I don't own SD3.
A/N: so… an average of about 3 months between posts. Not that bad, ne? ^^;;; oh, and I'm putting another character in. I donno, got kinda lonely with only 3.
Touches Of Evil – Lost Souls
Chapter 3 – Getting Ready to Leave
"Who's calling you, Angela?"
"Zable Fahr."
There was utter silence in the throne room let alone the sound of Valda collapsing again. Angela moved closer to Duran, craving the body heat she was lacking ever since she woke up.
"But, Zable Fahr gone, no one knows where, and evil! What he do with Angie?"
The Beastman asked, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Duran looked at him worriedly, wordlessly telling him he was just as clueless in that matter. Soon the shaking against his body stopped and the sword master looked down to see Angela look up at him, cheeks tear stained, yet her entire expression speaking of determination. Her two male companions exchanged looks and nodded, knowing full well what the princess wanted. Be the reason what it may, if Angela wanted to go look for Zable Fahr, it was damn well ok with them.
"I'll go get us some supplies, Kevin, take care of Angela!"
"We make equipment ready!"
"Guys?"
The two looked at her, almost fearing her completing the sentence.
"…Can we leave today?"
"We better before your mom wakes up, otherwise we're done for."
"Yup."
The princess held her hands together and brought them to her lips as though in a prayer. Her necklace shimmered with a blue aura, responding to her worry.
Less than an hour later, the Sword Master and Death Hand were waiting at the castle's main gate, all ready.
"She sure is taking her time."
"Angie no remember. Maybe got lost. Happened when Karl was new, back home."
Duran looked skeptically at his friend. Who'd have guessed the threatening man, the very shadow of death that stood before him, could care so much, and for a mere puppy…
"TADA!"
Both young men were unsurprised when the Grand Divina jumped in their direction from behind a pole.
"Wha, you guys are no fun!"
She said, playfully hitting Duran's helmet with her staff.
"Forgive us for not having a heart attack, her majesty, but we should be going now."
"Oh wait, I have to say bye to my mom first!"
Quickly catching her and throwing the princess over his shoulder, Kevin headed to the exit.
"Hurry hurry hurry! No time to waste!"
"Wha, hey, Kevin! Put me down!"
"But we don't want your boots to be soiled by the snow, princess!"
Another smack to Duran's helmet.
"Why you!"
The trio left the castle, laughing, while the Queen of Reason watched them with sad eyes.
'And again, she's leaving me. Take care of her, you two. Or I'll show you that hell has no fury like a mother whose only cub is wounded…'
She dared not think of anything beyond.
"So! Where are we going first, huh huh huh?! Are we going to smash that bad guy's face or what?!"
Angela asked, bouncing on Duran repeatedly. Frankly, the Sword Master didn't really care… only his helmet kept falling on his face and people were beginning to give them odd looks. Kevin was more interested in the different scents coming from the different stores in town then the scene that was a foot away from him.
"Really, Angela, we would've, only… we don't know where to look!"
/True, true!/
The faerie materialized, giving Angela a stern look.
/You need to be less impatient. I know you mean well, but… rushing off into battle against the Dragon Emperor and Zable Fahr… you could die!/
"Ne, but if it's for the Goddess, then it'll be all right, right?!"
The small Goddess seed could only smile weakly at the girl's enthusiasm.
/I guess/
"Excuse me, but, did you just say Zable Fahr?!"
The three warriors and faerie turned in the direction the voice came from to see a blonde woman whose hair was tied by a green ribbon dressed in a unique armor.
/A Vanadais…/
The tavern was noisy and crowded, but little to no attention was directed at the group of heavily armed warriors and one naked faerie in the far corner of the room. Even their waitress came and went, serving their orders without so much as a word.
"Are people always this unfriendly in Altena?"
The question was directed at the princess who looked sadly back at Duran.
"I wouldn't know, remember? 'Cause I don't."
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder from across the table. Kevin continued devouring his meal, too embarrassed to say anything, taking extra care not to elbow Angela by mistake.
"I'm afraid it was my fault."
Lise said.
"I've had a run in with one of the people here earlier… Seems like I've yet to be forgiven…"
"It's ok, they'll forgive you, 'cause I said so! And I'm the princess here!"
Angela's smile was contagious, even though sadness still tainted the Vanadais's face.
"Thank you."
"So, you still didn't find him, eh?"
Duran asked, crossing his arms thoughtfully. Lise's face showed immense sadness and sorrow.
"No. My last clue led me to Zable Fahr… that if I defeat him, I might be able to somehow find Elliot…"
"You're talking suicide here."
/I have to agree/
The faerie sided with Duran by sitting on his shoulder, cutting any attempts by Lise to argue.
/Even these three here are risking it by going against him… if you go alone, you'll get killed for sure!/
"'Sides…"
Kevin, having finally finished his meal, and feeling a tad less awkward, decided to join in the conversation.
"…Rolante needs Lise. Hurt, ruined… they need you."
"But I can't give up until I find Elliot!"
Lise slammed her fist against the table, blushing as the noticed the dent she made.
"The Sword of Mana can help, right?"
Angela began in a rather hushed tone.
"So if we get it, we can help you and Elliot, too! See, I do remember some stuff…"
At the sadness in her voice, both young men wished to comfort her, but Kevin beat Duran to the punch with the simple gesture of ruffling Angela's hair. She smiled back, utter joy on her features.
"I can't ask that of you without giving something back in return. Allow me to at least escort you for a while! If I return, I'll be forced to do nothing but study to become queen… I'll go insane!"
"I know, ain't it boring?"
Duran didn't know if Angela's recovered memories were a good sign or not.
"So, Lise comes! Helps, we all get stronger… helps find Zable Fahr, and fight to him!"
No one could argue the simple yet true logic the beastman's words held.
"Yep. So we have another companion here."
All eyes were now to Duran who blinked back.
"Huh? Oh. Oh! Sure, she can come! We could use some more muscle."
The response was an ice ball to the helmet by the least powerful member at the table, Faerie excluded.
"Hey, you'll end up denting it!"
"So sue me. I'll buy you a new one."
"Dammit, girl."
Paying, the group, now consisting of another member, left the tavern.
"So now what? Where do we go first?"
"I'd have to say Padan's our best bet."
Duran said in response.
"Have you already been to Padan?"
Lise asked.
"Yep. Several times."
"That where mess started."
The two males sighed. Lise looked blankly at Angela who shook her head.
"Don't remember."
"I'm sure you will. You're such a great sorceress, I'm positive this is just a minor obstacle."
Lise's motherly smile almost made Angela want to cry, but her returned smile held joy and proof of her reassurance. The moment, however, was broken as Angela was pushed quite harshly by a child who quickly ran away from the scene. Quickly, Kevin caught her.
"Ow! The little brat!"
"Angie! You ok?!"
"Yeah, Kev, I guess so."
Not wasting a moment, Duran looked around fanatically for the child, but found no trace.
"Shit!"
"Duran, what's wrong?"
Lise asked, trying to remain calm but at the same time her spear was ready in hand.
"Didn't you see it?! That little punk!"
"What happened, Duran?"
Lise asked, spear already in hand. After a quick examination of Angela's bag, Kevin paled in understanding.
"No good."
"WHAT?! What no good?!"
Angela cried in frustration.
"Little runt stole the Wind
Drum."
"Which means…"
"We're stranded until we get it back."
"Shit."
"That's what I said."
