Part 1 : Rouge Welcome
Aaron stood proudly on the deck of the Dragon's Pride. The salty sea air whipped through his silver hair as a hand up to shade his eyes. People often thought it was odd that a Wingly would choose the life of the sea, but Aaron could not imagine any other. He felt perfectly at home high in the crow's nest of the massive ship, scanning the skies for signs of other ships.
"Aaron! Ho, down here!" Came a voice from the deck below. Aaron glanced down at the midshipman.
"What is, Jerome?" He called back.
"We have just received word that there is a nasty storm heading this way! You had better get down from there!" The man sounded almost frantic, not a good sign. Aaron took one last look at the glorious sky and then leaped of the side of the crow's nest. His wings extended from his back and slowed him as he reached out to grab the rigging only a few feet off the deck.
"What is the ETA of the storm?" He asked quickly.
"Less than fifteen minutes." Jerome's voice was tight.
"Better furl the sails." Aaron said, even though the midshipman had probably already thought of that.
"Aye, I'll get right on it." He sounded relieved to have someone else giving out the orders.
Aaron turned back to stare out at the sea."You are a cruel mistress, Lady Oceania, but I have the means to outwit you."
He left his wings out a moment longer, as if in challenge to the mighty ocean.
"Captain! Lighting sighted ahead!" Jerome called to him.
Aaron quickly returned his wings to their place on his back and let go of the rigging, landing easily on the deck.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out. "All hands on deck! All hands on deck! This is not a drill!"
Sailors rushed to and fro as the waves grew higher about the ship. Aaron seemed everywhere at once, shouting orders, helping men with ropes and encouraging others at their posts.
"Take heart men! Let us prove that our wills are stronger that the will of the sea!" He called out, his voice carrying over the waves.
"Aye, captain, our will may be stronger but our ship is not!" Jerome answered, from where he stood at the helm, trying to hold the wheel steady.
"Then let us make the best while we can!" Aaron replied " The closer to shore we are, the less you sea dogs have to swim!"
Suddenly a large wave swept over the ship, catching the boat and tossing it like a toy. It landed on a jagged reef, slicing through the hull like paper.
"Dammit!" Aaron picked himself up off the deck, his hair dripping with seawater "Abandon ship! Abandon ship! Everyone off, now! Swim for shore!"
"But captain what about you?!" Jerome staggered to his feet, lurching towards the captain.
" I can take care of my self, now get going!" The sailor nodded and dove overboard.
Aaron watch as his men swam for shore. "Time for me to fly out of here. Good-bye, Dragon's Pride. I never liked that name anyway. It's a shame I never got around to renaming you." Aaron leapt off the side of the boat, allowing his wings to carry him across the restless shore of the ocean.
Aaron realized his mistake as soon as he glanced back at the sea. In his fatigue he had allowed himself to fly to close to the turbulent surface of the sea and there was no way to avoid the rapidly approaching wave. He rose on the air, quickly ascending in an attempt to escape but it was no use. The wave caught him easily and sent him plowing into the depths. He fought and clawed his way to the surface, where he took one breath that was half air, half seawater before he was forced under the waves under once again. He could feel panic rising as he surfaced on again, taking a deep breath and spitting the brine from his mouth.
Just when he thought he could last no longer, a final wave picked him up and hammered him on the shore. He crawled a few feet higher up on the beach before passing out.
===
That was how they found him, lying motionless on the sand. The brought him back to the village and treated his wounds. He slept for nearly a week afterwards, awaking to find himself alone in the corner of an open aired room. He glanced about, smelling the salty sea air and knowing that that he hadn't gone far. He rolled over and sat up, his bare feet on the cold floor as he waited for the dizziness to pass. He heard a sound and glanced up to see a man entering with a pitcher of water.
"Where am I?" He asked, his voice as weak as he felt.
The man sat the pitcher down and turned to face him.
"Your in the town of Rouge."
"Rouge?" Aaron blinked in surprise. "Either we were way off course or I was swept the far away by the sea."
"The mayor wanted to see you as soon as you were awake." The man said, turning to leave.
Aaron nodded and rose to his feet, swaying for a moment, and then steadying. He walked slowly out the door to find several men seated on benched outside. "Ah, our visitor has awakened!" An older main with graying hair exclaimed as soon as he saw him.
"Good day to you." Aaron answered, trying to be polite. " Tell me, have you found any other survivors from my ship?"
"I fear we have not."The old man answered with a shake of his head. "You are the only one we have found. I'm sorry."
Aaron sat down hard on the bench. "All dead." He whispered. "All dead...."
====
It was nearly a week later before he regained his strength and was able to walk about freely. He had gotten into the habit of walking down to watch the warriors practice every morning, and this morning was no different. He rose early, dressed in his normal black and silver attire and strolled down to the pier. This morning a new warrior was practicing, one he had never seen before. She was a woman dressed in a violet jumpsuit and sparring against a tall man dressed in brown leather armor. The man was armed with a massive claymore, while the woman was unarmed. He sat at his normal spot and watched the match with growing interest. The man swung his sword, and the girl leapt aside, he drew the blade back and sliced sideways. She leapt in the air, landing on the flat of the blade, and then jumped up balancing with one hand one each of his shoulders, flipping off and landing behind him. She crouched on the ground for several moments as he turned, then rolled away before he had a chance to strike again, his sword digging into the wooden deck.
"Enough, Serif." The girl said, bringing up one hand. "I don't want to get too tired this early in the morning." She smiled and rose to her feet. She gave the man a formal bow at the waist. The man nodded and shouldered the massive claymore before walking away. The girl had just picked up a towel and began to wipe the sweat from her face when she noticed Aaron watching her. She smiled and walked over to where he was sitting.
"Good morning." She said cheerfully "It is good to see out platinum haired guest up and about."
"Do you practice with him often?" Aaron asked curiously
"Yes, I have trained with him since I was a young child." The girl responded, obviously puzzled by his directness.
"I thought so."
She put her hands on her hips. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"It just seemed more that you had learned his timing than actually learning to dodge attacks. It would be interesting to see you try that against someone else."
"Is that a challenge?" She asked crossing her arms.
"Do you want it to be?" He returned with a grin.
"You're on." She replied with a smirk.
He grinned. "Let me get my sword."
Aaron rose and left the pier, returning to room they had given him to retrieve his simple but well-used light sword. The girl was waiting for him on his return, a slender katana in her hand. Aaron stopped on the edge of the pier and brandished his sword before dropping into a ready position.
"One moment." She said holding up her left hand. " I don't believe we have been properly introduced. My name is Kelcie."
"Aaron."
"Pleased to meet you Aaron. I hope you prove to be a worthy adversary." She bowed formally and then dropped into a ready position that was identical to Aaron's. Left foot forward, right foot back, knees slightly bent, and her sword held in a loose one-handed grip. He regarded her carefully for a moment then took a long step to the left. She followed suit. He took a step back; she took a step back. He took three steps forwards and feinted a blow. She took three steps forwarded and brought her blade up to block, stopping in the same instant he did./What the hell is she doing?/ He thought to himself as he swung downwards. She swung upwards easily blocking him. /Ah, I see. She is mimicking my moves. Showing off are we? Well, I must admit you are good at reading my moves but let's see if you can keep up with a Wingly./ He stepped back, she stepped back. He switches to a two handed grip and brought his blade up to a horizontal position I front of his eyes. She frowned and copied his movements. The without warning he surged forward moving so fast his sword seemed to blur. He slashed downwards and she managed to block it, swinging upwards and then stepped out of the way. He turned to follow her and swung downwards once more. She brought her sword up and the blades locked. Sparks flew as metal ground against metal. She took a half-step back to gain better footing but he took a full step forward pressing his attack with all his might. She attempted to step back once more and fell, sprawling ungracefully on the ground. Her katana fell to the ground and skittered away, coming to a stop a few feet away. She leapt to her feet, trying to reach the blade but Aaron stepped in her path.
"Not bad for a human."
She stepped to the right, but he was faster and still blocked her way. She stepped to the left and once again he blocked her way.
"Nope." He said with a superior grin. "Not until you admit defeat."
She feinted to the left again and dove to the right. Ignoring the feint, Aaron took a long step to the right. She tried to get past him but he caught her with an arm around her waist.
"Let me go, Wingly." She growled.
"Since you asked nicely... no."
"Let me loose!"
"Why?"
"Why?! What kind of question is that?"
"A valid one."
"That's enough. Both of you." Aaron looked over to see that the tall man had returned, minus the claymore. He released Kelcie and she glared at him as she stalked over to retrieve her weapon.
"It has been a while since I've seen Kelcie beaten so handily." The tall man extended a hand to Aaron. "My name is Serif."
Aaron shook the proffered hand firmly. "Giganto?"
Serif laughed. "No. A Giganto once lived here but I am no relation. Just unusually tall."
Aaron started to say something else when an unearthly wail came from the sea.
"What is that?!" Kelcie asked as she stared out over the sea in amazement. A large shelled sea creature rose, screaming again. It was an unnerving, undulating wail that seemed to chill to the bone.
"It looks like a kraken." Aaron said in amazement as he walked over to stand beside her. "but that's impossible, they are extinct."
"Whatever it is, it's headed towards the village." Serif said in a grim voice.
"Then it's up to use to stop it." Kelcie said, then held her right hand up in a fist.
"Whoa! What do you think you are going to do against that monster!?" Aaron asked, reaching out to grab her elbow before she could make a move towards the creature.
"I don't 'think' I can do anything. I am going to go stop that thing before people die, now let go!" Shrugging off Aaron's arm, Kelcie raced across the pier and leapt off into nothing. Aaron ran after her, ready to pull her out of the water and drag her back to shore. Suddenly time seemed to slow and then to nearly stop. Lighting forked down from a clear blue sky, striking the water beneath her, once then twice. It skittered across the water, defying the laws of gravity, then began to rise as a solid sheet of glowing power. As it rose, small tongues of electricity began to strike upwards and for a moment Aaron thought this to be an attack of the kraken. Then, as the wave of energy began to pass over her, a strange thing happened. After it had passed over her, it left behind glowing violet armor. He stared in awe as the energy wave continued to rise until it rose above her, leaving her dressed in stunning armor, a katana of pure energy in her hand and strong wings extending from her back.
"You're - you're a dragoon!" He exclaimed, running forward as the spell around her transformation seemed to fade.
Kelcie turned to glance over her shoulder and gave him a unpleasant smirk. "No duh, smart boy."
Aaron allowed his own wings to extend and joined her in the sky as she turned her full attention to the kraken. She held up one hand in a fist and it began to glow, it began to sparke as if she held a bolt of lighting in her hand. A glowing circle appeared around the kraken and lighting flashed around it, growing stronger and stronger with each passing second.
"Atomic Mind!!"
The circle around the kraken seemed to explode as lighting struck from above and below in the same instant, hiding the kraken in brilliant flash of light. Then the spell faded to reveal the kraken thrashing wildly in the water, roaring in pain.
"Don't you have anything more powerful that that?" Aaron asked her.
"Yeah, but I'm afraid that my other spells might hurt the village. If only it wasn't so close!"
"Then allow me." Aaron rose above her hovering there a second with his eyes closed.
"What? What are you doing!?" Kelcie exclaimed, then rose to an equal height with a single strong beat of her dragoon wings. Aaron ignored her and touched his forehead with the first two fingers of his right hand. His fingers began to glow and he held out both hands in front of him. He touched his left and right hands together and they both began to glow. He then used them to draw a circle in the air in front of him, finally using his index finger to write "Aaron" in Wingly symbols across the center of the circle before waving his hand through the symbols and erasing them.
"Down Burst!"
The wind began to howl, then gather into a mighty cyclone picking up rocks a loose debris as it gathered into a massive ball above the kraken before falling down upon it and forcing it below the waves for an instant. It rose again, screaming. Aaron did not hesitate but began his spell casting again, writing his name once more upon the air.
"Gravity Grabber!"
A line appeared both above and below the kraken, creating twin circles. When the circles where complete a column of earth rose from the sea and another fell from the sky to trap the kraken in-between them in a painful blow. The kraken roared once more and began to glow, waving it's tentacles as if beginning an incantation of it's own.
"We have to stop whatever it's trying to cast before it destroys the village!" Kelcie cried, spreading her wings in alarm and raising her hand for another spell casting.
"No need to worry." Aaron said, closing his eyes. "I have this well under control, save your strength for another day and consider this the thank you to your village for saving me." He brought his hand up once more, for a final spell casting.
"Burning Wave!"
A line of fire ran around the kraken engulfing it in flames and burning through it's hard shell. Water began to pour into the cracks that formed and the kraken thrashed in anguish as it sense that it's end was near. "Now, to finish it off."
He brought his hand to his forehead but made no other move to cast. "Kelcie, it's heart lies exposed. End this."
"With pleasure." Kelcie brandished her katana once and dove to attack, the point of the blade held down like a spear. Her blade pierced a crack in the shell, burying itself in the soft inner flesh. She then pulled the energy weapon free and glided away from the kraken's thrashing tentacles, waiting a moment for a second opening to drive the blade home once more. This time when the blade bit into it, the kraken made no more to retaliate. It's tentacles dropped to it's side and it began to sink quietly to the depths of the ocean. Kelcie glided away from the sinking bulk, katana dangling loosely from her hand, her eyes half closed. Aaron remained as he was before, hovering with his hand to his head. He slowly opened his eyes and lowered his hand, blinking as if awakening from a dream. He glanced down to see Kelcie and immediately allowed himself to fall until he was level with her. She now rested on her back, as if floating on water. He glanced down at her, concerned.
"Kelcie, are you okay?"
"Yeah… just … tired…" She frowned, then made an effort to open her eyes all the way. "What element are you anyway? You cast three different elemental spells and you didn't use any items that I saw."
"I'm non-elemental." Aaron answered, sounding slightly uncomfortable.
"Non-elemental?" Kelcie squinted up at him. "How is that possible?"
"Long story." Aaron answered gruffly, making it quite clear that he didn't want to talk about it.
"Hm, weird… but whatever floats your boat I guess." She laughed quietly and righted herself, reaching the pier in a few short wing beats. She touched down on the wooden platform and sank down to her knees. She was engulfed in a brilliant flash of light and when it faded her armor was gone, replaced once more by the simple violet jumpsuit. Serif was by her side in a second, kneeing down in front of her. "You okay?" He asked, his concern clearly hear in his voice.
"Yeah, just tired…" Kelcie repeated wearily.
Aaron allowed his own wings to return to hiding and sat down with his legs crossed beneath him.
"What kept you?" Kelcie asked Serif. "I thought you were right behind me."
"Heh, it looked to me like you two hotshots had everything under control." Serif answered with friendly chuckle.
"Let me guess," Aaron spoke up. " you're a dragoon too."
"Of the Golden Dragon, yes." Serif nodded. "You see, throughout the generations, those recognized by the dragoon spirits have served as the guardians of Rogue, though for the past hundred years there has been no need of them... "
"Until now." Aaron finished for him."
"Yes…" Kelcie answered, her voice unusually subdued. "The last Dragoon of the Violet Dragon, my father, was killed when a raider ship attacked Rogue. Everyone was shocked… a dragoon protector dead… we still have no idea who the man was who wielded so much power, nor why he came, killed my father and then left without sacking rogue or even burning our shipyards..."
"At her father's funeral, her father's dragoon spirit recognized Kelcie as it's new owner." Serif continued for her." and so she has trained herself since that day."
"You wish to use this power to avenge your father?" Aaron asked, resting his chin in his hands. "Yes, to kill the man who murdered my father and most of all, to find out why."
Aaron stood proudly on the deck of the Dragon's Pride. The salty sea air whipped through his silver hair as a hand up to shade his eyes. People often thought it was odd that a Wingly would choose the life of the sea, but Aaron could not imagine any other. He felt perfectly at home high in the crow's nest of the massive ship, scanning the skies for signs of other ships.
"Aaron! Ho, down here!" Came a voice from the deck below. Aaron glanced down at the midshipman.
"What is, Jerome?" He called back.
"We have just received word that there is a nasty storm heading this way! You had better get down from there!" The man sounded almost frantic, not a good sign. Aaron took one last look at the glorious sky and then leaped of the side of the crow's nest. His wings extended from his back and slowed him as he reached out to grab the rigging only a few feet off the deck.
"What is the ETA of the storm?" He asked quickly.
"Less than fifteen minutes." Jerome's voice was tight.
"Better furl the sails." Aaron said, even though the midshipman had probably already thought of that.
"Aye, I'll get right on it." He sounded relieved to have someone else giving out the orders.
Aaron turned back to stare out at the sea."You are a cruel mistress, Lady Oceania, but I have the means to outwit you."
He left his wings out a moment longer, as if in challenge to the mighty ocean.
"Captain! Lighting sighted ahead!" Jerome called to him.
Aaron quickly returned his wings to their place on his back and let go of the rigging, landing easily on the deck.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out. "All hands on deck! All hands on deck! This is not a drill!"
Sailors rushed to and fro as the waves grew higher about the ship. Aaron seemed everywhere at once, shouting orders, helping men with ropes and encouraging others at their posts.
"Take heart men! Let us prove that our wills are stronger that the will of the sea!" He called out, his voice carrying over the waves.
"Aye, captain, our will may be stronger but our ship is not!" Jerome answered, from where he stood at the helm, trying to hold the wheel steady.
"Then let us make the best while we can!" Aaron replied " The closer to shore we are, the less you sea dogs have to swim!"
Suddenly a large wave swept over the ship, catching the boat and tossing it like a toy. It landed on a jagged reef, slicing through the hull like paper.
"Dammit!" Aaron picked himself up off the deck, his hair dripping with seawater "Abandon ship! Abandon ship! Everyone off, now! Swim for shore!"
"But captain what about you?!" Jerome staggered to his feet, lurching towards the captain.
" I can take care of my self, now get going!" The sailor nodded and dove overboard.
Aaron watch as his men swam for shore. "Time for me to fly out of here. Good-bye, Dragon's Pride. I never liked that name anyway. It's a shame I never got around to renaming you." Aaron leapt off the side of the boat, allowing his wings to carry him across the restless shore of the ocean.
Aaron realized his mistake as soon as he glanced back at the sea. In his fatigue he had allowed himself to fly to close to the turbulent surface of the sea and there was no way to avoid the rapidly approaching wave. He rose on the air, quickly ascending in an attempt to escape but it was no use. The wave caught him easily and sent him plowing into the depths. He fought and clawed his way to the surface, where he took one breath that was half air, half seawater before he was forced under the waves under once again. He could feel panic rising as he surfaced on again, taking a deep breath and spitting the brine from his mouth.
Just when he thought he could last no longer, a final wave picked him up and hammered him on the shore. He crawled a few feet higher up on the beach before passing out.
===
That was how they found him, lying motionless on the sand. The brought him back to the village and treated his wounds. He slept for nearly a week afterwards, awaking to find himself alone in the corner of an open aired room. He glanced about, smelling the salty sea air and knowing that that he hadn't gone far. He rolled over and sat up, his bare feet on the cold floor as he waited for the dizziness to pass. He heard a sound and glanced up to see a man entering with a pitcher of water.
"Where am I?" He asked, his voice as weak as he felt.
The man sat the pitcher down and turned to face him.
"Your in the town of Rouge."
"Rouge?" Aaron blinked in surprise. "Either we were way off course or I was swept the far away by the sea."
"The mayor wanted to see you as soon as you were awake." The man said, turning to leave.
Aaron nodded and rose to his feet, swaying for a moment, and then steadying. He walked slowly out the door to find several men seated on benched outside. "Ah, our visitor has awakened!" An older main with graying hair exclaimed as soon as he saw him.
"Good day to you." Aaron answered, trying to be polite. " Tell me, have you found any other survivors from my ship?"
"I fear we have not."The old man answered with a shake of his head. "You are the only one we have found. I'm sorry."
Aaron sat down hard on the bench. "All dead." He whispered. "All dead...."
====
It was nearly a week later before he regained his strength and was able to walk about freely. He had gotten into the habit of walking down to watch the warriors practice every morning, and this morning was no different. He rose early, dressed in his normal black and silver attire and strolled down to the pier. This morning a new warrior was practicing, one he had never seen before. She was a woman dressed in a violet jumpsuit and sparring against a tall man dressed in brown leather armor. The man was armed with a massive claymore, while the woman was unarmed. He sat at his normal spot and watched the match with growing interest. The man swung his sword, and the girl leapt aside, he drew the blade back and sliced sideways. She leapt in the air, landing on the flat of the blade, and then jumped up balancing with one hand one each of his shoulders, flipping off and landing behind him. She crouched on the ground for several moments as he turned, then rolled away before he had a chance to strike again, his sword digging into the wooden deck.
"Enough, Serif." The girl said, bringing up one hand. "I don't want to get too tired this early in the morning." She smiled and rose to her feet. She gave the man a formal bow at the waist. The man nodded and shouldered the massive claymore before walking away. The girl had just picked up a towel and began to wipe the sweat from her face when she noticed Aaron watching her. She smiled and walked over to where he was sitting.
"Good morning." She said cheerfully "It is good to see out platinum haired guest up and about."
"Do you practice with him often?" Aaron asked curiously
"Yes, I have trained with him since I was a young child." The girl responded, obviously puzzled by his directness.
"I thought so."
She put her hands on her hips. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"It just seemed more that you had learned his timing than actually learning to dodge attacks. It would be interesting to see you try that against someone else."
"Is that a challenge?" She asked crossing her arms.
"Do you want it to be?" He returned with a grin.
"You're on." She replied with a smirk.
He grinned. "Let me get my sword."
Aaron rose and left the pier, returning to room they had given him to retrieve his simple but well-used light sword. The girl was waiting for him on his return, a slender katana in her hand. Aaron stopped on the edge of the pier and brandished his sword before dropping into a ready position.
"One moment." She said holding up her left hand. " I don't believe we have been properly introduced. My name is Kelcie."
"Aaron."
"Pleased to meet you Aaron. I hope you prove to be a worthy adversary." She bowed formally and then dropped into a ready position that was identical to Aaron's. Left foot forward, right foot back, knees slightly bent, and her sword held in a loose one-handed grip. He regarded her carefully for a moment then took a long step to the left. She followed suit. He took a step back; she took a step back. He took three steps forwards and feinted a blow. She took three steps forwarded and brought her blade up to block, stopping in the same instant he did./What the hell is she doing?/ He thought to himself as he swung downwards. She swung upwards easily blocking him. /Ah, I see. She is mimicking my moves. Showing off are we? Well, I must admit you are good at reading my moves but let's see if you can keep up with a Wingly./ He stepped back, she stepped back. He switches to a two handed grip and brought his blade up to a horizontal position I front of his eyes. She frowned and copied his movements. The without warning he surged forward moving so fast his sword seemed to blur. He slashed downwards and she managed to block it, swinging upwards and then stepped out of the way. He turned to follow her and swung downwards once more. She brought her sword up and the blades locked. Sparks flew as metal ground against metal. She took a half-step back to gain better footing but he took a full step forward pressing his attack with all his might. She attempted to step back once more and fell, sprawling ungracefully on the ground. Her katana fell to the ground and skittered away, coming to a stop a few feet away. She leapt to her feet, trying to reach the blade but Aaron stepped in her path.
"Not bad for a human."
She stepped to the right, but he was faster and still blocked her way. She stepped to the left and once again he blocked her way.
"Nope." He said with a superior grin. "Not until you admit defeat."
She feinted to the left again and dove to the right. Ignoring the feint, Aaron took a long step to the right. She tried to get past him but he caught her with an arm around her waist.
"Let me go, Wingly." She growled.
"Since you asked nicely... no."
"Let me loose!"
"Why?"
"Why?! What kind of question is that?"
"A valid one."
"That's enough. Both of you." Aaron looked over to see that the tall man had returned, minus the claymore. He released Kelcie and she glared at him as she stalked over to retrieve her weapon.
"It has been a while since I've seen Kelcie beaten so handily." The tall man extended a hand to Aaron. "My name is Serif."
Aaron shook the proffered hand firmly. "Giganto?"
Serif laughed. "No. A Giganto once lived here but I am no relation. Just unusually tall."
Aaron started to say something else when an unearthly wail came from the sea.
"What is that?!" Kelcie asked as she stared out over the sea in amazement. A large shelled sea creature rose, screaming again. It was an unnerving, undulating wail that seemed to chill to the bone.
"It looks like a kraken." Aaron said in amazement as he walked over to stand beside her. "but that's impossible, they are extinct."
"Whatever it is, it's headed towards the village." Serif said in a grim voice.
"Then it's up to use to stop it." Kelcie said, then held her right hand up in a fist.
"Whoa! What do you think you are going to do against that monster!?" Aaron asked, reaching out to grab her elbow before she could make a move towards the creature.
"I don't 'think' I can do anything. I am going to go stop that thing before people die, now let go!" Shrugging off Aaron's arm, Kelcie raced across the pier and leapt off into nothing. Aaron ran after her, ready to pull her out of the water and drag her back to shore. Suddenly time seemed to slow and then to nearly stop. Lighting forked down from a clear blue sky, striking the water beneath her, once then twice. It skittered across the water, defying the laws of gravity, then began to rise as a solid sheet of glowing power. As it rose, small tongues of electricity began to strike upwards and for a moment Aaron thought this to be an attack of the kraken. Then, as the wave of energy began to pass over her, a strange thing happened. After it had passed over her, it left behind glowing violet armor. He stared in awe as the energy wave continued to rise until it rose above her, leaving her dressed in stunning armor, a katana of pure energy in her hand and strong wings extending from her back.
"You're - you're a dragoon!" He exclaimed, running forward as the spell around her transformation seemed to fade.
Kelcie turned to glance over her shoulder and gave him a unpleasant smirk. "No duh, smart boy."
Aaron allowed his own wings to extend and joined her in the sky as she turned her full attention to the kraken. She held up one hand in a fist and it began to glow, it began to sparke as if she held a bolt of lighting in her hand. A glowing circle appeared around the kraken and lighting flashed around it, growing stronger and stronger with each passing second.
"Atomic Mind!!"
The circle around the kraken seemed to explode as lighting struck from above and below in the same instant, hiding the kraken in brilliant flash of light. Then the spell faded to reveal the kraken thrashing wildly in the water, roaring in pain.
"Don't you have anything more powerful that that?" Aaron asked her.
"Yeah, but I'm afraid that my other spells might hurt the village. If only it wasn't so close!"
"Then allow me." Aaron rose above her hovering there a second with his eyes closed.
"What? What are you doing!?" Kelcie exclaimed, then rose to an equal height with a single strong beat of her dragoon wings. Aaron ignored her and touched his forehead with the first two fingers of his right hand. His fingers began to glow and he held out both hands in front of him. He touched his left and right hands together and they both began to glow. He then used them to draw a circle in the air in front of him, finally using his index finger to write "Aaron" in Wingly symbols across the center of the circle before waving his hand through the symbols and erasing them.
"Down Burst!"
The wind began to howl, then gather into a mighty cyclone picking up rocks a loose debris as it gathered into a massive ball above the kraken before falling down upon it and forcing it below the waves for an instant. It rose again, screaming. Aaron did not hesitate but began his spell casting again, writing his name once more upon the air.
"Gravity Grabber!"
A line appeared both above and below the kraken, creating twin circles. When the circles where complete a column of earth rose from the sea and another fell from the sky to trap the kraken in-between them in a painful blow. The kraken roared once more and began to glow, waving it's tentacles as if beginning an incantation of it's own.
"We have to stop whatever it's trying to cast before it destroys the village!" Kelcie cried, spreading her wings in alarm and raising her hand for another spell casting.
"No need to worry." Aaron said, closing his eyes. "I have this well under control, save your strength for another day and consider this the thank you to your village for saving me." He brought his hand up once more, for a final spell casting.
"Burning Wave!"
A line of fire ran around the kraken engulfing it in flames and burning through it's hard shell. Water began to pour into the cracks that formed and the kraken thrashed in anguish as it sense that it's end was near. "Now, to finish it off."
He brought his hand to his forehead but made no other move to cast. "Kelcie, it's heart lies exposed. End this."
"With pleasure." Kelcie brandished her katana once and dove to attack, the point of the blade held down like a spear. Her blade pierced a crack in the shell, burying itself in the soft inner flesh. She then pulled the energy weapon free and glided away from the kraken's thrashing tentacles, waiting a moment for a second opening to drive the blade home once more. This time when the blade bit into it, the kraken made no more to retaliate. It's tentacles dropped to it's side and it began to sink quietly to the depths of the ocean. Kelcie glided away from the sinking bulk, katana dangling loosely from her hand, her eyes half closed. Aaron remained as he was before, hovering with his hand to his head. He slowly opened his eyes and lowered his hand, blinking as if awakening from a dream. He glanced down to see Kelcie and immediately allowed himself to fall until he was level with her. She now rested on her back, as if floating on water. He glanced down at her, concerned.
"Kelcie, are you okay?"
"Yeah… just … tired…" She frowned, then made an effort to open her eyes all the way. "What element are you anyway? You cast three different elemental spells and you didn't use any items that I saw."
"I'm non-elemental." Aaron answered, sounding slightly uncomfortable.
"Non-elemental?" Kelcie squinted up at him. "How is that possible?"
"Long story." Aaron answered gruffly, making it quite clear that he didn't want to talk about it.
"Hm, weird… but whatever floats your boat I guess." She laughed quietly and righted herself, reaching the pier in a few short wing beats. She touched down on the wooden platform and sank down to her knees. She was engulfed in a brilliant flash of light and when it faded her armor was gone, replaced once more by the simple violet jumpsuit. Serif was by her side in a second, kneeing down in front of her. "You okay?" He asked, his concern clearly hear in his voice.
"Yeah, just tired…" Kelcie repeated wearily.
Aaron allowed his own wings to return to hiding and sat down with his legs crossed beneath him.
"What kept you?" Kelcie asked Serif. "I thought you were right behind me."
"Heh, it looked to me like you two hotshots had everything under control." Serif answered with friendly chuckle.
"Let me guess," Aaron spoke up. " you're a dragoon too."
"Of the Golden Dragon, yes." Serif nodded. "You see, throughout the generations, those recognized by the dragoon spirits have served as the guardians of Rogue, though for the past hundred years there has been no need of them... "
"Until now." Aaron finished for him."
"Yes…" Kelcie answered, her voice unusually subdued. "The last Dragoon of the Violet Dragon, my father, was killed when a raider ship attacked Rogue. Everyone was shocked… a dragoon protector dead… we still have no idea who the man was who wielded so much power, nor why he came, killed my father and then left without sacking rogue or even burning our shipyards..."
"At her father's funeral, her father's dragoon spirit recognized Kelcie as it's new owner." Serif continued for her." and so she has trained herself since that day."
"You wish to use this power to avenge your father?" Aaron asked, resting his chin in his hands. "Yes, to kill the man who murdered my father and most of all, to find out why."