Hanakotoba

Forsythia

"So? So? How was the Golden Round? Come on, tell me!"

After the -tiring- Golden Round, I found myself in the castle's backyard with Ariel. Unlike me who is completely tired from the Round, Ariel looked really curious and cheerful as usual. As soon as she saw me, she bombarded me with questions. Not that I don't like it, I was happy for the attention she gave me, I just don't know how to respond.

"Well... You know... Tiring." I answer honestly. "I was saved by your brother actually."

"Ha! I knew it!" Ariel said with triumphant smile.

"Yes. He's a gentleman."

"He's not just a gentleman, silly." Ariel said, giggling. "He's a real nice brother  and a role model to all the knights here. Even Aragon respect him." Ariel said proudly. I smile, knowing full well how she feels. If it's Hiroki, I would have acted the same way.

"Anyway, you're going to live 'here' with us now... Are you excited for the ceremony?"

Ah yes the ceremony... I actually don't have any idea what to expect from this ceremony. This term is new to me and as far as I remember this ceremony was never mentioned in the game... But then, the game has not ended yet. Last I check, the Korean Server was just reach...

Oops I shouldn't give out spoilers to you guys who haven't play it yet.

Anyway, last I checked the game is pretty much far from over so maybe this ceremony does exist but never mentioned or will be mentioned in the near future.

"I don't know what to expect yet..." I said truthfully. "Is this ceremony... Dangerous...?"

Ariel laugh. "No of course not. Trust me, the Seven Knights won't ask you to beat a dragon for them or asked one of The Four Lords on a duel, no. The Ceremony consist of three parts. The first part is where you will be given a new name so you will, sadly, abandoned your former name and life... But don't worry they won't erased your memory." Ariel added quickly as she saw my shocked expression. Thank God, I don't want to forget Hiroki and my parents. No way.

"After that on the second part they will decide which class you should be put into. A knight like Aragon maybe or a witch like me!" She said with excitement. "Or perhaps a musician like Lina from Moonlit Isle, she's really good you know."

"...Moonlit... Isle...?" I asked, pretending to be dumb. But then, though I know about Moonlit Isle, I know very little about that place. I only know some parts from the game but that's it.

"It's an island not far from here... Though you still have to go there by a ship. I suggest against it if you are seasick."

I don't think I'll go there in the near future though.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Oh back to the Ceremony. The last part is that you will be taken to The Room of Elemental."

I frowned. "Room of... Elemental?"

"Yup. It's where you will find out which element you belong to. There's Fire, Water, Earth, Light and Darkness. If you're using magic, no doubt you'll ended up with Water though. Most of magician are like that."

Ah I think I'm starting to understand what she meant. She must be talking about those elements card that was used to Rank Up the heroes. I began to wonder what card I'll get. I think Fire and Earth doesn't really suits me since I'm not an Offensive type, and I'm definitely not a Defensive type either, plus the shields that the knights usually used looked heavy and I'm not strong enough to lift one. So it's either Light or Water. But then, I can't use magic...

"What are the elements for...?" I asked curiously. "Does it allow us to control the element that choose us?"

Ariel laughed. "Oh no, it's not like that. You see, these elements allow us to know which types that suits us better as a fighter." She explained. "If you got Fire Element that means you're more of an Offensive types and the fire element will boost your damage. Light element is for Healers, like Karin for example, oh I have to introduce her to you! She's really nice!" She said excitedly.

I giggled. "It seems there are a lot of people you need to introduced to me."

"There are too many people I've got to introduced to you, Hitomi." She said. "Now where was I? Ah yes, Light element is for healers and like I saod earlier, Water element is for Magicians, Earth is for Defensive heroes like Rudy and Dark is for Universal types."

"Universal types...?" I asked curiously. Up until now I've never grasped the meaning of Universal Heroes.

"Well... Universal types are very rare... Simply put, they can do almost anything." Ariel said. "Almost all of Seven Knights are Universal types for the exception of Rudy and Dellons."

I nodded in understanding. Come to think of it, it's the same with the Four Lords. All of them are Universal heroes for the exception of Rin who is Magic Type hero. So I guess it's true when she said Universal Heroes are rare and strong.

"Anyway, that is all about The Ceremony! It's going to be a big one, I bet. People is going to get busy starting tomorrow."

"... Is this the first time this Ceremony ever held?" I asked.

"Um... No, not really, It has been held. Once."

Her tone sounds like she doesn't want to talk about it further so I decided to leave it at that.
.
.
.

I wished Ariel still stay with me. Walking alone around the castle gets boring after a while. Ariel was called by Rudy, I don't know what for but I guess is that it's for the Ceremony. I was hesitant to talk to the other occupants. They all nice and even greeted me kindly but I can't help it. I'm too shy to start a conversation so I just stick with a simple "Hi" or "Hello".

Come to think of it, before I came here I hardly conversed with anyone at all. I only have one friend. I guess it was because I'm too busy keeping Hiroki alive and most of my times I spent in the hospital. I don;t mind though, Hiroki was enough as a companion for me that time... Yes, that time... Before he left this world.

Thinking about him made my heart ache. I miss him, a lot. I know I shouldn't holding on to someone that is not here anymore, but I can't help it. 

I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't see someone running towards me. That person, whoever he/she is, crashed onto me, making me fall on my butt.

"Whoa, sorry there. Are you okay?"

I looked up to see...

To be Continued

A/n: I tried to make the ceremony as logic as possible. I was actually thinking of editing character system in Dynasty Warriors game when I typed this XD Anyway, Forsythia in Flower Language means Anticipation.