Chapter 1: To the Garden
The sky was clear and bright with the noon-day sun brightening the atmosphere and making it appear lively. A cruise liner coasted the waters, plowing through the water at a slow but steady pace. On deck were several couples and families playing various games, swimming in the on deck pool, or just bathing in the sun. At a reserved table sat a small troupe of Arc Aile members, two tall members, one male with blonde hair, with a long ponytail, who we know as Rowen, the other, a tan, slender and beautiful woman who was wolfing down plate after plate of lobster, shrimp, and other delicacies, we know for sure this is Kuea. Then there was one short member of the trio. She had short brown hair, and her eyes were glaring over at the pool. Of course, this is Cisqua.
"Well, wasn't it nice of the Major to give us another vacation?" Rowen asked Cisqua over the gobbling of food by Kuea.
"This isn't a vacation, Rowen. We're still at work. We've been assigned to go on this cruise to investigate a call that was received that specially requested us." Cisqua replied still glaring over at the pool.
"Well, it does strike me odd that they would ask for us specifically. Do we know the person?" Rowen sighed, dozing off slightly. The warmth of the sun was making them all drowsy.
"Well that's the thing that bugs me. They remained anonyms. Also, they told us to bring the Metherlance, and then we find this cruise that's conveniently heading towards our destination… that's what disturbs me the most." Cisqua said as her eyes scanned a young couple. A boy in red, and a girl in a black dress with a ribbon entwined with her purplish hair. They stood closely side by side, the boy's beige colored hair flapped wildly in the wind as he stood talking to the girl. The boy's name was Coud Van Giruet. The girl beside him, his Edel Raid, Ren. They were talking and laughing with each other, it was obvious that they were more than Edel Raid and Pleasure. They were so much more.
"Cou… do you know anything about this place we're going?" Ren asked in her soft tone, a small smile on her lips.
"No, not much. I hadn't even heard of the place until Cisqua said she got that call from the Arc Aile headquarters. But the Blossoming Rose… it sounds like a beautiful place though, doesn't it?" Cou replied with a huge laugh. His face was alight with excitement. He always loved exploring new places.
"Yes… yes it does…" Ren whispered and fell silent and listened to the crash of the waves and the roar of the wind. It was melodic, wind and water, the two were meant to be. Maybe, she thought, that was the way she and Cou were… that they were meant to be.
"Oi! Cou! Ren! Come here for debriefing!" Cisqua hollered at them, waving her arms wildly to grab their attention. Ren glanced over sleepily at Cisqua, slightly annoyed that her train of thought was disturbed. Cou sulked on over to the table and planted his feet in the middle of it, lying back with a lazy expression spread across his face.
"I don't know why I let me and Ren get involved in your work." Cou mumbled bluntly, eyeing the swimming pool, eager to run and jump in rather than sitting here for a 'debriefing.'
"Because Cou, you love and respect a fine young lady like me and you wish to keep her happy," Cisqua said sweetly, but then glared evilly into Cou's eyes with the essence of death, "And you want to keep me happy, right?!"
"Fine… fine… just don't explode on me, okay?" Cou mumbled some more, chewing on a straw from his drink.
"Well anyways, the only real reason we're letting you tag along is because it coincides with our mission of having to protect Ren." Cisqua stated in an 'as-a-matter-of-fact' tone, "Anyways, the word is that there are Edel Raids that are being mistreated badly on this island of the Blossoming Rose. We are to scope out the island, pick up the areas of the hostile activity, report it back to headquarters, and then shut down whatever it is."
"Sounds simple enough," Cou said slipping back into a more relaxed position "Doesn't sound like anything too big."
"It wouldn't be anything too big… if our caller hadn't stated that there were hundreds of Edel Raids and their Pleasures lying around dead." Cisqua replied darkly. They all fell silent. Cou looked at Cisqua, shocked. Kuea even stopped eating. Ren clasped Cou's hand in nervousness.
"Dead…?" Rowen whispered.
"Yes. Apparently there has been a huge fight going on and it has all been kept a hush until our caller conveniently went there. Cou, while we're here, you're going to have to pay one-hundred percent attention to Ren and not let your guard down. If you start slacking, I'm afraid you'll both be killed."
Cou gulped and started shaking in nervousness until a warm hand was placed on his shoulder. He felt relaxed and he used his free hand to touch the hand, and he began to nuzzle it.
"Thank you Ren-!!!" Cou jumped out of his seat when he saw that it wasn't Ren, but rather another beautiful older girl. She seemed to be around eight-teen, her body was mature and had wonderful curves. Her long, straight, brown hair trailed to her waist. Her dark navy blue dress was low cut. Her eyes sparkled with pastel blues and greens, and her lips were stretched into a smile. She giggled and held out her hands in greeting.
"Hello cruisers, I just want to let you know our captain won't anything happen to our special guests on your mission." The woman smiled sweetly, and seemed to have a calming effect on Cou and Rowen, but Cisqua remained agitated.
"Just who are you?" Cisqua asked, obviously irritated just by her presence.
"Me? I am Melody. And I know you all, Cisqua, Rowen, Kuea, Coud, and of course Ren. My captain and I have dedicated ourselves to not let anything happen to you and the Metherlance."
Cou jumped in front of Ren, arms spread out to protect her. Cisqua pulled out a pistol, loaded and ready to send some lead through Melody's head, and Kuea snarled angrily.
"How do you know…?" Cisqua scowled glaring menacingly at Melody, who was now quite shocked, and in her eyes you could see that she was scared.
"Sorry… I should let Nan fill you in as to why you're here. Please don't harm me, I mean to protect the Metherlance and keep Cou safe. Promise." Melody shivered and stuttered when she spoke. Rowen placed a hand on Cisqua's hand and pulled it back, retrieving the gun.
"I believe she speaks the truth Cisqua, if she meant harm, she probably would have done some already." Rowen stated softly in his calming voice, "We are sorry if we have frightened you Melody."
"It is all right Rowen. I should have known better than to address Ren as the Metherlance. I am sorry." Melody replied bowing her head, "But, let me take you to Nanashi, he will fill you in."
A tall boy of eight-teen stood at the wheel of the cruise ship. His long white hair flapped in the wind, his dark sapphire eyes sparkled like the sunlight that hits the ocean. His face was smooth and had a stern expression on it. His body was lean, but muscular. He sighed as he gazed at the sea, and he took a swig from a small thermos he had at his side.
"Can't live without this stuff." He chuckled, satisfied with his sip of cool drink. He wiped off whatever had gotten on to his chin and continued steering the ship towards the huge island ahead that blossomed out of the ocean. Indeed, it did look like a rose, with its amber mountains, and their narrow slopes up to the center of the rose bud where the Kingdom of the Roses sat.
"Soon that kingdom will be pressed, as a leaf is for a fall collection book."