Chapter Six: Lina: Just who is our leader!
3rd person's POV:
Working their way up to and through the apex Ledah found him self stuck with many questions that Ecthel has came up with… "Ledah, Where is Malice? How is she now? There is demon's in Heaven's gates too? Then… How's Asgard?" "… … Um… Ecthel…" Ledah tried to stop Ecthel but…
"Is there a new Magi to replace Hector? How have you been? … When do you think we should visit Asgard?" "Ecthel! Slow down! You are asking to quickly! I can't answer you if you don't ask one question at a time!" Ledah told him. "Sorry. I'm just wondering… It has been ten years and I am homesick. How is Asgard? There are demons there right?" Ecthel has calmed a bit.
Hecontinued to ask... "Yes. Demons have flooded the paths that we took. I was passing by the angel memorial and defeated those that were there. I met Malice and she said the demons were a bit too hard. I didn't really agree. But without my Lorelei… It was a bit tough, even for me. Malice and I came up with going through a set of training again. While she was training I will protect Asguard, and vise versa. We reported to the other Magi, he told us that he had a mission for one of us. That mission was to seek you out and to battle alongside you so that we will save Riviera from things worse from destruction." Ledah explained
"We need to defeat all the demons within a years' time from when they come back Ledah. We don't even know how long they havebeen back… I just hope we can save everyone." Ecthel said worriedly. "Ecthel, Listen… We need to go back to Asgard as soon as possible. I promised Malice that I'd return with you as soon as I find you. She must be having a hard time defeating the Demons." Ledah said seriously.
"So? Who cares about that murderer?" Serene said angrily. "Serene! Malice may have done some things that are mean and unforgivable, but she deserves a second chance especially considering that Hector tricked her into doing his evil deeds!" Ecthel said trying to stop Serene's anger. "You have forgiven her then…? Hector tricked all three of us! Ecthel, Listen! Since Hector, there are six Magus, I've only returned not too long ago so there are things I'm trying to make clear. Malice is different now too." Ledah said still trying to answer all the questions.
"Lina wanna see Ecthel's home too… Can we all go to Asgard together?" Lina asked curiously. "Is it nice there? Are there many magical things around?" Cierra wondered. "Guys, listen! Asgard has its pressure like Yggdrasil… You can handle it in Yggdrasil but it was already tough for you…" Ecthel tried to explain. "What is it like in Asgard? Is it warm there? I want to go too." Serene commented. Ecthel did not know what to do.
Three of them are asking to go see Asgard… "I don't know… Ledah, what do you have to say about this?" "They're sprites… right? We do need all the help we can get but… can they withstand the pressure? If they can we should take them. But let's get rid of the demons here first! Get ready Ecthel!" "… Umm… Alright! Let's go everyone!" Ecthel and the girls were too excited about Ledah joining them and talking about going to Asgard they didn't even notice a group of demons getting ready to ambush them.
"Our Enemies are weak against fire, ice and Holy… We ran out of Fire unless Ledah comes with us. What should we do? … Serene… Fia! Let's take infinite arc, rosier, zypher and Einherjar!" Ecthel said after a moment of thinking. "Isn't zypher electric? Think of your best bet! Electric wouldn't do much damage. The zypher may heal you after your over skill, but do you remember what happened in the last battle? Don't take that risk again Ecthel! Here, take this potion instead." Ledah said.
"Thank you Ledah, We ran out. Do you have enough?" Ecthel asked. "I don't really need them; I always carry one or two with me just in case. We need to collect some herbs later. I have only few left." He answered "Ecthel's Mimic Ray isn't always like that… It heals all of us… Just by chance it didn't score as many hits to restore that much. I think it'll do fine, Ecthel is our Leader… It's his decision." Lina Exclaimed.
"But what Ledah's saying is true though, we shouldn't risk it. What if mimic ray scores little damage when we are in a tight spot again? And we need to charge up enough power before he can cast it… I think it is way too risky! Potion will have to do." Serene pointed out agreeing with Ledah. "No way! Ecthel knows what he's doing… Serene is just being mean… Ecthel, what should we do anyway…?" Lina asked.
"Oh wow! Ledah is really good at this!" Cierra commented. "Are you all saying that Ecthel isn't?" Lina asked. "Cut it out Lina! Ledah is better than I'll ever be! It's true. I learned mostly everything I know from him! Now let's take this potion and no more risking with the zypher!" Ecthel said. "You are being hasty again… Think before you act!" Ledah reminded Ecthel but Ecthel countered it saying. "If I was hasty I would've charged into battle already! Come on! We've wasted enough time already! They're coming! Let's go!"
Enemies: 2 golem 3 skeletons and 1 plant
Members: Ecthel, Serene, Fia
Weapons: infinite arc, rosier, Einherjar and potion X5.
Enemies' formation
Back: skeleton 3 plants
Middle: skeleton 2 golem 2
Front: skeleton 1 golem 1
Attack formation:
Front: Ecthel Serene
Back: Fia
As the battle begins Ecthel asks "Everyone ready?" "Wait Ecthel… From now on, we'll switch off in battle. If you ever need to take a breather just tell us." Ledah said. "I'm the leader; I have to take part." Ecthel said a bit confused. "… Switching members is a useful tactic; we should try that as our members increase. I think Malice will be joining us too once we get back to Asgard… Think of what's best and then decide who to switch to. I did switch off with you in that last battle." Ledah said.
"Lina don't get it! Why switch? The enemies may attack while we are switching…" "Umm… I don't know… Ledah, could they attack while we're switching?" Ecthel asks. "Not if we do it quickly. What are you going to do? Risk yourself again or trust in the rest of us to finish the battle when you need rest?" Ledah asks letting Ecthel decide once again. "Alright. I'll try with switching. Thanks Ledah. Now let's do it!" So the fighting begins..
"Go Serene!" Serene's attack hit both enemies in the front line that scored a little damage to them. The Skeleton had yet again avoided much damage by Ecthel and Fia's attacks. This first round ends with the overdrive a little over the first level. Slowly doing small damage to the enemy and building up the overdrive was taking forever. After Serene's third attack the Overdrive finally maxed out.
By this time all three of them have taken damage about 25 percentalready. "My resolve shall prevail! Cadenza!" Fia's Cadenza however only scored four out of eight hits. This reduced the damage done to the Skeleton by half again. Another round passed without any misses but that still did not score much damage.
Ecthel thought maybe changing a formation will help so he starts instructing. "Alright, let's switch a formation guys…" Ledah stopped him because he saw some mistake in this action. "Wait Ecthel! Why are you going to switch right now?" "Not again! What is it this time?" Lina complained but they ignored her. "What is it Ledah? Is something wrong?" Ecthel asked. "Your formations are already good enough. If you go both left or right that sprite's holy attack will hit the ogre instead. You want it to hit the Skeletons because they are weaker to the holy element." Ledah explained. "Okay. No switching then… Let's keep going. Serene!" Ecthel said.
There isn't much change in this next turn still slowly dealing damage. Then they got hit hard by a strong rage attack. Ecthel quickly handed the potion to Serene for her to have a drink. "Here drink it serene!" "Okay…" They were still scoring little damage and it does not help that the next attack from the demons really hurt both Fia and Ecthel so they had to drink the potion too. "Fia, we both need to drink." Finally the overdrive was maxed again. "Fia! Do it now!" "My resolve shall prevail! Cadenza!" It still wasn't much since it scored only five hits. But they finally managed to defeat one of the skeletons.
A few rounds later the Overdrive was maxed again. Since the front line of the Demons was only an Ogre Ecthel decided to let Serene use her over skill. "Try your over skill Serene!" "Wait! Don't you think it's about time you switched?" Ledah pointed out. "Umm… I'm the leader of the group… I have to battle right? And Ledah, Can we switch every turn like changing formations?" Ecthel questioned. "You should take a rest after switching, if you rest long enough you will recover and some of your health will return." Ledah answered. "You have switched with someone before?" Ecthel said a little surprised. "Yes. With Malice. She was hurt, I took over … Then I got hurt so she came back… That was the toughest battle but with our teamwork we managed it. You should start switching". Ledah explained.
"Okay. I'll go for a break in the next round. Serene!" Ecthel said. "Here's my trump card! Serene Absolute!" A nice amount of damage although it missed once. Ecthel decided to switch off. "Okay… Ledah, Cierra, Lina… We're switching!" Ecthel said. "What are we going to do though?" Cierra asked. "… I'm not so sure about this. But I think… Lina should stand back; Cierra in the position serene is in and…" Ecthel started but he felt a little odd telling Ledah what to do since Ledah was the one who taught him everything he knew…
Fortunately Ledah knew exactly what Ecthel means. "I'll take your place. What weapons will they use?" Ledah asked giving Ecthel a stern look. "Cierra can use blue stingers for freezing matter… Lina can bring in her Spiral arc and… What else? You can take one more item…" Ecthel said "Here are all the herbs I have left. You should mix some potions before we switch again. I have mixed some already. Don't worry and relax, you need to recover." Ledah instructed"Ecthel is our leader! We can't battle without him!" Lina exclaimed. "Its okay, Lina… Let's trust Ledah okay?" Cierra tried to help. "Believe me; you would want to listen to Ledah too." Ecthel said smiling.
"But…" Lina tried to complain. "Are you ready or not little sprite? If not, I'll just go without you." Ledah said. "Ledah, please don't be so harsh on them…" Ecthel pleaded. "I won't be. Let's go, sprites!" Ledah said. "What should we do?" Lina asked. "Just attack them…" Ledah answered "Should I use my over skill when…" Cierra tried to ask but was cut off by Lina. "Cierra-san, Let Lina use Divine wind too!" Ledah was at a loss of words
He did not understand why the girls were fussing so much. "Yes, Cierra! By your turn if there is enough energy you should use Freezing matter." Ecthel answered for Ledah. "What about Lina's Divine wind?" Lina asked. "You'll have your chance. Now let's go!" Ledah said. "Ecthel… Lina wanna use Divine wind!" Lina said again kind of ignoring Ledah. "Ledah just told you that you can didn't he Lina?" Ecthel asked. "But Ecthel…" Lina whined "I'll let you have a go Lina." Cierra said.
With Ledah's Divide, not only it deals a great amount of damage the overdrive also builds really fast. By the time he finishes the energy stored has already reached over two levels. "Play time's over" Cierra's Freezing matter did a decent amount of damage. And they hadn't taken much damage. Cierra did not use her Freezing Matter so giving Lina a chance for Divine Wind in the next round.
"There is enough energy for a strong attack. We shouldn't waste it." Ledah commented. "Lina's Divine wind should deal some great damage." Cierra said. "Are you sure Lina can just use it? Mr. Ledah, Don't you wanna…?" Ecthel giggles a little and explained. "Ledah's over skill attack is like my Disaresta. It'll shatter the over drive meter. Go on Lina, use your Divine wind." "Okay... I never miss! Divine wind!" After that Cierra used another Freezing matter scoring great damage killing the ogre in the front.
The middle two moved up front. Another round went by and Lina wondered "Can Lina attack with Divine wind now?" "… … … You don't have to ask just do it!" Ledah answered. "Okay! Ecthel usually just tells Lina to attack…" "Ledah, do you think it's about time we switched?" Ecthel asked "Not yet. You haven't recovered enough." Ledah said. "I never miss! Divine wind!" The battle went on. They group keep up their efforts and after a while Ecthel has fully recovered. Lina had forgot to use her divine wind when the energy had maxed. They have all taken quite a lot of damage, even Ledah.
Ecthel noticed that the energy was enough... "Lina, why aren't you using Divine wind?" Ecthel asked. "Ecthel! Switch with the sprites before they die!" Ledah exclaimed. "Now? What's wrong, Ledah?" Ecthel asked. "Come, Ecthel! We'll take care of this now!" Ledah said. "Okay. Lina, I'm switching with you!" Ecthel said noticing the young girl was about to fall. "Why me? Is it because he says so?" "Hun?" He was a taken aback by Lina's rejection and question."Ecthel you are our leader! You're not supposed to let others decide for you…" Lina complained.
"I don't think Lina understands the fact that Ledah-san is much better at thinking ahead and battling than Ecthel is…" Serene commented. "Lina, I'm switching with you because your health is getting dangerously low! Ledah is right, we should switch." Ecthel explained. "Fine… But Ecthel please use Mimic Ray for us!" Lina said. "… Lina! Mimic Ray isn't a good attack against what we are battling! Besides, we cannot risk our lives again!" Ecthel exclaimed. "No fair! You can use Mimic Ray… It's not weak! It'll restore all of us… Why can't you just use it? Please? Come on Ecthel…" Lina Pleaded. "Come on Ecthel, Let's get this over with." Ledah said. "Ledah, you're not doing too well either… What happened?" Ecthel wondered. "I'll be fine. There's no time! Hurry make your selection." Ledah insisted. "Okay…"He sighs.and said "I'm sure Lina just wants me to show Ledah the true effect of Mimic Ray."under his breath to himself and decided it wouldn't hurt totry to heal the group all at once."I guess I'll go for Mimic Ray! I've got to try." Ecthel said.
Once he entered battle he used Mimic Ray to restore his friends' health. "This should end it! Mimic Ray!" It did not do much damage but it was still helpful that it killed the ogre. "Such power…" Ledah quickly divided as Ecthel instructed Cierra to use Freezing matter since he knows that Ledah's attack will boost the energy in the overdrive to over level two. "Cierra, use freezing matter after Ledah's done!" "Okay. Playtime's over!" After instructing Ecthel told Lina off. "Told you Mimic Ray wouldn't work that well Lina!" "Is that the true effect of your Mimic Ray?" Ledah asked. "Not yet, since some are good against electric you see…" Ecthel tried to explain but he did not know how to explain it.
Ledah caught on and warned Ecthel. "I know. I can see why you chose this now. But it's time to switch again, Ecthel!" "Okay. Um… I know, Fia! Join us, replace Cierra and take the rosier!" The battle goes on and two rounds later the overdrive maxes again when there was only a plant and a skeleton left. Ecthel was thinking to use an over skill. "Fia, you should use Cadenza, or I'll Mimic Ray." "Let me finish them off." Ledah said calmly. "What do you mean Mr. Ledah?" Lina asked. "The enemies' health isn't low enough… You shouldn't risk it… Ecthel always makes sure he'll finish before using Disaresta. If your attack is like his Disaresta… Shouldn't you…" Serene questioned.
Ledah smiled that seemed nearly like a smirk he said "I will finish this." "You mean… Alright! Fia, we'll just strike it so Ledah can finish with hisLost Seraph!" "Lost…? What did you just say? Lina didn't catch that…" "… That Flemish finishing blow he used when he saved us?" Serene asked. "Hun? Lina didn't see it…" Lina said. "You weren't paying any attention were you? Eating again…" Serene laughed. "You're mean!" Lina complained. "That's enough! You are distracting us!" Ecthel told them. "Sorry Ecthel." The two said in unison.
Both Ecthel and Fia attacked and scored good hits with the Rosier. Ledah started to glow and started his attack. "Thy Sin Shall Be Purged… Lost Seraph!" And he did finish the battle with it. "Judgment has been passed."
Battle Ends
That was an intense match but they managed it. Something was left behind. "Oh looky, looky! It's what we found when we finished off that first plant in Rosalina!" Lina shouted happily "You're right! Why do they keep showing up?" Ecthel wondered. "Yay! Let's go for it!" Lina exclaimed happily. "Sure!" Ecthel said.
Ledah however stared taken aback a frightened expression was creeping out which alerted Ecthel since Ledah's usually expressionless or hardly ever afraid. "Stop! Those are dangerous! Get away from it now Ecthel!" Ledah exclaimed sounding even shaky. "We got a power up from one of these in Rosalina." Ecthel explained. Still wondering why Ledah was suddenly so extreme. "Come on! Stop telling us what to do! You are not our leader!" Lina exclaimed angrily. She's had enough.
"Don't Lina! Ledah, what are these things anyway?" Ecthel asked. "You have touched a shrub's core before? They are rarely found within plants." Ledah said trying to suppress his shock and slowly becoming calm. "Yes. Although that one was greenish yellow. We got a health booster at the cost of some minor injuries." Ecthel explained.
"Most of them are poisoned; deadly especially the dark greenish ones… this dark yellow one are planted with a bomb… explodes upon contact. The greenish yellow ones are the least dangerous yet the most dangerous ones because it has random abilities so no one knows what they do exactly. Some greenish yellow are deadly like bombs or poison but some has good effects also… You were lucky. Looks like your luck haven't run out yet but if you don't watch it, it will run out soon." Ledah said crossly but a bit of his previous shock was still audible.
"Wow! Ledah sure knows lots of things." Fia commented. "I'm impressed! Where did you learn all that?" Cierra wondered. "Ledah must have seen them before. He was an expert when I was just a beginner. That was my first true mission ten years ago. Ecthel explained.
Then heasked. "Ledah, can you tell us how did you know about these things?" "… Okay. You'll have a better understanding about them anyway. I have actually experienced the terrors of them myself. I watched as my teammate who was more experienced than I was back then get poisoned because he accidentally tripped over it. He then told me to be careful of these cores. Che, I was just as hasty as Ecthel is… " Ledah said. "Ecthel isn't hasty! Stop saying that about him!" Lina defended Ecthel. "It's okay Lina. Let Ledah Finish will you?" Ecthel said to Lina disapprovingly.
Then he turned to Ledah "What happened?" He asked. "Well I was still in training. That day was a training mission, I was supposed to go into the forest and bring back three different vines from different kinds of plant. He was sent to keep watch over me, He was a much older and more experienced Angel. Like how I am now to Ecthel. After each battle with plants we would collect its vines. One of them left a core like this one except there was poison inside. I was already racing ahead to get my next vine… Well… I was a hasty and eager little boy who was very curious… I didn't notice there was an enemy ready to ambush me… My teammate dove in to help but he tripped over the poisonous core… As a child I was terrified. After the battle, He told me about the poison in the core… It was deadly. After the mission was over I was sent on training by myself. I've battled many plants but only found few more of those cores. I decided to try to touch one. That one was the same color as this one. Before I did however, a demon waiting to ambush me jumped out from behind and landed on it… The explosion was great… I was wounded greatly by it… If I had touched it myself I wouldn't be here now." Ledah explained a little shaky at first but then he regained his composure.
"Ledah…!" Ecthel was shocked. "That is the reason I tell you to not be so hasty, Ecthel. Curiosity and hastiness can get you killed. Anyway after I recovered I started to wonder about those things and wondered if there were any written data on them. As fond of books as I was, I set off reading again. All other information I know about those cores I have read it countless times in books. You shouldbe morecareful from now on." Ledah said lecturing them all once again. "I see. I'll be more careful now." Ledah still gets scared when he remembers what had happened but he does not let it on but Ecthel could see it in his long time friend's eyes.
"Lina do'nt understand! … Why do you listen to him all the time?" A sudden switch of the subject confused everyone. "Eh? What do you mean Lina?" Ecthel asked. "… … … …" Ledah didn't know what to say although he knew what she meant. "Lina, Don't trouble Ecthel!" Fia said. "Let's get this straight once and for all! Just who should we listen to?" Lina asked. "… Ecthel of course! He is our leader you silly…" Serene laughed and said. "No, Serene… Mr. Ledah tells Ecthel what to do… Ecthel always follows what he tells him to do… Should we listen to Ecthel or Mr. Ledah?" Lina questioned.
"Oh. … I don't know… We need to decide don't we?" Serene replied a little confused herself. "We were relying on Ecthel and made him our leader because he seemed more dependable in battle than us remember?" Fia pointed out. "Lina remembers. Lina thinks he is still a good leader." Lina exclaimed. "The question is who will be a better leader out of all of us…" Cierra said phrasing the question in a better way. "Um… Ecthel, how did you end up being the leader? You were hasty and always risk-taking… How do you manage?" Ledah wondered.
Ecthel thought a bit then..."I… … Um… In the first battle I had with them when I still had amnesia, they said I was better at battling than they were so they decided to make me the leader… I never thought about it much… But now, to have people look up to you while you just want to follow someone else is really tough. I get torn between asking questions and just telling them what to do…" Ecthel tried to explain. "Some of your decisions are better than mine. Ask yourself, what you think others will want… Often you will find the answer within yourself rather than asking others." Ledah said trying to give an advice to Ecthel.
"But Ledah, You know much more than I do!" Ecthel pointed out. "Ecthel, do you want to be their leader?" Ledah asked. "I don't know… They trust me and believes my judgment, they are not used to suddenly I become a follower and you telling me what to do. But I think with enough time they'll trust you too…" Ecthel said confidently. "I want Ecthel to be our leader!" Lina Exclaimed. "It's not what you want… It's who is more suitable." Serene countered. Leaving Ledah Speechless once again.