Chapter 5: The Broken Maiden
Guile bolted into the inn and ran to his room. The wooden platform was thumping as Guile was running. The curtains followed as he ran passed them. Guile reached the stairs turned left. He climbed the steps and turned right. He stopped in front of his room with a screeching halt, opened the door and quickly ran to the drawer. Al, who was sleeping on the other bed, was jerked out of his as Guile noisily shuffled through the drawer.
"What are you doing?" Al said groggily as he rubbed his eyes.
Guile ignored him and pulled out a handful of feathers from the drawer. He bolted out of the room and turned left.
"Nice talking to you." Al said groggily as he turned, pulling a blanket to his cheek.
Varil was now finished dressing up. He went out of the bathroom and left the room.
Aribeth was still sitting down, crying. She started to feel weak. She finally fainted. She fell sideward, unconscious. Her skin started to go pale and her lips were starting to dry up. In a distance, a woman in a white kimono saw her. She had long black hair that was flowing to her waist. Her eyes were scarlet and were well rounded. Her lips were as red as blood and her skin was fair. She approached her and looked at her.
"Poor thing…" the lady said as she bent down.
The lady stood up, closed her eyes and raised her hands. Her sleeves started to float, and her ebony hair followed. She opened her eyes and started to glow white. Aribeth started to float and level to the woman's waist. The woman in white opened her mouth and a white smoke came out. The smoke enveloped Aribeth and the woman in white. The place began to get foggy as they were disappearing.
"Not now…wait until we leave…" the lady whispered. A soft growl came from afar, which made the lady panic. Finally, Aribeth and the strange lady were gone.
Varil stepped out of the hospital as he waved backwards to the nurses.
"He's so dreamy…" a nurse sighed to her company.
"I know…" all of the nurses agreed.
Guile, on the other hand, rand back to the spot where he teleported. He raised a feather and a glow appeared beneath him then, he disappeared.
Varil returned to his agit and was greeted by his guild members. A female wizard ran to Varil excited.
"Varil! There's word that an Incantation Samurai is present in Amatsu!" she said excitedly.
"That's exciting?" Varil asked softly.
"Here's the best part! It summoned a Bashoujin and a Garm!" the wizard said as she held Varil's hands.
"Bashoujin and a Garm, eh? Round up the guild! We're going to Amatsu!" Varil exclaimed. The wizard shrieked with joy and ran toward the others. Varil went to the chest near the table and opened it. He pulled out a box and closed the chest.
Guile arrived at Amatsu, worried about Aribeth, "Damn you! Why did you leave the circle?" Guile said to himself.
"What's with this fog?" he said quietly. He heard a growl nearby. He unsheathed his dagger and posed to attack. The stream beside him froze and so did the fishes in it. The fog grew thicker and enveloped him.
"…Garm" He said quietly.
"We're going on a Boss Hunt!!" the wizard excitedly exclaimed. The guild cheered as they gathered their weapons. Varil opened the box. The box had a red velvet finish and was full of feathers. He took a feather and set the box on the table.
"Okay guys! Get your Amatsu feathers here." Varil called out. The rest of the guild members rushed to the box and took a feather.
"Let's go!" Varil cried out as they all cheered. They all followed Varil out the agit.
Aribeth woke up in a daze. The first thing she saw was a wooden ceiling, and a lamp hanging from a wooden frame. She sat up and looked around. She was in a small hut, and was lying on a traditional Japanese bed. She saw a tea pot hanging from a wooden frame directly above a small fire. She blinked thrice to better her vision. She looked to her right, a wall. She was resting in the leftmost corner of the hut. Above her was a wooden window, where she could see the dark sky, filled with twinkling stars. She turned to the right and saw an open door which led outside. She could see many plants rooted to the ground. The ground was covered with grass and she could see little rocks scattered there. In the rightmost corner the hut, she saw a small table. On top of it, an oil lamp rested and a paper was there. She got out of the bed and fixed it. She looked for her shoes, and saw it outside. She was about to walk to the door, but stopped when she heard footsteps. She hurried back to the bed and lied down. The lady in white was carrying a handful of herbs which she set down on the table.
"I know you're awake, you don't have to pretend that you're sleeping." The lady in white said as she sat down.
Aribeth got up, and blushed embarrassed.
"I'm sorry." Aribeth said quietly.
"It's okay, I understand." The lady said as she smiled sweetly. Aribeth sat down in front of the lady and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"You're pretty." The lady said as she stood up and went to the pot.
"Thank you." Aribeth said, embarrassed.
"Could you pass me the herbs on the table there?" the lady in white requested as she pointed to the herbs on the table.
"Okay." Aribeth replied as she stood up and picked up the herbs.
"What were you doing in the woods?" the lady asked as she opened the lid of the pot.
Aribeth handed over the herbs to the lady and said, "I fought with a friend and I left myself behind."
"Why on earth did you do that for?" the lady said surprised as she took the herbs from Aribeth.
"Don't you know it's dangerous out here during the night?" the lady said as she put the herbs in the pot.
"It was his fault!" Aribeth cried out.
"Don't get mad at me. I helped you didn't I?" the lady said as she closed the lid of the pot.
"I'm sorry; I was just shaken about what he did." Aribeth said embarrassed.
"He was more than a friend wasn't he?" the lady asked as she sat down in front of Aribeth.
Aribeth fell silent for a moment and blushed slightly.
"I was right. I had that experience too." The lady said as she turned and faced the small table.
"Really? What did he do?" Aribeth asked curiously.
The lady pulled two tea cups under the table and turned back to Aribeth.
"He proposed, I refused, we fought, I cried, he left." The lady said.
"How sad…" Aribeth said sympathetically, "Why did you refuse?"
"I…uh… "The lady stalled as she gave Aribeth a teacup.
"You what? You what?" Aribeth asked excitedly.
"I was engaged to another man…yeah…" the lady said in nervous voice.
Aribeth noticed she was lying, so she stopped asking questions. The lady smiled nervously at Aribeth and stood up reaching for the pot.
"Wait! That's hot!" Aribeth cried out as she stood up. The lady took the pot, unhurt, unburned.
"How…how did you do that?" Aribeth asked, surprised
"It' wasn't that hot." The lady replied with a smile.
"Sit down. I'll pour us some tea." The lady requested as she pointed to the ground with her palm.
Aribeth sat down and smiled at the lady.
Meanwhile, Guile was still waiting for the monster to emerge.
"Come out Garm! I know you're out there!" Guile called out, but no one responded, just a faint growl answered him.
The fog got thicker, the air got colder. Guile could not see a thing. Guile closed his eyes, and concentrated on his hearing. He heard a branch snap behind him. He used Hide as well as Tunnel Drive to avoid the monster's attack. He saw a big blue crystal wolf walking through the fog. It was accompanied by 3 smaller crystal wolves. All of them were growling, sniffing for him. Guile perspired nervously hoping the monsters won't find him. The monster stood still and sniffed the air. Guile gathered every ounce of courage and emerged behind the monster and stabbed it. The monster yelped as Guile droved his dagger deeper into the monster. The 3 smaller monsters leaped for Guile, claws first. Guile saw them and leaped off of the monster. The 3 monsters couldn't stop and ended up hurting the bigger monster.
"Looks like they betrayed you!" Guile said smirking at the beast.
The beast growled and barked at smaller monsters. They yelped and got off of the monster.
"Check this out…"Guile said as he pulled out his knuckle weapons. He wore them and leaped into the fog. The monster howled and the fog disappeared.
"DIE!!"Guile shouted as he leaped for the monster. His right fist was glowing red with power. He aimed for the monster's head. He successfully hit the monster and it broke into pieces. The other 3 monster broke into pieces as well. Guile landed on his right knee and his right hand supported him.
"Aribeth…my princess…"he whispered as tears fell from his eyes. He started to regret the fight as he feared for the worst. He stood up and ran deeper into the woods.
Varil finally arrived with his company.
"Someone killed Garm!" the wizard said as she bent down pointing at the crystal shards on the ground.
"That means a Bashoujin and an Incantation Samurai are waiting for us!" Varil said assuring his guild that they will kill something. They all cheered as they ran into the woods, but Varil stayed.
"…Aribeth" Varil suddenly thought of her as he looked at the ground where she laid on. He closed his eyes and clenched his fist.
"You'd better not hurt her!" He thought to himself, addressing Guile, as he charged into the woods.
Aribeth and the mysterious lady were still taking, until the lady in white looked out the door and looked troubled.
"Is there something wrong?" Aribeth asked concernedly.
"Someone's coming…a man…" the lady said as her troubled look turned to fear.
"You'd better go!" the lady said as she shoved her out the hut.
"What?! Why?!" Aribeth asked as she was forced out of the hut.
"If anyone asks, no one lives here…" the lady said as she gave Aribeth her shoed back.
"O-okay…" Aribeth replied as the lady shut the hut's door, and turned off the light in the hut.
Aribeth sat on the hut's steps, and put on her shoes. Suddenly, a man bolted out of the woods. Aribeth felt afraid and hid behind the bush beside her. She did not emerge and waited for the man to pass by. The running man stopped just before the bush where Aribeth was hiding. Her sweat started to fall, and tears of fear formed before her eyes.
"Please go away…" she said under her breath. She closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists in fear.
Finally, the man left. Aribeth felt relieved and slowly stood up. She looked back in the hut but the lady in white was gone. She wondered where she went, but then ignored it and focused on getting home. She dusted off her skirt and sleeves, fixed her hair and wiped her sweat.
"Who was that man the lady was afraid of?" Aribeth said to herself. She started to walk back into the woods but stopped when she heard running footsteps. He eyes widened as her pupils shrinked. She got paralyzed with fear, her hands shaking. Tears fell from her eyes as she swallowed her saliva. As the running footstep grew louder, the more immobile Aribeth was. She closed her eyes tightly and bit her lips, trying not to scream.
"Aribeth!!" a familiar voice called out. Her fears disappeared as she heard the familiar voice. She tried to remember that voice but had a hard time remembering.
"Aribeth!!" the voice called out louder. She started to remember the voice. It sounded like Guile. She immediately hid behind the tree hoping he wouldn't see her.
"My princess…" he said softly as he reached the tree she was hiding at. He paused trying to catch his breath.
"My princess…I'm sorry…please forgive me…" he panted as he was catching his breath
Aribeth wanted to emerge but part of her was still mad at him. She waited until Guile started to run again. As Guile ran, he heard him sniffling. He was crying. Aribeth finally emerged and ran to him.
"Guile!" she cried out, but he was too far to hear her.
"Guile!!" she cried out as she ran. He slowed down, as if he heard something.
"GUILE!!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. She stopped hoping he would turn. Guile finally turned and saw her though there was only a little light. He ran to her twice as fast as he did a while ago. Suddenly a tanned little boy in black emerged from behind a tree.
"So you're Aribeth…" he said quietly. The boy had white hair and was wearing a black Japanese robe.
"ZANKI!!" he shouted. Suddenly, an ethereal smoke hissed out behind the boy and assumed a shape of samurai armor.
"INCANTATION SAMURAI!!!" Guile shouted as he clenched his fists.
The ethereal samurai armor unsheathed a sword from its side and aimed it on Aribeth's neck.
"Your pretty…you'll be my wife!" The boy said as he giggled,
"LEAVE HER ALONE!!" Guile shouted angrily.
"NO!! She's mine now!" The boy said. Guile finally reached them but stopped as he saw the samurai armor had its sword aimed on Aribeth's neck.
"You don't deserve her! You shouted at her! I saw the whole thing!" the boy shouted as he walked in front of Aribeth.
"You don't know what happened! Stay out of this!" Guile snapped.
"Oh I know what happened! You forgot! Women don't like men who forget!" the boy exclaimed as he pointed at Guile.
Guile fell silent as the relaxed his fists. He sighed and faced downward closing his eyes.
"You don't deserve her!" the boy shouted as he floated to match Guile's height.
"What do you know about love little boy?" Guile said quietly. The boy didn't reply.
"Do you know what love is?!" Guile said as he raised his voice. The boy fell silent as he floated back to the ground.
Guile raised his head as he opened his eyes. "You know nothing about love…" he said softly as he walked closer to Aribeth. The boy ran behind Aribeth.
"You're just a boy. You don't know what love feels. I know I don't deserve her. I know she deserves someone like Varil. I know I raised my voice at her. I know I hurt her and for that I'm sorry." Guile stopped walking as he reached Aribeth.
"But you don't know what love is, you don't know what it feels like. You are but a kid." Guile said as he pulled the sword away from Guile.
"Guile your hand!!" Aribeth exclaimed.
"I'M NOT A KID!!" the boy exclaimed. Guile bled as he pulled the sword from Aribeth.
"Yes you are. If you aren't, you could do this." Guile said as he threw the sword to the ground. Blood fell continuously from Guile's hand.
"Guile…" Aribeth whimpered.
"I'd die for you Aribeth…" Guile said as he closed his eyes.
"THEN DIE!!" the boy shouted. The ethereal samurai armor unsheathed another sword and passed through Aribeth. It stabbed Guile in the stomach and left the sword in Guile.
"GUILE!!!" Aribeth shrieked as she ran to him. Guile fell to the ground and spat blood. She bent on her knees and reached for Guile.
"Guile…Guile…don't die…please don't die…"Aribeth whispered as she took him by the shoulders.
"I…told…you…I'd…die…for…you…" Guile struggled to say.
"Please…don't leave me…" Aribeth whispered as her tears continuously fell. She hugged him tighter as she cried.
"I…love…you…my…p-p-princess…" Guile whispered as he breathed heavily.
"I love you too Guile…don't leave me please…" Aribeth said as she cried harder.
"I…won't…" Guile whispered as he breathed his last breath.
"No…no…you're not dead…speak to me!!" Aribeth screamed as she tapped Guile's face.
Suddenly, Varil arrived and saw the Incantation Samurai. He pierced the boy and the samurai armor disappeared. He saw blood everywhere, wondering where it was coming from. Finally, he saw Aribeth lying on the ground crying holding Guile in his arms.
"Oh my God!" Varil exclaimed as he took Guile and carried him to the stream. Aribeth, crying deliriously, followed Varil.
"CARRIE!! CARRIE!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!" Varil called out. Footsteps from afar ran towards Varil.
"What?" a brunette high priest appeared.
"Oh My God!" Carrie cried out immediately pulling out a blue gem.
"RESSURECTION!!" Carrie shouted with all her might, but nothing happened.
"This is a no spell zone!! Where's the Yggdrasil leaf?!" Varil exclaimed as he set Guile's body down. The high priest hurriedly shuffled through her small violet bag and pulled out an ellipse shaped leaf.
"Here!" the high priest exclaimed as she gave the leaf to Varil.
Aribeth was still crying. She started to feel faint as she saw Guile on the ground immobile. She was covered in blood but was not bothered by it. She knelt down opposite of Varil and hugged Guile again.
"Let's hope we're not too late…" Varil said as he raised the leaf.
"RESSURECTION!!!" Varil shouted. A bright green glow enveloped Guile. His body floated in mid air, making Aribeth let go. She finally stopped crying as she stared at Guile's body floating and glowing. A white light from direction from the hut blasted through the woods and hit Guile's body. The white light dominated the green light and pink orbs came out of the cherry blossom trees around them. The white ray from the hut stopped and the pink orbs circled towards Guile's body.
"Guile…please live…" Aribeth whispered as her eyes closed and fainted. She fell on the ground but was caught by a white smoke. It set her down gently and kissed her cheek. It then floated directly above Guile's body and slowly entered it. The pink orbs revolved Guile as another white ray from the hut shot Guile. The pink orbs floated back to their respective trees and entered them. The ray hitting Guile slowly set him down on the ground and disappeared and so did the glow enveloping Guile's body. He started to breath again but was still unconscious.
"That looked like Bashoujin magic." Varil whispered.
"Boss, wasn't that Bashoujin magic?" Carrie asked Varil as she looked at him peculiarly.
"Yes…yes it was…" Varil replied, puzzled.
"Okay, call the others; we're going back to Prontera." Varil commanded
"But the Boss?!" she reasoned
"We killed an Incantation, that's enough." He snapped.
"But you killed…", "Just do it!" Varil interrupted
"Okay boss." She said sadly.
Varil stared at Aribeth softly and bent down reaching for her. He carried her as the other guild members came to carry Guile.
"I'll win you over…you'll see…"Varil sadi under her breath.
"Okay people!! Let's get going!!" Varil commanded as they huddled together. Carrie pulled out a feather and they were teleported back to Prontera.
