I Will Never Forget
Chapter Two – My Heart
Disclaimer – SquareEnix owns all respective characters from Seiken Densetsu 3. I don't. All I own are this computer, a copy of Microsoft word, and some packets of paper to make paper planes out of when I'm bored. So don't sue me! I don't want to lose my beloved paper plane!! No!!!
~*~*~
Splat!
"Koren!!" Screamed a six year old
Young Angie stood there, covered with wet, mushy snow. She pouted a bit before giving her friend a sly, mischievous smile.
"Yea, Angie" asked little Koren with a big grin on his face. That was before he noticed the roguish look on little Angie's face.
"You wouldn't dare!" yelled little Koren, before screaming a long breath of "No's".
Angie giggled, rubbed her eyes red, and thus began crying to her heart's content.
Little Koren, still uttering "No's", was at a loss. He just sighed, and waited upon his fate to arrive in the form of little Angela's mother. Of course, there was also this problem which included the fact that Angela's was also the Queen of Altena. So, where was little Koren right now?
He looked up, surveying the numerous pointed roof tops, all of which arching towards the heavens. However, even those were dwarfed by the grand structure of the royal castle. The cold obsidian stone rested upon the white landscape. It was a sight to behold. Around the kingdom was an almost invisible barrier. This he knows was implemented by Queen Valda to act as an insulator. After all, the kingdom is surrounded by miles of snowfields. Rumor has it that it was bestowed upon by the combined powers of Salamander and Undine – the Elemental spirits of fire and water, themselves.
So, where was little Koren right now?
Altena. Oh well, he's screwed over.
~*~*~
"What in Mana is wrong with this place!?" screamed an obviously frustrated Angela.
Duran merely sighed before hacking a shadow drake into pieces. He too, had come to hate this. But, going through this was necessary. His body screamed from fatigue but still he went on.
"Goddess damn it! Koren, where the hell are you! Tell me where you are so that I could kill you and end this!!"
Angela winced upon hearing Duran's harsh statement.
Would he really . . . would he kill Koren?
Images of their childhood played in her mind. Each portrayed a cheerful, bright child whom she knew as her friend.
A shadow claw aimed and swiped for Angela's head. The archmage broke free of her thoughts and blocked the blow with her staff.
Koren, why?
"Why . . ." Angela asked in voice below a whisper.
Unleashing an eerie cry, the shadow drake that was hindered by the archmage rushed forth and projected its gleaming fangs towards Angela's throat.
Cleaving another creature apart, Duran swore under his breath before calling out Angela's name in a rush. Preoccupied, yet another dragon of the shadows took advantage of this and slammed Duran into the crystal floor.
Realizing the danger in her situation, Angela shook her head to clear all past memories. Her Koren, the Koren she knew and loved is gone. That dear, sweet face is no more. All that is left is the truly evil Scarlet Magician of the Red Lotus.
Letting loose a cry, she rushed forward and met the shadow drake with the crystal end of her Spirit Cane. The drake roared in pain and lunged forward for desperate revenge. Jumping back, the archmage wasted no time in calling forth the power of Wisp in a light spell that blinded and ripped apart the shadows.
Duran staggered up, using support from his sword. He spat out foul blood and glared at his enemies, the Deathbringer at hand ready to send his nemesis back to Hell. He can't give up on life just yet. There were still too many things to accomplish and life is too valuable to let it be destroyed by the jaws of a shadow.
Recently, everything has been going against me.
Never once did I question why. I just think that maybe . . . maybe after all this; something good would finally come to me.
As Duran's mind clouded in his thoughts, his body entered a trance-like state. His arms, his feet, his sword became one fluid motion. His enemies soon felt the sharp, cold blade of the Deathbringer kiss their insides.
I can't forget all those that depended on me, all those that needed me there to save them.
Almost at once, Duran snapped. His body became a crazed machine. His sword was whirling and slashing anything that got in its way.
But was I ever there when I was needed? Was I truly there when they cried my name?
Letting loose a roar; his sword glowed red as he plunged the Deathbringer deep within the clear, crystal surface of the cavern. Scorching crimson lava erupted from the Mana energies within the sword and absolutely obliterated every shadow.
No, I left those that needed me to die.
Duran collapsed onto his knees, his hands to his head. His beloved blade fell with a clang on to the crystal surface of the cave. His body swayed madly, as he battled internal demons within his mind.
~*~*~
Angela never felt so helpless. Seeing Duran fall into a self conscious battle was too much on her. She wanted to help him, somehow, someway, anyway possible. But her heart tells her that she can't. This was his battle, not hers.
She turned her back upon her friend. She would not be able to help him physically, but her heart and soul would forever be with him.
In Duran's mind, he could see nothing but night. Darkness enveloped him, tormented him, and laughed at his weakness.
Why . . .
In the mist of the darkness of his mind, Duran saw a light. Desperate, he slowly crawled his way to it. Each movement of his arms, each push gave him agony and anguish beyond the pain of a sword wound. On the edge of the light, he collapsed. He laid there just thinking.
I can't go on anymore.
What is the use anyway? I've always been a useless piece of shit to everyone.
Always has been.
He relaxed his body and gave up.
~*~*~
A crash rang through the cavern chamber and echoed throughout the vast space. Angela turned and saw Duran's body became slack and still. Her heart raced and throbbed against her chest, as she edged closer to Duran's fallen body. Kneeling slightly and slowly, she reached out a shaking hand and felt his pulse.
Nothing answered her touch.
Angela lost all emotional support and broke down. Her sobs intensified with every tear. Clutching his head and resting it on her bosom, she caressed his face. The same face that scowled, smiled, laughed, and saved her.
She had no idea how long she had been there, nor did she care. All she cared for is the still form of Duran. Now he's gone. Nothing mattered anymore. Her cries were reduced to sniffles as Angela retreated into her thoughts.
Her mind wandered back to the day they met, to the day they fought, to the day only they will remember, to the day he left. In her heart, all she could see is him. His image clouded her every thought, and it hurts.
Angela could feel teardrops threatening to fall. She shut her eyes and held it back. Whispers in the wind echoed her thoughts softly until in four words it dissipates.
I love you, Duran . . .
~*~*~
