AN: Hey again! Yes I am back. Did anyone miss me? Sorry this update took so long, but I took a small break and then a vacation. Anyways, I'm here and you know what that means… You do know what it means right? Ok, good. That's right, it's time for chapter 3 of "The Slave and The Swordsman". But first the acknowledgements to the people who were nice enough to review.
Draco Blade: Nice to know you like what I'm doing. I'm actually planning later chapters to elaborate on some character's pasts.
TrueGamer: Thanks for enjoying and again I am sorry if I offended you about the whole Tetra-Slash thing. No hard feelings right?
Alright! Just two other quick things about the story. First, I have finally thought about the geography a bit. In the world of Symphonia there are four large nations. They are Sylvarant, Tethe'alla, the Republic of Flonoir, and the Desian Empire. Just to give you a rough picture of how things are set up take a T shaped block from the game Tetris. The far northern region is the Desian Empire, the center region is Tethe'alla, to the east is Sylvarant, and south of Tethe'alla is the Republic of Flonoir, or R.O.F. for short. Tethe'alla and Sylvarant are currently allies in a war against R.O.F. If you want a reason it's because Tethe'alla and Sylvarant hate the cold and everyone who chooses to live in it. I know it is a shallow reason but they needed something to tell the public. I mean seriously who goes around saying "Hey! We are invading these guys just for the hell of it!"? And as for the Desian Empire, they're just waiting for one side to loose. Their plan is to wait it out and then beat the crap out of what's left of whoever is left standing. I might try to work on the geography thing a bit more. I make no guarantees however.
Also, the events in ch. 2 took place three days before the events of ch. 1.
Why do I always make these things longer than I intend to? Oh well! Here we go!
Disclaimer: I looked into the X-mas gift idea and… yeah. I saw really big numbers that hurt my brain. So, you guessed it, I still own nothing that has to do with Tales of Symphonia. Well, nothing but this story that is.
Ch.3 The Rescue
It was a calm day. The birds flew gracefully in the sky, the bugs on the ground were busy doing their varied tasks. The ants were scouting and gathering food for their queen, the bees were buzzing from flower to flower, and the mosquitoes were looking for unfortunate victims to annoy and drain the blood from. Everything from the smallest to the largest of things were just existing for the moment.
All of this however was lost upon Sheena. She wasn't here to study bugs, or watch birds. She was here to find The Human Ranch. She was here to rescue a man whose very existence was influential enough to preserve or destroy the economic structure of a country that was currently at war. She was here to save the duke of Altimira, Regal Bryant.
Five days had passed since she and her companions had interrogated Jarg, the Desian tracker who had followed them for a time. Five days of two daily meals, short sleeping periods, and near endless walking had come and gone. As Sheena parted the last few ferns that were in her way she stepped out of the forest, and jumped back in quickly. She had spotted her objective, and she prayed she had not been spotted by its masters. They had arrived at The Human Ranch.
Sheena knew what to do next. "We need to get closer without getting spotted," she thought to herself. "Once we get into a better position, we will have to send in a scout to find the duke. After we find his location we can begin to plan the rescue."
She quickly ran back to the others. They weren't too far behind, just far enough to give her a nice warm-up for what was soon to come. "I've found the ranch," she said, before anyone could ask even half a question. "It's about ten minutes form here, and the last half-mile or so is a fairly open field. When we get to the edge of the forest I'll guide you through the field. Just remember to stay low, careful, and quiet."
Ten minutes later everyone had gone from exhilarated and happy from the run, to grim and tense for what lay ahead of them, a half-mile of slow, quiet moving.
"Here, put these on," Sheena instructed. She had pulled from here pack four suits that looked more like pincushions than anything else and handed one to everyone but Zelos.
"What are these things?" asked Genis, completely confused as to the need for the odd garments.
"They are called veggie suits," Sheena explained. "You take the vegetation from your surroundings and stick it into the back of the suit. This allows you to crawl forward, unseen by your enemies, even in this situation. Actually, veggie suits were made for this exact kind of scenario. An open field with really tall grasses."
Another hour passed and everyone was finally ready to go. That was when Zelos finally asked, "Why don't I get one of those things? Am I supposed to be a distraction, or something like that?"
"No, you're the scout," Sheena told him. "When we go into the field I want you to fly up and look around the area. You know the dukes description, so I want you to look around for him. Keep as much distance as you can and see what you can. When you do spot him, keep tabs on him and as soon as night falls, make contact with him, get as much security info as you can and then report to back to us. We'll take up a good position behind the rocks on the beach over there. After that we'll just have to try and find a way to get him out."
When she was done explaining, she and the others snuck away, and disappeared.
… Change view: Lloyd…
They had now spent two full days in the pit. They had been given no food or water. The weather had been sweltering hot. There hadn't even been a drop of rain. The only good thing was that even though the sun hit them hard each day, it was only for a few hours.
But nonetheless, Lloyd was beginning to feel the effects. His throat was dry, and his arms were weak. He was starting to wonder if they had been forgotten, it wouldn't have been the first time that had happened.
He, Regal, and Presea had spent their time awake talking about anything that could let them forget that they were stuck in a hellish pit that showed little mercy. They had spoken of many things, what Regal could expect at the ranch, how he'd been captured by the Desians, and happier subjects like what kind of parties he had attended, or favorite foods.
Through all of this they enjoyed each other's company. Presea had even managed to smile and give her own input, which were both very rare things as far as anyone else knew.
Lloyd had just finished a particularly humorous tale about two slaves who had managed to smuggle in some pie, and had started an odd but surprisingly popular pie based religion, in which everyone prayed to the Great Pie for salvation, and more pie. Unfortunately the pie had been discovered by a fat, annoying guard called David whom busted the gate open just to eat the pie in one fast bite. This had nearly caused a small riot, but then people realized it was just a pie.
He then noticed something odd. Over Regal's boots, covering the shins were metal plates. "What's with the plating?" Lloyd asked pointing at the plates. "Do you have weak shins or something."
"No," Regal said simply. "They are called grieves. I used to fight with my hands but I don't anymore and never will again. Now my feet and these grieves are my weapons."
"Wait a minute!" Lloyd said, his mind racing at what this could mean. "Why would the Desians let you keep your weapons? Why didn't you just fight them off? Regal, what are you-
"Hello there!" came a voice from above. Lloyd looked up and to his absolute shock, there, slowly descending, was an angel! "I'd take it you're the Duke Bryant. I am Zelos Wilder, one of the Chosens of Mana. I'm here to rescue you."
"I'm not here to be rescued," Regal said calmly. I'm here for vengeance and punishment."
"Yes well I'm sorry but, your reasons aren't my problem," said Zelos rudely. "My problem is my job and I've got to get it done. It's the king's orders that you be rescued."
"Hmmm…" Regal thought over the angel's words. "Very well, but I have one request."
"Name it."
"These two here are my friends," Regal explained. "I want them rescued along with me."
"I might be able to arrange that," Zelos said, looking at the two. "You've got a deal, Duke Bryant. I'll pass the message, and inform you of the plan when we get one." And with that he flew away.
"Wh- wh- what was that?" Lloyd stammered.
"An angel," Presea said in her usual monotone voice. "It would appear that we are about to escape."
"Indeed," agreed Regal. "Let's hope he gets back soon."
… One hour later…
No one had uttered a word since the angel's departure. They waited and waited. Just as Lloyd was getting worried, Zelos appeared, and floated down again.
"We'll be getting you out in just a moment," he explained quickly. "I'm sorry to say that you will have to experience a rather abnormal ride and I'd recommend that you puke whatever food you have in you now instead of later."
"This should be interesting," Regal said musingly.
… Change view: Sheena…
Zelos had returned. "The message is delivered and I think their lunches have been thoroughly vomited."
"Great, you're disgusting no matter what you say," Sheena said, rewarded with a falsely hurt face from Zelos. "On with the show then. I CALL UPON THE HEAVENLY MESSANGERS. COME SYLPH!"
Instantly three fairy-like beings appeared. "What do you request of us, Pact-maker?" asked one of them.
"There are three people in a pit in that complex," Sheena explained. "One of them has blue hair and responds to the name Regal Bryant. The other two are friends of his. I need you to carry them here, as gently and quickly as you can."
"It shall be done as you have asked, Pact-maker," and with that the Sylph were gone.
…Change view: Lloyd…
The three fairies flashed into appearance and turned quickly to Regal. "You are the one called Regal Bryant, correct?" asked the center one.
Regal simply nodded. The next moment, Lloyd felt a strong wind around his feet. Faster and faster the wind swept around him. He then noticed that the same thing was happening at Regal's and Presea's feet. Suddenly, they were off the ground, being lifted by miniature tornadoes. The shear joy of flight was enough to make Lloyd momentarily forget everything. The pain, the suffering, the shame, it was all a distant memory of another mans life for that moment.
The moment passed all too quickly however. Just as they were crossing over the main battlements of the ranch, a searchlight hit them. Seconds later the alarm was sounded. A minute later they had landed.
As soon as his feet hit the ground, Lloyd to in the situation. He was outside the ranch and in a large field. Not too far off to the south, there was a large forest. To the east was a vast ocean. "Easy guess how we're supposed to get away I suppose," he thought quickly.
He then looked at his rescuers. The fairies were nowhere to be seen, but he could see who were responsible. The group consisted of two half-elves, two strange human-like beings that Lloyd assumed were both angels, since he knew at least one of them was.
And then his eyes turned to the fifth member of the group. "Beautiful!" was the only thought he could come up with. She was almost as tall as he was. She had black hair and eyes. She wore a purple robe and pink sash that, and a simple white shirt underneath to cover her breasts, all of this complementing her perfect hourglass figure. If she were a goddess of beauty, Lloyd would have been less than surprised.
…Change view: Sheena…
"Wow!" was the only thought in her mind as she looked him over. He was a bit taller than she was, and clearly mal-nourished. He had spiky brown hair and eyes to match. His clothing was nothing more than a simple, ragged, gray cloth that looked like someone else before him had worn it. But despite his worn look, Sheena could tell that this young man had a strong will, and would not give up. But what it was he wasn't giving up on she couldn't tell.
…Change view: Lloyd…
Reality returned, as a bolt from a crossbow zipped between the two of them.
"Run into the forest," Lloyd yelled, with a sense of command. "If we make it we can live."
And so they ran. Bolts flying past them, sometimes only missing by hairs. This was crazy. Even if things kept up this way, they would eventually get hit by a stray shot.
"I CALL UPON THE GLOWING PHEONIX. COME ASKA!" suddenly a glowing bird was flying next to them. "We need a distraction!" yelled the beautiful woman. "Try to blind them for a few moments!"
The bird flew up and back toward the pursuing forces. "Don't look back!"
Lloyd obeyed without question and realized the reason. A bright flash came from behind! Had they looked at it, they would have been blinded.
"We have ten minutes, let's get out of here!"
And with that, the eight of them ran into the forest, and into the night.
…Change view: Forcystus…
"Do we know who escaped?" Forcystus asked, praying it was just a few worthless slaves and no one important.
"Unfortunately we do sir," said Pronyma. "One of them was apparently a influential politician. We believe that he was the primary target. The other two were more important however…"
"Continue Pronyma," said Rodyle. "Who else escaped?"
"No ones going to like this but," Pronyma continued. " The other two were prisoners X230, Presea Combatir, and Z890, Lloyd Aurion."
"Both Angelus Projects have escaped!" exclaimed Magnius. "How could this have happened?"
"It appears that one of the rescuers knew summoning arts," Pronyma explained. "She first carried them out of the detention pit via Sylph and then provided a diversion through Aska."
"I see…" Forcystus thought this over for a moment. "What direction were they last heading?
"South."
"Kvar," he turned to his third in command. "Send search parties south and as far as the safer regions of Tethe'alla."
"It shall be done sir"
"Pronyma," he addressed his number two. "What is the status of the current operation?"
"All is well," she said, happy to give some actual good news. "I was wondering if you would allow me to oversee the final stages.
"See to it that the entire village is destroyed. I want no further disruptions tonight, double the shifts."
And with that he returned to his private chambers. Upon entering the less than humble room his eyes instantly fell upon the two swords. "Why can't I wield these things?" he pondered. "It is no matter anyways. Soon my new swords will be complete and these will be a mere trophy." At this thought he smiled. And after a few moments he went to bed and fell back into the glorious dreams of conquering the inferior race…
AN: These things are getting longer and longer. Good thing I have my free time. Alright, now that you have read, please review. I find it a little saddening that this story is on three alerts, two favorites, and still my last chapter only got two reviews! C'mon people. Reviews are like my freakin' mana. Without it, I will take much longer to crank out the chapters. Besides, I don't know whether or not I'm doing well here without your reviews. If you enjoyed it, tell me what you liked. If you didn't like it, explain why. If you have absolutely no opinion, you're not human. I want to know what my readers are thinking. I'm even going to give thought into listening to suggestions. For future reference, when I say something like that I mean I will do it. So please you guys(and girls), tell me what you think.
Oh well, enough of my begging. See you next time. Ch. 4: The Past. Laters!