Time for another chapter! I've been thinking carefully on new artes for Tina, if you have any ideas for me, PM or review me!
I sigh as I sit precariously in the branches of one of those tree monsters, taking a breather quickly. We had fought a lot, and due to the night before being a repeat of the strange dream from before, I didn't get much sleep, as I spent the whole night trying to figure it out. Once I've caught my breath, I raise my fist, a now familiar red glow forming around it.
"Fire Fist!" I yell, slamming my fist into the center of the trunk, grinning as the monster sets on fire, its trunk splitting in the middle. I back flip off it, stumbling backwards, only for two arms to grab me from behind gently, stopping me from falling over. I look up at a pair of mesmerizing grey eyes, grinning widely, already knowing my cheeks are most likely pink, and not just from exertion.
"Thanks Yuri!" I giggle, spinning around him and kicking a monster trying to jump Yuri from behind.
"Right back at you Tina!" He says, slashing at one of those charging hooved monsters. Finally, we finish the last of the monsters, causing me to let out a sigh of relief. I love fighting, but I'm not stupid! I'm exhausted! Repede, as usual, seems to sense my emotions, and leans against my leg gently, causing me to grin at him, petting him gently. I examine Halure as we walk up to the entrance. It's poorly defensed, and I can practically see the stains of blood in the dirt.
"Halure, the 'City of Blossoms' "Estelle recites. Karol nods excitedly.
"Yeah, that's right." He says. I look at the buildings, and the many injured people.
"Don't they have a barrier here?" Yuri asks, and I glance up at the sky.
"Halure has a tree barrier correct?" I question, turning to Karol, whom nods.
"Tree barrier?" Yuri asks.
"'Some blastia fuse to plant life, gain organic qualities and evolve. The tree barrier of Halure is a prime example of this.' I read that in a book." Estelle recites. I giggle at her recitation.
"Well thanks professor. So what's happened to this famous barrier?" Yuri asks, I frown while staring at the wilting tree. Yuri walks up the hill, getting a closer look at the injured town's people. I walk up beside him, observing the injured civilians.
"Those look pretty serious." I mumble, Yuri nods in agreement.
"It doesn't seem to be doing its job right now." Yuri points out, louder this time, as Karol seems distracted...
"Every year, just before the blossoms are in full bloom, the barrier weakens for a while. It's just that time of year right now, and the monsters took the opportunity to attack." Karol says, and I sigh as I feel the last traces of giddiness from fighting disappear as I take in the injuries. To actually see the effects hidden by the gameplay...I wrap my arms around myself gently, taking notice in Repede pressing against my leg harder.
"Is that when the barrier went down?" Yuri asks.
"Yeah, the monsters are taken care of, but the tree is slowly starting to decay." I watch as a girl runs by and Karol stops his explanation there, running after her. Probably thinks it's that girl from the Hunting Blades…
"So I guess you'll be looking for Flynn now huh Estelle?" Yuri says, only to be ignored as said girl runs over to the injured.
"Doesn't she know we have to keep a low profile? What happened to looking for Flynn?" Yuri asks himself. I chuckle.
"She's similar to you in a way, she can't not help a person who's in need." I smile as Yuri stares at me, surprised.
"I guess so." He snorts. "What about you?"
"I…" I pause, dark memories surfacing in my head. "I couldn't help someone once or twice...and I deeply regret it." Is all I say, my voice quiet, although I can tell he hears me. I shake my head, forcing a small smile on my face, before leisurely walking towards where Estelle is healing everybody. I try to ignore the few prone bodies in the crowd, and wait on the edge, watching Estelle as she heals.
"How can we ever thank you?" An elderly man, who I think is the mayor, asks, bowing to Estelle.
"No, really, think nothing of it." Estelle insists. I smile more sincerely at the sight. I've rarely met someone as pure as Estelle, it's a nice feeling.
"What a noble young lady, I wish the Imperial Knights could follow your example." I snort at the thought. The Imperial Knights can't seem to do many things right, with the exception of Flynn once or twice.
"Not a chance! The knights refuse to lift a finger to protect us from monsters!" A villager says angrily, I growl quietly. Sure, the guilds might be slightly more barbaric, but at least they have a heart!
"Well, I guess the empire couldn't care less about what happens to us here!" The old man says, and I have to wonder, why? Isn't Halure a common pit stop for deliveries if it's so close to Deidon Hold? I sigh again, forcing myself to stop listening so I can calm down. I don't get angry easily, but something like this is definitely a soft spot for me! I open my eyes as Yuri walks up beside me. Apparently, they had finally changed the topic to Flynn.
"A knight on a pilgrimage…" Estelle wonders aloud.
"Seems like the guy we're looking for. " I muse aloud. Yuri nods.
"Was this knight named Flynn by any chance?" Yuri questions.
"Yes, his name was Flynn Scifo." I let a grin spread onto my face.
"Is he still in the city?!" Estelle questions frantically. Despite already knowing where said knight was, I drag my eyes across the many buildings. I spot a clothing store, and smile at that small victory. I'll have to drop by sooner than later!
"Tina! Would you like to come look at the tree with us?" Estelle asks, snapping me out of my search. I glance back at the store, before giving a slow nod.
Skit: Who is this Karol kid?
Yuri: This Karol guy is kind of weird.
Tina: I guess...
Estelle: He does seem a bit restless, but that doesn't make him a bad person.
Yuri: He doesn't seem evil, but I'll bet he's got some weird thoughts going on in his head.
Estelle: You're only saying that because you can see some of yourself in him.
Yuri: You think the two of us are alike?!
Tina: Yeah, I can see where Estelle's coming from.
Estelle: Yes, it's like you have genuine emotions, but your pride won't let you show them.
Tina: Yeah, you both seem pretty into that weird pride thing….*sigh* boys…
Estelle: I'm not too into that pride stuff either, Flynn does it often as well though...
Tina: Either way, I think it's a redeeming quality, so I can't help but like the kid….he's also pretty entertaining.
Yuri: Huh…
Estelle: Did we upset you?
Yuri: Nah, I'm just surprised, most people don't have that good of insight for people they just met, is all.
Estelle: Hey!
Tina: Here we go again…
End of Skit
"Hey guys." I say, looking over at Karol, who has a solemn face, standing on the bridge by the shop. We walk up the bridge and I catch the gist of his mumblings. Apparently, his guild left him here, and that girl he was chasing was the wrong person. Estelle asks what is wrong, but he just keeps mumbling to himself, curling up into a ball.
"Just leave him be. He's going through the teenage angst faze. That mixed with whatever happened is bound to give this as a result." I say, turning to walk back towards the tree.
"Yeah! We got weapons now! We're gonna beat those monsters!" A kid yells. Three boys stand huddled, holding wooden training swords. I frown, dread welling up inside me.
"The mayor's gonna let us fight now!" Another one cheers.
"Let's beat up those monsters, just like Flynn!" The last one encourages the others. They run off, and I sigh.
"Even those kids are trying to fight...I hope the barrier is restored soon." Estelle says, her tone concerned.
"No kid should have to fight…" I mumble, squinting my eyes as memories rise from the dark depths of my mind. Yuri just nods in agreement.
Finally, we reach the base of the tree, and I gape, restraining the urge to climb the monstrous height.
"It's huge up close." Yuri says, his eyes widening slightly. I hum in agreement.
"The tree's flowers should bloom any day now." Estelle stats, and I examine the buds closely.
"Yeah, I wish I could see it in bloom." Yuri says, I turn to him, a teasing grin on my face.
"Oh~ Yuri does have a feminine side!" I tease. He turns away with a scoff, but I could almost swear his cheeks were pink! Estelle giggles beside me.
"This seems like an ideal place for getting married, or proposing." I muse.
"Do you want to get married Tina?" I smile wistfully.
"I don't really care actually. If my partner doesn't mind, I would, but it seems more sentimental than anything else. It doesn't hold that same...meaning for me as it does for others." I say. I've never wanted to, mostly because the only family who would attend would be Kris and Aunt, and just seeing that would remind us how alone we really are…
"Tina?" Estelle questions, leaning into my field of vision. I place a sheepish smile on my face, scratching my head.
"Sorry, I zone out a lot…" I mumble. "What were you guys on about?" I question, Estelle seems to brush it off, but I can feel Yuri's eyes on me, and make a point of keeping my own on the pinkette.
"Well, the tree is obviously sick, something monsters wouldn't be able to do, so we're trying to figure out a way to heal it." Yuri explains, and I reluctantly meet his eyes, and barely stop myself from flinching at his worried gaze. He shouldn't worry about me! I let out a thoughtful hum, before staring up at the tree intently. We never truly figure out what's wrong with the tree do we?
"What are you three doing up here?" The mayor asks, walking toward us, I silently thank him for turning Yuri's gaze away from me. I turn around to face the old man who speaks of how even Flynn was stumped with the tree's sickness, that is, until I spot a familiar kid.
"Karol!" I call loudly, causing him to look over, his gaze sad. I frown. He seems so...disheartened.
"What?" He mumbles. I walk over to him, ruffling his hair, causing him to flinch slightly in surprise.
"We need your help, if you don't mind." I ask gently, smiling at him. I feel. Protective over him, similar to how I feel with Kris.
"What are you talking about?" he asks timidly, and I turn to the others. Surprisingly, the old man steps forwards.
"It seems these three are trying to figure out why the tree has withered so." He says somberly.
"Oh, is that all?" Karol asks, his voice still sad. I raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" Estelle questions.
"I know the reason, it's why I was in the forest looking for the eggbear."
"What do you mean?" Estelle asks curiously, and Karol glances over.
"Notice the ground's strange color?"
We all glance at the ground.
"That's the monster's blood absorbed into the ground. That blood has been poisoning Halure's tree." Karol explains.
"The monster blood? I had no idea…" The mayor mumbles.
"Karol, you really know your stuff don't you?" Estelle asks, her tone curious. I smile as Karol's face lights up the tiniest of amounts.
"...it was n-nothing." I resist the urge to pinch his cheeks and instead focus on the red ground.
"Is there any way to get rid of the poison?" Yuri asks. Karol's face turns somber again.
"Yeah but...well no one believes me…" Yuri strolls over, before crouching in front of Karol.
"Come on, try us." He says. Karol looks at him for a minute or two and I hold my breath.
"I think we'd be able to do it with a panacea bottle." Karol finally forces out.
"Maybe the store has some." I say, while Yuri stands up.
"Let's go Yuri! Tina!" Estelle says.
"Troublesome…." I mumble as she and Repede run ahead, urging Yuri and myself to follow. As I fall into step with Yuri, I can't help but say.
"So, Yuri Lowell is also good with children! Whichever girl snatches you up is damn lucky!" I say, giving a low whistle. He turns to me, and I don't miss the bit of pink on his cheeks.
"Nah, this is all for you." He teases right back. I giggle loudly, feeling a blush of my own forming.
"Yuri! Tina!" Estelle runs up to us, a distraught look on her face.
"Whoa, where's the fire?" Yuri jokes.
"The store is out of ingredients for a panacea bottle, so we need to find them! " She holds out a small note with ingredients on it. "We're heading to the mayor's house to get some petals to use!" I sigh. Figures, we have to do everything the long way. I pull up my sleeves, and finally let out a loud huff.
"That it! These sleeves are driving me insane!" I growl out. "I'm heading to the store, you guys grab the petals, and I'll meet you at Halure's entrance. We have an eggbear to find, unless I'm reading that list wrong." We confirm a meeting place, before I'm off, to finally get some new clothes!
I sigh, adjusting my bag on my shoulder as I exit the store. This is much better! I'm wearing a sleeveless turquoise Chinese dress, with the collar like part (that wraps around the neck) to hold it up. It shows much more skin then I'm used to, but it's not too bad. The dress has a diamond shaped opening right above the chest area, revealing much of the cleavage I had wrapped up and pushed down. I switched my brown belt for a black belt, my small blastia giving off a little glint from its place. The bottom of the dress has two slits on the side, going all the way up to my hips, my light green shorts clearly visible. I finally tuck in the last of my black wraps, giving the outfit a few practice stretches, before sighing in satisfaction. I dash towards Halure's entrance, letting a grin spread across my face. I laugh loudly as I see the others waiting at the entrance.
"Let's go!" I yell, dashing by them into the fields.
Skit: Changes
Estelle: Wow Tina! You look so different! You hid so much under those baggy clothes!
Tina: Well, thanks I guess, these were easier to fight with so….
Yuri: Yes, they look….nice *blushes*
Tina: I didn't know changing clothes was such a difference….
Karol: Well, you sure look pretty!
Repede: Woof!
Tina; Thanks, Karol, Repede! (This is getting awkward…)
Tina: Now then, let's get moving!
Estelle: Tina! Wait up!
End
Skit: Ages and Midgets
Estelle: Karol? How old are you?
Karol: Me? I'm 14! What about all of you guys?
Estelle: I'm 18!
Yuri: 22
Estelle: What about you Tina?
Tina: Huh? Oh, I'm 23.
Karol: WHAT?! You're older than Yuri?!
Estelle: But you're so….small.
Tina: I know...I know *sulks*
Yuri: She's just a midget.
Tina: This midget is about to break your skull in!
Karol: I feel like this is gonna happen a lot…
End
"Hey I've been wondering something…..why do all of you, and Repede I guess, have Bohdi Blastia?" Karol asks as we enter the woods once again. "I mean, aren't Bodhi Blastia pretty rare? I didn't think many had them." Well shit, I have no story for this one…
"You have one too though." Yuri points out, and I hope, in vain, that Karol drops it.
"I belong to a guild." He answers easily. "Sometimes we get one." Karol! Why?! I give a soft sigh of relief as I feel Kris helping me relax. He's been sleeping a lot during the day, though I can't figure out why...I send out a wave of worry, and Kris sends a softer wave out, and I reluctantly give in.
"Tina?" I snap out of my daze, looking at Karol.
"Where did you get yours?" I shrug, my mind working furiously to find out a reason.
"I….I got it from a friend." I could consider whoever, or whatever, a friend right? Right. Hopefully. Shit.
"Tina." I jump slightly as Yuri appears right beside me. He gives me an intense stare, and I look away to prevent myself from just giving in and telling him everything. This isn't a story, this is reality, and there's no way he would possibly believe me!
"Yeah?" I mutter.
"I'm here if you need to talk okay?" He says softly, but firmly, in a tone I can't recognize. I nod.
"Thanks…" I whisper. Thank you for caring...
"Hey! Tina! Yuri! Don't fall behind!" Karol yells, I sigh, letting an amused smile slip onto my face.
"He sure is full of energy." I muse. Yuri snorts.
"Let's see what happens to that energy after we find the fruit and start searching for the eggbear." He says sarcastically.
"Urgh!" I grunt, barely avoiding a large paw by bending backwards.
"This is a pain in the ass!" I yell, narrowing dodging, giving Karol an opening to strike the eggbear's back. It roars, and shoves Karol off his feet. Karol quickly tries to stand back up, as Yuri fends of the strikes from reaching our newest member. I growl, jumping, and grinning as my foot glows silver.
"Guillotine!" I yell, swinging my leg downwards in an axe kick onto the beast's head. The bear roars in pain, grabbing my leg, and slamming me onto the ground.
"Tina!" Yuri yells, I gasp for air as the eggbear lifts me again, throwing me in the direction of one of the tree's. I yell out in pain as my back collides with the heavy bark. I fall to the ground, only to land on something...soft?
"Woof!" I smile, opening my eyes, and shakily getting off my furry friend's back.
"T-thank you Repede." I look up to see the eggbear fall to a final strike via Yuri's sword.
"Tina!" Estelle yells worriedly, I stumble over to the others, trying not to blush as Yuri snakes his arm underneath mine, giving me a very...solid base to lean against.
"I-I'm okay, just a bit winded." I say, giving a sheepish grin. Estelle gives me an angry pout while Karol looks at me in amazement.
"Wow! I didn't know you fight hand to hand! Then again...why didn't I see that before now?" Karol mumbles, frustrated.
"Eh? That's good! It means you have a warrior's focus, which is something I know few can have! You're unwilling to let things distract you in a fight!" I say, reassuring him. I hum as Estelle heals me, basking in the soft touch of the healing magic. Usually I don't have time to appreciate it, but healing arts feel really nice!
"Well! Let's get this claw and get back!" I cheer, walking over to the eggbear. I don't hesitate to snap the claw out of the eggbear's paw. I turn and toss the claw to Karol, who yelps, almost dropping it.
"Tina!" He yells. I only ruffle his hair good naturedly. I chuckle as Karol and Estelle run ahead, back towards the exit. A familiar weight leans against my leg, and I scratch Repede behind the ear, not even having to glance down.
"Hey." I turn to Yuri, tilting my head, "You okay?" He asks, and I can tell he's talking about more than my injury…
Was I okay? I rub the spot where my scar is, feeling out Kris's familiar presence in the back of my mind. I think of Estelle, naive and caring, Karol, cowardly yet golden hearted, Repede, reliable and comforting, and Yuri himself...warm. I grin softly at the sky, before turning to Yuri, who's looking at me curiously.
"I'm good." I say.
This time...this time I know I actually mean it.
AGH! I hate how slow I am! Anyways, I've been thinking a lot of the fututre for this story, which is why this is taking so long. I'm trying to make a strong base for later on, and hopefully it works out good.
Kris isn't going to be hugely in the story till much later. I'm going to keep him in Tina's visions for now, so don't worry about it!
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this! I'll get the next chapter up in a week of two...or three, we have a few tests coming up, and studying is gonna take up a lot of time!
See yah!
From: Dragon S.W.K