A Digimon Frontier Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez
Author's Notes:
Well, the reviews that I got from the recent chapter weren't as many as I would have liked nor were it as many as from what I got in the last couple of chapters. Well, I can understand as to why, after all, not everyone has enough free time to review all the chapters that they have read or maybe because some of the reviewers from the past chapters have yet to read the previous ones. Oh well, that is part of it all, lol.
Anyways, here is the continuation of the previous chapter. I hope you guys like it.
End of Author's Notes
The Rabbit on the Moon
The Fang That Wants Blood
A Day has passed since the messenger-slash-spy arrived at the newly organized base that they were staying in. If one were to look at how things stand now and how things stood a year ago, the difference that they would find would be staggering. Back then, we, from the Organization would usually only concern ourselves with training and with doing small reconnaissance missions for the Queen, of whom we have sworn to serve. But, now, it would seem that those of us who remained loyal to the Queen and to our sworn oath would find ourselves facing all that we have been trained to face.
Don't get me wrong though. I am not complaining about it. Despite the fact that the morale of those who are with us in this battle are deteriorating thanks to our recent defeat at the battle near Fortgeese, my faith on the Leader and on what the Queen had wanted and planned for still stands unwavering.
Maybe this is what you call 'following blindly' but I can assure you that I have my own reasons – reasons of which should be left out for another day.
The day's weather isn't as pleasant as the one yesterday or the day before. The cold north wind blows sending a chilly sensation up my spine as I know it would have sent the same sensation to everyone around here as well.
It would appear that here at the once proud city of Gwyneria, it is common for the weather to change so drastically over night. Although for us who have never been here, it was so cold that if felt like the whole world would get neatly chipped up with some nice crisp cracks if it were poked with an ice pick. Or better yet, I would lead the pack to chip this freaking cold place up.
Nevertheless, it was natural to be cold; until a few days ago, it had been so terribly hot. Then, just as the clock stroked midnight, the weather chilled rapidly as if Mother Nature finally remembered, and now I experienced with this body of mine a place that had not much care on seasons as the rest of this world does.
But enough about my thoughts on this weird weather that Gwyneria has. Compared to how we have heard this place was in the past, it was better that we did arrive at the Gwyneria that is now known to us – although, if people were to hear me voice that little thought of mine over here, then I would surely have a need to run for my life despite being one of the acclaimed 'Chosen Ones'. Though, to be honest, I am sick and tired of all these running. I find myself questioning on why we should run when the last I heard we were going to fight the Emperor's minions and get revenge for General Kimura's sake.
I was thinking of all of these things whilst I debated on whether to get off of my bed or remain here for some more minutes. I doubt that we'd be doing anything interesting with this kind of weather that we have at the moment.
If Katsuharu and Chiaki were still here, a part of this team, then I am sure they could have arranged for something interesting to do. However, that is not the case.
How long has it been since those two betrayed us? It seemed that long ago... well, maybe because it has been that long but, it still feels surreal. I have known them at such a young age, and like the Leader, I find it hard to believe still that they were capable of betraying us. But, after hearing of Chiaki's history, I don't know what to believe already.
"How long are you just going to lie there?" spoke a familiar voice as Enki, my Guardian Spirit appeared before me.
It had been a long time since I was able to communicate with my Guardian Spirit, all thanks to that little extraction process that me, and the others have underwent. Although, I was still able to see Enki in my dreams, he has been unable to materialize and speak to me whilst I am awake... well, that was until now, which only proves that we have been returning to our old selves little by little.
"Hey, what's wrong with relaxing a little?" I asked back.
"Your skills are going to wane if you keep this up any longer, you know." Enki told me, and I find what he said to be true. But, under the current circumstance, I would prefer to just take things slowly for the day.
"So, you're just going to be lazy the whole day? You know you could use that time to train your control. It's been a while since you used any of your power as a Chosen One." That was the stern reply I got from my Guardian Spirit. It was so typical of Enki to say those things. I don't know much about the other Guardian Spirits but, I doubt that they nag as much as this guy.
But, it is true that with the rate I'm going, I would certainly fall behind the others. Their Guardian Spirits returned earlier than when Enki returned to me which only proves that I have already fallen behind. As to how much, I don't really know. But, one thing is for sure... I don't plan on becoming the weak link. I could just imagine Takuya's smug look on his face when he returns and finds out about my lack of practice.
No one knows this except for me and Enki but, Takuya had been sort of a rival for me ever since we saved him back when he was taken captive by his own father and was forced into the extraction process even before we knew there was such a thing.
I was considered as one of the stronger ones in the Organization next in line to Katsuharu but, when Takuya came and he was assigned to our team, that all changed. Everyone was wowed by how strong he is although, he didn't even bother showing off his powers as a Chosen One. His swordsmanship alone was enough to inspire those who were rookies in the Organization. Not only that but, I don't know if I should say it...but... the Leader seem to think highly of him as well. The way the Leader acts with him concerned is a bit different from how she acts towards others. I don't know if that is just my imagination or if the Leader knows something about him that she isn't telling us. Though, I don't plan on asking the Leader that any time soon.
Having realized that I have been in my reverie for a long time, lying on my bed, I decided to stand up and do a bit of stretching – something that Enki approved of.
It took a while for my body to be warmed up thanks to the cold weather but after all of that stretching, I decided to go and meet with the others to check up what they could be up to. Of course, not before I got dressed up. Still not being able to remain in his tangible form, Enki had to disappear just before I met with the others who were all gathered together in the foyer.
"Hey!" Junpei greeted me as I walked towards them. They were all wearing long, fur overcoats to keep their body warm. Though I wondered why they would need to wear something like that when they are just inside the house. Of course, I didn't blurt out my query but instead greeted Junpei back with a 'Hey!' as well.
"We were wondering how long you were going to stay bottled up in your room, Teppei." Tomoki said with a bright smile on his face – a smile that many a girl his age would probably fall over and think would be able to melt this freezing city back into spring or summer.
"I am more concerned as to what you are doing all cheerful under such a weather as this." I replied to Tomoki in particular.
"What's wrong with the weather? It's great isn't it? I love snow!" A typical reply from one who has the power over ice. But someone like me who prefers the spring days to the winter ones are meant to wonder just what is up with this kid and snow. But thinking back on that thought, it makes me sound like an old man or something.
And if that wasn't enough of a statement from Tomoki, even Junpei seemed to agree with the young Chosen One of Ice.
"So you guys decided to play under the snow, then?" I finally let out my question, more or less.
"Not really." It was the ever so calm and collected Kouji who replied. "We were planning on heading out to the forest at the back of this place to train. Want to come along?"
I was tempted to ask them why the hell they plan on doing that with the snow piling up outside and the very, very cold wind blowing over our heads.
But, even before I could ask, Kouichi seemed to have read my mind and said, "We can't relax for even a moment, after all. We figured, instead of wasting our time lying around, we should all go on ahead and train to become stronger. We have to do our part since Takuya and Lady Izumi seem to be doing theirs as well."
I could easily hear the snickering of Enki as those words escaped Kouichi's mouth. I could also almost hear him say 'I told you so...', which he is probably saying and which I am probably hearing in reality.
All I could reply to what they said was a pathetic 'Oh, I see.'. I mean, come on, what else can I say?
Okay, so maybe there are a lot more other replies I could have given them but, honestly, I am really not in any mood to go out to the forest in this freakishly cold weather and train my butt of. No thanks, for that!
Of course, I couldn't blurt all that out to them. So, I merely gave them an apologetic reply saying how sorry I am for not being able to go with them as I have my own business to attend to. It was really an excuse more than anything else which I was getting mentally kicked at by none other than my Guardian Spirit.
After watching the lot of them exit the foyer and head to the path leading to the woods, I turned my back and proceeded to walk to the other direction. It was the direction of where Lady Izumi's father, Lord Ishige, was found by Kouji crashing down – the Atrium.
I looked up at the glazed roof of the atrium allowing myself the liberty of watching the snow flakes fall as I wonder what's makes both Junpei and Tomoki giddy about it. I mean, the only people I know who feel that way are children... maybe I don't know a lot of people if I were the only one who hates this cold weather and the snow that comes along with it.
Before I knew it, Enki was already in front of me. He was in a foul mood and I swear I could have seen veins popping out of his head out of anger and annoyance. It was no secret as to why he was angry. It was blatantly obvious that it was because I did not take up the offer to train with the others. Enki can be a slave driver when it comes to that.
"What's wrong with you!" Enki asked, his beastly face was a few inches from mine. "They were practically asking you to train with them, you idiot!"
"I told you, apart from that stretching I did earlier, I don't feel like training today." I replied with a bored look on my face which only made him angrier.
"When are you planning on improving yourself, then? When the enemy is at our doorstep? Is that it?"
I shrugged.
"Teppei, everyone's working hard. Are you that much confident at how ready you believe you are to face the enemy?" Enki asked, his voice was a bit softer now as a sigh of defeat escaped his mouth. Ah yes, this was already part of our drill – he gets mad, I retaliate, he gets madder, I keep silent, and he'll sigh and just leave things be.
"Maybe." I replied. "I don't know until that happens."
"Geez, you're not even confident about it!" Is the cycle going to repeat again, I wondered as Enki said those words.
"I don't really see the point of training at the moment, Enki." I told my Guardian Spirit. "I mean, come on... what good will it do when we're not even allowed to head out to the battle field? What good will it do when all we are allowed to do is stay here and do whatever we want?"
"The point of it all is that you will be ready when it's your turn to fight." Enki replied as he too looked up to watch the snow flakes fall.
"I wonder when that would be..." I muttered not intending for anyone to hear it but, it seems that the way I said it wasn't as soft as I would have hoped as Enki heard what I had just said and looked at me with so much attention, as if I am some kind of specimen and he was a scientist.
He didn't say anything, though, and so I just continued on musing. This time, the words that escaped my lips were much louder than before. "I bet they plan on letting us fight when all hope is lost and we're the only ones capable of defeating the enemy. That would be annoying and would be so clichéd."
"So what do you want then?" Enki asked me.
I closed my eyes. It was easy enough to answer that question that I didn't even bother to think twice of what I was to say.
"I want to fight even before it's too late. I don't want to be part of the 'last resort' crew. I want to do something instead of just waiting here for the twilight to come."
I knew that when I let those words escape that it was loud enough for anyone to hear and was so filled with conviction – a conviction as strong as my desire and as strong as the reason behind it. However, I would not have thought that apart from my Guardian Spirit someone else would have heard what I had just said.
And never had I also realized that my time to fight would come so quickly as for it to come the next day.
"That's wrong! Absolutely wrong!" shouted Enki as his voice could have easily traveled around the house with such a loud volume. If that were the case, I wouldn't even be surprised.
I can't really remember how, but one way or another, Enki has forced his training regime on me as soon as the sun light hit the bars on my window. All I could remember thinking is how troublesome this all was and how I wished I could be at a different place at that particular time.
"Your breathing is all wrong, and so is your posture!" Enki continued to correct me. We were working on my stance for summoning a higher level Earth Ability or Magic or whatever you want to call it, I don't really care about the details too much.
It wasn't as cold as yesterday as the snow had stopped pilling up and the wind that was blowing was a lot warmer. I may be no doctor, but I could swear at the rate the weather changes over here, we'd soon have a flu or something. Of course, the people of this bizarre weather changing place has adapted to it to even worry about a flu.
If you are wondering where we are at, we are at the sunroom, a place at the side of the house overlooking the landscape of the Garroule mountais. Enki believed this to be a good place for me to train without wreaking to much havoc thanks to my unstable ability of controlling this level 3 ability, whatever you may call it.
"Whatever." I said, feeling annoyed and tired. "Who cares about breathing techniques or postures."
SMACK!
It came as a surprise to be hit by a paper fan by such a miniature creature as Enki with such a force that caused me to fall face first on the hard pavement with my head throbbing.
"What the hell was that for!?" I asked, shouting at my so-called instructor whilst holding my head where he hit me. I know I should also ask him where he managed to get that paper fan but that doesn't concern me very much at that moment.
"You should know very well not to question the basics!" Came the reply as he acted like a know-it-all that if he wasn't my Guardian Spirit I could have flicked the little critter to the very far side of Frontiria, no, even beyond Frontiria's borders. "The basics are the foundation of every single technique that you have learned and will learn. If you can't even nail down the basics, how will you attempt to do the more complex Earth-based moves? A great composer can not compose an amazing piece if he doesn't know the basics by heart first!"
I grumbled at being hit and being lectured by Enki but I know by experience that grumbling won't get me anywhere with him. When it comes to his training, the sooner I get things done correctly, the better it would be. He isn't one of those instructors and this isn't one of those classes where you would actually want to be longer or even choose to stick around to even when classes have been dismissed.
Before I knew it, I was backed to my level 3 posture and doing some breathing exercise with my little sensei. Oh, how I wished this day would end and this whole troublesome war would be over and done with and my role as a Chosen One complete.
It was only when midday came that someone visited us. It was Lord Ishige. It was a bit of a surprise for me to find him here that I did not bother to hide the question from him.
Lord Ishige laughed as he replied, "I just came to see how you are doing."
"I beg your pardon, sir?" Yeah, I know, it was a lame reply but I didn't really quite get what he was saying.
"I always look at how you and the others train. I find it relaxing, you see." Came the reply.
"Relaxing? I don't mean to be blunt, Lord Ishige but, there's nothing relaxing about training." I said while still maintaining my corrected posture and breathing.
"Well, unless of course you are watching." Lord Ishige laughed. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was making fun of me or was amused at how things were going with my training. But, I knew better. I knew that he didn't just come here just to watch me and Enki, whom he says he can somewhat see, bicker and train – no matter how amusing that prospect may be.
"The Organization's fourth and eight division managed to lend aide to the second division that was under attack near Quintenzie City. No casualties from civilians but it seems that the second-in-command in that division got severely injured." Lord Ishige told me as he remained standing, watching me do my breathing exercises. It was as if he was reporting all of these to me, of course, it feels awkward for some particular reason.
"I see." To be honest, however, I felt very relieved to know that the fourth and eight of the Organization managed to get there in time. You see, I have friends in those divisions and in the second and fifth division as well. "That's good to know."
I would be willing to bet that Lord Ishige could see the relief in my face, as I did not bother to hide it.
"A messenger came by, it seems that your friend from the second division, Sir Arkrim is worried about you." Lord Ishige went on. What he said surprised me, after all, what's there to worry about with me? It's not like Arkrim, the second-in-command of the second division, to worry about me.
"That's a waste of resources to send a messenger just to ask that, if I may say so, Lord Ishige." I replied what was on my mind. Quite honestly, what is that Arkrim thinking?
"Well, I also share the same sentiment." Lord Ishige said as he walked towards the lone chair and table a little ways from the entrance of the sunroom. "However, there is nothing wrong with a friend worrying about another friend... of course, a letter would have just sufficed."
I remained silent and so did Enki. I suppose that for some reason, Enki must have a little bit of a grudge at Lady Izumi's father since whenever the ex-commander comes, Enki would just shut up. I don't know what that little grudge may be about but sometimes, and on occasions such as this, I am quite thankful for the commander's presence.
After that, the commander merely watched in silence. Of course, from time to time, he would help Enki (much to Enki's dismay) in teaching me how to do this or that. Unlike Enki though, Lord Ishige does not whack me with a paper fan every time I may some sort of mistake which mostly ends with the ground shaking causing a minor earthquake.
The afternoon soon went by quickly but productively... at least, that's what Enki told me as he said he could feel my spiritual energy rising once again. Meaning, I'm growing powerful but still lack control of that power which is pretty much makes that power useless.
"Take your time to grow, Teppei." Lord Ishige told me as we made our way back to the halls of the small house-slash-mansion. "Although, don't waste too much time not doing anything to help yourself grow. You can't depend on Enki too much."
I know that what Lord Ishige said was true but still...
"Enki won't always be there forever with you. The time will come that you would have to part with him, and by that I mean permanently part with him."
I kept quiet. I always end up being quiet when it comes to a conversation in which I don't know what to say. But, it would appear that Lord Ishige Orimoto fully understands that, and decided not to say anything else as we both parted once he arrived at his destination and I to mine.
I was still contemplating on whether to head on over to my room and take a shower or continue on down the hall as I stood in front of my room's door when the door suddenly burst open knocking my head and myself back a couple of inches.
Just as I was about to curse whoever it was that suddenly opened my room and who was loitering about in there without my permission, I was completely taken by surprise to see the person whom we have been talking about earlier. My friend, Arkrim from the second division of the Organization.
It would seem that to this red-head friend of mine, I must have looked stupid with my mouth agape like that as he went to laugh as he said, "Surprised you, didn't I?"
Isn't it obvious? And what the hell are you doing here? I thought Lord Ishige said that you merely sent a messenger over to check up on me or something!
"Why should I send a messenger just to see my best friend?" He replied with that smug look of his still in his pale-colored face, a color that is quite normal for him. "The division needed to send some important information over to the Leader so I just volunteered myself for the job."
We both entered my room, which wasn't the best place to hold a reunion but, knowing how full the tea room and the dining hall would be at this time, we really didn't have much of an option. Of course, neither of us could mind, after all, how long has it been since we last saw each other? Too long to remember that's for sure.
Arkrim Dumont. He has been a childhood friend of mine since even before the Leader found us both and even before we joined the Organization. This pale-skinned, red haired, raven-eyed young man grew up at the same small town that I did, of course, as far as how we met and became friends... well, that is a different story, one that should be reserved for another time.
Ever since my powers came into light, Arkrim's ability as one of the best spies with his swift movements and quick wit became acknowledged as one of the best in his field. Since then, he was sent into the intelligence division of the Organization – the second division. And from that point on, he stayed there and we haven't seen each other since... well, that is, until now.
Which is why, it would be safe to say that after all that time, we surely had a lot to talk about, and we did. I have never been happy as I was happy back then, however, all of that changed when the city's emergency bell started ringing and out of nowhere, explosions started erupting causing quite a panic to the citizens.
Of course, there was no need to count to ten for someone to come running to my room to tell me what was happening. For as soon as the first bell rang and the first explosion occurred, someone was already at my doorstep.
A disheveled looking Kouichi pushed the door open. Sweat trickling down his brow as he tried to speak despite being out of breath.
"I don't think I need to say it but, we're being attacked!"
"By whom? What force from the Emperor is attacking us?" It was Arkrim who asked.
"I'm guessing it's the first infantry of the Emperor's knights." I said. "Only they could cause this much damage over such a very, very short time."
"It isn't an infantry, Teppei." Kouichi told me as he and the rest of us ran through the halls to meet with the others to push back the threat that is facing the city of Gwyneria. "It's Terrou."
To be continued...
Post Author's Notes:
I don't suppose I need to state who's telling the story at this chapter since it's obvious. Anyways, I wanted to expound Teppei's story a bit further but decided on doing it at another chapter as it would stray a bit from where this chapter was planned on going.
Also, the events stated and the places stated here would be more understood over the course of the story as those places and events holds a significant importance to the whole story. And like the previous chapter, I built this chapter to give a sort of peek at the world during the first game of the Endlessian Chronicles series (for those who are wondering and haven't been reading the past post author's notes, Endlessian Chronicles is a trilogy of RPG games that tells the story behind Endlessia, the world where this fanfic is taking place up to the end of this fanfic).
It was a chore to write this chapter, not because I did not want to write it or felt lazy about it but because of the stupid heatwave we're experiencing over here as I wrote this chapter. Thankfully, my friend, the air conditioner helped me through this tough time, lol.
Well, I suppose this is enough for now. I planned on releasing this yesterday but since I was only able to finish it now... well...
Expect the next chapter sometime late this week or on monday next week. With that said, this is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out. Ja ne!
Oh, almost forgot... I just heard that Susan Boyle got it through to the finals of "Britain's Got Talent". Good for her! I'm a Susan Boyle fan, you see. And I do hope she wins it through to the end. She deserves it.
End of Post Author's Notes.