Okay so, I was going to finish the story, then upload it, but a friend really wanted to read this so here we are! I'll be updating depending on the number of reviews I get, so this story might plateau for a while. But I hope you all enjoy it, and I'll see you at the end!
Lotus in the Dark Part 1
Genji and Hanzo sat side by side at the top of their temple, staring out at the far Northern Mountains as it was silently bathed in the glistening silver light of the moon. The range they were stared at was known as the Dragon's Keep, named after the mountain range in a legend that spoke of the Seacliff Clan. Every night they did this, waiting, watching, or simply clearing their minds of the day's clutter. Their breathing was silent, in unison, at peace. They found no reason to break this calm and quiet serenity, until now.
Hanzo was the one to break the comfortable silence.
"Brother?"
"Yes Hanzo?"
"I've been thinking, and, I was never one to believe in the stories, the fairy-tales that mother used to tell us, but I can't help but feel that something will happen here."
Genji was silent for awhile, pondering on his brothers words. Then he spoke. "What do you mean?"
Hanzo gestured with a hand at the vast, towering landscape. "Well, there must be a reason as to why this range was called The Dragon's Keep. It fits the legend. Do you remember?"
"Of course. It was my favourite story after all."
"Don't remind me. I got a headache so many times listening to you pleading with mother to tell us the tale."
Genji chuckled, remembering the last time their mother had told them that legend.
(Flashback)
Genji and Hanzo sat on their beds, their mother sitting on a chair between the two of them.
"Tell us the story again Mother! Tell us!"
"Nooooooooo. Not that one again! That's all we've heard about for the last few weeks!
"Hush now you two. Hanzo, if you don't like it that much, then why do you listen and ask the same questions at the end?"
"Mother! I don't like it!"
"Whatever you say chisame no yatsu."
Hanzo huffed. "I'm not that little."
'You're smaller than me. Now, do you want to hear the first part?"
"Yes yes!"
"Then hush my babies. Close your eyes and let my words paint the picture in your mind.
"Yes mother."
"Tall, rocky spires climbed out of the ground, surrounding enormous peaks and heights that rose and fell, forming a vast and impressive landscape. It rolled on and on, up and out, until it reached the sea, abruptly tilting into a vertical drop, disappearing into the crashing and roaring waters below."
"Oooooh. That sounds so cool!"
"Hmph. Sounds dangerous."
"Well yeah, that's why it's so cool!"
"Children, I have barely started."
The two children were silent for a while. "Sorry mother."
"Now, where was I? Oh yes.
The Range provided many plants and animals with shelter, the towering and intimidating slopes proving to be a tedious climb. They rose up and up, high enough to claw at the clouds above."
"Wow! That's so high!"
"Geeeenjjjjjiiiiiii. You say that every time. I knnnooow."
"Aww come on Hanzo. You're never any fun."
"Children.Hushnow or I'll turn the lights out now.
"Yes mother."
"Because no one could or has ventured into the mountains, the people of the nearby towns and villages shared the same beliefs. That off worldly creatures lived among the sky-scraping rocks. Some believed them to be dangerous creatures that had intentions of hunting down and kidnapping anyone who entered their domain. And others thought that the purest and wisest of beast lived in there, only coming out when the curtains were drawn across and the candles were blown out."
"What do you mean?"
Their mother smiled and stood up from her seat to sit beside her youngest, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him against her side. "Remember, this is an old legend that originated in a time when technology like what we have here didn't exist."
"Really? Not even a light bulb?"
"No Genji. They had candles instead. When it got dark enough, the people would go around lighting them. Now hush.
One night, a lone girl was walking along the outskirts of the lowborn village Orosla, coming home from a blacksmiths workshop where she worked. Every night on her way home she would pause and gaze off into the distance at the looming mountains, simply watching as it was slowly bathed in the light of the rising moon, its curved peaks and tall trees the lines the base being lit up.
"I wonder if the stories are true. If there really is a monster the colour of black or a creature the colour of the brightest white."
She waited a few moments longer before turning her back to the far range, sighing softly and placing a hand on her heart, whispering in a foreign tongue with her eyes closed.
"Audite me, salvum me venire, Ego potest esse ultra. Et venistis ad me."
"What did she say mother? Tell us!"
Even Hanzo showed signs of reluctant interest.
"Sweethearts, that remains unknown."
"But why?"
Hanzo scoffed. "Genji, isn't it obvious? It's an old and forgotten foreign language. Right?"
"Correct. It has not been around from several thousand years. It was lost before the time of this legend."
"Really?!"
"Yes dears. Now no more interruptions!"
"Yes mother."
"She waited for a moment longer with her eyes closed. She became so engrossed in the silence she did not notice the footsteps approaching her. But when she did, it was too late. A raspy, croaking voice hissed at her.
"What did you say freak?"
Her eyes snapped open and she whirled around. "I-I-I didn't say anything!"
The man in front of her snarled, spit flying from his mouth. "Yes you did. You said some in that despicable tongue! The one that was lost years ago! I know it was made sure that it perished. Now, I'm only asking once, what did you say?!"
"I didn't say anything! I promise! You must have heard wrong!"
"I hear perfectly. Maybe it's you who doesn't!"
And with that, he picked her up by the throat and threw her to the ground behind him, then kicked her to send her rolling."
Genji roared. "WHAT!? He did that!?"
Hanzo looked slightly angry. "You never do that to a woman. He should have been taught better."
The brother's mother smiled faintly, not saying a word, knowing exactly how they were brought up.
"She hit the ground hard, winded and panting. Her eye sight blurred as she squinted to see her attacked better. But then she realised she was staring at the far mountains. But something was different. Something was not right. She squinted past the man, straight at tallest peak that curved so much the peak was halfway from touching the ground again. And the moon sat directly in the centre. She blinked.
"What the..."
The man loomed over her. "Are you even paying attention to me!?"
"No...it can't be..."
"What?!"
"Look..." She slowly lifted an arm and pointed at the range, at the tallest peak. The man turned slowly. Perched atop the curve, a long, massive, twisting and curling beast sat. Even in the darkness, the light it radiated showed what it was clearly as if it was day. A long mane ran from its head past its tail, two twisting horns curling from the back of its head. Two eyes the colour of amber glowed, staring straight at them.
"What is it mother?
"Genji! Ssssshhhh!"
"Sorry."
The mother continued as if here was not interruption.
"It rose onto its hind legs and sprang into the air, its white body shining in the dark, uncoiling to show its true size. Longer than a eight story building and broader than three people lying down, head to feet. And it was headed straight for them.
The man screamed in fear, falling backwards and hitting the ground, trying scrambling away. The beast drew closer, swimming gracefully through the air, its scales glowing and twinkling in the moonlight. Before the two knew it, the majestic dragon was upon them. It landed silently, pinning the man with an unforgiving gaze. Suddenly, a booming command rang out.
"Go..." It rang through the air, it echoed. Whimpering, the man scrambled to his feet and stumbled away into the darkness.
The girl simply lay on the ground, unwilling to move. She hurt. Her chest ached, her head stung and her eyes burned, she had no will to rise. The beast stared at her, its eyes softening as it studies her.
"I mean you know harm child. If I did, I would have not saved you."
The girl's mouth dropped open slightly and she whispered softly. "You-you saved me...?"
"I did. You called." The dragon spoke with a feminie voice, with a trilling and slightly musical accent.
"I-I called?"
The dragon bowed her head in agreement. " me, salvum me venire, Ego potest esse venistis ad me."
"I-I remember. That's your language?"
"Yes."
"What are you?"
The dragon stood tall on all fours, drawing herself up to her fullest height. "I am an Imperial Lung, Leader of the Seacliff clan and ruler of all dragon of the world. And the only Imperial dragon in existence."
"So why did you save me?"
"I am old. Too old for what I must do. For what I am expected to do. From what I wish to do. It is time I choose another to take my place, and heir."
"And you chose me?"
"I have." The dragon extended an arm, spreading her talons as an offering. "Do you wish to join me?"
The girl looked up and into the kind but serious amber eyes. "You mean, get away from here?"
"Yes."
She slowly got to her feet and stepped forward, placing her hand on the dragon's outstretched talon. "I'm coming."
The Imperial Lung said nothing, only bent down so she could press her forehead to the girl's and spoke in the same commanding voice as before.
"We...are one."
A blinding flash of light blasted down from the sky, causing the girl squeeze her eyes shut. When she opened them again, the Imperial Lung was gone."
"What is-"
"Ssssshhhh."
"She raised a hand to her forehead, feeling a small, smooth surface in the middle. She jumped and crawled over to a nearby stream, looking into the trickling water. Staring back at her was a girl with violet eyes and yellow irises, a small white diamond embedded in the middle of her forehead. She raised her head and looked back at the crest. The moon still sat in the middle, waiting for her to come. Standing up, she closed her eyes and let the beast burst out from within. She grew in size, becoming the Imperial Lung she said she would be. She was slightly smaller than the previous one, her mane tinged with purple and her scales slightly yellow. She was not the bright, pure white the other used to be. But she was no less regal or majestic. Wasting no time, she reared onto her hind legs and sprang to the sky, her long body uncoiling as she soar up and toward the beckoning moon. Not once did she look back."
"Wow. That was so-"
"I'm not finished Genji."
"Oh, sorry."
"On a small hill, the same man who attacked the girl who now soars among the sky, stood with his mouth open, unable to comprehend what he just witnessed. Turning around, he ran back as fast as he could, sharing what he saw to the people of the village. Some believed him, and some thought he was crazy. He might have been wrong, he might have been right. What he said might have been true, it might have been a made up story. No one will ever know."
The mother smiled at her two children. "But this tale spread through history and for even more, that mountain range was known as The Dragon's Keep. Andthat, is how the legend was born."
Genji grinned and looked at his brother. Hanzo was asleep leaning against the wall. Their mother laughed softly and moved to rearrange him so he lay on the mattress and under the covers. Genji did the same, lying on his side to watch his mother.
"Mother, do you think the legend is true?"
"I do not know honey. Maybe, but no one has seen or heard anything of the great Imperial Lung since that time. Now, you must sleep."
"Okay. Goodnight mum."
"Good night honey. And remember, Audite me, salvum me venire, Ego potest non esse ultra. Et venistis ad me.
Their mother got up and walked over to the door, turning the light off and closing it.
(Flashback ends)
"Genji?Genji are you even awake?"
Genji snapped his eyes open and whipped his head around to see his brother's hand on his shoulder. "Yes. But I wasn't listening."
Hanzo simply smiled and squeezed Genji's metal shoulder. "It's fine. But why were you not listening?"
"I was remembering the last time mother told us the Legend."
A painful smile grew on Hanzo's. The last time their mother told them the legend was the night before she died. "Okay. But seriously, I swear something's going to happen here. It just too similar to how the mountains are in the legend." Hanzo removed his hand from his brother's shoulder and turned his gaze back to the Northern Mountain.
"I wouldn't worry about it Hanzo. But I'll agree, it is similar. Though it's only a legend. Come, sleep is needed."
The two brothers stood up and walked over to the door. But as they did, a loud, booming crack of thunder rang out and bolt of lightning lashed out viciously, striking the range.
Right in the very centre.
All done? Great! So what did you think? I'd love to know! It would make me really happy if you could leave a review for me!
See you all next time!