~Elements of the Mind~
7
She cracked an eye open in time to see the body of a man louse his camouflage and tumble out of the tree. Once the body hit the ground it appeared to shatter into a million pieces before evaporating into dust.
"What the…" was all Hitomi could manage to say. Her question was left unanswered, as Shakaku was already busy summoning another fire to spell to ward off Aisu's vicious attacks.
Down below Taishin struggled against his invisible opponent. His magical senses acted as his eyes as he swung his blade and managed to cut his adversary's arm. The illusion of nothingness wavered until Tsurugi became completely visible. He had gray hair like his sister's only his was much darker and his eyes were silvery blue, he sported a mean looking scar across the bridge of his noise and another from his jaw to his temple. He wore a long black coat over a black shirt, pants, boots and dull pewter armor which covered both elbows, shoulders, knuckles and one knee.
"Look who finally decided to show himself." Taishin greeted bitterly.
Tsurugi simply shrugged and lunged at him. Metal crashed against metal as the two men's sword collided. Taishin attacked and Tsurugi blocked, stepped back and thrust his sword at Taishin. Taishin ducted the swinging blade by rolling to the ground and quickly jumping to his feet before charging the illusionist once again.
Van struggled against the invisible force. "If only I could reach my sword." He thought. Ice splinters came raining down slicing is arms and legs and just barely missing his head. He cried out in pain and lash out again, this time setting himself free. Van staggered to his feet and drew his sword, preparing himself for an attack, however none came.
Aisu who until presently had been concentrating her attacks on Shakaku and Hitomi turned her attention to another member of their party, this one was even more helpless than the other two. Hitomi watched Aisu hop from branch to branch.
"Where is she going? Is she retreating?"
"No! She's after Van!"
The ice witch came to an abrupt stop just above where Van was standing on guard, however he fail to notice his silent assassin hovering above him. Aisu smiled and raised her hand towards the sky. Gleaming ice crystals began to form a long spark spike. Once the weapon reached its full potential she began to carefully aim the sparkling ice pick at the guardian of the west.
Realization swept over Hitomi as she watch the scene that was unfolding before her. She screamed Van's names in a vain attempt to warn him of the impending attack, even as he turned it was to late. With a flick of her wrist Aisu sent the gigantic javelin of ice straight towards Van.
Hitomi pressed her eyes closed and prayed with all her might to the spirits of the east and beseeched them to loan her their powers to protect the man who'd risked his life for her so many times. The wind began to howl threw the trees as Hitomi extended one arm, drew it back across her chest and bowed her head before she re-extending her arm unleashing a powerful wind spell. A tornado like vacuum knocked Aisu out of the tree and the deadly ice splinted was scattered to the wind as well as blowing Tsurugi to the ground. Shakaku, Taishin, Van and Hitomi where lifted into the air and enveloped in Hitomi's magic.
Slowly and gently the group touched the ground not far from where the battle had taken place but far enough away to avert any immediate danger.
"Lying is a sin."
"What the HELL was that?" Van demanded after standing and brushing himself off.
"THAT was Aisu and Tsurugi, twin sorcerers for the Empress Nekura." Taishin replied.
Van raised and eyebrow at him before throwing his hands up in defeat. "I give up! G-ds, all you two do is talk in riddles. Do you really expect me to know who those people are? Man," Van paused to run his fingers through his hair, this act further demonstrated his growing frustration, " I mean, first Hitomi is just dropped on this planet, then you guys show up and started telling us that we're guardians of one of the corners. Then Fanelia is burnt to the ground."
Hitomi frowned for a moment. "Something wasn't right, something about Fanelia."
"Now there is this crazy woman whom I have never even HEARD of is after us…because?" Van continued.
Shakaku stared at Van opened mouthed. "It was unlike the King of Fanelia to louse his temper so easily, but…" she decided, "he did have a good excuse."
"Umm" Hitomi stared to say.
"We're very sorry that we can't supply you with more answers Van but the truth is we don't know much our selves." Taishin responded cutting Hitomi off.
"Bull shit." Van spat, "You seemed to know an awful lot. How did you know Aisu and Tsurugi were brother and sister? And how do you know this Nekura character sent them? Did she tell you?"
"You guys…" Hitomi stared once again.
"Alright," Taishin began," The truth is I used to work for Nekura, that's how I knew about Tsurugi and Aisu."
"Alright that answers some of my questions but I still don't know who Nekura is." Van remarked.
"That is a very long story that we shall have to save for another day." Shakaku interrupted. "For now we have to find shelter and food."
"Anyone?" Hitomi pleaded. Finally the group gave her their attention. "I was thinking about something Nekura said to me when she was in my mind."
Shakaku nodded her head encouraging Hitomi to go on.
"When I accused her of burning Fanelia she told me not to give her credit for something she didn't do."
Taishin and Shakaku exchanged a nervous glance with one another.
"So, I guess what I am trying to say is, if she didn't burn Fanelia then who did?"
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**Ack! I am SO sorry that this took so long! I have been *very* busy in the last little while *cough* final fantasy * cough*…hehe…forgive me? Neways thanks SO much to all of you that reviewed! And to anyone who hasn't reviewed yet PLEASE do so! I really like to hear your opinion! I'd also like to thank my friend ("you're a good man Charlie Brown") for all the great ideas! Hehehe ^^;;; Until next time!
^_~
Chihiro