Oy! So how is everyone doing? Is anyone even reading this story anymore? The response I've received for the latest two chapters has been almost nothing in comparison to the earlier ones… But I have faith in you readers! And reviewers!
RiviPSP is coming along pretty well. I'm now about two-thirds done Tetyth. I don't know, not much to say, except that I think some of the weapons' level 3 overskills have been switched around. Not to mention that I somehow got a black scythe, which I didn't discover in the GBA game, and which also has Serene's overskill Serene Absolute, which I swear was for the final scythe in the GBA game.
Oh, and another comment: someone said on the message boards on GameFaqs that it's pretty hard to get the bathing scenes now, and I now know what he means. It took me about ten tries to get the first bathing scene, because of the long input sequence that you have to input in about 2-3 seconds. Oh well, at least I got it… it's also different from the GBA's bathing scene in that there are two images if you succeed and one entirely different CG if you fail… I'm not joking XD
Anyway, I blab too much. Enjoy chapter 24!
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"Crap, looks like we're too late," Rose muttered in disbelief. She lay in Ledah's arms, which were carrying her through the air towards the towering, glowing, orange dragon that had appeared moments ago. "Do you think that's from Cierra's staff?" she asked Ledah, who was studying the dragon intently.
"There's no doubt about it," Ledah replied coolly. "I wonder what business it has with us?" He flew higher to get a better view. The image of the dragon was formed from a strange stick that stood up from the ground, taller than the surrounding trees. The dragon itself emerged from the tip of the stick and coiled around it several times. The head of the dragon was hidden by the foliage.
"We better hurry," Rose said. "I have a really bad feeling about this, somehow. How much longer?"
"I'd say about another three minutes at least," Ledah answered. "And what's the big deal? Not like telling them what we just found out is going to do anything."
"I guess you have a point there."
---
Down on the ground, the dragon continued to study Cierra with narrowed eyes. Cierra fidgeted uneasily under its deathly gaze. Lina had fallen backwards and landed on her bottom, and Serene and Ein simply stood staring at the dragon. After about half a minute, the dragon finally spoke.
"You are the one who wields this staff, is that correct?" The dragon enunciated every word slowly with a deep voice, but it was still difficult to make out the words.
"Um, yes," Cierra answered warily. "I didn't know that you were, um, living in it, though…"
Serene raised an eyebrow. "Living? That's a dragon, not a genie. Do you need glasses?"
Cierra blushed. "Well, what am I supposed to say?"
The dragon interrupted the two. "I am the spiritual being that possesses this staff," it rumbled. "This is the first time I've been released into the world. Ahh, fresh air feels nice."
Cierra blinked. "Yes? I suppose it does."
The dragon cleared its throat quickly. "Anyway, since you are somehow entitled to use this staff, I must be sure that you are worthy of wielding my power."
Cierra scratched her head absentmindedly. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Well, I require you to fulfill a task of my choosing that will show me your worthiness upon completion," the dragon replied.
"You mean a test, right?" Serene said. "You know, exactly what you just said, just shorter."
"Um, yeah. If you must." The dragon seemed to become lost in thought.
"This sounds strangely familiar," Ein mumbled. "Haven't I gone through something like this?"
Serene gave him a sideways glance. "What are you mumbling about?"
"Well, I remember having to fulfill a test as well to receive my powers," Ein replied. "The only difference was that I was tested by a Magus and not a dragon, oh, and that I was doing it to rescue Fia. Well, I suppose the test itself is going to be different too."
Lina hopped to her feet. "Lina's interested! What did you do, Ein?"
Cierra turned to him. "Anything you say can be useful to me in completing this test," she added. "I don't know what I'm dealing with…"
"Well, for starters, you should keep your mission in mind." Ein said. He scratched his head in thought. "Um, and some things take priority over others, like saving someone's life over completing your task."
"That sounds simple enough," Serene remarked. "Cierra, got all that?"
"Yep," Cierra answered. "Still, I wonder what he's going to make me do? What, it's not a test of power?"
"Yeah, that's what Lina was thinking too!" Lina agreed. "Lina thought you would have to fight the dragon or something!"
"Well, I don't know," Ein murmured. "I wasn't tested by a dragon, so your test might as well be on power."
Cierra nodded thoughtfully. "Anyway, why hasn't the dragon said anything yet?"
The four of them all turned back to the dragon, which still appeared to be thinking. Serene noticed a small speck in the distance that was slowly growing larger.
"Hey, you guys see that?" Serene pointed at the speck. "I can't really tell what it is."
Ein shaded his eyes and looked towards the object. "Whatever it is, it doesn't seem dangerous," he commented. The figure came closer, and he could begin to make out some of the features. "It's got black wings, and… it looks like… it has two feet growing out of its side plus the two feet below it, and it has a head on the other side…"
"What the heck are you talking about, Ein?" Serene laughed. "That's a winged person carrying a wingless person!"
Ein's face turned a bit pink. "Oh, yeah…"
The figure approached closer and descended below the top of the staff. The group could start to make out more physical features of it. Ein studied it again. "Hmm, blond hair, black wings, red clothes… oh, that's Ledah! And in his arms… that's probably Rose."
"Yeah, you're right this time," Serene winked. "See, not every strange-looking thing is a monster, right?"
"Um, yeah…"
After a few more seconds, Ledah landed lightly on the ground. Before he or Rose could say anything, Lina hopped her way over to them and chirped, "Hey, Ein thought Ledah was a monster!"
"What?" Rose turned to Ein and laughed. "Ein, are you being paranoid?"
"Um, no…" Ein stuttered. "But—"
"So this dragon here, I assume it appeared from the staff?" Ledah interrupted. "It doesn't look very threatening. In fact, it looks somewhat half-asleep…"
"How did you know it came from the staff?" Cierra wondered. "Are you psychic or something?"
"Well, mostly because there's a staff taller than the trees sitting right there," Ledah replied, pointing to the staff which the dragon was curled around. "And actually, we were asked to warn you about some possible side-effects to using the staff, Cierra, though a dragon was somewhat unexpected."
"Oh, right!" Cierra giggled sheepishly. "But anyway, yeah, it seems to want to test me or something. Something about my worthiness of wielding its power."
"Is that so? Well, I'd say we should just play along for now," Ledah said. "Who knows what might happen if you don't."
"I agree," Rose added. "Besides, it doesn't look like it intends to kill you."
"And who knows what might happen if you attack it without warning?" Serene grinned. "This time we might not be able to avoid a forest fire."
"Lina's ready to help!" Lina jumped up from behind Serene and locked her arms around her neck playfully.
"Everyone… thank you." Cierra smiled. "I know I can count on you all!"
"Uh, guys?" Ein said uneasily. "The dragon seems to be awake now."
Everyone turned to look at the dragon, whose blank stare was becoming clear. "Um, so as I was saying… what was I saying? What was I doing?" The dragon seemed confused. It turned to the group, and suddenly its eyes lit up. "Oh, right. Your test. I'm not all too sure what to have you do, so I think I'll just test your magical strength."
"Without using the Golden Rod, I presume?" Cierra asked. "That means I'll probably have to use another staff."
"That's right," the dragon replied. "And to make things harder, I'm going to have you fight with only one other person of your choosing."
"Oh, my," Cierra said. "Well, who else other than Ein to choose?" She winked at him. Ein blushed slightly.
"But I must warn you, only magic has any effect on me," the dragon continued. "It's best to choose someone who can also use magic."
"What?" Cierra exclaimed in surprise. "I thought you were going to conjure some monster or something!"
"No, of course not," the dragon answered. "I must be the one to test your abilities. I shall give you ten minutes to prepare. Is that enough?"
"Is fifteen okay?" Cierra responded. "I'm going to need a bit of time to think."
"Okay, I'll be waiting. If you're late, my excess energy might cause a forest fire, so don't take too long."
"My, what a fearsome dragon," Cierra remarked to the group, not loud enough for the dragon to hear.
"It doesn't really sound like a dragon to me," Serene said. "The way it talks is kind of… well, bizarre."
"But anyway, what should I do?" Cierra asked. "None of you can use strong magic, so I'm kind of stuck here…"
"Ledah, do you use any magic at all?" Rose questioned. "Actually, that's a pretty dumb question. All you ever use is Lorelei."
"That's right," Ledah confirmed. "Lorelei is all I need, or so I always say."
"Yeah, remember Heaven's gate? You wouldn't even drink a potion when you were weakened."
Ledah winced slightly. "Let's not talk about that. It brings back bad memories."
"Um, yeah, okay." Rose kept a loose grip on Ledah's shirt in one hand.
"By the way, Cierra," Ein put in. "Don't be going into this fight without healing abilities. You're going to need a few potions."
"Well, I'm more worried about finding a partner to help me first," Cierra answered. "I'll remember to bring in a potion, don't worry."
"Say…" Rose thought aloud. "Soala was the one who told us to warn you about the staff. Why don't you ask her? She probably knows some of the dragon's weak points, right?"
"Yeah, that's a great idea!" Cierra exclaimed. "And on top of that, she can also use magic!"
"What an odd coincidence," Serene remarked. "It's almost as if the dragon was planning for that to happen."
"Let's not worry about that," Ledah put in. "We better hurry. Fifteen minutes is not that much time."
"You're right," Cierra said. "Say, Ledah, could you do me a favor?"
"Depends what the favor is," Ledah answered.
"Well… can you fly me back to Elendia?" Cierra asked uneasily. "Um… it's okay if you won't…"
Rose raised an eyebrow. "Uh, Cierra, you're a witch, right? Don't witches know how to fly? You know, magical flying broomsticks and such?"
"Haha, I'm not really into flying broomsticks…" Cierra grinned sheepishly. "Is it okay with you, Ledah?"
"And you say you're not a witch for nothing…" Rose muttered under her breath.
"Well, it's all right with me," Ledah answered. "I'm not too sure why you're not asking Ein, though."
"Oh, right!" Cierra giggled. "I can't seem to get it into my head that you have wings now, Ein!"
"That's okay," Ein replied. "I sometimes forget too. But anyway, I don't know if I can carry two sprites…"
"Two? Oh, you mean when coming back." Cierra looked thoughtful for a moment. "If you can't handle it, I suppose Ledah will help?"
"Don't go making decisions on your own!" Rose protested.
"Rose, it's okay," Ledah assured her. "I have no doubt that Ein will be okay, but I'll help if you need it."
"Ledah…" Rose looked up at him and locked eyes briefly, and then looked back down. You're an idiot…
"Rose?" Ein said, startling Rose out of her thoughts. "Who's an idiot?"
"Ah, you heard that?" Rose cried in surprise.
"Not on purpose." Ein grinned. "Don't worry, everything'll be fine. Now, let's go, Cierra!"
"Ah, um, yes!" Cierra said, awkwardly fidgeting. "Um, how do we—"
"No problem!" Ein smoothly scooped up Cierra in his arms and took off in an instant. "I've done this before, don't worry." He grinned.
"Oh, is that so…" Cierra flushed red. "Th-thank you, Ein."
"Don't mention it."
Behind them, two other winged people also took off following Ein and carrying someone. Lina lay in Serene's arms and Rose in Ledah's. Ein's wings began to glow softly, and left behind a trail of faint sparkles.
"Wow, that's so pretty." Cierra sighed. "It's breathtaking."
"Huh? What is?" Ein asked, not paying attention to what was behind him.
"Your wings," Cierra replied. "They're glowing."
"Oh, really?" Ein didn't seem to pay attention, but instead navigated his way towards the crystal caverns in Elendia, which was not very far away.
"Um, is this the right choice to make?" Cierra wondered. "I'm suddenly having second thoughts. This would be dragging Soala into this whole mess…"
"I'm sure Soala would be happy to help," Ein reassured her. "And I think that you asking her to help you would make her happy too. Soala's not very confident in her skills, so if you ask her to help I think she'll be grateful."
"You think so?" Cierra looked up at him slightly dreamily. "Gosh, Ein, it feels like you're a completely different person than you were two years ago."
"Really? I don't think I've changed that much." Ein saw the cave below and started his descent slowly. The two behind him followed suit.
"Yeah," Cierra continued. "You seem so much more mature now, although I think you still peek at girls bathing, don't you?" she winked.
Ein flushed and almost dropped Cierra in shock, but regained his balance. "C-Cierra!" he cried. "Wha—"
Cierra just giggled. "I'm just joking, Ein. But honestly, you have grown a lot. I'm starting to feel my age."
Ein touched down lightly on the ground, his face still bright red. "Um, thanks, I guess." He put Cierra onto her feet. A wave of thought rushed across his face and he lifted off again. "I have an errand to run. I'll be back in a jiffy."
"Um, okay." Cierra nodded. The others landed around them. "Don't take too long, or we're going to be firefighters again!"
Ein chuckled. "Don't worry. You just concentrate on convincing Soala to help you." He turned around and flew off.
"Where's Ein going?" Lina chirped as she hopped out of Serene's arms.
"Apparently he has something to do," Cierra replied. "Come on, let's go."
"You're doing the talking, Cierra," Serene teased. "We'll go with you though."
"And we'll stay out here," Ledah added. "Don't dawdle too long. We don't have much time."
"Good luck, Cierra," Rose put in.
"Thanks, everyone." Cierra turned towards the cave and made her way inside, followed by Serene and Lina.
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A/N: Tell me if this chapter feels rushed, because I feel like I didn't spend quite enough time writing it. Ah, me and my habits… I'm just barely making the deadlines I set with just a day to spare.
I know I implied a lot of ExC in this chapter, and yes I intended to do that, but I don't intend to carry it out much further. I wonder if the pairing I have in mind would be interesting? I'm sure quite a few of you can see it coming and can predict what pairing I'm talking about.
I think after the battle with the dragon, it's time to begin the invasion… I'll be using a few OCs (original characters), but I also want to introduce OCs from other fictions (mostly because I'm lazy and uncreative). I won't use anyone's OCs without permission, though.
On the next chapter of The White Wings…
Chapter 25: Magic Battle (Release on August 5, 2007)
Ein returns with a small gift that proves valuable in the fight against the dragon. After some chatter, Cierra finds herself a fighting partner and heads off to battle. How will she fare?