Disclaimer: If I ever get to own Star Ocean, I'll tell ya. Right
now, I am obsessed with previews. I made anada one fer when the gang
enters Falceon's castle. If you people wanna see it, tell me in yur
reviews. I've gotta bio made out fer Ando and Sugano, alright. So don't
say, 'Reveal Ando's past, reveal Sugano's past'. And if any of you are
wondering why Ando and Rena's last name aren't the same, I'll tell ya why.
We know that West found Rena in the forest and took her home. What we
don't know is if Rena kept her last name or if she took Westa's last name.
Smart ain't I? My theory is that Rena took Westa's last name, so her real
last name is Sarion, aight? AND NO MORE SPELLING HINTS/ERROR STUFF,
PLEASE!!! HAVE MERCY!!!!!
~*~Ando~*~
The commander stood there, searching for words. He took several deep breaths before looking up at us.
"Well, I'm glad you came to help us here, but I'm afraid our soldiers are dropping faster now that Falceon has arrived." He said glumly. "Do you think you can handle this, with so many soldiers down?"
"We'll manage it." Ashton said.
"There's no way we can lose." I said.
"Well, we will help you out as much as possible, but I'm not sure how much we can do."
"Don't worry." Claude said. "The front line is in good hands." With that, the commander nodded and dismissed us. We walked out of the office and went outside.
"It's been a while since we've been here." Claude said as he leaned on the rail.
"I know." Rena said. "Well, not really." Leon pulled out his spell book and began looking at it. Hikeru, as usual, was right over his shoulder looking at his book saying 'Oh, what's this?' and 'Oo show me that.!' Really, I don't see how Leon can put up with that. I walked up to the rail and looked out at the land. It went on for a few miles before hitting the water. The sun was beginning to set and there was a beautiful sunset on the horizon. I stared at it for a moment, thinking about how that day looked. People screaming in terror, horrifying screams, children's cries of pain or sorrow. I closed my eyes, trying to push back that evil thought. The thought of Falceon killing my parents. It made me feel guilty for not telling Rena how our parents really died, but I don't think she's ready to hear it. I stared at the sunset a little longer before speaking.
"So when do you think the army will attack?" I asked Ashton.
"Not sure, maybe in a day." He said looking up at me.
"Well, it shouldn't be much harder than the first time, should it?" Claude said. Ashton looked at him.
"That was nothing compared to what Falceon has in store for us." He said.
"So you guys know about Falceon?" A voice said from behind. We all turned around to find a man standing there. He had red hair and looked somewhere around twenty-two. He had on a blue tank top and black pants with two saber swords on his back. He had a scar on his face that stretched from his eyebrow to his chin. "Uh, who are you?" Ashton asked.
"My name is Ryo." He said. "I was told to came and help out with the army and all. But all that aside, I heard you guys talking about Falceon."
"Oh, well, we do know a little about him." I said. "We've actually fought him once."
"Oh really." Ryo said as he walked up to the railing. "What was it like?"
"Not easy." Claude said looking out at the field. Ryo looked at him strangely.
"You make it sound like that was Armageddon." He said. Claude looked at him.
"It was damn near Armageddon it seemed like." He said. Ryo smiled a little and looked across the land.
"Well, I know a little secret bout him." Ryo said.
"What kind of secret?" Ashton asked as he stood up strait.
"Oh, like, weak points, strong points, blah." Ryo said. "Things like that."
"When did you get this?" Rena asked. Ryo looked at her.
"Not to long ago. I was just cruising around Halbred and." Ryo started, but Ashton cut him off.
"Halbred?" He said. "What is Halbred? Ryo thought for a moment.
"Uh...a continent, duh." He said.
"There is no such thing." Rena said.
"Ah, but there is." Ryo said. "No one has ever been able to explore it until Falceon came around. Halbred is an island out in the middle of the sea, just a few miles from the Hoffman Ruins."
"And what were you doing there?" Claude asked.
"I was searching for Falceon." Ryo said, looking back out at the now star filling sky. "I found a huge black castle and, well, went in. Then your original 'welcome to my piece a crap castle,' intro started."
"I see." Ashton said. I remembered Leon and Hikeru and looked back to find them gone.
"Uh, guys." I said. "Where'd Leon and Hikeru go?" The others turned around.
"Uh oh. Knowing Leon he probably went off to show Hikeru spells or something." Claude said. Ryo looked at him.
"I saw a boy with blue hair run down the stairs when I came up here." Ryo said. We all looked at him.
"Was he with a girl?" Rena asked.
"Uh, yeah, with pink hair."
"Well then, I got an idea." Claude said. "Let's go find them," He said as he headed for the steps. The rest of us followed, leaving Ryo behind. I stopped and looked back at him.
"Are you coming?" I asked.
"Nah, well, if you want me to." He said.
"You could be a lot of help and we could use it." I said. He paused for a moment then nodded.
"Awright, I'll come." He got up and followed us. I went after the other three who were at the bottom of the stairs by the time we were half way down.
"Do you know where they were heading?" I asked Ryo as we walked through the store.
"Uh, no, but that one boy was talking about spells n the girl said stuff like go kill a monster and show me." I felt fear wash over me. If Leon was going to show Hikeru spells, that means he would go out and find a monster, without us knowing. He could get himself, and Hikeru, hurt badly. I ran towards the others, telling them what Leon might be doing. Ryo caught up and we did quick introductions before speeding passed the guards at the gate. We ran out onto the field and looked around. There was no sign of Leon or Hikeru anywhere.
"See'em?" Ashton said looking around.
"Nothing." I said. I looked nervously around. I glanced towards the trees and saw something. Then I heard a growl and someone say something. That must be Leon! Ryo heard the same thing and began walking that way.
"Wait." I said.
"No, it's fine." Ryo said continuing into the trees. He disappeared into the green wall and moments past. Then there was a cry of pain and we all ran in. The second I entered there was an orange blur and I was knocked on the ground. I didn't get a chance to look up before flying backwards. There was another cry of pain and I tried to open my eyes, but when I did, all I saw was blood. I had been hit in the head. I heard Claude cry out and Ryo shout as there was a loud snap. Something broke, or someone broke a bone. It was a disgusting sound to your ears. I was hit again and I collided with a tree. I heard someone run my way and stop at my side. I figured it was Rena.
"Heal." She said and all of the pain left me. I opened my eyes to find Claude on the ground, his arm bloody, Ryo with his swords out and slashing at what looked like a giant lizard. Ashton was helping Claude up and getting him out of the way.
"Thrust Stab!" Ryo called out as he shot forward and stabbed the lizard with both swords. (Kina like a Cross Slash and a Twin Stab mix.) He hit the lizard and its eyes became white. Ryo backed off and Claude pulled out his sword and held it to where it was facing the lizard. I realized what was about to happen and turned to Ryo.
"Ryo, back away." I said. He looked back at me then backed up. Claude mumbled something and aimed his sword at the lizard, which was now advancing on him. Ryo didn't seem amazed by Claude's sword, not that I expected it, but his sword is definitely something you don't come close to seeing every day. Ryo watched, amused when a blue beam shot from Claude's sword and struck the beast in the heart. The lizard cried one last breath before dying. It slumped over onto the ground. Ryo looked at Claude and smiled.
"So you're the one." He said walking up to him.
"I what?" Claude said as Ryo looked at him, head to toe.
"Not, what I would have expected, but hey, who ever said that hero's had to be from the same planet as everyone else?" Ryo said.
"What? You mean..." Claude said.
"Yes I know, I know you're from Earth." Ryo said.
"But how?" Claude asked.
"Oh, let's just say, I have a unique skill."
"Hey, let's quit asking and start looking for Leon and Hikeru." Ashton blurted out.
"Did you see anyone when you came in hear?" I asked Ryo.
"Mmm, I think." He said as he pointed deeper in the trees. "It sounded like they were coming from over there."
"Well then, let's go." Claude said as he started deeper in the woods. We followed and kept a close eye on anything that moved. A few moments later Claude stopped for a moment then ran off into the trees. We ran after him, hoping that he found Leon and Hikeru. We saw him drop and kneel down by someone. As I ran beside him, I saw it was Leon, only he was beat up.
"What happened?" Claude asked him. Leon tried to speak, but his injuries wouldn't let him. Rena knelt beside him and casted a healing spell. I looked around and saw no Hikeru.
"And where's Hikeru?" I asked, continuing to look around.
"She, was dragged off, by something." Leon said weakly. "I...tried, to stop it, but got knocked out."
"Great, we need to be at the front line." Ashton said. Now we're in deep trouble. The monsters could have dragged Hikeru away to kill her or to do something else. I shuddered at the thought of what might happen. Then, and idea hit me.
"Why don't we have half of us stay at the front while the others look for Hikeru." I suggested.
"That would work." Claude said. "Now let's decide who goes where."
"Since there's a chance Falceon might be luring us into a trap, Rena should go back to the front." I said. "Ashton, you should go back also."
"And the rest of us go find Hikeru?" Ryo said.
"Yeah, three's better than two." I said.
"Four's better than three." Ashton said. I looked at him.
"You're right, but if Falceon sent out a minion that only Claude can defeat, I don't know why, then we need him to go with us. And if Falceon comes while we're gone, someone needs to protect Rena, and surly there will be a sufficient amount of monsters guarding Hikeru for who knows what." I said. Ashton thought for a moment.
"Well, you're right." He said. "I'll take Leon with me."
"No." Leon protested. "I wanna help find Hikeru."
"Leon, the front line isn't having a great time holding off the enemy, and your spells could really help them out." Claude said. "We'll find her and bring her back safely." Leon stared blankly at Claude before looking down.
"But..." He said. Claude walked up to him and knelt down.
"Leon, don't worry." He said putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine. If you remember when we arrived on El, remember how we found everyone?" Leon nodded. "Well, that's just how we'll find Hikeru, not harmed or anything." Leon looked at Claude for a moment then nodded.
"Alright." He said. "But come back soon."
"We will." Claude said standing up and facing deeper into the woods.
"You guys head on back to the front line." I said. "The army might strike sooner than we anticipate." The others started back towards the front line. I looked at Ryo and Claude and we began to walk through the woods. I only hope Hikeru is still alive when we find her.
Divine Soul: Uh...me got question, who should the next chapter be told by? Ryo, or Claude...or Ando, again? I was just wondering...OK, me go psycho now, NVKJDSHJJTGRHEGREUSHJTU43HTJRNGURANUGHREWJGNRJKAJGIRHJGRENGJFDNGJFDHSTIRHGJF DHGKJSANK;GHFJGHFAJGKHGFKJAHGKFDAHTIREJGKREJIGJREWTGRNMCHDHGFDHSJRHFELWKTJRE SHR-*continues on through the night*
~*~Ando~*~
The commander stood there, searching for words. He took several deep breaths before looking up at us.
"Well, I'm glad you came to help us here, but I'm afraid our soldiers are dropping faster now that Falceon has arrived." He said glumly. "Do you think you can handle this, with so many soldiers down?"
"We'll manage it." Ashton said.
"There's no way we can lose." I said.
"Well, we will help you out as much as possible, but I'm not sure how much we can do."
"Don't worry." Claude said. "The front line is in good hands." With that, the commander nodded and dismissed us. We walked out of the office and went outside.
"It's been a while since we've been here." Claude said as he leaned on the rail.
"I know." Rena said. "Well, not really." Leon pulled out his spell book and began looking at it. Hikeru, as usual, was right over his shoulder looking at his book saying 'Oh, what's this?' and 'Oo show me that.!' Really, I don't see how Leon can put up with that. I walked up to the rail and looked out at the land. It went on for a few miles before hitting the water. The sun was beginning to set and there was a beautiful sunset on the horizon. I stared at it for a moment, thinking about how that day looked. People screaming in terror, horrifying screams, children's cries of pain or sorrow. I closed my eyes, trying to push back that evil thought. The thought of Falceon killing my parents. It made me feel guilty for not telling Rena how our parents really died, but I don't think she's ready to hear it. I stared at the sunset a little longer before speaking.
"So when do you think the army will attack?" I asked Ashton.
"Not sure, maybe in a day." He said looking up at me.
"Well, it shouldn't be much harder than the first time, should it?" Claude said. Ashton looked at him.
"That was nothing compared to what Falceon has in store for us." He said.
"So you guys know about Falceon?" A voice said from behind. We all turned around to find a man standing there. He had red hair and looked somewhere around twenty-two. He had on a blue tank top and black pants with two saber swords on his back. He had a scar on his face that stretched from his eyebrow to his chin. "Uh, who are you?" Ashton asked.
"My name is Ryo." He said. "I was told to came and help out with the army and all. But all that aside, I heard you guys talking about Falceon."
"Oh, well, we do know a little about him." I said. "We've actually fought him once."
"Oh really." Ryo said as he walked up to the railing. "What was it like?"
"Not easy." Claude said looking out at the field. Ryo looked at him strangely.
"You make it sound like that was Armageddon." He said. Claude looked at him.
"It was damn near Armageddon it seemed like." He said. Ryo smiled a little and looked across the land.
"Well, I know a little secret bout him." Ryo said.
"What kind of secret?" Ashton asked as he stood up strait.
"Oh, like, weak points, strong points, blah." Ryo said. "Things like that."
"When did you get this?" Rena asked. Ryo looked at her.
"Not to long ago. I was just cruising around Halbred and." Ryo started, but Ashton cut him off.
"Halbred?" He said. "What is Halbred? Ryo thought for a moment.
"Uh...a continent, duh." He said.
"There is no such thing." Rena said.
"Ah, but there is." Ryo said. "No one has ever been able to explore it until Falceon came around. Halbred is an island out in the middle of the sea, just a few miles from the Hoffman Ruins."
"And what were you doing there?" Claude asked.
"I was searching for Falceon." Ryo said, looking back out at the now star filling sky. "I found a huge black castle and, well, went in. Then your original 'welcome to my piece a crap castle,' intro started."
"I see." Ashton said. I remembered Leon and Hikeru and looked back to find them gone.
"Uh, guys." I said. "Where'd Leon and Hikeru go?" The others turned around.
"Uh oh. Knowing Leon he probably went off to show Hikeru spells or something." Claude said. Ryo looked at him.
"I saw a boy with blue hair run down the stairs when I came up here." Ryo said. We all looked at him.
"Was he with a girl?" Rena asked.
"Uh, yeah, with pink hair."
"Well then, I got an idea." Claude said. "Let's go find them," He said as he headed for the steps. The rest of us followed, leaving Ryo behind. I stopped and looked back at him.
"Are you coming?" I asked.
"Nah, well, if you want me to." He said.
"You could be a lot of help and we could use it." I said. He paused for a moment then nodded.
"Awright, I'll come." He got up and followed us. I went after the other three who were at the bottom of the stairs by the time we were half way down.
"Do you know where they were heading?" I asked Ryo as we walked through the store.
"Uh, no, but that one boy was talking about spells n the girl said stuff like go kill a monster and show me." I felt fear wash over me. If Leon was going to show Hikeru spells, that means he would go out and find a monster, without us knowing. He could get himself, and Hikeru, hurt badly. I ran towards the others, telling them what Leon might be doing. Ryo caught up and we did quick introductions before speeding passed the guards at the gate. We ran out onto the field and looked around. There was no sign of Leon or Hikeru anywhere.
"See'em?" Ashton said looking around.
"Nothing." I said. I looked nervously around. I glanced towards the trees and saw something. Then I heard a growl and someone say something. That must be Leon! Ryo heard the same thing and began walking that way.
"Wait." I said.
"No, it's fine." Ryo said continuing into the trees. He disappeared into the green wall and moments past. Then there was a cry of pain and we all ran in. The second I entered there was an orange blur and I was knocked on the ground. I didn't get a chance to look up before flying backwards. There was another cry of pain and I tried to open my eyes, but when I did, all I saw was blood. I had been hit in the head. I heard Claude cry out and Ryo shout as there was a loud snap. Something broke, or someone broke a bone. It was a disgusting sound to your ears. I was hit again and I collided with a tree. I heard someone run my way and stop at my side. I figured it was Rena.
"Heal." She said and all of the pain left me. I opened my eyes to find Claude on the ground, his arm bloody, Ryo with his swords out and slashing at what looked like a giant lizard. Ashton was helping Claude up and getting him out of the way.
"Thrust Stab!" Ryo called out as he shot forward and stabbed the lizard with both swords. (Kina like a Cross Slash and a Twin Stab mix.) He hit the lizard and its eyes became white. Ryo backed off and Claude pulled out his sword and held it to where it was facing the lizard. I realized what was about to happen and turned to Ryo.
"Ryo, back away." I said. He looked back at me then backed up. Claude mumbled something and aimed his sword at the lizard, which was now advancing on him. Ryo didn't seem amazed by Claude's sword, not that I expected it, but his sword is definitely something you don't come close to seeing every day. Ryo watched, amused when a blue beam shot from Claude's sword and struck the beast in the heart. The lizard cried one last breath before dying. It slumped over onto the ground. Ryo looked at Claude and smiled.
"So you're the one." He said walking up to him.
"I what?" Claude said as Ryo looked at him, head to toe.
"Not, what I would have expected, but hey, who ever said that hero's had to be from the same planet as everyone else?" Ryo said.
"What? You mean..." Claude said.
"Yes I know, I know you're from Earth." Ryo said.
"But how?" Claude asked.
"Oh, let's just say, I have a unique skill."
"Hey, let's quit asking and start looking for Leon and Hikeru." Ashton blurted out.
"Did you see anyone when you came in hear?" I asked Ryo.
"Mmm, I think." He said as he pointed deeper in the trees. "It sounded like they were coming from over there."
"Well then, let's go." Claude said as he started deeper in the woods. We followed and kept a close eye on anything that moved. A few moments later Claude stopped for a moment then ran off into the trees. We ran after him, hoping that he found Leon and Hikeru. We saw him drop and kneel down by someone. As I ran beside him, I saw it was Leon, only he was beat up.
"What happened?" Claude asked him. Leon tried to speak, but his injuries wouldn't let him. Rena knelt beside him and casted a healing spell. I looked around and saw no Hikeru.
"And where's Hikeru?" I asked, continuing to look around.
"She, was dragged off, by something." Leon said weakly. "I...tried, to stop it, but got knocked out."
"Great, we need to be at the front line." Ashton said. Now we're in deep trouble. The monsters could have dragged Hikeru away to kill her or to do something else. I shuddered at the thought of what might happen. Then, and idea hit me.
"Why don't we have half of us stay at the front while the others look for Hikeru." I suggested.
"That would work." Claude said. "Now let's decide who goes where."
"Since there's a chance Falceon might be luring us into a trap, Rena should go back to the front." I said. "Ashton, you should go back also."
"And the rest of us go find Hikeru?" Ryo said.
"Yeah, three's better than two." I said.
"Four's better than three." Ashton said. I looked at him.
"You're right, but if Falceon sent out a minion that only Claude can defeat, I don't know why, then we need him to go with us. And if Falceon comes while we're gone, someone needs to protect Rena, and surly there will be a sufficient amount of monsters guarding Hikeru for who knows what." I said. Ashton thought for a moment.
"Well, you're right." He said. "I'll take Leon with me."
"No." Leon protested. "I wanna help find Hikeru."
"Leon, the front line isn't having a great time holding off the enemy, and your spells could really help them out." Claude said. "We'll find her and bring her back safely." Leon stared blankly at Claude before looking down.
"But..." He said. Claude walked up to him and knelt down.
"Leon, don't worry." He said putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine. If you remember when we arrived on El, remember how we found everyone?" Leon nodded. "Well, that's just how we'll find Hikeru, not harmed or anything." Leon looked at Claude for a moment then nodded.
"Alright." He said. "But come back soon."
"We will." Claude said standing up and facing deeper into the woods.
"You guys head on back to the front line." I said. "The army might strike sooner than we anticipate." The others started back towards the front line. I looked at Ryo and Claude and we began to walk through the woods. I only hope Hikeru is still alive when we find her.
Divine Soul: Uh...me got question, who should the next chapter be told by? Ryo, or Claude...or Ando, again? I was just wondering...OK, me go psycho now, NVKJDSHJJTGRHEGREUSHJTU43HTJRNGURANUGHREWJGNRJKAJGIRHJGRENGJFDNGJFDHSTIRHGJF DHGKJSANK;GHFJGHFAJGKHGFKJAHGKFDAHTIREJGKREJIGJREWTGRNMCHDHGFDHSJRHFELWKTJRE SHR-*continues on through the night*