--oOo--
Parokya ni Eddga.5
"You thought it was over but it's only on the rise."-Parokya ni Edgar; Yes,yes, show.
"Oh ho ho," Lily mused. "What do we have here? 'You can't see me?' I'm— "
"Afraid not." Lily and Eddga put out their right arm. Lily's eyes glowed purple and as did Eddga's. "Come out, Mage!" Purple fire rained but not on Sala or the monk; rather on the area behind them. A yelp drew Sala's attention. A mage with black unruly hair, like an invisible curtain being pulled away, materialized on the middle of the road. Zy!
"Oh, purgatory, I was hoping you wouldn't detect me," Zyriel said, peeved.
"Have you forgotten, Zyriel..." The new voice that called lifted the alchemist's spirits. Frey! Towards the left of Zyriel, up in the abandoned house, the knight stood his hand on his sword. White metal shaped like wings jutted out of his helm. "... That Eddga can detect those which are hidden?"
"Feh."
"Hey! I can look cool too!" Another voiced barked. The sun was high and silver glinted. On the opposite side of the street, a hunter steadied himself on the decaying rooftop. "Hosha! I am the great, the indomitable, the superbly...!" The rooftop finally gave way and the hunter shouted as he crashed to the ground.
"Gago." Sala finished.
Meanwhile the knight gracefully took off, his manteau flying as he landed in front of Zyriel. Coughing and wheezing, Gareth got up from the pile and rambled to Zyriel's other side.
"Not fair!" Gago complained. "Frey's stayed up wearing those chain mail and stuff while I (with my wonderfully sexy figure) landed on my butt!"
"He's got a point there, he's several pounds lighter of gray matter," Zyriel said to Frey.
"That's right...hey!" Before the hunter could get even, Sala came running up to them. He wasn't wearing his overcoat anymore and all his explosives were gone.
"Oh, Eddga,", Gareth thought. "those mines should at least made a nasty mark! But look at him, barely a scratch!"
"Guys!" Frey caught Sala as he tumbled.
"Sally! You've done it again!" Gareth's worries were hidden by his amused tones. "A legendary monster magically appears in a populated city. That could only mean...your girlfriend's here."
"Another one?" Zyriel sighed and leaned against his staff. "At least last time it was a horde of unlegendary Isis in Prontera. You should really tell your GF to stop it."
"Don't be so mean. I think she's cute," Frey kindly put in.
"She's-not-my-girlfriend!" Sala protested through gritted teeth.
"Will you people get moving? I can't hold him forever!" the monk snapped. Sweat seeped down her face as she concentrated to rooted herself and the tiger. Eddga had not moved since the arrow shot his hat. But now-a smile crossed the furry face. Not so far from the wall, the white clad girl did the same.
"Right!" Zyriel pumped his hand in the air. "Everyone...Devil's Mischief...Tactic: Dating Gawi!" The other three joined him. "Fight!"
"So I see…" Lily discerned. "Your true strength lies not in yourself but in others." the voices of Eddga and Lily mixed. The ground shook Eddga moved one humongous step forward. "Very well. Let the true battle begin." A circle once again formed under Lily, yellow energy mixing with red. The Eddga bellowed as orange energy spurted from the enchanted circle into his body. Then it stopped; his head limp.
"Dude...what are you saying?" Gareth said quizzically. (This is the translation of the above. /heh)
Frey drew his sword, darting in front of Zyriel while Gareth took his place behind the mage, stringing his bow. Sala placed himself slightly to left and behind the mage. The monk waited with bated breath. The furry head snapped up and its eyes no longer human-like or intelligent and every hair standing up it end. An out-of-control cat. When she realized that Eddga was no longer under her spell, the monk proceeded to bring it down. She ran and leaped bringing her arms for a deadly blow. Eddga swiped at her but before it made contact, she vanished.
Frey took this as a signal and charged at the Eddga. His mind only for the battle, the tiger parried the knight's blows. It was Frey's sword against Eddga's pipe. But the monster was now taking the offensive; Frey had to avoid both the pipe sword and the fiery claw. He was about to make the most use out of both and brought them down at the knight. There was no time for he complete the blow; an arrow pierced his shoulder, forcing him back. The knight rightly took the opportunity to slash the tiger's chest.
The monk relocated and landed just in front of the girl. She kneeled down to examine her. The monk gingerly touched the head; the girl groaned. She was about to lift her when she noticed it. A scrape flushed with blood hidden in the midst of her golden hair. Further prodding revealed bruises leading from her neck to back. Not knowing the extent of her injuries, it would be dangerous to move her now. She concentrated on healing the thief while at the same time providing a barrier for both of them.
A warm light enveloped her. "Sa..." she groaned. "Don't worry. Just rest. They're here," a voice reassured her.
They? Malas watched the monster being hacked by Frey. Slowly falling unconscious but unwilling to, she desperately searched for the alchemist. He was far from the fracas, right behind the mage. At the sight of Zyriel, she finally let herself rest.
The monk got up, her healing never wavering. The Eddga had just gone berserk, who knows when he'll get tired of the knight and go after them next. Inside the protective barrier, she prayed, silently calling for her party.
Flight of Seven Angels
"Success?" thought the alchemist. Look closer, snapped a voice inside him.
"Damnation! Nary a scratch or what not!" Sala cried out.
"Eddga..." Gareth spoke it like an oath. Eddga had merely broken off the arrow stuck to its shoulder and fought again like it was nothing. The archer calmly strung another arrow. Zyriel placed a hand upon his staff and began to chant.
"Oi, Zy, light me up!" Frey was almost burned as a fire wall had sprung up between him and Eddga. Nine arrows shot through it and pierced Eddga's body. What the monster did was put both his paws to the burning arrows and flamed them, leaving only ashes.
"Fire...he is fire after all," Gareth murmured to himself. The hunter was totally different in battle than from his usual antics.
"What now? Tactic: Dating Gawi doesn't seem to work," Zyriel said, irritated.
"I'll think of something. Keep supporting Frey. Sala, be on stand-by with coating wax." While Zyriel chanted for lightning this time, Gareth coolly eyed his surroundings. He studied it, deciding what would be best. The sides were lined with abandoned houses while the front with a part of the city wall. He could make out a white figure watching the battle. And his gaze lowered down.
'Hey Sala, I've found where your girl is and...what, there's a super sale on red potions!" Gareth exclaimed.
"Focus, Gar, focus!" Zyriel concentrated. It would have been better to freeze the big guy first but Frey could get hit. And he didn't care for cold spells anyway. The lightning had done nothing more than petrify Eddga for a few seconds.
"Right..." Gareth centered right behind the Eddga, who was still being blasted by Frey's sword. Still not a scratch. It's as if... "It can't be harmed by surface blows." A plan brewed in his mind. Hmm...waht was special with Lily's puppet this time? "Zy, could you sense this guy for me?"
"What? Fine! But you distract him." Zyriel closed his corporeal eyes and open those in his mind, attempting to use the tricky spell. Gareth directed his energy to his strung arrow. Eddga was pushed back again. The knight slashed and ran behind as the tiger was struck by arrows in multitudes of nine's.
The mage snapped his head up, puzzled by what he felt. "This is weird. I don't sense any life force in this Eddga. Still, your attack hurt him; unfortunately his defense's really high and his attack power is slowly rising to match it."
Was that all? Then they would just need to pull off the 'move'. Every party had to have a 'move', right? "Cool. Here's the plan. We're going to use..."
Frey blocked the pipe-sword and returned the blow to the Eddga. Was it only in his mind or was Eddga getting quicker? Circling around the monster, he halted and thrust his sword to ground. A wave of energy directed, upturning the ground. Eddga did the same! The two energy waves met halfway and negated each other. "My Magnum Break!" shouted Frey in disbelief.
Eddga took up the pipe-sword and began to jab Frey. The knight sidestepped left and right but was finally caught by the claws in an unguarded moment. Sent sprawling on the ground, the knight used his sword to shield himself. It reverberated in his arms and came close to his chest as Eddga struck it down.
Frey...it will be all right. He's got a plan. The voice spoke inside the knight. It was familiar voice, a comforting voice, a voice from childhood.
"Well, I'll be counting on it, Laffordia," thought Frey. And he smiled.
"The knight!" Lily cried.
To anyone watching, it was obvious her Eddga was winning. He bore down on the knight, pressing his own sword against tLord Gard. Why won't anyone help him? If anyone would actually be killed, that would be horrible! And Sala would hate her forever! Oh and her father might get really angry and might stick her with this child-body for a hundred more years...but that was a minor consequence.
The thin blade was growing closer to Gard's neck ...so why is he smiling! Her gaze was now upon the stormy-haired alchemist,who was fearfully looking at the thief girl. Rage welled inside her as she took control of her puppet Eddga again. Nobody takes away the attention of her alchemist!
"Go after her," Lily commanded with her will. The puppet followed the master's strings.
"Don't you know how dangerous that is?" Zyriel said incredulously, his back turned to the battle. "I can't do it."
"I don't see why not. You created the strategy." Gareth saw the Eddga pinning down Frey. Just a few more seconds...Lord Frey...
"But this is a city, Gar, a city!" protested Zyriel.
Gareth narrowed his eyes, not in anger but in scrutiny. Beyond the Eddga the monk, just standing there... he saw no more for a huge, furry back covered his vision.
"Eddga had changed target!" Gareth informed them, setting his bow again. "He's going for the monk!"
"Oh no, Malas is over there!" Sala cried.
What! The mage spun around and said nothing, letting his actions speak for him. Nothing, nobody will—!
It was like looking into a cave of huge snapping teeth. She did not flinch as the Eddga tried to claw through the barrier. The monk stared at it going berserk. She was deep healing the girl, a special technique of the Cathedral that normally enough would tire her but now she had keep up a holy barrier. She was tired but if this thing annoys her any more... Out of the ground, a huge tower of flames burst. Allowing herself to be startled, she stepped back. The flames spread itself into a narrow straight wall. It was so intense that heat even reached her. Eddga backed off, his whole front singed and smoking.
Frey was on his hands when the fire wall erupted. He grappled for his sword which had been dropped. The knight glanced quickly to the city wall and to his companions. They had the plan, he could not waste time. "I have to bait him...Hey kitty! I'm the one you want!" A knight dancing like a chicken but not be the best distraction but whatever works. Sure that he had Eddga's attention, he ran towards the three.
"Frey! We're going to do 'Flight of Seven Angels.'" Gareth signaled him. Fog began to gather around Zyriel as he gathered enough power to unleash the next phase.
"Flight of Seven Angels? Got it." Frey did a sharp turn and faced the oncoming Eddga. 'Thanks, Laffordia'
"Alley oop!" Sala tossed three large vials. One broke on Frey's helmet, the other crashed on armor's shoulder and the last went smack to Frey's sword. Wax completely protected the knight and he gave a thumb's up. Fixed on the middle of the road, he steadied his sword. Gareth strung nine arrows and charged them, hoping this idea would work.
"Just a little more," Sala urged as Zyriel zealously chanted.
"It's not working! My arrows barely stopped the stupid head. We need something to stop it!"
"Then slow down!" Eddga's steps began to slow down, turning its head. It saw the monk from the barrier on her knees, conjuring another hold spell.
Zyriel's eyes snapped open. "Now!" Torrents of wind emitted from around the mage, destroying the houses around it. He struggled to control the flow energy directly in front of him. Frey began running, just keeping ahead of the gust. He jumped, letting the blast of air carry him. From his helm, the white metal glowed and ethereal image wings sprung from them. His broadsword responded; it shone brightly then dulled. Seven slashes he made to the stock still Eddga before being crashing to the side. The biting winds hit all except for the young monk and her charge. Lily gasped and held on to her short skirt.
"It's still imperfect. It—didn't go through," Frey sputtered. It's okay, said the voice, sending through telepathy his own tiredness. 'And stop calling me Laffordia!'
The Eddga shook off the icicles that had formed around his body. Had been pushed back again. It lumbered toward Frey, the first body he saw. It had lost most of his strength but not the desire to battle. No longer with the pipe but still with his paws, it gave an enraged cry. Frey violently rolled and Eddga had his paws stuck to the ground. Who could help him now?
Shrills! Five falcons covered the sky and swooped down, Gareth's very own Cris leading the way. A disgruntled owl joined the taunting of Eddga. Each bird struck the monster repeatedly then joined in V formation in a modified blitz beat. The tiger gave a weak roar. The owners of the falcons appeared: some on the remaining rooftops, others going through rubbish.
"I've got it now!" the monk cried triumphantly. "Everyone, seven stars!" She left the barrier, confident and her fists clenched. A running start before jumping up and aiming for the Eddga. From the surrounding directions, six others did the same. No sound was made, except for the thump as the Eddga forced upright. The monks, some female and some male, all hooded down except for the rusty colored one; they landed opposite from whence they leaped. The Eddga squeaked before exploding, spewing things from within it.
A piece landed on Gareth, who blown several meters away by initial spell. Disgusted, he was about to throw it in disgust when he found it was actually Poring Card. The hell? It was raining cards, candies and a rare items and dolls.
"Don't tell me that Eddga was actually just a large piñata!" He groaned and lied backto the ground, annoyed that all this trouble because of the some piñata.
The crowds began to gather, finally being to see the battle. Unfortunately for Devil's Mischief, they only saw the last part so they formed a ring for the monks and applauded them. Several adventures cried their disappointment not being able to join but most everyone cheered to see Eddga defeated. After of course, they've scrambled around and snatched a few of the prizes.
A male monk squeezed past the crowds, helped Frey up and quickly revitalized the others.
"Well, Frey, still want to go to the Pyramids?" Zyriel breathed deeply, not quite recovered.
"Zyriel? Shut up." But Frey grinned. He was content just to sit this out. Sala placed a hand on his heart and breathed. Everybody was fine. There was a shrill and a falcon glided down, lighting on Sala's outstretched arm. It squawked.
"No, Crisostomo, I'm not mad that you called Damaso. You did everything right." The falcon fluffed his feathers. Sala stroked it lovingly. "Thank you."
"Are you all right?" Gareth shouted shakily. He pushed aside swordsmen who were blocking his way as he clumsily tumbled to his friends. To Sala he demanded, "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine" Sala said, touched by this rare display of affection.
"Not you! Cris, I was so worried what could have happened," Gareth crooned as he took the falcon. "Are you hurt, precious? Sally, what did you think you're doing, commanding poor Cris? He's exhausted from your mishandling!"
"Crisostomo is perfectly fine! And stop calling me Sally!" Before their bickering could escalate, the monk gave a tiny cough. Zyriel got up quickly, his eyes shimmering. The female monk from before had broken away from the group. She carried with her a sleeping thief, a slight troubled expression on Malas's face.
After a quiet thanks, Zyriel took her, carefully wrapping his arms underneath her arms. He cradled her, laying her head in the crook of his head. She stirred and draped her arms around his shoulders, murmuring but looking peaceful. A slight flush across Zyriel's cheeks but that did not affect his heartfelt message.
"Don't worry, I'll always be here," He whispered. "To keep you safe."
Gubibningpo
Zyriel stood outside the inn's threshold, clad only in his black shirt and mage pants. His coat had been taken by a thief but that didn't matter now. His mouth slightly open, gaping at the door, still unbelieving of what happened. When it finally dawned to him, he got down on his knees and screamed:
"I LOVE MOROCC!"
Vermilion once again sat on the rooftops of Morroc. He breathed in the cool evening air. Aaaahh...smells right. He closed his eyes in content.
"I know you're there," he said without moving. A figure wearing a white hood appeared from the shadows. The gust of wind picked a few loose strands of rusty hair.
"As sharp as always, Vermilion."
"Ah, you know my name but I don't know yours." He then jumped up and threw a knife at the unexpected guest. She sidestepped, letting the dagger fly.
"Hitting me and with your eyes still closed. Hmm... Well, relax; I'm not here to fight." Vermilion frowned but just sat back down. "What do you want?" he finally asked. She settled herself comfortably beside him. "To talk."
The thief snorted. "Who are you anyway?"
"Honestly, have you forgotten? Or do I have to 'mark' myself?" Vermilion eyes shot wide open. With deft movement, he reached for her right shoulder, throwing aside monk coat. There in the moonlight, on her pale skin, he clearly saw it, a small tattoo of a tear with white wings in the middle of a cross.
"My God, I almost killed you! I'm so sorry..." Vermilion apologized profusely hugged the midriff of the monk, embarrassing her to no end.
"Like that dagger could kill me."
Vermilion drew away quickly, embarrassed too by his own childish act.
The monk pulled back her hood, releasing the braided brown red hair. Vermilion watched her, thinking how breathtakingly beautiful she is... he shook his head. She breathed in deeply; the evening air was absolutely delicious.
"It's great to see you again, Sister Mica."
"Same to you, Vermilion or was it Pedro?" She teased.
"Sister Mica, you promised not to call me that," he wailed. Mica bit back her giggle. He looked so adorable, trying to defend his dignity. "I'm Vermilion, first class thief leader of..." His efforts were squashed as Mica pinched his cheeks.
"Cute! Anyway, I'd like to thank you."
"For what?"
"For saving that party."
"Me? You were the ones kicking butt. I've heard all around. Troop of monks took down a legendary monster, right here in Morroc."
"Oh really? Then what did I hear about a certain red-headed thief who appeared at the red potion sales and alerted everyone of the presence of an Eddga?"
Vermilion simply whistled. He finally relented under Mica's knowing stare. "Okay fine, I told everyone that there was an Eddga—but I only did it so I could have all the potions super cheap! Then I'll scam-er-sell them to other suckers at much higher rates! Mwahahaha!"
Kunyari ka pa. Mica was not fooled by Vermilion's manic laughter. For all his tough exterior, he had such a soft heart. She continued to stargaze until he spoke again.
"What were you doing there anyway?"
"Here." Mica reached within her robes and tossed a hardbound book at him. Vermilion ran his hands over the fine leather and carefully opened the page. A sharp intake of breath. It was full of beautiful calligraphy and hand-painted pictures. A looseleaf stuck out and he pulled it out. He turned sharply to the sister, whose gaze was solely on the cityscape. "It's the book that we both been looking for. I've ben searching for it for days and it was just on the first level, right in the girl's hands! It was fortunate that she dropped it. Otherwise, everything would be ruined."
At the lapse of silence, Vermilion left to his own thoughts. He did not know that Mica was thinking of the same think. The past.
"Wow...a monk, so cool. Who would've thought that you'd be one? I mean, I'd always thought you'd be head priestess. You studied so hard, trained so hard, prayed so hard..."
"And they chose Matthew," Mica sighed. "I wanted to become the head priestess so badly. I left a little after you did."
"I went back once and was really disappointed when I saw you weren't there, Sis Mica. Have you really left the Cathedral?"
"Never. Though I didn't become a priestess, my heart will always belong to the Cathedral and...To someone else." She trailed softly, looking down.
Someone else? Vermilion coolly lay back, staring intensely at the stars. Trying to ignore that little twinge in his heart. Chose another subject!
"What made you want to become the head of the Cathedral? Despite the risks and pain it could involve?"
"The legendary jewel. Only the head has the right care for it. There was power, Vermi, power just shimmering in the jewel. It's a kind power that made you want to risk everything...anything!" The thief startled from this out burst. Mica laughed. "Just the truth, Vermi. Anyway maybe it's better that Matthew got to be head. He's better suit to wield it, I trust him now. Besides, I finally found my true love. And I can be with him."
"Yeah? Who's this true love?" He tried not to care. "One of your monk friends?"
She smiled mysteriously and stretched down next to him. They stayed liked that for awhile, watching the stars. Mica laid her hand over his. He faced her, inquisitive but did not bother anymore.
"Oh, Vermilion?" The thief turned to the monk, who looked at him with twinkling eyes. "Don't call me, Sis Mica. I'm actually younger than you. Mica will just do."
"Okay." He'll save his shock for tomorrow. "Then you could call me Peter."
And both tried to trace the future from the stars.
Just right below them, Angel watched the same sky. Zen was asleep on the other bed. He put down his pen and strolled to the window. It was a moonless night, allowing the stars to shine their fullest. The girls should be asleep right now. Too bad, as he'd like to talk with D about the stars. She loved those twinkly stuff. He should go back and his sign his letter. He would have it delivered by tomorrow morning. He sat down and took up the pen again, rereading his letter.
To Father Matthew,
Bishop of...etc, etc, etc.
Hi Father! It's just me with some random scribbles. How
are you doing back there in the church and orphanage? Moi? I'm doing
fine with my training and all that. Would you believe that I have four new
members who joined my party? I've got a thief, swordsman, merchant
and a mage in training. They've all got some stories of their own. I'll write
about them other time. You find the strangest things in Morroc; just
today there was an Eddga attack. Where did that come from?
And the letter rambled on like that. Hidden away near the ending where prying eyes are sure not to reach, he added his main concern.
Yours truly,
Black Angel Wings, Acolyte...etc
P.S. And I haven't found the cursed swordsman or the Happy
Bride. And will it affect my mission if I include my newfound party?
P.S.S. I found her here, Father. And I'm determined to talk to her. Even
if I have to search every house, inn or rooftop in Morroc, I'll find her.
I want her safe again!
"P.S.S.S, I think I'm falling in lov..."But he quickly crossed that out. He set aside his letter, blushing at the traitorous handwriting. Cathedral acolytes should not be entertaining those thoughts! So instead he would take time to think.
The acolyte sat on the windowsill. A breeze disturbed his overhanging bangs. He reached out and closed the windows, deciding to sleep as well. But that question burned in his mind. Why? Why did she run? He slipped into bed, determined to carry out his task. Tomorrow, he search.
But by then, it'll be too late.
You probably have lots of questions... What, you don't? Well, that saves me a lot of trouble. But if you do, just ask away and I'll be glad to answer.
To Zhang Kai: Yeah, I knew it was you. I'm the kind of person of who checks out profiles and reviews. Much thanks for reviewing 3 of my major fics. About the poems...I could continue the story but it can never be good as the first one. 'Who Cares' was written in the passion of the moment. But I'll try, okay?