The Court Case
Disclaimer: I don't own ToS, or the Sales of Tomorrow. The buyers choose that. I do own the Stock of Tomorrow, though!
Rubyi: That is what we call "illegal" so you really don't. If you did own that, you be in jail right now…
TimesHalt: You're no fun…
Disclaimer: I also don't own Things of Seles. They belong to her.
A/N: And four days to go. Plains of Hope. Joy. And now, will Cali finally meet Saphfyre, and what will the leader of the Redjewels do? A somewhat strange episode of The Court Case begins. I can't wait to write If You Want To Bring Him Back. It will probably be better worded--and hell for readers--have really long chapters. This will end soon; I really should have just skipped everything and gone to the case…
Chapter 28: Distant Memories, Distant Feelings
Sheena watched as Astra headed off somewhere. Flaren said something about how splitting up was dangerous but the place didn't look like it could kill. Embre grabbed a flower from the ground and sniffed. It was a very nice scent. Flaren watched as her younger sister plucked off the petals and let them soar away. Sheena then felt Universa's air, and rushed off to the source, followed by the LaHearts.
Astra stood upon that cliff that she had so long ago. How long had it been, four thousand and…seventeen years ago? Yes, that was it. The memory was still there, though, plain as the sun that shone so brightly as it did now. Astra let the recollections sweep back to her.
Flashback
"And I know we will be all right…be with me…be with me…stay with me…stay with, please…I need you…be with me…"
A small child Astra sang a song as her oldest brother, Universa came up to her.
"You like this place, do you not, Astra?" the Summon Spirit of Universes said.
"Yes." Astra answered, "It is beautiful. When I come of age, I want a temple here."
"That…maybe that will not happen." Universa shot a look at the ground.
"What? Why not?" Astra asked, curious.
"The humans are about to start a war. I am most certainly sure that the wars will reach even here."
"Humans are so stupid! Why would they even want this place, anywise?"
"It is one of the best points to attack Kahlijdima and Redsia. With some long-range attacks, destroying Tahjra would be no hard task."
"I see…but I…we have no other place to go. I do not wish to be bound to some person who would use my power to hurt, just for war…"
End Flashback
Astra shifted her position as the times went on. That wasn't the only memory she had of this place…
Flashback
Astra, now a much more beautiful, adolescent teenager, about sixteen years since she was created (though she preferred "born" to "created") and the Mistress of Stars was stunning.
"You really seem to love this place, Astra." Efil, the Summon Spirit of Life, put a hand on the woman's shoulder.
"Oh, Efil. In you fox form, I see. Why must you transform right after you come into contact with anyone?" Astra brushed the hand--now paw--off of her shoulder, and petted the man. It didn't seem wrong, because dirty things weren't so dirty 4,000 plus years ago.
Efil continued, "What can I say. It's fun to annoy." The voice just seemed to protrude from him, not quite just coming from his mouth. It seemed to just exit the body freely, but clearly nonetheless.
"Why are you here?" Astra asked, hoping the words wouldn't come/
"Raise." Astra looked away from the fox and bit her lip, beginning to say something, "And…what of her? I already know you love her. What is the problem?"
"Well, you know she was created just about two days…born sorry, you prefer that, right?"
"Yes." Astra shifted nervously, she might break down soon. She had to end this. Quick. She opened her mouth again, "Yes. What of it?"
"It is a human custom for people to give gifts on they day they were born…so I thought I should get her something. But I really don't have anything…what do you think I should give?"
This is when Astra almost felt like throwing the animal off the cliff that lay before her. Squeezing her leg tightly, she got up, startling Efil and making him turn into human form, just because he felt like it.
"You can give this, Efil. It was meant for you, but it is yours now once I give it you, so you have the right to use it any way you please. It is glass mixed with the petals of these plains…I know it is hard to find the material--actually clean and safe--but I did, so it is my gift to you." Astra was a bit sad Efil hadn't even given anything to her, but kept a strong face and threw it at him. EH caught it with one hand and Astra turned her back to him.
"Uh, okay. Thanks." Efil left and Astra watched for a second as he departed. Sitting back on the cliff, she began to cry. She and Efil had so much more in common than he and…Raise. What the heck. He couldn't even think of her the way he did Raise. And Efil and Astra had the same creation (or birth) day, and were both skilled with weapons other than katanas. There were other things to, like Astra loved Efil. She knew it was only four years before she would have been on the earth for twenty years; the day it happened her physical body would stop aging and she would be able to make a pact with people. The tears flew along with some petals down the cliff, and the young Mistress of Stars let them go. Grabbing a scythe, she decided ti was time for more training. Hearing the lands would soon be at war, even the Secluded Lands, the Summon Spirit of the Stars felt hope was leaving her.
End Flashback
Astra looked at the sunset. It was beautiful. Another memory came…they were so hard to stop. And this one…
Flashback
Derris-Kharlan. The war was still going, and the Plains of Hope had been severely damaged. Efil held onto Raise, and the disturbed Universa was now even more disturbed. Suddenly saying something, the Summon Spirit of Universes got a little angrier.
"Raise can take care of herself, you know. You need not embrace her so much."
"Sorry to hear that." Efil said, "But I swear to protect Raise. So I'll keep her safe. Do you want her to die or something?"
"Excuse me?" Universa suddenly yelled, "I am the one who saved her from that Indignation spell. You sat there like the stupid dog you are!"
"Oh, really?" Efil shouted back, "Maybe Raise could have gotten out there herself! I was stunned from a sword attack from behind! Maybe it was you!"
"How dare you! You think I--"
Efil cut Universa off, "Astra saw all this, too. Hey, Astra!" Efil grabbed the woman's attention, "Did Universa hit me with his sword just so he could get Raise?"
"Astra you do not dare--" Universa began.
"Come on, Astra, you saw. What happened?"
The fact was, Efil had been hit (ironically) by Raise, who threw up a sword-shaped cloud to guard from an attack, and accidentally hit Efil. It was plain to see why Efil thought this was Universa, as Raise usually didn't extort herself to such measures. So Universa continued.
"I did not! Efil, you thick-headed--"
"Astra, tell us!" Efil yelled again.
The Mistress of Stars finally blew her fuse. A VERY rare moment. Running over to the three, she threw her hand--QUITE forcefully, one might add--at Efil, then at Universa, then at Raise.
"You are all acting like idiots! SHUT UP, and calm down!" The crowd began to speak again. More slaps. Astra yelled again, "Stop it! Just stop it!" She then ran away, knowing this wouldn't end well.
Hours later…
"You are leaving?" Astra asked Efil as he readied his magic, "But why?"
"Raise and I aren't met for each other, but I still love her. I can see her the way things are now…Universa loves her more."
"Efil…" Astra slammed her body into his. At least he was in human form, for now.
"Astra? Why are you crying?" Efil was confused.
"I…I…" Astra swallowed. Would she be able to tell him? Apparently, "I do not want to see you leave! I want you to be here, with me…with us!" Stupid! She couldn't tell him!
"Astra, I'm sorry…Really…" Efil descended downward, "I really didn't mean to make you act in such a way, either…"
"No! Efil!" Astra reached her hand out to nothing as the gate Efil had opened to the land below opened. The Mistress of Stars broke out in tears.
Weeks later…
The storm of war struck everywhere and Astra opened her gate to the land below. Astra spoke to her.
"You are leaving, as well?" The Mistress of Stars was sad, a rival of love that's a friend is tough to deal with. Even if they do leave.
"Yes, you are all family here…I feel as if I am intruding."
"But what of Universa? You love him, but you will not tell?"
"No. I will not." Raise pulled out a katana. Its blade was blue, and it was made by Universa, Raise, Efil, and Astra. Raise concentrated a bit and the gate warped a little. She put it down into the gate, making it soar to the ground. "I guess I do not need this anymore…" Raise mumbled.
"That is the Flanoir and Asgard area." Astra stated.
"Yes. IT has meaning of ice and earth, and these area represent that strongly. I wish that blade the best. I think I will fight with staves now…"
"Oh, Raise!" Astra embraced the woman, and she returned the hug. Letting go, the Summon Spirit of the Sky changed the gate to its original form and began to descend. Astra waved goodbye as the woman fully disappeared, along with the gate.
"It is all my fault…" Astra sat on a rock and began to cast spells randomly to create her temple. It was great that the Summon Spirits could make such a huge thing and not waste much mana in the process. Magitechnology would have certainly flourished more if this skill was passed down…
End Flashback
"And after al that has happened, I still have not found E--"
"Astra! We've found Universa! Hurry! He might run again!" Flaren yelled, "It'll take us some time, but I'm sure he'll stay to hear what Sheena has to say!"
Astra ignored the thoughts that had come and ran with Flaren to the spot Efil was located.
Sheena cleared her throat, "We've gone over so much, but do you promise you'll stay with us?"
"No, Sheena. I am sorry, but…Raise and yourself…I cannot--"
"It will be okay." Sheena tried to explain, "I can't love you back, but it will be okay. Just please--"
"Sheena. I…this stupid heart does not know what to so. I love Raise, but the feelings…did she even come?"
"Uh, well she…"
"No, then? Did she even request to?"
"She…um…she--"
"She obviously does not have strong enough feelings for me, Sheena."
"Can't you even try, Universa! What the hell! Just try!"
At this moment, Astra and Flaren arrived, second to Embre, who had already been there for a while. She had some tears, which Flaren tried to wipe off, but her hand was denied. Universa and Sheena rambled on a bit more and finally…
"I am going to stay here and think for a couple of days. I promise to be back in time for the case."
"Universa."
"Sheena, this is my decision. Someday, you may understand this much more clearly. For now…this must be the way it is."
"…Okay. Goodbye, Universa." Sheena embraced him, and a few tears fell. The other three girls fled the scene as to not be caught eavesdropping .
Astra left to the cliff again, saying she had things to take care of. Finding the words, she spoke out loud.
"I want you to be mine, Efil. I need you. Come back. My reason for living is you…but…you do not love me. And someday, if we meet, the feeling will grow and I will die. Efil…I need you to know. Please, Martel, let me find him soon…"
A tear fell from the woman's eye as Flaren approached.
"We're almost ready to go. Are you ready?" the rapier-wielding LaHeart asked.
"Oh, um, yes…I am all right. Let us get going." Astra grabbed a couple of flowers before she left; perhaps they would grow, perhaps they could be her source for living…but those thoughts weren't appropriate at this time. Astra followed Flaren and a solemn Embre and got ready to depart. It was getting dark, so the girls hurried onward.
Dialmond sighed. She had a precious item of Lloyd's, and she now assumed he had the picture. Fingering the scarf, she let her tears flow. She hated being cold, and she hated the mood swings that occurred when she was with him. Although, it was the same for Lloyd in this regard. He acted in some ways that surprised Dialmond, both good and bad. She didn't expect him to love her. She didn't expect him to cry about it. She didn't expect to leave him like that…she didn't expect the tears to flow from her so much. She didn't expect for the sword to break! She didn't expect for Lloyd to offer one of his most prized possessions in return! She didn't expect the feelings that portrayed themselves so easily! She didn't expect--!
Emereld's call interrupted Dialmond's horrible thoughts. Dinner was done and the shout of, "Dialmond! Time to eat!" At least her sisters didn't see her cry, and at least they didn't scold her for leaving. But…Dialmond couldn't help but return with, "What is the point?"
Emereld was a bit confused by answered as though the girl was stupid, "You have to eat to live."
"Maybe I just should not eat, then!" Dialmond slammed her already-closed door by opening it then shutting it.
"Dialmond?" Emereld called, "Is everything all right?"
"What do you think!" the swordswoman smashed the window beside her and took off on the crappy sword. Lloyd could…Lloyd could help. Lloyd could help.
Scorch felt the waist of Saphfyre. Whispering to her, he set his head to her ear, "That was amazing…"
"Oh, I know. I loved it, too." Saphfyre said, her arms stretched out to their fullest extent.
"Do you wanna go again?" Scorch asked.
"To the hot springs? Yes, tomorrow. But that was just what I needed…"
This lead the scarred Rubyi to have even more scars and faint. She thought they were talking about…well, a basic fall could explain it. Saphfyre opened her door.
"Rubyi?" the leader of the Redjewels sighed, "She thought we must have been talking about…oh well." Throwing a spare blanket on the girl, Saphfyre walked down the stairs. Scorch followed closely. She didn't notice, and on the last two steps.
"HEY!" Scorch suddenly yelled.
"Ah!" Saphfyre kicked him in the gut, but lessened the impact when she knew who it was. It was enough to throw Scorch off-balance, and down the two went. Lapisa had coincidentally finished a sip of her tea and saw the two. She looked away and took another very long sip. Saphfyre and Scorch got up and the scythe-wielder yelled, "We're going for a walk!"
The two enjoyed the moonlight, and Saphfyre was fully leaning on the man's chest. They had made it into Goldes, when…
"Cali!"
A/N: A cliffhanger, sort of. Well, well, well. Well. Astra's history of the Plains of Hope was fully revealed. It didn't go exactly as I planned, but it ended up better the way it is now. But there is a whole slew of things about to happen. Well, for one, day four of the countdown to the case will end soon. And then, Saphfyre will probably beat the…well, we'll pretty much know what she'll do. And now Universa's gone off to stay at the Plains of Hope, and Sheena probably has her regrets. And what about Embre, too? She probably feels horrible, along with Flaren. And maybe I'll put some more about Efil in here, too.