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Did I mention that this day keeps getting better and better? I don’t even know where to start with all that has happened since Bordel spoke with me. The pain in my stomach that forms as I recall how horribly wrong everything went...
Bahamut returned to us a few hours later. He instructed us to follow Him. We were lead right to His treasury. It’s no lie the wealth a dragon can hord. The room held thousands upon thousands of the finest armor, weapons, art and precious gems. He then instructed us to take a single item.
My party walked about the room with giddiness that was beyond me. I did not feel worthy to take from Bahamut. Knowing my heart and the bitterness I held toward Heironious, it seemed hardly fair that I partake of such generosity.
However, Bahamut must have predicted my reluctance. He had a jade box brought out to me. Inside it was what I’m going to call a Lyro Blade. It is a lyre, a bow, and a sword. When I first pulled it out, I was admiring the strings in their individual colors; gold, silver, copper, brass, and bronze. I doubt I would have known it was a sword until Bahamut instructed me to pluck the silver string.
The blade extended out from the joint that connected the bow to the instrument. I could feel my arm grow weak as I looked at the blade. Surely He did not expect me to fight? I AM NOT A FIGHTER!!! Yet, the Platinum Dragon gave me the only weapon I could possibly ever conceive to use.
Bahamut encouraged me to give the sword a try. I swung the blade around in a grandiose ‘En Garde!’ type of motion, feeling embarrassed by my naivety. But it was in that movement that a strange sound rippled through the air. I looked intently at the sword and gave it a small swirl. A ringing echoed from it as it moved. It was one of the purest sounds I have ever heard. I kept moving the blade, listening to the depth of notes that came out. The Dragon had to remind me not to get too carried away with it. I quickly regained my composure and thanked the Deity for the gift.
Next came our individual counsel with Bahamut, the Dragon starting with me. He took me to His gardens. It was the most peaceful place. The various flowers in bloom and the pool of water in which a waterfall cascaded into was breathtaking. I would have been very content to have remained there. That’s how I envision my future home; in a place of peace and beauty.
It took me a moment to remember what it was I wanted to ask, but the gist of the questions and answers asked and given is this:
- How did we manage to all find each other?
- As Primordials, we are naturally drawn together.
- Do we have to stay together?
- Yes, unless we want to fight off the evils alone.
- How am I to fulfill my duties of Balance?
- Like magic, I will learn how to harness the deific energies inside me.
- Are my parents Primordials?
- No. We choose the life we want every time we manifest as mortals.
- What do you know of my father’s death?
- He had found one of the cups and the Order knew.
However, He didn’t explicitly answer the last question, but Bahamut did say I would learn more through obtaining my father’s journal.
Shortly thereafter, I had to leave the gardens. With reluctance I returned to my companions. Yet in those moments I had to ponder, a resolve came over me. I was to remain with my party and needed to learn how to use my weapon, or at least how to defend myself. At the moment, Kimaris was with Bahamut and so I asked Fern, Oda, and Bordel if any of them would help.
The Halfling was more than eager to give me pointers. As she went on, instructing me on how to hold the bow, notching an arrow, and releasing the bowstring (without the projectile in place), Kimaris had returned. I’m not sure how long he had been there, but he marched right over to me and Fern, asking if he could see my weapon.
Kimaris held the Lyro Blade to his eyes, observing the sword and strings. Soon he handed it back, mentioning, “It’s pretty, kinda like you.”
“Thanks,” I said curtly. I wasn’t sure what the boy was up to. He had earlier whispered in my ear to inquire about the rose he had given me weeks ago. With the teasing and disrespect Kimaris has shown me since his transformation, it seemed out of character. Surely the kid doesn’t have a soft side.
Anyways, Kimaris went and sat down, observing the two of us. A few minutes of that and he began to gloat about how he would one day be stronger than all of us. He had the gall to tack on that he’d be able to kill us all. Kimaris then attempted to soften the blow by saying how it was his duty though to protect us.
“It’ll be a drag, but someone’s got to do it,” the boy finished.
My patience was lost, and like an idiot, allowed Kimaris to get under my skin. As he said the last sentence, I dry fired my bow and asked, “Why are you even here then? If you’re so great, why waste your time on us?”
It did little to humble him. Rather Kimaris was amused and continued to goad me on all too well. Undeterred by my questions he berated me with insults like sheep, noodle back, and princess.
“I am not a princess,” I told him, “I have more backbone than you know!”
“No you don’t. Now stop pouting,” Kimaris responded.
“You know not where I come from! Stop being so cocky! If you’re suppose to protect us, do so with honor!” I hurled, unwilling to let the boy have the last word. But quickly we both were scolded. Bordel had returned, and it’s hard to say if I would have acted differently if I had realized he was there.
From behind me came the words, “Will you two stop!” I jumped and whipped around to face the man. He strode over and with an angry look said to Kimaris, “I’d expect as much from you.” A smile had barely crept on my lips in triumph, thinking Bordel had sided with me, but like water vaporizing in the fire, my smile vanished as he looked me in the eyes.
“But from you!? Shame!”
The phrase ‘knife to the heart’ was more applicable than I can express. The sharpness of Bordel’s words and the pain that rippled through my chest was quite terrible. I barely muttered an apology before walking away.
Heavens I feel so ashamed. I did then and I still do now. And it only got worse. After sitting near Oda, enjoying his quiet company, the next round of insults ensued as follows:
“Like her!? Why would I like a noodle girl like her!?” Kimaris stated. I had to wonder how many more knives I could take, but nevertheless I hugged my legs all the tighter. “You hear that noodle girl? You’re A-NOY-ING!” I still didn’t respond. “Tell us. Why are you still hear?”
“Because I’m a sheep, Tolaj Yaæ,” my tongue slipped.
“What undercommon is that?” I refused to indulge him on his naivety to the Godly language. That was a mark against him. Still, Kimaris couldn’t let whatever his issue was with me go.
“Besides, aren’t you curious how your dad died?”
It’s enough to say my head snapped to attention. “How would you know,” I said slow and direct. Fern warned that I likely wasn’t ready for such news.
“Oh she needs to know. It’s probably what she ran away from anyways to come with us, right?” he asked me, tagging on, “Coward.”
I found my feet and walked over to Kimaris with such hatred. Whatever composure I tried to keep fled. My tears poured and with every energy of my being spat at Kimaris, “I RAN FROM PERSECUTION YOU ARROGANT BOY!”
Fern grabbed my arm, snapping my sanity back. She inquired from whom I was running from, I barely whispering, “My family.” The Halfling tried questioning more about it, but Kimaris was with us and demanded I draw my weapon.
“She’s in no state to fight!” Fern scolded.
“Now is the perfect time for her to learn!” the boy retorted. Hating the high emotions I was exhibiting in front of everyone, I politely declined and reminded all whose house we stood in. I caught Bordel looking at me from the corner of my eye and once more apologized to everyone.
I was about to withdraw myself when something blunt and hard thrusted into my diaphragm. Momentarily I was doubled over Kimaris’s knee. With no breath left in me, I crumpled to the floor. Bordel’s voice rented the air as he stopped the boy from hurting me further. And to make the situation worse, Bahamut gave His words of disappointment.
We were allowed to remain long enough to agree on our next course of action. Seeing that we were to collect the cups, I informed the groups about my father’s journals. Getting them would prove a challenge, but I was willing to try. If anything, I wanted to see what it was Bahamut wouldn’t tell me about my father’s death.
With a wave of His hands, light enshrouding us once more, we found ourselves on a familiar road. We were much further from Ruebis than I thought we’d be, but with it being early evening, I was less convinced of being able to make town before the gates closed.
And so, camp is ‘made.’ Oda, Fern, and Bordel have gone off hunting leaving me alone with Kimaris. With emotions still high, I went off a little into the woods, the camp within sight. I’ll be honest, I’ve sat a spell as I recounted this day. Every pause I’d look over at Kimaris and feel the hate flood through me. About the third time I had a small epiphany.
- I can’t allow Kimaris to keep getting under my skin. I’m stuck with him for eternity.
- I can’t keep being helpless! Surely there ought to be a day I can defend myself. And,
- What if I ask Kimaris to teach me to fight?
I’ve wasted enough time writing while the others have been gone. I worry I am being a fool by making this attempt with the boy, but at least I can honestly say I’ve tried, if it fails.
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