HEART OF THE SWORD By: Alithiel

Disclaimer: Sorry it's been so long since the last update, but winter blues have a way of sucking all the creative energy away. Thanx to all who were kind enough to gift me with a review and a vote! Here's the next chapter, so R&R please! As usual, only Sariless is mine, so if you wanna use her, just ask!

Have fun!

Alithiel

Chapter 6: Journey to Blue

The Draconis landed just outside Frostheim, in an empty stretch of frozen land. Sariless pulled her cloak tighter around herself, shivering a little in the rush of wind accompanying the landing.

"Hell, that's freezing! I hope Cresta's warmer."

Rutee grinned a little. "A bit warmer. Actually, not too much."

"Do you have family there?" Sariless asked as the Swordian masters began to board. For just a second she had seen Rutee's tough façade drop, allowing a look at the person inside.

"That's none of your business." Rutee replied, scowling. The tiny little opening snapped shut.

Angrily, Sariless snapped back. "What's your problem? I was trying to be nice!"

"Well, you sure aren't very good at it!"

"Bitch!" Sariless growled.

"Better bitch than slut!"

"Look who's talking!"

"Both of you! ENOUGH!" Philia yelled, pushing the two apart. "You both know there's no point to this, so why don't both of you back off one another?!" Her violet eyes flashed furiously. "Whether you both like it or not, you're stuck with each other till this is over, so DEAL WITH IT!" Instantly, the demure priestess had returned. "Now, we will be in Cresta soon." With that, she entered the interior of the ship.

Rutee and Sariless remained on the deck, blinking in surprise. Garr and Stahn stood nearby, snickering.

"You know what, Rutee?" Sariless said.

"What?"

"Philia can be really scary when she wants to be."

"Tell me about it."

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Stahn leaned against the railing, looking at the clouds below as the Draconis made its way north to Cresta. However, he wasn't thinking about the upcoming mission. His mind was obviously on something much different.

Something maybe even more important.

"Gald for your thought?" Garr asked, approaching him. The King of Phandaria propped his hip against the railing like any sailor would have done, crossing his arms and watching Stahn expectantly. Stahn leaned forward, golden hair covering his face and making it unreadable. He glanced toward the end of the ship, where Philia, Rutee, and Sariless were deep in conversation.

"Garr?"

"What?"

Stahn stood a little straighter. "I know this is something I probably shouldn't ask a king, but." He paused, then continued. "Have you ever cared for someone so deeply, but known that others felt the same about you? Have you ever been forced to choose between one you want and those that want you?"

Garr nodded. "So that's what this is about."

Stahn's head snapped up. "Huh?"

"Don't look so surprised. This is about the girls, right?"

Stahn blushed so red that Garr wasn't able to suppress his snicker.

"I knew it. Look," he pointed to the girls, who were laughing about something, "I know that they all have feelings for you. That much is obvious. And it's obvious that you care about them too. But, the question is who you see as a sister, and who you see as more. That's your choice, and I can't give you advice on it. Your heart will have to decide."

"What if my heart leads me wrong?"

Garr sighed in exasperation. "I don't know much about women, Stahn. But if it's one of those three you can't go wrong. And besides, " he added, "your heart is very smart. It will choose well."

Stahn grinned sheepishly. "Did I just receive a dressing-down from Phandaria's royalty?"

Garr winked. "You bet." He put both hands on is hips.

"So, tell me.which is it?" He asked eagerly.

Stahn laughed as he started walking away. "Can't tell you yet."

The green gem in his gauntlet glittered brightly.

~Really now, did you feel it necessary to be so nosy?~ Igtenos chided.

Garr laughed. "Of course!"

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There was too much noise here, Ryukai decided as he walked down the gangplank and into the port of Darilsheid. However, the noise was a good cover for him as he meandered about. During his time on the ship, he learned to control the incredible power that Berselius gave him. Soon, he had mastered the art of high-level magic, so quickly that his master had allowed him his personality back for a short while. But, now.

He looked down at his gloved right hand. Since the addition of Berselius, he had taken to wearing black and blood red.

Now, his mind was a chaotic mix of memories. Past memories, visions of the future, and the howling of countless lost souls filled his mind with their incessant noise. The bustle of the city blended perfectly, giving him some relief from their screams, but no amount of sound could get rid of the taste in his mouth.

The foul copper taste of blood.

~You know what to do.~ The voice in his head whispered.

Ryukai pulled his dark hood up, obscuring his face from view. He made his way toward the city proper, as the ship he had just disembarked from exploded.

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The Draconis touched down just outside of Cresta. Situated on a grassy plain, the small city had been lucky enough not to suffer too much during the Second Aether War. Its biggest loss had been the Prototype Lens, a special Lens that had protected the town from monster invasion. Since its use in the Prototype Lens Cannon, the city had been plagued with attacks from wandering monsters. But now there was a city watch that took care of the problems.

Rutee took a deep breath of fresh air. "Lovely."

Sariless swatted a large green bug that had landed on her arm. There were swarms of them flying around. "Not that lovely. More like buggy."

"I didn't ask you." Rutee snapped.

The group made their way into town, Rutee in the lead. Soon, she stopped outside of a small wood building by the far wall.

"Hello! Anyone home?!" She called.

Instantly, the door banged open and a group of children rushed out. "Rutee!"

She dropped to her knees, hugging all the children it turn. "Oh, You're all getting so big!"

One little girl with pigtails tugged on her hand. "Did you come to help Setoh?"

Rutee looked puzzled. "What?"

At that moment, a nun emerged from the door. She placed a hand over her heart.

"Praise be to Atamoni! Rutee, you come at an opportune moment."

Rutee stood slowly, purple eyes serious. "What's the problem?"

"Setoh.is dying."

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Rutee kneeled beside the sick child's bed. The little boy, though thoroughly covered, was shivering horribly and covered in sweat. Rutee laid a hand on his forehead.

"His fever is very high, and his body seems swollen.this is all symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.When did this happen?"

The sister looked down at her feet sadly. "He was stung by one of the green bees out in the meadow two days ago."

"Green bees?" Philia asked.

"Yes. There are swarms of them. Setoh has not been the only one stung, either."

"What?" Stahn aid in surprise.

"Many others have been stung as well, but their reactions were not nearly this severe.and they were all able to get to the healer in time."

"Didn't anyone try to bring the healer here?" Rutee asked, drying off her hands.

"Of course! But the healer wouldn't come, and we were afraid to move him."

"She wouldn't come?"

"No."

"Why?"

"She said she wouldn't extend herself for a street rat."

Rutee stood up. "Philia, take care of the child for me. I'm gonna go talk to this healer."

Sariless nodded. "I'll come too."

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The healer's house was incredibly fancy. Sariless whistled.

"Geez, this lady's got cash."

"No kidding'" Rutee said in agreement and she pounded on the door.

"GO AWAY!" A voice called from the inside.

"Open up, old cow!"

"Buzz off!"

That was enough for Rutee. She kicked the door in, and barged into the main room. The healer was lounging on a plush couch, wrapped in a silk robe. She was somewhere between old and young, with badly dyed hair. Her beady little eyes glared accusingly at the two women.

"How dare you!" She screamed in a high voice.

"No, how dare YOU!" Rutee cried, stomping over and grabbing the lapels of the healer's robe. "You'd be so cruel as to let that little boy die?!"

"They couldn't bring him here." She spat.

"So? Get off your fat ass and go to him!"

The healer shrugged. "Why do you care? This town could use one less filthy orphan anyway!" She sneered acidly.

Rutee rammed her fist into the healer's gut. With a whoosh of air that almost sounded surprised, the healer crumpled into an unceremonious heap on the tiled floor. Rutee wiped her hands off on her shorts.

"Nice job." Sariless commented, looking at the prone doctor.

"Thanks. Now let's find her herbs and such."

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A thorough check of the upper floor revealed nothing in the way of medicine.

"The stupid bitch! What kind of doctor is she?" Rutee groused, riffling through the drawers in her bedroom.

"There's gotta be something we're missing, Rutee." Sariless said thoughtfully. "She doesn't seem to be really intelligent or anything, so it has to be something obvious...but what?"

Sariless leaned one hand against the large bookcase that dominated one wall of the room. Suddenly she felt herself falling as the shelf swiveled inward!

"EEEEEaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!!"

"Shit! Sariless!" Rutee rushed over to the newly made opening. Sariless was lying halfway down a set of musty stone stairs that spiraled into darkness. The silver gauntlet on her arm was glowing purple.

~Sariless!! Get up!~ Chalter's frantic voice called as his shadowy dream- form hovered above her.

"Damn!" She grumbled. "Do you have to yell so loud?" Sariless struggled woozily to her feet. Cobwebs caked her white hair and face.

~Oh, good.~ Chaltier said in relief. ~You're all right. I was worried for a moment.~

"Chill, Chalt! I'm fine."

Rutee couldn't help but grin at the exchange. "It looks like you've found what we've been missing."

Sariless put her hand behind her head in embarrassment. "Guess so!"

Chaltier, meanwhile was distracted.

~Rutee, you're not going to believe this. Atwight's here!~

"What?" Rutee said, pulling out a small lens powered light. "She's here? Should've known."

Sariless nodded. "Then, let's go."

The pair made their way down the slick stairs, with Chaltier's spirit floating in front of them. About halfway down, Sariless paused.

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Rutee asked, holding the light up.

"I hear buzzing."

"Buzzing?"

"Like bees."

They began their journey down again. Soon they reached the bottom of the stairs, where a horrible sight met their eyes.

"Damn it." Rutee exclaimed in shock.

In the basement of the house was what looked like a giant beehive! Thousands of green bees swarmed over every surface.

"I see.she released the bees herself. After so long confined, they were naturally wary of humans." Sariless shuddered.

"...And they would sting the people, who would come to her for healing." Rutee finished. "Clever."

~Atwight's in here!~ Chaltier cried.

"In THERE?!" Sariless gasped.

"How the hell we gonna get in there?" Rutee demanded.

~Is that ceiling stone?~

"DUH!"

~Well, the last aura disk I was equipped with happened to be fire.~ He said quietly.

"Oh! I get it! Stand back, Rutee!" Sariless extended her hand, palm out in front of her. The silver gauntlet began to glow with an intense brilliance.

"FIRE STORM!"

Crimson flames erupted from her palm, roaring through the stone basement. Rutee ducked as intense heat washed over her. The angry buzzing of the insects was quickly drowned in the roar of searing fire. In seconds, every bee in the basement was disintegrated.

"Oohh. That was hot!" Rutee commented dryly, wiping dust off her clothing.

"No kidding. C'mon. I don't think we're gonna have a problem finding Atwight now."

Chaltier's spirit form looked relieved. ~She's in the corner.~

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Atwight was placed on a small stone table. Out of the corner of her eye, Rutee could see a misty form of a woman with long hair, dressed in a healer's robe. The woman smiled before disappearing. Rutee turned her attention to the core crystal. Brilliantly blue, it was shaped like a large teardrop. She smiled. The intense heat of the Eye's explosion must have altered its shape.

"I'm warning you, it's gonna hurt." Sariless pointed out.

"I know." She said, reaching for the crystal. "I have to do this."

She picked up the gem.

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Rutee came to her senses on a beach. Sparkling sand stretched for miles up the coast, and shining water stretched beyond it.

"Good to see you, Rutee."

The person who spoke was the misty figure she had seen before. The woman's hair was brilliant blue, and her eyes were the same cerulean shade. She smiled warily at Rutee, as if she didn't expect her former master to accept her new form.

"So.you're Atwight?"

"Yes. I am. See?" Atwight held up her sword form.

"Now that's weird." Rutee smiled. "I mean, seeing to of you at once and all."

Atwight laughed. "That's the girl I remember." She held her hand out. "Shall we?"

Rutee laughed as she took her hand. "You bet!

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Sariless watched in awe as Rutee was enveloped in a blue glow. The crystal pulsed brightly as it attached itself to the top of her hand, shining tendrils of bluish metal coiling around Rutee's arm and hand. The threads rapped around her fingers in spirals, joining at the palm of her hand in an inverted triangle. After only moments, the light vanished, leaving Rutee unconscious.

"Looks like I have to carry her." Sariless complained. But she couldn't suppress her smile.

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"So.what you're saying is that the healer as responsible for the bugs?" Stahn asked, handing Sariless a cup of tea. Rutee emerged from the boy's room.

"Yep! It was all her. She just wanted more cash."

"Greedy bitch." Sariless prompted.

"Tell me about it."

Garr looked up from where he was playing with the children. "How's Setoh?"

"He'll recover. Thanks to Atwight here." She displayed her gauntlet proudly.

"You're lucky." Philia said from the doorway. "Chaltier was able to contact Igtenos quickly."

"Yeah!" Rutee winked. "Thanks, Sariless."

Sariless grinned. "No prob!"

Stahn blinked in confusion. "You two. are friends?"

"Yeah! Of course!" Rutee said cheerfully.

"Didn't you know?"

Garr covered hiss face with his hands.

"Uh-oh.Stahn's in trouble now."

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TBC.

Whew! That was a marathon. so don't let my work go to waste! Read and review! And don't forget to cast your vote! The poll stands:

Sariless: 2

Rutee: 2

Philia: 2

We have a three-way tie! Let your voice be heard!