Well, everyone, here it is, chapter 2 of my first fiction. I don't know how many people are reading this, but I like to have some feedback.
This chapter has the first small fight scene, but I'll admit it's pretty short and not as good as some other ones out there… Also, Ledah returns, and I tried to make it a bit more original than "Oh, Ursula brought me back with her power" like many people did. It might not be very original, but it's a welcome change if I do say so myself.
I'll admit that Cierra's role in this fic is pretty limited so far; she doesn't talk much, does she? Her role will become slightly bigger in the next few chapters, but not much more, though it might grow by the end.
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
I've rambled enough. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and will review this fiction, and enjoy chapter 2!
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Everyone had piled into Lina and Fia's house for dinner that night, as a kind of reunion. Cierra and Fia helped Coco cook extra food for everyone. Luckily, Cierra didn't feel like using her magic to "help," so the house stayed intact and no water was needed except to cook.
Ein lounged on the wooden couch in the living room. Serene was taking a walk outside, saying she would be back, and Lina was jumping on her bed, her usual pastime.
"Dinner time!"
Cierra's voice drifted from the kitchen and everyone but Serene rushed to the dining room. Tonight's dinner was extensive, and consisted of 5 dishes of Riviera's best food. Deciding to wait, they sat and watched the food steam.
"Wonder where she is?" Ein remarked. "She could be anywhere. Elendia is pretty big."
"Yeah," Fia agreed.
"I hope she's safe," Cierra said, looking out the window. Outside the sky was clear, and the stars twinkled softly. The moon had not yet risen.
"Gee, Lina's getting hungry," Lina complained, staring at the food. She caught herself before she drooled.
"I think I better go look for her," Ein said, grabbing Einherjar. He spun it a couple times in the air above his head and sheathed it behind his back in a swift motion. He got his jacket, put on his shoes, and went to the door.
"Wow, Ein's fast," Cierra commented, "compared to the clumsy me, anyway."
"Oh, Cierra, don't say that. Hey, Ein, I'm coming with you," Fia told him. She grabbed her Rosier, flicked it around her fingers, and sheathed it on her waist. Her green dress flew gracefully behind her as she moved towards the door.
"Lina's coming too!" Lina piped up. She made a move for her bow, when Ein told her not to.
"Lina, it's okay. We'll be fine, I promise," Ein reassured her. "We'll be back very soon."
Reluctantly, Lina put down her bow. "Lina never gets to do anything fun." She returned to the dining table to stare at the food again.
"Cierra, take care of her while we're out," Fia instructed. "Lina, don't cause trouble, ok?"
"Uh huh," Lina said half-heartedly.
"We'll be fine. Good luck, you two," Cierra said with a smile.
"Ok, we're off." Ein and Fia went out the door.
"He's growing up fast, isn't he," Cierra murmured to herself after they left. "I won't be surprised if one day one of us falls in love with him…"
"When did you learn to do that trick with your rapier?" Ein asked out of curiosity once they were out of the house.
"Oh, I just practice," Fia replied, smiling as usual. "You got your own trick too."
"Haha, practice does make perfect. Same goes for me."
They walked along the dirt path, but didn't find Serene. Her tracks weren't visible either, which was to be expected from someone who flies.
"Where do you think she went?" Ein asked. "It's dark out. That makes it hard to see. I can't hear her either…"
"You think we should split up?" Fia suggested. "We could cover more distance that way."
"Not yet," Ein warned. "There might be something out there. Splitting up is the best way to kill your firepower."
"I guess you're right," Fia agreed. "So where to first? Undine Spring? Crystal Caverns?"
"Um, let's try the spring first."
Fia's dress billowed along behind her, and so did Ein's cape, as they speed-walked their way to Undine Spring. Nono and Meute were there to greet them.
"Good evening," Meute said. Her speaking was getting better and better. "Is something wrong?"
"Strange to see you out this late," Nono remarked. "You must be looking for something." She teasingly rubbed up against Ein's cheek.
"Yeah, we're looking for Serene," Ein told them, pulling Nono off and sitting her down on his hand. "Did you two see her around here?"
"I didn't see her," Nono said. Smiling, she lay down on her back and looked up at Ein. "Gee, what a romantic night it is tonight."
"Yeah, but let's not get distracted," Fia said, turning to Meute. "How about you, Meute, did you see her?"
"No… I haven't… since this afternoon..."
"Well, we'll try somewhere else then," Ein said. "Come on, Fia."
"Hey, take me with you," Nono said. "I'll help look for her."
Ein and Fia agreed, and Nono sat up on Ein's shoulder as they moved towards the Grove of Repose. The moon was beginning to peek out of the distant mountains as they reached the heavily wooded area.
"I think this would be the most likely place for her to be in," Ein commented. "She used to spend most of her time here."
The three of them moved together as to not get separated, and reached deep into the grove.
"Do you hear that?" Nono whispered. "Sounds like rustling in the leaves or something."
They stopped moving and listened. Sure enough, rustling could be heard from a bush on the side. The three moved up to it silently. Suddenly, a dark figure rose from the bush, with a huge scythe above its head, at the ready to strike.
"Who the hell!" Ein yelled as he pulled Einherjar out.
"Is… that… Death?" Fia trembled, but she didn't let her fear show while she pulled out Rosier.
"I don't think it is… we killed Death a long time ago," Ein reminded her. "But then again…"
Nono jumped into Ein's shirt. "It's way too scary out there. Hee hee, it's so warm in here!" She giggled. "Wow, Ein, it's so nice and cozy. Mm mm…"
Suddenly, a second figure appeared, carrying a spear-like weapon in its arm and spreading huge wings behind it.
"What the hell?" Ein exclaimed. "How many are there?"
As he said that, a third figure arose. This one carried nothing, but had a head shaped strangely like a cat.
"Who are you?" the first figure asked, in a deep, husky voice that Ein didn't recognize.
"That's what I should be asking you!" Ein shot back.
Fia stepped up beside Ein. "We're outnumbered, though that one that just stood up looks harmless…" she whispered. "I think we can do this."
"Well, let's go then. I'll get the quiet guy with the weird spear thingy, and you get the scythe?"
"Yeah."
Ein lunged out with Einherjar, striking downwards. His attack was parried easily, and he was thrown backwards through the air.
"Ein? You okay?" Fia asked. She resisted the urge to rush to his side and focused on the scythe.
The scythe swung down at her, and she dodged out of the way. Rosier at the ready, she struck at the arm holding the scythe and struck. The shadow yelped in pain, and Fia suddenly recognized the voice.
"Serene!"
Ein looked up from where he was thrown on the ground. Serene? He had heard the figure's voice, but it didn't sound like Serene at all.
"If that's Serene, then who is this?" Ein asked, striking out again at the spear-wielding figure. As the figure spun, Ein caught a glimpse of the shadow of a chain hanging off its neck. There was a cross hanging on the chain. Suddenly, it hit him.
"Ledah!" Ein yelled. "Ledah? Is that you?"
The figure continued to attack Ein, who flipped up over it and kicked it on its back. The figure fell over and the spear skittered a small distance away. Its wings slowed its fall, and it landed softly.
"Okay, Ein, that's enough," the third figure spoke up.
"Wha…? Rose?" Ein gasped, bewildered. "What the heck are you doing there?"
"Ah, Ein, long time no see," the second figure stood up.
"So it IS Ledah!" Ein exclaimed. "But… why'd you three do that for?"
"I thought we'd play with your head a bit," Rose told him.
"Yeah, I disguised my voice so you wouldn't recognize me right away," Serene added. "That was over pretty fast."
"Yeah, in my world, it's one strike and you're out," Ein teased.
"Uh huh," Rose said, sounding uninterested. "Braggart."
"You've gotten stronger, Ein," Ledah complimented, picking up the spear, which Ein knew was Lorelei.
"Wait a minute… how the hell…?" Ein stammered.
"Everyone asks that," Ledah remarked. "Ursula used the last of her power to bring Fia back to life, so she had to use the last of Seth's power and life force to bring me back, but that took longer than Fia, so I came out after you did."
"Wow," Ein said. "Serene, you…"
"Yeah," Serene affirmed. "I met him while out traveling a little while back. He was just wandering the skies, searching for something. I was planning to find him and bring him to Fia's house tonight as a surprise, but I guess you got kinda impatient."
"Searching… for what?" Fia asked.
"For you, Ein," Ledah replied. "You're the only one on Riviera I can come to, being a Grim Angel and all."
"I see," Ein said. "Did you get your emotions back?"
"Well, no," Ledah answered. "I don't know if I can."
"Ledah, there is no such thing as an emotionless angel, or any living thing," Fia advised him. "Emotions flow from the heart. To have no emotions means you're heartless, and if you're heartless you're not living. That's why I don't believe your emotions are not there, but rather just hidden deep down. When you're with Ein, I can tell. It's coming back, bit by bit, when you're with him. Once you find them all, you'll be just as strong as he is."
"Fia…" Ein trailed off in thought.
"Ein's strength is his emotions," Rose added. "His emotions let him be pure, and that's what makes him strong. An emotionless being may be a perfect fighter, but he can never match up to a pure being, who is just as perfect a fighter, but also knows what he's fighting for, and that's what makes him stronger than the emotionless fighter. The emotionless fighter simply fights as he is ordered to and never questions it, since he isn't able to."
"Is that so…" Ledah murmured.
"See, Ledah?" Serene jumped in. "It was never truly the will of the Gods. It was only his will you were fighting for, but you never really knew that, right?"
"I always thought it was the will of the Gods, because that's what I was told," Ledah said. "I think I see now. What was the true will of the Gods, then?"
"I'm sure the will of the Gods was to defy Hector," Ein assured him. "Hector was a self-centered Magi who didn't follow the will of the true Gods. I'm glad he was defeated in the end."
"We all are," Serene added. "Come on, the food's getting cold."
"Oh, right," Fia said. "Ledah, want to eat with us?"
"Yeah, okay."
"Hey, Ein, is it okay to come out yet?" Nono called from inside Ein's shirt.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, of course," Ein replied.
"Ah, fresh air at last," Nono breathed as she came out. "Huh? Master Ledah! And Rose and Serene!"
"Hey, Nono," Rose greeted. "I trust you're doing your job of guarding the bath area well?"
"Yes, yes, of course," Nono winked. "It would be so much easier if Ein didn't try something all the time."
"Wh-what the hell?" Ein stammered.
"Oh, Ein, it's okay," Serene teased. "It's okay to be a guy interested in naked female bodies after all."
"No!" Ein shouted. "Dammit, no one ever trusts me."
"Can't take a joke, Ein?" Serene laughed. Fia giggled from the side.
"Ah, whatever," Ein shook his head. "Let's go."
"Fia's growing up, isn't she," Rose whispered to Ledah. "She's much more mature and courageous since you last saw her, don't you think?"
"I don't know," Ledah replied quietly. "She does seem different though. Did you expect her to make that speech?"
"Not really."
"Come on, you two," Nono shouted from Ein's shoulder. "We're gonna leave you behind!"
With that, Nono turned and leaned back to look up at the sky. "It's so clear tonight. Hey, it's a full moon!"
Rose turned her head. The moon's soft bluish white glow was beginning to appear at the horizon. It really was a full moon tonight. Its glow spread a soft light across the night sky. The stars twinkled and danced lightly like white fireflies all over the sky.
"Isn't it romantic out tonight," Rose commented softly to Ledah. "Let's go somewhere after dinner."
"Huh? With me?" Ledah was taken aback. "Where?"
"Oh, I don't know… someplace… nice…" Rose started to stagger, somewhat drowsy.
Ledah caught Rose in his arms. "What the heck? Are you tired?" He got no reply.
"Oh well, I guess I have to carry you back then." He scooped Rose up in his arms, putting her arm around his neck. She's so peaceful when she's sleeping, Ledah thought. Walking became tiring, so he took flight, gliding slowly as to not wake her. He soon caught up to the rest of the group.
"Oh, Ledah!" Ein greeted. "Gee, Rose seems tired."
"Yeah, she does," Ledah agreed.
The girls just kept walking, hiding their grins from the still airborne Ledah and the innocent Ein.
Nono was getting drowsy too, so Ein carried her in his arms. She was light so it was effortless for Ein. Once they reached Undine Spring, Ein handed the still sleeping Nono over to Meute, and then the group headed to Fia and Lina's house.
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A/N: Okay, I admit that it's a bit strange that Ein wasn't surprised about Ledah at first and asked about his revival after asking what was going on, but oh well. It'll all be fine.
I think this chapter was a bit more talky than it should be, huh? I'll see if I can cut down on that in future chaps.
Heh, Ein's really innocent, isn't he… he notices not a thing, but I guess that's all part of his charm. Some things never change…
Fia's much wiser, isn't she? More courageous too… Rose is the same… as I've said before, everyone's changed over time. Here's the next chapter preview:
Chapter 3: The Night Sky part 1 (release on July 16, 2006)
The moon is full and the stars twinkle brightly. After dinner during which everyone chats about Ledah's life from Yggdrasil to that point, Serene and Lina take a walk, and they get caught in the romantic atmosphere. What will happen? Yuri chapter, you've been warned! XD.