Sever All Ties
Chapter Eighteen: The Argent Faucon
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.
Jack gave Ridley a look of incredulity. He had heard that she had been promoted to knight captain while he was away, but the implications of that promotion hadn't ever really sunk in. Now, crouched in a thicket in front of a bridge, they were facing her squad. This, Jack knew, was the last thing they needed. In all likelihood, they were no better than any other squad of Radiata Knights, but he knew that Ridley wouldn't be able to fight them. Worse, he was afraid that she would let him fight them. His mind raced as he tried to come up with some way to get back to the Journey Pig and avoid this confrontation. Unfortunately, it didn't seem possible. Their only options were to go back the way they came or go forward. And there was no going back. Even if they were able to get back into the tunnels unnoticed, they would likely run into the Radiata knights and guardsmen who were giving chase. Of course, if the defenders of the kingdom weren't there it would mean that the bridge that would allow them to get back to Earth Valley wasn't crossable. The only thing they could do was go forward.
"Ridley," Jack whispered. "What can we do?"
"I don't know," Ridley replied. "We can't turn back. Is there any way we can get across without being seen?"
"Not unless you can walk on the underside of that bridge," said Jack. "Maybe we can just run past them."
"We both know that won't work," Ridley said. "There are more men stationed between here and Radiata. We'd just get caught between them."
"Then I don't know what else to do," Jack said. "I know you'd rather not fight them, but I don't know what else to do."
"I don't see any other way," Ridley said with an air of resignation. "I'll do my best, but I don't think I can fight."
"I'm here for you," Jack said confidently. "Come on. Sitting here isn't making this any easier."
Jack rose to his feet slowly, and offered his hand to Ridley. When she stood, he had to help steady her before they started forward. They walked slowly, side by side, and with measured steps. As they got closer to the bridge, they saw a lone sentry standing guard. The knight looked to be the same age as Ridley and Jack. He had fiery red hair, and freckles adorned his face. He looked even smaller because of the thick armor he was wearing. The boy stood with a relaxed posture, and the sword at his belt looked odd and out of place. He failed to notice the approaching duo until they were almost on top of him. Even then, Ridley called attention to their approach.
"You never were very good at keeping watch Heath," Ridley said in a low, almost cheerful tone. The boy started a little, but did not raise an alarm.
"I suppose not Captain," the young knight responded. His body tensed a little unconsciously. "Why are you here?"
"Jack and I are on an errand, and need to return home," Ridley said.
"I can't do that Captain," Heath replied. "All I can ask is that you turn back."
"That would not be wise," Ridley said. "If Lord Larks or the King found out that you let us go, you'd be tried for treason."
"I know," said Heath. "But I'm willing to take that risk for you Captain. Please. I don't know why you did what you did, but I don't want to raise the alarm. I want you to go back."
"I'm so sorry," Ridley said. Tears were forming in her eyes. "But we can't."
"I understand," Heath answered, reaching for his sword. "Intruders!"
The word had barely left his mouth before the hilt of Jack's sword struck his head. Heath was knocked out cold, and fell in a crumpled heap. Without wasting a moment, Jack leapt onto the steps. He turned back and held out his hand to Ridley. She was still staring at Heath's unconscious form as Jack pulled her onto the stairs with him. They ran to the top of the bridge, and found that a group of knights and guardsmen were already assembled halfway across. Nearly two-dozen men faced them, weapons drawn. The men stood three abreast, which was as wide as the bridge would allow. Jack was preparing to attack them head on when he heard Ridley start behind him. He turned around to see a slightly smaller group of soldiers assembling behind them. Jack turned back around to face the men in front of him. He gripped the hilt of his saber tightly and steeled himself for what would surely be a difficult battle. Behind him, he felt Ridley's back press against his. She was very tense, and yet, her body was shaking. Pressed against her, Jack could sense that she was on the verge of collapse. In front of him, a single man distanced himself from the others by stepping forward. His demeanor and dress set him apart from the others. Though he looked only a little older than his predecessor, the squad's new leader had an air confidence around him.
"I wondered why your sentry looked so relaxed," Jack said. "You were waiting for us."
"No we weren't," the swordsman said. "It's just that we of the Argent Faucon help one another. Our Captain taught us that; didn't you Captain."
"Yes Alain, I did," Ridley said weakly. She turned around to face her contemporary.
"So, to what do we owe this pleasure," Alain asked.
"We aren't here for you," Ridley said.
"Of course not," Alain said coldly. "But then, when were you ever here for us? You turned your back on us to join the non-humans. You fought against our comrades countless times over the last weeks, and now you're here to fight us."
"No, that's not what happened," said Ridley. Her shaking had become worse. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I didn't want it to come to this, but there was no other way."
"Of course not," Alain said sarcastically. "There never is, is there? The only way is to turn your back on your own squad because we're not convenient."
"No, that's not true at all," said Ridley. She collapsed to her knees as she spoke. Jack's grip on his saber tightened.
"I think it is," Alain replied, starting forward. "I think you gave up on us to join the non-humans. And now, I challenge you to face me. Put your weapons away men, you won't need them. Master Russell, if you'll be patient I'll get to you after I deal with our traitorous captain."
"Please, you don't understand," Ridley sobbed. She didn't even look up as she spoke. Alain did not slow his advance, but drew his sword instead.
"No," he said. "I understand completely. I understand so much better than those fools at the castle. They thought Russell kidnapped you. Then, when it became apparent that that wasn't true, they decided to believe that you had been duped or brainwashed. But I know what really happened. You knew exactly what you were doing when you willfully joined the non-humans. You're a traitor, and I'm going to kill you for it. Any last words?"
"Nia mae lentie moredro asen," Ridley said. Her voice sounded hollow as she spoke.
"What," Alain asked.
"Nia mae lentie moredro asen," Ridley repeated. As she spoke, she picked up her axe and rose to her feet. When she lifted her head, Jack was surprised by what he saw. Though tears were streaming from them, he could see the difference in her eyes. Her pupils had expanded to near total dominance of her eyes. She appeared to be possessed.
Without any hesitation, Ridley lunged at the Knight Captain in front of her. In a single motion, she lifted her axe up and brought it down. Alain barely had time to bring his blade to bear. Just as he brought the sword up however, Ridley's blow found it and sent him stumbling backward. Now off balance, he had to move quickly to block her next attack, from the left. Alain continued to give ground, and Ridley pressed the advantage. Her third strike was a feint from the right, which Alain committed to blocking. Her axe then cut deeply into his exposed left side. His response was to swing reflexively in her direction, but the sword stroke was easily turned aside. Ridley counterattacked, hammering into the young Captain with the haft of her axe and knocking him to the ground. When this happened, smaller contingent of knights and guardsmen started forward.
Jack leapt at them, intending to make sure that none of them affected the outcome of the fight. Saber whirling, he cut two of them down in an effortless motion. Then, the foremost men attempted to stop, while the rearguard kept moving forward. This general confusion was an opportunity that worked to Jack's advantage. He quickly cut his way into their midst, breaking down their feeble defenses. His effortless sword-strokes made quick work of the fighters around him. When he turned to Ridley, Jack was shocked by what he saw.
Not only had she managed to finish Alain, but Ridley had nearly finished the rest of her squad as well. It was not her progress that shocked Jack, it was the way she was going about it. Instead of the cool, collected fighter he was used to seeing, the girl before him attacked with a reckless abandon. Her conservative method of waiting for an opportunity to attack had been replaced by a non-stop offensive. Her quick, merciless strokes came so fast that her opponents had no time to defend themselves, much less counterattack. Jack raced across the bridge to her, determined to do whatever he could. By the time he got to her, Ridley had finished off all of her adversaries. Her eyes still carried their haunted look, and for a moment it seemed as if she would attack Jack as he approached.
"Kael hygatae," Ridley said menacingly. Jack immediately sheathed his sword and reached out to her.
"Ridley," he said. "Ridley it's me, Jack."
"Jack," Ridley said slowly. She melted into his arms, and he saw that her eyes had returned to normal.
"It's okay," Jack replied. "Everything's going to be fine. We just have to get out of here. Put your arms around my neck."
Cradling her in his arms, Jack started down the steps on the opposite end of the bridge that they had started from. He only hoped that they could cover a lot of ground while it was still dark. Ridley was in no condition to fight, and he didn't know how much better he would be. Stealth, he decided, was the best option for the remainder of their journey. Jack quickly got off of the main road, creeping along parallel to it so that they wouldn't be seen. Their bridge crossing had raised more questions then it had answered, but all he knew at the moment was that they had to get safely back to the Fort. The rest could wait.
Vegeta26: Well, there you have it. Crazy, huh? And it's only going to get crazier. Thanks again to everyone who continues to read. I hope you'll review, and let me know what you think.
Light of the Demons: Congratulations on beating Aphelion (non-human side?), and thanks for the review. I'm doing the best I can with Jack, and it's good to hear that you enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing from you again.
: Thanks for continuing to review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and I hope I'll hear more from you.
Sono Ketsuraku Rinku: What can I say? I've got to keep it interesting, right? Actually, the whole Argent Faucon thing really bugged me when I played through. I really thought Square Enix could've done something with that, and they just didn't. But, I digress. I hope this chapter was to your liking, and that you'll let me know via review.
R Omega: That fight between Jack and the two assassins was something I put a lot of thought into. I felt that it fit their personalities fairly well. That said, the ending was, admittedly, a little anticlimactic. I didn't think it came out that bad, though. And as for Elwen, you needn't worry. I'm pulling all the stops for that fight. It's going to be something to look forward to. Good luck with the whole Lily-shrine thing; I hope to hear from you again.