Chapter 7 The Dream
Dart looked at Shana and then to Rose.
Shana knew and had nodded to him.
Dart knew what Shana wanted to say.
She wanted him to do the right thing and she was happy to accept her fate.
But after a while, he said, "I can't...no...isn't there another way?"
But then came another man.
He materialized by the sacred treasure.
"Melbu Framma..." Rose said.
But before anything else he quickly got Shana and they disappeared.
All was left was the necklace Dart had given her before all that started.
"Where are they?" Meru quickly asked as she ran to where they were.
"Where did they go?" Haschel said as he joined Meru.
"Rose, who was that?" Dart quickly asked as he turned to Rose for answers.
"That is Melbu Framma." Rose just replied.
"Melbu Framma? That's can't be possible. He was defeated 11,000 years ago." King Albert replied.
"I thought so too but there can be no mistake. That was him." Rose answered.
"And where has he brought Shana?" Dart then asked.
"Where else but to the Moon that Never Sets..." Rose replied.
"Dart, you've asked that if there was another way, now we must find another way. We must now stop him before it's too late." She then added.
"We must go to the Moon that Never Sets then." Miranda said.
Everybody just nodded and they were on their way.
They didn't exactly know how to get there.
It's all the way on the sky.
So they thought that the best way to stop Melbu Framma is to go to the tree that bore all the fruits that created the earth and the one three that would create the fruit to destroy them all.
That night...
They had camped at a forest for the night and everybody had turned in except Dart.
He couldn't find himself to sleep.
He worried about Shana.
He was there with her and still he wasn't able to protect her just like what he had promised her.
It was something that really had hit Dart to the core.
Just hours ago, he was faced with a choice whether to kill the Moon Child or to save Shana.
It was something that he never thought would happen.
Now he knew what Shana meant when she told him that she felt the Moon that Never Sets calling to her.
Dart found himself deep in thought.
He hadn't noticed that Albert had woke up and was sitting up, looking at him.
Albert just decided to stand and accompany him, perhaps have a little talk with him.
He then cleared his throat.
Dart turned around and saw Albert there standing beside him.
He said nothing as Albert sat beside him.
"Throughout the centuries, the stars had provided us with the answers we seek. But I'm afraid they won't be able to reveal the answers that you are looking for, my friend." Albert then commented.
"It was still worth a shot." Dart just replied.
Albert just grinned.
"Thinking about her?" He then asked.
Dart didn't answer right away.
After hesitating a bit, he finally admitted, "It's hard not to..."
"She doesn't know how you truly feel about her, does she?" Albert said, bold enough to strike Dart at his core.
"What do you mean?" Dart stubbornly said.
"How I truly feel about her? Shana is like a sister to me and she knows that. There's nothing more." He added.
"Are you telling me that as a fact or are you just saying that to make you believe that?" Albert then returned.
Dart then found himself unable to answer again.
Albert then laid a hand over Dart's shoulder and grinned.
"If you two weren't so stubborn, you two would have hit it off by now." He then said.
But then he quickly added, "But I guess that wouldn't make this situation much easier..."
Dart then took out Shana's necklace.
He looked at it as it sparkled in his hand.
"I understand why all this must happen but what I don't understand is why it had to involve her and not some other girl." Dart then said.
"My friend, fate is very mysterious. It's no use questioning it ways because it's either it won't give you an answer or would give you one you cannot understand." Albert just replied.
"Obviously...but you know...she knew..."
"What do you mean she knew?" Albert questioned, quite shocked at what he had heard.
"Shana felt that something was coming for her. She told me last night. I should have known what it meant."
"Is this what it is? You're blaming yourself because you didn't know any better?"
"I should have known...I promised her that I'd protect her and I failed."
"Ah but you're wrong. Failure is giving up even before the battle is won or refusing to get back at one's feet. Besides, Dart, you cannot always be there to stop things from happening to Shana. She is strong and you should know that. Give her and yourself some credit." Albert replied.
Dart just closed his fist, the necklace inside of it and said, "I know she's strong. I've seen her in her highest and lowest moments. I will get her back."
Albert just grinned.
He then replied, "That's the spirit. It took you long enough."
Dart then found himself grinning.
"You know, I still find it hard to believe that you're a king sometimes."
"Why is that?"
"Because of the way you talk...You talk as if you were one of us commoners."
Albert just grinned in return.
"What do you mean?"
"Well I mean, I expected those with royal blood to be more...how can I say this...um..."
"Way up in the air?"
"Yeah...how did you know?"
"Well, I've had this talk with Haschel too not too long ago." Albert just replied with a grin.
"Haschel? Well, I guess I should have seen that coming. How about Kongol? Doesn't he ever talk?"
"Oh he does and it takes a while before you could actually understand him."
Dart just nodded.
Albert then stood and said, "We better turn in, especially you. We have a long day ahead of us and I don't think Shana would like to see you looking like that."
"I'll turn in a little bit later. Why don't you go ahead?" Dart just replied.
The next morning...
Everyone was up extra early.
They started their journey immediately because they knew that Melbu Framma wouldn't be waiting for them.
They had to stop him for the sake of the entire world and to save Shana.
After what seemed like forever, they had arrived at the tree of knowledge.
They saw that the Moon that Never Sets was coming upon them.
Rose immediately urged them to go faster because it won't be long now before the last seed was to be planted.
It had already started.
They hurried and they had to fight their way through until they had reached where Melbu Framma and Shana were.
Melbu Framma didn't seem to give them any notice.
He had a hold on Shana.
Shana seemed unconscious.
"Let her go!" Dart quickly yelled as he and the other dragoons took their positions.
Melbu Framma just turned to them indifferently.
"You are too late, dragoons. The moment has come for me to unite the Moon Child and the Moon that Never Sets. Then I'll be the most powerful man." He just said and laughed devilishly.
"Not if we could stop it!" Albert shouted as they positioned themselves to strike.
"You are welcome to try but I doubt that you'll be able to stop me. You fools will now feel how to die slowly." He replied.
The battle had begun.
Everybody gave everything they had but it seemed that it was nothing compared to the power that Melbu Framma was beginning to acquire.
But they still persisted.
Now that Melbu Framma had released Shana after exchanging her body with his to combine with the dormant seed, they could kill him if they had a little more power.
When Dart gave a final blow, they thought that that was the end of it.
But they didn't notice that Melbu Framma had already acquired large amounts of power and it had not affected him in any way.
With the confusion of it all, they hadn't noticed that Shana had regained consciousness.
When she saw what was happening, she feared for the worst.
But like an impulse, being the Moon Child, she was able to tap in her deep powers and used the power of the Moon that Never Sets against Melbu Framma.
Everybody turned to her direction.
Fear swept the faces of the dragoons, especially Dart and Miranda, as they saw things unfolded.
Before they knew it, there was still blinding light that came forth.
After a moment, it was all over.
Shana collapsed after she had used such great amounts of power.
Dart quickly rushed to her side.
They thought that that was the end of it.
But then the place started to crumble.
Dart gathered Shana in his arms and the dragoons flew out there before they could be caught in the disaster.
They watched as the dust settled down again.
There was no longer a threat and Rose started to dissipate.
"Rose...what's..." Everybody started to say.
For the first time since they met her, she was smiled.
"I've been in this world for 11,000 years. I'm glad that I can now join my other comrades. We will meet again...but not now." Rose just said as she smiled again and disappeared.
"Well, I guess we too should get back to our lives." Haschel said.
"Yes, we do." Albert replied.
He then turned to Meru and said, "That means facing the past and not running away."
Meru just grinned and replied, "Yes sir! It would be nice to go home again."
"Well I guess Kongol will come with me then." Haschel suggested.
Kongol just nodded.
"How about your daughter? Will you continue to look for her?" Dart asked.
Haschel just smiled and said, "I've found her, Dart. I know she was happy and now it's time for me to be happy as well."
Dart didn't say anything else.
"Dart, I guess this is it. Take care of Shana." Albert just said as they parted ways.
"It's time that we head back to the palace. I'm sure Queen Theresa would feel much better once we arrive there." Miranda said.
Dart just nodded.
They headed back.
When they arrived, Shana still hadn't regained consciousness.
She was fine and they knew that.
Dart just stayed there with her and silently waited for her to wake up.
It didn't take long because Shana started to stir.
Dart quickly sat beside Shana as she opened her eyes.
"Hey..." She feebly said.
Dart just grinned and said, "Hey...welcome back."
He then helped her up.
"How long was I out?" She then asked.
"Long enough..."
"Long enough? What does that suppose to mean?"
"It just means, Shana, that you've been gone long enough for me-" Dart started say but then Miranda entered followed by Queen Theresa.
Queen Theresa just smiled made her way to Shana's side.
Dart then stood and excused himself and quickly left the room, followed by Miranda.
Shana followed him with her gaze.
"You are safe now, my dear." Queen Theresa said.
Shana just smiled and nodded.
"I know you have feelings for him, Shana. I want to let you know that I'm not against it." The queen said.
Shana was surprised with the sudden comment.
"I also know how much he cares for you."
"Yes, highness...he has always looked out for me...I could always feel his protective aura around me."
Queen Theresa just nodded.
Outside...
Dart headed to the balcony.
He didn't notice that Miranda had followed him.
"I know that you were about to tell the princess about how you really feel." Miranda suddenly said.
Dart quickly looked at her.
"I just wanted to know why you waited this long to actually have the guts to tell her. I mean, I know that you've been together for the longest time. In that span of time, didn't you have at least a minute to tell her?" She then added.
"I never thought about her more than a sister before."
"What makes you sure that's not how you feel now?"
Dart found himself unable to reply.
"Dart, before you do anything or say anything, make sure you are certain. We don't want to see her hurt." Miranda said before and left him.
Dart stayed there and said nothing.
The night passed and the next afternoon, Queen Theresa had summoned both Dart and Shana at the throne room.
Once there, the queen started, "I know you two have gone through a lot. And I also know you both would be happier if we were in the world where you grew up."
Dart and Shana looked at the queen in surprise.
"Highness, does that mean you would be sending us back?" Shana quickly said.
"Is that the right way to go? I mean, with all due respect Your Majesty, Shana is the crown princess." Dart said.
Queen Theresa just smiled and replied, "Yes I know but my daughter's happiness is far more important to me right now. This country has survived thousands of years and we can see around through this. I've thought about it and it won't affect this country much."
The two remained silent.
The queen then gestured to Miranda that it was time.
Miranda started to chant as well as the other sisters.
The queen then said before everything went blank, "To you...all of this is now a dream..."
Shana then found herself back at her bed.
She frantically looked around and saw the clock.
It showed that it was in the middle of the night and the date was just as when she had fallen asleep.
She quickly laid back down.
She then asked herself if it was a dream.
But soon enough, sleep had claimed her.
The next day, she wasn't really herself.
Dart said nothing as the day progressed.
They both acted as nothing happened.
That afternoon as she and Dart were going home, Dart quickly said, "What's the matter, Shana?"
Shana quickly turned to him and smiled and told him it was nothing.
Dart stopped walking as Shana followed suit.
Dart then took out the necklace Shana lost and placed it around her neck.
"Now, it's all a dream. But my feelings for you isn't. I love you, Shana. To you, I may not be your prince but I'll just be your knight in shining armor." He just said.
"You were always such a fool, Dart..." Shana whispered.
Dart just looked at her questioningly.
"I was just waiting for you to admit it. What took you so long, huh?" She said.
A loving smile swept her face.
"I've always loved you too." She then added.
THE END
Well, I know that this fic is not at all great but still I tried to do my best. Anyway, thanks to all those who reviewed and also to those who read it without really reviewing it. It's very much appreciated. Please read my other fics as well.
Michiko
Dart looked at Shana and then to Rose.
Shana knew and had nodded to him.
Dart knew what Shana wanted to say.
She wanted him to do the right thing and she was happy to accept her fate.
But after a while, he said, "I can't...no...isn't there another way?"
But then came another man.
He materialized by the sacred treasure.
"Melbu Framma..." Rose said.
But before anything else he quickly got Shana and they disappeared.
All was left was the necklace Dart had given her before all that started.
"Where are they?" Meru quickly asked as she ran to where they were.
"Where did they go?" Haschel said as he joined Meru.
"Rose, who was that?" Dart quickly asked as he turned to Rose for answers.
"That is Melbu Framma." Rose just replied.
"Melbu Framma? That's can't be possible. He was defeated 11,000 years ago." King Albert replied.
"I thought so too but there can be no mistake. That was him." Rose answered.
"And where has he brought Shana?" Dart then asked.
"Where else but to the Moon that Never Sets..." Rose replied.
"Dart, you've asked that if there was another way, now we must find another way. We must now stop him before it's too late." She then added.
"We must go to the Moon that Never Sets then." Miranda said.
Everybody just nodded and they were on their way.
They didn't exactly know how to get there.
It's all the way on the sky.
So they thought that the best way to stop Melbu Framma is to go to the tree that bore all the fruits that created the earth and the one three that would create the fruit to destroy them all.
That night...
They had camped at a forest for the night and everybody had turned in except Dart.
He couldn't find himself to sleep.
He worried about Shana.
He was there with her and still he wasn't able to protect her just like what he had promised her.
It was something that really had hit Dart to the core.
Just hours ago, he was faced with a choice whether to kill the Moon Child or to save Shana.
It was something that he never thought would happen.
Now he knew what Shana meant when she told him that she felt the Moon that Never Sets calling to her.
Dart found himself deep in thought.
He hadn't noticed that Albert had woke up and was sitting up, looking at him.
Albert just decided to stand and accompany him, perhaps have a little talk with him.
He then cleared his throat.
Dart turned around and saw Albert there standing beside him.
He said nothing as Albert sat beside him.
"Throughout the centuries, the stars had provided us with the answers we seek. But I'm afraid they won't be able to reveal the answers that you are looking for, my friend." Albert then commented.
"It was still worth a shot." Dart just replied.
Albert just grinned.
"Thinking about her?" He then asked.
Dart didn't answer right away.
After hesitating a bit, he finally admitted, "It's hard not to..."
"She doesn't know how you truly feel about her, does she?" Albert said, bold enough to strike Dart at his core.
"What do you mean?" Dart stubbornly said.
"How I truly feel about her? Shana is like a sister to me and she knows that. There's nothing more." He added.
"Are you telling me that as a fact or are you just saying that to make you believe that?" Albert then returned.
Dart then found himself unable to answer again.
Albert then laid a hand over Dart's shoulder and grinned.
"If you two weren't so stubborn, you two would have hit it off by now." He then said.
But then he quickly added, "But I guess that wouldn't make this situation much easier..."
Dart then took out Shana's necklace.
He looked at it as it sparkled in his hand.
"I understand why all this must happen but what I don't understand is why it had to involve her and not some other girl." Dart then said.
"My friend, fate is very mysterious. It's no use questioning it ways because it's either it won't give you an answer or would give you one you cannot understand." Albert just replied.
"Obviously...but you know...she knew..."
"What do you mean she knew?" Albert questioned, quite shocked at what he had heard.
"Shana felt that something was coming for her. She told me last night. I should have known what it meant."
"Is this what it is? You're blaming yourself because you didn't know any better?"
"I should have known...I promised her that I'd protect her and I failed."
"Ah but you're wrong. Failure is giving up even before the battle is won or refusing to get back at one's feet. Besides, Dart, you cannot always be there to stop things from happening to Shana. She is strong and you should know that. Give her and yourself some credit." Albert replied.
Dart just closed his fist, the necklace inside of it and said, "I know she's strong. I've seen her in her highest and lowest moments. I will get her back."
Albert just grinned.
He then replied, "That's the spirit. It took you long enough."
Dart then found himself grinning.
"You know, I still find it hard to believe that you're a king sometimes."
"Why is that?"
"Because of the way you talk...You talk as if you were one of us commoners."
Albert just grinned in return.
"What do you mean?"
"Well I mean, I expected those with royal blood to be more...how can I say this...um..."
"Way up in the air?"
"Yeah...how did you know?"
"Well, I've had this talk with Haschel too not too long ago." Albert just replied with a grin.
"Haschel? Well, I guess I should have seen that coming. How about Kongol? Doesn't he ever talk?"
"Oh he does and it takes a while before you could actually understand him."
Dart just nodded.
Albert then stood and said, "We better turn in, especially you. We have a long day ahead of us and I don't think Shana would like to see you looking like that."
"I'll turn in a little bit later. Why don't you go ahead?" Dart just replied.
The next morning...
Everyone was up extra early.
They started their journey immediately because they knew that Melbu Framma wouldn't be waiting for them.
They had to stop him for the sake of the entire world and to save Shana.
After what seemed like forever, they had arrived at the tree of knowledge.
They saw that the Moon that Never Sets was coming upon them.
Rose immediately urged them to go faster because it won't be long now before the last seed was to be planted.
It had already started.
They hurried and they had to fight their way through until they had reached where Melbu Framma and Shana were.
Melbu Framma didn't seem to give them any notice.
He had a hold on Shana.
Shana seemed unconscious.
"Let her go!" Dart quickly yelled as he and the other dragoons took their positions.
Melbu Framma just turned to them indifferently.
"You are too late, dragoons. The moment has come for me to unite the Moon Child and the Moon that Never Sets. Then I'll be the most powerful man." He just said and laughed devilishly.
"Not if we could stop it!" Albert shouted as they positioned themselves to strike.
"You are welcome to try but I doubt that you'll be able to stop me. You fools will now feel how to die slowly." He replied.
The battle had begun.
Everybody gave everything they had but it seemed that it was nothing compared to the power that Melbu Framma was beginning to acquire.
But they still persisted.
Now that Melbu Framma had released Shana after exchanging her body with his to combine with the dormant seed, they could kill him if they had a little more power.
When Dart gave a final blow, they thought that that was the end of it.
But they didn't notice that Melbu Framma had already acquired large amounts of power and it had not affected him in any way.
With the confusion of it all, they hadn't noticed that Shana had regained consciousness.
When she saw what was happening, she feared for the worst.
But like an impulse, being the Moon Child, she was able to tap in her deep powers and used the power of the Moon that Never Sets against Melbu Framma.
Everybody turned to her direction.
Fear swept the faces of the dragoons, especially Dart and Miranda, as they saw things unfolded.
Before they knew it, there was still blinding light that came forth.
After a moment, it was all over.
Shana collapsed after she had used such great amounts of power.
Dart quickly rushed to her side.
They thought that that was the end of it.
But then the place started to crumble.
Dart gathered Shana in his arms and the dragoons flew out there before they could be caught in the disaster.
They watched as the dust settled down again.
There was no longer a threat and Rose started to dissipate.
"Rose...what's..." Everybody started to say.
For the first time since they met her, she was smiled.
"I've been in this world for 11,000 years. I'm glad that I can now join my other comrades. We will meet again...but not now." Rose just said as she smiled again and disappeared.
"Well, I guess we too should get back to our lives." Haschel said.
"Yes, we do." Albert replied.
He then turned to Meru and said, "That means facing the past and not running away."
Meru just grinned and replied, "Yes sir! It would be nice to go home again."
"Well I guess Kongol will come with me then." Haschel suggested.
Kongol just nodded.
"How about your daughter? Will you continue to look for her?" Dart asked.
Haschel just smiled and said, "I've found her, Dart. I know she was happy and now it's time for me to be happy as well."
Dart didn't say anything else.
"Dart, I guess this is it. Take care of Shana." Albert just said as they parted ways.
"It's time that we head back to the palace. I'm sure Queen Theresa would feel much better once we arrive there." Miranda said.
Dart just nodded.
They headed back.
When they arrived, Shana still hadn't regained consciousness.
She was fine and they knew that.
Dart just stayed there with her and silently waited for her to wake up.
It didn't take long because Shana started to stir.
Dart quickly sat beside Shana as she opened her eyes.
"Hey..." She feebly said.
Dart just grinned and said, "Hey...welcome back."
He then helped her up.
"How long was I out?" She then asked.
"Long enough..."
"Long enough? What does that suppose to mean?"
"It just means, Shana, that you've been gone long enough for me-" Dart started say but then Miranda entered followed by Queen Theresa.
Queen Theresa just smiled made her way to Shana's side.
Dart then stood and excused himself and quickly left the room, followed by Miranda.
Shana followed him with her gaze.
"You are safe now, my dear." Queen Theresa said.
Shana just smiled and nodded.
"I know you have feelings for him, Shana. I want to let you know that I'm not against it." The queen said.
Shana was surprised with the sudden comment.
"I also know how much he cares for you."
"Yes, highness...he has always looked out for me...I could always feel his protective aura around me."
Queen Theresa just nodded.
Outside...
Dart headed to the balcony.
He didn't notice that Miranda had followed him.
"I know that you were about to tell the princess about how you really feel." Miranda suddenly said.
Dart quickly looked at her.
"I just wanted to know why you waited this long to actually have the guts to tell her. I mean, I know that you've been together for the longest time. In that span of time, didn't you have at least a minute to tell her?" She then added.
"I never thought about her more than a sister before."
"What makes you sure that's not how you feel now?"
Dart found himself unable to reply.
"Dart, before you do anything or say anything, make sure you are certain. We don't want to see her hurt." Miranda said before and left him.
Dart stayed there and said nothing.
The night passed and the next afternoon, Queen Theresa had summoned both Dart and Shana at the throne room.
Once there, the queen started, "I know you two have gone through a lot. And I also know you both would be happier if we were in the world where you grew up."
Dart and Shana looked at the queen in surprise.
"Highness, does that mean you would be sending us back?" Shana quickly said.
"Is that the right way to go? I mean, with all due respect Your Majesty, Shana is the crown princess." Dart said.
Queen Theresa just smiled and replied, "Yes I know but my daughter's happiness is far more important to me right now. This country has survived thousands of years and we can see around through this. I've thought about it and it won't affect this country much."
The two remained silent.
The queen then gestured to Miranda that it was time.
Miranda started to chant as well as the other sisters.
The queen then said before everything went blank, "To you...all of this is now a dream..."
Shana then found herself back at her bed.
She frantically looked around and saw the clock.
It showed that it was in the middle of the night and the date was just as when she had fallen asleep.
She quickly laid back down.
She then asked herself if it was a dream.
But soon enough, sleep had claimed her.
The next day, she wasn't really herself.
Dart said nothing as the day progressed.
They both acted as nothing happened.
That afternoon as she and Dart were going home, Dart quickly said, "What's the matter, Shana?"
Shana quickly turned to him and smiled and told him it was nothing.
Dart stopped walking as Shana followed suit.
Dart then took out the necklace Shana lost and placed it around her neck.
"Now, it's all a dream. But my feelings for you isn't. I love you, Shana. To you, I may not be your prince but I'll just be your knight in shining armor." He just said.
"You were always such a fool, Dart..." Shana whispered.
Dart just looked at her questioningly.
"I was just waiting for you to admit it. What took you so long, huh?" She said.
A loving smile swept her face.
"I've always loved you too." She then added.
THE END
Well, I know that this fic is not at all great but still I tried to do my best. Anyway, thanks to all those who reviewed and also to those who read it without really reviewing it. It's very much appreciated. Please read my other fics as well.
Michiko