All About Runes: Chapter 3

Jimba looked suspiciously at the little girl walking slowly in front of him. They were already walking along the end of the plains to Budehuc, and the girl Yun hadn't said a word. He knew he had died that day at the Cyndar ruins, and he also felt himself as a spirit. But having life again and walking on these familiar plains were doubtful.

"There it is!" Yun shouted back as she pointed towards the high castle.

Jimba stared hard at the castle in front of them. Was this really Budehuc? Last time he was here, the gates were incomplete. Actually, there weren't really any gates. But right in front of him was a high red polished gate connected to brick walls that seemed to surround the castle. And the upper part of the castle that was still seen through the gates seemed brand new and newly polished. And for some odd reason, the castle seemed to be a bit higher this time.

"Little girl, are you sure we are on the right castle?" Jimba asked

"Yep! No doubt about that." Yun smiled as she searched for inside the castle through the gates. "Oh! Sir knight!" she finally called.

A short knight neared them. Rather, a young girl.

"I'm no sir! But I AM the head of the guards of Budehuc castle, Cecile. Who are you and what is your business here?" Cecile said rather harshly.

"I thought Budehuc castle was open to public? So it was all a rumor then..." Yun said.

"No! No! You see...Budehuc castle is under renovation. And it won't be open to public for a few more months, maybe a years. We plan to improve it a little bit more, and we have already talked to the townspeople anyway. And during those months, many important people are staying here, so please understand." Cecile replied.

"Cecile, open the gates. It's Jimba. And this young girl is Yun, the youngest sister of the Alma Kinan sisters, Yumi and Yuiri." Jimba finally spoke up.

Cecile finally noticed Jimba and started to stutter.

"Oh! I---I'm sorry. I didn't know...Please, enter." Cecile said as she opened the gates.

"Thank you." Yun said before she and Jimba entered, heading straight inside.

'Jimba...I...He...Isn't he already......??!' Cecile thought as she shook her head.

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"Hey Nash!" Faye caught up with the lad as he started to descend the stairs.

"Yes, my lady?" Nash replied.

"Okaaaay.....since when did you start getting formal with me?" Faye raised an eyebrow.

"Ever since the news that you and your sister were royalties spread."

"What?! And what are you doing 'believing' rumors like that?!?!"

"Shh......quiet." Nash said as he looked around.

"But...but...aren't we supposed to be...I thought we were to pose as your family friends?"

"Yeah, Yeah, I already told High Priest Sasarai that. They'll announce it later on. Now keep a low profile ok?"

"Ok...uhm...so we're not supposed to let ANYBODY know about our real identities??"

"YES, or we'll ALL be dead."

"Ok fine..." Faye said as she turned and headed back to her room.

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As Jimba and Yun walked entered the gates, Jimba finally noticed that the people have been pretty busy. The floors were fixed and all the houses were new. There were several tiny plants around and the place was extended heavily. The Lottery shop and Piccolo's tent were gone, leaving a clear view of the perfect large garden at the back of the inn with several fountains and benches. At the middle of the garden was a pond with a small bridge over it. The sight was simple exquisite.

The place had several added lampposts and few benches scattered around. At the place where Jeanne's and Hortez's shop were was a single 2 floored building with glass windows. And the same goes for Guillame's and Gordon's shop. The staircases leading to the castle and leading down were also renovated; they weren't the same irregularly stone piled steps but fixed marble steps. The scenery up the small steps was not much different from the past though, but the mosses, shrubs and dirt were gone. The floor was also fixed.

The outside and inside of the castle were repainted and the windows were fixed. The web cobs and dirt inside were gone and new paintings and furniture scattered all over the place, and the broken walls were all newly built up. The stairs were polished marble and carpeted. All over the place, no dirt was present.

Yun stopped just in front of the elevator and turned around.

"They're coming." She said as she faced the steps.

Yun was right. Coming down the steps were Ceasar and Nash. When Ceasar finally saw them, he stopped and stared long before closing his eyes.

"Is there something wrong, Ceasar?" Nash asked.

"It's nothing. My eyes seem to be deceiving me." Ceasar replied as he rubbed his eyes.

"Does that mean we're ghosts, little girl?" Jimba whispered to Yun.

Yun merely smiled and walked towards the two.

"Lord Silverburg, Lord Latjke." Yun nodded, acknowledging the two. "This fine warrior Jimba and I have traveled far and have finally arrived here. Will you help us?"

"You?! I thought you were...ahem" Nash looked awkward. "...dead?"

"And you too..." Ceasar frowned at Jimba.

"Ceasar...can you see them too?" Nash asked silently.

"Yes..er..." Ceasar was cut off.

"Yun!" Two voices shouted from upstairs.

"Oh! Yuiri! Yumi!" Yun smiled and waved at them.

Yumi ran down the stairs and hugged her youngest sister.

"The spirits told us that you were here." Yumi let her go and looked at Jimba. "And him too."

Yun smiled sweetly. "I'll explain once all is ready. But for now, I'd like to let people know we're alive, and not ghosts"

Yuiri walked towards them. "I understand. We'll talk to them. Yumi, bring them to the unoccupied rooms."

Yumi nodded and leaded the smiling Yun and the dazed Jimba away.

Yuiri faced Ceasar and Nash. "Would you help me gather the elders in the hall immediately? And please ask later, not now. Thank you" Then she left.

'That girl...she knew my real name...' Nash thought.

Both stood there stunned at what happened.

Nash was the first to react. "They're not ghosts..." Nash sighed. "So.....Let's go Silverburg, we were asked to help a lady."

"O---ok..." Ceasar then went to the other direction, but not before hitting himself straight onto a pillar.

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After a few minutes, the same people were gathered at the hall. And most of those people had the 'what-is-it-now?!' look on their faces. They waited until Yuiri and Yumi entered before they relaxed. The sisters took their seats and looked at everybody's faces.

"I know you were gathered here just moments ago, but what we'll be saying is rather important." Yumi said.

"Just this morning, my youngest sister, Yun, whom is also known to be dead, arrived at our door. The spirits told us that our sister would be coming back today, together with a warrior, and it's true." Yuiri said

"I believe you know this warrior as well, he goes by the name Wyatt, or more commonly known, Jimba." Several gasps and reactions were heard. Yumi stared hard at Chris as she continued. "I would just like to inform you that they are not spirits nor wandering ghosts. And it would be better if everybody treated them as if they were really alive, because they really are."

Chris was starting to look confused, and she moved here and there on her seat.

"I believe that the mages Luc and Sarah have also arrived this morning. And they are also alive. The reason they are here, only Yun knows. But she will explain once she feels everything is ready and fit. But she has also told me that the mages will bring no harm, nor will the other two who will be showing up soon. I hope that people will forget the past experiences and try to be comfortable with the newcomers. That is all Yun wishes to say."

"Are there any questions?" Yuiri asked.

Dupa spoke up. "How do we know what Yun is saying is true?"

"Our youngest sister is quite gifted. She is similar to what you call a seer; it is rare in Alma Kinan though. She can sense and see things that are about to happen and things happening." Yumi replied.

During the questioning period, Chris asked to be excused then left. And after the sisters knew that everyone was convinced, their meeting finally ended. But Sasarai seemed to have more things to say.

"I would also like to say that there are also new guests that arrived a moment ago. They are old friends of mine and also neighbors of Nash Clovis in the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia."

'Clovis? If I'm not mistaken...didn't that little girl Yun call him something else?" Ceasar thought momentarily. 'Oh well...I guess I'm getting old.'

"I'm afraid their parents have just passed away a few weeks ago resulting unto our friend Nash accompanying them back here since no one would be there to guard them under personal circumstances....." Sasarai was cut off as the door to the hall opened, revealing the 2 Milian sisters and the 3 cousins.

"Speaking of which, may I introduce to everybody, my lady Farrah Milian and lady Faye Milian. This is Lady Luna Widquin, a cousin, and her brother Stefan Widquin. Another cousin is absent I'm afraid. But you'll recognize her; she has long red locks and is particularly fond of wearing.......er- hem....more unfeminine clothes for her everyday." Sasarai said as he introduced each of them.

Each of the four bowed slightly at the mention of their names.

"Is it really ok that we stay here? Uhm, we weren't really invited...and we came here suddenly...so...er..." Farrah looked down.

Everybody said that it was ok and gave their condolences to the Milian sisters. So the meeting ended with no problem. Except for Chris.

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Chris was found sitting at the empty garden with her back to the unseen part of the bridge. She was staring blankly at the pond, just sitting with her hands around her knees thinking of the many things that happened in her life. During the past, she had spent most of her time searching for her father. She had thought at first that he had died, but refused at believing it later on. She knew somehow her father was still out there.

And at the time they joined the Fire Bringer, she almost forgot all about her father. But as fast as her father had disappeared, he was found out to be one of the Karayans, living as 'Jimba'. And just like that, just after she had discovered his true identity, he passed away. She had suffered long enough to be tortured once more. But those days in the past were still the same empty ones driven by duty and will.

She knew all of her knights tried their best to console her once they knew, but even those couldn't make for totally forget about her father. The news that was delivered in the hall a moment ago struck her hard. She thought it was a joke. Apparently it wasn't. She went straight to where the empty rooms were and found Jimba sleeping on a bed in one of the unoccupied rooms. She even went inside and held his hand to check if it was all an illusion, but his hand was not the same cold one she held last time, it was warm.

Normally, girls who had witnessed what she did would have cried hard and locked themselves in their room. But it just wasn't her. She wasn't raised that way...her parents weren't there with her when she grew up. And now her father's here.

Chris sighed.

Suddenly something big fell down from a tree nearby startling her. Chris immediately stood up and went near. She tiptoed to see if there was something past the high bushes.

"Oooh...that hurts..." A voice of a girl was heard inside. The figure started to stand up and hold something rather long as support to stand up. The figure then walked out, and rather unsteadily, out of the shadows of the tree to the pathway.

The girl was probably just about a few years older than Chris judging from her appearance. She seemed to be a mage because of her staff and her unique Harmonian clothes though. The upper part of her long straight ebony hair was held up at the back of her head by a dark violet hair ornament that twisted her hair here and there, letting the lower half flow behind her back. Some strands were encircled by long thin purple and white threadlike strands and tied at the bottom. It would have been better if thin stems and leaves weren't sticking out from here and there on her hair.

"Uhm...excuse me, but are you alright?" Chris asked as she looked to see if there were wounds.

"Yep, thanks anyway." The girl smiled and looked at her. "Do you, by any chance, know where this place would be?"

"This is Budehuc Castle. Are you one of the residents?" Chris replied.

"Oh, no no. I'm sorry; I must have transported myself mistakenly. I was supposed to transport myself to Crystal Valley. My name is Viki. And I'm one of the guardians in the Circle Palace in Harmonia. And you are?" Viki smiled innocently.

"Vi---Viki? Are you in anyway excelling in the range of blinking magic?"

'Please don't tell me----' Chris thought.

"Oh Yes! Blinking magic is my specialty, it's my way of transporting anywhere."

Chris sighed. 'Not ANOTHER one...two is scary...three is a nightmare...'

"Oh, what is your name by the way?" Viki asked.

"Chris Lightfellow. You may call me Chris."

"Chris Lightfellow??? That's odd...your name is exactly the name of the lady knight I met a few years ago, she was admired by all her knights." Viki chuckled. "She received the True Water Rune and she joined Fire Bringers when they fought Luc too."

"Er...Uhm..." Chris was speechless.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I see you arrived too." A small voice suddenly spoke up behind Chris. Little Viki walked towards the guardian Viki and stopped in front of her.

The guardian Viki just stared at the younger Viki as if trying to remember something. She then stopped examining the little girl and walked to the entrance of the garden and looked around. Her face suddenly became alert as she walked more quickly and stopped in front of the inn. She then saw Cecile and Thomas entering the main door to the castle.

Guardian Viki suddenly ran back to where Chris and younger Viki were standing and asked immediately to the kid:

"How long is it past the time when the 5 True Elemental Runes were given back to their owners after the war? The one where Hugo and Chris Lightfellow were included?"

"Four and a half months to be exact." Little Viki replied.

Guardian Viki sank down on her knees and banged hear head on her staff.

"Oh no..." Guardian Viki mumbled.

"It's ok, the other one is still here too, and yes, you transported yourself four and a half months back to the past. I advise you to just enjoy your stay here." Little Viki said as she walked slowly back to the entrance of the garden.

"Little Viki, why is it that you seem too much different from the other Viki? The mage inside." Chris asked in wonder.

"You mean she's more clumsy and er...shall we say, not that keen?"

"Er..."

"I'm more similar to the guardian. This one, the one that just arrived." Then Little Viki walked away.

"Wait!!" Guardian Viki jumped up and chased Little Viki, leaving Chris speechless and staring at the entrance.

"What...a day..." Chris said as she sighed and walked across the bridge and stopped in the middle too look below and observe the fishes once more. "Fishes are great...Fishes are very fun to watch...Fishes are cute..."

".........."

"Yuck...I take that back..."

"Lady Chris? Is that you?" a voice spoke up behind her.

Chris turned around to find Kathy walking slowly towards her.

"I knew it was you! You look different, but much better without your armor." Kathy said then laughed.

Chris smiled. "Thanks. Taking a break?"

"Yep..." Kathy replied as she looked down from the bridge and threw something down to the fishes. "The horses are resting too so I feed the fishes sometimes, you know. That's why I almost always spend my time in the garden on my resting time. What brings YOU here?"

"Oh...I visit the garden occasionally when I want to relax or think about something."

"So I assume you came here to think about something?"

"What made you say that?"

Kathy laughed. "Because if you REALLY wanted to rest you wouldn't be smiling."

"Oh..." Chris sighed. "I want to ask you something...for advice actually."

"Yes?"

"When I was young, I never got to know my parents well...my mom died a very long time ago. And my father was said to have disappeared when I was very young...And after several years of searching, I finally find him. Yet I never got the chance to talk to him before he went away again. And now that he's back, I don't know what to do..."

Kathy closed her eyes and was silent for a moment. When she spoke up again, she had a look of wonder on her face.

"You know what Chris? We aren't that much different after all. I grew up without the presence of my father; all I know is that he likes to search for treasure. Of course I still feel a little bit sad about that, but I know one thing's for sure, he really loved my mom and me. My mom told me that they had a little conflict in the past, but...she has already passed away.... Dad's still alive though." Kathy stopped for a moment to clear her throat before continuing. "If you want my advice, I'd say you should treasure him before it's too late. You're one of those lucky people who found their living parent. Try enjoying your time with him and talk to him once about all the matters in the past. Once the problems are settled, I promise it would be really great for you."

Chris stared at the waters as she replied.

"...Thanks Kathy...I----" Chris then faced her. "I'm not really good at these kinds of things but...I'm sure you'll meet your father someday, if he really loves you, it'll happen someday for sure."

"Thanks Chris. Good Luck."

Chris smiled in return and waved goodbye before rushing back to the castle.

-----------------MEANWHILE-----------------

Hortez was still sitting open-mouthed in front of Jeane at the opposite side of the table.

"That's the reason. So do you agree on helping me now?" Jeane asked.

"Wait for a moment." Hortez replied as he rested his head on his hands. "The information is registering in my mind...Miss Jeane, are you truly sure about what you have just revealed to me?"

"Yes. We're supposed to do it anyway... They told me." Jeane smiled and giggled.

Hortez looked out the window and rolled his eyes.

"OKAY...I agree... Since it IS important..."

"Hee Hee, the others have spread now. The other residents of the castle are starting to take the effect. I'll send the others in a few days. But of course I already told them that it's not effective on us." Jeane said as she walked in front of a painting on the wall.

She touched the painting with her right hand and the painting instantly changed to a metal square that opened in an instant she pulled back her hand. Inside were the orbs they found that dawn. They were glowing brightly now, and after a few moments, one of the orbs disappeared. Jeane eyebrows furrowed and she started to frown, and in an instant, their glow disappeared.

When Jeane snapped as she walked away, the square metal changed back to the old painting, leaving the orbs secure inside.

"Another has been realeased." Jeane said to Hortez who has drinking water to steady himself.

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Aila woke with a start. For a moment she felt a tingling feeling all over her body. When she opened her eyes groggily, she pulled off the blanket covering her and started to sit up but found that she couldn't. When she looked down, he saw Ace sleeping below him with his feet over her knees. Upon instinct, she kicked Ace and started to stand up.

That's Joker is really a cheater. Last night he told her that he's treat her for soda. Obviously, she wouldn't turn down such a perfect offer. But that night, what he gave him was wine. He even told her that it was a special kind of soda. Yeah Right. His 'special kind of soda' brought her drunk.

When Aila looked around, he saw few people sleeping on the several layers of sheets laid out for them to sleep on along the floor of the tavern. There was Wan Fu, Kenji, Elaine, Duke, Beecham, Ace, and Joker. And it seemed odd that none of them had blankets. Anne was nowhere to be found too.

Aila started towards the door, thinking to head back to her comfortable bed to sleep some more, her head was pretty dizzy. When she opened the door leading to the main hallway, she was surprised to see Jacques talking to a little kid. When she closed the door silently, his voice startled her.

"You finally woke up?" He said as he patted the little kid on the head.

"Oh, yeah. But they're all still asleep. What happened?" Aila replied walking to him.

"You people got pretty drunk and passed out. Anne thought it was pretty amusing to let you all sleep in the tavern." The little kid smiled at Jacques and ran away.

"Oh...you gave me the blanket?"

"Yeah."

"Gee thanks. Sorry, but I have to go, my head's dizzy and I need to sleep on MY bed."

"Ok. See you" Jacques walked away and entered the door to the tavern.

Aila stared at the door for a moment before running up the stairs. 'That's odd...I seem to have forgotten something.'

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"So when did you say the effects would start to show again?" Hortez asked the Rune sage.

He was standing against the far wall with his arms crossed, thinking hard.

"In a few hours." Jeane giggled.

"Wait...let me get this straight. Those orbs were runes of what?"

"They are runes that give abnormal effects to people; these effects cause people to act the way they do not normally do. It is really important that they be used because they are quite ancient and at the brink of destruction. The destruction is not that big, but with their number, it's as worse as the destruction of a True rune. I thought it would be best to use these runes to the people of Budehuc, since the castle consists of strong people, and the effect will last no more than 3 to 5 months anyway. It would be amusing to watch the people too. Hee Hee."

Hortez sighed. "I'm not familiar with these things much. But I hope this works."

Jeane just laughed in reply.

end of chapter.

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