MSSKZ: Hey!! I'm writing again!! ^_^
Kamui: Same disclaimer as last time.
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Rath glared at the demon-lady from the moment that she walked in. He just knew that she was going to gloat about how stupid he was to get caught, and that he was a weakling. However, that wasn't what she did. She stood there staring at him for five minutes, then began to speak.
Kid, do you even know who you are? the she-demon asked.
What do you mean? Rath inquired.
...Apparently not, she paused. Well, let me put it this way: your father is an enemy of Lord Nadil, so Nadil plans to kill you infrount of him.
Why should I care? I don't even know who my father is! It's a stupid idea. He probably doesn't even care! he exclaimed defiantly.
The demoness smirked. No, you happen to be wrong. This is more of an overdue library fine.
What do you mean? That my father owns you money and he decided to let you demons take it out on me? That, by some miracle, I've avoided you all these years?
Yes to the last part. And... only that. The reason you don't know your father is because he cared. She scoffed. The youth of today!
I don't care if he was even the Dragon Lord! I'm still pissed off at whoever he is for practically abandoning me!
She ignored him. Well... You'll be executed by some sort of twisted disease that Kharl the Alchemist came up with. I pity you. You are so immature and careless... Brash even... You'd have taken on the entire demon army yourself if you had to, wouldn't you have? She laughed. Too bad you weren't a demon. You would have been very useful in the upcoming attack...
I'm not going down quietly, you know. Rath glared at her more intensely.
I imagine not. Your father certainly hasn't. After all, what else is the Dragon Lord to do than get rid of all of the demons that threaten the peace? she said with another smirk, and then walked out of the room.
Rath just stood in his cell, stunned, trying to process the information he had just been told. That had been Nadil's second in command. Yes, he had known who Nadil, Shydeman, and Shyrendora were, even when Cesia questioned him. Rath had lied to Cesia, to everyone. Shyrendora, herself, had just told him that he was Lykouleon's son. Rath really couldn't believe it. It was incomprehensible! Why him? Why? Rath shouted as he slammed his fist against the wall, and slowly slid down. he said, quietly, when he was on the floor.
Meanwhile, Cesia regained consciousness. The group---what was left of it at least: Rune and Thatz had gone back to Draqueen to report; Neu went with the knights and Mirai disappeared into the shadows---was eating dinner around a campfire, in darkness, aside from the meager light cast by the flames, and silence. Once Cesia organized her thoughts, she immediately asked Keu where Rath was. Keu looked away.
What?! What is it? Where is he?! Cesia demanded. She started again when no one answered. God dammit! Why won't you answer?!
...There's been something that we've been meaning to tell you, Cesia, Beirrez said, after a few seconds, but he trailed off, and became silent again, like the rest.
What? That I'm the Dragon Knight of Wind? You already said that!
One week, Keu remarked after a few minutes had passed. One week. That's all the time we have left...
For what?! Silence ruled once again. What dammit?! A thought then hit her. You didn't leave Rath in Nadil's castle, did you? More silence. Reu, what's going on? Reu didn't answer, but started organizing her food on the plate. Seu? Please! Just tell me what happened!
Seu answered. He thought that Cesia deserved an explanation. Rath is still in Nadil's custody, but only because Fate told us to flee. Without him.
Cesia stared at them all. He's the damn prince of the Dragons!! Why would you just leave him there without even attempting to save him? Aren't you working for the Dragon Lord? Aren't you?!
Beirrez sighed. When'd you find out who Rath is?
Simple. Shyrendora has a loose tongue. As does Reu.
We're on our way to the Wind Dragon to save Rath. It's the only thing that can save him now... Keu said, in the darkness, dismayed.
We can still go back!
Not that easy... Fate commanded us to go. if you're going to the demons, you're going alone, Reu snapped. We're under her orders! Not our own! She' s the only reason that we're even here! Everything was planned! Everything!And what went wrong? Nothing! Damn you, Fate! You just have to curse all!
So what if Fate says one thing? Break the rules!
This rebel's done with fighting the inevitable... Keu murmured. He then continued, louder. We won't--- can't go against Fate's will. Time only goes in one direction. Create a disaster, and you have to start all over. Fix your own disaster, create your own tragedy, live your own life.
None of you? What about you, the Dragon Knight of Fire? You have anything to say?
I'm doing as the Dragon Lord commanded. Locating the Wind Dragon. Yes, I would go after Rath, but... Gil responded.
Beirrez? Please! Come on!
My mission has nothing pertaining to Rath Illuser. I want nothing to do with him. I remember. I remember it all. What would have happened. What should have happened. I would rather die than save his life, Beirrez answered.
Cesia stared at Beirrez in shock. Why would you... How could you say... Cesia backed away from Beirrez.
Holding a grudge just because he would have killed you? Reu snorted. He's a different person now... Not like the one you knew. Odd that you remembered, though.
Fate needs to be more considerate, then! Who would want to remember whatever would have happened?
Her way of saying you aren't going back. At all. Not now, not ever, Keu said.
Why are you acting like this? Do you want him to die?! You are all being cruel!
We have to get moving. Nadil would have sent demons after us by now, Beirrez said, ignoring Cesia.
Dammit! Listen to me!
Right. Mt. Mfartha is which way? Seu asked Gil, forcing himself to ignore Cesia.
Not you too?
North. We're almost there, Gil replied.
I'm not going.
Sorry, Cesia. If I had it my way, Nadil would be long gone, and Rath wouldn't be with the demons. However, you can't always get what you want. You're coming with us whether you like it or not, Keu said. He then continued, You do have a choice, though. Come with us, or let Rath die.
That isn't much of a choice!
You know it to be true, Cesia. You are the Dragon Knight of Wind, and it is your mission to save Rath's life, but you need to be the Knight first. What is your decision? Speak now, but remember: Rath's life is on the line.
I'll come... But I won't guarantee that I'll come back all the way to Draqueen, Cesia agreed.
If you don't come back with us... Keu started.
Rath will already be dead, Seu finished.
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Evil. Evil. Evil. ^_^ I'm leaving another cliffy!! Don't you hate it? I hoped you liked this chapter. I worked really hard keeping it dramatic. Please review!! ~MSSKZ
