Chapter eleven: Speeding towards the light.
On the way back to Elendia they met up with Malice. Ledah is about to faint again but he did managed to tell them that the things needed for the potion to restore Rose's voice is seventy-five percent completed. Malice joined them wondering what's going on. "Are you a true grim angel now?" Ecthel asked once Malice joined. "Yes. Is Ledah okay? I thought I heard his voice but he's out cold… Was I hearing things?" Malice asked staring at the unconscious Grim Angel wondering what had happened to the usually very powerful seraph.
"Nope. Mr. Ledah was just awake. Hi, Miss Malice!" Lina exclaimed after responding to Malice's question. "You are here to join us for good right?" Serene asked. "Yes" Malice said then she asked. "What was Ledah talking about 75 percent complete?" "My Familiar Rose… She lost her voice due to the effects of a potion Cierra made to help her. Ledah has collected things that can help restore it. He was telling me our progress." Ecthel Explained. "Let me see… Okay… I know where to get the other items… I'll meet you back in Elendia… Where a harpula and fairy are okay?" Malice said. "The Grove of Repose… Where I usually go." Serene commented lightly. "I might take a while. So wait for me." Malice said as she started to fly away. "Where are you going to go?" Ecthel asked. "To get the rest of the things. See you later." Malice answered and she flew away.
Once they got back to Elendia they set Ledah on the bed and got most of the Elendians together. Then Ecthel went to meet Malice in the Grove of Repose as the other sprites worked to help the Elendians with Ledah. Feeling weak and almost unable to walk Ecthel tried flying. Malice saw him and went over to him. "I'm over here. What's the matter?" Malice asked a little confused. "I don't know. I feel like my legs are falling asleep… Come on, We live in Lina and Fia's house which is this way. Ledah and everyone else are there already." Ecthel told her.
"Can you fill me in on what happened?" Malice asked. "Okay. We were running from the flood and battling a few powerful demons. The water that was infected by a Virus soaked us. It's a deadly one. Even Ledah seemed scared when he realized what it was; he told us what he knew of it." "The Aqua Poisoning Virus?" Malice asked "Yes. The Elendians told you about it already?" Ecthel said a bit surprised. "Yes. I asked them when the entrance was blocked I couldn't get through. I did not try touching the water and came to ask about it." Malice explained. "It's Ledah's first time being sick so it is really dangerous for him." Ecthel said with much worry.
When they got into the house Ecthel took out the things they collected. He decided that they should just make the potion now. "Malice… You know what is needed for the potion but do you know how to make it?" Ecthel questioned as he started to get things in order. "No. But Ledah did make a potion to restore someone's voice some years back… I was the one who collected the items. You were assisting him remember?" Malice said. "Really? How long ago was it?" Ecthel asked surprised.
"I'd say you were about nine at the time so you wouldn't have forgotten… would you? Oh! And when Ledah was practicing that particular potion a year before he restored that angel's voice… You were with him all the time when he was practicing… I think he started when he was fifteen. You should remember that too…" Malice said after a moment. "… Yes. I remember some of it… but it was complicated… I don't know if I remember correctly and all of it. Fia, will you help me with this? Let's see… We need some water and then cook it…" Ecthel said trying to think of the way Ledah had practiced and practiced seeming like ages ago. "I'll get the pot ready. You can start mixing." Fia said not quite catching on of what to do.
Ecthel was muttering to himself and trying to make the potion but he cannot remember most of the important parts. "Let's see…This and this first then add in the water… No… That's not right… Green and Yellow… No not like that either…" After a wile of trying he decided it was best to use the notes Ledah has taken many years ago. "Malice! I have a task for you… Can you go back to Asgard? I know where Ledah puts all his notes on his studies! I used to help him get his notes when he forgets them. It's in the box on the top shelf of his bookshelf that's on the right hand side of his bedroom." Ecthel instructed. "You sure memorized where everything is back home…" Malice said surprised by Ecthel's sudden wisdom. "It's something I did every day! Why wouldn't I remember?" Ecthel asked as he continued to work on the potion.
Malice quickly goes back to Asgard and into Ledah's room… She looked around the top shelf… Then when she found it she was surprised… There were many notes on almost everything that Ledah knows. Malice took the box and Returned to Elendia. Ecthel Cierra and Fia started to work immediately. Ecthel read the notes as the two quickly worked. Serene was sleeping and Lina playing. "Okay. I'll put it in now." Cierra said. Ecthel looked at her and tried to stop her "Wait Cierra!" Ledah woke up at that moment. "I see you started the potion without me. But you are not doing it correctly!" Ledah said quickly. "Ledah! I was just going to tell them…" Ecthel said. "You went home and took out my notes…?" Ledah said a little surprised. "I asked Malice to. Well… Now that you're up you can tell them what to do… Are you feeling well enough for the task?" Ecthel asked. "Yes. Ecthel… do you remember how much water to add each time? You were an expert on figuring that out." Ledah commented. "Yes. I remember. I'll add the water when the time comes." Ecthel said remembering what to do now.
With Ledah telling them what to do the potion was done in no time. Ecthel told Rose that the potion was finished. Rose drank it down immediately. With that she fell asleep. Ecthel decides to go to check for demons in Mireno Cemetery after they all feel better After five days Serene woke up with her energy restored. Ecthel and the rest of the Sprites were all in bed… They could hardly move… And worse of all, Ledah has fallen into a deep coma-like state, about a day after Rose started to talk normally again. His blood supply dangerously low and the Elendians and Malice had no rest at all for the five days…
It was from helping the four who were unable to move or inserting as much Nutrition as they can to save Ledah. And on top of that they needed to keep doing their own jobs… Serene came to help them as soon as she felt better. For some reason Ledah started to tell Ecthel to go defeat all demons… Serene who was in the room currently heard him was surprised.
"Claude! Ledah just started to talk! What does that mean?" Serene wondered while getting food and other things ready. "It depends on the situation. He could be just dreaming." Claude said checking on the situation. "I'll tell Ecthel." Serene said and she went into Ecthel's room "Ledah just said something and Claude said it depends on the situation…" She said to Ecthel. "What did he say?" Ecthel asked alerted.
He was thinking of what had happened with himself. "Here's what he said word for word… "Go… Go defeat them all… Ecthel…" What do you think he was up to?" Serene asked uncertainly. She did not know if Ecthel knew what was going on but he and Malice did know Ledah better than anyone else here in Riviera. Like Serene will ever ask Malice at a time like this though.
"Ledah wants us to go finish the demons off… That's so like him. Tell Malice to notify him… He wont listen otherwise. Tell him that we won't leave without him." Ecthel said. "He is in coma Ecthel!" Serene protested. "I know Ledah will respond… Like I did… We are both angels… I think I have a solution here." Ecthel said pensively. "What do you mean?" Serene did not catch on. "You said last time I said something about Ledah… Right? I remember it now. I heard his voice telling me to fight… at the same time I heard your voices calling my name and telling me that you needed me… Weren't I in a coma state back then too?" Ecthel said asking about what happened last time to try to explain what he meant.
"I think so…" Serene answered. "When I said "Don't leave us, Ledah. Please stay and help us protect Riviera…" that time… I heard you guys say that Ledah was dead and that he wouldn't want to see me die either… And then I decided to delude myself about Ledah's death… But after that I felt like somehow I did not want to leave yet and a part of my Angel power surged through me. Then I get better right? So I think with us angels… We can still hear our friends' protests even in coma… And speak of what we want someone to do or what we truly want…" Ecthel said still thinking about the Virus' effects.
After Serene told Malice about talking to Ledah Malice was confused. She went to Asgard to get some information. A week went by and Ledah hasn't woken up… Ecthel and the girls are back to normal… Ecthel went to ask about Ledah… "How is he doing?" Ecthel asked Claude as he came out of his bedroom.
"Not good… He is worse off than you were. But that is explainable. You were here in our care within three days and him after ten days… We don't know what to do. The Virus has not warned down either… It has attacked his Veins and Arteries for many days already. We are surprised he is still alive though. You recovered by the third day into the second stage. If he manages to recover… He will be very weak and he will be wounded easily and vulnerable to many things. He might still faint easily." Claude said explaining to Ecthel about the situation.
"Ledah doesn't die easily. Let me see him okay? Ecthel said and went next to Ledah… "If you can hear me, Ledah… please answer me…" Ecthel pleaded. "Yes… Ecthel… Go defeat the demons… You only have three months left…" As if responding to Ecthel, Ledah said spoke weakly… "We are not going to leave you behind! We will make it if our entire group sticks together… You, me, Malice and the sprites… We need you! You can't leave us now Ledah! Not when you just got your emotions back… And we have almost gained true peace! I will not leave you behind this time!" Ecthel Exclaimed worried.
"What are you doing still here…? I said Go! Besides… You know well I won't die here! Ledah, The grim angel will not fall here! Not now anyway. Go on, before it's too late!" Ledah exclaimed weakly still. "That sounds like what he said to you when we were back in Yggdrasil… Is he dreaming about that?" Serene asked as she joined them. "No Serene… He's talking to me. I could have talked to you too. I did tell you to quiet down didn't I? That time I wanted to think I was with Ledah… And we were at home… In Asgard" Ecthel said slowly.
"That was foolish, Ecthel… Now go defeat the demons!" Ledah said once more. "Oh my gosh! Ledah is really talking to us!" Fia exclaimed shocked. "I still think he is just dreaming, Ecthel… He is talking like when we were back in Yggdrasil ten years ago." Serene said still not convinced about what Ecthel had told her. "I don't think so… This is what the difference is with us Angels… We are half awake… That was what happened with me. I'll just confirm it." Ecthel said then he started to talk to Ledah.
"Let's see… Ledah… how did you know how much time we have left? There was no respond… "Ledah…?" "See… It was only a dream! He isn't really talking to us. What you think must be only wishful thinking. He's out cold." Serene said. "But for some reason I think Ecthel is right on this one… Ledah is tired… He might have really fallen asleep this time…" Rose said for once finally agreeing with Ecthel.
"Look at what I found in Hector's files… These files have been labeled as unwanted old unnecessary information. which I suspected because I found an old file on very important things in there… It was the record of the war that happened 1000 years ago." Malice said rushing into the house. "Malice, When did you go home and got that?" Ecthel asked surprised. "Right after Serene told me to talk to Ledah… I thought about what she told me days ago about what you said… So I wondered if there were some files about us Angels who gets sick." Malice explained. "Let's see it! Will you read what you found out?" Ecthel asked a little excited.
"It says… 'All records on the various viruses that may have an effect on angels… Most are light but some are severe… Ones like the virus of water that attacks blood…' Look here's passage on the records for this virus! 'There are a few situations… One: the angel will think he or she is in a different time as the current times and therefore speak something of the time they thinks they're in. Two: The angel might talk as if he or she knows the situation but after a while they'll stop. And Third: The angel will be silent at all times. At these times the Angel may seem to be out cold or in coma but that isn't the case. They aren't in coma but they aren't fully awake either. It's more like they are half asleep… a trance or under a spell. Too weak to open their eyelids and move… It is a strange situation. An angel who will die most likely wouldn't be able to speak more than three words. This has been tested on three fateful angels which one died, and the other two barely survived. If the angel is talking a lot no matter what they are saying chances are that they will get better after the virus is worn out.' That's all."
"I think the first situation happened to me… And Ledah is in the second situation. What do you think?" Ecthel asked. "I guess… Then does that mean…?" Fia started. "Malice, is there any more?" Ecthel wondered "No. That's all there is. But discarding all these important files… It's a good thing it hasn't been thrown out yet." Malice pointed out. "Yea. Malice, He wanted to become the only god right? Then he would have tweaked everything around. Anyway… Can you go and find some more information on what the virus will do to us angels?" Ecthel asked happily that they found out more and there was more hope.
Suddenly they heard a small weak voice in a firm tone. It was Ledah… "We have enough information. You are wasting time… We only have less than three months left. So you better hurry! Or Riviera will be doomed! Ecthel, Go! Go and defeat them all!" "What the! Wasn't he sleeping?" Serene said shocked to hear that voice. "When did you wake up?" Malice questioned also surprised. "Were you stopped by the Virus on answering us about my question? Like the second situation in the passage?" Ecthel asked. "How did you know that Ecthel?" Serene asked. "Well… I noticed that he was trying to say something…" Ecthel said and waited for Ledah's reply.
Everyone else stayed silent. "Yes. Well we have an year. After battling demons at heaven's gate endlessly, it has been about three months since they attacked. Then I was sent to find you. I tried everywhere… Many days has gone by. After about two months I finally found you. We then traveled together… We took a month to get back here and then to Asgard took also some time. Then we went to Tetyth and have spent about two more months there. Counting them all together it has been about nine months. So we only have three more months." Ledah explained.
"I didn't even notice it's been that long!" Ecthel Exclaimed. "Then let's go! We have to finish them all!" Serene exclaimed flying out. "Um… Serene… Lina, Cierra and I can't fly!" Fia pointed out. Serene crashes into the wall. "I'll go find Lina and you get Cierra!" Fia said and ran out of the house. "Oww…" Serene said rubbing her nose and agreed. "Yea… Alright…"
"But… Ledah, I can't just leave you here!" Ecthel said and Lina ran in at that moment. "Co-co! Make us some bread and…" She stopped when she saw Ecthel; She made a dash tackling him. "Ecthel!" "Whoa! Lina! Hey, what do you think you're doing! Don't tackle me onto Ledah! Ahh!" Ecthel did not know what to do so he flew up with the playful little girl whose hands was accidentally tangled around his legs… "Help!" He yelled.
"What's going on…? Ecthel, what's wrong…?" Ledah was alerted but wasn't able to open up his eyes to see so he asked Malice Helped Lina untangle while grabbing hold of Ecthel's hand so that he wouldn't fall. "Don't play around, here right next him! It's dangerous! Are all three of you okay?" She asked. "I'm fine." Ecthel said landing by Ledah. "Thanks for bringing her down…" He said.
"You flew up with the little sprite on you…? You're being hasty again… You really shouldn't be so hasty." Ledah said. "Ledah… I…" Ecthel did not know how to respond. "He wasn't being hasty, Ledah." Malice quickly said. "Mr. Ledah's awake! Lina doesn't think Ecthel was Hasty." Lina also defended Ecthel. "What do you mean, Malice?" Ledah asked. "Lina tackled Ecthel… Lina's very sorry. Please don't blame it on Ecthel… Lina is the one who grabbed Ecthel…" Lina explained. "But he shouldn't fly up knowing that he can't carry anyone." Ledah said lecturing yet again.
"Ledah! Ecthel was only a few inches away from you! The direction this little girl tackled him will throw him on to you if he didn't fly up. Do you think he would let that happen?" Malice asked. "Sorry Ledah… I should have thought about it first." Ecthel said. "What happened? Ecthel, what did Lina do?" Fia asked as she came back into the house. "Everything's fine now, Fia." Ecthel said.
Malice was still grabbing hold of Lina "She almost made Ecthel crash onto Ledah! If Ecthel didn't have his wings back… …" Malice started but was at a loss for words. "Come on, Cierra! Looks like something happened!" Serene said excitedly while pulling Cierra into the house. "Oh my… Malice is grabbing Lina!" Cierra exclaimed surprised and confused. "Malice, What happened?" Serene tried to ask but Ecthel took control. "Never mind about that! No one was hurt." He said. "But I want to know what's going on…" Serene complained. "The bread is ready!" Coco Announced. "Can you let go of Lina now? Please?" Lina pleaded.
"Let go, Malice… We should all get some bread. Serene, will you pass two loafs over here please?" Ecthel asked politely. He was going to give one to Ledah. "When are you going to go defeat the rest of the demons?" Ledah asked. "… Um… I guess we should go after our lunch…" Ecthel replied. "? Why? Aren't we waiting for Mr. Ledah to recover?" Lina asked. "That was our plan. But… We are running out of time Lina." Fia explained "How long do we have?" Cierra questioned. "Ledah said it was about three months." Serene answered. "Oh my! Then what are we still waiting for?" Cierra said surprised. "You need to pack up for one thing… And for another we can't leave without refreshments!" Rose exclaimed. "I'm all set. Are you all ready too?" Ecthel asked. "I am. Lina, go get your bow!" Fia exclaimed. "Before you go you should take the herbs and heilkrauts from my bag. I will go get more later." Ledah instructed. "Okay. We are going to Mireno." Ecthel told him.
Soon the group is ready and sets off to Mireno Cemetery without Ledah. Serene wondered about their lateness… They hope that there aren't any demons elsewhere. "Can we make it? It will be much faster if we fly around to check if there are any demons." Serene said worriedly. "Lina can't fly! Neither can Fia or Cierra!" Lina complained. "Then what should we do? Ecthel, we need to hurry!" Serene exclaimed. "I agree with Serene… Hey! I can carry someone." Malice exclaimed.
"I don't know what to do. If only I could carry one of you too… There are three of us who can't fly…" Ecthel commented. "I'll take two then… Ledah's done it before…" Malice argued. "That's for a short period of time! Can you handle it?" Ecthel pointed out. "I don't know. I never really carried anyone through the air before… But I did carry the huge box from Asgard to Elendia…" Malice said thinking of what to do.
"Teach me… You may think it's annoying but if I learn it too… I can help and we will fly through as quickly as we can." Ecthel said. "No. Even if I teach you, you would need to practice. We don't really have enough time for that right now do we?" Malice answered after a moment of consideration. "But… We have to speed up… It's the only way… Please teach me. I can try to learn it fast without taking long to practice." Ecthel tried to change her mind with strong determination. "Teaching others isn't my thing… Maybe you should ask Ledah later. We can still run. Let's go." Malice said and started to speed up.
No demons showed up until they got to the well where they had to drop down. "We don't have much time… Let's hurry!" Ecthel Exclaimed. "Do you think there were some thieves hiding?" Lina asked. "We checked all houses didn't we? If there were thieves this time they won't be able to steal from us. And we can kill anything we missed on our way back." Ecthel answered.
As they continue A few demons showed up. "Ambushed… I'll just kill them…" Malice exclaimed as the demon threw attacks at the group. "Don't battle on your own when you got teammates!" Ecthel Exclaimed. "We want some fun too! Don't take all of it!" Serene added. "Sorry, I won't take all the fun…" Malice said. "Ms. Malice… Ecthel is our leader… Ecthel decides on everything… What we take, who will battle and when to switch!" Lina said proudly.
"You are? You decide on all that?" Malice asked surprised. "Not really… Not since Ledah's back with us anyway. I'm just the leader for now…" "What do you mean, for now?" "Ledah is good but there were many arguments. Too much disagreement and confusion, so we decided we will not let all the confusion take place." Ecthel explained quickly. "But if it's a choice between you and Ledah…" Malice started. "I know Malice… But there is a problem to that." Ecthel told her. "What do you mean Ecthel?" Malice asked confused.
"Let me ask you, do you think Ledah will actually tell everyone what to do exactly? Lina and Serene needs guidance of what to do while I seek advice from Cierra and Fia… Ledah just attacks and throw hints at his companions but that isn't enough because Lina doesn't understand most of it and Serene usually jumps into conclusion too quickly. Ledah may be good and yes I do understand every clue he gives but for someone like Lina or Serene… Most likely they will mistake what Ledah means or question his abilities. That has happened before. So rather than instructing them and having me interpret every thing, Ledah just lets me decide and then tells me if I'm correct or not. That's what Ledah usually do anyway. Let's defeat them now." Ecthel explained.
Members: Ecthel Lina Fia
Weapons: Icicle Blade Volcano Bow Rosier Potion
Formation:
Front: Ecthel Lina
Back: Fia
Enemies: Skeleton plant ogre
Formation:
Front: ogre skeleton
Back: plant
Ecthel started off the battle by telling Lina to shoot her arrow with Fia using the Rosier and attacking with his sword. It started nicely. The second time Fia's attack was blocked yet again by the guard up. By the fourth attack The Overdrive has maxed. Ecthel decided it was time to restore as a precaution since the Rage was almost maxed for a second time… "Lina, I'll use my blizzard." He told her before she could use Lava Rush. "This should end it! Furious Blizzard!" That completely restored all of them. By the time the Overdrive Maxed again Lina used her Lava Rush nearly defeating the Ogre. Ecthel finished it. Then when the Overdrive maxed again Ecthel Used his Blizzard to Restore since they were going to fall soon. "This should end it! Furious Blizzard!" Scoring only ten of the thirteen hits. Ecthel finished the battle with it after maxing out the overdrive again. "This should end it! Furious Blizzard! Alright, let's get moving!"
Battle ends
Malice was pretty surprised by the performance. "You are pretty good with leading the battles." She commented "Well… I've done it for quite some time…" Ecthel explained a little embarrassed."I can see why they had a hard time. They are used to you and you are almost just as good as Ledah now." Malice pointed out."Let's get down into the well." Ecthel said changing the subject. They were getting through the Cemetery easily this time since they know all paths. But finding demons in a place like that wasn't an easy task.
Making sure they defeated everything they plan to leave but just before getting out a group of four ogres attacked them. "Ecthel, What should we do?" Lina asked "Can I help with this battle?" Serene volunteered. "Ice works well against these things… Malice, Serene and I will take these guys on then…" Ecthel instructed. The battle was pretty easy with all the good ice attacks. The group returned to Elendia as soon as they finished battling in Mireno.