"Reading, reading, reading some manga today…" Saradin cheerfully hummed to himself as he sat at a table reading a manga, as his song suggested. He and Scare were in the Guardiana Royal Library, browsing through the vast collection of books. Scare, who was browsing the library in search of everything about magic in hopes of enhancing his powers turned to Saradin with a quizzical look.
"Dude, we’re IN a magical fantasy realm… Why are you reading manga??? Enjoy our time here! We could be sucked back into reality at any moment!" Scare said indicting the room with a sweep of his hand.. "At least take this opportunity to learn all we can for later use! I found this one curse I am sooooo got whack this one jerk at school with…"
"I will, I will… But it’s exactly the fact that we are in a fantasy realm that I am reading manga…" Saradin said with a smile. "Think of it as… research…"
"Research?" Scare asked.
"Research. After all, this entire incident looks like it was ripped from a manga. If I can brush up here, I might be able to predict a few twists and turns in the… ‘plot," Saradin said with a grin.
"Such as?" Scare prompted.
"Such as the fact I am 99% sure this respite won’t last that long. They never do…" Saradin said with a grim grin, if such a thing were possible, before closing the manga and reaching in his pouch for another.
"Geez! B weighs a metric ton!" Knight complained as he was burdened by the twin slumbering drunken bodies of B and Drake, who were draped across his horse end. "Drake isn’t any better, either! Why do I have to haul their alcohol infused butts back to the castle?"
"Because…" Tao said with mock seriousness as she hauled Kate’s snoring form and plopped it on Knight’s back on top of B, who mumbled something unintelligible and stuck a thumb in his mouth. "You’re a strong, strong, manly man, and I’m a dainty elf woman. And you happened to be the only person in shouting range that wasn’t drunk."
"I knew I shouldn’t have checked in on you guys…" Knight muttered, then was quiet.
"See Aeturnus? Flattery can open doors even magical firestorms of doom can’t… Even though the latter method is way more fun…" Tao confided to her sentient amulet before turning back to Knight. "Now come on! We’ve gotta get these booze-jockeys back in time for Lowe to cast a quick Detox spell!"
The Castle dining hall was huge. Fit for a… well, you know. A long, magnificent mahogany table covered with an embroidered white tablecloth was lined with enough chairs to seat everyone, even having special chairs so the centaurs could rest easily. Mae was present, as was Ken, Luke, Gort, Tao, Lowe, and Arthur. And of course, Anri sat regally at the head of the table. The SFC group was lined up across from the Force, with the G.I.C.S. agents at the far end of the table. Drake, B, and Kate groaned slightly as they groggily looked around. Even after four detox spells, some of the alcohol’s effect still lingered in the form of mild hangovers… Marine sat uncomfortably in his own chair. He felt oddly naked without his armor, even though it was nice to be out of it, and he thought his get up was stylish and all… However, that did little to ease his nervousness on one small, yet nagging thing… He was going to eat dinner in front of freakin’ half the Shining Force, alongside half the freakin’ active forum! What if he made an ass of himself? Accidently said something bad to Anri? Spilled food or drink on the tablecloth! He’d look like a big buffoon!
"Stay calm Marine…" he thought to himself. "Just calm down… It’s no biggie… Just pay attention to how you eat, sit up straighter… Don’t slouch…"
Then the cooks brought in the meal. Great platters of meats, roasts, fish, bowls of fruits, and some sort of exotic shellfish that sure as hell didn’t originate on Earth… It was all here and looking’ GOOD!
"Food!!!" Sheila cried exuberantly as a platter of meat was placed in front of her. Without further ado, she grabbed the entire platter and began gobbling, much to the disconcertion of the other guests, especially Roberts who shook his head and held his forehead with one hand.
"…And use Sheila as a smokescreen…" Marine finished thinking, tentatively reaching out for a steak to add to his plate…
Fort Tacitus was on fire. The flames leapt high into the sky as the non-stone portions of the building were consumed by the raging inferno that was steadily growing across the complex. A small group of soldiers carrying the ancient weapons known as "guns" left the fiery ruin behind them and walked off into the woods, stepping over the bodies of many a fallen Guardiana troop. Unseen to them, one of the many bodies strewn about stood, shakily, and began to trot away as well as it could on it’s injured four legs….
"An’ then I say ‘That’s going to be rather difficult seeing as how I just destroyed every single one of your undead guards!’ Then I pistol-whipped him unconscious and dragged him back to base camp!" Sheila finished a tale about some of her early exploits with a sip of her mug, then leaned back in her chair.
"That was quite a tale, Sheila…" Anri said with a smile. "You are an experienced soldier, then?"
"Experienced! Hah!" Rant laughed harshly. Sheila shot him a glare. "My little sister is talented, I’ll give her that, but I could count on one hand the years she’s been in combat. No offense, sis, but you are NOT experienced in any sense of the word!"
"Well excuse me, Mr. Trio Agent who can’t even get assigned a command because he’s so infamous for irresponsible reckless and stupid behavior!" Sheila sarcastically said to Rant, who growled a little before replying.
"You’re one to talk. The Ujianga Event. If it weren’t for everyone else covering their tracks so well, your blabbermouth would’ve gotten everyone killed!" Rant almost but not quite shouted at his sister, who got a look of cool danger on her face.
"The Barrel Incident," Sheila said with relish.
"The barrels! The barrels! Am I doomed to be hearing about them the rest of my freakin’ life???" Rant bemoaned.
"O-KAY," Roberts cut in, then turned to Anri. "Moving along, Guardiana seems to be thriving now. And only a few years after the wars, too… How did you manage it?""
"Oh, nothing really… It was really more due to… Due to our allies," Anri finished with an odd tone. "Rebuilding actually started during the war, and each town we helped repel Runefaust agreed to send some aid… Then after the war when everything was rebuilt, refugees from outlying settlements came streaming in. Unlike some of the other kingdoms, we welcomed them and provided basic shelter and food until they could get back on their feet. Now they’re half the reason we’re so powerful. Once they got going again, they added a significant value to our economy, our army, our workforce…"
"Oh come on, Anny!" Tao joked. "You sound like a textbook!"
"I’d like to hear a story about the war, myself," DoM said quietly as he nibbled on some roast beef.
"The war, eh?" Tao said with a grin, apparently fully recovered from the incident earlier. "Well then, lemme tell you a tale of hilarity…"
"This is ridiculous!" Drake said suddenly. "Why are we sitting here stuffing our faces when that Shareal jerk is still out there! We should have rallied the army by now and be out searching!"
"We haven’t done that yet because everyone is exhausted and some of our group’s wound haven’t fully healed yet," Marine cooly answered, crossing his arms and leveling his gaze at Drake. "Not to mention we’re waiting for our equipment to be repaired…"
"Those are bullshit reasons, Marine!" Drake said suddenly, standing up and jabbing a finger at the self-proclaimed "Paladin in Power Armor." "S-A and Hans are still missing! Not to mention whoever else he managed to capture! He could be creating more Nothings right now while we sit!"
"Drake, calm down…" Knight advised, slowly. Drake whirled on him with anger in his eyes.
"You shut up, Knight! And you!" Drake whirled back to Marine, pointing an accusatory finger. "I think that you’re scared! I think that the reason you’re so reluctant to go out and fight is because you’d rather cower in that metal shell of yours!" Marine narrowed his eyes.
"I will let that comment slide, seeing as I know you lost a dear friend and are under a lot of stress…" Marine said with a hint of controlled anger beneath his words. "But it’s plain stupid to go charging after an enemy we know little about, with no rest, damaged equipment, and no plan!"
"Are you calling me stupid???" Drake roared, his rage, disrupted emotional state and alcohol causing him to act irrationally. He unslung his shotgun and pointing it at Marine, who bolted upright and smoothly drew his own sidearm, a huge silver pistol with runes etched along the barrel.
BLAM!!!
Drake’s shotgun clattered to the floor.
"My gun!" Drake exclaimed as the weapon was knocked from his hands by the force of a large caliber bullet skidding across it’s under barrel. Rant sat glaring at the two gunman, fork with cargo of beef in one hand, smoking gun in the other.
"I’m TRYING to EAT!" Rant shouted at Drake before holstering his pistol and returning to his food. Drake sat down slowly, while looking at his shaking hands.
"I’m… Sorry…" he said slowly. "I almost shot you…"
"It’s alright… No harm, no foul," Marine said with a touch of nervousness as he too, holstered his pistol.
"You brought your guns to the dinner table?" Cyrus asked incredulously.
"I bring my gun everywhere. It never leaves my sight," Drake answered proudly.
"It slipped my mind I still had it with me…" Marine answered with a nervous frown. "Sorry."
"I… I think I’ll finish in my room," Drake said abruptly, grabbing his plate and utensils and rushing off.
"So… How about those Dallas Cowboys?" DoM said lamely as Drake exited.
A little later, and the incident was put aside, along with many empty plates now that the diners ate their fill. Tales were told, jokes shared, and now the meal was almost done.
"Ooooooh, I’m stuffed…" Sheila said with a satisfied smile as she pushed away her plate and leaned back in her chair with a sigh of contentment.
"With food like that, it’s a wonder anyone in this castle stays in shape!" Rojo said as he too pushed away a plate that contained the remnants of a once mighty pile of roast beef.
"T3h @13! 0000000h, t3h @13 \/\/@$ !)!\/!n3!" B said with a sigh as he collapsed back into his chair and commenced snoring.
"I am not detoxing them again," Lowe said with a shake of his head. "Let them sleep it off this time."
"Fair enough," Knight said with a shrug.
"So, we’ve told you all these tales about our adventures," Tao said with a grin. "Now spill. It’s your turn. Tell us of this, ‘other world’ you’re all from."
"I must confess I am a bit curious as well. Information on your origin would help to confirm some of the working theories I have on how all this came to be," Roberts said, turning to appraise the group.
"We’re from a planet named Earth, much like Rune in many ways, much unlike it in others," Marine said slowly, his gaze slowly sweeping the room. "We have technology that nears that of your Ancients, although no magic is known to exist, and there are no other sentient humanoids other than humans. Yes, I am aware that our group carries a centaur, wolfman, and catwoman, and as I explained, that was simply the effect of the change."
"I am curious as to why and how such a change could occur…" Anri said, turning to Marine, who shifted in his seat.
"I have a few theories on that, but, uh… nothing solid just yet," Marine said quickly.
"Technology of the Ancients, eh? So you guys have robots everywhere?" Tao asked.
"Uh, no, not quite yet," Cyrus said. "Right now only factories and the military uses robots, and they’re different than the types you fought against."
"And alongside," Marine reminded Cyrus.
"Yes, and alongside…" Cyrus admitted with a sigh. "We have widespread computers though… Uh… Kinda like robot brains…" Cyrus said, noting the look of incomprehension on the Force’s faces.
"We also have indoor plumbing…" Scare said. "Something you guys need to invent. Fast." This comment got an odd look from most of the force members.
"Anyway, so what of your kings?" Anri asked. "I’m curious as to what your country is like."
"We don’t have a king," Saradin said, suddenly.
"Oh. Then who is your lord?" Anri asked.
"Oh, geez…" Marine said as he covered his face with his hands.
"No way… Are they really gonna do it?" Scare asked with a grin.
"We don’t have a lord. We’re a democracy," Saradin said. "How much do you know about governments, anyway?"
"Well, I am queen…" Anri said indignantly.
"And how’d you get that title, eh?" Saradin asked, forcefully. "By exploiting the workers! By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma that oppresses the masses! I mean, how’d you get to be queen, anyway?"
"Her father was killed in the war… Dumbass" T.E.D. said with a bit of contempt in his words. Saradin’s face fell as the rest of the SFC members shook their heads and cringed with embarrassment.
"Uh… That kinda ruins the bit… I… Forgot about that…"Saradin said, sheepishly. "Uh…AMNESIA DUST!!!" Saradin cried as he reached into a pouch and hurled a handful of white powder at Anri. The powder hit her, and everyone adjacent. Mae stoically rubbed some of the substance between two fingers.
"This is… Talcum powder…" she said quietly, with a raised eyebrow.
"What? But the guy I bought it from said… Dammit!" Saradin yelled in disbelief. Sheila just started laughing.
"Well, well, dinner and a show! Ehehehehehe!" Sheila chuckled as she held her sides. Roberts shook his head and stared at the table.
"Traveling through a forest again… Cause we all know how well that turned out the first time…" B said sarcastically.
It was a good meal and a good time, but like all good meals and times, it had to end eventually. The Force, Forum, and GICS members all retired to their respective quarters to get some well deserved shut-eye.
The room wasn’t small, but it wasn’t big either. Two beds to either side and a window between let in moonlight, while a night table had a candle on it to shed it’s own luminescence. Marine had changed into pajamas generously provided by the castle staff. There were two people assigned to a room since there were so many of them, and he was not going to sleep in his underwear in a room with someone else in it. Marine sighed as he got in the bed and under the covers.
"Thank God there are two beds at least…" Marine thought with a smirk as the door opened, revealing his roommate.
"Of all the roommates in Rune, I had to get stuck with you..." Marine commented as Scare entered the guest room, toothbrush still in mouth. "If you snore, I'll kill you," Marine said with a straight face, yet in a joking manner. Scare snorted as he closed the door and got into his own bed.
"No you won't. What would Queen Anri say when she found the bed sheets full of blood? Speaking of which you better not leak anything on my side of the room," Scare said as he removed the toothbrush from his mouth and threw it in a pouch. Marine frowned.
"The armor is fully repaired now, it has no leaks…" Marine said with an incredulous look.
"Hey, if Kokichi can build and fly a helicopter, your suit can leak…" Scare said with a smirk.
"The hell’s that supposed to mean? You're griping for a sniping..." Marine said as he gestured and his pistol appeared in his hand. Scare tossed his cloak off to the side.
"I hope that has a silencer. Don't want to wake Anri, do you?" Scare asked with the same smartass grin. Marine turned his head away. "Shut up, Chris."
"Just as I thought." Scare said and smirked again as he sat down. "Ian."
"Why the hell did I confide that in you?" Marine asked with a pained look as he dismissed his pistol, and it returned to it’s holster. Scare shrugged.
"You didn't. You forgot that by replying to the picture of Rose that I sent you it said your name on the return address," Scare said matter of factly. Marine said nothing for a moment.
"Yeah, that's what I meant..." Marine said at last with a roll of his eyes. Scare sighed.
"You think we'll find her?" he asked, staring at the ceiling.
"Rose? Almost certainly," Marine said, also staring at the ceiling. "I just hope we'll find her in time."
Scare nodded. "Where do you suppose we go from here? I mean it's gotta be luck we all met up, you know? You're the probability guy."
Marine shrugged. "To quote a venerable Jedi, 'In my experience, there's no such thing as luck," Marine finished with a grin. "But in all seriousness, I detect a hint of fate at work here." Scare quirked his brow
"You're always talking about your thousand monkeys theory, yet now you're talking about fate. Explain, eh?" Scare asked, tilting his head as he sat up in bed.
"Well now, the Thousand Monkeys theory is not incompatible with the idea of a greater force guiding some events along..." Marine said thoughtfully. "In fact, it supports it in a way." Scare listened on, trying not to be confused. "I dunno... I'm tired..."
Marine said with a sigh.
"Heh. Looks like even you are baffled at what's going on. I guess there is more human qualities to you..." Scare said ruefully as he lied back down.
"Scare, you of all people should know that everyone is nothing but human," Marine said quietly. Scare’s face became serious all of a sudden.
"I know," Scare said, quietly. Then paused before letting out another sigh. "But it gets crazy at times... and right now we're in the middle of insanity..."
"I guess..." Marine trailed off. "But... Isn't this what all of us wanted on some level? To do battle with evil and travel the land, saving the world and so forth?"
"Yes. But we also wanted a save state and an FAQ or a Readme or something," Scare said, quickly. "We…We didn't want confusion and death to our friends…" Marine chuckled darkly.
"True... Does anyone ever really know what they want?" Marine asked rhetorically. "I mean, really want?"
"Nah. But I could tell you what I really want..." Scare said offhand.
"Indeed now?" Marine asked as he turned to face Scare with a curious gaze.
"Some freaking cookies!" Scare exclaimed. Marine's face broke into a smile and he laughed
"Yeah... There's always the simple route..." Marine said with a rueful grin. "Night, Scare," Marine said as he closed his eyes and turned on his side.
"Night…" Scare said as he called on his magic power to extinguish the candle, then turned and closed his eyes as well. A soft murmuring came from Marine’s bed, ended with a recognizable "Amen". "Prayers…" Scare thought. "Well, we may need some of those…"
The night passed without incident, except for a brief disturbance where a very drunk B "accidentally" wandered into Tao’s room and was promptly blasted out. The next morning, everyone met for breakfast in the same hall. Kate, B, and Drake, clutching their heads painfully.
"Ooooooh… How much did I have to drink last night?" Kate asked with a long groan.
"I feel like dying would be a blessing…" B muttered.
"I can’t remember anything…" Drake said as he slowly dug into his oatmeal.
"See now, this is why I don’t drink…" Marine noted clinically.
"Anyway, what’s the game plan now?" Rant asked as he swiftly ate his oatmeal, then began polishing his gun. Anri frowned.
"I did some… research that seemed to corroborate your claims…" Anri said slowly. Roberts and Marine looked intrigued at this.
"What kind of research?" Marine asked.
"Magical divination. In any case, I’m still undecided as to what to do with you all. With some of the powers you possess, you’d be a danger set loose unchecked, especially considering the fact you’re all untrained. As for your G.D.O…" Anri turned to Roberts. "I’ve heard nothing of your organization before this day, ever, and therefore other than my divinations, have no way to trust you. Therefore, I admit my suspicions, however, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. And this ‘Shareal’…" Anri’s visage turned as icy as the magics she could call forth. "I am issuing a royal bounty on his head. If he is behind the monster that slaughtered and entire village, he will not live long…"
"Your majesty, I am sorry for my interruption, but I have a possible solution," Marine said suddenly. Anri turned and nodded.
"Let’s hear it then," she said, intrigued.
"Well it seems to me that the logical course of action would be to send all of us, out against Shareal… No, no, hear me out. We know he seeks us for his experiments. This means he’s going to come looking for us. We know that…" Marine’s eyes took on a hardened glint. "He’s already responsible for the deaths of an entire village, the twisting of a former friend, and the death of another. If we stay here, he will come and civilian deaths may result…"
"Hey, I don’t recall signing on for any army… Aren’t I a civilian?" Saradin said suddenly. Marine looked at him.
"Saradin for all intents and purposes, we are at war. No, don’t look at me like that, the evidence is clear. I saw you fighting back at the village, you know as well as I that this thing must be destroyed…" Marine turned back to everyone. "This is not going to go away because we refuse to acknowledge it’s existence. Like it or not, we are responsible for this task. You want reasons? There’s plenty," Marine held up a hand and began to count off. "One, as I said, he’s going to come after you. We stand a better chance at victory if we gang up on him all at once. Two, justice. He is a legitimate threat to life in this land, and one that cannot be suffered to exist. Three, Drake, I know your thoughts, vengeance. So take your pick. Survival, justice, vengeance, we’ve got ‘em all."
"Also…" Scare spoke up. "We should be looking for everyone else…"
"Scare brings up an excellent tactical question. Do we move out now against Shareal or do we attempt to find the others and bolster our forces?" Knight asked. Marine stroked his chin, scratching the stubble that was growing their.
"You bring up a good point. I believe that it’d be best to strike now. We have no means of locating the others, but Shareal does. Therefore, it’d be best to take him out before he can capture and turn more of our friends against us. Besides…" Marine grinned and hooked a thumb at the trio of GICS agents. "With them, we should have all the firepower we need…"Marine panned his gaze across the agents. "Assuming you will all join in?"
"Got nothing better ta do…" Rant said with a snort. Roberts shrugged.
"It’s my job…" he said with a resigned look. Sheila grinned and held up two fingers in the "victory" sign.
"It’ll be fun!" she said. That got a few scattered chuckles.
"Hey, hey, hey, now!" TED broke in. "Just cause tin man here suddenly has a half brained plan you’re all leaping to follow him? Why should I risk my neck, in the metaphorical sense, you know, for any of you bums? Hell, I’ve a better chance right here in this castle, with half the Shining Force mookin’ around and an army patrolling the city, what chance does that thing have?"
"Considering I cannot endanger the citizens of Guardiana for one uppity skeleton, I’d say a pretty good one. If he can track you and send beasts like that Nothing, I cannot allow any of you to remain in the city… I am sorry…" Anri said with a frown. Marine nodded.
"It’s quite all right. You have to choose what will keep your people safe. Besides…" Marine looked over the group. "Anyone have a problem with my plan?"
"Rock and roll!" Drake howled, pumping his shotgun.
"I’ll t3@ch th@t punk n0t t0 /\/\3$$ w!th $FC!!!" B said, pounding the table with a fist.
"Damn straight! I’m in!" Kate said with a feral grin. "I’ve got nothing better to do."
"I’d rather face my death head on than have it come creeping for me in the night! I’m with you!" Rojo said with a nod.
"He can’t take any more lives! I’ll stand with you," Angels said grimly.
"No, I’m going to read some manga… No, I was kidding! Of course I’m in!" Saradin said with a nod.
"Not get involved? After all that? Yeah right. Cyrus standing by, your mobile scroll support caster!" Cyrus said with a salute.
"With everything that’s happening I’m so confused…" Fortefan said, then her face hardened. "But I know I can’t stand by and let my friends get hurt. I’m not confused about that at all."
"There was absolutely nothing in my job description as a moderator about taking on ancient forces of evil…" DOM said with a frown, then turned into a grin. "Buuuuut that’s what makes it interesting! I’ll help as much as I can!"
"In," Malfonz said without preamble.
"Hey, that bastard got Hans! The wimp owed me fifty gold coins still! I’ll help you newbs out, no problem!" Tao said with a determined nod.
"Errr… I guess I’m in too, then. Not much choice if Tao is going," Aeturnus mentally relayed.
"Sh*t. I’ll take the mission. What the hell else am I gonna do at this point? But I’m not going to be taking orders from any of you," TED said with a skeletal shake of the skull.
"I’ll allow Tao to accompany you… And I’ll write a letter for you as well. Show it to any of my old comrades, and they may join you. It would be a personal request from me for aid for you…" Anri said as she looked over the group.
"Then let our actions speak for us. Let’s do this!" Knight said, punching the air.
"We’ll need a starting point for our search. We don’t know where…" Roberts began, but was interrupted as a guard burst into the dining hall.
"Your majesty, I beg pardon for this intrusion, but it’s Sir Earnest! He’s…" the guard panted for breath. "He’s badly hurt…" Anri sat up in her chair.
"How? What happened?" she asked quickly and with concern.
"Fort… Fort Tacitus has fallen!" the guard shouted.
Chapter Eight: Struggle
"Fort Tacitus?" inquired Knight, curiously.
"We built a fort over the ruins of the Gate of the Ancients…" Anri said slowly.
"Just in case…" Marine whispered.
"What happened? Take me to Earnest!" Anri commanded as she got up and followed the guard out of the room. Everyone followed her, curious and or concerned as to what was happening. After a short walk, they came to a make-shift infirmary, a small room with a bed on which Earnest lay, being tended to by a number of healers. The grim knight was hurt badly, it was obvious… Even with the aid of the healers, blood was still seeping through the numerous bandages around him. His armor was off to the side, dented and shredded from innumerable holes punched through it…
"Bullet holes…" Rojo murmured.
"Earnest…" Anri said, looking over her hurt friend with concern. Earnest’s eyes fluttered open and he coughed, some blood flying from his lips.
"Merciful… It’s a wonder he made it here in his condition…" Knight said as he looked over the wounded Earnest.
"Earnest is renowned for his willpower…" Anri said softly. "Earnest, can you speak?"
"Painfully… My liege…" Earnest said through gritted teeth.
"We’ve healed him as much as we can for today…" one of the healers said with a pained expression. "He’s stable at least…"
"Allow me to help…" Lowe said, stepping forward and muttering the words to a healing spell. Golden light shone over Earnest and he began to breath easier.
"My thanks… Lowe…" Earnest said between breaths.
"Well unless there’s a third party, this was more of those wierdo merc guys Rojo told us about…" DoM said, nodding.
"Waitaminute… Merc guys? There are more outsiders here?" Sheila asked with surprise. DoM grimaced.
"We forgot to tell you… Sorry, it got hectic after the Nothing battle… Yeah, Rojo ran into two soldiers from our world…" DoM said, but was interrupted by Roberts, who looked over the armor.
"Nine millimeter parabellum rounds. Spray patterns indicate an autofire or burst weapon… Probably H&K MP-5s… The attacker was certainly from a baseline Earth world…" Roberts stated with a nod. Angels looked at him, then back at Earnest.
"Well that’s nice to know an’ all, but it doesn’t help us figure out what the hell happened!" she said, wincing as a thin line of blood trickled from Earnest’s mouth. One of the healers wiped it off with a rag as Earnest began speaking once more.
"Interesting guests… Majesty… But… Listen…" Earnest got out, then coughed again. Anri nodded and he began speaking once more. "They… Slipped past our sentries… They called themselves Silencers…" Rojo growled a little and bristled at the mention of the name, but no one reacted, if they noticed. Earnest continued. "They bore weapons similar to the Ancient skeletons we fought in the Castle… but much smaller… They overran the Fort and set fire to it… They seemed to be looking for something… We killed a few… But they slaughtered damn near the entire garrison! You must…" Earnest’s words were cut off bit a fit of coughing. Anri nodded sadly.
"I think we now have a starting point for our search…" Marine said quietly. "We’re going to Fort Tacitus."
"I am accompanying you…" Anri said suddenly, steel in her voice. "If someone is trying to raise the Castle and the Dragon again, they must not succeed. And this is an offense to the crown that must not go unpunished!"
"My que… Anri, what are you doing?" Lowe asked. Anri looked at him with a slight smile. "Lowe, I entrust my kingdom to your care in my absence. I will be taking Ken, Gong, Luke and Tao with me, as well as a small contingent of soldiers. I am sure between you and Mae, you can manage things for a while…"
"But you’re needed here! If you fall, who’ll rule Guardiana?" Lowe asked, looking from Earnest to Anri.
"Lowe, if I am to lead my people, I must not be afraid to lead my troops into battle…" Anri said softly. Marine smiled but said nothing.
"I would expect nothing less… You are indeed a true leader," Rant said with a grin, then a quiet chuckle "I understand now…" Anri’s face became puzzled for a moment at the last pseudo-cryptic comment, then nodded.
"Thank you…" she said, simply.
"But…" Lowe began. Rant waved a hand and cut her off.
"As long as Anri is with this group, she need not fear anything. I can give my word on that, as well as the words of others here… Heh heh heh…" Rant said with a chuckle and turned back to Anri. "Well, your highness… Time is of the essence, no? Shall we continue?"
"Yes… Let us hurry on…" Anri said firmly and strode for the door.
"See Cyrus? What’d I say? These respites never last long…" Saradin said with a sigh. Cyrus merely grinned.
"To Tacitus!" Sheila yelled, pointing ahead.
"They’re taking the bait."
"Good. Is everything ready?"
"Yes, but…"
"But?"
"There is an anomaly. Three others are with them, not of the Shining Force, nor of the Outsiders.
"Anomaly… Describe them."
"All three wear odd black clothes and lenses that cover their eyes. One wields a black blade, and all wield pistols. One in particular seems odd, a tall man with slightly spiky short blond hair and this obnoxious grin…"
"…"
"What is it?"
"It can’t be…"
"Sir?"
"Again? How did he…?"
"Sir, what is it?"
"Nevermind. Go and reinforce our underlings. I have work to do."
"As you will."
"We weren’t accompanied by a force of soldiers the first time," Knight pointed out.
"Like that’s going to do a lot of good against something like Nothing…" TED said, offhand.
"Hey, don’t look so down! You’ve got us on your side!" Sheila said with a grin. "We’re the best of the best of the best of the best of the…"
"They get the idea, sis," Rant said, taking point along with Marine and Rojo. Sheila replied by sticking her tongue out at her brother. The forest was quiet, oddly so, but not foreboding. The group had gathered up and set out shortly after the talk with Earnest. Accompanied by a small force of Guardiana soldiers, they marched to Fort Tacitus, a day’s ride from the capital.
"Why don’t we just teleport there?" Sheila wondered aloud.
"HQ allots us only so much teleport time per mission. I’m not wasting it on such a short trip," Roberts replied.
"Waitaminute, we’ve got mages up the yin-yang!" DoM suddenly said. "Anri, can you cast a teleport spell?"
Anri shook her head. "No… I never learned Egress, much less one of its more powerful counterparts…"
"Cy! What about your scroll bag?" DoM asked.
"Already thought of it… A lotta combat spells this time, no T-Ps," Cyrus said, shaking his head. Drake frowned.
"Well that’s just dandy. All these mages and no one can teleport?" Drake snorted.
"Ah, my kingdom for a Ryuka!" Knight joked.
"That might be arranged…" came a whispering voice from the trees. In a split second everyone had a weapon of some sort out and readied, and the spell casters were murmuring incantations.
"Didn’t we just DO this?" B said in disbelief.
"Who says I’m hostile? So quick to assume are you… So quick to resort to violence…" the voice whispered again.
"Then tell us straight, are you of the light or of the dark?" Anri asked, clearly projected her voice into the forest.
"Light… Dark… Both destroy when taken to extreme. It is only the balance that…" the voice whispered before Marine lowered his weapon, started chuckling and called out into the woods.
"You can stop scaring the locals, Kai. We know it’s you…" Marine said with a grin.
