Chapter 10

The Return Home

Nataku threw Reija into the house roughly and slammed the door behind him. He was fuming. "You really are reckless!" he growled, his eyes blazing with fury. "Why do you insist on putting your life, or what little of it, in danger? Is it simply a habit of yours? Tell me, do you enjoy being in danger?"

Reija rubbed her wrist and rose up from the floor. "I don't recall asking you for your concern," she pointed out with great indifference. "Or is because you are bound to me that you pretend to care?"

That rubbed the Shadow Guardian the wrong way.

Throwing Reija against the wall, Nataku pinned her shoulder with one hand and glared at her angrily. "No creature, whether it be vampire, Shadow, or mortal shall ever control me. I choose who I want to save, and who I want to destroy. I am bound to no one, and I will serve whoever I please. My purpose is none of your concern." And with that, he released her.

Reija's look softened and lowered her head, avoiding Nataku's furious gaze. "Then I am sorry for not giving you my trust."

"You are not the only one with a past, Kage," Nataku said quietly before turning his back towards Reija. "Know this: not all Shadows are evil." And with that, he swept his cloak behind him and moved past the Kage. Within seconds, he was gone.

Reija stood where she was and sighed, shaking her head. She was confused now. Ever since her arrival to the strange town, she was nothing but confused. Now, nothing seemed to make sense. Suddenly sealing Shadows was not such a straightforward task as she had thought long ago.

Reija moved into the kitchen and searched the cupboards for a bowl or basin large enough to fit at least several cups of water. As she tore a few cupboard covers off their rusty hinges, she finally found a dusty fruit bowl the size of a bowling ball. Pulling it off the shelf, Reija noticed the bowl was made of black crystal and had two snakes coiled around a sword. Both snakes were pierced together by the sword, and at the very center was a circle.

"I know this emblem…"

The fluttering of wings sounded inside the room, followed by a soft plop against Reija's shoulder.

"Riine, you're just in time," Reija said, carrying the bowl towards the table. Pulling a chair over, Reija sat and placed the bowl in front of her. "I need you now, Riine."

"Reija, this is forbidden! You can't cross over until it's completely dark!" the creature protested.

"Please, Riine," the Kage said quietly. "I need to speak with him. I must."

Riine sighed reluctantly and flew over to the bowl. Perching itself on the bowl's edge, it groaned and appeared to be making a face. "Reija, this really isn't a good idea. You will only bring more harm by doing this!" it protested.

But Reija was not to be swayed. Ignoring her pet's protests, she held her left arm over the bowl. With her right hand, she unsheathed the claws and sliced her wrist open, drawing dark blood. Unflinchingly, she allowed her blood to pour out of her wrist and into the black bowl.

Riine's eyes widened, and it began to chant in a language only vampires and Shadows understood. Soon the blood in the bowl began to swirl. Slowly at first, but it soon gained momentum with each passing second.

Reija stared unblinkingly into the swirling blood, clearing her mind completely. Soon she could hear the roar of wind rushing into her ears, drowning out all other noises, even Riine's chanting. Her surroundings were dissolving, thrashing about in a raging whirlwind that surrounded Reija, the bowl, and Riine. But Reija remained perfectly still, her gaze firmly transfixed on the pool of swirling blood.

Suddenly a thunderous voice boomed angrily into Reija's ears. "Who dares defy the Vampire Law?" The voice was coming from Riine, but it was not its voice.

"It is I, the Kage Reija," she said firmly, her voice emanating with power. "I wish an audience with the great Vampire King Hiden. It is of an urgent matter."

"He is not to be disturbed at this hour!"

Reija had expected the answer and widened her eyes. A raging gust of wind suddenly began to push against the whirlwind. "I am the Kage Reija. I wait for no one, whether it be the king himself." Her voice echoed powerfully, shaking the bowl fiercely. "Let me pass."

The bowl shook so violently that the blood shot up into the air, forming a passageway.

"Riine! Now!"

Riine jumped off the bowl's rim and darted into the passageway, widening it greatly. In an instant, the whirlwind disappeared and Reija was now surrounded completely in darkness. She had crossed over.

All was still now. The darkness had seen to that.

Reija rose up from her chair and walked around the table, over to where the kitchen wall used to be. With her finger, she traced a rose in midair and whistled. Soon, a crimson outline of the rose emerged, and a doorway suddenly appeared.

"The Kage Reija," Riine announced, landing onto Reija's shoulder.

The door swung open, allowing Reija to enter at last. As she stepped completely into the doorway, the door shut behind her, and she found herself at the very heart of the vampire world.

Reija glanced around her all too familiar surroundings, missing the towering, gothic structures of castles and statues. No other place in the world exuded such beautiful gothic architecture.

Making her way to the town square, she found herself looking up at a gigantic statue at the very center. It was a monument of a headless angel, its wings spread out over the town as if shielding it from harm. One wing was fully in tact while the other was chipped and broken. The angel was holding a bloody sword in one hand while the other hand was holding a head. It was unclear whether the head belonged to an opponent or if it was its own head. At the very bottom of the statue, the hem was stained with blood. It was a bone-chilling sight.

"The Kage," Reija whispered, kneeling before the state in reverence. She loved this statue.

Riine bowed its head in reverence as well as it spotted the statue.

Before departing for the palace, Reija uttered a silent prayer and pressed her bloody wrist against The Kage, smearing the feet with her blood. Afterwards, she rose up and headed for the palace, crossing the gigantic bridge leading towards it and pushing open the giant doors with ease.

Music suddenly greeted her as she entered the palace. It was a dark, melancholic melody, echoing throughout the palace walls, beckoning any new arrivals to come forward.

Footsteps approached.

"Well, well, well. Look who has finally come home," a deep voice echoed throughout the foyer, the footsteps drawing near.

Reija stood where she was, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile. "Kagami," she said softly, greeting the handsome vampire before her.

"Still as quiet as ever," the vampire noted, grinning handsomely. He ruffled the Kage's hair and then gestured over to the grand staircase leading up to the throne room. "I take it you're not exactly on vacation."

Reija nodded apologetically. "Just business, as usual," she replied, following Kagami up the stairs quickly.

Kagami chuckled and swept his long, blonde hair back away from his face. "Of course," he agreed, nodding his head. "It's well known in the Underworld that our current Kage is all work and no play."

At this, Reija couldn't help but grin. "As it should be," she retorted, passing a set of columns on the way to the stairs. As she made it past the third column, she caught a glimpse of flaming red hair curled to perfection. But as she turned to glance at the column, she found no one behind it.

"I must say, you come at a very unusual time, Reija. You know it's Vampire–"

Reija held up a hand to interrupt him. "Yes, Riine lectured me before."

Kagami sighed. "Well there is no stopping you when you've made a decision."

The two vampires made their way up the grand staircase, both falling silent for a brief moment. Glancing over at the vampire, Reija wondered if he knew anything of what the Shadows had spoken of.

"Kagami," she finally said as she and the vampire headed up the stairs.

The vampire glanced at her and gave her a quizzical look. "What is it?"

Reija hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to phrase her question. "Have you…felt or seen anything unusual with the Shadow Realm lately?" she finally asked.

"I've kept a very close eye on the Shadows ever since your Awakening," Kagami replied calmly. "They are in a state of unrest. Their loyalties are divided. They are waging war amongst their own kin."

"How did you come by this?" Reija asked, clearly puzzled. The Shadows were divided. What good would waging a war against themselves do? It didn't make any sense.

"Shadow diplomats keep us informed," Kagami explained. "They are required to report frequently on their business, but I'm quite sure they leave out as much truth as they can afford to." He halted for a moment and stopped the Kage in her tracks. "Listen, Reija, what is it that you really have in mind?"

Reija clutched at her locket and looked up into Kagami's crimson eyes. "I feel that the Shadows are up to something. Something that could affect both worlds and the mortal world as well." She paused for a moment, allowing the idea so sink in. "I believe they are afraid of something."

Hiden was not a merciful man. In fact, he wasn't a man at all, rather the Vampire King. In his youth, he had been the most ravenous and blood-thirsty of all vampires, feasting on any mortal foolish enough to cross his path. His specialty, of course, was women, especially virgins. With his ethereal features of such beauty, women, and even men, found him irresistible. Hiden was notorious for bedding his prey, often deflowering unsuspecting victims. But Hiden's victims always loved him even when he sucked the life out of them. It was his way. He captured their souls and made them his, never returning his love or affection.

"Do you sense her?" Hiden asked softly, turning towards a goddess like creature sitting at the drawing table.

Crimson eyes looked up, framed in long, ebony hair cascading down dainty shoulders. Crimson lips parted upon ivory skin, curling into a subtle smile. In an instant, pearly, vampiric teeth flashed into view. "The Kage."

Sarunai, the Vampire king's beloved queen and most beautiful of all vampires, was the only entity to ever capture the ferocious Hiden's black heart. A rival vampire, Sarunai was just as ruthless as her king, seducing both men and women to succumb to her beauty and charms. She was both fierce and poised, almost like a walking paradox. It was her very nature that captured the Vampire king's heart and claimed her as his. But in reality, it was Sarunai who had Hiden wrapped around her fingers.

Beautiful ivory locks of hair tumbled down Hiden's face as he bent over to gaze at his beautiful queen. "She is drawing near. Shall we prepare?"

"No need," Sarunai replied, setting her quill down. "Kagami is with her at the door. They are entering."

Just as Sarunai had said, the door creaked open, allowing Kagami and Reija to step inside the king and queen's private quarters.

"Majesties, the Kage has requested an audience with you. If you grant–"

Hiden's crimson eyes glowed with amusement. "No need for formalities with this one, Kagami. She is, after all, our little savior," he said, waving his hand slowly to silence the vampire general. Wordlessly, he motioned for the Kage to approach and looked her over quietly.

Reija gave a deep bow before her king and lowered her head as a sign of respect. "Your majesty."

The vampire king grew amused. "Speak, Kage. Or shall I call you…Reija if you please?" he asked, his lips forming into a smile.

Dark eyes looked up quickly, followed by a flicker of crimson. "You may call me whatever you wish, my king. I care not for titles." And with that, Reija rose up and looked into Hiden's eyes.

Sarunai tilted her head to the side slightly, her face remaining blank. Only her crimson eyes held a flicker of thought. "It appears you come with urgent news, otherwise you would have waited till nightfall in the mortal realm. Tell me, have you come with news, Kage? Or is it a request you seek?" she asked, her look all knowing.

"A little bit of both, I'm afraid," Reija answered, clasping her hands behind her back. She paused and took a deep breath, thinking of what to say.

"You are troubled, Kage. I sense much turmoil in your mind," Sarunai said quietly.

Reija sighed and licked her lips nervously. The queen made her nervous. "I have lost sight of my duties, my queen. I find myself lost now. The Shadows have been plaguing me, toying with my mind. They believe that something terrible is about to be unleashed into the mortal realm, causing much havoc within both Shadow and Vampire realms," she explained, her tone emitting a subtle hint of concern.

"We have known for some time now that the Shadows have been up to something. But I am afraid that not all Shadows are our problem anymore. They are divided," Hiden replied, his expression unreadable. "Their auras are growing weaker. It is evident that they have something to fear and respect."

Reija squeezed her hands together and fought to remain calm and composed. "Then you are aware of what is to come?" she asked anxiously.

Sarunai shook her head and sighed reluctantly. "Shadow minds are chaotic and troublesome, even for someone as skilled as me. It is difficult to understand what their intentions are," came her reply as she rose up from her chair. "But I see danger shattering both worlds. I have seen this for some time now, ever since the day of your Awakening."

"Then what must I do?" Reija asked, bowing her head down.

"The Shadows have called for our help. You will assist them," Hiden answered, taking his queen's hand. "It is your very birthright."

Reija stood up straight, a puzzled look on her face. "I don't understand. Why must I assist those who I have hunted down for so long? Why do request me to assist an enemy I have grown to hate?"

"A Kage's duty is to uphold the balance of all worlds, even if it requires you to assist the Shadows," Sarunai answered calmly, unperturbed by Reija's question. "You were born in the mortal realm. It is your duty to watch over it."

"Then why have I been taught to despise the Shadows so?"

"You have every right to hate the Shadows, Kage. But your duty is to maintain the balance. If the balance is thrown off, no world is safe from an all-out war."

Reija balled her hands into fists. Beating her chest once with one fist, she bowed once again and lowered her head. "Then I wish to see him. I wish to see Hitsuzen."