Episode 11- Problem Child
"Rising sun", greets Zero as he and Inoko lie wrapped in knotted sheets. "Rising sun to you Zentaro", replies Inoko. Both lay with closed eyes feeling very relaxed. Surrounding them are pieces of chicken, beef, silver plates, a few silver forks, and empty cups of juice and wine. Before the late morning, Zero had stolen food within the inn, which resulted in a whirlwind of food and pleasure for the two.
"What happens now?", asks Zero after a long moment of silence. "I have to go back to my life. To work. I wasn't expecting to fall in love, but duty calls", says Inoko. "What is this duty?", asks Zero. Inoko pauses for a moment, then starts to speak, "I suppose a story is in order". Zero stays quiet as Inoko continues, "When I was a child, my father was a tactician in the war and my mother an archer trooper. I was trained, since I can remember, in both of their skills. I'm good with a bow, and I train tactics to the Grandoria soldiers of today.". "While blind?", asks Zero. "Trust me, my tactics are unmatched and highly regarded. And what of you? What does a man of your caliber do when you aren't wrapped in the arms of a blind woman?". "I'm just a traveler. I make a living where I can. No family. No home. Nowhere that I belong", says Zero. "Until now that is. I would like to see more of you, for a long time.", says Inoko as she smiles. Zero pauses in silence. "I don't think Grandoria would be a suitable home for me. Maybe somewhere more quiet. Something simple and just", responds Zero, then looks intently at Inoko, "Is that possible for you?". "I'll think about it.", says Inoko. "In the meantime, where would I be able to find you?", further asks Inoko. "I'll be in Grandoria for a while. You've inspired me. I have a few loose ends to tie up", says Zero with a cold stare.
The two get dressed and carefully climb out of the window in the room. They calmly walk towards the fountain where the two met. Still without a shirt, Zero gives a long kiss to Inoko, then walks off alone.
Castle in Grandoria- War Meeting Room
General Teno sits at the head of a long table in a finely lit room with chandeliers hanging and candles lit around the room. His chair is made of gold with red cushioning on the seat. General Mash Aikawa sits at the same table on the right side of General Teno. Teno is clad in his full golden armor and Mash is clad in silver armor with blue lining tracing the perimeter of each plate. Mash sits quietly with a silver helmet in his lap. The helmet shape matches the silver gauntlets on each of his knuckles in the form of angry dog-like beasts, representing the three heads of cerberus. Three other silver chairs are in the room with no one to occupy them. Red Dawn bursts into the room, grabbing the attention of Mash and Teno. Red Dawn is covered in her red armor as she makes her way towards the large table. "What is this urgent news my subordinates speak of?", asks Red Dawn. "It's General Yin Gonjo", says Teno. "And what of him?", continues Red Dawn. "He's dead", says Mash. "What? When!? How!?", asked Red Dawn. "Zero Justice", says Teno. Red Dawn sits in the empty seat across from Mash. "Words are being spoken across Grandoria. Morale is down. The people are worried. There is now a crack in our armor", says Teno. "And where is that fool, General Bunsaku Tojo!?", asks Red Dawn. "Wandering, as usual. You know how he is. He is very...weird, but works as an integral part of Grandoria. I didn't pick him as a general for his charming personality", says Teno sarcastically. "Nonetheless, we still have an issue at hand", continues Teno, "This 'Zero Justice' needs to be handled immediately". Mash grabs his helmet, rests it in between his hip and left forearm, then stands up from his chair. "I'll handle it", says Mash as he begins to walk away from the table towards the large double doors Red Dawn previously entered from. Red Dawn and Teno sit in silence as Mash leaves the room.
Chasm Lair of Noir Drew
Down at the bottom of the murky chasm stands Zero, fully dawning his dragon scale armor. He swiftly strikes at the open area in front of him as a dark light trail follows his slash. With his left hand, he forms a large dragon claw, then slashes forward, creating a wind-like noise. Zero pauses and drops his hands to his sides. Dark light surrounds his body forming a thin veil over him. His control of the power is getting better as he gains knowledge through battle experience.
The sound of a large footstep interrupts his concentration as the dark light energy fades away. Noir Drew creeps from the shadows towards Zero. "Theee deeeaaaaad huuumaaan brought baaack to liiiiife hassss shifted. Yooouuuur raaaage is weeaaaak", says Noir Drew. "I met a woman. I smiled. I havent smiled in a long time", says Zero. "Sssmiiiiilllleeed. Wiiith a huuuumannnoooiiiid. A foool can beee a foooool eveeen in twoooo lifffffe tiiiimessss", says Noir. "I'm no fool. Just smiling for once", says Zero. Noir Drew stops five feet away from Zero and sniffs the air around him. "Yoooouuuur abilitiiieeees aaaare maaaniffffesting in synchronnnnnizzed aliiiiiignment wittthhh yooouuurr raaaaage. Yoooouuu moooove paaast my oooown capabilitiiiieeees, yet yooouuu retuuuurn witttthhh nooo princesssss eeeeegg, a foooools trussssst, and the sceeeent of humannnnoiiiiiid mating rituaaals", says Noir.
Zero gets irritated.
"I'm in debt to you for saving my life, and I will find your egg, but I am not your puppet", says Zero. "We have the same goal. You want your egg and I want to kill the man who stole it.".
"A leeeaaap innn ignoraaanccce covering a decliiiiine innn strengtthhh. Aaaallll offf myy kind knoooow offff the greeeaaat theeeiiiiif huuuumannnooids referrrr to asss Tenoooo. Heee isss the embodiiiiment of flaaaame itseeelfff. In yooouuur current staaate, youuu are noooo maaatch forrrr himm", says Noir.
This further enrages Zero.
"You can tell me who I'm not a match for but you can't tell me how to get stronger.", says Zero.
Noir Drew begins to crawl back towards the darkness. "Nothinnnng cannn fillll annn object filllllled wittthhh stonnnne", says Noir as he leaves from sight.
One Entrance Road To The City of Grandoria
The sun falls lower as footsteps clad in black dragonscale walk toward the large road leading to Grandoria. Nearby people immediately recognize the warrior in black dragon scale with the black worn robe. The townsfolk run away screaming in terror towards the inside of Grandoria. As Zero reaches inner Grandoria, he begins to shout in a cruel voice changed by the scale helmet, "Where is your fearless leader!? Where is the oh so great General Teno!?"