Earhart
by: Seki-chan
Disclaimer: It is soooo sad for me to say that I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS. They are property of Gravity. But that's the reason why it's called a FANFIC, right?;-)
She smirked, and raised a hand in the air.
The wind sent trees rustling and some shivering. All were worried; some were sweating profusely, eyes were darting to every direction. At the corner of my eye, I could see priests and acolytes praying; spirits began to surround monks; the falcons were getting uneasy.
The only people I could see calm were the leaders of the guilds. Even though they were frontline members, they seemed to be the calmest. The female crusader had taken the job of being the main leader. On her both sides, a male knight and swordsman stood. A meter away from them was male assassin; with snow-white hair and dark eyes, on both sides stood a female rouge and Freya.A/N: Freya's one of the chosen ones, remember? And so, following, Blacksmiths, Alchemists, and Merchants;Priests and Monks all stood in a horizontal line, with the crusader in the middle.
Behind the rows of the short-ranged army, the female huntress stood in the middle, her falcon perched on her outstretched arm (one of the few falcons who weren't going berserk), and her bow and arrows on her other hand. Her blinker was covering her blue eyes, and her short, blonde locks swayed gently against the wind. Beside her stood a Bard and a Dancer, behind them hundreds of archers, hunters, bards and dancers, with their bows and arrows aimed upward and support skills casted. On the huntresses' left stood Thorn, a wizard, with his fiery red hair covering one eye, and a headset on his head. His spells were prepared, and beside him stood Tifa, a sage and me. Behind us, thousands of sages, mages, and wizards; some busy casting and some preparing their skills. On her right, a priestess stood, her Grand Cross gleaming in the sun. Beside her, a Magnus Excorcimus priest and Chaos. Behind them, stood acolytes and priests, some praying, some casting, some healing, some supporting.
My hands were beginning to get sweaty; I kept my eyes on Thorn, as if waiting for his signal, and at the corner of my eye, at Chrystal. Her 'used to be' bright brown eyes were now dull and baggy. She looked...half-dead. It was if she was one of the humongous army behind her. I tightened my hold on my staff; this was a battle I wouldn't dare to lose. What would happen to the chosen ones? We haven't even met all of them; why, it was possible that all of them were here...all of the chosen ones, themselves. I shook my head. It was no time to think about that.
Suddenly, I heard a harsh laugh. My head twitched up, and I saw Chrystal laughing loudly. I gripped my staff tighter until it was in jeopardy of snapping into half. Tifa touched my hand and muttered that I relax.
'Humans...You foolish humans! Do you really think that you could defeat the Darkest Lord? He has the ultimate power that you all have never dreamt before! You all defy him; but you made a mistake. Now, you shall all die.' My eyes widened as Chrystal shouted that message. What was she talking about the Darkest Lord? Is she referring to 'the' Dark Lord? What was happening to her? Was she...possessed? Brainwashed? Or perhaps...insane?
At the corner of my eye, I saw the male knight and the female crusader talking. The crusader was nodding continously, but I couldn't see her face. After they talked, the knight stepped forward.
Immediately, the lined up Abysmal Knights raised their black swords to attack him. But to everyone's surprise, Chrystal held up her hand, while smirking evilly. After she waited for the Abysmal Knights to lower their weapons, she too stepped forward. She took a few steps toward the knight. He didn't back away. Chrystal's smile widened as they were now face to face. I couldn't see what the knight's reaction was, but I was curious on what would happen. All of a sudden, Chrystal wrapped her arms around his neck and...kissed him.
A collective gasp filled the air. What...What in Fenrir's name was she doing! The kiss didn't seem to last long, though. The knight pushed her away seconds after that. She licked her lips and I could see the lust in her eyes. How utterly disgusting...She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him from head to toe.
'My my, Sirius, you've certainly grown up. It's...just too bad that you'll die today, oh, and together with your family...cousin.' The knight's fist clenched in anger.
'Leave my family out of this, Chrystal. What has happened to you?' he asked gripping her shoulders tightly and shaking her roughly. She did not even flinch. She just...smiled.
'Nothing happened to me, cousin dear.' she said sweetly. 'The question here is...what happened to you?' I was confused. What did she mean by what happened to who?
'You made a deal with the Dark Lord even if you couldn't pay the price. Now, he made you pay your own soul.' he snarled. 'Darkness clouded your heart, Chrystal! You risked your own soul just to kill your own SISTER!' I gasped. Chrystal's hand flew to his cheek and she slapped him hard. I noticed that her eyes were darkening.
'You dare insult the Dark Lord's name! I pledged my loyalty to the Dark Lord because life is not worth living if you do not serve him!' she shouted. 'Besides, my sister had to pay for what she did to me!'
'Whatever happened to the way of God, Chrystal? Did it not say that you should learn to forgive? Chrystia knew how to ask for forgiveness, but it was YOU who didn't know how to forgive!'
'That's ENOUGH!' she shouted. Darkness surrounded her as a black aura slowly formed. 'It's always me, isn't it? Everyone always blames ME for everything! Chrystia deserved to DIE! Now, you shall too!' She signaled the undead to attack. As they got closer and closer, leaders started shouting their commands.
'ARROWS! Ready, aim, FIRE!' the huntress shouted. Hundreds of silver arrows passed through my head as the falcons attacked. The undead army clashed with our army. I quickly casted Fire Wall as a Zombie Prisoner got close. Chios quickly blessed me and casted increase agility. Thorn was casting Lord of Vermilion while Tifa casted Heaven's Drive. I saw some undead attacking a nearby group and casted Thunderstorm. The groups had parted. The crusaders and knights attacked an Abysmal Knight as assassins, monks and others atacked the others. I saw Freya continously dodging a Raydric Archer's arrows while attacking a Raydric at the same time. A priestess continously supported her but they didn't spot another Raydric Archer coming. After the Raydric and Raydric Archer had been taken care of, the priestess became busy in supporting the others. My eyes widened in fear as the Raydric Archer took its shot at Freya.
I ran as fast as I could to push her, but the arrow hit me instead. I shut my eyes as the unbearable pain coursed through me. It hurt a lot. A monk killed the Raydric and Freya worriedly knelt down beside me.
I groaned in pain as my shaking hand removed the arrow from my shoulder. Just as I thought. It was an Incisive Arrow. I began to sweat uncontrollably and I was getting dizzy. I shook my head roughly and reminded myself that this was not the time to be weak. Since there were no healers available, I stripped a piece of my cloak and tied it around my shoulder to stop the bleeding. I stood up with difficulty, but I had to fight. I gave Freya a small smile and told her that I was fine. She looked as if she didn't believe me.
Every moment that passed, every spell I casted, every breath I took...I felt myself growing weaker. I leaned on the blood-spattered wall and watched the others fight. Inexperienced swordsmen slashed by Wanderers...Acolytes exorcising a Khalitzburg while it attacked a knight...crusaders coughing up blood because of Devotion...leaders shouting at the top of their lungs...it was just...wrong. What had these innocent people done to deserve this? I clutched my shoulder tightly as my breathing came in gasps. I had to fight...but...
I casted Thunderstorm and hoped that it would finish the Raydrics that were attacking some archers. They turned their attention to me instead. I fell down on the floor and coughed out blood as I heard the noisy clanking of the rusty armor...the sound of death itself. I waved my hand and fire erupted from under the ground, stopping the Raydrics just in time. I added two more, until a blaze of fire surrounded me. I leaned back against the wall and managed a bitter smile. I'm sorry Papa...I...just wasn't good enough. I'm...just too weak.
The first wall closed down. Now, only a wall of fire separated me from death. I waved my hand, but nothing happened. I clenched it tightly, and a tear of frustration slipped down my pale and grubby cheeks. This was it. This...was...the end...
BASH !
I opened my eyes in surprise as I saw a group of swordsmen attacking the Raydrics. Since my vision was blurry, I couldn't see their faces clearly. I heard faint voices speaking around me...
'Bryn, take care of the mage. Take him to a safe place, all right?'
'But brother'
'Just do it, Bryn! I don't want you to get hurt, so do it now! Siegfried, Sigurd, the three of us will distract the Raydrics so Bryn can leave, all right?'
'Ok, Tyrdoc!'
'Sir, we really have to go now...' I heard a female voice say. I opened my eyes and saw a blurred vision of a female swordsman. She struggled to help me up, but she managed to, anyway. She ran as fast as she could, dragging me towards a corner where the injured ones were cared for. I saw Chaos tending Chios on a corner. Freya appeared beside me, took out some bandages, and removed the bandage on my shoulder with shaking hands. She applied some medicine that stinged; I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth in an effort to ease the pain. The female swordsman was sitting silently beside Freya, not uttering a word. I closed my eyes for a while and rested.
My eyes shot wide open when I heard a voice scream. I gazed at the swordsman in surprise as she ran through the rows of mats towards the battle.
'Brother! Brother!' she kept shouting. She tried to get out, but some monks blocked her way. She was trying as much as she could to get away, and she was crying uncontrollably.
'Please, you have to understand, my brother needs help!' she pleaded. The two monks were actually struggling to keep her down when she thrashed wildly, trying desperately to get to her brother. I heard a small sob beside me, and to my surprise it was Freya.
'My cousins are still out there,' she croaked. 'They're both injured, and still they refused to be treated.' I reached out to pat her on the shoulder, but she sobbed on my chest instead. I hugged her close and felt a lump on my throat. What about Tifa and Thorim? Where were they too?
After a few minutes, an injured swordsman was carried by two kinghts, followed by two swordsmen. The monks released the girl, and she hurried towards the mat on where the knights had placed the swordsman. She knelt down beside him, and wrapped her arms around him, and sobbed uncontrollably. The two swordsmen, who remarkably looked alike, gently pulled her away and explained that he needed to be treated as soon as possible. She nodded, wiped the tears on her eyes and held the swordman's hand while he was tended. I felt sorry for the swordsman. She must love her brother very much.
Hours later, I stood up as silently as I could. I noticed that all the women were sleeping; however, all the men are awake. The two twin swordsmen stood up and gave final instructions to the female swordsman, who was the only one awake. I removed Freya sleeping head on my lap and crept out of the mat. As I stepped outside the battle, I took one final look at Freya; perhaps, I may never see her again...but I had to fight. Wish me luck, Freya...
The battle was fierce; even though we killed so many, more seemed to come. I looked exhaustedly at the sky; it was bloody red, and the sun was nowhere in sight. What has happened? Has God forsaken us? I prayed a silent prayer that the sun rises up and destroys the undead before they destroy us...
I stumbled to the ground, my breath gasps and my energy resembled a hoarse whisper. The more I fought, the more energy it drained from me. This couldn't keep up; I'd probably end up dying. But what about our mission? What about the chosen ones? What would happen if we were all destroyed in this war? What...what about my mission?
I casted the last Thunderstorm that I could out of my power; it still wasn't enough. Even the priests were exhausted. I looked at the top of a tall tower and saw Chrystal sitting on top, a black aura surrounding her as she smiled at us. She suddenly laughed out loud, and waved her hand as more undead appeared. I clenched my fist tightly; why was she doing this?
Suddenly, I had an idea. If someone could distract Chrystal, then the undead would stop reproducing. I couldn't jump that high to reach Chrystal, but I could create a path. But I needed someone lighter than me...
A thief! Of course! The only people that are lighter than the others next to novices are thieves! Besides, their agility and wit are plus factors. Now, which thief can I entrust this task? I couldn't risk Freya...but both her cousins are willing! Her cousins, Frigga and Freyr...those two would risk their own lives for anything! I quickly ran around in search for the two. I saw them dodging some Skel and Zombie Prisoners blows while laughing at a joke. I waved my staff to gain their attention.
Frigga noticed me first. She ducked and smiled at me and waved hello as she stabbed the Skel Prisoner on the chest. She mouthed, 'what is it' while slashing the Skel Prisoner with her Exorcise. I mouthed 'I need to talk to you two' back. She elbowed Freyr's back and mumbled what I said to him. He looked at me, smiled, and slashed the last Skel Prisoner with his Exorcise. They ran over quickly towards me, racing against each other. I sweatdropped at that.
'Yo Thorim, something you wanna tell us?' Freyr asked, his street accent pretty obvious. Frigga elbowed him hard on the stomach, and turned to me, giggling,
'Excuse his accent, Thorim. Something we can help you with? Hey, you know where our dear cousin is?' she asked me.
'She's at the shelter, a bit back there. Anyway,' I said to them, motioning for them to move closer. 'See that huge building?' I said, pointing the building on where Chrystal was sitting.
'Blimey, is that our Aunt Chrystal? Gawrsh, she really did something about her clothes.' Freyr remarked, smirking a little. Frigga stared open-mouthed at her, then looked at me, her expression serious.
'Even though she is my aunt, I'd do anything to stop this bullshit she started. You with me, Freyr?' she asked her cousin. Freyr smirked at her, then said,
'Hey, I'm in if you're in.' I smiled at them then told them my plan.
'This is the plan: I'll create an icy path that will act as your 'wall to climb on'. You can jump it, because it has spikes anyway. When you reach the top, your jobs are to distract Chrystal so that the monsters will stop reproducing. Do you understand the plan?'
They both nodded. I smiled in relief.
'Nice plan ya got there, dude. Let's get it on!' Freyr cheered. Frigga gave me a thumbs-up and hurried over towards the building. She waited for a few minutes, then gave me the signal.
I breathed deep, and casted.
'Frost...'
'DIVER!'
A huge pillar of ice erupted in front of Frigga and Freyr, slowly rising up. As the pillar reached the top of the building, I dropped down on my knees and watched the two slowly ascend to the top. The spell sapped me dry; I had no strength whatsoever. I was about to give up when I felt someone gently pulling me up.
'Don't give up, Thorim.' I opened my eyes to find Tifa and Thorn, smiling down at me, both looking exhausted as I was.
'Tifa! Thorn! You're both okay!' I exclaimed, as I hugged Tifa around the waist. She chuckled lightly and smoothed my hair softly. Thorn rubbed my head jokingly, messing up my hair in the process.
'Hey little bro, you didn't think we'd die in this war, did you! Hell, we're too young to die! So many adventures out there...hey, nice pillar you made there!' Thorn said, patting me on the shoulder. I smiled weakly, while I slowly looked up to see how Freyr and Frigga were doing.
'Is that...yes, it is them!' Tifa suddenly exclaimed. Thorn and I looked at each other, then to Tifa, both puzzled.
'What do mean, Tifa?' I asked her.
'Don't you two know? Oh, you're both so stupid sometimes...Those two are Freyr and Frigga!' she said, looking pretty amazed about something.
'Aaand?' I asked.
'Right...so what's up with these two?' Thorn said, crossing his arms, looking bored. Tifa rolled her eyes, an exasperated look on her face. She smacked the two of us on the head with her staff, with Thorn and I rubbing our heads in pain.
'What did you do that for!' Thorn whined, rubbing his head in pain.
'That's because you two are so ignorant! Don't you know those two? The two super thieves of Rune-Midgard? Come from two of the richest families? Cousins?' she asked the two of us.
'Yeeaahh...so?' Thorn said in reply. Tifa smacked him on the head again and turned to me.
'Actually, I do know them,' I said quickly.
'Really?' Tifa said, her eyes shining. 'How? When? Where? What? Who?'
'Uh...Freyr and Frigga are Freya's cousins.' I said.
'Freya? As in your best friend? The pretty girl who has brown hair?'
'Um...yeah.' I simply said. I kind of expected her to scream out loud or something, so I shut my eyes tight.
Nothing happened. I opened my eyes to find her looking at the two, deep in thought. She turned to me.
'Hmm...remind Freya to introduce me to them, okay Thorim?' I nodded quickly. She smiled in satisfaction. I sighed deeply in thanks, and watched the two fight off Chrystal. Frigga looked angry, and Freyr was making fun of Chrystal. They were rotating around her, trying to make her dizzy. They were continously slashing her with their Exorcise, but she kept regenerating. Frigga caught sight of me, then mouthed, 'Get some help!'
I looked at Tifa and Thorn, but they were both busy. Thorn was casting Lord of Vermilion, while Tifa was sending out Soul Strikes and Thunderstorms. I looked around desperately, trying to spot anyone who could help. My eye caught something bright, flashing not far away.
A priestess was surrounded by a magenta-colored barrier, her eyes closed as blinding light surrounded her, in the form of a cross. Everytime undead would step on the huge cross, cross-shaped light would appear above their heads, and they would drop down, dead. I knew this skill. This was...
I ran closer to her, while she casted another one, her white aura glowing.
'Magnus...'
'EXORCIMUS!' she shouted. I blocked my eyes with the back of my hand, adjusting to the bright light. An image of three angels, two with bright gold swords, wings on their backs and their robes of white, and another, with ruby-red hair, a scepter on her hand. They appeared above the priestess, who was surrounded by light. The two angels raised their golden swords, high up in the air, while the other one turned her scepter heavenwards. They closed their eyes, and sang.
'Amen...' Once again, the cross-shaped light appeared below the priestess, and the undead were exorcised before her feet. Her eyes still remained close.
I still watched her in awe, then shook my head roughly. I was wasting my time. I ran over to her, waving my hands. This was no use. She wouldn't open her eyes.
'PRIESTESS!' I shouted instead. She opened her eyes, and the brightest red eyes I had ever seen in my whole life bore into mine. I took a step back. She held out a hand, and a magenta-colored barrier erupted from under me. I looked at her, then pointed at Chrystal's direction. She nodded.
'Turn Undead!' she shouted. A huge cross appeared before the zombie, and its blinding light exorcised its black soul. She ran over to me, panting.
'How can I help?' she said, gasping a little. I casted Soul Strike and Thunderstorm, as I took her hand, and started running. I pointed to the building where Frigga and Freyr were.
'See that building, where the two thieves and the priestess are?' I said. She nodded.
'I need you to get up there, and to exorcise the priestess.' I explained, looking at her. She looked shocked.
'I can't do that!' she said, incredulous.
'Why not!' I said, annoyed.
'I can't exorcise someone like her!' she snapped. 'She's a priestess, for goodness' sake! She's a servant of God! She should be the one exorcising, not the one to be exorcised! Don't you know a simple thing like that?' I rolled my eyes and stopped running. She stopped too, and faced me, hands on her hips.
'Look, priestess,' I started. She held out a hand.
'I have a name, you know.' she said, as a matter-of-factly. 'It's Keisha.'
'Ok, sorry! I'm really sorry, Keisha, but I'm afraid this is not the time to fight about simple things.'
'Fine. What's your name?'
'Will you listen to me if I tell you?'
'Well, duh! I'm already listening to you, am I not?' she snapped. I took a deep breath. She was annoying. TOO annoying.
'Fine. I'm Thorim. Now will you listen?'
'Yes, yes. Go on, tell me what I have to do.'
'Good. Actually, what you have to do, is to get up there, and use whatever skill you use on undead on her. That's it.'
'That's it?'
'Yeah. Now was that so hard?' I said. She sighed, then rolled her eyes.
'All right, I'll do what I can. Just make sure you know what you're doing...' she muttered. I smiled.
'Trust me. I know EXACTLY what I'm doing. Now, go.' She heaved a sigh, then smiled.
'Frost Diver!' I shouted. An icy path erupted from the ground, and its spikes led all the way up the building. I looked at Freyr, and gave him a thumbs-up. He nodded, and used the path I had made to go down. Within five seconds, he appeared beside Keisha.
'Hi lass.' he greeted. Keisha looked at him curiously. I smiled.
'Is this supposed to be my ride?' she asked. I nodded. She cringed.
'You're kidding!' She screamed as Freyr suddenly picked her up, and proceeded up the icy path again. I gripped my staff, and looked at them worriedly. I just hope this works...
tbc...
Sorry for the late update, yet again:p I had to study for exams, hehe...anyway, I'm still working on the next chappie, so stay tuned! Bye:)
Seki-chan :p
