User blog:Carol of the bells/Days of Ruin --- Zen's exile, part 22

Days of Ruin --- Zen's exlie, part 22
"Flame Changer!" Michele dashed forward, swinging her axes at Selena. The water unit blocked the attack Lexida, but was taking considerable damage, despite being a water attribute. Zeln intervened, hitting the rogue from behind with a lightning attack.

"G-gah...." Michele coughed up blood, finally succumbing to exhaustion and fading into white light.

Lancia immediately healed her two comrades. "We did it!" She cheered.

Zeln let out a relieved laugh. "Hah! I knew we could And that wet blanket Sergio didn't even have to step in."

Said water unit cleared his throat, standing directly behind him.

"Wah!" Zeln bowed down apologetically, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"Are you alright, Selena?" Zen asked, coming to stand next to her unit.

"I'm fine, dear," The unit smiled tiredly, "Just a little worn out."

The summoner nodded. "You may return now, if you wish."

Lancia and Selena complied, as well as Zeln--though he mostly just wanted to get away from Sergio--and the three faded into white light, returning.

Zen walked up to the gate, her eyes glowing white. She set her hands on the invisible door to open it. But instead, her eyes returned back to their original blue color. She blinked. "W-what...?"

"What's wrong?" Sergio asked from behind her.

The summoner shook her head. "I...I don't know...I can sense the gate; it's still there, but...I can't open it..."

The water unit stood next to her. "What do you mean? It's locked?"

"No," She said, hand still on the gate, "It's like...whoever is on the other side is holding it closed." She furrowed her brow in frustration. "I do not understand, this has never happened before..." She tried again, but it still wouldn't budge.

About an hour went by as Zen continued to try to open the gate while Sergio watched quietly. Finally, the summoner turned around abruptly, heading for the exit. "I do not require a stubborn, rebellious unit."

Sergio stopped her. "Wait, Zen," He said, "Have some patience. We've already come this far, yes?"

Reluctantly, she nodded, turning back to the gate.



Zen sat against a pillar of rock, staring at the gate. It still wouldn't open--or rather, the unit wouldn't let her open it. "Is it some kind of test?" She wondered aloud.

"That's it!" Sergio suddenly exclaimed, startling the summoner.

"W-what?"

The water unit stood. "Perhaps this unit is different from the rest--he doesn't want his gate opened, he wants to invite you. You simply have to ask."

She raised a brow. "You mean....you want me to knock?"

He nodded.

She sighed, rising from her sitting place. "I suppose I should try it." She walked up to the gate, glanced back at Sergio, then lifted her hand. She gave three firm knocks, then stepped back. For a moment, nothing happened. Zen was just about to give up when the gate suddenly opened, a bright light flooding the cavern.

When the light faded, a chuckle sounded through the room. "Took you long enough," a deep male voice said, "I was wondering when you would figure it out, summoner." The unit was a tall, well built man. He was quite tan, and had spikey brown hair pulled back into a low pony tail. "My name is Galant," He introduced himself.

"I-I'm Zen..." She finally managed to say, still surprised that knocking had actually worked.

Galant hummed in thought, looking her over. "Yes, you'll make a fine apprentice.""

"Eh?"

Sergio quickly walked to Zen's side, eyeing the fire unit warily. "What are you talking about?" He demanded.

Galant laughed. "Aren't you an uptight one?" He placed a hand on Zen's shoulder, much to Sergio's displeasure. "Well, don't just stand there, Zen. Where are you headed?"

She blinked, still a little confused. "A-ah...no where in particular..."

He shook his head. "No, that answer wont do. We'll have to fix that." He gave her shoulder a pat before walking to the exit. "Let's get going, shall we?"

"I regret figuring out his riddle..." Sergio muttered.

She smiled a little. "W-well, he's definitely unique..." They followed Galant out of the cavern. "I just hope Mifune can control his temper around him..."



So sorry it took so long to get this chapter out~