The Court Case
A Tales of Symphonia fanfiction
By TimeStop

Chapter 16: Tension in the Secluded Lands

It was dawn in the city of Dilvin, but nobody in the house of Crimsonia was asleep. Sheena was in her bed, but no really sleeping. Reading a book of Raine’s she had, the ninja flipped through another page.

“It is said the Summon Spirit of Skies resides in a land uneasy to get to. It has been thousands of years and no one has found it yet. Much of the mana she has could benefit a society, not to mention its peoples. However, a slate once depicted the Summon Spirit of Skies as a beautiful woman, whose mana broke a storm that was hovering over a city, whose name was in some strange text. Due to translation, the town’s name was “Dilvin”, but it probably does not exist anymore, unless the Summon Spirit still resides there…”

Flipping through another page, Sheena read on.

“The Summon Spirit of Life…”

All of a sudden, Sheena shut the book as a crashing noise was heard downstairs. Heading to the sound, the female ninja went to go investigate. Crimsonia was in a sweat, a plate broken near her. Flaren cleaned up the mess, and threw away the pieces.

“So he may still be out there!?”

“No, Crimsonia, for a minute I thought he was, but…”

“But what!?! Has anyone been slain!? Is everyone alright!?”

“Yes! The people of Redsia sent him away. It’s okay…Crimsonia, we should be careful…”

“I know this! But what if he comes back!?! When we are gone…he will attack! You will die, Flaren!”

“Me, hmm…” Flaren mumbled.

Sheena asked, “What’s wrong?”

“We’re still trying to get over the fact Oshitm is really gone from the Secluded Lands.” Sardnyox explained, “But just because he’s not here doesn’t mean he’s not blasting the brains out of somebody else.”

“Uh--”

Lanztblu burst in the room, sent to check on the hospital hours ago. Panting she stood in front of the doorway.

“Lapisa! She’s…”

Rubyi broke in, “What!?! What’s going on!?”

“Her condition has gotten worse. She’s seizing…and she’s lot more pale than she should be.”

“No!” Rubyi ran off to the hospital of Dilvin, followed by Sheena, the Redjewels that were still at the house, and Crimsonia. Singe came down, dressed in her usual armor.

“What’s wrong…?”

The doctors still tried using mana. Trying to find out what was wrong, Lapisa started to slip away. Rubyi blasted in the room, screaming.

“What’s wrong!?! What the hell did you do!?”

“She…we cannot find what is wrong with her.” a doctor began to explain.

“Then I’ll operate! I’m better than you probably!!”

“You know this girl?”

“I’m her sister! And I will help!”

“Then whatever you do, you better do quick.” another doctor said, running a hand through her hair, “This machine…” she pointed to a grey thing with a screen consisting of a squiggly green line on it, “tells her pulse. If it stops, you better have a plan!”

“I will save her!” Rubyi pulled out a scalpel, and made the cut. Completely silent, the red-haired maid gathered her courage and sustained her nervousness. Seeing Lapisa’s heart, she saw it was not beating at its fullest content. Seeing Lapisa cringe in pain, even though she was unconscious, Rubyi slid her hand against a red part of the vessels below the heart. The doctor saw something gleam from under. As she slowly slipped of the red part, she saw a lot of silvery stuff.

“What is that!?”

“Mana, but it seems to be clogging the passage to Lapisa’s heart.”

“Be careful, and don’t cut into that artery.” the woman said again.

“I won’t. Just try being positive about it.”

Rubyi began to pick some of the stuff up and placed it into a tray. However, it just slipped back into the area.

“What should I do?”

“Try making another cut, but use this gel to prevent bleeding.” the woman doctor tossed Rubyi a vial of green liquid, “The mana should go into the other cut. If you remove all of it, Lapisa would die anyway. So, be careful.”

“Okay.”

The machine’s beeps got a little faster as Rubyi made another cut and spread the gel. Lapisa breathed heavily as her mana was being made to spread throughout her body once more. Removing some more, the machine started to go berserk, but calm down as more mana was spread. But as Rubyi made the third transportation…

“Why isn’t it beeping!? It’s just doing a hum!”

Rubyi began to sweat and break down. Almost removing all the work she had done, the maid began to cry. The woman doctor came up and smacked the poor girl.

“Get a grip. Now. Her heart has stopped. What you should do is try using this tool to send a small electric shock throughout her body.”

The woman began to hand two rectangular machines to Rubyi. Charged with mana of the electric element, the were used for healing. Rubyi smacked the things away.

“Are you crazy?! I can’t hurt my sister!”

“Fine then. I will.” the woman pushed the machine’s onto Lapisa’s arms. She shook a bit, but the heart began t pump again.

“There. It’s okay. Now you need to make sure that doesn’t happen again, try removing the mana in a different way. It seems to be in a vessel close to the artery that pumps blood throughout the body. So--delicately. You really need to be delicate!-- pass the mana to the artery that way. It may flow from your hands into the heart. I’ll stabilize the artery to make sure you have clearance.”

“Thank you.”

The woman said nothing and began to massage the artery pumping blood to the body, then began to press against the one that pumped it throughout. Rubyi’s hands trembled as the mana flowed into it. It seemed everything was going well, that was until Lapisa’s legs started to bleed.

“What now!?”

“I don’t know!? Those incisions made themselves! Me and my assistant will take care of this; it’s your job to keep the heart beating and transporting the mana.”

Rubyi nodded and continued to do her part. The heart stopped again. Rubyi sweated, but maintained focus as a doctor used the electrical transmitters on the body. As she finished transporting the mana, she closed up the incisions she made and calmed down a bit. Beginning to help on the cuts, Rubyi found out they had begun to open because of hairline wind attacks Oshitm had made. Thinking of him, she swore and continued.

Outside in the waiting room, Sheena, Crimsonia, and now all of the Redjewels waited in chairs, except for Saphfyre. She kept trying to go in Scorch’s operating room, but was declined. Punching the wall, and crying she began to complain.

“What the hell! I could help! I could! Somehow…stupid people!”

“Saphfyre…” Emereld said.

It wasn’t usual to see the leader of the Redjewels breaking out in tears. Comforted by her sisters, except Lapisa of course, Saphfyre tried to figure out what was going on. The speech of the doctors lessened as the room of Scorch became quiet. Saphfyre yelled “What!?” and the doctors began to explain the situation. Saphfyre shoved them out of the way, and began to cry more. Scorch was in a prism of mana, the only thing supporting his life. It seemed that due to Oshitm’s attacks, his mana had also taken some serious blows, and was much too weak to restore itself. Saphfyre sighed. Pulling out a very large manauille crystal, she remembered the first day she had gotten it. It was small two years ago, when she had first visited the town of Dilvin, but now it had grown to be big. It was the only manauille crystal that hadn’t immediately vanished when touched. Gripping onto it, she could feel the mana flow throughout the room. Placing it in the prism, she waited for the result. Nothing happened. Another idea popped into her head. Sending some of her own mana outward, she stepped into the prism. A doctor went into the room.

“What do you think you’re doing!? The prism isn’t supposed to hold two!”

“I love him. You shut up.”

Saphfyre gripped onto Scorch’s chest and began to feverishly kiss him.

‘If he’s going to die here, I want it to be with me. This prism’s mana is so weak, I need him…”

Holding onto him tighter, Saphfyre sent more mana out, but this time into Scorch. He woke up as he saw the girl, and smiled somewhat. Returning the passion, he let her head pull away from his and collide into his chest. The prism broke. Saphfyre coughed a bit between tears.

“Are you crazy!? Using your own mana for healing may take years off of your life. Healing magic is fine, but using your own life--!”

Cutting him off, Saphfyre stated, “He is mine, and I am his. I will do anything I need to just to be with him.” Kissing him once more, Singe was a bit shocked. Putting his shirt back on, he watched as Saphfyre watched him change. Why did doctors have to remove clothing when operating? Although, it was nice for Saphfyre to see him like this…but this was a hospital!!

Rubyi watched Lapisa’s wings flair out. Covered in blood, large tears scarred the area. Rubyi spread some cloth on them to absorb the blood while a doctor cast some healing spells.

“We’re done.” the woman said, “You did good.”

Rubyi turned around and suddenly hugged the doctor, crying.

“I was so scared…I…I…thank you…I was so scared…”

“You did fine, Miss Rubyi.” the woman doctor smiled as the Swift Red Dagger let go. Leaving the room, she had a smile. Hearing the cheer of the other sisters, the woman smiled.

“You sure were harsh on her.” the other doctor stated.

“It’s times like this when I have to be, Reef. You asked me here again, and I guess you knew why.”

“No, it was more of a feeling. But I’m glad you came nonetheless…”

The woman pulled off her mask, revealing one other than…

“Raine.”

“Well, I’m glad you gave me a device that will let me come here freely. Such amazing magitechnology. Look at its luster, its sparkle! So hard to believe something so small can transport me to such far away places AND contact me! Why don’t you mass produce these!?”

“It’s our only working one. But you and Rubyi are our finest doctors.”

“Thank you. But I have to get back now. But than you for calling me here.”

“You’re sure you can’t stay longer?”

“I don’t want Sheena knowing I’m here. Plus, I have things to get back to…”

Raine rushed a hand through her hair as she disappeared, a smirk on her face.

“The only bad news is…” Saphfyre brought up to her parodying sisters, “Is that I may have taken some years off my life.”

“What do you mean?” Emereld asked.

“When I healed Scorch, I used some of my own body’s mana, not the type for spells, but the one that holds your body together.”

“I see…but then, it’s just like you’ve said to us, you only get one shot at some things, better to do and die than to go on living an eternal hell of ‘what if’.” Sardnyox said.

“Yes, yes that’s right. That’s what I’ll do.”

Sheena had found out everyone was okay, and that they were to be released in a couple of hours. Everyone who was at Crimsonia’s house went to the hospital, and a very pissed off Flaren brought up a subject.

“It’s so stupid!” she began, “Banishment! What the hell! Dear Martel, he’s probably too old to even know what he’s doing!”

“So what are you going to do?” Dialmond asked.

“I don’t know. If they do banish us, I will be pretty mad. The city that’s near us could provide home, but that’s Delvine, and they suck!”

“Why, may I ask?” Dialmond returned.

“Because…” Flaren explained, “They’re all about war and politics, and other stupid things! Everybody stays up at night, but all they do is find ways to advance the town. I’m surprised they all don’t have red eyes or something!”

“Yeah.” Embre suddenly said, “And then the closest thing to that is in the Center of Tahjra, that one town, Goldes. It’s nice, but it would take a long time to get there, and Dilvin is so peaceful…”

Suddenly, one of the “old codgers” Flaren was beginning to describe walked in.

“Miss Flaren…your trial begins in ten hours.”

“Great. So soon a notice.”

The old man left and Flaren kicked the wall next to her.

“This is so stupid. Why should I leave!? I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“Flaren…” a voice called. It was Lapisa.

“Lapisa?”

“Come here…”

“Oh, okay.”

Flaren entered the room, with a fully dressed Lapisa in it. The girl began to speak.

“I am…so sorry. I will tell those men what happened. If need be, I will leave.”

“Oh, it’s not your fault. The Elders here have always treated me differently…they hate Singe for leaving these lands, and they’re not so friendly towards Crimsonia either…I am both deeply connected with them, so it’s only natural…”

“But it is my fault! I may get you banished! What will you do!?”

“I…don’t know. But, you’re right. If I leave my family alone, they’ll suffer. They need a place to live. I don’t know how responsible Scorch is…”

“What are you saying?”

“I’ve been thinking. There’s somebody I care for deeply, but as for now, I won’t have much time to keep seeing them. It’s something that’s been in my heart since I saw that person again. And if I decide to leave, I want them to be safe.”

“Your love…is it--”

“It’s best not to say after that incident.”

“I see. But you should not leave. Your young sister, Embre would be all alone.”

“No, Scorch…”

“He also is like you. He has found love, I can tell. It is much like your case. But he will not let go as easily, he will refuse to be without his love, and she for him.”

“I can’t leave her all alone…”

“I may be able to work something out…I could let you stay at the house of Seles. Of course…it may not work and you would probably have to soon leave, as it is already cluttered.”

“If that happens, I think I will do that. Thank you Lapisa.”

Flaren began to leave as Lapisa stretched. Suddenly the silver haired woman asked a question.

“Who was it that operated on me.”

“Um…Rubyi and a female doctor, and a male doctor, but the girls were doing the most work while the male doctor kept the area safe and calm.”

“Thank you for telling me…Rubyi would have never done so herself.”

Flaren smiled and left the room, to find all of her friends, new and old, asleep. Sheena was shivering slightly and Raise was cuddling near Universa. The female ninja was alone and she suddenly let out a name.

“Zelos…”

A tear fell from her eye and Sheena rolled over on her couch. Flaren gave a look of curiosity but decided not to get involved. Embre was snuggled in a corner, Singe keeping her warm. Flaren made herself a spot near her sisters and looked for her only brother. Saphfyre’s hand was at the bottom of his shirt, and her other happened to be on his neck. The two seemed happy. Cresenta was awake and slowly, he snuck towards Flaren. Stroking the back of her neck slightly, the Summon Spirit found the girl wrap him in an inescapable kiss. They were stopped when Sheena cried again.

“Is something wrong with her?” Flaren asked, full of concern.

“It is something I dare not speak of…Sheena will tell you when she is ready.”

“Is there anything we can do? I want to help…”

“Maybe in the future there is…” Cresenta said, “Yes…maybe in the future, there will be.”

A/N: Yay! Chapter 16 is over! Stupid Elders, Flaren didn’t do anything wrong! The Sea of Light shouldn’t be traveled in though…but still, she shouldn’t be banished! And what will happen when Cresenta and Saphfyre leave? Hmm…

Lapisa: Ignoring you for the minute, here is more of the Character List.

Character List Part 3

(Astra: Do you not get bored with this…?)

Crimsonia Swiftel: From the town of Dilvin, Crimsonia was saved by Raine in Raine: Tales of Healing Left Undone. She becomes a powerful ally in The Court Case, and is associated with Seles and the Redjewels. In fact, when Crimsonia is talking competitively with Seles, it is the only time she uses words with apostrophes in them! So…what happened between the two? They loved to train, but were split apart by Crimsonia’s lust for other battles.

Lanztblu Cascade: She’s not major, but she appears from time to time. She somewhat resembles Flaren, except her hair is blue and she wields a sword, and not a rapier. Also, she’s more hyper than Rubyi and Flaren most of the time, except in serious situations. Lanztblu is also prone o break things because of her over-enthusiasm.

Reef Corel: He’s defiantly not major in the Sheena saga, but deserves to be mentioned. When I start on the Raine saga (you haven’t forgot Raine: Tales of Healing Left undone, have you?), he will play a more major role. I think he has a thing for her, although Raine doesn’t notice or pretends not to. He’s an excellent doctor and may end up getting the way of Raine’s relationships.

Dilvin Elder: I don’t feel like giving this person a name because he pisses me off. I mean, going across the Sea of Light was for Lapisa, so don’t be an ass! Ugh. He’s very strict on keeping the peace in Dilvin and may try to extend his rule to East Tahjra. I don’t know why he’s so strict, but I favor him over Oshitm.

Oshitm Yggdrasil: He’s become more important and appeared pretty much out of nowhere. He’s might be more than the readers think; it may not be Mithos reborn. So many coincidences of him and Mithos are there though, so something must have happened in the past…what is it, I wonder? He may be insane, power-hungry, and an idiot, but it seems whenever he attacks, the characters seem to bond more. I still can’t stand him, though.

Astra: The Mistress of the Stars, she sometimes called, Astra is the Summon Spirit of the Stars. She became a bigger character than I expected and speaks like Crimsonia and wields a scythe. She is sort of like Raise, but is much more calm about things, even in dire situations. Astra also is related to her three brothers, Cresenta, Sola, and Universa. She has not found her love yet, but she is not that effected by it. Astra is definitely the sort of person who would tell somebody to shut up if they needed to be told so, though. She can be strict but usually is loyal to Sheena and offers advice a lot.

Bonus: Character Names of everyone introduced so far (even small cameos, besides the Summon Spirits that aren‘t new, because they only got two lines of dialogue).

Sheena Fujibayashi
Raine Sage
Kratos Aurion
Genis Sage
Presea Combatir
Crimsonia Swiftel
Seles Wilder
Saphfyre Redjewel
Rubyi Redjewel
Emereld Redjewel
Sardnyox Redjewel
Topazen Redjewel
Dialmond Redjewel
Lapisa Redjewel
Reef Corel
Lanztblu Cascade
Flaren LaHeart
Embre LaHeart
Singe LaHeart
Scorch LaHeart
Dilvin Elder
Oshitm Yggdrasil
Cresenta
Sola
Astra
Universa
Raise

Importance Chart
(well, they’re all important, but the ones that have most important effect on the story have the stars, but they all do, so it’s more of who appears often)

------------------------------------
Key:

***** = very important
**** = pretty important
*** = semi-important
** = appears rarely, but for important parts
* = appears very rarely, but is still important
-----------------------------------------
Sheena: *****

Raine: **

Kratos: *

Genis: *

Presea: *

Crimsonia: *****

Saphfyre: ****

Rubyi: ****

Emereld: ***

Sardnyox: ** (is in the story, but rarely speaks)

Topazen: ***

Dialmond: ***

Lapisa: *****

Reef: *

Lanztblu: **

Flaren: ***

Embre: ** (like Sardnyox)

Singe: ***

Scorch: ** (like Sardnyox)

Dilvin Elder: **

Oshitm: ****

Cresenta: ***

Sola: ***

Astra: ****

Raise: ****

A/N: Also, this will be posted up on the name TimesHalt, so click on the name if you want to see all of the chart (and importance/appearance, maybe). Okay, now I’m finally done. Hmmm, it seems my chapters have gotten longer. I remember back in the Sheena: Tales of Summoning Days it took forever to write 1,000 words. But now, it’s really easy! Okay, bye now. Maybe I should upload some pictures of the weapons in this…I can’t draw well (at all), though. I don’t even think it will let you, anyway…okay done now! Really!