The hustle and bustle of the city was the first thing Amelia became aware of. She cracked open her eyes to find herself laying in an alley, the bright sun indicating it was only midday. She blinked in confusion at her current surroundings. Memories of Xellos suddenly came rushing back to her, and Amelia clutched at her throat in fear.
...only to find it was uninjured. She looked at her hands questioningly. Where was the blood? The pain? And why was she out in the street? Amelia eased herself into a sitting position, noticing she didn't feel any resistance or fatigue as she had the past few weeks. Had someone healed her?
To test this theory, Amelia stood up. This is so...weird. Amelia whispered in awe. She then smiled as euphoria washed over her. No more being bedridden for me! Amelia jumped into the air with glee. Time to get out of this alley...
Amelia stepped out into the open, but instantly realized that she was no longer in Seyruun. Not the city, anyway. The noises she had been hearing were sailors unloading cargo at a nearby dock.
Where am I? She studied the docked ships and boats. There weren't any royal insignias to help her learn her location. She looked around for someone to assist her, quickly spotting an older woman passing by.
Excuse me, ma'am. Can you tell me...? Amelia trailed off as the woman continued on her way, as if she hadn't even heard her. Poor woman must be hard of hearing. Undeterred, Amelia approached a young man.
Sir, could you help me? You see- Amelia jumped back as the man suddenly jerked his arm out as he hailed down another passerby.
What's going on? Amelia continued to ask for help, but nobody even stopped to acknowledge her. Totally confused and not sure what to do, Amelia paced about, looking for anything familiar.
They can't see you, you know.
Amelia jumped at suddenly being spoken to, and quickly whirled around to see an old man. An unkempt man, at that. Not wanting to be rude, and hopeful this man might shed some light, Amelia approached him.
What do you mean, they can't see me?
The old man leaned back against a wall and casually gestured to the busy townsfolk. People like that are too busy with their own lives to see people like us.
Amelia looked back at him in confusion. People like us?
The old man studied Amelia for a moment, then nodded his head knowingly. Surely you must know, most living people can't see us.
Living? You don't mean..? Amelia's breath caught in her throat.
The old man yawned as if he was bored. Yep, we're dead. You and me.
Amelia squeaked. How could that be? She stepped away from the man in fear. No...it can't be... I can't be...
Don't worry, you get used to it eventually. The man grinned a toothless grin at her, then disappeared through the wall.
Amelia's eyes bugged out in horror. He just disappeared! Overcome with a major case of the heeby jeebies, Amelia did the best thing in her situation: she fled.
He must be some powerful magician. Yes, that's got to be it! I can't be...dead! Amelia dashed down the street, looking for a safe haven. As she ran she looked to see if anyone even reacted to her loud footfalls. Not a soul turned to look in her general direction. Amelia finally came to a stop, her grief too great to ignore any longer. She crumpled against a tavern and cried into her arms.
She reflected on her most recent memories, shuddering as she recalled how cold Xellos had been when he...killed her. It's true then. I'm... Amelia looked up at the people going about their lives, totally unaware of the grief-stricken girl. But why am I here? If I'm dead, then shouldn't I pass on? The living world is no place for the...dead. Amelia wiped tears from her eyes as she tried to remember anything she had ever been taught about ghosts.
She shuddered. Amelia had never been fond of Undead. Ghosts were usually people that were so full of evil and hatred that they were forever bound to the material world. I'm neither of those, so why am I still here? And how come I'm no longer in Seyruun? She again looked around at her surroundings. They were so foreign, and yet, vaguely familiar.
Amelia was brought out of her thoughts by loud laughter within the tavern. At least some people were having a good time... The laughter grew louder, and Amelia looked up at the doorway to see who was coming. The sight she saw was frightening, to say the least!
A tall woman proudly marched out of the tavern, before turning back and yelling, Yeah, well who wants your booze anyway! You people have no taste for the finer things in life! The woman turned away with a flourish as she tossed her hair behind her head. She then proceeded to stagger down the street, obviously drunk.
Amelia could only stare in disgust at the woman's taste in clothing, but something was naggingly familiar about her. And she hadn't noticed it at first, but Amelia was feeling like she was being pulled toward the woman. Nothing better to do, and wanting to know who this woman was, Amelia got up and followed after her.
Following after a drunkard wasn't exactly exciting, but it beat moping in the street. That, and this pull Amelia felt had to mean something... Amelia followed the woman into a building. Or at least, that was her intent. The woman didn't know she was being followed, so she shut the door almost as quickly as she had opened it. Amelia only had time to brace herself -as the door passed right through her. Amelia gawked at it a moment, before turning to catch up with the woman.
The woman quietly worked her way down a dark hallway before entering a small room. Amelia made sure to get through the doorway before the door was shut on her again. Just because she was dead didn't mean she wanted to be reminded.
The woman plopped down on a small bed, sighing in what Amelia guessed had to be disgust. Why do I even put up with these people? They're all She pulled out a small trunk from under her bed and rummaged around in it.
Amelia gasped when she saw what the woman pulled out. The seal of Seyruun's royal family! But... Amelia looked closer at the woman. Dark hair, blue eyes... Amelia looked at the woman in horror. What had happened to Gracia since the last time she had seen her?
Amelia watched as Gracia looked sadly at the seal. She then placed it back in the trunk, and slid it back underneath the bed. It's been too long. Gracia murmured, as she lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Yes, it has. Amelia silently agreed, as she too settled down on the ground. She continued to study her sister, until she heard Gracia start to snore. Amelia then busied herself looking about the room. There was nothing special about the room itself, as it had none of Gracia's personal affects. The trunk might prove to be interesting, but when Amelia reached out for it, her hand passed right through. Amelia finally sighed in defeat, then prepared for a long night.
Ghosts had no need to sleep, right?
LATER...
Amelia was beyond bored. When she was younger and heard tales about restless spirits, she had no idea it was meant literally! She had counted the boards making up the walls, floor, and ceilings more times than she cared to remember, and yet Gracia still slept on.
Just as Amelia was preparing to start the count again, she heard footsteps approaching. Grateful for the break in monotony, Amelia focused on them.
From the sounds of it, there must be two people at least. The conversation she was hearing also confirmed this.
Are you sure this is the right place? A male voice asked.
That's what everyone in town said. Doesn't look like much for someone of her stature to be staying in, though. A female responded.
Amelia knew those voices!
Oh please, be coming to this room. Amelia silently pleaded. She was elated when she heard them stop in front of the door and knock quietly.
Hello? Anyone there? That just had to be Lina.
Amelia looked to Gracia, but saw she was still in a deep sleep.
Maybe she's not in? Oh yes, definitely Gourry.
Huh. Maybe you're right. Lina replied.
Oh no! Amelia got to her feet. They can't leave! She could hear them quietly talking to each other, but it sounded like they were going to look elsewhere. Amelia knelt down next to Gracia. Gracia, you need to wake up!
Amelia hoped that Gracia could hear her. She wasn't seeing any response, so she tried again. Gracia, please! You must wake up!
Gracia's expression looked pained for a moment. Who..? Ame..? She slurred in her sleep. She then opened her eyes and looked around. Who's there? she called out.
Amelia looked at Gracia in wonder. Did she actually hear me? She listened for Lina's and Gourry's voices, overjoyed to hear they were still there, and had heard Gracia as well.
There was knocking at the door once more as Lina called out, Are you in there?
Gracia looked stupidly at the door for a moment. She then got out of bed and proceeded to the door. Who wants to know?
We were sent here with a message. Amelia could tell that Lina was a bit irate.
A message..? A look of comprehension dawned on Gracia's face, and she abruptly opened the door.
Amelia was elated to see Lina and Gourry standing on the other side, and without thinking dashed at Lina to tackle her in a hug. Miss Lina!
Lina was looking rather green, to say the least. She felt her chest tighten as she saw...
Amelia pondered. She looked to her sister to see a rather smug expression.
Lina Inverse! I have found you at last! Gracia burst into laughter.
Na..Naga? What are you doing here?! Lina looked frantically for an escape route. Gourry, let's get out of here! Lina made to dash off, but was stopped by Gourry's hand gripping her wrist.
Lina, didn't we have a message for her? Gourry pointed at Gracia.
Lina looked ready to burst into tears. We have a message for Princess Gracia, not her!
Gracia stopped laughing and looked at Lina in puzzlement. How did..?
Gourry's hold on Lina remained. But Lina, she fits the description we were given.
Lina was looking positively traumatized by this point. Why must I be tortured so? Lina began to sob like a little kid.
Miss Lina? Amelia wasn't sure what to make of Lina's reaction to her sister.
Lina, what message do you have for me? Gracia asked, her facade from before totally gone.
How can she be Princess Gracia? It just doesn't make sense. To think I had to deal with her without knowing... Lina continued to babble to herself.
Amelia tried to shake Lina's shoulders to get her to snap out of her self-pity. Miss Lina!
Is it word from Seyruun? Gracia looked to Lina.
Lina finally regained her composure, then pulled a sealed envelope out of her pocket. She didn't meet Gracia's gaze as she handed it over. Gourry also looked away.
Amelia watched Gracia's expression as she opened the letter. Gracia went from confused, to shocked, before she started to weep as well.
Father's dead? Gracia whispered.
Lina nodded her head. They got everyone. The king, Phil, Christopher, and...
Amelia finished sadly. She hadn't been the only victim then. Her gaze fell to the floor as she grieved the loss of her father, for real this time.
What about Amelia? Gracia's voice shook.
Lina clenched her fist. They attacked her too, but the healers were able to save her in time.
Amelia looked to Lina. I'm not dead? But then, why am I here..?
Gracia was still looking at the message as tears streamed down her face. And now Father...
Lina cautiously approached Gracia before placing her hand on Gracia's...arm. (Gracia was still much taller than Lina, after all.) Look, er, Naga. We were sent here to bring you back. You're all Seyruun has now.
Gracia nodded her head slowly. I was going to go back, I just never thought it would be because of this. She then stood up a little taller. Let's go!
The three proceeded back outside, where Lina and Gourry's horses were waiting.
Lina scratched her cheek. You know, maybe we should have brought another -hey!
Gracia, oblivious to what Lina had been saying, mounted Lina's horse. Are you coming?
Lina shook her fists. What do you think you're doing? That's mine!
Gracia motioned to the other horse. So take that one.
But that's Gourry's horse. Lina glared at Gracia.
Lina, you can ride with me. Gourry offered. He mounted his horse and held a hand out to Lina.
Bu-but I...er... Lina blushed, but then complied and let Gourry lift her into the saddle. Her whole face flushed when he set her practically in his lap, then wrapped his arms around her as he held the reins.
he continued, this way you won't fall off!
Lina kicked Gourry in the leg, which prompted his horse to burst forth. Gracia watched the three gallop down the road, Lina's voice easily heard. To think she replaced me with someone like that. She then nudged her horse to follow.
Wait for me! Amelia dashed after them, but they were soon out of sight. She looked around in bewilderment. Now what do I do?
As she pondered over her predicament, she felt herself being pulled again, this time more powerful than before. She got one more look at her surroundings before everything phased out.
AN: Whoops, almost forgot to add these! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! (This has got to be the most reviews I've ever gotten for a chapter, and with less text to boot!) - So far things are coming along nicely, but I know many of you are going to dislike me for not including some crucial information. (Like what everyone else thinks really happened.) I ought to be touching more on that next chapter...just as soon as I figure out exactly how it's going to play out.
Before anyone reviews to tell me Prince Phil is head of Seyruun, he's not. His father, the king (Alderon, if I recall correctly) is in charge of Seyruun. Phil just does more of the public appearance type stuff... (Also, for those who don't have access to the Japanese books, in the most recent English manga Amelia mentioned that her grandfather was king of Seyruun. I'm not making stuff up. Really.) --;;;
Now to gear up for the next chapter, where things will (hopefully) start to get interesting...