Chibi: I'm sorry. Originally I wanted Hawk to have a second classchange too, but as it is now it's not working. There's no fic time (Elliot probably wouldn't survive much longer than he already has to), and I couldn't think of a way to cleverly get him the dice he needs :P And the Mana stones are shattering so he'd need to go to the Holyland, it's just too much monkey-business :P But I'll think of something, promise.
Chapter 38, Into the darkness… sorta
Strong wings calmly flapped, riding the winds they were born for.
Despite his name Hawk did his best not to look down. But at their height that was about all he could do. Nothing much to see except down either, except for a thin black line on the horizon.
His arms had begun to turn numb quite a while ago, but there were nowhere to land.
"How are you guys holding up?" he asked, just to get something else to think about for a while.
"Numb," Kevin grimaced.
"Same here," Lise agreed with a grunt, "but I think that's it over there."
She stretched her right leg a little to point at the distant line of land.
"Let's hope so," Hawk said.
His bird chirped a little.
"Wonders if you can feel your hands," Kevin translated.
"No, not anymore…" the ninja begun.
He fell silent in astonishment as the claw feet holding his wrists began to move gently, massaging life back into his fingers.
"Hey, thanks," he said with a grin.
The chirp sounded like a chuckle.
"Beastmen use these birds for a long time," the half blood commented with a smile.
"Neat," Hawk commented.
Then they were silent for a while, focusing on the growing line. Soon enough it became apparent that there was a mountain of some sort on it. Which wasn't much of a surprise of course, since they had learnt that their goal was to be found through a cave.
It came suddenly, and all six of them let out a sound of surprise. A gust of wind sent them dashing forwards several yards, but somehow it didn't even give the birds a chance to loose their balance.
"Eh, hi guys!" a familiar voice said in a rather high-pitched manner.
"Jinn?" Lise called as he with what seemed to be a small exhale sent them racing onwards again, "what's wrong?"
"I'll tell you in a second! Ride the wind, birdies!" he called before forming his mouth to a tiny o and blowing again.
The three birds squeaked in confusion but spread their wings to make the best of his help.
"What are you so worked up about?" Hawk shouted.
"Look over there!" the elemental shouted and pointed towards the northwest.
Against the soft, thin clouds a dark form could be seen, darkening the sun's rays. It was like an infected wound on the horizon. Even on this distance the travelers could see lightning bolts crawl like snakes around it.
"What is that?" Kevin called.
"It's the Mana stone of Wood!" Jinn shouted and blew, "it's breaking! And mine is too, we have to get you to the island before Dangaard goes active and decides he likes human with roasted bird for breakfast!"
"Say what!?"
The sounds that the three carriers made resembled a lot to the humans' shouting, though it was in another language.
"It's the Dragon Emperor!" Jinn shouted over his own winds, "he's alive and he's releasing the god-beasts!"
"Are you saying this is the end of the world?!" Hawk shouted.
"Would I work this hard to save you if it was? Yes, probably, but we're not giving up yet in any case! Duran and the women will try to defeat them, you lie low like everyone else! And get Elliot!"
The mountain rose before them and as they now were pretty close they could see the black castle on top of it, even though it wore ominous clouds like a veil. Not even those clouds could beat the one on the horizon, however, there was something even more sinister about that one. This dark mist had lost its power in compare to the awakening beast.
But there were still rather nasty looking lightning bolts living even here.
"The evil has been drained," Jinn said, calmer as they closed in, "you should be able to land on the mountain… there should be a gate here somewhere. There, follow me!"
His long ears turned slick against the sides of his head as he dove, and the birds followed in a slightly slower manner. They found the elemental waiting for them, floating just above a natural platform on the mountain. There was a rectangular hole in the cliff and two doors in a dark metal – obviously once a gate into the cave – laid on the ground. They were both bent and partly molten.
Lise's bird lowered first and let her off on the ledge, followed by Hawk and Kevin. As there was no room to land safely the three animals stayed in the air, waiting for instructions with nervously flapping wings.
"What were you saying?" the vanadis harshly asked, trying to shake life into her heavy arms, "I thought the Dragon Emperor was killed by king Richard years ago!"
"So we thought too," Jinn sadly said, "but we were just now proven wrong. His servants have managed to release the god-beasts. But…"
And that was avery sharp "but".
"… It'll take them a couple of days to regain their powers, and as it is now they're still vulnerable. The fairy knows this and she's already set our Mana warriors onto the hunt. They're searching for Fiegmund, the ice beast, as we speak."
"Can they make it?" Hawk doubtfully said.
"If they hurry," Jinn nodded, "and for every beast they kill those demons' combined power will decrease."
He shook his head.
"I have to go. Me and the crew are making sure all creatures in our areas stay away from the beasts to prevent them from feeding. It's about all we can do right now. You three concentrate on finding your way through here. Good luck."
"Good luck," Kevin nodded after a moment of trying to digest the shock.
"Thanks," the elemental grimly said and turned to the birds, "come on you three, I'll show you to some safe spot nearby."
He began to float down the mountain when Lise called out.
"Jinn! Do you know if Elliot is alive?!"
The spirit looked around and sadly shook his head.
"I'm sorry princess, I cannot look into this castle very well even though its aura has weakened. But there is nothing on the lower floors, if he's in there and alive he has to be on a higher level. Don't give up, Lise."
And he flew downwards without looking back. The birds followed him.
The warriors turned to the cave. It didn't look as dark as the people in Deen had predicted…
Lise clenched her fists and entered, hearing the two young men's step catch on a moment later.
(Author's note:
Dang. I wanted them to land on the cliff there, but I find I don't have any savestate for the entrance of the Dark Palace. Can anyone tell me if I'm right about that there's more cave to come after that gate or if the castle starts at once? -_-)
It only took a few steps inside to reach a conclusion.
"Not that dark…" Hawk said.
The walls had a faint, eerie glow. Not exactly bright, but the title Cave of Darkness definitely seemed overdone.
"Think invaders activated magic," Kevin said, kneeling by a rock and examining a rather large, reddish stain on it.
The blood was dry, but he could still feel the smell of death everywhere. No corpses to be seen, though. He didn't recognize the specific scent of the blood, but guessed that it was a dragon's since they seemed blamable.
"Well, at least we'll be able to find our way easier…" Hawk said.
He stretched with a grunt.
"But not to sound cold people, we seriously need a break."
Kevin held back a wince at the suggestion, and he saw Lise tense a little.
He knew fully well that it was the only reasonable thing to do. They had been up all night, sneaking, fighting, flying. And now it was past the normal lunch hours. His stomach mourned at the thought, even though they had prepared themselves with a steady breakfast before leaving Deen.
But the goal seemed so close. He had been on the road for months, with and without his current companions, and he wanted to finish it now.
Yet reason had an upper hand since he couldn't really shake off the weariness and ache after the night and long flight.
"I suppose so," he grunted, hoping Lise would understand.
He and Hawk both watched the vanadis, waiting for her decision. She looked between them and the creepy tunnel ahead a couple of times before finally nodding. Not too happy though.
"Alright, you have a point," she said with a sigh, "but can we at least find a less bloodier place?"
"Gladly," the ninja nodded with a grimace.
If her decision was a wish to at least continue a little bit combined with the wish to not rest in a battlefield wasn't really important. She did realize that there was need for rest and that was a good sign.
They walked deeper within for a while, after some searching finding a smaller cave that had been spared from the battling.
"But only for a little while, alright?" Lise mumbled as she shook off her backpack.
She sounded almost ashamed as she said it.
Kevin sighed inwardly. So much for that hope. She tried, but she was still stressed.
While Lise sat down and leaned against the cave wall the two males in the troop exchanged tired glances. "A little while" wouldn't do any of them good, they all knew. But it was obvious that their lady wouldn't be able to relax even if she was tired too.
Helplessly shrugging a bit Kevin went over to sit beside her. After a few seconds they ended up leaning against each other, both fighting the weariness.
"Don't let me fall asleep," Lise mumbled, pinching her own hand.
"I'll try," the half blood replied, rubbing his cheek.
"Here, this might help."
Hawk offered Kevin a small flask in bulette hide.
"It's cacti fruit juice," the ninja said with a smile, "it's a bit reenergizing, I think we all need it."
"Thanks," Kevin gratefully said and took the flask.
But just before he took a clunk he saw Hawk wink with one eye.
'Huh?'
Confused but mentally shrugging he just pretended to drink a little, then handed the flask to Lise. She stopped pinching herself and accepted the bottle, taking in a grateful mouthful of the sweet liquid.
"Thanks Hawk," she said and reached up to give him the flask.
He gently caught both that and her arm as both fell. Lise's head thumped against Kevin's shoulder, her eyes closed. Calm, deep breaths whispered their way through her nose.
"Sorry 'bout that," Hawk said and put the cork back into the flask, "figured she'd try to stay awake when we took a break even if it meant stabbing herself with her spear, so I got this while you got the birds in Deen."
"Sleeping potion?" Kevin mildly said, trying to unhook Lise's spear from her back.
"Yeah. She'll wake up in four, five hours. And feel reenergized."
Hawk sighed.
"It feels awful to say this, but if her brother still is alive he should be able to survive a little while more."
"No excuse," Kevin said and shook his head, "I know. We run into monsters like this, we die."
"Yeah."
Hawk looked at the flask.
"Huh, maybe we should drink this stuff too, then at least we'll be able to wake up at the time she does and we'll definitely feel better. But maybe somebody should stay guard…"
"Hmm…"
The ninja looked around as Kevin pointed. A few feet from the uneven opening leading back to the main caves was a big rock, not big enough to fully cover the entrance but at least a big part of it.
"Good idea," Hawk said.
Kevin stretched Lise over the ground in a position he deemed comfortable and the two men went over to the rock. In their state it was quite an ordeal to move it, but with combined strength they managed.
Hawk brought out the flask and waved a little with it as he sat down, jokingly.
"A toast, pal," he said and took a clunk.
He quickly laid down with his backpack as a pillow before swallowing and slept a few seconds later. Kevin took the bottle and laid down beside Lise, placing her head on his shoulder and himself following Hawk's version of a pillow.
So the god-beast were about to roam the world… he didn't have the nerve to care right then.
'Hang on, Elliot…'
He took a clunk. The taste was quite pleasant…
Slumber enveloped him in blessed rest.
Several hours later an argument could be heard in the eerie, magical light of the caves, accompanied by quick pacing.
"I told you it was refreshing, don't you feel better?" Hawk mildly said.
"But you fooled me!" Lise scolded, sighing.
"Yes, but it was for your own sake. We're all harder to defeat now, aren't we?"
She glared at him for a moment, then sighed again.
"Yes, I see your point… still…"
"Kill me later, this seems interesting…"
The ninja pointed forwards. That cliff looked strange… almost like it had been formed into a smooth wall. And there was another rectangular, smashed opening.
Warily the warriors approached. There were still no bodies to be seen, but the dried dark stains of blood seemed to have increased. The battle had been much more intense here.
None of them could hinder themselves from taking in a sharp breath at the sight that awaited them.
The hall the three had entered was dark. And smooth. Everything was made in some sort of glassy black material, they could even see their reflections standing in a dark void inside the walls and in the floor. Great statues of the Reaper loomed over the room, looking almost alive. Their dark hoods were turned towards the floor, and still they seemed to watch the intruders' every step.
"Creepy to say the least," Hawk said with a shudder.
"Can you feel any smell of Elliot, Kevin?" Lise asked, not too eager to stand still as the atmosphere was hovering over them even more than the statues.
He shook his head.
"Too many smells, battle," he said and pinched his nose lightly with a grimace, "evil. Let's find way up."
"There's a stair," Hawk said and pointed to the left.
They hurried over to it, weapons ready for about anything. At least they could hope they were ready, the whole castle easily made them all very nervous.
The next floor wasn't much better.
"Oh man," Hawk groaned in disgust, "this decorator should be hanged, drawn and quartered!"
It was exactly the same, Reaper statues and reflecting floor.
"If it all looks like this we'll need to be careful not to get lost," Lise grimly concluded.
"I can trace our smell," Kevin said, concerned, "but a lot of dominating smells in here, be easier when night."
"You better take the lead in any case, I guess," Hawk nodded, and Lise agreed.
"Alright."
Kevin looked around and headed for the nearest door.
A couple of hours later they were still wandering about, and Kevin's nose was their only mean of knowing where they hadn't been already. Or rather, he knew. Faintly. Lise and Hawk were more sort of just following him and hoping he had some vague idea.
Well, Kevin did have a rather good idea. They had gotten higher and higher up albeit slowly. But the battles had been held on the lower levels and up here only the wavering evil power stained his nostrils. His eyes had lost track, but he could trust his nose to know new places.
More corridors, stairs… statues…
His mind had definitely lost track of time. And his hope was faltering due to the whole castle's confusing and most importantly heavy depressing value.
'Why are we here again… right, Elliot… urgh, I feel awful…'
He stopped and tiredly rubbed his forehead.
"Are you lost?" Hawk worriedly said.
"No, just tired…"
He dared to glance at his companions. Lise held her spear in a tired grip, Hawk had hid his daggers again. The castle had so far been completely deserted, and he didn't have the ghoul to hang on to his weapons as tightly anymore.
Yeah, they looked pretty much like Kevin felt right then.
'We have to get out of here…'
But they couldn't leave yet… Elliot could still be here.
'He has to be here!' Kevin thought in sudden frustration, rage over that he couldn't bring the search to an end.
He must be here!
Kevin clenched his fists, grunting with gratefulness as raw strength seeped into his heavy arms, spreading a flowing heat as it swept through his entire body. He threw his head backwards and howled, the intense light from his transformation for a moment overpowering the dying torches and filling the room with light.
Hawk managed a tiny smile.
"It's night," he lazily summed up.
Lise said nothing, just nodded a little.
The refreshing feeling Kevin for a short moment had savored faltered as his now sharper nose caught up with exactly how tired his friends were.
'Oh no… this isn't good.'
It amazed him that he himself had managed to stay up, looking back at how he had felt. In his werewolf form he was stronger, even if this body too was very tired.
"Come on, just a little longer," he said, trying to strengthen them.
"Alright," Hawk said.
To rest here, watched by the god of Death and surrounded by complete darkness wasn't to think of. There wouldn't be any sort of true relaxing.
Lise just followed, her last will used for not falling behind as they went up another stair, through another corridor, another door… she had lost track long ago, often having to stop herself from dropping to her knees in both physical and mental exhaust.
Was there any use to hope… she could hardly remember how it felt to do so any longer. There was only death in this deserted castle, nothing else. If Elliot ever had been alive here he couldn't possibly…
She forced herself to look up at Kevin's back.
No, don't give up… be strong, girl.
Clenching her teeth she forced herself to take another step, and another.
Her lunges suddenly took in fresh air and not the damp crypt smell of the castle. She even blinked and looked around.
They had to be on top of the castle, everything else seemed below them. What seemed to be a plateau hovered above them, the stair onto it must be ahead on the bridge they stood on. Seemed to be some sort of tower ahead.
'So… this is it, then?'
Kevin suddenly stopped, looking around. Maybe he was sniffing, Lise's world seemed to be filled with syrup and she couldn't analyze his movements. Her head felt so heavy and pounding… but she forced herself to stay up.
'No, don't loose it, Lise, don't worry them or yourself…' she tried to mentally slap herself, 'it's alright…'
"Stay here," Kevin suddenly said, "I go ahead and look."
"Uh, alright?" Hawk said, a bit puzzled through the fatigue.
Lise managed to nod a bit, hoping she looked better than she felt. In her private haze she hardly noted the desperate flinch in Kevin's eyes.
He turned without a word and disappeared around the corner of the high plateau.
A thunderclap tore through the dark sky above the two lonely warriors, the sound echoing and slamming around in Lise's burning head. She found herself leaning against the wall which towered up beside her, and she couldn't remember how she'd gotten there.
The spear fell out of her grip, the clanking of metal and wood against stone seeming as loud as the thunder to her.
'It's no use, it's no use… he's dead, I failed… it's no use… Kevin, why did you go now… I can't be strong anymore… I can't… forgive me… I can't…'
"Lise…" Hawk said in a little hoarse voice.
She turned to him, trying to shake her head. Trying to explain why she felt so weak, so worthless.
But the movement burned the last of her will and her knees and palms hit the cold stone floor, the pain searing through her bones.
Tears splattered against the stone and onto her skin, burning it even more than the hit.
'I'm crying… I can't be… this… weak… I must… be…'
What was that word again… strong? What did it mean?
Hawk's long, slender fingers gently grabbed her shoulders and helped her to straighten up a little, pulling her into his tired warmth. It offered a little comfort, but not enough to help her to stop the tears.
"Don't fight it, Lise," Hawk whispered, carefully rubbing the back of her head, "let it out…"
She clutched his neck, at the same time as she sought something to hold onto in her falling world feeling a burning shame for her behavior. But it wasn't strong enough either.
"I'm s-so… so-sorry…" she croaked through the sobs, unable to control her voice.
"It's okay," Hawk mumbled, soothingly, "it's okay…"
Through her own violent shivers and her friend's voice she heard Kevin's steps approach again. Hawk heard it too, somehow managing to gather enough strength to stand and help Lise get to her feet. She staggered, but in raw desperation she flung herself forward just as the werewolf prince came around the corner, clutching onto him like a drowning sailor to a lifeline.
His warm arms enveloped her and without a word he lifted her into his arms as had she been a child. Lise didn't care anymore who saw her in the shameful state, she buried her face against Kevin's soft tunic and her tears fell into his cloth and fur.
He didn't say a word, but she could feel him walking. Then there was a strange movement and the groaning of an opening door. Maybe he pushed a door properly open with his shoulder, she couldn't care anymore…
"Sis!?"
The hoarse voice of a small boy cleaved her grief and she more or less jumped in the half blood's arms. Kevin almost lost his balance.
"Elliot!?"
Lise stumbled as she touched the floor, more falling forwards than walking. Her brother stared at her through a wall of thick iron bars, his face only showing horror.
"What… what's wrong?" she remembered how to say, trying to reach his hand.
His two much smaller hands grabbed hers, desperately.
"They got you too…?" he whispered, tears of despair forming in his green eyes, already red with older weeping.
"Who?"
Lise looked around in confusion. There were only Kevin and Hawk…
A werewolf and a Navarre ninja.
"Oh no!" she hurriedly said, a smile breaking through her remaining but fading mourn, "they're my friends, don't be scared…"
She almost fiercely pulled the boy up against the bars and hugged him, but he didn't complain.
"I had given up, Elliot," she whispered, "I thought I had failed you…"
He was pale as a ghost and dirty, a bit thinner than she knew him… but he was alive.
Alive!
"I was scared," Elliot mumbled, "but I knew you would save me, sis!"
"Elliot…"
She felt a strong hand on her shoulder and looked around, trying to dry the tears with her fingers.
"Sorry I left," Kevin gently said, "I felt his smell, didn't know if live. Didn't dare risk you seeing him dead without warning."
"You found him Kevin," Lise said and sobbed again, unable to hold it back.
She didn't know what to say, her mind was in turmoil. Trying to smile again resulted in something wavering. Unable to speak out her gratefulness she reached out and became pulled close to him more by his strength than her own once again.
"Thank you…"
"Cry now," Kevin mumbled, "let it be."
"I'm happy," she weakly protested.
"I know," he said, his soft, furry fingertips massaging her neck, "but you need it. Cry now. I want you to."
I want you to…
She buried her face against his shoulder and let the locked up tears for all the failings and frustrations, pent up fears and pain rage their way out.
"I love you, Kevin," she whispered through her rasped breathing.
His muzzle caressed her cheek, calmingly mumbling the same back with tender movements.
"Alma always said you built that up," Elliot commented from his cage, reaching out to take Lise's hand as she held reached for the cage without looking away from the warm fur.
"Do they call this a lock?" Hawk scoffed, working his dirk.
He looked around and warmly smiled.
"One sec, then the family will be complete!"
"Hawk!" Lise and Kevin said, more or less smiling and steady.
"What?" Elliot said, a bit baffled through all the intense feelings.
"That's Kevin of the Beast kingdom," Hawk said with a chuckle, "soon to be king of Rolante."
Elliot blinked a couple of times.
"Sis, are you gonna marry a werewolf?" he asked.
"I was hoping he'd be human on the wedding," Lise said, her brother's intrigued tone bringing her a short chuckle, even.
Smiling Kevin transformed back to his normal form, without letting go of the princess. Elliot blinked some more.
"Cool!" he finally exclaimed, managing to cause more laughs.
Hawk pulled the cage door open and gave the prince a hand out. He turned out being a little shaky.
"Hungry?" Kevin kindly asked, with one hand reaching for his backpack.
"The guards just ran off some time ago," Elliot nodded, "I had just gotten food but it didn't last long…"
Lise let go of Kevin for a while and hugged her brother properly while her fiancé sought through his backpack for something to eat.
"But don't drink anything Hawk gives you," Lise lectured as Elliot hungrily bit into a piece of bread, "he's tricky."
"Now really!" the ninja protested.
He fell silent and just smiled as he too found himself in a hug. Then Kevin took Lise back from their friend, gently though.
"And thanks to you too, Hawk," she warmly smiled.
"Yes, thanks," Kevin agreed.
"No prob. Just as long as you invite me to the wedding."
"This is great!" Elliot grinned, almost spitting bread over half the room in his delight.
Nobody cared how he behaved right then.
And not too far away, in the forest of Wonder, Duran stabbed his fiery sword into a giant pumpkin while Carlie healed Angela's wounds and the princess stubbornly chanted a fire spell.
The forest would soon be a safer place, and not too far into the future the festive colored wings of Dangaard would rain down over Rolante, to tell the people that one more fear was gone from the world.
*uncorks the champagne* Yes, it's true! They found him! It's over!! Well, apart from the epilogue… and don't worry, there's cuteness in it but there's also something we all love and you know it…
Suitor bashing! Uwehehe!!
(Dammit Kefka, get the heck out of my head!!)