Author's note: For those who waited or gave up, I kept my word on writing the next chapter. Long story on why I couldn't write it in the first place. So, I can't complain or anything like that.
Disclaimer: The dimension of, and the characters from Wolf's Rain do not belong to me; it's by BONES. I'm just borrowing it to make some AU tweaks with my OC. The next dream creature, from Magi Nation (Interactive Imagination) is the Scarletsong Hwit.
And now, the chapter you've been waiting for has been finally posted. But again, I'm trying to make it up for the time of procrastination. On with the story at last!
Previously…
All of us arrived to the faulty terrain and searched for the fabled gate. Unfortunately, we got separated by the blinding lightning storm. As a guardian, I was able to protect White Rose, but I couldn't gather her friends… After the incident I suggested to her that we must continue with the search without them. We found the cathedral, and made it to the summit while enduring the thorns. I was undreamt, but I still saw her in the ancient structure from the Dream Realm. She already solved the candle and altar puzzle, then entered a sealed cave. Deep in that cave are a dark looking glass and a slate with a Latin poem, which is really a warning about that hideous artifact. White Rose got paralyzed by the mirror's wrath as she fell into an opening pit…
Will she survive the fall into the unknown? Sadly, all I can do is witness the truth…
Chapter 2: Rakuen's Purification
Though the last thing I see, before the black fading, was a pair of crimson eyes glaring at me, I didn't say to myself, like a mere human, "Everything's getting black". For some reason, at first, I thought I've been plummeting down the darkest void forever, feeling dizzy, groggy, hazy, and being unable to think clearly. I still felt numb from the paralysis in my back where my wings are hidden and snug. However…I saw light growing beneath me, remembering that it might lead me to the dying realm Gomez talked about. Once more, I thought fast as the dark freefall came to an end.
I saw upward, witnessing the black vortex closing up above. When I look below, I was falling from the sky. Sadly, I still cannot release my wings. Fortunately, I landed in a huge patch of soft, yet dead land within a destroyed village, cushioning my fall. Standing up, I turned my head alternately, examining the burnt remains of the once wide country town. An examination began as I searched for anything of use in each pile of collapsed structures. Suddenly, my searching, gloved hand found something under the rubble. When I took it out, it appeared to be a leather case containing an acoustic guitar, undamaged. Immediately, I felt a spectral presence by hearing voices…of a mother and a child. And slowly, more voices grew into a commotion of my arrival.
"Excuse me…" I spoke at last. "What happened to you all…and this town, here…?"
"So…soldiers…" Ghosts of twin bothers stuttered simultaneously.
"Soldiers? They did this?" I guessed.
"Forgive those two. Even after death, they're still in shock." An middle-aged man's ghost said. "And it's true. Soldiers of an unknown region were responsible for this. They said something about…wolves. We all thought they were extinct, but we saw them. However, they didn't harm us. But there was one who frightened us all before we were killed…"
"What…kind of wolf is this?" I asked nervously, know that this may be another clue.
"A wolf…with one golden eye…" A ghost of a mother answered. "His presence with the other wolves caused a misunderstanding with a sole survivor, my husband. He and Blue, our pet, are hunting down wolves, regardless of their way of prosperity. He must know the truth behind the destruction, and maybe he'll regain his soul…somewhere…"
"His…his soul?" I repeated with wonder.
"It's been said…that if one loses someone precious to them, they lose their soul, as well.", she responded.
I thought it was a myth… I whispered mentally.
"Believe in us. This for real. If this madness does not stop, something terrible will happen." The woman's ghost continued. "Will you please save him, and the remaining packs? You are an angel who came from above, correct?"
"How did…." I paused for a moment, thinking for a moment, then faced the ghosts. "Okay, I'll do it. For you all, the wolves, and the survivor, himself."
"Thank you". The woman spoke a bit with joy. "And before you go, take that guitar with you, and give it to my husband. It may be a mere musical instrument, but it can be of great help to you in the future. Also, listen and remember this melody. It supposedly brings back memories to those who are from here, regardless of someplace beyond time."
The ghost hummed the melody. It sounded pretty…but mysterious and sorrowful at the same time. To ensure my memorizing of the melody, I played it using the guitar instead of my Satyr Flute. I copied the song perfectly, and it was now in my head. Finally, I called this song "Reminisce Requiem".
"I'll be on my way now." I said as I put away the guitar. "But before I do so, what's your husband's name?"
"Quent… Quent Yaiden." she responded. "He probably arrived someplace extremely distant."
I sensed a familiar, yet faint force nearby. It originated from a charred glade. As I walked, a few ghosts followed me, acting somewhat curious.
"Those smooth stones formed a circle, but none of us can move them. We tried to walk into it, but nothing happened." Said an old woman's ghost.
"Hmmm…" I hummed as I examined the stone circle. This is where the strange force is evoking. "I know what this is…"
"You do? Then… What is this thing?" asked a young man.
"It's a Terra Portal. Only those who carry angel blood in their veins can activate it to go to another area within this planet. I must go to a place where my mission has yet to start, and I'm having a feeling that Quent might be on his way there already. It's time for me to embark now. Don't worry, though. When my work is done here, I'm sure you'll rest in peace then."
"Angel… Please…be careful out there…" Said the woman.
"I will." I spoke calmly as I stepped into the Terra Portal's center.
The circle glowed, releasing brownish yellow energy from the ground. Being surrounded by earth energy, I vanished into thin air. The next thing I know, I wound up being transported to a glacier. Unfortunately, I fell again, this time, hitting the cold water below. Sensing the sharp cold, the animite ring activated itself, thus, Gomez appeared on the ice, yanking me out orally by my mantle. Even out of the water, I shivered since the fact that I'm more anemo tolerant, and those of the wind element don't take it too well in cold areas.
"Wah…wa…wa-CHOO!! …Excuse me."
After Gomez warmed me up with his auburn fur and saying a 'thank you' to him, I undreamed my guardian. I felt a little strange for few seconds from my back. From the ice water shock treatment, the numbness was reduced a bit. Immediately, my lithe and light form dashed through the ice, jumping, or should I say, somersaulting over the chasms. Thanks to the bracelet, my speed was so swift, I ran through for a few seconds. Once my feet carried me out of the glacier safely, I put on the hood of my cloak, and summoned Gomez, before taking off again.
Hige's POV
I gotta say, Toboe became a bit bold and stronger than we thought, attacking the walrus and all. After all of us four were not famished anymore, Kiba, Tsume, Toboe and I continued on our way to find and save Cheza. And I hope Blue's okay, too, wherever she may be… I mean, it's becoming more intense since we left that dome city sometime back. I had no other choice in my life, that is when Kiba talked about Paradise… Later, when Cheza was with us until she got abducted, I started to think that there is such a place. Who knows where it is, but we're searching for it.
Seconds ago, I caught a whiff of something…sweet, like honey and…fresh flowers, unlike the lunar flowers we know so well. I was a bit tantalized by the scent, yet I still focused on keeping up with the pack. For some reason, I was not the only who smelled this…pretty scent. Tsume broke the silence.
"You smell that, too, Porky?"
"S…sort of." I answered as I dashed through.
"Whoever, or whatever it was, probably ran past us in an instant." Kiba spoke.
"Do you think the source is searching the same thing as we are?" Toboe asked.
"Maybe…" I answered again. "I guess humans are searching for Paradise, other than wolves like us."
"But…" Toboe said. "This scent…isn't exactly human…nor a wolf…"
"You're right. It's so…divine." Tsume responded with a hint of being tempted.
"I'm sure the source will be in where Cheza is being held." Kiba muttered audibly.
"We hope so, Kiba." Toboe said.
Dunno why, but I think Toboe and Tsume were curious about the unknown passerby. I bet they'll be interested in 'em. Anyhoo, we continued running, and almost reached the end of the glacier.
Quent's POV
"Hey! Stop the vehicle!"
Going to a different city is one thing, satisfying one's own vengeance is another. Y'see, I can't stop…until wolves have become extinct for good. Yet, what's up with the Book of the Moon? About the human race created from those beasts. And the ever-so fabled Paradise. Is it even for real?
"I said…STOP THE TRUCK!!!"
That woman has been shouting to the driver for a minute now. She's been peeking out of the hole for some time. Does it mean she saw something, or someone?
"Oh, yeah? Why should we?!"
"There's a young girl riding a grizzly bear by herself! I think she's giving out. Please, stop this vehicle and take her in."
"She's right." Added the driver's partner. "I see the girl over there."
"Yeah, okay. I see her, too. Let's get her." The driver responded as he stopped the truck.
Two minutes later, the hooded girl was brought in here, but the bear that the woman spoke of was nowhere to be found. All eyes, including mine, were glued to her. We couldn't see her face well due to her hood and scarf, but her form seemed so athletic despite her strange, baggy clothing. When I looked closely at her, she carried a bag on her sash, and in that sash was a beacon that has a head of a priest's staff with four rings hanging. What kind of kid would ever use such a weird thing?
"Hey, she's coming to!" Said a man.
"Uh….ugh!" The girl's eyes began to flutter open as she dizzily got up. "What…happened…?"
"It looks like the blizzard almost got you." Said the same woman. We're surprised you came all the way on you own. Good thing I spotted you, huh?"
"And that was bold of you to endure the snowstorm out there, riding that animal through. But he's gone now." The driver told her. "He probably passed away by the harsh weather. We're sorry that we couldn't find him."
"I have a question, though" the driver's partner told.
"Yes?" the girl faced him.
"When we carried you in here, you're light as a sheet of paper. But you don't look ill, though."
"Of course, not." The girls answered. "I'm just very lithe and fit. And about the bear you spoke of… The storm didn't knock me out. I fell off, and I landed on my head. I think that's how I got knocked out."
"Don't you worry anymore, dearie," said an old woman. "You're safe now."
The truck started moving again as we felt the engine running once more. The mysterious child walked to a wall, sat and fell asleep next to a middle aged man…holding a handgun. Though I'm getting an ominous feeling from this, I looked after her for the time being. Another man shuddered in fear, shouting that we're all going to die, while the other man with the gun became annoyed with the same shouts. Immediately, he aimed his gun at the near crackpot and….
…His gun was knocked away by a brass pole. The pole's owner was that girl, who already awakened. Did she extend that beacon into its original length?
"Using a handgun will only make things worse for you. If you shoot the poor man, the others would throw you out, abandoning you in the cold for sure. As a seer, I'm sorry, but this is for your own good."
"You're not gon-"
"Psych-out."
The seer poked him in the spine with index and middle fingers from her right hand, knocking him out cold.
"Whew! Dunno why you did that, but thank you, young lady." The driver's partner spoke. "When we get to the lost city, I'll tell the guards about what happened just now."
From the look in her blue eyes, she seemed to grin, though I can't see her whole face. She walked to the crackpot, asking:
"He won't harm you anymore now, so it's okay."
"…………Still…it's the end as know it!" He shouted.
"I guess I'll calm you down myself with my crosier." she said as she raised her staff. "Just relax; there's nothing to worry about."
The head of the staff shifted in a gentle, circular motion. Its rings slid back and forth, making sounds of clinks and less harsh sounds of metal sliding against metal. After ten seconds, a few people, including the crackpot and a few children, fell asleep. That kid's not ordinary, yet…is she really a seer, an oracle…or a psychic? If she can see into the future, maybe she can help me with my vengeance. I decided to ask her in the morning…
White Rose's POV
A bit of time passed since I fell asleep. The paralysis, the blizzard, and that bump might have worn me out a bit. I felt slightly refreshed and recovered, from the temporary ailment I had, after the short, beneficial nap. I noticed that everyone in this truck were already gone. I went outside to check; the blizzard was still at it, but I saw more trucks parked in front of a huge glowing green dome. Knowing that staying out here can't guide me, I stepped outside and walked toward the entrance. Suddenly, something landed on my head.
"Ow." I muttered as I picked up the object.
It looked like a rolled piece of paper. When I unrolled it by removing the metallic binding, it was a message. It said:
If you are reading this, then the Trial has just begun. On the following, you must:
- To save many, send a signal
- Help those who evoke a green aura
- Fend off those who will try to distract or even attack you
- Retreat to the sky and wait for a great change
- Fly back down, and snatch a cursed organ
You will not be alone for this Trial. Around the note, I've enclosed one of my animite rings to help you throughout the mission.
Love,
Mom
P.S. When the mission is accomplished, this message will fall apart.
I turned red immediately when I read the signature, then panicked a bit as I had finished with the P.S. part. I put on the ring, and dreamed Mom's creature. Bursting from dream energy came a Scarletsong Hwit named Huea, a rather small, yet colorful blue-beaked bird who already perched on my shoulder.
"Brrrrr…. Someone turn on the summer!" Huea shivered.
"Oops! I forgot that you're from a rainforest environment. Don't worry, I'm almost there. You'll be warm soon."
"Man! I've never been to a snowfield before, and I so hate it already. Also, I'm hungry!" Huea blurted out "I couldn't eat today back in the dream realm because of the prep."
"I got some bramble berries if you want 'em. Dream birds like you eat berries." I responded.
"That is so true. Not only berries, but nuts, too." Huea tilted her head near mine.
"Let's go. I don't want you to be sent back to the dream realm by the intense cold." I whispered as I walked to the city gate.
Huea's POV
The good ol' warmth blew through my warm-colored feathers as we entered the big city. At first, this place looked like one of the halls that scan various beings for anything suspicious, but this hall was very advanced. I wanted to talk, but White Rose, er, forbade me to talk in a society full of humans. I sorta understood 'cause if I blurt out like an elephant, people will be surprised, and will try to take me away from my angel partner so, they'll… Gulp! Study me… That would be SO inhumane! Then again, White Rose can't show her wings or cast certain spells, either. Otherwise she would be captured for analysis, like an unusual animal. Such a horror, I tell you!
Still perched like a cockatoo, I watched people and armored guys as we passed by and take the conveyor belt-like thing down the hall and up. I've checked people, every nook and cranny. From my small eyes, some people wore pendent thingies around their necks. Even the geezer, who White Rose talked about earlier, wore one, too. I looked down over the escalator, and saw ill-dressed humans without the neck-tags. So, this was my chance to tell White Rose…
"Psst!" I whispered. "If we were to reach the city up there, we need a tag."
"Are you certain? Then we have to find one, but how?"
"Over there." I pointed with my wing. "See that guy nearby? He has some tags. Why don't you trick him into giving you one?"
"Um… I don't know how, Huea." She muttered.
I dropped my head, sighing. "Use your eyes, and look into his. He'll be mesmerized. And I have an idea how to get the pass."
"Um… Spill?" She whispered.
"Once he's stunned by your orbs, I'll fly to his pocket and snatch two tags; one for you and one for me. And I'll immediately place it around your neck before going through the strange beam ahead."
"Excellent, Huea. I'm glad that Mom chose you for this situation."
"Let's do this, White Rose." I said as I flew above.
We were about to go into a dark hall, so White Rose tapped on the guy's shoulder asking:
"Excuse me, sir…"
"Yes, young lady?" He respond without looking.
"Y'know, you should look when someone is talking to you." she remarked.
"Fine." He looked into her eyes since she's cloaked.
At last, he was stunned, asking: "What's…your question again…young lady…?"
"Much better." White Rose said sweetly. "What time is it right now, sir?"
We entered the tunnel, being shrouded in the pitch black surroundings. The man fumbled for his pocket watch as I swoop down to his trench coat, perching on his pocket for a few seconds. I dipped my head inside to get the passes. Instantly, I flew back over White Rose and dropped one pass accurately, landing it around her neck. Finally, I landed on her shoulder, and latch another pass around the ankle of my talon with my skilled beak and wings.
"…11: 43 a.m." the man spoke as we exited the tunnel.
"That's all I need to know. Thank you very much, sir." White Rose responded.
"You're…welcome." He said as he regained his senses.
Safely, we made it through the gate, passing the beams and guards.
"Smooth as silk, Huea. Good job." She praised.
"You did well with distracting, White Rose." I praised back. "And…where's the food? I've been waiting for minutes."
"Right here" responded my friend's daughter as she takes out four berries in her hand.
I thanked her as I pecked the berries away into my tummy. I have to say, these berries has a slight tang mingling in the tense sweetness. One thing's for sure, they taste better than a handful of uber sour gooseberries. Anyhoo, we walked into an alley, which leads to the main streets. It seemed somewhat too easy so far. I was excited to see what's over there, and hoped to find the place we're looking for. However...
...As we were passing through, both of us fell into a ditch that leads to the slums. We looked down to a path full of outcasts. No one below heard us, so I quickly swooped down, and White Rose shouted out to them…
(To be continued...)
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(Sigh!) I think I did okay, here. Is my writing progress fair enough? If so, review. Ideas only, no flames.
