Disclaimer: Genso Suikoden is property of Konami; Chrono Cross belongs to Square… I claim no ownership of these series. The following characters are used for a fan made story only for entertainment and not to gain profit.
Warning: The follow chapter is a rough draft… English is not my first language so I will not guarantee a perfect gramal and spelling… although I will try to lower the errors as much as I can.
Author's Side Note: The characters in this story are going through the "Tsubasa chronicles effect"; so OOC-ness may or may not be present. If you don't know what the "Tsubasa Chronicles effect" is; go to my profile and there will be a brief explanation.
"JILL! JILL WHERE ARE YOU!? JIIIL!"
POOF
A cloud of dust bursts up as young feet from a teenage female landed in the path besides a huge wall. The blond haired girl settled her back against the wall and let a smirk adorn her beautiful rosy lips. Once she made sure her nana went away, she dashed off somewhere into the woods while carrying some kind of Bo Staff in her back.
Inside the residence where the girl came from; an old lady was almost into a panic attack as she searched for her care.
"Is there something Wrong?" The lady turned to her side as she heard a sweet voice call her. Once she knew whom the owner was, the nana hurried to the woman's side. "Miss Pilika! That young girl! She once again disappeared out of the premises."
The young woman, whose name was referred to as Pilika, gave a fustrated sigh. Brushing her mid long brown hair as she contemplates a way to calm the older woman down.
"That girl… always finding a way to skip mother's lessons on how to be a proper lady…" finished the young woman as she dusts her red dress.
"She has to learn that she can't do this young miss. She should know how her mother would feel!"
"Go inform mother that Jill fled again. I'll look for her."
The older woman of the two nodded. Pilika sighed once more and glanced towards the horizon… That girl… she is her father's daughter all right…
~Time's Scar~
The new journey began… and we set sail into the horizon…
Waiting for a guide that take us all the way to our fate…
Even if we knew that this path would bring us peril…
We kept going until the end…
11
The Schala was on stand-by as she rests underwater hiding from anyone on the surface. Doc discovered that the ancient ship had also the ability to submerge using a complicated system he didn't even understand well. But following Alahcs's instructions he managed to fix and make it work using what ever they found on the resent raids of Falena Queendom's Sindar ruins.
Doc found himself in the bridge as he reviewed some of the ship's blueprints that were on the mainframe's database. Alahcs had managed to fix fifteen percent of her corrupted data in the month they had been in the ship after setting sail back in Lazlo's Island.
Currenlty, Lenar was in Sol-Falena having an audience with the Queen letting them know that she was ok, what happened after the ambush to the bandits and that she was joining Serge's crew from now on in his quest. She also went there to seek assistance from the queendom.
Also just minutes ago; Serge, Ryan, Killey and Lorelai were sent to Dunan Republic via Viki airlines to check the Sindar ruins there. How ever, this time the resident Blink sorceress stayed back but not without giving Serge a special mirror to call upon her whenever they wanted to go back to the ship; thing that Doc found fascinating.
Speaking about Viki, the Crew's scientist took a glance towards said girl as she once more were sleeping standing up. One of these days he was going to research on how the girl do it. Glancing back at the main monitor, he continues to research on the ship's schematics posted by it's main computer terminal.
Alahcs was an enigma. The girls seemed to be strict, logic and cold… but he was no fool. There was something in her eyes that tell more. Especially the way she acted around their captain. He could notice that the girl was thinking about something… or at least trying to remember something… also while she acted cold towards everyone else, the Schala's main computer terminal acted a bit more kind towards Serge. Doc didn't know if it was system protocols towards the captain of the ship or something else…
He gave a slow sigh; no matter how much he tried he ended up in a dead-end. He couldn't do more until all data files were fixed. He shrugged the thought off and continues his studies of the ship's blueprints.
"I wonder how Serge and co are doing…"
HR
"Ow!"
Ryan fell face first into the ground. Unfortunately for him he was the only one to do so. He didn't know if it was because the older two of the group were more experienced with Viki's ways of travels or that the girl did it to him on purpose.
"Tch… once I get back… Imma tell off that Blinky…"
"Stop complaining and get up." Lorelai shot as she looked around her.
"We have a problem…." Killey announced. Everyone looked at him wondering what was that, "Serge is not here…" And indeed, the bandana-wearing boy was not with them. Everyone looked at each other.
"This is not good…" Ryan finished.
HR
Serge felt dizzy. He rested his head on his hand trying to pass the dizzy spell he got after blinking into his new spot. Shaking it off, the slider boy took a glance into his surroundings. With an eyebrow raised, he realized that he was alone. What could have happened? Or was it another mistake from Viki? He didn't know if he even was in this Dunan Republic place.
He waited no more and began walking towards a general direction to find a clearing from the current forest he was in.
HR
Serge found a natural path made in the woods. He has been walking in it for hours now hopping to find people or something. Although he didn't mind the forest; the place looked so peaceful. Suddenly he stopped as he began hearing ruffling in the pushes around him. The boy took a stance as he slowly reaches for his weapon.
A white wolf jumped in his path. This wolf was carrying some pray in it's mouth. The wolf wasn't aware of Serge's presence until it looked his way. After seeing Serge, the wolf tensed and began growling at him. In response, Serge also tensed and prepared himself for anything.
"GIN STOP!"
Serge raised an eyebrow as the wolf suddenly stopped growling after the voice called out and sat looking at it's right. Another ruffling noise and Serge saw a blond young girl come out the bushed.
"You! Please don't attack him! Gin is just defending against a stranger!"
Serge tilted his head. He could say the same for him. Like, if a wolf suddenly jumps in your path and growl at you, you will defend yourself. It was the law of survival. Serge observed the girl as she walked to the wolf and petted it. He concluded that the canine was that girl's pet, it seemed.
"Who are you? Are you a random traveler?"
The girl asked him. He pondered for a bit. This was the only human contact he had in a while. Maybe she could help him.
"What is it? Are you lost?" Serge nodded; "Well, it is easy to get lost in these woods. I'll help you."
Serge smiled at the young girl. He began survey ling his surroundings as the girl speaks with the wolf. He could observe the girl closely, her petite figure was very decent for a girl her age; he bet she would be a heart breaker when she gets older. And those tight white pants showed her curves very well.
But what made Serge more curious was the weapon she was carrying. A long Bo Staff with blue colored handle and silver dragon head on each side holing some gem in its mouth. The girl stood up after letting her 'pet' eat and took a glance towards Serge catching him as he observed her. With a frown, she spoke to him.
"What is it? Is there a reason why you are staring at me?" Serge snapped back in surprise. Quickly he shook his head. "Why don't you say anything back? Are you mute or something?"
Serge grunted in annoyance.
"Sorry if I insulted you or something." The girl then switch her eyes to her wolf, "Hmm… you remind me of an Uncle I met when I was a child…"
"…What happened to him?"
"Oh! So you CAN speak." She chuckle as Serge sighed, "Uhm… He and my Dad went on a journey when I was a child soon after I met him… I haven't seen them ever since."
Serge watched the girl with an emphatic expression as the sadness showed in her eyes. She seemed to be recalling those memories and felt hurt for not seeing her father for so long.
"I don't know if they are even still alive…" she continued, "My mother said that because of something, an illness or what ever… they had to leave somewhere…"
"Doesn't matter." She tried to smile and turned towards him. "Well, where are you heading?"
Serge pondered about that. Where was he heading again? Oh yes, the Sindar ruins Killey and Lorelai came up with yesterday. They still have the mission to restore their ship. How ever, his situation was now complicated… He first needed to find his companions before continuing but he had no idea where he or they are.
"Hey, if you want I can bring you to the town and then you decide." Serge nodded. The girl turned to her wolf and petted him; "Gin, I have to leave again but I'll visit you tomorrow." The wolf whined, "Hey, you know I can't bring you with me. My mother will have a heart attack if she knew I spend my time in the forest with a wild wolf."
The dog whined once more but nodded; wait… did he just nod? Serge was awed, a wolf who could understand human speech, THEN again… there were similar type of animals back at Home World. He was taken off his thoughts as the Gin dashed into the woods and disappeared.
"Come~! This way." She began walking but stopped and turned; "Oh! By the way, what is your name? I am Jill, Jill Atreides. Pleasure to be of acquaintances.
"Serge."
HR
"Lady Jill!"
Serge stepped aside as an old woman suddenly dashed out of nowhere and pined the young girl he just met in a tight hug.
"Please young miss! Stop doing this to me. I always end up worried sick!"
"I am sorry Nana… But I really don't like mom's lessons." The woman gently pushed the girl back as she looked into her eyes; "But young miss! It is proper of your status to learn all this… you know how much your mother wants you to be a proper lady."
Serge had an amused smirk. Somehow this girl and her tomboy attitude reminded him of a certain thief that he met at the beginning of his previous adventure and changed his life forever. Jill had an annoying expression that somehow made Serge chuckle.
"And who might you be?" the old lady addressed him realizing his presence after he chuckled. Jill escaped the woman's arms and adjusted the brown jacket she was wearing over the blue tank top that hugged her torso. Turning towards him she decided to introduce him; "Ah, this is Serge. He is a traveler who was lost so I decided to help him."
"I see." The woman then offered him a bow; "Good evening, thank you for taking care of Lady Jill until now. May I offer you some tea?"
Serge flinched a bit back as both women were looking at him. A nervous sweat drop fell behind his head as the young girl glared at him in a way that said 'accept it or I'll kick your ass'. Feeling defeated and not wanting to offend them, he decided to accept it.
"Hello, Nana you didn't tell me we had visitors." Everyone turned to the voice. In the porch stood Pilika and a woman besides her. This woman was dressed in red and black garms and had an air of grace around her… as if she was of royal birth. The woman turned towards Jill, who flinched by the stern look she gave the young girl.
"You're in trouble now squirt." Pilika teased Jill, drawing a glare from the younger of the two.
"Jill…" said girl stood straight as her mother called her name. "Where have you been again all this time…? What is so important that you have to once again skip my lessons about lady hood…?"
"But mom…" the girl grunted; "Why should I go through it? It seem so unnecessary… besides big sister Pilika already has taken the responsibilities of the family."
"Jill…" her mother closed her eyes still scolding, "Even so, you as a lady of the Atreides, have to train to be proper and lady like. You have to give a good impression of our status."
"But I don't wanna…"
"Jill!"
"I don't care mom and you can't force me!" Jill kicked the grown and then dashed into the house.
"Jill!"
"Its ok mother, let me go after her." Pilika said and headed inside after her younger sister.
"Oh dear…" the woman pinched the bridge of her nose. "What am I going to do with that girl…"
Tide her down or something, maybe? Serge thought amused. Then the woman faced him.
"I apologize for you having to see that mister…"
"Serge."
"Yes, mister Serge." The woman set a hand on her chest as she continues, "I am Jillia Atreides, the matriarch of the House of Atreides. Please, feel welcome to our home. Is there is something I can help you with?"
Serge didn't know if she could though. Serge needed to find his group but had no idea where they could be; but for now he should accept this woman's hospitality and think of something in the mean time.
HR
"Thanks for helping me out with these things."
Serge was walking besides Jill and they carried bags of groceries from town. The girl's mother wasn't too happy about her behavior and as punishment she sent the youngest of the Atreides to do some errands. Serge took pity of the girl and decided to lend a hand.
"The next thing on the list should be there, would you fetch it for me?" Serge nodded and went inside a shop.
Jill stayed behind waiting for the boy as he takes care of the next task. While watching the people pass by, the young Atreides's eyes fell on someone. She saw of what it seemed a man. This man was hidden behind a cloak and hood. She couldn't see his face since the hood hided it, but the lower part of his face was exposed. She was surprise as the man also stared back at her. Jill frowned as the man nodded at her and offered a smile. Jill's eyes then switched over to another side as she watched Serge emerge from the store. Then looked back towards the man but he was long gone. Shrugging, the young Atreides checked what Serge bought and they continued their quest.
HR
Dusk was at the door as the evening sky begins to take its golden color. Serge sat outside wondering what to do next. He had no clue of Ryan, Killey and Lorelai's where bouts and he couldn't return to the ship without them.
As his mind wanders on ways to find his friends, a sudden explosion made him jump to his feet. His eyes fell on the forest from where he came from. Fire burned fiercely and some town people began to panic as some announcing the phenomenon. Serge frown, what could have happened?
"GIN!"
Serge quickly turned to the direction of the voice. Jill yelled the wolf's name as she and her family came outside to see what was the commotion.
"Jill? Who is Gin?" asked her mother. But the girl not listening, dashed outside on her way to the forest. "JILL!"
"You should go after her…"
Serge jumped back in alert as someone spoke behind him. How the hell he didn't sense someone stepping behind him? He must have really been distracted. The man who Jill saw down town was there. His face was still hidden behind the hood and Serge tensed waiting for anything.
"You must hurry…" He continued, "She might get hurt…" Serge nodded, who ever he was didn't matter right now; Serge needed to chase Jill. Thinking no more, the boy dashed off after the Atreides girl.
HR
"Gin! GIIIIIIIN!"
Jill ran inside the burning woods. She yelled the wolf's name all the way, coughing by the fire's smoke. She was desperate, the wolf was her only friend and she didn't want to loose him. But as much as she called his name, the wolf didn't show. As she run deeper into the woods, the fire was burning her way out and Jill finds herself trapped inside.
"GIIIIIN!"
Even so Jill kept looking, dodging forest animals running away to safety. The girl kept going; she was going to help her friend. Suddenly a loud roar made her stop. A few feet away from her a fire beast dropped. This beastly creature had flames covering its body and had a fierce look in its eyes. The beast saw Jill and roared loud at her. Jill stepped back but tripped by a loosen log that made her fall. Her eyes trembled as she watched the beast slowly make it's way to her.
The beats opened it's mouth and began charging a fire blast; with tiers in her eyes, as she was scared to death, Jill crossed her arms waiting for the worst. The sudden scream of pain from the beast made her open them once more and with happiness she saw the white would stand proud before her. The wolf came in the nick of time and gave the beast a surprise attack then stood before her blocking any other attacks. Gin lowered his head and snarled at the beast. Jill was happy to see her friend and crawled to him warping her arms around the canine's torso.
The beast growled once more and opened its jaws charging another attack. A sudden arrow made of light hit the monster dead square making it fall back a bit. Serge fell besides Gin after casting a flying arrow, mastermune in hand. The boy glared at the beast as it tries to stand back on it's feet.
The heat and smoke was getting to the girl as she began to loose consciousness. Serge began to panic; his mind looked for ways to get out of this situation. Suddenly, the symbol of a sword appeared out of nowhere and a blinding light blocked Serge's view of everything only hearing the agonizing yells of the beast as what ever was going on was ripping it apart.
Slowly everything cleared soon after and Serge's vision went back to normal. From the other side of the place they were stood the man from before. What ever he did destroyed the monster and stopped the fire around them leaving scorched wood behind. The man slowly walked towards them making Gin growl as he protected Jill.
"Thank you…" the man said as he stood before Jill, He then kneeled and used his index finger to caress the girl's cheek. "I'll leave her in your hands… Please… take good care of her…"
Serge had a question look on his face; he wanted to voice his thoughts as he watched the man. Serge wanted to know what he meant by it. The man smiled once more and stood back then turned towards him.
"I know you'll be able to protect her." His smile grew a bit sad, "I've been away most of her life… I don't have the right."
"I know who you are… Your companions are in that direction; pass those mountains there is a village, farther away there are ruins. Your companions are staying there." The man pointed a finger towards a general location. "Go now; and don't worry. I'll take care of everything at her home. I know Jillia will be upset but it is her destiny. It is her time to explore the world."
Serge nodded, he gently took Jill in his arms and began to walk towards the direction the man pointed. Gin's eyes fell on the man then at Serge. The wolf shook his body and followed him. Serge remembered that he didn't ask who the man was, so he stopped and turned but the man was there no more. He worried that the man knew who he was but he had no idea of the man's identity. That man said to head towards the pointed direction without turning back… should he really do it? Serge thought about the Atreides females and especially on the current head. Jillia, the name of the head, would be worried after her daughter ran out the household and never came back. That man said he was going to take care of it though… Serge concluded that the man knew the family.
He should come back once he joins his friends and apologize for taking her daughter following some stranger's command. But first he must get out of here and find them.
HR
"Serge!" Ryan yelled as he saw the boy in question come through the entrance of the Inn they were staying. "Where have you been man? We thought we lost you! And who's the girl?"
It was way late at night when Serge arrived at the village. The first thing he thought was to find shelter and this village had an Inn. Boy, was he surprised to find his group staying here also. Well he should have known given that he was told they were staying at this village.
"Where is your room…?"
"Ah, uhm… pass the hall. But what's going on man?"
Serge paid no more attention to the former bandit as he carried the sleeping girl in his arms toward the general direction. Gin decided to stay in the outskirts of the village, he didn't want to be seen by humans and he understood why; the canine was a wild wolf after all. Ryan frowned as Serge ignored him and walked away. With an annoyed grunt the ex-bandit followed.
Serge opened the door and went inside. He found Killey and Lorelai planning about something. Both companions stood up at the sudden burst of the door then were surprised to see Serge as the culprit. Lorelai was going to ask him where has he been but stopped when he saw what he was carrying. Without thinking she hurried to his side to help as the boy set down the young girl in one of the beds. Killey glanced at Ryan as he came inside soon after; the former bandit shrugged, as he had no clue either.
Serge stood before the bed as he watches the young girl sleep covered in blankets thanks to Lorelai. After several minutes he turned towards his companions and prepared to gave them a full explanation of what he went through until now.
12
The morning rays shined through the windows announcing that the morning had come. Jill stirred in her bed and slowly opened her eyes. Remembering what happened before, she quickly sat up looking for her friend. Her eyes trembled as she finds herself in an unfamiliar room. Looking around, Jill then finds Serge sitting close to her against the wall; his head lowered as he sleeps. Her eyes softened as she watched the scene.
Jill wondered what happened after she lost consciousness. Last thing she remembered was Serge coming for their aid before everything went black. Was Gin ok? And in that regard, where were they?
"Morning…"
Jill's eyes turned towards the door as a woman unfamiliar to her came through with a tray of food. Breakfast she concluded.
"Who are you? And… where am I?"
"My name is Lorelai." The sindar hunter set the tray on the small table the room had, "I am one of Serge's companions. Don't worry you are safe now."
"I know you have many questions and feel lost. I'll answer them for now." With a smile Lorelai offered the young girl to sit on the table; "Breakfast?"
Lorelai told the girl everything Serge said that night before. How a stranger appeared and told him to take care of her. How that same man told him how to find his companions. Jill was not happy that Serge took her away from her home without her consent. But this was an opportunity that she waited for all her life. How ever, like everyone else here, she also questions herself about who that stranger was.
A sudden grunt made both women look back. Serge was beginning to wake up and the young boy looked worst to wear. He wasn't a morning person, ever, and sleeping on the floor didn't help either. His zombie like attitude as he moved around the room following the scent of food gave a sense of amusement to the girls present. The oldest of the two women present had spent more time with the boy and knew about his late sleeping habits so she calmly broke some bread and gave it to the sleep walking leader of their group.
"Is he always like this every morning?" Jill asked amazed drawing a giggle from the older woman.
"Always."
Both girls giggled making Serge look at them half asleep not realizing they were making fun of him.
"I don't know… seems kind of cute."
"Oh? Do I sense a little crush on the kid?" Lorelai laughed as the younger girl started stuttering and denying everything with a blush adorning her face.
The sudden loud opening of the door made Serge jump in fright and fall back waking him up completely. He rubbed his rear and glared at Ryan as the larger man came in with Killey not far behind.
"What?" Ryan asked with a puzzled face at Serge's glare. The current females of the group began laughing making the former bandit more confused. "What!?"
HR
Serge stopped before a mural watching the drawings shown on it. He moved the torch he was holding to have a better view. It has been hours since they entered the ruins and besides a few traps here and there, nothing mayor happened.
Serge turned to Killey and Lorelai, expecting something from them. The other two were more experienced regarding all this so the boy left them with it. Both Sindar hunters stepped forward and began trying to decipher the things shown in this mural.
Serge decided to leave them be as walked to Ryan as the larger man of the group stood on guard from anything. Jill was with him observing her surroundings with Gin besides her. She never had entered a ruin before so all this was new to the girl.
Since the beginning she was warned that the ruins were dangerous so she should watch where she stepped or touched. The girl not wanting to take any chanced, followed the instructions and let the experts do their thing. So she stayed back on guard and began playing with her ponytail once she became bored.
Gin yawned and lay down as he decided to take a quick nap while the humans besides him do what ever they were doing. His hears shot up as he heard something and raised his head glaring down towards a general direction.
"What is it boy?" Jill asked as the wolf stood up and began growling.
Lorelai turned towards them then looked at Killey. With a nod, both Sindar hunters dashed for cover. As Serge saw this, decided to look for a place to hide also. Jill looked around to her companions wondering what was going on, then yelped as the large arms of the larger man in their group grabbed her. She blushed embarrassed as she felt like a rag doll getting dragged. The bandit hid and Gin followed after.
This was of no surprise given that they were not the only tomb raiders around. Other people also tend to raid the Sindarian ruins looking for lost treasure or artifacts; or used as hide outs by bandits or monsters living inside.
Serge stood in a pillar in alert as he glared down the direction they began hearing noise coming from. Serge holds back a breath as a patrol of skeleton soldiers walked by. Skeletons… he hated those types… besides Skely that is, those undead were hard to get rid of given to their fearless attacks.
Serge gave a signal to his companions and them, minus two, nodded knowing what he meant. He tightened his run-wearing fist and made a dash for it.
One of the skeleton soldiers turned around in time to see Serge fell on him and getting sliced out from his dash and slash. Not wasting time, the rest of his companions assisted by casting their runes to the monster patrol and joining in battle.
The battle was fierce. Serge fought with all his might slashing and gashing with his mastermune. But the skeletons were not alive so it was a hard thing since they cannot feel pain and fought like kamekazi.
Raising his hand, Serge's rune glowed as he summons upon the shadows of death from another dimension; the wormhole opens and fearsome shrieks could be heard as shadows appeared out from inside grabbing some skeletons and dragging them back inside. In the past month that Serge had been around, he had managed to find how the rune worked and trained in it. He had almost full control of its traits and could understand the functions. So far he could summon anything he could have in mind from beyond this world for a short time. Although it still drained him of his endurance when casting a mayor summon, or even a small one. Thankfully he was getting better at it.
HR
Serge's foot stepped on top of the skull from a defeated skeleton. He stood proud as the battle was over. With a smirk, Serge looked towards his companions to see how they were doing. Ryan was looking the corpses like always and Lorelai and Killey were heading back to the mural. Jill, how ever, had a look of admiration at them. His smirk grew wider as he watched the young girl grin like an idiot.
Storing back Mastermune, Serge began his journey towards the two Sindar hunters to continue their mission.
HR
Viki was rudely awakened as her mirror glowed brightly showing Serge on the other side. She complained about the sudden scare but let it go as she saw Serge. Taking her cue, the blink sorceress summoned them back into the ship. Seconds after casting her spell, the team (plus two) warped in.
"So how was it?" The girl asked with enthusiasm.
"Hey Blinky!" Ryan's face appeared before her, "I have a bone to pick with you. How come I am the only one blinked into his face?"
"W-what are you talking about!?"
"Don't give me that!"
Serge muted the bandit's voice as the former began scolding their blink sorceress. He turned around as the doors to the bridge opened and Doc stepped out reading something in his hands. The ship's scientist stopped and raised his head as he heard the noise the ex-bandit was making.
"Ah Serge, welcome back. You are just in time. So, what did you all find?" Serge dropped between them a bag full of stuff.
HR
Serge sat in his captain's chair as he observed the underwater life through the main monitors of the bridge. A smile of amusement appeared on his face as he remember how a pissed off Viki blinked Ryan away somewhere after he started ranting to her hours before. After a while, thinking that maybe he learned his lesson, Viki summoned him back to then run for her life as the mad bandit began chasing her in anger. Fearing for her life she blinked him away again somewhere. Serge asked Viki to bring him back since they needed him; just to send him away again when the bandit once more jumped at her after his return and had been gone since. Maybe now he'll learn not to mess with the resident blink sorceress.
He couldn't help but laugh. Serge surely will never try to get in Viki's bad side. He sure didn't want to get blinked into an active volcano. Although he knew Viki was not evil enough to do it, he surely will take no chances. And angry person could do many things… and an angry person with a warping device could do worst.
His thoughts were interrupted as the bridge's door opened with Jill and Gin walking in. The girl was amazed at learning that she was inside a Sindarian ship and decided to explore. She found herself currently on the bridge. Curiosity was written all over her face as she examined the panels. Jill jumped startled as Serge's smiling face was on her all the time, which made her blush in embarrassment.
"This sure is an incredible ship." Serge nodded; "What else can it do?"
Serge tilted his head. He hasn't learned all the functions of the ship himself. Mostly everything was taken care of by Doc as he followed Alahcs's instructions. All he knew is that the rune engine made everything possible. Supposedly, the lighting runes created the power and electricity for the Schala's functions while wind runes combined with water ones made air that flowed through out the ship creating oxygen for them to breathe. Fire and water runes controlled the temperature of the ship creating a soothing climate for them to bear.
Jill awed in amazement even so. This ship's technology was far advanced for her understanding. Everything seemed like some fairy tale and she was afraid to wake up out of it. Jill walked closer to Serge and said on one of the rails that guarded the captain's chair. Her eyes looked at him softly as she continued asking questions.
A popping noise interrupted them as a window opened in one of the main screens showing Alahcs's face.
"Captain… you are needed in the engine room…"
Serge blinked. He wondered what Doc needed from him. With a shrug he stood and headed his way. Jill watched him walk away in disappointment; she then looked back at the monitor as saw that girl from before staring at her with a neutral expression. Jill blinked as she thought she saw a quick glare directed at her, which made Jill nervous but the girl from the screen popped away before she could confirm such thing.
This ship had so many things she didn't understand. Jill looked down as Gin set a paw on her leg.
"What is it boy?" Gin whined, "I am alright. Just pondering. Come on Gin, let's go set our room!" And so Jill left the bridge.
13
"You said it looked like this?"
Serge nodded to Doc's question. They gathered on the bridge and Serge told him about the strange man that saved him and Jill a few days back. Serge made a doodle of the strange symbol that appeared before everything when blank with some energy that took out the monster.
Doc was curious about it so he began looking into it. Searching the database he found records that corrupted by the time corrosion of the mainframe about runes known in existence. Before Serge, the markings of the rune he saw that night popped up.
"That's the Black Sword rune…" Alahcs's face appeared besides the rune's picture. "It is one of the twenty seven true runes and half of the rune of beginning."
"Only one person in history currently possesses that rune." Lenar spoke as she leaned back against the wall with arms crossed. She opened her eyes and narrowed them as she watches the rune on the screen, "King Jowy Blight, last ruler of the Highland empire before it's collapse by the Dunan rebellion."
"Didn't he die at the fall of the empire?" Ryan asked.
"Well…" Doc adjusted his goggles, "No records indicates a body found. So there is no confirmation of whether he is dead or alive."
He is alive all right… Serge narrowed his eyes as he examined the rune on the screen. That marking was no fake… and the power that came after proved it. Whether it was him or someone who succeeded him as rune bearer, he didn't know.
Jill stayed quiet all this time. She was in deep thoughts after listening to their conversation. It can't be true… She stood up and excused her self. While the others kept talking about it, the girl left the bridge.
Viki was outside standing besides her mirror as she began snoozing in and out. Jill stepping before her snapped Viki out of it.
"Oh, morning~ what can I help you with?"
"Miss Viki… I need a favor from you." The blink sorceress blinked wondering what the girl had in mind.
HR
Jill entered through the doors of her house after Viki blinked her there. Searching for someone she found herself facing her older sister Pilika as the later was carrying some laundry. Said girl dropped her basket in surprise as she sees her younger sister glare back at her.
"J-Jill! You are back! I was told that you decided to go in a journey…"
"Sister Pilika…" Jill spoke. "There is something I want to know… and I want you to be honest with me." Pilika tilted her head, a slight worry floated on her mind.
HR
Serge sat once more on the captain's chair. The Schala was currently navigating underwater as to not draw any attention to them while they traveled, which were a convenient way to move around. The doors to the bridge opened making him look over his shoulder. Jill walked in, a look of hurt and betrayal on her face.
The boy blinked wondering what got into her. He stood up to see if he could help in anything. Jill saw serge staring at her, her lower lip trembled and then she dashed to him and embraced the boy as she began crying.
Serge looked around in panic, he had no idea what was going on and didn't know what to do. He never had gone through something like this before. Leena usually kicked him away from her when she cried back home so this was all new to him.
HR
It took a while for Jill to calm down. Serge was really worried about the girl as she cried almost to sleep. Now sitting in his chair as he observed the girl across him as she found her feet suddenly interesting.
"It was my father…" Serge tilted her head at this sudden declaration. Jill raised her head and looked at Serge in the eyes; "That man was my father."
Serge leaned back as Jill began to tell him about the visit she did to her home and how she requested her sister to spill everything.
So Jowy Blight was alive; not only was he alive he also wandered the world, as he currently was a fugitive. Or so they thought. His real name was Jowy Atreides before he married into the Blight family and became king while fighting a war against the Dunan liberation army.
Soon after the war was over, his enemy and former friend (Who also bore the other half of the rune of beginning) found him and refused to kill him. While Jowy was fighting the Orange army he sent his wife Jillia and his adopted daughter Pilika to the old Atreides household for sanctum to protect them from harm from the chaos that started in the castle.
After the war, he left behind a pregnant wife and daughter as he began wandering the world. Years later he returned home, but being the bearer of a true rune he could not age while his wife and daughter grew older. This is when he was told about Jill. The Atreides patriarch was stunned about the news and yet happy. He felt joy to learn that he had a daughter and stayed with them for some years after.
How ever, years went by and he stayed the same while his wife grew older. He felt guilty because of it but he had a responsibility to take care of and he accepted his fate back then. Soon after his best friend re appeared and told him about a war happening on the Grasslands caused by someone who had been called 'the flame champion' by the people. So they headed down there for crowd control.
Nothing else was heard from him until today, when he appeared to Jill as he wandered back to see his family once more. Jill felt hurt and betrayed that her family kept such information from her. Her mother simply said that it was for her own good since she didn't wanted to see her child suffer because of her father.
In a way, Serge could comprehend the woman's reasons but at the same time Jill had a right to know.
HR
The water of the seas suddenly exploded as the nose of the Schala burst through while it ascended above the water. The crew currently was heading to Gaien as Killey found Intel of rumors of unexplored Sindar ruins there.
"Ascension completed, the Schala had completely emerged above the water." Alahcs's voice was heard through the speakers.
"Good, set course to the coordinates given by Mister Killey." Doc spoke.
"Command confirmed."
It's been a while since Serge saw the cerulean sky. He gives the command for activations of auto cruise at full speed and watches his current crew work around their posts.
He had a good feeling about this new journey. Something tells him that he'll find something great. He couldn't contain his excitement and was wishing to be already there. He remembered Lazlo telling him the tales of when he was a Gaien knight trainee. Supposedly Gaien was a wealthy nation with military power. His smirk grew bigger, he sure cant wait.
The Schala's turbines roared and the ship sped above the water as it headed to its destination. The rays of the sun were reflected back by the blue colored hull that the ship possessed. It was a majestic sight for anyone who managed to watch it sail by.
~Reminiscence~
The journey continues…
With new hopes and new allies…
As the sun settles in the horizon…
I could feel that our adventure is just beginning.
HR
Omake:
"Welcome to Lanlan's atelier store~ If you bring materials I can make things for you~"
Masa and Mune: And we are her assistances~
Lenar blinked as she walked inside the room. How convenient this was. Having a shop inside the ship where she could get accessories to help her gear was a great idea indeed. Not wasting more time, the elf girl set a bag of stuff on top of the counter.
"Alright, what can you make me with all this?"
"Of course, let Lanlan take a look and she'll see what she can do~"
HR
Stars of Destiny found:
-Tenkai (Chief Star of Heaven): Serge
-Chisatsu (The Searching Star): LanLan
-Tenken (Dagger Star): Masa
-Tenzai (Star of Sin): Mune
-Tenpai (The Vanquished Star): Doreen
-Chizoku (the thieving star): Ryan Dron
-Chitatsu (The quick star): Viki
-Tenei (Heroic star): Lenar
-Chiri (Star of Justice): Doc
-Chikatsu (The Eminent Star): Lorelai
-Tenbi (Lowly Star): Killey
-Tenkan (Star of Idleness): Alahcs
-Chiku (Emptiness Star) Jill Atreides *New*