A Thief's Story
Chapter 5-New Acquaintance
"Wake up."
"Huh?" Hawk responded with drowsiness.
"Wake up. Don't lose me, now."
Hawk tried to get up, but was in extreme pain from the landing. He barely opened his eyes. What he saw was a group of people standing around him, with a man kneeling down right next to him.
"He's okay, folks! He's gonna make it!" the man yelled out the group.
Hawk couldn't do anything but watched as two men lifted him up and carried him by his shoulders. He saw a whir of images pass him, mostly because he was exhausted and in pain and he barely kept his eyes opened, partially due was that it was still nighttime. He did saw familiar buildings and what looked like stone walls around the city. The last thing he saw before he passed out was that they approached a building that has a sign with 'INN' written over it.
Just what I need right now, a good bed to be in. Hawk blacked out.
Hawk? Hawk, speak to me! Are you all right? Faerie spoke out all of a sudden.
You know, for a developing Mana Goddess, you sure are loud.
Oh, you're all right. I thought I lost you when you fell and lost consciousness.
No. I ain't gonna let some fall kick my bucket. But hey, it's always nice that you CARE what happens to me, though.
Oh, would you grow up? I would have not survived much longer if you died.
Yeah, yeah.
Besides, I…
Yeah?
I… I…
Come on, you can say it. It's just between you and me, anyhow.
I… did care… if you died. There!
See? Now that wasn't so bad, was it? I mean, I don't mind if you're shy about your feelings. It's not going to hurt you back, at least if it goes well. Do you want to say anymore after that last sentence?
No.
Ah, come on. I'm not gonna hurt you or anything like that. Come on.
…
Just say it. You know how much you wanna.
…Fine! I… I… like you… a little bit!
Oh, yeah! First time I heard a spirit say that to a mortal, which is me. A spirit has feelings for me. Nice. Okay, say what you REALLY want to say.
Don't push your luck.
Okay, okay. (Sighs)
I don't understand. Every time you get shot from Bon Voyage's cannon, you end up okay when you land. But in this one, you get hurt. Why's that?
I think because Bon Voyage was in a hurry with the spects and kinda overdid it to get me here.
Yeah, could be. (Sighs) Wonder if the Bons are okay?
I don't know. I hope they're not… gone.
I hope so, too.
(Silence)
So, where are we, anyhow? Hawk, although the scenes he saw before were familiar, he has no clue to where he is.
We're in Jad.
Jad? You're sure?
Yes, I saw a sign a while ago saying this is Jad.
Huh. That means that we're almost close to the Holy City Wendel. I've got to warn the people and the Priest. Hopefully, the Priest can put up his shield around the city.
Yes, let's hope so.
I've got to get up and get to the city.
Hawk woke up, inside the Jad inn. He looked outside a window and saw that it was still dark. He managed to find a clock and saw that only three hours has past since he woke up from the inn at the Free City Maia.
Good, this make's traveling through the forest much easier. Hawk got up from his bed and got ready.
He walked out of his room, stretching himself as he moved. He walked up to the innkeeper to pay his stay.
"Oh, don't worry about it. The people who brought you here paid for your room." the innkeeper shook his head. "Do you feel better from your rest, sir?"
"Nothing like a relaxing sleep to keep me sharp, even though it was very short one." Hawk smiled and exited the inn.
"That's good to know. Please come again."
Should thank those guys if I have a chance. But now, I have to get past the Rabite Forest before morning. Hawk dashed towards the opened exit doors.
Once he past the bridge and entered the forest, he immediately saw all the Rabites snoozing out in the open.
Perfect. I can easily slip past them without a fight. Hawk quickly and silently dashed through the Rabites.
Just when Hawk ran down the nature-carved steps on the first small ledge, he tripped over a sleeping Rabite that was on the foot of the step. This Rabite, awoken by the infamous human foot, yelped out, waking the other Rabites around him. These Rabites, awoken by the yelping one, looked around and saw Hawk. They then charged after him in high hops.
Coulda just watch my step. He drew his daggers and went for the first Rabite he saw.
This one jumped in the air and tackled Hawk in the head. He pulled back and sliced it in two, sending in all direction yellow blood and guts. Four Rabites then teamed up on Hawk.
This is new.
All the Rabites reared back. Hawk simply jumped up as the four tackled toward him. The four hit each other and fell down flat being knocked out.
"Hmm." Hawk grinned as he landed on his feet.
He searched around for any remaining Rabite and managed to spot one hiding in the bush. He went up to the bush and slashed the branches to shreds. The Rabite who hid there was shaking and closing its eyes, afraid of Hawk for ridding its friends. Hawk leaned back for a deathblow, ready to end its life.
No! Hawk! Stop! You can't kill an innocent! Faerie shouted out in Hawk's head.
Hawk stopped, in response to Faerie's call. He looked at the Rabite, who opened its eyes, showing fear of him.
No. She's right. I… can't kill it. That means I don't care what happens to it. No. I'm… not like what that dream told me. I… can't. I… care.
The Rabite, seeing that Hawk changed his mind, quickly hopped off into the woods. Hawk, seeing the Rabite went off, hung his head down. Guilt flooded his mind.
Damnit! For a moment, I couldn't control myself. I've almost killed an innocent animal. Hawk took a deep breath.
Hawk. Please. Know that we're trying to save the world, without the death of innocents, too.
I know. I… need to be more… compassionate.
(Sighs) Please just try to remember that when you're battling.
I'll try.
When Hawk looked up, he saw the sun rise up. It was morning.
Morning? Already? Huh… got to keep track of time. Got to get to Wendel.
He dashed to his right to the small bridge, seeing four Rabites sleeping. He slipped past them and continued to open field ahead. He looked for the ridge on his left for the path intersection.
While searching, he saw a figure lying in the flower patch at the end of the field. Hawk stopped, then moved toward the figure. What he saw temporary stupefy (if not stunned) him, on the spot. A girl was lying in the flower patch, unconscious, yet managed to look peaceful from her slumbering condition. She had skin as shiny as the sun, yet somehow, looked soft as light. Her body was slender; one of her most defining feature was her heavenly legs, so tender to Hawk's eyes. She had long, deep-colored purple hair, which is spread out either over the ground in radiant strands or over her eyes caressing her dainty face. Brown boots, red blouse, red jagged-end skirt, red gloves with wristlet, and a red, curved, yet pointed cap pushed to the back of her head was all she wore. She looked to be about Lise's age. Hawk was just standing there, absorbing what he saw.
Hawk! Snap out of it! Why are you just standing there looking at her? Faerie was steamed when Hawk first went into a trance.
Uhhhhh… Huh? What? Geez! I can't have one moment where I can just look at girls without you being jealous.
Well, I'm not.
Right… Hey, wasn't it you who was in my dream back on the beach?
Uhh… yes, I mean, no.
You just couldn't stand me being with Lise, huh? So you had to come in and spy in on me? Geez, I'm not committed to you personally.
Fine!
… Look, if you were my girlfriend, I would never betray you for another woman, all right? So, please, let me be. Besides, who said I have the hoots for this girl?
… (Deep breath)… Okay… I guess… So…
Hmm. What's she doing here in the first place?
Wake her up first of all… stupid…
"Hey, are you okay?" Hawk shook the girl a bit.
"Mmm… wha…" she flutters her eyes open.
"You all right?"
"Where am I?..."
"You're in the Rabite Forest near Jad."
"Huh?"
"In the Rabite Forest."
"Uhhh…" she held a hand to her head.
"Here, let me help you up."
After the girl got up, she looked around, all confused to where she was. She looked at herself, but every part of her body to her was unrecognizable.
"Huh? I can't…" she kept on examining herself. "I can't… remember… who I am…"
"What? You don't remember who you are?"
"I… I… don't… remember who I am…" she began to panic. "I… don't… remember who I am!"
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down."
"(Deep breaths) Okay."
"All right. First, do you have anything in your memories that remind you of who you are?"
"… No. Well, maybe. I'm trying."
"Okay. Next, do you remember what happen before you were lying in the flower patch?"
"… I don't… well, I think I was falling down from the sky… and managed to land on this flower bed here… but, that's all I remember."
"Hmm… I think the fall might not have only knocked you unconscious, but… gave you amnesia or something."
"What? Amnesia?"
"Settle down. I'll help to try to get your memories back."
You? What about me? Faerie rang through his head.
Fine, fine. You're welcome to help, too.
Faerie flew out of his head. The girl gasped when she saw Faerie.
"Oh, her? Don't worry. She's a friend. She has to be in my head for… (Coughs) complicated reasons." Hawk explained.
"(Sighs) Hello. Nice to meet you." Faerie greeted.
"Hi. Nice to meet you, too." the girl greeted back.
"All right. Since we're on the intro, how 'bout we greet ourselves? I'm Hawk."
"I'm Faerie."
"Umm… I'm not sure if you can remember your name. That'll be okay, though."
"No. No. I… I… can remember it… it's… it's… Tiffany. Tiffany! I remember!"
"There you go! Knowing what your name is the first step."
"Oh, um, I'm Tiffany."
"All right. Nice to meet ya, Tiffany. Faerie?"
"… Oh, nice to meet you, Tiffany. Again."
"Same to you two, Hawk and Faerie."
"Say look, I really don't have time to stay and chat. I've got to go somewhere important." Hawk rush off.
"Wait! Please! Don't… leave me alone… I… don't know what to do if I were." Tiffany pleaded.
Hawk, knowing that she's at a disadvantage, stopped and sighed.
That'll be wrong just to leave her alone when she knows nothing at all. (Sighs) I've got to stick to my moral. Besides, what's to lose? Hawk thought.
Losing precious time saving the world. Faerie reminded.
Okay. Maybe losing time to save the world. So what? Can't the world wait?
Why do you ask such a question?
Come on! Look, Tiffany's helpless, and unless I help her out, she might not make it through this day. A dream warned me about caring, and you just can't ignore them, right?
Like your dream with Her?
Okay, first of all, no 'her', all right? It's damn annoying. Second, I'm not sure if it'll come true or not, probably because you have a crush on me.
I'm not stopping you.
Then, for my sake, let my moral take over, okay?
… All right…
Hawk turned around and walked back to Tiffany.
"Okay, I'll let you come along with me." Tiffany lightened up when Hawk said those words.
Faerie flew out of his head, and gave him an annoyed look.
"Oh, uh… we'll let you come along with us." Faerie, satisfied, returned to her post.
"Uh… thank you… Hawk… Faerie. I've appreciate it."
"All right. Now that's settled, we've got to get going."
"Where?"
"Just wait and see."
With Hawk at point, the two moved south toward the fork at the base of the small cliff. Hawk, couldn't remembering where the cave to the holy city Wendel, found the sign at the fork of the road and read it.
"Hawk, what's that marked out label at the bottom with an arrow pointing south?" Tiffany was examining it, too.
"Oh, that… well, it's a sad story to hear. Do you want to know?" Hawk looked at her.
"Well, I've nothing to do. Tell me what happen."
"Hold up. Let me determine where the Cave of Waterfall is."
After Hawk finished up with the location, he led the way toward the place. The place he thought will never appear in his mind again.
"(Sighs) I got time, so…" Hawk cleared his throat. "When I first started my adventure, my first one, not this one, I've went to this town called Astoria in the southern end of the forest. After buying some things, I've decided to take a night in the town's inn. Then somewhere during midnight, a bright ball of light flew through the sky. I woke up from the brightness and pretty much ask the town people what that was. They didn't know a thing about it. So I investigated to see what it was. What I found out was that it was Faerie, barely alive from her flight. It gets a little complicated after that."
"So anyway, I've saw something happen in Astoria from far back. I've travel back to the town to see if it was okay, only to see that it was destroyed by the Beastmen who were invading the Holy City Wendel. Everywhere was either destruction or death. Houses were seen as crumpling rubble, or were still burning from the attack. Corpses of the town people who I've just met were laid everywhere, all bloody and gory. You can't go one meter before seeing blood or a body part. Nobody, I mean nobody, was spared. Corpses of men or monster, I can handle, but bodies of women and children, all covered with blood, and torn limbs of them just centimeters away, sickened me to the core of my heart. I don't know if you want to visit this dead town. It might not be good for you."
Whew!
"I'm not sure myself." Tiffany had a tone of worry.
"Um, I'm sure somebody came by and cleaned up the mess and buried the bodies. I guess it's now okay to see it now. A graveyard is better than a scene of bloody murders."
"… Okay."
The two walked up to the entrance to Astoria. Hawk went in first to see if it's okay to look. He saw the place all cleaned up. The remains of the buildings still stand, as a sign of the home of the dead. Tombstones were placed where the deads' former homes used to be. Hawk breathes silently, then returned to where Tiffany was standing.
"It's okay to enter. Somebody did the respectful thing, and now it's a graveyard, or more of a memorial since it's the whole town." Hawk held out his hand.
"… Okay. I'd like to see the town now." Tiffany extended hers and holds Hawk's.
Hawk, holding Tiffany's hand, led her through buildings and various spots and told what he knew about it.
"That's the inn, right there." Hawk pointed out. "Slept on the first floor where the inn was. That was the last rest before my life changed."
"What about that building over the northeast right there?" Tiffany asked.
"That?... I really don't know now that you mention it. It was empty, eerily empty. But there was a definite strangeness about that building, I'll tell you that. I sensed an… energy inside of it. This energy sorta felt like a portal. It's all weird. Unexplainable is what it should be titled with."
"Hmm… So, it'll never be explained."
"Yeah…"
After they were done, they made their way toward the entrance. When they reached there, they turned back, let go of each other's hand, and looked one more time before they started for the cave.
"I feel sorry for them. They were innocent people, but were still killed by these guys who think we're inferior to them." Hawk hung his head.
"I'm sure they'll forgive them for what they done." Tiffany tried to lighten the scene.
"Maybe, but it's too late for that now."
"Cheer up. Let's go to that place where you need to go."
"… All right. I do need to get there. No point staying here wasting time."
The two headed toward the entrance of the cave under small waterfalls. Hawk stopped when he is a few meters from the entrance.
"Um, aren't we supposed to go in?" Tiffany asked.
"We can't, yet."
"Why?"
Hawk picked up a rock and threw it at the entrance. A wall of light appearing in the entrance lit up and deflected the rock.
"A barrier?" Tiffany observed.
"Correct." Hawk nodded.
Is it just me, or was my instincts were right when there was a barrier there? Huh. I guess the priest put it up to block the monsters?
"The only way to pass it is to ask Faerie for help." Hawk said after awhile.
"So, can you call her?"
"I'll try."
Hey, Faerie! Where are you? Hawk tried to speak in his head.
Hmm? She responded.
Could you lower down the barrier so all of us can pass through?
Why? You look like you don't need me along.
(Sighs) THAT thing that happened back at the town? Ah, geez, would you just stop? I swear, I can't do one thing with girls or even think of them without you being jealous and angry.
Well, this isn't exactly easy for me, either! I'm trying to deal with it, too. You, and other girls.
… We're friends first of all. And, well, I never exactly told you if I accept you. Why can't we just stay as friends?
Friends? Friends? You… (Silence)… (Sighs)… okay… friends.
I know it's hard, but one day, you might find that special person. Now, could you lower this barrier, Faerie?
… Okay.
Faerie appeared in the air, looking depressed from the conversation. She then closed her eyes, then started to cast her spell. She spun around and raised her hand. Brilliant lights swirl around her as the spell started to lower the barrier. When she was done, the brilliant lights vanished.
"Okay, the barrier is down now. You can enter the cave." she said.
She just flew back into Hawk's head, with the same face of depression.
Damn. Maybe I shouldn't be that hard on her. She really didn't deserve that.
"Come on! Let's go inside!" Tiffany yelled out when she went past Hawk.
"Wait! There are monsters ins-"
THUMP!
He ran in, hoping that she was okay. What he saw startled him. Tiffany was holding a large black hammer, facing off with three Myconids. She may have a hammer, but chances are she might not win the fight.
"Hold on! Let me deal with them!" he yelled out.
"I can take care of them!"
"I really can't be sure of that!"
Tiffany swung her hammer down on one of them, virtually crushing it underneath.
"See? I can do it!" Tiffany gleamed.
"Watch out behind you!"
A Myconid was in the air, determined to get a blow on Tiffany. Hawk, quick enough to react, threw his trusty Shuriken. The Myconid squirmed out of pain as its own blood flew from the wound and spattered on itself. Hawk, seizing the moment dashed quickly at the last Myconid and gutted it. When the Myconid fell down, Hawk took out a cloth and cleaned his daggers, returning them their unstained luster. With that done, he sheathed his dagger, turned toward Tiffany, and gave her a nervous look.
"Heh heh… Okay, you can kill… but just stick to the back, or else you'll find yourself getting more than you bargain for." Hawk said to her.
"Oh… uh… (blushes)… okay…"
The two went into the next room and found the Golden Mana Goddess Statue in the cave.
"Hold up. I need to do some recovering." Hawk motioned to stopped.
"Who's that?" Tiffany pointed at the statue.
"Hmm? You don't know who that is?"
"I'm sorry. I don't have my memory with me."
"Right. This here is the Mana Goddess, or right now, the former Mana Goddess."
"Former?"
"That's a little something I'll tell you about later."
Hawk walked up to the statue. He put his hand out to touch it. The moment that he laid his hand on the statue, a golden light shined from the statue and lit up the whole room. When Hawk felt restored, he let go and gave a relaxing sigh. The light then went out.
"What… just happened?" Tiffany asked with amazement.
"Oh, well, this statue has, what legend says, been blessed by the Mana Goddess herself. Anybody that touches it will be instantly restored back to full health and magic."
"Astonishing."
"There are more gold statues like these around the world. They will restore you. There are also silver ones spread out around the world. The silver ones aren't blessed, though, so they can't restore you."
"Um, I guess I'll try to remember that."
"Are you tired? If you want, just touch the statue right here, and you'll be fine."
"Okay. I guess it won't hurt to try right now."
Tiffany stepped up to the statue. She took a deep breath, then extended her hand toward the statue slowly. When she touched it, the same golden light shined from the statue. Tiffany was a little frightened by this, by relaxed immediately after that when she felt herself being restored. Feeling that she had enough, she pulled her hand back. The light again disappeared.
"Nice, huh?" Hawk asked for an opinion.
"Wow. I feel so new. That really magnificent."
"And convenient, well, most of the time. Come on, I can't lose time."
They entered the next room. Monsters were roaming about, but this time, they were ready and dispatched all of them. A Treasure Chest appeared from the corpse of the dead Battum that Hawk managed to slay.
"All right. Leave this to me." Hawk started to pick the lock.
Tiffany, however, looked around and found an opening near where they entered. Unusually curious, she walked through the opening and saw a great waterfall. Being amazed by such a scene, she kept on walking, not noticing of gap on the bridge ahead. This resulted in her stepping on the edge and losing her balance. She fell off of the bridge, yelling out, but with quick reaction, managed to grab on to a ledge with one hand. Panic struck her mind, becoming her main thought.
"Help! Help! Hawk! Help me!" was all she managed to scream from her common sense.
Hawk, finding that there was only an Item Seed inside the Treasure Chest, heard Tiffany and ran toward the room with the waterfall.
"Tiffany! Grab my hand!" Hawk yelled to her.
He extended his hand as hard as he can, but couldn't reach, not without Tiffany's extending her hand out, too. The two barely touched each other when Tiffany lost her grip, screaming out from the moment. Hawk, not losing a moment, dived down toward her. Hawk grabbed and hold Tiffany while positioning himself to take the fall. Tiffany just looked at him, startled by what Hawk's about to do. That was all she saw before the big landing.
THUMP! That was all the both of them heard before pain surged through their bodies. Silence and complete darkness then incorporated the scene around them. Hawk, determined not to black out like the other times, struggled with the pain. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing the waterfall cascaded in front of him; the unusually shallow ground that the two landed on, where the waterfall dumped its water; and the spikes that shoot up from the ground. He almost got spiked by one of them had it not been luck that saved him. Other than that, the last thing he saw was that he was holding Tiffany. She managed to get the least damage, thanks to Hawk's sacrifice to take her spot. However, she was knocked unconscious by the fall. Hawk smiled when he saw that she was okay. With all his strength, he got himself and Tiffany out of the pool. He, however, didn't have time to waste as he was spotted by two Battums and a Myconid.
Doubted by his current physical energy, he decided to use his magic. He pulled off Thunder Jutsu, creating a miniature storm inside the cave. The lightning burn the Battums to a crisp, but left the Myconid still standing. Hawk pulled out a Dart and tossed it at the Myconid. The Myconid, however, dodged it and charged straight for Hawk. It jumped up, turning upside down for a bash. Hawk managed to strafe to his left and kicked the Myconid, taking it out permanently. Hawk, seeing the battle over, went over to Tiffany, picked her up and hold her with her legs and back on his lower arms. He made his way toward the exit that was on the bottom floor.
Can't stop… Gotta reach… the holy city. Hawk kept moving. So… painful.
Hawk was glad to see the daylight outside. He made his way down the steps from the exit of the cave. With the city ahead, he thought he never saw a much friendlier sight.
Hold on, Tiffany. We're almost about to get some help.
From there, he dragged himself toward the center of the city. When people asked if they could help him, all he wanted is the location of the inn, as he apparently forgot. They all pointed to the far west side of the city.
Does it have to be WAY over there? Hawk was starting to feel like he was going to collapse.
He finally made it all the way to the inn. With a person to help him open the door, Hawk asked the innkeeper for a room.
"We have one, fortunately." the innkeeper replied.
"I need one for this injured girl here. How much Lucs?" Hawk asked.
"24 Lucs."
"Umm, I can't get them right now; I have to hold her. Could you let me put her in a room, then let me pay?"
"Of course. I'm sorry for being so selfish. First room to the right of the right hall."
"Thanks."
Hawk, with the innkeeper opening the door, got into the room and put Tiffany in one of the beds. When he was done, he went up to the innkeeper to pay him his fee.
"You look like you need a rest, too." the innkeeper remarked.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
Hawk closed the door and sat on the other bed, looking at Tiffany.
(Sighs) I glad she's all right. I don't know what would have happen to her if she fell by herself. Hawk then looked at the window nearby, where the temple of the city was.
I've got to get there and warn Carlie. She has to travel together with me, or else, this won't work. After that, we'll get to Lise and then together we'll defeat this Spiratin. I've got to go now. But… I'm so tired. NO! Got to keep up! But so tired. Maybe… one hour of snooze. Just one hour. Then I've be off… to meet Carlie.
Hawk fell down to his bed and start to sleep deeply.
Uh, any other sounds besides THUMP? I need new sounds badly.