CHAPTER 32: RISE OF THE WIND

Dawn. A red sun rises over the skies. A pinch of purple and pink clouds hover over the blue skies. The mountains drizzle with small streams of water. And while it may be the beginning of fall, none of the trees seem to have blossomed leaves for quite some time.

Climbing over the Rocky Mountain terrain is an old bearded fellow. his walking stick is that of a long tree branch, but more of a staff.

It is here we see that Sedric the wise wizard and friend of our comrades at Crownsheild has traveled far upon his own quest. He has spent days searching for unanswered questions. But he has been through enemy lines sneaking from rock to tree to pass by. His robes covered in dry mud and twigs.

He meets his eyes upon a lost structure of rock and shiny bricks that form the look of an old watchtower. The top still intact. With a lookout roof made from a rotting wood.

It is here he hopes to find answers.

"The Great Watchtower of the Falcon Warriors." He says to himself. "And the answers that lie within."

"It seems the same as it was over 200 years ago." A small voice heard from the wizard's ear.

He notices a slight itch from his back neck. Using his grimy old long nails, he grips what speaks to him. a tiny old bug as wise as him if not younger is struggling between his nail blades.

"Your ears are as sharp as ever." The bug laughs. "And your blood hasn't aged a day. Still as powerful as ever, Lord Sedric."

"Well, well well. If it isn't Myoga, the flea." Sedric grins. "I knew I wasn't alone. Why I haven't seen you since we were at war with the Mongol Demon army. Are you still the coward I once remembered?'

"That's not the subject of conversation at the moment!" The flea snaps. "What I want to know is why my lord InuYasha is here in the west?'

"Oh, so you know of the runt?' Serdic replies. "You must have followed us without notice. Still a stealthy little bastard aren't you?"

"Know him? Lord InuYasha is not what he appears to be." The flea replies. "You have a lot of history to catch up on."

"That, my lad is why we are here." Sedric says. He continues upwards to the dusty entrance of the tower. He clears the entrance which is covered by rotting wood and vines and lights the way through the dark rooms with his wand using a illuminating charm.

"Tell me Sedric. Why leave the castle now when from what I hear, a war is coming from the dark mountains?" Myoga asks.

"Sarvon and The Deceiver are forming an army to launch an assault upon the west. But when I looked upon the mountains now near here, I sensed there was something more to this plot. A presence I've not felt in 400 years." Sedric replies.

"Well, you've lived longer than I. So I can't complain." The flea replies.

"But there is something else that the dark powers upon the mountains wish to bring to the fight ahead. A force that could be a dangerous asset to the war." The Wizard acknowledges.

CUT TOO...

As they approach the top of the tower, they enter a room with old books covered in cobwebs and dust from ages past. both attempt to search for a sign of what Sedric talks about. It feels like hours with no luck.

"What could this power you speak of be?" Myoga asks.

"It is the power of ancient beasts that have not been on this world for centuries." Sedric replies. "And if revived once again, it could bring an end to the lives of this world and the next."

Finally, the wizard dusts off an old book, its engravings show that of a flying creature, teeth like razors and breathe of smoke. Serdic skims though the pages, a fast reader he is, as Myoga jumps to a ledge to view the pages.

"Dragons?" The flea gasps. "They have not been in this world in ages. The last I saw was that of the great Ryukotsuei."

"He was one of three dragons that survived the eradication." Sedric remarks. "The other two followed Ryukotsuei into the realms of The Great Demons domain. They died, but word said of a child of the two took human form some 50 years ago."

As Serdic looks over the pictures of a long dragon that flows like that of wind, the flea is in deep thought.

"That can't be right. The only events I know from that long ago are that of Naraku's..."

Suddenly, a large sound like the crack of thunder echoes from a long distance. Alert, the two look out into the distance of the dark mountains close ahead. Darkness lays there, growing in numbers. Then, finally, a large burst of wind, echoed with the sound of a large roar, knocks to two from the ground. The wave sends papers flying.

As the wind decreases. The two look out once again. Fear strikes Sedrics eyes.

"We must make haste to the Lion's Den. We need all the allies we can get." Serdic warns.

Second later, the two ride off, making fast pace to the west.

CUT TOO...

The Dark Mountains, seem to echo with the roars of great monsters and creatures. Below the fields, Goblorcs are hard at work, preparing for war as Trolls lift heavy artillery. Demons fly above, keeping watch of the critters at work. Demons also guard the grounds.

All are halted by the roaring wind that just occurred from the Castle above. Sounds of great evil roar from within.

Inside are The Pits, a Cliffside above and below, a large pool of red and purple. Lave and Demonic Miasma mix into a stench of death and dark magic. Above the cliffs, looking over the pool, is that of Naraku. His mind set on the shapes forming in the pool.

Indeed a spell has been cast within the pool. With the help of a dark wizard that stands watch and the use of a drop of blood and demonic aura from Naraku himself, something appears to revive.

"Now, for the final touch." Naraku hisses menacingly. Grabbing from his body, a human heart, not of his own, but of someone else's, one that has reappeared with his body when he was resurrected.

He drops it into the pools. As it sinks into the shape, a large glow appears from the shape. And finally, emerges a large spiral wind, a funnel of wind and fire. Reflective blades bounce from out of the spiral, cutting through the rock. Finally, out from the wind, and forming in front of Naraku, a humanoid shape, becoming that of a woman, fleshed from Naraku, she stands with eyes glowing red towards Naraku. Naraku grins as the woman kneels before him.

"It's good to see you back from the netherworld, Kagura." He smiles evilly.

"It's been far too long, Master Naraku." Kagura replies, cold.

CUT TOO…

Two days have gone by as Serdic rides though the plains and forests. His horse gallops like the speed of lightning. He has already seeded aid from allies in the west parts of the continent, Myoga still clinging to his grey hair as it blows in the wind.

"My Lord Sedric, are you certain that the dwarves will bring help to the battle ahead?" The flea asks.

"Those still loyal to Eldor will fight." Sedric proclaims. "If the Lion Knights will stand, so too will the dwarves of the Golden Mountain."

Hours go by as they approach a great mountain side, it is hidden in an almost blanket of Fog, but built into its side is a large stone fortress, plated in gold and rubies and a moat laced with a track and bridge. For this is The Golden Mountain of the Dwarf Kingdom, a city of the greatest treasures of this world.

Sedric dismounts and approaches the gates with caution. No sign of guards within the towers.

"Come old Myoga." Sedric says. "We must seek aid from the dwarves at once."

"Or a visit to death old man!" a women's voice is heard.

Suddenly, the wind begins to pick up, stronger and stronger. It is a gust like that of a hurricane. Sedric holds himself down to the ground with his staff dug into the earth. Leaves and twigs fly into him viciously. The flags of the tower blow like mad.

As the wind progresses, a vast vary of monstrous forms appear. Sedric draws his sword, ready to defend himself.

"Be careful Sedric that is Naraku's Demons!" Myoga shouts in the gusted wind.

Then, from out of a dust of clouded wind, a figure in a white kimono appears before the great wizard. Her black hair is sharp like razors and her eyes glow of demonic red. Carried by her side is a folded fan. She stares coldly, hissing at Sedric, who is in awe by her presence. The demonic power within her is strong, very strong.

"It can't be. That's impossible." Myoga wonders, still scared for his life.

"What are you, foul demon?" Sedric demands. The lady stare cold as darkness at Sedric.

"I am Kagura, the great and powerful wind sorcerous." The lady speaks. "And I've come to kill you wizard."

Without warning, Kagura's fan glows of a reflective metal light. Sedric sees it coming.

"DANCE OF BLADES!"

SLASH! With a swing of her fan, five lightened razor sharp blades fly towards Sedric. Covering his body with his arms, they take a few deep cuts from the casted attack. Blood seeps through the scratches of his arm. He may be a wise old wizard, but he can still take a beating.

As another four blades approach at break neck speed, Sedric draws his hidden wand made from a rare tree branch and deflects the blades with a casted defense spell, sparks pop from the wand as its magic clashes with the flying blades. Sedric then tries to strike with a few stun spells, but Kagura blocks them all with her fan. It appears to be a battle of speed, wits and of course, to the death. Sedric seems to have the greater power, but Kagura is faster.

"Your slow old man." Kagura taunts. "How long do you think you can withstand my attacks? You'll feel the blades cut right through your bones."

More Dances of the Blades strike Sedric. Some he is able to hold back, others strike him in the back and arms, cutting him from left and right.

Sedric is down, on his knees, almost bowing before her, but only his staff keeps him from falling prey to her power. She approaches the wizard, holding her fan to his neck, as if to cut his throat.

"This is the end for you" She proclaims with menace. "Die!"

As she is about to deliver a final blow to behead him, a sudden flying object hits her fan, striking it out of her hand and pinned to a tree, reliving it as a tomahawk Axe. She is startled by the attack, as the trees and bushes shake with the sound of large boot like treks, surrounding the glade. Kagura spins around seeing the shadows of small hooded figures, bows cocked with arrows, ready to fire upon her.

"Damn pests!" She grinds with anger. Retrieving her fan she is ready to cut them all down. "You'll pay for your interference!"

*Kagura!* A voice in the Sorcerers mind startles. It's Naraku. *Return to the Dark Mountains! Our time has come!*

*No! My orders from you was to kill this old man! I shall see it done now!* She speaks in mind to her master.

*You will have your chance to prove yourself in the battle to come! Now return at once! That is your master's command.* Naraku hisses.

With no choice, Kagura waves her fan, causing a massive wind to knock down the figures cornering her. Sedric watches as she grips a feather from her hair that with her magic transforms into a larger specimen that lifts her into the night skies and flies away.

The figures, now seeming smaller in stature, help the wizard up.

"What sorcery of evil was that, Lord Serdic?" one of the small figures growls.

"That is the wind sorcerous Kagura." Myoga explains. "She spawned from Naraku himself. With that fan she carries, she has the ability to control the wind. A power like that can be a terrible asset to the enemy."

Serdic stands on his own looking out to the demonic aura in the sky the witch left behind. "She's far more than just a Sorcerous." He proclaims. Then, he turns to the small hooded men.

"I must speak with the King of the Golden Mountain." He orders to the small men.