The Roads of Fate

By: Sora

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Chapter 5: Ancient Magic

Three days later they reached a cave at the base of the Volcano Villude. Dart looked around. Rose hadn't said much since they left Bale, and he continuously wondered why. They were in a grove of old withered trees. The grass covering the ground was dry and brown. Perfect for catching fire in the hot summer months.

The sun shone down on them from high in the afternoon sky. To the west there appeared to be a storm coming. Dark gray clouds were slowly making their way across the sky, heading in the direction towards Bale.

Dart turned his gaze from the sky towards where Rose was standing a few moments ago only to find an empty space where she used to be. "Rose?" He looked around, searching for her. "Where'd you go?"

"Hurry up or I'm going to Fletz without you."

"Huh?" The blue eyed man looked around him and spotted movement from within the cave entrance. He quickly stepped inside. "Rose?" He called out softly, so as not to create too many echoes within the interior of the cavern.

"Over here." She stated simply. She was at the far end of the cave, standing before a huge door, with ancient scripture covering the surface. In her hands she held her Dragoon Spirit. The glowing black light eminating from the orb in her gloved hands created just enough light within the cavern to see by.

Dart slowly approached her. His blue eyes ran over the surface of the door. "Can you read any of it?" Even though he spoke softly his voice was able to reach her ears clearly due to the jagged, vaulted ceiling above them. And the acoustics that came with it. Blue eyes moved from the ancient door to the Dark Dragoon's profile.

"A little. The language is an ancient form of what the Wingly's now speak. Older even than the Dragon Campaign. I can just make it out." She didn't move her eyes from the door as she spoke to him., the dark eyed woman continued to decipher the aged writings silently in her mind.

After a few moments of silence Rose spoke. "Dart?"

"Hmm?"

"Let me see your Dragoon Spirit." She held out a hand, palm open, towards him. Dart watched her gloved hand for a moment before blinking in confusion and fishing into his breastplate for the Spirit. He placed it in her waiting palm asking as he did so, "Why do you need the Spirit?"

She glanced at him. "I can't open the door without both of them." The dark eyed woman's gaze recognized the confusion on her blond headed companions face and she continued. " Here. Watch." Rose took the Spirits, one in each hand and placed them one at a time into an indentation on the stone door. Each under a specific marking of the door before them. There were eight in total.

Almost simultaneously the Spirits began to glow. The black light from the Dark Spirit and the white light from the Divine Spirit seemed to compete with each other for brightness. Each one growing brighter with each passing moment until both Dart and Rose had to shield their eyes from the burning light of the opposing orbs.

The lights died down after a few seconds and only then did the two Dragoons open their eyes slowly. Each one had spots dancing before their eyes. The blue eyed man blinked slowly to remove the spots from before his eyes. Rose didn't blink once, just stood in place calm and composed while Dart stared blankly at the door . . .or, what used to be the door.

"Where is it?" In place of what used to be the door, there was only an entryway into another room of the cave. The Spirits were hovering in essentially the same spots they were in before, glowing softly. The dark haired woman ignored the question and just continued on inside the next room, snatching the Dark Spirit out of the air as she walked passed it. Dart hurried after her, grabbing his Spirit on the way inside.

"Whoa. What is this place Rose?" Blue eyes surveyed the interior of the room. The walls were made of smooth glass that gave off a light blue glow. Frosted onto the glass was more of the cryptic writing they had seen earlier on the door. Rose turned her gaze downward to her feet and Dart's blue eyes followed. They were standing on a giant teleporter. Just like the ones they had seen in Ulara and Mayfil.

This too was made of glass. As they stood on it a green light began to emanate from under the glass, throbbing softly in time with their heartbeats. As Dart watched the light he felt his heart begin to race as fear tried to take a hold of him. The light began to throb faster in response to the change.

The Dark Dragoon glanced over at him. "Scared?" She mocked.

"No! Of course not . . What is there to be scared of?"

"Hmm." Rose turned her attention to the writings before her. "You know," She said after a moment. "Every warrior has limits. Perhaps yours is the paranormal. You shouldn't be afraid to admit when you are scared. I have been. Many times."

Dart looked over at her, startled. But she was gone. And in a few moments, the Divine Dragoon was as well, sent off to where the teleporter dictated.

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She was surrounded by darkness. Her body floating in the void between teleporters. She loved the darkness . . .it always helped her to think. It helped her clear her mind of annoying thoughts . . .well, most of the time.

Why the hell did I say that? What's wrong with me? 'You shouldn't be afraid to admit when you are scared. I have been. Many times.' . .Smooth one Rose. Why did I say that anyway . . ? What is it about the boy that makes me open my big mouth and spout sentimental crap like that anyway? Damn. I just hope he doesn't ask any awkward questions when we arrive at the Home of Gigantos . .

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A/N: So?? How'd you all like? As always, now that you've read . . REVIEW!! Please? K well, thanks. Ja ne!!