The Twin Swords

Part 2

see disclaimer in Part 1

The tiny village was hidden well in the depths of a prolific forest. Little huts were tucked between groups of trees in the clearing, with the widest spot between tall plant life being perhaps thirty feet at most. Men and women traversed this clearing, this village of Mana, in peace and happiness.

And the voice of a woman, singing an ancient tale, could be heard on the breeze.

The woman had shoulder-length wavy brown hair and was clothed in a housewife's shift and apron in aqua-green and pink. She had kindly brown eyes and an air of being a gentle person with some inner strength and substance.

The girl who was listening to her seemed to be about eight or nine. Her curly brown hair was very long, and hung loose, falling down to mid-thigh. She had sparkling violet eyes and an enraptured expression upon her youthful face. Her cotton shift, the same color as the woman's, fluttered momentarily in the breeze. A silver chain glinted briefly about her neck.

When the woman finished, the little girl burst out in applause. "That was wonderful, Mother! I felt as though I could see the Mana Tree itself!"

The woman smiled down at her daughter and waved away the praise. "Oh, you. Always exaggerating."

"Strange..." the girl said softly. "It's the first time I heard that song, but it sounds so familiar..."

The mother smiled again. "There's an even better songstress in the world than me, you know."

The little girl backed up a step. "Will I ever meet her?"

Her mother laughed. "I'm sure you will. You can count on it!"

"Goodie!" her daughter declared, bringing another laugh. As it faded away, the mother considered her child with an appraising glance. It was surely time to end things now. After all, she was going to learn the truth soon enough.

"All right. No more long faces," she said gently. "You know I'm not one for long goodbyes."

"Mother..." The little girl paused. "No crying, even if I'm going away on a long trip, okay?" She sniffled briefly. "I don't want to be embarrassed."

Her mother knelt and tilted the child's chin up. "I think you might be the one fighting back the tears. You always were strong." The question was, how strong? Strong enough to take the truth about herself?

"I would... really rather just stay here," the girl admitted. "I mean, I love the people around here. But if I go out into the world, I don't think I'll like everyone. I guess I'm just a little uneasy."

She's such a dear, the woman thought as she smiled. "Sweetie, there will always be people you don't like."

"But... I don't want to dislike anyone."

"Liking and disliking have something in common," the mother explained. "Your heart speaks to you, and you try to understand each other. As long as you feel, that's what matters."

"As long as I feel, huh...?" The child was silent for a moment, contemplating her mother's words. "Mother, did you take a long trip when you were my age, too?"

"Yes. I set out to see the world, accompanied by a Mana Clan swordsman." The mother ruffled the girl's hair. "Don't analyze so much! Hurry and say your goodbyes to everyone."

"Alright," the girl replied, forcing cheer into her voice. She walked off towards the north end of the village, looking a little weak-kneed.

"Hey, Kari!" a young boy called, jogging up to meet her. "So you're travelin' with Bogard, the Gemma Knight? I heard all about him. He was really somethin'! Is he in the village yet?"

The girl, Kari, shook her head. "I don't think so."

The boy grinned at her, flashing his hazel eyes as well. "Wonder what he's like. I can't wait ta see im!" He tossed his dirty-blonde hair impudently. "But I'll bust out laughin' if he's just some lame old geezer!"

Kari hid a giggle. "Oh, Willy."

Willy awkwardly patted his friend on the shoulder. "Take care'a yaself, girl."

"Mm-hmm." Kari trotted off north again, headed for the home of the clan chieftain, who greeted her with a nod.

"So you're off tomorrow, eh?" he asked kindly.

Kari nodded in response. "Thanks for everything, Kaseem."

Old Kaseem looked down at the little girl affectionately. "Bogard, the swordsman who will be accompanying you, is scheduled to arrive sometime today."

"Does Sir Bogard travel all the time?" Kari asked, raising one gently closed hand to her chest.

"That's right." Kaseem couldn't help but smile. "He's got important business all over the world."

"It sure is great to have such an experienced travel companion!" She laughed.

Kaseem nodded and seemed to think about something. Smiling wryly, he said, "Well, he's a peculiar man, so you won't be bored."

Willy came running, out of breath and looking as though he'd seen a will-o-the-wisp in the trees. "Kaseem! We got trouble! Some guy's comin' this way, and he looks dangerous!"

"What?" Kaseem gasped. Footsteps were heard on the soft grasses of the Mana Village, and Willy ran around to Kari, standing before her.

Two men, each with a set, grim expression, were walking up to the old chief. One, who seemed to be the leader, was dressed all in black and red, and a large sword was sheathed at his right hip, ready to draw. He had long, teal-gray hair, and his upper face was obscured by a strange golden mask that he wore. Despite the military, threatening feel coming off him in waves, he didn't seem to be much more than a teenager.

The other man stood slightly behind and to the right of the first. He was dressed in heavy mage's robes in pale and dark violet and blue. He had long, ragged auburn hair and dark green eyes, and a guarded feel about him. He carried no weapon, but that didn't mean that he wasn't dangerous.

Kaseem smiled. "Soldiers...? In our little village...? What can I do for you?"

The masked man looked around. "So this is the heretics' village."

Kaseem's friendly countenance disappeared. Many of the villagers nearby were edging away. "Heretics?"

"Battles rage everywhere, but you seem to have a peaceful town here," the masked man continued. "Even though people are suffering elsewhere, YOU seem to be enjoying yourselves." Although he didn't raise his voice (much), there was a deep anger in his words. Using her natural ability to peer into the souls of humans, Kari tried to find out something, anything about this bitter man. The whirl of emotions in his heart made her dizzy and threw her from her attempt, but not before she'd caught a glimpse of overwhelming pain and hatred.

"Not that business again!" Kaseem said exasperatedly. "I'm sick of hearing it. You've been the cause of your own hardships. First of all, peace--"

"Preaching at me?" Kari had the feeling that he'd narrowed his eyes, although she couldn't tell due to that mask. "How dare you preach at Dark Lord! You, who monopolize peace and wealth, using Mana power for evil... Don't push your luck, heretic!" Now he did raise his voice. "Get them! Arrest the heretics! Don't let a single one scurry away!"

The mage took a few steps forward. "Now, now. Come along quietly." He began to gather power for a spell.

Kari gave a little shriek and stepped back. Willy gritted his teeth and edged a bit more in the way of the spell as the girl's mother came running.

"Elise!" Kaseem called. "Take her and escape!"

Elise's hand closed around Kari's. "Y-yes...!" The two of them ran, leaving Willy and Kaseem with those two strangers.

Out of nowhere, Elise tripped and fell.

"Mother!" Kari knelt at the woman's side.

"Run on ahead!" she cried.

Kari shook her head. "No! I can't leave you behind!"

The mage appeared, walking up behind Elise. "I told you there'd be no escape!"

Kari didn't even try to pry into this one's mind. The cold feel rising off his body gave her the impression that if she even tried, she'd be thrown away by a strong guard. He had something to hide, and he wasn't going to reveal it to a little spit of a girl like her.

"Why are you attacking the Mana Clan!" she cried instead.

"You're getting your just desserts," he replied calmly. "You can't hoard Mana power alone forever."

Kari shook her head, confused. "Hoard...? Mana power flows in abundance everywhere. Your own country is full of Mana!"

"Don't waste your rebuttals on me," the mage said easily. "Dark Lord has already passed judgement. Eliminating your village is the will of all of Granz Realm."

"How could you..." Kari began, bowing her head so he wouldn't see her tears.

"Don't listen to him!" Elise whispered fiercely. "You escape while I hold him off!" She swept one hand in the air and a blast of energy encircled the mage, causing him to cry out in pain and fall to one knee.

"You'll regret this...!" he hissed angrily.

"Run! Run away!" Elise cried.

"But...!" Kari pleaded.

"Get going! And... go find your real mother!"

Something in Kari's world shattered.

"What?"

A black-haired, black-bearded tall man came running in. "Fire in the village! Is it Realm soldiers? No, it must be... Dark Lord! Elise! What's going on!"

Elise ignored him. "I didn't want to tell you like this, but... this might be my only chance, so listen! I am not your mother! You have another--she's your real mother! Quickly now! Bogard! Please take care of her!"

"Count on it, Elise," the man (who must've been the same Sir Bogard who Kaseem had spoken of) said quietly. "Don't worry about her. She's in good hands!"

"MOTHER!" Kari cried.

Elise snapped her fingers, and a burst of light encased Kari and Bogard, sending them away from that wretched place.

---

They reappeared outside a large mansion. Before Kari could reorient herself, a gray-haired man was running toward them.

"Sir Bogard! What seems to be the matter?" he asked urgently.

"Hermann!" Bogard cried. "You must protect this girl!"

---

Kari sat up, gasping, just as a blond woman in a lavender dress stepped into the bedroom where she lay curled in the covers.

"Are you awake, sweetheart?" she asked. She had a pleasantly dark voice and a look of kindness about her.

"My mother...!" Kari cried.

"Bogard told me..." said the strange woman softly. "He said your village was under attack..."

"I have to get home!" Kari wept. "I-I have to save Mother!"

The woman came over to her and smoothed her hair. "Kari... I can't imagine how you feel... but your village is... It's not there anymore..."

Kari shook her head, unable to believe. "You're lying! You're just playing some cruel joke! It can't be true. It just can't be! I'm going home... Mother must be worried!"

"Oh, but..." The woman cast a hand over her eyes. "I'd bring back your beloved village if I only could... But I can't... All I can do is weep with you..."

"... ...So it's true...?" Kari's eyes filled with tears. "The village... nothing's left!"

"I don't know what really happened... but I do know that Bogard wouldn't lie. If it was indeed Dark Lord who attacked the Mana Clan as he said, then I suppose..."

Kari paused, remembering that young man with the heart full of rage. Had his pain... truly been so great that he had wanted to kill people because of it? It was all so hard to understand. "Where is Sir Bogard? Here at this estate?"

The woman nodded. "He's talking to my husband, Consul Hermann. Oh, it's such a bad dream. A terrible nightmare... But remember that you are not alone in this. We shall discuss this with Lord Granz tomorrow."

Kari didn't respond. There was too much to think about, and too much to absorb. That her mother was dead... and wasn't even her mother? Then who was she? It was too confusing.

The consul's wife bade her lie down. "Let's go to bed now and get ready for tomorrow." She tucked the little girl in sadly.

"Oh, Mother..." Kari whispered.

---

At that time, a scruffy, blonde youth of about nine years came tearing through the streets of the same town, almost running into a nearby citizen.

"Slow down, Reikku you scamp," he laughed.

"Sorry, Miyazu-san," the boy replied.

"Better get home," the man advised. "The consul might be angry if you dawdle."

Reikku flashed a bright, innocent grin. "Naw, Dad won't be mad. Today's my singing lesson with Lord Granz!"

"Wow... I'd heard that Lord Granz quit singing when he gave away his favorite lyre."

Reikku shook his head. "Nuh-uh! Lord Granz hasn't quit singing!" With that, he continued his mad dash towards Consul Hermann--his father--'s home. However, when he got there, a stranger was already headed to the doors.

A stranger all dressed in black, wearing a mask...

"Break it down!" he barked, crossing his arms. Reikku instantly hid behind a nearby bush.

One of the soldiers who'd flanked him stepped forward. "But Dark Lord... this is Granz Realm Consul Hermann's estate!"

"So what?" the man named Dark Lord challenged. His voice was cold and cutting. "Because he's consul, we should allow him to harbor heretics?"

Heretics in my house? Reikku thought to himself, awash in wonder. Did something happen to Mom and Dad?

"Most certainly not!" The soldier said hastily. "But Sir Hermann is a friend of Lord Granz! To suddenly barge in with soldiers seems unthinkable!"

"Anything else to say?"

The soldier gaped. "Sir... are you telling me to step aside?"

Another soldier spoke up. "At the very least, let us get Lord Granz's permission. It's thanks to him we enjoy peace now!"

Dark Lord stared them down coldly. "Leave if you object. I have my ways. And that's that."

"Oh, no...!" Reikku whispered, his blood suddenly flooding with adrenaline. "I've gotta tell Dad right away!" With that, he took off around the mansion to the back window, where he flicked the latch and climbed in, not even bothering to shut it behind him.

When he entered the house's front room, another stranger was sitting with his father. Hermann scowled at his son, realizing what must have happened.

"Hey! I told you not to come in that way! We have guests." He gestured to the black-bearded stranger with the eyes like night.

"Dad! Big trouble!" Reikku gasped. "We're surrounded by soldiers!"

"What?" Hermann gaped. He hadn't been expecting news like that.

The door suddenly burst open, and that Dark Lord man came striding in with his face set angrily.

"Prince Stroud!" Poor Hermann looked at the young man in bewilderment. "What is all this about?"

"You will refer to me as Dark Lord." Something in the glare from behind the brass plate made Hermann flinch and back up a step. "As a servant of the Realm, surely you know the consequences of harboring heretics!"

"Hermann, it's just as I told you!" the bearded man burst out. "This masked man is the one who burned down Mana Village! This man is insane!"

Hermann looked between the guest and Dark Lord helplessly. Reikku could only look on. "Now, Prince Stroud--I mean, Dark Lord--surely there must be... This can't be true..."

"Heretics..." The hiss of hate in Dark Lord's voice was unmistakable. "I vividly remember how Vandole used them to pull the wool over the eyes of the entire nation. I won't allow you to protect them!"

"Of course not!" Hermann held up his hands as though to ward off a blow. "I'm not one to protect subversives! If things are as you say--"

"That Granz..." the bearded visitor said with a snort, coming forward. "He's not a real man. How does one raise such a foolish son?"

Dark Lord gave a short laugh in response. The sound was sinister, and made Reikku's toes curl as he cowered behind the long table in the room's center. "That's enough of that. If you've got something to say, let your sword do the talking!" With a sharp sound of metal on metal, he'd unsheathed his sword and stood battle-ready, his right hand held before him in a beckoning gesture.

Hermann came forward, hands outstretched. "There must be some mistake, Dark Lord! Put your sword away, please!"

But this strange masked man was absolutely beyond reasoning. "Out of my way!" he snarled, and lunged forward. Hermann stepped backwards just as the bearded man leaped up with a broadsword of his own to counter the attack.

"The idea that the Mana Clan are heretics is simply laughable!" he exclaimed. "I don't know what excuses you'll make. But your sins are severe! I'll make you pay!"

"Pay!" Dark Lord cried. "You're the one who'll pay, Bogard!"

Bogard stepped back. "What?"

"Knowing all you do, you still want to play hero!" Dark Lord was yelling now, and Reikku could see his unusually sharp canine teeth. "I'll show you! I'll show you the truth!"

The soldiers trotted into the room at last. "Traitor!" one cried.

"Protect Dark Lord!" shouted another.

Sheathing his sword, Dark Lord stepped aside and let the soldiers surround Bogard.

"Run, Hermann!" the bearded swordsman cried.

Reikku and his father fled down the corridor, just as Reikku's mother walked out of her room.

"Hermann! What's happening?" she cried.

"I don't know!" he replied, spreading his hands wide. "Prince Stroud mentioned something about the Mana Clan being heretics...! I have no idea!"

Dark Lord and the soldiers advanced. "The heretic child is here. Go get her," he ordered tersely.

"Go out the back!" Hermann hissed to his wife. "Take Reikku and the girl... don't let anyone see you!"

She nodded, frightened. "Y-yes...!"

She and Reikku headed down the path to the guest room.

"I have no choice..." Hermann said defeatedly. "I'll take you to her." He walked down the opposite hall. Dark Lord followed him.

The two of them came to a large room.

"This is it," Hermann stated, opening the door. Both men walked in, and Hermann headed to where a thin sword was hung on the wall.

"Where have you hidden the girl?" Dark Lord demanded, hand on his sword hilt.

Grabbing the sword and lunging, Hermann replied. "She'll be safe by now! Prince Stroud or not, you've gone mad, and I'll stop you!"

With lightning reflexes, Dark Lord sprang backwards. Hermann's sword drew a bloody line across his left cheek even so--if he hadn't been so quick to react, Dark Lord would've been beheaded.

"Fool," he said softly as he unsheathed his sword, stabbing straight through Hermann's heart. The consul died instantly.

Wrenching his bloody blade free, Dark Lord came storming back down the hall. "It was a trap!" he howled. "I don't care how, just get that girl!"

---

"Mother... no, don't leave me...!" Kari cried in her sleep.

Reikku's mother made her way to the center of the room. "Wake up! You must flee NOW!"

Kari sat up, confused. "What...? What's wrong? Where's Sir Bogard...?" She got out of bed and walked up to the kindly woman.

"No time to explain!" the consul's wife said hastily. She turned to her son. "Take her with you! Hurry! Go!"

Reikku and Kari stared at each other. "Who's she...?" he asked slowly. "Mom, what's going on?"

His mother put her hand to his lips. "Keep quiet! Just get going! I'll deal with them!"

There was a knock on the door, and a soldier shouted, "Open up!"

"One moment, please!" Reikku's mother called. "I'm dressing for bed!" The knocking continued, and she turned to the children. "Go! Quickly!"

"But, Ma'am..." Kari protested.

"No, I won't!" Reikku butted in. "You come too!"

"You're a big boy now," she said, her eyes wild in desperation. "Take care of her!"

Reikku nodded, frightened. "I'll try!"

He and Kari made for the door in the back of the room and ran.

"Don't worry about your father and me," she called to them. "Prince Stroud is such a nice man. I'll tell you all about it later."

The door opened; soldiers entered.

"Prince Stroud...?" the mother said falteringly. He was nowhere in sight.

---

Down the corridor, Reikku tripped and fell. Kari ran on a few steps, then paused and looked back. At his urgings, she continued on.

As she left, the soldiers came.

---

Kari sat up with a shriek. Breathing hard, she shook her head to clear it of the all-too-vivid images.

"Looks like you were having a nightmare," Bogard commented from the breakfast table.

"That dream again..." Kari said softly, swinging herself out of bed.

Bogard put a hand on her shoulder. "No matter what you do, that memory comes back to haunt you, doesn't it?"

Kari nodded. She paused, then let her feelings vent. "It's all because I abandoned him... I left him and that family behind to die...!"

"Don't be ridiculous," Bogard said hastily.

Kari shook her head. "But..."

"Some things you can do by yourself, and others you can't. If you don't understand that, you're no different from Dark Lord," Bogard lectured, crossing his arms.

Kari blinked. "Me? Like Dark Lord!"

Bogard nodded to her. "That's right. You need to judge yourself rationally."

"I want to know what happened to him..." Kari said softly, staring off into the distance.

"If you think you can handle the truth, you should find out for yourself," Bogard instructed. "What was that kid's name?"

"It was Reikku..." Kari said after a moment's thought.

"Reikku!" Bogard stared at her.

"...?" She blinked at him. "You mean you knew Reikku!"

He shrugged uncomfortably. "Well... not really. He was the son of my good friend Hermann."

"Really?" Kari was genuinely interested. "He was the kid from the estate!"

"Yes, that's right." Bogard nodded. "His parents were..."

"Were they killed...?" Kari asked hesitantly.

"I can't say for sure..." Even so, Bogard looked like he was avoiding the question. Kari folded her arms under her breasts, annoyed. "I didn't see how it all ended."

"Oh..." she said, looking quite unconvinced.

"Cheer up, Kari," Bogard said with a plastic smile. "They're probably doing just fine."

Kari gave him a cool stare, letting him know just how unlikely she knew that was.

"Alright, then!" Bogard clapped his hands onto her shoulders. "It's time to get moving."

She looked up at him. "But to where?"

"You're sick of being haunted by the past here too, aren't you?" He reached for his broadsword and buckled it on. "Kari, you need to find the survivors of the Mana Clan. They've got to be hiding out somewhere. Keep your chin up, eh?"

She nodded, determination in her face. "All right, Sir Bogard! I won't give up hope! But what about you?"

"Now that you mention it, I've got plenty to do." He nodded to her affectionately. "Alrighty! Time to get out of here. You've got folks to visit in Topple."

"Okay." Kari smiled. "Sounds good." They both walked out of the cottage, prepared and ready to strike out on their journey.

---

In the mountains, far above that unassuming little cottage, a man who'd been soundly asleep gasped and sat bolt upright, drenched in sweat.

Still breathing hard, he looked around and assured himself of where he was--in bed, in his room, as always. Even so, he closed his eyes and passed a hand over them, as though to wipe the dreams of the past from his mind.

No one was there for him, to soothe away his nightmares.

Ever since it'd happened, no one had been. And for the past ten years, with all the scandal and persecutions, they'd only gotten worse. And no one had been then, either.

On the extremely rare occurance that he shared his bed with someone, that someone was usually carried back to their own room (by him--his affairs, love and otherwise, were very private) once the "fun" was over--therefore, they weren't there when the dreams started. And inevitably, they would start. No amount of food eaten or lore examined or exhaustion or sex could keep them away, and he'd long since ceased trying.

All the same, the dreams were there. And so every night, he had a bloody reminder of why he'd cried vengeance and raised his sword against his own people and killed the defenseless and even replaced his own name with the now-dreaded title of "Dark Lord".

Gods, he thought of all the hell of it often enough anyway.

Shaking those images away (after a great deal of effort), he reached for the mask on the bedside table. It was time to face the rest of the day.

(TBC)