Happy New Year!
If you haven't heard already, looks like there's going to be a Sword of Mana sequel for the new Nintendo DS. They are calling it "Mana Sequel" There's no release date as of yet.I'm curious what they are going to do with this one, (he he he...Julius DID threaten that he would be reborn, remember?) I hope it isn't just a remake of one of the older games like secret or legend, but I would love to see all 3 of the other games come to gameboy. if anyone has seen more info I'd love to hear from you, my email addy is in my profile.
This chapter will be short. Pretty much a bridge into the next one.
Mavolia
Stroud teleported into his brother's house. He stormed up the hallway, ignoring the maids on the way. Isabella came running to him. She grabbed him with and threw her arms around him.
"My Lord!!! I just heard." she said gasping.
Stroud took her arms and removed them from his body.
"I'm so sorry." she said. "My goddess, if, if there's anything I could do."
Stroud snorted.
"I am leaving immediately, back to Granz castle. Mavolia is close by and I will escort you home, it would be best." he dictated.
"No No NOOOOOO!!!!!" she cried out to him with all her heart. "Please! I am begging you, don't turn me away now, we've come so far. I know how hard this must be for you but no matter what you think I AM on your side, I will be there for you no matter what!"
Stroud bowed his head with a sigh.
"Very well then, come with me if that's what you really want." He said. He knew the future from this point on was not going to be very bright.
"Thank you my lord!" she said as she dropped to her knees before him. "But, umm, seeing as we are so close to Mavolia, would you consider a quick stop there so I might gather up some of my belongings to take with me?"
"Moving in with me already? Tsk tsk tsk." he shook his head.
Isabella rolled her eyes and smiled dramatically, and surprised he would joke about such a thing.
"It's not like that at all, I jus....."
Stroud put his finger to her lips and stopped her.
"Hurry up then, we have to get going." He exclaimed.
Isabella ran for her room to get her travel bag. She gathered up her things and the two were on their way. Stroud and Isabella teleported to the gates of Mavolia - the alter of time. This time there was no one there. The scene of the previous drama was gone. They must have just missed Devius and the others.
"I don't like this place." Stroud shivered.
Isabella took his hand. "Together then."
They touched what was before them. An invisible field that transported them to the under world. It was cool there, dark blue skies and stars above. And in the distance was the orange glow of the city. Together they walked into the town alive with the vampire like creatures. It was evening and a party everywhere you looked. Mavoles of all ages gathered in the streets to drink and socialize. They ignored the traveling pair, or gave them curious glances. They all knew who they were.
Stroud and Isabella reached the little white stone hut that was her home. The inside was simple, quaintly decorated, full of curious things. The inside of her house was one room but the bed area was curtained off for privacy. A fireplace was straight ahead and next to it, shelves filled with dishes, cooking apparel and containers to hold ingredients or spices. Above it, a hanging rack of dried herbs tied upside down to dry. An old comfortable chair and side table was placed at an angle to the fireplace and on it sat a large hand woven blanket. To the right, was a large bookshelf filled with journals and other interesting literary works, and picture books filled with art. To the left, a table with an exquisite tapestry like covering. The table was stacked with misplaced belongings, jars, bottles, and more books.
Isabella turned to Stroud, his face was so pale and greyish, she could only imagine the turmoil he was trying desperately to hide.
"Welcome to my humble abode." she said.
He nodded, and walked over to the bookcase. He tilted his head to read some of the titles of what she had. He said them aloud.
"Dark Magic" "Prohibition no more! Make your own ale" "Healing Plants and Herbal Remedies" "Of Mavoles and Men, can there be Peace"
"And what's this?" he said as he pulled out a book that had no title on the spine.
He opened it and his jaw dropped as he paged through the images drawn in the book. It was drawings of Mavoles, naked, in some rather suggestive positions with one another. He raised an eyebrow and looked further.
"You can borrow it if you like..." Isabella giggled.
"No that's quite alright" He said as he returned the book to the shelf. "I once stumbled across the human version of the same, in my father's library."
"Not quite the same you know" Isabella said approaching him and tapping one foot nervously. "Humans are more reserved than us. They seem to think that denying pleasures of life makes them a better person, when in fact such thinking brings misery."
Stroud's eyes widened.
"Ok look here, I know what you must think, but I am not a lush or a whore. My parents were killed and I had to sell everything to pay debt and live myself. There is simply no place for a female here. What could I do?Every man whom I lived with, I loved. And they spout sonnets to me and tell me I'm beautiful and shower me with gifts. I just, well, wanted to find love, be married andbelong toa family again. I have none of my own left so I might as well start one or find one to take me? Is that a crime sir?"
"I heard your just a gold digger and a wild woman too." He said calmly.
Isabella took a deep breath and let it out. "I like to have fun. There no harm in it. And no, it's not about money. I just wanted someone to care about me. I never told anyone this before, I don't know why I tell you now."
Stroud looked to the floor, closed his eyes and looked up to her, he nodded his head as a sign that he agreed with her. He turned around and walked to the table, an object caught his eyes.
It was a woman's comb, like the kind ladies stick in their hair to hold it up. He picked it up. It was pure shiny gold andpearl, carved in it was the Luna spirit. It was Medusa's. He dropped it and collapsed to his knees. He sobbed inconsolably. Isabella got behind him and tried to comfort him but he shook her off and stood up. He really was not accustomed to affection. Isabella was not surprised by such a thing but thought it was so sad.
"I have to leave. Or, we have to leave. I have left Julius alone long enough, goddess only knows what he has done to my house." He said wiping his cheeks.
Isabella shook her head and patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's go."
