Mind, Body and Soul
by: Nova
chapter 4
Okay, here is the re-done chapter 4. It has been a pretty good school year so far, give or take a few mishaps or ugly spots. So far so good. Now to see if I can still write. Well, enough from the jabbering author, here is chapter 4.
Nova =^-^=
Ari snatched the keys from Keiko. Ari did not like acting like a driver's-ed teacher on the way to class. Holding on to the handle above the door on the passenger side was not necessary with Keiko. She usually did not drive so bad; sharp turns, screeching tires, burnt rubber; Ari nearly kneeled and kissed the sun warmed asphalt when she exited from the navy blue and silver SUV.
So far, the spacy-eyed Keiko had not gotten them into any accidents, but Ari did not want to take the chance. Keiko's nightmare had really knocked her for a loop and was bothering her more then Keiko would admit. Ari was a little worried. As it was, Keiko had not had any problems lately, before now, with her past. None of the previous dreams had hurt her as deeply as last night's.
Keiko had not told Ari about the dream, but they way Keiko had looked at her face in the mirror that morning, it was obvious that it had been about her father and Keiko's scar over her right eye. Ari wondered what had been going on in the guys mind when he wounded her so bad.
He had not been drunk or anything, but Keiko said he did not drink much when or if he ever did. Keiko's mother had been working late or at some meeting the evening it occurred. Keiko had no way to protect herself. She fell unconscious after he struck her. Keiko had awoken soon after her mother found Keiko on her bedroom floor. For some reason, that was about the only time that Keiko's mother had ever done much for her at all in her life.
Keiko's mother was usually gone, at least four times a week, at work or some function. Keiko's father would call to leave a message of whether he would be with her or not. Keiko liked being alone at home. Well, they had a few workers and Keiko would sit with them for dinner or go out into the city when she was older.
Ari snapped out of her thoughts when someone tapped her on her shoulder. Ari spun one way, saw no one there, heard laughter and turned to her other side.
"That has to be one of the oldest tricks. What's going on? You seem to have a lot on your mind today," Sage commented.
"Oh, not much. Just kinda daydreaming I suppose," she answered.
"You suppose?" Sage countered.
"Okay, yes I was daydreaming. Gotta a problem with my answer?" Ari questioned.
"Nope. What's with Keiko? She's so, out-of-it and depressed looking," Sage told her.
How to answer that one. Ari did not really know what to say. No way could she break her promise to not tell about Keiko's past and destroy the girl, but she had to say something. Ari just said the first thing that popped into her head. "I don't know."
"Oh," Sage said. Ari lived with Keiko. They were very close and all, yet she did not know what was bothering her best friend? Ari knew what was going on. But why press it. If Ari thought it was none of his business, then who was he to question her decision? He was nobody, that is who. Sage let the subject drop.
Class was going by so horribly slow today, Keiko thought to herself, but then again, she was so preoccupied, that she did not notice her friends talking to her. They slowly began to see that she was in effect, ignoring them, so they stopped trying. Something big was on her mind and they did not try to pry into her thoughts.
Angel decided that enough was enough and it was time for her to join the world of the living. "Keiko, come on, wake up, it's not nap time yet. You who, Earth to Keiko, phissssssssst, Earth..." Angel stopped when she almost did not side swipe that hand that would have smacked her if she had not moved.
"What is it?" Keiko asked.
"Well, other then the fact that you've been totally out-of-it all day so far and all, ignoring your friends; no nothing is going on at all," Angel retorted.
"Sorry, but I have something on my mind and it kinda hit a sore spot," Keiko told her.
"Anything you would care to talk about?" Angel asked.
"No, I can't tell you, it's very personal and well, I just can't," Keiko explained.
"Not a problem. Just remember, if you need me, I'm around and don't be afraid to ask," Angel said, picking her things up and leaving.
"Thanks, later," Keiko said. Wow, class was over already. The day had gone by fast. Just a minute ago, it seemed as if class had just begun. Okay, so I need to stay on track and not go off into la-la land any more. It's just that I can't get that nightmare of my mind. It hurt so much, seeing it all again. Well, back to real life. Keiko stopped daydreaming and watched as Ari walked over to her roommate.
"You okay?" Ari asked.
"Yea, just a bit shaken and a little worried. I hope I can sleep tonight without dreaming about him again," Keiko answered.
"Well, if you should start screaming, I think I'll wake up this time. You know I usually don't sleep so soundly like last night," Ari exclaimed.
"True, can't argue there," Keiko announced.
"You okay Keiko?" Cye asked. Rowen was right behind him. Sage was talking with Ryo and Kento was having a few words with his project partner.
"Yea, just a bit tired. Thanks for asking," Keiko said.
"Not a problem. I hope you get more sleep tonight," Cye answered.
"I hope I do too," Keiko told him.
"Hope you do what?" Rowen asked.
"Oh, Cye asked if I was okay and I said I was just tired. He said he hopes I get more sleep tonight and I agreed with him," Keiko replied.
"Well then, I hope you feel better tomorrow too. Both you and Ari look better then you did yesterday. The cuts and bruises look like they are gone too," Rowen continued.
"Thank whom ever for cover-up make-up," Ari quipped.
"Definitely," Keiko mumbled.
* * * *
That evening, Keiko again dreamed the same dream that had given her such a problem the day before. Untrue to Ari's word, she was not there to wake her as Keiko thrashed about in her sleep.
* * * *
Keiko's father did not look like the man from last night, but a monster. It had the same shock of black hair with its two stripes of blue on the sides, but its body was doubled in its size. Its muscles bulged as it breathed. A ragged shirt and pants clung to its form. Its eyes glowed a deep, disturbing red. It was out for blood.
Keiko no longer took the form as her younger self. She was dressed as she had been in class that day. Baggy jeans with an indigo shirt with 3/4 sleeves. Embroidered upon the shirt was a lavender sun with the words Park City.
Keiko's parents had gone there for her father's work on time. It was near Salt Lake City, Utah. Beautiful place, her mother had informed her in the letter she had sent back. They had a room at the Marriot with a view of the mountains. Lucky them.
Keiko shuddered at how her father now appeared to her. His voice came out in more of a growl then true words. Keiko did not take the time to interpret them. She had more things on her mind then listening to threats. It had claws on the tips of its fingers. It slashed out. Keiko jumped back, the claw thrusts not touching her. Then one did. He hit her on her chest, three deep wounds just under Keiko's collar bones.
* * * *
"AAAAAAAHHHH!" Keiko awoke with a start. Just a dream. She wiped the sweat from her brow as she slowed her breathing. Keiko glanced at the neon numbers of her alarm clock. They read 4:17. She had to be awake that early? Why? Keiko lay back on her pillows that she had bunched up against the headboard.
She put her arms across her chest and felt a lancing pain. Looking down, an outside light shining through the window, she spied three rips in her night shirt. Upon closer inspection, Keiko saw that her dream had been a reality. Three long lacerations lay just under her collar bones. Just where her father had hit her in her nightmare.
Now, if Keiko was wrong, dreams do not actually do this to you. You are not supposed to wake up with the same wounds on your body that you received in a dream. That just was not possible. Something was going on and the last thing Keiko wanted to do was to sleep again. She had to get to the bottom of this.
Keiko had heard people telling dreams where they would be flying and then start falling. Just before they would hit bottom, they would wake up. Hopefully, this dream would stop before she died in it. Well, someone had done this to her. Keiko would just have to find out who, or what was playing these sick games.
Keiko tip-toed quietly into the bathroom and cleaned and bandaged the wounds. Tomorrow would definitely be a T-shirt day. Nothing to move tightly against the deep cuts and hurt them more then they already did. Maybe her armor would help heal them a little bit. Keiko went back to sleep, a bit uncomfortable in the subarmor she now wore. But she fell asleep and much to her delight, did not dream.
* * * *
Rowen entered class that next morning and Keiko was sitting stock straight in her chair, looking over something in a notebook. Maybe the information for the interviews. They were beginning to write the rough drafts and to make them more solid. It was getting interesting now that the teacher was actually doing something in class, instead of listening in on the conversations. Keiko looked like she was in a bit of pain. He sat down next to her and Keiko did not seem to notice when he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Ahhhhh!" Keiko screamed.
"Surprised? Jeez, you're gettin' easy to sneak up on, you know," Rowen told her.
"Just don't do that. Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude like that. I just hurt my shoulder, like I pulled the muscle or something by my collar bone."
"Well, I'll be more careful okay?" Rowen smiled. "Maybe a massage would help?"
"Umm, no, I don't think that that's necessary. I'll be fine, but thanks any ways. Maybe I'll take you up on that massage some other time though, eh?" Keiko suggested.
"Mm hmm, not a problem. It looks like you finally got a good night's sleep," he commented.
"Yea, finally. Would you like to work some more on the project? I don't think that I have all that much information about you," Keiko told him, switching the subject off of herself.
"That sounds fine. Umm, if you want, just drop by around dinner and I'll be there. Maybe we can put something quick together for dinner or something," Rowen suggested.
"Will Sage be there or is he planning something?" Keiko questioned.
"Actually, I think that he was asking Ari out to a movie. I'll be just us. Ryo, Cye and Kento live in a different building, a few blocks away and they were renting a movie and ordering in pizza or something," Rowen explained.
"Hmm, I think I'll bring something. I really feel like Chinese tonight. Would you like me to get something for you too?" Keiko asked.
"Sure. Sounds good. Beef or Chicken, something with noodles. Do they have miso soup too?" Rowen questioned.
"I know the perfect place to get some food then. And yes, they have miso soup," Keiko smiled.
As long as she did not let him find out about her wound, which had not healed all that quickly like she thought it would with her sub-armor on, it would be a good night. The nightmares were all too real. Keiko had already decided against not sleeping, but it she had Black Gold watch her sleep and if Keiko started to move around and it looked like a bad nightmare, then she would have Black Gold wake her.
Keiko snapped out of it and then scribbled another question to ask Rowen on the notebook paper. She sat back, accidentally pulled her right shoulder and winced with the pain.
Rowen saw it, but remembered that Keiko had told him about pulling a muscle or something. It had to be more. He had pulled plenty of muscles and he had never seen any one else wrap a bandage around it. Keiko had though. Rowen saw it when Keiko shifted in her seat.
Keiko felt someone staring at her and glanced out the corner of her left eye. She saw Rowen contentedly watching her and he looked like he was thinking. How weird. It was making her a little uncomfortable.
"Rowen?" Keiko turned her head slightly and raised her left eyebrow.
"Huh? Oh, what?"
"Something on your mind? And what time should I come over?" Keiko asked.
"Oh, nothing big. Just around whenever you pick dinner up."
* * * *
Class ended and Keiko and Ari went back to their place. Sage was indeed taking Ari out and Keiko decided to drop Ari off when she went that way also.
"Did Sage tell you where he's taking you?" Keiko asked.
"Nope. Must be a secret. I can't wait. I haven't really been out on a date in a while," Ari smiled and then went in to her room to find something a little bit nicer to wear. "Wish I knew what to put on."
"I suppose that is just a risk you'll have to take when going out. I don't think you really need to change. You look fine," Keiko assured her.
The Chinese take-out place was on the phone with someone else, so Keiko waited on hold. Finally, she placed her order and then went to feed Black Gold, who was sitting on Ari's bed, looking out the window. "Okay, let's go. Dinner. No, you can't go outside," Keiko told her. Black Gold grumbled and slowly exited into the hallway.
With that task over with, Keiko found her notebook and grabbed a pencil. She sat down on the worn couch and waited for Ari to hurry up.
"I think you'll be fine. Allons-y! Let's go!" Keiko yelled.
"Oh, don't get your panties in a bunch!" Ari yelled back.
Finally, they left. Keiko drove to the Chinese place, picked up and paid for the food and then they turned around and went back to the campus. In a few more minutes, Keiko pulled into the parking lot and parked the car. Ari exited, followed by Keiko with the bag of food. Its scent wafted in the air, floating around the girls' noses and making their mouths water.
"That smells really good. I hope dinner is soon, because now I'm hungry," Ari said.
"Well, that's what I planned anyway; dinner and a movie." A voice sounded. Sage had seen them coming and had opened the door to let the girls in. Ari looked about the same, just a change of pants. A slightly baggy pair of khakis and a tank top with a killer whale jumping out of the water under the moon light. "You look good. And we had better get going too."
"'K. Later Keiko. Have fun!" Ari taunted.
"Yea, later," Keiko turned and handed Rowen the food bag. "Here ya go."
"Smells delicious. Let's eat and then ask some questions," Rowen suggested.
"Okay and yup, it smells good. You should have been in the truck, Ari and I almost ate it ourselves," Keiko smirked.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't. Would you like to take this outside to the picnic tables out back?" Rowen asked.
"Oh, sounds good," Keiko smiled.
Rowen dug some plates, chop-sticks, napkins and cups out of the kitchen while Keiko carried the food and the notebooks and pens. The evening was warm and a slight breeze stirred the trees and grass. Keiko pulled her sandals off to feel the tickling blades of grass on her feet. Rowen already was barefoot and he unpacked the food, soup and hot tea.
"Do ya know how to eat with these?" Rowen held up a pair of wooden chop-sticks that he had brought outside. "If ya don't..."
Keiko interrupted him. "Oh, don't under-estimate me, I have a few talents."
Rowen smiled. "Okay, just checkin'" Keiko proved herself to Rowen by picking them up and slowly and irritatingly eating each grain of rice by one at a time. "Okay, I get the point. You know how to eat with them."
"You have no sense of humor," she smiled and took a bite of the beef stir-fry. It was good. She had not had Chinese in a while and when Keiko or Ari got a hankering for something, it was impossible to get rid of, until they got what they wanted.
Rowen ate silently, taking in the sights and sounds around him. The campus was really nice back in this section. A woodsy area with paths surrounded the grounds, each apartment or dorm building had its own little picnic area. The birds sung and a few crickets started to chirp. It was a nice warm evening.
Rowen contentedly ate the food and watched Keiko eat hers. She was a mystery to him. She changed; sometimes she was open and friendly, other times she hid away from people. Maybe the questions would help clear things up a little. He tried to stay optimistic, but so far, he was in the dark with Keiko. He finished the food and sipped on his tea. Maybe he should start asking questions now. "What is your family like?"
Keiko froze in mid swallow, the food stuck in her throat. She slowly put her chopsticks on the plate and picked up her tea mug, taking a sip to wash the food down. She cleared her throat.
The air grew silent. No birds singing or crickets chirping any more. A voice boomed. "Yes, my dear. What ARE your parents like?" Deep base chuckling was heard and a pair of arms wrapped themselves around Keiko, tugging her to the ground with a thud.
Keiko felt the scabs break on her wound and she gasped. The pain hurt and she knew that the bandage would be soaked with blood pretty soon. she struggled, but the arms gripped tighter.
Rowen jumped up and leaped over the table. He knelt by Keiko and tried to pull her away from the arms. A black swirling portal engulfed them, swallowing them whole. He yelled Keiko's name and she screamed, holding onto Rowen's hands. They disappeared into the darkness and the portal disappeared too.
* * * *
Across town, in a dark movie theater, Ari felt a stabbing pain lance her head. Her amulet glowed, throwing light around the room, then went dark. Sage put his arm around her and pulled Ari to her feet. They left the theater, at the beginning through the movie. Sage stood Ari up against the car.
"What happened?" Sage asked. He had a pretty good idea though.
"I think Keiko is hurt or something. She feels far away now though. I think Mordecai might of attacked Keiko and Rowen and I think he succeeded in taking them to where ever he's from," Ari explained.
"We have to get the others. We'll have to find a way to get to where ever they are at," Sage said. He jumped to help Ari into the car, ran around to the drivers' side, leaped inside and quickly drove out of the parking lot. Sage tried not to speed, but it was almost impossible not to. If either of them were hurt..., well, he hoped that he, the rest of the guys and Ari would get there in time. Where ever 'there' was.
* * * *
Keiko felt like she was sinking into a pool of water. She opened her eyes and saw nothing, but little points of light here and there. Like she was sinking in a sea of stars, then blackness engulfed her fully. The darkness churned around her and Keiko felt like she could not breath. She felt blinded, the darkness was so thick. The silence was deafening. Not a sound entered her ears and she could not sense Rowen. Where ever this was, it was void of anything. It was a black hole, everything that entered would not escape. A place where sound and light did not exist.
Keiko was scared. She knew that if she tried to go up against Mordecai, she would not make it. The voice had sounded different to her. Very familiar, but Keiko could not place it.
* * * *
Rowen looked about him, but saw nothing. The feeling he was having was reminiscent to when Talpa had thrown them to the places where their armors were created. Like he was in space again. Floating around, but not quite in control of himself, and not sure where he was going. He feared what was happening to Keiko. He had to find her some how.
That voice that he assumed had belonged to the arms that dragged Keiko off had sounded differently then Mordecai's, but Rowen was unsure. What if his armor had no affect on what he had to face now, what would happen to Keiko, what about him and his friends.
Rowen knew he would fight all out. But he had to locate Keiko first. How would Sage and the others find them. Most likely, Sage and Ari were still watching the movie, or eating dinner and Ryo, Cye and Kento were chowing down on pizza and watching who knows what movie. He could not contact them from here. It was another dimension. Hopefully the armors' bonds would hold and then signal that something was not right, that something was out of place. Until then, Rowen and Keiko were on their own.
* * * *
Keiko awoke a bit groggy. Her shoulder and chest hurt so bad from her wound being torn open again. She attempted to put her subarmor on, but it did not work. Keiko swore. Blood seeped out of the dirty bandage and stained her shirt, which, Keiko noted, was torn, as were her jeans. She was also soaked to the bone. Her hair hung down around her shoulders and dripped cold water into her eyes and mouth. she attempted to ring out some of the water from her hair and clothes. Not much help there, Keiko was still shivering.
Keiko glanced around. Stone. Lots of stone and the knee deep water she was currently wading in. It seemed to be an underwater cavern. There was only one direction to go in, Keiko could make out the slight out line of boulders on one end, but the light stopped in the other direction, so Keiko was not able to tell where the cave led. Keiko shuffled over to a boulder and sat. She was tired and yawned. Her shoulder ached and her head was starting to pound.
She had to find Rowen, but if Keiko did not know where she was, how could she find him? It was dark in the cave and the only light was shining through cracks in the ceiling. Great. Stupendous. Wonderful. What to do now though. Well, part of Keiko's question was answered. A grunt sounded to her left. Rowen was standing up against the opposite wall, or trying to. He was pulling himself up. He looked okay, but Keiko slowly made her way to him.
When Rowen had opened his eyes. He had found himself in a round bubble, made, most likely, by his armor. He let it drop and then pulled himself into a standing position. He heard a sloshing sound and turned. Keiko was walking to him. He saw blood, and a pained expression on her face. Rowen hurried and put an arm around her waist and Keiko just could not stand. She collapsed into Rowen's arms. Rowen picked her up.
"What's with all the blood?" Rowen asked.
"I..It's a long story."
"We have time."
"You know I haven't been sleeping well those past couple days, right?"
Rowen tipped his head to the side. "Yea."
"Well, it's because I've been having these nightmares. They weren't all so bad until on that turned out to happen. In my dream, this creature thing slashed at me, and I thought it was all a bad dream until I saw these cuts in my shirt and blood. Dreams aren't supposed to happen," Keiko finished. She did not tell anything more. It was private to what really had been in the dreams and Keiko just closed her eyes. The pain was pounding.
"You're bleeding really bad. I have to find a way to stop the blood," Rowen told her. He was not really sure that Keiko was listening, but he knew that the dreams were much more then just nightmares. You do not get hurt in dreams. They are a subconscious creation, with meanings that have to be decoded. Rowen put on his subarmor. "Have you tried your subarmor?"
"Yup, and no cigar. Someone must be blocking it some how."
"Well, hang on, we still have to do something about the gashes. You don't want them to be infected or to bleed to death," Rowen told her. "I don't want you to bleed to death."
Keiko leaned her head and rested it on Rowen's chest. She felt so safe in his arms. Like if she stayed there, she would always be protected and safe. She smiled and then sighed. Her thoughts were a jumble and she could not think straight. Wooziness was over-taking her and she drifted out of consciousness.
Keiko's body became lax and Rowen noticed. He quickened his step in what he felt was the right direction. "Don't die on me. Please."
Several minutes had passed, and in what seemed like hours, Rowen came to the end of the cave. He stopped a few hundred feet from a large door. Its design was intricate and tasteful, not gaudy. The giant double doors creaked and slowly opened. A short figure stood on the other side, on top of a short staircase. He could not have been any taller then Rowen or maybe two inches difference, give or take. His hair looked much like Sage's, not as long and silver with a few teal stripes. A red cloak without a hood, edged with gold was tailored to fit over shoulder guards, with a teal tunic and gray pants, gold and silver boots and silver gloves set with a single teal stone on the backs of the hands finished his attire. He had teal eyes, long pointed elf-like ears and diminutive fangs. He spoke. "I mean you no harm. It was not I that brought you to this dimension, but I detoured you a bit. Mordecai will be searching for you. I assume you know who he is. That traitor will not hurt you here. Hurry and I'll help Keiko."
"Who're you and how do you know Keiko?" Rowen asked.
"I am the ruler of this planet, which I will explain later and Keiko is my future bride, to rule beside me. Please address me as Lord Tadeous," He bowed and turned. Rowen followed, knowing it was safe and yet, he wanted to not have heard that Keiko was betrothed to this man. "How did Keiko become betrothed to you?"
"Keiko's father promised her to me. My father was ruling, I'm not much older then you actually, and she was still a baby. Then, Keiko's father was still loyal to me. It seems that he and Mordecai have joined with my enemy. You see, this Earth is quite smaller then your own and has a twin planet. Lord Lohrie will wage war on my people. He wants Keiko for his own. He knows how truly powerful she can become."
Rowen was stunned, but curious, he needed to know more. "Does Keiko know anything about this and why doesn't she look like you, with the pointed ears and so on?"
"Her true form will be given to her when she is healed and no, she does not know. Her father took her to your Earth to bring her up. He actually did not have any idea of how powerful she would become. Not until after he had already promised her to me.
I gave Keiko the amulet to her armor. The armor dragon. Keiko's father was enraged and tried to kill his own daughter. Twice." Tadeous explained and drew closer to Rowen and Keiko.
Tadeous moved the damp hair out of Keiko's face and Rowen saw the scar that ruined Keiko's facial features. Rowen winced at the thought of Keiko having to live through it all. "I guess by the look on your face, that you never knew about any of it. Am I correct in guessing?"
"Yea, she never told me. She kinda closed herself off sometimes. I haven't known her long though, so I suppose she didn't trust me yet with this information," Rowen commented.
Tadeous was leading him through passages. Finally, the hallway ended into what was the throne room. Long tables sat in one half, while two large thrones occupied the far wall. Tapestries covered the stone walls and wall sconces with wax candles light the room up. Tadeous walked and then stopped in front of the thrones.
"Place Keiko here. I'll heal her now. Then I'll have a few servants take you to your rooms," Tadeous explained.
Rowen followed the order and then stepped back to watch. Tadeous closed his eyes and a golden glow flowed from his finger tips, surrounding Keiko and Tadeous. A burst of light blinded Rowen.
When the light died down and Rowen regained his sight, Tadeous was sitting on the opposite throne from Keiko and breathing roughly.
Keiko was still out, but upon closer inspection, just sleeping. True to Tadeous' word, Keiko now sported elfin ears and small fangs. The gashes were gone, but her shirt was still blood soaked.
"She'll be okay, with some rest. She lost a lot of blood," Rowen said.
"Yes. Would you like me to help contact your friends and help them to come here?"
"Actually, yea. Yes please. I have to get through to 'em," Rowen said eagerly.
At some signal that Rowen had not seen, a servant girl entered the room. She could not have been much older then twelve or so and in her small hands, she held a sphere about the size of a softball. It was light, much to Rowen's surprise, when the girl handed the object to him.
"You will use this to contact them. Now, concentrate upon your objective. Try to clear your mind of anything else for this and think of who you want to talk to," Tadeous told them. Rowen did as told and the sphere glistened. Rowen could feel power in it. The sphere started to glow, its light becoming stronger.
* * * *
A bright light stung Ryo, Cye and Kento's eyes. It was right in front of them. They heard Rowen's voice and then the light dulled to an eerie glow. They saw Rowen, the background looked like stone brick work and they saw Keiko behind him, laying on a throne, bloody and asleep.
Ryo talked first, the others were awestruck. "What's going on and where the Hell are you and what the Hell happened to Keiko?"
"It's a, kinda a long story and I need to get you guys here. And I need you to get a hold of Sage and Ari too. Just tell them that we're in a different dimension. Mordecai tried to take Keiko. Lord Tadeous detoured us to his place and now I think would be a good time for you to get your butts here," Rowen explained.
"How exactly do we do that!" Kento questioned.
"Tadeous said he would help," Rowen continued. "But I don't know how to get a hold of Sage and Ari, although I have a feeling that Ari might know. Probably a link through the amulets. They might be on their way to your apartment. Stay tuned." And with that, Rowen disappeared and the light dulled and disintegrated.
* * * *
True to Tadeous's word, two more young children, much like the first girl that had brought the sphere, entered the throne room. The young man pulled on Rowen's hand. "Excuse me, would you like me to take you to your rooms now?"
Rowen looked down and smiled. "Sure. Tadeous, can I take Keiko? I would like to talk with her when she wakes up."
"Yes. I'll send for you both later, when I am ready to bring your friends here," Tadeous explained and then turned, leaving the room. Tadeous had told the young man about the future plans for him and Keiko. Tadeous could tell that Rowen cared very much for her, but as of yet, Keiko was still his. It would be taken care of later. Tadeous had much more pressing matters to tend to at the moment.
* * * *
Wow! That was a long chapter to check through. I think, though, as I write, that I get better. Hopefully the story is going well and is interesting. I haven't ever written a fic before, let alone put one up on a sight. Please send your comments to me, I want to know what you think about the story so far. Good, bad and the ugly, I want it all. Nova =^-^=
