The Eternal Hymn: Prelude to Silence

You know what, I'll go with A. Not like if it fails we're totally screwed. At least I hope we aren't.

Uh, I don't think we can win this...
Those skills, those weapons..

I'm scared.

Well then...This silence certainly seems to want to drag-on forever, now doesn't it?

Pun intended, you think to yourself, smiling at the dragon in your lap. She doesn't even notice. A few more minutes pass, and nothing happens. You just start to relax, ready to breathe a sigh of relief, when a colossal thud rocks the room, shaking dust loose from the ceiling. Ena bolts to her feet, and you follow, as another thud rocks the room, and this time, part of your barricade falls down. You have got to be kidding me... They're throwing themselves at the door?!

A hole forms in the door already, sending a shower of splinters and wooden sparks into the room, and you watch your meager defensive line begin to crumble. Glowing red eyes, as red as fresh blood, appear through the gloom. Ena is the first to react, naturally, and she dashes forward. Before she can get too far however, you quickly stop her. "I'm taking point," you remind her, your tone allowing no argument.

She opens her mouth to argue anyway, but you don't let her get a single word in. "We already discussed this Ena, and we don't have time to argue. Here." You shove one of your Elixirs into her hands. "Just in case. I'll be counting on you for support."

She bites her lip, then nods. "Understood. I'll watch your back. Just... Don't do anything too reckless all right?"

You give a slight laugh. This girl knows you way too well, and you still barely know anything about her. That is so not fair. You make a quick promise not to, and move to engage the enemy.

You get into position just beyond the barricade, readying the sword of fire at your belt. Let's see just how much heat you can take, you mindless bags of rotting flesh.

They break through a few moments later, their jagged claws hacking the wooden door into pieces. Another zombie- A Revenant from the looks of it- barrels headlong into the barricade, trying to bring it down completely, though this ends up backfiring and working in your favor. The mountain of furniture does indeed come crashing down, forcing you to leap back, but the furniture lands in such a way that it forms another barrier; a barrier of splintered wood and oak and metal that cordons off the entrance in a half circle. The ring of furniture and sharp pointy things blocks the doorway completely, but leaving just enough room for you to attack over it, with ranged attacks. Now, the only way forward is through you, and that sure as hell isn't gonna happen on your watch.

It was my decision that got us into this mess, and I will be the one to get us out. They won't lay one slimy finger on Ena.

The first of the Revenants stumbled blindly forward, their eyes glowing and their mouths drooling, blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. You raise your sword high over your head, feeling the magic within the blade burst to the surface, and a great arc of flame explodes forth, melting the Revenant into a pile of ash. Another Revenant shambles towards you and tries to claw at you over the barricade, to a nearly comical effect. You effortlessly dodge the attack and decapitate the fiend with a single strike. It too dissipates into a pile of nothingness. The rest of the horde's vanguard hesitate, and it's then you realize they're being controlled. Something far greater than mindless zombies was leading them, telling them what to do. You suddenly recall the dark presence you sensed before. Could that have been it?

You let your senses expand outward, until they encompass the hallway and caverns beyond. You pick up something almost immediately, and realize something is different. Your senses are much sharper and clearer, and you can practically see everything in your mind. No, you can see. It's the same power Ena had used earlier, but how? How do you have it? Bingo. There you are, Mr Zombie Commander. If I take you out, then the rest should scatter-

You suddenly gasp and stumble backwards, as a black aura unlike anything you've ever sensed before invades your mind. You immediately retract your senses, but it's too late. The damage is already done. The image of a horrifying creature is burned into your mind, and you can smell it's evil. Its despair. Its hunger. Its need.

For a brief moment, you almost pass out. Thankfully, Ena catches you. "Kryian! W-What's wrong?!"

You groan, unable to answer, and, for one terrifying moment, you're unable to move. What... What the hell is this? Why... Why can't I...?

The horde of flesh eating monstrosities suddenly advance en masse, taking advantage of your momentary weakness, and it's then you know for a fact that... Thing is leading them. And you played right into its hand. You manage to regain control of your body, and your mind clears, just as the barricade begins to be overrun. Your temper explodes, and you let loose a primal roar.

I... I will not be held back by... By... By mere bags of flesh! The very idea is absurd!!!

They're keeping you from delivering your sister's medicine to her, and that realization sends you overboard. Your vision turns red, and within seconds, you're single handedly obliterating the entire horde.

You slash one Revenant into pieces before it can even dream of countering, and in a single fluid motion, dodge the strike of another and whirl around to lob its head off. You fight like a demon; crazed, merciless, unfeeling. Invincible.

You begin to notice a few Entombed among the Revenants, and a few skeletons as well. You finish off the last two Revenants in range after they stupidly try to attack you, and turn your attention to the Entombed; large globs of yellow and green flesh sewn together with glowing purple eyes. Even their eyes pissed you off. Everything about them pisses you off!

You almost forsake the cover of the barricade and charge straight for them, at least until Ena firmly grabs your arms and pulls you back. "Key, snap out of it! Now!! If this keeps up, you'll lose yourself!!! You'll become just like Malphas!!!"

Her words manage to reach past the murky haze of your anger, and you blink, stunned. All the rage leaves you in a rush, leaving you confused and foggy. What... What happened to me?

The horde hesitates again, unsure whether to press the attack or retreat, giving you just enough time to recover. It's a good thing too... If they had pressed the attack, you aren't sure what would have happened.

Ena presses herself against your back, holding you against her. "Step back Key. You need to calm down. Let me take over for a while."

You nod, realizing she's right. Ena lets you go, and you step behind her. Thinking she's less of a threat, the undead press their perceived advantage, with the Entombed leading the way. The first Entombed reaches her and swings its claws in a wild downward stroke, missing Ena by a mile. Ena's blade glows threateningly and she retaliates with a devastating thrust, splitting the Entombed's belly wide open. Before it can recover, you finish it off with a stream of fire, and it disintegrates into dust.

----------
Kryian Levelled Up!
+1HP
+1Str
+1Mag
+1Skill
+1Luck
+1Def

Ena Levelled Up!
+2HP
+1Str
+1Mag
+1Skill
+1Luck
+1Def

Ena gained a Weapon Level in Swords!
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You make eye contact with Ena just briefly, and she gives a subtle nod. The blue Entombed swings its glowing claws, and you realize too late you aren't the target. The barricade explodes in a shower of rubble and debris, sending furniture flying everywhere. You're forced to shield Ena as she charges her magic, and a particularly large desk grazes your shoulder. You grunt in pain.

This is insane... How much strength is that thing packing?!

You retaliate with a burst of fire, which partially melts the Entombed's left arm and torso. It stumbles back, growling in what you presume to be rage, and its eyes flash dangerously. You notice there seems to be something wrapped around its neck... Is that a scarf? A magical artifact perhaps? You decide not to waste time pondering it; you'll find out soon enough anyway.

You press the advantage, staying just out of the fiend's reach, and unleash another wave of fire. It stumbles back once more, the right side of its torso now smoking, and it charges with surprising speed. You barely manage to sidestep in time, and you counter with what should have been a fatal blow. A protective green aura surrounds the fiend, shielding it from the worst of the blow, and at the same time, a shockwave of concussive force slams into you. The sheer force of the wave pushes you back, and you almost barrel into poor Ena. She immediately halts her incantation and catches you, the concern in her gaze quite evident.

"I'm fine," you assure her, ignoring the red stain forming under your left shoulder. "Focus on getting us out of here."

She nods, and you return to the battle at hand. Your sword arm is a bit sore, and with your left shoulder wounded, you can't put as much power into your strikes. You're still a bit dazed from the shockwave, and your ears are ringing. If one of the big bads decided to join the fray now, you aren't sure how long you'd last. As if in answer to your silent thought, the ground beneath your feet begins to tremble, and more dust is shaken loose from the ceiling. Whatever that thing is, it's freaking huge. You sure as hell don't want to stick around to meet it.

You muster up every last remaining ounce of speed you have, and charge the Entombed head on. Whatever miracle protected it before doesn't occur again, and it evaporates into harmless dust.

-----------
Kryian Levelled Up!
+1HP
+1Mag
+1Skill
+1Spd
-----------

Before the dust even has a chance to settle, you turn to Ena and hiss, "Now!"

Without hesitating, she focuses all of her built up magic on the cracked wall. Time seems to slow down, just long enough for you to realize she isn't holding her Elthunder tome, and she appears to be singing softly. The wall suddenly explodes inward, like a giant invisible hand smashed right through it. A back wave of dust clouds the room you're in, and you notice Ena slump a bit, like she's suddenly exhausted. Without even thinking, you pick up the crimson scarf the Entombed dropped, sheathe your sword and scoop her up into your arms. You take off at a dead sprint through the new opening. You have just enough time to register the full extent of Ena's spell- that invisible hand, or whatever it was, had punched a gaping hole through every room- before a piercing screech rends the air.

Uh-oh... I guess the jig is up already.

You reach the last room, and burst out into the hallway like the Devil himself was on your tail. You can't help but smile at the irony of that analogy, though your smile quickly fades. You came out just behind the Horde, with a few feet still between you and the large chamber. Your eyes widen and you hear Ena gasp softly in your arms.

The Ogre was huge. No, to call it that is a severe understatement. It is a demon of the old world, giant, merciless, and clad from head to toe in armor as black as midnight. It wielded a giant black axe, shaped like a wolf's head, in one hand and a spiked wooden club in the other. Behind the Ogre was the very thing you had sensed before; a dark mass of shadows and robes floating above the ground, with skeletal hands and terrifying crimson eyes. You stood there for a moment longer than you should have, transfixed, and then those crimson eyes turned on you.

You snap out of it faster than your old man could snap one of those skeletons in two. "Go!!! Get to the bridge!!! I'll be right behind you!!!"

Ena quickly leaps out of your arms, alert again, and takes off running. You light the hallway up with a quick burst of flame, but you don't stick around to see how well it worked. You take off running after her, and catch up to her in moments. "They didn't really make those robes for running, you know!" You chide playfully, trying to inject some humor into the not-so-funny situation.

"I know!" She shoots back, panting.

"Would you like me to buy you a Second Seal?!" You ask, laughing, as you rush through the open chamber. It seemed much larger than it was before, though maybe that's just because you're running for your life.

"Shut up, you stupid cat! It's not funny!"

You only laugh harder, which soon turns into a wheezing fit. Yeah... Probably not such a good idea. You and Ena burst out on the other side, suddenly finding yourselves on a wide stone bridge suspended over a bottomless abyss. You hear the sound of crashing pillars and tumbling stone, as the Ogre and horde of undead charge after you.

You slow a bit, allowing Ena to pass you, and once she's safely off the bridge, you slide to a stop and turn. You then raise your sword high above your head, and bring it crashing down with all your might, just as the Ogre barrels out of the opposite chamber. Your blade carves through the stone, and for a second, nothing happens. The Ogre charges onward, undeterred, with over half of the horde behind him. Then, fiery red cracks rapidly begin to spread across the bridge. Geysers of flame begin to erupt from the bridge, and you hear Ena scream.

"KRYIAN!!!! Get off the bridge!!! NOW!!!"

You try to remove your sword, and it sticks for a moment. You curse in frustration.

"Leave it!!!!" Ena screams. "It's not worth your life!!!"

You linger for a moment longer, cursing again, before doing as she says. You sprint towards her, as the bridge collapses all around you, and you make a last second dive for the tunnel. You land hard on your side, and your injured shoulder erupts into pain. You bite your lip to keep from crying out, and your canines draw a drop of blood. Water stings your eyes.

Ena kneels beside you immediately, her hands already reaching for one of your Elixirs, and you watch as the bridge gives way, melting in a massive eruption of flame. The Ogre's roar echoes across the cavern walls as he, the entire horde of undead, and your sword all tumble down into the abyss, disappearing without a trace. The leader of the horde-that faceless shadow with crimson eyes- stares at you from across the chasm, before it too disappears, retreating back into the darkness from whence it came.

"Are you all right?" Ena asks, as you lean back against the cavern wall and finish chugging your Elixir.

You wipe your mouth on your hand, and twist the cap back on the vial. You place the remaining Elixir back in your bag. Truthfully, you aren't doing so hot... Your wounds may be healed, but your body is sore and aching and your left shoulder is as stiff as a freaking rock. Your sword arm hurts like hell, and you don't even have a damn weapon anymore. You were a fool to think you had fully recovered from the fight with Darian, and now that the adrenaline has worn off, you're paying the price for that foolishness. But... You don't say any of this to Ena. It would only serve to worry her, and that won't accomplish anything.

"I'm a bit pissed off I lost my sword, but otherwise fine," you answer.

She nods and sits down next to you, sighing. "Good. Just... Don't push yourself too hard. You still haven't fully recovered from your injuries... We should rest for a bit. We'll be safe here for a while. Besides, I'm exhausted myself..."

Oh right... That reminds you... "That magic you used back there... That was the Galdr, right?"

She nods again. "Yes... The ancient language of Names and Songs, the same magic I used to break the seal on this place. Only royal Laguz can learn it, and even then... It's very rare and exhausting to use. But you know... You could probably learn it, Key."

You give a small, tired chuckle. "Singing isn't really my forte, Ena."

She smiles at you. "That's a shame... You have a beautiful voice, Key. And you have the gift too. And um... I'm so sorry about earlier. You almost lost yourself because of me..."

You shoot her an odd look. She must be even more exhausted than you are. "What gift? And why are you apologizing? You saved my hide back there, on multiple occasions I might add."

She shakes her head sadly. "No, I... Do you remember when I initially scouted the hallways? Before we chose to hide in that room? It seemed like I was seeing everything in my mind, right? Well... That's because I was. It's called Second Sight. It's a powerful latent ability that only Herons and Dragons possess... And maybe a few Falcons. I think Queen Ismaire has it too. But, well... The point is... It's an extremely dangerous ability. You see... Second Sight can also see the hearts and souls of others. When used by the untrained mind, it can even link you to those same hearts... And to the emotions within those same hearts. You're a royal Laguz Key... The blood within your veins goes all the way back to the Ancients. When we fought together, we must have accidentally bonded, for a short time. So... When you tried sensing for the enemy Commander... You accidentally triggered the Second Sight. Don't you see Key? You absorbed all of the negative emotions of that... Thing. It's a miracle you're still sane. I... I almost killed you. It's my fault."

You heave a heavy sigh and close your eyes. I see... So that's what she meant... Then that power Azura used... I see. I should have known.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Ena. It all worked out in the end, right? And if you're so worried about it, then why not teach me? Why not teach me how to use the Second Sight? I've already used it once anyway, so what's the harm?"

She bites her lip. "Well... Maybe. I guess... They say there's no better teacher than practice... But are you sure? It is a very dangerous gift... And a very heavy burden. We have time... You don't have to decide now."

That may be so but... I have a feeling I may need this 'Second Sight' very soon.

------
Remember, gentle one... The smallest ripple can reach the very ends of time. All it takes is a single pebble...

Important Choice

A: Learn Second Sight.
B: Think about it a while longer.

A. May come a time where we need it for persuasion.

Yay! More votes! Last call bump. So far, we have two Bs and 1 A. Me like.

B

It's odd how things turn out, isn't it? Here I am, in an otherworldly prison teaming with undead, trying to enlist the help of a feral dragon that will most likely eat me. And then there's Ena... A woman I've only known for a week, and yet I trust her more than I've trusted anyone in decades. And she, in turn, is unquestionably loyal to me... And willing to teach me an ability that could be considered godlike. It's insane. There's no logic in any of this.

"Is there something on my face?" Ena asks hesitantly, blushing slightly, and you realize you've been staring at her for the past few seconds.

You smile and turn away, closing your eyes. You lean back against the wall and sigh. Heh... Maybe I'm just over thinking things.

"Nah... I was just thinking about things, Ena. You can teach me how to use the Second Sight later, right?"

She nods. "Of course... It might not be wise to try to teach you here, anyway."

Ena suddenly sighs, and she too closes her eyes. "Kryian? May I ask you something?"

The change in her tone surprises you. It must be a halfway serious question for her to sound so dire. "You can ask me anything, Ena. I think we're well past the need for formalities, don't you?"

Her lips curve into a small smile. "I suppose we are... Listen, Key. What do you intend to do after all this is over?"

Well that's rather... Sudden. You aren't sure how to answer that. "I'm not sure. I guess... I haven't really given it much thought. I'll probably return home and try to patch things up with my family. My sister deserves to have her whole family back. After that..."

An image of a ghost flashes through your mind, followed by another. That's right... There are a couple ghosts you need to chase down. "There are a couple people who owe me some answers. I intend to track them down."

Ena inclines her head in understanding. "There's someone I need to find too... But after our journeys end... Would you mind coming back to Deran with me? I hesitate to ask, but... My former Commander, and dear friend... She has a war of her own on her hands. We had a falling out before I left, because I was concerned with the toll it's taking on her... I'm scared she'll lose her way if nothing is done. I don't know if she'll listen to me anymore... But she might listen to you, Key. You remind me so much of her. With your help, I might be able to save her."

Is that so... You had heard reports of the war in the north for some time. It was a war of power between the two most influential Khans, and both were trying to unify the land in their own way. All the stories you've heard of the famous Tactician of the North had her working for the southern Khan... Now you see it's true. "This friend of yours, Ena... It wouldn't happen to be the South Khan, would it?"

She nods again, and a brief look of sadness passes over her serene features. "Yes... Her name is Tara."