Fan Fiction ❯ Irony of the Hero ❯ Great Unexpectations ( Chapter 4 )

~:Quirk of Fate:~

Gala remained solemn, deep in thought.

Deez: “Head Master Gala,…Would you like me to accompany you and the rest back to Biron Monastery?”

Gala shook his head suddenly, and turned to face him.

Gala: “…It'd be better if I went alone.”

However, his conscience recalled Ozma's words…. `Don't make yourself suffer alone.'

Gala: “…I suppose you have as much right to accompany me, he was a fellow Biron Monk. And Noa would want to go. ”

Deez: “…Yes. She thought of him as she did Gaza. Didn't she.”

Gala smiled, knowing of Noa's ways of objection.

Gala: “He was bound by laws of excommunication. He cast off the outside world just like any other monk. The only way he could have left is by….exile.”

Gala frantically searched the letter for any hint of him being banishment. Nothing.

Deez: “Gala. You're trembling. Is there something wrong!?”

Gala shook his head nervously and tried to laugh, releasing himself of his anxiety. However, he only managed a sound that of which resembled him clearing his throat.

Deez: “….I never would have thought.”

He approached Gala, and placed his hands on his shoulders. A more formal comfort than that of an embrace. Gala wept heavily. Apart from it being the eve of the Ra-Seru's passing. He wept for his former master, and out of context reasoning for Vahn's exile. Was this a sign of the times turning? Peace was so fragile to Legaia as of the moment. Would it shatter into slivers at the first pin drop sound of such unsettled elements? Gala patted Deez's hand courteously. Although he was sympathetic of the losses. Biron was the one he needed to seek for true comfort and recollection. And where else to meditate and seek serenity than the soul ground of Ozma's burial place. Deez read his expression in syncopation, and smiled at his wise decision.

Deez: “Even in such a perilous turn of events, you wish to seek Biron for peace of mind. You are truly worthy to regain your title as Master Teacher. `Head'Master Teacher.”

The two remained a while longer on the rooftop, until the sun sank behind the mountains, and they then retired below to the inn. The two, along with Cara, Noa, and Mei shared a moment of mourning for the passed-on Drake Kingdome Biron Master, as well as shared joyous adventure stories, and general conversation for a good couple of hours. It was in a long silent break of conversation, Gala decided to depart from Sol. He felt compelled, after acquiring his newly status, to take on his role as HeadMaster as to also, but not mentioned aloud, to seek serenity and knowledge from Biron. The four wished him well, with no argument, surprisingly neither from Noa.

Noa: “...I really want to go, “ she half-heartedly pouted, “But,...” she grinned warmly “I'm a lady now, so I'll let you have your turn.”

Gala smiled, unsure what to say. Maybe a `lady', but would always have a heart and naiveté of a child.

After his lone departure throughout the plains of Karisto, the remaining four settled in for the late evening. Muddled sounds of the danceclub, bar, and the Muscle Dome oddly lulled the emotional-wearied companions into a deep slumber. Meanwhile, in the darkest shade of night, on the shores of Rim Elm, echoed the cry of a newborn child. A blessed cry that marked a joyous occasion. The birth of Innocence. However, ironically, occurred the death of Innocence. To the far north of the Drake River, near the bare plains east of Biron, in the moonlight, a wash of crimson inked the water. And a shadow merged from the froth, sloughing the water and blood from their hair, approaching onto the shore. The figure turned back to the moonset, eyeing their trophy of victory with satisfaction, as it settled beneath the water.

???: “...Now who's a Hero?”

The figure scoffed with heavy chortle, tossing a battle-tattered vest into the water. A symbol of a flame shown eerily in the light of the moon. Upon making contact with the thickly tainted sand, the symbol seemed also to bleed.

???: “Hmmph. I almost feel sorry I had to kill you-”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through the their arm. They pulled off their leather strapped glove, and scored their disfigured forearm, to drown out the dull, annoying pain.

???: “…Uggh. Still…can't get rid of you, can I…”

The entity scowled, trying to forget. The pain nor memory never went away, as did the parasitic -like thing that had resided there.

???: “You're the reason for all this!!!”

The personage cursed, gasping heavily as they fell to their knees, barely at the edge of the water. Their foe must have scored them well. They glanced down at the dark amethyst jewel embedded within their fore chest, a trail of blood trickling from the diagonal graze.

???: “…Ra-Seru….Heroes… yeah r-ight….” and beneath their breath, they rasped before losing complete consciousness-

???: “Not anymore.”

Gala departed from the `duo-rail' onto the Drake Station. He descended down the stone steps, in a trance of how much the place still remained an eyesore to him . Built over the Mist Generator Fortress ruins, after RimElm was completed, it had broadened the trade and marketing of Drake Castle Market. Hunters Spring became the centre of commercial trade. However, the stale and death-rank smell of the Mist lingered. Nearby, innocently naive cluster of chattering children discussing the train awoke him from his daze.

Brunette-headed girl: “ My sister in Jeremy said this used to be pulled by some kind of animal that looked like stone…”

Gala approached the group of children, ignoring the awed glances from passerby's and those that recognized him as one of the `Ra-seru heroes'.

Gala: “It was a flying seru. And the train used to be called a `flying train'…but after those `animals' died off-”

Distressed Voice: “HeadMaster Gala!”

Gala jerked his head in the direction of the voice. In the distance scrambled a biron monk, his face pale and frightful.

He met his fellow monk halfway, rushing madly through the packed travelers and sales folk.

TeenMonk: “HeadMaster Gala! Excuse my presumptuousness, …but…we…there's -”

Gala shook his head, disregarding all formality from the teen.

Gala: “What's happened?”

With no intention, his voice broke out gruff and stern, startling the poor monk. The poor boy only managed a few words,-

“They've found MasterVahn-”

-before he fainted from exhaustion.

In the boy's clutched hand, was a Door of Wind. Evidently, the boy had been so overcome by such a commotion, that he completely forgot of the item. And ironically so had Gala of the situation as he muttered sarcastically under his breath.

 

Gala: “…You fool.”

Taking the boy into his arms, the information having not even grazed his awareness, Gala used the door of wind to whisk them y to the Biron Monastery Great Entrance. However, Gala caught sight of what seemed to be distressed hunters along the east ocean coast. He shook the boy to consciousness, and prompted him to gather field medicinal items. The nervous boy trembled as he gained his composure and carried out the request.

Gala ran furiously to the scene. Managing to keep his stamina and breath with him the whole mile. More people were present than had seemed from afar as he closed in the distance. Fluid movement amongst the pack of hunters and random passerby's was practically futile. Until the crowd recognized his presence midway through the midst, did those surrounding the scene melt into a cascading wave of honoring kneelings and bows.

Gritting his teeth, he made straightforward, his mind unconsciously screaming with plea that it not be the body of any sort of acquaintances he would happen to know-

A hand shot out, followed by and addressed forwarning-

 

“Gala, there's nothing more you can do.”

 

The words suddenly, in a literal sense, took form and thrust deep into his chest. His composure stone and silent, yet within him he screamed fumely-

 

“Who is it! It's someone I know, isn't it!! Let me -”

 

He suddenly swallowed hard, trying to swallow his escaped words, as he broke through the human barricade. He fell to the ground weeping next to the fallen one, clasping the trembling bloodstained hand that reached towards him. From the sight, he managed to glance to the rest of the victim,...their whole body trembling from shock and loss of massive amounts of blood. Even the blankets that piled them provided a shallow amount of heat retention. It could only mean,...

 

“...Gala,...I couldn't stop-”

 

Gala grasped tighter to the hand he held, trying to hold onto what he feared the other was letting go.

Gala: “...Vahn, the hunters and I'll get you to The Monastery-”

 

Vahn tried to protest, however, his mouth became thick with blood, he tried to clear his mouth, however he felt the pain of ribs cracking as he attempted to move. A horrid bloody scream shot out. A few of the surrounding hunters pinned him down, when hearing the ill sound of breaking bones. Apparently, there was more internal damage done than expected,...and more so of expectations that survival....

 

Gala: “Vahn. Quiet. Don't try to fight-”

 

Ironic choice of words. For, in the very instant, Gala let out a sobbing scream, as Vahn's hand became flaccid, and began to lose warmth.

He succumbed himself to the blur, as the scene fast-forwarded. He was lost in his own piece of time. He continued to hold Vahn's hand, till he was torn away. Shock finally took over him. He became numb of the situation. He was unaware of reality,...he became lost within himself.

~ “Vahn, it's not supposed to be this way. You're the hero. This isn't supposed to happen. What about your `happy' ending.”~