The next day, Roll, Kirche, Colbert, Zero and Axl were sitting in the lab at one of the larger tables.
Kirche looked at Zero and said,"Do you recall the fight with myself and Tabitha at Ragdorian lake?"
"Yeah, I remember. Although it wasn't really a fight." Zero couldn't help but smirk at the annoyed look Kirche gave him.
"That was also the command of the Gallian royal family."
"Then, the attack on us yesterday..."
"Is most likely an order from the Gallian royal family as well."
Anger surged in Zero's face.
"Before we worry about that, shouldn't we worry about Miss Tabitha first?" Colbert, who had been listening to their words silently until then, frowned seriously and spoke.
"She isn't in her room, could it mean that she was kidnapped? We didn't even see Leviathan last night..." Zero said. But Kirche shook her head.
"That girl won't be so stupid to be caught. She must've hidden herself, I think. Not bothering anybody. That girl is like she'll get in touch with us, I think. It's best that we don't move around. Let's believe in her and wait." Staring outside the window, Kirche said. Zero hated waiting but couldn't think of anything else to do at the moment.
"Should we tell Louise?" Roll asked
Zero nodded,"Yeah, she needs to know. We can't protect her from harm and the knowledge of those that want to harm her."
"Where is she, anyhow?" Axl asked.
"She said that she needed to meet with the princess. And I'm feeling too damn tired to argue right now." Zero replied flatly.
"Ah, I see..." Axl replied. He had to admit that they had been kept up most of the night by Roll who proceeded to demand information from him, and took turns berating him and Louise for their conduct. He couldn't quite remember the last time a girl with a broom looked so scary. Axl repressed a shudder. Even with how long they were down there, Zero hadn't returned when they had been set free. In fact he hadn't come back until mid morning, which was why this meeting was running so late... Meaning he hadn't gotten any rest. Axl repressed a guilty sigh as he realized what he had done.
***Break***
At the same time as the meeting, the queen and her party were having lunch at Louise's room. Although the staff of the academy with Old Osmand as their lead suggested using the dining hall, Henrietta refused by saying, "It's a personal affair."
With that, a big table was hurriedly prepared in Louise's room, and seats specially for the queen's lunch were prepared.
At the prepared table, in the seat of honor with its back facing the window, sat Henrietta; at her right was Louise, followed by Guiche. As a waitress, Siesta stood behind, displaying a nervous expression. Something like serving the queen was something she had never even dreamed of. Siesta stole quick glances at Henrietta's face occasionally.
Louise watched Henrietta closely, recalling that burning look Henrietta had towards Zero some time ago... she had rolled her eyes then. Seemingly, until now she still could not believe it. Though she felt that Henrietta was listening to Guiche's words, apparently enjoyably, Henrietta would shoot an occasional, quick glance outside the window, and let out wistful sighs. From such a look, didn't Henrietta's affection look fairly deep? Suspicion stirred within Louise's heart. I still do not know if Henrietta's feeling are real or not. I was distressed for a while... to the extent that I thought I could not help but to strike her. Yet, what if that wasn't the case?
What if Henrietta's feelings were real?
What should I do?
For Louise who had been raised to believe that following Henrietta's will was a must from such a young age, thinking about that made her head go blank. Her brain refused to think about such things, even if her heart would scream about it. Troubled in such a manner, she noticed the things mixed in her food. The cuisine was a bird meat which was wrapped in a perfectly made pie crust, but when she cut it up with a knife, a slip of paper came out, with what appeared to be a hastily written message. "Please confirm the Queen's feelings for Zero." She turned around, and saw Siesta standing behind with a nervous expression. Apparently, the one who had concealed this note was this maid. Louise let out a sigh. She would probably want to know better whether Henrietta was serious or not. "I don't get it," Louise murmured softly. She became anxious. She stole a quick glance at the queen's face secretly. Henrietta was happy, but her mind had drifted far away. Guiche was gazing at Henrietta's melancholic expression, like he was in a dream.
They continued eating peacefully, without much talk. Once again, Henrietta gazed wistfully outside the window.
Louise felt an burst of barely controlled anger. Hey, Louise Françoise, don't you get it, just what she's done? Moreover, that person is the Princess. Of everyone else, that person is my most valuable Henrietta, Her Majesty The Queen. But even with that, this is betrayal! An act of war! To take such an action on Zero's heart so selfishly? As she thought more and more on this, she became increasingly irritated. Just before she reached the point where she was tempted to tackle the princess, the door opened, and a serious-looking Zero entered.
"Zero."
Louise looked at Zero who's eyes still seemed the same as yesterday. Tired, for all the bravado that he had. She couldn't help but wonder how long she had missed that?
Zero walked up to the princess and spoke,"Henrietta, we've got some news."
"What is it?"
Taken by surprise, even now, Henrietta's cheek reddened slightly, although it was to an extent which was imperceptible apart from Louise and Siesta... Henrietta sensed the trembling in her heart, and closed her lips tight into a straight line.
However, at Zero's next words, Henrietta's blushed disappeared from her cheeks, which paled instantly."I know the identity of Louise's attackers."
"What?" Everyone in the room yelled, their eyes wide open in shock.
Zero relayed the words he heard from Kirche some time ago to everyone in the room. As for the parts with insufficient explanations, Kirche and Colbert who had come along with Zero, provided further clarification.
"How can this be? Gallia..." As if stating her disbelief, Henrietta shook her head.
Colbert shared her concern but stated,"Thought it is hard to believe, unmistakably, this seems like the doing of Gallia. So we have to..."
Zero shrugged,"Because there's no way Tabitha would attack me on her own. She knows what I'm capable of."
"That girl went through a lot of hardships as well..." Kirche shook her head.
Henrietta was pale. Prime Minister Mazarin's words rang in her head again. "We have to be careful with Gallia's attitude." The reason Gallia was satisfied with only a harbor during the division of the lands of Albion, was now understood. Gallia's true target was "Void," the legendary ability. She did not know what Gallia planned to do once they acquired the power of "Void." Was it a scheme of King Joseph? Or was it the dogma of some influential nobles...? Either way, it did not bode well for them...
***Break***
Along Ragdorian Lake, which was situated on the border between Gallia and Tristain, in front of an old-looking house nearby, a blue-haired girl who was riding a wind dragon alighted.
Although the Gallia royal family's crest could be seen at the door of the residence, it was humiliated by an unsightly cross-shaped dent. This was the house in which Tabitha's mother lived quietly... It was the premise of an ex-Orleans residence.
Tabitha pondered about the contents of the letter which she had torn up completely last night. It was a letter with the Gallia royal family's seal. Something short was written inside:
"Charlotte Helene Chevalier de Parterre. Deprivation of your title as my right-hand assistant, Chevalier, and your social status. PS: The aforementioned person's mother, ex-Duchess of Orleans, is restrained. For bail negotiations to be approved, within a week, the aforementioned person must be present at the ex-Duke of Orleans' official residence."
"Bail negotiations" is an extremely mild expression. Tabitha was certainly not deceived. In other words, it means "Because your mother has been made a hostage, surrender peacefully!" After that, a trial against Tabitha's treachery would probably begin. The result would be... if she is lucky, the gallows. If not... she did not really want to think about it.
Together with the refreshing breeze of the morning, the sunlight of spring made fun of her face. In an instant, that refreshing breeze became a freezing, icy aura, as Tabitha took a step forward into the residence.
Sylphid, who was sitting down, let out a worried sound: "Kyui!"
"Do you intend to surrender peacefully?" Those eyes were asking.
"Calm." Facing the front, she told that to her faithful familiar, upon which Sylphid drew nearer to her. Tabitha turned back, and stopped Sylphid. "Wait. I'll finish this soon."
Sylphid shook her head. This wise dragon understood. Her master obviously did not have any intention to surrender. She intended to fight, and recover her mother. Naturally, Gallia's royal government should not have thought that Tabitha would hand over her wand peacefully. To win over that wind magic, they had definitely prepared many powerful users. Because of her betrayal, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for them to continue using Tabitha. Since the start, the royal family had been wanting to dispossess Tabitha of her life. However, if she were to be murdered with her father as well, it would result in the ex-Duke of Orleans' formal faction being enraged. Consequently, they assigned dangerous tasks to her, thinking that she would be disposed of that way. Yet, Tabitha managed to accomplished those tasks well. The current king's faction should be certainly impatient now. This time... was the chance for them to deliver their full potential to kill her. Sylphid noticed the unpleasant atmosphere enveloping the house. That air became a chilly sensation as if pricking one's skin, and Sylphid's scales were agitated.
"You understand, don't you? From now on the fights that proceed will be much more harsh than before. In the same, usual way, wait for me in the air."
Sylphid never joined Tabitha in her battles. "Because I don't have the legs to go back on my own," with that reason, she usually waited patiently in the air for her master's battle to finish. However, this time was different. Tabitha's enemy is the royal family of Gallia. This was an opponent on a completely different level than the beasts, mages, or demihumans whom she fought against until then. A kingdom against a person; no matter how she struggles, she has no chance of winning. This ex-Orleans residence was already not the place of Tabitha's dear memories. Nor was it the battleground. It was a place where the executioner, who was dispatched to kill her, was waiting; her coffin, her grave. If it were a "battlefield," it would still be okay, but her beloved master must not venture alone into this "cemetery." Tabitha gazed firmly at Sylphid, who was staring at her with those brave eyes.
In a soft voice, Tabitha said. "Because you are waiting, I can fight. Because I have a place to return to, I can fight."
Although Sylphid was motionless for a while... her eyes brimmed with tears, she nodded hard. "Kyui!"
Gently, Tabitha stroked Sylphid's snout. Firmly, Sylphid raised her face, and soared to the sky.
Gazing at Sylphid which was circling the sky above the residence, with the same expression as usual, "Thank you," she whispered.
The door to the entrance hall was not locked. Tabitha pushed it, making a heavy sound, the door opened. Usually, the butler, Percerin, would show up immediately to welcome her, but... apart from the deadly silent and cold atmosphere, nothing else greeted her. There were supposed to be servants in the residence, but there wasn't the slightest indication of any human's presence. Taller than her, she casually held her rough and knobby staff, and Tabitha slowly faced the interior of the residence. She had her usual expression, her usual movements, but Tabitha's anger changed the atmosphere around her. She walked down the long corridor leading to her mother's living room in the interior of the residence, and... the doors at the left and right of the corridor opened simultaneously. At the same time the doors opened, arrows flew out simultaneously. Unperturbed, Tabitha waved her staff. The sound of water vapor spreading outwards in the air could be heard, as an ice barrier materialized around Tabitha, repelling the arrows. With the arrows repelled, a group of soldiers jumped out. Yet... at a closer look, though they were wielding swords, those soldiers were not humans. Granted with a will, they were magic puppets, gargoyles. Approached at a close range by 10 fearless and firm gargoyles, normal mages would not able to deal with them. However, Tabitha's magical power right now swelled with anger. Holding her staff up high, the countless ice arrows at her surrounding just now which shone a pale color, revolved. Her short hair also fluttered intensely due to the tornado which sprang forth, with her as the center. A "Windy Icicle" of speed and power never displayed before this, pierced through the 10 gargoyles at the same time... and blew them away. Because of the magic contained in the Windy Icicles, the gargoyles which had been pierced through, turned into ice in an instant. This was the result of the surging magical power seeking its destination. With an intense fury even she did not notice herself, Tabitha's power became even more focused. The second power of Wind, and second power of Water were residing in her specialty, "Windy Icicle".
Right now, a normal mage would be unable to fight her. Very few among the square class mages would be able to do anything to her, except for perhaps the Flame Snake or the Heavy Wind. With her experience as the secret knight of Gallia, the Knight of North Parterre, and her furious Wind square spell, this petite blue-haired girl had become a prominent warrior even in the whole of Halkeginia, even if very few people knew of it. Tabitha stood in front of her mother's room, and turned the knob. It was not locked. The double-sided door swung back casually. A bed and a small desk could be seen. On top of the bed, her mother's figure was absent. The window was open, and spring breeze blew in. There were bookshelves at the surrounding of the wall... A man was standing there. Clad in a pale, light brown robe, he was a tall and thin man. He was wearing a hat of a foreign country, with a wide flange and a feather on top of it. From the bare parts of his hat, golden hairs hung down to his waist. With his back facing the entrance to the room at which Tabitha was standing, he was facing the bookshelf at the wall, and was apparently absorbed in whatever he was doing. The sound of pages flipping could be heard. To her astonishment, the man was seemingly reading a book. She had never heard of any assassin who turns his back towards his enemy and reads a book.
Facing that back, Tabitha spoke softly. "Where did you take my mother to?"
Like a librarian who was called out to, the man turned in a completely ordinary gesture, without the slightest indication of any bloodthirst or hostility. "Mother?" Like a glass chime, it was a high-pitched, clear voice.
The pupils of those slit eyes shone in a light blue color. He had extremely lovely, fine features. Nevertheless, his age could not be told at all. Although he appeared to be like a lad, one would still believe him if he said he were 40 years old. Something about him made him seem ageless, and with the mysterious air about him his presence seemed impossible.
"Where did you take my mother to?" With the exact intonation, Tabitha repeated. Looking troubled, the man gazed at the book, but... opened his mouth again.
"Aah. The woman the Gallian troops took into custody is it? I don't know their destination."
'If that is the case then I have no use for you,' Tabitha thought as she waved her staff casually. Windy Icicles attacked the man, moving to pierce his chest at an unbelievable speed. However, Tabitha's ice arrows stopped exactly in front of the man's chest. There wasn't any sign that he had recited a spell. The stopped arrows dropped onto the bed, and broke apart into fragments.
It was the feeling that the arrows had lost their force due to a wall. What on earth is the magic power that this man held? Tabitha lifted her staff cautiously. She thought of examining the opponent's moves.
"This 'story' is wonderful." The man's next move took Tabitha by surprise. Somehow, the man had retrieved the book he was previously reading from the bookshelf. "As for us, we don't have such culture. "Books" are limited to the recording of accurate phenomena, history, and research contents. Adding up personal interpretation to the history and making it fun to read, arousing the feelings of the reader, causing him to slip into the author's point of view... Something interesting."
The man in the robe of a foreign country informed Tabitha in a voice without any implication of hostility.
"This "Hero of Ivaldi" story... have you read it before?"
The moment that man reverted his sight back to the book, Tabitha released Windy Icicles towards him again. This time, it was twice the previous amount. Yet... as expected, the ice arrows lost their force before the man's hand, and dropped onto the bed. Not worrying about Tabitha's spell at all, the man continued his words.
"Oh my, your people's "story" is really interesting. And you are against us in the matter of religion... But our only saint is also a hero to you people."
Shades of anxiety began to show up on Tabitha's face. She did not understand why her ice arrows stopped half way. Some sort of wind magic? She had neither seen nor heard of such a magic element.
Then Tabitha realized. Magic element? There is another element of magic which exists in this world. As the Knight of the North Parterre, the spells used by the demihumans she had fought many times before, "Ancient magic..."
With an extremely mysterious face, the man muttered. "Why do you barbarians call our abilities 'Ancient Magic' in such an unrefined way?" After that, in a voice which hid nothing, "Ah, or maybe you had mistaken me to be a barbarian? Sorry. It is manners to remove my hat at the first meeting with you barbarians." Saying that, the man removed his hat. "I am the Bidashal of "Neftes". I am grateful for this meeting." From the blond hair, long pointed ears protruded.
"Elf." Tabitha squeezed out an astonished sound from her throat.
Staying at the outspread desert at the east of Halkeginia, a race that has long life, a race which boasted of civilization and history that was many times older and more advanced compared to the humans. The dreadful warriors who are users of the powerful ancient magic. Tabitha grasped her staff tightly. Even for the Knight of the North Parterre Tabitha, who had fought with various types of enemies, there are two opponents she did not want to meet. One of them is dragons. For a human to fight against a mature dragon, the danger is far too great. The dragons' flame power and vitality easily surpass her magic powers.
And, the other one is an elf, the one standing in front of her eyes right now. It was her first time seeing a pure elf. Tabitha was struck with wonder... and subsequently terror. His eyes were almost catlike, and where Tiffania had an aura of almost gentle scereneness, he did not. And where Tiffania was a mage of the void... Ancient magic was different, and Tabitha knew it. Sylphid could take human form with it, and she was unaccustomed to handling that power. What an experienced elf could do with such powers must be extraordinary. Her Windy Icicles could not reach him at all...
"I have a request of you."In a pitiful voice, the man who had called himself "Bidashal of Neftes" told Tabitha.
"Request?"
"Yeah. My request is that you do not resist. We elves don't like useless battles. Despite your intentions, I must take you back to Joseph. Because I had promised that. That's why, if you can, I want you to come along with me peacefully."
At her uncle's name, Tabitha's blood heated, and her anger flowed. How could she be afraid? She had decided to bring back your mother! Whether it is an elf, or a god, she couldn't stop here. With the fear fading from her heart, a tempestuous storm filled her once again, more powerful than before. Magic power is willpower. Willpower is feelings. The power of the strong feelings influences the total amount of the magic power. In the midst of her fury and agitation, that part of her which was freezingly cold like ice-cold snow, taught Tabitha to increase the power of her element.
Tabitha starting reciting a Triangle spell which possessed Square power. For an instant, the air around Tabitha shook, and froze. The lump of frozen air revolved around her body like countless snake-like objects. Combining both the beauty of the art formed by ice and wind interweaving each other, and the sharpness which would split anything which touches it into two, the "Ice Storm" appeared. Smashing the interior of the room, the "Ice Storm" raged about.
The eye of the storm shifted from her body to her staff.
At the same time, aiming at the demihuman, she swung down her staff. Those things were done within the split of a second.
Apparently, no matter what defense magic was employed, he would be blown away in one strike.
Yet... The blond, tall elf completely ignored the furious "Ice Storm" which was plunging towards him.
His gaze did not shift from Tabitha at all. Neither hostility nor anger could be sensed from those fine pupils.
Tabitha recognized the true meaning of that thing residing in the elf's pupils, and was astonished.
Somehow, that thing inside was "constraint". And the magic attack which possessed the Square power was going to attack him... Until now, the elf did not even see Tabitha as an enemy.
The elf's body was shrouded by the "Ice Storm"... At that instant when this seemed the case,
The revolution of the ice storm reversed abruptly.
Just like that, preserving the same amount of force, it rushed back to Tabitha.
Tabitha who was rich with battle experience, completed her incantation in an instant. At the moment she was about to fly off, Tabitha's eyes opened widely. She couldn't fly! Without her noticing, her legs were kept down by the bed. The bed which had become like clay, grasped Tabitha's ankles firmly.
Dumbstruck, Tabitha murmured. "Ancient elves..." She could not finish her words. Tabitha was completely swallowed by the "Ice Storm" she made, and lost her consciousness.
Tabitha who had tumbled down, worn-out, was approached by Bidashal. Tabitha's petite body was inflicted with countless wounds because of the ice blades she made herself. Blood from her wound mixed with water, making a terrible mess on the blanket of the bed.
Bidashal lay his hand at the collapsed Tabitha's neck. She was barely alive.
"O water which flows from this body..."The tall elf started reciting a spell in a clear voice. The magic which had been called by Halkeginians as "Ancient", was known by the elves and demihumans who use it as the "power of the spirits". As if being painted over with paints, the wounds on Tabitha's body were healed. Compared to the "Healing" element magic, the healing of her wounds was faster. Bidashal cautiously lifted up Tabitha whose wounds were healed. He looked outside the window, and noticed a Wind Dragon looking at him. Evidently, this was the familiar of the lady who he had just defeated. Those eyes were glittering with anger. Because of those eyes, Bidashal realized that Sylphid was no ordinary Wind Dragon. "Rhyme Dragon huh..." He guessed Sylphid's true identity immediately.
Rhyme Dragons could be said to be extinct breed. A mythical beast with high intelligence, possessing Ancient Magic, and were able to be heard and understood in any language. The unconscious lady in his arms... To make a Rhyme Dragon as her familiar, it should take her a great deal of skill. If she was not recognized as a master before the "Contract", it would possibly be dangerous.
"Rhyme Dragon. I have no intention to fight against you. "The Great Purpose" does not wish for me to fight you as well." The elf knew that "The Great Purpose" ... the general concept believed by the elves, Rhyme Dragons... the Ancient inhabitants of Halkeginia. They existed with the source which was called "the power of the spirits", something which determines their respective actions... It was something like a god to the humans. Despite invoking "The Great Purpose", this Rhyme Dragon before his eyes did not pull back. On the contrary, as if gathering courage, it started roaring.
This dragon knew what "fear" was. Whilst aware of his hidden ability as a user of the "power of the spirits", which was many times her own, she bared her fangs.
"You went as far as selling your soul to barbarians? Familiar, what pathetic existences." At the same time Bidashal muttered this, Sylphid broke through the wall, and flew to him.
However, Bidashal's expression did not change one bit. He merely raised his hand towards Sylphid.
It was bizarre for such a thin elf to stop the huge dragon with only one hand. Sylphid tried to struggle... but could not move. The magic power was too strong.
Bidashal held his left hand over Sylphid's head. Slowly, Sylphid's eyelids closed. Looking down at the Rhyme Dragon which had lost its consciousness and fallen on the bed, Bidashal murmured. "Great Purpose... Please forgive such a foolish use of the "power of the spirits"."
***Author's notes***
So ends a short chapter to move the plot along. Sorry it's not that good.
While people didn't think Layer would make an appearance... who else in the series except for possibly Sigma could match Zero in skill with saber? Axl was always double buster. That's who he was and what he did. Also, Megaman Zero Collection = Win. Just sayin.
Why did nobody comment on Zero's most powerful face palm to date? I mean seriously. He managed to FLOOR HIMSELF. Literally.
Why were Kirche and Cattelya not pulled into the talk? Kirche has made clear that she doesn't care who gets Zero. She just wants him to find happiness and she isn't abusive at all. Cattelya has no interest in Zero despite a joke I made based on a number of comments and messages. Axl/Layer/Iris and Louise have both screwed up. Repeatedly. Causing Zero to get worse each time. And Henrietta was gone by the time Roll found out what she did... I believe she said something about "that's a paddlin." though. So who knows what's gonna happen on that when Roll finally is alone with the Princess.
BTW, on the chance of Iris coming back as a real person since I've had a number of people ask for this... 0% chance. Capcom has pretty much said Iris died not from the battle but from program failure/corruption. She and her brother were split parts of the same program that COULD NOT work together. The whole Gentle/caring thing and the whole Effective military thing just don't go together well. When she took Col.'s programing into herself she more or less consigned herself to 'death'. This is why they couldn't just "repair" her. It would have been her repaired body, but it would NOT have been Iris. This is also the reason for her inability to stay out for any length of time.
Sigma / Signas. Two entirely different characters. Sigma = bad guy with no S at end. Signas = Not bad guy with S at end.
Why don't the fangirls attack me... 1) they view this as me giving Zero a Harem, not having him chased down by girls he is deathly afraid of getting close to. Also, if you are part of his fangirl army, that was a lie. 2) They have some scant hope that Zero will manage to be won over by one and be given a happy ending, despite the fact that Zero's destiny is one of the tragic hero. Haha. Haha. To the fangirl army. That laugh was totally not about the end of the story. Totally. I just thought of a joke. You wouldn't understand it. Inside joke. Seriously.
Although seriously... If you read this story and count yourself among the fangirl army... Please don't kill me .
Zero: I just read the script through to the end. They're going to butcher you. What they do to you I wouldn't even wish upon Sigma...
Ignore him. He's just trying to incite a riot... Please...
Zero: Or am I? It says here I fight Omega, and an insane Axl-Iris who I have to kill again, then I end up self destructing because I just killed her again.
... Oh, right. I thought you found the actual script. That's the one I was going to give you on April first jackass...
Zero: Then why were you so scared?
...If you ever find the real script you'll know...
Zero: Wait, you've already got the ending done?
Um...No?
Zero: ... I'll find it... and then the fangirl retribution will be at hand even if I can't harm you...
*whimper*