Hey! I'm back from a long period of not writing diddly squat! Yes i am aware that i have not completed bang and yet ive started a new story, sry i cant help it i get bored with my older stuff. Dont worry ill be working on both of my stories it will just take some time for me to get back into the writing spirit, altho reviews always spur me on faster hint hint...this is a new and odd story featuring our beloved esca characters and some of my own characters. DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ESCAFLOWNE altho i wish i did. So anyways yes this story will hopefully be a new type of fic from what is usual. I hope you like it and if you dont then dont read it gowjo! So right then on to the story, any questions just review and ask meh. Until next time
Chapter I: 8 of a Kind
It was dark, extremely dark. In fact it was so dark that he had no sense of direction. He was left to himself, all alone in this quiet, dark abyss. He had no idea where he was. This place held no familiarities about it, well…Even if he could see his own hand right in front of his face he was still sure he wouldn't know where he was. The principle of light was one that he was starting to miss. Completely understandable if you were lost in some place where light didn't seem to exist at all. He could tell that wherever he was, it was huge due to the way the atmosphere around him felt. Speaking of feelings, he certainly didn't feel safe. Sure he may have tried wandering around, but his fear had gotten the best of him and he gave up wandering. Not like he could see where he was going. So there he sat, wherever he was, rocking back and forth on his haunches, super freaked out, disoriented, confused, and utterly, completely, and totally alone.
He was about to give up and curl into the fetal position when his nose told him something that smelled crazily wonderful was nearby. He shot to his feet and began turning about, searching with his nose for the direction from which it was coming from.
Bingo.
He staggered with his hands outstretched, groping around in front of him for anything that might be in his way as he hurried towards the smell…wait…make that smells. He stopped for a moment when they became extremely strong, assaulting his nostrils with eight different aromas. He took a deep intake of the exotic scents and shuddered at their fragrant glory. Sad thing was he couldn't put a name to any of them; they were scents he could never imagine the human race ever harnessing in a bottle of perfume, air freshener, cologne, or candle. Each possessed something that he could only describe as godly or unreal. It was as if the elements themselves had been harnessed.
He frowned when their potency lessened. Must be moving away he thought.
Even though it was useless, he couldn't prevent himself from looking to his left and right. For what? Perhaps some sort of sign or warning not to go chasing after pretty smells that just might lead him right off the edge of a cliff…Assuming that this place had land formations of course…so far it seemed to be nothing but an endless flat plain.
He decided to stop arguing with himself and follow those scents that seemed to be just up ahead. Unsure of his surroundings, he started off at an unsteady jog. Finding that the scents seemed farther away now, he broke out into a sprint, his fast and heavy footfalls creating a booming echo in the pitch black unknown. He was not entirely sure of where they would end up leading him, but it seemed a wiser choice to pursue them, rather than stand around unable to see whilst having no idea where he was or how he got there.
Again they seemed to be getting farther away, and again he increased his speed, running blindly and boldly into an ebony realm that had no beginning or end.
How long had he been running? He couldn't tell, this place didn't seem to have any set range of time, though in his opinion it felt as though he had been running for hours and at the same time for only a few minutes. He also found it peculiar that he felt no indications of fatigue. Sure he was in fairly good physical shape but this was insane. He should have at least started to sweat or breath heavier, but he felt perfectly fine. His hearing was picking up something out in the distance not too far away. He snapped his head to the left and stared into blackness when a fizzing sound registered. What was out there?
"…I don't see anything…"
"…He is here somewhere…"
"…We're not the only ones who know…"
"…It's out there…"
"…I feel him…"
"…Too Murky…"
His pace slowed, who was whispering? At least…that's the only way he could describe it. Five different voices barely above a distant murmur and a low echoing hiss. And from what he could tell, all were female.
Conclusion: Not alone in the creepy place.
In fear of losing trace of the eight aromas, he still continued to run, but as he did so he tried to communicate with the whisperers. After all they seemed to know he was there but maybe they couldn't see him.
It was worth a shot right? Besides, maybe whoever was out there could help him. He tried to shout out, but as soon as he opened his mouth to speak something stole away his voice, turning his would be cry for help into a mangled grunt. What was wrong with his voice? His hands instinctively went to his throat and he tried calling out again. No use, the result was the same, the same pressure on his throat; something was literally stealing the words right out of his mouth.
As they say, the third time's the charm. Again he took a deep breath and this time he managed to shout out:
"HEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
The force of the echo exploded in his mind causing him to collapse to his knees, groaning in pain as he clutched his ears. He clinched his eyes shut and willed the pain away. What the hell had happened? He wasn't sure but it felt like someone set off a thousand air horns right in his face. And why was he suddenly feeling drained of energy? His pain was forgotten when he realized that those eight smells were probably way up ahead of him now. He quickly rose to his feet, but moaned when a powerful tremor rocked his brain, making his ears ring and ache.
His breath caught in his throat when he felt the presence of several other people…or whatever else… around him. He looked around but could see nothing, but he certainly felt like he was being watched. It seemed that whoever they were had sensed his fear and his nostrils were once again flooded with the eight mystery aromas, but this time they seemed to float around him, smelling stronger than they ever had before.
Oh how he desperately wished he knew what they were, he also desperately wished that he could see! He reached out in front of him in the direction of a scent, his mind screaming with frustration at his blind handicap.
Something shifted in the air and slowly eight different spheres of astoundingly beautiful multi colored lights sparked into existence around him. He was awestruck as he gazed at them, eight different orbs, no bigger than an orange, floating serenely through the air. Each consisted of a different color, and all of them seemed to be able to produce their own heavenly light. Each was as bright as a star and their cores seemed to possess the depth of the universe.
There was a bright red one, it's nucleus like a deep red ruby flame that spiraled out into lighter and vivid shades of red. It had a shimmering crimson aura that swirled around the sphere itself, much like a fog or smoke.
And another, this one was a glittering emerald green. Its core glistened like a living jewel as rings of dark greens turned into lighter shades. The final ring was similar to the color of the sun shining through a crystallized leaf. This one's aura was a bright misty green.
There was also a maroon brownish one. The core of this sphere was a gleaming bronze color before it escaladed into deep rich browns and finally into a luscious maroon shade. Its aura was a maroon color that was nearly a rustic brown.
Also hovering close was a blue sphere. The nucleus was a brilliant sapphire, like a star of blue shining up through the depths of the ocean. Deep blues turned into light ones as a misty light silvery blue aura shimmered around it.
Erratically bouncing around was yet another one. This one's center was as if someone took bolts of lightening and transfigured them into a pulsating marble of energy, surrounded by a ring of whitish yellow and then melting into gray and quickly into neon yellows and purples. The aura was an electrifying yellow haze.
Another orb was swishing around like it was on a sugar high. Its core was a vibrantly bright pearl color. Surrounding it were three rings of metallic light browns, all getting lighter as they went out. The browns faded into silky cream colors and the most outer ring was a light tan, borderline white. The aura was the color of sparkling white wine.
One of the final two spheres gave off more light than the others. This one's nucleus was a searing light gold color with the intensity of the sun. Surrounding it were rings of dark gold that lightened into a single ring of light yellow and then into a yellow so light it was basically white. Its aura was a shimmering gold.
The final orb just so happened to be the orb hovering directly in front of him. Its core was a radiating black, a black so deep it seemed to go on forever. The rings around it were a lesser black that turned into varying shades of gray, first dark ash then into lighter gray's and finally into a luminous silver like the enchanting moon. Its aura seemed almost like an illusion; it was black for a while and then when the sphere turned a different direction it looked silver.
He snapped himself out of the trance he had been in and took this chance to scan his surroundings. Unfortunately each of the orbs only gave out about two feet of light so although he could see directly around him, beyond that was still an endless black void. He turned his attention back to the black orb that still hovered in front of him. These orbs seemed to mesmerize him; he felt lighter and stronger in their light. He also felt safe and protected, much like a child does in the embrace of its mother.
He reached an unsteady hand out to the glowing black sphere in front of him. As his hand drew nearer, the sphere grew brighter and more intense as little bolts of energy began to exchange between his hand and the sphere. The sphere shone even more brightly as the distance between them began getting smaller and smaller, until he was only but an inch away from making contact.
He covered the remaining inch only to be assaulted with the sensation of cold fire upon touching it. He recoiled his hand instantly and examined it for any evidence of injury. The black sphere released a chiming laugh. Yes it seemed to laugh…It then flitted around his head twice before shooting back to others who all began to float around him, a foot apart, in a horizontal circle.
Black: "…Careful mortal, in these forms we are pure energy…"
Red: "…Curious one isn't he…"
Green: "…We have found you…"
Beige: "…It is also closer…"
Blue: "…It would have heard him as we did…"
The voices sounded like someone whispering right into his ears, and he was correct that all the voices were female. Each one silky and smooth, almost like someone singing a lullaby. He tried to respond but once again he couldn't find his voice.
Maroon: "…Look, he tries to speak, hahaha…."
Gold: "…Speak not with your voice mortal…"
Green: "…Speak with your mind…"
Yellow: "…Earthly things like that require lots of spiritual energy in this realm…"
It sounded insane, but he figured they knew what they were talking about being as that he could hear them. He took a deep breath and reached out with his mind.
(Where am I? How'd I get here? And why am I here!)
Beige: "…We were in the middle of a seer session…"
Blue: "…A ritual of deep meditation to summon visions to our aid…"
Green: "…To help us and guide us with what they contain, be it past, present, future, or simply just anything…"
Black: "…A disturbance lingers, we try to discover what…"
Red: "…Halfway through we felt your presence wandering around in this realm, somehow you've invaded our visions…"
Gold: "…It is closer, it comes for him and us…"
(What comes?)
Maroon: "…We wish we knew, the visions said a terrible negative force would be unleashed…"
Yellow: "…It must be powerful…"
Blue: "…You are marked mortal…"
(What's that supposed to mean!)
Black: "…She's right, I see the mark on your forehead…"
Red: "…It's glowing brighter…"
(The mark! What the hell's going on!)
Gold: "…It's HERE…"
Blue: "…We must escape, this area is not secure…"
(What is…) He didn't need to see the thing to know it was close. Its potent stench made its presence known. The foul odor infiltrated his nose, exposing him to a stench similar to the one of rotting corpses and horrid filth.
Suddenly the 8 orbs shot away from him.
Green: "…Watch out mortal…!"
He tried to run from the stench but something clammy and chilling wrapped around his neck, constricting his windpipe. Unable to breath, he began thrashing and flailing, desperately trying to free himself.
Green: "…Help him…!"
Blue: "…What can we do, we have no powers here…"
Maroon: "…We are still weak…"
Yellow: "…It's too powerful, how is it so strong…?"
Green: "…Save him…!"
He felt himself drifting into unconsciousness. He tried to resist passing out but it was no use, he couldn't overcome the force suffocating him.
(Does…this mean I…I die…?)
He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the 8 scents of the orbs, figuring that they would be the only comfort available to him in his death.
He chuckled. Amusing how in his hour of demise he finally could describe the unreal aromas.
The red orb smelled of a crisp summer day, spicy and powerful with the faint undertone of sweet smoke, like burning petals. He couldn't help but think of fire…wait…he was right, the aromas were the elements after all!
And the green one, fresh like the morning of a sweet spring day. He could distinctly smell flowers, fragrant and lovely. It had to be nature…so easily he could visualize an ancient forest teeming with life.
The maroon orb smelled of sun-warmed soil, rich and unique, almost like a deep red wine yet unexplainably wonderful. He reasoned it had to be earth.
The blue sphere's scent was similar to that of a recent downpour. It was refreshing and clear like a freshwater mountain spring. There was no doubt that this was water.
The yellowish gray one he was sure to be lightening. It had a cool but heated smell, but fresh and cleansing like misty storm clouds. He could almost feel the warm yet wet atmosphere of a stormy day.
The beige orb smelled of a newly born cool breeze. Refreshing and free with the smallest hint of something akin to the sweet and untouched air atop of a mountain. He supposed that this one was wind.
The orb of white and gold smelled pure and radiant. It was the very essence of a bright and beautiful day, crisp and deliriously enchanting. The scent was crystal clear, clear as a ray of the sun. This orb must be light, for he could think of no other.
Last but not least remained the black orb. It smelled of a cool dark night bathed in silver as its sovereign moon ruled the blackened skies. Mysterious and seductive with alluring smells he still could not name. He could feel his heart pounding just thinking about the thrill of the unknown. He knew the orb had to be the element of darkness.
"Aaaaghh…"
He groaned as the hand like thing wrapped around his neck constricted even more. He tried one final time to fill his lungs with air, but no oxygen came, and deeper into unconsciousness he slipped. Really a shame, he mused. If it weren't for him being suffocated, this experience would've been rather amazing.
He couldn't see anything now, but he could still hear the voices of the orbs, he could hear as the orb of nature pleaded for his life to be saved. He forced a strained and forlorn grin. If only he could've learned more about those orbs and this place…
Green: "…We MUST save him…!"
Gold: "…He's going to die…"
The orbs watched on as the menacing dark apparition proceeded to suffocate the mortal's soul. They could only imagine how his physical body would look like at this moment as it was slowly being killed. They all knew he was important in some way, why else would they have sensed him so strongly? It was not uncommon for the souls of mortals to wander this plane while on an outer body experience, but for a mortal soul to have wandered on to a level this deep and dangerous where only the strongest of souls could thrive? Impossible, but somehow this mortal had something special about him, something special enough to cause this unknown powerful entity to attack him so.
The orb of darkness had had enough, she had too many questions and she knew that this human was special. An intense blaze of dark energy swirled around the orb of darkness, and in a split second it shot forward, straight towards the humanoid black silhouette of the thing trying to kill the mortal's soul.
It howled painfully and staggered back as the Dark sphere slammed into it, causing a horribly painful sensation from the contact. It quickly regained its hold on the soul and growled viciously, swatting at the Dark sphere as it continually assaulted it.
Red: "…Help her…!"
The rest of the orbs rushed forward and attacked the being by slamming themselves into it, each blow powerful and painful. The attacks kept coming, and in a vain attempt to protect itself, the thing twisted and swiped at them like annoying insects. They managed to evade every attack and began to attack even more fiercely, until finally it shrieked in pain and collapsed, releasing the mortal's soul as it fell backwards. The entity, weakened and out of energy, could no longer sustain its form and vanished from the spirit realm.
He felt the air rush into his lungs and gasped for breath as he hit the ground. His chest heaved heavily as he greedily took in the air that he had been deprived of just moments ago. Speaking of which what had happened? He rolled into a crouching position and opened his eyes. Things were still a bit foggy, but from what he could tell all the orbs still remained and the thing that had tried to kill him was now gone.
He jumped back in surprise as the green orb appeared in front of his face.
Green: "…Are you injured…?"
He took a deep breath and rose to his feet, massaging his hurting neck, (Yeah I guess so…you guys saved me?)
Maroon: "…Here in this realm our forms are made of energy…these are our spirits…"
Gold: "…Without enough energy you cannot sustain form here…"
Blue: "…In this place, depending on how much energy you have determines which level of this plane you may travel to…"
Beige: "…This plane is very deep, one where only very powerful souls and spirits may come…"
Red: "…Whatever that thing was, it was an extremely powerful demon…"
Yellow: "…It attacked you because there is something special about you, it's not even possible that you can be this deep into the spirit realm…"
(But that thing is it gone?)
Black: "…You are safe for now, with every attack we absorbed some of its energy until we took so much that it could no longer sustain spirit form…"
He sighed in relief and smiled at the orbs, (Thanks, I'd have been dead if it wasn't for you…but I still don't understand what the hell is going on. One thing I know I'm watching TV in my room about to fall asleep, and then bam I end up in this fucked up place. It's all interesting but why am I here?)
Before anyone could answer, the area where the entity fell became distorted and hazy. A cloud of energy began sparking around it.
Gold: "…Quick! It's starting to materialize again…!"
Blue: "…How is it possible for that thing to regain energy that quickly…?"
Yellow: "…It must be a high demon…"
Maroon: "…This isn't good, how is it possible that we did not detect such a demon…?"
Black: "…It must be sealed away somewhere, but somehow has gotten powerful enough to materialize itself on the spirit plane…"
Beige: "…It's after the human, quickly he must go…!"
He frowned and staggered back as the thing was starting to take shape once again, (What the hell? Wait a second; I want to know what's happening!)
The spheres started swarming around him protectively.
Green: "…We are sorry, but you are in grave danger and you must go back to the physical realm…"
Red: "…You are a key in all of this, fear not we will protect you…"
Black: "…Now you must go! Will yourself back into your body…!"
(But wait!)
Blue: "…Go mortal…!"
(Will I see you again? This is the most exciting and scary as hell thing that's ever happened to me!)
Beige: "…You are in danger now go, we will come to you once again…"
He gulped as the black thing became more and more solid looking.
The black orb appeared right in front of his face and surprised him once again.
Black: "…Take this back with you to your realm, it will help us find you…"
He looked down as he felt something materialize in his palm. An odd and intriguing little ball of energy no bigger than an inch was in his hand. It looked like it was supposed to be some sort of item, but at the moment it was like looking at a severely pixilated and distorted photo, except for that photo just happened to be 3 dimensional.
Black: "…Hold on to it tightly, farewell now human…"
He clenched his palm shut around whatever it was and shook his head, (Are you sure this isn't all a dream?)
Red: "…For the love of…!"
The red sphere growled and launched itself at him. He gasped in surprised as it hit him square in his forehead.
Suddenly everything went black. The last thing he heard was a whisper and the enraged howl of the black entity that had tried to steal his life away.
…Black…
…Endless black…
…And now he was falling…
Did you like it? Lemme kno and review cuz i love reviews they're like presents on xmas! Well im off to go do w/e it is i do