Carnelian had given Axel more praise after the defeat of Mordegan. A lot. Everyone was proud of him. He felt joy, the dark, haunting memories of his old world was washed away by the new.
He looks to Veronica and Serena, noticing Veronica was crying. He kneels beside her. Serena looks to her as well, "Veronica? What's wrong?"
She shakes her head slightly, "I-its nothing. I just get a little teary eyed..."
Axel smiles as he'd stand. A new future was here.
Until a tremble in the earth shook everyone up. Literally.
King Carnelian, Axel and everyone investigated... Axel's eyes widen as Erdwin's Star was descending rapidly, Rab recognised those wordings on the red surface... "These markin's... They seem familiar."
"I sense...could it be...?" Axel has a look of worry, everyone turns to face him, "You know the future right? What happened next?" Veronica asked.
"I only knew what happened if Mordegan won...I'm blind at this point."
Erik cursed himself, "Damn it! We'll have to head there and figure out what's going on."
King Carnelian turns to Axel, "It seems there's a newer threat. We are here if you require our assistance, Prince Axel of Dundrasil."
"Thank you, King Carnelian. It's good to have you back to normal." Axel replied as Carnelian chuckled. "It feels good to be able to act on my own accord. Take care of Jade..."
The Group leaves the town almost immediately. But as soon as they do, a Black Dragon drops in front of them. However. It's eyes are Envy Green.
Axel draws his Sword of Light, "W-WHAT!?"
Sylvando gets in front and draws a Dragonsbane. "Be careful, Darling! He seems very angry!"
Hendrik drew his greatsword. "None will harm t-"
The Dragon swings it's tail at Hendrik, knocking him away.
It's suddenly hit with Kacrackle. Turning to see Veronica, it winds up to strike Veronica, however, Hendrik clutches the tail tightly, pinning himself down, the Dragon turns to roar at Hendrik.
But Sylvando jumps and Dragon Slashes the Black Hide of the Dragon, causing to stagger, snarling loudly.
Serena draws her Spear, and charging energy, launches forward, landing a direct hit on the Dragon, piercing through it's scaly armour and drawing first blood.
It clamps down and Serena's arm suddenly, earning a scream from the keeper, throwing her at Erik, who was charging a Double Down.
Veronica sees this and with a roar, she suddenly uses Kazammle...but she didn't know it yet... She then hurls another Kazammle.
Both hitting the Dragon, it turns to face Veronica before exhaling it's fire breath, but Veronica acts fast, calling her own fire magic to counter.
With the opening visible, Hendrik and Axel power up Unbridled Blade.
The Dragon is knocked back by the attack, showing signs of weakness...or was it simply pretending?
Sylvando and Jade see the opportunity to end the fight. Jade spins on the spot with a leg extended, gathering Sylvando's Kaswoosh energy around it.
With a hop on one leg, she performs Multi-Feet, striking the Dragon numerous times, but it still didn't drop!
Sylvando charges as Jade retreats, charging a Dragon Slash, only for the Dragon to back off with a small fly backward.
Serena heals herself and with a sigh, she stands before calling forth Kabuffle on the entire group.
Rab shook his head, something made this Dragon powerful... Was it the star? Or was it something else?
He opens the Pearly Gates and conjures up a ball of Ki Energy before letting it fly at the Dragon. This weakens it for him to perform Hardclaw.
The Dragon then flies away again, gaining more distance from Rab.
Axel grew tired, but charges at the Dragon to finish it off. And with a hard downward slash, he succeeds.
The Dragon finally drops, but not before exhaling a powerful fire that struck everyone, Axel wasn't harmed as much... everyone else however, was.
Veronica was unresponsive, as was Erik...Jade was breathing slowly...
Hendrik was barely clinging to life... He knew it was a Desperate Attack.
Serena had let out a pained cry as she tried to conjure the energy to heal herself.
Rab groans as he started healing himself instantly.
Sylvando uses a medical herb to keep himself up. Followed by a few more. He then proceeded to help any other wounded.
Axel went to Veronica, "VERONICA?!?" He cries out in shock. He couldn't lose her again.
Picking up her lifeless form, he put an ear to her chest, "Please don't die!"
Nothing...
Rab jogs to Axel, "Quick, Axel! Give her here!! Sylvando! Take these herbs and give 'em out to everyone!" He said as he hands Sylvando the items.
Sylvando nods with a frown before going to help everyone else.
Axel fought back tears, but his voice betrayed him. "Veronica...!"
Rab looks to Axel with a saddened frown as he casted Zing.
It failed, "Ack!? C'mon Lassie! You got a duty to uphold!"
He tries again. Once again it fails. "Gah... Kazing takes too long to cast...!"
He then casts a Fullheal on Serena, "Ahhh... Serena! Yer Sister needs help!!"
Serena stares at Veronica. Frozen in place. Her eyes sudden gush with tears as she's suddenly beside Veronica, casting Zing after Zing... but second time had no effect as Veronica opens her eyes after Serena's first Zing.
Veronica sudden gasps loudly, bolting up into Axel's chest, she's suddenly hugged by him.
Erik gets up, thanks to Axel, who in turn was healed by Sylvando's Hustle Dance.
Erik gets as if nothing happened, but he was weakened. And he knew about the entire fight... but something was off about him.
Serena slowly nurses herself back to health...
Hendrik is helped by Rab, with his Fullheal.
Serena holds Veronica now tightly... "Veronica!? Are you ok!?"
Veronica is unresponsive, frozen solid, as was Erik, a side effect of a rushed Zing.
Axel pets Veronica gently, who breathes heavily, "Axel... I'm sorry for causing you panic...!"
Rab sighs, morale was low... A campsite was nearby. "We'll nae t' rest up. We've been beaten badly..."
Hendrik and Sylvando were already setting up tent.
Axel picks up Veronica, whose uncharacteristic expression unnerved Axel...Erik and Jade were also uncharacteristically quiet...
Rab turns to face Axel, "Soul Shock... I seen it before from those who were brought back too quickly. Those who cast Zing needs to have patience... That poor Serena didn't know..." he explained, "Basically their souls were taken to the void and then back to the afterlife in quick succession."
Axel looks at her. "Is it dangerous?"
Rab frowned, lowering his head, "It'll take ah full day before Veronica and Erik are normal again..."
"Can they still speak?" Axel asks, Rab nods, "Aye, very slowly... But it gets quicker as time passes"
That night, Axel had slept with Veronica. As Serena was sleeping with Erik to keep him company.
Not Erik or Veronica spoke at all. They did the same things, but with very little motivation and effort. Axel hugs Veronica tightly as he fights back tears.
How could he let this happen? Why didn't he cover for her? For anyone? He wondered how long she'd be in this state... hopefully tomorrow...
Morning arose slowly, and Veronica trudges out of the tent, failing to notice Serena.
She feels a tug at her hand and sees her big little sister. She stares at Serena.
"Veronica...say something..." She spoke calmly, but had guilt." Veronica stares at the ground... The shock of death was fading... but Veronica felt...tired, or out of energy... She couldn't explain why, but she knew Erik felt the same.
Serena hugs Veronica tightly, with Veronica giving no verbal resistance. "I'm sorry if I made you like this...!"
Veronica gives a mumble. Serena pulls away, "Huh?"
"..ired...he...vy..."
Veronica abruptly sits down, her hands on her face. "What...happened...?" She uttered.
She shook her head. "Feel so tired..."
Serena frowned, but a voice behind her startled her.
"Her Soul Shock is less lethal than I thought."
A male in black, coat, trousers, boots and hair. His blue eyes pierces Serena's Indigo blue eyes. "She'll be normal in a few hours."
Serena breathes in, "Who are you?"
The male stood tall, but was roughly the same size as Serena. "Lance. Just Lance. Sage, please to meet you."
Veronica laid down, her eyes heavy. "I suggest you let her sleep for a day."
Serena frowns, "We don't have a day...!"
Lance smiles as he kneels beside Veronica. "Don't worry, miss. That star ain't going nowhere. This your little sister?"
Serena looked around, "I-its complicated... I'm her little sister."
"Ah. Well. That's not the most bizarre thing I heard. I know your friend, Blue haired guy...his Shock is unique. When a person dies, they normally leave behind a ghost, because of regret or because they left something unchecked."
"What could he of left behind?" She asked.
"I was actually pursuing him... He had a sister...she got cursed and he fled in utter sadness. I was a Bounty Hunter. Hell. I actually pursued the Luminary thinking he was a Darkspawn. This little girl stopped me. She probably won't remember me."
Serena gave him a slight hostile look, "Sylvando and Veronica were talking about something that next morning..."
Lance raises his arms. "I know. I know. But it's why I want to help her. She's the one who beaten me."
Serena relaxed a little. Axel steps out, seeing Lance. "Who are you?" He asked?
"Lance, Ex-Bounty Hunting Sage." He smiles. "You'll need help. That Star is going nowhere...but we don't have forever. The World's changed once again, my Luminary friend."
Axel grew hesitant... "You're gonna help us?"
Lance nods. "But... We'll need Little Red Riding at 100%... As well as Bluey..."
He then sits beside the group. "We should split in two groups tomorrow, save some time, then check out the star..."
Axel nods. "Alright... Please keep Veronica and Serena safe."
Lance smiles, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them."
Erik awakens although heavily weakened. Axel knew that Lance had explain about the situation with Mia. In fact, Axel was going to do just that.
He and Axel would be gone, leaving everyone else to await Veronica's slow recovery.