Fragile Hearts (Book 1 - Complete)

"Are you ready Kyo?"

"It's now or never."

"Alright, here I go..." Brianna said, suddenly whirling both of her chakrams over her head and letting them fly in front of Kyo. Kyo quickly stepped backwards and concentrated his mana. Feathers burst out of his wings, and scattered themselves into the air. Before they began to fall, they slowly morphed and transfigurated themselves into glowing light blue swords. They suddenly aimed themselves at Brianna's chakrams. They suddenly shot forward, headed directly for the chakrams. Just as two of them were about to pierce through the hole of Brianna's chakrams, the more chakrams dislodged themselves from underneath her previous chakrams. But as they continued to multiply, Kyo spawned more swords, and fired them at the numerous chakrams. Each of her chakrams were pierced and embedded into the wall generated by the mana generator. The final chakrams were pinned against the wall by Kyo's Spectre Swords. Brianna looked up at her pinned chakrams and smiled at Kyo.

"Wow, good job Kyo!" Brianna said, smiling at him. However, she frowned a bit when she saw Kyo looking intentively at the pinned chakrams.

This won't be enough but...I can still try... Kyo thought.
------------
Now is the time...before we disembark... Uriel thought, walking through the corridors. He had to find out what the presence was now, otherwise he may never be able to figure out the mysteries of the airship. He wasn't sure why he was so curious about the presence, but he felt as though it would benefit him somehow. He shook his head lightly and continued to search until he was at the same point that he was when he first felt the presence.

Kelly's sword touched Uriel's back, enough so he could feel it, but light enough to keep from tearing his clothes. "I thought I said this area was off limits."

---------

Earlier...

Hashnel entered Kelly's mind. The masked angel has begun his search for me. Bring him to me.

Fine. Kelly replied before sighing and heading off.

Uriel's body stiffened when he felt Kelly's sword touch his back. He didn't say anything for a moment, and then slowly raised his hands, indicating he was not armed.

"The Demonic presence...where is it?" Uriel said, keeping his back to her and turning his head. "I was in this area when I first felt it. What are you hiding from us Lieutenant Kelly?"

"I don't have to explain anything to you. You will follow me and say nothing. He has called for your presence." Kelly lowered her sword and walked passed Uriel.

As Uriel lowered his arms he noticed the weapon she wielded. He then followed after her.

Kelly stopped and opened the pocket space door. Leading Uriel in the door closed behind them.

--------

Kelly lead Uriel down the same path she had lead Shin down days before. It led to the central room.

Kelly stepped to the side. Curiously enough she noticed Shin was no longer there, and wondered where he was.

Hashnel's twisted form turned to Uriel. "So we meet again."

As Uriel stepped into the room, he took a quick glance around the room checking for any visible ways to escape from the room. There weren't any, besides the one that Kelly was now standing in front of. Looking up, he gazed at the twisted form in front of him. This was the Demonic presence that he had felt.

Meet again?... Uriel thought, puzzled. He had never seen that Demon any time or any where in his life. So why did it seem to be familiar with him.

"...who are you?" Uriel said, finally regaining his composure.

Hashnel seemed to smile. "Uriel, I'm surprised you could actually forget about me." He was silent for a moment. "I am Hashnel, one time Demon Prince of the lower realm. Three thousand years ago, under orders from my father, I led the campaign which led to the plane wars."

Kelly was silent, but her mind couldn't help but race over what Hashnel had said. Demon prince? Then she remember he could read her thoughts. So she emptied her mind again.

The deformed demon went a stab of nostalgia.

-------------------

The half demon walked unnoticed through the airship halls. He was moving at a moderate pace, for he was in no hurry, but didn't want to linger. He found one of the airship's hangers, and entered.

Behind Uriel's solid silver mask, his eyes widened.

He was responsible for the Plane Wars? Impossible... He thought. And a Demon prince as well? How did we encounter each other then?...I don't recall ever meeting him during the war...

"If that's so...then why is it that I have no memories of any of our encounters then?" Uriel said boldly. He was confused now, but now very curious. He didn't remember much about the very far past; it was difficult to remember hundreds of years of memories after all. He wondered if anyone else knew about the events of the Plane Wars, that could help him. He knew Zenos was involved in it, as well as Michael and Gabriel, but he doubted the two would know about the specific events.

"Is it really impossible Uriel? If not I, then how did the plane wars start?" Hashnel said back. "I doubt anyone still remembers how it started. Your the only one though, who I thought would recognize my name, after what I did to you." Hashnel laughed inside Uriel's head. "I guess somethings are meant to be forgotten. Now on to business. I know why your here, but say it anyway."

Did he...read my mind? Uriel thought puzzled after Hashnel suddenly responded. This is more complicated than I imagined...

So he already knows? I'd assume that Kelly must have told him... He thought, in response to Hashnel's final statement. They appeared to be connected, he wasn't sure how, but he knew that they were.

"Tell me, where did you take Shin? The half-Demon that I heard was taken here..." Uriel asked.

"I gave the half demon a choice, and he chose." Hashnel replied.

--------------

Shin's katana flashed.

The bay door exploded outward, as air suddenly rushed out of the area. The explosion could clearly be heard and felt all over the airship.

Shin stood on the ledge and looked out. Suddenly he jumped from the airship.

--------------

"He's no longer here." Hashnel said, as a shockwave rocked the airship. The expression on his deformed face, could only be one of a smile. "Anything else?"

"...I see..." Uriel said. That still didn't tell him much on what happened, but he doubted that he'd get any specific information on what happened. The sudden explosion that was heard from outside shocked him, his body immediately becoming tense. He frowned however when he heard Hasnel mention that Shin was no longer here.

How can that be?... Uriel thought. Was Shin responsible for that tremor?

"...no, there is nothing else." Uriel replied. He realized that even if he asked about their supposed past encounters, Hashnel would most likely be unwilling to divulge any of that information.
------------
Kyo quickly turned his head when he felt the tremors rock the ship, and the sound of the explosion echoed through the halls. He immediately allowed his feather swords to fade away into mana particles, and casted a glance at Brianna. Neither of them bothered asking each other what it could have been because frankly, neither of them had a clue.

"...we should go find out where that explosion came from..." Brianna said, looking straight at Kyo's face.

"Alright, let's hope there won't be any damage that'll make this trip take longer." Kyo said turning around and opening the door. The two quickly left the training room, and proceeded to the source of the explosion. Brianna led Kyo this time; they didn't have time to waste on Kyo's bad sense of direction.

Finally, they reached what looked like a cargo bay. There was now a large gaping hole leading out to the infinite sky where the door should have been. The two suddenly felt the air vacuum begin to pull at them, and the two desperately turned back around and started running as fast as they could in an attempt to avoid being sucked out of the ship. Brianna slipped on the metal floor and was immediately overwhelmed by the pull of the air.

"Kyo!" She screamed as she reached out in vain, looking for something she could grab onto. All the while, the air vacuum was pulling at her, her hands sliding on the metal floor as she was slowly being pulled out.

Kyo, hearing Brianna's cry for help, immediately turned around, and a ripple of fear went through his veins when he saw Brianna being pulled out of the ship by the air. Kyo took a deep breath and jumped, pulling his feet off of the ground, and allowing the air to yank him towards the hole. As his body flew over Brianna and more closer to the hole, he immediately focused his mana. The area around his shoulder blades begin to glow, being able to be clearly seen even with his shirt over it. His wings suddenly engaged and took full form. There was a brief second of inactivity, and then he suddenly was boosted forward as the mana on his back acted as a thruster. He reached and grabbed Brianna's hand and tossed her up, catching her in his arms. They made it past the doorway and he let her down, now that they were less affected air vacuum. The two looked at each other, Kyo grinned, but Brianna scowled at him. She would never understand how he could take something so climatic in such a light way.

"Kelly. Show the fallen angel back to the regular ship. He'll be departing with the rest of them when we land." Hashnel ordered.

Kelly sighed. "Fine." With that she turned and walked, she assumed Uriel would follow after her.

-----------------

Ying was the next to arrive, and saw Kyo and Brianna get back into the hallway. As she walked up to them she glanced onto the bay door. The strike against the now open hole was familiar. Shin. She thought. "Are you two okay?"

Soran's sword cut through the door. He stepped inside.

"It's been awhile since I've had visitors. I didn't think anyone would be able to find me here." A cloaked man said.

Soran cautiously walked forward. "Hanash is the last place I'd expect someone to hide. So it's the first place I'd look."

"Very rare to find someone that thinks like that." The man said. "A few weeks ago I watched a few angels fight. Can't say what it was about or how it ended." The man made no move.

"I assume you've prepared for an occasion such as this."

"Of course."

"Then you know why I'm here."

"My monster broke free, correct. Behemoth was it? Dragons are so beautiful. Forcing one to your will is exhilarating." The man laughed at his memories. "Good times."

"I came here for information. Regarding your last notes as a scientist of the Empire."

"You seek the Ethereal Potion are you? It could add hundreds of years to your life, or prevent someone from dying. Which is it you desire?"

"I wish to save someone. Even if it means my life." Soran was serious.

The man looked at Soran. "If you can bring me the ingredients, I can make you one."

"So you know how to do it?"

"Of course. I'm human, how do you think I'm still alive?" He said with a hint of enjoyment.

Soran examined him. "What do I need?"

Many tears were falling from Sarice's eyes. She was on her knees. "So it was all true."

Before her was the long destroyed remnants of her village. Everything was weathered out of commission. Outside the village, where the harvest fields once were, were many unmarked graves.

It was nearing sunset as Sarice cried. "Dammit." She yelled, "I just had to be so weak."

A man stood beside Sarice, and was silent. He had blond hair, his mouth was hidden, and had a specialized long sword.

It took awhile to Sarice to notice him. She looked at him briefly, and started to wipe away her tears. "What do you want?" She asked quietly.

Noriko was silent.

Sarice was sitting on her knees trying not to cry. She watched the graves.

The two were silent for awhile.

Sarice let herself cry again. "I left to protect them, yet they betrayed me and destroyed it anyway. What should I have done?" She asked loudly.

Noriko took a knee and pulled something out of his sleeve.

She looked at him, "What're you...?"

Noriko had a piece of cloth and started to wipe away Sarice's tears.

Sarice was still for a moment, then suddenly she burst out crying, and clung to Noriko.

He calmly hugged her and rubbed her head.

She let out all her tears.

Uriel looked up at the deformed Demon one more time before he turned his back to it, and followed Kelly out. He didn't ask her any questions, or try to talk to her; he was more confused than ever now. And worst enough, there was probably no leads to finding any information, unlike when he was searching for Shin.
---------------
"Well...if you can count almost getting sucked out of that hole and into the sky, then I'd say we're okay." Kyo said good naturedly. On the inside however, he was extremely relieved. Brianna only rolled her eyes.

"We felt and heard an explosion coming from here, so we came to investigate. All we saw was a big hole in the cargo door, and an air vacuum almost yanked me out of the ship, but Kyo pulled me back in before I could get thrown out." Brianna said, still tense. "We don't know what happened here..."

Ying smiled. "Glad to see you two are okay. You should be more careful next time."

Kalne was the only other member of their group to show up. She examined the three of them. She looked through the door, and examined the opening. "So Shin has left us."

Ying didn't say anything.

Kalne looked back to Kyo and Brianna.

--------------

Kelly closed the pocket space behind Uriel. She turned to him. "I don't know who Shin was, or what happened to him. As I do not know your involvement with Hashnel. But I want you to know that I chose to serve him, to save Izuna." With that Kelly turned.

"I try to be careful. Kyo just likes trying to have a brush with death before escaping." Brianna said rolling her eyes. She turned her head as Kalne showed up.

"Shin...left?" Kyo asked confused. He knew about his disappearance, but it never occured to him that he would have left the ship in all entirety. "Damn...so we're down a man. And it just had to be when we were so close to the tower too..."
--------
Uriel was surprised by Kelly's response. He did not understand how Izuna fit into this series of events. His conception of Kelly changed in that brief moment. He thought that she was serving Hashnel out of her own will. Now he felt a bit guilty for jumping to so quick of a conclusion. He didn't say anything as Kelly turned; he had a lot to think about now.

Kalne examined Ying. "We might lose a few more people when we land." With that Kalne turned and left.

--------

Kelly went off to see for landing preparations.

---------

Over the intercom an announcement came. "Attention all hands. Bay 2 has been damaged. Avoid the area until we land. We will be landing within 20 minutes."

In Shin's mind

Shin stood in darkness. Suddenly he saw a deformed figure in the distance ahead of him. He heard voices, telling him to choose. He remembered memories, holding him back. He shook his head, then grabbed it with his hands, bending over in pain. He cried out.

Suddenly, black vines shot out of the darkness and wrapped around his arms and legs. More and more seemed to appear and wrapped around Shin, as if trying to smother him. The half demon fought with all his might but nothing seemed to work. He felt himself being dragged into the darkness, slowly being devoured.

Out of nowhere there was a flash, and the black vines around Shin were cut and dissolved. Shin looked up and saw a figure in front of him.

"Father...?"

The demon turned his head back slightly and glanced at Shin. His eyes were strong, but gentle. Then he looked back at the figure ahead. He held a sword in his hand.

"Fires of Hell...disperse my soul...Heart of Dragon...Exploding Flame Fury" said the demon as he held out his sword out. He closed his hand into a fist and his sword disappeared, turning in flames. It swirled around him and a giant dragon-like creature of pure fire emerged and shot toward the figure. The flame dragon clashed with the being.

Shin couldn't see what was going on, but he saw the fires engulfing everything and the demon standing in front of him. Long, silvery hair that dances with the flames around him. The familiar clothing and aura, not to mention that powerful attack. Shin knew it was really his father.

Before Shin could say anything, more black vines shot out and trapped him again. Then the vines caught Shin's father.

"No!" Shin cried, but he the vines were quickly sucking him in. He saw his father look back at him before his vision was closed off completely.

-----

Shin woke up. He didn't know where he was, why or what he was doing here. Then he remembered. He had to get out.

-----

Mai and Alyse were sitting on their beds in their room, doing nothing. The two girls sat in silence for a while, until Alyse began playing a soft tune on her flute. Mai watched her a bit, before looking down at Kyuu.

"We'll be landing soon..." Kyuu said.

"Yeah..." Mai replied softly.

Alyse glanced at Mai, but said nothing.

Silence enveloped them both until a tremor suddenly rocked the airship.

"What was that!?" Mai cried out as she jumped up to her feet.

"An attack?? We'd better find Master Ying and check it out" Kyuu said.

"Let's go!" Mai said as she headed out. Alyse got up and followed.

------

Ying watched Kalne leave. Then she glanced at Kyo and Brianna again, before she looked at the hole.

Shin...what has become of you...


"Master Ying!" Mai called as she came running up. It had taken a while for her and Alyse to find them but from where she saw some of the airship crew headed, she followed some of them to find Ying, Kyo and Brianna and the giant hole Shin left behind.

"Oh no! What happened??" Mai asked in surprise as she stared at the hole.

"Shin..." Ying answered simply.

"What?? He did this? Did you see him?" Mai asked.

"No...but...I have a feeling it was..." Ying said.

"How can you just say that?" Mai asked.

"Mai..."

"We have to do something! If it really was him, then he fell off the ship!" Mai cried. Ying glanced up when she heard the announcement. Then she looked at Mai.

"Calm down, we will do something. But for now, we have to worry about safely getting down to the ground. We will go after Shin when we do..." Ying replied calmly. Mai stared at her a moment, her eyes full of distress and worry. Then she tried to calm slightly.

Shin...what have you done?

Mana flared from the Xeltar as it began to land.

Not too far away was the Tower of Knowledge. The tower was quite tall, being over 300 floors in height. It was cylindrical in design. On each floor were a number of windows, and the odd balcony or two. Two big double doors were at the base, which was the assumed entrance to the place. Though there were a few smaller doors, that must have been used in emergencies.

--------------

The airship landed, and the flaming ring extinguished. The landed bay opened, as well as a few others. Already a few workers had begun to work on bay 2, seeing how they could fix it.

--------------

Kalne stretched as she stepped out into the sun. She looked towards the tower. "A bit of a walk, but nothing too bad." She began doing a few other stretches. Kalne was waiting for the others, so the meeting could begin.

--------------

Rikka was the first to arrive, after Kalne of course. She had prepared herself earlier, so she was as ready as she could be. "Couldn't help but notice the gaping hole."

Kalne smiled, "I don't wanna say it many times, so we'll discuss it with the rest of the group."

"Alright." Rikka replied, sitting down on the soft grass.

Shin did this...? Kyo wondered. I knew he had a temper, but I don't get why he'd do something like that...

"That's horrible..." Brianna said. "But...we won't be able to do anything from here till we land." But in Brianna's mind, she felt very doubtful about locating Shin quickly. If what Ying suspected was true, then he would probably be very far away from the Tower of Knowledge, seeing as he did escape twenty minutes prior to their destination. At that moment, the announcement was clearly heard through the ship.

"We'd better get going..." Kyo said, looking up. "Don't sweat about Mai, we'll find him, I know it. I know for a fact that the fall didn't kill him, he's too damn dense." Kyo hesitated for a moment, realizing that that may not have been what she was worrying about. "He'll find his way back to you. Whether he likes it or not, he can't be far away from you for too long." Kyo finished, snickering. Brianna chuckled quietly. The two decided that they would leave when Ying, Mai, and Alyse were going to leave.

Uriel felt the ship completely land before he headed to the source of the explosion that he felt earlier. Sure enough, the explosion was very real, as several mechanics were attempting to fix the damage. He stared straight ahead, and down the landing bay, where Kalne and Rikka were already waiting. In the distance, he could see the large cylindrical tower in the distance.

So Nome is waiting for us there... Uriel thought.

Talken took off from Ying's shoulder and flew out of the ship through the hole which Shin made before the Xeltar had landed. Ying watched the hawk a moment before her gazed set upon the Tower of Knowledge.

She thought of Nome.

"Master Ying?" Mai called softly. Ying glanced at her.

"Yes?"

"Um...nothing, never mind..." Mai answered, looking away. Ying stared at her a moment but decided not to pry her. She had an idea of what Mai was thinking.

As soon as the Xeltar finally landed, Ying exited with Mai, Kyuu and Alyse behind her. She looked up again to see Talken flying high up above in the distance. She had instructed him to search for Shin. Then her eyes went back to the tower. Its strange structure was eerie, but Ying felt as if it was drawing her toward it.

Mai stared in awe at the tower as well. She felt a slight tinge of fear.

"Master...is that...the Tower of Knowledge?"

"Yes, Mai..." Ying replied.

Mai knew now that's where Alex was being held by Nome. She wanted to help save Alex, yet at the same time she desperately wanted to find Shin. She wanted to know exactly what happened to him. She said nothing more.

Ying felt a familiar presence.

It's him...

Rikka and Kalne were silent as Uriel showed up. Though Kalne smiled at him.

-------------

Rikka stood up as the other five showed up.

Kalne waited until everyone seemed ready, then started. "Ahead is the Tower of Knowledge. Its said to hold a vast majority of the world's history and knowledge. A place of knowledge and wisdom." She explained briefly about the tower. "Within is the kidnapper, and apparently a fallen angel, Nome. Who it seems only Rikka knows his true name." She glanced at her.

Rikka looked away.

"We don't know why he took Alex, or if he'll actually kill him. But we have arrived on time, so he should be safe." Kalne was silent a moment. As most of you know the airship was damaged before we landed. I don't know the extent but I'm sure Izuna or someone else will inform us." Kalne looked to Ying. "You know more of the incident. So if anyone wants to leave, now is your chance." With that Kalne stopped talking.

"Leave? Not a chance." Kyo said, smiling. But in his mind, he was replaying that vague memory of his battle between the two of them. He didn't understand, but he'd bet his life that Nome knew. He needed answers, and this was his best chance to find out right now.

"I can't turn my back now, not when I promised to keep Alex safe." Brianna said, her eyes strong. She felt Kyo's hand close around hers and she smiled, tightening her grip on his hand.

Uriel didn't respond at first, but it was after Brianna's response that he was brought down back to earth. Looking up, Uriel looked at the group and crossed his arms. He still didn't say anything, but it didn't seem like he had any intention of leaving. However, he felt a strong doubt that Nome would simply allow them to reach him so easily. It would have been too simple.

Meanwhile...
Aryus slowly opened his eyes and looked around him. He was in some sort of dungeon cell, with only one single torch outside. He stood up and immediately felt something constrict his movement. Looking down, he saw four thick rings made of some sort of black material wrapped around his wrists and around his ankles, chaining him to the wall. Growling, he sat back down, knowing that it would have been useless trying to break out; the metal substance was blocking his mana flow. He sighed as he stared at the ceiling, which appeared to be leaking. Closing his eyes, he leaned the back of his head against the wet wall. Through his eyelids, he could see the faint dancing shadows bouncing from place to place all over the room form the single torch.

That damn Zander...I didn't think he'd be stupid enough to send me through this portal...Aryus thought, scowling. His mind went to Fia for a moment, but he banished those thoughts; they'd only get him worried, and remind him why he didn't want any emotional connection with anyone in the first place.
---------
"Well done Zander, I'm pleased." Remorse said, his head leaned against his clenched fist. "After I have a word with Aryus, I'll get back to you."

Zander stood, next to an unconscious Fia, and slowly nodded his head. "I'll get going then."

"No, you can stay here, I really don't care." Remorse said, slowly standing up. "Wait here, I'll be back." He slowly began walking, the noise of his greaves hitting the stone floor echoing through the deathly silent hall. The fate that Aryus was trying to escape had now caught up to him.