GAMBIT 34 034| Music

Due to the queen's death the young man couldn't cope up with the current situations of the kingdom. He tries to walk with his falcon through the corridors of the fortress and all he hears are either silence or arguments happening in the throne room of the king. It has become chaotic, for the king and the pillars debate their opinions. Some suggest declaring a final war using all what is left of the kingdom. Resources, men, use it all for the glory. Others decline, disagreeing with such an absurd opinion.

Some say to extend training periods while others are willing to negotiate with other creatures and beings, uniting Pureheart with different allies will help increase the opportunity for winning. As Quartz pa.s.ses through the door of the king's throne, he feels the sensation of stress shrouding him. He did not want to listen furthermore on what they are discussing, thus he figured to have a moment of calmness and peace of mind.

He returns to the forest, while riding his stallion. As usual, they head to the direction where the sun rises in order to meet Virgo. Upon arriving at the flower field, he sees the maiden playing with her ocarina while leaning her body unto the Elppa Berry Tree. She sees the young man looking unusual this time. She isn't used to seeing a frown on the man's face thus she decides to stop for a moment in order to understand what's wrong.

She questions him, "What happened?"

The man replies, "The queen of the kingdom is dead."

"No wonder why I saw lanterns at the sky a moment ago." The maiden adds.

The young man sits beside the maiden, leaning his body to the Elppa Berry Tree as well. Apparently stressed he is, dearly wanting "these" to end in order to return to his home, Earth.

"She sacrificed herself for me. I don't understand why." Quartz says, very fl.u.s.tered. He thinks deeply for an answer, yet nothing comes up. He wonders what the queen has seen in him that made her have the decision to sacrifice herself. After all, what is the worth of a p.a.w.n? It merely fights with a sword, nothing special nothing amazing compared to the knights and rooks. They are usually the ones to be sacrificed first. In Chess, this is known as a gambit.

"Sometimes a sacrifice is best needed during the toughest times in order to succeed. A queen, although being royal does not match the capabilities of a p.a.w.n like you. A p.a.w.n can become many things, a knight or even a rook when promoted by the king whereas the queen does not." The maiden cheers, wrapping the young man with solaces, trying to comfort his stressful mind.

"Sometimes victory is born out of the ashes of sacrifice. The queen knew that all along." The maiden adds.

Even if the young man was able to hear the words of the maiden, he remained upset, with his mind still troubled and disappointed. He dearly wishes to return to Earth, wondering why he was sent here in the first place aside from battling. He queries to himself, silently unto his mind "Why me? Out of all the people out there are chessboard chose me? Coincidence, I think not."

He misses his father and his friend. All these sieges, quests, and expeditions have only made him stressed and tired. He wants to read peacefully, with no one to disturb him. The more troubled he looks, the more concerned the maiden becomes to the point she has figured out an idea. She starts to play a melody, a melody which can lift one's spirit with the use of her ocarina. Through this she tries to return the young man's smile. Despite all of these efforts, Quartz's mind remains troubled.

"Music usually brings content to my heart. It cheers me every time I feel scared or lonely. It is artistry that comes in the form of the wind. It enters the heart, then travels through the soul, and changes the whole world. It bears something that the other forms of artistry could not possibly give. Happiness and beauty." The maiden stops playing her ocarina for a moment and speaks to the young man.

Hearing her words, the man gives a soft chuckle. He decides to remove the piccolo from his pocket in order to play a melody which could ease his worries and stresses. Seeing the young man play with his piccolo, the maiden joins in the fun, playing with her ocarina. Together, their music synchronizes, forming beauty.

His gloom withers, and the longer they play the lesser troubles appear on the man's mind. Their music combined, brings serenity and tranquility to the pastures of flowers with the zephyr blowing softly and steadily. Over a tree, far from where they are, the red bird watches over them, looking delighted to hear the song.

It chirps, and glides through the sky once more, returning to wherever its nest is.