Midnight


by: Asurahime


~*~*~*~


Disclaimers: Standard disclaimers apply... you'd think that people would have already gotten it through their heads that I own nothing concerning SaGa Frontier and never will, but I still have no choice when it comes to disclaimers and people wanting to keep what is theirs theirs alone. As if I would be able to make any money off of this anyway... it's not as if my fanfics count for much... *cringes upon hearing several voices scream at her* It's not fair... Sorry for taking such a long time with this chapter, but I had a severe case of writer's block and my Goddess of Writing has been on strike. This time, the starting location is at the caverns below Facinaturu, just before the encounter with Charm Lord. Enjoy... I hope... and review. Oh, and same warning as always. Thanks to the Gamefaqs SaGa Frontier board crew for letting me borrow their Muses of Writing, keeping the God of Procrastination away at the last minute, and threatening to inflate my ego with that bicycle pump of yours... *smirks and hugs*


~*~*~*~


A life for a life, a soul for a soul, a love for a love, a debt that can never be repaid aside from the death of one. Darkness turns to light as night turns to day, but at the darkest hour of all, a forbidding nightmare is about to turn into a shattering reality. The doves, once bedecked with silk and jewels, flew from their captor's fetters into the world which used to belong to them. Now, the doves have traded their glory and riches for weapons and the raw spirit of courage.


The only princesses to ever escape from the rose-entwined palace of Chateau Aiguille, the first and the last, have returned for their last confrontation with the one who had taken away their humanity. The Charm Lord who entrapped them in a timeless sleep. The Merciless King who tries to murder only heir. The Protector of Rose who captivated everyone around him save a few. The Ruler of Darkness who remained inconstant with his desires. The Pursuer of Beauty who none can hide from other than death. The Supreme Judge who tore apart the one who would not succumb to his command. The Ruler of Facinaturu who is capable of taking the light and leaving only darkness. The Lord of the Castle who kidnaps his mistresses. The Mystic Lord who gave them the curse of eternal life.


The man who Asellus is destined to slay.


Mystic Lord Orlouge


And airship silently landed in the caverns of Underground Facinaturu without much ado, for a heavy blanket of despair hung over the party within the device. A half-mystic, four full-mystics, a water-mystic, and two humans leapt out of the region ship and surveyed the area about them, but none could detect even the slightest hint of a planned ambush.


"It won't do us any good to remain standing in this place." chimed the rebel mystic of the group. Zozma said it loud enough to cause echoes to emanate from the cavern, reflecting his words from the limestone crystals which shed a sickly pale-green glow across the cave.


"This is it, isn't it?" asked Ildon, running a white-knuckled hand through his raven-black wings. His blanched face was paler than normal, his voice was soft and deadly, his corundum-blue eyes were ever-alert and dark with worry.


Asellus remained silent as she drew her sword and started off towards the town of Rootville. "Perhaps."


"There is no use, since Ciato is.... dead... and I have joined you. Orlouge is not the type who would plan to waylay us, it would conflict with his sense for aestheticism. He would want us to traverse the path up to him and wear us down." whispered Ildon to Asellus as he drew closer, fixing his charge with his normally cold gaze. However, Rei caught a slight trace of something else in his eyes... she could have sworn that they were pleading to the girl.


Asellus matched him stare for stare, then broke into a slight smile when she saw growing desperation in his eyes. "It's almost time to get White Rose back."


After a moment, the winged prince nodded his head when he realized that Asellus' eyes no longer had the lifeless quality they had before. Then, he turned towards their human companions, his emotions warring with each other. Everything that other mystics have said about humans are wrong and these two have taught him that. Not all humans are mindless about their status in life and how they treat others, Ildon now knows that that refers more to mystics rather than humans. "Rouge, Lute. Neither of you have an obligation to this, you do not have to go and risk your lives any longer... we would rather you do not endanger yourselves into this matter any further."


A mandrake jumped out from behind the blue-haired musician with its ever-present grin wide, but the sides seemed to be wanting to turn downwards. "Stupid mystics! Always underestimating the value of their company, especially if they are humans!!"


Within a heartbeat, Zozma had the mandrake pinned down to the ground with his MysticSword raised high above it. "Creature from the dark recesses of the damned Dark Labyrinth! Don't you ever dare to speak like so without knowing the other complications in dealing with mystic affairs which are beyond your control! Any one of us here can easily absorb your powers and your soul."


"You wouldn't dare." rasped the Red Turnip, its gaze remained fixed on the retreating figure wielding a crimson sword. "Besides, what's it to you, Zozma? You could have absorbed my power a long time ago, but you see that I am still here. Also, who don't you just ask Lute or Rouge what they wish to do?"


Two pairs of hands gently pulled the furious Zozma off of Red Turnip and dissolved his mystic weapon back into pure mystical energy. The other winged mystic of the group, Silence, shook his head in disapproval at Zozma, but his emerald-green eyes were pitying. Silence was aware that he would not be able to express it into words until Orlouge's death, but he shared the same opinion as Ildon and Zozma. Once a human has entered into mystic territory, it shall be a very trying experience to attempt to depart. A glance at Princess Rei's and Mesarthim's faces mirrored his own deep consternation at the presence of two humans at the chance that they would fail in overthrowing the Mystic Charm Lord.


"I stay." said a quiet, forceful voice. The human mage who is destined to kill his twin brother rested a steady, determined hand on the hilt of his silver knife. It was because of this group and Asellus' friendship which helped him gather most of the gifts and the major spells of the magic circles of Realm, Light, and Arcane. "A human mage such as I may not be much help in mystic territory, but I am a mage nevertheless. It's not everyday that I am able to risk my life to help those who have helped me on my journey. Whether I live or not is my problem, since it may be my fate someday, be it not this day. Despite the fact that I may reach my end in your world, I'll be satisfied knowing that I have not let my life go to waste. My brother will hopefully understand."


Lute hoisted the mandrake back unto his arms and flashed a smile at his mystic companions. "The same goes for me. I haven't been travelin' with you all this time to just quit when the road is wantin' to take my life. What would Ma say should she find out that I let my friends down? She'd make me sit down with the most wicked match-makin' mother in all the regions and try to turn me decent. I would rather face that Ciato-guy again rather than my Ma in a massive fit."


Rei shook her head sadly at the two humans who are willing to give up everything to see Asellus through this chapter in her life. Of all people, a half-mystic is able to bridge the distance between the mystic realm and the human realm... maybe hope isn't just a simple dream after all... "Asellus.... you have no idea what you are capable of doing to other people. Maybe.... this really is what fate had in store for you." Her lips curved into a smile as she thought about Ildon and Zozma. "Well, and then some that even you didn't expect..."


~*~*~*~


As the group climbed up the secret ladder leading out of the caves and into the melancholy town of Facinaturu, a sudden anguished cry penetrated the obscurity of the night. Asellus' vermilion eyes widened in horror as she rapidly seized Asura and violently threw open the door of the pilot's home without waiting for her companions.


"My lady!! Please wait for---" Mesarthim started to cry out and follow her half-mystic savior, but Silence and Rouge held her back. "Why are you--"


Zozma shook his fiery mane and pointed to the fleeing girl. "There are still some things that she must resolve for her own. This seems to be one of them."


"What do you mean by that? We don't even know what that cry was and she shouldn't be going off on her own. It's just plain dangerous!" said Lute, hiding his sword within his robes.


"Although I agree with that, I also agree with Zozma. Whatever cried out must have had a certain close impact on Asellus, otherwise she would have run away and left us." Ildon raised his gaze to the others as he walked calmly out of the door. "If she doesn't want us to interfere, then we should yield to her wishes."


The violet-haired ex-princess focused a hard stare on Ildon's retreating back, half-wishing that she could pull out a couple of feathers to make sure that the mystic prince was thinking right. "Ildon, did you just tell us to leave Asellus to decide her own fate?! She could die out there without a trace and you simply want us to do nothing!? Is that what you are trying to say!?"


Ildon's steps stopped as he glared icily at the first mystic princess of Orlouge. "I do not remember saying anything about leaving Asellus to her fate. I did not mention anything about standing around to await the outcome of victory or defeat. However, there are certain circumstances in which I cannot stop her in. Despite the fact that I would risk my life to protect her, protecting her from her own unchanging destiny is an impossible crusade to embark in."


"Ildon..."


"Be that as it may," the green-haired mystic turned back to the group, his SilverMoon unsheathed and reflecting the light from the light-blossoms outside, "even if I cannot stop her, that doesn't mean I'm not going to try." Then, he ran after his charge, leaving his other companions staring blankly after him.


Red Turnip popped up from behind Lute. "Remind me never to let him make any decisions for me."


Hearing the mandrake's outburst, everyone broke out of their silent reverie and instantaneously rushed out of the door into the half-darkness of Rootville.


~*~*~*~


The half-mystic girl reached the tailor's shop and knocked on the door several times. As her impatience and panic grew, she reversed her hold on Asura, slashed the entire door off of its hinges, and stepped into the house. "Where is Gina!? Gina--!? What!!"


The ground before Asellus exploded, knocking her down and showering her both with dirt and rocks. Asellus shakily got to her feet, brushing herself off as she fought to hold on to her temper. "That is stupid!" she yelled. "Someone might have been and it wouldn't have been me! I simply want to know where is--"


"WHY! Why did you have to take her away? She was just a poor, innocent girl, but you had to take her away as well!" came the muffled, terrified scream from inside the house.


Suddenly an uncontrolled bolt of energy sped towards her, but Asellus felt something grab and pull her out of harm's way. Twin orbs the color of the sea at night looked down into her eyes with pure relief. "Are you all right? You are not harmed, are you?"


"No....."


Zozma appeared from out of nowhere at a dead sprint towards the house, sword unsheathed and eyes flashing with a furious light. "................." It took less than a second for him to take in the scene before he rushed inside the house to get rid of the human who dared to attack the half-mystic. However, he was stopped almost as soon as he stepped into the house.


Asellus scrambled to her feet when she realized that Zozma meant to do harm upon the tailor because he had tried to assault her. Before any other thought could flash through her mind, she broke out of Ildon's grasp and rushed into the house. To her horror, she saw that the flame-haired mystic already had the poor man at sword's point. "Zozma!!! Don't kill him!!!"


"Damn you...." whispered the mystic viciously before striking the hilt of his Obsidian upon the man's left temple, knocking him out cold. Then, he turned towards Asellus worriedly. "I suppose you have a good reason for stopping me before I killed him. Before you answer, he tried to hurt you and that is more than enough evidence for me to have tired to take his life. Nevertheless... you just had to stop me."


Rei ran up and viewed the scene, from Ildon's confused face to the tailor sprawled unconscious on the ground. "I suppose that we missed something important...."


As the rest of the companions walked up, Asellus drew Asura with trembling fingers. Not bothering to steady her limbs nor stop the flow of tears which she did not know were falling out of rage, the half-mystic turned towards the dark castle of her nightmares. I-I.... failed again. White Rose... and Gina... my friends. I'll never forgive you.... for what you have done.... "Orlouge!!!"


~*~*~*~


//For how much longer must I wait for you to cease following me in my dreams? How much longer until I can wake up and smile, knowing that I have nothing to fear in losing someone else dear because of me... I have already lost two people who have tried to understand me, should I lose the last.... I shall lose myself completely. I could not lose you even in Death and I cannot lose you in Life, thus losing myself through oblivion is my prison and salvation.//


"How I have wished to wake up from this thorn-imprisoned dream... although I already know that it is a frightening reality." whispered Asellus to herself, but Rouge overheard her.


This is not a good time for their leader to change into a suicidal mystic when there is still hope for survival. They all stood at the base of Chateau Aiguille, but the gate was down and refused to move like an impenetrable barrier keeping all from entering. Asellus grasped the rose-entwined obstruction, but still it refused to open. She pulled away from the gate and looked down at her hands which were bloody from the rose thorns weaving through the gate. In it she saw what she had been fighting off all this time. She was a half-mystic and nothing can change that, but it doesn't give her the excuse to break down and cry just because of an obstacle. It was time to move on. "Everyone please stand back."


Gazing at the silent half-mystic, all frowned but complied. It was much too dark and much too cold to be staying in one place for so long and they weren't about to be left out here forever. They merely stepped back and watched what is to happen.


Silence shot Mesarthim a questioning look which the mermaid reflected on her face as well. "My lady, please do not tell me that you are going to destroy that gate." Mesarthim trusted Asellus and would follow her anywhere, but the innate fear of the unbridled fury of Charm Lord is still present in her mind.


Ildon sent Asellus a stricken look at Mesarthim's comment, afraid that that was exactly what the half-mystic had in mind. They were in Orlouge's territory now and shouldn't take such a thing--no, anything--for granted. Too much was at stake, mainly their lives. "Asellus--"


Asellus disregarded all that was spoken to her and raised blazing crimson eyes beyond the gate, to the highest quarters of the entire chateau. She knew that Orlouge was waiting, but he will wish he never became Charm Lord after she was through with him. First White Rose, then Gina.... the half-mystic will make sure that she does not make the third and final strike.


"I am Asellus...."


Lute and Rouge winced upon hearing the voice so cold and filled with rage which would not belong to a normal human. It was a voice which no one dared to disobey... Likewise, Zozma, Ildon, Silence, Rei, and Mesarthim traded stricken gazes. A voice which holds pure, unchecked power in its timbre seemed to reflect over everything much like that of Charm Lord.


"Open the gate."


~*~*~*~


The way up the castle was dark, treacherous, and crawling with monsters. Even traversing the twisting paths and narrow ledges in their evident stillness and stability were a task, for one false step and the unfortunate victim would be sent plummeting into the jagged cliffs below. The creatures which harried anyone brave (or foolish) enough to try the outside path of Chateau Aiguille, whether mystic or not, were not easily disposed of either.


"As one of you said before, Orlouge means to wear you down into ribbons before you ever reach the summit of this damned castle." voice the Red Turnip, its constant grin faltering at the sides with fatigue and irritation.


"Well, he's doin' a damn good job of it." agreed Lute as he rested his sword against a wall, exhausted beyond reason. Thankfully, they had come upon a room with a sealed door, a raised platform with a mirror, a covered window, a way out, and no monsters at all.


Ildon looked around with concern and saw that everyone except for one was dead-tired. The road behind the castle was not like this when he last practiced here; however, those days seemed like a short eternity ago. The winged prince drew several MaxCures from the backpack which he handed over to Rei and Mesarthim, then he took out a few Xmagi-Drinks and gave them over to Rouge, saving one for himself. Pausing for a moment as he opened the potion, Ildon abruptly noticed that his charge has disappeared.


"Orlouge does not like to actually take care of matters by his own hands. Change that, he rarely touches anything at all." whispered Rei, popping a LifeCandy into her mouth. She did not like what she has seen so far, for they have visited the room of Princess Golden Lion only to find that the coffin was open. Is her loyalty so strong that she would protect Charm Lord despite that she knows that what he is doing is completely wrong and cruel? Soon, Rei's thoughts went back to the sight of her own coffin and the time that she spent locked away until the hold of Charm Lord dissolved into a sincere desire for freedom.


At once, a pained piercing cry emanated from the still night and shook all of Facinaturu to its very heart. The team forced themselves up on their feet for as the roar waned, the covered window was opened by a green-haired half-mystic from the outside. Before anyone can move, a burst of light came forth from the opening, hit the mirror on the platform, then finally reflected off and opened the sealed door.


Rouge looked around in wonder and surprise at the abrupt occurrence. "W-What just happened?"


A voice answered, "Nothing much...." Asellus entered through from the direction in which the cry originated from, her eyes seemed to turn a brighter crimson with rage as she swept past her company and through the opening that the sliver of pure white light was streaming through. Be it a trap or not, nothing will be able to subdue the half-mystic until what has been taken is returned.


Not even the wrath of Charm Lord.


The former IRPO agent grabbed on to Asellus' arm as she passed by, his lips were still, but his eyes spoke everything. Within them dwelled a mixture of confusion, trust, and utter fear. -Don't... if I cannot change your mind, at least do not go alone.-


"No, please do not interfere in whatever should happen inside... until it is all over. Besides, all of you are still healing and I am the only one who is capable of participating in any type of combat at this moment..." said Asellus, her voice softening as she gently liberated her arm from Silence's death hold. "... If there even is a battle within."


".........."


"..............."


Zozma was the first to break the encompassing silence. "Although we may not like it and fear for your life, we know better than to go against something which you have already put your mind into accomplishing."


Even though the others glared darkly at Zozma, they found themselves having to agree with the fire-haired mystic. There were just certain times in everyone's lives in which they must walk part of their path alone, and this seemed to be one of those times.


A little surprised in finding that no one objected to the man's opinion, Asellus smiled, trying to reassure her friends--and herself--of what she is about to do. "I will return safely."


"At least..." started Lute, but broke off.


Ildon finished the sentence for him with a pleading glimmer within his royal blue eyes. "At least let us wait for you by the gate."


"To pray for your safety." whispered Mesarthim, causing unshed tears to fall soundlessly to the ground.


Rei entered the door after Ildon and waited, not wishing to look at Asellus at that moment else it will betray her grief. "We ask for no more than that."


Red Turnip crawled into the door after everyone but before the half-mystic. "Well?"


"........ Thank you." whispered Asellus as she stepped in.


~*~*~*~


Within the confines of the enclosure, the friends all turned to see a Griffin waiting at the center of the room. Nothing would have been unusual about it overall, but as Asellus stepped forward, the monster raised its eyes to hers. It looked at the half-mystic through possessed--human--eyes. //Help me....//


The half-mystic's eyes widened in surprise and she ducked immediately when she saw the Griffin's gaze revert to it's wild, untamed condition. To her astonishment, a scaly tail passed over her head, just missing its target. A sudden breeze made Asellus' clothes flutter as an icy blast of wind sent the girl crashing twelve feet away into a wall.


"Asellus!!" cried Rouge, ready to cast a spell, but Ildon held out a hand and prevented him. "Ildon!"


"Let her do this by herself! Helping her now will not accomplish anything but make her believe that she is not capable of taking care of herself!!"


"Ugh... Damn..." Glancing back, Asellus could see that the Griffin was about to attack her from above, so she limped up painfully to her feet and made ready her counterattack. Holding Asura out to her side, she closed her eyes and waited for the sudden rush of air which will tell of the Griffin's next move. When it did come, the half-mystic quickly spun out of the way and transformed her mental power into six images. Each of the shades slashed at the Griffin as vigorously as the real Asellus causing the Griffin to stagger and lose its balance for a short moment. Taking advantage of this, Asellus moved in closer and charged the Griffin; as the attack was executed, small streams of water emerged form the Griffin, dampening its wings and hindering its ability of flight.


The half-mystic ran to the far side of the room and was about to present the attack 'Rosario Impale' at the enemy. Halfway into her attack, Asellus was abruptly forced back by an air screen. "This is going to be difficult..."


The Griffin now had an angry glint in its eyes and was obviously angry. It has been through the worst battles and will not let anyone, let alone a half-breed stop it from carrying out what it was ordered by Rastaban to do. Raising its slightly damn wings to the roof sky and stopping all movement in the air, this ultimate bird of prey called forth a wind so forceful and dangerous that it made the walls of the room clatter and shake wildly.


"What is it--" Asellus brought Asura up and made ready for the attack.


"This is..... ASELLUS! IT'S ABOUT TO CAST WINDBLAST!!" Zozma and Ildon sent out the warning but it was too late. The girl was caught off-guard and had no shield, making her defenseless to the wind.


Mesarthim cried out her anguish, "Lady!!!"


"No!!" Asellus barely had the time to utter the cry before she was sent violently against the closed door between Rei and Silence. Upon contact, Asellus' cry was cut off as she dropped and was caught by Ildon at the last second, bleeding heavily and almost dead. The Griffin also was in a moment of stasis as it regrouped and gathered its power. The girl was harder to get rid of than any of the others it had ever fought, but she cannot win, it won't let her.


Asellus forced herself out of Ildon's care and on her knees as several coughs racked her throat and a few flecks of purple stained her dress. Unseen by her but noted by the others with alarm, line of violent-colored blood slowly streamed down the side of her mouth. "I'll... I'll just have to get this over with...." she whispered, her voice starting to fail her.


-What do you mean by that!?- screamed Silence mentally, aware that the others can hear his thoughts should he project them with enough force. The Griffin started to swoop down again, regardless of whether or not there were others surrounding its victim. -Asellus!!-


The half-mystic brought up her sword and deflected the attack A sudden rage started to fill her as all of her thoughts left, be it her hatred for Orlouge, her fear for her friends, and her desire to return to the past--becoming focused on one task: to destroy her enemy. Nearing to the enemy and ignoring the spikes on the tail, its massive beak, and the talons on its claws, Asellus drew her sword and whipped it horizontally, vertically, and diagonally again and again without missing a beat. The anger and pain in her mind and on her body was enough to keep her from giving up as a bright ball made up of the Griffin's released life force surrounded them. All at once, the mystic girl cut the sphere with a final horizontal and jumped up to deliver a devastating downward blow which damaged the Griffin tremendously.


"AsuraRevenge..." muttered Rei, shielding her eyes from the bright light of the attack.


"Now to finish this." Asellus looked at the Griffin with the gaze of one who lives to destroy. Her crimson eyes were bright and wide and the air around her sparkled with a silver-violet color--the start of her MysticalChange. The half-mystic formed a bright blade out of her mystic energy and struck out at the monster. The Griffin knew that its time has come, but it wasn't going to go down without a fight, lest it disgrace its master Rastaban. It struck the sword away, but Asellus whipped Asura down, under, up, and finally burying it into the enemy's side. Moving away, Asellus felt her power grow as her hair rose with static and her nerves ran with electricity. Gathering all of her reserved energy, she slashed one last time at the weakened Griffin; thus ending its life by transferring its soul into her MysticSword.


"A-Asellus?" Lute walked over to half-mystic, concern obvious on his face and the fact that the hand that was clutching his mandolin was trembling badly. "Are you... are you..."


Mesarthim rushed over to the mystic and threw her arms around her, crying. "Please say that you are not hurt!!!"


The mystic didn't answer as she stared speechlessly at her MysticSword, her reply was to drop her sword, remove the mermaid's arms from around her, walk towards the place where the Griffin was, and smile at a girl with a white dress who took the place of the monster. "Gina.... welcome back."


The girl from the tailor's home opened her eyes wide and saw the half-mystic. "My Lady.... what happened? You're bleeding!!" she sobbed, rising to her feet and tearing out the hem of her dress to form a makeshift tourniquet to stop the purple flow.


"Who did this to you?" asked a deadly voice. Ildon walked up to the two and handed Asellus a MaxCure as Zozma followed, looking around for anything else that was suspicious. "Was it Orlouge?"


Gina shook her head hesitantly, terrified of being in the presence of so many mystics at once. She could barely force out a reply, but Asellus urge her on. "Gina, if it was Orlouge who did this to you, he must pay."


"No, it was Rastaban."


Everyone looked up at the name and exchanged glances, but Ildon looked especially flustered. This was not in the plan which Rastaban set to dethrone Charm Lord. Ildon would never have agreed to such a plan if it involved kidnapping an innocent girl. "Rastaban... what on earth do you think you're doing?" whispered Ildon as he followed everyone out, but he looked back to wait for Asellus. "We must go, Asellus."


"Gina, please stay here and don't let anyone in." The half-mystic nodded to Gina as she picked up her sword and resheathed it. She walked out and took the lead once more on the pathway to her destiny. One has been returned, but another still writhes in the grasp of darkness and evil. "This is between you and me now, Orlouge."


Suddenly, Asellus felt someone grab on to her arm in a tight, unbreakable grip. She turned around and was disconcerted to see that everyone's eyes rested intently on her with a determined spark in each of them. "What's the matter?"


Ildon didn't release her arm as Zozma grabbed hold of the other in a grasp that was just as tight. "No, Asellus. This is no longer between only you and Orlouge. Like it or not, believe it or not, it nearly killed all of us to watch while you were thrown by that Griffin everywhere."


"Despite what you say, we will no longer listen to you should you wish to continue alone. We didn't come here to simply watch. All of us came here to help you, protect you, and make sure you stay alive." stated Zozma, grinning from ear to ear as they dragged the poor half-mystic.


At the end of the path, Asellus turned back to the rest of the group and found that they were still staring at her. There is nothing else she can do.... but let them accompany her. "I guess I have no choice..."


"No." chorused several voices.


"........." The girl bowed her head not only to hide her smile, but also to conceal the brightness in her eyes. She was not about to let them see her cry... not when they have come so far. She cried not only for White Rose and Gina's suffering, not only for the fact that they all might die, but because they were willing to follow her this far and beyond. That they would gamble with Death by traversing to the depths of Hell just to clasp at the slim chance that she may survive. She would never be able to repay them for it... "Let's get this over with."


It was a treacherous game they play, but Asellus is determined to win.



~*~*~*~


To be continued in: "Dawn"