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. |
Memories
Chapter Eight: Moonshadow Realm and the Wish
The trip Emma's grandparents were thankfully without conflict as they found the house that she had to be referring to. Everyone was thinking about the situation with the King as Jessica muttered, "It may just be me thinking this, but there's no way a girl's going to be that dedicated for no reason. Not a chance! I think she might be in love with him…"
As they rounded the hill, Angelo spoke next, "It's been two years since the beloved Queen of Ascantha died… And yet they're all still in mourning. The King must be a passionate man… Either that or he's just soft. I'll bet they were head over heels in love when they got married. What a tragic love story…"
Everyone nodded in agreement as they left Trode outside of the house with Medea, whom was still upset at their thoughts while Airlia tuned everyone out – losing herself to her thoughts. She could only hope her parents were out there, still deeply in love, somewhere – even after all that time. That there was a good reason for them not looking for her after all that time… It was a homely one story floor abode with its white walled exterior, a cart lying in front of it. The light was on indicating they were inside and awake. Draco knocked on the door to hear an elderly female voice calling, "Come in."
Opening the door, they saw a guard sitting at the table with an elderly man. His face was hard, and his sword gleamed in the light. "Remember, Emma said her grandmother may recall the story…"
They nodded as she approached the woman spinning wool thread in the corner, near the fireplace. "Are you Emma's grandmother?"
The elderly woman, dressed in a red gown, with white apron and a white wimple covering her hair nodded. "I am… My name is Martha, and my husband's name is John."
Airlia smiled as she explained quickly about Emma's request for them to find out of the old wishing folktales. "Let's see… That must be the story of that strange hill upstream of here. It's said that if you go there on the night of a full moon and wait quietly all night, a door to another world will open. It's probably just a silly old fairy tale though. I'm afraid I can't tell you whether it's true or not. It gets so cold and spooky up there, you see. I've never known anyone willing to stay the whole night to find out! My husband can tell you more of the location of the hill." She chuckled happily as Airlia smiled, "Thank you truly Martha…"
They went to John as Draco asked him, "Where is this hill located John? Even if it's just a folk tale, we have to try…"
John nodded with a smile. "If you go round the back of the house and follow the river downstream a while, you'll come to a path down the embankment. Once you're down there, turn around and head upstream. They say there's a cave somewhere over in that direction. However, the people round these parts don't go in there, mind. Apparently, there's nothing on the other side of the cave, but a boring old hill with a nice view." Airlia smiled as Draco thanked him for his time as the group left. Going outside, they went round the back of their house and saw the path leading down towards the embankment. They turned around, and followed the embankment down the long stretch of road. Going down the embankment was thankfully uneventful, for the monsters were all asleep as they hurried.
At the end of the path, they found a cave, and looked at it curiously as Alistair shrugged, "It must be the cave that they mentioned."
She looked at Trode and Medea, "Please wait here you two. I'd much rather you stay safe. Here! Keep this few bottles of holy water and use it only when the last application ends. It'll keep you safe from anything, even the wolves I find."
Trode nodded as he applied the first vial before the group went inside. "Oh, yes, Airlia?"
She looked at him as he smiled at her, hand fishing in the bag, "We got you this at Simpleton while you were…" She smiled as she took the proffered thorn whip and set it amongst her sash.
Looking at the cave she looked around as she felt a breeze coming distinctly from the cave, "Let's follow the breeze."
They agreed as they went into the cave, veering to the right only to see a cave-in. "I'm sure there's another way, let's look around here." Alistair said as they nodded.
Draco looked around the next corner and smiled, "The breeze is coming this way too!"
So they followed Draco as they went around the corner and followed it straight around – until they saw stairs leading up. "Come on, no time like the present. I know he was worried about monsters, but I don't truly feel any presences here of danger to us."
Angelo said as Jessica nodded, "I feel the same thing Angelo, let's continue." They went up the stairs, looking around and feeling the comforting breeze. They saw they were now at ground level, and yet they were above the land itself, the steep sloped hill that could not be climbed. Looking about, rubble and stone laid on the ground as they watched their step, trying to be sure to not trip and fall.
"The shortest path is often the wrong path you guys. Let's hope I'm right, because I'd hate to be wrong here." Airlia said as she pointed towards the path that went along the length of the hill and seemingly around it.
They nodded as Yangus added, "I agree wiv you there Air. It's been like that the whole time." They proceeded up the hill, as the sky was amber in color, indicating sunset was approaching. Once they wound around the slope upwards, they saw a bend around the hill where the road narrowed drastically. She nodded, indicating the narrow road, as they proceeded carefully around the edge, holding onto one another's hand in case the road came out from under them.
The road did cave, unfortunately, but it was under Jessica's feet as Alistair and Angelo both grabbed her hands and pulled her up to Alistair's side. Airlia and Draco hurried along to where the path opened a bit more.
When everyone was able to join them, the pair smiled happily as Airlia checked on Jessica. "I'm alright, it was a little startling, but my brother and Angelo were quick to react."
Both men smiled as Angelo gave a bow as he said, "For you Jessica, I would do anything."
Alistair pinned him with a look as he said, "You even think of hurting her and I will personally gut you Angelo, brother to Airlia or not."
Airlia came between them as she said, "Relax – all of you. We still have more of this to climb. Let's go…"
Yangus nodded as he said with a smirk, "I like this 'ere bird guv. Got 'er 'ead on straight!" They continued along, and found a path sloping up, just before a bridge going to a well.
Angelo shook his head, "We should head upwards. They said it was at the top of the hill." Everyone nodded as Draco led the way carefully up the steep slope. Once they arrived at the peak of the slope that doubled back over, going upwards, they found a window and some ruins. Night had just begun to set as the full moon light shone on the group.
Airlia smiled as she said, "This is it! Let's hope this works, for everyone's sake!" Angelo nodded as they all found pieces of stone and rubble to sit on to find out what would happen if they waited all night. Throughout the night, they saw the window stretching to the wall, and once it reached the wall, something odd happened.
"How odd… it looks like a door, and it's glowing you guys!" Jessica said as everyone gathered there to look at it. Airlia felt an odd pull as Draco touched the door.
The next thing anyone knew, they were no longer on the peak, but on a strange tile. "This place doesn't feel like it's of our world you guys." Alistair said as he looked about. They saw the sky lit up by several moons, with water flowing below them with it streaming down various rock formations around them. They turned around and saw a window with curtains billowing towards them, as if by an enchanted wind. They saw several tiles leading towards the structure that lay in the center.
She gasped as she felt the pull become stronger to her while music played all about them. She started to walk, as if in a trance, even as Angelo reached out to Airlia to still her step over nothing. Pulling free, she continued to walk, over the invisible as it glittered beneath her feet. They followed Airlia as she remained trapped within the recesses of her minds, the music pulling her deeper into the daze. The building, they saw before them, was so otherworldly, the lights were going up the building, streaming as she went opened the doors before going into the small building.
Inside the room was as entrancing to the group as it was to Airlia while she stared blankly ahead. Instruments were lying about as they saw beads of light going up and down the drums, a giant drum on the platform, and a book on a table just behind the giant drum. Suddenly a strum of the harp happened, drawing everyone's attention, breaking the spell on Airlia as she looked at the man. "I am Ishmahri, keeper of the Moonshadow Land. Welcome to my realm."
She looked at him and felt a strange sense of familiarity. He had long flowing blue hair, blue eyes, with a white robe that held an orange collar. Over the robe were a blue overcoat and a belt of the same orange of the collar. He held a harp that was silver with a blue sapphire set into the top of the handle. Part of his hair was pulled into a ponytail behind his head. However, she noticed his ears were pointed. Something about that fact dug into her mind, burrowing itself away. She blinked as the others started to look about the room. She saw so many music instruments around there, all playing by themselves, as if enchanted. Behind Ishmahri was a globe that spun of its own accord. Deciding that she had had enough of the room, she wanted to find out why he was pulling her so.
The group gathered about her as he spoke to them, "Many moons have waxed and waned since human foot last trod this earth. …Weary travelers, I welcome you now to the Land of the Moonshadow. Enlighten me, what desire opened the Moonshadow Window on this night? No words please… Your shoes can tell the tale." He began to play his harp as lights emitted from it, then from Draco's shoes as he jumped. It seemed to tell Ishmahri everything as he said, "So, Pavan longs to be reunited with his dearly beloved, Sasha."
Hearing him know everything without a word being said made everyone jump in surprise as he chuckled, "You stand amazed, mouths agape in wonderment. Ah, forgive me. I have yet to uncloud your eyes. Children of the light of day… Do you believe that memories are yours alone? Your clothes, houses, tables and chairs… The sky, the land… They too remember each passing day. Silently, they sleep in a dream world of memories. The moon's light may give shape to these dreams… these memories."
He seemed to think for a moment before speaking, "I cannot stir this daughter of the sun from her eternal sleep, but perhaps I can end your friend's waking nightmare." The light gleamed off his sapphire gem set in the circlet on his head. Nodding resolutely he said, "Lead me to the castle. Lead me to the scene of Pavan's misery. I will bring your friends who wait at the base of the cave below to the castle as well."
Airlia nodded as she looked at Ishmahri. He smiled as he spoke, "I am the keeper of this realm, simply because I created it. I have the power to soothe the broken heart. Lead me, then, to King Pavan's realm, to Ascantha." As the group left the place, they ran back to the window at the end as Airlia turned to see Ishmahri, no longer walking, he was floating at the pace that they were running.
She still felt the pull towards him while having no idea of why it pulled her. She thought about it and realized that it was her own waking nightmares, dreams of Marcello's possessive nature, and then there were nightmares of the creature possessing Dhoulmagus trying to make her its wife. Perhaps, she thought, perhaps he could bring her out of her own waking nightmares…When they arrived at the window, he touched it and instantly they were there with Ishmahri and Trode.
He looked around, shocked as Ishmahri said, "The other one is just outside the castle, and she is perfectly fine. Please, come with me. Take me to the scene of Pavan's unending nightmare please Draco, Airlia."
The pair nodded as they swiftly guided him up the stairs – however with so many people just sleeping in the oddest places Jessica asked him, "Did you put them to sleep? And just how do you intend to wake him of his nightmare Ishmahri?"
He smiled gently as he said, "Upon this night, by the light of the full moon, I shall play a tune to salve the King's wounded soul. If any of you presently with me have a wound to your soul, you might also find your souls soothed by the melody. Fear not for the people sleeping, it is merely so that I may move about without causing uproar due to my… appearance." They nodded as they reached the king who was still crying into the throne.
He started to play his harp as Pavan jolted from his state; lights catching his eyes that they could now see were blue. It seemed as if he saw the group as Ishmahri spoke softly, "Oh, grieving soul. May the moon's rays trace the scenes enacted here long ago…" Suddenly they could see images of a queen, in gold and pink dancing around and laughing as Airlia lost herself to her memories…
Airlia was still but a child and it was only six months after Marcello had joined the Abbey. She had been in her nun's dress in her room, the window open allowing the night air to come in. She gazed out at the sky, lost in her dreams. Suddenly she heard music from the courtyard as she looked on in curiosity. She found herself leaving her room and going into the court, hiding behind a pillar as music came her way.
A hand placed on her shoulder as she whirled on her heels. "Marcello?!"
He smiled at her as he held his hand out to her as he asked, "Would you like to dance?"
Tilting her head to the side, she questioned, "Dance?" He nodded as she placed her hand in his and he began to swirl her around the area. She tried her best to dance, but worried when she knew she was not in sync with him and often stepped on his feet.
He chuckled as she looked down, blushing in embarrassment before he spoke, "Don't worry about my feat Airlia; I'm just glad I can make you smile. While you do so often, it's rarely deep or true – except around your father."
She wondered why she was recalling that now; however King Pavan's words drew her from her memories as he spoke, afraid to touch the image, "What is this? A dream? An illusion? No… No… I remember this… you…" He touched the image and as he feared, it vanished before his eyes.
However, he could hear her words, "… is wrong…? What is wrong?"
Tears ran down his cheeks overflowing from his eyes as he called out to her, "Sasha!" She was so beautiful, her auburn hair in a bun, a beautiful tiara sitting tucked into the bun – all of it making her blue eyes seem all the more beautiful, and unearthly.
He reached out to her as he spoke, "I've missed you so! These two years, I've thought of nothing but you. Ever since you passed away…" His memories brought out words all too familiar to him, but yet unheard by the group before him.
Her voice was heard before you saw her again… "You're not still fretting about this morning's missive, are you? You mustn't. You made the right decision."
She turned and picked up part of her dress, looking at him coyly – laughter present in her eyes. "You're always so lenient with people. But sometimes you need to be firm too. That's a king's duty. Everybody believes in you. You must stand tall and proud. Ascantha is your country."
She vanished as he tried to follow her. Yet her words were still heard, "Oh yes! I have news! The innkeeper's dog has had a puppy! He wants us to think of a name!" He whirled around to see himself, happy and in vibrant colors sitting on his throne, looking at his wife over the side of his shoulder.
She was behind him, being playful as she smiled at him. Pavan, dressed in black closed his eyes a moment, hand to his lips as he said, "Is that… me? Yes, I remember this. It was the spring before last. So this is a memory from the past?" Sasha came around the side of the throne as they watched everything play out before the saddened king.
"A puppy, you say? … What do you think? No doubt you've already thought of a good name for it!"
His younger self said gazing with love at his beloved Queen. She gave a mischievous smile as she said, "It's a secret."
Pavan missed her look as he said, "Why? If you've thought of a name, then I'm sure it's splendid. Tell me!"
She shook her head as she spoke, "Surely you have a suggestion too? A name for this puppy?"
He smiled at her as he said, "But I'm sure your-"
She cupped his cheek, halting his words, "Shush, now, Pavan. I think any name you came up with would be simply perfect."
Her expression softened in love towards her husband as she spoke, "My dear King. You're a wise and kind man. You should follow your own instincts."
She tilted his head to the side slightly, one hand on one cheek, and the other hand on his other cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into the touch, "I was planning to use the name you thought of. That's all I'd decided."
His eyes opened as the current King walked towards the pair, a smile on his face as they vanished. He sat on the throne as he placed his hands over his face, sighing softly as he spoke, "… Ah, yes. She was always like that, always giving me so much encouragement. Sasha… Why…" He cried looking upwards towards the skies, towards heaven. He still hurt, but seeing her had made him feel that moment of love, of enjoyment once more.
The music continued as he heard his younger self once more speaking, "…Sasha. Why are you always so strong?" They were staring at one another now, and she just smiled at him happily. "Because my mother gives me strength." King Pavan gave her a searching look as he said, "Your mother? But she passed away years ago…"
She turned from him, her hands over her heart as she smiled. "I never told you, but I was very timid as a child, so weak and afraid. And every day, my mother would try hard to encourage me. When she died, I was so sad and lonely… But then I realized…. If I went back to my old weak self, I would have nothing left of my mother at all. It would be just as if she had never existed."
King Pavan began walking towards her as she continued, "I realized I had to be strong. That I must remember her words of encouragement and everything she taught me. That way, she'll live on inside me for always. Forever…"
King Pavan extended his hand, to still the image of Sasha as he called out to her, "Sasha. You're right… I should be more like you…"
She vanished as she reappeared on the stairs leading to the terrace above. "Shall we go out onto the terrace? The weather's so nice today. It would be lovely to enjoy the breeze together." She extended her hand to Pavan as the group noticed the past Pavan merged with the one dressed in black, becoming one.
The pair went upstairs as everyone else followed, and the music still played in the background. As the dawn rose, Sasha smiled at the coming dawn. "Look! Your country stretches before us as far as the eye can see! Oh! Ascantha is so beautiful!"
King Pavan smiled as he saw his kingdom before him as he murmured, "Yes… Beautiful, Sasha… So beautiful." She turned to give him one last smile, her eyes still so filled with love for her husband.
She spoke happily, softly as she began to fade, "My darling king. For people to live their lives happily, you must be strong…" She vanished when the rays of light hit her as he tried to hold her.
Vanishing, he collapsed to the ground once more. He held his arms tight to him, as if holding her again. "… I remember. Everything you ever told me lives on inside my heart. Forgive me, Sasha. I've finally opened my eyes… I'm so … sorry for being so sad and lonely." He stood as he smiled down at his kingdom for once as he spoke, "… At last, I've finally awoken from my long and terrible nightmare."
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