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"Interesting tapestry, isn't it?" Anne asked from behind him.
"Yeah.." Duo replied, still sizing up the images.
"It's a legend around here.. although I doubt it shall ever come true."
"Well what is it?" Duo said, batting his eyelashes flirtatiously.
Anne rolled her eyes. "I can take you to the loremaster if you're truly interested.. although it doesn't make much sense."
"Hm." Duo replied, staring once again at the large tapestry.
"You know, the person does look somewhat like you. Although, he is much more attractive.." Anne gave a cruel smile.
"Ouch.." Duo said, liking this girl more and more.
Quatre walked through the quiet forest, noticing the small sound of water nearby. He was approaching a white beach, hearing every soft squish as the sand pressed together under his feet. It had only perhaps been 4 days since he'd been transported there, but it seemed much, much longer.
Somewhere in the background he began to hear a slight humming noise.. which became louder and louder..
Even for someone who was used to missing sleep, he was tired. In fact, this was an unusual tiredness...
He sluggishly kept walking, trying to clear his head, the humming noise became a dull throb and Quatre found it hard to concentrate on anything..
With a faint murmur, he dropped to the ground deep in a dreamless sleep.
Bright, glowing orange eyes appeared between the rocks. Very slowly, dark yellow shapes creeped out towards the sleeping boy, their eyes full of mischief.
Superstitious sailors and wanderers had adopted the name 'Sandcrawlers'. A mix of some type of frog and beatle, the creatures looked humorous with their four lizardlike legs and insect head.
One climbed slowly closer, inspecting it's find thouroughly, it's small fingers leaving miniscule scratches against the pale skin. Slowly there came a faint crack of noise and the others came closer.
Mainly, these creatures came for items of use, or else to draw energy from the sleeping victim. For now however, they were just curious.
The creature stopped short and used two large golden antennas to tap against the hand. Very slowly, it came closer and began to sniff, pulling tightly on the skin and leaving more scratches. The others watched, interested.
Then the curious one let go and let out a softened rhythmic hum. The rest followed suit as very slowly they crept closer.
Just then there was a faint noise of a boat being rowed ashore. The creatures shrieked and scampered back to wherever they had come from, watching with sudden interest. The boy was lifted up by strong hands and was taken away.
Trowa and Wu Fei neared the castle, listening boredly to the loud chattering going on around them. A girl was chasing a chicken while another group was chattering among themselves. Guards on horses paced back and forth, watching the public with a bored interest.
Overall, the atmosphere was good and cheerful. There was a slight mixture of scents between the cooking and the people, but it wasn't too terrible.
"Just on the slight hope that we wake up from this dream.. what do you.." Wu Fei was suddenly interrupted.
"HEY GUYS!!" a loud voice shouted.
"Oh no.." Wu Fei muttered as he saw Duo running towards them.
"So I'm not the only person to get here? Good cause I was worried that.." Duo said panting slightly as he continued, but paused and frowned. "Where's Quatre and Heero?"
"They aren't here?" Trowa asked.
"No." Duo replied, slightly panting.
Trowa hid his concern under a mask of indifference. "Duo were you brought here by light as well?"
"Yeah." Duo replied. "You guys?"
"Same."
"Then it's probably the same with Heero and Quatre.."
"Actually.." Duo shuffled his feet nervously. Wu Fei and Trowa stared at him. "Let's get back to the castle and I can explain it." he said glancing around the square.
"Great. He's been here less than a week and he's already gotten himself comfortable.." Wu Fei muttered amusedly. "Bet he's not even questioning why we're here.."
"Maybe," Trowa replied, his eyes wandering around the market. "Or maybe he knows something we don't.."
Quatre stirred and warily opened his eyes to a blurry image. He made a slight noise in his throat and tried to push himself up. He felt pressure on his shoulders and was forced back. Heero's darkened blue eyes stared at him disapprovingly.
"Don't get up yet." he muttered warningly.
"But.."
"Stay still," Heero ordered. "And tell me what happened."
"I guess I just got tired.. I don't remember anything happening.." Quatre replied as he surveyed Heero's new wardrobe. Slowly, he began to chuckle.
"Shut up." Heero growled again. "I could have left you out there."
"I know.. I'm sorry.. but.." he chuckled. "You just.."
Heero snorted and shoved a pile of clothes in his face. "Get changed."
Still giggling slightly, Quatre nodded. Heero walked out of the room and closed the door, muttering silently to himself about needing a better sword if anyone else said anything about his clothes.
Quatre emerged dressed in a loose white shirt and a pair of brown pants which closely resembled his usual khakis. He stepped onto the bow of the ship and looked out, feeling slightly out of place in open water. The pirate crew all stared at him with an odd suspscion and took a nervous step back.
"Do your hands feel better?" Heero asked from behind him.
Quatre instantly jerked his hands into his pockets, hiding the pain of the blisters. "They'll be fine.."
"I'd like to know how they got there.." Heero continued. "You know Trowa's going to be mildly upset when he sees them.."
"Trowa's here?" Quatre said with the slightest bit of tension. "And.. Duo and Wu Fei?"
"Mm hmm." Heero answered. "I'm surprised you can't sense them.." he knew that Quatre's empathic abilities were much stronger, but Heero was able to faintly pick out certain people if the need arose.
"I was.. hoping I was the only one.."
"Why?"
Quatre stared at the ground, becoming suddenly quiet.
"Quatre," Heero growled. "You need to tell me what's going on.."
"I don't fully understand it but.. Something's about to happen. Something big.."
"And the burns?" Heero said with the if-you-don't-answer-me-Ill-be-forced-to-torture-you-until-you-do look.
The blonde's eyes slowly drifted towards the greyish-blue water. Very slowly, a thin threadlike aura began to swirl around him as the water churned in response. The pirates all gasped and stared worriedly at their captain, begging him to stop the crazed blonde. As the aura continued to spread, the waves crashed violently against the boat. Heero stepped back, only to notice a slight reddish glow around his skin.
"What the.."
Quatre just stood and stared out at sea.. until finally he bowed his head and the aura left. He bowed his head weakly against the side of the ship, suddenly looking very pale. His hands dropped to his side and for a moment, he seemed to sway..
Heero caught him just before the blonde collapsed. Weakly, Quatre stared up at him.
"Bet you didn't know I could do that.."
"So, what did you want to show us?" Wu Fei asked as they approached a large, busy room.
"I didn't even notice it until the second time I looked at it.." Duo replied softly as he approached the large tapestry. "And then I saw what was on the side.."
Trowa and Wu Fei stared at the large thickly woven piece with sudden astonishment.
"That's.." Wu Fei started.
"Us." Trowa concluded.
Duo pointed to a small inscription on the side, his face grave.
The five warriors which come from above.
The healer's hands are covered in blood.
The skies shall burn against the setting sun.
When the will of the dragon shall be done.
Look to the west of the smoking sands.
Where only Death shall cross these lands.
The forest will begin to wake.
With the strength of words one shall forsake.
The war shall start within the fields,
Each one holding a strength they yield.
And darkness will encompass all.
With Evil's heart the Light shall fall.
The healer's hands are covered in blood..
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Okay, sorry.. I know that was boring I just thought I'd squeeze it in to satisfy some people. *proud grin* Next time I think I'll move things faster.. All I ask is that you review!
And I have no idea where the beetle lizards came from.