Post by Hayate on Mar 20, 2009 20:48:21 GMT -5
Tales of the Epitaph
Chapter 6: The Corrupted Blue
~ City of Breg Epona, Kingdom of Lumina Cloth ~
~ Lilithday, Gorre-Lunae 20, AC2038 ~
*Kazuto, Shiro, Ren, Saber, Citan, and Hanabi stare down the man in the cloak from Atrum Neux*
Saber: Who are you!? Did Atrum Neux send you!?
: …Answering your questions would be pointless… But…seeing as how none of you will be alive after today, I shall indulge your curiosity…*reaching up, the cloaked man pulls his hood off to reveal his face; he had jet-black hair, deep yellowish-brown hair, and a scar along his right eye*
Hartz: …I was indeed sent here by Atrum Neux… I am known as Hartz…
Ren: (…That face of his… Where have I seen it before…?)
Hartz: …I’ll keep this brief… Hand over the prince, and no more lives will have to be taken…
Shiro: Hmph! Like that’s gonna happen! We’ll never let you have Kazu!
Hartz: … *groan* I didn’t want things to come to this… Everywhere I turn, more people get in my way… First was that foolish informant…
Ren: Informant…? *gasp* Zero…!?
Hartz: …Then that thickheaded lion man…
Kazuto: Mr. Gabi!? What did you do to Mr. Gabi!?
Hartz: …Humans can be so… *glares at Kazuto* …troublesome…
*the look in Hartz’ eyes sends chills down the group’s spines*
All: …
Citan: …Hanabi.
Hanabi: Y-Yes, Professor?
Citan: Go back inside the Academy. And no matter what happens, do not come outside.
Hanabi: B-But, Professor Uzuki…!
Citan: NOW!!!
Hanabi: *gasp* …I… I understand…
*at Citan’s forceful words, Hanabi retreats behind the doors of the Magic Academy; meanwhile, Shiro, Ren, and Saber all draw their weapons*
Ren: I don’t know what you did to either Zero or Mr. Gabi, but if you did anything that might’ve hurt them…!
Hartz: …You would stand in my way as well…? …Your foolishness will be the death of you…!
*reaching into his cloak, Hartz draws his rapier; the blade glowed with a pitch-black aura*
Shiro: Stay back, Kazu! Let us handle this guy!
Kazuto: W-What!? I’m not staying on the sidelines!
Ren: Shiro’s right, Kazu! Until we know what he’s capable of, you should stay here where it’s safe!
Kazuto: But Ren--!
Saber: Your safety takes top priority, Sir Kazuto! We won’t expose you to an unknown danger!
Kazuto: …You guys…
Shiro: …Let’s go!
*Shiro, Ren, Saber, and Citan rush in to battle Hartz*
Shiro: HYAH!!!
*brandishing his dual swords, Shiro pounces onto Hartz from the right; Hartz effortlessly staves off Shiro’s attack with a short collection of slashes from his rapier, then sends Shiro flying back with a pulse of energy from his palm*
Shiro: Gah!
*meanwhile, Saber charges towards Hartz from the center with the intent of running him through with her broadsword; Hartz, however, points his palm towards Saber and conjures a bluish aura around her*
Saber: I…c-can’t move…!
Ren: !!! (Was that…!?)
Citan: Holy waters, dance madly! LaRue Kruz!
*Citan conjures a large accumulation of water to drop onto Hartz from above; Hartz leaps out of the way of the strike; pointing his palm towards Citan, Hartz conjures a purplish aura around him*
Citan: BiZan Rom! …!!! M-My magic’s been sealed!
Ren: Rip Fin!
*with her Gadelican artes, Ren nullifies the seal on Citan’s magic*
Citan: *sigh* Much obliged!
Ren: *glares at Hartz* (Another one…! But it’s…not possible…! I thought that…!)
Shiro: Ren, watch out!
Ren: *gasp*
*flipping agilely backward, Ren narrowly evades the stream of black lightning shot from Hartz’ rapier*
Hartz: …Hmm?
*glancing just barely to his left, Hartz notices Shiro fling one of his blades towards him; shifting his body weight, Hartz connects his rapier with the flung blade, sending it away; then, pointing his palm towards Shiro, Hartz conjures a magic that encases Shiro’s feet in solid rock*
Shiro: *gasp*
*the petrification slowly travels up Shiro’s legs until his entire lower body was frozen in stone*
Hartz: Hmph! …Huh!?
*just then, out of the corner of his eye, Hartz sees Saber charging at him again; unable to counter with his magic, Hartz fends off Saber with his rapier, and the two meet in a fierce clash of swords; Hartz find himself being pushed back by Saber’s superior sword skills; as he is pushed back, Ren positions himself at Hartz’ rear, pointing a glowing hand at his back*
Hartz: Grrrr…!
Ren: Tell me! Tell me how you’re able to use Gadelican artes!
Hartz: …
*as Hartz turns his head back, he and Ren make close eye contact*
Hartz: …
Ren: …!!! (Now I remember!)
Hartz: …Tch!
*quickly spinning around, Hartz sends Ren and Saber away with his blade*
Saber: Dammit…!
Ren: Kenpachi! It’s you, isn’t it, Kenpachi!?
Saber: “Ken…pachi”?
Hartz: …Hmph!
*thrusting his rapier down, Hartz sends an outward array of black electricity through the ground that shocks the party to their knees*
All: AAAAHHHH!!!!
Kazuto: NO!!!
Shiro: …What kind of technique…was that…!?
*as Ren weakly lifts her head up, she sees Hartz standing about her*
Hartz: …So the rumors were true… I didn’t want to believe them, but… It seems you did survive, Renanthera… Tch! It figures that Beatrice would keep me in the dark about something like this!
Ren: …K-Kenpachi…
Hartz: No… I’ve discarded that name a long time ago… Forgive me, Renanthera… But I must carry out my mission…
Ren: *gasp*
*Hartz raises his rapier, poised to strike Ren down…*
Kazuto: STOP!!!!!
*…but stops short when Kazuto calls out from the rear; lowering his blade, Hartz turns to face the blond prince*
Kazuto: That’s enough… Please don’t hurt my friends anymore… I’m the one you want, aren’t I?
Shiro: K-Kazu…?
*Kazuto’s feet begin carrying him forward*
Kazuto: If I go with you…will you let my friends live?
Saber: S-Sir Kazuto…!
Ren: No, Kazu…!
Kazuto: …It’s alright, everyone… I’m not running away anymore… Ren, Shiro, Saber, Kyoko, Mr. Gabi, Professor Uzuki… I don’t wanna trouble you any longer… Besides…my death means the world will be spared, right?
Citan: …
*before long, Kazuto stands directly in front of Hartz*
Kazuto: …Well?
Hartz: …
*saying nothing, Hartz reaches out his hand and generates a force around Kazuto’s neck that chokes him*
Kazuto: Agh…!
All: KAZU!!!
Hartz: Humans are such sentimental fools… They believe all of their worries can be resolved through transparent words…
*as Hartz strangles Kazuto, his arm slowly rises, lifting Kazuto off the ground and causing his legs to thrash about*
Kazuto: C-Can’t…breathe…!
*raising his other hand, Hartz readies his rapier, which begins to surge with black, malicious energy*
Hartz: …Goodbye…worthless human…!!!
*Hartz thrusts his rapier forward…*
KAZU~!!!
*…but to both his and Kazuto’s surprise, Ren had leapt up and shoved Kazuto out of the way of Hartz’ attack, taking the full brunt of the strike*
Kazuto: !!!
Hartz: !!!
*with the rapier thrust through Ren’s torso, her blood trickles forth to stain the blade, and the rapier’s wicked energy flows into her*
Kazuto: REN!!!!!
Hartz: …No… Why, Renanthera…?
Ren: *weakly* …I will…always…protect Kazu… Like you, Kenpachi… I…have…a mission…
*as Hartz removes his blade from Ren’s abdomen, Ren collapses onto the floor and falls unconscious; Kazuto quickly rushes to Ren’s side*
Kazuto: Ren! Ren, wake up! Please!
Hartz: …Renanthera…
*having returned to their feet, Shiro and Saber confront Hartz*
Shiro: You bastard!!! You’re gonna pay for that!!!
Hartz: …Now I truly am alone…in this world…
*just then, Hartz’ body begins to fade, signaling his retreat*
Saber: Halt!!!
*Saber lunges forward and swings her broadsword, but it passes through Hartz’ vanishing body; moments later, he completely disappears*
Saber: …Dammit all!
*putting their weapons away, the group approaches Kazuto and Ren*
Kazuto: C’mon, Ren! Open your eyes!
Ren: …
*kneeling down at Ren’s side, Citan heals Ren’s wounds with a powerful Repth spell*
Ren: …Ugh…
Kazuto: *gasp* She’s still alive!
Citan: Yes…but just barely. Come. Let’s get her inside quickly.
*nodding to Citan, Shiro and Saber carry Ren to the infirmary inside the Magic Academy; a short time later, Ren is seen lying in a hospital-like bed; Citan stands above her, healing her wounds with a constant flow of Repth; nearby, Saber and Hanabi watch in anxiety*
Citan: …
Saber: …
Hanabi: …
*outside the room, Kazuto falls to the ground after Shiro punches him harshly in the face*
Kazuto: Oof!
Shiro: What in the hell were you thinking, Kazu!? Giving yourself up to Atrum Neux!? Are you insane!?
Kazuto: …I didn’t--
Shiro: “Didn’t want to trouble us anymore”, right!? Yeah, that sure worked out well, didn’t it!? Ren almost died today because of you!
Kazuto: …Tch! *rises to feet* So you’re saying you’re perfectly fine with putting your life on the line for my sake!? How long are you planning to keep this up, Shiro!?
Shiro: …
Kazuto: For the past several days, the people I care about have done nothing but protect me. Do you know how helpless that makes me feel? I don’t want to just be protected; I want to protect everyone too!
Shiro: …Kazuto…
*at that moment, the door into the infirmary opens and Saber steps out*
Kazuto: Saber…?
Saber: Miss Ren has woken up.
*the entire party regroups inside the infirmary; Kazuto, Shiro, Saber, Citan, and Hanabi gather around Ren*
Shiro: How are you feeling, Ren?
Ren: It stings a little around my stomach wound, but for the most part, I feel fine.
Citan: …
Kazuto: …Ren, I… I’m…
Ren: …
Hanabi: …So…who was that guy from before? “Hartz”, was it?
Saber: Yes, that’s right. Miss Ren seemed to know him. She addressed him by the name “Kenpachi”.
Shiro: Who was he, Ren?
Ren: …Several years before the Coite-Bodher War, I met a man in Carmina Gadelica by the name of Kenpachi Nondo. He was a bit strange, and overly eccentric at times, but he had a kind heart.
Saber: What happened to this Nondo?
Ren: He was exiled for experimenting in human immortality. His experiments resulted in the deaths of several Gadelican researchers. I had heard he passed away…but it seems I was wrong-- *deep gasp*
*just then, Ren has a violent cough attack; as she moves her hand away, she’s revealed to have coughed up blood*
Kazuto: R-Ren!?
Ren: It’s…nothing…! *cough*
Shiro: Sure is a loud, bloody nothing! What’s wrong with her, Professor Uzuki!?
Citan: That man Hartz -- he did something to Ren when he struck her with that blade of his. An anomalous substance poured out from the blade and into Ren’s bloodstream.
Saber: What was it?
Citan: …Ren.
Ren: …
*loosening her attire a little, Ren reveals that she had several black splotches on her skin spreading outward from her chest wound*
All: !!!
Citan: According to my magical infection texts, this is known as “AIDA Toxicosis”, most discernible by black splotches on the flesh. Symptoms include bouts of dizziness, coughing up blood, numbness -- even partial paralysis -- and an irregular body temperature. It isn’t serious right now because Ren was stricken with the disorder just recently, but…if left unchecked, it’ll devour Ren from the inside out…and kill her.
Shiro: …Oh, my God…
Kazuto: And Hartz’ attack…was meant for me… *clenches hands into fists* Can we help her, Professor Uzuki!? Is there a cure!?
Citan: Unfortunately, I’ve combed over every page in my medical texts and found nothing. I’m afraid that…no vaccine has ever been developed for AIDA Toxicosis.
Kazuto: …No way…
Ren: …
Citan: …Although…
Saber: Hmm? Is there more?
Citan: Well…it’s a long shot… Hanabi.
Hanabi: Y-Yes, Professor?
Citan: Could you head to the library down the hall and bring me the fourth volume of the historical records?
Hanabi: Right away!
*with that, Hanabi bolts out of the room and heads towards the library*
Citan: Tell me… Are any of you familiar with the race of people known as Elves?
Shiro: I am. They’re the ancestors of the human race, right? The aborigines of the world itself who were blessed by Aura.
Citan: That’s correct, Shiro. And having been blessed by Aura, as you say, their brand of healing magic is said to be unlike any other.
Kazuto: You think the Elves can cure Ren!?
Citan: It’s possible. After all, Miss Ren herself is--
*just then, the door bursts open and Hanabi skips inside with a large book in hand*
Hanabi: I’m back!
Shiro: *sweatdrop* …That was fast…
*taking the book from Hanabi, Citan opens it up to a section on the Elves*
Citan: According to the historical records, there have only been a few reported cases of an outbreak of AIDA Toxicosis. Some cases within the Elves’ people were reported, but of those cases in particular, none have been confirmed to have died from the disease.
Kazuto: So the Elves did find a cure!
Citan: Not so fast, Kazuto. If you recall, the Elves live isolated from humans. Because of our ancestors’ passionate -- and, more often than not, violent -- jealousy against the Elves, they’ve grown distrustful of humans and have opted to live in seclusion. I highly doubt they’ll be very eager to assist.
Kazuto: But we have to at least try! Ren’s like this because of me! If the Elves say no, I’ll get down on my knees before them and beg if I have to! I refuse to let Ren die!
Ren: …Kazu…
Citan: … *smiles* You’re a lot like Hanabi, Kazuto. *looks at Hanabi* Such the idealist.
Hanabi: *blush* Hehehe…
Citan: …The Elves reside on an island southeast of Lumina Cloth, at the foot of a waterfall.
Saber: So we’ll require a ship…
Citan: Not to worry. A friend of mine is a well-known naval captain. I’ll get in contact with him and have a ship ready for you by morning.
Ren: Thank you, Professor Uzuki. You’ve been very helpful. *stands up* Alright. We should take this time to prepare for the voyage.
Kazuto: “We”? …Wait! You’re not thinking of coming with us, are you, Ren!?
Ren: Of course I am. It’s my duty to make sure you stay safe, Kazu.
Kazuto: Stop saying stuff like that! I’m not so helpless that I have to be protected all the time! Besides, you shouldn’t move in your condition, Ren!
Ren: …Thank you for your concern, Kazu. But as long as I can move freely, I won’t let myself be a burden to everyone.
Kazuto: …But Ren…
Saber: …We’ll honor your resolve, Miss Ren. But please, don’t overexert yourself.
Ren: I won’t. Thank you, Saber.
Citan: Could you all excuse Ren and I for a moment? I’d like to have a word with her alone.
Shiro: Sure. Thanks again, Professor Uzuki. We’ll wait for you outside, Ren.
*Kazuto, Shiro, Saber, and Hanabi exit the room, leaving Citan and Ren by themselves*
Ren: What was it you wished to talk about, Professor?
Citan: …When I was examining you and healing your wounds earlier, I couldn’t help but notice your body’s physical and chemical structure… It seemed…unusual…
Ren: !!!
Citan: Plus, I found it rather strange to learn you were alive during the time of the Coite-Bodher War 20 years ago when you only look about the age of 16… Miss Ren…you’re not a human, are you?
Ren: …
*meanwhile, outside the Academy, Kazuto, Shiro, and Saber are seen conversing*
Shiro: I hope we can convince the Elves to help Ren… I would hate to see a beautiful girl like her die so unexpectedly…
Saber: …I wonder if Mr. Gabi is well…
Kazuto: That’s right. That Hartz guy mentioned having a run-in with him. …You don’t think he’s…?
Saber: …I pray that’s not the case.
: Um… Excuse me.*turning to the west, Kazuto and his friends find themselves now in the company of a pregnant woman with long brown hair and brown eyes*
Shiro: Can we help you, Miss?
: I’m sorry for eavesdropping, but…did I hear you mention the name “Gabi”?Kazuto: Uh, yes. Do you know him?
Nina: My name is Nina. And…Gabi is my husband. …Is… Is he…?
Kazuto: …Uh…
Saber: …He’s doing just fine. You needn’t worry. When we last left him, he was the pinnacle of vigor.
Nina: *giggles* Yes, that is one of his more defining qualities. …Not a day goes by that I don’t worry about him. Almost every hour of every day, he’s out there protecting those…beasts. It’s not that I don’t respect what he does; it’s just… *sigh* …I just wish he’d spend more time at home.
Shiro: Heh. Well…I’m sure your wish will be realized as soon as your little one is born.
Nina: …Yeah. I’m sure it will too. And then…we can go back to being a family. *rests hand on stomach* …Isn’t that right, Kylia?
Kazuto: (…Family… I wonder if I’ll ever be a part of one again…)
*glancing towards the Academy doors, Kazuto notices Ren emerge*
Kazuto: (…No… I’m already a part of one… My friends are my family… And just as they risk their lives to protect me…I’ll risk my life to protect them…)
TO BE CONTINUED…
