Chapter 5: Augury of Innocence
To see the world in a grain of sand,
And to see heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hands,
and eternity in an hour.
Hellawes - Northgand Capital
He was dreaming this time and it was relatively peaceful. He had control of his actions too, one of the rare instances where the stories of Lucid Dreaming were actually true. And yet… he couldn't help shake the feeling of unease.
Before, he was at least someplace recognizable. But this place seemed to be a field of some kind. Except there was no sky, just a blank white… nothingness. Neither was this the Azure Sky that he could recognize before his… appearance in this world.
"Man, everything feels weird now." He told himself and walked forward. He was in control, and yet he should at least have been able to make this place seem more vibrant if this really was a lucid dream. Ragna had no doubt that this wasn't exactly something that was taking place in the real world. After all, if that were the case, the path in front of him would actually be there instead of gradually revealing itself.
"Doesn't make it any less frustrating though," he muttered, letting it guide him to who knows where? After a while, he began to notice other things too. People who stood on the sides, just past the edges of his vision. Still, he didn't recognize any of them. Not from where he came from at least.
It took some time before someone eventually appeared right in his path though and as before, he didn't know this person. It was a woman with a mask that covered her eyes, her red-hair tied neatly with a single ribbon behind her head, and an outfit that made Ragna think of a butterfly.
"You shouldn't be here," he heard her speak.
"Not the first time I heard something like that told to me," he replied, swerving to walk past her and she made no move to stop him.
"Wait…!" she called out but when he turned, she was gone. How eerie.
"She wasn't a ghost was she?" Ragna said, frowning at the thought. And then… another obstacle in his path. This one was…
"Abomination," he heard her.
Honestly, he was surprised. Of all places, he hadn't expected to see HER wandering around in this dream. But there was no mistaking it. A girl dressed in a black gothic outfit, blonde hair tied up in twin tails with ribbons that made her look like a rabbit. Part of him wanted to sigh in relief and yet… something felt different. From what he remembered, Rachel Alucard never looked at him with that much malice before.
"That's a look you shoot your enemy. What did I do this time?" he asked, pausing some distance away. And yet, she walked forward straight at him, her small hands balled up into fists.
"That form, that face… why do you have his face…?" she hissed, venom in her voice.
"The hell are you talking ab-!" the slap sent him sprawling backwards. Was it possible to feel this much pain even in a dream? "Ow! What the hell, rabbit?!"
"No matter how hard you pretend, you are not him. You may look like him, but I know you're not." Rachel said, lightning forming at her fingertips.
And then she struck, Ragna barely just able to get his blade up in time to block the electrical assault. And yet with her words, he knew she was speaking the truth. What she said, how he had his form and his face… she could only be talking about Ragna himself. Ragna the Bloodedge.
It was actually quite clear once he thought about it a bit more, even if he already suspected as much. Ragna the Bloodedge sacrificed himself to give the world another chance, simple as that. Beyond the gate, beyond the boundary, he disappeared taking everyone's memories away.
But he knew this somehow, and yet he didn't question how his appearance was the exact same and they shared the same memories. The electrical storm passed and he went down on one knee, panting.
"I know, damn it! I'm not the original," he said, looking down at the ground. "But so what? The real one didn't care if he wasn't supposed to exist either. He fought on, regardless of who or what he was. You told him yourself!" he pointed at Rachel, causing the girl to step back. "You told him; to fight as a human being, no matter how weak or broken he was. And he did, until the very end."
"I don't know how I came to exist here. But I do know that I share his memories. I'm born from those lingering thoughts that somehow took the same form he did. And you know what? I don't care! I'm still me. And like him, I'll fight as myself no matter what happens. So sorry if I don't live up to your expectations, but I have a job to do, and I'm not going to let myself die just because I'm not supposed to be here." He proclaimed.
Rachel was silent for a few moments. Those emotions had been bottled up before had burst like a damn and she took the full brunt of it. "I see, so this is your answer. You may even end up destroying this world as well…" she trailed on.
The wind in the dream seemed to stop as Ragna stared on. And then suddenly, someone dropped from above. A giant, red and black claw that swung down at Rachel, the vampire dodging almost effortlessly as Velvet landed.
He couldn't even see the confrontation after as his eyes opened, rousing him from his slumber.
The moon was full. Ragna stared out the window, wide awake now even as his companions at the inn. Cold as it was outside, he had to admit the view didn't seem that bad. Hellawes, they called this place, and there's supposed to be one of those Therions close by.
All well and good, but a fair number of things have happened even before they got here. They had travelled to the capital, Loegres and went on a small errand involving a dragon and a man named Zaveid. He had kept silent, observing the confrontation between him and Eizen though the man was also giving him odd looks here and there too. But it was after that confrontation where a few doubts began forming in Ragna's mind.
Eizen mentioned that a Malak tainted by malevolence would eventually become a dragon. That word again… and though at first he had been confused about the terminology, he was gradually understanding a lot more than he realized. Things in his mind that appeared a little too quickly, almost instinctive despite not having experienced it before.
"Damn it…" he frowned, grabbing his red coat. He needed some fresh air even if it was freezing outside.
No one else seemed to be awake and he quietly made his way out into the streets, looking out of the city towards the general destination of their next target. Not that he intended to go off alone of course. Though his knowledge about the place was growing, the world itself was generally unfamiliar. He didn't belong here, that much he knew. And yet…
"Can't sleep can you?" a voice said behind him.
He wasn't surprised that she was awake as well. Try as he might to sneak out without anyone noticing, it would be impossible to not be noticed after that. "Didn't realize you were in a habit of invading other people's dreams." He shrugged.
"Excuse me, but I think you have it backwards." Velvet replied, giving his shoulder a quick jab.
He chuckled lightly though he did not turn around to face her. There were guards at the gates, and though they were most assuredly looking for trouble outside the city, he didn't want to attract more attention than necessary with this banter.
"What you said back there. All of that was true wasn't it?" Velvet continued.
Ragna nodded his head. "Yeah, probably the most logical thing I can think of. I kinda thought about it already but after what's going on, I think even I can admit it to myself."
"Now you're confusing me again." Velvet frowned.
He sighed and headed towards an alleyway, resting his back against the cold wall. Velvet followed without hesitation, doing the same to the opposing wall.
"Back when I first met you and your friends, you were wondering what I was, right? I said I was human, though some of you thought I was a daemon or something like that."
"That sounds about right." She said. "Maybe even a Therion like myself but Phi never sensed anything of that sort from you."
"Ragna the Bloodedge was never really sure if he was human himself. But he fought on as one regardless. And now I'm pretty sure…" he paused for a moment. "Really, it should have been obvious from the start. Malaks, malakhim… what did Eizen say about how they were born? From Untainted Mana, or from humans?"
"Wait… then-!"
"It sounds logical though, doesn't it? The real Ragna disappeared from his world. And somehow, I have his memories, his abilities, and his emotions. If I'm not the original Ragna, then what am I if not a Malak created from him?"
Velvet seemed to take a moment to think about his words, but she soon shook her head. "There are a few flaws though. If you are a Malak, then you're not supposed to be able to remember memories of your previous life. And Malakhim aren't meant to be able to wield malevolence as freely as you do." She replied.
"True. But maybe I'm just that special?" he smirked. "Eizen did say a Malak tainted by malevolence will eventually turn into a dragon. Pretty cool being able to fly around if your mind is intact."
"You're ridiculous, you know that?" Velvet answered, though a small smile could be seen on her face. "But don't go turn into a dragon just yet. It might be upsetting if you can't be brought back."
"Sorry, just a coping mechanism I guess." He scratched the back of his head. "The only fight I have left to fight is where you would direct me to. I don't exactly have a life left to live either. I thought it might be to find a way back where I came from but… I don't think I should."
"If you feel my quest for revenge is holding you back, you don't have to stay. You deserve better."
Ragna shrugged, "What did I just say?"
The two were silent, both gazes turned out towards the gate. Tomorrow, their journey continues to track down another Therion and if possible, bring them back to Titania.
Velvet sighed and closed her eyes. But she swiftly closed the distance between them, her left hand reaching out to grasp his right and bring it up to eye level.
"H-hey…!" Ragna stuttered.
"Listen," she replied and leaned in close. "You have something that I don't have. I've sacrificed and will sacrifice everything so I can take my revenge. You don't have the same drive, yet you carry on anyway with that power you wield. I'm… jealous. And it worries me when someone as strong as you start second-guessing yourself."
"I didn't say I was second-guessing myself. But… sorry if I'm worrying you. Guess that dream just shook me up… just a little." He answered, staring at their intertwined hands. Bandaged hands in black and white that could easily transform, an odd coincidence to be sure, but he found himself thinking that there was more to his appearance here in this world. "Revenge or not, if you ever get too far down that route, I'll see if I can calm you down. I'm no stranger to that emotion."
Ragna sighed, and then suddenly tensed as Velvet's head pressed against his chest. Was he still dreaming, or was this actually happening? The shock passed by quickly, but he didn't know how to respond either. Sudden as it was though, he didn't not like it. Whether or not it was something he deserved was another matter entirely though.
"Don't say anything," Velvet said quietly. "I don't know if it's right to feel this attached to someone. But let me be greedy enough to have this moment."
Ragna gulped and nodded his head in compliance. What else can he do really other than respond and let his free hand hold her close. Maybe…just maybe, this was what they both needed right now. And who knows how long that will last?
Praetor Ship – en Route to Hellawes
"What is Hellawes like?" Saya asked, looking at Oscar.
They had been on a ship for a while now, following the last sighting of her brother according to Melchior's spy. Convenient as it was to be able to keep track in such a matter, Oscar could see that part of her felt dissatisfied. He looked up from the notes on his table and stared back at the odd Malak.
The fact that she could easily sever the chains that kept her will sealed was surprising, and with frightening implications. But she never moved against him, nor did she seem to stray from her single-minded goal in capturing her wayward brother.
"Hellawes is the capital city of Northgand. It was once governed by Lady Teresa, my sister, until a series of unfortunate events removed her from that position. A position I am certain she will be reinstated should we succeed in this mission." He replied, looking out the window, and at the stormy sea outside. Waves ebbed and crashed against the ship, but they were in no danger of capsizing. It was crewed by fine members of the Abbey, all experienced in various affairs.
"I've yet to meet your sister, have I?" she asked, floating over to one of the right wall, looking at the decorations adorning it. Sigils of the abbey, a small collection of insects, and an image of a woman. "Ah, that is her is she not?" she looked up at it.
Oscar nodded his head, rising up from his spot to stand beside the curious Malak. "Yes, it is. She has always been supporting me, and I have the obligation to do the same."
"I see the resemblance." Saya replied, continuing to stare at the portrait.
"I didn't know Malaks can be imbued with this much curiousity over things unrelated to themselves." Oscar stated.
"Hmmph. It is less a curiousity and more an observation. Your sibling at least, cares enough about you. While mine abandoned me and refuses to acknowledge my existence." She answered, her small fists clenched.
"Siblings can be difficult sometimes, I agree." He chuckled, causing the Malak to glare up at him. "My apologies, but have you even talked to him beforehand?"
"We've never even met." She answered, her gaze turning away from him. "But I know he's out there. And he will not escape me."
Curious, though he supposed the intricacies of Malak behavior are not meant to be completely understood. Still, this was providing him some interesting insight.
"Do not fret," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder as if to calm her down. "We will not fail in our duty."
"Admirable confidence, but are you certain you are up to the task? Your lord seems to place much faith in you, but I've heard you've encountered problems with my brother's new companions previously." She replied, heading up towards the deck of the ship.
Oscar frowned, but followed her up.
"A momentary oversight and my own overconfidence. It won't happen again." He answered. "And what of you? You are untested are you not? Why not show me how you intend to fight our quarry?"
Saya half turned towards him, a small smirk could be seen on her face as she dropped the heaviest layer of her robes. Oscar tensed, tempted to look away for propriety's sake despite the secondary combat layer she wore.
She raised both hands and hovered there, legs crossed before suddenly, lightning struck in the distance. And yet, to Oscar's surprise, the lightning bolt remained stuck there. It was at a distance close to the horizon, but it was there… an odd phenomena, which he now realized came from Saya.
He looked around again, the realization hitting him slowly. The waves all over the ship were no longer rocking the vessel. No, they had ceased altogether. And the first signs of raindrops stopped as well, the droplets and ocean spray hovered, suspended in mid-air. A few of the Orderlies, likely all of them on the ship, paused in their tracks.
"This is…" Oscar stared in amazement. He wasn't affected, which meant his tether to this Malak was key to moving around. "You stopped time itself?" He turned back towards her, though worry was on his face. She was concentrating now, but her breathing had become heavy. How long could she keep this up?
Five seconds passed. Six seconds. Seven seconds. Eight seconds…
Everything gave way after that. The rain began to fall, the ship rocked ever forward and Saya nearly fell forward as Oscar moved to catch and steady her.
"Easy now. You didn't have to strain yourself to the limit with that impressive demonstration." He said.
Saya shook her head. "No, no… I know I can do that for much longer. I know it. Why can't I…?"
"Be that as it may, we can always practice on our way forward. Your abilities are a massive boon to us all, and I'm proud to be tethered to a Malak such as yourself."
"Are you now…?" Saya replied, though her voice sounded dejected. Different from how she presented herself earlier. "Oscar, I'm tired. Let me just… rest for a while."
He nodded as Saya let the invisible bindings holding her will suppressed reform once more. He felt it, and she disappeared as well… at least for now. Transformed into a ball of light, and straight into his own soul to recuperate. The most curious malak he had ever encountered, even amongst those of the legates.
"Perhaps you do require a true name to unlock your full potential." He said, a hand over his own heart. "Worry not, dear Saya. Though our pact is incomplete, we can still help save the world."
