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Disclaimer: I don’t own ToS, or the Sales of
Tomorrow. The buyers choose that. I do own the Stock of Tomorrow, though!
Rubyi: That is what we call “illegal” so you
really don’t. If you did own that, you be in jail right now…
TimesHalt: You’re no fun…
Disclaimer: I also don’t own Things of Seles.
They belong to her.
A/N: And four days to go. Plains of Hope. Joy.
And now, will Cali finally meet Saphfyre, and what will the leader of the
Redjewels do? A somewhat strange episode of The Court Case begins. I can’t wait
to write If You Want To Bring Him Back. It will probably be better worded--and
hell for readers--have really long chapters. This will end soon; I really should
have just skipped everything and gone to the case…
Chapter 28:
Distant Memories, Distant Feelings
Sheena watched as Astra headed off somewhere.
Flaren said something about how splitting up was dangerous but the place didn’t
look like it could kill. Embre grabbed a flower from the ground and sniffed. It
was a very nice scent. Flaren watched as her younger sister plucked off the
petals and let them soar away. Sheena then felt Universa’s air, and rushed off
to the source, followed by the LaHearts.
Astra stood upon that cliff that she had so long
ago. How long had it been, four thousand and…seventeen years ago? Yes, that was
it. The memory was still there, though, plain as the sun that shone so brightly
as it did now. Astra let the recollections sweep back to her.
*Flashback*
“And I know we will be all right…be with me…be
with me…stay with me…stay with, please…I need you…be with me…”
A small child Astra sang a song as her oldest
brother, Universa came up to her.
“You like this place, do you not, Astra?” the
Summon Spirit of Universes said.
“Yes.” Astra answered, “It is beautiful. When I
come of age, I want a temple here.”
“That…maybe that will not happen.” Universa shot
a look at the ground.
“What? Why not?” Astra asked, curious.
“The humans are about to start a war. I am most
certainly sure that the wars will reach even here.”
“Humans are so stupid! Why would they
even want this place, anywise?”
“It is one of the best points to attack
Kahlijdima and Redsia. With some long-range attacks, destroying Tahjra would be
no hard task.”
“I see…but I…we have no other place to go. I do
not wish to be bound to some person who would use my power to hurt, just for
war…”
*End Flashback*
Astra shifted her position as the times went on.
That wasn’t the only memory she had of this place…
*Flashback*
Astra, now a much more beautiful, adolescent
teenager, about sixteen years since she was created (though she preferred “born”
to “created”) and the Mistress of Stars was stunning.
“You really seem to love this place, Astra.”
Efil, the Summon Spirit of Life, put a hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“Oh, Efil. In you fox form, I see. Why must you
transform right after you come into contact with anyone?” Astra brushed the
hand--now paw--off of her shoulder, and petted the man. It didn’t seem wrong,
because dirty things weren’t so dirty 4,000 plus years ago.
Efil continued, “What can I say. It’s fun to
annoy.” The voice just seemed to protrude from him, not quite just coming from
his mouth. It seemed to just exit the body freely, but clearly nonetheless.
“Why are you here?” Astra asked, hoping the
words wouldn’t come/
“Raise.” Astra looked away from the fox and bit
her lip, beginning to say something, “And…what of her? I already know you love
her. What is the problem?”
“Well, you know she was created just about two
days…born sorry, you prefer that, right?”
“Yes.” Astra shifted nervously, she might break
down soon. She had to end this. Quick. She opened her mouth again, “Yes. What of
it?”
“It is a human custom for people to give gifts
on they day they were born…so I thought I should get her something. But I really
don’t have anything…what do you think I should give?”
This is when Astra almost felt like throwing the
animal off the cliff that lay before her. Squeezing her leg tightly, she got up,
startling Efil and making him turn into human form, just because he felt like
it.
“You can give this, Efil. It was meant for you,
but it is yours now once I give it you, so you have the right to use it any way
you please. It is glass mixed with the petals of these plains…I know it is hard
to find the material--actually clean and safe--but I did, so it is my gift to
you.” Astra was a bit sad Efil hadn’t even given anything to her, but kept a
strong face and threw it at him. EH caught it with one hand and Astra turned her
back to him.
“Uh, okay. Thanks.” Efil left and Astra watched
for a second as he departed. Sitting back on the cliff, she began to cry. She
and Efil had so much more in common than he and…Raise. What the heck. He
couldn’t even think of her the way he did Raise. And Efil and Astra had the same
creation (or birth) day, and were both skilled with weapons other than katanas.
There were other things to, like Astra loved Efil. She knew it was only four
years before she would have been on the earth for twenty years; the day it
happened her physical body would stop aging and she would be able to make a pact
with people. The tears flew along with some petals down the cliff, and the young
Mistress of Stars let them go. Grabbing a scythe, she decided ti was time for
more training. Hearing the lands would soon be at war, even the Secluded Lands,
the Summon Spirit of the Stars felt hope was leaving her.
*End Flashback*
Astra looked at the sunset. It was beautiful.
Another memory came…they were so hard to stop. And this one…
*Flashback*
Derris-Kharlan. The war was still going, and the
Plains of Hope had been severely damaged. Efil held onto Raise, and the
disturbed Universa was now even more disturbed. Suddenly saying something, the
Summon Spirit of Universes got a little angrier.
“Raise can take care of herself, you know. You
need not embrace her so much.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Efil said, “But I swear to
protect Raise. So I’ll keep her safe. Do you want her to die or something?”
“Excuse me?” Universa suddenly yelled, “I am the
one who saved her from that Indignation spell. You sat there like the stupid dog
you are!”
“Oh, really?” Efil shouted back, “Maybe Raise
could have gotten out there herself! I was stunned from a sword attack from
behind! Maybe it was you!”
“How dare you! You think I--”
Efil cut Universa off, “Astra saw all this, too.
Hey, Astra!” Efil grabbed the woman’s attention, “Did Universa hit me with his
sword just so he could get Raise?”
“Astra you do not dare--” Universa began.
“Come on, Astra, you saw. What happened?”
The fact was, Efil had been hit (ironically) by
Raise, who threw up a sword-shaped cloud to guard from an attack, and
accidentally hit Efil. It was plain to see why Efil thought this was Universa,
as Raise usually didn’t extort herself to such measures. So Universa continued.
“I did not! Efil, you thick-headed--”
“Astra, tell us!” Efil yelled again.
The Mistress of Stars finally blew her fuse. A
VERY rare moment. Running over to the three, she threw her hand--QUITE
forcefully, one might add--at Efil, then at Universa, then at Raise.
“You are all acting like idiots! SHUT UP, and
calm down!” The crowd began to speak again. More slaps. Astra yelled again,
“Stop it! Just stop it!” She then ran away, knowing this wouldn’t end well.
Hours later…
“You are leaving?” Astra asked Efil as he
readied his magic, “But why?”
“Raise and I aren’t met for each other, but I
still love her. I can see her the way things are now…Universa loves her more.”
“Efil…” Astra slammed her body into his. At
least he was in human form, for now.
“Astra? Why are you crying?” Efil was confused.
“I…I…” Astra swallowed. Would she be able to
tell him? Apparently, “I do not want to see you leave! I want you to be here,
with me…with us!” Stupid! She couldn’t tell him!
“Astra, I’m sorry…Really…” Efil descended
downward, “I really didn’t mean to make you act in such a way, either…”
“No! Efil!” Astra reached her hand out to
nothing as the gate Efil had opened to the land below opened. The Mistress of
Stars broke out in tears.
Weeks later…
The storm of war struck everywhere and Astra
opened her gate to the land below. Astra spoke to her.
“You are leaving, as well?” The Mistress of
Stars was sad, a rival of love that’s a friend is tough to deal with. Even if
they do leave.
“Yes, you are all family here…I feel as if I am intruding.”
“But what of Universa? You love him, but you
will not tell?”
“No. I will not.” Raise pulled out a katana. Its
blade was blue, and it was made by Universa, Raise, Efil, and Astra. Raise
concentrated a bit and the gate warped a little. She put it down into the gate,
making it soar to the ground. “I guess I do not need this anymore…” Raise
mumbled.
“That is the Flanoir and Asgard area.” Astra
stated.
“Yes. IT has meaning of ice and earth, and these
area represent that strongly. I wish that blade the best. I think I will fight
with staves now…”
“Oh, Raise!” Astra embraced the woman, and she
returned the hug. Letting go, the Summon Spirit of the Sky changed the gate to
its original form and began to descend. Astra waved goodbye as the woman fully
disappeared, along with the gate.
“It is all my fault…” Astra sat on a rock and
began to cast spells randomly to create her temple. It was great that the Summon
Spirits could make such a huge thing and not waste much mana in the process.
Magitechnology would have certainly flourished more if this skill was passed
down…
*End Flashback*
“And after al that has happened, I still have
not found E--”
“Astra! We’ve found Universa! Hurry! He might
run again!” Flaren yelled, “It’ll take us some time, but I’m sure he’ll stay to
hear what Sheena has to say!”
Astra ignored the thoughts that had come and ran
with Flaren to the spot Efil was located.
Sheena cleared her throat, “We’ve gone over so
much, but do you promise you’ll stay with us?”
“No, Sheena. I am sorry, but…Raise and yourself…I cannot--”
“It will be okay.” Sheena tried to explain, “I
can’t love you back, but it will be okay. Just please--”
“Sheena. I…this stupid heart does not know what
to so. I love Raise, but the feelings…did she even come?”
“Uh, well she…”
“No, then? Did she even request to?”
“She…um…she--”
“She obviously does not have strong enough
feelings for me, Sheena.”
“Can’t you even try, Universa! What the hell!
Just try!”
At this moment, Astra and Flaren arrived, second
to Embre, who had already been there for a while. She had some tears, which
Flaren tried to wipe off, but her hand was denied. Universa and Sheena rambled
on a bit more and finally…
“I am going to stay here and think for a couple of days. I promise to be back in
time for the case.”
“Universa.”
“Sheena, this is my decision. Someday, you may
understand this much more clearly. For now…this must be the way it is.”
“…Okay. Goodbye, Universa.” Sheena embraced him, and a few tears fell. The other
three girls fled the scene as to not be caught eavesdropping .
Astra left to the cliff again, saying she had
things to take care of. Finding the words, she spoke out loud.
“I want you to be mine, Efil. I need you. Come
back. My reason for living is you…but…you do not love me. And someday, if we
meet, the feeling will grow and I will die. Efil…I need you to know. Please,
Martel, let me find him soon…”
A tear fell from the woman’s eye as Flaren
approached.
“We’re almost ready to go. Are you ready?” the
rapier-wielding LaHeart asked.
“Oh, um, yes…I am all right. Let us get going.”
Astra grabbed a couple of flowers before she left; perhaps they would grow,
perhaps they could be her source for living…but those thoughts weren’t
appropriate at this time. Astra followed Flaren and a solemn Embre and got ready
to depart. It was getting dark, so the girls hurried onward.
Dialmond sighed. She had a precious item of
Lloyd’s, and she now assumed he had the picture. Fingering the scarf, she let
her tears flow. She hated being cold, and she hated the mood swings that
occurred when she was with him. Although, it was the same for Lloyd in this
regard. He acted in some ways that surprised Dialmond, both good and bad. She
didn’t expect him to love her. She didn’t expect him to cry about it. She didn’t
expect to leave him like that…she didn’t expect the tears to flow from her so
much. She didn’t expect for the sword to break! She didn’t expect for Lloyd to
offer one of his most prized possessions in return! She didn’t expect the
feelings that portrayed themselves so easily! She didn’t expect--!
Emereld’s call interrupted Dialmond’s horrible
thoughts. Dinner was done and the shout of, “Dialmond! Time to eat!” At least
her sisters didn’t see her cry, and at least they didn’t scold her for leaving.
But…Dialmond couldn’t help but return with, “What is the point!?”
Emereld was a bit confused by answered as though
the girl was stupid, “You have to eat to live.”
“Maybe I just should not eat, then!” Dialmond
slammed her already-closed door by opening it then shutting it.
“Dialmond?” Emereld called, “Is everything all
right?”
“What do you think!?!” the swordswoman smashed
the window beside her and took off on the crappy sword. Lloyd could…Lloyd could
help. Lloyd could help.
Scorch felt the waist of Saphfyre. Whispering to
her, he set his head to her ear, “That was amazing…”
“Oh, I know. I loved it, too.” Saphfyre said,
her arms stretched out to their fullest extent.
“Do you wanna go again?” Scorch asked.
“To the hot springs? Yes, tomorrow. But that was
just what I needed…”
This lead the scarred Rubyi to have even more
scars and faint. She thought they were talking about…well, a basic fall could
explain it. Saphfyre opened her door.
“Rubyi?” the leader of the Redjewels sighed,
“She thought we must have been talking about…oh well.” Throwing a spare blanket
on the girl, Saphfyre walked down the stairs. Scorch followed closely. She
didn’t notice, and on the last two steps.
“HEY!” Scorch suddenly yelled.
“Ah!” Saphfyre kicked him in the gut, but
lessened the impact when she knew who it was. It was enough to throw Scorch
off-balance, and down the two went. Lapisa had coincidentally finished a sip of
her tea and saw the two. She looked away and took another very long sip.
Saphfyre and Scorch got up and the scythe-wielder yelled, “We’re going for a
walk!”
The two enjoyed the moonlight, and Saphfyre was
fully leaning on the man’s chest. They had made it into Goldes, when…
“Cali!”
A/N: A cliffhanger, sort of. Well, well, well.
Well. Astra’s history of the Plains of Hope was fully revealed. It didn’t go
exactly as I planned, but it ended up better the way it is now. But there is a
whole slew of things about to happen. Well, for one, day four of the countdown
to the case will end soon. And then, Saphfyre will probably beat the…well, we’ll
pretty much know what she’ll do. And now Universa’s gone off to stay at the
Plains of Hope, and Sheena probably has her regrets. And what about Embre, too?
She probably feels horrible, along with Flaren. And maybe I’ll put some more
about Efil in here, too.
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