivaled by Jacques of the Twelfth Unit of the SFDF), Chris the White Maiden who bore the True Water Rune, and Louis the bold. They were the Seven Knights of Zexen.
They were getting older though.
All except for Chris.
She couldn't just stay there though. As soon as she retired, she knew she had to go. She had to disappear from the pages of history, just like her father did all those years ago.
Also, she knew the council would be after her. She had pissed them off too many times. However, she was still considered a national hero, and they couldn't do anything about it. This reason though, did not matter to her, but it was still in the back of her mind.
She concluded that disappearing was the right thing to do. However, she couldn't do it alone. She approached the oldest of the knights in the meeting room, who was currently staring out the window.
"Salome?"
The older knight turned around suddenly.
"Lady Chris?
"Salome...." She paused, then continued. She did not thought this would be so hard to say.
"Salome, I need to go away."
"You decided on that this morning. Nice speech, by the way."
"Thank you. Roland helped me prepare it." She paused once more, then continued.
"However, that was not what I was getting at though. I mean, I need to disappear. I need to vanish from history."
Salome looked in question in what she meant by "vanish". Chris knew that this would cause this type of question, so she was prepared to elaborate.
"Salome, I mean that I would leave, and never be seen here again."
"Lady Chris, have you thought this through? Where would you go?"
"To Budehec Castle, with Hugo."
"With the Flame Champion? What is it that you want me to do?"
"I need you to fabricate a story, explaining my disappearance during the ceremony for tomorrow."
"I can do that easily."
"I also want you and the other knights to see me off."
"That shall be done."
Chris turned her head toward a darker corner of the room.
"Is that alright with you Roland?"
The elven archer stepped out from the shadows. "Yes, that will be fine."
"I will go and get ready then. Please, gather the others." Chris asked and left the room.
&&*&*&*&&&*&*&*&&&&**&
Chris walked towards the western exit, with her green shirt, blue pants and orange high boots with her hair down. She looked like she did when she had left with Nash that one night.
At the exit revealed Hugo and Fubar, along with Roland, Percival, Salome, Leo, Borus, and Louis.
"Thank you all for coming. I'm sure Salome and Roland told you what is happening."
Borus was being his usual, overprotective self. "Lady Chris! Are is this what you really want to do??"
"Yes, Borus. I am positive this is the right thing to do."
She paused, then continued.
"I am sorry for doing this, however, I must do so. I asked you all out here so I can say goodbye to you all. You have given me the honor of fighting by your sides through all of these years, and for being some of the best people I have ever known."
She stopped to wipe a tear from her eye, then continued.
"It is with deep regret, that I say farewell to all of you. I wish you the best of luck in the future, and if you ever need to see me at Budehec, I would enjoy your company. However, that may not be possible for any of you. But from this point on, it is goodbye."
Leo was the first to step forward. The large man literally picked Chris up off her feet for a bear hug.
"Lady Chris, you will always be missed!" Leo said, as he tightened his grip.
Chris struggled to breathe, but she returned the hug. She looked like a child hugging her father in his arms. This also pissed Borus off, and made Hugo fall down laughing.
Louis and Roland were next. The both knelt down on one knee.
"We swore an oath to you Lady Chris. We will continue to uphold that oath to you until the Goddess welcomes us into Heaven above. Even then, we will still be loyal to you."
"Yes, Louis is right. You are our captain. Whoever fills your role is in a great shadow, even if it is one of us. You will be greatly missed."
Borus stepped forward next, and hugged her. "Thank you for your leadership, Lady Chris. I will miss you, from the bottom of my heart."
Salome was next.
"Lady Chris, it has been an honor to serve under you, to provide my strategies and wisdom unto you, and try to guide you in the right direction while serving under you. I will miss you, Lady Chris."
Chris gave Salome a hug, and kissed him on the cheek. She had always looked up to him as a father figure in her father's absence, and someone she could always depend on.
Finally, it was Percival's turn.
"Chris, It was an honor to serve under you as a knight. It was an honor to be by your side as a lover. I know my heart will be broken, but I know this is something you must do. Lady Chris, I will always love you. Just remember me" he paused, then said "Remember us."
"Always, Percival."
She kissed him on his lips once more, and stepped back. She took one last look at the six, and turned to Hugo and Fubar.
"Let's go."
#&^(&#^$(^@(#&^@#(&^@#(*&@#
"That was so long ago, I almost feel as if I am betraying them just returning here."
"I'm sure that they would be glad that you have returned, that is, if they are still alive."
"From the rumors going around, it seems that Leo is the only one still surviving. The rest passed away from old age, or illness."
"You will visit him?" Hugo asked.
"Yes, I will. I will also go to the grave site of the others, I will honor them."
"I will come with you." Geddoe replied, and continued. "I will honor my old friend."
Hugo struggled to figure out whom Geddoe was talking about, but Chris knew right off the bat of who he was talking about.
"Yes, You and Salome were close, weren't you?"
"As close as a mercenary and a knight could get, honestly. He was one of those people I could trust."
Knowing Geddoe, Chris took this as a compliment for her fellow knight. Geddoe doesn't normally trust very many people. This was a compliment of the highest calibur.
"Alright then, we will visit the gravesite of the Knights of Zexen, and visit Leo, so let's get out of this rain!" Hugo summed up as they entered the castle. However, they made sure their hoods covered the majority of their faces, but still allowed them to see what was ahead of them.
&&&&&&&&
The three checked Fubar into one of the stables. Geddoe and Chris headed off to the castle, ready to get their room. Hugo had to catch up to Chris and Geddoe, since he had to give specific instructions to the stable boys for Fubar's care.
They got their rooms within the castle, and were quite thankful no one recognized them. However, they were getting curious glances, considering they still had their hooded capes on.
Geddoe and Hugo said they would leave Chris to find Leo. They would meet her to go to the gravesite, is what they told her.
So Chris headed off, moving past the residents and visitors alike. She knew this place like the back of her hand, so she knew where to go for information in this place. She headed towards the armory, where the bujuetsu teacher was.
&#&#&#&#&#&#&#&#&
"Well, what can I help you improve mysterious traveler? The skills of the knights may help you on your journey"
"Actually, I am just looking for someone."
"Oh? Who are you looking for?"
"Leo, of the Zexen Knights?"
The teacher gave a hearty laugh, much to Chris' chagrin.
"Old Leo never sees anyone but his nurse and the Grim Reaper himself! What makes you think he will see you?"
"I'm an old friend of his, he would know me."
"Old friend? You're no older than 21!" Chris moved her right hand into her pocket as a reflex, knowing what was there was the reason for her eternal youth. This action however, went unnoticed.
"Please, allow me to see him."
The teacher caved in. "You can go see him, but if he kicks you out, don't blame me. He is up those stairs, down the hall, and in the room on your left."
"Thank you." Chris said. She walked away towards Leo's room.
&&##&#&&#&#
Chris, upon reaching Leo's room, knocked gently on the door. What she received was a less than gentle reception.
"NO! FOR THE LAST TIME, I WILL NOT GO TO SEE YOUR BOSS LANDIS! COME IN HERE AND I WILL CHOP OFF YOUR DEMONIC HEAD AND MOUNT IT ON MY WALL!"
Chris laughed slightly, "So it was true. Leo has had visits from Death himself. He always was a survivor."
She entered the room quietly, and shut the door behind her. The room was lit with 3 candles and a window. There was a disheveled bed, a table with a small bookshelf filled with books, a very comfortable looking set of chairs around it, and a large, slightly muscular elderly man swinging a giant axe at her.
Chris quickly drew her weapon and blocked the axe. The large man quickly realized it was not Landis and withdrew his axe.
"Forgive me, I have been haunted by death recently. However, that is no excuse for my actions. Please forgive me."
"It is alright Leo, I am unharmed."
This voice caught Leo as familiar, however he could not pinpoint it.
"You sound like someone I have known long ago, could you tell me your name, young maiden?"
"How can you have forgotten your captain from all those years ago?"
Leo then looked like he had seen a ghost, and then had been overcome by joy. He knew then it was her.
"LADY CHRIS!!!!" He went up to her, and gave her the big bear hug. His strength had faded in his years, due to old age, but he had still been able to lift her off the ground in his hug.
Just like that day when she left, she could not breathe, but hugged back.
Leo soon put her down and invited her to sit with him at his table. She accepted, naturally.
"Lady Chris, I still cannot believe it is you! You look like you have not aged a day! So those are the effects of a True Rune. Anyway, It is wonderful to see you! We have all missed you so much."
"I missed all of you too, Leo. It has been a long time since I have seen all of you."
"Yes, it has. Unfortunately, I am sure you have heard that the others are now with the Goddess."
"Yes, I have heard that rumor."
"Yes, it seems I am next, but I am holding out. It was a promise we all had made, that at least one of us will stay alive until we can see you one last time. It is not important at the moment, really."
Leo looked upwards for a moment. "And now that promise has been fulfilled."
He looked at her again, and smiled. "But that is small talk for the moment. How have you been all these years, Lady Chris?"
"It has been hard Leo, I will not lie to you. Seeing all those close to me pass on from illness, old age, or battle. All the while I know I can never pass on myself. It has been very hard for me. However, Hugo and I have, well, recently gotten close." She blushed while saying that last part.
Leo's eyes sort of bulged. "Lady Chris! You, and the Flame Champion?!?!?!?!"
"Yes, After Percival and Lilly passed on, we were two lonely hearts looking for someone to console us. Unfortunately, Geddoe was not available to console either of us, and we found each other. One thing led to another, and then we found ourselves in love."
Leo smiled. "A far better story than mine, Lady Chris. My relationship with Lady Viki ended when she, well, teleported one day and I haven't seen her since. I have grown old, as you can see. It crushed me when my comrades fell to age one by one. Louis fell with an incurable illness, but fought on until the end. I, as you can see, am the sole survivor. My strength has all but left me, and age has not been kind to me. I fight the urge to pass on each day, and have dealt with The Grim Reaper myself. I have tended to become reclusive, and very solitary. I go out once in a while to visit the gravesite of the others to say hello. I see them all there peaceful, Lady Chris. It hurts me so. Every time I am there, I notice my stone along with the others, however, that one is empty as you can see. Yours is also empty, Lady Chris. But that is a close kept secret."
"I never knew it was so hard for you Leo." "I think you are the one who has it tougher, Lady Chris. I will soon parish. You will continue living on in this world. You will have to deal with the change that is happening in this world. You must adapt with the change, while I will join the others in Eternity."
Leo then looked at her with some sort of intent on his face. "Lady Chris, would you like to visit the gravesite of Percival and the others?"
"Yes, after I was done here, I was going to visit them with Hugo and Geddoe."
"I will go with you. I need some fresh air anyway. Raining or not."
Chris smiled. "Thank you, Leo. It will be an honor for you to accompany us."
"Alright, let me grab my cloak and my walking stick, and I will be with you."
Leo grabbed a large, red hooded cloak from his walking closet, and his axe, which doubled as his "walking stick". He then turned to Chris, and smiled.
"Let us be off."
With that, they both exited his room. They both headed off to the inn, to pick up Hugo and Geddoe for their visit to the gravesite.
&^&^@#&^#(*^!(*&^@(*&^*(@^(*&^(*@&^(@#&^
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for Chapter 3! Please Review!