Caller of the West Wind
By: Chibi-chan


         The Wind Caller Alter of Basker. They come here to try to summon the long-lost Guardian of Hope, Zephyr, here. All attempts up to now have failed. This time will be different; I can feel it. With Raftina and Justine helping us, we can't fail!

         The east wind blows as we climb to the top. Cecilia mutters something about it being a bad omen, but I can't believe that. If I do, I've already failed. We've come so far; we can't give up now! The wind of fate will change and bring to us the wing of hope…

         We arrive at the top. Wow, we're pretty up here. I never noticed this before… The Runes of Love and Courage shine as a dazzling light gathers before us. I hear a barely audible "What the hell…?" escaping from Jack's lips.

         Come on, Zephyr, you have to come back to us…

         "Even with our combined power, we still can't reach him," says the ghostly, echoing voice of Raftina.

         "No…" I barely get out, "It can't be…"

         Cecilia's denial, however, is far louder than my own. "How can this be?! Even with your power…?!"

         Anything else she says after that I can't recall. I did the only thing I could do at that point… Zephyr, come back. Come back to the people who hold hope in their hearts and those who need to. Please, you can't just leave us stranded. Zephyr… I could swear that the winds started to change, but I must remain focused. "Zephyr, Guardian of Hope, keeper of the west wind…"

         Raftina speaks in disbelief. "He's… trying to bring forth Zephyr with the light in his heart? Is that even possible for one who does not belong in this world?!"

         "… for all those who hold hope in their hearts and for those who need to regain it…"

         Justine this time. "This is impossible! How can an artificial being summon Zephyr when we cannot? How can he hope for the future? Can he even dream?"

         Each word comes as a strain now. How can they just give up?! "… I beseech you, come forward and grant us your aid…" I mustn't give up… for the future, for the ones I care about… I half-hear my friends encouraging me to go on. They say I belong; that's all I need… "ZEPHYR, I SUMMON THEE!"

         My cry rings out and echoes… then it is gone. The wind has changed and is blowing so strongly I can barely stand my ground. A sound, like that of stone shattering, is heard right before Cecilia cries out, "The dragon idol…!!" Out of the now -intensified light, the form of an immense dragon appears.

         "Zephyr…" Don't faint, don't faint, don't faint…

         The dragon speaks. "Who has finally awakened me from my long slumber?" He pauses and looks to me. "This artificial life…? Hmm… If he was able bring me here with the light from hie heart, I assume he is worthy of receiving my assistance. If you need me, just call my name in the name of Hope." With that, he vanishes, leaving behind a stone tablet, the Hope Rune. I hear a faint whisper of "Don't disappoint me…" as we go to leave the alter with the rune…

*
End

Nothing is hopeless when you believe hard enough…

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