Shocker

Paladin's holy light seemed to have a desirable effect on the campsite. For the power in the sword seemed to ward off monsters and demons from finding Ramza and his companions. Thus, for the rest of the month of November, no attacks came to the party. It was a relief, that meant that they could all have a peaceful Thanksgiving dinner, unlike the way they'd celebrated last Christmas.

Ramza sent Sage into town to get the best fruits and vegetables, while Mustadio and Pete were out hunting for the wild turkey and other meats. Alma was going to do the cooking, with Rafa to help, while Meliadoul, Tess, Margurita and Agrias had plans to go out and scout around for any raiders or demons that might be in the area. For even if they wanted to have a peaceful dinner on that night, and Paladin was protecting them, the team needed to know where their enemies were hiding.

When the day finally approached, everything was going just right. That was, until Malak came up to ask Alma and Rafa for help once more. The two girls looked at each other, he'd been trying for months to hook Agrias, but everything had ended in disaster. And they had something to do, so they wouldn't be able to give Malak a hand. He noticed how intent they were at cooking, and decided to go off on his own to try and find her. If he could help her with her mission, maybe she'd accept him.

So that was how Malak managed to take his pole with him and sneak out of camp. Not that any one was watching him, they were all doing something or other to work on the dinner. Malak began to walk around fields, searching for the girl that had stolen his heart over two years ago.

"Agrias," called out the boy, "Where are you? It's me, Malak. There's something I've got to tell you." Unbeknownst to the young Hell Knight, he was wandering deeper and deeper into a forest on the side of the field, one that was not under the shielding protection of the Holy Sword Paladin.

* * *

"Agrias, Meliadoul, Tess, Margurita, thank goodness you've come back. Malak has gone missing while Alma and I were cooking. I don't know where he's gotten too, and I need to continue making our dinner. Can you all kindly go and search for my brother for me?" asked Rafa.

Meliadoul replied, "Sure, we will. He's always getting into something. Sage'll really like this one, she and Leon having a patient on Thanksgiving. I'm sure she's celebrating having one day off with taking care of the kid. We'd better get someone else to help out as well, who knows what we'll find. If Malak has wandered out of Paladin's shield, then we might just run into Lucavi while we're out there."

So they went to tell Ramza of Malak's latest plight. Izlude, who had been discussing tactics with his friend, agreed to help look for the wayward Hell Knight. He barely knew Malak from his short stay at Riovanes, but he remembered well the time that the boy had gotten the drop on him. Half the way up to the Grand Duke's room, Malak tripped down the stairs, and fell flat on his face.

The party of five went out of the barrier, and spied the forest. It would be just like Malak to get lost in a place like that, so they began in there. Soon, they found the place to be haunted by ghosts and ghouls of every sort. That happened when a whole team of ghostly male Knights attacked. Five undead warriors stood before the four still-living and one not undead class ghost warrior, apparently wanting to make them join the ranks of those who had fallen in this very forest.

Margurita slapped her forehead. "It would be just Malak's luck to end up in a haunted forest. We've probably gotten the right place you guys. This won't be too hard, after all we're one on one. If each of us kills a knight, then we can be able to win." She drew her Chiririjiden.

At that moment, many more Knights entered the clearing as well. Some were male, others female, and all wanted only one thing, to kill the team of intruders. Tess was beginning to shudder, she never had suspected that they would be trapped in such great odds.

"You were saying, Margurita," Agrias said, "It looks like this is really going to be a firefight this time. More on the level of fighting against one of the Lucavi Zodiac Demons. We'd better keep up our senses, or we'll end up like them." She then drew her Chaos Blade as well.

Meliadoul pulled out Save the Queen, and Tess got the Iaga and Koga Knives. Izlude took out a blade that no one knew what it was, probably a divine sword of some sort. They were all ready to rumble with the team of undead. But just then, something very unexpected happened. Malak ran into the clearing, his Goku Rod firmly between his hands, and a battle ready smile on his face.

"Fear my powers, demonic warriors. For I am Malak Galtana, the Hell Knight, and your worst nightmare. You will leave your hands off these fair ladies and their protector, or face my wrath," he ordered. When they didn't back off, Malak charged. Of course, he was knocked down by the first sword, and ended up being surrounded. All of them figured they would pick him off first.

Agrias yelled, "Leave him alone, bullies! Take this, Lightning Stab!" Her attack headed strait for the ghosts, and wounded them greatly. Tess and Margurita were already tossing Phoenix Downs at them, while Meliadoul was using Shellbust Stab to cause maximum damage. Soon, they all fell.

* * *

Later, when Malak opened his eyes, he saw Agrias was administering a basic treatment that would get him back to camp, before handing him over to Sage and Leon. "I guess I blew it again. I wasn't able to do anything right. Now I get turned over to the clinic, and can never show you how I really am. Everyone knows me as 'Klutz Malak', not the person I truly am inside."


"You're wrong," Agrias told him, "You may be a klutz, indeed you make everyone laugh and keep spirits high because of this, but we do know that you're a well meaning klutz. It's just that you don't have much luck. But that's ok, it's not the worst flaw a person could have."


"Agrias, before I do something else stupid, I've got to tell you something. I've been in love with you ever since you've saved Rafa's life at Riovanes Castle. Do you think, you can find it in your heart to love me back?" he asked her, his face turning redder by the minute.

Agrias answered, "I like you, Malak. Maybe not as much as you like me, but I don't know what the future brings. Who knows, maybe I will find stronger feelings for you in the future."

- - - -

Another feelings chapter. And the Shocker is, Malak actually was able to tell how he feels. We've got to kill Lucavi soon, or else I'll go crazy. First, though, we deal with Deverca and Co.