I don't own Skies of Arcadia
Enrique listened intently to Vyse's story but could only frown at the end of it. "I have no idea," Enrique replied, shaking his head. "My spies have told me nothing about the Black Moon or any information concerning it. This is odd. Usually, my spies are the best and know everything before hand."
Enrique was a bit troubled. If Aika or Vyse knew about the Black Moon and it having the ability of being raised once more, then there was a good possibility someone else might and use that knowledge to their advantage.
When Enrique's dower butler returned with food, Enrique said, "Bullocks, please find Mr. Domingo." To Vyse and Fina he said, "He is the head of my intelligence and should know what is going on. Oh, and Bullocks, please make sure that no one interrupts us during our meeting."
Vyse recognized the name as one of his crew. He had wondered what happened to Domingo since his crew went their separate ways once they defeated the Armada.
A loud scream erupted across the small island of Pirate Isle. Moegi fell out of Vyse's bed and scrambled to the window. She looked outside, at Aika's house, shocked. The red head was running out of her home, her hair undone and tangled behind her, with a strange look on her face. She was stomping towards Vyse's house in a fury that no words could possibly describe.
Aika ravaged the door, her knuckles digging deeply into the old wood. "Dyne!" she screamed.
Moegi dressed quickly and slithered down the ladder. She made it down just in time to see Vyse's mother and Dyne roll out of their beds and slip into some robes.
"What's going on?" Dyne muttered.
Vyse's mother glared at her husband. "How should I know. I'm not psychic!"
They scrambled to the door quickly and opened it.
On the other side, Aika glared at the elder people. It looked as if she were just barely controlling her temper. "Where is it?" she growled.
"She's gone mental," Dyne replied and went back to bed.
Aika pushed further into the house and once again repeated, "Where is it?"
Vyse's mother laid a comforting hand on Aika's shoulder and asked in a quiet voice, "Where is what, honey?"
For some reason, this gesture calmed Aika. She looked at Vyse's mother more rationally as an embarrassed blush crept over her cheeks. "I, err, I -- where my dagger went. I hid it in my room."
"Maybe it's still there?" Moegi managed to supply after she got over the swift change in temperament by the red head. She was about to go to Aika's house and help check when Aika shook her head.
"I checked everywhere. I know for a fact that I left it in my room and I hid it pretty well." Aika frowned. Without the dagger, Moegi knew Aika would have problems with the ceremony. The dagger was crucial to the ceremony.
"Well, maybe Vyse or Fina took it," Dyne hollered from his bed.
"That's right," Vyse's mother said. "Fina was in your room and Vyse was in your kitchen. They were searching for clues on where you could be, remember? Maybe Fina accidentally retrieved it and took it with her."
"You've got to be kidding me," Aika exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Sorry, Aika, I'm not." Vyse's mother looked between Aika and Moegi. "Why, is there something wrong? Did you need the dagger? What's it for?"
The two women looked at each other for a full minute before Aika gave Vyse's mother a cool grin. "Of course nothing is wrong. Well, I'm sorry I got freaky on you. It's the Nasr blood in me."
"Understood. Your father had the same temper tantrums," Dyne replied, a small smile lighting his face as if he were remembering something from long ago.
Vyse's mother looked as if she didn't believe Aika one bit but Aika just turned away and headed back to her house. "I, uh, I think I'll go back to bed."
"Wait, Aika," Vyse's mother began as she took a step forward. She felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder and Vyse's mother turned around to see Moegi's concerned face.
"Let me," Moegi whispered and went after Aika.
Domingo strutted into the room with a wry smile firmly planted on his face. He stopped in front of Enrique and bowed deeply. "Majesty," he said.
"Domingo. It's good to see you again." Enrique gestured toward Vyse and Fina. "I'm sure you remember these two."
Domingo's grin got wider and he threw an arm over Vyse's shoulder. "How could I forget this sexy man! He invades my dreams nightly," Domingo said playfully. He winked at Vyse and turned his eyes on Fina.
"Ugh," Vyse grunted and pushed Domingo's arm off of him. Sure, Vyse remembered Domingo. They had been rivals once, searching the skies for elusive secrets until Domingo joined the crew. He always seemed to be an eccentric man, comfortable with his masculinity to flirt with either sex and totally freak out Vyse whenever he could.
"And who could forget the lovely Fina," Domingo said with a grin. He pushed Vyse aside and took Fina's hand in his. "It's a pleasure meeting you once more." His fingers suddenly locked on her hand and he pulled Fina closer. He bent down so that he could whisper in her ear, "I hope you dumped Vyse and found someone more your style, Love," then backed away suddenly, offering her a warm smile before he turned back toward Enrique.
Behind him, Fina was staring at Domingo intently. Did he know how she had felt about Vyse? She nearly coughed. Everyone knew, even Aika. What made this whole situation worse, was that Aika was still supportive of Fina's crush even though Aika liked Vyse as well. Fina looked away and bit the bottom of her lip. She felt worse, suddenly.
"You called for me, Your Majesty," Domingo asked as he bowed once again, giving Vyse a clear view of his backside. Vyse grimaced.
Fina caught this action from the corner of her eyes and laughed. She couldn't help it.
Domingo rose suddenly and caught Fina's eyes. "Feeling better?" he mouthed to her then returned his attention to Enrique.
Fina stared at him, dumbstruck. Was he just torturing Vyse to make her feel happy?
Enrique was having trouble trying to hide his smile. "Uh, yes, I did. I was wondering if you had any information of the Black Moon."
"Of course we do, Your Highness. Hasn't the Queen been informing you?"
Enrique quirked an eyebrow. "No, she hasn't. She didn't tell me anything about the Black Moon."
Domingo frowned slightly. "She told all the spies to relay any information regarding the Black Moon to her. We have been giving her all our reports on it since you created the spy network."
"Why wouldn't she tell me--" Enrique began but was cut off by a trio of screaming children.
Lindsi, followed closely by Jimmy, were running as fast as they could into the library. Alan was just a few breathes away. Behind them, Bullocks the Butler, was chasing them.
"I said we had information you old looper dung!" Jimmy cried as he continued running.
"His Highness does not want to be disturbed," Bullocks ground out.
"Well, he's going to be disturbed!" Lindsi cried.
Enrique was quite taken with the portly Bullocks running. He never thought he would see such a sight in his entire life. He wished Moegi were here to see this as well. She had thought that Bullocks wasn't the type of man to do any heart pumping exercises and bet Enrique twenty coins that they'd never witness it. For two weeks, they had spent hours spying on Bullocks and never once did he do any cardio exercises. All he did was eat and be dower.
Finally, Enrique stood and said, "Bullocks, it's okay. These children can enter."
Bullocks stopped suddenly. "Very good sir," he said and turned on his heel.
Lindsi, Alan, and Jimmy only stopped running after Bullocks disappeared behind the doors.
"We've got something," Alan announced as soon as they caught their breaths.
"I can see that," Vyse muttered with a genuine smile. How those three really reminded him of how Aika and he used to act!
"We went to the local tavern and the inn man said he saw a red head a few days ago. He described Aika perfectly, Vyse," Lindsi said.
Jimmy nodded. "He also said he saw a Yufatoman, but he wasn't sure. She was wearing a lot of veils and had herself disguised."
"One of his waitresses heard what they were talking about. Something about Aika's heritage and how she was the only one to who could do it, how the Queen looked sick and was a liar, how Aika could die if she followed through, about promises, and about preparing for some ceremony," Alan said in one entire breath. When he was done, he nearly collapsed on the ground.
"Enrique, did Moegi say anything to you?" Vyse asked after he made Alan slow down and repeat everything in better detail.
Enrique shook his head. "She said nothing. She did stay in bed more and more but she assured me that it was nothing, a mere head cold."
"Domingo, what part of the Black Moon was Moegi interested in," Vyse asked. Things were becoming increasingly clearer.
"Basically, the healing properties and the fact that black moon stones could turn whatever they touched into opposing energy. She was also searching for a history on it; if it had ever been called up by anyone." Domingo rubbed his chin with a forefinger and thumb. "We could find almost next to nothing on this information, however."
"Can it be raised?" Enrique questioned.
Domingo slowly nodded. "From what we could decipher, it takes a certain person and a dagger to help raise the moon."
"A dagger?" Vyse choked out. He immediately produced the dagger he had been hiding. He tossed it to Domingo who easily caught it by the handle. Domingo looked at it, curiously, then his eyes widened. "Is this part of it?"
"I--I don't know," Domingo replied, his eyes gently caressing the blade. His fingers slid down the smooth edges, memorizing the small patterns.
"Do you know what that is?" Enrique asked.
"It…may be The Night Blade. It looks familiar."
"What does it do?" Fina asked, staring at the dagger, feeling glad that she hadn't thrown it overboard.
Domingo stared at the dagger hungrily. He looked as if he wanted to leave right now and do some research. "I'll have to check some of my notes up in my room. It'll take me a few hours."
Vyse glanced at Fina who had been quiet most of the time. Lately, the only time she reacted in the positive was when Domingo was doing something stupid. Maybe he could help her be happy again. "If someone helped you, do you think you could get done with looking for info faster?"
"Of course, Vyse, Love. Did you have someone in mind?" Domingo asked as he winked at Vyse.
Vyse nodded enthusiastically and stepped next to Fina. He dropped his hand on her shoulder and grinned. "Fina, of course."
"What?" Fina blurted out then blushed. She hadn't spoken out like that in a long time. She glanced at Domingo who merely smiled at her.
"I'd be honored," he said and held out an arm for her to take. Fina stared at it, not knowing what to do.
Vyse shoved Fina toward Domingo and gave her an evil grin. She stared at him for a few seconds before she sighed and followed Domingo out of the library.
Aika had climbed up the lookout tower and sat at the benches. She stared up into the skies, the many stars and the glow of the moon was something that seemed to calm her nerves.
Vyse sat beside her, his arm casually around her. He didn't say anything, only offering her his strength. She leaned her head against his shoulder and shut her eyes. She felt as if she'd lost control of her life. She felt as if she were alone in this world.
Her parents death was something unexpected.
To loose both of them…it left her feeling empty.
They promised.
They promised to come home.
But, they had broken it; their promise to their little girl was null and void.
"Vyse," she finally whispered. "I'll be okay. You could go home now. You don't have to stay with me."
Vyse stared at her. "I want to stay with you, Aika."
"I want to stay with you, too, Vyse," Aika whispered into the night sky.
Aika heard the ladder wobble, followed by the short gasps of Moegi. "Wow," Moegi said after she settled on the bench next to Aika, "that's a very long climb."
Aika merely nodded as Moegi stared at her. Moegi sighed and looked up at the sky as well. She clasped her hands together, tightly, as she searched for the words that she wanted to.
"Aika," Moegi began.
"I already promised I was going to help you so you can't dissuade me. I always try to keep any promise that I've ever made--"
"What about your promise to Vyse?" Moegi interrupted, her eyebrow quirking up slightly.
"He…our promise…" Aika shook her head. She was getting messed up, over thinking once again. "The promise he and I made long ago wasn't a true promise. He just said that he wanted to stay with me and I wanted to stay with him. That was our promise of loyalty to one another and we haven't been apart for long periods of time." Aika shut her eyes for a second, as if remembering the past. "I plan on staying alive, Moegi, and being with Vyse again. In that way, at least, I won't be breaking my promise to him.
Moegi finally got the courage to glance at Aika. She was still, her eyes staring fixedly at the moon. She brought her hand, slowly, up to her face, then scratched her nose. The motion completely ruined the moment and Moegi couldn't help but giggle a little bit.
"Anyway, all we need is the dagger to perform the ceremony. Then it'll all be over." Aika smiled.
Moegi frowned. "That's impossible. From what we know, Vyse and Fina are at Valua and have The Night Blade. If we get it, we'll practically run into them, something I know that you don't want to do." Moegi knew it would be hard for Aika to perform the upcoming task if she saw Vyse and told him what she was planning on doing. It would make her regret and rethink, something she couldn't do in the middle of the ceremony. It was the same reason she didn't inform Enrique.
"That's why," Aika whispered as she turned toward Moegi, "we have to sneak in and get it. Get Marco and the girls. We'll sail after them right now."
Fina was a little embarrassed when she entered Domingo's room. It was covered with posters of -- of something that would make an old sea captain blush a brilliant scarlet, maps, and papers. Along the ground were piled up books and more papers with tiny writing on it.
He rushed in quickly, grabbing at pieces of old paper. "Sorry, I didn't know I was getting any guests," he muttered as he tossed them on the table. "These are just reports I've been getting from my spies all around the continent."
Fina nodded and glanced around, avoiding the documents on the ground. As she entered the small chamber further, she noticed little odds and ends, like rings, telescopes and microscopes. There was also a small plush toy of a -- well, it looked like an arc whale, that sat on his bed. "This is amazing," Fina whispered as she looked at the objects.
"Thanks," he said, already occupied with a book. He managed to motion toward a corner of his room. "It'd be helpful if you could start there, sweetie," he said while flipping the pages.
Fina nodded and picked up a book.
For the most part, they searched in silence. Fina was quite comfortable with this arrangement because she didn't like to talk all that much. She found a seat on his bed and searched through the books, diligently. What she saw amazed her. Information that only The Elders held on the Silver Moon, were scrawled all over the books. How could one man find things like this?
Fina looked up at him, beneath her eye lashes. He really did amaze her.
Suddenly, he looked up as well and caught her eyes. He smiled softly at her and said, "You okay? You didn't seem like your normal self down there." He looked down at his books again and turned another page, his eyes darting through the mass of words and pictures.
She didn't know whether to answer or not. Instead, she tried another tactic. "What makes you say that?"
He grinned. "Using my senses like my eyes, nose, taste, touch…it's part of my job as a spy. I have to be aware of everything around me. I was like that when I was part of your crew. Back then, you used to be a lot more carefree then how you are currently. I conclude, honey, that there's something wrong."
Fina set down her book and picked up a stack of papers. She began looking through them while forming her answer. "I guess I feel guilty."
"About Aika?" Domingo asked. He leaned on his desk while he searched through his notes.
Fina was slightly taken aback by his insight. "How did you know?"
"Love triangles often spring up, nowadays. It's not uncommon. Some people try their best to ruin one relationship using any means necessary. Someone even killed another person. Trust me, I've seen it all."
That slightly made Fina feel a little bit better. At least she didn't knife Aika in the back or something so drastic. She picked up another stack of papers and leafed through it. She then saw something very familiar on the page. It was a drawing of The Night Blade.
"I found something," Fina said.
Domingo quickly dropped all his things and dashed toward Fina's side. He leaned over her shoulder and peered at the words written underneath the sketch.
Fina blushed slightly at their close proximity. She turned away while he continued reading and tried to think about something else. Finally she felt his hand on her shoulder. "Good. This is what we're looking for. Let's take this back to Enrique and Vyse."
He helped Fina off of his bed and they hurried down the hallways.
Vyse stared at the paper while listening to Fina and Domingo's report.
"It's the blade used in the ceremony. From what we learned, a piece of the moonstones from the purple moon, the blue moon, the green moon, the red moon, and the yellow moon go into the wells surrounding the black moon stone," Fina announced. She held up the dagger for Enrique to see.
Domingo continued as Fina handed the dagger to Enrique. "It was created by a man known as Monte a few thousand years ago. It is said that he, a man born under each moon, was the first one to raise the Black Moon using this dagger."
"How?" Vyse asked.
Domingo frowned slightly. "I can't seem to find that page or books relating to the Black Moon anywhere in my archive. I can only assume that I ate it, someone else took it, or I lost it." Domingo coughed. "I seriously hope it's the latter of the three choices."
Enrique touched the blade and frowned. "Why did Monte do it?"
"That's the thing," Domingo said excitedly. "No one really knows why."
Vyse looked up from the sketch and dropped it on a table by his hand. He looked between Fina and Domingo, slightly noticing Fina's anxious look and Domingo's excited grin. "So, how'd this thing end up underneath Aika's drawer?"
"The Queen actually had it some eight or ten years ago. She must have given it to Ms. Aika," Bullocks, the Butler, said. The whole entire time, he had been standing at the side of the door, guarding it from what he called "the three little hellions."
Enrique's eyes darted toward Bullocks. "Are you saying you've seen her with this?"
"Of course, You Highness. She used to take it out into the balcony for a few hours."
"Why?" Enrique asked.
Fina looked up at Vyse, remembering something from a long time ago. "The Black Moon was feared by the Sylvites. It was the only thing that we couldn't quite understand. The Elders had it hidden away long ago because of their fear, and they sank it deep somewhere."
"Remember that we have samples of the Black Moon Stones that Vyse brought back from the Dark Rift. From what we could understand, it turns negative energies into positive and vice versa," Domingo mused.
Vyse stared off into the distance as thoughts began to bombard him. Everything was becoming clearer. "Enrique, you said that Moegi had a head cold earlier, right?"
"Yes."
Vyse stood up from where he was sitting and picked up the dagger. He carefully studied it, wondering if his theory was remotely correct. "Well, what if it were more than a head cold? What if she were really sick. Maybe her energy were very low. If she pressed that black moon stone on the dagger into her body, wouldn't that reverse her levels and give her more energy?"
"In theory," remarked Domingo who was also cottoning on.
"Are you saying she was using it?" Enrique asked, appalled. Why wouldn't his wife tell him something important?
"Most likely," Vyse answered.
"Well, then, why would she give that to Aika if it were helping her obtain energy?"
Vyse stuck the dagger in a sheath hidden on his boots. "Because Aika has the power to raise the Black Moon. She, like Monte, was born under each moon. From what my mother told me, she carries the blood of the Yufatomans, the Nasrans, the Valuans, the Ixa'takans…she even has Ice blood in her."
"But she can't raise the moon," Fina said. "She needs the dagger to complete the ceremony."
"Exactly," Vyse replied. "And knowing her, she's going to come here for it. She'll probably try and sneak in too." Vyse looked at the people around him and grinned. "Well, I'm not going to let her disappear from my side again. We're going to trap her here. You guys with me?"
There was a loud "Aye-aye" followed by a low murmur of planning.
A/N: I love the reviews that you give me. They are very encouraging and make me want to write faster and faster.
