Post by Hayate on Jul 9, 2009 20:47:29 GMT -5
Tales of the Epitaph
Chapter 19: The Anti-Existence
~ Briona Gwydion the Dragonbein Range, Kingdom of Lumina Cloth ~
~ Lilithday, Althena-Lunae 39, AC2038 ~
*at the top of the Dragonbein Mountains, Kazuto and Sakuya’s clash rages on; Kazuto swipes his blade at Sakuya’s back; Sakuya skillfully flips backward through the air to avoid and swings her blade at Kazuto from above; with his blade positioned above, Kazuto defends against his sister’s aerial attacks; upon landing on the ground, Sakuya shoots forward again, and the twins’ blades connect once more*
Shiro: Wow… I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kazuto fight with such passion before.
Kaori: I’m getting goose bumps.
Saber: Well, of course. They’re both fighting with their reasons for existence on the line. Sakuya seeks to right a wrong that’s been dealt her, and Sir Kazu simply wishes to connect with the twin sister he’d been separated from since birth. This could perhaps be the most important battle in each of their short lives.
Ren: …
Shiro: …So…who are you rooting for to win?
Ren: …It doesn’t really matter, does it? Whoever wins…I lose…
*before long, Kazuto and Sakuya both begin to show signs of heavy fatigue*
Kazuto: *panting*
Sakuya: *panting* Grrrr…
Kazuto: …
Sakuya: …Why are you…looking at me like that…?
Kazuto: Because…your eyes don’t like the eyes of someone wanting meaningless revenge. They look like the ones of someone who’s torn over the death of the person closest to them.
Sakuya: You and I haven’t known each other that long! Don’t pretend you know what I’m feeling!
Kazuto: I do know what you’re feeling! I recently found out that my mother died because of the selfish actions of another! When I discovered this, I wanted nothing more than to run his heart through with my blade! …But I didn’t…
Sakuya: …Why didn’t you?
Kazuto: …Because it’s not what my mother would’ve wanted. Getting revenge against the man who killed her would make me no better than the man who committed the deed himself. I can’t ever forgive him for what he’d done…but for the sake of my mother, I’ll move past it.
Sakuya: …What a heartwarming thought… But you’re forgetting about that one difference between the two of us… *glares at Kazuto* My mother wasn’t the only thing taken away from me! My home! My family! My heritage! All gone in the blink of an eye! *raises blade* So don’t you go comparing yourself to me when you can still have anything your heart desires while I have nothing!
*once again, Sakuya charges in towards Kazuto*
Kazuto: !!!
*Sakuya’s movements prove to be too quick for Kazuto to follow, and she manages to drive her sword straight through his chest*
Kazuto: *deep gasp*
All: KAZU!!!
*coughing up blood, Kazuto struggles to raise his head and meet Sakuya eye-to-eye*
Kazuto: …Is this…supposed to…help you reclaim…what you lost…?
Sakuya: I lost something that can never be reclaimed. But with this…I can make sure you lose everything as well.
*as he begins to stumble back, Kazuto weakly reaches up and grips Sakuya’s blade-holding hand, causing her to stumble forward with him*
Sakuya: W-Wait! What are you doing!? Stop!
*slowly moving backward, Kazuto inches closer to the edge of the broken bridge until…*
Sakuya: No! Let go of…! A-Aah!
*…both she and Kazuto fall over the edge and plummet into the abyss at the center of the mountain*
Sakuya: AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Saber: Kazuto!!!
Ren: Sakuya!!!
*the party rush over to where Kazuto and Sakuya fell, but by this time, they were already too far down to be seen*
Kaori: Do you see them!?
Shiro: No! They’re gone!
Ren: …KAZUTO!!! SAKUYA!!!
~ LOCATION UNKNOWN ~
*some time after his descent into darkness, Kazuto awakens to find himself in a strange space with little light*
Kazuto: W-Where…? Agh!
*as he struggles to stand up, Kazuto clenches his stomach in pain, still reeling from the blow dealt to him by Sakuya*
Kazuto: What…is this place? …Aah!
*just then, to Kazuto’s surprise, eight fire lamps light up in a circle around him, illuminating the space he was now in; he stood on a circular platform with eight other platforms jutting out from the one he was standing on; on each of these eight platforms was a fire lamp; from the whimsical feel of the place, Kazuto felt like he was no longer on Earth*
Kazuto: …Where am I?
: So you’re still alive, are you?*turning around, Kazuto discovers Sakuya standing behind him; upon seeing her, he defends himself with his blade, but his stance was wobbly*
Sakuya: At ease, soldier. I’m not gonna hurt you. Especially in the condition you’re in.
Kazuto: …Why do I find that hard to believe…?
Sakuya: Hmph. Believe whatever you want. So…where are we?
Kazuto: *looks around* …I was hoping you could tell me.
: This is Caerleon Medb.Kazuto/Sakuya: You say something?
: *giggles* No. I did.Kazuto/Sakuya: … *looks up*
*looking up, Kazuto and Sakuya notice a white-haired woman with light-blue eyes draped in white robes floating above them*
Sakuya: Who…?
Kazuto: … *gasp*
*at that moment, Kazuto recalls back to when he entered the church at Naval Monte, remembering the statue of Aura he saw*
Kazuto: You’re…the Goddess Aura!
Aura: *smiles* Yes.
Sakuya: The Goddess Aura…? What are you doing in this place?
Aura: Well…waiting for you two, I suppose.
Kazuto/Sakuya: Huh?
Aura: *turns away* For many years, I’ve patiently waited here for the arrival of the “chosen protectors”.
Kazuto: “Chosen…protectors”…?
Aura: This place, Caerleon Medb -- the “end of land” -- serves as the passage between this world and the next. For years now, I’ve stood watch, protecting this world from the coming of a great and terrible evil.
Sakuya: W-What evil…?
Aura: The ‘hidden one masked by the shadows’… The anti-existence of this world… Cubia.
*just then, Kazuto and Sakuya are given a brief, almost millisecond-long glimpse at a monster whose grotesqueness surpassed anything the two had ever seen before*
Kazuto/Sakuya: !!!
Kazuto: W-What does this…Cubia…want?
Aura: Cubia comes into existence for but one purpose -- to consume. Millions of worlds have fallen victim to its malice. The destruction and ruin it shall bring will reduce all to nothingness.
Sakuya: …
Aura: Even as we speak, Cubia attempts to break through the wall that separates his world from ours. It won’t be long before I’m unable to hold him back any longer.
Kazuto: Isn’t there anything that can be done!?
Aura: …There is. Where there are those masked by the shadows, there are those exalted by the light. Whenever Cubia appears to consume a world, I too appear to grant that world a fighting chance at salvation. Individuals blessed with the power of Aura, the power to combat Cubia. …The power…of the Epitaph.
Sakuya: Wait… You can’t possibly mean…!
Aura: *closes eyes* O children of Morganna, I cast upon thee the immaculate light of the heavens. May the evil that threatens thy world be cast away, and the might of peace and love shine through forevermore.
*as Aura’s body begins to glow, Kazuto and Sakuya’s right wrists start to glow as well*
Kazuto: W-What the!? What’s happening!?
*the bright lights soon die down, and the twins find strange transparent bracelets circling their wrists*
Sakuya: What on Earth is…?
Aura: The ‘hidden one’ will be upon us soon… I’ve done all I can, my children… The rest…is in your hands…
*Aura’s body starts to fade away, and once again, Kazuto and Sakuya’s bodies are engulfed in white light*
Kazuto/Sakuya: Aah!
*the intensity of the light’s brightness and warmth causes Kazuto to lose consciousness; some time later…*
~ Briona Gwydion the Dragonbein Range, Kingdom of Lumina Cloth ~
Kazu!
Kazuto: …
C’mon, Kazu, wake up!
Kazuto: …
Kazu, can you hear me!? Open your eyes! Please!
Kazuto: …Mmm…
*stirred awake by the sound of voices, Kazuto slowly opens his eyes; as he completely opens them, Kazuto finds himself back on the ruined bridge at the top of Briona Gwydion; Ren and Shiro were kneeling down near him*
Ren: *gasp* You’re alive!
Kazuto: Ren… Shiro…
Shiro: Jeez… You gave us quite a scare there, buddy…
Kaori: Look! Sakuya’s waking up too!
*picking himself up to sit upright, Kazuto looks over and sees Saber and Kaori kneeling over Sakuya, who was also regaining consciousness*
Kazuto: …We’re back… *gasp*
*resting his hand upon his stomach, Kazuto is surprised to discover his chest wound was gone*
Kazuto: (No blood… Not even a scar…) *smiles* (…Aura…)
*just then, Kazuto feels something lightly crash into him; Ren had wrapped her arms around him*
Kazuto: R-Ren…?
Ren: …Never again… Don’t ever do that again, Kazu!
Kazuto: …Ren… *closes eyes* …Sorry… It won’t happen again, I promise…
Shiro: Hehehe…
*even as Sakuya watches this display of affection between Kazuto and Ren, her expression remains unchanged*
Sakuya: …
*all of a sudden, a massive earthquake rattles the Dragonbein Mountains vehemently*
Kaori: W-Whoa! What’s going on!?
Shiro: It feels like the mountains are starting to collapse!
Saber: Quickly! Let’s return to the Daybreak!
*Kazuto and company (Sakuya included) returns to the Daybreak and take off into the skies high above Briona Gwydion; as the party watches from the Daybreak, the earthquake from earlier appears to split the mountain down the middle, and a huge, hideous beast emerges from the fissure; as it surfaces, the monster opens its massive maw and its roar echoes all across Lumina Cloth*
Gilgamesh: What the hell is that thing?!?
Ciel: It looks like some harbinger of doom sent straight up from Eld Sleika!
Kaori: *shudders* I’m getting chills just by looking at it!
*Kazuto and Sakuya recognized the monster as the beast they caught a glimpse of back in Caerleon Medb*
Kazuto/Sakuya: …Cubia…!
*as the Daybreak soars in the direction of Mac Anu, Cubia drags itself out of the abyss and begins to move north; as it does so, thousands of small tentacled monsters break away from its body and fly towards all the major towns in the world; several hours later…*
~ Capital of LeGable, Kingdom of Mac Anu ~
*a group consisting of Kazuto, Ren, Shiro, Saber, Kaori, King Shirai, and a couple of kingdom officials assemble in the LeGable Castle throne room; Sakuya waits outside*
Official 1: It’s only been a handful of hours since the appearance of that demon -- this Cubia -- and already it’s begun to lay siege over all the major cities! We’re receiving reports from all over about tentacled beasts descending from the sky and laying waste to everything in sight! It’s utter chaos!
Official 2: “AC2038: The heir to Mac Anu shall give birth to a power most extraordinary. With the birth of this great force, the flames of destruction and ruin shall sweep over all.” Now we know the meaning behind this portion of the prophecy. It seems the end of the world is destined to come true after all.
Official 1: This never would’ve happened if we had done away with the girl to begin with!
Kazuto: Shut up!
Official 1: !!!
Kazuto: This is just as much my fault as it is Sakuya’s! If you have any reason to incriminate her, I must share the blame!
Shiro: Hmm. Spoken like a true Mac Anu prince.
Shirai: *sigh* This is madness… What is there to do now? Resign ourselves to Cubia and accept our fate? …Is there no hope left?
Kazuto: There’s always hope. It’s like Aura told me: “Where there are shadows…”
*as Kazuto holds up his right wrist, his bracelet shimmers*
Kazuto: “…there is light.” Sakuya and I both possess the power to combat Cubia. If the world is to have any hope of seeing tomorrow, we’ll confront it…and destroy it.
Shirai: …Surely you don’t plan to oppose Cubia by yourselves?
Ren: *steps forward* Of course not. Saber, Kaori, Shiro, and I will be there to support them every step of the way. We refuse to let the world come to an end this easily.
Shirai: …Everyone…
Saber: …
Kaori: …
Ren: …
Shiro: …
Shirai: …Hehehe… This is certainly a fine group of allies you’ve made, Kazuto.
Kazuto: Heh. Yeah, they are. I trust them with my life.
Shirai: …If you’re truly resolved to carry out this campaign against Cubia, my son, you have the full support of the kingdom of Mac Anu. We’ll help you prepare for the battle ahead any way we can.
Kazuto: …Thank you…Father.
Saber: Let’s head into town. We need to outfit ourselves thoroughly if we’re to have a fighting chance against Cubia.
All: *nods*
*with their plans set in motion, the party rushes out of the throne room to prepare themselves; just then, those still inside the throne room would hear a commotion coming from outside*
: H-Hey! What are you…!? Quit shoving! A-Aah!*at that moment, Sakuya stumbles forward into the throne room due of the party pushing her; once inside, she makes eye contact with King Shirai*
Shirai: *gasp*
Sakuya: …
*almost immediately, Shirai rises to his feet and slowly approaches*
Shirai: …Sa…kuya…?
Sakuya: …Um…
Shirai: You…are Sakuya, aren’t you? My goodness… You look just like your mother…
Sakuya: …
*as Sakuya looks to the left wall, her eyes upon the painting of Queen Gardenia; to her surprise, the two did indeed look much alike; Sakuya then looks at King Shirai again*
Sakuya: …F…Father…
*some time later, Kazuto and company are seen on the deck on the Daybreak, making final preparations for the battle ahead*
Kaori: I hope everyone in Lumina Cloth is okay…
Saber: I’m sure they’re fine. The kingdom is populated by some of the finest warriors in the world. The Imperial Forces, Sir Gabi, Professor Uzuki… I expect they’re all holding their own just fine against Cubia’s demon spawn. …Though, if their numbers are as great as the reports say they are, it won’t be long before they reach Mac Anu.
Ren: *looks up* It’s almost sunset. We should head to Fort Ouph soon.
Shiro: …Hmm?
*looking towards the other end of the deck, Shiro notices Sakuya approaching*
Shiro: Hey, look, Sakuya’s back.
Kazuto: …Welcome back. Did you have a good talk with--?
Sakuya: Why did you do that? Why would you force me to face my father after all this time? We’d been apart for 16 years! I’d have been perfectly happy never knowing him!
Kazuto: …I know that’s not true, Sakuya. You go on about how I stole everything from you, but there was never anything to steal. I wanted you to face Father because it was the only way for you make peace with your past. The life you were forced to give up.
Sakuya: …So what? Now that I’m here, you and I are supposed to just forget everything that’s happened and be best friends like a good brother and sister should be?
Kazuto: I’m not asking for your friendship. Especially after all that’s happened between us. I’m asking for your cooperation. This isn’t about you or me, Sakuya. It’s about the whole world. An evil from another world threatens everything we know and love, and we’re the only ones who can stop it. *holds up bracelet* I can’t fight this battle without you, Sakuya.
*as Kazuto’s bracelet shines, Sakuya’s shines as well*
Sakuya: …Father and I… We talked for what seemed like an eternity. I told him about the woman who raised me…and he told me about my real mother. The woman he loved more than any other. Her kindness… The love she held for her people and country… For a while, it felt like he could go on about her forever.
Kazuto: …
Sakuya: …I’ll fight with you…but on one condition. Before we head out to face Cubia…I’d like you to take me somewhere.
Kazuto: Where?
Sakuya: …
~ Hy Brasail the Isle of Kings, Kingdom of Mac Anu ~
~ Jinnday, Althena-Lunae 40, AC2038 ~
*after a night’s rest at Fort Ouph, the party sets out in the Daybreak to take on Cubia, but before heading to where Cubia was, they make a brief stop at Hy Brasail; once there, Kazuto leads Sakuya to the grave of their mother Queen Gardenia*
Kazuto: …Here it is.
Sakuya: *steps forward* So this is where she lies buried… Queen Gardenia of Mac Anu… My…real mother…
Kazuto: …
Sakuya: …Tell me something, Kazuto. Let’s say you were in my place. You were truly the one destined to bring about the world’s end. You were the one taken away from your home at birth. …Would you be able to bring yourself to hating me, the person who had caused such a fate to befall you?
Kazuto: …I don’t know. But I do know that…no matter what kind of life I’d be forced to live -- be it that of royalty or a commoner -- it wouldn’t be right to place blame for it on another. If I did…I don’t think I’d be able to look at myself in the mirror.
Sakuya: …Hmm. I see.
*clasping her hands together, Sakuya says a short prayer in her head for her deceased mother, then turns to face Kazuto*
Sakuya: …I think I understand why Ren chooses to protect you so passionately. It’s the same reason your friends follow you without hesitation or fear, and why Aura chose you to wield her power. In you, Kazuto, they see…hope. Hope for a bright future. It was no coincidence you were born my twin. It was fate.
Kazuto: …Sakuya…
Sakuya: Thank you for bringing me here. I’m ready now. With this power… *holds out bracelet* …let us fight for the future!
Kazuto: …Hmph! *holds out bracelet* For the future!
*once Kazuto and Sakuya return to the Daybreak, the flying ship takes off into the sky once more and soars to the north at full speed; as the Daybreak draws closer to the north pole, the party begins to hear chime-like sounds*
Kaori: *ears twitch* …Hmm? Does anyone else hear…bells?
Ren: …I hear it too.
Ciel: Heh. But of course. We near the North Pole’s “Ringing Peaks”.
Saber: “Ringing Peaks”? …You mean Al Fadel?
Ciel: Aye. The Six Ringing Peaks of Al Fadel are legendary among world travelers. Anyone who dares to brave the harsh cold and climb to the top would learn the deep, dark secrets of the world. …Or so they say.
Vyce: We’re approaching the center peak, Captain. …Whoa. What is that?
*looking out the Daybreak’s windshield, the party is treated to the sight of a massive tower erected on the center peak of Al Fadel; it appeared to almost touch the heavens*
Shiro: A grand tower that I’m guessing has never been there before… Courtesy of our friendly neighborhood Cubia, I presume?
Vyce: …Wait. I’m seeing something else out there. Something that’s moving.
*upon closer inspection, Vyce determines the moving objects to be the Cubia’s tentacled monsters*
Vyce: *gasp* More of Cubia’s demon spawn! I’m seeing dozens-- no, hundreds of them!
Ciel: Tch! Might’ve expected the bastard wouldn’t let us near its ‘home away from home’ without a brawl!
Kazuto: Keep heading straight for the tower, Vyce! Leave the flying slugs to us!
Vyce: Roger that!
*with their weapons at the ready, the party head out onto the deck of the ship to meet the oncoming swarm of Cubia’s flying drones*
Kazuto: *readies blade* BRING IT ON!!!
TO BE CONTINUED…
