Chapter 11: Memories of Stardust
The night is the colour of fate's invitation
The stars dance with the burden of memories
And draped in the sparkling radiant heart: Stardust days
Taliesin
"Velvet, take it easy." Ragna said, placing a steady hand on her shoulder as she faltered in her steps.
They had explored the city, gathered information about the area and found some surprising results. A town that had been saved by Artorius and free from daemon attacks despite the existing ones that lurked and waited outside. Why would this place be safe when all other places required extensive guard?
More importantly however was what Velvet found out. Her home town was close by, and despite the fact she described it as being nothing more than a ruin, apparently it had been thriving in her absence. Survivors even, with one of them likely being an old friend of Velvet's.
"Something's not right." She admitted, one hand coming up to rest on Ragna's for reassurance. She shook her head, breathed in deep and calmed herself down.
"We won't find the truth by wandering blindly in the dark. The path forward is our only way." Magilou spoke up, turning her gaze down to the winding steps of the city."
"Right, it's not like we can turn back." Said Eizen.
"I know what happened. But if there's even a chance that they're…" Velvet murmured, "No, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Our priority is the Earthpulse point and the Therion. If it's going to be anywhere, it'll be around Aball."
"Well let's get going then. The sooner we get this done, the better." Ragna replied.
They headed out of the city soon after, towards the cliffside path. Past here and the Morgana woods would be the site of Velvet's old home and yet, something else here felt odd. The others noticed it too. It was normal to have wildlife and vegetation unknown to Velvet pop up here after all the years of being away. But to have said vegetation similar to things Ragna remembered? He could swear he saw the hint of a Tartar bug walking about as well.
"There it is!" Phi said, pointing at the small creature.
Just behind a tree, that's where his eyes caught sight of it. A small creature walking on two legs, but upright.
"What is that?" Eizen said.
"Just a bug. But I swear I know this shouldn't be here. You're not familiar with Tartar bugs by any chance are you?" Ragna answered.
"That doesn't look like any bug I've seen. Not so much an insect either and more like… a worm with legs?" said Eizen as they passed it by. It wasn't hostile, but it did seem to be following them.
"I haven't read about anything about Tartar bugs. Are they from where you are, Ragna?" Phi wondered.
"You could say that. I've heard weird stories about them though. Odd that I'd find one here."
Very odd in fact. But they kept on going regardless. Familiarities aside, that wasn't important to what they had to do here. An Earthpulse point… like the one with Medissa in that Temple. But apparently there would be no such place here that could serve as that kind of base.
"Eeeek!"
A scream.
"That sounded like…" Velvet exclaimed, rushing forward.
"Hey!" Ragna called out and ran after her with everyone following close behind. It didn't take long before they caught up and the cause of Velvet's alarm was readily apparent. There was a girl on the ground, someone Velvet recognized and a massive insectoid daemon coming after her.
The battle, if it could be called even that, was ended quickly. Bound by Phi and Eizen's magic, Velvet and Ragna were upon the daemon immediately.
Ragna had jumped up high in the air and descended diagonally, one hand placed near the tip of his blade as he aimed it downwards. Velvet had already begun slicing at the daemon with the blades on her limbs, weaving about in a deadly dance as she sliced and cut at its hard carapace. A carapace that was no match to the Therion and then crushed as Ragna descended, crushing the mantis daemon's two front limbs. With a spinning sweep of his blade, the daemon was bisected lengthwise just as Velvet cut it down from the top.
Ragna frowned, "That wasn't the Therion was it?"
Phi shook his head, though all soon turned their attention towards he downed girl as she stirred.
"I can't believe it… is it really you?" Velvet said.
"V…Velvet?" the girl said as she got up.
"What is this? How are you alive?!" she pointed her blade at the girl.
"I could ask you the ame question! Where have you been this whole time?! You just up and disappeared! Everyone thinks that you were eaten by a daemon." The girl answered, her fists clenched as she stared defiantly back at Velvet.
"But I knew it couldn't be true… You're too strong to let some crummy daemon take you down. You're alive…" the girl walked forward giving Velvet a hug.
Ragna noticed Velvet's features soften up as her mind processed what was happening. An old friend thought to have died but now found to have actually survived. Surely it must bring some joy?
The girl, Niko as she was called, pulled back after having cried a litte. "Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of your friends. And you have… hmm?" she looked at Ragna. "You look, familiar. Are you from here?"
That… was a surprise. He didn't recall being anywhere here, or even moving in this place. Especially given what he is. "Out of curiosity, why would you think that?"
"Your features make me think of two children. They came here with Sister Celica a year and a half ago seeking refuge."
"Celica…" both Ragna and Velvet murmured before they looked at each other.
"Oh! I didn't mean…" Niko continued, "I'm sorry Velvet, but not the Celica we knew of. We took her in, and we even helped build them a house close to the Shrine! Oh, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I have to let everyone know the good news! You've finally come back to us!" she nodded at Velvet before running off in the direction of the village.
"Niko's alive… she's really alive." Velvet murmured.
"What's going on here?" Ragna said, one hand down by his chin as he thought in deep contemplation. Celica? Two children? He had half a mind to assume it would be Jin and Saya but that's not possible at all. Especially with his current sister wandering around somewhere in the thrall of the Abbey. And why would they be children?
"Don't let your guard down. I've got a bad feeling about this." Eizen told the two.
"Naturally. Maybe it's because we have two Reapers with us?" Magilou continued.
"Let's head to Aball!" said Phi as he walked over towards Ragna. "We can ask everyone there exactly what happened. And about your family."
His thoughts were interrupted by the younger Malak's words and he shook his head. "Eleanor told you things about me didn't she? No matter, let's get to the bottom of this."
"Eh?" the ex-Exorcist looked at Ragna.
Getting closer to the village, Ragna couldn't help but fidget. He was on-guard, as Eizen said. But he can't think clearly. And he knew Velvet felt the same way. They were missing something here and as they approached the gate that lead into the village, there was a short pause before the gates opened up.
"Velvet! You're alright!" one of the men said with surprise.
"Oh thank heavens, it's good to see you again. Where have you been all this time? You never even wrote!"
The influx of greetings and people were making Velvet unsteady. "But… I don't… I thought the whole village was wiped out that day…"
"Yeah, it nearly was."
"But just when we thought it was all over, Arthur – Lord Artorius saved us!"
"No! It was his doing in the first place!" Velvet cried out in confusion. "He sacrificed Laphicet!"
"It really was a shame what happened to the poor boy."
"That's all you have to say?! A shame? My brother Laphi DIED that-"
"I'm sorry, truly I am. But you can't lose hope, dear."
"He's right," Niko said, "What counts is that your brother is still alive."
Velvet's looked up, the color seemingly fading from her face. "He's… alive?"
"He's in your house. Don't worry, we've all pitched in to take care of him. Sister Celica too even though they haven't known each other long." Niko said.
"Hey… where's Celica and the kids now if you don't mind me asking?" Ragna asked.
"Hmmm? Oh, up the path and towards the Shrine, there'll be a large church that we all helped build. You can't miss it. But try not to disturb them if they're busy, alright?"
"Wait, can we trust him?"
"He's a friend of Velvet's. I'm sure he can be trusted, right?" Niko looked at her.
"R-right…" Velvet replied and began to walk towards her old house.
The villagers gave them their space soon afterwards, leaving them free reign to wander about the village.
He should follow Velvet first and yet…his eyes were drawn up towards the other path. Up the trail towards the Shrine she said… then how…?
"What's wrong?" Phi looked up at him.
Almost immediately, he felt a jabbing pain in his stomach causing him to double over. "Guh! What the hell man?!" he coughed out.
"Well that didn't break it." Said Eizen.
"Oh, testing out to see if this is all an illusory arte, huh?" Rokurou smirked.
"An illusion? Is that even possible to create one for such an entire village?" Eleanor wondered.
"Shouldn't be, no." said Magilou.
"Warn me next time," Ragna said as he got back up. "In any case, I'm heading up to check things out. You guys keep an eye out for Velvet."
"Wait, we should probably stick together!"
"If that's the case, we'll go with you." Eizen said, though Ragna shook his head in response.
"No, this is something I have to see myself. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Ragna began walking immediately.
"Don't take too long!" Rokurou called out as Ragna acknowledged them with a simple wave of one hand.
It was a straight path past the village's Northeast exit. The woods were tranquil and contrast the area to the west of Aball, there didn't seem to be any daemons around to stop him at all. But that was to be expected.
Still, what was he expecting to find? And what exactly was he supposed to do after? His initial steps had been quick but as he approached near the Cape and past a creek that looked awfully familiar, he was starting to slow down. He could see it, the Church. And it looked almost like a replica of the one he had stayed in before in his childhood. Before everything.
Before he knew it, he was at the steps leading up to the entrance. He looked down at his right arm, clenched it into a fist and prepared to knock at the door, only for it to open.
A boy stared up at him. Short blonde hair, green eyes, the very image of his little brother Jin.
"Big brother, who is it?" a girl called out behind the boy.
"I don't know. Can I help you?" he stared back coldly at Ragna.
"I…" Ragna didn't know how to respond. Maybe he had expected to be recognized in some capacity, but to think that they themselves would have no knowledge of him? No, that made sense. Of course it would. Ragna the Bloodedge had already wiped out everyone's memories of him, so of course he wouldn't be recognized. But to extend all the way here in a world that wasn't even his own?
There was something else, but he was finding it difficult to think… or breathe for that matter as it caught in his throat.
"Big brother, I'm scared."
"Sister!" Jin called out.
"W-wait! I didn't mean to…" Ragna started, only for the door to suddenly swing open from the inside, a woman kicking it open with a diving kick, causing Ragna to stumble backwards from the force of the opening door. Sprawled on his back, he took a moment to wonder what happened before he got up again.
"You're…" the woman at the door started. "…Ragna? Is that really you?"
"I don't believe it…" he replied with shock. "You really are here. But how…? Celica, what's going on here?"
She took a deep breath and sighed. "Jin, Saya, back inside. Prepare the dining table. Your brother has returned."
Jin looked up at him with an even colder glare before doing as asked.
"Come in. We have a lot to discuss."
