Chapter II: Holy Wars
.
Princess Rune/
.
My heart could not take the suffering I saw from the faces of my people. We may have survived the ordeal but deep inside it felt like I had failed them.
Makoto, with all his optimism, assured me that it was not my fault. I know it wasn't but my mind did not want to listen. And my heart was heavy with guilt.
So much destruction from a little earthquake. And the act of nature itself puzzled me. Florestica never had an earthquake since the holy war ended. To my knowledge this part of El- Hazard is the sturdiest piece of land there is. But an earthquake? Though rarely it had happened, no natural calamities ever touched Florestica. It was said that the magic of the forefathers of El-Hazard kept the city in tranquility.
If that were true, then only magic could have leveled half the city and my palace.
And if Afura was correct with her assumption, magic that could match the powers of the great priestesses of El-Hazard.
Afura, with the help of Ifurita, scanned the area for the cause of the calamity. And what they found, surprised us all.
There was a large amount of elemental magic surrounding the city that Ifurita had detected. And its magical content was like of the magic emitted from the Holy Lamps.
Even though the evidences were circumstantial, I couldn't help but shiver at the thought that there was another Holy Lamp out there and someone used it on my city.
Questions entered my mind as I began to wonder how someone could have gotten hold of a Holy Lamp since to my knowledge there were only three in existence.
I could not believe that there was a fourth lamp that controls the element earth.
But looking at the people whose lives were shattered by the tremor, I feared the worse.
.
Afura/
Hours had passed when we had found the strange harmonic resonance that had surrounded Florestica and it was not quite clear what had made it. Ifurita and the others believed that this was not an act of nature. The tremor was precise as if controlled by a Holy Lamp.
To my knowledge, there was no Lamp of earth. There wasn't even a shrine. But if Ifurita was correct, and she usually is, the same harmonics that helped me control the wind was present in the city.
What kind of sick individual would destroy a city for ANY reason? Except for Katsuhiko Jinnai and the Phantom tribe, I do not know anyone capable of such mayhem.
A meeting was set for the discussion of our findings but the people came first. We still need to free the trapped citizens under the rubble of the city. Though it surprised me that the fatality rate was non-existent, the people were still suffering from the aftermath.
Livelihoods were destroyed and Princess Rune could only do so much that it tears me to see her suffer like this.
She has a kind heart, which is quite different from her sister Fatora.
Princess Rune was with us that day, tending the wounded as helping in any way she can. To most she was Heaven Sent. And we, her friends, agree to that statement.
Two days had passed when we began rebuilding Florestica. And it was a beautiful sight. All the people pitched in as each were assigned their jobs. Even Master Makoto helped though his progress was slowed by the attentions of the women; Shayla, Nanami and Qawoor. It's a wonder that Ifurita was not jealous but I knew the reason for I asked her the question one night in the gardens.
"I am not jealous for I shared Makoto's soul and I know he shares mine. We will be forever be entwined as our fate and destiny are joined as well as our hearts," she said it with such a serene face that for that moment, I envied them.
Being a priestess was a lonely life. When I first started I thought it was an honor to serve a higher good. Though that honor still remains, I sought for something more.
Like... ... ... love?
But that's just a whimsical fantasy that I had long since abandoned.
That was... ... ... before I saw him.
I was with Makoto helping in the orphanage when I noticed a difference in the atmosphere. It was like joy had been returned to the place and sadness had no place there. This was the feeling I got when I saw the children playing with Princess Rune and the stranger.
No man had ever had an effect to me like he did. I could not explain it but there was something in his cheerful demeanor that compelled me to smile as well.
And when I smiled, HE seemed to stop what he was doing and look at me. My heart seemed to beat louder as I felt my face heat. He was looking at me in such awe that I thought he was entranced. By what, I could not tell then. But after a moment, his smile returned as he gracefully bowed to my direction.
He was a head taller than me. And strangely, his attire and features had earthen hues. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were greener than the spring grass. He was wearing some kind of coat that bore markings I have never seen before. I could see the white undershirt from his open tan coat and his beige trousers were almost similar to what Makoto wore when he first arrived to El-Hazard. By my observations, he was not from Roshtaria.
He was......... well, handsome despite his natural appearance. It was like he didn't know how beautiful he could be. But I sense that within his beauty lies something horrid. A past that he did not want to remember.
Princess Rune smiled as she turned towards us and beckoned us to join them.
"Afura! Makoto! How lovely for you to join us," Princess Rune pleasantly said as we neared them.
"It's lovely to see your smile again, Princess," her smile was so sincere that I caught myself smiling as well.
"Our friend here had just been telling us tales of him and his brother," the Princess smiled. "The antics he said they did were amusing the children."
"It seems that not only the children were amused," Makoto teased bringing a laugh from our ruler.
"Indeed. Though I shall wish to see your brother sometime," she said hopefully.
"That is my wish as well," the stranger smiled. "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself to you. I am Rashiel Harabael from the kingdom of Angelia."
We must have been gaping at him for he looked confused and our reaction. He looked at the Princess who was blinking in confusion as well.
"Impossible," I muttered but he had heard me.
"I assure you, my lady, that I came from Angelia," he said calmly.
"What's wrong?" I heard Makoto ask me. Princess Rune answered.
"Angelia is Roshtaria's neighboring kingdom. Though no one has ever been there for a long time. Not even the borderers dare to enter the kingdom."
"Why is that?" Makoto asked. Rashiel smiled as he looked at me.
"Angelia and Roshtaria are separated by a vast mountain range called the walls of god. Though it was said to be erected during the holy wars to keep the war from reaching Tranquel, the capital of Angelia.
"Before you should ask, Angelia was neutral to the war but each side wanted our favor because they believe that we could tip the balance."
"My ancestors respected this decision and left Angelia alone," Princess Rune said as she sat on a nearby bench. Some of the children stayed to listen for they have never heard this story before.
"But the others didn't," I supplied. "They stole their technology and used it against them. One of their technological breakthroughs is your fiancé," Makoto blinked his surprise.
"Ifurita?" he couldn't believe it. It was thought in my history class that the Angelians were a highly civilized and technological kingdom. Pacifists, they only use their technology to help. But then they came and all of their technology were stolen and modified. And in the end, Angelia was destroyed.
"Hold on," Makoto frowned in what we called his 'scientific look.' "Didn't you say that the mountain range was 'erected'? How was that possible?"
"Legend has it that a magical device that controlled the earth shook the ground and raised the mountain," Rashiel said grimly. "Angelia had shut out the world but it was already too late. Tranquel was destroyed along with half of Angelia."
"Magical device?" Makoto looked at me in anticipation. Was it the culprit we were looking for?
"It's one of four artifacts we gave to the Roshtarians as a token of peace. It's called the Lamps of the Elements."
I touched my Lamp of Wind that was securely hidden within my cape, just touching it gave me a sense of security. When I looked up, Rashiel was smiling at me.
"So the quake that we experienced the day before was caused by the Holy Lamp of Earth," the Princess surmised. "But how could anyone control it. As I understand, only a great priestess could control a Holy Lamp." Rashiel didn't have an answer. Instead, he sighed and leaned on a nearby tree.
"Do you know anything about the lamp?" Makoto asked Rashiel.
"Myths, Legends, Hearsay. Nothing definite," Rashiel took a deep breath and looked at the sky. "Sometimes the stories get an exaggeration now and then."
"That's a good start," Princess Rune said as she stood. "Makoto, I am assigning Rashiel to help us in finding the culprit responsible for this catastrophe. Any information about the lamp, even mythical, could be useful. Afura, accompany me please," I was already at the Princess's side when she turned and faced Rashiel, forcing me to gaze upon his serene face one last time before we left. I could feel a blush threaten to surface when he smiled at me.
Why does that man affect me so?
"Rashiel, I would love to hear more of you and your people another time. Please extend my invitation to your brother."
"If I could find him, your majesty," he bowed. I held his gaze as long as I possibly can and with regret, left with the Princess.
With a sigh, I followed my Princess but hope still sparked in the knowledge that I would see him again.
.
Makoto/
Rashiel's gaze followed the ladies as they left the orphanage. He had this bemused expression that was accented with awe when he looked at them. It was like he never saw a woman before in his life. I wondered then who he liked among the two for he had the telltale signs of a man falling in love.
"A goddess of the wind," he whispered and that alone answered my questions.
"She's the great priestess of the wind, Afura Mann," I supplied when I realized that he didn't know our names. We didn't have time to introduce ourselves for we were entranced by his stories about Angelia and the Lamp of the earth.
At first glance, Rashiel seemed like a carefree individual but when he talked, it seemed like he had the wisdom of ages within him.
I was eager to start in our inquiry but there was a question that nagged my brain ever since Afura raised the issue of Ifurita's origin. And this man may help me know my fiancé better.
"Excuse me, Master Rashiel? But did the Angelians really made the Demon Gods?" I asked. He looked confused as he looked at me as if he didn't know what I was talking about."
"Demon god?" he asked. "What is a demon god?" Sighing, I slowly explained about Ifurita and Yuba's Ifurita leaving nothing behind though some parts still hurt when I relive it. I also explained about Kalia and the Trigger of Destruction, about the place in the desert where it kept. I left out it coordinates though. I just met the man and I have yet to trust him. But what he said next, surprised me beyond reason.
"Trigger of Destruction? Desert? That place used to be a weapons research and storage facility. An earthquake swallowed the Trigger and most of the facility along with it. Kalia? She did have destructive tendencies. The Toy Master was wise to seal her."
Now HE confused ME.
"Pardon?" I asked but he sighed in annoyance.
"I'm sorry. I was babbling. They called HER a demon god?" he was obviously miffed at that label. "Damn those Aronites."
"Aronites?" what are Aronites?
"Beyond the River of God was the Kingdom of Aronia," Rashiel sat beneath the shade of a tree and stared into space. It was like he was remembering all those facts. Like he had lived it. But that was impossible. The Holy Wars ended thousands of years ago. Was he a historian in Angelia?
"Aronia waged war to the kingdom of Roshtaria over an artifact called the Holy Orb of the Kings."
"What did it do?" I found myself asking.
"The Holy Orb, according to history, contains the Eternal Light of El- Hazard. It is, assuming that it is still complete, the treasure of El- Hazard. It gives the current ruler of El-Hazard the power to govern the people fairly and compassionately so that peace and harmony remained in the land."
"Then how did it become a full scale war that nearly destroyed El-Hazard?" I asked.
"The initial reason of the war was lost after years of suffering. Each faction wanted to outdo the other or in any case destroy each other. It was only when Aronia became a wasteland that the war stopped altogether."
"How did Aronia get itself destroyed?" I wondered but the answer didn't settle well with me. Rashiel sighed and looked at me sadly, as if guilt stricken at the loss of a kingdom.
"The earth swallowed them whole," he sadly said. "Their allies and the survivors of Aronia surrendered and asked for amnesty and sanctuary. Though the king of Roshtaria back then didn't want anything to do with the survivors of his enemies, he had no choice but to comply fearing the same fate would fall to his kingdom."
"What happened to the Holy Orb of the Kings?"
"I don't know," he said truthfully. "Some say that the light faded after the war and legend has it that it would shine again when the true rulers of El-Hazard will join in heart and soul."
"That was nice," I smiled. "What does it mean?"
"I haven't the vaguest," he smiled. "But the power of love is great. Shall we start in our investigation?"
"By all means but where?"
"Where else?" he sighed as if he didn't like the upcoming task. "Research."
.
Princess Rune/
.
My heart could not take the suffering I saw from the faces of my people. We may have survived the ordeal but deep inside it felt like I had failed them.
Makoto, with all his optimism, assured me that it was not my fault. I know it wasn't but my mind did not want to listen. And my heart was heavy with guilt.
So much destruction from a little earthquake. And the act of nature itself puzzled me. Florestica never had an earthquake since the holy war ended. To my knowledge this part of El- Hazard is the sturdiest piece of land there is. But an earthquake? Though rarely it had happened, no natural calamities ever touched Florestica. It was said that the magic of the forefathers of El-Hazard kept the city in tranquility.
If that were true, then only magic could have leveled half the city and my palace.
And if Afura was correct with her assumption, magic that could match the powers of the great priestesses of El-Hazard.
Afura, with the help of Ifurita, scanned the area for the cause of the calamity. And what they found, surprised us all.
There was a large amount of elemental magic surrounding the city that Ifurita had detected. And its magical content was like of the magic emitted from the Holy Lamps.
Even though the evidences were circumstantial, I couldn't help but shiver at the thought that there was another Holy Lamp out there and someone used it on my city.
Questions entered my mind as I began to wonder how someone could have gotten hold of a Holy Lamp since to my knowledge there were only three in existence.
I could not believe that there was a fourth lamp that controls the element earth.
But looking at the people whose lives were shattered by the tremor, I feared the worse.
.
Afura/
Hours had passed when we had found the strange harmonic resonance that had surrounded Florestica and it was not quite clear what had made it. Ifurita and the others believed that this was not an act of nature. The tremor was precise as if controlled by a Holy Lamp.
To my knowledge, there was no Lamp of earth. There wasn't even a shrine. But if Ifurita was correct, and she usually is, the same harmonics that helped me control the wind was present in the city.
What kind of sick individual would destroy a city for ANY reason? Except for Katsuhiko Jinnai and the Phantom tribe, I do not know anyone capable of such mayhem.
A meeting was set for the discussion of our findings but the people came first. We still need to free the trapped citizens under the rubble of the city. Though it surprised me that the fatality rate was non-existent, the people were still suffering from the aftermath.
Livelihoods were destroyed and Princess Rune could only do so much that it tears me to see her suffer like this.
She has a kind heart, which is quite different from her sister Fatora.
Princess Rune was with us that day, tending the wounded as helping in any way she can. To most she was Heaven Sent. And we, her friends, agree to that statement.
Two days had passed when we began rebuilding Florestica. And it was a beautiful sight. All the people pitched in as each were assigned their jobs. Even Master Makoto helped though his progress was slowed by the attentions of the women; Shayla, Nanami and Qawoor. It's a wonder that Ifurita was not jealous but I knew the reason for I asked her the question one night in the gardens.
"I am not jealous for I shared Makoto's soul and I know he shares mine. We will be forever be entwined as our fate and destiny are joined as well as our hearts," she said it with such a serene face that for that moment, I envied them.
Being a priestess was a lonely life. When I first started I thought it was an honor to serve a higher good. Though that honor still remains, I sought for something more.
Like... ... ... love?
But that's just a whimsical fantasy that I had long since abandoned.
That was... ... ... before I saw him.
I was with Makoto helping in the orphanage when I noticed a difference in the atmosphere. It was like joy had been returned to the place and sadness had no place there. This was the feeling I got when I saw the children playing with Princess Rune and the stranger.
No man had ever had an effect to me like he did. I could not explain it but there was something in his cheerful demeanor that compelled me to smile as well.
And when I smiled, HE seemed to stop what he was doing and look at me. My heart seemed to beat louder as I felt my face heat. He was looking at me in such awe that I thought he was entranced. By what, I could not tell then. But after a moment, his smile returned as he gracefully bowed to my direction.
He was a head taller than me. And strangely, his attire and features had earthen hues. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were greener than the spring grass. He was wearing some kind of coat that bore markings I have never seen before. I could see the white undershirt from his open tan coat and his beige trousers were almost similar to what Makoto wore when he first arrived to El-Hazard. By my observations, he was not from Roshtaria.
He was......... well, handsome despite his natural appearance. It was like he didn't know how beautiful he could be. But I sense that within his beauty lies something horrid. A past that he did not want to remember.
Princess Rune smiled as she turned towards us and beckoned us to join them.
"Afura! Makoto! How lovely for you to join us," Princess Rune pleasantly said as we neared them.
"It's lovely to see your smile again, Princess," her smile was so sincere that I caught myself smiling as well.
"Our friend here had just been telling us tales of him and his brother," the Princess smiled. "The antics he said they did were amusing the children."
"It seems that not only the children were amused," Makoto teased bringing a laugh from our ruler.
"Indeed. Though I shall wish to see your brother sometime," she said hopefully.
"That is my wish as well," the stranger smiled. "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself to you. I am Rashiel Harabael from the kingdom of Angelia."
We must have been gaping at him for he looked confused and our reaction. He looked at the Princess who was blinking in confusion as well.
"Impossible," I muttered but he had heard me.
"I assure you, my lady, that I came from Angelia," he said calmly.
"What's wrong?" I heard Makoto ask me. Princess Rune answered.
"Angelia is Roshtaria's neighboring kingdom. Though no one has ever been there for a long time. Not even the borderers dare to enter the kingdom."
"Why is that?" Makoto asked. Rashiel smiled as he looked at me.
"Angelia and Roshtaria are separated by a vast mountain range called the walls of god. Though it was said to be erected during the holy wars to keep the war from reaching Tranquel, the capital of Angelia.
"Before you should ask, Angelia was neutral to the war but each side wanted our favor because they believe that we could tip the balance."
"My ancestors respected this decision and left Angelia alone," Princess Rune said as she sat on a nearby bench. Some of the children stayed to listen for they have never heard this story before.
"But the others didn't," I supplied. "They stole their technology and used it against them. One of their technological breakthroughs is your fiancé," Makoto blinked his surprise.
"Ifurita?" he couldn't believe it. It was thought in my history class that the Angelians were a highly civilized and technological kingdom. Pacifists, they only use their technology to help. But then they came and all of their technology were stolen and modified. And in the end, Angelia was destroyed.
"Hold on," Makoto frowned in what we called his 'scientific look.' "Didn't you say that the mountain range was 'erected'? How was that possible?"
"Legend has it that a magical device that controlled the earth shook the ground and raised the mountain," Rashiel said grimly. "Angelia had shut out the world but it was already too late. Tranquel was destroyed along with half of Angelia."
"Magical device?" Makoto looked at me in anticipation. Was it the culprit we were looking for?
"It's one of four artifacts we gave to the Roshtarians as a token of peace. It's called the Lamps of the Elements."
I touched my Lamp of Wind that was securely hidden within my cape, just touching it gave me a sense of security. When I looked up, Rashiel was smiling at me.
"So the quake that we experienced the day before was caused by the Holy Lamp of Earth," the Princess surmised. "But how could anyone control it. As I understand, only a great priestess could control a Holy Lamp." Rashiel didn't have an answer. Instead, he sighed and leaned on a nearby tree.
"Do you know anything about the lamp?" Makoto asked Rashiel.
"Myths, Legends, Hearsay. Nothing definite," Rashiel took a deep breath and looked at the sky. "Sometimes the stories get an exaggeration now and then."
"That's a good start," Princess Rune said as she stood. "Makoto, I am assigning Rashiel to help us in finding the culprit responsible for this catastrophe. Any information about the lamp, even mythical, could be useful. Afura, accompany me please," I was already at the Princess's side when she turned and faced Rashiel, forcing me to gaze upon his serene face one last time before we left. I could feel a blush threaten to surface when he smiled at me.
Why does that man affect me so?
"Rashiel, I would love to hear more of you and your people another time. Please extend my invitation to your brother."
"If I could find him, your majesty," he bowed. I held his gaze as long as I possibly can and with regret, left with the Princess.
With a sigh, I followed my Princess but hope still sparked in the knowledge that I would see him again.
.
Makoto/
Rashiel's gaze followed the ladies as they left the orphanage. He had this bemused expression that was accented with awe when he looked at them. It was like he never saw a woman before in his life. I wondered then who he liked among the two for he had the telltale signs of a man falling in love.
"A goddess of the wind," he whispered and that alone answered my questions.
"She's the great priestess of the wind, Afura Mann," I supplied when I realized that he didn't know our names. We didn't have time to introduce ourselves for we were entranced by his stories about Angelia and the Lamp of the earth.
At first glance, Rashiel seemed like a carefree individual but when he talked, it seemed like he had the wisdom of ages within him.
I was eager to start in our inquiry but there was a question that nagged my brain ever since Afura raised the issue of Ifurita's origin. And this man may help me know my fiancé better.
"Excuse me, Master Rashiel? But did the Angelians really made the Demon Gods?" I asked. He looked confused as he looked at me as if he didn't know what I was talking about."
"Demon god?" he asked. "What is a demon god?" Sighing, I slowly explained about Ifurita and Yuba's Ifurita leaving nothing behind though some parts still hurt when I relive it. I also explained about Kalia and the Trigger of Destruction, about the place in the desert where it kept. I left out it coordinates though. I just met the man and I have yet to trust him. But what he said next, surprised me beyond reason.
"Trigger of Destruction? Desert? That place used to be a weapons research and storage facility. An earthquake swallowed the Trigger and most of the facility along with it. Kalia? She did have destructive tendencies. The Toy Master was wise to seal her."
Now HE confused ME.
"Pardon?" I asked but he sighed in annoyance.
"I'm sorry. I was babbling. They called HER a demon god?" he was obviously miffed at that label. "Damn those Aronites."
"Aronites?" what are Aronites?
"Beyond the River of God was the Kingdom of Aronia," Rashiel sat beneath the shade of a tree and stared into space. It was like he was remembering all those facts. Like he had lived it. But that was impossible. The Holy Wars ended thousands of years ago. Was he a historian in Angelia?
"Aronia waged war to the kingdom of Roshtaria over an artifact called the Holy Orb of the Kings."
"What did it do?" I found myself asking.
"The Holy Orb, according to history, contains the Eternal Light of El- Hazard. It is, assuming that it is still complete, the treasure of El- Hazard. It gives the current ruler of El-Hazard the power to govern the people fairly and compassionately so that peace and harmony remained in the land."
"Then how did it become a full scale war that nearly destroyed El-Hazard?" I asked.
"The initial reason of the war was lost after years of suffering. Each faction wanted to outdo the other or in any case destroy each other. It was only when Aronia became a wasteland that the war stopped altogether."
"How did Aronia get itself destroyed?" I wondered but the answer didn't settle well with me. Rashiel sighed and looked at me sadly, as if guilt stricken at the loss of a kingdom.
"The earth swallowed them whole," he sadly said. "Their allies and the survivors of Aronia surrendered and asked for amnesty and sanctuary. Though the king of Roshtaria back then didn't want anything to do with the survivors of his enemies, he had no choice but to comply fearing the same fate would fall to his kingdom."
"What happened to the Holy Orb of the Kings?"
"I don't know," he said truthfully. "Some say that the light faded after the war and legend has it that it would shine again when the true rulers of El-Hazard will join in heart and soul."
"That was nice," I smiled. "What does it mean?"
"I haven't the vaguest," he smiled. "But the power of love is great. Shall we start in our investigation?"
"By all means but where?"
"Where else?" he sighed as if he didn't like the upcoming task. "Research."