By: treiko-chan
"If you're still asleep, be not awaken from your slumber…Peaceful you are,
In your temporal world…
Far away from all the chaos,
You might not take all of what you may see…"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A child laid slumber upon a sturdy oak tree.
Oblivious of the darkness that surrounds her in the world of the awake.
For she is tranquil in her own darkness…
She is the ethereal light that looms beyond its vast emptiness.
And danger lurks within her reality… their reality.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We ran towards the escape route, closing behind the heavy doors of the mayor's office.
We left behind the blood-painted room of an honorable man.
The walled path seemed to shrink among us, as if those traps in the ancient pyramids in the books I've read. Since was the last time I enjoyed a book? Maybe I was fifteen or so, reading fantasy books that took me places I could visit but never live in. Claude tugged me harder and took me back from my foggy mind. Somehow we were coming out of the end of that ghastly green cave. As we stepped into grassy grounds we saw Ms. Gabielll waving us to hurry up. She instructed us to take the forest route towards the train.
"There are monsters in the forest, but I would rather see you wounded then dead on the main road. Their finest weaponry heavily arms those soldiers and they're as many as ants from their hill. Go on, I made head counts of the civilians and Jedd and Korran are already in the train. Be careful not to encounter too many hard monsters."
"Has anyone recognize what army do they come from?" Claude asked. The strategic soldier all right.
"No one has seen them before. Their uniforms aren't registered in the databank I have now," she replied and pointed at her computer of a spectacle. Instructors always have those in hand for communication to other bases and information if needed. "Old Gardens have the nearest uniforms to what they're wearing, but the clothes don't seem to be as outdated."
"I see. We shall discuss this matter after the mission as we report to the Head. We must go." Claude confirmed and started to walk briskly. I followed him and tried not to create noises from our feet. Ruffles of the grass were heard off from our path, and disturbance in the leaves was felt. A presence was with us. Claude armed his staff and stood his stance. My Arm Shield formed into my skin and shone its silver armor. The lunar power is strong tonight. I felt the burning sensation form a circle in a part of the armor. I clenched my fist so I wouldn't wince a sound. The ruffles now centered on a spot a few meters from us. We approached it quietly as Claude chanted some words. His whisper was inaudible so I had no idea what he was saying, so I concentrated on the forming of my armor. A small blade was forming of its sides, as though it pierced from my blood vessels out to my skin. It was an added protection to my weapon, which was good in case I ran out of Mage Points. We moved inch by inch, when Claude signaled me to stop. I leaned over to see what was a situation, and was a bit alarmed. Someone was unconscious by the tree. A kid maybe, of the small frame the silhouette gave. She must've knocked out of the tree, figuring the uncomfortable writhe position she was in. The one who made the noises was a floating foggy spot, semi-solid that it affected any thing it touched. Slowly, the fog settled and transformed into a lion. Glowing with fierce sun-like radiance, its eyes eyed the girl lustfully. It wants her as a meal, I could tell the being had not eaten for a while. Claude made a sudden move but pushed me back. The lion growled menacingly and made a stance. He gave me a quick glance, an automatic command. He distracted the monster for a while, enough for me to rescue the kid. My armor was now complete and now it's easy to move undetected. The weapon I have makes me sort of transparent and light, but solid enough to move places and objects. I'm usually assigned to kidnap missions and thus gaining agility through experience. The spot where the burning was now had an orb of shimmering milk. It glowed more and I felt myself feeling a bit lighter. I glided through the bushes and carried the kid. She's a girl, injured at the back and arms. She struggled and fought, clutching to a broken sword. I brought her back to the spot where Claude had pushed me. I am now worried of his condition. He was evading the lion's pounces, but never made an attack. Then, he stood straight and paused. The eyes of the lion looked at though it was laughing. He whispered something again, and held his staff upside down. Now I get it. A Summon. The lion growled and pounced highly, but before it landed on him, a glowing figure immersed from the ground.
He had summoned Shiva.
It was weird, since the lion was a fiery element so why did he use an ice goddess?
Shiva danced gracefully up in the air, gathering her power up into a little ball in her hands. Her face was a beautiful ice queen, human like except of the slender eyes and blue shade of skin. The robe she wore draped in her body as the cloth followed her frame. The hair frosted into million pins that gathered into the ball. She threw the power towards the lion and it roared. The heat it let out contacted with the frosted pins and melted on its body. Its image was now like a jigsaw puzzle that slowly broke because of the sogginess of the pieces. It had melted to the ground, causing a dark damp spot on the grass. Claude nodded at Shiva to return and she slowly disappeared, the presence going inside the staff. He now held it upright to stop the Summon Mode. I cradled the girl and lifted her using the Pack Strap carry. Claude was busy clearing the path and made sure that we wouldn't encounter any more monsters. We finally had a clearing and saw the railroad tracks. A mile or so, we reached the train. As expected, Jedd and Korran we're waiting quietly. I suppose because this is their first time, and not used to the aftermaths of a mission. I smiled and entered the train with a little boost from Claude. Now, we just had to heal the girl and let her wake up.
@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@
Claude
I entered the car and sat to catch my breath. It was the first time I felt my heart race back and forth between my lungs and my throat. Especially when the lion almost plunged at me. But… I'm not sure I felt that for the first time. My memories seem to wisp away easily. I tried to remember childhood memories as I stared at Tanya bandaging the child. The girl is going to be fine I think. Her face was of ivory complexion and jet-black hair that was cut jaggedly just above her shoulders. Wearing a white long-sleeved blazer that showed her shoulders on top of a sleeveless turtleneck and baggy black pants, I would think she didn't come from the Stila premises. The three villages, Stila, Pueblo and Bayan are too hot to wear such attire. She must've come up the border of Aibart or the islands of Migla. Tanya turned her over and pulled up her shirt. I paced out of the car and entered an empty one. Somehow, I feel anxious. Especially when we rescued that girl. That girl gives me tension to my mind and body. It makes my hair shiver to my bones.
I'm going totally to the psychiatrists for this.
@-@-@-@-@
I entered back the car and saw that the girl was fully bandaged.
"Her right arm was bleeding much, but we managed to perform the indicated pressure. Her back's bruised, probably got hit there, and managed to apply ointment to ease it off temporarily," Korran reported the medical status.
"Professional medical attention shall be received as soon as we are in Reina. Thank you for the report," I confirmed and saluted to her. She responded in a firm salute and went back to fixing the bandage. Jedd was busily writing down what had happen in our mission. He always wanted the written reports done immediately. I remember him being the secretary often and didn't miss any data that was useful. Tanya had the girl's head on her lap and brushed her hair affectionately. The scene was touching and somehow… familiar. My head wringed painfully as a blurred image flashed to me of their similar position. I needed to sit down. Great, I'm not doing anything again. To think about it, I don't like being idle at all. I was always going places, researching, reading and fighting for causes. The times I relax are mostly when I'm alone under the sturdy Narra trees on the view top back at home.
Is there a thing being idle? Even resting is an activity. The difference is there is a cause.
Was there a time I was doing something without a cause?
The girl's head moved a bit and groaned. She was stirring to wake up.
My anxiety raises my senses.
@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@
Reii
I could feel glitches in my head before I opened my eyes. I am in pain. I ached my fingers to move, but the other hand could not respond to my command. I let my Data Chip scan my body. I have injuries on my arms and my back. Now I understand why I'm lying on my stomach. Then, I just realize my head is resting something… warm. Flesh, like of mine. Sort of. I forced my arms to move, but the other was in no condition to make slight movements at all.
Where am I?
What happened?
I slowly opened my eyes. My vision, a bit blurry, could make most that there were people. I shook my head, and felt glitches all over my body sent by that Data Chip. I slowly sat up, careful of my arm and my head. My brain was developing a headache. I was still a bit dizzy of my sight, so I leaned back and breathed deeply. The people were just staring at me. Waiting.
For what?
"A-are you alright?" A girl with red hair asked. She had bandages on her hand, ready to mend wounds. I nodded slowly. I tried to exercise my fingers, but no use. My right arm was alright. The other was almost dead cold.
"Your whole upper back was scratched, but we managed to apply pain-killer ointment. If it wears off, just tell us ok?" a girl with expressive indigo eyes said motherly. I remember… I remember…
"If it still hurts, tell okasan alright? Mama will kiss them away, making you feel better…"
I shook my head, making myself a lot dizzier. The second lady looked and held my shoulder gently.
"Do you have a headache, come lie down first," she offered. I shook my head lightly, trying not to increase the pain.
"Please wait for your medical attention to be concerned as soon as we are in Reiina. As of now, kindly do what Ms… Tanya has told you," a low vice said, coming from a man who had jet black hair and porcelain skin. His eyes were bright piercing green, someone commanding…and expressive by those two mysterious orbs. Contrasting his sealed and secretive by his voice and frowning lips. The one seated beside him was a man with dull orange hair, and oceanic eyes, as vast as the waters of this world and burning with driven force. He holds his mouth with his teeth, busy typing in his small Handtop of a computer. He caught me looking at him, His brow furrowed and examining me. He goes back to his computer and introduces himself, "Jedd."
"Great idea Jedd! You might need help back in our homeland, so might as well know whom you can ask for questions. Well Claude just said my name, but I'm Tanya!" the girl agreed with Jedd who nodded her off. Her face relaxed into a loving smile and warm sincerity.
"Korran!" the red-haired introduced, waving her hands and smiled a bit. We all looked at the pale man, his frown etched into his face. He closed his eyes momentarily and sighed.
"Claude. Claude Seablu."
A few moments, my Data sent me glitches again, my headache worsened. I held my head tightly and massaged it.
Then I saw eternal black again.
"If you're awake, don't get up yet…Just stay there, for outside
Blood and tears pour…
Just stay there, and close your eyes
That cannot take all of what it may see…
@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@-@
Korran
She fainted as Claude's name came out of his mouth.
I shook my head and rested her on the bench. Claude was surprised as well; Jedd hinted only a bit of concern. Tanya, as her usual caring selfless personality, laid her body gently like an infant. Teasing her "mother" must've really gotten to her. I remember those child games that she would always be picked-or she would pick- the role of a mother in nanay-nanayan. Strange name huh? It's playing house, complete with the family and a real stove made out of stones and charcoal we find scattered by Mother Nature herself. Back to the child, I checked to see if there were injuries we missed, but I found none.
"Must be from the impact of what she hit from her back," Tanya suggested and I nodded.
"Just let her rest. It's too bad she wasn't able to introduce herself," I said and fixed her position so the bandaged arm would rest somewhere where it wouldn't be bothered when the train started chugging down. Something fell on the floor that was loosely hung in her wide-sleeved blazer. A metallic half-orb landed with its loud tinkle, facing its turtle shell side. It glowed a bit but slowly went out, like those charges when you remove them out of the plug. Jedd had the sudden urge of interest as he saw the orb glimmer.
"I'm not sure if she's the one, but I think I know her," Jedd said when he held the metallic orb, inspecting it closely.
"Huh? How'd you know? Like to take a guess?" Tanya asked and with a hint of hesitation. Sometimes Jedd pranks around, so we're not sure we would trust those kinds of statements easily. But at this situation, would there be any doubt?
"She's Reii Blackdream. A dysfunctional NeoHuman."
And that statement rang a bell to everyone in the car.
A/n: whew, long chappie no? It took me many midnights to right this one, and my favorite character is here! Yay! Anyway, for those who have read this story in the yellow-filler, I chopped up the original second chapter into 3 parts. Hahaha, just sharing.
As said in the first chap, all SquareEnix owns belongs to them. And, the song up is by Sugarfree, "Mundong Malungkot" or Sad World. What's mine is mine. Do you understand the other words? I don't exactly translate them 'cuz the characters don't understand as much either! Haha! Oh yeah, huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugs to Aya, kyoy and anyone who review!! J