Disclaimer: Anything from the game is not mine.
Chapter 12: The Voyage
Melody finally ended her long trek across the ocean at an island that was mostly desert. She looked at her watch and smiled. At the rate she was going, Valeria and whoever else decided to follow her would have trouble following her, even with the Invisible Ship if they somehow got permission to ride the best ship they have.
She dismounted Nellie and gave Nellie a gracious pat on her neck. She rummaged through her rather disorganized sack and made a sound as she found the bunch of Sylkis Greens she brought. She fed some to Nellie and pulled out a magic materia. This was one she knew belonged to her mother because her sister couldn't use it when she tried so many years ago. She cast a disillusioning spell on Nellie to make sure that no one would try to steal her as she walked to the spring. Luckily, Nellie was able to go to the oasis that was in the center of the island. As Melody was drinking from the spring, she heard a low chuckle from behind her.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Melody," an equally low and musical voice said. Melody turned around to see nothing.
"P-Pearl?" she exclaimed.
"Right here," Pearl offered. She was standing to the right of Melody, wearing a thin silver robe. "What, may I ask, are you doing so far away from your chilly continent?"
"Ohh...about that..." Melody thought about whether or not to tell Pearl about the rune. As soon as she thought that, Melody's eyes widened as she realized that Pearl read/heard that thought. Pearl raised an eyebrow and took a seat by Melody.
"Ah, so you're going to fulfill your destiny, eh? And why, might I ask, are you trying to do that?"
"Cloud Strife is...sick. I need it to heal him." Both of Pearl's eyebrows were raised as she flicked back her extremely long hair.
"Are you sure?" When Melody looked at Pearl's eyes, she started to have doubts. "The rune may be used for...bodily purposes. Your magic, on the other hand..." Pearl trailed off.
"What magic?"
"You have been neglecting your training, I see. Well, follow me and bring your chocobo." Melody made Nellie reappear and took her chocobo by the reins to follow Pearl.
Pearl walked to a peculiar looking palm tree and knocked on it in some sort of a special knock. Melody watched, transfixed, as the empty desert surrounding her was replaced with a large camp of tents. Pearl walked along and stopped in front of a large clearing.
"The ground beyond here is sacred, for this is where the Tower of Healing is. Regulation is to take off your foot apparel, although visitors that are not used to the heat are not required to." Melody watched as Pearl slipped out of her sandals and they disappeared. Pearl gave her a quick smile before continuing the walk. Soon enough, the seemingly endless heat waves were replaced by a totem pole looking structure that had various carvings and paintings of some people and things.
They walked to the stairs leading to the entrance of the tower and Pearl clapped twice.
"Yes sage?" two young-looking girls in crimson robes chorused.
"Take this chocobo to the stables. Be sure to feed and/or give her some water."
"Yes sage," the two girls chorused again. They bowed and led Nellie off. Pearl continued through the tower and entered a large chamber that must be her room.
"Okay then, sit upon one of those mats while I make us some tea." Pearl busied herself at a stove.
Melody sat down upon one of the mats, and when Pearl offered her a cup of tea, she hesitated. The last time (which was the first time) she drank tea made by Pearl, the stuff was some sort of hypnotizing liquid that effectively knocked her out. Pearl took a short drink out of her own cup.
"People of the Lemii race naturally have healing powers, powers much stronger than all the Sparxians combined. As a part Lemii, you too have strong healing powers." Pearl smiled her enchanting smile. "So you're not going to drink the tea?"
Melody finally shrugged and drunk the whole cup of tea. Immediately, she felt some sort of a calming effect on her body. Her eyelids suddenly felt heavy and she closed them. She opened them and she was in a white room. She heard rich, lilting laugh from behind her.
"My, my, that was a lot to drink at once." Melody turned around. "Ah, ah, in front of you." Melody turned around again to find herself face to face with Pearl. "Think about that Cloud character, and see how you feel." Melody did a Pearl suggested, and she felt something in her feet tingle.
"What was that?" Melody asked.
"That was the spell you need to use. Try it again, only this time try to focus a little more." Melody tried again, focusing all her strength into the thought. She felt the tingles overcome her whole body and she finally stopped focusing and she felt a power escape her body. She opened her eyes and found herself lying down on the floor. She stood up.
"Welcome back, Melody. You know what you have to do, don't you?" Pearl asked. Melody nodded. "Good. You can continue the rune's voyage, and try not to neglect your healing voyage this time." Melody nodded as Pearl got up from her seat and led her out of the tower.
A/N: sorry this chapter was taking so long to post. I hate it when that happens and I bet you do too. I had difficult classes this past school year and I've been busy with some school-related activities. Besides, I've had a massive writer's block and that's why this chapter was short. I was originally going to continue the other half of the last chapter, but I decided to continue with Melody's quest.