Till Morning Star
Chapter Two
But just you and I can find the answer and then, we can run to the end of the earth. We can run to the end, of the earth.'
Small Two of Pieces, Xenogears
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Listen to me Ark,' I whispered, kneeling down to make eye contact we're just going on a little holiday OK? Just for a little while and when we get back Dad's gonna be waiting here with everyone else and we're all gonna have a big party!' I was trying to sound casual, I was really trying to fight back the tears. He rubbed the tears from his eyes with his pudgy hands and nodded in agreement. I sighed in relief.
Ok, let's go. We'll get a boat from the pier.' I picked him up and he clung desperately to my shoulders. I wanted to walk out the front door to see what was going on. I knew I couldn't. The screams of men and women kept me firmly in my place. My heart was pounding, I took deep breaths as I wiped the sweat from my brow. My fear gave me strength to do something and I did. I ran.
Out the back entrance of our hut I ran, my brother clinging fearfully to me. Past the bushes and plants, the stones and the fence. I let Ark walk by himself but he clung desperately to my hand. We walked, crouching behind shrubs, slowly making our way to the shore where a few fisherman boats lay.
The beach was insight now. I could see a perfect boat that we could take, small and curvy we could both easily fit inside. A smile crossed my weary face, we were going to make it! Down the huge rocks that defended the shore from wild waves, slowly but steadily I helped Ark down until his bare fit hit the warm sand of the beach.
Just when I thought we were safe, that we'd managed to escape, that everything would be alright, it all went wrong. First I saw it's shadow, one of those huge dragon creatures circling above us like a demented vulture. It screeched, signalling its comrades that we were trying to escape, then it descended and swooped down on my brother. Ark screamed and all I could do was watch
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Cloud folded his arms and let out a breathless sigh. Who was this thing to tell him what to do? Ok, so he was a Sealed God' or something like that but who did he think he was talking to? The thing started talking again.
I'm afraid we have a little problem, summoner. That is that you are not really a summoner, you but a lowly channeler, doomed to assit the great one who is really a summoner. This is a severe problem for you as I shall not grant my power to one as low as yourself. Your experience is your limitation, my essence would only drive you insane. My power is too much for you yet your task commands it. You seek to unite the five seals, correct? You seek the reality of your dreams. I cannot give it to you, to do so would destroy you.'
What about me?' Cloud said stepping forward. Cloud?' Lynda said puzzled.
' Valiant said stroking his icicle beard.
I see you have done many great thingsfor a human. You have superior experience but you are no summoner.'
I have this!' Cloud pulled a necklace out from behind his shirt. A large red orb dangled in front of their eyes.
Knights of the Round? Ha! My unworthy offspring! I see their power has been harvested and as such grants you no honour at commanding them. They are obliged to do their bidding, I shall not look upon them again they have allowed themselves to be harvested by a lowly human!'
Well then what are you looking for? I don't know anyone alive who fits your description. It's sounds to me like you're too busy praising your own power to notice.' Cloud was enraged now, nobody had ever treated him like this before.
How dare you! I have lived for countless millenia! I have observed hundreds like you! Warriors, Magicians, Ancients! All the samethey were all destroyed by the power of a God! Hold your tongue human or I will be forced to do it for you!'
Cloud glared angrily at him. The God, Valiant, turned back to Lynda.
What you seek is a vessel, correct? Something or someone to contain the essences of the Gods until you can reunite them under the stars. Why don't we just create one? The perfect summoner, a companion to you the channeler. Yes! A summoner! A powerful one!' The God didn't wait for an answer, he shut his lion-like eyes and flicked his huge wrists. Lynda and Cloud stepped back, unsure what to expect. The God was glowing now, icy blue. Suddenly from the depths of the blue waters a smaller platform rose, and on it a single motionless figure of a man.
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Something's wrong. I felt something. Why?
Someone's outside. Why?
The top off the black ebony casket flew open and a dark cloaked figure stepped out. Like a shadow he crept along the walls of the crypt, his feet crunching the stones as he went. He came to the familiar wooden door and cautiously pushed it open. He peered slowly into the dank cave outside. It was too dark for him to normally see anything but years of living like a corpse in the darkness had given him virtual night-vision. He crept outside silently, no one was in the cave. He couldn't sense any other beings there. Strange, he thought.
Suddenly out of nowhere he was hit. By what he had no idea but in an instant all he could see were three pairs of shiny black boots. The ground was wet against his cheekbone. His vision was fading fast and all he could here were three voices congratulating themselves in the distant.
Is this the specimen?'
Confirmed. ID number 74638475, Vincent Valentine.'
Excellent work gentlemen. Although I expected the infamous Vincent Valentine to have put up more of a fight, nevertheless a win is a win.'
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What the hell is that?' Cloud said cocking his head. The figure was beginning to defrost' or at least that's what it looked like. The statue was a man, late twenties, slim with long blonde hair stretching almost to his waist. His skin was moist and his hair was streaming with beads of water. Suddenly it opened its eyes. They were blue and, Cloud thought, seemed slightly bigger than normal. He began to move toward them, oblivious to his nakedness.
Valiant was applauding his recent creation.
Excellent, better than even I could have hoped for, complete with my essence.'
why? Why have you created someone whose whole life is to serve as a container?' Lynda asked staring mournfully at the man.
Don't be an imbecile child. Once his purpose is complete, what possible reason would he have to live? He shall return to the planet from whence he came. This is excellent; he is your eternal servant. I must depart now, more pressing matters concern me now.'
But you can't just leave us here with' Cloud started.
Have no fear, I shall return to check on the latest developments. Till next time, humans.' A flash of light and he was gone leaving the three mortals standing together awkwardly.
I am Reece. I am a summoner.' He said beaming at them. He seemed like an android. Cloud surveyed him in disbelief. Lynda stepped forward and handed him her shawl.
You'll probably need this.'
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