A/N- I apologize in advance if it's hard to follow. I've been getting more and more like RP with each fic, and this fic reads a lot like an RP log, except for a few added comments and descriptions.
Disclaimer: Dami owns Gamma, and.. um.. other chars... this was long ago, I forget who played who. Emmie owns Tamaly and (I think) Gran, and Ali owns Ali and Weianne. I own Korunue and Aldrea and Kit, but not Kikyo or Kagome or Inuyasha. And Jeff owns Ronin.
Bikon and Beta
Taken from the scrolls of the Chronicals of Bikon
Chapter 1- Of many Meetings and the First Entry into Bikon
Korunue finds herself in a forest. She looks about, then looks behind her, not minding the rain any. She panicks, not seeing the portal she had just come through! She has black hair with black dog ears sticking up from it, and wears a white kimono with black trim, a backpack, and a quiver of arrows, and she carries a yuni, or bamboo bow. She reaches an arm behind her....and it vanishes up to the elbow. Korunue pokes her head through the rip in thin air, and then brings it and the arm back, relived. She takes an arrow from her quiver and sticks it into the mud, head down, to mark the spot, since she can't see the magic of the portal. That done, she looks about for someone. Anyone. Korunue looks about, sniffing the air. Damn air transmitted so many cool, foresty smells... she remembers the forest she came from, and the lake.. the calm, peaceful lake... so still, so quiet... ah, but she was here to learn. Not... swim.
Korunue looks about, taking a few steps forward. Aldrea had thought this place could help her... she said something about strange magic... and her human side was starting to not like this silence. Korunue hears footsteps! her puppy-like ears swivel to point to the sound.. ahead of her. "Hello?" she calls, timidly, wondering if it was friend, foe, or fawn...
Gamma stops as he hears the voice. "Hello. Are you ok?" Gamma has a slight blue tint to him and has short, dark blue hair. He looks to be around 17 and wears a red shirt and a pair of red pants.
Ali_Cia hears the call. "Greetings! How are you?" Ali is a young woman, with brown hair and green eyes with blue fringes. She has large, silvery-white dragon wings as well.
Tamaly calls out too, "Hi~." Now, Tamaly is a young woman, with short green hair and wearing plate armor and nailruns. And she has a tail.
Gran calls out too, since it seems to be okay, "Hello there!" Gran has little part in this story, but for future reference, he is a man with 3" long platnum/silver hair, wearing armor.
"Salutations!" calls out Weianne. Weianne is a girl, with olive-green skin and black hair.
Korunue jumps, then scolds herself for not hearing how many there were. She heads towards the sound, reaching the ragtag group... and draws back in fear. Monsters! Aldrea had sent her to a place of demons! Her eyes widened in fright as she remembers other demons she has met... would they, too, attack her?
Ali_Cia notices the fright and stops dead in her tracks. "Hey there. We mean no harm."
Gamma is surprised at Korunue's reation. "Yeah we just wanted to see if you were alright."
Weianne looks up at Gran. "Why is the visitor so frightened?
Korunue blinks. well, they didn't SEEM dangerous. She sniffs, tentitivly, but the rain was confusing her senses.... she blink some more. "um... hi?" she asks, timidly. "Er... Aldrea sent me... " she says, at a loss for other words.
Gamma smiles. "Oh. How is Aldrea and Kit doing?"
"Ah, yes, Aldrea." Ali says, nodding. "We were wondering where she was."
Gran smiles, "Weianne, she's just not used to this place yet...give her some time"
Tamaly decides to stay somewhat quiet. Weianne nods. "Alright, Gran."
Korunue smiled. She was in the right place! "heh... She's my... roommate and friend. I havn't seen Kit about much lately... anyway... she said you might know about... interesting powers?" she asks, hopeful.
"Yes, we know about some very interesting powers indeed. But this isn't the place to talk about it. Would you like to come inside? We have a good fire going and plenty of food we gathered this morning. It's better than this chilly rain." says Ali, invitingly.
Korunue shrugs. "I suppose... rain doesn't bother me much..."
Ali Cia nods. "Come on, everyone. Back to the den." She slowly turns around, making sure that nobody accidently loses their magical "umbrella" and heads back toward the stone hill. Gamma walks back with Ali.Weianne has no trouble keeping up.
Korunue follows, a bit behind the others, unsure of herself... she wishes she has Ronin with her- he always was stronger. But this was for him, too....Ali Cia continues to keep her wings up when they reach the enterance, making a draconic bow of her head to Kor. "A pleasure to have another guest. Will you be needing a room? We just added a few extra rooms if you would like one." Gamma walks in with Ali to avoide the rain. He looks back for a second and shivers. Then heads to the main room.
Korunue shrugs. "I don't think I will... I marked the portals, so I can get back home, and if I'm gone too long Ronin- my fiancee- might get worried."
Ali Cia nods. "Understandable." She lets Kor go in first before following. "What powers did you come here for? I must warn you ahead of time that we are in a rather sticky situation ourselves and it will be difficult to hand out services just yet."
Korunue frowns. "er... well.. I'm not entirely sure.. see... I was possesed a while back... I happen to have someone looking out for me on the other side, they're holding her off for the moment, but... she used some powers, and it seems they were mine... Maybe I can help with your situation, though?" she asks, politely.
"That is very generous of you. Have a seat. I apologise for the lack of seats around here. I never expected visitors when I built this place but.. here we are." says Ali.
Gamma walks over to Korunue with a smile on his face. "Hello. I'm Gamma."
"I'm Gran." says Gran, with a wave.
"Tamaly." Tamaly introduces herself.
"Weianne." adds Weianne.
Korunue sits. "Pleased to meet you both." then she rummages through her bag. "oh! I almost forgot. " She pulls out a scroll- a note from Aldrea. She offers it to Ali.
Ali Cia takes the note and changes into her human form to take up less space, leaning against a wall and reading. Our many sources have reproduced the exact text of the note.
The note says "This is Korunue. She has some sort of guardian powers or something- I can't quite make it out. But it is power, and if she could control it, firsthand reports say that it is powerful. And it takes a whole lotta power to try and get rid of that haze, after all. Be gentle, though- she's had it rough. -- Aldrea"
Ali Cia nods and folds up the notes. "She says to be gentle, and I see no reason not to. I've diagnosed many abilities in my days, but I can still make mistakes." She seats herself, cross-legged, across from Kor. "Would you like me to diagnose now?"
Korunue nods, casting her eyes down. "What do I do?" she asks, timidly.
"First thing. Relax. " Ali smiles. "Trust me, it won't hurt unless you have something that's really strange and doesn't like me. But that's rare. " She holds out her hands for Kor to take.
Weianne looks to Gran. "What's going on?"
Korunue smiles a little, ashamed of herself, and takes Ali's hands.
Gamma smiles. He thinks this is going to be intresting.
Ali Cia closes her eyes. "You may close your eyes too. If you feel or see anything strange, please don't jump."
Korunue closes her eyes lightly, picturing the lake to help calm her jumpy nerves. So peaceful... and it had been peaceful below the water, too... though she wasn't breathing.. but breath would disturb the death-like peace... it had been nice, just sinking...
Ali_Cia relaxes and uses her extra sense to try and find the source of the power.
"Ali is teaching her Magic." Gran tells Weianne.
"Oh... it must be fun." Weianne replies.
Gamma continues to look at Ali and Korunue. He seems really intrested in it. Tamaly isnt paying attention, and leans against the wall, still a bit upset.
Korunue gets lost in her little daydream, not noticing anything happeneing to her. The lake... and the darkness, that dark place she refused to name. Perfectly still.. her pain was gone, she didn't care about anything anymore.. until Ronin followed her. She tried not to dwell on how he must have felt: wakening to see her cold body, his own dagger sticking out of her chest... she forced her thoughts back to the lake, and the peacefulness.
Ali_Cia continues to search, trying to identify any powers she stumbles across..At long last, she releases Kor's hands. "I am afraid that I have not encountered such powers as this..."
Korunue frowns, waking from her daydream. "oh..." she says, softly. "Alright then. Now what should I do?" she is rather submissive.
Ali Cia shrugs slightly. "Have you ever been able to use your power at will before?"
Korunue shakes her head. "Last time... I got really mad... but then I got possesed... but I think..." she looks confused. "Every time I think I can use them, I got possesed... "
Gamma thinks and looks over to Gran. "Whats possesed?"
"Having the body taken over by an outside source...such as a ghost, or spectre..." replies Gran
Ali Cia nods. "It rises during anger and perhaps releases a spirit. I wouldn't be surprised if it is trapped in a pocket within you."
"Oh. Good thing im not possesed. I could hurt someone." replies Gamma.
"I know who it was who possesed me... and there's a spirit on my side restraining her for now... She wants revenge on my father. If that helps any..." Korunue adds, helpfully.
Tamaly grumbles and walks outside, deciding to train regardless of the rain.
"Ah, revenge. I've seen that all too often. If you wish, I can trap it with a spell, but you'll have to keep the object I trap it in with you." Ali mentions.
Korunue shrugs. "I thought maybe, if I could use my powers... I might be able to hold her off."
Ali Cia nods. "That would be a good idea."
Korunue smiles. "So... what should I do?"
Ali_Cia takes a deep breath and looks upward. "I do not know quite yet..." She reaches up and takes a diamond pendant out of the air. "Wear this. When you become posessed, the second diamond will resonate and flash." She takes another diamond from the air and hangs it from the ceiling of the main room.
Korunue puts it on, though she explains "My mother, though, said she'd hold her off of me for a while... and unless I get mad, she can't come anyway...."
Ali Cia nods. "Well, I will help you when the spirit comes, trust me."
Gamma nods. "Ali really good with this type of stuff."
Korunue nods. "But, what should I do about my powers?" A squeal is heard as a black demon carcass rolls down the stairs with a sickening thud. Tamaly walks back in, covered in demon blood, half limping.
Ali Cia stands and hurries over. "What happened?!"
Gamma walks over to Tamaly, concern on his face. "What happened are you alright!?" Korunue looks up, her ears suddanly straight up, her eyes widening. She remains still, getting scared.
"I...seem to attract evil...and I'm fine, just a sprained ankle..." Tamaly assures them.
Gamma nods to her and looks over at the dead demon. "What do we do with this?"
"Well...it wouldnt smell very good if burned, and it's not very good to eat..." Tamaly says, frowning.
Ali Cia nods and offers her arm for support. "How about I take you to your room?"
"I dont have a room...and I dont need any help...also, I dont like to be touched...at all..."
Ali Cia nods and draws her hand back. "My apologies."
Korunue quivers in her seat. "Is this... normal?" she asks, timidly, her ears going crazy searching for any other signs of attack.
"For me it is...demons seem to follow me, waiting for their chance to taste my blood..." comes Tamaly's reply.
"How unusual..." murmers Gran
Gamma looks over the carcass. The mark in his forehead flashes black. "What was this thing? The energy it has is weird."
"I dont know...all i know is that it reeks of evil..." replies the warrioress.
Korunue frowns. She hugs her knees to her chest, puts her head on them, and daydreams of the lake once more... the peaceful lake... though, she supposed it had been cold... and she supposed her lungs musta been burning... but at the time, her mind was otherwise occupied... the peace... she found it hard to concentrate on things like weddings when so far from home.
Gamma looks over to Ali. "Do you want me to get rid of it?"
Ali Cia walks over to Kor and kneels beside her, glancing back to Gamma. "Yes, please."
"That...might not be a..." starts Tamaly
Gamma nods. he moves his hands over the carcass and his hands glow. Strands of black energy are drawn from the carcass to his hands. Black lines run along his hands and up his arms. It takes longer than it usually does but eventually the carcas crumbles completly to dust. The mark on his head flashes black and he backs away from where the carcass was and falls backwards onto his rear. "What was that?"
Korunue had shut her eyes, and was not paying attention anymore. She opens them, and, seeing nothing interesting, shut them once more, to return to sweet daydreams while she let the others deal with this.
"I tried to warn you..." murmers Tamaly.
Ali Cia pats Kor's back. "Do you want me to take you to a room?"
Gamma shakes his head a little. "Owww. That was not good. It's never done that before."
Korunue opens her eyes once more. "I'm fine... don't worry.... he looks like he needs help, though." she says, motioning to Gamma. She was content to sit here and wait for things to make sense... at all....
Tamaly leans against the wall, still drenched in the demon's blood, sighing, "I tried to warn you, but now, you dont listen..."
"Are you alright?" Weianne asks, stooping over Gamma.
Ali Cia nods and goes over to Gamma. "Maybe you should be cautious when absorbing things you don't know about."
"He'll be fine...no worries...he just absorbed too much evil energy" mentions the ever-helpful Gran
Gamma turns to Tamaly. "Its kinda hard to stop in the middle of doing that ok." The mark on his forehead flared black. "I'm not sure. I don't appear to be hurt."
Ali Cia frowns. "Looks like you're a little evil now.. your mark is turning black."
"Maybe you should ask next time, ya think? Grrr...you make me so mad..." says Tamaly.
Gamma turns to Tamaly. "You act like I meant to do that."
"You didnt? You acted before thinking..." asks Tamaly.
Weianne looks up to Gran. "I'm going back to the room."
"Alright, I'll go with you, if you dont mind." replies Gran
Weianne nods and heads back to the room to sleep. Gran follows her.
"Well I'm sorry that not everyone deals with this kind of thing everyday." Gamma replies, a bit vexed.
Korunue is utterly confused. She doesn't say anything, though... she tries to think of something different, other than the cool, calm lake.... She remembers her friend's words: 'you don't want him to kill himself, yet here you are tellinghim the 2nd best way to do it!' She wonders what the best was...
"I dont have a choice in the matter...I have to kill or be killed...these confounded demonic beasts wont leave me alone..." replies Tamaly.Then she growls and hisses, "I'll be back...this blood is clotting on my fur..."
"Lots of water.." suggests Ali.Tamaly walks back up the stairs, outside, standing in the rain.
Gamma sighs and mumbles under his breath. "Great now she's mad at me again."
Korunue shudders at the thought of blood in her fur. "Should I be doing something?" she asks, at long last, in a small, timid voice.
An ominous, soundless bolt of lightning flashes in the sky, and suddenly, Tamaly is surrounded by demons, wraiths, shadows, anything evil from the area. "...Ah, shit..." is Tamaly's only response.
Gamma blinks as he feels something. "Theres a lot of somethings here." HE runs to the entrance.
Ali_Cia blinks. "Tamaly, you really DO attract evil."
Korunue blinks. And blinks. "er... should I help?" she asks, looking to see how many arrows she has.
Tamaly growls, showing her teeth, in a defensive position, "This, will not end well..."
Gamma ignights his Z saber. "We need to help her."
Ali_Cia turns and heads into her room, grumbling at the fact that so many people are still using it.
Korunue starts to head out to help, but then remembers the last time she pulled a bow on a living being. She doesn't trust herself... and she didn't want to endanger anyone... so she staya inside, going back to her spot, and sitting. From her spot she can year yelling and squealing. "TAMALY, DUCK." "GREAT"
Korunue puts her head on her knees, hearing the sounds of the fight outside. She feels entirely useless. She shuts her eyes, and lets the silent tears flow. she misses Ronin already, though she's only been gone half a day, and she feels worthless and alone once more. Magic or no, she decides, she'll head home soon and never leave again.
Ali_Cia comes out of her room, a dragon once more. She lies down beside Kor. "Are you alright?"
Korunue looks up, miserably. "yeah... I guess I'm just a little homesick... plus I can't fight, so I'm not much use to you all..." she murmers.
"Some battles you just have to stay out of. I was once the heroine of the whole galaxy. Now I choose to stay here while they fight it out. They need the practice." replies Ali. A crack of breaking bone can be heard from outside.
Korunue sighs. "I suppose..." she still feels useless and homesick... home? what was home? Ronin-sick, then. She missed him. But... she needed to learn. She had to put her life together, before she married him. She had to find something to focus on, to help her stop thinking about the peaceful lake...
"If you wish, I could teach you a few spells that might help you.. of course, with my methods.. it might take you a while to learn.." Ali offers
Korunue looks up. She nods, glumly. "alright." If only she had a spell to help cure her of evil, evil thoughts that would hurt Ronin... that was what she really needed. Without possesion or suicidal thoughts... she could maybe pretend to be normal, to live a semi-normal life,and she'd stop hurting Ronin.
"ALI I THINK WE NEED SOME HELP"
"There is a way to bind your consciousness to reality.. but then you would not be able to become unsconscious. If the spell succeeds, you could keep the spirit from taking-- whoop. Coming!" Ali is interrupted by the cry. Ali Cia stands up and runs outside, leaving Kor alone again.
"Shit!!"
"Come and get me!"
Korunue looks confused, but stays where she is, returning to her thoughts. A sharp smell of dragon blood fills the air. Korunue smells it and gets concerned. She stands, then sits, then stands once more, wondering what to do. She sits, again, miserable.
"TAMALY CAN YOU GET OVER HERE?"
"Gamma! Tamaly! Get inside, NOW!"
The two of them rush by Kor, moving quickly, leaving her alone again. After some time, Korunue finishes her cry, drying her tears. She needed help, and NOW. She listened to see where people were, and used the subtle sound of Gamma's breath in the stillness to locate him and go to where he was. She paused in the doorway, knocking softly on the door.
Gamma looks over to her. HE has a sad look on his face and the mark on his forehead is still black. His red, slitted eyes show sadness. "Hey." Tamaly is asleep or unconcious in the bed, covered by the covers.
Korunue looks back, her eyes no less sad, traces of tears on her cheeks. "hey." she replies, timidly.
"You can come in if you want." He looks over Tamaly's form again and back to her. "I think I may need someone to talk to."
Korunue nods, coming in. "I do too." she murmers, softly.
Gamma nods. "You want to go first?"
Korunue shrugs. "Just thinking... this is all so strange, and so far from home, and by myself, I keep thinking of... how peaceful it was, underwater, in a lake in the forest... how calm and soothing..." she starts, unsure how to say what she meant.
Gamma sighs. "Well I can't say that I can really relate to that. I was created and I ahve no memory past about 4 days ago."
Korunue nods, gravely. "See, the thing about this lake is, when I went down... I didn't want to come up. I almost didn't... I wanted to stay there in the peace forever..." the tears return to her eyes. "And before, I had tied myself up and jumped into it..."
Gamma sighs. "As nieve as I may be, I don't think that wanting to die is right. As much pain as you think you might cause it's never the way. As much peace as you may want, its never worth it in the end."
Korunue nods, the tears flowing harder. "I know. I do. I don't want to hurt Ronin... but... I can't help thinking about it..."
Gamma nods. "I was created to be a weapon. You saw what I did to that carcuss. I was made to do that to people. I can absorb almost any energy that is used on me and I only have one weakness. Extream cold. Do you want to konw how many times I contemplated going north?"
Korunue shuts her eyes, though the tears continue. "life... life is harsh, life is pain.." she murmers, then catches herself. "no! There IS joy in life!" she tells herself, trying to make herself belive it.
Gamma nods. "There is joy. I found joy in knowing that there is a way that I can help people with what I have instead of hurting them. That I can save a universe with the same thing that was suppose to kill people." He looks over to Tamaly. "I also found that not everyone will fear me for what I can do."
Korunue nods. "I have to get help... that's part of the reason I came here at all. I'm getting married... how can I be a good wife if I hurt him with my thoughts?"
Gamma sighs. "I don't know much about marrage, but I know that it would hurt the people I know too much it I wasn't around. Not to mention that I have a lot of poeple counting on me."
Korunue nods. "He loves me, and I love him.... we commited Shinju once... only, there was some kind of spell to bring us back... he saved my life, bringing me back... only now... I have to stop this!" she seems rather frantic through her tears.
Gamma moves over to her. "You have to stop what?"
Korunue fights for control of her tears. "stop thinking like this, stop dreaming of the lake, and the peaceful darkness of death... see? I have to! I can't be... like that... again! I'd kill him!" Somehow, in the quiet darkness, she feels like she can say anything and not be afraid, or embarrased.
Gamma holds her, trying to help her get control. "I'm sure that Ali will be able to help you."
Korunue continues to sob, though less violently then before. "she seemed busy... I don't wanna be in the way..."
"Your not going to be. Most of my training does not require her constant watch. We'll just have to wait for her to get back."
Korunue manages to quiet her sobs to sniffles. "Are you sure? I'm quite useless... I have a bad tendency to fail the people I care about... and bad things keep happening to me... I'd be in the way, or cause trouble..."
Gamma sighs. "Don't worry about it. I thought I was useless when I got here. I mean what kind of good use could a half paracite be?"
"yes, but... look at me! I failed my mother, I failed to atone for my failure, I failed Aldrea, I failed Ronin... I can't do a damned thing! I can't shoot living things... I freeze when I try. I can't make anything, I can't work my magic, and I don't have a craft. I'm worthless."
"I can already tell your not worthless. In fact your helping very much right now."
Korunue looks at him, confused. "How? All I'm doing is complaining and sobbing... and crying is weak, Ronin says, it makes you look weak."
"Well, for one your keeping me from going to peices. I know that Tamaly is strong, but it's bad to se her like that, and I coundn't do a thing to help her. All my attacks did nothing against those demons. Then Ali had to attack them and get there attention for us to get away and I couldn't do a thing. Being ablt to talk with someone about it is helping me a lot."
Korunue sniffs. "At least... at least you can help sometimes. I... I havn't been able to help anyone at all. I... I always do wrong... Aldrea wanted to die, and I stopped her... and I wasn't fast enough getting her magic back... and Ronin wanted to die, and he asked me the best way... I told him drowning... that's wrong, too... everything's wrong... everything."
"I think that it's a good thing that you stopped Aldrea from dying. We wouldn't have the plan that we have now without her and all the people here would die. You havn't failed. I believe that these things have happened for a purpose, to give us the chance the we have now."
Korunue looks down. "you should have seen her... She won't talk to me about it, but... it hurts her, being alive, she has no reason to live anymore. I could have, just a minute later... I could have said it was an accident, nobody would blame me...."
"But you would know. I dont think you would want to live with that. And If you did then I wouldn't be able to help anyone anyway."
Korunue lowers her ears so they point down. "But still... I caused her pain... and I cause everyone pain... all my friends... my father... and I failed to avenge my mother's death... and failed to atone for that failure..."
"Well why don't you tell me what happened?"
"My mother was killed when I was small. Recently, I found out that my sensai was the one who had killed her. I was out with my bow, and I came across him. I had him in range... I was aimed... but... I couldn't shoot him. He sneered at me, and when he was sure I wouldn't shoot, left. I failed her.. the only thing left to do was seppuku..."
Gamma nods and waits for her to continue. HE looks over to Tamaly again and looks back.
"Seppuku is... ritual suicide. So, I was ready... I made the first cut... I was about to make the final one, the killing cut, when Father came out... he saved me... but ever since... I can't do anything right, not even die."
"So you wanted to kill yourself because you didn't want to take another persons life. I think the reason that you wern't able to kill yourself was because your suppose to do something. I know that there is something important that I am supposed to do before I die. Thats why I ended up here instead of where someone could use me."
Korunue sighs. "More than that, though... when I saw how much I was hurting Ronin, my husband-to-be, I... I didn't want to live, it hurt so much. And... other than help him, make him happy, there's nothing good I can do at all."
"Whats so wrong about wanting to make him happy. You just have to realise that you are worth something your worth it to Ronin, to Aldrea, even to Ali. Thats why they are trying to hepl you, because they care for you and want to see you happy."
Korunue sighs. "I know. That's why I bother to try and stop being this way at all, rather than just give in... I just... when Ronin's really unhappy, or when I have too much time to think..." she takes a deep breath and lets it out slow. "Aldrea was worst... she was the worst failure yet... after I saved her, they took away her magic... and she decided to go back to her father..."
"Well I believe that Ali will be able to help Aldrea just like she will try to help you. Now, it's getting late and both of us are going through a lot. How about you use one of the rooms for the night. Its not safe with those demons running about."
Korunue nods solumnly, standing and streaching. "alright. Where should I sleep?" she asks, not knowing the layout of this place.
Gamma walks over to one of the rooms across from his. HE gathers the energy around him and shapes it into a large cushion. IT will allow Korunue to sleem comfortably. He walks back. "You can sleep in the room across from here. I created a cushion of ais so you will be more comfortable. I'm sorry that I don't have any blankets. I haven't learned enough for that."
Korunue nods. "I'll be fine. Sleep well... oh, and Gamma?" she asks, timidly. "please... don't tell anyone about any of this... I don't want everyone to pity me."
Gamma nods. "I will do that. Do not be surprised if I do not act this way after Tamaly is ok. I doubt that you will see me act this serious for a while."
Korunue nods. "I understand. Good night." she says, before slipping off to the room he had pointed out and curling up on the mattress, falling asleep almost instantly.
Gamma nods as she leaves and sits back down in the chair next to the bed as he looks after Tamaly.
Alright, that's good for now. Review.
Disclaimer: Dami owns Gamma, and.. um.. other chars... this was long ago, I forget who played who. Emmie owns Tamaly and (I think) Gran, and Ali owns Ali and Weianne. I own Korunue and Aldrea and Kit, but not Kikyo or Kagome or Inuyasha. And Jeff owns Ronin.
Bikon and Beta
Taken from the scrolls of the Chronicals of Bikon
Chapter 1- Of many Meetings and the First Entry into Bikon
Korunue finds herself in a forest. She looks about, then looks behind her, not minding the rain any. She panicks, not seeing the portal she had just come through! She has black hair with black dog ears sticking up from it, and wears a white kimono with black trim, a backpack, and a quiver of arrows, and she carries a yuni, or bamboo bow. She reaches an arm behind her....and it vanishes up to the elbow. Korunue pokes her head through the rip in thin air, and then brings it and the arm back, relived. She takes an arrow from her quiver and sticks it into the mud, head down, to mark the spot, since she can't see the magic of the portal. That done, she looks about for someone. Anyone. Korunue looks about, sniffing the air. Damn air transmitted so many cool, foresty smells... she remembers the forest she came from, and the lake.. the calm, peaceful lake... so still, so quiet... ah, but she was here to learn. Not... swim.
Korunue looks about, taking a few steps forward. Aldrea had thought this place could help her... she said something about strange magic... and her human side was starting to not like this silence. Korunue hears footsteps! her puppy-like ears swivel to point to the sound.. ahead of her. "Hello?" she calls, timidly, wondering if it was friend, foe, or fawn...
Gamma stops as he hears the voice. "Hello. Are you ok?" Gamma has a slight blue tint to him and has short, dark blue hair. He looks to be around 17 and wears a red shirt and a pair of red pants.
Ali_Cia hears the call. "Greetings! How are you?" Ali is a young woman, with brown hair and green eyes with blue fringes. She has large, silvery-white dragon wings as well.
Tamaly calls out too, "Hi~." Now, Tamaly is a young woman, with short green hair and wearing plate armor and nailruns. And she has a tail.
Gran calls out too, since it seems to be okay, "Hello there!" Gran has little part in this story, but for future reference, he is a man with 3" long platnum/silver hair, wearing armor.
"Salutations!" calls out Weianne. Weianne is a girl, with olive-green skin and black hair.
Korunue jumps, then scolds herself for not hearing how many there were. She heads towards the sound, reaching the ragtag group... and draws back in fear. Monsters! Aldrea had sent her to a place of demons! Her eyes widened in fright as she remembers other demons she has met... would they, too, attack her?
Ali_Cia notices the fright and stops dead in her tracks. "Hey there. We mean no harm."
Gamma is surprised at Korunue's reation. "Yeah we just wanted to see if you were alright."
Weianne looks up at Gran. "Why is the visitor so frightened?
Korunue blinks. well, they didn't SEEM dangerous. She sniffs, tentitivly, but the rain was confusing her senses.... she blink some more. "um... hi?" she asks, timidly. "Er... Aldrea sent me... " she says, at a loss for other words.
Gamma smiles. "Oh. How is Aldrea and Kit doing?"
"Ah, yes, Aldrea." Ali says, nodding. "We were wondering where she was."
Gran smiles, "Weianne, she's just not used to this place yet...give her some time"
Tamaly decides to stay somewhat quiet. Weianne nods. "Alright, Gran."
Korunue smiled. She was in the right place! "heh... She's my... roommate and friend. I havn't seen Kit about much lately... anyway... she said you might know about... interesting powers?" she asks, hopeful.
"Yes, we know about some very interesting powers indeed. But this isn't the place to talk about it. Would you like to come inside? We have a good fire going and plenty of food we gathered this morning. It's better than this chilly rain." says Ali, invitingly.
Korunue shrugs. "I suppose... rain doesn't bother me much..."
Ali Cia nods. "Come on, everyone. Back to the den." She slowly turns around, making sure that nobody accidently loses their magical "umbrella" and heads back toward the stone hill. Gamma walks back with Ali.Weianne has no trouble keeping up.
Korunue follows, a bit behind the others, unsure of herself... she wishes she has Ronin with her- he always was stronger. But this was for him, too....Ali Cia continues to keep her wings up when they reach the enterance, making a draconic bow of her head to Kor. "A pleasure to have another guest. Will you be needing a room? We just added a few extra rooms if you would like one." Gamma walks in with Ali to avoide the rain. He looks back for a second and shivers. Then heads to the main room.
Korunue shrugs. "I don't think I will... I marked the portals, so I can get back home, and if I'm gone too long Ronin- my fiancee- might get worried."
Ali Cia nods. "Understandable." She lets Kor go in first before following. "What powers did you come here for? I must warn you ahead of time that we are in a rather sticky situation ourselves and it will be difficult to hand out services just yet."
Korunue frowns. "er... well.. I'm not entirely sure.. see... I was possesed a while back... I happen to have someone looking out for me on the other side, they're holding her off for the moment, but... she used some powers, and it seems they were mine... Maybe I can help with your situation, though?" she asks, politely.
"That is very generous of you. Have a seat. I apologise for the lack of seats around here. I never expected visitors when I built this place but.. here we are." says Ali.
Gamma walks over to Korunue with a smile on his face. "Hello. I'm Gamma."
"I'm Gran." says Gran, with a wave.
"Tamaly." Tamaly introduces herself.
"Weianne." adds Weianne.
Korunue sits. "Pleased to meet you both." then she rummages through her bag. "oh! I almost forgot. " She pulls out a scroll- a note from Aldrea. She offers it to Ali.
Ali Cia takes the note and changes into her human form to take up less space, leaning against a wall and reading. Our many sources have reproduced the exact text of the note.
The note says "This is Korunue. She has some sort of guardian powers or something- I can't quite make it out. But it is power, and if she could control it, firsthand reports say that it is powerful. And it takes a whole lotta power to try and get rid of that haze, after all. Be gentle, though- she's had it rough. -- Aldrea"
Ali Cia nods and folds up the notes. "She says to be gentle, and I see no reason not to. I've diagnosed many abilities in my days, but I can still make mistakes." She seats herself, cross-legged, across from Kor. "Would you like me to diagnose now?"
Korunue nods, casting her eyes down. "What do I do?" she asks, timidly.
"First thing. Relax. " Ali smiles. "Trust me, it won't hurt unless you have something that's really strange and doesn't like me. But that's rare. " She holds out her hands for Kor to take.
Weianne looks to Gran. "What's going on?"
Korunue smiles a little, ashamed of herself, and takes Ali's hands.
Gamma smiles. He thinks this is going to be intresting.
Ali Cia closes her eyes. "You may close your eyes too. If you feel or see anything strange, please don't jump."
Korunue closes her eyes lightly, picturing the lake to help calm her jumpy nerves. So peaceful... and it had been peaceful below the water, too... though she wasn't breathing.. but breath would disturb the death-like peace... it had been nice, just sinking...
Ali_Cia relaxes and uses her extra sense to try and find the source of the power.
"Ali is teaching her Magic." Gran tells Weianne.
"Oh... it must be fun." Weianne replies.
Gamma continues to look at Ali and Korunue. He seems really intrested in it. Tamaly isnt paying attention, and leans against the wall, still a bit upset.
Korunue gets lost in her little daydream, not noticing anything happeneing to her. The lake... and the darkness, that dark place she refused to name. Perfectly still.. her pain was gone, she didn't care about anything anymore.. until Ronin followed her. She tried not to dwell on how he must have felt: wakening to see her cold body, his own dagger sticking out of her chest... she forced her thoughts back to the lake, and the peacefulness.
Ali_Cia continues to search, trying to identify any powers she stumbles across..At long last, she releases Kor's hands. "I am afraid that I have not encountered such powers as this..."
Korunue frowns, waking from her daydream. "oh..." she says, softly. "Alright then. Now what should I do?" she is rather submissive.
Ali Cia shrugs slightly. "Have you ever been able to use your power at will before?"
Korunue shakes her head. "Last time... I got really mad... but then I got possesed... but I think..." she looks confused. "Every time I think I can use them, I got possesed... "
Gamma thinks and looks over to Gran. "Whats possesed?"
"Having the body taken over by an outside source...such as a ghost, or spectre..." replies Gran
Ali Cia nods. "It rises during anger and perhaps releases a spirit. I wouldn't be surprised if it is trapped in a pocket within you."
"Oh. Good thing im not possesed. I could hurt someone." replies Gamma.
"I know who it was who possesed me... and there's a spirit on my side restraining her for now... She wants revenge on my father. If that helps any..." Korunue adds, helpfully.
Tamaly grumbles and walks outside, deciding to train regardless of the rain.
"Ah, revenge. I've seen that all too often. If you wish, I can trap it with a spell, but you'll have to keep the object I trap it in with you." Ali mentions.
Korunue shrugs. "I thought maybe, if I could use my powers... I might be able to hold her off."
Ali Cia nods. "That would be a good idea."
Korunue smiles. "So... what should I do?"
Ali_Cia takes a deep breath and looks upward. "I do not know quite yet..." She reaches up and takes a diamond pendant out of the air. "Wear this. When you become posessed, the second diamond will resonate and flash." She takes another diamond from the air and hangs it from the ceiling of the main room.
Korunue puts it on, though she explains "My mother, though, said she'd hold her off of me for a while... and unless I get mad, she can't come anyway...."
Ali Cia nods. "Well, I will help you when the spirit comes, trust me."
Gamma nods. "Ali really good with this type of stuff."
Korunue nods. "But, what should I do about my powers?" A squeal is heard as a black demon carcass rolls down the stairs with a sickening thud. Tamaly walks back in, covered in demon blood, half limping.
Ali Cia stands and hurries over. "What happened?!"
Gamma walks over to Tamaly, concern on his face. "What happened are you alright!?" Korunue looks up, her ears suddanly straight up, her eyes widening. She remains still, getting scared.
"I...seem to attract evil...and I'm fine, just a sprained ankle..." Tamaly assures them.
Gamma nods to her and looks over at the dead demon. "What do we do with this?"
"Well...it wouldnt smell very good if burned, and it's not very good to eat..." Tamaly says, frowning.
Ali Cia nods and offers her arm for support. "How about I take you to your room?"
"I dont have a room...and I dont need any help...also, I dont like to be touched...at all..."
Ali Cia nods and draws her hand back. "My apologies."
Korunue quivers in her seat. "Is this... normal?" she asks, timidly, her ears going crazy searching for any other signs of attack.
"For me it is...demons seem to follow me, waiting for their chance to taste my blood..." comes Tamaly's reply.
"How unusual..." murmers Gran
Gamma looks over the carcass. The mark in his forehead flashes black. "What was this thing? The energy it has is weird."
"I dont know...all i know is that it reeks of evil..." replies the warrioress.
Korunue frowns. She hugs her knees to her chest, puts her head on them, and daydreams of the lake once more... the peaceful lake... though, she supposed it had been cold... and she supposed her lungs musta been burning... but at the time, her mind was otherwise occupied... the peace... she found it hard to concentrate on things like weddings when so far from home.
Gamma looks over to Ali. "Do you want me to get rid of it?"
Ali Cia walks over to Kor and kneels beside her, glancing back to Gamma. "Yes, please."
"That...might not be a..." starts Tamaly
Gamma nods. he moves his hands over the carcass and his hands glow. Strands of black energy are drawn from the carcass to his hands. Black lines run along his hands and up his arms. It takes longer than it usually does but eventually the carcas crumbles completly to dust. The mark on his head flashes black and he backs away from where the carcass was and falls backwards onto his rear. "What was that?"
Korunue had shut her eyes, and was not paying attention anymore. She opens them, and, seeing nothing interesting, shut them once more, to return to sweet daydreams while she let the others deal with this.
"I tried to warn you..." murmers Tamaly.
Ali Cia pats Kor's back. "Do you want me to take you to a room?"
Gamma shakes his head a little. "Owww. That was not good. It's never done that before."
Korunue opens her eyes once more. "I'm fine... don't worry.... he looks like he needs help, though." she says, motioning to Gamma. She was content to sit here and wait for things to make sense... at all....
Tamaly leans against the wall, still drenched in the demon's blood, sighing, "I tried to warn you, but now, you dont listen..."
"Are you alright?" Weianne asks, stooping over Gamma.
Ali Cia nods and goes over to Gamma. "Maybe you should be cautious when absorbing things you don't know about."
"He'll be fine...no worries...he just absorbed too much evil energy" mentions the ever-helpful Gran
Gamma turns to Tamaly. "Its kinda hard to stop in the middle of doing that ok." The mark on his forehead flared black. "I'm not sure. I don't appear to be hurt."
Ali Cia frowns. "Looks like you're a little evil now.. your mark is turning black."
"Maybe you should ask next time, ya think? Grrr...you make me so mad..." says Tamaly.
Gamma turns to Tamaly. "You act like I meant to do that."
"You didnt? You acted before thinking..." asks Tamaly.
Weianne looks up to Gran. "I'm going back to the room."
"Alright, I'll go with you, if you dont mind." replies Gran
Weianne nods and heads back to the room to sleep. Gran follows her.
"Well I'm sorry that not everyone deals with this kind of thing everyday." Gamma replies, a bit vexed.
Korunue is utterly confused. She doesn't say anything, though... she tries to think of something different, other than the cool, calm lake.... She remembers her friend's words: 'you don't want him to kill himself, yet here you are tellinghim the 2nd best way to do it!' She wonders what the best was...
"I dont have a choice in the matter...I have to kill or be killed...these confounded demonic beasts wont leave me alone..." replies Tamaly.Then she growls and hisses, "I'll be back...this blood is clotting on my fur..."
"Lots of water.." suggests Ali.Tamaly walks back up the stairs, outside, standing in the rain.
Gamma sighs and mumbles under his breath. "Great now she's mad at me again."
Korunue shudders at the thought of blood in her fur. "Should I be doing something?" she asks, at long last, in a small, timid voice.
An ominous, soundless bolt of lightning flashes in the sky, and suddenly, Tamaly is surrounded by demons, wraiths, shadows, anything evil from the area. "...Ah, shit..." is Tamaly's only response.
Gamma blinks as he feels something. "Theres a lot of somethings here." HE runs to the entrance.
Ali_Cia blinks. "Tamaly, you really DO attract evil."
Korunue blinks. And blinks. "er... should I help?" she asks, looking to see how many arrows she has.
Tamaly growls, showing her teeth, in a defensive position, "This, will not end well..."
Gamma ignights his Z saber. "We need to help her."
Ali_Cia turns and heads into her room, grumbling at the fact that so many people are still using it.
Korunue starts to head out to help, but then remembers the last time she pulled a bow on a living being. She doesn't trust herself... and she didn't want to endanger anyone... so she staya inside, going back to her spot, and sitting. From her spot she can year yelling and squealing. "TAMALY, DUCK." "GREAT"
Korunue puts her head on her knees, hearing the sounds of the fight outside. She feels entirely useless. She shuts her eyes, and lets the silent tears flow. she misses Ronin already, though she's only been gone half a day, and she feels worthless and alone once more. Magic or no, she decides, she'll head home soon and never leave again.
Ali_Cia comes out of her room, a dragon once more. She lies down beside Kor. "Are you alright?"
Korunue looks up, miserably. "yeah... I guess I'm just a little homesick... plus I can't fight, so I'm not much use to you all..." she murmers.
"Some battles you just have to stay out of. I was once the heroine of the whole galaxy. Now I choose to stay here while they fight it out. They need the practice." replies Ali. A crack of breaking bone can be heard from outside.
Korunue sighs. "I suppose..." she still feels useless and homesick... home? what was home? Ronin-sick, then. She missed him. But... she needed to learn. She had to put her life together, before she married him. She had to find something to focus on, to help her stop thinking about the peaceful lake...
"If you wish, I could teach you a few spells that might help you.. of course, with my methods.. it might take you a while to learn.." Ali offers
Korunue looks up. She nods, glumly. "alright." If only she had a spell to help cure her of evil, evil thoughts that would hurt Ronin... that was what she really needed. Without possesion or suicidal thoughts... she could maybe pretend to be normal, to live a semi-normal life,and she'd stop hurting Ronin.
"ALI I THINK WE NEED SOME HELP"
"There is a way to bind your consciousness to reality.. but then you would not be able to become unsconscious. If the spell succeeds, you could keep the spirit from taking-- whoop. Coming!" Ali is interrupted by the cry. Ali Cia stands up and runs outside, leaving Kor alone again.
"Shit!!"
"Come and get me!"
Korunue looks confused, but stays where she is, returning to her thoughts. A sharp smell of dragon blood fills the air. Korunue smells it and gets concerned. She stands, then sits, then stands once more, wondering what to do. She sits, again, miserable.
"TAMALY CAN YOU GET OVER HERE?"
"Gamma! Tamaly! Get inside, NOW!"
The two of them rush by Kor, moving quickly, leaving her alone again. After some time, Korunue finishes her cry, drying her tears. She needed help, and NOW. She listened to see where people were, and used the subtle sound of Gamma's breath in the stillness to locate him and go to where he was. She paused in the doorway, knocking softly on the door.
Gamma looks over to her. HE has a sad look on his face and the mark on his forehead is still black. His red, slitted eyes show sadness. "Hey." Tamaly is asleep or unconcious in the bed, covered by the covers.
Korunue looks back, her eyes no less sad, traces of tears on her cheeks. "hey." she replies, timidly.
"You can come in if you want." He looks over Tamaly's form again and back to her. "I think I may need someone to talk to."
Korunue nods, coming in. "I do too." she murmers, softly.
Gamma nods. "You want to go first?"
Korunue shrugs. "Just thinking... this is all so strange, and so far from home, and by myself, I keep thinking of... how peaceful it was, underwater, in a lake in the forest... how calm and soothing..." she starts, unsure how to say what she meant.
Gamma sighs. "Well I can't say that I can really relate to that. I was created and I ahve no memory past about 4 days ago."
Korunue nods, gravely. "See, the thing about this lake is, when I went down... I didn't want to come up. I almost didn't... I wanted to stay there in the peace forever..." the tears return to her eyes. "And before, I had tied myself up and jumped into it..."
Gamma sighs. "As nieve as I may be, I don't think that wanting to die is right. As much pain as you think you might cause it's never the way. As much peace as you may want, its never worth it in the end."
Korunue nods, the tears flowing harder. "I know. I do. I don't want to hurt Ronin... but... I can't help thinking about it..."
Gamma nods. "I was created to be a weapon. You saw what I did to that carcuss. I was made to do that to people. I can absorb almost any energy that is used on me and I only have one weakness. Extream cold. Do you want to konw how many times I contemplated going north?"
Korunue shuts her eyes, though the tears continue. "life... life is harsh, life is pain.." she murmers, then catches herself. "no! There IS joy in life!" she tells herself, trying to make herself belive it.
Gamma nods. "There is joy. I found joy in knowing that there is a way that I can help people with what I have instead of hurting them. That I can save a universe with the same thing that was suppose to kill people." He looks over to Tamaly. "I also found that not everyone will fear me for what I can do."
Korunue nods. "I have to get help... that's part of the reason I came here at all. I'm getting married... how can I be a good wife if I hurt him with my thoughts?"
Gamma sighs. "I don't know much about marrage, but I know that it would hurt the people I know too much it I wasn't around. Not to mention that I have a lot of poeple counting on me."
Korunue nods. "He loves me, and I love him.... we commited Shinju once... only, there was some kind of spell to bring us back... he saved my life, bringing me back... only now... I have to stop this!" she seems rather frantic through her tears.
Gamma moves over to her. "You have to stop what?"
Korunue fights for control of her tears. "stop thinking like this, stop dreaming of the lake, and the peaceful darkness of death... see? I have to! I can't be... like that... again! I'd kill him!" Somehow, in the quiet darkness, she feels like she can say anything and not be afraid, or embarrased.
Gamma holds her, trying to help her get control. "I'm sure that Ali will be able to help you."
Korunue continues to sob, though less violently then before. "she seemed busy... I don't wanna be in the way..."
"Your not going to be. Most of my training does not require her constant watch. We'll just have to wait for her to get back."
Korunue manages to quiet her sobs to sniffles. "Are you sure? I'm quite useless... I have a bad tendency to fail the people I care about... and bad things keep happening to me... I'd be in the way, or cause trouble..."
Gamma sighs. "Don't worry about it. I thought I was useless when I got here. I mean what kind of good use could a half paracite be?"
"yes, but... look at me! I failed my mother, I failed to atone for my failure, I failed Aldrea, I failed Ronin... I can't do a damned thing! I can't shoot living things... I freeze when I try. I can't make anything, I can't work my magic, and I don't have a craft. I'm worthless."
"I can already tell your not worthless. In fact your helping very much right now."
Korunue looks at him, confused. "How? All I'm doing is complaining and sobbing... and crying is weak, Ronin says, it makes you look weak."
"Well, for one your keeping me from going to peices. I know that Tamaly is strong, but it's bad to se her like that, and I coundn't do a thing to help her. All my attacks did nothing against those demons. Then Ali had to attack them and get there attention for us to get away and I couldn't do a thing. Being ablt to talk with someone about it is helping me a lot."
Korunue sniffs. "At least... at least you can help sometimes. I... I havn't been able to help anyone at all. I... I always do wrong... Aldrea wanted to die, and I stopped her... and I wasn't fast enough getting her magic back... and Ronin wanted to die, and he asked me the best way... I told him drowning... that's wrong, too... everything's wrong... everything."
"I think that it's a good thing that you stopped Aldrea from dying. We wouldn't have the plan that we have now without her and all the people here would die. You havn't failed. I believe that these things have happened for a purpose, to give us the chance the we have now."
Korunue looks down. "you should have seen her... She won't talk to me about it, but... it hurts her, being alive, she has no reason to live anymore. I could have, just a minute later... I could have said it was an accident, nobody would blame me...."
"But you would know. I dont think you would want to live with that. And If you did then I wouldn't be able to help anyone anyway."
Korunue lowers her ears so they point down. "But still... I caused her pain... and I cause everyone pain... all my friends... my father... and I failed to avenge my mother's death... and failed to atone for that failure..."
"Well why don't you tell me what happened?"
"My mother was killed when I was small. Recently, I found out that my sensai was the one who had killed her. I was out with my bow, and I came across him. I had him in range... I was aimed... but... I couldn't shoot him. He sneered at me, and when he was sure I wouldn't shoot, left. I failed her.. the only thing left to do was seppuku..."
Gamma nods and waits for her to continue. HE looks over to Tamaly again and looks back.
"Seppuku is... ritual suicide. So, I was ready... I made the first cut... I was about to make the final one, the killing cut, when Father came out... he saved me... but ever since... I can't do anything right, not even die."
"So you wanted to kill yourself because you didn't want to take another persons life. I think the reason that you wern't able to kill yourself was because your suppose to do something. I know that there is something important that I am supposed to do before I die. Thats why I ended up here instead of where someone could use me."
Korunue sighs. "More than that, though... when I saw how much I was hurting Ronin, my husband-to-be, I... I didn't want to live, it hurt so much. And... other than help him, make him happy, there's nothing good I can do at all."
"Whats so wrong about wanting to make him happy. You just have to realise that you are worth something your worth it to Ronin, to Aldrea, even to Ali. Thats why they are trying to hepl you, because they care for you and want to see you happy."
Korunue sighs. "I know. That's why I bother to try and stop being this way at all, rather than just give in... I just... when Ronin's really unhappy, or when I have too much time to think..." she takes a deep breath and lets it out slow. "Aldrea was worst... she was the worst failure yet... after I saved her, they took away her magic... and she decided to go back to her father..."
"Well I believe that Ali will be able to help Aldrea just like she will try to help you. Now, it's getting late and both of us are going through a lot. How about you use one of the rooms for the night. Its not safe with those demons running about."
Korunue nods solumnly, standing and streaching. "alright. Where should I sleep?" she asks, not knowing the layout of this place.
Gamma walks over to one of the rooms across from his. HE gathers the energy around him and shapes it into a large cushion. IT will allow Korunue to sleem comfortably. He walks back. "You can sleep in the room across from here. I created a cushion of ais so you will be more comfortable. I'm sorry that I don't have any blankets. I haven't learned enough for that."
Korunue nods. "I'll be fine. Sleep well... oh, and Gamma?" she asks, timidly. "please... don't tell anyone about any of this... I don't want everyone to pity me."
Gamma nods. "I will do that. Do not be surprised if I do not act this way after Tamaly is ok. I doubt that you will see me act this serious for a while."
Korunue nods. "I understand. Good night." she says, before slipping off to the room he had pointed out and curling up on the mattress, falling asleep almost instantly.
Gamma nods as she leaves and sits back down in the chair next to the bed as he looks after Tamaly.
Alright, that's good for now. Review.