Chapter 27: All for You

Gaelin: Lady Saria, What on Leseres?”

Saria arrived to the area where they were setting traps for the Gorgon, with the Grassvalley Tribe. A few of her sisters came over to greet her.

Saria: “Has the Hero returned?”

Water Nymph: “No, Celes and Miss Iris have not returned either.”

Saria: “What is keeping them?”

Edwyrd: “Lady Saria, are you sure this man is the Hero?”

Saria: “He wields the blade of the Hero, I’m sure you know that no one else can.”

Edwyrd: “Lady Saria, surely you know that only a human could wield that blade and of all things, a Lycanian, a race that’s said to be extinct?”

Gaelin: “Edwyrd enough, until proven otherwise, you have no right to question her.”

Edwyrd: “My apologies Father, to you as well Lady Saria.”

Saria: “No, you have the right to doubt, I have no proof.”

Gaelin: “Actually, there have been several signatures, that prove your claims. They didn’t last too long, but they were “Origin’s”.”

Saria: “Indeed, However I wished they were present, it would be easier to explain.

Water Nymph: Oh, no one from the Hero’s party has shown, but Lynn and Karri have arrived they’ve been waiting for you to show up.”

Saria: “Lynn, where is she?”

Lynn: “Sister!”

Lynn came rushing over, happy as can be to see her Saria. Behind her was Karri, she looked as though she did not want to be here.

Saria: “Lynn, what are you doing here, why were you not with our sisters?”

Lynn: “They’re fine, I sent them all back home not too long ago.”

Saria: “I just came from there, it was vacant.”

Lynn: “Yes, you have missed them, seeing as how they were all coming from the south.”

Saria: “The south, Lynn what were you thinking, the Gorgon?”

Lynn: “The Gorgon is heading further southeast, we never saw it.”

Saria: “It turned around?”

That was strange, the Hero said it would definitely come looking for its child, that was how they planned to lure it here. For it to suddenly abandoned its pursuit.

Saria gazed over to Karri, who quickly turned away, refusing to make eye contact. As if she was afraid to look at Saria all together, something was amiss.

Saria: “………..Karri, what’s wrong, it’s not like you to shy away from me.”

Karri: “I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well.”

Saria could tell, she was hiding something.

Edwyrd: “Pardon me ladies, but do either of you know of the Lycanian’s where about?”

Karri nearly jumped out of her skin, on mention of the Hero, but Lynn just smiled a big happy smile.

Lynn: “I had a talk with the Hero earlier.”

Saria: “I heard, listen I think there been some misunderstandings about my relationship with the hero.”

Lynn: “No, there is no need to explain, the Hero and I have come to see eye to eye.”

Saria: “What?”

Lynn: “As we speak, the hero and his party are battling with the Gorgon.”

Lynn and karri both jumped from the sudden change in Saria’s aura. She made a face that Lynn had never seen her make in her direction. A face of unbridled rage. Saria was angry, because she knew for a fact that the Hero was adamant about not confronting the Gorgon. He would definitely not change his mind on the subject.

Saria: “Lynn……………….what did you do?”

Lynn: “Sister, why do you look at me that way, you should be happy, I convinced the Hero to do his job and now the Grassvalley tribe is here as well, surely they along with the Hero could-”

Saria: “LYNN!!”

Saria outburst drew attention from everyone around, especially Lynn. Clouds had formed above her a moment before dissipating, she was infuriated.

Lynn: “I-I’ve done nothing.”

Saria stepped around Lynn and next to Karri.

Saria: “Karri, what happened?”

Suddenly she was the center of attention, she looked to Lynn for support, but Saria snap her head back towards her.

Saria: “Look at me, what happened to the Hero.

With no support and all eyes on her, she confessed all that transpired.

_

_

Saria: “………….What have you done?”

Lynn: “I-I did what needed to be done, none of you would listen, don’t you all see, this is how it’s supposed to be.”

Saria stared at Lynn, she truly believed what she did was right.

Saria: “Lynn, with that concoction, he will not wake up for days, you’ve sentence him to death, don’t you understand that?”

Lynn: “No, with the therian girl and Miss Iris, they will be able to hold their own and the Grassvalley Tribe has arrived, surely all of them together-”

Saria: “YOU FOOL!”

Lynn stepped back, the winds around Saria for the briefest of seconds nearly blew her away.

Saria: “Lord Gaelin, please we must go to their aid at once.”

Gaelin: “Lady Saria, I understand your plight, but surely would it not be wise to wait for us here?”

Saria: “No, I made a promise to protect my home and the ones I care about.”

A bitter taste overcame Lynn’s mouth upon hearing Saria’s words.

Lynn: Why, WHY, does he mean that much to you, that you would risk your life for him? You have change sister, I know that man has gotten to you, but he’s making think these insane thoughts, we don’t need to fight or protect, that’s what the Hero is for, the Grassvalley Tribe, we need only to wait until there victory. Or are you to blinded by your love fo-”

*Slap*

The sound of the slap echoed across the area, everyone stared in shock, the nymphs, the Grassvalley tribe, but most of all Lynn. She reached for her face, now hot and red from the blow. She looked into Saria eyes, a storm kicking up above.

Saria: “YOU KNOW NOTHING, CELES IS A MEMBER OF HIS PARTY!

Lynn: “…………What!?”

Edwyrd: “Lady Saria, is that true?”

Saria: “Yes, she is a member of his party, she will surely go to his aid and fight to protect him.”

Lynn: “SARIA, DON’T YOU GET IT, TO EVEN ALLOW CELES, WHO’S NEXT TO BE MOTHER TO DO SOMETHING SO CRAZY, CAN’T YOU SEE WHAT HE’S DONE TO ALL OF US?”

Saria: “NO, HE DIDN’T ALLOW HER ON HIS TEAM, HE EVEN FLAT OUT REJECTED HER, SHE HERSELF FORCE HER WAY INTO HIS PARTY.”

Surprise and confusion was abundant, for the shy Celes to do something like this is unheard of.

Lynn: “Ridiculous, why would Celes do something like that. It’s make no sense?”

Saria: “The only one who doesn’t make sense is you, I have not change, but you, you’ve lied, made deals with the enemy and even if not by your hands, you attempted murder. The Lynn I know would never have done any of these things.

Lynn: “I……..I did it all for you, Saria.”

Saria: “No… you did it for yourself, you a coward, who couldn’t stand watching those around her standing up for themselves. Such a sister, I don’t need.”

Lynn: “Saria……..y-you don’t mean that.”

Saria turn her back and walked away. Lynn grabbed Saria shoulder, but was immediately smacked away. Saria didn’t even look back as she casually knocked her hand away.

Lynn world crumble around her, every step Saria took away from her, another piece of her broke. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her face. Her beloved sister, the one he cared for the most, the one she could not live without, the only one she would die for, just told her she was not needed.

Lynn, couldn’t take anymore and ran away, she could no longer stand to be here. Off she flew, leaving a trail of tears behind. Saria didn’t even look at her as she disappeared into the forest. Karri looked to Saria, then turned and flew off after Lynn.

Saria: “Lord Gaelin, please we must go to their aid.”

Gaelin: “…………As you say, Lady Saria.”

Saria: “Everyone else continue to prepare, even if the Grassvalley tribe has arrived, we still may need the traps to be completed.”

On Saria’s words, her sisters got work on the plan, while she and the elves of the Grassvalley Tribe began their track south.

Eleven soldier: “It seems this Lycanian Hero, has made quite the impression on the daughters of the Garden.”

Gaelin: “Yes, I truly hope we won’t have to take his life?”

Edwyrd: “What was that, father?”

Gaelin: “Nothing, let’s hurry.”

Edwyrd: “R-Right.”

_

_

As the heat of day shine down, the horde of monster marched. They destination set, they continued, in dazed like state, as if they’re marching was not of their own volition. The Gorgon had entered the area only to be ambushed by reapers time and time again. Every single one that attacked, had there will robbed from them and now march at the Gorgons leisure.

Unbeknownst to them, beneath them, within the blades of grass, a shadow moved swiftly and carefully.

Celes now using the tall grass as a means to continue forward as a shadow amongst the many, was currently heading towards the front of the pack of reapers. She had made it about halfway, when she came close to the Gorgon. Even though she knew she could not be seen, it still was a frightening to see up close. The child size just did not compare, it was on a whole different scale.

Seeing such a thing, it was hard to turn your gaze away. She forced herself to turn away from it and continue on, just as she moved way, she felt the mana slipping away. She had been diving too long, and she was low on mana, with what she had left she could not possibly get to the front. Some had even managed to enter the plains, but she couldn’t possibly get that far ahead.

She had to do what she had come to do here, it wouldn’t stop all of them but it would divide them up, with most of them left behind including the Gorgon.

She arrived at the entrance, diving deep beneath the earth, she descended to depth she never knew she could, deeper than she ever dived before. She curled into fetal position then all at once, a light was admitted from her chest. Taking the light in hand she forced it downward and then she started to ascend.

On the surface, the Ground began to shake causing many of the reapers above to lose balance. In wake of the quake, the ground split open, as roots rip through to the surface. The roots twisted in every direction, skewering those unfortunate enough to be caught in its path. The ground cracked further as the roots continued skyward.

When they stopped, they easily rivaled that of the wall and with this the roots begin to entwined. Leaves were abundant, as the limbs stretch in every direction. Soon they had finished and what stood now was a mighty tree.

As the towered over everything else around and as Celes planned had successfully halted the reaper hoard. Tree had grown right in the middle of the march, dividing the force, leaving most on the opposite side. Some had also been crushed by the many limbs. The roots at the bottom, sprawled over the hills on either side, making now impossible for a large force to moved forward.

Either way Celes had completed her task, through the roots of the tree she moved up to a branch high above. She phased out of the tree and collapsed onto the soft leafy limb, close enough to the ground, so the defenses would not activate. Out of breath and nearly out of mana she laid there atop her masterpiece.

She looked down and smiled a big happy smile, she had never done this before, for that matter she was not sure she could do it. Sure, she couldn’t imbue the tree with any special abilities, but the fact that it would take the hordes majority, twice as long to reach Nathan, meant she had did her job. The ones that had already made it through, were few and would definitely be taking out by Anais and Iris.

She looked up ahead, the sign of battle was apparent, someone was casting spells, keeping the horde at bay. When she caught her breath and the sun filled her mana bar, she would head over as well. For now, she would enjoy a job well done.

Celes: “(What do you think Hero, am I still useless?)”

_

_

Anais: “Crimson Squall”

Fire rain from the sky, reducing the latest dozen or so plant creatures to ash. It was followed by the familiar ringing sound, indicating a “level up”. Anais caught her breathe, with her latest sweeping, she had a moment of rest, but most of it was due to the sudden appearance of a very large tree. With its appearance, the river of monsters had been reduced significantly, no more than a few dozen were left.

Her task of protecting Nathan had become a lot easier, but it wouldn’t have come to this, if he hadn’t fallen into a trap. She rested while standing, she refused to sit down. She felt that if she sat down for a moment, she would undoubtedly collapse. There were a few minutes before the next wave got in range of her spell and she still hadn’t fully recovered from earlier.

Anais: “*Deep breathes* (How could they see him anyway, not one of them target me, all our abilities working in tandem is preventing that, but for some, they can see him, how?”

*ROOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR*

Anais neck snapped in the direction of the roar, the Gorgon must be angry that its route had been blocked. The plant creatures who had already entered the area were, slowly but surely being wiped out. But something happened that quickly dissipated her relief. The plant creatures, everyone left, were now moving full speed in her direction. She didn’t know if was because of the roar, but she couldn’t rest anymore.

She quickly released another spell, burning most of them down, but a few moved to quickly and easily got passed her.

Anais: “Shit!”

They converge on Nathan, scythes raised, ready to end him.

*shnnnnnnngg*

Sparks flew as each scythe collided with a barrier. The other creatures all struck at the barrier, but each attack just bounce, if was easy enough for her to burn them all away while they were distracted. Anais knew it was impossible to guard Nathan and at the same time fight the horde. She instead, erected a barrier around Nathan so she could focus on the plant creature elimination.

Though the barrier wasn’t perfect, it would suffice for time being. Or so she thought, after just a few strikes, the barrier had already begun to crumble. It wouldn’t even stand another attack and she couldn’t afford to fix it, if she wanted to do anything about these monsters, she had to focus the remainder of her mana on spell casting.

*Fwossshh*

She checked her hand, she had enough to cast the spell two more times, that wouldn’t be enough and even now, they were closing in.

She pulled out her knife, she couldn’t burn them all, but if it came down to it, she could cut down anyone that came near. She had brought the knife for that reason.

Anais: “Crimson Squall!”

Anais released the spell, but she felt something off, a sudden burst of energy was release. A storm of fire, stronger than ever before wreaked havoc down on the reapers. Fire poured from the sky, completely out of her control.

*Fwooosh*

Anais: “Whoa, whoa, whoa!?”

Anais quickly jumped back, she was nearly caught up in her own spell. She patted at her seared clothes, she almost burned herself to death.

The fire fizzled out and the smoke started to clear, she could see some of the damage cause by her. The range of her spell was twice as far then normal and the power was unlike anything she had released before. No, she thought there was one other time, when she was trapped in the bubble. She was thinking it was just the power of a higher-grade spell, but this spell proved otherwise.

She looked at the dagger and caught a glimpse of the glow from the jewel, before it went out.

Anais: “This jewel, what is this?”

*Groooooooowl*

Anais instinctively dodge, a scythe arm flew by, nearly lopping off her head

Anais: “What!?”

Anais jumped back as another scythe, smashed into the ground where she just stood.

Anais: “How the hell are they seeing me?”

Using the smoke as cover, the plant creatures attack her. She was almost out of mana, dead tired and she still had to protect Nathan. If she take them few out it would be over, she could rest and possibly get back some of her strength.

She moved further away from the smoke cloud, she wasn’t dumb enough to stay close, even if they could stretch their arms, it still needed to reach her. She ready herself, the second they launched an attack on her, she would in them. She breathes in heavy, catching her breath, sweat dripped from her chin. But nothing came, not one attack.

Anais: “What the hell why are they………..Nathan!

Just as she thought, some of the creatures weren’t seriously attacking her, they just wanted her out of the way, so they could swarm him. She moved around and got in firing range.

Anais: “Crimson Squa-, no wait.”

If she fired her spell right now, if it went out of control like last time, there’s a chance Nathan would get caught in the blast.

Anais: “Fine then.”

Dagger in hand she activated Shadow Sneak, just like last time the jewel came to life.

Anais: “Huh, Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!?”

Thanks to the Dagger, the power burst made her overshoot her target, she was headed on a collision course with a plant creature.

Anais: “Shit, *Slice*!”

As if it was paper, she tore through one ofvthem, landing and rolling on the ground. She looked at what she done and then down at the dagger. She could not do something like that before.

Anais: “…………….Heheheh!”

She checked her Mana, she didn’t have much, but Shadow Sneak cost less than any of her spells. She could do this, with this dagger she could save him, she took off again, slicing down a few more of the creatures, but she couldn’t get use to the burst of power. The ones she missed were only a few feet from Nathan, but that didn’t matter anymore. She was nearly done a five more and she would have cleared them all.

Anais: “Okay, just one more time.”

She took off aiming for the two closes to Nathan and with one slash each tore through them. With “Shadow Sneak” still active she turned around to finish the job.

Anais: “Huh………..*Thud*!

Midflight, her ability deactivated and she crash into the ground, rolling several feet. She tried to stand, but she had absolutely no energy left in her.

Anais: “Wh-What’s going on?”

She looked at her hand, she had run out of mana. That was impossible, she had more than enough to keep her ability active for at least another five minutes.

*Smash*

She turned around, to her horror, the three plant creatures were on top of Nathan, destroying what was left of the barrier.

Anais: “STOP, GET AWAY!”

She received no more than a passing glance, as the three creatures raised their arms high. With absolutely no hesitation, they brought their arms back down.

Anais Could do nothing but watch as the plant creature skewered him. The horrible sound of the scythes digging into flesh was stomach churning. She couldn’t even watch. As she laid there refusing to look, she heard a cry of pain, not from Nathan but from the plant creatures.

Anais stared in confusion, she was sure that the scythe arms came down, but Nathan was still alive, still asleep unharmed. The monsters standing around him now writhe in pain. The sound she heard was that of the Plant creatures arm being ripped from there sockets, with a green liquid pouring out like a fountain.

Iris: “How dare you?”

All eyes heads shot to the heavens, seemingly entranced by the voice. Anais breathe a sigh of release, she never thought she would be so happy to see her. Like an archangel ready to pass judgement she descended from the sky.

Iris: “HOW DARE YOU TRY TO HARM MY MASTER!?

Iris levitated each creature before sending them flying away from Nathan. She was infuriated, using wind instead of fire, she proceeded to rip them each apart piece by piece. The screams as they were slowly torn apart intensified. She didn’t care, she even seemed to enjoy it, ripping off as little as possible to keep them alive, but enough to keep the screams ripe. No mercy, never when it comes to her Master. Slowly the creature’s lives came to an end, as did Iris’s stress, she had a lot built up and now it was all nearly subsided.

Anais: “THE HELLS WRONG WITH YOU, IF YOUR GOING TO SAVE THE DAY, COME EARLIER, I WAS SCARED DEATH, HEY YOU HEAR ME, I’M TALKING TO YOU.”

Iris looked to her master who was unharmed, turning to Anais who was yelling obscenities, she laid out on the ground, unable to move. Iris approached Anais and place a hand on her chest.

Anais: “What are you doing?”

Iris hand began to glow and slowly Anais felt her power returning.

Anais: “What did you, just do?”

Iris: “I removed your fatigue, I can’t return your mana, but it the least I could do.”

Iris bowed, an action the completely shocked Anais.

Iris: “Ro, no, Anais, I sincerely think you for protecting Master.”

Anais mind went blank, clouds blocked out all thought. She thought and thought, but th fog was just too thick. She could not believe what she had just heard. She stared trying to find any forms of sarcastic gesture, but this was genuine.

Anais: “You don’t have to thank me, it’s not like I did it for your sake anyway.”

Iris: Rather it was for my sake or his, I still want to show my gratitude.”

Anais: “Please stop, this is, really weird.”

Iris flew over to the Nathan leaving I Anais to her stupefied state.

Iris: “We must leave, that tree Celes grew, hold off the main force, but they will get around it sooner than later.”

Anais: “The broc, Celes did that?”

Iris attempted to move Nathan but found it to be impossible.

Iris: “What on Leseres?”

Anais: “You can’t move him, I already tried, look he’s anchored himself to the ground.”

Iris: “Are those roots?”

Iris looked at several roots extending from Nathan sides, in burrowing into the ground. She conjured some fire.

Anais: “NO, YOU CAN’T”

Iris: “Why not?”

Anais: “Think about it, the roots are coming out of him, he must be doing this to himself, I think it might have something to do with whatever Lynn did to him.”

Iris: “So, it was Lynn.”

Anais: “Yeah her and her little following drag him here, after knocking him out, I witness the whole think, I-I couldn’t stop them.”

Iris: “No, you are not to blame for this, but why did she leave him here?”

Anais: “I could only think of one reason.”

*RROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRR*

*RUUUUUUMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLEEEEEEEE*

The girls turned their attention towards the tree. A loud noise could be heard from its direction. Something large was currently rolling its way over the large trunk of the tree, even from this distance it was still plain as day what it was.

No more detours, the Gorgon dug its spikes into the tree, allowing it to scale up and around the other side of the tree. Its spikes pulled away and the Gorgon crashed to the ground and rolled in their direction, ready to end this.