Disclaimer: Unless the deed of Esca magically drops into my lap in the next five seconds, I don't own it. Oh, look, it's not here. =P
Author's Note: Sorry y'all for not posting in such a long! I promise I'm not dead, just had to deal with a car accident and all so that took a while. Anyway, you saw a new character in chapter six but for simplicity I'll just reveal all the character's and who they are on ff.net in chapter… oh, say, eight?
Sisters till the End
This is dedicated to Pablo/Cecil because he is such an awesome writer and he has inspired me to go farther. Thank you Pablo/Cecil for your awesome story and your awesome talent!
Chapter Seven: Awake My Darling
"Are you sure?" Asked Kat as she looked at Nicole. They were standing in a small forest on the skirts of Freid meeting up after a mission. Nicole had gone into Freid to retrieve some much needed medical supplies when she had heard two women whispering in the corner. Curious, she had silently moved over to them to hear more of their conversation. What she found surprised her.
"Positive. They said that two women, who, according the Naii, were looking for two people, apparently a man and a woman, had destroyed the Naii village. We know the woman as Zorya Aradia Belok, an assassin for hire. From what the women knew, the Naii had told the nearby village that the man was the Second and that they had hired Zorya to retrieve him. But when the village was attacked the Second and Zorya disappeared."
"Great, that's just what we need," Kat sighed.
"It gets worse. One of the Naii's villagers, a small girl called Ti, went off looking for the Second. Supposedly she and him had become friends. Now everyone is looking for the Naii who will lead them to the Second."
"Damn it!"
Nicole looked at her friend with a sorrowful look. She knew Kat didn't need this sort of information right now but she had no other choice. This was a serious situation and they needed to know whether it was true or not. Kat ran a hand through her hair as she tried to figure out what to do next. "Okay, you got the supplies, right?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"Go back to the Vione, restock the Medical Bay, and then continue with your duties. I'll start questioning the Naii village about the Second and see if what you heard is true and not some wife's tale. Dilandau doesn't notice when I'm gone anyways since…" Kat broke off and was silent for a few seconds before continuing. "If anyone should ask, say that I'm checking out a herbist that has a herb to help for fatigue."
"You sure?"
"It'll be better if you go back. I don't seem to be doing anyone any help up there anyways," replied Kat as she glanced up at the Vione overhead.
"You know that's not true. You're doing Alex and I a world of good by just being here." Nicole put her hand on her friend's shoulder and offered a smile. "Don't worry, things will turn out fine."
Kat nodded. "You better get going."
With an agreement nod, Nicole called upon her powers as bright pink ribbons formed out of the air and twisted themselves around her, swirling and twisting until finally, with a snap, she was gone. Kat turned and started through the forest, heading towards the village of Kakko, where the Naii should be harboring.
I hope this isn't true, she thought as she walked; not minding the midnight strolls at all. The last thing I need is an upcoming battle. Things finally settle down and everything looks all right for once. There's no war, not disagreement, Zaibach is actually staying low, and Alex and Miguel have a kid… everything is great.
I should've known it wouldn't last.
Dilandau is getting more and more distant from me. He won't even look at me anymore. It's like I'm not even there. He's so angry and hateful all the time. Whenever I reach out to touch him I'm beaten back. Drinking and fighting and yelling, that's all he does anymore.
Hell, he didn't even care when he threw me out. I still can't believe that. It's like he's changed over night and I can't figure out why he has. The scientists have disappeared, I personally made sure of that, and Folken is gone, though, I'm still not a hundred percent sure on that one… there's nothing that would cause him to change. Unless…
Kat stopped and sighed. She knew this was going to happen. She knew her happiness was too good to last long. "He's stopped loving me," she said to the darkness.
With a shake of her head, she displaced the thought, not entirely forgetting it but not dismissing it either. I have work to do, she told herself as she transported herself to Kakko. Appearing inside the center of the town square, she saw pleasant little shops made out of log cabins with open windows and a warm glow just beyond the pane. She smiled to herself as rustic metal made up signs and wood houses were everywhere.
Scanning the shops and homes, she finally found the Sheriff's office. She was unsure of what they called the head of the crime reinforcement but she decided it was best to call whoever it was Sheriff. Walking up to the small cabin, she walked in through the open door to see a small room with a door on the other side, which she presumed had cells. In the room there was some wooden chairs to her left, a table, and to her right a desk with a heavy-set man with a blonde beard asleep in the chair.
Clearing her throat loudly, Kat politely looked away as the man woke up and re-oriented himself. "Eh, oh, good evenin' there, Miss Albatou," said the man with a heavy Southern accent. "How can I help you out this fine night?"
Kat smiled as she looked at the man and walked up to the desk. "I'm here to inquire about the Naii," she said politely. "I heard their village was burned down and I came to see if it was true."
"Darn reckon. You wanna see one of 'em creatures?"
"That would be lovely."
The man stood up and made his way over to the door. He opened it and walked into a corridor with four cells, two facing the door where he stood and one on either side. Kat walked into the small hall that was made by the walls of the cells and followed the Sheriff as he closed the door and led her to a cell on the opposite wall to the right. Inside she saw about a dozen of the elephant hybrid creatures behind the wall, some sleeping while others stood awake, staring at her with their glowing yellow eyes. Kat regarded them with respect as she looked at their dirty coats and burned skin, wondering how such harmless creatures could stay behind bars.
"Why do you keep them locked up?" She asked.
"Only place where they c'n stay. C'n't have 'em walkin' 'round without supervision, can we?"
Kat nodded and asked to be left alone with the creatures. The Sheriff was about to refuse but Kat used her powers over the shadows in the mind to suggest that he wanted to leave them alone. The Sheriff agreed and left the cellblock. Once the door closed, Kat turned to the creatures. "Which one of you is Shee?" She asked.
"I is Shee," came a soft reply as one of the Naii stepped over to the bars.
Kat sat down on the ground so they were face to face and offered her hand, palm flat up, to the creature. "Do you know who I am?"
"You is Dark Moo Protector of Gaea."
Kat mentally chuckled at the Naii's way of forgetting their Ns. "Right. Now tell me, Shee, what happened to your village?"
"It burned. Burned by bad women. They search for Second but Second got away. Ti wanted to go but me say no, she go anyway. She lost now."
"These women, who were they?"
"No know. Just appear with pop. Start burning village."
"Did they have a crest?"
"No."
"What about the Second, where is he?"
"Zorya take him away from village. Ti follow. No know where are no-they lost."
"The Second, is he in good hands?"
"Maybe assassin, but Zorya good to us. She no trade. No kill."
Kat was silent for a second. So what Nicole had heard was true. The Second had come to Gaea. This is just great, she thought, now I've got a huge war brewing if I don't get to this guy. "Shee, what if I made you a deal? I'd find Ti and Zorya and the Second and bring them to you. Keep them safe. In return you… you just keep Ti safe."
Shee didn't respond for a while and Kat held her breath as she awaited the response. She didn't need anything from the Naii and she couldn't think of anything that she would need. Normally she would offer it as a favor but she knew that the Shee wouldn't accept favors from people they didn't know. Even now, locked up in a cell, she thought they were paying for rent or something. "You do your end and we give you gift."
"Deal. But I need a picture of Ti and the Second. So do you mind…?"
Shee shook his head and Kat reached through the bars and into the cell. Very gently she eased her hand into the Shee's head, closing her eyes and allowing her powers to search through the creature's brain until she found what she wanted-a memory of the Second and Ti. Withdrawing her hand and opening her eyes, she stood up, thanked the Naii, and then left the building, making sure not to wake the sleeping Sheriff on her way out. Once outside in the cool night air, she opened her ever-present telepathic link to Nicole and Alex. Guys, I have images of who we're looking for, she thought to them. The Second is here and his name is Scott Reber. He's apparently with the assassin Zorya Aradia Belok but I doubt that's still possible. Zorya is known for her coldness towards strangers. There's a Naii out looking for Scott, apparently a friend, and we need to find her. Her name's Ti and we could probably use her to get to Scott.
Who's this Second? What's his deal? Wondered Alex.
Look in the Library, under myths. The same book entitled "Gaea's Eternal Secrets". From what I read, we need to find this guy before things go hectic. So Nicole, search for this Scott person and Alex, you look for Ti. Be careful though, apparently we're not the only ones who want them.
All right boss lady, replied Alex as she closed the link.
Got ya, said Nicole as she also closed the link.
Strolling through the darkness, letting her slip in and out of the light, Kat let her mind wander once again. There was so much going on, so much happening; she wondered what would happen in the end. Would this be their last battle together? Would things turn out all right in the end? Or would it be a broken and sad ending? I sure as hell hope this feeling I have doesn't come true, she thought as she walked.
A woman stood strong in the dull light of the Training Room, her build strong and muscular. Mahogany eyes with sparkling golden bits stared down crimson ones and dark tan skin contrasting pale skin. Shoulder length dark brown hair defied silver white hair. Short knives held ready challenged the long sword.
Her name was Kalirice Desmona Zavik and she was commander of the Star Dragons, the second unit under the Dragon Slayers. When the second unit commanded by Katrina Albatou had been moved to Zaibach soldiers, Kalirice had replaced the former wife of the fiery general. Though she had a small unit, they were the best and she knew that they were better then the Dragon Slayers. It's only a matter of time, she thought as she prepared to strike, only a matter of time before we are the Dragon Slayers.
With lightning speed she rushed Dilandau and blocked his sword with one knife and struck with her other. Though they were only play fighting, the blunt of her knife still hit him hard in his side and he growled as pain overtook him. Pushing back her knife, he struck twice with his sword only to be blocked. Kalirice grinning evilly and she swung around to kick but instead went low and charged the general, catching him off guard with her speed and knocking him to the ground.
Sitting upon his chest pinning his arms above his head with her knives, she grinned triumphantly. "I win, though you put up a good fight, Lord Dilandau," she said sweetly, her voice coaxing his anger. "You only lost because your mind was elsewhere. May I ask where?"
Dilandau growled but replied. "On my soldiers."
"Why, Lord Dilandau, are generals supposed to not think about their soldiers in that way?"
There was a shared bought of laughter between the two, afterwards Kalirice withdrawing her knives and standing. Once on his feet, Dilandau wrapped his arms around the woman's waist, breathing in her scent. How he loved her lust for power, her fiery passion when fighting, and the way she took no mercy on anyone. She was just as ruthless and cruel as he was.
Kalirice chuckled. "Lord Dilandau, do you not recall your vows to a certain Katrina?" She knew his response. She had worked for years on climbing the ladder of Zaibach and now she had gotten this far, Dilandau was no challenge for her skills of seducing. She had had tougher people to break.
Dilandau laughed bitterly. "That bitch? She's nothing to me… you are the fire in my heart that eats away at everything."
A sadistic grin came over Kalirice as she turned and passionately kissed Dilandau. "Good," she said as she continued the kiss.
Author's Note: Aren't I bad? I've betrayed a character's marriage with our favorite pyro. If you think that's a shocker just wait till the rest of the story! Review and you get some wonderful excitement faster! Thanks!
~The Shadow That Takes Form as a Kat~
~~ShadowKat~~