I still don't own this
Kid and the Sunflower
"Boy did her information help. I though the perimeter's counterspell would be quite a problem."
Kid's braid gently sways from side to side in the cool nighttime breeze.
So far, we've managed to slip through the magical shield network undectedet and sneak into Lynx's domain. Still,
this inner region can make for some pretty rough travel.
Kid, Magil, and I compose this party of three...
However, while walking behind Kid, I can't help but notice her ponytail endlessly swishing back, and forth... back,
and forth... back, and forth...
I'm starting to get sleepy... so, so sleepy...
It's too dangerous to fall asleep now, I keep telling myself over and over!
Kid had a name for this sort of thing, but I can't seem to remember it at the moment...
Man, that was close. Shaking my head, I try to stay alert.
Still, all this is really something. Walking through a forest like this on a night like tonight reminds me so much of the dirst time I bumped into her....
It's been something like three years since Kid and I met.
Back then I was a drifter, wandering wherever my music led me. During my stay in the remote town of Regiorra, I ended up running into a girl who later joined me, leading to the beginning of all this.
That girl was Kid...
Kid is a thief, of course.
Not even seventeen years old, already she's widely renowned as a top professional. To make matters worse,
she's cute, devilishly stylish, and has a sparkling personality. And boy, can she cook... if you aske her that is.
Well, to be completely honest, she has her share of problems as well. She likes to think of herself as a kind of Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, but that's just not the case.
At times her sharp tongue can get the best of her,
viciously lashing out at anyone who stands in her way.
She exaggerates every other word, and sometimes lies outright... and as for listening to other people, well,
forget it.
When it comes to my money, well, I've never met anyone greedier in my life. Her relentless pursuit of wealth is ironic, considering she's a nomad, like me...
I don't know, maybe I'm being too hard on her. She has her good points, too. She can really shine sometimes,
when she wants to...
Glancing back over my shoulder, I notice a silhouette silently emerge from the grove.
Magil...
This associate of Kid's is known to us only as 'Magil of the Shadows'.
I know next to nothing about him, except for the fact that he somehow knew Kid before I came into the picture.
A high-class magician of some sort, he looks to be about thirty. He usually keep to himself, though.
The top half of his face is covered with a mask at all times. I've never even seen what he really looks like.
At times, it seems as though I'm hanging around someone from another world -- traveling with this pack is definitely an interesting experience.
Kid's quiet about her past too, but it's like I know her entire life story compared to how little I know about Magil.
From time to time I find myself wondering who he is,
where he came from, and so on. I'd ask Kid, but I get the impression she knows as little about him as I do.
You might be wondering, how did I end up where I am now? Well, there's a lot of reasons, I suppose...
My life deinitely hasn't turned out the way I thought it would... not that it's been a terribly bad life, at least not so far, but still...
Remembering back to when Kid and I first met, my face breaks into a wry smile.
"Hey mate, what's with the funny face all of a sudden?"
"Oh, nothing... I was just thinking how strange life is."
"Life? What're ya thinkn' about all that for? You sure yer not turnin' into some kinda pansy or somethin', are ya Serge?" she says over her shoulder before rushing on ahead.
"Hey, what's that bright flash over there?" Kid suddenly asks, pointing towards a thicket in front of us.
"Huh? I don't see anything..."
I look around closely, but all I see is a bunch of trees and rocks, extending on into the darkness.
"It was a bright flash. It was right over there, I tell ya!"
I walk over beside Kid, trying to see whatever it was she saw. Magil approaches as well a moment later.
"We are already fairly deep into Lord Lynx's terrirtory,"
he says. "It's dangerous to start blindly wandering around. You are aware of that fact, are you not?"
However, Kid doesn't budge an inch, keeping her eyes on the bush.
"Do you feel something here?" Magil asks, changing his expression a moment later.
Kid's eyes meet Magil's for a moment, but before long she returns her focus to the forest.
"So be it," he finally says. "If we are intended to stray from the path, this may prove to be worth something in its own regard."
But before Magil even finishes speaking, Kid bolts,
disappearing into the trees!
"Hey, wait up!"
"Be careful, Serge. Foul things lie down this path..."
Nodding, I cautiously start to make my way through the trees.
Much to my suprise, we're able to find it right away. It turns out to be a bautiful beetle, colored solid gold,
perched on a high tree limb.
"The Golden Beetle!!" Kid cries out, climbing up the large tree.
The beetle certainly glitters like real gold... Kid seems quite caught up in the sight. No, not caught up in the sight -- rather, caught up in the greed, I should say...
"Man, she's fast..."
She's already climbed up about five of six times my height, heavily baited with hopes of gold.
"Ah hah!"
Kid catches it, but almost instantly the beetle shakes free, buzzing out of her hand!
"Wait!" she yells, reaching out her hand further and further, hoping to catch the golden insect. But suddenly,
she loses balance and falls!
"Hold on!!" I yell, leaping forward.
But then, she begins to curl herself into a small ball,
spinning around in midair like a cannonball!
This is bad! She'll knock the both of us out if I have to catch her like that!
Seeing this, I jump out of the way, fearing for my life!
However, Kid opens herself up mere feet from the ground, gracefully landing as nimble as a cat!
She doesn't sem hurt in the least. If I hadn't run, she probably would have landed flat on my face...
"Kid..."
"Wait! My beetle!!" she yells, continuing to chase after it withoug even acknowledging us.
Relentlessly chasing the beetle, she plunges deeper and deeper into the forest. We follow after, desperately trying to keep her in sight. For all I know, it could be the Golden Beetle, or just another common insect...
However, we're so deep in the forest now, I can't see anything but an endless assortment of dark trees and jagged rocks, stretching out in every direction. I doubt Kid herself can even see the beetles at this point.
How could she still be tracking it?
As soon as I start to ask myself this, I realize what she'd tell me -- intuition.
Suddenly, Kid stops in a clearing.
"Did you find it!?"
"Naw... I found somethin' gold, but it ain't the Golden Beetle."
I look over Kid's shoulder. There, in a small spot of light,
stands a tall golden plant. My first impression is that it's a sunflower, but those don't usually bloom at night, do they?
"What is this thing?"
"Sheeze, yer as thick as ever. There's somethin' special about this thing, can't ya feel it!?"
Hmm... I close my eyes, trying to get one of those feelings she's always talking about...
I close my eyes trying to concentrate.
"So, do ya feel anything?"
"Hmm... well, I feel a little tired..."
"Not that kind of feeling, ya dummy!" she says angrily,
slapping me upside the head.
I have to admit, I haven't had much experience being intuitive... especially while being beaten up...
Hmmmm... I try to wonder what she can possibly be feeling all the way out here in the middle of nowhere.
I walk around the enormous plant, taking another look at it. But then, suddenly...
"What the...!?"
A face suddenly emerges in the center of the flower! It's a ghastly sight, complete with drunken, drowsy eyes,
purple eyelashes, thick, pink lips, and a long bent nose! A cross-dressing subflower... now I've seen it all!
I go to ask Kid, but she's too busy laughing at it. She's truly something else, without a doubt...
I take another look, not that I'm interested in this sort of thing... (not that there's anything wrong with that...)
Ugh, I feel strange... what kind of twisted mind would make something like this?
Apparently unfazed bu the strange sight, Magil calmly starts to rack his brain. "Ah, what was this sort of thing called," he says as he strokes his chin, going into a sort of quiet trance.
I sure hope he remembers soon... that's Magil for you,
though. he's got a head full of knowledge, wiser than most I've ever met. However, it takes him a good but of time to remember certain things, and until he remembers,
he'll remain completely useless. He's led us into danger a few times because of that...
"Bonsoir, mademoiselle."
Wait, it can talk too!?"
"Madam-what?" Kid asks, smirking.
"Ah, ma che'rie, I was just zneaking a peek at your petite breast. I hope that you are not angry!
Uhuhuhuhu!"
"What!? Get yer eyes offa me!"
"Oh, my zweet mademoiselle... how young and feizty you are," the sunflower answers back playfully.
"You perverted freak'a nature! Watch what ya say around me!" Kid says as she flashes her dagger, dangling down at her side.
Kid squaring off with a sunflower... now I've seen it all.
"Ah, my dahling... perhapz you and I could converse zomewhere a bit more... private?"
Suddenly, Kid whips out her dagger, slashing clean through the sunflower's stalk!
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
Its blaring screech is as excruciating to hear as a hundred hands simultaneously scratching down a chalkboard!
I feel faint... my knees are going to buckle if I hear any more of that deafening screech!
But then, suddenly... "Oh hoo hoo, you must not bee so violent, ma zweet-chested fille! Zat tickles!"
Somehow, another sunflower has instantly sprouted and replaced the one that was cut down, perfectly identical to its predecessor!
"Bastard!!" Kid shouts, slashing her dagger through the air once again!
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
More and more of that awful screech fills the air. But then, moments later...
"Non, I am not yet married... but, if you insist..."
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
Kid continues hacking away, tearing dow everynew sunflower that pops up! However, for every one she mows down, two or three instantly sprout up in its place!
All this screeching... I can't take it any longer! "Stop,
Kid! Please..."
"Stop, Kid!" I shout, trying to intervene.
However, she heatedly shoves me aside, becoming more and more infuriated as she hacks through the never-ending crop of sunflowers!
This is kind of pathetic, but rationalizing with Kid is useless. All I can think of is to ask Magil for help.
I look over at him and ask "Magil, what do we do!?" but he just stands there with his finger on his chin, staring down at the ground, as still as a statue!
Shaking him, I shout "Hey! Magil!!" but it's useless.
Beneath his mask, those eyes of his sport a blank, foggy gaze, silently staring off into nothingness. I can't believe it -- he must still be trying to remember what this thing is called!
We have to do something here! I can't just sit here and let this happen!
"Ah, ma che'rie... why must you zhake your puny little zword at moi? We do not need such love games. Wit ze sweet felingz we have for each other, zere is no use for la violence, n'est-ce que pas?"
Kid's face turns redder and redder as she buries herself further into the sunflower patch.
"Ah, I remember now," Magil says, finally snapping out of it. "This is what is known as a 'Mandora Monster.
Please do not make the mistake of trying to cut it down."
"Uhh... Magil..."
I point to the humongous crop of sunflowers, where Kid has now resorted to gripping one of the sunflowers'
stalks and shaking it with both hands. However, the sunflower does nothing but laugh down at her.
Suddenly, all around us, the ground starts to tremble and quake! Dirt loosens as the ground gives way,
creating a sort of quicksand beneath our feet! I leap back instantly, but I then realize Kid's still in the thick of it, ignoring everything except the sunflowers!
"Kid!!!" I yell, but it's too late! She's caught up in the entanglement of stalks! After a moment, she slips and falls on the unstable ground, getting swallowed up into the newly formed pit beneath her!
I try to go after her, but just as I approach the patch,
a great number of plants and vines quickly shoot up around Kid, blocking me!
Then, suddenly, a mess of vines leap out at me, trying to wrap themselves around my arms and legs!!
However, I feel a strong set of arms take hold of me and jerk me back almost immediately. "Thanks, Magil..."
"There's no time to lose! Run!"
"But Kid...!"
"I know!"
Running up onto a nearby hill, I stop for a moment and look back. The whole mess is nothing but a billowing cloud of dust now. All I can make out are a multitude of vines waving crazily in the air. I can neither see nor hear Kid.
As soon as I try to make a run for the dusty mess, Magil reaches out with his large hands, restraining me.
"We must wait for the dust to settle. It's useless to try and find her now."
He's right, it's a way too crazy in there right now. I try to remind myself that the only reason I want to do something is out of shock. I need to relax...
After a minute or two, the dust starts to settle.
"Hey, what's that?"
A large silhouette is starting to appear from out of the dust cloud. It's big... a lot bigger than what was there before.
As the figure is gradually exposed to the moonlight, I start to see a more defined shape...
"Kid!!!"
This thing, whatever it is, is easily seven or eight times my height.
Its body seems to resemble a gorilla's. It's exposed muscles are wrapped in ivy, and its digits remind me of pointed shellfish. Golden sunflower petals are lined up in the back of its neck.
However, instead of a head...
...It's her!
Kid's stark naked upper body has been fused into the top of the monster. Other than the two small sunflowers covering her chest, she's wearing nothing at all...
"Serge, listen to me. The Mandora Monster has fused with Kid. We must save her quickly, otherwise she'll be lost forever, consumed by her own hate."
"Serge! Quit gawking and pay attention!"
"What? She's going to die!?"
I frantically try to think of what to do. It's hard though, I can't seem to take my eyes off those two sunflowers...
Kid's expressionless face teeters listlessly back and forth as the monster establishes its footing. Those usually fiery eye of hers now appear desperate and hollow. Her skin is a dark grassy green, like that of an amazon goddess...
"Calm down. There is a way."
The monster has managed to intertwine itself with Kid because of her strong sentiments of anger. Unless we seperate Kid from her anger, we will be unable to save her."
"How do we do that!?"
"...With love."
"Love..."
"Yes... it's the only way. I shall go and make preparations. In the meantime, protect Kid's body, and show her love. Also, you must prevent her from using any magic. In her current state, the more she casts spells, the more she'll be lost to that beast."
"What? Kid can't use magic."
"She can now."
How can this be happening...
"Serge, show her your love," Magil says, leaving me with those words as he sinks into a nearby shadow.
"Wait! Magil! Magiiiilll!!"
Alone and afraid, I look up at the huge atrocity as I shudder in the chilly nighttime breeze.
Love... I couldn't think of a more awkward place to think about love. The sound of the word makes me cringe, as it dances through my mind...
While lost in thought, I suddenly hear a soft muttering from far above.
"Ya say they're small..."
"They're not small, I tell ya..."
"Others' are big... too big..."
"Stop makin' fun of me..."
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!!"
Kid cries out madly, her eyes filled with flames of rage!
Suddenly her gaze shifts toward me. The monster instantly lashes out a giant stone hammer from behind,
arcing it down towards me!
I instantly jump back just as the giant hammer comes crashing down, kicking up heaps of dirt and sand with a ground-shaking thud!
"Kid! It's me, Serge!" I call out to her, waving my arms wildly. However, the only reaction I get is of increasing anger!
Just then, I start to hear a low voice call out from beyond a nearby hill. "What's going on over there!?"
Oh no... goblins!
"Look, it's the Mandora! What's got it all acting up?"
Noticing the goblins, the monster begins to moan. Kid's cheeks puff up, and then, suddenly...
Kid sends a giant fireball streaking out of her mouth,
crashing into the goblins! It instantly reduces them to ashes!
"Dammit... magic!" I say to myself as Magil's warning flashes through my head.
Finished with the goblins, the monster suddenly remembers me, turning around and returning its gaze my way!
I can't help but feel embarrassed, professing my love to a hulking monster who's ready to kill me...
I nervously shoult "I love you!" up into the night sky,
hoping she'll hear me...
Suddenly, the monster starts to draw closer and closer to me! Did I do it? Is she coming back to reality?
...No, it really doesn't look like it! Help!!
I run and hide, plunging into the deep, dark labyrinth of the wilderness.
However, behind me I can hear the thunderous sounds of trees being crushed and boulders being broken. I continue to run as the gigantic monster chases after me!
I've been running for at least five straight minutes now,
dodging trees and jumping logs. I'm starting to lose my breath...
Just as I begin to think I can't run any more, the end of the forest comes into view!
However, as I come to the clearing...
Lined up before me is a troupe of fearless-looking goblins. They're carrying a huge cannon with them, easily twenty feet tall. I try not to think of how easily I'd be obliterated if I ever accidentally stood in its path... or was forced to stand in its path, for that matter...
"There! Lock on target!" shouts a goblin. Oh, great...
I collapse at the goblin's feet, out of breath.
The goblin leader, decked in a full suit of iron armor sporting Lynx's insignia, comes over towards me.
It glares at me with piercing, intimidating eyes, as thought it's ready to whip out its mace if I do so much as breathe the wrong way.
I really don't know about this, turning to goblins for help... but, I've got no other choice!
"Please, help me save my friend!"
The goblin guard stares at me blankly. I continue,
gasping for air between sentences. "We were chasing after this beetle, but then a sunflower suddenly appeared, and captured my friend, and started to chase me through the forest! Please, you have to help us! She's the most important thing in the world to me!!"
...The goblin's eyes relax. "Is that right... your friend was captured? I understand. We'll help you. Don't worry."
"Thank you!"
Boy, I'm sure glad I didn't judge this book by its cover.
However, just as I say this...
"And how much would zis lovely beetle of Kid's zell for,
hmm?"
That voice!
Suddenly, the goblin shouts out! "What!? Your friend is that crooked thief, Kid?"
A wave of shock goes through me. Just when things were starting to seem okay for one...
I try to see behind the goblins, searching for that strangely familiar voice, the one that sounded just like the sunflower's. However, allI can make out is some sort of strange psychedelic light, emanating from behind the troupe.
The light seems to be coming from a figure, whoever (or whatever) it is. As he makes his way through the crowd, I finally get a good look at him. His hairstyle reminds me of a tall green chimney, and his red and green pinstriped costume is like that of a harlequin. An over-the-top, long purple cape drags behind him as he approaches me.
"Are you... the sunflower?" I ask, confused.
"Sunflowah? Who iz a sunflowah!?" it cries out.
I can't help it... this person... no, this thing -- his face looks exactly like the sunflower's!
Caught off guard by the sight, two goblin guards flank me by suprise, wrestling me to the ground.
"Ah, monsiuer... you are mademoiselle Kid's friend, non? I do not believe we have met. Bonsoir, Je m'appelle Pollon.
T'roughout ze world, I am known as 'Ze Green Terreur.
Perhapz you have heard of moi, non?"
Ugh... That same strange feeling I got with that sunflower arises...
"Screw you, pervert!"
"Pervert? Moi? Non, monsieur, you zimply do not underztand ma elegant nature!"
"No matter! Soon, le terreur shall be planted in your heart, for Kid'z death iz at hand! As a gentleman, I shall grant you the privilege of seeing zis happen before your very eyez."
"Isn''t there anything else you can do?"
I plead from the bottom of my heart, begging to let her go.
"Ah, it iz very beautiful zat you feel zis way about her.
But, alas, I am under employment, and I must deal wit'
intruderz. I am zorry, but I cannot grant your wish,"
Pollon says, with a cheerful gesture of consolation.
"Captain! There it is!!"
The goblin's shout strikes into my heart like a death sentence.
"To the cannon, sir!" the guard says to Pollon.
"Stop! Please!!" I hollder, hopelessly trying to break free of the guards restraint. However, they only tighten their grip on my arms, and tears begin to stream down my face as the pain shoots in.
"Monsiur, I offer you zis. Are zere any final wordz you would like moi to zay to zis friend of yours?"
"Please, I beg you... stop..."
"Ah, you really have true feelings for zis fille," Pollon says softly, taking out a handerkerchief to wipe his tears.
"I am most moved," he continues. "Perhapz when I finish her, I shall zay for you, 'Adieu, ma che'rie! Wait for moi in hell, ma sweet!'"
With a bittersweet smile on his face, Pollon skips toward the pedestal.
"No! Stop!!"
My grievous cries resound unanswered, echoing throughout the starry night sky. I can see some of the goblins have felt my side of the story, but Pollon remains unfazed.
"Well zen, let us begin!" he shouts, grasping the crystal ball with both hands. "Gonyogonyogonyogonyogonyo.
Fireball!!"
"Adiew, ma che'rie! Wait for moi in hell, my sweet!"
The barrel of the magical cannon flashes as a tremendous fireball is let loose!
It shoots directly towards the monster, crashing into its torso with the impact of a two-tonbattering ram!
Explosive flames engulf the area, blowing me back with a gust of hot air!
"Kid!!"
"Oui! Oui! Finally, we are rid of zat horrible little mademoiselle! In ze past, such terrible experinzes have stemmed from her, non? But now, we shall worry about her no more! Ho, hohohoho!"
"...Kid..."
I fall to the ground, devastated. But even moreso is the dreadful feeling of regret I'm filled with.
However, suddenly, the goblin guards simultaneously call out in suprise! "Captain! Look!"
A giant figure of some kind seems to be emerging frin the blazing explosion!
As the smoke subsides, there stands the monster,
completely unharmed!
Just as I though, that pompous freak is no match for Kid! I breath a sigh of relief, but then I realize I'm no further away from doom than before...
"What? She livez!? How can zis be!?" Pollon screams incredulously, running toward me. The relaxed smile from earlier has now been replaced with nervous sweat.
"What kind of twizted magic iz zis!?" he frustratedly asks me.
"It's impossible pour vous..."
I answer sarcastically, trying to imitate that pompous accent of his, complete with landing a few drops of saliva on his putrid face.
Pollon turns bright red. "What!? Zpit it out, you little zwine!" he demands, furiously shaking me by my shirt!
But then, all of a sudden...
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh...
Like a howling wolf, Kid's voice echoes out throughout the grassy plain.
A chill runs down my spine. Could it really be her, trying to break free from the monster...?
As I stare up at her, silence and fear take hold. Shes waving her hands around in the air, saying something in a slow, deep voice...
"The dead who lurk in the dark..."
Quietly and solemnly, Kid's voice begins to echo out.
That's her voice, all right, but its doesn't sound like her at all... that monster's still got a hold on her. It must be using her to summon another spell! As she continues to chant, a blue aura starts to form in front of hter,
shimmering with deadly beauty.
"Eh? How can she do zat?" Pollon shrieks, now turning blue with fright. "No one can ztand up againzt ma cannon!"
"Adieu...!" he shouts, before quickly fleeing!
The goblin chief follows soon after. "All troops, fall back! Retreat to the manor, on the double!!"
Following the goblin chief's orders, the soldiers abandon the cannon and flee to Viper Manor.
I'm left alone with this gigantic monstrosity, listening to it starting to summon who knows what. What am I supposed to do now...?
My cries ring out in the night sky as I gulp down desperate gasps of air. However, the only response I hear is Kid's...
"Hatred and jealousy in my hands..."
"Gather into a thousand dark prayers..."
Just as I think I'm about to lose it, a voice echoes out from behind me!
"There you are."
Alarmed, I whip around instantly!
"Magil!"
Relieved, I try to catch my breath.
He's changed -- a strange sort of glittering silver robe drapes down from his shoulders, and a bright ring shines across his entire back.
I want to ask him about his new clothes and everything,
but now isn't the time. Instead, I tell him all about what happened, the chain of evernts relentlessly overflowing from my heart.
"I tried to do what you told me to, but..."
"Yes. However for now, we should leave this are. It is not safe here."
Scooping me up under his arm, Magil briefly recites a spell, and soars high into the air!
From far above, I look down upon the ominous landscape, hearing Kid continues recite her strange incantation...
"The fallen angel, Arcmyst..."
"Answer my prayer, and grant me thy power..."
I can barely make it all out from up here. But, from what I can tell, a faint, pale light is starting to drift all around the monster, causing the ball of light in Kid's hands to grow stronger and stronger. I wish I could do something, but...I don't know what to do!
"Death to all living things..."
"Destruction to all creation..."
"Devour all light..."
"Phantom... Break...!"
With the sound of a thousand tortured voices of madness crying out in unison, Kid's surging ball of light begins to grow larger and larger, eating away at everything around her!
The pale shimmering slowly stretches outwards,
swallowing up everything in its path, melting Viper Manor like fire on ice! It indiscrminately evaporates the huge mansion, along with evrything else in its wake...
Stretching out more and more, the gigantic void eats away at everything, before disappearing into the ground...
"Unbelievable..."
If Magil hadn't been here just now... Oh man, just thinking about it gives me chills.
A giant fissure has been created where Viper Manor once stood, continuing down into the ground farther than I can see.
And there, on the brink of this newly-formed ravine,
stands Kid...
"She seems to be holding out," Magil says. "She's wrestling with the monster for control, but she's almost at her limit."
I can barely hold back the impatience in my heart,
looking down upon all this...
"What's going to happen to her? Don't let her die!!"
"Quiet, child!!"
Magil's unexpected outburst snaps me out of my nervousness.
"Calm down, Serge."
He's right, I need to keep my cool. I don't think he needed to go about it like that, though...
"Allow me to cast a levitation spell on you," he says,
before muttering some arcane words. Shortly after, he gently releases me.
Whoa, I'm floating!
"To fly, simply thinkk about the direction you wish to travel."
Whoa, I'm floating!
"To fly, simply think about the direction you wish to travel."
Nodding, I carefully try it out. He's right! This is amazing! I dart here and there, flying circles around him with ease!
"Now, please let me see your knife."
I take it out and hand it to him.
Magil takes out a white jewel from inside his robe, and again mumbles some strange sounding words. Suddenly,
the jewel attaches itself to the hilt of my knife as though it were magnetized!
He hands the knife back to me, saying "I mentioned this to you before, but let me emphasize it again. Kid is bound to the monster's body because of her anger. As long as that bond exists, we will be unable to save her. To break it, I told you to show her your love."
"But I don't understand how to do that!" I yell, pressing him for an answer.
"A kiss."
I have to kiss that thing?"
"Yes. It is the most effective way."
"But... its arms are as wide as my waist! Why didn't you tell me this before!?" I yell hitting him upside the head in a fit of rage!
And with that, I accidentally knock Magil's golden mask off, sending it falling down through the night sky to the ground!
Gulp... did I just do that?
This is the first time I've ever seen his true face.
Even for a guy like me, I'm taken aback by his looks. His hair sways in the moonlight, as his piercing blue eyes survey the enviroment below.
His beauty is different than a woman's... there's some sort of a fierce, intrepid quality about him.
He is truly... a beautiful person.
Magil's hand suddenly comes across my face, eagerly returning the blow.
"Serge, listen to me!"
"I'm okay now, I swear! I wasn't gawking!"
"If Kid uses one more spell, we will not be able to save her. Be sure to kiss her before that happens! However, if you are unable to do this before she finishes concentrating her magical power, you must thrust your knife into her heart! The jewel embedded in your knife holds the power to steal souls. Doing so will be dangerous, but it will be our last resort!"
Listening to Magil's words, the possibilities run through my head.
Two choices...
Even though I can fly, it's going to be incredibly hard to get close enough to that thing to kiss her.
But, the alternative... I don't even want to think about that.
"I'm going to start perparations for the exorcisim. I will not be able to come to your aid during this time."
Oh man... he's got to go away agai? Could this get any more hopeless!?
Taking a deep breath, I try to convince myself I should be facing Kid on my own anyways.
"I... I can't do it...!"
"How can you hope to save her with feelings of doubt in your heart?" Magil shouts seizing me by the collar.
"You must saver her! No one else can do it!"
Magil's words are as much of a scolding as they are a reinforcment. But still, I'm a nervous wreck.
He's right, I've got to do this. Just as he has things he must do, I too must face my destiny. I'm the only one who can do it! If I don't, we'll lose Kid forever!!
His grip loosens, seeing the change in my expression.
"Yes, Serge... your determination is at the very core of this matter," he says, with his deep blue eyes fixed solidly on me. Strange, behind that seemingly impenetrable gaze of his, I swear I hint of compassion, somewhere within him...
"Well then, let's go."
"Protect the girl you love with all your might,
and all your heart."
As Magil's words resound into my head, an uproar of might rushes into my spirit.
I'm going to save her... even if it kills me.
The will to save the one and only Kid pulses through my body. I flash Magil a huge smile, and begin my descent...
For Kid...
Soaring down through the air, I spot Kid at the edge of the chasm.
she's aware of me as well. As the monster rises to is feet, she stares up at me with an infuriated look on her face.
She's changed...
Countless red veins have streaked across her body,
pulsating with anger.
The monster's right hand arcs upward in a flash, trying desperately to grab me. I dodge at the very last second.
I zip behind its arm, coming within a dangerously close range.
Come on... time this right...
I reach out my right hand and carefully cover up her mouth, hoping to prevent her from completing the spell.
"Kid... I feel so much for you... I..." but before I can finish, she starts to strangle me!
Urrghhh... she's so strong! There's no way I can break free!
No... I can't give up! I have to do this!!
I try again, this time with such ferocity, I use strength I didn't know I had!
There! Her grip is slipping! Yes! I free myself and instantly fly back a ways!
However, before I have time to react, the monster's left hand suddenly whips out at me!
Suddenly, a tremendous pressure assaults my torse!
Looking around, I realize the monster's caught me in its huge hand!
It brings me up towards Kid, with her morbid stare fixed solely on me...
Her lips turn into a gloating smile, before changing into a billowing, hateful laugh. She reaches out and places her right hand on my forehead, and then, a stream of red starts to pour from from her mouth!
Oh no... she's starting another spell!
I holler out with all my heart, hopin there's any part of her real self still left!
However, her expression remains unchanged as her unblinking eyes dance around erratically.
Suddenly a trace of light begins to form in the palm of her hand red streaks begin to rise up along her body!
"Kid!!!!!"
Then, suddenly, a ring of light comes flying at us from overhead, cutting into the monster's arm like a hot knife through butter!
I fall to the ground with the monster's arm, instantly released from its excruciating grip!
"Serge! Now!!" Magil shouts from high above!
Heeding Magil's order, I got for it!
Reaching my hand out towards her ever beautiful face, I hesitatingly move in towards her lips.
I can't do it without you, Kid...
The words echo out in my head...
"Well done, Serge! Hold her tightly to you, and leave the rest to me!!"
Hearing that voice, I slowly open my eyes. All I see before me is Kid's face, hollow and listless...
I'm so scared...I hug her tighter than I've ever hugged her before, quietly sobbing as I kiss her again and again.
Looking up, I see Magil floating among a sea of clouds.
Hanging there in midair with his arms folded, his dazzling figure glitters like gold.
Suddenly, the clouds beneath him open up as he dart downward,aiming directly for us!
"The moon comes forth... Its goddess speaks.
I am summoned by the will to vanquish evil.
Goddess of the Moon, lend me your power.
Scourge the insolent evil from this world..."
"...Now!!"
The golden ring printed on Magil's cape shines brighter and brighter as he swoops down on us!
"Gyyaaaah!"
Lunaxhant Ringforce Kick!!
Centered on Kid, the collision creates a huge explosion,
spreading over the monster's entire body!
My first instinct is to back away, but I remain by her,
hugging her body tighter than ever! Somehow, the explosive flames don't seem to harm me!
Soon after, the flames begin to subside. I slowly open my eyes, only to see the spell on Kid has been broken! She's been seperated from the monster!
I hold her body tightly to me as I fly away with her, far out of the reach of the incapacitated monster.
Looking back, the monster begins to pulsate with a white light, causing the battered monster's body to shake and tramble. Shimmering sparks dance around its body, circling the beast faster and faster, until the entire scene is a glistening ball of light!
Soaring further and further away from the calamity, I look back again only to see the monster implode into a single point of light. Having left no trace of the disaster that took place before, the small point of light briefly zips around like a firefly, disappearing into the night sky in a flash.
Looking down, I can't help but grin as I see the familiar sight of Kid's face. The green in her skin is rapidly fading, returning to the normal color it once was.
"Kid... it's going to be okay..."
"There is no need to worry. Once her spirit settles, she will awaken. Here, put this on her. It wouldn't be too good if she was to wake up like that," Magil says,
holding out his silver cape.
Yeah, if she wakes up like this, it'll be slaps and bruises for everyone...
I take the cape and quickly wrap it arounf her limp body.
"M..."
She's coming to!
My heart race. I look at her face, seeing her eyelids start to tremble.
"Good morning, Kid!" I say, still a bit nervous.
"Serge... Magil..."
She groggily moves her eyes around, left and right...
And then, after that brief, subdued moment...
"You two... dammit, ya saw me naked, didn't ya..."
Shocked, I look up at Magil, but he's nowhere to be seen...
How could he leave me alone with her at a time like this!
Why can't I be the one with the power of the shadows...
Kid stares at me with those ever-fiery eyes of hers...
"Hey, you kissed me too!?"
How could she remember any of that... dammit, Magil...
"Yes... I kissed you."
Letting out a deep breath, I answer truthfully...
But before I can finish, "Yeah, just like I though! Tryin'
to sneak in a quick peck when I'm knocked out!!" she yells, rising to her feet, slapping me again and again!
"...And I'd never been kissed before!
The nerve!
Ya bastard! Ya bastard!! Ya bastard!!!"
Suddenly, she stops and looks at me. It's over...
"Hell no, this ain't over!!"
She lands a solid punch square on my jaw, as her shouting continues to tear through my eardrums!
Amidst all the commotion, the silver cape she was wearing accidentally slips off. Momentarily thrown off guard, she quickly bends down to cover herself back up.
Heh.
Wait, what's that on the ground? Kid seem to notice it as well, completely forgetting about me.
She bends down, picking it up. It's some sort of large black and white striped object. Holding it up, I try to see what it is (from a safe distance). It looks like it's some sort of seed...
Yeah, it's a sunflower seed. But it's so big... bigger than a fist!
However, this only seems to add more fuel to her fire...
"Grrrr.....rrraaaaaaaahhhhh!!"
She stomps on it! And stomps! And stomps! And stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps!!
Then, she picks it up, and hurls it upwards with all her might!
"Gonyogonyogonyogoyo..."
"Kid!" shouts Magil, suddenly behind her.
"Kid! No!" he roars. But it's useless... she's locked into another one of her tantrums!
"Gonyogonyogonyogonyo... fireball!"
Disregarding him completely, she sends a huge fireball straking upwards to the seed!
"That sunflower seed! It's worth 1,000,000,000 Gold!!"
Magil shouts, just as the seed explodes!
Kid suddenly looks over at Magil, but... it's too late.
The look on her face is one I don't think I've ever seen before.
Having just realized what she's done, her anger fades into a tremendous feeling of regret. She slumps over,
silently staring into her hands.
I can't believe a single seed could fetch such a price. It was a pretty big seed, though...
"Be calm, Kid," Magil says. "As you see now, you've had the power to use magic in you all along. The sunflower merely brought it out of you. However, as you see, magic is a very temperamental thing. In time, you may learn to contro it."
"Hey, come on, Kid! We didn't come away from this empty-handed! You've learned how to use magic, that's nothing to be down about!" I add, trying to make the best of things.
Magil softly puts a hand on her shoulder. However, she quickly turns away from us without saying a word. Her eyes are overflowing with tears...
Sigh... loks like it might be a while before things get back to normal.
And so, the curtain closes on another tale. However,
another time, after the spotlight had faded from Kid,
Magil, and Pollon...
...In another place and another time... a similar band of adventurers had come forth, equally unsuspecting of their other selves, and life went on as they strode out into the great unknown.
But that's a story for another day. For now, I shall put down my pen."
As I softly close my grandfather's diary, I hear my mother's voice call to me from downstairs.
"Didn't you hear me? Your friend is here!"
I turn around, already knowing who it is. My door open quite energetically, where I see a strangely nostalgic girl barge in.
"Serge! We found some ruins of an old mansion up in northern Kitsune Forest today! Come one, let's go exploring!"
Fin
------bEnding notes/b-----
This is gonna make someone mad, but...eh, the next storyline is SuperXtreme Alphacosmos Police Case EX Ultra.
You know the Mick von Jovi one.
Kid and the Sunflower
"Boy did her information help. I though the perimeter's counterspell would be quite a problem."
Kid's braid gently sways from side to side in the cool nighttime breeze.
So far, we've managed to slip through the magical shield network undectedet and sneak into Lynx's domain. Still,
this inner region can make for some pretty rough travel.
Kid, Magil, and I compose this party of three...
However, while walking behind Kid, I can't help but notice her ponytail endlessly swishing back, and forth... back,
and forth... back, and forth...
I'm starting to get sleepy... so, so sleepy...
It's too dangerous to fall asleep now, I keep telling myself over and over!
Kid had a name for this sort of thing, but I can't seem to remember it at the moment...
Man, that was close. Shaking my head, I try to stay alert.
Still, all this is really something. Walking through a forest like this on a night like tonight reminds me so much of the dirst time I bumped into her....
It's been something like three years since Kid and I met.
Back then I was a drifter, wandering wherever my music led me. During my stay in the remote town of Regiorra, I ended up running into a girl who later joined me, leading to the beginning of all this.
That girl was Kid...
Kid is a thief, of course.
Not even seventeen years old, already she's widely renowned as a top professional. To make matters worse,
she's cute, devilishly stylish, and has a sparkling personality. And boy, can she cook... if you aske her that is.
Well, to be completely honest, she has her share of problems as well. She likes to think of herself as a kind of Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, but that's just not the case.
At times her sharp tongue can get the best of her,
viciously lashing out at anyone who stands in her way.
She exaggerates every other word, and sometimes lies outright... and as for listening to other people, well,
forget it.
When it comes to my money, well, I've never met anyone greedier in my life. Her relentless pursuit of wealth is ironic, considering she's a nomad, like me...
I don't know, maybe I'm being too hard on her. She has her good points, too. She can really shine sometimes,
when she wants to...
Glancing back over my shoulder, I notice a silhouette silently emerge from the grove.
Magil...
This associate of Kid's is known to us only as 'Magil of the Shadows'.
I know next to nothing about him, except for the fact that he somehow knew Kid before I came into the picture.
A high-class magician of some sort, he looks to be about thirty. He usually keep to himself, though.
The top half of his face is covered with a mask at all times. I've never even seen what he really looks like.
At times, it seems as though I'm hanging around someone from another world -- traveling with this pack is definitely an interesting experience.
Kid's quiet about her past too, but it's like I know her entire life story compared to how little I know about Magil.
From time to time I find myself wondering who he is,
where he came from, and so on. I'd ask Kid, but I get the impression she knows as little about him as I do.
You might be wondering, how did I end up where I am now? Well, there's a lot of reasons, I suppose...
My life deinitely hasn't turned out the way I thought it would... not that it's been a terribly bad life, at least not so far, but still...
Remembering back to when Kid and I first met, my face breaks into a wry smile.
"Hey mate, what's with the funny face all of a sudden?"
"Oh, nothing... I was just thinking how strange life is."
"Life? What're ya thinkn' about all that for? You sure yer not turnin' into some kinda pansy or somethin', are ya Serge?" she says over her shoulder before rushing on ahead.
"Hey, what's that bright flash over there?" Kid suddenly asks, pointing towards a thicket in front of us.
"Huh? I don't see anything..."
I look around closely, but all I see is a bunch of trees and rocks, extending on into the darkness.
"It was a bright flash. It was right over there, I tell ya!"
I walk over beside Kid, trying to see whatever it was she saw. Magil approaches as well a moment later.
"We are already fairly deep into Lord Lynx's terrirtory,"
he says. "It's dangerous to start blindly wandering around. You are aware of that fact, are you not?"
However, Kid doesn't budge an inch, keeping her eyes on the bush.
"Do you feel something here?" Magil asks, changing his expression a moment later.
Kid's eyes meet Magil's for a moment, but before long she returns her focus to the forest.
"So be it," he finally says. "If we are intended to stray from the path, this may prove to be worth something in its own regard."
But before Magil even finishes speaking, Kid bolts,
disappearing into the trees!
"Hey, wait up!"
"Be careful, Serge. Foul things lie down this path..."
Nodding, I cautiously start to make my way through the trees.
Much to my suprise, we're able to find it right away. It turns out to be a bautiful beetle, colored solid gold,
perched on a high tree limb.
"The Golden Beetle!!" Kid cries out, climbing up the large tree.
The beetle certainly glitters like real gold... Kid seems quite caught up in the sight. No, not caught up in the sight -- rather, caught up in the greed, I should say...
"Man, she's fast..."
She's already climbed up about five of six times my height, heavily baited with hopes of gold.
"Ah hah!"
Kid catches it, but almost instantly the beetle shakes free, buzzing out of her hand!
"Wait!" she yells, reaching out her hand further and further, hoping to catch the golden insect. But suddenly,
she loses balance and falls!
"Hold on!!" I yell, leaping forward.
But then, she begins to curl herself into a small ball,
spinning around in midair like a cannonball!
This is bad! She'll knock the both of us out if I have to catch her like that!
Seeing this, I jump out of the way, fearing for my life!
However, Kid opens herself up mere feet from the ground, gracefully landing as nimble as a cat!
She doesn't sem hurt in the least. If I hadn't run, she probably would have landed flat on my face...
"Kid..."
"Wait! My beetle!!" she yells, continuing to chase after it withoug even acknowledging us.
Relentlessly chasing the beetle, she plunges deeper and deeper into the forest. We follow after, desperately trying to keep her in sight. For all I know, it could be the Golden Beetle, or just another common insect...
However, we're so deep in the forest now, I can't see anything but an endless assortment of dark trees and jagged rocks, stretching out in every direction. I doubt Kid herself can even see the beetles at this point.
How could she still be tracking it?
As soon as I start to ask myself this, I realize what she'd tell me -- intuition.
Suddenly, Kid stops in a clearing.
"Did you find it!?"
"Naw... I found somethin' gold, but it ain't the Golden Beetle."
I look over Kid's shoulder. There, in a small spot of light,
stands a tall golden plant. My first impression is that it's a sunflower, but those don't usually bloom at night, do they?
"What is this thing?"
"Sheeze, yer as thick as ever. There's somethin' special about this thing, can't ya feel it!?"
Hmm... I close my eyes, trying to get one of those feelings she's always talking about...
I close my eyes trying to concentrate.
"So, do ya feel anything?"
"Hmm... well, I feel a little tired..."
"Not that kind of feeling, ya dummy!" she says angrily,
slapping me upside the head.
I have to admit, I haven't had much experience being intuitive... especially while being beaten up...
Hmmmm... I try to wonder what she can possibly be feeling all the way out here in the middle of nowhere.
I walk around the enormous plant, taking another look at it. But then, suddenly...
"What the...!?"
A face suddenly emerges in the center of the flower! It's a ghastly sight, complete with drunken, drowsy eyes,
purple eyelashes, thick, pink lips, and a long bent nose! A cross-dressing subflower... now I've seen it all!
I go to ask Kid, but she's too busy laughing at it. She's truly something else, without a doubt...
I take another look, not that I'm interested in this sort of thing... (not that there's anything wrong with that...)
Ugh, I feel strange... what kind of twisted mind would make something like this?
Apparently unfazed bu the strange sight, Magil calmly starts to rack his brain. "Ah, what was this sort of thing called," he says as he strokes his chin, going into a sort of quiet trance.
I sure hope he remembers soon... that's Magil for you,
though. he's got a head full of knowledge, wiser than most I've ever met. However, it takes him a good but of time to remember certain things, and until he remembers,
he'll remain completely useless. He's led us into danger a few times because of that...
"Bonsoir, mademoiselle."
Wait, it can talk too!?"
"Madam-what?" Kid asks, smirking.
"Ah, ma che'rie, I was just zneaking a peek at your petite breast. I hope that you are not angry!
Uhuhuhuhu!"
"What!? Get yer eyes offa me!"
"Oh, my zweet mademoiselle... how young and feizty you are," the sunflower answers back playfully.
"You perverted freak'a nature! Watch what ya say around me!" Kid says as she flashes her dagger, dangling down at her side.
Kid squaring off with a sunflower... now I've seen it all.
"Ah, my dahling... perhapz you and I could converse zomewhere a bit more... private?"
Suddenly, Kid whips out her dagger, slashing clean through the sunflower's stalk!
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
Its blaring screech is as excruciating to hear as a hundred hands simultaneously scratching down a chalkboard!
I feel faint... my knees are going to buckle if I hear any more of that deafening screech!
But then, suddenly... "Oh hoo hoo, you must not bee so violent, ma zweet-chested fille! Zat tickles!"
Somehow, another sunflower has instantly sprouted and replaced the one that was cut down, perfectly identical to its predecessor!
"Bastard!!" Kid shouts, slashing her dagger through the air once again!
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
More and more of that awful screech fills the air. But then, moments later...
"Non, I am not yet married... but, if you insist..."
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
"Gyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
Kid continues hacking away, tearing dow everynew sunflower that pops up! However, for every one she mows down, two or three instantly sprout up in its place!
All this screeching... I can't take it any longer! "Stop,
Kid! Please..."
"Stop, Kid!" I shout, trying to intervene.
However, she heatedly shoves me aside, becoming more and more infuriated as she hacks through the never-ending crop of sunflowers!
This is kind of pathetic, but rationalizing with Kid is useless. All I can think of is to ask Magil for help.
I look over at him and ask "Magil, what do we do!?" but he just stands there with his finger on his chin, staring down at the ground, as still as a statue!
Shaking him, I shout "Hey! Magil!!" but it's useless.
Beneath his mask, those eyes of his sport a blank, foggy gaze, silently staring off into nothingness. I can't believe it -- he must still be trying to remember what this thing is called!
We have to do something here! I can't just sit here and let this happen!
"Ah, ma che'rie... why must you zhake your puny little zword at moi? We do not need such love games. Wit ze sweet felingz we have for each other, zere is no use for la violence, n'est-ce que pas?"
Kid's face turns redder and redder as she buries herself further into the sunflower patch.
"Ah, I remember now," Magil says, finally snapping out of it. "This is what is known as a 'Mandora Monster.
Please do not make the mistake of trying to cut it down."
"Uhh... Magil..."
I point to the humongous crop of sunflowers, where Kid has now resorted to gripping one of the sunflowers'
stalks and shaking it with both hands. However, the sunflower does nothing but laugh down at her.
Suddenly, all around us, the ground starts to tremble and quake! Dirt loosens as the ground gives way,
creating a sort of quicksand beneath our feet! I leap back instantly, but I then realize Kid's still in the thick of it, ignoring everything except the sunflowers!
"Kid!!!" I yell, but it's too late! She's caught up in the entanglement of stalks! After a moment, she slips and falls on the unstable ground, getting swallowed up into the newly formed pit beneath her!
I try to go after her, but just as I approach the patch,
a great number of plants and vines quickly shoot up around Kid, blocking me!
Then, suddenly, a mess of vines leap out at me, trying to wrap themselves around my arms and legs!!
However, I feel a strong set of arms take hold of me and jerk me back almost immediately. "Thanks, Magil..."
"There's no time to lose! Run!"
"But Kid...!"
"I know!"
Running up onto a nearby hill, I stop for a moment and look back. The whole mess is nothing but a billowing cloud of dust now. All I can make out are a multitude of vines waving crazily in the air. I can neither see nor hear Kid.
As soon as I try to make a run for the dusty mess, Magil reaches out with his large hands, restraining me.
"We must wait for the dust to settle. It's useless to try and find her now."
He's right, it's a way too crazy in there right now. I try to remind myself that the only reason I want to do something is out of shock. I need to relax...
After a minute or two, the dust starts to settle.
"Hey, what's that?"
A large silhouette is starting to appear from out of the dust cloud. It's big... a lot bigger than what was there before.
As the figure is gradually exposed to the moonlight, I start to see a more defined shape...
"Kid!!!"
This thing, whatever it is, is easily seven or eight times my height.
Its body seems to resemble a gorilla's. It's exposed muscles are wrapped in ivy, and its digits remind me of pointed shellfish. Golden sunflower petals are lined up in the back of its neck.
However, instead of a head...
...It's her!
Kid's stark naked upper body has been fused into the top of the monster. Other than the two small sunflowers covering her chest, she's wearing nothing at all...
"Serge, listen to me. The Mandora Monster has fused with Kid. We must save her quickly, otherwise she'll be lost forever, consumed by her own hate."
"Serge! Quit gawking and pay attention!"
"What? She's going to die!?"
I frantically try to think of what to do. It's hard though, I can't seem to take my eyes off those two sunflowers...
Kid's expressionless face teeters listlessly back and forth as the monster establishes its footing. Those usually fiery eye of hers now appear desperate and hollow. Her skin is a dark grassy green, like that of an amazon goddess...
"Calm down. There is a way."
The monster has managed to intertwine itself with Kid because of her strong sentiments of anger. Unless we seperate Kid from her anger, we will be unable to save her."
"How do we do that!?"
"...With love."
"Love..."
"Yes... it's the only way. I shall go and make preparations. In the meantime, protect Kid's body, and show her love. Also, you must prevent her from using any magic. In her current state, the more she casts spells, the more she'll be lost to that beast."
"What? Kid can't use magic."
"She can now."
How can this be happening...
"Serge, show her your love," Magil says, leaving me with those words as he sinks into a nearby shadow.
"Wait! Magil! Magiiiilll!!"
Alone and afraid, I look up at the huge atrocity as I shudder in the chilly nighttime breeze.
Love... I couldn't think of a more awkward place to think about love. The sound of the word makes me cringe, as it dances through my mind...
While lost in thought, I suddenly hear a soft muttering from far above.
"Ya say they're small..."
"They're not small, I tell ya..."
"Others' are big... too big..."
"Stop makin' fun of me..."
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!!"
Kid cries out madly, her eyes filled with flames of rage!
Suddenly her gaze shifts toward me. The monster instantly lashes out a giant stone hammer from behind,
arcing it down towards me!
I instantly jump back just as the giant hammer comes crashing down, kicking up heaps of dirt and sand with a ground-shaking thud!
"Kid! It's me, Serge!" I call out to her, waving my arms wildly. However, the only reaction I get is of increasing anger!
Just then, I start to hear a low voice call out from beyond a nearby hill. "What's going on over there!?"
Oh no... goblins!
"Look, it's the Mandora! What's got it all acting up?"
Noticing the goblins, the monster begins to moan. Kid's cheeks puff up, and then, suddenly...
Kid sends a giant fireball streaking out of her mouth,
crashing into the goblins! It instantly reduces them to ashes!
"Dammit... magic!" I say to myself as Magil's warning flashes through my head.
Finished with the goblins, the monster suddenly remembers me, turning around and returning its gaze my way!
I can't help but feel embarrassed, professing my love to a hulking monster who's ready to kill me...
I nervously shoult "I love you!" up into the night sky,
hoping she'll hear me...
Suddenly, the monster starts to draw closer and closer to me! Did I do it? Is she coming back to reality?
...No, it really doesn't look like it! Help!!
I run and hide, plunging into the deep, dark labyrinth of the wilderness.
However, behind me I can hear the thunderous sounds of trees being crushed and boulders being broken. I continue to run as the gigantic monster chases after me!
I've been running for at least five straight minutes now,
dodging trees and jumping logs. I'm starting to lose my breath...
Just as I begin to think I can't run any more, the end of the forest comes into view!
However, as I come to the clearing...
Lined up before me is a troupe of fearless-looking goblins. They're carrying a huge cannon with them, easily twenty feet tall. I try not to think of how easily I'd be obliterated if I ever accidentally stood in its path... or was forced to stand in its path, for that matter...
"There! Lock on target!" shouts a goblin. Oh, great...
I collapse at the goblin's feet, out of breath.
The goblin leader, decked in a full suit of iron armor sporting Lynx's insignia, comes over towards me.
It glares at me with piercing, intimidating eyes, as thought it's ready to whip out its mace if I do so much as breathe the wrong way.
I really don't know about this, turning to goblins for help... but, I've got no other choice!
"Please, help me save my friend!"
The goblin guard stares at me blankly. I continue,
gasping for air between sentences. "We were chasing after this beetle, but then a sunflower suddenly appeared, and captured my friend, and started to chase me through the forest! Please, you have to help us! She's the most important thing in the world to me!!"
...The goblin's eyes relax. "Is that right... your friend was captured? I understand. We'll help you. Don't worry."
"Thank you!"
Boy, I'm sure glad I didn't judge this book by its cover.
However, just as I say this...
"And how much would zis lovely beetle of Kid's zell for,
hmm?"
That voice!
Suddenly, the goblin shouts out! "What!? Your friend is that crooked thief, Kid?"
A wave of shock goes through me. Just when things were starting to seem okay for one...
I try to see behind the goblins, searching for that strangely familiar voice, the one that sounded just like the sunflower's. However, allI can make out is some sort of strange psychedelic light, emanating from behind the troupe.
The light seems to be coming from a figure, whoever (or whatever) it is. As he makes his way through the crowd, I finally get a good look at him. His hairstyle reminds me of a tall green chimney, and his red and green pinstriped costume is like that of a harlequin. An over-the-top, long purple cape drags behind him as he approaches me.
"Are you... the sunflower?" I ask, confused.
"Sunflowah? Who iz a sunflowah!?" it cries out.
I can't help it... this person... no, this thing -- his face looks exactly like the sunflower's!
Caught off guard by the sight, two goblin guards flank me by suprise, wrestling me to the ground.
"Ah, monsiuer... you are mademoiselle Kid's friend, non? I do not believe we have met. Bonsoir, Je m'appelle Pollon.
T'roughout ze world, I am known as 'Ze Green Terreur.
Perhapz you have heard of moi, non?"
Ugh... That same strange feeling I got with that sunflower arises...
"Screw you, pervert!"
"Pervert? Moi? Non, monsieur, you zimply do not underztand ma elegant nature!"
"No matter! Soon, le terreur shall be planted in your heart, for Kid'z death iz at hand! As a gentleman, I shall grant you the privilege of seeing zis happen before your very eyez."
"Isn''t there anything else you can do?"
I plead from the bottom of my heart, begging to let her go.
"Ah, it iz very beautiful zat you feel zis way about her.
But, alas, I am under employment, and I must deal wit'
intruderz. I am zorry, but I cannot grant your wish,"
Pollon says, with a cheerful gesture of consolation.
"Captain! There it is!!"
The goblin's shout strikes into my heart like a death sentence.
"To the cannon, sir!" the guard says to Pollon.
"Stop! Please!!" I hollder, hopelessly trying to break free of the guards restraint. However, they only tighten their grip on my arms, and tears begin to stream down my face as the pain shoots in.
"Monsiur, I offer you zis. Are zere any final wordz you would like moi to zay to zis friend of yours?"
"Please, I beg you... stop..."
"Ah, you really have true feelings for zis fille," Pollon says softly, taking out a handerkerchief to wipe his tears.
"I am most moved," he continues. "Perhapz when I finish her, I shall zay for you, 'Adieu, ma che'rie! Wait for moi in hell, ma sweet!'"
With a bittersweet smile on his face, Pollon skips toward the pedestal.
"No! Stop!!"
My grievous cries resound unanswered, echoing throughout the starry night sky. I can see some of the goblins have felt my side of the story, but Pollon remains unfazed.
"Well zen, let us begin!" he shouts, grasping the crystal ball with both hands. "Gonyogonyogonyogonyogonyo.
Fireball!!"
"Adiew, ma che'rie! Wait for moi in hell, my sweet!"
The barrel of the magical cannon flashes as a tremendous fireball is let loose!
It shoots directly towards the monster, crashing into its torso with the impact of a two-tonbattering ram!
Explosive flames engulf the area, blowing me back with a gust of hot air!
"Kid!!"
"Oui! Oui! Finally, we are rid of zat horrible little mademoiselle! In ze past, such terrible experinzes have stemmed from her, non? But now, we shall worry about her no more! Ho, hohohoho!"
"...Kid..."
I fall to the ground, devastated. But even moreso is the dreadful feeling of regret I'm filled with.
However, suddenly, the goblin guards simultaneously call out in suprise! "Captain! Look!"
A giant figure of some kind seems to be emerging frin the blazing explosion!
As the smoke subsides, there stands the monster,
completely unharmed!
Just as I though, that pompous freak is no match for Kid! I breath a sigh of relief, but then I realize I'm no further away from doom than before...
"What? She livez!? How can zis be!?" Pollon screams incredulously, running toward me. The relaxed smile from earlier has now been replaced with nervous sweat.
"What kind of twizted magic iz zis!?" he frustratedly asks me.
"It's impossible pour vous..."
I answer sarcastically, trying to imitate that pompous accent of his, complete with landing a few drops of saliva on his putrid face.
Pollon turns bright red. "What!? Zpit it out, you little zwine!" he demands, furiously shaking me by my shirt!
But then, all of a sudden...
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh...
Like a howling wolf, Kid's voice echoes out throughout the grassy plain.
A chill runs down my spine. Could it really be her, trying to break free from the monster...?
As I stare up at her, silence and fear take hold. Shes waving her hands around in the air, saying something in a slow, deep voice...
"The dead who lurk in the dark..."
Quietly and solemnly, Kid's voice begins to echo out.
That's her voice, all right, but its doesn't sound like her at all... that monster's still got a hold on her. It must be using her to summon another spell! As she continues to chant, a blue aura starts to form in front of hter,
shimmering with deadly beauty.
"Eh? How can she do zat?" Pollon shrieks, now turning blue with fright. "No one can ztand up againzt ma cannon!"
"Adieu...!" he shouts, before quickly fleeing!
The goblin chief follows soon after. "All troops, fall back! Retreat to the manor, on the double!!"
Following the goblin chief's orders, the soldiers abandon the cannon and flee to Viper Manor.
I'm left alone with this gigantic monstrosity, listening to it starting to summon who knows what. What am I supposed to do now...?
My cries ring out in the night sky as I gulp down desperate gasps of air. However, the only response I hear is Kid's...
"Hatred and jealousy in my hands..."
"Gather into a thousand dark prayers..."
Just as I think I'm about to lose it, a voice echoes out from behind me!
"There you are."
Alarmed, I whip around instantly!
"Magil!"
Relieved, I try to catch my breath.
He's changed -- a strange sort of glittering silver robe drapes down from his shoulders, and a bright ring shines across his entire back.
I want to ask him about his new clothes and everything,
but now isn't the time. Instead, I tell him all about what happened, the chain of evernts relentlessly overflowing from my heart.
"I tried to do what you told me to, but..."
"Yes. However for now, we should leave this are. It is not safe here."
Scooping me up under his arm, Magil briefly recites a spell, and soars high into the air!
From far above, I look down upon the ominous landscape, hearing Kid continues recite her strange incantation...
"The fallen angel, Arcmyst..."
"Answer my prayer, and grant me thy power..."
I can barely make it all out from up here. But, from what I can tell, a faint, pale light is starting to drift all around the monster, causing the ball of light in Kid's hands to grow stronger and stronger. I wish I could do something, but...I don't know what to do!
"Death to all living things..."
"Destruction to all creation..."
"Devour all light..."
"Phantom... Break...!"
With the sound of a thousand tortured voices of madness crying out in unison, Kid's surging ball of light begins to grow larger and larger, eating away at everything around her!
The pale shimmering slowly stretches outwards,
swallowing up everything in its path, melting Viper Manor like fire on ice! It indiscrminately evaporates the huge mansion, along with evrything else in its wake...
Stretching out more and more, the gigantic void eats away at everything, before disappearing into the ground...
"Unbelievable..."
If Magil hadn't been here just now... Oh man, just thinking about it gives me chills.
A giant fissure has been created where Viper Manor once stood, continuing down into the ground farther than I can see.
And there, on the brink of this newly-formed ravine,
stands Kid...
"She seems to be holding out," Magil says. "She's wrestling with the monster for control, but she's almost at her limit."
I can barely hold back the impatience in my heart,
looking down upon all this...
"What's going to happen to her? Don't let her die!!"
"Quiet, child!!"
Magil's unexpected outburst snaps me out of my nervousness.
"Calm down, Serge."
He's right, I need to keep my cool. I don't think he needed to go about it like that, though...
"Allow me to cast a levitation spell on you," he says,
before muttering some arcane words. Shortly after, he gently releases me.
Whoa, I'm floating!
"To fly, simply thinkk about the direction you wish to travel."
Whoa, I'm floating!
"To fly, simply think about the direction you wish to travel."
Nodding, I carefully try it out. He's right! This is amazing! I dart here and there, flying circles around him with ease!
"Now, please let me see your knife."
I take it out and hand it to him.
Magil takes out a white jewel from inside his robe, and again mumbles some strange sounding words. Suddenly,
the jewel attaches itself to the hilt of my knife as though it were magnetized!
He hands the knife back to me, saying "I mentioned this to you before, but let me emphasize it again. Kid is bound to the monster's body because of her anger. As long as that bond exists, we will be unable to save her. To break it, I told you to show her your love."
"But I don't understand how to do that!" I yell, pressing him for an answer.
"A kiss."
I have to kiss that thing?"
"Yes. It is the most effective way."
"But... its arms are as wide as my waist! Why didn't you tell me this before!?" I yell hitting him upside the head in a fit of rage!
And with that, I accidentally knock Magil's golden mask off, sending it falling down through the night sky to the ground!
Gulp... did I just do that?
This is the first time I've ever seen his true face.
Even for a guy like me, I'm taken aback by his looks. His hair sways in the moonlight, as his piercing blue eyes survey the enviroment below.
His beauty is different than a woman's... there's some sort of a fierce, intrepid quality about him.
He is truly... a beautiful person.
Magil's hand suddenly comes across my face, eagerly returning the blow.
"Serge, listen to me!"
"I'm okay now, I swear! I wasn't gawking!"
"If Kid uses one more spell, we will not be able to save her. Be sure to kiss her before that happens! However, if you are unable to do this before she finishes concentrating her magical power, you must thrust your knife into her heart! The jewel embedded in your knife holds the power to steal souls. Doing so will be dangerous, but it will be our last resort!"
Listening to Magil's words, the possibilities run through my head.
Two choices...
Even though I can fly, it's going to be incredibly hard to get close enough to that thing to kiss her.
But, the alternative... I don't even want to think about that.
"I'm going to start perparations for the exorcisim. I will not be able to come to your aid during this time."
Oh man... he's got to go away agai? Could this get any more hopeless!?
Taking a deep breath, I try to convince myself I should be facing Kid on my own anyways.
"I... I can't do it...!"
"How can you hope to save her with feelings of doubt in your heart?" Magil shouts seizing me by the collar.
"You must saver her! No one else can do it!"
Magil's words are as much of a scolding as they are a reinforcment. But still, I'm a nervous wreck.
He's right, I've got to do this. Just as he has things he must do, I too must face my destiny. I'm the only one who can do it! If I don't, we'll lose Kid forever!!
His grip loosens, seeing the change in my expression.
"Yes, Serge... your determination is at the very core of this matter," he says, with his deep blue eyes fixed solidly on me. Strange, behind that seemingly impenetrable gaze of his, I swear I hint of compassion, somewhere within him...
"Well then, let's go."
"Protect the girl you love with all your might,
and all your heart."
As Magil's words resound into my head, an uproar of might rushes into my spirit.
I'm going to save her... even if it kills me.
The will to save the one and only Kid pulses through my body. I flash Magil a huge smile, and begin my descent...
For Kid...
Soaring down through the air, I spot Kid at the edge of the chasm.
she's aware of me as well. As the monster rises to is feet, she stares up at me with an infuriated look on her face.
She's changed...
Countless red veins have streaked across her body,
pulsating with anger.
The monster's right hand arcs upward in a flash, trying desperately to grab me. I dodge at the very last second.
I zip behind its arm, coming within a dangerously close range.
Come on... time this right...
I reach out my right hand and carefully cover up her mouth, hoping to prevent her from completing the spell.
"Kid... I feel so much for you... I..." but before I can finish, she starts to strangle me!
Urrghhh... she's so strong! There's no way I can break free!
No... I can't give up! I have to do this!!
I try again, this time with such ferocity, I use strength I didn't know I had!
There! Her grip is slipping! Yes! I free myself and instantly fly back a ways!
However, before I have time to react, the monster's left hand suddenly whips out at me!
Suddenly, a tremendous pressure assaults my torse!
Looking around, I realize the monster's caught me in its huge hand!
It brings me up towards Kid, with her morbid stare fixed solely on me...
Her lips turn into a gloating smile, before changing into a billowing, hateful laugh. She reaches out and places her right hand on my forehead, and then, a stream of red starts to pour from from her mouth!
Oh no... she's starting another spell!
I holler out with all my heart, hopin there's any part of her real self still left!
However, her expression remains unchanged as her unblinking eyes dance around erratically.
Suddenly a trace of light begins to form in the palm of her hand red streaks begin to rise up along her body!
"Kid!!!!!"
Then, suddenly, a ring of light comes flying at us from overhead, cutting into the monster's arm like a hot knife through butter!
I fall to the ground with the monster's arm, instantly released from its excruciating grip!
"Serge! Now!!" Magil shouts from high above!
Heeding Magil's order, I got for it!
Reaching my hand out towards her ever beautiful face, I hesitatingly move in towards her lips.
I can't do it without you, Kid...
The words echo out in my head...
"Well done, Serge! Hold her tightly to you, and leave the rest to me!!"
Hearing that voice, I slowly open my eyes. All I see before me is Kid's face, hollow and listless...
I'm so scared...I hug her tighter than I've ever hugged her before, quietly sobbing as I kiss her again and again.
Looking up, I see Magil floating among a sea of clouds.
Hanging there in midair with his arms folded, his dazzling figure glitters like gold.
Suddenly, the clouds beneath him open up as he dart downward,aiming directly for us!
"The moon comes forth... Its goddess speaks.
I am summoned by the will to vanquish evil.
Goddess of the Moon, lend me your power.
Scourge the insolent evil from this world..."
"...Now!!"
The golden ring printed on Magil's cape shines brighter and brighter as he swoops down on us!
"Gyyaaaah!"
Lunaxhant Ringforce Kick!!
Centered on Kid, the collision creates a huge explosion,
spreading over the monster's entire body!
My first instinct is to back away, but I remain by her,
hugging her body tighter than ever! Somehow, the explosive flames don't seem to harm me!
Soon after, the flames begin to subside. I slowly open my eyes, only to see the spell on Kid has been broken! She's been seperated from the monster!
I hold her body tightly to me as I fly away with her, far out of the reach of the incapacitated monster.
Looking back, the monster begins to pulsate with a white light, causing the battered monster's body to shake and tramble. Shimmering sparks dance around its body, circling the beast faster and faster, until the entire scene is a glistening ball of light!
Soaring further and further away from the calamity, I look back again only to see the monster implode into a single point of light. Having left no trace of the disaster that took place before, the small point of light briefly zips around like a firefly, disappearing into the night sky in a flash.
Looking down, I can't help but grin as I see the familiar sight of Kid's face. The green in her skin is rapidly fading, returning to the normal color it once was.
"Kid... it's going to be okay..."
"There is no need to worry. Once her spirit settles, she will awaken. Here, put this on her. It wouldn't be too good if she was to wake up like that," Magil says,
holding out his silver cape.
Yeah, if she wakes up like this, it'll be slaps and bruises for everyone...
I take the cape and quickly wrap it arounf her limp body.
"M..."
She's coming to!
My heart race. I look at her face, seeing her eyelids start to tremble.
"Good morning, Kid!" I say, still a bit nervous.
"Serge... Magil..."
She groggily moves her eyes around, left and right...
And then, after that brief, subdued moment...
"You two... dammit, ya saw me naked, didn't ya..."
Shocked, I look up at Magil, but he's nowhere to be seen...
How could he leave me alone with her at a time like this!
Why can't I be the one with the power of the shadows...
Kid stares at me with those ever-fiery eyes of hers...
"Hey, you kissed me too!?"
How could she remember any of that... dammit, Magil...
"Yes... I kissed you."
Letting out a deep breath, I answer truthfully...
But before I can finish, "Yeah, just like I though! Tryin'
to sneak in a quick peck when I'm knocked out!!" she yells, rising to her feet, slapping me again and again!
"...And I'd never been kissed before!
The nerve!
Ya bastard! Ya bastard!! Ya bastard!!!"
Suddenly, she stops and looks at me. It's over...
"Hell no, this ain't over!!"
She lands a solid punch square on my jaw, as her shouting continues to tear through my eardrums!
Amidst all the commotion, the silver cape she was wearing accidentally slips off. Momentarily thrown off guard, she quickly bends down to cover herself back up.
Heh.
Wait, what's that on the ground? Kid seem to notice it as well, completely forgetting about me.
She bends down, picking it up. It's some sort of large black and white striped object. Holding it up, I try to see what it is (from a safe distance). It looks like it's some sort of seed...
Yeah, it's a sunflower seed. But it's so big... bigger than a fist!
However, this only seems to add more fuel to her fire...
"Grrrr.....rrraaaaaaaahhhhh!!"
She stomps on it! And stomps! And stomps! And stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps!!
Then, she picks it up, and hurls it upwards with all her might!
"Gonyogonyogonyogoyo..."
"Kid!" shouts Magil, suddenly behind her.
"Kid! No!" he roars. But it's useless... she's locked into another one of her tantrums!
"Gonyogonyogonyogonyo... fireball!"
Disregarding him completely, she sends a huge fireball straking upwards to the seed!
"That sunflower seed! It's worth 1,000,000,000 Gold!!"
Magil shouts, just as the seed explodes!
Kid suddenly looks over at Magil, but... it's too late.
The look on her face is one I don't think I've ever seen before.
Having just realized what she's done, her anger fades into a tremendous feeling of regret. She slumps over,
silently staring into her hands.
I can't believe a single seed could fetch such a price. It was a pretty big seed, though...
"Be calm, Kid," Magil says. "As you see now, you've had the power to use magic in you all along. The sunflower merely brought it out of you. However, as you see, magic is a very temperamental thing. In time, you may learn to contro it."
"Hey, come on, Kid! We didn't come away from this empty-handed! You've learned how to use magic, that's nothing to be down about!" I add, trying to make the best of things.
Magil softly puts a hand on her shoulder. However, she quickly turns away from us without saying a word. Her eyes are overflowing with tears...
Sigh... loks like it might be a while before things get back to normal.
And so, the curtain closes on another tale. However,
another time, after the spotlight had faded from Kid,
Magil, and Pollon...
...In another place and another time... a similar band of adventurers had come forth, equally unsuspecting of their other selves, and life went on as they strode out into the great unknown.
But that's a story for another day. For now, I shall put down my pen."
As I softly close my grandfather's diary, I hear my mother's voice call to me from downstairs.
"Didn't you hear me? Your friend is here!"
I turn around, already knowing who it is. My door open quite energetically, where I see a strangely nostalgic girl barge in.
"Serge! We found some ruins of an old mansion up in northern Kitsune Forest today! Come one, let's go exploring!"
Fin
------bEnding notes/b-----
This is gonna make someone mad, but...eh, the next storyline is SuperXtreme Alphacosmos Police Case EX Ultra.
You know the Mick von Jovi one.