This is a spoiler to anyone who has not gotten to the end of Breath of Fire 2. Please do not read any further if you wish to be spared of spoilers. If not, please read ahead.... Reviews and criticism are welcome.
Breath of Fire is and it's characters are ãcopyright)Capcom. I am just writing fanfiction.
In Service of the Dragon
I am what they call 'The Maiden in the Service of the Dragon.' It is an honor to be called such a title; it is an even greater honor to become one. My name is Valerie, I am twenty-three years old, of the Light Dragon clan, and I live here, in Dologany. Yes, the underground city of the forsaken Dragon clan, the Brood, whatever those on the surface have been known to call us... We are now nothing more than simple care takers of the gate shielding against a sin left behind by the vengeful goddess, Myria. Here, we, both sides of the coin in the clan, wait here; waiting for the day when the seed of evil will hatch and rise to power. Deathevan is this seed, and we will stop it! It is our only way to atone for the sins we brought upon the surface world so many generations ago. Though, being here is not enough, it will not help us defeat this threat. My father, Martin, has told me that the elder fears something on the surface is helping Deathevan become a reality; the entire clan is in an uproar. If this is so, then all we will have done here would be in vain. Let me explain...
Decades and decades ago, a battle between the goddess, the legendary warrior of the dragon, and our very own clans commenced. It was a bitter civil war over the power of the goddess, Myria. The Dark Dragons sought to monopolize the world, they quickly tore our families asunder, removing any threat that would stand in their way of world domination. The Light Dragons were the first to suffer... Their home, which is now occupied by regular people on the surface, was burned down during this time. All seemed lost with the Light Dragons, having forsaken their own powers; they had no way to stop their clansmen... that is, until the warrior of the dragon appeared. He and his many friends, different races from all over the world, banded together to route the evils that existed. The turmoil that had gripped the world slowly loosened as they defeated the minions of the Dark Dragons, and finally, the goddess herself. However, she would not allow herself to be rid of this world, she would not allow herself to die; she could not die. And so, Myria left behind a seed of evil to awake one day and destroy us when we least expected it... I am afraid that that time is coming. We may be powerless to stop it if we remain here.
Because of our selfishness and arrogance towards the world, we had to run away and live here where we would be of no harm to the surface. Together, the Light and the Dark, we will make sure that nothing happens to the world... I must play my part as well. For many years, I have trained under the guidance of the elders, studying the ways of the dragon clan, the branches of powers, and our history. I have prayed for so long; prayed to leave this dark, dull world of silence that span the halls of what seem to be infinity. Finally, just a few days ago, the great God of Dragons, Ladon, answered my prayer with his blessing. I am his maiden; I am in his service. He wishes for me to go to the surface and observe the world... In other words, I am to watch out for the creatures of the damned that may be aiding Deathevan. Today is my final day here in Dologany...
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My father, Martin, is standing in the middle of the room, talking to my grandfather, the elder. I can see they're worried about me going to the surface, but I'm quite capable of handling myself. I have to be able to; I am the Maiden in Service of the Dragon. This is my destiny. They know this as well.
"Valerie... I think it's about time you say your good-byes to everyone." My father says to me as he places both his hands on my shoulders. I can see the tears in his eyes, I know it will be hard for him to let me go. There is an awkward silence between us as I look into his eyes. There would be time for this later. Nodding in response, I turn away towards the door.
"Yes, father." The handle turns, and there is a click, I open the door and leave. It shuts behind me; I take in a deep breath as the slamming sound reminds me of my poor father...There is no turning back now.
The city of Dologany was erected upon two great platforms, a city in layers. It was dark and almost barren, given light only when the eruption of thunder and lightning raced through the clouds in the darkness. This was the atmosphere of the underground; a single spire forged in the center of the earth, towering from the surface to the bottom that was forever shrouded in shadows. The static that raced beyond the tower was almost magical; they jump around in between four great conductor pillars built just beyond this structure in each direction. It acted as a safeguard against any demons that would attack our city from behind the veils of cloudy grays and the depths of hell. We were, after all, nestled on a ledge on the outside of this damned spire. I had been staring far too long at the scenery that I had grown to accept far too long, I walk along the platform and over to the great statue erected in honor of Ladon. I kneel before it and pray for a safe journey, clasping my hands over my chest and closing my eyes. I pray that all will be will with my father here after I am gone; I pray that Deathevan will not rise while I am gone; I pray that the Dragon clan will prevail. Rising, I walk towards a ladder leading to the bottom platform and descend it.
"Valerie! Are you really leaving us?" I hear one of the Light clansmen ask me, I nodded in response; he seems saddened. I move on after saying good-bye with a smile. I will miss him.
There are four homes before me; I will visit each on in turn. The houses seem more like crypts that you would see in a graveyard, it only added to the feeling that we were doomed. I enter the first building; in this home live two orphan children of the Dark Dragon. Long ago, their parents ascended to the surface to gather supplies dearly needed; they never returned. The one boy had light, brown hair with blonde highlights and blue eyes; his sister had bright, fiery hair and the same eyes. I always came here to play with them and keep them company. My heart lurched as I saw their imploring looks, they knew why I was here... it broke my heart; but I had to go on, if I didn't, I could not be able to protect them in my own way.
"Valerie! Please don't go! Please!" I hear the sister weep as she runs towards me and hugs my knees, I can feel her wet tears bleed through the cloth of my dress. My hand rests upon her head as I look down upon her, by now there is a dry lump in the back of my throat. I am so sorry...
"I must go, be a good girl... May the blessing of the Dragon God be with you..." Was my response in a sympathetic tone, yet I tried to remain strong. Her brother comes up and peels her from my body.
"You too, V...Valerie... I'll... miss you." He says, sniffling and wiping a tear from his eyes. I find all this too endearing, but I laugh. I ruffle his hair with a smile.
"Protect your sister. Now, be good, both of you. May Ladon watch over you." I depart before I too, would fall into tears. I thought I was ready for these good-byes... no, I am. There's nothing wrong with sadness; I am ready to leave, but I cannot help but cry. I will miss my family.
I walk along to the other home and enter it, inside is the elderly woman of the Dark Dragon. She is the adoptive grandmother of the children in the other house, I always came to know her as my grandmother as well. "Granny." I say shyly, approaching her. The old woman looks at me teary-eyed, her shawl-covered head nodding. She gestures me closer with both hands, I come and she embraces me. I do the same.
"Valerie, go. Go with the blessing of Ladon." Granny released me, looking upon me fondly before turning away to weep. I stand there and watch, I want to tell her that I will return. I will return.
"I'll come back someday, granny. Goodbye." I leave the house, and outside I hear the thunder boom, amplifying loudly in the darkness. I shudder, my serpentine wings twitch behind me and instinctively I fold them tighter to my body, as if subconsciously I was trying to shield myself. No matter, I head onto the other houses and say my good-byes to the rest of the Brood.
By the time I returned to my home, my father and grandfather were waiting outside the door for me. They both look depressed and heartbroken. I must do what I am doing for everyone's sake and theirs. They know this, they must accept this... I will return one day anyhow. They have nothing to fear. I tell them, "I am ready."
"Have you said all of your goodbyes? Have you prayed to Ladon?" My grandfather tries to confirm. I nod assuringly.
My father sighs and shakes his head, "Then I will gather everyone."
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Everyone from the clan stands before me, sad smiles plastered on their faces. I watch them weep and lean on each other for comfort, but I stand there and just smile. My grandfather announced my leaving and they all began to wave. Taking a deep breath, I turn upon my heels and head for the massive door that will lead me to the maze dubbed as "Infinity." Just as I open the door and make my way through after uttering my goodbyes, a hand clamps down on my shoulder.
"Wait, Valerie..." My father says in a weak voice. I turn around and he takes my hand, placing something in my palm. "Take this...Things may get confusing and if you ever get lost in the world, it will guide you."
A pendant in shape of a dragon with a tear jewel in the middle. It changes colors at the emotions of the people around me. It seems mixed, I watch the sapphire hover all the colors of the rainbow. With a smile, I don it and hug my father one last time.
"Good bye, Father. I'll miss you..." I move away, then wave to everyone else. "Goodbye, everyone! May the blessing of the Dragon God be with you! I will pray often so you can hear my observations." They all shout things to me, I'm too flustered to pay attention. I quickly turn again and rush through the door. I hear it slam behind me.
My heart pounds against my chest, I take in a deep breath. I dare not look back, but forward.
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I know truly know there is no turning back now; Infinity awaits.