Hate Turned Love- Tales of Vesperia

[Whisper]

She stood near the lake, the breeze blowing her curly red hair around. Her blue eyes scanned the scene in front of her, searching for any signs of disturbance. The sky was blue, until eyes were turned to the horizon. Storm clouds were gathering, and the smell of rain was faint on the breeze. Everything seemed calm for the moment, but she felt a dark omen in the air.

“Something really doesn’t feel right…” She muttered to herself, the wind making her hair move around her face and neck.

The large horse like creature behind her snorted and gently nudged her shoulder.

“I know, Rorian…” She said with a weak smile, turning and gently placing her hands on the beast’s snout. “We probably should try to get back. That storm is coming faster than predicted.” As she stood on the cliff in the wind, her cloak flew gently around her.

The rhybgaro bobbed his head up and down in response to the girl’s words, though was careful not to pierce her arm or shoulder with his horn.

She sighed and looked back out toward the fast approaching clouds. Her curly red hair fluttered about in the breeze. Gazing one last moment at the ever growing storm, she gave a sigh, then turned and began to walk, her friend and partner by her side.


Only a mere four miles away, a group of knights traveled, on a search for a specific mage that had stolen the attention of the Empires council. They rode atop beasts similar to the rhybgaro, though nowhere near as strong. All but one was brown. The lead knight rode the only white horse like creature. He wore the armor of a captain, his blastia embedded into the cloth on his chest.

“Do you really think it’s her, captain? I mean, they could’ve been misled.” A woman with short orange hair and a long side braid rode alongside the blonde knight, sword in sheathe.

The man glanced at his second in command, a small, tiny smile playing at his lips. “That’s possible, Sodia. But we need to investigate and do as we were ordered.”

“I understand… But if this information is wrong, what will we do? Let her go, or take her in anyway?” She asked in curiosity. The woman was unsure, but her captain seemed to be more interested in this mission than in most. What for? Did he know this girl they were after?

He turned his gaze ahead of the group once more, a gentler look in his eyes than before. “I’m not sure. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.” He replied and once more turned his attention away, up to the sky.

“Flynn… please do not tell me this woman was part of your past…” Sodia’s thoughts were mixed with those of confusion and worry.


Hours later, the clouds had cloaked the once blue sky, and rain began to fall. Her long curly red hair was drenched as she walked with her friend through the open field, heading to the forest on the other side.

“Damn this rain is thick. I doubt it’s going to let up anytime soon…” She sighed, holding onto the main of feathers that adorned the beast that stood boldly beside her.

The beast snorted a bit and shook his soaked mane.

“Haha, you’ve got that right boy. At least it’ll keep the plants lush and green, right?” She said with a light laugh.

Before the rhybgaro could give a retort, people began to pop up from the tall grass in the field, surrounding the two that were only trying to reach their home.

“Well well well, if my eyes don’t deceive me I believe that’s a human with a monster.” Said a voice from the group of rough looking bodies.

The girl grit her teeth and took a step back, strengthening her stance. “The Hunting Blades…” She growled as she scanned the surrounding people.

“You got that right! Now, hand over that rhybgaro, or die alongside it!” A man cloaked in red, hood hiding his eyes and white hair peeking from under, stepped up with a sneering look upon his lips.

She narrowed her eyes, fierce and ready to protect her friend. “I’d rather choke on my own blood than allow you to lay a finger on him!” She spat viciously at whom she believed to be Tyson, second in command to leader of the Hunting Blades. She’d heard a lot about him from the people in Halure.

“Tch, so be it. You’ll die like a dog!” He lunged, blade in hand fully ready to kill the both of them.

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” She shouted, then pulled out a small device, and threw it to the ground, smashing it to pieces. For only a short moment, time was frozen. Tyson’s blade was only mere inches from her throat.

The girl quickly turned to the beast and took his head in her hands. “Go Rorian! Get back home! I’ll lead them away and meet you there later!” She said in an urgent voice, and ushered him on.

The rhybgaro was hesitant to comply, but knew he could trust his human friend. With a neigh, he shook his mane and began to gallop away.

She turned back to Tyson, who’d been frozen in midair, and saw the effect of her Time Freeze device beginning to wear off. “I’ll show you just who you’re messing with.” She hissed and took another stance, and formed a hand sign.




“Captain, I think we should stop for the night and set up camp. All the men are drenched to the bone and it doesn’t look like the rain is going to stop anytime soon.” A man said from just beside their noble commander.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right… We’ll continue our search in the morning.” He replied, holding up his hand and giving the signal for his brigade to stop, and dismount.
But just as he did, and explosion could be heard coming from just outside of the tree line. The startled knights all looked over in the direction it came, and saw smoke rising above the trees.

“That doesn’t look good, captain.” Sodia said as she narrowed her eyes at the sight.

“Right, come on!” Flynn called out, and turned the beast he was riding, and started to gallop in that direction.




“Take this!”

With another burst of energy, the girl fought back, slowly but surely leading them in the opposite direction of her companion.

“Fire cannon!” She shouted, and blasted a powerful shot of flames at her attackers. The heat was searing hot, and it forced the guild members to back up.

But she noticed something off… Tyson was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes widened and panic began to set in.

She quickly spun around and saw he was just behind her. He got in a good punch, and sent her reeling back. Once she was off balance, he raced forward and hit her with a swift and powerful kick, sending her flying back.

She had the wind knocked out of her, and then hit the ground, skidding through the mud until she came to a stop laying on her side.

She felt shaky, but forcefully pushed herself up. Though it was only to have two or three guild members pin her back down into the mud.

“Heh, you put up one hell of a fight. But there’s no way you can defeat us, the Hunting Blades!” Tyson spat as he walked over to her. “You’ll die here!” He raised his blade, ready to strike.

Just before the knife made contact, Tyson was tackled by someone else. Not a guild member.

The other two holding her down were startled, and looked up just to be yanked away from the red haired girl.

She blinked, completely confused by the sudden change in events. “What…?”

“Honestly, have the guilds turned to killing innocent people?” A voice rung out through the rain behind the group.

All the Hunting Blades took steps back as they saw who approached. Scowls crossed each face and spite showed in their eyes.

“This has nothing to do with you Imperial dogs!” Tyson spat as he wormed his way free and stood back up.

A man walked up to the girl and reached a hand out to her. “Here, let me help.” He said with a kind voice.

She looked at him, narrowing her eyes. A knight… Of all the people who’d come to save her it just had to be a knight.

“Tch, I’m fine.” She said as she refused his hand and stood on her own.

He blinked at her reaction, taking his hand back. But he chuckled a bit, expression still soft. “Still as stubborn as ever I see.” He said in amusement.

The girl blinked and turned back to the man who spoke. “…? … Wait a minute… Flynn…? Flynn Scifo…?” She asked, eyes widening.

He smiled a little as he stood straight, looking her in the eyes. “It’s been a while, Shasta.”

The knights had ruined the Hunting Blades fighting spirit, so they were beginning to scatter, though Tyson gave a spiteful look, not intending to give up his hunt anytime soon.

The girl called Shasta stayed silent for a moment, contemplating what to say… “Figures you’d become a knight. Captain at that.” She said giving him an untrusting look.

Flynn was a bit confused by her words and tone, wondering why she seemed so hostile toward him. But before he could ask, she bluntly spoke up.

“I doubt this is a friendly visit. So what do you want? Or were you just trying to be the local Good Samaritan?”

The knight was rather taken aback by her words.

“Don’t you dare talk to our captain that way!” Sodia spat as she approached, weapon drawn and pointed at Shasta.

“Sodia!” Flynn scolded, turning a stern gaze to his second in command.

“Go right ahead. See if I care. If you don’t the Hunting Blades will.” Shasta’s blue eyes seemed cold, guarded, and hostile. She trusted none of these people.

The blonde knight looked to her, his expression softening once more. “We won’t allow that, Shasta. I give you my word.”
He said as he took the blade from Sodia and threw it to the side.

“Captain… please… You can’t tell me that you held feelings for this girl.” Sodia felt her heart cry out for her captain.

“What, are you going to be my body guards or something? You can’t protect me. I don’t live under the Empire anymore.” Shasta rolled her eyes and moved some drenched curly red hair from her eyes.

“Actually, we’re here to escort you. The council wishes to meet with you.” Flynn replied, his lips curling into a smile.

Shasta raised a brow looking at the man she’d known so long ago. “I’m sorry, what? Why?” She asked in confusion.

“Well, to be honest I’m not sure. We were only given strict orders to bring you to them.”

“Well you can forget it. The only place I’m going is home.” With a small huff, Shasta turned and started to walk back toward her home. “Good day to you.”

Flynn sweat dropped at her action. “Wait here.” He said to Sodia, and jogged up to Shasta’s side to try and stop her. “Hold on, Shasta! There isn’t much choice. I’m sorry but you’ll have to come back with us.”

“Oh really? What if I refuse? You’ll force me back?” She asked sarcastically as she kept walking.

“I’m afraid I may have to… That’s the last thing I want to do really.” He replied with a sigh as the rain lightened up, but only by a bit.

Shasta was still stubborn. Her hatred for the knights held steadfast. “Then that’s what you’ll have to do.” She continued walking, thinking his words were only a bluff. But being Flynn, he was always true to his word.

“Forgive me then.” He said. With that, he quickly grabbed her, pulling her arms behind her back and tying her wrists together.

“H-hey! Untie me!” She exclaimed and tried to yank free.

Before she could get anywhere, Flynn picked up the smaller girl, and pulled her over his shoulder. “Sorry Shasta. I can’t do that.” He replied walking back to the group and their steads.

“Flynn Scifo, you put me down right now!” She shouted as she struggled in his grasp.

“Heh, not going to happen. Sorry.” With that, he walked past his brigade, who were all watching with rather confused expressions. That or they were trying to keep from laughing.

“Oh for goodness sake this is humiliating. Flynn! I swear if you don’t put me down I’ll have you face down in the dirt myself when I get free!” Shasta struggled as best she could, trying to kick him or knee him, though each time only hurting herself against his armor.

Flynn had to hide the fact he admired her tenacity. Though the kicking was rather hard to handle. He got to the white creature he usually rode on, and hung her over the back. He mounted the stead and started off with his brigade, back toward Zaphias, the capitol.



“Do you ever plan to untie me?” Shasta complained as she hung on the back of the horse, finally beginning to dry off as the rain stopped about an hour ago. They’d been riding for a while, hoping that they could get her back as fast as possible.

“Only when you decide you aren’t going to run like you did two hours ago.” Flynn replied glancing back at her with a light smile, holding to the reigns of his stead.

She sighed, hanging her head again. Her curly red hair was near to the ground as she dangled over the backside of the horse.

Flynn chuckled at the girl’s exasperation as they rode.

Only a few yards behind them, Sodia watched on. She was worried about the meaning of Flynn’s actions toward their current captive. She seemed to be important to him, but in what way…? She planned to find out…

With a click of her tongue and a small snap of the reigns, she caught up with her captain and the tied up girl. “So, you two know each other well…?” She asked curiously.

“Well, you could say that. We both lived in the lower quarter when we were kids.” Flynn replied with a smile.

“Yeah, but didn’t talk to each other much. Let alone tie each other up!” Shasta said sarcastically, giving Flynn a glare.

He sweat dropped a bit, feeling the intense gaze boring into his back. “I’m sorry, but you gave me no choice.” He said with a nervous laugh.

Shasta huffed and turned her head away; looking back in the direction they came from.

“Well, she certainly has an attitude.” Sodia commented with a blank look toward the girl.

Flynn sighed and looked down a bit. “She certainly does… But don’t let this side of her fool you. She really is a caring person. You’d be surprised.” He said and once again looked up at the clouds.

Sodia was expecting a comeback from the red head, but all she heard was silence.

Shasta was lost in her own world now. Having looked back, she found herself thinking of her home, and Rorian. “I’m so sorry my friend… I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I can. Please, wait for me.” She thought to herself, her expression softening at the worry she felt.

She knew the Hunting Blades were after him, and they weren’t going to give up the chase. If they got him while she was in the knights’ possession, she’d never forgive herself… Nor the knights.

“Captain? I know the rain stopped, but the sun is going down. I think we should set up camp now.” Sodia looked over to the setting sun. The idea of travelling at night wasn’t good. It could be dangerous.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He replied and looked back at his tired looking men. “Let’s stop and rest here for the night!” He called out, pulling the reigns of his horse and everyone followed suit. Sighs of relief could be heard as each soldier slid from their steads and began to set up tents.

Shasta was still in her own world, that is until she felt someone take hold of her and pull her from the horse. She blinked in confusion, but when she saw who it was, she understood what was going on.

“About damn time.” She said, and looked away from him.

“Sorry about that.” Flynn said with a slight smile.

“Yeah, yeah.” She muttered. Thanks to the rain, her hair was plastered partially to her face, and thanks to the binds on her wrists she couldn’t move it.

Flynn noticed and turned her head to him a bit, and moved her hair. “There, now you should be able to see better.” He said with a soft laugh.

Shasta turned a shade red from embarrassment and averted her gaze once more, refusing to make eye contact.

The knight sighed a bit with a stumped expression. “Shasta… why are you so against the knights? You use to think they were good people.”

“That’s none of your business. I have my reasons.” She said with an indignant huff.

That honestly didn’t help the man understand how to communicate on equal terms with her. She was as stubborn as their old childhood friend Yuri Lowell. Maybe even more so, which was scary to the young captain.



After about forty five minutes or so, the camp was set up. Flynn was leading Shasta to the main tent so she could rest in there, more than likely tired out from the fight she put up with them and the Hunting Blades a few hours ago. Though she was giving him a hard time about keeping her tied up.

“Honestly, will you just untie me? These ropes are uncomfortable.” She said with a sigh as they approached the draping cloth that hid the tent entrance.

“I can’t. You’ll try to run.” He said with a sweat drop and nervous smile.
Sodia found herself aggravated with the red haired girl, and wondered how in the world Flynn was putting up with her.

“You keep trying to run. Why would we untie you?” She asked in slight irritation.

Shasta shot the second in command a look that would send chills down the spine of any living being around.

“Is it colder now or is it just me?”

“I’m not sure, but it feels like something evil is nearby.”

Two knights said in the background, feeling the aura Shasta was giving off.

Flynn chuckled nervously to himself. Shasta had always had a temper, but it seemed she had more hostility than ever before.

They were just about to enter the tent when a soldier ran up from behind. “Captain! Captain! We’re being attacked by a monster!” He cried out.

Flynn stopped in his tracks and quickly turned on his heels. “What? What kind of monster?” He asked, his tone turning serious and nobler. He was taking charge.

“It’s a rhybgaro, sir! I don’t know what happened but it’s really angry!” The knight was in hysterics as he explained the situation.

Shasta instantly had a look of realization when she heard the man, and she herself turned to look at him. “What are they doing to him?!” She demanded.

“Uh, well, they’re trying to kill it. Why?” The man asked his voice shaky.

“No!” Shasta was suddenly panicked, and with a sudden burst of energy, she yanked free of Flynn’s grasp and made a run for it.

“H-hey, Shasta wait! It’s dangerous!” Flynn called out and started running after her.

She ran as fast and as hard as she could through the mud and grass, trying to get to the sound of fighting. Once she saw
the scene, her eyes went wide. A group of knights had pinned down the beast, and one held a sword high, ready to strike.

“Stop!” She cried out and ran forward. Just before the man could run it through, she slipped in the mud, and skid a bit just a foot or two away.

She scrambled as best she could with her hands tied behind her back and covered the beast with her body. “Please, don’t hurt him!” She pleaded, screwing her eyes shut.

The sword stopped short of the girl’s body, and each knight looked at her as if she was crazy.

But the rhybgaro calmed down quite a bit, and lifted his head, moving it over to her and gently nudging her with his horn.

Shasta looked up at him; eyes glazed over with worry, but had a relieved smile on her face. “It’s okay boy. You’re okay now.” She said softly as the knight lowered his weapon.

“What the…?” Voices began muttering about the girl who somehow calmed the raving beast.

Flynn himself who had his sword drawn and ready to save the girl who ran off looked shocked. “You tamed a rhybgaro…?” He asked looking on in surprise.

“No, idiot. You can’t tame a wild animal.” She replied, rolling her eyes. “I gained his trust. Rorian is my friend, not pet.”

“Then why was he attacking us?” A knight asked, speaking up from the sidelines.

Shasta shot him a look which made him step back. “He attacked because he knows I hate knights. He figured you all took me captive. Which is pretty much what you did. He was trying to save me.”

Sodia was wary of the beast, so she kept her weapon drawn, ready to kill it if need be. But Flynn placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.

“Well, that’s pretty impressive.” Flynn said with a smile.

Shasta looked at the man warily, unsure what to say to his words. “You’re not going to have him killed…?” She asked with a cautious tone.

“Of course not. If he’s no harm he’s alright.” He replied, his eyes looking at the two of them with a truthful gleam.

To her own shock, Shasta actually believed him. It was rare for her to trust knights, but he showed her so far that he was true to his word.

“Alright…” Her muscles relaxed and she sat up as much as she could.

Flynn reached down and helped her up. “Come on, you’re covered in mud. Let’s get you cleaned up.” He said with a smile.
But before he turned to take her back to the main tent, he looked to his men who were warily eying the rhybgaro. “That rhybgaro is not to be harmed. Let him go.”

Shasta looked to Flynn with a confused gaze. Why was he doing all of this…? She’d only ever known knights to be cruel and stiff… But he was being kind…

With that, he began to lead her away.



Not long after, Flynn had her sitting in the tent, hands tied to a tent pole so she couldn’t get away. But he was using a damp cloth to wipe the mud from her body.

“You really care about that rhybgaro, don’t you.” He said with a smile.

“Of course. Rorian saved my life a few years ago, so I owe him…” She gave a sigh, but kept her gaze averted.

Flynn smiled a bit at the girl, but knew not to push his luck by asking her yet again what she had against the knights. She would tell him if she wanted to.

He just kept cleaning the mud from her pale, freckled skin. It was almost surprising how many dots she had…

“You know, I don’t think I remember you having this many freckles.” He chuckled as he looked back up at her yet again.

The girl turned a shade red at the fact he was actually taking notice to her skin. “I’m out in the sun a lot… Anything wrong with that?” She asked with a huff and peeked over at him from the corner of her eye.

“Not at all. Actually I think you look cute with freckles.” He said in all truth.

Shasta turned an even deeper red at his words and once again looked away. “Oh shut up. I’m not “cute” at all.” She muttered under her breath.

Flynn found himself stifling a laugh at her response. “You really haven’t changed much.” He said as he swiped the last of the mud from her arm.

She let a cheek puff out in annoyance and looked down. “You’d be surprised.” She said, and her features softened a bit.

Flynn looked at her with a wondering gaze. But before he could ask, his eye caught sight of the blastia she wore around her neck. “So, your father gave you his blastia?” He asked with a gentle smile.

Shasta blinked and looked up at him, her blue eyes shining in surprise that he remembered. “Yeah… B-but that’s hardly important!” She fumbled with her words as she quickly looked away.

Flynn laughed softly at her reaction. “Alright, I won’t push.” He replied kindly. But something else caught his eye. “Ah, hold on.” He reached up with the cloth and gently wiped away a smudge of mud that remained on her cheek.

She blinked and turned a shade of red, but refused to look at him again.

He chuckled again and set the cloth down on the table. “You should get some rest. It’s been a long day. We have another one tomorrow.” He said softly as he untied her from the pole, though kept the binds on her and helped her to a mat.

“Alright…” She complied this time and allowed him to help her out.