Wishes and Lost Hope

Chapter Eight
The Speech

The Onion Knight studied the mark for a time before mentally listing it with the others. The strange symbol had been appearing throughout the town, burned into wood or as melted indents on metal or glass. This one, the one that had appeared on door the Church of Mana, was about the size of his own body, and so far the largest.

The asymmetrical, left-aligned r of a symbol confused Duelle. While he was not really scared, it was a disturbance. And, in the middle of the night, disturbances could be unnerving. Even if so few of the population cared to stay out much longer than usual to find the cause of the disturbance. Here – Reverend Nouville did not care much, even as the symbol burned itself into his door.

Duelle shook a finger at the mark threateningly. Inspector Boyd had left him in charge while away on business, and he felt it an important job to keep the peace. No symbols were going to scare him or threaten the town while he was here.

Suddenly, the sky behind him began to swirl under the power of darkness.

oOo

"It wasn't like this…" Daena gasped in horror. The odd goings on had been nothing compared to the state of Domina now, where silence ruled and the buildings were charring without fire. Athena stepped delicately, but not enough as her misplaced foot crumbled a charred bit of wood fallen from a cart. Neither woman dared to breathe as they listened for any sound of life, of which they sensed none.

Athena shivered suddenly, smiling nervously at the felinid by her side, "You never know… maybe we missed it."

She tickled the pommel of her sword strapped to her side, unhinging the guard in the process, and crept slowly towards the one house she was most familiar with. She calmly reached to knock gently on the door. It crunched under her fist, crumbling into soot on the wind, and her hand was blackened. Squelching the fear she felt, she pushed the door down. A similarly scorched inside greeted the seekers. Athena swallowed hard, taking a step inside and leaving Daena in the doorway.

"Poe?" she called strongly, as though anyone could survive this…

But they had to have, because this was home and she didn't want to imagine another.

"Athena," Daena hissed, her fur ruffling in alarm, "Someone's coming."

The mercenary retreated, and peered where her friend indicated. Squinting in the darkness, she sighed in aggravation, "It's Bud."

The tiny figure crept in the shadow of the general store across the street; the way they had come. Athena growled, and strolled intently towards it through the moonlight.

"You!" she snapped, and the person jumped, "What are you doing…" the child approached, and Athena faltered, "…here?" Still, she was angry, tense, and she wasn't about to let one slip up stop her from venting, "I told you to stay at home!"

Lisa blinked back tears under the force of the outburst, but pouted anyway, "I wanted to help."

Daena approached quietly, wondering at the scene. The girl was getting proud under Athena's tutorage, and bolder. She smiled; it was a cute display of hero worship.

"I don't think it's dangerous anymore," she said, sticking up for the wizard. The other woman glared at her, but was well on her way to relenting anyway.

"Stay close," Athena ordered, and Lisa rushed to her side. The girl clung to the woman's shirtsleeve as she returned to her inspection of the town.

The evening went slowly as they wound their way around the outskirts, eventually ending up in the marketplace. Here the damage didn't seem as severe as the first houses and shops they had seen. In some places it appeared as though nothing at all had happened.

"What do you think?" Athena asked, turning to Daena, "Where is everyone?"

The feline-woman could only shake her head, "I don't…"

They were interrupted, as Lisa tugged desperately at the sleeve she never had let go of. When she gained her mentor's attention, she pointed to the thing that had appeared out of nowhere. Athena waved the child behind her, and drew her sword. Likewise did Daena ready her own weapons, and the three of them stood rigid in the expectation of an attack.

The thing, smoking as though made of hardened fire, smiled doubly at them. Demonic in appearance, and surprisingly symmetrical, its six legs supported a four-armed torso. Two necks slithered snakelike to their respective reptilian heads. As though an abundance of claws and teeth weren't enough, in each hand it held a heavy weapon – two swords, and axe, and a lance. It didn't disappoint.

The first blow landed where they stood, or had moments earlier; the earth exploded upwards under the force. Athena pushed Lisa away, and Daena sprang forwards. She did well on her own, and as Athena joined the fray they gained the upper hand, and even wounded a few select parts of its body.

But the monster never lost ground, even under the expertise assault of the two veteran warriors. They could only fight with faith in each other, and soon the battle turned for the worse.

Daena missed just barely the leg she aimed for, and rushed for it again. From behind her an arm came, and she noticed it in time to miss the lance's sharp point. The demon twisted its arm, and the pole hit the feline-woman hard, sending her sprawling through the air. Ignoring the monster, Athena rushed to her fallen companion. She dropped her sword by their side, and tried desperately to get a response out of the other.

The air around them grew warmer. Remembering the peril, Athena pressed them as close to the ground as she could; only praying Lisa made it away safely as an afterthought. The expected pain never came, and she peered over her shoulder. The beast had been diverted, and she took the advantage to carry Daena to safety behind and under an overturned cart.

Retrieving her weapon and returning to the battle, she noticed the distraction. With a devious grin, she dashed into the fray. Between her and Escad, symmetry developed – together they ran and wove, confusing the heads and striking damage whenever in reach of the monster.

Athena cornered herself, using the burnt building as a ladder. She ran up the crumbling wall, and lunged at the nearest head. She brought it down with her even as Escad stabbed upwards, impaling the other head as it plunged towards him in aggression. The man skid slightly as the force pushed him back, but held his own as the sword slid easily through the creature's skull.

"Aw, Escad," Athena gushed, climbing down from the convulsing monster, "You do care!"

"I didn't do it for you, and you know it," he spat, coughing under the influence of the kicked up dirt. True, he was trying to help the town. Because she was there didn't mean…

His thoughts were cut off, as the woman flung her arms around his neck. He scowled darkly, and darker yet, as the young wizard rushed up and hugged his leg in mimicry. He desperately endeavored to stay as still as possible, wishing they'd disappear in that instant.

They didn't, but after a minute Athena let go and towed her foundling away.

"Hey… you're decent," she remarked, taking in his clothed appearance and endeavoring not to laugh. The attire was far less knightly, and more… well, ruffled and plain. And green. Still, "Good for you." Not waiting for an answer, she dashed to the overturned wheelbarrow, and carefully drew her friend from beneath the charred thing.

"I need to go home," she announced, gently picking Daena from the ground and facing the man, "I know you probably don't want to do me any favors, but if you could, please check for survivors…"

"They're in the church," Escad mumbled, not having moved, but his gaze flicked to the unconscious woman for a second before he met the other's eyes.

"In that case," Athena smiled, "Could you lead them to my tree? Or tell them, if you don't want to come…"

A shallow nod, as much as she could expect.

"You remember where I live, right?"

"Yes."

"Thank you," She beamed, turning to walk home, with Lisa in close pursuit, "And thank you."

Escad turned, took in one long and aggravated breath, and wondered why he still listened to that woman.

oOo

"What happened?" Worry tinted Elazul's voice as he took in the scene; Athena, covered in dust, soot, and blood, carrying the limp feline-woman. He knew something bad – Lisa had arrived first with that news – but not the details, "Here, let me…"

Athena pushed past him, shaking her head slightly. He sighed, and followed her through the door. The crowding allies, though meaning well, were getting in her way, all attempting to help, and thus posing a problem.

"Back off!" she ordered, "Lisa? I'm going to need you."

With that, she made her way upstairs. The others waited apprehensively, watching as Lisa did her task and making way for her as she thoughtfully carried the crate of medical supplies up after her mentor.

Athena placed her friend onto her bed gently. Similarly, she checked for injuries sustained, and felt the utmost relief that nothing seemed dangerously damaged. A few bruises and a nasty lump under Daena's left ear were the extent of it, and those would easily be fixed. Soon, and with Lisa's help, the head wound was bandaged and they left the felinid to rest.

Downstairs, no one said anything as Athena retreated to her study. Little headway had been made in the cleaning of the house, and that room had no improvement in its chaotic state. She imagined it didn't matter as she pulled her desk's chair from beneath the pile of papers rested on it, sat down, and tried desperately to collect her wits.

"Athena?"

It would have been easier had Elazul not made it his business. It forced her to think; to come up with an explanation…

"What happened?" He was curt, which might not have been the best comfort to some, but to Athena it was perfect.

"I think I know what this is about," the woman brooded, and smiled in an odd way. Oddities were a constant in her as far as her friends were concerned, but this odd, mystic smile was different – enough to make the lapis knight cringe.

"What is it about?" he asked, though he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"Did I ever tell you about home?" Athena asked, "Where I came from?"

It was tempting to say, "no," and hear this story. Honesty prevailed, since, if it weren't a trap, he would feel bad about it later. And, if it were, well… he'd be made to feel bad about it.

"You told me never to ask."

"Oh, that's right, isn't it?"

Elazul nodded, and Athena stood up shakily.

"Probably for the better, then."

She had to prepare for this. It scared her to think what might happen otherwise.

"Elazul, I have to ask you to do something for me…"

oOo

Everyone stared as the door to the study opened, but not one said a thing. Athena stepped out confidently, but her expression was grim. Elazul followed quietly, and expressionlessly. Her friends stayed their distance, and she smiled, prepared to make the speech she had been planning quietly and in the back of her mind for the hour prior.

"Look, guys…" Not the best start, but, in her opinion, it was not a very good speech, "I know it's late, and because it is you all can stay here for tonight."

Sierra quirked an eyebrow at Larc, who kept focused on Athena. The twins stared out of respect, but did not believe this held sway over them. Elazul listened, as it had as much to do with him as with any of them.

"Tomorrow, I want everyone to go home. I'm not going t' lie – Something big is going to break, and I want you all safe.

"Bud… and Lisa, you two are going to go with Elazul," Athena held up her hand as the much expected outburst came, and silence came again, "I'm sorry, but this is how it's going to be.

"There'll be a group from Domina; I'm sending them to Gato Grottoes…."

The woman trailed off, not quite knowing how to finish.

"Can't we help?" Sierra asked, filling the gap of silence. The response was not encouraging.

"No, I'll probably dead within the week," Athena shook her head, "Chances are anyone near me will be, too."

The second silence was broken by little feet as the twins rushed to Athena's side. The dragoons followed two steps and at a slower pace, and Larc growled deep in his throat.

"Is there absolutely nothing we can do?"

Athena smiled wryly, belying the fear she thought she had once escaped; the authority whose mark was a left-aligned r shape, and who sought the keys of Mana and power absolute.

"You can stay far away from me."