Chapter 3: Choice
The day began early, Yume being awakened by Tasuki's somewhat rough shaking of her shoulders. She opened her eyes slowly, jumping at the fear that filled her mind. This wasn't her bed! Who were these people? Where...
Oh, yeah... she thought, calming a bit as she stared at Tasuki's back, the memories reassuring her like a gentle breeze. The redhead was throwing dust over the remains of the fire, while Chichiri could be seen packing up the rest of the small camp. Unconsciously, Yume whirled around in search of her notebook, but heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing it placed on top of her blue bag. It was then that she noticed a blanket had been placed over her, and wondered curiously how it had gotten there. Then, shrugging, she rolled it up and tucked it safely into her bag.
Tasuki finished tending to the dying coals, grunting as he stood up to stretch his muscles and smooth his tunic. Chichiri tossed him the holster for his tessen; he caught it with a toothy grin. The monk gave him a small smile, but the bandit could tell that the gesture was hollow and his own face hardened.
Dammit, Chichiri... what's with ya? Shaking his head, he swiveled his attention back to Yume, who was already finished with packing her things and stood leaning against the tree she had slept beneath. His eyebrow arched at the look in her eyes, so similar to the one he'd been seeing in the monk's...
"Oi! Yume," he greeted, walking up to her. "Sleep all right?"
At his acknowledgement, her face lit up into a smile. "Fine, thanks. Aside from your snoring, that is."
Tasuki jerked, bristling. "Whaddya mean, snorin'? I don't snore! Hey, why're ya laughing?"
Indeed, the girl had burst into a fit of shy giggles, face flushed with amusement. "I was kidding, Tasuki-san. Gomen nasai. I won't do it again."
The man was speechless for a moment, then burst into laughter himself. "That was a good one, Yume-chan! I never saw it comin'!"
"I tend to have that effect on people," she grinned.
"Yeah, I bet! For someone's quiet as you, it's a big slap in the face! In a good way, I mean," he assured, noting her shocked expression. Then he sobered a bit, absently running a hand through his hair. "Hey, um... I know yer probably scared an' all, but you'll be okay s'long as you stick with 'Chiri and me, all right? We'll find a way to get ya home safe and sound; you can count on us!"
Yume looked away, blushing. "Thanks Tasuki... I know I'm kind of a burden on you guys, and that you'd be expecting Miaka to be here instead of me..."
Tasuki cursed inwardly, lifting her chin with his fingers so that she'd look at him. "Hey, didn't I say not ta worry? Yer no trouble at all. In fact..." He was about to finish, when a tiny figure popped out of nowhere atop the bandit's head.
"Let's go already, na no da! Taiitskun is waiting for us to get there! We can't keep her waiting, no da!"
"Damn monk," Tasuki muttered, swatting at the super-deformed warrior with a growl. "Why d'ya always have to do that, huh?"
"Do what, no da?" he shrugged, bouncing around with high-pitched laughter. "Oh, I see! You have a crush on Yume-san, na no da!"
The bandit turned as red as his hair as he chased after chibi-Chichiri. "I do not, ya moron! Ya got it all wrong!" Yume watched the scene with interest, somewhat flattered by Chichiri's suggestion. However, she squashed the joyful feeling instantly, knowing that it couldn't be true. In all her nineteen years she'd never had the chance to have a boyfriend, and being in this new world was no different at all.
"Um, guys?" she interjected quietly, stepping in between the hothead and the chibi. "Maybe we should go?"
With a poof! and explosion of magic, Chichiri transformed back to his normal height. "Good call, Priestess. Tasuki?"
Grumbling, the seishi complied and holstered his tessen reluctantly. "Yeah, let's go."
Yume was expecting to see some horses tethered nearby, but as she turned back to regard the Suzaku Seishi, noticed with some confusion that Chichiri had begun to remove the kesa from around his shoulders. The open white shirt beneath revealed a tanned and toned chest that caused the girl's breath to hitch for a moment. Finally, with a brief shake of her head to clear it, she looked back at the monk's face with curious interest.
"What are you doing, Chichiri?"
He raised an eyebrow, then sighed as he realized that Yume still had little exposure to the world he lived in. "I am a monk, no da, but also a mage. My kesa also is used as a transport device, and will take us safely to Mt. Taikyoku."
"Ano... that's... weird," the girl stammered, scratching her head. The seishi face-faulted, then righted himself quickly with a laugh.
"No worries, na no da. Daijobu; I promise it's perfectly safe."
"Yeah, I've done it tons of times, Yume. You can trust ol' 'Chiri here," Tasuki added, grinning.
"All right, then..." Feeling somewhat relieved, she waited until Chichiri had spread out the kesa along the ground and chanted a quick prayer. Then, he brandished his shakujou with a flourish and slammed the pole into the earth, brass rings chiming like distant bells. Immediately the cape began to glow bright red, and both seishi stepped onto it without hesitation. Yume looked on with the look of a frightened rabbit, but as Tasuki held out his hand to her, she relaxed and allowed herself to be led onto the portal.
With a flash of white light they were gone, the last traces erased by a shimmering golden dust and the cry of a phoenix in the distance.
Once Yume opened her eyes, she gasped as she took in her surroundings. She was standing in possibly the most beautiful garden she would ever see; blossoms of every size, shape and hue surrounded them in dense but organized rows and patches... the air itself smelled infinitely fragrant, and every time the girl breathed in she could smell something different. Her gaze swept over the lilies, the roses, and the sakuras... so overwhelmed was she by the intensity of their vibrant beauty that she nearly fell over, but was smoothly caught by Tasuki's strong arms.
"Gorgeous, isn't it?" he commented softly. "Such is the magic of this place."
"Magic?" Yume asked, looking up into his golden eyes. He nodded.
"Hai. This place... only those who have pure hearts can see it for what it truly is. This is the mountain of Taikyoku, where the Creator of the world resides." He lifted his eyes to the blue sky, and Yume could sense a hint of sadness within the warrior. His fiery hair floated and brushed over his face in a playful breeze, but his features revealed no recognition to it; he appeared lost in the past.
"Such wisdom, from an arrogant boy," chuckled a nearby voice, and Tasuki visibly jumped. Yume glanced over to where he was looking, and instantly a silhouette formed from nothingness. The mist congealed into an aged, but feminine shape, until finally...
"SUNUKAKE BABA!" the redheaded seishi shrieked, all grace and gentlemanly mannerisms forgotten as he hid as a child would behind Yume. The girl sweatdropped, raising an eyebrow to regard the woman, whose veins were beginning to show in anger.
"I take it back, you incompetent fool!" she roared, her unattractive face morphing into an expression that made her even more ugly. Yume bit her tongue; though this person was the most hideous she'd ever laid eyes on, she had a feeling that respect should be given at all times.
"AHEM. Welcome, Yuusei Yume," the woman calmed, coughing into her fist and ignoring the cowering bandit. "I am Taiitskun, the Creator of this world."
Yume's face paled. "You... you're Taiitskun? The one who controls Suzaku and brought me here?"
A calm, smiling nod.
The girl was speechless, her mind whirling with questions. She hadn't expected to meet Taiitskun so soon... what was she to say? What was she to ask? Her crystal blue eyes watered with tears of bitter confusion, but she blinked them back and replaced the haunted shadows in her eyes with determination.
The Creator seemed to know of her turmoil, as Suzaku Seikun had, but did not betray her thoughts as they were not alone. "Dear child, you must be very frightened," she said kindly. "Come this way, and I shall provide you with a warm bath and suitable clothing. Would you feel better then?"
Yume started, wondering why Taiitskun was acting this way. She'd expected her to throw her head-first into some mission... after all, that's why Suzaku had sent her there, right? But she relented, thinking that the old woman had her reasons. "Hai, I would."
Taiitskun smiled, then clapped her hands. "Nyan-Nyan!"
"YES MA'AM!" a cheerful voice spoke up, and from around a tree came a bright pink bubble. It flitted about like a butterfly drunk with nectar, until it paused beside the deity. With a loud pop! and an explosion of golen glitter, the bubble tranformed into a short, cheery blue-haired girl with red and purple robes and bright silver eyes.
Yume watched with fascination as the oracle and the girl conversed avidly, and, with a giggle, Nyan-Nyan was suddenly pulling on the girl's hand with a big smile on her face. "Follow! Follow! Fix! Fix!"
Yume looked back at Tasuki, who grinned and gestured for her to go on. "Get yerself cleaned up, and we'll figure out what kinda mess we're in. Have fun!" He chuckled at the terrified look on her face, watching with amusement as Nyan-Nyan hummed a tune while dragging her guest off, teleporting swiftly with a flash of light.
"So, then," the bandit grumbled, turning back to Taiitskun. "What's goin' on? And where did Chichiri disappear to? Wasn't he with us?"
"I'm right here, Tasuki-kun." The monk clapped a hand on the seishi's shoulder, smiling slightly at his friend's jump of shock.
"Shit, 'Chiri!" he exclaimed in annoyance. "How many times've I told ya not ta do that? I coulda flamed you without a second thought!" However, his comment was ignored as the blue-haired man walked to stand before his long-time mentor, Taiitskun.
"Sensei."
The deity bowed her head, regarding her pupil with a rare intensity that made Tasuki shiver with fear. Something very bad was happening in their world, Tasuki realized, and they were in for a whole lot of trouble. And from what he could see, it would involve Chichiri more than anything -- or anyone -- else.
The bandit cursed.
Yume stepped away from the vanity scrubbed, washed, combed and clean. Nyan-Nyan had worked wonders on her skin and hair, which had been dirtied considerably from sleeping on the ground the night before. Her clothes had been taken away to be washed and dried, and presently she wore white, loose-fitting leggings and a form-fitting red shirt that was laced up tightly in back, leaving little to the imagination in regards to her nineteen-year-old figure. Sleeveless, the shirt was made of soft, but thick material embroidered in gold into designs of the phoenix god Suzaku, and was cut into a modest square neck lined with white satin. Her hair was up in an elaborate braid, then twisted into a bun and held in place by a pair of golden chopsticks. simple black sandals and a shimmering red sash around her waist completed the ensemble, along with a touch of golden glitter to her eyelids that brought out the blue nicely.
She smiled, and her reflection gazed back just as warmly. It almost felt like she was a whole new person; not only did she look different, but she felt wonderful! She'd had a long talk with Nyan-Nyan about her world, and the little girl told her stories about Miaka, the previous Priestess of Suzaku. They shared laughs and an occasional tear or two at the sadder tales, but afterwards Yume felt like she knew where she was a bit better. Not only that, but she learned much about her companions, Tasuki and Chichiri; though the tiny nanny kept much of the monk's past a secret, for reasons, she had explained, that would present themselves soon enough.
Yume stretched fully, liking the way her clothes fit and allowed her to move easily. Looking back at the vanity table, she plucked up a fresh apple from the fruit basket and munched it thoughtfully. She was taking her last bite of the tart delicacy when a knock came on her door, along with a soft voice.
"Yume-san no da? Priestess?" Chichiri.
"Come in," she called, walking to the door herself. The monk opened it slowly, first peeking his head in as if nervous to see her. His fox like eyes fastened on her form almost immediately, and she thought she saw a tinge of pink creep across his cheeks. But before she could be certain, the seishi composed himself and entered the room fully, turning his head away.
"Taiitskun seeks audience with you, Priestess, as soon as you're able."
"Oh... really? I mean, sure thing... I'm ready," she stammered, though she had no clue why speech evaded her. Perhaps it was the way he was standing, giving her a glimpse of his strong profile; he lacked his kesa, and had changed into a blue silk shirt that was open in front and black trousers. Yume tried very hard to keep her eyes on his face as he turned to her at last.
Both were silent for a moment, simply regarding one another with interest, until Chichiri finally cleared his throat and opened her door once again. "After you, Priestess," he said, gesturing. With a shaky pair of legs she complied, and allowed herself to be led to where Taiitskun awaited their arrival.
It was a rather simple room, but all around them were mirrors of every shape and size. The walls themselves were made of reflective glass, and Yume almost felt smothered by the many images of herself surrounding her. The aged deity Taiitskun sat upon an ornate dais, with four statues flanking her, two on either side. Yume recognized one of them as Suzaku Seikun, and guessed that the others were his brothers Seiryuu, Byakko and Genbu, from what Nyan-Nyan had told her.
"Yuusei Yume... or should I say, Priestess of Suzaku," the Creator boomed from her perch. "I welcome you to my temple. Please, sit before me." The girl froze, suddenly afraid, but a familiar red-haired bandit appeared beside her and elbowed her side affectionately. Smiling up at him, she walked forward, and, flanked by both Suzaku Seishi, moved to their knees before Taiitskun.
"Priestess," she began. "You have been called here, to this world, because it is in great peril."
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Tasuki muttered, but Yume pinched his arm and he shut up quickly.
"What kind of peril?" she asked the deity, who glared at the bandit but continued.
"I trust that Nyan-Nyan informed you of the adventures of Miaka, the previous Priestess?" Yume nodded, and the oracle sighed. "To be blunt, multiply all of that times ten and you've got what's happening now."
Tasuki and Chichiri both gasped audibly, while Yume simply paled and felt faint.
"Taiitskun!" the monk cried out. "If what you say is true... then that means Miaka is not powerful enough to aid us?"
"Miaka was promised by Suzaku to live a quiet life with Taka, and that is why Yume is here," she answered, but her gaze fell on the new Priestess. "However, you are correct in your assumption. Miaka, should she have been summoned in Yume's stead, would not have been able to overcome this evil. Thus, this girl was chosen by your god because of the great potential she has within her."
"But, Taiitskun..." Yume protested, "I have no power! I'm just a normal, everyday girl who dreams of romance and magic! There's no way I could have any potential!"
The deity's features softened, and her voice was soothing. "Child, I have watched you for many months with Suzaku before your arrival, and I believe that he was right in choosing you as his Priestess. But, as I did with Miaka, I will give you a choice.
"Yuusei Yume, you may choose to return to your world, but with no memory of ever being here or your encounter with Suzaku Seikun. Or, you can remain in this dimension to carry out your duty as Priestess and save us from the most terrible evil we have ever faced."
The girl was silent, not knowing how to answer. She felt Taiitskun's gaze on her even as she stared at the floor, biting back a stream of tears... she had to be strong.
"I think..." she whispered, but felt confidence fill her. "I think that I will stay here. If Suzaku has deemed me worthy... if a god so powerful has chosen me to be his emmissary, then so be it. I accept the role as Priestess of Suzaku, and all that this position entails." She raised her head to look back at Taiitskun, who stared back with a knowing smile and a proud gleam in her eye.
"Very well then, Priestess. I will now show you the nature of this problem..." the Creator raised her arms, and a gigantic mirror appeared before the followers of Suzaku. She began to speak, and as she did so the mirror filled with images to prove her words.
"When both Miaka and Yui were brought here to be the respective Priestesses of Suzaku and Seiryuu, the celestial cycle was broken. Never had the gods intended to openly go to war as the dragon and phoenix had, for it opened many doors to evil. This man, Nakago--" the mirror showed the image of a beautiful man fair of hair with piercing blue eyes, but a sinister expression on his face... "--manipulated the Priestess of Seiryuu to fulfill his own desires of achieving immortality and becoming a god, but was defeated only by Yui's redemption through Miaka's strong friendship. He was a master of the black arts forbidden to mages, and released an entity whose power rivals my own. Chichiri..."
The monk looked up, startled. "Hai, Taiitskun-sensei no da?"
"What was the first lesson that I taught you?"
Chichiri looked confused, but recited anyway, "'For every day there is a night, for every Yang there is a Yin'; there are always two sides to power, and to people."
"Very good," the old woman nodded in agreement, "...and such is the case here. When this world was born, I was as well. But at the same time, one was created to counter and balance my powers. Where I was made to Create, he was to Destroy; I am the Yang and he is Yin.
"The point is, this entity was meant to remain sealed in his mountain in order to exercise his powers from afar; he, unlike I, lacked the reason and desire to control his abilities. However, Nakago changed all of that. Not until now did I realize Nakago's true purpose in the succession of Priestesses; he was created by the Destroyer to act as his vessel, and channel negative energies in order to release him. That is why the cycle was disrupted; he imbued the power of Seiryuu into the boy before I knew what was happening, and only the beast god himself can remove the powers bestowed upon his warriors."
The old woman sighed. "I thought when Nakago died that this evil would end, as the Destroyer's vessel could no longer send him energy... I was wrong. The Destroyer... no, I shall call him by his true name... Munashii... took a new apprentice, whom I'm sure your seishi remember well."
"Tenkou..." Tasuki growled with fury filling the golden depths of his eyes. Yume shivered at the tone of his voice, but turned her attention back to Taiitskun.
"Yes, Tenkou. I realized then that things were getting out of hand, and it took everything to seal him and reverse all of the damage he'd done. But, as the months wore on after Miaka left this world forever, Munashii struck.
"You must understand, all three of you, that never have you seen the true face of evil, for that is what Munashii is. There is no goodness whatsoever in his form, no compassion... he is a soulless creature who lives to manipulate, control, and destroy. And now... his power is enough to destroy the beast gods themselves."
"Taiitskun?!" Yume gasped.
"Yes, child. He can, and will try, to eliminate his competition. And once those four are gone, I will have no power left to hold him back."
"Then... what must I do?" she trailed off, at a loss of words.
Taiistskun sat up even straighter, allowing her voice to fill the room. "You must find the sacred relics of the four beast gods, and bring them to me. Only then will you be able to go further and defeat Munashii."
"The sacred relics? Of the Four Gods?" Yume breathed. "How will I find them?"
"I will give you a scroll that only you and I may read. It is infused with a power so holy that the Destroyer cannot read it unless he forces you or I to, which will not happen. I have no doubt, however, that he will send his minions to follow you every step of the way... but hear me, Yume. You must not fail. All four relics must be retrieved in order to save this world... if but one is lost, all is lost."
Yume allowed these words to sink in, her eyes widening further with each sentence. She felt shudders begin to take control of her body from fear and shock, but she struggled to control them with every inch of willpower she had.
"Yume?" Tasuki asked, concern and mirroring fear filling him as he saw the poor girl begin to shake uncontrollably. He placed one hand over hers, wincing while she grasped it tightly as if it were a lifeline.
Chichiri, too, noticed this, and his gaze flew to meet that of his sensei. "Taiitskun... I know you have more to say... but can it not wait? This is already too much for her..."
"No, Chichiri. She must know everything to understand; she has accepted this burden and has past the point of no return."
"But--"
"Chichiri..." Yume spoke up, silencing him. "I will listen to her... this is my fate... and I will do as asked or die trying."
Taiitskun felt a wave of surprise from the strength of chi she felt from the girl, and the sheer will that was revealed in her voice alone. Perhaps she is indeed capable...
"Very well then, Yume," the woman continued. "There is something else that you must know. The power required to defeat Munashii... it requires the temporary unity of all four Gods into a single body, mind and soul. That means..."
"...I am to become not only Priestess for Suzaku, but for Genbu, Seiryuu and Byakko as well," Yume finished. "And I'm guessing that since Suzaku chose me and not all four... the other three are unaware of his decision. That is the purpose of gathering the relics, correct? It is a test."
Again, Taiitskun was surprised by the girl. Such insight! No one could have known that... she truly is powerful... maybe she can pull it off...
"Yes, Yume, you are correct," the Creator affirmed, bowing her head in respect. "A very wise deduction, on your part. Never have I met a girl such as yourself."
"Thank you, Taiitskun," the girl replied, feeling her face turn red. Tasuki chuckled, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
Silence reigned for what seemed like days, until Taiitskun broke it briefly. "Priestess, I can see that this burden already has taken its toll on you. Perhaps you should retire to your room; I'll have Nyan-Nyan bring you some supper in a little while."
"Hai. Arigatou, Taiitskun-sama..." Yume bowed, and shakily got to her feet with Tasuki's aid. Hanging from his shoulder for fear of losing balance, Yume let the bandit take her back to her chambers.
Chichiri watched them go with a strange look on his face, quiet. Taiitskun regarded her pupil with interest, clearing her throat loudly. Caught staring, the monk reddened, removing his mask and looking up at his teacher with his one good eye.
"Gomen nasai, sensei."
To his surprise, the woman chuckled. "No need for apologies, Houjun. I know you... and I also know what you're doing to yourself. Why must you continue to drown in self-hatred?"
"Because I deserve nothing else." He flinched at her use of his real name, cursing his existence at the intense memories that came with it.
"Did Hikou's revival and forgiveness mean nothing to you?" she prodded, eyes narrowing. "Was Miaka's sacrifices on your behalf worthless in your mind?"
"Of course they meant something..." he answered, pain etching his features as his mahogany gaze moved to study his shoes. "It meant the world. But the fact that I still failed to save him... is enough to doom me to eternal solitude."
"Who are you to say if you are damned?" the deity barked, though her tone was even and civil. "Why can you not accept the forgiveness given freely to you by your friends and guardian god? Suzaku is saddened, Chichiri, by your suffering."
"I swore to never relive the past. I swore never again to love as I had before."
"If you continue to defy fate, then you will die."
"I care nothing for my own life."
"Then do you also care nothing for your companions? You are the key element in this celestial battle, Chichiri. You alone decide the outcome of this war."
He whirled around in shock, meeting Taiitskun's angered gaze.
