Girl in Gaea: The Untold Story
By Brenli and AmetrineButterfly
Chapter 11
"… Where's Dallet?" Guimel wondered idly as he prodded the remains of his breakfast. "Usually he's here before all of us…"
"Word has it he's been reprimanded twice already for disrespecting Dilandau-sama." Gatti said quietly, finishing off his drink.
"What? You, Gatti? Participating in the rumor mill?" Guimel smirked.
"Not PARTICIPATING. Just LISTENING. There's a difference." Gatti retorted. "Anyway… Maybe he's been reprimanded a third time?"
"I didn't think it was possible to get away with that…" Shesta commented.
Gatti shrugged. "In case you haven't noticed, Dilandau-sama's been out of character, lately. Hence the slack, probably."
"Out of character?"
"Well, at least like he's got something heavy on his mind…"
"Any idea what it is, Mr. Rumor Mill?"
"No, I don't Shesta." Gatti said through gritted teeth. "Hey, YOU can answer Guimel's question… Go spazz out! Tell us where Dallet is!"
Shesta's eyes widened. "I resent that."
Shesta did not need to "spazz out," as Gatti fondly called it, because it was at this moment that the door to the large dining room opened. Kitsune was first to enter, and Dallet followed.
No one could quite explain why they all found it necessary to halt conversation and stare at the two as Kitsune moved to the closest chair and Dallet sat right next to her. Not across from her, like he usually did, but right next to her. It was the little things that they noticed. They both turned their chairs just enough to face each other a bit. Dallet's moody nature, something that they'd gotten used to these days, was no more. It took a while for them to realize that Kitsune was staring at them all with confused eyes. When they did notice, they all quickly slipped their gazes to their plates.
Out of the corners of their eyes, they could see Dallet whispering a question to Kitsune. Kitsune whispered something back, and then they could all feel Dallet's stare piercing into them. "Okay. What is it?" He asked sharply.
"N-nothing!" They all replied too quickly.
"Uh-huh." Dallet muttered, not convinced. From there a silence permeated the room, and Gatti watched Dallet quietly intertwine his fingers with Kitsune's.
"… So the rumors are true, then." Gatti remarked.
Kitsune blushed. "Rumors?"
"You haven't heard what people are say–"
"It's true now." Dallet interrupted. "That's all that matters. Why do you care, gossiper?"
Gatti frowned. "I'm no gossiper –"
"You just listen?" Dallet finished for him, wearing a smirk.
"… Yes. Exactly. And by the way… Heard Dilandau-sama slapped you around a little bit. TWICE."
Dallet's smirk spread a little more. "That's surprising?"
"The fact that you have no noticeable damage is what's surprising, Dallet!" Gatti exclaimed.
Dallet laughed. "Dilandau-sama was actually kind, I guess."
"Any clue why?"
With this Dallet and Kitsune exchanged a glance no one could interpret. "… We have an idea." Kitsune said. Gatti, Shesta, and Guimel looked at her with interested gazes, and she waved them off with her free hand. "It's only an IDEA… Not like I KNOW anything."
"Tell us anyway!" Guimel demanded.
"Or you could ask him yourself…" Dallet murmured, snickering to himself. Dilandau had entered the room as well, but didn't make himself comfortable. He simply grabbed something small and prepared to leave immediately. As he passed by his red eyes had fixed themselves on the laced fingers of Dallet and Kitsune.
"Dallet." Dilandau said in his rough commander's tone.
"Yes, sir?" He sprang to attention.
"… Good."
Dallet blinked. "… Sir?"
"You followed my orders promptly. That was smart of you." Dilandau turned away now, walking swiftly.
"… Thank you, sir." Dallet gave him a quick nod that resembled a bow.
"If anyone needs me, I won't be available. We are awakening the Alseides today… my blood is needed." He said the words in an attempt to make him seem casual about the event, and just as quickly as he stepped in, he stepped out.
Something about the idea of having his blood fed to an ancient machine seemed overwhelming for the albino commander. He stared at the food he retrieved from the dining hall, suddenly feeling as though he had no appetite at all. He threw the food into a nearby trash can, and retreated to his room. Plopping down on his bed, Dilandau waited for Jajuka to tell him when the Sorcerers were ready for him.
He lightly traced a finger over his lip, wondering what Okami could be doing. Dilandau couldn't stay at Dryden's tavern for long, because the Abaharaki would kill him if they found him there. So he left, both Okami and himself wondering when they would see each other again. If at all…
Dilandau quickly dismissed that thought. He would survive fighting the Escaflowne, he had to. His love for Okami couldn't let him die and leave her all alone.
"Dilandau-sama." The commander's door opened at the tall beastman stepped inside. "It's time."
"Alright." Dilandau tried his best to sound bored, but his voice came out in broken syllables. He stood, holding his head high as he walked past Jajuka and out the door.
"Dilandau-sama, Folken-sama sent for you last night, but you were no where to be found." Jajuka pointed out, walking a few paces behind him. "Where did you go last night sir?"
"…Nowhere, Jajuka." Dilandau stated firmly.
Jajuka paused, not believing him for a second. Dilandau gave him a hard stare, a silent warning to Jajuka. In spite of Jajuka's curiousity, he remained quiet.
They entered the monstrous underground cavern, where the Alseides dragon armor loomed eerily before them. Strange men in black cloaks chanted in their strange rhythms, performing the preliminary rites to resurrecting the deadly armor. Dilandau's stomach involuntarily began to twist itself in knots.
"Dilandau-sama." The raspy voice of a Sorcerer broke into his thoughts. "Come this way, we will need your blood to start the Ritual."
Dilandau followed him, wondering why it was that no Sorcerer's face was visible. It was a strange, foreboding feeling, like he couldn't pull any sort of comfort out of this dank cave. Not even another human face.
His shirt was removed, and his blood was taken. Almost as quickly as it had started, Dilandau was pushed to the side, being told he had to wait for a while longer. Frustrated and impatient, he stood near the doorway arms crossed across his bare chest, hoping to just get this over with as soon as possible. Being one of Folken's little pawns wasn't exactly his idea of a thrill.
A hand roughly covered Dilandau's mouth before he could cry out, and he was pulled into the shadows.
"What the hell!" He hissed angrily, wrenching himself away. He immediately froze when he saw who had pulled him aside. It was Okami. Typically, he would have been delighted to see her at a time like this, but the tears cascading down her cheeks in a steady flow made his joy turn to alarm. "Okami?" Worried, he started to frantically brush the tears off her cheeks. "Okami, what's wrong!"
"Dilandau…" Okami closed her eyes, trying to stem the flow of tears. Her words came out in a thick, indiscernible jumble. She trembled uncontrollably, holding back her strangled sobs. "Something's wrong… I'm so scared." She sniffed, barely managing to string her words together. "Something's not right… This is bad."
Dilandau stopped her. "Okami you aren't making any sense!" He cleared away more tears and tried his best to bring her back from whatever chaotic void she had been cast into. "Just breathe, okay?" He kissed her forehead, running his fingers through her hair and uttering calming words. After a few moments, Okami managed to develop a more rational mindset, and she pulled herself away from Dilandau, wiping away the last few tears on her cheeks.
"It's… the Mark." Okami slid her sleeve to her elbow, showing the tattoo on her wrist. "It's burning me. It feels like it's on fire."
Dilandau gently took Okami's forearm, examining the black tattoo. A line of raw, pink flesh surrounded the blackened skin.
Okami hiccoughed. "It hurts so bad. I think I'm losing my mind…" Her broken voice quivered.
"What makes you think that?"
"I… I don't know…" Okami dug her fingers into the roots of her hair. "There's this voice in my head… It… tells me to do things…"
"What kind of things?" Dilandau insisted. He knew he had a reason to be taking this as seriously as he was. Burning marks and hearing voices on the day the Alseides would be resurrected, could only spell disaster.
"…Things…" Okami struggled back her tears again. "… Things that make me angry-"
Dilandau cut her off by grabbing her by the shoulders, adopting a firm tone and boring his gaze directly into her. "Okami listen to me." He said. "Don't listen to it! You can't let yourself give in to your hatred…"
Okami's eyes were round. "Dilandau…"
"Ssh!" Dilandau forestalled her. "Listen… the Alseides is going to be resurrected today… today is the reason you were called to Gaea…"
"WHAT!" Okami shrieked, and Dilandau quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Are you insane!" He whispered sharply. "No one can know that you're here, understand!"
"B-but, Dilandau! You're not planning on piloting that thing!" She bit out, her angry face faltering when Dilandau only stared back with sad eyes. "No…" Okami sputtered. "Dilandau you CAN'T!"
"Okami, how do you even know what the Alseides is?"
Okami scoffed. "I'm the Dark Star, remember? I know everything about the Alseides, and Dilandau if you pilot that thing… it will kill you."
Blinking, Dilandau felt his throat go dry. "I know of the legend Okami. I know the last man to pilot it… died because of it. I know."
"Then why are you doing this! The Alseides has tasted your blood!" She prodded the wound on Dilandau's arm where the Sorcerer drew his blood. "It will have no pilot but you now!"
"I know." Dilandau took Okami by the shoulders. "I know what I've gotten myself into… And I promise I'll get myself out of it alive… have faith in me, Okami."
A squeeze wounded Okami's chest. "I… I do have faith in you… but-"
"Then I'll come back." Pulling Okami into a warm embrace, he felt an odd tingling in his stomach. "Okami… I want you to know something… I should have told you a long time ago…" He bit his lip. He had imagined this moment to be a little… different. But some inner voice was telling him that he would regret wasting any more time. "Okami I l-"
A finger pressed his lips shut. Okami held back her tears again. "Tell me…" She said, smiling slightly. "… When you come back to me."
"Dilandau-sama!" Jajuka's voice rang from the cavern as he searched for the missing commander.
Dilandau frowned. "I have to go."
Her eyes froze in her fear, but she managed a rigid nod.
"Hey, look at me." He coaxed her gaze upwards to meet his. "I'm going to make it so you don't have to fight Okami… So you don't have to call Aeopyx, and put yourself in danger."
Okami gave a forced smile. "I know you are. But please be careful."
Dilandau said his goodbye, and retreated back into the chamber. When he tried to cast one final glance at her, she was gone.
"This way, Dilandau-sama." A sorcerer led him to the chamber. "Climb inside."
Dilandau did as he was told, mind running in a million different directions. Mainly, he was hoping that was he was about to do wasn't putting the final nail in Okami's coffin.
"You don't have to do this." Jajuka told his commandant as he stripped off his clothes and began to climb inside.
Dilandau paused before he was secured in place. "I'd do anything… to make sure that the Dark Star never has to draw her sword again…"
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Okami hurried through the dark streets, wondering how it was that she had gotten herself so lost. She could have sworn that Dryden's tavern was around here somewhere. Shivering, she drew her black cloak tightly around herself, smoothing out her black satin dress.
As she continued to wander, unaware of exactly where she was, she picked up a voice she hadn't heard in quite some time. Sure enough, it was Kitsune, going on a walk of her own in a satin dress, but, as usual, the dress was white. She was smiling, chatting rapidly as she laced fingers with none other than Dallet.
So they had finally gotten together… Okami wondered when that happened. She watched Dallet pull Kitsune closer to him as they made way for another couple to pass, and he laughed as Kitsune blushed. They were happy. So undeniably happy –
Okami stiffened. Kitsune's dark eyes had found and locked onto Okami, and for a while they stood like that, both frozen. But then Dallet was asking Kitsune questions, and to Okami's horror, Kitsune lifted her hand, pointed a finger right at Okami, and called out, "It's Okami!"
Her eyes widened in pure terror. Okami knew that it would be the worst idea to fight anyone right now, especially Kitsune. They hadn't faced each other since Kitsune drew her sword. And Okami knew that Kitsune would not hesitate to fight her now. So Okami did the only thing she could think of: she turned tail and ran.
Kitsune blinked rapidly. "Okami? OKAMIIII!" Kitsune wasn't letting her get off that easy. She quickly changed her direction and charged after her, ignoring the various people and even a large wagon that she ran into.
"KITSUNE!" Dallet called out, irritation scratching his voice as he quickly apologized to the enraged people and hurried behind her. "What are you DOING?"
"Come on, we're going after Okami!"
"WHAT?" Dallet cried incredulously, stepping in front of her and gripping her by her arms. "Why? Are you going to fight her?"
"Well I'd prefer not to, actually…"
"Then don't go after her! She is the enemy, now, Kitsune. You know that!" Dallet reasoned with her. "… What?"
Kitsune shot him an annoyed stare. "Fine. Then YOU don't need to follow me."
"What?" Dallet repeated.
"I'll see you later, Dallet!" She pressed a quick kiss to his lips and ran off, and Dallet stared after her with wide eyes.
"… Kitsune, wait!" Dallet continued rushing after her, frustration wrinkling his brow.
Okami found herself trapped in a dead end. "Damn it!" She spun around in hopes of getting out before Kitsune trapped her there, but it was too late, Kitsune stood at the end of the street. A voice was screaming at Okami from within, ordering her to fight. She pulled off her cloak, silencing that voice and turning back to the solid wall blocking her way. Black energy swirled around her and exploded beneath her feet, launching her up and over the wall. She landed agilely on the roof, and continued to run across the rooftops of Torushina.
Kitsune blinked up at Okami as she watched her run. "God, this sucks!" She grumbled as light began to glow from beneath her.
"Kitsune –" Dallet started out, grabbing her by the shoulder. "Ow!" He felt the stab of electricity run through him.
Kitsune gasped and bowed a quick apology. "Sorry! You know better than to touch me when I glow!"
"Shush." Dallet mumbled, his hair literally standing on end.
"Ano… here." She quickly ran her hands down his hair and it smoothed out. "Bye!" And with that she launched herself onto the roof and ran off quickly to catch up with Okami.
Frustrated, Okami tried what she could to lose Kitsune, including a dark ball of energy thrown in her direction, but Kitsune dodged it easily. When Okami began to believe that dueling with Kitsune was utterly inevitable, and searing pain ripped through her forearm. It felt as though someone had pressed a white hot iron to her wrist. Okami wailed in pain, dropping to her knees, clawing at her sleeve as smoke rose from the black satin.
Finally Kitsune had caught up to Okami, and dropped down beside her. "Okami? … Okami-chan, daijoubu?" Kitsune stared with wide eyes at the smoke escaping Okami.
"It's… the god damned mark!" Okami shrieked, tearing off her sleeve, smoke releasing from the reddened flesh around her tattoo. "It's burning me!"
Kitsune's dark eyes widened as she took in the sight of the mark. "Oh my God…"
An explosion erupted before them, suddenly, taking both by surprise as they turned wide, startled eyes up at none other than the Alseides.
"Dilandau…" Okami rushed to the edge of the building, watching as the city of Torushina was engulfed by ripples of flame. More explosions following the first, and Dilandau's insane cackle could be heard from the enormous red armor. The burning in Okami's wrist became weaker as worry flooded her body.
"Dilandau?" Kitsune arched a brow, pointing up the Alseides as it continued to move and people screamed in terror below them. "You mean he's in there?"
Okami could say nothing, so she nodded. She watched as wings erupted from the shoulders of the Alseides, and it took flight.
Dilandau used his new power to rip apart more buildings and people below him. "Come on…" He muttered. "Where are you?" He knew that if he could defeat the Escaflowne when it descended, there would be no need for the Spirit Stars.
Cannon fire knocked the red armor out of the sky.
"Dilandau!" Okami cried out, and she quickly jumped across the rooftops in his direction, watching the Alseides throw it's retaliation in the form of a liquid spear, crushing the Abaharaki Caravan in a single blow. Okami felt suddenly frozen. Her friends were in that caravan, and now they were dead…
Kitsune hurried after Okami, staring down at the remains of the Abaharaki Caravan, then at the horrified look on Okami's face. "… Okami?"
The anger was evident on the Dark Star's face as she observed the broken bodies of her former allies. The angry voice was screeching in her ears. "How… how could he!" She stuttered, blinking back hot tears.
"W-what?" Kitsune stammered. "Okami –" Her words were cut off as her gaze floated up to another giant mechanism before them. It stood, giant and lightly colored, its cape flowing behind it. The Alseides towered over this mighty mass, but Kitsune still stared at it with wide eyes. "The… Escaflowne?"
Okami grabbed Kitsune's hand. "We have to leave!" She towed Kitsune out of the war path between the Alseides and Escaflowne as they began to lock each other in combat.
"Hai!" Kitsune quickly agreed as she ran off with Okami. The two girls swiftly moved off and would only stop once they were a safe distance away. "… I sure hope Dallet isn't in the middle of that…"
"I'm not." Dallet said as he stepped forward. He could not prevent himself from pulling Kitsune against him protectively. Though Okami stood before them, shaking in millions of emotions, he could not trust her. Even if a part of him sympathized, and admired Kitsune's trust in Okami… he would remain on his toes. "And I'm glad that you… both…aren't, either."
Okami stared back at Dallet. It was a pathetic attempt to quell Okami's anger on Dallet's part. The mistrust shone in his eyes and his protective body language. But Okami had different things on her mind…
Dilandau was losing. Despite the Alseides larger bulk, it was still losing to the swifter Escaflowne. Okami ignored the pair sharing her rooftop and rushed to its edge, watching the fight draw to a close as Escaflowne drove its sword into the Alseides again and again.
"Dilandau!" Panic stabbed Okami's heart repeatedly as she watched the Alseides fall, disarmed and helpless to the burning earth.
Kitsune saw the Escaflowne ruthlessly destroying the Alseides. She felt her heart plunge at the sight of it, but she remained completely unaware of the fact that Okami felt that pain ten times over. The Escaflowne mercilessly stepped on the torso of the Alseides, and Kitsune bit her lip in nervousness. She dared to look at Dallet for any signs of confidence, but she found none.
The structure encasing the Alseides' pilot collapsed, the mammoth foot of the Escaflowne sinking in to the hollow cavity. "No!" Okami took off over the rooftops, tearing off in the direction of the Escaflowne, rage clouding her vision. This couldn't be happening. Everyone she cared about couldn't die, all in one day…
To be continued…