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Tenchi Muyo! Odyssey
Chapter Nineteen: Into the Flames by William Nichols
The night wind was cool and pleasant on the planet Tenchi Masaki had been cast upon this time along with the princess Ayeka and the guardian spirit Marnot. This little speck of blue and green located somewhere out in the vast cosmos was very similar to the earth and Jurai. Its main difference was that it its days were shorter than the earths by almost a third. This had worried Tenchi at first, but Marnot reassured him that such periods of rest would not be held against him and the Odyssey. What good is a champion who cannot retrieve a spirit stone due to lack of sleep? Not much in the grand scheme of things.
As the tall grass waved around them Marnot kindled a small fire. It had taken Tenchi and Ayeka over an hour to find enough wood to burn out here on the open steppes but they had. By the time they got back Marnot had returned from his hunt and had dressed the small antelope like creature they were cooking for dinner.
"I hope this is enough wood," said Tenchi as he helped Marnot fix a rotisserie spit.
"It should do," the guardian spirit said as he stepped back to admire his handy work. "Night should last for at least nine hours or so." The final rays of the planets red sun had slipped beneath the horizon. In its place an unobstructed star field rose into the night sky. The purple hues of the Milky Way stretched across the night sky like a swath of vibrant clothe. The planets twin moons had risen and reflected their silver-green light down on the lonely steppe. One was nearly full while the other was almost new, a vivid contrast in the night sky.
"This is spectacular," commented a wonder struck Ayeka as a meteor flashed across the darkened sky. It's fiery green demise stretched almost to the horizon before it passed from view. The view of the unobstructed night sky was incomparable to anything on earth or Jurai.
"You should see the fire rocks of Jerok 'Nor," began Marnot. "Five Odyssey's ago the spirit of light resided on that desolate little planet," he laughed. "But the view of the heavens was tremendous, unlike any I had seen before or since. Every night the sky is streaked by thousands of meteors. Natures fireworks."
"That sounds wonderful," Ayeka said as she fixed a place to sit down across form the guardian spirit. "Maybe one day I will be fortunate enough to see them for myself."
"Maybe so," commented Marnot. For his part Tenchi just looked back and forth between Ayeka and Marnot. He wasn't sure but he thought he saw some sort of connection between the two, but he could not place a finger on it just yet. Maybe it was his imagination.
"What can we expect in this sanctuary?" asked Tenchi as he poked at a few embers with a stick.
"I can not say with any definition," began Marnot as he checked on dinner, " since I am not allowed to accompany the champion except for mitigating circumstances. But usually champions come out of this leg of the Odyssey a little worse for wear, as you would say." This was not what Tenchi was looking for. After the last ordeal he hoped that it might be downhill from here. But that would be too easy, and if there is anything he had learned since his 'carnival' began nothing is as easy as it seams.
All of that seemed so long ago. Opening the cave, freeing Ryoko, and Ayeka's arrival: all of that was like a distant memory compared to what he had experienced since that fateful summer day. And here he is sitting on a desolate steppe on a planet that he wasn't even sure was still in the same galaxy as earth. And to top it all off these 'Elder' had chosen him to be their champion.
"Marnot," began Tenchi. The guardian broke away from his chitchat with Ayeka and cast an inquiring gaze towards Tenchi.
"Yes young champion?"
"Could you tell us about the Elder? I mean from day one I have accepted their choice and kept my questions to myself, but I want to know more about them."
"I would like to know as well," commented Ayeka. "Until a few days ago I thought that the Elder were just a story mothers told little kids to scare them," laughed Ayeka remembering all the times Misaki had held the mythological beings over her young head.
Marnot bit his bottom lip as if searching for a kind way to refuse their request, but after a second or two he nodded. "I will tell you what I am allowed."
"What you are allowed?" Tenchi asked.
"Yes young champion," Marnot said as he made sure their dinner was cooking properly. "Something's are not meant for mortal ears."
"I will have to live with that," said Tenchi as he made himself comfortable. He shot a glance over to Ayeka who nodded in agreement. She wanted to know about the Elder as much as Tenchi did.
"When the universe was young they were already old," began Marnot as he settled down into his storyteller mode.
***
Across the steppe the same pair of eyes were watching the group of travelers. It too heard Marnot begin his tale, but it mattered little to this one. He knew it already. It knew the Elder were ancient semi- omnipotent beings, but they possessed one fatal weakness, and its master knew how to exploit that weakness. The problem was that at this point it was too weak itself to carry out its malevolent intentions, but before this Odyssey was over it would be ready. And this time it no trinity or champion would oppose it.
***
As Marnot spun his tale Tenchi and Ayeka listened in wide-eyed awe. The Elder were described as the root of all mythologies. From them all lower deities sprang forth, and so on and so forth. They were the originators of all and will be the end of all. But through the story Tenchi began to notice gaping holes, portioned deliberately left out…. His only consolation was the preface that some of it was not for mortal ears.
Most striking was Marnot's somewhat cryptic description of the Elder themselves. They were numerous, but only a handful ever took it upon them to watch over the universe of man. For the majority of the Elder the physical plain was too menial. Higher plains and dimensions offer far more than all the life in the universe. But still they have a predisposition to watch over their creations, both physical and multi-dimensional.
"So what do the elder look like?" Ayeka inquired. Tenchi had noticed that her eyes had not left Marnot's since his tale began.
"What do they not look like?" replied Marnot. "The Elder are all things to all peoples."
"If the Elder are so powerful why do they need a champion?" Tenchi asked hoping to pin Marnot to one point.
"If they were to enter this plain their radiance would wipe all from existence," said Marnot before he took a bite of his dinner. "It is far easier to infuse some of their power to a mortal champion than for them to walk this plain."
"I am beginning to understand," said Tenchi. "I still have a lot of questions though."
"All will be answered in due time young champion," Marnot began as he stood up and stretched. "Rest well. I need to find…a friend."
"Baltus?" asked Ayeka with an unhidden hint of disdain in her voice.
"Yes," replied Marnot dryly. "I must report to him."
"Be well, Marnot," Ayeka wished as the guardian spirit assumed his familiar form of a large raptor and took flight.
"What was that about?" Asked Tenchi once Marnot was out of sight.
"I was just being polite," replied Ayeka.
"It sounds like you-
"It sounds like I what?" interjected Ayeka sharply. She was doing her best to hide the fact that her heart was in the bottom of her stomach right now. All she needed was for Tenchi to…
"That you don't like Baltus," he finished somewhat slowly.
"He made a comment I did not care for," replied Ayeka somewhat relieved.
"Well," began Tenchi as he cut another piece of meat, "he's not high on my favorite list either." Now that was the truth. Tenchi personally wanted to kill Baltus where he stood for what he did to Ryoko. But that was another matter.
"Lord Tenchi," began Ayeka. "I want to know something."
"Yes," replied Tenchi.
"If Baltus had never come and began this Odyssey, when would you have revealed your feelings?" Tenchi bit his lip as Ayeka watched him carefully. She still hoped that there might be a hint of his heart that could be reserved for her. But after the incident on Tyran Prime she was not going to be so blatant.
"It would have been soon," admitted Tenchi. "Probably before the semester break was over."
"A Christmas present so to speak," commented Ayeka.
"If you wish to call it that."
"Lord Tenchi?"
"Yes?"
"I will not stand in your way. If Ryoko is your hearts love, I give you my consent as the first princess of planet Jurai." Tenchi sat there completely flabbergasted. This was more than he had ever expected to hear from Ayeka.
"Lady Ayeka," he began solemnly, "I appreciate that more than you can ever know." Ayeka smiled as hint of a tear disappeared form the corner of her left eye. All was not lost. He does care about me, she thought.
"Now tell me something?" began Tenchi.
"What is it between you and Marnot?" Tenchi grinned wickedly as all the color drained from Ayeka's face only to be replaced by a vibrant blush. Bingo, thought Tenchi, this is what she gets for teasing me earlier.
"I have no idea as to what you are talking about," Ayeka lied putting on an air of royalty.
"Oh really…"
***
Across the steppe the being watched as the prospective champion and his companion bantered back and forth. It found such dribble as pointless, a waste of mental capabilities. Furthermore it was not impressed by this selection of champion, and it figured that its master would not be impressed either. He seemed more interested in his friends than being a champion. But something about that also cast a shadow of worry upon the being. It reminded it of something….
***
Marnot lighted on fallen tree next to his old friend Ignatius Baltus. The obsidian clad guardian turned in acknowledgement of his friend's arrival. "What is your report?" he asked flatly, before Marnot could even assume his human form.
"All is well," he replied as his metamorphosis completed. "But it is out there."
"I know."
"Was it safe to leave the champion alone like that, and the princess?"
"Your feelings betray you," said Baltus coldly. "It will not do anything with outs its masters word, so the champion and your precious princess will be safe."
"Ignatius…"
"Enough!" said Baltus sharply. "You have been warned and any further infraction will be punished. Am I clear?"
"Crystal," said Marnot, his voice full of contempt.
"Make your report," Baltus said disdainfully. Marnot leveled his golden eyes onto Baltus' ice blue eyes.
"The champion will face the spirit of fire before the day is over."
"Good. This Odyssey is drawing to a close," said Baltus in a somewhat calmer tone. "And if he does not complete it to the Elders satisfaction you know what the consequences will be." Marnot knew full well what lay in store if the Odyssey was not a success. All life in the universe would be extinguished.
"And of the," he paused to search for the right word, "thing?"
"Leave it be," Baltus said as he faded out of sight. "He poses no threat…. yet." Marnot stood in contemptuous silence after Baltus had left. He knew what he felt was forbidden for a guardian, but he had harbored these hidden feelings for over eight hundred years.
'Funny,' he thought. 'How can a momentary glimpse and a few stories from a would-be champion cause such feelings to be born?' Never in the farthest reaches of his imagination did he ever imagine that he would lay his eyes on the young sacrifice again. And the fact she was nearly a sacrifice a second time only fueled his feelings. But he did take consolation in the fact that if she had been the sacrifice this time it would have been out of true love and not as a means to an end. If that was any solace at all.
The simple fact of the matter was he knew Ayeka's future. He knew that her role in this Odyssey was far from over. What he did not know was if he could stand by and let that future be played out. Such interference would be punished most severely. Maybe that was a chance he would have to take. A slight grin slipped onto his face. Perhaps the future is not set in stone.
***
Washu leaned back from her desk and yawned. She had lost track of how long she had been working on this translation. Sasami had stayed with her for a couple hours before she too tired and went off to bed. The fact that the little princess could see the text made Washu feel a little relived. It meant that the spirit of Tsunami was stronger than she thought in the little one.
"Are you really doing what I think you are doing?" Washu jumped slightly as the soft voice brought her quickly back to reality.
"You know it has to be done," she said with a warm smile. The ethereal image of Tsunami placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Could I see you in your true form?" asked Tsunami not sure of what Washu's response would be. The diminutive genius hopped down and stretched her arms above her head.
"It has been a while," she said as she shot up to her true height. Washu flexed her knuckles and rotated her neck from side to side. "I hope I remember how to do this." With that's aid a pale green light began to envelope her. As it grew in intensity Tsunami turned her eyes. Washu's Science Academy uniform gave way to the light as she brought her hands in front of her chest. Bands of the purest emerald green began to swirl from the light and wrap themselves around the goddess. From them black leggings and an ivory accented emerald tunic took form.
Washu held out her arms as fingerless black gloves formed on her arms, held in place only by the small loop around her middle finger. An emerald bodice formed around her tunic and two large emeralds fastened a white trimmed black cloak in place. A golden collar raised up to circle the back of her neck. Washu leaned her head back as her shock of crimson hair grew longer. A band of violet cloth wrapped itself around her hair to form her ponytail, leaving two purple streamers hanging behind her. Finally Washu closed her eyes as three bright green dots formed on her forehead. As quickly as the transformation had begun it was over.
"Is this better?" asked Washu as she looked over her true form. It had been twenty thousand years since she had taken this form and it took her a moment to get used to it again. A tear slid down tsunami's cheek as she saw her sister's true form again.
"It has been too long," she said in voice that hinted at their former glory. "I just hope that sister has faired well since we left."
"I wouldn't worry," said Washu as she walked over to Tsunami. "I feel that-," before Washu could finish she grabbed her head and fell to her knees.
"Washu!" gasped Tsunami as the green aura surrounded her sister again. Tsunami watched in silent fear as Washu reverted to her normal adult form. "Sister?" she asked, her voice full of trepidation.
"It's…alright," said Washu between breathes. The transformation into her true form had just expended too much energy, she thought to herself. "I've to work on that," she said as she made it back to her feet.
"Um, Washu," Tsunami said holding a hand to her mouth.
"What?" All Tsunami could do was point in her sisters general direction. Washu looked around for a second before she realized that her clothes had not returned when she reverted forms.
"Oh," said Washu as a blush crept across her face as well. She summoned a holo-computer and a few keystrokes later her standard academy uniform was back.
"Will you be able to make the journey?" asked a much-relieved Tsunami.
"With a little practice I should be able to," she sighed as she shrank back down into her standard size. "We have less than five days to get ready," she said pointing to the chronometer on the computer screen. "That will give Tenchi at least two days to go."
"I wish we did not have to do this again," Tsunami said with a heavy heart. "If we fail there will be another chance."
"I know," said Washu gravely. "If this all fails there will nothing left for anybody."
***
"The sanctuary is just beyond these hills," said Marnot as he led Tenchi and Ayeka through the canyons. Tenchi checked the chronometer on the orb to see how long they had been hiking. They had been on the move for about four hours and the alien sun was already nearing midday. A few more hours and it would be evening again, but Tenchi hoped that they would be in the sanctuary by then. Tenchi his real challenge would begin.
According to Marnot this was the sanctuary that made or broke most champions. He would not go into the specifics, but he did hint that it would not be an easy time. And to top it off Tenchi figured they had a little over six days to complete the final two parts of this damned Odyssey in order to save Ryoko.
"Lord Tenchi, Marnot!" called Ayeka. "I think something is following us!" Tenchi turned to see what Ayeka could be talking about, but he saw nothing but the bands of orange and red rock that made up the canyon walls.
"Where princess?"
"Up there!" shouted Ayeka pointing to the rim of the canyon. Tenchi strained his eyes but could not find anything out of the ordinary. The only thing he saw was sage grass, tumble weeds, and what looked like a jackrabbit with antelope antlers growing from its head.
"I would not worry," reassured Marnot. "We will be at the sanctuary soon, and if something is following us, I will deal with it."
"You aren't coming with us?" asked Ayeka.
"I cannot," replied Marnot. "Last time was an exception due to the hostile nature of Tyran Prime. I hate to say it but you are own you're here."
"I see."
"We should be fine," Tenchi said trying to be confident.
'For your sake I hope you're right,' thought Marnot. "Look!" he called out. Ahead of them lay a temple front carved into the side of the cliff. It's fluted columns and ancient friezes bore the passage of time heavily.
"Oh boy," sighed Tenchi as the entrance loomed over him.
"Your destiny awaits," said Marnot. Tenchi and Ayeka climbed the ancient sand colored stairs to the temples portico. Massive stone doors sealed the entry. In fact they looked as if they had not been opened in centuries, if ever. As Tenchi took another step forward they began to silently swing open. Somewhat shocked he took a step back as the massive doors opened inward as easily as if they were weightless.
"Go on," prodded Marnot. Tenchi nodded and walked into the shadows. Ayeka followed him closely but she stopped right over the threshold and looked back to Marnot. Her expression was one of longing and heartache. For his part Marnot remained stoic as ever as he made shooing motions towards Ayeka. Reluctantly she followed Tenchi into the sanctuary.
Once the massive doors swung shut behind them Marnot fell to his knees. He knew what lay in the future, and for the first time the ancient guardian was heartbroken.
The Odyssey shall continue in: Fire Storm
Thanks one and all to everyone who has read this and as always drop me a message in the review box, or email me at vette1701@earthlink.net. Later.
Tenchi Muyo! Odyssey
Chapter Nineteen: Into the Flames by William Nichols
The night wind was cool and pleasant on the planet Tenchi Masaki had been cast upon this time along with the princess Ayeka and the guardian spirit Marnot. This little speck of blue and green located somewhere out in the vast cosmos was very similar to the earth and Jurai. Its main difference was that it its days were shorter than the earths by almost a third. This had worried Tenchi at first, but Marnot reassured him that such periods of rest would not be held against him and the Odyssey. What good is a champion who cannot retrieve a spirit stone due to lack of sleep? Not much in the grand scheme of things.
As the tall grass waved around them Marnot kindled a small fire. It had taken Tenchi and Ayeka over an hour to find enough wood to burn out here on the open steppes but they had. By the time they got back Marnot had returned from his hunt and had dressed the small antelope like creature they were cooking for dinner.
"I hope this is enough wood," said Tenchi as he helped Marnot fix a rotisserie spit.
"It should do," the guardian spirit said as he stepped back to admire his handy work. "Night should last for at least nine hours or so." The final rays of the planets red sun had slipped beneath the horizon. In its place an unobstructed star field rose into the night sky. The purple hues of the Milky Way stretched across the night sky like a swath of vibrant clothe. The planets twin moons had risen and reflected their silver-green light down on the lonely steppe. One was nearly full while the other was almost new, a vivid contrast in the night sky.
"This is spectacular," commented a wonder struck Ayeka as a meteor flashed across the darkened sky. It's fiery green demise stretched almost to the horizon before it passed from view. The view of the unobstructed night sky was incomparable to anything on earth or Jurai.
"You should see the fire rocks of Jerok 'Nor," began Marnot. "Five Odyssey's ago the spirit of light resided on that desolate little planet," he laughed. "But the view of the heavens was tremendous, unlike any I had seen before or since. Every night the sky is streaked by thousands of meteors. Natures fireworks."
"That sounds wonderful," Ayeka said as she fixed a place to sit down across form the guardian spirit. "Maybe one day I will be fortunate enough to see them for myself."
"Maybe so," commented Marnot. For his part Tenchi just looked back and forth between Ayeka and Marnot. He wasn't sure but he thought he saw some sort of connection between the two, but he could not place a finger on it just yet. Maybe it was his imagination.
"What can we expect in this sanctuary?" asked Tenchi as he poked at a few embers with a stick.
"I can not say with any definition," began Marnot as he checked on dinner, " since I am not allowed to accompany the champion except for mitigating circumstances. But usually champions come out of this leg of the Odyssey a little worse for wear, as you would say." This was not what Tenchi was looking for. After the last ordeal he hoped that it might be downhill from here. But that would be too easy, and if there is anything he had learned since his 'carnival' began nothing is as easy as it seams.
All of that seemed so long ago. Opening the cave, freeing Ryoko, and Ayeka's arrival: all of that was like a distant memory compared to what he had experienced since that fateful summer day. And here he is sitting on a desolate steppe on a planet that he wasn't even sure was still in the same galaxy as earth. And to top it all off these 'Elder' had chosen him to be their champion.
"Marnot," began Tenchi. The guardian broke away from his chitchat with Ayeka and cast an inquiring gaze towards Tenchi.
"Yes young champion?"
"Could you tell us about the Elder? I mean from day one I have accepted their choice and kept my questions to myself, but I want to know more about them."
"I would like to know as well," commented Ayeka. "Until a few days ago I thought that the Elder were just a story mothers told little kids to scare them," laughed Ayeka remembering all the times Misaki had held the mythological beings over her young head.
Marnot bit his bottom lip as if searching for a kind way to refuse their request, but after a second or two he nodded. "I will tell you what I am allowed."
"What you are allowed?" Tenchi asked.
"Yes young champion," Marnot said as he made sure their dinner was cooking properly. "Something's are not meant for mortal ears."
"I will have to live with that," said Tenchi as he made himself comfortable. He shot a glance over to Ayeka who nodded in agreement. She wanted to know about the Elder as much as Tenchi did.
"When the universe was young they were already old," began Marnot as he settled down into his storyteller mode.
***
Across the steppe the same pair of eyes were watching the group of travelers. It too heard Marnot begin his tale, but it mattered little to this one. He knew it already. It knew the Elder were ancient semi- omnipotent beings, but they possessed one fatal weakness, and its master knew how to exploit that weakness. The problem was that at this point it was too weak itself to carry out its malevolent intentions, but before this Odyssey was over it would be ready. And this time it no trinity or champion would oppose it.
***
As Marnot spun his tale Tenchi and Ayeka listened in wide-eyed awe. The Elder were described as the root of all mythologies. From them all lower deities sprang forth, and so on and so forth. They were the originators of all and will be the end of all. But through the story Tenchi began to notice gaping holes, portioned deliberately left out…. His only consolation was the preface that some of it was not for mortal ears.
Most striking was Marnot's somewhat cryptic description of the Elder themselves. They were numerous, but only a handful ever took it upon them to watch over the universe of man. For the majority of the Elder the physical plain was too menial. Higher plains and dimensions offer far more than all the life in the universe. But still they have a predisposition to watch over their creations, both physical and multi-dimensional.
"So what do the elder look like?" Ayeka inquired. Tenchi had noticed that her eyes had not left Marnot's since his tale began.
"What do they not look like?" replied Marnot. "The Elder are all things to all peoples."
"If the Elder are so powerful why do they need a champion?" Tenchi asked hoping to pin Marnot to one point.
"If they were to enter this plain their radiance would wipe all from existence," said Marnot before he took a bite of his dinner. "It is far easier to infuse some of their power to a mortal champion than for them to walk this plain."
"I am beginning to understand," said Tenchi. "I still have a lot of questions though."
"All will be answered in due time young champion," Marnot began as he stood up and stretched. "Rest well. I need to find…a friend."
"Baltus?" asked Ayeka with an unhidden hint of disdain in her voice.
"Yes," replied Marnot dryly. "I must report to him."
"Be well, Marnot," Ayeka wished as the guardian spirit assumed his familiar form of a large raptor and took flight.
"What was that about?" Asked Tenchi once Marnot was out of sight.
"I was just being polite," replied Ayeka.
"It sounds like you-
"It sounds like I what?" interjected Ayeka sharply. She was doing her best to hide the fact that her heart was in the bottom of her stomach right now. All she needed was for Tenchi to…
"That you don't like Baltus," he finished somewhat slowly.
"He made a comment I did not care for," replied Ayeka somewhat relieved.
"Well," began Tenchi as he cut another piece of meat, "he's not high on my favorite list either." Now that was the truth. Tenchi personally wanted to kill Baltus where he stood for what he did to Ryoko. But that was another matter.
"Lord Tenchi," began Ayeka. "I want to know something."
"Yes," replied Tenchi.
"If Baltus had never come and began this Odyssey, when would you have revealed your feelings?" Tenchi bit his lip as Ayeka watched him carefully. She still hoped that there might be a hint of his heart that could be reserved for her. But after the incident on Tyran Prime she was not going to be so blatant.
"It would have been soon," admitted Tenchi. "Probably before the semester break was over."
"A Christmas present so to speak," commented Ayeka.
"If you wish to call it that."
"Lord Tenchi?"
"Yes?"
"I will not stand in your way. If Ryoko is your hearts love, I give you my consent as the first princess of planet Jurai." Tenchi sat there completely flabbergasted. This was more than he had ever expected to hear from Ayeka.
"Lady Ayeka," he began solemnly, "I appreciate that more than you can ever know." Ayeka smiled as hint of a tear disappeared form the corner of her left eye. All was not lost. He does care about me, she thought.
"Now tell me something?" began Tenchi.
"What is it between you and Marnot?" Tenchi grinned wickedly as all the color drained from Ayeka's face only to be replaced by a vibrant blush. Bingo, thought Tenchi, this is what she gets for teasing me earlier.
"I have no idea as to what you are talking about," Ayeka lied putting on an air of royalty.
"Oh really…"
***
Across the steppe the being watched as the prospective champion and his companion bantered back and forth. It found such dribble as pointless, a waste of mental capabilities. Furthermore it was not impressed by this selection of champion, and it figured that its master would not be impressed either. He seemed more interested in his friends than being a champion. But something about that also cast a shadow of worry upon the being. It reminded it of something….
***
Marnot lighted on fallen tree next to his old friend Ignatius Baltus. The obsidian clad guardian turned in acknowledgement of his friend's arrival. "What is your report?" he asked flatly, before Marnot could even assume his human form.
"All is well," he replied as his metamorphosis completed. "But it is out there."
"I know."
"Was it safe to leave the champion alone like that, and the princess?"
"Your feelings betray you," said Baltus coldly. "It will not do anything with outs its masters word, so the champion and your precious princess will be safe."
"Ignatius…"
"Enough!" said Baltus sharply. "You have been warned and any further infraction will be punished. Am I clear?"
"Crystal," said Marnot, his voice full of contempt.
"Make your report," Baltus said disdainfully. Marnot leveled his golden eyes onto Baltus' ice blue eyes.
"The champion will face the spirit of fire before the day is over."
"Good. This Odyssey is drawing to a close," said Baltus in a somewhat calmer tone. "And if he does not complete it to the Elders satisfaction you know what the consequences will be." Marnot knew full well what lay in store if the Odyssey was not a success. All life in the universe would be extinguished.
"And of the," he paused to search for the right word, "thing?"
"Leave it be," Baltus said as he faded out of sight. "He poses no threat…. yet." Marnot stood in contemptuous silence after Baltus had left. He knew what he felt was forbidden for a guardian, but he had harbored these hidden feelings for over eight hundred years.
'Funny,' he thought. 'How can a momentary glimpse and a few stories from a would-be champion cause such feelings to be born?' Never in the farthest reaches of his imagination did he ever imagine that he would lay his eyes on the young sacrifice again. And the fact she was nearly a sacrifice a second time only fueled his feelings. But he did take consolation in the fact that if she had been the sacrifice this time it would have been out of true love and not as a means to an end. If that was any solace at all.
The simple fact of the matter was he knew Ayeka's future. He knew that her role in this Odyssey was far from over. What he did not know was if he could stand by and let that future be played out. Such interference would be punished most severely. Maybe that was a chance he would have to take. A slight grin slipped onto his face. Perhaps the future is not set in stone.
***
Washu leaned back from her desk and yawned. She had lost track of how long she had been working on this translation. Sasami had stayed with her for a couple hours before she too tired and went off to bed. The fact that the little princess could see the text made Washu feel a little relived. It meant that the spirit of Tsunami was stronger than she thought in the little one.
"Are you really doing what I think you are doing?" Washu jumped slightly as the soft voice brought her quickly back to reality.
"You know it has to be done," she said with a warm smile. The ethereal image of Tsunami placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Could I see you in your true form?" asked Tsunami not sure of what Washu's response would be. The diminutive genius hopped down and stretched her arms above her head.
"It has been a while," she said as she shot up to her true height. Washu flexed her knuckles and rotated her neck from side to side. "I hope I remember how to do this." With that's aid a pale green light began to envelope her. As it grew in intensity Tsunami turned her eyes. Washu's Science Academy uniform gave way to the light as she brought her hands in front of her chest. Bands of the purest emerald green began to swirl from the light and wrap themselves around the goddess. From them black leggings and an ivory accented emerald tunic took form.
Washu held out her arms as fingerless black gloves formed on her arms, held in place only by the small loop around her middle finger. An emerald bodice formed around her tunic and two large emeralds fastened a white trimmed black cloak in place. A golden collar raised up to circle the back of her neck. Washu leaned her head back as her shock of crimson hair grew longer. A band of violet cloth wrapped itself around her hair to form her ponytail, leaving two purple streamers hanging behind her. Finally Washu closed her eyes as three bright green dots formed on her forehead. As quickly as the transformation had begun it was over.
"Is this better?" asked Washu as she looked over her true form. It had been twenty thousand years since she had taken this form and it took her a moment to get used to it again. A tear slid down tsunami's cheek as she saw her sister's true form again.
"It has been too long," she said in voice that hinted at their former glory. "I just hope that sister has faired well since we left."
"I wouldn't worry," said Washu as she walked over to Tsunami. "I feel that-," before Washu could finish she grabbed her head and fell to her knees.
"Washu!" gasped Tsunami as the green aura surrounded her sister again. Tsunami watched in silent fear as Washu reverted to her normal adult form. "Sister?" she asked, her voice full of trepidation.
"It's…alright," said Washu between breathes. The transformation into her true form had just expended too much energy, she thought to herself. "I've to work on that," she said as she made it back to her feet.
"Um, Washu," Tsunami said holding a hand to her mouth.
"What?" All Tsunami could do was point in her sisters general direction. Washu looked around for a second before she realized that her clothes had not returned when she reverted forms.
"Oh," said Washu as a blush crept across her face as well. She summoned a holo-computer and a few keystrokes later her standard academy uniform was back.
"Will you be able to make the journey?" asked a much-relieved Tsunami.
"With a little practice I should be able to," she sighed as she shrank back down into her standard size. "We have less than five days to get ready," she said pointing to the chronometer on the computer screen. "That will give Tenchi at least two days to go."
"I wish we did not have to do this again," Tsunami said with a heavy heart. "If we fail there will be another chance."
"I know," said Washu gravely. "If this all fails there will nothing left for anybody."
***
"The sanctuary is just beyond these hills," said Marnot as he led Tenchi and Ayeka through the canyons. Tenchi checked the chronometer on the orb to see how long they had been hiking. They had been on the move for about four hours and the alien sun was already nearing midday. A few more hours and it would be evening again, but Tenchi hoped that they would be in the sanctuary by then. Tenchi his real challenge would begin.
According to Marnot this was the sanctuary that made or broke most champions. He would not go into the specifics, but he did hint that it would not be an easy time. And to top it off Tenchi figured they had a little over six days to complete the final two parts of this damned Odyssey in order to save Ryoko.
"Lord Tenchi, Marnot!" called Ayeka. "I think something is following us!" Tenchi turned to see what Ayeka could be talking about, but he saw nothing but the bands of orange and red rock that made up the canyon walls.
"Where princess?"
"Up there!" shouted Ayeka pointing to the rim of the canyon. Tenchi strained his eyes but could not find anything out of the ordinary. The only thing he saw was sage grass, tumble weeds, and what looked like a jackrabbit with antelope antlers growing from its head.
"I would not worry," reassured Marnot. "We will be at the sanctuary soon, and if something is following us, I will deal with it."
"You aren't coming with us?" asked Ayeka.
"I cannot," replied Marnot. "Last time was an exception due to the hostile nature of Tyran Prime. I hate to say it but you are own you're here."
"I see."
"We should be fine," Tenchi said trying to be confident.
'For your sake I hope you're right,' thought Marnot. "Look!" he called out. Ahead of them lay a temple front carved into the side of the cliff. It's fluted columns and ancient friezes bore the passage of time heavily.
"Oh boy," sighed Tenchi as the entrance loomed over him.
"Your destiny awaits," said Marnot. Tenchi and Ayeka climbed the ancient sand colored stairs to the temples portico. Massive stone doors sealed the entry. In fact they looked as if they had not been opened in centuries, if ever. As Tenchi took another step forward they began to silently swing open. Somewhat shocked he took a step back as the massive doors opened inward as easily as if they were weightless.
"Go on," prodded Marnot. Tenchi nodded and walked into the shadows. Ayeka followed him closely but she stopped right over the threshold and looked back to Marnot. Her expression was one of longing and heartache. For his part Marnot remained stoic as ever as he made shooing motions towards Ayeka. Reluctantly she followed Tenchi into the sanctuary.
Once the massive doors swung shut behind them Marnot fell to his knees. He knew what lay in the future, and for the first time the ancient guardian was heartbroken.
The Odyssey shall continue in: Fire Storm
Thanks one and all to everyone who has read this and as always drop me a message in the review box, or email me at vette1701@earthlink.net. Later.