Chapter 3
The Cogs Turn…
Radius motioned for Serge and Leena to follow closely behind him. They had finally reached the entrance to Viper Manor, and were now standing outside the main gate.
The two guards at the gate were eyeing them curiously. Serge was still carrying Kid in his arms, as she was the most interest to the guards at the moment. One of the guards was taller than the other, his height making the other look puny.
Radius approached them with a sense of dignity.
"Who are you?" barked one of the guards roughly.
"A man who used to be well known around here," replied Radius slowly. "I can only hope that I still am."
"Is that so?" questioned the other guard. "Then who the hell are you then?"
"Radius of Arni Village. Honored dragoon and once a member of the 4 Divas. Retired of course," Radius answered.
The eyes of both soldiers widened as they now understood who they were looking at. Their attitudes changed immediately, now trying to lose their rough acts.
"Sir Radius. This visit is most unexpected. I'm sure the General will be most pleased about your visit," one said.
"Thank you," Radius returned. "I wonder if we might be allowed in now?"
"Certainly sir. However, I must inquire as to who these people are before they are allowed to enter," explained one of the two men.
"Yes of course. This woman is Leena of Arni Village, a caring young woman and excellent babysitter. This solid young man is Serge of Arni Village, a kindhearted lad who helps Leena in her activities." Radius explained both of them as the soldiers listened.
"And the other?" the taller one asked.
"We are trying to reveal that very information ourselves, for she was found outside out village with a severe wound that is beyond our power to heal. We have come in search of General Viper's assistance in helping to save her," Radius replied coolly.
"I see," said the shorter guard. "Very well then, please proceed through the gate. General Viper will be in his office on the second floor."
"Thank you," Radius repeated.
The taller guard began checking his key ring, finally stopping on a key that was larger than the others. He walked to the gate and inserted it into the hole. The gate's latch flipped back, and the massive bars creaked as it swung open, revealing the path to group before it.
Radius led the way as the three proceeded up the manor steps and through the main doors.
Serge breathed a secret sigh of relief as he looked up the next flight of steps and saw that the next set of double doors were already opened for them. He would never forget the nasty fall he had taken when the trapdoor went off when he had first inputted the code wrong. The snake statue regarded them coldly as they walked past it and into the pillar hallway.
Radius stopped into the middle of the room and looked upward, his gaze stopping when he saw the movable platform already raised to the last floor.
"How are we supposed to get up there?" Leena asked from behind him.
"Don't worry, there's a trick to it," muttered Radius. "Although I can't remember exactly which one…" he started looking from pillar to pillar, trying to decide on one.
While he was looking, Serge had meanwhile walked to the second pillar from the back left of the room. Still holding Kid in his arms, he reached around and touched a hidden switch with one of his hands.
There was creaking sound as the movable platform descended down to their level while Serge rejoined Radius and Leena. Radius was peering at Serge curiously, pondering something.
The platform touched down on the floor and Leena began moving towards it, with Serge and Radius following.
"I'm not even going to ask how you knew where that was," Radius told Serge while he flipped the switch on the chair to get it to move back up. Serge didn't reply, he was looking down at Kid in his arms. She had worsened it seemed, her face starting to twist in a look of pain and the color of her skin was far from its normal shade.
"Serge, she's going to be ok," confirmed Radius. "Quickly, General Viper should be just ahead." He led them up another flight of stairs and proceeded to the door that lay just ahead of him.
"This is Viper's own office, so please, be of respect," Radius admonished before pushing the door open.
Serge saw a red light around the edge of the door as Radius pushed it open, followed by a gasp from the old man. He opened the door wide, but stood in the doorway as if stunned. Serge couldn't quite see what he was looking at, but he started to get a good idea of what it was. He had dealt with it before.
"Radius?" asked Leena. "What's wrong?" she moved forward, trying to see past Radius to see what he was staring at.
"See for yourself," he managed to get out. He stepped through the threshold of the room, allowing Serge and Leena to see what lay beyond.
Serge's suspicion was confirmed when he looked inside and saw the outline of fire, giving off a radiant light that was almost lifelike. The Frozen Flame hovered over Viper's desk, looking outward with its two eyes.
Serge entered the room with Kid, not taking his eyes off the relic in the center of the room. From the corner of his eye he could make out Radius, standing next to General Viper. He also noticed four other figures in the room, all of which he recognized. He knew after he previous adventure that he would never forget them.
Karsh stood in the corner of the room, drawing his eyes off the Frozen Flame for a second as Radius, Serge and Leena entered the room. He was exactly as Serge remembered, standing in his cocky and proud manor with his axe strapped to his side.
Zoah was a mass of muscle compared the smaller figure beside him. His helmet covered his eyes and it was impossible to tell which way he was looking, although Serge figured he must be staring at the Flame as well.
Marcy was at his side, her small body nothing compared to Zoah next to her. She did even notice the three new members who had entered the room.
The last person in the room Serge recognized as Riddel, Viper's beloved daughter. Of all in the room, she was the only one who was not completely engrossed by the Flame, instead peering at the newcomers with curiosity.
There was a long silence as the bodies in the room continued to look at the glittering gem unmoving over the desk.
Viper was the first one to speak after the pause. "Radius, good to see you again."
"I share your greeting. However, it's a shame that we meet under circumstances," Radius answered, finally peeling his eyes away from the Flame.
"And what circumstances would those be?" questioned Viper, raising an eyebrow to Radius.
Radius merely nodded toward Serge, who continued to hold the limp form of Kid in his arms.
For the first time, the people in the room all looked at Serge and Leena with the exception of Riddel, who was continuing to look at them.
"Radius, who are these people?" Viper asked, now peering at Serge closely. His eyes strayed to the Frozen Flame for a second, then back to Serge again.
"People from my village. This is Serge, and this is Leena," Radius explained once more.
"And the other?" Karsh said, his voice resounding throughout the room.
"We question her very identity as well. She was found outside our village, with a wound like I have never seen," Radius told him. "We have traveled from Arni in hopes of saving her, since it is beyond my power to do so."
"So like, you thought you would come to us for help? That is like, so~oo lame…" Marcy chimed into the conversation to the dismay of everyone else.
"Marcy," Viper started turning towards her. "Show respect for these travelers, as their leader was once of the 4 Divas. He is a warrior and is to be honored while in my manor."
Marcy was going to sigh a loud 'whatever' but thought better of it.
Viper turned back to Serge. "Serge is it? Have we met before? I feel like I've met you somewhere before…"
"I assure, you have never met him. Serge has never ventured beyond Arni, and this journey could be called his maiden voyage," Radius chuckled, then took hand of the situation again.
Serge could only smile to himself on the inside.
"That's strange…" Karsh spoke up. "I feel like I know him myself…"
"We must have had a lad who looked like him at the manor once. In any case, it doesn't matter," Viper turned back to Radius. "So Radius, what do you think we can do for her?" motioning towards Kid.
"We had actually hoped to find the Frozen Flame here," Leena entered the conversation. "Radius told us of its power and said that maybe you had it."
Radius nodded his head. "This foolish man believed in the legend, only to find it staring back at me when we entered this room."
Viper laughed. "I assure you, I would not have believed it myself."
"General Viper, if I may ask. How did you come about the Flame?" asked Leena, looking at Viper with a strange glint in her eye.
"A good question, yet hard to answer at the same time," Viper put a hand to his wrinkled forehead, thinking about the past. "It simply appeared."
Serge, Leena, and Radius all gave a little gasp of surprise.
"I know it sounds strange, and it is. But, yesterday, it simply appeared here in my office. We all puzzled over it all day, wondering how it could have came here. But the strangest part is that it just became activated just a short while ago. Just before you arrived to be exact," Viper explained how he came into possession.
"Is that so?" Radius mused. In all the time that he had been in the room, the Flame had caused him to forget something, its radiant exterior making him forget something very dear to him.
Leena had not forgotten however, and she stepped to Radius's side and whispered something in his ear. His eyes, which had been twinkling with excitement quickly turned to despair as the reality of the situation came rolling back to him. Serge knew Leena had reminded him about the village and all of the devastation that had been caused.
Viper saw Radius's mood change and raised an eyebrow again, looking at Leena who withdrew back to the door without another word.
Radius lowered his head, thinking for a moment, then began to speak, "Another event has also occurred, one that I was not present at to witness. The reason Leena is with us is because she is one of the sole survivors of Arni village."
It was Viper's turn to be surprised, along with Karsh and Marcy. Zoah might have showed emotion, but it wasn't obvious.
Riddel, who had been silent the whole time until now, finally spoke. "How can that be, Arni is a peaceful town, located in the southern region.
"Serge and I were traveling alone until Leena caught up with us. From what she tells us, Arni was destroyed by monsters. They left none standing, and she was fortunate to escape with her own life." Radius paused, trying not to believe his own words. "And I am to blame for the terror, since I had left the village unprotected."
"That cannot be…" Karsh whispered. In the center of the room, the Frozen Flame still hovered, oblivious to the sudden change of mood in the room.
"We are now clinging to one last hope…" Leena said. "A treasure that can grant the hopes and dreams to its user…" Her voice trailed off strangely. Her eyes looked at the Flame. Serge wasn't sure, but for a second, he thought he saw a look of hatred in her eyes. Just as quick as it had come, it faded, leaving Serge to doubt his eyes.
"Radius, do you think that is possible?" Viper asked slowly.
"Legends say the Frozen Flame has wondrous powers beyond human comprehension…" Riddel whispered.
"I too have heard these legends, and they agree that it can do anything," Radius said.
"And what of this girl?" Viper again indicated Kid in Serge's arms. "Where does she fit in?"
"I do not know. I feel however that she may be a piece to a puzzle that perhaps we cannot yet see," replied Radius. "It was too strange that she was found outside the village with such a wound."
"Do you think perhaps the Flame has the power to heal her?" Karsh questioned.
"Vhy vould you say dat?" a voice made them all look toward the door. Leena spun around, unaware of the figure that had sneaked up behind her. "If legends say it ist so, science vill prove it to be true or false either way." The figure stepped through the doorway, immediately entering the light given off by the Frozen Flame.
"Luccia, good of you to join us," Viper greeted, seeing the professor in full light. "Perhaps you can answer some questions for us."
Luccia's glasses sparkled as she peered at Kid, studying her. Her white lab coat hung to her knees, and various tools protruded from the pockets.
"There is nothing that you vill ask that I can answer," Luccia explained. "It vould be best to not ponder such matters ven you ave no vay of knowing the outcome."
"Then what should we do?" Riddel asked.
"Simple," Luccia answered. "Perform an experiment. If dis is the real Frozen Flame, it should grant the wishes to whoever touches it. Thus, if von of us vere to touch it, ve vould see the results firsthand."
"So who do you think should touch it then? We have a wounded girl and a destroyed village," Viper pondered his own question. "And how do you explain the fact that it has suddenly 'awakened' just now?"
Luccia, from where she was examining Kid, turned and stepped toward the Frozen Flame, which only stared back at her in response. "I agree it is odd for it to avaken now. Yet maybe it vas vaiting for these people to arrive, as if sensing their plight."
"Whatever…" Marcy moaned, disbelieving.
"Furthermore," Luccia said, ignoring the girl. "Since whoever touches the Flame vill be theoretically granted a vish, it vould be probable to assume that they vould vish for something that they really vant."
Serge was starting to get an idea of where she was heading and was thinking that it might not be the best idea. He alone knew of how close the world had come to destruction by a Lavos spawn bent on devouring all of time. But he also really wanted to help Kid, and to figure out why she was here. Radius was right in his belief that she would be able to shed some light on what was going on.
"So…who do you think should touch it?" Karsh asked, looking around the room to each individual.
"It ist simple," Luccia stated.
"You think she should touch it?" Viper asked, looking at the limp form of Kid in Serge's arms.
"Of course. In her vounded state, it vould stand to reason that the thing she wants most is to be healed again. If anyvone else touches it, there is not telling what the effects might be," Luccia had turned back to Kid, peering at her as if looking through it.
"It actually does make sense," said Riddel. "Anyone else might mean good, but have an underlining greed that would take over when touching the Frozen Flame." She lowered her eyes to the ground, gazing at the floor while remembering something.
"Our choices seem limited," confirmed Radius, looking around the room, his eyes coming to stop on the Flame once more.
"May I touch it?" Leena asked suddenly, standing behind Luccia at the door. All eyes turned to her for a moment, everyone asking the silent question.
"I think maybe I should touch it…" she said quietly. "Right now I want nothing more than to get Arni back…"
"Leena…" Radius began. "You're filled with all sorts of emotions right now, there is no telling what you might wish for. You might mean good, but your heart may be filled with revenge at the monsters that ravaged are town. I know, since I feel the same way."
"But…" started Leena.
"I agree with Radius. You have lost something very dear to you and because of this your wish may be one of hate," Viper stood unmoving, his presence magnified in the light given off by the red relic.
Leena made to open her mouth again, then gave up in defeat, taking a step back to the door again. Serge noticed her eyes flash another time, the same as before. He was hoping he was imagining things, but he thought Leena was acting strangely.
"So like, are we going to do something? Or are we going to like, stand here all day?" Marcy's patience had left her. Since the arrival of the newcomers, the attention to her had dwindled and she was getting tired of it.
"Marcy, this is nothing to rush into," Karsh told her. "This is a pretty touchy subject."
"She has a point however. Since there is no way to tell what will happen, we are doing no good just talking about it," Radius said, looking at the child with understanding.
"So what do you propose?" Viper asked him.
Radius thought about it for a long moment before answering. "I think under the circumstances, the one who would have the wish with the easiest effects to see would be her," he pointed at Kid.
"My thoughts exactly," Luccia confirmed.
There was a heavy silence as everyone thought about it once more. Karsh brought a hand to his chin, lowering his head in deep thought. Zoah continued to be a statue, just content on listening to the conversation. Riddel had already made up her mind. Marcy just sighed and waited for something to happen.
"Very well then. For her own good, and for a first experiment, let this girl touch it," stated Viper. "Are there any objections?"
Silence followed the question.
"Serge," Radius said slowly. "Place her hand upon the Flame. May its mercy heal her."
Serge walked forward from the wall, feeling all eyes upon him. As he drew near the Flame, it began to grow brighter, causing him to hesitate a second. Its two eyes gazed at him, looking into his very soul. He could feel it, like a blanket wrapped around him, clouding his vision. Serge felt like it knew him. Sensed what he had already accomplished.
He took another step toward the Flame, within reaching distance now. Slowly, he reached down and took hold of one of Kid's hands. It felt cold to his touch, causing him to worry about her all the more now. Her face was even worse, twisted in silent agony at the wound at her side.
Serge drew her apparently lifeless hand upward, drawing it ever closer to the Flame. All eyes were on his him, nobody in the room moving a muscle.
All save one. Due to Serge's distraction, Leena had stepped backwards once more, halfway through the door now. She placed a hand to her wrist, touching in lightly.
Kid's hand was inches from the Flame drawing closer.
Leena's left hand began to transform. Claws began to grow out from her fingers, which began to change themselves.
Kid's hand was buried in the light of the Flame. The Flame itself began to react, glowing even more brightly. Closer.
Leena's arm was completely changed. Where soft flesh had been, there was now green skin. Her hand had doubled in size, the claws protruding from the ends of the fingers now three inches in length.
Everyone was motionless, watching intensely as Kid's hand closed the final gap to the Flame.