Chapter 10: Captured
"Finally! Dry land!" Cassandra jumped up and down and cheered as they stepped off the ship. "Now onto Split Rock!"
"How far of a walk is Split Rock from here Jesse?" Raphael asked while stretching his stiff arms.
"It's on the outskirts of the city. However, we'll need to get the king's permission to get to Split Rock." She said while stretching out her arms. Coming to a complete stop, she tapped her chin with her fingers, "But I don't think it'll be that easy to get permission. I mean, Split Rock is a most unholy temple. They say the Nevarious Crystal was first created there."
Siegfried walked up behind the trio with Melanie on his shoulders, her hands holding onto his neck guard to keep herself from falling back. In his right hand, firmly wrapped around his cloak and tied with ropes was his sword.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Raphael asked as they all followed his lead down the people infested pier.
These people, are they all from Krena? Siegfried questioned as he noticed that most of them were either hurt or sick. Isn't anyone doing anything to help these people? No, this isn't right. What kind of king would refuse to help refugees?
"Hey, Sieggy, why'd you stop?" Melanie questioned as she knocked on his head.
"Sorry, lost in thought." He replied.
"Hey! Slowpoke! You better hurry up or we're going to leave you!" Jesse called out, waving her arms. She was already off the pier and in the streets. As he dashed to where she was, he took notice of a building not to far off with people surrounding it. Sick people.
This is exactly like before. Exactly like… Images of Nightmare entered his head. Soul Edge grasp in his claw, corpses were around his feet, most were severed in one place or another. The armor and sword drenched with blood. Fire burned all around him, destroying what was left of a small village. His eyes glowed with an eerie crimson red as his, once blond now red, hair blew in the smoke filled wind. In front of the Azure Knight was himself, on his hands and knees like a whipped dog. Between the two was a snapped Faust covered in blood. His father's head sat on the blade, eyes rolled in the back of his head while he kept chanting 'murderer' over and over. Tears rolled down his eyes as he constantly begged for forgiveness.
"You know, staring isn't very polite."Cassandra's voice snapped him out of his trance. "Hey, you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just got lost in a thought. Well, shall we continue?"
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"Siegfried, me and you, one on one. We'll see who's the better knight." With a wave of his hand, Gilgamesh's armor disappeared as he stared into the mirror at his normal self. With a small incantation, his appearance and clothing changed to that of a wealthy businessman. "And it'll all be arranged by that greedy king."
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"There it is, Syr Castle. Home to King James Syr the twenty-third." Jesse informed them as they came to a large open area with an exotic fountain in the center. On the other side was a gigantic, white brick castle with four towers on each corner. Each tower's roof, along with the castle's roof was gold, though, whether it was gold plated or real gold couldn't be distinguish from their distance. Four guards were stationed in front of main door, the two closest to the door stood tall with halberds while the two furthest had rifles. Each wore white clothing with similar breastplates and boots that Jesse wore.
Step by step, they trailed through the jungle of people, pushing and shoving just to get across the flesh searing concrete beneath their feet. And if that weren't enough, the stairs had to have at least thirty steps hence the castle was on a hill. As they finally reached the top and stopped to admire the castle from a closer view, the right guard holding a halberd glanced at Siegfried through his mask's tinted eyes. "It's him! Seize him!" He shouted as he and his other halberd wielding partner charged the Azure Knight and held their weapons at his throat.
"Hey!" Jesse quickly protest as the tip of a halberd found itself foot away from her throat.
"Quiet." One guards holding a rifle snapped. Turning his attention to the halberd wielding guard on Siegfried's left, he spoke out in a commanding voice, a clear sign that he was the officer in charge, "You! Bring more guards out here and inform the king." The guard immediately took off and disappeared through the main door of the castle.
"Now, I'm only going to ask this once and if you refuse, I'll have to shoot. Drop your weapons and lay on the ground."
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"So, he was heading here, was he? Bring him before me. I want to see that demon with my own eyes." The king gritted his teeth as he ordered one of his personal guards. Immediately the guard walked down the red carpet and through the main doors. "Mr. Dole, thank you for your information. You will be greatly rewarded if he is this demon as you say he is. Though, I've never heard of a demon walking around in a humans' form without the aid of an enchantment."
"Then be prepared, because after today, you'll be weary of every human you ever meet." A green cloaked man said.
"Let go of me!" Cassandra shouted. "Hey! Don't push!" The door swung open as she stumbled in, her hands shackled in front of her by a set of thick restraining cuffs. Behind her were two armed guards, being followed by three more sets of paired armed guards, each with a prisoner. They pushed her down the red carpet and to the steps in front of the king's throne and made her drop to her knees. A shaken Melanie stood beside her like a frightened dog behind its master.
One by one, her friends were dropped to their knees beside her. "Sire," An armed guard approached the king with the wrapped up Faust in his hands and sat it on the floor, "This is the weapon Mr. Dole described." The soldier removed the cloak from the sword and held it in front of the king.
"A large, chipped sword. Just as you said." The king studied the weapon carefully, running his hand over the blade's surface.
"Yes my lord. He chipped it when he shattered the chrysm crystal powering the barrier. And as you can see, the sword is singed all over. The only way a sword would get this badly singed is if it were in a fire." Mr. Dole's lie caused Siegfried to scoff in disgust. "And Krena was caught on fire, was it not?"
"That voice." Siegfried looked up at Mr. Dole and eyed him suspiciously. His eyes quickly turned deadly as venom entered his threatening voice, "Gilgamesh."
Cassandra finally took notice at the man standing beside the king, mostly because Siegfried brought it to their attention when she overheard him say 'That voice'; however, she couldn't quite hear the name he said. Soon she found Mr. Dole returning her glance, an amused smirk was apparent on his face, "Hmm, interesting." He spoke up, "Your highness, forgive me for speaking without permission, but don't you find amazing that this murderer has companions who look as serene as that girl."
"Yes, it truly is, and at the same time, frightening. You'd never guess she was part of a murderous demon's party."
"Murderer?" Siegfried snapped while jumping to his feet, a guard quickly struck him in the back of the knee with butt of his halberd, causing the knight to drop back into a knell, "What the hell is going on?"
"You are accused of destroying Krena. Though it is a city of another country, Krena is a valued business partner. Because of your act, many materials we don't produce here we can no longer get. Thus, when you attacked Krena, you attacked Syr. So tell me, how do you plead."
"You're out of your god-damn mind if you think I attacked Krena." Siegfried was quickly hit in the back by one of the guards.
"Speak properly to the king!"
"Sorry if your king is a fool. Because only a fool would listen to Gilgamesh." Siegfried growled as the guard struck him again.
"Preposterous! Me, Gilgamesh? Ha, listen to this monster. Clearly he is guilty if he starts to accuse the witness as being the infamous Crimson Knight." Mr. Dole gave out a small laugh.
"Really, then what's under all those clothing?" Siegfried questioned, "It is easily to hide one's armor under a cloak. All you need to do is remove the neck guard and pauldrons and you'd never notice."
Mr. Dole untied his green cloaked and let it drop to the floor, revealing his blue shirt and white pants. "As you can see, I have nothing to hide you demon."
"I've seen enough. Take them all away. Tomorrow they'll be executed as the final entertainment in the arena." The king said in a tiresome manner.
"Wait!" Siegfried yelled out as a guard picked up Melanie and started to carry her off. The rest of the guards surrounded them and started to drag them away. "I said wait!" He broke free of his two guards while transforming, his hand shatter the cuff as it turned into a gigantic claw, allowing him to quickly grab two of the guards and toss them clear across the room.
"See your highness! He is the demon I told you about." Mr. Dole exclaimed excitedly while pointing.
"Guards, kill them now!" The king quickly stood up, his voice was firm and strong as he made the order.
"Wait!" Siegfried's voice boom throughout the room as he dropped a guard to the ground. All movement in the room ceased, all eyes were immediately fixed on him, the only noise to be heard was the grinding plates on his armor and one of the guards on the ground moaning in pain.
"Hmm?" He heard the king. He knew he had his attention, and he knew that what he said next determined everyone's fate. He could accept the sentence if it was just him, but he would be damned if he allowed the others to be sentenced as well.
"They're not my friends. Hell, I don't even know who they are. I boarded one of the boats that was escaping and met them there. They said they were going to Split Rock and I asked if I could tag along. They had nothing to do with Krena!" Siegfried shouted as he reverted back into his human state.
"Siegfried, no." Cassandra was shocked by his claim.
"Shh." Raphael whispered to her, "It's his way of protecting us. Don't ruin his plan." As silent as he was, he wasn't too sure if the two guards beside them overheard, but then again, the two guards were too entranced by Siegfried to really notice.
The king sat down and took a deep breath. He watched as several guards wrestle Siegfried to his knees and brought his hands behind his back, instantly slapping a pair of handcuffs. His eyes scanned over Jesse, than Raphael, and finally Cassandra. Letting out a sigh, raised his hand to stop all movement in the room, "Is his claim true? Did you not know who he was?"
"No your grace. We had no idea who he was." Raphael spoke up.
"There's your proof." Siegfried quickly snapped at the king.
"Very well, take him away. As for the others," He looked at Mr. Dole, "prepare some rooms for them. It is the least I can do for their humiliation. Mr. Dole, I'll have a room prepared for you too. You'll receive your reward in the morning."
The guards through a series of chains around Siegfried and pushed him toward the door, "Move demon!"
"Lieutenant," The king called to the guard to his left, "that girl in blue, I want her and her friends to join me for dinner tonight."
The guard turned toward their newest guests and stared at the girl as one of the maids approached them, "My lord, she looks like her…but she couldn't be her, could she?"
"I don't know, but I plan to find out."
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"Dyne, are you sure you want to do this?" The elder asked as Dyne checked the clip in his handgun before placing it in the holster.
"You saw through the amulet like I did. She's there, and for the first time in nearly sixteen years, she's going to meet him." He picked up the rifle and threw its' strap over his chest, "You know how he is. How he conquers the weak and forces them to do cruel labor. How he has those damn arena combat competitions instead of focusing on more important things in the world, in his country."
The elder let out a sigh as he started to reminisce the past. "The brave little boy we found in the woods sixteen years ago, protecting his little sister with nothing but a sword from a small pack of blood thirsty demons." The elder looked at Dyne with a sadness in his eyes. As their eyes met for a split second, the elder tore them away and wheeled over to a chest beside a large rack containing various colors of breastplates. "It's funny, when most people grow up, they change. You, however, were already grown up. It just took sixteen years for your body to catch up with you. To protect your sister, that's how you lived then and that's how you live now."
"I'm sorry." Dyne's voice was barely audible, though it was still heard. He picked up a duffel bag and threw it over his left shoulder. "But you know I can't stay as long as she's there. I can't risk her learning the truth about the father she never knew. It'll destroy her."
"I understand." The elder opened the old, dusty chest. "But before you go, you need to take off that armor."
Dyne turned toward the elder, his fingers touched the insignia stating his rank on his right breast. "You're right. This armor belongs to the resistance, and this rank belongs to a resistance fighter."
"Boy, you're speaking nonsense." The elder scowled him as he desperately pushed himself onto his feet.
"Elder!" Dyne quickly rushed over to him.
With a small chuckle, the elder leaned on the rim of the chest and reached inside and pulled out a small, dusty old blanket, "I may be getting old, but dammit, when I want to get up, I'll get up!" Slowly he moved out of the way. "Now, I want you grab what's in the chest. I'd hand it to you, but these old hands aren't as strong as they used to be."
With his long arms, Dyne reached inside the chest and pulled out a white breastplate with a golden symbol on the right breast. "Elder, this is…"
"Yours? I know. That symbol will remind you that you will always be apart of the resistance, of my family. But, when you go rescue your sister, I want you to rescue her not as a member of the resistance, but as her big brother, Prince Dyne Runner Syr, heir to the throne of the Syr."
"Elder…"
"I have a set of clothes for you as well. But, there is one last thing I must give you." He threw aside the old blankets, revealing a sword underneath with a golden guard and fine red silk around the handle. "I kept your sword because I knew one day you would leave. I just wish it wasn't so soon. Take it, and protect your sister with it as you've done for so many years with your gun." The elder then handed him the majestic blade. When Dyne took the sword, he held out his hand as a sign of trust, which Dyne gladly shook. Dyne withdrew his hand, finding that the green amulet had been placed in it.
"I'm an old man leading a resistance. The only aid I can give them is advice. You, however, are young and strong. You have learned much wisdom from me in the past, and you know as much as I do when it comes to the legends behind the Nevarious Crystal. Provide Siegfried the wisdom he desires and the strength to help him." The elder stated as he walked back over to his wheel chair and eased himself down into it.
"I'll rescue my sister and her friends and help Siegfried. You have my word."
"Good, good. But promise me one more thing before you go."
"What is it elder?"
"Promise me that you'll at least talk to your father."
"I…"
"Listen Dyne. Your father, no matter how bad he is, loves you. It would be best if you at least talked to him. See if you can make him see the error of his ways. Convince him that Siegfried isn't the one who destroyed Krena. You can even stop by to say hi and let him know that you're alive. It doesn't matter how you talk to him, just as long as you do it. Either way, I can guarantee you that you'll at least ease the man's heart."
"That man cares for no one but himself and his damn power."
"That is where you are wrong. Every father in the world loves their children, and your father is no exception. I know this because I consider you and Jesse my own children. And I know I'd be devastated if something were to happen to you."
"I…promise. I'll talk to my father at least once."
"Thank you, my son."
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"And here is where the ladies will be staying." The maid said as they stopped in front of a door to one of the guest rooms. "Please don't hesitate if you need anything." The maid said as slightly bowed her head and walked away.
Cassandra opened the door and stepped into the extravagant room. Two, neatly made beds with thick, blue blankets were in front of them. Between the two beds was a nightstand with a pink lamp in the center. In front of the beds, across the room was a large dresser with an exotic, golden mirror nailed to the wall above it. Beside the dresser was a closet, and on the other side was the door leading to the bathroom. On the furthest right was a sliding glass door leading to a balcony complete with a table and four chairs.
Jesse walked in after her and started to move around the whole room, "This is amazing!" She stopped in front of the sliding glass door and opened it. "And what a view! Hey, Cassandra, you should come and…" She turned around to see Cassandra looking at the bed with teary eyes. "Cassandra?"
She slowly climbed onto the bed and buried her face into the pillow, crying and banging her hand into the bed, "I hate him! I hate him! Siegfried, I hate you!"
"Cass…" Jesse shook her head while walking over to the other bed that Cassandra was on and sat down beside her. Like a mother soothing her child, she ran her fingers through Cassandra's hair, "It'll be okay. We'll find a way to prove that he's innocent."
"Why? He could've easily escaped, but he chose to let them capture him in order to protect us."
"Everything will be alright. Just you wait and see." Jesse tried to soothe her friend. Siegfried, I hope you realize that you made Cassandra cry. You better make it up to her you big jerk!
