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Memories	By : Asirainis Category: +A through F > Dragon Quest/ Dragon Warrior Views: 1616 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Quest VIII, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Memories
Chapter Two: Defying Fate
As they reached the tower that was in the distance, dark clouds started to form around it. It was a tall tower, about seven floors tall judging by the windows going up within the tower, with a wall at least two floors tall. They were at a gate that was so imposing, but he simply smiled as he went to the gate and kneeled down and lifted the gate up, opening the path for them both. They went inside the courtyard and up the stairs to what would have been the guard tower. They went inside, and he showed her the ladder amongst the cobwebs and the decaying stone. Climbing up the ladder, they went outside. He smiled as he took the lead, heading across the ledge that connected the guard tower to the main tower; he went to the door and unlocked it. Once they were both inside, he went and relocked it when they were attacked by some floating blue slimes. The gruesome creatures had a murderous gleam to their eyes as he took up his sword.
Calling out to her, he said, "I hope you know how to fight, because it's going to be harder going forward."
She grimaced as she reached for her sword and said, "I'm not completely well versed in such knowledge; let's hope I'm a quick study…"
He nodded as he commented, "It's all in the grip Airlia, just hold your sword as I do."
She saw his hands gripping it, well more of one hand grip, then the other supporting it. She adjusted her own grip to mimic it and felt that her strength went up unmistakably through it. Grinning at him, she charged one of the floating blue slime that had several tentacles below it, which hadn't been expecting it and was able to slice it cleanly in two.
She was, however, not unable to escape the mess the strange floating blue slime had left behind as it coated her blade and part of herself in her attack. He grinned, "It's hard to dodge the slime, usually takes a few attacks to get it right." He demonstrated with a similarly fierce attack and just at the last second, angled his body so the slime never touched him. "That was a lucky pull of monsters that we just faced off with. There's far worse in this tower normally. We call those little blighters healslimes because they like to heal themselves and their fellow attackers. Watch out if we run into green slimes, they are what we call bubble slimes and they can poison you."
She nodded as she said, "If we do get poisoned, I have antidotes and can heal us."
He grinned at her as she reached for a strip of cloth in her bag that she used to wipe the slime from her blade before placing the sword back in the scabbard. He noticed the handle of the sword and smiled, "That's an interesting blade – I've never seen anything like it."
She tilted her head as she examined it, "Yeah, according to my father – it was found next to me when he found me. I'm adopted, but you'd never know it by how my father shows his love."
He nodded as they progressed up to the wall preventing them from going forward towards the stairs. There was a sudden chilling to the air that she had no doubt the evil jester was so near. She watched as he went to the wall where an odd looking face was. He waved her over as she came over to watch what he was doing. He touched something in the mouth which turned out to be a handle causing the wall to creak as it started to turn.
Once they were through and looking at the stairs leading them to the next floor, Alistair turned to Airlia with a grim look on his face as he spoke, "We must be careful. I feel a terrible evil is lurking here." She nodded as they went to the steps and suddenly was forced to a stop as more monsters came into view. In front of them were a green flying bat like creature and a purple frog like creature. She turned around to see one of the healslimes similar to the ones that they fought earlier, as well as the frightening bubble slime.
Fear blossomed in her chest as she said, "We're surrounded. We need to pick off the ones who can hurt us the worst then go after the others." Alistair nodded as both armed themselves. She grabbed her shield off of her back and threw it over her forearm to keep them safe, hopefully, from the bile of the bubble slime while they fought. She charged the slime, only to find it quickly dodge her and lash back out at her. Thankfully she had the shield in place as she used it to take the brunt of the blow, but unfortunately it forced her backwards against the steps.
She quickly moved out of the way of the blow that the healslime was going to send her way as Alistair took a lucky swipe at the drackmage. He clipped the wing and the drackmage instantly became grounded. However, the grounded drackmage could still attack as he sent a fireball at the pair. She thought of her teachings and quickly prepared a healing spell from the Goddess to refresh them after impact. The frogface unfortunately got a good hit in on Alistair, moments before the healing spell healed their wounds, erasing any damage that was done to them.
Alistair spoke, concerned of how they were cornered, "We need to end this, or we're going to meet the Goddess." She nodded as she sent a brief prayer for the sword to meet its mark as she sent another thrust at the monster. Luckily she met her mark, ending the bubble slime instantly. However, she was unable to dodge its last ditch attack, as it blinded her.
Refusing to scream, so Alistair wasn't distracted, she focused on a prayer to the Goddess for the blinding to not be permanent. She heard the thrust of his sword, and smiled as she heard the squeal of the drackmage as it passed on. She was afraid that she had no clue on where the healslime was as she focused her senses…
She focused on the sounds it made, as well as that of the frogface as Alistair said, "Let's end the frogface, then we can end the healslime!" She nodded, but was terrified because she had no idea where the creature went. Alistair struck at him, and his footsteps told her where he was as she whirled and leapt at the frog, finishing off its pathetic existence as if it had never been there.
Only then did Alistair get a look at the young woman beside him thanks to the flickering torches, and to his dismay he saw she was injured! He felt a tug at his heart for it, knowing if he had gone alone; it could very well have been him and his end. "Air, you're hurt! Damned monsters, you sit tight, I'll finish this up for us both."
She nodded as she sat on the steps and he quickly went about defeating the monster. With the last monster's death cry, she opened her bag, but couldn't tell on feel of the herbs within, which was which. "Alistair, I have antidotes in here, I need one to hopefully heal my eyes."
He nodded as he sifted through everything, and found the herbs in question. Pulling it out along with the small mortar and pestle that she kept there for emergencies, he mashed it into half of a paste, half still leaves. Using the leaves, he scooped the mash and gently used it along her eyes – leaving the leaves there as well to reinforce the healing. She could only pray that it would work.
When he finished applying it, he said near her ear gently, "We're going to go a little farther and then sit down, so you can let it work." She nodded in acquiescence. He gripped her hand as he led them to what was her right, and stopped her as she heard the familiar sound of the click. The subsequent turning of the wall, as it rotated them to the other side.
She could feel the warmth of a fire, and turned to hopefully face him. "Are we resting here Alistair?"
His eyes never left her face as he said, "Yes, we're going to rest here for a few hours. It's harder for monsters to just get at us, since they have to turn the walls, or appear."
She nodded as she reached into her bag for a familiar vile, "Use this… It's holy water and should keep most of them at bay." He nodded as he sprinkled it around, leaving a little in the vile for her eyes in hopes that if the antidote didn't work, then maybe it would. Suddenly the leaves started to vanish along with the paste, absorbing into her skin, leaving her face there.
He could see where the attack happened as he reached into his own stock of healing herbs. "Don't worry Airlia; I'm applying herbs to heal your wounds now that the poison has hopefully been dealt with. Please keep your eyes closed." They had felt comfortable with one another almost instantly; it was as if they could have been brother and sister perhaps rather than anything closer. She felt his strong hands gently apply the medicine and sighed instantly in relief. As the herbs soaked into her, leaving nothing behind, she gently opened her eyes to find that she was quite lucky that she could see again.
"It's still blurry, but my sight is slowly returning to me Alistair. Shall we eat first before continuing on our perilous journey?" He nodded in agreement as she grabbed the food from her bag, and he grabbed the water from his own. They ate and drank their share before he sprinkled the rest of the holy water from the vial onto both of them, hopefully to keep them safe from attacks. He smiled as he gave her some of the items that had dropped in battle, two herbs and an antidote. She smiled at him as she tucked them away for safe keeping.
"Oh by the way, how are you feeling with your sword now?" She tilted her head curiously before realizing she did feel stronger now, something had happened during that last battle. "Your spirit and body evolved after that fight, not in a literal sense, but in the sense that you grow stronger, may learn new moves, and feel more adapted to combat with a particular weapon. Think about your magic, for I sense it as keenly in you as I do within my sister."
She nodded as she thought about it, searching for the pool of magic within her spirit and felt it there. A spell was forming on her lips, no more than one spell… She whispered, "I feel it… Heal… Squelch… And another – one that would warp us out of the dangerous area we find ourselves in…" She knew one more too, but didn't want to say it for the spell would instantly try to take hold.
She knew that with the other spell, she had to say the actual word for it to take effect, but Alistair was never the less impressed. "You must have gone up more in strength then you realized for the number of spells that you know. Probably because you were as injured as you were Airlia. I find that when you're at your most critical moment, it's as if your body is adapting to ensure it doesn't happen again – at least not easily." She nodded as they got up and proceeded to go to the next wall, triggering the turn so they could go up the next flight of stairs.
They hurried along the path, taking the secret passage to bypass extra walk around, they went up to the next floor, indicating she was right in her initial assumption that the place was far larger than she first thought, but that she was close. The air seemed to take on an even more sinister feel to it, almost going so far as to have an evil melody to it – the skies seemed to agree with the sinister feel, having darkened to pitch black, while lightning and thunder making their presences known.
The wind even began to shift to the point of almost hurricane like proportions. She reached for his hand, to steady her own nerves, let alone his as they went around the outer perimeter as moss covered floor lay beneath them. She suddenly wanted to take him and just run away, but knew that they had to face off with the jester; she had the feeling if they didn't, then he would follow them until he finally found them to kill him.
As they got closer to the stairs leading up, the air grew dark – with what almost felt and tasted like hate. Soon as they reached the top of the stairs, she saw why no monsters lurked on the floor beneath, it was pure evil, pure hatred, and no matter how bad or crazed monsters were – they weren't that evil.
He was there – pure white hair, going down to his waist, a nose that was so blunted, that it looked like he had been slammed with a fist multiple times. His jaw was elongated and almost a blunted square, about four inches long in length. His jester outfit was dark blue and red, though the blue seemed to be so dark, it may as well been black with balls along each corners while his shoulders were puffed out too. Then there was the staff that was emanating a darker aura which frightened her terribly.
She could feel the fear from Alistair as well as the apprehension as they stared into the eyes of the evil jester which had long since turned black. He was so tall, seemingly seven feet, even though he was floating off the ground, so she may have had to shave off about half a foot in height from him. He grinned maniacally as he waved his scepter at them, hitting them with a wave of power. It hadn't hurt, but it had stunned them, leaving her eyes wide in fright as she saw what was coming and looked over her shoulder at Alistair who stood proud. His blue and gold uniform glistening against the firelight of the torches around them as he narrowed his eyes, demanding, "Who are you?"
She gasped as the jester drew back and said, "Such a pity."
Alistair drew his hand to his sword as he demanded, "Pity…?! What are you talking about? Who are you? Answer me!"
More cackling met their ears as the response from the jester came chillingly, "Me? I am Dhoulmagus. And I was referring to the fragility of human life. But I should thank you, since you brought my bride to me, saving me the trouble of looking for her…"
Alistair growled as he said, "Fragility? What do you mean!? Leave this woman alone, you hear me you bastard!" Alistair tried to draw his sword, but found it and his arm was stuck! He groaned trying to make the sword come loose, saying, "My… My sword! I, I can't draw my sword! Air, run!"
The jester just laughed as he said, "I said: such a pity. A terrible pity that a shining young star like you should chance to encounter me."
Airlia paled at the thought of being with the evil creature and drew her sword, going into position next to Alistair. "I won't leave you Alistair, we can beat him! I'll never be with such an evil… creature as you!" She said – drawing courage from her sword, and from needing to protect the world.
The jester merely chuckled as he flashed his staff, paralyzing the young woman in place as her groan met their ears – but his words were heard over them, "Oh but you will be. And as for me not being able to kill him–"
As the jester walked towards them, he smirked, disappearing as she was struggling to break free of the paralysis to fight him. Alistair made his words known though, even as he struggled to break free as well, "Dhoulmagus I won't forget this!"
However, the mage just smirked as he responded, "What? You won't forget my name? You're too kind! I shall return the favor, and remember yours as well. Now. Let us finish this before I feel any more pity…"
Alistair screamed his murderer's name as she saw the scepter puncture him. As he struck down his target, it broke the spell over Airlia. She turned to Alistair as Dhoulmagus removed his scepter from him vanishing after he sent her one last appreciative glance.
She screamed, "Noooo! Alistair!" Scrambling to him as she checked for his pulse. It was gone; she had failed him as his blood flowed onto the ground. He reappeared behind her – still smirking as he observed her form. She let out another blood curdling scream that drew about fierce winds – pushing the jester back as symbols grew along his staff, another binding was undone!
He cackled in glee as he said, "Dear girl, as soon as I'm free, I will find you, and you will be mine! Don't you dare let another man touch you, or they will die."
He flew away as she sobbed and begged for Evac to work, drawing upon the magic within her soul, a golden orb surrounded them and going to the edge of the tower, just outside of it with Alistair in her hands.
Her mind dimly recalled the storm when they were near the top of the tower, and now it was just down to a rain, as if the elements were weeping for the world's loss. She knew she couldn't go to a town that she didn't know, nor could she return to the Abbey or to Peregrin Quay to heal his wounds for fear of Marcello's reactions. So calling on the powers of Zoom, she warped them both to Port Prospect in a bright blue light. She helped him up, knowing his time was running out to even a priest's powers.
Running into town, she quickly was greeted by a woman selling herbs that saw the distress on their faces, and quickly tried to assist them, helping them to the inn, so the travelers could rest. The inn keeper saw their plight and instantly allowed them to the beds around the corner while the herbalist ran to the church to fetch the visiting priest or local nun. She bent over him, tending to his wounds, using her magic and her herbs; she sought to close the deep wounds as she faintly heard the pounding of feet outside…
The priest was from Alexandria, had been visiting the nun that was staying there apparently as all three people came running into the room. The nun screamed as she tried to pull the girl back from the dead body of Alistair, but Airlia refused to budge. "I must help him. He must live!" The priest said a soft prayer as Airlia bent over his body, seeing his wounds closed, but he wasn't breathing.
It was then, when a miracle would occur… She prayed deeply as word was sent around town of his death, and was given a response by the Goddess herself! A beautiful woman with ivory skin, and sun-spun blonde hair and beautiful golden eyes, dressed in a simple white off shoulder gown came before the brunette. She looked at her kindly and it had hit Airlia that it was truly THE GODDESS! She knelt by the fallen Alistair and seemed to brush his hair out of his face without the hair actually moving. She wasn't sure if the words were spoken aloud, or merely heard within her mind…

He would not have died if his blood was any other… I will unseal a power within you to revive those who die of this path, but weren't meant to if they were anyone else. They can only be revived if they are dead less than twenty four hours and are not yet buried. To abate your fears of him coming after the ones you have revived… If you use this magic, it will not make the seal whole once more; it is merely to give them a chance to live a normal life. A warning, though, should you try to use this magic on anyone else it will cost you your life my child.

She nodded as she held his hand over his wound and saw the Goddess wave a hand towards the brunette, unsealing a power within her. It was the power of revival! She concentrated within and called forth the power the Goddess had given her. "Revive, hear me now! Come forth with his soul, his wounds are healed, let him live once more!"
The group that had gathered looked up at the sound of the forceful voice they had heard. They were stunned by the golden light that had surrounded the brunette that flowed to the fallen warrior… that the light quickly turned blue as it settled around the fallen Alistair. Hazel eyes opened once more, as his head turned to see her. His lips parted as he spoke as he tried to figure out quickly where they were – and where the demonic jester was, yet not all of the words could be heard, "Airlia? How? Where are we?!"
She smiled as she explained what she could – leaving the Goddess out of the conversation, "We're at Port Prospect. I got us here with Evac and a teleportation spell. We have several very kind people to thank for your life being restored. The Goddess, herself helped us, if you count my being able to use those spells so early to get us out of there."
She indicated the three people behind her, as they came up to the pair. "By Goddess Alistair, you gave us all a fright!" The pastor said as Alistair mouthed his name, Raymond.
He recognized the herbalist and felt horrible, "Raquel… I didn't mean to scare either of you or Father Raymond, but she came here, probably because my own hometown is so small, word would have reached my family immediately and this miracle would never have happened…"
She shook her head, "I've never been to your hometown, and I couldn't risk it going awry in the process…"
Airlia now looked at the pastor, having ignored what they looked like at that point, focusing solely on the man who knew she was in mortal danger… The Pastor was a kindly older man, much like her father, Raymond stood at five foot six, in his purple robes, with a tall hat that pushed his height to an astonishing six feet tall. His eyes were a soft brown, which left her truly feeling like she was at home with her father. She wondered then, had her father had a dream where he was shown that she would be pursued by the evil demon? If she had remained there, would she have been helpless to him? Goddess, if that was the case, then he could be in terrible danger!
She then took in the kindly nun. The woman wasn't very old, probably just a little more so than she, herself, was. She was about her own height, in the same dark blue robes that she had dressed in merely a day or so ago. Her thoughts turned to her father… would he be proud that she revived the man that was supposed to die? Or would he be even more proud of the fact she saw the Goddess herself?She kept that matter within herself though as no one was likely to believe her though…
She turned her thoughts back to Raquel, whom Alistair seemed to focus on with his eyes, not with any words. Raquel was a petite five foot even girl with red hair and emerald green eyes, whom had a red bandanna holding her hair away from her face mostly. Her pale complexion was nowhere close to the Goddess she had just saw, however, she was still beautiful in her green dress with her white undershirt. She wore comfortable loafers as Alistair just remembered his family would have known he was hurt, or worse!
"Jessica! I have to get home for a moment to let my family know I'm alive, that I'm safe. Please forgive me." He got up in a rush from the bed and left the inn with Airlia quickly on his heels.
"Alistair, wait!" He stopped and turned to see the mysterious healer. "Here, use this and it will take us both to Alexandria, faster than you can blink. Hopefully it'll stop Jessica from trying to go to the tower to only find your blood as you're obviously not dead!"
He nodded as he took her hand in his and flung it into the air, whispering, "Alexandria." Within a blink, they were there, in the simple town of Alexandria. They went there to hear the crying of men, women and children alike and knew that the worst was already feared…
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Memories