Chapter 36: Persistence

Saria: “No, no, not there, where are you?”

Saria flew over the devastated area, now a massive crater in the wake of the attack. Except for a few trees that manage to stay intact, nothing else was left. From he point of view, all coud be seen and to her dismay nothing moved. No sign of Celes or the Hero, slowly but surely she was losing faith. As she moved deeper in she came across something strange. Something was moving towards epicenter, she could see something but she couldn’t make it out. As she stared, it shifted a bit, it wasn’t much, but I definitely moved.

Saria: “Could it be?”

*Ruuuuuummmmmmmmble*

Saria: “Huh?”

Below where Saria was floating, the ground caved in on itself. Saria landed nearby, opting to investigate since it was closer. As she walked around it the ground would shake for a moment, nothing like an earthquake, more like something burrowing below the surface. Louder it became, until the dirt was cast aside and a hand reached out from beneath.

Saria: “KYAAAAAAA!?”

Nathan: “Why are you screaming?”

Saria: “H-Hero!?”

Nathan push more dirt aside and pushed himself out from the hole. With his other hand, he pulled up Anais, Celes and Iris, each gasping for air as they popped out of the ground.

Anais: *Cough**Cough* Couldn’t she had found a better way to save us?”

Nathan: “Be grateful, we would have died, if she didn’t show up when she did.”

Anais: “And we almost died again, when she ran out of mana, while we were underground. If Iris hadn’t shifted the earth to make a pocket for us, we would have suffocated.”

Nathan picked up Celes, too tired to move from the lack of mana. While they were moving below ground, if Anais hadn’t checked her hand, they wouldn’t have notice that Celes was draining her mana quickly.

Nathan: “Anais.”

Anais: “I not saying I’m not grateful, but she just trying too hard to impress you.”

Anais turned to Celes.

Anais: “If you can’t do it, just say so, will make do.”

Celes nodded her head in response.

Anais: “And stop trying so hard to stay, if Nathan wanted you gone, he would have said so.”

Celes nodded wants again to Anais as she climbed out of the ditch. Nathan took a look at his hand, Celes mana was filling rather quickly. With both their Plant Physiology stacked, it wouldn’t take long for her be at full strength again.

Saria: “Hero, I’ll take her, quickly.”

Nathan handed her over, he wondered why she was so frantic to get her.

Elven Soldier: “Lady Saria?”

Everyone turned to see several elves walking their way, weapons drawn. Nathan understood, it would have been weird if Celes was floating there by herself. Nathan, Anais and Iris got ready to fight, but Saria shook her head, putting a hand behind he back, she signaled them. Nathan nodded and went to the girls.

Elven Soldier: “Is everything all right with Lady Celes, was she caught in the blast?”

Saria: “No, it seems as though she dove into the earth to avoided it. However, it seems she very tired from over exertion. Why are all of you here, did you follow me?”

Elven Soldier: “The Lords orders, to make sure the spell had done its job.”

The elves looked around, nothing alive except the two nymphs.

Saria: “Is there a problem?”

Elven Soldier: “Why was she here in the first place, we had evacuated all the nymphs prior to the attack?”

Saria: “I’ve said so before, she was a member of the Hero’s party. She would have without a doubt returned to aid him. As you can see………. she arrived too late.”

Elven Soldier: “The Hero, he was here?”

Saria: “I’m afraid so, it seems he didn’t make it.”

Elven Soldier: “…….You don’t seem too upset about it.”

Saria: “Do presume to know how I feel, you can’t even begin to understand my anger or would you rather lighting rain down.”

Elven Soldier: “……….I spoke out of line, my apologies, if you allow us, we would like to accompany you to safety.”

Saria: “That will not be necessary, I am more than capable on my own.”

Elven Soldier: “……..I see.”

Saria: “Ah actually, further towards the center, I didn’t see something moved, maybe that is worth investigating.”

Elven Soldier: “Really, then we shall search there.”

The elf looked to Saria, cold sweat ran down her face. She wanted them to hurry and leave.

Elven Soldier: “Well then.”

The elves began to walk away, Saria breathing a sigh of relief.”

Elven Soldier: “Oh, I almost forgot.”

Saria: “What!?”

*fsssshhhhh**boooooooom*

The area within the ditch exploded. The elf had fired several spells, turning it into an inferno.

Elven Soldier: “Sorry, just something Lord Gaelin ask me to do.”

Saria stared horrified, then to the elf who fired the shots.

Elven Soldier: “I guess we will take our leave, please excuse us.”

For the second time and for truth, the Elves took their leave, heading for the center. Saria using her control over the rain, summoned a cloud, that douse the fire with rain water. Looking back to make sure the elves were out of earshot, she turned to the sky.

Saria: “It seems Gaelin still thinks you’re alive.”

Anais: “Told you it was a set up.”

Nathan: “Iris, you can put us down now.”

Iris: “Right.”

Iris slowly set them both back on the ground. Nathan figured they would try to attack them, but he didn’t know how. So, he decided that they wouldn’t be on the ground when they attacked.”

Saria: “That also, what I thought. Not long before they set off that spell, I heard that several of the tribesmen came over to my sisters who were watching. Telling them that the Hero said for them to moved away.”

Nathan: “Obviously, I said no such thing.”

Saria: “Obviously, we could all clearly see you fighting, after that laser fire, they believe what they said to be truth. My sisters would have never have moved if they knew, our guardians were attempting to hit you with that as well.”

Nathan: “Anais, you said they knew you were watching, why did you think that?”

Anais: “It turns out the guy’s I were watching were complete fakes. That mass of energy we were felling was just a ruse, made too look like a mass of energy. The real spell was being cloaked further away.”

Iris: “How did you know?”

Anais, stuck out her chest.

Anais: “Don’t underestimate my deductive skills, I understood immediately upon seeing spell, that it was a fake.”

Nathan: “……….You ran head first into one of the elves while spying and decided to follow them, because they were acting suspiciously, right?”

Anais: “Wh-What are you t-talking about th-that’s not how it went at all.”

Nathan: “Don’t avert your eyes, you klutz.”

Anais: “WHO A KLUTZ!?”

Saria: “The fact remains, they will try again if they believe you are still alive, I think it would be best if you were to take your leave.”

Everyone: “Agreed.”

Everyone began to head away, there were finally getting out of the Garden. All they had to do was get past the few elves guarding the exit, no one on the other side would be expecting them, so as soon a they get past them it was a cake walk.

*Loud Roar*

Anais: “No way.”

Saria: “……….Impossible, Nothing could survive that.”

Iris: “Apparently, it could and has, though from the sound of that, it seems to be close to death.”

Nathan: “……………….Iris, Saria, fly up as high as you can, see if any of those plant creatures are nearby.”

Saria: “The Reapers, why, what’s wrong?”

Nathan: “That wasn’t a “Agh, I’m dying” roar, that was a “Calling for backup” roar.”

Saria and Iris did as they were told, surveying the area, but after several minutes, nothing was approaching. They returned to Nathan.

Saria: “I’m sorry, there was no Reapers moving toward us.”

Anais: “Don’t be, that’s good news.”

Iris: “However we could see, the tribesmen, though they were acting strange.”

Nathan: “How so?”

Saria: “Well, there just standing around the dying Gorgon.”

Anais: “Why aren’t they attacking it?”

Saria: “They could just be waiting for the rest of the tribe to to arrive before they engage, last time it didn’t go so well when they attack with such small numbers.”

Iris: “What should we do Master……….Master?”

The girls turned to Nathan, he was lost in thought. He was sure that was the same sound it made right before he was ambushed by the Reapers before. Something was up, he needed to know why, better yet still he decided he was going to kill it. No more worrying about their pride, he was actually doing it for the nymph’s sake, but all bets are off after he was nearly blown up.

He began to walk off, the girls following behind him, confused to his expression. Saria set Celes down she had gained some of her strength back and was sure she could take care of herself, allowing Saria to follow Nathan.

Nathan jogged the way over towards the Gorgon, being closer made it all the more pitiful, was a wreck. Even from where he was standing, he could tell the blast had did substantial amount of damage, it couldn’t even move, let alone attack. He couldn’t even tell if it was alive, if not for the roar earlier.

Nathan turned to the elves standing around it, it was an eerie sight. It was just strange, the Grassvalley elves were standing with their backs to him, just staring at the Gorgon, unmoving. Nathan picked up a nearby rock and tossed at one of the elves, but they didn’t even flinch we it hit.

Anais: “Kinda creepy up close, why are they standing like that?”

Nathan: “I’ve seen this before.”

Everyone snapped their necks in Nathans direction.

Anais: “Where have you seen this before?”

Nathan: “In…………….a MOVIE.”

Iris: “What’s a Muvy?

Nathan: “I’ll tell you later, but just like this, all the cultist standing around the fire, muttering incoherent nonsense, all entrance by a disembodied voice and then…………………………A HAND REACHES OUT OF THE FIRE AND PULLS THEM ALL TO HELL AND LAUGH MANIACLLY AS THER BODIES ARE SLOWLY CONSUMED BY THE FLAMES.”

Nathan turned to the girls, faces gone completely pale.

Nathan: “…….Just kidding.”

Anais: “If that happens, I’m blasting you with fire.”

Saria: “I’ll go see what’s wrong.”

Iris: “I don’t think that’s wise.”

Saria: “I’ll be fine, remember, the tribe can’t see you, but it can.”

Nathan: “No, it can only see me, you stay here, it’s clearly somethings wrong, they can’t see us, we should be the ones to investigate.”

Saria: “But, what about the Gorgon?”

Nathan looked at the Gorgon, pitiful.

Nathan: “That things in no condition to fight.”

Nathan slowly moved towards the elves, not one moved as he approached. Anais and Iris each moved towards one of the elves. Moving to the one who was speaking with Saria earlier, moving around to the front he found that the man’s eyes were open, but it was a soulless state Nathan waved a hand in his face, he didn’t move.

Nathan: “Hey!”

Anais: “(Whisper) What the hell are you doing!?”

Nathan: “……….Its okay, there gone.”

Iris: “What do you mean, there alive.”

Nathan: “Yeah but their minds aren’t, just some empty husk.

*Grrrrrrrr*

Nathan turned and his eyes met the Gorgon, at least he thinks they did. With its skin melting around it and the half its body seemed to be below ground, Nathan could only make out so much of it. Nathan quickly unsheathe his sword, he knew this thing could heal itself and he wasn’t going to give it the chance.

Nathan: “I’m am honestly surprise you survive, but don’t worry, I’m putting you out of your misery.”

*Loud roar*

Anais and Iris jumped from the sudden sound, but Nathan stood fast, he wasn’t going to missed this chance he quickly stabbed at the Gorgon. As soon as his blade made contact with its flesh, Nathan’s Threat Detection started going off, but the he was preoccupied.

Anais: “Flare!”

*Fwosssh**Boom*

Anais: “Nathan get back!”

Nathan turned to see one of the Members of the Grassvalley tribe, still smoking from Anais’s spell. She had attempted to lop off Nathans head while his back was turned. Nathan pulled his sword from the wound he had inflicted on the Gorgon and swung it at the woman. Their blades crossed, Nathan kicked her away. Between her burns and Nathans blow, the woman collapsed to the ground, but another elf quickly replaced her, also swinging their blade at Nathan. Nathan Jumped back, while he was midair, his body jerked to the side, reflexively dodging an arrow aimed at his head.

Nathan: “What the hell’s going on?”

All seven of the elves who were standing around the Gorgon, had begun attacking the three.

Nathan: “Iris!”

Iris: “Understood!”

Iris Clapped her hands together and mighty gust of air surge forth, throwing several of the elves into the air. Nathan quickly grew the snyare, snatching up midflight and tying them down.

Anais: “How the hell can they see us?”

Nathan: “They can’t it can, just like the reapers, their seeing us through its eyes. And for some reason it can see you now too, but it doesn’t matter.”

Nathan wasted no time, as soon as they were in the air, he sped towards the Gorgon. His wound a moment ago, wasn’t deep enough, but this attack will end it. Just as he approached, something came flying towards him, he ignored it, another arrow wouldn’t make it to him in time. Just as he thought, the arrow whizz right by him, only to change course and chase after him. Now, moving much faster it caught up to Nathan, he quickly blocked it with his sword. However, the force was incredible, it pushed Nathan back, forcing him to regain his footing further away.

Nathan: “Crap, forgot about those things.”

A single sphere was left, floating around the Gorgon, its last sentinel.

Iris: “Master!”

Nathan turned to Iris, all the tribesmen had been cut down. It didn’t miss earlier, it was freeing all Nathan’s captives. Nathan turned back to the Gorgon, their eyes meeting wants again.

Nathan: “Persistent.”

_

_

Gaelin: “ALL OF YOU, STAND DOWN!”

Gaelin tried in vain to keep the situation under control. For some reason, almost half of his men had suddenly started assaulting their brothers. A few of them had already fallen from the initial attack, while others fall, not wanting to hurt their fellow man.

Edwyrd: “Haaaaaaaah!”

Edwyrd clashed with several of his subordinates, trying his best not to hurt them, although this was becoming increasingly difficult. While he struggled with one of his men, he witnessed another stabbing someone several times in the chest. He pushed his subordinate away and ran over to the dying man, but it was too late. Around him, the screams of others meeting their end was definite.

Edwyrd: This is madness.”

Brothers who moments ago, stood beside him in combat, were now cutting down one another.

Edwyrd: “Stop this.”

One of his subordinates charge him again, sparks flying as their blades clashed.

Edwyrd: “Get a hold of yourself!”

His words fell on death ears, as the elf continued his assault. Thrusting his sword, Edwyrd parried the blow and using the hilt, smashed his subordinate in the face. The elf fell to the ground, blood flowing from the wound on his face, but even with the wound, the elf stood up once more. More of them slowly surrounded him, Edwyrd knocked each one down, only to have them stand up over and over.

Edwyrd: “(Why…. Won’t…… they……..stay………down?)”

Edwyrd continued this pattern, every time he knocked one down, they would rise back up again, hurt, bleeding, but no matter, they attacked again.

Gaelin: “EDWYRD!”

Edwyrd turned to his father, who was busy subduing several of his men, even with one hand, he was formidable.

Gaelin: “THIS BEGAN RIGHT AFTER THE BEAST ROARED, SURELY IT IS THE CULPRIT. I WILL HANDLE THIGS HERE, TAKE WHO WILL GO AND END THIS MADNESS.”

Edwyrd: “But, Father?”

Gaelin: “DO AS I COMMAND!”

Edwyrd made no more attempt to argue, along with a few others, he broke through the line of his corrupt brothers. Gaelin look back making sure his son had left the area, he sighed in relief. The truth was, he didn’t know if he could subdue all of them without striking them down, he also known that Edwyrd would not be able to do what was necessary. Even if he were to slay the Gorgon, it still may not due away with whatever is afflicting them. If he must, he will do what must be done.

The few who still had their reasoning, rallied beside the Lord, awaiting his order.

Gaelin: “Subdue who you can, who you can’t……put them to rest.”