Navigation 4: Salva and Cross
"Finally, Salva! That means I am almost there," Sara thought as she and Dias arrived.
Dias chuckled. It had been quite some time since his last visit to the mining town. Wasn't that where they met--?
"Ashton!! Ashton come on, wait up!" a younger voice called.
"Leo. Come on, Gyoro and Urunrun are hungry and they will bite if we don't eat!"
As the young man named Leo ran after Ashton Anchors, he was not looking where he was going, and knocked right into an unsuspecting Sara.
"I'm sorry!" he said.
"Leo!" Ashton walked towards him and helped Sara up. "I'm sorry, miss."
"It's all right, I'm fine," she replied.
Green eyes widened as Ashton did a double take as he looked at Sara's blue hair and half-pointed ears. "That's not Rena!" he thought.
"Ashton…" Dias said. It had been quite a while since they had seen one another. A very long while, it seemed, had passed since they were on Energy Nede. Giving Ashton a sage-like nod, Dias gestured to Sara. "This is Sara."
Gyoro and Urunun swquaked happily as Sara pet them. A smiled entered Ashton's face. "This is my little brother, Leopold." He gestured towards the other brown haired boy. Different from Ashton, Leo was a little shorter, with hazel eyes. Instead of using two swords like Ashton, Leo used a two handed long sword. Quite the strong one for only 16! He stood by Sara, dressed in similar dark garments to Ashton, as he was training to be a heraldic swordsman like his older brother.
"You never spoke of having a brother when we were traveling," Dias said.
"While we were in Lacour, I received news of his birth. He is quite a bit younger than I am," Ashton replied.
"Where are you traveling to, Sara? You seem to be in a hurry," Leo said, walking next to Sara.
"Dias and I are heading to Cross."
"May we join you?" Leo innocently asked. Ashton looked at his brother wide-eyed.
"Your skill is nowhere near ready to travel!"
"But, Ashton, it's just to Cross!"
"Fine, but only if they allow us to come."
Dias rolled his eyes, sighing, and continued forward after letting Ashton know that it was all right for them to accompany him and Sara to Cross. Sara and Leo shrugged and also followed. While traveling to Cross, they encountered a few battles. Leo moved to attack, but was struck down by a lightning spell.
"Leo!" Ashton cried as he defeated the mage, with the help of his two dragons.
Gently, Sara knelt down by the unconscious boy, and placed her hands on him. A soft aura surrounded the both of them as she chanted in a whisper. "Grant me the strength to heal this brave warrior…CURE LIGHT*!"
Soon afterwards, Leo opened his eyes as the warm light enveloped him. Both stood up and reassured a worried Ashton that Leo was fine. Dias looked behind them, narrowing his eyes. Someone had followed them. He pulled out his sword.
"Show yourself," Dias called.
Claude stepped towards the light, revealing himself. He nodded to Dias and Ashton, and smiled at Sara.
"Mr. Claude!" Sara exclaimed, running towards him.
"How are you Sara?"
"I am well. Are you going back to Earth?" Sara asked.
"No, not right now. Let's just say that I am unable to. Where are you headed?"
"Cross. Sara wishes to speak with the king," Dias replied. It was good to see his comrade again; but one question plagued both his and Ashton's mind: where was Rena?
"Then, allow me to accompany you," Claude asked.
And who wouldn't allow the great "warrior" come? Everyone nodded and continued forward towards Cross. They were nearby when it had begun to turn dark. As a result, it was agreed that the best idea was to make camp. Ashton entertained Sara and Leo with stories of Planet Energy Nede while Claude and Dias spoke aside.
"You have trained her?"
"Yes. Sara has potential to wield a sword, unlike many her size. She desires to find herself and help this world she calls home," Dias replied.
"She had felt the "tip" as well?"
"Yes," Dias again replied. "She reminds me of a fiery version of Rena; full of hope and such determination."
Claude chuckled. "She does! Oh, I wish I could find Rena."
"You mean she has not been with you?!" Dias asked, extremely shocked. The look of fear was in his eyes.
"No. There was an attack on New Nede, and Rena, our child, and I were separated. I haven't seen Rena nor Sara in 13 years."
Dias thought for a moment. "You say that your daughter's name was Sara?"
"It's a popular name. Besides, the Sara we know now has lived on Expel," Claude replied. He had given up hope a long time ago.
Sighing, Dias turned around. "Not all of her life. Sara has absolutely not recollection of her past. All she has is that strange pendant with the jewel embedded in it."
"I want to think it possible that Sara…"
"Captain Kenni…this is Ensign Laire…come in?" It was Claude's trusty communicator. His blue eyes widened, as Dias looked in question.
"Ensign Laire! This is Captain Claude C. Kenni. Can you get the coordinates of where I am?"
"Yes. I will be there shortly to accompany you as a precaution," the voice replied.
Nodding to himself, Claude shut the communicator. "We have another visitor."
Dias chuckled. "I'll never understand the technology of your planet, Claude."
Upon hearing the strange noise from Claude's direction, Sara walked towards them. "A visitor?"
"Yes, someone else from Earth is coming. Please welcome her warmly," Claude replied.
As soon as he said those words, a tractor-like beam appeared, resulting in a girl's figure materializing. She was somewhat tall, and had long black hair, tied back into a ponytail. Green eyes stared at everyone, impressed by the beauty of this pristine world. She then looked towards Sara and noticed her slightly pointed ears. They made Sara look…cute.
"Ensign Jana Loire reporting, Captain," she replied.
~*~*
The next morning, they finally arrived in Cross and were greeted by Celes.
"Sara! You made it. Hurry, you can get an audience now!" Celes pulled her friend by the arm. Claude, Dias, and Ashton followed to see their old friend as well while Leo and Jana stayed at the restaurant.
"My King, my Queen, I would like to present Sara from Arlia village as we have urgent news," Celes formally replied.
"We were in Arlia when mechanical soldiers attacked," Chris replied.
"What is this?!" King Chris asked.
Claude stepped forward, bowing in respect. "Sire, what the youths say is all true for I battled one as well."
"Claude!" Queen Celine smiled. "Ashton, Dias! How nice it is to see you all. However, I do wish it were in better times."
"What can we do?" the king asked.
"Sire, my Queen, if you would allow me to investigate the possible source of this…imbalance, I would be in your debt," Sara beseeched.
"Sara, you are but a child! I cannot allow you to travel alone if it becomes dangerous again," King Chris replied.
"If I may, your majesties…" Celes curtseyed like a lady, and almost brought tears to her mother's eyes. "I shall accompany Sara as my heraldic skills will be of great aid along with her healing abilities."
"Princess Celes, as king I cannot allow you to endanger yourself," the king began. "And as your loving father, it would cause me great sadness if something were to happen."
"Father, your highness, allow me to accompany Sara and Princess Celes. My sword skills could use the practice as well," Chris said.
"This is ridiculous! Princess Celes, Prince Chris, do you realize the rashness of your actions?" the king replied. Celine placed a comforting hand on her husband's shoulder. He nodded, calming a bit.
"Sir Dias…would you accompany these three young travelers towards the continent of El, leaving if you are obligated to do so?" Queen Celine asked.
"I shall," he replied.
The king and queen both nodded. "Be safe, everyone," King Chris said.
As there were leaving, Queen Celine called out. "Celes, Chris, Sara…might I see you in my chambers?"
~*~
"Mother…" Celes said.
"I have faith in all of your abilities, my dear. But don't forget that I have traveled Expel once. If there is danger, please be careful," Celine replied.
"My Queen…" Sara started. Celine smiled and hugged the young girl tightly.
"I've practically seen you grow up. You are so much like an old friend of mine. Take care of my Celes and Chris. I am sure that you will gain much knowledge from this journey," Celine replied.
"Mother…we'll be fine, and return to you soon," Chris said.
"Of that I am sure," Celine said to her son.
Three pairs of eager eyes looked at Celine and made that promise. Together, they would find the source of the problem and solve it.
~*~
Later that evening, Claude and Ashton returned to the palace to speak with their old traveling companion. Upon seeing her, both men bowed.
"We've felt it, too. There is something going on," Ashton replied.
"Claude, darling, where is the lovely Rena? And you've also had a daughter?" Celine asked.
"Missing is all I can really say right now," he replied.
"I fear that they will be in much danger," Celine said, nodding at Claude.
"Shall we follow them? I mean, Dias will be guiding them," Ashton said, in which Gyoro and Urunrun nodded as well.
"No, however, travel to Lacour and speak with the king as well as return here with news," Celine replied.
"And who will protect Cross?" Claude asked.
"I'll leave Leo here until we return," Ashton replied.
"Then it is settled. Thank you, both of you," Celine said.
"I will bring Jana with us as well. She will need to learn more about other planets besides Earth," Claude said. Ashton nodded, not really understanding all of what Claude had said.
A/N – Sorry everyone for the long wait! School has kept me busy and I was in quite the block! Reviews are welcome, as well as any ideas to move the plot ahead.