Radiata Endings Chapter 1, a radiata stories fanfic

It starts as mummers.

Then slowly becomes chatters.

After a while of disrupted silence and astringent darkness, a single light in the city of Radiata takes a forefront…

……to be followed by a series to come……

-T-T-T-T-

A boy runs…

……cradling a girl in his arms.

Ha pants and he grunts, staring straight ahead as he plows through dirt and grass with great alacrity in each of his steps.

The girl lies numbly in the boy's arms, barely holding herself to him with an arm around his neck and the other hand is placed gingerly on his chest.

She breathes slowly, blinking frequently, as if recovering from deep slumber.

She gazes up at the boy's face, seeing his furrowed eyebrows, desperate frown, and clenched teeth.

The boy does not notice the girl's gaze, and merely increases pace.

The girl watches him……studies him…

…and smiles.

She turns her attention ahead to see the stone structures of the Faucon Gate approaching steadily.

Before long, the pair stops on the edge of the stone bridge, just outside the gate.

The boy continues to pant as both he and the girl await and linger…

…listening……

…observing……

……hoping……

Mummers……

…voices………and chatters…

The boy exhales breathily and turns towards the girl with a happy visage.

His eyes ask a silent question, an excited declaration, an eager pondering.

And the girl answers by closing her eyes, resting her head softly against the boy's shoulder, and smiles contently.

With a burst of energy, the boy sprints off into the city.

-T-T-T-T-

A man lies face-first on the ground of the streets of Yellow of Sun and Glory, sprawled like a dead gecko.

He wears a rather rusty and unpolished suit of armor, decorated with a blue-yellow cloth that hangs around his torso. His helmet is oddly shafted with an axe on the top.

Louder voices…

Louder mutterings……….

The man twitches once.

A beat.

He twitches a few more times.

He groans for several long seconds.

The man makes a gurgling sound, and finally pushes himself off the uncomfortable ground and rolls over on his back.

The man has purple hair, some bangs hanging where the helmet doesn't cover his face and a moustache of the same color. Lying on his back, he opens his eyes to the ominous night sky with a single star glowing warmly.

He makes a face. "Crud……………where in the name of Anastasia's ugly-mug-of-a-face am I?" He looks from side to side. "Here? Dammit, I must've been drunk off my butt again!"

He grunts and rubs his eyes with an arm. "Gosh-darn-nabbit! This was probably the worst blackout I've ever had! I hope I didn't slug a pregnant woman again……"

He continues to lie on the ground, listening to some of the chattering around him, when he hears a boyish voice out from view.

"Heeeeeeeeeeey! Saaaaarge!"

He frowns. "What the……? Is someone calling me or just pissing near the garbage dump?"

"Saaaaarge!"

"Okay, if that's Daniel running to borrow a pair of jockstraps, I'm gonna to poke him with my helmet."

He remains on the ground, lying in wait for whoever his addresser was.

He hears pounding footsteps nearing, and when it stops, he sees a boy with brown hair and brown eyes peering down at him, panting and smirking.

"Woohoo! Sarge! It's good ol' sprawled on the ground you! You're really really really really here! This is so blinking cool! All right!"

Jarvis stares with eyes large as saucers and as blank as a sheet of paper.

"Sarge! It's me, Jack! You remember, don't you? You know, the lovable subordinate fetches your vomit bucket every night!"

Jarvis' cheeks turn a little blue.

"Uh…….Sarge, don't you need to breathe? Y-you look like you're about throw up―oh, c'mon! I just got back here!"

The man suddenly sits up, mouth agape. "Can't be……I-is th-that you, Jack?"

The boy grins widely, still carrying the girl with secure hands. "Yay! Sarge's not in a coma or tossing his inner fluids! Whew, for a minute there, I thought you got brain damage from a lack of air."

"Oh Gawd, I must still be drunk! And this must some kind of a freaky dream!"

"Huh? No, you're not dreaming, Sarge! This is the real world!"

"I must've had more of mugs of beer than what is necessary to get wasted! And now I'm trapped in a dream world where Jack is still a loudmouth squirt and women dance around naked for my viewing pleasure!"

"Okay……I did not need to hear that."

"Shut up, dream-world-Jack, you will respect my authority! Now, get that girl you're carrying naked and dancing!"

The boy's eyes bulge and his mouth hangs open for a nonplussed look.

The girl seems to have heard the demand, for she opens her tired eyes and now glares venomously at the man sitting on the ground.

"Well, good darn, she's a cutie this time! Last time one of these dreams came along it was with that fruitcake Rolec giving me a lap dance! Errgggh!"

"Jack……," the girl hisses sharply at the boy, "do something about your sergeant. I'm too tired to kick him myself."

"Well? I'm waiting! Start the frolicking, already! It takes a lot more to make my 'little major' salute compared to my younger years, and I might as well enjoy this dream while I'm still drunk off my ass!"

The boy makes a disturbed face and protectively turns the girl away from the man's eyesight.

The girl blushes. "J-Jack……! Do something…!"

"Sorry, Sarge," the boy apologizes, "but if you start doing that to anyone else, you might end up in jail for sexual harassment."

He pivots and spins on one foot, kicking the man squarely in the face, thus sending him sprawling back onto the ground.

"Bwah! Ow, dammit, my face! What the bloody hell? This ……this h-hurts……?" He feels his nose, looks at his hand, and his eyes are clouded with …….realization.

The boy rushes over to a street corner, places the girl gently down, positioning her so that her back rests against the rocky wall, and runs back to the grounded man.

He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "Heh, sorry, Sarge. But you were kinda freaking me and Ridley out a little, and I don't think pinching you would do the trick……"

"………………………."

"Errr…Sarge?"

"So, I'm not dreaming. And I'm sober."

"Heh, yeah, will wonders never cease, eh?"

"Jack, what the bloody hell are doing back here in Radiata? Did you forget whose side you chose?"

"S-Sarge, I know it's going to take some time to explain―"

"I don't know how you snuck in, Jack Russell, or for what reason. But if you came to harm the citizens of this city for the sake of those damn elves, I have no choice but to fight you again." He pushes himself off the ground, standing tall and fierce.

"That's not how it is, Sarge! Listen to―"

"If you leave now, Jack, I won't make a fuss to attract attention. Consider this the last favor I'll do for you as your ex-sergeant."

"Okay, now you're seriously starting to―"

"From last time, I know I'm not much of a challenge for you anymore, but don't take Jarvis, sergeant of Theatre Vancoor, lightly, Jack Russell! I have my duties, and I will carry them out accordingly!"

"That's it."

SMACK! The boy swiftly delivers a kick on the sergeant's shin.

"Owowowowowow!" The man yelps as he hops, holding his injured leg.

"Sarge, pay attention already! It's a very long story! It'll probably take an even longer time to explain everything to you, and it's also not very believable! But I'll make one thing clear: I'm not here to help the elves in some drawn out battle plan!" He takes a moment to breathe. "…………I'm coming home."

The man hops slower, staring at the boy incredulously.

"A lot has happened out there since we last met at Fort Helencia, Sarge. We actually went to the End of the World, and then w-we ended up fighting the Silver Dragon, to save Ridley. But then a lot of things still happened anyways…and th-then Ridley was the only one actually left, and well, including myself. And all the humans were ……like, I don't know, gone. But Ridley figured out a way to reverse all that, and now all the humans are returned before the world could be reset, or s-something, which is why you're back here and stuff……"

The man continues to stare at the frantically explaining boy as if he sprouted a new crotch between his legs.

"And then, um, then we, huh……"

"Jack………I won't say I understand a single thing you just said………but I will assume you're saying that you've dealt with the path you chose, and that now you've decided that your new road leads here?"

The boy sighs, but smiles and nods firmly. "Yeah. Ridley and I settled on a decision, and now we're coming back home, to our families……to you guys." He turns to look at the girl, who smiles and waves weakly back.

The man closes his eyes for a second. He takes a step forward toward the smiling boy…

SMACK! And slaps him on the head.

The girl blinks.

The boy yelps and falls to the ground on his rear.

"That was for the two kicks, squirt," the man bellows, "and also for taking your sweet time parading out there, shaming the name of Theatre Vancoor and the city. You also made Daniel cry for days! Do you have any idea who had to suffer through that? Now, you just suddenly plop yourself back here, and started talking like a clown!"

The boy rubs his scalp. "I….I'm sorry, Sarge. I d-didn't want to betray―"

Jarvis raises a hand to stop the boy. "Stop right there, Jack. I already told you, the path you choose is your own business, and if you're a man, you'll stay the course. I don't have a single flippin' clue to whatever crud is going down, but I won't have a former subordinate whimpering in front of me because of some stupid guilt. You may have been branded as a traitor, but I know you haven't betrayed yourself. That's all I ever truly soberly asked of you. And if you're still walking on the road you paved, then neither have you betrayed me. It is just simply the nature of things."

The boy stands, and looks into the man's eyes. A moment of tension passes between them…

A beat…

Both the boy and Jarvis smile at the same time.

The girl, still resting against the wall, breathes in relief.

"Sarge, you are just so much cooler when you're not drunk. Can you just quit drinking?"

"Ha! That's like asking Daniel to kill his pet crocagator or Anastasia to go on a diet."

The boy chuckles and rushes over to the girl, kneeling down to meet her eyes.

The girl smirks at the boy. "See…….? I told you your sergeant understands……."

"Heh, yeah. But you should stop talking, Ridley, save your strength and rest. Don't want any wrinkles on that pretty face."

She smiles slightly stronger. "I'm actually feeling better now, Jack. D-don't worry too much."

Jarvis walks over, and rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "Errrr…….you must be Lady Ridley, then. Nice to meet you, and, um…s-sorry about th-the whole……you-know………naked frolicking stuff."

The girl just brushes her hand. "Please…….'Ridley' is just fine. Besides……now I've got half of your paycheck……."

The man blushes, and directs his attention to the boy. "Jack, I still don't have a damn clue to what's happened and whatever, but while I'm fine with it, both of you are still traitors in the eyes of most of the townspeople, not to mention the royal guards. In short, this ain't the best time for the two of you to be cuddling around. It's probably better if you both leave before you attract too much atten―"

"They're over there! Hurry!" A voice shouts from out-of-view.

The three simultaneously crank their necks toward the direction of the shout, where the silhouette of a group of guardsmen and officers are seen gathered on a stone bridge.

"There!" One of the shadowed figures declares, "Told you people! There was someone shouting the traitor's name, and there the bastard is!"

Both the boy and girl turn their heads to stare at Jarvis.

"Oh crud…………err, oops?"

The group of guards has begun charging down the slope of the bridge.

The boy groans. "Oh, man! This is definitely not cool!"

He runs off in the other direction with the group of castle guards chasing ferociously, leaving clouds of dust tailing behind.

Jarvis watches the chase until it is out of his view.

He rubs his face and moans with a grimace. "Great, now what the hell do I do?"

A beat.

He looks back up with determination. "Darn it, Jarvis! Be a man! Pick a side and stick with it!" He turns and runs into the entrance of Theatre Vancoor. "Daniel! Are you in there? Get your weapon ready, boy, we've got a fight to tumble into!"

-T-T-T-T-

Jumping over a couple of garbage bags, the boy looks over his shoulder to see the group of armed soldiers in sight.

"Dammit! This is so not how I pictured our homecoming!" He nears a bridge and looks to the left. "Oh, uh-nuh, they have better not touched my stuff with their―"

The girl's eyes widen. "Jack! Watch out!"

The boy looks ahead to see a man named Paul standing up slowly while rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Unable to run aside, the boy leaps and rams his knee into the half-conscious man's face.

Blood squirts from the man's nose as he falls to the ground with a thud.

"Oh, man! Sorry!" The boy calls back as he continues to sprint down the road.

The disgruntled man groans as he holds his brutalized nose, and attempts to rise to his feet―

CLAM! CLUNK! SLAM! BAM! WHACK!

……only to be trampled by the stampede group of soldiers. His hand is left twitching in the air.

-T-T-T-T-

The boy makes a sharp left turn as they reach the White Town of Star and Fate, running slightly faster due to a steeper slope.

On the side, a group of girls are talking amongst themselves in a panicked manner.

They hear the running and shouting, and before long they see the boy carrying the girl, running down the street while a cluster of soldiers is chasing them like angry villagers with pitchforks or mad janitors with urinal cakes.

Most of them squealed as they moved aside quickly to avoid being trampled.

As only the clouds of dust are left, one of the girls, named Yuri, looks about in worry. "Oh d-dear, wh-what is h-happening?"

"I'm not sure what's going on," exclaims a girl with thick eyebrows and short, spikey auburn hair, "but it looks like there's gonna be some royal roundabout ass-beating!"

A priestess named Flora with dark-brown hair tied into pigtails and a slightly childlike feature frowns. "V-Vitas, you shouldn't speak like that! It's not ladylike, and nor is it an appropriate behavior for a priestess of Olacion."

A girl with silver hair and a casual green dress, Adina, sneers. "I could care less how Vitas decides to act like how she looks, but I want some answers around here, and I think I prefer to have them now!"

The other girl with silver hair, Adina's twin sister, Elena nods her head in agreement. "Yeah, this whole thing is too freaky just to be a coincidence! I think there's treachery afoot!"

A childish looking girl with small pigtails purses her lips. "(sigh) None of those men were even up to par………all so aesthetically sub-standard, I'd take up staring at Flora's father's picture any day. Hmmm, but where have I seen that cute boy before………"

The priestess with auburn-brown hair and chestnut-colored skin, Miranda, clutches her hands worriedly. "Oh my, I think there's going to be some uncontrolled pounding and fighting. I better follow them so I can heal the wounded, for it is my duty as a healing priestess of Olacion."

With that, she takes off in the direction of the chase.

"Hey, wait for me, Miranda!" Vitas yells as she follows the darker-skinned girl, "I don't want to miss out on the action. And hey, maybe I can create some wounded for you to heal!"

The rest of the girls does not move, and continue to ponder or worry.

Elena pouts. "Well, there those two numskulls go. Adina, lets go back to the temple, we have to see if Lady Anastasia's alright!"

Adina gasps. "Oh, of course! How could we have forgotten to check up on dearest and most beautiful Lady Anastasia! Let's go!"

Sylenia frowns. "Do you ever take time to think about the adjectives that come out of your mouth?"

"I will follow," Flora said in earnest, "perhaps Archbishop Fernando has knowledge regarding these oddities we just witnessed."

-T-T-T-T-

"Halt, villain!" screams a slightly brawny blonde priest, "I, Alvin, the hero of Radiata will demonstrate my miracles and bestow punishment upon your traitorous soul and send you to meet eternal damnation in hell!"

The boy is running on the roads of the Blue Town of Water and Wisdom, which is much emptier than the rest of the streets they ran upon.

And the zealous Alvin is running after the duo closely behind.

"Wh-what is that guy's damage?" the girl questions, looking behind, "Did someone tore him straight out of a comic book, or is he enraged because he's on a diet?"

"Alvin's always been a bit of a pain in the butt before! But I didn't expect him to be a fast one! It's like being chased by an overweight smilodon!"

The boy sees a pile of garbage bags and trashcans piled up on the side of the road ahead. He runs around one and kicks one of the trashcans backwards.

The trash-filled metal can flies in aim at the chubby priest, who just smirks, and with a heroic show of abilities, leaps over the projectile……

…only to have his crotch land on a swift kick executed with perfect timing.

The blonde priest/wannabe hero grips the area between his legs painfully and hunches over on the ground as beads of tears well up on his eyes, and whimpers in pain.

The girl stares at the scene with wide eyes. "Jack………that was low, even for you."

The boy ignores the comment. "Sorry, Alvin! I hope it doesn't swell too much and add to your weight!"

Fortunately for the "fallen hero", the pursuing guardsmen manage to avoid trampling him as they stampede across the litter-sprawled street.

Silence……until echoing footsteps…

Vitas' voice: What the……? Did someone leave a big-ass pile of clothes on the road, or is that a miniature flesh mountain?

Miranda's voice: Oh, my goodness! It's Alvin!

Vitas' voice: So I wasn't too far off.

Miranda's voice: What's wrong? Are you hurt badly? Tell me where so I can help.

Vitas' voice: Did someone punch you in the gut or kick your……………oh, I see.

Miranda's voice: Where's Alvin injured, Vitas? I don't think he can answer me with all his strength used in not crying!

Vitas' voice: Just look at where he's clutching.

Miranda's voice: Umm…….let's see………(gasp) ………Oh……….oh my goodness…….

Vitas' voice: Miranda, I think this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your aspirations and use your healing touches, heaven knows Alvin seriously needs it.

Miranda's voice: B-but b-but but, I-I………

Vitas' voice: Don't be embarrassed. Just think of it as if you're healing his soul…… as in his privates.

Miranda's voice: I…I…I think my hands are cramping up!

Vitas' voice: So is Alvin's…….bruised sausage.

Miranda's voice: Th-this……this is not happening………

-T-T-T-T-

The boy continues to bolt from street to alley and vice versa. Even with the delusional priest out of the chasing mob, the pursuers are still of many and does not show any sign of decreasing.

The boy is beginning to sweat harder, and the worry etched on the girl's expression is becoming more abstruse.

"Man, the only things we're missing here are torches and pitchforks!"

"Jack, we have to stop and talk to them! It's useless to be running around the whole city with a mob after us! We have to use diplomacy!"

"Are you crazy? If I slow down, the only thing that will happen is a less diplomatic solution involving them pounding my face in!"

"Don't run into the Black Town, we'll just get cornered at the dead end!"

The boy makes a direct right turn just at the entrance of the Vareth Institute and charges down the street lined with small stores of magical trinkets and the likes, causing some recently reawakened, bewildered shopkeepers and mages to jump aside and look about in confusion.

As the boy makes a few more turns and jumps, they end up running back in the direction of Theatre Vancoor.

"Ridley, I think we should just get the blinking heck out of here, before they rip off my arm and beat me senseless with it! We should just be glad to know that we've succeeded in reviving everyone's eagerness to have me neutered!"

"We need to somehow get into the castle and see Larks, Jack. There're a lot of things we need to explain before we can also face the fairy creatures."

"What? They'd tear me apart! I'd much rather take my chances fighting the chief with a toilet scrubber!"

"And running in circles is going to help matters?"

"Hey, if I'm still breathing, then I'm a happy person!"

Before the girl could reply, the boy jerks to a halt.

The girl looks questioningly at the boy before looking ahead to see the reason.

Another group of royal guardsmen stands threateningly before them, led by a female knight with green hair.

"Stop right there, Jack Russell! There is nowhere left for you to run!" Natalie unsheathes her sword and points it threateningly at the boy.

"Oh, great," the boy groans, "now my life is complete; first the mob, then the fat vigilante, and now the insanely annoying girl with a megalomania complex. I'm so bloody happy."

"Quiet, you scum! I've finally got you, and now…I'm going to pay you back for that……that……that 'thing' at the fort!"

The boy scrunches his face. "'Thing'? What are you………oooohhhhh, now I remember. Hey, that was just a little harmless fun. You've only got some little scratches on your rump, as in your ego."

The girl blushes and seethes. "Sh-shut up!" She feels the stares of the soldiers around her. "Wh-who are you looking at? Nothing happened! H-he just-just―"

The boy smirks. "Want me to give the details?"

He is about to laugh when he winces from a sharp tug on his ear.

"Yes, Jack," the girl hisses as she glares at the boy, "do tell. Just what did you do in your supposed fort invasion that involves Natalie's rump?"

"Ack! R-Ridley, that hurts! N-nothing happened, I-I w-was just―"

At that time, the group of chasing soldiers arrives.

Natalie laughs triumphantly. "Looks like you're trapped, you foul traitor!" She re-raises her sword. "Now, surrender and cough up whatever scheme the elves are planning—w-w-wait! L-lady Ridley, i-is that you?"

The girl sighs a bit, and is about to speak when the green-haired captain immediately interjects.

"I knew it! That little jerk Jack Russell really did kidnap Lady Ridley, and now he's using her as a human shield! That is simply barbaric, atrocious, debasing, most foul of a tactic!"

The boy makes a face. "How many times does it take to ram an idea into her head? I didn't kidnap Ridley!"

The girl shakes her head, with some slight fluster on her cheeks. "I'm fine, Natalie, I'm just a…little t-tired. Jack didn't kidnap me, I left on my own volition, you should know that by now. Please, we need to see Lord Larks and—"

Natalie suddenly gasps, and leans back slightly with an arm raised seemingly defensively. "Oh no, flustered cheeks……foggy eyes……short, ragged breaths. J-Jack Russell, you foul, treacherous son of a bastard! What unscrupulous, beastly act have you committed upon the innocence of Lady Ridley?"

Both the boy and girl scrunch their faces in confusion. "Wh-what are you talking about? Do what……."

Both their eyes widen.

The girl blushes furiously. "N-no no no no no! Natalie, J-Jack didn't do a-anything like that! Th-that is just...I mean……the mere idea of it is just……"

The boy's face is completely red and his hold on the girl is beginning to weaken.

The girl feels herself slipping and tightens her hug on the boy's neck. "J-Jack! If you drop me like a sack of potatoes, I will personally kick you where it hurts!"

"B-but Ridley, my face……it buuuurns!"

The green-haired knight takes a step forward. "Unhand Lady Ridley this instance, you beastly person!"

"For the love of—why do you always have to think towards that angle?"

"Shut it, you little scoundrel! Don't worry, Lady Ridley, we'll rescue you from this scum's arms immediately!"

One of the soldiers leans toward Natalie. "Um, Captain Natalie, I think the two of them are here together. And the upper officials specifically stated that Jack Russell and Ridley Silverlake are to be captured upon sight."

Natalie scowls. "I…I know that. B-but no one can possibly leave the adorable, compassionate Lord Jasne's side willingly," she swoons mildly, "I'm sure this was all just an evil ploy planned by the elves from the beginning."

"B-but Captain Natalie, we have our official orders! And these two appeared right after the city-wide blackout, there must be a connection! They might be here as spies!"

"I……it's possible, but……" She clenches her eyes for a moment. "Alright, capture the enemies, and we shall let the higher ups determine the outcome! Sorry, Lady Ridley, I'm sure everything will be sorted out later."

At the female knight's command, the soldiers begin closing in on the couple.

The boy scowls, and lowers himself menacingly. "Great, so it still comes down to this."

"Jack...," the girl begins breathily, "just run, they won't do anything drastic to me. Put me down and escape."

The boy looks at the girl with a quirked eyebrow and simpers. "Ridleeeey, Ridley. You should know better than to question the great Jack Russell's stubbornness. I'm not leaving anywhere without you."

"Jack, this is not the time to be such a clod. You can't even fight if you're carrying me."

"Yeah, it's a problem alright, but hey, I can still kick them between the legs. I've seen myself do it."

All the soldiers and guards take another bold step forward and pose their weapons ready.

The boy eyes every direction in his crouched position, pivoting on his toes, getting ready to—

WHAM!

A beam of iron strikes from outside the cluster, and three royal guards fly forward, breaking their falls with their own faces.

All eyes darts toward the commotion, to see Jarvis standing with his gigantic bronze great sword in post-swing.

"Hyah!" He shouts as he charges into the center, situating himself between the boy and the green-haired knight.

"S-Sarge!" the boy exclaims with astonished eyes, "wh-what are you doing here?"

Jarvis makes a stern face. "What does it look like? I'm here to save your helpless mangy butt!"

"Sarge, this is crazy!"

"Bleh! Just pretend I'm drunk or something. Don't worry! There's only about twenty or thirty of em'! "

The green-haired captain looks on with bewilderment. "Wh-what are you doing? Are you not a member of the warrior's guild?"

"Yeah, so what if I am, missy?"

"Y-you're aiding the enemy! Th-this is practically an o-outright act of treason!"

"Hey, I'm not betraying anyone here, and I'm definitely not helping no stupid elves. I just happened to have decided to help my wimpy ex-subordinate out of another crappy situation he so delicately got himself into."

"What was that! You're the one who got us into this mess, ya old wino!"

"P-pipe down you little brat! Show some appreciation for my noble, self-sacrificing actions!"

"Noble my fart hole! What are you going to do, barf on them?"

"Sh-shut up, both of you! Step aside immediately, old man, or you'll be making an enemy out of the royal castle!"

"What? Don't think you can take on an old warrior, little missy? All talk and no skill, ha, heck knows that's the reason you knights dress like pink faeries."

The female knight growls. "I'm warning you, you old fool. This is your last chance to leave with your limbs attached."

"Pfft! Do I look like I care, you tea party whore?"

"H-how d-dare you, you vile monster!"

At that moment, a short, chubby boy in brownish-maroon armor with a face as white and plump as a bun waddles into the center after pushing away a few guards.

The boy's eyes widen explicably. "D-Daniel?"

Daniel's ity-bity eyes are glistening with beads of tears. "J-Jack……? I-it's really you! Sergeant Jarvis was right, you're really back!"

He leaps forward and catches both of them in a fierce embrace, causing the girl to squeal.

"Ack! It's g-great to see you, too, Daniel! But……save the―erk―h-hugging f-f-for later, k'? You're crushing Ridley into fillings for a sandwich!"

Jarvis barks a laugh. "You knights were always such a group of stiffs. And what's with your getup? Do you waaant to invite sexual harassment?" He emphasizes by sizing up the captain.

Natalie blushes, retracts slightly, and shields herself with her limbs. "K-keep your filthy eyes off me! Or I'll pierce them with my blade!"

The sergeant turns his head slightly back. "Daniel, get ready, this is going to be rough, and maybe a bit greenishly-ugly."

The short kid releases his hug, nods, and takes a firm grip on his axe.

"Daniel, Sarge, you don't have to do this. It's too dangerous!"

"Save it, Jack!" Jarvis said, "We're doing you this favor, so accept it like a man!"

Daniel smiles cheekily. "Yah! The Hecton Squad is reborn and ready to kick butts!"

With the additional individuals inserted into the conflict, the tension intensifies and the animosity of the royal soldiers amplifies.

Just as the rally of combatants are about to engage each other, a low, masculine voice booms forth from the end of the darkened street leading to the Lupus Gate.

"Haha! This certainly is an interesting day! I woke up just on the outskirt of the city with a mountain goat licking my crotch, and now I come back to find an array of chaos with some sort of riot breakout just outside of my home!"

Once again, all attention is brought to the background of the actual conflict, and every pair of eyes present turns…

Jarvis' eyes widen and he stutters: "D-d-d-deputy ch-chief?"

Daniel's eyes widen and he stiffens.

…to see a tall man with broad shoulders and short, dark-brown hair. He wears a multicolored battle garb, which looks more like an expensive coat, of red and black with white laces forming an 'X' on his chest. His gloves and boots are of the same red, with his gloves bearing white symbols of blessed swords. His most distinguishing (actually depends on personal opinion) feature, is the eye patch over his left optic.

Gerald the "Iron Slasher" walks into view, with his knuckles on his hips, and raises his only eye with sight. The soldier blocking his path steps aside.

"What in the blazes is going on here? Jarvis, why are you in a standoff with the royal castle knights? I think that's hardly an appropriate pastime for the reputation of our guild."

"S-s-s-s-s-s-sir! I'm not—I mean, that is to say, this is actually a lot more—"

"Wait, before you say anything else, Jarvis, tell me whether or not this situation started from any form of inebriation……and yes, I do mean you."

"N-no! Of course not—I mean, not this time, sir. You see—"

"Oh, thank the heavens," Natalie interjects, "you must be the deputy chief of Theatre Vancoor, Sir Gerald the Iron Slasher! You came here just at the right moment! This man here is interfering with our business in arresting the traitorous scumbag! Would you be kind enough to tell him to step aside?"

Gerald blinks. "Traitorous scumbag?"

He leans toward the side, looking past the shaking Daniel to see the boy that was admitted into the guild many days ago……

…staring back at him with the same valiant eyes of a young and reckless fighter that fought and defeated him at the end of the world……

……and also carrying a blonde, pretty girl in his arms protectively.

"Holy……someone and something. Jack?"

The boy, without the ability to wave as of now, nods his head and gives a nervous smirk.

"H-hey, sir. How's it going? I'd salute and tell you some crazy stories, but I'm expelled from the guild and about to get pummeled."

Gerald looks around at the guards, the shaking nervous Jarvis and Daniel, and the boy and the girl. "Alright, just what the hell is happening around here? I must've been out cold on that dirt road with those damn goats longer than I thought."

"Sir Gerald, the traitor Jack Russell was spotted in the city shortly ago by one of our guards after an unexplained, city-scale blackout. We believe it is a ploy by the elves, and that the traitor is here as a spy, and using the previously kidnapped Lady Ridley (Jack's voice: Oh, for the love of crap!) as a shield! This Theatre Vancoor warrior is interfering for some reason, and I kindly request immediate removal of this interference and assistance in capturing the Radiata traitor."

Gerald leans to the side again, switching his attention between the boy and the girl several times……

"Um, Gerald, s-sir?" Natalie asks confusedly with a slight stutter.

……and bursts out laughing.

Everyone stares at the man, befuddled.

"Hahahahahahaha!" He stops for a moment, "Looks like you finally got what you were fighting so desperately hard for, Jack! Good for you! Hahahahahahaha!" And then he continues to laugh.

The boy simpers knowingly.

Natalie frowns in a bewildered manner. "Uh……sir? (laughter) Is something the matter? (laughter) S-sir, can you please just stop--(laughter) S-s-sir? (laughter) S-sir! (laughter) SIR! (laughter) WOULD YOU BE QUIET FOR JUST A BLOODY SECOND?"

And just as suddenly he started laughing, he ceased. "Hrm, that was sort of rude for a lady."

"I—I—I am sorry, sir. But we need your assistance with the pressing matter at hand—"

"Sorry, no can do."

"—for the—w-w-wait, excuse me?"

"I'm sorry to say that I cannot aid you in this particular situation. You're just gonna have to deal with it the best you can."

"I……I don't understand, why can't you help? There's a traitor afoot!"

Gerald gestures with his thumb. "The kid's not in a capable position to fight properly. And a warrior does not engage or outright attack an unarmed opponent when the circumstances do not require so. As such, my warrior code will not permit me to attack."

Jarvis' and Daniel's visibly relax slightly, and the boy simpers.

"B-but he's holding Lady Ridley hostage!"

"I seriously doubt that's the case, miss."

"Wh-what are you—"

"Besides, I doubt I can be of much help anyhow, considering how the kid clobbered me."

Jarvis, Daniel, and all the knights balk mildly with their eyebrows raised.

Gerald smirks widely. "Oh yeah, the kid opened a huge can of whoop-ass and made me chug the whole thing. This isn't a joke, fellas, that boy over there you're trying to apprehend has got some of the greatest skills a swordsman can possess. Careful not to let him hit you on the broadside, cuz' most likely he won't miss."

The boy's smirk grows wider, while the girl gazes at him with a curious expression.

A drop of sweat trickles down Natalie's cheek. "Well, could you at least call off the interfere—"

The cyclops of a man shrugs. "Ah, the old goofball is probably just stuffed with alcohol again. I've long since given up on stopping him in his delusional acts of drunkenness. His punishment will come later, when he's sober and all."

Jarvis growls mildly under his breath.

Natalie looks at Gerald, who clearly offers no assistance and now stands with arms crossed, and then back at the target of her attention.

The boy's eyes sharpen, and to the green-haired knight, his glare suddenly becomes much fiercer than it was before. She also notices his quick peeks at the sword around his waist, and recognition fills her eyes.

"…that sword……could it be……," she mutters very quietly under her breath.

The knights are shaken, hesitant and uncertain. They shift uncomfortably, forming sweat in their palms despite the very few number of opponents.

The girl intakes a breath, and nudges the boy. "Jack, let me down," she says quietly.

The boy shakes his head. "Can't do that, Ridley."

"Huh? Why is that?"

"Cuz if I draw my sword, that means the deputy chief will be forced to draw both his butter knives and wallop our heads until the only word we can say is 'chew', and I don't think we can beat him and the dysfunctional mob at the same time."

The girl blinks.

"As long as the deputy chief isn't in the fight, with Sarge and Daniel here, we should be able to find an opening and hull our butts of here, and then we can worry about sneaking into the castle to find Larks."

"Jack…………you're becoming shrewd," the girl says with an amount of awe, "Usually, you'd just yip like a hyper puppy and blithely charge into the fray until your nose gets flattened."

The boy simpers and shifts his feet. "Heh, well, I've learned from the best."

The girl tightens her hold on around the boy's neck.

As the female knight silently contemplates, the soldier next to her moves his head slightly closer.

"Captain Natalie," he whispers, "m-maybe we should call for more reinforcements…"

"What?" she hisses harshly in return, "and shame ourselves in all the eyes of the royal castle? Absolutely not!"

"But-but, our opponent is the son of the dragon slayer……in all honesty, I don't think we really stand a chance. If only General Dynas was here……but on our own?"

Natalie stiffens.

She frowns worriedly, but refuses to show vulnerability.

Eventually, she hisses back once more: "Al-alright. Go back to the castle and see if Leonard or any of the other soldiers have woken up yet, and get them here, pronto! And while you're at it, see if you can inform Lord Larks of the situation."

The guard nods, and as inconspicuously as he can, mutely backs away from the fray.

The boy, the girl, and the sergeant see the action.

Jarvis shifts his stance, and twists his head toward the boy. "Looks like them knights are gonna multiply if we don't hurry."

The boy nods, still eyeing the closest threats. "Don't worry," he whispers to the girl, "I'll get us a little unarranged audience with Larks, so we can finally start ending this whole stupid war once and for all."

The girl nods and strengthens her hold as the boy's leg muscles tightens for a quick, sharp bolt of an escape……

"Captain Natalie! It-it's Lord Larks!" came the voice of the same soldier who ran off.

……and almost falls on his face as his feet almost slides out from under himself. "D-did this area just suddenly become the center of the entire world?"

"What?" Natalie barks in astonishment, "Lord Larks is heading this way? What is his lordship thinking? It's far too dangerous! That can't be for real!"

"It's t-true, Captain Natalie! I was running to the castle, when I saw his lordship in the distance, heading this way from the gate of the castle with just a few escorts! He'll be here in mere moments!"

The mass of soldiers begin to mummer uncertainly.

Natalie risks a quick glance at the culprits in mind. "H-hurry on over to Lord Larks and warn him of the situation at hand! The traitor's target seems to be his lordship, and we cannot let him to have his chance!"

Gerald scrunches his face. "Do you people just like to shout out your every disadvantage during battle?"

"That won't be necessary, Miss Nanette. Please, tell your men to stay their hands."

The green-haired knight spins around. "L-Lord Larks!"

A slightly pale-skinned, bespectacled man walks into view, accompanied by four other guards. He wears a mostly white robe with several different colored linens. His face and chin is of a chiseled sort, and his blonde hair accentuates his blue eyes, which through his spectacles, still cannot hide the intellect and fortitude of a strategist and leader.

As the supreme commander of the Radiata knights makes his way over, all the soldiers obstructing his way immediately clears a path.

Natalie quickly rushes to the man and gives a well practiced salute.

The guard who was running back for reinforcements quietly trails back to the scene behind Larks and his bodyguards.

The commander pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a finger. "Miss Nanette, may I be so bold as to request your men to refrain their blades? Prolonged animosity is a tactless diplomacy that will not appease matters."

"Bu-but, your lordship, it is very dangerous here! You seem to be their target for this intrusion, it would be best for your safety to leave this to us!"

The commander waves off the protest. "There is no need to panic or worry, Miss Nanette. As supreme commander of the Radiata Knights, I myself am familiar with a few tricks of the trade, if you will. I am perfectly capable of protecting myself when a wanton predicament demands such a necessity. Rising to my current position amongst the knights is not a cultivation brought through merely by politics and idle words."

The female knight flinches and immediately sheathes her blade and retreats to the side, saluting appropriately.

Larks nods, and walks forward. "In all consideration, I doubt there is any reason to elicit such concern. If the two of them held any ill intentions or malevolence in their goal to seek an audience with me, then I hardly believe they would have exposed their presences so easily and make no attempt to simply retaliate with lethal means."

He looks at the sheepish captain. "However, your concerns are not ill-placed, albeit ill-directed. I have already dispatched some guards to patrol the city for any lurking invaders."

"Oh……y-you are wise, as always, your lordship. But I don't u-understand, there was no reason for your lordship to arrive personally……"

She stiffens as the bespectacled man glances at her briefly.

"……………………….I had an………………….impulse," he says softly.

"E-excuse me, your lordship?"

"It is nothing, Miss Nanette." He readjusts his glasses. "Now, I shall deal with this predicament."

He stares at the group ahead of him.

Jarvis fidgets a little, bringing down his sword but keeping the tip of the blade in an angle easy for immediate retaliation.

Daniel is chewing on the butt of his axe, gnawing off pieces of leather.

Gerald is watching Daniel with his arms crossed, shaking his head in disappointment.

The girl takes a deep breath……concentrating……concentrating……

She nudges the boy slightly.

The boy frowns, and furrows his eyebrows to ask a question.

She nods and holsters her body sideways, and the boy complies quickly by lowering her feet to the ground gently.

The girl's legs buckle, and she numbly rotates her ankle to adjust to a standing position while maintaining her balance by keeping an arm around the boy's shoulders.

The boy wraps an arm around the girl's waist, blushing slightly when she gives him an amused inquiry smirk.

She gives a grateful smile before returning her attention toward the bespectacled man ahead.

Larks adjusts his spectacles. "Lady Ridley, Jack Russell………it has been a quite a while since we've seen other in person. How are both of you doing?"

The boy is about to say something when the girl jabs him lightly with her elbow and speaks first: "We are well enough, Lord Larks. There have been some happenings that—"

She catches a breath and almost falls limp as her legs buckle once more, forcing the boy to lower their bodies so she can hold steady.

Larks takes a step forward out of reflex. "Lady Ridley, what seems to be of matter?"

The girl uses a few moments to recover herself.

"I………I am fine," she says finally after she pulled herself back up, though still with the boy's help, "I am merely suffering from some aftereffects of an o-ordeal."

Behind the commander, Natalie perks up upon the last part of the sentence, turns a sharp glare blatantly at the boy, and makes obscene gestures with her fingers and blade.

The boy and the guards facing the female knight face-fault.

The commander returns to a straight standing position. "I see." He readjusts his spectacles. "Regardless of the situations and of the insurmountable forces, it is settling to see that both of you are alive. Were it under better circumstances, this would be a pleasant occasion; however, this is not the case. Your presence in the city is of questionable and suspicious timing, for reasons you know very well. While I believe there is no need for bloodshed today, do not presume to be exempted and that at any time your status as enemies of this city will make its marking effect. Now, what did you wish to see me about?"

The green in the girl's eyes flashes for a brief moment. "To bring about an end to this war."

Larks blinks, as does everyone else. "……….are you here as representatives from the light elves?"

"No, Lord Larks. Jack and I are here by our own volition, to end this war that most likely begun a lot longer than we know. In that sense, we are here for the light elves, but we are not speaking for them."

"Is that so? But from past happenings, it seemed that the both of you had made some choices that contradict that statement."

The boy's eyes narrow. "Hey, we're not here because the elves told us to, aren't you listening?"

The commander stares squarely at the boy. "I once made the mistake of taking possible future investments into my considerations of electing an applicant as a Radiata knight, thinking that perhaps that certain applicant one day could fulfill great expectations, only to result in failure and a complete backfire. Now, I usually try to evaluate matters at face value."

"Whoa, that's a lot of words just to make someone say 'ouch'," Gerald comments from the side.

The boy blinks confusedly. "Ummm……wait, are you talking about your last date?" He winces from a stinging pinch from the girl.

A solider giggles, but stops instantly when the others turn slowly to stare at him.

"Lord Larks," the girl begins anew, "I assure you, we're not here on a mission for the fairy creatures. We eventually need to talk to them as well. There is absolutely no need for this war to continue, especially since it's so ridiculously unnecessary."

Larks closes his eyes for a moment. "……………Lady Ridley, while I agree with you wholeheartedly war is never a means of which is reasonable, the conflict will not end simply because of our wishes."

"Yes, it would, Lord Larks. If it is the wish of everyone of this world."

"Unlikely. You have seen the fairy creatures, I doubt they are striving for less than total elimination of the human race, and it is our right to protect ourselves, which makes this war, ridiculous or otherwise, absolutely necessary."

"What?" the boy barks, "it's that kind of thinking that keeps the bloodshed repeating!"

"Perhaps. But it is also the line of thinking that protects us from powerful dragons and the immortal elves."

"But not from everything," the girl interjects, "especially since humanity was just narrowly brought back from the brink of total annihilation."

"……………………excuse me?" Larks asks skeptically, an expression reflected by everyone else.

"There are many things that you and everyone in Radiata are unaware of, Lord Larks. About this world, Tottaus, the reasons of our beings, the in betweens, and the recent happenings."

"What……what are you—"

"The plague that drives humans mad and traps the souls of the elves, known to the elves as algandars, the Twin Dragons, the Changeover……you do not know of any of these things, do you?"

The commander cups his chin with one hand, eyebrows furrowed furiously.

"The fairy creatures are much more aware of these things than the humans, but in some respect, they are just as ignorant. W-we can't allow everything to go to oblivion because of a lack of understanding. That is why we're here………to try to start an end. To make both sides aware, to search for a resolution, and hopefully to reach a treaty.

"A-and how d-do you ……propose to accomplish such a task?"

"A conference. A meeting of truce between the leaders of the humans and the non-humans. Something that hasn't really been done for decades upon decades."

"A conference………?"

"Yes." The girl nods, taking a sharp breath, "Like th-the arrival of the d-dragons……, I believe it is about t-time something like this sh-should happen. And a w-wish for peace needs to b-begin on one side, before going on to the n-next……" She smiles. "Jack and I……w-while we were resting a-at the Ressan Tree…"

Natalie makes a horrified, screeching face.

"………decided that—" She suddenly stops talking and coughs sharply.

"What the…? Hey, Ridley?" the boy shouts.

Golden butterflies of light flutter about the girl faintly, but gone unnoticed by all those around.

She breathes harder, and gazes back at the frantic boy's expression with a forced smile. "…………I……I'm sorry, ……J-Jack………i-it seems I've r-reached m-my……l-limit………I-I……"

"Ridley!"

Natalie, upon seeing the drastic change in the girl's condition, rushes over, knocking Jarvis aside. "Lady Ridley, a-are you okay?" She feels the girl's cheek. "C-cold? Why is she so-so………!" She turns to Larks, "Your lordship!"

The commander observes the girl for a moment…pondering with his hand under his chin.

He finally nods. "Miss Nanette, please hurry Lady back to the castle immediately for medical attention."

He sees the boy's suspicious glance. "Do not worry, Jack. Lady Ridley has piqued my interest. I will ensure both of your safety until I have heard her entire story. There is still some panicking in the castle from the unexplained phenomenon of the so called 'blackout', indicating that there indeed seems to be much we are unaware of, and it would be wise to hear from the two of you. What comes after is unpredictable. However, you must understand that I cannot allow you to accompany her, and that you and your friends are required to be under surveillance in a cell."

The boy seems about to object, but sees Gerald shaking his head in his peripheral vision.

After a few seconds of silent refusal, the boy eventually frees his hands and allows the green-haired knight to carry the girl piggy-back style.

"Hmph! Lady Ridley's condition better not be your doing, Jack Russell! Or I'll personally make sure you'll be an amputee for the rest of your life!"

The boy frowns. "Yeah, whatever, just less talking and more getting-Ridley-some-help."

The female captain scowls, but does not hesitate to take off speedily with a couple guard escorts.

The boy watches quietly as they fade from view. "…………………………Ridley?"

A soldier walks over, asks the boy for his weapon, and makes his displeasure and disrespect public knowledge.

The boy stares at him apathetically, and tosses the soldier his family heirloom.

Upon catching the sword, the malcontent of a man grunts in surprise at the weight, and slumps to the ground as the weapon drags him.

He looks up at the boy's back with wide eyes and a mouth agape.

As the small event was happening, Daniel is scrunching his face and listening. "Hey, sergeant Jarvis?"

"What is it?" the man asks as he sighs when a guard came over and took away his bronze sword.

"Do you hear that weird sound?"

"I thought you ate lunch……or whatever the hell the time is right now."

"It's not my tummy! It's this bell-like sound I just heard, and I th-think it's getting kinda louder."

"Hmmm?" The man listens amidst the clanking of metal and iron from the guards. "Yeah, it sounds like time in the slammers and a booting out of Theatre Vancoor."

Gerald laughs, goes over to the purple-haired man and slaps his back. "Haha! You can count on it, as well as the cracks on the ceiling of your cell!"

Jarvis whimpers.

"That's not it……," the short kid mumbles as he looks up. "Hey………what are those things?"

In the cloudy, shady, but alit sky of a brewing dusk……

Fluttering dusts of light and pixies fly about.

Pale green and ivory white…

……and the silence before the torrents of anger………