HEART OF THE SWORD
By: Alithiel
Disclaimer: Yay! I get to write another chapter! It's been a while since I have been able to write on this story, simply because I've had other anime on my mind (i.e., Weiss). But now, I will once again write. Standard stuff applies, I don't own T of D, but I own the game, Sariless, Magalia, Ryukai, and the plot. There's going to be a little bit of POV writing in this chapter. Thanx to Teefa85, spiritless shadow, Luna339, and Nina Brani for reviewing! I LOVE YOU!
Read and review!
Alithiel
Chapter 8: The Beginning of the End
It's amazing how much a change of clothes can completely transform a person. Her entire attitude about herself has totally reversed.
Philia gives me a funny look from her seat on her bed. That's abnormal in itself. The quiet priestess usually never looks anyone directly in the eye, let alone giving them funny looks. But then again, she's not the quiet priestess anymore. She's a strong swordswoman now, a real tough girl that oozes confidence, who's been through as much hell as the rest of us. Actually, she's been through even more hell. The rest of us haven't had to suffer quite as much as she has. Hell, she's probably even tougher than I am now.
It makes me realize that this, this new person Philia's become overnight, is who she must have been all along. Deep inside, hidden, but there all the same.
It's pretty cool.
"Rutee? You ok?" Sariless asks me from her seat at the table in our shared quarters, a curious look on her face.
"Fine."
~Liar.~ I hear Atwight's laughing voice in my head. ~You're worried about Philia and her new attitude.~
'Shut up.' I think irritably. 'I just don't want my sister hurt.'
"Rutee? Can I ask you a personal question?" Philia asks bluntly. Wow, this is new. I didn't know she was capable of being blunt.
"Shoot."
In an instant the quiet priestess returns. She looks at her booted feet uncertainly, a slight pink blush rising on her cheeks.
"What...do you think about Stahn?"
I drag a hand through my hair. "Stahn? Stahn Aileron?" Philia nods vigorously, blushing even more. I grin. She LIKES him!!!
"Stahn's like a brother to me, or a cousin. Why?" I respond nonchalantly, knowing damn well why. Her face heats even more, and Sariless starts laughing.
"N...no reason." She stammers.
A knock sounds on the door, and a moment later Stahn pokes his head in. Philia ducks her face out of sight. "We're going to be landing in Calvalese soon, Ok?"
I can see Sariless' face fall. "Fine."
He grins, then looks at the green haired priestess with a puzzled expression. "Philia? Are you all right? Your face is all red."
"I'm all right. Just warm." She says very quietly. I snigger, earning me the beginning of what's bound to one day be the -Philia Felice Death Glare- .
Sariless smiles sadly. "It's bound to get even warmer shortly."
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The Draconis landed in a lush oasis just outside the city of Kalviola, the capital city of Calvalese. Situated in the middle of the scorching desert, it wasn't called the country of fire for nothing! When the first Aether War was finally over, the E'rthers banished those defeated Aetherians remaining to this desolate volcanic wasteland, and their descendants held a grudge to this day. Needless to say they didn't like mainlanders much, and the group knew it.
The Swordian Masters disembarked from the dragonship, swathed in yards and yards of white cotton cloth to keep them cool under the hot sun.
Magalia had asked to accompany them as they left, but was dissuaded by Garr. She sat now on the deck of the ship, her sightless eyes staring out into space.
Sariless walked away, turning toward the group after a few moments.
"Philia," she began, "I'm going to go get you a weapon. The people here don't much like mainlanders, so I can't guarantee the safety of all of you if you go into the city. I'll go get you something, they know me." With a nod, Sariless quickly entered the bustling city.
Rutee blinked. "That was abrupt."
Garr rubbed his eyes wearily, glancing up at the deck of the dragonship. "All you women are."
"What was that?"
~Shall we see if we can track Dymlos now?~ Igtenos suggested, his glowing spirit form hovering just behind Garr, trying to change he subject.
~Let's.~ Atwight agreed. The two spirits shut their eyes, glowing brightly, and after a few moments the oasis was whipped with a cool breeze smelling strongly of rain.
Igtenos sighed, his emerald eyes opening slowly. ~We've found him!~ Garr snapped to attention, fixing his eyes on the flashing green gem embedded in his hand.
"Where?" Stahn asked urgently, blue eyes flashing with excitement.
~He's being kept in a subterranean cavern. But...~
"But WHAT?" Rutee asked, scowling at Atwight's dream form. She looked sheepishly back at her, cerulean eyes slightly pained.
~Firstly, we have to go through a volcano. Secondly, he's being guarded by volcano-beasts.~
"What?" Stahn asked, confused.
"I read about volcano-beasts in my studies." Garr replied. "They're incredibly strong flame spirits."
"How strong??"
"Strong enough."
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The dark tunnel leading into the volcano wasn't too far from the oasis. The fiery mountain rose darkly above them, and clouds of sulfur smelling gas clogged their lungs. Rutee coughed a little, pulling the white cloth of her head covering across her nose. Intense, bone searing heat and black smoke belched from the opening, and none of the Swordian masters could get even close to the entrance.
"How the HELL are we supposed to do this?" Stahn coughed after a particularly nasty blast of smoke.
"I don't know." Garr replied.
Glancing at the gauntlet on her wrist, Rutee came up with an idea. "Atwight, can you help us out here?"
~I don't exactly know...~ The Swordian of water replied uncertainly.
"I'm sure you can." Philia said reassuringly, adjusting the weight on her back slightly. The only blade that Sariless had been able to get ahold of for her was a rather large broadsword, much heavier than Clemente had been. However, she had enough confidence in herself to use it. And besides, maybe they'd be lucky enough not to have to fight.
~Thank you, my dear, for that vote of confidence.~ Atwight said wryly, her shimmering blue dream form floating toward the entrance. ~I don't know how long I can push the heat back, so let us just get through these caves as quick as we can.~
The group followed close behind the dream form of Atwight, following the cool path of her wake, as they entered the sulfur heat of the volcano. Down a winding path they traveled, Rutee leading the way and Garr bringing up the rear, their way lit only by the blue paleness of Atwight, a slight green glow from Igtenos as his spirit floated behind his master, and the piercing violet radiance of Chaltier as he hovered by Sariless' side. Stahn looked up the small column at Philia, who continued walking, head bent against the occasional blast of hot air. She seemed very alone.
They walked for what seemed like hours when, suddenly, the path before them widened drastically, opening into a large cavern. Blasting heat engulfed them as they walked onto a large stone outcropping. Stahn looked down in horror.
The volcano-beasts were gathered in a large, bowl shaped area below them. Brilliant glowing red, the beasts looked like giant wolves made of living fire. A river of molten lava cascaded from another outcrop across from them, winding into a river that disappeared into another cavern.
The beasts were hissing, looking at a short pillar of stone that rose from the floor of the bowl. A small, red light shone on top of the natural pedestal.
"Dymlos!" Stahn cried, his voice buried in the roar of flowing lava.
He felt the need to go down there, to reclaim his Swordian. Garr clamped a hand on his shoulder.
"Stahn, you can't. There's so many that you cannot do it alone."
"But!"
"I know." Sariless said, sympathy in her clear green eyes. "We need a plan. How are you doing, Atwight?"
The instant they had entered the cave, the water Swordian had retreated back inside her crystal. ~I'm all right.~
"Good. So, we have the Water, Wind, and Earth Swordians. I think that will be enough power to fight those beasts."
"HOW?" Rutee demanded.
"That's simple. The three of us go down there, casting spells like mad, and when we give the signal, Stahn will go get Dymlos. Philia can cover him with her bombs."
"You don't have your sword." Garr pointed out.
"Who says?" Sariless extended he gauntleted hand before her. The spiral of dark metal on her palm flashed violet, then a brilliant purple beam of light materialized in her hand. The Swordian masters blinked.
"See?"
After a few moments, Garr and Rutee did the same, looking in awe at the beams of light in their hands.
"What disc were you equipped with before the Eye exploded, Igtenos?" Sariless asked.
~Megalith.~ The wind Swordian replied calmly. Stahn shuddered. The Megalith disc, and Meteor Swarm, were very powerful.
"And you, Atwight?"
~Blue Dragon.~ She said,, naming the disc the baby dragon had gifted them with.
"You'll find that the lights you hold have the same strength and magic of those discs. Sheesh, Chalt, you DID get the short end of the stick."
~Sariless.~ The earth Swordian admonished.
"Are we ready?" Rutee asked.
Stahn looked at Sariless. "What's the signal going to be?"
"Well...there's no point in casting a fire spell here, so the signal will be Fireball. Alright?" At a quick nod, She turned to the others.
"Let's go!"
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Stahn watched as the three of them leaped down the slope toward the gathering of creatures. The red animals immediately rounded on the group, hissing growing into roars that shook the cave. From his vantagepoint, the swordsman could see the flashes of light blades, violet, blue and green, as his friends fought. A sudden lout cry from Rutee, and one of the creatures was frozen in ice from her Ice Wall spell. Sariless backed her up buy shattering the creature with her Demon Lance spell. Garr shattered a whole line of them with Air Slash.
"Stahn?"
He turned his head slightly, looking at the former priestess that crouched by his side out of the corner of his eye. Her violet eyes were wide and fearful behind her glasses, and she clutched the small bomb in her hand tightly. "Please be careful." Philia said in a quiet voice.
Stahn smiled, and on impulse gently touched her cheek with his hand. Her skin was hot and slick with sweat. "I will." He said, just as the Fireball spell exploded over the battlefield. "Gotta go!"
He leaped down the hill, dashing through the path that the three had carved for him. He saw creature leap for him from the side, and just as it almost was upon him it exploded in a flash of white. He reminded himself to thank Philia when this was over.
The pedestal was near. Stahn could see the crimson glow of Dymlos' core crystal... He felt the cold breath of the Blizzard spell as he leaped forward, closing his fist around the stone.
"DYMLOS!" He cried, as the world went black.
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Flames surrounded him, but they did not burn. They didn't even smoke. Stahn's eyes opened slowly, blinked once as he took in his surroundings.
"So...you're finally here."
The young man turned in the direction of the familiar voice. Standing before him was a tall man in copper colored armor. His vermilion eyes watched Stahn intently as he approached, the light of the fire rippling off his short, crimson hair. His hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist, a blade as familiar to Stahn as his own reflection.
"Dymlos!" He breathed.
"The very same." Dymlos laughed. "My you are stupid. What kind of companion keeps a friend waiting?"
"Like you said, stupid!" Stahn laughed aloud ad Dymlos clamped an armored hand down upon is shoulder.
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He woke up to the feeling of cool water being poured on his face. Stahn spluttered, his eyes fluttering pen to take in the hot blue of a Calvalese sky.
"What?" He moaned, his arm and head on fire.
~Stop whining.~ The dream form of Dymlos said irritably. His friends were gathered around him. Sariless sighed in relief, then winced as Rutee returned to healing a rather nasty looking burn on her stomach. Philia gave such a dazzling smile that Stahn couldn't help but smile a little in return.
"How...?"
Garr grinned, helping him to sit up. "Dymlos got us out." Stahn looked at his right arm. He could see through his shredded undershirt that thin, swirling bands of coppery metal wound up his arm almost to his shoulder. He still had free movement. Dymlos' core crystal shone on the back of his hand like a large triangular ruby, and, flipping his palm over, he could see that the metal that joined in the center of his palm was shaped like a sideways figure eight. Infinity. He smiled at the spirit of his Swordian.
"Good to have you back, old friend." Stahn said.
~It's good to be back.~
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Alithiel~ Yay! Another one bites the dust! Now that they have Dymlos back, the plot's going to get even more puzzling...but it'll be good, promise! Well, as always, read and review, and remember I love you all! Ja-ne!
By: Alithiel
Disclaimer: Yay! I get to write another chapter! It's been a while since I have been able to write on this story, simply because I've had other anime on my mind (i.e., Weiss). But now, I will once again write. Standard stuff applies, I don't own T of D, but I own the game, Sariless, Magalia, Ryukai, and the plot. There's going to be a little bit of POV writing in this chapter. Thanx to Teefa85, spiritless shadow, Luna339, and Nina Brani for reviewing! I LOVE YOU!
Read and review!
Alithiel
Chapter 8: The Beginning of the End
It's amazing how much a change of clothes can completely transform a person. Her entire attitude about herself has totally reversed.
Philia gives me a funny look from her seat on her bed. That's abnormal in itself. The quiet priestess usually never looks anyone directly in the eye, let alone giving them funny looks. But then again, she's not the quiet priestess anymore. She's a strong swordswoman now, a real tough girl that oozes confidence, who's been through as much hell as the rest of us. Actually, she's been through even more hell. The rest of us haven't had to suffer quite as much as she has. Hell, she's probably even tougher than I am now.
It makes me realize that this, this new person Philia's become overnight, is who she must have been all along. Deep inside, hidden, but there all the same.
It's pretty cool.
"Rutee? You ok?" Sariless asks me from her seat at the table in our shared quarters, a curious look on her face.
"Fine."
~Liar.~ I hear Atwight's laughing voice in my head. ~You're worried about Philia and her new attitude.~
'Shut up.' I think irritably. 'I just don't want my sister hurt.'
"Rutee? Can I ask you a personal question?" Philia asks bluntly. Wow, this is new. I didn't know she was capable of being blunt.
"Shoot."
In an instant the quiet priestess returns. She looks at her booted feet uncertainly, a slight pink blush rising on her cheeks.
"What...do you think about Stahn?"
I drag a hand through my hair. "Stahn? Stahn Aileron?" Philia nods vigorously, blushing even more. I grin. She LIKES him!!!
"Stahn's like a brother to me, or a cousin. Why?" I respond nonchalantly, knowing damn well why. Her face heats even more, and Sariless starts laughing.
"N...no reason." She stammers.
A knock sounds on the door, and a moment later Stahn pokes his head in. Philia ducks her face out of sight. "We're going to be landing in Calvalese soon, Ok?"
I can see Sariless' face fall. "Fine."
He grins, then looks at the green haired priestess with a puzzled expression. "Philia? Are you all right? Your face is all red."
"I'm all right. Just warm." She says very quietly. I snigger, earning me the beginning of what's bound to one day be the -Philia Felice Death Glare- .
Sariless smiles sadly. "It's bound to get even warmer shortly."
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
The Draconis landed in a lush oasis just outside the city of Kalviola, the capital city of Calvalese. Situated in the middle of the scorching desert, it wasn't called the country of fire for nothing! When the first Aether War was finally over, the E'rthers banished those defeated Aetherians remaining to this desolate volcanic wasteland, and their descendants held a grudge to this day. Needless to say they didn't like mainlanders much, and the group knew it.
The Swordian Masters disembarked from the dragonship, swathed in yards and yards of white cotton cloth to keep them cool under the hot sun.
Magalia had asked to accompany them as they left, but was dissuaded by Garr. She sat now on the deck of the ship, her sightless eyes staring out into space.
Sariless walked away, turning toward the group after a few moments.
"Philia," she began, "I'm going to go get you a weapon. The people here don't much like mainlanders, so I can't guarantee the safety of all of you if you go into the city. I'll go get you something, they know me." With a nod, Sariless quickly entered the bustling city.
Rutee blinked. "That was abrupt."
Garr rubbed his eyes wearily, glancing up at the deck of the dragonship. "All you women are."
"What was that?"
~Shall we see if we can track Dymlos now?~ Igtenos suggested, his glowing spirit form hovering just behind Garr, trying to change he subject.
~Let's.~ Atwight agreed. The two spirits shut their eyes, glowing brightly, and after a few moments the oasis was whipped with a cool breeze smelling strongly of rain.
Igtenos sighed, his emerald eyes opening slowly. ~We've found him!~ Garr snapped to attention, fixing his eyes on the flashing green gem embedded in his hand.
"Where?" Stahn asked urgently, blue eyes flashing with excitement.
~He's being kept in a subterranean cavern. But...~
"But WHAT?" Rutee asked, scowling at Atwight's dream form. She looked sheepishly back at her, cerulean eyes slightly pained.
~Firstly, we have to go through a volcano. Secondly, he's being guarded by volcano-beasts.~
"What?" Stahn asked, confused.
"I read about volcano-beasts in my studies." Garr replied. "They're incredibly strong flame spirits."
"How strong??"
"Strong enough."
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The dark tunnel leading into the volcano wasn't too far from the oasis. The fiery mountain rose darkly above them, and clouds of sulfur smelling gas clogged their lungs. Rutee coughed a little, pulling the white cloth of her head covering across her nose. Intense, bone searing heat and black smoke belched from the opening, and none of the Swordian masters could get even close to the entrance.
"How the HELL are we supposed to do this?" Stahn coughed after a particularly nasty blast of smoke.
"I don't know." Garr replied.
Glancing at the gauntlet on her wrist, Rutee came up with an idea. "Atwight, can you help us out here?"
~I don't exactly know...~ The Swordian of water replied uncertainly.
"I'm sure you can." Philia said reassuringly, adjusting the weight on her back slightly. The only blade that Sariless had been able to get ahold of for her was a rather large broadsword, much heavier than Clemente had been. However, she had enough confidence in herself to use it. And besides, maybe they'd be lucky enough not to have to fight.
~Thank you, my dear, for that vote of confidence.~ Atwight said wryly, her shimmering blue dream form floating toward the entrance. ~I don't know how long I can push the heat back, so let us just get through these caves as quick as we can.~
The group followed close behind the dream form of Atwight, following the cool path of her wake, as they entered the sulfur heat of the volcano. Down a winding path they traveled, Rutee leading the way and Garr bringing up the rear, their way lit only by the blue paleness of Atwight, a slight green glow from Igtenos as his spirit floated behind his master, and the piercing violet radiance of Chaltier as he hovered by Sariless' side. Stahn looked up the small column at Philia, who continued walking, head bent against the occasional blast of hot air. She seemed very alone.
They walked for what seemed like hours when, suddenly, the path before them widened drastically, opening into a large cavern. Blasting heat engulfed them as they walked onto a large stone outcropping. Stahn looked down in horror.
The volcano-beasts were gathered in a large, bowl shaped area below them. Brilliant glowing red, the beasts looked like giant wolves made of living fire. A river of molten lava cascaded from another outcrop across from them, winding into a river that disappeared into another cavern.
The beasts were hissing, looking at a short pillar of stone that rose from the floor of the bowl. A small, red light shone on top of the natural pedestal.
"Dymlos!" Stahn cried, his voice buried in the roar of flowing lava.
He felt the need to go down there, to reclaim his Swordian. Garr clamped a hand on his shoulder.
"Stahn, you can't. There's so many that you cannot do it alone."
"But!"
"I know." Sariless said, sympathy in her clear green eyes. "We need a plan. How are you doing, Atwight?"
The instant they had entered the cave, the water Swordian had retreated back inside her crystal. ~I'm all right.~
"Good. So, we have the Water, Wind, and Earth Swordians. I think that will be enough power to fight those beasts."
"HOW?" Rutee demanded.
"That's simple. The three of us go down there, casting spells like mad, and when we give the signal, Stahn will go get Dymlos. Philia can cover him with her bombs."
"You don't have your sword." Garr pointed out.
"Who says?" Sariless extended he gauntleted hand before her. The spiral of dark metal on her palm flashed violet, then a brilliant purple beam of light materialized in her hand. The Swordian masters blinked.
"See?"
After a few moments, Garr and Rutee did the same, looking in awe at the beams of light in their hands.
"What disc were you equipped with before the Eye exploded, Igtenos?" Sariless asked.
~Megalith.~ The wind Swordian replied calmly. Stahn shuddered. The Megalith disc, and Meteor Swarm, were very powerful.
"And you, Atwight?"
~Blue Dragon.~ She said,, naming the disc the baby dragon had gifted them with.
"You'll find that the lights you hold have the same strength and magic of those discs. Sheesh, Chalt, you DID get the short end of the stick."
~Sariless.~ The earth Swordian admonished.
"Are we ready?" Rutee asked.
Stahn looked at Sariless. "What's the signal going to be?"
"Well...there's no point in casting a fire spell here, so the signal will be Fireball. Alright?" At a quick nod, She turned to the others.
"Let's go!"
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Stahn watched as the three of them leaped down the slope toward the gathering of creatures. The red animals immediately rounded on the group, hissing growing into roars that shook the cave. From his vantagepoint, the swordsman could see the flashes of light blades, violet, blue and green, as his friends fought. A sudden lout cry from Rutee, and one of the creatures was frozen in ice from her Ice Wall spell. Sariless backed her up buy shattering the creature with her Demon Lance spell. Garr shattered a whole line of them with Air Slash.
"Stahn?"
He turned his head slightly, looking at the former priestess that crouched by his side out of the corner of his eye. Her violet eyes were wide and fearful behind her glasses, and she clutched the small bomb in her hand tightly. "Please be careful." Philia said in a quiet voice.
Stahn smiled, and on impulse gently touched her cheek with his hand. Her skin was hot and slick with sweat. "I will." He said, just as the Fireball spell exploded over the battlefield. "Gotta go!"
He leaped down the hill, dashing through the path that the three had carved for him. He saw creature leap for him from the side, and just as it almost was upon him it exploded in a flash of white. He reminded himself to thank Philia when this was over.
The pedestal was near. Stahn could see the crimson glow of Dymlos' core crystal... He felt the cold breath of the Blizzard spell as he leaped forward, closing his fist around the stone.
"DYMLOS!" He cried, as the world went black.
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Flames surrounded him, but they did not burn. They didn't even smoke. Stahn's eyes opened slowly, blinked once as he took in his surroundings.
"So...you're finally here."
The young man turned in the direction of the familiar voice. Standing before him was a tall man in copper colored armor. His vermilion eyes watched Stahn intently as he approached, the light of the fire rippling off his short, crimson hair. His hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist, a blade as familiar to Stahn as his own reflection.
"Dymlos!" He breathed.
"The very same." Dymlos laughed. "My you are stupid. What kind of companion keeps a friend waiting?"
"Like you said, stupid!" Stahn laughed aloud ad Dymlos clamped an armored hand down upon is shoulder.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
He woke up to the feeling of cool water being poured on his face. Stahn spluttered, his eyes fluttering pen to take in the hot blue of a Calvalese sky.
"What?" He moaned, his arm and head on fire.
~Stop whining.~ The dream form of Dymlos said irritably. His friends were gathered around him. Sariless sighed in relief, then winced as Rutee returned to healing a rather nasty looking burn on her stomach. Philia gave such a dazzling smile that Stahn couldn't help but smile a little in return.
"How...?"
Garr grinned, helping him to sit up. "Dymlos got us out." Stahn looked at his right arm. He could see through his shredded undershirt that thin, swirling bands of coppery metal wound up his arm almost to his shoulder. He still had free movement. Dymlos' core crystal shone on the back of his hand like a large triangular ruby, and, flipping his palm over, he could see that the metal that joined in the center of his palm was shaped like a sideways figure eight. Infinity. He smiled at the spirit of his Swordian.
"Good to have you back, old friend." Stahn said.
~It's good to be back.~
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Alithiel~ Yay! Another one bites the dust! Now that they have Dymlos back, the plot's going to get even more puzzling...but it'll be good, promise! Well, as always, read and review, and remember I love you all! Ja-ne!
