Shackles of Sanctity
"This way," Queen Ismaire directed them, pointing to a dark corridor. Without delay, all of them turned into the unknown nondescript dark corridor. The sound of their feet against the wooden boards made light scraping noises, and their low breathing echoed in the darkness.
"This place is creepy," Ewan whimpered, conjuring a fireball to light up the way.
"Ewan, what did I say about fire-based spells?" Saleh ask sternly. Ewan immediately put out the fireball and hung his head guilty. "No fire spells to be used in wood-based houses right?"
Ewan nodded. "Sorry Master Saleh."
"Here," Queen Ismaire whispered. She stopped before a blank grey stone wall, weathered with age, and icy cold to the touch. "Come here, Marisa."
She went forward immediately.
"Place your hand on the wall and keep it there, palm facing the wall," she instructed. "Yes, do you feel anything?"
She frowned. What the heck is my hand supposed to do? Weave some hocus pocus things into the wall and make it 'open sesame'? "It's…turning a little warm," she said lamely. If she remembered correctly, the heat transfer from her palm to the wall would render the wall warming theoretically. Nothing to be surprised about.
There was no response at first. However, there was a gradual rumbling sound which became louder and louder.
"What?" she cried in astonishment.
The wall started moving. It shifted towards the left, withdrawing and leaving an open hole just large enough for one person to walk through.
"How did I…" she stared at her hand in amazement. It still looked normal, and it certainly felt normal.
Queen Ismaire smiled wisely. "This stone door can only be opened by the touch of a member of the Jehannan royalty." She smiled at Marisa's bewildered expression. "That means it recognizes you as the royal princess, Marisa. It accepts you."
"But…" The blood flowing in my veins are not noble blood. How can this door…respond to my touch? Besides, I came in by sheer chance and I am going to be booted out once this is over, so this door still recognizes me?
"Come," Queen Ismaire gestured. "We must not waste any more time." She led the way into the stone cavern, climbing down the numerous slippery stairs.
Marisa had little difficulty keeping her balance despite the water and algae on the stone steps, but Ewan kept slipping and would have fallen if not for Saleh's hold on his arm, and Gerik had to hold on to the walls at the side to prevent himself from falling.
"Hasn't anyone used these blasted things in years?" he complained after nearly tripping and tumbling into Tethys.
"It is probably opened…" Queen Ismaire calculated. "Once every thirty years? Whenever the new ruler ascends the throne, the Sacred Twins and Sacred Stone are taken out of this cavern."
"So we are going to retrieve the legendary Sacred Twins and Sacred Stone," Saleh breathed. "I never thought…that I would get such a privilege in my lifetime…"
Queen Ismaire laughed. "Not many do."
They went deeper and deeper down, until finally they reached a large cavern. There was the sound of trickling water, and an eerie red light lit up the cavern. Stalactites and stalagmites grew and extended from the ground and ceiling.
"Oww…" she heard Gerik complain as he bumped his head against a stalactite. "Blasted cave limestone things!"
Queen Ismaire's lips curled as she led them towards the stone column in the middle of the cavern, the source of the red light. "The Sacred Twins and Sacred Stone are here."
"Here?" She squinted at the luminous column, trying to find a crack or a crevice where the Sacred Twins could be stored secretly. She ran her hand over the column of stone. It was smooth, and cold to the touch. But there was scarcely a crack anywhere. "Here?" she asked again.
Queen Ismaire nodded. "Stand back, everyone." Waving her sword, she smashed her sword against the stone column with tremendous force. The entire stone cavern seemed to shake and tremble with the force, but the stone column held.
"Ehhh…" Gerik eyed the cavern warily. "Your highness, you sure this is a good idea? This place seems to be on the verge of collapsing into limestone chips."
Queen Ismaire ignored him and brought her sword against the stone for another time, causing another tremour. Frowning, she swung back her sword and slammed it into the stone column once again.
The section of the stone column exploded, sending bits of pebbles and chipped rocks flying like shrapnel onto the floor, but none of the sharp rocks hit any of them. A empty section was revealed in the rock, the source of the red glow. In the empty section were three items, suspended in air as though they were floating in a viscous liquid.
The first was a medallion with a chain of solid gold. There were intricate rune carvings decorating the edge of the medallion. In the middle of the medallion was a solid ruby-red jewel, giving off an unearthly crimson glow. The gem was flawless; it sparkled brighter than a thousand lights. Its cutting was perfect; each facet was perfectly shaped and precisely cut to attain the maximum shine possible. It radiated a form of energy that was at once strengthening and binding at the same time.
"Is that…" Tethys gasped.
"The Sacred Stone of Jehanna," Queen Ismaire confirmed. "Five continents with five different jewels, all set into a wearable piece of some form and craft. Renais possesses the sapphire blue gem, split and set into two bracelets, known as the Solar and Lunar bracelets. Those are constantly worn by Lord Ephraim and Lady Eirika. I hope that Grado has not managed to capture the Renais Sacred Stone. Frelia's Sacred Stone takes the form of a emerald green jewel, and it was crafted into a belt, securely kept in their stronghold. Rausten's gem is unique, for it is a diamond, and it possessed no impurities or colour. Their wise emperor had it made into a royal crown. It is currently worn by the emperor of Rausten. Jehanna's Sacred Stone was, as you can see, made into an amulet of some form, that can slipped over the neck."
"What about Grado's?" Saleh questioned, tense.
"Grado's Sacred Stone takes the form of a black gem. Some say it was a black pearl; others claim that it was merely a large piece of jet or peridot. It was set as the top of their scepter, which is carried by their current king. Grado's gem has always been different from the rest, and some say that is the reason why Grado has never liked the other countries; they feel inferior that their gem was not a precious stone, but rather a semi-precious stone. And thus, they seek to constantly prove their worth and power." Queen Ismaire sighed. "Narrow-minded fools." She took the second item, a tome, from the cavity.
"Excalibur…" Saleh murmured in awe, staring unwaveringly at the tome.
The book was thick, and it had no doubt been around for a long time. However, there was not the faintest hint of weathering and age on the tome. The binding was intricate, and the cover was pristine. Gold patterns were inlaid onto the cover, forming a wind-like shape that promised power and speed.
She inhaled. The tome perfumed the air around it with a divine flavour.
"The power this contains is said to be legendary. However, for centuries, there has not been a single anima magic user in the entire royal family. Fortunately, Sacred Twins do not deteriorate with time, or this time may sadly have disintegrated waiting for someone to understand its runic language," Queen Ismaire said. "Marisa, put the tome in the pocket of your robe and put the amulet around your neck."
"Me?" she asked, surprised. Me? To wear the Sacred Stone and carry the Sacred Twins? Won't they strangle me because I am not royal or something?
"Anyone can hold a Sacred Item, Marisa," Queen Ismaire replied smoothly as she retrieved the last item. As soon as she took out the sword, there was another rumbling sound, and the stone column closed itself, almost like healing a wound, and became a solid smooth column once more.
"And this," Queen Ismaire unsheathed the sword. It made a fine ringing noise. "This is Audhulma, the legendary Ice Blade." She sheathed it again and gave it to Marisa. "Take this and carry it on your belt."
"But why me?" She could hardly understand Queen Ismaire's intentions. Shouldn't she, the queen, carry the Sacred Twins and the Sacred Stones?
"Marisa, obey me," Queen Ismaire commanded. "You are better skilled with a sword. You will have a better time fending off the enemies. The Sacred Twins and Sacred Stone must be kept safe at all times, and they must remain in Jehannan hands. If they fall into others' hands, Jehanna has fallen."
"I…" She hesitated. She could not carry such a heavy responsibility. What if she lost them or anything? Would she not then be carelessly throwing away Jehanna's fate? What if she was defeated? What if she was killed?
"Marisa, do you doubt my judgment?" Queen Ismaire asked sternly.
Yes.
"No." She sighed.
"Good, then carry the Sacred Items as I instruct you to," the queen continued. "Keep the amulet tucked underneath your shirt. No one must know that you are the one carrying the Sacred Twins and the Sacred Stone. Or else they will all try and attack you."
That is very comforting…considering that Audhulma is just like my shamshir in terms of length and width, I am pretty certain that Grado soldiers are all blind and cannot see this elaborate jeweled blade hanging from my belt.
"Why not keep these things here?" She asked. "If the door can only be opened by a member of the Jehannan royal family, the Grado soldiers cannot get in, and thus the Sacred Items are safer here, right?"
"My dear child," Queen Ismaire sighed. "The door can only be opened normally be a member of the Jehannan royal family. However, if you use a ram and slam it, it will collapse eventually just like our gate did. It harbours enchantment; but enchantment can only do so much in the face of the strength of a legion of soldiers. This place is not a secret. They will find it eventually. It is safer to carry it with us. Come, we must proceed to the throne room to guard the royal throne."
They climbed up the winding stone steps once again.
"Marisa." Queen Ismaire grasped her hand. "The reason why I made you carry these national treasures is because I trust you. I have great faith in your ability; I have greater faith in your loyalty. I am the queen; they will most likely target me. I may not survive this-"
"Your highness!" She protested.
"No, Marisa! Listen to me!" The queen dismissed her protest swiftly. "Listen! Grado's forces are not to be underestimated. They are a force to be reckoned with. I don't know how long we can continue to hold out. Given our current rate of casualties, the most we can afford is a few hours. That is if no breakthrough has occurred and there is continuous fighting. I regret that I deployed too many soldiers to the border, but I had little idea of the lightning tactics Grado would use. It is my folly, and I will pay for it. But Jehanna must not fall because of their queen's mistake!" She lowered her voice. "If we are defeated, I want you to run. Go to the stables and saddle Amber. Joshua taught you to ride? Good. Ride for the border and find Joshua at the lower delta of the Pearl River. He will be there. Take these to him, and help him in his fight. Only then may Jehanna survive. Do you understand me?"
She nodded dumbly. She felt as though a heavy burden had just been shoved onto he shoulders. Saddle Amber? Pearl River? Give Joshua the Sacred Twins and Stone? Gosh…how can I ever do this…
"Do you promise, Marisa?" Queen Ismaire demanded.
Owww…her nails are digging into my arm…
"Yes, your highness, I understand." She winced as Queen Ismaire finally released her vice-like grip on her arm.
They walked in silence.
"Your highness," Saleh questioned. "Is it true that the Sacred Twins were once part of a whole?"
Queen Ismaire stopped abruptly, causing Marisa to nearly bump into her. "Why yes. Actually, it was recorded in the historical archives that each pair of Sacred Twins were once a whole, but they eventually split into two. How did you know about this, young man?"
Saleh blushed. "I was reading up about weaponry fusion and the author mentioned that it may be possible to combine the Sacred Twins to form the original weapon. Do you think it is possible, my queen?"
Queen Ismaire laughed. "I do not disbelieve it, but nobody has ever thought about it before. The Sacred Twins are rarely even taken out in the first place, and when they are, it is usually for ceremonial purposes. No one has ever used the Sacred Twins as a weapon."
Saleh continued. "They said that there is some riddle to be solved?"
Queen Ismaire nodded. "The riddle is written on the Sacred Stone itself, but it is complex, and riddled with complications. No on has yet deciphered what is the true meaning of the riddle."
Marisa lifted up the Sacred Stone and stared at the carvings on the side that was inlaid into the amulet. It read:
One a sword like the swiftest falcon,
The other a tome, air moving without return.
Once a bud they split in noble failing,
Shards of a whole, a nation's calling.
Pay a heavy price, if you wish so dear,
The requisites fulfilled the whole awaits to appear.
A drop of Heracles' blood, breaks the iron cuff
Another drop, and away with a huff
Some wisdom of Sir Kai's, even it be gruff
Too much of one, and things may vanish in a puff.
Hand of the saint, wields the golden spindle,
Weaving a tapestry of magic, for the golden cradle.
It matters not the colour of the blood,
Blue is gentle, while red is a flood.
What matters is the traitorous quality,
A question of the hearts' beating loyalty.
"Okay…I think that's written in Greek," Gerik blinked.
"Hmm…it does make some references to ancient folklore, although it is very imprecise," Saleh analysed. "They mention Sir Kai, a Knight of the Round Table. But some wisdom of his? Sir Kai was never known for his wisdom…what could this mean?" He frowned. "Neither did they reveal how exactly do you 'unlock' this puzzle even after you do fulfill the requirements. This is very puzzling."
"No doubt it is," Queen Ismaire agreed. "Or else our forefathers would have long since pieced together our lost Sacred weapon."
"Maybe you can only use it during emergencies," Ewan quipped. "You know, like those fantasy stories when the hero activates the secret trigger in the nick of time and defeat the bad enemies!"
Everyone laughed.
"Ewan!" Tethys smiled. "There's a reason why these are fantasy stories and not reality!"
"Alright, and we are here at the top again-" Queen Ismaire turned and smiled. "Woah!"
Marisa reached out and attempted to grab the queen's hand, but an arm twisted swiftly around the queen's neck and another arm shot out with a dagger, pointing straight at the queen's chest, right above her heart.
"I have been waiting for you," Queen Ismaire's captor smiled.
"Belle?" Marisa could hardly believe her eyes to see her trusted maidservant holding the queen hostage. "Are you-What are you doing? Are you possessed or berserked?"
Belle grinned, revealing her canine teeth. "Neither, I am very sane, thank you very much." She tightened her grip around the queen's neck. "I have an offer to trade her life with you."
She looks the same…yet so different…she's…a spy for Grado? "Who are you?" Marisa asked coldly, gripping the hilt of her shamshir.
"I am still Belle, princess, your handy-dandy little personal maidservant waiting for your every beck and call," Belle mocked. "Just that now, with my comrades infiltrating into your pathetic castle, I can drop that façade."
Traitor. "You betrayer," she spat.
"No sense of honour and shame!" Gerik bellowed.
"To think I treated you well," she said bitterly.
"Making use of Marisa's kindness," Tethys shook her head angrily.
"Deceiving everyone around you," Saleh added, frowning heavily.
"Bitch!" Ewan shouted.
Belle laughed. "You may say all you like, but the victory is mine. The queen is in my hands, and if you want her to continue living peacefully in her pathetic hole of a country, put down all your weapons!"
Nobody moved.
Belle flared and brought the tip of the dagger closer to the queen's heart.
"Put them down or she dies!" she cried furiously.
Tethys stood motionless, having no weapons on her. Then Ewan dropped his tomes. Gerik followed suit, placing his sword onto the ground. Saleh hesitated, but when Belle tightened her grip on the queen's neck and Queen Ismaire made a choking noise, he too dropped his tomes onto the ground.
She stood, staring at Belle defiantly.
"You really don't believe that I can kill your queen happily in one stroke and end her miserable existence?" Belle whispered, shifting her grip so that the blade with directly against the queen's white pale neck. "All I have to do is make a small nick, right here with my dagger, and there will be blood. There will be lots of blood from her jungular artery, and she will bleed to death, slowly and painfully. Can you bear to know that your queen died because of your defiance, Princess?"
She hesitated. Then slowly, she dropped her shamshir to the ground, flinching as it made a steely noise against the floor.
"Your daggers, Princess, don't forget those daggers in your belt," Belle urged. "I have been your maidservant for the past year; I know all the tricks you have up your sleeve."
Damn, those were my backup plan. She bit her lip, but detached the daggers and let them fall freely down to the ground to join her shamshir.
"Perfect!" Belle exclaimed in sick euphoria. "Now we can discuss the terms of our trade!"
"You're sick! You're twisted! You're a psychopath-" Gerik shouted.
"Shut up you fool," Belle hissed, or I will jab this dagger into your neck. All of you, stay out of this. This is between my mistress and I only. Now Princess, I have this deal for you. I release the queen, and let you and your company go safely with your weapons intact. But I want the Sacred Items."
Her hands flew protectively to the Sacred Stone and Audhulma. "No." Queen Ismaire had made her promise to protect these with her life. There was no way she could give them to a psychopath from Grado.
"You would bear to see your queen die?" Belle threatened, holding the blade directly against the Queen's neck.
"Marisa! My life is not important! Protect the-" Queen Ismaire stifled a cry of pain as Belle pressed the blade into her neck as a warning, making a small nick.
"Shut up! I told you to stay out of this!" Belle snarled. "Princess Marisa, are you really not going to give me the Sacred Stone and the Sacred Twins, even as your mother-in-law lies in my mercy?"
"I am very certain you are the last person whom I should give them to," she replied smoothly, tightening her hold on the hilt of Audhulma.
"Oh, you are very certain?" Belle questioned again.
"Very certain." She smiled icily.
Belle laughed maniacally again. "Oh, princess Marisa, you are the world's biggest fool in all truths!"
What the heck is wrong with her? If she wants these, she should pick up her dagger and fight, not stand there, take hostages, laugh and throw insults.
"Do you remember, Princess, how all of them treated you?" Belle smiled nastily. "You were bought into the palace as the prince's wife, Princess. Bought with a chest of gold and silver That makes you nothing more than a cheap woman, doesn't it?"
She clenched her fists tightly at her sides and sneered.
"And after you came into the palace, how were things?" Belle continued. "Everyone seemed subservient to you, but did they actually show you any respect? Did they make any attempt to make your life comfortable? Did they even care whether you were there in the first place?"
She's doing this on purpose, Marisa. Ignore her. You must ignore her.
"And then what happened? The oh-so-faithful prince had an affair, with the cleric Natasha in the medics room!" Belle taunted.
"What?" Gerik roared in anger. "I'll kill him! That heartless-"
"Watch your mouth!" Queen Ismaire snapped. "Don't dirty my son's name!"
"Oh, but I didn't dirty it, my queen," Belle replied. "Your son did it himself. Prince Joshua was having an affair behind the princess' back with Natasha. Everyone knew it. It was common knowledge. Marisa herself knows about it. She saw the box of love letters filled with accusing evidence."
There was a stiff silence.
"Is it true?" Saleh demanded. "Marisa, tell me, is it true? You condoned his faithlessness? Tell me!"
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She nodded.
"How could you allow him, Marisa?" Even Tethys was shocked. "That…that's just unacceptable behaviour and you allowed it?"
"She didn't have a choice," Belle answered in her place. "Did you, Princess? No, she had hardly any power in the palace, because she was never given the due respect, the privilege of power, or the freedom to oppose. She was a pawn, only a lowly pawn in their entire scheme of politics."
She shook her head. It was painful to admit the truth; it was even more painful to hear the truth from another's point-of-view.
"How did it feel like being a pawn, princess?" Belle laughed. "Was it pleasant? Everyday, manipulated by their schemes and interests, was that what drove you to delirium when your father died? Or was that what made you mistake digitalis for your sleeping pills, and sodium selenate for your headache pills?"
You. She was the maniac who switched her pills. She was the one who switched the containers and nearly killed her. You.
"I was helping you, Princess," Belle shrugged. "Better off being dead than another's puppet, right? Your husband cheats on you and bought you like how one would buy a pig in the marketplace. Your mother-in-law would sacrifice your status, reputation and heart just to get another daughter-in-law to bear a child. Your Casanova drops in here and there but is only interested in your money. You have friends, but you cannot be with them. The servants are belligerent. The guards are defiant. You are manipulated like a puppet at a theatrical show. Is your life not miserable enough? Why do you want to add onto your burden? Give me the Sacred Stone and Sacred Twins, and I will help you escape this hell."
She's…right. I was nothing more than a pawn. I knew this a long time ago, but I had no alternate avenue…what do I do? The Sacred Twins felt heavy hanging from her. The Sacred Stone seemed to weigh a ton around her neck. Such heavy responsibilities…thrust upon me by someone who doesn't even care about me…
"That's a lie-" Queen Ismaire began before being choked into submission by Belle. She closed her eyes and panted.
"The Grado Empire will be glorious," Belle said enticingly. "You could always join now. Prince Lyon is forgiving; he will not care that you are the Princess of Jehanna. He will welcome you to his kingdom; he will give you a second chance. No one will ever manipulate or imprison you anymore. You will be your own person."
My own person? When had I ever been my own person? When I was born, I was trained to repay my father's debts. Then I was bought by Joshua as his bride. I obeyed everyone in the palace…against my own willingness, against my own decisions. It is time. I need a part of me back.
Unknowingly, she took a step forward.
Belle's eyes glittered with triumph. "Yes Princess," she continued. "Think of all the happy times you could have. Prince Lyon will reward you; you can have your life back. No more obeying orders; no more annoying mother-in-laws; no one forcing you to do things you don't want to; no more assassinations; no more death threats; no more espionage. All these can be yours."
She took another step.
Despair was written in every line of Queen Ismaire's face. She opened her mouth in a wordless cry of desperation.
"Come to me, Princess," Belle called. "Come to me and be free. Come to me and you will be rewarded with your hearts' desire. Come to me and no more binds."
Yes, no more binds.
"Come to me and there will be no strings tied."
Yes, no more stings tying me back.
"There will be no more pain…"
Good, I don't like pain.
"…no more shackles…"
Yes.
"No! Marisa!" A weight threw himself onto her body, nearly knocking her down. "You cannot be bewitched by her words!"
"Saleh!" She hissed. "Get off me! You don't know what I have been through!" She pushed him roughly onto the ground. "You don't know how I have craved for my freedom this past year. I won't, I cannot let myself live this way anymore."
"Marisa!" He prepared to launch himself at her again.
Without thinking, she unsheathed the legendary Audhulma in a blinding flash of light, bright enough to make everyone look away for an instant. The hilt was cold to the touch, and the blade was sharp and refined. "Saleh, you are my best friend," she said coldly. "Don't stop me." She swung the blade around. "All of you. Keep away."
"Yes…" Belle hissed greedily. She pushed Queen Ismaire against the wall roughly, out of her hold. Her hands were outstretched, fingers itching for the sword. Her eyes glittered with greed and victory. "Give that to me. Come here and give it to me."
The blade was flaming with an icy fire in her hands. She could hardly tell whether it was cold or hot, only that it radiated a sense of power she had never experienced before. The blade was sleek, and a life seemed to pulse through the metal, making it seem as though it was a who and not a what.
She held the sword flat against her palms obediently. The Sacred Stone around her neck scorched her neck. The tome seemed to be tearing a hole through the pocket of her robe.
"Yes…nearer…" Belle could hardly contain the euphoria in her voice.
She moved forward mechanically.
"Nearer…"
My freedom. My destiny. My life.
I want them back.
Belle's face loomed as she moved nearer and nearer.
I want them back.
Author's Note:
I understand that in the GBA version, everything was quite different, like the Rausten Sacred Stone was in their holy temply etc, but just for the sake of the story, I had to make a bit of changes. XD Hope that's all right with everyone.
~snowylavendermist