Here's an extra long chapter for the extra long wait :)
Sorry I've been busy playing again _
trying to 99 my wiz before dragonboat takes over again.
I should be able to write more when dragonboat season is in...i'll write it on paper on my way to practice...and type it up later :P
Several days later near Mikan's house
"This is strange. Even if we don't party with each other, I'm usually able to call Mikan to talk to her. But she hasn't responded to me in days. I hope nothing bad happened to her. Maybe I'll find her if I drop by her place."
Ruka thought while he walked towards her house.
As he was neared her house, he saw a familiar looking crusader walking towards the same destination.
When he got closer he recognized that crusader to be Mikan's senpai, Tsubasa.
"Hi Tsubasa senpai. Are you here looking for Mikan as well?" Ruka called out.
"Actually, I was trying to find her to get your contact. But since I bumped into you, I guess I don't need to find her anymore."
"What do you need me for?"
"It's about your friend." Tsubasa responded in a lower voice.
"Have you found them?" Ruka's voice full of hope.
"Actually, we might have found the girl. We're not entirely sure. We're having problems getting her to talk." Tsubasa explained while scratching his head. "Can you come with me? Maybe you will be able to identify who she is?"
"For sure!! Where is she right now?"
"She's at the hospital right now."
"Hospital?! Is she ok? What's wrong with her?"
"Her condition is stable right now but her mind is rather weak. She seems to be in a state of shock and traumatized. If she is indeed your friend's sister, maybe seeing you will help her. Are you free right now to go to the hospital?"
"Yeah sure! I was just going to see if Mikan is in but I can give her a call later. Let's go to the hospital now. I want to see if it's her."
Tsubasa nods and leads him to the hospital.
In the hospital
"Doctor, Ruka here may know the girl. Can we go see her? We need to confirm her identity." Tsubasa asked.
"Try not to aggravate her this time please." The doctor told them.
"We won't. Sorry about last time." Tsubasa apologized and bowed.
The doctor nodded to a nurse to lead them to her room.
The nurse walked into the girl's room with the two following behind her.
When she got in they waited at the door and she went to move the curtains around the bed aside to reveal the little girl staring emptily at the ceiling.
She gave the two a warning about causing a commotion and then left them alone in the room.
Ruka looked at Tsubasa and gave him a questioning look.
Tsubasa looked at him sheepishly and shrugged, "She was still in the state of shock the last time I tried to talk to her." He replied and started walking towards the bed.
Ruka gasped when he got a good look at the girl, "Aoi?"
"So it really is the girl you're looking for." Tsubasa commented.
"Yes, I will recognize her anywhere." Ruka replied as he studied her form while approaching her.
"What have they done to you Aoi. You're so pale and skinny now. Your eyes have lost their glow." Ruka murmured.
"She was really sick when we found her; almost dying. Her physical condition is a lot better now now, but she's still suffering heavily from trauma. Maybe a familiar face will help stabilize her condition." Tsubasa informed him.
Ruka took a moment to absorb the information. Then he nodded and gently sat himself down on the edge of the bed and called out her name softly.
"Aoi-chan, it's me Ruka."
"Ruka-ni-san?" Aoi murmured. Her crimson orbs slowly moved to the direction of his voice. Once her eyes were set on him, she stared at his face for a while for to allow her eyes to focus.
"Ruka-ni-san, is that really you?"
"Yes it's me Aoi. Don't worry, you're safe now." He took her hand and comforted her.
"Ruka-ni-san, have you seen my ni-san? I thought I saw him back in the house." She asked him weakly.
Ruka looked at Tsubasa when Aoi asked him about Natsume, he wasn't sure if he should tell her the truth because of her condition.
Understanding the situation, Tsubasa mouthed the word lie to Ruka.
"Don't worry about him Aoi. He's resting right now. Now that the doctor finally allowed us to see you, he'll be here as soon as he can." Ruka reassured her.
"Ah, I see. At least now I know he's ok. I hope to see him soon."
"I'll come with him as soon as we can." Ruka promised her and then started to gently probe about what had happened to her.
Tsubasa stood quietly behind Ruka listening to their talk, trying to pick up anything he could use.
Meanwhile with Mikan
"Heal!" Mikan yelled while casting heals on a Wraith that was chasing Narumi-sensei around.
After multiple heals, it stopped dead in its track, shook violently and its soul departed. Its giant dentures and black cloak fell onto the ground in a loud clash.
"Good job Mikan." He praised her while casting supportive spells on her.
"Thank you for helping me train Narumi-Sensei."
"It's my pleasure. Let me go get more monsters for you." He said and cast another spell on her. "Kyrie Eleison."
"That barrier should hold until I come back with more monsters. Remember to run and heal if something does come after you." He reminded her and left to find more monsters.
Not too long after he was gone, Narumi-Sensei called her through the communicator.
"Mikan, look on your communicator for the map and come to where I am. Both our locations should be indicated on the map. I found a stray Dark Illusion and couldn't quite bring it back to where you are. Do you see my location?"
Mikan looks at her communicator watch and scrolls through various menu items to the map option. She zooms out on the map and found where her teacher is.
"Yup, I see where you are. I'll come to you now."
"Good, there shouldn't be any monsters in between us. If there is, just run past them as fast as you can. Most of them are slow moving anyways." Narumi-Sensei instructed her.
"Ok, I'm on my way." Mikan responded then broke into a run towards Narumi Sensei.
When she got to where Narumi-Sensei was, she saw a huge monster attacking him.
The monster had a human sort of figure except its head was white like a skeleton and pointed like a cone at the top. It was wearing heavy armour and a huge cape with its collar standing up and extending up behind its head.
It was using its arms in attempts to bash Narumi-Sensei but his attacks would be block by the barrier Narumi casts. He would recast the barrier every time he feels that it is weakening and might break upon the next blow.
"Narumi-Sensei!" Mikan exclaims.
"Ah great you're here. I'll tank the monster and you can heal it. Even if it has a human figure it's still undead property." Narumi instructed her and cast Lex Aeterna on it so that the damage she'll deal will double.
Mikan kept on healing it until she was out of spiritual energy.
Narumi-Sensei cast Magnificat to help her regain spiritual energy faster.
With the help from her Sensei and lots of energy restoring drinks, she was able to kill the Dark Illusion.
Its soul left with an anguish cry and the armour that it was wearing went crashing down onto the floor of Glast Helm. The sound echoed throughout the graveyard drawing the attention of other monsters.
Slow shuffling of feet could be heard as the ghouls and wraiths gather to avenge their fallen general.
Mikan who was still trying to recover her energy by resting surveyed the area in fright. She quickly opened up her bag and pulled out a blue potion and downed the contents. Once she drank the contents she felt some of her spiritual energy returning. She could only hope that would be enough as she's running low on supplies.
Narumi-Sensei quickly cast support spells on the both of them so she could save her energy for the enemy.
A mob of wraiths and ghouls have gathered rather quickly. Mikan turns to the nearest monster and starts attacking it with her heal spell.
The Ghoul gave out one last moan as it fell onto the ground right in front of her. The barrier Narumi-Sensei kept up blocked the last attack it gave as it fell.
The non-stop coming of monsters wore Mikan down to a point that she had finished all her supplies.
Once her spiritual energy was out and supplies was gone, she gives a frantic look to Narumi-Sensei as she pulls out her mace and prepares for physical battle.
Once the Ghoul came into range she swung her mace at it hitting it in the head. It made a squishy sound when the mace came into contact with the ghoul but that did not stop it from advancing. She steps back and raises her mace again to attack the ghoul with the dent in its head, hoping to hit the same spot to do more damage. But more and more monsters closed in around her. All she could do was back towards Narumi-Sensei.
When she got closer to her teacher, she could hear him chanting something. She looks up at Narumi-Sensei and gives him a questioning look.
Narumi-Sensei winks at her as he finishes casting the spell.
He threw the blue gem and it shattered onto the ground as he called out "Sanctuary."
Green light emitted from the ground in a cross shape below Mikan.
All the monsters that had surrounded her moaned in pain and started to drop dead onto the ground.
Mikan felt her wounds healing as the green light surround her body. It felt a lot like her heal spell except this was cause by the light emitted from the ground. She took advantage of the situation and whacked the monsters that were still standing and crying in pain. She figured that she would help by dealing more damage so the monster would die faster.
The green light came one wave after another and eventually disappeared.
Once the light cleared out Narumi-Sensei assets the situation and decided to cast the spell again.
After several times, the mobs finally died and re-enforcement has stopped.
Mikan collapse onto the floor in exhaustion. She looked up at Narumi-Sensei and gave him a weak smile as she sat on the floor to rest.
Narumi-Sensei came up to her and pats her head, "You did great; you handle that situation very well." He praised her.
"Thank you Sensei. By the way, what was that spell you used?"
"Ah, that was Sanctuary, it's an area healing spell. It requires a blue gem as the catalyst. You throw the blue gem to where you are targeting and it will break. The shards on the ground will then emit the healing spell in waves." Narumi-Sensei explained.
"Cool! When do I get to learn that spell? I don't remember that from Acolyte school." Mikan asks.
"Soon. Once you take the test to turn into a priestess you can start learning new spells. That was a priest only spell. And since I don't specialize in exorcism, I'm not able to cast those types of spells like Jinno-Sensei. I can only utilize the support spells I know in ways that can kill the undead like how I did with Sanctuary."
Mikan beams him a smile, "Am I ready now to turn into a priestess?"
Narumi was about to reply but was interrupted by massive rocks hitting the ground close to them causing the ground to shake.
Both of them looked up to find many Dark Illusions surrounding another monster that looks like them but bigger and emitted a very strong dark aura.
Mikan started to shake in fright.
"Crap, Dark Lord found us. No wonder the mobs stopped. Quick Mikan, cast a warp portal to go back to the church now." He commanded Mikan and then step forward to put himself in between the Dark Lord and his minions and Mikan.
He cast Safety Wall on himself and Mikan.
"What about you?" Mikan asked since the portal will close up if the caster walks in.
"Don't worry about me. I'll come right after you leave." Narumi reassured her, "Now hurry."
Then he turned his focus to the Dark Lord in front of him and started to cast some spell Mikan didn't know.
She quickly found the blue gem from her bag and cast warp portal. She looked at Narumi-Sensei one more time who was distracting the Dark Lord for her and then stepped into the portal.
Once she was in the portal Narumi quickly used his teleport spell to teleport himself back to the church.
Mikan materialized in front of the church doors. She then looked at her communicator's party display to locate Narumi-Sensei. A wash of relief came over her as it listed him to be in Prontera. A hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped up in fright.
"Sorry if I scared you." Narumi-Sensei apologized to the jumpy Mikan.
Mikan threw herself at her sensei and hugged him. "Sensei, I was so worried about you."
"Don't worry, I'm fine. See, I'm all in one piece." Narumi-Sensei told her as he patted her back.
Mikan looks up at her sensei with tears in her eyes and nodded.
"As I was saying before we got interrupted, I think you're ready for the priest test. Would you like to take it today or another day after you have rested up?" Narumi asked her.
Her tears instantly dried up and her eyes shined with excitement.
"Really? I'm finally ready?!"
Narumi nods in reply.
"YAY." She throws her hands up in the air and cheers while jumping up and down.
Narumi chuckles at her childish actions.
"So would you like to do it today or later?" He asks again.
Mikan stops jumping around and looks at Narumi-Sensei. "I would like to do it today please."
Narumi chuckles. "Sure, why don't you go freshen up while I take care of your registration? I want you to take a quick break before you start your test."
Mikan nods in agreement and ran into the church's rest area for travellers.
Narumi follows her and walks into the church after her. He heads to the priest examination room and fills in her registration form for her.
Once he has given Mikan enough time to rest, he called her through the communicator to meet up in the examination room.
Once she arrives, he asks her if she would like assistance during the test. She shakes her head, "No, I want to do this by myself. I should be strong enough for this."
Narumi nods, "Yes you should be fine, but don't ever be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is not a shameful thing to do. You don't have to be the best in everything." He reminded her and then handed her the form.
She took the form and gave it to Bishop Paul who is the examiner.
He looks over the form and stamps it and hits a switch on his desk.
"Please walk into that portal; it will take you to the examination rooms. Instructions will be given at each stage of the test." He told her.
Mikan takes a deep breath and walks into the portal.
Once she materialized on the other side, she found herself in a dark damp dungeon sort of room.
"Wow, I didn't know the church had rooms like this." She thought to herself as she walks forward to the light.
Mikan walked through the dim hallway. When she was about midway to the other side, she heard the familiar shuffling of feet made by zombies. She turned around to find a zombie walking up to her. She quickly cast heals on it to kill it. When she turned around she found more zombies that are in between her and the end of the hallway.
She quickly disposed of all the zombies in her way and made her way to the end of the hallway and walked into the portal.
Now a new stretch of hallway was in front of her.
When she walked to a certain point, the area beside her lit up. She found a Deviruchi standing there in the middle of the spotlight.
"Hey you." It said to her.
Mikan looked at it questionably and pointed to herself.
"Yes you. What are you doing here? You don't seem very bright. You probably won't make a good priestess. You should just stop and turn back now." It said to her.
Mikan's eyes started to water at its criticism. Before the tears could fall she shook it away and her sadness was replaced by anger.
"Who are you to tell me that?! I know I'm not smart like Hotaru but I try my best and that's what Ji-Can told me that counts." She yelled back at it. "So leave me alone, I will be come a priestess."
"Suit yourself." The Deviruchi said and then it faded back into darkness.
After it faded, she continued to walk along the path only to meet another monster. Once again it tried to convince Mikan to stop and turn around now. She refused their offer and continued down the path.
When she was almost at the end another spotlight lit up. This time, it was a swordman standing there. He has blond hair and blue eyes; he was slightly transparent as well. The swordman smiled at her and then his figure started to shift.
Mikan rubbed her eyes because she thought her eyes were going blurry. When she opened them again the swordman was gone.
"Neko-san," Mikan whispered.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were still unconscious." Mikan asked him.
"No, I'm fine now thanks to you."
Mikan blushed when he thanked her. "I really didn't do anything. Narumi-Sensei was the one that saved you. I was too weak to do anything on my own." Mikan said regrettable.
"No you weren't weak. You did a great job looking after me. See I'm all better now."
"I could have saved you if I had more power. If I was a priestess I would have been able to save you." Mikan continued rambling on.
"Well since I'm all better, you don't have to become a priestess anymore."
"But you'll just get hurt again. And then I will be powerless to save you again." Mikan pointed out.
"I promise I won't do anything like that anymore. So lets go back home." The assassin replied and reached out for her hand.
Mikan looked at his hand hesitantly and slowly reached out for it.
"That's right, Mikan. Take my hand and we'll go home now." He said.
She stopped right before she touched his hand when she heard him say her name.
"You've never called me by my name before. Who are you?" Mikan questioned him.
"I'm the assassin you always met up with and helped." He replied.
"Then why would you be here. You should be at my house; Ji-Chan would never let you out. You're not him."
He smirked and his form blurred again.
"I was so close." The blurry form spoke as it took shape of the swordman once more.
"Be gone, I will not take any of your offers, Demon." Mikan announced and walked away from him. (A/N yes yes I didn't write about all the monsters and I really wanted Dopple to be the last monster she talks to instead of the second :P So change in order )
Once she walked away from him, the portal at the end of the room activated and she stepped inside.
Once again she found herself at the beginning of a long pathway.
She cast supportive spells on herself and then began to walk down the long pathway.
As she was walking zombies and mummies started to spawn behind her following her.
Seeing how the mob was getting fairly large she decided to make a run for the exit portal instead of fighting her way out.
One of the Mummy's hand narrowly missed hitting her as she ran right into the exit portal.
When she materialized on the other side she found herself back in the room with Bishop Paul.
"Great! You finished that part of the test. Please go to Sister Cecelia at the other side of the room for a brief conversation."
Mikan nodded and walked over to Sister Cecelia. Sister Cecelia talked to her about many different scenario to deal with holiness and righteousness. Mikan answer her with what she thought the best answers would be. Sister Cecelia nodded and approved of her answers.
"You will make a great priestess Mikan. I wish you the best of luck." Sister Cecelia said to her and sent her back to Bishop Paul.
Once she returned to Bishop Paul he congratulates her for her successful completion of her exam. He handed over her new uniform and a brand new Bible. He blessed her and wishes her good luck on her adventures.
Mikan rushes over to Narumi-Sensei to show him the new uniform she now clutches in her hands.
They held hands and jumped up and down squealing like little girls in celebration.
"I think you've done enough today. Why don't you rest up and we'll do your priestess training tomorrow. You deserve a good rest." Narumi suggested when they settled down.
Mikan nodded in agreement and bid him good night and walked off to her room.
YAY she's finally a priestess
Job 50 on aco is one of the most painful classes to do it on....but she did it :)
Now...next chapter will feature...Ruka...Natsume...and Mikan :)
let the love triangle begin /gg
Thank you everyone for your reviews:
oObroken-wingsOo: thanks for always reviewing, you're such a sweetie. I wish i could write more like you
HyuugaYingLan: I'm playing on the real server _ IRO Choas :) If you decide to play on the real server let me know :) .. I should really really finish 99ing my priestess....one day i will...after 99ing my sinx...and wiz.../swt too many chars...not enough time
o0fuYuHAnAsHIrAZuKI0o: YAY gives you cookies :)
yuuki36: I remember when i was an aco in GH _ so lucky I had a priest tank and mag for me 3 awesome exp
kimi-hime-chan: I'm glad you like it :) I hope I did ok this time
Please read and review :) THANKS!