Road To Ragnarok - Chapter 12
Kazel's secret
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Our journey continues as Rachel and the guy-who-calls-himself-007-but-we-don't-know-why are walking along Sograt Desert...
Circles... circles... more circles... yeah...
"ARGH!! This is getting nowhere!!" Rachel said. They had been going in circles and still don't know where in the world they are heading to. "Didn't I tell you and Kazel-san already? I'm looking for the Valkyrie; I want to bring peace to this world... not like now. I don't like the way we are currently. Everyone hates each other. Many innocent people die... and... and..." she paused for a while. "I'll be the one who's going to change everyone's lives."
007 was amazed at her determination. "You seem very determined. But do you know where exactly you need to go in order to find the Valkyrie? No human has ever seen her before, and no one knows where she is; she could be anywhere. Even if you knew where she is, there are very powerful Guardians to protect her."
"Guardians?" asked Rachel. "What's that?" 007 went silent.
"... Guardians are one of the strongest races in this world. They have the appearance of a human but their true strength is hidden within deep in their mind. They may look weak from the outside but they are very powerful. They serve under the Valkyrie. They follow whatever the Valkyrie asks them to do. Of course, there's also the Dark Guardians too."
"Dark Guardians? Are they weak?" 007 nearly dropped his water bottle.
"Dark Guardians have the same duties as the Guardians, but they're different. Guardians are on our side... the "good" side, while the Dark Guardians are under the "bad" side. Dark Guardians follow under the Dark Lord's command."
"The Dark Lord has Guardians too? That's weird... " Rachel said.
"Well, since we're not sure where we're headed to, let's enjoy..." 007 unzipped his bagpack and took out... a tent, some chocolate bars, and a torch light. "Let's spend the night here. It's getting dark right now, unless you want to go out alone."
Rachel hesitated. She wanted to reach her destination as soon as possible. 007 was right, there was nowhere to go as they don't know where to look for the Valkyrie. "Ok then, I'll help you set up the tent..."
After 30 minutes, they finally set up the tent. 007 and Rachel ate some snacks and were ready for bed. Rachel talked about her life in prontera, as 007 wanted to find out. 007 laughed when he heard that Rachel woke up late on the day that she became an Acolyte. 007 secretly took his things and put them into Rachel's tent as he wanted to sleep in the same tent. Unfortunately, he was caught by Rachel and got punched.
"You know..." Rachel said. "Nina is my best friend. I'm sure she'll never kill someone unecesscarily. I'm going to look for her first, then we'll look for the Valkyrie together."
"Is she more important than the Valkyrie? Didn't you say that you wanted to change everyone's lives?" 007 asked.
"I did, but everyday I keep on thinking about her. I really miss her so much. I want to look for her. I'm sure she'll be all right, after all, she isn't weak." she smiled. "Good night, 007."
"Nite." 007 climbed into his tent. He put on his banket and went to bed.
After a while, 007 kept on tossing and turning. He couldn't sleep at all. He was thinking too much on what Rachel said earlier.
"... I really miss her so much. I want to look for her. I'm sure she'll be all right, after all, she isn't weak..."
No one's weak, everyone's strong, thought 007. At least your best friend is still around, I'm sure you'll be able to meet with her again. What about Kazel? He is strong... but why did that happen? He'll leave me very soon... he'll be alone forever... he is already...
Kazel ran as fast as his legs could handle. Even though he was in the middle of the streets of Prontera, no one seemed to notice him. He ran far away as long as Hikaru couldn't see him. Finally, he turned around and there was no sight of Hikaru. He sat on a bench and took a rest.
Wait... what am I doing? I'm not tired at all... I should get out of here fast!! Kazel thought. He got up from the seat when suddenly someone said: "WHAT ARE YOU!!!"
Kazel spun around. There was a big, plumish guy who was starring at him. Kazel went down to his knees. He thought that the guy had discovered him.
"YOU! Why don't you speak up!! What are you doing here?? You're supposed to be going for Training at Izlude!"
Wait... Izlude? Behind Kazel there was a young Swordsman. He was trembling at the guy's voice. "I'm sorry, sir, I lost my way..."
"You could've ask your Teacher. Now, get to work!" the guy said. He went off with the Swordsman. Kazel felt more relaxed now. I thought I was a goner... maybe they also... Kazel got up and quickly ran off. They didn't see me... how unobservant...
007 gazed into the stars. Until now, he still couldn't sleep at all. Suddenly, his surroundings changed. From the stars it became the the Mountain city Payon. It was a splendid vew from the hills. He could see many fellow Archers training at the Training Grounds. He also saw birds flying in the sky.
"Enjoying the view?" someone asked. 007 turned around. There he saw his best friend, Kazel standing. "You usually come here everytime after we argue."
"Really? I thought I've changed..." said 007. "Looks like I haven't changed a bit."
"Guess what?" Kazel said. He took out the Sniper's uniform. "I've been promoted! The Guild leader called me after we fought. Not only that, take a look..." he held a shining badge. "Apparently, I'm the youngest candidate to complete the Sniper test. This is just an award for it." He gave 007 a big grin which made him look like a kid.
007 slapped him hard on the back. "You're so childish, as usual!! Congrats!! I knew you could do it!" 007 ruffled Kazel's hair ("Hey, stop it!") and starred towards the sun. "I'm going to be as powerful as you, just like the sun. That way, we'll be the best Snipers in the entire world!" Both 007and Kazel laughed.
"I'll try to take the Sniper test next year. The test will be much easier compared to this year's. After I become one, let's go on a holiday!" Kazel laughed. "What's so funny??" asked 007. "We're childhood friends since we're young, and we've been always like brothers. What's the problem of having a holiday together?"
"Ha ha... it's just... it's just that you've never gone on a holiday!" Kazel replied. "I'll make a promise. If you pass the Sniper test next year, I'll cook dinner."
"Dinner? Really!? Man! Your cooking is just too good! OK!" 007 said. Both of them heard a bell rang. "Another meeting. Let's go."
"Ok!"
Payon was engulfed in flames. Bodies were lying everywhere: Men, women, children, and even babies. Much blood was spilled in Payon. A tall and dark figure was standing in the midst of Payon. He had short, spiky black hair while his face was covered in a mask.
"HA HA HA!!! Feel the power of the Dark Lord!!" the figure said. More houses came crumbling down. Many Archers and Hunters tried to resist but they couldn't succeed. "Come and try to stop me! You'll never be able to because the Dark Lord is with me!!" A person suddenly stepped up to him.
"What's this? Another foolish human being? This will be easy." the Dark Guardian took out his two double-edged swords. The person took out his bow and prepared for battle. It was Kazel.
"You're a Dark Guardian! We've never harmed you. Why are you doing this?" shouted Kazel.
"It's fun," replied the Dark Guardian. "Humans are the weakest, and the lowest beings in this world. It's so fun when I see fresh blood and dead bodies." He let out a shattering laugh. "Soon, the Dark Lord will rise and no human will be alive after that!!" He dodged an arrow.
"So what if the Dark Lord's with you? He's just going to be sealed again."
"Are you insulting the Dark Lord!?" The Dark Guardian has much anger in his face. "You're just an puny Archer and you'll be able to touch me at all!!"Kazel kept calm. "Try me."
"KAZEL!!!!!" shouted 007 as he ran within the streets in Payon. Many buildings were destroyed and bodies flooded the streets. "Where are you??"
"Oh my god..."
"He needs treatment..."
"I can't believe it..."
007 saw a crowd of people nearby. He went over there to see a very injured person. 007 gasped. Kazel had cuts and bruises all over his body. He was also covered in blood. 007 hurried and rushed over to his side.
"Kazel! What happened to you! How did you?" More blood ozzed from Kazel's injuires. "Say something!"
"... 0..." he spurted our more blood. "He needs treatment. Quickly!!" many Archers rushed over and tried to cover the wounds. 007 saw a figure nearby. There was a guy on the ground. He was covered with his own blood. He was pierced by arrows.
"I don't believe it... he defeated the Dark Guardian..." of the Hunters said.
"Look at his condition... the blood won't stop, he's lost too much..." said another. "At this rate, he'll..."
"Hey you!" someone said to 007. "Move out! We need to save him! Move!!" some Archers carried Kazel onto a mat and then took him away. 007 refused to stay behind, but followed him.
"You're gonna be alright, it's fine..." 007 said. There was tears in his eyes. Kazel held out his arm and there was a pendant. It had a shape on a circle and it was deep blue in colour.
"Rem...member this?" he said. Every time he talked, more blood spilt out. "I... won't forget... my promise..."
"Yeah, you're supposed to cook dinner if I passed the test..."
"That's it! Move on, everyone!!" the Archer hurried to the Medical tent, leaving 007 behind. 007 wasn't going to give up and tried to go with him.
"That's my best friend! Let me in!!" 007 sobbed. The last thing he saw was Kazel being pushed into the Medical Tent, no more to be seen.
"007? Are you awake?" 007 snapped his eyes open. He was sweating everywhere. Kazel was sitting beside him.
"Wh... WHA!!? What are you doing here!? I need some privacy myself!!" 007 freaked out.
"Come on. We're both guys. Besides, I finished my job in Prontera and I found the both of you here. Rachel has already prepared herself. We were waiting for you."
"Oh..." 007 sighed. "I'm sorry..."
After everyone prepared themselves, Rachel and her friends set off to Morocc.
"Hey, Kazel. How did you find us here?" asked Rachel with curiousity.
Kazel paused for a while. "I knew you guys were somewhere in the middle in Sograt Desert so I borrowed 007's falcon to search for you..." But Rachel had already ran off.
"Oh boy, she didn't even wait for us..." 007 said.
"007, what happened while you were sleeping?" Kazel asked. "You sweated a lot. You were saying something like 'Don't go! You'll be fine! It's all my fault!' You even cried! How weird is that??" Kazel laughed, but 007 didn't.
"I dreamt about that day's incident... when you..." 007 said softly. Kazel stopped laughing too. "I could never forget about it. It was so tragic. Payon felled during that time, and you... and you..." he had a tear in his eye, but wiped it off with his handkerchief.
"The past is the past. At least I'm with you now."
"Don't you understand!?" said 007. "Those guys will come to get you. Just because you're here now, doesn't mean you'll stay like this forever. They'll find you, and other people who are like you." Kazel kept quiet. "I'm going to stop them from taking you away! You're the only family I have, even though we were only childhood friends, and ever since my family passed away. You are like my brother. I can afford to lose another one anymore."
"You're wrong, and right." Kazel said. "They'll come, sooner or later, and they'll take me away. I don't want to, but I have no choice... after all... "
"I know..." 007 said. He tried to touch Kazel but his hand went right past him.
Kazel did not exist in this world. He was no longer alive...