Navigation (chapter) 2: New Heroes, 13 years later

     The Shingo Forest was as lush and beautiful as ever. It had not changed much since the last time Claude visited. The only thing different was the fact that Rena was not by his side. He had been separated from both her and their child 13 years ago when on New Nede. Something evil had started – an alliance between three powerful beings. Claude and some of the brave members of the Earth Federation had tried to stop the evil on New Nede, but failed. When activity sprang around the Milky Way Galaxy, Claude's home, he tried to investigate, but somehow was transported once again to Expel.

     His thoughts were interrupted as he heard a familiar melody from a soft voice in the distance. Moving closer, Claude was able to spot a young girl singing and playing a small lyre. The lyre – Rena's favorite instrument. His eyes widened as he got a better look at her; she had long blue hair and slightly pointed ears.

     "A Nedian?! No…her ears are not fully pointed…" he thought.

     With the young girl were two others around the same age, give or take a year. The other girl had long, silver-lavender hair that curled slightly in the ponytail while the young man had blond hair. Claude could have sworn that the girl was his dear friend, Celine Jules, but he new better.

     The young man looked up. "Who's there?!" Upon the questions, the blue-haired girl stopped everything and looked towards the bushes. Her slightly pointed ears twitched, listening for the movements.

    "I can hear you breathing, so you better come out," she said.

     Claude was hesitant at first, but moved towards them, dressed still in his uniform. The young man's eyes widened.

     "Y-You're Claude C. Kenni, captain of the Calnus II, and major ally of Expel! You traveled with mother and saved Expel."

     Claude chuckled and scratched his blond hair. "No need for my introduction then. What are all of your names, and young man, who is your mother?"

     The young man spoke first. "My name is Prince Christopher T. Cross, the second, of Cross Kingdom. Celine Jules is my mother, who is now queen."

     The silver-haired girl introduced herself next. "I am Princess Celes Cross of Cross Kingdom."

     Finally, the blue-haired girl introduced herself. "My name is Sara Lanford of Arlia village."

     "Lanford? Do you, perhaps, know of Westa Lanford?" Claude asked.

     "Why, yes, I do. She takes care of me."

     "Is that so? Would you mind taking me to her?" Claude asked.

     "It's alright, Sara. He traveled with your aunt's daughter," Chris replied. Sara nodded, leading everyone back to Arlia.

     "She reminds me so much of Rena; Pointed ears and blue hair. Yet, she is not Rena," Claude thought.

     As they approached the bridge to the scenic view of Arlia, Sara stopped dead in her tracks. Her slightly pointed ears twitched. Celes looked at her, also sensing something.

     "Sara, Celes, what is it?" Chris asked.

     "Something's not right…" Celes said softly, still looking at Sara.

     It was then that they all heard a loud roar, like thunder, which echoed, and a woman's scream following. At this, Sara picked up a quick sprint. Celes, Chris, and Claude quickly ran after her.

     They arrived to see the townspeople running for cover as 3 metallic soldiers were attacking. Within a blink of an eye, Sara grabbed a large branch from the ground and charged one of the soldiers. She knew it was not a sword, but it would have to do. Chris ran towards the chapel, knowing that there was a small, hidden armory behind it. Stepping forward towards the same soldier, Celes began a heraldic incantation.

     "Sylph…I call on the wind's king…and beseech you to lend me the power of the winds…so that all who stand between us…feel your wrath…"

     As she spoke, Celes moved her hands across her body with grace as the newly embedded crest on her forehead began to glow. Finally, she raised her arm and threw a great force of lightning at the soldier. "THUNDER BOLT!"

     By now, Sara had broken her stick and was thrown against the chapel. Staggering, she stood up.

     "Light above the sun…grant me your power to defeat those who threaten the innocent ones…"

     Quickly, as Sara charged the soldier, a ball of light appeared in her hand. Flipping over the soldier, she placed the light on it in the form of a beam. "LUCENT BEAM!" One soldier down.

     "Sara, are you all right?" Celes asked.

     Sara nodded.

     Over towards the other end of the village, Claude was finishing off one metallic soldier. With a swing of his great sword, which he had strategically brought for travel on Expel, Claude created his famous air slash, instantly killing it. Quickly, he ran towards the others.

    Finally, Chris had returned with two swords in hand.

     "Sara, catch!" he threw one to her in which she easily caught. Chris and Celes were two of the few people who knew about Sara's ability to use a sword. They knew that Dias Flac, the famous swordsman, had been teaching her for quite some time now.

     There she stood, facing the last soldier. By now, Claude had caught up with everyone and watched Sara.

     "How dare you attack a peaceful village! I won't forgive you!" Sara lifted the sword in her hands and moved into her familiar air slash skill. "KU HA ZAN!"* Within moments, the soldier disappeared, but not without recording the battle.

     The people of Arlia moved from hiding and gathered around them. Westa ran out and hugged Sara.

     "Sara…why do you have a sword in your hand?"

     "Aunt Westa…I…"

     "Everyone stay alert while I report this to the King," Chris replied. He nodded to Sara and then to his sister before he left.

     "I'm sorry I've kept this from everyone, but master Dias has been teaching me how to wield a sword…" Sara said abruptly.

     Westa half-smiled, but then Claude placed a hand on her shoulder. It was then that Westa realized that Claude had returned. Westa nodded, understanding.

     "It's alright, Sara."

     "What were those things?" a villager asked.

     "We don't know…" Celes replied.

     Claude knew. Or at least, he thought he knew. Robotic knights from New Nede. Was it that race's fate to die out? If these soldiers were able to get to Expel, then was New need still protected?  Where was his beloved Rena, his beautiful wife? And where was their beautiful child? Were both still alive? Claude had to believe that.

*-- means "air slash", reference from Star Ocean EX