Chapter One: Wicked Experiments- Unsettling Results
FIVE YEARS LATER
Allen stood at his mother's grave. His father had disappeared. no, left so many years before. His younger sister, Celena, vanished five years ago, and shortly after that, his mother passed away from grief.
He was alone.
It was at this time that Allen Schezar abandoned all hope of leading a normal life and became a rogue. Using his skills as a swordsman, he hid in the forests of Asturia, attacking swordsmen. If he won, and he always did, he'd take their money. That is how he got by.
He had no idea, nor did any of the peaceful people in the great countries on Gaea, that the Zibach Empire was completing five years of tormenting experiments on a small child. The sorcerers had called in Elli, a psychiatrist, to analyze their subject, to study the little soldier's condition. She refused them.
And yet, her heals clapped the floor and echoed in the looming corridors. 'This place gives me the creeps,' she thought to herself. 'Why did I agree to come here? Why have I come back? - It is for the child.'
The Zibach sorcerers had hired Elli before. She was there to console them, the pitiful creatures, after the scientists experimented on them. Usually, they were so broken and traumatized that she had to talk to them regularly. Five years ago, they started bringing in children. She couldn't bear it, so she left.
Of course, she had always regretted it. They probably needed her.
A few weeks ago, her old friend, Jajuka, had contacted her. He told her that a small child they had kidnapped had been tormented through five years of experimentation and injections. The sorcerers asked her to come, but she refused them. Jajuka pleaded with her to come, for the child's sake, and she agreed.
'So, here I am! It is for the child,' she thought. She was so deep in thought that she ran right into Folken.
"Hey!" She gasped in surprise. It echoed through the empty halls as she began to recognize him. "Folken! My God!"
"Elli?" He was just beginning to recognize her.
"It's good to see you again," she offered, collecting herself.
"It's been a long time. why have you returned?" he asked.
The situation was awkward. Elli had helped Folken cope with his mechanical arm when the real one had been bitten off by a dragon. Then she learned so much about him, how he was so peaceful, not really wanting to fight, and how he was filled with shame for turning his back on his people, his right as king, and most importantly, his brother. Elli was always there for him. She even loved him. and then suddenly she left, without giving him a reason. She never even told him she was leaving. She just left.
"There is someone here who needs me." she finally replied.
"There were many here who needed you before you left." Folken retorted calmly. That was always his way, to remain so calm. "Why did you leave? Leave so many of us, so many unanswered questions? Tell me. what makes this someone so different from the rest of us?"
"Folken." she paused, choking on tears. "She's only a little girl! It was a child that made me leave, and a child that made me come back! I realize I should never have left but I couldn't stand your pain any longer, you, or the others! And never a child, Folken. Never!" She fell into him, burying her face into his chest. She sobbed, filled with relief of finally letting it all out, and finally being in Folken's arms again, after so many years.
"Elli?" asked a voice from behind them. It was Jajuka. He had come to lead Elli to the child.
"You better go," ushered Folken gently, "there is someone who needs you." With a small smile, he disappeared into the shadows of a side corridor.
Elli composed herself, and turned to Jajuka, who began to lead they way. He thought it better not to ask questions anyway.
"There are some things you should know about Celena. She was kidnapped from a noble family of Asturia. She is so sweet. Tell me what they've done to her. They took her from me about four years ago, and I haven't seen her since!"
Elli looked at the doors she was about to go through. Jajuka tenderly clutched her arm before she entered. "Tell her.. I sent you." Even in the dim lighting, Elli could see Jajuka's face was twisted with pain.
"I will. I promise." Elli sighed, and marched through the doors alone.
"Elli! I thought you weren't coming!" barked the sorcerer on duty.
"I changed my mind. I'm here to psychoanalyze your victim."
"Our SUBJECT," he corrected, " is through there."
She followed his pointing finger through a door into a smallish room. There was a desk and a mirror above it on the wall. There were no windows and the only light came from a single candle, burning in a pair of delicate hands. On the bed, there was a child, illuminated by the flickering light.
The child was a boy! He didn't notice she had come in, for he was completely fixated on the candle. Elli stepped out and returned to the sorcerer.
"No, no. I am looking for Celena."
"That is Celena, if that was her name. That is Celena in her perfect form. Strong, intelligent, male."
Elli was, of course insulted, but said nothing of it. "Let me get this straight. You changed the child into a perfect. a perfect what, exactly?"
"Why a perfect warrior. He could slay a dragon if he so wished, at least I hope he can. He has yet to do that. It's the final test. If he can, our experiments were a success and we have the formula for a perfect soldier! Now! Are you going to talk to him or not?"
"Yes!"
Elli returned to the room and to her shock, the boy was now cradling his hand, the candle burnt out on the floor. She gasped and turned the dial by the door, strengthening the dim light overhead.
She rushed to his side. "Did you burn yourself?" She cried as she tried to examine him. He had silver hair, and when he looked up at her, she saw magenta eyes. They startled her, but not as much as his wide grin. She took his hand from him, and gently caressed it.
"Who are you?" he asked, his tone seemed sarcastic, in an innocent way.
"My name is Elli. What is yours?" she replied with a smile.
He grinned widely as if extremely pleased to be able to share his name with her. "I am Dilandau Albatou and I am ten years old! I am going to me a mighty soldier when I am twelve!"
"Wow!" Elli smiled at him. "That's impressive!"
"So, what are you doing here?" he asked, taking his hand back, and letting it fall comfortably to his side. The pain had eased.
"I'm here to talk to you and ask you some questions. Can I ask you some questions, Dilandau?"
"You just did, but we won't count that one. I'll answer, if I can ask you one for every one you ask me."
"It's a deal. How did you burn yourself?"
"I put my hand on the flame." He replied simply. She would have to choose her questions much more carefully. "My turn. Why do you sound funny?"
"It is called an accent. It indicates that I am from a different part of Gaea. Somewhere far away."
"Oh."
"Did it hurt you when you burned yourself?"
"Yes. and yet no. It is always so sensual. both painful and pleasurable."
Elli stared in awe at him. Ten, she thought, he's ten.
"Why do you care about me?"
Elli was, yet again, caught off guard by the question. She really didn't know what to say. 'because you're a child,' she thought, 'no, that's a stupid answer.' "Because they are hurting you!" she blurted.
"Are they?"
"Aren't they?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh." Elli paused, trying to remember who's turn it was. She assumed it was hers, for the child said nothing. "Do you know who Celena Schezar is?"
"No. I have never heard of her. Who is she?"
"Is that your question?"
"Yes, but now I get two."
"She's just a girl. no one important."
"Then why bring her up?"
Elli frowned. She thought to herself, 'no. I'm the adult here.' "Could I talk to you again sometime? I have to leave now. My time's up."
"Yes. I suppose so." Replied Dilandau.
When Elli had left the room, the wretched faces of the sorcerers greeted her. Apparently, the first one had called the others.
"Well?" they hissed.
"Well what?" Elli responded with the same unpleasantness.
"Is he sane?"
"His responses are coherent and intelligent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him. He should lead a very normal life, unless."
"Unless.?"
"Unless he starts remembering his past life as Celena, or those nasty experiments. He seems to forget everything." She moved to leave, as the sorcerers began to congratulate themselves. "Oh and there is one more thing." The sorcerers frowned. "He seems to have a mild case of pyromania."
"Oh no, my dear!" They smiled and one spoke gleefully. "Not mild. One of the experiments went wrong. well a lot of them actually, note the red eyes. That was an accident. Anyway, he has a very large, frightening, delightful case of pyromania!"
Now Elli frowned. She felt disgusted by their completely uncaring tones. Without another word, she left to seek Jajuka, to try and break it to him, that his precious Celena was a murdering, red-eyed, little fire monster.
'She is lost forever,' she will say. 'Transformed into a cunning little killing machine who got the best of me at my own mind game. I'm baffled.' Suddenly she realized, she didn't mention Jajuka to Dilandau during their conversation. She had promised. She was sure there would be no reaction to that name, however. Just like with Celena's name. Celena- her memories and her dreams- were misplaced somewhere in that body and mind, never to be retrieved.
FIVE YEARS LATER
Allen stood at his mother's grave. His father had disappeared. no, left so many years before. His younger sister, Celena, vanished five years ago, and shortly after that, his mother passed away from grief.
He was alone.
It was at this time that Allen Schezar abandoned all hope of leading a normal life and became a rogue. Using his skills as a swordsman, he hid in the forests of Asturia, attacking swordsmen. If he won, and he always did, he'd take their money. That is how he got by.
He had no idea, nor did any of the peaceful people in the great countries on Gaea, that the Zibach Empire was completing five years of tormenting experiments on a small child. The sorcerers had called in Elli, a psychiatrist, to analyze their subject, to study the little soldier's condition. She refused them.
And yet, her heals clapped the floor and echoed in the looming corridors. 'This place gives me the creeps,' she thought to herself. 'Why did I agree to come here? Why have I come back? - It is for the child.'
The Zibach sorcerers had hired Elli before. She was there to console them, the pitiful creatures, after the scientists experimented on them. Usually, they were so broken and traumatized that she had to talk to them regularly. Five years ago, they started bringing in children. She couldn't bear it, so she left.
Of course, she had always regretted it. They probably needed her.
A few weeks ago, her old friend, Jajuka, had contacted her. He told her that a small child they had kidnapped had been tormented through five years of experimentation and injections. The sorcerers asked her to come, but she refused them. Jajuka pleaded with her to come, for the child's sake, and she agreed.
'So, here I am! It is for the child,' she thought. She was so deep in thought that she ran right into Folken.
"Hey!" She gasped in surprise. It echoed through the empty halls as she began to recognize him. "Folken! My God!"
"Elli?" He was just beginning to recognize her.
"It's good to see you again," she offered, collecting herself.
"It's been a long time. why have you returned?" he asked.
The situation was awkward. Elli had helped Folken cope with his mechanical arm when the real one had been bitten off by a dragon. Then she learned so much about him, how he was so peaceful, not really wanting to fight, and how he was filled with shame for turning his back on his people, his right as king, and most importantly, his brother. Elli was always there for him. She even loved him. and then suddenly she left, without giving him a reason. She never even told him she was leaving. She just left.
"There is someone here who needs me." she finally replied.
"There were many here who needed you before you left." Folken retorted calmly. That was always his way, to remain so calm. "Why did you leave? Leave so many of us, so many unanswered questions? Tell me. what makes this someone so different from the rest of us?"
"Folken." she paused, choking on tears. "She's only a little girl! It was a child that made me leave, and a child that made me come back! I realize I should never have left but I couldn't stand your pain any longer, you, or the others! And never a child, Folken. Never!" She fell into him, burying her face into his chest. She sobbed, filled with relief of finally letting it all out, and finally being in Folken's arms again, after so many years.
"Elli?" asked a voice from behind them. It was Jajuka. He had come to lead Elli to the child.
"You better go," ushered Folken gently, "there is someone who needs you." With a small smile, he disappeared into the shadows of a side corridor.
Elli composed herself, and turned to Jajuka, who began to lead they way. He thought it better not to ask questions anyway.
"There are some things you should know about Celena. She was kidnapped from a noble family of Asturia. She is so sweet. Tell me what they've done to her. They took her from me about four years ago, and I haven't seen her since!"
Elli looked at the doors she was about to go through. Jajuka tenderly clutched her arm before she entered. "Tell her.. I sent you." Even in the dim lighting, Elli could see Jajuka's face was twisted with pain.
"I will. I promise." Elli sighed, and marched through the doors alone.
"Elli! I thought you weren't coming!" barked the sorcerer on duty.
"I changed my mind. I'm here to psychoanalyze your victim."
"Our SUBJECT," he corrected, " is through there."
She followed his pointing finger through a door into a smallish room. There was a desk and a mirror above it on the wall. There were no windows and the only light came from a single candle, burning in a pair of delicate hands. On the bed, there was a child, illuminated by the flickering light.
The child was a boy! He didn't notice she had come in, for he was completely fixated on the candle. Elli stepped out and returned to the sorcerer.
"No, no. I am looking for Celena."
"That is Celena, if that was her name. That is Celena in her perfect form. Strong, intelligent, male."
Elli was, of course insulted, but said nothing of it. "Let me get this straight. You changed the child into a perfect. a perfect what, exactly?"
"Why a perfect warrior. He could slay a dragon if he so wished, at least I hope he can. He has yet to do that. It's the final test. If he can, our experiments were a success and we have the formula for a perfect soldier! Now! Are you going to talk to him or not?"
"Yes!"
Elli returned to the room and to her shock, the boy was now cradling his hand, the candle burnt out on the floor. She gasped and turned the dial by the door, strengthening the dim light overhead.
She rushed to his side. "Did you burn yourself?" She cried as she tried to examine him. He had silver hair, and when he looked up at her, she saw magenta eyes. They startled her, but not as much as his wide grin. She took his hand from him, and gently caressed it.
"Who are you?" he asked, his tone seemed sarcastic, in an innocent way.
"My name is Elli. What is yours?" she replied with a smile.
He grinned widely as if extremely pleased to be able to share his name with her. "I am Dilandau Albatou and I am ten years old! I am going to me a mighty soldier when I am twelve!"
"Wow!" Elli smiled at him. "That's impressive!"
"So, what are you doing here?" he asked, taking his hand back, and letting it fall comfortably to his side. The pain had eased.
"I'm here to talk to you and ask you some questions. Can I ask you some questions, Dilandau?"
"You just did, but we won't count that one. I'll answer, if I can ask you one for every one you ask me."
"It's a deal. How did you burn yourself?"
"I put my hand on the flame." He replied simply. She would have to choose her questions much more carefully. "My turn. Why do you sound funny?"
"It is called an accent. It indicates that I am from a different part of Gaea. Somewhere far away."
"Oh."
"Did it hurt you when you burned yourself?"
"Yes. and yet no. It is always so sensual. both painful and pleasurable."
Elli stared in awe at him. Ten, she thought, he's ten.
"Why do you care about me?"
Elli was, yet again, caught off guard by the question. She really didn't know what to say. 'because you're a child,' she thought, 'no, that's a stupid answer.' "Because they are hurting you!" she blurted.
"Are they?"
"Aren't they?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh." Elli paused, trying to remember who's turn it was. She assumed it was hers, for the child said nothing. "Do you know who Celena Schezar is?"
"No. I have never heard of her. Who is she?"
"Is that your question?"
"Yes, but now I get two."
"She's just a girl. no one important."
"Then why bring her up?"
Elli frowned. She thought to herself, 'no. I'm the adult here.' "Could I talk to you again sometime? I have to leave now. My time's up."
"Yes. I suppose so." Replied Dilandau.
When Elli had left the room, the wretched faces of the sorcerers greeted her. Apparently, the first one had called the others.
"Well?" they hissed.
"Well what?" Elli responded with the same unpleasantness.
"Is he sane?"
"His responses are coherent and intelligent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him. He should lead a very normal life, unless."
"Unless.?"
"Unless he starts remembering his past life as Celena, or those nasty experiments. He seems to forget everything." She moved to leave, as the sorcerers began to congratulate themselves. "Oh and there is one more thing." The sorcerers frowned. "He seems to have a mild case of pyromania."
"Oh no, my dear!" They smiled and one spoke gleefully. "Not mild. One of the experiments went wrong. well a lot of them actually, note the red eyes. That was an accident. Anyway, he has a very large, frightening, delightful case of pyromania!"
Now Elli frowned. She felt disgusted by their completely uncaring tones. Without another word, she left to seek Jajuka, to try and break it to him, that his precious Celena was a murdering, red-eyed, little fire monster.
'She is lost forever,' she will say. 'Transformed into a cunning little killing machine who got the best of me at my own mind game. I'm baffled.' Suddenly she realized, she didn't mention Jajuka to Dilandau during their conversation. She had promised. She was sure there would be no reaction to that name, however. Just like with Celena's name. Celena- her memories and her dreams- were misplaced somewhere in that body and mind, never to be retrieved.