Balance of Power

Part2

Ok well welcome back…I'm not gonna explain everything ok (well not in this bit anyway) and by now you should have read the first part…if not then… WHAT ARE YOU DOING READ THIS? Ok let's just get on with the story. (One last thing I sometimes notice that I think I switch between tenses' I really don't know how to stop myself from doing it since I have a pretty terrible memory sometimes. Sorry about that)
When we last left Elle she was drifting off to sleep after awakening from her dream…

Part 2
<Elle rolled over and looked out at the tree… It was a stormy night so it was pretty stupid to sit in a tree but there was something there. A flash of lightning illuminated the night, silhouetting everything that blocked it and then she saw it… the figure of something large, she jumped as a crack of thunder shock the house…
Elle blinked and it had vanished… Everything was deathly quiet… nothing moved, nothing sounded except the constant du-dumb-du-dumb of her heart beating fast…
Not even the wind dared move or even make a sound… something in the house creaked… a door being opened and the creaking of the hinges sent a chill down her spine and made all the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end…
The door closed and again there was silence. She listened hard, listened to the dark not knowing what she was listening for just listening…
A floorboard creaked and a very soft footstep was heard. But so minute that she only just heard it before it disappear again. Something was moving through the house something very stealthy, something very quiet… she heard another creaking floorboard it was almost outside her room!
The door slowly opened creaking a little on the hinges…something or someone very large was standing there looking into the room… The creature scanned the room looking from the window to the empty bed, from the empty bed to the ceiling, from the ceiling to the bare wooden floorboards. The creature stepped into the room constantly looking around. Then for no reason at all, the creature put a finger to its ear… it nodded and turned to leave the room. Elle though had been hiding under the floor looking up at this thing through the cracks in-between the wooden floorboards, unluckily for her the weight of this man meant when ever he stepped a little puff of dust fell just beneath where his feet would be. The dust was getting the better of her, she couldn't hold it in, she coughed but oh so silently. Not silent enough for the next moment the creature stopped. It turned and looked down towards the floor. Elle managed to catch a glimpse of the creature's face that was turning ever so slightly into a smile of triumph. It had obviously found what it was looking for and before she could move and hand had come down through the floor and was grasping her hair tightly. She tried to move away but it was too painful instead she cried out as loud as she could but her face was quickly smothered by another huge hand. The creature (which was human male) pulled her out of from under the floor and put the hand holding her hair around her waist so as to restrain her. She kicked and writhed and bit the man but still he held on and slowly moved her towards the front door. When he reached the door he let the hand around her mouth drop just for a second to try and open the door. Elle took her chance and screamed as loud as she could. This time she'd done it, her family was awakening, she was going to be saved.
Those were her last thoughts before something hard hit her over the back of her head. Her body went limp and the man put her over his shoulder before calmly walking out of the door just as her father reached it but what he saw outside was something that stopped him dead in his tracks. There were five or six men and woman standing outside in the rain but it was what was behind them that scared him. Out of the darkness Three dragons moved forward, each one at least the size of his house completely black their huge wings raised upwards and growling slightly at the man. The rain dripped down their scaly body's making them shine in the lightning. The other man meanwhile was loading Elle on to the back of one of them along with himself. The others turned back towards the dragons and climbed onto the back of them just as the dragon Carrying Elle lifted itself from the ground and back off into the night. One man stayed though…he walked towards Elle's father in total calm and handed him a scroll encased in a plastic wallet>
Dragon Knight…
Elle's Father: What is the meaning of this, why are you taking my daughter? She's not well she needs to be in bed! Why are you doing this? WHY?
Dragon Knight…<The Knight turned away back to his comrades who where still waiting>
Elle's Father: Answer me! <He grabbed the knight and spun him round before grabbing his collar>
Dragon Knight… Please let go of me I don't wish to hurt you… all is explained in the letter, I suggest you read it
Elle's Father: Where are you taking my daughter <He clung tighter>
Dragon Knight… <The man flew backwards and landed on his stomach. The Knight had hit him hard with the palm of his hand sending him flying backwards>
Elle's Father: *Cough* *Wheeze* *Pant*
Dragon Knight… < The knight turned away and ran back to his waiting comrades. He climbed aboard the dragon and flew off back into the night>
Elle's Mother: *Cry* *Weep* Oh what have the done < She runs to her husband and helps him up>
Elle's Father: Oh my daughter…*Cry*
<Elle's Mother helped her husband up, tears in her eyes and the rain beating hard apon her face. She let at cry of pain so loud that even the even the element spirits could here. A cry of a mother who had lost her child… they cry of someone who had lost what little life they had left in them. She held her husband tight and the two moved back inside that house
Elle awoke feeling groggy. Her thumping headache had returned and she remembered it with a loathing displeasure. She propped herself up and looked around the room. It looked a bit like a castle room. The cobbled floor, the cold stone brick walls, the large wooden doors, the wonderful bed, and a roaring fire in the fireplace. In front of the fire were two leather and she could just make out the outline of someone sitting in one of them. The light in the room was coming only from the fire and the silvery glow of the moonlight shining in from a window. A voice called to her>
Voice: Your awake now then. Good, good. Please come and sit with me by the fire. <The voice was soft and comforting even though it was a man's. Elle got up out of the bed finding herself a little dizzy and to her horror naked. Embarrassment, resent, fear and whole hoard of emotion swept over her before she realised that she was unharmed and cold>
Voice: I know you're frightened, it's a strange feeling waking up in a strange place.
Elle: Wha-What have you done to me? Where am I? Who are you?
Voice: Hush child. Put some clothes on first you must be cold. There are some clean clothes in the wardrobe over there by your bed.
<She turned around and quickly moved over to the wardrobe finding a pair of clothes and hurriedly putting them on>
Voice: I'll send for some hot cocoa. It'll warm you up but for now come and sit down. <She moved towards the chair and saw the man pressing a button on a piece of equipment on the small table next to him. He talked to it and a voice of a woman replied saying that she would be there in a few minutes>
Elle: Where are my clothes and what have you done to me?
Man: Hush now… There is a lot you must know. Your clothes are drying we had to remove them because of how soaked they. We haven't done anything to you. Is there anything else you need right now?
Elle: Why am I here? Who are you? What happened to me? I don't remember anything much…Oww! <She clutched at her head>
Man: What's the matter? <Elle noticed he had a genuine note of concern in his voice and it reassured he slightly>
Elle: My head…it hurts a lot.
Man: Here take this. <He reached inside his breast pocket and pulled out a small silver box. He opened it and pulled out a small red pill. He offered it to her and she took it from him without fear or hesitation>
Elle: Thank you…<She was slightly taken aback at what she had done>
Elle: <Thinks> Why aren't I afraid?
<Before she realised what she was doing she popped the pill into her mouth and swallowed it>
Elle: What! What did I just do! <She stood up> Tell Me NOW! What did you do to me?!
Man: Hush its only something for the pain and to help you recover faster now please sit down.
<She looked at him for a second taking in the features. His hair was long flowing down and down all the way to his feat and midnight blue in colour>
Elle: Its you… the man from my dream you were talking with the high Priestess of Light, Luminar!
Man: <He smiled a kind smile at her> No that is someone else although related to me in a way. I can see why you might mistake me for him.
Elle: But then… who are you? Where am I?
Man: My name…Zedric… Zedric Inverse (Hey I can have my self as a character so no complaints) and this is one of the Dragon Knight Castles
Elle: But…but wait I know you. Your thought to be the leader of The Black Library so what are you doing here?
Zedric: I see you're quite well informed and yes that is the case. I am one of the leaders of The Black Library but I have other connections to other groups and organisation one being the Exodus Dragon Knights.
Elle: So why am I here?
<There was a knock at the door>
Zedric: Ah here it is. Come in!
<The door opened and an plump woman wearing maid's clothes walked in carrying a tray with two steaming cups on top. She placed them on a table between the chair's>
Zedric: Thank you Holly that will be all for now.
<Holly bowed and quickly walked out of the room again closing the doors behind her>
Zedric: Drink up child it won't hurt you. <Zedric lifted his cup and sipped at it gently holding it in two hands. Seeing this, Elle decided that it was safe and lifted her own cup holding it in both hands and blowing on it softly to cool it down then sipping it and enjoying the hot sweet taste. The two talked for a long time till the fire had gone down. Elle asked questions about anything she could think of and Zedric answered them well most of them>
Zedric: I must go now I'm afraid. I will see you tomorrow that's when things begin. Good night
Elle: Good night then…
<Zedric walked out of the room and closing the doors as he went. Elle looked into the fireplace at the red-hot cinders still glowing>
Elle: Tomorrow it all begins…
<She felt her eyes becoming heavier and heavier but before she could try and reach the bed she fell asleep in the chair>

<Sun light fell into the room and warmed Elle's face. She groaned and slowly began to wake up. To her surprise she was in the bed this time wearing a night-gown. She got up and walked around to room. She found the bathroom and washed herself before changing her clothes. She went to open the large wooden doors to step outside but thy opened before she could touch them. Standing there in front of her was the kind rosy faced woman Holly>
Holly: Up all ready 'Mam? Didn't think you'd wake for at least a few more hours. I was going to come and bring you breakfast for when you woke up but seeing as your already here I'll go do it now. <She walked away down a flight of stairs. It really was a castle! The old stone arches the spiral staircases! Elle moved swiftly across the cold stone floor towards one of the staircases leading higher up the castle. She had always loved exploring things and now was the perfect time to explore the castle so she began the climb up the stairs. Higher she went still higher and higher but still the stairs didn't stop. On and on but she kept telling herself that it was just around the corner and the next few steps would be the last. After about 2 minutes or so of climbing up the stairs opened out to a corridor. There stood Four doors and a passage way between them. She walked closer to one of the doors to see that it had a golden nameplate across. Something was written on it but it was in a different language or code and she couldn't read it. When she reached for the handle she stopped something was holding her back… a voice in her head whispered to her>
Whispering Voice: Don't do it. No stop, don't do it, let go, draw back move away.
Elle: Get out, get out of my head!
<She drew back and the voices stopped. Deciding that it probably wasn't the best thing to go back and try it again she moved on towards the passageway. The passage led out into a courtyard with a beautiful array of plants and flowers of all shapes sizes and colours. Elle looked out at the surrounding scene to see that it was in some sort o mountain range but she didn't recognise any of them. The air was cool but not cold despite them being so high up. She stayed in the garden for a while admiring the plants and trees before she realised that there was still much left to explore. At the other end of the courtyard was a small flight of steps leading up to a wondrous ornate door. Slowly feeling it with her hand she heard a Roar and spun around almost at the point of screaming. There in the yard was a dragon but not as she had expected it. It was about as tall as she was and as long as a small car might have been. It was snow white with two heads and large wings. She stood there motionless paralysed with fear as she watched it. The armoured head's looking at with intent. The dragon came up close to her and looked at her. Elle's heart was beating faster than it had ever done but to her amassment the creature lowered its heads. From somewhere inside of her she had the urge to touch it…and slowly she put a hand out to touch the dragon. She placed her hand on its head and the dragon let a out a little groan of pleasure. Elle smiled and began to relax as she stroked the two armoured heads. The armour was cold and hard much as she was expecting but the scales were smooth and soft and like nothing she'd ever felt. Just then a familiar voice sounded>
Holly: Ah here you are. I knew you wouldn't have gone far. I see you've met Snow there. She's always being stroked very kind as well.
Elle: She's so soft and gentle…I had no idea that dragons could be like this.
Holly: Not many people do. I know I didn't until I came here. The last of the dragons are here safe from people who would rather kill them for sport of for their hides and other such things. Dragons are magic creatures children think that they are just in fairy tales but there are always here. Their bodies contain a variety of things which makes them valuable. Their bones can be used in potions of all kinds and have a variety of uses including the recovery and healing of anything. Their hide is stronger than anything made by man and there are too many others that make them wanted by hunters.
Elle: That's terrible you can't just kill something for it skins.
Holly: I know but people still do it. Even we do…but only after the dragon have died. That way nothing is wasted and the dragon will live on forever even in a way but even so I don't like to see it happen. The dragon knights are all very ceremonial about it so as not to become greedy or anger the dragons spirit. Even they are ashamed of doing it but if after that dragon is lost it will still live on protect other dragons and people helping things in a way that it could not do before.
Elle: Wow! I had no idea.
Holly: Ah well how about some tea and crumpets then…
<The two sat out in the courtyard playing with the dragon and talking and eating till a young maid appeared and talked to Holly in a hushed whisper. Holly nodded and the maid hurried off again>
Holly: I'm afraid I must go now. There's some one waiting to meet you. Go through those doors and follow the passage.
Elle: <Thinks> Who could it be?
Elle: He-Hey!
<Before she could asked Holly had already disappeared. How very strange these people were she thought. Continuing on though Elle did as Holly had said and found herself in a dark room with a illuminated spot in the middle>
Strange Voice: State your name.
<Elle was slightly taken aback at the disembodied sound a strange voice but none the less she answered>
Elle: My name is Elle Yaginatri
Narrator: Yaginatri (Yag-in-at-tree)
Strange voice: We've been waiting for you Elle Yaginatri.
Strange voice #2: Yes we've been watching you all through you life trying to stop this from happening but even we cannot change this fate.
Strange voice: Now it is your time. You must restore the balance of power before the chaos takes a firm grip on this world.
Strange voice #3: You have no choice Elle Yaginatri. Before you set out there are some people you must talk to first.
<Something resembling a glass frame is lowered from the ceiling. It hung in front of Elle and the space inside the frame shimmered before a crystal clear image of her parents came into view>
Elle: Mother! Father!
Father & Mother: Elle!
Father: Are you ok my daughter?
Mother: Are you safe?
Elle: Yes I'm fine I'm being looked after well here.
Mother: Good
Father: We know you must leave us now so we will send you off with out blessings.
Elle: But…
Mother: Hush now…Don't fret we're always here. We'll always be waiting for you…now go off, put a smile on your face…
Elle: But…
Father: No but's… you go out and save our world. We know you can do…
Father & Mother: Good bye Elle…
<The image disappears and the frame is raised back into the darkness>
Strange Voice: It is time now.
Strange Voice #2: Yes.
Strange Voice #3: Seek out Temple of Light but be quick time is running out. Flamer will guide you.
Elle: Flamer? The Flamer…?
Flamer: Yes that's me in person
<A Figure appears from out of the darkness>
Strange Voice: Take great care of her Flamer.
Strange Voice #2: Deliver her safely into the protection of Luminar
Strange Voice #3: We know you can do it now go!
Flamer: I will not fail my Lords.

This story part written by Zedric Inverse

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Well I suppose that's it. Thanks to Flamer for being such a nice guy, a good sport and giving me support in this. I thought it was only fair if I put him in.
Thanks again to:
Cherubae
Chrono Cross Music team for making great music to listen to.
Quintet for making this fanfic possible
The usual people

Special Thanks goes to:
Flamer for his support
Me mum for making me all those cups of tea that I needed ;) Thanks Mum!

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OH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!! OR WHAT EVER YOU CELIBRATE HAVE A NICE TIME!!!