Chapter 3: Gardening

It was silent. Very silent as Nanashi led the crew up to the base of the mountain through the dark forest that swarmed with strange screeches and roars and howls and gurgles. Cisqua was extremely cautious doing a double take every step she took, jumping up in shock at each noise, and screamed in terror at each shuffle in the brush. Ren held Cou's hand tightly and studied the area with shifty, but tired eyes. Rowen stifled and contained his fear to himself to the point where he was shaking uncontrollably. Kuea was the calmest of the group, she even looked quite happy to be there. Nanashi then stopped in his tracks and looked at the crew behind him, he shifted Cisqua's hat, which he is still wearing, and tugged on Cou's jacket, which he was also still wearing, peeving Cou and Cisqua off further.

"He's coming." Nanashi whispered.

"Who's come-!" Cou replied but was interrupted by the roar of the engines of a motorcycle that went speeding by right in front of Nanashi, just millimeters away from running into him, but Nanashi didn't even blink as his hair flapped in the gust created by the speeding motorbike. The motorbike screeched to a halt. Wolx was carrying a woman who lay unconscious in his arms. The girl had radiant red hair and blood was splattered over her dress and caked on her neck. Fresh blood oozed from her shoulder, Wolx took off his scarf and dressed the girl's wound with it. As he dressed her wound, a scarlet Elemental Gelade could be seen above her left breast. Wolx laid her down gently, as to be careful not to disturb her sleep.

"Wow," Cou thought. "He's changed. I thought of him as a cruel devil guy the last time I saw him."

But as he finished that thought, Wolx looked up and glared at Cou menacingly.

"I guess…" Cou gulped in fright, and shrank in fear, "He still hasn't forgiven me for wrecking his bike."

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to deal with you kids again." Wolx mumbled as Tilel hopped onto his shoulder and nuzzled against his neck. "But seeing how the situation is, with Edel Raids dying like this, we felt like we needed to do something."

"Awww…" Cisqua's eyes sparkled with admiration, "We had Wolx turn over a new leaf! Amazing!"

"Don't get the wrong idea kid, I just called you so you could deal with it, I'm heading out now." Wolx walked back to his bike and was about to hop on, but Nanashi spoke.

"You know Wolx…" Nanashi spoke softly, but it could be heard clearly by everyone. His eyes widened, and a small smile curved his lips, "Even though you didn't even stand a chance against Melody and I…"

"I thought you were going to stay hushed about it," Wolx scowled demonically while cracking his knuckles.

"Let me finish…" Nanashi nearly ordered Wolx to. Wolx glanced back, slightly agitated with being ordered around. "We could use someone of your caliber to fight with us."

Wolx sighed and glanced over to Tilel. "What do you want to do Tilel?"

"We can't just ignore all these Edel Raids that are being murdered Wolx."

"But-"

"I'll be fine Wolx," Tilel said softly, in her small voice, "As long as I'm with you, I'm fine."

Cisqua smiled sweetly at them and thought to herself, "They are totally different than from when we last saw them. They're beginning to understand the importance of the bond between Edel Raid and Pleasure. I like the new Tilel and Wolx."

"And just think Wolx," Tilel gave a cute smile and her eyes flashed, "Arc Aile just paid us a fortune just for giving them the info about this place! Just imagine what they could pay us if we helped them out!"

"Hm… that's true. Didn't think about that" Wolx mumbled, counting the numbers in his head. He then turned to everyone else to announce his decision, "We're in, only if Arc Aile pays us double of what they paid us for giving them the info."

"Those scoundrels!" Cisqua said in horror.

"You can't say much for yourself, Cisqua." Rowen whispered in her ear.

"Shut up, Rowen!"

"Good," said Nanashi, "This almost makes up for the fact that Cou-Cou is the Pleasure of the Metherlance.

Cou glared angrily at Nanashi, and so did Ren. Nanashi stared back at Ren, whose stare he found quite unsettling. He frowned, but then pull Cisqua's hat down over his eyes. Ren then grabbed Cou's hand tightly, pulling him closer to her. Cou glanced over at Ren, startled to see her angry.

"We've wasted enough time. Let me fill you in on the situation and then we'll get going." Nanashi slumped onto a cool mossy rock and sipped from his canteen. "Hundreds of years ago, several hundred explorers from Edel Garden sought refuge on this island, the Blossoming Rose."

"Edel Garden?" Ren gasped in surprise.

"Edel Garden, I forget the reason they left, but whatever the reason, they came here and established their own rule. This island was known as a great paradise for about a hundred years, but then the rule became divided between two twin brothers, Rojo and Blanc. They each created their own house to rule, Rojo created the Red Rose and Blanc created the White Rose. Thus they created a war to see who was worthy to rule the 'Rose'. Back then, Rojo won the battle, by killing his brother. So the Red Rose started the new rule. But every few years or so the war starts again, and they battle to take control. The control switches often, but somehow we manage to keep a high standard of living for the citizens."

"So… the war has started up again is that it?" Cou asked as he lay back against a tree.

"Yes Coud… the war has started again. Now they are after the Metherlance because they believe that whoever has her, will win. They've discovered her awakening and found out the Pleasure's name… you're in trouble Cou-Cou Ka-choo."

Cou grumbled at the nickname, and again Ren's eyes flashed towards Nanashi in anger.

"Now… I was hoping you all would help me and Melody put an end to this war by depriving both houses of their power." Nanashi stated quite bluntly.

"I knew it! I knew he just wanted us to help put him on top of the reign of this island!" Cou exclaimed loudly, pointing his finger at him accusingly. Melody stepped in between them and looked at Cou with desperate eyes.

"Please! That's not how it is! Nanashi just wants to help me get my homeland back to the peaceful place that it used to be. The land that everyone could go to for peace… and the warmth that only friends could give." Melody proclaimed in Nanashi's defense.

"I dunno Melody, it sounds like a pretty good idea for me, King Nanashi" Nanashi replied smugly, and waved his arms at the title 'King Nanashi' as if imagining it imprinted on a huge banner.

"You're not helping your case!" Melody screamed in frustration. And right at that moment several people came out of the trees and bushes that surrounded them. Nanashi leapt up and landed beside Melody and clasped her hand. Everyone else took defensive positions as well. As Coud scanned the area around them he counted about a dozen or so soldiers clad in red, with a black outline of a rose etched on the brooch of each uniform.

"Red Rose…" Nanashi muttered. "I'll take care of these. Wolx, take everyone to our place, make sure you're not being followed though."

"Right," Wolx replied and hoisted Tilel onto his shoulders, and picked up the Edel Raid girl in his arms"Everyone follow me!"

Coud, Ren, and the others followed Wolx into the thick forest. Cisqua turned back and noticed Melody had stayed behind.

"Is Melody going to be all right?" Cisqua called to Wolx.

"Of course she is! She's Nanashi's Edel Raid!" Wolx roared in reply, knocking a few of the red-clad soldiers aside. Cisqua turned back and saw indeed, she was an Edel Raid, their song had finished.

Petal by petal, becoming lost and exposed

Fear of my lover, their greatest foe.

A great light shined, and Melody disappeared. All that remained was Nanashi, his eyes burned with fire, the same as the blade in his right hand, and his glare chilled his enemies to the core, the same as the blade in his left. The glow of red and blue mingled together to make an aurora both beautiful and menacing. Cisqua stopped in her tracks amazed at the beauty that the sight released.

"Girl, come on!" Wolx roared, "We don't have time to dawdle!"

"Will they be all right? I mean, fighting over a dozen of these guys?" Cisqua asked as she snapped to attention and started running to catch up. Wolx, took a glance back and remembered how Nanashi left him motionless on the floor within ten minutes of battle.

"He'll be fine. He bested me faster than anyone I know. Including you," Wolx muttered softly and he guided the others deeper into the forest to find their safe refuge.

Nanashi lashed the blades in front of him. A couple of the scouts stepped back in terror, for none of them had an Edel Raid. The leader of the group, the one with the crimson helm outlined with gold, stepped forward and drew their sword and pointed it at Nanashi. The rest of the scouts, some reluctantly, did the same. Then the leader spoke,

"It's been how long Nanashi? Six years since we saw each other last?" The man's voice hissed through the helm, making the man sound demonic.

"It's true, Joseph. Six years. Six years, since you decided to take sides. I thought you would have travelled with me to put an end to this senseless war," Nanashi replied, "but now… you're no friend of mine, just an enemy that has to be taken out in my quest."

Nanashi launched himself forward and swiped his blades through the air, landing right in front of Joseph's blade. The blade of fire sent a trail of fire lashing through the air, the strand of fire acting as a whip. The blade of ice, sent sharp shards of ice into several scouts. Some of the shards killed the scouts, and the flames leaving some with severe burns. The rest scrambled away leaving only Joseph in the same position as he was before, blade pointed at Nanashi's neck.

"If we're no longer friends… then why didn't you strike me down just now?" Joseph hissed through his helmet.

"Didn't want the scouts getting in the way of the real battle," Nanashi roared as he clashed the blade of ice against Joseph's, causing the blade to stick to it. Nanashi tore the blade from Joseph's hands and sent it flying into a tree. Then Nanashi slashed with the flame sword horizontally, Joseph leaning back to avoid it, but the searing flames released a tremendous amount of heat, causing him to sweat immediately. Joseph then did a back flip to give himself some distance from Nanashi, and drew out a small hunting knife.

Nanashi glared at Joseph angrily, but felt his strength begin to waver. The blades in his hands didn't give off the aurora they did a few moments before.

"Melody… what's wrong? This battle is a cinch." Nanashi whispered to Melody.
"Sorry… Nanashi…" Melody whispered back, her voice obviously showed pain, and Nanashi saw a tear trickle through her eye.

"Well let's just get through this battle and we'll just go meet back up with Coud and the others." Nanashi said through gritted teeth, Joseph had launched himself at Nanashi to strike when he faltered. Joseph had almost gotten Nanashi too, if it weren't for Melody reacting at the last second to block the strike.

"So, Nanashi, you're rallying a small army to oppose us?" Joseph taunted as he launched more attacks at Nanashi, pushing him back against a tree.

"Close," Nanashi retorted, "I'm rallying a small army to oppose everyone. But since you Red Roses attacked first, I guess I'll go after you all first."

"Not if we swipe the Metherlance from you," Joseph cackled, "You do realize we discovered where you were taking refuge here while you were gone for 6 years, right? And that we have another set of scouts waiting for your friends their?"

"Crap!" Nanashi swore, his eyes widened in shock, and gasped when Joseph cut his chest when he left himself open in the moment of shock.

"Now… time to take you out before you can bud, Nanashi," Joseph chuckled, "Come on out Lilith, let us react and finish him!"

A woman clothed in a loose, crimson garment, not afraid to show her curves stepped out from the trees behind him. Her black hair drifted with the small breeze, and she had a pleasant smile on her face.
"She's hot…" Nanashi commented, blushing slightly.
"Nanashi!" Melody whined, tears streaming down her cheeks, jealousy brewing within her.

"Shut it! It's my Edel Raid, and it's time for you to die Nanashi!" Joseph roared and began to chant the song with Lilith.

Hasten to the master's call

Here stands a hero made to fall

I'm the great, the almighty

All will tremble at my voice