WAR FOR VALORIA
CHAPTER 4
New home
Albert gasped slightly as he shielded his eyes from the radiance of the sun as it shone brightly upon him and his companions. They had all been running for hours on end. Albert himself was not sure of the exact time they had run only that they had not stopped and just when he thought he could go no further, it seemed as if the very ground beneath them gave way.
Once they landed on the floor below Shirley had told them that it was a collapsible entrance to their base. Yet even then they made haste. Before he knew it, Shirley had led them out of the alcove and now they walked into a realm of pure beauty. It was like a garden. Everywhere they looked, there were flowers of all different types. Around those, people walked about pleasantly with beautiful waterfall streams pouring down into beautiful crystalline rivers. The houses around were the most elegant, consisting of stonework, yet they were carved in ornate, beautiful designs making them more of a work of art then anything else. Albert was completely and utterly baffled by all of this.
"Such beauty…"
"Do you find our dwelling to your liking, King Albert?"
Albert turned his head to train his eyes on the red haired woman by his side. Finding no words to convey the amount of astonishment he was feeling, the young King of Serdio simply nodded his head emphatically.
Shirley seemed as if she were expecting this reaction and chuckled lightly.
"Wow! Look at this place!" Meru said in her usual boisterous voice. "I've never seen a place so fancy, not even in the Wingly forest."
"There's a first time for everything." Haschel replied absently. He too was captivated by the scenery before him.
"Yeah I know… but still." Meru couldn't find the words to place what she was feeling. Even 'she' was speechless at the splendor.
"It is nice." Kongol admitted. "But still. It is only a dwelling for people. I do not understand why so much time and work was put into it."
"You fail to realize the point Kongol." Shirley explained. "These forests are the embodiment of this world. Houses seem out of place in such a setting. That's why people had to work hard to mold them in a fashion that is accepting and fitting for such a land."
Kongol simply shrugged. "I still don't get it. Such things are only temporary at best. I do not care how long they last, sooner or later the shifting sands of time effect all, returning everything to their truest forms. Such emphasis on homes need not be placed."
Shirley smiled fondly, patting the big man on the shoulder. "These buildings add to the heart of this land my friend. Some day you will understand."
Albert walked evenly towards the red haired woman, gently placing his hand on her shoulder to get her attention. "Lady Shirley, I find all of this very captivating but we still cannot dismiss the problems at hand. Now that we have arrived, I suggest we form a search party for our missing companions."
Shirley looked on sadly at the young King who had deep rooted honey colored hair that trailed down to the small of his back in a long pony tail. "Even still, you doubt the promise made by your own servant, your majesty?"
"He is no servant of mine." Albert spat in disdain. "I do not trust that man, whomever he is, for I do not believe he is Lavitz."
Shirley looked searchingly into Albert's eyes, trying to find some hint that the King did not mean the harsh words in which he said. Sadly she found none. Shirley shook her head, averting her eyes onto one of the blossoming roses standing tall by her heel. "That is your choice, ultimately. But know this King Albert, we have all been stranded in this strange world for forty years. Your Knight, Lavitz has been a slave of Mayfil for a good amount of time before that. It is all enough to change any person."
"I shall take your words into consideration." Albert replied balefully. "If the opportunity ever arises that I meet the 'real' Lavitz."
Shirley simply sighed and shook her head. She turned her gaze on the elderly Haschel. He seemed to be examining an exquisite collage of flowers centered around a certain patch of land. Shirley found it odd that such a rigid martial artist would take a fond interest in something as delicate as flowers. She then looked over to Meru. The young Wingly girl was busy pestering Kongol about how she knew deep down he loved the scenery just as much as everyone else. Kongol on his part, aside from fighting Meru's incessant banter off, was trying to examine the parts of the territory that were mostly forest instead of cultivated land. Something of longing could been seen in his eyes. Shirley could not place it but she felt sorry for the Giganto for some reason.
"I find it interesting, Lady Shirley."
Shirley, startled out of her reverie, turned her head to regard Miranda who was now walking steadily towards here. "What would that be?" She asked flatly.
"According to legend, you were the first wearer of the white dragoon spirit. As stories go, it is said that the original dragoons had to slay their respective dragons to show that they deserved the power the dragons would bestow upon them. What was it like?"
Shirley closed her eyes, not particularly wanting to think about something like that at this time. "Maybe later." She mumbled silently.
Miranda seemed slightly hurt by the rejection but said nothing, instead giving a crisp bow reserved only for those whom she respected. Miranda was a woman self-possessed and independent. Growing up with a harsh life, she learned that trust was something that had to be earned. It was definitely not to be taken lightly yet upon hearing, as a child, the legendary tales of the original dragoons, Miranda felt awkward and humbled in the presence of the true wearer of the white dragoon stone.
Meru made a screeching noise as Miranda walked past her. "Eeeeerrrrrr boom! Shot down huh Anda?"
The Sacred Sister of Mille Seasu stifled a sharp rebuke. Not only had Meru unknowingly offended her even more by relating all that was painfully clear to her but she also called her by the most hated name. As a child, people would always nick name her Anda. She hated it, found no use or love for such a name. Why couldn't people just call her by what she really was? Miranda forced it to the back of her mind so that only a small grimace marred her otherwise, beautiful face. "Apparently so, Meru." Miranda responded tightly then walked briskly away from her.
Meru watched the Sacred Sister depart, shrugging her shoulders carelessly. "Hmph, that's Miranda for you. Always a grinch about something."
Shirley shook her head at the light antics, the very sight bringing back a multitude of old memories of her own campaigning days as a Dragoon. "Come on." She said authoritatively. "The main fort is just up ahead. We've dwindled here long enough. Let us continued our trek."
Albert, who was almost too eager to comply with her demands, vigorously waved his hand towards his roaming companions. "Shirley's right. The sooner we speak to whomever is in charge, the faster we can get to Dart and Shana. Heaven only know's what horrors they are going through even as we speak."
This readily aroused the attention of the other dragoons as they eagerly stepped into pace. Before long, Shirley and her light band of travelers once again found themselves on the trek towards the underground rebel fort.
****
Shana let out a long heave as she fell to the ground. Her knees sank into the moist dirt. Her shoulders drooped and her head bowed. Never had she been so tired in her life. Upon waking up, she felt as if a dagger had been rammed through her head. Opening her eyes, she thought for a moment that the blood running down her face was marring her sight yet after wiping the blood away she soon realized that the whole area around her was, in fact, covered in blood. So thick was the scent, so horrifying the ghastly sight that Shana almost lurched forward losing her lunch right then and there. Then her eyes fell upon Dart.
Her heart constricted in her throat upon seeing the comatose Dragoon leader. Fearing for his life, Shana had hurried to his side to check his pulse. Much to her relief, he was alive yet his pulse was weak and she feared for his life. Not knowing what else to do, she eagerly pulled him along, out of this horrid forest of death. She forced herself to turn her eyes away from the gruesome sight of the dead beast as it lay severed not far from where she was dragging Dart out of the clearing.
Now, after having dragged the unconscious man through the fifth mile, she felt her strength completely leave her. Shana gasped frantically for air. She didn't know what to do. Dart was dying in front of her yet she could do nothing to save him. She didn't even know where her friends were.
"Dart…" She whispered silently. "Please hang on. Don't leave me Dart."
The man said nothing. After losing consciousness from his battle with the huge beast, Dart had reverted back to human form, the flesh around his wound growing thick and swollen. His face was deathly pale and his skin was becoming ice cold to the touch. Shana couldn't stifle the tears that were running down her eyes. Panicked hands groped helplessly at his wound to try and staunch the flow of blood. Dart gave involuntary jerks at the touch but still he did not break the deep sleep he was in. His lips were growing a pale shade of blue and Shana trembled violently, fearing he was on his last leg.
"What should I do." She mumbled to herself helplessly. "What should I do…"
Tears overwhelmed her now. Her heart bled with depression and sorrow. Why had life been so cruel to her? She had lost her parents, had lost her friends, had even lost the sister she never knew she had. Why now did fate decree her husband be taken from her? Shana couldn't control the violent grief that assaulted her now.
"Can't anyone help me?" She hissed through clenched, teeth. Her heart poured out the words sliding straight from her soul. "Someone… anyone…"
She violently threw he head upwards screaming with all her might into the vastness of the surrounding area. "SOMEBODY HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Birds from above shot straight out of their homes, startled by the unexpected shout. Shana heard the birds leaving but paid them no heed. They didn't matter. All that mattered was Dart. She eagerly wrapped loving arms about him, holding him close to her. She wept, warm tears that dropped down onto his pale face.
Suddenly, to her surprise, a loud rustling sound came from the branches. Shana immediately stiffened in her place. Was it another monster? She knew she could do nothing. The pounding of her head prevented her from thinking straight. The depression of Darts condition sapped all the confidence and resolve she had. She was sick of it all. Sick of death. Sick of war. She wanted to escape it. To escape it all and hide amongst the shadows of the night. Shana closed her eyes, fully expecting death to consume her and her husband both. "Don't worry Dart…" She whispered silently. "We will soon be together. Just you wait…"
The rustling grew louder and heavier. She was sure now that the figure was within seeing distance yet she didn't open her eyes. A lone tear rolled down her pale cheek. She swallowed a grief stricken lump in her throat but said nothing. She would meet death head on.
"… Shana?"
That voice! Shana immediately opened her eyes, no longer trusting the validity of her ears. That almost sounded like… Her eyes confirmed it. "LAVITZ!!!"
Shana's eyes narrowed in cautious speculation. "But… but how?" So shocked was she that she had not noticed the mangled appearance of the ragged knight of Serdio. Lavitz was a complete and utter wreck. His once dark gleaming armor, now clung to him as something filthy and dirty that seems out of place. His wings drooped, one of the fins on the right side broken completely off. His mask was also torn away, small cracks around his face being the only sign that the mask had indeed even been there. His long strands of dirty, blood covered blond hair fell about his face and eyes. Blood lined his face, falling mostly on one side in a dried stream. His face was riddled with claw marks. His right shoulder bled profusely. The way it hung by his side, it was a sure assumption that it no longer worked. His torso armor had been ripped clean, his chiseled, clearly defined chest showing underneath. The armored legs were also cracked and damaged greatly yet seemed durable enough, even still, to house the power to spirit him to safety if the need arose. However, Lavitz was in much worse condition then he looked. He passed himself off as only mildly injured yet he knew the truth. He was constantly losing blood from the wound on his shoulder. His once gleaming armor was riddled with claw marks and other indentations all evidence of his great struggle with the Hybrids. On top of it all however, Lavitz knew he couldn't go on my longer. After the Hybrid had slashed his face plate he knew that it's deadly venom had entered his system.
The young Knight bore this all stoically however. His massive shoulders drooped low but his stood to the best of his attention as he possibly could. He stern expressionless face stared straight into Shana's own eyes. She could see the strength and determination behind them.
"Is… is that really you Lavitz?" She asked tentatively.
The young Knight nodded heavily. "It is true. I am Lavitz Slambert formally of Serdio. Are you injured?"
Shana shook her head then looked down towards Dart with saddened eyes. "Lavitz… I don't understand what's going on. I don't know how you survived after all this time… but Dart's hurt! He needs help! There's got to be something you can do!"
Lavitz felt as if he got smashed with a brick wall. So wide did his eyes grow, Shana feared for a split second that there was another huge monster behind her. Growing uneasy she lowered her eyes nervously.
"There is nothing 'I' can do for him, Shana." He replied after long moments of uneasy silence.
The special emphasis he placed on the one word did not go unnoticed by Shana however. "What do you mean by that?"
Lavitz shook his head, as if waking from a daze. "Were you not the dragoon of light at one time?"
"I gave it up!" Shana replied steadily. "My Dragoon spirit rejected me. I don't have that power anymore."
"Wrong." The Knight replied. His shoulders sagged more, making him seem older then he actually was. Lavitz leaned heavily against a tree to grasp with growing difficulty the troublesome air that was evading his stifled lungs. "You have the powers still." He replied in a tight gasp.
"What do you mean?" Shana was mystified.
"Look deep within yourself Shana. Tap into the desperation you feel in your heart. Search for the love you feel for your husband. Let it grow then place your hands upon his wound." Lavitz was now breathing heavily. He slumped low onto his knee's as he instructed her.
Shana noticed his worsening condition yet was too preoccupied with Dart and the new revelation of her lingering powers to take action. Shana readily searched for the love she held for her husband and felt the wave of power consuming her. She eagerly placed her hands about her husband's wounded shoulder. To her surprise, Dart's whole body began to glow a dull white hue. Soon the hue died and his wound was fully healed. Color slowly returned to his pale cheeks and his breathing came easier. Shana gasped in delight. Tears of happiness ran down her face as she hugged her husband's limp form tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
Something rare touched the stern face of Lavitz. Was it… a smile? He would never know, because just then everything suddenly went dark for him, all other thoughts quickly becoming null and void.
::::::::::To Be Continued::::::::::
Author's note: I know that was a pretty short chapter. But don't worry, the next one will be out soon! Thanks for reading and please stay tuned for chapter 5!
