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***
Chapter Five: May the Noble Rest in Peace
***

Elle: Fyda...

Fyda...didn't talk to anyone. She just looked at the ground while she walked. Yomi zapped in.

Yomi: Is Lady Fyda still...?

Elle told the little puff to shush.

Elle: Change the subject Yomi...

Yomi: Um...okay...OH! Elle...did you find out what happened to you in the cave back there-OW!

Elle had given Yomi a blow that it would never forget.

Elle: SSSHHH! Don't mention anything about that last...incident...

Fyda looked up.

Fyda: No Princess Elle...It's really okay...

After Yomi heard this, he/she/it gave Elle a glare.

Fyda: But really Elle...How did we get out of there? I thought we were going to be finished...

Yomi: Looks like Elle's heroine spirit acted up...

Fyda: What do you mean?

Yomi: Answer me this...Have you ever seen any fighter as skilled as Ark?

Fyda thought for a moment.

Fyda: Come to think of it, I haven't. He was a legendary hero...how can anyone match his skill?

Kumari?: Because, Elle is the heroine.

Kumari stayed silent on the whole trip back to Freedom, and this was the first phrase he said in a long time.

Fyda: Heroine...you told me that before.

Kumari?: Yes. Elle and Ark are linked by fate. Since Ark died-

DIED. That word hurt.

Kumari?: -It seems that Elle has taken the hero spirit within her.

Elle: But that still doesn't explain how I...fought...back there.

Yomi: Fought? Hahah...yeah right. More like slaughtered...

Kumari?: Yomi, you claimed that you saw such techniques before, right?

Yomi: Yes. Ark was that crazed person to wield the spear that way.

Kumari?: Exactly. That means that when you, Elle, are in real need- which, for your current skill is rare-Ark's spirit comes to help you.

Elle: Oh my...

Fyda: There's one thing you haven't told me...Why did you go to the hole in Liotto in the first place?

Elle: Well, Kumari told me that fate will periodically tell me what to do right?

Kumari looked confused.

Kumari?: Um...Yes...That's right...

Elle: Well, we needed that drake's skin to refine into a material.

Fyda: For...?

Elle: Gliders that Will is going to make for us.

Fyda: And why do you need that?

Elle: So we can fly down the treacherous hole toward the underground.

Fyda: And what do you wish to achieve going down there?

Elle: Um...ressurect the Dark Gaia...

Fyda looked wide eyed.

Fyda: What are you talking about? Didn't Ark go down to destroy it?

Elle was a little impatient now.

Elle: Look Fyda, we all have our reasons for going down there. If you want to know why, then come with us.

Fyda gave a small grin.

Fyda: That's what I was planning to do. I said I would protect you no matter what.

Elle: And you still stand by that?

Fyda: Of course. I keep all of my vows.

After that, no one else talked. They kept traveling on their way.

***

Will: Are you coming or not?

Will looked at all the children, including Perel and Meilin. Will needed extra scrap metal so he can make a frame for Elle's gliders. Perel was a little tired.

Perel: Do I have to...?

Meilin slapped Perel upside the head.

Meilin: C'mon you lazy idiot. If you don't come, then you'll be the only one alone in the house.

Perel: And the problem with that is...?

Meilin grabbed Perel's arm and was dragging him out of the house.

Meilin: You're coming even if I have to drag you by your legs.

Will and the entire group of children went out, toward Nirlake to gather extra scrap metal in his old warehouse.

Will: Pick up the pace children! We got a long way to walk!

Meilin was still holding Perel's arm.

Perel: Ugh...

Meilin's fox-like ears picked up a little gossip from the children behind her.

Girl: ...Meilin...likes...

Boy: Ha...Perel...probably...

Girl: I know...but...Perel...

Boy: Meilin...Perel...

At this point, they started giggling. Meilin on the other hand, turned around and shouted.

Meilin: WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?!?

They started breaking out into laughter.

Perel: You know, it would help if you let go...

Meilin then realized that she was still holding onto Perel's arm..

...

...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! I'LL KILL YOU PEREL!!

***

Will: Finally! We're here!

All the children were sitting atop a hill half-a-mile away from Nirlake. The town was fairly visible from there. They were taking a short break from the walk, as it took nearly 4 hours.

Will: Well, we should be on our way. Let's--what's that...?

The town was suddenly being overshadowed in black. Then a huge yellow beam blasted onto the town. After a couple of seconds, Yells and screams were heard.

Meilin: Wait a second...

The light engulfed the entire town. A few minutes ago, there were people on the street. Now, all of them were lying on the floor. Death was spread among the town.

Perel: No...it can't be...

Meilin: Asmodeus...

Will: Where is that light coming from?

The light turned into a small trinklet of visible energy. Then it moved its deadly rays off the town. It was heading straight for them.

Meilin: Oh crap! It's coming this way!

Perel looked around for a possible way out of this. His searches were paid off, as he found a small crevasse in the left side of the hill.

Perel: There! We can't touch the light!

The entire group moved along the hill, running for their well-being. They approached the crevasse, and looked down.

Meilin: That's a long drop...

The crevasse was dug into the hill. It had a jut of land sticking out at top, enough to cover them from the beam. The only bad thing was that the beam was almost upon them.

Perel: I'd rather break my legs than get a huge burn on my back. JUMP!

He jumped, and did a simple yet clever maneuver. The sides were steep, yet it was straight enough to make a quick roll. After, he ran down the rest of the way.

Perel: C'MON!

The rest followed, except for Will, who stayed up to make sure that all of the children made it down. The beam was on top of the hill...

Meilin: JUMP WILL!

Will had no time to roll, so he made a straight away jump. Any seconds later and he would've been toast.

Will was falling at a high velocity, but landed on Perel as a cushion.

Perel: Ugh...not again...

Meilin: Oh no...

Perel looked up.

Perel: What's wrong...?

Meilin: The beam is still heading for the same direction...Toward Freedom...

Will: Let's climb out of here! C'mon! We can follow the beam now!

Perel looked at Will.

Perel: You gotta get the metal first...

Will: Oh my...I almost forgot...

They slowly climbed out of the short crevasse, and were pulled up back to the top of the hill. They started their way down, and walked toward the city...

Meilin: Another bunch of people died at the hand of Asmodeus...This journey is really confusing...

Perel: How so?

Meilin: Well, we were out to ressurect the Dark Gaia right? But if the Dark Gaia was dead, then Elle's dark side would be gone right?

Perel: That's just one little tidbit-

Meilin: That's not all. Beruga used Asmodeus with the aid of the Dark Gaia. That means it all leads to the Dark Gaia, but why is it that Asmodeus is still here?

Perel: We don't know if it's Asmodeus-

Meilin looked at Perel.

Meilin: C'mon Perel. If the people didn't die from that yellow beam- THE SAME EXACT YELLOW BEAM OF ASMODEUS THAT WIPED OUT NEOTOKIO-then what did they die from? And you said so yourself that there was no other plausible answer.

Will: Well, make up your minds because we're nearing the town.

When they reared up toward the town, the same horrible sight was there-exactly the same type of deaths in Loire. All but Perel and Meilin looked away-as they have seen this mass carnage before.

Will: My old warehouse is off to the east side of the city. Let's go.

As they were trying to cover their eyes, they made their way through the bodies of the dead.

Will: It's that house-right over there.

They opened up the door, and the children gave out a wild scream.

Will: Oh my god...

The warehouse wasn't completely abandoned, as homeless people take refuge there. They were all dead, being burned in horrible ways on both sides of their body.

Meilin: Let's just get the metal and zip out of here!

Will had to turn over some bodies to take the metals.

Will: Nothing more can be gained here. Let's go...

The entire group left town in a matter of moments, and made their way back to Freedom.

***

Elle: Ugh...Yomi...how much longer do we have to walk?

Yomi: Oh, suck it up you little ditz. You're the heroine! Ark trekked across the world, and you're just complaining about going from Liotto to Freedom! Besides, we've only been walking for...about...eight hours.

Elle gave a cold glare at Yomi.

Elle: Wrong! We've been walking! You, on the other hand, have been floating up in the air! Why don't I just rip off your wings just to show you how it feels!

Yomi got frightened and hid behind Fyda.

Fyda: Don't be so ruthless Princess Elle! You know, that kind of-

A large blast was heard through the air. A yellow light can be seen off in the distance.

Elle: No...it can't be!

Fyda: What is it?

Kumari?: It's Asmodeus...

They all started running, and found Freedom to be just ahead. The large yellow beam shrunk, then it dissapeared entirely. Death can be sensed in the air.

Will: Elle!

All of them stopped in their tracks. Will, Meilin, Perel and the children were running toward them.

Elle: The town! How did you...

Will: Don't worry about it, we left hours before to get scrap metal.

Elle looked toward the town. Will was looking in the same direction.

Will: No use going in their, unless you want to see the twisted faces of the dead. Do you have the material?

Kumari walked closer, holding two of the four sliced up claws.

Will: Oh my...you must've thrashed it to slice up those claws so perfectly...

Elle: And did you get the metal?

Will: Yes. Let's set up a camp outside of town. I don't want to go in there.

Elle: Alright then, let's set up right here. Can you make the wings by tomorrow?

As a matter of fact, the skies were turning a bluish black, and the sun was set for the day.

Will: Yes. Don't worry, you'll be ready to go by tomorrow.

Meilin: I'm hungry...

Perel: Oh no...we didn't bring any food or water...

Will: Hmmm...we can't go back in there, because there might be a risk of all the food being infected. But as for water, there is a fresh water spring a couple yards to the west.

He looked at Elle.

Will: And I'm guessing you're tired. You can relax in the hot springs near the spring.

Elle's face lighted up.

Elle: Ahh...a hot spring...it feels relaxing just thinking about it...

Kumari?: Well...what about food...?

Elle: Well...Will! You only need the skin of the claw, right?

Meilin: (Oh no...)

Will: Umm...I guess...but what do you mean?

Elle: Just hear me out! The meat of the claw can be eaten if you cook it...right?

Perel: Well...I'm so hungry that I could crave for that...

Elle: Okay! I'll just hit the springs...Fyda! Meilin! C'mon!

Fyda and Meilin both shared the same expression as Elle.

Will: Remember to bring back some water!

Elle: Okay, okay...oh! And one more thing!

She faced all the men.

Elle: If I catch any of you taking a peak, I'll make sure you go head first into a wall. Got it?

The men...they all held in a giggle.

Perel: Uh...of course not...

Elle: YOU TOO YOMI! WHEREVER YOU ARE!

Yomi popped up from nowhere.

Yomi: And why not? I have no gender!

Elle: Oh don't give me that stupid "I have no gender" crap! You're as male as you'll ever be!! Besides, you wouldn't be asking "why not", would you?

Perel had a huge grin on his face.

Perel: She's got a point there, Yomi!

All the women waved a short goodbye, and they ran westward.

Yomi: I was serious...

***

All three women were fully undressed and relaxing in the spring. They stayed in for nearly an hour.

Elle: Ahhh...it's so relaxing...

Fyda: Hmmm...I've always dreamed of staying in such a spring...

Meilin: And the water is just right! Not way too hot, but not too cold either...

They just laid back, and took in the warm heat...

Fyda: Have you ever wondered why our little group is exactly matched out?

Meilin looked at her.

Meilin: What do you mean, Fyda?

Fyda: Well think about it...Kumari is an old elder which has no social life, and Yomi is a flying puff...so who does that leave?

Elle: Well...if you count the people that passed away..

Elle looked at Fyda. Fyda just nodded, like giving permission to speak.

Elle: Then that should leave me, you, and Meilin...

Meilin: And if you count the people that passed away, it would leave Perel, Royd and Perel.

Elle: Hmmm...Meilin, notice how you said Perel's name first...

Meilin turned red.

Meilin: HMPH!

Elle's laughter was only short-lived, as Ark popped into her head.

Elle: Ark...

Fyda: All men! Look how they leave us...stupid selfish bastards!

Strangely, Fyda shed a tear.

Meilin: Oh...this is too depressing. Let's just relax in this warmth...

They stayed quiet, and all fell into a state of sleep.

***

Will: Hoo boy! This claw looks absolutely delicious!

The meat was clawed out, and chopped into little chunklets. It was then fried thoroughly. Perel took one chunky cube, and took a bite.

Perel: MMMMM! Tastes good too! Lord Kumari! Take a bite!

Kumari just shook the offer away, as he was in a trance of concentration.

Perel: Ah...More! I want--whaaaa...aaa.aaat???

The earth started to shake, and the sound of it shook the air.

Will: An earthquake...? Here?

The quake stated to slow...then stopped completely.

Perel: I think it's over...

The air lighted up as a center ground in Freedom blew open, and a purple beam came from it.

Perel: What the hell?

Perel ran up a slightly elevated hill, and oversaw everything in the town. From out of the hole, a claw could be seen.

***

The trio of women in the spring woke up from the quake, and dressed up after drying off.

Elle: What the hell was that purple light?

A roar was overheard...So familiar...

Fyda: No...it can't be...not again...

Meilin: What...?

Elle: It can't be...that drake?!?

They all ran toward the camp. Kumari was shouting at them.

Kumari?: THE DRAKE'S COME BACK! THE DRAKE'S COME BAAAACK!!

Elle ran toward Perel atop the hill.

Perel: Drake? Is that what you were fighting?

Elle looked toward the hole.

Elle: Yes...

A swarm of lizard men jumped out, brandishing shiny swords.

Elle: The bastard followed us...and he brought some of his friends...

The entire swarm poured out of the hole.

Elle: Fyda! Let's go!

Meilin and Perel were looking up at her.

Meilin: What about us?

Elle: Do whatever you can...just be careful!

Elle and Fyda ran toward the town, but stopped when they reached the outskirts of Freedom.

Elle: We stop them one by one. Lure them into singles, then wipe them out with one clean blow.

Fyda flung out her sword, which was a newly made blade.

Fyda: Princess...no...my friend, Elle...Remember...I keep all of my vows.

They split up and slowly trotted into town.

Meilin was still at camp, conjuring up her mind.

Meilin: Elle...Fyda...let no one see you two...

An aura surrounded Meilin, and it dissapeared.

Elle and Fyda started to become transparent, and then went completely into stealth.

Fyda: (Wow...I never knew Elle was such a great tactician...or a fighter)

Elle moved like the wind, jumping over a lizard and thrusting her spear straight into its brains. Pushing on the spear, she used foward momentum and pounded into another, slicing it in half.

Fyda on the other hand, wasn't so lucky that she can single out her foe. Her sword was visible, as a glitch in the spell didn't hide it. She was surrounded by a lizard pack. They were thirsty for blood.

Fyda: Hmmm...desperate times calls for desperate measures...

She raised her sword high.

Fyda: Here's a little trick Royd taught me...Eat all of it!!

Fyda took her sword and swung it fast around her in a circular motion. The velocity was so intense that a circular sonic boom was made. It sliced through all the bodies around her, only stopping by cracking a building wall.

Fyda and Elle went around and picked off the lizards one by one, as they neared the drake. They finally met in the center hole, where the drake was staying.

When they met in the center, the lizards withdrew, and clustered behind the drake, as a backup if the drake were to suffer a fatal blow.

Fyda: You bastard...you killed Royd...I'll kill you!

Elle: Fyda! No! Not again!

Fyda ran toward the drake with all her speed. The drake charged at her with its remaining claw, but Fyda dodged it. This left the drake wide open.

Fyda: I'll kill you!!

She took her sword and rose it over her head. She seemed suspended in air for an extremely long time, but the moment was shattered when she swung the sword down with all her strength.

Unfortunately, although the drake was wide open for a hit, it was fast enough to move its head back slightly. This prevented the slash from being fatal.

Fyda landed down with a cloud of dust. A deep but not extremely severe cut was slashed straight down the drake's face. The drake moved its head back in a roar, then shot a massive beam of energy at Fyda.

Fyda: (I don't care now...)

The beam hit her and blew her across, until she was stopped by the opposite wall from a building.

Blood was pouring from open wounds on Fyda.

Elle: FYDA!!

Elle ran toward the blood-stained Fyda.

Elle: Oh Fyda...not you too...

Fyda: *cough* Elle.....my friend....*cough*....maybe Royd wasn't a bastard for leaving without me.....*cough* *cough*

Elle took her body into her arms.

Fyda: I've tried to protect you...haah....what a joke....*cough*

Fyda looked toward the sky.

Fyda: Elle...I had to kill your parents...But before they died, they asked me a favor to watch over you...Forgive me....I've failed...

Elle: No...Fyda...no...

Fyda's head went limp, and she took her last breath. Elle had tears coming out of her eyes, and she neared her head toward her head. Elle's hair covered both Fyda and her face entirely.

The drake took one of its front leg, and flung it in an awkward motion. Spikes from the foot of the monster were flung toward Elle.

***
???: Elle...take vengence...
***

The spikes were nearing Elle.

***
???: Have no remorse...give no mercy...
***

The spikes exploded into a large dust cloud before it reached Elle. When the dust cleared, Elle had her hand outreached with her spear to block it.

The drake was roaring, as it was afraid...it suffered through this before...the drake called all the lizard men toward Elle, to kill her at all costs.

Elle rose up after laying the body down. There was blood on her face, because it was wiped on her face when she neared Fyda.

The lizards were still coming. Elle took the haft of the spear, and laid the sharp point touching the ground. She held it at an angle across her body.

Elle: TERRA GALE!

She scraped the ground and raised the spear upward. The speed was incredible, as a huge tornado blew open, while sharp air blades twirled around the wind mass.

The tornado blew away the lizards, all the while slicing them to pieces due to the air blades. The wind stopped before it got to the drake.

Elle then faced the drake. She spoke.

Elle: You monster...you won't recieve mercy by the tornado.

The drake roared, as it tried to crawl out of its small hole to run away.

Elle's eyes were refracting an unseen light. The eyes...were ruthless.

Elle: You killed my friends...by a blazing mass of energy.

Elle slowly took the spear above her head.

Elle: I let you go out of mercy, even when murder had been done. Yet you came again, and killed another.

She raised the spear and pointed the sharp end to the sky.

Elle: I tried to pardon the other incident, but this was too far. It shouldn't....no....it won't go excused.

She grabbed the spear awkwardly. Her left hand had its back against the front of the spear, and grabbed the back end with her right hand.

Elle: So you will suffer until the price has been paid. May you atone in death. My friends died in fire...so you shall also.

The point of the spear glowed, sucking in energy.

The drake was still running, and it seem far away.

Elle: TERRRRRAAAA.....!!!

Elle swung the spear into a half level, while the sharp end-level with her waist-pointed toward the drake.

Elle: .....FLARE!!!

A huge white glow of light exploded out of the spear, and beamed its way toward the drake. A beam...

The drake...although far away, was caught inside the beam. It roared an intense cry of pain. The beam was so hot and intense that the drake was disintegrated slowly...piece by piece.

An enormous explosion came to be, and a white ball of fire appeared where the drake was.

After the fire had died down, there was no drake standing. All the corpses, with the exception of Fyda, were gone.

Elle tranced out, and came back to her original state of mind.

Then, Elle took her spear, and began to dig. A grave...for the noble.

***

Elle: Will...is the glider ready?

Will held up his finished work.

Perel: Wow...all we saw was a great light...

Elle: Let's go...Will...do you wish to come?

Will: No. I have someone to take care of...but I have nowhere to go.

Yomi zapped in.

Yomi: How about Lhasa in Europe? Take your plane and your children, and go there. You'll be greeted by friends.

Will: Thank you...

Will handed the wings to Elle. Then they departed on their different ways.

Meilin: So, where are we going?

Elle walked at a steady pace.

Elle: To the hole...to the underground...

***

Wow. Long chapter. Maybe THE chapter? Chapter six is coming...

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