Chapter 41: First Pillar, Finally opens up his eyes
"…I thought this would happen when she felt that huge energy…" Halle said as she slowly shook her head. "…what-What happened to Sara?!" Virginia asked. "I will explain…it was only a matter of time before it came out anyways. But…Shane please helps the shaman back inside the house and gives her the special med I made for her." Halle told her youngest grandson. "Yes, Grandmother! Right away!" Shane yelled helping Sara back into the house.
She lied to me…she said.
I'm alright. But…she wasn't alright at all. And I felt angry knowing that. So angry…how could she?! How could she just lie to me like that?!
I quickly ran after Shane as he entered the house with Sara. "Jet!" Clive yelled to me but I ignored him. Halle slowly shook her head a bit. "That boy is too head strong…but I guess it cannot be helped. After all he is worried about the Shaman…" Halle said with a sigh. "…what is wrong with her?" Clive quickly asked. "…The shaman has the sickness all the other shaman had." Halle quickly told the three. "Had? You don't mean…Granny…" Gallows started to say.
"Indeed I do mean that. The young shaman…is slowly dying…" Halle whispered to the three.
---
"Please take these Ms. Sara." Shane said handing some pills over to me. "Thank you…" I whispered to him as I quickly took them. "You-you don't need to thank me….I just wish I could do more to help you." Shane said with a sigh. "No…you have done more than needed as it is…so don't push yourself." I whispered to the young boy. "Do you feel better now?" Shane asked. "Not really…that huge dark energy in the air isn't helping me…it could even be making me feel weaker…" It felt painful to breath. It was so painful. But why is it painful? Just to breath in and out?
I could hear Melody's words so clearly right now. Maybe because…it was truly painful and…because the others now knew…that I wasn't alright.
Would he be angry with me?
Just then I heard footstep running up the stairs. "…what is that sound?" Shane asked out loud as the door quickly opened. Jet stood there trying to catch his breath. "Jet? Are you alright?" Shane asked him. Jet glared at me. He was far over pissed. He was far over angry. "Leave." He whispered to Shane. "What?" Shane asked. "I said leave! I need to talk to her alone!" Jet yelled at the young boy.
I always needed time on my own…
"A-Ah…yes. S-Sure…" Shane whispered and quickly hurried out of the room. But…why did he have to take out his angry on poor Shane? He didn't do anything wrong. Jet quickly closed the door after Shane left the room. "…Why? Why can't you trust me?" Jet asked staring toward the ground. "…But I do trust you! I really…" I started to say.
I never thought I'd need you there when I cried…
"Bull shit!" Jet yelled toward me. I stared shocked toward him. "If you trusted me! You wouldn't say, 'I'm alright.' When you aren't! You don't trust me at all do you?!" Jet asked in a yell. He…He was hurt so….I couldn't blame him for acting as he really was. "If…you really…truly trusted me! You would have told me what was wrong with you!" Jet continued.
And the days feel like years when I'm alone…
"…What's wrong with me?" I asked him staring down toward the bed. "yes." Jet quickly said. "…what would you say…if I said. I'm drying?" I asked him. "…what?" Jet asked out of shock. "I'm drying from the sickness that killed off the shaman race." I quickly told him. "…can't Halle give you med to cure…" Jet started to ask. "There is no cure…" I quickly told him.
And the bed where you lie….
Is made up on your side.
---
No…No cure?!
"…that-that can't be true." I quickly whispered to her. "…The sickness awakens within the shaman when he or she battles the demons who have been after Filgaia for hundreds and hundreds of years. They're energy or should I say Aura is what makes…us sick. It acts like a heavy poison to our bodies. An uncureable one. That slowly kills us from the inside out." Sara said clinging to her chest. Then…right now…she could hardly bear it. It…must be painful.
But…why do I always…? Why…can't I protect her from anything?
She's drying…and there is nothing I can do to help her?
No…that isn't right. That isn't fair.
"Sara I…" I slowly shook my head even at a time like this. I couldn't do it. It…wouldn't be fair to her. I-I didn't want to give her anymore worries then she had right now.
Why…is she cursed with an ill fate?
"You don't have to say a word…I'm sorry for not telling you. But…I didn't want to worry you, Jet." She told me. Didn't want to worry me? She really has no idea, does she? "Idiot…" I whispered to her. "What?" She asked. "Do you even know how fucking worried I was when Lee halt and the others kidnapped you?!" I asked her as I quickly turned away from her. "What?" She asked again. "I…I was scared. That I wouldn't ever see you again. I…I couldn't stand it. Ever second…that pass by…I thought I would go crazy." I told her. I felt heat quickly take over my face.
When you walk away…
"…Jet just what are you trying to say?" Sara asked me. "N-nothing just I was worried that's all. I-I should go…" I quickly said quickly leaving the room.
I count the steps that you take…
I wanted to punch myself as soon as I got outside of the room. "I'm an idiot…" I whispered to myself. Why…? Why had I just stopped there? I sighed to myself as I quickly headed out of the house. I could see Virginia crying even from this far away Halle had told them.
"…We need to stop that energy to help Sara…" Virginia whispered staring toward the ground. "Leader are you alright?" Clive asked her as I stop by them. "I'll be fine…let just go…" Virginia whispered hurrying out of town. Clive and Gallows hurried after her.
"Poor Child…" Halle whispered. "Is it true they're no cure?" I asked Halle. "…I'm sorry to say it's true. No cure is known. And many potions have been tried and none have worked." Halle told me. "…" I quickly hid my face in my scarf. It felt like I was trapped in a bad dream…that I couldn't get out of. "…try not to show that face before the shaman. She needs someone to support her now, more than ever." Halle told me.
"…She doesn't need me to do that. She better off with Virginia for support…" I told Halle before leaving town. "…No, she wants you to support her child. Why is that so hard to see?" Halle asked out loud.
Do you see how much I need you right now?
---
When you're gone…
The pieces of my heart are missing you…
Soon after we exit Baskar colony. We climbed into Lombardia and headed toward Jolly Roger. I bit east from Jolly Roger was where we found it. We found the tower called Demondor pillar and quickly headed inside.
When you're gone…
The face I came to know is missing too…
But when we got inside it was hard to tell what this tower was really made of. "What the…? What is this, an organic machine, or a mechanical organism?" gallows asked looking around the room. "A structure that's half tissue, half machine…it's almost as if we're inside a demon…" Virginia said shaking a bit. I…I didn't like this place at all. I slowly shook my head a bit. "I feel as if this place is trying to repel me…pretty good observation for a Filgaia Sample, huh?" I asked hiding my face in my scarf. "In any cage, let us press forward to see what this place is all about." Clive quickly said changing the subject.
When you're gone….
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day…
Why would she want anything to do with something that isn't human? It was a hopeless matter. It was a good thing I didn't tell her, after all.
And make it okay…
I miss you.
We made our way north into a door ahead of us. In this room, we headed north where we found some spike in the way. Clive used a bomb on the cracked one and made a hole for us to continue on our way north into a door. In this room I used my Radical sneakers to lower a platform then Virginia used her change crest on a white gem across from us to get us to the other side. Then we entered the door there. IN this room we just followed a path up and entered a door at the top.
In this room there we're many more platforms and white gems. Virginia used her change crest on them to get us to the other side. In this room we just followed another path up and entered a door at the top. We found three more spikes in this room. First gallows used his freezer doll of them. Then Virginia used her Tinder Crest on them. Then finally Clive used bombs on them. And we continued on our way.
We followed another path up and into a door at top. But then, we entered the middle of the next room…we're attacked by a monster. The monster was weak to light. So Virginia summoned Stare Roe on it then we finished it off with a Gatlings or two.
I've never felt this way before…
After finishing off that monster was saw other monsters inside tubs around the room. "I can't imagine what would happen if these things were let loose all at once…" Virginia said looking around the room. "Yeah, even a rewriting machine like me might have some trouble taking care of these suckers…." I quickly said staring toward the floor. "Jet…don't be little yourself like that. We're a team…your comrades don't think of you like that…" Virginia quickly said to me. It angrier me…how could she understand this feeling?! Feelings…as you're a puppet of someone's. And that someone was pulling all the strings from the shadows.
Everything that I do…
"These suckers were created just like me. And we share a common trait. We have no memories of this planet." I quickly said. Just then I felt gallows quickly grab me by the shirt. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself! When did we ever treat you like a machine, huh!? C'mon tell me!" Gallows yelled to me. Virginia quickly pushed us apart. "At lease you have a reason to fight…Beatrice used your brother as a pawn. But what do I have? Nothing! I've tagged along with you this far without a memory of this planet, or a reason to fight!" I yelled back to gallows.
Reminds me of you…
"None of us had a reason to fight when we first started…but if fighting and living are synonymous, then everyone must have a reason. Filgaia's in danger…isn't fighting for Filgaia, where you live now, reason enough?" Virginia asked me. I sighed to myself. I…had gone too far, haven't I? "Sorry…I don't know what got into me…" I quickly whispered. "A reason to live might be hard to find on your own, but we might be able to find it together. Do you still remember when we promised to help find your memories? I'm sorry…I don't think we can keep that promise, but instead…we'll find you a reason to live. So let's get through this battle together…" Virginia said as she smiled toward me.
"…Okay…" I whispered back to her.
And the clothes you left…
They lie on the floor…
And they smell just like you…
I love the things that you do.
A reason to fight…A reason to live. The two go hand in hand. Is it selfish to fight for one person over the whole world? Maybe so…but back then I picked her again. I chose to protect her. From so many things. It was what I wanted to do. And still that what I want to do.
Soon we headed north into a door. But even after hearing Virginia's words. I couldn't help but wonder something.
Can an Artificial life-form really have a reason to live…?
In this room I saw a switch under the path so I threw my boomerang and hit it then the door at the top of the stairs opened. We made are way up the path and headed inside. IN this room we just followed a path north into a door. In the next room we found three more spikes on the path. Again Gallows used his freezer doll on them. Then Virginia used her Tinder crest on them; and finally Clive used a bomb on them. Then we continued on our way north to three more spikes doing the same thing again then entered the door.
We carefully followed the path in this room missing the snakes moving on the path then entered the door to the northeast. In this room Virginia used her gale crest to get us to a lower platform then I used my radical sneakers on a jump pad to get to a higher platform then we entered a door on that platform. In this room we just followed a path north and entered a door at the top.
When you walk away…
But as we entered his room we found a weird machine with lightning coming from it. "Could this be…" Gallows started to ask. "I was unable to confirm any type of control device up until now…but I believe this, receives orders from remote locations, to mass produce monsters automatically…" Clive quickly said. "Then if we destroy it, we can stop the production of monsters!" Virginia cried. Pulling out her arms but Clive quickly stood in front of the machine.
"Please, not so fast! If this is a receiving device, then the dispatcher must be the information library Hyades…we may still be able to extract the lost wisdom from Hyades, before we destroy it!" Clive yelled toward us. "But we have to stop this now, or else new monsters will be unleashed all over Filgaia! We can't let that happen!" Virginia yelled back to him. "Yes, I understand but…" Clive whispered. A barrier quickly pushed Clive away from the machine.
I count the steps that you take…
Then the dream demon appeared before us. Beatrice appeared before us. "Phew…that was close…I didn't think you'd make it to the control devise so soon…but thanks to your indecision, I was able to deploy the barrier in time. Now, no one can stop the Demondor pillar." Beatrice said with a laugh. "I appreciate all you've done for me. Like getting rid of the prophets…and Siegfried for that matter. And showing me Filgaia's powers sealed away within that child. Thanks to you my plan is running smoothly…" Beatrice said with a grin.
Was…her target truly Sara's power then?
"What is it that you want and what are you planning to do!?" Virginia asked Beatrice. "My wish has been the same over the past one hundred years…I want my own world…I don't wanna live inside the boring library anymore…I want another Filgaia…one where I can live…" Beatrice told us.
Do you see how much I need you right now?
Her…true target was Filgaia its self. But to do so…she needed power. Was that why she targeted Shane and others?!
"Now, I understand! That is how you backstabbed my master and reduced him to despair!" A voice yelled after behind us. We looked shocked as Asgard entered and broken the barrier down. "How dare you, Golem! But my plan for, creation cannot be stopped by the destruction of one Demondor Pillar!" Beatrice yelled before she disappeared.
"Asgard…" Virginia whispered to the Golem. "Now, it's time to settle our score…" Asgard said as he turned toward us. We had to fight him again? Why? Why when his masters were gone. "What are you doing!? You know very well there's no more reason to fight!" Virginia yelled to him. "But there is! Fighting is my reason for existing!" Asgard told us. As he came toward us. It took about two to three Gatlings to take him down. "As a golem created to act as my master's shield…not once did I regret this life…" Asgard told us as we brought him down.
When you're gone…
The pieces of my heart are missing you…
"All my memories I have accumulated from battle. They maybe nothing but simple battle data, but this has granted me a heart. These memories helped me to discover pride and joy during battle! I was able to feel alive! Because of these memories, I had hope for tomorrow." Asgard told us. "Memories…that's what I lack…that's what makes me an oddity even through we're both creations…" I said staring down at my hands.
When you're gone…
The face I came to know is missing too…
"You consider yourself an oddity because you turn your eyes away from the truth and refuse to accept it." Asgard told us. I quickly glared toward the golem. "You say you have no memories. But you are just using that as an excuse." Asgard words hit me hard. Because he was right. I was using it as an excuse.
When you're gone…
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day…
"Then…what am I supposed to do?" I asked him. "The answer should already lie within you. All you need to do is acknowledge and accept it. From one Artificial life-form to another, let me ask you this; what is your purpose on this planet? What is your answer?" Asgard asked me.
And make it ok…
I miss you.
What is my purpose on this planet? At first I didn't know but then when, I thought about it. The answer quickly came to me. The answer was easy.
"I…my reason to live is…" I started to say. "I have no memories that's why I refuse to fight to protect the memories of this planet!" I quickly told Asgard. "Jet!?" Virginia asked. "Chill out…" I said shaking my head toward her.
"You know…I kinda had fun hanging out and travelling with these chatter boxes. I was able to experience disgust, shock and anger, more so than when I travelled alone…but the thing is…it wasn't all that bad…so, I've decided to fight in order to make my own memories. And I wanna do it protecting this planet. Alongside these chatterboxes…" I told Asgard. "That's the reason I fight!" I quickly said. "I would like you to weave memories over this planet in my place…even a vacant heart can be filled with memories…even an Artificial life-form can discover a reason to live! I wish you gods speed…" Asgard sounded like he was saying goodbye to me.
"Yo, wait just a minute! You didn't come here just to tell me that! You came here to fight us didn't you?" I asked him. "Obeying orders is a golem's destiny." Asgard told me. "Orders…? You mean you carried out order to get beaten by us!?" I asked him. "That is untrue…my orders are to act as a shield to protect my master…However, I needed to find away to follow my master to the netherworld, so that I may carry out his orders there…this was by my own accord…and the very reason I fought you. I knew you would be my ticket to the netherworld." Asgard told me. He had been…planning too?! I wondered.
"Yo! Do you even realize what you're saying!?" I asked him. "Worry not…by no means did I throw this fight. For as long as a golem is a golem there is a fundamental rule he must follow. A golem must secure his own safety to the best of his abilities. You are the true victors." Asgard told us before he disappeared.
So you just give your spiel and run, huh? Gimme a break…I thought.
Then I quickly turned back toward the others. "You guys…mind if I continue fighting alongside you…?" I asked them. "Of course not! We've been fighting together the whole time!" Virginia quickly said holding her hand out toward me. I started to move my hand toward her but quickly stopped. Gallows let out a laugh as he threw his arm over my shoulder. "C'mon open up a little. Why do you always have to be so antisocial? Ahhh, I guess that's just you. Extend a handshake anytime! It's all good!" Gallows said with a laugh.
I had made up my mind then as Asgard was speaking with me. I-I would tell her when we get back to Baskar colony. I had too. Even if…she would never like me that same way. I-I had to get it off my chest.
Soon we left the demondor pillar. But as soon as we got outside the ground started to shake again. "This tremor and sensation…the demondor pillar!?" Virginia asked. "I can't pinpoint the exact location, but…it's far northeast of here…." Gallows told us. "Northeast of here…oh, no! Humphrey's peak!?" Clive yelled. "Let's hurry!" Virginia yelled. WE nodded to her and hurried back to Baskar colony.
Soon we got on Lombardia and headed north back to baskar colony then quickly landed outside the village and quickly headed inside. "We will leave by night fall, so do whatever you need to get ready." Virginia told us. We nodded toward her and when and did our own things inside the village.
I saw Shane walking around outside the temple. "Oh, welcome back Jet!" Shane greeted me. I slowly nodded toward the young boy. "Shane?" I asked him. "Yes, what is it?" Shane asked me. "…where is Sara right now?" I quickly asked him. "Oh, Sara? I believe she's still in the temple." Shane quickly told me. "I see…" I whispered as I started toward the temple but quickly stopped in my tracks.
"Is something the matter Jet?" Shane asked me. "Shane?" I asked him. "Yes? What is it?" He asked me back. "…Do you? Do you like Sara?" I quickly asked him. "Of course! She is a very nice person." Shane quickly told me. "…that's not what I was asking…" I whispered to the young boy. "Oh? Ahh! Oh don't worry jet! I don't like Ms. Sara in that way!" Shane said with a small laugh.
"…!" I quickly glared back toward him. Shane laughed a bit before walking away. He knew all along didn't he? Of my feelings for her. Then…maybe he never had any for her in that way to start with? I wondered as I slowly entered the temple.
---
I felt it…when that energy stopped. My worries quickly left me for a bit. But…I was sure the dream demon called Beatrice wouldn't give up that easy. But…but I prayed I had been wrong. But I haven't been. Soon I felt another strong energy appear on Filgaia. It wasn't over.
After all…Beatrice was after Filgaia. And to get what she wanted…she still need more power. But to get what she desired…who was her true target? Who would she target next? I didn't want to see her use another person again. As she had used Shane beforehand.
I…I wanted to protect this world as well as it's people from the dream demon. But as I was now…I didn't have the strength to do so.
Now…I felt helpless. I felt useless to everyone. I felt…as if I was only in the way to others around myself. And…I had worried everyone. I even…even made Jet worry about me.
Is…there really nothing I can do…to help anymore? I wondered as I stared up toward the painting in front of me.
As I started to wonder that I heard footsteps behind me slowly getting closer and closer. I slowly turned around finding Jet standing there staring toward me. "Jet?" I asked him out of surprise. "Sara…" He whispered to me. It looked as if he had something on his mind. Something he really wanted to say.
We were made for each other…
Out here forever…
I didn't know what to say to him at first. But he was worried over something I could tell. And…the look on his face was full of fear. Had something big happened to him? "Welcome back." Was the only thing I could get out of my mouth. "Yeah…I'm back." He whispered to me in return.
I know we were….
"I felt the pillar, energy disappear." I told him as I slowly turned away from him. "Yeah." He whispered to me. "But another one appeared by Humphrey's peak." I told him. "Yeah…we felt it too. Tonight we are heading there." Jet told me. "…Are you in pain from the energy?" Jet quickly asked me. "Yeah…but the med Halle's made for me is making the pain bearable." I told him.
I know we were…
"Sara…" Jet whispered to me. "I'm alright, I can bear it. So…please don't worry yourself over me." I told him.
---
Her words are pure. But…but how can she just try to bear it? The pain…how can her body take it? It wasn't like a headache or anything of that kind. Her whole body was crying out in pain.
Tell her…
You say you have no memories. But you are just using that as an Excuse. I could hear Asgard's words again. So clearly I could hear them. That was when I finally told myself.
No More Excuses…
I needed too…No. I wanted to tell her.
And all I ever wanted was for you to know…
"Sara?" I asked her. "Hmm? What is it?" She asked looking toward me. "If-If my real name wasn't Jet. Would you? Would you…still call me Jet?" I asked her staring toward the floor. "Why do you ask a stupid question?" She quickly asked me. A…stupid question? "Idiot. You're an idiot. Of course I would still call you Jet. After all you're the only Jet I know." She quickly told me.
Why was I so surprised by her words? It's was true. To her…I was the only Jet enduro. But then I had truly decided. What I had to do. No…what I-I wanted to be with her. I want to be at her side.
Everything I do I give you my heart and soul…
"Sara I…I need to tell you something." I quickly told her as I slowly looked up toward her. "Okay." She quickly said looking confused toward me. But…the problem was…I didn't know how to even start. How could it be so hard to tell another person one's own feelings? "Jet?" She asked me.
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me…
I had to do this I had to tell her now. It was now or never.
"…I…" I started up saying. "I…want to be with you…!" I quickly told her. She looked surprised toward me.
Just being around you….was fine. As long as I always could be with you.
"It's…its fine just being around you. But…I hate being away from you!" I continued saying to her. "Because…because I love you!" I quickly told her. She quickly gave me a shock look. The look wouldn't disappear from her face. She had no idea did she? But I said it. What I hid away from her for so long.
I…I finally said it. But-But…being with you…was it okay with you? I wondered staring toward her. She still didn't' say a word to me. And slowly the shocked look disappeared from her face. "…" I didn't' know what more to say to her.
But still. Even if you can't love me back I…I still need you, just by my side. But…was I asking too much of her?
---
Because…Because I love you!
I never thought I would hear those words from his mouth. I didn't know what to say to him. And I really don't know how I feel toward him now. Before I would say…he's just a friend. But now…I..I had no idea what Jet was to me. I didn't know anymore.
Am I confused? Maybe. Or am I just unsure. I don't know. I really don't know.
What is he truly to me now?