Rising Children
Co-authored by Amazon and Riana
Part One
"Where are they taking us?" Ten-year-old Rayne asked his sister as two ministers led them down a dark corridor. The palace wasn't unfamiliar to them, but the long, twisting halls had a disorienting effect neither could shake off. The ministers were actually two spirits, in long purple robes with intricate designs. Their long tassels dangled just above the floor. Where their feet should be, thought Rayne. "I don't know. Maybe we're in trouble again." Kayne answered quietly. The children found it quite hard to sit still during the long hours of total silence required of them, and often found themselves facing the brunt of the ministers' wrath. "Can't you noisy humans learn to be quiet and have some respect?" he would shout, and then slap each of them across the face. The first time it happened (they were six) Kayne just stared at the spirit's harsh face, still in shock that someone actually hit her. Rayne had gotten angry; not just because they hit him but someone TOUCHED his sister, and tried to fight back. This only resulted in even more punishment: solitary confinement for three days. Ten year old Kayne shuddered at the memory. The ministers in charge of their learning tore them apart and threw each into a separate room miles apart. Those three days were an undying nightmare she couldn't wake up from. The room was completely black, and wasn't very big. In the middle was a rough pallet for her to sleep on. That was it. And no sign of any sort of life. I remember I cried for hours, she thought. Alone and in the dark. Suddenly the memory turned bittersweet, for she remembered it was then she and Rayne first learned that they could mindspeak to each other. It was strange at first, and uncontrollable. Random thoughts would play in each other's mind, yet they knew it was from their twin. But it was a comfort, even then. Kayne was pulled out of her memories as they approached a huge oak door several meters high. How on earth do you open that thing? Rayne asked her mentally. He was a curious boy and always wondering about what went on around him.
She didn't answer, for the massive doors opened of their own accord. Before them was a sprawling throne room, with great bonfires casting light down the great hall.
"Master Talpa," One of the minister's high pitched, whiney voice called as he bowed low. Kayne wondered if his pointy black beard hurt when he pressed his head to his chest. "Here are the two you requested." The ministers parted, revealing the looming figure on the throne. Kayne wanted to scream when she saw him and clung to her "big" brother, who protectively put his arms around her. The monster was huge, with midnight black armor and an array of swords strapped to his back. His blood red mask stood out, white hair fanned out around the faceplate, but behind it Kayne saw no face and only glowing red eyes. "These? These are to be great warriors someday?" Talpa laughed coldly. Kayne shuddered as the laugh echoed through her, and clung even tighter to her brother's shirt. "Do not fear, children" Talpa continued. "Come closer." The ministers pushed the two frightened ones towards him. "Yes, you are right," Talpa said after many tense moments of staring at them. For though neither one felt it, the beginnings of kanji markings were pulsating on their forehead. I sense great power from each of them, Talpa thought to himself. They would be a great threat should they ever turn on me. I must teach them to control their power and use it for my purpose. "It's alright, sis," Rayne whispered to her, and hugged her closer. "I won't let them hurt you." Kayne nodded, but held him close. Rayne didn't like this man, or demon, whatever he was. Evil radiated from him and seemed to burn with a living force. This.demon man was evil, he was sure of that. Instinctively he placed himself before his sister. Talpa laughed at this. "Silly boy, you are too useful to kill let alone harm your sister. Warlords!" Kayne and Rayne immediately straightened. The Warlords were Talpa's personal General and warriors, and they also held mystical armor. They had heard from the servants that worked in the castle that a glance from a Warlord, let alone just a sweeping look, was something to be proud of, except for when they were mad. Many a servant never returned from serving a Warlord. There was a gust of wind and the torches and bonfires that lit the grand hall went out. Then, as suddenly as they went out they flared into life once again. The only difference in the room was that four men stood in a square in front of Talpa, their heads bowed in respect. "You called us, Master Talpa?" One man asked. He had long auburn hair but his eyes were covered by his bangs. He wore light blue on blue subarmor. "Yes I did. I am most pleased with your work, my warlords. Anubis, Sekhmet, I have a task for you." The called Warlords raised their heads. Anubis was the man with the long auburn hair and the twins could now see that his eyes were teal in color and as hard as ice. Sekhmet had wild green hair and slitted green eyes that had purple eyelids. His subarmor was dusty brown on brown. Scales decorated his face and neck in patches. "Yes, Master Talpa?" Sekhmet asked in a raspy voice. Evidently the Warlords hadn't noticed the twins yet, who were still standing behind them with their Minister's at their sides, to make sure they didn't run away. The other two warlords, one with limp white hair and one with wicked looking blue hair, scowled and disappeared. "Ah, my two best," Talpa said softly, making sure to tweak Sekhmet's pride. "I need you for a special mission." Talpa motioned to the twins, and the warlords turned around. Anubis and Sekhmet threw glances between them. Was Talpa mad? "Sire, I do not understand," Sekhmet started to protest. "I want you to train them. They need to be trained in the fighting arts and will someday serve under you." Anubis raised one auburn eyebrow. "Master, may I ask what this 'training' incurs?" "You will each take one of the twins on as an apprentice of sorts. They will live with you, train with you, and eat with you. Become your children, almost." Sekhmet voiced his concerns. "Master, they -are- simply children. Can't they learn from the ministers?" Talpa tapped his armored fingers against his throne. He knew he might have some trouble convincing them to train the children. Anubis he knew would obey him; that fool would jump off a cliff should it please Master Talpa. Sekhmet would be a little harder, but at least he wasn't as stubborn as that blasted Cale. "They cannot learn everything from weak spirits," he said, knowing full well there were two in the room. "Besides, you are the only warlords that know any English." "English? Where did you pick them up?" Sekhmet asked, eyeing the twins for any distinctive ethnic marks. "General Mabusho's raid on Ireland found their talents." "Ireland," Anubis murmured, trying to connect a place with a name. "Take a look at their powers." Talpa commanded. Sekhmet and Anubis reluctantly agreed and gazed at the children's power levels. What they saw nearly astounded them. Such powers in children that small! They could be excellent warriors, no legendary! And so would their teachers. Anubis turned back to his master. "My master, I will do as you command." He crossed his right arm over his chest and bowed stiffly. "And I as well," Sekhmet mimicked his actions. To Anubis he asked, "Which one do you want?" Anubis eyed them again. He almost felt sorry for the little girl, frightened and not quite understanding what was going on. These two men spoke a language they did not recognize, and now their icy cold eyes stared at them. Kayne was also afraid that because Talpa said they'd be separated between the two warlords. It'd be just like those hellish three days all over again. Anubis half-smiled at the girl's dark green eyes. They reminded him of his little brother Yamushi's. "I guess I'll take the girl. What's your name?" He asked in English. "Kayne," she answered confidently. Sekhmet looked the boy up and down. He was small for his age, but the look in his eyes told him that size didn't matter to the boy. Rayne glared back at the Warlord. He didn't care that Sekhmet was a Warlord, they were trying to separate the two. "What's your name, boy?" Sekhmet asked. Rayne continued to glare at him when he answered. "Rayne." Rayne managed to make his tone calm and steady when what he really wanted to do was scream at them. But then he would be hit again and he didn't want to be hit. "Sekhmet, Anubis, I want each of you to make sure that you teach them everything you know. Now go." Talpa commanded, waving a hand at them. Anubis and Sekhmet bowed again and disappeared from the room. The minister's escorted the twins from the room and led them back to their quarters. Tomorrow they would be separated from each other. Rayne glared at the minister's backs as if he could kill them by just looking at them. Luckily they didn't catch his death glare or he would have been hit or worse. Solitary confinement. Soon they arrived at their chambers. The minister's 'gently' escorted them into the room and locked the door after they left. Kayne sat down on the pallets that were their beds and watched her brother light the few candles that were in the room. It'll be okay, Kayne. We're always with each other. He hoped he sounded calmer than he felt. Kayne didn't say anything but smiled and hugged her legs against her chest. Rayne sat down next to her. We are always with each other. She repeated. She held out her hand, pinky stretched out. Rayne curled his pinky around hers in a promise. Nothing can come between us. Right, ani-san? She spoke back, adding the phrase she'd learned from a servant. Right. Now it's time to go to sleep. Kayne nodded. She pulled back the covers and slipped under them. Rayne tucked them in around her and kissed her on the forehead. It was something that their father had done when he was alive. Rayne soon followed her. * * * * *
Sekhmet sank into the warm waters of his bath. He did not like this. He was a Warlord and he was supposed to train a ten-year-old? He snorted in anger. He definitely did not like this. But Master Talpa had told (more like commanded actually) him to do it. He said a few choice words before dunking himself into the lukewarm water. He soon surfaced, shaking his head and sending water all over the bathhouse. Why do I have to train a little brat? It's a waste of my time. He growled at his reflection in the water. He knew that he was going to do it anyway, he wouldn't dare go against Master Talpa but that didn't mean that he couldn't complain to himself about it. He sank down so that the water reached his chin. The power that the boy had was incredible but he guessed that the twins had no clue they had these powers. He also had detected a different kind of power, one similar to that of his armor. He half-closed his eyes as he thought. Why would these children have power signatures like that? Unless they held armors themselves, which wasn't possible. Sekhmet sighed. What was he going to teach Rayne? His sword skills and techniques of making poisons, the snake language and all the skills of a ninja of course. And how to confuse your enemy with riddles and traps. With his mind set on that he quickly got lost in his thoughts. * * * * * Anubis plopped on his large bed and sighed. Someone remind me why Talpa assigned me to such a stupid task? He undressed and lay down beneath the coverlet; hands weaved behind his head and his auburn hair spreading around him. "I don't understand," he said aloud. "I never was good with children. And now I'm supposed to train a ten-year old the ways of a warrior?" The idea was not very appealing. Still, he had to admit, it was a very interesting ten-year old. He sensed that beneath the frightened exterior there was a fiery streak of spirit deep inside. And that power level! He never knew such powers could even exist in one that small, unless they had armor of course. How could they, though? The four warlords had the only armors of the dynasty, and that was all the armors he knew of. Anubis turned on his side, the soft mattress sinking beneath his form. His kanji orb rested on his bedside table and for a long time he stared at it, trying to read the future. "What will I teach her?" he asked himself. "How to be cruel and heartless? Defense and offense, and how to hide your fear? I don't know. There's so much, but how do I teach the things that have become merely instincts to me?" what am I to do with her if she fails? Not only would the other warlords laugh at me, but I'd be scorned at by Talpa as well. And I would have to live with my failure, which is simply not acceptable. With this determined mindset, he willed out the candles that lit his fairly large room and drifted to sleep.
"Where are they taking us?" Ten-year-old Rayne asked his sister as two ministers led them down a dark corridor. The palace wasn't unfamiliar to them, but the long, twisting halls had a disorienting effect neither could shake off. The ministers were actually two spirits, in long purple robes with intricate designs. Their long tassels dangled just above the floor. Where their feet should be, thought Rayne. "I don't know. Maybe we're in trouble again." Kayne answered quietly. The children found it quite hard to sit still during the long hours of total silence required of them, and often found themselves facing the brunt of the ministers' wrath. "Can't you noisy humans learn to be quiet and have some respect?" he would shout, and then slap each of them across the face. The first time it happened (they were six) Kayne just stared at the spirit's harsh face, still in shock that someone actually hit her. Rayne had gotten angry; not just because they hit him but someone TOUCHED his sister, and tried to fight back. This only resulted in even more punishment: solitary confinement for three days. Ten year old Kayne shuddered at the memory. The ministers in charge of their learning tore them apart and threw each into a separate room miles apart. Those three days were an undying nightmare she couldn't wake up from. The room was completely black, and wasn't very big. In the middle was a rough pallet for her to sleep on. That was it. And no sign of any sort of life. I remember I cried for hours, she thought. Alone and in the dark. Suddenly the memory turned bittersweet, for she remembered it was then she and Rayne first learned that they could mindspeak to each other. It was strange at first, and uncontrollable. Random thoughts would play in each other's mind, yet they knew it was from their twin. But it was a comfort, even then. Kayne was pulled out of her memories as they approached a huge oak door several meters high. How on earth do you open that thing? Rayne asked her mentally. He was a curious boy and always wondering about what went on around him.
She didn't answer, for the massive doors opened of their own accord. Before them was a sprawling throne room, with great bonfires casting light down the great hall.
"Master Talpa," One of the minister's high pitched, whiney voice called as he bowed low. Kayne wondered if his pointy black beard hurt when he pressed his head to his chest. "Here are the two you requested." The ministers parted, revealing the looming figure on the throne. Kayne wanted to scream when she saw him and clung to her "big" brother, who protectively put his arms around her. The monster was huge, with midnight black armor and an array of swords strapped to his back. His blood red mask stood out, white hair fanned out around the faceplate, but behind it Kayne saw no face and only glowing red eyes. "These? These are to be great warriors someday?" Talpa laughed coldly. Kayne shuddered as the laugh echoed through her, and clung even tighter to her brother's shirt. "Do not fear, children" Talpa continued. "Come closer." The ministers pushed the two frightened ones towards him. "Yes, you are right," Talpa said after many tense moments of staring at them. For though neither one felt it, the beginnings of kanji markings were pulsating on their forehead. I sense great power from each of them, Talpa thought to himself. They would be a great threat should they ever turn on me. I must teach them to control their power and use it for my purpose. "It's alright, sis," Rayne whispered to her, and hugged her closer. "I won't let them hurt you." Kayne nodded, but held him close. Rayne didn't like this man, or demon, whatever he was. Evil radiated from him and seemed to burn with a living force. This.demon man was evil, he was sure of that. Instinctively he placed himself before his sister. Talpa laughed at this. "Silly boy, you are too useful to kill let alone harm your sister. Warlords!" Kayne and Rayne immediately straightened. The Warlords were Talpa's personal General and warriors, and they also held mystical armor. They had heard from the servants that worked in the castle that a glance from a Warlord, let alone just a sweeping look, was something to be proud of, except for when they were mad. Many a servant never returned from serving a Warlord. There was a gust of wind and the torches and bonfires that lit the grand hall went out. Then, as suddenly as they went out they flared into life once again. The only difference in the room was that four men stood in a square in front of Talpa, their heads bowed in respect. "You called us, Master Talpa?" One man asked. He had long auburn hair but his eyes were covered by his bangs. He wore light blue on blue subarmor. "Yes I did. I am most pleased with your work, my warlords. Anubis, Sekhmet, I have a task for you." The called Warlords raised their heads. Anubis was the man with the long auburn hair and the twins could now see that his eyes were teal in color and as hard as ice. Sekhmet had wild green hair and slitted green eyes that had purple eyelids. His subarmor was dusty brown on brown. Scales decorated his face and neck in patches. "Yes, Master Talpa?" Sekhmet asked in a raspy voice. Evidently the Warlords hadn't noticed the twins yet, who were still standing behind them with their Minister's at their sides, to make sure they didn't run away. The other two warlords, one with limp white hair and one with wicked looking blue hair, scowled and disappeared. "Ah, my two best," Talpa said softly, making sure to tweak Sekhmet's pride. "I need you for a special mission." Talpa motioned to the twins, and the warlords turned around. Anubis and Sekhmet threw glances between them. Was Talpa mad? "Sire, I do not understand," Sekhmet started to protest. "I want you to train them. They need to be trained in the fighting arts and will someday serve under you." Anubis raised one auburn eyebrow. "Master, may I ask what this 'training' incurs?" "You will each take one of the twins on as an apprentice of sorts. They will live with you, train with you, and eat with you. Become your children, almost." Sekhmet voiced his concerns. "Master, they -are- simply children. Can't they learn from the ministers?" Talpa tapped his armored fingers against his throne. He knew he might have some trouble convincing them to train the children. Anubis he knew would obey him; that fool would jump off a cliff should it please Master Talpa. Sekhmet would be a little harder, but at least he wasn't as stubborn as that blasted Cale. "They cannot learn everything from weak spirits," he said, knowing full well there were two in the room. "Besides, you are the only warlords that know any English." "English? Where did you pick them up?" Sekhmet asked, eyeing the twins for any distinctive ethnic marks. "General Mabusho's raid on Ireland found their talents." "Ireland," Anubis murmured, trying to connect a place with a name. "Take a look at their powers." Talpa commanded. Sekhmet and Anubis reluctantly agreed and gazed at the children's power levels. What they saw nearly astounded them. Such powers in children that small! They could be excellent warriors, no legendary! And so would their teachers. Anubis turned back to his master. "My master, I will do as you command." He crossed his right arm over his chest and bowed stiffly. "And I as well," Sekhmet mimicked his actions. To Anubis he asked, "Which one do you want?" Anubis eyed them again. He almost felt sorry for the little girl, frightened and not quite understanding what was going on. These two men spoke a language they did not recognize, and now their icy cold eyes stared at them. Kayne was also afraid that because Talpa said they'd be separated between the two warlords. It'd be just like those hellish three days all over again. Anubis half-smiled at the girl's dark green eyes. They reminded him of his little brother Yamushi's. "I guess I'll take the girl. What's your name?" He asked in English. "Kayne," she answered confidently. Sekhmet looked the boy up and down. He was small for his age, but the look in his eyes told him that size didn't matter to the boy. Rayne glared back at the Warlord. He didn't care that Sekhmet was a Warlord, they were trying to separate the two. "What's your name, boy?" Sekhmet asked. Rayne continued to glare at him when he answered. "Rayne." Rayne managed to make his tone calm and steady when what he really wanted to do was scream at them. But then he would be hit again and he didn't want to be hit. "Sekhmet, Anubis, I want each of you to make sure that you teach them everything you know. Now go." Talpa commanded, waving a hand at them. Anubis and Sekhmet bowed again and disappeared from the room. The minister's escorted the twins from the room and led them back to their quarters. Tomorrow they would be separated from each other. Rayne glared at the minister's backs as if he could kill them by just looking at them. Luckily they didn't catch his death glare or he would have been hit or worse. Solitary confinement. Soon they arrived at their chambers. The minister's 'gently' escorted them into the room and locked the door after they left. Kayne sat down on the pallets that were their beds and watched her brother light the few candles that were in the room. It'll be okay, Kayne. We're always with each other. He hoped he sounded calmer than he felt. Kayne didn't say anything but smiled and hugged her legs against her chest. Rayne sat down next to her. We are always with each other. She repeated. She held out her hand, pinky stretched out. Rayne curled his pinky around hers in a promise. Nothing can come between us. Right, ani-san? She spoke back, adding the phrase she'd learned from a servant. Right. Now it's time to go to sleep. Kayne nodded. She pulled back the covers and slipped under them. Rayne tucked them in around her and kissed her on the forehead. It was something that their father had done when he was alive. Rayne soon followed her. * * * * *
Sekhmet sank into the warm waters of his bath. He did not like this. He was a Warlord and he was supposed to train a ten-year-old? He snorted in anger. He definitely did not like this. But Master Talpa had told (more like commanded actually) him to do it. He said a few choice words before dunking himself into the lukewarm water. He soon surfaced, shaking his head and sending water all over the bathhouse. Why do I have to train a little brat? It's a waste of my time. He growled at his reflection in the water. He knew that he was going to do it anyway, he wouldn't dare go against Master Talpa but that didn't mean that he couldn't complain to himself about it. He sank down so that the water reached his chin. The power that the boy had was incredible but he guessed that the twins had no clue they had these powers. He also had detected a different kind of power, one similar to that of his armor. He half-closed his eyes as he thought. Why would these children have power signatures like that? Unless they held armors themselves, which wasn't possible. Sekhmet sighed. What was he going to teach Rayne? His sword skills and techniques of making poisons, the snake language and all the skills of a ninja of course. And how to confuse your enemy with riddles and traps. With his mind set on that he quickly got lost in his thoughts. * * * * * Anubis plopped on his large bed and sighed. Someone remind me why Talpa assigned me to such a stupid task? He undressed and lay down beneath the coverlet; hands weaved behind his head and his auburn hair spreading around him. "I don't understand," he said aloud. "I never was good with children. And now I'm supposed to train a ten-year old the ways of a warrior?" The idea was not very appealing. Still, he had to admit, it was a very interesting ten-year old. He sensed that beneath the frightened exterior there was a fiery streak of spirit deep inside. And that power level! He never knew such powers could even exist in one that small, unless they had armor of course. How could they, though? The four warlords had the only armors of the dynasty, and that was all the armors he knew of. Anubis turned on his side, the soft mattress sinking beneath his form. His kanji orb rested on his bedside table and for a long time he stared at it, trying to read the future. "What will I teach her?" he asked himself. "How to be cruel and heartless? Defense and offense, and how to hide your fear? I don't know. There's so much, but how do I teach the things that have become merely instincts to me?" what am I to do with her if she fails? Not only would the other warlords laugh at me, but I'd be scorned at by Talpa as well. And I would have to live with my failure, which is simply not acceptable. With this determined mindset, he willed out the candles that lit his fairly large room and drifted to sleep.
