Yep, this is where the tenses change. This is also where I hope the writing shows improvement over previous chapters. This one's kind of long, but it kind of had to be. Well, enjoy!
Dart barrels into the room. Panic twists his face. He can't breathe. He simply holds Shana close and silently begs for the help he so desperately needs.
Albert and Rose are already on their feet. They heard Shana's screams and their stomachs are in knots. "What's wrong?" They demand in unison. Their fists are clenched in apprehension. "We heard her scream!"
Dart shook his head slowly. He trembled faintly. "Help…" He chokes out. His throat quickly constricts again.
Meru leaps forward. "Come on!" She commands. "Do something! We gotta do something!" She hides her fear behind a short temper.
Haschel appears in a rush from around the corner. "Meru?" He gasps. His eyes are wide and his breathing hitched. "Why are you screaming?" He had not heard Shana's cries. He was too far away before. "Are you alright?"
Meru shook her head fervently. "No!"
In the chaos, Rose grounds herself. She takes in deep breaths and closes her eyes. "Calm down." She whispers, her eyes opening to reveal no less craziness. "Dart," She says more sternly. "Dart, listen to me."
Dart hears her, but it is far off. His mind is all over the place. He can't look away from Shana's face. "Wake up," He murmurs repeatedly. "Please wake up."
Rose marchs forward. She grips both of Dart's shoulders. "Dart!" She almost screams. Her eyes are narrowed into slits and her mouth a deep frown. "Put her down on the couch." Her voice is smooth and has a pleasant ring to it.
Dart's breathing slows. His wild eyes lose a great deal of intensity and his muscles untense. "O…k." He pulls out of her now weak grip and heads slowly toward the couch. He bends down and sets Shana gently on it. He does not stand back up.
Rose quickly moves around to Shana's head. She kneels and finds that even she is holding her breath now. She carefully removes a single glove and lays her hand across Shana's forehead. She feels each side of her face. "She's not feverish." Her voice is heavy with relief.
Dart lets out a breath. A pained smile sweeps over his face. His eyes shine with renewed life. Still, there is something wrong with Shana. Just because she doesn't show outward signs of sickness means little.
The others are crowding around them now. They try to get as good a view as they can. Meru squeezes in the closest. She even manages to get up on the couch with Shana. She presses her hands hard on either side of Shana to stretch up high as she stares with wide eyes and a slightly open mouth.
Rose's eyes flit up toward Meru. Her eyes narrow and her lips part to scold the girl. Only she stops short. She smiles sadly, understanding Meru completely. Then she moves her hand down to Shana's throat, feeling for her pulse. "Pulse regular…" She murmurs more to herself.
"Then what is it?" Haschel urges. "What's wrong with Shana?"
Rose shakes her head slowly. "Dart," She jerks her head around. "What happened out there? Why did she start screaming?" She wanted to ask another handful of questions, but she knew too much pressure would make him crack. "I need to understand."
Dart slowly lifts his gaze to Rose. He meets her coal eyes, feeling so much more certain in that moment. "She…She said her head hurt." He mutters vaguely. "And she…she was glowing." He breathes the word like a curse.
Rose's eyes shoot open. "W-What?" As skilled as she is at hiding her emotions, this is too much. "Just…out of nowhere?" She holds her breath. She can't help but suspect one thing. It's something she dreads more than anything and has dreaded since their encounter with the Virage.
Dart shakes his head slowly. "I don't know." Nothing comes to him in this moment. He can only think of the motionless girl on the couch. "She just…fell over. And…glowed." The more he says it the more absurd it sounds.
Rose shakes away her suspicions. She focuses all her energy on Shana. "Well, she's breathing regularly. She's not hot or cold and she doesn't have an erratic pulse." Rose takes her hand back from Shana. "She's just…unconscious." It's the worst feeling in the world to be so useless, so lost for knowledge.
Meru's body starts to tremble fiercely. "No!" She cries. "There has to be something you can do!" She insists. "Come on! You know everything!"
Rose might have felt flattered if not for the circumstances. Now it simply deepens the wound. "No, I don't." She admits bitterly. "I'm…only human." She smiles faintly at her admission. She hasn't believed it in years, she even remembers telling Dart otherwise back in Donau. But it slips off her tongue effortlessly now. "No human can know everything."
Albert bows his head. "So, are we just supposed to…wait?" He hates the idea. They should be going out and at least getting a feel for their surroundings. But without Shana such an act wouldn't feel right.
Rose nods stiffly. "Get some rest." She runs her fingers over Shana's head, brushing some stray strands of hair out of the way. "We're going to need it." Everyone hears the words underneath. If we run into Lloyd…if Shana keeps falling down…if we don't want to lose someone again.
Kongol stands farthest back. He watches over all their heads. Shana just looks like she's sleeping. Still, the other's fear is poisoning him. He feels the creeping of doubt. He bits his lip. What if she doesn't wake up?
Gradually they scatter. Albert drifts away, down to the boat. He wonders if he should wait for more of his friends before heading off to the inn. Because there isn't enough room here for all of them.
Kongol follows shortly afterward. He can barely keep his eyes open. The adrenaline of fear has worked its way out of him and now he is left with nothing more than exhaustion. He doesn't need an inn, but he isn't against it. So he sits with Albert, waiting.
Haschel's age especially works against him. As fond and worried as he is of Shana, he gets tired fast. However, he can't just leave like the other two. His old eyes shift to Meru. He smiles sadly. She hasn't moved an inch since Rose gave the verdict. "Meru," It's endearing actually. "Come on." He reaches out and grabs her arm.
Meru jumps a mile. She sucks in a sharp breath and jerks her head around. Her eyes are wide as they land on Haschel and despite her relief at it being him her breathing speeds up. "H-Haschel…" She croaks. She pulls her arm away from him. "Don't do that."
Haschel wishes he could laugh and bring her peace, but it just doesn't feel right. "Rose said to rest." He ignores her words. "You can't just stay here all night." Not to mention her arms had to be getting tired from supporting her weight all this time.
Meru scowls through her shock. "Yes I can. I'm gonna wait until she wakes up." She says as firmly as she can. "I won't leave her. I'm a good friend," Her scowl darkens. "Unlike you all."
Haschel doesn't even blink against her cold comment. He simply tries again. "Shana would want you to sleep." He prods. "You know she would." He reaches for her again, his fingers lingering just above her skin. "Come on."
Meru's eyes flit from his hand to his face and back again. Her frown deepens, but her eyes soften. Her brows knit together and she finds herself biting her tongue as she attempts to reason through this. "But…" She looks back at Shana.
Haschel boldly grabs her arm. "She's just sleeping." He promises. "She won't wake up until morning." He sees the flicker of fear on her face and quickly adds, "But she will be fine. She just had a bit of a spell." Whatever that meant.
Meru stares for a long time. Only as she finds herself yawning does she finally give in. "Ok." She doesn't say any more. She simply lets him do as he wills.
Haschel carefully pulls her over Shana. He brings her closer to him and starts walking slowly. His eyes never leave her. He has to make sure she doesn't suddenly crumple. She looks almost like a rag doll the way she mindlessly lets him pull her along.
Meru's head hangs low. Her feet drag and her eyes never leave the ground. If not for her fatigue she would have torn away from him. As it is though, she is barely able to stay on her feet. Shana…she has to be alright.
Haschel leads her down the stairs to where the other two are. His eyes sweep over them before he speaks, "We should probably go." His gaze instinctively flickers back up the stairs. He knows Rose and Dart won't be coming.
Albert looks up the stairs too. He mind floats to the trio. "What about Dart and Rose?" He asks what he knows must be on all their minds.
Everything is startlingly silent. The silence creeps in and wraps itself around them. It's nearly suffocating. Then Haschel slowly shakes his head. "If we want any sleep we should go find the inn now."
There is another silence, but it is only a moment or two. Surprisingly it is Meru who speaks, "Haschel's right." Her voice is meek, so unlike the Meru they've come to know and love. "Let's go."
They all nod. Albert, Haschel and Meru go to step into the front boat. Only Meru stops just in front of it. Everyone looks at her. However it is only Haschel that speaks, "Meru," He looks sadly at her. "At least smile." He surprises himself with how much it sounds like a plea.
Meru's lips turn up, but only at the edges and only slightly. She looks more in pain than anything. "Sorry, Haschel." Her voice is still too soft to be hers. "I just…can't."
Haschel smiles with sympathy. "She'll be ok." He pulls her into a loose but reassuring hug.
"I know." She leans her head heavily on his shoulder.
Haschel helps her into the boat before entering himself. Kongol then enters onto the back boat, balancing them out well. They wordlessly take the oars and row from the house, not really knowing where they're going. The only sounds are that of the wildlife.
Still, they end up finding the inn. It's the easiest thing they've had to do in a while. It's too bad such a small victory is tainted by the absence of three of their friends. As they pay and go to bed they just hope everything works out. They've been through so much already.
Back at the house nothing stirs. The air is still and thick with fear. The only proof of life is the soft breaths that they give, sleeping and awake. Through all the tension Rose's coal eyes are the only things that retain life. They watch Dart intently, just waiting for something to change.
Dart doesn't move. He stays on his knees with his hands clasped on the couch as the time slips by. His eyes never leave Shana. He vaguely registers the fact that everyone is gone, everyone but Rose. Still his world revolves around the girl lying motionless on the couch. He isn't going to move until he knows she is alright.
Finally, Rose breaks the silence. She sighs.
Dart jumps slightly. He jerks his head around as if he expects to see the devil himself. His breathing comes a little faster from the shock. Seeing it is only Rose only makes his crestfallen expression fall back into place. But he doesn't immediately turn back to Shana. He senses there is more to come.
Rose hesitates. It's not because of what she is going to say, more so that she is saying it at all. Dart is so on edge that the slightest shift could shock him, just like a moment ago. "Dart," She says slowly. She pauses to see if he will react, but he doesn't. His eyes are ever trained on her. "I know you're worried. But you can't stay up all night."
Dart looks away from her. His frown grows deeper. His brows knit together as if he is confused and thinking all at once. "It's my fault." He whispers. He keeps his gaze down. He anticipates her reaction.
Rose's eyes widen slightly. "What?" She almost laughs it. "You didn't do anything."
Dart shakes his head slowly. "It was because we were out there, on the roof." His eyes shift to the stairs. "If I hadn't gone out there, then she wouldn't have either." He soon falls back into silence.
Rose sighs softly. She wonders if blaming himself is a learned habit from her. She still reacts that way a lot even now. He's helped her though. She just wonders if it's only at the price of hurting himself. "Shana would want you to rest."
A sort of disgruntled glimmer comes to his eyes. "Don't say that." He murmurs. "You don't know what she would say. Only she does."
Rose might have argued under normal circumstances. Now, however, her voice doesn't increase even a notch. Her eyes are as calm as ever. "Maybe. But I know the way she thinks, so I can make a pretty good guess." She bends down to his level. She looks him dead in the eye. "So please listen to me when I say she doesn't want you losing sleep over her."
Dart wants to, but he can't tear his eyes from hers. He is trapped by a powerful pull in her coal orbs. He just as badly wants to protest, but he no longer has the effort. "Where are we supposed to sleep though?"
Rose blinks twice. We? Is he implying that they will be sleeping in the same vicinity? "The floor…I guess." She shrugs. Suddenly she does not sound as confident as before.
Dart breaks away from her gaze, eyes wandering around the room. There certainly isn't anywhere comfortable left. The mayor, Fa, and Shana are in the only good places. "You think it's too cold?" He tilts his head slightly. He means outside.
Rose smiles with traces of amusement. "I think you will be too distracted by the moon and stars." Not to mention that is where Shana fell ill. No, she can't let him go back up there.
Dart frowns deeply. She's right. He was just hoping she wouldn't be so perceptive. "Then the wall is just a good a place as any." He tries to smile, but it comes short of being truly sincere.
Rose nods. "I guess you're right." She still doesn't know where they will be sitting exactly or if he expects to sit close or not. Regardless, she slowly gets to her feet. She reaches a hand out to him.
Dart doesn't hesitate. He sets his hand in hers and wraps his fingers around hers.
Rose pulls him up. She still feels a little something as they make contact, but it's easier to push away now after everything that's happened. She then smoothly turns on her heel and walks to the wall by the stairs. Perhaps she'll go out once she's sure he is asleep.
Dart follows closely behind. He's like a puppet at the moment. She could do anything and he likely wouldn't resist.
Rose sits herself down. She fidgets a little as she tries to get comfortable. It's better than the ground outside, but it's been so long since she had to rest there that she can't help it. Being treated like a hero made her far too comfortable.
Dart puts his back to the wall and slides slowly down. He feels he might be a little too close to her, but as long as he doesn't do anything more than sit here it shouldn't matter. Besides, he needs to know that he's not alone right now. Without Shana wide eyed by his side he feels a sudden loss.
Rose watches him carefully from the corner of her eye. He isn't doing anything, so she can't say anything. Instead she merely monitors him. He looks so tired, frail even. More than anything he is exposed. With only them there she sees it more powerfully than ever.
Dart soon starts to doze. Despite how hard he tries to watch Shana from afar, he can't keep his head up or eyes open. Before he knows it he is consumed by dreams, dreams of love, dreams of revenge, and dreams of days gone by with friends who no longer lived. It is by no means a peaceful sleep.
Rose doesn't fall asleep for a long time. She takes on Dart's duty of watching Shana. So she is wide awake when she feels a sudden pressure on her shoulder. It is Dart's head, lolled over. It is a bit unnerving all things considered, but she ultimately finds it a comforting presence.
She even lets her head lean over on his. Only then does she contemplate sleep. She lets her eyes fall shut and she too dreams. For once it is only of Shana. It is full of fear for what is to come. She can only see one future – a world of ash.
…
The sun is just peaking over the horizon as Shana stirs. It is still unpleasantly dark within the house as she slowly opens her eyes. As she sits up however she is soothed by the soft glow that creeps in at the edges of the house, through the windows.
Shana rubs her eyes and yawns softly. She turns around and is surprised to see Dart and Rose over by the stairs – together. Then she remembers what happened. Worry grips her like a vice and she wonders how long they both stayed up waiting for her to wake up.
She smiles sadly. She decides she'll let them sleep, even if they are awfully close to each other. She trusts Dart. She trusts Rose too. After all, Rose kind of gave this to her.
The hours slip by and before long the house is bathed in warm light. Shana smiles and breathes in deeply. It warms her to her very core. Still, nothing makes her feel as good as when her friends come barreling up the stairs. "Shana!" They cry in unison.
Meru's crestfallen face lights up instantly. A smile stretches clear across her face and her red eyes shine like the sun. "Shana!" She rushes toward her. She throws her arms around Shana's neck with such force that they nearly fall off the couch.
Shana makes a soft sound as Meru crashes into her, but she is not upset by the roughness in the least. Once she steadies them on the couch a bright smile comes to her face. "Hey, Meru." She hugs Meru back, only much gentler.
Meru sidles closer and loosens her hold enough so she can lean back and look Shana in the face. There is a certain tearfulness about Meru's expression. It's as if she might cry at any moment. "I'm so glad you're ok." Her voice is still soft for her.
Shana chuckles. "Of course I'm alright." She moves a hand to pat Meru on the shoulder. "It was just a little headache and exhaustion." Really it had been one of the worst feelings ever.
Meru sighs in heavy relief. She still holds on to Shana. She isn't quite ready to let go.
The others surrounded them now. "Are you really okay?" Haschel watchs in apprehension. Youth is a powerful thing, but it can only do so much for one's health. Certain lines once crossed can not so easily be returned to.
Shana looks to him, smiling. "I'm fine now." She assures. "I can leave anytime." They need to leave now. Lloyd is getting farther away. They have to stop him, for Lavitz, and for everyone.
Kongol smiles faintly. "Kongol glad you alright."
Dart jolts awake. The initial noise had broken through the haze, but he only just now found consciousness with Shana's continued talking. He springs to his feet and runs to her.
His swift action startles Rose. She nearly falls over as he leaves an empty space where her head once rested. She barely catches herself and looks with a faint frown at his back. She understands though. So she simply gets up and walks smoothly over to them.
Everyone makes an opening. Even Meru scoots a little bit away. "Dart," Shana smiles affectionately at his quickly approaching face. "Good morning."
Dart pulls her into a tight embrace. It's not as jolting as Meru's, but it's so much stronger. "Shana," He sighs. A faint smile cracks his lips. He breathes in the scent of her hair as he presses his face into her shoulder. "I'm so glad you're ok."
Shana wraps her arms around him. "You shouldn't have been so worried." She looks up to meet Rose's coal orbs. She nods to her.
Rose nods in return. A relieved smile spreads across her lips. "I tried to tell him. But you know Dart," She chuckles beneath her breath. "When it comes to you there's no holding back."
Shana grins wider. She takes her hands from Dart and scoots out of his hold. The look he gives her as he leans up makes her lips twitch downward. "Really," She insists. "I'm fine."
Dart lets the full power of relief sweep over him. He smiles with sincerity. His eyes shine and his constricted chest loosens. "I know." He breathes. "I know…"
From around the corner the mayor and Fa appear. The mayor, however, is the only one to show signs of relief. "Oh, you are alright!" He beams. "I'm so glad! After last night-" He stops short and his eyes jerk toward Fa.
Fa looks blankly up at him. She heard the commotion in the night, but she didn't place it. Her silence also makes it easier to internalize any apprehension she feels in this moment.
Shana laughs. "It's alright. I'm fine, and we'll be leaving soon." She looks to Dart. "Right?"
The mayor is quick to jump on this. "Oh! But you can stay as long as you like!" He nods fervently. "You could even stay forever!" He knows Fa would benefit from this.
"Thank you very much." Shana nods in appreciation, "But," She shifts into shaking her head in the negative. "I really have to go." She stands and walks through her friends and over to them. She bends down to Fa's level. "I'll see you soon." She pats the child gently on the head.
The smallest of smiles comes to Fa's lips. The only thing that she can think of that could truly make her happy is seeing Teo again. She misses her friend.
Albert smiles at the sweet sight. "If you're really good to go, then we should hurry." His expression falls into seriousness. "We have to find Lloyd soon or it will be too late."
Suddenly everyone is somber. Dart stands quickly. His relief is wiped from his face. A fire of great intensity lurks in his darkened eyes. "Definitely." For Lavitz. He would kill the bastard.
Shana stands and returns to Dart's side. She winds her hands around his arm rests her head heavily against him. She then looks up at him, her eyes locking with his. There is even a darkness to her own brown eyes as she says, "Let's hurry."
…
They navigate through the city easily enough and leave to find themselves on the edge of a forest. It is lush and beautiful. At the same time the trees are sparse, paths cut out to better guide travelers. "It's the Evergreen Forest." Both Meru and Rose say, their voices like night and day.
Shana smiles softly to herself. She claps her hands at her chest. "It's beautiful." Not to mention it's clean and safe, unlike the forest in Serdio. "So is it really always like this?"
Meru nods with the whole upper half of her body. "Yup!" A wide grin spreads across her face. "And it's even more beautiful when it snows! You should see it! The green and the white are perfect with each other!"
Shana laughs. "I can imagine." Her brows knit together suddenly as she hears something up ahead. She looks down, noticing a group of men. It looks like the same group from the other day. "Oh, look." The group is yelling and bickering and disturbing everything with ears.
Dart nods. "They did say they were hunting the beast today, didn't they?" Although like that there's no way they will sneak up on anything, let alone a vicious wolf. He then wonders if they should help. More fleetingly there is the thought of having to kill the wolf. Yet it is not half as unsettling as it should be. The thought almost amuses him.
"What was it they called it?" Haschel strokes his chin. His mouth turns down into a thoughtful frown.
"Kamuy, I believe." Albert answers. "Do you think we should investigate?" He talks to Dart, but he looks solely at Rose.
Much to everyone's surprise Rose merely shrugs. "It's terrorizing the people. If it really is just a wolf, then it shouldn't be too much for us." A faint frown flickers across her lips. "Then again, one would reason so many warriors," She nods in the direction the men disappeared. "Could take a wolf down just as easily."
Kongol crosses his arm heavily over his chest. He nods slowly. "You leader. You decide."
"Well," Even he wants to hurry on to trail Lloyd. He feels he might be losing his desire to help others in favor of something as black and destructful as revenge. Then he feels it again, that same power as on the ship. It makes him cringe and a thought flashes across his mind – this wolf, if they catch it, they would surely have to kill it. "We can at least look around." He shrugs, trying to pretend his thoughts weren't as twisted as he knew they were. Besides, if Rose is willing, then who is he to say no?
Rose notes his hesitation and can't help but smirk to herself. He is becoming more and more like her every day. He thoughtlessly helped Kate back in Donau, but now he almost chose Lloyd over this town. But mostly this just makes her disgruntled. There are some parts of her she wouldn't wish upon anyone, let alone her closest friend. Disregard for life is one of them. Worse still it is all for revenge. She fears it is slowly consuming him and will continue to until he accomplishes it. She only hopes the insanity doesn't overtake him sooner.
"Which way should we go?" Shana points out that there are two paths branching off in opposite directions. "Meru?"
Meru spins around and claps her hands together, pointing with both to the path just ahead. "This way!" She smiles broadly. "I know this place by heart! I practically grew up here."
Dart stares with glazed eyes. He is thrown back in time, eighteen years ago. He remembers this place now. He didn't come this far a lot, but it is definitely familiar. These woods, they hold pieces of memories, of better times. For an instant he even sees his mother's smiling face.
Haschel is the only one to notice. "Dart," He watches him intently. "Is something wrong?" He doesn't speak louder than a whisper in case Dart doesn't want anyone else to notice.
At first Dart doesn't say anything. He continues to stare out into emptiness. "No," He shakes his head vaguely. "Just…memories…" He blinks and finally his mother disappears along with the four year old Dart. He sighs heavily.
Haschel nods faintly. "I understand." In Rogue he used to see Claire everywhere before he couldn't take it anymore and went to search for her. He honestly should have gone after her sooner. He was so foolish back then. "But we can't stay trapped in memories forever."
Dart makes a soft sound of acknowledgement. They have to get going and see about Kamuy. "Alright guys," He makes his way to the front. "Good job Meru." He touches her shoulder as he passes her.
Meru beams. "No prob!"
Dart can't help but smile at her. He then reaches out as he passes Shana, taking her hand in his. With each day he gets a little braver. Everyone knows they're together now anyway.
Shana falls into stride with him. She squeezes his hand back and smiles softly to herself.
The group walks on and up an incline. The path doesn't vary for a couple of miles. It's a pretty straightforward forest. Both Dart and Meru know better though. A few more minutes, just as expected, they see another trail leading off to their left.
"Deningrad is that way." Meru nods to the left. "And that way…" She trails off. The light in her eyes dims. She bites her lip and looks tentatively over at Dart.
Dart is a little stiffer than a moment ago, but he remains surprisingly indifferent. "Neet." He finishes for her. "If you go far enough the path starts twisting around a mound and eventually will lead you into the coldest part of Mille Sesuea…Neet."
Shana looks sadly up at him. The others can't see it, but his eyes are burning a little brighter. She moves closer, leaning her head against his shoulder. It's not, however, a brightness she is fond of. It's not of happiness or excitement, it's tainted with darkness by his desire for revenge.
Dart's words on the Queen Fury echo in his mind. Revenge doesn't generate anything. It's what I learned from Lavitz. If that was really true then why did he feel such bitterness even now? His stomach is twisting itself into knots.
Rose intently watches his profile. They've stopped at the split in the path and it is making her apprehensive. "Well, I don't see the wolf." She breaks through the tense silence. "We've covered a mile or two. So we should just go on to Deningrad."
Dart starts to agree. He doesn't much like the idea of going any closer to Neet anyway. Already the memories are creeping in like haunting shadows. He's even starting to hear things his mother said to him and he just wants to get away from it all.
Then Meru cries out. "Hey! Look over there!" She points animatedly.
They all follow her finger up the path. No more than a few feet away stands a little boy. His expression is blank, but cold at the edges. His eyes most of all tell a story of anger with the world. "Could that be…?" Albert trails off.
Rose nods firmly. "Yes, it must be."
Shana's lips curve into a pitying smile. "Teo."
Dart lets go of Shana and steps toward the boy. He reaches out slowly, holding his hand out for him to take. "Teo, come here."
The second he is spoken to, the moment is broken. He gives a fleeting scowl toward them, Dart in particular, and then he bolts.
Dart starts. "H-Hey!" He calls after him. He jumps forward and without thinking shoots into a run after him. "Wait!" The others follow right behind him.
Teo scrambles up the trail. He makes it to where the path starts to twist before he finally veers off. Without hesitation he barrels through the trees, hiding within their heavy covering.
Dart pushes at the pine branches as he tries to follow Teo's path, but he soon hears something much more pressing. There is a deep, distant roar. It causes a shiver to race up his spine and he quickly swivels, eyes searching fervently for the source.
Then there's a scream. "He-Help!" A collection of men suddenly come into view. They are all men from the hunting party of the other day. "I'll be killed!" Fear contorts their faces as they rush down a path parallel to Dart. The trees swallow them with their denseness and Dart quickly loses sight of them.
Dart thoughtlessly charges forward. He makes his way around the winding path of the mound. He stops suddenly though as a strange silence sets in. His muscles tense in preparation and his hand reflexively jumps to his sword.
Dart only happens to see it. His gaze accidently shifts upward and he has only a second to react to what he sees. Dart leaps backward just as a massive figure smashes down on the ground where he once stood. "Is this Kamuy?" Dart gasps, shock written across his face.
The wolf lets out a tremendous roar. The sound kicks up dust and makes the very trees bend back for the power. The wolf is easily twice Dart's size with vicious fangs decorating his mouth. There is a bloodlust in its eyes and it paws at the earth in preparation, the claws scrapping furiously into the ground.
"Dart!" Shana cries. They all rush out to create a semicircle around Kamuy. They have their weapons at the ready. If the words of the hunting party are to be believed, this wolf is vicious.
The sound of many feet thunders toward them. A handful of men appear on path the group once stood on. Another couple emerge from where the men came screaming for their lives. "Everybody surround it!" The leader shouts. He then lowers his head and whispers to himself, almost darkly, "Finally I found it."
Bulgus, the axman, swings his weapon around in anticipation. "I'll get 'im!" He grins from ear to ear as he bounces from one foot to the other. "And I'll get the five times larger prize!" He laughs excitedly.
"Yeah!" Another warrior cries. "Let me kill it!"
"Stop it!" A voice cries out from somewhere. Then the trees rustle together and out comes the boy from before. "You can't hurt him!"
"Teo!" The leader exclaims. His face breaks out into a smile. "You are all right…" For a moment he forgets the issue at hand.
Teo only scowls over at him. "Everybody listen!" He demands. He scrambles up the mound, trying to get closer to Kamuy. He only makes it so far. "It was not Kamuy's fault!" He shakes his head fervently. "It was a different monster that attacked Fa! Just ask her! She'll tell you too!"
"Teo!" the leader's expression hardens. He grips his sword tighter and his eyes dart back and forth between Teo and the wolf. "Leave Kamuy!" Who knows when it will strike? And Teo is awfully close.
Teo's eyes burn with a furious passion. "No way!" He plants himself firmly in place. He stands stiff as a board, daring anyone to come and get him. "Cuz Kamuy protected Fa! So I'll protect Kamuy this time!"
The band of warriors slowly close in. They take up the space around Kamuy that Dart and the others don't already have. "Teo," He lowers his sword and foolishly steps toward the boy. "Come with us." He reaches out for him.
Teo's eyes dart around him. It's a higher ledge to reach the level of the mound Kamuy is on, but he has no choice. "No!" He runs and jumps, struggling to pull himself up.
The leader starts. "Teo!"
Before he can do anything Teo is back on his feet. "Please!" He backs up until he is fully underneath Kamuy, pressing against his furry leg. His eyes are wide and full of tears. "Don't kill Kamuy…" He wraps his arms back around the wolf's leg.
"Don't be a fool child!" Bulgus shakes his head in disbelief. "There's no point in being so belligerent! Listen to Harris and get down here!"
The leader nods solemnly. "It's no longer the Kamuy you knew." He stares sadly up at the child. "Many other people were attacked by it too."
"Lies!" Teo screeches. "You're all liars!" He leans forward to project his voice. "Kamuy didn't do anything! He only wants to protect me!" His lip trembles faintly. "You can't trick me!"
The leader shakes his head in disbelief. "That's it." He grumbles to himself. "Guys!" He jerks his head around so he can see everyone. "Grab Teo first!" They all charge.
Teo thrusts his head down, clenches his eyes tight, and screams, "Stop it!" Angry tears fly from his face with the sudden movement.
Kamuy's fierce eyes ignite into a blazing fury. A tremendous growl erupts from its throat and in a heartbeat it leaps forward.
Dart starts. He jolts out of place and rams into Rose to get them out of the way.
Rose grunts as she hits the ground. Dart's weight is heavy on her and the suddenness of it is slightly painful. Still, he did get her out of the way.
Kamuy makes the very earth quake as he lands again where Dart once stood. It turns sharply, focusing its eyes on the trail of warriors around the mound. Then he mercilessly charges them. He knocks each one down with stunning ease and ruthlessness until he gets to Bulgus.
Bulgus can't help but quiver slightly as he swivels to face the beast. He raises his ax and swings with all his might.
Kamuy doesn't stop. It clamps its jaws around the ax's head and yanks.
Bulgus's eyes widen and a gasp escapes him. It's all he has time to do as his weapon is thrown across the forest.
Kamuy rams its head into the man. It pins him to the ground and stares coldly down at him. Its jaws open wide enough to see into the darkness of its mouth and great a chilling backdrop to the gleaming white teeth, the true thing to fear.
Then there is a scream. It is Teo. "Let go of me!" He shrieks. He pulls with all his might against the leader. "Stop it!"
Kamuy jerks its head around. It turns its eyes on the man threatening its child. A roar rips out of its throat and it turns sharply from the man on the ground. It jumps back to Teo, flicking its head in order to knock the leader and Teo apart.
The leader is not expecting the wolf and goes flying. He hits hard and grunts angrily. "Teo…" He grits out. He fumbles for his sword.
The wolf crouches down by Teo. It waits obediently for its child to move.
Teo scrambles up on the wolf's back. He takes a handful of Kamuy's fur and leans forward. "Run Kamuy!" He orders, giving its fur a little tug.
Kamuy raises up and launches forward. It rushes past the leader and takes to the path leading back to the entrance of the forest. Then at the last moment it veers off to the left path, disappearing around the bend.
"Teo!" The leader reaches uselessly out after the pair. Then he lets his hand fall limply back to his side. For a moment he looks absolutely forlorn, as if utterly defeated. Then his eyes spark to life and he jumps to his feet. "Pursue them!" He commands the only man left.
Bulgus staggers to his feet. He grumbled explicatives beneath his breath. "You got it!" He nods firmly and hurries to grab his weapon before running off after them.
The leader is not far behind. He gives a fleeting questioning glance at Dart before speeding away.
Dart catches the glance and frowns deeply. He brushes himself off as he looks around at all the others, lastly Rose. She is still on the ground. So he offers his hand to help her up.
Rose automatically reaches back. She grips his hand firmly and even gives a small smile as thanks.
Dart's mind is knocked a little off kilter by her lack of resistance, but mostly by her smile. He remembers it only once before, when he was getting her for the party. Dart finally manages to get himself to smile back. It suits her more than he imagined it would.
Rose almost wishes she doesn't have to, but she lets go. She returns her arm to her side, but she doesn't look away. Her coal eyes pierce him as she asks, "So what are you going to do?" She prays he chooses to help the child. Anything to temper the insanity of revenge.
Dart's eyes wander over to the path the wolf and then the men after them took. It wouldn't take but a minute. He's pretty sure of this. Still, Lloyd is so close. He can feel it in his very bones. He needs to find him. Needs? Yes, needs. It's no simple want or even a fiery desire. He needs to catch him to fix everything, to save innocents, to avenge Lavitz. But mostly, although he won't admit it even to himself, it's all for himself.
Shana follows his gaze. She tries to ignore the sudden darkness within them and instead speaks of the situation at hand. "Kamuy…" She frowns slightly. "They say it used to be Teo's."
Haschel nods faintly. His hands rest just beneath his chin as he thinks aloud. "I wonder why it became savage though?" He looks around at any of them for an idea.
Dart speaks, "I don't know." His voice is stiff and cold at the edges. "The only thing we know is that the wolf is a menace in the forest now."
Meru bites her lip. It's been a long time, but she has a feeling she knows what might have happened. "Well," She is careful with her words, hesitating a fraction of a second between each one. "It could be the fairies." She looks tentatively around at the group.
Albert blinks twice. His brows crease and he gives her an odd look. "Fairies?"
"Yeah," Meru says a little more confidently. "Growing up, there was always talk of fairies around here." She smiles, but it doesn't quite fit her face. "Some kids even swore they saw them. I…I was one of them." Her eyes focus on Rose.
Rose's eyes narrow. They glint with suspicion only tempered by her trust in the girl. But Meru isn't Dart, and the suspicion is still glaringly obvious. "Why would fairies do this?" She calls them fairies, but she knows that can't be their real name. If humans called them that, then they must be Winglies.
Meru shrugs. "They like to play tricks." Her frown deepens. "Cruel tricks." She shakes her head and looks away from Rose. "They don't like people very much. When I saw them they were playing a trick on one of my friends. He broke his leg because of it."
Rose crosses her arms over her chest. It's true Winglies don't like humans. Still, it's hard to believe they have fallen so far as to pick on children. More than that, the implications are overwhelming. Meru is telling them that Winglies live in the forest.
"So I, I don't think Kamuy is really evil." She continues to keep her eyes on the ground. "Just distorted…or something."
Shana looks back and forth between Meru and Rose. Finally she says, "Then what should we do?" They're wasting time like this! And the darkness in Dart's eyes is only building with the indecision. She wants to get rid of that look, and as fast as possible. "Dart?"
Dart is in his own little world of increasing darkness when her voice reaches him. He snaps his head up and looks around at her. "What?"
Shana smiles sadly. "Are we going to help Teo?" She silently begs for him to say yes.
Dart stares at her for a minute, then nods. "Let's go guys." He doesn't smile, not even at Shana. "It'll be quick." With his choice made he feels a certain calm return to him. He almost isn't sure why he was getting so worked up to start with. It's no different than in Tiberoa or Serdio. At least it shouldn't be.
They take the path back down the incline until the come to the split. Instead of going back toward Furni, they take the left path. As they walk, Meru somehow ends up leading them. It leaves Dart back with Rose. She calms him too. "Should we just turn into Dragoons and end this then?" Having her so close lets him relax even more.
Rose takes longer to answer than normal. She mulls over Meru's words. Fairies play cruel tricks…don't think Kamuy's really evil. "We could just purify it."
"You mean let Shana use her Dragoon Spirit?" Dart tilts his head to better see her face.
"Yes," She nods imperceptibly. Her frown deepens just as unnoticeably. "If it will let us get near it anyway." She knows there will be trouble in that department. "Otherwise…"
Dart can't help but give a low chuckle. "You actually sound afraid." He smiles at her. "What? You don't want to kill the big bad wolf?"
Rose's eyes flash with anger. "And you do?" She looks hard at him. Her eyes burn with intensity. "You want to kill some little boy's pet? You really think you can bring yourself to do that?"
Dart is bewildered by her suddenly sharp words. They're like knives. "If I have to, of course I will." The shock fades into a hardness much like her own. "I'll protect you all with my life."
It's hard for Rose to say it, but she feels she must. "Really? Is it just for us?" She raises a brow. She lets the implications hang in the air. After all, they are in his homeland. Terrible things happened to him here. Not to mention there is an irregular surge and ebbing of power, a power so much like that of the Dragoons. She can feel it, so she knows while he might not be able to put a name to it, it is definitely affecting him. It might even be making him act differently.
Dart searches her face for some kind of sign. "What? You think I'm killing for pleasure?" He practically seethes. "Then say it. Don't pussyfoot around it." He breathes heavily in and out. When he speaks, his voice is soft, almost sad. "It's not who you are."
Rose shakes her head almost sadly. "I think you need to be careful." Her voice is soft, much softer than it should be. "Don't focus on revenge. Like you said on the Queen Fury, let it go. Your spirit will benefit from it…" She trails off, her mind going back to that day.
Dart scoffs at her. "You're being ridiculous." He moves quickly ahead of her. Shana will surely provide more support than Rose. Rose is just being so overbearing. Maybe it's her way of being jealous. It wouldn't surprise him.
Rose scowls after him. Even his act of leaving her behind shows the change in him. She knows she has to watch him carefully in this land. Who knows what might happen, especially with this new power. It's really unsettling, even for someone with a spirit as strong as her.
They walk deeper into the forest, passing by two small stair like formations by Meru's order. They all hear the wolf coming from a different direction anyway. She, however, insists she can feel its presence instead of hearing it.
The second set of stairs has a knight farther down the path, but no one says anything. They continue on until they reach an area with larger trees than anywhere else. It's overgrown with plant life and the floor is covered with crunchy leaves.
That's how the wolf hears them. Kamuy lets out a threatening howl the moment their feet step down on the dry leaves. Its eyes burn furiously and it takes a defensive pose. It bares its fangs, them glittering dangerously.
The group instinctively jumps back a step. They quickly draw their weapons and take defensive positions of their own. "Ready?" Dart says to them. They all nod faintly. So they take a few steps forward.
The boy from before suddenly appears before them. He jumps from Kamuy's back. His eyes are furious and his body rigid. "Go home!" He jerks his arm up and points with a shaking fist. "Kamuy's not bad!" He shakes his head fervently. "So just go!"
"We can't do that." Haschel shakes his head slowly.
Shana steps forward. She clasps her hands at her waist. "We met Fa." She whispers. Her eyes are wide and full of sadness. "Fa is worried about you."
Teo starts. His anger fades drastically and his eyes are suddenly sad. "Fa is…" He trails off. He lowers his head and gaze and bites his lip, thinking heavily.
"It's true." Meru steps forward. "Fa doesn't talk anymore." The thought makes her heart ache. "It's because you disappeared, Teo."
Surprisingly Kongol's voice fills the air next. "It because she really care." His tone is softer than it has ever been. It is an amazing feat.
Teo side glances. His frown deepens. "Fa cares that much about me?" A tiny sigh escapes him.
Albert nods. "Fa needs you." He kneels down to the child's level. "So come back with us." He reaches his hand out to the child.
Teo looks at his offer with uncertainty. He takes a single step back. "But…" He shakes his head slowly. His brows furrow together. "What about Kamuy?"
Dart finds himself hesitating and it is pretty unsettling. He shakes away the uncertainty and speaks, "We won't hurt him if you come with us." He smiles down at the boy.
Rose smiles to herself. It's a good sign that he wants to help the little boy again.
Teo's face becomes disgruntled. "I…I don't…" His lip puffs out. "No…he's gonna be killed if I don't protect him!" He keeps his hands close to his body.
That's right!" A voice cries from behind them. They all spin around to see Bulgus closing in.
Teo gasps. He draws back further. "No! Go away! All of you!"
Dart scowls heatedly back at Bulgus. "Get lost." He orders.
Bulgus lets out a belly laugh. "You pretended to not be interested!" He points his weapon accusingly at them, Dart in particular. "But you came back for the prize, right!"
Dart's lips curl down into a snarl. His fists clench and he turns all the way around to face Bulgus.
Dart's expression only makes Bulgus laugh more. Then, suddenly, his expression sobers. "But I won't let you." He growls. He jerks his ax up in a fighting stance. "I'll finish the beast!"
The leader is not far behind Bulgus. He runs up with his sword at the ready. "Teo!" He looks hard at the child. The time for negotiating is long past. "Come here! You can not stay out in these woods forever. Just like you can not protect Kamuy forever." There is no pity as he says, "It's too late for Kamuy."
"No!" Teo shrieks. He scrambles back toward Kamuy. "I will protect him forever! He's my friend! I won't let you hurt him!" He puts his fists up as if he really means to fight.
Bulgus advances. He notes Teo and prepares to make a move around the child.
Dart starts. "No! Don't!" It's already too late.
A vicious snarl rips out of Kamuy's throat and he bolts. It leaps from tree to tree until it gets mere feet from Bulgus. Then, with a flicker of a pause, it launches itself at Bulgus.
Bulgus raises his ax up high.
Kamuy is too fast. It slams into Bulgus before he can act. It digs him into the ground, its sharp claws twisting in flesh.
Bulgus screams in utter agony. He writhes to get out from under the beast, but it is no use. He can't even manage his weapon from this state.
Shana's face twists in terror. "Dart!" She jerks her head around to him. "We have to do something!" Her delicate frame trembles slightly.
The man's screams push Kamuy further. It shoves his jaws down onto the man's chest, breaking clear through the armor. Sweet blood fills its mouth as it shakes the man around on the ground.
Dart instinctively draws his sword, but his eyes flit to Rose nonetheless. He can not forget her accusation.
Rose is already drawing her stiletto. Her coal eyes meet Dart's for the briefest moment. Then she takes an offensive stance. "It's for justice…" She says to herself as much as him. "It's only right."
Kamuy savagely tosses Bulgus across the forest. All that is left of him are his fading screams before a loud splash issues forth. Bulgus hit the river.
Dart doesn't hesitate anymore. His hand snaps to his neck and closes around his Dragoon Spirit. In a blinding flash he transforms brilliantly. He flicks his large sword and readies for the wolf's attack.
Kamuy roars furiously. The light enrages him further and he his possessed to charge. "Nooo!" Teo's scream echoes as he sinks to his knees.
Dart lungs forward with Kamuy mid-jump. In one swift move he plows his sword deep within the beast's chest.
Terror replaces the savage fury in Kamuy's eyes. A sharp yelp splits the air and then all emotion is suddenly gone from Kamuy's eyes. They glaze over and its body slumps.
It's sickening, but Dart finds himself smirking coldly down at the creature on the other end of his blade. His eyes dance with a certain excitement. Then as he pulls his sword back and steps away the feeling is gone again. The strange pulsing power is almost completely gone.
Kamuy collapses on the ground. Its head falls over on its paws and its eyes are only thin slivers. Its breathing is labored and getting softer with every breath.
"Kamuy!" Teo shrieks. Tears well in his eyes as he rushes up and over to his friend. "No! Kamuy!" He shakes the wolf desperately. "Don't die!" His body begins to shake with the rising terror. His expression is strangled. "You can't…" The tears start streaming down his face. "No…"
Everyone can't help but be a little taken aback by the swiftness with which Dart carried out the act. Their faces each show varying degrees of shock and sorrow for the weeping child.
Dart takes another step back. Finally the reality of the situation is settling on him. He stares dully and regretfully at Kamuy. Blood is quickly spreading beneath the animal's body. It won't last more than a minute more. And it was all his doing. He glances down at his bloodied weapon. Was it really for justice…?
Shana glides over to Dart. She clasps her hands around his arm and presses her face there too. She swallows the tears. She has to be strong now. Still, she can feel herself trembling.
It is Meru however that is most pained. Her brows knit together and her lip trembles noticeably. She feels faint tremors crawl up her body. It wasn't even Kamuy's fault. Her hurt expression instantly transforms to fury. Her eyes flash dangerously and her lips pull back into a snarl. She has to fix this. So she walks forward to the wolf.
Kongol is the first to notice her movement. "Meru?" He stares strangely after her.
Meru ignores him. She keeps on walking. The fire dims, tempered by welling tears, but it is ever present.
Haschel perks at the sound of Kongol's voice. "What are you doing?" His voice cracks slightly, but the predominant emotion is fear. It has become instinct now. Even though Kamuy is down, who knows what it could do.
Dart touches his chest plate lightly, imitating Rose's actions from times ago. He returns to human form instantly. "H-Hey!" He calls after Meru. What is she doing!?
Meru walks within inches of Kamuy and sinks down onto her haunches. She stares sadly down at the dying creature. Its breaths are so shallow she can only feel it, no longer see the rise and fall of its chest.
Teo jerks up. His eyes are wild. He is within an inch of snapping when his eyes fall on her face.
Meru sniffles softly. "It's not even your fault…" She whispers. Single tears slip down her cream skin. She reaches out and lays a hand on its chest. "Stupid Winglies…" The fire reignites for an instant. "But maybe…"
"Dart," Shana's eyes are trained on Meru even as she speaks to him. "Can I heal Kamuy?"
Dart can not look away from Meru either. He watches her curiously. But before he can answer her Meru is moving again.
Meru feels a sudden intense pulling from deep within her. Her eyes trail down Kamuy until she lays eyes on the beautiful blue spirit resting on her chest. She can hear it speaking to her. She is compelled to reach for it. "Can I really…" She clenches it tightly. "Then, please...Blue Sea Dragon," She bows her head and closes her eyes tight in hope. "Save this poor creature." She even holds her breath.
Teo stares with widening eyes as a miracle occurs. His distraught expression transforms into disbelieving happiness and overwhelming relief. "K-Kamuy?" He chokes out. A cracked chuckle escapes his lips.
Kamuy's glazed eyes slowly regain life. Its nearly dormant chest picks up regularity. A deep growl works its way out of the wolf's throat and sensation returns to it. The pain is dulling and the gash in its chest is sealing. Kamuy scratches its claws teasingly on the ground.
Meru tentatively opens her eyes. A smile breaks out across her face as she sees the power of her spirit taking effect. She can barely believe it. So she can heal too…it's more wonderful than she could ever imagine.
Even more amazing is as Kamuy himself changes. Its body glows with the healing power and its size slowly diminishes. Once the light fades the wolf's body isn't even big enough to reach outside of the lingering pool of blood.
"Kamuy!" Teo squeals in delight. He throws himself at his pet and squeezes tight. Now the tears that slowly trickle down his face are of sweet relief. "I was so scared…"
"Oh my God…" The leader gasps. His eyes practically bulge from his head. "Kamuy is becoming himself again." He shakes his head slowly back and forth. "It's a miracle."
No one of Dart's group can find the words to speak. All they can do is stare in stunned confusion. Shana most of all is caught off guard. So her Dragoon Spirit is not the only one with healing qualities. She smiles faintly. She is surprisingly relieved. After last night she has the sinking feeling they'll need another healer soon.
Meru laughs softly as she watches the boy and wolf. "I'm glad…" She wipes at her eyes. "At least I could fix one thing Winglies have ruined."
Finally Albert speaks. "The Blue Sea Dragon healed the savage soul that changed Kamuy." He smiles faintly, pain evident at the edges. It's too hard to be completely happy after watching a child nearly break down.
"Yes," Rose nods imperceptibly. "It is a quality that some bearers of this Dragoon Spirit are blessed with. Water is naturally a soothing element, used to take care of the sick." She smiles as she watches Meru's now happy face. "It all depends on the person wielding it."
Despite the cheery situation Dart can't help but feel a sickening twist in his stomach. Fate is very important to their quest. It has shown it in the very way they all came together. So that Meru is of a select few water Dragoons gifted with healing magic does not sit well with him. He wraps his arm tightly around Shana. What does it mean will happen to her…?
Teo jumps up. He grins from ear to ear. "Thank you!" He bows his whole upper body. "Thank you so much miss!" He launches himself at her with arms spread wide.
Meru catches him. She rocks back on her haunches, but he is nothing compared to her. She easily steadies herself. "It was nothing." Meru pats him gently on the head.
Kamuy stands up. Its tail wags furiously and its tongue lolls out as it watches Teo intently. Then it lets out a short yip. It is nothing like the sounds it made before. It is sweet and playful.
Teo tears away from Meru. He jumps up and spins to face Kamuy.
Kamuy starts to run in a circle around his friend. It barks again and again.
Teo laughs loudly. He chases Kamuy in the tight circle.
After a minute Shana steps forward. "Teo," She gently urges. She waits for his eyes to fall on her before also saying, "Go back to Fa and show her you are fine."
Teo comes to a full stop. Realization dawns on him. He can't believe he nearly forgot about her! But…his eyes fall on Kamuy. The little wolf is pressed up against his legs affectionately.
Dart see the hesitation and takes action. He turns to the leader. "Kamuy can go back with him can't he?" He raises a brow. A slight frown graces his lips.
The leader bites his lip. His eyes wander over Teo and Kamuy. The wolf's expression is bright and playful. "Hmm…" It is just as it has been for so many years before whatever changed him. "It seems he's not going to harm people anymore."
Teo stares expectantly up at the knight. His fists clench and he holds his breath in anticipation.
Kamuy stares with a similar light in its eyes. It doesn't even dare give a sound.
The leader sighs heavily. "Fine." He smiles wanly. "If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
Teo's face lights up instantly. "Yes!" He leaps in the air. He spins around and drops into a crouch. He throws his arms around Kamuy's neck. He buries his head in its fur and nuzzles it affectionately.
The leader's smile becomes more sincere. "It will be the best for Teo and Fa." He waits for Teo to release Kamuy and face him. When that doesn't happen he says, "Teo, let's go home! Everybody's worried about you!"
"Oh!" Teo snaps to attention. "Yeah! Fa!" He darts forward through the crowd of Dart's group. As he reaches the leader's side he stops suddenly. He spins around with a bright grin on his face. "Thanks again!" He waves animatedly to Meru.
Meru stands slowly. She turns around with the same speed and smiles tenderly down at the child. Happy tears blur her vision. "I was happy to." Undoing the horrible things Winglies do is something she wishes dearly to do now and forever in the future.
Teo runs back to her. Kamuy is right at his heels. He hugs her legs with all the affection in the world. Just as quickly he has let go again. "I hope I'll see you again!" He waves again and runs back, clear out of sight. "Come on Kamuy!"
Kamuy's barks echo throughout the forest as its small figure fades. Even once it's gone its high pitched bark surrounds them. The fear has long since gone from its voice.
The leader jumps a little. He turns his head to the group. He nods in appreciation and then he is gone.
Shana sighs and smiles warmly. "I'm so glad everything worked out." She clasps her hands at her chest as she stares after the leader.
Dart nods faintly. Still he can not forget that he was the one who nearly ruined everything. Whether it was for justice or not is irrelevant. It ended up being a horrible move. The blood staining his blade is a constant reminder. He hopes he can wash it off soon.
Rose senses Dart's tenseness. She frowns deeply. She steps close to him, close enough to whisper without anyone noticing. "It's not your fault."
Dart nearly laughs. Instead he smiles in broken amusement. He says nothing.
An unsettling silence soon sets in on them. It is finally Haschel who breaks it. "Hey, Meru." He turns to face her. "How did you do that anyway?" He smiles in intrigue. "It was pretty cool."
Meru beams. She walks with a more confident posture. "I don't even know how." Her hand goes to her Dragoon Spirit. She rolls it through her fingers and looks down at it with thankfulness. "I mean, it was my spirit, but…" She doesn't know where she's going with this.
Rose steps forward. "It shows how strong you are becoming. Not necessarily physically, but emotionally." Rose offers a small smile. "You are growing up." She nods slightly.
Meru's confusion transforms into delight. Rose's praise is the highest of graces. "Really?" She giggles softly. "Thanks so much. It…" Her expression sobers slightly, but the light never leaves her eyes. "It means a lot to me."
Albert smiles at Rose and then at Meru. They've come so far.
Dart is equally pleased. "Alright," He reaches out and takes Shana's hand. "We've done good guys." He lets his gaze rove over each of their faces. "So let's get going." Lloyd is waiting for them.
The bit from Meru about fairies/Winglies being the culprit does not mean they are. As I was writing I wasn't sure if a reason was ever given for Kamuy's transformation, but it turns out one sort of is. The fairy thing was also a way for the group to believe they could save Kamuy and not kill him. It just kind of worked well.
And Dart is being weird. Maybe it doesn't make sense right now, but there is a point to it - i swear. It's pretty fun too actually. Thoughts on any and all points are much appreciated. Questions are cool too, but if you use the guest function I can't respond, so...yeah. Please review!