"Welcome to Lohan, where the people will try to sell you everything known to man," I muttered.
Lohan was a merchant city, neutral in the current war. Anything you could name was for sale at various prices. Weapons, food, medicine, armor, jewelry, exotic goods, and even rare antiques, could be found if you looked hard enough. At the far side of town was an arena, where the Hero Competition was held annually.
I certainly looked hard enough. While Dart and Lavitz took Shana to the clinic, Rose and I scouted the city for goods and information. The results were little goods, and less information. The best we could manage was to stock up on medicine and other supplies.
Until, that is, we came across a particularly annoying merchant on the main street. "Hey, you two! I've got something you'll like!" He held up a small, glowing gem. "This is the much talked about 'Shining Miracle Stone'! Any illness or anxiety disappears when the stone shines! A miracle! A mystery!"
"That is no mere stone, that's Belzac's Dragoon Spirit," Rose muttered. "How dare this merchant presume to sell such an item!" She almost drew her sword when I stopped her.
"Easy, Rose," I said. "We'll just have to ensure that we get a hold of it. Not by violence, though; if there's one thing I've learned as an Immortal, it's that it's usually wise to keep a low profile." I approached the merchant. "How much are you selling it for?"
He grinned. "I'm making a limited time offer of 1000 gold."
Extortionist. "I'll take it." I paid the dimwit and rejoined Rose. "Now we just have to find Dart and Lavitz."
We found them near the town entrance. "Good news, and bad news," Dart said. "The good news is there may be a cure for Shana."
"And the bad news?" Rose prompted.
"The only known cure is something called the Dragoni Plant," Lavitz replied. "Like Dragons, it was supposed to exist only in legend, but we've heard there may be some in the Shrine of Shirley, north of the Dragon's Nest."
"The Shrine of Shirley. Could that refer to the White Silver Dragoon?" I wondered.
"Yes," Rose murmured. "She was my best friend in those days. The only person who meant as much to me was Zieg."
I slashed twice with my blade, killing a pair of lizardmen. "It must have been hard when she died." I hesitated. "Rose, why are you telling me all this? For eleven millennia, only you and the Winglies of Ulara have known the truth. Now, you're spilling all sorts of stuff to a guy you've known for a week."
The Dark Dragoon was silent for a long moment. "It has been a long time since I was able to confide in someone," she said at last. "In all this time, you are the first person to see me as more than just a cold-blooded killer."
"Oh, I see you as that, too," I said with a slight grin. "Besides, you're nowhere near as nasty as some Immortals I've heard about."
"Such as?"
"Slan Quince, a guy Mac did in about three years ago. He was just plain sadistic."
"Ray, Rose," Dart called. "If you two are finished, we're almost at the shrine."
The Shrine of Shirley reminded me of some ruined temples I'd seen in Greece. Most of it was made of what I think was marble, with a dash of gold here and there. Incongruously, there were signs posted everywhere, on the walls, even a couple on the floor. I knelt to read one.
"'Don't mess with Sir Drake! Get out!'. Hmm."
The others were focused on an engraving of a Dragon on the wall. "Dragon. I hope nothing bad will happen," Dart said.
Rose frowned slightly. "Take out your Dragoon Spirits."
Dart shrugged, then complied, followed by Rose and Lavitz. They promptly started glowing. "They are resonating together!?"
Lavitz was equally astonished. "It means there is a Dragoon in there!?"
Rose walked past them. "Go and see for yourself."
As I had unfortunately expected, we faced yet more monsters in the Shrine. My first encounter was almost my last; a Crystal Golem came out of nowhere and almost punched my head off. It never had the chance, thanks to Rose, who jumped in from behind and destroyed it.
I shivered. "Thanks, Rose. I owe you one." I spun abruptly, cutting in an intricate pattern and reducing a gargoyle to ground meat. Dart and Lavitz double-teamed a giant rat, winning in seconds. "Looks like they're doing all right."
Even with our battles with monsters, it took less than an hour to reach the back of the Shrine. Despite that, we weren't home free. A bandit, the aforementioned "Sir Drake", jumped us and accused us of coming to steal treasure. He refused to listen to reason, so we were forced to beat him down.
With Drake down, Shirley, the spirit of the Shrine, appeared. "Drake, it's okay now." She looked at us. "People with Dragoon Spirits, why are you disturbing my quiet moment?"
I don't have a Dragoon Spirit, lady.
"Won't you spare us some Dragoni Plant!?" Dart pleaded. "Our friend is suffering from Dragon's poison!"
"Dragon? Oh' so they are still clinging to life. Unfortunately, I don't have any Dragoni Plant." Shirley sighed. "However, there is still a way to save her." A white gem began to glow. "The poison can be removed by the Dragoon Spirit of a White Silver Dragon, which is filled with healing magic. Now, I will test you to see if you deserve this Dragoon Spirit. Try to overcome me; if you cannot do it, the girl's fate is to die!" A circle of light appeared and descended, revealing the form of Shana. "Dart, I have been waiting. Why did you leave without saying a word?"
"To pursue the Black Monster," Dart replied, clearly unnerved by the apparition.
"The Black Monster!? Dart, what are you going to do when you find him?"
"Of course, get revenge!" Dart said.
"Revenge!?" Shirley/Shana gasped. "Dart, forget about the Black Monster, and be with me. The Black Monster or me, Dart?"
"Shana," Dart said without hesitation.
"Really!? Dart, I'm so happy!" The circle of light descended again, this time showing King Albert. He leveled a spear at Lavitz. "Lavitz, what are you doing here!? Forget Shana and go back!"
Lavitz shook his head. "That's not like you!"
"Are you disobeying my order? Choosing one over many!?"
"Shana needs me!" Lavitz said.
"Lavitz, well said. That's the renown Knight of Serdio. Life is precious, whether one life or many. Help out with Shana." Shirley resumed her true form. "Dart, going forward will bring truth as well as ordeals. And you still want to go?"
"No matter what, I will go," Dart responded.
"Lavitz, who is the most important person for you to protect?"
"Mother," Lavitz said.
"Lastly, Rose, I ask you. What does life mean to you?"
Rose sighed. "Nothing but sacrifice."
Shirley smiled. "Rose, I see the end of your agonizing journey. The young man there will awaken the old you, and help you live again. Now, illuminate the dark road with my Dragoon Spirit. The new Dragoons!"
Dart used the new Spirit to heal Drake, then we hightailed it back to Lohan.
The doctor, Sanator, almost fell over when we dashed in. "Did you find the Dragoni Plant!?"
Dart shook his head. "But with this," he produced the Dragoon Spirit, "we should be able to save her."
He placed the Spirit on Shana's chest, but before any of us could react, it began to glow painfully bright. When the light faded, Shana was sitting up, somewhat bemused, but otherwise perfectly healthy. "Dart, what is this?"
"It's the Dragoon Spirit of the White Silver Dragon," Dart said. He looked at us. "I wonder if Shana is…"
"A Dragoon!" Lavitz finished.
Rose shrugged as though it was self-evident (which it probably was). "Otherwise this much power wouldn't be drawn. Shana purged the poison with her own power."
"She's right," Sanator put in. "The poison is gone."
"Dart, what's going on?" Shana was still confused.
"I don't know if it's coincidence or fate, but you were saved by this. Do you feel it, Shana? This is the power of the Dragon…the Dragoon," Dart said.
"Yes, I can feel it. The warm power of a Dragon. Powerful, and very tender."
"Now you should no longer consider yourself weak," Rose said, far more gently than normal. "If you were weak, the Dragoon Spirit would not have chosen you."
"You should listen to her," I added, smiling a little. "You're good at range, and as the White Silver Dragoon you'll be the team medic. So don't think you're useless." I glanced at Dart. "What's the plan?"
Dart thought for a moment. "With Feyrbrand dead, Sandora has lost a huge advantage. I think we can afford to relax for a bit."
"Hmm, you defeated that Dragon," Sanator murmured. "Perhaps you should try the Hero Competition. It's being held here in Lohan."
The Dragoon of Fire grinned. "Sounds like a good idea."
Dart was the only one of us to enter. Lavitz said he was ineligible, Shana was out for obvious reasons, and Rose and I simply weren't interested. I watched Dart's first match with amusement; his opponent, a pinhead named Gorgaga, cheated right away and tried to poison him. When the effort failed, Dart merely smirked, and took him down with a single attack. Nice try, moron.
My thoughts broke off at an all-too-familiar sensation: the Buzz. Not again. I instinctively went for my sword.
"It's all right, Ray," said a familiar Scottish voice.
I turned, sagging with relief. "Mac! What in blazes are you doing here!?"
"Having a look around." The Scotsman grinned. "You make any friends here?"
"As a matter of fact, I have." I beckoned Rose over. "Rose, I'd like you to meet my teacher, Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. Mac, this Rose, the most cold-blooded woman you will ever meet. Don't worry, she knows about our kind. Kind of hard to avoid, since she witnessed my first Quickening."
Rose shook Mac's hand. "His teacher, eh? What exactly are you supposed to teach?"
Mac shrugged. "I taught him how to survive as an Immortal, and how to use a sword."
"And he's good with it, too." Somehow, I wasn't surprised to see Joe Dawson tottering up to us. "Found a nasty guy named bin Shakr out in the prairies. That your work, Ray?"
I nodded. "Yep. You were right, too. He was a pushover." There's gotta be something big up. Watcher or no, Dawson wouldn't follow Mac into another world just for the chronicles. "Anyone else here?"
Mac nodded in turn. "Richie, Methos, and Amanda."
"Amanda? Your cat-burglar girlfriend?"
"That's the one."
I groaned. "Just great. She'll probably pop up at the least opportune moment. Now, why did you insist on tracking me down?"
Dawson sobered. "A former friend of Mac's has linked up with this Doel. Name of Kim Sun. He's using his mind drugs on the Sandoran army."
"Just great." I shook my head. "As you probably know, I've thrown in my lot with Basil. I'll take care of Kim Sun."
"Thanks." Mac glanced into the Arena. "That red swordsman a friend of yours?"
I followed his gaze. "Dart? Yeah…whoa!"
Dart had by then reached his final match, only to be utterly destroyed by his opponent, a man named Lloyd. "I've seen that guy before. No help for it now." I clapped the Scot's shoulder. "See you around, Mac, Take care." I glanced at Rose. "I've got some things to take care of. Let's meet at Sanator's place."
"Right."
My errands were forgotten almost as soon as I left the Arena. A knight of Basil, riddled with arrows, staggered into the square. "Help…"
I knelt, barely conscious of Lavitz catching up. "What happened!?"
"Bale…attacked…His Majesty Albert…captive…Hellena." The knight slumped to the ground, dead.
Lavitz started for the town gate. "King Albert! I am coming now!"
We were just barely able to restrain him, then a violet blur leapt over us and knocked Lavitz unconscious. I recognized him at once: Haschel, the master of the Rouge Art, and old friend of Dart, and third place winner at the Hero competition. "Sorry about that."
Lavitz was awake in less than an hour. "King Albert!"
Haschel snorted. "You idiot! When Knights lose self-control, their lord cannot be saved. While you were sleeping, I went to get a feel for the situation. Bale is under occupation; King Albert offered himself up as a captive so the people would be safe."
Lavitz slammed a fist against the wall. "Just because I defeated a Dragon! Why was I so whooped up!?"
"Lavitz, get a hold of yourself!" I snapped. "It's not over yet. If the remaining Knights can't do anything, we can! Let's go to Hellena and rescue the King!"
The Jade Dragoon nodded slowly. "That's right, we're still here. We can take Fruegel!"
"I'll go with you," Haschel said. "My daughter has been missing for twenty years. This won't make any difference."
"Thanks, Haschel," Dart said.
"One question," I said, feeling a little silly. "Who's Fruegel?"
"The head warden of Hellena Prison," Lavitz said tightly.
"Oh. Well then, let's get going."
Hellena Prison is best described as a cross between Devil's Island and Alcatraz, with a few nasty aspects all its own. On the plus side, the guards were less than skilled against determined armed opponents. I watched with frank admiration as Haschel took out three guards in rapid succession. Mac gave me some hand-to-hand training, but I'm nowhere near Haschel's level.
I skidded to a stop in a room near the top level. "Alright, you boneheads, take us to the King, or we'll take you out."
The leader replied by dropping us into a pit. Oh joy, oh bliss, this is just like the Rancor Pit scene in Return of the Jedi. That thought was more than just an aside; the pit had its own monster. Like all big monsters, Jiango was unbelievably ugly. And it smelled.
Lavitz, in no mood to play games, transformed, lunged into the air, sent a Gaspless spell into the hideous creature, and smashed a rock into tiny pieces. "That should get us out."
We charged up the stairs, bowling over anyone who got in our way. Halfway up, I paused long enough to relieve a senior warden of his head, then caught up with the others just in time to watch Shana shoot the obese Fruegel in the knee. "Nice shot!" Without further comment, I lunged to my right, stabbing a piglike creature through the heart, then jumped back as Rose's Demon's Gate spell sucked the body into oblivion.
"Great work, guys!" Lavitz shouted. He then charged Fruegel, driving his spear through the warden's heart.
A scream told us we weren't through yet. The same cloaked man I'd seen in Indels Castle was standing over the King, his hand actually inside Albert's flesh. He withdrew it, holding a small gem. "I knew it was here. Moon Gem."
"Moon Gem!?" Dart gasped.
That was too much for me. I yelled and charged, brandishing my sword. I was too frenzied to notice the man's strange blade until it was far too late. I saw it at the last instant, but still wound up impaling myself. I grunted in pain, the sword falling from my hand, and found myself looking into Lloyd's blood-red eyes. "You…traitor."
Lloyd didn't answer, choosing instead to turn and run. I felt myself sliding to the floor. Blast, here we go again. I knew I was dying, the amount of blood on the floor was evidence of that. It was a lot worse than when I became Immortal; from what I'd overheard in the morgue, the knife had gone right through my heart, so I hadn't bled much then. This was different.
I felt a hand ease my head up. "Ray."
I squinted. "Rose?" My voice was barely above a whisper. "This isn't the end. Remember…I cannot die…unless…you take my head." Through the gathering mist, I saw Shana crying. "Rose…explain to them."
[POV change]
Rose gently lowered her comrade's still body to the floor. Strange, to watch a friend die, and yet to know that he will be back. She stood, retrieving the young Immortal's dragonhead katana. "We need to get out of here." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Albert holding the Dragoon Spirit Feyrbrand had left behind.
Shana glared at her. "What about Ray!? We can't just leave him behind!"
"I never thought even you were this cold, Rose," Dart said angrily.
Rose shook her head. "I'm not leaving him behind. We can talk as we move."
"Alright," Dart said. He stooped, and gathered Ray's lifeless body. "We can go to Seles."
Once everyone was safe in the hideaway, Rose spoke. "Ray wanted me to keep this secret when we met, because his kind are all too often shunned where he comes from, even treated as demons." I know how they feel.
Albert frowned. "'His kind'? What do you mean?"
"Our young friend is an Immortal. He does not age, and the only way he can be permanently killed is by beheading. He gave me some background, but that is not relevant at this time. One thing to remember, and this is the only reason I know about this in the first place, is what happens when one Immortal destroys another."
Lavitz raised his eyebrows. "This should be interesting."
Rose snorted. "That is an understatement. The winner absorbs the loser's power in an effect called the Quickening. I witnessed Ray's first, that's how I know."
"Okay, so he's not going to stay dead," Dart summarized. "When will he wake up?"
"I don't know." Rose went back to inspecting the Immortal's sword. Whoever forged this blade was a master craftsman. I must remember to ask Ray about it. Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt when Ray started coughing.
[Return to normal POV]
I forced my eyes to open, coughed again, and managed a weak smile. "Sorry to worry you. That's only the second time I've died."
Dart, Shana, Albert, and Lavitz just stared, but Haschel laughed appreciatively. "You can joke about your situation. That's good."
"Yeah, well, death doesn't mean the same for us as it does for most people." I stood, accepting my sword back from Rose. "Remind me to be more careful."
Dart forced himself back to the matter at hand. "Albert, what was that gem Lloyd stole?"
The king sighed. "It is a hidden treasure of Serdio, a magical artifact of the ancient Winglies. It has been sealed inside the body of each crown heir, to prevent its use for evil."
"How did Lloyd find out about it?" Rose wanted to know.
Albert winced. "I was foolish. I bought his intelligence, and employed him as an advisor. Probably he was employed by Imperial Sandora."
"I think that's a moot point," I said. "We need to take care of Emperor Doel. That maniac has one of my kind in his employ."
That got Lavitz's attention. "Who?"
"Kim Sun. For the past three centuries he's been working on some sort of mind-control drug. It strips away fear, and enhances the user's strength. It also kills him rather painfully."
The knight grimaced. "Ouch."
I raised a finger. "One more thing. Leave Kim Sun to me. If I lose, fine, take his head."
"Alright," Dart said. "Next stop: the Black Castle in Kazas."
I spat once. "Aftertaste of death. Like morning breath, only about a thousand times worse."
Kazas was the molecular opposite of Bale. Where the people of Bale were generally cheerful, despite the war, the people of Kazas were just plain gloomy. Adding to the atmosphere of tension were at least a dozen Sandoran soldiers on the main street alone.
I sighed. "I'll sneak in on my own. I think it's best that way."
Dart nodded. "Alright. Good luck, Ray."
"Keep your head on your shoulders," Haschel added.
"Thanks, guys."
Despite being the headquarters of a maniacal dictator, security at the Black Castle was surprisingly lax. Or so I thought at first; after walking for ten minutes without seeing any guards, I began to get nervous. Something's not right here. Where are all the guards? Then it hit me: the Buzz. I turned, drawing my sword in the same motion, knowing whom I'd find. "Kim Sun, what a non-surprise. I am Raymond Belmont, a student of your former friend Duncan MacLeod."
Kim Sun smiled coldly, drawing his own weapon. "So I have heard. Prepare to die."
"I don't think so." I lunged, feinted once to the left, then slashed his leg. "How's that for starters?"
"Not bad." Kim Sun's retaliatory strike was too fast to counter, and I suddenly found myself wounded in three places, including the bridge of my nose.
"I'm just getting started." I began a long series, none quite getting through his guard, then hacked downward, nearly severing his arm at the shoulder. Kim Sun fell to his knees, and I spun once, blade held high. "Last chance. Surrender, and dispose of the drug, or you die."
He spat at my feet.
"You leave me no choice," I said, and brought the blade down.
The Quickening was my strongest yet, more so than both previous combined. I fell to my knees, dimly aware of a Sandoran being electrocuted when he got too close. Parts of the ceiling fell in, and I fell on my face, drained physically and mentally.
"Gaspless!"
I got unsteadily to my feet, realizing belatedly that my fight with Kim Sun had taken me to an area near Doel's chamber. The others were engaged in a battle with Kongol, the Giganto we had defeated at Hoax. The spell was Albert's first, and its effect was devastating. Kongol's armor was blasted apart, and he dropped.
"Gigantos, with strongest armor, lost. Me, brother of hero, has pride. Cannot live in disgrace. Kill me."
"As you wish." Rose prepared to strike, but Dart stopped her.
"Stop! The game is already over."
She glared at him. "Game? Don't be silly. This is a matter of life or death."
Shana knelt by the Giganto. "It's over. He cannot fight."
Rose shrugged. "Hope your sweetness won't kill you."
Paying no further attention to Kongol, we advanced into the throne room. Dimly lit, there was an aura of menace that I didn't like at all.
"So, you made it all the way here. Silly daredevils."
Emperor Doel rose from his imposing throne. "Uncle, do you remember me?" Albert asked. "I am the son of your late brother…Albert!"
Doel looked at him. "You remind me of…Carlo, twenty years ago. A bloodstained corpse in front of me."
"Why!? Why did you have to divide Serdio in two by killing my father!?" Albert demanded.
"To save Serdio from an incapable leader named Carlo."
The sheer arrogance of that statement infuriated me. "Incompetence doesn't justify fratricide, you vermin."
"Why did you have Shana taken away!?" Dart demanded.
Doel shrugged. "Oh, you are talking about Lloyd's conspiracy. Find the girl by the time the Moon That Never Sets waxes. All is ordered by the reborn Emperor Diaz. Lloyd is a mere pawn. Along with the Dragoons."
"I've heard enough," I snarled. I charged him, clashing blades three times, then driving my sword into his chest armor.
"Ugh! So you want to play tough!" he grunted. "Fine! I can play that way too!" Doel suddenly releases a tremendous amount of energy and transformed into the Violet Dragoon. "Flash Hall!"
"Urgh!" Haschel was nearly killed, and the rest of us were sent reeling. Our Dragoons transformed, Shana's healing magic taking care of our injuries (except mine, of course). The next moments were a blur of magic and weapon blows, I took at least five more his, and Haschel was knocked out, before Dart finally struck the final blow.
Doel slowly floated to the ground. "You have become…strong."
"Uncle," Albert whispered.
"What you should know is not the past…but the future. Pursue…Lloyd. He is I the western country of…Tiberoa. He…he knows everything. Go and find out…about the world…about…everything." He fell to the floor, dead, the Dragoon Spirit leaving in search of a new master.
For a long while, no one spoke. "My uncle's…err…Emperor Doel's ambitions are over. It places an end to this ceaseless long war that has divided Serdio in two. This is the end of our journey, everyone."
Dart shook his head. "Not yet. It's not over yet! This journey began when Shana was kidnapped! I am pursuing Lloyd! I'll make him explain everything!"
"I'm with you, Dart!" Shana said.
"My journey 'cannot end' either," Albert said. "Whatever conspiracy the man is forming, the Moon Gem is one of the keys. Hallowed object of the ancient Winglies…we have to stop it before it ignites a catastrophe in Tiberoa. I'll give up my status as a king, and live as a Dragoon for a while."
"I will go with Albert." Lavitz, of course.
"I'm in, too," I said.
"Rose, what about you?" Haschel asked.
"I told you, I'm interested in you guys." A glint of almost-humor showed in her eyes. "Besides, you feel naked without me, don't you?"
"If Rose is going, then that's the end of my role." Haschel turned to leave, but he didn't get very far; the Dragoon Spirit of the Violet Dragon chose him as the next master.
"'When Dragoons meet, blood will flow, and as they leave, time does slow'," Rose said, as if quoting something. "It's your choice to leave your fate behind."
Haschel held up his Spirit. "The question is answered!"
"Dragoon Spirits are leading us!" Dart explained.
Author's note: Man, that was a long one! Since I kept Lavitz alive, I brought in an extra Dragoon Spirit so Albert could become a Dragoon anyway, and to account for the visual differences between Albert's and Lavitz's armor. (One reason I kept him alive was because I really hate his death scene, one of only two video game scenes that have ever brought me to tears, the other being Aeris's death in Final Fantasy 7. Thanks for all the reviews. D.S.
