Thank you starlightmint72, POKERMORPH, writingXmusic, Haruka Hoshine for reviewing!
POKERMORPH, the Ray is a stream of light that is unchanging no matter where the sun may be. It represents the pure light that Essence Chuwa is to the light fairies.
WritingXmusic, you made my day with your review! I do love hearing those kind of reactions! I hope you will go and enjoy my other stories.
Haruka, I'm actually thinking of making an epilogue in which you get to see how everyone's relationships developed.
As the flash of light cleared, everyone saw that they were in a room made of a black stone. Mizume automatically took off the top layer of her dress as the heat began to hit their bodies.
"Still gets to you, huh Mizuzu?" Tainetsu chuckled as she led the way out of the room. They could hear metal clashing as they exited the room behind a large, silver metal version of the Essence Chuwa statue. Seira yawned as the heat waves began to effect the other water-dwellers.
"Lady Tainetsu!" they heard someone call and saw a tall man rush towards them. The man stopped in front of the princess and pulled her into a deep kiss. When the two broke apart, they noticed looks of pure shock on the entire group's faces. Tainetsu chuckled as she pulled the man closer to her.
"Everyone, I would like to introduce to you my fiancee, Akira," Tainetsu said, a broad smile on her beautiful face.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, princesses, honored guests," Akira bowed deeply without letting go of Tainetsu's waist.
"Akira, dear," Tainetsu cooed, drawing the man's attention immediately. "Is it possible to sneak through the factory and reach the living areas without being seen?"
"If my love wishes it, so shall I do," Akira mock bowed to her. He turned on his heel and disappeared through a nearby door. Minutes later, he returned with soot covered robes and gave them to everyone. "Put these on and keep the hood up. Not only will it protect you from all of the ashes and heat, but it will keep you from being recognized by anyone."
Everyone put on the thick pieces of clothe and saw that they each looked like crimson masses of fabric. Akira led them through the winding tunnels and through a few metal-working facilities until they were in a hallway lined with doors. Akira brought out a set of keys and unlocked three doors.
"I can only give you three rooms or it would seem too suspicious," he explained as he turned back to them. "I'd like to do more, but I could risk loosing my job for letting you use the rooms during work hours."
"You won't be loosing you job for as long as I'm princess," Tainetsu reassured him. She smiled at him as she past him to enter the middle room. "I know you love keep things in order far too much. I think the elder fairies would be fools to get rid of you."
"Thank you, my love," Akira smiled back at her before he turned to walk back down the halls. Everyone broke into three groups so they could go rest. In the first room, Seira curled up next to Hanadaru on one of the mats while Rina sat against the wall on the other mat. None of the girls spoke as they fell asleep from their long day. In the next room, Chisuta and Tainetsu quietly conversed as Hanon fell fast asleep in the heated room.
"I want to go to the Flame of Essence Chuwa-sama by myself tomorrow," Tainetsu planned with Chisuta quietly, bith fairies keeping an eye on the door and the sleeping mermaid. "Will you help me keep the others distracted while I'm away?"
"I'll do what I can," Chisuta promised. "I'm sure Hojo will help as well."
"My higesuto can be useful for something every now and then," Tainetsu chuckled before the two fairies curled up to sleep.
In the last room, Luchia fell asleep as she layed in Kaito's arms on one mat, the boy watching over her as his eyes slowly slid close. On the other mat, Rihito and Mizume whispered to each other energetically about they were going to sleep.
"I don't see why we can't sleep like they can!" Rihito argued with his girlfriend, pointing to the couple next to them.
"I'm burning up just looking at them! I can't stand my own body heat in this place, let alone two people's!" Mizume argued back. The two stared at each other before Mizume sighed and crawled up to him. "Have it your way."
The two fell asleep hugging each other, though Rihito kept waking throughout the night from the sweat droplets that Mizume had near-pouring off of her.
The next morning, Tainetsu went to each of the rooms and woke everyone up.
"Come on, you guys have to meet with Hojo at the temple," she informed each of the other two rooms as she walked in. Minutes after they all were woken up, the group gathered in the hall with their clothes already on.
"Follow me," a muffled voice came from one of the masses of clothe, who everyone assumed was Tainetsu. They followed the mass through the halls until they reached a vast stone area that seemed much cooler than the rest of the realm. The group noticed that this was the room they had entered when they had exited the Balance Room the evening before. An old man looked up from lighting a long row of candles at their entrance.
"Ah! There all of you are!" he called happily.
"Who's that?" one of the smaller masses asked.
"Hojo, the fire higesuto," one of the taller masses answered.
"Ladies, gentlemen, please take off those robes," Hojo called to them cheerfully as he neared them. Slowly, they took off the robes and revealed who each mass was. Everyone looked around to see their tallest member, Tainetsu, was missing.
"Where did onee-chan go to?" Hanadaru asked, her head flipping left and right in search of the fire fairy.
"I'm right here," they heard Tainetsu call and all looked up to see her and Akira leaning over a railing above them. Akira waved to them as Tainetsu laughed slightly.
"Sorry I had to steal my beloved away this morning," the male fairy called to them as he wrapped an arm around Tainetsu. "We had to discuss a few things about our marriage ceremony."
"That's fine then!" Chisuta called up to them, speaking for everyone.
"Now," Hojo said, drawing their attention back to them. "I would like to discuss with you a sma-"
The old man was interupted by the candles' flames bursting and sending sparks everywhere. The small sparks grew until they were each a small ball of fire.
"Where is the Fire Drop Princess?" a feminine voice called out from one of the larger flames. Tainetsu jumped down from the railing and landed in front of her friends.
"What do you want?" she demanded of the moving fire. The flame twisted until it formed a woman's body. The woman had on a long orange dress that clung to her every curve. Akira, Hojo, Kaito, and Rihito all took a step towards the woman, their jaws dropping at the sight of the demon.
"I want everything you hold dear. I, Kashino of Passion, shall take your ring, your love, and your life," the woman said with a smirk toying with her lips. Luchia tried to grab Kaito's arm, but the boy continued to move forward. Chisuta and Mizume grabbed either of Rihito's arms, but the man shook them off to move towards the enchantress.
"Akira," Tainetsu called to her fiancee as he floated down to the woman. Kashino wrapped her arms around the fire fairy and smiled at Tainetsu. Tainetsu's hands balled into fists, her ring glowing brightly in reaction to her entense passion. "Fire Drop Voice!"
A red light grew brightly and wrapped itself around the princess. The light faded enough for everyone to see Tainetsu standing there with a new headset on her head.
"When did she-?" Mizume tried to ask, but was cut off by Chisuta.
"Trust her," Chisuta commanded as she watched the oldest princess take a deep breath and begin to sing.
The flames are growing around us
as we dance through the night
and sing of the love
that we share!
The boys slowly began blinking and taking steps away from the demon woman as Tainetsu sang about her love.
Allow this song to animate you
as we dance around the burning circle
that is glowing for us
as long as you share this time with me!
Akira struggled against the hold of Kashino, trying to get back to his fiacee. Kashino grit her perfect teeth as she felt the fire in her increasing in temperature.
The flames are growing around us
as we dance through the night
and sing of the love
that we share!
I will always dance
I will always live and cheer together
as we dance through
the flames of passion!
Akira managed to break free and run to Tainetsu's side. He turned on Kashino with a scowl on his typically cheerful face. He took a deep breath and began to sing along with Tainetsu, who's song seemed to get all the much stronger with the add of her beloved's voice.
The flames are growing around us
as we dance through the night
and sing of the love
that we share!
Now the night is getting nearer
as the love in the flames of our hearts
burn higher than before
the journey of our flame!
Kashino let out a high pitched scream as she burst into flame and the candles lit themselves again. Akira and Tainetsu embraced as did the other couples in the room.
"Thank you, Lady Tainetsu," Hojo said with a bow to the tall fairy. He motioned for them to sit around on the mats in the spacious room. "Now let me inform you on what you wish to know of your journey."
"The true legend behind your current journey is as told," Hojo said once everyone had found a spot around the old fire fairy. He shook his metal cane, which ingnited a red-ish gem that was held near the top. The gem shot out a black cloud that soon morphed into a picture of a large white light. "Essence Chuwa-sama, our very own guardian and creator, told this to the original princesses in order for them to work together and avoid this dire prophecy. Yet, I fear that we higesuto, those of us who were next to bear the burden of keeping the legend, did not tell you young princesses this tale in time to prevent it."
The picture in the cloud shifted to that of a smoldering sphere. "This is the Black Orb, the epitomy of dark energy. It senses when the dark energy in the Dark Drop Princess has reached the maximum and it becomes time for a new princess to be named, but this generation of princesses were all of close age, so there were no princesses to take care of the Black Orbs. This misdeed has led to the corruption of the Dark Drop Princess and, in turn, the Dark Realm itself."
The picture changed to that of the Black Orb surrounded by the other five orbs. "However, Essence Chuwa-sama predicted this occurence and has given us the answer in this legend. When Dark shall fall throughout the realms, my light shalt shine and bestow itself to the protectors of the lands. First, Water shall wash over the realms and heal the shattered bodies of the people. Then, the Earth itself shall settle once again from its shaken grounds. After, a Light will shine to purify the darkened lands. And finally, Fire will burn through the fairies' hearts and bring energy to fight the darkness away. Together, these deeds shall help awaken the wind that will carry their powers to the distant darkest heart. With the aid of those closest to them, the protectors of the lands shalt face one of their own and bring thy back to the light. Darkness shalt rescede from the lands once again and balance shalt be restored to all of those of the lands."
Hojo finished as the black cloud faded and the gem stopped glowing.
"So, what that is saying is that we should go to the Air Realm and sing together?" Tainetsu concluded from the tale. Hojo rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
"If you believe that you have given your people the energy to fight against the darkness, Lady Tainetsu," he answered, his voice still full of thought.
"I want to do one thing before all of you leave," Akira interupted, grasping Tainetsu's hand. Everyone looked at him to find a wide smile on his face. "I want to know that my love is truly mine and that it will return to me."
"You want to have our wedding? Now?" Tainetsu nearly yelled at the suddenly suggestion.
"We have to have it eventually," Akira tried to reason with her.
"Tainetsu-oneechan," Chisuta chuckled, placing a hand on the startled fairy's shoulder. Tainetsu turned her attention to her sisters.
"With all of us together, we're sure the wedding will be great," Mizume smiled encouragingly to the fire fairy. Tainetsu sighed and nodded.
"Fine, fine. Let's get it over with," she murmured, receiving a kiss from Akira. The three princesses immediately jumped up to start preparations for the wedding.
"I'll grow some flowers!" Hanadaru called as she grabbed Seira's hand and pulled her away.
"I'll get the boys ready!" Mizume called, grabbing Rihito and Kaito to push them into Akira and then shoo them up to a room.
"And I have you," Chisuta murmured, eyeing the nervous fire princess. Rina, Luchia, and Hanon shrugged and followed Chisuta to the rooms again.
Nearly two hours later, chatter could be heard coming from the temple as every fire fairy came to sit and watch their princess' marriage. Hanadaru was still rushing around with Seira trailling behind her, both trying to set up bunches of red and white flowers and red ribbons. Akira stood next to Hojo, tugging at a deep red suit that was made of a thin material. He glanced at Mizume who glared at him to get him to stop tugging at the collar. Rihito sat to one side of her while Luchia and Kaito sat at the other. Soon music began to play and everyone turned in their seats to see Chisuta, in her princess form, leading in Tainetsu, who was in a tight white dress with a red trim and belt around her waist, much like her princess form with opposite colors. Hanadaru trailled behind them in order to sneak in and sit with Rina, Hanon, and Seira. Akira came forward and took Tainetsu's hand from Chisuta, who moved off to sit next to Hanadaru. The ceremony only lasted ten minutes, but plenty of tears were shed from nearly every fairy in the room, but also plenty of joy could be felt from everyone in attendance.
The princess waved to everyone as each of the fire fairies had to go back to work. Many of them paused in front of their princess to say congratulations before they left. When everyone had finally left the temple, Tainetsu let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm so glad that's over," she murmured as she slumped into a seat.
"Aren't you glad you're married to me though?" Akira asked, hugging her from behind. Tainetsu leaned into him with a smile.
"I wouldn't change that, but did we have to have everyone come?" Tainetsu asked, glaring daggers at her sisters.
"Get over it," Mizume chuckled, also leaning into Rihito's hold on her.
"You're their princess, you have no private life," Chisuta reminded the woman.
"Says the princess of nine fairies," Tainetsu muttered, causing everyone but the light fairy to laugh. She sat up and looked around the room at her friends. "I guess we have to leave now, don't we?"
They all nodded, becoming somber at the mention of their quest.
"Hurry back to me," Akira whispered to her as he kissed her deeply. The new prince released his wife to let her leave with her friends.
"Don't worry," Chisuta giggled to Akira as Tainetsu entered the Balance Room behind their friends.
"We'll leave you guys alone to have a good night together when we return," Mizume promised with a wink. Tainetsu overheard this and blushed to match her dress. Akira laughed and shook his head.
"I look forward to it, my lovely princess!" he called to his wife, causing her to blush worse. Tainetsu glared at her two oldest sisters as the four princesses grouped around the Silver Orb. A familiar flash went off as they were transported to the Air Realm.
Question! I think there will be 3 or 4 long chapters left, or would you guys rather I keep it at regular length and have 6 or so chapters? Let me know in a review!