To make up for that last chapter, a nice long one. n__n And
I'm in a good mood to boot, so I won't complain about play rehearsal or anything!
You know why? 1) I got the new Jars of Clay CD (:D) and 2) this chapter
contains ACTION. Yes, you heard me! ACTION!!!! Mwahahahahaha! Note: "Ambush
Attack" (track 1, Disc 3) of the FFIX soundtrack is great for this chapter.
~Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ou hito ni akari-o misuru hotaru kana
{Alas, the firefly shows a light for the person chasing after it.}
(a haiku by Ôemaru, translated by myself)
Air rich with the nectar of flowers and sun usually created the cherished lazy days that make for the best memories. But the weather was no longer in control of fate. Tabito was on top of the tower before he realized that he had indeed remembered to tell Haagen to assemble the other Knights of Pluto. Keen violet eyes scanning the horizon, he spotted the attack force marching out of the woods.
"Ouch…" he muttered when he estimated a mere hundred men. He glanced towards the harbor, but the warships were too close to be seen over the cliff.
"Why?" asked the weaker-eyed brother. It took Tabito a moment to remember his own comment.
"The attack force is ridiculously small," he answered. "Five warships is definitely a good bet on the harbor, but a hundred men for the castle? If it's the truth, it's an insult to our strength; if it's a bluff, an insult to our intelligence."
"Granted," Chizitsu agreed as he breathlessly chased after his brother again who was now sprinting down to the main hall. The crown prince came to a halt at the railing to look down at the Pluto Knights who were waiting along with some of the city guard. They fumbled around each other to fall in line when they saw him. He looked over the eight of them before a frown set into his youthful features.
"Where in heaven and hell is Lance Steiner?!" he asked, none to happily.
"Your highness?" Kohel asked, surprised. As if I'm supposed to already know, Tabito thought darkly as he quickly understood the situation.
"Let me guess," he nearly sneered. "Lindblum?"
"He didn't say where…" Kohel answered confusedly. "Top secret and—"
"That son of a bitch!" Tabito swore at the ceiling his fist suddenly closing around the railing so hard that it cracked.
"Don't take it out on his mother…" a trembling Chizitsu whispered from behind him. Tabito turned to look at him, the betrayal burning at his eyes, his fists curled at his sides.
"I should have known he would do that," he growled, "damn him, I think I did know. That bastard… If I survive, I swear, I'll break his neck with my bare hands, that I shall." His eyes met his brother's for a split second before they closed, and he took a deep breath. He couldn't worry about Lance now. Turning back to his forces he raised his voice over them, "Have I even the faintest hint of a commander here?" A brunette woman of about twenty stepped meekly forward.
"Captain Icarion is in charge in the General's leave, sir," she answered. "She is out on patrol now, sir, but I am a commander, sir."
"Then act like one," Tabito told her without humor. "Blutzen, Kohel, if you have any say, now is the time." The two detective knights looked at each other, then shrugged helplessly. "I see…" Tabito sighed, and then decisively raised his head. "Haagen and Weimar, recall the city patrol, and tell Captain Icarion to order the defenses against the invasion on the plain. Then, order the population to safety. Is that clear?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Weimar answered with a salute.
"You can count on us, sir!" Haagen saluted as well, and then ran out after his counterpart screaming, "Fury!"
"Blutzen and Kohel," the acting king continued. "Find as many fighters in town as possible, and enlist their help. There is nothing in the charter that says the Alexandrians cannot defend themselves."
"Yes, Sir!" Blutzen saluted.
"We will not fail you, Sir!" Kohel promised as the two of them marched out in unison. Tabito nodded and again continued:
"Laudo and Breireicht. Hope upon hope, contact Lindblum. They may come in time." Both knights simply nodded and ran. "Dojebon and Mullenkedheim, prepare the cannons, but, for the love of mercy, do not fire them unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood, your Highness," Mullenkedheim answered for the two of them as they went to do as told. Tabito paused for a breath and a moment to catch up with his own mind.
"Commander, your name?" he addressed the female soldier from earlier.
"Opal Featherspread, sir," she answered, stepping forward.
"Commander Featherspread," he nodded, "I leave it to you to assemble the forces into two teams, one to defend on the plain, the other to evacuate the harbor and barricade it. Can you handle that?"
"Yes, I can, thank you, sir," she saluted and inclined her head, as if confused in the etiquette of addressing a royal, but Tabito was beyond caring. "File out," she ordered the sect of the guard, and they marched out, leaving the prince on his lone. Well, not entirely.
"Did I forget anything?" he panted to his younger brother.
"No," Chizitsu grinned. "Sit down and catch your breath." Tabito complied, leaning against the railing. "Now what?"
"I'm not sure," Tabito answered as he stared at his hands, so sensitive on one side yet so calloused on the other. "That Lance…" His hands formed fists around the anger within them.
"I don't understand," Chizitsu shook his head. "He knew Raven is safe…why did he run off like that?"
"His feelings for her," Tabito spat. "It's that simple. He did as his feelings instructed was right."
"But…isn't that what everyone does?" the little one wondered.
"I don't have that privilege," Tabito said dryly.
"Huh?" Chizitsu raised two confused eyebrows.
"I don't think you understand what I'm talking about," the two-tone sighed as he stood up. "If I had the privilege to follow my feelings, I would have gone out after dad that day, and where would we be now?"
"It would have been futile for you to do so," Chizitsu offered as a condolence.
"That's not what stopped me," Tabito returned. "Let's go up to the balcony to watch. It's better than waiting here."
~~~~~
Roy Coral ducked as he stepped out of the air cab. He glanced around once to get his bearings before stepping right into a slightly smaller cloaked man.
"Watch where you're going, dumbass," Roy snarled as he looked down, then he smirked, "well, if it isn't the Good Sir Knight!"
"Silence, knave," Lance whispered back, hoarsely. "Do not give me away."
"Oooh, I get it," bight green eyes twinkled mischievously, "you're after my prize, ain't you? How noble."
"Watch your tongue, scoundrel," Lance snapped, his anger building against the one who dared refer to the princess as a "prize."
"Chill, tin man," the tall redhead shrugged. "You can go home. I got this."
"A mere rogue could never rescue her Highness," Lance pushed the taller man away.
"Ah ha, but the rogues exist to do what knights can't," Amarant's son pushed back.
"Foolishness," Lance retorted, but refrained from pushing again, for he didn't wish to draw attention to himself. "The knights were created to deal with rogues."
"Oh?" Roy laughed. "You're on, rust-neck. I'll rescue the princess."
"Foolishness," Lance said again as he started down the stairs into the docking area of the airships.
"I wouldn't go that way, if I were you!" Roy called mockingly after him. The knight sent a last glance of disapproval over his shoulder before walking on. The redhead then swore to himself. He finally had his chance to get his big marks with Raven. No way could he let that bumbling knight meddle with his plans…
~~~~~
"Two-hundred would be my guess, including the crew on the ships," Tabito told Chizitsu as they looked out on the field, soon to be a battlefield, "maybe more." The invaders had ceased their advance since the Alexandrian guard had gathered between them and the castle. "Against our three-hundred to fifty more. Unless they are hiding more somewhere…"
"We'll have more too," Chizitsu reminded him, "and probably some exotic warriors in there."
"It was a futile gesture," Tabito shook his head. "Nobody studies in Alexandria anymore. Not since the original library was completely destroyed."
"But—"
"Maybe a few, Chizi," Tabito finished the discussion as he stared intently out over his troops. After a few minutes, "I should be down there."
"Don't you dare!" Chizitsu shouted in alarm.
"Mm," Tabito responded noncommittally, determination seeping into his features.
"Gee whiz, Tabi!" the younger grabbed his arm not to let go. "Those guys have swords! Real swords, not those dinky little rapiers!"
"I wasn't about to use a rapier," Tabito forced half a chuckle past his seriousness.
"Tabi," Chizitsu shook his head, tears coming out of his eyes, "those swords can cut through armor like butter! Don't you get it? They'll kill you!" The crown prince twitched an eyebrow to show that he was listening, even though he was still considering. "Tabi! They're risking their lives so that you won't die! If they kill you, Alexandria will most certainly fail!"
"Mm," Tabito nodded finally, causing Chizitsu to breath a long sigh of relief. "If this stand-off keeps up, we may get reinforcements in time."
"I can still summon if they start to get to close," Chizitsu reminded him. "Should I start charging up Cyclops, just in case?"
"Just wait," Tabito shook his head. "That takes a while, and we might need something else shortly." For what seemed like a lifetime, nothing happened. Then, the assault began. With a collective shout, the new enemy rushed forward, blades bare. The Alexandrian soldiers followed suit, their formation impeccable for this group was none other than Beatrix's retinue. Every muscle in every muscle in every body tensed as every one awaited the great clash. Suddenly, the attackers slacked off to a halt. Before the Alexandrian Special Force could even wonder why, each and every one of them was engulfed in unnatural flame. Screams filled the air as both princes were struck still with shock. When the fire spell was finished, only a few of the Alexandrians were standing, and those just barely. They soon were not as the enemy rushed forward and slew them all, up or down. The remainder of the defense force was frozen with fear once the two half-summoners regained their voices.
"Th-that was…that was—those were Beatrix's soldiers!" Chizitsu panicked against his elder brother's arm. "They were some of the strongest in Alexandria! What kind of mage can lay them all low with one spell?!" Tabito wasn't much of a dynist, but he was developed enough to be able to tell that the source of that magic was uniform.
"Well, there's our renegade summoner," he grimaced.
"Impossible!" Chizitsu shrieked. "Summoners cannot perform black magic!"
"Maybe so," Tabito was trembling now although he had the false calm in his voice again, "but anyone who can do that can certainly summon Ark with the aid of a stone." For a moment, he held his little brother against him. "Someone that powerful…should not exist in this world. I want to fight him. But…I think I should surrender before anyone else dies."
"But…but, they'll kill you, Tabi!" Chizitsu wailed.
"Better just me, rather than me and everyone else," Tabito said softly. Chizitsu grabbed him and wept uncontrollably against his body.
"We can't give up," he sobbed. "I-I can summon… I'm not useless…" This mage, at least, is a threat to all of Gaia, thought Tabito, Terra too. Mikoto can fight him. Maybe the Terrans can… But…
"I will not, at least, sacrifice my people," Tabito said and pulled away from his sobbing brother. Just then, another spell swept over the plain, felling more Alexandrian soldiers. Someone that powerful must be stopped. But… what can I do? What should I do? "We need to contact New Bran Bal," he said. "They might have a chance against someone like that—hey!" Tabito cried out against a sharp pain in his backside. He whirled around to glare at his baby brother's grip on his tail.
"They're next, after all," Chizitsu reminded him. Tabito stared at his extra appendage for a while. It was long enough to touch the ground and come up again, built somewhat like a cat's tail, although more muscular. It was covered in tiny blonde hairs— some with tiny black tips, others more black than blonde—giving it a somewhat striped appearance. The Terrans are my people too… "Escape, Tabi. Go warn New Bran Bal."
"No way!" Tabito exclaimed. "No way am I abandoning Alexandria!"
"I'll protect Alexandria!" Chizitsu bravely proclaimed, beating his chest once with his fist. "I am after all a summoner!"
"So? The mage out there can do as bad as Cyclops on his own, and apparently without much effort."
"But a true summoner," Chizitsu ran a hand over his horn, "can do things that may be reversed only by other summoners. Tabi, if he does black magic, he can't possibly have a horn!" Tabito seemed unconvinced as he regarded the eleven year old. The sound of the cannons rang out over the battlefield.
"Nice timing, boys," the crown prince shook his head. All things aside: politics, pride, responsibility, brotherhood… Suppose it's the right choice? My instincts do. "I'm loathe to leave you alone, Chizi… But, maybe yet again my fate is not mine to choose."
"If that makes you feel less the coward?" Chizitsu suggested. "You're no good to anyone dead."
"And you neither," he shot back. "Okay Mr. Prodigy, how do I get to New Bran Bal in time, then?"
"You're a summoner, right?" Chizitsu grinned impishly, trying to get a few last jabs in as a farewell, "take that pathetic eidolon of yours."
"He's not pathetic," Tabito objected. "Can he carry me that far?"
"Yes," Chizitsu cringed as another spell claimed more lives on the field. "Don't tarry. I can't put up the barrier while you're still here."
"Alright," Tabito finally agreed. "I'll go out through the harbor, so you can set up the barrier in…ten minutes."
"The harbor?!"
"I'm trusting you, Chizi," Tabito said. "The least you can do is trust me." Chizitsu nodded once just as Tabito grabbed him in a hug. "If anything goes wrong, you get out of here, you understand?"
"Yes, I promise," the younger sniffed. "Good luck."
"You too." Tabito glanced one last time over his homeland then bolted towards the armory. Ten minutes. I can't believe I'm doing this. He skidded to a stop in the armory. Many blades of all kinds adorned the wall, but he was not interested in killing people. Fondly, he removed his mythril bo staff from the corner and gave it a couple test strokes. It was nearly a foot taller than he was, but still light enough that he could make use of its range without losing much speed. It seemed to the crown prince that he did a lot of running as he made the final sprint to the harbor. Surprisingly, he found Opal Featherspread guarding the Neptune statue.
"Has the harbor been evacuated?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," she saluted, although appeared surprised to see him. "The warships have made no move yet."
"Then they're just to keep us from escaping," he murmured aloud. "I am going to take the water statue down. Blockade it so it can't come back."
"Sir?"
"I know what you think," he sighed.
"I think you have your very good reasons," she bowed respectfully, sending him a small smile. He knew what the smile meant. He has seen it so many times before. But it also meant he could trust her at the moment.
"Commander, I am counting on you not to let anything happen to my little brother," he whispered to her.
"I will die before anything befalls him," she saluted, the glowing excitement of honor on her dainty face.
"Thank you," Tabito nodded gratefully, then boarded the Neptune transport. As the water level lowered him to whatever he might next encounter, he reflected on how even during a time such as this, a girl's thoughts might turn to love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yeah, yeah. Me an my cliff-hangers. This chapter actually had more to it, but I ran out of time and energy. So it's only 6 pages. Sorry.
Also, a quick idea I picked up from Ornery-chan (author of "Flight of the Chocobos"). Just because I was wondering, who are your favorite of my original characters so far? Let me know in your reviews!
~Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ou hito ni akari-o misuru hotaru kana
{Alas, the firefly shows a light for the person chasing after it.}
(a haiku by Ôemaru, translated by myself)
Air rich with the nectar of flowers and sun usually created the cherished lazy days that make for the best memories. But the weather was no longer in control of fate. Tabito was on top of the tower before he realized that he had indeed remembered to tell Haagen to assemble the other Knights of Pluto. Keen violet eyes scanning the horizon, he spotted the attack force marching out of the woods.
"Ouch…" he muttered when he estimated a mere hundred men. He glanced towards the harbor, but the warships were too close to be seen over the cliff.
"Why?" asked the weaker-eyed brother. It took Tabito a moment to remember his own comment.
"The attack force is ridiculously small," he answered. "Five warships is definitely a good bet on the harbor, but a hundred men for the castle? If it's the truth, it's an insult to our strength; if it's a bluff, an insult to our intelligence."
"Granted," Chizitsu agreed as he breathlessly chased after his brother again who was now sprinting down to the main hall. The crown prince came to a halt at the railing to look down at the Pluto Knights who were waiting along with some of the city guard. They fumbled around each other to fall in line when they saw him. He looked over the eight of them before a frown set into his youthful features.
"Where in heaven and hell is Lance Steiner?!" he asked, none to happily.
"Your highness?" Kohel asked, surprised. As if I'm supposed to already know, Tabito thought darkly as he quickly understood the situation.
"Let me guess," he nearly sneered. "Lindblum?"
"He didn't say where…" Kohel answered confusedly. "Top secret and—"
"That son of a bitch!" Tabito swore at the ceiling his fist suddenly closing around the railing so hard that it cracked.
"Don't take it out on his mother…" a trembling Chizitsu whispered from behind him. Tabito turned to look at him, the betrayal burning at his eyes, his fists curled at his sides.
"I should have known he would do that," he growled, "damn him, I think I did know. That bastard… If I survive, I swear, I'll break his neck with my bare hands, that I shall." His eyes met his brother's for a split second before they closed, and he took a deep breath. He couldn't worry about Lance now. Turning back to his forces he raised his voice over them, "Have I even the faintest hint of a commander here?" A brunette woman of about twenty stepped meekly forward.
"Captain Icarion is in charge in the General's leave, sir," she answered. "She is out on patrol now, sir, but I am a commander, sir."
"Then act like one," Tabito told her without humor. "Blutzen, Kohel, if you have any say, now is the time." The two detective knights looked at each other, then shrugged helplessly. "I see…" Tabito sighed, and then decisively raised his head. "Haagen and Weimar, recall the city patrol, and tell Captain Icarion to order the defenses against the invasion on the plain. Then, order the population to safety. Is that clear?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Weimar answered with a salute.
"You can count on us, sir!" Haagen saluted as well, and then ran out after his counterpart screaming, "Fury!"
"Blutzen and Kohel," the acting king continued. "Find as many fighters in town as possible, and enlist their help. There is nothing in the charter that says the Alexandrians cannot defend themselves."
"Yes, Sir!" Blutzen saluted.
"We will not fail you, Sir!" Kohel promised as the two of them marched out in unison. Tabito nodded and again continued:
"Laudo and Breireicht. Hope upon hope, contact Lindblum. They may come in time." Both knights simply nodded and ran. "Dojebon and Mullenkedheim, prepare the cannons, but, for the love of mercy, do not fire them unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood, your Highness," Mullenkedheim answered for the two of them as they went to do as told. Tabito paused for a breath and a moment to catch up with his own mind.
"Commander, your name?" he addressed the female soldier from earlier.
"Opal Featherspread, sir," she answered, stepping forward.
"Commander Featherspread," he nodded, "I leave it to you to assemble the forces into two teams, one to defend on the plain, the other to evacuate the harbor and barricade it. Can you handle that?"
"Yes, I can, thank you, sir," she saluted and inclined her head, as if confused in the etiquette of addressing a royal, but Tabito was beyond caring. "File out," she ordered the sect of the guard, and they marched out, leaving the prince on his lone. Well, not entirely.
"Did I forget anything?" he panted to his younger brother.
"No," Chizitsu grinned. "Sit down and catch your breath." Tabito complied, leaning against the railing. "Now what?"
"I'm not sure," Tabito answered as he stared at his hands, so sensitive on one side yet so calloused on the other. "That Lance…" His hands formed fists around the anger within them.
"I don't understand," Chizitsu shook his head. "He knew Raven is safe…why did he run off like that?"
"His feelings for her," Tabito spat. "It's that simple. He did as his feelings instructed was right."
"But…isn't that what everyone does?" the little one wondered.
"I don't have that privilege," Tabito said dryly.
"Huh?" Chizitsu raised two confused eyebrows.
"I don't think you understand what I'm talking about," the two-tone sighed as he stood up. "If I had the privilege to follow my feelings, I would have gone out after dad that day, and where would we be now?"
"It would have been futile for you to do so," Chizitsu offered as a condolence.
"That's not what stopped me," Tabito returned. "Let's go up to the balcony to watch. It's better than waiting here."
Roy Coral ducked as he stepped out of the air cab. He glanced around once to get his bearings before stepping right into a slightly smaller cloaked man.
"Watch where you're going, dumbass," Roy snarled as he looked down, then he smirked, "well, if it isn't the Good Sir Knight!"
"Silence, knave," Lance whispered back, hoarsely. "Do not give me away."
"Oooh, I get it," bight green eyes twinkled mischievously, "you're after my prize, ain't you? How noble."
"Watch your tongue, scoundrel," Lance snapped, his anger building against the one who dared refer to the princess as a "prize."
"Chill, tin man," the tall redhead shrugged. "You can go home. I got this."
"A mere rogue could never rescue her Highness," Lance pushed the taller man away.
"Ah ha, but the rogues exist to do what knights can't," Amarant's son pushed back.
"Foolishness," Lance retorted, but refrained from pushing again, for he didn't wish to draw attention to himself. "The knights were created to deal with rogues."
"Oh?" Roy laughed. "You're on, rust-neck. I'll rescue the princess."
"Foolishness," Lance said again as he started down the stairs into the docking area of the airships.
"I wouldn't go that way, if I were you!" Roy called mockingly after him. The knight sent a last glance of disapproval over his shoulder before walking on. The redhead then swore to himself. He finally had his chance to get his big marks with Raven. No way could he let that bumbling knight meddle with his plans…
"Two-hundred would be my guess, including the crew on the ships," Tabito told Chizitsu as they looked out on the field, soon to be a battlefield, "maybe more." The invaders had ceased their advance since the Alexandrian guard had gathered between them and the castle. "Against our three-hundred to fifty more. Unless they are hiding more somewhere…"
"We'll have more too," Chizitsu reminded him, "and probably some exotic warriors in there."
"It was a futile gesture," Tabito shook his head. "Nobody studies in Alexandria anymore. Not since the original library was completely destroyed."
"But—"
"Maybe a few, Chizi," Tabito finished the discussion as he stared intently out over his troops. After a few minutes, "I should be down there."
"Don't you dare!" Chizitsu shouted in alarm.
"Mm," Tabito responded noncommittally, determination seeping into his features.
"Gee whiz, Tabi!" the younger grabbed his arm not to let go. "Those guys have swords! Real swords, not those dinky little rapiers!"
"I wasn't about to use a rapier," Tabito forced half a chuckle past his seriousness.
"Tabi," Chizitsu shook his head, tears coming out of his eyes, "those swords can cut through armor like butter! Don't you get it? They'll kill you!" The crown prince twitched an eyebrow to show that he was listening, even though he was still considering. "Tabi! They're risking their lives so that you won't die! If they kill you, Alexandria will most certainly fail!"
"Mm," Tabito nodded finally, causing Chizitsu to breath a long sigh of relief. "If this stand-off keeps up, we may get reinforcements in time."
"I can still summon if they start to get to close," Chizitsu reminded him. "Should I start charging up Cyclops, just in case?"
"Just wait," Tabito shook his head. "That takes a while, and we might need something else shortly." For what seemed like a lifetime, nothing happened. Then, the assault began. With a collective shout, the new enemy rushed forward, blades bare. The Alexandrian soldiers followed suit, their formation impeccable for this group was none other than Beatrix's retinue. Every muscle in every muscle in every body tensed as every one awaited the great clash. Suddenly, the attackers slacked off to a halt. Before the Alexandrian Special Force could even wonder why, each and every one of them was engulfed in unnatural flame. Screams filled the air as both princes were struck still with shock. When the fire spell was finished, only a few of the Alexandrians were standing, and those just barely. They soon were not as the enemy rushed forward and slew them all, up or down. The remainder of the defense force was frozen with fear once the two half-summoners regained their voices.
"Th-that was…that was—those were Beatrix's soldiers!" Chizitsu panicked against his elder brother's arm. "They were some of the strongest in Alexandria! What kind of mage can lay them all low with one spell?!" Tabito wasn't much of a dynist, but he was developed enough to be able to tell that the source of that magic was uniform.
"Well, there's our renegade summoner," he grimaced.
"Impossible!" Chizitsu shrieked. "Summoners cannot perform black magic!"
"Maybe so," Tabito was trembling now although he had the false calm in his voice again, "but anyone who can do that can certainly summon Ark with the aid of a stone." For a moment, he held his little brother against him. "Someone that powerful…should not exist in this world. I want to fight him. But…I think I should surrender before anyone else dies."
"But…but, they'll kill you, Tabi!" Chizitsu wailed.
"Better just me, rather than me and everyone else," Tabito said softly. Chizitsu grabbed him and wept uncontrollably against his body.
"We can't give up," he sobbed. "I-I can summon… I'm not useless…" This mage, at least, is a threat to all of Gaia, thought Tabito, Terra too. Mikoto can fight him. Maybe the Terrans can… But…
"I will not, at least, sacrifice my people," Tabito said and pulled away from his sobbing brother. Just then, another spell swept over the plain, felling more Alexandrian soldiers. Someone that powerful must be stopped. But… what can I do? What should I do? "We need to contact New Bran Bal," he said. "They might have a chance against someone like that—hey!" Tabito cried out against a sharp pain in his backside. He whirled around to glare at his baby brother's grip on his tail.
"They're next, after all," Chizitsu reminded him. Tabito stared at his extra appendage for a while. It was long enough to touch the ground and come up again, built somewhat like a cat's tail, although more muscular. It was covered in tiny blonde hairs— some with tiny black tips, others more black than blonde—giving it a somewhat striped appearance. The Terrans are my people too… "Escape, Tabi. Go warn New Bran Bal."
"No way!" Tabito exclaimed. "No way am I abandoning Alexandria!"
"I'll protect Alexandria!" Chizitsu bravely proclaimed, beating his chest once with his fist. "I am after all a summoner!"
"So? The mage out there can do as bad as Cyclops on his own, and apparently without much effort."
"But a true summoner," Chizitsu ran a hand over his horn, "can do things that may be reversed only by other summoners. Tabi, if he does black magic, he can't possibly have a horn!" Tabito seemed unconvinced as he regarded the eleven year old. The sound of the cannons rang out over the battlefield.
"Nice timing, boys," the crown prince shook his head. All things aside: politics, pride, responsibility, brotherhood… Suppose it's the right choice? My instincts do. "I'm loathe to leave you alone, Chizi… But, maybe yet again my fate is not mine to choose."
"If that makes you feel less the coward?" Chizitsu suggested. "You're no good to anyone dead."
"And you neither," he shot back. "Okay Mr. Prodigy, how do I get to New Bran Bal in time, then?"
"You're a summoner, right?" Chizitsu grinned impishly, trying to get a few last jabs in as a farewell, "take that pathetic eidolon of yours."
"He's not pathetic," Tabito objected. "Can he carry me that far?"
"Yes," Chizitsu cringed as another spell claimed more lives on the field. "Don't tarry. I can't put up the barrier while you're still here."
"Alright," Tabito finally agreed. "I'll go out through the harbor, so you can set up the barrier in…ten minutes."
"The harbor?!"
"I'm trusting you, Chizi," Tabito said. "The least you can do is trust me." Chizitsu nodded once just as Tabito grabbed him in a hug. "If anything goes wrong, you get out of here, you understand?"
"Yes, I promise," the younger sniffed. "Good luck."
"You too." Tabito glanced one last time over his homeland then bolted towards the armory. Ten minutes. I can't believe I'm doing this. He skidded to a stop in the armory. Many blades of all kinds adorned the wall, but he was not interested in killing people. Fondly, he removed his mythril bo staff from the corner and gave it a couple test strokes. It was nearly a foot taller than he was, but still light enough that he could make use of its range without losing much speed. It seemed to the crown prince that he did a lot of running as he made the final sprint to the harbor. Surprisingly, he found Opal Featherspread guarding the Neptune statue.
"Has the harbor been evacuated?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," she saluted, although appeared surprised to see him. "The warships have made no move yet."
"Then they're just to keep us from escaping," he murmured aloud. "I am going to take the water statue down. Blockade it so it can't come back."
"Sir?"
"I know what you think," he sighed.
"I think you have your very good reasons," she bowed respectfully, sending him a small smile. He knew what the smile meant. He has seen it so many times before. But it also meant he could trust her at the moment.
"Commander, I am counting on you not to let anything happen to my little brother," he whispered to her.
"I will die before anything befalls him," she saluted, the glowing excitement of honor on her dainty face.
"Thank you," Tabito nodded gratefully, then boarded the Neptune transport. As the water level lowered him to whatever he might next encounter, he reflected on how even during a time such as this, a girl's thoughts might turn to love.
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Yeah, yeah. Me an my cliff-hangers. This chapter actually had more to it, but I ran out of time and energy. So it's only 6 pages. Sorry.
Also, a quick idea I picked up from Ornery-chan (author of "Flight of the Chocobos"). Just because I was wondering, who are your favorite of my original characters so far? Let me know in your reviews!