Wheels of Fate, BoF II novelization.
Summary: Novelization of Breath of Fire II: Shimei no Ko (The Destined Child). Some events altered. Strong language will be in play.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; usually they belong to Capcom, as the game does. I own nothing, hear ye, lawyers. But that doesn't gets you the permission to publish this as a book without the proper written and legally signed consent of whoever holds the copyright.
Warning: This version of the Joker is quite more offending than what the game shows. Reader discretion advised. Also, the chapter is a bit longer than usual (~10k words... wow... i'm spamming :P).
Chapter 09: Good, bad and ugly.
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Katt and Ryu were upon a ledge, crouched looking their surroundings. There was a path going downwards to where some sort of audience was being held. There was some sort natural rock elevation with a throne set there. There also were decorations in the walls such as some paintings, statues, ornamental weaponry, and tapestries. Lying around the over-valued armchair were different opened chests several treasures and jewels.
The cave was well lit between torches, and large chunks of that crystalline stone that was used to have light inside the houses.
Now this was a large former mining cave they had come upon, the ceiling was really high, about four or five stories. Hanging from the rock ceiling, pointing downwards, directly upon the throne were several large crystalline-looking-stalactites. They looked around and saw about twenty or so bandits. From another side, came three of the hoodlums guiding Nina towards the lower steps of the throne. They were surrounding her probably not to let her try anything funny.
Sitting on the throne, sporting a bored expression, was a large and very fat man, who had a wicked expression on his hairy face. He was eating a whole roasted piece of venison, in a very unmannerly fashion, letting the juices of the food flow through his beard tainting his custom tailored purple regal-looking robe.
'I guess that's the Joker. He's so fat that everything has to be specially made. He acts as a petty dictator that can get all what he wants by force. Well, we got surprise... and that tomato-sized rock. That should help us to even the odds should we have to fight all the goons.' Ryu thought as he frowned.
Katt whispered in his ear. "Hey Ryu, do you think they have her magic nullified?"
"If I had a bit of common sense, I'd put on her those magic-draining manacles." Ryu sighed. "Can't see them from here: let's suppose they do, it'd be plainly retarded not to do so," And he sighed again. Then, he took out the stone -a magical energy containing rock he had found with Bosch in mt. Futabi- from his knapsack, and keeping it on a pouch, ready for using it. He readied one of his blades and the shield, just in case. The other two knives, he put it in a way he could draw them should the need arise.
Katt readied her weapon as well, and smirked when she saw Ryu's weapons. She whispered in his ear. "Hey blue-boy, that sword is quite short for your style."
"Yeah, a certain wolfish moron broke my favorite sword, so I fight with what I get."
"I hope that sword being short don't mean that other important kind of sword also is." Then she smirked, and had to stifle her giggling, not to be heard. 'Ryu's baffled face is priceless!'
Ryu recovered after some seconds, and just glared at Katt, who was grinning impishly. Then he kept whispering.
"Whatever you say kitty-Katt," He rolled his eyes and sighed. "We've got something more serious than cracking jokes at each other, right?"
'That's Ryu. He never picks on me, unless it's for calling me Kitten, Kitty-Katt or something lame or even cute like that.' She smiled. 'He's a nice guy after all. And that other sword...' she grinned.
"Yeah sorry, let's listen at that non-edible pig. I wouldn't eat him even if I'd been starving for a week." With that she saw Ryu smirk.
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"Ah, so the big dove flies to rescue the flat-chested chick, ain't it right boys?"
The goons laughed loudly at the remark of their boss.
"Shut up! Joker, I order you in the name of the King of Wyndia to release Princess Mina immediately!" Nina shouted in a commanding tone, trying to keep her cool, but the sexually harassing remarks of this guy were getting a bit to her.
"Ah. So the dove has a spine." The man smirked, and then he spat a piece of half-chewed meat towards her gown. "Darn it, I missed. It was supposed to land on those yummy-licious boobs."
Nina was seething with rage, giving him the evil-eye, but the Joker seemed unfazed.
"Release Princess Mina... Now!"
He laughed maniacally, and then spoke again. "Boys, show this wench some manners," and smirked. "We haven't greeted her properly. Give her the warm welcome."
Nina felt both her wings and herself get sopping wet and shivering with cold. It seemed as if they had dumped on her gallons of freshly melt mountain water. It took her several seconds to be able to think clearly again.
"Ohohohoho. Now ya look much better; that tight dress suits ya fine, as it shows all meat there is to offer, and yer standin' nipples are ripe for the night. Can't wait to have my way with ya... princess." Joker put on a disgusting-looking lustful face, making Nina wince a bit. "Now come closer and show me how sexy can ya be... and also to offer my warmth so ya don't catch a cold."
"You're disgusting. Stick this in your fattest part." Then she gave him a totally unladylike middle finger. "I won't ask you again: free Mina, now!"
Then, one of the thugs advanced towards her and stuck to her back in a rather disgusting way, rubbing against her, while using one of his hands to grab one of her breasts, and trying to nibble one of her wing joints. He whispered in her ear.
"Be careful with what ya say, soft-tarts. Remember who holds the chick. Open your luscious mouth again for an insult and we may take the flat-chested one as if she were older!"
That was the last straw for Nina; magic energy surged from her inner self and as a warm aura it dried instantly her clothes. Then she turned around, looking at the goon with her eyes white with power and she grabbed his forearm. She released all the energy as a burst of electrical energy, swiftly frying the bandit, while he screamed in agony. She smirked looking around at the other thugs, but kept releasing power on her spell.
Finally she let go the arm of the thief, who fell as a lifeless pile of smoldering ashes, remaining as a mere scattered man-looking shape, some pieces of smoking bones and charred flesh, smelling burnt and still recognizable as human looking. She spoke in a growl almost, but strongly enough for all around to hear. "Do not dare to touch her!"
Then she turned around to face the boss again, and shouted enraged.
"Let Mina go right now, or I'll show you worthless thugs, once and for all that Hell hath no fury!"
The Joker just laughed loudly, snorting. "Feisty girl! A real spitfire! Those are the best in bed, especially when they act shy all the time!"
Nina could barely hold herself from frying all of them. Mina was nowhere to be seen; she couldn't just act right now, and breathed deeply several times.
"All right nice-tits. I'll let ya see the flat-chested'n' foul-mouthed little Mina. With that cute little dirty mouth one ain't believin' she is the princess, were not for her oh-so-unique blue hair." The Joker smirked yet again. "Bring her in, boys!"
From another part of the cave, hidden from Nina's viewpoint, but clearly visible for both Ryu and Katt from their ledge, one brigand had the young lady Mina gripped by one of her forearms, her hands tied with glowing handcuffs, the magic-draining type. She had been gagged, but the man removed it, and she started to breathe deeply. The other thieves made a semi-circle like formation around Nina, but allowing her to see Mina.
Mina seemed exhausted, probably an effect of the chains she was held with; nonetheless, she raised her eyes and saw her sister. Her expression brightened. "Nina!"
"Mina!" the eldest sibling exclaimed. "Don't worry, this is going to end soon!" she smiled at her sister.
The Joker laughed maniacally, sending chills through both sisters' spines. "Well, well... ain't this a touching family reunion? The dove and the chick, how moving!" he snickered. "I gotta tell ya, lady, you shouldn't be makin' promises ya ain't gonna keep."
Nina stared directly into his eyes; for a moment she saw deep pools of blackness that made her shiver. She took that out of her mind and shouted. "I have done as you have said this far. Now, Let her go!" she seethed in barely controlled rage.
The Joker seemed unfazed again, and just smirked. "Not yet, my sweet dove. You ain't fulfilled your end of this deal, after all our sweet negotiations. Now, repeat after me..." He paused by a moment, while Nina glared and sighed.
He smirked again, and then he chanted in a mocking solemn tone. "I pledge myself, in body and soul to the one known as Joker, bane of NewHaven and Colossea. I offer myself as his loyal servant, maid and concubine, to secure the freedom of Princess Mina, heir to the throne of Wyndia, and also my beloved sister. Now, you say it!" he put another expression of insanity, and took his boots off. "And when you're done, you can lick clean my toe-lint."
Nina paled when hearing both the oath and the remark. The Joker smirked yet again.
"What's wrong? Big' ol'me is too much for a fine wench as your pretty self? You wanna play hard to get? I tell ya, even if ya got second thoughts about saving yer sis, my men are ready'n' waitin' to kindly get the words outta yer pretty mouth, if ya catch my drift." Again that insane cackling and he spoke again.
Nina saw by the corner of his eye that the brigand holding her sister was holding a knife to her throat, and started drawing a really thin line of blood, she sighed.
"Boys, bring the wench over here! She'll kneel before her new owner! And she'll pray for just being able to lay with me!" insane laughter again. "One more time with feeling, put your heart and soul in it! I pledge myself, in body and soul to the one known as Joker..."
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"Hey Ryu!" Katt asked, while sniffing something on the air. "That's a weird smell, way worse than cheap perfume."
"Don't know, can't feel it. Whatever, here's a plan. We've got to save Mina and rip those manacles away." He then took a Healing herb with a juicy root, and two sturdy-but at the same time soft-looking seeds. He handed them over to her, along with a couple of Vitamins. "These are the famed Wisdom seeds. Once you free her, make her eat the seeds and the herb, no matter what it takes. We might need her help."
"And you, what'll you do?" she asked.
"Look down." Katt did so. "It's a three or four story drop, but if I use one of those thugs as a blow-absorbing cushion, I'll have full surprise, and be able to use this toy." He showed her the tomato shaped stone. She smiled.
"A Firecracker! Those cost a bunch!" Katt smirked.
"Yeah, but I found it for free with Bosch about a week ago. That puppy doesn't bring only troubles, you know." Ryu smirked, making her giggle. "Now go Katt. I trust you."
She saluted and smiled. "Yes sir! Save the princess, save Nina, save the kingdom! On it, sir!" Ryu just sighed. Katt was sometimes so childish.
She walked as stealthily as she was able, making no kind of noise, even with her battle armor. It was made for being silent when needed and offering protection; but it didn't cover her forearms. She sighed; she would need to solve that, but she had not found anything to her liking. Walking in that silent way she readied her battle-staff. She arrived at a leaping distance of the thug. 'He ain't no mousie. He's more like a sewer-rat, yuck. Ain't no tasty morsel.'
Back where Nina was, she could hear her sister crying; the Joker was still laughing maniacally as Nina had been forced to kneel before him. She sighed and lowered her sight; resignation could be seen from it.
The laughter of all the twenty or so thugs was deafening enough to make it almost unnecessary the precautions taken by Ryu and Katt. It seemed like the goons loved seeing her in such a dire plight.
Nina was about to cry, and with resignation dripping from her words she spoke "If it's for Mina... then there is no choice... I..."
Mina realized what her sister was going to do, and screamed. "Nina, stop! Please!"
Suddenly, she heard behind her a sickening sound of cracking bones and felt the knife that was held against her throat being released, but she did not hear it impacting the ground. She heard someone whispering in her ear, it was a voice of a girl.
"Don't worry, you're safe now. Just let me get rid of your shackles and give you some medicine, while my partner distracts the hell out of the goons."
Katt broke the chains rather easily with her sheer strength, a feat that made Mina gasp in surprise. She could see the frame of the Woran lady clad in armor and battle-staff ready, handing her over two wisdom seeds and a healing herb. Mina gulped, she had to eat those, even if she was recovering now her magical energy since the chains were trashed; better ready than sorry. She winced as she ate the seeds, and felt relieved when finishing the juicy root of the herb.
"Katt here, no time for introductions; tell Nina that you're safe, I'll cover ya!" Then Katt leaped over her head falling in front of her, crouched, ready for a fight.
"Sis! I'm safe! Don't do it!" Mina shouted.
Nina reacted to this, glanced at her sister, and saw the female Woran covering her sister and smirked. "You're busted, fatso!" she said glancing again at the Joker.
The Joker grinned insanely. "You're still three against more than twenty, and ya are just girls. What could ya possibly do, sweet-tits?"
Then one loud cracking of bones was heard, making all the people look at the source; a man with blue hair, wearing a cloak had fell upon one of the thugs, putting him out of commission forever. He was holding a glowing stone in his right hand, and when he opened his eyes, they were flaring as ember glows.
Both Mina and Nina gasped when feeling the amount of magical energy that the man was radiating. Nina would need about a minute to enact this feat in her current skill-level, and it would leave her severely drained.
The thugs were still stunned, and for the first time, the Joker did not smirk; somehow Nina was smiling at this. Katt somehow could feel the sense of dread again; she shivered inwardly. 'Hope Ryu doesn't get in that white-eyed stance and go ballistic again, even if it helps. It's weird.'
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~Young Ryong. Allow me to grasp your powers for a while.~
'Who are you?'
~A spirit that has been locked in this stone too much time; this is my last remnant of consciousness. After I use my energy, a memento shall remain...~
'How do I help you?'
~You already are, for your innate powers are in synch with my soul... I'm giving you all what I have...~
'Your name, please!'
~Yphreet... now, repeat after me the spell...~
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Katt spoke for Mina to hear. "That's Ryu; sometimes he's scary, but is one of the good guys." The princess did not seem to have noticed her words, for she was still enthralled by the surge of power. Katt now was able to distinguish more than just weird perfume in the air. 'Sulfur! A demon! Where?'
Nina was still dazed, and thinking. 'Somehow my blood is resonating with the power; that stone is not a just normal Firecracker, it contains too much power for that. Also… that man has something different about his magical aura.'
An aura of flames was covering Ryu making the cave glow red as a forge, as the light was reflected from the crystals, and the torches were now being turned into flames as large as campfires. He started to chant, his voice almost sounding otherworldly.
"Hark it is an omen! As this hymn resounds in thine hearts, thou shalt be offered as sacrifices for the infernal blazes!"
The Joker had his eyes widened, and shouted. "Kill him now! Before he completes the magic!" and immediately all the thugs charged and some threw their knives, their eyes turned into black flames, but they were not able to reach him in time. One blade reached its mark, on Ryu's waist, in a juncture of the armor. But that hit, that would have made any man wince in pain and fall, did not seem to faze him for the time being.
Ryu's voice resounded in the bowel, in a primal, fear-inspiring way. "HwaJeh!"
Nina didn't recognize the word for the spell, but the energy was all too familiar. 'Inferno! What is this man? No, It's the same, but different yet... more primal, deep... and powerful.' She was still wondering when she noticed the knife that had met its mark, and that he was still standing straight, even while bleeding.
Below every single thug, a pool of scorching lava formed, making them sink until knee-level, while making them howl in pain as it burned them mercilessly. Then Ryu stood, raising violently the hand that had held the stone, which was now glowing as a crimson ember.
Every single living thug was now engulfed in a column of magma that gave them a quick death, albeit not a silent one. They screamed for brief instants until they could be heard no more. Ryu lowered his hand, his eyes now normal. The pools of molten rock disappeared leaving the normal floor of the cavern, and piles of ashes and some incinerated bones. No smell of burnt flesh, strangely enough.
He saw that he was holding a strange pendant now instead of just ashes, but he wouldn't dwell on it now. He saved it on his pouch, quickly.
Now he had registered the hit of the knife and it made it wince; time for some field healing. Gritting his teeth, he took out the blade, dropped it and channeled his own healing magic to heal the wound to a manageable level for a fight.
Ryu now had his mithril dagger and shield ready just in case. The odds were against the Joker. This was weird. 'Too damn easy, this smells bad... must be that cheap perfume.'
Nina now turned to face the joker, and shouted in a sarcastic tone. "Where is now the fearless brigand?"
"P-p-please! Don't hurt me! I'm just a humble thief ya see?" He now was kneeling, as if afraid.
Nina now felt some pity. She wouldn't scorch him as he deserved... but still, this maniac was too dangerous to be left alive. She let the power flow through her being, and uttered a word of power. "Simoon!"
The ball of powerful flames and wind was shot from her hand towards the rocky walls behind and above the throne. When it exploded, some debris, statues and other stuff that hung from the walls fell upon him, burying him alive, heavily wounded possibly, it was just a matter of time for his departing of this world. A cloud of dust appeared, covering the mess that was left there.
Nina turned around to face Ryu; Katt stood and went towards Nina, followed closely by Mina. Ryu walked towards them, seemingly not affected by the knife-wound that had been treated for now. The black-winged girl was smiling now, relieved. She breathed deeply and spoke in her soft voice.
"Thank you both for saving us from the Joker and his scoundrels. You have my eternal gratitude."
"Don't worry. It was a pleasure getting rid of such a heavy nuisance." Ryu smiled, while he walked towards Nina and extended his hand. "Ryu Bateson, from the Ranger Guild of NewHaven." She doubted for a brief instant, but then she smiled and shook his hand, and their gazes met, yet again. Somehow, they felt something when their hands were held for the instant.
'I hope her eyes don't get sad. They are beautiful. Wow... she's just a bit shorter than me; the top of her head reaches my nose-level...'
'He really is handsome up close, and his eyes are so expressive... Blue Hair! It's him, I'm sure of that; I've seen him around in NewHaven doing errands.'
Both had their eyes still looking into one another, lost in their gazes.
'She really is a beautiful woman; her wings are like obsidian, shining with the light...'
'Long blue hair, with green eyes... muscled frame...'
Nor Ryu or Nina had realized that they were blushing, but Mina and Katt did; they exchanged glances, smirked and nodded, as if thinking the same thing. 'Time to tease the hell out'o'em!'
Both ladies harrumphed, and giggled. "What a nice couple!" they chorused, albeit Katt with a slight bitter tone in her voice.
Ryu and Nina woke up from their reverie, and realized that they had been immobile for about a couple minutes, blushed, released their hands and looked away from each other; Ryu scratching his head, and Nina covering her face with one of her black wings.
Ryu felt the Dragon Tear turning yellowish-green, as both recovered from their embarrassment.
The black-winged girl now smiled and spoke. "I am Nina Windia," and she performed a deep curtsy to Ryu and Katt. "I'm honored to make your acquaintance."
Katt now smiled. "Katt-Lin Chuang. Just Katt." And shook Nina's hand, softly.
"Mina Windia." The youngest sister curtsied, while trying to hide her giggles. 'Wow! He's one of the guys who went for my... Suzie. The same handsome boy with a sense of humour. But wait... that reaction to my sister... Oh my! Nina, you sly devil! I saw him firsthand! He is mine!'
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What are you doing here? You should be using the gift that Our God has granted you.
It's just that I'm afraid. All points to the fact that he is the one.
Old wives tales! What did you desire back then?
Power.
Then why do you doubt? Our God has instilled it in your soul, when you released Bhaalie from the arcane prison. Go now, before I change my mind about being merciful. Unless you want to see my Power.
I will fight. Power is within my grasp. Everything for Our God.
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Ryu felt a cold chill in his chest. He was feeling malice coming from the rubble. The crystals in the locket turned deep black, as it had happened with Argus. The smell of sulfur was now evident to everyone.
Katt, for another side had jumped to come alongside him, ready for a battle. She smirked at him. "You're cursed blue-boy!"
"I met your furry self and all this madness started, so I think I'm not alone in being damned!" Ryu replied with a grin, battle-stance set.
"What is going on?" Nina asked surprised, and also relieved that she hadn't been considered the accursed one here.
"A demon, and a fat one at that." Ryu spoke while facing the rubble. "Get behind us, ladies!"
Both sisters seemed startled for a brief instant, but complied when they saw that the rubble where the corpse of the Joker was, started to shake, as if there was a small earthquake going around there. A figure of a fat man, covered with dirt and heavily wounded, rose. His eyes were now black flames, and a dark aura surrounded him. The demonic essence now could be felt all around.
"You shall regret refusing my offer, sweet Nina." The man who once was one of the most feared bandits around spoke in an abhorrent voice that reverberated eerily in the cavern. He uttered a growl and then lifted his arms, and lowered them. His body started to morph becoming larger, as his skin started to turn to a foul-looking purple color. His arms grew to become large and muscled, while his fists were large as a small buckler. Finally his head made itself more squat-looking with a mouth seemingly big enough for eating a large house-cat whole. He ended up being about two heads taller than Ryu.
Both Mina and Nina screamed, scared. "What is that?"
The Joker growled. "Your new owner, songbirds!" and he laughed maniacally, then jumped and in midair opened his mouth tossing a large ball of green sludge towards them.
Ryu went to parry it with the shield and succeeded, but the slime exploded, splattering them.A great amount of the slimy substance fell upon the siblings' wings, making them heavier. Another part fell upon Katt's face and the exposed fur on her legs; she became really angry at this.
"You demon!" she snarled. "Do you know how hard is to keep this fur clean?" And then she ran to outflank him and lunged to strike him on his head.
At the same time, Ryu attempted to stab him on his enormous greasy waist.
Nina and Mina were still trying to react; Mina made a face and almost cursed, were not for a swift glance to her sister's face that was now entranced gathering magical energy. Mina did the same but it was quicker for her. She let the cleansing energies of holiness to flow through her wings towards her hands.
"Wings of mine ancestors, allow this filth to be cleansed from us. Purify!" she spelled, as the magical energy took shape, encompassing Nina, Katt and herself in a white aura that cleaned all the sludge from them.
Both Ryu and Katt met success in their attacks. The bluntness of Katt's weapon stunned the demon for a moment, allowing Katt to encircle it, thus remaining ready behind for another hit.
Ryu's blessed dagger easily sled through the demonic hide as he made a slashing move, making the Joker grunt in pain, as the creature counterattacked by hitting him with a solid punch on the shield, sending Ryu a couple meters back, sliding through the floor with his feet.
He saw the effect of the wound made by his knife, white flames scorching the unholy flesh, incinerating the blood, but this did not seem to faze the Joker, who still had a smirk on its face.
Now Nina had the way all open for an attack and used that to her advantage. She started to chant while releasing the stored energy through her fully unfolded wings. "Merciless fiery spirits of Muspelheim, come forth and scorch this hell spawned beast. Fireblast!"
In a swift move, five flickering spheres of energy went towards the Joker and took form as a pyramid around him, traced lines of magical power and in the inside of the figure flames appeared suddenly, incinerating everything that would be inside it, Joker included. They lasted for several seconds, until they faded, leaving the frame of the demon just... blackened!
'Fire resistant... Damn it!' Nina thought while making a scowl.
"Hohoho, nice spell-casting my dear." he snickered. "Now, I'm going for my wedding kiss!" Now he opened his mouth to do something but was interrupted by Katt who had struck him in the head. The Joker seemed only stunned, no major damage. "Let's test your smell sense, pussycat." He said with an angry tone and smirked.
Suddenly, a loud farting sound emerged from behind him, releasing a cloud of green gas that enveloped Katt, making her cough and hold her breath, as she tried to get away from that noxious cloud. She succeeded, but now she shivered, feeling suddenly weakened, coughing and falling to her knees.
Mina and Nina shared a glance and exclaimed. "Disgusting!" Both started to gather magical energy, yet again.
'Highly efficient, though.' Ryu thought, still on guard. 'The smelling sense of Worans is a curse in this case; probably it was a toxic gas cloud.' After his reflections, he went in to connect another cut making a feint; The Joker fell on it and Ryu dodged the oversized arm, and now slid his weapon across it, to make another long and deep wound to count.
The usual scarring effect came, but apart from a louder grunt of pain, and blackened blood being spilled, Joker seemed like a relentless monster, feeling no pain whatsoever, but the wound had slowed him down a little bit.
Katt tried to stand again, but her legs were not supporting her; she had to use her battle-staff to avoid ending up sprawled on the floor. She saw that now the toxic cloud had vanished.
Joker did a reverse-slam with his wounded arm to hit Ryu, who parried with the shield, but was sent sliding away. Now he had the path clear and opened his mouth to extend a really long, two-inch thick, tube shaped lashing tongue. It was going towards Nina, who was now finishing another chant.
"Frozen Winds of Jotunheim, encase this foe in thine icy caress! IceBlast!" as she finished a blue sphere that made the air around it go instantly cold was shot from her hands towards the Joker. At the same time, his tongue encircled around her neck, little thorns dripping with poison making their way on her soft uncovered skin.
The icy sphere collided with the demon, and immediately an iceberg encased the monster making his pained howls being muffled by the tomb.
The tongue twitched and started to tighten its grip around Nina, making her gasp for air.
Mina was completing another chanting. "Undying avatar of virtue, grant thine compassion to the ones who suffer. Remedy!" A column of radiance engulfed Katt for a brief instant, refreshing her and easing her tiredness, allowing her to be ready to pounce. Mina felt suddenly weakened and fell to her knees, but started charging energy again, determination flaring in her emerald eyes.
Ryu saw now the chance and ran towards the point where the tongue was poking out from the ice coffin, with the knife ready to strike. He met its mark, but it wasn't sliced clean at first hit. The thing started to twitch, the grip on Nina's neck being loosened. Ryu hit again and yet again, finally slicing the tongue apart from the body.
The crystalline case broke as the Joker screamed in agony, while moving totally randomly, the vile blood being scorched in the white flames, while his skin had several signs of frostbite. The severed section of the tongue started to melt into sludge and vaporizing emitting a foul stench.
Then Ryu ran towards Nina, who was kneeling caressing her throat. He quickly gave her an antidote and released his 'Heal' spell to remove the thorns in her neck and easing her pain.
"Can you stand?"
Nina nodded. Ryu then ran back to the Joker putting the shield away, and drawing the second knife; time to go with dual-blades.
The black-winged girl started to gather energy again, as Mina released again a blessing directed to Katt's weapon; "Holy Endowment!" she conjured and the battle-staff glowed with a white-aura. Now Katt smirked, and lunged towards the Joker, now going to flank him; no use getting farted again. Mina visibly flinched, but seeing her sister still gathering more energy, that compelled her to do the same, as she slowly stood again.
Ryu attacked from the front, slashing time and time again, upon the mass of demonic skin, as Katt struck his head from her side, with a wide arc-hammer blow maneuver. Both attackers made him flinch visibly and scream in pain.
Mina shouted. "Move away!" and both Ryu and Katt complied.
"IceBlast!" Nina's voice was heard echoing in the cavern, as the sphere hit its mark, encasing yet again the Joker in the icy coffin.
Katt moved to be ready to hit. Nina snapped her fingers, and the ice coffin fell in pieces to the ground, as the Joker again had signs of frostbite. The woran, used her staff as a baseball-bat and was able to send the demon flying away in the direction of the rubble, where the throne stood previously. He impacted on the wall with a heavy sound and fell to the ground, groaning.
"That took good care of the damn fatty." Katt smirked.
Ryu's face was still serious. "Argus took much more to defeat. And I think we got lucky back then."
Mina and Nina exchanged glances, surprised.
"You fought another one of these?" Nina asked
"Yes, two or three days ago in Colossea, tell ya later. Any ways to do massive damage fast? Holy power would be really nice, I have a bad feeling." His jewel felt chillingly cold against his chest; he didn't need looking at it to know that it was pitch black.
Nina glanced upstairs and saw the stalactites of the crystals that could be imbued with magic. Her expression brightened. "Chrysm! Mina! Gather as much holy power as you can. We'll need it." and then started to focus energy. Mina looked quite tired but complied, concentrating.
Katt was about to ask something, but one glance from Ryu made her gulp. 'Later, I know. Not evil-eye but still startling.'
A demonic howl could be heard from where the Joker was; a black aura was appearing as he stood. And spoke in the same abhorrent voice, even with his tongue severed.
"Our God has granted me Power! I shall use it again; you die here, Destined Child!"
Ryu only put himself on guard, as Katt did.
"Rise faithful companions, until the time is ripe to give your power to God. Spektran soldiers, come forth!"
Pieces of armor started to come from all parts of the cave and from below the rubble, to form two living suits of armor each one as tall as Ryu, bearing a great-sword.
"Kill the black-winged-wench! I'll deal with the Ryong myself!"
"Katt, cover them!" Ryu shouted, as the armors charged towards the princesses. Katt got in their path, and used her staff still imbued with holy power to do a battle against two apparently skilled warriors.
Then Ryu felt a massive blow impacting him. It made him stagger and fall to the ground, coughing blood. He saw several pieces of rubble near him.
"So, you cannot withstand the raw power," The demon mocked him. "Take this!" he said as he hurled a human-sized statue towards him.
Ryu was not able to react in time, the boulder that had hit him left him quite weakened for the moment. Again, he felt massive pain, and coughed up another pool of blood.
But somehow, this made him furious. He was not going to die here. Everything went black, as his world faded into unconsciousness.
Nina saw the pieces of rubble and the statue that were directed towards Ryu make him stagger and hit him directly, and how he fell. Somehow that had pained her greatly. The woran was doing her best again the armored soldiers, but it wasn't enough; it was time to try another thing. She pointed a hand towards one and uttered the spell that she had known the most. "Simoon!"
The sphere of flames and wind impacted on the armor, somehow piercing it, and scorching the spirit inside it, making an otherworldly howl come from it. Katt used this moment to hit it on its head, sending it to the ground in a rattling of metallic pieces; she couldn't deal the finishing blow for the other armor attacked her with an overhead swing, forcing her to dodge.
Then, Joker hurled another piece of rubble towards Nina, who saw this from the corner of her eye; she covered her eyes, ready for the pain that was sure to come; the boulder was about to hit her, when she felt an immense surge of power, and none of the pain. She glanced in front of her.
Ryu was standing again, encircled in a purple aura. He had stopped the rock in mid-air, catching it with one hand, and hurled it back towards Joker, hitting him directly and making the demon wince and howl in pain.
Katt, meanwhile was dodging the blows of the armored specter that was undamaged, trying to connect a hit, while the other was slowly standing again. Nina for a moment startled at the display of brute-strength from Ryu, reacted some seconds later, when she heard the cry from Joker. Then she started charging power again.
Mina was still concentrated gathering holy power.
The Joker started to throw anything that he had at hand, at Ryu, who was deflecting everything to a place where it didn't hit any of his allies, as he slowly advanced towards the demon, each step resounding in the bowel. Only the monster could see his eyes flickering as purplish flames. And it made the beast shiver, afraid.
Nina finished gathering magical energy and released it as she chanted again "Forces of the Storms, show thine wrath upon these foes! Lightning!". Two bolts of lightning covered the spirits enclosed in the living armors, shocking the first one, and dissipating the second one, making the pieces turn into charred and twisted pieces of metal.
Katt used this instant to hit the second spiritual-soldier on its helmet, crushing it, and striking yet again. A spirit emanated from the armor as a vapor, letting the armor fall to the ground as twisted pieces of metal, smoke sizzling from it.
Mina still seemed enthralled on her trance; the eldest sister decided not to interrupt the trance; too much magic energy gathered could go astray and that wouldn't be good.
"Thanks Nina!" she smiled, and then looked towards Ryu. Her expression now was of fear.
"Damn. He's gone ballistic again!" She uttered in a high-pitched shriek.
"What?" Now Nina was surprised.
"Poor Joker," Katt really seemed afraid.
"Why?" Nina asked intrigued.
"Look!" Katt pointed towards Ryu.
Nina could feel somehow in her being all the power that Ryu was emanating. It was primal, unwavering, awe inspiring. The steps echoed in the cavern, and he sheathed his blades and readied his gauntlet covered fists.
------
Joker went now past fear and charged towards Ryu, using his large fists as weapons. Ryu blocked every single hit. Then he countered with an almost-unseen flurry of punches, making the Joker utter pained howls. Then with an unnatural display of strength, the blue-haired warrior ripped-off one of the arms of the demon, and took it, using it to maul him further, splattering the dark bile the demon had as blood all around.
This display horrified both Katt and Nina, who where shivering, astonished and... afraid.
"Is he always like this?" Nina asked.
"Some days ago, I fought him in the Arena... I had been the champion until that day."
"And what happened."
"He became like that... and punched me relentlessly, then he made me crash in a redwood-oak tree and finally struck as a sledgehammer in the lower waist. That stone-hard wood creaked; I don't need to say that it hurt like hell." Katt smirked.
"How brutal..." Nina was astonished.
Ryu now had decided that he didn't want the Joker to move any more. He took one of its legs, and broke it in two through the knee, letting the calf to move freely. This made the joker scream in pain. Then he took him by his almost non-existent neck and started to pummel his head.
"This is... horrifying!" Nina screamed. "Stop it!"
Ryu looked towards them, as if the voice had reached him. A grim expression could be seen on his face. "Demons exist only to be vanquished," His voice resounded eerily, as if distant. "He is asking for a release, and I'm the one who shall grant it; the time of exorcism is at hand."
Katt and Nina could see his eyes turned into white flames. Katt gulped and shivered, stuttering. "I d-d-don't w-w-wanna b-be j-j-joker....."
The Joker was still groaning, but unable to move. Ryu dropped him to the ground and then crouched. He jumped incredibly high, and with an impressive display of sheer strength ripped off one of the stalactites of the crystalline rock, and landed seemingly unfazed, carrying the piece of crystal with little effort..
"Ladon's fangs!" Nina exclaimed impressed, but afraid as well. 'This is no ordinary man.'
Katt shivered again.
"Mina!" Ryu shouted in the same eerie voice, this time imperatively. "Imbue the Chrysm!"
At his command, Mina pointed her index finger towards the crystal, and a high powered beam of white energy shot from her. When the ray struck the crystal, it started glowing white and a white fire could be seen around it. Mina started to faint, but Katt was able to catch her in time, and supported her as she fell on unconsciousness.
Ryu stabbed the Joker with the crystal infused with holiness, with another display of unnatural strength that made the stalactite go through the demon, making him grunt several times as it pierced muscles, organs and bones. Once it was in place, it burst into holy flames scorching mercilessly the monster, who screamed helpless wails of anguish as its body was turned into mere ashes.
"Those are the Flames of Judgment. Your sentence to eternal damnation."
Ryu finally walked back towards the girls, his eyes still blazing white, the purple aura vanished. He glanced towards both Katt and Nina, locking gazes with each of them. The ladies felt that their souls were explored in full by him.
Suddenly, he closed his eyes and knelt in a rather heavy way, as if involuntarily. Then he started panting, and opened his eyes. Now, they were his normal gentle green. He stood, and walked towards the girls with a smile. But he saw Mina being supported by Katt, who was looking at him with... fear? Nina was looking at him with a puzzled face.
The Dragon Tear now held no reaction from the demonic ashes, but the bluish glow from Katt and the yellowish-green from Nina.
"Hey girls... what happened?" Ryu asked, still half-baffled at their faces.
"You don't remember? You trashed the Joker." Nina said, still surprised.
"Seriously?" Ryu asked, surprised.
"Yeah, like when you woke up from being a pincushion at the Arena." Katt said, and told the whole story to Nina and Ryu, from her point of view.
"Well... I don't remember a thing then, but for certain the knife-wound I had it's now fully healed." Ryu was sure of this. "As when I carried you to safety back then Katt. You do pack a punch, girl," And Ryu laughed. "Whatever, now we better get out of here. Let me carry Mina." He said when he saw the passed-out blue-haired winged girl.
Ryu gently took the sleeping Mina in his arms with really little effort, because wyndians have really light frames. He started walking carefully, so he did not woke her up.
"Light as a feather," he smiled. "No pun intended, Nina." he said apologizing looking towards Nina, who just smiled.
"No offense taken. We have light bodies; the envy of all other girls in the world." she giggled impishly. 'Any woman would envy my slender nice figure, while weighing only thirty four kilograms.' she thought, with a smile.
Katt sighed. "Don't rub it in; I'm quite lean, but you're cheating. Light and winged." she sighed again.
"Come on ladies, no time to bicker about that," Ryu smiled again. "We have to take Mina somewhere safe, it must be about ten o'clock. And after all this day, we must be quite tired."
Suddenly, two stomachs rumbled loudly. Ryu and Katt blushed, while Nina just giggled.
"And hungry by what it seems." Nina added, smiling.
---------
In their way out, Ryu went towards the treasury of the Joker, and found ten thousand zenny of ill-gotten gains. They decided that they would return it in full to the current mayor when going through Colossea, much to Katt's displeasure; she had not seen that much money at once in her life.
Finally, they were outside the mining shaft that was the hideout of the Joker. It was a night with full-moon in sight. Nina stretched her wings and hovered now, instead of walking.
"Don't like caves!" she said, now with a smile. "Now I'm feeling the wind on my wings, it's still exhilarating."
"It must be. I indulge in fishing, and when the sea breeze ruffles my hair it feels quite nice; it helps me to be at ease." Ryu smiled.
"I don't like the sea, but I agree with Nina. In the plains, the wind feels so good." Katt smiled.
"Now, let's see how Mina fares, she's still knocked out cold." Ryu said.
"Hey, in the Magic School they said that if you were drained of magic power you fainted." Katt smiled.
"Yes," Nina went to her sister, and examined her. "She had never practiced her magic under stressful situations, besides she was held in magic-drainers," A flash of anger was seen in azure eyes. "But you helped her, I thank you for that."
"No problem. She was a great help there." Katt said, while Ryu just smiled.
"Now ladies, where should we go? We need to find a safe place, and wait for her to recover."
A dark figure came before them and spoke. "Perhaps I could help with that."
The three recognized the voice and exclaimed at once. "Shadow!" Katt went on guard.
"No need to fight, Miss Katt-Lin." He said quietly. "I come in peace now."
"How can we trust you? You forced Nina to come here with you." Katt snarled, barely containing her rage.
"For certain I did that. But I'm quite different from my former-associates. Regarding that..." Then he did the last thing they expected. He knelt before them.
"From the bottom of my heart, or what remains of it, I thank you…" he said, looking at them, his brown eyes in stark contrast with his bits of blue-hued skin that the scarf allowed to see. They really conveyed the feeling of gratitude, but with some sadness on them. "I have a story to tell, and have a safe place for you to rest. If you are interested, you may follow me."
Ryu's locket turned green.
"I don't trust you!" Katt exclaimed.
"I never said that you should." he stated, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Enough Katt," Ryu said, albeit a bit harshly. "He's telling the truth. Besides, we need to take care of Mina."
"Sorry." Katt sighed.
"Don't worry. It's just natural; after all I'm one hell of a shady guy." He said, almost in a smirk if his scarf had allowed them to see.
Nina giggled and Ryu smiled, while Katt allowed herself a hint of a smile.
"Lady Nina, I'm afraid to tell you that Lord Davan lives, but he hasn't awakened yet; I have tended his wounds as well as I could, but he has not come to his senses. Maybe some Ammonia could help but I have none available."
"Thank you... Shadow," Nina now had a relieved but sad expression.
"No problem; should you feel the need for a name... I guess that now I can use it again... Clive."
'That name... that voice? Could it be? Who knows, let's just go to his place; Mina is light but she needs to rest properly.' Ryu thought, when hearing the man using that name.
The stomachs of Ryu and Katt growled again, making them groan. Both Shadow and Nina laughed openly. When they recovered, Shadow spoke.
"Still have some venison that I had hunted this morning. Hope it is enough for us," Shadow laughed again. "Follow me; it's just a fifteen minute walk uphill." He said, pointing to a path going up into the mountain.
They walked until they arrived to a large well-maintained wooden-hut. There was a statue of the Dragon God outside, and surrounding the hut were four tall braziers, that had a white fire blazing on them, and some pieces of the crystal called Chrysm embedded on them.
"What are those huge torches for?" Ryu asked.
"They are special braziers; don't know exactly how, but when they are lit any monsters around don't come closer than a fifteen meter radius, allowing for a mildly safe place for camping." Shadow answered.
"You channel magic though the Chrysm to light them?" Nina asked.
"Yes, and once lit they can't be moved; but when unlit, they are the size of a glass of water, so you can carry them easily."
"Stupid question maybe... but what is Chrysm?" Ryu asked, intrigued.
"Chrysm are those crystals that can channel magic. The cavern was filled with lots of them, but they can still be found almost everywhere as small rocks. But large crystals are quite rare to see; the cavern had a lot of them. Not much else is known about its uses, lest they can channel magic."
"You know a lot!" Katt smiled. "You must be a bookworm!"
"Hmph! I just study what is necessary to know." Nina seemed mildly upset.
'This seems the start of a long bickering friendship...' Ryu sighed and spared a glance to the woran girl. "Again Katt, enough."
"Back to the braziers, they are quite handy if you ask me." Ryu said.
Katt seemed interested. "Where do you get them?"
"Found them on a journey some time ago..." Shadow said, with some sadness on his voice.
"Don't worry... Clive." Nina said. "We understand if it's painful to speak."
"Thank you. But maybe tomorrow I shall tell my story. For now let's just enter. The mountain air can get quite chilly, and I'm sure some stomachs are about to ask again for food, I think." his eyes evidenced an amused expression, while Ryu and Katt sighed, as hungry rumbling could be heard again.
Once inside the shack, it was lit, and warm. Everyone gave silent thanks for that. Shadow pointed towards a room where there were several makeshift beds, comfortable yet.
Shadow spoke again. "Miss Katt-Lin..."
"Just Katt, shady-guy." and she winked an eye.
"Katt." his eyes now seemed relieved. "Would you help me to cook something with the venison?"
"Gladly!" She smiled now; it seemed like food put her in a good mood. They went to prepare the food.
Nina went to the room with the beds, followed by Ryu, who carried the now sleeping Mina. He smiled, as he left her carefully on one of the beds, and let Nina cover her.
"Is she good for sleeping?"
"Quite a bit, if exerted." Nina answered, smiling.
"Is she also a late sleeper?"
"You should see! Woe to the poor hapless person who dares to wake her up early." Nina now was laughing in a heartfelt way. Mina sneezed asleep, startling both Ryu and the elder sister; they exchanged glances, and smiled.
'She really looks better with a smile.' Ryu thought, a slight blush on his face.
"Now let's tend to my uncle." Nina said, going towards Skye, who was in a bed next to Mina. Ryu followed.
"Wait... Davan Skye is your uncle?" Ryu asked, surprised. "I had met him some days ago on the bridge over the Rocko River, he was looking for Mina."
"Seriously? Why?" Nina asked, intrigued.
"He said that she had not arrived with her entourage to Colossea, and sped towards NewHaven to see about it; he asked about local crooks... and it seems his hunch was right."
"How?"
"Well, now everything makes sense. Somehow, the Jokers found out about Mina, and decided to use her as leverage to get you; or maybe for something greater. If you ask me, the soldiers that were with him seemed pretty capable of fending against large numbers of monsters or common bandits."
'He's pretty sharp for a mere hired-blade. Impressive; but I can't tell about our truth now. But i'll have to someday; Mina needs to arrive safely to Wyndia and the last thing we need is another ambush.' Nina thought, frowning.
"What are you thinking about, Nina" Ryu's concerned expression surprised her.
"N-nothing..." she seemed a bit restless. "Just that those weren't common bandits,"
'He also is perceptive. He intrigues me.'
"Well, if they were in cahoots with demons or what else, probably they just overcame them as a swarm. Whatever, Mina is safe. Let's tend to master Davan now." Ryu frowned for a moment. "Not to be pushy or overly curious... but why did Clive call him by the title of 'Lord'?"
'Well, it seems he really is a sharp guy. I can't spill everything, but I guess a bit of the truth won't hurt.'
Nina sighed. "It's just that I happen to be from a noble family from Wyndia. My uncle holds a high rank in the army, and Mina is my younger sister. I have been studying in Eldritch Meister Yoji's academy for a long time, and she comes once in a while to see me." She paused, for a moment, while a hint of sadness could be seen in her eyes for a brief instant. Then she continued speaking.
"When younger we used to be so close, and we still are. But now, we bicker quite a lot sometimes, especially if she calls me bookworm. I can't stand it."
"I see. Don't worry; after all knowledge is power, they say. Besides, if you ask me... an intelligent woman is way more appealing that one who isn't as sharp." Ryu grinned sheepishly.
Nina's cheeks went a light pink for a brief instant, and then she spoke. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
'He's nice as well. Most of the boys trying to hit on me usually go for me being blonde, good looks, or nice chest.'
"It's just the truth, as your black wings..." Ryu paused for a moment, and continued. "They shine like obsidian; in the cave with all the show they must have been quite a spectacle to see. They are simply magnificent." he smiled.
'Oh... that's... thoughtful. Unless for Mina, my nanny and my uncle... no one has said they are nice.'
Nina seemed deep in thought, and that got Ryu worried.
"Hey!" Nina reacted. "I'm sorry if I said something I shouldn't have."
"No... No, it's not that." Nina now was with a strange expression, sadness and relief. "Just too many memories, but nothing you said, ok?"
Ryu felt Nina's kindness being conveyed through the Dragon Tear and he knew that it turned emerald green.
"Yes, thank you. Now let's see your uncle." and he examined him rather quickly, took out one of the capsules of Ammonia that he had in one of his belt pouches, and let its soothing smell make him react. Skye started to move again, and then Ryu was able to make him drink the content of the flask. A bright golden aura surrounded him for several instants and when it faded, he started breathing regularly and fell asleep, with a content expression on his face.
"That went well," Ryu smiled. "Tomorrow we will have a nice talk."
"Yes, let's go to eat and then for a rest." Nina said happily, but her eyes somewhat sad..
Clive excused himself and ate alone; then he went to sleep. Katt, Nina and Ryu had their late dinner rather silently; while Nina was eating in a rather calm and educated way, Katt ate as if the world were to end. Ryu was equally hungry as Katt, but he was more discreet when it came to fill his stomach. After their meal, they went to sleep.
------
----- o -----
Habalk. The child is starting to stir again. A majestic voice echoed in the head of the high priest.
Lord Balbaroy! I haven't heard from you in a long time.
I had a minor setback some years ago. The whelp turned out to be the heir. The first voice sounded annoyed.
What? Ten years have passed, and he is now an adult, getting stronger day by day. This is a dire predicament.
You are overreacting. He has not awakened yet, and even if he were to stir, there is no way for him to become the Kamisatsujin.
I hope so. About the Elder who is roaming the lands, we have not been able to find him.
He is of no concern. After all, he fled while I was slaying his mate beyond the sealed gates; there are no heirs to the bloodline of the Tyrant alive in this side of the world. There is no way he can be a menace to us, even if he were to give away his powers to the whelp.
I will continue the mission that has been given to me; to gather energy for our God.
Do so. I shall wait for the time when our god stirs.
----- o -----
End Chapter 09.
Author's Notes:
- Ryong: Dragon in chinese. It is like they call it in BoF IV; but it seems more like an adaptation from chinese 'Long' since Japanese people can't spell 'L'.
- First time a spell is cast and is something relevant, it will get its chanting; else, it'll be cast directly.
- Will consider for simplicity that the moon can be seen in full always, unless it's a cloudy or stormy night. SkyTower/Heaven-Tower controls or dictates the flow of the tides of the sea, weather and all that stuff; I don't really want to keep track of moon-phases and all that stuff.
- Kamisatsujin: The name of a katana in Final Fantasy Tactics; it means 'Murderer of God'.
Special Thanks:
- Ryusui, for his Retranslation.
- Lady 'Kestre Wynde' and 'Estrellita Farr' from fanfiction.