Dark Storm, Part One: Separation
I sense a dark storm coming, and quickly. Suichi Minamoto mind-spoke to his brother. I realize that. his brother, Souka Minamoto replied. Here's the short version. They were both lost in the rain, on a dark night. The fog was thick, so they couldn't see their way home after a normal day, well at least a normal day to them.
Souka and Suichi were both half-demons in the form of dogs. Souka wore a purple robe adorned with gold lacings, and his hair was a deep black.
Suichi was the youngest, but only by a year. He wore a gold robe, adorned with amazing hand-drawings of famous paintings. His hair was also a flaming red. Not just any red, a real, red. Both their hair was into their eyes, with two locks coming down their shoulder on either side. Suichi's hair went down to his middle back, but Souka's was held upwards with a starburst.
I can't even see my own hand in front of me! Suichi growled. Neither can I, but you don't see me complaining. Souka replied. You see, Souka was the more mature and calm of the two. Suichi tends to have a temper in situations such as this. No wonder Mother told us to stay inside. Souka said. It wasn't necessarily aimed at Suichi, but it was loud enough mind-speak to hear it. Yeah, I suppose so.. Suichi sighed. Suichi knew where Souka was only by holding onto the sleeve of his robe. It is way too dark out here… Suichi growled. You're right, this isn't normal for a storm. Souka replied absently. He wasn't really paying attention to their conversation. He was watching as a deft shadow moved among the bushes.
Suichi-san, do you see tha—AAAHH! Souka's scream blew into Suichi's mind. Suddenly, Souka was ripped from Suichi's grip. No! Souka-san! Where have you gone? Suichi screamed, though no one would answer. Suichi dropped to his knees and yelled in actual speak, which he hadn't done in quite a while. People there mostly mind-spoke. "SOUKA! WHERE ARE YOU?" he desperately screamed. He soon realized he wasn't coming back…
Four Years Later
Suichi was now fourteen. Souka should be fifteen by now. He sighed. It made his cute little doggy ears twitch every time he thought of that night. When he had stopped yelling, the darkness overflowed him. It turned out that thing, it wasn't a storm. It was a dark energy flow, from the creation of a black hole. Demons flowed through this hole into their peaceful world and crushed it, like an ant.
When Suichi had awakened, there was nothing there but destruction, and Souka nowhere to be seen. A demon was hovering above him. A disgusting, snake-like one. That had been his first kill. He had advanced from there and vowed to find Souka, and kill every demon in his way, and to find a way to seal the black hole.
On his journeys to find his brother, Suichi met a young thief named Crystal. They joined forces to go find Souka. They soon came upon a little povora named Bao. He became Suichi's 'sidekick'. A povora is a cat-like creature, with large ears. Bao is brown and has black ears. They went in search of the Waterfall Lighthouse, which held a mirror said to grant wishes. This is where we come in now, right as Suichi ran into the rock wall holding the lighthouse by accident. It was dark, so don't blame him.
Bao yelped as Suichi hit the wall and held tightly to him, his claws gripping his shirt as he hid his head. Crystal looked at both of them, "Are you alright?" She asked, putting her hand on Suichi's shoulder to steady him.
Suichi growled. "Yeah, I'm fine." he said. "Stupid wall..." he said under his breath."Well, I suppose we're here." he said.
"Yeah…" Crystal laughed, as Bao brought his head out and saw the wall, he leaped at it, holding on with his claws. "Climb up guys!"Suichi shook his head and laughed.
"Well, no time to lose!" he called, climbing after Bao. Crystal climbed the wall after Suichi, as Bao climbed faster, "Come on slow pokes!" He laughed, digging his claws in the rock.Suichi grinned mischievously and suddenly disappeared. He reappeared in front of Bao. "Hah! You can't catch me!" he called. Bao's jaw dropped open, "I'll get you!" He yelled out and laughed, chasing after him. Crystal kept up with them at a steady pace.
Suichi grinned. He was almost to the top. "Come on, you can do it! See
if you can beat the master!" Suichi said, underestimating Bao's speed. Bao jumped forward, amazingly fast, and landed on the cliffside.
Suichi sighed melodramatically. "Oh well, can't win them all." He climbed up and sat by Bao, play flicking his ear. "You little sneak, you didn't tell me you were that fast!" He smiled and looked down to Crystal. He began reciting a spell, making energy flow through her muscles again. He held out his hand to help her up and smiled.
Bao laughed and did a small victory dance. Crystal looked up and saw him offer his hand, she put her feet on the ledge below and pushed off into the air. She jumped over them, twisting back to face them. "Thanks, but I can get up here myself." She smiled at him.
Suichi smiled. "Apparently so." He stood up next to her.
Bao looked in amazement as she jumped up that high.
He thought she was some kind of high-jumping super person. "Wow!" he exclaimed. He jumped up and down fast. "How'd you do that?"
She looked down at him and smiled, "Practice, I guess." Crystal answered, petting his head. "There are many things you need to improve on yourself when in my… lets say… 'line of work.'" Bao smiled. "Yup! I should try working on that flippy thing!" He said. He jumped pretty high, got through half a flip and landed on his back. Suichi chuckled. Bao got back up and tried again in frustration.
Crystal laughed, "Good job Bao!" She smiled, turning back to Suichi, "You want to keep moving ahead?" Suichi smiled. "Yeah, let's get next to the river and take a camp for the night." He said. He picked up Bao and began walking next to the river until he got opposite of the lighthouse. "Right here."
Crystal followed them and looked at the river, we have to cross this, right?" She asked. Suichi nodded. "Yeah, but I figured we could camp here, get our energy, then cross it tomorrow morning." He said. "Ok." Crystal answered, sitting on the ground and crossing her legs. Bao yawned quietly in his arms and stretched out. Curling himself closer to Suichi, he fell asleep.
Suichi smiled and hummed a lullaby loud enough for the both of them. "Sleep well, Crystal." he said softly to her. Crystal fell asleep on the ground, it was hard and sort of uncomfortable, but she slept soundlessly none the less.
The night slowly drifted away as the sun rose silently behind the lighthouse. Morning light laying like a blanket over them the sun woke Crystal up as Bao slept on. Suichi had not awakened, yet he would soon. His ears twitched as he slept, along with his hand instinctively moving towards the hilt of his blade.
Crystal sat up, crossing her legs and holding her arms. Breathing deeply, the morning air was crisp and cool.
Suichi's eyes snapped open when she moved. He was up and at her throat with his blade so fast Bao stayed in the same spot, still asleep.
Crystal didn't move, her eyes stared through Suichi. "Guess I shouldn't get you when you're in a bad mood..."
He suddenly realized it was her. His sword immediately dropped. "I'm sorry, I didn't... you just scared me." he said. He backed off and gently pricked Bao.
"It's ok." She smiled, "no harm done." She yawned and stretched out, as Bao opened an eye and then closed it again.
Suichi smiled and pricked Bao one more time. "Wake up, little one. Time to go to the Lighthouse." he said. Bao turned away from him, "No… Bao want five more minutes..."
Suichi grinned. "I suppose I can let you sleep inside my robe pocket, of you wish for more sleep." He said, gently putting him in the largest pocket.Bao curled up into a ball and slept inside of the pocket, Crystal smiled and got up from the ground. "How are we going to cross it?"
Suichi simply stood next to her and grabbed her by the arm. He muttered something, and one second, they were there, next, they were on a rock halfway across. "I can't teleport all the way over there, so we'll have to go from here!" he yelled over the raging river.Crystal blinked for a moment, astonished that he made it so far. Getting her balance she looked ahead to the other rocks, "Ready?" she asked.
Suichi, ready as ever, nodded and fluidly jumped from rock to rock across the river. As he landed on a certain rock, he learned not to jump on rocks with moss. He slipped and fell into the river, but just before he fell, he reached for Bao and yelled, "Keep him safe! I can get out of this!"
Crystal reached out and grabbed Bao, sliding him quickly in her pocket and trying to grab Suichi's wrist. Suichi smiled one last time and fell into the water. He immediately began swimming at an angle downwards to the nearest rock. He caught on to it and pulled himself up to it.
Once he was on the rock she breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to the lighthouse, jumping from rock to rock and looking back to see Suichi. Suichi pulled himself on top of the rock and shook himself dry. He began humming a happy song to himself, making him calm for the fact that he hated water.
Closing the gap to the lighthouse, Crystal watched the water below as she jumped. It was raging water but seemed to give her a calming feeling. She loved the water.
Suichi growled and used the last bit of his energy to transport himself to the side of the rock holding the lighthouse. He appeared there, panting.
Crystal looked at him as she stood closely by. "Are you alright?" She asked in a concerned voice. Suichi managed a half-smile. "Yeah, I think I'm ok." He coughed out a bit of water and stood straight. "Yeah, I'm alright."
Crystal smiled and looked at Bao, still asleep in her pocket. "So... where to now?" She said, looking up at the lighthouse. "There's a door. Go through it. Walk. Find stairs. Go up stairs." he said sarcastically. He smiled.
She smiled and stuck her tongue out playfully, winking. "I could have figured that one out, smarty." She said, moving around on the rocks until she found the door and walked inside.
Suichi laughed and followed her inside. The walls were painted a rusted red, and a staircase winded all the way to the top. "I suppose up we go." He said.
"Yup," She said, walking up the stairs, it seemed that they would never end. They winded and twisted upwards. Suichi sighed and started walking up. After a while of walking they reached a ledge which held a door. "Should we?"
"Of course!" She exclaimed, opening the door without hesitation and walking through it. Suichi ran through the door with her. "It isn't the top, so the Mirror Pool won't be in here, but who knows what it has." He said.
"I dunno..." Crystal said. The room was cold and the only light shown through the window. "We'd better keep moving." Suichi nodded and turned back to the door, but it shut before he turned around. "Uh.. We have a problem.." he said.
"What.. Problem?" She said, turning back to him and looking at the door. Suichi turned the knob, but it wouldn't budge. "That's problem A. Problem B is, look over there." A dark shape was rising from the ground, laughing.
Crystal smiled, a bit nervous. "Ok, it's not so bad.." She watched the dark shape rise. Suichi smiled sarcastically. "No, and you or me dying isn't a big deal." came his sarcastic reply. The figure arose and took form as a normal man, but with a glint in his eye. "What are you doing in my lighthouse?" he asked.
"Visiting?" She smiled, "How are ya? I'm Crystal." The man simply nodded. "Well, why would you come so far as to cross the river to see such a simple lighthouse?" he asked, much more intrusive. Suichi made a mental note to not open doors that you don't know what are behind.
"It looked nice and we were curious to see what was inside. Wanna give us a tour?" She said. Suichi growled under his breath. She was getting them deeper into this, whatever that thing was. The man smiled. "Well, I'm the creator of this lighthouse, so sure." The man snapped his fingers in enthusiasm, but it was a decoy. His snap opened the door lock.
Crystal looked at him and turned to the door. "Ok..." The man pushed Suichi aside and opened the door. Suichi started to protest, but allowed him. He opened the door and strode through. Suichi began to think, yeah he was rude, but maybe he was just the spirit of the creator.
As she passed Suichi, she winked. "Maybe he'll give us a shortcut, huh?" She whispered, following the man. Suichi rolled his eyes and followed as the man walked up the stairs. "Now this is one of the largest buildings in the world, so it might take a while to get to the top." He said. Well no duh. Suichi told Crystal in mind-speak.
Crystal laughed a bit. "It's a great place." She smiled. "Should we start from the top?" The man stopped dead. "How about we just go from here and work our way to the top?" he asked. "It would save our feet from the pain of walking all the way up and down this thing." he said, continuing moving.
"Okay." She answered. Heh.. he ain't so bad. She said to Suichi, maybe useful, but that's it. Once we get there I'll get rid of 'im. Suichi disapproved. If he is but a simple wandering spirit, you are to leave him alone. If he does turn out as dark as he seems, then you can, and only then. Understood? he asked.
Yeah, yeah, I got it.. She answered, her tone was plain and soft. She sighed, stretched and followed the man. "So.." she began.
"Well, I created this lighthouse about thirty years ago." He said. Suichi snorted. This tower's been around for hundreds of years. He just doesn't want us to know he's a spirit. Suichi said. "And it's otherwise pretty boring, just a bunch of empty rooms and a control room at the top, don't know why you came here." The man finished.
"It looked older than that.. I love to take a look at old buildings.. guess I was wrong then" She said. Oh.. alright.. Keep a sharp eye out then. she said. Don't worry, I will. he said sharply, and slightly protectively over Crystal. The man looked at Crystal questioning for a moment, then smiled and turned back around. "By the way, my name is Sam Gardner." He said as they soon grew close to the top of the tower.
Crystal smiled sweetly, "Nice to meet you, Sam." She followed him, looking at the walls as they passed by, not interested in it at all. Suichi smiled. "My name is Suichi." He said. The man seemed uninterested, which annoyed Suichi. He doesn't seem to like me much. he told her. He probably knows I know who he really is.
Maybe.. She answered, "So Mr. Gardner, how come you were in that room when we walked in? Wouldn't you have heard us when we walked upstairs?" Sam hesitated before answering. "No, I didn't hear you. These walls are pretty thick, and they don't transfer sound well." he said evasively.
"Oh, so you wouldn't hear the water outside much? These walls must be strong to hold off a force like that. Don't ya think it would take a long time to build this place?" She said. Sam's voice grew slightly agitated. "No, not with the right tools and a quick builder like me. It took me four years to build it, though." he said.
"Oh, so you're quick to build it huh? That's good.. but you'd need to get things for the inside.. that picture on the wall.. it's an old date.. where'd you find such an old painting?" She asked, question after question. Wonder if he's the real thing.. she said. Sam smiled, hiding anger. "I bought that picture at a king's auction one day." he said. "Had it ever since, never had anything to do with it, so I hung it up." I doubt he's the real thing. Suichi said.
"Oh, ok." She answered, looking at the date on it. It read 1629. "Doesn't it ever get cold in here during the winter?" She asked. Yeah.. she said to Suichi.
Sam nodded. "Yeah, especially in January. Up high in the towers, you could probably get frostbite if you stayed up there without shoes." Sam replied. He's got a good story, so I think he might just be the spirit of the old man. Suichi said.
Yes.. maybe. Crystal answered. "Oh, interesting. Maybe more people should come here more often. How long has it been since someone else has been here?" Sam stopped and thought for a moment.
"Maybe.. a year? Not many people trouble to cross the river, but some adventurous little boys came in about three years ago. Said they were demons. Oh, the stories these children think of!" he said. Suichi suddenly knew who those two boys were. It was Souka and himself, but they were too small and no one believed them. …That was Souka and I… Suichi said.
Your brother? She quickly asked, "What kind of stories? What happened back then? Do you know?" she suddenly asked with great interest. Yes. I remember it clearly now. Sam shook his head. "I don't remember much, only that the smaller kid looked like you, Suichi." he said. Suichi had a sudden burst of courage. "I was that kid, you! I was with my brother, who is dead now, thanks to you! You'd better let me up to the Mirror Pool right now, or else! And don't kid! You know what I'm talking about!" he yelled.
Crystal turned back to Suichi and stood between him and Sam. "Calm down." She said, "getting angry won't solve anything here."
Suichi growled. "You're one of the main reasons Souka died!" Suichi erupted. He pulled his sword off of his belt. He gripped the handle tightly, but didn't make a move.
Suichi growled, but gave in. He replaced his sword in his belt and gave Sam a killing glare.
Crystal smiled a bit at Suichi, "There, now... Sam, won't you show us the rest of this lighthouse?" Sam looked at Suichi for a moment in amazement. "It really is…" he muttered. "Yes, I suppose I owe it to you." He nodded and walked up the steps.
Crystal looked at Sam before turning back to Suichi, searching his face for anymore anger or hesitation to follow. Suichi followed; glad to be able to get where he had finally wanted to be. "Well, why didn't you let us see the Mirror Pool those two hundred or so years ago, spirit?" he asked.
Sam continued walking up the stairs, "I don't know." He answered in a toneless voice, and picked up the pace. Suichi sensed his discomfort and fed on it. "You thought we were two stupid children, didn't you? But it didn't turn out all right, did it?" he said bitter-sweetly.
Sam looked forward, picking up the pace, "Yes... I am sorry for that..." He murmured. Suichi growled and started to continue, but stopped. "As long as you are sorry… I suppose I can forgive you."
Sam wanted to take back what happened that day, "I am truly sorry for what happened..." They continued to climbSuichi nodded and smiled. "I forgive you then." He said. He patted him on the shoulder. "What's done is done." Sam smiled, "I'm glad that you don't hold a grudge against me... I would take it all back if I could..." He said, nearing the top.
"Then would you be happy to show me the Mirror Pool?" he asked. "I've been waiting to see it for a long time." he pleaded. Sam hesitated a bit before responding, "Yes… it is the least I could do..." Suichi smiled. "Then tell me, why do you get the job of guarding this Pool for so long? Why is it guarded so well?"
"Because it grants the wish of one's heart, what they truly desire is what the pool gives them. If the wrong person was shown it, then they could get power beyond anyone's imagination." Suichi nodded. "I understand that. The Pool is one greatly regarded among demons as a 'magnificent treasure', the 'treasure beyond all'," he said. "It could grant a poor man a wonderful life, or the blind to see." He thought aloud.
"Yes, that's correct." He answered, "Not many have actually seen the pool, but I owe you much, so you can see it." He looked at Crystal, who was walking behind them a bit. Suichi looked in the direction he was looking in. "Where she goes, I go." Suichi said simply. "She has as much reason to go in as I." Sam gave a disbelieving look at him, "Alright... I just hope she has a good heart..." He muttered under his breath and reached for the door. "I know she does." He retorted. He waited for him to open the door, to see what he had finally wanted.
Suichi opened the door with a small shuttering creak, entering the room it was like a palace. Everything was made of white limestone and water flowed over everything. There was a pool in the center of the room. Suichi took in as much as he could, wanting to see it all. When they came to the pool, Suichi's eyes began to water with happiness. "It's really here!" he whispered.
The pool rippled slightly as they approached, Crystal followed behind them slowly. "Yes, here it is." Sam said, kneeling beside the pool and looking into the water. Suichi smiled as tears streamed down his face. He kneeled at the pool and thought for a moment.
Crystal looked at him, letting him admire the pool, she walked around the room. Sam put one of his strong hands on Suichi's shoulder. Suichi smiled and gazed into the pool. He was going to make a wish, whether Sam cared or not. I'm making a wish. he told Crystal. I want to find my brother. He thought about this really hard and thought it outwardly. Everyone in the room could hear it. I want my brother back! he yelled. The pool rippled and made small waves as it comprehended his wish. Sam looked astounded at him. "So be it." The Pool said in a deep, yet fluid voice.
Crystal looked at Suichi as the pool glowed a slight blue, also making his sword glow the same color. "It is done." The pool said, returning to its calm state. Sam looked stupidly at Suichi. "How could you—" Before he was even done, Suichi was up and giving him a hard glare. "I did it for Souka." He turned around and smiled at Crystal. "Go ahead, make a wish." He told her.
Crystal looked at him, "I don't know if I should.. I.." she paused for a moment. "You were the one that wanted to come here..." Suichi came to her. "While we're here, make this wish. This place could be gone any day, this is your only chance." He said. "I want you to, Bao would too is he wasn't asleep in your pocket." Bao squirmed in her pocket, hearing his own name and sticking his head out. "Bao is awake!" He said, joyously. Crystal sighed slightly, "Wanna make a wish Bao?" "Okay?" He answered, looking at her, a bit confused. Suichi smiled. "Long story short, we're at a magic pool that grants your deepest wish." Suichi said. "Go ahead, think it loud."
Bao's smile widened, Bao wishes for chocolate! And with that wish asked, the pool rippled and a large pile of chocolate appeared in front of him. "Yay!" He yelled aloud, running to the chocolate and devouring all that he could. Crystal couldn't help but smile and laugh a bit.
Suichi chuckled. "That'll last you for about a few weeks, considering you and that pile in size." He said. "Now, for you Crystal. Any regrets, or lost companions, all that can be made up for here." he said. "All of it, any of it."
She swallowed harshly, "Okay.." Moving to the pool she thought about what she could wish for. Anything.. money.. power.. people's safety.. anything... The Pool searched deep within her thoughts. It knew that money wasn't the real answer. It found the real answer. "So be it." it called. The pool rippled and a black figure came from it, in a flash of red and perched on Crystal's shoulder. Upon closer inspection, it was a black raven with a red scarf around its neck.
Crystal blinked a few times, "My wish.." She looked over at her shoulder, and her jaw dropped. "It's... Kir!" She smiled and admired him sitting on her shoulder. Suichi smiled. "Kir the Raven. Has a ring to it." He said. "Now then, we can get on our way Sam. Thank you for your time." He said, beckoning Crystal out the door.
Crystal followed, her eyes gleaming with joy as Kir looked ahead. "Thanks Sam, really, thank you." "Anytime, I owed it to Suichi." He answered, slightly regretful. Suichi smiled. "Thank you, Sam. I really appreciate it. I'll see you later!" He smiled one last time, and he walked through the door. "Let's get out of here." He began striding down the steps, in a good mood. He knew exactly what the well had done for him.
Crystal followed as Kir turned to her, "Why are you looking at me like that?" Kir asked, "Because you're back, you're not dead!" She exclaimed. Suichi turned around, to make sure Bao was following. "Come on Bao." he smiled and held out his arms.
Bao was carrying as much chocolate his small hands would let him, pieces fell to the ground with each step he took. "Bao is coming!" Suichi laughed. He walked to Bao and helped him pack it into his cloak. He then sat Bao in there comfortably. "Let's go!" He pet Bao and jumped out, off the steps and directly to the bottom.
Crystal followed them, Kir flew ahead and up to Suichi, "So who are you?" He asked, "And can I know where the... am I?" Suichi smiled. "You got a bird with a mouth. Yeah, I'm Suichi, this is Bao here in my pocket, and you're Kir, as I already know. Nice to meet you." He put Bao on his shoulder and scratched him behind his right ear.
Bao smiled and purred a bit, Kir swooped down in front of Suichi, "I know who I am, what are you doing around Crystal?" Suichi smiled. "Be calm, I am her friend. We're looking for my brother… he was lost four years ago. We came to a magic well called the Mirror Pool, said to grant wishes, and we each made one. Bao got his chocolate, I got mine, and Crystal wished for you." he said.
"Oh," He answered, looking back at Crystal, "So ya missed me, huh?" She nodded her head and Kir flew up to her and gave her a small bird-hug, the best a bird could do. Suichi smiled and pulled out his blade, twirling it in his hand skillfully. It gave out a pulse that made Suichi drop it. "What?" he asked, forgetting they didn't know what the well had done—it made his blade pulsate every time he was near someone he was looking for. "That's not right, unless…Souka..."
Crystal moved to his side, "What is it?" She asked, looking at the blade. Suichi shook his head. "The Pool made it pulsate whenever I'm near someone I'm looking for, that must mean Souka is near!" he exclaimed, picking up the blade and running out the door.
Crystal followed him, Kir beside her in the air and Bao holding onto Suichi's shoulder. Suichi held the sword and closed his eyes. West… the sword seemed to call to him. Suichi replaced it in his belt. "West. Souka is somewhere west of here. From what I know of this region, the Tower of Concealment. It's a tower that can disappear and reappear at random in a five mile area, so it might be kind of hard to find, but we can do it!" "Yeah, we can!" She said, "Let's get going. We'll find him" She smiled encouragingly.
Suichi jumped up into the air and yelled in excitement. "Let's go!" he yelled, dashing off. Crystal followed. Suichi reached a rock ledge. What he found was a torn piece of Souka's sleeve. He sighed. "It's only part of his sleeve." He took it up and put it in his robe. He turned to Crystal with an enthusiastic grin.
"We'll only have to try harder next time!" Suichi said. He grinned and walked past her. "I think we need to go have a rest from searching for him, we can look soon. Why don't we part now, and meet at that old tavern in a month?" he asked.
Crystal nodded her head. "Sure." She said, smiling. "I'll see you then, and then we'll be off to the Tower of Concealment!"
End Dark Storm: Separation
