Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Chapter 17: Regret


Terrias looked upon Manna’s lifeless body. She was still warm, but still had an eerie feel of death. How he wished she would just awake from the cruel curse. To be with her, her bright smile, and her joyous nature – gone. “There is a way to revive her, you know”, said Aikon. Terrias was startled. He didn’t notice Aikon coming into the room. “I now see why you chose Garner for your approach”, Aikon said as smoothly as she could, approaching Terrias whom seemed to be bewildered. “I’m assuming you know a cure must have been in Garner”, she continued. It grew quiet. She was right. Terrias never realized anyone would catch on to his endeavor in going to Garner. It was the next continent for a treaty; Terrias figured no one would see through his true intentions. Terrias frowned, but Aikon smiled, “Terrias, I think reviving Manna would be an excellent thing for the whole team.”
Terrias looked up quickly, “What do you mean?”
“Everyone is tense because of Ryo’s loss and now Manna’s. If she can be revived then hope and union can be restored”, she replied. An epiphany came to Terrias. He was going to get Valo to go whether he liked the idea or not.

Terrias walked the castle halls for a while, looking for Valo. After a long hour, Valo was found sulking near the courtroom. He saw sadness in Valo’s eyes. Tears filled them, glistening in the lights. He was pale; anyone could tell he was belying his feelings. Terrias approached Valo. “Valo, we have to go to Garner. We can’t stop where we left off”, said Terrias mustering up all strength to sound firm. “Terrias, I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of losing more and more of my closest friends and family”, said Valo who seemed to have choked while saying it. The tears finally fell from his eyes and rolled downs his face. He couldn’t seem to pick up the strength to continue talking. Terrias knew he had to be tough and keep insisting. “Valo, you are the king of Vivica, this is the price of being in a clan. We will lose people all the time. It was bound to happen sooner or later. But you have to get up off your a** and keep moving!” Valo looked at Terrias with hatred and sadness. His eyes met Terrias’. “I’ll finish this treaty business, afterwards I will step down and you will be the king of Vivica”, muttered Valo. Terrias nodded and walked out to gather up the others.

An hour passed since Terrias’ confrontation with Valo in the courtroom. All the others appeared near the great hall. Terrias counted the number of people and Saharah was among them. Why was she there? With a baby waiting to be born, there was no reason for her to even consider leaving the castle. Anytime she was ready to deliver. “Saharah, there is no need for you to come with us. You’re nearly ready to give birth”, said Valo moving towards Saharah. She made no reaction. Ignoring him and moving towards Terrias as she did so. “Terrias, the treaty in Garner is all we’re going to be doing. Why are you so anxious to do this quickly?” she said finally getting face to face with Terrias. “My reasons, as of now, are to my own. You will see eventually when we arrive”, was his response. He looked around at everyone and gave a quick sigh. “Looks like we’re off then…”

The MK II was started and quickly rushed to the continent of Garner in a matter of 4 hours. The airship docked at the small hangar near the capital of Garner. As the crew exited the ship an escort had found them and came up to Valo. “King Vandari, I presume?” asked the small man. Valo gave a quick nod. The man looked at Terrias and took a quick step back, “The UltimaKnight?! By why would Vivica’s monarch need such a bodyguard to accompany him?”
“I am nearly searching for something else on this continent”, answered Terrias.
“What may this be? We have nothing that would help you aside from a few plants,” said the man. “Then you it should be obvious to what I seek.” The man gave it some thought about what Terrias could really want. Terrias waited anxiously hoping for his item to exist. The man finally had a look of revelation on his face. “You seek, Aserver, the plant of regret, it would pity the user and grant them any health they choose…” The others grew quiet. They now realized that it could be used to revive Manna and continue their crew as a whole again. “Then can I know where to get it?” The man stood silent, “I’m afraid, my boy, the king has the last vile.”

As the man escorted them to the castle, many admired the beauty of the structure from with in. Decorative stained glass windows with many vines framing them. The castle also had a wonderful fragrance, filling up anyone who smelled it with a healthful glee. About a good five minutes have passed and the crew had finally arrived to the throne room. Terrias’ heart leapt, he was close to getting a chance to revive Manna. The monarch had gotten of her throne. “King Vandari, I am assuming you came here to make peace with us”, she said, “As queen of Garner, I cannot simply allow Vivica to make peace with us on such short notice.” Valo stepped forward, “Queen Zebarab, you have to see our reasons for doing so. Vivica is the heart of Ghaelivon, but we cannot prosper without the aid of the other four continents.”

“That may be, but Vivica has also been without a monarchy for over a century. You would expect me to make peace simply with a king I have not learned anything of?” she asked giving Valo a look. Her eyes ended up wondering off and made contact with Terrias. He had been in deep thought for a while now and took him a quick look to realize he was being eyed at. “The UltimaKnight, Terrias Falles. A person with such a title that has not been heard of in over 5000 years has come here on what honor?” she said approaching Terrias. He looked up at her and kept a firm look as to not show any neither nervousness nor weakness. “I have come in search of Aserver. I have found out that you posses the last vile of the miracle potion”, he said. Zebarab laughed, “Foolish boy, what makes you assume that for one second you have such audacity to even ask of such item from me?” “I can make it worth your while, I can make some compromise that we can both settle on”, he said. “I have no intentions in making any type of deals with Clan leaders like yourself”, she said. “Garner is a weak continent and should it go to war, this place can easily be conquered. I can offer my service…” Zebarab paused and glared at Terrias. The others quickly looked at Terrias in disbelief. “Young UltimaKnight, you have sparked my interest and made a valid point. I will make a deal with you. A war in Irtra has broken out between the north and the south. If the North is to win then our hopes of survival will become bleak. Finish the war in three months and I will give you the treaty”, she offered. “The vile?” asked Terrias. “You can have this vile, but if you fail to accomplish my task you are bound to serve Garner until the end of your life.” She snapped her fingers and a servant brought a small vile with a florescent green liquid inside and handed it to Terrias. “Three months, that is all.”

On the way back, Terrias held tightly to the vile. Close to his heart, he refused to let it go or put it down. Manna’s life can be restored. This was fact. Alas, things can be whole as it once was. Terrias looked outside his window. It never occurred to him how small Ghaelivon was. The clashing, red skies near Irtra could be seen. The ground beneath him was slightly covered by the clouds. Still, the green meadows could be seen. Vivica was more beautiful than it had ever been. Valo opened the door to Terrias’ room and stood there. Terrias seemed to pay no attention and kept watching outside the window. “Terrias,” spoke Valo softly as to not startle Terrias. Terrias looked up and watched him. “I’m sorry, you were right. We shouldn’t have doubted you,” he continued with his head hung low. “It’s all right. None of us saw any of this coming. We may have lost Ryo but he would have wanted to keep going on,” said Terrias again looking out to Irtra’s horizon. Before Valo could say anything else, Hiita burst into the room. “Valo, you’re the father of a baby boy!” Valo’s eyes widened with an enormous smile and quickly rushed to Saharah’s room with Terrias and Hiita followed. They opened the door quickly. Valo’s heart filled with joy. Saharah held their newborn son. “It’s about time you came,” said Saharah sarcastically and softly with a bright smile, which illuminated her face. Valo approached her and was offered the child. “Espilious…. You are my son.” The child, Espilious, slept in his arms. Terrias and Hiita awed at such a blessing sight. His hair blue, like his father’s, but much darker. A face that resembled his mother. Never was there a more beautiful sight. Valo looked at Saharah. Calmly he looked back at him. “Saharah, forgive me for being so cruel to you. I love you. I owe you so much…” he said softly. “Valo, it’s me who owes you. You never had to return my love. You accepted me to be yours,” she said, but before she could continue, Valo had kissed her head gently; taking away any words that came to her. They gazed at one another then at Espilious. A miracle had touched them.

The ship landed and Terrias slowly walked to Manna’s room. “I want no one in the room with me…” he said coldly, “I must speak to her alone.” The four nodded and left Terrias be. He walked feeling like the seconds were hours. Alas, the room was reached; the door remained ajar, as he had left it. He entered. Manna’s body still remained still. Hope, however, was in the form of a small vile. Maybe that was why she appeared livelier to Terrias. He continued until he reached her. He came down to her level and opened the vile. Slowly it was raised the vile to her lips and slowly and put the green potion into her mouth. For a few minutes nothing happened. Terrias began to sob over her and brought her face into view. He approached her and kissed her lifeless lips. “If only…” he whispered softly. Manna opened her eyes. “‘If only’ what?” she said. Terrias’ heart leapt. She was alive. Tears rolled down his face. “Terrias, don’t cry,” she said, “you’re going to make me cr-” Terrias kissed her before she could finish. His memory of her restored. What it felt like for their lips and tongue to meet. The passion that burned bright and hot. Terrias paused and looked upon Manna. “I promise never to let you go…” he said softly, shaking from the experiencing such joy and happiness, none in which his life could be matched. They came out of the room some minutes later. Manna and Terrias found Valo and the others. Valo’s body began to shake, his face turned paler than what it already was. Manna looked at him and said, “Hey, bro, long time, huh?” Valo laughed and hugged her. “You know, I really want to kick your a**, Manna, but now is just not the time to do that,” said Valo shaking Manna around playfully, like the typical brother he is. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go with Terrias to say goodbye and sorry to,” she said sadly looking at Terrias. Even though it was hard for him to return, Terrias knew exactly what Manna meant.

Terrias took Manna’s hand and teleported to Kaio. Manna led Terrias over to the remains of what use to be Kaio Academy. She stopped and saw the remaining wreck of Ryo’s ship. “I’m so sorry, Ryo…” she started, “I know that even sorry isn’t enough, but its not like there is much I can do. However, I will promise you this, I will never again betray any of the clan’s members and if I do, even unknowingly, I will take my own life in exchange for yours as a payment to my debt.” Tears filled her shining amber eyes. She looked over at Terrias who was focusing hard on the remains. She left him to give him his moment to mourn. Terrias, even now, still had a hard time accepting Ryo’s death. He never figured that off all people on the clan, Ryo would be the one to die. “You know, you really shouldn’t be so sorrowful over something that can’t be changed, Terrias,” said Ryo’s voice. A bright light shined majestically over the remains and caught Terrias’ attention. He could not believe what he was seeing before his very eyes – Ryo, standing right in front of him, nearly solid. “Before you s**t yourself, Terrias, I’m not really physical, but more of a manifestation in the event that I die, I had to give you my avenging tool”, said Ryo, offering his hand to Terrias. Of course, he trusted his friend, or this manifestation at least, and took his hand. A strong energy rush flowed inside of Terrias and Ryo disappeared. “Desert Strike… it is my gift to you…” Terrias looked at his hand and back at the remains. “Ryo, I’ll do my best to use this to what you intended it for. On my grave I vow to complete your wish. My gift to you…” Terrias closed his fist and went to go find Manna. It wasn’t long before He had an idea where she may have been.

Terrias opened the door to Creed’s abandoned house. He entered the eerie house, cautiously and alert. The training room seems to have not been used in a while. Dust seemed to have accumulated giving its feel of abandonment. Terrias kept moving forward and found Manna sure enough by an old portrait of the Serine Knights. “You think that it was destiny that we should be together?” asked Manna knowing Terrias was behind her. Terrias stopped and looked at the marvelous painting. Altima held Rina with an appealing smile on the couple. “The story went that Rina betrayed Altima out of love. Sometimes, I wonder if that was even a valid reason. If you love someone, why would you vanquish them from your life?” she continued not looking at Terrias. The air began to feel darkened by despair. Chills crawled up Terrias’ spine. Something felt out of place. Manna was not acting herself. She may have had her regrets, but there was no need for it, especially in such a dark place. “Terrias, she is not me!” said Manna’s voice from behind him. Terrias quickly turned around and found Manna Standing behind him. Her amber eyes began to glow pink. She shot a small attack at the Manna in front of the portrait. The doppelganger caught the attack and sent it back with twice the force put in it. Terrias rendered it useless with his blade. “Well, Manna, I guess it’s safe to say you really are my origin,” said the clone. She transformed into a blonde haired girl with curls at the ends, her eyes violet and her skin slightly pale. “My name is Crissy. I came into being when you were able to reject Creed. He created me in your image to please him and then dispose of you when you become obsolete,” said the clone revealing her name as Crissy. Manna did not hesitate and rushed at her with her blade. With every dynamic swing the air around the blade cut anything in its path. Terrias had realized the elemental blows behind her attacks. Crissy skillfully evaded each of Manna’s attacks with out letting a single strand of her hair even get cut by the effects of the element. Terrias rushed in quickly to aid Manna. Crissy moved up above them and dove down with a violet aura. The ground split as Manna and Terrias avoided the blow. A cloud of dust arose around the room. Manna and Terrias came out where the dust had not reached. The two anxiously awaited Crissy’s next move. The dust slowly disappeared and Crissy was nowhere to be found. In fact, a large hole was in place of where she was. “b***h ran away…” panted Manna feeling slightly relieved. Terrias shuttered and checked Manna. She stared up in curiosity. “What is it?” she asked now feeling uncomfortable. “I don’t think this will be the last time we see her, and I think – No, you and her are linked. She will come as you as long as you live,” said Terrias, a cold gloom in his voice. Manna looked up at him and then looked down thinking what Terrias had said may be true.

The couple returned to the capital. Each looking as if the two had seen a ghost of their pass. Valo found the two slowly making their way to the room. He had never seen such anguish in either of their eyes. “Valo…” said Mann lightly, “I need a megaveil.” Valo’s eyes widened. He felt a cold chill run up his spine. Terrias looked up at Valo, “Manna has a clone that can shift shape into Manna as long as she has Manna’s live DNA.” Valo’s mouth was left dry. If a megaveil is put on any living creature, the chances of death increases fifty percent. It protects and covers all magical links in the body and can be fatal because it can also block magic from coming in or out. Manna would be risking her life every time she uses magic. This became a new obstacle to overcome.