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Memories	By : Asirainis Category: +A through F > Dragon Quest/ Dragon Warrior Views: 1615 -:- 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 Thirty Five: The Dark World
As everyone looked around, the world was grey, as they looked at each other. "Strange, we still have our color… So perhaps Empyrea will too because she is from the World of Light originally."
Trode suggested as they nodded in agreement. "Strange…"
Angelo said, "I never would have expected it to look like our world, but just no color."
Yangus nodded, "I mean… it really ain't so different from our world, is it?"
Airlia nodded, "Yes, but we need to focus, let's find Empyrea and find out how to free her from here so we can find Leopold!" Trode nodded as they looked around. Airlia grabbed a second vial of holy water and splashed it around them as they went back down the slope, heading back towards Empycchu. Crossing the poison swamp carefully, they followed it around to see the ledge where their ship normally was down below. However, they saw the ship wasn't there, even though the water was glowing bright blue.
"Hm… perhaps the Dark World doesn't affect the color of water…" Angelo said as Draco nodded.
"Perhaps." They continued onto the village as they saw the people there looking at them in fear. Airlia frowned as she kneeled down to the child's level as they spoke in another language, probably the one that they were first greeted in when they arrived to Empycchu in the World of Light. The people continued to speak rapidly to one another in the foreign tongue until they were able to really speak.
The boy ran off towards the chief's home, saying to the older man, "O-Okay… Spiffing." Airlia frowned as she looked around. Something had attacked this village, she had heard Empyrea's name amidst the conversation the two had seemed to have. She had a bad feeling that something was wrong as she remained silent. Draco sent her a questioning look as she shook her head.
The man they had spoken to a short time ago came before them, and yet it wasn't the same man as he looked at the group of travelers. Looking behind them, Angelo frowned as he saw a crowd growing around them of these Dark World people growing around them. He fingered his hilt as Jessica stayed his hand. "Don't." He didn't smile, but then again, neither did anyone else in this town in the Dark World…
The chief shook his head, "Ah… So this is what all the fuss was about… If I'm not mistaken, you must have come through the Dark Eye. You are dwellers from the World of Light, no?"
Draco smiled as he nodded, "Yes, we've come to request the aid of Empyrea in our fight against the Lord of Darkness, Rhapthorne."
The chief nodded knowingly, "Just as I thought. Then it must be the will of the Goddess that brings you to us."
Airlia raised an eyebrow in question. "You believe in the Goddess? But I thought the citizens of Empycchu revere the Godbird, Empyrea."
e nodded, "This might be true in the World of Light, but it is late. Come with me to my home and I will explain everything. Your friend may come with us too."
Trode smiled as he joined them, leaving Medea in the care of the townspeople. A man stepped up and said, "I will take care of her for you. Worry not." Trode smiled happily as they walked to his home, still at the back of the town.
With one last thought, he turned back to his people. "Flock of Empycchu! Let us go back to our work and carry on as normal! Do not forget to be kind to strangers!"
The growing crowd dispersed, wandering off to their tasks as he smiled at the group behind him. "Forgive them; we do not often get strangers, let alone from the World of Light!"
Draco nodded as Airlia supplied, "I'm sure you used to get the accidental one from Empycchu, but not likely much anymore."
He nodded, "Yes from time to time if they are caught unaware of their surroundings when they run into her shadow." They reached his home as they went inside to hear what he had to say. Just like in the world of light, it was lavish and yet not. However, the holes in the roof told her much as they were invited to sit around the pot just above the fire in the center of the room.
Nodding, he began his tale. "Gojoshar! Welcome to Empycchu. You've seen our village, yes? Then let me tell you something… I assume the others have told you that Empyrea was responsible for the attack on our village." Airlia frowned as she shook her head.
He waved her off, "Sadly, Empyrea has been the cause of the damage you saw to our village. But to be honest, I am not fully convinced that she wished to cause us any harm. Since times of old Empyrea has been venerated by the people of Empycchu. It was not simply because she was pretty. It was because she has protected us. I beg of you. Will you find out why Empyrea continues to attack us? I believe there is some hidden meaning behind her actions. I also believe that your arrival here is not an accident. I believe it to be fate. Only Empyrea may cross between the World of Darkness and the World of Light. It was she who guided you here, correct?"
Draco nodded as Airlia pondered the problem… What could cause her to attack them…? "Then, Empyrea must be thinking something. She may reveal the truth to you. I apologize for putting such a burden on your shoulders. But if nothing is done, I will not be able to stop the people of Empycchu from attacking Empyrea." He continued as they nodded.
"We will find it out, and we will fix it, I promise you." Angelo said seriously as Jessica looked at him in wonder of being so genuinely nice about this. The well-endowed auburn haired woman hadn't missed the looks he had sent her, and wondered what they meant but pushed it away as they looked at each other before nodding. What did they have to lose?
The chief nodded before explaining, "A war with Empyrea would only lead to tragedy. This is why I want you to find out why the Godbird is attacking us. Thank you! And now I shall tell you how to find Empyrea. She is often seen near 'Empyrea's roost', a large rock formation in a nearby field. I suggest looking there for her first."
Airlia nodded as they left the house, Trode looked at them oddly. "Why would she do it?"
Airlia grimaced, "She's being forced to for some reason." He nodded in agreement. They reached Medea as Trode got back on the wagon quickly. They left the village and went south to the roost where they saw the glowing blue and purple bird waiting for them. She glared hard as she flew at them, striking hard and fast as Alistair leapt into action, pushing Airlia out of the way of one of her wings.
Draco growled as he shouted, "Empyrea, why are you attacking us! We want to help you!"
Airlia realized what the anger was as she paled. "Alistair move, I need to get to Empyrea!"
He looked at her like she was insane as she looked him in the eyes, "Trust me."
He nodded reluctantly as she got up and ran to the bird. "Empyrea, someone's threatened your child, right?"
She blinked, startled, "How did you know?"
Airlia smiled. "Your anger, your attacks, not hurting us, not hurting those of Empycchu… You don't want to hurt anyone, you just want to seem like you are to throw off someone, to make them think you're doing it. It leaves one question, why… And as I look at it, the only reason is if it were threatening someone unable to protect themselves, a baby…"
She nodded, "You know?"
Airlia shook her head, "Not all of the details, but I can guess enough."
Empyrea nodded, "You humans followed my shadow to this realm, and you must have gone through much to reach me. You may be able to help me after all… I was going to test you, but your keen knowledge and instinct should combine well with the strength I sense in you all." Trode looked at Empyrea suspiciously; he wanted to believe Airlia, but…
"What do you mean? Surely you don't expect us to help you attack the village?" He asked as he eyed her strangely.
She shook her head, her emerald eyes pleading with everyone as she spoke, "Please do not misunderstand me. It was never my desire to attack the village. That, too, is part of the reason why I am in need of help. Long ago, when Rhapthorne, Lord of Darkness, attempted to conquer the World of Light, I helped the sages to seal him away. In so doing, I earnt the enmity of the monstrous servants of Rhapthorne. That is why I am in this predicament."
She looked down as pain washed through her eyes, her purple feathered wings shaking in grief as Airlia came to where Empyrea was. "Your baby?" She nodded. Her soft down blue feathers around her neck were caked in dirt. She was still a proud Godbird, but she was terrified for her baby… Airlia tilted her head to the side as she studied the Godbird further, being large in size, she could easily carry the lot of them around. Her tail feathers veered into a 'V' formation, still in the exquisite hue of purple.
Empyrea continued, "I have a baby as Airlia figured out… An egg in my nest… I have been waiting for the day it would hatch. However, one day while out gathering food, my nest was captured by Gemon, one of Rhapthorne's foul minions. He is holding my egg hostage. Do not take him lightly; he is dark, like the shadows of this world, with three eyes on his face, a horn protruding from his head, and in all other aspects griffon like."
Airlia nodded as she grabbed the hilt of her sword. "I'll help, I don't know about the others. I don't want to judge for them, but you have my aid at the least Empyrea."
Alistair nodded, "I'm in."
Empyrea shook her head, "I need to get this all out, simply because of the pain it causes me…"
Airlia nodded as she watched the emotions flood her face. Pain, anguish, anger, humiliation… "He forced me to attack the human village. I could not refuse if I wanted to save my child."
Empyrea spoke as her tone became more frightened, "Normally, I would have nothing to fear from the likes of Gemon, but as long as he has my egg, I am powerless to oppose him. That is why I must find someone to fight him in my place. Someone brave, and strong. That's why I wanted to test you all, but Airlia figured me out. If you're as strong as she is intelligent, then I think you might be able to save my egg."
Airlia smiled, "The fact you didn't hurt the townspeople, though you clearly could, tells me you didn't want to do this." Empyrea gazed at the young woman and nodded.
Empyrea let the pride in her voice ring true. "You did not waver in following my shadow here to the World of Darkness. Such bravery is rare. And now you have proven yourself to me, I have no doubt that you are the only ones both brave and strong enough to defeat Gemon!"
Draco and the others didn't need any further convincing as they nodded. "Take us there now, the sooner we help, the sooner you can help us!"
She still had to reiterate for everyone to know the gravity of the situation, "Please help me. Save my egg! For me, for my unborn child, and for the people of this island. I cannot ever thank you enough for helping us all. I will take you to what is known as the Godbird Eyrie. Climb into the wagon or hold on tight and I shall take you there now."
When she saw all six travelers were secured, she flew up, and grabbed the wagon and Medea gently, but firmly as she took them to the edge of the mountain. "I cannot approach any further, please move quietly and quickly to get to my egg and save it from Gemon!" Jessica nodded, the fire burning in her eyes to help the giant bird.
When they arrived, she spoke, "The Mountain is riddled with caves, and as such, they should allow you passage to the top on foot."
Draco nodded as they went inside the large cave opening. Inside, it was expansive as Yangus grinned, "I smell a chest nearby. Be right back you guys!"
Airlia nodded as he ran up the nearby ramp and around the side to the chest. Opening it, he shouted, "Oi guys, I've got us a map!"
He ran back down the ramp to them as he handed it to Airlia. She looked at it, "Hm this was an imperative find Yangus… I wouldn't worry too much about treasures from here on in guys! Let's just find that egg and save it!"
Alistair nodded as they looked at the map, "Okay, so we go east, around this formation, up the ramp and along the path to the exterior section." Nodding, Draco took charge as he led them around the cave and upwards towards the ramp that they saw on the map. Going around, they quickly found themselves on the small slope, going up towards the next level of the eyrie.
Going inside, they found themselves in a rocky tunnel that was passable as they proceeded with caution. Looking around, she felt something uneasy in the pit of her stomach as she looked at the others, "I have this really bad feeling about Gemon, and we need to be on our game to save the poor egg."
Jessica nodded, "Somehow I've been having the same feeling Airlia."
They continued through the hallway as they came to the first cave branching off to their left, Angelo shook his head as he looked at the map next. "No, pass all of the branches here; just continue to the next loop." Draco nodded as they hurried along the path, rounding the corner quickly through the corridor in the cave and out into the next level of the eyrie. Looking around them, they saw they were around the front side of the eyrie. They followed the rising level and went into the next cave, hoping they would still have another shot at crossing the next cave.
Angelo looked at the map again, "Yeah, we have a straight path here. We have to go around to the slope upwards, cross the path, and then down the other side of the slope. To the entrance on the other side, where we are now." Nodding, they proceeded carefully as Trode used more of the holy water to guard them against the darkness surrounding them. They walked south, following the rock formation until it came to the point where they could go up the platform.
Once they were on the platform up, they could see the section that Angelo had mentioned as they crossed there quickly, the eerie quiet setting them all on edge as they went down the other slope. Going around, they saw the exit into the next section of the cave. However, the next section didn't lead outside as it had before; rather it had led them into another giant cave just above them as they rounded the corner. Angelo leafed through a few of the maps, "Looks like we need to go immediately north, and around the short bend, to go to the next area."
He led them around the corner, then around the bend in the cave and into the next tunnel where it seemed to become lighter. They found themselves higher up as Airlia looked at Trode, "Be careful Your Majesty. It's getting narrower the higher we go. We must be almost there."
He nodded as they rounded the corner, staying outside of the giant formation of rock as they neared another tunnel leading inside. Angelo nodded as he led them along and into the next cavern as he looked at the map, furrowing his brows as he studied it. "What is the matter Angelo?"
Trode asked as the blonde's hair shook. "Just looking for our next path, it's this way…"
He led them around the room, and over to a rock formation. "We go up this ramp, and down the next ramp then all the way south, then around the bend." He led them just that way, as Airlia and Draco ensured Medea's wagon didn't get stuck around the tougher bends.
Alistair shook his head as he spoke, "Something's weird here. My nerves won't settle and they usually settle just fine."
Jessica placed a hand on her brother's arm, as he gave her an uneasy smile. "Looks like the three of us are sharing the nerve issues today Jess. I'm sorry." She nodded as they continued up the slope. Following it, they found it curved around again, leading them upwards inside the cave until they saw light at the end.
Draco turned to Trode, "My King, please wait here, where you and Princess Medea will be safe. We'll take care of him and be done with this quickly." Trode nodded as they went outside to the nest where a glowing yellow and green egg stood upright in the center waited for them.
Airlia looked around and didn't see anything as she went to check on it when suddenly, a voice caught her unaware. "Humans!? What are humans doing in my domain!?" She looked up to see the giant creature just as Empyrea describe descend, blocking her path to the egg.
Returning to the others, they gripped the handle of their favorite weapons. Airlia pulled out her bow as she readied an arrow. He continued to talk as his eyes glowed eerily in contrast to his black and grey fur. His talons gleamed ominously against the dark sky. "And that color! You are not of the Dark realm! It seems you have strayed into a place you are not welcome…" Airlia glared at him as she bit back a retort. They couldn't afford to put the egg in any more danger than it was already in.
He chuckled darkly as his long tongue waggled, "But at a good time! I was getting bored of watching this egg. I'm sure the Lord of Darkness would permit me to enjoy a little distraction!" He roared as they drew ready for battle. Airlia glared at him as she fired an arrow, just missing his wing as it sailed harmlessly over into the land below.
Glaring fiercely Jessica lashed at him, striking his hand twice as he screamed angrily. He howled at them, trying to scare them as everyone stood ready once again. Angelo let a second arrow fly, landing in the wing that Airlia had missed as he hissed in pain. Draco jumped and lasted at him with the spear, getting him in his right shoulder as the creature looked at them. He changed his stance as he eyed them differently, "Impossible! N-No human could be so strong…" He became angry as he blew a blaze preventing them from getting near him again.
He looked back at the egg as Airlia realized what was happening. "Jess, use ice magic now! Put that fire out!"
Jessica began casting the ice magic when he blew more fire at them, distracting her. "Of course! Empyrea! She brought you here from the World of Light to defeat me! What a fool to think she could get the better of me!" He began backing up towards the egg, continuing to use fire to keep them at bay, no matter how much ice Jessica kept making to put it out!
Airlia looked at the egg frantically as she pondered trying to rush through the blaze to get to the egg when something terrible happened! His face became almost sickly giddy as he spoke, "If I die, I'm taking her egg with me!" Airlia felt all the color of her face drain as her heart went into the pit of her stomach.
She screamed, "No, don't you dare harm that egg! It hasn't done a damned thing to you… you monster!" Truly to her and to the others there he was a monster for trying to destroy a helpless life form. Draco glared as he tried to lunge at the creature with his spear. Airlia, Angelo and Alistair launched a trio of arrows at the monster, hoping to knock him off the platform before he could do more harm.
Suddenly he began to glow fiery as he laughed, "She'll regret the day she tried to trick Gemon! Gwa ha ha ha hah!" Airlia screamed in desperation, trying to garner the winds that had pushed Rhapthorne away when he suddenly blew up in a fiery ball. Alistair tried to shield his sister and his friend as Angelo did the same when the explosion happened, as Yangus and Draco braced themselves for the worst. When the smoke cleared, the creature and the precious egg were both gone.
Airlia collapsed to her knees, sobbing in grief. Angelo put a hand on her shoulder as sob after sob wracked her body. This wasn't like the other deaths that she had been able to reverse… There was no body that the spirit could come back to! Jessica kneeled down to Airlia and wrapped an arm around her comfortingly as she looked up to see Angelo's face, stony but his eyes belied the pain there. Yangus was at a loss as he looked at the now empty nest. Trode and Medea came out, as the somber air continued to permeate the night. Airlia's heart wrenching sobs continued to pierce the otherwise silent atmosphere. Alistair looked at the empty nest, tears flooding his own eyes as Trode sniffled. He knew the pain of losing kin, but he couldn't even imagine the pain the Godbird would be in knowing her baby was dead. All too soon Empyrea arrived, she looked around terrified as she asked, "What was that noise?"
She looked down at the nest as her heart froze in her chest. "W-What!? What happened!? My egg… My baby… in pieces…" She saw the shell pieces as she allowed her tears to flow… She continued to silently cry as she felt her chest wrench painfully as she landed near the group.
Airlia couldn't even form words as Jessica stood; her hands clasped about her golden princess dress as her eyes filled with tears that had only begun to shed. "Empyrea, I… I'm so sorry…" Even the stalwart sorceress couldn't continue as she wept. Empyrea bowed her head as she stared at the empty nest.
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Memories