Chapter 15: Return of the Wind
Terrias was now on his own. Saharah could not help battle. Valo was injured and since he was king, must be protected therefore he too could not fight. Both Ryo and Manna are dead. Terrias got a news that Aikon wished to see him. “Terrias, it appears that Ryo’s sacrifice was not in vain. With Nucilver under control he saved many lives with his”, said Aikon trying to get Terrias to look on the bright side. Terrias did not respond. “Listen, he left you a ship he had designed back at Xiang-Hu. It may do you good”, she continued. “Can it bring both Ryo and Manna from the dead?” asked Terrias bitterly. Aikon didn’t know exactly how to help Terrias. She walked off and left him be. Terrias gave it some thought. “He screwed me out of my best friend and my love, might as well ask for compensation.” He went down to the dungeon to find Nucilver chained down. Nucilver looked up at him. “I’m sorry for what happened back at Kaio…” he said to Terrias surprised. “You should be, you caused the death of many”, said Terrias opening the gate. “I want to fight under you, I take it that’s why you came here. To ask me to fight”, said Nucilver trying to unbind himself. “That’s right, and you’re not going anywhere until I see that your debt is paid off”, said Terrias unchaining him. Nucilver got up free and said, “Well, it may take a while then.”
Terrias and Nucilver teleported to the island of Xiang-Hu. Terrias wanted make a stop to the pub to ask where Ryo placed the ship. As he entered, he found a ghost from the past. “Hiita?!” he said, looking in fear. Hiita turned around. “Terrias? What are the odds of meeting you here?” “I was gong to ask you the same question. How did you survive my Ultima attack?” asked Terrias curious since one doesn’t simply return from the grave. “I have similar properties to that of a Phoenix like my brother. I can’t die unless I naturally die. Otherwise I am reduced to ash and revive”, she said getting up. “What’s your current status?” asked Terrias hoping to get another person to join him. “Free, I’ll join you if that’s what you’re going to ask me”, she replied looking up at him. The two smiled at each other and Hiita waited outside with Nucilver on Terrias’ orders. Terrias came out a few minutes later. “Terrias, I am so sorry. Nucilver told me what happened…” said Hiita hugging him. Terrias laughed. “Listen, I just got word that not only is Ryo’s new ship in that forest, but Manna is alive in there!” he said happier than he has been in a few days. Hiita could still see the pain with in him. Poor Terrias has gone through an incredible emotional wreck. Neither her nor Nucilver were sure that Terrias was all in the right place or if he was in denial. “Come on, let’s not waste anymore time.”
They approached the forest and began to search. “Now, people have told me that the airship is found near the other end of this forest. It has the symbol MK II on it with Ultima’s clan symbol under it. You guys go ahead and find that, I’ll go and see if the rumors are true about Manna”, ordered Terrias starting to go in a different direction. As he turned around Nucilver called to him, “How are you so sure? Did actually say ‘Manna is in the forest!’ I mean, be real, she’s dead and there is nothing you can do about it.” “She’s not dead. The girl who controls the wind, that’s Manna.”
Hiita approached him, “Look, many people can control the wind with any spell.”
Terrias turned around, “She is alive… I know she is. Do as I say or else.”
“Or else what?” snapped Nucilver, “Gonna bore us to death with another one of your stories of denial? Please, I would have never joined had it not been for debt.” Terrias grunted, turned around, and headed off in his own direction. “Maybe you were a little harsh?” asked Hiita. Nucilver gave Hiita a blank look and said, “Listen, there is no such thing as ‘harsh’ but there is such thing as weak. It’s a wonder how that guy became who he is.” Hiita quietly followed Nucilver and neither said a word to each other after that.
Terrias searched and searched all around the forest. He prayed, no, he knew Manna was still alive and in this forest. Her long brown hair, amber shaded eyes, and welcoming smile was all Terrias thought about. Obsession? Denial? Such words had no effect on Terrias. He came to a halt. His heart stopped. Was his denial and obsession finally getting the best of him? Was what he was witnessing really there and not his imagination? Manna had gotten up and looked up at Terrias. His breathing began to get heavier with every second. He became pale. The sight of his love appearing before him, still alive, was nonetheless more than he bargained for. He couldn’t react. She stared at him with much curiosity. “Manna?” he said faintly, trying to move his legs to approach her. Manna quietly replied, “How do you know who I am?” Terrias stopped. A question he had not expected was asked. “Manna, it’s me, Terrias. Don’t you remember?” Manna grasped the hilt of her sword and drew it out. “Terrias Falles? Now I know you. You are the enemy of my master.” Manna came at him and Terrias was luckily able to draw out his sword and defend. He pushed her back but she continued in the same fashion. “Manna, what’s wrong with you. Creed’s dead, the spell should be lifted!” Manna ignored him and her amber eyes began to glow red, pupils blank and nonexistent. Terrias was confused, the spell over Manna should have been lifted. Manna kept swinging with all her hate for Terrias, but he blocked all of her moves quickly. Terrias was getting tired and could not keep blocking with his blade. Manna thrust at him and impaled Terrias in his right shoulder, who apparently seemed not to block. “You…you didn’t block? I could have killed you!” Terrias smiled and took the blade out of his shoulder. “We’ve been at it for a while, and I’m really tired. It’s probably since I haven’t slept nor have I eaten anything since I thought you were dead.” Manna backed away slowly. Her eyes began slowly return to their beautiful amber shade.
Night had fallen and Nucilver and Hiita had finally found the ship. “Now this is a work of mechanical art!” said Hiita, awed at the metal masterpiece. Nucilver entered with Hiita close by. “I wonder how this ship operates. I’m not one of gadgets so I wouldn’t know how to get this flying”, said Nucilver looking at the computers in the control room. Hiita pressed a few buttons, but nothing seemed to happen. “You shouldn’t touch things that are not of your comprehension level”, said Nucilver rudely and pushing Hiita aside from the controls. He studied the control panel some more. “It seems that it was built to run only if a sequence is pressed. Anything else will not work. An excellent tamper-proof mechanism.” Hiita sighed and looked out the window to see the rest of the forest. She noticed that some of the trees seemed to have moved. “Nucilver, trees aren’t suppose to move on there own, are they?” Nucilver looked over at the window and noticed the trees moving as well. “No, this forest was meant for Altima 5000 years ago. Terrias is out there and the forest thinks he’s the enemy.”
Manna continued attacking Terrias to the point where Terrias dropped on his knees. “Manna, try to understand, you’re under a spell. You don’t really want to kill me”, said Terrias desperately trying to reach out to Manna. She shook her head and lifted her sword. Terrias lowered his head in defeat, for he could not kill the one she loves, but would rather die for her. Manna swung down but stopped. Tears began to soak her face. She fell down on her knees holding her head, “Why, why can’t I attack you? Who am I? What is wrong with me?” Before Terrias could try to comfort her, he felt a dark aura surrounding the forest immediately. The trees began to move, and the vines and branches came to life. Both noticed it right away and got up. “Manna, let’s get out of here now. I don’t think this is the forest welcoming committee.” They raced off and the vines and branches followed swiftly. Manna got ahead of Terrias and Terrias could not keep up. He was tired and worn out from fighting with her. A branch, however, tripped manna, and she saw a three-pronged vine come up, ready to strike. She closed her eyes and heard it pierce flesh. Blood dropped on her. She opened her eyes and saw Terrias smiling at her with a grim look on his face. “Why did you go and do that?” she asked still shocked that Terrias took the hit. “You do crazy things for the one you love”, he said faintly. He turned paler than he was. “You’re stupid!” shouted Manna. “Stupid, but at least I didn’t regret this.” The vine released him and he fell on top of her. Manna seemed enlightened all of a sudden. The spell that had taken control of her seemed to have lifted. Her eyes returned to normal and looked at Terrias’ body. “I’m so sorry, Terrias”, she said crying. The vines began to attack again and Manna picked Terrias up and ran. She didn’t know where to run to but if she could get out of the forest, Terrias was no longer in harms way. A vine struck her in the back of her leg and slowed her down greatly. She ran though. She knew that she owed a lot to Terrias and she would make sure he was going to come out of this alive. The vines had caught up and began to attack her. She cast Graveyard Rose and wiped out as many things as she could. She could see the end of the forest, but she knew what she had to do. She kissed Terrias’ lips lightly and sent him flying out of the forest with a Graveyard Rose attack. With that, the vines grabbed hold of her and dragged her back in. she had given herself up for Terrias.
Terrias awoke in a room. He looked around and found Hiita, sleeping by his side with was seemed to be a bloody rag. She had taken care of him over night. Hiita woke up and looked at Terrias. “Thank goodness. You barely made it out of that mess.” Terrias smiled then realized, Manna. “Where’s Manna?” he asked her getting up noticing his entire torso wrapped up. Hiita gave Terrias a puzzled look. “Manna was with me… I toke the hit for her and… no.” He got quiet and had a look of terror on his face. Hiita looked at him sympathetically. “She’s…” Terrias quickly got his clothes on and limped outside. It was morning and the forest had seemed to be pure and innocent. He made his way through to the scene of where he had saw Manna last. There she was. Lifeless. Terrias dropped down to her body and shook her. “Manna?” No response. Her heart was beating. Terrias picked her up and limped back over to the airship enduring the pain. Hiita finally found him and saw Manna’s still body. “Oh my…” Terrias passed by her and entered the airship. Manna was alive, but was no longer with her surroundings.
