I arrived early the next
morning at the Althena Shrine. Being close to this pagoda of the
Goddess nearly froze my blood. It was no longer warm and
inviting. It felt much like a prison as the tall doors shut
behind me with an eerie finality.
Worshippers loitered about
as if they were in trances. It some how seemed much darker inside
than the last time I had called. In the main hall Phacia was no
where to be found. If she had not been evil one could conjecture
that she felt guilty for her treachery. Thinking upon the sudden
turn of events I began to wonder whom else could be hiding in
sheep's clothing. It seemed that perhaps I should keep an eye on
Alex's party, yet what about Mia and Nash? Certainly they could
not be connected to the Magic Emperor...
I looked to the Goddess
statue. It was so beautiful; the craftsmanship no doubt could not
be matched. Yet I felt no comfort, nothing. The blank eyes looked
down on me as though to judge.
"Yasuo..."
My eyes widened, and I took
a step back in disbelief. For a split second I could have sworn
that the face had become animated and spoke! I stared for the
longest time and nothing happened.
"You really are losing
it Yasuo old boy." Hearing my voice comforted me somewhat.
It gave me a moment of peace when I spoke and it was mine own.
"If you are looking
for the girl she is gone."
I turned to find an elderly
woman in priestess clothing standing a few pews away.
"Where has Phacia
gone?" I asked as my stomach turned. The last of my hope
that Portia was hiding safely somewhere within these walls
vanished.
"I do not know. Most
likely where ever the girl went I wager."
I thanked the elderly woman
and left, I had to reach Damon's spire now more than ever. Only
he would have the answers...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Each step now sent pain
shooting up my side. I had stopped long enough in Nanza to buy a
few needed supplies and hastily moved on. I had made it through
the mountains south of Nanza and had almost reached Reza when a
Goblin and three Hellraisers blocked my path. I was surprised to
see the Hellraisers for in all of my teachings at Vane I could
not remember if they inhabited this part of the world. I quickly
pushed the elementary thoughts from my mind and braced my weary
bones for an attack.
"Come with us,"
said the Goblin.
Incredible! Since when did
monsters speak in anything other than snorts and grunts?
"Come with us."
"Why?"
"Come with us
now."
Perhaps they were not as
intelligent as I had begun to believe they were. "Why do you
wish for me to accompany you?"
"You are chosen.
Chosen come with us. Remember us." The Goblin appeared
patient enough but the Hellraisers were growing restless.
"I am sorry, but I
cannot go with you," I replied and moved to walk around
them. The Goblin's eyes thinned to slits and he growled something
to the Hellraisers that had them advancing on me with a look of
bloodlust in their eyes.
"ICE LANCE!" At
my command a crosscut of icicles speared out of the ground
impaling one Hellraiser while the two others dodged.
The Goblin was advancing as
well and I cast Flame Bomb killing off another Hellraiser. The
stench of the final Hellraiser was almost enough to fell a man
alone, its sharp teeth and claws glistened as it lunged for me. I
evaded the beast and drove my dagger into its back, cutting
through muscle and cracking bones. Green fluid and entrails
poured out as I ripped its side wide open. The creature screamed
in agony and fell at my feet.
I turned quickly
remembering the Goblin only to receive a blow to my abdomen
compliments of the huge club it carried. A Flame Bomb took care
of my foe as I moved a safe distance away... or at least I
thought it had done the job.
"You... come... With
us." The Goblin wheezed, his charred flesh smoking and
peeling as he limped slowly towards me. He grunted something
unintelligible under his breath and before my eyes six more
Hellraisers appeared.
I called upon another Ice
Lance and was able to kill one. My magic power and health was
draining fast. I had but a few Ice Lances left. I could barely
keep myself standing. I hadn't any herbs left either.
As I was fending off one of
the beasts I was struck from behind. I could feel the blood
draining from the deep claw wounds. It was adrenaline alone that
kept me going. Why could I not change now? At least I would have
a chance of living!
I turned and swung my
dagger with what little strength I had left and cut into the
Hellraiser's left eye. It staggered back, and two more took their
turns digging into my flesh.
My right wrist was
completely no use, during all the fighting bone pierced my skin.
If not for all of the deep lacerations opening like dams to drain
my life's blood I could possibly escape. My end was drawing near.
I could feel it. My vision had begun to blur, I felt sluggish and
light-headed from the blood loss.
With the last of my power I
cast a Flame Bomb. Four Hellraisers were close enough to feel the
impact of the fire shower. They screeched and howled as their
burning fur curled into seared, rancid, strings and their skin
bubbled and blistered from the immense heat.
My magic was dissipated, so
was my strength and will as I saw the two remaining enemies
progressing toward me. Before my eyes closed I saw a clear image
of shining claws and the sky . . . the sky which was the most
beautiful shade of orchid... like orchid eyes...
Portia... please... forgive me..
§ Chapter 8 § Tear Main § Chapter 10 §
