Chapter 2

Chapter 2 : The Reasoning
Valerie was in the verge of losing her senses. She didn’t know what to do, or what she could do for that matter. Tears flowed down her cheeks but not a squeak escaped her lips. She regretted ever bit of follow that Azeazel guy here. Speaking of Azeazel, her heart skipped a beat. He seems to have a heck lot of magical power, he could get them both out of here she thought. But her hope was crashed when she remembered that Azeazel was unconscious, probably half-dead, he is in no condition of helping the both of them she thought bitterly.

She was being dragged through the familiar road towards the church she realised. So what Azeazel had told her before was true. The only difference is that instead of turning right, they’re turning left. So, there is such a thing as an equal yet opposite dimension she thought. But what good would that do, I’m going to end up as a prisoner to some Dark-Elf king and be his prisoner the rest of my life she thought miserably.

Just when they had approached a thick ticket, Valerie’s keen sense of hearing detected a crack amonst the bushes. Probably more trouble she thought. Just then, a louder crack of breaking twigs caused the group to hault.

‘You heard that?’

‘Yea, and I don’t like it one bit. Who goes there? I command you in the name of his majesty to come out and show yourself,’ barked the leader.

‘Ok ok you got me,’ came a surprisingly familiar sound in front of them.

‘You! Seize him!’

Valerie then remembered his voice and shouted ‘Dylan!’

She could imagine the whole group and the new intruder was in a surprise state because there was a sudden quietness.

‘And who are you? Have we met before?’

‘Yes! We’re brought up together remember?’

‘Huh? Surely I don’t know you.’

‘Bah, stop treating us like someone invisible, you imbecile! You two can get a reunion chat at the prison cell!’ roared the leader of the group.

‘Not if I can help it,’ came a voice from behind and Valerie heard something fell with a loud thud.

‘What? More of these intruders? Retreat comrades! Back to the castle with the Elf-Maiden and the old witch!’

‘Oh where do you think you’re going?’ boomed another voice from the side and she could feel the vibration of the jump produced.

‘Haquis!’

‘Huh? Who are you?’

‘Its me! Valerie. Can’t you remember?’

Just then, the clothe which was covering her eyes was removed by an arrow which pulled it away and she could see what was happening. Haquis was battling 2 of the Dark Elves beside here while Dylan is at the front fighting against 3 other Dark-Elves with his katana. She turned to her back and at the far end she saw Sefra standing on one of the branches aiming.

‘I can’t get a clear shot, you guys are too close together!’

‘Bah, nevermind. You go save the girl and the old man over there!’ shouted Haquis as he narrowly escaped one of the enemies’ slash.

‘Oh no you don’t. This will be one of the biggest pay day of my life and no way I’m going to loose it,’ said the leader as he saw Sefra jump down one of the trees and was heading towards them. He lunged for Valerie and Azeazel and once he got hold of the both of them, he chanted something and the minute later, there was a lot of smoke around and when Valerie could see again, they were at the edge of the forest and could see the castle which was supposed to be the church.

Instead of the bright and lively look of the church, the castle has an evilish feel towards it and Valerie couldn’t help but have the goosebumbs. What really scared Valerie was that there were black dragons guarding the castle.

‘Welcome to your new home for the rest of your life girlie.’ snickered the Dark-Elf.

‘What have you people done to the church?!’

‘Heh, it was too bright and lovely, so the king changed it into something more of his taste if you know what I mean.’

‘He sure have awful taste.’

‘Keep up the sarcasm and you’ll be wishing that you are his majesty’s dog.’

‘Right.. My friends will come save me anyways. Don’t worry.’

‘Oh, you mean those few people? Getting past the dragons? Fat chance. The only way to kill these beats is to a Legendary Weapon which by the way, is no where to be seen in your friend’s possession. And these pair have been specially trained to guard his majesty’s tower against intruders. So, there’s no chance or whatsoever for your so called ‘friends’, who don’t even remember you, to rescue you .’

‘Not if I can help it,’ came a voice from behind. A white tiger suddenly appeared and leaped towards the Dark-Elf who avoided the tiger by side-stepping. The tiger was now in between Valerie and the Dark-Elf.

‘Dammit, where do all these people come from anyways,’ exclaimed the frustrated Dark-Elf. He then turns around and grabbed Azeazel and ran towards the tower.

‘No! Save him Seig!

‘How did you know it was me?’ asked Seig who just came out from the bushes.
‘No time to explain, go save that old man! Please!’

‘It’s too late, the Dark-Elf had gone too far out. If we were to go after him, we’ll be obliterated by those dragons over there.’

‘Then we’ll have to find some way of saving him! We can’t just leave him!’

‘We don’t have a choice. Prisoners who had been captured never managed to escape the castle ever before and I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to even try entering that place. This is as far was we can go, any further we’ll get spotted. Come now stranger, we must leave before that wrecked Dark-Elf comes back with reinforcements.’

‘Noo...’

‘We don’t have a choice. If you want to help whoever that old guy may be, is by making full use of your time on living your life to the fullest and to plot your revenge. That’s all you can do for the death of a loved one.’

Valerie couldn’t think straight. All she wanted right now is just go back to the life that she used to have she thought with a sob.

Without a word, Seigheart came over and picked her up and placed her on Resha’s back and off they went back into the jungle. Surprisingly, Resha’s back is very stable for me to lie on she thought drowsily and fell asleep.

Once again she had that same dream again. The same dream when she was first knocked out cold by Azeazel. And again she could pick up the familiar scent and the weird symbol that she thought she had seen somewhere before.

‘Hey, HEY! Wake up!’ came a voice piercing through halfway in her dream.

‘Uh? What? Leave me alone, I want to sleep some more Uncle Elune.’

‘Elune? Hey, get up!’ said the girl’s voice.

‘Huh? You aren’t Uncle Elune.’

‘My name’s Sefra. Nice to meet you.’

‘I know. We grew up together remember?’

‘Huh? Why do you keep insisting that we’ve met before. Never in my whole life in Tirion have I ever met you before stranger.’

‘Ok, first of all. My name’s Valerie. We grew up together ever since we’re a child. We always trained together. See this scar on my elbow? We were playing once at the Tree when I accidentally tripped and was scratched. Remember?’

‘Huh? What are you talking about? I certainly remember playing at the Tree, but I’m certain I wasn’t playing with you.’

‘Oh, why am I so stupid. I come from the other world. Azeazel told me that I would meet people who I might know but aren’t really the same person. Should’ve thought of this in the first place. Bah, nevermind. We can still be friends right? Ok let us start again. Hi, I’m Valerie. Nice to meet you.’

‘You sure are a funny one aren’t you. Nice to meet you too.’

‘Hey she’s up!’ came a voice from behind them. ‘Hello, my name’s Haquis. I’m the handsome one around here :D’

‘Ah, same old girl-crazy Haquis.’

‘Explain yourself stranger,’ said Dylan followed Haquis towards them. ‘How did you know our names and why do you claim that you know us.’

‘Ok ok, first of all. I come from another dimension which is a exactly the same as this world, but everything is just on the opposite way. Azeazel, the old man just now was the one who brought me here. During that time, Tirion was attacked by Dark-Elves and they have brought away my Uncle Elune along with my sister. Azeazel told me that I’m the only one who could stop this and that the only way I can stop this is to come here, the future and direct opposite of Tirion 30 years ago.’

‘So, you’re claiming that you’ve come when The Second War started? And this Elune was your uncle?’

‘He’s not my real uncle. He was the one who brought me up. My mum sent me there by magic when I was a child but I have no idea why and I grew up with you guys ever since then.’

‘Seig, is she lying?’ asked Dylan. Seigheart who seemed to have appeared from nowhere was now sitting at a chair behind Haquis patting Resha. ‘I'm not too sure, I could not sense anything weird about her and she’s definitely a High-Elf but I don't recall anyone called Elune in Tirion previously. So, to confirm that she is whom she says she is, Valerie, tell me, who’s the only one here who is special in the of his or her kin.’

Valerie hesitated but later answer him ‘If you insist. Dylan is the special one, he’s half-human half-elf. And how can you not know who Uncle Elune is? He's the priest of the Church remember?’

There was a twitch in Dylan’s eyes for a second Valerie noticed and quickly looked away. ‘The priest of the Church during that time was Ispep. But I can recognize practically all the people in Tirion during that period and I'm certain I've never saw her before. This sure is interesting isn’t it, Dylan?’ Said Seigheart in deep thought. ‘So what do we do now?’

‘We shouldn’t be cowering any longer! Let’s just get into the tower and destroy Weil Xela since we’re already so close’ shouted Haquis.

‘And how are you going into that castle with those 2 dragons roaming around all the time Mr.Invincible?’ asked Seigheart.

‘Err, good point. And my answer is, I dono :D’

‘Whatever it might be, we must report back to the Resistance and decide on what we should do next. The king probably know of our presence by now. We should head out right now before we are found. Be ready to dispatch in 20minutes, we must have a head start before the king sends out troops to look for us.’

‘And where is this Resistance camp? What is all these nonsense? Can someone please explain everything to me?!’ exclaimed Valerie in frustration.

‘All of your answers will be explained. And if you have to know, the camp is in the heart of Darkmeth, where the human city Islandior is. It will take us 2 weels to reach there. But we better move fast.’

Everyone agreed and went out to dispatch camp. ‘What should I do?’ asked Valerie not knowing what to do.

‘You help gather some more food with Sefra. We have barely have enough food for the 4 of us and the journey is going to be a long one. So be prepared for the worst.’ Valerie just barely nodded in reply.

‘But before that, I presumed you know how to fight in some way right? We don’t want to get to much trouble trying to rescue you if you’re captured again.’

‘Yes I do know how to defend myself. I’m not that weak,’ answered Valerie while swiping her sword in the air. So, what Azeazel said is true, the people I’m going to meet here have the same personalities but is a totally different person thought Valerie bitterly. Why won’t he be more kind for once.

Valerie headed towards Sefra who was humming to a familiar song while picking up wild berries and fruits. Valerie, who knew the song very well as well, hummed along with her. ‘You know this song too?’
‘Yea, we used to sing together very often at the other world.’
Sefra laughed and said ‘We must’ve been very good friends there I assume.’
‘Yea, we’re best friends in fact.’ Sefra didn’t replied but merely continued to gather up food. Something’s changed Valerie thought, but it’s not in my position to question her anyways. Not yet anyways.

When Valerie and Sefra got back to the others, everything’s all packed up on the horses. ‘You’ll have to share horses with Sefra. Let’s go, we have to hurry out of Du’Tauren before dawn just to be safe.’ said Dylan.

xxxxxx