Last time the engagement ceremony between Elyon and Dylan was interrupted by Cedric and his demon allies. The baddies stole the seven Rainbow Crystals, the focal point of the religion of Ajalon. During the battle to recover the crystals, the female demon Salavine put a curse of some sort on Alexis. On with the show!!
Chapter 7: Legend of The Rainbow Dragon
The mood was not a bright one at the palace, half an hour later. Everyone was feeling rather down as a result of their failure to prevent the demons from escaping with the Rainbow Crystals, especially Elyon and Dylan.
"That bastard, Cedric!" said Elyon, "He knew just how to hurt me, he always knows! I swear, before this conflict is resolved, I'll personally kill that scaly bastard! And this time, I'll be sure that he's dead."
"We'll kill him both, Elyon," said Dylan, "That monster and his demon collaborators have insulted my people by stealing The Rainbow Crystals. My mother is in such a depression over what happened, it's a miracle she hasn't tried to kill herself yet."
"You can't be serious," said Irma, "Your mom is that much upset?"
"'Upset' doesn't even begin to describe what my mother is going through," said Dylan, "She's very adamant about her faith; she sees the theft of The Rainbow Crystals as a sign of the end times."
"Now that's just plain stupid," said Cornelia, "I mean, what's the big deal? How can those crystals lead to the end of the world?"
"I want to know what the demons want with the crystals," said Taranee.
"Something to do with The God Hand," said Elyon, "Cedric said that he works for them now."
"The God Hand," said Will, "I knew we hadn't heard the last of them. This just went from bad to worse."
"But we defeated The God Han before," said Hay Lin, "I'm sure we can stop whatever they're planning."
"Who cares what the demons are up to," said Addicus in a really down tone, "What about my sister? She won't wake up! That she-bitch did something to Alexis!"
"Cal is examining your sister as we speak," said Beck, "As well as several of the best Healers and curse experts on the planet. They'll figure out what's wrong with Alexis soon enough."
"I hope so," said Addicus, "Alexis is the only family I have. Our parents died a few years ago, so it's just been Lexi and me. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her."
"You won't lose your sister," said Elyon, "That I promise. We'll find a way to wake her up, somehow."
"Of course we'll find a way," said Jaden, "I mean, it wouldn't be the same without Alexis. She's part of the team. Everything's gonna work out, Addicus, trust me."
Will couldn't help but smile at her cousin's hopefulness and confidence. She too hoped that everything would work out for Addicus and his sister.
"But until then," said Dylan, "I think I know what the demons are planning. Will, you and your friends have fought The God Hand before, haven't you?"
"We fought their minions and acolytes," said Will, "That was the easy part. When we went up against The God Hand themselves, we were nearly killed."
"But you did defeat them."
"Guts defeated them," said Matt, "Or at least two of them."
"So there's still three out there," said Dylan, "No wonder they need the crystals to break free."
"What 'choo talking 'bout, Dylan?" Nigel asked.
"Well," said Dylan, "It's part of the legend of the Rainbow Dragon, the creature who helped the people of Ajalon all those many years ago. A lot has been lost to time, but I'll tell what I know…
Long ago, when the first humans came to Ajalon, the brave colonists found their new home overrun with demons. The first few settlements that humankind dared to build on the untamed planet were soon annihilated by the seemingly endless hordes of fell creatures. It began to look that Ajalon was a lost cause for humans, a hopeless dream for fools.
Yet more than a few dared to dream that foolish dream. Over time humanity gained first one, then another toehold, then another against the demons. These small islands of logic and reason soon began to grow and spread throughout the planet, driving the demons into the shadows.
Yet even these new victories weren't meant to last. The demons, sensing that their domination over the world was threatened, began to mass into larger and larger forces. These new dark armies threatened to extinguish the light of civilization on Ajalon forever.
Then came bold Hadrian Wallace, a prominent soldier among his community. While preparing for his next battle against the demons, Hadrian wandered into a nearby cave. There he discovered seven pristine crystals, each a color of the rainbow. What was even more surprising was that within each crystal, was the spirit of a monster. Yet these monsters represented the embodiment of good, rather than the pure evil of the demons. The seven monster spirits, whom referred themselves as Crystal Beasts, was as different as their crystals. They were:
Ruby Carbuncle
Amber Mammoth
Topaz Tiger
Emerald Tortoise
Cobalt Eagle
Sapphire Pegasus
Amethyst Cat
The seven Crystal Beasts told Hadrian that they were sent by the forces of light to combat the demon hordes, and combat the demons they did. The Crystal Beasts each possessed unique powers that the demons were helpless against. The combined human forces won battle after battle. Once again the free people of Ajalon dared to hope, dared to dream of a bright future.
Then one day the demons began to gather together to form a vast host, an army of darkness whose only purpose was to wipe out humanity on Ajalon forever. Having been unofficially made their leader, Hadrian Wallace lead his people out to face the dark host. The battle that followed was the worse Ajalon had ever seen. Even with the Crystal Beasts on their side, the forces of man were hard pressed, just to hold their ground.
The battle raged for six hours without pause, neither side giving quarter or expecting it for the enemy. Then for no apparent reason, the demons just stopped fighting. Their ranks parted, revealing five specific demons of nearly inconceivable strength. These five demons declare themselves to be living gods; that if the humans of Ajalon were to bend knee and worship them, the humans would be spared.
Brave Hadrian spoke against the demons, saying to his people that 'It is better to lose one's life in the battle against evil, than to live without a soul.'
Annoyed at Hadrian's boldness, the five lead demons fell on him, snuffing out his life before he had a chance to defend himself. The demons had hoped that the death of the human leader would cause their enemies to lose heart; they were wrong. Outraged at Hadrian's sudden death, the forces of man rallied and attacked. They fought with sword, axe, spear, bow and arrow, an even with bare hands.
Yet this new fortification failed to defeat the demons, their numbers were so vast. But then, just when it seemed that the demons would overwhelm the human army, a miracle occurred. The seven Crystal Beasts combined their remaining energies and merged into a new creature; The Rainbow Dragon, a monster spirit of nearly inexhaustible strength and power.
Fortified by the strength and conviction of The Rainbow Dragon, the human forces rallied and broke the initiative of the demon host, destroying nearly all of the fell creatures, until only the five lead demons remained.
Seeing that the fight was lost, the lead demons created a rift of darkness that threatened not only to destroy Alajon, not only this universe, but threatened to cover all of existence in chaos.
It was then that The Rainbow Dragon made the ultimate sacrifice. He used his own body to seal the rift of darkness. As a result, the five lead demons were also sealed away into their own rift.
The people of Ajalon mourned the loss of their leader and The Rainbow Dragon, but there was some happiness that day. The seven Crystal Beasts reappeared briefly, saying that should the demons ever return, they shall also return. The Crystal Beasts then disappeared, and in their place they left the seven crystals from which they came; The Rainbow Crystals.
"This was well over 4,500 years ago," said Dylan, "And my people have taken care of the Rainbow Crystals ever since, until now that is."
"That's a great story," said an impressed Hay Lin, "It'd make a great movie, or at least a good manga."
"But it doesn't tell us why the demons stole the crystals," said Caleb.
"I'm getting to that," said Dylan, "It is my belief, that the five lead demons told in the story, they were the original God Hand. It is said, by those who study demons, that The God Hand are bound to worlds that their acolytes have already corrupted, that they cannot enter free worlds, except through dreams."
"I think I know where you're going," said Taranee, "if The God Hand wish to escape from their entrapment, then they most likely believe that what caused their imprisonment is the key to their escape."
"You're saying that the demons are going to use the Rainbow Crystals to free The God Hand?" asked Martin, "If they're allowed free reign throughout time and space…"
"Then all of reality would succumb to darkness and chaos," said Will, "We've got to stop them!"
"Hold on a second," said Chazz, "Nobody said anything about fighting mega-demons or whatever the are. I mean, I thought we were only here for an engagement ceremony. Pardon me, but this is a little too much."
"Nobody is forcing you to fight!" said Cornelia in an annoyed tone, "In fact, nobody is making you stay here at all."
"She's right," said Will, "Jaden, this really isn't your fight. You and your friends are free to go home any time you want, but I suggest you leave now before you get involved any further."
"Are you kidding?" asked Jaden, "I'm having a blast! Traveling to other worlds, fighting demons and helping you and your friends learn how to Duel, I mean, I'm having the time of my life."
"That's Jaden for you," said Syrus, "Hardly anything fazes him."
"We're all glad you're having a good time, Jaden," said Addicus, "But what about my sister?"
"We won't know what's wrong with Alexis until Cal gets back," said Beck, "So just sit and spin!" Addicus didn't have long to wait, for Cal came into the room about ten seconds later. The young Red Mage had a solemn look on his face
"Well, it's about time," said Beck, "What kept you?"
"Don't start with me, Rebecca Stephanie Voltier," said Cal in a serious tone that matched his face, "I'm not in the mood for any bull sh$t!"
"It must be serious for you to use Beck's full name," Dylan said to Elyon.
"Please," said Addicus, "Tell me, what's wrong with my sister?"
"Your sister has been examined by the best physicians and magic experts on the planet," said Cal, "Physically there's nothing wrong with her. The problem is in her head, Alexis is trapped in some unknown form of enchanted sleep."
"I figured that as much," said Addicus, "So how do we wake her up?"
"We could get Jaden to kiss her," said Irma, "Like in 'Sleeping Beauty.'"
"What!?" asked Jaden.
"Never!!" shouted Chazz, "If anyone's going to kiss Alexis, it shall be me! Her one true love!!"
"In what dimension are you talking about?!" asked Syrus.
"What is he talking about?" asked Cornelia, "Is he really in love with Alexis?"
"Naw," said Hassleberry, "It's just a dumb crush that Addicus once encouraged that one time."
"An act I tend to regret at times like this," said Addicus, "Nobody is kissing my sister, unless absolutely necessary."
"That's not the case here," said Cal, "I'm afraid that the only way to wake Alexis up is to destroy the demon who put her in this situation."
"That female demon," said Addicus in a dark tone, "She's the one who did this to Alexis!"
"Okay, we know how to save Alexis," said Syrus, "but how do we find the demons? They could be anywhere."
"That's where I come in," said Will. She then held The Heart of Candracar by it's string. Will then focused her mind on the image of the seven Rainbow Crystals, while scrying for their presence through time and space.
"This may take a while," Taranee said to Dylan, "Scrying isn't an exact art."
"Just great," said Chazz, "More waiting."
"This guy is really starting to bug me," Cornelia said to Caleb.
Addicus meanwhile had left to go see his sister. Alexis was in another part of the palace. At first glance she appeared to be sleeping comfortably. Yet Addicus knew that his sister was in a terrible situation, trapped in a cursed sleep.
"Everything's going to be alright, Lexi," he said as he held her unresponsive hand, "I'm going to get the demon bitch that did this to you, then we can go back to Duel Academy, together."
It was then that something that Addicus thought was long gone had reemerged, something dark.
Meanwhile…
"This is what your masters desire?" Cedric asked as he examined the red Rainbow Crystal, "What possible use could these trinkets be to The God Hand?"
"These 'trinkets' as you call them," said Findo Trask, "Are what shall allow The God Hand free access to all the untainted worlds they have yet to subvert. And don't play with them!" He snatched the crystal out of Cedric's hand, "They're useless to us if they're broken."
"They're also useless to us in their present state," said Salavine, "Unless they're corrupted properly, assuming you have what it takes, wizard."
"You dare doubt my abilities, wench!?!" snapped Findo Trask, "I can have you on your knees in complete submission with just a snap of my fingers! Totally obedient to my every command!"
"Promises, promises," taunted the female demon, "Just taint the damn things already."
"I must agree with my highly attractive comrade," said Lacerta, "The sooner The God Hand is free, the sooner The Masters choose whom among us shall join their ranks, and by 'one of us,' I refer to myself, of course."
"Why would The Masters choose a pathetic weakling to stand at their side?" asked The Obliterator, "I am the superior candidate."
"You think you're better than me!?" Lacerta asked, "I have subverted countless humans to our side, whereas you only kill with that oversized hatchet of yours!"
"Enough!!" exclaimed Cedric, "This petty arguing is getting us nowhere. The God Hand shall choose whomever they wish as their newest member. However, until then, we must carry out the task granted to us. Wizard, when shall the Rainbow Crystals be properly corrupted?"
"The crystals contain ancient and powerful Light magic," said Findo Trask, "It won't be a simple act to taint them. I shall need at least an hour."
"Then while our wizardly friend subverts the crystals," said Cedric, "I suggest that the rest of us prepare for the inevitable arrival of The Guardians and their friends. They will most likely attempt to recover the crystals."
"You are certain they will come?" asked Salavine.
"As certain as time itself," said Cedric.
Meanwhile…
"I know where the demons took the crystals," said Will, "They're still on Ajalon, but somewhere away from civilization. I need a map."
She then used a map provided by Dylan to pinpoint where she located the crystals, in an isolated valley on the other side of the planet.
"They never left," said Cal, "There's still hope, there's still time."
"Time for what?" asked Matt.
"Never mind," said Cal, "Let's go already!!"
The end of chapter 7. Next chapter our heroes attempt to recover the Rainbow Crystals from the demons. Will they succeed? Or will The Rainbow Crystals be forever corrupted and The God Hand set free? Reviews shall be rewarded with cake and pie. Se you next time!