Sever All Ties
Chapter Seven: The Guardian of Algandars Castle
Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.
Author's Note(s): Words in '…' indicate a thought. Words in "…" indicate spoken words. This story will proceed based on the assumption that Jack has joined Ridley on the path of the non-human. This path would inevitably lead him to face his former friends and allies in combat. It is these fights I will illustrate in this story. Some creative liberties will be taken regarding who they face (i.e. Jack will face opponents in this fic that you don't get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.
As if he could sense the attack they were preparing, the archdemon began the battle. His eyes began to glow, a brilliant light that began in his pupils and spread until it encompassed his eyes completely. Jack realized what was going on and dove out of the way only an instant before the creature's eye beams struck the spot where he had just been standing. Scrambling back to his feet, he was ready to attack. His friends had already gotten out of the way, and were spreading out, so that they could attack. Jack stood his ground in front of the demon, determined not to back down. He charged at the orb in front of him, swinging with all of his might.
His stroke hit the orb, and bounced off. Looking at the orb, Jack saw that a single crack was the only thing about its appearance that had changed. Angered by this, he redoubled his efforts to destroy the glowing red ball. He was so intent on his mission, that he nearly didn't see the creature's whirling arms coming closer. Jumping away not a moment too soon, he eagerly awaited the next opportunity to strike. The other orbs were being attacked as well, and the demon was being forced to fend all of them off at once. Jack knew he needed to keep its focus on him. He rushed forward to attack once more.
His renewed assault did not escape the notice of their opponent. As he came within striking distance, Jack was forced to evade the demon's claws. Out of sheer curiosity, he struck the demon with his saber. The creature didn't even flinch as the blade glanced off his forearm. Worse, his futile attempt had lost Jack his opening. The demon was now showering the area with a cloud of poisonous breath, forcing Jack to pull back. Suddenly, the attack stopped, and their adversary turned completely around. When he looked, Jack saw that Ridley and Gil had managed to destroy one of the yellow crystals and were attacking a green one. The demon now concentrated on attacking these two. Seeing his chance, he charged forward once more. The blaze saber hammered into the red crystal, deepening the marks he had left after his first offensive. A few more strokes, and the orb shattered. Red shards flew everywhere, and the creature turned to face him again.
Just as he was preparing another attack, a green orb on Jack's right shattered. The archdemon turned to see who was responsible for the broken sphere. The small dark elf before him began running further around the circle, away from the demon. The hit-and-run strategy Mikey was employing was the one that would give him the best chance of being successful. As he moved around, Ridley and Gil simultaneously moved to further to the right, keeping the distance between them the same. Jack also moved around, targeting a blue crystal on his immediate right. Suddenly, three crystals were under attack. Ridley and Gil assaulted a red one, and Mikey went after a green.
The demon suddenly launched an offensive, driving the would-be attackers back with eye beams. He also spun around rapidly, whirling his fists to attack as well. Gil was hit by one of the attacks, and was sent flying back. Mikey was caught by an eye beam, which coated him in stone, rendering him incapable of moving. Suddenly all alone, Ridley seemed unsure of what to do. Jack knew he would have to act fast to keep them in control of this fight.
"Ridley," he yelled. "Take care of the other two.
The next instant, he struck the blue orb repeatedly. Hammering into the crystal, he was making steady progress, deepening the cracks in the sphere. Two more horizontal strokes destroyed the blue crystal. As the monster turned to attack, Jack ran on to the next orb. As he got close to the glowing yellow sphere, Jack prepared to strike. Launching himself at the crystal, Jack's body suddenly separated into three other saber-wielding warriors. One on his left, right, and directly overhead, the four swordsmen converged on the orb. Their four sabers cut into the orb all at once.
"Army of Shadows," Jack cried. Yellow shards fell all around him, and the second yellow crystal was gone. Only three crystals remained: one each of red, blue, and green. Jack kept running around the glowing circle on the floor, trying to keep the creature's focus on him.
The next crystal he went after was the second red one. Looking to the side, he saw that Gil was back on his feet, and that Ridley was trying to help Mikey. Leading the demon away from them, Jack cut into the red crystal. He pulled his sword free and ducked at the last second, and the oncoming blow from the archdemon struck the crystal Jack had been attacking. The red orb was destroyed, and Jack set his sights on the green sphere, which was next in line. Looking around the circle, he saw Gil attacking the blue orb. He hacked away at the green orb in front of him, determined to destroy it. Pieces of the crystal fell away as he struck it, and he could feel it giving way. Opposite the circle, Mikey was freed and sending a volley of fireballs at the blue sphere. Jack prepared to strike, and suddenly found he no longer needed to. Ridley had appeared next to him, and her downward stroke destroyed the orb. When Gil destroyed the last crystal, the demon shuddered in pain. He seemed to go limp, and faded into the circle on the floor, which stopped glowing.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Jack checked with the others, making sure they were okay. Though everyone had received small injuries, none was life threatening. Jack looked down and realized that he had also been hit a few times, though he couldn't remember when. However, all that mattered was that everyone was alive, and that they would finally get the answers they had sought. In the center of the room, where the archdemon had been, they saw a stone tablet protruding from the floor. Walking closer, Jack was anxious to see what it said. Mikey was already there, a book in one hand, examining the ancient elven text carved into the stone. When he reached out to touch it, Jack stopped him.
"Wait a minute," he cautioned. "Aren't things like this usually cursed or something? You know, 'Death to all who touch this tablet!' You should be careful."
"I think it's safe," Mikey said, extending his hand. He silently traced the letters with his index finger.
"What does it say," asked Ridley.
"It's written by the elven king," Mikey replied. "I think it's the last thing he wrote before he died. He tells of Algandars, and how his body is weakening. He laments not being able to do anything for his condition."
"Then he shouldn't have married a human," said Gil coldly.
"That's not what he says at all," Mikey said with a frown. "He is saddened because his time with the woman he loves is so short. He knows that he can't gain any more time with her, and that's what saddens him."
"Makes sense," Jack said. "He wants to be there for her."
Looking to his left, he watched Ridley. Her eyes were on the tablet as he spoke, but found his as he finished speaking. A knowing glance passed between the young boy and girl, who quickly returned their attention to the rock in front of them. Mikey was nearing the end of the words, and the others were anxious to hear how the story ended.
"The king closes by saying that he has not regrets," Mikey said. "He says that he knew what could happen if he married the human woman he did, but he accepted the risk. And, although he is dying, he wouldn't change anything. Having her love is all that he wants from life, and he is happy for the time they had. His closing thoughts are that we should strive to work together and find a cure for Algandars. We should do all we can to help our races live together peacefully."
"That's true enough," Jack said. "Well, if that's all, we need to get going."
"Jack's right," Gil added. "It's best not to stay here for too long."
"Are we leaving immediately," Mikey asked.
"Is there any reason not to," Jack replied.
"Well," Mikey began. "I just thought that we might find some interesting things if we searched the castle further."
"Things like these," Jack asked. They all moved closer, and saw that Jack was holding a growth gem, a sword, and a phonograph disc."
"What are those," Ridley asked.
"Well, the hilt of the sword says it's the Hatred Edge," Jack said. "And the phonograph disc says Algandars Castle."
"I'll bet there's more good stuff to be found," Mikey said.
"All right," Jack said. "Let's go then."
When they stepped out of the doors, demons immediately turned toward them. Though their faces were expressionless, Jack imagined they were quite surprised to see that the archdemon had fallen. Whatever their thoughts, they quickly closed on the four who had just emerged. Jack wasted no time in drawing his saber and rushing forward. Cutting through the first demon, he continued to make his way toward the door at the end of the room. The others followed suit, taking down all the demons in their path. Quickly, they cleared a path and got through the door. They made their way through the next hallway with little difficulty, easily defeating the few demons that were there. Turning at the first door on the right, they found several demons occupied the room.
All four rushed forward without hesitating, easily defeating the demons between them and the door. As they made it, Jack mentally noted how much tougher they had all gotten on this journey. Everyone seemed to have stepped up their efforts, and it showed when they fought. Walking down the subsequent hallway, Jack found a ladder that seemed to be made of woven gold. Upon reaching the top, he found a treasure chest, which he promptly opened. Inside, they found a black suit of armor, with a breastplate in the shaped like the face of a demon. Collecting this treasure, they quickly scrambled back down the ladder, avoiding a fight with the demons on that level.
When they made their way back down the path to the central chamber, only one other path was available for them to take. Following it to its end, they came upon a passage under the castle, connected to the Septem Caves. In a chest at its end, they found a book that was called the Book of Angels. Seeing the document he had hunted for so long, Jack couldn't help but think of Leona. The young girl had ardently sought the book for her research, and now she would certainly be deprived of it forever. Taking the book, they headed for the castle's exit.
It was only on the return trip, with the archdemon defeated and their treasure in hand, that Jack was able to appreciate the castle's true beauty. Sealed away for hundreds of years, much of the building itself was unchanged. Flowery light fixtures still glowed as brightly as the day the castle had been sealed. The walls were adorned with various drawings and scenes of people and objects. The people were most likely the elves who had inhabited the castle. Great statues stood at the end of each hall, as well as ornate pillars along the walls. Here and there a wall or a statue had been broken, though Jack could not have said whether this was due to the demons or to age. All in all, the castle was very well preserved.
Reaching the entranceway, everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of their exit. Only a single group of demons stood in their way. Jack started forward, with his friends right behind him. As they walked, Jack's grip on his sword tightened. He eyed the creatures that were between him and the door. Strangely, they made no move to attack. The four comrades continued walking, eyes scanning the shadows for a trap. They were about three quarters of the way to the door when the demons struck. The ones they had left behind suddenly came running back. Winged demons descended from the ceiling as well. They moved to surround the intruders.
As fast as the demons moved, Gil was faster still. He immediately launched himself into the air, his ice sword cutting through demons as he rose. Wind blades rained down on their attackers. Mikey's hands were a blur as they moved. Fireballs and lightning bolts appeared from nowhere and lanced into the creatures. Jack's blaze saber cut deep into his opponents. One after another, they fell before his onslaught. Behind him, Ridley's sweeping axe strokes hammered the demons, forcing them back. In a matter of minutes, it was over and the demons were retreating once more.
The four visitors raced to the door, and out to the walkway they had entered through. Walking slowly across, they reached the far end and stepped back outside. It was about 1:30, and the sun was just past its peak. Pushing the castle door shut, they sat down in the place where their campsite had been the night before. Sitting in silence, each was lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Jack spoke up.
"I think we can make it back by the end of the day," he started. "What do you guys think?"
"We should be able to make it back," said Gil. The other two nodded in agreement.
"Well, let's head out then," Jack said. Standing up, he began walking down the road to the Adien Region.
Vegeta26: Okay, they made it out of Algandars Castle. I wanted to get this wrapped up a chapter after they went in, so I'm sorry if the ending seemed a little rushed. I got the important parts covered though. Anyway, our heroes are now headed back to Fort Helencia. Who knows what'll happen to them on their way back? Will anything? I know how you can find out. Just read Chapter Eight, which will be up soon (I hope). In the meantime, you could let me know what you think of the story so far.
MelMuff: Glad you liked the Jack/Ridley moment. I debated for a long time how subtle I should make the changes in their relationship. In the end, I decided that it would be better to show more of the transitions. I'm glad you liked the scene though.
Blue Persuasion: Thanks for the (extremely) complimentary review. I tried to write the Jack/Ridley part while staying in character. Too many times, characters get unintentionally warped by fics who characterize people wrong. As for the gaps in the game, I kind of filled them in for myself as I went along, and now I get to expand even further on those ideas. Good to know that someone else likes them.