Girl in Gaea: The Untold Story
By Brenli and AmetrineButterfly
Chapter 5
"Well… I should get going…" Dallet said quietly, coming to a stand.
"Wait…" Kitsune pouted, and Dallet laughed. "What would you be doing today, anyway?"
"Sleep, I guess…"
"Could you answer a question I have before you go?"
"… Well, sure." Dallet nodded, and sat back down on the ground.
"Okay, well, I'm a Light Star, Okami's a Dark Star… It's sort of been explained to us… but I'm still confused…"
A corner of Dallet's mouth lifted into a smirk. It was different than his warm smile. It was more teasing than comforting, but Kitsune thought it suited him, anyway. "Okay, well, first off… you are THE Light Star. Okami is THE Dark Star. As far as any of us know, there aren't any other Light and/or Dark Stars running around, so you two are a unique pair."
"Okay. But being the Light Star or the Dark Star means what, exactly…? I mean, what ARE we, then?"
"Essentially, the Spirit Stars, or you and Okami, were once called the Guardians... they are EXTREMELY powerful beings… some people consider them deities, even… that would descend from the Heavens whenever Gaea fell into a time of need. By need, I mean something having to do with war, usually. The Spirit Stars have fought in every war Gaea has had… Sometimes, they have even fought against each other, on opposing sides. But every action that the Spirit Stars have done in the name of Gaea is believed to be done for the overall good of Gaea… for the most part."
"So Okami and I are kind of like peacekeepers, in an offhand way?"
"… For the most part."
"… Why only 'for the most part'?"
Dallet was silent for a short moment, trying to choose the right words to say. "There was an event, around 500 years ago… that puts a bit of a stain in the Spirit Stars' reputation as beings interested in peace. Well, it puts a stain on the Dark Star's reputation…" The look on Kitsune's face told him he would need to continue. "… About 500 years ago, the Great War took place. It was what cut Gaea up into the countries we are today… But, anyway… The Dark Star sided against the Light Star. Her power corrupted her, and the Spirit she summoned possessed her… Yes, you have a Spirit that you can summon, but your powers haven't awakened yet… not fully, anyway, considering you're now able to have visions and all…"
"You are branching away from the subject, Dallet." Kitsune said plainly.
"… I know I am…" Dallet said shamefully. "… When the Dark Star was possessed, she killed the Light Star, and soon began to kill everything else on Gaea, but she stopped. No one knows why, but she stopped, and she said that the one to take her place... This was when the names Dark Star and Light Star came around, because the possessed Guardian called her successor the Dark Star…"
"Okay, Dallet, I get it. What did she say…?"
"She said… that the Dark Star would come and… continue the killing in her place." Dallet paused. "So if you were wondering why I was standoffish about Okami's comment about destroying the world… If you were wondering why everyone here has a general fear of Okami… That's why. She might pick up where her predecessor left off." He gathered the courage to look Kitsune in the eye, but the wide-eyed gaze was too much, so he stood, turning to leave.
"You don't honestly believe that Okami would become corrupt, do you?"
"… Kitsune, I don't know what I believe."
"I don't think she would. She's a beautiful person, Dallet. She's got a kind heart. It's just that she's always alienated…! On the Mystic Moon, now here, too! She's hurt, if anything, not going corrupt!"
"… Pain, if dealt with the wrong way, or worse, bottled up, leads to corruption."
"Dallet –"
"Kitsune, I'm a soldier… I've fought against and even worked under corrupt people. I've seen people go corrupt. I know the signs." He looked down at Kitsune with sad eyes. "I want to believe… For your sake and for Gaea's… I want to believe that Okami is on our side. I don't doubt what you say about her. But… there's still that chance. That's all I'm saying." He sighed and ran a hand through his long, brown hair. "I'm sorry…"
"… No. I needed to know these things."
"… Hai. You did." Dallet bowed way too deeply, grinning stupidly. "I'll see you later, Kitsune, the girl who always blushes and bows."
Kitsune stuck her tongue out at him. "Bye, Dalley the Delivery Man."
Dallet laughed and left her.
'Kitsune, the girl who always blushes and bows…' A distinctily familiar male voice could be heard, and Kitsune turned to the sound.
She saw, of all people, Toshiyo on the small balcony she had, looking up at the Mystic Moon. 'Such a cute way to describe you… But you have never blushed and bowed for me…'
"Toshiyo…?"
Toshiyo turned. He was smiling, for once, and it was warm, light smile, just like Dallet's.
Kitsune blinked. Toshiyo was gone, but she could still feel the words resonate in her body: 'Kitsune, the girl who always blushes and bows…'
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Training, ugh. Dilandau frowned. Another boring training session, it wouldn't have been so bad if his attention span wasn't so short today. No matter how hard he tried to concentrate on his practicing soldiers, he would keep picturing Okami, laughing and petting a horse, or looming over him, scrubbing away the blood. Maybe he lied when he told her she looked boring, because sometimes in the oddest of his little moments, Dilandau thought she looked damn cute.
'Wow, Dilandau… maybe you really are human?'
Shut up! Dilandau barked at the stupid little voice in his head. Letting out an annoyed growl, Dilandau sheathed his sword and walked calmly away from Gatti, whom he had been sparring. Gatti stared at the retreating back of his commander, confusion written across his face.
"Dilandau-sama!"
"What is it, Shesta?" Dilandau muttered dangerously.
"Lord Folken wishes to see you." Shesta bowed.
A muscle in Dilandau's jaw twitched. "I see." Without a thank you, the red commander left the training room, heading for Folken's throne room. He wondered just what Folken could possibly want. Perhaps more blood and pain for Dilandau's foolish mistake? Oh well. Dilandau knew he could take it.
Folken was standing with his back to Dilandau when he entered the throne room. Folken didn't even flinch as Dilandau took a kneel before him. "You wanted to see me, Lord Folken?"
The black-armored man turned. "Yes, but arise, my brother. There is no need to kneel now." Folken opened his arms, as if to embrace Dilandau.
Frowning, Dilandau stood.
"Come stand beside me, brother. Come look at the world that we have created together."
Frowning still, he did as he was told, standing beside Folken and gazing out the window at the city surrounding their fortress.
"It will be beautiful. A world without war, without suffering. You want that, don't you?" Folken cast a malicious glance at Dilandau, witnessing the ill effects his words had. "You grow weary of fighting, Dilandau… I feel that way too. I want this world to live in peace. You want the same don't you? You want to be able to finish your duty and return to your homeland… return to your family?"
If Dilandau hadn't longed for Folken's words to be true, perhaps he could have been able to tell he was lying. He DID want to go home. He wanted to see his sisters again, his mother… His forced servitude to Folken as repayment for saving his life, was all that kept him from returning home.
"There is nothing I desire more than to give that to you, brother." An invisible, evil smirk formed on Folken's face, yet his voice remained sincere. "But there is a malevolent force here… a force that could keep that dream from coming true."
Sirens were going off in Dilandau's head. This wasn't going to turn out good; he knew it.
Folken heaved a dramatic sigh. "It's the Dark Star. I fear that she will walk the path of her antecedent. Her heart is dark… distorted by her hatred."
The albino commander felt as if his chest had gone numb. He knew what his new orders were, and it made him sick.
"I want you to kill the Dark Star. Kill her, and the future of Gaea will be secure." Folken turned to Dilandau. "But I must warn you. The moment the Dark Star draws a sword for the first time, she will become a formidable opponent."
"And why's that?" Dilandau's voice was bored, but his mouth and throat were dry.
"The Spirit Stars' power emerges in battle. And so will the Dark Stars'."
"In battle? Why can't I just smother her in her sleep?" He tried his best to sound malicious, but his tone seemed to crack.
Folken didn't notice. "Killing the Dark Star is a delicate business. Because even though Gaea fears her, she is still a sort of beacon for hope. We must do this carefully."
"What do you propose?" Dilandau mumbled flatly.
"During your training… accidents happen." Folken said slowly, letting the weight of his words sink in.
Dilandau felt as though the ground beneath his feet was steadily falling away. "… I understand, sir…"
X X X X X X X X
"Just a minute…!" Kitsune cried, trying to get herself untangled from the sheets of her bed.
The knocking came again, accompanied this time, with a voice. "Kitsune! Come on out and do your blush-and-bow!"
Kitsune rolled away from her sheets. "I am going to kill you, delivery boy." She muttered as she pulled open her door.
Dallet smiled down at her casually. "Well you can go ahead and try to do so very soon. Your training starts today."
Kitsune blinked rapidly as Dallet moved to Okami's door and knocked on it as well. "… Training? Training for what?"
Okami's door opened as Dallet answered her. "… Training for battle…? It was going to start at some point, Kitsune…"
"Battle… right." Okami said through a yawn. "What's going on?"
"Dilandau-sama has requested that you meet in the training room with us today. You two have a very big day ahead of yourselves."
Kitsune was suddenly hesitant, clearly unwilling to accept that she would be learning to fight, today. "Dallet…"
"I've already made you my sparring partner, Kitsune. So no worries, we'll take it at a pace you're comfy with. All the other guys are too used to just going in for the kill. Not many of us practice control… Which is bad, but what can you do?" Dallet spoke as he moved down the hall.
"You're afraid they might cut my head off?"
"Sometimes I wonder if the opposite will happen because you'll be too frightened to hold back."
"Dallet… I've never even touched a sword before…"
"It's to my understanding, Kitsune, Okami, that your powers are going to come out completely once you draw your sword. Once that happens, you're going to have a lot more skill with a sword than you think you do." Dallet took a sharp turn and went down a flight of stairs. "So today is going to be a VERY interesting day. Everyone's anticipating it."
"That's pretty cool." Okami piped up. "So who am I sparring?"
"…Dilandau-sama requested that he be the first to fight you."
For some reason, Okami felt her stomach drop. Something about that didn't seem right. Why would Dilandau want to fight her, but not Kitsune? She tried to blame it on the odd bond that seemed to have formed between the two of them, but that didn't make her bad feeling go away.
Dallet smiled sheepishly. "…Actually, I should probably let you know that you will be having a large audience, Okami. Everyone here… is especially interested in watching your powers awaken. More than likely, no one else will be fighting while you do." He turned his brown eyes to Kitsune. "… Okay?" He asked her, hoping that would alleviate some of Kitsune's anxiety.
"… Hai." Kitsune said quietly.
"… Here we are." And Dallet opened the doors to the training room.
Okami felt like she was walking in with a spotlight on her, considering the way all eyes seemed to glue to her. Scowling, Okami made her way through the swollen crowd to the center of the room, there she saw Dilandau, standing with his sword unsheathed, staring directly at her. Again, Okami knew there was something amiss when Dilandau couldn't look at her. The second they made eye contact, he immediately looked away. Again, she tried her best to just dismiss it as nothing.
"Okami?" Dallet appeared next to her, offering a sword still safe in it's sheath.
"Arigato…" She took the sword and an odd tingling sensation sprung in her fingertips. She clutched the scabbard, and turned to Dilandau. He gave her a quick nod, urging her to draw her sword. But something held Okami back, something told her that the second she drew this sword, everything would change. But for better or worse? That's what frightened her.
Kitsune could sense all the tension about her as Okami hesitated to draw. She didn't entirely blame Okami for her uncertainty. She knew that if she were in her place, she would've taken forever to draw… if she ever ended up drawing at all. But she found Dilandau's air to be odd, as well. Her thoughts swirled back to Dilandau's arrogant, confident persona on the battlefield… now, he was nothing like it. He seemed reserved. Maybe he was scared as well? Kitsune couldn't tell. She almost wanted to have a vision right now, but nothing was coming to her.
Okami didn't want to draw, everything inside of her was screaming to do anything but draw. Everyone in the room waited with baited breath as the seconds stretched on painfully. Closing her eyes, Okami dropped herself to one knee. Everyone's breath caught in their throat, but instead of drawing, she pulled out a black rubber band, and tied her hair back in a high ponytail. Everyone's breath was still ragged as Okami kept her kneel, eyes closed as if she was taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
The tension was driving Dilandau crazier then he already was. The more time that went by, the more he began to have second thoughts about taking this assignment. Okami wasn't evil, Dilandau knew that now. But he had to follow his orders…
'Damn it, Okami!' Okami screamed inside her head. 'Just draw the sword!' She took a deep breath, and clutched the sword's hilt in her trembling hand. The tingling spread through her palm, then up to her elbow. With another deep breath, she ripped the sword out of it's sheath, the metal singing it's high-pitched song. Her eyes widened with the painful sensation of a hand roughly grabbing her insides. Her vision clouded with memories of blood-soak battlefields, dark flames, and the stench of death. The feelings of hatred, pain and heartache that surged through her were paralyzing. With an agonizing gasp, she fell forward from her kneel, catching herself before he hit the floor. She didn't drop the sword, she kept it clamped tight in her fingers.
"Okami-chan!" Kitsune cried out in fear, rushing forward. "… Dallet! Let me go!"
"Shhh…Let the powers wake up…" Dallet said forcefully.
"She is in pain!"
"It is a necessary step. Let it happen." His grip around Kitsune's shoulders tightened to keep her in place.
Along with Kitsune, Dilandau felt the urge to comfort Okami in some way. However the gaping stares of everyone in the room, all fixed on her, made him dismiss the thought.
The pain in Okami's chest faded to a dull throb, and her vision started to clear. The tingling subsided, and to Okami, it felt as though her body was completely new. As if she had finally received a passport to an undiscovered part of herself. She corrected her kneel, and felt her breath return to normal quickly. She was still frightened, everything seemed to happen so quickly. Within seconds, she felt as though she had learned an entire lifetime of sword fighting, among other things, and she was ready.
In a single fluid motion, she stood, eyes closed, breathing in like she had never took a deep breath before. It flooded her senses, heightening their sensitivity. Her eyes slid open, boring straight into Dilandau's red orbs.
When their eyes met, Dilandau felt his stomach clench. 'It's not too late to stop this.' The voice in his head cut through his feelings.
Shut up! Dilandau yelled back. He clutched his sword, staring into Okami's eyes for what could be the last time.
Okami gazed at Dilandau's eyes. Eyes that she always knew were hiding something, and yet, she could see into them better than ever now. He was sad. But why? And that's when she heard it, his voice in her head. 'Forgive me… Okami…' Her eyes widened. "Nani?" She whispered.
Kitsune stared unblinking at the two of them, feeling like the only one that could sense the complete, utter injustice of the situation. "… Stop the fight."
"Kitsune…" Dallet hissed in frustration. "I know you're not used to this, but-"
"It's not about what I'm used to…! Am I the only one who can see…?" She didn't need an answer. She knew she was alone here, watching something terrible unfold.
Dilandau charged forward with a fury, a blind raving charge in attempt to quell the raging in his heart.
Instinctively, Okami knew exactly how to block, how to counter, how to dodge, and she did so perfectly. But something was still very wrong, because with every blocked blow, and every attempted strike, Okami could feel Dilandau's strength, power, and resolve building. Soon, Okami understood just what that resolve was for. She was fighting for her life. She couldn't believe it, she trusted Dilandau, and this is how he repaid her! An uncontrollable fury built up inside, growing stronger until it exploded. It registered moments later, that that explosion had come from her hands. Dark energy steamed from her palms. Dilandau had blocked it using his own power, and stood in a blank shock.
Kitsune blinked rapidly as she watched the dark power flow from Okami's palms.
"See, Kitsune…?" Dallet said reassuringly. "It's fine. Okami's got it covered. Dilandau is testing her."
"Dallet, you are blind..." Kitsune bit her lip. "OKAAAMI! Stop fighting!"
"Kitsune!" Dallet scolded her.
Kitsune's cry fell to deaf ears. Okami was now so consumed by her angry mind-set of betrayal; all she think of, all she could feel was her hatred for Dilandau, for Folken. Another wave shot from her angry hands, and another battle ensued. Swords clashed, and soon, Dilandau was the one fighting for his life, or so it seemed. Dilandau failed to block a surge of black energy, it connected harshly with his chest, knocking him off of his feet, and into a wall. Stunned, Dilandau slid to the floor, trying to blink the stars out of his eyes before Okami went in for the kill. But she didn't. She stood, slumped over and panting, blinking tears from her eyes a distance away.
Okami's hand was shaking, she stared wide-eyed at her sword. Disgusted with herself, she threw down the sword with a clang. Tears stung her eyes and a few streams trickled down her face. "…Why?" She asked Dilandau, ignoring the distraught look on his face. "I thought we were friends!" She shrieked. "You BASTARD!"
The crowd scattered when Okami stormed out of the room. "OKAAAAMI!" Kitsune cried, struggling again. "God dammit, Dallet, let me GO!" She pried herself from his grasp and rushed after Okami.
"So much for sparring with Kitsune today, Dallet!" Ryuon commented.
"He wouldn't have, anyway…" Dilandau faintly muttered.
Dallet stared with confused eyes at his commander.
"You wouldn't have, anyway… Trust me." Dilandau's voice echoed bits of sadness. "… What the Hell are you lookin' at me like that for? Get out of here, Dallet!" He suddenly yelled. He watched Dallet obey promptly. "What are you ALL looking at me like that for? Leave!"
X X X X X X X X XX
Okami ran down the hallway, ripping the rubber band out of her hair and letting her hair mix with her tears. "God dammit!" she cursed, flinging herself into her room and slamming the door. She pressed her back against her door, pounding her skull into it's hard wood and gritting her teeth to try to stop her tears. Taking in deep breaths, she did her best to let her rational mind take over. Folken was behind this, she knew it. Folken wanted the world to end, and he knew that the Dark Star is the only one who had figured him out. So what does he do? Use his lackey to take her out. "I can't stay here…" Okami hurled herself into her closet, wrenching open the doors and throwing the bits of clothing they had awarded her onto her bed.
Kitsune knocked wildly on the door. "Okaaami?" Okami-chan? Can I come in?"
"Yeah, sure, come in!" Okami said absently as she frantically pulled a black bag out, and piled clothes into it.
Kitsune rushed inside and shut the door. "Okami, are you okay?" She ignored the pounding that came on the door.
"How much do you wanna bet that's Dallet?" Okami ignored Kitsune's question. "Open the door for him."
Kitsune did so quickly, letting Dallet enter. "Okami, what happened out there?" Kitsune asked. "Okami-chan?"
"I have to leave. I can't stay here anymore." Okami's voice cracked from her hysterics. "This place is evil!"
"Evil?" The word reflected off the voices of both Kitsune and Dallet.
"How is this place evil? We've welcomed you like this is your home…!" Dallet reasoned. "What have we done that's wrong?"
Okami paused, glaring at her bedsheets. "Folken… he's a liar. He's not trying to save this world. You're all just too BLIND to see that!" She threw her tiny bag over her shoulder.
"Wait a minute, what?" Dallet's brow furrowed in deep confusion. "Okami, wait!" He stepped before her, holding out patient hands. "You're just distraught right now. Sit down and breathe a little bit, then we can talk rationally…"
"Back OFF!" Okami screamed, overwhelmed by her emotions, her dark aura smashed into Dallet, lifting him off of his feet and sending him crashing to the floor.
Kitsune's breath felt like it was choked out of her as she watched this perfectly healthy, perfectly strong man sprawled on the ground. "DALLET!"
"… I'm… okay…" Dallet croaked, coming to a slow sitting position.
So Kitsune turned wide, bewildered eyes at Okami. "What are you DOING? Okami-chan, stop it!" She screamed angrily. "Just calm down, Okami-chan! You're not FIXING anything by shooting energy waves at Dallet!"
"Kitsune, you are a FOOL!" Okami shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Dallet. "Why can't you understand! The Black Dragon Clan are the evil ones! Your PRECIOUS Dallet is one of THEM! Wake up! We HAVE to get out of here! It's only a matter of time before they try to kill you too!"
Kitsune stared at Okami with unbelieving eyes. How could Dallet, with his warm smile, be an evil person? He's tried so hard to make her feel at home. To him, she wasn't a magical entity, but a girl, just like how she wanted to be. How could someone with so kind a heart be evil? Kitsune shook her head wildly. "That's not true! That's not true, Okami-chan! They took us in! They accepted us, Okami-chan! They've let this place become our new home!" She dropped down by Dallet, who was only just starting to get some sort of steady rhythm to his breath. "Look at him…! What has Dallet done that's so wrong?"
"He's as big a fool as you ar-"
"Dallet is no fool! Dallet has probably the kindest heart out of all the people here!" Kitsune shouted. "He is not evil… And this place is NOT EVIL, Okami-chan. What has gotten into you?"
"The TRUTH! Kitsune-chan I'm leaving… you can make the right decision and follow me, or I can guarantee you…" A flicker of sadness swept across Okami's face before she developed a look so determined, and utterly malevolent. "… The next time we meet… it will be on a battlefield…"
Kitsune couldn't believe she was hearing Okami say such things. For a small moment she refused to acknowledge the words had left her mouth. "… Pain, if dealt with the wrong way, or worse, bottled up, leads to corruption." Kitsune blinked back the tears that were welling up in her eyes, and she gave Okami a sad, but decisive, look. "… I don't want to meet you on a battlefield… But… I will."
"Then you'd better train." Okami said, tone dangerous. "Because we're enemies now. When we fight for the first and last time, you had better not disappoint me." With that, Okami left.
Kitsune looked at the empty doorway feeling positively, purely heartbroken. That wasn't the Okami she knew… but had she known Okami, anyway?
"K-Kitsune…" Dallet said through a heavy breath, watching Kitsune shrink to the floor and keep shrinking as she bowed her head to the floor. The blast to his chest was still resonating within him, making him feel feverish. "… Kitsune?" He tried again.
The only thing that escaped her mouth was a despairing sob.
A low moan left his throat as he moved to lift her head up. "Kitsune, I'm sorry…" He moved closer to her and forced her to look at him. She couldn't keep the eye contact for long and collapsed into him. "Kitsune, I'm sorry… But I told you… I told you this might happen…"
Kitsune could literally feel the heat escaping his chest. "… Don't ever make me draw my sword…"
"Kitsune…"
"Don't ever make me!" She cried.
Dallet shushed her gently, still muttering his apologies to her. But he knew he could not promise to keep her away from battle. She would need to learn at some point. Or else she would die off at the hands of Okami.
It was some time before Kitsune's sobbing had slowed, and the pain in his chest finally left him completely. "Kitsune, you have such a good heart… I'm going to tell you right now… That isn't going to get you far in this place… Kitsune… you will have to draw your sword." He heard Kitsune whimper. "Shh, Kitsune…! Because if you don't… Okami will kill you in a heartbeat…"
It was the wrong thing to say. Kitsune threw herself from him and stumbled toward her room. "This is such a lie… All of it…"
Dallet moved toward her, crawling, really. Crawling like she was to her room. "Kitsune, this is REAL…"
"This is so fake!" She cried and shut her door.
"Kitsune! This is REAL!"
"Dallet, what are you doing?"
Dallet looked up from his spot on the floor to see Guimel. He stared up at him for a short moment before knocking on Kitsune's door. "I've been there, Kitsune! I've been there! You adjust, I promise! I will help you through!"
Guimel stood, staring down at him with confused eyes.
"… What the fuck are you looking at, Sheep Boy?" He snarled. Dallet hit Kitsune's door in frustration, stood, and strode away from Kitsune's room.
Guimel blinked. "Well… Okay, then…"
To be continued…