I in know way form or shape own Suikoden except for my used copy of Suikoden, though I am looking like a madwomen for copies of the other two. Stop being so greedy darnit!!!!!
Hugo: You think she's lost it?
Percival: did she ever have it?
Me: Shut up!!!! (chases after them)
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Star Cursed flight
By the Black gryphon
Chapter 3: First breath
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Shock barely described the feeling that coursed through Roland. Could she be a half-breed? Well that was a near impossibility, but still, that didn't mean that she couldn't of been that one in a thousand who survived.
"My parents found my mother and I when I was very young. My mother didn't survive," That explained and destroyed the Half breed theory (much to his relief), "So my parents took me in and raised me…" Roland held up a finger and suddenly yanked the door open to reveal Kidd who was scribbling something in his notebook. When Kidd finally realized that the wooden barrier had been removed, he ran off, in fear of what the archer could do. Closing the door once again, Roland turned to face Nei who appeared thoughtful for a second.
"Do you think that it'll be easier to explain this way?" When she began to talk in the full Elvin tongue, he both became more aware of the complexity of the female's elf's past.
"If your parents were humans, then how do you understand the ancient tongue? No man has ever recorded it in any textbook, nor have we taught any human traders how to speak." Roland asked cautiously. Nei sighed, as she knew that this would be a difficult thing to explain to someone who had lived most of his young life in the village most people assumed she came from as well.
"My knowledge of this language came from a elf warrior who had stayed with our caravan because of a wound in his leg. For a month he taught me the language of my ancestors. He thought it a shame that I would never learn it from those who gave birth to me."
Roland frowned as he remembered the great fire which ripped through the village when he was only 7 years old. In that flame he lost his brother and Father, as well as his home and happiness. He remembered the struggles to rebuild his home, the cries of his people when they found their loves ones, or at least the remains of them.
"Then you do not remember the great fire which ripped through our village?"
"I regret to say that I do not. What my human mother told me I was most likely born right before the fire since I seemed to be only a few months only."
"Human eyes cannot determine how old or young one of us is, even the youngest of us." Roland sighed as he leaned against the door, staring at the ceiling. If she looked to be a few months, then she could have been born either a one or two months or even a few weeks before the fire tragedy. That would mean that she was only Eighteen years old, perhaps Nineteen, Quite young for a elf.
'Like you have any right to talk. You will only be 25 come this winter.' Roland rolled his eyes at his inner voice. "Have you learned anything of our ways, our pride?"
Nei's smile grew soft as she shook her head and looked Roland in the eyes. "Perhaps you could teach me?"
"… Some things can never be taught but I can try to explain I suppose." Roland sighed when the door slammed open to find a breathless Borus opening the door. Both of their eyebrows rose when He slammed the door shut and collapsed on one of the beds.
"While you two were singing, Nadir has gone on a rampage…" Borus groaned. Both elves glanced out the window to see that the sun had begun to set, which was past when the final rehearsal was set. They stared at each other and then paled when they heard Nadir crying out at the tops of his lungs.
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Nei was more then relieved when Nadir had finally let them leave the tavern. Her body was screaming for a good soak and a nice LONG sleep, though the latter would never plausibly happen until the play was over. Nearly slipping down the stairs after getting her bathing supplies, she entered the abandoned ship. Everyone else were more then likely asleep, but she knew that Goro would still be up, since he seemed like the type too passionate to sleep for long periods of times. Once she entered the dressing room, she began to strip out of her clothes and wrapped a towel around herself. She heard laughter coming from the bathing area and entered to see Chris and Apple enjoying a rose petal filled soak.
"You look tired." Apple was straight to the point.
"Quite… I never want to see another flying shoe again…." Nei muttered in Elfish but when she noticed the look on the two women's faces, she quickly repeated herself in the common tongue used in the castle. Sitting down, she quickly began scrub her aching limbs.
"Flying shoe?" Apple questioned. It only took Nei one work to explain the whole thing.
"Nadir." The three randomly expressed their worries about Luc and his company, and possible situations that could occur. Nei soaked as something suddenly sprung into her mind and wouldn't go away.
"Lady Chris?"
"Hrm? Is something wrong Nei?" The Elf in question fidgeted for a second before continuing her question.
"How likely is it for one to die on the battle field?" Chris blinked and a frown settled on her face as she stared at a rose petal that floated before her.
"There is no war without a casualty." Was her grim replay. Nei sighed as she leaned back, staring at the stars through the opening above the baths.
"Do you ever fear for your life whenever you go out to battle? I mean like if you were to die then you would have a thousand and one things to regret?" Nei continued to ask, drawing concern from Apple and Chris.
"Did Hugo…" Frowning Nei sunk down lower and nodded.
"He chose me to help him on his journey to locate the true runes and for any battles that would result." Chris frowned and yet understood why Hugo had chosen the songstress. The power of her song could easily save or empower them and could even mean victory or defeat. None of them knew what would happen.
"Fate can only tell us what it plans as it happens…" Apple said cryptically and the rest of the bath passed on quietly.
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The Curtain closed as the final act was completed and the applause was booming. Nei sat up from where she lay beside Roland, her face bright red. They had acted perfectly (Percival a bit too well when he 'died') and apparently it pleased the crowd. Nei climbed off from her 'death bed' and moved to leave the stage when she saw Roland sit up, deep in thought.
"Is something wrong?" Nei questioned, only to remain quiet as Roland easily slid off the prop bed and put his hands on her shoulders.
"I heard from Lord Hugo that in a few days you are to accompany as one of his party to locate where the true runes may be held captive." Roland felt her shoulders slump from under his gloves and she stared down at the floor. With a sigh, he removed his hands from her shoulders and instead held out his hand for her. She was confused but she placed her hand in his and was wisped away until they had exited the stage area and towards the lake side. Nei began to wonder when her feeling for the knight began, but it would most likely end after this whole thing was resolved. He was loyal to the Zexen people and she was a free spirit. For now at least she couldn't just settle down, her wanderlust still strong in her blood. She didn't even think he saw her in the same way she did. But for now she could dream…
"When will you be leaving?" Roland's voice suddenly brought her back from her dream, but the feeling of content didn't fade away.
"Three days from now to help Hugo in his search and after that, Toppo has decided that we should head for the Tinto Republic. What will happen once they are found and this war over? Will you return to your life as a Zexen knight?"
"I will always serve my captain, that is assured. Until the day she or I die, I will follow her command." Nei's sorrow grew deeper as she leaned closer to the knight, her eyes closing. His loyalty and heart lay elsewhere, as she expected. Hundreds of questions swarmed into her head as she stared at the lake.
"What would happen if a Elf married a human?" Nei's question brought a wince to Roland's face. Many times people had wondered what kind of offspring would result from such a coupling. Perhaps she was planning to have a family with that man Toppo?
"In the past there have been few marriages between a human and our kind. However most fall into ruin since we do not age as fast. They grow jealous of their Elvin spouses as they age and we do not. Even if this does not happen, no offspring can be born." Roland repeated what his teachers had told him when he was learning about such marriages.
"Our kind cannot merge with theirs for an unknown reason. Even if the seeds of life begin to form, they would die before they are delivered, sometimes taking the female with it. Human seed cannot help support the beginning life forces needed by an unborn Elvin child." Nei stared up at Roland's face, seeing his wince and sadness when he stated this. The opposite would result of a relationship between Roland and Chris. With the gift of immortality from the true water rune, Chris would outlive Roland.
"So in the end there is no happy ending for such a marriage."
"That is correct and even worse, even if the elf did lose his or her chosen partner, they can never choose another for our marriages are not as easily broken. The two, as they intertwine, become as one, their soul only accepting that of their chosen, and thus they curse themselves to a life of agony and being incomplete." Nei felt her heart grow heavy as she gazed upon him, his face stern and unreadable. He was most likely aware that is love for his captain was hopeless, but how could she compare to such a woman? In every way, she was cursed to being alone. Backing away, she hastily retreated, leaving Roland standing there in his own agony as he stared into the night.
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Two nights after the play had finished, a essential turning point arrives at the castle, bearing news. The soldiers and fighters were anxious as the rumors of the bishop who had come to warn them of what would happen when Luc destroyed the true rune. They also heard that they had located where the ritual would take place and so they would soon march to stop it. Weapons where sharpened and horses saddled as they prepared. The thought of death was quickly wiped away as the idea of saving their home, their world, the glory of a death in battle would be remembered. This was not time for second thoughts or cowards. It was a time for the battled for the world. Man, lizard; woman and duck, these were no longer boundaries in this battle. There were only companions and allies, brothers in war.
Nei slid onto the horse given to her and watched as Hugo addressed the foot soldiers. Soon they would be on their way to face demons and monsters. The sounds of footsteps beside her caught her attention and she found herself face to face with the 6 knights of Zexen. She gazed upon Roland for a moment or two before addressing Chris who had a worried smile on her face.
"Please be careful." Nei smiled as she addressed all six before Hugo and Fubar appeared beside her, Sergeant Joe clinging to Hugo. The rest of the party nodded and rode ahead, the rest of the soldiers marching forwards. Nei smiled once more and then spurred her horse to catch up with her party. Chris glanced back towards Roland, whose eyes betrayed their pain before ordering her own troops to move out. This battle would not be easily won. Many of these men would die… But they had to win, they just had to.
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Roland gritted his teeth as he loose an arrow at the Sorceress who helped cause all this chaos, only to have her dodge. Sarah frowned at the elf but suddenly screamed out in pain as Salome's mace caught her from behind, knocking the woman down as the beasts around her snarled, trying to destroy and burn their aggressors. Not one was left alive as their corpses littered the floor of their battleground. After the last beast fell, the sorceress woke up, only to be knocked out once again by Lady Chris' hilt.
"You deserve to die witch, but our lady has shown you mercy. Be grateful and repent." Roland glared at the unconscious woman and watched as the true rune of water swirled around it's owner before settling back into it's master's hand, pulsing once before settling down.
"Let's rejoin Hugo and the others, I am sure that they will need our help." Chris ordered as they ran out towards the exit. Worry, guilt, pain, they all were placed in the past. Geddoe's party was ahead of them, and waiting for them was Hugo. They had to focus on the future, but as they entered the pedestal room of where the true rune of fire was being kept, they came face to face with a huge door. A curtain of light shone brightly before disappearing, allowing the door to open opening and the warriors to enter. Carefully they entered the room and found the crazed priest waiting for them.
"Foul demon!" cried out Leo, who was barely held back from charging at the priest by Roland's arm.
"Though he may be a demon, charging in blindly is a foolish way of starting a battle, Sir Leo." He murmured to his enraged comrade as he fingered the wood of his bow. His left hand slowly reached for an arrow, ready to fire if the insane priest so much as lifted his finger wrong, he would shoot him right between the eyes. Before they knew it a great burst of light filled the room, but nothing had changed when it disappeared, leaving behind a slightly wounded and tired Hugo.
"Perhaps we should retreat." Sergeant Joe suggested but Hugo shook his head.
"We have to stop him here and now…" Hugo stood up and drew his sword, ready to attack at any moment. Luc only shook his head.
"Then face the power of the true rune." The winds around them were sucked towards the priest and the power in the air was almost tangible. Roland could barely hear what the priest was saying and all of the sudden he disappeared in cyclone of wind. When it died down, Roland suddenly was aware that Nei and Fubar had disappeared, along with his lady Chris, Geddoe, , the bishop Sasarai, and Hugo. A cold chill rand down his spine before Percival dragged him towards the exit. They would have to trust in them, but that still didn't cause him to worry any less.
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Power coursed through the room as Nei focused on sustaining her Song of the Hero, trying to block out the pain she was feeling. The Rune holders were counting on her, though she had no idea why she had been pulled in along with Fubar. But she had little time to ponder this as the power of 5 elements showered down on her, burning and freezing her at the same time. It was pure agony, but she kept on singing. She felt her strength being sapped however and when she dared to open her eyes, two dragon shaped pillars of fire were diving down at her. She barely had enough time to scream.
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… Water…?
……. Who?
… Don't leave!
Don't Leave me!!!!!!!!
……… So much blood……
Pain… an arrow?
Falling….
… Red flags… A Hand….
….
…Goodbye…
So hot… TOO HOT!
HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Nei bolted up as she screamed, her body covered in sweat. Beside her a startled Mio and Tuta attempted to keep her down to the bed.
"Miss Nei! Please stay calm!!!"
"Shiera teriu! Sona belioa filina!!!!" She screamed as she flailed until her panicked eyes went dull as she slipped back into her dreams, muttering words neither of the two could understand. Tuta stood up shakily as Mio frowned, sitting next to the unconscious elf. As quietly as he could, he left the room and traveled down to the tavern. Anne greeted him with a grim smile before motioning for the doctor to sit down.
"Anything I can get you to drink?" She asked as she placed the clean glass beside the others.
"Milk if you could." Anne nodded before leaning down to the underground storage area to access the fresh chilled milk. Placing the cup full of milk before the doctor, left the room to obtain some food from Mamie. Sipping his milk, Tuta sighed before murmuring what Nei had screamed before.
"Shiera teriu. Sona belioa filina… What could that mean?" He wondered before he heard the clanking of armor come closer and closer till the Zexen knights, minus Roland, had entered the tavern.
"How is she doing?" Chris questioned the doctor, who shook his head.
"Still delirious, her fever hasn't broken yet and just a few moments ago, she woke up only to scream something and then pass out again. I can only hope that this will improve soon otherwise she may never wake up." The grim report brought a frown onto the face of the Zexen captain who eyed her right hand.
"Is there nothing we can do?" She asked, hoping that there was something that would be possible.
"Though your rune holds great healing qualities, I don't know how far the damage has gone. Most of her wounds are healed now, thanks to you Lady Chris, but her mind seems to be unstable as well as the fact that there could have been some internal damage which could have been overlooked. Very little is known about the Elvin people, so I can only hope that our methods and medications will affect them the same. Though they may appear to be like us, something about them is as different as a Kobold's appearance is to ours. Only time will tell…"
"Yes…"
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The room was quiet when Roland entered. The moon had risen high into the sky and everyone had fallen asleep. Even Mio, the light sleeper, didn't wake up as he silently walked across the room to where a bedridden elf slept. Brushing her bangs away from her closed eyes, he stood beside her. Bandages were wrapped around her upper torso where the teeth like lava had sunk themselves into. Even her armor hadn't saved her, only the healing waters from the true rune of water. He stood by her side, watching as the moonlight lit her face. When she turned, grimaced, shown any sign of pain, something inside of him, well… Twitched (for a lack of a better word). Sitting on the empty bed beside hers, her leaned forward, leaning his head against his hands.
"Burning inside!" His head shot up as she begin to thrash around, hands clutching her own throat. Leaping up he grabbed her arms and wrenched them away before she could do anything drastic, but she fought like a demon against him.
"TUTA!" He roared, hoping that the doctor would wake up. Watching her there, thrashing, made him feel helpless. A minute passed by as the door slammed open, a half dressed Tuta dashing in along with Mio in a nightgown.
"Burning! BURNING! Make it stop!!!! Water! Ice! ANYTHING!" Nei screamed as her back arched back in pain. Around him, the two humans were a side note as they fluttered around like flies.
"Calm… There is no fire here…" Without realizing it, he had responded to her pleading to douse this imaginary fire.
"Inside… burning…"
"An illusion, let your mind be calm and thus your body." Slowly her thrashing stopped, only let out a whimper. "Calm little one…"
"Don't leave me… Beloved… Don't leave me here!!!" As if slapped, he took a slap back. 'She must think that I am her companion… It may just be as well since this will be the last time I will see her…'
"Finally it seems her fever has begun to lower." Mio let out a sigh of happiness as she lifted her hand off of Nei's forehead. Tuta nodded and stood up.
"Well, everyone needs a good night sleep if we want to say farewell to our Grassland friends." Roland nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts already preoccupied with something else. Standing up, he left the room, only taking a moment of glance back before he closed the door. He swore to serve his Lady in battle and beyond, and he would honor his word… Even if it would mean he could possibly regret it far into the future. It would be 5 years until they would meet again.