OH WAI!! Thankies to all the wonderful people who reviewed my story! I love getting them, and seriously they're addicting so please keep right on reviewing. And as a reward here's the 3rd chapter, hope you guys enjoy! It's a little shorter, but I hope it's just as good as the others. Oh and btw, I reloaded the first 2 chapters, having corrected all those embarrasing little errors I found after I posted them the first time. I know I still missed a few but oh well, C'est la vi, ne? Thanks again Minna-san!! ~Sarah~
Chapter 3- Fair Fight, Foul Play
"Come as you are, as you were,
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend, as an old enemy"~ Nirvana
"Aria sit down! We're gonna flip over!" Serryn exclaimed as her sister peered over the edge of the Pegasus to look behind her.
"Serryn! I think some Guymelefs are coming!" Aria exclaimed.
Serryn stole a quick glance over her shoulder in time to see the large door to the hanger of the Vione opening.
"Shit!" she yelled, and dove deep into the forest. Hopefully the Zaibach wouldn't be able to find them down there, and she prayed they would assume she had taken off directly for the city.
Her quick reflexes helped to steer around the trees, but Celena had her arms gripped around Serryn's waist so tightly that it was getting hard to breath. At least no Zaibach Guymelefs seemed to be following them just yet.
'She's much stronger then she appears,' Serryn thought, trying to position Celena's arms to where they weren't almost cracking her ribs, 'better stop and take a break before she passes out...'
Serryn slowed the Pegasus down as they pulled into a clearing, and let it hover above the ground a moment before turning it off completely, setting it down on the forest floor.
"Wow that was fun!" Aria laughed climbing down from her seat, "We were going so fast! Boy you showed those boys Serryn! WHAM!" Aria swung a stick she'd picked up down on an invisible adversary.
Serryn let an exhausted smile spread over her face. She had done it! She rescued her sister, saved her country and proved she could fight. 'Take THAT Mom,' she thought triumphantly. She laughed then, noticing Celena's arms stilled wrapped around her waist. "It's all right Celena, we're not moving anymore! You can let go of me now."
"Oh no princess, I'm afraid I can't do that," a voice that was definitely not Celena's answered.
"What the..." Serryn head whipped around and she screamed as her pale green eyes became parallel with a pair burning red ones.
"Surprise." Dilandau grinned.
"FUCK!!" Serryn yelled, grabbing for her staff. Dilandau picked up on her move though and swiftly kicked the wooden staff out of the Pegasus where it landed several feet away. But Serryn wasn't giving up yet. She reached down and gripped Dilandau's wrists, clamping her fingers down on the pressure points there digging her nails into his vains.
Dilandau cried out in pain and his grip on her waist loosened slightly. That was all Serryn needed. The muscles in her legs sprung, launching her body from the seat of the Pegasus. Her leap was undirected so she braced herself as she landed, thankfully on her unbruised shoulder. Scrambling to her feet, Serryn thanked the gods when she saw her staff close by. She snatched it up, gaining a defense position.
Dilandau climbed down from the Pegasus, scowling as he rubbed his wrists. Serryn's eyes were fixed on him, not believing what she saw. It WAS Dilandau. She recognized him even without his armor on. He was wearing the same clothing Celena had been, he was even missing shoes. Just like Celena.
"You tricked me!" Serryn exclaimed, realization hitting her, "What the HELL are you??"
Dilandau laughed. "Tricked you??? You actually think I planned this? Don't flatter yourself Princess," he said crossing his arms over his chest.
Serryn glared at him, furious he had the nerve to mock her even now.
"Aria," she called to her sister who stood behind her, staring speechlessly at Dilandau. Aria blinked, and found her voice, "That's HIM Serryn!! He's the mean boy who slapped me! What did you do with Celena you big bully?!" she cried running at Dilandau, her little fists balled.
Serryn grabbed the back of Aria's dress before she could get any closer.
"Aria, listen to me, "she said slowly, her eyes never leaving Dilandau, who was watching them both in mild amusement, "Run now, in the direction of the Mystic Moon, keep going until you come to the city. Understand??"
Dilandau spoke before the younger girl could answer, "That would not be a very smart idea," He warned drawing his sword, "I suggest you both get back in this contraption of yours, right NOW."
"Like hell we will!" Serryn exclaimed, giving her sister a shove. "Aria RUN!"
Aria, tears now streaming down her face, nodded and took off into the forest, not looking back.
Dilandau smirked, "You just made things extremely difficult for me. But at least I won't be bored." Without a warning he lunged at her bringing his sword down with mind numbing speed. Serryn cried out as she was bearly able to block the move with her staff.
"Not bad," He commented coming at her again, this time from the side, but Serryn was prepared for this and quickly blocked him again. Although, while she was able to defend herself from him, she wasn't able to even take one swing at him.
'I can't keep this up forever,' she thought desperately as she block yet another of the silver haired boy's attacks. Her eyes darted towards the Pegasus. A plan forming in her mind, she chanced a blinded swing at Dilandau midsection, and just missing the point of his sword, dived at the Pegasus. 'If I can't beat him,' she rationalized reaching for the compartment next to the handle bars, 'he's going to have a hell of a time bringing me back to that floating rock!'
Dilandau was coming after her fast, sword raised, when realization of her motives hit him. He yelled grabbing Serryn's wrist and yanked her away from the Pegasus, but not before she was able to clutch the tiny drag-energist and fling in deep into the dark forest.
Dilandau growled in anger, spinning her around to face him. Her eyes glared back at him defiantly.
"You Bitch!" he screamed, and brought the back of his hand across her face. Serryn cried out, the force of the impact knocking her from her feet. She fell back against the Pegasus and gasped as the back of her head came in contact with the metal of the machine.
Serryn groaned. Her entire head ached now, and she could tell from the coppery taste in her mouth that he'd probably split her lip open. She glanced up dazed, able to make out Dilandau towering over, fury evident on his face. Apparently he was deciding whether or not he was angry enough to kill her here and now.
'It's not up to him!!' her mind screamed, her body agreeing and reacting. Quicker then Dilandau could contemplate, Serryn swung her leg up, her foot connecting very painfully with a place she knew HAD to hurt.
Dilandau screamed as he dropped his sword, falling to his knees. Taking no chances, Serryn reached forward, shoving the red eyed general to the ground. She leaped over him, taking up her fallen staff and ran for all she was worth into the forest, not looking back once.
****
Dilandau lay on his back, gazing at the sky, smiling lazily. One passing by might take him for a boy camped out in the woods, peacefully observing the night sky. But the thoughts running through the young general's mind at the moment were far from peaceful.
'That Goddamned bitch,' he mused, his fingers twitching slightly. He would hunt her, catch her, and wrap his hands around that pale little neck of hers, watching gleefully as the life was drained from those beryl eyes. He scowled, remembering briefly that if the Queen of Conilia had not lowered the barrier, he wouldn't be able to kill her. Not yet anyway.
"Damn you Celena," he hissed pulling himself to his feet, "this is your fucking fault." This time he was going to go back to that poor excuse for a Stratagos and make sure he did the fate alteration RIGHT. He growled kicking the strange contraption the girl had left behind, gritting his teeth as he was reminded of his absence of foot wear.
Dilandau yelled, rage burning in his eyes. "Just great! Just fucking GREAT!!!" He was stuck out in the middle of nowhere. His prisoner had escaped. And he was totally lacking anything that even resembled armor, all because his counterpart found it to heavy for her pathetically weak body.
He let out a sigh, sitting down on the useless hunk of metal. He sat brooding for a moment, running his fingures down the length of the scar on his right cheek. His eyes traveled suddenly onto a pair of leather saddle bags, hanging from the seat of the contraption. Frowning, Dilandau reached for the bags, and began rummaging through them. Slowly a disturbing smile spread across his face.
*****
Serryn didn't know how long she was running. The fear she'd forgotten temporarily back at the clearing had caught up with her, forcing her to stretch her legs as far a she was physically able to, desperate to increase the distance between her and that red eyed, shape shifting monster.
She ran, almost blindly though the forest, the only light coming from the two moons hanging in the sky high above her. Suddenly a tree root seemed to reach up from the earth, snagging her foot and causing Serryn to tumble face first to the moss covered ground.
She lay there for a moment, gulping air into her heaving lungs. Her knuckles were almost white as she gripped her fist into the ground, her fingers sinking into the soft, pungent soil.
Then all of a sudden, Serryn found herself laughing. "I beat him!" she gasped and collapsed into an all out fit of giggles, tears pouring from her eyes. She, Serryn Conil, respected Princess of the country of Conilia had fought one of Zaibach's most skilled and feared warriors. And had actually BEATEN him!
She snorted softly, bringing herself to a sitting position and wiped the tears from her eyes. It hadn't really been a fair fight. She HAD used almost as many dirty tricks as he did. She shrugged, all was fair in love and war, as they said. And at least SHE wasn't low enough as to attack from behind.
Serryn turned her gaze to the sky. The two moons hung above her. They were positioned in the northern part of the sky, and she estimated that if she walked in that direction she would make it to the city before dawn. But would she be to late?
"Two days, "she reminded herself, "He said two days. Mother can't give up that easily. She'll wait it out until the very last second I know it!" Serryn nodded smiling. And Aria was already on her way. Hopefully the younger girl would make it to the city and the arms of their mother sooner then she hoped, and put an end to this nightmare.
"Don't worry Mother," Serryn whispered looking determinedly at the two shining moons, "Everything's going to be all right."
Chapter 3- Fair Fight, Foul Play
"Come as you are, as you were,
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend, as an old enemy"~ Nirvana
"Aria sit down! We're gonna flip over!" Serryn exclaimed as her sister peered over the edge of the Pegasus to look behind her.
"Serryn! I think some Guymelefs are coming!" Aria exclaimed.
Serryn stole a quick glance over her shoulder in time to see the large door to the hanger of the Vione opening.
"Shit!" she yelled, and dove deep into the forest. Hopefully the Zaibach wouldn't be able to find them down there, and she prayed they would assume she had taken off directly for the city.
Her quick reflexes helped to steer around the trees, but Celena had her arms gripped around Serryn's waist so tightly that it was getting hard to breath. At least no Zaibach Guymelefs seemed to be following them just yet.
'She's much stronger then she appears,' Serryn thought, trying to position Celena's arms to where they weren't almost cracking her ribs, 'better stop and take a break before she passes out...'
Serryn slowed the Pegasus down as they pulled into a clearing, and let it hover above the ground a moment before turning it off completely, setting it down on the forest floor.
"Wow that was fun!" Aria laughed climbing down from her seat, "We were going so fast! Boy you showed those boys Serryn! WHAM!" Aria swung a stick she'd picked up down on an invisible adversary.
Serryn let an exhausted smile spread over her face. She had done it! She rescued her sister, saved her country and proved she could fight. 'Take THAT Mom,' she thought triumphantly. She laughed then, noticing Celena's arms stilled wrapped around her waist. "It's all right Celena, we're not moving anymore! You can let go of me now."
"Oh no princess, I'm afraid I can't do that," a voice that was definitely not Celena's answered.
"What the..." Serryn head whipped around and she screamed as her pale green eyes became parallel with a pair burning red ones.
"Surprise." Dilandau grinned.
"FUCK!!" Serryn yelled, grabbing for her staff. Dilandau picked up on her move though and swiftly kicked the wooden staff out of the Pegasus where it landed several feet away. But Serryn wasn't giving up yet. She reached down and gripped Dilandau's wrists, clamping her fingers down on the pressure points there digging her nails into his vains.
Dilandau cried out in pain and his grip on her waist loosened slightly. That was all Serryn needed. The muscles in her legs sprung, launching her body from the seat of the Pegasus. Her leap was undirected so she braced herself as she landed, thankfully on her unbruised shoulder. Scrambling to her feet, Serryn thanked the gods when she saw her staff close by. She snatched it up, gaining a defense position.
Dilandau climbed down from the Pegasus, scowling as he rubbed his wrists. Serryn's eyes were fixed on him, not believing what she saw. It WAS Dilandau. She recognized him even without his armor on. He was wearing the same clothing Celena had been, he was even missing shoes. Just like Celena.
"You tricked me!" Serryn exclaimed, realization hitting her, "What the HELL are you??"
Dilandau laughed. "Tricked you??? You actually think I planned this? Don't flatter yourself Princess," he said crossing his arms over his chest.
Serryn glared at him, furious he had the nerve to mock her even now.
"Aria," she called to her sister who stood behind her, staring speechlessly at Dilandau. Aria blinked, and found her voice, "That's HIM Serryn!! He's the mean boy who slapped me! What did you do with Celena you big bully?!" she cried running at Dilandau, her little fists balled.
Serryn grabbed the back of Aria's dress before she could get any closer.
"Aria, listen to me, "she said slowly, her eyes never leaving Dilandau, who was watching them both in mild amusement, "Run now, in the direction of the Mystic Moon, keep going until you come to the city. Understand??"
Dilandau spoke before the younger girl could answer, "That would not be a very smart idea," He warned drawing his sword, "I suggest you both get back in this contraption of yours, right NOW."
"Like hell we will!" Serryn exclaimed, giving her sister a shove. "Aria RUN!"
Aria, tears now streaming down her face, nodded and took off into the forest, not looking back.
Dilandau smirked, "You just made things extremely difficult for me. But at least I won't be bored." Without a warning he lunged at her bringing his sword down with mind numbing speed. Serryn cried out as she was bearly able to block the move with her staff.
"Not bad," He commented coming at her again, this time from the side, but Serryn was prepared for this and quickly blocked him again. Although, while she was able to defend herself from him, she wasn't able to even take one swing at him.
'I can't keep this up forever,' she thought desperately as she block yet another of the silver haired boy's attacks. Her eyes darted towards the Pegasus. A plan forming in her mind, she chanced a blinded swing at Dilandau midsection, and just missing the point of his sword, dived at the Pegasus. 'If I can't beat him,' she rationalized reaching for the compartment next to the handle bars, 'he's going to have a hell of a time bringing me back to that floating rock!'
Dilandau was coming after her fast, sword raised, when realization of her motives hit him. He yelled grabbing Serryn's wrist and yanked her away from the Pegasus, but not before she was able to clutch the tiny drag-energist and fling in deep into the dark forest.
Dilandau growled in anger, spinning her around to face him. Her eyes glared back at him defiantly.
"You Bitch!" he screamed, and brought the back of his hand across her face. Serryn cried out, the force of the impact knocking her from her feet. She fell back against the Pegasus and gasped as the back of her head came in contact with the metal of the machine.
Serryn groaned. Her entire head ached now, and she could tell from the coppery taste in her mouth that he'd probably split her lip open. She glanced up dazed, able to make out Dilandau towering over, fury evident on his face. Apparently he was deciding whether or not he was angry enough to kill her here and now.
'It's not up to him!!' her mind screamed, her body agreeing and reacting. Quicker then Dilandau could contemplate, Serryn swung her leg up, her foot connecting very painfully with a place she knew HAD to hurt.
Dilandau screamed as he dropped his sword, falling to his knees. Taking no chances, Serryn reached forward, shoving the red eyed general to the ground. She leaped over him, taking up her fallen staff and ran for all she was worth into the forest, not looking back once.
****
Dilandau lay on his back, gazing at the sky, smiling lazily. One passing by might take him for a boy camped out in the woods, peacefully observing the night sky. But the thoughts running through the young general's mind at the moment were far from peaceful.
'That Goddamned bitch,' he mused, his fingers twitching slightly. He would hunt her, catch her, and wrap his hands around that pale little neck of hers, watching gleefully as the life was drained from those beryl eyes. He scowled, remembering briefly that if the Queen of Conilia had not lowered the barrier, he wouldn't be able to kill her. Not yet anyway.
"Damn you Celena," he hissed pulling himself to his feet, "this is your fucking fault." This time he was going to go back to that poor excuse for a Stratagos and make sure he did the fate alteration RIGHT. He growled kicking the strange contraption the girl had left behind, gritting his teeth as he was reminded of his absence of foot wear.
Dilandau yelled, rage burning in his eyes. "Just great! Just fucking GREAT!!!" He was stuck out in the middle of nowhere. His prisoner had escaped. And he was totally lacking anything that even resembled armor, all because his counterpart found it to heavy for her pathetically weak body.
He let out a sigh, sitting down on the useless hunk of metal. He sat brooding for a moment, running his fingures down the length of the scar on his right cheek. His eyes traveled suddenly onto a pair of leather saddle bags, hanging from the seat of the contraption. Frowning, Dilandau reached for the bags, and began rummaging through them. Slowly a disturbing smile spread across his face.
*****
Serryn didn't know how long she was running. The fear she'd forgotten temporarily back at the clearing had caught up with her, forcing her to stretch her legs as far a she was physically able to, desperate to increase the distance between her and that red eyed, shape shifting monster.
She ran, almost blindly though the forest, the only light coming from the two moons hanging in the sky high above her. Suddenly a tree root seemed to reach up from the earth, snagging her foot and causing Serryn to tumble face first to the moss covered ground.
She lay there for a moment, gulping air into her heaving lungs. Her knuckles were almost white as she gripped her fist into the ground, her fingers sinking into the soft, pungent soil.
Then all of a sudden, Serryn found herself laughing. "I beat him!" she gasped and collapsed into an all out fit of giggles, tears pouring from her eyes. She, Serryn Conil, respected Princess of the country of Conilia had fought one of Zaibach's most skilled and feared warriors. And had actually BEATEN him!
She snorted softly, bringing herself to a sitting position and wiped the tears from her eyes. It hadn't really been a fair fight. She HAD used almost as many dirty tricks as he did. She shrugged, all was fair in love and war, as they said. And at least SHE wasn't low enough as to attack from behind.
Serryn turned her gaze to the sky. The two moons hung above her. They were positioned in the northern part of the sky, and she estimated that if she walked in that direction she would make it to the city before dawn. But would she be to late?
"Two days, "she reminded herself, "He said two days. Mother can't give up that easily. She'll wait it out until the very last second I know it!" Serryn nodded smiling. And Aria was already on her way. Hopefully the younger girl would make it to the city and the arms of their mother sooner then she hoped, and put an end to this nightmare.
"Don't worry Mother," Serryn whispered looking determinedly at the two shining moons, "Everything's going to be all right."
