Chapter seven: Ecthel: Home sweet home.
The group sat on a patch of bright green grass within Elendia discussing about who'll be the leader. "But Lina doesn't feel like switching!" Lina exclaimed. "But…" Ecthel tried to protest. "Ecthel-kun is pretty good but… Ledah seems to be better…" Fia said. "… … Um… Ecthel… we should go… Get ready!" Ledah said and then he flies away.
"…? What's going on? Why'd he fly off?" Serene asked surprised and confused. "Was it something I said? He didn't look too well." Fia wondered. "Is he always this serous about missions?" Cierra asked. "Guys, Please! Ledah is pretty shy around people he isn't so familiar with. Yes he'll answer your questions but complements… That, he doesn't know how to respond to and often he'd just leave or ignore it. Don't worry, He'll come back. He is probably looking for something to read or maybe he went off collecting things we might need… And yes kind of. Well… He lost his emotions, Now that it's back… He must be still adjusting to them. We should get ready for our next destination. Ledah will want to set off as soon as he returns from collecting herbs if that's what he's doing." Ecthel explained.
"Can you tell us more about him so we don't offend him…?" Cierra said wisely. Ecthel started to get things together answered"There isn't much that will offend him that I know of. Once he gets used to you he's patient, nice, stern, calm, tough, friendly and he can be cold at various times… He likes reading usually you can find him reading something when he is troubled, bored or just for no reason… That was a long time ago though. I hardly know the Ledah now. But I don't think he has changed very much. I mean, he is kind of changing back into the way he used to be. I can just hear it in his voice, the way he speaks." Ecthel commented happily.
"What does that got to do with who should we listen to?" Lina complained. "Well… Since Ledah-san isn't comfortable with our comments we should stop. Ecthel-kun sorry we never let you decide on your own… We didn't ask you if you wanted to be our leader… Let me ask you now… Do you want to be our leader Ecthel-kun?" Fia asked. "… … … I never thought about it much… I just do what is needed to be done… Well… To tell you the truth I think Ledah would make a much better leader than I would but he won't really do it. He's too shy. He was the one who led me through heaven's gates when we were battling there ten years ago. I don't know. I think I'd rather not be the leader. But I will be if it's necessary." Ecthel said with determination.
"Well what should we do then?" Serene asked. Ledah came back and heard Serene's question he said "as I said, we should get going, and head off to Asgard now!" "Ahhh!" Lina was scared so she instinctively shot an arrow… "Don't scare Lina!" She cried.
Ledah dodged and landed next to Ecthel. "What the! Was he here all this time?" Serene asked also surprised. "We underestimated him again… But where was he?" Fia asked. "He's pretty good at dodging hun Ecthel?" Cierra commented. Ecthel glared at Lina. "Lina, don't try to attack him! You don't want him to attack you. You guys, Ledah is an expert, and didn't I tell you? He must have flown off to find some things we'd need."
He turned to face Ledah smiling. "So you're back. … Ledah, did you collect everything? We are ready. Is there anything thing else that we might need to go collect other than those healing herbs? "He asked."… How did you know where I went?" Ledah asked. Rose started to laugh. (Ha ha, ha! Oh man you six are so funny!) "Rose! Cut it out!" Ecthel said then he looked at Ledah againsmiling. "… Ledah, you do that all the time before you lost your emotions. Who wouldn't be used to it? I'm ready, so do you think we should take them with us to Asgard?" Ecthel asked."Why not… They are the ones who helped you stop the retribution so they are also needed. I did get everything. Let's go." Ledah answered.
(But you do act very funny all the time!) Rose complained. "You still talk too much for your own goods Familiar!" Ledah said sternly. "Oh Man! I missed those times Ledah… You are finally almost back to normal! Back to the way you used to be." Ecthel said. "Yes Ecthel. I do feel it returning. Everything." Ledah answered. "What's going on? Lina don't get it…" "Let's go. I'll explain while we are on our way." Ecthel said skipping ahead.
The group sets off again. This time they're heading to Asgard. On the way Ecthel and Ledah chat about old times. They are within Heaven's gates. "Will Ecthel tell Lina what's going on now?" Lina asked. "Sure. We were just talking about How Ledah used to be." Ecthel said. "Does he seem to be more like how he used to be now?" Cierra asked. "I suppose. It's what I think. But I'm not him so I don't know. Ledah, you did say you feel your emotions returning right?" Ecthel asked trying to confirm it. "… Yes. You can tell can't you? … I am not so sure though." Ledah answered.
"That's great isn't it? Hey, Ledah, do you remember when we used to play together. Or when I used to collect fruits with you? It was a long time ago but it seemed like it'd only happened a few days ago. Then everything changed… You just weren't the way you were anymore… So cold and distant even to me. Then I didn't really know you… It's good to have you back. The real you I mean. Without emotions you're just very tough to talk to." Ecthel said remembering about his childhood.
"Those old times were sure silly." Ledah giggled and continued. "I remember them. But I also remember a mischievous little boy running after me every day after I went training! He had to tackle me and beg me to tell him what I did that day. He did that every chance he could… do you remember? I agree it does seem like it hasn't been that long. And there was also that time when he flew into a girl… and then he came running to me crying… It was Malice remember?" "I don't remember about those things, Ledah. How old was I back then? I remember you teaching me a lot of things and we have been great friends for as long as I could remember." Ecthel said thinking hard to remember. "Of course you forgot… you were only three I think." Ledah said.
"Wow! Ecthel and Mr. Ledah have been friends since Ecthel was three? That's a long time!" Lina said. "Must have been hard on you when he changed." Cierra said. "I suppose I said I don't remember it! … It was hard getting used to him. But Ledah weren't I a trouble maker? Hector always said I was an annoying kid when he was talking to the others… I overheard him a few times when I passed by. Can you tell me about when I was little, what happened with Malice? Why was I crying?" Ecthel asked confused.
"That Troublesome Little Ecthel… Is that what you heard him say? Yes, I'll tell you. He thinks all children are troublesome. So it wasn't just you. Malice and I also heard him telling others about how troublesome we were when we were children. Well… Actually you were a sweet little playful child. You loved asking us what we did… to learn from it. Malice didn't like you very much because you were annoying to her. But to me… Well… You know how I am, I was happy that you were so admired by every little thing you hear from us." He giggled a bit "I didn't make any friends since I didn't really know how, and the angels around usually ignored or avoided me. This made your place even more important to me. After all, you were the only one who didn't treat me as an outcast. Just because I liked to study and is different from the rest of them they don't like me. So I decided that I'd teach you what I know. You were like a little brother to me I guess. Always there to let me share with you my problems or happiness. Although three year olds won't really understand very much about what a much older child is saying. That day, you were learning to fly. You crashed into her and she screamed at you. You got frightened so you ran away to me crying. Well Malice was a scary one. Most angels who are older than her are also afraid of her constant childish play speeches or her physical actions. She was a mean child although we rarely see her. Not many angels like her either. But she did manage to find friends. You know. There were a lot of things we did when you were a small child you probably forgot them all. I started to think I'll protect you from harm. What ever it was I will make sure you are safe, little brother. That's the real reason I blocked that attack in Yggdrasil. Although it was true that you were the best suited to complete our mission."
"That's so sad! But don't worry; Lina will be your friend." Lina started that surprised Ledah. "Uh… Heh, heh… Little sprite, I know." Ledah said. "So what is it like in Asgard anyway?" Serene asked again. Her curiosity getting the best of her. "You'll see when we get there. Guys let's get ready for battle! Those things hiding will come out any time!" Ecthel said and got ready. (Are you trying to impress Ledah?) Rose said still trying to mock Ecthel.
Ecthel just ignored her. "Ledah, Serene, will one of you go scan ahead? See who's hiding trying to ambush us…" Ecthel said. Ledah flies off immediately. "Okay, I'll go get a look see." Serene said. But she wasn't fast enough. "He's off!" "Hey! Stop! Come back here! I volunteered first!" Serene screamed after Ledah. "He is not going to come back. He flew off already." Ecthel said. "That's not fair! I said I was going to…" Serene complained. "But he volunteered by just doing it. He does that all the time. He is faster than you anyway. So let's just get ready." Ecthel instructed.
Ledah came back and told them what happened. "They ran away as soon as I threw fire at them… Let's go." "At least we won't be ambushed." They enter the next area and saw Malice flying towards Asgard. "Hey look! It's Malice! She's flying ahead! Let's catch up with her!" Ecthel exclaimed. "Why do we have to go catch up to that murderer?" Serene asked. "That's not very nice Serene…" Lina said. "I don't care, It was her who…" Serene started. "It wasn't her fault; she thought she lost her future for her Diviner, Remember? Serene, your friends have returned too…" Ecthel cut her short. "Malice has changed" Ledah said.
They hear a scream from far away. "Ahhhh!" It was Malice's voice. Then... "How dare you! Trie Noer!" Ecthel wanted to help "Oh no! She's in trouble! Let's go help her!" "How? She at least five areas ahead of us!" Lina asked. "… I don't know… Ledah can fly there fast. Serene, you can fly there and carry Lina with you. As for the rest of us… um…" Ecthel tried to figure it out.
"Ecthel, Grab a hold of me, and take the other two's hands now! I am going to fly as fast as I can with you three with me." Ledah instructed. "But we must be heavy altogether…" Cierra said a little worried about falling. Ecthel however did not doubt Ledah's abilities but there was a problem. "Okay… But Ledah, how can I grab them when I'm grabbing onto you?" Ledah thought for a moment and said "… … Fine then…" And then he took Ecthel. "Grab them now!" Ledah said as he lifted Ecthel into the air. Ecthel grabbed Fia and Cierra's hand quickly.
(Music: Grim angel)
Battle:
Malice was engaged in a tough battle when Ecthel arrived. She has taken a great deal of damage battling against two evil mages. Ecthel saw Malice get hit hard by a rage attack but she hadavoided much damage because it was the same element of attack that hit her. It meant she was having a really tough time because she scores little damage also.
Ecthel started to instruct the battle once they got there. "Okay! We made it! Let's join her now! The enemy is good with ice and weak against fire and electric… Lina, Come with me with Diana's bow! Attack formation! Lina you in backline… Start by building up energy for Mimic Ray!" there are already a good amount of energy stored in the overdrive.
"Don't we have a flag now? Oh yea it broke… But Ecthel's gonna Mimic Ray already? What about Lina's Stardust?" Lina asked. "I'll let you finish if they survive okay?" Ecthel asked trying to be fair. "Ledah, Ecthel… You two are finally here…" Malice said gingerly with a slight smile on her face.
"No time to talk, you should let us take over!" Ledah said. "Its okay, I can still hold on for a bit longer." Malice said. "Lina start by shooting arrows!" Lina did as told and they scored great damage.
One round was all it took to max out the overdrive. "This should end it! Mimic Ray!" The one Ecthel aimed for is almost defeated. "Now we build up the overdrive you your stardust Lina." Ecthel said
"Yay!" Lina cheered. Then two rounds later Ecthel and Malice kills one of the mages maxing out the overdrive. Ecthel told Lina to finish the last evil mage. "Go. You can finish it Lina!" "I never miss! Stardust!" And she did. "Yay We did it!"
Battle ends.
They head towards Asgard while chatting after the battle. Malice smiled and said "Thanks, Ecthel. But why did you save me? I was the one who did all those murderous things…" she asks. "Hey, you were deceived by Hector that you were doing the right things… Like how Ledah and I were fooled by him. Besides, it's not your fault to begin with. Ledah said you changed too. You were like a friend to me anyway before all this." Ecthel explained.
"Thank you for forgiving me. I want to join you too." Malice announced. "We should probably report to the Magi first." Ecthel said looking from Ledah to Malice then to where Asgard stood.
"Malice, Here's a potion. Drink it!" Ledah said handing her a potion. "Thank you Ledah." Malice said and Turning to Serene who didn't look too happy. "Um… You are that sprite I chased in Rosalina… Sorry about stealing your friends and Families' souls… I thought…" Malice started but Serene stopped her.
Serene was going to do something more but instead she just said, "I know. Ledah-san and Ecthel has told me… But still I can never forgive you. Murderer! You also tried killing Ledah-san! And then you did… Ecthel was so sad! His best friend from since he was a small child was killed… The one he looked up to for a long time… I will never forgive you for those reasons!"
"That's okay. I expected this. I don' ask for forgiveness, but please do give me a chance to at least try to help you with this mission." Malice said. "Ledah said you would want to join us. But I don't think you can handle it Malice…" Ecthel said. Soon the angels and sprites arrive in Asgard after defeating many, many tough demons.
Ecthel ran into a bedroom as soon as they arrived in Asgard shouting "It's been so long! We're finally home! Home sweet home!" and grabbing Ledah by the arm and pulling the poor red cloaked angel down on the bed with him. "Oaf! Let go of me Ecthel! You are hurting me!" Ledah exclaimed trying to struggle out of Ecthel's grasp. "Sorry! I'm just so excited… Let's get some sleep." Ecthel said and leaned back.
"Okay, We'll report to the Magi first thing in the morning. There was no reply since Ecthel is asleep already, his arms still wrapped tightly around Ledah's but it wasn't that hard anymore.