Mirror's Edge
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the character in this working besides the ones I create to forge the stories plot. Also I'm making no money from this. As such I have no gain in its creation other then the pleasure for writing it and words of advice given though its reviews.
Note: I have changed some things and added alot from the origonal release.
Chapter One: Anointing a Hero
It was dark, really dark. All alone a man sat in front of an almost spent fire. Its coals hardly aglow as the embers continued to fade out. The man slowly rose to his feet and while beginning a soft chant no loader then a whisper. After a minute of this chanting the man produced a small stone with a mark engraved in it. Tossing the stone into the now dead fire he cried out in a loud voice, his speech in a tongue unknown to many. Suddenly the dead fire pit took life and became a raging inferno before the man. Quickly the flames took form and became like a Chinese styled dragon and encircled the area as its head turn to the man in front of the fire pit.
"Why have you summoned me… again? I do not play fool for the council you serve or the king that rules your lands." The dragon shaped inferno said.
"I'm sorry to have summoned you so soon after the last moon. But this matter is of the child of eighth blood, Ranko. The girl will turn sixteen a quarter past the next half moon and her blood is beginning to show its nature." The man said as he wiped his brow.
"What of the thin blood? Surely you do jest to say that her draconic blood is swelling? She my have the blood of a dragon in her but it's to thin to mount to anything." The dragon replied.
"Well it seems that the 'Great Mother' thought it prudent for me to tell you about the girl." The man said picking up his cane that had been on the ground this entire time. After the cane's retrieval he continued. "The girl's blood is swelling. She's stiff each morning and though she hides it she is in some pain."
"If she's in pain it's the weakness of her body not the blood it contains. I find it hard that the thin blood should have her blood swell." The fiery dragon returned. "Regardless the most she can get is a pair of wings. But with such thin blood that might be out of her reach."
"I don't think it's her form that needs concern. But rather it's the strength of her soul that the 'Great Mother' is concerned about. She is unconsciously emitting a passive aura of power that only first bloods can match. She herself hasn't noticed this but others have begun to. The problem is that she can't seem to access the draconic energy within herself."
"So a mage with out spells then… No. it's more like a mage cut off from there source." The dragon said. "So she needs a focus what's the problem with that?"
"None of the medians are working. While they connect, there focus of her power is so weak that she can't draw it out." The man replied while shaking his head.
"Why does this child get the attention of my summoning; while the more promising one are barely mentioned? What makes her so special that she should get the honor of my hearing of her?" The Dragon asked.
"I'm not quite sure myself, but the facts I can tell. She's the only girl that the 'Great Mother' allows to tend her chamber unquestioned. She isn't allowed to go into town and has a charm that makes sure of this. She was born under the stars of the horse in the year of the red dragon, much like the draconic blood that flows through her veins. At age 15 she should be looking for a husband but she rather spend all here time either with the 'Great Mother' and her guidance or tending the fledglings of her litter." The man said taking a breath.
"What of her parents." The dragon asked.
"They died in a riot. She was given to the care of the council but the 'Great Mother' asked for the child." The man replied evenly.
"So my summoning is more for the concern of Elenryce. She is a proud one. The answer is simple. The median the child needs is unique to only her. It is rare but once found she will have her power." The dragon replied.
"What is the median she need." The man asked.
"She will be drawn to it herself. She will show you where to look unknowingly. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's a one of the fledgling she tends." The fire dragon replied.
"You think she's a rider!? Riders are a rarity to those beyond second bloods." The man said in surprise.
"Perhaps… It is not certain, more likely she's bound to it from an event or even birth." The dragon continued. "Now if that is all the maters you have for me then I will take my leave."
"No there are two others. They are related to an action of Ryluk." The old man replied again wiping his brow.
"Why would his actions need my words? Surely you don't think he's caused a miss judgment on those before him." The dragon asked.
"No. the problem is of a different nature. He was summoned without rite and leaves a mysterious child in his wake." The man paused letting the strangeness of this sink in.
"Go on." The dragon simple stated.
"Two human's where in the temple. He gave a blessing to the first boy and to another sent him off somewhere in a cone of flame. The girl was in place of the second." The old man continued.
"Hmm. What of the girl? Is she human as well?" the dragon asked.
"No she bares markings of a cat; though something isn't right about her like she is tainted in some way." The replied evenly.
"How did the humans get into the keep?" the dragon asked. "Thought only dragons where allowed inside."
"It is a question no one can answer I'm afraid. They appeared to seemingly walk right in unnoticed." Said leaning on his staff. "I watched it happen."
"Ryluk, the Blessed Smoke… He seems to know something by his action on this. He probably set what needs to happen into motion by this even. Was there any thing left with the girl?" the said giving what he heard some thought.
"Yes a light blue clear stone about the size of my palm." He replied.
"I think it might be a soul-crystal. Rare indeed but most likely not a present for Elenryce; she'll be mad at that news. The stone is for this girl's use only; she also isn't to be harmed." The fiery dragon ordered.
"What of the two boys that where there in Ryluk temple I will hear more on them? One was blessed and the other sent some where." The dragon said turning the focus back.
"Yes, the first took off running into the forest around the keep. Lady Carry is after him. The Great Mother thinks it best to talk to him about what has happened." The man replied wiping his brow with his sleeve.
"Tell Elenryce that I expect her to use that boy to clean up the mess in the western forest. He has Ryluk blessing after all. For the other boy we'll see what happens." Stated the dragon. "Is that it now? No more request for my consulting."
"Yes, well that is it until next moon when I bring word." The man replied.
"So be it. Tell Elernyce that she should be more thoughtful before summoning me over such trifles of her personal life." The dragon said as he dissipated into the air.
A girl sat on an extravagant bed naked looking at the mirror on the wall. Its frame adorned in dragons made of gold and silver. What she saw though was white hair, light copper eyes and the youthful body of a light tan teenage girl. Though that's not where her focus was at. No it was that which sat on top of her head and poked out from her tail end. The objects where also furry and white, same as her hair and they twitched as she fidgeted looking at herself in the mirror. She continued to sit there for several minutes staring in shock. A light breeze came in from the large window to her left. Giving the light pink curtains a flutter. The cool air hit her flesh and she yelped in surprise when she felt sensation come from these fur parts. Slowly raising her right hand she touched the soft object on top of her head. Then with her left she reach a touched the one extending from her back side confirming that they where indeed real and where part of her. Closing her eye she counted to three and opened them hoping that what she saw was just a dream. There staring back at her was the same girl with the additional appendages. Then she noticed her eyes and something felt off about her mouth too. Her eyes where slit much like that of a cat. Pulling her lip up she found that her canines where larger and stuck out. Also quickly looking at her hands she noticed that they seemed more claw like as well as her feet. She turned her view from the mirror to the body it reflected and moving her hands across it lengths. She stopped when she felt another breeze come through the window. Glancing to her right she found at the end of the bed laid some clothing and other things. It looked like a few containers and towels where set there as well. She then let out a sigh.
"Where am I… what happened to me?" she whispered to herself.
"I'm sorry about this." A voice echoed.
"Who's there!" she said jumping to her feet looking in every direction.
"If I would have known…" another echoed.
"Where are you!?" She shouted grabbing one of the towels to cover her body.
"You must search." A third echoed softer as if fading.
"What?!" she replied.
"For what I've done." The voices echoed again this time the end faded out.
"What you did?!" she shouted still darting her eyes trying to locate the voice. But after several minutes of no responses she figured it left. "Now that a think about it who am I?"
"You're awake! Great!" A female voice spoke from behind her with the sound of a locking door.
"Who are you?" she turned to look at the woman that stood near the entrance to the room.
"I've been assigned to watch over you and make sure you're cared for while recovering. My name is Meya and I'll also be your doctor. The woman said as she walked farther into the room.
"Where am I." she girl asked.
"Well, I would answer that after you tell me your name and how you're feeling." Meya replied walking up to the bed and placing her hand on the girl's forehead.
"I feel ok… my name is umm… umm…" the girl replied
"Hmm… I don't think "Umm Umm" is your name so I take it that you don't remember it. Do you remember anything else like your family or maybe a friend?" Meya replied moving her hands to check other parts of the girl's body. But she got a blank stair from the girl. "Ok What if I said the name of a boy that was here with one of his friends. Do you think you might remember then?"
"I don't know…" the girl replied.
"Ok, Ryoga. Do you know that name?" Meya asked. The girl thought for a bit then shook her head. "What about Ranma?" again after a few seconds of thought she shook her head again.
"So where am I?" the girl asked.
"You are in one of the many chambers of the great Stag keep and current guest of her majesty the Great Mother, Elenryce."
"What happened to Ryoga guy and his friend? I mean… Why would you ask me if I knew them?" the girl asked.
"The Great Mother will talk to you about many things; I just though that you might have known them in some way. Besides your body looks fine and I think you're in well enough health for a quick bath and trip to the see her." Meya replied.
"What happened to me?" the girl asked as Meya pulled her up from the bed and lead her to one four doors in the room.
"I was told that I should tell you that you where hit in the head. But that would be saying only part of the truth." Meya said. "I would like to tell you more but I think it might be best to hear it from the mouth of the witness.
"Who's that?" the girl asked.
"The old Sage himself." Meya stated dryly as she opened the door revealing a large bathroom.
"…Sage?" the girl replied back. She stopped hesitantly in her tracks for a moment.
"You know you look cute with the cat features." Meya replied pulling the door shut. "Now lets get you all washed up and ready to meet everyone.
Ryoga wasn't having a great time. He hated to admit it but he knew that people here seem to hate him and he couldn't seem to get lost like he usually does when trouble happens. He currently had a pack of guys in armor chasing him down like prey. He ducked, leaped over, and run through the woods that surrounded 'Stag Keep' as the locals called it. Every so often he's enter a big clearing and find that he was back in front of the keep again.
"This is your entire fault Ranma!" Ryoga shouted out as he dodged the several spears thrown at him and dashing into another clearing. Looking ahead of him he saw the keep again. "Gah! Why can't I get out of here!" he screamed pounding the ground with his fist.
"Give it up. We don't have to chase you. The magic of the forest will keep you here. But the 'Great Mother' has asked that you come to her at once and be judged." One of the men giving chase said.
"No! I'm not about to take the heat for Ranma's ass. No, if you want to pass judgment on someone it's him not me." Ryoga spit out.
"Too late, you can't run again boy." Another said as he drove his spear in the ground with a smirk. Suddenly Ryoga couldn't move.
"What did you do to me?!" Ryoga shouted as he struggled to move but found himself frozen in place.
"We did nothing you just walked on a trap is all." A woman said from behind him. "I'll take him off your hands guys. The great mother is getting worried that he got away." They with a sudden flash of light he was standing in front of a large door his body still frozen.
"Let me go!" Ryoga said as he felt the woman behind him grab the back of his shirt.
"That's up to the Great Mother, but I think she has a different plan for you." the woman said before placing a second hand on his back.
"I'm not taking the fall for Ranma! You hear me!" Ryoga shouted.
"Who said anything about Ranma…" she replied pulling on his shirt and throwing him backwards. Ryoga flew and hit the wall on the opposite side of the corridor away from the door and he blacked out.
"Carry you should be a little gentler with him. I don't want a broken toy." A soft and sweet voice called out from out of nowhere. "I'd hate to have to tell her that the man I thought would be a good sacrifice is broken now.
"Na I think you're too soft. This dolly is made of tough stuff. Besides why would you care if I still play like a child with my toys?" the women now know as Carry asked.
"Just saving you the trip is all I want. What would the Great Mother do anyways? Would she give him equal punishment?" the disembodied voiced replied.
"Oh that's right, The Great mother was going to have him do something fun and exciting. If you think it's got something to do with the other boy your wrong." Carry stated walking over to Ryoga's prone body.
"Oh then her plans are to use the toy?"
"Come and watch then. I'm sure it will be interesting." Carry said lifting Ryoga over her shoulders and walk down the hall. Soon they where at the end and stood before a large red door. "I have the boy named Ryoga as requested." She shouted so those on the other side of the door could hear her.
"Enter" was replied back as the doors began to open. Carry strolled in and found an empty chair at the side of the door and set Ryoga down in it. The room opened up into a vast cave with torches lighting the tunnels as they hung on the walls. All around the entrance stood five men in worn brown robes. Ryoga regained consciousness shortly and found himself sitting in a wooden chair.
"So you where given Ryluk's blessing." A loud and stern female voice said from the depths of the tunnels grabbing Ryoga's attention. "This is a curious thing."
"Contradictory to what we thought. He doesn't posses any runes or artifacts." Carry said back at the voice. "As for the boy Ranma, we are currently still tracing the targeted path."
"Ryoga, is it. You have touched something that most mortals aren't even able to see. Do you know what that is?" the Voice from the tunnels asked. Ryoga finding that he was able to move again stood up.
"I don't know what you're talking about nor do I care. I'm not going to take Ranma's punishment for him." Ryoga stated.
"You fear that I'm going to punish you for being blessed?" the voice from the cave asked.
"Blessed don't make me laugh. I have one of the most cursed lives. My life is saturated with pain, suffering, and humiliation!" Ryoga shouted fist clenched.
"You view us as the enemy?" The voices replied getting closer.
"And you don't!?" Ryoga replied.
"No I don't. Ryluk gave you his blessing. You're no enemy of mine. Rather you are one to help us as we in a way will help you." The voices from the cave said as it got even closer. Soon a large shape comes into view from the caves.
"Gha! You're a dragon!" Ryoga said a he took in the view of the creature in front of him.
"Yes my body is of the dragon race as you're of the human. But that is not what I wish to discuss with you." the dragon said coming more into view. It was a western style dragon. It had golden scales with a pink shine. The dragon stood fifteen feet high and twenty five feet long. "I want to inform you of the matter that is present and a request that's more of an obligation, if you truly are a person of just intent."
"What could I not know about the situation? You going to explain why you want me hunted down?!" Ryoga snapped back.
"Well yes actually and would you believe in the prospects of magic?" the dragon replied.
"I was cursed so ya I believe in magic." Ryoga returned.
"Yes I see. But your actions actually go deeper then you would have thought. More to the point, I send you to find and save a spirit as well as a town. That is if you can manage it. For your friends hand in this we shall see what actions he plays to."
"Like I care! That bastard can rot where he is and that would suite me just fine." Ryoga lashed out anger clear in his voice.
"You are a book to me and I read you with as much ease as any other. What you say is based on your emotions and that is all. When you calm down and think you'll see that the task I send you to do is what you'll end up doing anyway. Be it out of hate, anger, jealousy, pride, honor or and other reason that you will use to motivate your self into action." The dragon said before lifting its paw and waving it at Ryoga. There was an eerie silence that followed this gesture. Then a thud was heard as Ryoga hit the floor unconscious. "The tainted one approaches soon. Though her heart appears blank…" The great dragon said gesturing for Carry to take Ryoga further into the cave.
"So Why I'm I dressed like this?" The girl with white hair asked.
"It's the custom attire for those who are gifted with the power of magic. As for that stone, the Great Spirit Ryluk left it with you." Meya replied standing behind the girl combing her hair. "We put it on a string so you can wear it like an amulet."
"But the cloth is very thick and heavy... I can hardly move…" the girl wined.
"Oh. It's like that to add protection of course. But it's shouldn't be heavy…" Meya answered.
"…. I can't remember anything about myself. I don't know who my mama and pa are." The girl replied.
"Well I think that it will come in time. You might find new friends as well as old ones." Meya replied putting her arms around the girls Shoulders in a reassuring embrace. "Besides I think u should go with a pigtail the look would suites you."
"My memory is entwined to those two isn't? That's why you mentioned them right?" the girl asked.
"Yes you are some how tied to them." Meya said after a long pause. "But only you can find out how. No one knows where you came from yet but you where left lying in a pile of ashes."
"Then the story that I hit my head was false?" the girl retorted turning her gaze to the mirror.
"There! Your hair is done for now." Meya stated with a grin finishing the last tie on the girl's mid back length hair. "No you did hit your head. That much is certain. That lump knocked you out for three day and it swelled up to the size of my fist."
"Ok…. Then exactly what happened?" the girl replied not to sure of herself at the moment.
"As I said that'll be explained latter, as for you at the moment I think you should think of a name you would like to go by so we can call you something other then mysterious-white-haired-cat-girl." Meya said in a joking tone.
"You talked like Kuno there for a second though he'd say tree-born-kettle-girl I think." The girl replied.
"Oh? Who's this Kuno?" Meya asked.
"Um… I don't know… But I know that's what he'd say. Flowers… for some reason Kuno reminds me of flowers."
"Hmm… What about these flowers? What kind of feeling do you get when you think about them?" Meya asked with a thoughtful look.
"I think there nice but it's not my thing really. I mean I don't know." She said looking quite confused about it.
"So what's your favorite flower?" Meya asked turning the girl around and with a few pins she got the amulet to stay centered over the girl's chest.
"Not sure but, it was red. I like the color red." The girl replied closing her eyes and clasping her hands in front of herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly gaining a look of peace. Below her on the ground a glyph began to etch its self into the floor. Meya watched in wonderment as what she could tell was a low level spell circle appearing. It shined a soft green while the air in the room pickup into a light breeze swirling around the girl. The air began to shimmer and pick up momentum as it wrapped around the girl. It seemed to warp the clothing she was wearing and change it; causing them to shimmer brightly as they changed. Soon the wind stopped and the clothing lost it glow revealing what happened. Her shirt was now a light red low cut sleeveless shirt with the pendent loosely hanging in place against her cleavage that was now being slightly revealed. The shirt was long, going down to her mid thigh. The shirt was also cut starting at the waist to the end at the sides and back. Under the flaps of the shirt could be seen a white skirt that went above the knees and had a golden strip about an inch in. On her arms where a light pink cloth wraps that covered the length of her forearms with a small bit covering the back of her hands looping around her index fingers. Across her forehead sat a circlet with a azure colored gem shaped like a tear running into her bangs. Her feet wore sandals and they seemed to be designed for her clawed foot.
"Well guess we just found out that you are a glyph shaper. So how do those feel?" Meya asked.
"……" the girl slowly opened her eyes and then looked at herself. "I asked the wind if it would help me with the clothing because it was a bit uncomfortable."
"You asked the Wind? You're saying that you didn't make the glyph on the floor?" Meya said as she pointed to the ground.
"Umm no." the girl replied.
"Ok… then how did you ask the wind and what would make you think of asking the wind?" Meya replied.
"It asked me if it could help. That was when I closed my eyes. I asked it and then it replied 'may I barrow some of your power'." The girl told taking a look at the glyph in the floor. "Wait… this seal shouldn't work with these nodes."
"What? You really know the workings of glyphs? Now that's rare." Meya said revaluating the girl before her. "So you are a glyph shaper then."
"Yes. The nodes on this glyph are a mix between rank 3 and 7, which isn't unheard of but not common. The thing is that this seal is broken into 5 nodes. The center one is a class 10 rune so it can't hold much power. The problem is that the center one should at least be a class 7 rune to match the other nodes." The girl replied.
"Would it work if the power was supplied in a controlled manner?" Meya asked.
"That would only power the central node leaving the others very empty. The task would be done at a painfully slow rate, if at all." The girl stated.
"Did the wind say anything else?" Meya said with a thoughtful look.
"It called me Amnar." She replied with an unsteady tone.
Amnar slowly followed Meya down one hallway after another. The place was build like a huge castle or fortress. She had taken note that the image of dragons where in every piece of the place. She clasped her hands behind her back as she walked studying the figures carved into the walls.
"Amazing aren't they?" Meya asked glancing back at the neko-girl.
"Must've taken a long time to do each one and the place is full of them." Amnar replied.
"Well where about there. Just one more hall and we'll be at the door." Meya said pointing in the direction the still had to go.
"Meya back in the room… I know for a fact that glyph can't work but I don't know how I know about them." Amnar stated after a little bit.
"I'm sure that it will come in time." Meya replied as they turned down the last hall that led to a large red door.
"That's where the 'Great Mother' is?" Amnar asked quickening her steps to match Meya.
"Yep, can't wait till she sees how cute you look!" Meya said placing her hand on top of Amnar head and patting the girl. Reaching the door shortly there after, Meya placed three loud knocks on the door. After a few seconds the door swung open being pulled by a woman.
"So how did your part go Carry?" Meya asked as she stepped into the room followed by Amnar.
"Easy enough so far, but that only because he stumbled into one of my traps." Carry replied shacking her head. "Of course you get the little girl that can't fight ya."
"She seems to behave herself for me." Meya replied. "Her name is Amnar."
"Well she's done with that Ryoga guy. Wonder if he's got the short end of the stick or not." Carry commented pushing the large door shut.
"He will begin his quest as he has always done; though the girl will need a companion before she makes her way from his place." A voice came deep inside the cave.
"I assume that you must be the Great Mother of the castle. Though hiding from sight isn't very proper to hold a conversation." Amnar stated as she stepped deeper into the cavern.
"I'm currently headed towards you young one. Hap you may tell me why you are tainted. There are bindings on you that run deep." The voice replied as it got closer.
"I have no memories of anything like that, but you wouldn't happen to be a dragon or drake?" Amnar said holding her position in front of the caves mouth. "This large cave and the red glow at the far end make me wonder."
"You guess right. I'm a dragon as are all who attend Stag Keep." The Great Mother replied as she came into view and lay down before Amnar. To The Great Mother's side was a young girl about Amnar's look in age. The girl had red hair that flowed to the small of her back. She wore a just a red large shirt tied at several points to fit her form. The excess left to make a skirt at the end.
"She smells like a human mother." The red headed girl stated as she stayed at the dragons side. Her words coming across agitated.
"Yes she does. Though I also smell other qualities about her that lets me know she's more then that." The dragon replied.
"So then maybe you can shed light on how I got here? Since I know a bump on the head doesn't cause someone to appear somewhere." Amnar asked looking up at the large creature; ignoring the red head.
"While I don't know the reason I do know the trigger that brought you here. Are you familiar with spells or the prospect of magic?" the Great Mother asked.
"I am. Though more so in elemental glyphs. I can't really cast much in the way of spells." Amnar replied sitting down in front of the dragon.
"Glyphs now? What a strange art to know about. You don't remember anything about learning this or some one who might be connected to you?" The Great mother asked as she studied the girl in front of her. "Ranko, I sense that you are uneasy in her company."
"It's nothing. Just a bit of light headedness is all." The red head girl replied turning her head to the side.
"You have a tingling felling all over your body don't you. Do your eyes hurt as well?" the dragon asked not buying the girl's words.
"Yes it is as you say. I'll be fine, please don't worry about it." Ranko replied closing her eyes and giving her head a slight shake.
"Ranko. Let me see your eyes it might be different then you think." The Great dragon ordered. "You know very well that it's not something you shouldn't worry about."
"Yes mother…" Ranko turned and looked the dragon in the eye. As the Great Mother studied the girl eyes she took a smirk as if finding something amusing.
"Your blue eyes are turned bright red child. I know this is going to be uncomfortable but I want you to go over and sit next to Amnar." The Dragon Mother said giving the Ranko a nudge with her snout sending her on.
"She seems to be able to talk to the elemental spirits as well. Amnar demonstrated this by changing the outfit I had put on her and why she looks the way they do now." Meya said from the door as she sat in one of the chairs there.
"Hmm you're no common little girl are you? But then the only clues we are given are your rare knowledge and abilities." The dragon paused for a second then continued. "Ryluk is a very old dragon who only through means of a ritual can be summoned."
"I take it no simple ritual would do either." Amnar added giving glance to Ranko as she took position next to her.
"Right, yet not only was he summoned without a rite, he blesses one of the boys. The other disappears in a blaze of fire. A large pile of ash was left in his wake." The Great Mother continued as she notices the air around the girls slowly turn and pushing the dirt away from them. "You where found sticking out of the ash."
"So what ever happened to the other boy that disappeared is related to me is what your implying. Which would suggest that he and I in some way switched places?" Amnar stated looking thoughtful. "But I believe Meya said there was a witness for this event."
"Yes but he's not able to come at the moment. Before that though I wish for you to tell me as to what end does that stone amulet on chest hold. It must be also connected to you and the boy since Ryluk stayed long enough at hand it over to Meya." The Great Mother asked.
"I don't know… I mean I haven't tried to understand its use." Amnar replied placing her right hand against her chest over the amulet. Amnar closed her eyes while taking a few deep breaths she brought her other hand up to the piece as well. Next to her Ranko felt the tingling sensation intensify. Instantly runes etch themselves into the ground beneath the two and begin to let of a soft red glow. Some time passed as both girls sat there until they slowly opened their eyes.
Ranma stood looking up at a mass fire in the form of a giant bull like creature. It looked down at him as it slowly marched towards him. Standing on its hind legs flames swirled around it. The trees next to it burst into flames as it walked by them. A deep chuckle echoed from its throat in amusement.
"I'll have some fun with you." The creature said with a deep voice.
"What is it children?" the Great Mother asked as she took note that the girls opened their eyes.
"Did the boy that disappeared have a pigtail and red shirt with black pants?" Amnar and Ranko asked in sync with a hint of worry in each of their voices. Both the girls blinked and looked at each other before Amnar continued "I saw a man just like that, he was fighting a fiery monster."
"Do you know if it was now or at another time?" The Great Mother asked. "Do you know the monster he fights?"
"No I don't. But it scares me. That man… he's just a human, there's no way he's going to survive." Amnar replied as she brought her knees up to her chest. Ranko nodded in agreement.
"What did you do? Why did I see that?" Ranko asked wearily looking to Amnar.
"I'm not sure. It just happened." Amnar replied.
"Meya… please take her back to her room. She is troubled by what might be and should rest. I need time to prepare for a coming rite." The Great Dragon ordered. "Ranko, you will have Amnar help you attended your duties starting tomorrow."
"Yes, right away Great Mother." Meya replied walking over to Amnar and offering her hand with a smile. Meya lead Amnar back to her room.
"So are you scared that the monster will kill him?" Meya asked sitting at the edge of the bed back in the room they gave the cat girl. Amnar stared at herself in the mirror as she played with her hair. She stood there in silence before turning to Meya.
"I'm in a contract with him in some way." Amnar said glancing at Meya leaning against the wall. "The ash and fire are most important clue. I sent him to a fiery death."
"Then you believe that he's dead…" Meya stated. When Amnar nodded she let of a smirk. "Before you awoke we had someone scry the two boys and you. You turned up blank but the others had quite a history."
"What would it matter? He can't beat it." Amnar replied slumping to the floor.
"He's kill a sacred beast before, a phoenix hybrid. He isn't without the ability to take on monsters." Meya answered as she moved next to the girl on the wall.
"Phoenix? He beat it? But humans can't survive the flames let alone win a fight with one." Amnar retorted as she gave Meya a skeptic look. "Stop trying to give me false hope by make up stories."
"While yes it sounds farfetched. It is true that he did it. But it seems to me that you're regaining more of your memory if you can argue the possibility with accurate reasoning." Meya replied. "Besides that he wields a great power that let him do impossible things for a human."
"I know I'm human too, though I can't prove it with the cat-like changes to my body. I didn't look like this before I'm sure of it." Amnar said hoping to change the subject.
"I'm sure that he will find you very cute. Probably sweep you off your feet and marry you." Meya playfully replied.
"I…" Amnar stumble.
"He will save you from your own mistakes. Rescuing girls is something that he just happens to be good at." Meya said putting a reassuring arm around the girl.
"You make him sound like some hero." Amnar commented as she leaned into Meya side.
"Well why not pray for his success. Give him your blessing. I'm sure he'll do that much better if he has it." Meya give her a nudge. "Maybe even hope for him to be your prince charming."
"Enough already, I do want him to survive. If he can fix my mistake then I will be grateful. Though I can't remember what I did so all I can do right now is wishing him the best of luck." Amnar blurted out.
"Why don't you? Can't hurt can it?" Meya stated plainly. Amnar pausing for a few minutes as she as she gave it some thought before she took a deep breath bringing her hands to the amulet.
"I know it's not fair for me to ask you to do this. But please don't get hurt. I want to tell you that I'm sorry for bringing you into my trouble. Please… save me from my actions." She said out loud.
"Feel better?" Meya asked receiving a nod. Standing up she brought Amnar with her. "Lets get you to bed then. Maybe he'll be here when you wake up."
"That would be too good. Just hope he doesn't hate me for what I caused." Amnar replied walking towards the bed.
Ryoga found himself in the middle of a very large and thick pine forest. They didn't seem like anything special to him but you never could be to sure. His pack was sitting next to him leaning up on a log. The last thing he remembered was talking to that big dragon before waking up here. Hoisting his pack he began to make his way through the wooded area in search of a clearing and a water source. As he trudged onwards he heard the sound of footsteps following him. Sparing a glance he saw a red creature hiding in the brush.
"Not much a hiding spot with all that green around ya. You really don't blend in there." Ryoga said out loud mostly to him self.
"And what are your intentions here human?" A fox replied in a soft female voice coming out of the brush. Ryoga gave a surprised look but quickly regained his composure as he was use to all the odd stuff that happened in his life.
"Figures… talk to a dragon and then all the creature want to chat with ya." Ryoga commented out loud ignoring that the fox seemly look of surprise. "Well a water source is a good start. Like a lake or a river, though a clearing would be nice as well."
"And what do you plan on doing once you find one?" The fox asked jumping on the log in front of him.
"Why a fox like you wants to know is beyond me. Set up a camp for tonight before it gets dark. If I'm invading your home sorry but I'll be leaving in the morning so there need for you worry about me." Ryoga said adjusting his bag as leapt over a gap in the woods floor. Most likely a cave he thought as he gave the fissure another look before vaulting himself into the woods. The fox stared in surprise as the human cleared a thirty yard jump without a problem. Quickly realizing that the human was getting away the fox gave chase. After about an hour of chasing the human the fox was about to give up when the man came to a stop overlooking small clearing that sat next to a stream.
"This will do for tonight." Ryoga declared as he walked over to running water. "Guess I better check if my curse is really gone…" he stuck his hand into the stream and waited for the curse to trigger. After a few seconds past he jumped and shouted in joy.
"[Panting] you're not human are you?!" the fox asked slowly making its way to the stream for a drink.
"Of course I'm human!" He retorted pointing his finger at the fox. "Why are you following me anyway?"
"Listen all around you. What do you hear?" The fox challenged after it sated its thirst. "What do you see?"
Pausing a moment Ryoga studied the world around him. He listened to the wind as it blew through the trees and noise of the stream. But there was a sound that was missing. Turning his head he looked right at the fox and studied it more closely. It was very skinny like it hadn't eaten in a long time and was starving.
"Where are all the other creatures? There are no birds or anything else around." Ryoga said setting down his pack.
"It's an empty forest for all but the plants and a few bugs." The fox replied looking steady at him. "Currently we are the only two here that I know of."
"So why not leave and go to a different place, seems everyone else has?" Ryoga said. "Though isn't strange for this forest to be without so many animals."
"It's my prison… I wonder if it has become yours as well." The fox replied.
"Prison?! Why would it be? What could a fox do that was so bad?" Ryoga returned in surprise.
"I was once a human. This is my punishment for failing my master." The fox said taking a seat in front of him.
"That wasn't fare! Because you couldn't complete the tasks your master gave you?!" Ryoga was surprised again by the fox. "I'm sorry. Now that I know that you where once human I should properly ask your name."
"Hacate. My name is Hacate Iris." The fox replied.
"Ryoga Hibiki. What task could have been worth turning you into a fox?" He asked giving the fox his full attention.
"As his servant I'm bound to complete all tasks he gives me. Punishment is absolute if we fail." Hacate the fox said. "I… was ordered to poison the food of my clan."
"Why? Why would he ask you to do that?" Ryoga asked clenching his fist. "What would give him the right?"
"A command to execute everyone was sent after I refused." Hacate said turning her head away.
"So he went and killed them. Did you try to stop him?" Ryoga asked. "I can't let someone like that get away with kill people."
"We got what we had coming. My clan had committed treason against him several times. We where put to the blade with reason." Hacate replied.
"It doesn't matter! No one has the right to kill another!" Ryoga shouted standing up. "I'll free from this place and that form."
"What?! He would only turn you into something as punishment for trying. He wields a great power that no one can match." Hacate said shock written on her face.
"Don't worry about it. Tomorrow I'll free you and bring justice to all he hurt. I can't let someone get away with killing people for any reason." Ryoga declared. "Now how do I free you from this place?"
"Please don't. You'll only cause yourself trouble for your self if you do this." Hacate cried in alarm. "Besides what makes you think you can break it. It's magic!"
"Trust me. Magic curses can be removed and I'll force that man to remove it from you." Ryoga replied with conviction in his voice. He was quickly interrupted by a sound coming from him own body.
"Growl…" both looked at Ryoga's stomach.
"Haha…." He chuckled nervously scratching the back of his head. "Guess it's time to eat. I'll make you something too."
"A man and his stomach." Hacate said under her breath as she watched Ryoga fish through his bag for items.
As always post your thoughts and ideas.
