Chapter 2- Rememoring Myself

"There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface
Consuming, confusing
This lack of self control I fear is never ending
Controlling... confusing what is real."~ Linkin Park



"Serryn! SERRYN! Oh Gods, answer me!"

"It's all right your highness calm down, the princess is only unconscious."

Serryn's eyes shot open suddenly as she felt her shoulderes being shaken and she squinted at the sudden invasion of light. She tried to sit up but groaned, as a wave of pain originating from her shoulder swept over her and sank back down onto what she assumed was her bed.

"Serryn!" Queen Janellia exclaimed, pulling her daughter back up from the bed in a tight embrace, "Thank the Creator you're all right!"
Serryn gasped in pain, "Mother!"
"Serryn! Where's Aria?? Please you have to tell me!!"

"Your highness please, let the princess gather herself, she's disoriented," Serryn heard the palace Medic say.
"NO!" she gasped, 'I'm ok! Mom it was the Zaibach! Lord Dilandau Albatou and two of his Dragonslayers, "she paused wincing as the medic placed a wet cloth over what she knew had to be a bruise on her shoulder the size of a melon, "They said you have two days to lower the Surety Shield, or else...Gods mother I could have stopped them, if only..." she trailed off feeling the tears fall down her face.

Her mother sat back, the color drained from her face. "I have no choice then, "she said in a monotone voice.
"Your highness please!" one of the queens advisers exclaimed, "You must think about this! Think about what is best for Conilia!"

The queen stood up, her eyes glazed over and her face expressionless. "Yes, think about it, "she repeated, "Think. Save my kingdom or the life of my youngest child. Think about it...." She trailed off walking out the door of the room, and Serryn could hear her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

The advisor and the medic regarded each other in shock. "I better go after her, "the advisor said, and hurried out of the room. The medic shook his head. "Damn Zaibach, nothing but barbarians," he assured Serryn as he examined her wound more closely. "And that Albatou bastard, he's bearly older then you and he's destroyed countless city's. Turnin' their own kids into killers."

"I'm all right Latis," Serryn assured him, not really wanting to hear more, "It's only a bruise. I'll be ok."

Latis nodded, 'Ok, but if you start feeling dizzy or anything come and see me, that's a nasty bump you got there." He shook his head again, mutter to himself as he left the room.

Serryn let out a shaky sigh, as she stretched, popping joints that had cramped from spending half the night out cold. "Nasty bump my ass, I'm lucky to still be breathing." She shuddered remembering the look in the red-eyes of the Zaibach general. And the way he had kissed her... She gasped recalling that moment, bringing her hand across her mouth in disgust.

Serryn jumped out of her bed grabbing her staff. 'If only...' the words replayed over and over in her mind. Could she have stopped them? Maybe...
She shook her head, maybe not then but now? Yes! She would get her sister back! She would prove to her mother she could fight.

Her mind made up, Serryn rushed over to the armoire on the other side of her room and flung the doors open. She shoved her way through the silks and velvets of the dresses that filled it, reaching all the way to the back. She smiled as she felt her hands grasp what she was looking for and yanked them out.

A pair of boys pants, the color of the forest at night, and simple black peasant shirt. They had been her sparring clothes. Clothing her father had worn when he was a boy. She hadn't worn these clothes for several years and she hoped they still fit.
The pants did, for she hadn't grown any taller. The shirt was a bit short, stopping right above her navel due to her more "developed" torso. She also pulled on a pair of black leather boots.

Grabbing her staff, Serryn stood before her full length mirror. "Don't worry Aria, "she whispered pulling the pail gold ringlets that surrounded her face up off her shoulders, fastening them with a ribbon, I'll save you. I'll save Conilia."

*****

The doors to the stables swung open silently and she stepped cautiously through them, making sure no one else was there at the moment. Confirming this, Serryn made her way over to the storage stall. It the stall sat a large object covered by a tarp. She pulled the tarp away revealing what looked like a wooden horse, it's sides cover with metal sheets and a levi-stone attached to the front and back.

Serryn jumped into the seat attached to the middle and pulled something from her pocket. It was an engergist, slightly larger then a marble. She placed it into a compartment next to the to adjoined handles, where it began to glow, and the contraption began to hover above the floor.

Serryn grinned, her "Pegasus" as she called it still worked after all these years. Making sure everything was in order, she directed the Pegasus out the doors of the stable, and quickly increased speed, shooting up into the air. If anyone saw her they would have no way of stopping her.

She had been traveling for about an hour in the direction she was sure she had heard the general of the mother's army say the Zaibach floating fortress was located. She made certain to fly just over the tree tops lest she be seen my a Zaibach spy.

Serryn gasped suddenly bringing her Pegasus to a halt, lowering it into the trees as two Zaibach Guymelefs zoomed over her head. She peered over the branches, her eyes following the melefs as they headed towards a mountain in the distance. "Wait a minute..." Serryn looked closer, "That's no mountain!" It was the Zaibach floating fortress. She smiled triumphantly, and dropped her Pegasus slowly down to the forest ground, where she would wait until dark to sneak aboard the ship.

*****

The doors to the throne room opened and Folken walked through them. "Dilandau has the queen contacted us with her decision yet?"

Dilandau yawned, twirling his dagger beneath his thumb. "No, Stratagos. I did, after all, give her two days to think the whole ordeal over."

Folken raised an eyebrow, "Really? That's not like you Dilandau. I asumed you would have Conilia burning by now. Why the sudden appearance of patients on your behalf?"

"Never assume you've figured me out Folken, "Dilandau sneered, "But I thought that if we gave the queen time to think about it, she would weigh both of her available outcomes. I only hope she can imagine each and every one of the things I plan to do to that little palace brat if she refuses our offer. That way she is sure to see things our way and lower her pathetic barrier." He snickered testing the blades sharpness.

Folken shuddered inwardly as he watched the silver-haired general slice his thumb open and lick the blood as it oozed out. "I see, well that will be all, "he said quickly turning on heel and heading out of the room, leaving the young sadist to himself.

Dilandau grinned tossing the dagger back onto the table. This turn of events was actually starting to amuse him. It had been fun dragging that screaming brat all the way back to the Vione. He had no idea such a small creature could make so much noise. He had taken care of that quickly enough. Dilandau grunted. The stupid girl acted as if she'd never been hit before. 'Hmm, come to think of it she probably hasn't,' he thought.

He was ,however, starting to regret not taking the older one instead. He could have had a lot more fun with her. At least she had put up a fight. He could tell by the way she had thrashed about that she had been trained somewhat in the ways of combat. He wished he had had time to test her skills, even though he knew they couldn't compare to his own.

He lips twisted into a smile as he remembered how she had tasted when he'd pressed his lips to hers, watched her emerald eyes widen for a moment then slowly slide shut. Perhaps he'd make it a point when they raided the palace to seek her out and make her his own special captive.

Dilandau frowned slightly. Of course he had no real feeling towards this girl, did he? "No," he assured himself. She was just another mind he would enjoy playing with.

Suddenly his eyes bulged out and he doubled over in his chair gasping for air. His whole body seemed to be convulsing.
"Damn it..." he hissed through clenched teeth, "Not again! Not now!!"

Dilandau Albatou fell to the floor with a thud.

*****

Moisture was collecting on Serryn's forehead as she hoisted herself from her hovering Pegasus into the hanger of the Vione. Pulling herself to her feet, careful not to make too much noise she took in her surroundings.

To her right was the area all the Zaibach Alseides units were kept, and to her left was a staircase, leading up to a series of hallways. Serryn ran over to the staircase, heading up them as quickly as she could. Now all she needed to do was figure out where the prisoners were kept.

Keeping her staff positioned, ready to strike she peered around the corner of the hallway, making sure it was clear. She then began heading down it. She stopped after a moment, hearing footsteps. Ducking into a crevice in the wall she waited until the footsteps passed her. Two guards. She recognized one of them as the Dragonslayers who had grabbed her sister.

"Hurry, I think someone spotted her heading down this direction, "she heard him say to his companion as their footsteps faded away.

'Oh no, do they know I'm here? How?' she asked silently, running in the opposite direction. She took a moment to glance over her shoulder, making sure she was not be followed, when all of a sudden her running body came in contact with another. "Ow!" she exclaimed looking up.
Into the face of Dilandau Albatou.

Serryn gasped, jumping back, hoisting her staff up in defense. 'Wait a minute...' she realized looking again. It wasn't Dilandau. It was another girl, dressed in loose black leather pants and a white sleeveless shirt that seemed to be too big for her form. Strangely she was also barefooted. She stared back at Serryn, blinking in surprise.
"Who are you?" she demanded holding a sword out also in defense.

Frowning Serryn replied, "That depends, are you a prisoner on this ship?"

"You could say that, "the girl said brushing the bangs of her short blond hair away from her blue eyes.
Serryn sighed in relief. "I'm Serryn Conil. I'm here to rescue my sister."

"Oh..." The other girl nodded, "So your the Princess..." she said in a strange tone. "I'm Celena. Celena Schezar."

"Celena," started Serryn a plan forming in her mind, " I can get you out of here, but first can you show me where the prison cells are??"

Celena smiled, "Sure! We have to hurry though, their looking for me! This way," she turned heading down the hallway to the left.

Serryn nodded and followed Celena. 'Almost there Aria!'

*****

Celena came to a stop outside a pair of sliding doors with a keypad lock. Pressing a few buttons, she stepped back and the doors opened.

Serryn briefly wondered how Celena had know the code, but thought she must have learned it somehow in her plan to escape. How else would she have gotten out?

The room behind e the doors was just another short hallway with a dead end at each side. And on each side were also five cell doors.
"Aria!" Serryn called, "Aria are you here?!?!"

"Serryn!! Help me!" Came a very muffled replied.

"Here, "said Celena indicating to the third cell on the right side.
"Can you get that door open with your sword, " Serryn asked, examining the lock. It looked like it would take some kind of key to open.

Celena appeared to be thinking for a moment but then she smiled digging into the pockets of her pants. "Here!" she exclaimed handing Serryn a key.

Serryn gaped at the other girl. "How did you-?"
"I'll explain later, hurry up before they find us, "Celena urged.
"Serryn nodded, "Right!" and stuck the key into the hole. Sure enough the door swung open and a very teary eyed Aria rushed into Serryn's arms.

"Onii-chan!!!" She cried, hugging her older sister tight, "I thought I never see you again! I was so scared! And I cried as loud as I could but they wouldn't take me back, and SERRYN!!! That mean boy slapped me!!" She exclaimed burying her face in her sisters shirt.

"Shhh, "Serryn whispered, trying to comfort the little girl, "It's ok Aria, I'm going to take you, and my new friend Celena and we're gonna get outta here ok??"

Celena stood behind Serryn and waved at Aria when the girl glanced up at her. The little princess smiled back wiping her eyes, "Hi Celena! You wanna play dolls with me when we get back?"

Celena laughed, somewhat sadly Serryn noticed. "Sure Aria, I'd love to play dolls with you."

*****
The three girls had made it back to the hanger safely, and they paused to catch their breath. "Over their, "Serryn nodded towards the opened port, "That's where I've got our getaway ride."

They started in the direction Serryn had pointed out, but were stopped dead in their tracts by a chorus of shouts.

"There they are!!"
Serryn glanced behind her. A group of four boys was coming at them fast. Dragonslayers, she could tell by their uniforms.

"It's her!" One with short brown hair exclaimed, "And those two princesses. Get them!"

Serryn turned to her sister, "Aria! Go and get into the Pegasus! Sit down and wait for me!"
The younger girl nodded and ran towards the port hole, climbing into the Pegasus still hovering there. Serryn turned back to face her adversaries, surprised when she saw Celena stayed poised, her sword lifted ready to fight as well.

The Dragonslayers stopped forming a semicircle around the two girls. The brown haired one stepped forward. "Come on Celena! Enough is enough! Come back with us to Folken and we wont have to hurt you!"

Celena laughed, "Hurt ME Migel?? I'm afraid you're the one who's gonna hurt!" With that she lunged at the surprised Dragonslayer bringing her sword against his hard.

'Wow...she's good,' Serryn thought, but snapped out of it as two of the other slayers approached her.
"Hey Dallet, look, she's got a stick, I bet that'll hurt, "the boy with grayish-blond hair snickered.
"Yeh," the boy with shoulder length brown hair replied, "you first Gatti!"

Serryn swung her staff as the boy, Gatti lunged at her, blocking his sword and lifting it up. The move took Gatti by surprise and Serryn took that chance to bring her staff down across his left sholder. Gatti gasped falling to his knees and Dallet leaped up in his place. Serryn perried his thrust to the side of her face, dropping to her knees to kick her legs out at Dallet's, tripping him.

She then allowed herself a glance to see how Celena was fairing. Her eyes widened in shock. Celena was keeping Migel and another boy with blonde hair in a bowl-cut at bay, using her sword with almost no effort at all.

She turned to Serryn, "GO! I'll be right behind you!"

Serryn nodded and turned racing to the port hole. She stopped making sure the Pegasus was right underneath her and jumped in behind Aria, placing her hands on the handlebars. Seconds later the form of Celena came leaping over the edge of the hanger, landing in the Pegasus. Her hands clamped around Serryn's waist. "GO!" She yelled over the noise of a sudden gust of wind.

Serryn didn't need to be told twice. She shot the Pegasus forward, speeding away from the Vione. She had to hurry. before the Slayers gathered themselves and chased after them with their Guymelefs. She heard Celena issued a choking gasp from behind her, which she took was in fear. "Just hold on Celena! We're almost home free!" She yelled.
Celena tried to yell something back, but choked on her words. 'Probably motion sickness,' Serryn thought as she increased the distance between her and the floating fortress.