Sorry guys! I wrote this chapter on Thanksgiving but my internet went out, then I was sick, so I didn't post it until the other day. Only after I posted did I find out that I forgot to change my message at the beginning -_-' Gomen!
Disclaimer: I give thanks to the great writer of this amazing series, and am saddened that it is not mine.
Fire and ice demon walked cautiously together through the dark corridors, warily eyeing the shadows dancing on the wall from an electric blue globe glowing in Ryann's palm. Only after complaining about the dark did she manage to convince Hiei to let her produce the light. Besides, now they could see much further around them.
The bare stone corridor turned to the left and opened into a similarly bare room. A dull glow came from a candelabra with no flames hanging from a chain that didn't connect with the ceiling. Similar candelabras were attached to the wall, all with the same flame-less light.
"Okay, something here has a really bad aura about it," Ryann whispered. Slowly Hiei nodded, scanning the empty space. "And I have a strange feeling that even though we don't see anything, we aren't alone in here."
From the a section of the stone floor directly in front of the two, a great brown creature rose from the floor. Wings curled and beat a few times before curling up at its side as is settled on its feet. Two slitted eyes stared down over a curved beak opened in a shrill scream. The beast flexed its front feet, talons scratching the floor as if cutting through cardboard. Feathers covered the beast's head, torso, and front legs, merging into fur that covered its back legs and lower back. A long tail tipped with a tuft of hair curled around the legs of a large cat as it sat down. Well, well. I must say I was expecting bigger prey. The two of you are hardly enough for a snack.
The air crackled with energy and Ryann glared at Hiei. Calm down! That was directed at me as much as it was you and I'm not turning this room into an ice rink, am I? He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly the air calmed. The griffin looked interested.
I'm impressed. Not only does the male have fairly high spirit energy, but he's blocking me from both his and the female's mind. Should I ask what your names are or does it matter?
Hiei, let down the shield over me.
His shoulders tensed. Are you insane?! We don't know what this creature wants or what it could do.
Ryann nudged his shoulder roughly as she stepped from behind him and walked a few steps toward the griffin. Don't try to control me! It's my mind, so let me make my own mistakes about it. The connection between their minds disappeared but she heard footsteps behind her as Hiei moved closer. Ryann looked up at the griffin.
Are you two done quarreling?
Minor disagreement. To answer you're question, though, my name is Ryann. His name is his to tell.
Hiei he chimed in from behind her, though it sounded strained.
Its slitted eyes shimmered with intelligence. Ryann Yukiko, daughter of Yasuo. Hiei Jaganshi, son of Hina. You're known to me. I am Saichi, a griffin. Sadly I am under commands from Oonushi and I'm to present a barrier. There are a few more obstacles after me to "test" you, as he says. Personally, I think he's just pla-
A low hiss took the place of speech and Saichi kneeled in pain, revealing an unknown symbol on its neck. It stood and shook its head a few times.
You're a prisoner? Ryann asked in horror.
Saichi looked directly at her and Ryann could see unshed tears in its eyes. I am a vessel and have been chosen to perform a duty. Once that duty is fulfilled I will be used again when needed. That is my fate. Now, I am to give you a riddle. It is less to test your knowledge than your memory. You are not to answer the riddle, but to point out it's mistake. Are you prepared?
Ryann, almost in tears herself, nodded stiffly. I'm ready.
Very well. The riddle is one known to you. The riddle is 'What creature goes on four feet in the morning, on two at noonday, and on three in the evening?' You may deliberate with your companion. You must remember not to answer it, but to identify what is wrong.
Ryann turned to Hiei. I've never heard of this riddle he admitted.
I have, in school. It's mentioned in the story of Oedipus.
Oedipus?
It's a Greek story. Fate said he would kill his father and marry his mother and it happened even though everyone tried to prevent it. Before this happened, though, he heard this riddle to get into Thebes, where he used to live and where his mother was. The answer is man. He crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two legs as an adult, and uses a stick as a crutch in old age.
Then tell it that and let's get going!
No, don't you remember? It's not the answer to the riddle, it's what is wrong. The wording of the riddle is absolutely correct. Besides the obvious that we aren't Oedipus...
Ryann bit her claws as she tried to think quickly. She'd done a report on the project a few years before and made a three-dimensional model to go with it. It was a highlighted memory because the teacher yelled at her for making her sphinx have bared breasts.
Sphinx. Not griffin.
"I've got it!" Ryann yelled. Saichi turned to her. "Oedipus was trying to get into Thebes and had to answer the sphinx's riddle, not a griffin's! You're the wrong mythical creature."
Saichi's eyes smiled down at her. Correct. I don't think I will stick to the myth either. Sphinxes were much too proud. I have no problem admitting defeat, particularly when another life depends on it. She moved to the side and bowed her regal head. Ryann and Hiei hurried past and into another corridor.
"What did it mean, it won't stick to the myth?" Hiei asked once they were out of sight of the griffin. Ryann smiled with mixed emotions.
"She meant that in the story, the sphinx killed herself when her riddle was solved. She won't."
"She?"
A serious expression crossed her features and tears began welling up in her eyes again. "You didn't hear the second heartbeat coming from her stomach? She's pregnant. That's the leverage keeping her in servitude, I'd bet."
Silence filled the empty passageway as they continued toward the next obstacle on their mission. Their mind had already been tested, so what would be next? The straight corridor continued on for miles with no end in sight.
"I wonder how the guys are doing at the base of the mountain," Ryann mused quietly. "We're too far inside to sense their energy."
"The Detective is too stubborn to die here, as is the fox." Hiei smirked wickedly. "I don't expect the idiot to still be alive unless he's being protected."
She snorted. Then sneezed. Twice. Out of nowhere she was attacked with a barrage of sneezes without relief. Hiei rolled his eyes and hit her hard in the back before grabbing her hand and placing it over her nose.
Ryann coughed and sighed. "There's gun powder in here. I'm allergic to it. Some part of this hallway is either about to blow up or burst into flames." She coughed again and sneezed. "I suggest if we don't want to be grilled we go ahead as fast as possible. And yes, that means you go and I'll catch up."
He shook his head. "I'll be damned before that happens."
She groaned. "Why does nobody listen to me? This is my mission!"
"And I'm not letting you go alone. Get the hell over it." He moved in front of her and crouched down. "Get on."
"Nani?"
"I said get on. I'm faster and this place will blow up, right? Don't make me say it again."
"Yes sir," Ryann muttered and gingerly wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands came around and grabbed her thighs before he darted off down the hallway. "Whoa, motion sickness," she mumbled, watching her surrounding pass by in a blur.
"Close your eyes, then."
The distance passed them in a blur but time seemed to drag on. For hours there was no difference in the seemingly endless corridor they were currently in.
Ryann sniffed the air before going into another sneezing fit. "Hiei, stop!" she called between sneezes. "We aren't getting anywhere and we're still surrounded by powder." He slowed to a stop and stooped to plant her on her feet. A few seconds after she touched the ground a huge fire jumped to life in front of and behind them, licking the ceiling and the walls containing it. "You know, I'm getting tired of so much freaking fire," she mumbled. "No offense, Hiei."
"Hn."
The fires blocked the entire path in both directions, imprisoning the two in a very hot, very bright space. "So... now what?" Ryann asked. "Obviously we've got to think of some plan to get through one of these, preferably the one in front of us. Why are you pacing?"
Hiei was moving swiftly back and forth between the two flames with a concentrated expression on his face. "Fire thrives on oxygen. We're surrounded by fire with no air source. Between our breathing and the fires we'll suffocate in a matter of minutes."
Ryann blinked. "Kuso!" she cursed loudly. She too began pacing a few feet away from Hiei. "We're trapped, the three outside may be dead for all we know, Kanaye is still in danger, Touya's freakin pissed at me, and I can't breathe for a minute without sneezing from all of this damn pow-whoa!"
The sudden stop of her sentence made Hiei turn around in alarm. Ryann was nowhere to be seen. He was about to reach out with his Jagan to try and make contact but a sneeze from just behind the fire in front of him stopped him.
"Daijoubu! I tripped. The fire's a sham; it must just be an illusion."
Hiei looked down. "What did you trip over?" he called, walking through the illusion himself. Ryann was on the floor, rubbing one of her tails with a pained expression.
She winced. "I don't wanna talk about it." Hiei rolled his eyes and surveyed the scene ahead of them. The endless passageway that was before them was gone, replaced instead with another open room. This one was a bit more inviting, lit by a fireplace in one corner with random paintings hanging from the walls. Food was sitting on a table in front of the fire, still steaming.
"Come on, do they really think we're that stupid? I know better than to eat what my enemy leaves out for me. Let's go." Ryann walked past the table but not before flicking her tails against it, sending the table and its contents into the fire. "I'm not going to be distracted until this is done and we're all home safe."
"It might not be that easy, dearest Ryann," a deep, masculine voice called from the tunnel ahead of them. "You'll need the food for energy. Now there's no excuse for you to leave before you face me. And here I was trying to be generous. Oh well, you're loss. I hope you're ready."
Yay! I know this chapter was a little... random, but it was necessary. Sorry for the allusion, but I kinda had to. Note: I do not own the story of Oedipus or any of its components. You probably guessed that. I want to thank all my lovely reviewers for their love and input now~!
Kait-The-Fearless: Sorry if I confused you, I didn't mean to! I'm glad that it was all cleared up though. Tell me if I confuse you in this chapter because then I'm not writing like I should. Thank you soooo much for reading and reviewing!!
Jess Likes Biting: The Wizard of Oz thing wasn't even really planned, it just kinda happened. I'm glad it amused you, though, because I thought it was kinda cheesy. Oh well, that's just me. I hope you enjoy this chapter too! Arigatou for the review!
Rachaeltje: I'm dragging my readers around for a bit before I get to the really good part. The next chapter is when things get interesting. Thanks for reviewing!
Lee Wolf 10: Hello! Thanks for the review and I'm glad you're enjoying my story! Please keep giving me feedback as you read so I can improve my writing. I hope you keep reading!!
Diamonds of the Night: Thank you so much for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying my story so far, and I hope you continue liking it as I keep writing. I worry that I'll do something wrong, like make a completely random chapter (like this one -_-) or make a character a little OOC and my readers will get mad and stop reading. That's why I like reviews, so they can keep me on track.
Until the next chapter! It'll be much better than this one, I promise!!