6. The Nameless Boy and the Fairy.
Crimson Blade member Clair walked back and forth in the right lower hallway. Her lavender eyes filled with concern about the report she had received a few days ago. Her suspicions started few weeks ago and so she just had to check out the test scores. It was though rather puzzling for not only was there a spy but also another who the Queen and everyone else trusted was behind this. Walking towards the front doors she stared out at the night sky which blinked with dancing lightening.
Then it caught her eyes swarms of black hideous creatures swarming in the storming sky. The creatures were indeed not native to this world. Quickly she turned around yelling for her two close subordinates "Tyanve! Farleen!"
The tomboy who was sharpening her dagger raised her head up from her work "Did someone call me?" she said to herself.
"Tynave! Farleen!"
There it was again, lifting her dagger she sheathed it quickly. Rising from her chair and leaving her room. Walking the dimly lit hallway she approached the front doors which were across the Holy Apris Shrine "Clair?" she questioned her commander.
Clair sighed in relief when one of her subordinates came to her "Look outside." she commanded.
Obeying her order she walked calmly towards the door. Gripping the door and opening it she peaked out to take a glimpse. The scenery was dark, the ground was foggy and the rain beaded down. Yet nothing unusual just a storm going on outside.
"Kaa"
Hearing the odd sound she looked around outside. She could not pin point where it was coming.
"Kaa"
There it was again and she looked up at the stormy sky. To see visions of black feathery creatures swarming around.
"See what I mean?" said Clair as she now stood beside her subordinate.
"What are those things?" Tynave questioned the ravens which flew around the storming sky.
"I don't know..."
Tynave walked outside even though it was raining. She was surprised none of the guards had reported this. Approaching the bottom steps she realized the guards were huddled behind a wall with their swords raised high. Sighing at their cowardice antics "How disgrace full! The Queen of Apris resides here! Do your job right!" she yelled.
The one guard gave a nod and reluctantly returned to his post. The other as well followed but stop before he headed towards his post "Lady Tynave, something odd is going on. Those creatures are mostly swarming around Lady Nel's house."
"THERE WHAT!" Tynave shouted and then was in panic.
"This can't be good.." Clair said for she was now standing behind Tynave. She stared towards Nel's house and saw the black creatures landing on top of the house. Some where flying inside a window.
"Lets go!" they both said together and took off towards their once fellow crimson blade member. Approaching the house the ravens were everywhere and everything was so dark. Not wasting anymore time by just looking they entered the house.
"It's quiet." Tynave said as they entered the dark house. The lamps were out and the lightening was providing them the only light.
"Lets start a flame." Clair said as she balled her hand up and a fire lit in her palm. Tynave did the same as they approached the steps.
"Kaa."
The ravens sound grew louder as they head towards Glou and Kira's bedroom. With haste they approached the door sliding their daggers out. What they saw stop them in their tracks as the flame's light revealed a body on the floor.
"NEL!"
"NEL-SAMA!"
Running towards the unconscious body Clair lifted her up on to her lap. The ravens were sitting on the window edge and on the two empty beds.
"Is she..?" Tynave nearly turned pale at the thought of Nel dead.
Clair felt for a pulse "No she is alive. She needs to be healed." she stared at the wound on Nel's stomach. Resting a hand over it she closed her eyes and concentrated on performing a healing spell.
"Where is Kira and Glou!" Tynave said while she ran towards the empty beds. Anger growing she slashed at the creatures. Sending them back to flight or their corpse lay lifeless on the beds.
Clair looked around after healing Nel and saw a parchment laying close by where Nel was. She reached over and picked it up and started to read it.
You have escaped me,
so for revenge I took your children.
Also the life of your love.
Sincerely,
Romario
"What the hell.." Clair said to herself and felt Nel stir in her arms.
The warm feeling came to Nel as she began to recover her state of mind. Groaning a bit she opened her eyes to see Clair. Sitting up weakly she looked around and got up to her feet "Glou! Kira!" she shouted.
"Nel..."
"Clair! Where are they? Ugh.." she then fell back to her knees and rest her hand over her wound.
"Please Nel-sama, don't be to rough on yourself."
"Where are they!"
"Nel, please tell me. What was the last thing that happened."
Nel sat there silent holding her side "Last thing...I came in here because I noticed the song stop. Kira didn't come and..." her vision was getting clouded. She flinched in pain as the wound started to bleed again.
"I healed you! Why is it open again!"
Nel shook her head "As I was saying..I came here to find the beds empty. In frantic I called for them. Only to be stabbed from behind by a sword." she froze. The vision came to her the vision of that shadow with those dark blue eyes.
"Nel-sama!" Tynave rushed to Nel's side and tried to heal her. Since Clair just used up her MP on Nel.
"It's not working.."
"Am I to die?"
"NEVER NEL-SAMA!" Tynave shouted as tears streamed her face.
"Lets get you medical help back at the castle." Clair advised as she helped Nel up.
"No, I must find my children."
"Your not in physical condition to do so." Clair scolded her friend.
"Don't worry Nel-sama, we'll get a search party started."
Before Nel knew it she was drifting to sleep. Asleep as Tynave and Clair rushed to take her back to the castle. In her sleep the figures of her two children appeared. Running in the darkness of some unknown ruins. The menacing laugh blurred through the ruins as the two children huddled up in fear in a corner.
"Glou! Kira!" she shouted as she bolted up in her bed.
"Take it easy."
Nel rubbed her eyes and got her vision back. The doctor was waving a hand over her body.
"You seem better. That wound finally healed."
"It did?" Nel lowered the blanket and ran her fingers over the bandage.
"Yes. It took four people to heal you at the same time. Ghastly little wound you had."
"Where is Clair?"
"She is at a meeting."
"I need to see her."
The doctor shifted her gaze towards the window. It was once again sunny out and she looked back at Nel "I am sorry. She said she'd be back after the meeting."
Nel wanted to get up but she didn't want to risk the wound coming back. Laying flat on her back her hands covered her eyes. All she could think about was her missing Children.
Clair bolted through the doors of the dinning room. Everyone was eating breakfast calmly unaware of the events which took place. She slammed a report before Lassel and narrowed her lavender eyes "Want to explain?"
"Excuse me?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Lady Clair, what is the meaning of this?"the Queen was concerned. Since this was breakfast time and matters like reports were not appropriate during meal times. Especially not in front of guests who had no matter in issues belonging to them.
Fayt noticed Tynave who came in with Farleen both had their daggers out in ready stance. Cliff and Mirage moved closer to their son Christopher. They didn't know what was going on but something looked wrong.
"My Queen, I apologize for this. I can't let this go on any more as it has. Sure I could had waited after breakfast but what if something had happen." she glared down at Lassel.
"I still don't understand. What is this?" the Queen asked as she grabbed the reports. Briefly looking over them she came to realize what it was "These are the test scores."
"Yes your majesty, look at Drave's test score on page 40."
The Queen did so and her scanned it "..he failed."
"Yes he did. Now tell me, don't you have to have a high rank in order to get his position?" she paused and stared at Lassel "So mind telling me why you let him pass?"
"Lassel?" the Queen looked towards her advisor.
He just sat there in his seat chuckling darkly "Heh, how funny you accuse me of this? I always knew you wanted this position Clair."
"It's not a fake!"
"Prove it!"
Clair narrowed her eyes and slammed a letter she found in Nel's children's room. The parchment had blood stains on the bottom.
The Queen took it and started to read it out loud "You escaped me and as revenge I took your children. Also the life of your love. Sincerely Romario."
The King of Aryglph sat there in silence and raised his head. He glanced at Albel Nox who was seated across him.
"Who said I had anything to do with this?" asked Lassel.
"Where is Drave? I went to his chambers to find him not there."
Albel sat there "Romario, what is that fool talking about?"
Everyone in the room but Leah looked at Albel.
"What maggots?"
"Heheh..never mind that." Lassel chuckled as he got up from his chair. He approached Clair "Tell me, why do you think I did this?"
"It's obvious..." she said and quickly raised her dagger holding it at Lassel's throat "Your just puppet." slitting his throat.
The advisor collapsed on to the ground. Just laying there lifeless but his skin began to discolor and his body reeked.
"You see my Queen, he was already dead."
Fayt raised up from the chair "Clair is Nel alright!"
Albel glared "That's it! I knew that wench was hiding something from me! WHAT IS SHE HIDING!" he shouted making everyone look to him.
"Albel.." Leah just stared at her fiancé.
Woltar sighed "Albel, when you left for war Nel found out she was pregnant." he paused to look at the black brigade captain.
"She what..?"his voice seemed shaky.
"Nel thought it was best not to tell you. For you came back with a fiance." Woltar again continued watch Albel give off a stare filled with confusion.
Leah suddenly got up from her chair and ran out of the dinning room. Albel just sat there in his chair not knowing what to do or say.
"Well Clair? Is Nel alright?" Fayt once again asked.
"Yes, we managed to heal her. Though it took several times."
"In order by the Queen. I wish that the Crimson Blades round up and go search for Drave. He is guilty of treason and will be put to death." the Queen said.
"I want to send some of my men as well." said Arzei as he looked towards the Queen with concern "Perhaps the dragon brigade could be of help."
"Thank you Arzei, but this is Aquarian business."
"I insist Albel is my business and this is the faults of Albel. I must take care of this as well."
"Very well, Arzei."
Fayt then held his head low, Nel had done so much for him. The least he could do was help out as well "I too want to go. I want to help find Kira and Glou."
Albel paused at the names "Kira." then his eye shifted over towards his claw "Glou."
"They are the names of your children." Woltar told Albel.
Cliff then smiled at Mirage "I'm going as well. I want you to stay here with Christopher."
"But Cliff..."
"Don't worry, I'll be back." he winked towards Mirage while getting up.
Maria smiled "I'll help as well. I am sure you could use my gun power." she rest her hand at her gun.
The Queen sighed "I wish my guests wouldn't go on a mission not concerning them."
"Not concerning us?" Fayt narrowed his eyes.
"It concerns us a lot. Nel helped us when we first arrived here in Elicoor II. Think of it as a personal interference." Cliff said while cracking his knuckles.
"You guys are really are something." the Queen said and smiled "I thank you."
Albel just sat there in silence trying to take in what happened. He knew he should leave and find Leah. He could only image what was going on in her mind right now. Flexing his claw he looked up at Clair "I want to see her."
"See..?"
"I want to see Nel, fool." he snapped.
Clair gave a nod "Very well, I'll take you." she walked towards the doors. Then turned around bowing before the Queen. She waited in the hallway for Albel to join her side and when he did she lead him.
"..Mommy..?"
"Hahhaha."
"Who are you?" Kira awoke and sat up in a dusty cold jail cell ground.
"Kira?" Glou was standing up with his back against the wall. Giving his younger sister a concern look.
"Brother!" she then started to cry. She remembered feeling odd last night and then everything went black.
"Don't ask where we are because I don't know." Glou just sighed while he walked towards the front metal prison bars. Gripping them he peered outside and took a glimpse of the area outside from beyond his bars. It was foggy and the scent of the dead reeked the area; a cold draft was coming from the right side of the catwalk hallway.
"Brother..I'm scared."
He turned around to see his sister on the ground hugging her knees. She was crying and sobbing out mumbles. He approached her and sighed "Don't be such a baby!"
"I am not a baby! I'm a princess!"
"HA a princess?"
"Yes I am! Mommy said I am!"
"She probably only said it to make you feel better." he grinned.
She then started to cry harder causing him to sigh. He then sat down next to her and put an arm around her "Sheesh your such a baby.." he said quietly.
Her face was buried in his chest as she cried.
Leah could feel the piercing pain in her heart. Her suspicions were true and now she knew little what to think. Instead of sitting there acting like what was going on was okay she ran away from Albel. Afraid to hear him speak of his other love; dropping to her knees in the garden she continued to cry. Staring at the ring around her ring finger just made her cry more.
"...Why?" she sobbed out.
A chuckle could be herd from in front of her. She lifted her head to see a figure approach her. She nearly gasped at the sight; it was Drave. The one that Clair had just mentioned about at breakfast "You are..."
He grinned and crouched down to her kneeling form. Resting a hand at her cheek "Good work."
"What?" she gave him a confused look.
"You did what I had wished of you. I did create you after all. Just to manipulate Albel's heart."
"Lies..I love Albel. I would never do such a thing! My heart beats to him!"
"Why of course it does. I created you to fall in love with him. I programed you with memories and gave you to a family. You are just a mere puppet at my use." he grinned.
"A puppet..?"
"Why yes my beloved weapon." he chuckled while a slender index finger ran up along her cheek.
"Shut up! Lies all of them.." she looked down to the ground. Her tears clouding her vision it was not possible. She couldn't just simply be a product type weapon she existed she could feel her heart beating now.
"Don't worry my beloved 626 Product Name Ceres." he then rest a hand under her chin lifting her face to his.
"I don't believe you." she cried and looked away from his face.
He moved closer and whispered in her ear "I am the one they call god." he grinned.
"God..?" she froze in place and suddenly she felt her mind going blank. Her blue eyes going dull and she fell over on her side.
Drave smirked "Why yes. I Drave am only a character of this world." he laughed at Leah who laid there lifeless.
Leah's mind was starting to fade away. Leaving her a blank slate with only the command to do what she was commanded. Her eyes open and they appeared to be a golden color "Luther." she spoke to Drave.
He chuckled "You may have killed me. But I still exist in this character." he laughed.
Ceres stood up and ran her fingers through her long blonde hair "What is my objective?"
"To annihilate Fayt Linegod, Maria Traydor, and Sophia Esteed." Luther then walked away from Ceres.
"Yes sir." her lifeless golden eyes watched the black ravens sitting on the edge of the stone walls.
Glou awoke to the sound of a rattling chain. Sitting up he noticed his sister was sleeping beside him. He got up carefully trying not to wake her; he approached the prison bars. Staring outwards at the empty cold gloomy catwalk. Suddenly a sharp pain went through his spine "Ahh.." he didn't bother to keep quiet as he fell to his knees. It felt as if his whole body was on fire and several parts on his body burned.
He closed his eyes as his right hand gripped the bar in front of him. Panting hard trying catch his breath but the pain was excruciating.
Kira awoke to the sounds of her brother; she sat up and rubbed her eyes. Getting up quickly she rushed towards her brother "Brother! What is wrong?"
"STAY AWAY!" he yelled as he opened his eyes to look at her. He watched her flinch away and he let out a painful scream.
"BROTHER!"
It then stop; the pain was gone. Calmly opening his eyes he notice his arms and legs got tighter. Also his chest felt like it was burning he looked to find ruinology tattoos along his limbs "...But how?"
"Brother..?" she whimpered.
He got up and slowly limped his way towards the front of the prison door "I saw mother do this once. If I to now have ruinology we can escape." he said while resting a hand on the door. He closed his eyes trying to concentrate to make the spell be released.
"But brother..it just awoken in you."
"Shut up. I don't care I'll do anything to try to get out of this cell." he snapped at his younger sister. He could feel the power with in his own body and the burning sensation started as he released it. A symbol appeared on the door and he backed away as the lock blew up. Turning around to see his sister "See. I told you it would work." He though could feel himself being drained from energy "Damn took a lot out of me."
"It was reckless.." she cried and ran to him hugging him.
"Ah come on. Not that reckless."
"Yes it was. What if you gotten yourself killed? Then what? I would be left here by myself!" she cried.
He sighed and shook his head "Whatever. Let's go." he then grabbed his younger sister's hand then went out to the hallway.
She grew closer to him as the halls got more darker. The candles in the lamps hanging along the side of the walls was dimly lit. Though as they continued their walk down the hallway a light could be seen "Look!" she said while pointing towards the light.
"Hm." he paused in his steps keeping a grip on his sister's hand.
The light was getting closer to them as they just stood there debating if they should go towards it. Before they could walk another step Glou realized the light was indeed coming to them "This.." he then covered his sister's mouth. Before they could run a light embraced their forms and a boy with white hair stood before them. The boy was a accompanied by a fairy who was sitting on his shoulder. Glou and Kira gave the strangers an odd look "Who are you..?" Glou asked.
The young boy with white hair raised his head and he blinked his golden eyes "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Glou asked.
"Sorry about this but he lost his memory." squeaked the fairy who was sitting on the boy's shoulder.
Kira glanced at the white haired boy and noticed that he had deep golden eyes "Oh wow.." she stammered.
"Sis! Try to control yourself." Glou growled and then glanced at the oil lamp that the boy was carrying.
"What are you doing here?" asked the fairy.
"We'd like to know that as well." Kira said while resting her hands at her hips.
Glou shook his head "Ah come on Kira. We don't have any time to be standing here talking to these maggots."
"Excuse me? Maggots! I have you know I have a name! It's Lily and I'm a fairy! Wise ass." she snapped.
"Oh shut up. I could eat you!" Glou glared at the fairy.
The boy just stared at Glou and Kira questionably.
Kira smiled "My name is Kira!" she introduced herself and sighed "That's my older brother Glou."
The fairy smiled "At least someone isn't rude." she yelled towards Glou's direction.
"Wait...you're a fairy!" Kira shouted.
"Why yes I am." Lily nodded.
"Then it's true fairies do exist and grant wishes!"
Glou snorted "This one probably a bad luck fairy!"
"What did you say?" the fairy narrowed her eyes and floated up in the air. Her little blue wings fluttered about. She was small as the fairies in the Suferio town and had bright long pink hair. Her blue eyes blinked "Listen how about we all search for an exit!"
Glou sighed "No way I don't want a annoying fairy and a nameless fool following us."
"Brother!"
The boy smiled "You can call me Prince. That is what Lily has labeled me." he nodded.
"Wow you really do look like a prince." Kira admired the Prince's handsome features.
"What about Drave and Christopher?"
"What about them?"
"Your hopeless." Glou just said.
Soon they all ventured down the opposite direction that the Prince and Lily had came. For there were no steps or doors. Walking further down the dark catwalk the smell of rotten flesh grew heavier.
"Yuck." Lily hissed as she waved her hand in front of her nose.
Kira covered her nose and looked around "What died in here?"
"Oh you see I thought that was Glou the whole time." the fairy commented with a grin.
The prince gave Lily a sigh and noticed Glou's rising temper "No I believe there are corpses down here."
"CORPSES!" both Kira and Lily shouted.
Suddenly a hissing sound came out of no where. Causing all four of them to tense up and the prince leveled the lantern up "What was that?" he said.
Then it came; the rotten flesh of a dead corpse Airylph soldier approached them.
Clair walked in to the room Nel was being treated in. She watched as her friend sat up in bed quickly.
"Clair, what is going on?" she demanded to know.
The commander shook her head "Relax." she said while standing beside her friend's bed.
Albel stood outside of the door; he was told to wait until Clair had told him to come in.
"CLAIR! As I lay here in this bed my children could be dead!" she said while looking down at her hands resting on her lap. Tears were running down her cheeks and she felt Clair hug her.
"No, their not dead." she said while resting the letter on Nel's lap.
"Romario..?" she gave her friend a confused look.
Clair gave a nod and then started to talk about what had gone on this morning. About Lassel and Drave.
"So Drave and Lassel were behind this?"
"Well Lassel was actually dead already."
Nel then shifted her gaze towards the window "So then perhaps Drave as well is being manipulated?"
"That I don't know."
Still with that letter there was hope that her children where alive. Of course now she had to find them "I'll go find them." she said making up her mind. Getting up from her bed and Clair shook her head "Don't worry were rounding up just about anyone who can take this on."
"There is no need for many to die for my business."
"Not just your business, fool"
His voice she herd his voice. Looking up she noticed Albel walk in with a glare and his claw flexed.
"Albel!"
TBC
A/N: Yay I managed to update this fic quicker! The ideas came to me quickly and I was just able to pull this off. I hope everyone likes this fic and actually didn't plan for Leah to be the one to kidnap the children. Though I made it look obvious for everyone to think so. I gave a hint it was Drave by Clair reading the Crimson Blade test scores on chapter 5. Lol I intended this from the beginning. I figured I'd be nice and update quickly because I was rather mean leaving it like that. Though how I left it in this chapter I was pretty mean again. Well anyways thanks for the reviews and please review! Till next time D.