Chapter 10
The Challenge
Mephisto growled viciously as he looked out of the giant window of his throne room. He'd both seen and sensed the Pillar of Light when it appeared. "So, Kusanagi, you dared to interfere again." Mephisto's eyes turned black and his silver hair floated while he clenched his fists in rising anger. He turned from the window with black elemental energies crackled around his fists. "Fool…I'll finish what I started with you the last time. This time you'll not escape my wrath!" He jabbed at a stone statue of the original Dragon King on the far side of the throne room, releasing his pent-up elemental energies and wrath in a ball of black fire that formed on the end of his fist. It flew to the statue, reducing the sculpture to dust and flying rubble that pelted the wall behind it.
"Yoshitora…get in here NOW!" he bellowed.
A few moments later, the head general of Mephisto's legions, Yoshitora Osabi, entered and bowed. "Yes, milord? Did you summon me?"
"I did," Mephisto hissed. "Why wasn't I informed about the Pillar of Light appearing in Fanelia again?"
"Sire, I was just on my way up here to report on that very event," Yoshitora replied. "It appears Kusanagi somehow managed to summon the Pillar and transport himself and a group of ten others to the Shrine of the Ancient Oak from the Mystic Moon. Our equipment registered it and his energy signature when it happened. Without Emperor Dornkirk's equipment, it would've been impossible to do that."
Mephisto's hard look softened slightly as he demanded, "How goes the retrieval of the Atlantis Machine?"
"In less than two hours, we'll have everything aboard the Namizar, your majesty," General Yoshitora stated. "We've already activated several of Dornkirk's smaller Fate Alteration engines after hooking them into the Namizar's system. This is how we discovered it was Kusanagi that summoned the Pillar."
"Good," the Black Dragon hissed. "When everything is aboard, order the fleet to lift off and enact the Final Protocol. Unleash the Dragon's Fury. Obliterate the city. Pound it to dust. Leave nothing standing or alive."
Yoshitora's heart sank at the order as he bowed and replied, "Yes, milord…as you command."
"And Yoshitora…" Mephisto added darkly. "Send Mandarin and Kagami of my Dragon Knights to Fanelia to eliminate Kusanagi. With any luck, they may even rid me of that bastard brother of mine and capture the Wing Goddess too. They have my permission to use whatever means necessary to do this."
"Yes sir," the general replied as he left, cringing at the new orders. Mandarin and Kagami…Mephisto means business, he thought. They're his most vicious and capable Knights and have never failed before…I don't like him giving them that much leeway to accomplish the mission. With that much power, who knows what they'll do. His heavy boots echoed in the corridor as he went in search of the two Knights.
Mephisto turned and looked out the window, sensing Kusanagi, Van, and Hitomi at a distance. A snarl escaped his lips. "You'll not interfere like you did last time, my old enemy. Vengeance is mine. This time, you will die."
Hitomi stared in disbelief at Ryu Kusanagi leaning heavily on his dragon katana in front of the Shrine of the Ancient Oak. All her classmates from the dojo lay around him stunned and disoriented from the Pillar of Light. "Master Kusanagi?" she gasped in total astonishment.
His old eyes twinkled as a smile crossed Kusanagi's wrinkled face while Hitomi, Seras, Van, and Tsura approached. He glanced at his students, who were still disoriented by the Pillar. "Relax, my students," he said. "Your disorientation will pass in a few moments." Turned his eye to Seras and seeing his wings out, Kusanagi nodded to him.
Seras suddenly touched Tsura on the arm, saying, "Let's stay out of this for the moment, Tsura. Hitomi and Van have much to ask Master Kusanagi."
"Very well," Tsura replied as he and Seras stopped by Folken's grave.
Kusanagi stood up straight as Hitomi and Van came near. Moans rose from the other students as Hitomi and Van stopped six feet away. Van eyed the old man cautiously and the other students suspiciously as Hitomi bowed to Kusanagi. "Master Kusanagi…you're the Ancient One?" an astonished Hitomi asked.
Kusanagi bowed to her, saying, "Yes, Hitomi…I am." He noticed her katana hanging on her left hip and added, "I see you still have the katana I gave you. That's good. It's a very powerful weapon that will protect you in these trying times. You should keep it with you at all times."
Hitomi glanced at the blade and replied, "Indeed it is a powerful weapon…one with power I never knew a sword could have. I keep it with me always. I don't feel safe without it."
Kusanagi smiled at her and turned his gaze to Van. He bowed, saying formally, "Your majesty…it's an honor to stand in the presence of the Dragon King. I come as an ally in your fight with the Black Dragon."
"What do you know of the Black Dragon, old man?" Van asked coolly.
"I know much about him, Van Slanzar de Fanel of Fanelia," Kusanagi replied as his students slowly began to regain their wits. "…just as I know much about you. I see you've awakened to some of your elements and have learned to control them. But you haven't mastered them yet, nor have you awakened as the Dragon King as Hitomi has awakened as the Wing Goddess." Van's telepathic ability reached out and probed Kusanagi, trying his honesty. "You're getting adept at your telepathy, your majesty," Kusanagi complimented. "But you try too hard. Try relaxing when you reach out to make contact. If my companions and I are making you nervous, let me give you a gesture of good faith. Hitomi…please hold on to the Dragon's Talon for me." He held his sword up for Hitomi to take and ordered his students, "Lay your weapons down before the Dragon King, my students." They came forward and bowed, laying their weapons at Van's feet before returning to stand behind Kusanagi. All of them gazed in wonder at the alien world around them, which included the tiger-man, Tsura, and two people with wings that they knew very well…Hitomi and Seras.
Hitomi gingerly took the dragon katana from Kusanagi and bowed to him. He smiled, saying, "Relax Hitomi…I know what's happened to you and we'll get to that in a moment when we've gained the King's trust." A nervous smile crossed her face as she backed away, standing beside Van while he scanned the group.
Kusanagi then knelt and motioned to his students to do the same. They knelt, gawking at Hitomi's and Seras' wings. Van relaxed slightly when they disarmed and knelt, allowing his telepathic ability to surge. His mouth fell open as he could sense not only Kusanagi, but also everyone present…hearing their thoughts. Kusanagi noticed it, saying, "Very good, my liege. Your powers grow by the minute. But there's a reason for us coming…a very grave reason."
Van's face darkened dramatically as he sensed Kusanagi's reason for being there. Before either he or Kusanagi could say anything about it, the folksong of the Dragon Clan began echoing through the cemetery and Shrine. Van's head snapped around to Hitomi as she looked around urgently.
Seras and Tsura glanced at each other and quickly approached as Hitomi shuddered, saying, "It's Kuirio again…but there's something wrong. Her song isn't like before. It's soulless."
"Wing Goddess," Kusanagi called out, rising and quickly approaching Hitomi.
Van moved to intercept him when Hitomi held out her arm, saying in an eerie, distant tone, "It's okay, Van. Master Kusanagi is my Soke on earth…my teacher in the ways of the warrior. I learned everything I know about fighting from him. I trust him with my life."
The song slowly grew with intensity while Kusanagi looked Hitomi in the eye. Van watched him closely with a distrustful glare as Kusanagi spoke. "Wing Goddess…Hitomi…be careful. It's as I feared. The Black Dragon has enchanted Van's aunt. He's controlling her physically now with his power. If you're not careful, he'll enchant you too."
Hitomi eyes glazed over as the song began penetrating into her soul. "She's coming," Hitomi murmured. "But something's wrong…she feels like she's bound."
Van grabbed her by the right arm above the elbow, saying, "Hitomi…don't be sucked in. Remember the last time…it's just an illusion."
Seras stepped to her left, touching her on the shoulder, saying, "Van is right, Hitomi. Don't be deceived by this. Remember what Master Kusanagi taught you. You have the power to see the truth here."
The song became a throbbing, pulsing tune that penetrated everything. The students slowly became entranced by it. Turning to his students, Kusanagi shouted, "Focus, my students…don't get lost in this illusion. Focus on Hitomi and Van. They'll be your anchors." The students abruptly took a ready stance and stared at Hitomi and Van. Kusanagi turned to Hitomi, saying, "Hitomi…Hitomi!"
She snapped out of her deepening trance, asking, "Yes, Soke?" She suddenly felt her telepathic ability reach out to Kusanagi. "You've something to tell me…what is it?"
"I don't have much time," Kusanagi stated, holding on to Hitomi's forearms. "Kuirio's almost reached the threshold with her chant so I haven't time to be polite. Hitomi…Kuirio's going to tell you that the Black Dragon has your mother prisoner."
Hitomi's face went blank with shock as Kusanagi said, "I sensed Sakura was in danger and went to her house to protect her. Unfortunately, we were set upon by ten dopplegangers sent by the Black Dragon." His face fell with shame as he added, "I was unable to keep them from taking her. I barely escaped with my life. But don't worry; I don't believe he will hurt her yet. However, time's not on our side."
Seras' face contorted with rage as Hitomi's shock turned to fury. Her face flushed crimson as she hissed, "He took mum? Why?"
"To use as bait to lure you in, Hitomi," Tsura stated cautiously, noticing an eerie glow forming around her. "Hitomi…you should calm down. Remember the last time you lost control." Seras noticed the glow too and quickly backed away, not wishing to be injured by an accidental release of her elements.
Van saw Hitomi close her eyes and shake her head with growing wrath. The folksong of the Dragon Clan grew even louder as he said, "Hitomi…please calm down. You don't want to trigger your elements right now." Van latched on to her arm tightly as Kusanagi sensed an impending eruption.
He let go of her forearms and struck at her with the fierceness and speed of a cobra. Her left hand moved like a blur, stopping Kusanagi's strike cold as her green eyes glowed ice blue. She threw Van aside like he was a little boy, sending him sprawling. Kusanagi struck with his other hand like lightning. Hitomi batted it away with inside block and struck again with her right hand, which became covered with a spiked ice gauntlet. Kusanagi jumped, back-flipping out of the way. Her hand missed him and before she could react, he went into an attack stance upon landing. His eyes glowed light green as he clapped his hands together, and then thrust them toward Hitomi, launching a mild concussion blast at her. A glowing wave of green energy hit her, knocking her to her knees. Van growled viciously as he rose, fire in his eyes because of the attack on Hitomi. Kusanagi rushed in and grabbed her in a fatherly embrace while she was still stunned.
"Hitomi, my child…didn't I teach you better? You must control your temper," he reproved softly. "I know you're furious, but we aren't the enemy. The Black Dragon is. Calm yourself, my child…feel my heartbeat and breath and mirror them. Anger and rage are your enemies right now. Let them blow away in the wind. Let them ooze into the earth beneath your feet." Van stopped, puzzled by the old man's behavior. However, when Hitomi's eyes returned to their normal emerald green, he approached cautiously. Hitomi wrapped her arms around Kusanagi as tears rose in her eyes. "That's it, my child…let it go…focus your mind and calm your spirit. That's it."
"Oh Master, what am I going to do? That fiend has my mum?" she whimpered. The folksong of the Dragon Clan grew even louder, to the point that it was audible to everyone there.
Van knelt down beside Hitomi and Kusanagi. He touched her gently on the shoulder, saying, "We get her back, Hitomi…that's what. We get her back, and we get Kuirio, her mother, and sister away from that fiend."
Hitomi gazed into Van's rugged face, seeing a confident smile there. His confidence caused a smile to creep across her face. "The King is right…" Kusanagi said. "We get them back. But first, we must deal with Kuirio's enchantment. Her song is nearly to its climax and we'll see her. Hitomi…you must focus your mind and power on helping Kuirio. You're the Wing Goddess and have the power to undo Mephisto's evil control over her." Turning to Van, he added, "Your assistance is needed as well, Dragon King."
"You've got it," Van replied while he and Kusanagi helped Hitomi to stand.
"Seras…you should stay back for now," Kusanagi ordered. "Shield yourself from Kuirio's magic. We don't want Mephisto to know of your existence yet."
"Yes sir," Seras stated, quickly backing away to the far side of the cemetery. He sat down in a lotus position and clapped his hands. A clear bubble of elemental energy formed around him as he murmured a mysterious chant.
"Tsura, your abilities will be needed," Kusanagi stated. "Come assist Hitomi and Van."
"I'll do what I can," he replied.
"My students…time to see the real world," Kusanagi ordered. "Gather around and keep your focus on Hitomi and Van. They'll show you our enemy. Quickly now!"
The ten students made a circle around Hitomi, Van, Tsura, and Kusanagi. As they did, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving everyone floating in the sky on a cloud. Cries of fright rose from some of the students and Kusanagi said calmly, "Don't be afraid and keep your focus…this is just an illusion. We're still at the Shrine."
"Wing Goddess," Kuirio's soulless voice called out. "Dragon King…hear me."
Hitomi focused and turned to the right, pointing. "She's there!" They turned and saw Kuirio standing there wearing a beautiful multi-colored kimono and a completely blank look on her face. Dark circles beneath her bluish-green eyes gave her a look of extreme fatigue. Kusanagi's students gasped at Kuirio's beauty as they formed a semi-circle behind Hitomi, Van, Kusanagi, and Tsura. Hitomi and Van looked into her eyes.
"You're right," Van whispered. "She's definitely enchanted."
"Quiet," Kusanagi hissed, falling in behind Hitomi and Van. "Let her state her message. It may give us a clue as to how we can help them. Then we'll try to free her. Look at her forehead…the scorch-mark. That's Mephisto's mark to insure her obedience."
Tsura's eyebrow rose and Van rubbed his chin with a "Hmmm."
Kuirio approached slowly in a clumsy manner. "She's resisting his control even now," Van stated, sensing her resistance to Mephisto's control telepathically.
"Wing Goddess…Dragon King," Kuirio said monotonously. "Milord Mephisto…the Black Dragon of Naraka, has a message for you. Wing Goddess…" Sweat began to bead on her forehead as she struggled against his control. "Milord has your mother captive. If you ever want to see her again…come to the Power Spot of…Freid in…two…weeks…otherwise, she will…she will…"
Instinct took Hitomi and she stepped forward. Van started to follow when Kusanagi restrained him. "Not yet, Dragon King. Let her follow her instinct. She's in control now. Let's see what she can do."
Hitomi walked up to Kuirio. "Kuirio…can you hear me?" she asked.
"…she…will…die," Kuirio stammered, suddenly closing her eyes. She clenched her head with her hands and screamed as the scorch mark on her forehead glowed scarlet. "NO! I can't…I won't do it!"
The vision darkened dramatically, everything turning a dull red as Mephisto's voice echoed, "You have no choice. Do as I command, or I will kill you and your family!"
Everyone heard the voice and Van's blood boiled. Rage filled his being and fire lit his eyes. He moved and Kusanagi held him in check. "Not yet, Dragon King…not yet."
Hitomi's ears turned beet red as she shouted, "Why have you done this? Why are you so mean? We've done nothing to you! I've done nothing to you!"
A massive shadowy, vaporous black dragon fifty feet long appeared behind Kuirio. Curls of red smoke wisped between its teeth as its glowing crimson eyes blazed with hatred. "Not so, Hitomi Kanzaki. Your line was responsible for my defeat and imprisonment. Now you get to reap the firestorm for their sins against me!"
Hitomi's rage grew again as she clenched her fists. A white glow formed around her as her wings spread full width in a provocative display. "You dare to unleash your revenge on me because of something my ancestors did that long ago…something I had no idea even happened? How dare you hold a grudge like that! If you were as bad back then as you are now, then I'm glad they locked you away, you fiend! Release my mother, Kuirio, and her family right now, or I'll take them from you!"
The vaporous dragon laughed scornfully. "By all means, come and get them, Wing Goddess…if you dare. Kuirio and her family are mine, as are you. I'll have your power and destroy everything you hold dear."
"Now's the time, Dragon King," Kusanagi whispered. "Stand with Hitomi."
Van stepped beside Hitomi. His face grew scarlet with fury as he saw Kuirio screaming, writhing in agony. His eyes flamed and fire formed around his fists. "You'll have no such thing, Black Dragon! The Wing Goddess is mine and I am hers. I stand with her. Release her mother and my kin or we'll come and take them by force, demon!"
The vaporous Black Dragon reared up and glared at Van. "You dare to challenge me, brother? You're nothing but an insignificant little boy who doesn't know his own power!"
Van stepped forward and hissed, "That's what you think! I'll show you what I'm capable of!" He looked at Kuirio while communicating telepathically to Hitomi, We can take him, Hitomi. Let's show him what we can do by breaking his spell on Kuirio. Hitomi nodded, more than ready to fight the Black Dragon. Divert his attention, Van ordered.
"My pleasure," Hitomi growled.
Kusanagi moved beside Tsura and said, "When the time is right, we must help." Tsura grunted, taking an attack stance. "We are with you, Wing Goddess and Dragon King!" Kusanagi bellowed. "Show him what you're made of!"
"Kusanagi!" the vaporous dragon roared, spreading his wings wide. "Now I'll dispose of you once and for all!" The phantom dragon breathed its black fire at everyone.
"Now, Wing Goddess!" Kusanagi shouted. "Focus and unleash your rage on him!"
A deadly gleam sparkled in Hitomi's eye as a strong white glow instantly surrounded her and Van. In less than a second, she unsheathed the Dragon's Talon with a swing of her left arm, sending the sheath flying to the left. At the same time, she drew her own sword with her right hand. Both weapons glowed brightly with Atlantean glyphs on the blades as Hitomi went into an attack stance, left foot forward. A wry smile crossed her lips as she crouched for the attack. The black fire surged toward them and she uttered her war cry, clanging her blades together in an X-block. The katanas shined like the sun, creating an impenetrable shield around everyone, including Kuirio. The black fire flamed around the shield, unable to penetrate it. In less than a second, her eyes glowed ice blue and her hair floated as a massive twenty-foot ice lance formed in front of her, floating in mid-air immediately in front of her crossed swords. Frost began covering her hands and arms as her eyes blazed with fury. An icy fog curled from her lips as she shrieked while thrusting forward with the X-block, "Take this, you demon," The ice lance launched like a bullet out of gun. It passed through her shield and into the black fire that swirled around her shield. The fire melted its mass by half before it struck the vaporous body of the dragon in the chest. The ice lance solidified a large portion of the dragon's gaseous body where it hit, causing him to cease his fire attack with a groan.
Van grinned, impressed with Hitomi's defensive and offensive capabilities. He smacked his flaming right fist into his fiery left palm. His eyes crackled with electricity as they glowed scarlet. He stepped into an attack stance with his right foot back, pulling his right hand back to his waist as his left hand came around in front of his right hand. Electricity began arcing around his flaming hands. "Take a taste of this, Black Dragon!" he shouted, generating for the first time a fireball/lightning ball combination. He launched it with a double punch immediately after Hitomi's ice lance hit, aiming for the vaporous dragon's torso. The flaming lightning ball formed at the end of his fists and streaked like lightning, passing though Hitomi's shield harmlessly. The dragon had ceased its fire-breath from Hitomi's hit just long enough to see it coming at him. Before he could react, it hit his vaporous form in the same area Hitomi's ice lance hit. The hit shattered his frozen chest. Lightning crackled around the dragon's vaporous figure as the fire consumed his frozen parts. An enraged, painful roar rose from Mephisto's vaporous dragon as it writhed from the hit.
Kusanagi turned to Tsura, ordering, "Use your wind element, my feline friend." Tsura nodded and stepped to the front with Hitomi and Van, smacking his right fist into his left palm. A strong green glow formed around him as he pulled his fists back into the chamber position at his waist with his left foot forward. A mysterious wind began swirling around him inside the green aura. Tsura clenched his teeth as he charged for the attack. Without warning, a terrible roar rose from him as he stepped forward with his right as he double-punched, aiming for the chest of the dragon. The green aura drained into the punch, becoming a tornado that raced to the dragon. When it left Hitomi's shield, the tornado blossomed to enormous proportions, seizing the vaporous body of the dragon, viciously raking its form as it spun the beast. Pieces of the dragon began dissipating under the tornado attack, causing a shriek to arise from the dragon.
At the same time, Kusanagi stepped beside Van in an attack stance and smacked his hands together. A blinding white radiance surrounded him for a moment. When it dissipated, his hands glowed white. "You'll not do what you did the last time, Mephisto…not ever again!" he shouted, jabbing forward with both hands, launching a forty-inch ball of pure white light. It passed through Hitomi's shield and struck the dragon in the neck, burning a hole clean through the vaporous creature just as the tornado attack dissipated. Tsura groaned, dropping to his knees in fatigue from using such a powerful magical attack.
"Hitomi…hit Mephisto's mark on Kuirio with an ice needle while he's distracted!" Kusanagi ordered as the dragon staggered from the hits.
Hitomi turned her focus to Kuirio. Again, her emerald eyes glowed ice blue. An ice needle three inches long formed in front of her face and flew to Kuirio, striking true on Mephisto's glowing mark. Kuirio screamed as Hitomi shouted, "Be free of his control, Kuirio."
Kuirio bawled, clenching her head as the ice needle carefully penetrated into her mind following the same neural pathways Mephisto used to control her, freezing and then shattering Mephisto's control over her. The scorch mark on her forehead slowly faded away. As the mark faded, her agony lessened until it disappeared, leaving her exhausted and unconscious.
"Seems I've underestimated you, Wing Goddess, and your friends," Mephisto's dragon hissed, its gaseous form dispersing in the wind. "But make no mistake, I'll have my revenge. You will all die. I'll take your power, Wing Goddess, and make you watch as I annihilate all of existence."
"I think not, you fiend," Hitomi retorted. "Seems you're not as powerful as I first believed. Release my mother, Kuirio, and her family or else."
The vaporous dragon faded away, leaving Mephisto standing there. His black eyes were cold and full of fury. Hitomi gawked at how much he looked like Folken. Van too was taken back as Mephisto walked to the edge of the shield. A vicious smile crossed Mephisto's lips as he returned, "Don't threatening me, child. You have no idea who you're dealing with. Empires have perished at my word. However, you've proven to be much more interesting than the last Wing Goddess. You've great power, passion, and a will to use that power to save your friends. It's both your strength and your weakness. That's why, sooner or later, your power will be mine." His black eyes bored holed into Hitomi's soul as he glared at her. "You have two weeks to meet me at the Power Spot in Freid and surrender. Come alone. Otherwise, I will feed your mother and Van's kin to my dragons, which are hungry for human flesh."
"How do we know they aren't dead already?" Tsura demanded, standing next to Hitomi.
Mephisto waved his hand to the left. An illusion of the Dragon's Lair formed with Sakura, Nana, and Mariko sitting in the middle. Around the periphery of their area, everyone could see the dragons milling about, watching the trio closely. Van's anger boiled as he walked to the edge of the shield, standing face to face with Mephisto. "You son of a bitch…I'll kill you for this!"
"I think not, brother," Mephisto hissed venomously. "As you can see, they're alive and safe for now. But if you don't surrender the Wing Goddess, they're all dead. Think it over, Van. It's either them or her. Which will it be?" A wicked smile crossed his face as he saw Van's fury. "Two weeks, Dragon King, and not a second longer." Mephisto turned his gaze to Kusanagi and pointed, saying, "You and I have unfinished business. I haven't forgotten our last encounter. The next time you see my face, it'll be the last thing you ever see."
Hitomi's face was crimson with rage when he turned back to her, saying with great relish, "Two weeks, Wing Goddess. They'll remain alive until then. You have my word. However, if you or any of your friends try to pull any stunts, I'll rip them apart myself. Think about it. What are you willing to do to save them?"
The folksong of the Dragon Clan suddenly ceased. Mephisto and Kuirio disappeared with the rest of the vision, leaving Hitomi, Van, Tsura, Kusanagi, and his students standing at the Shrine of the Ancient Oak. Hitomi's shield vanished with the vision and she collapsed to her knees, dropping both blades. Tsura caught her while Van stood staring at the Ancient Oak where Mephisto had been standing in the vision. His veins protruded from his neck as he clenched his fist so tight his fingernails drew blood in his palms. Kusanagi glanced at his students, who were in utter shock by what happened. He looked to Van and noticed his anger. He also noticed Hitomi's fatigued state and severe frostbite on her arms and hands. He turned to Van and said softly, "Your majesty, Hitomi needs your help. Her arms and hands are badly frostbitten."
Van snatched Kusanagi by his kimono and drew him nose to nose. His face twisted with rage as he hissed, "You've a lot of explaining to do, old man! First off, why does this demon look like Folken?"
"Your majesty, I'll explain everything and tell you all I know now that Mephisto has played his card," Kusanagi replied softly as to not incur Van's wrath. "I'm here to help. But you need to see to your queen first. She needs your help. Her ice has badly injured her again."
Van glared at Kusanagi while Seras walked up to Hitomi with a very concerned look, kneeling in front of her. He saw her frostbitten arms hanging limply and the pained look on her face. "Van…" Seras called out. "Please come heal Hitomi's injuries. She needs you now. Master Kusanagi will explain all. Just give him time."
Van released Kusanagi, pushing him away roughly. "Time is a luxury we don't have," he growled, walking to Hitomi. When he saw her arms and hands waxy looking and a deep purple, he rushed to her. Seras moved aside as Van knelt in front of her. His anger waned with his concern for her.
"Looks like I overdid it again," Hitomi murmured, pain etched on her face. "I had no idea I could do that."
"It'll be okay, Hitomi," Van stated as Kusanagi and his students surrounded them. "It's not as bad as the time in the training room. Here…let me see them." He gently picked up her arms as Tsura steadied her. "Hmmm…can you feel anything?"
"No, Van," she replied. "They're completely numb and useless. I can't even move my fingers."
"Well then, we'll have to do something about that, won't we?" Van stated confidently. A green glow formed around him and Hitomi as he closed his eyes, concentrating on rejuvenating Hitomi's damaged limbs.
"Hitomi," Kusanagi said as he knelt opposite of Tsura. "You have a healing element too. Use your connection to Van to learn how to use it. He'll teach you."
Hitomi nodded as her arms began tingling. Reaching out telepathically to Van, she saw his love and concern for her. Yet more importantly, she saw how he was activating his healing element. Her eyes grew wide as she tried to activate her healing element. For a few moments, she concentrated on activating her healing element with no success. "I can't do it!" she moaned.
"Yes, you can," Van replied. "It's easy…much easier than the ice you generate. Don't try so hard. Let your instincts activate it."
"The King is right," Kusanagi agreed. "You can't force them. Just relax and you will find them. Use your instincts and the element will manifest."
Hitomi futily tried to relax. The rising pain in her arms and hands kept her tensed. "It's not working, Soke. I can't relax with this pain. It's excruciating." Tears dripped from her eyes as Van stroked her right hand and arm with his hands, using his internally generated heat and healing element to help thaw her frozen arm.
"I know it hurts," Van said. "But look at it like this…pain's an enemy every warrior must overcome. You have a powerful mind and will. You can will the pain away."
Kusanagi picked up Hitomi's left arm and began stroking it like Van. Van shot a hostile glance at him, which he ignored. "You must find your own trigger for your healing element," he said. "Every element has a trigger that is unique to the individual who uses it. Just follow your instinct. You'll find it…I'm sure you will." A swirling green aura then surrounded Kusanagi and flowed down his arms to his hands and into Hitomi's frozen left arm. Van noticed this and softened his hostility toward Kusanagi as he added, "Until you do, the Dragon King and I will help." A pleasant smile crossed his wrinkled face that caused a smile rise on her face.
"Thank you, Soke," she replied. Everyone watched intently as Van and Kusanagi worked to restore Hitomi's frozen limbs. Suddenly, she began humming the folksong of the Dragon Clan very softly, closing her eyes as she hummed. A few moments later, the green glow around them blazed bright emerald green.
"Bravo, Wing Goddess," Kusanagi crowed. "I knew you'd find it."
A gasp escaped Van's lips as he felt a reversal of healing energy with Hitomi's healing energies flowing into him. He smiled and said, "Very good, Hitomi. You've unlocked your healing element."
When Hitomi opened her eyes, the swirling emerald aura around them vanished. Her sight fell first upon her arms and hands. They were completely restored. Gasps raced through Kusanagi's students as she flexed her fingers and hands. Her mouth fell open in surprise. "They're all right. Did I do that?"
Van smiled. "Yea…you did, with our help. How're your arms and hands now?"
"They don't hurt at all," she replied. "But I'm exhausted. I always forget how much it takes out of me when I get to unleashing my elements."
"You did well, milady," Tsura said. "Your control is much better than it was that night you awakened. I suspect that's why only your arms were injured."
"Indeed," Kusanagi stated. "There's still much I need to hear from you about your awakening. Once I hear your story, then we'll be able to formulate a training routine to help you learn how to use your elements properly."
Van's eyes flashed as he shot a suspicious, angry look at Kusanagi. "I'm the one who will teach her," he announced hotly.
"Indeed you will, your majesty," Kusanagi replied. "It's only proper for you to be there because you can learn from each other. But we mustn't dawdle. I'm very aware of how short time is for us." He shifted position so he could look at both Hitomi and Van. Placing his hands in his lap as he knelt, he stated, "Hitomi has awakened as the Wing Goddess…but she hasn't fully awakened to her power. She's just like you, Van. You and she are more alike than you can imagine. You awakened to your powers the same time she did, am I right?"
A puzzled Van nodded. "Yea…I guess we did," he admitted.
"Hitomi has awakened, but has not ascended as the Goddess yet," Kusanagi said. "Only when she understands who and what she is and masters her power will she ascend and be able to stand against the Black Dragon. She must know everything about the Wing Goddess before she can truly become the Wing Goddess. The same is true for you, milord."
An icy chill raced down her spine as Hitomi realized she knew absolutely nothing about who she really was. Her eyes went to Van as he demanded, "What are you talking about? I thought…"
"Milord Fanel, you're the Dragon King…yet, like Hitomi, don't really comprehend what that means," Kusanagi stated. "Yes, you're a powerful warrior and king…one of the most powerful in all of Gaea. Your defeat of Dornkirk, your rescue of Hitomi, and the destruction of the Atlantis Machine proved that. That's why the rulers of this part of Gaea respect you so. You and Hitomi saved Gaea from certain destruction. However, there's far more to being the Dragon King than just accepting the title.
"There's a history behind your bloodline, Van Fanel, that you only know of in your dreams. You want answers. I'm here to give you those answers and to help you fully awaken and ascend as the Dragon King just as I'm going to help Hitomi realize her potential as the Wing Goddess. You see, there's a reason I'm called the Ancient One by the people of this planet. The reason is I was there five thousand years ago when the Black Dragon of Naraka tried to destroy Gaea. I helped the original Wing Goddess and Dragon King defeat and imprison that fiend so he couldn't do that again."
The Shrine of the Ancient Oak and the Fanel family cemetery became dead silent as shock and disbelief fell on every face there. Kusanagi chuckled when he saw the reaction and said, "I know it's extremely hard to believe. How could I be over five thousand years old? It's a story that must be told. However, it might be better to tell it in your palace, milord. Like Hitomi's predictions, it's something best not spoken in the open. However, just as a little teaser, let me show you something that may alleviate your fears just a little…with your permission, my liege."
Van nodded, still overwhelmed by the information. Kusanagi stood up and backed away. He pulled his kimono down to his waist, baring his chest. It was strangely well developed for someone of his apparent age of eight-five years. A wry grin crossed his face as he said, "I hope this will help you trust me." Two giant wings of golden feathers sprang from his back without even a moan from him. They spread twenty feet from tip to tip. "It's been far too long since I let my wings out. Gods it feels so good to do that again."
"By the gods!" Tsura breathed. "You're Draconian!"
Kusanagi nodded as everyone stared. "Do you trust me now, milord? I have much to share with you."
When the shock of the revelation wore off, Van nodded, saying, "Not quite...it's still too early for that. But I will hear what you have to say."
"Van…please, you can trust him," Hitomi murmured in his ear as she latched onto his arm. "I know and trust him and these people with him are my friends."
Van eyed Kusanagi and his students suspiciously as he said, "It's a hard thing for me to do, Hitomi. You, of all people, should know why too. The only person here I genuinely trust is you, Hitomi. I'm willing to let him and his friends help because of you. But they'll be restricted for now until they've proven themselves."
"Thank you," Hitomi cooed, laying her head briefly on Van's shoulder. "They'll not betray you."
"You better hope not," Van returned coolly.
"Milord…" Kusanagi stated. "Hitomi's right in saying we'll not betray you. In fact, we'll accept any restriction you desire to put on us. We're guests in your country and world and will abide by your law. It's only proper and when the time comes, we'll stand with you against the demon dragon. I look forward to it. As you heard him say, we have unfinished business. Now, will you lead us to your palace, milord?"
Kusanagi's willingness to obey Van's rule in all things set well with him. "Very well, Kusanagi is it?" Van asked. Kusanagi nodded as Van offered his hand. "Don't betray this trust I'm offering. Only because of Hitomi and what I saw you do during the vision are you getting this space to prove yourself."
Kusanagi shook Van's hand firmly, saying, "I appreciate the space and you'll not regret this alliance. I have much to share with both you and Hitomi. What restrictions do you wish us to abide by?"
Van's countenance softened as the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile. "Stay out of the armory, power plant, and the Shrine for now. If you see guards in an area, don't try to get by them. They're there for a reason. Other than that, you have access to everything else. The training arenas are open to you and your friends anytime."
"You're most generous, your highness," Kusanagi said with a smile. "We'll not cause any trouble and we'll do whatever you ask. Now, shall we go? Mephisto's not going to wait on us."
"That he won't," Van replied coldly as he watched Hitomi pick up the Dragon's Talon and her katana. She sheathed her blade first, and then sheathed the Talon, handing it to Kusanagi with a bow.
"Here you are, Soke," she said softly. "You must tell us about these blades."
"That I will," Kusanagi said as he grasped his sword. "You surprised me by using the Talon. Not just anyone can use it because of the barrier on it. You have great abilities that are slowly awakening in you. But we'll talk of these things in the palace." Turning to his students, he ordered, "You may retrieve your weapons now, my students." They moved in and retrieved their weapons as he faced Van. With a bow, he said, "Lead us to your home, great Dragon King."
Van's heart hesitated at the title, yet he didn't show the pang of fear that touched him. "Come on…the palace is just a mile in this direction," he said, heading east. "Tsura, you can bring up the rear."
"Yes sir," Tsura stated as they began moving. Van and Hitomi led the way, followed by Kusanagi and his students with Tsura bringing up the rear with Seras.
Seras fell in beside Tsura, saying, "I think I'll keep you company, my feline captain."
Tsura nodded with a smile on his cat face. "Suit yourself," he said calmly. "It'll give me a chance to keep an eye on you."
"What? You don't trust me?" Seras returned in mock hurt.
Tsura chuckled as he answered, "Let's just say I'm looking out for Lord Van and Lady Hitomi. It's my job, you know, and you are an outsider like these other people."
"So true," Seras agreed. "I guess Master Kusanagi isn't the only one who still has to gain the trust of the King."
Tsura nodded with a wink. "You catch on quick. Just know I'll always be watching."
Seras smiled and patted Tsura on the shoulder as they brought up the rear. Suddenly, Tsura's demeanor changed drastically. A growl rose from him as he got wind of something he didn't like. He looked around urgently, trying to find the danger as the birds in the trees suddenly took flight. Half a second later, Seras sensed it. His eyes shot to Hitomi as both Van and Hitomi abruptly stopped.
"Something's wrong!" Hitomi wailed as a shot of panic and fear raced through her. She suddenly shrieked, grabbing her head and falling to her knees.
Van caught her just as he felt the same thing. A growl hissed between his teeth. "What is this?" Van moaned. "My head feels like it's going to explode!"
Kusanagi flinched at the same time with a groan, sensing the same thing. "No…you didn't, Mephisto," he hissed, staggering to a stop.
"Master!" cried his lead student, Takai Himomato. "What's wrong?" The other students gathered around as Seras and Tsura made their way to Hitomi and Van.
Then as quickly as it hit, the attack dissipated. Van's head throbbed as he asked Hitomi, "Are you all right?"
She nodded weakly. "Yes…I will be. But now, I have this terrible headache and I'm so weak. I heard a multitude of voices cry out and then a wave of death silenced them. It was horrible. It was far worse than Basram's bomb." Tears rose in Hitomi's eyes as she sobbed softly.
"Master…" Seras asked Kusanagi. "Was that what I think it was?"
Van and Hitomi turned their eyes to Kusanagi as he replied, "I'm not sure, Seras. The last time I felt a telepathic strike like that was when Mephisto unleashed the Dragon's Fury five thousand years ago."
"Are you all right, Master?" Takai asked emphatically as the other students crowded around.
"Yes, Takai…I am," Kusanagi replied, straightening up. His words placated the students as he turned to Van, saying, "We must hurry, milord. Time is precious to us."
Van's face reflected Kusanagi's anxiety. "Yes…let's hurry. Come." With that, Van scooped Hitomi up and carried her to the palace, followed by Seras, Tsura, Kusanagi, and his students.