Disclaimers # 1: Star Ocean names, characters, and all of its related articles are the rightful properties of Square-Enix. They are (still) not mine, and I'm still dreaming about owning them someday ;
Disclaimers # 2: This is a fanfiction based on another fanfiction titled Two Soldiers: Fire and Ice authored by Artemis' Bow. Some of the plots are mine and some are Artemis', therefore, you might want to read her fic as well to get a better grasp of my story (I highly recommend it). Her excellent piece of work, support, and approval contribute greatly to this fic. If you like this fic, then part of the credit shall goes to her.
Author's Note (Please Read): I'm back, finally. This is the longest and toughest chapter for me so far. Once again, readers, please review. I'm not going to stop asking because I want your comments about my story so far. Don't wait until I make a (fatal) mistake, and then you come to my review page with flamethrowers blazing. That kind of comments would do little. Please tell me what you expect me to do, and what you expect me to not do in regard of the story. Thank you for your attention.
For the time being, please read and enjoy. Happy reading
The Third Soldier: Another Heart
Chapter 3: The Soldiers
The sun rose, and with it, a new day.
Yvikka had just finished the early morning briefing of her own soldiers. In any normal situation, briefing the soldiers before sunrise might not be considered 'normal', but the commander had to do it because she knew that another briefing with soldiers not her own would come up next. For her, it wasn't wise to brief them all at once without a proper acknowledgement.
After she finished preparing the briefing for the other Legions, she saw that she still had some time, and decided to visit her esteemed superior, Clair Lasbard, in her room.
The silver haired commander had been in her room since returning from Kirlsa the day before. She hadn't spoken, eaten or washed ever since. Clair's aide had brought her dinner to her room and attempted to persuade the commander to eat, but to no avail. A healer had also been assigned to attend her because she had been wounded on her way back as well. Yet, not a response came despite of the healer's constant company.
It was 'normal', for a person who had just lost her best friend, at least that was what many people thought.
And Yvikka hoped to see some improvement today, hoped to see that Clair would speak, or do something at the least.
Just as the door to Clair's room came into sight, she saw it open, and the healer she'd assigned came out. The healer saw her, and then gestured the dark haired commander over.
"How is she?" Yvikka asked almost immediately as she reached the healer.
The doctor sighed at the question. Her face was riddled with exhaustion and uncertainty. It was apparent that she had been awake the whole night.
"She's fine…physically, at the least," the healer managed.
Yvikka's brows furrowed, her heart jerked at the answer, "What do you mean?"
"…I don't know how to say it, but it seems that Lady Clair… is more than just physically wounded or simply grieving. She suffered some very deep trauma, and is very unlikely to come out of it in the near future."
The dark haired commander was stunned by the answer. Losing a best friend was an immeasurable pain to have to face, she knew, but she had once believed that Clair would not fall that deep because she had known this woman to be a solid rock that had anchored many souls, including hers, and kept them from drowning when at the brink of destruction.
Lady Clair is a strong woman, but…"May… I see her?" The dark haired asked rather halfheartedly. In fact, she was torn between wanting to see Clair and not wanting to, because she knew herself well enough to know the sight of the fallen silver haired woman would more than likely tear her composure apart.
"Surely you may," the doctor answered firmly while gesturing to the opened door she had come out of before.
With a visible lifting of her shoulders, the dark haired inhaled a long, deep breath, building up her defenses and bracing herself for anything she might see inside, and then stepped into Clair's room after the doctor. Once both of them were inside, the devoted healer then closed the door behind them, not wanting anyone to see what was inside, even by mistake. The room was clean and tidy, very well reflecting the personality of whoever stayed there. The bed, however, had a completely different story to tell.
Clair was there, flopped down on it without any of her usual grace. Her clothes were wrinkled. Her long, thick silver hair was untied, leaving it strewn across the bed. Though all of her wounds had been treated, she was still dirty, as she hadn't washed yet. Her clothes, hair, and skin still bore the dirt, mud, and blood from the day before. Her hands cradled a pillow closely to her face, as if it was her only comfort. It was indeed, her comfort.
So far, the scene was just what Yvikka had imagined a mournful person would look like, thus, her defenses still held. Nevertheless, it was painful for the dark haired commander to see Clair like that.
She hadn't seen everything, however, for the most unbearable was yet to come.
Carefully, the dark-haired commander paced closer, and then sat in the edge of the bed. A gasp was drawn from her lips as Yvikka got a look at her superior's face, and then at those eyes.
They were blank, empty and devoid of anything. Even grief was not there.
They were as empty as a dead woman's.
"By the grace of Apris…" Yvikka exclaimed softly. Her voice trembled. The sight was like a battering ram, smashing the defenses she'd built around her heart.
The form before her had once been many things good for her, but now…
Clair's spirit was gone, along with her grace, smile, warmth, strength… everything that had caused Clair to be Clair.
This was not Clair.
This was just a body without the spirit named 'Clair'. The worst fact to bear was that it still breathed, signifying life that was…
Lifeless…
… Living dead…
Only once had I seen Lady Clair to be in a similar condition, but that was not… that was not even near to this… to lose all of her spirit at once…
The dark haired commander closed her eyes. Her mind wandered to the time when the convoy of wagons carrying casualties from the frontline had reached Peterny, the town under her administration.
(Flashback)
"Healers! Healers! Someone get a healer or doctor here! This one's dying!"
Yvikka yelled so loudly that she felt her throat would also need a healer. Before her were another healer, and a young Shield Legion soldier, half of his body covered in severe burns. His body was shaking violently, as if struggling to keep the dear life from escaping his battered form. A doctor then hurriedly climbed up into the wagon where Yvikka and the wounded were, but before he could even form the healing spell, the soldier's body had stopped shaking. He was gone.
Damn…
Cursing slightly at herself, Yvikka came down from the wagon. She was not as skilled in healing runology as dedicated doctors or healers, but considering the situation, she imagined that every bit of help would be needed.
Peterny had never been this chaotic before.
Waves of wagons heavily laden with the wounded from the frontline came to the town. Healers and doctors surrounded them as they came to a stop. Peterny citizens, already panicked by the news of the coming of the celestial ship, flooded the streets. Some of them tried to flee further to Aquios, some of them are desperate enough to try to break through the gates leading to either Sanmite or even Greeton, yet some of them are also frantic enough to try to go to the battlefield to see—or even worship the celestial ship. Chain Legion soldiers rushed through the chaos, trying to keep the sea of humanity in order.
Upon the convoy's arrival, Yvikka had tried desperately to find the person leading the medical evacuation, as she needed to clarify some things, but she couldn't. From the drivers, she found out that they actually attempted a straight shot to Aquios, however, having made their lums gallop all the way, most of their lums ended up exhausted, and some even collapsed upon reaching Peterny. The exhaustion forced the group to stop there in order to give the lums some rest. The Chain Legion commander, seeing the need for speed there, decided to have all the lums replaced with fresh ones from the Chain Legion's barn. While the lums were replaced, the exhausted runologists who'd worked themselves from Arias were urged to take a break and let Peterny runologists do the work while they were here.
Actually, with all the casualties accompanying the convoy, there was no need for any explanation or clarification. The best of the healers and doctors were in Aquios, and there was no questioning that the convoy would head there, for the sake of the wounded they're carrying.
But still, she had this 'thing' to clarify…
Lady Clair or Lady Nel should be leading them…
That is, if they were not among the wounded… or…
Yvikka dared not continue her train of thought. She shook her head violently, trying to not let the next passing thought claim her mind.
No… not a chance. They are the finest, strongest warriors in Aquaria. They should be fine.
However reassured she was, panic almost claimed her upon finding that the two women were not among those who could stand. She gave up hope on finding them outside the wagons, and started to look for them inside the wagons. Her heart raced as she checked inside wagon after wagon, because she knew that anyone inside them were either doctors or healers, and the wounded, and she didn't want to see either Clair or Nel in the latter case.
Her spirits rose slightly as she saw a glimpse of a silver haired woman inside the last wagon. As she got closer, she was certain that the silver haired was indeed Clair.
"Lady Clair!" the dark haired commander called as she paced closer to the wagon.
There was no response. The silver haired runologist didn't seem to hear or even realize she was being called. Her attention was apparently directed at something in front of her, to the exclusion of everything else.
Clair's silence frightened her. Hurriedly, she climbed up the wagon where Clair was, only to be shaken by the sight inside it.
Leaning in one corner of the carriage was a female doctor, so badly done in that her shoulders shook with every gasp. On one side were two badly wounded soldiers, and on the other was Cliff Fittr, with Fayt Leingod lying in front of him.
And then there was Nel Zelpher lying in front of Clair, badly mauled and looking barely alive.
The silver haired commander, though less visibly battered than the redhead, didn't look any better. Her face held a pain so great that it made her look almost lifeless.
Gods…
The sight struck her speechless. Her heart bled.
Apparently, she'd gotten only half of what she'd wanted.
The two people she'd looked for were there.
Half alive, half dead.
(End of flashback)
Yvikka felt tears stinging her eyes, but she held them back with an effort. The sight before her was truly unbearable. But the possibility that accompanied it was no less agonizing.
What could this mean…?
Lady Clair was so lost due to the fact that Lady Nel was badly wounded, but now…
… What could THIS mean?
"Lady Yvikka! Lady Yvikka!"
The healer's call snapped the dark haired woman back to reality with a jolt. Her mind and eyes came into focus in a flash, revealing the figure of the doctor in front of her. She felt the woman's hands on her shoulders, and saw her eyes heavily laden with concern.
"Lady Yvikka, are you all right?"
"Yes… I'm fine…"
The woman then sighed in relief, "Oh, thank the Gods… I was afraid. I had been calling you for some time, but you didn't respond, and… and your eyes, your expression…" She halted, trying to find the appropriate word, and went on.
"… they were so lost, almost like Lady Clair's."
"Were they?" The commander gave a sad smile at the remark. Her eyes turned to her dear superior lying lifelessly on the bed, and then to the doctor again, "So, Miss Aline, what is her condition actually? I mean… is there something you can do or anything you need to help her?"
The woman's balance wavered. Her shoulders slumped as if there was a heavy burden on them. There was a slight pause before the answer came.
"… I am sorry… this… is something I have little to no experience with. Physical wounds, no matter how grave they are, I can heal, but this…" The doctor, Aline, bowed her head, a glimpse of guilt and sadness clear in her eyes. Her voice came again, this time in a raspy, torn whisper, "This is more… far more than just a simple 'physical' wound… it's like… like her spirit has been shattered… destroyed… k-killed…"
The female doctor's body trembled, tears slowly forming in her clear eyes. Yvikka quickly brought herself up and held the nearly hysterical doctor in a strong embrace. The woman cried out almost immediately. Aline was a member of Clair's runological corps, and the dark-eyed commander knew that it was hard for her to see her commander in such a state, especially for the whole night.
"… I wish I could… but I couldn't… I can't do anything… nothing… for her…" the healer managed, her voice choked out between sobs. Her arms wrapped around the commander's solid figure in an almost desperate embrace. Her tears came down in streams, wetting the tunic her head rested on.
"It's okay…" Yvikka could feel her voice trembling as well. She didn't know this woman well, for she was not in her unit. Though they had known each other for several days, they had talked to each other only once, and that was today. Still, she refused to leave the doctor without something to hold on to. After all, she was now the doctor's commander, and it was her duty to see to the well being of the people under her command.
"It's alright… you've done your best, and that is something that every commander would be proud to see in her soldiers," the dark haired whispered.
"No! It's not alright!" Aline spoke again, her voice was a restrained yell, "I… I can't… just… s-sit there… and…"
The dark haired woman tightened her embrace. Inside her heart was a very similar feeling to what the woman in front of her was struggling with—the feeling and knowledge of being unable to do anything for someone dear who was in need. The feeling was anguishing, and it was even more so because the silver haired commander was without doubt very dear to her soldiers.
"Lady Clair…" The commander whispered again after a moment of silence, "Lady Clair… never ask us to do things beyond our limits…"
The words calmed the stressed woman somehow. Her once tense body went slightly looser little by little, and her crying eased into faint sobs. After some time, the doctor was able to bring her head up once again. While their arms still joined, her eyes looked into her 'new' commander's eyes.
"I know…" She managed, her voice still raw, "… Lady Clair once said that to us."
The commander smiled. She remembered that as well because she had once been Clair's soldier. She let the doctor hold on to her for a while longer, and pulled away only when the other woman was feeling ready to do so. As they parted, their gazes were once again directed at the limp form on the bed in front of them. Their minds were working to find a way to help their commander. A moment of silence reigned in the room before Yvikka's voice finally broke it.
"We should bring her to Aquios."
"I agree. The doctors there might know more about this than we do," the devoted healer commented.
"I had planned to go to Aquios anyway, because Her Majesty needs to be informed of this. We will depart as soon as I can finish the briefing," the dark haired woman went on. She turned her gaze to the healer beside her.
"And, Miss Aline, you will be coming as well. I'll need you to explain Lady Clair's current condition. Until that time, have another doctor attend Lady Clair, and lastly… take some rest. You need it."
"Yes, ma'am," Aline answered with a salute.
Just as the commander turned, and was about to leave, the woman spoke again from behind her.
"Thank you, commander. I'm glad… that we still have someone like you here. I believe that we'll be alright under your command."
Yvikka looked back at the other woman in surprise, seeing the total sincerity and genuine trust in the pair of eyes that was directed at her. It was an expression of faith. While no one from the Shield Legion objected to her taking over the command, no one had expressed their trust with such genuineness, either. It warmed her, and for the first time, she felt encouragement she'd been longing for since yesterday.
"You're welcome, and… thank you to you too."
---
The briefing was actually nothing more than a review of the scheduled activities, as well as updates on the situation. However, just as the meeting was about to be concluded, Sisera, along with Clair's aide, rushed in. With them were an urgent message from Astor Wolfricht, and a formal missive from King Airyglyph for Queen Aquaria. The dark haired commander took Astor's message, for it was directed to the commanding officer in Arias. It was not good news.
"We have an update on the situation," the commander started, "According to this information we have from our operatives in Airyglyph, the situation there has become unfavorable for the moment. There are signs that the Glyphian anti-alliance factions have managed to mobilize an army consisting of the deserting Glyphian soldiers, as well as some paramilitary parties. It is highly likely that they are poised to strike Arias in order to incite another war."
"Damn warmongers!" a random captain cut in, "Don't they have enough already?"
"They just let it happen under their noses! Those Glyphians have no intention of keeping this 'alliance' after all!"
Other remarks of similar tone followed suit. Before more of them got going, Yvikka cut through immediately, trying to regain control over the situation.
"Everyone, silence!"
Her voice caused all the pairs of eyes in the room to be directed at her. After the captains were calm enough, the commander continued, a touch of displeasure in her voice.
"Her Majesty has expected something like this to happen, and that is why I and the Chain Legion were sent here in the first place. I thought I made it clear the day I came here. The difference is, at that day, it was just a possibility, but now, the threat is clear, and you still whine about it?"
Everyone went silent. It was true. On the day the Chain Legion commander had arrived, she had made clear the cause of her coming.
"… Airyglyph is relatively unstable at the moment because its war-lusting officials are stirring their people's sentiments against us. Should Arias fall now… those insolent warmongers will gain the upper hand to propose another full-scale aggression, and Her Majesty will have no other option but to retaliate. Therefore, Arias should not fall. We can't let it fall."
"We know…" A Shield Legion runologist spoke, his voice low, "… We know that, but… why just at a time like this? Lady Nel's gone, and Lady Clair…"
"That is true…" A Secret Legion operative voiced her agreement with the previous soldier, "Our soldiers have lost much of their morale ever since they saw Lady Clair like that… and the fact that Lady Nel didn't return…"
Yvikka closed her eyes in a pained understanding upon hearing the statements. The heart of the problem was just what she'd expected. Raising morale was never an easy job. In the previous briefing, she could see that even her own soldiers were very much disheartened by the same facts, but they still had faith in her, and that was all she needed to encourage them. However, now she was dealing with soldiers not her own, soldiers who might not yet have faith in her. They needed something to hold on to.
"Our promise…"
All pairs of eyes in the room shifted, looking to where the soft voice came from, a small figure in the corner of the room—Clair's aide.
"How many times must we be reminded of it? How long will you all be depending on Lady Clair like helpless babies to their mother?"
The aide then brought her face up, showing the building tears in her eyes. Anger and disappointment were apparent in them.
"Lady Clair is tired! Tired because of you all! Don't you understand? She never takes the chance to return to Aquios because she doesn't know what will become of you all if she leaves! She had the chance, but she didn't take it. Lady Yvikka!"
The dark haired commander jerked at the mention of her name. Her eyes widened with confusion.
"W-what?"
"Tell them! Tell them the entirety of your orders! Let them know what thing Lady Clair missed for their sake!"
The commander hesitated. It was something that she hadn't told them on the day of her arrival because Clair had opposed that. Clair had also told her to keep it a secret from her soldiers. By the time they had been discussing it, the aide had been with them as well, so she knew.
"I… my orders…"
Clair's aide, however, very much emotional by now, cut through.
"Lady Yvikka's true orders were not only to strengthen Arias, but also to take over Lady Clair's charge of Arias! Had Lady Clair accepted it, she would have been home, and things might be different for her, but no! She didn't take it because you were not included in it! She doesn't want to leave you all here because she isn't sure if you'll be alright!"
Gasps filled the room as the truth was told. The captains were struck by disbelief.
"Is… is that true, Lady Yvikka?" The captain sat closest to the commander asked, barely recovered from shock.
"… That is true," was the answer, "I should have been in this position from the very day I arrived, but Lady Clair opposed that. She refused to leave immediately… She insisted that she will only leave once she had ensured that you… her soldiers… are comfortable under my command, but…"
"Why…?" Another captain murmured with guilt-laden voice, "How could she be so… stupid…?"
"What is the difference now?" The angry aide snapped again. Her face was definitely tear-streaked by now, "Were she in her home right now, you might well want her back here when you hear this news! By Apris! Why are you all so cruel? Lady Clair…" The woman paused in an effort to regain her composure, and continued, her voice low.
"… Lady Clair… has done everything in her might so that she can be with us… now that she can't… are we going to force her to stand here and watch us like this? No. Lady Clair never wants us to be like this. For Apris' sake, she's tired, and she needs some rest. Why can't we let her rest just this once?"
The Shield Legion captains were silent once more. Nobody dared talk back in the face of that. The young woman's words might very well be true because Yvikka could see guilt and regret in everyone's eyes. Moreover, those words had come from someone whom everyone knew had spent more time with their dear commander than any of them.
The young aide swayed. After the outburst of anger came confusion. She looked around, trying to find something to hold on to, and then fell against Sisera, who happened to be the 'thing' closest to her.
"We… we always think that Lady Clair… and Lady Nel are infallible. No one… not a thing in this land could take them on, but we are wrong… We are at fault if we think that they are not like us…" A soldier broke the silence, voicing his thoughts.
"We have vowed to them that we are willing to give our lives to fulfill our duty… We are ready to die on their orders, but we are not ready to be left on our own…"
"Lady Nel and Lady Clair never want us to die on their orders… They want us to live," Farleen, who had been unusually silent in the meeting, finally spoke up. She then raised her head, casting her eyes to the whole room, "If they didn't want us to live… then why would Lady Nel risk her life rescuing us, right, Tynave?"
"That's right. We have to live, for Lady Clair and Lady Nel's sake," Tynave answered, her voice firm with determination.
A soldier raised his head. His gaze fixed on the dark haired commander with eyes that could only be described as pleading.
"Lady Yvikka…"
"Yes?"
"Please tell us… tell us what we should do. We can't stay like this… the threat is clear, and we have to do something…"
Yvikka was stunned. The question was spoken with a clear hint of desperation, something that she never wanted to face. More than that, all pairs of eyes were now directed at her once again, and each of them shared the same desperation, but behind it was faith—or rather, reliance. They were actually relying on her this time. The commander inhaled, taking in a long deep breath for the umpteenth time that morning, and then voiced her answer.
"Due to the change of the situation, we have to change our plans. All of you are to return to your squads immediately. Check your soldiers, gear, weapons… everything, and report it to Sisera. Prepare yourselves and your soldiers for war. Rebuilding efforts will now be concentrated on strengthening the town's defenses, primarily on the gate leading to the Aire Hills. Patrols will be doubled, and concentrated on seeking out signs of intrusion into our territory. Fiend exterminating is secondary. Any questions?"
None of them seemed to have questions, and the commander was ready to dismiss the meeting when she remembered one thing…
"… Before I dismiss you all, I will tell you about Lady Clair's current condition. This is not good news either, but you have the right to know, so that you can prepare the soldiers to hear this from you. Also, please understand that we have to maintain some secrecy about this… Should they ask… the soldiers only need to know that Lady Clair is ill, and Lady Nel is on another mission. The rest shall not go outside of this room. There's no telling what those warmongers will do if they find out. Now, please listen carefully…"
Though she only told them what the doctor had said to her, it was still a difficult thing to do because the telling of it could not be parted from the remembering of it—something that was an agony to even imagine, much less see. Upon finishing it, she finally dismissed the meeting, but not before speaking some words of reassurance, something that she'd always believed in.
"… I personally believe that Lady Nel and Lady Clair will be with us again some time, and we have to live to see it. I'm sure… that they will be proud of us all if we can manage somehow. For now, we have to concentrate on taking care of our soldiers and preparing them for what's to come," the commander then stood up once again, her hands and voice giving a prayer.
"May the grace of Apris be with us all. You are dismissed."
---
The conference room was silent again. The soldiers who had been there before had left, all of them but three; Yvikka, the commander, her aide Sisera, and Clair's aide, who was still clinging to Sisera.
Sisera looked very much confused. She was not used to having someone embracing her so tightly and crying on her shoulder. All she could do was returning the embrace, stroking and caressing the other aide's shoulders and back. Her amber eyes shifted their gaze from the woman on her shoulder to her commander, and then back to the sobbing woman again. When they parted, the young aide's eyes were wet and bloodshot. After thanking Sisera, she then turned to the dark haired commander and spoke with a low, barely audible voice restrained by emotion and guilt.
"I'm sorry, Lady Yvikka. I… I shouldn't have shouted at you… I shouldn't have told them ab—"
"It's alright," the commander cut the sentence short, her hand resting on the aide's shoulder, "It is not something to be sorry about. Instead, I want to thank you… for being able to… to do what you've just done."
"I just can't hold it back anymore. I can't just… stand by idly and watch them act like babies," the slim woman muttered, shaking her head rather violently. She then brought her eyes up to meet the jet black ones before her, "Moreover, Lady Yvikka… you… you have tried to be strong, for us. Honestly, I was not sure that you would be able to stand and face us the way you did just now after… after I saw you in this room after yesterday's last briefing. You were so broken, but now, you stand strong, trying to keep them together, and I want to help you do it."
A faint, sad smile worked its way to Yvikka's lips. To be seen crying like she had done the day before by those under her command was something she never wanted to happen. But this time, she was thankful that it worked for a good cause.
"I… I want to check on Lady Clair. If I may be excused…" The concerned aide spoke again.
"Surely you may, and I'll come along if you don't mind. I had planned to see her again, actually."
"No, I don't mind at all, Lady Yvikka."
"Very well, then. Let us go. Sisera, you too."
While the three of them made their way to Clair's room, Sisera saw that her dark haired commander was actually lost in thought. Problems were obvious behind the dark eyes. Seeing her commander troubled, even if it was only slightly, was bothersome to her, and she always wanted to be of help.
"Commander, is there something bothering you?"
The commander glanced over at her brunette soldier for a while, then looked down at the stone floor. She realized that the answer to the problem she was thinking about was in the person who was asking her what was wrong, but she wasn't sure herself whether to voice them or not. She sighed, and then looked again at the amber eyes, and asked the question she hoped would bring her much needed answers.
"Say, Sisera… were I gone at a time like this, what would you do?"
"I would take over your command and carry out the rest of your tasks until your return," was the firm answer.
The dark haired woman smiled at the answer. Her aide had partly misunderstood the question. "That is one way to do things if I were away, but what if I were dead or missing?" She restated the question, making it perfectly clear what was meant by it.
Sisera's feet came to a sudden stop. Her eyes widened in both realization and uncertainty. The clear question struck her like an arrow. Not unlike the Shield and Secret Legion, the Chain Legion also depended on their dark haired commander very much.
What am I going to do ever that happens? What will become of the Chain Legion if that happens?
"There's no need to answer that now, Sisera," the commander's gentle voice broke her chain of thought, "In the line of duty, everything and anything could happen, and I believe you know the cost it could easily take. I just want you to be prepared."
Having somewhat recovered herself from the confusion, Sisera doubled her pace. Her commander might not demand an answer right now, but her heart did, and it made her uneasy. It was Sisera's turn to be lost.
They then came to the door of Clair's room. A young doctor opened it at Yvikka's knock. It turned out that Aline, the doctor who had been with Clair the day before was there as well, still looking every bit as exhausted as she'd been. Very much worried about the doctor's condition, Yvikka spoke up, a hint of disapproval in her tone.
"Miss Aline? Didn't I tell you to get some rest?"
"I am sorry, Lady Yvikka," the doctor apologized, and went on, "But I came across this young colleague of mine. She reads many journals and records about this kind of problem, and she seems to know something. I wanted to know about it too, so I stayed here to hear from her."
"You know?" Yvikka snapped while diverting her attention to the younger doctor in the room.
"Um… not exactly 'know', but I have an idea about it," the young doctor paused upon realizing that all four pairs of eyes in the room were directed to her, then continued, "It is highly likely that Lady Clair is in catatonic stupor, a state of catatonia."
"Cata… tonia?" Clair's aide muttered, looking confused.
"Yes. Catatonia. It is a mental state… resulted from either a physical disturbance like severe head trauma and contamination by certain chemicals, or a psychic or emotional disturbance such as deep depression, grief, and such."
"I've never heard of it. Is it… lethal?"
"As I said, it is a mental state, and it won't kill on its own, but…" The doctor paused again, as she knew that the most unlikable part was about to come, "… As this is a rare case, there are not many subjects to observe. According to the journals I read, most of the observed subjects showed a total lack of responsiveness, which caused many of them to go to their deaths, primarily due to dehydration and malnutrition resulting from not eating or drinking enough. So… I'd say that it is indeed, lethal."
"I see…" Yvikka murmured, breaking the moment of silence resulting from the mention of the possibility of Clair's death, "Is there… any way we can help her?"
"There are some ways, including therapy utilizing a certain kind of runology and medication…" The doctor then glanced over at the silver haired woman on the bed, a sadly knowing look on her face, "… but one of the most effective… as believed by many, is the company of the people closest to her."
Her heart sank. The dark haired woman realized that the 'most effective method' they could have used was far away, way too far, if not completely out of reach. Her heart sank even deeper into the gaping hollow of grief as she recalled Clair's words the last time they spoke, words which hinted at the one thing that she had tried to deny ever since it came to her mind. Clair's desperate voice echoed again, strangling her throat, and maiming her heart more than any beating she'd ever taken. Her vision darkened at the remembrance.
"Nel… you're alive…"
"Tell me, Nel… you're alive, right? I'm just dreaming, right?"
No, it's reality…
"Why don't you answer me, Nel?"
"… please… tell me that you're alive and well."
Please stop it…
"… tell me that you're alive and well."
"… alive and well."
… stop it…
STOP!
"Lady Yvikka!"
"Aah!"
The last voice to come to her mind jerked the dark haired commander back to reality. Her head spun, her heart beat twice, or maybe thrice as fast as its usual pace. Her lungs screamed for air, as if she hadn't breathed for a moment. Her one hand was clutching where her heart beat without her even realizing it.
"Lady Yvikka… Commander," The voice came again; it was Sisera's, a concerned look in her ambers, "Are you alright? You look like you're… in some great pain…"
"… I'm… fine…" Yvikka answered, trying to sound normal, but failing. Sisera was about to ask again, but she waved it off for later, and turned to the doctor, "Would it be in her favor if we brought her to Aquios?"
"The doctors there may know better and are able to do much more than we do," came the answer, and then another, "But I wouldn't advise it. In many cases of mental problem, there are signs that a particular 'place' may influence the recovery process. Say, if she is to awaken in a place totally foreign from the place her mind last registered, it may confuse her and hinder her recovery. The best way is to have the doctors from Aquios come here and see her condition themselves, and let them judge."
The commander bowed her head, deep in thought. Her eyes closed. Arias, due to many factors, was probably the best place to attempt to heal the silver haired woman. When the war had broken out, Nel and her Secret Legion were the first soldiers to the front. The friends had been apart for some time, with Nel doing missions in Airyglyph, and Clair organizing troops in Aquios. Following the withdrawal of the Demon Hunter Legion due to the Glyphian attacks, the Shield Legion was then assigned to defend Arias, and that had been when they had met again during the war. The town was the place where the two friends, Nel and Clair, were together again, and there was no telling what kind of bond the war had forged between them in this place. The dark haired commander had wondered about that since Peterny, when Nel had been wounded and Clair had been beside her…
(Flashback)
After some searching among the wagons carrying the wounded from Arias, the Chain Legion commander finally found the people she'd been looking for. Their condition, however, was not in her favor. Nel was badly wounded, and Clair was in deep distress from seeing her friend in such a state.
Slowly, Clair tilted her head. Her brown eyes met the stunned jet-black. Though their owner's face seemed to be vacant of emotion, the brown orbs, however, were not completely devoid of passion. They spoke.
'Please help her…' was what those pale brown eyes told the other woman.
There was no need to tell the other commander again. Already, Yvikka shifted closer to Nel's battered body, and checked her condition, which she found was not good.
Dear Apris… her wounds are grave, and she has no strength in reserve to hold on. My strength alone will not be sufficient to heal even half of this…
The dark haired woman moved farther away from Nel and took a quick look around the outside of the wagon, hoping to find any able doctor, but was pained upon finding that there was none. She then turned back to the wounded spy, trying to figure out a way to help.
I can't heal her much… but I can lend some of my strength to be her reserves. It's not much, but if nothing is done now, she may never make it to Aquios.
Her mind very much decided, Yvikka turned to the lost silver haired woman, looking her in the eyes.
"Lady Clair, I can't heal her right now, as I'm not a healer… but I can give her some of my strength to keep her alive. It won't do much than giving her body some reserves to hold her here."
Clair still didn't respond. She brushed the blood-matted red hair in front of her, eyes fixed on Nel's face, and then to the Chain Legion commander.
'Please do it,' again, it was only Clair's eyes that spoke.
With a nod, the dark haired commander bent over the red haired woman, gently planting one hand on Nel's forehead, and the other on the chest. Warm light emanating from her hands, a surge of power flowed through them, into the other's battered body. After some time, she stopped, her vision blurred and her body quivering with strong hints of fatigue. Apparently, she had given most of her strength to the other soldier.
It was not finished, however. From the previous check she'd made, she'd found out that Nel's tattered tunic was wet with blood gushing out from the open wounds. It seemed that the only treatment the Crimson Blade had had was a weak healing spell, and nothing else, so she decided to take care of it. Realizing that there were other people—especially, men, in the wagon, the dark haired woman glanced over to them, and warned them to not look in her direction.
Having warned the guys, she then carefully cleaved Nel's tunic open. The light armor under the tunic was just as broken as its wearer, making it easy to get Nel out of it without moving her now too-fragile figure too much. Finished with undressing Nel's torso, Yvikka took out a roll of bandage and several cloths from the medical kit she'd brought along with her. With great care, she wiped out the blood covering the redhead's tanned skin with the cloth, revealing the wounds all over her body. During her soldiering days, Yvikka had become accustomed to the sight of blood and wounds, even the most grievous ones. However, to see them riddling the body of a person she cherished as she did the Crimson Blade was a completely different story. Her heart throbbed, pain raced through her body as she pressed the medicinal cloths against Nel's wounds, as if the wounds were hers.
The treatment was slightly interrupted as a female doctor came. The dark haired commander nodded at the doctor, affirming that her help was needed. The other doctor, who had been in the wagon since Arias, was about to join them, but Yvikka waved her down again, saying that she should save her power for the journey to Aquios. As the newly arrived doctor attended the other wounded in the wagon, Yvikka continued with wrapping bandages around Nel's body, covering her wounds as well as holding her fractured bones in place.
"… Thank you…"
Clair finally managed to find her voice. Her brown eyes were no longer as dull and dim as Yvikka had seen them before. The dark haired woman smiled in response. She then jumped out of the wagon, and returned shortly with a thick tunic, which she wrapped it around Nel to keep her body warm.
After all that was done, reports found her. One told her that all the lums had been replaced, and the convoy was ready to go, and the other said that her soldiers had gained control over the chaos, and the streets were clear and passable. The dark haired commander smiled at the reports. They were like a drip of water in the midst of drought for her… and Clair. She knew that, because the other woman's eyes were bright once again.
(End of flashback)
But again, this place is on the verge of being a war zone once again…
The thought frightened her, but she then decided to put it aside for later. Right now, finding a way to help Clair was first among her priorities, and she had promised herself to stop at nothing to achieve it. Not long after, she was on her steed, as were the doctor and Clair's aide. As they rode to Aquios, Yvikka muttered a silent prayer.
Lady Nel, if you are truly out there and alive, you'd better return soon…for Lady Clair's sake…
