The Master's Invitation
They sat in the saloon the next day, trying to devise a plan. But no rumors were going on, not even in the rumor capital of Filgaia. Frustrated, Virginia and Jet left the establishment, in order to get some fresh air. They both realized that the smoke from the incoming Sandcrafts was clouding their minds as well. If they wanted to think clearly, they'd have to leave town and sit in the Wastelands. At least it was quiet.
It was as they were leaving the city that it happened, another Shadow Demon attacked. This one was different from the first, as it seemed not as eager to devour them. Only, it seemed, to deliver some sort of message. But they didn't let their guards down, creatures like that can never be trusted to not turn on you. Virginia held up her arms, to cast a spell before his Reflect kicked in. She wanted the upper hand.
"My master would like to see the two of you," it stated, "In his stronghold, or what you humans call Serpent's Coils, near Claiborne. But you must defeat me in order to see him. If you wish to just give in, and allow me to feed on your souls, that's fine with me too. He will kill you for the death of his agent near Boot Hill. Though if I kill you, he will not mind at all. Rather, I will be allowed to move up a rank in his army of the monsters humans fear most. So, now then, let's get to the battle, so I can eat." Hunger shone in his eyes.
Virginia and Jet looked at one another, and nodded. They then began to concentrate, ready to fire off the Airget-Beam. Not like the Shadow Demon knew that, it was heading for them at a rapid speed so it could devour them all the faster. They weren't a bright race, only into getting it done quickly with strength.
"Foolish humans, you're prayers won't help you now!" it screamed. The Shadow Demon opened its mouth, and grabbed onto Virginia with its talon like hands. He began to concentrate, to pull her soul out of her body. But just then, as it looked down towards her hands, where the soul would be the easiest to start with, the attack was finished. The Airget-Beam went right into his mouth, giving him a literal last meal. As the Demon began to scream, Jet pried his bony fingers off of Virginia. Then, they jumped back to avoid the explosion that would follow. Once done, he went back to pick up the Gella, pocketing it in their money bag.
Virginia said, "The creature mentioned a master, near Claiborne. We should go there right away, if we want to kill it before it kills us. Even if we can keep this up, the numbers a Shadow Demon can create will eventually overwhelm us. For those are just minor types of Shadow Demons, not as minor as those that are created from possessed monsters, but they can't transform into their strongest shape until their master says their worthy. If the one at Boot Hill said the words, he would make Shadow Gobs like him. It's the same concept with these Demons and their master. Well, we really should get going now, before another problem comes about." She extended her wings, and prepared to fly with Jet over the mountains, where the town of Claiborne lay. They would have to ask around about this "Serpent's Coils", if they were to find it.
* * *
Milux from the Claiborne saloon listened with interest to Virginia's fake tale. She wanted directions to the ruin so she could find her and Jet's little sister, who was kidnapped by brigands. The ransom note had told them to come to Serpent's Coils, so they needed directions. "Well, if you really want to go there, it is in the mountains to the north. Just look for a little niche inside of it. But do stay the night, its getting late and I'm sure they won't grudge you a night's sleep. After all, what if they try to betray you? You can't fight them if you aren't in tip top shape. Just go up the stairs, it's on me. I have a young daughter, Martina, and if something like that happened to her I would really like for someone to help me in any way to save her."
Virginia regretted having to lie to someone as kind as Milux. But she had no choice, if they knew a Demon was there they might panic. She wanted to avoid such a scene, let the people have some peace in their lives. The Wastelands were trouble enough for them. It always had been, since she was a child. But something was wrong, she seemed to remember a green world, with blue oceans and forests, an I'm not talking about Yggdrasil either. Virginia shut it down, it was just a memory from ancient times, imbedded in her brain when she came in contact with the powers that had created Jet. She had never seen such green lands before, away from Yggdrasil. Boot Hill having grass was about the closest she had come to that.
* * *
That night, she dreamed. In the dream she was standing with Jet, as the winds whipped all around them. A Demon stood before them, one that looked like some kind of mammal. His hair was reminiscent of how Leehalt Alchest used to wear his. On his side was a bird like demon, and a female one that resembled Aunt Melody. They were using their magic to create a strange form of energy, to call forth an evil from the past of Filgaia. As the armored Demon arose, Virginia's eyes went wide. The man was over eight feet tall!
"Your destiny will come," rang the voice of Filgaia, "This is what you must do. Only the powers that you and Jet have will be able to save our planet. I believe in you, know you can win if you truly try. And you will have friends, two men who you will meet by coincidence, but will be tied to you by fate. Fight, for our future, Shaman child. Never give up, for giving up is the same as dying." Then, she appeared before the girl, and handed her a key of pure light. Virginia had heard of this legend, the symbol of the Planet Guardian was a golden key. If a person was handed a key from her, it meant that he or she was the avatar of Filgaia.
"I will use this gift well. Don't worry, nothing will go wrong on my watch. Jet and I will rescue the planet when these Demons appear. I know we can do it, I'll never let our home world be destroyed. When the time comes, we'll be ready," stated Virginia. She watched as Filgaia faded away, and so did the dream.
* * *
At first, Virginia thought it was just a dream. But when she sat up, something fell into her lap. As she handled the item, she realized it was a necklace. The chain was silver, and the charm was that of a golden key. All Shamans worshipped a High Guardian, Virginia's patron was Raftina, and wore a charm with that Guardian's symbol. You usually didn't get it until your sixteenth birthday, to say the person was responsible enough with their deity, so Virginia didn't have one. But those were silver, and this was gold.
She whispered, "It wasn't a dream, there will be danger in the future. But we can get through it together, no matter what. Let's just concentrate on the Shadow Demon first, we'll worry about the rest when it happens. After all, no sense getting worked up about something that might not happen for several years."
- - - -
Teefa's Last Words…
Well, final battle next chapter. Oh, and that is not Beatrice masquerading, in case you were wondering. Virginia really does have contact with the Planet Guardian. To me, Glave le Gable from WA2 seemed like the body of the planet, so I created a Guardian for the energy of the planet.
