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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.

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Memories
Chapter Forty Seven: A Choice to be Made
Airlia looked solely at the sky above her – waiting for the battle to end when she suddenly was struck with a terrible vision! Grasping her head, she screamed into the silence and stillness of the air.

Rhapthorne smiled sadistically as he looked on the fallen group… He raised his staff and unleashed the ball at the top, striking everyone mercilessly. She willed the vision to show her friends and immediately felt sick to her stomach. Alistair was unconscious, with likely a broken leg given the odd angle it was at. Marcello had a broken arm and likely several broken ribs by the way he held his chest, the blood leaking from his mouth made her feel fear instantly. Jessica was down to her knees, her eyes struggling to stay awake as she tried to cast another spell. Yangus, poor stout Yangus had his fighting arm broken and was struggling to use the flail with his other hand, blood pouring from a wound on his head. Draco was the worst of them all, with a vicious looking cut along his abdomen, one eye swollen shut, and blood from his mouth indicated that he also had broken ribs like Marcello. However, like Yangus, he was sporting a nasty head wound as the creature chuckled.
"My victory is all but assured! The girl is mine!" He chortled sadistically as Marcello summoned the heavenly gates to try and banish him. Airlia saw that Rhapthorne wasn't without his own wounds, sporting cuts, bruises and broken ribs too. But the group was too weak to move. She had to help them, but had no way to get up there!

She blinked and the vision with the pain that came hand in hand was gone. Fearful of it coming true, all she could do was pray as she heard a familiar voice speak to her…
You've always had the power to help them Airlia. However, this spell will kill you, can you live with that?
"What kind of question is that? I would give anything to save their lives! The world is depending on them!" She bellowed out into the sky.
Then use this power of Kamikaze. Unlike the normal abilities that it gives, you sacrifice your energy to heal their wounds, leaving you with no energy, and thus, you will die.
Airlia nodded as she felt the powers unseal from her. Calling on it, she screamed out, "Everyone, I offer my energy to heal your wounds. Kamikaze!" She felt her energy leave her slowly. She also felt it slowly reaching those that needed the energy, healing them completely. She thought about it as she felt her life force leaving her as she sent a prayer to the Goddess…
Goddess, I don't know if you can hear me… Please, allow me to live just enough to see the end of Rhapthorne. I know it's not far!
She felt the tickle of her life's rope being pulled taut as the voice responded…
Very well child. But not one minute more than that!
She nodded with a smile as she sat down on the stone, watching the skies for a change in the battle. Suddenly the dark skies exploded, turning bright blue. One thought in her mind as she fell backwards to the ground…
Thank you Goddess, for helping me to save at least some of the sage descendants…

She blacked out, only to find herself feeling weightless. Opening her eyes, she saw a bright light heading towards her, forming into the Goddess! She kneeled before her somewhat, seeing as she was a ghost…
"Thank you Goddess for allowing me that one condition."
The Goddess smiled gently as she said, "I understood why you asked for it. You needed to know everyone would be okay… However – I have two people who desperately want to see you now." Airlia nodded as she saw Eltrio and Xia coming to her, embracing her tightly as they looked at her, and then at the Goddess.
"Why Goddess? You could have let her live! She spent half her journey hiding her weaknesses, to die now, like this?!" Xia demanded as Eltrio spoke next…
"She was innocent, they all were, and now they're going to find her dead!" He was worried how his son would react. Medea could help him he suspected, but if she was forced to marry that brat, then he would have no one but a jaded grandfather.
Xia, on the other hand, was worried for Marcello, "That boy won't last the day if he sees her dead!"

Trode found himself at the gates of Trodain, still looking dilapidated, but otherwise no worse for wear. He hurried inside with Medea to see Airlia, unconscious. "Oh no! Airlia!" The horse seemed to cry as he checked for a pulse and he let out a blood curdling scream. Mourning the girl would be hard for all of them Trode realized as he thought about how his own retainer would react, let alone her knight and the two brothers. "She was home free! Why did she have to die after doing so much good?!" He took the wagon off Medea to grab the blanket and spread it over the girl to hide her from the group. Empyrea however, knew it already – having felt the surge of energy when they needed it most as she quickly soared to the castle. She landed on the ground as she looked for the girl, only to see the blanket and bowed her head to hide her own tears. Too many tears were about to be shed, hers shouldn't be the first ones.

Airlia whirled around as she heard Marcello and the others calling for her. "By the heavens, Goddess, they need me still. And I need them equally!"
The Goddess shook her head as she said, "I'm sorry; I just can't allow it Airlia. I can't just abjectly revive anyone!"
Eltrio took her defense however, "Goddess, Airlia has done all that you have ever asked of her, trying to avert terrible murders, reviving people, using her own life energy to do so. Let her live as a normal being now, half-Dragovian, half-human. Please!"
She seemed to consider it as she heard the plaintive cries from the churches, "We have all felt the passing of the evil being, but then we felt the passing of someone pure of heart, but don't know who it was. Goddess, too many have died – please return this soul to its rightful body!"
The brunette heard the voice of her father among the living, "Dearest Goddess. I have long served you and helped many who came to my door. I know it was my daughter who passed, but you had better return her to us now! She gave up much to save this world, let her live on in happiness…"
Airlia turned to the Goddess, "Please, Goddess, listen to them. Hear how many need me to live!" The Goddess turned away from her, to think.

Marcello looked around, as did the others, for Airlia who should have been there to greet everyone. However, he saw the blue blanket over something… no more like someone – no longer lying on Medea's back told him instantly who it was from the growing pit of fear in his abdomen… That energy from before that saved us… "Oh… Goddess… No! Not her! Airlia!" He screamed as he ran to her, tears in his eyes.
Trode sighed softly as he placed a small green hand on Marcello's hand, "She was already gone when I came to her Marcello. I'm so sorry…"
Marcello refused to believe it as he began to press his hands over the heart area rapidly, trying to get it to beat again… hot tears trailing down his cheeks and onto her lips. "Airlia, don't leave us! Don't leave me!" He cried as his voice quickly became horse, which softened in volume to a whisper as the others gathered around them, tears in all of their eyes.
Empyrea didn't like what she was seeing as she sent a mental message to the Goddess…

You return that girl now Goddess! It wasn't her time! Empyrea's voice rang through clear, true… and threatening.
I can't, you know that Empyrea, otherwise I would have returned your child to you! The Goddess's voice rang back as Empyrea bristled, not about to lose this fight. It was the one thing she could make right for the brave humans who fought Rhapthorne against all odds.
You will return her. I reconciled with the fact that because my child's body was completely destroyed in the dark world that he couldn't be revived. I understand that as much as it hurt me. However, this girl is different… Do it now or I will rip her from the dead and place her back to her body myself! The Goddess balked, not liking the idea of the bird coming to the world of the dead spirits to bring one spirit back to the living. Bad things could come of that…
Grudgingly she made her choice. Very well I will return her.
A blinding light enveloped the girl who barely had time to blink as she heard the Goddess's voice in her head once more. You have truly found many powerful champions it seems. I am returning you to your world with the powers I unsealed now sealed once more, please use this new found life wisely child.

Airlia smiled and nodded with a wave as she felt herself become weighted, with someone crushing her to them, kissing her soundly with tears mingling in that kiss… She was so tired that she didn't want to open her eyes, as she felt the lips slowly leaving hers as she heard voices – urging her to wake up. She could hear Jessica's weeping along with Yangus choking back his own tears. Draco's hand gripping hers was enough to tell her he didn't want to be alone again. Marcello pulled back completely from the kiss, passing her to Draco, unable to bear looking at his lost love as he contemplated joining her in death as his own heart felt heavy… and cold as he let a pained cry pierce the air. Empyrea came over to the girl, allowing one of her tears to hit her forehead, refilling her with energy to open her eyes.
Marcello turned back to see her once more and saw the barest movement of her fingers. "It can't be… I must be seeing things…" No matter the disbelief though, he took her from Draco once more, trying to see if he was seeing things. He tried to tell himself it was just a figment of his imagination. Yet hope continued to fill his heart until it was overflowing. Draco relinquished her to Marcello before getting up, as he turned to Medea for comfort he heard Marcello gasp.
A soft groan, almost inaudible to the ear was heard by Marcello only because he was holding her so closely. Her eyes slowly fluttered open as Marcello gasped in relief. "Airlia!" He cried as he held her closer still to him, enjoying the feeling of her tightening grip along his own form. Trode looked up as did the others only to see chocolate eyes looking at them, the exhaustion slowly fading.
It will take her some time, but she will recover. She has been through much, and should rest as much as possible. Now as far as the curse goes, my friends, Rhapthorne's defeat released the curse and time will make it fade away. For now, though, my time here is over. It is time to make your future what you want it to be. I can only wish all of you all of the happiness in the world. Truly, thank you all.
Suddenly a glow emerged from Draco's pocket as the soulstone of her lost child raised and formed his golden spirit. Nodding to his mother, they lifted into the air. Trode looked at them as he said, "Safe travels Godbird Empyrea! Is it… um proper… to wish a Godbird safe travel?" She chuckled…
I am not a Godbird at all; it's what your people have called me. We are merely returning to the land we are from. Where I am from… I am called Ramia. I wish you all the best!
And with that, they vanished as Trodain began to glow brightly. When it was finished, the castle was once more the beautiful place she had seen in her dreams. Looking at Trode, no longer had green skin, he was human once more! Airlia sat up with Marcello's assistance. He whispered into her ear, "Empyrea… Ramia… said we need to take care of you my dear. I intend to make sure you take it easy." She turned to him, blushing brightly as she saw the playful grin on his face. She nodded as they stood and turned to see Medea, no longer a horse, gazing at her human form in shock, then ran to embrace her father with tears in her eyes.
Trode looked at Airlia, "I will make good on my promise my dear. I will stop that horrible wedding." She nodded as she saw Draco gazing at Medea with all of the love in the world for her.
Marcello whispered in her ear as the doors were thrown open to the castle as people poured out of it to celebrate the sunshine with tables and food. "I understand now… What you meant so long ago. I would like to start over with our … relationship. Would that be okay? May I formally request to court you?"
She smiled with a gentle nod in acquiescence. "Perhaps we might be able to keep it short, since you've shown me how you've truly changed." He smiled, the first smile of hope that she had seen in what felt like a long time.
Airlia smiled as she felt better than she had in a long time as she sought out the princess, Medea. "Is there somewhere I can get changed out of this battle gear? I have a feeling we won't need this gear for a long time to come!"
Medea smiled and nodded, "Come with me Airlia. Jessica, would you like to get changed too?"
Jessica looked down at her battle gear before looking up with a smile and a nod, "Please!"
The three women went into the castle as she escorted them to the third floor, to her room. When they arrived, Medea smiled, "Take your time ladies and get yourself changed into whatever you feel most comfortable in." Airlia smiled as she fished into the bag and found herself staring at her mother's favorite gown.
Sadness clung to her like a shroud; but she wanted to wear it, even if only once to feel her mother's embrace on her earthly form since she couldn't feel it during her time among the dead. Going behind the screen, she pulled off every piece of gear that she wore, setting it lovingly to the side as she got into the underdress first then adding the white overdress, she tied it off at the waist. She saw in the bag, below the dress was the circlet that her mother had worn and smiled as she put it on her head, with her hair undone from its braid. Shaking her hair out, she smiled as she came from behind the screen. Medea and Jessica both gasped as they saw her… "Airlia?" Jessica's voice held a note of disbelief as the girl came out. She smiled and nodded happily as she gave an experimental twist in her dress. Jessica squealed in delight as she took out the gold shimmering dress and went behind to get changed.
"Airlia, could you look at something for me? I don't dare look myself at it myself." Medea's voice came out, timid, afraid. Airlia nodded as she went to the princess who explained her plight, "While you were at the castle in Argonia and we went with Prince Charmless to the royal hunting grounds, he whipped me with his riding crop. I want to be sure there aren't any marks on me now."
Airlia nodded as she looked at the back of the princess's leg, along her upper thigh and saw a small blemish. She pulled out some herbs and set one on the princess's leg as it was absorbed into the skin, taking with it the blemishes from the crop. Satisfied there didn't seem to be any others, the princess dropped the skirt. "Use these, if you find any others tonight. Simply because I don't know if it went any further up…" She nodded and set them in her drawer as Jessica came out in her dress. The gold went so beautifully with her hair which was no longer in ponytails, which when left loose went down to her shoulder blades. With the girls satisfied with their looks, they left to return to the main grounds to enjoy the party once more.
When they returned outside, she immediately saw Marcello being hounded by women as she hid a giggle behind her hand. Medea looked at her, "What's so funny?"
Airlia pointed out to him as the princess shared in the giggle, "Seems like turnabout is fair play! Now he is being chased by every eligible lady." Jessica giggled for a moment, but it caught in her throat when she saw Angelo with a glass of wine, leaning over a very busty bunny girl from either Baccarat or Pickham.
She glared at him as she summoned a fireball. Airlia stilled her hand, "Let me deal with him Jessica. I've never personally caught him at this, to be able to put an end to it."
Jessica looked at Airlia with a hurt expression, "Please? I just feel such pain when I see it…" Airlia nodded understandingly as she went to Angelo and whacked the back of his head to get his attention.
"A-Airlia!? What on earth!?" Stuttered the man she had long since viewed as a brother.
Airlia gave him a look and the platinum blond had the sense in him to look chastised as she said, "Don't you think it's a bit much to be doing this after saving the world?"
He nodded with a smile, "I was hoping to catch someone's attention, but since she never seemed to get the hint… It's time I started looking at others. Pity was though I really fell hard for her."
He stared deeply at the goblet of wine in his hand as Airlia nodded, "You already had it, and she was ready to toast you with one of those fireballs of hers."
He looked at her and regarded her expression seriously, knowing she would never hurt him. "I'm glad. I'm going to go talk with her." She smiled at him as he left while the spurned girl glared at the brunette. Ignoring the bunny girl, Airlia walked away to find – well rescue more like, Marcello from the gaggle of girls chasing him.
Marcello sat down and slowly drank from a goblet of wine. He wished so many times over that he could redo the whole speech with him becoming the Lord High Priest, simply because the girls didn't get it. They thought he was still the man running the church, when honestly he wanted nothing more than to be merely a simple man now whom no longer of the church. He brushed off woman after woman as they came up to him. The brunette smiled as she touched his shoulder, "No thank you, for there is only one woman that I could ever love, so there will be another man for…" Marcello stumbled on his words as he looked up at the woman who had touched his shoulder. "Airlia?! Wo-wo-wow…" He stumbled over his words as he took her in.
Something about her being in that dress was just striking as she smiled at him. "Would you like to dance Marcello?"
He smiled at her as he nodded. "Would you… like me to change out of this garment so I'm not dancing in heavy gear?"
She bit her lip with a grin. "If it would be more comfortable for you Marcello…"
He grinned as he found Draco. "Can I find a place to change out of our battle gear?"
Draco nodded with a smile. "I was just about to change too… Follow me."
The pair left inside as Airlia sat down at the table to eat some of the roast that was on a platter on the table. Trode came over to her with a wide smile on his face, "So my dear, what are you going to do now that you're a free woman?"
Airlia shook her head, "I'm honestly not sure. Marcello wants to be just an average person now. However King Clavius, I'm sure, wants me to stay in the castle with him. I'd rather stay here though, so I could to be closer to my brother. We have so much to catch up on."
The short king smiled, "I'd like that. The both of you are welcome here if you want. To me, you're much too good to be just a peasant. You're so dear to the both Medea and myself, for helping to save not only my kingdom but the world as well… I hereby give you the title of Lady Airlia."
She smiled at Trode as she nodded her head, "Trode… you're truly magnanimous. I'll talk it over with Marcello and see what he thinks, because he has formally requested to court me."
Trode smiled as he patted her hand, "Had this been a few months ago, I would have kicked him out of my kingdom, simply because of how much he hurt you. You have become very dear to me, like a daughter. You never tried to be Medea; you merely helped this old man by making me think of her as she truly was, not lingering over her curse." Airlia smiled at Trode, nodding for him to continue, "But Marcello certainly has changed… Now then, if you want to be able to court him, I am happy to agree to it since you are now a citizen of Trodain! I'm going to have to talk with your father about it too, but I don't see him disagreeing with it." Trode looked at her seriously, "What if other relatives of yours try to intervene now that you have an actual family?"
She shook her head, "My father, I don't mind. My uncle, I don't really see him trying to stop this if it makes me happy. My cousin has no say and my grandfather, I would hope only wants me to happy." He nodded as they saw her father walking into the courtyard, having used a chimaera wing to get there. She got up and ran to her father.
"Father?! You came!" She was overjoyed to see him as he embraced her tightly.
"I felt something happen, are you alright my daughter?"
She nodded as she explained, "Yes, I gave up my life energy to restore the group fighting Rhapthorne to full health and they quickly killed him after. My deceased parents fought with the Goddess to restore my life force. It took the Godbird, Empyrea, saying either she revives me or Empyrea would be coming there to retrieve me. So the goddess restored me. I was still really weak but Empyrea shed a tear on my forehead and fully replenished my energy."
He smiled as he embraced her, "The moment I felt something, I began praying for whatever happened to change and for you to come back my child. I couldn't live – knowing you died."
She nodded sadly as she embraced her father, "Marcello will want to speak with you father."
He nodded as he said, "I suspected that my daughter. I'm so glad you're okay though. Come on let's go to this huge party then." Airlia nodded as father and daughter went back into the gathering as Draco and Marcello were coming from the castle. Airlia looked at him, then and there, truly seeing him since he changed to try and repent for his actions. She saw the blue outfit he had worn during his time in the church.
Originally she hated it because of the painful memories that came with it, but now… now she smiled as she saw it hug his lithe frame, reminding her of how strong he had become to protect her in the end. She felt her knees buckling and smiled to herself knowing just how much he meant to her. He came towards them, stopping just before her father as he bowed. "Hello Francisco. I'm so glad you're looking well!"
He said with genuine happiness as Airlia's father nodded, "Marcello, thank you for protecting my daughter."
Marcello paled as he realized the daunting task ahead of him if he truly wanted to be with the woman he cared for. He would have to ask for her father's permission to court her first, and then to marry her before he could ask her that. Swallowing his fear, he stood up to her father, "Sir, I would like to formally ask for your permission to court your daughter."
Francisco appreciated how hard it had to be, as he smiled, "If she is okay with it, then I am okay with it. Much of this journey was taken from her hands; I would like her to have a say in it for once…"
Airlia smiled as she nodded in agreement. "I would like that Marcello, very much!"
Francisco smiled as he said, "Then I consent to it as well."
Airlia grinned as she said, "Oh by the way Trode has made me a noble woman here with the right to live here, and a room close to the Princess!"
Marcello blushed as he said, "Oh? Then I need to seek permission from your king then."
Trode popped up at that moment as he shook his head as Airlia heard Yangus cry at seeing the king pop up so suddenly, "Cor Blimey!"
Shaking their heads, Trode continued, "Young man, I saw how you treated her throughout the journey. If you hadn't changed, I would have kicked you out of my kingdom long ago. And yet I can see that you have truly changed so, I already gave her my consent, Sir Marcello."
Marcello paled as he realized he had been made a noble as well. "Truly?"
Trode nodded, "Draco told me of how you helped fighting Rhapthorne, taking a few of the hits meant for the others that could have killed them. It's the least I can do my boy!"
Marcello smiled as he turned to his lady and extended his hand to her, "I'm so grateful to have another chance to make this right Airlia."
She smiled as she nodded as she took his offered hand. He turned to both men and said, "Would it be alright if the two of us danced?"
Trode smiled widely as he nodded while her father did as well. "I might see about moving here. This place is truly magnificent, just like Airlia described from her dreams and nightmares!" Trode smiled as the two men spoke of Trodain while Airlia and Marcello were whisked off to dance to the music provided by the minstrels. They started to dance when the bunny girl who was still stewing over the fact that the girl ruined her chances with Angelo was now dancing with none other than Marcello. For the girl to ruin her chances with the platinum blonde, and yet hog the raven haired man all to her the bunny girl decided that the woman had to pay!
So the busty blonde waited while the pair was dancing so that she could pretend to bump into them. Once she did, she stuck out her leg, causing Airlia to go sprawling as Marcello reached out to catch her. Luckily he had caught her – however, unfortunately for the one who tried to hurt her, Airlia's fall trapped the would be assailant's leg. Once he helped her to stand, he looked at the bunny girl who tried to give him a look that screamed 'pity me.' Seeing that look, he sneered at her, "You really think you can match the caliber of a woman like Lady Airlia? Go after some other man, because it won't be me."
The woman was thrown out by the castle guards as their eyes met once more. "I'm sorry Airlia; shall we try to dance now?" She nodded with a smile on her face as the pair reunited and began to dance once more.
She let him lead and found herself easily falling into step as she giggled. "Remember when we tried to dance long ago?"
At his nod, she continued, "I'm not stepping on your feet." He chuckled as they shared a smile. As they continued to dance, he smiled as he saw her lay her head against his chest. Setting his head on hers, they both merely smiled peacefully as they continued to sway to the music.
The night passed as everyone slowly crawled into bed, with a smiling Airlia relaxing for once that she was no longer in danger. She had someone who loved her that she found herself loving as well. With that mere thought in her head, she fell asleep into a dreamless slumber.
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Memories