Chapter 1:
"Serge! …Good morning, Serge! Come on, sleepyhead- get up!"
Seventeen-year-old Serge opened his eyes, and slowly got up. He walked over to his window shades, and pulled them up.
Looking in his drawer, he pulled out his usual garb- a tight-fitting t-shirt, loose-fitting Bermuda shorts, and a red vest. Still tired, he took his time dressing. Finally, he put on his hi-tops, ran a comb through his unruly blue hair a couple times, and tied a red bandanna around his head.
He headed downstairs, expecting to see breakfast laid out on the table. Instead, he found it completely cleared.
"You're finally up," observed his mother Marge, "The sun's already reached high noon,"
Serge stared at his mother, surprised. He slept that late? Oh well. That explained the skimpy breakfast. His mother had a rule- you wake up in time for breakfast, or you can find something to eat yourself.
"By the way," said Marge, "Didn't you have plans to meet with Leena this morning?"
Serge winced. So he'd broken their plans.
"Leena came by to see if you were up," his mother continued, "But you, young man, were still off in never-never land. You shouldn't break promises like that. Girls can be pretty scary if you make them angry!"
Serge nodded in agreement as he opened the icebox in the corner and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice, and poured himself a glass.
"You should go apologize to her," said his mother as she handed him a biscuit from the cupboard.
Serge took the biscuit and shoved the whole thing into his mouth. "Mm-hmm," he mumbled.
"Don't talk with your mouth full," his mother reprimanded.
Serge sighed, and washed down his biscuit with his orange juice. After finishing, he put the glass in the sink, and then hurried outside.
Arni village was as busy as ever. Now that it was summertime, kids could be seen running around everywhere.
Serge looked around, trying to spot Leena.
"Yo, Sergey!"
Leena's younger brother Una stood behind him.
"I heard you totally blew off Leena today!" he said sternly.
Great, thought Serge, first my mom tells me off, and now Leena's brother? People oversleep! It's not a crime!
Una's expression changed to a wide grin. "I didn't know you had it in ya! Showing her who's boss, huh?"
Serge rolled his eyes. Somehow, having her brother approve seemed even worse than if he'd told him off.
"Don't tell her I said so," said Una in a confidential whisper, "But my sister's a bit uptight, you know? Could you like, break her in a little? You know- make her act a little more ladylike?"
Serge just stared at him.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!" grinned Una as he ran off, "She's at the docks!"
Serge shook his head and sighed, heading for the docks. He could see Leena standing at the pier, looking off into the water.
She turned around as he approached her. "You're late," she said flatly.
Serge looked down sheepishly.
"Sleeping in as usual?" Leena crossed her arms, "You promised you'd go get me some komodo scales for my necklace, remember? But since you didn't show up, my mom made me baby-sit,"
"Woo hoo!" yelled a kid, "Sergey! Leena! Look at me!"
Serge and Leena turned their attention towards the water, where the kid was swimming in the same style as a dolphin, diving under the water repeatedly.
"You guys should join us!" shouted another child, "The water's great!"
Leena smiled, "Well, unlike the rest of you, we're not here to play. And don't swim out too far, now!"
"Okay, gotcha!" replied the child.
"Kids sure have it easy," said Leena, still looking at the water, "Remember when we were like that? Not a single care or worry on our minds…"
Serge nodded.
"Each day lasted an eternity…filled with newness, fun and excitement. But the important thing now…" she said looking at Serge pointedly, "Is not our childhood, but my komodo-scale necklace!"
"All right, already!" Serge grinned sheepishly, holding up his hands in surrender.
"Seriously," her tone softened, "We have to face up to reality and live each day anew. I'd join you, but I still have to watch the kids. But that's your fault- you were late! Once you collect the scales, let's meet at Opassa beach. Is that okay with you, Serge?"
"Sure," said Serge, "No problem,"
Leena smiled, "Good! That's what I wanted to hear! Okay then…I think three scales should be enough. Good luck, Serge! I'm counting on you!"
Serge made his way around Lizard Rock, where Komodo dragons resided. He'd made a quick stop back at his house to pick up his sea swallow. It was a staff about his height, with a sharp blade attached to each end. It had belonged to his father, Wazuki, who had disappeared one day when Serge was just a child. Serge treasured the weapon, and always kept it well-maintained.
He had already killed two small dragons, and needed just one more before he'd be done. Looking around, he saw one at the end of a small tunnel. Quietly, he crept up behind it, but at the last minute, it saw him, and ran. He chased it around the tunnel, then through the tunnel, but the dragon jumped into the water and swam away.
Serge cursed and looked around. Then he saw a large boulder near the opening of the tunnel, which gave him an idea. He went up to the boulder, set aside his swallow, and leaned against the large rock, and pushed against it with all of his might.
The boulder rolled in front of the opening, and lodged in there, blocking the tunnel. Then he picked up his swallow, and ran off, hiding behind a tree.
It didn't take long before the dimwitted dragon returned to the same place. Once more, Serge approached the dragon, only this time, from around the hill. The dragon saw him again, and tried to flee, only to find its path blocked. Serge wasted no time in striking the dragon pup dead.
He wiped his forehead, and then proceeded to scale the young dragon. He got up, and turned around, only to walk right into the dragon's large, angry mother.
"Uh oh…" said Serge to himself, and then prepared himself for battle.
The dragon leapt at him, but he managed to dodge its attack. He then dashed at the dragon, and stabbed it in the leg. The dragon roared in pain, but wasn't finished with Serge.
Knowing that this was a more desperate situation, Serge looked at his belt, which was adored with small gems simply known as "elements". He closed his eyes, and channeled a technique he'd learned with Radius, the village chief, called "Dash & Slash", which was used with white elements. As he was absorbed by the energy, he sprinted toward the dragon, and slashed at her with all of his might, and ran back to where he originally stood.
The mortally wounded dragon fell, and after one last anguished roar, didn't move again. Serge stood still for a few seconds, catching his breath, and then made his way toward Opassa Beach.
Serge saw the beach completely empty. Oh well. He'd made her wait- he had no business complaining. He saw down, and put his swallow down next to him, and watched the waves crashing upon the shore.
"There you are!"
Serge turned around, and saw Leena coming towards him.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, "I hope you didn't wait too long,"
Serge shook his head and smiled.
"Well?" Leena asked eagerly, "How'd it go? Did you get the Komodo Dragon scales?"
Serge dug into his pocket, and pulled out the scales, giving them to Leena.
"Oh, they're beautiful! I'll be able to make a great necklace with these! Thank you, Serge!" Leena hugged him.
She then stepped back and looked at the sea. "It sure has been a long time since we last came here," she said, "We used to come here all the time,"
She then sat down.
"The sea never changes, does it...?" she continued, "It's been rolling in and out, like this, since before we were born. It's been here for eternity, it seems... It's probably seen many things... Heard many things... It'll probably keep rolling in and out, long after our lifetime...without a single change...hey, Serge..."
Serge turned his head to look at her.
"Remember we used to sit and talk like this when we were kids? With the gentle sea breeze and the tranquil sound of the waves? Just the two of us...talking... Do you still remember that day?"
Serge smiled. Leena could be quite poetic. It was one of the things he liked about her.
"I remember," he said softly.
"Really? You do?" Leena beamed at Serge, "So, Serge, you haven't forgotten about the promise we made that day?" she giggled, "That makes me happy. But aren't memories strange? Just when you think that you've forgotten about something, it comes floating back into your heart. I guess it's just lying there in wait. Waiting for that right moment... Why, we might even remember this very moment someday! In 10, 20 years, when we're all grown up and married, and have kids of our own...then one day, when that time comes, I wonder what kind of adults we'll be? What kind of life will I be leading...? I wonder what to make of this day...?
"We'll forget it eventually," said Serge.
"Yeah, I guess so," said Leena, "But that would be really sad, wouldn't it?"
Serge…
"Um, Serge...there's been something I've been wanting to..."
Serge…
"What!" Serge looked around, nervously.
"What? What's wrong, Serge? Serge?"
A boy, two men, and a panther…then a green light. The world begins to transform all around and then, nothing more…
"Boy?"
Serge opened his eyes.
"What are you doing here, boy?"
An old man stood towering over Serge, a concerned look on his face. A komodo pup stood next to him.
"You alright, boy?" he asked, "What on earth are you doing lying down, anyway? For a second there, I thought you might have been a dead body, washed ashore,"
Serge got up and looked around. "Where's Leena?" he asked.
The old man scowled. "Huh? You were the only one I saw when I got here. Are you a friend of Leena's? I believe she's in the village, babysitting. Well, I'd best be on my way. Anyway, if you're looking for Leena, you should stop by the village. You know, you shouldn't be playing here, boy. Wouldn't want anything to happen to you, now,"
The old man left. Serge looked around some more, and spotted his swallow lying in the sand. He went over and grabbed it, wiping the sand off the handle. Then he left.
Just like the old man said, Leena was at the docks, watching the kids again.
"I thought you were done for the day!" said Serge as he jogged over to her, "Why'd you leave me back there when I passed out?"
Leena turned to look at him. "Huh?" she scowled, "Who are you? Have we met somewhere before...? Are you from Termina?"
"Hey!"
Serge and Leena turned to see one of the kids looking at Serge.
"Yeah, you!" yelled the boy, "Don't be tryin' to pull any moves on our Leena, you jerk!"
"Don't be silly!" Leena called out, "Don't go swimming out too far now, you hear?"
"Okay, gotcha!"
Leena chuckled softly. "I guess kids will be kids. Don't worry about them,"
She took a closer look at Serge.
"Hmm..." she said, "You know, you look a lot like the boy who used to live next door to me,"
Serge looked confused. He was the only boy who'd ever lived next door to her!
"What was his name?" Serge asked cautiously.
"Why do you want to know his name?" asked Leena. Then she sighed and looked out past the kids, and at the open ocean. "That boy...died…" she said sadly, "He drowned…when he was very young. This all happened 10 years ago. Soon after, his mother passed away, too. I was still very young back then, so I don't remember too well, but his name was...Serge..."
Serge's blood went cold. Then, he got angry. He did nearly drown ten years ago, and he still had nightmares about it to this day. How dare she rub it in his face like that!
"Stop it!" he said, "That's total nonsense!"
"Why would I make up something like that?" snapped Leena, "Do you think I'm so cruel as to make something like that up?"
She seemed so convinced…Serge was beginning to get frightened.
"That boy..." Leena sighed, "I guess I kinda liked him. If that boy were still alive today, I wonder what would've become of us? Sure is weird..."
She laughed awkwardly. "Why am I opening up to you like this? Well, I guess there's no use thinking about the past. It's not like Serge is going to come back. Mom always tells me I shouldn't dwell on a lost love one..."
Serge knew that. Shortly before his father disappeared, Leena's own father was lost at sea.
"You can find his grave up on Cape Howl," said Leena, "Actually, why don't you go visit the grave site? No one's been up there in a while. Well, I still have some chores to finish. Sorry I blew up at you like that. Good-bye, stranger,"
"Marge? Who the heck is that?" said the man inside Serge's house, "I've lived in this house for five years now. Sorry, but that name just doesn't ring a bell,"
"But this is my house!" said Serge.
"No, this is my boarding house," said the man, "Whatever with all your gibberish, man. Just get outta here!"
"I…" Serge gave up and left the house he'd lived in all his life.
He stared around him. First Leena didn't recognize him, then his mother was nowhere to be found.
You can find his grave up on Cape Howl…
The only thing on Cape Howl was a rock where Serge had carved his and Leena's names. There was no grave…if this was some kind of practical joke, it was not funny. If it wasn't…well that was even worse…
Our beloved Serge
Died age 7
Nobody can take anything away from him.
Nor can anyone give anything to him.
What came from the sea,
has returned to the sea.
The words stabbed at him like a knife. No- that's not what the writing on the rock was supposed to say!
"What is this!" he whispered, horrified.
For a moment, he was tempted to dig up the body to make sure. This wasn't possible!
"So you must be Serge,"
Serge stood up. For a brief moment, he felt a wave of relief. Someone did know him after all!
He turned around to see three men standing in front of him. One had long blue hair, lighter than Serge's though. The other two were dressed as soldiers. One was very skinny and tall, and the other was short and roly-poly. The soldiers reminded Serge of the characters in a book his mother used to read to him when he was little.
"The ghost of the boy who died 10 years ago," finished the blue-haired man. Serge's heart sank.
"This is a mistake," said Serge, "I'm not dead! Now if you'll excuse me…"
"Don't move!" ordered the blue-haired man, "It's no use. There's no escape. All you have to do is come with us,"
"Sir Karsh..." said the tall soldier hesitantly, "Do you think it is truly true that this chap is a ghost? He seems like a perfectly perfect young boy to me..."
"That doesn't matter," said Karsh, "We found the boy here, just as…he…said we would, didn't we? Now seize him!"
The two soldiers advanced toward Serge when a young female voice called out:
"Hold yer sea horses!"
Everyone turned to see a young woman about the same age as Serge standing over them from a large rock. She wore her blonde hair in a high ponytail, and was wearing a cut-off white shirt, a red miniskirt, a belt, and a red cut-off vest. Below each cheekbone on her face was a slab of white face paint. Her hand rested on a the hilt of a dagger, as if ready to unsheathe her weapon at any moment.
She was scantily clad, Serge observed, but it looked more like it was for the purpose of being able to move freely, rather than the purpose of being, well…loose. Another thing Serge noticed was the fact that she bore a striking resemblance to the girl in his dream last night.
The girl I stabbed…
The girl jumped down, landing next to Serge.
"Outta the way, missy!" ordered Karsh, "You don't wanna get hurt, now, do you?"
"Shut yer trap!" snapped the girl, "You're the ones who'd betta get outta the way!"
"You have a problem?" leered the fat soldier as he advanced toward the two kids, "Do you have a shakin' idea who you're dealing with, missy?"
"That's enough, Peppor!" ordered Karsh. He then turned to look at Serge, "Listen up, junior! Our orders are to take you in. We don't wanna hurt you. Just come with us. Or else this axe o' mine will have to do all the talking,"
"For cryin' out loud!" scoffed the girl, "Would ya just shut up and get on with it? I'm gonna kick yer arses so hard, you'll kiss the moons!"
"Fair enough," said Karsh as he brandished his axe, "You leave us no choice. You'll regret this, missy!"
He lunged at the girl, who swiftly dodged him, and drew her dagger. She quickly stabbed at his shoulder, only to be met with heavy armor.
"Let's give him a shakin', Solt!" Peppor charged forward toward Serge, who stepped aside and tripped him with his swallow.
"Solt…" whined Peppor from the ground, "I can't get up!"
Serge charged at Solt and sliced at the back of his leg, which had no armor covering it. Solt doubled over in pain.
"Idiots…" muttered Karsh as he swung at the girl. This time, the blade of his axe grazed her left shoulder. But Kid only winced momentarily, and then the began to glow red.
"An element!" exclaimed Solt, limping away from the girl.
"Fireball!" shouted the girl. Just then, Karsh was briefly enveloped in flames. Then they dissipated, and he fell to his knees.
"S-Sir Karsh!" Peppor called out as Solt helped him up, "I say we shake it on outta here, so that we can live to fight another day! Th-these aren't no ordinary brats we're dealing with...!"
He and Solt ran away.
"Damn cowards!" growled Karsh. He turned to face Kid. "As for you, missy...! We won't forget this!"
He strode away angrily.
"Oooh, I'm sooo scaaared!" mocked the girl, "I'll be happy to take you on, anytime! Think I'll lose to scum like you? Hah!"
She turned to look at Serge. "You alright, mate? Serge...you're name's Serge, ain't it?
Serge nodded. "What's yours?" he asked.
"Oh," said the girl, "Call me "Kid". Nice to meet ya," she grinned, "I just couldn't stand by and watch those blokes gang up on you like that. They just pissed the bloody hell outta me. I wish I could've beat 'em up some more! But why was that mob after ya?"
Serge shook his head and shrugged, "I've never seen those guys before in my life,"
"Whaddaya mean you've never met 'em before, eh! Ahhh, forget it," Kid looked at her feet, and then looked at Serge again. "Hey, Serge, how about you and me team up for a while? That Karsh fella ain't gonna just leave you alone, that's for sure! And to tell ya the truth, I'm new to these islands... It's pretty lonely travelin' around here on me own,"
She chuckled, "So, how 'bout it, Serge? Perhaps it was fate that we would meet up like this!"
Serge stared at her. The dream…if the dream was an omen…then there must have been a good reason for him to have stabbed her. She seemed friendly enough, but he was already wary, being in some unreality where he no longer existed.
"No thanks," he said, "I need to be by myself and sort some things out. It's been a really terrible day for me,"
"Hang on!" protested Kid, "Are you tellin' me, you're gonna refuse the company of a lonely, vulnerable, sweet little girl?"
"Vulnerable? I think you can take care of yourself just fine,"
"You sure there, mate?" Kid looked him in the eye, "You might live to regret it, ya know?"
Serge sighed, "No thanks," he said, "Seriously- I need to be alone for a while,"
"Sheesh!" scoffed Kid, "Well, have it your way, mate!"
She started walking away, and then paused and turned around.
"I'll be headin' up north to a town called Termina," she said, "It'll be gettin' dark pretty soon. I suggest ya go find a place to shack up for the night. Don't want ya to become Heckran bait, now!" she giggled, "Well, see ya!"
She turned and walked away.
Serge turned back toward the grave, stared, and then furiously kicked a stone off the cliff.
"WHY!" he screamed at the ocean, "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME!"
Serge went back to Arni village, remembering the boarding house that used to be his home. Reluctantly, he rented out a room, which ended up being his old room. Looking around at how hideously different the room was, it was too much for him on top of everything else that had happened that day.
He cried himself to sleep that night.