More Excuses
I couldn't believe it when I saw it. That man was draining the life out of the Dark Guardian, Celsidue. What reason could he have to do something horrid like that to her? And he's working with Janus to boot. Things are just getting more and more frightening, first Janus becomes a demon at the Unclean Mark, and now this. What else is going to happen to us on this journey?
He fights us now. Mine and Gallows's magic hit him, but Clive and Jet's shots were ineffective. He's just way to fast for us to hit with ARMs. What are we going to do now if we are unable to hit him?
*Slow him down,* begs Scturdark, *Grudiev, get Gallows's attention and have him slow this guy down with Decelerate. It's the only way that the others will be able to hit him.*
*How can I do that? You said it yourself, he never listens to anyone. Even if I yell at him till I'm blue in the face, this guy'll just continue playing around. I don't know how you put up with watching over him for all of these years Scturdark,* replied Grudiev. He didn't sound too happy with his brother.
I knew it was up to me. So I yelled, "Gallows, I've got an idea. Cast Decelerate on this guy. While we're waiting, Jet you cast Fragile to reduce his defensive powers. Maybe that will work."
Gallows looked at me like I was crazy. But he and Jet listened to my request, and when Clive went to shoot, he managed to hit our adversary. Schturdark was relieved. *Good thinking Virginia. These guys listen to you, being the leader and all. Lucky you have such a good Focus, or else you wouldn't have heard what Grudiev and I were arguing about, and we'd still be back at square one.*
I nodded and continued my attacks. The others were all using whatever they did best at, be it magic or physical attacks. Soon, the mystery man was knocked down. But Janus began helping him out of the room, pushing his way past us. Blast it, we've got to go after him. I ran out of the room, with Clive and Jet right behind me. But for some reason, Gallows had stayed behind with Celsidue.
It wasn't long before I found out the reason. He came back, holding the Dark Guardian's Medium in his hands. Rage shone on his face for what had just happened to this Guardian. He wanted to make that man pay for his transgression. And he says he doesn't care about his destiny as a priest.
"When I get my hands on that creep," Gallows vowed, "He's going to be in so much pain that he'll be lying on the floor for months. Kind of like the guy I took out that time when I was drunk."
"Well, we have to catch up with him first. Let us be off then. We mustn't let Janus and this mysterious stranger get too far ahead, or we'll never find them," Clive reminded him.
Suddenly, Celsidue flew out of Gallows's hands, and landed in mine. She told me, *Use my powers to the fullest of your abilities, Shaman. I have waited to speak with you ever since I felt your presence enter this shrine. We must stop this crazy man's plans, or all will be lost, and what is left of our beautiful planet will fade away into nothingness, and all life on it will perish.*
Gallows looks at me, wondering what just happened. "Why did the Guardian want to go to you so adamantly. Are you of Baskar descent or something? No other reason I can think of that they'd form such a strong attachment to a person. First Schturdark, and now Celsidue."
"Well, maybe it's because I'm a girl," I lie, "She's a female Guardian, so it's safe to assume that she might feel more comfortable around women, and maybe a little less comfortable around men."
"That and the fact that she might just want to avoid being Invoked by a pervert who has his mind more on booze and women than his own responsibilities in life," Jet added.
Gallows yelled, "You come over hear and say that, punk. I'll rip your face in if you don't stop it with that attitude of yours. I'm really getting tired this." He was dangerously close to killing Jet.
But Clive stepped in at the last moment. "Now, now gentlemen. There is no reason for us to fight. We must work together to defeat our enemies. Let us just follow Janus and the mysterious man before they get too far. If we lose them, we will be unable to find out what they're up to."
* * *
Back at the town, we had a strategy meeting in the saloon. We purposely kept Gallows away from the ale until he had calmed down. Else he might just get riled up, the slightest comment from Jet would set him off, and we'd have to break up a fight between the two of them again.
When we had finished, we all went to bed. But I was unable to sleep. Like Gallows, I was really upset over what I had seen happen to Celsidue. There was nothing I could do about that now, though. What's done is done. No use getting all steamed up about it, and impairing my judgement.
But it's way too stuffy in this room. I'd better go outside for some fresh air. So I sneak out of the room, and go outside. Now that feels much better. The wind is whistling through my ears, and playing with my hair. I laugh a little bit, it feels so wonderful. Instantly, I forget all my troubles.
*You're sure enjoying yourself,* Celsidue told me, *Quite a fun loving young girl. It's good for you to be like this. Can't let yourself get down about every little thing, else you'll always be sad.*
"Celsidue, I've got a request. You've got to tell the other Guardians not to hang around me so closely. If the others see this, they might get suspicious as to who I really am," I inform her.
She replied, *Whatever you say. It's a crying shame that you're forbidden to talk about something so wonderful as the power to communicate with Guardians. I'd like to sock the person who started those rumors all those years ago, but he's been dead for a long time.*
I nod. At that moment, Jet comes outside as well. He looks at me with angry eyes. "What are you doing up, chatterbox. You should get back to bed, last thing I need is to have to wake you up tomorrow before we go on towards our next destination. I'm sick and tired of babysitting you."
"I was just getting some fresh air," I quip back, "I can stay up as late as I want. No reason for you to be complaining about this." I storm back into the saloon, well aware that my face is now red hot. What is it about this boy that makes me blush so? After all, he only cares about money, or does he?
- - - -
Teefa's Last Words…
I know what all of you are thinking…Jet no Baka! But even here, you can tell he's worried about her being too tired to walk and getting hurt. He just has to hide it under his attitude.