Home; Almost Alone
Elise stares out of a small hole in the stone wall. Moonlight pours in through the hole. The hole hadn't always been there. It was a new feature. Elise believes that Kai most likely had it installed as a way of apologising to her. She turns away from it, her head lowered. Elise doesn't doubt his sincerity; yet no amount of moonlight would gain her forgiveness. Nothing would, unless he could make right his wrongs, but she knows that's the only thing he won't do. Tired of keeping the peace, she leans back, and tries to rid herself of the guilt growing inside of her. Her hands clench together for a moment before loosening.
"Please, do not have let me fail you…"
"Come to gloat?" Shun glowers, glaring at the damp, stone ceiling.
"I'm only here because she mistakenly thinks you're innocent," Kai replies. "That's the only reason why."
"Yes," Shun smirks. "You're here because she gave you your marching orders. Do you really think you're capable of being a leader? You can't even stand up to her."
"At least I don't abandon my friends!" Kai snaps. "Face it Shun, you didn't disband us to protect us! You did it so you could run away, and hide in a dirty little hole until it was all over! In fact, I'm ashamed to have even considered you my friend before. If you think I'm the coward, then think back to before. I can guarantee it was you!"
Shun looks away, trying to erase the words from his mind. It doesn't escape Kai's attention and he chuckles, knowing that he's entirely right. If Shun himself won't question Kai's remarks; then Kai knows that no one else has the right to. The silence between them is frozen and frosted with treachery and darkness. Shun briefly wonders how things became so bad; even though he had run, and they had paid his heavy price.
"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Elise calls out. "Kai, do you even know who you've become?"
Shun's eyes are wide as he stares at her. The one he fought to find again. She was always the one he didn't run from, but to; and she knew that, as does Kai. Shun stands abruptly, and shares an alarmed glance with Kai. Elise wasn't supposed to be out, and she wasn't supposed to know the consequences.
"I know very well who I am," Kai replies, but his brave boldness is only skin deep. "I haven't become anyone whom I wasn't already."
She looks at Shun. "And you? Do you think you can lie to me as well, and I would be no wiser? … Fools... The both of you."
She starts to leave, but Kai intervenes. "Don't be so foolish Elise. You're almost asking for death."
"Do not come near me; both of you!" are her final parting words.
Shun and Kai look at each other. They each share a partial regret, but don't dare to voice it. Speaking was never either of their strong points, and it shows.
"Argh say something!" Dan hisses in a whisper.
"Ssh, don't get us caught," Runo glares, warningly.
"What do you think she means by that?" Alice frowns, distantly and to herself.
15 Minutes Earlier.
…
A large oval of black blue light bursts open. The Brawlers tumble out and onto the cold stone floor in a heap. Quickly, they scramble to their feet, and look at their new surroundings. The water and mildew covered walls come as a surprise to them. They don't remember being anywhere like it before.
"What are you doing here?" Elise exclaims, standing abruptly.
The Brawlers stare at her. She was one of the last people they had ever expected to encounter. Her guard is up, and she seems reluctant to even speak to them because of it.
Runo raises her hands in submission. "We came to look for Shun. We want to know if he's okay."
Instantly, Elise relaxes. The water on the walls suddenly races down and onto the floor, covering their ankles. Elise drifts closer to them with the fluidity of a wraith, but her hand cuffs won't let her near them. She watches the metal shine in the moonlight, and then over to the Brawlers. She raises her hands.
"I cannot assist you," she says, and goes back to sit on her chair. "However, Shun will be the floor beneath where we now are. He will be kept isolated, and will be pleased of any company he can get; even if he doesn't show it."
"He came for you, so come with us," Alice says. "This way, he won't have to come back here. It will all be over then."
Elise smiles sadly and shakes her head. "It will never end as long as Kai lives…"
"Who's Kai?" Drago asks. "Is he the one who brought us here?"
She smiles, laughing, but she doesn't mean it. "I have told you too much already… There's nothing more I can assist you with. You will have to work the rest out on your own."
"Is that it?" Dan yells, furious. "You're giving up! He's our friend, and you're going to leave him to whatever! What kind of person are you?"
Elise glares at him. "I am Elise Iliastia. I am the princess to the kingdom of Crescentia. My duty is to my people, and I cannot serve them if I die in a cell. They live under tyranny, and I won't leave them to face that alone, and with no hope!" She refuses to look at him suddenly, and tears have sprung up in her eyes. "… We have lost too much already…"
"Where is he?" Runo asks, sighing.
Elise looks at them, pleading. "He is with Kai…"
Drago growls, unhappily and hovers over to her. "Even if you've given up, you can't help your people by staying in a cell."
"How would you know; you haven't been there?" Elise whispers.
"Why don't you show us when we get you out?" Dan grins. "It sounds cool."
"Perhaps," Elise murmurs.
Elise raises her hand, and the water races back up the walls leaving the room as dry as a bone. Having attracted unwanted attention, she turns her back to them. Her concentration is now fixed solely on the chains holding her captive in the stone cell.
"How?" Joe asks, incredulous.
"Crescentia," Elise replies. "It is the crescent moon kingdom. The moon controls the ebb and flow of water and we are situated in a rather large complex, under a lake."
Elise pulls on the chain and water weaves along it, exerting pressure. "We do not have long, Runo, the keys are on the wall close to you. Be wary of the wraiths around here, they don't appreciate visitors."
She pulls the keys off, and Elise's chains finally snap open. Runo hastily hands over the keys, and Elise unlocks the door. The wooden door creaks open, and a low growling comes from the other side. Shivers race down their spines as they exchange frightened glances. Elise giggles quietly.
"Do not worry," she smiles. "I can grant us passage. There shall be no trouble for us here."
Not even half a minute after Else slipped out, she signals for them to follow her down the hall and to the lower floor. Instantly, she seems uneasy on the new floor. Claus grabs her arm before she can back away. He watches her with narrowed eyes.
"He's supposed to be here," Elise whispers, pointing to a cell. "I don't understand. No one is here. This makes no sense."
"Maybe Shun was moved," Julie suggests.
"Don't be foolish!" Elise exclaims. "Kai isn't a fool. He won't take any chances… Unless…"
She darts down the hall, faster than anyone can follow her; but they try to. Elise soon reaches an unassuming stone door. She closes her eyes and listens carefully. The voices from inside are muffled, but she's sure of who they are, and she enters unnoticed.
Author's Note: Alright, sorry for keeping you waiting. As for the next chapter, I give my apologies in advance if you shy from violence, but it will be included. My apologies again.