//------------------------------// // Trixie's Trials: Age of Fire // Story: Balance // by BioQuillFiction //------------------------------// As Trixie and Alex walked up to the ruins, the sounds of heavy, small sized thuds echoing from its depths. “And that would be…” Trixie thought. “The...guardians.” Alex finished, both parties drawing their swords. Before them, emerging from the ruins came a beast of massive stature. It’s lower half that of a spider whos body was merged with flames itself, and in it’s head was, from the waist up, a woman, topless, wielding a large flaming sword. “...Oh fuck all kinds of duck…” Trixie muttered. The creature then raised a hand, pointing at Trixie. “Y̧̛o̢͡҉͟ų̴̢,̨͞ ̵̷̢̧c̵̷̢̀̕o҉m̵̛̛͘̕ę́ ̶̧̛͝͝w̕͢͜͜͢í̵͟͠t̷͟͢͝h͜͏́͝ ͘͢m͜͝͞e̷͟͟.͠  “ It… said. Trixie, nor Alex seemed to be able to understand it. “...Uh, what was that?” Trixie asked. She seemed to sigh, rolling her eyes before tossing Trixie an old, withered ring. Confused, Trixie looked it over, then put it on. She felt an old magic activate. “Come with me.”:Trixie looked up, seeing that the creature spoke, and she understood clearly. “Just you.” “I’ll… be back.” Trixie said. “Wait, what? No, not alone. What if it’s a trap?” Alex said. “Relax, I’m stronger than I appear.” She assured, following the creature into the ruins. “That’s what they all say.” Alex muttered, Trixie following the creature. Deep inside the ruins, one floor below, there was the bell, and, a lever to activate it. “Go on.” The creature said. Trixie wasn’t paying attention, rather, her attention was drawn to a seemingly normal piece of the wall. “Why do you look that way?” “I have studied all types of illusion spells… what are you hiding, cause that is a very good spell.” The creature smiled. “Very impressive. Not many notice the illusionary wall unless they stumble into it. I am Quelaag, guardian of the Bell of Awakening of the Depths below, and Daughter of Chaos.” “Okay...so where is the other one?” “P-pardon?” “I was told there are two guardians for each of the bells. Where is the other one?” “...” “... That false wall… you’re protecting them. What happened?” “...the ill land outside poisoned her. She fell ill so fast. I did everything, but in the end we had to bind her to a Bonfire, making her a Firekeeper. She survived, but she is terribly weak, bearly alive and in terrible pain always. Humanities help, but only for a little while.” “You don’t even care about guarding the bell, do you?” “Neither of us do. We only stayed because Kingseeker Frampt asked us to.” “Kingseeker who?” “Frampt, a rogue ancient snake that broke away from his dark brethren and aided the lords. With what has happened to Lord Gwen, he has lord to find the next Lord of Cinder to defeat, and replace Gwen as the kindling for the first flame.” “He expects people to willingly burn in a fire to keep it going?” “If they do not, darkness will fall the land, and all the lords will die off and the age of man will begin. The gods will be powerless.” “So the lords are being selfish?” “Not entirely. If the fire fades, and darkness falls, the Abyss will consume the land, mutating and devouring all life it touches.” “So… either it’s let selfish lords remain in power, or let this Abyss thing take over… either way sounds bad. The lords may keep life going, but mankind here suffers regardless which path is chosen.” “That is correct. It is admittedly the lesser of two evils.” “That’s still no way to live… something about this world has to be different from others then…” “Ah, so you are an offworlder.” Trixie flinched. “Relax, Gwen held one of these Keyblades also, long ago. I know all of his untold story.” “Heh, well good to know. Okay, so Uh, mind if I have a friend come here for a sec?” “Your ally outside is-” “Not him…” Trixie woke me up and had me regain control. I spoke with Quelaag, and understood the situation. She was rather surprised that Trixie’s body can hold two within it. “Is this illness magic or not?” I asked. “A mix of both from what I can tell.” Quelaag said. I nodded. “I might have something of use.” I said, reaching into the pouch and pulling out ten Darkmoon grasses. “This herb heals all wounds, and illnesses. It might save your sister if you can get her to ingest it.” “She can barely swallow, but I will try.” Quelaag said, taking the herbs from me and walking into the illusionary wall. Some time had passed before she emerged… her sister right behind her. “It….it worked.” She was crying. Tears of joy...bloody tears of joy but still. “At first I thought it wasn’t working, but after the first three she began to see again, then move.” “When I ate all ten, all my pain, weakness vanished.” Her sister finished. “Truly, you are a gods send Keyblade wielder.” “Heh, never thought I’d ever hear that.” I chuckled. I then reached back into my bag, taking twenty out and handing them to her. “In case something else happens.” “I will send a demon to plant these in Darkroot garden, the soils there will be perfect to grow these herbs.” Quelaag said. “Oh, thanks for reminding me. These only have this special property when picked at a a New Moon, and even then, it’s a rare find. It can grow into New Moon Grass, just as strong but it only heals the physical, not magical or sicknesses.” Quelaag nodded. “We will learn to perfect it’s growth. We have nothing but time.” She laughed. “Thank you. You have returned my sister to me. I am in your debt.” “And I owe you my life.” Her sister said. “Whatever you need, it’s yours.” “Heh, thanks. I’m gonna go ring the bell first.” I said, heading over to the lever and pulling it. It rang, and echoed from these deep bellows of slim and filth to the clear sky above. Time to rest again. I said to myself, drifting off to sleep to let Trixie take back over. She’ll do great. I know it.