Chapter Twenty Five
Lance put his mask back on and crossed his arms over his chest for the millionth time that day. "You said you wanted to talk. What are you waiting for?" he asked coldly.
Millenia darted her eyes at the Ninja. He might be Elena's brother but that would not stop her from blowing him to oblivion if he kept his harsh tone. "Tell me, you've been with us all this time but why did you just reveal yourself to us now?"
Lance crossed the room and stood right in front of Millenia. "Two reasons. One, at first, I wasn't sure if she was really my sister. And two, it just felt right that now was a good time to tell you people who I am."
Millenia arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean by you weren't sure?"
The Shinobi of the Flame turned around and looked out to the window. The Ninja spoke in his usual deep, cold, monotone voice. "It's been thirteen years since Elena and I saw each other. You can't expect the two of us to recognize each other right away. After Rhea went into a coma, I lost all hope. All of the people I've cared for were gone... Father, Hanzo, the Clan... and Rhea, the doctors weren't sure when she'd wake up. With nothing to live for but vengeance, I started to hone my blade skills and tap into my new found powers so I could be strong enough to beat Selene. But, by the time I felt I was ready to take on her, you and your friends have already defeated her and Valmar. My goal was stolen away from me and I didn't know what to do with my life back then until I saw a poster of Elena in a bar. The poster announced her performance in Mirumu."
Lance turned back around to face Millenia. He noticed that she looked genuinely interested in what he had to say and wondered why. "The moment I looked into her eyes and saw her smile in the poster, it felt like I've met her somewhere. After a lot of thinking, the answer hit me like a ton of bricks; that Elena was my sister but I wasn't really positive so I decided to find her and see if my suspicions were true. However, by the time I reached Mirumu, Elena had moved on again. A little girl, who claimed she knew this Elena, told me that she was headed for Cyrum to visit its King so I followed her there. When I finally met Elena, I knew it really was her. I didn't know how but I felt it. But, my suspicions weren't fully confirmed until we fought Nekura back in Garlan. When Nekura was about to kill me, Ryudo, and Skye... Elena had intervened. She sprouted a pair of white, angel wings and went mad with power. The power that she radiated back there felt like mine and that told me that in one way or another, we had a connection; we were brother and sister. From that point on, I've decided to protect Elena until the day I die, it gave my life meaning. I failed Elena thirteen years ago and I failed her just now but I won't let anything happen to her again. I won't let anything that could harm her near her, even Ryudo."
Millenia chuckled. "Brilliant. You told us about yourself now so you could keep Ryudo away from Elena. As her older brother, you have every right to be protective of her." The red head grinned and sat down on the chair next to Elena's bed. "Isn't that cute?" she said sarcastically.
Lance clenched both of his fists. "It's all of his fault! If that idiot didn't leave Elena alone out here, she wouldn't be on that bed right now."
Millenia narrowed her eyes at the Ninja. "What about you? Surely when you were older, you could've left your Clan and went out to look for her."
"It's not that easy." The Ninja shook his head. "Once I've decided to become part of the Clan, I couldn't leave. It's against the Ninja's law to leave the Clan under normal circumstances. If I have, my Clan would've labelled me as a renegade and would've hunted me down like an animal until I was dead. I'm no good to Elena if I'm a rotting corpse. Any other questions?"
"Why would you reveal yourself to us but not to Elena? I'm pretty sure Miss Prissy would appreciate that."
Lance lowered his gaze to the floor and sighed heavily. "I don't think so. I'm better off dead in Elena's world. I... I don't want her to know that her brother had become a heartless, cold blooded Ninja. I'm not proud of what I've become and I think she won't be either." The turquoise haired man turned towards the window again and looked at Millenia from the corner of his eye. "Out of you people, you're the only one that seemed to believe me. Why?"
Millenia got up from the chair and stood next to Lance. "You, Elena, and I are different from everyone else."
The Ninja raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"Power." Millenia put a hand against the window and stared at the horizon. "People in this world are born with powers but most of them have to work or train really hard to harness it, like Melfice and Ryudo. However, the power in you, me, and Elena occurs naturally. You and Elena are Granites, descendants of Granas, probably the last ones."
"What are you talking about? Me, a descendant of Granas? You've got to be kidding," Lance scoffed.
"Long ago, thousands of years ago, Granas came to Earth in human form and made love with several women. Granas' children were called Granites and they wielded extra ordinary power. However, when Granas was slain, the Granites' number decreased gradually and as time went by, their descendants carried less and less of Granas' blood. I used to be the Wings of Valmar. I have the ability to sense parts of Valmar or those that carry Granas' blood, that's why I was able to track you down and find you at the hospital back in Liligue. I had my suspicions but I didn't know you were actually a Granite until you showed us your wings. Those wings and the power they give you are the only traces left of Granas' genes in your body."
"Fine, let's say your story is true. But what about you? You have wings and your powers differ from the others. You said you used to be the Wings of Valmar but the Dark God is gone. You can't exist if Valmar is dead."
"Actually... I was a manifestation of Elena's dark side, released as a human through the power of the Wings of Valmar. I am Elena and Elena is me. So in a way, I'm your sister too."
Lance grimaced. "Millenia? Sister? Can the world get anymore screwed than this?" he thought. "Makes sense."
"By the way, how can you turn your wings into a trench coat?" Millenia asked.
"I don't know, that's just what it does on my command," Lance shrugged. The Ninja closed his eyes and concentrated a bit. His trench coat shape shifted into different things; first its original form: into black demonic wings, then into a black leather open vest, black cape, black shirt, and back into a trench coat.
"Wow, cool."
***
"What do you think those two are talking about?" Roan asked everyone.
"No clue but they've been in there for an awfully long time," Melfice answered.
"I'm surprised Millenia actually managed to stay in there for more than five minutes," Skye remarked.
Tio noticed Ryudo pacing around the hall. "I think Ryudo is going to have a panic or anxiety attack if he does not see Elena soon," she whispered to Roan and Melfice.
"Ryudo, why won't you go inside and see Elena," Melfice suggested and stepped up to Ryudo.
"How could I? That Ninja won't even let me see her," Ryudo replied.
"I know you don't like him much but he IS Elena's brother. If you want to get to Elena, you have to face him and get on his good side," Melfice instructed and started to push his little brother towards the door.
"Okay, okay! Quit pushing!" Ryudo snarled and turned the door knob. Slowly, he opened the door and entered the room. He was greeted by Lance's cold, fiery eyes. Ryudo put on a serious and determined look. "I just wanted to check up on Elena."
"Elena doesn't need you," Lance hissed.
Ryudo said nothing. He felt hopeless and helpless already.
Millenia noticed Ryudo's distress though she smiled internally. The hopeless look on the Geohound's face was priceless. The red head grabbed Lance's arm. "Come on, let's leave Ryudo alone with Elena."
"Over. My. Dead. Body," the Flame Shinobi growled through clenched teeth.
Millenia scowled at the turquoise haired man. "Look, you're worrying too much. Even if Ryudo tried anything with Elena, you can always come and kill him, right?" Millenia grinned.
"Hmph." Lance took his arm away from Millenia and reluctantly left the room with the red head right behind him.
Ryudo let out a relaxed sigh as the door closed. "Thanks Millenia," he said mentally. He then turned to Elena and walked to her bedside. He reached for her hand and held it fiercely. "Elena... I'm so sorry for this... I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you." Ryudo looked at Elena with regret in his emerald green eyes. "Damn... I miss you so much already. I want to see you smile and your beautiful eyes. I want to hear your voice again, I want to hear you sing."
The Geohound closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "Now I wish I hadn't pushed you away or made you wait for me. I should've let things the way they're suppose to be; you and me together. Damn, I've been so stupid... stupid! Stupid!! STUPID RYUDO!!!" he cursed to himself. Ryudo ran his fingers down her cheeks while he tried his best to hold back any tears that dared to escape his eyes. "So, please Elena, you have to get better. I want you to come back to me. I need you. I don't know what I'd do if your condition got worse."
Ryudo gave Elena's hand a light squeeze and held it against his cheek. "And I swear I'll make Nekura pay for this, that I promise you." He then gently set down Elena's hand back on the bed. The Geohound turned around and saw that everyone had entered the room, except for Lance.
"How is she?" Melfice asked.
"Still the same," Ryudo answered. "Say, where's Mister Big Brother?"
Millenia nudged her head towards the doorway. "He took off. He didn't say where he was going though, as usual."
"Ryudo, we've been talking..." Skye began. "I know... we know that Elena is in a bad condition and needs our full attention and support but all of us can't just sit around here. We've got enemies Ryudo and they'll harm more people if we don't do something."
"Don't you think I know that?" Ryudo retorted. "I'd really like to find that Nekura and shove the Granasaber Sword down his throat but he's not our only problem."
Melfice put on an inquisitive look. "You mean Gatta. Gatta is going to be a tricky one, we don't know his motives and who he is working for. We can't attack him either because he'll just use the people of St. Heim as a shield."
"At least we know what Nekura is up to," Roan said optimistically in an effort to brighten up their dull situation.
"But we do not know where he is. He could be anywhere," Tio replied.
"He said he's going to destroy the planet. I can't picture that nutcase doing that anytime soon, considering that we've deep fried his Ninja butt twice," Millenia told everyone with an evil smile.
"Don't underestimate Nekura," a voice said from the doorway. Lance entered the room and noticed that everyone stared at him. "What's wrong?"
"What did you do to your trench coat?" Millenia questioned, curious.
The sleeves on Lance's trench coat were gone, which revealed dark blue wraps around both of his wrists and brown, leather straps around both of his biceps and shoulders. The collar and the tips of the coat were now clawed, which hinted a bit about the clothing's true form. There were also red markings on his coat. "Oh this?" the Ninja shrugged. "It suits, don't you think? ...now that you know who and what I'm really am. Anyway, like I said, don't underestimate Nekura. He was one of the most powerful Ninja in the Clan and don't forget the power boost he got back in the Birthplace of the Gods."
Ryudo frowned. "If this friend of yours is as strong as you say he is, why didn't he just blow us up to oblivion? He could've easily done that."
"Maybe he doesn't know the full potential of his power," Skye commented.
"If that's true, then Nekura should be our target. He'll be easier to defeat," Melfice suggested. "But since we don't know where he is, we'll just have to take him out when he shows up."
"So for now that only leaves us Gatta," Tio told everyone.
"We need to plan this very carefully should we attack St. Heim. We need to make sure that no harm come to its people while we fight the Cathedral Knights," Roan instructed.
"But the thing is, we can't attack the Cathedral Knights either because they're just a bunch of genetically mutated puppets," Ryudo grimaced.
"Perhaps... there is a way... but I will need a blood sample from a Cathedral Knight," Tio whispered.
"Consider it done! I'll get you a blood sample, I'll make them bleed," Millenia piped cheerfully.
"Millenia!" the Geohound scolded.
"I said I'll make them bleed. A little blood loss won't kill them," Millenia retaliated.
"It sounds risky but... fine! Let's go get that damn blood sample and then we're going back right here once that's done," Ryudo agreed.
"We're off to St. Heim then?" Melfice asked.
"Right," Ryudo nodded.
"I will prepare the Granasaber Ship," Tio announced and exited the room with Skye, Millenia, Roan, and Melfice.
The Geohound strode towards Elena's bed and kissed her on the forehead while having the feeling of Lance's ruby red eyes burning behind his back. "I'm going to be gone for a little while. I'll be back as soon as I can," he told Elena, mentally. Ryudo turned around and walked out of the room.
"I'll be back little sister..." Lance thought as he shut the door and left the room.
The group gathered the supplies they needed for their next mission such as Wound Salves, Yomi's Elixirs, vials for the blood samples, and food rations before they met with Tio in the Granasaber Ship. With everything set and ready, the group left Cyrum for St. Heim.
***
"How long before we get to St. Heim?" Ryudo asked, who sat on his station while he wondered if whatever Tio had in mind would work.
"A few more minutes and we will be there," Tio replied.
Melfice pointed at the screen of his computer. "The long range cameras are picking something up from St. Heim. Just give me a second to figure out this machine and I'll show it to you." The blue haired man pressed a series of buttons on his keyboard and a big semi transparent screen appeared in the middle of the bridge. The screen showed white winged dragons, a lot of them, with Cathedral Knights as their passengers.
Millenia raised an eyebrow. "What are they up to?"
"I do not know but it seems that they are headed to Liligue," Roan announced.
"Liligue?!! Rhea... no..." Lance gasped mentally.
"Tio, follow them but increase our altitude so they won't notice us," Ryudo instructed.
"Affirmative," the Automata nodded and did what she was told.
The Granasaber Ship climbed higher, higher than the clouds so there would be less chances of them being spotted by the enemy. The group followed the White Dragons until they reached Liligue. The White Dragons split into four groups and landed while the gang had stopped in mid air to see what their plans were.
A White Dragon that carried Cardinal Uru, with two Cathedral Knights, landed in the town square, where the town's biggest tree was and turtle like creature that lived in the sand. One group, led by Gatta, landed outside of the school. Gatta ordered his Cathedral Knights to surround the building and then hurried out of the scene. Another squad arrived at the main gates so no one would escape and the last went to the hospital.
"They're at the hospital!! Rhea... please be safe... please..." Lance pleaded mentally.
"They've completely surrounded the town and someone is with Gatta. Who do you think that is?" Tio told everyone.
"I do not know but he looked like a Cardinal of Granas," Roan replied.
"We have to do something! This is my home, we can't let them destroy it!" Millenia exclaimed.
"We know Millenia, we know. Any ideas?" Ryudo asked.
"Let's land outside of the town and then go to the town square. The Cardinal is rounding up an audience, it looks like he's got something to say. Let's find out what," Melfice suggested.
"Of course," Tio nodded and programmed the ship to descend.
The Granasaber Ship landed outside the town's main gates. The group left the ship and went up to the entrance. Surprisingly, the Cathedral Knights let them in but they closed the doors shut as soon as the gang entered.
"What a welcome... really makes me comfortable and cozy in this place," Ryudo remarked. "Come on, let's go see what his benevolence wants with this place."
Everyone nodded in unison and followed Ryudo to the town square. When Ryudo and the others got to the gathering, they split up and mingled with the townspeople so they would not be as noticeable. The town square was filled with exchanged whispers and looks of confusion.
"Citizens of Liligue, I am Cardinal Uru of the Granas Cathedral," he began when he decided it was time to start. "I am here to ask something of you."
"What could that be?" several people questioned.
"Faith, your faith in Lord Granas," Uru answered. "If you believe, if you have faith, Lord Granas could exist in this world again and bring us eternal happiness!"
The whole crowd gasped, both that of disbelief and shock.
"Your faith is all that I ask of you," Uru repeated.
The audience threw all sorts of reactions at the Cardinal.
"What do you mean?!"
"Are you out of your mind old man?! Granas is dead!! How the hell is he suppose to come back?!"
"Lord Granas can return?! How? Please tell us!"
"Yes, Lord Granas could return," Uru chuckled. "He would bring joy and harmony to those who will follow him and deliver punishment to the wicked... ugghhh..." he gasped and then fell on the ground, dead. He had been shot by an arrow at the back of his head.
"No one would want a rotting corpse like you to be a God!" a voice growled. The owner of the voice stepped up to the audience and stood between the Cathedral Knights that accompanied Uru. The hooded man put away his crossbow and took off his hood to reveal his identity to the public.
Lance's eyes widened a bit. "What the?! That's the man that hired me to assassinate the priests at the church back in St. Heim!" he whispered to himself.
The man laughed and drew out a sword.
"That sword! It's..." Ryudo gasped.
The man surveyed the public and noticed six familiar individuals. He then put a hand on his face and let his fingers dig into his cheek. His fingers tore into his skin and started to peel it away. With a grunt, the man completely took off his facial disguise and showed everyone who he really was, Gatta.