Author: Katma (kawaiikatma@hotmail.com)
Summary: Hitomi's home, it's been eight years, but she still misses Van. What happens now?
Rating: PG-13 (some violence and romance, but nothing graphic ;-) )
Disclaimer: Hitomi and Van are not mine. I only wish they were. I'm only borrowing them so that I can mess with their lives. Please don't sue me!! I'm a college student (ie, NO money).
Sorry it took so long for this last update. It took me forever to get this one onto my computer. It was all written in a notebook, but anytime I tried to type, my family would find something for me to do. Hopefully, the next chapter will be quicker. And more exciting. So look for it soon! Thanks again to all my reviewers. You make me a very happy author :-).
Kat
Chapter 5
Darkness
The room was dark, cold, barren. A solitary cot sat in the corner of the stone room and a metal washstand leaned up against the wall. No light entered this room. Silence filled it except for the sound of water trickling down the cold stones and the almost inaudible sound of gentle breathing. Mirsha steadied herself before entering the room. Nariena made her nervous. One misstep and Mirsha would be a charred, greasy spot on these cold stones.
As she entered the chamber, she paused to allow her eyes to adjust. It wouldn't do to walk in on Nariena completely unprepared. As her pupils widened, Mirsha noticed the dim outline of a cot and a wash table. But where was Nariena? Then she saw her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the slight gold glimmer that indicated magic. Mirsha relaxed and let her magic flow through her, and now she could see Nariena clearly. The old woman was sitting on the floor, her gnarled body surprisingly limber. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was slowed to almost nonexistence. Then, as if she could feel Mirsha's scrutiny, Nariena opened her eyes and stared directly at Mirsha.
Well, she probably could feel it, thought Mirsha. She is, after all, the most powerful sorcerer in existence. Mirsha swallowed once, then approached the wizened woman.
"Sensei," she said, bowing. "I bring news."
"Yes?" Nariena's voice was low and harsh, like gravel scraping against glass.
"The Sword is almost ready. Our new…recruits… have been initiated. The elite are ready. All training is complete. Now all we need is the energist."
"Good," Nariena hissed. "How is our plan going?"
Mirsha hesitated. Nariena hated bad news, and this was definitely bad news. She braced herself, then quietly announced,
"Not well, sensei. The Dragon is too highly guarded. Our spies have been caught long before they have come even close to their destination. The Dragon's security is so tight, I don't think he even is aware of our attempts."
Nariena listened to this news in silence. Mirsha waited, head bowed and heart pounding.
"That is good," Nariena finally decreed.
"It is?" Mirsha said, her head jerking up in surprise.
"Yes. Van is still unaware of the threat we pose him. And now we have the perfect chance to test our new Sorcerer's… abilities. Do you know of project 6217?"
"Yes, sensei," Mirsha responded, eyes wide.
"Bring 6217 to me. Do not waste any time. We must strike while we still have the advantage. We shall send 6217 to the Dragon."
"Yes, sensei." Mirsha bowed again.
"That is all. You may go." Nariena dismissed her with a careless wave of her hand.
"Yes, sensei." Mirsha bowed a final time and backed out of the room. She closed the door with a sigh of relief. She noticed distantly that her hands were trembling badly. Nariena scared her. She shrugged and hurried to the headquarters, relieved. At least she had survived her encounter. The last messenger could not say the same.
Nariena stared into the distance, her black eyes rimmed with gold as she exerted her power. The air began to shimmer and solidify. It seemed like the air was now a living thing, bucking and writhing. Suddenly, a form materialized from the shaking air. His dark, shadowy body approached Nariena.
"My son," she whispered. "It has begun."
"Good. What still remains to be done?"
"We have yet to obtain the blood-bond energist, but a plan has been set into motion that will not fail."
"Good. All else is moving according to plan?"
"Yes. I thank you, son, for providing me with the plans for the Sword. We will crush them, starting with that murderer from Fanelia. You will be revenged, my son."
"Mother, keep your anger hot and bright. But do not underestimate the Dragon. We did, much to our regret. Walk carefully around him, Mother, and respect his prowess. The Dragon can be a very powerful enemy."
"I will keep that in mind, my son. Now rest easy. I will avenge your name." So saying, Nariena let go of the spell, watching as the air calmed and her son disappeared.
"I will avenge you, my son," she whispered fiercely.
