Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Vagrant Story and probably never will. And who ever is reading this, thank you for reading. This is the one fic that I haven't expected anyone to show any interest in since Vagrant Story seems to be a lesser known game. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
That night Elli had difficulty sleeping. Her father hadn't come home and she was growing more worried with each passing minute.
When she had at last decided sleep was too distant for her, she climbed out of bed and prepared for a walk. The night wasn't cold enough for a coat so she only worried about shoes.
In an attempt to keep from disturbing Sydney, she climbed out through her bedroom window and set out for Lea Monde.
The starts shone above Lea Monde like diamonds with the moon as a platinum disk lighting her way. All was peaceful as she walked through the ruined streets of the once great city. She soon felt the comforting presence of Mullenkamp and knew she was safer there than she was at home.
'He is gone.' A voice whispered.
Elli knew that voice. She also knew the voice had never lied to her.
"How long?" She asked.
'Long enough that he would have been found were he not hidden. I am sorry child.'
Elli fell to the ground. How could this have happened? How could she have lost everything?
She felt the tears sting her eyes as they struggled to escape.
"How did it happen? How did he die, Mullenkamp?" Her voice wavered as she spoke.
Mullenkamp appeared before her, her head bowed in reverence.
"I will show you." She spoke as she gently placed her hand on Elli's forehead.
Elli's eyes suddenly went blank as she witnessed the fate of her father.
He walked from the old warehouse that should have been condemned. Its roof was riddled with holes as was its tin walls. Somehow the owner had managed to keep the warehouse for his employees to work in.
Elli's father, Jake, limped across the cracked parking lot. His right hand was held against his thigh. She remembered it had bee paining him for a week. But he never said how bad the pain was. She could always tell, by his limp and how he tried to hold his leg, as to how bad it was.
It was hurting more than usual before his death. She had never seen him limp so severely.
He suddenly stopped and turned towards the setting sun. He seemed calm when speaking to his murderer, at first. If not a little prepared for what was to come.
Elli wanted so much to see whom her father was talking to and to hear what they were saying. But Mullenkamp seemed to be hiding all this from her. Or was she afraid to know?
She soon realized she was watching everything through the eyes of her father's killer.
She watched as a flash of metal suddenly pierced Jake's heart.
Elli watched her father fall to his knees. His final words a whisper she couldn't hear.
She wanted to run to his side and hold him before his eyes closed forever. She wanted to avenge her father, the last sign of family she had.
Her vision ended with the sword blade being pulled from her father's chest and the collapse of his body as he lost all of his strength.
She felt the warmth of someone holding her. It wasn't until her eyes cleared that she saw it was Mullenkamp.
"He'll never be found, will he?" Elli asked through her tears.
"No child. He has died without anyone to carry him to his final resting place." Mullenkamp's voice was a soft whisper.
"Then we must give him one final gift." She stood and watched as Mullenkamp gracefully rose. "He would be proud to see me dance." She whispered.
Mullenkamp, showing she understood, led Elli into a suitable dance for a funeral.
All around, spirits watched. Some joined in while the rest gave their ghostly voices to the music none could hear.
A pair of unfriendly eyes watched from the shadows. His plan had worked. But she had to be drawn to the Cathedral. Her death would be useless anywhere else. The creature knew this, as did he and the third. He could feel the other two but knew nothing of where they were. They had all decided it was best. After all, with Sydney guarding the girl like a wolf with his pack, any of them could die if they made the wrong move. Rosencrantz had informed him of this. Rosencrantz, the fool. Did he think he could win an alliance with both sides as he had done before? Or did he have some other trick up his sleeve?
"All men seem to fall at her feet."
"In death or love, Rosencrantz?"
"Death will come later." Rosencrantz answered. "Why, Grissom. You hunger for the power of the Dark also?"
"No." Grissom spoke coldly. "I hunger for its destruction."
"To each his own." Rosencrantz replied calmly as he stood beside Grissom.
"You realize she is the key. The key to their destruction as well as their salvation."
Grissom nodded.
"But it isn't just her death that can destroy all you despise, dear Grissom. Her pure soul, her love can also destroy."
"How can you call a witch pure?"
"She is no witch. She knows nothing of what she is. All she has learned is Mullenkamp treats her as through she were blood. She is far more valuable than she knows and far more powerful than the creature can know. This has all been kept secret by Sydney for this knowledge was told to him by Mullenkamp herself."
"How do you know?" Grissom asked, puzzled.
"I have watched her since the day she was born. I felt the coming of great power that would influence either the rise or fall of the Dark. I had to watch not only her but Sydney as well. He chose to be her guardian, his reason being the attack of other spirits. Several have attempted to take her live, all being souls of the men of god. None have been seen again."
"How did Sydney hold such power in death?" A look of panic flashed over Grissom's features.
"Because the Dark still lives." Rosencrantz explained. "The Riskbreaker has not chosen a successor and has fed his strength and soul to the Dark. He grows weak but does not relinquish his burden. And yet the time draws near when he must. The question stands, will he willingly pass on his burden or will he die before his heir gains his power?"
"Does he not wish for freedom?"
"Aye, that he does. But the Dark is not something that can be given without the slightest regret. Even Sydney came to depend on his power. It had become a part of him. Ashley has learned of this weakness in him self. He both despises the fact and sees it as his acceptance of who he has become." Rosencrantz paused.
"I fear we must part, dear Grissom. The hunter draws near."
Grissom drew his sword as he watched Rosencrantz leave. He thought on their conversation and questioned how much of it was meant to help him in his quest, if any was not to set a trap.
He soon walked into the shadows. He would have his revenge. For his lord and his brother. And this girl, Elli, would suit his purposes well.