Sérgio & Sérgia
Chapter 2 - Princess
Written by: CS-Masyet
Uploaded on: August 24, 2016
Sérgio
After leaving the clinic, I set off toward my next destination, the place that the note told me to go to. It was a lot farther away than before, so I had to actually fly there this time. I had to fly high enough that no one would see me, but also low enough so I could see where I was going.
It wasn't actually that difficult to do, as I've practiced flying around a lot these past four years, and I had packed a map in my bag before just in case that I could make use of. Of course, I still had to make a few pit stops to rest my wings. Other than that, getting to where I needed to go was no trouble.
What was an actual issue though, was the destination itself.
"Now's time for a real adventure! The second place you need to go to next is the one and only 'CS Castle'! I bet you've always wanted to visit that place, right? Well, someone is in danger there too, so you'd better hurry up and head on over there! Good luck, heh!"
It's true; ever since I saw the castle back then, after that "Sky Race", I've wanted to go and visit it...
"I've decided! I'm definitely going to the castle on my adventures someday!"
"Oh that's right, I'd invite Jemily too! Me, Jemily, the princess, and you guys; all five of us will be friends!"
"..."
... but it's not like it's a place I can go to and enter whenever I want. I mean, the king of the entire region lives there! I can't just waltz in, even if someone's in trouble!
Besides, don't they have, like, high security there or something? It is an important place, after all...
"Well, just waiting idly by won't solve anything! I guess there's no choice but to just head over there and see what happens!"
I was already almost there. All I had left to do is fly directly below Sky Road and make my way to the magnificent, colossal castle sitting at the very peak of CS Heights.
Sky Road is so much bigger than I remembered... I can't believe I was able to fly through it so easily...
... Thanks to Serge and Sprit...
"I swear, I'll rescue the both of you, no matter what it takes!"
I continued to fly forward until I had finally made it above the castle. While I was up there, I noticed there were a couple of people, that looked like soldiers, gathered together in the courtyard. They seemed to be fighting a large and dark winged beast.
N-no way... Is that a dragon!?
As I flew lower, I began to hear the voices of the people engaged in combat.
"A-all of you, fall back!" An older girl cried out to the others.
She was standing directly in front of some soldiers, her back turned toward them, as she was busy focusing on the dragon. As her armor looked at bit more... "fancy" compared to the others, it seemed like she was the leader among the other soldiers. She courageously kept her sword pointed toward the dragon, but it was obvious she was too wounded and tired to go on for much longer.
"I refuse to allow this terrible beast to take the life of a single one of my subjects! I-I shall slay this monster myself!"
"N-no, your highness! W-we can't leave you here to fight this thing alone!" A female soldier exclaimed.
"Do not worry, my loyal subject. I, Ida Sephren King, first crown princess of the CS Region, r-refuses to fall to such a beast!"
"KKRRREEAAHHH!!!" The dragon screeched, as the fearless blue-armored girl rushed towards it.
"Y-your highness! You mustn't!" The soldiers shouted, too wounded to do anything to stop her.
As the girl approached the dragon, her sword became encased in purple electrical energy.
"Hyaahhh!" She cried, beginning to move her sword forward toward the dragon. "Lightning Thrust!"
"KKRRREEAAHHH!!!" The dragon bellowed, once the girl hit it with all of the released energy from her sword.
However, this wasn't enough to take out the ferocious beast. It immediately counter-attacked with its long, spiked tail. As she was too exhausted to dodge, it hit her with full force, sending her crashing into one of the castle walls.
"N-no! Y-your highness!" The soldiers exclaimed in distress.
The dragon moved closer toward the barely conscious girl, who was still laying at the side of the wall. Despite barely being able to move, she wiped her blood off her eyelids and pointed her sword at it again, even though she was barely able to keep a good grip on it anymore.
"KKRRREEAAHHH!!!"
The dragon screeched again, which was enough to finally make her drop her sword and render her unconscious.
I can't just keep watching this! At this rate, she's done for!
The dragon raised one of its forelegs, getting ready to slash her with its claw...
"AXE KICK!!!" ... but before it could do so, I flew down and kicked it as hard as I could, sending the large beast crashing down to the ground.
As I'd finally landed on the ground of the courtyard, I was eyed with a mixture of awe, confusion, and suspicion from the few soldiers who hadn't been knocked out yet. But that didn't last long, as they immediately turned their attention back to the dragon, once it had gotten up from my attack.
"Want some more?!" I yelled at it angrily, setting both my fists ablaze. "Fine! Then bring it!"
"Kkrrreeaahhh..." It cried out in a lower tone this time, choosing to keep its mouth open to charge up a darkness-filled energy attack.
"I won't let you hurt anyone anymore!" I slapped my flame-coated hands together, charging some fire power of my own. "Eat this... Torch!"
I launched a large ball of fire at the dragon's gaping mouth, causing the dragon to bellow in pain one more time before it burst into a bunch of particles of darkness.
Phew... Looks like I managed to defeat it. But the way it burst like that; it reminds me of the Ghosty Boys... That must mean...!
As I thought, a note appeared among the disappearing particles of energy, once I caught as it flew by near me.
Just what is this about?! I thought to myself, clutching the note angrily. Is whoever's making all of these notes just doing this to cause trouble? If so, I definitely won't let them get away with it!
"E-excuse me..." One of the wounded soldiers uttered to me weakly. "I-I don't know where you hail from, but may I ask you a favor...?"
I went up to him and bent down next to him. "Of course. What is it?"
"I-I thank you for defeating that beast for us. B-but her highness is gravely injured... P-please take her to one of the doctors in the castle and have them treat her wounds... H-her life may be in danger..."
"Alright, I will. But what about you?"
"I-I am probably not long for this world... B-but do not fret about me. I-I was just glad... to be able to fight by Lady Ida's side... I-I have no regrets."
"Don't say things like that! I won't let you die!"
The soldier's eyes slowly closed, and his head drooped down slowly. There was no longer any response from him.
"N-no! Don't die! Please, wake up!"
I lifted his head up gently, and I heard some light breathing from him.
"Oh, thank goodness... He's just sleeping..."
Still, I have to get the princess and the others some medical attention as soon as possible!
I went up to the princess and carried her in my arms, her still not conscious.
Her wounds look especially bad... I have to hurry!
--
As I couldn't open any doors while holding the princess, I decided to fly through a open window on a higher floor instead. There was no one in the room I entered, so I left that area and searched around the castle to see if I could find anyone. With her armor on, the princess was kind of heavy, so I had to make extra sure I didn't drop her.
I proceeded to knock on as many doors as I could with my foot, waiting for any response. I tried this with about a dozen of them, to no avail.
"Such a large hall, with so many rooms... Why isn't there a single person in any of them!?"
Darn it, I should've asked the soldier what floor the doctors were at while I had the chance! For all I know, this floor could just belong to the soldiers' rooms; and that's why I can't find anyone! Should I keep trying to look for someone here, or go to a different floor? But this castle is so big; this is really bad!
"Please, someone help!" I cried out in desperation. "The princess's life is in danger!"
"Y-your highness!" Thankfully, a lady with black, frilly clothes came out of one of the doors I hadn't knocked on yet. She ran up to me, looking very flustered. "G-good heavens, what in the world happened to you?!"
"U-u-uh..." I nervously started to answer. "Y-you see..."
"Uurg..." Ida began to struggle a little in my arms, opening her eyes weakly.
"No, Lady Ida! Don't try to move; you're still injured!" The lady protested.
"T-the dragon... W-what has happened... T-to t-the dragon..."
"I knew it! I told you not to go after that beast! You should've left it to the remaining soldiers in the castle!"
"I-I could not just sit idly by as they risked t-their lives... A-as a princess o-of this region, I ha-..." She fell back to unconsciousness before she could finish.
"Lady Ida!" The lady yelled in worry.
"U-uh, excuse me, ma'am!" I cut in. "Both the princess and all of the soldiers outside are gravely injured! Do you think you cou-..."
"Say no more, young man." She answered before I could finish. "I'll call all of the remaining doctors and as many other people left in the castle as I can to help."
She immediately ran back to the room she had previous been in. Before I could ask her why she went back in there, a loud siren began to blare all throughtout the castle.
"ATTENTION, ALL SERVANTS REMAINING IN THE CASTLE! DROP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING AND HEAD TO THE COURTYARD TO RECOVER THE INJURED SOLDIERS AND BRING THEM TO THE INFIRMARY! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I REPEAT, ALL SERVANTS ARE TO HEAD TO THE COURTYARD TO RECOVER THE INJURED SOLDIERS!"
Somehow, that announcement was somehow loud enough to be heard over the blaring siren. The combination of the two was enough to make my ears ring.
Well, I suppose this much makes sense considering the size of the castle, but... OUCH. I'm surprised the princess isn't waking up through all this; she really must be hurt badly...
Once the announcement was finished, the lady came back out of the room and ran up to me again.
"Follow me to the infirmary, quickly!" I was somehow able to hear her say to me as she ran on ahead.
--
I followed the lady to the infirmary, which was only a floor below where we'd been previously. Not long after we'd made it there, the infirmary became practically flooded with servants, carrying wounded soldiers to the many cots in the room. I had been instructed to bring the princess to a special area of the room, fit for... well, royalty.
While everyone was being examined, I decided to wait outside the room, as I figured I'd just get in the way.
"... You may come in, young man." One of the servants peered out of the door at me.
"Uh, alright."
I entered the room, almost every single cot occupied by resting soldiers. Some of them were being looked at by doctors, as well as a few servants, who were doing their best to help out.
I noticed that a few of the doctors were doing something a bit unusual. It appeared they were using magic on the soldiers, magic that looked like Sprit's healing magic.
Oh, that's right... Sprit told me once that people in high nobility can use healing magic, too. I guess it's to be expected that CS Castle has doctors like that here...
"I heard about what happened in the courtyard, young man." The lady from earlier walked up to me and said. "To defeat that dragon for us like that... You must be some sort of grand hero!"
"N-n-no, you're mistaken! I-I'm just..."
"Just... who?" She questioned.
"I'm just... Sérgio. Sérgio Gi; that's all..."
"Sérgio, huh? Hm, how... interesting. You're named after Sarjoun, the Spirit Guardian who watches over and protects this region, right? What a wonderful name!"
"U-um, thank you..." I scratched my head bashfully.
"Yes, it's just li-... Oh, my apologies, did I embarrass you?"
"N-no, I'm fine. So, um, how's the princess doing?"
"Well, while she was hurt pretty badly, she sustained no serious injuries. Despite being a princess, Lady Ida is pretty hardy, so she should be fine after a couple of days."
"Really? Are you sure?" I asked again out of worry.
"Yes, I'm positive. I am Beza, Lady Ida's personal maid; but I'm also a doctor as well. So you can count on me when it comes to this sort of thing!"
All of the servants and doctors listening in nodded their heads in agreement.
So she's a head maid... That explains her attire...
"Oh... well, that's good to hear."
"You have a really caring heart, young man; helping the princess in her time of need and being so concerned about her well being... But still, I have to ask... Where did you come from, exactly? And what's your purpose here?"
"W-well, that's... Um..."
I guess there isn't much reason to hide anything from them. So I'll just tell them everything that's happened...
--
I explained to her what happened a few days ago; when I first saw that dark shadowy ball outside my house. The shadowy ball that took my friends...
"... I see..." Beza said, taking in everything I'd told her. "So the one who took your friends away had asked you to come here?"
"Yes, that's right..."
"And after everything that's happened, I'm assuming that same person was responsible for the dragon's appearance here in the first place..."
"Another note appeared once I defeated it, so that's most likely the case..." I sighed mournfully. "I'm so sorry..."
"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"
"Because... The princess, as well as the soldiers of this castle, became involved in this matter, when it had nothing to do with them..."
"So what?! That's not your fault!"
"B-but... You aren't mad at me, after what I just told you...?"
"Of course not! I mean, you're a hero, young man!"
"How am I hero? I mean, the only reason I was here in the first place is because of that note..."
"That doesn't matter." She assured me. "What makes someone a hero isn't being at the right place at the right time, but performing the right actions once you're already there." She gave me a warm smile. "That's what I think, anyway."
"But... What if you're at the right place, but aren't able to perform the right actions?" I looked at my left arm; at the red ribbon tied to it. Especially when those actions are for the sake of your best friend...?
"... Pardon?" Beza looked at me in confusion.
"S-sorry. Never mind..."
"Alright then. But still... Whoever this person is, or whatever they are, this whole situation is rather... peculiar. Being able to summon that beast here without being detected, and at this certain time in particular..."
"This time in particular...? What do you mean?"
"You see, the king is actually out right now; meeting with other rulers for a council meeting in another region. He took some doctors, soldiers, and some other servants with him as a precaution of course. Meaning..."
"The castle wouldn't be as well-guarded as usual, right?" I finished for her.
"... Right."
Being able to know what's going on and have some influence over random locations in the CS Region, even CS Castle, with little to no explanation... I don't know why, but this situation seems a bit... familiar...
"Speaking of this mystery person, what did the note you received earlier tell you to go next?"
"Hm?"
Actually, come to think of it, I haven't looked at note yet, have I?
I took out the note from my pocket and took a look at it.
"... Wait, what?"
"What's wrong?"
"This note... It's a lot... different than the others..."
"I want you, and by 'you' I mean 'Sérgio', to go to the courtyard behind the castle... ALONE. If you do not follow these instructions to a T, well... I DON'T NEED TO REMIND YOU OF WHAT'LL HAPPEN TO YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU DON'T, RIGHT!?!?!?"
"What a chilling note that is..." Beza said uneasily. "I had no idea they were anything like this..."
"Actually, like I said, this is the first time I've gotten one like this..."
"As much as I'd like to say that you shouldn't do as it says..."
"... I don't have a choice." Or Serge and Sprit will...
"I'm... sorry that we can't offer you any assistance... Unfortunately, all of our soldiers are currently injured..."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. The note says I have to go alone, anyways."
But what's going on? Why's this note like... this?!
"If you get lost on your way, feel free to ask any of the butlers or maids that have already stepped out."
"Okay. Thank you."
--
I made my way through the large halls of the castle, trying to find my way to my next destination.
Well, if it's outside, I should find a downward staircase first... Or maybe...
I eyed one of the many large, fancy windows lining the enormous building.
"I could just jump out the window, I guess..."
"Non non! You should not do such a thing! That is veeery uncouth behavior, young sir!"
"W-wha!?" I exclaimed, startled by the sudden voice coming from behind me.
It came from a well-dressed butler, with a fancy mustache, and a just as fancy sounding voice.
"Just what do you suppose you're doing in our majesty's fair abode, young sir!?"
Um, "abode"?
"But I haven't even done anything yet! I was just considering it!"
"Sometimes, simply considering a crime is almost just as bad as actually committing one!"
"I-I'm sorry... I didn't realize jumping out of the castle windows was a crime..."
"It's a crime to life! You're still young; you still have so much to live for, young sir!"
"I wasn't going to kill myself!"
"... Oh? Well then, in that case, pardon me." He bowed, then slowly began to walk away.
"Alright..." Well, if it's okay, then I'll jump out the window after all...
As I made my way to the window, and was about to make my jump...
"Halt!" The man yelled at me from across the hall.
"W-wah!" I fell over backwards, falling back into the castle.
"Excuse me, young sir!" He walked back up to me, looking at me lying on the ground, warily.
"I-I'm sorry!" I got back up in fright. "I thought I cou-..."
"You meet me for the first time, and you don't even think to ask me who I am?!"
"H-huh...?" I uttered in confusion.
"Youthful young sirs like yourselves need to be more curious, in order to learn more things about the world."
"Um, but what happened to 'curiosity killed the cat'...?"
"Young sir, are you telling me... that you are a cat?!" He looked at me in shock.
"N-no! I'm definitely, 100%, a person!" Well, I have rather unique powers, but none of them are cat-like. Unless winged, flying cats actually exist...
"Indeed you are, young sir. In that case, that saying shouldn't apply to you, right?"
"Uh, I don't think that's how sayings work..."
"Go ahead, young man. Ask away." He stated, ignoring my previous comment.
"U-um, alright..." I scratched my head nervously. "So, uh, who are you, sir?"
"I am..." He paused, for some sort of dramatic effect. "... a butler."
... Well, yeah, I can see that...
"Okaaay... That's, um, interesting, but what's your name?"
"My name is of no concern to you, young sir!"
"O-oh, sorry..."
"If you really wish to know of who I am, then it is only proper you introduce yourself first, young sir! It is proper etiquette!"
But you were the one who was offering t-... never mind...
"A-alright, then... I'm S-..."
"I am Bastion, it is a pleasure to meet you, young sir." He said, while politely bowing at me.
So he ended up telling me anyways?!
"So, young sir, just what brings you to our majesty's place of residence on this fine day?"
Why doesn't he just call it a castle?
"Well, actually, I'm he-..."
"Sorry young sir, but I cannot allow you to take the princess's hand in marriage!"
"W-wha?! N-no, I'm not here for that!" I stammered, blushing in embarrassment.
"Sorry young sir, but I cannot allow you to take my hand in marriage!"
"I-I don't want that, either!"
"Then... whose hand in marriage do you desire...?"
"I don't want to marry anyone!"
"Oh...? Then... you'd rather remain alone forever? What a sad road in life you're choosing to take..."
"T-that's no-..." Rather than finish what I was going to say, I just sighed.
If I don't tell him straight, this'll go on forever...
"Actually, I need to get to the rear courtyard."
"The rear courtyard, you say?" He looked at me in surprise. "But... that's..."
"W-what is it?!" Is there something strange about that place?
"... just part of the courtyard, you know?" He told me, as if to teach me something. "Technically, all of the surrounding area is one courtyard. So that mea-..."
"I-I get it, okay?" I stopped him, before things got out of hand again. "I really need to go to the back of the castle courtyard. It's really important. That's why I was trying to jump out the window earlier."
"Hm? What about the rear of the courtyard is so important, young sir?"
Rather than explain, I decided to show him the note. He looked at it carefully, looking mildly disturbed.
"... I see." He took on a more serious tone. "This is definitely no laughing matter, young sir. Or should I say, Sir 'Sérgio'. A rather... interesting name, it is..."
Is it really that interesting? I mean, being named after Sarjoun in this region is fairly common...
"So, Sir Sérgio, you are to meet someone behind the castle, are you? He seems to be a rather... unpleasant person, so do be careful."
"Meet someone? But the note doesn't say anything about that..."
"He wants very much for you to go alone, doesn't he? It would seem most likely that is because he wants you to meet in person for some unknown reason, and realizes that someone as... unfriendly as him shouldn't be attracting too much attention to himself."
If he wanted to meet me right now, but didn't want anyone else at the castle to know his identity, making a note like this would make sense... But for what reason does he want to meet me right now? Or at all?!
"Well, I'm not sure if what you're saying is right or not, but I guess it's pretty logical."
"He doesn't seem like the type who should be taken lightly, especially if he's threating the lives of your friends. You should make to the rear of the courtyard posthaste! I shall guide you there, Sir Sérgio!"
"Oh, really? Thanks a lot!"
--
After a while, we had made it to two large doors leading to the rear courtyard. It surprisingly only took a few minutes; I was amazed that someone could remember the layout of such a large castle so well.
"Would you like me to wait here, so I may guide you back to this building's exit?"
Once again, he refuses to call it a castle...
"No thanks. I should be fine."
"Very well. In that case, I shall return to my former duties... Farewell." He calmly walked away (this time, not randomly coming back to yell at me).
I don't know what to expect, but here goes...
I grabbed the handles of the doors, and opened them slowly. The backside of the courtyard was just like the front, except without a random, large dark dragon present.
In fact, there wasn't anyone there at all. I walked all around the peaceful, grassy area, not finding a soul.
"Where are you hiding?!" I decided to act completely fearless. "I know you're here; show yourself!"
"How perceptive. I didn't expect you to realize beforehand that I'd been lying in wait for you..."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a ball of darkness appear behind me, from a shadow on the ground that one of the castle's roofs was making. Once the ball of darkness had risen completely, it transformed to the form of a man, one I didn't recognize. He had pointy ears sticking out of his hat.
"... or did someone figure it out for you?"
"I came alone, just like you asked me to." I stated, ignoring his question.
"That you did. In that case, allow me to introduce myself... I am Shád, a powerful conjurer. One that can summon a multitide of dark creatures... It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face... at least, in this form."
"Summon...? Like that dragon?!"
"Precisely. And I assure you, there are a lot more creatures than just that one. All scattered across this region, wrecking havoc... Waiting for you to come defeat them and save the innocent bystanders they're terrorizing..."
"Why?! Why would do something like this!?"
"What do you mean? Shouldn't you happy about today's turn of events? You wished it yourself, FOUR YEARS AGO."
"I've decided! I'm definitely going to the castle on my adventures someday!" "Well, y'know... A dragon could come and attack the castle! Then, I would swoop in and defeat it, and then they'd recognize me as a grand hero!"
"W-wha..." I stood there, flabbergasted. "W-WHO ARE YOU?!"
"I believe I've already introduced myself, haven't I? Or was that some sort of rhetorical question?"
"H-how do you know about... H-how are you able to do these things?!"
"I can answer both of those questions with one answer: It's all thanks to my Master."
"Your... 'Master'?"
"You've never met me before, but you've definitely met them. When you were but an innocent, 10-year old child..."
F-four years ago...?! I-it can't be... N-no way...
"Come to think of it, it's been a veeery long time since you've seen my Master, hasn't it? Four years, to be precise."
Someone I met four years ago, someone I haven't seen for four years... Someone with dark magic...
... My dark side...
... Darkés.
"You say that you can be friends with me despite not knowing of the reason for my existence, but it's because you don't know that you can say that so easily." "If you truly knew about the relation between us... You definitely wouldn't want to be friends with me."
"I'm sure it's something you wish to do, considering what happened to your friend. With evil, destructive powers like mine, destroying me is your best option."
"... No way. There's no way I'll destroy you."
"... You'll regret this."
... But there's no way he'd be okay with something like this... right?
"I'm sure you have doubts in your mind about what I've just said, but I assure you, I'm doing this all for the sake of my Master's... ambition."
"And what exactly would that be?!"
"... Revenge."
"R-revenge? For what?!" I exclaimed in confusion. "What did I do?!"
"Oh, it's not just what you did. It involves others... Others you've met, and... others you haven't."
"W-wha...? I-I don't... understand..."
"You'll understand in due time... Until then, here's your next task."
He tossed another note at me, it floating slowly toward me with dark magic.
"To be honest, I personally don't really care much about all this revenge stuff, but... Try to make this 'game' fun for me will you? Heheh!"
I said nothing, simply glaring at him.
"I don't know when the next time we'll meet in person will be, but until that day comes... Goodbye."
"Wait a second!" I yelled at him, while he was attempting to disappear away.
"... What is it?" He asked questioningly, although he continued to keep a smirk on his face.
"Serge and Sprit... Are they doing okay?"
He said nothing, instead choosing to create a dark portal in one of his hands. It created an image, an image of Serge and Sprit sleeping in an unfamiliar area.
You guys...
"... Happy now?" He uttered, quietly giggling to himself. "You can see them again once you complete all of the tasks I'll be giving you. I'm not sure how many they'll be exactly, but don't get bored and forget about your objective until then, alright?"
"I'd never forget about wanting to save them!" And I won't fail to save any of my friends this time, either!
"That's good to hear... I guess. Well, goodbye for real this time!" With that, he disappeared into a ball of darkness, which sunk back into the shadows.
After I watched him vanish, I took at the note he'd given me.
"... For real? Why there of all places?! Well, at least it's closeby..."
I stuck the note in my pocket with the others, and went back inside the castle to head to my next destination.
--
"I don't have time to waste. It's not just about Serge and Sprit anymore; now even the princess of the CS Region is involved in all this!"
And who knows who else will be involved next...?
I walked through the castle, trying to find my way out.
"B-but this castle is so big... Maybe I should've had that weird butler guide me back after all..."
Actually, now that I think of it, I could've just flown over the castle... I'm such an idiot...
Once that realization hit me, I decided to stop moving for a second to gather my thoughts.
"Maybe I should turn back, or I guess look for a window to jump thr-..."
Suddenly, I heard a faint sound of another person's footstep echo throughout the wide hall.
"Who's there?!"
I turned around in surprise, but saw no one behind me.
"That's strange... Oh well, maybe I'm just hearing things..."
I turned back around to the direction I was previously facing, deciding I should continue walking forward.
For some reason, there don't seem to be any windows on the first floor... Instead, there are all these suits of armor. Maybe heading back really is the best option...
I stopped, and heard the other pair of footsteps again.
"Is that you, Mister Bastion?! I'm sorry for calling you weird earlier!"
I turned around again, and just like before, there was no one behind me.
"That's so weird... I could've sworn I heard something." I began to walk in the direction of where I heard the sound.
Maybe they're hiding in one of the pieces of armor? Nah, that's silly!
Not knowing where else to look, I decided to check all of them anyway, them all adorning the halls of the castle. There was nothing unusal about any of them, but among them was something strange. It was a statue of a pink-haired girl, looking around my age, dressed just like the soldiers I had seen earlier. She had her head raised upward, her eyes closed, and had a very serious expression on her face.
"Wow, it looks so real... The stuff they have in this castle is amazing..."
It looks just like an actual person! I wonder what it feels like...
I decided to poke her nose. When I did so, it twitched a bit.
"A-ah..."
"Whuh?" That was weird...
I poked her nose again.
"A-ah... ACHOO!!!" It sneezed suddenly, causing me to fall back in shock.
"AH! T-the statue sneezed!?"
"M-my apologies, sir! I did not mean t-..."
"AH! T-the statue's talking to me!"
"N-no, you are mistaken! I am not a statue!"
"Oh? Well, you sure fooled me..." I uttered, getting back up and facing her. "But who are you? And what're you doing here?"
"W-well, I... Um..." She paused for a bit, for some reason having a hard time finding an answer. "W-well, I am... in training..."
"Training?" I questioned. "For what? To be a statue?"
"N-no, you are mistaken!" She responded, looking more flustered. "I-I am... training to become a soldier."
"Really? But that's weird, I didn't see you with the other soldiers earlier..."
"W-well, as I am still a mere trainee, I-I was instructed to stay behind, a-as they presumed fighting that dark dragon would be too dangerous for one as inexperienced as I..."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense..." I said. "... Um, why do you look so nervous?"
"H-h-huh? W-whatever do you mean?"
"Are you... upset that you couldn't do anything to help?"
"E-eh? O-oh, yes, that's right..."
"It's fine; don't worry about it! Everyone's doing okay now. The princess got hurt pretty badly, but even she's hanging in there."
"That's a relief..." Is how she responded, but she still didn't look too happy.
"... Say." I decided to change the subject. "Were you the one following me earlier?"
"H-huh? Um, yes, that is correct..."
"Why?"
"W-well... That dark dragon... I heard that you are going after the one who brought it here. Is that correct?"
"Er, yeah. More or less..."
"Then, please... Allow me to accompany you! I beg you!"
"W-what?!" I exclaimed, not expecting her to ask me something like that.
"Even though she is a princess, Miss Ida has always been so strong and has truly valued the safety of her subjects above all else... That is why she..." She began to sob.
"H-hey there..."
Before I could say anything more, she wiped her own tears and continued talking.
"She got injured trying to protect her people... If she were well, surely she would stop at nothing to try and locate the cause of that beast's appearance. But as she is now..."
"So, you want to go in her place?"
"Precisely. Si-... u-um, Miss Ida has done so much for her subjects. So much for me... And I would like nothing more than to do something for her in return. But I am not very strong... I cannot do something like this alone..."
Alone... From the beginning, I've thought I had to handle this all by myself. But it's not like I want it to be this way... Right now, I'd love to see my friends again, to travel together with them again...
... But in this situation, I have no choice but to be alone...
"S-sorry, I'd love to help, but I don't know how you'd be able to come wi-..."
"Oh, I almost forgot! If you're going to be traveling by air, then there's something you'll need. Be right back!"
"What's this? A harness?"
"Something like that. It's going to be a necessity for your travels... for Serge, anyway."
... That's right. I originally packed for my journey to travel with others, didn't I?
"... Alright." I smiled at her, offering my hand in agreement. "Let's locate the source of this chaos... together!"
Although I did see him earlier...
The girl looked much happier as a response to this.
"T-truly? You will really let me accompany you, sir?"
"Yeah, I mean it. And it's Sérgio, by the way. Sérgio Gi."
"T-thank you very much..." She thanked me, finally accepting my hand with her own. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sé-... eh?"
"What's wrong?"
She started to giggle. "Your name... how interesting!"
"Again?!"
"Hm? 'Again'?"
"For some reason, everyone's been saying that about my name today..."
"Really? Well, I am not certain why they said that to you, but..." She giggled again. "I just wonder... if it was fate that I met you today, Sir Sérgio."
"Fate? Why?"
"You see... My first name is... Sérgia!"
"S-seriously?! You almost have the same name as me!"
"I know, it is rather humorous!"
Is that why Beza and Bastion thought it was interesting? Maybe Sérgia has a close relationship with them...?
"So, what's your last name?"
"U-um, what?" She suddenly looked at me wide-eyed, stammering in nervousness again. "I-I beg your pardon...?"
"Oh sorry, do you not want to tell me?"
"N-n-no! It is fine! Wanting to know the last name of someone you just met is perfectly acceptable!"
"Um, okay?" I looked at her questioningly, finding her behavior weird.
"I-it is, um... S-Safír! Y-yes, Sérgia Safír is my full name! Absolutely!"
"Safír was the name of the very first king of the CS Region, right? That's a pretty neat last name!"
"O-oh, thank you very much!"
"Now then; let's go! With the power of us both 'Sérgis', anything is possible!" Uh, probably...
"R-right!"
End of Chapter 2
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Writer's Comments:
Wow! I actually got this done today! Er, well, it's actually tomorrow right now actually...
Ugh, so sleepy...
Anyways, I actually decided to completely focus my free time this week to getting this done, so when I ended up getting distracted and goofed off the first two days (not to mention I had a pretty bad day at work today...), I got kind of worried. Then all of a sudden, I get some random inspiration to work on this a lot, and then... I finished it! And all I had to do was... sacrifice some sleep. No big deal...
When I started writing this chapter, I wasn't really feeling like I was writing it the way I wanted it to, and as this chapter is very important to Sérgio's Adventures as a whole, I wasn't very happy about that. But today (er, yesterday), that somehow all changed, and I ended up writing it in a way I'm really happy with. Almost even better than I'd hoped! So... yay for that!
As you can tell from the ending of this chapter, one of the characters in the name of this saga, Sérgia, has finally been introduced! What importance will she have in the story? Who knows! Find out whenever I get to writing the rest. Until then... finally time to sleep!
Zzz...
- CS-Masyet
Side Note: This chapter was such a huge pain to edit into HTML... Ow, my fingers...