And thus begins the obligatory flashback scene. Well, not really obligatory, but you know. I think this scene really made Beldo seem like a person. After writing this fanfic, I think Beldo's my favorite character in the game. So little is known about him in the game… Oh, by the way. The Beldo image I used for this story is the one from the Game Boy game, not the one from the Playstation game. I originally played the Playstation one, but when I started writing this, I got pictures from the Game Boy game as reference. Yeah, so done! Read!

Chapter 6: A Dark and Forbidding Soul

The building's yellow bricks were newly washed in honor of the grand opening of the restaurant. A large pig's head had been lofted to a pole outside and was slowly revolving, its hidden motor purring softly.

Beldo stood across the street and stared at the new place, debating whether to spend his money on a plate of chicken or to go home and eat ramen for the third time that week. He had just returned from a week-long stint in the Tower. It had been a profitable run, But Beldo was as reluctant as ever to spend his money, especially as his landlord was in a foul mood and might demand the month's rent at any moment. Finally, he decided he deserved a small splurge and h headed into the restaurant.

He was greeted by a blast of noise and warm air. The restaurant consisted of one large room with two long tables paralleling the walls. The tables were crammed with chair, each occupied by a townsperson, most of whom were monster tamers. All were talking and laughing loudly, obviously having a good time.

Beldo edged around the crowd, doing his best to stay out of people's way. Monster tamers were a rowdy bunch and Beldo knew from experience that when groups of trainers were gathered in one area, fights were prone to break out over trivial things.

Finally, Beldo found an empty seat near the wall and wrangled a menu from underneath someone's mug of beer. The menu was short, just a little card with twelve items and their prices listed opposite.

"What can I get for you?" a waitress materialized through the crowd and readied her pencil and paper.

Beldo turned to give the girl his order, but his words froze on his lips when he saw the waitress' face. Instead, he contented himself with smiling amiably and waiting fro her to recognize him.

It didn't take long before she exclaimed, "Mr. Beldo! How are you? I didn't recognize you with your hair like that!"

"Hello, Wreath, Beldo responded, his heart suddenly speeding up in his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, "I didn't know you were waitressing. When did this happen?"

"Last week," she said, tucking her pad of paper and pencil in her apron pocket, I applied and Pan hired me on the spot." She sat down on a recently vacated chair and propped her elbow on the table, "So how's the Tower goin'? I hear you've gotten pretty high."

Beldo nodded, "Yes, I just got back from the 30th floor. You'd never believe the monsters up there."

"Tell me," Wreath begged, leaning forward expectantly.

"Well, there is one called…"

"Hey, guys!" a monster tamer across from Beldo shouted to his friends, who appeared to be everyone in the room, "This guy here says he's been to the 30th floor!"

"So what?" someone responded, "Guy's been to the 33rd! The 30th is old news!"

"Ya hear that, Blue?" the first tamer laughed, "You're old news! A has-been! Haw haw!"

Suddenly, Beldo's face darkened. He rose slowly, almost supernaturally. To everyone but Wreath, who was sitting next to him, it looked like Beldo had levitated a foot into the air, so subtle and fluid were his movements. His head tipped forward so his sharply narrowed eyes seemed even more dangerous. Strings of his blue hair had come loose and fell across his face, but he made no move to brush them away. People remembering the situation later remembered an almost ethereal light haloing the man in blue.

When Beldo spoke, his voice, normally a crisp baritone, fell to a low bass, touched with vibrato. His voice was quite, just above a whisper and had his intimidating posture not silenced the room, no one would have heard his words.

"A has-been? Perhaps I will show you what this has-been can do."

The room fell deadly silent as Beldo closed his eyes and raised his hands in front of his body, palms facing together. His lips moved, silently mouthing an ancient chant of powerful magic and a light appeared between his palms, seemingly appearing from nowhere. As he chanted, the strands of hair rose gently, caught by a wind that circled only around Beldo.

Beldo could feel the rush of the forbidden magic coursing through his blood, giving him the feeling of total power. The restaurant, the people, the town itself all were gone, blocked out by the pure, white power of the forbidden magic.

Suddenly, a shape interrupted the blaze of magic in Beldo's mind. He could feel someone's hand on his arm and his concentration drained away. His anger flared at the person who dared interfere with his magic. As his focus shifted to the person, his anger melted as the person's aura shone through. Her face came into focus, the pleading, concerned face of Wreath.

Instantly, Beldo released his hold on the dark magic. The ephemeral wind faded and Beldo slowly opened his eyes and sank into his chair, exhausted.

To Beldo, the world was a silent movie, flashing inexorably before his eyes. The forbidden magic had temporarily disabled his hearing and had sapped all his strength to where all he could do was sit and watch.

He saw the people in the restaurant, some cowering in the far corner of the room, others standing in a semi-circle around Beldo's chair. Those standing around Beldo wore expressions of fear and anger and they were yelling something at Beldo. No, not at Beldo, but at Wreath. Wreath stood just in front of Beldo, shielding him from the angry threats of the customers. Her back was to Beldo, so he couldn't see her face, but from her posture, he guessed she was defending him.

Pan appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, his white apron stained with grease. He marched into the fray and said a few words to the crowd, who dispersed, still muttering under their breaths and casting irritated and fearful glances at Beldo.

Pan pulled Wreath to one side and they talked for a few minutes. Wreath pointed at Beldo and to the customers. Pan followed Wreath's gesture to Beldo's limp form and he nodded, accepting whatever Wreath had told him. Then he said something to Wreath and gestured to the kitchen. Wreath nodded as Pan retreated to the kitchen, picking up dirty plates as he left. Wreath watched her employer leave and then turned to face Beldo. She kneeled so she was at eye level with Beldo and mouthed the words, "come with me." He allowed her to take his hand and help him to his feet. He followed her blindly through the kitchen and into the pantry. She set him down on a low stack of boxes and lowered herself onto a tin of flour opposite him.

"Thank you," Beldo croaked weakly, his vocal abilities returning with his hearing. "I am sorry if I got you in trouble."

Wreath shook her head and Beldo admired the shifting light in her hair as she moved. "Don't worry about it," she said, "Pan'll get over it and everyone in town will move on. There's always a new rumor around the corner. What about you? Are you all right?"

Beldo nodded, slowly, his head throbbing painfully. "I'm fine now," he whispered, "I just let my temper get away from me."

Wreath dropped to the floor and kneeled at Beldo's feet. She looked up at him and when Beldo looked into her eyes, he saw worry and a touch of fear. He quickly looked away.

"But what happened?" Wreath asked, "What did you do?"

Beldo sighed and closed his eyes. He had been expecting this question since he had broken out of his trance. Now that it had come, he was afraid to answer it. What if Wreath, frightened by Beldo's headstrong studies of forbidden magic, left him? Not that she was his to begin with…

He looked at Wreath, shitting so innocently at his feet, her hand resting on his knee. He was afraid too; afraid of hurting the woman he loved, but was too afraid to tell her. Beldo smiled sardonically as he realized everything he was afraid of had to do with Wreath and protecting her. "This is love?" he thought, "Living in fear? If it is, I don't care. I'll brave this fear if I can just be with her."

Finally Beldo gave in to Wreath's pleading gaze and he told her, "It was dark magic. I've been studying forbidden magic for the past three years."

Wreath recoiled slightly, shocked at the mention of forbidden magic. Wreath had been born in Monsbaiya and all children that lived at the base of the Tower were taught at an early age to fear any magic outside of healing white magic and useful spells used for mending or cooking. As she pulled away, her eyes raised to Beldo's face. Her heart almost broke with what she saw there.

Wreath saw a young man, only twenty-four years old, but behind the youthful exterior, she saw a man far older than his years. He was aged by sadness, anger and fear and looked back so hopelessly on his vanished youth, unable to do anything but watch and remember. She saw a young man filled with self-loathing, guilt and shame over the incident today, and loneliness.

Wreath had known Beldo for the four years he had lived in Monsbaiya. It was a small town, of course, and any newcomer was immediately noticed by every native. But Wreath had been close to Beldo since the beginning. She knew what he dealt with: rejection from other monster tamers, scorn by the other townspeople. Perhaps that's why she was drawn to him in the first place.

As she pulled away, Wreath saw all the pain and hopelessness of the past four years flood into Beldo's face. He turned his head to hide his emotions from the girl who sat at his feet, the girl who had, in time, rejected him just like all the others.

Wreath couldn't bear it. She couldn't stand that she was hurting him in this way. Dark magic or not, Beldo was her friend, her dearest friend. Pushing the nagging caution about dark magic from her mind, she got to her feet and tenderly wrapped her arms around Beldo's shoulders.

He froze at first, completely shocked by the unexpected show of kindness. Soon, the reality of Wreath's actions sunk in and Beldo returned the embrace, resting his head on her shoulder.

I'm sorry, Wreath murmured, "Whatever you do, you are still my friend. Forever and ever. I promise." Then, she pulled away and returned to her place on the floor, "You said you had stories of the Tower. Tell me, Please."

Beldo smiled and covered her hand with his. "You truly want to hear?" Wreath nodded vehemently and Beldo took a deep breath and began.

"I was on the twenty-ninth floor. My Griffon was so weak, I feared she wouldn't make it another level and I was there with no return crystal. Suddenly, a monster appeared, advancing slowly…"

Beldo closed his eyes, vividly remembering the emotions of that day. The point of no return. The day he gave his heart to Wreath and thought she had done the same. But no. Once again, he, Beldo was second string behind the almighty Guy.

Beldo wondered vaguely if Wreath still worked for Pan, and then decided she probably didn't. She had been twenty-three on that day, making her thirty-three now. And besides, she had at least two children, one seven or so. There was no way she still worked as a waitress. It was safe to go in.

Beldo filed the memories of Wreath away in some dark recess of his mind, bringing forward only thoughts of his revenge on Koh and of Elfie's promised dinner. He snapped his fingers, waking Elfie and catapulting her feet, tail wagging furiously as if she had never been asleep. "Let's go, "Beldo murmured, glancing down at the dog, "Let's go get our dinners."

The old swinging door had been replaced by a hinged door, made of solid oak. Beldo wondered where Pan had found the money for an oak door and remembered that Pan's restaurant had probably been very successful during his own seven-year hermitage.

The restaurant was busy; almost all the chairs were taken, save two near the door, each on opposite tables. Beldo chose the one to his left, feeling strangely repelled by the chair on the right.

"Excuse me, sir!" A young girl carrying a round serving tray moved toward Beldo as he glided to the chair. "Sir, we don't allow animals in here. Your dog can wait outside, please."

Beldo glanced at her, annoyed, "The dog, Elfie, will be purchasing a dinner of her own. Would you make a paying customer eat outside?"

The girl thought for a moment, twisting her glossy pink hair around her finger. Finally, she tossed her head, freeing her ponytail from her finger and frowned at Beldo, "As long as she doesn't cause trouble, she can say." She beamed, "What would you like?"

Beldo eyed the girl warily. Every so often, a flash of Wreath in the same uniform flickered before his eyes. Pan's uniforms had changed little and the girl looked so similar to Wreath. If not for her pink hair, Beldo would have mistaken her as Wreath. Perhaps it's just my imagination, Beldo thought

"What is your name, girl?" Beldo asked, drawing the girl's attention away from Elfie, who had been doing tricks in an effort to get the girl to pet her.

"I'm Patty, the girl said, "Patty Pan. Daughter of the chef. What would you like to order?"

Beldo looked closer at the girl's face. Now that she mentioned it, she did rather look like Pan. Definitely her father's daughter. "I'll have the chicken and Elfie will have a steak," Beldo said, glancing briefly at the menu.

"We're all out of chicken, "Patty said, consulting her pad of paper, "I'm sorry."

Beldo narrowed his eyes in irritation and rechecked the menu. "Then I'll have the shining prawns," he said, suspicious that the girl had made up the absence of the chicken.

At the mention of prawns, Patty's face lit up. "Prawns! She said happily, "Those are my specialty! Coming right up!" She jotted something down on her notepad and hurried off the kitchen, humming to herself. She turned around, peeking around the doorframe of the kitchen and grinned at Beldo, blushing slightly before ducking into the kitchen.

Beldo watched the kitchen door, thoroughly confused by Patty's sudden change in mood. Part of him regretted ordering the prawns. What If this girl turned into another Ghosh? She was acting the same way. Beldo shuddered, imagining another crazed member of Monsbaiya stalking him around town, all because he ordered the accursed prawns!

Beldo glanced at Elfie, who was resting hear his feet. She was gnawing on the table leg, her face screed up in concentration. Beldo nudged her with his boot and tossed on of Cherrl's Koh dolls on the floor. Elfie immediately switched to the cloth chew toy, a much more appealing occupation.

Patty appeared suddenly at Beldo's elbow, two trays of food balanced on her hands. She giggled as Beldo leaned away in shock, "Here's your food. Enjoy!" She deftly slid the trays to the table, moved the plates of food to the wooden tabletop, and tucked the trays under her arm.

Beldo still watched the girl warily, cautiously pulling his plate toward himself and transferring Elfie's plate to the floor. She yipped happily and beat her tail against the floor in anticipation.

"How did…" Beldo began, indicating the steaming plate of food before him

Patty interrupted him, "How did we cook it that fast?" She beamed proudly, "it's our secret. It's perfectly cooked and ready in minutes. I hope you enjoy your prawns. And your steak!" She dropped down to Elfie's level, wrapping her arms around her knees.

Elfie looked up momentarily, grinning at Patty and returned to eating her meal.

Patty stood up and readjusted her fluffy pink dress, tossing her ponytail until she was comfortable again. She smiled at Beldo and made a little bow, "Please enjoy!" She handed Beldo a set of silverware wrapped in a napkin and backed away to her usual hostess position across from the door.

Beldo glanced back at he girl, still somewhat disturbed by her similarity to Wreath. He returned his focus to the food, which was wafting its appealing smell tantalizingly around Beldo's seat. He picked up his fork and took a bite of the prawn.

"So how is it?" Patty had materialized at the edge of the table, her chin resting on her hands expectantly.

Beldo jumped a few inches into the air, his silverware clattering to the tabletop. He put his hand to his chest, attempting to slow his heart. "What do you think you are doing, woman?" he gasped at Patty.

"Did I scare you?" she asked innocently, "I'm sorry. It's just that no one ever orders my prawns. Whenever someone orders them, I get so excited!"

Beldo gathered up his knife and fork, glaring irritably at Patty. All he wanted was to eat in peace, but this girl seemed intent on preventing his goal. "It's good, he mumbled, desperate for any compliment that would make the girl go away.

She blushed and looked down at her feet modestly, "That's what he always says, too."

Beldo froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. "He?"

"Why, Koh, of course!" Patty laughed, "He comes in here all the time and he always orders my prawns. He says they're his favorite!" She stopped and quickly readopted her hostess demeanor, "I'm sorry. I've been rambling. Please enjoy your meal." She bowed again and busied herself with papers on a table near her hostess spot.

Beldo stared straight ahead, violently eating his prawns. They no longer held the delicious smell or taste they had a moment ago. He stabbed his fork into the meat and roughly sawed pieces off with his knife.

No matter where he went, Beldo could not escape the legacy of Koh. As he ate, he wondered if he would be better off abandoning his plan and going after Koh directly. Enough with these foolish efforts; it was time he too matters seriously.

He snapped back to reality and realized Elfie was pawing at his leg and whining. Beldo nodded and rose. He dug a handful of gold from his money pouch and silently handed the correct amount to Patty. She grinned and waved as Beldo left, but he didn't even look back as he walked into the setting sun outside.

Patty sighed and rested her chin on one had has she leaned dreamily against the table behind her. "I hope he comes back," She murmured, "He was so nice and he really liked my prawns. If he comes back, I'll make him some extra-special prawns." She sighed, and then her attention was drawn to a cluster of rowdy diners at the end of one table. She frowned and, hands on her hips, stalked toward the men to scold them, the blue-haired man vanishing from her thoughts.

PS. Me again! Sorry to interrupt, but I think the times might be a little off throughout this story. I was trying to go through and fix them, but it turns out to be really hard to do a timeline with the ages I want these people to be. Right now, here are their ages: Beldo is 38 during most of the story and 23 or 24 in this flashback. Wreath is 33 or so in the present and Koh is the same age as he is when the game starts: 15. Weedy is 7, I think. Just in case you were wondering.