Chapter six: Reunited
Samus stared at the scene that lay before him with wide eyes. Many Lizard clan warriors were doing battle with Zexen soldiers, or what the Karayans called 'Ironheads'. He was wondering what business Zexen had with the Lizards, but whatever it was, it was probably something BIG.
"What should we do?" Sgt. Joe asked, looking at Hugo.
"Maybe we should stay here." Hugo replied. "We shouldn't rush into battle."
"Are you really the same Hugo I know?" Sgt. Joe asked. Hugo remained silent. "You've grown up."
Suddenly, Samus heard a loud screech coming from behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know that it was Fubar.
Hugo looked back towards the battlefield, and his eyes widened. "Sergeant, look!"
The duck also turned to face the battle as his almost non-existent eyebrows raised. "Both sides are withdrawing!"
Hugo looked over his shoulder at Fubar. "Is our Griffon to thank?" He thought aloud.
Samus again stared at the scene before him. His eyes widened when he saw a small group of Karayan soldiers facing the leader of the Zexen soldiers, a young woman with silver hair. What he was so surprised about was that he recognized two of them. The man with whitish hair and two scars Samus knew was Beecham. And the woman with long hair and a whip at her side Samus knew was Lucia, the chief of Karaya.
Several thoughts ran through Samus' mind. First Hugo, son of the chief, mysteriously shows up at Duck Village, then the Karaya chief herself appears at the Lizard Clan's great hollow as well as a strange attack from the Zexen soldiers. Now Samus was CERTAIN something happened at the village.
Samus watched as Lucia and the leader of the Zexens exchanged insults for a few minutes. After they finished, the soldiers turned around and left the Great Hollow.
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Lilly sighed angrily as she looked around the interior of the Great Hollow. Samus knew that she was clearly upset that the Lizard Clan was nothing like she had hoped. Lilly spun around to face her two attendants. "Very well. I'm going to go around the Great Hollow and see if I can gather some information." She said. "You two are free to do what you want until I call for you again."
"Thank you, milady!" Reed and Samus said in unison.
As Lilly walked off, Samus bid farewell to Reed as he walked off. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to find out exactly what happened at the village to make what must have been the whole tribe camp out in the caves of the Lizards. He looked around for any Karayan that could give him the answers he looked for. Lucia, Beecham, Luce, he looked around for anyone he could find.
Soon, Samus was at the doorway to the 'Inn'. Walking inside, Samus spotted the Innkeeper behind the stone slab of a counter and another Lizard standing against the wall. Samus eyes sprang open when he saw a Karayan leaning against the wall beside the counter. She had long, curly blonde hair that went past her shoulders and her eyes sparked, even in the little amount of light in the room. Even though she was wearing a more beautiful outfit and was twelve years older, Samus recognized her.
{Anne!} Samus thought. He put on a normal face and walked over to her, reminding himself that he was 'Samus' and not 'Cyra'.
Anne looked up and saw Samus walking over to her. She managed a weak smile, looking like she was trying to cover up something she was depressed about. Even though the smile was weak, Samus thought Anne looked even more beautiful when she smiled.
"Hello." Samus said with a smile.
"Hi." Anne replied. "Who might you be? I don't think we've ever met."
"I'm Samus." Samus replied. "I've come with my mistress from Tinto."
"Pleased to meet you, Samus." Anne said. "I'm Anne. Did you say Tinto?"
Samus nodded. "I did."
"What are you doing so far from home?" Anne asked.
"My mistress, Lilly Pendragon, is here because she's heard rumours of someone called the 'Flame Champion' arriving again after fifty years."
Anne raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? The Flame Champion still alive today? Doesn't make a lot of sense." She said.
Samus shrugged. "Well, my partner and I aren't in the position to argue with her." He said. "She's been dragging us everywhere for weeks on end."
Anne's eyes widened. "Really?" She looked around Samus to stare out the doorway. Lilly was on the other side of the Hollow, arguing with a group of Lizards that seemed to have no idea what she was talking about. "She seems hot-headed."
Samus sighed. "She is. You wouldn't BELIEVE the argument that she started at the Duck Clan. I guess I should be thankful Hugo showed up."
Anne chuckled. "You may be right on that."
Samus and Anne were silent for a few seconds before Samus spoke up again. "Um...Anne? May I go off topic for a second?" He asked.
"Sure." Anne replied.
Samus nervously rubbed the back of his head before he asked his question. "Why is the Karaya Clan staking out here? I've heard that there's a village not too far from the Duck Clan."
Anne's smile disappeared as she lowered her head. "Those stupid Ironheads burned the village to the ground a couple days ago." She sighed.
Samus' eyes sprang open. The Karaya village, the place where he was born, was set on fire?! By Zexens?! It didn't make any sense! Sure, he knew that Zexen hated Karaya, but not enough to burn the village! "Why?" He managed to ask. "Why would they do something like that?"
"Because the Karayans and Lizards ambushed them after a treaty negotiations because they think the Zexens invaded here and murdered their king." Anne replied. "I guess it was some sort of revenge kind of thing."
(Author's notes: Yes, I know that the reason of the burning was that there were Zexen soldiers being held captive, but Anne doesn't know that.)
Samus continued staring with wide eyes. "I hope that no lives were lost." He said.
He could've sworn that he saw tears starting to fall from Anne's eyes. "I afraid there were lives that were lost, but not from the burning." She sniffed. "One of those Ironheads went on a murderous rampage and killed several people, and not just soldiers. We lost a couple women and a few children as well. We can't even find Aila, our most skilled archer."
Samus couldn't believe what he was hearing. Women and children were killed by a sword, and Aila was nowhere to be found. Samus could remember that young girl when she was a were innocent child like the ones killed. While on the outside, Samus was shocked, on the inside, he was furious. Then and there, Samus discovered a newfound hatred for Zexen, his anger probably more powerful than a normal Karayan.
Bringing himself back to reality, Samus again asked a question. "Did you lose anyone close?" He asked.
Anne shook her head. "No. I don't hold a lot of people really close besides my family." She was silent for a few seconds. "Although there WAS one person."
"Really?" Samus asked, raising an eyebrow. "Who was it?"
"A boy I liked to hang around with when I was young." Anne replied. "His father was a Karayan and his mother was a Harmonian."
Samus remained calm, but inside, he was shouting with joy because Anne still remembered him. "Is he here?" He asked.
"No. He left the village twelve years ago." Anne replied. "He lost both his parents within seven years, and left the village shortly afterwards."
"What was he like?" Samus asked, eager to hear Anne's reply.
"He was a real nice boy. Always wanting to protect others by practicing with a sword. I swear, if he didn't leave the village, he'd be one of the best warriors we'd have." She replied. "He and I always loved to play together and with the other kids. He and I were really goof friends." She let out a light chuckle. "And I must admit that I had a crush on him."
Samus felt his heartbeat race. Did Anne just say that she had a crush on him? This was like a dream come true for him! "Well, I hope that you'll find him again. He might even be closer than you think."
Anne forced a weak smile. "You think so?" She asked.
Samus nodded with a smile. "I sure do. Maybe someday he'll even find YOU." He replied.
"Thanks, Samus." Anne said. "You're real sweet."
"It's not a problem, Anne. I'm always glad to help." Samus replied.
"Samus!" A voice from behind said.
Looking over his shoulder, Samus saw Reed standing at the doorway, waving his arms.
"We need to get going. Milady says that we're off to Budehuc Castle." The blonde swordsman said.
Samus sighed sadly. He has just reunited with Anne and now he had to leave. He turned to Anne. "It's been nice talking with you, Anne, but I need to go." He said.
"Who knows? Maybe someday we'll meet again." Anne said.
Samus smirked. "I know we will, Anne." He said.
After saying goodbye to Anne, Samus left the Inn and followed Reed over to where Lilly was talking with Hugo and co.
Samus inwardly smiled, remembering what Anne had said about him. {She remembers me!} He thought. {She actually remembers me! And she even admitted she had a crush on me!}
As Hugo and Sgt. Joe led Lilly, Reed and Samus out of the Great Hollow, his thoughts were still on Anne. He promised himself that he'd meet Anne again someday before he'd have to go back to Tinto.
To be continued...
Author's notes: Sorry for the short chapter. I couldn't think of anything else to write. Well, please read and review!
Samus stared at the scene that lay before him with wide eyes. Many Lizard clan warriors were doing battle with Zexen soldiers, or what the Karayans called 'Ironheads'. He was wondering what business Zexen had with the Lizards, but whatever it was, it was probably something BIG.
"What should we do?" Sgt. Joe asked, looking at Hugo.
"Maybe we should stay here." Hugo replied. "We shouldn't rush into battle."
"Are you really the same Hugo I know?" Sgt. Joe asked. Hugo remained silent. "You've grown up."
Suddenly, Samus heard a loud screech coming from behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know that it was Fubar.
Hugo looked back towards the battlefield, and his eyes widened. "Sergeant, look!"
The duck also turned to face the battle as his almost non-existent eyebrows raised. "Both sides are withdrawing!"
Hugo looked over his shoulder at Fubar. "Is our Griffon to thank?" He thought aloud.
Samus again stared at the scene before him. His eyes widened when he saw a small group of Karayan soldiers facing the leader of the Zexen soldiers, a young woman with silver hair. What he was so surprised about was that he recognized two of them. The man with whitish hair and two scars Samus knew was Beecham. And the woman with long hair and a whip at her side Samus knew was Lucia, the chief of Karaya.
Several thoughts ran through Samus' mind. First Hugo, son of the chief, mysteriously shows up at Duck Village, then the Karaya chief herself appears at the Lizard Clan's great hollow as well as a strange attack from the Zexen soldiers. Now Samus was CERTAIN something happened at the village.
Samus watched as Lucia and the leader of the Zexens exchanged insults for a few minutes. After they finished, the soldiers turned around and left the Great Hollow.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Lilly sighed angrily as she looked around the interior of the Great Hollow. Samus knew that she was clearly upset that the Lizard Clan was nothing like she had hoped. Lilly spun around to face her two attendants. "Very well. I'm going to go around the Great Hollow and see if I can gather some information." She said. "You two are free to do what you want until I call for you again."
"Thank you, milady!" Reed and Samus said in unison.
As Lilly walked off, Samus bid farewell to Reed as he walked off. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to find out exactly what happened at the village to make what must have been the whole tribe camp out in the caves of the Lizards. He looked around for any Karayan that could give him the answers he looked for. Lucia, Beecham, Luce, he looked around for anyone he could find.
Soon, Samus was at the doorway to the 'Inn'. Walking inside, Samus spotted the Innkeeper behind the stone slab of a counter and another Lizard standing against the wall. Samus eyes sprang open when he saw a Karayan leaning against the wall beside the counter. She had long, curly blonde hair that went past her shoulders and her eyes sparked, even in the little amount of light in the room. Even though she was wearing a more beautiful outfit and was twelve years older, Samus recognized her.
{Anne!} Samus thought. He put on a normal face and walked over to her, reminding himself that he was 'Samus' and not 'Cyra'.
Anne looked up and saw Samus walking over to her. She managed a weak smile, looking like she was trying to cover up something she was depressed about. Even though the smile was weak, Samus thought Anne looked even more beautiful when she smiled.
"Hello." Samus said with a smile.
"Hi." Anne replied. "Who might you be? I don't think we've ever met."
"I'm Samus." Samus replied. "I've come with my mistress from Tinto."
"Pleased to meet you, Samus." Anne said. "I'm Anne. Did you say Tinto?"
Samus nodded. "I did."
"What are you doing so far from home?" Anne asked.
"My mistress, Lilly Pendragon, is here because she's heard rumours of someone called the 'Flame Champion' arriving again after fifty years."
Anne raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? The Flame Champion still alive today? Doesn't make a lot of sense." She said.
Samus shrugged. "Well, my partner and I aren't in the position to argue with her." He said. "She's been dragging us everywhere for weeks on end."
Anne's eyes widened. "Really?" She looked around Samus to stare out the doorway. Lilly was on the other side of the Hollow, arguing with a group of Lizards that seemed to have no idea what she was talking about. "She seems hot-headed."
Samus sighed. "She is. You wouldn't BELIEVE the argument that she started at the Duck Clan. I guess I should be thankful Hugo showed up."
Anne chuckled. "You may be right on that."
Samus and Anne were silent for a few seconds before Samus spoke up again. "Um...Anne? May I go off topic for a second?" He asked.
"Sure." Anne replied.
Samus nervously rubbed the back of his head before he asked his question. "Why is the Karaya Clan staking out here? I've heard that there's a village not too far from the Duck Clan."
Anne's smile disappeared as she lowered her head. "Those stupid Ironheads burned the village to the ground a couple days ago." She sighed.
Samus' eyes sprang open. The Karaya village, the place where he was born, was set on fire?! By Zexens?! It didn't make any sense! Sure, he knew that Zexen hated Karaya, but not enough to burn the village! "Why?" He managed to ask. "Why would they do something like that?"
"Because the Karayans and Lizards ambushed them after a treaty negotiations because they think the Zexens invaded here and murdered their king." Anne replied. "I guess it was some sort of revenge kind of thing."
(Author's notes: Yes, I know that the reason of the burning was that there were Zexen soldiers being held captive, but Anne doesn't know that.)
Samus continued staring with wide eyes. "I hope that no lives were lost." He said.
He could've sworn that he saw tears starting to fall from Anne's eyes. "I afraid there were lives that were lost, but not from the burning." She sniffed. "One of those Ironheads went on a murderous rampage and killed several people, and not just soldiers. We lost a couple women and a few children as well. We can't even find Aila, our most skilled archer."
Samus couldn't believe what he was hearing. Women and children were killed by a sword, and Aila was nowhere to be found. Samus could remember that young girl when she was a were innocent child like the ones killed. While on the outside, Samus was shocked, on the inside, he was furious. Then and there, Samus discovered a newfound hatred for Zexen, his anger probably more powerful than a normal Karayan.
Bringing himself back to reality, Samus again asked a question. "Did you lose anyone close?" He asked.
Anne shook her head. "No. I don't hold a lot of people really close besides my family." She was silent for a few seconds. "Although there WAS one person."
"Really?" Samus asked, raising an eyebrow. "Who was it?"
"A boy I liked to hang around with when I was young." Anne replied. "His father was a Karayan and his mother was a Harmonian."
Samus remained calm, but inside, he was shouting with joy because Anne still remembered him. "Is he here?" He asked.
"No. He left the village twelve years ago." Anne replied. "He lost both his parents within seven years, and left the village shortly afterwards."
"What was he like?" Samus asked, eager to hear Anne's reply.
"He was a real nice boy. Always wanting to protect others by practicing with a sword. I swear, if he didn't leave the village, he'd be one of the best warriors we'd have." She replied. "He and I always loved to play together and with the other kids. He and I were really goof friends." She let out a light chuckle. "And I must admit that I had a crush on him."
Samus felt his heartbeat race. Did Anne just say that she had a crush on him? This was like a dream come true for him! "Well, I hope that you'll find him again. He might even be closer than you think."
Anne forced a weak smile. "You think so?" She asked.
Samus nodded with a smile. "I sure do. Maybe someday he'll even find YOU." He replied.
"Thanks, Samus." Anne said. "You're real sweet."
"It's not a problem, Anne. I'm always glad to help." Samus replied.
"Samus!" A voice from behind said.
Looking over his shoulder, Samus saw Reed standing at the doorway, waving his arms.
"We need to get going. Milady says that we're off to Budehuc Castle." The blonde swordsman said.
Samus sighed sadly. He has just reunited with Anne and now he had to leave. He turned to Anne. "It's been nice talking with you, Anne, but I need to go." He said.
"Who knows? Maybe someday we'll meet again." Anne said.
Samus smirked. "I know we will, Anne." He said.
After saying goodbye to Anne, Samus left the Inn and followed Reed over to where Lilly was talking with Hugo and co.
Samus inwardly smiled, remembering what Anne had said about him. {She remembers me!} He thought. {She actually remembers me! And she even admitted she had a crush on me!}
As Hugo and Sgt. Joe led Lilly, Reed and Samus out of the Great Hollow, his thoughts were still on Anne. He promised himself that he'd meet Anne again someday before he'd have to go back to Tinto.
To be continued...
Author's notes: Sorry for the short chapter. I couldn't think of anything else to write. Well, please read and review!