Courage & Hope

Sierra, Kyoku, and Lyle were not too far from their friends, heck they were even heading for the same slums. Not that anyone realized it. They had fewer problems, perhaps because no one was whining. Kyoku was sleeping in Sierra's bag, so she couldn't find a reason to complain. And the other two were the types to just bear with any problem that came their way without a complaint. Not that silent complaining wasn't part of the modus operendi, especially when they were having problems with one another.

A young woman had just come down the street, and Lyle had went to speak with her. He talked endlessly about her hair, her eyes, and how she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever laid eyes on. It ended only when Sierra knocked him over the head with her sword hilt, and dragged him away.

'Why does Lyle have to be so stubborn?' wondered Sierra, 'He told me he loves me, then just flirts with whatever girls come our way. I don't know what the real Lyle is like, is he the flirtatious playboy, or the man who admitted his feelings for me. No, I must not let myself fall for him. Even though I look human, I'm an artificial being. I can't fall in love, I can't be just like everyone else. Too bad I wasn't normal, I don't even know where I belong anymore. Can a person like me really have a reason to hope for the future?'

'Sierra, I'm sorry. All I can do is hide behind this mask. I'm just scared, scared of you not liking me. All I ever wanted was to be loved by another, but I've been too accustomed to rejection. I want to stop this habit of mine, I want to live the rest of my life with you. But I'm just scared, I'll never be able to get the courage up to settle down and spend all my time with only you,' thought Lyle.

The Dragon and Lion Idols began to glow. As they were in their bags, the sight wasn't noticed. It did, however, managed to awaken a sleeping Kyoku, causing her to jump up and land on Sierra's shoulder. But it was not yet time for the two to awaken, things still needed to get done. Sierra had to find out that there could be hope for her own future, just like Rudy had done over two thousand years ago. And Lyle would have to leave his old ways behind, and find the courage to venture out into the true recesses of his mind. Until those two forces could unite, the Guardians would continue to slumber.

Just then, a wicked laugh lit up the air. Then, Kachikina appeared. She had heard their argument, and sought to use it to her advantage. Get Lyle to fall in love with her, or at least flirt a little bit, and he and Sierra would fight. Kogatana could take the girl if he so desired. The boy, however, would be killed. She said, "Hey there handsome. No, I haven't come for a battle. I saw how well you fought against the many creatures in our lab, and was very impressed. How about you leave the little girl over there behind, and let a real woman take you. I'd make a very good bride for any man, especially one as handsome as you."

Usually, this would be the time when Lyle got hit over the head by Sierra for flirting with another woman. But this time, things went differently. The young swordsman simply shook his head, refusing the offer that Kachikina had given him. "No, I have no desire to go with a woman like you. Evil rots your soul, maybe you're beautiful on the outside, but I see none inside. I'd never leave Sierra for one as wicked as you. So why don't you just go back to your little cave, and wait for us to come and see you. Besides, if I keep going after every girl I see, I'll never be able to enjoy life the way I want too."

"How dare you!" exclaimed Kachikina, "I am the prettiest woman alive, even Lady Shihaisha can't hold a candle to me! That girl is an ugly little creature, and she's just as evil as I. How else would you explain her red eyes, she's a Demon like me. And no Demon can ever be good."

"I am no Demon. My name is Sierra Kenju, and I am a Holmcross. You know the strike force that first made contact with Filgaia? Well, my people were created to fight with them. We were a little crazy, and ended up being destroyed out of pure fear. But I survived in a state of suspended animation until this day. I am more human than Demon, I am a being of Filgaia! I can love and I can have a future, just like the rest of my friends. You tell all lies, only I know what's truly in my heart," responded Sierra.

Suddenly, the Lion and Dragon Idols shattered. A lion clad in golden armor stood before Lyle, while a Dragon with golden scales was flying right above Sierra. Both Justine and Zephyr stared at their callers, knowing very well what all of this meant. The battle needed to be joined, before all was lost.

Justine stated, *Boy, you have found the courage inside to break the chains that bound you. You let go that what you had been before, and allowed your feelings for the girl to see the truth. My power is yours to borrow for this battle, always use it to bring justice to the world that you see before you, no matter what happens." With that, the Guardian of Courage began to transform into a Medium. He flew right into Lyle's hands, and the young swordsman Invoked him in place of Equitess.

Zephyr took notice of Sierra, and smiled. *You, you are the sister of my old caller. I can sense the same power coming from you as I did from him. Just like your brother, I can see the hope you have to live as a normal human being, despite your true origins are found in a lab. Take my powers as your reward, and destroy this threat to our home.* He too then became a Medium. Then, the Guardian of Hope floated over to the lady gunner, and landed into her hands. She took off Rigdobrite for him.

"Even with those Guardians, you still won't win," threatened Kachikina, "I am all powerful, just like my Lady Shihaisha. Now, die like good little rats." She began to charge up a spell in order to kill them. From the looks of things, it seemed to be the Darkness spell.

"Arc Smash, smite my enemies," screamed out Sierra.

Lyle added, "My sword will be wet with your blood. Magnum Fang."

The two attacks hit the Demoness head on. She couldn't take both blasts, and was knocked backwards. "Lady Shihaisha, I am sorry. But please, promise me that you'll destroy the humans." Then, she died. Her energy left her, much like what happened to Kobushi.

"Shihaisha took it," said Sierra, "She'll absorb all of her warriors, regardless of where they fall. We have to find the others quickly, and destroy the demons once and for all. Else all will be lost."

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Two more demons to kill before the empress herself can die. Sure, we still have two Fast Draws to learn as well. And my map has two more unmarked dungeons that I can place. So I don't have to worry if this thing leads to the final battle, I can always do one skill a dungeon.