Setsunakutemo... Zutto- Chapter 3


First Test


by Asurahime



Disclaimers: I do not own Star Ocean: The Second Story unless I am willing to stake my life on it, which I am not (quite) stupid enough to do. All characters except for Rhein and Ashura belongs to me... (oops, I meant them), and Reese belongs to herself.


*~~*~~*



Leaning against the shade of a sturdy tree, Dias looked off into the distance at Lacour, savagely burning under the setting summer sun. He had already finished signing up for the Tournament of Arms, but he still couldn't bring himself to seek out a weapon shop to sponsor him. Frankly, the swordsman didn't really care about such a thing. No other weapon would suit him as well as his long sword--always razor-sharp to bring about a swift and painless death to his adversaries... except for the most recent battle where he truly had no chance of winning.


*~~*~~*


In a split-second, Ashura unsheathed her glass sword and met Dias' with a sharp clash. She retreated and swung it down and in, heading straight for his heart, but ready to pull back in at any second. Dias didn't go for the feint and instantly swung his sword in a forceful arc, pinning down the girl's weapon on then ground for a moment. "Why are you doing this? Why do you keep on struggling!?"


Ashura merely replied, "Shouldn't that be the same question that you should be asking yourself?"


Taking Dias off-guard, Ashura drew her glass sword from under his and began circling him, ever-searching for an opening. "You will meet many people in life who are not who they seem to be. Never underestimate them, or else that will lead you to a sooner death than you expected," she whispered before cutting the air before her in a rapid side-way cut, which slit his shirtsleeve.


Dias looked towards Rhein, who stared back in a determined fashion. He had planned this all along... not to harm Dias, but to teach him a lesson-- and who would be better at teaching a pessimist but someone who has gone down that same path? "I understand now..." said Dias, parrying Ashura's slash towards his head. Searching for a weak point at the girl's stance, he quickly moved in when he saw her leave her right side open. Swiftly concentrating his mental energy into his sword, Dias formed a spark of fire into a raging flame-hawk and sent it straight towards his opponent's direction. "Hawk Scream Blast!!"


The other smiled silently and reversed her hold on her sword. Waiting for the exact moment when the flame-bird was upon her, Ashura focused her own mental energy into her sword and willed emerald-green arrows to spring from her blade. Swinging her the glass edge at all directions, the emerald arrows tore through the fire bird and dispersed the mental energy of its maker. "Your mental energy is strong.... and so is your will. However, it will take more than will and strength to win the battles ahead of you, Dias Flac."


"What do you mean by that?" he asked, amazed by the performance of the other. "What attack did you just use? I have never seen anything like it... nor ever imagined anything like it existed."


Rhein walked up to Dias and took his sword from his grasp. Then, he leveled the point of the weapon directly in line with Dias' heart. "This is the most important thing to know in your battles and in life. No one can live even a satisfactory life without the help of others. In your case, denying the feelings stored deep within your heart will only grant you more pain and despair. You may not comprehend the lesson we are trying to teach you, Dias Flac, but you must learn it... and soon."


The sun has already set, but the moon still has not appeared, so everything seemed to be blanketed by a shroud of twilight. The young swordsman looked at Ashura and was totally surprised when he saw that the teenage girl had a seemingly intent smile on the horizon. "That was an unusual attack... and you defeated me quite handily with it..." he said as the other's attention turned towards him. "Something tells me that you were holding back...."


Reese walked up to Ashura and ruffled the other's silver hair until it shone like a river in the half-darkness. "This little girl here is a practitioner of several sacred sword arts. She is the last of those who know it and can learn it... at least of the ones we know. So don't feel so bad that she held back on you... only one person has defeated her in battle as we know it right now."


*~~*~~*


"I never should have underestimated that girl... but then again, that wasn't exactly a fair battle to say the least," murmured the man, despite the mocking voice inside his mind telling him that his defeat was of his own fault. Such a humiliating defeat it was too, but has he been chastised enough to want to seek mental and physical help from almost total strangers? No, he was not desperate enough to do so... at least not yet... "Not yet... but maybe soon."


The warrior closed his eyes and remained silent for several moments, not thinking about anything in particular except once again withdrawing into the dark recesses of his mind. It was something Dias often did whenever he felt confused or distressed--allow himself to sink into deep misery to erase all other feelings which could be the cause of weakness. However, he already knew that he was insecure, even vulnerable when it came to discussing his deep friendship with another.


//This is the most important thing to know in your battles and in life. Now one can live even a satisfactory life without the help of others. In your case, denying the feelings stored deep within your heart will only grant you more pain and despair.//


~Why are his words repeating itself in my mind? Is Rhein right? Am I only denying who I really am? What do I really feel?~


A short eternity later, Dias broke out of his mental prison and stared up at the dark veil of night enshrouding him from all sides. No stars shone, but the crescent moon lighted upon him with her pale light, making him look as pale and ethereal as herself. Then, his noble and serene profile was spoiled as his eyebrows knitted themselves together into a frown, returning him into his tired and confused state of being. Too many questions and not a single answer to ease his suffering.


~No...~


~I feel nothing...~


With those final words, he moved away from under the protective shelter of the tree and made his way back to the beautiful castle which continued to shimmer with a brilliant glow even in the darkening scene. So much like the mere presence of a blue-haired girl which illuminates even the darkest path to the future.


*~~*~~*


"It's getting dark out," whispered Dias as he headed back towards the inn. "And another wasted day. How can people think that the Lacour of Lacour could be within such second rate--what?


Sparkling blue and violet eyes met frozen shade of cobalt. Within the dark shadows outside of the city walls, the glistening silver waterfalls of the girl's hair served as the only beacons of light, forming a halo of blue and silver around them. Before any words were side, the elder of the two stepped forward to accost the blue-haired swordsman. "Trust that this time, the meeting was not arranged, Dias Flac. It was not our intent to meet your company so soon."


The only hint in Dias' face that implied how he could possibly be feeling at the moment was a mere flicker of disbelief and amusement in his eyes. This didn't last before he walked further into the shadows until the darkness wholly consumed the three of them. "It makes no difference to me. What you said before may have some traces of truth laced in them, but they are not what I need to deal with right now."


Ashura smiled grimly but Reese was the one who placed her palms together and closed her eyes. "Such a wonderful life you live, indeed. Would I assume that all you ever do is fight daily?" The sarcasm in the older girl's voice caused the swordsman's eyes to narrow slightly.


The look on Dias' face indicated a man who is more than willing to face death. "It is not survival which I search for. You would never understand why I am the way I am, tell that to Rhein."


Both of the silver-haired girls frowned at his tone before exchanging smirks when the frigid Ice King standing before them gripped the hilt of his blade with a white-knuckled hand. The smirk faded from the older girl's face first, contorting the line of her lips into an expression as blank as the one on the swordsman's face. "That's easy enough to answer. Revenge is a bitter medicine which heals a wound but leaves a permanent scar. Even if you forget about it, nothing disguises the fact that it is there."


A colder pair of blue eyes locked with hers as their owner crossed his arms over his chest in confusion. "Insightful that may be, but trust that that is not going to help my current situation one whit."


Unsheathing her sword in a similar fashion as Ashura had--much faster than the eye could see--Reese soon had the sharpened ivory edge of her weapon pointed towards Dias' throat within a small fraction of a second. "At least you admit that you have a situation. You're good, Dias Flac. But to defeat me, you must draw much faster than a third of the way," smiled Reese as she pointed down to her opponent's weapon that was truly unsheathed only one-third of the way.


For a second, unadulterated respect and awe glittered within shaded eyes. "How in Tria--teach me..."


"This skill is called the 'Fast Draw,'" instructed the blue-eyed girl. "We would be glad to teach you. Your first lesson starts now." The two of them immediately brought their swords up and circled, watching for any sudden movement. "Don't think, just do what feels right. Do not stay in one place for too long."


Suddenly, Reese swung her blade into a cutting arc which Dias barely had the time to block. Before her opponent could recover from the attack, Rhein's daughter reversed the angle of her attack into a back handed slash which cut a diagonal slash through Dias' armor and cloak. Within a heartbeat, the taller figure lunged at her and locked their sword hilts together. However, as Dias stared at the interlocked hilts, he found himself rethinking the strength advantage he has that one would normally assume when comparing either of the two to him. Ashura had been able to force him on his knees before and there was no reason why Reese is less capable of doing the exact same feat.


A voice soft with regard yet implacable with honest criticism cut into their lock, causing Dias to listen with bated breath and mild exasperation at himself. He had forgotten that the younger practitioner of sword techs along with her glass sword strapped to her back was still there. What may have thrown him off was the fact that Ashura had not made the slightest sound from the time she arrived with her companion until now. "You have improved Dias, yet you should take into account that to attack doesn't always guarantee a safe way out. A good defense can cut off the most relentless of all attacks, and never underestimate your opponent. The 'Fast Draw' does not discriminate with who is standing opposite of you in the battlefield, but sometimes, that is not going to be enough.'


Breaking away and getting to his feet, the man barely had the time to dodge Reese's reverse crescent and it cut a shallow scratch on his face. Very surprised that another had managed to draw blood from him after so long, Dias allowed a split-second loss of composure before executing a complex pass which Reese deflected and parried with a butterfly-cut. Blocking the pass, Dias moved aside so quickly that an after image was left behind and lunged with a cross-cut which slashed Reese across her cheek with a mirror image of the one on Dias' face.


Surprisingly, both Reese and Ashura smiled genuinely at the act. "Much better, you're learning much more quickly than we originally thought. Be that as it may," murmured Ashura before the slight smile on her face faded into wistfulness. Reese attacked with renewed strength and tried the same complex pass which Dias used. This time, Dias' long sword went flying and the ivory blade flashed up to kiss the long haired man at his throat in the "kill" position. "We apparently still need more time for instruction."


"Until you can properly defeat me in a duel, you will be unable to draw steel against Ashura once again. I cannot allow either you or her to accidentally cause your destruction because of the difference in strength."


The swordsman looked up at the younger girl with a frozen look. "You both have defeated me... again..."


The younger ceased pulling on a lock on her hair to give Dias a sad smile. "Do not think too much of it, Dias Flac. One cannot say that a duel such as the ones we have had with you are truly fair when your opponents are not mortal."


"I don't understand."


"Nor would you ever want to. Reese, Master Rhein and I have been around far longer than the moons which grace the night in this planet, and trust that we will still be around when their light turns into ashes."


"Then where are you all from?"


"Master Rhein and Reese do not necessarily originate from the same place--or world as I. Know that for now and if you choose to join us after the Tournament, we may be able to enlighten you then."


"You shall know when to find us at the end of the Tournament of Arms," added Reese before she ran a rose-gold finger down the scratch on his face, healing the rend. It was only now that Dias noticed another difference in the two girls. While both were still paler than most, Reese was still darker than Ashura, whose skin was so pale that the moonlight seemed to shine right through her. It was just too surreal.


"Good night, Dias Flac. But as we depart, take this into your heart. Before you retire, seek a place where intrigue flows like a river, where deceit comes from the shadows, and where immorality reigns as law. The light by your side is dimming. Cruel laughter surrounds it at all sides and time is not your ally. Strike at its heart and find your light once more."


Dias turned away towards the gate of the city once more, trying not to let the indigo-eyed girl's warning tone shake his composure. "My path has never been bright. But that never mattered, doesn't it?"


"Ashura and I have seen that your determination has always been both a blessing and a curse, Dias Flac. Learn to manipulate it or it shall manipulate you."


Without bothering to turn back, Dias walked on for he knew that the two were already gone.


*~~*~~*


But as we depart, take this to your heart.


Within the gates of Lacour, sheltered by the stone walls and in the presence of the glittering palace, a silver mist rose from the ground. Spirits seemed to come forth from the white apparition, tugging at the cloak and the long strands of sea-colored hair belonging to the single figure who dared to trek the roads at midnight. Any way one looked at it, it had been a hard trip and even if he was alone, two pairs of eyes never left his mind.


Before you retire, seek a place where intrigue flows like a river, where deceit comes from the shadows, and where immorality reigns as law.


"There is no light beside me. I shouldn't be thinking so hard about what they said, but I just can't seem to get it out of my mind."


Walking towards a door framed by two lanterns, Dias' trained senses reacted to a terrified cry. He would not have heeded the sound except for the fact that the voice resembled another's... one he knew very well. Calmly walking into the door, his eyes darkened upon taking in the scene before him.


The light by your side is dimming.


Patrons of the bar who were surrounding a scene scattered when they saw the door burst open to reveal a figure like the angel of vengeance silhouetted against the dark sky. All laughter and amusement ceased and were replaced by pure fear and confusion. Upon further scrutiny, some noticed that the figure was that of a man, radiating irritation and anger towards the show playing beyond them.


Cruel laughter surrounds it at all sides and time is not your ally.


Beyond the shield formed by customers, Dias saw a flash of blue and a crescent pin of yellow being pinned to a wall by a larger person. Even as he watched, he could see that that person's struggles were lessening. It did not peak his interest in the least until another scream shattered the silence like a sword clashing against another.


"Sophia!! Get out of here now! Don't let them near you!" raved Rena as she clawed against the hold of the mercenary. "Sophia!!"


The young girl didn't listen as she pummelled against her own two attackers with her small fists, refusing to give up her companion. "I can't, Big Sister Re--"


That had gained Rena a vicious slap across her face, followed by angered cursing as Sophia bit the hand which was trying to muffle her cries. "Shut up you little brat!! Unless you want me to cause more trouble for your pretty sister--"


Strike at its heart and find your light once more.


"Big Sister Rena!!"


"I told you to--"


The man never finished his sentence for he found himself thrown against the opposite wall of the tavern. Raising his drunken brown eyes and shoving the table blocking his path, he found his prey being defended by a newcomer. The blue-haired man shielded the distressed girl with a length of his cloak, showing to all the sheathed longsword hanging from his waist. Unfortunately, the drunk was too intoxicated to fear and to think rationally. "Get the hell out of my way!!"


Royal blue eyes tore into tea-colored ones like daggers, almost hungry for revenge and bloodshed. A voice as implacable and deadly as a blizzard hissed at him. "Are you such as coward as to pick your fights with teenage girls and children? I would dispatch of you immediately if only you are that worthy of even a few seconds my time. My blade does not need the blood of such filth staining it even further."


Rena's eyes widened when she looked up at who saved her. Is this a dream? How else could Dias really be standing in front of me? Perhaps it's just an illusion...


Dias turned around and helped Rena to her feet, holding on to her shoulders to steady her. "Are you all right?"


"Thank you, Di--" Before she could even answer, the drunk had gotten to his feet and was headed straight for Dias. "You'll pay for that you arrogant--"


Breaths were held as it seemed as if the man was going to his Dias dead-on. He would have hit true had Dias not turned a half-turn to his left before contact. "This is no longer interesting in the least. Let's go." With that, he was already ushering Rena and Sophia outside of the tavern, not even waiting to watch their assailant trip over a tea bottle, fly half-way across the room and knock himself unconscious against the wall.


It was only when Dias stepped outside when he remembered a violet-eyed girl's words to him. Without any changes in his expression, he looked back up into the night sky. "Damn you, Ashura."


"Thank you for saving us, Dias."


Dias was not looking at Rena but even in the darkness, the slight narrowing of his eyes sent a chill through her. "There is no need for you to thank me. I would also prefer that you don't do something like that again. I may not be there the next time you get yourself into a mess."


His expression quickly changed as his eyes dilated and fixed themselves on the younger girls. "But most of all, what were you thinking going into a place like that!? Especially with a little kid and without anyone else with you!! Do you know how dangerous your situation could have been if I hadn't been there to stop it!?" half-shouted Dias, having one of his few moments of showing emotion. If only it wasn't intense anger contorting his face and making his eyes grow even darker than before.


Slim hands tangled with the pendant and chain hanging from around a porcelain neck as Rena allowed her hair to shield her eyes from his dark glare. "But..."


"By the way, why isn't that person with you?" asked Dias, half-pleased that not a shred of jealousy tainted his words. "Did you get in a fight with him? That would explain why you are practically alone in such an immoral and dangerous place. And if he really has thrown you to the wolves, I will have his head."


Ignoring the fact that her childhood friend refused to mention Claude's name, Rena replied, "N-no!! We didn't get into a fight... By the way, you're here because--"


Respecting Rena's sudden and obvious desire for a change in the subject, Dias walked up a few steps until he could see over the massive walls surrounding Lacour. "Like most people at this time of the year, I came here because of the Tournament of Arms."


"So, you haven't found a weapon's shop to sponsor you yet?" There was a strange gleam in Rena's eyes when she asked the question and a sort of desperation in her voice.


"No. Unfortunately, not one shop I have been to seems to possess a weapon satisfactory enough for me to use. I have been searching for a very long time, but not a single sword in any shop that I have seen is worthy of being called the 'Lacour of Lacour.' The balance of their swords are terrible, the edges are not up to standard, and the material used to make the blades are a little better than wood. If this keeps up, I may as well just use my own sword..."


A sharp sound drew his attention from his reverie, causing him to turn his head questioningly at the two girls who were practically jumping with exultation. "That means that Dias hasn't fully registered yet, isn't that good news, Sophia?!"


"Yes it is!! That means that Big Brother Dias can still be sponsored by Grandpa Gamgee's shop!!"


Dias fully turned around to view the scene, not really understanding why the two were talking about him as if he wasn't there. "...........??"


*~~*~~*


A secretive smile curved its way on Ashura's face as she and Reese watched the three walk farther away from the tavern and out of sight. "I am sorry Dias Flac, but I am afraid that you are too late. I am already damned."


Her companion's laughter pierced her dark thoughts. "That seems to be his favorite way to pass time these days..."


A slight sarcastic edge was present in the younger girl's voice. "Don't worry, I believe that you'll get your share of his sardonic highness soon enough."


Reese shook her head slowly, not believing her friend's tone. But she had to agree about that "sardonic highness" line--it did fit Dias. "Perhaps it may come earlier if we stalk him enough. Father has a strange sense of humor sometimes."


A silvery eyebrow was raised at that. "Sometimes?"


"You forget that 'sometimes' means 'most of the time' for Father. He has strange ways in showing protectiveness in people he finds interesting," smiled Reese when she saw the other fencer shudder. "I think that we should leave them be for now..."


Ashura sighed before she and Reese jumped off of the church's roof to fade into the darkness once again.


"Do you think that they'll be able to sort all of this out?"


"I don't know but Father says that he is more than willing to let Dias steam about it."


"What are we going to do about that blonde-haired Earthling? He seems really jealous about the closeness between Rena and Dias."


"Well, he does have reason to be... I say that we just let things be the way they are right now. These things have a way of sorting themselves out."


"Do we have to go back to report to Master Rhein now?"


"Yes, I'm afraid so..."


"Why?"


"Because we can always bully him into making us some ice cream."


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


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


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


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


"Race you there?"


"You're on."


*~~*~~*


"I must really be losing my mind," murmured Dias as he walked along the corridors of Lacour Castle that would lead him to the battle grounds. "But... that sword..." In the back of his mind, the brilliant image of Gamgee's Sharpness Sword beckoned him forth. There at lease is still one shop in Lacour whose master's prowness at the forge hasn't faded.


//I am old and I cannot make too many swords at my age. As the years pass by, I will be able to make even less and less until I am unable to create another. This is the first and the last sword of his kind I or anyone else shall ever make, Dias Flac. His name is Sharpness and he will protect you from here on in. Never treat him as an object, for he has a soul within him that burns of its own power. Master the sword and you will begin to master yourself.//


When he reached the registration table, Dias' corundum blue eyes briefly caught a glimpse of yellow before he stopped in front a green-haired, white robed man. "Excuse me, but hasn't my sword arrived from the shop yet?" he asked, not turning when a startled gasp stifled itself behind him.


The robed man became exceedingly flustered as he scanned a piece of parchment. Putting down the parchment uneasily, his brows knitted together in concern as he raised both hands into the air in a helpless manner. "My sincerest apologies, Mr. Dias Flac, but I am certain that your weapon has yet to arrive from Mr. Gamgee's shop. He should be arriving soon wi--"


"There will be no need of that. I will go to the shop directly and fetch my weapon personally. Would you wait to register me until I have returned with the sword?" The sheer patience and lack of panic in the warrior's voice almost stunned the man into silence before he spluttered back to life.


"Indeed, we shall wait for you. Due to this special circumstance beyond our control, Mr. Dias Flac will be able to register up to the start of the tournament without forfeit and without consequence." The man raised his hand quickly, trying to catch Dias' attention as he was already walking away. "Wait!! Please keep in mind that you are fighting the second bout and that you don't have a lot of time."


Dias didn't even bother turning around as he swiftly walked towards the door. The sooner he got to Gamgee's to find out what's wrong, the less anyone else has to worry about. "I understand."


"What's wrong now, friend? Hasn't your pathetic excuse for a stick arrived yet?" jeered the same man who had antagonized Rena and Sophia at the tavern the night before. "Let me just put this clear to you. I am going to pound your face into the dirt today. Sooner or later, I am going to get my revenge for what you did at the bar!!"


Cold eyes flickered at the stupid man for a moment before the Dias' tall figure walked past him. "I do not have time for this now."


A snarl answered his indifferent reply. "I see. Too busy to chat, aren't you? Doesn't matter to me anyway, you're probably already much too late."


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


"Wait, Dias!! I'm coming with you!" cried the one voice Dias did not want to hear at the moment.


Don't say it... you're going to make it worse, Rena. Please don't say anything in front of him. "No Rena, you have already done too much. You should stay here because this no longer is of your concern--" Don't reveal anything!!!


A desperate cry cut him off before he could continue. "None of my concern!! It is my concern because I the one who suggested introducing you to Grandpa Gamgee so that you could have a sword to enter the tournament!! I can't just allow the possibility that all of that could have been in vain!"


Damn it...


An outraged yell from Claude made everyone flinch back from the hurt and the anger in it. "Rena!? You were the one who got Dias' sword for him? How..."


"I--I--that..."


"There is really no cause for you to be jealous. Rena just helped me because I hadn't found a sponsor yet and the rest was my own decision," drawled Dias, walking out of the door before he could be criticized any further. "There is nothing to be worried about. This has now become my problem and my problem alone."


He had not even reached the end of the corridor leading to the coliseum before he was stopped once again. "Dias, wait!!"


"Rena, I said that this is my problem," murmured the long-haired man before turning to look at the downcast girl behind him.


Rena refused to meet his eyes, but she remained just where she was. "It's all right. I... I want to go with you!"


Dias shook his head, once again feeling as if he understood nothing about Rena. It was as if in the two years that they have been apart, she has changed from the carefree girl he knew and loved to a totally new person... Loved? "Why do you keep on turning your friends against you for my sake? He is going to continue criticizing you because you always choose to go with me over his own protection."


She still hasn't raised her face, but she wasn't about to leave either. "I can't help it--"


"Well, it's too late now and it can't be helped. We don't have the time now, so we have to go to Gamgee's house," continued Dias before grabbing Rena's hand and sprinting towards their destination. A certain feeling of uncertainty and suspicion hung in the air, but neither of the two friend paid it any heed as they flew to the farthest house in the town.


"Sophia!!" Bursting through the door, the first thing they noticed about the place was that practically everything had been torn asunder. Soft sobs came from the clutter, for Sophia was crying alone in the midst of it all. "Big Sister Rena!!"


Dias' pupils contracted then widened with mild surprise. He had an idea that something may have happened to prevent Gamgee from delivering Sharpness, but he had no idea that it was because of such destruction. "All of this... what happened here?"


The teenage girl knelt down and drew Sophia into her embrace. "What happened to Grandpa? Sophia!"


"We-well, Grandpa was just going to the castle to give Big Brother Dias his sword... and then, just as he was about to leave, two men came... Grandpa's sword... They took Grandpa's sword!!" Although the child had not stopped sobbing, the implications of her words were clear. Rena's and Dias' eyes widened as they were stunned with dread and fear for the old man's life. Only a monster is capable of making such a poor young girl cry and tear the creation brought about by blood, sweat, and tears from an aging grandfather.


"Where is your Grandpa now?" asked Rena, her voice unsteady and her hands trembling with fear of what could have happened.


Sophia buried her face into her hands and shook her head as her cries increased. "He went after those men to get the sword back from them."


Dias' face twisted with a savage fury as he whipped his cloak and snarled with rage. "We have to pursue them Rena!! We may still be able to find him around the neighborhood, but we have to go now!!!"


"Yes!!! We don't have much time left!!"


*~~*~~*


"Ha!!! That senile old coot never knew what hit him!! A sword such as this doesn't belong in the old hands of that useless old man!!" smirked a red-haired, green-eyed young man as he raced to the coliseum with his companion and Sharpness secured in his arms. "Big Brother will be very pleased with this little conquest. He may even give us a little respect for once."


His companion was a very short older man with black, beady eyes. "True! Did you see the look on that old geezer's face when we--"


"We found you!!" screamed a voice, stopping them both at their tracks. Turning around, they found two figures swiftly bearing down on them with a cold fury.


"Crrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!!" screeched the thieves as they sped off once again to try to lose their pursuers.


"Stop where you are!! Return that sword this instant!!" Rena wasn't about to let them have an easy way out as she rushed on, hands clutched into fists and ready to cause someone a world of hurt. "Did you not hear me!?"


The other two just screamed as they ran even faster than before. The blue-haired girl would have been upon them a moment later had Dias not managed to get there first. His eyes flashed cold ice and promised pain as he drew his sword more swiftly than a gale. "Airslash!!"


The thieves were stunned as a fierce blast of wind threw sand in their faces, blinding them. But when they opened their eyes, they were surprised to see that they were unscathed. "Pathetic excuse for a warrior!! Not even able to hit a moving target with--eh?"


Both of them looked up to see that a tree had been severed by its trunk and was falling towards them. A split-second later, they were pinned underneath its weight and had the ominous figure of a cloaked man looming over them. "Return the sword now, or I will not be cutting a tree with the next attack."


Green and black wavered beneath two identical blue glares as the red-haired man pulled himself from under the trunk, dusted the sword, handed it over, bowed in apology, then dashed off with his companion screaming bloody murder. "We're sorry!!!"


"Dias, those two--"


The older man nodded grimly before resheathing his sword. "Yes, those were the two men who were holding down Sophia at the tavern, I remember."


Wide blue eyes met his own with a question in them. "But why would they want to steal Grandpa Gamgee's sword? They can't use it in the tournament since it has already been registered."


Running a hand through his twilight colored hair, Dias once again berated himself of the innocence of his "little sister." She may know the concept of cheating in theory, but only she refuses believe that there are actually malefactors who are not of the demon horde. Only she could see the goodness within everyone and every situation. "Rena, they must have heard of my reputation and knew that they would have no chance. So, to throw me out of the tournament, they must have figured out that the only way was to steal Gamgee's sword. They still bear a grudge on me because of last night's incident and this may also be an extension of their revenge."


As he was expecting, Rena was outraged. "But that is such a cowardly thing to do!!"


Dias barely managed to stifle a bitter laugh, but Rena noticed anyway. "What is so funny?"


Fixing Rena with a condescending gaze, the amusement faded from his lips. "Believe it or not Rena, the world is filled with people like that. Some people would do anything for revenge and some people would do anything to win. They would hide behind masks to prevent people from knowing what their true intentions are."


"...... Do you hide behind a mask?"


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


"Oi!! I see that the two of you managed to catch up to those two hoodlums who stole Sharpness and destroyed my forge! Thank goodness the two of you are safe." Gamgee chose to appear at the moment, hailing them and thankfully unscathed considering the encounter. He was out of breath, but otherwise, he was without a scratch.


"Grandpa Gamgee!!" gasped Rena.


"Is the sword all right?"


Dias showed him the sword, flawless and shining in the soft sunlight. "All is well."


Gamgee rested his hands on his knees, making him look older and more exhausted than either of the two companions have even seen him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let them get Sharpness in the first place."


Dias closed his eyes, cutting the man before he could blame himself any further. "What are you raving on about? You shouldn't have put yourself in so much danger because Sharpness has been my responsibility ever since you had entrusted him to me. Please do not forget that you still have Sophia to look after. She is crying right now because she is worried about you..."


"........ I understand," nodded Gamgee.


Turning his back, the long-haired warrior started his trek back to Lacour Castle. "Good, now please go. Sophia is waiting for you." He was about to start running once again, but a soft tug on his cloak caused him to look down at the soft midnight strands hiding the face of his friend. "What is the matter?"


Rena's head tilted to the side, but she clung on to his cloak as her eyes started to prickle with tears. "You need to have someone who would cry for you in the case you get hurt."


Flatly, Dias replied. "There is no one who would cry for me. Where would someone--"


Immediately, Rena clutched on to his shoulder and turned his face to look into his eyes. Her older companion found himself half-drowning in misery when he saw how much anguish and hurt were present within the two misty mirrors which tried to convey all of their owner's feelings to him. He feared himself and he ached from the gnawing pain clawing at his throat. This was not even mentioning the way his heart contracted and began to weep tears of blood upon seeing the tears threatening to run down his beloved's cheeks. "You will always have me! I will always be there to cry for you!!"


".... Rena..." Dias whispered as he wiped the twin rivers streaming down like moonlight.


Sophia arrived at that moment, clutching on to her Grandpa's right arm with vanishing worry in her eyes. "Big Brother Dias! Big Sister Rena!! You have to go to the castle now!!"


"Dias, we need to get you back to the Arena quickly!! We don't have much time!" begged Rena as she picked up the Sharpness Sword and handed him to her friend quickly. "You are bound to be called soon and I don't want to have to be late!!"


The swordsman stared at his little sister and thought about what Rhein, Reese, and Ashura said just a few nights before. It's difficult to hide his feelings for his 'little sister', but it's better than having to bare his heart out to someone who deserves the world... not a blood-thirsty vagabond. "You should be there cheering for Claude other than here with me, Rena. Go now, I'll be able to make it to the coliseum on time."


This was not the time to contradict what Rena believed in, for she grabbed on to his sleeve and started to drag him towards Lacour Castle after saying a quick farewell to Gamgee and his granddaughter. "No Dias, what's important is that we get you there in time. You'll be disqualified if you're late... and you won't be able to fight against Claude."


Dias' reply to her was silence as the wove through the streets and the paths leading to the fighting grounds of Lacour Castle. There, before Dias could rush to the entrance, he felt two arms wrapping themselves tightly around him and then letting go. There was only one last thing he heard before his name was called by the announcer once again:


"I regret not being here to support Claude, but being able to help you regain what's rightfully yours makes up for all the regret.... please take care, Dias."


*~~*~~*


Two figures hidden from sight by the shadows of emerald leaves and soft peach flowers smiled down as a man and a young girl sped back towards the fiercely glittering palace in the heart of the town. The elder spoke first, her voice filled with pride. "He is finally learning, isn't he, Ashura?"


The younger nodded in return, her voice filled with promise. "Yes, faster than we thought and in more ways than one. He must embrace the lesson of the sword..."


"... and the heart."




Preview of Chapter Four


Feigning Indifference


Rena was watching the drama unfold before her as quietly as she could, but her wish to run out and pretend that all was just a horrible nightmare was soon going to driver her mad.


Dias knelt down and picked up the sword that he had disarmed from his opponent just mere seconds before. He quickly scrutinized it before throwing it back to Claude, the latter catching the hilt with a stunned surprise. "Dias... why did you give this back to me? This is going to change--"


"I know that it is going to change nothing. I do not enjoy fighting an opponent when they are at a distinct disadvantage. Now enough of this talk. Put your sword on guard position or I will truly be forced to attack you before you can defend," said Dias, his eyes narrowing with impatience as Sharpness amplified his feelings. The sword glowed brightly against the setting sun, reflecting the red tint coloring the sky as if blood was running down the blade and staining the blue-haired warrior's hands.


Claude did not move aside from raising his sword with a stricken look on his face. Only a few moments had passed from the beginning of the bout, but he already had been scorched by reality. He then got shocked back into reality and immediately dropped to a crouch and lunged at the older man, trying to drive him back to give him some sort of advantage. Little did he know that Dias was more than used to these kinds of paltry tricks to be caught by them.


He waited until Claude came close before he stuck Sharpness to the ground to free his hands, then he grabbed the blonde's left arm and used his momentum to throw him to a flip and crashing to the floor several feet away. However, Claude recovered amazingly fast as he got to his feet and brought up his longsword.


"Don't make me do something like that again," Dias warned before he parried his opponent's lunge almost lazily. Then he ducked beneath the human boy's horizontal cut and readjusted his grip on his longsword. Darting away from the younger man's blade, Dias glared coldly and glanced quickly at Sharpness. Not about to lose any more time, he held his sword in a one-handed guard position and waited.



Chapter Notes:


I am ashamed to say that I had almost forgotten about this story if certain wonderful, wondrous people who are so much smarter than me hadn't given me a swift kick in the--well, you know what I mean. My muse, Hideaki is now clawing at my throat, trying to get answers of why I had taken a year (?), more than a year (?) to finish a chapter on a fic. And with such terrible writing too!! Now for some actual notes: I am combining practically everything in this fic. It will have elements from the game SOTSS, elements from Mayumi Azuma's terrific manga, my insanity, and the anime Star Ocean EX. Oh well, I suppose I haven't really been too good at explaining why I hadn't updated in so long... Let's just say that's because I'm a talentless little procrastinator, yes? Egads, I'm pathetic. Once again, I am really, terribly sorry about the wait. I'm even going to be surprised if anyone reads this... much less reviews. *sigh* I deserve it I suppose. Until next time. And yes, I'm not dead. At least it's longer than normal, ne?


~Asurahime