~Chapter Nineteen: Return~
Kiyo's Point of View
The darkness around us was quiet and unmoving. My horse, Dusk, sighed heavily and shifted her weight below me. Ash gave Night Runner, his own horse, a small kick, sending him walking forward.
I followed him, still seeing nothing. "What are we looking for, Ash?" I whispered. He turned a warm smile to me, and it made me blush.
"You'll see soon, my love," he said, continuing forward. It was only the first few days we had been gone, and we had had to ride a long way. This was our first stop before we made it to the first town where we would be staying for a week.
As we walked forwards, the bright full moon seemed to glisten on something ahead. We continued until I realized what I was seeing. The sound of moving water caught my attention.
In front of me, a large dark pool of water lay with ripples disrupting the clear reflection of the sky. My mouth fell open in shock. Ash chuckled, and dismounted his horse. He walked to my side, and helped me down, too.
We stepped to the edge of the dark water, and looked out across the smooth surface. I saw figures in the water, some on rocks, and some with their torso and above sticking out of the water.
This confused me, and as we walked around the edge of the water, the figures became clearer, and soon I realized what they were.
A girl with light blonde hair, almost white, glanced up at us as we approached. Her face lit up in a smile, and she quickly bowed. "Lord Ash! You've come to visit!" her soft voice broke the silence.
"Mercy, the Aquarius," Ash said, smiling. I looked up at Ash, and back down at the girl named Mercy. She swam to the edge of the pool of water, and hopped out onto a rock. My mouth dropped open again when my assumption was correct.
Instead of having two legs, she had a tail! Like a fish with fins! She was a mermaid. I couldn't believe my eyes. Mercy laughed at my expression.
"This must be the queen, then?" she questioned, pointing to me.
"Yes, this is my dearest love, Kiyo Aeka Everdusk. She is the Queen of the Paranormal World," Ash replied sounding proud. I blushed and rolled my eyes at him.
"Ah, well it's nice to meet you, Lady Kiyo," Mercy laughed. "You didn't bring any of those bogus men of yours, did you?" Mercy's voice turned from sweet, to absolute hatred at the mention of men. My eyes widened.
"I brought them, but they didn't accompany us to meet you. I knew you wouldn't enjoy that," Ash said, chuckling.
"Good…I hate most men, they're so good-for-nothing…" she mumbled under her breath. I couldn't help but laugh. Mercy smiled, and slipped back into the water. "So, you came to show Kiyo the mermen and mermaids, huh?"
"Yes. We're going all around the Paranormal World. She must see her kingdom," Ash said, nudging me. I smiled, before leaning into him. He chuckled. "How are your people, then, Mercy?" Ash asked.
"Very well, actually. I was about to leave for the Sanctuary before you arrived," Mercy said, and this caught my attention. I looked at Ash questioningly. Could everyone make portals?
"You see, Kiyo, this pool has an entrance to the Sanctuary in it. And the same goes for a pool in the Sanctuary; they both lead to the other," Ash explained to me.
"Oh…" I said. Mercy smiled at me.
"You act like I'm going to bite. You don't have to be so shy, silly," she laughed.
"Sorry, I'm just always shy when it comes to meeting new people," I explained.
"I have a friend that told me about her friend named Kiyo that sounded a lot like you. She said that her friend was always shy, but once you got to know her, she was always there for you," Mercy paused as if thinking back. "But, she lived in the Human World."
"I lived in the Human World before I came here. I think I know who your friend is," I said before I could stop myself. "Her name is Yoru?"
"Yes! I know Yoru," Mercy said, sounding a bit excited. I couldn't help but smile.
"She's one of my best friends," I said.
"You should bring her sometime. We could all go swimming together. We have things that can help you breathe underwater. That way, you could come with us to the Sanctuary pool."
"I would enjoy that. That would be really fun," I said.
After that, Mercy and I talked for a good long while. Ash finally said it was time to go, and we had to part ways. I was getting tired anyways.
Night Rider and Thunder stood near our horses where we had left them. They seemed a bit relieved at our sight. Ash helped me mount, and mounted himself. We rode for a long time, and I was soon asleep.
"My dearest love, we are here," I heard Ash whisper. I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in his arms. I blinked, and looked around. It was about sunset, and we were in a street somewhere. Night Rider and Thunder stood near us, as if ready for a fight in a second.
Ash smiled at me, and kissed my forehead before walking into a building. He carried me the whole way, and I found myself drifting in and out of sleep. When I woke up, for good this time, I was extremely surprised to see find myself in a modern day looking hotel room.
I sat up straight, and looked around. I was lying on a large, lush bed with a violet comforter. A large flat screen television was mounted on the wall in front of the bed I was on. Two night stands sat beside each side of the bed, both had lamps on them.
I rolled to the side on the bed, and stood up. "Ash?" I called. His head poked around the corner.
"So you're up?" he chuckled, coming all the way around the corner in a pair a black skinny jeans and no shirt. His hair was wet, as if he had just taken a shower. I could feel myself blushing deeply, and I knew he took pleasure in knowing he could make me blush.
"Hi," I breathed, temporarily forgetting the modern looking room. He laughed before taking me in his arms. I felt very conscious that I was leaning against the hottest guy in all the worlds' chest. He laughed at my thoughts, and pulled back.
"Are you well rested?" he asked. I nodded sheepishly. "Good. We're going to spend the day around the town, and then we're going to come back to the hotel."
"Ash, are we in the Human World?" I asked, looking around the room, feeling utterly confused about my surroundings.
"No, of course not. We're in the Paranormal World. Not all of the Paranormal World is ancient as time itself, silly girl," Ash teased. I blushed again.
"Oh…" I said, laughing awkwardly.
The week we spent together in that town was remarkable. I loved it, and the people loved me. Ash and I spent the entire time together, and I loved every second of it. It was a wonderful experience altogether. When we left the first town, I automatically knew I was going to miss it. But we were traveling the whole Paranormal World. I made a mental note to not get too attached to one place.
Between each town, I made more and more friends. I didn't think it was possible for me to love so many people, and to be adored so much by my subjects. I was afraid that they wouldn't like me until I actually met some of them.
And with so much happening, I found it hard to miss Kairi, Yoru, and Yomi. I hardly had time to think, or have moments alone, but when I did, it was usually spent on them. I even thought about going through Kairi's head sometimes, just to see what I'd been missing back home, but I knew that would be invading Kairi's privacy. She hated it when I did that.
One day, on our way to a new town called Zambresia, we were crossing a very large plain. Ash came to a stop. I stopped beside him, and looked in the direction his attention was attracted to.
Night Rider and Thunder stopped on their horses as well. "What's wrong, My Lord?" Thunder said, trotting up to Ash's other side.
"Nothing is wrong, but I wish to show Kiyo something before we continue," Ash said. He ushered Night Runner forward, and I followed. We made our way to a large clump of trees on the edge of the plain. We entered the clump of trees, and dismounted. Ash took my hand and led me through the forest.
We came out in a small meadow with a small pond. At the pond, there was a pure black horse with its tail facing us, bent over and drinking from it. I couldn't tell if it was a mare or a stallion.
I looked closely, and Ash led me closer. The horse's head rose, and I gasped when I saw a large horn protruding from its head. "A unicorn?" I whispered to Ash. He chuckled, and pulled me forward even more.
"You sound surprised," Ash laughed. I looked at him despite him seeming amused.
"Are there dragons, too?" I asked, rhetorically.
"Yes. But I'm not taking you to see them. They aren't controllable, and usually do what they want," he said indifferently. I looked at him for a long while before he said, "What? They are."
I laughed, and shook my head. He pulled me forward towards the unicorn. Upon closer inspections, I could see by the way it was built, the unicorn was a male. He seemed completely at ease with Ash and I near him.
"Hey, Pepper, how are you, boy?" Ash asked, gently petting its shoulder. It neighed gently before sighing. I slowly reached out and pet it.
"Hey, Ash!" a voice called from behind us. I jumped, and pulled my hand back from the unicorn.
Ash turned, and smiled at the girl approaching. She had dark black hair with surging purple streaks running through it. She had violet eyes, and was smiling at Pepper.
"Murosaki Zi," Ash laughed. She waved and came up to us, as if completely comfortable. "I thought you'd be here with the unicorns."
"Yea, I usually am, right?" she said, stroking Pepper. Ash nodded.
"I'd like to introduce you to Kiyo, my lovely queen," Ash said. I held my hand out, and offered her a smile.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you, Kiyo," Murosaki Zi said, taking my hand and smiling a friendly smile.
"The same to you," I replied. Our hands dropped, and she continued.
"You can just call me Zi for short. Murosaki Zi is a bit much to remember, don't you think?" she said, laughing.
"Yea, it kinda is. So, do you live here?" I asked, looking around at the small grotto-like meadow.
"I live in a cottage near here. I stay here with the creatures of this Enchanted Forest. There are lots of different creatures that live here. Pepper is my own personal unicorn," she explained.
"That's awesome," I said, looking around. "What kinds of creatures live here?" I asked.
"Many. Fairies, Elves, Fearies, Feavii, Unicorns, some mermaids, and others; there are many kinds of creatures that reside here," Zi explained. She continued but one of the creatures she mentioned stuck out to me; Feavii.
The name brought a certain sense of knowing to me, but I couldn't place it. I had forgotten where I heard the word. When no memories came to me to support my theory of knowing the word, I shook off the feeling and continued to listen to Zi.
An hour or so seemed to pass as Zi and I began to get closer, and soon I could call her a very close friend. Ash and I had to say our good-byes though. We left the Enchanted Forest and made our way back on track.
Our journey continued as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. About halfway through our journey around the Paranormal World, I was beginning to get homesick. I missed my Guardian, and I wished desperately to see her again.
Maybe the only thing that kept me from missing her and loathing about it in my free time was Ash. He began to train me mentally, to use my powers correctly. I was a Phoenix, and I needed to learn how to use my powers. I learned I could use the four main elements; fire, water, earth, and air. In addition to the original four, I could also control spirit. I already knew I could control spirit, but I didn't know how to enhance my gifts as a Phoenix.
Ash held off on teaching me to use the main four, and mostly focused on enhancing my spirit control.
The rest of the months passed, and soon we had circled most of the Paranormal World. I felt much better about being queen, and had never felt more ready to see my best friends before in my life.
As soon as I could see the castle town around my beloved home, I sped Dusk up faster, anxious to be with my Guardian and friends again. The wind whipped around me as I dashed through the streets. The drawbridge was opened just waiting for me to dash through it.
And then I saw them. Kairi was standing near Lancer, her eyes wide with anticipation. Near her, Yomi stood with Negative's arms wrapped around her. Yoru stood next to Rufus and Archer, who were accompanied by the rest of Ash's inner circle.
I dismounted Dusk before she had come to a complete halt, stumbling as I ran for my friends. I was engulfed in Kairi's arms, and spun before Yomi and Yoru joined the hug, too.
A few moments later, I heard Ash approaching on Night Runner. He was chuckling as he dismounted. Night Rider and Thunder rode into the grounds shortly after.
I pulled back from the hug, and allowed Axel to reunite with Archer and Lancer as Night Rider and Fear reunited with a steamy kiss and strong embrace. Even though the morning was young, and the sun was blindly bright, I was worn out, and exhausted. Kairi and Yomi could sense this through our connection.
"Bed time for Kiyo!" Kairi declared. I sighed heavily.
"I just got home though! I missed you guys!" I complained before hugging them again. She laughed as she was squeezed in another group hug.
"I know, but you're exhausted," she said, pulling back. I gave her my best please-don't-don't-make-me face. She sighed, and shook her head. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you when you're falling asleep all over the place."
I smirked, and high-fived Yomi. Kairi shook her head in defeat and smiled. We all went inside, and talked about nothing in particular. Kairi, Yoru, Yomi and I went off exploring the castle that I had missed so much.
We came to the throne room, joking and laughing the whole way. I walked up to my throne, and sat down, trying to look graceful and majestic. Yea right. I wish I was graceful and majestic.
Kairi and Yomi burst into laughter at my thought, and suddenly the chair beside me was engulfed in flames. I gasped, and jumped out of my chair immediately. Their laughter silenced, and I turned to look at Kairi, guessing she had been the one to set the chair on fire by accident.
She had her hands up in the air. "I didn't do it! I swear!" she said, innocently. I looked back at the chair. Not a single singe mark was left on it. Yomi twitched, and looked around.
"Did…Did I do that?" she asked, seeming to be a little freaked out by it. Kairi glanced at me, and then back at Yomi. She raised her hand, palm up. Fire sprang to life on her palm.
"Come here, Yomi," Kairi called. Yomi stepped towards her, a little hesitant. Yoru came and stood by me, looking curious. "Touch the fire," Kairi told her.
"What? I'm not going to touch that! It'll burn me!" Yomi said, making it sound like Kairi was crazy. Kairi rolled her eyes.
"Yomi, just do it," she said, holding it out to her. Yomi looked at the fire and then looked at Kairi.
"If it burns me, I'm telling you, it's your fault!" Yomi said, shaking her head, as if it were final. She reached out, and the flames slowly licked at Yomi's hand. Her eyes widened. Kairi couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.
When Yomi pulled her hand back, it also held a ball of lively flames. She giggled, and tossed it up and down, playing with it like it was a pet. I walked forward, almost enchanted by the flames Kairi and Yomi held on their palms.
Yoru followed in my wake, apparently curious, too. Kairi let her fire slowly spread across her whole hand, and then up her arm. Then she let it spread across her chest and head, slowly let it engulf her whole body.
"Show off!" Yomi shouted as she let the happy ball of fire bounce in her hand. Kairi laughed, and held out both hands in front of her. All her fire immediately retracted to the center of her palms.
I couldn't help but laugh at the magic I was witnessing in front of me. Yomi and Kairi let both of their fire die before I hugged them both. "Yomi can use fire!" I said happily.
We all laughed at our new discovery. Our group was slowly gaining strengths and weaknesses, growing to be the best that it could be. And now all we were missing were Mizu and Yami.
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