Chapter 34: Exposition
The true story is just beginning.
The skies were blotted out by the dragons, thousands of them flocking towards that small island on which I had once resided. Beside me, the Guardian had finally fulfilled his place in destiny, and now, it was up to me, although Claire seemed to think that she was the main character here. Standing on the small, wooden ship, heading for Victoria, I felt my bow slip slightly within my clammy hands. Did I really think I could pull it off? Possibly, if I'd managed to harness the power which I'd neglected for so long. I was dreadfully aware that there was only one chance - one, final chance to draw blood. If I'd failed, then everything I'd been working for would be eradicated in a single strike. If, however, I succeeded, there was a possibility to save more than one life. Before us, Victoria basked in the afterglow of the setting sun, blood-red shading the spires of the metropolis that was once Kerning City.
In that short two years, Claire had informed me, the island itself had changed tremendously - the north outland that was Perion had been scorched by the fire, whilst Kerning City had been utterly destroyed; although I had been there to witness the destruction, I had no inkling of what had been going on after I left to go to Orbis. Thinking of the island... it felt quite painful, really; had we been more focused... had I been more focused when we were there, everything might not have turned out this way. As it were...
"Who passes my territory?" The disembodied voice was whispery, like leaves in the afterwash of a bygone breeze - although unfamiliar, I thought it prudent to pay heed to the voice. Setting my bow on the ground, I called out, into the dusk seas, "Warriors on a mission." A maelstrom surrounded us almost immediately, water streaming into the skies to form a colossal creature. "Turn back, before I have to stop you with force." Kei craned his neck, staring up at the undulating body that resembled more a serpent than anything else, power evident in the coils of water that was pulsing with life. "What are you?" That icy tone of the Knight's was back, the tone that had cut my sleep so many times; it was a completely focused Kei that was speaking now, and no creature, living or dead, would be wise to cross him in that state. Unfortunately...
"What am I?I" The serpent hissed loudly. "I am more ancient than you by a thousand times over, boy!"
"You might not be." Kei reached for the sword-sheath at his side, but Claire stopped him with a hand; for a moment, his eyes softened. "Don't. Not here, not now."
Claire stared up, into the water serpent's eyes; I was surprised to see fear within those glistening crystals. "You serve the renegades, do you not?" The serpent merely tightened his glance, at which Claire smiled. "Water, heed my command. Aqua Pulse." In great shock, the serpent gasped as water was torn from around it, slicing the body cleanly in half; I shielded my face as saltwater rained down on me. "Crap, is that thing poisonous?" Kei joked, wiping at his face; I barely managed an uptight smile. Claire grinned. "Don't worry, it was a spirit, not a real being, alright?"
I merely nodded, thinking it inexpedient to elaborate on why exactly I was so worried. Already, I could see the plan playing out in my head; I had planned for almost every kind of disruption that might occur, and the proper counters if such-and-such a situation arose. There was, however, still the chance of my plans going wrong, so for good measure...
"Kei, Claire, what's the plan for later?"
Both of them stared at me dumbly.
"You know. The Black Magician is definitely going to join the siege, based on reports by your fellow Sirens who have been visiting, so... We're gonna need some plan to defeat the dude and resurrected Ragnarok?" Kei narrowed his eyes. "How do you know he's gonna resurrect Ragnarok, anyway?" Oh, shit. "You know, I thought it'd be pretty obvious." Motioning to Claire, I continued, "The Sirens made it the ultimate beast, I'm sure he won't give that up." Kei shrugged. "I guess you're right."
Claire smiled again, this time grimly. "There is a way to kill off Ragnarok. It's simple."
I stared at her.
"The Ancients realized, long ago, that the Ragnarok would run around and murder everyone if needed, and they thus designed a sealing spell." I raised an eyebrow. "The one that Ivan and..." She nodded. "Simply put, water is the natural enemy of magic - purging spells are all made of water. The way to kill it is simple: give up your soul, trade it for the enemy's."
Kei blinked thrice. "Wait, isn't that collateral damage?"
Claire shrugged. "C'est la vie. The power difference between Ragnarok and mine is vast, and I wouldn't make much difference anyway."
I glared. "No, there has to be a better way. There is."
"What?"
"I'm still thinking."
The trip lapsed, again, into silence.
"You know," Claire murmured, "We have to accept losses sometimes, and take them into our stride. Sacrificing for the greater good has never been new, has it? Ivan, Artemis, Alexis... they threw themselves in front of the caravan of war to stop it from its movements, and yet it will always plough on, because of the greed of humankind. It is my hope that with the oncoming battle... we will be able to halt it and hopefully destroy it. I don't want... to have to see everything being lost." Under his breath, Kei whispered, "Point of information - they were the same people." Claire looked at him. "Hmm?"
"Nothing."
I frowned. Would it be applicable to tell it to them now, or...?
"Halt!"
Kei raised an eyebrow. "Again?"
Claire groaned. "Would you look at that?"
The entire sea before us was filled with ships, rows upon rows of boats armed to the teeth with guns.
"Uh oh."