Chapter 2 Act 2: She was Nameless
If only… If only this wasn't happening. Why am I even here? What am I trying to prove, or am I even trying to prove anything at all? Would I be proving myself to others, or to me alone? I don't care what others think. They're all beneath me—except her…
And what of my sister? How could she be who she is, and how can I be otherwise? I must find her. Only her answers can help me figure all this out, this apparent world I live in…
"Oh dear sister," she spoke in a raspy, mocking tone, clenching her fist, if only to feel. She sighed to herself with a sad smile, now somber with both her words and smile. "You've always been the one person to keep me honest… I don't know what I'd do if you weren't there to keep me level-headed."
'A sisterly sheath to this unfinished sword', as mother had used to say, rest her soul.
The nameless woman had thought she was alone in the wood, until the points of her ears twitched, and voices were heard. She quickly swung the crimson of her cloak, pulling up an oversized hood. She always knew how to spoil her own curiosity.
XXXXX"Look what I got" the man snickered to himself as he tossed the coin bag up and down in front of the two fellow thieves. "I lifted it off some foreigner. The kid was all jumpy and stuff in the market place, his eye wrapped up in bandages."
The thief himself stroked his long face, then brushed away his hair, which had been divided on either side of his cheeks.
"You'll also be happy to know that I recognized the little runt from back in Vault. He was the same one that captured us, and took back all our stolen goods."
"You mean that Isaac kid!"
"Yeah," The leader retorted slowly, quietly stretching his pronunciation of the 'e' and 'a'. "He looked different all right, but I know it was him." The three laughed as they tossed around the coin bag, making idiot faces at each other.
"Hello boys…" a woman interrupted their laughter
"What do you want!" one of the thieves snapped.
"This forest has me lost… Can a couple of men like yourselves help me out?" she responded, her raspy voice slipping off her tongue.
"Well," the leader said in a sinister tone, "a couple of guy's like us know how you can find your way... and I'm sure that you'll make it worth our time"
The three began to smirk and make birdcalls, all of them elbowing each other.
"Really…" she said, smiling as she remained in the shadows of her own hood. A foreign weapon dangled at her side, three blunt parts hanging to the figure's knees and grass. There was a quick locking sound, as all three parts straightened erect, forming a long pole, a curved blade switching out in a glimmer...
XXXXXIsaac sat there perched upon the town's wall, facing south, at where the lighthouse had once been. Thick and heavy clouds of smoke surrounded the tower, the lighthouse barely being seen through it all. The canyon-like fissure was also grand, stretching deep into the white smoke. Haze was common over the looming skies, which would remain there for months to come.
Isaac pondered over all that Kraden had said, and debated with himself as to whether he should go through with it all or not. None the less, looking at the lighthouse once more, he stood firm with the decision he had made, and believed it to be right, whether it would hurt her or not…
And then he saw her, walking off into the forest with two boys…
XXXXXKraden watched from the gates, as Jenna disappeared from view, once again in search of Felix or Isaac. She travelled with the two young brothers that would always help Kraden with the market purchases. They had been younger friends of Sheba, and in the past few weeks, grew fond of Jenna. They always hung around her, and sometimes even travelled with her to the lighthouse on her searches.
Kraden took pity on her, and more over, took pity on himself for having done this to her…
Flashback…
"She…Kraden, she must not know that I am here…""What do you mean? For what reason would you ever do this to her?"
"The lighthouses…two still remain. Though Alex is the last to be seen from Saturos' party, there is still a threat upon Weyard. And if he is now in search of others, then there is still a chance that the remaining beacons will be lit."
"But the Venus lighthouse is destroyed."
"But at what cost? That lighthouse alone tore the earth apart, as you had clearly said. Just imagine what would happen if the other lighthouses were lit. Kraden, I haven't failed in my mission yet."
"But Jenna, why?"
"If she knew that I were here, and that I would have to set out once again, she would never let me. It would be so much harder on her to see me go. Does she really deserve that? And anyway, you know well enough that she would try and follow me. I can't risk her safety over all this."
"So you will set out once again, in pursuit of the elemental stars…Alone?"
"For now."
"There is more out there than you think though, my boy…"
"Explain."
"The lighthouse gave much more than just an earthquake and tidal wave that day. From its red light, a true disaster was bestowed upon us. From the aerie's womb, a demon was born, though few believe in it… It's inexplicable, but a curse of great sorts flew down upon the people, in the form of a two-headed dragon…"
"From the aerie?"
"Yes. It burned all of Suhalla, and flocks over the desert and mountain range, destroying all the settlements between Lalivero and Tolbi. The lands of Northern Gondowan have all been burned a settling black."
"A dragon? Have you seen it?"
"No,"
"Then how would you know?"
"There have been a few witnesses from Suhalla that spoke of such, as well as a few from Lalivero. Jenna came close to seeing it one night, though she wasn't quite sure as to what it was. However Alex has, with his own eyes before he left. He was able to convince her that it was nothing. In fact, the reason Alex departed was because what he had seen concerned him—greatly… He even refused to give me detail as to what he actually witnessed, but did however tell me what to look for in my research."
"And did you discover anything?"
"After having asked around, I learned that my fellow scholars found ruins in Loho depicting a mythical beast. Two years ago they came across ancient scriptures speaking of a two headed-dragon. It was called, according to legend, a Fusion Dragon. It's truly a mystery still, for after having recovered these pieces of literature, Lord Babi dismissed them all as fairy tales, and soon sold the lands to mercenary relic hunters and gold diggers. To him, Loho was nothing more than a profit gain. I fear that he has condemned us all, for since then the ruins have been looted of all priceless goods, leaving barely anything of value. Isaac, you can't do this alone…"
"Yes, I certainly can't. But bringing you and Jenna along won't help me any bit. Right now I'd be better off knowing that the both of you are safe right here."
Isaac turned his back from Kraden, and walked further off into the alley before Jenna's voice could follow, as she was still calling out Kraden's name.
"If you see the dragon," Kraden cried out, Isaac not turning around, "then run—run and don't give it a second thought. Don't even think about heroics, as long as you're alone"
"There you are Kraden! Jenna, I found him!" the little boy screamed.
Kraden sighed to himself again, as he rubbed his forehead. Not only did he pity himself for all that had happened that afternoon, but moreover found himself feeling more sorrow for Isaac. He had deceived the boy. He let Isaac continue on thinking that Alchemy unleashed would cause terrible things. Maybe it would. Maybe not. Maybe it was the cause of the dragon's existence, the earthquake, and the wave.
However none of it changed the fact that plans for the lighthouse's reconstruction were on their way... None of it changed the fact that he hid this secret from Isaac, and left the boy with his old, narrow minded, Valean beliefs; ignorant from Alchemy's good side and Saturos' old opinion on the matter.
XXXXX
The night air was restless, swinging the room's blinds back and forth against the windowsill. Isaac slept soundly through its howl, until the voices returned.
Isaac… Isaac…
Then through the darkness of his dream, an eye wide open appeared, looking to all sides. Left, right, left, then straight at him. It seemed to look right through him, as if he was nothing at all. Isaac's bandaged eye began to glow in turn, burning at his cheek.
The star you seek, lies within your fingertips…
the star you have, lies dormant in your reach.
The djinni flocked, in fear of it, yet left what little aid they could…
Flocked in fear of it;
the One.
You;
the earth adept;
the dragon…
"What does this mean?" Isaac groaned in his sleep, restlessness growing as he stirred in bed.
Your answers unanswered, lie at the end of the torn earth, yet not at the depths of the fissure.
Your destiny, lies at the blunt end of the red beast's hammer, yet will die as long as you remain blind, asleep from seeing. The blue haired man you seek is south. He will lead you to the one that caused the lighthouse's destruction…
Isaac whipped up from bed. His body shook from his chill, the night air cold upon his sweat. He closed the window, and then decided to go down stairs for some tea. She was down there, alone.
"Couldn't sleep?" he spoke, so quietly that he wasn't sure if she had heard him. It was the same women that had saved him from the wolf attack. The nameless one.
"You couldn't stop screaming, I could here you through the wall." The back of Isaac's neck began to grow warm. He felt confused by her accusations. "There's some tea over there, freshly made. You can have some, as long as you don't talk anymore."
Isaac poured himself a cup, and then lifted a chair off a table, sitting down on it. The woman sat at a bay window looking out. Her eyes were faint in the moonlight, her arms crossed. She held the saucer with her left hand, teacup resting in the middle.
The both of them sat there for a time, until Isaac was done with his first cup. He rose from his seat and went back to the counter for a refill. He noticed that she wasn't drinking anymore, and presumed that she was done as well. Before he poured himself a cup, he brought the tea pot to her and motioned with a nod as to whether she wanted a second serving as well.
She stared with disgust at his attempt of interacting with her, and began to ask herself if he was for real. Isaac was dead serious, and the long awkward pause became too much for her. The woman clasped her mouth with a knuckle, looking away from him.
She couldn't allow him to see that she was on the brink of a detached laugh. She smirked once, and closed her eyes in pity at his sad attempts. Finally she looked up, and couldn't believe Isaac's confused stare.
The both of them stared at each other, her eyes rolling as she lifted the saucer. He poured her some tea, halfway before realizing that the pot was empty.
She sighed at the awkwardness of it all, and then finally gave up.
"Do you know how to make tea?" Isaac gave her an agreeing nod, then turned around, walking towards the counter again.
"Who are you looking for?" Isaac asked, nearly speaking in a whisper. He was curious, for it seemed like there was more to it.
"I thought you agreed not to talk? Personally I've heard enough of you tonight, screaming and what not."
Isaac shrugged at her rudeness, struggling with the pouch of tealeaves.
The silence hurt Isaac's ears, as well as the woman's. The candle flickered on the counter top, nearly burning out.
It was then that Isaac felt the strange presence of psynergy, as the candlewick began to burn stronger than before, giving him more light to sort through the tea bag. He merely disregarded the feeling as he began to heat more water.
Finally, she broke the quiet of the late night.
"Why is it you scream at night? I remember the night before when I was carrying you here. You were having nightmares then as well." Isaac didn't respond. "Well, explain to me why you woke me up?"
"I thought I wasn't to talk?" Isaac responded sarcastically.
"You aren't, as long as I don't address you first."
Isaac slightly grinned at her callousness, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I didn't know that I screamed at night. Exactly what is it that I scream about?"
"You scream out for someone to run, for her to take the star and run. You also scream about a fire, and a giant eye speaking to you in riddles..."
Isaac thought about what she was telling him, suddenly remembering his nightmare.
"You scream about the lighthouse…"
"So was that why you were asking me about it this morning?"
"Yes"
"Believe it or not, I don't know why," he sighed, dropping the leaves into the pot of hot water. "In fact, I learned today that I've been missing for three months. It was as if I hadn't existed. I'm sorry that I don't have the answers you looked for"
"So you don't know where you've been all this time?"
"No, I had just found out about all the things that happened recently." Isaac responded, walking back to her and filling the rest of her cup.
"Three months you say," she asked, lowering her eyelids as she took a sip.
He walked back to his table, and poured himself some more tea. Isaac gently put down the pot when he was finished, the wood of the table creaking in the night. He wrapped his hands around his own cup, warming himself.
"So you disappeared when the lighthouse was lit?"
"I suppose." he said, curling his lip from a shiver.
"Interesting."
"What about you? Where were you when all of this happened?"
"I was in Suhalla." she responded, taking another sip.
"I heard that Suhalla was destroyed shortly after."
"Yes, it was burned. I was fortunately not there when it happened. I had already made it to Lalivero at that time."
"Then you didn't see the Fusion Dragon?" Isaac pressed on.
She began to laugh at his comment, as if humouring at his stupidity. "Dragon? Don't tell me that you believe in such rumours? Just because you were disposed of these past few months is no reason to believe in such childish fantasies—a two-year-old fairytale from Loho." It was apparent that she knew well enough about the rumours. Afterall, she had been in Lalivero for some time now.
"A man I trust told me of it, and I believe him."
"Maybe you believe that he believes in such," she cooed mockingly. "None have seen this dragon your friend speaks of."
"Maybe because none have lived to tell about it."
She did not have a comeback for him, and merely looked out the window again, straight at the moon. She glowed in its light, the faint lavender of her skin blending with night's darkness and moon's image. She seemed tired. She truly was, with it all…
There was a long period of silence.
Though Isaac was by no means attracted to her, for that one moment in time he thought she was fairly beautiful. The other times he was around her she was always cold and rude, face wrinkled ugly. Now she just seemed tired and relaxed. He hadn't known her long, barely a day. He was fortunate though, to see this rare side of her.
"At least do me the decency of telling me your name. You did save me and everything." Isaac sighed, partially talking to himself, partially asking her the question. She did not answer. "My name is Isaac." he sighed to himself once again.
"Do you really think I care?" she retorted, turning her head towards him from rest. "And I thought we had an agreement? Did I ask you to talk?"
Isaac shuddered to himself as his thoughts of a few moments ago were forgotten, her cold red eyes staring at him with anger. Apparently he had once again disturbed her sleep.
XXXXXThe woman woke up at the innkeeper's tug. Both he and his daughter were looking at her with curiosity—that she had slept downstairs. She gave him an evil look, and then gave the girl one as well.
"Sorry little lady, but I have a business to run down here."
She began to stand, stopping when she realized that a blanket had been pulled up to her chin. She wondered why that was. She looked around the main level of the inn, but Isaac was nowhere in sight.
"Wow. Since when do people buy the most expensive room at an inn, then decide to sleep in the main hall downstairs?" the daughter asked herself.
The woman gave her an evil stare, and was about to insult the younger girl, until she picked up on her stare. The shorter girl had forgotten about her own comment, as she stood there staring out the window, slightly blushing.
"What are you looking at?" the women asked, turning her head.
Isaac was outside, talking to a few Tolbian soldiers. He stood there scratching his head, giving them questioning looks.
She rose to her feet and made her way to the main doors, the innkeeper's daughter in tow.
"How did you know where to find me?" Isaac asked aloud.
"One of Lord Babi's scholars informed us late last night. He said that you found your way back to Lalivero," one of the men answered.
Kraden…
"You've been gone for quite some time Master Isaac. Lord Babi has searched for you plenty, but had believed you to be dead. It is also surprising to find you alone."
"Please, has anyone under Babi's services seen or heard from my companions?" Isaac asked. The soldiers looked to the ground and slowly shook their heads.
"We've all been quite busy," the lead soldier responded, "during the igniting of the lighthouse, a great battle ensued upon our forces. Nearly half of our soldiers in the desert were wiped out by an ominous blue haired man. The death rate would have been greater, if not for him leaving before the battle's end. Since then, what's left of our soldiers have been dispersed in flocks, between here and Tolbi, searching the lands. We are trying to aid those whose homes have been burnt, as well as search the mountain ranges. Most of our forces however are stationed back home protecting Tolbi and sorting through refugees."
"I see. Lalivero has taken in some refugees as well." Isaac observed, looking around a few times.
"Yes, many people have travelled from Indra as well, seeking safety from the one continent that had split in half. Northern Gondowan is growing overpopulated."
Isaac thought to himself a bit, before noticing the two girls at the inn door. "Does Babi believe in this dragon scare that has rumoured lately?"
"It is not our place to say, but something terrible must have burned the lands west of here, that's for sure."
"Then I will meet Iodem at the docks, as you've requested." Isaac said, grazing his sideburns with his thumbnail. The three soldiers saluted him, then turned their backs and walked away. Isaac returned to the inn as they left.
"Hi!" the innkeeper's daughter yelped as he entered the doors.
"Hello," he responded, not looking up as he made his way to his room.
XXXXXIsaac was downstairs eating breakfast when he noticed her coming down the stairs, crimson cape flowing at her footsteps. He had a loaf of bread in his mouth, and felt a little embarrassed as he noticed Lila, the innkeepers' daughter, watch him intently.
He watched the woman walk through the room, slightly giving him a glance before she left.
Isaac finished up his soup, and thanked the innkeeper for his hospitality. He said goodbye, and couldn't help but cock an eyebrow at Lila as she followed him to the door.
Isaac walked out the inn, stopping a few paces ahead. He turned around and saw Lila behind him, frowning a little. She slightly waved to him, looking down at the ground as the front of her shoe dragged playfully in the dirt. He felt some sympathy for the girl, and tugged at his golden scarf.
"Here, thanks for everything. I'll see you around!" he said tenderly, handing her the slightly torn scarf. She blushed at the token he gave her, and continued staring at him quietly.
There was an awkward pause, sweat dripping down Isaac's neck. He didn't want her to think that he was leading her on or anything, but couldn't help but feel for her. She was very shy towards him ever since she saw him half naked that second time, and how she just stood there stiffly without reaction.
Isaac began to reminisce, as he turned his back on the girl. He thought back to a time when he was in a similar situation as her; that he was exactly like her in the past, when he first visited Imil. He thought of Mia, and swore to himself that he would find her…
He walked off, following the footsteps of the one that had gone before him.
"Goodbye! Come back any time!" Lila yelled, as he began to walk farther off. She had tied the scarf close to her neck so that it chaffed her chin.
XXXXXThe young Valean had caught up to the woman as they made their way to the northern gates. He had no idea as to why he was following her, and it seemed as if she hadn't cared.
"You dirty vandal thieves!" one soldier screamed, kicking the tied up men.
The three thieves sat there in the dirt, their hair uneven as if chopped off in clumps.
"That stupid wench" one of the thieves screamed as he spit out dirt from the corners of his mouth.
Isaac looked through an opening in the crowd at the three arrested thieves. He hadn't recognized them from Vault, mainly because of their new 'haircuts'.
"She ruined my hair!" another screamed.
Isaac wondered in curiosity at who those men were and why they were tied up. He continued to walk though, trailing behind the woman.
"Which reminds me," she spoke, interrupting his thoughts. "I believe this is yours," she said, tossing a coin bag over her shoulder. She had her walking stick resting on the back of her neck and shoulders, lying horizontally with her hands hanging on top.
"How did you…"
"I didn't steal it if that's what you're thinking," she responded coldly.
Isaac slipped the bag into his blue vest, not giving another thought to any of it.
"Just like that, you're so trusting?" she said stopping, letting him pass in front. "You don't even want to count it?"
"There wasn't a lot anyways. I have no reason to doubt you," he spoke, "I prefer to think that there is some good in you" he continued to jest.
She was amused at his trusting and kindly nature.
XXXXXIsaac had made it to the tiny harbour slightly north of Lalivero. However in the process he had lost her. He had no idea as to where she had disappeared. Isaac had found a strange ship with a dragon's head in the front, shortly upon his arrival. Tolbian soldiers guarded it, and he had recognized Iodem at the docks end.
It was then that he remembered it to be the same Lemurian ship Iodem had shown him before.
"Are we to set sail?" Babi's Chief minister questioned when Isaac drew close enough to hear his words.
"I suppose," Isaac replied, turning to give one last look around for her. He hadn't noticed Iodem grinning from cheek to cheek, happy to see that Isaac was alive.
"What troubles you?"
"It is good to see you Iodem, but much troubles me," he responded, remembering all of his burdens.
"Retail me of such then"
"For one thing, I am lost without my companions. For another, I have been lost for a time, not remembering a thing these past few months. Not to mention that I must leave both Jenna and Kraden here. And then there's that nameless woman who saved me, lest the fact that I had no sleep at all last night." Isaac recounted, thinking of the night before. His conversation with the woman had reminded him of his dream, and where he had to go now in accordance to the vision…
Isaac hesitated for a moment. He thought about all that he had just said, as poetic words were the first thing to come to mind, summarizing the way he felt now.
I am a bird with no song…things were never suppose to turn out this badly…
"But are you well enough to set out and search for Lemuria?" Iodem persisted.
"My friend," Isaac began, as he motioned for the ships ladder, "I don't believe we have time to humour Lord Babi. Weyard has seen better days, and we must help it now, rather than follow in an old man's request at a trivial escapade. If you trust me, and wish to stay true to your vow to aid me whatever way you can, then follow me now in my quest." Isaac's voice trailed off as he reached the ships deck.
Iodem looked at the black orb he had in hand, reaching for the ladder. He began under his breath; "it is now an old man, lying in his death bed that you speak of young master…"
"So," one of the soldiers on deck spoke as Isaac cleared the ladder and approached the group, "how does this boat work?"
XXXXXThe ship had now set sail, leaving the docks with Isaac, Iodem, and a few other soldiers as its crew. Isaac had promised them that nothing like the Twilight Quake would ever happen again, as long as they followed him in his mission. He had promised that if there were a dragon out there, he would be the one to stop it.
Isaac reflected on the dream he remembered, looking back at the docks from the rear of the ship. At the last second he saw her, standing there at the end of the pier.
She stood there, walking stick still resting on her shoulders, wrists hanging casually over the wood on either side. Her right leg was straight, leaning all her weight on it as the other was bent on its toes.
The wind gently fluttered his golden hair, and began to throw the woman's crimson cape into tiny ripples. Neither of them waved to each other.
She turned on her heal, and began to walk away, head tilted to one side, slightly looking back at the leaving ship.
Isaac knew that was her way of saying farewell, for now… He knew that there was no need for goodbyes, for there was the strange feeling that they would see each other again. Isaac knew that she was thinking the exact same thing, which was why they barely even gave each other a nod.
She smirked in disgust again, as she walked further.
"My name is Karst," she spoke under her own breath, the docks wind blowing the quiet words in its draft, straight out to sea…
A/N: This is not a KarstxIsaac fic. I just wanted to clarify that. So yeah, on the topic of Karst, right now she was left in mystery. She's not as crazed as she was in the game, yet, so please give her a chance! Things come in time I suppose, if they do at all (wink wink). But I can tell you this though. I had great ambitions for her weapon! You will hear about it next time. Please R&R. I appreciate your commentary.