Sever All Ties
Chapter Twenty Four: Inner Strength
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.
When he resumed his journey to Fire Mountain, Jack realized just how much his bout with the Quarto Squad had drained him. His body was bruised and battered, and he was already feeling it. He was fatigued, and his arms and legs felt heavy. A particularly deep cut on his left leg made it even more difficult to run. His entire encounter with Caesar's Squad was blurred together, so that even Jack didn't really know exactly how he had managed to survive. What he did know was that he was injured, exhausted, and that the worst was yet to come. Failing in his current endeavor was not an option, so he pressed on as best he could, determined to catch up to Radiata's primary contingent. As he got closer to the Dorse Region, Jack suddenly wondered what had happened to Shangri La. The goblin city was quite vulnerable, and its inhabitants were not well equipped to defend it. Worse, the fact that a cloudy night had fallen would have made it even more likely that they had been caught by surprise. If the humans had decided to attack it, the city would surely have fallen easily. And if Cross was with them, it was likely that they had attacked. This thought made Jack push himself even harder, determined to reach the city as fast as he could. Finally, the goblin city came into view.
When he could finally see the goblin city, Jack found Shangri La unharmed. This confused Jack greatly. He was sure that he had been behind Radiata's men. In fact, the Quarto Squad's presence made this all but certain. Yet here he was, and the city did not appear to have been damaged. Its safety was, of course, a good thing; but Jack couldn't help but wonder about what had transpired to keep it from harm. After a moment, he decided that the simplest way to figure out what had happened was simply to go in and see for himself. When he entered the city, Jack was pleasantly surprised again; nothing appeared unusual within. Walking down the street, he did notice that no one was walking about. The city, normally bustling with activity, was remarkably still. Part of this was undoubtedly due to the time, but it was rare to see Shangri La so still. As he walked by the weapons shop, he saw that Goo, the shop's purveyor, huddling under the table. Jack stopped and studied him for a moment. As usual, the little goblin was wearing a white sheet, with a silly smile painted on it. Finally, Jack spoke.
"Goo," Jack said. "What's wrong?"
"Humans come," the goblin replied.
"Humans," Jack nodded. "How many."
"Many," Goo replied. "Many bad humans."
"I see," said Jack. "How long ago? Which way did they go?"
"Not long," Goo answered. He the pointed the opposite end of the city, the north exit. "Humans go out."
"Thanks," Jack said hurriedly. He turned to leave.
Jack walked quickly through Shangri La, determined to get through to Fire Mountain as quickly as possible. As he made his way through the city, he saw goblin faces start to appear. The city's occupants coming out of hiding now that a protector was present. Before he walked out of the northern exit, Jack turned around and gave them a genuine smile. Hurrying down the path that led from the Dorse Region into the Dichett Region, Jack felt remarkably calm. He was still in some pain from his earlier fight, but felt confident. The fact that the attackers had not destroyed Shangri La, or even placed men inside made him feel even better. The cloudy night was cool, and a light breeze was blowing. When the bridge came into sight and he still hadn't seen an opponent, Jack began to wonder at his good luck. Any belief that he was somehow fortunate soon dissipated when he saw a figure step into view. Previously concealed by a large rock, the warrior's burnished armor shone dully in the cloud-obscured moonlight. Jack bowed humbly before speaking.
"Hello, Chief," he said simply.
Elsewhere, inside Fort Helencia, Gawain Rothschild was sitting beside Ridley. Taking over Jack's vigil, he had not left the girl's side. He had seen Jack walk past the door earlier, and knew he had gone to Fire Mountain. Lying on her makeshift bed, Ridley had finally stopped convulsing and settled into a deep sleep. For the past two hours, her only movement had been found in the steady rise and fall of her chest. It appeared as though the worst was over. A moment later, when she began to stir, Gawain sat up in his chair. This would be the moment of truth; they would know who had won Ridley's internal battle. When she sat up and Gawain saw that Ridley's eyes were normal, he wanted to breath a sigh of relief. Ridley watched Gawain for a moment, before speaking.
"Has Jack returned," she asked.
"Is he sitting here," Gawain asked in response. "If he were back, my dear, you can be sure he would be next to you."
"True," said Ridley. "Thank you for staying with me, Sir Gawain. I didn't mean to be rude."
"It was truly my pleasure," Gawain said with a smile. "You and Jack have gotten much closer?"
"Yes, we have," Ridley said, smiling back.
"Good to hear," Gawain continued. "You'll have need of a close friend in the days to come. He will too."
"We all will," a voice from behind them spoke. When they turned, Gil was standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here," Gawain asked.
"I decided to see if Ridley had awoken yet. Lord Zane will want to speak with her," Gil answered.
"Why aren't you with Jack," Ridley asked.
"Jack decided to go to Fire Mountain alone," Gil said.
"What," Gawain exclaimed.
"I offered my assistance, but he turned it down," Gil began. "I gave him what advice I could, but he was determined to go alone."
"That idiot," Ridley said. Her tone contained both anger and concern. "There's no way he'll be able to take on everyone that Radiata sends."
"Yes," Gawain agreed. He stood up as he continued. "They would have sent only the strongest to face the Fire Dragon. He will need help. I must go to him."
"You're certain," Gil asked.
"Yes," Gawain said with a nod. "I won't allow him to die. Ridley, I do hope you'll forgive my abrupt departure, but Jack needs my help."
"It's been quite a while, Jack," Elwen said. Theater Vancoor's leader was standing between Jack and the bridge to the Dichett Region. As always, her voice was slightly muffled by her helmet, but that Jack still heard her clearly.
"Yes, it has," Jack agreed. "Everyone says that, Chief."
"A downfall of the path you've chosen," Elwen said simply. "The least of many, I would think."
"Definitely," said Jack.
"So, why do you fight for the non-humans, Jack," the Guild Leader inquired.
"I don't," Jack replied. "I fight for Ridley."
"You'd turn your back on the world for her," asked Elwen. "The non-humans will destroy humanity, Jack. This is the reason the dragons exist. When the time for the Changeover comes, all of humankind will be destroyed. You are willing to help them accomplish this?"
"No," Jack said. "I fight only for Ridley. I won't let that happen."
"I see," Elwen said. "How?"
"I don't know how," Jack admitted. "But I'll make sure it doesn't."
"An interesting concept," Elwen said. "But not one I can support. Jack, I cannot allow you to pass."
"Chief," Jack said, exhaling. "I don't want to fight you."
"Of course you don't," the Chief said, levelly. "However, the path you've chosen requires it. If you fight for Ridley, then you must face me."
"All right," Jack said. "Hey, Chief, can I ask you a question?"
"You just did," Elwen said. Jack imagined that the face beneath her helm was smiling.
"Funny," said Jack. "I would assume the Knights enlisted Theater Vancoor's help for this mission?"
"That's right," Elwen answered.
"And, you're probably the reason that Shangri La wasn't destroyed," Jack continued.
"Something like that," Elwen replied. After speaking these words, Elwen reached for her weapon. As she did so, Jack realized that he had never seen her fight, and didn't know what she fought with.
"That sword is amazing, Chief," Jack said, admiring Avcoor. Elwen's short sword had a blade that appeared to be made of white fire.
"It is my prized possession," Elwen said. As she spoke, Jack drew his blaze saber. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Jack said coolly. "As usual, you're right, Chief. I'm going to have to fight. To be honest, I've sort of been looking forward to this."
"In that case," Elwen started. "Let's begin."
Before Jack could even move, he was knocked to the ground. Even wearing a full suit of armor, the Chief was faster than anyone he had ever seen. He hadn't even seen her move before she had closed the distance between them. The intense pain in Jack's jaw left no doubt as to where he had been hit. Though he knew before the fight began that he was probably outmatched, Jack had not thought the difference in skill would be so great. For the first time since leaving Radiata, Jack really felt that he was in a fight he could not win. This realization, combined with the blow he had just taken, kept Jack stationary. Lying on the ground, he hadn't moved since Elwen's fist had knocked him down. Standing a mere ten feet away, the Chief watched him intently.
"Get up, Jack," she commanded when he failed to move. "You're stronger than this. Aren't you? Surely a warrior strong enough to do the things you have can take a punch?"
Reluctantly, Jack forced himself to his feet. He quickly located his saber, which had flown from his hand when he had been struck. Wiping the blood from his lower lip, he stood in front of Elwen, and raised his sword. Without a word, she rushed at him again. Instinctively, Jack ducked, and her blade missed its mark. He tried to counter with an upward stroke, but she turned it aside. Not willing to give her an opening, Jack swung his sword again. Once again, his blade was deflected. This time, however, Elwen countered by punching Jack's ribs with her left hand. As Jack stumbled back, the Chief buried her knee in his stomach. He sank to his knees, leaning on his saber for support. Gasping for breath, Jack stared at the warrior in front of him. She was incredible; his situation seemed nearly hopeless.
"Can't you do any better," Elwen asked. "I'm not sure why I even drew my blade. I would have thought the great swordsman who defeated Alicia and Caesar would fair better. I'm disappointed, Jack."
While Elwen's words stung him mentally, his wounds stung him physically. In addition to the blows Elwen had struck, several of his cuts from the battle with the Quarto Squad had broken open. Small patches of crimson appeared on Jack's clothes, exposing his weakness. Nevertheless, he managed to pull himself to his feet. Breathing heavily, he lifted his head to look at his opponent. Elwen stood in front of him, unmoving. The former allies regarded each other silently; while Jack wore a look of awe, Elwen's helm betrayed no emotion. When Jack tightened his grip on the hilt of his saber, he would have sworn he saw her gaze intensify from within the helmet. Though she clearly had the advantage, the Chief would not drop her guard for even a second. He was going to have to do something different; he had to find an opening. Charging forward, Jack raised his sword to renew his attack. Sparks flew in all directions as his blaze saber met the flaming length of Avcoor. Attacking again, Jack found his sword turned aside. Twisting gracefully, he was able to attempt another quick slash; this too, was deflected. Though he attacked over and over, his blade never found its mark. Elwen moved with incredible speed, and seemed to have an uncanny ability to read her opponents' movements. Jack didn't know what to do. Nevertheless, he continued his offensive, trying desperately to land a blow. Stroke after stroke fell from the left and right, but none even came close. Elwen's feet were constantly moving, so that she was always directly in front of Jack's attack, the perfect position to defend from. Even more frustrating was the fact that she was expending little effort in defending against his onslaught. While Jack devoted himself to swinging his large blaze saber, Avcoor's shorter length was much easier to handle. Elwen was using very little energy while Jack, who was already tired, wore himself down. Another approach was needed.
Waiting for his moment, Jack swung his sword in a downward, right to left motion. Elwen had to reach across her body to block the attack, and Jack struck. Keeping the pressure on his sword, Jack threw his left shoulder into the Chief. As he felt her stumble back, he spun clockwise in a full circle, letting his momentum carry him into another attack. When his sword came crashing down, she barely brought her own blade up in time to deflect it; the smaller blade pushed the bigger one to the attacker's left. Refusing to be stopped, Jack followed with a strong kick from his right leg. When this blow caught Elwen in the stomach, she stumbled back another step. In an attempt to maintain his offensive, Jack prepared to strike again. Unfortunately, even on the defensive, Elwen retained both her speed and composure. Before Jack could bring his blade to bear, she had hit him with her own sword. Her smaller, flaming weapon cut across Jack stomach, and her lift fist hammered into his ribs again. Once again, Jack felt his body hit the ground hard. Though he managed to hold on to his sword, he still felt defeated. Lying on the ground, he could feel the Chief watching him. Her sword had simultaneously cut and burned Jack's stomach, exposing him to a pain unlike anything he had ever felt before. He didn't even think he could stand up. He knew that he didn't want to.
'Why get up,' Jack wondered in his mind. 'She's too good. I don't even have a chance. I'm just outmatched. I shouldn't have come here alone, and I'm going to die because of it. I'm going to fail Ridley. All my promises, all the fighting, it's all been for nothing.'
As Jack pictured Ridley, he was filled with more sorrow than ever. The thought that he would never see her again was unbearable. He felt as though his sadness would tear his heart apart. The thought of her tears only made the pain worse. In his mind, he could see her being told of his death; could see her falling to her knees and crying. Jack wanted nothing more than to go to her and comfort her, but he couldn't.
'Ridley,' Jack seemed to call out to her. 'Ridley, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.'
The Ridley in his mind seemed to hear him call out to her, and she ran to him. Kneeling next to his crumpled form, her tears fell freely, and Jack could feel them hit him. Each teardrop that hit him was a bitter, cold reminder that he had not only failed, but that he was giving up. Through a sea of tears, Jack saw that Ridley's beautiful emerald eyes looked sad and confused. She was pleading for him to get up, but he made no move to rise.
'I only wanted to be strong enough to protect you. And I'm not,' Jack reasoned, trying to make her understand. 'Worse, I'm going to die for my mistake. I can't defeat her. The Chief is just too strong. Please, forgive me Ridley. I didn't want it to end this way. I…'
Jack was brought back to the present by several loud peals of thunder. This sound made him look up. The clouds above the battlefield had joined together, blocking out the moonlight. The moisture he had felt was not Ridley's tears, but rain. The rain that was coming down was soaking through his clothes, and into his flesh. He heard a clinking sound, and his attention was drawn back to Elwen, who had not moved. Jack's grip on his saber tightened until his hand ached, and he tried to rise. A slight hiss was audible as the rain touching both warriors' blades turned to steam. When Jack had finally managed to stand, he was an entirely different swordsman. His eyes had softened slightly, but he seemed more determined than he had been earlier. The rain continued to come down, until Jack was thoroughly drenched. Elwen continued to watch him silently. In the sky around them, lighting bolts danced all around, the thunder providing a steady cadence. Just outside the Dichett Region, a new dance was ready to begin.
"Thank you, Chief," Jack said enigmatically.
"Whatever for," Elwen asked.
"For showing me strength," answered Jack.
"I didn't have a lot of choice," the Chief responded.
"Not that kind of strength," Jack clarified. "You reminded me of my purpose."
"I see," Elwen nodded. "And what is that?"
"Do you hold it against me," Jack asked. "My leaving Radiata, that is."
"No," Elwen said. "I know what it's like to fight for love."
"Well, I had forgotten," Jack admitted. "But I was just reminded why I fight. And now, I can face you. I'm not going to give up, I can't. Ridley needs me, and I swore to protect her. That's exactly what I'm going to do. No matter what happens, I won't fail. I won't lose, and I won't die."
"Brave words from the one pulling himself out of the mud," Elwen said levelly. "Though, I must admit, you definitely seem more determined. This is the swordsman I expected to face at the outset of this battle. Perhaps now you'll prove to be a worthy opponent."
"I'll just have to show you," Jack said.
"I suppose you will," Elwen said.
Vegeta26: Well, there you go. That was certainly intense, yes? And it's only going to get better. I'm really getting into writing these chapters, so I hope you are all getting into reading them. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
horusdragon: Thanks for the review. I suppose the story is a little sad in some places (as it should be), but there are also some places where it's not so sad. Regardless, I hope you're enjoying it, and that I will hear from you again. Thanks again.
Light of the Demons: You know, for the most part, I don't really plan out my battle scenes. I start with a basic idea, but then I just kind of go with it. Whatever happens, happens. It's good to know that you liked the last one. I promise the rest of this Elwen fight will be even better. See you next time.