~Elements of the Mind~
4
He was the Empress's highest-ranking officer and most powerful magician. He was also one of the most respected men on all of Xyxia but for some reason the Empress always kept him at arms length.
"She's afraid of something…" Taishin mused, "But what?" He pondered this a moment before reaching a solid conclusion. "She's afraid my power will exceed her own. Yet even I can't fathom having that much magical power, she is the only one I know that can touch my sword, a sword that when placed in anyone's hands except my own turns to dust." He finished buttoning his uniform then secured the bright green and gold sword to his belt. He picked up the message she'd sent him requesting his company in throne room. "A new mission."
Taishin exited his room and followed the hallway until he reached the stairs. A couple soldiers who where standing there saluted him before showing him into the throne room. Empress Nekura sat regally on her throne, her hair appeared black in the dim light, but it was in fact a deep shade of crimson. Her eyes flashed as she looked up from the papers she was reading and smiled at Taishin. His flesh crawled, her magical aura was so strong.
"Leave us!" She commanded and waved a hand at the guards who scampered out of the room. "Come here, Lord Taishin and hand me that sword of yours."
Taishin nodded and unsheathed and sword and walked to her. He placed the sword in her hand and then stepped back again. She rose as the sword began to glow a brilliant green. As the light grew bright, the sacred kitana levitated it's self out of her hand and stood suspended in the air. The empress closed her eyes and began asking the sprit of the earth to aid her in quest and to show her the people she sought. "Look closely Taishin for this is the face of the woman you must find me. She lives far from here in a temple, go now and bring to me but don't forget to bring her sword."
Taishin could only stare at the lovely face before him. The woman had long raven hair and ice blue eyes and a soft smile that could warm the coldest of hearts. That was the first time Taishin every laid eyes on Asula.
* * * * *
"Taishin?" said a small voice
He immediately snapped out of his trance and gazed down at Shakaku. "Are you alright?" Taishin gently brushed the hair away from her face and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "What did you see?"
"They will get their sword very soon. The rest was just a blur of colour and voices; it's those visions that terrify me. The more often I have one the more I realize just how much the balance off the planet has changed and I have a feeling that soon things will become chaotic."
"Don't worry, once Van and Ten…I mean Hitomi receive their swords we'll have the upper hand against the Empress. Not even she will be able to rival the awesome power of the four quarters."
"I hope you are right Taishin, I really do…"
"Like I said relax, we will be just fine, but if we stay here any longer the Empress will send her little minion to kill us."
Shakaku smiled, "I agree, let's get moving."
"They're calling you."
Hitomi sat cross-legged in front of a small fire with her head in her hands. Van sat across from her with his gaze glued to the dancing flames.
"I'm sorry Van." Hitomi said
Van looked up at her for a moment then back down at the fire. "Don't be silly, it wasn't your fault." Suddenly she was beside him and her arms were wrapped his waist.
"I'm so sorry." She sobbed into his chest, "I'm sorry that I made you go through this all over again."
Van placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and pulled her back from him so he could look in her eyes. "Did you strike the match that burnt Fanelia?" She shook her head. "Then don't get yourself worked up over something you couldn't prevent. It's not your fault, O.K?" Hitomi nodded her head and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I'm still sorry." Hitomi whispered.
He looked down at her, "Then we'll be sorry together."
"Van, can you put out the fire, we'll be leaving now." Van looked over his shoulder to see where the voice came from, Taishin stood next to a horse and Shakaku stood behind him.
"Alright, do you have a bucket for me to fetch water from the stream?"
Shakaku and Taishin stared dumb founded at him.
"What?" he asked slowly eyeing them both suspiciously.
Shakaku composed herself, "Are you saying that you are not aware of your magic?"
"No…should I be?"
Taishin tired to stifle his laughter. "Yes! You are the Lord of the West and the guardian of the water element!"
Van blinked twice before whispering to Hitomi, "Do you have ANY idea what they are talking about?"
She shrugged her shoulders at him.
"Do you feel it Van?" asked Shakaku.
"Do I feel what?"
"The spirits, can you feel them? Do you hear their words? Cause they are calling you and they are asking you to ignite your power and take your place as one of the four guardians. Close your eyes and you'll see them."
Van decided to do what she asked of him and closed his eyes. At first he felt foolish but then a strange sensation washed over him, it was the same feeling he'd had earlier when he found the shell.
"Van…Van…Can…can you hear us?" Small light voices rang through his head. "We're here Van, can you hear us? Believe in your gift and follow your heart and the path will be shown to you. We are every where, so just listen and we will guide you."
Slowly Van stretched out his right hand before him and knit his face into a frown of concentration. Hitomi, Shakaku and Taishin looked on as tiny blue sparks gathered in his hand to form a shimmering blue orb.
"Tsunami" He murmured before the orb thrust itself onto the fire stifling it immediately. The flame sizzled and smoke billowed out of the pit as the fire grew its last breath and died. Van stared blankly at his hand, awed at what he'd done. "This is my power?"
"Yes, we all have it in us. Now go get your horse we're leaving this place."
Hitomi and Van nodded their heads and walked over to where they'd tacked the horse to a tree. Van pulled himself up onto the horse first before offering Hitomi a hand. She accepted and got on.
"Hold on tight." Van declared before tugging on the reins and sending the horse into a canter. Once they'd caught up with Taishin and Shakaku, they turned their horses towards the East and started riding into the rising sun.
"Where are we headed?" Hitomi inquired some time later.
"We heading towards the East." Replied Taishin.
"I can see that but why are we headed that way?"
"Because it is your turn to awaken your power."
Hitomi stared at Taishin's back. "My turn?" She pondered. Searing pain shot threw her head and suddenly every thing became very clear.
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Hey everyone! I am really sorry that I took so long but I've had so much school work! Sorry, it's taking so long for this story to get moving but there is a lot of ground to cover first, so bear with me! Once again Thanks to all of you that reviewed, you have no idea how inspiring your praise is! If it weren't for you I would have stopped a while ago! Neways, have a happy spring everyone!
^_~ Chi