Chapter 15

Greenery of the East

Mirage often wondered what business the Alliance had in Vanguard. It wasn't just some ordinary invasion like the kind in Expel and Elicoor. Mirage had never seen the so-called Alliance bases but they seemed to take up a lot of room on Vanguard. There were still strings of hope inside of Mirage and although up until now, they were unsuccessful in any of their attempts... Mirage refused to let it get into her head.

As a tough and trained Klausian, everytime she felt tense in an situation she would chant the words 'Omoi dou serei seikou!' which she learned from her father. Dan was a big fan of his chants during his times at the dojo which Mirage shortly inherited, he claimed that the words were a way to control your mind, body, and spirit and were key to successfully live through the toughest moments.

"How can we get to Gernn?" asked Xeim while sitting on the edge of the rocky path.

"What's the point?" Ascal replied as if he was ignoring Xeim. "I'm a hopeless Savior. What is it that I have for the Requiem Code to choose me as the Savior? It's all just shebazzled."

Mirage tried to comfort him to her best of abilities, "Everyone's hope rests on your shoulders right? Well you won't win if you don't bother to try."

"Mirage, so those guys were called the Alliance right? I take it neither of you are from this world then. Heh, no surprise there." Ascal said getting back up slowly.

"I guess there really is no use covering it up now." Lieber mentioned.

"You know... the reason I brought you guys along with me was because I wasn't confident in myself as the Savior. So I guess I kinda used you in a way... Sorry about that." Ascal said with an apologetic face.

"Why didn't you just have the Rashfall royal guards accompany you then instead?" asked Misty.

Ascal shook his head before giving a reply, "They were far incapable and they didn't even have any experience in using the Fenrir crystals. Besides, I doubt my old man would have allowed that."

"Hey cheer up already! We both had our reasons for tracking down the Alliance together, right? So let's just get a move on already." Welch said frantically.

Ascal chuckled slightly. "Alright, let's head back to Rashfall for now. We can take the boat from the Rashfall port over there and head over to Gernn. And i'll also need to stop by the manor for a while."

Rashfall was probably the only prosperous city on the continent. Mirage often had a suspicion that the Royal Code of Requiem was not something that had been passed down through many generations but rather something that was recently established. It was most likely found just after the discovery of the first yogen. The port of Rashfall was just behind the manor near the dock. It was almost empty, which was hardly surprising considering the tensions between the two major nations. The ferryman, however, wouldn't let anyone on to the ferry just yet.

"Sir Ascal. I'm sorry but the ferry will not be leaving for Gernn. By Lord Dran's orders, i'm not permitted to transport any citizens to Gernn at this time. If you like, I could pleasurably take you anywhere else. The Northern Shore perhaps?"

Ascal didn't look at all pleased with the ferryman. "Look'it here. How 'bout if I get my old man to make us an exception this one time?"

"Er.. that will do." replied the ferryman with a doubtful look on his face.

"Alright, i'm gonna head off to the manor for a while. What'll you guys be doing 'til then? If you want you can come along with me." Ascal said as he looked towards the rest of the group.

Mirage nodded slightly. "Not much we can do until then."

"I think i'll take a stroll around the city." Misty said as she started to walk off slowly.

"Just be sure to meet us back at the port." Mirage said.

Ascal, Mirage, and Lieber headed on towards the manor of the Requiem Code. The guards gave him a welcoming gesture, and upon entering the throne room Ascal kneeled down before Lord Dran. Mirage and Lieber did the same.

Lord Dran was sitting in his throne across from Ascal. The Chancellor was also present at this point as well as a few royal guards dressed in silver cuirasses. The Requiem Order's emblem was engraved on both arms of the armor. The royal scene of the manor reminded her a lot of the time she spent in Castle Aquaria during the Vendeeni attack. These situations were quite memorable for her since Trena never really had anything to offer in terms of sightseeing even though Klaus was just as prosperous as any other developed planet.

"Ascal. Any results today? And why did you bring these outsiders again?" Lord Dran asked in a cold fashion.

Ascal cleared his throat as if he was ready to give a formal speech. "Your Majesty, just now I faced the wrath of the Calamity which has brought its misfortune to our world."

"The Calamity?" the Chancellor interrupted looking shocked. "They have reached this far already?"

"Yes, we shall act quickly or else Rashfall will suffer many losses!" Ascal replied in a surprisingly majestic manner. He was obviously putting up a sophisticated act hiding his laid back attitude in front of the Lord.

Lord Dran kept his calm while still hearing the details. "What happened then? If you didn't finish them off, where have they run off to now?"

"They have fled to the continent of Gernn, your Majesty. I request you allow me to take the ferry to Gernn so I shall track down these obscene filth!" said Ascal.

"You still haven't told me why these outsiders are with you..."

"I would like to take them along with me." Ascal requested nervously.

The Chancellor stepped forward looking appalled. "These odd people? But why?"

"They happen to know more about the Calamity. Bringing them along would prove to be useful."

"This is absurd! Why not take the royal guards along with you instead?" the Chancellor questioned as he widened his eyes.

"Heh, that will not be necessary." Ascal smiled ever so slightly. "I am the Savior after all! Besides, we will need as many royal guards present at the manor to defend ourselves from any invasion. It takes priority over all other things."

"And what do you know about them?" asked Lord Dran looking towards Mirage.

"The enemy has spread throughout the nation of Gernn. It won't be long before this city falls in danger as well if we keep letting them hide from our sight. I hope you can trust us." Mirage said as she kept her kneeling position.

"Very well, then." Lord Drain said. "As long as it will help us vanquish the Calamity, then I accept. I will have one of my guards talk to the ferryman... in the meantime, why don't you get some rest?"

"Thank you, your Majesty. I appreciate your concern, but we will shall head for Port Wzinbun right away."

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Sections of the town were a lot more lively than others. The residential area of Rashfall for one was rather unusually quiet. Misty strolled through the town while pondering a little about her situation along with Quark. She noticed a deep wound on her right forearm just that instant.

"How didn't I feel that?" Misty asked herself while looking at the bruise.

She decided to patch it up using alchemy. A white alchemist stone levitated in the air as she started a spell by chanting a few words, "Healing!"

Misty did not notice but one of the small children on the other of the street noticed her casting a spell. He ran towards Misty in excitement, "Hey, lady! That was cool! Can you do it again?"

Misty was confused and didn't know what to say, "I-I have no need to use it again."

"Can I see that cool shiny stone? I promise i'll give it back." the small chubby boy asked.

"No, I couldn't do that..." Misty said calmly as she began to walk away.

However, his requests started turning into insists. "Hey come one! Pleease? I can't wait to show it to Glenn and Sally when they come over!"

"I said NO! It's not a toy!" Misty yelled abruptly. She then covered her mouth as if her actions were unintentional.

The youngster getting a big scare by her impulsive act ran out of sight in tears.

"sigh..." Misty frowned. "Looks like he was right. I need to practice on my composure."

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Mirage stepped out of the manor to take a stroll around the town a little. Vanguard had a tendency to get very humid at times. Rashfall was possibly the only city in Vanguard that didn't have any farms. It was a much more prosperous planet than Mirage had initially thought. It still, however, had years to go before reaching the level of a planet as developed as Elicoor. As Mirage strolled past the pub, she noticed Xeim taking off.

"What happened in there? You're right cheek is bruised!" Mirage said as she noticed the wound on Xeim's cheeks as he came out looking exhausted.

Xeim was caught by surprise and started hesitating before giving a reply, "W-Well I... just took care of a few guys in there who tried to act wise."

Mirage shook her head in disappointment, "It seems you still aren't able to control your anger at bitter times... sigh I wonder if you'll be showing any progress with your mind and spirit training at all."

"The lessons you gave me in the last few days did seem to help a bit... although I can't say for sure whether I understood all of it or not." Xeim said while scratching his head.

"Oh, those were principles of Qigong... a way of freely manipulating the spiritual energy that flows through your body through physical training. I'm sure they'll come in handy, so keep at it with those." Mirage advised.

"Oh, right. I suppose i'll start with going through the mantras." Xeim said.

"Good idea. Mantras are important not only to improve the rhythm of your body, but to bring peace to your mind and spirit."

"Hmm... this will come handy if I fall into the same situation again in a pub. Qigong..." Xeim wandered off trying to concentrate on the terms.

Mirage simply stood there lost in her thoughts as she saw Xeim head off to the central area of the town, "Xeim... he's after more than what he claims..."

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Meanwhile, at the armory shop Lieber was waiting for Ascal to finish his deal with the shop owner.

"Man, this one's a beauty!" Ascal exclaimed looking down at the brandished, silver sabre lying on the counter in front of him.

"That one is commonly known as the Sinclair. It is popular among many foreign warriors who come and go. We buy it from them for such high prices, it's rare you'll find something like this the next time you come." said the shopkeeper in a rather strange fashion.

"I'll take it!" Ascal grabbed the sabre and handed a stash of Fol to the owner who thanked him in return.

"Hey Ascal, would you hurry up? Everyone must be waiting for us at the dock by now!" Lieber said impatiently as he stood in the corner of the shop leaning against the wall.

Ascal was too obsessed with his newly bought weapon, "I can't wait to show this to Kuleha... she loves seein' things like this."

"Right..." Lieber yawned. "You ready to go now?"

"Oh that's right! I haven't told ya about Kuleha, have I?" Ascal's eye lit up with enthusiasm. It was strange how his lengthy ears also lit up in a similar way. "She's the most wonderful person you'll ever meet, one of the closest friends i've had! Those eyes will make you cry your heart out!"

"Yeah, about the others..." Lieber used his hand to gesture that he was trying to speak.

"Yes, the others don't know about her either! I can't wait to introduce her to all of them...! Just think when..." Ascal blabbered on.

Lieber slouched in his position and hung his head from helplessness, "Oh man..."

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Once the ferry was ready to leave, everyone met at the dock once more and climbed onto the boat.

"Hey ferryboy, can ya take us to Gernn now?" asked Ascal.

"Alright then. We're going to head to Port Wzinbun from here. From there on, you're on your own. Just return and tell me when you want to return to Rashfall. There aren't any ferries going back to Rashfall similarly, so i'll just be staying at Wzinbun until then." said the ferryman without looking back.

The ferry ride was going to take longer than Mirage thought, it was almost nighttime once again once they were half way through their journey to Wzinbun. Mirage was concerned for Marietta and Steeg which led her to start pondering more about the Alliance and Vanguard.

"So Ascal... have you ever wondered why you were chosen as the Savior? I mean... of all people, why you?" Mirage asked curiously.

"Eh, I never thought about it much. I guess i've gotten used to getting so much attention over it that I never wondered how life would be without being a Savior." Ascal replied as he gazed up at the stars.

"So what's this royal Requiem Code really about? Is it somehow related with the yogens?" questioned Lieber.

Ascal moaned as if he was too lazy to give explanations, but he was able to brush it off. "Like I said, yogens are prophecies based on the legendary tale. The royal Requiem Code was created in order to ensure these prophecies would indefinitely be fulfilled. These yogens have been carved into stone pillars that are found between the two major continents and have been there for a couple hundred years now. There's been rumors flowing that a special type of Jindou there prevents anyone from reaching anywhere near that area. It's said to be sacred or somewhere along those lines."

"So you are part of the Requiem Code too, right?" Mirage asked as she leaned on the rail of the ferry.

Ascal nodded. "Yeah, though I can't say i'm too thrilled. My family never really felt like the family everyone else has. I guess that's the bad side of being a Savior, huh?"

"Yeah..." Lieber muttered. "Only a little bit further and we're going to have to face Cliff one more time."

Mirage was too much in confusion to be depressed after seeing Cliff. They had always expressed their deepest feelings to each other and shared problems like they were friends... or more like siblings. She refused to believe that Cliff was acting intentionally. 'Maybe it was this hope that kept me from regretting my actions everytime I tried to act against him' she often thought to herself. Maybe, she was right.

"Where are all the other chaps?" Ascal asked.

"I think they've rested for the night." Mirage responded. "We might as well do the same."

"Yeah, my back is starting to ache..."

There seemed to be some commotion present outside once they had reached Port Wzinbun of Gernn early in the morning. Everyone had gathered outside to see many citizens gathered around the ferry. There were a lot more felinefolk among the citizens in Gernn than in Rashfall. And others that were present among the inhabitant of Gernn that wasn't in Rashfall were the light-weighted featherfolk.

"What's going on here?" Xeim asked as he stretched his arms.

"I guess they're all surprised to see a ferry from Rashfall here." the ferryman replied. "Everyone! Make way!"

As they started scattering around a little more to make way, the citizens of Wzinbun began gossiping and asking questions curiously as Mirage and co. made their way through the crowd.

"A ferry from Rashfall?" said one of the people.

"What could they want from us now?"

"What else do you think they'll do? They've obviously not tortured us enough!"

They started walking away from the crowd as they noticed the tension in all of the people present on the dock.

"Man, these guys really gotta cool off. Anyway, let's not stick around here any longer." Ascal whispered to the rest of the group.

"Yeah, we've wasted enough time. We have got to look for the Alliance, i'm sure they have quite a few bases here." Xeim replied as he trudged forward ahead of the rest of the group.

As they left the port out of everyone's sight, the inhabitants all layed their eyes upon the ferryman.

"I-I'm not one of themm..." he stuttered nervously. "I'll just be staying here for a while."