Hogo Kurisutofā (Protective Christopher) part 3
Climbing to the top wasn't really the hard part nor the creepy part. It's the ruins that now stand before us that are sending shivers up and down my body from head to toe. Christopher sniffs the ground trying to see if anything is out there; he apparently doesn't like the atmosphere this place is giving off either. However he can't seem to find anything.
"Split up and search the area for a path way." Rai orders, "Jacob keep an eye on the woman."
"The woman has a name…" I mumble. Christopher nudges me,
"Now isn't the time to be griping about that. Besides I don't really want to see him come after you like before. So please try not to get too noisy."
"Sorry."
"Reisaki." Jacob comes over, "I'm about to go over there to check out the area; come with me." he leads the way as we follow him to his destination. There's a staircase that leads underground. "This way."
Underground there's ruins as well. Just like the rubble from above the ruins seems to be made of some unusual black rock. The engravings on the stones are painted gold. A mural comes into view with the help of light streaming in from above. The first painting shows the natives who used to live here walking to a mountain; it seemed simple enough to follow. The next picture showed the natives reaching the top of the mountain. At the top there was a massive creature waiting for them. It looked like it's head was hidden in shadow but it looked like a giant lion with wings and it looked as though there was something glowing in it's paw. My only guess can be that it was the treasure that belonged to what I thought to be the griffon. Soon the natives bow down to the creature looking as though they offer up prayers to it like some sort of god. After that the land seems to grow more fertile for the natives to be able to use for harvesting; but because one of the selfishness from one of the natives who tried to take the object that the griffon protected. The griffon used the treasure to cast the land into a time of famine and cursed the natives to death. The griffon still remains on the cliff to this day guarding its treasure.
"I guess this is where the treasure is." I hear Jacob comment. He sighs, "My little girl would love to have seen this."
"You have a daughter?" I ask wide eyed.
"Yes back on Sheva island." Sheva island that land is half way across the world…what is Jacob doing al the way out here if he has a daughter? "Come on lets go back and tell the captain what we found."
"Hold on a minute." I stop him. "You have a daughter….yet you chose to sail under Rai. Why?"
"Because I didn't choose, the choice was made for me."
"What do you mean?"
"Later…we need to go."
"But-"
"Reisaki, please don't ask me anything else." The pain in his voice makes me give up on asking anything else,
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to be nosy."
"It's alright. Let's go." Back on the surface Jacob tells the others about the mural and the location it suggested that we had to go to in order to find the treasure. I can't help but think about what happened with Jacob just now and wander around the ruins not too far away.
"I don't think it's a good idea to go after the treasure Christopher."
"Because of the Mural? I was thinking the same thing. There are some treasures you shouldn't mess with."
"I wonder how the others are doing."
"I'm sure they're fine. They're probably still figuring out a way to get us out of here." He looks up at me, "What did you see when they took us to the deck? Can you remember?"
"Sort of. There was a different path on our right that I thought I smelled food coming from. That must be where the kitchen is. We also seemed to take a few turns here and there before we got to the stairs that went to the deck."
"Good. What else?"
"Um…?" I honestly can't remember anything else.
"Did you catch the scent of herbs?"
"Mm-mm. what kind?"
"The kind used for medical reasons. When we had turned to the left I remember smelling those herbs which means their medical facilities should be down that hall as well. It was down the hall we took just before reaching the deck. Also there was the faint sound of the men down below us meaning their sleeping quarters are most likely below us. There was also a clanging I heard on the floor with them; it's safe to assume that their cannons and other weapon supplies are down there as well."
"You got all that from one trip?" I ask astonished.
"I've had practice."
"I guess…" wow Christopher sure is in tune with his surroundings. "How do you do that?"
"As I said practice; you just focus your senses on the environment around you."
"Easy for you to say, you've been a wolf for how long now?" I pout playfully forgetting about the trouble we are actually in. I find myself at ease with Christopher as we continue to joke around. That is until a force suddenly hits me from behind making me hit the ground.
"Reisaki!" There's a pain in my back as I get up on my hands and knees. Turning around I find Rai staring at me annoyed.
"Just where were you going?"
"Nowhere. I stayed close by."
"Not close enough; I think you're forgetting the position that you're in." Rai comes closer reaching out for me again. Christopher stands in the way letting off a low threatening growl. Rai stops in his tracks. "Hmpf, make sure you stay where you belong." He turns around, "Jacob I told you to watch."
"Sorry captain…it won't happen again." the captain walks passed him calling out,
"We're heading up the mountain; get moving." Christopher comes to make sure that I'm not hurt and I wrap my arms around his neck. The sudden attack makes me realize that I'm still a prisoner. Jacob did nothing…he didn't even try to stop the captain let alone call out to give me a warning… I sense a presence hovering over me.
"Are you alright Reaisaki?" I feel Jacob place a hand on my shoulder,
"Don't touch me!" his hand leaves. "You didn't even try and help…! You didn't even tell me he was coming…! You said nothing!"
"I didn't know he would-"
"As cruel and unforgiving as he is…you didn't think he would do that?!" I snap looking him in the eye, "Just leave me alone… I don't want your help."
"I'm sorry I just-"
"Don't…you've done enough. Just leave me alone." I race off to catch up to the crew.
…
The forest dark as it would be if the day were actually twilight. The terrain has become even harder to tread as we climb higher on the mountain. Even though I have to stop a few times the captain won't let me nor any one else who may need a break. Jacob does nothing to help the situation only urges me politely to continue. By the time we are able to stop on the captains orders, my lungs feel as though they are on fire and my legs feel like jelly. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to get up again. everyone starts eating as they take their break and I have to look away in order to not remind my empty stomach of the light breakfast I had to share with the others today. I try to tell Christopher to go hunt for himself but he refuses firmly placing his head on my lap as we rest.
"Here…." A piece of dried meat is placed in front of my eyes along with a piece of bread and cheese. Looking up I find Jacob, "You should eat as well."
"Oh now all of a sudden you care." I say sarcastically.
"You sure are stubborn aren't you?"
"No I just don't know if I can trust you is all." I take the food and snap my head away from him,
"Reisaki please I-" Christopher growls lightly warning him to go away as I tear the meat in half and give it to him along with the bread and cheese.
"Why is it that you're here?" I can't help but ask Jacob.
"What?"
"You said you had a daughter back where you're from, so why are you here when you should be there taking care of her?" he sighs with a pained look on his face. "If she can't even trust you to be there like a father how am I supposed to trust you, how are any of us to trust you."
"I did 't have a choice when it came to leaving."
"Everyone has a choice."
"I didn't; just like you." The look on his face seems to be a mix of anger and pain as he glares at me. "I don't expect for you to trust me completely but I do expect for you to know when I'm telling the truth or a lie about something like that. You and I BOTH know the cruelty of Rai and that he will stop at nothing to get what he wants." My anger wilts as I watch him lecture me. "Trust me if you want or don't that's your decision. However I suggest you make it quick before you and your friends have no chance of leaving." With that he gets up and leaves me alone.
"I think I struck a nerve I shouldn't have Christopher."
"I think so…I know we only just met him but just now I believe we can actually trust him."
"It's not that I don't want to…with everything that's happened I just…" I grip my hair in an attempt to keep hold of reality, "This is just too crazy."
"Calm down Reisaki… that's one thing we can't do right now. Panicking in these kinds of situations is the worst thing we can do. We have to stay calm." I really am useless…here I am losing my mind not knowing who to trust on this ship. All Christopher is doing is babysitting me…I have to get ahold of myself. Not to mention all I've done is lash out at Jacob without even asking him why he was actually here. They must have done something to his daughter. Even if he was forced how long has he been on this ship? For all we know he's just trying to get close to us because the captain wants him too. But at the same time his eyes are filled with so much pain and sadness…I don't know what I'm supposed to believe. I take a deep, shaky breath and let it out slowly,
"I'm sorry Christopher… the only thing I seem to be good for is being helpless right now. Aside from you and the others I can't make out who's friend and who's foe anymore. I hate this." I place my knees to my chest and close my eyes trying to forget the passed few days like they never even happened. I can't help but feel like it's my fault that we're all in this mess; all I did was give up. I didn't want the others to get hurt and Rai used that against me. Am I really that weak…? That I can't think of a way to get out of a situation like that?
Suddenly a warmth wraps around me and I feel someone's hand force my head to press against a bare chest. The rate my heart is thumping has officially reached a new high as Christopher gently holds me. My cheeks feel so hot right now they feel as though hot peppers have been placed under them. Hearing his heart beat makes mine calm down as I find myself at a lost for what to do.
"How can I make you understand that you're not a burden?" suddenly he holds my face up by bringing it up placing a finger under my chin, which in turn makes me go even redder, "You're not a burden nor an inconvenience for us. It's only understandable that you're finding it hard to trust others right now. Although apologizing may be a good idea still Jacob understands that we, more importantly you have been put into a difficult position with all of this. There's no reason to come down on yourself." Not that they're not comforting words and I'm glad he said that….but…
"Uh…Christopher?"
"Yes Mistress?"
"You do realize you're in your human form right now right?" he looks this way and that but seems completely unphased by what I just told him. "Some people are staring."
"And?"
"And…that doesn't bother you?"
"What's bothering me is not seeing my mistress' pretty face with a smile on it." does he even realize how much of a…charmer he can be? That smile…it should be a crime.
"I can't even come up with something to that…that was not fair." He hugs me close to him again, our cheeks touching as he rubs his cheek against mine loving like the wolf he is.
"Is my Mistress mad now?"
"I was never mad to begin with."
"That's a relief." He squeezes a little tighter, before letting go "Hee hee, Misstress can I ask you something. It will help in a sense, keep me calm."
"Keep you calm? But you don't even look as though you're stressed in the slightest."
"But I am; my heart has been going crazy this entire time. You just didn't notice it." well if it's something I can do to help…
"Ok what is it?"
"Can you give me a reward?" HHHHUUUHHHHH?!
" N-n-n-n-n-n-naniiiiiiiiiiiiiiii? S-s-Suru wa hōshō ni yotte nani o imi shite?"(A.N. translation: what? What kind of reward?)
" What does that mean….Reisaki why did you go all red? Your eyes are all wide too." Did he seriously just ask me that? What kind of reward does he have in mind? I mean Christopher seems innocent enough but aren't those the ones you have to watch out for…or wait was it the quiet ones? "You're too cute Misstress but if it's alright can I get my reward now?"
"Ch-ch-Chottomatte! Watashi wa seishintekini junbi shite inai yo….!" (A.N. translation: Whoa, I'm not prepared for this!)I've forgotten that we're in public right now and that I've been speaking the Yamato ancient language. Christopher moves close; as a result my heart begins to go even faster. Wait wait wait! I don't know what he wants! What kind of reward is he wanting? This is way too sudden and-! Eh? Something rests on my legs and when I look down I find a wolf looking up at me pleadingly yet kindly,
"Can you pet me again like you did back in the cell that one night. It was that spot on the top of my head." THAT'S what he wants as a reward? Christpoher…you knew exactly what you were doing didn't you?
"Christopher…"
"Yes mistress?" he gives a kind smile that makes it so I can't even get mad at him and I let out a sigh before slightly tugging on his ear as 'punishment',
"Don't think you can get away with teasing me like that every time you do it."
"I'm sorry Reisaki but I don't know what you're talking about."
"Fine be that way…now was it here that you were talking about?" I try the spot in the center of his head like I did the last time and he nudges into my hand insisting that I rub it more.
"Yes that's it. It was really nice just like now."
"Really? Then what about here?" I move to the back of his left ear and scratch it,
"Mmm….it's ok but not as nice as the other spot."
"Then how about…?" I move to the center of the back of his neck just above his shoulder blades before he slightly jumps.
"The other spot is fine, thank you though." he says rather quickly. Wait…don't tell me…
"Are you ticklish there Christopher?"
"What?"
"You are aren't you?"
"What would make you say that Reisaki?"
"Oh, so you're not?"
"No, I'm not."
"Really then why don't we test it just to be sure." Slowly I reach over and…
"No please don't; alright you win."
"pft… I knew it."
"That wasn't really nice teasing me like that you know."
"And your one to talk?" for the rest of the time I pet Christopher while we talk until it's time to leave again.
…
We finally reach the place indicated by the mural where a pedestal or alter looking thing but nothing else seems to be around. There are a few skeletons on the ground near the pedestal and one looks slightly familiar. Rai has us split up into groups and Jacob takes care of looking after me again which turns out to be a bit uncomfortable. Christopher seems to be a bit more on edge since we've gotten here. I can't help but feel as though we're being watched. Yet looking this way and that I can't find anything looking at us and Rai is busy looking around too.
"Captain over here!" someone calls back at the pedestal. Looking closer at it the pedestal it looks as though it's a giant nest of some sort. Something shines inside and it definitely catches the eye of the captain.
"That must be the treasure. Alright one of you get it." that's not a good idea.
"I-I don't think you want to be doing that…sir." I try to stay polite as I speak. I notice Jacob shaking his head like crazy as the captain turns his attention to me.
"And why is that woman?" I swallow the lump down my throat as I decide to leave Jacob out of this,
"I found a mural depicting a story. Those who touch that treasure are met with a terrible fate. That's what happened to the people of this land. They got greedy for the Griffon's treasure and it led to ruin. If you try touching that treasure it won't be pretty." Rai looks at me with anger in his eyes,
"You think some mural will dictate me? You think that what you say will change my mind?" in an instant Rai has a hold of me by the neck, "The treasure is mine woman! No one will get in my way of it; not even you!" Christopher jumps up nicking his arm and causing the captain to let me go. As I gasp for needed air as Christopher Stands in front of me growling, "Filthy mutt!" Rai tries kicking him,
"Captain, please." I turn to look and see… Jacob? "This doesn't solve anything…if you harm her she won't be able to stop the griffon if it even shows up. Please this once, show mercy." Rai gives Jacob a deathly glare before releasing himself from Jacob's grip.
"Be grateful woman; he just saved you from punishment." Rai walks away as Jacob come over,
"Thank you."
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Woman!" I tense as I hear Rai yell for me, "If you're so worried about a few stupid paintings then you take the treasure from the pedestal." He gives me an evil look as he smiles. My blood goes cold as I continue to feel something watching us. Suddenly there's a terrible shriek from above us and I have to cover my ears. A gust of wind blows us all back. Landing on my back I find that I don't hit the ground but Christopher does.
"Are you ok?!" he pulls me back down and shields me from the wind as a shadow passes over us. There's another screech before a big thud shakes the ground.
"Black hearted thieves! Who dares try to steal what is mine?" Christopher finally lets me up when the wind stops. Everyone including Rai stares in awe at the beast before us. The griffon is at least as big as a full grown grizzly bear if not bigger with wings that glitter in the sunlight. Just as depicted in the mural and what Jacob said it has the body of a lion and talons sharp dig into the pedestal. Its head maintains that of a bird even the beak. If it wasn't for the fact that Rai was here and he wasn't here to steal the treasure I would love this moment; but now we're about to steal from it and Rai is expecting for me to control it and force it to give use the treasure. Its has placed it's paw over the very treasure he wants protectively as it stares at us almost as if judging us. "Who dares to steal from me?!" it shrills once again as I hear what it has to say. Frozen in fear I can't even say anything back.
"What are you waiting for?" once again he pulls on my hair as Rai pulls me forward and I stumble alone towards the Griffon.
"Reisaki!" I look back to see Christopher being held back by two crew members. Now matter how much he struggles they're able to keep him back much more easily in his human form. Looking back at the griffon it starts to sink in that I'm alone on this one. With shaky legs and everything else I stand up and slowly make my way to the griffon. One I'm close enough to the pedestal the griffon jumps down and brings itself closer to me.
"A female human…is this some sort of trick? You insult me if you mean to soften my heart."
"I-I'm not here to deceive you…I honestly do not even wish to be here." I swallow hard trying to choose my words wisely. One slip up…just one and I'll be killed by it… "The others behind me…except for two of them they are the ones who brought me here."
"…Interesting…a human who can understand the tongue of the beasts." He begins to circle me slowly as he speaks, "I once trust humans, female, those who did not understand me, you being able to understand me only makes it more suspicious. Why are you here?" it demands
"Not for my own reasons. I am merely a tool at the moment."
"A tool…I wonder about that. I was once used as a tool. Using what was mine to give life to this land so the humans could thrive; I accepted this and was treated as a deity. Until one day a black hearted human decided to take what was mine for himself and use it to rule his people. I fell for human tricks once; I shall not fall for them again!" it reels back and in and instant stomps on the ground causing me to trip and land on my back as I curl into a ball trying to shield myself from him.
"Don't you touch her!" the griffon looks up as I hear Christopher shout.
"A strange reaction…I wonder what would happen if I were to press any further." The wind is knocked out of me as the griffon stills me with a paw being careful not to gouge me with it's talons. It watches as Christopher continues to shout at it.
"P-please…I'm not…I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm not the one who wants…your treasure. The one with the hat on his head….h-he's the one who wants it." I gasp. The griffon doesn't seem to listen as it continues to watch Christopher, "I-I saw the mural that told the story." the griffon looks down at me as I say this, "I don't want to repeat what happened…I tried telling him of this…he threw it aside."
"Enough… I have heard enough of your Human lies." He raises his other paw. "I will end this starting with you." He doesn't get the chance as a black wolf jumps onto the griffons face. The griffon releases me as it moves back trying to shake him off. He flings Christopher off near me; he recovers and stands over me as the griffon stalks over to us. As it watches Christopher as he snarls and barks at the beast that is clearly bigger than him.
"Strange…just a moment ago you were human…what sort of trick is this?"
"Don't come any closer!"
"Are you telling me you would die to protect this female? If I wanted to I could shred you to pieces, snap you in half, I could even skin you alive…and yet you are willing to sacrifice yourself for her?"
"Yes…" Christopher… the griffon comes down to meet us both at eye level,
"I see…that is what it is…hmpf. I sense no blackness within either of you…my treasure is now yours." With that the griffon flies off into the sky leaving the shining treasure in its nest. After he allows me to sit up, I pet Christopher in the spot he likes before hugging him. Everything seems to slow down as I continue to hold onto Christopher; relief sets in and my tears begin flow as I try to stop them. Fur turns to skin and I find my face buried in a shoulder. Arms wrap around me once again and my body relaxes even more,
"It's alright now. You don't have to hide it from me mistress." He's always protecting me…it's like Christopher is my own personal guardian. As the crew helps the captain get the treasure and Jacob watches us from a distance I silently cry in my closest friends arms.