[Original] The Alchemist of Rozarre [Novel-Length] [Complete!]

Chapter 2

Cerise stood frozen, as though her feet rooted through the floor, preventing her from escaping. Did the Queen really find her worthy on going such a dangerous journey? All of this was determined by a simple child's game! She certainly didn't have the courage or talent or strength that Roselle had, did she? She was simply Cerise de Vernase, a humble village girl that had a mission of saving her sister. She didn't think that it would grow into an epic grand adventure where the lives of the King and the good people of the Kingdom would be at stake. What should she do? But Cerise knew that she couldn't refuse, though she also couldn't bring herself to speak, either.

"Look, she's stunned speechless from the honor of being bestowed a grand mission such as this," Roselle said. "I of course would accept without hesitation. It's a grand adventure, building character and all that."

"I mean, how can I refuse," Cerise said as she bowed towards the Queen. "People's lives are at stake. My sister has fallen to the exact same illness, my Queen. I was hoping to find a solution to all this, and I think that coming to the Kingdom was the right decision after all."

"These are troubling times, to be certain," the Queen said, before she looked fondly towards her daughter, Roselle. "But I have faith that if you can defeat my daughter, then you have all the courage and pluck that you need to save the Kingdom, don't you think?"

"Why do you have to bring that up, Mother," Roselle said with an injured sniff, and the Queen simply laughed at her daughter.

"Because I think that you learn more from your failures than your victories," the Queen said. "At least, that's what the King would've said. I wouldn't know, because I'm perfect in every regard. Hmhmhm. But my dear Roselle, I still think that you have much growing up to do."

Roselle bowed her head, before a Knight came charging into the room.

"Run, fair ladies! There's some strange creature that is attacking the castle!"

Roselle's eyes brightened at the notion of a challenge. "I invite them to come into the castle to have a grand battle with me, the Grand Duelist!"

"Oh dear me," The Queen said while putting a hand to her cheek. "Looks like a fine situation to prove your champion status, dear Cerise. Don't worry, you have Roselle with you."

"Aren't you taking this situation rather too calmly?" Cerise said, as a strange creature crashed into the castle. It was a truly horrendous creature with strange markings across its sleek body, resembling a mixture of creatures with three heads, a lion's body, and a snake's tail. Cerise found herself rooted to the spot once more, fascinated by the creature, before the creature lunged at her with a mighty paw. Roselle slashed at the beast with her rapier, cutting into its skin as It bled blue blood.

"I'll take you on!" Roselle called bravely to the creature "En garde, you uncouth creature!"

Cerise watched in horror as Roselle took on the horrid creature, whatever it was. She couldn't do much, but she had to help Roselle! Cerise threw a fancy looking vase at it, bashing it from behind while it's attention was focused on Roselle; and the creature roared in pain and something in the back of its head opened slightly, before it closed again. What exactly was that? Maybe if...

"Roselle!" Cerise said. "Try to target the back of its head!"

"Easier said than done, but I'm known to do the impossible," Roselle said with a confident smirk, before she parried and danced and performed a series of intricate footwork to confound the creature and thrusting and jabbing at it at every opportunity. Cerise wondered; what was the thing behind the back of its head? Could it be a weak point of some sort? They had to discover that, though Roselle was still in the middle of furious flurries of attacks against the creature.