"Tenchi Muyo!" and all characters herein are the property of Pioneer and AIC, save those created by the author. This is a fanfic, and is not for profit.
Tenchi Muyo! Odyssey
Chapter Twenty-two: Holocaust
Dedication: Once again a heart-felt thanks goes out to all of those abroad right now defending the freedoms we cherish.
A light breeze played across a grassy field. The soft pastels of spring flowers dotted the landscape, as did the occasional fruit tree of differing variety. In the distance the great domes of the science academy rose into the atmosphere. The occasional vapor trail streaked the otherwise crystal blue sky. As always the weather on planet Todain was perfect for an afternoon picnic.
"Mamma, Mamma," giggled a rambunctious toddler as chased after a spotted butterfly. Her mother laughed softly to herself as the cyan trussed little girl played in the afternoon warmth.
"Be careful, little Ryoko," admonished Washu as the three year old lost her balance and landed firmly on her backside.
"I will Mamma," the little one giggled as she pulled her self back to her feet. Washu smiled took a sip of wine and smiled as her little girl played frivolously in the green field before them. No matter what anyone said about Ryoko, she was her little girl and no one else's opinion mattered.
Washu sat her goblet down on the gingham cloth that covered their picnic area. A drop of rain had landed on her hand causing her a bit of alarm. The weather on Todain was strictly controlled, and no storm systems were on the schedule for another three days or so.
"I'll have their heads for this," mumbled Washu as another drop fell. She figured that someone had done this on purpose, just to ruin her day off with her daughter. "Ryoko!" called Washu as sinister looking nimbus clouds rolled in across the horizon. Washu realized that this was no ordinary storm or even a practical joke. Something was deadly wrong.
"Ryoko!" Her voice carried across the howling wind as the first of the heavy rain began to fall. Brilliant streaks of blue lightening danced across the clouds before they arced to the ground.
"Ryoko!" she called again, barely audible against the now raging storm. Almost at the point of panic Washu reached out across her link with Ryoko. A fleeting feeling of relief came over her as she realized her daughter was all right, but very frightened.
Washu pushed her bangs out of her eyes as the torrents plastered them to her forehead. She tried to comfort her distraught daughter across the link as she raced across the field. "Ryoko!" she shrieked as she found her daughter lying lifeless on the sodden earth. A dark entity stood above her. "Stay away!" screamed Washu as she formed her own orange energy blade. She swiped frantically at the black mass but it was to no avail. It enveloped Ryoko and quickly moved to the horrified Washu. She gasped for breath but the darkness was all encompassing.
Then she woke up.
Washu gasped for each breath as her eyes readjusted to the dim lighting of the lab. Her mind was awash with countless questions to which she had no immediate answers. "Only a dream," she muttered as the haze lifted from her vision. "Only a dream," she repeated in a monotone mantra.
Once she was sure she was back in the lab the next question shot across her mind. "Ryoko!" Washu shot out of her desk chair and tripped over a power cord. She landed face first with a loud "oomph!" Not noticing the trail of blood trickling from her bottom lip she clamored to her feet again and dashed to Ryoko's bedside.
"Oh thank God," Washu cried as she realized her daughter was still there. All of the readouts displayed normal and she was in no immediate danger. As Washu calmed down she thought about the fleeting memory of the nightmare. "That is not what happened that day," she mumbled to herself. Resolutely she pushed the dream to the back of her mind, determined to give it no other thought.
Then she looked at Ryoko.
The sight of Ryoko lying there helpless brought the dream back with the force of a breaking dam. The image of the young Ryoko became inseparable from the real one. "My...little Ryoko," Washu whispered as her eyes clouded again. This time there was no suppressing the emotion. Washu buried her face into Ryoko's chest and wept.
***
"Oh wow," commented Tenchi as the massive curved doors were illuminated. The gray steel of the doors was inlaid with gold and platinum, depicting the great seal of Jurai. Once again the centerpiece of the doors was the light hawk wings.
"I hate to think what's behind them," Ayeka said half-heartedly and half-seriously.
"Don't have a choice," Tenchi said nonchalantly. He laid his hand onto the disk of the light hawk emblem and it began to glow. The light spread from the disk, up and down where the doors met, before continuing around the outline. Once the seal was broken the doors pushed apart, allowing a blast of superheated air to wash over the young champion and his companion.
"I hate it when I'm right," Ayeka said shakily as Tenchi pushed the doors farther apart.
"Me too," he added as he got his first good look at what lay before them. Tenchi took a step back as the massive fire demon took a step towards them. It towered upwards to ten meters tall, and its whip-like tail extended another four meters from the mass of its body. A mane of fire burned from the base of its massive, square jawed skull to about halfway down its tail. Extending from this mane was fiery red tiger stripes, which shined brightly against its carbon black skin.
"Tenchi!" squeaked Ayeka as the beast opened its fanged filled maw. Its square jaw was lined with rows of razor sharp, serrated teeth. A low growl rumbled from the demon as its long tongue wetted the edge of its baked lips. The creature's eyes burned with a piercing red light. Wisps of flame rose from its eye sockets each time it blinked. Jutting from its face was two sets of horns: one pair, which curved upwards, and the other, which curved down, reaching a point beneath its squared chin.
From its broad shoulders extended its muscled arms, each terminating in a clawed hand. The polished black talons curved at their tips, to provided maximum shredding power. A bony spike protruded from each elbow and ran the length of its upper arm. From behind the beasts the shoulder blades jutted a pair of massive, leathery wings. A black talon protruded from the tip of each strake. The black leather between the stakes was broken with streaks of fiery red. The ground shook as the demons massive, three-clawed foot indented the ground.
"You are the one!" the beast howled as Tenchi stepped in front of Ayeka.
"Wh-what are you?" demanded Tenchi. Once again they were washed over by hot, humid breath as the creature belted out a deep, maniacal laugh.
"I am Shigeru, keeper of the flame," the demon replied.
"And what do you want from us?" demanded Tenchi as he felt Ayeka's hands tighten on his shoulders.
"My master has given me but one instruction," Shigeru boomed. "And that is to see your blood!" Tenchi and Ayeka quickly dodged to their right as the demon lunged towards them. The ground rumbled with each of its mighty footfalls.
"Tenchi!" screamed Ayeka as they rolled under the demons claw. Shigeru barely missed them, and swiped into the wall instead.
"Not good!" panted Tenchi as he watched the demons claws melt through the solid steel and marble.
"Stay still!" Shigeru growled as he pulled his claws free from the damaged wall. "I will spill your blood!"
"Not today!" replied Tenchi as he summoned the light hawk wings once more. Shigeru shielded his eyes as the disk of light formed before Tenchi and the three blades wrapped around his body, replacing his field jacket and pants with the robes of the Juraian priesthood. The gilded hilt of the sword formed in his right hand and the white shield appeared on his left forearm. The three green marks on his forehead gleamed as the shimmering white blade extended from the hilt.
"Very good," hissed Shigeru, as a few wisps of flame rose from his eyes. "Very good indeed."
"Lord Tenchi!" Ayeka shouted. Her request was understood as flipped the aster key from his belt to her. It tumbled end over end before she caught it and formed the blade. When Ayeka did so a ring of blue light enveloped her.
"And the little one too!" hissed Shigeru as the lied dissipated from Ayeka. Gone was her field jacket and pants, having been replaced by her lavender battle togs and brown body armor. The black marks of the house of Jurai streaked her face as the jewels in her headpiece began to glow. She too was now ready for battle.
"I will fight at Tenchi's side!" she announced as she leveled the blade of Tenchi-ken towards Shigeru.
"Very well!" laughed Shigeru. A wicked sneer curled his lips as he narrowed his eyes onto the gallant pair standing in front of him. "Feel my heat!" Shigeru bellowed as the first hints of smoke curled from the corner of his mouth. They were quickly followed by a blast of flame as he belched forth his evil fury.
"Look out!" screamed Tenchi as the belt of flame split the two of them. Ayeka rolled to her feet to the demons left while Tenchi darted around its side. He was counting on their speed to avoid the demons attacks, and hopefully distract it long enough for one of them to get in a decent blow.
"See how they run!" Shigeru laughed as he swung his tail around towards Ayeka. Tenchi screamed as she barely got out of the fiery whips path. She quickly glanced back to see where it had left a scorched mark on the wall, imagining what it could have done to her.
`Oh dear!' she thought as she began to run once more. "Tenchi!" Ayeka called out as she tried to avoid the demons claws. "We need a plan!"
"I know!" huffed Tenchi, as he too became the target of the demons tail.
"Pitiful insects," chuckled Shigeru. "My master was correct. You are of no challenge."
"Tenchi-i-i-i-i!" whined Ayeka.
Tenchi "Uh-oh" -ed as the demon Shigeru gave up chase and stood resolutely before them. Shigeru's breathing became labored as he began to flex his already substantial mass of muscle.
"I don't like this," said Ayeka as she joined Tenchi's side.
"Be calm," reassured Tenchi. The demon continued to expand his mass, almost to the pint of absurdity. "Now!" Tenchi yelled as he charged Shigeru. Ayeka sounded off and followed quickly by his side. The beast smiled evilly as the two Juraian's ran towards him.
"Fools!" Shigeru bellowed as knocked the both of them back. Tenchi and Ayeka were flung across the room and landed rather hard.
"Not good," grunted Tenchi as he picked himself up.
"I would say," added Ayeka. As the demon continued its metamorphism a red aura began to surround him. "What now?" Ayeka asked.
"Praying might be a good idea," Tenchi replied, his voice laced with fear. Tenchi and Ayeka watched in terror as Shigeru's aura continued to grow.
***
The sun was beginning to set again as Ignatius Baltus and Marnot continued their stalemate. Each one stood resolute in his conviction, and neither would cede a millimeter to the other. "It has begun Raphael," commented Baltus dryly.
"I know," replied Marnot grimly. "Do not call me that. The person that was Raphael ceased to be millennia ago."
"And you wish to reclaim him," Baltus replied, his voice full of contempt for what his long time friend was about to cast off. "Remember how long we have friends, Marnot?"
"Longer than time immortal," Marnot replied. His piercing eyes had never moved from Baltus, as Baltus' had not moved from his. "Yet that will not stop me from setting events right."
"Right in whose eyes?" shot Baltus. "Because you are an eternal does not give you the right to interfere with the lines of fate!"
"And being an Elder does?"
"Do not blaspheme your self!" Baltus warned. "Guardian's have been dismissed for less."
"I know," began Marnot. "And I am not afraid."
"You are truly a fool old friend," Baltus replied with a hint of sorrow in his voice. "I fail to see how this could be worth it to you, such, such, such a insignificant worm?"
Marnot clenched his teeth and balled his fists to contain the fury that was building inside of him. He could take only so much, and that limit was nearly reached. "Watch thy tongue Ignatius," he sternly warned.
"Or what?" inquired Baltus. "You will bite it off?" he replied sarcastically.
"It would shut you up."
"Now that it the Marnot I have known through the ages," laughed Baltus. "Give up this foolery and those pathetic notions of yours."
Marnot's reply was swift and definitive. "Never."
"Then so be it."
***
"Tenchi!" Shigeru's powerful aura began to tighten back around him as a thousand flames erupted from his feet. Each flame rose about two meters above the ground before it took a humanoid form. Each form solidified into a separate, ethereal, fire demon. Trails of flame rose from their outlines as they bowed before their hellish master.
"My minions shall be more than enough for you," boomed Shigeru. The throng of demons turned their collective gaze to Tenchi and Ayeka.
"They shall die!" they said in a thousand voices.
"Coward!" screamed Tenchi as he tightened his grip on the light hawk sword. "Only a coward would hide like this!"
"Cowardice is no different than bravery," Shigeru smiled. "Nor is foolishness."
"Enough riddles!" barked Tenchi. "Fight me!"
"Only a fool would throw away his life as such-
Shigeru had been so focused on Tenchi's bravado that he had failed to notice Ayeka dash off around the side of the chamber. By the time he did notice she was mid-leap, arcing the master key towards him.
"Fool!" he roared as he knocked Ayeka out of the air. "Destroy them!" he commanded his demons. With a thousand yells they charged towards Tenchi and Ayeka. Shigeru's monstrous laugh echoed across the hall as he sadistically watched Tenchi and Ayeka go on the defensive against his hoard of demons.
"Run!" he laughed as wave after wave of demons washed towards Tenchi.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi screamed as he saw on of the construct jump onto her back. But before he could act she flipped it off of her and into a mass of its compatriots.
"I'm fine!" she huffed. Tenchi nodded and redoubled his efforts. No longer was he fighting for himself. He was fighting for Ryoko and Ayeka. As Shigeru's laugh boomed over them Tenchi cut down demon after demon. One leapt towards him only to cut down by the light hawk sword.
"Tenchi!" squeaked Ayeka as mass of demons began to overwhelm her. Seeing this Tenchi took a running leap towards the wall closest to him. With a grunt he vaulted off of it and over the demons separating him and Ayeka. The poor hellspawn never saw the streak of the light hawk sword as Tenchi cut them down. "Thank you Lord Tenchi," Ayeka said as she resumed the fight.
Tenchi's response was unspoken but understood to her. She knew that he would do everything in his power to see them through this ordeal. He would protect her, just as he had promised her father so many years ago. Ayeka allowed a slight smile to slip onto her face as she tore into the next group of demons. The blue blade of Tenchi-ken arced and sliced through the air and demon alike. Each time one would be cut down its essence would dissipate, leaving only a momentary wisp of flame. But this is not what made Ayeka smile. She smiled because she knew that although Tenchi did not return her love for him, he did care for her, and that he would do everything in his power to protect her.
"I grow weary of this," said Shigeru flatly. "Be gone!" he roared. Instantly all of the fire demons vanished, leaving only a myriad of burnt marks on the floors and walls. "I shall destroy you myself!"
"Ayeka," Tenchi stammered as massive demon punched his fist into the gray metal of the wall. The wound immediately began to glow red as the heat from the beast radiated into it. With an earthshaking roar Shigeru pulled his hand free of the wall.
"What is he doing?" asked Ayeka as she took a position near Tenchi. All Tenchi could was shake his head as the demon roll the ball of metal around in the palm of his hands.
"Come to me!" Shigeru beckoned as he stretched the molten metal into the shape of a blade. "Come to me!" he yelled again. This time a bolt of red energy struck him from the heavens, infusing the molten metal with its demonic power.
"We've got to move," Tenchi said grabbing Ayeka's hand. Her gaze was transfixed on the demonic blade taking shape in Shigeru's hands.
"It is finished!" boomed Shigeru as he gave his new blade a few tentative swipes. "The Reever is formed!" he laughed evilly. With a hellish growl he swung the sword across the room. Its fiery blade sliced through the columns and wall with ease, leaving Tenchi with the sickening thought of what it could do to him.
"We have to avoid that sword," Tenchi panted as he and Ayeka took a momentary refuge behind one of the fallen pillars.
"We're toast if it hits us," added Ayeka as Shigeru lumbered towards them.
"Literally," Tenchi joked. "If we split his attention we should have a chance," Tenchi continued.
"I'll go right," said Ayeka. Tenchi nodded and tightened his grip on the light hawk sword.
"Which ever one has the blind side makes the move!"
"Uh-uh," was Ayeka's reply as she fixed her gaze onto Shigeru. `You shall fall, demon,' she thought to her self.
"Go!" Tenchi yelled as he dashed to the left. Ayeka waited a second for Shigeru to be distracted before she broke to the right. Bounding from pillar to pillar she deftly made her way around the demons blind side.
"Die!" screamed Shigeru as he swung his sword towards Tenchi. The young champion rolled beneath the blade and hurled the light hawk sword in the demons direction. Shigeru howled in agony as the white-hot blade pierced his left shoulder. "You shall pay for that!" he howled.
"Maybe," replied Tenchi as he reformed his blade. `Good thought,' Tenchi. `He hasn't noticed Ayeka.' Tenchi leapt up towards Shigeru, blade drawn. The demon howled as Tenchi brought his sword down across his.
"Weaklings like you can never defeat me," laughed Shigeru as he held Tenchi at bay. As he held off Tenchi Shigeru noticed something reflected in the blade of his sword. Instantly he knocked Tenchi back with his free hand and turned his attention to Ayeka.
"Oh no," she mumbled as Shigeru turned his focus to her. She was mid-leap and committed to her attack.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi yelled as Shigeru plucked her from the air. His massive hand and fingers wrapped around Ayeka as she struggled to get free.
"Fool," the demon laughed as the princess struggled futilely against his superior strength.
"Tenchi!" cried Ayeka as the demons hot, foul tongue licked over her face.
"Sweet," growled Shigeru. Tenchi reformed his blade and prepared to attack the demon when it turned towards him. "I would not if you want her to live," it growled wickedly. All Tenchi could do was lower his blade. As long as the beast had Ayeka, they were at its mercy.
***
Marnot knew what was transpiring within the sanctuary. He had witnessed it6 in his dreams a thousand times before. And each time the outcome was the same.
"What will you do?" Baltus toyed. "Will you sacrifice everything that has been given to you? Will you turn your back on those who gave you everything? And for what? The love of a mortal? A love that will pass and die as the both of you shall? Can it really be worth that much to you?"
Marnot's reply came without hesitation. "Yes."
"How can it be?" Baltus inquired of his old friend. His voice was a cross between one of pity and one of contempt. "What is the logic, the reasoning behind such a fool hearty decision?" Baltus stopped for a second to shake his head in disbelief. "Madness," he continued as he began to pace. "It is madness I say."
"Perhaps," answered Marnot coolly.
"Raphael!" started Baltus as he laid his hands on Marnot's shoulders, only to have them swiftly knocked away.
"Do not call me that!" growled Marnot.
"Marnot," Baltus restarted, "I do not know what could have caused you to abandon your good senses, but I pity you. Nothing can be worth what you are about to give up."
"You are right," Marnot began. Immediately Baltus' eyes lit up. He knew that he could talk some sense into his old friend. "It is worth more," the indomitable guardian concluded. Baltus' jaw dropped. "Now if you would kindly step aside."
For his part Baltus tried to speak, but all he could form were incoherent syllables as Marnot pushed his way past him. Finally Baltus collected himself enough to speak. "You will regret this!" he cried out. "They shall cast you aside!"
Marnot stopped and turned back to his old friend. "Ignatius," he began, "I should have said this a long time ago."
"And what would that be?" Baltus asked somewhat quizzically.
"Go fuck yourself." All Ignatius Baltus could do was watch in silenced shock as Marnot entered the sanctuary of fire.
The Odyssey shall continue...
I hope you all enjoyed this one. It should have cleared up any questions just as to where Marnot's feelings lay. Forgive the foul language there at the end; I just could not resist using that one. It fit Marnot perfectly. Once again thanks for reading I will get the next installment out as soon as my class load will permit me to. Later.
William Nichols
Tenchi Muyo! Odyssey
Chapter Twenty-two: Holocaust
Dedication: Once again a heart-felt thanks goes out to all of those abroad right now defending the freedoms we cherish.
A light breeze played across a grassy field. The soft pastels of spring flowers dotted the landscape, as did the occasional fruit tree of differing variety. In the distance the great domes of the science academy rose into the atmosphere. The occasional vapor trail streaked the otherwise crystal blue sky. As always the weather on planet Todain was perfect for an afternoon picnic.
"Mamma, Mamma," giggled a rambunctious toddler as chased after a spotted butterfly. Her mother laughed softly to herself as the cyan trussed little girl played in the afternoon warmth.
"Be careful, little Ryoko," admonished Washu as the three year old lost her balance and landed firmly on her backside.
"I will Mamma," the little one giggled as she pulled her self back to her feet. Washu smiled took a sip of wine and smiled as her little girl played frivolously in the green field before them. No matter what anyone said about Ryoko, she was her little girl and no one else's opinion mattered.
Washu sat her goblet down on the gingham cloth that covered their picnic area. A drop of rain had landed on her hand causing her a bit of alarm. The weather on Todain was strictly controlled, and no storm systems were on the schedule for another three days or so.
"I'll have their heads for this," mumbled Washu as another drop fell. She figured that someone had done this on purpose, just to ruin her day off with her daughter. "Ryoko!" called Washu as sinister looking nimbus clouds rolled in across the horizon. Washu realized that this was no ordinary storm or even a practical joke. Something was deadly wrong.
"Ryoko!" Her voice carried across the howling wind as the first of the heavy rain began to fall. Brilliant streaks of blue lightening danced across the clouds before they arced to the ground.
"Ryoko!" she called again, barely audible against the now raging storm. Almost at the point of panic Washu reached out across her link with Ryoko. A fleeting feeling of relief came over her as she realized her daughter was all right, but very frightened.
Washu pushed her bangs out of her eyes as the torrents plastered them to her forehead. She tried to comfort her distraught daughter across the link as she raced across the field. "Ryoko!" she shrieked as she found her daughter lying lifeless on the sodden earth. A dark entity stood above her. "Stay away!" screamed Washu as she formed her own orange energy blade. She swiped frantically at the black mass but it was to no avail. It enveloped Ryoko and quickly moved to the horrified Washu. She gasped for breath but the darkness was all encompassing.
Then she woke up.
Washu gasped for each breath as her eyes readjusted to the dim lighting of the lab. Her mind was awash with countless questions to which she had no immediate answers. "Only a dream," she muttered as the haze lifted from her vision. "Only a dream," she repeated in a monotone mantra.
Once she was sure she was back in the lab the next question shot across her mind. "Ryoko!" Washu shot out of her desk chair and tripped over a power cord. She landed face first with a loud "oomph!" Not noticing the trail of blood trickling from her bottom lip she clamored to her feet again and dashed to Ryoko's bedside.
"Oh thank God," Washu cried as she realized her daughter was still there. All of the readouts displayed normal and she was in no immediate danger. As Washu calmed down she thought about the fleeting memory of the nightmare. "That is not what happened that day," she mumbled to herself. Resolutely she pushed the dream to the back of her mind, determined to give it no other thought.
Then she looked at Ryoko.
The sight of Ryoko lying there helpless brought the dream back with the force of a breaking dam. The image of the young Ryoko became inseparable from the real one. "My...little Ryoko," Washu whispered as her eyes clouded again. This time there was no suppressing the emotion. Washu buried her face into Ryoko's chest and wept.
***
"Oh wow," commented Tenchi as the massive curved doors were illuminated. The gray steel of the doors was inlaid with gold and platinum, depicting the great seal of Jurai. Once again the centerpiece of the doors was the light hawk wings.
"I hate to think what's behind them," Ayeka said half-heartedly and half-seriously.
"Don't have a choice," Tenchi said nonchalantly. He laid his hand onto the disk of the light hawk emblem and it began to glow. The light spread from the disk, up and down where the doors met, before continuing around the outline. Once the seal was broken the doors pushed apart, allowing a blast of superheated air to wash over the young champion and his companion.
"I hate it when I'm right," Ayeka said shakily as Tenchi pushed the doors farther apart.
"Me too," he added as he got his first good look at what lay before them. Tenchi took a step back as the massive fire demon took a step towards them. It towered upwards to ten meters tall, and its whip-like tail extended another four meters from the mass of its body. A mane of fire burned from the base of its massive, square jawed skull to about halfway down its tail. Extending from this mane was fiery red tiger stripes, which shined brightly against its carbon black skin.
"Tenchi!" squeaked Ayeka as the beast opened its fanged filled maw. Its square jaw was lined with rows of razor sharp, serrated teeth. A low growl rumbled from the demon as its long tongue wetted the edge of its baked lips. The creature's eyes burned with a piercing red light. Wisps of flame rose from its eye sockets each time it blinked. Jutting from its face was two sets of horns: one pair, which curved upwards, and the other, which curved down, reaching a point beneath its squared chin.
From its broad shoulders extended its muscled arms, each terminating in a clawed hand. The polished black talons curved at their tips, to provided maximum shredding power. A bony spike protruded from each elbow and ran the length of its upper arm. From behind the beasts the shoulder blades jutted a pair of massive, leathery wings. A black talon protruded from the tip of each strake. The black leather between the stakes was broken with streaks of fiery red. The ground shook as the demons massive, three-clawed foot indented the ground.
"You are the one!" the beast howled as Tenchi stepped in front of Ayeka.
"Wh-what are you?" demanded Tenchi. Once again they were washed over by hot, humid breath as the creature belted out a deep, maniacal laugh.
"I am Shigeru, keeper of the flame," the demon replied.
"And what do you want from us?" demanded Tenchi as he felt Ayeka's hands tighten on his shoulders.
"My master has given me but one instruction," Shigeru boomed. "And that is to see your blood!" Tenchi and Ayeka quickly dodged to their right as the demon lunged towards them. The ground rumbled with each of its mighty footfalls.
"Tenchi!" screamed Ayeka as they rolled under the demons claw. Shigeru barely missed them, and swiped into the wall instead.
"Not good!" panted Tenchi as he watched the demons claws melt through the solid steel and marble.
"Stay still!" Shigeru growled as he pulled his claws free from the damaged wall. "I will spill your blood!"
"Not today!" replied Tenchi as he summoned the light hawk wings once more. Shigeru shielded his eyes as the disk of light formed before Tenchi and the three blades wrapped around his body, replacing his field jacket and pants with the robes of the Juraian priesthood. The gilded hilt of the sword formed in his right hand and the white shield appeared on his left forearm. The three green marks on his forehead gleamed as the shimmering white blade extended from the hilt.
"Very good," hissed Shigeru, as a few wisps of flame rose from his eyes. "Very good indeed."
"Lord Tenchi!" Ayeka shouted. Her request was understood as flipped the aster key from his belt to her. It tumbled end over end before she caught it and formed the blade. When Ayeka did so a ring of blue light enveloped her.
"And the little one too!" hissed Shigeru as the lied dissipated from Ayeka. Gone was her field jacket and pants, having been replaced by her lavender battle togs and brown body armor. The black marks of the house of Jurai streaked her face as the jewels in her headpiece began to glow. She too was now ready for battle.
"I will fight at Tenchi's side!" she announced as she leveled the blade of Tenchi-ken towards Shigeru.
"Very well!" laughed Shigeru. A wicked sneer curled his lips as he narrowed his eyes onto the gallant pair standing in front of him. "Feel my heat!" Shigeru bellowed as the first hints of smoke curled from the corner of his mouth. They were quickly followed by a blast of flame as he belched forth his evil fury.
"Look out!" screamed Tenchi as the belt of flame split the two of them. Ayeka rolled to her feet to the demons left while Tenchi darted around its side. He was counting on their speed to avoid the demons attacks, and hopefully distract it long enough for one of them to get in a decent blow.
"See how they run!" Shigeru laughed as he swung his tail around towards Ayeka. Tenchi screamed as she barely got out of the fiery whips path. She quickly glanced back to see where it had left a scorched mark on the wall, imagining what it could have done to her.
`Oh dear!' she thought as she began to run once more. "Tenchi!" Ayeka called out as she tried to avoid the demons claws. "We need a plan!"
"I know!" huffed Tenchi, as he too became the target of the demons tail.
"Pitiful insects," chuckled Shigeru. "My master was correct. You are of no challenge."
"Tenchi-i-i-i-i!" whined Ayeka.
Tenchi "Uh-oh" -ed as the demon Shigeru gave up chase and stood resolutely before them. Shigeru's breathing became labored as he began to flex his already substantial mass of muscle.
"I don't like this," said Ayeka as she joined Tenchi's side.
"Be calm," reassured Tenchi. The demon continued to expand his mass, almost to the pint of absurdity. "Now!" Tenchi yelled as he charged Shigeru. Ayeka sounded off and followed quickly by his side. The beast smiled evilly as the two Juraian's ran towards him.
"Fools!" Shigeru bellowed as knocked the both of them back. Tenchi and Ayeka were flung across the room and landed rather hard.
"Not good," grunted Tenchi as he picked himself up.
"I would say," added Ayeka. As the demon continued its metamorphism a red aura began to surround him. "What now?" Ayeka asked.
"Praying might be a good idea," Tenchi replied, his voice laced with fear. Tenchi and Ayeka watched in terror as Shigeru's aura continued to grow.
***
The sun was beginning to set again as Ignatius Baltus and Marnot continued their stalemate. Each one stood resolute in his conviction, and neither would cede a millimeter to the other. "It has begun Raphael," commented Baltus dryly.
"I know," replied Marnot grimly. "Do not call me that. The person that was Raphael ceased to be millennia ago."
"And you wish to reclaim him," Baltus replied, his voice full of contempt for what his long time friend was about to cast off. "Remember how long we have friends, Marnot?"
"Longer than time immortal," Marnot replied. His piercing eyes had never moved from Baltus, as Baltus' had not moved from his. "Yet that will not stop me from setting events right."
"Right in whose eyes?" shot Baltus. "Because you are an eternal does not give you the right to interfere with the lines of fate!"
"And being an Elder does?"
"Do not blaspheme your self!" Baltus warned. "Guardian's have been dismissed for less."
"I know," began Marnot. "And I am not afraid."
"You are truly a fool old friend," Baltus replied with a hint of sorrow in his voice. "I fail to see how this could be worth it to you, such, such, such a insignificant worm?"
Marnot clenched his teeth and balled his fists to contain the fury that was building inside of him. He could take only so much, and that limit was nearly reached. "Watch thy tongue Ignatius," he sternly warned.
"Or what?" inquired Baltus. "You will bite it off?" he replied sarcastically.
"It would shut you up."
"Now that it the Marnot I have known through the ages," laughed Baltus. "Give up this foolery and those pathetic notions of yours."
Marnot's reply was swift and definitive. "Never."
"Then so be it."
***
"Tenchi!" Shigeru's powerful aura began to tighten back around him as a thousand flames erupted from his feet. Each flame rose about two meters above the ground before it took a humanoid form. Each form solidified into a separate, ethereal, fire demon. Trails of flame rose from their outlines as they bowed before their hellish master.
"My minions shall be more than enough for you," boomed Shigeru. The throng of demons turned their collective gaze to Tenchi and Ayeka.
"They shall die!" they said in a thousand voices.
"Coward!" screamed Tenchi as he tightened his grip on the light hawk sword. "Only a coward would hide like this!"
"Cowardice is no different than bravery," Shigeru smiled. "Nor is foolishness."
"Enough riddles!" barked Tenchi. "Fight me!"
"Only a fool would throw away his life as such-
Shigeru had been so focused on Tenchi's bravado that he had failed to notice Ayeka dash off around the side of the chamber. By the time he did notice she was mid-leap, arcing the master key towards him.
"Fool!" he roared as he knocked Ayeka out of the air. "Destroy them!" he commanded his demons. With a thousand yells they charged towards Tenchi and Ayeka. Shigeru's monstrous laugh echoed across the hall as he sadistically watched Tenchi and Ayeka go on the defensive against his hoard of demons.
"Run!" he laughed as wave after wave of demons washed towards Tenchi.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi screamed as he saw on of the construct jump onto her back. But before he could act she flipped it off of her and into a mass of its compatriots.
"I'm fine!" she huffed. Tenchi nodded and redoubled his efforts. No longer was he fighting for himself. He was fighting for Ryoko and Ayeka. As Shigeru's laugh boomed over them Tenchi cut down demon after demon. One leapt towards him only to cut down by the light hawk sword.
"Tenchi!" squeaked Ayeka as mass of demons began to overwhelm her. Seeing this Tenchi took a running leap towards the wall closest to him. With a grunt he vaulted off of it and over the demons separating him and Ayeka. The poor hellspawn never saw the streak of the light hawk sword as Tenchi cut them down. "Thank you Lord Tenchi," Ayeka said as she resumed the fight.
Tenchi's response was unspoken but understood to her. She knew that he would do everything in his power to see them through this ordeal. He would protect her, just as he had promised her father so many years ago. Ayeka allowed a slight smile to slip onto her face as she tore into the next group of demons. The blue blade of Tenchi-ken arced and sliced through the air and demon alike. Each time one would be cut down its essence would dissipate, leaving only a momentary wisp of flame. But this is not what made Ayeka smile. She smiled because she knew that although Tenchi did not return her love for him, he did care for her, and that he would do everything in his power to protect her.
"I grow weary of this," said Shigeru flatly. "Be gone!" he roared. Instantly all of the fire demons vanished, leaving only a myriad of burnt marks on the floors and walls. "I shall destroy you myself!"
"Ayeka," Tenchi stammered as massive demon punched his fist into the gray metal of the wall. The wound immediately began to glow red as the heat from the beast radiated into it. With an earthshaking roar Shigeru pulled his hand free of the wall.
"What is he doing?" asked Ayeka as she took a position near Tenchi. All Tenchi could was shake his head as the demon roll the ball of metal around in the palm of his hands.
"Come to me!" Shigeru beckoned as he stretched the molten metal into the shape of a blade. "Come to me!" he yelled again. This time a bolt of red energy struck him from the heavens, infusing the molten metal with its demonic power.
"We've got to move," Tenchi said grabbing Ayeka's hand. Her gaze was transfixed on the demonic blade taking shape in Shigeru's hands.
"It is finished!" boomed Shigeru as he gave his new blade a few tentative swipes. "The Reever is formed!" he laughed evilly. With a hellish growl he swung the sword across the room. Its fiery blade sliced through the columns and wall with ease, leaving Tenchi with the sickening thought of what it could do to him.
"We have to avoid that sword," Tenchi panted as he and Ayeka took a momentary refuge behind one of the fallen pillars.
"We're toast if it hits us," added Ayeka as Shigeru lumbered towards them.
"Literally," Tenchi joked. "If we split his attention we should have a chance," Tenchi continued.
"I'll go right," said Ayeka. Tenchi nodded and tightened his grip on the light hawk sword.
"Which ever one has the blind side makes the move!"
"Uh-uh," was Ayeka's reply as she fixed her gaze onto Shigeru. `You shall fall, demon,' she thought to her self.
"Go!" Tenchi yelled as he dashed to the left. Ayeka waited a second for Shigeru to be distracted before she broke to the right. Bounding from pillar to pillar she deftly made her way around the demons blind side.
"Die!" screamed Shigeru as he swung his sword towards Tenchi. The young champion rolled beneath the blade and hurled the light hawk sword in the demons direction. Shigeru howled in agony as the white-hot blade pierced his left shoulder. "You shall pay for that!" he howled.
"Maybe," replied Tenchi as he reformed his blade. `Good thought,' Tenchi. `He hasn't noticed Ayeka.' Tenchi leapt up towards Shigeru, blade drawn. The demon howled as Tenchi brought his sword down across his.
"Weaklings like you can never defeat me," laughed Shigeru as he held Tenchi at bay. As he held off Tenchi Shigeru noticed something reflected in the blade of his sword. Instantly he knocked Tenchi back with his free hand and turned his attention to Ayeka.
"Oh no," she mumbled as Shigeru turned his focus to her. She was mid-leap and committed to her attack.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi yelled as Shigeru plucked her from the air. His massive hand and fingers wrapped around Ayeka as she struggled to get free.
"Fool," the demon laughed as the princess struggled futilely against his superior strength.
"Tenchi!" cried Ayeka as the demons hot, foul tongue licked over her face.
"Sweet," growled Shigeru. Tenchi reformed his blade and prepared to attack the demon when it turned towards him. "I would not if you want her to live," it growled wickedly. All Tenchi could do was lower his blade. As long as the beast had Ayeka, they were at its mercy.
***
Marnot knew what was transpiring within the sanctuary. He had witnessed it6 in his dreams a thousand times before. And each time the outcome was the same.
"What will you do?" Baltus toyed. "Will you sacrifice everything that has been given to you? Will you turn your back on those who gave you everything? And for what? The love of a mortal? A love that will pass and die as the both of you shall? Can it really be worth that much to you?"
Marnot's reply came without hesitation. "Yes."
"How can it be?" Baltus inquired of his old friend. His voice was a cross between one of pity and one of contempt. "What is the logic, the reasoning behind such a fool hearty decision?" Baltus stopped for a second to shake his head in disbelief. "Madness," he continued as he began to pace. "It is madness I say."
"Perhaps," answered Marnot coolly.
"Raphael!" started Baltus as he laid his hands on Marnot's shoulders, only to have them swiftly knocked away.
"Do not call me that!" growled Marnot.
"Marnot," Baltus restarted, "I do not know what could have caused you to abandon your good senses, but I pity you. Nothing can be worth what you are about to give up."
"You are right," Marnot began. Immediately Baltus' eyes lit up. He knew that he could talk some sense into his old friend. "It is worth more," the indomitable guardian concluded. Baltus' jaw dropped. "Now if you would kindly step aside."
For his part Baltus tried to speak, but all he could form were incoherent syllables as Marnot pushed his way past him. Finally Baltus collected himself enough to speak. "You will regret this!" he cried out. "They shall cast you aside!"
Marnot stopped and turned back to his old friend. "Ignatius," he began, "I should have said this a long time ago."
"And what would that be?" Baltus asked somewhat quizzically.
"Go fuck yourself." All Ignatius Baltus could do was watch in silenced shock as Marnot entered the sanctuary of fire.
The Odyssey shall continue...
I hope you all enjoyed this one. It should have cleared up any questions just as to where Marnot's feelings lay. Forgive the foul language there at the end; I just could not resist using that one. It fit Marnot perfectly. Once again thanks for reading I will get the next installment out as soon as my class load will permit me to. Later.
William Nichols