Memory Of Light Waves
By Firestarr
Chapter Eleven – Darkness of Geffenia
At the crack of dawn the King was escorted by a fleet of paladins back to prontera that dawn, I'ved watched the torch lit because of the thick fog covering we hardly can't see what lies before us because of the thickness. The rest of the cavalry was given orders to secure Geffen city as well.
My eyes were heavy becausei haven't slept the whole night at the watch tower, Lyan let me straddle on his feathered steed as I kept my self covered underneath my thick cloak he kept on asking why I didn't slept the whole night I didn't answer
Since Lyan's fleet was sent out in the city half of it was to scout the nearby slopes near the highlands of glast heim since there were thick rain clouds that morning we have no choice but to stop over the valley just right across the next foot hill heading to the bridge of the city we've set up for camp that day.
It must be near noon but still the fog was hick maybe because the other side of the hill is Glast heim that's why clouds were dark and still rained. Jhayz and Gunner seemed so quiet that morning as if they looked at me and wanted to say something but Lyan was always there observing. It felt awkward
"Something is wrong? What's with those two?" I asked myself. Since hayz has been exchanging glances with me. But I didn't mind it at all.
Some knights set up their tents as well as Lyan and Gunner set up our tent
The head Knight called for the other knights to gather around a bon fire a few meters away from their tent.
"Lyan you need to go there" Gunner said fixing the rest of the tent as Lyan discard his pack from the saddle.. Valenarr sat at the small fire camp to keep her warm still sleepy. Gunner looked behind as Lyan joined the group of knights in the meeting.
"Psst… valenarr…" Gunner whispered
"huh?"
"Vale.. I need to talk to you.." Gunner added in a low voice
"what?... what is it about?" she asked and move d near Gunner.
Jhayz went in carrying some pile of fire wood. "Gunner shut up… don't talk about it here.." Jhayz warned him and looked behind the group of knights while Lyan was paying attention to what they were discussing.
"What's goin on?..." she asked looking at them questioningly
"Something wrong? I notice the three of you were talking while I was behind there what is it?" Lyan went back to them and the two became quiet
"Nothing really… …. We need more firewood it's freezing out here I 'll just get some my self " she said and stood up from her seat
"I'm coming with you……I'll help you out" Jhayz offered Lyan looked at him questioningly " I'll just get some coals along the way when I find one.
"Let's go all three together.. just incase..we encounter something" Lyan said and went back to his men to tell them to wait for him
"Vale… don't trust what you see" Jhyaz said to Valenarr quickly while Lyan was away.
"What?" She asked confused but Lyan came back and he didn't has the chance to say it all.
"Gunner you stay here we'll be back" said Lyan
they manage to get fire wood along the way a couple of old wood and some iron ores and coals. Jhayz remained silent afterwhat he said to Valenarr Vaelnarr tried to look at him but he looked away avoidingly. It was uneasy for her. Still thinking what he meant by it. But Lyan remained cautious with her every where she goes following her footsteps.
"Vale…. "
"yes? What is it?" she asked Lyan who seemed to uncertain to answer and sighed.
"nothing… i.. just… " he paused for a while. Valenarr went up to him and hold his hands "Something bothering you..?" she asked
Lyan kissed her forehead and looked at her "What ever happen to me … please for give me….." he said and embraced her tightly
"What… why Lyan ? thisis not like you" she said
"I'm … just … afraid…" he said softly
"Afraid of what?" Lyan let go of her and smiled " Nevermind let's get some fire wood and head back already.
They head back to the edge of the forest Gunner approached them seemed so worried
"Lyan.. I …I… ". Trying to catch his breath after chasing them in the woods.
"Gunner what's wrong? Get a hold of yourself...". ,then he looked at Lyan and looked behind towards Valenarr. She seemed so confused.
" She's here………' Gunner exclaimed. For a moment Lyan remained silent. Then behind Gunner.
"Lyan?...!" a priestess appeared behind the bushes and embraced Lyan tightly.
There was a chill in Valenarr's veins it was the priestess she saw in the tavern in prontera.
Jhayz and Gunner remained motionless . as the priestess wrapped her arms around the knight, Lyan can't even glance behind to look art Valenarr. He put off her arms and sighed.
" Aelyn…. What are you doin here?' He asked
"I heard you were in Britonian that is why I went to Geffen and went with the other cavalry." She said and looked and smiled coldly.
"Who is she?.." she asked
"… She's.. Valenarr…." Jhayz interrupted
Quickly Jhayz Grabbed Valenarr's hands and pulled her close to him . Jhayz could almost feel the rogue's heart breaking into pieces .
"Hello nice to meet you….. I'm Aelyn im Lyan's fiancé"
for a moment there she wasn't able to speak
"…Let's go back to camp.." Lyan insisted, Vale remained silent the whole day as Jhayz and Gunner felt pity for her. She made herself busy as she also trained herself the whole day with Gunner. She kept herself busy. Sometimes she could see Aelyn embrace and kiss Lyan from a far. She didn't mind.eventhough Lyan was trying to keep her way from seeing it he acted a bit cold to his fiancé, he would just walk away and sooner they would argue.
But Lyan remained silent the whole day and instead he would just go withhis feelow Knights and train himself. Leaving Aelyn at the tent preparing suppr for that night.
That night there was a falcon sent to the city of Geffen and return to its hunter in the camp. There was a message that some citizens of Geffen returned back to castle britonina because Geffen tower was haunted there were rumors that hordes of monsters attack from geffenia to the tower.
The city itself wasn't that safe Lyan and the rest gather around as they were given orders to go in Geffen.
As they prepare for their departure …..
"We need to head back to Prontera , Aelyn you cannotcome with us." He said
"Why can't I? you think it is much safer in Prontera. I'll be much of help for all of us."she said .. Lyan didn't want to argue with Aelyn. Instead he went inside his tent and Aelyn followed. The two of them were arguing.. as the three was trying to finish their supper before leaving that night. Not even one spoke a word.
"I'll go ahead and prepare things for myself" Gunner said.
"what about you?" Valenarr asked Jhayz "No I'll just keep you company for a while..
somehow they can over hear the two arguing inside the tent, Aelyn even mentioned Vale's name.
"Don't mind it Vale.. that is what I'm tryingto tell you.." Jhayz said
"……You know Jhayz.. you don't have to tell me there's nothing between us…I'm still looking for someone." she exclaimed
"the assassin… you were looking for?.. Vale….
"Jhayz… I need to survive for myself.. thanks guys… if it wasn't for you I would have died in thedesert and look at me im a rogue … thank youfor covering me this morning ..Aelyn doesn't have to know about me and Lyan"
"Vale… Aelyn was cheating on Lyan.. we all know thatsince Lyan was desperately looking for you for a long time.."
"I know Jhayz I saw her with someone else…….i don't blame her . if she's cheatingon him Lyan is lying to himself too.. He has her and still he was looking for me "
Jhayz didn't answered she was right every word she said was true even she sounded so hurt. Valenarr stood up and helped Gunner.
They flee into the night and as they near the city it was a total darkness its true the whole city was deserted a few houses were still occupiedbut it's residence doesn't bother to welcome any of them instead they would shut the doorand close the windows.
"I guess we aren't welcome here men." Said by the head knight . suddenly there was a loud neigh echoed across the foggy streets of Geffen.
"Nightmare…! Everybody arm yourself " the head Knight gave orders to scout across the city and Lyan was orderedto come with them
"Aelyn you stay here .. Jhayz keep her company" He said while starddled on his peco peco .
"No I won't I'm coming with you"
"Aelyn it's dangerous. It'sbetter if you stay with Jhayz and the rest." Lyan insisted and left.
" Lyan is right Aelyn we have to wait for orders.." Vale said
"Order…! I'm not talking to you vixen!" Aelyan yelled at Valenarr
"Hey hey… you got some nerver to call me vixen you don't know me priestess!" Valenarr hot back as Aelynwalk towards her her hands on her hips.
"Ladies… stop that…!" Jhayz yelled at them Valenarr looked at Aelyn coldly and she put her hands in her hips revealing her saber.
"What will you do ROGUE!.. stab me with your blade, you are just a rogue as savage like an assassin!" she mocked her
"Hey watch it Aelyn watch your mouth!" Gunner said
"You despicable priestess! You don't even know it's an honr to be a rogue and youdon't know what is an assassin… its better to fight than to flirt with a group of crusaders in a tavern as a holy servant of the church!' Valenarr smirked.. Aelyn was surprised to what she said and was almost going to slap her. But Valenarr grabbed her hand
"Aelyn!" Jhayz pushed her away.
"DON'T TRY ME PRIESTESS.. YOU DON'T' KNOW ME BU I KNOW YOUR LITTLE SECRET!" valenarr yelled
"Valenarr shut up!" Jhayz said
Aelyn laughed "That goes to you to Aelyn if you are no help youwill be a burden to all of us..!" Jhayz said to her.
She pushed away his hand "I'll go with Lyan by my self!" Aelyn ran off heading over the thick fog to the direction where Lyan went
"Aelyn!...' Jhayz said
"This is my fault….ii shouldn't argue with her.." Vale said
"You shouldn't have mind her… she is just like that …. Rude and conceited for a priestess ,because of Lyan's shining glory in Valkyrie she acts like a queen "
Jhayz said
"What's goin on?" Lyan went back to them "Where is Aelyn!" he asked
" Your Fiance here said foul words to Valenarr and ran off!" Gunner said
" I didn't mean to she mocked me for heaven's sake.."
"Vale.. what the hell is this about .I don't know what this is about but I know you're responsible for this!" Lyan said.
"Lyan!... She didn't done anything! Shut up!" Jhayz yelled at him
"STOP!... I will look for her ifthat would make you happy!" Valenarr quickly leftand dissapered before them..
"Valenarr!"" he shouted and quicky they went towards the western road.. leading to the tower.
Lies.. he lied to me.. I'm so stupid…. I should haven't trusted him..
she said to herself as she walked across the dark hall in the tower. She didn't shudder in fear but her mind was set into thinking.
Why do I have to bother to look for her here..she insulted me from head to foot …. But yet… she is defenseless… even if I'm in her shoes and found out for myself that Lyan was traveling with a woman maybe I feel the same way…… now I feel guilty … If Lyan wouldn't have lied to me… why does he have to.. since he have Aelyn already he shouldn't have looked for me….. but if he didn't looked for me I must have died in Lutie…
Snap out of it Valenarr.. maybe thisis the only way I can repay him if I found Aelyn then I have payed my gratitude for him saving my life… I should not rely on others.
Valenarr soon torealize that it was all fate that's why it brought her at her place now.
There was aloud niegh across the otherside of the dark tunnel "What is that!" she quickly armed herself and as she walk towards into the tower . suddenly there where huge spiders fell off from the ceiling
"Argiopes!" It was Aelyn and quickly she casted a bright red pillar of light " Quicly Valenarrinto the safety wall!". The rogue dashed quickly and reached for aelyns' hand as the large Argiope wasn't able tp break into the pillar shield.
"Valenarr forgive me what I've said.." Aelyn said
"I understand… because I know how you feel if I'm in your place" she said.
"Thank you.. I feel helpless when Lyan leaves me.. I know you saw me back in Prontera…"
"People make mistakes believe me.. it will be alright …. We have to go back this is not a safe place" Vale insisted.
As the two crawled behind the pillar of light blocking the argiope 's attack there was a purple light at the end of the tunnel on their right side.
"there;'a a light it must be a way out!" Aelyn said. But suddenly the purple light was like a flame as it move closely…. Totheir direction..
thre were galloping footsteps and a large howl of neigh.
"That is not a way out run!" Quickly Valenar grabbed Aelyn's hand as the night mare was about to catch them blazing in its deadly aura of fire. Valenarr try to aim shot with her arrows against the ghost beast but it missed.
"Silver arrows Vale… It's a spirit monster!" Aelyn warned but they continued to run. . Aelyn tumbled and rolled down to a small edge by the end of the dark tunnel. "AHHHH! Valenarrrr! Hold my hand!" She yelled as the rogue caught her grip. Theend of the tunnel was a dark thundering sky..
"Geffenia….. The lost city…. Aelyn we have to get out of here!" she said and she pulled up Aelyn but the rocks crumbled as the Nightmare was about to catch them the edge of the tunnel crumbled and even Valenarr loss balance as the two ladies fell off from the crumbling floor..
as the surface began to collapse. Valenarr lost conciousness as Aelyn got separated from her by a debris of rock that crumble from above
"Valenarr are you alright!' Aelyn called her name. as she was trying to remove the rumble of rocks between them and saw her lying beyond her reach, " Valenarr…… Valenarr…" she climbed off from the ruble of rocks.
Suddenly there was a sound off stone rolled across the floor. "Is someone there?" Aelyn tried tolook clearly she think she saw something beyond the thick cloud of fog of geffenia.
"is someone there?" Aelyn notice someone as pitch black behind the shde of the fog. A young man it was too dark to see it.
"L… Lyan?" she called but he didn't answer. Valenarr began to wake up
" Aelyn, aelyn where are you?" she called
"Valenarr im here…" Aelyn said… as slowly she move closer.
It wasn't Lyan "are you hurt sir?" she asked but he didn't answer.
Valenarr then climbed out of the rubble and aelyn called her "valenarr hurry here.. there's a wounded swordsman…" Aelyn said
"swordsman?...THE DOPPELGANGER! no NO AELYN!" quickly Valenarr leaped and dashed towards aelyn's direction " Get out of there… there's no living soul here..
then suddenly the phantom swordsman was almost about to strike Aelyn with his blade.. the a clash of light block it quickly Valenarr was able to block his strike and pushed the phantom away. But the dopplelganger's strike was strong even she manage to block him and mad ehim fall back.. it cause her to loss her balance and her saber was thrown across from her reach.
"Valenarr!" Aelyn quicly satarted to cast her spell shield on her "Kyrie Elysion!" a glow of light beam around valenarr's place as it shielded her from the doppel ganger's second blow. Then the doppel turned to the other direction. To reach for valenarr's saber..
no he he will us e it against me….. no its not me!
"Aelyn Run! Save yourself!" Valenarr tried to get on her knees but her foot was stuck in between a rubble she slipped.
"Aelyn run!" she yelled.. fear almost made her cry out for help Aelyn can't hear her she was already chanting an exorcisimus spell
"Aelyn!. Run….. ! Please!" Quickly valenarr pulled out her leg and got on her knees quickly.
"NO!..."
"MAGNUS……….EXORCISI……………. ACK……." Aelyn shudder in sudden pain
the doppelganger pierced thesaber across her chest.. " Foolish priest.." the phantom whispered.. . as blood dripped by the side of her lips in agony " I will still win… demon… for rune –midgard.." she cried as there was a glow of whit light underneath them . a cluster of light and sparks came out..
as the Doppel quickly let go of thesaber pierced unto her chest. Aelyn's body fell on the floor.
"No!Aelyn!" Valenarr cried in horror as she quickly pulled aelyn's body out of the exorcism light. The doppelganger's body glimmered in the light as a horrfying scream echoed the whole geffenia. Valenarr looked away from the light. The ground began to shake as the spell killed the phantom swordsman..
"Vale…" Aelyn whipered. Valenarr began to cry "Please don't speak this is all my fault and with my own saber got you killed…" she sobbed.
"Vale… please. Stop crying.. its all over.. I am weak you are strongand will survive" Aelyn uttered.
"Aelyn.. you are not weak… you killed that monster with your very own hands.. your own life.. you are one heroine." She said and pulled out the saber from her chest she winced in pain. "…. You're bleeding fast… can you heal yourself?please heal yourself you are stronger than you think you are.."
"Valenarr I can't I used all my spirit power in my last spell. I guess.. I will leave everything to you… vale.. listen to me.. I love Lyan so much…. i am so protective to him trying to be strong like him. But I can't .. forgive me Valenarr……….. Don't be like me…… I failed to protect my Love one……." Then her eyes closed as her hand fell on the floor.. she died
"Aelyn!...no……. " Valenarr cried " I Failed .. too.. but you manage to stay with him but…I lost him never saw himfrom them if he is still alive or not". She cried and took her sword as she stood up.
"no…….Valenarr……" it was lyan he seemed so horrified to see Aelyn's body lying lifeless on the ground.
"Lyan .. I wasn't able to save her………."
"Liar…………! You KILLED HER! I SAW YOU PULL OUT THE SWORD FROM HER BODY! "
"No IT'S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS… THE DOPPEL…."
"..THE DOPPEL GANGER WHERE?... ALL I SEE IS YOU HOLDING THAT BLOODY BLADE OF YOURS!"
Suddenly the group of knights sawevrything they remained silent as well as jhayz and Gunner .
"Jhayz… Gunner you got to believe me…. I didn't do this….." valenarr cried as a group of Knights took the sowrd in her hand and seized her..
"No please!1 Lyan……….. Believe me…….. look in my eyes!" Valenarr cried but Lyan looked away as he carried Aelyn's lifeless body.. Valenarr was seized by knights and was dragged as the leave.
"Jhayz.. please….. !" Valenarr caught Jhayz sleave " Vale… i…. know you wont do this… but I can't help you…….." jahyz moved away and turned back on her..
"Gunner Jhayz……………… Lyan!..." The helpless rogue cried as she was taken away.