Chapter Twenty
Four Days Later; Lindblum Castle; Guestroom; Noon
Freya was woken up by strange noises. She eventually concluded them to be demon grunts. Were demons invading the castle? The guttural voices sounded familiar. She heard a snort.
"Frehaghighawagh," a familiar voice said in a growl. His language consisted of snorts, growls, and guttural words.
Someone walked over to the bed and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Righaghshigng!" a male voice said. It too sounded familiar.
"Sghdoesghnoghundeghandyo," the other voice said.
"Oops," Meander said. "Forgot."
"Ah well," Amarant said.
"You two speak demon?" Freya asked, opening her eyes.
"Yeah. Did you understand anything?" Amarant asked.
"No. It just sounded like grunting," Freya replied.
"Let me say each word separate. Frehagh igh awagh," Amarant said, the last sentence consisting of grunts, snorts, and guttural sounds.
"No, nothing," Freya said.
"Oh, come on! How could you not recognize your own name?" Meander asked.
"My own name?"
"Frehagh. It's your demon name," Amarant explained.
"Oh. Well, sorry, but I don't understand demon. It just sounds like a dog with a cough," Freya replied.
Amarant chuckled, and said in demon, "This girl is a real idiot."
Meander laughed and replied in demon, "I know. But she's pretty and you have to love her for that."
"What you guys saying?" Freya asked suspiciously.
"You honestly don't want to know," Amarant replied.
"You were saying something behind my back, weren't you?" Freya asked.
"She's too smart," Amarant said in demon.
"She's prettier than she's smart, though," Meander said in demon with a grin.
Amarant laughed.
"You guys are making fun of me, aren't you? You assholes," Freya snarled.
Amarant laughed again. "I guess you're really making her seem pretty if you're saying that, Meander." He still spoke in the demon tongue.
"Well, yeah. Right now she's being smart. Usually she's dumber than a brick," Meander said thoughtfully in demon.
"All right," Freya said. "Apparently you are saying the word 'she' an awful lot. Now I know you're talking about me!"
"We could be talking about Eiko," Amarant said.
"You hate Eiko. Why would you bother?" Freya asked.
"Let's cook her for dinner," Meander said in demon.
"Who?" Amarant asked in demon.
"Eiko," Meander replied.
"Ugh. Taste bad," Amarant said.
"Huh?" Freya asked.
"You don't want to know, Freya. Big time," Amarant told her.
"I'm going to trust you," Freya said. "For now."
"Oh relax. I wish you were still sick," Amarant complained.
"Thanks," Freya snapped sarcastically.
"You are welcome. You hungry?" Amarant asked.
"No," Freya replied.
"Why don't you try to walk today?" Amarant asked. "It'd be better than being bedridden on Christmas."
"Holy shit! Christmas is in how many days?" Freya asked.
"Three," Amarant replied.
"Oh God," Freya moaned. "I'm going to be stuck in a bed with a person trying to kill me on Christmas."
"Bummer," Meander said.
"So why don't you try to walk?" Amarant asked. "If your leg snaps, you'll just have to be in bed for another week."
"Thanks, Amarant, you'll really reassuring," Freya spat. "Fine, I'll give it a shot. But if I fall and you don't catch me I'm going to kill you with a pillow."
Amarant chuckled. "I'm really scared of a pillow."
Freya carefully rose to a sitting position. Her legs felt stiff from not moving for four days. She pushed the blanket aside and carefully swung her legs to the ground. Both legs were like lead, and movement was difficult. She slowly rose to her feet. Pain came to her injured leg, while both legs felt like stilts. She automatically lifted her injured leg from the ground. Her other leg was too stiff to support anything, and she fell backwards and onto the bed.
"Well, that failed," Freya said miserably.
"Try again. You were close," Meander encouraged.
Freya listened to his encouragement, and once again rose. This time, however, before her stiff leg could make her crash, she walked. The movement required walking brought the stiff muscles into action. She limped over to Amarant, who was sitting near the fireplace.
"See? You won't be bedridden," Amarant grunted.
Freya carefully lowered herself to the ground. Meander soon sat beside her. The three were silent for a while.
"Freya, are you going to return to Burmecia?" Meander asked. "It's your home."
"I can't," Freya muttered softly. "I've been banned."
"So what?" Amarant growled. "It's your home. You can go back if you want."
"No I can't! If I return I will automatically receive three years in the dungeon!" Freya replied.
"Ouch. If that's not harsh, I don't know what is," Meander muttered.
"Well, then consider this prospect. While you were snoozing like a bear in hibernation Dominic and the two of us were considering things that fit together," Amarant said.
"Like what?" Freya asked.
"Well, Julius, first off. He hates Burmecians, and attacks the females and kills them. Then, Ebon. He hates women. The two sound like a perfect duo," Amarant explained.
"Except for the fact that Ebon is a Burmecian!" Freya protested.
"Right, right. But Julius wants you dead. Then, suddenly, he attacks Puck. And who ends up king? Ebon the women hater. Therefore Julius and Ebon may just be working together," Meander said.
"But what for?" Freya asked.
"Use your brain, nitwit. They're working together to kill you," Amarant grunted.
Freya was so surprised at this prospect that she said nothing. Amarant continued.
"So when Ebon became king, he used silly yet somehow believable excuses to keep you from returning. You have protection there, and friends. Now that they are out of the way, Julius have a perfect shot at you," Amarant explained.
"But why would Julius work with a Burmecian? He hates them," Freya protested.
"Money," Meander said simply.
"Money? You mean he was bribed?" Freya asked.
"Bingo," Meander grunted. "And that is why Julius has not given up. Normally by this time he just gives up and goes after another victim. But since he was offered cash, he is persistent."
"I - I don't want to believe it," Freya whispered.
"Well, you have to, because it makes perfect sense," Amarant growled.
"But that means I have no chance!" Freya cried.
"Not really. If you return to Burmecia and kill Ebon, there goes the bribe. Julius may just give up," Meander said.
"I can't return! I'll be arrested and locked up!" Freya protested.
"Not if you annihilate Ebon!" Amarant snarled. "The other king will probably excuse you!"
"Doubtful! Once I'm banned, and a crime is committed, that crime stays even with the other king! I'll still be locked up! Even though I want to return, I can't!"
Freya rose to her feet and limped out of the room.
It couldn't be true. Just couldn't be. Ebon was harsh, but he had trained her. He had taught her all she knew. He couldn't want her dead. Yet he could.
Freya limped out onto the balcony near Eiko's room. She stared out at the city, her mind full of thoughts of all types. She sighed. Ebon couldn't want her dead.
But look what he put you through. One wrong move, one wrong word, even one wrong breath would get you a smack. He always made you do the hard stuff. Your work was always harder. Your punishments were also brutal. He never acknowledged you, unless trying to cream you. Why shouldn't he want you dead? Freya though grimly. He always hated you. Always. And you kicked his ass when you were only fifteen. You humiliated him, and you enjoyed it. So why shouldn't he get his revenge by killing you? Then you'd be out of his life and his humiliation could die along with you.
Freya sighed. She didn't want to believe it, but she had no choice. Ebon did want her dead, and Julius was after her for money.
And he's not going to stop until Ebon's dead, Freya though downheartedly. But then once you kill him, you're going to be spending the rest of your days in the dungeon. What's better, being stalked or the dungeon? Food that may be interrupted for no food at all? Someone trying to kill me or no one giving any shit? Freedom with fear or chains with boredom? Heat that becomes cold or cold all day long? People caring and trying too hard or people forgetting I exist? No time to think or too much time? Quick death or long death?
Freya didn't know it, but tears were falling from her eyes.
What do I prefer? What's better? Gee, I don't know! They're both just so God-damn terrific! I might as well just jump off this stupid balcony, allowing myself a third option! Quick, fast death!
"What are you so upset about?"
Great, Freya though bitterly. Out of the all the people who have to appear I get stuck with Mr. No-Emotion.
"Absolutely, positively nothing, Amarant," Freya spat.
"Well, excuse me for asking," Amarant said sarcastically.
"Go away," Freya snapped.
"Why?" By this point Amarant had walked over and was staring at her.
"I need to jump off this balcony."
"All right, go ahead."
"Gee, thanks! Glad you care!"
God, she's grumpy. Can't even take my sarcasm, Amarant thought.
"You were fine a second ago," Amarant grunted.
"Well, maybe in a second, I found out that two people want me dead and the only solution is making a cold, lonely dungeon my new home, okay?" Freya snarled, turning to Amarant. "Nothing is going God-damn right! Fratley's gone, Julius wants me dead, Ebon wants me dead, I can't even return home safely, a serpent just about ate me, and I don't even have the person I truly love here for Christmas! My life is shit!"
Freya stormed away. Well, she tried to. Her limp was making her storm more like a crawl. Amarant could've easily chased her, but he didn't. He knew better. He simply leaned against the balcony, watching Freya quietly. There was nothing he could do now. He was not a person to offer sympathy, and since she wasn't having nightmares he couldn't drug her.
Well, he could, but then she would be very, very pissed.
Freya limped down the hall, staring at the floor. She didn't want to talk to anyone, see anyone, or acknowledge anyone. She wanted to sulk in peace, but when you have many people who care, that's hard.
Amarant, care? That's a laugh, Freya thought bitterly.
"So you're so pissed about your situation you're going to yell at the world?"
Freya was now trying to limp faster. Not Meander too! Soon, however, she couldn't even move. Dominic soon came into view.
"Thank the Commander!" Meander shouted with triumph. "Amarant, we caught her!"
"You sure that's a good thing?" Amarant asked as he came down the hall.
Dominic snapped his fingers, and Freya could move again. But it was useless now. The whole party was here, except for Eiko, who maybe she would be willing to talk to. Freya sighed and sank to the ground.
"Why can't you all leave me alone?" she asked.
"What's wrong with you?" Meander asked grumpily.
"What do you think? I have one guy stalking me, another helping him, and a dead boyfriend to boot! Then I have all of you, who don't give a shit!" Freya snapped.
"You don't give us time to give a shit," Amarant grunted.
"Well said," Meander said with agreement. "Amarant said it. Why don't you calm down and listen? Do you really think we don't care? Why are you so upset? You aren't making any sense right now. Did we say something?"
"No, life just sucks," Freya muttered. "I have two choices to make. I can live my life being stalked and never able to return home, or I can return home, kill the king, and spend my life in the dungeon. I thought of the differences and both suck."
"Differences?" Meander asked. "Don't tell me you made yourself miserable."
"Yes, I made myself completely miserable!" Freya spat. "I gave myself time to think, and what'd I think about? What I'd rather like, food that may be interrupted for no food at all. Someone trying to kill me or no one giving any shit. Freedom with fear or chains with boredom. Heat that becomes cold or cold all day long. People caring and trying too hard or people forgetting I exist. No time to think or too much time. Quick death or long death."
"Whoa, wait. Did you say 'people forgetting you exist'?" Meander asked.
"Yes, why?" Freya asked. Renting out her anger and anguish seemed to be helping her slightly.
"Because no one's forgetting anything. Right Amarant?" Meander asked, turning to Amarant.
"Wrong," Amarant said with a smirk.
"See? Amarant wouldn't forget," Meander said, reading Amarant's expression. "Someone would get you out of the dungeon."
"Maybe so, but then what would I do? Have to live my life away from home again?" Freya asked.
"Hey, it always rains and mats your fur anyway," Amarant grunted.
"Shut up, Amarant," Freya growled.
"Anyway, what everyone's trying to say without succeeding is that no matter what happens, someone's going to be around," Dominic butted in, realizing that Amarant and Meander were getting no where quickly. "Even those two dimwits would be."
Amarant drew his claws. "Don't call me a dimwit."
"Freeze, dimwit," Dominic said.
Amarant was encased in a block of ice. Freya's eyes widened with shock while Meander chuckled.
"He's never going to threaten you again, Dominic," Meander said, chuckling.
"He's going to die in that thing!" Freya gasped.
"He'd make a nice decoration," Meander said. "I think I'll chisel a statue."
"So mean," Freya muttered.
"Yes, a nice Amarant statue. You can put it in your room, Meander," Dominic said jokingly.
Meander took out his sword. It was a curious sword with an emerald blade and a ruby handle. He began idly slicing at the ice. Freya rose to her feet and limped over to the block of ice.
"Aren't you just humiliated?" she asked Amarant.
Dominic snapped his fingers, and the block of ice disappeared. Meander put away his sword. Amarant looked pretty angry. Freya tried to back away, but going in reverse when you limp isn't a good move. She fell on her back.
"What are you doing?" Amarant asked, trying his best to keep his teeth from chattering.
"Being a complete idiot," Freya replied.
"That's everyday, Freya," Amarant told her.
"Thanks," Freya spat.
"Anyway, now that the fun and games are over, Freya, do you understand what I said?" Dominic asked. "You're not alone in either situation."
Freya rose to a sitting position. Her life was not much better. She still was in a bad situation.
"Yes, I suppose," Freya muttered. "After all, I'm not exactly alone."
Yes, things will be fine with these people, Freya thought with amusement. Things will be just friendly, happy, stupid, and insane.
Freya's thought was proved when Amarant tried to walk away. Meander tripped him. Amarant fell flat on his face. Dominic chuckled while Freya rolled her eyes.
"Damn you, Meander!" Amarant shouted, but Meander was running away. "Oh, what the hell. If he wants to run, I'll catch him and beat the shit out of him."
Amarant began to chase Meander. Freya turned to Dominic.
"Well, I thought things will be okay. Now I'm very afraid," she said, trying her best to joke.
Dominic laughed.
------- This is what happens when the author gets bored: she gives you what you need to know, and then she adds nonsense to add a bit of length to the story. Yes, I know this chapter sucks. Yes, I know Fratley still hasn't showed up. Please be patient with me! The next chapter is better, I promise you ;)
Be on the look out for an update for Let Fear Propel You Forward.
This story is copyright to me. Some characters, locations, and Gaia in general are copyright to SquareEnix.
Four Days Later; Lindblum Castle; Guestroom; Noon
Freya was woken up by strange noises. She eventually concluded them to be demon grunts. Were demons invading the castle? The guttural voices sounded familiar. She heard a snort.
"Frehaghighawagh," a familiar voice said in a growl. His language consisted of snorts, growls, and guttural words.
Someone walked over to the bed and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Righaghshigng!" a male voice said. It too sounded familiar.
"Sghdoesghnoghundeghandyo," the other voice said.
"Oops," Meander said. "Forgot."
"Ah well," Amarant said.
"You two speak demon?" Freya asked, opening her eyes.
"Yeah. Did you understand anything?" Amarant asked.
"No. It just sounded like grunting," Freya replied.
"Let me say each word separate. Frehagh igh awagh," Amarant said, the last sentence consisting of grunts, snorts, and guttural sounds.
"No, nothing," Freya said.
"Oh, come on! How could you not recognize your own name?" Meander asked.
"My own name?"
"Frehagh. It's your demon name," Amarant explained.
"Oh. Well, sorry, but I don't understand demon. It just sounds like a dog with a cough," Freya replied.
Amarant chuckled, and said in demon, "This girl is a real idiot."
Meander laughed and replied in demon, "I know. But she's pretty and you have to love her for that."
"What you guys saying?" Freya asked suspiciously.
"You honestly don't want to know," Amarant replied.
"You were saying something behind my back, weren't you?" Freya asked.
"She's too smart," Amarant said in demon.
"She's prettier than she's smart, though," Meander said in demon with a grin.
Amarant laughed.
"You guys are making fun of me, aren't you? You assholes," Freya snarled.
Amarant laughed again. "I guess you're really making her seem pretty if you're saying that, Meander." He still spoke in the demon tongue.
"Well, yeah. Right now she's being smart. Usually she's dumber than a brick," Meander said thoughtfully in demon.
"All right," Freya said. "Apparently you are saying the word 'she' an awful lot. Now I know you're talking about me!"
"We could be talking about Eiko," Amarant said.
"You hate Eiko. Why would you bother?" Freya asked.
"Let's cook her for dinner," Meander said in demon.
"Who?" Amarant asked in demon.
"Eiko," Meander replied.
"Ugh. Taste bad," Amarant said.
"Huh?" Freya asked.
"You don't want to know, Freya. Big time," Amarant told her.
"I'm going to trust you," Freya said. "For now."
"Oh relax. I wish you were still sick," Amarant complained.
"Thanks," Freya snapped sarcastically.
"You are welcome. You hungry?" Amarant asked.
"No," Freya replied.
"Why don't you try to walk today?" Amarant asked. "It'd be better than being bedridden on Christmas."
"Holy shit! Christmas is in how many days?" Freya asked.
"Three," Amarant replied.
"Oh God," Freya moaned. "I'm going to be stuck in a bed with a person trying to kill me on Christmas."
"Bummer," Meander said.
"So why don't you try to walk?" Amarant asked. "If your leg snaps, you'll just have to be in bed for another week."
"Thanks, Amarant, you'll really reassuring," Freya spat. "Fine, I'll give it a shot. But if I fall and you don't catch me I'm going to kill you with a pillow."
Amarant chuckled. "I'm really scared of a pillow."
Freya carefully rose to a sitting position. Her legs felt stiff from not moving for four days. She pushed the blanket aside and carefully swung her legs to the ground. Both legs were like lead, and movement was difficult. She slowly rose to her feet. Pain came to her injured leg, while both legs felt like stilts. She automatically lifted her injured leg from the ground. Her other leg was too stiff to support anything, and she fell backwards and onto the bed.
"Well, that failed," Freya said miserably.
"Try again. You were close," Meander encouraged.
Freya listened to his encouragement, and once again rose. This time, however, before her stiff leg could make her crash, she walked. The movement required walking brought the stiff muscles into action. She limped over to Amarant, who was sitting near the fireplace.
"See? You won't be bedridden," Amarant grunted.
Freya carefully lowered herself to the ground. Meander soon sat beside her. The three were silent for a while.
"Freya, are you going to return to Burmecia?" Meander asked. "It's your home."
"I can't," Freya muttered softly. "I've been banned."
"So what?" Amarant growled. "It's your home. You can go back if you want."
"No I can't! If I return I will automatically receive three years in the dungeon!" Freya replied.
"Ouch. If that's not harsh, I don't know what is," Meander muttered.
"Well, then consider this prospect. While you were snoozing like a bear in hibernation Dominic and the two of us were considering things that fit together," Amarant said.
"Like what?" Freya asked.
"Well, Julius, first off. He hates Burmecians, and attacks the females and kills them. Then, Ebon. He hates women. The two sound like a perfect duo," Amarant explained.
"Except for the fact that Ebon is a Burmecian!" Freya protested.
"Right, right. But Julius wants you dead. Then, suddenly, he attacks Puck. And who ends up king? Ebon the women hater. Therefore Julius and Ebon may just be working together," Meander said.
"But what for?" Freya asked.
"Use your brain, nitwit. They're working together to kill you," Amarant grunted.
Freya was so surprised at this prospect that she said nothing. Amarant continued.
"So when Ebon became king, he used silly yet somehow believable excuses to keep you from returning. You have protection there, and friends. Now that they are out of the way, Julius have a perfect shot at you," Amarant explained.
"But why would Julius work with a Burmecian? He hates them," Freya protested.
"Money," Meander said simply.
"Money? You mean he was bribed?" Freya asked.
"Bingo," Meander grunted. "And that is why Julius has not given up. Normally by this time he just gives up and goes after another victim. But since he was offered cash, he is persistent."
"I - I don't want to believe it," Freya whispered.
"Well, you have to, because it makes perfect sense," Amarant growled.
"But that means I have no chance!" Freya cried.
"Not really. If you return to Burmecia and kill Ebon, there goes the bribe. Julius may just give up," Meander said.
"I can't return! I'll be arrested and locked up!" Freya protested.
"Not if you annihilate Ebon!" Amarant snarled. "The other king will probably excuse you!"
"Doubtful! Once I'm banned, and a crime is committed, that crime stays even with the other king! I'll still be locked up! Even though I want to return, I can't!"
Freya rose to her feet and limped out of the room.
It couldn't be true. Just couldn't be. Ebon was harsh, but he had trained her. He had taught her all she knew. He couldn't want her dead. Yet he could.
Freya limped out onto the balcony near Eiko's room. She stared out at the city, her mind full of thoughts of all types. She sighed. Ebon couldn't want her dead.
But look what he put you through. One wrong move, one wrong word, even one wrong breath would get you a smack. He always made you do the hard stuff. Your work was always harder. Your punishments were also brutal. He never acknowledged you, unless trying to cream you. Why shouldn't he want you dead? Freya though grimly. He always hated you. Always. And you kicked his ass when you were only fifteen. You humiliated him, and you enjoyed it. So why shouldn't he get his revenge by killing you? Then you'd be out of his life and his humiliation could die along with you.
Freya sighed. She didn't want to believe it, but she had no choice. Ebon did want her dead, and Julius was after her for money.
And he's not going to stop until Ebon's dead, Freya though downheartedly. But then once you kill him, you're going to be spending the rest of your days in the dungeon. What's better, being stalked or the dungeon? Food that may be interrupted for no food at all? Someone trying to kill me or no one giving any shit? Freedom with fear or chains with boredom? Heat that becomes cold or cold all day long? People caring and trying too hard or people forgetting I exist? No time to think or too much time? Quick death or long death?
Freya didn't know it, but tears were falling from her eyes.
What do I prefer? What's better? Gee, I don't know! They're both just so God-damn terrific! I might as well just jump off this stupid balcony, allowing myself a third option! Quick, fast death!
"What are you so upset about?"
Great, Freya though bitterly. Out of the all the people who have to appear I get stuck with Mr. No-Emotion.
"Absolutely, positively nothing, Amarant," Freya spat.
"Well, excuse me for asking," Amarant said sarcastically.
"Go away," Freya snapped.
"Why?" By this point Amarant had walked over and was staring at her.
"I need to jump off this balcony."
"All right, go ahead."
"Gee, thanks! Glad you care!"
God, she's grumpy. Can't even take my sarcasm, Amarant thought.
"You were fine a second ago," Amarant grunted.
"Well, maybe in a second, I found out that two people want me dead and the only solution is making a cold, lonely dungeon my new home, okay?" Freya snarled, turning to Amarant. "Nothing is going God-damn right! Fratley's gone, Julius wants me dead, Ebon wants me dead, I can't even return home safely, a serpent just about ate me, and I don't even have the person I truly love here for Christmas! My life is shit!"
Freya stormed away. Well, she tried to. Her limp was making her storm more like a crawl. Amarant could've easily chased her, but he didn't. He knew better. He simply leaned against the balcony, watching Freya quietly. There was nothing he could do now. He was not a person to offer sympathy, and since she wasn't having nightmares he couldn't drug her.
Well, he could, but then she would be very, very pissed.
Freya limped down the hall, staring at the floor. She didn't want to talk to anyone, see anyone, or acknowledge anyone. She wanted to sulk in peace, but when you have many people who care, that's hard.
Amarant, care? That's a laugh, Freya thought bitterly.
"So you're so pissed about your situation you're going to yell at the world?"
Freya was now trying to limp faster. Not Meander too! Soon, however, she couldn't even move. Dominic soon came into view.
"Thank the Commander!" Meander shouted with triumph. "Amarant, we caught her!"
"You sure that's a good thing?" Amarant asked as he came down the hall.
Dominic snapped his fingers, and Freya could move again. But it was useless now. The whole party was here, except for Eiko, who maybe she would be willing to talk to. Freya sighed and sank to the ground.
"Why can't you all leave me alone?" she asked.
"What's wrong with you?" Meander asked grumpily.
"What do you think? I have one guy stalking me, another helping him, and a dead boyfriend to boot! Then I have all of you, who don't give a shit!" Freya snapped.
"You don't give us time to give a shit," Amarant grunted.
"Well said," Meander said with agreement. "Amarant said it. Why don't you calm down and listen? Do you really think we don't care? Why are you so upset? You aren't making any sense right now. Did we say something?"
"No, life just sucks," Freya muttered. "I have two choices to make. I can live my life being stalked and never able to return home, or I can return home, kill the king, and spend my life in the dungeon. I thought of the differences and both suck."
"Differences?" Meander asked. "Don't tell me you made yourself miserable."
"Yes, I made myself completely miserable!" Freya spat. "I gave myself time to think, and what'd I think about? What I'd rather like, food that may be interrupted for no food at all. Someone trying to kill me or no one giving any shit. Freedom with fear or chains with boredom. Heat that becomes cold or cold all day long. People caring and trying too hard or people forgetting I exist. No time to think or too much time. Quick death or long death."
"Whoa, wait. Did you say 'people forgetting you exist'?" Meander asked.
"Yes, why?" Freya asked. Renting out her anger and anguish seemed to be helping her slightly.
"Because no one's forgetting anything. Right Amarant?" Meander asked, turning to Amarant.
"Wrong," Amarant said with a smirk.
"See? Amarant wouldn't forget," Meander said, reading Amarant's expression. "Someone would get you out of the dungeon."
"Maybe so, but then what would I do? Have to live my life away from home again?" Freya asked.
"Hey, it always rains and mats your fur anyway," Amarant grunted.
"Shut up, Amarant," Freya growled.
"Anyway, what everyone's trying to say without succeeding is that no matter what happens, someone's going to be around," Dominic butted in, realizing that Amarant and Meander were getting no where quickly. "Even those two dimwits would be."
Amarant drew his claws. "Don't call me a dimwit."
"Freeze, dimwit," Dominic said.
Amarant was encased in a block of ice. Freya's eyes widened with shock while Meander chuckled.
"He's never going to threaten you again, Dominic," Meander said, chuckling.
"He's going to die in that thing!" Freya gasped.
"He'd make a nice decoration," Meander said. "I think I'll chisel a statue."
"So mean," Freya muttered.
"Yes, a nice Amarant statue. You can put it in your room, Meander," Dominic said jokingly.
Meander took out his sword. It was a curious sword with an emerald blade and a ruby handle. He began idly slicing at the ice. Freya rose to her feet and limped over to the block of ice.
"Aren't you just humiliated?" she asked Amarant.
Dominic snapped his fingers, and the block of ice disappeared. Meander put away his sword. Amarant looked pretty angry. Freya tried to back away, but going in reverse when you limp isn't a good move. She fell on her back.
"What are you doing?" Amarant asked, trying his best to keep his teeth from chattering.
"Being a complete idiot," Freya replied.
"That's everyday, Freya," Amarant told her.
"Thanks," Freya spat.
"Anyway, now that the fun and games are over, Freya, do you understand what I said?" Dominic asked. "You're not alone in either situation."
Freya rose to a sitting position. Her life was not much better. She still was in a bad situation.
"Yes, I suppose," Freya muttered. "After all, I'm not exactly alone."
Yes, things will be fine with these people, Freya thought with amusement. Things will be just friendly, happy, stupid, and insane.
Freya's thought was proved when Amarant tried to walk away. Meander tripped him. Amarant fell flat on his face. Dominic chuckled while Freya rolled her eyes.
"Damn you, Meander!" Amarant shouted, but Meander was running away. "Oh, what the hell. If he wants to run, I'll catch him and beat the shit out of him."
Amarant began to chase Meander. Freya turned to Dominic.
"Well, I thought things will be okay. Now I'm very afraid," she said, trying her best to joke.
Dominic laughed.
------- This is what happens when the author gets bored: she gives you what you need to know, and then she adds nonsense to add a bit of length to the story. Yes, I know this chapter sucks. Yes, I know Fratley still hasn't showed up. Please be patient with me! The next chapter is better, I promise you ;)
Be on the look out for an update for Let Fear Propel You Forward.
This story is copyright to me. Some characters, locations, and Gaia in general are copyright to SquareEnix.