Dagan Zephyr - POV;
After our unusual and unanticipated run-in Lord Damon's widowed wife, we had continued on our journey towards Oceanica, believing her promise to refrain from alerting Lord Seraphim to our location. Even if she had tipped him off, we took solice in the fact that we were still a few steps ahead as she had no idea where we were going upon leaving Neptulus City, much less where the train we took would carry us.
We were more than thankful to face no further hiccups and before we knew it, we were seated on our train and well on our way towards our destination; a traditional, somewhat antique train station in the valleys of the Great Western Range known as Olde Dryad Station. It served as one of the only connections between the built, rural areas in the spectacular mountain range and the outside world.
Night had fallen upon us and the others had turned in for the time being, exhausted from our long journeys and lacking any substantial rest. I, on the other hand, couldn't do the same even if I tried. Instead, I relegated myself to the rear of our passenger car where I sipped on a cup of coffee while looking at the photo of my family which I always kept at hand.
"Can't sleep?"
I raised my eyes to see Naomi standing over me, her warm smile illuminated only by the cool light of the full moon streaming in through the window. Her dark hair shimmered under it, granting her an ethereal aura that accentuated her beauty.
"Yeah," I answered quietly, "I guess it's just been ingrained in me to stay up and watch over these guys to make sure they're safe."
"I know exactly how that feels," she giggled and took a seat across from me, coddling a small teacup in her palms, "Even when mom was still here, I'd often help her look out for the others but now that she's gone... I feel so much more that I have to give my all to look after Jaya, Ciara, Emiko and Sid; to ensure that they have all the love, protection and guidance they would ever need. It's stupid when you really think about it since, well, theyre all grown already and able to stand on their own two feet, especially Sid and Emiko. Jaya's studies have gone to the next level. She's already creating and inventing new things that are sure to be revolutionary. Sid has fully embraced his angelic roots and has reached new heights with it. Ciara has been working on her musical talents; serenading the villagers and even sharing some of her techniques woth them. Emiko has been dedicating so much time to mastering the arts of physical combat and her mastery over her Element of Light, with hopes of training disciples in these arts one day. They are all setting out into the world, leaving the nest with proud strides, and yet I still feel the need to hold them tight. It's the same for you right?"
"Is it though?"
"I think it is. From what I hear, you were always somewhat of the leader of Zephyr's Epitomes. Everyone else looked up to you to keep things together. You feel it too: the desire to protect all of them and keep them safe," she continued.
"Didn't you hear? At this point, I really only care about my sister," I stated.
"Alva was telling me that you said something like that. All of you did. Professing how you really felt or something like that?" Naomi revealed.
"Yep. So now you know my inner thoughts. Now you see how I truly feel," I snickered.
"Well, I think you're wrong," she shrugged.
"Huh?"
"We all have dark thoughts. In our moments of weakness, desperation, despair and fear we may sometimes think or say things that we don't really mean but when we look back on that time, we regret it. It's the same for you. You may have said that you only want your sister back... but you want the rest of them home safely just as much, don't you? You WANT to save all of them. In fact, even if you did get the opportunoty to save only Jacqueline and run... you would never do that. You'd stay to the end if necessary, trying to bring the rest of them back too. Even if you say otherwise, that's how things will end up. After all; that's the kind of person you are," she grinned.
"I... hmm," I cut myself off, unable to refute any of what she was saying, though I admittedly wanted to deny it.
"Don't stress too hard on it. It's just something for you to think about," she laughed.
****
"Ugh, we're finally here!" Jaya groaned, almost seeming to drag herself onto the station's platform.
"Yeah, I gotta admit that my body aches from being inside there for so long. Those cushions were like frickin' rocks!" Fira complained.
"Yeah, it really was uncomfortable," Ciara added.
"It wasn't that bad. All of you still slept like babies didn't you?" Alva snickered.
We strolled across the restored wooden flooring, glancing around as I continued to debate our next move. The Olde Dryad Station was connected directly to Barington, which was regarded as the main town here in the region of the mountain range despite being rather small and uninspired compared to those places which fell under the jurasdiction of Zephyr and many of the other Elemental Clans. Barington placed a heavy focus on tourism which was expected, given that the town often served merely as a point of rest for people travelling between some of the larger cities. The remaining civilizations in the area was constituted by small settlements further in the mountains, atop the plateaus or within the minor valleys.
I had figured our best course of action was to begin our investigations right here in essentially the hub of the region and sooner or later, it was sure to lead us closer to Xyder but our fairly large group consisting of Alva, Satella, Storm, Fira, Rydia, Jaya, Ciara, Naomi and myself was far from inconspicuous and we definitely garnered alot of attention. It became clear that we should split up, not only to reduce the likelihood of being discovered but also to cover more ground at a more efficient rate.
We were preparing to make this transition when we luckily happened upon what could only be described as a miracle. An old woman stood at the corner with a banner professing her beliefs and urging people to turn to God.
"Go to Him! Call His name! Beg the Lord for your forgiveness and pray to Him to absolve you of your sins! Heed my warning, the Devil is upon us! The end is nigh! The wicked king is here to reap our souls! We can only be saved through the Father! Through God! Ask him to shower you with his blessings before the day of destruction arrives!" she shouted.
We had intended to walk past her without a second thoughts but her next line had grabbed my attention.
"The Devil and his concunine of four gypsies passed through this very town only days ago! We are all doomed! Our days are numbered!" she squealed.
I screeched to a halt and stepped backwards to approach her, much to the surprise of my allies.
"Excuse me," I called to her.
"What do you need son?!"she screeched.
"What was that you were saying about the Devil?" I enquired.
"No one believes me but it's true!" she yelled, "The Devil passed through here not so long ago! I saw 'im with my own eyes I did! He appeared just as the stories said! The most handsome man, dressed in the most formal wear who could charm any and bend any to his will but I saw through his ploy! He reeked of evil and malice! His red and golden eyes were filled with hatred and anger and his red hair was the embodiment of hellfire! He had four girls with him and I remember them clearly! I felt sorry for them! I knew they must have been taken in by the Devil's trickery before they even knew it! Such beautiful girls, with their pretty pink, striking blonde, sharp green and pure white hair! They are lost to the devil! Oh the tragedy!"
"Man, she's insane," a passing man whispered.
"Absolutely crazy. I feel bad for her," a woman agreed.
Given her eccentric persona, I could see how people would believe this lady to be nothing more than a mad woman but I knew... she saw something. She witnessed something no one else did. My allies had caught on by this point too and were eargerly awaiting what she would say next.
"That's terrible!" I feigned horror, "Where did that Devil go?! Not here I hope! I would want to stay far away!"
"He isn't here anymore son! I saw him! He took those girls and headed through the eastern gate and followed the path towards the old milling village! No one goes there except the people who live there! It doesn't matter though! Once he strikes, he will take the whole world! We are dooooooooooooooomed!"
As the old woman went into a futher series of rants, I hurried back to where the others were waiting.
"I'm sure of it! Xyder headed East! We have to get there now!" I declared.
****
"Ugh... are we there yet?" Jaya sighed as we trudged along the rocky, steep, hillside path.
"I can't go any longer!" Ciara exhaled heavily.
"Don't worry, we're almost there. According to the information I got from the bartender, we should see it as soon as we reach the top of this hill," I assured them.
"Seriously?!" Ciara lit up.
"Let's go! Rest and relaxation!" Jaya piped up as she and Ciara bolted the rest of the way apparently reinvigorated by the thought of their journey's end.
"Girls! Be careful! .......Or not," Naomi warned, murmering to herself when they ignored her.
"They can have their fun if it fires them up this much," I chuckled.
"I guess," Naomi said reluctantly.
Jaya and Cirar continued to the top at a rapid pace bearing wide grins but this all changed the moment the arrived at the apex and looked over. Immediately, worry and confusion overcome them and it was evident, even to us.
"Hey! What's up!" I questioned loudly.
"Y-you guys have to see this!" Jaya responded. The rest of us shot ourselves to the top using our elements to propel us while I carried Naomi. The instant I landed I immediately understood their reaction.
Where a peaceful, quiet village should have existed now lay piles of scattered debris, burning remains of half-fallen buildings and the distinct smell... of blood!