Author Note: mostly its gunninngigugppuppy I have a problem with. And remembering geography. Sometimes my new names are better than the old ones.
Chapter 2
Yelping in surprise, Marta threw her covers off as she sat bolt upright. Blinking in the darkness of a vaguely familiar room, she panted for air as her eyes adjusted. Gaze darting from one dark shape to the next, she couldn't quite place where she was, which made the hair on the back of her neck begin to rise. The door opened and light spilled in to sharply blind her once again. She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear them.
"Marta?" her father's voice asked and she felt weight settle to the bed. "Were you crying?" he asked gently as his large hand cupped her cheek.
Lowering her hands, she stared up at his half shadowed face in surprise. "Daddy? What're you doing here?"
"You didn't wake me," Brute said and gathered her to his chest, gently petting her hair before placing a kiss on the top of her head.
Marta considered struggling and getting away from him, but his embrace was warm and one she had missed. Wrapping her arms around his chest, she put her face against his shoulder. "They let you out of prison already?" she asked.
"Prison?" Brute shifted to look down at her. "Why would I be in prison?"
She looked up to search his face, finding only signs of fatigue and grief, but not the encompassing guilt that had lined his mouth and eyes from constant frowns. "Because of the Vanguard..."
Brute bent and kissed her forehead gently. "Princess. That must have been a dream. We're a peaceful organization. We're just trying to organize the Sylvaranti. I know you're scared because of what that Reysol was saying in the meeting yesterday, but there's no need to worry. We're doing this to help our people."
Her brows knit as she tried to remember yesterday and only came up with the impromptu picnic she had dragged Emil to on the beach, where he had promptly surprised her by asking if she would marry him. The day before that, she had been working with Mrs. Dorr to expand the city by building a research hospital... She shook her head and carefully pulled away from her father. "I need to... I need some air," she said and stood, looking around a room she finally began to recognize as her bedroom back in Palmacosta.
"It's midnight, Marta," Brute objected.
She turned to look at him. "You know I can take care of myself, Daddy."
He laughed softly, though there was that usual hint of sadness in his eyes when he looked at her. Turning away, she grabbed a long coat, her shoes, and spinner. Brute remained seated on the edge of her bed, staring at his hands as she stepped into the common room and headed past the dining table and out the door. Outside, the air was chilly from a stiff salty breeze and fog had rolled in off the ocean. She roamed the street, seeing signs of rebuilding after some disaster, and while there was some fire damage, the majority seemed to be caused by an earthquake.
Marta still couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.
"Was it all a dream then?" she asked aloud as she came to the stone bridge and turned to stare at the murky fog. "Did I dream the Blood Purge? Did I just dream... Emil?" her voice cracked and she grasped her chest in despair at the thought. "Did I make up the love of my life?" Unexpected tears stung her eyes and she took several deep breaths. "No. I can't give up this easily." Her fingers tightened on her coat front. "I won't. I'll get to the bottom of this. I can't have dreamed five years. I can't have just dreamed Emil. I won't accept that."
Using her sleeve, she wiped her eyes and turned to make her way back to the house she shared with her father as she tried to think back. Unfortunately, she had forgotten so much about the early days of the Vanguard. "This is going to take some adjusting," she muttered under her breath as she stopped at the door, hand on the knob. Taking a breath, Marta entered and shut it softly behind her. Brute was seated at the table, a hot mug between his hands.
He looked up then went to pour another cup of tea and set it out for her. "You want to talk about it?" he asked.
Marta swallowed as she stared at her father in silence, just taking it all in for a moment before smiling. "No, Daddy. I'll be all right." She sat at the table and unstrapped her weapon before taking the mug.
...
Aster scrubbed the crust from his eyes. He was exhausted. First he had never been comfortable sleeping outdoors, though that had been the least of his concerns. Once again he was glad for Aqua's company, since she had silently kept watch all night, allowing her mortal companions to sleep. However, Emil's strange presence on the other side of the fire had frequently caused him to start awake when he heard the unfamiliar movement of another body nearby. That and the fact that he hadn't had a blanket had left him cold and exposed to bugs landing on him all night.
Dragging himself into a sitting position, he was surprised to find Emil gone and Richter struggling to chop some of the previous night's potatoes into smaller pieces without cutting himself.
"Morning," Aster greeted.
Richter looked up and smiled briefly, light coming to his eyes. That was a relief at least. It made Aster hope that maybe the story Centurion Tenebrae had told was just a fabrication and Emil just made up. Maybe they hadn't even gone into the Ginnungagap yet? "Didn't sleep well, I take it," Richter said.
Pushing his hand through his hair, Aster tried to sort it out and picked a knot with his fingers. "Not really." He folded his legs closer and leaned his elbows on his calves, stretching his back. "Richter... Is it true? Did all that... stuff really happen?"
"It is hard to believe," Richter said, "Even now, I'm wondering if maybe I didn't make it up..." He held up one of the bunny potatoes.
Licking his lips, Aster straightened again and stretched his arms over his head. "You hated Ratatosk," he said. "Enough to try to stop him from doing anything to help the world. Do you still hate him?"
"Not... exactly. He and I don't get along," Richter said, "but it isn't antagonistic. Not anymore. We've come to an understanding."
"Burning your mana for five years..." Aster sighed. "With another nine hundred and ninety-five to go. You didn't think about killing him again to make it stop?"
Richter shook his head. "It hurt, but after a while, it just became background. I could ignore it... Besides, it was what I was planning to do to myself forever to keep the gate closed after I got what I wanted."
"Demons." Aster sighed and rubbed his eyes again. "What about..." he gestured towards where Emil had slept. "Do you hate him?"
"Not at all. He's part of Ratatosk, but the better part."
Aster wrinkled his nose.
"Much more pleasant to be around now that he's stopped the constant apologies," Richter added.
"Sorry -er..."
Aster looked up to find Emil carrying the pan he had used last night, wet and freshly cleaned.
Emil bit his lower lip as he visibly forced himself to not apologize for apologizing and simply sat down to dry the pan before putting it away in Richter's bag.
"We're having mashed potato salad," Richter said in disgust at his attempts at cooking.
"I'm sure it'll taste fine," Aster reassured and turned to look at Emil. "So what is Ratatosk's plan from here?"
"The other Centurions didn't come when called," Emil said. "We'll have to go wake them up. Their cores are located in the underground ruins beneath the Summon Spirit temples."
Aster winced. "I hope you know where those are."
Emil immediately nodded. "If... its not inconvenient, though, I'd like to stop by Palmacosta." His gaze drifted from Aster to Richter.
"You realize she's fourteen right now," Richter said and gave up on the potatoes and instead turned to putting the other previously chopped ingredients into his bowl and mixing them together roughly.
Emil stared at the dirt between his feet.
"I don't see why we can't," Aster said. "If we're the only ones who know where the cores are, then we can get them when we get there. They should be safe enough, right?"
Richter sighed. "Guess I shouldn't have expected anything else from you." He glanced at Aster with another slight smile and shoved a portion of their breakfast in his direction. "Unfortunately, we'll have to take the long way there, through Altamira and get a boat to Palmacosta."
"Then we can go get Lumen first," Emil said.
"Even though Glacies is closer," Richter said.
Lifting his hands, Aster quickly finished chewing and swallowing. "Richter. We're not in a hurry."
"Not yet, anyway. There's someone out there with the ability to bend time."
"You're such a wet blanket, Richter," Aster stuck his tongue out. "I want to meet this girl. Marta, right?" He looked at Emil with a full smile, trying to set him at ease again. Emil lifted his head and nodded. "She's got to be something to have changed Ratatosk's mind about people."
Richter dipped his head briefly. "She's certainly not to be taken lightly."
"She's a force of nature," Emil said and smiled. "Let's get moving before it gets too late in the day. We have quite a ways to walk to get to Altamira... Too bad Tenebrae can't shape shift into something bigger for us to ride."
"When you plan on having me ride a boat afterwards, I'm hardly inclined to assist you in such a manner," Tenebrae intoned as he faded into view.
"Well," Emil said with a sly look. "You could always turn into a wyvern and carry us straight to Palmacosta. No boats needed."
"Why don't you just order him?" Aster asked out of curiosity to see what the man's reaction would be.
Both Emil and Tenebrae looked at him in shock. "I could..." Emil said in a soft voice. "But he's my friend and I couldn't treat a friend like that."
Tenebrae's tail shifted slightly, beginning to wave back and forth like an irritated cat. He wore a displeased expression. "To even suggest such a thing, I'll have to decline to be transportation for anyone at all."
"If only he'd get huffy and leave," Aqua muttered as she faded into view behind Richter. "You're so obnoxious, Tenebonehead."
Bristling, Tenebrae forced himself to speak in even tones, "Only you would act so childish."
Emil abruptly stood. "If we're walking, we should get moving then."
"Oh, and here I was hoping to get to ride a Centurion," Aster said in amusement but stood and stretched with a yawn before moving to begin picking up camp.
...
Marta stared into her closet, hands gripping either side of the frame as she frowned at the contents. "I can't believe how messy this is!" she huffed, then sighed as she realized that the cleanliness she remembered was completely Emil's doing. This made her fingers tighten on the frame as tears stung her eyes. "I'm going to find out the truth. One way or the other I will know if it was all a dream."
Deciding to at least sort a few things while she was hunting for something to wear, Marta spent thirty minutes trying to clean her room a little before getting frustrated and shoveling the whole pile back into the closet after selecting a pink and yellow sundress. "I loved this dress," she whispered. "But I liked having boobs more," she looked down at herself before heading to her mirror and began brushing her hair. Finding her mother's hair clips, she stuck them into her hair and smiled at her reflection before heading out to the main room.
Brute had already gone to do meetings and things with the Vanguard, and while she had misgivings about leaving him to his own devices, she had other things to worry about. Deciding that her quest could wait until after breakfast, Marta made an egg and cheese sandwich, sighing as she cut it into triangles the way Emil always did. She nearly didn't have the heart to eat after that, but got through it and headed out the door to begin her search for evidence.
Making her way to Marble's Items, she headed in and glanced around briefly before finding the shop's owner bent beneath the counter. "Excuse me," she said.
The woman yelped, thumping her head underneath the counter as she climbed out. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" The middle aged woman rubbed her head with one hand, "I was just doing inventory - what can I help you with?"
"I would like a couple apple gels please, and uhm... Do you happen to know an Emil Castagnier?" Marta asked.
"Castagnier? I know Lana Castagnier if that helps?" the woman asked as she set a couple of apple gels on the counter.
Digging in her shoulder bag, Marta paid the woman. "Emil is her son. Mister Castagnier has been attending Vanguard meetings lately and I heard someone mention he had a son my age. I thought it would be nice to meet him."
The woman smiled. "Lana lives at the end of the lane near the docks, if that helps any?"
"Thank you!" Marta bounced on her toes with a bright smile. Packing her gels away, she headed for the docks. Nervously playing with the strap of her bag, Marta kept her gaze active, taking note of people on the street and who she remembered and who she didn't. It was with a sinking feeling that she saw three students from her class that she knew had died in the Blood Purge, yet there they were, throwing coins into the fountain and making wishes. 'What if I made him up?' she thought as her steps slowed. 'Emil filled in all the holes I never knew I had; from knowing how to cook, to picking up after both of us... After I quit romanticizing him and really saw him for who he was, he was even better than my stupid daydreams of him.' She tried to swallow but her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.
Firmly shaking her head, Marta picked up the pace again. Though a small part of her knew that the Emil Castagnier that lived in Palmacosta was not the same person she had fallen in love with. Undoubtedly, this was the person Ratatosk had stolen the name and personality from, but regardless, whether this Emil was different or not didn't rule out that Ratatosk didn't exist. So the real test was to somehow verify that the cores existed. She slapped her fist into her palm. "Ah! I should go there instead." She looked in the general direction of the Tower of Mana and sighed. "Dad would never let me go by myself, though." She wrinkled her nose in distaste as she remembered she was only fourteen again. Not that running around the world with a bunch of people she hardly knew at the age of sixteen was much better, but running off by herself now would stir the entire Vanguard out looking for her.
'Unless I went quickly... Or somehow got someone to cover for me for a day and night,' she rubbed her chin in thought as she walked. 'More like a couple days to get to the Tower of Mana from here. I might be able to find Lumina's core easier than Ventus's.'
Deciding to continue with her current plan for the time being, Marta turned onto the lane near the docks. This time of day it was generally quiet. The fishermen were already out on their boats and anyone buying fish had already done so earlier in the day when they were fresh. The place did have a fairly fishy odor though and Marta blinked to clear her eyes. 'I thought Reysol Castagnier was slightl-'
Someone thumped into her shoulder, knocking her forward several paces. Looking up, she was in time to see a blond boy with messy hair dashing off down the docks. Two more boys split around her, chasing.
Clenching her fists, Marta straightened and took off after. No matter how she looked at the situation, someone needed a beating and she was going to deliver it.
The two boys had cornered the blond against a stack of boxes beside a building, conveniently out of view from the street. The blond boy's green-eyed gaze met Marta's briefly and he frowned before turning his attention back to the two in front of him.
"That's the last time, Emil. I've had it with you," one of the boys said.
"You think just because your daddy is important you can do whatever you want?" the other boy demanded. "Give it back!"
"It wasn't even yours to start!" the cornered boy objected. "You two are a couple of thieves anyway."
Sighing softly, Marta tipped her head slightly to crack her neck. While the situation wasn't absolutely clear cut, she was fairly certain the cornered boy was Emil Castagnier - the original. She had the choice of defending him or just watching the other two boys beat him up, and given the spindly condition of his limbs, she had suspicion that this version of Emil was more built for speed than head-on fighting. "Hey," Marta said, announcing herself.
The two boys turned slightly to look. "Get out of here." The bigger boy said.
"Paul, that's..." the other boy started to say, only to yelp as Emil-the-original climbed over the boxes and jumped into the water on the other side.
"Damn it! He got away! You stupid girl!" he turned to face her. "Don't think I won't hit you," he growled.
"Paul, that's-"
"Shut up!"
"Maybe you should listen to him," Marta said and smiled. "He probably recognized me."
"I don't care who you are!" the bigger boy announced and rushed towards her.
Dodging back, Marta avoided his first swing easily. Taking advantage of off balance staggering, she darted around behind and delivered several quick punches and a solid kick to his back, knocking him down into the street. 'I still know how to fight,' she realized. Her movements felt like second nature, though her body couldn't keep up with her for long and her strength was not what she thought it should have been.
The other boy wisely took off running. Paul scraped to his feet and glared at her, then took chase after his cohort.
Planting her fists on her hips, Marta gazed after them with a sigh. "How troublesome. Now I have to hunt him down again."
"Who were you looking for?" asked a voice from below.
Marta looked down between her feet and paled as she found a green eye gazing directly up her dress through a crack in the boardwalk. Yelping, she flattened her skirt around her legs and moved away. "You! Come out from under there!" she flushed in indignation.
The eye disappeared and after a moment of splashing, a soaked blond pulled himself over the side of the boardwalk and shook off like a dog, splattering her with sea water. "So who were you looking for?"
"You. If you're Emil Castagnier," Marta said, watching as his expression turned petulant and he looked away.
"I hate that name," he muttered. "What do you want with me anyway? I don't even know you."
"I'm Marta Lualdi." She stuck her hand out.
The boy looked at her hand, then at her before shrugging and walking past.
"Hey!" Marta whipped around to face him. "How rude! I should have let those boys beat you up!"
"They never have and they never will. They'd have to catch me first," he said dismissively.
"And when they do catch you, they'll break you like a twig," Marta folded her arms on her chest and glared. He didn't bother even glancing back. "Fine!" she called. "I didn't really want to talk to you anyway!" He entered a house on the street and shut the door behind him. Huffing in exasperation, Marta stomped off down the street, heading back to the town square to plan her next move.