|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 28, 2015 14:59:36 GMT -6
A deep seated, righteous rage burned darkly in Zalia's eyes. But the rage quickly simmered and turned to sadness, and Zalia pulled Eden into what was probably the tightest hug of her life. "No one will judge you for what happened," Zalia whispered against her hair. "No one will hold it against you. No one will blame you. There's no reason to hold it in anymore, Eden. Let it go, child. You're free now. You're free."
As Eden began to cry against her, Zalia smiled and tenderly stroked her hair. "Fears can be lessened. Scars can be healed. And nightmares can be driven away. It's time to start walking towards the future, my dear. You've suffered enough."
Zalia held her until she calmed down, and while she went to clean up, Zalia quickly returned to her own quarters and retrieved a worn white headband. She stared at it for a moment, and smiled at the bittersweet memories it invoked. The headband was slim and designed to be worn around the forehead, to keep your hair out of your eyes, even in the midst of battle. The inner band was made of a very soft leather, so as to not leave a mark when worn for a long period of time, and the outer part was made of short white fur, which gave the headband a very fuzzy appearance. The emblem of Silver Chimera was emblazoned on the front, in a light blue.
Zalia returned to Eden's room and after she finished cleaning up, Zalia gave her the headband. "This belonged to my daughter, back when she was a member here. It was one of her most precious possessions. It's yours now, Eden."
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 28, 2015 15:14:14 GMT -6
"Zalia, I can't take this," Eden said as she held the headband, while her eyes were still filled with tears, "You're the closest thing to a mother I have, and you're just as good to me as if I was your own, but... I can't fill the place she left behind. Not in this guild, and not in your heart. I know that you already know that too, and you're doing this in spite of it, but I can't let you part with something so precious to you. If this headband represents your way of holding your daughter close, then I can't accept it."
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 28, 2015 15:35:34 GMT -6
Zalia merely smiled, and tapped her own forehead with her finger. "That's not the only thing keeping my daughter close, Eden. I have my memories, which are far more precious. You're my child too Eden, and she would want you to have this. No one's asking you to try to fill her place, and there's no need for you to. I want you to have this as a reminder that your family is always with you, no matter where you go. That you're never alone. So please Eden, just accept it. It will make an old woman happy."
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 28, 2015 16:01:17 GMT -6
She nodded, held the headbancd tightly, and let Zalia pull her into another hug. "What will we do now? I can't face the others yet... I don't have the strength to look at them and tell them about all of this."
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 28, 2015 20:10:33 GMT -6
"How about that dinner in the park I mentioned?" Zalia reminded her, smiling. "Come, dear. You must be starving. It will just be the two of us, I promise."
When Eden nodded, Zalia guided her downstairs. Nearly everyone was gathered around the two long tables, just sitting down to eat when they entered. Jurian and Ryner were still out on their jobs, and Orion was likely upstairs resting in his room- the poor boy needed it- but everyone else was present. Everyone looked up, and the collective relief on their faces should have eased Eden's worries right then and there. But Zalia knew it wasn't that simple. Emotions never were.
As Eden looked away, unable to face them, Zalia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and turned to Velia."Velia, my dear, we're going out to the park. You're in charge while I'm out."
Velia nodded in understanding, and quickly transfered Zalia and Eden's dinner to plastic boxes. She then neatly stacked the boxes in a paper bag and handed them to Zalia. Velia started to turn away, but stopped and turned back to Eden.
"Make sure you finish everything, little Cub. You need to regain your strength."
Velia walked away without saying another word, but she didn't need to.
Several minutes later, Zalia and Eden were sitting down on the white stone benches of Hillside Park, overlooking the city below. It was a beautiful little park on the city's outskirts that was revered as a famous lookout spot by both locals and tourists alike. A small cobblestone path circled around a tall oak tree that the townsfolk had planted many years ago, and a small stone water fountain complete with a statue of a Chimera stood guard in front of the tree. The Chimera statue pointed towards the town, always maintaining its eternal vigil. Not far away, the last bus of the day rumbled to life. The Sun had just started its descent below the horizon, bathing all in a beautiful tide of gold, and a light evening breeze rustled through the tree. The plains of wild roses danced in the wind.
"This scene never gets old, does it?" Zalia asked softly, unpacking their dinner and handing Eden hers. "Tell me Eden, have I ever told you how this Guild of ours was founded?"
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 28, 2015 20:19:52 GMT -6
"You've told me a little about it," Eden answered.
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 28, 2015 22:20:53 GMT -6
Zalia turned to look up at the old oak tree looming above them, her eyes suddenly becoming distant, even wistful. "When my father was young, barely more than a boy himself, he was quite the explorer. His mother had passed away a couple years after giving birth to him, and his own father had committed suicide out of depression. He was raised by the village Mayor. The village was very poor, and most everyone were farmers. The winters were especially harsh there. They didn't have a doctor, or anyone who could use magic, and the nearest city, Victoria, was all the way down the other side of the mountain. If the weather was kind, then usually only a couple people perished in the winter. But the weather was rarely kind. During the winter of my father's ninth birthday, a terrible blizzard raged across the mountain for seven days straight. On the morning of the eighth day, nearly everyone had frozen to death. My father said he could never forget that sight for as long as he lived; the sight of the frozen bodies huddled together for warmth."
She sucked her breath in sharply, then smiled, a wide knowing smile. "You know who my father is, don't you Eden? Do you know who the founder of Silver Chimera is?"
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 28, 2015 22:31:38 GMT -6
"Yes, I do," she said, as she too gazed up at the oak tree.
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 28, 2015 23:18:46 GMT -6
Zalia nodded, and after a long moment of silence, she returned to her story. "It was that same morning a small travelling circus was passing through the mountains, and whether due to some twist of fate or the blizzard's low visibility, they took a wrong turn. They were a humble group of performers who mostly lived off the land. None of them had a home to call their own, nor did they have any family... But one of the performers was a Wizard... His name was Derris Olleran. At that point in time, the great 'Archmage' simply went by the name Oliver. He was already a hundred and forty years old then, and most of his grand adventures and legends were behind him. To this day, no one knows how he was able to prolong his life so, and still look like he was forty. He was on the verge of retiring for good when he saved that tiny village and met my father."
Zalia suddenly smiled. "I'm sure you know what happened next. He took my father as his apprentice, and the legend of the Wizard Algernon Grave officially began. But the real focus of our story takes place much, much later. After many years of travelling, my father returned to his hometown. He was caught in another blizzard on the way. While he could have easily quelled the blizzard with his magic, he had been taught never to use his magic for personal gain, even if that could mean his life. And he had been taught never to meddle with nature, unless it was to save a life. So with no cave or shelter in sight, and the village still many miles away, he walked on through the blizzard. Eventually, his legs gave out, and he collapsed. He would have died, if it weren't for the Mountain Spirit, as father used to call it. Because he didn't wield his magic against Nature, Nature sent a giant silver spirit to rescue him. My father described it as a giant Silver Chimera, as tall as the mountain and more majestic than anything he had ever seen. The Mountain Spirit brought him to his old village, which had turned into a bustling little town. There, he met the woman who would soon become his wife, and I was born. When I was little, my mother died, and we moved to a small port town on the Southern Sea in order to start anew."
Zalia took a deep breath, and turned back to Eden. "Do you understand, Eden? No matter how harsh the blizzard, how devastating the winter is... It always passes. Spring always comes, and the Sun always returns. My father founded this Guild as a place where people could take shelter during a storm. But the storm always passes. So don't fear the storm, Eden. You don't have to brave it alone."
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 28, 2015 23:28:09 GMT -6
"I see..."
As they sat there Eden had been picking at her dinner. It wasn't beause she didn't feel hungry or beause the food was bad, she simply didn't feel like eating. After a few minutes she put the box down on the bench beside her, leaned forward, and held her head in her hands.
"What did the others think when they heard about my past? Were they angry about it? Were they just shocked? Did some of them start to think less of me, or did any of them blame something other than me?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 29, 2015 1:40:42 GMT -6
"Not a single one blamed you," Zalia answered gently. "Everyone was angry and shocked, yes, though not for the reasons you think. Even without knowing the full story, they were all so sure you must have been forced against your will somehow. And they were right, now weren't they?"
Zalia gave a small grin. "You should have seen Jurian. When he saw you cry, he flew into a rage. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have marched right out the front door and torn the entire world apart to find the ones who hurt you. Even I've never seen him that upset before."
She finished the last of her food, and placed the empty box back in the bag, then reached over to soothingly massage Eden's shoulders. "I think Velia was the most shocked out of everyone, and I think she was a little hurt too. You know she thinks of you like a sister, Eden. She couldn't understand why you wouldn't trust her, why you would think she could hate you, and that hurt her. Rhys took it fairly well, though it was a lot for Ryner to take in. Of course, that boy is just like you; he always bottles everything up inside. Lucian is doing his best to stay strong for the others. Cenric... Is a little depressed. The poor boy feels like he failed you. He thinks he should have been able to see how much pain you were in. But Orion... He's taking it the hardest. He may not have known you as long as the rest of us, but you've had a tremendous impact on the boy. He blames himself for the entire situation; your past being revealed, you being injured, your tears, everything. He blames himself for it all."
Zalia gives a deep sigh, and a resigned smile.. "Honestly, you children are all so thickheaded and stubborn. You'd blame yourselves for the Sun rising if someone you knew got a sunburn. But I still love you all, no matter how stupid you are."
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 29, 2015 16:48:38 GMT -6
"It's because we really are a family, Zalia. You make sure that each one of us is willing to go above and beyond to help the others, no matter how foolish that may be in some cases, as your way of making sure that we'll be a good part of the family even before you let us join. It's ine of your requirements, and we all know it. You choose your grandchildren very carefully," Eden said as she began to smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jun 29, 2015 18:43:15 GMT -6
Zalia gives a warm smile, and her eyes soften considerably. "Yes, I do. And I haven't made a wrong choice yet. But that's not because I'm a Guild Master, or even because I'm a Wizard... It's because I'm a parent. You'll understand yourself someday, when you have children of your own."
She reaches over and places a comforting hand on Eden's shoulder. "All families go through rough times, my dear. But they always stick together, because that's what being a part of a family means. I want you to promise me something, Eden. Promise me you'll always remember what I've said, no matter how harsh the storm gets. Even if darkness and despair threaten to swallow you whole, promise me you'll remember. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, even in the bleakest times, so don't ever stop moving forward. Keep walking, for as long as it takes, and you will eventually find your answer."
Eden promises, and Zalia nods, seemingly content. "Good. I want you to run along back to the Guild now. I'm going to stay here for a bit longer. Don't worry, I'll be home soon."
Once Eden agreed and had disappeared from view, and Zalia was alone, her eyes abruptly narrowed and she rose to her feet.
"What is your purpose here?" She called out to the air, her voice soft, yet commanding.
|
|
|
|
Post by Golurkcanfly on Jun 29, 2015 19:03:40 GMT -6
"Jus' admirin' the beautiful relationship between a grandmother and a young'in." A hunched-over old man with a big nose and a scraggly beard replied as he walked around the tree he was watched from. "Nearly brings me to tears."
The aged wizard walked next to Zalia non-threateningly, leaning on a cane as to not stumble.
"Why the hostile tone?" He asked before stopping briefly. "It's like my wife back home, always yammering and complaining about never visiting before going out, the old crone. Anywho..."
Scholar quickly swung his cane at Zalia, which emanated a field of anti-magic to prevent her from retaliating before it struck her on the head, knocking her out.
"Solid Script: Sanctuary" He announced before the two seemingly vanished into thin air.
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jun 29, 2015 21:03:59 GMT -6
After Zalia had insisted that she go back to the guild Eden had packed up the boxes from dinner and started back towards the guild. After a few minutes she started running, and before long she was already more than halfway back.
I need to talk to all of them. They are my family, and I need to talk to them, and tell them all the truth. They've continue to support me throughout all of this, so they deserve the truth. I've got to get back so I can tell them everything...
|
|
|
|
Post by Golurkcanfly on Jun 29, 2015 22:05:40 GMT -6
"Fire laddies!" Abyss shouted as the cannons began to fire over the town.
Grape shot, bar shot, chain shot, and case shot all rained down over the buildings, with one massive ball of lead landing directly in front of Silver Chimera headquarters.
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jul 4, 2015 19:10:43 GMT -6
Chaos erupted in the normally quiet city of Roses. Fire rained down from the sky, and screams tore through the air. A massive ball of lead landed directly in front of the town's only Magic Guild, Silver Chimera, and detonated in a massive explosion. A pillar of flame erupted high into the air, and a large shockwave burst outwards in all directions, flattening a couple nearby houses. But when the smoke cleared, the Guild Hall stood completely unscathed, and four Wizards stood in front of the Guild, their combined Magic aura reaching to the heavens.
A woman with long flowing black hair stood in the center of the four, her hands resting on an extremely long Katana, which was stuck in the ground. The concrete around the sword was cracked and splintered, and a wall of impenetrable darkness surrounded the Guild. Next to her on her left was a Priest enveloped in a silver and gold aura, his icy blue eyes dark and murderous. A large golden Magic Circle spread out beneath the Guild. On her right stood a behemoth of a man, his arms raised skyward, and a giant earthen barrier softened the concussive wave and absorbed the flames. And in front of those three, a man in an elegant white suit and dark Sunglasses knelt down on one knee, holding a giant golden aegis before him. Lucian grinned and rose to his feet, pushing his glasses up. Cenric materialized behind Velia. All of this happened barely a split second after the explosion.
Velia withdrew her sword from the ground with ease, and began barking orders. "Lucian, Rhys, protect the town! Cenric, you're in charge of evacuation! Get the civilians into the Guild, and into the underground Shelter! Orion, I need you to go find Eden and the Master! We'll need their help! I'll deal with that monstrosity in the sky myself!"
While everyone else scattered, Velia walked back into the Guild, retrieving a small black key from her pocket as she did so. "I never thought I would have to use this.... But you did, didn't you... Master."
She walked behind the bar, and unlocked the door that was always locked. She walked down the lone staircase, and up to a giant door of solid stone. Her ears popped as she descended. Velia then unsealed the door that only three people even knew existed; herself, Jurian, and Zalia. A blinding light spilled forth, and Velia shielded her eyes.
--------
Lucian sprinted to the edge of town, followed closely by Rhys, who could run surprisingly fast. They stopped just at the edge of the main docking pier, right near the water, and stood side by side. Lucian looked up at the pirate ship hovering in the skies above, and curled his lip in disgust. "How barbaric. Ready, Rhys? It's been a while since we've done this."
Rhys nodded and grinned, a wide, excited grin that was fairly terrifying. "Of course, my friend! Let us show these barbarians the true beauty of Magic!"
Lucian inclined his well, and the two Wizards raised their hands high. Their Magic Power spiked, surrounding them with brilliant auras, which steadily began to merge. The ground around them began to shake, and the Wizards suddenly brought their hands back down and to their sides, forming a ball of energy between them. The energy spun and, after only a couple seconds, merged.
"Unison Raid!!!"
"Unison Raid!!!"
"Maximum Defense Seal, Rumbling Excalibur!!!"
"Maximum Defense Seal, Rumbling Excalibur!!!"
------
Cenric teleported from one place to another in the blink of an eye, quickly rescuing anyone who was trapped by debris and rounding up all the townspeople with his telepathy, directing them to the Guild Hall. He pulled a small child -who was thankfully unharmed- from the rubble of her house, moving the stone with his telekinesis, just as the ground began to quake and tremble. He looked back towards the Guild Hall and saw two incredible sights; the Lighthouse sinking into the ground, revealing the hidden emergency shelter of Silver Chimera, and Rhys and Lucian attempting a Unison Raid. He smiled slightly, both in pride and relief, and returned to his duties.
------
Orion flew through the streets- Quite literally- stopping only briefly to direct and help those Cenric hadn't reached yet. His weary eyes scanned the ground below him, looking for any sign of silver hair.
Dammit Eden, where are you?! And what the hell is going on?! I woke up because I had a horrible feeling, but this...! Who would... No, don't tell me... Nebilim?!
A brief sparkle of silver flashed before his eyes, and his eyes quickly snapped to the ground below, focusing on a single woman. There you are!
He landed in front of her in an instant, his silver aura fading, and he quickly pulled her into his arms for a quick hug. "Thank God you're all right! Where's Zalia?!"
------
The Shadow raced out of the Silver Chimera Guild Hall, and sped across the streets at an insane speed, shooting towards the water's edge. Just as Rhys and Lucian casted their Unison Raid, and a brilliant light lit up the sky, casting an overwhelming shadow on the bottom of the airship's hull, the Lighthouse disappeared beneath the ground, and the Shadow changed shape and vanished.
The Shadow streaked up the side of the ship, and as soon as she caught sight of the one responsible for almost destroying her home, Velia emerged in a storm of rage.
"Shadow Dragon's Roar!!!"
An enormous beam of darkness burst forth from her mouth, heading straight for the ship's apparent Captain.
------
Four massive pillars of solid rock rose out of the ground to surround the city, and a giant sword of light rose with the pillars, seemingly created out of thin air. The pillars stopped rising, as did the giant sword, and the sword emitted a blinding golden light, which shot out to every pillar, connecting them all together, and forming a magical barrier around the city.
"Let's hope we don't have to maintain this for long," Lucian said, slightly out of breath, as sweat lined his forehead.
"We'll maintain it as long as we need to," Rhys answered calmly. He smiled and reached over to pat Lucian hard on the shoulder, almost knocking him over. "Have faith in your comrades."
Lucian merely sighed as he reached down to pick up his Sunglasses. "Yeah, I know."
He straightened his suit, and suddenly smiled. "I know. What do you say we show these fools what happens when they mess with our Guild... Partner?"
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jul 4, 2015 19:39:21 GMT -6
"Orion! Zalia is still in the park. She sent me away just a few moments before... before this... I-... I can't lose her! I can't lose her!" she became very upset, but just when it seemed Eden would crumple to the ground in tears, she grabbed Orion's hand with a terribly strong grip and charged in the direction of the park, dragging him behind her for a few seconds before he was able to start running and match her pace. "We need to make sure she's okay!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 4, 2015 19:47:54 GMT -6
The shadow engulfed the man in the purple and black captain's outfit, taking out some of the railing and causing the man to disappear without a trace.
"Try again." An airy voice called as a dozen copies of the same man appeared on the ship, performing various sailing-related tasks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jul 5, 2015 21:33:06 GMT -6
"Right then, hold still for a moment," Orion said suddenly, quickly scooping Eden up into his arms. The look on her face was priceless, and she seemed more shocked than angry. He smiled reassuringly. "We need to hurry, right? You can be mad at me later, Eden. For now, just hold on tight."
He turned to look towards the hillside park in the distance, and his eyes flashed. "Northern Lights: Borealis."
A silver aura burst to life around him, enveloping them both, and Orion kicked off from the ground, rocketing into the air and speeding up the hill. He landed in front of the old tree a few seconds later, and gently set Eden down, his aura fading. He looked around the small park, studying the scene carefully.
"She's obviously not here... But I don't see any sign of struggle. I don't sense any trace of her magic here either. Eden, try to see if you can Divine anything. I know you can't see the past... But it's still worth a shot."
I do sense some residual magic, however, leftover from... Leftover from what? I can't even discern the type of magic...
--------
Velia grit her teeth as her rage mounted even further. He's just going to toy with me, is he?! Fine! That will be his undoing!
"Let me show you why you never toy with a S-Class Wizard!" She barked, as raging black energy burst into existence around her arms, forming what looked like claws made of shadows.
"Shadow Dragon Twin Talon Attack!"
Instead of charging her enemy, she slammed her claws down hard into the deck of the ship, sending a pillar of darkness and wooden splinters streaming into the sky. Large cracks spread over the deck like wildfire, and one of the ship's masts broke off, tumbling down and crashing into the deck. The airship lurched violently.
"How well can you fly when your ship is in pieces?!" She taunted. "How well will your magic work when you're trying to stay afloat in the ocean?!"
She disappeared into the shadows, and raced across the deck, deeper into the ship, leaving destruction in her wake as she searched for the airship's Lacrima Crystal.
If I can trick him into revealing the nature of his magic, then I win. But all I really need to do is keep him busy until Zalia can intervene... Dammit Ryner, where the hell are you when I need you...
---------
"This way, this way!" Cenric shouted, as he guided the mass exodus of townspeople to the underground shelter. He briefly placed his finger to his forehead, and sent out a telepathic message to the rest of the Silver Chimera Wizards scattered throughout the city.
"Evacuation about sixty percent completed! Almost there, just give me a bit more time!"
|
|
