MLP and YS reference, because I friggin love Ys. Yes, I am a brony and I am proud of it. Got a problem with that? :P
~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~
The Memory"Alright guys. Let's rest here." Leon said, putting down his pack. Saria got off Ailith's back and put her pack down as well. "Erick and I will handle dinner. Meanwhile, you guys get refreshed." Leon said to the two girls and they nodded. Leon got some dried up leaves and twigs and put them in a small hole Erick dug up that was lined with stones.
"Right. Let's get a fire started Erick." Leon said and with the swift movement of his finger, Erick had a tiny blue flame at the top of his finger. Then he flicked his finger toward the leaves and the flame darted toward them, lighting a very hot blue fire.
"Hah. You gotta teach me that some day!" Leon complimented and Erick laughed sheepishly. "Oh, would you turn down the heat a bit? I won't need that hot of a temperature for what I'm gonna cook. Could you pass me some barbecue sticks?" Leon asked.
"What'll you be cooking?" Erick said, handing him some barbecue sticks.
"My signature Shrimp and Crabstick Siomai, and Lobster Soup! To top that off, for desert we have my signature Apple Cinnamon fruit salad with honey glazed fruits and walnuts! Ahahaha!" Leon laughed maniacally while holding his a barbeque stick in one hand and a soupspoon in the other, and wearing a pink apron that Saria gave him for his birthday once. "A-Ahem. Anyway, would you mind passing me the spices my bag?" Leon asked and Erick laughed.
"Well I'll give you this. They do sound delicious!" Erick laughed while passing him the spice and preparing the lobster cuts for the soup.
~ In the pond nearby ~
"Ah! How refreshing! Cold water after a day like this, I swear! I've never walked that far in my life!" Saria joked and jumped into the pond with Ailith.
"I wonder what their cooking...It smells delicious." Ailith asked while a sweet scent of apples and honey reaching her nose.
"Ah! That's probably his signature Apple and Cinnamon fruit salad!" Saria said while smiling, as the scent drifted to her nose as well.
"Wow. Your brother must be a really good cook. That smells delicious..." She said while sniffing the air.
"Yeah he is! He's also a really good brother to me. Ever since our parents died in the attack, he's taken care of me ever since." Saria said happily, but her eyes showed sadness.
"I'm sorry to hear about your parents. Our village was attacked and our parents died because of the attack too." Ailith said, playing with the water.
"Really? Who knew...it's almost like...hmm. That's strange, but well anyway. Thanks and I'm sorry for your parents too." Saria said while wondering about something. "When Cornelia was attacked...I remember huge white fireballs that literally came out of nowhere. They just came out of the sky and soon the entirety of Cornelia was in flames. Then this...this woman came and...I can't remember what she looked like but I know she had...snake-like eyes. Anyway, a huge block fell on me and she was going to finish me off, but then our older sister and Leon came to help. Amilia fought her and eventually the woman ran away, but she went after her and...and we haven't seen Amilia ever since. Since that day, Leon's been looking after me like I was the only thing he had left." She said with sad nostalgic eyes.
"Amilia is your older sister I'm guessing?" Ailith asked cautiously. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah...and I think that woman was the one who attacked Cornelia." Saria replied.
"Well, at least you still have somewhere to come back to. When our village was attacked, there was nothing left. It was this giant dragon...it was huge...it destroyed everything and everyone was killed with its ferocity and winds. Erick and I helped and tried to fight her off, but of course, that didn't turn out so well and we were left as good as dead." Ailith said, still playing with the water. "When Erick and I fought it, we were still very young so you could imagine how futile it was for the both of us...Seeing our comrades and our families, fight and die within one hit...then after the village was destroyed we were left unconscious. That's when we met master Sarda. He said he nursed us and that we were asleep for almost a month. When we came back to the village, a new forest was starting to grow already. No one was left alive except for me and Erick." She stated. "Ever since then, he kept on saying I was the only thing he had left. That he would protect and take care of me with his life...He's such a sweet thing sometimes."
"That's...that's so weird..." Saria said pondering.
"What?" Ailith asked, hurt and confused.
"N-No! Sorry I didn't mean to sound that way! I'm so sorry!" Saria said. "It's just...seeing where we are now...I don't think it was a coincidence that only we were left alive...I mean...what are the chances that only we were left alive when the dragon and that woman could have easily wiped us out? That woman...now that I look at it, with her power, she could have easily destroyed Cornelia...but she didn't...instead she left Leon and I alive...and that dragon! What were the chances that she didn't kill you if one hit could wipe out your comrades and families? Why is it that only you and Erick were left alive?"
"That's not...totally impossible..." Ailith said. "But then what about your sister?" She asked.
"I don't know...Amilia ran...and ever since she hasn't been seen. It's not like she died...They never found her corpse or anything. She's just missing and assumed to be dead." Saria pondered. "What is all this? I feel like there's more to it than meets the eye..." She said.
"I know...I feel the same way..." Ailith said. "Do you think we should tell our brothers?" She asked and Saria pondered for a bit, then eventually nodded. Ailith frowned. "I know that Erick's not gonna like this..." She said, laughing nervously.
"Don't worry. If he does get mad at you, then you can come to me. I'll be your shield and your shoulder to lean on." Saria said smiling at Ailith, who smiled back and hugged her.
"Thanks..." Ailith said. They got out of the pool together and got dressed when Ailith noticed a figure in the trees, watching. "Saria, why don't you go on ahead, I'll finish up over here. Just realized I didn't really wash myself well. I was just playing with the water! Don't worry, I'll make it fast promise!" She said.
"Alright, but I'm not telling them without you! I'll be waiting with them. Oh, and do hurry! It smells like dinner's there already." Saria said while putting on her White Mage robe. Then she left and Ailith waited, while keeping an eye on the man in the trees, for her footsteps to fade.
"A little pervert are we?" She mumbled to herself while walking to the man, who upon closer inspection was wearing all red. He was facing away from her and she could see his long, silver hair.
"Hey! You! What do you think you're doing? Answer me!" She said and threw her fist at him, but then he caught it and pulled her forward while turning. Then, both of her fists were in his tight grip above her head, leaving her pinned. "Agh. Rghh. Let me go!" She said while struggling. Truly, he was very strong, for not even a dragon could pin her down without her being able to throw it off with ease. He then placed a gentle kiss on her lips, but as he did this, she was thrown into a state. She saw the four of them, with two other people laughing and smiling while venturing into a village called Crescent Lake. Then she saw an Airship rise from the desert with them in front holding a stone. Then the six of them in front of a dragon who gave them new abilities and armours. After this vision was a horrible sight where all of them were being massacred by a giant being who radiated a very strong and negative energy. Everything happened so fast that after he pulled away, she was left speechless. He let go of her hands and jumped away, but not before tilting his hat to reveal ominous silver eyes and an arrogant, yet handsome smile that would normally make a girl swoon. Of course, Ailith was just too dumbfounded by what just happened to even take notice of how handsome he was, not that she even cared for such things anyway.
"AILITH! HURRY UP!" Came Erick's voice from afar. She could tell he was angry, the guy had anger issues when it came to his sister. Who, by the way, he was overly protective of.
"I-I'M COMING!" She yelled then got dressed, and hurried to their camp. Erick was next to Saria who smiled at her. Leon was preparing her share of the dish, which looked absolutely delicious. Ailith got hungry and her stomach grumbled just looking at it. She immediately went to their side and sat down next to Leon, so that Saria was also next to her.
"S-Saria...uh. There was a person there, and he...um...he was watching me and...uh...gosh, I can't even say it..." Ailith said as she hid behind Leon who was shocked and readied his sword. Erick's eyes glowed a blood red and his aura became strong, up to the point where even Leon and Saria could feel it.
"Erick calm down. At least he didn't do anything to Ailith." Leon reassured and Ailith bit her lip. Erick calmed down until his aura changed back to normal.
"Ai, did you see his face? Where is this jackass?" Erick said while clenching his fist. "I'm gonna kick that jackass so hard in the balls he won't have any left..." He mumbled to himself in a voice soft enough for no one to hear. As said before, he was very, VERY, protective of his sister.
"Uh, no...N-No. I didn't see his face...I don't even know where he went off too...He just took off when he saw that I saw him." Ailith said, while biting her lip and turning slightly red. No one noticed Saria's eyes glow a slight white as she read Ailith's aura. She saw that Ailith was lying and that she was hiding something more than just someone watching her or even doing something to her. Saria smiled and decided to talk about it later when the two boys were asleep.
"It's gonna be okay Ai. We'll make sure next time that there won't be any guy to watch you. We'll patrol the area next time. Did you know if he was watching Saria too?" Leon asked in a reassuring yet commanding voice. Saria knew he was being stern, and at the same time, trying not to panic everyone. She called that voice the 'Leon Voice' because it always worked when people at the Inn would panic and he would reassure them.
"No. He only came when...when I was alone." Ailith said, turning red. Erick became angry again and grunted.
"Bullshit pervert. I'll show him what happens when you spy on my sister..." Erick said, clenching his fist hard.
"Erick, it's okay. I'm the leader and I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. Pinkie Pie swear." Leon reassured while smiling at Erick, who looked at him and nodded while calming down.
"Fine. Pinkie Pie swear." Erick said. "Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." Erick and Leon said in unison while both sticking a honey-glazed walnut in their eyes. "Oh yeah. Who made you leader?" Erick teased.
"I did! Because no one was taking the lead anyway!" Leon laughed and Erick gently punched him in the arm.
"Hahaha! You've got some nerve don't ya?" Erick laughed and Leon sheepishly smiled, while inching away from Erick. "Yeah, that's I thought!"
"You can be scary sometimes Erick." Leon laughed, receiving another gentle punch from Erick.
"How's this for scary?" Erick said, and slapped Leon in the gayest manner he could muster. Leon fell back on purpose and started to fake cry into Saria's arms.
"WEEHHH! He punched-slapped...ah whatever." Leon laughed and then so did Erick.
"Hehehe. They're getting along well aren't they?" Ailith said to Saria who happily nodded and watched Leon and Erick play with their food. They seemed to forget about what just happened with Ailith, but she was grateful that they all were happy again.
"Hey! You guys ever hear about the tales of a fiery red-haired adventurer named Adol Christin?" Erick asked and they shook their heads. "There are many tales actually. Cause that guy's been saving the world since genesis beyond the beginning!" Erick laughed. "Alright so his first adventure began in..."
~ In the distance ~
"Smooth move Romeo, just go ahead and kiss the sleeping beauty." Amilia said to Claude who became red and shielded his face with his hat. "While you're at it why don't you fuck her too?" Amilia teased.
"Fuck off. I did what I had to." Claude mumbled to himself and turned away from Amilia, who just looked at him, slowly shaking her head in a very judging and arrogant manner.
"Yeah but you didn't have to kiss her for the memory spell to work." She teased.
"Whatever. I did what I had to." Claude said in a stern voice.
"Whatever you say hot-shot." Amilia teased, while looking at Saria and Leon who were laughing their butts off with Ailith and Erick. She smiled, their smiles were always something precious to Amilia and she missed Leon and Saria very much. Her eyes softened as she saw all of them fall back, laughing until they were crying. Amilia wanted so much to be there with them, she sighed and continued to watch with soft and yet sad eyes.
~ Back at the camp ~
"This red-haired adventurer travelled the globe with his blue-haired pal. They did everything together!" Erick said. "They were an inseparable duo who faced many challenges! At least that's what the legends say."
"Yeah. I bet they did everything together! Bwahahaha!" Saria burst out laughing like crazy. "Oh man. I've heard about this red-haired adventurer, but I had no idea!" She laughed.
The night was soon dark and they cleaned up and went to sleep. All except for Saria, who had plans to talk to Ailith about what really happened in the bath. She scooted next to Ailith who was sleeping with a peaceful look on her face, and she gently shook Ailith awake.
"Hm? Oh Saria. Is there something I can do for you?" Ailith said while yawning and facing towards Saria.
"Yeah. Back at the dinner, you were lying weren't you? About that man not actually doing anything?" Saria whispered to Ailith's ear.
"Well...wow you and Leon have got some keen eyes. It must be a blood related thing. Anyway, yeah, I did lie a bit. The man was wearing an all red uniform. Well, at least it looked like a uniform anyway. And he had silver hair and...these very ominous silver eyes. They almost looked dead." Ailith said, turning slightly red. Saria nudged her to keep on speaking. "He...he kind of pinned me down and...gosh. He was really strong. Nothing could hold me down like that. I mean, not to brag or anything but, I can throw a Dragon or Manticore who pins me down with ease. Master would use to train me with beasts he summoned, but anyway, I couldn't even move. Then he kissed me..." Ailith said and she hid behind her pillow. She didn't want Saria to see her very red face. "But when he did...I saw...All of us, going to some place called the Crescent Lake. Then a flying ship and then...us being massacred...it all happened so fast. I-I don't even know what happened."
"He used a memory spell on you? How can that be...it...I don't remember going to a place called Crescent Lake..." Saria pondered. "He used a memory spell on you Ailith. That...that was a memory..."
"That's not possible. I don't remember anything like that. I don't know any town called Crescent Lake or I don't even know what that flying ship was or what we were doing there...That's not possible...That can't be a memory...at least not from me..." Ailith said, now confused.
"You said you saw all of us right? Then it's possible that if he used the same memory spell, we would have seen the same things. If that's even a positive memory spell. Because there are two types, one that creates false memories and one that lets you remember. So it's possible that he's trying to get a false memory into you." Saria explained and then a look of confusion spread across her face. "But...you don't need to kiss someone in order to do the memory spell...Ailith...what did you say he looked like again?" Saria asked.
"He was a man wearing all red." Ailith explained.
"With silver hair?" Saria asked and Ailith nodded. "We met a guy like him too, when we were called to the King's castle and...come to think of it. He showed the guards that we had the crystals...and that led us to the King and then..." Saria pondered.
"The King asked for you to find us. The other crystal bearers." Ailith finished and Saria nodded. "Are you saying he's trying to guide us or something? Then...what about those memories?" Ailith asked.
"I have no idea, but the man in red. He led us to the King's castle and he showed the guards we had the crystals...us...us of all people. It could be possible that he's leading us somewhere." Saria said, still confused. "What's going on? Who led you to us anyway?"
"A woman with hazel eyes...now that I think of it, they were a lot like yours." Ailith said.
"Did she have dark brown and curly hair?" Saria asked, wide-eyed and Ailith nodded. "Oh my gosh...that was my sister...That was Amilia, but I saw her too! That's why I was chasing someone in the forest...What is all this? First that man led us to the King's castle and showed the guards our crystals and...then Amilia brings us together?" Saria asked, now more confused than ever. "What's going on...?"
"Saria, there's no use pondering now. We have to get some sleep, the moon's high in the sky already which means it's probably late...but...please. Don't tell our brother's just yet. We have to get to the bottom of this." Ailith said.
"I have a strange feeling that if we just keep walking down the path we are in...things will just clear up...but I also have this feeling...That this path is very dark..." Saria said as they both looked up at the night sky.
"I can't help but get the same feeling...but something tells me things will be alright." Ailith said, now worried. "Good night Saria." She said.
"Good night Ailith. Sleep well and..." Saria said. "May the light shine upon the four of us..." The both of them said in unison as they went back to their sleeping bags. They all slept peacefully that night.