Chapter 15
We moved down stairs, when Shulk suddenly stopped at the top.
"Hurry it up, slowcoach!" Reyn told Shulk, who had a hesitant look on his face.
"What's wrong?" asked Sharla, also looking at the wielder of the Monado.
Otharon simply moved on ahead, a stony look on his face.
Shulk stared at the ground. "What can it mean?" he muttered, seemingly not aware of his surroundings. He then stood up straight, a slight look of alarm flashing through him.
By now, the other four of us had made it at the bottom from the staircases, while Shulk lingered at the top.
I sensed him run down the stairs, a shout coming from him. "No!"
"What's wrong, Shulk?" asked Reyn, turning to look at his childhood friend.
"This battle is for my people," warned Otharon, glaring at the wielder of the Monado. "If you cannot handle it... drop that weapon and go home."
"That's not it!" replied Shulk. "I... um, it's just that..." He was at a lost for words. "Uh..."
"Out with it!" yelled Otharon, anger bursting through his voice at Shulk's hesitation.
"Listen," spoke Shulk, a bit of panic coursing through his face.
I feel like that's a reference to Navi... I thought, sitting down.
"Maybe we... shouldn't just charge along head face," tried Shulk.
"What?!" shouted the old Defense Force man.
"We've come this far," spoke Reyn, confusion in his face and voice.
Sharla was quiet, watching the conflict between the Colony 6 Defense Force Captain and the wielder of the Monado.
"Um... maybe we should observe them and plan our attack afterwards," spoke Shulk, hurried.
"You insolent..." If Otharon's voice was angry before, then now he was roaring with that emotion. "We don't have that kind of time! You have no idea what these machines are capable of!" He paused.
"I have observed their movements," he growled, turning his back to Shulk. "I've planned this attack for a month!" His voice became deadly quiet. "I know full well what will happen to my brothers and sisters."
"It's just..." spoke Shulk, his voice attempting to be soothing towards the old man.
"We're going!" declared Otharon. "Fall in, Medic." He then went off, and none of us followed.
"Sir!" spoke Sharla, before turning to Shulk. "What's gone into you?" she questioned.
Shulk stared at the ground, unwilling to meet Sharla's accusing voice or her wondering eyes. "I..."
Reyn gave a small sigh, turning to look at Shulk. "A vision again?"
Shulk didn't say anything, and Reyn walked towards the blonde and folded his arms. "Don't tell me, another death?"
Shulk didn't look up at his friend as he spoke. "Yeah."
"I knew it. The Shulk I know doesn't chicken out for any old reason," replied Reyn, unfolding his arms.
I stood, leaning against a wall to watch the scene before me take place.
"This vision..." mused Sharla, looking at Reyn as he looked at her. "Was it like before?"
I want to say something about that last sentence is wrong, I thought.
"Kind of," admitted Shulk. "I... saw an underground Ether river. And Otharon..."
Reyn folded his arms again, looking somewhat thoughtful. "Huh... an Ether river."
He then unfolded his arms and turned his whole body towards his friend. "Ya know what? That sword lets you see the future." His face hardened. "All of that power... and you still keep getting it wrong."
"Better to use my brain then my fists!" retorted Shulk, looking at his friend.
"Shulk... I may rush in head first, but at least my head's good for something," he spoke.
"Getting beat up so Shulk can defeat the enemy?" I asked.
"Yes!" replied Reyn, and we shared an air high five.
"OK, OK. I get it," replied Shulk, turning his back.
"Oi, I ain't done yet!" replied Reyn. "You're useless on your own, Shulk, that's why we're here."
Shulk turned back to look at Reyn. "Reyn, I..."
"Next time you have a vision, tell us," interrupted his friend. "We'll share the burden together, as a team."
Shulk turned his face sideways, though his body still faced Reyn. "Uh..."
"If you see a future ya don't like, we change it together," declared Reyn. "Got it?"
"Got it," responded Shulk, in a real monotone voice.
"What was that?!" demanded Reyn. "Say it like ya mean it!"
"I've got it, alright?!" snapped Shulk, looking at Reyn. "Next time I get a vision, I'll tell you!"
"He's right, Shulk," broke in Sharla. The wielder of the Monado turned to look at her.
"The both of you saved Juju," she continued. "With all of us working together, we can do it again."
I feel forgotten... I thought, standing.
"I believe in you," declared Sharla.
Shulk breathed out, looking at the roof for a moment, before looking back to look at Reyn and Sharla. "Thanks."
He looked like he was thinking for a moment, but then rushed off. The three of us followed.
...
"Hey, Ether crystals!" exclaimed Reyn, rushing forward. As he ran, a bat descended, but in a drunken manner.
"From a textbook I was reading once... that's a Drunk Vang," mused Shulk, drawing the Monado.
"Are you telling me bats can get intoxicated?" asked Sharla, using her Thunder Bullet Art. Her face was one of disbelief.
"Well..." Shulk dodged as the bat lunged for him. "The proof is right there in front of your face."
I used Stab Strike and it fell, dead. "Wonder what kind of alcohol it was on."
Shulk shrugged, sheathing the Monado. "Well, we killed it, so we'll never find out."
"NOW IT'S REYN TIME!" shouted the male. Sharla laughed, and we headed off.
...
"Looks like this door has to be opened from another place," noted Shulk.
None of us said anything, instead moving around until we saw it.
The rest of the Ether Mine.
"It's massive!" grunted Reyn, looking over the edge. "And it goes down for so long..."
Shulk moved away and hit a switch. "Look like it opened that door from earlier," he noticed.
"Then let's go back so we can go down," replied Sharla.
We did so, destroying the Mechon on our way that crossed our path.
Shulk led us through the door that had been shut before, and Sharla moved in front of him.
"This... is Central Pit," she spoke.
Thanks for reading!