JUST LOVE
Chapter Four : Feast Of The Damned
Was it a dream? Ryudo was sitting right beside her. Elena pinched her arm. It hurt, she was awake then. "Ryudo..." Elena whispered to herself as her heart sank.
"Elena? Are you okay?" the Geohound asked as tears formed in Elena's eyes.
Elena threw herself at Ryudo and cried. "You have come! I cannot believe you are finally back! I was starting to think that you would never return..." she sobbed.
"It's okay. I'm here," Ryudo whispered softly into her ear and embraced her. Elena stopped weeping as Ryudo tightened his embrace. She sighed and returned his hug, her face buried against his chest. The two just hugged each other for a few minutes that seemed like an eternity. Both did not say a word for words were hollow when it came to emotions and feelings.
Elena finally broke their embrace. "Ryudo... I am happy to see you again. But... but... where have you been all this time? What have you been doing? Everyone really missed you."
Ryudo smiled at her and looked into her ruby red eyes. "I'm sorry for disappearing like that. I just had to put the Granasaber away since it's no longer needed. Will you forgive me?"
"Of course. Ryudo, do you want to go inside the castle and meet everyone? I am sure they would be happy to see you too."
"It's late and I should be leaving now. Elena?"
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow is Cyrum Day. Would you like to spend the day with me?"
Elena did not think twice. "I would love to."
Ryudo stood up and held his hand out to Elena. She took it and let him help her get up. "I'll see you and the others here tomorrow at 9:00 AM okay? Good night, Elena."
"Good night, Ryudo."
The Geohound favoured her with a charming smile and left. As soon as Ryudo was gone, Elena squealed to herself in delight. Ryudo coming back was one thing but being asked out by him was a dream come true. Elena walked back to the castle with wings on her feet while she hummed Cançao Do Povo.
Ryudo smacked his forehead as he got outside. Things did not go exactly as he had planned. He forgot to tell Elena how much she meant to him and even kiss her goodnight. He was nervous and worried that Elena might refuse to go out with him. At least his nervousness did not show though. Telling Elena his feelings would have to wait tomorrow. Ryudo put his hands in his pockets and walked back to the inn.
***
Lance left the inn where he had spent the night and walked down a street. The Ninja wore "normal" clothes. No navy blue mask, no black leather coat, and no navy blue Ninja gi. He just simply wore a black shirt and black, baggy pants. He growled to himself in annoyance as the nice and quiet place was suddenly packed with people. Finding Elena would be a tough job.
***
Roan and Tio stood in the lobby. Both were waiting for Elena and Millenia to get ready for the festival. "I wonder what is taking so long? Twenty minutes have passed," Roan asked.
"I am not surprised about Millenia being up there for so long. You know how she is, she always wants to look her best no matter what the occasion is. But Elena on the other hand, she does not take this long to get dressed. She has been acting rather odd since breakfast," Tio answered.
"You are right," Roan agreed. "Miss Elena has been humming to herself all morning and she looks so happy like before. Ever since her visit, she always looked troubled like there is something in her mind she could not get out."
"Do you think it has anything to do with Ryudo?"
"Maybe."
Elena then came running downstairs. Her golden blonde hair was not tied into a braid. It flowed freely behind her shoulders as she ran. She wore a blue shirt and a pair of blue shorts. "Sorry to keep you two waiting," she apologized with her award winning smile.
Tio returned her smile. "That is fine with me."
"You look great, Miss Elena," Roan complimented.
"Why thank you, Roan," Elena replied and looked at the clock on the wall. It was exactly nine o'clock. "I hope he gets here soon," she thought.
"Hi there!" a voice called out from the hall.
The three turned to look who called out. They saw Ryudo leaning against the wall with a smile on his face. He wore a pair of black shoes and a pair of khaki pants. He also wore an open, blue button-down shirt and a white tank top underneath it.
"Ryudo!" Roan and Tio exclaimed and ran to him, Elena trailed behind them.
"Mister Ryudo! You are finally back!" Roan said.
"How have you been, Ryudo?" Tio asked. Roan and Tio started asking all sorts of questions like where the Geohound had been, why he had not contacted his friends for a long time, and many more.
"Whoa! One question at a time," Ryudo said and laughed. "It's good to see you guys again. I'll explain later why I just disappeared like that..."
Ryudo was cut off by a shriek. "Ryudo!" Millenia cried as soon as she saw the Geohound when she entered the lobby. She ran to the Geohound and gave him a deadly glare. "You idiot! Where have you been?! I've been worried sick about you!! How can you torture me like that?!"
"S.. sorry Millenia. I just had some things to take care of," Ryudo apologized again.
"I'll forgive you this time," Millenia snorted.
"So, what brings you here, Ryudo?" Tio asked.
"To see you guys of course!" Ryudo answered.
"You are just in time, today is Cyrum Day. There are plenty of festivities out there. You will have a lot of fun," Roan said.
Millenia walked over to Ryudo and wrapped her arm around his. "Say Ryudo, would you like to go with me on the love boat? It's going to be fun," Millenia purred to his ear.
Ryudo freed himself from the red head. "Sorry Millenia but I... I already asked Elena out."
Millenia glared at the Geohound. "You what?!" she growled.
Elena walked over to Ryudo and grabbed his arm. "Come on Ryudo, let us go."
"All right," Ryudo nodded.
Ryudo and company left the lobby and went outside. The whole place was filled with people, laughter, and joy. Everyone looked busy. There were people playing "Catch A Gold Fish", some people were listening to a little Mau play his music with his father, some were playing arm wrestling with Hemble, and there were young couples that sat around the fountain at the town square while they held the others' hand.
"So, what do you guys want to do? Try out the roller coaster or get some drinks first?" Millenia asked.
"Millenia, I think you forgot your promise," Tio said. "You promised that you would help me buy some clothes today."
"Are you out of your mind, Miss Marionette?! I didn't promise such a thing!!" Millenia snarled.
"Yes, you did. Now let us get going." Tio grabbed Millenia's arm and dragged her away.
Elena waved good bye at Millenia and Tio. "We will see you two later!"
"Oh darn!" Roan said.
Ryudo frowned. "What's the matter Roan?"
"I forgot to tell Paulk something. I am returning to the castle. I will catch up with you later, okay? See you later!" Roan gave the two an embarrassed smile and left.
"Something weird is going on," Ryudo said to himself.
Elena nodded in agreement. "Well, I guess it is just the two of us now."
"Where do you want to go?" Ryudo asked.
"How about the fair?"
"Sounds good to me," Ryudo smiled and took Elena's hand.
Ryudo led Elena to the fair. He still held her hand and squeezed it every now and then to make sure he still had it. It felt good to hold Elena's hand while they walked around the fair. He had always fantasized of this moment and now it had turned into reality. All he had to do now was tell her his feelings and he would kiss her too but he would wait for the right moment. But... what if Elena did not feel the same way? He would make an idiot out of himself. Ryudo's heart raced and nervousness filled it.
Elena gasped softly. "Ryudo, what is the matter? Your hand is cold and you have not said a word since we got here."
Ryudo laughed nervously. "Oh it's nothing... I was just thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
"Lot's of things." Elena squeezed Ryudo's hand and it slowly became warm again.
Elena studied Ryudo's face. He looked troubled. She wanted to know what bothered him but he looked like he did not want to talk about it. Elena gave him a smile. "Well, if you want to talk about anything, you can come and talk to me anytime."
Ryudo returned her smile. "Thanks. Say, do you want to get some drinks before we start checking out this place?"
"Okay," Elena nodded.
Ryudo pointed at a bench. "You just wait there and I'll go get some drinks for us. I'll be back in a second." The Geohound let go of her hand and left.
Elena sat on a bench and waited patiently. This would give her some time to think about how she was going to tell Ryudo her feelings for him and how much he meant to her. But how was she suppose to tell him and when? Elena was inexperienced in the field of love. Ryudo was the only man she had ever fallen in love with and she hardly knew anything about men. A few of the young men back at Carbo had tried hitting on her but she did not pay any attention to them for she was busy with the whole Granas business. Elena sighed heavily and hoped that Ryudo would make the first move if he had such intentions.
Ryudo returned with two cups of drinks. He handed one of them over to Elena and sat down beside her. The two were unaware that a pair of ruby red eyes were watching them from a distance. "So Elena, I heard you're a minstrel now," Ryudo said after he took a sip from his drink. "How is it?"
"Oh, I like what I do. I enjoy travelling with my band and performing in front of people. I also like the way people listen to my songs. They look so calm and peaceful when I sing. It is a very rewarding job. How about you? Are you still a Geohound?"
"Yeah, but I don't work as much as I used to. I've worked so much in the past that I have enough money to last me for a little while."
Elena took a sip from her drink. "Where have you been staying all this time? Did you return to Garlan?"
Ryudo shook his head. "No, even though I've cleared my name in that place, it still brings back a lot of unpleasant memories. I don't plan on going back there anytime soon. Anyway, I just travelled a lot, I went from one town to another."
"Unpleasant memories? Are you talking about Melfice?"
"Yeah, I can't forget all the things he has done and all the suffering I had to go through. I lost my brother and my hometown. I was all alone until I met Skye, it was a very painful experience..." Ryudo looked down on his hands, they shook with pain and grief.
Elena reached for his hands and held them tightly. "Ryudo... you do not have to be alone anymore," she thought.
Ryudo looked at Elena. "Have you ever been alone Elena? Hmm... come to think of it, you haven't told me anything about your past or your family."
Elena looked away. She was silent for awhile and when she spoke, her voice was really quiet. "I... I really do not remember much about my past..." A small tear formed in Elena's left eye but the breeze blew it away before it could flow down to her cheek.
Ryudo examined Elena's face, she looked sad all of a sudden. "Are you feeling okay?"
Elena gave him a fake smile. "Yes, I am fine."
Ryudo got up from the bench and smiled at Elena. "Say, do you want to try out one of the rides?"
Elena stood up. "Sure, I would be glad to."
Before the two could walk away, they heard a scream and turned around just in time to see a Cathedral Knight thrust his sword into a man's stomach. Elena gasped, whimpered, and shook violently at the sight of the victim, who fell on the ground and formed a puddle of blood after the Knight withdrew his blade.
Another Cathedral Knight appeared behind a bush and yelled, "Death to all the Dark Ones!!!"
"Bloody Hell! What is all this?!" Ryudo growled as more Cathedral Knights appeared.
"We... we have to do something," Elena whispered.
"Yeah, but we've got to arm ourselves first," Ryudo replied and took Elena's hand. "Come on, I'm taking you back to the castle!" Elena nodded in agreement and the two left the fair.
Lance, who had been spying on Ryudo and Elena from a distance, left the scene as well.
***
When Ryudo and Elena got back to the castle, Skye, Millenia, Roan, and Tio were waiting for them in the lobby.
"Ryudo! Miss Elena! I am relieved you made it back!" Roan cried happily.
"Roan, what's going on here? Just where did those Cathedral Knights come from? And what do they want?" Ryudo asked.
Roan shook his head. "I do not know, they just came out of nowhere. But, I have sent out my knights to find out."
Millenia put her hands on her hips. "You know what? Why don't we go out there and kick some Holy butts? We should fight them first and then ask questions later."
"Right, we have to stop them from destroying the city. You guys get in gear. I'll have to go back to my inn and get my equipment. I'll meet you at the town square, near the water fountain, in ten minutes, okay?" Ryudo said.
Tio nodded in agreement. "Understood."
Ryudo turned to Elena and put his hands on her shoulders. "I'll have to go now and I'm sorry things didn't turn out nicely."
"It is all right and take care," Elena smiled.
"I will. I'll see you later," Ryudo smiled back and ran out of the lobby.
***
Lance was perched on top of a clock tower and watched the onslaught below him. His short, spikey turquoise hair danced with the breeze and his long, black leather coat flowed freely in the breeze like a cape. "My, this is such a great day. First I find Elena and then the Cathedral Knights... I like this," the Ninja chuckled to himself.
Ryudo was dressed in his Geohound suit. Elena wore her Songstress clothes since she had nothing else to wear for battle. Millenia wore her red fighting outfit. Tio had her yellow fighting clothes on and Roan was dressed in his royal suit.
"Where do we start looking for the Cathedral Knights?" Roan asked.
Millenia pointed something behind them. "Oh, how about behind us?"
"It is them, the Cathedral Knights," Tio gasped.
Eight Cathedral Knights and a man wearing a light blue, hooded tunic entered the town square. The man waved his hand towards Ryudo and company and the Knights unsheathed their swords.
Millenia cupped her hands on her chest and squealed. "Ooh, here they come. This is going to be great!" Millenia put her right hand forward and a big ball of fire formed on top of her head. "Ooh hey, how does that feel?!" she asked mockingly when she casted the Burn! spell. She hit one of the Knights but it was barely scratched from the attack.
The Cathedral Knights ran towards their opponents while the hooded man stood still. One of them swung its sword at Ryudo but he managed to block it with the Maken Valborg.
Tio raised her right hand in the air and then swung it forward. She fired a big, pink, flower like projectile. "Lotus Flower, bloom." The Lotus Flower hit two Knights and then it returned to Tio like a boomerang. The Knights flinched a bit and then continued to walk towards her.
Roan fell on the ground after he received a kick from his opponent. The Knight raised its sword in the air with both hands. Before it could strike down Roan, Millenia fired an Arrow Shot at it. She hit it on the stomach and the Knight groaned in pain.
The Young King got up from the ground and ran to Millenia. "Thanks Miss Millenia," he smiled.
"No problem kid," Millenia smiled back and gave him a noogie.
Elena noticed that Tio received a cut on her arm from a Knight's blade and immediately casted a Heal spell on her. "O Holy light of life!" The cut closed completely and the spell replenished Tio's energy.
A Cathedral Knight punched Ryudo on the face and the Geohound fell on the ground. "Damn, that hurts," Ryudo groaned in pain as he stood up. He then saw a Knight was about to strike down Elena from behind. "Elena, behind you! ELENA!!" he yelled and ran after her but his opponent blocked his way. Ryudo snarled and dispatched the Knight with a Tenseiken Slash.
Elena turned around just in time to see the Knight bring down his sword. Elena knelt down and closed her eyes, ready to meet her doom. She then felt something quick lift her off the ground. Curious, she opened her eyes and found that she was cradled in the arms of Lance.
Lance put Elena on the ground and looked at her with concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"I am fine," Elena answered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Thank you for saving me. Who are you?"
"There will be time for that later. For now, we have to get out of here, Elena."
Elena stood up. "No, I cannot leave my friends behind." Elena turned around to leave and then paused for a second. "He knew my name! But how?" she thought and turned around to face the Ninja. Before Elena could say something, Ryudo arrived with Skye flying behind him.
"Elena, you're okay!" he said.
Elena pointed her index finger at Lance. "Thanks to him."
Ryudo frowned. "You again? What are you doing here?!"
Lance glared ice cold daggers at the Geohound. "I was about to ask you the same thing."
"Hello! A little help out here?!!!" Millenia called out, who was cornered by three Knights. One of the Knights punched her on the stomach and another one punched her on the face. Millenia glared at her opponents and snarled. She bent down to her waist and sprouted black wings. "DON'T MESS WITH ME!!!" she screamed in anguish as she levitated from the ground.
Purple balls of lightning formed behind Millenia. She spun around and waved her hand towards the Knights. "DEEP FRIED GOODNESS!" she screeched as the balls of lightning flew towards the Knights. The balls of lightning circled around their targets and formed into a huge, electric purple dome. The Knights were trapped inside the dome and were being shocked by lightning. After awhile, the dome vanished and left the Knights paralyzed.
Ryudo put his hand on his forehead. "Uh oh, Millenia's going nuts again."
Millenia laughed and casted a Burnflame spell on the Knights to finish them off. "Hey, check this out!"
"The ultimate secret! True Dragon Rise!" Roan said as he rushed toward a Knight. He slashed his opponent continuously with his Gladius and finished the assault with a flying slash attack. The Young King backed away a bit and let Tio finish it off with a Fast Dance-Whirl.
The hooded man snapped his fingers and the remaining Cathedral Knights stopped fighting. The Knights sheathed their swords and returned to him.
"Who are you? Why did you do this?!" Roan demanded.
The hooded man simply laughed. "The testing of the Cathedral Knights was successful, there's no need to stay here any longer..." he whispered to himself.
A strong breeze blew against the hooded man. His hood fell off his head and his identity was revealed.
Ryudo's skin went pale and his jaw dropped. "I don't believe it... it's... it's Gatta..."