Chapter 7: The Second Seal
After a bit of walking we found are selves at the Midland Train station. The station wasn't very far from Jolly Roger at all. "Thank you for riding with Filgaia Railway!" The man at the counter said. "Where are you headed today?" he asked, we all looked at the map over head. "Hmm…" Clive whispered looking the map over.
"Hmm…I'm sure we could find out some info in Westwood…" I said pointing to the next station. "Sounds good to me!" gallows said with a laugh. The others nodded as well. "Westwood, please…" Clive said to the man at the counter. "Ok the cost will be 120 Gella…" Clive nodded handing over 120 Gella.
A bit after we got are tickets the train came rolling in. Virginia quickly ran over handing the tickets to the workers. He nodded stepping aside letting us aboard. When that the train took off. Virginia sat by the window watching like a hyper child would. I sat besides her shaking my head a bit.
Gallows sat cross from Virginia and Jet sat cross from me. Clive sat on the other side of the train watching us. "I wonder what Westwood like!" Virginia said with a giggle. "You will know soon, we are about there…" I whispered giving her a small smile. Gallows started to laugh watching her. "I'm sure…it's about the same as other places…" with that out of nowhere. Gallows started patting my leg.
I quickly glared at him; as jet did as well. "Why don't you switch seats with Jet then we can be more then friends…" I didn't like this one little bit, what he was thinking. "Not with you…" I whispered glaring then I slowly closed my eyes.
Gallows' hand started to move up my leg a bit. I felt my body shake. 'Eww' I thought. As I was about to grab his hand; another person did it for me. "Ouch! Let go Jet!" Gallows voice yelled. I opened my eyes; to find jet holding into gallows' arm really tight. "…." Jet didn't say a word as he kept glaring toward Gallows. "Jet!" He cried falling off his seat and into the floor.
"Jet stops that!" It was Virginia. Jet quickly did as he was told. He let go of gallows' arm. "Ouch…" gallows whispered rubbing his arm. I look at Jet giving him a weird look. He did it again, looking out for me. When Jet saw me looking at him; he quickly looked away. And his face turned a bit red again. I could only look confused about the whole thing.
Virginia then patted my shoulder; I slowly turned to look at her. She started to whisper into my ear. "See…! He is protecting you, because he likes ya!" Virginia whispered I started to glare at her as soon as she said that. "Don't start this again…" I whispered with a growl. Even if she was right. But I don't think much of it, unlike another person I know! I was glad we got to Westwood soon after that.
"Ugh about time, we got here!" Gallows said still rubbing his arm. Jet shook his head a bit watching him. "Well we should ask around where the closely town is…" We nodded to Clive. We found a worker at the train station. So we asked him. "Lots of passengers today…I'm glad that group decided to use our station." "I suppose the 'village' nearby has been having some kind of fair." After hearing that we knew a village had to be somewhat close.
"Oh, you hadn't heard? 'East' of here is the village of 'Claiborne.' It's a nice place to visit if don't mind the long walk." We nodded to each other. "I'm pretty sure we can get some good info in the village of Claiborne…" I whispered as the others nodded to me. "But you heard the worker! It will be a long walk!" Gallows cried, not looking too happy about the idea.
"Live with it…" Jet whispered as gallows glared at him. "Well if it a long walk…we should get moving…" Virginia whispered, with that we left Westwood station and started out east for the village of Claiborne. The walk wasn't a long as the worker made it out to be. Maybe only 15 or 20 minute walk to the town. IT was a pretty nice farming town. IT made me think of home, boot hill.
I'm pretty sure Virginia was thinking of home as well. Jet slowly head up to my right said not saying a word just watching me. I don't understand why jet had been acting protect of me again when we were all on the train. But he didn't understand him self. Why…? But he remembers feeling angry watching gallows just touching her leg. He quickly blinked thinking that. Was he jealous then? Wait…why would he be jealous…it wasn't like he like this girl.
He stopped at that thought. He did like her. HE had slowly grown a crush on this girl. He couldn't believe it. He slowly sighed to him self; shaking his head trying to get out of his thoughts. "We should head into the saloon and try to find some information…" We all nodded to Clive. We headed into the saloon. We found the saloon pretty emptily aside from a little girl and a bar made.
We couldn't find any info out in the saloon. But some reason gallows had to start drinking. "Man this stuff ish good!" he said drunky, I rolled my eyes at him. "Aww…don't give me that look! Pretty girl…!" gallows said starting toward me. But somehow he tripped over his own chair falling on top of me. "Get off you're heavy!" I yelled but he didn't. Jet growled a bit and before I knew it; jet had pushed gallows off of me.
Jet really stronger then he looks huh? Gallows was now lying on the floor passed out. "Thanks…" I whispered to jet. I watch him nod to me then look way as his face turned a bit red. I wonder why his face gets red so quickly. I shook my head a bit as I stood up. "Virginia I'm going to go ask around town about some info…" Virginia nodded to me but she had jet come with me for reason.
We head into the arms store first to ask. And I have to say I have great luck. "This village has some legendary stories about the 'eternal sparkle.'" The store owner said. I couldn't believe my ears. "The eternal sparkle…?" I asked looking at the guy. "No one knows what it is, but I hear it got sealed away somewhere at the end of the Great War." "Rumor has it that clues to the whereabouts of this eternal sparkle can be found at the 'ruins by the foothills.'" I was glad we finally found some info; Even if it was very little.
"Ruins by the foothills?" Jet asked stepping up to my right side. I forgot he was with me. Maybe because of how quiet he is. "You'll see mountains 'east' of this village. Search around the foothill and you'll find the ruins." "No one has been able to confirm any truth to this rumor, but I'd prepare before setting foot in there." I nodded to jet; we left the arms store.
"Well it some info…and it doesn't hurt to check it out…" Jet nodded to me. He looked lost in his thoughts. Then again he never normally talks unless he has something to say. I started back toward the Saloon. "Umm…!" I quickly stop and turned to look at jet. "Yes…?" I asked but looked lost for words. "I…err…" Yup he was. Why was he acting all shy? He didn't act this way when I first met him.
"Nothing forget it…" he whispered looking away. "Well…we should head back to the saloon to tell the others what we found out…" jet slowly nodded to me. With that we enter the saloon. "Well…?" Virginia asked walking up to us as soon as we enter. I told Virginia what we found out. From the look that was on her face she liked the info we found. Virginia said we should check it out. I'm sure she was hoping one of the seals were in the ruins. But we would find out very soon; that she was right.
A bit after that outside of town; "Aww…we have to walk more…?" Gallows cried as we started toward the mountain. "It isn't that far!" Virginia said turning around to face Gallows walking backward. From what the guy told us it was far. But nothing far to Virginia; we were about past the train tracks now. And we could see the mountain. "The fun should be around there somewhere…" I said pointing to the area.
Virginia quickly turned around and started running for the area. "Virginia!" I yelled but she keep going. I sighed shaking my head a bit. I watched gallows and Clive quickly run after her. I started toward the three and I could see a ruin standing in front of them. But I took another step I saw a flash of light again.
"Ugh…" I whispered falling into my knees. Jet quickly ran over to me. "Sara!" he yelled but I didn't hear him. My head was pouching again. Am I going to have another vision? I wondered.
FLASH OF LIGHT
"What…?" A man in a robe said. I couldn't see his face. "I can't believe the key is still alive so many years later…" The man finished saying. The key? What is this key a person or item? I didn't understand at all. I slowly started to see around me again. That right…I was by some ruins. "Sara…!" I quickly looked up to find Jet looking down at me. "…Jet?" I asked looking at bit confused at him.
Yup he was giving me a look; he knew something was up now. "Hey!" I voice yelled and we both looked forward. IT was Virginia. "Come on!" "We're going in!" she yelled. I slowly nodded getting to my feet. Me and Jet head over to the three. "You sure you're ok…?" Jet asked, I slowly nodded to him. "Yeah…just a bad head ache hit me…" jet nodded looking away. With that we head into the ruins called Serpent's Coils; With Virginia and the others.
"Be on your guard, everyone." "If the shield that seals the eternal sparkle is located here, there's a good chance Janus might be here, too." Virginia finished saying as we nodded to her. We head into the next room then down some stairs. How these ruins are it felt like a maze; after going down some stairs we when up five more into the next door way.
The next room we found a lock door. But the switch for the door was on a self under it. So with that we jumped down. Virginia walked over to the switch stepping into it. The door slowly open then we heard a women voice. "Why, thank you. I never imagined a rival drifter would be so cooperative." We looked up to found a group of four drifters. And they're leader was some blonde women.
"It's not Janus. But still thugs, none the less." Virginia whispered to us looking at the group in front of us. "Was she referring to me?" A man next to the blonde asked. "This lassie needs to get out more." The blonde said with a grin. "Madam, we must press on…" A cat said at the blonde's feet. "I know, I know…" She said waving her hand at the cat. "Is it still responding on the radar?" The blonde asked a boy beside her.
The boy nodded to her as she looked back at us. "What are you doing here, anyways?" Virginia looked lost by the question. "Huh?" The blonde gave Virginia a weird look. "Did I stutter? I'm sure you're just looking for that shield, anyways. Okay, then. Here's another question." "What makes you think you can find your way around the wasteland?" "What is it that supports you that makes you think you can make it?" the blonde asked pushing some hair over her shoulder.
"What are you talking about? I'm just, me! Stop talking such nonsense!" I shook my head a bit watching the two. "Sounds like you're just another one of those people, who roam the wasteland unprepared and clueless." I watch the blonde shake her head a bit then point toward Virginia. "It's posters like you that give female drifters such a poor rep. I can't stand it!" "One of these days you're really gonna hurt yourself by pretending to be a drifter. I suggest you turn back now!" I watched Virginia fill with hate toward the blonde drifter.
"Pretending?" Virginia yelled holding her hands in front of her self. With that three of the four drifter headed into the open door. "I'm sorry. My sister always speaks her mind. That often makes her come off as harsh." The boy finished saying running inside the door after the three. "I know I'm just starting to take flight, but still…The nerve of her!" Virginia said in a yell somewhat. We had to circle back around to get back up to the door. We enter the door, and walk to the next one on a head over walk way.
In the next door we pulled a switch to lower a bridge then walked to northwest for the next door. WE walked around a circle going up some stairs and headed into the room where we made the bridge. But as we started toward it; the blonde drifter ran in kicking the switch the other way. The bridge when back down. "I know the wasteland is all about competition…But. How low can she go…?" Jet asked. I gigged a bit, he had a point.
We jumped down pushed the switch again. Then had to circle around the room; to head back to get to the bridge so we could move on. After we finally could cross the bridge no thanks to that blonde drifter; we head down some stairs and onward to the next one. We found a frozen switch here. Virginia threw her Tinder Crest at it unfreezing it. Then she pushed the switch opening the door.
I slowly looked over to Gallows. "Freeze the switch so no one can push it back…" gallows nodded to me and did so. We nodded to each other starting down the stairs toward the door. The blonde drifter quickly ran in trying to kick the switch back. But she couldn't because it was frozen. She quickly pushed us aside running inside the door before us. "She sure is rude…" I whispered, the others could only nod to me. We slowly enter the room to find the four waiting for us.
"You are such an eyesore! Who do you think you are, anyways?" The blond asked as soon as we enter. "I may be inexperienced…but I'm doing the best I can! I'm not pretending okay?" Virginia yelled holding her hands in front of her self. "I'm not gonna have you laugh at me when I'm trying my best!" The blond drifter started to laugh.
"You really crack me up! Then why don't you prove just how far your best will take you!" The blond said pointing toward Virginia. With that I stood back; and watched the 8 start they're battle. For two rounds they just fired at the four. The next round Virginia did a heal berry on everyone healing them all for 300 each. The boys did Gatling finishing them off.
"You are tenacious…and stubborn!" The blonde drifter took out a book. "But let's see if you can handle this!" The blond drifter said with a grin. But the boy next to her butted in; "Uh…Sis? Sis!" the boy yelled looking at a small item. "How dare you interrupt me…Since when have you gotten so bold?" The blonde drifter asked looking to the boy. "Anyways, what is it?" the blonde drifter asked still looking at him.
"Sis, the radar's reacting. I think the team that went in ahead of us is making its move." The boy said looking up from the item he is holding. The boy put his item away as did the blonde drifter. "Sorry to spoil the party, but we don't have time to play with you anymore." "Ta—ta…don't hurt yourself." The blonde girl yelled as they ran off ahead. "Wait!" Virginia yelled to them holding her hand out.
"The blonde girl stop in the door way looking back toward us; "The name's Maya Schroedinger, and we are the renowned Schoredinger family. Don't you forget it!" Maya said with a grin. "It's a name you'll be chasing for a long time." She said looking toward us. "I'm…Virginia Maxwell!" she yelled to Maya. Maya turned back facing the door.
"I'll remember it for the time being. But listen…once I turn my head, you better be right behind me. Or else, I'll forget real quickly." Maya waved then head inside. We followed slowly behind them inside to the next door. We head down a long hall way then into the door standing there. We found are selves in the room where the shield was. But where are the other two groups?
We slowly head up toe the wall to grab the shield. "The shield! I think we're the first ones here!" Virginia looked confused after saying that. "Wait…where's Maya and her team? Well, better make the most of this opportunity!" Virginia said with a giggle. Virginia tries to reach the shield but it was too high. "You won't be able to reach it like that. Would you like some help?" A man voice asked. I knew that voice.
I turned to look to see Janus standing there. "Yeah…can you…" Virginia quickly stops and turned as well. "Huh?" She whispered. Janus was standing at the door grinning, "hi there." The others looked as worried as I was. "Oh, man…are they the team Maya was talking about?" Gallows asking looking to us; "Apparently…" Clive whispered placing a hand on his forehead. Jet shook his head a bit.
"Geez…why does everyone hate us…?" Dario asked looking over to Romero. "Well, bro…we have no social graces, just like the boss…" Romero whispered back to Dario. Romero got punched in the face by Janus. "I just choose to work efficiently. And when others don't like it, they 'make a fuss…'" Janus said holding his arms to his side. "Make a fuss…?" I asked pulling out my arms.
"Everybody and their brother are just so blind to their own faults. It's as if everyone is blaming me, making me look like a bad guy." "But the truth of the matter is, everyone just sore they were out witted!" Janus said with a grin on his face. "Now, I get it." Virginia said stepping in front of us. "You feel no pain when you stomp all over people because of the way you think." Virginia finished saying looking angry toward Janus.
"Well of course. I'm the one doing the stomping, so why should I feel the pain?" Janus asked with a big grin on his face. I started to hate this guy more and more. Virginia stepped into the first step in front of us. "Calling you a thug is much too flattering…You have absolutely no moral principles. You're nothing but a scumbag!" Virginia yelled pulling out her arms pointing them toward Janus.
Janus kept a grin on his face as he looked down at his hand. "Sumbag..? That's an understatement!" he pulled out his arms. "Virginia let me…" Virginia slowly nodded to me stepping back. "Hehe sweetheart…" Janus said as the three came toward us. Romero threw throwing stars at all of us. Then Janus did muitblast on us all. I quickly grab a heal berry on all of us healing the group for 300 each.
After four rounds of shooting Romero he when down. Jet did a Gatling on Dario finishing him off. Now only Janus was left standing. "Hehe...not too bad sweetheart..." He whispered grinning at me. I didn't say a word as I kept watching him. I then threw a fire gem at him. "Hehe...you're pretty and strong…" he said running toward me. I quickly stood in defence waiting for his attack.
But at the last second Jet ran in front of me firing at Janus; finishing him off. Janus fell into his knees. As we stood there glaring toward Janus' group; a cat flies in stealing the mash. "Hey, boss!" Dario yelled seeing this. "A cat's got the shield and it's taking off with it!" Janus looked angry and quickly hit Romero in the face. "Idiots! What are you doing standing around? That's no ordinary cat! It belongs to a drifter!" Janus yelled at the two.
We then turn to look at the door as Janus' group did as well. We saw Maya standing there. "We had already confirmed that there were two other teams within these ruins in search of the shield. And oh, how easily we were able to snatch away the goods from both of you." Maya said with a grin. "I was a little disappointed how the notorious Cascade couldn't live up to his reputation. A little anticlimactic; I must say…" Maya said holding the shield at her side. "Tch…Since when did women begin to lost their modesty?" Janus asked holding a hand in front of him self.
"Oh? Women have been living proudly for a long time now. You just need to date more." I couldn't help but laugh inside by what Maya said. "The eternal sparkle is sealed by three shields. Rumor has it that a female drifter is in possession of the crio shield, might that be…you?" Janus asked looking toward Maya. "Bingo…" Maya said with a grin on her face.
Janus was about to attack them but stop in his tracks. "Looks like the odd are against us today. But I just want you to know that we're not giving up on the eternal sparkle." "Have you been to Claiborne? Southwest of there, by the tip of the peninsula, stands an ancient tower." "It's called 'ka dingel.' IT was constructed by humans long ago in effort to reach the heavens, seeking power." "That is where the eternal sparkle is sealed; sealed by the power of the three shields. "Janus finished saying.
"Why, thank you kindly for that information…" Maya said stepping aside letting Janus group go. "I choose to work efficiently, that's all." Janus said waving at the door way. "Even if I am just buying time…" he waved again, just when Virginia ran in front of me. "Stop right there!" she yelled Virginia started after them. But as she got close the ceiling came down. "Ginny!" I yelled but Clive held me back. He stood there shaking his head. We all watch Jet get her out of the way in time. "Whoa…" the boy beside maya whispered. Maya slowly walk toward Virginia.
"I said stop!" Virginia yelled getting up again. As she did Maya smacked her cheek. Virginia slowly placed her hand on her cheek. "You're the one who needs to stop what you're doing." Maya yelled at Virginia. Jet slowly sat up watching the two girls. "But what? They're…" Virginia started to say as Maya stop her. "They do have a bad rep. That goes to show how good they are. That's the way it is in the wasteland." Maya said looking from Virginia.
Virginia didn't care for this. "But…!" Maya quickly place her hand under Virginia's chin. "But what? You think they're the bad guys? Then what is your definition of bad?" Maya asked Virginia. "Just now you did something extreme and endangered your comrade." Virginia looked back to see me helping Jet back to his feet. Virginia quickly then looked back at Maya. "So, by being imprudent and rising the lives of others, doesn't that make you a bad guy, too?" Maya asked Virginia again.
"This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me think you're just pretending to be a drifter!" She yelled letting go of Virginia. Maya started to turn away from Virginia. "No, wait! You're not going to that tower, are you? It's a trap, I know it!" Virginia yelled watching Maya. "Of Course it's a trap it's so obvious." Maya said with a smile. "So it'll be worth the risk to take them up on their proposal." Maya said still smiling toward Virginia. "And the eternal sparkle is sealed there. The stage would be complete." Maya sounded like she like trouble more then Virginia does. Virginia looked toward the ground.
"What was it that I wanted to accomplish as a drifter? I have no idea…" I looked surprised to hear that out of her. "My wings are in place, yet I have no where to fly." I shook my head watching Ginny. Didn't she want to be a drifter to search for her lost father? "This is a hurdle people face when they warder into the wasteland with some romantic idea in mind. Maya then threw the shield in front of Virginia. Virginia slowly looked up at her.
"Just bring the shield and head southwest to 'ka dingel.' There, you'll find neither good nor bad—only the truth about drifters." "Once you face the truth, you'll find your answer okay?" Maya said looking away. Maya was helping Virginia in her own way. A tall man head up to Maya; "Are you sure, milady..?" He asked her. "Yes, she'll be fine. Once she faces the truth, I'm sure she'll stop pretending to be a drifter." Maya waved with her hand turning away. "All right, everyone. Let's get going…" With that Maya group left.
We return to town. But Virginia wasn't her self. Gallows when upstairs to check on her; we were sitting at a table as he came back down. "Our leader's pretty bummed out." Gallows head over to the table sitting down as well. "All we can do is lend a helping hand." Clive said placing his hands on the table. "If she cannot get back on her feet her self, then this is it for her..." Clive said looking around the table. "Well, depending on how you look at it, this was kinda fun. According to them, we were just amusing ourselves pretending to be drifters." I shook my head a bit hearing gallows say that.
Jet sighed putting his arms behind his head. "Well…what now…?" He asked closing his eyes. "That is up to the leader to decide…perhaps she had already made up her mind…" I slowly nodded to Clive. "And what of you Ms. Sara?" Clive asked. "If she gives up. I have to take her back home as I promised…" Clive nodded to me.
"And if she doesn't…?" Gallows asked as well. I shook my head. "I have to keep watching over her then." Gallows grinned a bit. After a bit we heard foot steps coming down the stairs. It was Virginia. We all turned to look at her. "Are you feeling better?" Clive asked. She slowly nodded to him. "I'm fine now. And…I'm sorry…" All of us shook are heads at her. She bowed to us. "I became a drifter, thinking that maybe my arms could help people in need…but I didn't have a purpose or goal as a drifter. That's why she said I was pretending. How I put everyone in danger. Please forgive me…" Virginia said still bowing to us.
I watched jet roll his eyes. "So, did you figure out what you want to do in the wasteland..?" Clive asked still looking toward Virginia. "Yup, ah, wait…maybe not..." I shook my head at her again. "Which is it?" Jet asked looking angry. "Well, I'm not confused anymore. I know why I need to continue traversing the wasteland." Virginia was about to start another speak.
"Looks like we were spared a depressing sob story." Gallows said holding a hand up. "Of course! I may have been depressed a little while ago, but I'm not gonna let it end like this. So let's all…" Virginia started to say. "…Continue on as a team, and see this matter through." Clive finished for her. Jet shrugged. "We haven't made much money yet. I can't drop out now." Jet whispered with his face in his scarf a bit.
"Hey, we're all invited guests. Let's do this together!" Virginia nodded to the others. She slowly looked over to me. I then nodded as well. "Thanks, everyone…Let's hurry to the southwest tower, Ka Dingel!" Virginia said with a giggle. With that we were off again into more trouble.