Chapter 2 - not him again

Apple was deep in pondering mode. She sat at her favorite table in Seika village's only restaurant/inn, sipping strong black tea and picking at the crusty remains of a slice of blueberry pie.

In very recent history, two major wars had altered the balance of power in the world. The Scarlet Moon Empire was crushed, due to the efforts of the inheritor of the Soul Eater Rune. The Kingdom of Highland fell, due to the efforts of the inheritor of the Bright Shield Rune. Both of these heroes had mysteriously vanished without seeing the fruits of their labor, the new nations that they'd created. Not that it mattered. The figureheads of the revolution were meant to be just that. The son of Teo McDohl and the adopted son of Genkaku were chosen as leaders for their charisma, not political savvy. They were elevated to near-mythic status, symbols of hope for the common people. But where were they now? Both had forsaken their opportunity to rule. Or sit on a throne and wear a crown, anyway. Apple knew full well that Shu wouldn't trust a kid from some backwater village to handle the responsibilities of governing a nation. But it was crucial for a new government to have the mandate of the people, and people loved heroes.

But what was it that made them so damn special? They were both sons of well-known military figures. They both dressed funny. They both . . . had ungodly powerful runes . . . Was that what made them pawns of fate? Could true runes really have that much power over the lives of men?

An unfortunately familiar voice distracted Apple from her ruminations. "Hey baby. Nice shoes. Wanna screw?"

"I'd rather excoriate myself and bathe in lemon juice," Apple said dryly, glaring at the boy with short blonde hair leaning on her table. The red handprints on each of his cheeks suggested that she wasn't the first to suffer hearing one of his pickup lines tonight.

Unfazed, the prodigal son of President Lepant slid into the chair across from her. "Still playing hard to get, I see."

"Hello Sheena. To what do I owe the dubious pleasure of your company?"

"I travel wherever the wind takes me, my sweet Apple. I'm sure it was destiny that brought us together here."

"Lepant still won't let you come home?"

" . . . No."

Maybe if I ignore him he'll go away.

Sheena pushed a coin across the table. "A bit for your thoughts?"

"I was just thinking about politics, actually," said Apple, knowing it to be a subject Sheena had no interest in.

"My father has been doing marvelously well as the first president of the Toran Republic, hasn't he?"

"Mm." Crap. I gave him an opportunity to start bragging. Crap. Crap. Crap.

"I think everyone but him has all but given up on McDohl returning. You'd think he'd be honored to be the president, but no, he just wants retire and to go back to Kouan with mom, humble soul that he is."

"Isn't he just holding office in McDohl's stead according to the constitution?"

"Yeah. Speaking of McDohl, it was the strangest thing. I was passing through Banner Village and I swear I saw a guy fishing that looked just like him. Same green bandanna and everything."

"Interesting . . . "

Sheena looked at Apple and got chills. She was sitting with her elbows on the table, her hands laced together under her nose, her glasses gleaming. There was something about her that looked sort of . . . diabolical. Cute, but diabolical.

"Uh, Apple?"

Apple snapped out of her pose. "What? I'm not planning anything. No, not me. Ha ha."

Sheena smiled and winked at her. "If you're thinking of going to Banner Village to investigate, I'd be happy to go with you. Long journeys can be very lonely."

"NO!! Err, I mean, that's very sweet of you, Sheena. But I wouldn't want to keep you from . . . wherever else it was you were going."

"But I was actually thinking of swinging back in that direction anyway. . ."

"Grrrr. Okay, how about I meet you here tomorrow morning."

"Great! It is getting kind of late. How 'bout you let me walk you home?"

Apple gritted her teeth and got up from her chair. She stepped close to Sheena and bent to whisper in his ear. "How 'bout you just go back up to your room, studmuffin. I'll be right there, I just have to go home real quick and get my . . . leapord-print thong underwear. Wait for me."

Sheena was practically blowing steam out of his ears. "Nyaaargh," he said.

Apple gave him her best seductive wink and ran.

Sheena blinked. "How stupid does that girl think I am?" But still . . . He dashed up to his room, just in case.

"Eww! Eww! Eww!" Apple cried as she slammed and bolted the door behind her. In a whirlwind of motion, Apple grabbed her book and packed slightly faster than a normal human was capable. She was off for Banner Village in no time.

Deep beneath Seika, a beast of legend began to awaken from a long slumber. The balance of power had shifted. The wards that confined it had weakened. Consciousness inundated its primitive brain.

Two village children wet themselves when a giant, tentacled horror crawled out of the well and lumbered squishilly off into the night.