Chapter III: Land Master
.
Princess Rune/
That Rashiel is an interesting individual. When I saw him entertaining the children of the orphanage, I knew immediately that he was a good man. He still is.
It was strange that I immediately found him......... charming. He then started to tell us stories of his and his brother's mischief. They were a bunch, if his stories are credible.
I didn't know what came over me when I had asked Rashiel to introduce me to his brother. He seemed to be a nice man from Rashiel's stories that I simply wanted to make sure that the stories were true.
But my main concern now is to get the person responsible for the destruction of my city.
"Do you believe in the Lamp of Earth, Afura?" I asked a rather preoccupied priestess. She was like this ever since she met Rashiel. I am not that ignorant not to see the meaningful look and the stolen glances she was giving to the young man.
"Evidences suggested that it had existed but was lost in time," Afura sighed. "If someone had found it, it must have been someone who had priestess's training for no one can control the lamps precisely as what had happened two days ago."
"I always wondered about that," I said as I studied her. Half of her mind was with our conversation but I had guessed that the other half was elsewhere. Still, it was a wonder that she could follow the flow of conversation even though she was thinking of something, or rather someone, else. "Was your training hard?"
"Grueling," Afura sighed. "The competition was tough but I tried my best."
"And your best exceeded the expectations of the scholars," I smiled. "I remembered Dr. Schtalubaugh saying that you are the strongest wind priestess yet." A faint blush appeared on Afura's cheek. Was she really embarrassed by that fact? It was a great achievement to be the best. But something was wrong, or rather, appeared to be wrong.
"What is it?" I asked. "Is there something bothering you?"
"Rashiel," she said in a whisper.
"What about him?" I must have a teasing tone since Afura suddenly flushed and began stammering.
"N... nothing!" she said. "It... it's just......... why am I so flustered?" she asked herself to my observation. I could resist teasing her.
"Perhaps you are not indifferent to the opposite sex," I smiled as she blushed even more. "Tell me, what made him different?"
"I can't explain it," Afura sighed. "I would go crazy if I tried. Princess, have you ever been in love?" I hadn't expected that question but somehow I felt that it was due. I never told them about my time in Creteria. It was too much for me to remember.
Too much for me to cope but instead, I told her of an event that happened when I was a child.
"Not exactly but I had a dream," I told her.
"A dream?" she looked at me with interest gleaming in her eyes.
"It was the most memorable though strangely I could still recall it even though it had been years since it happened."
"What was it?" she asked. She was eager to know. At least I had gotten her attention.
"I was thirteen at the time when it happened. I was an adventurous little lady back then. My mother blamed my father for he filled my head with stories of great battles that she feared gave me delusions of grandeur."
"Did it?" I could hear the teasing in her voice as I tried to hide a smile, which I failed dearly.
"Mostly," I admitted. "But then I have my own reasons in having those delusions."
"What are they?" she asked quite expectantly.
"For my twelfth birthday my mother gave me a book of stories of ancient El- Hazard. Oh Afura, if you could just see the book you'll be enthralled as well. It is filled with stories of ancient heroes that time had forgotten. One story that caught my attention was the story of the 'Keeper of the Holy Light.'" I immediately knew that Afura had heard of the term for she paused in her stride. It came to a surprise to me for my mother said that that book was quite rare and only a handful of copies remained.
"The 'White Prince of Legends?" Afura blinked. I never saw her so confused before. Indeed, her face betrayed recognition. She had heard of the story before. With a blink, Afura then smiled at me. "You sound like a little girl when you said that, your highness."
I couldn't control my laugh. "Truly? To tell you the truth, that book is what keeps me sane." There were times in my life that I thought I could never recover from despair. And one of them was the death of my parents.
I was sixteen when it happened. The Royal Cruiser crashed as it fled a flight of Bugrom fliers. For months I hid in my chambers refusing to believe in reality.
"The book is my refuge," I said out loud. "The stories in there were real to me than reality. Could you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes," Afura sighed sullenly. "I myself hide behind books to forget reality. Being a priestess tends to make one bored if one misuses the time." I found myself smiling then. It was a weird concept, priestesses being bored. But one look at Shayla I knew that this could be true.
"Anyway, I was so engrossed in the story that when I slept one night, I saw him in my dreams. I still remember that dream so vividly that I could have sworn it had happened."
"What did happen?" Afura asked.
"I dreamt that an entire hoard of Bugrom were chasing me into a dark forest. I ran and I ran but could not seem to lose them. One of them suddenly grabbed my leg and I tumbled to the ground. The funny thing was I could feel the fear I had that time as real not like some nightmare.
"As the Bugrom neared I felt despair. I didn't know if I should be glad or frightened for I would surely join my parents. But then, I remembered little Fatora. She was an angel then," Afura looked doubtful at my words. "I assure you, Afura, Fatora became......... unbalanced later on. When I remembered her, it gave me reason to live.
"I remember closing my eyes for I still feared what the Bugrom might do to me. And just then......... silence."
"Silence?" Afura had a look of confusion in her face but tried to understand. "What happened?"
"When I opened my eyes the Bugs stepped back. And there standing in front of me......... is an Angel.
"At first I didn't know who he was or what he was. All I could see was his back. But still he was a sight. His white clothes and his white, long flowing hair made him so regal and his white wings were spread as if to protect me from my assailants.
"He had on his left arm a blue and white gauntlet that clashed with his endearing white. Not exactly clash but it was the only thing with color in his person. On his right hand he held a sword of light that the Bugs were terrified of. And then, all was a blur.
"The next thing I could remember about the dream was the man carrying me in his arms as he whispered sweet words to soothe me. He had an angelic voice as kindness radiates from within himself. It was so soothing that I fell asleep. Then I woke up and the dream ended." What I didn't tell her was what he had said to me as I fell asleep.
'Sleep peacefully, my angel. I will keep the monsters away from you as long as you needed me,' I was ashamed to say that when I had turned eighteen, I had completely forgotten him. And talking to Rashiel made me remember again.
"The White Prince," Afura sighed in awe. "I wish I have someone like that," she said more to herself but I couldn't help but tease her.
"From the looks you've been giving Master Rashiel, it is wise to assume that you have a candidate," with my words, she flustered.
"I don't know the implication of your words, Your Highness," Afura stiffly said and I knew then that I was on the mark.
"He seems like a nice man and he has knowledge and wisdom. Isn't that what you were looking for in a man?"
"I shouldn't have played that stupid Earth game," Afura mumbled. She was forced to tell us what she wanted in a man when we were playing truth or dare, one of Nanami's favorite games.
Afura and I passed the time once when she was in the palace and we always opted for "truth" and rarely dared each other. Strangely, we always are truthful to each other. In truth, she was the only one I could confide in with my deepest secrets.
"Not to mention he's really cute," I threw in another log into the fire for good measure. Afura blushed and looked away.
"I haven't noticed," she said but I knew better. In the past few years, Afura and I have been as close as friends could be. She knows me well and I of her. And in her cool, calm interior lies a woman of passion. Perhaps Rashiel could draw that passion out of her.
"Your thoughts never left him ever since you saw him," I couldn't hide my smile and that made Afura frown.
"I was merely thinking about the knowledge he possesses and that I could learn from him immensely," she said defiantly.
"I'm sure you would 'learn' a lot from him," I must have sounded lewd for she had a look of shock in her face. She had such a cute expression that I couldn't resist. "Mayhap, if he would be willing, you could 'study' him extensively."
"Princess!" Afura was scarlet now. I couldn't hold back my laugh anymore. "That's not funny!" she glared as I laughed it out. With a frustrated sigh, she had her hands on her hips. "You'll have YOUR day."
"And I'm sure that you'll remind me of it," I smiled but it must have been contagious for she was beginning to smile as well. When the last of my laughter subsided, I felt like I could take on the world. It was nice to laugh like that. Pure laughter with no qualms on who was listening or what decorum I would be breaking.
It felt good.
"Can we go back to our discussion?" she asked as we continued on.
"I thought Rashiel IS the topic of our discussion," I wondered how long I could keep her blushing. It was only that time that I could catch her unguarded. But true to her words, we had more important things to discuss. "Give Rashiel and Makoto time, I'm sure they'd find something."
With a nod of approval, we went back to the palace.
I hoped that they would find something.
***
Makoto/
I couldn't find anything! We were in the library for hours, skimming each book and looking for references for the Lamp of earth. So far, nothing.
I could see the weariness in Rashiel's eyes as he browsed another book. Obviously, research was not one of his good points. As he got up, I could feel the tension in him as he ascended one of the ladders to reach the third floor shelves.
I should tell you about the library. It's a massive room that was as large as my school's gymnasium. About five floors of shelves that were perfectly arranged for easy use. Luckily, the quake didn't destroy it.
A lot THAT did for us. We still couldn't find what we were looking for. It was like the Lamp was a myth.
"These archives are new," Rashiel called down from the third floor. "The oldest book I could find is a hundred years after the war. None of which is useful to us."
"Are you certain?" I asked, although I must admit that he was right. Books about ancient El-Hazard were that old.
"I am," I couldn't help but notice the sincerity of his words. HE really must be a historian. "We need to find the old texts."
"I'm sorry but these are all we have," I said. Rashiel sighed and jump towards the ground. I was so surprised that I didn't do anything but watch as he landed with little noise on the ground beside me.
"Is this library new?" he asked as is the leap was nothing to him.
"No," I said as I recovered. "This was built over five hundred years ago."
"Then it's new," Rashiel sighed. This confused me, why would something built five hundred years ago be 'new'? "Then the only place to look is......... actually there are two places."
"Where are they?" I asked.
"The 'Earthen Tomb' and the 'Library of Kings'," I've never heard of either place. Was this man telling the truth?
"Earthen Tomb?"
"I could explain better if I am there," Rashiel smirked. "Though I don't think you would be really be that excited if you see what's inside."
"Why?" I asked curiously. Was there something that vile in that tomb? "Exactly where is the tomb?"
"I'm surprised no one knows," Rashiel said as he exited the library. I followed him until we reached one of the windows in the hall. What does this man know about El-Hazard was a complete mystery and I was baffled beyond words when he pointed to a lone mountain in the horizon. "That's the tomb."
My heart almost stopped in astonishment as I saw what he was pointing.
Rashiel was pointing at MT. Muldoon.
**
Ifurita/
The clean up left me weakened. I had not anticipated that all my remaining strength would be drained at a task like that. I had recently felt weak but I could not tell my beloved. I hated to make him worry.
But I hated to lie to him even more.
I was looking for Makoto for a recharge. Sure anyone could recharge me, but when Makoto does it, I felt a most sensuous tingling mostly in my belly and my heart. Once I doubted that I had one but when Makoto held me in his arms one night, I felt his and then another. I felt my heart beat when was with him. And it races when I'm near him.
As I walked in the palace, I found my beloved with an astonished look on his face as he looked into the horizon. With him is a man that was extremely familiar but I could not place where I saw him.
The man smiled as he noticed me and nudged Makoto from his confused state.
"Oh, hi Ifurita," Makoto smiled as he gave me a kiss. I sensed that the man smiled at our display. "How's the city?"
"It's coming along," I answered but my focus was on the man. I couldn't help it but I knew I saw him before. I couldn't remember where.
"You'll get yourself a headache doing that," the man gently said, his smile never faded.
"Doing what?" Makoto asked curiously. The man suddenly took a rectangular object from his back pocket and opened it. It was the size of a small notebook and it gleamed with different lights. He pulled the side of the object and a small rod unfolded that glowed with a blue light and was parallel to the top of the object.
My surprise was evident as I recognized the object. It was a Molecular Bio- Scanner. The last time I saw it was when......... it was before I was sealed.
He held the scanner in front of me as he spoke. "She's trying hard to dig into her memory for recognition. Sometimes the search would be fruitless but there is a certain sense in the Valkyries that mimics stubbornness."
"Valkyries?" Makoto was confused but I wasn't. I stopped the search in my brain and eyed him warily.
"You are Angelian," I hid my astonishment. After all, I was looking at a descendant of my past. Must be why he looked familiar.
"Good," he smiled as he replaced the scanner in his person. "You must try not to strain yourself. As for your question Master Makoto, what you called Demon gods we call Valkyries. If it would please you I would call you of your name."
"Ifurita," I smiled. There's a certain familiarity this man was generating to me. It was almost like we were close at one time. "And please don't treat me as a child," those words though they came reflexively made him laugh. It was a familiar and comforting laugh. His voice could deter the demons I hold inside me.
"You will always be a child to me," he whispered but I could still hear him. Everything about this man was familiar.
"Oh! Ifurita, this is Rashiel Harabael. He's helping us find the culprit in the recent quake," Makoto smiled. Why does his smile affect me so?
"Really?" I smiled. "Then I must tell you that I heard a........."
"Musical sound in accordance with the quake," he was starting to scare me. That was so accurate that I believed that he was truly Angelian.
"If you know so much about the Lamp why are we in the library?" Makoto asked. And his questions were always filled with sense.
"I know about the Lamp but I don't know where it WENT," Rashiel smirked. "But........." Suddenly, Rashiel doubled over while clutching his right arm. I thought that he was having a heart attack but I could hear is heart, though was beating fast, was in no danger.
Makoto and I helped him and he was struggling to breathe. A few moments later, though disheveled after that, he was fine.
"What happened?" Makoto asked as he helped Rashiel straighten.
With a heavy breath, Rashiel looked out to the open and frowned in anger. "Another earthquake. And it was directed at the Shrine of Fire."
.
.
Princess Rune/
That Rashiel is an interesting individual. When I saw him entertaining the children of the orphanage, I knew immediately that he was a good man. He still is.
It was strange that I immediately found him......... charming. He then started to tell us stories of his and his brother's mischief. They were a bunch, if his stories are credible.
I didn't know what came over me when I had asked Rashiel to introduce me to his brother. He seemed to be a nice man from Rashiel's stories that I simply wanted to make sure that the stories were true.
But my main concern now is to get the person responsible for the destruction of my city.
"Do you believe in the Lamp of Earth, Afura?" I asked a rather preoccupied priestess. She was like this ever since she met Rashiel. I am not that ignorant not to see the meaningful look and the stolen glances she was giving to the young man.
"Evidences suggested that it had existed but was lost in time," Afura sighed. "If someone had found it, it must have been someone who had priestess's training for no one can control the lamps precisely as what had happened two days ago."
"I always wondered about that," I said as I studied her. Half of her mind was with our conversation but I had guessed that the other half was elsewhere. Still, it was a wonder that she could follow the flow of conversation even though she was thinking of something, or rather someone, else. "Was your training hard?"
"Grueling," Afura sighed. "The competition was tough but I tried my best."
"And your best exceeded the expectations of the scholars," I smiled. "I remembered Dr. Schtalubaugh saying that you are the strongest wind priestess yet." A faint blush appeared on Afura's cheek. Was she really embarrassed by that fact? It was a great achievement to be the best. But something was wrong, or rather, appeared to be wrong.
"What is it?" I asked. "Is there something bothering you?"
"Rashiel," she said in a whisper.
"What about him?" I must have a teasing tone since Afura suddenly flushed and began stammering.
"N... nothing!" she said. "It... it's just......... why am I so flustered?" she asked herself to my observation. I could resist teasing her.
"Perhaps you are not indifferent to the opposite sex," I smiled as she blushed even more. "Tell me, what made him different?"
"I can't explain it," Afura sighed. "I would go crazy if I tried. Princess, have you ever been in love?" I hadn't expected that question but somehow I felt that it was due. I never told them about my time in Creteria. It was too much for me to remember.
Too much for me to cope but instead, I told her of an event that happened when I was a child.
"Not exactly but I had a dream," I told her.
"A dream?" she looked at me with interest gleaming in her eyes.
"It was the most memorable though strangely I could still recall it even though it had been years since it happened."
"What was it?" she asked. She was eager to know. At least I had gotten her attention.
"I was thirteen at the time when it happened. I was an adventurous little lady back then. My mother blamed my father for he filled my head with stories of great battles that she feared gave me delusions of grandeur."
"Did it?" I could hear the teasing in her voice as I tried to hide a smile, which I failed dearly.
"Mostly," I admitted. "But then I have my own reasons in having those delusions."
"What are they?" she asked quite expectantly.
"For my twelfth birthday my mother gave me a book of stories of ancient El- Hazard. Oh Afura, if you could just see the book you'll be enthralled as well. It is filled with stories of ancient heroes that time had forgotten. One story that caught my attention was the story of the 'Keeper of the Holy Light.'" I immediately knew that Afura had heard of the term for she paused in her stride. It came to a surprise to me for my mother said that that book was quite rare and only a handful of copies remained.
"The 'White Prince of Legends?" Afura blinked. I never saw her so confused before. Indeed, her face betrayed recognition. She had heard of the story before. With a blink, Afura then smiled at me. "You sound like a little girl when you said that, your highness."
I couldn't control my laugh. "Truly? To tell you the truth, that book is what keeps me sane." There were times in my life that I thought I could never recover from despair. And one of them was the death of my parents.
I was sixteen when it happened. The Royal Cruiser crashed as it fled a flight of Bugrom fliers. For months I hid in my chambers refusing to believe in reality.
"The book is my refuge," I said out loud. "The stories in there were real to me than reality. Could you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes," Afura sighed sullenly. "I myself hide behind books to forget reality. Being a priestess tends to make one bored if one misuses the time." I found myself smiling then. It was a weird concept, priestesses being bored. But one look at Shayla I knew that this could be true.
"Anyway, I was so engrossed in the story that when I slept one night, I saw him in my dreams. I still remember that dream so vividly that I could have sworn it had happened."
"What did happen?" Afura asked.
"I dreamt that an entire hoard of Bugrom were chasing me into a dark forest. I ran and I ran but could not seem to lose them. One of them suddenly grabbed my leg and I tumbled to the ground. The funny thing was I could feel the fear I had that time as real not like some nightmare.
"As the Bugrom neared I felt despair. I didn't know if I should be glad or frightened for I would surely join my parents. But then, I remembered little Fatora. She was an angel then," Afura looked doubtful at my words. "I assure you, Afura, Fatora became......... unbalanced later on. When I remembered her, it gave me reason to live.
"I remember closing my eyes for I still feared what the Bugrom might do to me. And just then......... silence."
"Silence?" Afura had a look of confusion in her face but tried to understand. "What happened?"
"When I opened my eyes the Bugs stepped back. And there standing in front of me......... is an Angel.
"At first I didn't know who he was or what he was. All I could see was his back. But still he was a sight. His white clothes and his white, long flowing hair made him so regal and his white wings were spread as if to protect me from my assailants.
"He had on his left arm a blue and white gauntlet that clashed with his endearing white. Not exactly clash but it was the only thing with color in his person. On his right hand he held a sword of light that the Bugs were terrified of. And then, all was a blur.
"The next thing I could remember about the dream was the man carrying me in his arms as he whispered sweet words to soothe me. He had an angelic voice as kindness radiates from within himself. It was so soothing that I fell asleep. Then I woke up and the dream ended." What I didn't tell her was what he had said to me as I fell asleep.
'Sleep peacefully, my angel. I will keep the monsters away from you as long as you needed me,' I was ashamed to say that when I had turned eighteen, I had completely forgotten him. And talking to Rashiel made me remember again.
"The White Prince," Afura sighed in awe. "I wish I have someone like that," she said more to herself but I couldn't help but tease her.
"From the looks you've been giving Master Rashiel, it is wise to assume that you have a candidate," with my words, she flustered.
"I don't know the implication of your words, Your Highness," Afura stiffly said and I knew then that I was on the mark.
"He seems like a nice man and he has knowledge and wisdom. Isn't that what you were looking for in a man?"
"I shouldn't have played that stupid Earth game," Afura mumbled. She was forced to tell us what she wanted in a man when we were playing truth or dare, one of Nanami's favorite games.
Afura and I passed the time once when she was in the palace and we always opted for "truth" and rarely dared each other. Strangely, we always are truthful to each other. In truth, she was the only one I could confide in with my deepest secrets.
"Not to mention he's really cute," I threw in another log into the fire for good measure. Afura blushed and looked away.
"I haven't noticed," she said but I knew better. In the past few years, Afura and I have been as close as friends could be. She knows me well and I of her. And in her cool, calm interior lies a woman of passion. Perhaps Rashiel could draw that passion out of her.
"Your thoughts never left him ever since you saw him," I couldn't hide my smile and that made Afura frown.
"I was merely thinking about the knowledge he possesses and that I could learn from him immensely," she said defiantly.
"I'm sure you would 'learn' a lot from him," I must have sounded lewd for she had a look of shock in her face. She had such a cute expression that I couldn't resist. "Mayhap, if he would be willing, you could 'study' him extensively."
"Princess!" Afura was scarlet now. I couldn't hold back my laugh anymore. "That's not funny!" she glared as I laughed it out. With a frustrated sigh, she had her hands on her hips. "You'll have YOUR day."
"And I'm sure that you'll remind me of it," I smiled but it must have been contagious for she was beginning to smile as well. When the last of my laughter subsided, I felt like I could take on the world. It was nice to laugh like that. Pure laughter with no qualms on who was listening or what decorum I would be breaking.
It felt good.
"Can we go back to our discussion?" she asked as we continued on.
"I thought Rashiel IS the topic of our discussion," I wondered how long I could keep her blushing. It was only that time that I could catch her unguarded. But true to her words, we had more important things to discuss. "Give Rashiel and Makoto time, I'm sure they'd find something."
With a nod of approval, we went back to the palace.
I hoped that they would find something.
***
Makoto/
I couldn't find anything! We were in the library for hours, skimming each book and looking for references for the Lamp of earth. So far, nothing.
I could see the weariness in Rashiel's eyes as he browsed another book. Obviously, research was not one of his good points. As he got up, I could feel the tension in him as he ascended one of the ladders to reach the third floor shelves.
I should tell you about the library. It's a massive room that was as large as my school's gymnasium. About five floors of shelves that were perfectly arranged for easy use. Luckily, the quake didn't destroy it.
A lot THAT did for us. We still couldn't find what we were looking for. It was like the Lamp was a myth.
"These archives are new," Rashiel called down from the third floor. "The oldest book I could find is a hundred years after the war. None of which is useful to us."
"Are you certain?" I asked, although I must admit that he was right. Books about ancient El-Hazard were that old.
"I am," I couldn't help but notice the sincerity of his words. HE really must be a historian. "We need to find the old texts."
"I'm sorry but these are all we have," I said. Rashiel sighed and jump towards the ground. I was so surprised that I didn't do anything but watch as he landed with little noise on the ground beside me.
"Is this library new?" he asked as is the leap was nothing to him.
"No," I said as I recovered. "This was built over five hundred years ago."
"Then it's new," Rashiel sighed. This confused me, why would something built five hundred years ago be 'new'? "Then the only place to look is......... actually there are two places."
"Where are they?" I asked.
"The 'Earthen Tomb' and the 'Library of Kings'," I've never heard of either place. Was this man telling the truth?
"Earthen Tomb?"
"I could explain better if I am there," Rashiel smirked. "Though I don't think you would be really be that excited if you see what's inside."
"Why?" I asked curiously. Was there something that vile in that tomb? "Exactly where is the tomb?"
"I'm surprised no one knows," Rashiel said as he exited the library. I followed him until we reached one of the windows in the hall. What does this man know about El-Hazard was a complete mystery and I was baffled beyond words when he pointed to a lone mountain in the horizon. "That's the tomb."
My heart almost stopped in astonishment as I saw what he was pointing.
Rashiel was pointing at MT. Muldoon.
**
Ifurita/
The clean up left me weakened. I had not anticipated that all my remaining strength would be drained at a task like that. I had recently felt weak but I could not tell my beloved. I hated to make him worry.
But I hated to lie to him even more.
I was looking for Makoto for a recharge. Sure anyone could recharge me, but when Makoto does it, I felt a most sensuous tingling mostly in my belly and my heart. Once I doubted that I had one but when Makoto held me in his arms one night, I felt his and then another. I felt my heart beat when was with him. And it races when I'm near him.
As I walked in the palace, I found my beloved with an astonished look on his face as he looked into the horizon. With him is a man that was extremely familiar but I could not place where I saw him.
The man smiled as he noticed me and nudged Makoto from his confused state.
"Oh, hi Ifurita," Makoto smiled as he gave me a kiss. I sensed that the man smiled at our display. "How's the city?"
"It's coming along," I answered but my focus was on the man. I couldn't help it but I knew I saw him before. I couldn't remember where.
"You'll get yourself a headache doing that," the man gently said, his smile never faded.
"Doing what?" Makoto asked curiously. The man suddenly took a rectangular object from his back pocket and opened it. It was the size of a small notebook and it gleamed with different lights. He pulled the side of the object and a small rod unfolded that glowed with a blue light and was parallel to the top of the object.
My surprise was evident as I recognized the object. It was a Molecular Bio- Scanner. The last time I saw it was when......... it was before I was sealed.
He held the scanner in front of me as he spoke. "She's trying hard to dig into her memory for recognition. Sometimes the search would be fruitless but there is a certain sense in the Valkyries that mimics stubbornness."
"Valkyries?" Makoto was confused but I wasn't. I stopped the search in my brain and eyed him warily.
"You are Angelian," I hid my astonishment. After all, I was looking at a descendant of my past. Must be why he looked familiar.
"Good," he smiled as he replaced the scanner in his person. "You must try not to strain yourself. As for your question Master Makoto, what you called Demon gods we call Valkyries. If it would please you I would call you of your name."
"Ifurita," I smiled. There's a certain familiarity this man was generating to me. It was almost like we were close at one time. "And please don't treat me as a child," those words though they came reflexively made him laugh. It was a familiar and comforting laugh. His voice could deter the demons I hold inside me.
"You will always be a child to me," he whispered but I could still hear him. Everything about this man was familiar.
"Oh! Ifurita, this is Rashiel Harabael. He's helping us find the culprit in the recent quake," Makoto smiled. Why does his smile affect me so?
"Really?" I smiled. "Then I must tell you that I heard a........."
"Musical sound in accordance with the quake," he was starting to scare me. That was so accurate that I believed that he was truly Angelian.
"If you know so much about the Lamp why are we in the library?" Makoto asked. And his questions were always filled with sense.
"I know about the Lamp but I don't know where it WENT," Rashiel smirked. "But........." Suddenly, Rashiel doubled over while clutching his right arm. I thought that he was having a heart attack but I could hear is heart, though was beating fast, was in no danger.
Makoto and I helped him and he was struggling to breathe. A few moments later, though disheveled after that, he was fine.
"What happened?" Makoto asked as he helped Rashiel straighten.
With a heavy breath, Rashiel looked out to the open and frowned in anger. "Another earthquake. And it was directed at the Shrine of Fire."
.