16AN - thanks to Seraphic Dragon and ChocomintKT for your reviews, they are both much appreciated :3
Chapter 3 - Guardian Angel
Seven days later, following the funeral, Flynn was working. He had taken to burying himself in his work; keeping busy to hide the grief. Just as he finished ordering a stack of paperwork, Estelle burst in; the draft from the door blowing the stack around the room. Flynn sighed in annoyance and stooped to pick up the papers, when a book was pushed into his face, making him blink. "Wha?"
Estelle pointed to the book page impatiently, a strange glow in her eyes. Deciding to humour her, Flynn took the book ad read. "The Rosuto Lantern - the Lantern of the Lost. Legend has it that this Lantern has the power to guide home a lost spirit to restore the soul of one hero in every era. This Lantern lies within the Labyrinth of Memories, beyond the home of the Traitor to Heaven. To reach the Rosuto Lantern, adventurers must face down and defeat their very own worst fears. No single survivor has to this day returned with the Lantern from the labyrinth." he finished reading, looking up at Estelle's hope-filled eyes.
"We've been into the Labyrinth, we know what to expect. We can find the lantern, bring it back and get Yuri's soul back!" She exclaimed.
Flynn sighed and stared at the ground. "Yuri's not coming back, Estelle. He's gone, and it's time we got on with our lives. Living off of false hope will just make it harder to do that."
He started to turn back to his paperwork, when a sudden resounding slap planted him on his rear. He stared at Estelle in shock as the petite cerise haired girl glared at him in fury.
"Yuri loved you! He would have done anything to get you back in your place! He sacrificed himself to save us all, and this is how you repay him? By forgetting him?" She stormed over the window and stared out as she carried on, he voice horse and wobbly with tears. "If you really loved him, you'd help me find the Lantern. Help me bring him back."
"I'll help you" Sodia's quiet voice resounded from the door. Estelle and Flynn turned to her in shock as she stepped into the room and helped the commandant to his feet. At their questioning looks, she continued. "I might not have liked Yuri as a person, but he did sacrifice himself for us. For everyone. He didn't deserve to die."
Estelle smiled gratefully at the young Lieutenant as she walked towards the door. "Estelle", Flynn called softly. She paused in the doorway and turned around. "I'm sorry.. You're right, he does deserve better. I was trying so hard to block out the pain.. I- you know I could never forget him… Thank you for bringing me back to reality."
Estelle gave him a soft smile. "Brave Vesperia meet at the Public Quarter exit at sunrise. See you there."
She left Flynn to prepare for the next morning.
The first thing I noticed was the intense darkness. It came from above and below, closing in on me from every angle. I tried to cry out, to run, to scream, but the enveloping darkness seemed to pour into my lungs and wrap around my legs, preventing me from moving, from making a sound. Suddenly, a light flared bright against the black, banishing the darkness. The light faded away and I was in a room. It was a small room; a room in an Inn. I gasped as I recognised the room - the swords hung on the walls, the décor, the view from the window.. I was home.
Repede was sleeping in his usual spot at the end of my bed. I reached out to pat him on the head - my hand passed through him. My eyes widened as I realised the shocking truth - the fight against the dragon was no dream. I was dead - but somehow alive at the same time. Was this the Life after Death the fanatics preached about?
As I turned around to face the window I noticed the sleeping blonde laid on my bed. I sat next to Flynn and gently stroked his golden hair. He shifted slightly in a restless sleep, mumbling my name, his face contorted in pain.
"Shh it's alright, I'm here" I softly murmured in his ear. A wave of calmness fell over him and he smiled softly in his sleep. I looked up to see Repede sat in front of me. He whined in my direction. "hey boy", I smiled. He barked softly and wagged his tail, resting his head on the edge of the bed.
The next morning, a small band of very different individuals was gathered at the Public Quarter entrance to Zaphias as Flynn and Repede arrived. The Princess was true to her word - Brave Vesperia was reunited once again for the search for the Lantern of the Lost. Karol and Judith had been the first to arrive; the 13 year old guild master and purple haired Krytian had been visiting the city on business. Karol had grown a great deal during the past year, standing almost a foot and a half taller than the last time Flynn had seen him. Rita arrived with Estelle and Sodia soon after; the Genius Mage having moved into the Castle at Estelle's insistance after the destruction of the City of Scholars. Raven showed up somewhat late, having to travel from Dahngrest at such short notice; his usual laid back demeanour and easy smile seeming somewhat strained from recent events. Upon seeing the Commandant and the faithful pooch arrive, Judith called Ba'ul; the Entelexia that carried the guild's ship, the Fiertia, through the air. Repede turned back and whined as they boarded the ship, causing Flynn to frown at the strange behaviour.
I followed the group onto the Fiertia, knowing that I couldn't interact with them, but could keep an eye on them; secretly delighted to see the old gang back together again.
As the Fierta flew through the sky, I couldn't help but wonder where we were heading.
As night fell, the clear sky became cloudy and a low rumble of thunder resounded through the air. Everybody was inside the cabin, aside from Judith who sat on the deck conversing quietly with Ba'ul.
As I approached, Repede jumped up from his resting place, barking softly and wagging his tail. Judith glanced over and smiled softly. "Ba'ul can detect your spirit, Yuri. It's good that you're here."
As the first large drops of rain started to fall, I focussed my energy hard on the door. To my delight it opened. Judy chuckled lightly. "I can take a hint". She paused and smiled in my direction. "Goodnight".
As she entered the cabin, a large crack of lightning suddenly ripped through the sails and sliced the mast clean in half. As the heavy wooden beam crashed down towards the cabin of the ship, I focussed my entire being into the thought of protecting my friends and family from the impending doom. As they watched the mast fall in horror, they saw a sudden flash of purple light and a figure wrapped the ship in large black wings. The falling mast vanished into the night. They were saved.
Estelle's legs suddenly gave way beneath her as she stared out into the night in wide-eyed disbelief. "Yuri.." she breathed.