Chapter Six: Resolve

Nope, I don't own Legend of Mana for it belongs to SquareEnix.

To quote that one Monty Python guy…. "I'm not dead yet! I'm feeling much better!" Okay, okay… I've been distracted by playing Dawn of Mana and Tomb Raider Anniversary… Man, I love those games! XD

Anyway, enjoy Chapter Six. Yay for blatantly obvious shojo themes and some OOCness. I blame it on my shojo manga addiction…and the fact that I've been on a two-year hiatus so… yeah. My writing's gonna be wonky. To think I've been inspired to write again by, of all things, Soul Calibur 3.

It was a good, simple, easy-to-use sword made of Granz steel that could be wielded with one hand. It was also light, with most of the weight at the leather-bound hilt to allow for more control. It came with a sturdy leather sheath that could be tied at the waist. In addition, a simple and durable round shield accompanied it. There were also slots at the hilt to put magic runes – which was useful considering that instruments with magic runes implanted in them required spell songs in order to use magic, and the rune slots would make it easier to cast magic when the need should arise. Such a fine blade would make combat a whole lot easier.

Too bad she didn't have enough money to buy it!

"That's a good sword, isn't it?" Anli yelped and jumped at the sound of the voice. The nearby shopkeeper simply laughed as the girl whipped around to see the very amused, grinning face of the Jumi Knight.

"Laz! Don't scare me like that!"

"I just like seeing you jump." Elazul replied. "It's pretty funny to be honest with you."

"Hey! That's not fair! I didn't do anything to–"

"You were the one who threatened to kick me in the crotch!"

"Well you were the one who was storming 'round town stirring up trouble!" She retorted. The shop-keeper stifled his laughter. "Jus' how long are you gonna keep sneaking up on me like this?"

"When I get bored of it. But that probably won't be for a while."

Anli "hmphed", crossed her arms and started pouting. "Very funny Blue Boy!"

The Jumi laughed. His new-found friend and comrade was very amusing indeed.

She watched as he walked over to the shopkeeper and spoke with him. Blinking curiously, she observed them both, then got bored and resumed examining the sword she wanted. She knew that he and Pearl were staying in Domina for a few days, and that Elazul was doing some odd jobs around town trying to raise the necessary funds to stay. She mainly stayed at home, getting the twins settled and then heading to town to spend time with the two Jumi. She was already very attached to them, as she was with the twins, and enjoyed speaking with them about their travels.

After a few minutes of watching them in the corner of her eye, she noticed that the shopkeeper had given Elazul a small package, which he tucked into the folds of his shirt. Puzzlement was hers when the Jumi Knight glanced back towards her and then pulled the shop keeper aside. After another moment's worth of speaking, the shopkeeper nodded which made Elazul grin, and then he looked over at Anli.

She blinked, curious on what it was all about.

"Hey, Anli…" He had said, approaching her.

"Huh? Yeah? What is it?"

"Would you like a job?"

"So, the shopkeeper wants us to take that package to the trading post on the highway?" Anli asked, summarizing what their task was. The shopkeeper, at Elazul's request, had agreed to hire Anli as well. She was getting paid, so those reasons were good enough for her.

"That's right. We shouldn't run into any trouble along the way what-so-ever."

"What about Pearl? Is she okay with you leaving town to do all of these odd jobs?"

"She's fine. I've told her to stay in town. Besides, Domina is a small town, so it's relatively safe."

"But what about all of the travelers and merchants?"

"Don't worry, this is the only job I know of that requires me to leave town. It shouldn't take long. Besides, you're with me, and I have faith that the job will go a lot quicker with the two of us."

Anli shrugged. Elazul continued, his tone growing softer and at the same time, more urgent.

"Don't get me wrong; Pearl's safety is my number one priority. If there's anyone or anything in Domina that can or will put her in danger, we'll leave immediately. I don't want her to get hurt…"

"I see. Where will you go?

"We plan on heading to Gato Grottoes. We haven't been there in a long time, and because of the fact that the Temple of Healing is there, it's safe."

Her interest immediately peaked.

"You've been to Gato? When? What's it like?"

"About nine or ten years ago. Pearl and I had just met sometime before. It's actually a very nice town; up in the cliffs and it's actually pretty warm. There's plenty of red adobe and sandstone – which is what the buildings are made out of. It hardly rains, but when it does, it's very sturdy. There's a sense of serenity and calm there… Some people would even call it nostalgic."

"Sounds pretty." Anli had said, almost wistfully and softly, more to herself than to him. She suddenly blinked and looked up at him.

"Wait, ten years ago? But you would've been–"

"Jumi age differently than humans do. I may be the equivalent of a nineteen-year-old, but I'm actually eighty."

"Wow…" She said. It then dawned on her what that really meant, gasped and exclaimed.

"Laz! You're an old fart!"

Elazul laughed.

"Too you, I am! Anyway, Gato is a very pretty place. I hoped that we could've lived there. Maybe someday we will…together." He had taken a similar tone to Anli's with his statement, growing even softer and –what she thought so– affectionate at the mention of Pearl. In fact, he had always seemed to be like that whenever he was speaking of or in the presence of the shy and gentle Jumi Guardian…

Gentle and affectionate… Much like the eyes of that person from long ago… The one who told her to be strong. That strangely reminded of the boy-Holy Knight who lived in Gato Grottoes and had disappeared ten years ago; the same one who was rumored to be dead. Niccolo had mentioned him a few days before… Perhaps Elazul would know more?

"Hey, Elazul?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you hear about the Holy Knight that disappeared from the Temple of Healing ten years ago? Niccolo told me about it a few days ago."

"Why do you ask?" he asked, looking on with interest.

"I was just curious. Did they really make an effort to look for him?"

"Oh yes! For months!" Elazul replied. "Pearl and I saw his parents search the entire town and the surrounding areas. Several people from the temple itself –including myself– searched the Ulkan Mines where he was last seen, by a Blacksmith named Watts."

"He was last seen at the Ulkan Mines?"

"Yes. Watts reported seeing him looking for someone. They later found the Abbess-to-be at the lowest level. She was unconscious. I heard that, since then, she's become gravely ill. Some people believe it was a demon curse."

"And the other towns and cities know about this?"

"That's right," said Elazul. "The Holy Knight's father went around looking for him and word spread like wildfire."

"Wow…"

"People have moved on since then, as they always do, and it's pretty much been forgotten by now. He's been presumed to be dead."

There was a moment's pause as they continued walking. Anli's expression changed from curiosity to that of distant thoughtfulness.

"Did you…" she trailed off.

"Hmm? Did I what?"

"Did you ever see him? The Holy Knight?"

It was Elazul's turn to look thoughtful as he stopped and tried to remember. It had been so long ago… Gato, while larger than Domina, was still relatively small compared to Geo and Lumina. Was it possible? Ah, now he remembered…

"Yes, I did. Once or twice."

"Really? Do you remember what he looked like?" Anli became far more interested than before. Elazul took another moment to remember the fuzzy details of memories that have been faded by time.

"I guess so, I'm not entirely sure. I think he had blonde-ish hair – really messy, like a mop or something. I don't know, it's been a very long time. But I do remember that he was about ten or eleven at the time. If he was still alive, he'd be–"

"-Twenty or twenty-one…" Anli finished for him with a sad sense of nostalgia.

"That's right. Kind of sad though. It's a pity for him to have died at such a young age."

"Not fair. People shouldn't have to be alone when they die."

"I'd have to agree. However, such an event took place in the past. Those that wished they could've done something to prevent it have moved like everyone else." The Jumi spoke softly, in a nurturing, familiar tone.

"That sucks."

"Haha, yeah."

Another moment passed.

"What if he was still alive?"

"Then he'd still be at Gato."

"Then why didn't they make a better effort to look for him? Did they just leave him – abandon him?" Anli cried, becoming more stressed and upset.

"I don't know. Like I said, people looked for him for months. Eventually, the priestess-to-be got sick and people started focusing on her–"

"So it was that stupid priestess's fault?"

"Anli! Don't call the current Abbess of the Temple of Healing stupid! She's just very sickly! And people who have failing health need more attention than–"

"So they left him to die, didn't they?"

"I don't know! Look Anli, I only now the bare details and–"

"So they abandoned him, leaving him for dead, just to take care of some stupid sickly priestess?"

"Anli!"

"Just what the hell's so special about her, anyway? Isn't his life just as important? They should've done more! They shouldn't have stopped looking for him! Maybe he would've turned up! You said you were there! Maybe you could've convinced them to do more!"

"Anli!"

"Besides, how can they just leave him? What if he's alive and all alone? He– he shouldn't have to be alone! He shouldn't!"

"ANLI!"

Elazul grabbed her shoulders, silencing her emotional ranting. The girl stared back at him, wide-eyed and upset. She tried saying something in protest, but couldn't. What more could she say?

"Anli, listen to me. I understand how you feel. I didn't like it either when they stopped looking for him, and I did try to convince them to keep searching. But his mother fell ill, and his father had to cease his own searching to look out for her."

"But– but that's his son! He should've kept trying!"

"Anli, his parents did keep trying to find him, but they couldn't find any trace of him. And like I've said, the priestess fell gravely ill and in this day and age, the life of a priestess is far more important than that of a Holy Knight."

The Jumi let go of the girl's shoulders when he saw that she had calmed down. He had also noticed that she looked rather defeated.

"What happened to his parents?" Anli finally asked after a moment.

"They died of grief. The boy was their only son, and they couldn't have any more children, even though they tried."

"And what would've happen if they found him alive?"

"Then he would be living in Gato, living his life only to protect a sickly priestess. And then, after she dies, he would have to protect another girl that would become the priestess, and end up being trapped there. It's better that he's gone–"

"How can you say that? Even if his life wouldn't have been perfect, he would still have people that would love and accept him! And for that reason alone, he should've lived…"

Elazul no longer had anything to say. There really wasn't anything else that he could say that would ease the girl or make her change her viewpoint. And she was right; even if the boy's life wouldn't have been perfect and even if he wouldn't be able to make his own choices, the Holy Knight still would've had people that loved him. For that, the Jumi started thinking it was best to encourage the girl's interest in finding out his fate. But first…

"You're right. He should've lived. I was wrong to have said that, and I'm sorry."

Anli grinned a little.

"Damn right you are!"

Elazul nodded in return, glad to see that the girl was no longer distressed. His expression then became more serious and curious at the same time as they resumed walking along the road.

"If you don't mind my asking, why do you want to find the Holy Knight so much?"

It was Anli's turn to have nothing more to say. She struggled to piece together a good answer and tried to at least get it to make sense. Yet… how could he understand her true intentions? Then again, Elazul seemed to have his own agenda of some sort so maybe he would. Finally, she answered. It probably wouldn't hurt if she threw him a bone, figuratively speaking.

"I wanna find something dear to me, and think that I can find some clues to that something if I look for the Holy Knight."

"I see. And that something is?" Elazul then regretted the question as soon as he saw the girl's hesitant response. Anli fidgeted and shuffled as she remained silent for a moment.

"Um, it's personal. I don' wanna go into a lotta detail."

"I see then," he hesitated, carefully wording his next response. "I apologize for asking." The girl replied, putting on her usual cheerful demeanor and stretching her arms behind her head.

"Nah, don' worry 'bout it. I figured you ask me anyway, but truth be told, I just wanna make sure of something–"

"…Something that may be related to your past?"

Anli said nothing. Elazul took the silence as an affirmative, shrugged and patted the girl on the shoulder.

"I'm sure you'll find answers. In the meantime, let's get to that outpost and get the job done."

"Huh? Oh! Oh yeah! That! I fergot 'bout that!"

The Jumi grinned and chuckled slightly.

"Understandable. You were getting a little emotional."

"Really? Eh-heh-heh, sorry ya had to see that…"

"Not be ashamed of that; it shows that you care. It's a good trait to have these days."

"Yeah, whatever ya say, Blue Boy!"

"Will you stop calling me 'Blue Boy'? It's annoying!"

"Hey! You were the one that startled me in the shop, Blue Boy!"

"Agh! I said don't call me that!"

"Blue Boy! Blue Boy! Blue Boy!"

"Anli!"

The transaction of the parcel at the trading post had gone well, and in exchange, Anli and Elazul had received another parcel containing the shop keeper's order. The owner's teenage son had been red-faced the entire time as he witnessed the transaction and took inventory, though fumbling his duties and getting distracted by Anli's presence.

"He must've thought you were cute," Elazul remarked as they made their way back. Anli grinned at the statement.

"He must've been shy too."

It was dusk when they returned. Pearl was waiting for them outside the tavern "Amanda and Barrette's" with Bud and Lisa, who had finished their chores and headed into town some short time ago. The quintet had been having dinner together at the tavern for the last few days, and it was something they looked forward too.

Anli ran up to the waiting Jumi girl and the children, greeting them with a loud "hallo!" and a broad grin while Elazul approached more slowly. Pearl smiled softly and affectionately at her Knight while Anli and the twins chattered in greeting. Much to the twin's disappointment, nothing really exciting had happened while the two were away. None of them had noticed Elazul and Pearl speaking in hushed tones and glancing over at the bubbly girl. Finally, the Jumi Knight spoke up.

"Anli, I would like for you to come with me for a few minutes. There's something I want to do for you…"

"You sure?"

"Of course! Now, would you please come with me?" he replied, again making his request. The girl shrugged and told the children to wait for them at the tavern. Pearl moved towards the twins, fussing and ushering them like a mother would. She encouraged a restless Bud to settle down and gently brushed some dust off the twin's clothing. In that moment, Anli had noticed, Elazul was watching them – rather, Pearl – as the maiden led the children inside.

"Uh, 'Laz? You're spacing out."

"Oh, right. Sorry." He sheepishly flushed. Anli gave him an all-knowing grin.

"Thaaat's okay… You wanted to talk to me?"

"That's right, I did. Come with me to the shop if you would."

"The shop?"

"Didn't you heard what I said?" he mocked in jest.

"I heard ya, Blue Boy!"

Elazul, by now, had given up trying to convince her to stop calling him that name. Instead, he grinned, put his hand on her shoulder and led her towards the shop.

The shop keeper, a large, but gentle man named Mark and dressed like – of all things – a blue stag beetle, was cleaning up his shop and preparing to close for the day. His daughter was the girl, Rachel, whom Elazul had fiercely questioned a few days before. As a father and a citizen of Domina, he was concerned. But it when turned out that Elazul was an honorable youth and apologized, the incident was forgiven. Mark wasn't the type to hold grudges for very long anyway.

As a further blessing of sorts, the Jumi was also a very helpful errand-boy! The man chuckled to himself at the slight irony of it all. Come to think of it, the Jumi and his pretty Guardian also volunteered at the tavern his daughter worked at as a continued apology.

As if on cue, Anli and Elazul strode in. Mark looked up and nodded.

"Ah! Sir Elazul! Good to see you're back! I presume everything went well?"

"Indeed it did," Elazul replied, setting the parcel on the counter. "The owner sends his regards."

"That's good. I have the payment you've requested for you and your friend. Wait just a moment."

With that, the shopkeeper took the parcel from the counter and headed into the backroom. The sounds of him rummaging through various merchandise, odds and ends could be heard as Anli examined the wall displaying an array of well-crafted weaponry. Much to her dismay, the sword that she liked was gone.

"Aww, that sword is gone."

"It is?" Elazul inquired, half-grinning.

"Yeah. Someone must've bought it already. Oh well, there'll be other swords, right?"

"Perhaps there will, but you never know when you find a good one…" the Jumi Knight replied, his manner smothered with an all-knowing, almost playfully mischievous air. Anli turned to look at him, intrigued.

"You sound like you know something that I don't. What did you mean by that?"

Elazul smiled as the shop keeper emerged from the backroom. He walked right by her, prompting her to look his way as he went.

"Our payment's here."

"Huh? Hey, I asked you a question and – oh!"

There, on the counter, along with reasonably-sized bag of lucre for Elazul, was the sword.

"You got the sword? For who? I thought you already had one!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"You, of course!" he replied, picking the blade up by the hilt, unsheathing it and examining the craftsmanship.

Completely dubious, she approached. She kept switching her focus between the Jumi and the sword he was holding. On the counter was also the sword-belt and shield that went with it. Mark the shopkeeper grinned at the unfolding scene, and added in his side of the story.

"Your friend here asked me about hiring you for today's job. Since he did such good work for me earlier this week, I accepted the offer."

Elazul continued for the merchant.

"I explained to him that you helped me find Pearl with no regard for personal gain – you just did, and for that, I'm very grateful. Pearl and I both agreed that we should repay you somehow. When I saw you looking at this sword this morning, I knew exactly how I should repay you."

He sheathed the sword and handed it to Anli. As soon as he handed it to her, she started examining it, unsheathing it once again and staring at the blade; Razor sharp double edge, a well-chiseled blood groove running down the center, runic decorations at the base and center of the blade and rune-slots on the hilt-guard for magic runes, and cleanly wrapped black-leather hilt with a simple, rounded pommel. Breaking out of her stupor, she stepped back and started twirling it slowly and carefully. It felt so light and natural in her hands. Anli grinned broadly, but then she looked up at the Knight with confusion. He simply smiled.

"The shop-keeper was very kind in agreeing that this sword, and the shield and belt that went with it would be your payment for today's errand."

"Indeed. He was very insistent." Said Mark the shopkeeper. "Besides, I'm one for encouraging and rewarding acts of kindness. And from his accounts, you deserve it."

With that, Mark let out a boisterous laugh, and returned to the backroom, leaving the two in peace. Anli turned back to Elazul.

"'Laz… You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to. Pearl and I both did. We wanted to thank you for all that you've done for us, and this sword is perfect for you."

Anli opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again and looked thoughtfully at the sword. Indeed, she was grateful that Elazul would do such a nice thing for her, but she didn't ask for anything in return, nor did she want to. All she wanted to was to…

She bowed her head and held the sword out, as if to return it. Elazul sighed and shook his head.

"Thanks Elazul, but I can't. I can't take this–"

"Anli, don't worry about it." The Jumi gently replied, nudging the blade away. She looked up.

"But, all I did was something that anybody would've done. It was the right thing to do. You didn't have to."

"Like I said, I wanted to. Pearl wanted to thank you as well. So please, keep it. You'll need a good sword."

Anli grinned brightly, holding the sword in her hands. Elazul reached fro the sword belt and, like a fussy brother, fastened it to her waist. At his instruction, she sheathed the sword, then hooked it to the belt. Afterward, he handed her the shield and helped her strap it to her arm.

"There… Now you're fit to become a fine swordswoman."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

The soft look on his face faded and was replaced with his usual seriousness. The Jumi Knight looked her squarely in the eye and spoke.

"As of now, you will receiving swordsmanship lessons from me. If you want to know how to fight effectively with that sword of yours, you'll need training and knowledge of the basics. As your Sword Master, Instructor and friend, I want you to pay full attention to what I have to teach you. Do you understand this?"

It took her a moment to completely register this in her dubious shock. Afterward, she grinned brightly and mischievously right back at him.

"You bet ya!" Elazul grinned and nodded in approval.

"Exactly what I want to hear! Now, we will officially start your training tomorrow morning, and end at lunch. I want you to wake up bright and early tomorrow, as I'll be coming over. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me! What will I be learning?"

"The basics of swordsmanship, along with how to better blend your spell-casting with your sword. I will continue training you until I feel that you've sufficiently mastered the basic training and the blending of spell-casting. Since I'm not a mage, Bud or Lisa can help us out with that area. This will all depend on your learning curb, how quickly you understand and grasp concepts, and how much you've been practicing."

"But, what if you leave and end my training?"

"You have the right, as a novice swordsman, to ask another older and more experienced fighter to give you additional training. Just be sure that they are trust-worthy and are knowledgeable in what you want to know. You may do this until you feel you've progressed enough to officially end your training and no-longer be called a novice. Do you understand that?"

"Yep!"

Elazul grinned.

"Excellent! We will begin first thing tomorrow after breakfast! I want you up, awake and ready! Don't make me come and drag you out of bed!"

"You won't need to!"

"Good."

He leaned in closer to her, both indigo-hued eyes staring intently into her own, as if to emphasis this point.

"I'll be expecting that."

He pulled away, turned his back towards her and started for the door. A casual flick of his hand singled to her to follow him, but when he couldn't hear the soft clump clump clump of her clogged boots trailing behind him, he stopped and took a look. Anli was gazing at the sword with an intensity he'd never seen before in the girl. For a moment, it reminded him of someone else… Someone he thought he had put behind in his past and left buried and forgotten in the abyss of blurred memories. But then, he saw something else in the girl – something that reminded him of his own feelings for Pearl… Affection. But why was this so?

Anli, oblivious to Elazul's musings, gazed deeply at the sword. It wasn't out of admiration for the craftsmanship or the fact that the blade was perfect for her, no. Something else. Instead of looking at it as just a mere pretty weapon, she saw it as something else.

In her eyes, it was a tool to protect.

For some reason, she could recall a woman from long, long ago, telling her something very important. Perhaps the woman was a mentor of sorts, as she could scarcely remember a beautiful woman with strawberry-blonde hair… But for right now, in this very moment, the image of the woman was irrelevant…

"In this day and age, there is little need for swords, sorcery and heroes. Now, people only use swords for self-defense against the odd, frightened wild animal. Because of this, people have forgotten what the true purpose of a sword is…"

"And what's that?" she heard her younger self say in her mind's eye.

"A sword is a tool to protect the ones you love the most in this world. Never forget that, my dear child…"

"To protect… To be strong… Just like that person said, 'Be strong for me.' A sword is a tool to protect…"

"Anli?" Elazul softly prodded.

"It's just like in the old stories. Only heroes and knights had swords, and they used their swords only for good."

"Anli? Are you alright?"

"Knights used their sword to protect. Elazul is a knight, and he protects Pearl…"

"Er, Anli?"

"That person said to be strong for him. I intend to keep that promise."

"Anli?" Elazul said again, stepping closer.

"I'm going to be strong. I'll become a knight, a protector."

"Anli, we need to get going." The Jumi stated, reaching out a hand.

"I'm going to find and protect that Holy Knight. No matter what happens, I'll protect him."

Elazul's hand fell softly on her shoulder.

"I'll be the protector."

Anli looked up, met the Jumi Knight's dubiously curious stare and shuffled away from his grasp. Elazul could only stare mildly dumbly as he watched her turn her attention back to the sword, and then to him. Something was different about her, reminding him of fire. Now he understood what he saw in the girl. He saw a part of himself, making a quiet oath a long time ago into the flames of a campfire. This little flame was burning brighter and hotter than any orange-hued light born from sticks and twigs and stones. This flame before him that the fire of Salamander. Courage…

Anli spoke firm and strong, resonating with inner courage.

"I'm going to find him, Elazul. And when I do, I'm going to protect him, no matter what happens. I'll be the Knight from here on out. I'm going to find that Holy Knight because now…"

She trailed off. Elazul cocked his head off to one side, as if to urge her on, raising an eyebrow and curious to what she had to say. She continued.

"Because now I'm his Knight!"

That was it. The Jumi now knew. It was the universal will to protect that all knights had. Anli was no longer just a mere girl anymore, she was going to become a Knight to protect another Knight. As odd as that may have sounded at first, it also made a great deal of sense. Why exactly, he did not entirely know. It just made sense… With that, he smiled – an open, encouraging and acknowledging smile, one he only shared with people he considered kin.

"Then go for it." He said. Anli grinned broadly and brightly, sheathed the sword, and they strolled out of the shop together and back to the tavern where Pearl and the children were waiting.

END OF CHAPTER SIX

Wow, an actual chapter written after a two-year hiatus! XD New formatting this time, and I'll eventually go back and reformat previous chapters when I can or if needed. And please do excuse the sporadic jumps in style; I've been writing this off and on and my writing is gonna continue being a little wonky as I get back into the groove of things…

This chapter delved a little bit deeper into Anli and Elazul's characters here. Added some blatantly obvious shojo elements and melodrama and allusions to a couple of other characters. Though, I think the official pairing for this fic is pretty obvious now. XD (As where before, folks could saunter over to my profile where I proudly announce it to the world through a bullhorn…) Less than perfect, but overall not a bad restart. Anyway, hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter. More soon, hopefully without having to go into another two-year-long hiatus. Ha!

Edit 3/22/08: Went back and edited the chapters per site standards. Also corrected whatever little errors I could find (particularly the whole "Abyss-Abbess" thing. My bad. Thanks for the heads-up, Ovo.).