Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Online. This story, however, is completely mine and may not be redistributed or used without my approval.
Chapter 13
The mentioning of my mother brought me back to myself. The Spirit of Anger retreated back in the dark corner of my soul. She always had the softest voice...gentlest touch...even if she did side with my father. A raid of Rogues in my old hometown killed her. My father, due to swearing loyalty to Chivalry and Royal Service, donated money to rebuild the noble buildings instead of her funeral.
"My mother would thank me for not following in your footsteps." I spit back at the Lord Knight. "You had no respect for her, even though she supported you in every way. You were her hero, and you didn't even bother crying over her dead body!" With that, I lunged at him with my flamberge. He blocked the blow with his Scythelike Two Handed Sword of Verserk and threw me back.
"You're just a mere Crusader, Hikaru, don't you tell me where my loyalty lies!" He swung the massive sword at me and pushed me back into the walls of Payon.
"At least I know how to value the lives of family and friends...!" I pushed him back. "GUARD! SHIELD REFLECT!" Multiple random green shields began appearing around me and a gold pulsing light shone. My father lunged at me, full force. I stood with my arms spread out. As soon as his sword hit my armor, half the damage was reflected back at him. "GRAND CROSS!" The golden cross threw him back. I didn't want to kill him...only to make it clear who I was...and that I am strong.
"You are nothing! The Legion joined US! The Chivalry!" He laughed, wiping the blood off his mouth. "Tobie betrayed you."
"I have my own commander, father." I looked him right in the eye. "She may be a Knight like you, but she is a real Knight. Nothing like you cowards who hide behind your King Tristram!" I lunged at him, and swung my sword down onto him. He blocked with his sword and we struggled for control.
"There is still time, Hikaru!" He said, winning for only a second. "Join me."
"I WILL NEVER BE LIKE YOU." I pushed with all my strength against him, making him fall onto his backside. I kicked his sword away and pointed my sword at his throat. "For mother...I will never be like you...so obsessed with your own pride that you forget your own family." I looked up at the knights and archers. They were in awe as they stared at their fallen commander...under the sword of a lowly Crusader. "I pledge loyalty to God...because he would always allow one to make their own choices...because he knows what being a human being means..." I took away my sword and let my father scramble back. "I've made my point." I recast Guard and Shield Reflect. "Do your worst."
"Well!" My father roared at the army. "FIRE!"
The archers loaded their bows and the Knights cast Two-Hand-Quicken. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
'I'll find you Crono.' I thought as I opened my eyes again.
"YOU'RE TOO SLOW!" I heard his voice sound throughout the army of people. Fire could be seen on the east flank of the army. Taking the moment of confusion as a distraction, I mounted Raijin and rode to the east flank as fast as we could. I arrived and saw Crono Firewalling and casting Meteor Storm. "About time, ass!" We smirked at each other. Raijin rode through a weaker Firewall and I pulled Crono up onto the bird.
"I tried at least." I said to him. The Firewalls ran out. "What now." I asked as we were being closed in on.
"Fight to the death?" Crono suggested jokingly.
"Of course." I replied pulling out my sword again.
"GRAND CROSS!" I heard Dante's voice in the distance. We look over to the west of us and there it was. A large golden light followed by yelling and people running. "GROUP A TO THE WEST! GROUP B TO THE EAST! GROUP C FOLLOW MY LEAD!" It wasn't long before we heard his commands that we noticed our own situation.
"Alright...Crono, ready Lord of Vermillion." Crono nodded and started muttering the spell. "GRAND CROSS!"
"LORD OF VERMILLION!"
"BRANDISH SPEAR!" Valkyrie's Requiem was here. "Are you two alright?" Raisu and her Peco 'Chuu' was standing beside us when the light of Grand Cross wore off. "Scared me half to death when you ran off, Hikaru."
"Sorry." I said silently.
"Valkyrie's Requiem sticks together." She says as Hanya Grimtooths around us. "Understand that, because if you scare me like that next time, I'll find the ugliest cliff on all of Rune Midgard and push you off it." Crono laughs and firewalls more. I nodded and jumped off Raijin.
"Crono, you stay on Raijin, easier for you to get a clear shot." Crono nodded. "Well?" I looked up at Raisu. "Let's try your tactic today. Barge in and conquer."