Hello again its been a while, I got a new beta aka Gilshalos and I've redone my chaps a bit.
Orphen: that means that the old version sucked and-
Me: one more word and I'm putting you and Volcan in an intimate scene. Orphen?
Orphen:(throwing up)
Me: not on my carpet! Ugh!
(thoughts)
(dreams)
"Hmmm, a demon lawyer "insert joke here" - Charmed
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Chapter 2
"Ouch!" Michael said through clenched teeth, nearly dropping his book, "Watch where you're going Elizabeth!"
"I was," Elizabeth replied, her eyes closed andher face twitching, trying not to smile, "You were too busy reading to know I was coming!"
"Of course," Michael stated, rolling his eyes at his sister's pseudo-innocence, "I'm always waiting with baited breath for my sister to drop something heavy on my foot while I'm engrossed in a book. I suppose you're going to tell me you just wanted to see if it would fall." "Nah," Elizabeth said, pretending to be contrite, "I only wanted to perform a gravity experiment."
"Whatever." Michael said, exhaustion making his voice sound hoarse, "Just go and bother a rabid bear why don't you?"
"Okay." Elizabeth said, her intense cheerfulness making him want to strangle her, "If you can find a rabid bear in Japan I would be glad to bother one." she smiled as Michael rolled his eyes, "Just don't forget that we're going to that stuffy, boring library you love so much!"
And without another word, she picked up the box she dropped and disappeared into her room.
"Sometimes I think she was adopted." Michael thought as he brushed his brown hair out of his face, "and yet I would really have missed her if she had decided to live with mom."
After all, things were still a bit hectic after his mom and dad filed a divorce. Their dad had paid for them to live in Japan for a while until the divorce was finalized. When he was told that he and Elizabeth had to go somewhere else for a while to escape all the legal mess, Michael had asked his father if they could go to Japan. It had always been a dream of his to go there. At first, Elizabeth had been very reluctant to go, but after Michael had told her that Japan was one of the shopping capitals of the world she couldn't get on the plane fast enough. They didn't have much trouble settling in Japan because Michael had been studying Japanese for a few years. Before they left he taught Elizabeth the basics. Even now, every time he caught her attempts at the language he would laugh at her pronunciation of the words.
He stood and crossed to the door, hearing the creaking of the loose floorboards, asking himself once again, "Why do we have to stay in such an old apartment anyway?"
He was still waiting for an answer. The apartment, located above an old deserted museum, was extremely cheap, which was odd considering how outrageous Japanese real estate was in cities especially. Of course having to clean up the museum in exchange because it was a historical landmark did help explain the low price some. Thinking back, it had taken so long to clean up the museum that he wondered just how long had it been since people had actually visited this place
After he finished unpacking, Michael went on his computer to read up more on the area. Sure enough, there were many reports of fire in the region. The strange part was that the climate was cool and foggy. Another interesting fact was that, according to the witnesses the fires would disappear almost as soon as they came. Firefighters traced the origin of the fires to the very museum he lived above. Even more weird was the fact that only certain artifacts were destroyed. Citizens present at the time of the fires claimed that a monster started the fires. Such ideas were abandoned. Especially...
" A monster in the museum?" Michael laughed and turned off his computer, "It would make a great sci-fi movie but stuff like that never happens in real life." "The museum probably used the legend to attract people."
"Talking to yourself again?" Elizabeth grinned as she proceeded to mock her brother, "They say that's the first sign of insanity."
"No," Michael retorted, "It's perfectly sane considering how talking to myself is the only interesting conversation I'll get here."
"Whatever," Elizabeth said, putting on her makeup, "Let's go to the library and get it over with. Just don't forget to drop me off at Tora's house. I promised her I would visit for the weekend."
"Alright," Michael said, tossing the keys to his car at Elizabeth, "Let's see how your driving has improved."
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Yanking the keys out of the ignition, after a tire screeching halt in front of Tora's house, Michael shouted, "That's the last time I let you drive my car!" Pausing in his rant long enough to swallow the bile rising in his throat he continued, "Where did you get your permit? Out of a cereal box?!"
"You're such a worrywart." Elizabeth tsked, combing down her windswept hair as she closed the sunroof, "I only went up a one-way street once. You didn't have to keep saying: 'I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die!' I had everything under control."
"Just go and see your friend okay?" Michael pleaded, "Cut me some slack all right?"
"Suit yourself." Elizabeth said, taking her things out of the car, "Take a chill pill Mikie. Have some fun while I'm gone. Don't spend all your time in the library, you could use some fun and fresh air. " She slipped out of the car before Michael could come up with a suitable comeback, her laughter audible as she walked up to the door of her friend's house.
After a quick stop at the library, checking out a few books, and running a couple of other errands, Michael secured everything in his backpack and returned to the apartment. As much as he cared for his sister, he had to admit he was looking forward to some peace and quiet.
"Hmmm," Michael thought shuffling through the pages, completely engrossed in the book, unaware of how late it was getting. Pausing every once in a while, Michael read some of his library books until he drifted off to sleep at his desk.
In shock, he saw a huge dragon snarling at a stranger in black pants, grey shirt and black pants holding an ornate sword before him. After a brief stand-off, the stranger sheathed the sword and started chanting something, a spell which was interrupted by a blonde girl. The dragon clawed the stranger and flew off. The stranger and the girl exchanged words before the girl fled. Unbidden he followed the girl the stranger watched so intently, neither aware of what he was. The dragon was following the girl into the forest. Shock turned to horror when evil red eyes filled Michael's vision.
"I know you are watching me. Don't interfere with my plans or you will die sooner than these fools."
He screamed in terror closing his eyes, expecting to never open then again, when suddenly he sensed or felt a bright white light appearing, driving the dragon back. Before it fully disappeared, he heard its voice in his mind,
"Heed my words well or your life is mine!"
Michael woke with a start crying out into the night, knocking his chair over in his haste to stand. As he took in his familiar surroundings he reassured himself, "C-Calm down. It was just a dream. Things like that don't happen in real life…"
He'd almost convinced himself that was true when he noticed abright light coming from the stairs leading down to the museum.
"W-Who could be there at this time of night?" Michael wondered, "T-The museum has been locked for ages." Michael grabbed his backpack and a baseball bat and decided that such a heavy backpack would be perfect to use on a thief to distract him while Michael hit him with the bat if need be.
As he walked down the stairs he saw that the door was opened. Michael looked though the opening preparing for an attack when he realized that no one was there. Unless you counted oodles of dust, which the old museum had in abundance, but nothing was moving. The light was coming out of a leather-bound book. Although he didn't understand the meaning of the runes on the front, the images of bottled metals, plants and minerals surrounding the borders gave a hint at what might be contained in the book.. Michael slowly walked toward it wondering why it wasn't moved after the museum closed down. This was the first time Michael had ever seen a book like this. He quickly opened it.
Inside the book were the same odd runes as seen on the cover. However, the first few pages were somewhat legible. A growing mixture of curiosity and excitement crossed Michael's features as he scanned the old, yellowed pages of the book.
He started to read what words he could, although most of the text was legible, some words were un-translated runes.
Ch 1 An Introduction to Magic
"Magic is seen as a force providing protection and hope to those who wield it. However, in the wrong hands, it can be used to create calamity and disaster. To prevent from happening, sorcerers are charged with the duty of defending the innocent from evil. In order for you to even see this book you must have great potential for the Art. However, there are other than sorcerers.
There are three types of magic users, Sorcerers, Seers and Mystics. Sorcerers are the most common, followed by Seers and then Mystics. Sorcerers activate their magic using words and gestures but are incapable of visions. Seers have weak sorcery, but are capable of having visions or seeing and usually need a focus point, like a crystal for their visions. Mystics have no sorcery talent and draw their power from their own spirit, relying on emotion or intuition to focus their powers…
Michael scanned more detailed information on the Sorcerers and Seers being more attracted to the information on the Mystics, 'After all' he mused, 'they didn't say what the mystic's powers were.' He found the passage on the mystics and was quite pleased that he could read it.
Mystics draw on the power of their own spirit to see the unseen future and uncover the past. They rely on their intuition and emotions to control their powers which results in their power being hardest to control. Unfortunately, unlike seers, who can focus their abilities using a single object, mystics need an object connected to what they want to see. Novice mystics normally use dream trances to see recent events. This method is not recommended because of the unpredictability of the dreamscape. On a lesser note, Mystics are sensitive to and can activate otherwise dormant artifacts, however the cost is high and can incapacitate them for extended periods of time.
Michael flipped through the pages, quickly growing bored of reading the book since more and more of it was in runes he didn't understand. He kept flipping pages, about to close the book when he found a word he could read, 'Warning.' His attention piqued by the word, he turned to the page. Once again focusing on a book and not his changing surroundings, he began reading.
Warning: Magical destabilization: the danger of tampering with powerful magical energies. Magic is a force of nature, and when used improperly or ignorantly the spell cast may merge with another and unforeseen consequences may occur. (In extreme cases, the spell cast may backfire on the user.)
While Michael was reading the last sentance, he started to feel heat beating down on his back. Closing the book and turning around he saw that the museum was burning!
He swung his backpack onto his shoulder, searching for the exit, only to find it blocked by fire. Falling to the ground on his hands and knees, he concentrated, trying to hear the sirens of the fire department, although all he could hear was the crackling of the fire and an odd whispering. "Whispering?" He questioned himself, "How in the hell could I hear whispering in this empty room?" His thoughts broke off as he became aware of a red aura looming above him, an aura that felt familiar. "The dragon's aura," Michael thought, "I'm in trouble, but how…!?" He froze, wanting to scream, but finding himself unable as a screeching sound invaded his head.
"Fool!" came the shrill feminine voice, "You have ignored my warning and have tampered with forces beyond your comprehension, now this crumbling waste of space will be your grave!"
Michael craned his neck upwards, seeing the dragon standing up, preparing to strike. Unbidden, he heard his own voice in his head yelling at him to get up and fight.. For once heeding some of his own advice, he acted, thinking "I wont die here! If the dragon is real then the spell book must be too!" Looking for the book, Michael saw something amazing. The book was shining a bright gold flaring in defiance of the dragon's magic! Michael grabbed the book and tore through it, trying to find something that could save him.
"No! You will not escape me! I will kill you where you stand!" The dragon turned around and flicked its tail at the book. A bright flash of light blinded Michael and he heard the dragon screech in agony. Opening his eyes he saw that the book had not moved and the dragon was nursing a burnt tail.
The dragon opened its mouth and spat fire at Michael, who realizing that if the book had singed the dragon, it would now be his best chance at protection. He held the book in front of him, praying it would work again. As he positioned the book between him and the firestorm she'd created, he felt the book grow warm and glow again Instead of feeling the burn of her fire, he felt a powerful blast emanate from the book matching the dragon's in intensity. Red and gold battled, both seeking domination of the other. Finally they both turned a sick green and Michael remembered at the last moment what the book had said about novices messing with powerful magic. Now he felt the book pulling his energy from him at a prodigious rate. Before he fell unconscious he saw a hole form out of the magic and oddly enough his last thoughts before he was sucked in was, "Well, at least I wont have to clean this place anymore..."
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"Just five more minutes, Liz, I just had a nightmare, let me wake up first you brat." Michael said, a splitting headache the only thing crossing his mind. The sound he had heard before just grew louder until he just couldn't take it anymore.
"Shut up already," Michael said, planning to pull his sister's hair, he grabbed ahold of it and pulled but to his surprise, the strands he pulled were blue. "What the-"
He heard something that sounded suspiciously like a growl, which caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. He started to sit up in time to catch a glimpse of a small blue dog with green eyes. Green eyes, which were glowing before he heard a loud bang, and the world exploded in dust and sound.
The concussion from the blast sent him flying through the air in an arc over the trees. He thought about grabbing a branch but nixed it because as fast as he was going, it'd rip his arm off so he did his best to relax his body, knowing if he tensed he'd make it worse whenever he finally landed. He didn't wait long. He slammed against the trunk of a tree, knocking the wind out of him but slowing down his momentum enough to allow him to grab the branches and slow his decent towards the ground.
Still, the landing was hard and uncomfortable leaving him feeling battered, bruised and scratched up. When he could breathe enough to speak again, he muttered, "Either my sister has discovered how to make a bomb," he shuddered at the thought, "or something really weird is going on."
A quiet bark attracted Michael's attention looking around; Michael saw the same blue dog looking up at him, its eyes still glowing a deep emerald. In a moment, he remembered everything, immediately freaking out at his situation.
"This can't be happening! First I'm attacked by Puff, the horrible, fire-breathing dragon, then I'm sucked into a place where dogs can blow you away, literally. I'm suing someone for therapy."
Slowly, Michael righted himself while he recovered slightly from the flight and fall, wincing as he felt the cuts he got from the experience. "I'll need some antiseptic."
Examining the dog again, who wasn't doing anything aggressive now, Michael held out his hand for the dog to sniff. After a slight hesitation, the dog cautiously approached Michael and sniffed his hand. Although the dog didn't approach Michael further, he still got the feeling that the dog as least accepted that he meant him no harm. Michael tentatively reached out to try to scratch the dogs ears, however it moved away. Just far enough to be out of reach but not far away either. Michael took that as a sort of acceptance, saying ruefully, "Okay, be that way. As long as you don't blast me or whatever it was you did again, I won't complain. It's your loss. My old dog back home loved getting his ears scratched."
Groaning, Michael struggled to his feet, intending to look around to see where he was. The dog, or now that he was standing and able to gauge the size of the dog better, was small enough that it could only be a puppy. "So pup, are you a stray or is there someone looking for you?" When Michael asked if someone was looking for it, the pup sniffed the air and started charging away from him. Just before going over a hill, the pup stopped and looked back expectantly.
"Should I follow him or stay here?" Michael thought looking towards the pup who was now pacing at the top of the hill. "Oh well, its not like I have anything better to do. Hey, Wait up!"
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Two hours of following the crazy dog later, Michael finally saw a small town with a sign reading, 'Totokonta.' The town looked fairly small with the only large building being a mansion at the outskirts of the town. "This place looks like something out of a black and white movie." he thought. He looked down at the pup who was now circling his heels excitedly, whereever they were, the pup was definitely familiar with it. "So, where have you taken me pup?" Michael wondered aloud.
Surprisingly, the pup seemed to understand and gave Michael a questioning look before sniffing the air again and heading into the town. Stopping to look back and make sure he was following he continued walking. "Fine, it's not like I'm going to get any explanations until I find your owner." Michael grumbled, walking through the town and complaining to himself about the merry chase the dog let him on, "Still I probably wouldn't have found the town before nightfall if it weren't for him." Michael thought, "And who knows what kind of nighttime predators might be out there if a mere puppy has the power to cause explosions?
Again following the pup's lead, he followed it through the town, taking in the sights, until the pup stopped in front of a building that said, "Lynn Inn" he was sure that he would have recognized it as an inn or tavern even without the sign.
Michael stepped into the inn, seeing that every person in the room paused to stare at him. He just stood tall and tried to ignore the whispers about foreigners with strange clothes waltzing into town like they owned the place. Strangely though, amidst all the unwelcoming gazes in the room, there were two people examining him with interest.
He returned their look with one of his own, first examining the taller of the two figures who stood when Michael had entered and shielded the other person. The man was a red-head in navy suit with a ridiculously large yellow bow and long flowing cape. He'd barely finished his examination when the red-head turned away addressed his companion. Suddenly a blonde head popped out from behind the man, a very familiar face peering at him. Involuntarily, Michael stepped back as he realized in shock, that this was the same girl he'd seen running from the Dragon.
He barely registered her attempting to stand and needing to be assisted by her companion when another memory hit him, the man in the black cape… "I'd forgotten, the man had a black cape just like this one. He caught her after the dragon in my dream attacked her…or… or was it really a dream?"
Michael was shaken out of this thoughts, when the girl squealed and ran up to him, or more accurately, the pup.
"Leki!" she cried as she caught the pup and cuddled him to her. "I'm so glad I found you!"
Michael mused, "Are all girls the same everywhere? Some thanks for apparently bringing her dog to her.
After snuggling into the girl for a few moments, Leki struggled loose and jumped down to lead the girl back to Michael. She looked from Leki to Michael, and realized what it meant, "Thank you so much for finding, Leki! she gushed, hugging Michael tightly, If I wasn't so pissed at someone right now I'd take you to see my friends!"
"What am I?" came the voice of the red-head.
Slowing disentangling himself from the girl, Michael tried to remain calm. This was just too much! First a dragon, and no amount of therapy will make that go away, then falling into this old-fashioned world, and then meeting this lunatic. Unsure how to react, he finally settled on laughing, uncontrollably. He laughed so hard he couldn't breathe, tears coming out of his eyes. The other occupants of the bar looked at him as if he had sprouted horms and the girl looked at him with a mixture of worry and ire.
The redhead disregarded his companion's bewildered state and focused on Michael, recognizing that the laughter was bordering on hysteria. He reached out and grabbed Michael by his shoulders, and shook him until he regained control and the laughing faded. Guiding him to a seat, the red head continued to watch him closely. Michael took a deep breath and apologized to both of them. "I'm sorry," Michael said, "I've just been having a horrible day. Know what I mean?"
"It's all right," the blonde said, relaxing when she realized the laughter wasn't an insult. "I've been traveling a lot. Sometimes that kind of stuff happens. You can't control what happens so you get scared." Looking far into the distance, she continued seemed to be thinking of something else, and muttered, "Yes, I do understand…"
/Flashback/
One second she was tearing through the woods crying and the next the ground had disappeared from beneath her. She tried to turn to get back to the cliff as she felt herself start to fall, her hair being pulled painfully as it momentarily snagged on something. Then the feeling of weightlessness as her fall accelerated.
She clutched Leki, crying to herself "I'm going to die," She'd have never believed anyone if they told her that your life flashed before your eyes when you were about to die but at this moment she found it was true as images of her friends and family flew through her mind almost as fast as she was falling…
She and Orphen fighting over a meal...
Majic helping her get out of trouble at her school...
Shopping for clothes and makeup with Mariabella...
Orphen promising her family he would take care of her when they first left her home...
"It's not fair!" She shouted to the sky, "I don't wanna die! Someone help me!"
Impossibly, her voice was heard and a figure garbed in black grabbed her by the waist arresting her fall and startling her into dropping Leki.
"No!" she cried, reaching for her beloved pup, as the black cape folded around her. She felt the lurch of a teleportation spell as she and the figure arrived safely back at the top of the cliff. She looked up into the face of her rescuer, half expecting it to be her stupid sorcerer and half hoping it wouldn't be. It wasn't, she looked up to see a familiar mask. "Shrimp-man?" she breathed before her world went black and the memory faded away to a voice calling her…
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"Hello? Miss are you okay?"
"What?" She sputtered, blinking out of the daze she was in, "Sorry, I just… remembered something, I'd have preferred to forget." She paused about to ask him something when she realized she didn't know his name. "Um…I just… Could you tell me your name?"
"Oops, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Michael Allen but that's too much of a mouthful so you can just call me Michael. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too. I'm Cleo Everlasting, but please just call me Cleo. If you hadn't guessed, this little guy is Leki" She said holding the pup out to Michael momentarily. This time when he reached out to pet the pup, he accepted it with a grateful growl or was it a purr? Gesturing with her head towards the redhead she added, "and the hopeless stick-in-the-mud over there is commonly called Shrimp-man."
"I'm not Shrimp-man!" exclaimed the red-head indignantly. Stubbornly, he put his mask on and glowered balefully at Cleo, before speaking again, "I am the assassin that lives in the ni…"
"Save the speech Shrimpy! I am trying to show our guest that we're somewhat sane!"
"You proved your state of mind when you opened your mouth," he muttered sullenly pulling the mask back off.
"I heard that! Do you wanna be fried or boiled Shrimp-boy?"
"Excuse me." Michael said politely, trying to break in.
"Well, Miss Graceful, who saved you when you fell off the cliff?"
"Excuse me!" Michael shouted, starting to match their volume.
"Well you sure took your sweet time and you didn't even save Leki!"
"Excuse me!!" Michael bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"What?" Cleo and Shrimp-man snapped in unison.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your debate, but I could really use some information, and I-I didn't catch your… your real name Shrimp-man," Michael said, feeling a bit guilty about sharing his problems with strangers, "I know we just met but I'm… um…I'm really new here and could use some help."
"Well, why didn't you say so earlier?" Cleo criticized.
Wisely keeping his mouth shut, Michael thought, "That was what I was trying to do..."
"You should learn to speak up more!" Cleo continued brightly, "Oh…and by the way this guy's name is Hartia, but when he wears that…" she added flicking the bow, "he's Shrimp-man!"
"No, it's Black Tiger… but I believe we were asked for information… so sit down, both of you. From the looks of you, neither of you should be up too much."
Although Michael intended to ask them questions, he ended up relating his entire story to Cleo and Hartia. Their shock was evident when he mentioned the dragon.
Even more surprising to Hartia was when he heard how Michael used a book to fight it off. Hartia was reeling from what the young man said, grateful for the trust even as he worried about the kid giving it too quickly. As he reviewed the details, he thought, "That sounds vaguely like… a Msytic, but there hasn't been a mystic in the land since Lai's great-great grandfather." Out-loud Hartia addressed Michael seriously. "Listen to me, while I appreciate the trust you have shown in us, this is not something you should be telling just anyone. I need to ask, have you told anyone about what you've just told us?"
"No," Michael replied, confused as to why Hartia was asking such a question, "You guys were one of the first people I've talked to um… in this… this, world. Plus, I doubt anyone else would have believed me."
"That's good," Hartia said, "because you shouldn't tell anyone else what you just told us." Cutting Michael off he continued, "The dragon or Bloody August as it's commonly called, is well... well known, here to put it mildly. If certain people found out you met her, it could be disastrous. So promise me you will tell no one understand?"
"Aright I promise," Michael said " But I'm gonna need an explanation about what the hell's going on around here. And why you called it a she."
"Deal."
"Wow," Cleo said in awe, "Traveling between worlds…that's really cool but scary too. Your story makes my problems look silly. Of course we'll help you. I really want to hear about your world, especially if there's shopping. But first," she paused, sighing, "I have to settle things with a certain idiotic sor-" Cleo broke off when the doors of the bar suddenly slammed open.
In the doorway stood the stranger Michael recognized from his dream and from Cleo's reaction, someone she'd been looking for, possibly even the one she was talking about. Michael mused, "That's the stranger in my dream… dream, I guess that's not really right… maybe I should call it a vision… of course, he looked better just after fighting the dragon."
And indeed he was. The dark-haired man was a wreck, his leather jacket was ripped at the seams. There were leaves and twigs in his hair, but it was his face, or more specifically his eyes that riveted Michael's attention, there was such a look of great pain in them. A glance beside him at Hartia indicated, he not only knew the new man well, but was also astonished by his appearance. A second man appeared behind the stranger, well not man really, more of a boy about his age with blonde hair and an innocent look, even though there was sadness and pain in his eyes, it wasn't as prominent as the other man's.
Cleo immediately tensed as she saw who entered, although her initial reaction was relief at seeing him okay, that quickly shifted as she realized he dared to show up here after what he said to her. Not even taking into account his appearance and before either he or his companion's eyes had a chance to adjust to the light of the common room from the darkness outside, she stormed up to him, pulled back her first and punched him in the face.
There were nervous titters around the tavern and Michael heard Hartia chuckle muttering, "Only Cleo."
Orphen staggered back reeling from the surprise attack before turning back to the target with a murderous look in his eyes, fully intending on venting his pain and anger on the target before him. However, it was then that his eyes finally adjusted to the light and he got a good look at the target, or rather Cleo. He let out a gasp of surprise before shocking everyone in the room. Instead of striking back, he reached out, pulled Cleo against him and hugged her for all he was worth.
In short, Cleo was stunned. Mr. I-never-show-my-emotions was hugging her for goodness sake! "Orphen what the heck-"
"You stupid girl," Orphen mumbled into her hair, "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
"Scare you?" Cleo screeched, pushing herself forcefully away from him. She stood, fisting and un-fisting her hands displaying her fury while appearing to debate about strangling the man in front if her and continued angrily, "Do you have any idea what you put me through! What you said? What you did? And to top it all off, I could have died! How dare you lecture me?" In spite of her obvious anger, there were also tears running down her face, obliterating the fire that Orphen had secretly admired. "And you... and you... have the nerve… No. I'm not doing this."
Abruptly she turned away, towards the door to the Inn, "I'm going home for a while. Don't follow me." She walked back near Hartia and Michael and picked up Leki, who was whining to see his mistress so upset. As she passed Michael, she paused, keeping her eyes hidden, she murmured in an uncharacteristically quiet voice, "Please come to my house when you have time. You're welcome to stay as long as you need too." Cleo resumed her deliberate walk out of the inn.
Orphen watched her until the door closed behind her before looking down to compose himself, even if it seemed half-hearted. He glanced around the room settling on the unfamiliar face, "Who are you?" he said in a dispassionate tone.
Michael was about to answer him, but Hartia answered before Michael could, "Introductions later." Shaking his head he continued, "Or at least until after you've solved some of your own problems." Looking at Michael he said, "We need to have a private discussion, if you'll excuse us. Why don't you take Cleo up on her offer? Majic?" Hartia gestured to the blonde boy who had entered with Orphen, "Will you be able to escort him up to Cleo's house?"
"Sure, I guess," Majic said, showing Michael out the door, "See you later." and with that they both left the bar, leaving Orphen and Hartia alone.
"We need to talk." Hartia said.
"Mind your own business Hartia," Orphen snapped, opening the argument with a bang. "I was 'minding my own business,'" Hartia quipped, not taking his eyes off of Orphen, "until I saw a blonde girl falling off a cliff, then I didn't really care if I was interfering or not."
"Do you think I haven't beaten myself up about it?" Orphen said grinding his teeth together.
"I don't doubt it," Hartia said, putting his mask back on, "which is why I'm skipping the lecture to give you a warning."
"I should have guessed," Orphen thought, "Shrimp-boy here never visits without bad news." "So what's the bad news?" Orphen tried to sound hopeful. "Did Childman kick the bucket?"
"Sorry to burst your bubble but no, oddly enough this is not about you or him, as it turns out it's about Cleo."
"Spill."
"I was sent by Lai, secretly, to investigate a disturbance he felt. That's the only reason I was in the area. When I was rescuing her from the cliff, there was a tremendous amount of magical energy surrounding her. More power than I've felt before even near the Council of Elders and Childman himself."
"That's impossible!" Orphen exclaimed, "They're the best sorcerers of our time. Sure I hate them, but even so, I know it's true! No one's ever come close to them except me and…"
"Azalie," Hartia finished, "And unless you're very careful you could have lost much more than the chance to free her. You could have lost your friend. If I hadn't been there, you would have. Think about that." Walking to the corner of the room, Hartia picked up his scythe and started for the door, adding "Just think of Cleo's new friend, Michael's his name. It was no coincidence that he showed up so soon after her fall. From what he told me, he saw her fall in his dreams. I'm going to the Tower of Fang to consult Lai about him. Until then don't leave the city." Then in the blink of an eye, he was gone, teleporting away, leaving an extremely dumbstruck sorcerer behind him.
Michael and Majic walked in an awkward silence, neither knowing what to say. "Man," Michael thought, "this is more boring than the time my sister insisted on reading her five-foot long essay on pop music." Wincing outward at the memory of that particular event, Michael noticed Majic giving him an odd look. "Sorry," Michael said grinning at Majic, "I was just remembering something my sister did to me a while ago."
Majic smiled slowly and asked Michael what his sister was like. "Her? She can be very rude and obnoxious sometimes but she kind of grows on you. She's hyper and has a very bad temper and she gets on my nerves but I love her a lot."
"That sounds just like Cleo," Majic chuckled, "Once she glued Master to a chair because he wouldn't take her to last years Christmas Eve Ball! He ended up chasing her through town, stuck to a chair!" Michael laughed, "You know Majic? I don't think Cleo should ever meet my sister, or I'd be the one running down the street with a chair glued to my ass!" Michael wheezed between bouts of laughter, feeling a sense of friendship growing between him and Majic. Finally, after a few minutes of chuckling they both stopped laughing.
"We should get going," Majic said, calming down.
"Hey Majic."
"Yes?"
"Who was that guy who stormed in the bar?"
"Master? His name is Orphen."
"I picked up his name, but that didn't tell me who he was and is to you and her. Why did he storm in like that?"
Majic stopped in his tracks, the smile dropping off his face. "Um... I think you should ask Master about it."
"Okay," Michael put his hand on his head, embarrassed, "Open mouth; insert foot."
"It's fine," Majic looked up at the sky, his bright, straw-colored hair covering his eyes. "I'm just glad it's over now..."
/Flashback/
Majic had re-constructed the camp after Azalie and Cleo's departures and was alternately fretting about their absent companion and watching Orphen struggle not to pace as he grew angrier and angrier. It had been an hour since Cleo went missing. Orphen looked like he was about to explode. Occasionally Orphen would punctuate his struggles with mutterings about how she was going to get it when she got back.
Soon enough thought, Orphen's grousing turned from anger to worry. A shift Majic was silently praying for since he'd been worried for a long time with puttering around the camp as his only outlet. Added to his concern was the memory that it wouldn't be the first time Cleo had been captured by Azalie. With a sigh, Majic thought, "That girl is a magnet for trouble, always was."
Majic looked up to see Orphen focused on him, realizing Orphen probably heard the sigh he took the opportunity when it presented itself, "Master, maybe we should…"
"I know, Majic, I know," Orphen said, his eyes unreadable, "Get your things, we're going brat hunting."
Inwardly Majic mused, while collecting a few things and following Orphen out of the camp area. "You were just waiting for me to say that so you could start looking, I should have known."
They walked for a long time searching for signs she'd passed and calling her name. Majic winced at the threatening tone Orphen was using even as Majic recognized he was all but pleading for her to return when he yelled. Even once in a while, Orphen would check something along the path they were following, and although Majic wasn't certain, he suspected that Orphen was seeing something that lead him to believe they were on the right track because he never changed course much.
They were climbing up a rise when Majic saw a flash of yellow up ahead, he shared a glance with Orphen and he yelled, "Cleo if you make me walk all the way to the top of that hill, I'm going to throw you over my knee you little brat!"
The only reply was some strong gusts of wind, too much wind for just a hill. But Majic dismissed that as he continued up the hill. Orphen was standing at the bottom of the rise grousing about it being too damn late for them to be wondering around. Majic got to the top of the rise and froze. He couldn't move, his eyes were riveted on the ribbon dangling lifeless from a branch that was sticking out of the ground. Just before that ground, fell away to the cliff above Totokonta. Vaguely he registered that the light from the town was what helped him see the yellow ribbon.
"Majic what's taking so…" Orphen voice faded off as he arrived at the cliff and saw the ribbon. "No…" he whispered faintly, as he walked to the edge and grabbed the ribbon.
Majic shook his head in disbelief, it wasn't hers it couldn't be, Cleo couldn't have fallen. She was too young and too stubborn to die. He'd fallen to his knees and hung his head, trying to deny what his eyes told him. There was a crackling sound and the smell of something burning that made Majic look up. He saw his master glowing red with rage which resulted in the ribbon, the only thing they had left of her, starting to burn up before Majic could formulate the words to get Orphen to stop.
"Why?" Orphen whispered, still crushing the remnants of the burned ribbon, "She never deserved this...she..." A bright light flared from his hand, finishing the job the fire started, instantly disintegrating the ribbon. "Why?" he bellowed, "Sword of Light!!" shattering a nearby tree into toothpick sized pieces with the power he put behind the spell.
"Master, stop it!" Majic stood up from where he had been kneeling. "Please stop it! You're going to destroy yourself!"
"Why should I?" Orphen yelled, starting to cast again in his apparent goal to attempt to deforest the whole area. "I've lost my sister, my best friend, my life, now Cleo! What the hell's the point!?"
Majic moved in front of Orphen, preventing him from casting again and did something that surprised them both. "Sleep of Atonement" he chanted focusing the sleep spell he had seen Orphen use earlier and cast. Orphen froze, and then crumpled to the ground.
/End flashback/
"I carried him halfway to Totokonta before he came to," Majic thought, "he didn't say a word. It was like he wasn't even there. If Cleo hadn't of survived what would he have done?" Majic's thoughts faded away as he heard someone calling his name…
"Majic? Majic!"
"Wha?" Majic blinked and stared blankly at Michael.
Michael smiled at Majic in amusement, "I was trying to get your attention," laughed Michael, "But you were off in La-La land I suppose. I was trying to ask you a question."
"What is it?" Majic asked, wondering what La La Land was.
"Why do you call Orphen, "Master?"
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"Mom! Mariabella! I'm home!" Cleo called as she arrived.
"Sweetheart!" her mother cried, hurrying down the stairs, surprised that her daughter was arriving this late at night. "I'm so glad you're home! Your sister is out on a date, I daresay she'll be surprised you've come back so soon." Tistany chatted on a bit before really getting a good look at Cleo's face and appearance, shifting the conversation, she asked, "Cleo, you've been crying. Whatever's the matter?"
"Oh, it's nothing Mom I've just had a bad day" Cleo replied, thinking, "That's an understatement," she thought before continuing in a more normal tone, "and I've been missing you and Mariabella."
Tistany took in her daughter's appearance, unusual behavior, and arrival time and became much more worried. Her youngest daughter was anything but soft-spoken when it came to things that bothered her. A silent Cleo was a very odd concept and heralded trouble between her and her companions. Fishing for a clue, Tistany suggested an idea, "Cleo, why don't you get some rest? I'm sure Orphen and Majic will be along shortly with your luggage and you really do look quite done in."
Indeed Cleo did look very tired. Her clothes were a mess and it had been a good while since she had gotten a good night's sleep. Her hair was in disarray and she was beginning to feel grimy from lack of a proper bath.
"Thanks, Mom," Cleo said, assessing her appearance in the hall mirror. She really did look tired and sad with dark circles under her eyes, demonstrating the length of time since she'd had a decent night's sleep. "Not that I can really see the dark circles, under all this dirt," she thought rubbing her face and pulling a strand of her blonde hair that was laying listlessly on her head from the weight of the dirt and oil. "Rest definitely, but not until I've had a nice long soak! And fresh clothes!" Taking in just how dirty and torn her clothes were she immediately got started to get changed for her bath. She started upstairs before she remembered something else she needed her mom to know, "Could you get the guest rooms ready for Orphen and Majic? she asked, "Oh and we'll probably have a new visitor, too. His name's Michael and he's… lost, I told he we'll help him get on his feet."
"Of course dear," Tistany replied, "I'll have the rooms readied shortly. Now off to bed. I'll take care of the rest."
"'kay mom! Good night!"
"Good night Cleo."
Cleo disappeared into her room, the sound of a running bath reverberating throughout the house from the door. Meanwhile, Tistany was thinking of how to properly scold and embarrass Orphen and Majic for her child returning in such a state. She summoned a servant to set up their rooms when she came up with an idea. "Set up a guest room on the upper floor and assign it to a new arrival, his name is Michael."
"Should we air out Mr. Orphen and Mr. Lynn's normal rooms, my lady?"
"No… the two rooms for the servants who were sick and needed to be isolated. Are those still set up?"
"Um…yes ma'am, but they're in the basement."
"That's just fine…put them there." Tistany declared, pleased with herself at the punishment. She thought, "I'm sure Orphen and Majic will love their new rooms."
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"Dortin! Get off your scrawny butt off the ground and help your big brother! Why in the hell do we have to do this in the middle of the night," a short vertically-challenged troll said as he made a spaghetti dinner for the Everlastings.
"That old cow," mumbled the troll, "'Get supper ready!' she says and 'Be quiet and get started, we have company!' she says. Hah! That old bag's lucky I don't quit" Volcan continued to grumble discontentedly.
"Big brother!" said Dortin, his big glasses obscuring his face and carrying a big pot of tomato sauce, "Ms. Tistany says to get your butt in gear or she'll sic Orphen on you when he gets here."
"That wimpy no-good sorcerer?" Volcan laughed, "Hah! If he comes down here I'll strangle him with a wet noodle, I'll stab him with a butter knife. I'll..."
"You'll what?" an overwhelmingly cocky voice said, "You can barely pick up a spoon, much less a butter knife."
Volcan turned red, his eyes widening at the sight of the two-bit sorcerer. "Why you..." Volcan snatched up a nearby mop and pointed it menacingly at Orphen. Orphen smirked and snapped his fingers. A faint purple spark jumped from his fingers and bowled the small dwarf over.
"Tistany sent me down here to make sure you were working half-pint. So why don't you get cracking?" Orphen added, walking to the door and making a show of "accidentally" knocking Dortin over. The saucepan flew into the air and landed with a "Plop!" on Volcan's head.
"See ya 'round boys"
Very faintly, the words of a short kid drowning in sauce, gurgled "I'm cursed. Glug...glug...glug."
Tistany had barely finished issuing the orders to set up the rooms get dinner going and sending the 'police' after her least favorite servants, when Majic and Michael arrived at the Everlasting Manor. Majic knocked on the door and to be greeted by Tistany Everlasting. The warmth radiating from the kind looking lady whose eyes closed when she smiled entranced Michael, making him feel welcomed even before she greeted them. "Welcome back Majic, and greetings to you Michael. Cleo's told me so much about you!"
"All good I hope." Michael thought about how little Cleo actually knew about him. "I'm guessing Cleo read between the lines of my story a little too much."
"Come in, come in. Majic, Orphen arrived using that flashy thing of his a little while ago, I sent him on an errand and to get cleaned up. I've set up a late dinner for everyone. Why don't you get cleaned up too?" Majic turned and followed a servant who appeared at her side, Tistany said, speaking to Michael she whispered, "Take the guest room on the upper right, trust me." In a more normal voice she said, "Your rooms are ready and supper will be on the table momentarily."
After going to their respective rooms, Michael cleaned up and left the room, wondering how he was going to find the dining room when a discreet cough, alerted him to the presence of a servant who let him to the others. Even before he entered the room, he knew Cleo and the stranger he'd barely met called Orphen were bickering.
When he entered the room he gapped at the sight before him. His initial impression of Cleo was cute but plain. Now, with her clean face and hair which had been meticulously styled and a blue dress that accented her trim figure, Cleo was nothing short of stunning. But the best part was the fire in her eyes as she was shrieking at Orphen causing her hair, which was up in a ponytail to bob in time with each point she was making. After finishing his perusal of Cleo, Michael directed his attention to the other occupants of the room. Majic was there scarfing down what could only be spaghetti. That left Michael extremely relieved, he'd been worried that they'd eat bugs or some kind of really strange food. On the floor near Cleo was Leki who was calmly eating and completely ignoring the shouting match that was going on between his mistress and Orphen. Tistany was at the head of the table enjoying the fight too and sipping on some tea or coffee.
Leki greeted Michael by walking up to him…sniffing his legs, bumping against him, barked and then went to his meal. "I guess that means I'm accepted…" Michael mused.
Hearing Leki's bark, Cleo paused, ignoring Orphen's obvious annoyance at their fight being interrupted. "Hello Michael! How do you like your room? Now sit down and get something to eat. Mom really went all out for a late night meal. And Mariabella, my sister, is here to so you can meet her too!" Looking over Cleo's shoulder, Michael saw a demure woman sitting calmly just to the right of Cleo. Although, he thought he caught a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, indicating that she could be just as devious as her sister was.
"Make yourself at home," the older blonde commented, "Why don't you sit here…" she said gesturing to the empty seat next to her.
"Sure," he said eyeing Orphen warily, as he walked past him to sit down and eat.
After the meal, Orphen stood, grasped Cleo's arm and excused himself, dragging Cleo with him out of the dining room and out to the patio.
They'd barely left when, Majic, Mariabella and Michael all started to excuse themselves at the same time. Laughing, they realized they all had the same goal. With signs to be quiet, all three tiptoed to follow the couple.
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"Cleo why did you run?" Orphen opened the conversation, determined to keep this quiet.
"You should know Orphen!" Cleo ground out, "Why are you even here? I thought I was 'Of no use to you whatsoever?'"
"Use your head, Cleo. You know I didn't mean that."
"Do I?" Cleo questioned, her tone unsettling Orphen, "do I look like a mind reader to you?" she continued raising her voice. "Even if you didn't mean it, do you really think anyone likes being talked to like that? Good God, Orphen! For once in your life lose the ego and say what you mean!"
"I know," Orphen whispered, watching Cleo' in an unusual way before finally saying, "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, you better be..." Cleo started ranting at him before she registered what he actually said, he actually apologized, "Wha? Did you?"
"I don't repeat myself," Orphen stated, stretching his arms and putting his hands behind his head, "Don't expect those often, it was hard enough as it was, so don't expect anymore." Cleo caught a faint gleam in his eyes that said he was half teasing when he said that. Even so, his expression quickly changed and he was all business again. "What I did... It was foolish, stupid even. If not for Hartia, you would have died. I hate owing him anything, but in this case, I'm not complaining."
"Well... I didn't die," Cleo said, fidgeting slightly at the direction the conversation seemed to be going and feeling a lot better now. Orphen swallowed his massive pride and put her first, even if it was only for a little while. However that only served to make her more resolved on helping and protecting him, so she added, "So, I get to help with dragon-lady now. Right?"
"No," Orphen said, inwardly laughing at Cleo's hopeful expression, "It just means I have to change my tactics. Get some rest brat." Orphen knowing it was time to leave before the powder keg went off, especially since he just dropped that match in it. Fully aware of the audience they had for that conversation, Orphen teleported away instead of walking. He reappeared behind Michael, Majic, and Mariabella, who were vying for the best spots to watch and listen to Orphen and Cleo.
"He disappeared," Mariabella moaned. "But they…"
"What do you mean disappeared?" Majic asked, nerviously.
Before Mariabella answered, "She means "I disappeared" as in "I teleported", behind you to be exact." All three looked away, with varying degrees of red gracing their faces. Each was also fully aware that in spite of their innocent act, Orphen wasn't buying it.
"I'd be surprised if you didn't eavesdrop." He glanced at each in turn before finally settling in to scrutinize Michael closely. Fidgeting under the glare, Michael, tried to return the gaze or at least not appeared cowed by it, which was a feat in and of itself, because Orphen or "Master" as Majic called him had the intimidation glare down. Just when Michael thought he couldn't take it anymore, Orphen finally spoke, "I guess you're okay. For all her flaws, the brat doesn't trust easily... you'll do for now, however, we are definitely going to have a long talk later. Tonight it's too late."
Just before the door to the patio opened, Orphen turned and without seeming to, hurried to the door to the basement and his quarters. Cleo flung the door open and practically knocked her sister down. She was obviously furious, and out for blood. As her gaze rested on the three sneaks who'd been spying on her, she opened her mouth to start ranting when Mariabella politely and rapidly announced, "It's been a very long day for everyone. I suggest we head for our respective rooms, now."
In spite of herself, Cleo yawned in the middle of starting her protest. Without another word, she scooped up Leki who'd discretely followed the trio to the door and marched up the stairs to her room.
Once the coast was clear and Cleo was in her room, everyone else hurried to their respective quarters. Michael chanting to himself, "She said the room on the right side near the main stairs."
The room was very small but comfortable and mercifully free of girly decorations, unless you counted the full-length wall mirror, as girly furniture. Michael thought that his sister would love that mirror and looked around again.
"It's not home," Michael said to himself, "but I think I can be quite happy here. At least, until I get back home." After he put his backpack in a closet, changed into the pajamas that were waiting for him, got into bed, he blew out the lamp plunging the room into darkness.
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"I can be quite happy here" Michaels words echoed in the dark dingy cave, that was completely bare except for a large mirror. A mirror that first showed Michael's room at the Everlasting manner but faded out when he blew out the lamp. As his image faded, the mirror changed to show a tall girl in dark blue robes, short dark hair and striking red eyes, eyes that shone with untold evil and insanity.
The odd thing was instead of the girl casting the reflection in the mirror, it was a creature that wasn't remotely human. The same one, in fact, that had plagued Michael in his vision.
Easily over eight feet tall, the scaled dragon focused on the mirror, staring eagerly at her image in the looking glass. Without even a movement from the dragon, the image began to speak in a cold, distant tone.
"What a nuisance," the reflection stated, her dark wavy hair overshadowing her face. I warned him, but he insisted on defying me. Oh well, she droned, "He won't last long, will he, my shadows?"
An extension of her shadow split in two. The shadow stood silently, waiting for orders.
"Kill the boy," the reflection ordered, "Make his death messy. I want to send a message to dear Krylancelo. Nothing he protects is safe from me," she said, not showing a single emotion escape those blank eyes of hers, "And no mere child will ruin that for me."
Slowly the shadows crawled toward the mirror and entered it, the mirror letting them through as if it was made of water, not glass. Leaving a menacing dragon and a laughing reflection of a sick and twisted woman.
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Great chapter huh? I worked very hard on it. Now to respond to my glorious reviewers who never let me down! (rubs hands together)
Cesia Illuser: thanks for reviewing every one counts (Orphen: he's desperate for attention.) (Me: Shut up!)
Gilshalos: thank you so much for all you've done for me. I hope that I can be half as good a writer as you are. (cheers: I got two chaps!)
Clea everlasting: its ok I've been learning English all my life and I still have trouble sometimes. I'm looking forward to your imput J !
f-Zelda: thanks for the compliment! I like the first chapter too! I'm new to this so its really cool to get a good review.
Laura encarnation: you've been one of the best reviewers so far! Thanks for the multiple reviews. I finally got off my butt and got to work. Enjoy!
Kenz: sorry I was so late, I hope that you'll remember this story. Lol
Madam Spooky: heres the second chapter ill probably carry this story for quite a while so hang on to your hat, this is gonna be a crazy ride!
I probably wont be able to update for a day or two so hang tight for chapter 3! -Protector of Knowledge (corny name I know ) ;)
