The Black Monster: The Beginning

Part 8

They flew for only a few moments longer then landed in a dark forest where they took their time to rest. Rose had found her place on a large unearthed root where she sat in silence. The silence permitted her time to think about what had actually happened. How her husband was dead...Zieg alive and every other person she loved...in peril and there was nothing she could do about it. Rose brought her hands to her face and started to cry.

Zieg stood with Shirley a fair distance from the others. There they watched Rose unwind and realize what was happening.

"She can't be a potential Zieg," Shirley said, looking up at him, "she's too...I don't know...soft."

"You were too."

She did not say anything.

"She will realize, like you did, what she has to do...in time."

Shirley held his stare, "we don't have that time."

"No we don't and all other possibilities of potentials are gone now. Rose and Damia are all we have left."

The red haired woman gave an annoyed sigh then shrugged her shoulders, "fine, but they're your problem."

Shirley strode off towards Kanzas which, only a few seconds after, caused Kanzas to glare at Zieg.

'When are they ever going to trust my judgment?' Zieg wondered, shooting Kanzas his own look.

He looked away from Kanzas and Shirley back to where Rose sat. Silent still her eyes red from crying she watched the grass weave about in the wind. Slowly, Zieg made his way toward her.

"Rose?" he asked.

She did not lift her head but gave a quiet, "hmm?"

"Are you alright?"

She shrugged, "well...my husband was just killed in front of my own eyes..."

'So they did get married?' Zieg thought as he listened.

"My village was burned...my father might be dead..."

'The village...wait,' Zieg bent his head, 'my sword and armor, they were last at her place, does she still have them?'

"So yeah...I think I'm perfectly fine."

'Surprising for her to find some sarcastic humor in this." Zieg thought with a slight smile.

He waited a few minutes before he finally said, "Rose...I know this isn't the time but my sword and armor....I'm really going to need them now..."

"They're in my house."

"Furni?"

She nodded.

"Are there any chances of it still being there?"

Rose shrugged, "maybe."

"Ok, come with me," Zieg said, taking hold of her hand.

He pulled her toward Shirley and Kanzas. She went willingly, had no choice reallu, still she had to wonder what was so important about his sword and armor. Could he not get some new?

"We're leaving," Zieg stated simply.

"Excuse me...we just got here," Kanzas started.

'Not you guys," Zieg rolled his eyes, "Rose and I are leaving. She knows where my sword and armor is so we're going back to get it."

"Your funeral," Kazas shrugged and walked off.

Rose watched the man stalk off. He was blunt, like he did not care. He shrugged off their possibility of death as if it were just dust upon his shoulder.

"We won't be long," Zieg said, looking down to Shirley.

"You'd better not be, we have to hurry Zieg or else...it will be too late."

"I know."

'Too late for what?' Rose wondered.

"Ok," Zieg confirmed, transforming into the armored creature he took Rose into his arms, "we'll be there as soon as we can."

Shirley nodded, "move swiftly and be cautious, winglies may still be wandering the cities."

"Will do," and with that Zieg burst into the sky, holding Rose close.

She leant against him feeling the wind blow about fiercely. If they survived this trip where would they be going afterward? Rose looked up at him, studying his determined expression. Her hand found its way to the armor that clad his body. Red, strong but...soft in a way, it was a strange for of armor no doubt. So this thing...was this how he had fallen from the sky? Was he this creature?

"This armor and sword....are both very dear to me," Zieg spoke suddenly, his voice low, "my fathers...before he was killed."

"I understand," Rose whispered, taking hold of the choker around her neck.

Zieg sighed, "I know you're wondering about me and the others...where we're going..."

"I am," Rose nodded, looking up at him again.

"A war is starting..."

She did not say anything. She figured it would happen sometime.

"And we're a part of it...Kanzas, Shirley...and I, there are others but they hide now with our leader.

"I was sent out to find two more to join us...we would call upon more than six but time is not on our side in this battle."

"Everyone is captured Zieg...there is no one else..."

"But there is," he looked to her in his arms, "you...and Damia."

Rose gasped, "You can't expect me to fight!"

"We don't really have a choice."

"I can't even lift a sword!"

Zieg chuckled, "you'll learn, like we did. Shirley could not even hit a tree...a big tree no less, with her bow and arrow in the beginning, don't tell her I said that."

"Maybe so...but Damia...she's so young...too young to be in battle."

Zieg closed his eyes, 'I know...right about now we can't decide anymore. Are you willing?"

She put her hands to her face, "I'm a housewife Zieg. I was taught to plant gardens, cook dinner and clean up after people I despise...not kill them."

He grinned, "you will discover what you want to do when we get to Emperor Diaz."

Rose turned her gaze to the ground far below them. Emperor Diaz? Their leader she presumed. She would be taken to him and then what? Could she fight for this emperor, learn how to wield a weapon...hill someone?

"Here we are," Zieg's voice invaded her thoughts.

Rose focused and recognized the Oceanside town below. It rushed up to her and she was soon upon her feet. Looking around Rose took in a shuddering breath, all of the familiar markets, homes....charred....destroyed."

"Where..."

"This way," She said quietly, holding back her tears.

Furni had been her home...since she was born; now it was nothing. No life but theirs entered the town. It was depressing and frightening.

Rose found the path toward her home and steeped carefully over splintered doors, fences, charred stone...bodies. She held her hand up to her mouth and kept her eyes focused ahead of her. If she recognized one of the bodies only Soa knows what she would do.

Zieg followed quietly behind. He on the other hand was studying the people, looking for survivors, anything. From what he could see...there were none.

"In here," Rose called, walking into a hut right beside the ocean. Fair sized, large for a newly wed couple but who was he to complain.

He followed the sound of her footsteps into a room that looked as though it had once been a study. Remnants of bookcases and tiny bits of burn paper covered the floor. Rose had ignored everything and made her way to the back of the room where a door stood in its place. Burnt and cracking but still holding up strong. She opened the door to reveal a soot covered chest. Opening it Rose took a step back.

"They're in there."

Zieg watched her move away into the hall, 'This must be so hard for her to experience,'

War for people of small towns was only something in history. Now she was going to be a part of it. He shook his head and bent to his knees. Pulling away some old dresses he revealed his sword and armor...in perfect shape.

"I'm surprised the winglies didn't loot the place," He said quietly.

Taking out the armor he strapped it on then took hold of his sword. Stepping out of the study he looked down the hall.

"Rose?"

No answer.

His gaze fell to the ground where he spotted footprints. Following them he found his way into the bedroom. Rose sat upon the edge of a fire ravaged bed. Her chin rested upon her open palms she looked up at him.

"I had grown used to Evan..." She started, "but I always had something else on my mind...so loving him was out of the question."

"What was on your mind?"

She turned her head, paused a moment then shrugged, "I don't know."

Zieg was quiet. He knew there was something more to it but felt she was not yet prepared. Instead he asked, "Why did you keep my things?"

Rose was silent as she stood up the replied, "I knew I would be seeing you again."

Zieg smiled, "that's a nice thought, ironic actually since I was going to be coming back from you."

"Why?"

"That day when I was arrested," Zieg started walking to the door, Rose following behind, "I discovered you were a potential, we can sense each other in a way, so knowing that of course I would come back."

She listened half heartedly, "What are you guys anyway?"

"Dragoons."

Her eyebrows lifted, "what?"

"Dragoons, dragon knights," Zieg helped her over a fallen door, "The emperor will explain everything."

She nodded, "Where is this emperor?"

"Vellweb."

"Where's that?"

"Far away."

Rose laughed, "that helps."

Zieg shrugged, "you'll just have to wait and see."

They left the hut and continued down the path leading to the forest. Rose seemed surprisingly well considering. She kept walking, ignoring the town behind them. It was better to forget it at the moment than think about it. If she did she would break down again and like Zieg said...now was not the time.

In the shadows of the forest they walked. No natural sounds but the wind blowing through the tall trees creating a ghostly noise. Rose wrapped her arms around herself and bent her head. Walking through this forest, how quiet it was, only forced her tortured mind to think about her losses.

Zieg watched from the corners of his eyes as she started to cry again. He knew she would grow to be stronger and be able to face moments like this. She would be able to fight...

A crash of trees in the forest caused their hearts to jump and they both froze on the path. Zieg held his arm protectively in front of Rose. Another crash and a cry of pain, this was no animal though...Laughter followed and another rustle of bushes.

A figure fell through the trees up ahead, a young man by the sight of it. His arms covered in scrapes and bruises, blonde hair dirty and tousled. He did not even notice Rose and Zieg standing only yards away. Zieg started forward but stopped when another figure emerged from the forest. Rose's heart stopped a wingly.