by Ellone Leonhart-Loire
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-----
Kid
I slept again in the middle of our voyage. Luckily the brightness
of the sun and the sweet sound of Orlha's voice woke me up. Korcha said
that we were almost near Termina, and it was important for me to prepare myself
right when I finally get to meet Serge and all our old friends. I just
hope that he would still remember me despite of what Schala said in the end
of the final battle against the Devourer of Time. But I should believe
that he would still remember, after all, the shaman said that this mysterious
pendant around my neck--- the Chrono Cross--- sings the harmony of unity.
Both worlds have become one. All these elements have become one.
Everything--- humans, demi-humans, and nature--- have united. Therefore,
this Chrono Cross should unite Serge and I together...
I wonder how he was, I wondered. I just hope he is living well and happy
at this brand-new life in a brand-new united world.
"CHA! Up ahead!" Korcha called as he continued to row our boat.
"TERMINA AHOY!"
Orlha and I carefully crawled to the front and stood up so we can have a clear
view of the shore. "OIIIII! TERMINA AHOY!" I shouted with glee.
"WE'LL FINALLY GET TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, MATE!"
"What a beautiful place!" Orlha gasped with a smile on her face. "It's
rare do I get to visit this place but the view from here is so beautiful!"
"Once Serge and I reunite again, things are surely gonna change," I told the
both of them. Orlha turned to me and smiled. She tapped me on the
shoulder, giving me a signal that she wanted to have some girl talk. I
sat along with her and further from Korcha, just so this conversation can be
private.
"You know, Kid," Orlha spoke with a shy smile on her face. "I'm beginning
to envy you."
"Envy me? Oi, Orlha, don't..." I answered her. Personally I never
really liked being envied by other people. I am just who I really am.
"You kick a lot of arse too, Orlha, probably even more than me!"
Orlha chuckled. "No, I don't mean physical-wise... I meant..." She paused
for a few seconds then suddenly blushed. "Well..."
I glanced at Orlha's shy remark at this conversation. What was she trying
to tell me...? "Kid, you know... the reason why I envy you so much is
because... well..." Orlha turned her head out to the sea and continued: "You
and I both have some things in common. You lost your family in your orphanage...
as well as I have lost my sister Tia. But you... you have someone so special
whom you can finally turn to after so many years of being alone... while I..."
She blushed once more. Now I knew what she was trying to say.
"You're hopin' for a mate of yer own, Orlha?" Orlha suddenly hushed at me and
whispered.
"I feel somewhat ashamed... I thought I would get by life on my own... but after
witnessing and realizing your love for Serge, I..." she scratched her head in
shyness, "... maybe I too should... find someone myself... of course, someone
near my age and someone who is as gentle, as sweet, as strong, and as brave
as Serge... you know?"
I nodded and placed my arm around her. "Oi, Orlha, I'm sure we'll find somebody
perfect for ya. I mean, look at ya! Ya look like a princess... probably
even look better than me! I betcha every single handsome bloke won't ever
keep their eyes offa ya!"
Orlha chuckled and hushed: "Stop that, Kid... I feel embarrassed now!"
We both giggled when Korcha turned his head towards us: "We're here, ladies!"
We both moved forward next to Korcha to see the shores of Termina close by.
Right when the boat immediately touched the wet sand, Orlha and I jumped off
the boat and ran towards land. Korcha called us from behind: "HEY!
WAIT UP, WOULDCHA?!"
I dashed right towards the familiar structure standing nearby the shore.
Suddenly it just came to my mind. This was the Termina shrine--- the burial
site of the deceased Acacia Dragoons and the town's people. This brought
back memories to me. It was the first time that Serge and I encountered
Sir Glenn and Lady Riddel Viper when they visited the grave of both Grandmaster
Garai and Grandmaster Dario--- Glenn's father and brother. We were the
only ones who had a bellflower for them to continue their ceremony and Serge
gave the flower to Glenn. It was a tragic sight, but as the saying goes,
life goes on.
"This place seemed to have changed somehow," I thought to myself, looking around
the whole shrine area. "I felt as if I ain't been here for years now!"
Korcha finally docked his boat against the shore as he stood right next to me.
"Naah.. nothin' much changed, CHA know... 'cept that the Porre soldiers are
stationed here now, but the Acacia Dragoons still rule Termina."
"Welp, now that we're here," I said, still scanning around the shrine area,
"let's head out to town!"
We climbed up the stairs after leaving the shrine area and ended up at the shopping
bazaar area of town. Things still looked the same from the last time I
remembered--- the fortune teller, the Viper Churro vendor--- every single booth
I can remember. The first thing that we approached was the artist's booth.
I remember the first time we approached him. He painted me my own portrait.
It looked so beautiful and so real, almost like a photograph. Orlha was
enthralled by the artist's skills that she decided to have a painting of herself
as well.
"For such rare beauty as you, this will be my treat, dear lady," the artist
humbly spoke to Orlha. Orlha blushed a bit and sat down on the seat, where
the artist can see her while he performs his skills. She strutted her
usual sweet, perky smile as Korcha and I waited. Right while we were watching
the artist's hands move on his easel, I took a glimpse of a familiar young figure
heading this way. He was carrying two gallon bottles of blue paint.
I waited till he approached closer towards our direction.
"Korcha," I tapped on to his shoulder. "Is that... who I think... it..
is...?"
Korcha stood there, staring at the figure coming this way. Right before
he can answer, the figure already arrived to the booth. The figure brought
the bottles of blue paint and spoke: "Welp, here's today's supply of my father's
El Nido blue!"
El Nido Blue?! I thought to myself. I knew that the only person
in my whole lifetime who would ever mention that special product was a young
painter prodigy searching for hope for his father and himself in looking for
a home. I decided to step up to the young lad with the glasses and wondered:
"Van...?"
The young lad looked up and glanced right at me. He did not have any type
of emotion at all, but only a reaction of wonder. He approached right
towards me and looked at me with curious eyes: "H-how'd you know... my name...?"
I signaled the young lad so we can talk in private. Korcha was about to
follow, but I told him to stay along with Orlha. The lad followed me and
we started a small conversation at the railing of the bridge overlooking the
river. Again, he asked: "Seriously, how'd you know my name? I've
never met a single girl ever in my life!"
I hushed the young lad and spoke: "Don't ya remember me, Van? It's me,
Kid! Ya remember Serge? Terra Tower and the Time Devourer and---"
"Whoa, whoa, slow down, lady!" Van hushed right at me as he looked around.
He tiptoed to whisper on my ear and said: "Don't talk about it in public...
everybody here thinks I'm a weirdo..."
I blinked in confusion, wondering what he meant by that. We were silent
for a bit, then he said, "Uhh... wanna come over to my place... for a bit?"
"Er, sure..." I shrugged and decided to follow Van from behind. Although
he did not seem to remember who I am, it seemed as if he may be recalling some
memories of his own. We passed by the artist's booth where he was still
working on Orlha's portrait and told them about my visit to Van's place.
They both nodded, as Van and I made our way to his place.
There was something different about this house, I thought to myself. I
remembered back when there were two different worlds. In my world, Van
was an insecure yet lonely wealthy son of a former painter-turned-businessman
and also had the ambition of becoming a great painter. In Serge's world,
Van and his father Gogh were struggling painter-would-bes who were in trouble
of losing their home due to poverty. In this brand-new united world, Van
and his father were living a simple yet aspiring life. Their house was
neither a manor, nor a shack. It was a standard-looking house where they
both may still not be wealthy, but both were somewhat happy.
Van took me inside the house and invited me to sit at their very small yet cozy
living room. There were no servants, but the place was more or less roomy.
"Do you want anything? Like refreshments and stuff?" Van asked, scratching
his head shyly.
"It's all good, Van... ya don't need to serve me."
Van shrugged and sat down on a seat near me. He started speaking: "Things
changed in my lifetime ever since. I don't even remember what happened
the last time, but the second I woke up the next day, all my surroundings in
this place were a lot better than we used to live." He lowered down his
head and stared on the ground. "At least we've got a place to live and
some money to get us by."
This gave me the impression that this Van was the Van who lived in Serge's world.
"I'm bloody glad ya saved yer home from that pesky rent collector!"
"It was all because of HIS help. I'm glad he let me come with him and
find that mystical Frozen Flame so my dad and I can have a place to live." He
sighed deeply. "That was the only thing that I remembered. It was
me and HIM... he treated me like a little brother rather than an annoying brat..."
I knew right away on who he was talking about. I sighed deeply, actually
feeling the emptiness that this young lad had experienced. "We're here
to look for Serge, Van... have you seen him come by here in Termina?"
Van turned to me with curious eyes: "You know HIM?" I nodded and told
him the whole story of who I was and my involvement with him. He gasped
in surprise: "Oh! I'm sorry... I'm sorry that I lost my memory of you,
Kid... I don't know, things happened really quick like that, you know?
You were his.... umm..." He blinked in confusion, "well... um... aren't you...?"
I turned away and murmured: "Yeah right... maybe I was just imagining things."
"If you're looking for him, Kid... I haven't seen him since... I don't remember..."
Van placed his hand on his forehead, thinking. "I don't know... the next
thing I knew, he disappeared..."
"We're going to Arni next," I answered and rested my head against the cozy couch.
"The reason why we stopped by here so we can rest and maybe buy more new things
before we head off to the next place. And besides, Termina's the nearest
place where there's people and homes from Guldove. We'll surely find him..."
"You won't find him in Arni either... well... not that much..." Van murmured.
I turned to him and wondered how he knew this. "My dad and I have been
earning our living selling all our paintings and my dad's own El Nido Blue paint
around this main island. We go around everywhere including Arni.
I've been there lots of times and I always asked the folks there where he was.
They told me that he goes out of the village a lot but none of them even know
what he usually does outside the village. Many say he's become an adventurer
or something, exploring the wonders around the islands and stuff. Some
others say he's been sailing around to fish for the rarest fish in all of El
Nido or something like that..."
"Have ya seen him... at least once?" Van shook his head.
"I even asked his mom but she doesn't know me, so she doesn't really trust me
or anybody else she doesn't know who come up to her and ask her about her son.
She said that there's too many people who had been looking for him, and she
was nervous. I wonder if he even knew about this fact... I don't know..."
I paused for a bit, thinking deeply. Who else do we know in Arni other
than Serge himself...? "Ah! Did you visit the village chief?
I'm sure Chief Radius should know something about him, Van..."
Van shook his head. "Chief Radius isn't chief anymore, Kid. He retired
and some other guy named Gonji took over. I dunno where he lives now but
he's not the village chief anymore." He could be in Hermit's Hideaway...
maybe Serge would be there--- or had been there at least.
"What about his friend... the girl next door what's-her-face...?" I personally
remembered Serge's friend, Leena, who seemed to also had an interest in him.
She and I hardly got along well, probably because she saw me as competition
for Serge's love. But then again, there were too many girls who hung out
with Serge's party who did not really like me. Maybe because I was closer
to Serge than any one of them. I knew him better than anyone else including
Leena. Right at the moment I hoped that nothing happened between
her and Serge and that they ...
"You mean Leena, Kid?" Van asked. "She's always mad all the time everytime
I ask her about him. I can barely even get along with her. I mean
she's nice and everything but she refused to talk to anybody else about him.
I don't think he can be that bad of a person..."
I looked down at first, trying to think. What if we do get Leena to help us
out in finding Serge? No, she would not do that. She was, after all, one of
the women seeking to win Serge's love. She would never cooperate with me. She
hated my guts. Oh well...
Then again, this whole thing sure did not make sense at all. I thought that
all we had to do was to head out to Arni and look for him? What has Serge been
doing all this time in this brand-new world? Did he decide to become a fisherman
or a sailor just like his late father? I sighed deeply, already feeling that
Serge may have probably moved on with his life and really did completely forgot
about me and all his friends and all the adventures and quests that we had spent
together.
I looked down on the Chrono Cross pendant around my neck. Why was it not responding?
I thought the shaman said to just follow what the Chrono Cross tells me when
it reacts?
"I can go with you if you want, Kid..." Van suddenly answered from
silence. I lifted my head slowly and turned to him. "I think I may be able
to help you find him. Of course, I can't keep promises, but..." He stood
up and stared right outside the front window. "I really miss my dad. He's
been gone in awhile now..."
"Where's your pop, Van?"
"I don't know..." Van lowered his head and curled himself up on the
couch. "I felt like... I don't know, it was really weird. All of a sudden
we were getting successful in selling all our paintings... then he just told
me, 'I need to go out to the world and search for an inspiration'... then he
just left. I've been stuck here since I can remember... I really need to go
out and sell my paintings. My dad and I always go together around El Nido selling
our paintings and our El Nido Blue paint, but now he left me to go and serach
for his 'inspiration'--- whatever that is."
"Why didn't you go with him?"
"Because I already have my inspiration..." Van gave me a smile, looking
proud to answer my question. "I have a big collection of paintings I made
in my room... wanna see?"
I nodded and followed him to his room. Right when I entered, the whole room
was entirely covered with so many paintings. There was an easel with an unfinished
piece of art standing right next to his window. I looked at all of his paintings
and right at first glimpse, all of them completely touched my heart. All of
these paintings were basically the scenes of all our adventures together. In
fact, his main favorite subject, judging from all his paintings, turned out
to be...
"He's my hero, Kid... he always has been," Van sighed in bliss. "I
wish I was as tough and brave and adventurous as he... but as you can see, I'm
just another kid who dreams a lot of becoming big someday."
I patted him from behind. "Aw, don't feel glum now, chum! Your dreams will
come true if ya worked hard enough to make it come true!"
"He's... my... inspiration... Kid..." I turned to him with a smile,
as Van returned the same smile as well. He turned to his finished paintings
and stood there smiling proud. "His story needs to be told all over El
Nido... the whole world must know how much he deserves to be recognized--- all
the things he had accomplished and all the things that he had done to save the
world! I don't just want to be a famous painter, but I want to be a good storyteller
to through my paintings! I want to show the whole world how much pride I've
got to be a close friend of the legendary Chrono Trigger!"
Right at the moment, he and I suddenly embraced each other. We both knew how
much we missed the Chrono Trigger in our lives. It looked like Van had already
made his mind. "I'm going with you, Kid! I want to go with you and look
for him! I want to see him again!"
"Then let's go, Van!" I exclaimed happily.
Van started to place all his paintings in a huge bag carefully one by one. "I'm
going to bring my paintings if that's okay with you... maybe I can sell some...
or rather... maybe my paintings would help him recall all his memories!"
"We're going to Arni, Van... I don't care if we don't find him there---
I want to go to Arni--- and maybe there we can get some clues as to where we
can find Serge!"
Van nodded in agreement. I went ahead and helped him out with his paintings.
This time, we were going to have an extra company to join our party.
Serge
"We're going to Guldove for the Shaman's blessing first," Dario
announced to everyone while we were already out sailing in the middle of nowhere.
There was no land found in any of our area yet, but ever since we sailed off
from the Viper Manor, everything was smooth and clean. I missed Leena
right after we said our goodbyes to each other, but other than that, I did not
feel any guilt at all for leaving her behind and travelling on this trip to
help train Glenn for the upcoming tournament.
I turned my head from the ocean gazing and paid attention to the small meeting
that Dario was presenting. It was basically about how we were going to
aid Glenn through his training for the World Jousting Tournament. I remember
hearing these childhood stories from Glenn when he, Dario, and Karsh used to
compete in these kinds of knighthood tournaments. He would win prizes
and awards, but never the best among the best, for his older brother held those
titles practically every tournament they held here in El Nido. But this
time, Dario was not going to compete. Neither will Karsh. Maybe
they decided to retire from these tournaments, since they have somewhat aged
in some way or they just want to support Glenn all the way.
"We shall train in these particular spots: Hermit's Hideaway with Chief Radius,
Marbule, Hydra Marshes, then the Shadow Forest. From there, we head back
to the Viper Manor to rest, then we shall head our way to Platoon's Point for
the tournament. In that way, we will be able to pick up the General, Riddel,
or any other guests that you may all want to bring," Dario continued on with
the meeting.
Leena, I had my first thought in mind right when Dario mentioned that.
I did promise Leena that I would come back for her, and she did want to watch
the tournament as well. Speaking of that, I was certain that Lisa would
want to come along as well. It was not because Leena was going, but the
fact that the man that she has a huge crush inside was going to compete.
She would want to see her hero win the tournament. It was too bad that
Glenn did not seem to have any interest in Lisa or with romance by itself.
He was a noble knight, after all.
"... that is what the itinerary has written," Dario finished the lecture.
"Any questions?" No other questions for me, I thought. Dario
glanced towards Glenn: "Do not let the itinerary scare you, Glenn. I just
want to be sure that you are definitely ready for the tournament. I have
heard rumors that there will be a lot of very talented yet strong competitors
in this year's tournament. And in addition, you have not been competing
for awhile now because of all the events that happened in the past. I
worry for you too, you know..."
Glenn nodded humbly. "I shall simply take the challenge, Brother.
No matter what it takes, I have my heart set on the championship title.
I do not want to shame our family name..."
Dario nodded with a proud smile. "I always had high hopes for you, Glenn.
But I want to let you know--- do the best of your ability. That is what
counts the most."
"Thank you, Brother."
The meeting was over and I leaned against the railing of the Porrean ship.
I turned my head towards the ocean again and feel the gentle, sweet sea breeze.
As the ship sailed majestically over the mighty ocean I felt the calm breeze
blowing through my face and through my hair. I closed my eyes to enjoy
this coolness all over me.
I lost my mind from reality for a bit just to feel myself flying against the
sea breeze. But right at the second, I suddenly heard a faint singing
voice on my ear. The melody that was singing to me was completely enchanting
and--- it was something that can easily touch your heart, especially if your
heart was made of stone or ice. The voice itself was so sweet and melodic
that I almost lost myself from where I was standing. The melody and the
singing made me feel like I was flying up in the sky, viewing the world beneath
me.
I slowly opened my eyes--- or so I thought. All of a sudden I found myself
in the middle of a flowery meadow. There were many kinds of blossoms everywhere
and all the song thrushes from the nests created a choir of more singing.
And right afar front from me stood that same girl again--- Schala.
I approached her until I was right in front of her. The expression of
her cerulean eyes showed some melancholy. Those eyes alone already warmed
my heart so much that the only thing that came in to mind was to take her in
my arms and comfort her.
What's wrong...? Why are you so sad?
Schala lowered her head as I gently lifted her head so I may be able to see
her. You have no memories of me, dear Serge... it truly thrusts so
much pain in my heart...
I want to remember everything, Schala, don't you see? I'm trying my best
to remember everything... but the sight, the voice, and the heart of you...
all of you just completely captured me.
She ran out of words to say and I felt myself not standing all this pain
and guilt anymore. Right away I changed the subject. The song...
you were singing...
I... I sing it as a reminder that I am not alone... that your presence is always
here next to me... it is the Melody of Harmony... I... I wish you would remember
this song to remind yourself that we have a special bond together...
It's beautiful... I love it... but...
It is a song of reminder that no matter how far apart we are that we will be
together forever someday... please never forget this song, Serge...
Please, sing for me...
You will hear my voice if you remember this song...
Again, she sang this same song. The Melody of Harmony, I thought
to myself. I wish I knew more about this mysterious song. Could
it be the main key to all these dreams I was getting of Schala? Right
at the end of her song, I found myself fading away from her but that same melody
and that same breeze continued to be near my presence. I wanted to get
back into bliss with Schala but it was too late...
"Ah, so there you are, Serge!" I immediately opened my eyes and turned
my head. It was that steadfast Porre Military commander. "Daydreaming
again, I see?"
I did not say any words towards him, but he can tell what my expression was
telling him. "Life is such a mystery for a man, Serge. All the way
you live in reality, but when the time is down, you find yourself in a whole
different world..." He leaned against the railing of the ship and turned
his head towards me. "Is it Schala again...?"
I blinked in surprise to hear Norris mention her name. How did he know
about her, I thought? Norris chuckled a bit and said: "Glenn told me about
it, you should not worry, Serge. It is natural after all."
I lowered my head and placed my hand on to my forehead, trying not to make myself
look embarrassed towards his discovery. Leena is my girlfriend, I know,
and for some reason I was daydreaming about a girl I did not remember meeting
in the past. Why was this happening to me? Was I cursed with some
kind of a bad luck of love spell? "Norris," I decided to speak.
"Please DO NOT tell anyone else about Schala... not even Leena!"
Norris nodded humbly. "I am not one to leak out any personal secrets,
Serge. It was unintentional, to be honest. Glenn asked me if I knew
a girl named Schala. I asked him why and he said that you asked him that."
Glenn, I thought to myself. He was the type of person who can only tell
those whom the both of us can trust. The young commander was as noble
and as honest as the noble knight himself. "I see..."
"And ever since you, Glenn, and I reunited along with our other dates and friends
you had been acting strange lately." These two surely knew me too much.
I decided not to complain about them, since both of them were my closest friends
among everyone I have met... unless if I had forgotten some others too...
We headed down the quarters area where Glenn and the rest of the Devas were
resting. While we were heading there I told Norris the whole story about this
mysterious girl named Schala, who kept appearing in my dreams. I felt guilty
right when I told him. When I am in reality, I am in love with Leena. But when
I am in my dreams, I am in love with Schala. Two beautiful women who entered
my life--- why did it have to be me...?
"I have not answered your question yet, Serge," Norris replied. "But
I shall let you know this. That name Schala sounded very familiar to me. However
I just could not remember where I have heard of her." He paused for a bit
and started to think. "But I can assure you this--- this Schala figure
was definitely very important in your life, Serge."
"I'm in love with my dream, Norris..." I murmured softly, completely
feeling confused and dazed. "The moment I am by myself, the more I start
thinking about her... why is this happening to me, Norris...?" I sighed
deeply when Norris patted me on the shoulder.
"There is an answer to this, Serge," Norris replied. "But all
answers do not just come to us... we have to seek for them."
I sighed deeply and nodded. We arrived at the main table where the Acacia Dragoons
were resting and doing other things than just sit around and feel bored while
we were sailing. I sat on the bench and rested my head against the table. Dario,
Karsh, and Zoah were just munching on some fruits; Marcy was sitting on the
corner, writing something in her diary, while Glenn sat on a separate stool,
sharpening his twin Einlanzer swords. Norris headed towards the cockpit where
he met with his Porrean soldier, who was steering this military ship. I took
a piece of the fruit and I started to nibble on it.
"Looks like Junior's got a problem," Karsh joked with a smile on his
face. "Girl problems, Junior?"
Why does everybody seem to know what my internal problem is?! I wanted
to shout that out to everyone, but I decided to keep silent.
"Karsh, be nice," Dario murmured while munching on his fruit. "Why
would he be having girl problems when he is already in love with Leena?"
"LEAVE THE YOUNG LAD BE," Zoah suddenly spoke from out of nowhere.
Thank you for your concern, Sir Zoah. Silence came once more as I continued
nibbling on my fruit without even making eye contact with the three Devas.
While keeping myself silent and eating my fruit I noticed Marcy standing up
from her corner and went up to Glenn. She whispered on his ear and showed him
a piece of paper. I could not quite tell what was on that paper, but it sure
made Glenn smile and blush a bit. What was going on, I thought. Marcy left,
all blushed as well and went back to her corner. Glenn took the paper Marcy
gave him and placed it neatly on top of his duffel bag.
Norris
arrived at the quarters and announced: "We are reaching the shore to Guldove.
Let us all get ourselves ready."
I ran out from the quarters and peeked
through the telescope. I can finally see those familiar tall teepee
buildings that signify the identity of Guldove. Red with so many colors
blended... it was like the brightest little fishing village ever to exist in all
of El Nido. Looking at it already helped me recall some more
memories. One memory that was completely clear to me was that Guldove was
the place where the renowned Dragon Shrine was located. I wonder if that
shrine still exists in Guldove right now...?
Glenn came by and stood
right next to me. "Serge, what are you looking at?"
Guldove, I told
him. I handed him the telescope for him to look at. He sighed and
lowered it down: "For some reason, Guldove seems to be such a special place to
me. I know I have not yet been there in awhile but thinking of Guldove
just reminds me of what home should feel like."
I nodded, keeping silent
as usual. "Will there be any special treasures that await for us there,
Serge?"
Who knows, I thought to myself. The only way for us to find
out is to visit the town and talk to the
people. Maybe we may remember and reunite with certain people there who
may have gotten involved with our past adventures.
+++++
Kid
Korcha and Orlha met with Van and I at the entrance to Van's home. I already
told the two that Van was going to join us. We are going to head to Arni right
away, I told them. Korcha and Van still insisted that finding Serge would not
be easy as I thought, but I still wanted to go there, just for the sole of trying
to trace the tracks of the Chrono Trigger. Maybe even the Chrono Cross around
my neck may even start to react when I find something there. I wonder how his
mother would react if she saw me again for the first time since back then. I
wonder if she too also had forgotten me. She probably did. Or maybe she may
still remember me, but only as a wanted criminal (part of the infamous Radical
Dreamer Gang of Thieves, you know) and not a close friend of her son. Anyway...
"Korcha and I visited Zappa and his wife Zippa at the Smithy, Kid,"
Orlha spoke as we all headed our way out from Van's home. "They really
upgraded my gloves and Korcha's fishing rod for free! They were able to recognize
us!"
"And that hero wanna-be Pierre is still renting Karsh's bedroom there!"
Korcha laughed heavily. "He still insisted that he's a hero, but ah well...
I guess some people never changed."
"I can't wait to see Serge again!" Van exclaimed excitedly. "It
was him that made my family's life better than it was before... and he became
my inspiration for all my paintings!" He even took out his piggy bank.
He shook it and it was awfully loud and clear, knowing that there was a lot
of money stored in there. "I earned all of these by selling my paintings---
they were sold out really quickly--- and it was all because of HIM!"
"I still think he's not all that though..." Korcha frowned to himself.
Orlha sighed to himself. "I wish I had a boyfriend like Serge..."
I just want you and I to be together forever, Serge... My thoughts came
to my mind. "Welp, let's all get ourselves ready and head out to Arni!"
"I ain't gonna cross Fossil Valley by foot, no way!" Korcha complained
right at us.
"Bah, you're no fun, Korcha," Orlha frowned. "I think it would
be a mini-adventure for all of us!"
"Well, you won't be able to cross Fossil Valley anyway," Van shrugged.
"That place had been closed and barricaded by the Porre Military to do
some archaelogical research or something..."
"Again?!" I exclaimed with frustration. "What in bloody hell
are they lookin' for in there anyway? I remember back then when there were still
two worlds that both the Dragoons and the Porre soldiers barricaded that area
just to do some research thing--- they're doing it again?"
"Beats me," Van answered. "I don't care, really, but at least
the Porre soldiers were nice enough to sell us some Bellflower seeds so we can
grow them in our homes and stuff..."
"Yeah, whatever..."
Before we headed to the shrine docks again we decided to visit some more old
friends: Skelly, who was still his usual bony self, was already working as an
entertainer in Termina. We asked if he can join us, but since he was living
a better life at home, we decided to let him go. There was obviously Zappa the
blacksmith and his wife, Zippa. Later on at the cabin at the shrine, we even
paid respects to Sir Garai's grave and even visited Greco the ex-wrestler-turned-spiritualist.
We wanted Greco to come but he decided to stay home to take care of both Romana
and his shrine. Either way, we were all happy that we were able to see all our
old friends again.
Finally we boarded Korcha's boat and sailed away along the shore of the main
island. We were hoping that we would dock at the harbor in Arni so that we did
not have to reach the village by foot. After many hours of sailing and getting
to know each other all over again, we reached the shore not too far from Arni.
"It's better if we just land here instead of the harbor," Korcha said.
"It's too crowded there--- all the fishing boats and all."
We nodded in agreement and we strolled through the land by foot and enter Arni
through its village gates. There were trees all over the path to Arni as if
we had just stepped through in a small forest. We were prepared, all equipped
with everything we had got to be sure that we were ready to defend, just in
case something gets in our way and things start to get ugly. So far through
our stroll, there was not much of any danger. Everything was just in normal
state...
Until we heard some noises coming from somewhere in the trees. We halted from
our stroll and got ourselves in ready position. I hushed softly to the other
three and told them to stay where they are. I decided to follow the trail of
that loud sound of leaves clashing slowly, calmly, and carefully. The others
stood in their ready positions as they waited for me to return and find out
what that noise was.
The sound of the leaves was getting louder as I was getting
closer to where it was coming from. Tiptoing and making very small and slow
steps to be sure that I did not make any suspicious noises, leaves suddenly fell
from a tree and right on top of my hair. I wiped off the leaves from my head and
looked up. There were more leaves falling from this particular tree next to me.
I decided to look up and see what was making all that noise. I slowly walked
around the trunk of the tree to get a better view when all of a sudden, I heard
a bird cry flew right through the three and heard a squeal from it.
"AGH!"
"What in blazes?!" I shrieked softly to myself as I heard some
more movement coming from above the tree. I jumped back as something
dropped from the top:
"AGH!!!" Right down smack on the ground...
"BUGGER!!"
Bugger?!
I stepped a little closer to see who
or what that thing just dropped from the trees. I looked down until this
bloke turned his face around from the ground. "TIDUS?!"
I was
completely shocked when I saw my former leader hanging around at the woods near
Arni. What was Tidus, the leader of the Radical Dreamers, doing in the
Arni area all by himself? Tidus got up on his feet and wiped off the dirt
from his clothes. I stood there with my arms crossed, shaking my
head. "What the--- KID?! WHOA!!"
"What are you doing here, ya
bloody bloke?" I greeted my former leader in the usual joking manner.
"Where are the rest of the dreamer chaps?!"
He hushed at me right away,
just to keep my voice down. "No, really, Tidus... what in blazes are ya
doin' up there? Are ya spyin' or something? Or were you just settin'
yourself a trap so ya can hijack a passerby and swipe his wallet?"
"Pipe
it down, Kid..." Tidus hushed. "Look... after ya took off and left the
dreamers, we all decided to split up ourselves to look for our own personal
treasures... I guess ya inspired us, Kid..."
Inspired? I thought
to myself. But this personal treasure of mine isn't anything material
at all... my treasure is a LIVING treasure...
"Anyway... I'm on a
stakeout right now... I already had my eye on my personal treasure... don't mind
me, but this treasure is located somewhere in Arni... I'm just scoping so I can
find the right time for me to get my hands on this treasure!"
I stood
there looking a bit puzzled, but I decided not to ask him further about
it. I have my own personal treasure and so does he. I decided to
just leave it this way. "Well, anyway, Tidus... I got a couple of folks
with me behind right now and we're all gonna stop by Arni, that's all... just to
buy somethin' we can use for my quest..."
Tidus nodded and climbed back
up to his spot again. "Just don't mind me, Kid... I promise I won't do
anything!"
"Yeah, whatever..." I shrugged away and nodded. "Welp...
guess till we bump to each other again, boss... good luck!"
"You too,
Kid!"
I turned my head to my back and called out the others:
"OIIII!!! IT'S SAFE!! LET'S GO!!!"
"Are you sure about that,
Kid?" I heard Orlha's voice calling from behind.
"Come on! We got
no time to lose!! Who knows if Serge disappears again from Arni like Van
said!"
The other three arrived at my spot as we all entered together in
the small fishing village. Right when we entered, I was not too surprised
at all. Everything in Arni was exactly the same as what I can
remember. The old man standing by the gate was still there, still giving
us a nice welcome to their village.
Now that we were here, what are we
supposed to do first, I asked to myself.
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