Forever Bound
Chapter 2: As the Tide Changes
Author's Notes: This chapter took forever to get out. I didn't know where I really wanted to go with this chapter (as I still had a lot of setting up to do), but, overall, I'm happy with it. Now, I did use a little Al Bhed in this chapter (just because I like the language.) I'll provide the translation at the end of the chapter though it really isn't necessary to get what's going on.
As always, please review and tell me your thoughts. What do I need to improve on? What am I already good at? You decide :P
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"Will it hurt?"
"Perhaps," came the reply. "I haven't performed such a ritual before."
"Well that's reassuring."
Three warriors of the past stood together in a circle, their hands intertwined, all minds focusing on one single goal—life. Soliel stood to the side, her hands clasped together in prayer. Truth be told, she had wanted to travel with the trio. A large part of her wished to walk upon the earth that she had left so long ago, but, as always, things never worked out as she wished them too.
Soa, Bmayca Gaab draca dnyjamanc cyva uh draen zuinhao, she whispered softly. Her words were that of an all but forgotten language, the language that she had once spoken in her previous life. It made her miss home. "Aten, E ys nayto."
A darkened figure appeared in the middle of the trio; it was the first time that Aten had ever shown himself to them in the past five years. With his hands outstretched in front of him, he smiled from underneath his cloak. "You will be fine."
With a nod of his head, several orbs materialized around the group of warriors, and hues of yellows, reds, and blues began to swirl around them. Aten watched on as their bodies lifted off the ground. Sudran, Gaaban, keja meva du druca fru ryja mucd ed. Yht mad dras vekrd eh ouin hysa.
With his small prayer, three emerald spheres, not unlike those of Wingly magic, took their bodies in. And in a matter of seconds, the spheres had transported them out of the chamber.
Soliel sighed, turning her attention to Aten. "Do you really think that they'll be alright?" The man before her nodded, his hand moving up to slide the darkened hood off over his head.
"Of course," he reassured. Two pairs of eyes drifted up to the ceiling, their hopes and dreams had gone with the three travelers. Perhaps, they would be the ones, along with the living dragoons, to finally beat the demon that they had long since banished.
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"She's a strong woman."
"That's all you have to say?" Bitter tasting liquid swiftly flowed down his throat, burning and irritating the red flesh along the way. A rough and calloused fist slammed down onto the table in frustration. Angry blue orbs scanned the bar, searching for just one poor soul to start a fight with. He had remembered the drunken brawls he had gotten into when he was still a teenager—and a part of him wished to return to that time.
"Do you really think drinking yourself to a coma will help, old friend?" Dark blue eyes looked up into regal brown ones. He had come to Bale, his body badly beaten and tired with his daughter propped on his back. Only Soa knew how they managed to escape the burning village. He grimaced.
For what seemed to be the billionth time, he had lost his hometown—and most likely, even more family and friends. "I'll do what I damn well want, your majesty."
The ruler of Serdio sighed wearily. "And what of Claire? She needs you more than anything right now." A sigh. Dart knew well that the little girl hadn't spoken a word since their departure; he had dropped her off, crying, into the open arms of Emille. Perhaps it wasn't the best of ideas; perhaps he was being a poor father, but the pain that he felt…
"I've had enough," he whispered softly, pushing the wooden goblet away. With his elbows propped up on the table, he allowed his heavy head to fall into his hands, golden tresses of hair hiding his darkened and weary face. A gentle, perhaps coercing, hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Lets go back to the castle, Dart. You need rest."
Dart's body twitched. "No, I need to kill the bastard who was responsible for it."
A sigh. "You will get the opportunity soon enough," a drained Albert reassured. "But first, we must go back to the castle. I've already called for the others."
A drunken smirk slowly materialized on his lips. "Then we can rescue her!" he exclaimed, shooting up from his chair, only to clumsily fall back into a seated position. Albert stifled a small laugh, helping the man to his feet.
"You know you really shouldn't drink so much."
"Oh really?" questioned Dart as the two walked towards the door. "Because I do recall a certain knight telling me of a certain adventure that concerned ale."
"WHAT?"
For the first time since the incident, hearty laughter escaped from their throats. And, for the first time, things didn't seem to be so horrible.
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Darkness.
She had been walking through it for what seemed to be hours as she followed her kidnapper. No words had been exchanged between the two. It was odd to her that she had not been chained up or bound in any way—then again, she didn't have a clue as to where she was, whom she was dealing with, and what they truly wanted with her (though she did have a small clue).
She sighed. So far the message that she had received from Charle had proved to be true down to the tiniest detail. A forgotten prophecy.
A last stand.
A return of the Moon That Never Sets, she mused to herself thoughtfully. Brown orbs trailed back up to the cloaked figure before her. The woman still remained silent as if she refused to acknowledge Shana's presence.
"Stop."
Her words were both unexpected and filled with malice, causing the young woman to stop dead in her tracks. A tan arm crept out from underneath its black sheath, a smooth palm pointed upwards. Shana watched in awe as a pale blue orb formed above the woman's hand, illuminating the darkened area for the first time.
"This is—"
"A forgotten place."
Shana's eyes widened as she took in the landscape before her. Although they had been walking in complete darkness, this new area was covered in every sort of plant and flower. Up ahead, she noted a large pond in the middle of the lush area, its rippling waves the only source of sound.
"It is said that the Goddess once lived in this area," whispered the stranger. "She must have lived a very peaceful existence, but that was before she betrayed mankind."
"What do you mean betrayed?"
The woman laughed softly. "All will be explained in due time, Moon Child."
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Feeling.
For the first time, in what seemed like thousands of years, he felt something. Perhaps it was the sun's rays washing down on him—yes, he felt warmth. Or maybe it was the textured earth beneath his back. And yes, he felt the ever so light breeze moving in and out of his hair.
Opening curious emerald eyes, he took in the sight of the clear sapphire sky. But the surreal, peaceful, moment was not to last. As he inhaled, the familiar stench of flame and death overpowered his senses. The former knight pushed himself off of the ground slowly (as he was not used to this new body of his), only to find himself amidst a graveyard of sorts.
"Who could have done this?"
Small cottages had been burned to the ground—most likely with its occupants still inside. Several bodies were scattered across the earth, looks of fear and pure desperation still on some of their faces. Walking through the maze of destruction, he felt his heart drop—in his first life, he had grown used to the concept of death. But now, after losing one chance to live, he knew all to well the importance of what life had to offer.
And maybe, if he endured this new trial, Lavitz would get the chance to live his life in its entirety. He smiled softly, knowing full well that his mother would love to have a few grandchildren running around the house.
"Lavitz!"
The former knight snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes glancing up to meet the faces of both Rose and Zieg. "Found anyone yet?"
It was a wishful question.
"There aren't any survivors here," muttered Zieg, brushing off the dust and ash off of his crimson tunic. "Where are we anyway?"
"Seles, I think. We visited this area after Lavitz's dea-," Rose paused for just a moment. It was strange to say such a thing seeing as though the knight was standing right in front of her. Shaking her head, she looked out towards the entrance of the town. "Bale couldn't be more than a day's walk away."
"Agreed, though it may be a bit different traveling without any weapons," mused Lavitz. With a smile, he started to walk forward. "As long as the guardian of the limestone cavern isn't around, we'll be peachy."
"Guardian of the what?"
"You'll be fine, Zieg."
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So another chapter has been finished insert cheers here Thanks Grammar Man, FlyHigh4Life, and Purple Lore. You guys are great!
Until next time!
Translations:
i Soa, Please Keep these travelers safe on their journey
ii Aten, I am ready.
iii Mother, Keeper, give life to those who have lost it. And let them fight in your name.
