---~~~ C R Y O F O M E N S ~~~---
- Chapter Seven : Unsettled Anticipation -
Factoids:
-- Words between ~ signify mindspeech.
-- Words in italics signify your typical 'flashback' scenario or thoughts by the indicated character. Sometimes it's used for Emphasis too. ^_^
-- Words between * are being emphasized.
Notes:
-- Bwah. I still should rewrite chapter five and six. They suck. They suck so bad it's almost painful. X_X Le' sigh. X_X Grah- for those of you who don't know already, chapter 6 has been almost completely rewritten and was uploaded about a month ago. Almost all of it was new content, so PLEASE reread if you haven't done so already, or this chapter is gonna seem sooooo off. ^_^
-- Yes, I'm still a confusing crackpot. Don't kill me?
-- This chapter is short. X_X only 30k. X_X However- I have the next chapter, sort of the second part to this one, coming out the 23rd of this month! Stay tuned!
-- And finally, just for reference, take a gander at the review list for chapter 9. I have a linky to an artness of Marius, so you know what the idiot looks like. Yes- feel free to shoot him.
Remember- feel free to give constructive comments! Please please PLEASE give constructive comments! Okie? I don't know where my faults are if no one points them out. o_O I don't have a beta-person and I really can only go by what I know... which means your comments are even more valuable to me, yah? I'm very willing to listen! It's the only way I improve! Am I rushing things? Is it to wordy? Are the characters believable? Are my Original's becoming pests/overbearing? Tell me if so! I can't correct a mistake if I don't know it's there!
No flaming, though. ^_^ I shall laugh at you if you flame me. *Points and laughs at any potential flamers*
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I have absolutely no idea what to do, Atre'.
The past hours have been spent alone, an act I will be harsh in forgiving myself for. The dragoons need me, and I've abandoned them for solitude. My mind simply cannot act. I'm trying to work out every little detail, every little clause, and I'm failing miserably. Your will is as my own. I was brought back into this twisted web of life to help preserve and save it, but I don't know if I'm capable-- or strong enough to undertake that assignment.
Destiny was a gamble. When I unveiled my wings, it was a bluff to mask them all. I am weak, and any single well-directed spell could have sent me reeling back into death. The relief I felt, when Destiny took this as a show of my available power, was great enough to leave me ill. Even still my stomach feels drawn in knots. The Dragoons do not yet know or understand of what I am. Should I tell Albert now? When we reach you? How can I teach him to use and harness a heritage so long past, when my own knowledge of its primal ability is so very sparse?
I fear a great deal, Atredius. Admittedly, this was a vastly easier ordeal when our connected dreams gave me the ability to speak and collaborate with you. The journal I write in now is sketchy with shaken font. My hand simply cannot find the resolve to still, and my 'speech' suffers. I have come a long way from the denial and anger felt those long months ago, in having awoken in the grasslands... but although I am a willing guidance to our Heroic Dragoons, I worry I would lead them astray-- or that they themselves should decide to leave my rantings aside and undertake the coming events alone.
It had seemed easier to think; 'I will explain', then to have actually explained a thing. I felt absolutely ludicrous gathering these brave men and woman together in a single room, and attempting to put into words the frighteningly simple, but overly unbelievable truth of the world around us. I'd have pushed it aside as rubbish in my youth, surely.
The water-beasts our group had encountered were unveiled to be the product of Destiny's restless musings. She is, in fact, Sandra of Tiberoa. I'd briefly witnessed Sandra/Destiny on my travels to locate the Dark and Red-eye dragoon spirits (Rose', please don't hate me for all I've done.) And although her appearance is rather drastically altered depending on the form she chooses to use, the energy signature is perfectly synchronized. I do not believe the dragoons whom have met Sandra realize, as of yet, that she is Destiny. This is yet another factor I need to explain to them.
Although, I'm not sure how far I should push their tolerance of me. Not just now, in either case. They are confused and frightened, and surely I cannot blame them. It's been a terribly odd and heavy amount of time since Destiny's abrupt arrival and departure. I am not sure I understood, in effect, how believing in an illusion could make it real... but the castle remains quiet as a tomb, although the bloodied remains left by this savage circus of events has rather miraculously vanished with little affair. No, I don't dwell on it. I don't understand it, and I cannot afford to let my mind burrow itself into sorrow for the lost.
This country is Serdio, be I from past or present. These people are my own.
It was with a great deal of startled anguish that, after having retrieved the Dragoon Stones of Darkness and Fire, we fled the castle to find Bale just as silent as her figurehead palace. Not a single drop of blood or body gave us indication of what may or may not have happened. The city is empty and the Dragoons disheartened and angry. Albert, in particular, has faired with such vehement feeling that I spent a conscious hour attempting to calm him down. It won't do to have raging emotion trigger his dormant power.
I was not under the impression Destiny had the innate capability to be so destructive. The storm that sped over the Serdian landscape brought demons of her own devices, as you, Atre', had always told me she preferred her trickery to master the weather. I am suspicious of this seeming abandonment of Bale; the utter vanishing of it's populants and the odd disappearance of the gory details that had ravaged Indels.
Something else must be going on, but my will feels shattered just now, and my senses are to weak to signal for further traces of magical innuendo. Perhaps the life that has been lost may be salvaged yet. Reality is only a word, as I've come to find. It can be manipulated.
I suppose now that I've 'spoken' to my ghosts of doubt and worry, I may return to the Dragoons. Atredius, may we reach you in quick order. Diaz, my brother, give me strength.
- Marius
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Albert shuffled under the dim tavern candles. The sparse wax pillars were scattered around the room, darkness chased away under the brave flames of heartened fire. In his hands was cradled a cup of tea, and every now and then he'd stir the contents. Another stir- a billow of freshly agitated steam. Deeming the liquid at last cool enough to drink, he walked quietly past his silent friends and lover. Two steps down into the base level of the inn, past an overturned chair, the king of Serdio wandered his way towards the end of the room.
Shana was seated at a small table just in front of the window thereon, watching the nightscape of Bale through the tinted pane of glass. Shadows, lamp light, the patter of drizzle, and not a soul in sight. Quietly, Albert shifted beside her and settled himself into a free chair. The tea in his hands was placed on the table. He nudged it towards her.
"... Drink, hon..?"
For a moment her trance was broken, and a flutter of amber light danced beneath weary eyes. Albert didn't dare try to analyze the true depth they could portray; that was asking for hurt. Slender fingers tipped along the cup as Shana smiled hopefully, watching him regard her.
"... Thank you, Albert." Came a grateful few words. Lifting the cup in one hand, he noted the little tremble that accompanied her grasp. It was light, but not light enough to stop her from using both hands as the tea was brought to her lips. A quiet sip followed, and the silence around them remained broken only by rainfall.
Albert had always loved the rain.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better." Shana replied quickly, leaning against the hardwood chair. "A little cold, but better."
Albert nodded, a lean arm reaching out. He gathered her into a hug between friends, offering the support of his presence for all it was worth. Her response was a smile, perhaps weak if not willing. She leaned into his embrace, head cradled by his shoulder, and watched the sky outside.
"... You okay?" The young woman asked, and Albert chuckled carefully, bettered by the exchange of caring words. He was empty, really; Moving because he was expected to move or speak. No use in crying or hating- was there?
"Should I lie to you?"
Shana's gaze tilted to him. "Please...?"
He kissed her forehead, gaze distant. "I am as well as I have ever been, dear girl."
And she closed her eyes.
Meru turned away, having been watching the two a few moments. Across from her at the long bar, Miranda leaned heavily on the countertop, hands intertwined along a travel pack. Two seats away, Dart sat quietly with his head in his hands. A depressing sight? Quite. Emily was asleep just a little bit away, propped up on a makeshift cot against the floor with Albert's cape draped over her shoulders. It made the wingly smile a little. Heh. He still had it...
Miranda growled briefly, hands snapping at the latch on her pack. Frustration seeped into icy blue eyes.
"... It won't hook?" Meru eyed the thong and clasp that would be securing their provisions for, as it would seem, a long journey ahead. On the floor at Miranda's feet, similar packs were already prepared. A bed roll, food, matchflares, change of clothing... all of which had been taken as needed from the shops nearby. No one was there to miss the items anyway, although that hadn't kept Dart and Albert from leaving the proper amount of Gold on the item counters.
You know. Just in case.
Just in case.
"I don't know. Damned thing is defective. I just can't-!!" A pause as Meru reached across the table and snapped the brown leather fixture into place. "....."
"You've been at it for hours." Meru began quietly, a hint of pain in her voice. "Give it a rest, Miranda... your fingers are raw as it is."
The sacred sister ignored her, latching up the carry-straps and jamming a small compass into one of the side-pockets. Not for the first time that night, Meru felt her stomach sink and tighten. Parting her mouth once more, she outstretched a hand again. "Miranda, just-!"
"-GodDAMNIT Meru I know what I'm DOING!!!"
The wingly recoiled sharply, watching in stunned silence as Miranda's features slipped from fury, to a lax moment of shock, and finally gentle apology. This was not to say that, in this time, every head in the empty tavern hadn't turned to regard her. Dart's dull blue eyes strained upon Miranda a long few moments. Admonished and frustrated, the blonde fumbled with finishing touches and dropped the completed pack to the floor along with the others. One for each of them.
"I'm sorry." She blurted. Course- but truly meant. "Meru, I didn't... I'm just not... I wasn't thinking."
Meru shook her head. "Don't apologize. I understand."
Miranda said nothing to that, wringing her hands absently-- even nervously as the seconds ticked by. "I just... can't stand staying HERE- Doing nothing but standing about like idiots. How the HELL do we know that winged freak will even come back?" Her fist collided with the table. It wasn't meant to be such a hard blow, but her patience had near snapped, and yes- she was scared spitless.
"Well..." And Dart took a swig of a glass of water. "Marius said he'd return."
"Which means, in essence, that you don't know."
"I don't know much of ANYTHING right now, Miranda..."
A snort. "A lot of good THAT does us, huh-!?"
"It will do us even less--" Albert began quietly from the other side of the room, Shana still leaning against him. "--To bicker like children. We're all scared, and we're all confused, Miranda. Fighting amongst ourselves will only make this worse." He craned his neck a little, catching Dart's thankful gaze. "... You saw me with Marius a few hours ago. My anger brought us nothing but vain words and useless threats."
Miranda bowed her head only gently, fingering one of the cuffs on her arm. "... You were entitled to being upset." She recalled gently, remembering her friend- The king of Serdio- as he thrashed out of Dart's grasp and demanded furious answers from their newcomer. He'd been near in tears as Marius withstood the brunt of his rage, and she had understood.
"- But it didn't accomplish anything." Albert sighed, sweeping a stand of hair from Shana's face. It hadn't, and he'd felt terrible afterwards, but all the same- he'd been to weak to stop the flood of towering emotion. Now it was better. Now he could see clearly, yet the hurt lingered. His soul ached every time he looked out that window, and into the soothing rain.
"We... just can't let our emotions overcome us if we have any hope of victory. We don't know who Destiny is, or what these 'illusions' were or are. We don't know, or entirely understand Marius, nevermind what he *is*. We don't know what has truly occurred here; what had happened at Indels, why the gore has vanished, or why the populants of Bale have simply disappeared. We don't know why our Dragoon spirits have simply refused our summon..."
Dart shook his head. It might have been grateful exasperation. Objective as always.
"-We do know..." Albert continued, calm voice speaking to comfort as well as to calm. It always had an effect like that; just to help. Just to make it okay. "- that we're together. That we have a potential plan. We do know we are left without many options, and that in Marius we must find them. Friend or foe, Shana trusts him. I trust Shana." He smiled down at her. Half asleep, it was returned. "- And as long as we retain trust in one another, the clouds will part."
"... Riding down an iffy road, if you ask me..." Miranda coldly remarked. She didn't trust Marius further then she could throw him. Albert's ancestor, eh? The books didn't read about his having wings. Shana? Shana was a crack-case up until Destiny left, yapping about illusions and whatnot. She'd apologized earlier... but speaking of her odd behavior in the castle, the girl could give no explanation other than; 'I felt ill, but I knew.'
Yay.
"Id rather step on two stones in a marsh then sink in the mud." Albert shot back with a grin. His perfect smile had the odd habit of looking outright charming or utterly deadly depending on the situation. She'd never expected to see that edge, when it first came out with Lloyd long ago. It hadn't quite dulled, either.
"So you're basically telling me to sit down and shut up. To wait until that pseudo wingly 'Dragon Angel' thing comes back and hope he'll give us answers- or take us to someone with them."
"In a nutshell, yes."
"Royalty-!" Miranda hissed, though it was more or less in good nature. All the same, the mention of the crown seemed to trouble, and quiet her at once. "... Leaving really won't be that easy though, will it? Dragging ourselves to Nissel? I need to report to Theresa. Zoir should be informed, and we owe Derrick some sort of explanation."
Dart stirred, at that. "Was the Siren's Fury docked at Bale? Did she stay docked- I mean?"
Meru shrugged. ".... Don't know. Guess we'll find out when we pass the port. I hope.. She left."
The unspoken reason being hindsight on the revelation that everyone in Bale was gone.
"Or what of Kongol..." -- This from Emily, who had awoken. Albert looked over to her quietly, his smile loving as she caught his eyes. There was strength between them that stood plain as daylight. As if he hadn't considered this, Dart leaned back in his chair and let a hand fret over one temple. "... What has happened here is more than news; our journey -- our ABSENCE, could effect so much..."
Albert winced, his brows knit. The responsibility of a king was not always akin to the responsibility of a dragoon, but did he- did any of them really have a choice? The variables were astounding, and near painfully he felt his voice gather.
"... We'll be uprooting everything we stand for. No explanation, no reason. We have to go, and no one will know why. We can't provide answers when we know none ourselves, and pardon-- but Marius did not make this sound like a day-trip."
"Serdio's government will have all but... collapsed." Meru continued carefully with the thought. "... TIberoa will come in. Just like they've been trying to do..." And realizing this- suddenly REALIZING what she'd just stumbled upon, Meru's eyes shot to capture Dart's own. The divine dragoon froze in place.
Emily let out a pained breath. "... Without my presence, control of the crown falls to my father."
"- And What about Lisa?" Albert cut in, now realizing the potential disaster at hand. "Could she rule in your stead?" His voice cut barely frantic. Oh- he was aware of what this could mean.
The queen shuddered. "Would we have time to reach her? Tiberoan occupation would not be so threatening a concept if my father's motives were true. But you know... you ALL know that he's.. That ever since Albert..."
The room fell into a hush.
Yet another problem had just been added to the reservoir, and it was a major implication. With both ruling patrons mysteriously 'absent', and the capital city of both Serdio and Indels utterly abandoned, the Laws Of Nations dictated that Zoir, as father to one of the missing party, had full right to step in and claim control of the country. Sandora was governed, technically, by the controlling occupant. They'd have no say, either.
"... Son of a bitch."
-That from Miranda.
"Our best bet is Lisa..." Emily said in a rush. Her voice was tight. "I'll consult the stars tonight. I only pray she's watching the sky as well. It will be dawn over Fletz in some two hours, so my time is limited."
Dart nodded sharply. "Do the best you can." And whisked his eyes to Albert. His friend sat ridged as steel, Shana now fast asleep in his arms. Although his manner was tender, his expression was a hard mask of fear. Sandy blonde hair falling into his eyes, Dart stood. Some few paces later, he was beside the king. A hand fell on his shoulder.
"... We'll reach Lisa. I swear it. We've lost to much to loose Serdio as well."
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He had the most interesting violet eyes.
She'd never seen eyes like that, before. There was something... off about them. Not in a grotesque way, but as point of subtle intrigue. Sunset and age and something else. She might call it power, but power didn't seem like it should be quite like this. What odd features, too. Slender. Elfin nearly, like the ones her mother once read to her in books.
"Your mother, eh? She read to you?"
She was belly down on the grasses again. He was opposite her, a palm propped beneath his chin, and waves of bloody-red hair spilling messily down either side of his face. The touch was the same- wasn't it? Shana briefly peered at her left hand- tucked under His other. Yes, just the same. The only difference was that this time it had form. She felt Him, and she could see Him.
"I think so..." Shana replied gently, eyeing the calm sky above before her eyes returned to His own. "About Elves. And castles and kingdoms. Did your mother read to you?"
He grinned.
"She did." He then replied, smooth voice quieted only slightly by the breeze around them. "And when I remembered them, I used to read them to you. Do you remember, Shana?"
Did she?
"No..." A brief shake of her head. "-I can't really recall, sir."
"Ah, I see."
Shana took her hand from His own, creating a pillow with her arms and laying her head upon them. He was laughing a little- she could hear it, whispy and light to her ears. She wondered why, but only briefly. The sun felt good, and the grass smelled good, and she was tired without being tired. A smile drifted over perfect features. He must have been watching her intently, because she felt Him smile then, too.
"Is it scary, out there?"
She nodded quietly.
"But you'll be home soon."
Another quiet nod. "I don't know why the illusions scared me. When the doors opened I knew, but something whirled in my head, and it all spun away. It's like this- like when you speak to me." Her eyes lifted, sparkling hazel. "I understand it, and then I don't, and when I wake up I forget I was dreaming."
"Quite the predicament, eh?" He chortled, rolling haphazardly onto his back. He was dressed in black leggins, wrapped sparsely with red belts and buckles. Off-white, mid-knee high boots crested either calf; a belt secured around his middle that was adorned with other, longer, looping ones of sturdy black leather. He wore this... odd white flair, too. Loose at his wrists, where embroidered crimson ran upwards like fire. The cape looked heavy. Two of them- the first white and the second black. She tilted her head at him.
"Don't you trip when you walk?"
"You'd think so, eh? All these belts." He arched his head to look at her. "Mind over matter?"
"Maybe. You're a different man."
"- I usually get 'obnoxious', so I'll take that as a compliment."
Shana moved to her back as well, staring up calmly into the pristine blue sky. Where was this place? Deja' vu, that age-old expression, touched her mind. Her mind in turn reached with a question. "... Will Destiny come back?"
Although she may have expected hesitation, there was none when He said: "Yes."
"Why? What does she want?"
"- Many things, dearling. Even so, she is not as strong as Fate. Destiny works with the power of illusion to enslave your emotion and your thoughts. Her name is fitting. Or perhaps not."
"But... the illusions." Shana wavered, her voice careful. "How? Where did everyone go?"
"A goddess does not work on the same plane of reality as you do, Dearling. The perception of who we are; of what we know is our greatest hindrance and our greatest triumph. You think the world as knowable, because you were once taught to know you are capable of learning the knowable. Ignorance is the bliss of mortals; your necessary deceit. Don't mourn Destiny's tricks."
She closed her eyes. It didn't make sense.
"-And it won't. Not until you learn that learning is a human conception. We all have that power, my Shana. You'll reach the Moment, and take it. You'll reform it, and conquer Them."
Reaching a hand over her head, Shana's fingertips brushed his hair and his cheek.
"You believe in me."
"I always have. Rose and the others are waiting, Shana. Come home."
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~ end chapter seven ~
------ Chapter 8 is coming out the 23rd of April. This month! Yay!
------ Chapter 9 will be published on the 14th of May. ^_^