Sever All Ties
Chapter Forty One: Answer
Disclaimer: I dont own Radiata Stories or any of the characters in the game; they are the property of the brilliant minds at Square Enix.
Authors 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 dont get to face in the game). I hope you enjoy.
The glistening twilight was waiting for Jack as he stepped out onto the circular walkway that led to the top of the castle. The night was still incredibly clear, and he felt as though he could look up into the sky forever. Countless stars dotted the skyline, offering to illuminate the citadel and the young boy who was trying to save the girl he cared for. He only glanced down once, marveling at the height to which they had already climbed and steeling himself for whatever was to come. The golden wall of the castle was glittering; the intricate scrollwork was stunningly elegant, but Jack ignored it and set his sights on the path toward the top of the tower. As Jack and his friends stepped out of the lower tower, they were surprised to see someone waiting for them.
"Lord Lucian," Jack wasn't sure why the Lord Chamberlain's advisor would be at the City of White Nights. He had never seen Lord Lucian outside of Radiata Castle. The older man was wearing his usual black and white robe with a blue sash that matched the color of his eyes. His long black hair trailed down his back and was tied at the bottom. The expression on his face was the same stoic look that he always displayed.
"Jack, thank goodness you've come," Lucian began. "The Lady Ridley is at the top of this tower. She has been overcome by the light elf within her. You must hurry if you hope to save her."
Jack hesitated only for a moment, and gazed deeply into the older mans eyes. Something about Lord Lucian's presence seemed odd, but he read sincerity in the other man's face. If Ridley was at the top of the tower, he had to reach her as soon as possible. The former knight hurried ahead of his companions without looking back, determined to reach the peak. Ganz gave Lucian a questioning look before following after his friend. Gil had been eyeing the new human with distrust throughout their brief exchange, but finally began his ascent as well.
The walkway spiraled upward, and Jack was climbing frantically toward the top. Though he was being driven by a sense of urgency and purpose, Jack had no idea what would happen when he finally made it to the top. He was determined to bring Ridley back with him, but he still wasnt sure what was going to happen or how he was going to accomplish this. As he struggled with his thoughts, Jack suddenly recalled his trip to Fire Mountain, and his conversation with Elwen.
"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."
As the top of the castle was drawing ever closer, Jack thought that those words seemed childish. They were truthful, but that was the trouble. He hadn't really understood what he was saying at the time, and still wasn't sure he fully grasped what was going to happen when he reached the pinnacle of the tower. The smooth stone of the tower disappeared under his feet as he closed in on the top, and Jack would soon be forced to answer the questions he had avoided for so long. As the top of the castle came into view, Jack thought back to the very first time he had fought against a member of Theater Vancoor.
"Y...You've gotten be...better," he gasped. "Tell me...why. Why did you le...leave us?"
"Walter," Jack began. "What would you do for Miss Sheila? How far would you go to help and protect her?"
"I'd do any...anything," Walter stammered.
"That's what I thought," Jack said. "Well, I'd do anything to help Ridley."
"I see," Walter said slowly. With considerable effort, he raised his hand and grasped Jack's. "I...Im sorry it c...came to this, Jack. Go...Good luck to you."
Steeling his resolve and determined to face whatever was waiting, the young warrior completed his ascent. Jack found himself standing outside a small dome that rested atop ornamental arches. The elegant designs that had been evident all throughout the castle were still present, but Jack didn't even notice the beauty of the architecture. His eyes went immediately to the center of the gazebo; to Ridley. The young girl was facing away from him, but her form was unmistakable. There was a glowing, golden aura around Ridley, and she was actually floating above the ground. On the far side of the dome, facing Ridley, Jack saw the Gold Dragon. Quasar stood on all four of his legs, and had a long neck. The dragon seemed almost translucent, and Jack was unsure what to make of him.
Without any hesitation, Jack called out Ridley's name. He raced forward and reached out to her. As soon as their hands met, Jack pulled her toward him. When Ridley fell into his arms, Jack slowly sank to the ground. In front of him, the Gold Dragon didnt move at all, but stared curiously at the boy as if trying to understand why he was present. Looking over his shoulder, Jack saw that Ganz and Gil had finally reached the top of the winding path, and were taking in the situation. When he looked down, the young warrior forgot everything else when his eyes fell upon the girl in his arms. When Ridley looked up and reached out her hand, Jack seemed to lose himself in her gaze.
"Jack," she spoke softly. Ganz and Gil had approached him from behind. "You came for me."
"Ridley," Jack replied. She sighed as he spoke, and he could almost feel her exhaustion.
"I must thank you, young Jack," a voice from behind spoke clearly. Jack turned to see who had spoken. Lord Lucian had scaled the tower, and was staring intently at the scene before him.
"Lord Lucian," Ganz spoke uncertainly, and Gil looked uneasy.
"Thank you for preventing her awakening," Lucian continued.
"What do you mean," asked Gil. His countenance grew darker when Lucian stepped closer.
"The girl was to serve as the Gold Dragon's vessel, you see. There was nothing I could do to stop it," Lucian explained. Suddenly, his body tensed. "For I am...Aphelion, the Silver Dragon!"
A dark aura suddenly surrounded Lucian, and he began to change. A rush of energy surged forth, and Jack turned his body to shield Ridley. Ganz and Gil braced themselves against the wave of power that was surging toward them. Quasar looked on pensively, though he was growing faint and fading from sight. When Jack looked back across the citadel, the Lord Chamberlain's advisor had been replaced by the winged form he had watched destroy Cross. Hovering just above the ground, the dragon's black form was accented by armor that was shining silver. However, there was no mistaking the blue eyes that looked back at him. The obsidian sword held in his right hand was as tall as Jack, and appeared very menacing. In front of him, Ganz and Gil had both drawn their weapons. His former captain moved to block the dragons path.
"Jack," he said sternly. "Take Lady Ridley and get out of here."
Everyone seemed frozen in place as the Silver Dragon lunged toward the reunited Rose Cochon Brigade. Ganz had braced himself behind his sword, but fear was written all over his face. Jack had turned his body to shield Ridley from the incoming thrust. When he heard the blade connect, Jack feared the worst, but didn't immediately look. It was only when he didn't hear anything else that he looked to see what had happened. To his surprise, Ganz was standing in front of him, unharmed. Instead, Aphelion's sword had impaled Gawain Rothschild. The Lion of the West had taken the blow and prevented the blade from striking its intended targets. Everything was still for a single moment, before Aphelion wrenched his sword from its resting place. Gawain was unable to even stand, and collapsed to the ground.
"Father," Ganz cried, kneeling at his side. The older man opened his eyes, and feebly outstretched his arm.
"With you at my side again...I do not fear death," Gawain spoke clearly through the pain that was written on his face. After these words escaped his lips, Gawain's form went limp and he breathed his final breath. Ganz sobbed as his father's grip weakened and his head came to rest on the stone floor of the tower. Ridley cried out in sorrow at the passing of the man she had come to care for and respect. Behind them, Quasar had been watching everything unfold without any reaction. Now, as the Lion of the West expired, so too did the Dragon. His golden, ephemeral form was fading slowly.
"It is done, it is done," Aphelion shouted. He laughed triumphantly as he continued. "Now I need only destroy the vessel, and I will be free of the abominable sleep forever. Humans! We shall live together forever, until the end of the world itself."
Jack grew more troubled as the dragon continued to speak. He sensed the conflict that was imminent, yet he was unsure of how to proceed. The power of the dragon seemed incredible, and their own capacity to retaliate was severely limited. Ganz was still at his father's side, and looked distraught. Ridley, at his side, was still weak from her encounter with Quasar and was trembling as Aphelion spoke. Even the normally unshakable Gil looked rattled. This was the moment Elwin had spoken of, the time for his answer. Now, in the moment of deepest despair, he arrived at his answer. Jack squeezed Ridley to his side, trying to reassure her that everything would be okay. When he rose to his feet, the young warrior stepped in front of the girl he had come to rescue; he had an answer.
"Now, give me the vessel," Aphelion commanded. Jack met the Dragon's gaze and refused to budge.
"You mean...you mean my Ridley," asked Jack. His hand went straight to the hilt of his sword. The Arbitrator rang out as it was freed of its scabbard. "Over my dead body!"
"So be it," Aphelion didn't hesitate and pointed his sword at Jack. As the stroke began to fall, Jack lunged backward to get Ridley out of harm's way. The blade shattered the stone of the floor when it connected.
Aphelion looked enraged as he spied Jack and Ridley on the other side of the dome. His attack had forced Ganz and Gil to shift their focus back to the matter at hand. Both had their weapons drawn, and appeared ready to fight. Aphelion lunged again, but Jack was able to avoid his blade. The dragon's sword struck a pillar, and the stone crumbled to the ground. When the dust settled, Jack had regrouped with Ganz and Gil. The three stood between Aphelion and Ridley, ready to confront their opponent. Aphelion, for his part, was eyeing the warriors curiously. They seemed prepared to fight, and hadn't fallen yet.
"Very well," the dragon began. "I accept your challenge, boy. Now, the real battle for Tottaus begins."
Vegeta26: Yes, I'm still here. Sorry, as always, for the delay. Things are really starting to heat up, aren't they? I hope that someone out there is still reading this and getting something out of it. Please feel free to let me know by reviewing. Hopefully the next update will come sooner, rather than later. I'm still thinking about writing even more after the point where the game ends if there's enough interest. Feel free to let me know whether or not that would interest you. Thanks.
Zeyro: Thanks for the review. I thought the fight with Cross ended appropriately as it was written, so I left that part of it alone. I hope to hear from you again.
Radiatafan: I appreciate the kind words, I'm quite fond of a couple of those chapters myself. I hope you liked this chapter as well, and I look forward to hearing from you.
kinetic-cataclysm: Thanks for the compliments, I try to present and maintain the tone that I feel from the game itself. I'm still considering continuing the story after the traditional end.
H-bomber: Thanks for the reviews. Im glad to hear that you enjoyed the story so far, and hope you continue to be impressed.