~*~Chapter 2 Two times treachery~*~
"I don't understand…" Cecil sighed, taking of his horned helmet and stroking his wet fringe away from his eyes, "I only tried to ask why we had to kill those innocent people in Mysidia, and His Majesty sends both you and me away from Baron… I'm sorry, Kain."
The mist was creeping inside of his armor, and he was already warm and sweaty after several fights with monsters. Kain wasn't feeling very good at the moment.
"It's OK," he said, trying not to grumble, "you're my friend…"
"Go back!"
"What?"
It had been a strange voice, echoing in the misty cave. The clouds made it almost impossible to see, and combined with the darkness since the torches wasn't very dry…
"Who's there?" Cecil called.
No answer. Kain and his friend exchanged glances, and went on, determined. They had been degraded once this week, it had to be enough. They felt they didn't have any choice but to continue to Mist and help out with the monsters.
But they hadn't walked many yards before the voice was heard again:
"Go back! Return to Baron!"
"Who are you? Show yourself!" Kain called.
Once more, there was nothing but silence. They continued, now seeing a light ahead. It could only be the exit of the cave.
"For the last time, go back!" the voice called, closer this time.
"We can't do that!" Cecil called back, "who are you?"
"You have no intention to back off, then?" the voice asked.
"No, I'm sorry, but…"
"Then I have no choice."
The mist started to thicken.
"It's a dragon!" Kain yelled.
White and glistening, a part of the mist…
Cecil drew his dark sword. Its edge was so dark that it almost shone in the white air. Kain reached for his heavy spear.
The dragon opened its mouth and blew. The hard wind threw the two warriors against the cave walls, almost knocking them out. Cecil dropped his sword, and the dragon rushed forward.
"Cecil, look out!" Kain exclaimed and jumped.
Despite his armor, he almost reached the ceiling of the big cave. That was the strength of a dragoon; the fantastic ability to jump. The air was his element, while everyone else was stuck on the ground. Kain felt free for the brief moment he floated up there, all his problems were forgotten for a short while. He didn't think of Rosa, he forgot his jealousy and his concern over this strange mission. Then the gravity got a grip of him, and he fell, pointing his spear downwards. The white dragon roared in pain as the spear hit its back. Before it had time to regaining its guard, Cecil had stabbed his sword into the pure chest. With a ceasing snarl, the beast dissolved into thin air.
"Are you alright, Kain?" Cecil asked.
"Yes. And you?"
"Fine. Let's go."
They went out of the misty cave with great relief and hurried towards the nearby village. But as they passed the first house, there was suddenly a strange, buzzing sound.
"What the…!" Cecil exclaimed and threw his backpack on the ground.
The bag opened, and out of it fell the package he'd received from the king of Baron. It glowed strangely, and then, suddenly, it erupted. Flames flew in all directions, consuming the houses in a few seconds. There was a few, shocked screams from the buildings, but the fire-magic killed instantly. Then the world became silent.
"We were sent to… burn the village?!" Kain whispered.
Cecil didn't utter a word. He just stared at the ash that had once been the package. Then he suddenly looked up and started walking, faster and faster. Kain followed him.
There was a loud sob. Cecil ran past one of the burned buildings and stopped, staring at something. Kain hurried to his side and saw a small, green-haired girl kneeling by a life-less woman. The adult was apparently dead, her face twisted in agony.
"Oh, no…" Cecil whispered and started approaching the girl.
She looked up as she heard the steps, with tears and anger in her young eyes.
"You!" she exclaimed, shivering, and got to her feet, "you killed mommy's esper! You killed her!"
"Oh, no…" Cecil whispered again.
Kain also understood, now. The dragon they had killed in the cave had been the summoned monster of the dead woman, and killing an esper was the same as killing the one who conjured the beast.
"What shall we do, Cecil?" Kain said, "that girl, we can't let…"
But he didn't want to say it, he didn't want to be the one to even consider the order. And neither did Cecil.
"No!" he yelled, "I'm done with killing innocent, I won't do it anymore! Never again!"
Kain nodded slowly.
"I knew you'd say that," the dragoon said, "and I will come with you if you leave Baron."
There was no place for worries, he was completely sure. Being fooled to do something so despicable, fooled by the one who had more or less raised him… Kain found hatred against king Baron burning inside of his heart.
"But the girl…" he pointed out.
"We'll have to bring her along," Cecil said, "its not safe here."
"No!" the girl screamed, "don't come near me! I hate you, I hate you all!!"
She put her hands together, closed her eyes and started mumbling. Several green, half invisible orbs containing a flame materialized around her, giving away her plans and powers.
"Damn it, she's a summoner!" Kain shouted, "Cecil…!"
A muscled giant formed in front of the girl, and before Kain was able to move, an enormous fist had hit the ground. The whole village shook, there was a crack in the grass…
Kain heard both the girl and Cecil scream, then everything became black.