Ok, I'm super excited about posting this chapter. But also super anxious. Miranda was never given the proper attention or development in the game that she should have. She was basically Shana's replacement and lacked, to me, a lot of depth. So in endeavoring to introduce her properly a few things have changed. She's still her (I hope at least) but there are probably obvious differences with my added scenes. Also, this chapter is pretty short. Kind of like the Meru one back in the second book...weird. Well, enjoy!
They backtrack through the forest. They pass a soldier guarding a path to somewhere they don't know the name of. Then they come to an upward incline they had also passed before. They turn off there and trek up with heavy feet. It goes up for a long while until they are amazed by how far they can see. The edges of Furni are even visible.
Shortly after that the path dips. It is a slow decline that curves around the giant rock formation jutting up into the sky. There are no trees here. There are only a few plants on the edges, plants that were lucky to be able to survive without much sunlight. The ground is soundless beneath their feet.
No one says a word. They all feel a sense of ease, a feeling that is too precious to be broken by words. Even Dart and Rose allow their posture to relax. The unsettling pulsing power continues to remain relatively dormant too. Neither needs to worry about what it might do to Dart.
A mile down the path a thought suddenly creeps up on Rose. Her eyes dart to an area just over a deep hole. If she remembers right jumping there leads back almost to the beginning of the forest. She looks back at the others with uncertainty. Gradually she slows down, slipping farther away until she is the last in line. Then she comes to a complete stop.
Dart is the only one to notice her stop dead. He starts, stopping himself. He turns around quickly, looking curiously at her. "Is something wrong?" His brows knit together and he tilts his head. He walks back through the others to her.
At the sound of his voice everyone is brought back to reality. They realize that Rose is not where she should be. They all turn around and walk closer. They create a small semicircle around her as they watch her almost apprehensively. She doesn't appear unnerved. Still, they can never be too sure with Rose.
Rose stares almost blankly at each of them. Her arms move over her chest and she grips her elbows. She eventually smiles weakly. "Please go ahead."
She receives blank stares from each of them. "What do you mean?" It is Shana who asks.
Rose doesn't look at her. Her gaze rests on the land just past the drop off. "I remember I have some important errand to do." She walks casually toward the hole.
Albert and Dart both see the suppressed look in her eyes. "H-Hey!" They cry out. They reach uselessly after her. There is nothing that will stop her now.
Rose ignores them. She slides down the slope and leaps gracefully at the last moment. She propels herself over the gap with precision. She lands perfectly and begins to walk on.
Everyone rushes to the edge of the path. Shana drops to her knees and Dart and Albert do the same. The rest simply stare, Haschel with the widest eyes. "Wait!"
Rose looks lazily over her shoulder. She throws him an amused smirk. "I'll catch up with you soon." She waves absently over her shoulder. She quickly moves on. As she disappears around a tree she says one last thing, "Look for Lloyd in the meantime."
Albert sighs heavily. He stands slowly. "She is as mysterious as always." He smiles despite himself.
As they continue to focus on the spot across the gap, a thought comes to Meru. A certain light comes to her eyes as she looks quickly over her friends. Then with as much stealth as she can she starts to tiptoe backwards.
"I wonder where she's going?" Haschel asks to no one in particular. He taps his chin thoughtfully. "She's probably been all over Mille Seseau just like the other continents. So it could be anywhere."
Dart stands up. "Well, we should just go I guess." He wonders what could possibly be back toward Furni that she knows about. The only place he can think of is Neet. But why would she be going there?
Shana nods. She gets up and turns toward him. As she faces him she glimpses movement from the corner of her eye. She tilts her head to see, mildly surprised at what she sees. "Meru?" She blinks twice.
Meru jumps slightly with the surprise of being noticed. Her cheeks color faintly and a shy smile curls her lips. She clasps her hands behind her back and sways gently on her feet.
Everyone looks to Meru at the sound of Shana's voice.
Meru laughs almost mischievously. "I now remember I have an errand too." Her smile spreads a little further across her face. She turns away and looks up at the sky thoughtfully. Her mind wanders to her destination. She imagines what their reactions will be at seeing her again.
Dart frowns deeply. "You're not going to tell us the reason either, are you Meru?" He crosses his arms over his chest as he anticipates her response.
Meru laughs loudly. "I'm just visiting my parents!" She waves her hand dismissively. "That's all!"
Haschel smiles warmly. "That's all?" He chuckles softly. "You should have said so. You don't have to sneak off and be like Rose."
Meru made a face. "Me? Like Rose?" She let out a single syllable laugh. "Never! That's why I did tell you." She can't believe she really almost snuck off like that. She feels a bit ashamed.
Kongol steps forward. "Me will miss you, Meru." His mouth turns up into the smallest of smiles.
Meru looks up at his looming form. Once so scared of him she now can't believe she ever thought badly of him. "Don't say it like that." She half laughs, grinning broadly. "I'll be back soon!"
Kongol nods. "Ok."
Meru walks quickly toward him and hits him lightly on the arm. She spins quickly around, facing Haschel. "You too." She scolds. She looks at him with playful disapproval. "Stop looking so sad."
Haschel can't help but laugh at her. "It won't be the same even with you gone for only a day or two. I'll have to be funny enough for both of us!" He pumps his fist in dedicated excitement. He grins widely.
Meru laughs at his enthusiasm. "And I'll be extra everything for all of you!" She throws her arms out wide and spins in a full circle to indicate them all.
They all watch in amusement. What once would have made them all irritated is now an almost soothing remedy to life.
She digs a foot in the ground to stop herself, her world spinning ever so slightly. It only thrills her more. "See ya!" She throws an arm in the air. Then she bolts back up the path.
Shana laughs softly. "It's typical of Meru." She feels suddenly empty though. Almost afraid. Her powers no longer give her courage and strength. Seeing Meru heal Kamuy only amplified her feelings. She doesn't want to run into a bad situation like this, with only herself to heal.
Dart notices Shana's sudden tenseness, but he lets it go. He goes to her side and wraps his arm around her waist. "Let's keep going." They can't afford to sit around and wait for another of them to up and leave. There was safety in numbers after all.
They continue down the trail. It's somehow lonelier without Rose and Meru. Even though Rose never says much, there's still a gap, a place where should be walking alongside them. Dart is especially empty. His eyes always dart to his side and behind if as if he expects her to come running back to them at any moment. As for Meru the absence is especially obvious. It's so quiet it's almost unnerving. She is always the sound that gives life to their more serious team. It's just not the same.
The path flattens out after an hour or so. They are glad to not be reminded of how Rose took off on the slope. The shade offered by the trees is also nice. It's still pretty warm, even for such a usually cold country. The plant life is even perkier all of a sudden. It makes them smile as they are reminded of Meru. It helps them to better imagine her still there by their sides.
As they grow closer to what they feel must be the exit, they suddenly hear something. Dart instantly stops. He spreads his arms out wide to shield and stop the group. His expression is hard and muscles tense. "Do you hear that?" He breathes. His eyes dart all around them for the source.
Shana peeks around him. She stares with wide, curious eyes. "It…sounds like…music." She listens harder. As she concentrates the sound floats to her more clearly. It's a peaceful tune. It is not the sound of someone who seeks to harm them. Besides, it's singing. What can it really do?
Haschel nods his approval. "Indeed." It is not something he has heard in the past. It is nothing like Claire's lullaby. Perhaps it is a song unique to Mille Seseau.
Dart stares intently ahead of them. He lowers his arms to his side. "Come on then." He murmurs with lingering uncertainty. "Let's keep going." He walks tentatively now. After all, it could be an attempt to lure them into a false sense of security.
Moving forward the song grows in volume. They still can not see who the voice belongs to. It is sweet, but there is a coarse edge. Then, walking around the bend, they see them. It is a woman. She is sitting on a log and staring out into space. Her blonde shoulder length hair flutters gently in the breeze.
Her outfit is regal, like that of royalty. Her breastplate is orange with a unique design made of gold. Beneath it she wears a loose white long sleeved one piece outfit. On her head is an orange and black hat with flower designs around the rim.
She does not see or hear them. She has her hand outstretched. Black gloves that leave the fingers exposed reach to her elbow. A delicate butterfly sits at the end of her finger. Her lips are turned up in a soft smile as her golden eyes stare intently at the creature.
"Oh." Albert whispers. "It's a girl."
Haschel can't help but snort in amusement. "What did you expect genius?"
The woman's eyes shoot open. She jerks herself around on the log, disturbing the butterfly. Her hand flies to the weapon on her back. It is a bow. "Who are you?" So startlingly different from her humming, her voice is sharp and almost cold. Her eyes narrow into slits and her lips curve into a deep frown.
They all jump slightly. Dart waves his hands. "We don't mean any harm." He insists. "I swear!" He can't help but be alarmed by the intensity her eyes possess. Her glare is quite possibly more dangerous than Rose's. Not to mention there is suddenly a captivating quality about her golden eyes.
Her eyes do not soften nor does her posture relax. "You didn't answer the question!" She snaps. "Who the hell are you?" She pulls her bow out and aims at them. She knows everyone in Deningrad and a lot from Furni. She does not, however, know them.
Albert quickly steps forward. "Stop!" His voice is almost pleading. "We are simply travelers. We have come from Tiberoa and only wish to pass to Deningrad."
She starts. "Did you say…Tiberoa…?" The intensity fades from her eyes. She lowers her bow into her lap. "Could it be? Are you the heroes who slayed the Sea Dragon?" The corners of her lips slowly turn up.
Shana nods. "Yes, that is us." She sighs softly in relief. She also smiles faintly.
"I can't believe it!" She half laughs. She stands quickly. She returns her bow to her back and is suddenly very loose. "I'd heard about you, but I never dreamed I'd ever see you."
As she faces them fully they take in the rest of her appearance. She has brown fur boots that stretch nearly to her thighs, a sliver of what seems to be a headband peeks out from her hat and wraps around her forehead, and a strip of armor encircles her waist.
Dart smiles. There is no denying there is immense relief in the gesture. He was almost prepared to fight her. "It's not that big of a deal." He shrugs. "We just did what we had to." The real story is too complicated.
She can't help but laugh. "You're far too modest. What you did was amazing."
Dart rubs his head. He chuckles softly. "If you say so."
"I do." She nods firmly. Then a certain confusion enters her eyes and expression. She frowns slightly. "But…what are you doing here? We don't have any calamities that need fixing." At least she doesn't think so. And she prides herself on being up to date.
Dart side glances. He looks at each of his friends. He doesn't know if he should really be telling a stranger the truth. There is no need to involve anyone else. "Well," He licks his lips, picking his words carefully. "We think there might be someone here who could start something."
Her eyes shoot open wide. "W-What?" She is once again tense. A fire lights in her eyes. "Who? Where? How?" Her fists clench instinctively. They quiver faintly.
As the tension quickly rises Shana notices one more detail about this woman. She stares in intrigue at it. It is a necklace. A polished amber stone hangs from a thick black string. It rests just above her breasts. "It's beautiful…" She absently says.
The tension is instantly broken. Everyone looks at her. The woman speaks, intuitively knowing what Shana is talking about. "Oh," She reaches up and touches the stone lightly. "You mean this?" She smiles affectionately down at it. "It is…" The tenderness shifts into an almost cold expression. "…the remnant of a memory."
Shana's brows knit together. The sudden change in the woman is both confusing and unsettling. She isn't quite sure what to say to her anymore. "Well," She steps carefully among her words. "It's nice regardless."
The woman smiles, but it is almost bitter. "Ironic, really." She laughs, but it holds an edge that shouldn't be there. She scowls darkly. "But it doesn't matter. What about this person?" She lets the stone go and quickly returns to reality.
Dart shakes his head. "I can't tell you." He says apologetically. "I don't want to involve anyone else, especially people who…" He trails off as he recognizes the rising anger in her eyes. He is a little bit afraid.
"Who what?" She growls. "Who are fragile?" She snorts and shakes her head in disgusted disbelief. "Just because I look fragile with this outfit doesn't mean I am." She draws her bow and sets an arrow in an instant, letting it fly with much force to a faraway tree. It sticks magnificently, dead center.
They can't say they aren't amazed. Their initial image of her in the light with a butterfly atop her finger did create bias. Anyone who connects with animals the way she appeared to couldn't be that strong of a warrior. Yet she seems to at least know her way around a bow.
Dart still can't help but frown at her. "Look, uh…" His expression goes blank as he realizes he doesn't know her name.
Despite her aggravation she finds it in her to smile in amusement. "Miranda." She says simply. "I'm one of the best shooters you'll ever meet." She grins wickedly. There is undeniable conceit in her voice.
Dart nods. "Miranda, look, this isn't like a simple battle with a feral beast. We've followed this man through all the continents. He's very dangerous and we can't drag random people along with us." Dart offers a half smile. "I'm sorry."
Miranda's stare turns cold. Her lips press into a flat line. "Fine." She grinds out. Her fist shakes noticeably. She turns sharply on her heel. Her white outfit flutters behind her with an air almost as angry as she is. "Go fight this man on your own then."
Albert looks from her to Dart and back again. He taps his chin uneasily. He opens and closes his mouth as if grappling with something. Then he spits it out, "Wait!"
Miranda stops. She glances hatefully back at them. "What?" She seethes.
Dart jerks his head around to stare at Albert incredulously. "Albert." He says in hushed urgency. "What are you doing? Weren't you listening to me?" He scowls.
"Of course." He whispers back. "But maybe she can help us." He does not give Dart time to react. He hurries to get out what he needs to. "You're from here, right?" He stares hopefully, eyes wide.
Miranda turns slowly. Her expression eases out of its rage. When she's fully facing them her face is simply curious. Yes…" She sounds very wary. "Why?"
"Then you know this country." He reasons. "You can tell us about the places around here and how to navigate them." Worry enters his eyes. "So, I was wondering if maybe you could help us with that at least. We've never been here before."
Dart finally understands. It's not a bad plan. She can be like Meru was. Still, he can't stop the grimace from spreading across his face. Then again, Meru did not remain a guide. She had weaseled her way into the group. So why can't this woman, Miranda, do the same. "Albert…" He isn't sure about this.
Miranda looks them over thoroughly. Her stare is a sharp glare. "Alright," She says carefully. "But." She holds up a hand. "Only on one condition." She raises a brow at them.
They're almost afraid to ask. Still, Haschel does. "What is it?"
Miranda smirks fleetingly. Then her mouth curves down again, stressing the seriousness of her next words. "If things get too serious, like in Tiberoa, you must find me." Her gaze hardens further. "I won't let my country fall apart around me and not do anything. Understand?"
Dart hesitates. However, his pause actually works to his advantage. It makes his words sound all the more sincere. "Alright." He sighs. There is annoyance in his eyes and tone. Yet he doesn't mean what he says. They don't even know how to find this woman. He isn't exactly going to struggle to find out either.
Miranda smiles. Yet she too knows he is a liar. It just means she'll have to watch them and the country more closely. "Good." She nods slightly. "Then come on." She turns and motions over her shoulder. "It's still a few miles until we get out of here."
It is unintentional, but there is a collective sigh. Despite the fact they knew deep down it was so, they had wished with all their might that the exit was closer.
Miranda rolls her eyes at them. "Oh, don't be babies." She scolds. "You're the saviors of Tiberoa! Act like it!" She tilts her head to get a look at them over her shoulder. They are not pleased.
Haschel rolls his eyes right back. Albert digs his hands into his pockets and averts his eyes. Kongol frowns slightly, and Shana looks at her in disapproval.
Dart, however, is most notably unsettled. A severe glare is plastered across his face. His lips curve down into a sharp snarl and his breathing is a notch above normal. His fists clench and tremble. The worst part is he doesn't even know why he suddenly feels this way. Her words were irritating, sure, but they weren't much more. Still, there is a swelling in his chest and he just wants to hit something – anything! If it will quell this bubbling fury he'll do it.
Shana feels a growing sensation in her Dragoon Spirit. It is unnerving and she swears it's because of someone right next to her. She glances tentatively over at Dart. She is alarmed by the look in his eyes. It's so much more intense than anything she's ever seen. "Dart…?"
Dart starts. He jerks his head around toward her. For an instant his searing expression remains. Then when he realizes it is Shana he shakes his head and the anger is gone. "Sorry." He sighs. He grips his head tightly and lowers it noticeably. "I…"
Shana's brows knit together. "Dart," Her eyes fill with sadness and worry. "What's wrong?" The burning she felt from her spirit is fading. Still, it pulses noticeably even now. "You've been acting strange lately." She hadn't said anything, but she has noticed just as much as Rose.
Dart slowly shakes his head. "It's nothing." He murmurs. He lifts his head. That power has come back, this time much more severe. It wasn't just a savage beast he wanted to harm. He had actually entertained the idea of hurting anything, guilty of crimes or not. "Just…a headache." Maybe Rose is right. Is he losing it? More importantly – why?
Shana frowns deeply. She doesn't believe it, not even a little. His face is pained. There is even a little bit of shame there. But it is not her place to call him out on it, not right now. She doesn't want to make things worse. So instead she slips closer, wrapping her arms around his. "Ok."
After that a lot of time goes by in silence. No one finds anything of interest to talk about. Their guide doesn't even bother pointing out plant life or anything. They simply walk with heavy feet. It's been about an hour before the silence is finally broken.
On impulse Dart decides he'll ask a question. "Where are we? I mean, in relation to everything else." He stares intently at the back of her head. He feels better than before. At least he isn't thinking about hurting people. Still, the desire to destroy is still there. Again thoughts of Lloyd drive his passion. Or is it better to call it insanity?
Miranda glances back at them. She frowns deeply. "We're closest to Deningrad. But…" Her eyes wander up as if she is looking for the sky through the trees. "We're not too far from the Mountain of Mortal Dragons either."
Albert's interest is instantly peeked. "The Mountain of Mortal Dragons?" His eyes snap open and he scurries away from the group. He goes up to Miranda's side, looking around at her. "What is that?" Without even knowing about it, he connects Volcano Villude with it. Perhaps they are similar.
Miranda smiles slightly at his enthusiasm. But the sentiment is gone as quickly as it appears. "It's a dangerous place." She says solemnly. "It's where the legendary dragon is said to rest." Her fists clench out of habit. "And this forest, while not close in altitude, wraps right around the base of it."
Dart starts. "W-What did you say?" He can't hide the suffocating fear from his tone. Could the dragon be the cause of the strange surges of energy as well as his strange actions and thoughts?
Miranda looks lazily back at him. She raises a brow at him. "What? About the dragon? Or the forest?" She frowns in confusion.
"Both!" Shana pipes. "Is there really such a thing here in Mille Seseau?" Her eyes are wide in alarm. Was it always here? Did Dart unknowingly live five years of his life near it?
Miranda shrugs. "Supposedly." It is a tale handed down to every generation. The merit of it is up in the air. "According to legend, Winglies sealed the beast in the mountain because not even they with their mighty powers could destroy it. It's…pretty scary."
A sudden shiver shoots up Dart's spine. It makes him grimace. Somewhere far away he hears the furious roar of a monster. He almost jerks around to look for it, but he knows there won't be anything. Maybe it is real in the far off place of the Mortal Dragon, but it is also an illusion. No one else heard it.
Kongol has been silent for the longest time. Now he speaks, "Could it escape?" He tilts his head as he watches Miranda intently.
Despite the tenseness Miranda laughs. She looks over her shoulder at him. "No, of course not." Her laugh fades into a small smile. "I mean, it's just a legend anyway. It probably doesn't even exist." She shakes her head. "And besides, if it is there, why on earth would it suddenly escape now?"
Instead of lightening the mood, her words only thicken the air. The question hangs unsettlingly in the air and brings an answer to their minds which they want to deny more than anything. Because of us. It's ridiculous really. These things can't be happening because of them. They simply follow the calamities. Right?
Then, finally, they break out of the mass of trees. They are bathed in the warm colors of the setting sun. It feels good even if only for the brightness it lends to the situation. "Here we are." Miranda looks fondly back into the woods. "The end of the Evergreen forest."
"How much longer until we reach Deningrad?" Haschel can't help but ask. His body isn't what it once was and he is feeling particularly tired today. Maybe it's because of the sudden lack of energy due to Meru's absence.
Miranda's smile grows tenfold. "Look," She points far ahead of them. "If you pay attention you can see the castle pretty well from here." She stops and turns around to fully face them. "We'll be there before dark."
Everyone smiles and brightens immensely. The desolate atmosphere brought about by talk of a dragon evaporates almost instantly. They are full of energy and excitement over reaching a new destination. Hopefully here they will learn something about the next Moon Object and perhaps even Lloyd. It is a good place to start.
So how was it? I'd really appreciate your opinions on Miranda and her introduction. I want to know if it's up to par with what everyone expects of her. It's actually really fun to write her and have her interact with everyone unlike with the time given to her in the game. Anyway, please review!