chapter 1: The preposition of Legends.
by: Gem Starr
NiGHTS, Reala, and all other associated characters belong to Sega enterprises I just borrowed them, and will return them when I am done. :)
Arowen, Talin, Gem, and several others are mine. Please do not take them without permission.
I have a dedication: To the memory of Kelli, who taught me how to imagine what would ever be within my soul. and to Jazza 'el Riva, for putting up with me through thick and Thin, and for finally working on those fics of his!
And, now... without further ado...
"6:00 a.m." The alarm clock went off with a vengeance. Talin reached one hand out, feeling feebly about for the button. Ah, there it was, the annoying Nightopian like sound turned off... and the blissful silence of the "snooze" button reigned. Talin really didn't like that alarm clock, heck, he hated the thing. But his parents HAD bought it for him, and he figured he could stand it a bit longer before he moved out. Graduation was a mere few weeks away. Then he would be an adult, out on his own, maybe even have a good paying job. Though few his age did.
He tried in vain to shut out the sunshine and noises coming from outside the confines of his small bed. But abruptly the peacefulness was broken by something flying at him and hitting his head. A Shoe? And what-ho! Another! He carefully peeked out of the blankets to see his sister, standing there in the doorway. Her hair was up in a towel and another shoe was held in one hand, as if she were still taking aim.
"What the Heck are you doing?!" Talin bellowed. This was a routine, he could tell her next words would be..
"Mum told em to come and get you up!" YES! he was right. Right down to the sarcasm in her voice He slowly sat up, his hair taking it's usual shape.. every direction but the right one. His sister laughed and quickly retreated before a well aimed shoe could get her back.
He got himself up, yanked on the first set of clothes that smelled right, made a good attempt to tame his black hair then shuffled down stairs. There was his mother, doing her usual juggling act of trying to prepare breakfast, and herself at the same time. It was not working to her advantage. Yet, somehow, she had managed this feat since the time Talin was a toddler, and his sister a mere infant. That was when his father had died.. r more accurately was killed. Still no one knew why or by who. Talin didn't remember much about his father, but was constantly told he looked just like him.
Talin plopped into a chair quietly munching on his breakfast of toast when his sister came down the stairs, in answer from a honk outside, their ride was there. Grabbing his remaining piece of toast, he vaulted out the door for a fresh day at school.
The day went fine, until his final class of the day, History. They were still studying the great dreamer wars of the early histories. Well, that and the legendary NiGHTS. Though few still believed he actually existed, or if he did... he did not do all he was claimed to. None-the-less, they still had to learn about him and the rebel armies.
"So when the war ended, NIGHTS became leader of the maren race for a while. Then retired into obscurity." The teacher put her hands down on the desk, showing the lecture was at an end.
Talin saw the curious look on Jalia's face before she even spoke he knew this would ensue a long discussion or a new adventure for the inquisitive young maren to his left. they had been best friends since they were kids, and he had learned to read her well.
"Did any of them get married?" She asked the teacher
"I suppose.", the teacher seemed to be thinking. " Though birth and death records were all but non existent in those days.. and well, lets face it, marriage certificates didn't exist. It is said in writings that Gem married... so Did NiGHTS and Reala. However, to whom they married... well no one can tell."
The curiosity on Jalia's face grew stronger and Talin cringed. He knew she was hatching some idea in that pretty head of hers, and it would, without a doubt, include him, whether he wanted to or not.
"what about kids?"
"Well, yes, from what writings say Nights had a child and Reala had a few, so did gem, even Rishna had a pair of daughters. However, little is known about them today."
The look of curiosity intensified, Talin cringed. "Could their descendants still be alive?"
"It is possible." the teacher laughed lightly "That is, if NiGHTS ever existed."
Jali was about to reply when to Talin's terrific relief the bell rang, signaling the end of class. There was a mad dash to gather books and such and make it out the door faster then anyone else. Talin hopped out the front doors and made a quick check then took to the air in a desperate attempt to get home quickly. He didn't make it far before he was pounced upon by Kelsen, a local maren cat.
"Come on Talin! We're goin' to the tower!" Jali smiled and Talin Winced.
"WHY?!" His cry fell of deaf ears, he was now being drug down the street towards the oldest part of town. Didn't they understand? He just wanted to get home, do his homework then slip into the oblivion that was off school hours.
"We're gonna prove there IS a NiGHTS!" He rolled his eyes but with a mutter of "I can walk myself" followed them down the streets and farther and farther away from home.
"That's all Human tales and nonsense Jalia." He muttered but Jali ignored him.
"what d'ya suppose he looked like?" Jalia mused dancing nimbly along the street side
For the first time the maren cat spoke up. " The books say he was a tall lean fellow with dark eyes and a usually jovial expression." Kelsen recited easily.
"you two are both Nuts." Talin growled
"What about the other three? Reala, Gem and Rishna?" Apparently the conversation was continuing despite Talin's complaints.
"Reala, now HE was worth of the name nightmare I hear. Strong guy, all white face with marking son it in black to parody a human clown or Mime's face. They say he had claws that could tear through Steel!"
"Stop it, this is stupid.." Talin spoke, but apparently no one was listening anymore.
"Rishna was called the Red NiGHTS because she looked almost just like him. but most of her was read, from her hair to her clothes."
"Must've made her easy to see I suppose." Jalia chuckled.
"Grrrrrrrr.." Talin clenched his fists in frustration.
"And Gem?"
"She was the most documented, because she kept such good records. She was short for a maren, with dark purple eyes and was always gaunt looking and pale. They speculate malnutrition when she was young.
Talin had had enough. " THERE IS NO NiGHTS!!" he yell-hissed in such a way both of his friends startled and backed away a bit. Talin's eyes had gone from the calm sedate blue to ice in seconds. Kelsen and Jalia stood back and gaped at their usually peaceful friend. Talin continued. "There never was... there never will be." his voice retained the hissing quality that sent chills down Jalia's spine. She shivered as she spoke.
"Y-you don't have to come with us..."
"Then I won't. See you two later." He did an about face and took off the way they had come.
"Someone's touchy" Kelsen whispered .
Jalia didn't understand it, Why was Talin so against believing in NiGHTS.. 'It's all Human tales and Nonsense" His voice echoed in her ears. But she refused to believe it. All legends were based in fact, weren't they?
The tower soon dominated their vision, the huge blue building with gleaming golden spire had been there as long as anyone could remember and as long as the histories went back. It seemed like a large sentinel watching over the nightmaren race's progress. Now it held legal records, birth, marriage, and Death certificates, and a small museum with everything from Years and years before.
The lobby was huge. The tiled floor done in soft purples and whites to match the white walls, and in front of them stood a large receptionist's desk.
"where would we find historic records?" Kelsen asked The receptionist simply pointed at a large directory and blew a bubble that popped. The noise echoed around the large lobby. Kelsen muttered mutinously as they decrypted the impossibly large directory finding the place they needed to be a few floors up and 7 doors down.
Two wrong turns and trips in the elevator later found Kelsen and Jalia up to their eye sin old records, some so old they were fading to nonexistence.
"We're never going to find anything in this mess!" Kelsen cried in frustration, leafing through some pre dreamer records in untidy scrawl.
"It has to be here... somewhere.." Jalia's voice came vaguely from a pile of papers.
"Just Face it Jalia! If NiGHTS had been real scientists and historians would have figured it out by now!" Kelsen slammed his paw down on the table and then blinked. Peering at the piece of paper beneath he gave a huge whoop that sent Jalia to his side in moments.
"Cheysuli Cresten-Wansford and Amythist Wansford had their first child today." Kelsen read aloud "it's a birth Record! Look it goes on. 'The proud grandparents Arlando and Gem Cresten. are pleased to see their daughter doing so well. "
Jali's voice caught in her throat. She flipped through some of the other
papers in the stack, and found a matching record recording a second daughter
to Gem had died horribly. She also read this aloud, "Amria Jules Cresten
was found dead this morning. Horribly attacked the thought is to be gaos.
Gem and Arlo are devistated as the rest of the family. Services will be
held next Thursday, that is all for now.
Heruno (journalist for Nightopian Free Army)"
The next few hours were spent researching through generations and generations of Records till they traced the last they could. Twins again by the names of Leire and Arowen. It appeared that twins ran deeply in the family. every other generation were twins. Looking through symbols and such it was easy to tell that the family had been married to races other then Maren. They left late that night, finally being roused out of their holes in papers by the archivist who happened by. Still Jalia thought over what they had found with all luck, tomorrow they would meet the last remaining descendants of Gem. And from there, who knew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"TALIN! YOU'VE GOT COMPANY!"
Talin growled deeply, slowly raising out of his bed like something out of a horror movie. He made his way downstairs. didn't whoever it was know that on weekends he was not to be woken till after the ungodly hours of morning? There was Jalia, big smile on her face. Something within him screamed tot urn around and go back to bed. but he ignored it and walked down stairs, "what do ya want Jalia?"
"oh we found something interesting.. "she put her arms behind her back in a secretive way.
"like?" Talin asked, unsure whether he truthfully wanted that answered.
"Oh, I'll tell ya in a minute... By the way, nice hair." Jalia smiled sweetly. Enjoying the way Talin's face went a particular shade of red at that comment. Talin figured that there was no way he was going to get to go back to sleep now, so he muttered an "I'll be right back and he ran back upstairs, dressing and combing his hair then running back down his socked feet sliding a bit on the entryway tile. Jalia was now sitting on the couch smiling at him as he vaulted over the back and landed sitting beside her.
"Now what was this you were going to tell me?"
"Well.. To put it shortly. We found him Talin!" Jalia smiled again shoving her bright hair back behind her ears.
"Found him... oh no.. Please don't say you.." Talin began but the grin on Jalia's face told him more then words ever could.
"I'm going to meet the last descendants of Gem this afternoon. Want to tag along?" Jalia asked in her perky manner.
Talin Sighed and nodded. "Sure, got nothing better to do." He turned throwing his voice towards the Kitchen door "Mum! M'going out for the day with Jalia, be back later s'alright?"
His mother peeked through the kitchen door and smiled at the bright haired maren sitting beside her son. "Sure, you guys just be careful. Weather is nice out but odd winds are blowing.. it worries me."
Talin watched his mother carefully, he could tell something was wrong. She never spoke like that. And He couldn't seem to puzzle out what she meant, He grabbed his shoe, slipping them on in silence even after his mother had disappeared back into the kitchen.
When she next spoke Jalia sounded a little shaky. "What did she mean Tal?"
"To be honest, I don't know."
About 3 hours later found Talin and Jalia walking down a picturesque
street. Obviously old where cobbled roads had been covered with the modern
surface, and houses had been here for centuries. Most were large
old mansions. But nestled in the back of the street, where Spring valley
met the ancient towering giants of mystic forest sat a little Cottage with
an extensive garden. Ivy climbed up one wall of the house onto the
roof. The Garden was mostly in full bloom, roses and Creeping speedwell
created splashed of color, and sweet smelling herbs and mints made the
air seem more clean. They approached the old wooden door quietly
Jalia too busy taking in the scenery and Talin feeling a sense of foreboding
totally unfitting of the atmosphere of the little cottage.
Jalia tapped gently on the door which after a moment slowly opened,
a tiny old maren peeked out. She blinked wide golden eyes at them.
"can I help you?"
"er, yes. We are here to see Arowen and Leire..." Jalia smiled awkwardly.
"oh their at the store dears, but you can come on in." The door opened more and they were admitted into a narrow hallway. The house looked immeasurably old from the inside, there was no telling how old it was. The floors were not hard wood or carpeted by flagged stone, ancient and worn in so well that it was hard to tell where the stones stopped and started anymore. The walls were old plaster over Wood beams. The living room was full of all sorts of old things. But one thing, or more accurately, a trio of things caught Talin's attention. Three magnificent swords hung over the mantle place of a dusty old fire place. One looked to be of Night make, A bright coal black blade and gold hilt and crosstrees. The Second looked like ice incarnate, A bright, cold silver blade and hilt, wrapped in black leather. The third though seemed to be made of Light, bright silver blade and gold hilt shone in the dim light from the windows.
The old maren must have noticed his intent gaze because she spoke calmly. "Family heirlooms." Talin nodded vaguely staring at the floor. Then glanced up at the old maren again.
She must've been pretty in her younger years. Though age had turned her dark hair Gray-white. She still had slightly tanned skin and bright calm gold eyes. She was short, but looked, as she must've when she was younger, as she could take on any person and beat them horribly. However she seemed to radiate kindness and A gentle attitude.
"would you like some tea dears?" She asked.
Jalia nodded and after the older maren left the room She turned to Talin. "This place is... amazing. Look some of this stuff Museums would pay fortunes for!"
Talin Nodded deftly, his eyes kept falling on the cold sword, the one with the black wrapped hilt. Something was bothering him, calling him to it. He couldn't explain it but something was happening to him. and He didn't like it.
Around that time the old maren returned and, in the hallway the door could be heard opening and closing.
"Gran! We're home!" Two completely identical girls walked in through the hallway and paused in the living room. Well, nearly identical, they had different colored eyes. One had bright gold-green shade, the other the same gold as the older maren. "We have... company?" The gold eyed one asked timidly, her shopping hanging limply in one hand.
The older maren smiled softly and nodded. She turned to Jalia and Talin. "These are the two you came to meet. These are my granddaughters Arowen, " The gold eyed one nodded, "and Leire" The one with turquoise eyes waved slightly.
All four teens stood and shook hands.
"and you two are?"
"Talin Nishmal."
"Jalia Tisbal"
"nice to meet you both.. May I ask why you came all the way out here?"
Leire asked. Her calm eyes on them.
"Well, we were researching NiGHTS... and...." Jali trailed off seeing the look on the twin's faces.
"We don't know anything about him!" Arowen nearly shouted at them both, Jalia looked affronted and backed up steadily away from the angry and more vocal of the twins. "And even if we did you not the first to come here asking.... Honestly why ca—Grandma, what are you doing?" Arowen had paused and Talin turned, seeing the older maren taking down one of the magnificent swords. The cold glittering silver blade looked so unusual in her frail old hand. But she carried it towards Talin who to his utter suprise accepted it He took a few clumsy slashes... his eyes on the blade, somehow it felt right... very right. Like he was born to wield it. He slowly turned it and planted the tip against the stone floor, his hands folded over the hilt.
"That," The maren said softly, those odd amber eyes glittering, "Belongs to Reala."
Talin gaped at the sword then slowly looked up at her, Preying to all that Was, that the old maren would be wrong. But he knew it was true somehow. In the smile the old maren gave him, or in the look he got from Jalia, the feeling of the leather wrapped hilt in his hand. Talin's entire body trembled. Here, in his hand, was proof that one of the legendary figures had existed.
Jali look at Talin's face. It had taken on an odd ashen hue, pale as a sheet, but his eyes shone. Following his gaze she caught sight of the bright gold hinted-silver bladed sword. The sun now streamed through one of the old heavy paned windows and caught the highly polished blade making it blaze in the dim interior of the cottage.
"Who did that one belong to?" She asked, suddenly feeling quite small.
"That one? NiGHTS." She stated simply.
The spell cast by the blade was suddenly broken when Talin let go of the hilt of the Reala's sword and began to back slowly away from the glittering piece on the mantle. His eyes were glazed, but set, as if he were seeing something no one else could.
"no! GO away! You're not real!" Talin was backing steadily against the far wall. His icy blue eyes wide and glazed. "I'm sorry brother, I never meant it!"
"brother? Talin! Snap out of it!" Jalia took Talin by the shoulders and shook him hard. But still that dazed look remained.
"I'm sorry brother! NiGHTS forgive me!" Talin's voice rang out. but it was deeper, more hissing, frightened.
Now the twins joined in the fruitless shaking. However at once, the
less patient of the two gave out.
"Stand back" Arowen instructed then draw her hand back and gave Talin
a hard slap to the face. But as she drew hr hand away Talin suddenly grabbed
her wrist. Those ice blue eyes seemed to bore into her.
"Help me." his voice was a mere whisper, then his grip slackened and he sunk backwards Jalia and Leire were barely able to catch the tall teen before he hit the stone floor.
Talin found himself in a dark, torch-lit hallway. At first his
mind balked at the idea of torches. Now they ha electricity. But there
they were, their guttering light reflecting off the occasional mirror and
the shiny black walls and ceiling. On closer inspection Talin discovered
the stone was not just any stone but a fine black marble, so shiny and
seamless it looked like obsidian polished. He felt like he
knew the place, though he knew he had never been there before.
"Nightmare" The word echoed through his mind till he at last pieced
the puzzle together and understood. He was in the legendary castle Nightmare,
that had housed Wizeman and the nightminion. Outside the thick stone walls
Thunder cracked explosively, rattling the stones beneath his feet. He caught
sight of himself in one of the near by mirrors and nearly fell backwards
in suprise. White face, with black marks above and below each eye.
Making it a horrible parody of a clown's face. A tight fitting body suit
with a red vest and black trim. Red and black striped boots now housed
his feet. he began to back away desperately, but the reflection seemed
to follow him, and it didn't mirror the look of horror he knew must be
on his own face. However the closer it got, the difference took shape.
it wasn't him at all but some tall, heavily muscled ghost from a time long
passed. Talin suddenly felt humble, though he and the older maren were
around even in height.
"The time is near" The other's voice sent shivers down Talin's spine. Cold, harsh, entirely without emotion. When Talin said nothing the other continued. "You have been chosen for a large purpose Talin."
"W-who are you?" Talin managed to stammer out.
A cold smile broke the pale mask of the stranger as he spoke. "Some called me highest General, few called me friend. I went, at times, by murderer, but rarely did I come to the name brother. Ancestor, or perhaps you would know me as Reala."
Talin just stared. He couldn't seem to grasp what he was seeing. Reala continued.
"An evil is coming, you must find the lost ones of Jackle's, Gem's, Rishna's, Clawz's and NiGHTS's" Talin cried out as one cold clawed hand touched his shoulder. "please, don't wait. Don't make the mistake I did. Be strong for them all." With that said the world voided to black Talin felt as if he were falling a long, long ways. Then slowly he began to wake again.
When he opened his eyes all he saw was a bright blur, and the conscious thought that his whole body hurt was the first and most apparent. Slowly two anxious faces came into focus over him. Arowen's bright gold eyes looked puzzled and concerned. Jalia looked downright frightened. Her bright hair reflecting off her glasses as she peered down at him.
"Talin, what happened?" Jalia asked nervously
"Reala!" Talin gasped, he suddenly felt wide awake as if cold water had been poured on him. "I saw Reala!"
"Is he always this crazy or are we just lucky?" Arowen asked lightly. Jalia scowled at the other girl who just shrugged sinking back a bit.
"I'm not crazy." Talin sat up rubbing the back of his head, which hurt. "I saw him.. and I saw Nightmare..." when Jalia seemed about to deny this Talin caught her hands his blue eyes wild but a deeper set knowledge in them. "I know what I saw Jalia... It's true... it's all true. Now I believe too."
Jalia looked at Arowen, the two then looked back at Talin who looked paler, his blue eyes fiercer, something much older then Talin himself had been awakened... and for the first time since they first met as kids, Jalia felt slightly afraid of how strong and tall her friend was.
"Something much bigger then us has started... and we have a long, hard fight ahead of us." Talin leaned forward and rested his face in his hands while the others, save the old grandmother, looked confused.
End of Chapter one.
Comming Soon: Chapter Two-Joker's Wild