Chapter 8- Sunrise
Keith tried not to look too disappointed as Celes told him the news about her depature. He did, however, wish her good luck and even gave them new weapons. Celes recieved a new Runic Edge sword, and Locke got a Wing Edge weapon. Celes hugged Keith good-bye, and Keith looked to Locke.
"Take good care of her." Keith lectured.
"Don't worry, she's in good hands." Locke smiled cheerfully.
"And don't even THINK about taking advantage of her!" Keith barked. Locke blinked in surprise, and Celes turned a slight shade of crimson.
"Don't worry!" She said, and laughed nervously. She pulled away, and smiled. "We'll be just fine."
With that, Locke and Celes took off from Albrook, Celes not even looking back once. As they crossed the grassy plains to Nikea again, Celes suddenly got a cold chill, causing her to wrap her cape around her arms. Locke looked at her.
"You ok?"
"No..."
"What's up?"
"I don't want to go back to Nikea!"
"But Celes, that's the only town with ships sailing to South Figaro..." Locke realized why she didn't want to go back, and sighed.
"It will be different this time." Locke said. "It's a beautiful day out, and no one will touch you. I won't let them."
Celes blinked and closed her eyes, causing herself to stop walking. Locke stopped too, and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm not taking another step until you're ready." He offered. "I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position. I can't lie and tell you I know what you're feeling, but I can certainly relate and sympathize."
Celes shook her head. "Locke, please..."
Locke blinked.
"I feel....like such a baby now." Celes protested to herself.
"Don't call yourself a baby!" Locke cried. "Truthfully Celes, I wonder if the reason you are like this is because you are so not used to fear..."
"What!?" Celes asked.
"I said, you arn't used to fear." Locke repeated.
Celes didn't say anything. Was it true? It sounded so...un-human. She took a deep breath and decided just to agree with him.
"Maybe so." she said. "But...I don't care about that. Once we get on that ship, I'll be feeling just fine, so we need to go now and get it over with. Do you agree, Locke?"
"If you think it's the right thing." Locke smiled.
Celes smiled back, and a warm feeling of pride rushed over her body.
"Continue on then!" Celes exclaimed. "We still have lots of ground to cover!" With that, Celes took off running, and Locke could only stare at her perfect form for a few moments as she dashed away.
"Hurry up!" Celes called back, and laughed.
That was all Locke needed to hear before he came bounding after her.
**********
Nikea Harbor was very crowded and busy that day. Celes and Locke had about an hour wait until the next ship came that would take them to South Figaro, so they had lunch together a nearby inn. Locke noticed that Celes was a little clingy and nervous, but he could see why. The sooner they got on that ship, the better...
Suddenly, a loud commotion was heard from outside the inn. Celes diverted her attention from her shrimp special and looked out a nearby window. Her eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her food.
"Cough, hack, uggg...!!!" Celes coughed, and spit her food out on her plate.
"What the heck!?" Locke cried. "Are you ok?"
"Look outside!" Celes cried. He did so, and gasped.
A new ship had just entered the harbor, which was Celes and Locke's ride. However, there was something wrong. Mnay, many sea monsters had climbed on the deck, and they were terrorizing the sailors! Townsfolk were streaming out of the harbor, and a lot of them were pouring into the inn. Celes stood up.
"We have to do something!" She declared. "That's our only ticket outta here!"
Locke stood up also. "You mean, you want to fight?"
Celes nodded. "Come on! Innocent people might get hurt!"
"Lets go." Locke agreed, and the two burst out of the inn, running towards the ship. The moensters were howling loudly, and the sailor's cries were mixed in with them. Locke looked up and spotted a sailor trembling in a crow's nest of the ship, as a Sea Hag climbed up to devour him. With one eye closed, Locke made perfect aim, and suddenly launched the Wing Edge at the hag, striking it perfectly. The hag howled in defeat and hit the ship's deck, disappearing in a flash of light. Unfortunately, this was about one out of twenty of them.
Celes leaped onto the ramp going up to the ship, and charged at a hag blocking her way. Before it could react, Celes made one slice with her sword, cutting the creature in two. She ran ahead, jumping high into the air to come down on the back of another monster who had cornered a helpless sailor.
Locke just stood there stupidly for a minute, watching her. Memories of battles together came rushing back at him, and he suddenly remembered how elegant, yet strong Celes looked in combat. He felt his face grow slightly hot, and rushed in to join her before she killed all the monsters herself.
After 10 minutes of battling in the swealtering heat, all the mosnters had either been killed or retreated. The sailors cautiously returned to their ship, to find an exhausted Locke and Celes leaning against each other to keep from falling over. The captain quickly brought them water, which they both drank greatfully before replying to all the thank you's that were thrown at them. Finally, Celes cleared her throat and spoke.
"It's....no problem..." She said with a cracked voice. Her head was pounding fiercely from all the action and heat. A feeling of deep nausea washed over her, and she could feel herself falling down....
"Celes!" Was the last thing she heard.
**********
Celes woke up to a cooling sensation that was brought upon her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes, and was surprised to see that it was now somewhat dark out. She rolled over, and found that she was on the cool ship deck with a blanket over her. A sailor with a bucket of water was sitting near her. As Celes sat up, a fresh rag soaked with water fell from her forehead and onto her lap. So that was what had woken her up.
"You ok?" The sailor asked, and let out a loud yawn. Celes blinked.
"What happened?" She asked. The last thing she remembered was that battle...
"You passed out..." The sailor replied. "You were terribly dehydrated you know, Miss Celes."
"Oh..." Celes muttered. "Why is it dark out? How long have I been asleep?"
"Since yesterday afternoon." The sailor admitted. "It's almost sunrise now. We'll be at South Figaro in about an hour. Your friend that was with you stayed with you all day, but finally, he tired out himself, and went to bed only after we promised him we would have someone looking out for you all night. Persistant fellow, he is!"
Celes smiled at that. She suddenly felt a little stronger, and rubbed her forehead.
"If you feel like it, you can see the sunrise." The sailor added. "It's really quite remarkable from the sea..."
"Thanks!" Celes said. She stood up on long, shaky legs, and made her way to the front of the ship where she could be alone. There was a soft breeze that toyed with her hair, blowing it out of her eyes for her as she gazed out. Ever slowly, the horizon became streaked with pinks, reds, and golds. Celes smiled to herself and almost thought she spotted the sun peaking out when there was a tap on her shoulder. She whirled around, and saw Locke.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked.
Celes nodded, and turned back to the scenery. Locke stepped up beside her, and took in a deep breath.
"This is...very....beautiful." He said, his focus more on Celes then the sky. The emerging golds seemed to almost create an aura around her. It was the most tranquil and beautiful thing he thought he had ever seen, in all his years of treasure hunting. Celes turned to him, and nodded some.
"Yeah...nice way to start a day." She commented. She was peering so deeply into Locke's eyes, she could see her own reflection in them. She felt her heart skip a beat as he reached out for her hand, and tugged her a little closer.
His hand enclosed over hers, Locke suddenly leaned down and placed his other hand on her cheek gently. Celes felt something take over her senses. She raised her head to meet his, and closed her eyes...
"HEY YOU TWO! YOU WANT SOME BREAKFAST? IF YOU GOTTA SPECIAL REQUEST FOR OUR CHEF, TELL US NOW!"
Celes gasped and her eyes snapped open. She glanced over Locke's shoulder and saw the captain approaching them. Locke noticed too, and suddenly gave Celes' cheek a rough rub with his thumb.
"OW!" Celes snapped. "What did you do that for?!"
"You had something on your face." Locke said quickly, and smirked a little. "Probably drool remains from that long sleep of yours." He dropped her hand also. "You shouldn't be touching the rails of the ship. A sailor told me to check your hand for splinters!"
Celes turned red and rubbed her cheek as Locke ran over to the captain to give him his order. She sighed a little, and turned back to the now shimmering sunrise. The sun steadily climbed its way into the sky, and Celes almost expected it to suddenly crash down into the sea, just as her emotions and passion had only a few moments ago...
She looked at Locke for a moment, and then returned her gaze to the sunrise.
"....Beautiful...." She murmured to herself, and her heart skipped a beat again.
Keith tried not to look too disappointed as Celes told him the news about her depature. He did, however, wish her good luck and even gave them new weapons. Celes recieved a new Runic Edge sword, and Locke got a Wing Edge weapon. Celes hugged Keith good-bye, and Keith looked to Locke.
"Take good care of her." Keith lectured.
"Don't worry, she's in good hands." Locke smiled cheerfully.
"And don't even THINK about taking advantage of her!" Keith barked. Locke blinked in surprise, and Celes turned a slight shade of crimson.
"Don't worry!" She said, and laughed nervously. She pulled away, and smiled. "We'll be just fine."
With that, Locke and Celes took off from Albrook, Celes not even looking back once. As they crossed the grassy plains to Nikea again, Celes suddenly got a cold chill, causing her to wrap her cape around her arms. Locke looked at her.
"You ok?"
"No..."
"What's up?"
"I don't want to go back to Nikea!"
"But Celes, that's the only town with ships sailing to South Figaro..." Locke realized why she didn't want to go back, and sighed.
"It will be different this time." Locke said. "It's a beautiful day out, and no one will touch you. I won't let them."
Celes blinked and closed her eyes, causing herself to stop walking. Locke stopped too, and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm not taking another step until you're ready." He offered. "I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position. I can't lie and tell you I know what you're feeling, but I can certainly relate and sympathize."
Celes shook her head. "Locke, please..."
Locke blinked.
"I feel....like such a baby now." Celes protested to herself.
"Don't call yourself a baby!" Locke cried. "Truthfully Celes, I wonder if the reason you are like this is because you are so not used to fear..."
"What!?" Celes asked.
"I said, you arn't used to fear." Locke repeated.
Celes didn't say anything. Was it true? It sounded so...un-human. She took a deep breath and decided just to agree with him.
"Maybe so." she said. "But...I don't care about that. Once we get on that ship, I'll be feeling just fine, so we need to go now and get it over with. Do you agree, Locke?"
"If you think it's the right thing." Locke smiled.
Celes smiled back, and a warm feeling of pride rushed over her body.
"Continue on then!" Celes exclaimed. "We still have lots of ground to cover!" With that, Celes took off running, and Locke could only stare at her perfect form for a few moments as she dashed away.
"Hurry up!" Celes called back, and laughed.
That was all Locke needed to hear before he came bounding after her.
**********
Nikea Harbor was very crowded and busy that day. Celes and Locke had about an hour wait until the next ship came that would take them to South Figaro, so they had lunch together a nearby inn. Locke noticed that Celes was a little clingy and nervous, but he could see why. The sooner they got on that ship, the better...
Suddenly, a loud commotion was heard from outside the inn. Celes diverted her attention from her shrimp special and looked out a nearby window. Her eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her food.
"Cough, hack, uggg...!!!" Celes coughed, and spit her food out on her plate.
"What the heck!?" Locke cried. "Are you ok?"
"Look outside!" Celes cried. He did so, and gasped.
A new ship had just entered the harbor, which was Celes and Locke's ride. However, there was something wrong. Mnay, many sea monsters had climbed on the deck, and they were terrorizing the sailors! Townsfolk were streaming out of the harbor, and a lot of them were pouring into the inn. Celes stood up.
"We have to do something!" She declared. "That's our only ticket outta here!"
Locke stood up also. "You mean, you want to fight?"
Celes nodded. "Come on! Innocent people might get hurt!"
"Lets go." Locke agreed, and the two burst out of the inn, running towards the ship. The moensters were howling loudly, and the sailor's cries were mixed in with them. Locke looked up and spotted a sailor trembling in a crow's nest of the ship, as a Sea Hag climbed up to devour him. With one eye closed, Locke made perfect aim, and suddenly launched the Wing Edge at the hag, striking it perfectly. The hag howled in defeat and hit the ship's deck, disappearing in a flash of light. Unfortunately, this was about one out of twenty of them.
Celes leaped onto the ramp going up to the ship, and charged at a hag blocking her way. Before it could react, Celes made one slice with her sword, cutting the creature in two. She ran ahead, jumping high into the air to come down on the back of another monster who had cornered a helpless sailor.
Locke just stood there stupidly for a minute, watching her. Memories of battles together came rushing back at him, and he suddenly remembered how elegant, yet strong Celes looked in combat. He felt his face grow slightly hot, and rushed in to join her before she killed all the monsters herself.
After 10 minutes of battling in the swealtering heat, all the mosnters had either been killed or retreated. The sailors cautiously returned to their ship, to find an exhausted Locke and Celes leaning against each other to keep from falling over. The captain quickly brought them water, which they both drank greatfully before replying to all the thank you's that were thrown at them. Finally, Celes cleared her throat and spoke.
"It's....no problem..." She said with a cracked voice. Her head was pounding fiercely from all the action and heat. A feeling of deep nausea washed over her, and she could feel herself falling down....
"Celes!" Was the last thing she heard.
**********
Celes woke up to a cooling sensation that was brought upon her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes, and was surprised to see that it was now somewhat dark out. She rolled over, and found that she was on the cool ship deck with a blanket over her. A sailor with a bucket of water was sitting near her. As Celes sat up, a fresh rag soaked with water fell from her forehead and onto her lap. So that was what had woken her up.
"You ok?" The sailor asked, and let out a loud yawn. Celes blinked.
"What happened?" She asked. The last thing she remembered was that battle...
"You passed out..." The sailor replied. "You were terribly dehydrated you know, Miss Celes."
"Oh..." Celes muttered. "Why is it dark out? How long have I been asleep?"
"Since yesterday afternoon." The sailor admitted. "It's almost sunrise now. We'll be at South Figaro in about an hour. Your friend that was with you stayed with you all day, but finally, he tired out himself, and went to bed only after we promised him we would have someone looking out for you all night. Persistant fellow, he is!"
Celes smiled at that. She suddenly felt a little stronger, and rubbed her forehead.
"If you feel like it, you can see the sunrise." The sailor added. "It's really quite remarkable from the sea..."
"Thanks!" Celes said. She stood up on long, shaky legs, and made her way to the front of the ship where she could be alone. There was a soft breeze that toyed with her hair, blowing it out of her eyes for her as she gazed out. Ever slowly, the horizon became streaked with pinks, reds, and golds. Celes smiled to herself and almost thought she spotted the sun peaking out when there was a tap on her shoulder. She whirled around, and saw Locke.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked.
Celes nodded, and turned back to the scenery. Locke stepped up beside her, and took in a deep breath.
"This is...very....beautiful." He said, his focus more on Celes then the sky. The emerging golds seemed to almost create an aura around her. It was the most tranquil and beautiful thing he thought he had ever seen, in all his years of treasure hunting. Celes turned to him, and nodded some.
"Yeah...nice way to start a day." She commented. She was peering so deeply into Locke's eyes, she could see her own reflection in them. She felt her heart skip a beat as he reached out for her hand, and tugged her a little closer.
His hand enclosed over hers, Locke suddenly leaned down and placed his other hand on her cheek gently. Celes felt something take over her senses. She raised her head to meet his, and closed her eyes...
"HEY YOU TWO! YOU WANT SOME BREAKFAST? IF YOU GOTTA SPECIAL REQUEST FOR OUR CHEF, TELL US NOW!"
Celes gasped and her eyes snapped open. She glanced over Locke's shoulder and saw the captain approaching them. Locke noticed too, and suddenly gave Celes' cheek a rough rub with his thumb.
"OW!" Celes snapped. "What did you do that for?!"
"You had something on your face." Locke said quickly, and smirked a little. "Probably drool remains from that long sleep of yours." He dropped her hand also. "You shouldn't be touching the rails of the ship. A sailor told me to check your hand for splinters!"
Celes turned red and rubbed her cheek as Locke ran over to the captain to give him his order. She sighed a little, and turned back to the now shimmering sunrise. The sun steadily climbed its way into the sky, and Celes almost expected it to suddenly crash down into the sea, just as her emotions and passion had only a few moments ago...
She looked at Locke for a moment, and then returned her gaze to the sunrise.
"....Beautiful...." She murmured to herself, and her heart skipped a beat again.