* ssp47's Corner * Thank you Amanda Swiftgold, Jeriana Sedai, She-Ronin
and Aerena and mori for the reviews! Rose was able to talk to Sari like
Simba was able to talk to Mufasa in the Lion King. I'm pretending that
all great and wise Winglies are able to maintain some immortality when
they die and so on and so forth. Also, because I have been off and on
with this story this is the final Chapter. After this chapter it picks up
with the beginning of the game.
CHAPTER 12: "Awakening"
Rose stood silently beside Zeig as he lay sleeping on the snow, curled up in skins beside an open fire. Her back was against a tree, her leather covering glowing from the flames of the fire. She ran her hands through her hair impatiently and wondered why she had not stirred since she arrived at the camp. The sooner they all knew the more time they could save. So why hadn't she moved?
Zeig stirred softly in his sleep. The firelight danced in his hair like gems. It was entrancing. Staring into the flames brought drowsiness to the warrioress. She slowly fell to her knees and curled up in the hot melting snow.
It would begin soon. There was no need to rush through it all. Time would work fate and there was nothing more to wait for. Rose resolved to herself.
Slowly the heat and light of the fire dimmed as the slumber grew deeper. When all was black and silent, Rose began to feel herself fall further into the deepest part of her self-consciousness.
There were seven lights of purple, crimson, amber, pearl, turquoise, emerald, and violet. Each light came from a source, an orb. As Rose fell deeper, she could see images within the orbs, each different from the other. Rose's eyes meet the deep purple orb first. She could see herself in different phases. Then it all played together to form a play.
She was on top of a mountain, covered in ash. Roars and screams were heard in the distance. * The war is on.... * Rose reasoned. She held her rapier in her hand and felt Zeig take the other. "We're nearly there." He said quickly. Sweat was dripping from his sandy blonde hair and his face held a strange unknown eagerness. He broke into a run and Rose followed easily at his side. Another roar erupted from the mountain, but they were already at the peak. A massive black dragon stood in front of them. Its neck was bleeding and there were other slashes down the middle. Rose glanced and saw Zeig's sword dripping in blood as well as her own. A fog erupted around her and she heard Zeig's voice as the dragon reared for an attack.
"You have to destroy it this time." The fog lifted and Rose was knelt by the dragon's side. It was barely alive; the last glimmer of light was fading from its eyes.
"I'm sorry but this must be done to bring liberation to the humans." The dragon glowed in a bright light and Rose's armor was changed to reveal wings at her back and the thickness of Dragoon armor. Another fog fell and Rose's eyes were taken from the light of the deep purple orb. Instead, Rose was drawn to the light of the silver orb.
The phase began. A plain grass field ran underneath her feet. Blood and dead bodies were spread along ruthlessly. Rose cast her eyes around. They were near the front of the Wingly fortress. Shirley was ahead of her, kneeling beside a dark figure. Rose stepped closer and saw that it was Diaz. Shirley rose and gazed at the warrioress.
"I am ashamed but death has brought answers to my prayers." Tears were trickling down her face, her red hair blazing in the sunlight. "I now know that my destiny lies beside you as a Dragoon knight." She dropped her weapons and untied her armor from the leather straps. She looked up slowly as another fog fell among the field. Shirley closed her eyes as a silver light erupted from her chest. Her form changed to reveal magnificent armor with a bow made for angels. Shirley flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I have held this ever since I was a child. A soothsayer gave it to me in my dreams. I didn't know what it meant until you and Zeig showed me. Now I know where I must be. Thank you Rose."
And again Rose was taken from the light of the silver orb to gaze again at the orb of violet. Kanzas was sitting down beside a fire on a cliff overlooking Fort Magad. "Why haven't you joined them?" Rose found herself asking. Kanzas didn't move. He simply waved his hand in frustration. "I'll wait for them." He said.
A light haze erupted around them. Screams were constant as the fear contagious. Rose and the other dragoons found themselves among a massive force of Winglies in the Death City, Mayfil. Magic was running dry and still they only managed to scar the force. Rose cast her eyes around and found nothing but the thirst for the blood of the Winglies. It gripped it her heart in such a way that she found it hard to breathe. Suddenly a Wingly flew up battling Zeig. The Red Dragoon formed a fir ball from his fist and threw it at the target Wingly. The being was too quick for the attack and flew out of the way as the ball erupted in Rose's chest armor. Zeig's eyes widened in horror as Rose felt a arm grab her form behind and throw her, pushing her through the air with such force that Rose feared she'd never fall. A hard break and a loud break of armor finally sent Rose falling from the wall of the Death Tower.
As she fell Rose could slowly feel the wind escape from her lungs. Her eyes watered and her vision fogged. Darkness was closing in with the scream of magenta and violet light. In the fraction of a second before she passed out, Rose thought she could hear the cry of Kanzas.
The lightning soldier flew up from the depths of the death and darkness of souls. The Violet Dragon at his side, purging the Winglies back with the fury of thunder and lightning. Many Winglies suffered and it seemed at the time that the Death City Mayfil had fallen. Fog fell once again and Rose escaped from the light to feel the cool air of a jade brightness. A man stood in a bookstore. Rose could not tell his name. His sandy blonde hair was long and he wore an emerald green cape. His face was sorrowful, as if he held back many pains. "Who am I?" Was a sentence written on a piece of parchment. A feather quill was held in his left hand.
"Help me." He slowly read aloud, almost ghost-like. "A soothsayer revealed my fortune to me. In my hopes to receive answers to my destiny, I have only found more questions. I am confused. I was told to join Diaz but for my sake I am afraid for my life. I am afraid of where I will go if I do join. My father calls it an abomination, and for my desires he has already disowned me. I fear for my soul. I wish to find that bright light of heaven. I wish to be with my wife and daughter again. I am afraid, so afraid."
Rose stood watching from the window, fully knowing that this man was a pre- destined Dragoon Knight. She entered the shop, empty of contents and customers and stood beside the man. He looked up, alarmed at her presence.
"You're one of them! The Knights wishing to bring liberation to the humans! Why have you come here? I have nothing to do for the Winglies."
"Yes, but I'm not here to punish you. Your father has done that and more than his share."
"Why have you come?"
"To tell you something."
"What would that be?"
"You won't find answers trapped inside this bookshop." Rose turned around and left the bookshop. The man stood as still as stone and a faint glow of emerald and jade green glowed in the scene, forming a fog. Rose's eyes then went to a glow of amber and golden brown light.
The scene fell to a tent where a giant man stood, cradling a silent child in his arms. There was blood everywhere and remains of humans. Rose entered the tent but this time she knew the man.
"Belzac, now you know this war is against everyone and everything." The giant faced her and nodded sadly.
"Yes. You were right Rose. If I had joined you I would've been able to protect these children." His eyes were filling with tears as he spoke, telling Rose that the child was dead.
"The Winglies will not let us go back to the old ways now, Belzac. It is crucial that we must defeat them now, and we need everyone." Belzac nodded.
"I will fight for your cause, Rose. I will see the remainder of my tribe in the mountains for the gift we have carried for generations among my people."
"There is something else I must know." Rose said slowly. "Everything has been foretold to me but this. We have defeated the great Blue Sea Dragon in Tiberoa. But I can not weild two Dragoon spirits."
Belzac tilted his head to the sky, placing his hand on the dead child's forehead.
"The one you seek is drifting in a bloodless sea, below the darkness, trapped between two worlds." Belzac's eyes fell down to Rose. "You do not have time. You must go now."
"It makes no sense. I don't understand where to look. Do you mean the sea?"
"You must go Rose. The Blue Sea's Dragon will guide you."
Rose felt a jerk in her palm. The Blue Sea's spirit glowed brightly, followed by the darkness orb's light, which descended on her body, forming her armor. The Blue Sea spirit flashed a brilliant light of deep blues and turquoise. Rose was lifted from the ground, high into the air. Her wings spread by themselves and forced her to soar through the sky.
This time the fog did not come, instead the amber haze fell and Rose was taken directly into the turquoise light of the orb. The skies were bright and cloudless. The sun was hot against Rose's black hair, which was flying freely in the sky. Rose blinked. She was flying over the ocean. It covered everything. There was no land, only the blue of the ocean. It was beautiful. She started to descend, her purple armor glowing brightly. She held the Blue Sea spirit in her palm and the rapier in the other.
Suddenly Rose felt the Blue Sea spirit glow brilliantly. Rose's own darkness armor faded away in deep purple light and back in an orb, which disappeared in the sky. Instead the Blue Sea took its place. Rose felt her body change in a fraction of a second. Her body was demanding water. The thirst was so strong in her mouth. She was no longer flying, but falling, faster than she had ever flown. Rose could feel herself fall faster with each second. Her wings shifted just as she plummeted into the depths of the ocean. A breathing mask appeared from the tiara of the armor, providing oxygen.
With this reassurance Rose continued to dive through the ocean as fast as speed could allow. Pressure was building and pushing against her armored frame but Rose found that the Blue Sea Dragoon armor was especially designed to easily withstand that power of water.
Slowly a light began to form at the end of the darkness. As Rose fell further she could make out the magenta lit form, an under water castle, submerged under water. Quickly Rose felt herself straighten and speed towards the castle horizontally. As she sped past guards and gates she caught glimpses of heads, dangling from the spikes of poles. Some fresh and still bleeding. Their sparkled faces were a pale white or green with wild flowing emerald green or ocean blue. Rose supposed them to be mermaids. As she sped on she glanced behind her and saw a group of humans swim, tied together, toward the castle. At the sight of them Rose's stomach gave a jolt. It was too obvious not to see what the Winglies were doing. Experimentation between mermaids and humans...
Rose looked on. The Blue Sea spirit was leading her to the tallest tower. Lightning bolts were feeding a rod at the top. Muffled screams were heard from the inside. Rose felt the spirit suddenly take her to the bottom of the seabed. Her boots touched the sand and stood before the castle. There were many entrances, each guarded by Winglies with spears. Every minute the doors opened to allow bodies to be dragged out. They were unlike anything Rose had ever seen.
The sand shook beneath her. Rose looked down and saw the armor glow. The water began to spin in a furious circular motion. A whirlpool began, throwing the gate guards off guard. Suddenly the breath was take from Rose's lungs. Once again her armor left her. It transformed back into the orb and disappeared in the fury of the whirlpool. It had gained so much strength that it seemed to glow a bright blue color. What happened next happened so fast that Rose never felt pain in her lungs.
With a mighty roar that shook the whole ocean, the Blue Sea Dragon appeared, encircling the castle in the middle of the whirlpool. Suddenly the water froze around it, and erupted. Water flushed upward towards the surface. The castle walls crumbled instantly and burned in blue flame. The main tower also collapsed but a speck of blue light brought back the armor and a figure into Rose's arms. Oxygen flowed into her lungs and Rose felt a thrust upward towards the surface. A whirlpool swirled around her, pushing her faster and faster towards the surface.
Once cool air reached the armor, it left Rose and glowed over the its new occupant in her arms. The Darkness orb returned to the warrioress, enabling her to hover over the sea with her wings. Rose blinked away her shock and to the small girl in her arms. Her hair was sky blue and her skin white and clammy. Her ears were pointed at the tips and there were small traces of scales and gills at her joints. A survivor of the experiments. Rose thought, though she couldn't help wondering if it was the Blue Sea Dragon that had allowed her to be changed and then saved her from death.
"Damia." Rose muttered. "The Blue Sea Dragoon." The fog fell over her eyes and then met the crimson glow of the red orb, the last light that shown in the darkness.
The scene was brought back to the battle in Mayfil, after Kanzas destroyed it. Rose saw flashes of her captivity and the escape of the other Dragoons. She saw her imprisonment and then her trial, then the execution. She was to die by death of fire. Her arms were tied behind her to a metal stake, in the middle of a Gladiator arena in Kadessa. Winglies were reading a scroll to a multitude of Winglies. Rose's ears fell deaf to them. One Wingly stood beside her stake with a torch of white flames.
Rose saw her death and knew it was inevitable. The charges were read and the crowd approved with enthusiasm. How celebrated her death would be, the death of rebellion. It would deeply scar the liberation act for the humans.
The Wingly turned towards her with his torch. With a final glance his swift arms brought the flames to her flesh and stake. It was pain beyond anything Rose could describe. It didn't burn her skin but her blood and bone. The stake grew hot, hotter with each second. It was the stake that burned her flesh. Rose fast her eyes toward heaven and screamed. She could still breathe; this fire didn't choke her lungs. She would feel the pain till it consumed her. Tears were formed at the corners of her eyes. Why had the Gods allowed this? She couldn't die now. Not now! Not until the humans were liberated.
"Gods please!" Rose cried. "Let me live to free them!" Her head dropped and the pain grew stronger. Then the crowd hushed, then yelled in protest, then screamed. The flames had dispersed onto the Winglies who tried to execute her. Rose looked up. Zeig's hand was up and stretched forth for a moment. A heavenly light seemed to fall upon him, causing his skin, armor and blonde hair to glow as if he were an angel. At that moment, Rose couldn't remember ever seeing anything so beautiful.
Zeig raised his sword, bringing his heavy blade down through the ropes that bound her to the stake. Pain streaked through Rose as her knees gave way beneath her. Zeig swiftly caught her in his arms, still holding his blade. Winglies behind him were revolting at the sudden attack, sending magic down upon their enemies.
Rose's ears tuned out from the sound of battle. She was gazing into Zeig's eyes with great uncertainty. Why were they looking at each other this way? His face, so aggressive and demanding was now soft and calm. A softness that brought warmth to Rose's heart. Then the cries of battle reached Zeig's ears at full volume. His expression changed and he looked away.
"My spirit." Rose said loudly. "I need it to fight."
"Shut up." Zeig said with venom in his words. "You can't expect yourself to fight."
Up above them Shirley flew around a Wingly opponent. She glanced down at the two of them, grasping something in her hand. Her hand flew open towards Rose. A jewel fell far and swift. As it reached Rose's hands, Shirley fired an arrow, aimed true. The red-haired soldier flew down to the coliseum and faced Zeig with a hard face.
"Shirley take Rose and leave here."
"I am required to stay for the protection of the others. Her wounds are deep with Wingly magic." Shirley said definitely. "Zeig you need to-"
"I-" But Rose leapt from his arms.
"I will not be the cause of your quarrel. Give me my rapier and I will fight."
"Don't be draft! You can barely stand!" Zeig protested.
Suddenly a great wave of magic shook the arena floor, causing it to split as if an earthquake caused it. White fire flew up from the cracks. One Wingly, caught in the middle, was burned beyond the power of red flame. The whole coliseum began to quake. Rose was knocked over, feeling again the breath of the white flame. Pain streaked through her once again.
"We have to take this city." Shirley yelled. "Zeig get out of here!" Arms wrapped tightly around Rose's waist and she was flown away from the cries and screams of battle. The flight was hazy. All Rose could remember was the warmth and protection she felt while with Zeig.
The red warrior landed in a cave hidden from view at the very peak of a mountain. It was dark inside. Zeig let it be that way for the moment and gently placed Rose against the wall of the cave. He created a small fire and then armored down from his Dragoon abilities. Rose watched him with a strange sensation in her throat and stomach. She could still feel pain inside of her body but somehow watching Zeig took her mind off of it.
Zeig layed his weapons and human armor on the other side of the wall. He turned and approached Rose. His hand outstretched to touch her face. Rose quickly looked the other way.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"Then what are you trying to do?" Rose asked with a bit more sharpness.
"I'm going to see if I can take your pain away." Zeig approached until he was on his knees in front of her side. "I took away the pain outside of you with my hand," He murmured. "I felt it flow and extinguish inside of me." Rose sat close to the wall, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. At a moment of silence Rose felt Zeig's hand brush gently across her jaw bone and cheek.
It was like Shirley healing her from a hard battle. Zeig's hands were taking the fire from within and her tissues were able to heal. Rose turned to face him, rubbing her forehead against hers.
"Is it working?" He asked gently. Why was he being so gentle? Why was Rose accepting him? What was this feeling? This desire to be with Zeig?
"I no longer feel any pain." Rose replied. She saw him smile in the firelight. It was calming. Rose felt a desire to touch him. "Why are you doing this to me?" She asked in almost a demanding whisper.
"I am doing nothing." Zeig replied honestly.
"Then why do I feel so light? Why do I enjoy the warmth of your hands?"
"I can't answer that for you." Zeig sat perpendicular to Rose with his back against the wall. Rose knelt beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"But I think you can. This did not occur until I saw you take away the white flame. For a moment I thought I saw the light of heaven descend upon you." Zeig shrugged but would not look at her.
"Might've been the fire, ruining your sight.
"Why was it you that rescued me?" She turned his chin so that he was forced to look at her.
"I felt a lot of guilt for your capture. I hoped to surpress it by freeing you from their stronghold." Silence fell again as they gazed into each other's eyes. "I do not trust my state of mind." Zeig said quietly.
"What is it asking you to do?" Rose asked softly.
"It is telling me..." Zeig's voice trailed off. He gazed into Rose's eyes and reaching her face with his hand. Zeig brought her closer and tenderly kissed her cheek. "To show my emotion." He finished with another kiss on her sweet skin. Rose felt her hand fall into his. Sleep was overpowering in the calm era. Rose cuddled close to him and drifted off in a slumber, with the fire continuing to glow brightly. Many confusing thoughts entered her mind but she knew one thing to be sure. She wanted to stay by Zeig for all eternity.
The fog lifted and Rose was brought back to the coldness of the snow, with the light of the sun hitting her back. All was silent across the camp. But it would no longer be.
It will begin at sunrise...
and Aerena and mori for the reviews! Rose was able to talk to Sari like
Simba was able to talk to Mufasa in the Lion King. I'm pretending that
all great and wise Winglies are able to maintain some immortality when
they die and so on and so forth. Also, because I have been off and on
with this story this is the final Chapter. After this chapter it picks up
with the beginning of the game.
CHAPTER 12: "Awakening"
Rose stood silently beside Zeig as he lay sleeping on the snow, curled up in skins beside an open fire. Her back was against a tree, her leather covering glowing from the flames of the fire. She ran her hands through her hair impatiently and wondered why she had not stirred since she arrived at the camp. The sooner they all knew the more time they could save. So why hadn't she moved?
Zeig stirred softly in his sleep. The firelight danced in his hair like gems. It was entrancing. Staring into the flames brought drowsiness to the warrioress. She slowly fell to her knees and curled up in the hot melting snow.
It would begin soon. There was no need to rush through it all. Time would work fate and there was nothing more to wait for. Rose resolved to herself.
Slowly the heat and light of the fire dimmed as the slumber grew deeper. When all was black and silent, Rose began to feel herself fall further into the deepest part of her self-consciousness.
There were seven lights of purple, crimson, amber, pearl, turquoise, emerald, and violet. Each light came from a source, an orb. As Rose fell deeper, she could see images within the orbs, each different from the other. Rose's eyes meet the deep purple orb first. She could see herself in different phases. Then it all played together to form a play.
She was on top of a mountain, covered in ash. Roars and screams were heard in the distance. * The war is on.... * Rose reasoned. She held her rapier in her hand and felt Zeig take the other. "We're nearly there." He said quickly. Sweat was dripping from his sandy blonde hair and his face held a strange unknown eagerness. He broke into a run and Rose followed easily at his side. Another roar erupted from the mountain, but they were already at the peak. A massive black dragon stood in front of them. Its neck was bleeding and there were other slashes down the middle. Rose glanced and saw Zeig's sword dripping in blood as well as her own. A fog erupted around her and she heard Zeig's voice as the dragon reared for an attack.
"You have to destroy it this time." The fog lifted and Rose was knelt by the dragon's side. It was barely alive; the last glimmer of light was fading from its eyes.
"I'm sorry but this must be done to bring liberation to the humans." The dragon glowed in a bright light and Rose's armor was changed to reveal wings at her back and the thickness of Dragoon armor. Another fog fell and Rose's eyes were taken from the light of the deep purple orb. Instead, Rose was drawn to the light of the silver orb.
The phase began. A plain grass field ran underneath her feet. Blood and dead bodies were spread along ruthlessly. Rose cast her eyes around. They were near the front of the Wingly fortress. Shirley was ahead of her, kneeling beside a dark figure. Rose stepped closer and saw that it was Diaz. Shirley rose and gazed at the warrioress.
"I am ashamed but death has brought answers to my prayers." Tears were trickling down her face, her red hair blazing in the sunlight. "I now know that my destiny lies beside you as a Dragoon knight." She dropped her weapons and untied her armor from the leather straps. She looked up slowly as another fog fell among the field. Shirley closed her eyes as a silver light erupted from her chest. Her form changed to reveal magnificent armor with a bow made for angels. Shirley flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I have held this ever since I was a child. A soothsayer gave it to me in my dreams. I didn't know what it meant until you and Zeig showed me. Now I know where I must be. Thank you Rose."
And again Rose was taken from the light of the silver orb to gaze again at the orb of violet. Kanzas was sitting down beside a fire on a cliff overlooking Fort Magad. "Why haven't you joined them?" Rose found herself asking. Kanzas didn't move. He simply waved his hand in frustration. "I'll wait for them." He said.
A light haze erupted around them. Screams were constant as the fear contagious. Rose and the other dragoons found themselves among a massive force of Winglies in the Death City, Mayfil. Magic was running dry and still they only managed to scar the force. Rose cast her eyes around and found nothing but the thirst for the blood of the Winglies. It gripped it her heart in such a way that she found it hard to breathe. Suddenly a Wingly flew up battling Zeig. The Red Dragoon formed a fir ball from his fist and threw it at the target Wingly. The being was too quick for the attack and flew out of the way as the ball erupted in Rose's chest armor. Zeig's eyes widened in horror as Rose felt a arm grab her form behind and throw her, pushing her through the air with such force that Rose feared she'd never fall. A hard break and a loud break of armor finally sent Rose falling from the wall of the Death Tower.
As she fell Rose could slowly feel the wind escape from her lungs. Her eyes watered and her vision fogged. Darkness was closing in with the scream of magenta and violet light. In the fraction of a second before she passed out, Rose thought she could hear the cry of Kanzas.
The lightning soldier flew up from the depths of the death and darkness of souls. The Violet Dragon at his side, purging the Winglies back with the fury of thunder and lightning. Many Winglies suffered and it seemed at the time that the Death City Mayfil had fallen. Fog fell once again and Rose escaped from the light to feel the cool air of a jade brightness. A man stood in a bookstore. Rose could not tell his name. His sandy blonde hair was long and he wore an emerald green cape. His face was sorrowful, as if he held back many pains. "Who am I?" Was a sentence written on a piece of parchment. A feather quill was held in his left hand.
"Help me." He slowly read aloud, almost ghost-like. "A soothsayer revealed my fortune to me. In my hopes to receive answers to my destiny, I have only found more questions. I am confused. I was told to join Diaz but for my sake I am afraid for my life. I am afraid of where I will go if I do join. My father calls it an abomination, and for my desires he has already disowned me. I fear for my soul. I wish to find that bright light of heaven. I wish to be with my wife and daughter again. I am afraid, so afraid."
Rose stood watching from the window, fully knowing that this man was a pre- destined Dragoon Knight. She entered the shop, empty of contents and customers and stood beside the man. He looked up, alarmed at her presence.
"You're one of them! The Knights wishing to bring liberation to the humans! Why have you come here? I have nothing to do for the Winglies."
"Yes, but I'm not here to punish you. Your father has done that and more than his share."
"Why have you come?"
"To tell you something."
"What would that be?"
"You won't find answers trapped inside this bookshop." Rose turned around and left the bookshop. The man stood as still as stone and a faint glow of emerald and jade green glowed in the scene, forming a fog. Rose's eyes then went to a glow of amber and golden brown light.
The scene fell to a tent where a giant man stood, cradling a silent child in his arms. There was blood everywhere and remains of humans. Rose entered the tent but this time she knew the man.
"Belzac, now you know this war is against everyone and everything." The giant faced her and nodded sadly.
"Yes. You were right Rose. If I had joined you I would've been able to protect these children." His eyes were filling with tears as he spoke, telling Rose that the child was dead.
"The Winglies will not let us go back to the old ways now, Belzac. It is crucial that we must defeat them now, and we need everyone." Belzac nodded.
"I will fight for your cause, Rose. I will see the remainder of my tribe in the mountains for the gift we have carried for generations among my people."
"There is something else I must know." Rose said slowly. "Everything has been foretold to me but this. We have defeated the great Blue Sea Dragon in Tiberoa. But I can not weild two Dragoon spirits."
Belzac tilted his head to the sky, placing his hand on the dead child's forehead.
"The one you seek is drifting in a bloodless sea, below the darkness, trapped between two worlds." Belzac's eyes fell down to Rose. "You do not have time. You must go now."
"It makes no sense. I don't understand where to look. Do you mean the sea?"
"You must go Rose. The Blue Sea's Dragon will guide you."
Rose felt a jerk in her palm. The Blue Sea's spirit glowed brightly, followed by the darkness orb's light, which descended on her body, forming her armor. The Blue Sea spirit flashed a brilliant light of deep blues and turquoise. Rose was lifted from the ground, high into the air. Her wings spread by themselves and forced her to soar through the sky.
This time the fog did not come, instead the amber haze fell and Rose was taken directly into the turquoise light of the orb. The skies were bright and cloudless. The sun was hot against Rose's black hair, which was flying freely in the sky. Rose blinked. She was flying over the ocean. It covered everything. There was no land, only the blue of the ocean. It was beautiful. She started to descend, her purple armor glowing brightly. She held the Blue Sea spirit in her palm and the rapier in the other.
Suddenly Rose felt the Blue Sea spirit glow brilliantly. Rose's own darkness armor faded away in deep purple light and back in an orb, which disappeared in the sky. Instead the Blue Sea took its place. Rose felt her body change in a fraction of a second. Her body was demanding water. The thirst was so strong in her mouth. She was no longer flying, but falling, faster than she had ever flown. Rose could feel herself fall faster with each second. Her wings shifted just as she plummeted into the depths of the ocean. A breathing mask appeared from the tiara of the armor, providing oxygen.
With this reassurance Rose continued to dive through the ocean as fast as speed could allow. Pressure was building and pushing against her armored frame but Rose found that the Blue Sea Dragoon armor was especially designed to easily withstand that power of water.
Slowly a light began to form at the end of the darkness. As Rose fell further she could make out the magenta lit form, an under water castle, submerged under water. Quickly Rose felt herself straighten and speed towards the castle horizontally. As she sped past guards and gates she caught glimpses of heads, dangling from the spikes of poles. Some fresh and still bleeding. Their sparkled faces were a pale white or green with wild flowing emerald green or ocean blue. Rose supposed them to be mermaids. As she sped on she glanced behind her and saw a group of humans swim, tied together, toward the castle. At the sight of them Rose's stomach gave a jolt. It was too obvious not to see what the Winglies were doing. Experimentation between mermaids and humans...
Rose looked on. The Blue Sea spirit was leading her to the tallest tower. Lightning bolts were feeding a rod at the top. Muffled screams were heard from the inside. Rose felt the spirit suddenly take her to the bottom of the seabed. Her boots touched the sand and stood before the castle. There were many entrances, each guarded by Winglies with spears. Every minute the doors opened to allow bodies to be dragged out. They were unlike anything Rose had ever seen.
The sand shook beneath her. Rose looked down and saw the armor glow. The water began to spin in a furious circular motion. A whirlpool began, throwing the gate guards off guard. Suddenly the breath was take from Rose's lungs. Once again her armor left her. It transformed back into the orb and disappeared in the fury of the whirlpool. It had gained so much strength that it seemed to glow a bright blue color. What happened next happened so fast that Rose never felt pain in her lungs.
With a mighty roar that shook the whole ocean, the Blue Sea Dragon appeared, encircling the castle in the middle of the whirlpool. Suddenly the water froze around it, and erupted. Water flushed upward towards the surface. The castle walls crumbled instantly and burned in blue flame. The main tower also collapsed but a speck of blue light brought back the armor and a figure into Rose's arms. Oxygen flowed into her lungs and Rose felt a thrust upward towards the surface. A whirlpool swirled around her, pushing her faster and faster towards the surface.
Once cool air reached the armor, it left Rose and glowed over the its new occupant in her arms. The Darkness orb returned to the warrioress, enabling her to hover over the sea with her wings. Rose blinked away her shock and to the small girl in her arms. Her hair was sky blue and her skin white and clammy. Her ears were pointed at the tips and there were small traces of scales and gills at her joints. A survivor of the experiments. Rose thought, though she couldn't help wondering if it was the Blue Sea Dragon that had allowed her to be changed and then saved her from death.
"Damia." Rose muttered. "The Blue Sea Dragoon." The fog fell over her eyes and then met the crimson glow of the red orb, the last light that shown in the darkness.
The scene was brought back to the battle in Mayfil, after Kanzas destroyed it. Rose saw flashes of her captivity and the escape of the other Dragoons. She saw her imprisonment and then her trial, then the execution. She was to die by death of fire. Her arms were tied behind her to a metal stake, in the middle of a Gladiator arena in Kadessa. Winglies were reading a scroll to a multitude of Winglies. Rose's ears fell deaf to them. One Wingly stood beside her stake with a torch of white flames.
Rose saw her death and knew it was inevitable. The charges were read and the crowd approved with enthusiasm. How celebrated her death would be, the death of rebellion. It would deeply scar the liberation act for the humans.
The Wingly turned towards her with his torch. With a final glance his swift arms brought the flames to her flesh and stake. It was pain beyond anything Rose could describe. It didn't burn her skin but her blood and bone. The stake grew hot, hotter with each second. It was the stake that burned her flesh. Rose fast her eyes toward heaven and screamed. She could still breathe; this fire didn't choke her lungs. She would feel the pain till it consumed her. Tears were formed at the corners of her eyes. Why had the Gods allowed this? She couldn't die now. Not now! Not until the humans were liberated.
"Gods please!" Rose cried. "Let me live to free them!" Her head dropped and the pain grew stronger. Then the crowd hushed, then yelled in protest, then screamed. The flames had dispersed onto the Winglies who tried to execute her. Rose looked up. Zeig's hand was up and stretched forth for a moment. A heavenly light seemed to fall upon him, causing his skin, armor and blonde hair to glow as if he were an angel. At that moment, Rose couldn't remember ever seeing anything so beautiful.
Zeig raised his sword, bringing his heavy blade down through the ropes that bound her to the stake. Pain streaked through Rose as her knees gave way beneath her. Zeig swiftly caught her in his arms, still holding his blade. Winglies behind him were revolting at the sudden attack, sending magic down upon their enemies.
Rose's ears tuned out from the sound of battle. She was gazing into Zeig's eyes with great uncertainty. Why were they looking at each other this way? His face, so aggressive and demanding was now soft and calm. A softness that brought warmth to Rose's heart. Then the cries of battle reached Zeig's ears at full volume. His expression changed and he looked away.
"My spirit." Rose said loudly. "I need it to fight."
"Shut up." Zeig said with venom in his words. "You can't expect yourself to fight."
Up above them Shirley flew around a Wingly opponent. She glanced down at the two of them, grasping something in her hand. Her hand flew open towards Rose. A jewel fell far and swift. As it reached Rose's hands, Shirley fired an arrow, aimed true. The red-haired soldier flew down to the coliseum and faced Zeig with a hard face.
"Shirley take Rose and leave here."
"I am required to stay for the protection of the others. Her wounds are deep with Wingly magic." Shirley said definitely. "Zeig you need to-"
"I-" But Rose leapt from his arms.
"I will not be the cause of your quarrel. Give me my rapier and I will fight."
"Don't be draft! You can barely stand!" Zeig protested.
Suddenly a great wave of magic shook the arena floor, causing it to split as if an earthquake caused it. White fire flew up from the cracks. One Wingly, caught in the middle, was burned beyond the power of red flame. The whole coliseum began to quake. Rose was knocked over, feeling again the breath of the white flame. Pain streaked through her once again.
"We have to take this city." Shirley yelled. "Zeig get out of here!" Arms wrapped tightly around Rose's waist and she was flown away from the cries and screams of battle. The flight was hazy. All Rose could remember was the warmth and protection she felt while with Zeig.
The red warrior landed in a cave hidden from view at the very peak of a mountain. It was dark inside. Zeig let it be that way for the moment and gently placed Rose against the wall of the cave. He created a small fire and then armored down from his Dragoon abilities. Rose watched him with a strange sensation in her throat and stomach. She could still feel pain inside of her body but somehow watching Zeig took her mind off of it.
Zeig layed his weapons and human armor on the other side of the wall. He turned and approached Rose. His hand outstretched to touch her face. Rose quickly looked the other way.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"Then what are you trying to do?" Rose asked with a bit more sharpness.
"I'm going to see if I can take your pain away." Zeig approached until he was on his knees in front of her side. "I took away the pain outside of you with my hand," He murmured. "I felt it flow and extinguish inside of me." Rose sat close to the wall, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. At a moment of silence Rose felt Zeig's hand brush gently across her jaw bone and cheek.
It was like Shirley healing her from a hard battle. Zeig's hands were taking the fire from within and her tissues were able to heal. Rose turned to face him, rubbing her forehead against hers.
"Is it working?" He asked gently. Why was he being so gentle? Why was Rose accepting him? What was this feeling? This desire to be with Zeig?
"I no longer feel any pain." Rose replied. She saw him smile in the firelight. It was calming. Rose felt a desire to touch him. "Why are you doing this to me?" She asked in almost a demanding whisper.
"I am doing nothing." Zeig replied honestly.
"Then why do I feel so light? Why do I enjoy the warmth of your hands?"
"I can't answer that for you." Zeig sat perpendicular to Rose with his back against the wall. Rose knelt beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"But I think you can. This did not occur until I saw you take away the white flame. For a moment I thought I saw the light of heaven descend upon you." Zeig shrugged but would not look at her.
"Might've been the fire, ruining your sight.
"Why was it you that rescued me?" She turned his chin so that he was forced to look at her.
"I felt a lot of guilt for your capture. I hoped to surpress it by freeing you from their stronghold." Silence fell again as they gazed into each other's eyes. "I do not trust my state of mind." Zeig said quietly.
"What is it asking you to do?" Rose asked softly.
"It is telling me..." Zeig's voice trailed off. He gazed into Rose's eyes and reaching her face with his hand. Zeig brought her closer and tenderly kissed her cheek. "To show my emotion." He finished with another kiss on her sweet skin. Rose felt her hand fall into his. Sleep was overpowering in the calm era. Rose cuddled close to him and drifted off in a slumber, with the fire continuing to glow brightly. Many confusing thoughts entered her mind but she knew one thing to be sure. She wanted to stay by Zeig for all eternity.
The fog lifted and Rose was brought back to the coldness of the snow, with the light of the sun hitting her back. All was silent across the camp. But it would no longer be.
It will begin at sunrise...