Disclaimer: Okay if you want to read the disclaimer then you can go to the
first chapter and read it because my time as worthless as it may be is
precious to me. Also this fic is dedicated to mandy_croyance (or
mandycroyance on fanfiction.net) and please read her fics because she won't
leave me alone. I'm afraid she's going to hurt me so please read her fics.
(I break down into hysterics on the floor.)
(Looks up and composes myself.) Oh yeah and please enjoy the story. (Breaks back down into hysterics.)
Finding the Past
*Kyle*
I stared past the steel blade of my horribly balanced long sword and at my opponent in the arena. He was a younger slave than me and was armed with a long spear with a shaft that was splintering. Nobles cheered from the stands around us, goading us to kill each other. They never actually allowed us to kill each other even though they yelled at us to, slaves were just too expensive.
I flicked my blade in a quick low routine to test out the young slave's defenses. He reacted slowly and barely managed to block even the simple routine. I decided to go easy on him since the longer the fights lasted the fewer people that had to fight. I fell into a simple pattern that my opponent had to work hard to stop.
I had been lonely since Tai and Kari had left for the Gathis kingdom. They had been my only friends within the slaves because not only had I known them long they were the only people who walked around with some sort of hope in their eyes of a better life. All of the slaves that were left were more like zombies then people. They just wanted the most food without getting beaten for it.
Since Kari and Tai had left I could feel those feelings taking over me. There wasn't anybody to even talk to in the castle. "Ahhhhhhhh." I screamed slashing me sword down with as much strength as could. The heavy blade hit the spear's shaft and shattered it in half. I brought the sword back up and rested the tip of the sword against the younger slave's throat.
I shouldered my blade and turned away from the young slave. I walked into the slave's armory. There were four other people in the armory. One was sharpening a knife and the other three were sitting on the one bench in the room.
I walked over to the bench and was about to sit down when the door to the armory opened. A soldier was standing in the doorway with a cruel smile on his face. A long whip was curled in one of his hands. "Slave." He pointed at me.
"What?" I said not bothering to show the respect I was supposed to. I was tired of acting like they were better than I was just because I was branded. The whip snapped at my face but I just moved my head easily to the side. The end went past my head and hit the stone instead of my face. I grabbed the weapon from the air and yanked on it out of his hands.
"You'll pay for this slave." He didn't look quite like he knew what he was supposed to do now that a slave was standing up to him. The rest of the armory was quiet, too and the slaves were pulling back against the walls.
"Why? Because I would rather dodge than be hit by you." The soldier stepped back into the hallway and four more soldiers flanked him. They all pulled out short clubs and walked back into the room. I was tired from fighting and I had just lost my only friends. They did not pick to mess with me on a good day.
I reached up onto the wall and pulled down a short sword. "You dare to defy us." I responded by slashing down with my long sword. The one I attacked blocked with his club and the wood splintered underneath the weight of the blow. Another hit me in the chest with his club but I just took the hit. I jabbed my short sword through the soldier's ribs and the sword cut into his chest.
He managed to look at me in disbelief before he slid off the end of the sword. Blood started to pool around him. Another soldier took the advantage of my lowered guard. The club hit me on the side of the head and knocked me to my knees. Pain lanced through my head but I managed to hold onto consciousness. Two more clubs hit my arms and the swords fell from my grasp. One final blow to the back of my head sent me into the black depths.
I groaned and shook my head to clear the cobwebs in my brain. White dots sprinkled my vision and it felt like white-hot daggers were being stabbed into my eyes. Okay, that was the last time I was going to try and move fast. It felt bad enough without moving quickly.
I tried to move my arm to check my head but my arms were shackled to the ceiling above my head. I could move my legs round still. I glanced around. The only source of light around the room was a single torch set in the wall. The little light in the room showed a few weird shapes carved into the floor stones and a small cushion on the ground.
"I see the crazy slave is up now." Ryban stepped into the light. He had a goblet of wine in his left hand and a strange black blade that seemed to crackle with energy in his right hand.
"And ready to kick your ass." I didn't know what was going on but I could tell I probably wasn't going to get out alive so I might as well get to insult Ryban.
"Tough language for somebody that's chained to the ceiling." Ryban toke a slow sip from his goblet.
"Let me go and we can fight then you black hared punk." I grabbed onto the chains and kicked off the floor. I slammed my foot into his face and he fell backwards. I put my feet back on the ground and smiled at the king. He wiped a small trickle of blood that was dripping from his mouth with his hand. Ryban threw the goblet and it hit me in the head. Red wine dripped down my face as the goblet clattered to the floor.
"Fine." Ryban drove the black sword forward at my chest. I tried to move but the blade caught my chest. It drove deep into my body and slashed through my heart. Black energy crackled over my body and I opened my mouth for a scream that never came.
*Sora*
I sat in my throne and looked out over the people assembled in the long room. Takeru was in his slightly bigger throne to my right and Mat sat in the king's throne that was past that. To my left was an empty throne that had used to be mine before father died last night.
It still hurt like it had just happened. Our whole family had always been close and our father and me were closer to me than anybody. I think it's because I reminded him of mom so much. A man with holding a cushion with the crown on it slowly walked down the aisle in the middle of the room.
He stopped in front of Matt and kneeled in front of him. Matt took the crown from the cushion and placed it on the top of his head. From how much his shoulders slumped when he put it on you would think it weighed tons. The crowd started to cheer but Matt didn't get any happier. Matt raised his arms and the crowd silenced quickly.
"I have something I would like to do before everyone leaves." Matt's deep voice projected over the quiet people. "Tai and Kari would you please stand." The two who were sitting in the front row stood and walked before the new king. They both kneeled in front of him with identical expressions of confusion on their faces. "These two went out of their line of duty and managed to help save the rest of the royal family. As a gift for their heroic deeds they will be given their freedom and anything we can give them." Identical gasps of surprise rose from the two.
Takeru and me looked over at Matt. We hadn't been told this was going to happen before time so we were as surprised as Tai and Kari. He glanced over to us and motioned forward with one hand. We both stood and I walked over to Tai while Takeru walked over to Kari. They both stood.
Tai grinned at me and despite all that was happening I smiled back. He extended his hand with the D branded onto it. I grabbed his much bigger hand in my smaller ones. I concentrated and my hands turned cold. When I pulled my hands away the D had disappeared off the back of his hand. When I looked back up I found he had his eyes closed.
"You can look." I whispered to him. He raised his hand in front of him and opened his eyes. He turned his hand back and forth as if he couldn't believe it. He dropped his hand and smiled at me. I smiled again. Tai looked over at his sister and my brother. They were both staring at each other and smiling like idiots.
"What would you two like?" Asked Matt. "If it is in our power to grant it we will." Tai met my eyes and smiled mischievously. Suddenly his head darted forward and our lips met. I could feel the passion burning in his lips and was surprised at first. I got over my surprise and answered his passion with my own. Our arms slipped around each other's waists and we held the kiss.
The crowd started to cheer and we broke apart. We were both blushing crimson. I looked over at Takeru and he was staring at us with his mouth wide open. Kari was standing beside him cheering for her brother. I glanced at Matt and he smiled knowingly at me.
I turned back to Tai and he grinned at me. I pulled back my hand and slapped him across the face. "That's for not asking me first." I slapped him on the other cheek. "That's for doing it in front of the whole town." I grabbed his waist and kissed him full on the lips again. When we pulled back I smiled at him.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"That's because I wanted to."
*Takeru* A week later
I lay on my back in the courtyard of the castle staring at the white clouds floating lazily past. Kari lay beside me staring up at the clouds as well. She played with her necklace. Tai sat near us with Sora's head lying in his lap. They were both smiling at each other and talking quietly. Mandy was sparring with a soldier near us and easily beating him.
I smiled as I looked over at the two. I had been surprised at first but I was happy that my sister had found somebody. Without somebody she would have had to marry a prince from the surrounding area and nobody would have been happy with that.
Matt walked over to our small group. Joe was beside him and they were both talking to each other. They stopped by us and we all looked over at them lazily. He had taken his crown off and now only wore a simple golden circlet. Even that looked like it was weighing him down, though.
"What are you four doing?" Asked Matt.
"At the moment a little bit of nothing." I said looking back up.
"Do you want to get some food for the table tonight. With the … death of father and the banquet in his honor our larders are a little empty."
"We'll go." Said Tai looking up from Sora. "I need to get up and about any ways."
"You board with me?" Asked Sora smiling at Tai.
"No, I mean that…" Tai realized that she was teasing him and smiled. "You." We all smiled at the two though they were too busy looking at each other to notice. I stood to my feet and Kari stood up next to me. Tai helped Sora to her feet.
"Takeru and Sora both have horses and you two can take any horse that isn't already picked by a lancer." Said Matt. "I would love to come with you guys but being king is harder than I thought."
"Yes, sire." I said bowing.
"Shut up."
"Yes your majesty." I bowed again but a smile broke the seriousness of the movement.
"You never even listened to dad so I know you're not going to listen to me. Now get going. Just be sure to bring Mandy with you. It's not safe for the royal family to be bye themselves any more." We all laughed and the four of us going hunting turned towards the stable. We walked in and the scent of manure and hay met our noses. The stable was well kept, with the floors washed clean and clean hay in each of the stalls. There was a horse in each of the stalls.
I walked over to a stall that held a tall roan. It was my horse, Silver. Silver shoved its nose into my hand and I obligingly scratched it.
"Is this your horse?" Asked Kari.
"Yeah. You can pick any horse you want. The lancer stable is farther down so don't go there." I said. I vaulted over the door into the stall and pulled Silver's riding gear off of the pegs in the wall.
"Umm…Takeru." Said Kari.
"Yeah."
"I've never ridden a horse before." I had been riding all of my life and it had never occurred to me that Kari wouldn't know how to ride.
"I can teach you." I said. "Let me just finish with Silver and we can ride together on him the first time." I cinched the saddle onto Silver's back and grabbed the reins. I unlatched the stall door and led Silver out. Kari and I walked out into the courtyard. "Okay, I'll lift you up and just slid your leg over the saddle."
"Okay." I walked behind Kari and placed my hands on her waist. Her hair was only inches from my face and I could smell the lilac soap that she had used to wash it. I bent my knees slightly and lifted Kari up. She slid her leg over the saddle then straightened. I put my foot in the stirrup and lifted myself into the saddle behind Kari. I put my arms around her sides to pick up the reins.
She sighed and slid farther back so that she was leaning fully on my chest, and nuzzled her head into my chest. Again the scent of lilac filled my nostrils. I had to shake my head to clear my head of the intoxicating smell because I knew that I wouldn't be able to think straight.
"Quaint." Said Sora riding up on her own roan mare. Kari smiled at Sora and snuggled closer to my chest.
"You know Takeru maybe you two would rather stay here instead of coming with us." Said Tai riding on a black on the other side of us. Mandy rode up beside him and she was smiling, too.
"You know Takeru we could." Said Kari looking up at me and smiling devilishly.
"Uhhhh…" I said blushing crimson. "I think we should go on our ride." I flicked the reins and Silver started forward. They all laughed and started after me.
*Kari*
I sat in the saddle with my back against Takeru's chest. I could feel his hardened muscles through his shirt and the feeling of strength was comforting. I hadn't known Takeru very long but it just felt right. It also didn't hurt that he looked as good as he did.
"Over there." Whispered Tai. I looked over where Tai was pointing and I could see the antlers of the buck sticking out of the bushes. Tai drew his short bow and strung it quickly. He pulled a white fletched arrow from a quiver attached to his saddle. The arrow slid back smoothly and then the arrow slashed through the air.
The buck exploded through the bushes. The arrow was stuck into the buck's chest and blood was flowing freely. It turned and ran into the forest. "After it." Yelled Mandy.
"Hold on tight Kari." Takeru whispered into my ear. I nodded and he kneed Silver in the sides. Silver sprang forward at a pace that rattled my bones but I moved closer to Takeru and held onto the saddle horn. We rode hard for close to ten minutes before Tai, Mandy, and Sora reined back on their horses. "Whoa, Silver." Said Takeru pulling back the reins. Silver slowed then stopped next to them.
We were near the edge of the forest and the trees gave way to a shear cliff face. Long vines covered most of the cliff face.
"Where did it go?" I asked wiggling in the saddle to try and work muscles that felt like they had bruised during the ride.
"I don't know. We were following it and then it looked like it disappeared." Said Tai climbing out of his saddle. He kneeled and stared at the ground.
"What do you see?" Asked Sora.
"I don't know. I've never done any tracking before. I just heard that you were supposed to look at the ground." Said Tai looking up and Sora and grinning. Takeru laughed and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at my brother's stupid joke. There was no need to encourage him any.
"Just follow the blood." Said Mandy pointing at a small line of blood that stained the forest floor. I looked along the blood trail but it stopped at a wall of vines.
"But it stops here." Said Tai leaning his weight against the vines. The vines parted and Tai fell through.
"Tai." Said Sora jumping down from her horse. She pushed the vines aside to show Tai lying in the entrance of a dark cave. The dead buck lay beside him.
"Oww." Said Tai rubbing his head. "What the heck is this?"
"A cave." Said Takeru. Tai shot a glance at Takeru at the smart comment but kept quiet. He dismounted from Silver. "Okay Kari just slip your leg over the back of the saddle and then jump down."
"Okay." I said. I slid my leg over the back of the saddle. My foot in the other stirrup slipped and I fell backwards. Two strong arms caught me before I fell very far. I looked up and saw Takeru smiling at me. "Thanks. It wasn't as easy as you made it look."
"It usually takes a few times to get it right." Said Takeru. I could feel pleasant warmth on my chest and looked down. I could see the bright glow of my necklace through the cloth of my shirt. Takeru's necklace was glowing through the material of his shirt as well.
Takeru put me back down on my feet and we both pulled our necklaces out. "Is that the necklace Mom gave you?" Asked Tai sitting up.
"Yeah." I said. I could feel an almost invisible connection to the cave and the necklace seemed to want me to go into the cave. "Can you feel that, Takeru."
"Yeah." Said Takeru. He put me on the ground and I walked towards the cave. I pulled my necklace out and its glow grew stronger in the air. The necklace shed light into the cave but didn't even lighten on the ceiling of the cave. Takeru stepped up beside me and the golden light from his feather added to the light. It still didn't light the reaches of the cave though.
I caught something glinting in the light from the necklaces and turned my head so I could see what it was. It looked metal and it was moving. "Takeru." I yelled tackling him to the ground. A long spear slammed into the rock wall above us and sunk into the stone almost up to the middle of the shaft.
I could hear the sound of weapons being unsheathed behind us. I climbed to my feet and Takeru was close behind me. He drew his sword and I drew my stiletto. "Where the hell did that come from?" Asked Tai trying to stare through the darkness that cloaked whatever had thrown the spear.
A low growl filled the room and hot air bathed us. A group of bones flew out of the darkness and clattered to the ground at my feet. Some of the bones were snapped cleanly in half and long teeth marks ran down the length of some.
"I don't think I want to meet whatever could do that to bones." Said Mandy.
"I don't think we have much of a choice." Said Takeru. He moved protectively in front of me. The ground shook as big feet hit the ground. A large humanoid stepped into the dim light cast by the necklaces. Its twenty feet of height was all muscles and thick skin. Sharp fangs glittered in its mouth and dark blood covered the bottom part of its mouth. Its hand were tipped with sharp claws and one clutched a double hand battle ax like it was a hatchet.
"A cave troll." Said Mandy. "We might have a little trouble with this one."
"Let's get it." Said Tai. The cave troll roared at the top of its lungs and slammed its fist into the wall. When its fist pulled away part of the stone wall came with it. "Or we could just stand here and wet our pants." The cave troll ran at us.
"Ice slide." Yelled Mandy. The blade of her sword glowed blue and she jabbed it into the ground. Ice spread over the ground. The cave troll hit the ice and slipped. It crashed into the ground and slid toward us. It hit Mandy in the legs and sent her over its back. Mandy crashed to the ground and her sword fell out of her grip.
Tai jumped forward and swung his sword into the cave trolls head. The sword bounced off of the troll's thick skin and didn't leave a mark. The troll backhanded Tai and sent him into Sora. They both fell to the ground effectively out of the fight. The troll climbed to its feet.
Its hand shot forward and caught me around the throat. It lifted me into the air and strong muscles crushed the air from my throat. I slammed the stiletto into the cave troll's arm but the tip of the blade barely penetrated the skin. I tired again and again but it didn't go any farther in then the first time.
"Let go of her." Yelled Takeru. Slamming his sword into the cave trolls side. His necklace flashed and gold light filled the whole cave. The sword bit deep into the troll's side and black blood gushed from the wound. The troll's other arm shot around and grabbed Takeru around the throat.
My lungs were starting to burn from lack of oxygen and my stabs were becoming less and less frequent. The troll lifted Takeru up beside me and Takeru looked at me sadly. His hand reached over and gripped mine loosely. All I could do was squeeze his hand very weakly.
I wish I had gotten to know him more. This wasn't exactly how I had seen Takeru and me ending up. I wish I had gotten to know him better. Blue and crimson eyes locked. If I was going to die I was at least going to die looking at something I liked.
My necklace started to grow as bright as Takeru's and I could feel a wave of energy envelope me. Pink and gold energy exploded from our bodies knocking the cave troll's arms away. We both fell to the ground and landed on our feet. Energy flared around us like fire and dripped along the ground.
"What the…" I said confused looking at my arms which were glowing bright pink. The energy gathered around us and flowed over our skin. It hardened and turned opaque. I could feel even more energy washing over me and the skin behind my shoulder blades itched.
I reached behind me and my hand ran into something behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw a pair of pink wings extending out of my shoulder blades. My clothes had changed as well. I wore white armored boots, white armored gauntlets, an armored skirt edged with pink, a white circlet, and a white breastplate edged with pink. A metal composite bow rested in my hands and a quiver full of pink fletched arrows.
I concentrated and the bubble of energy flowed into my body. I glanced over at Takeru and he was changed as well. Golden wings extended out behind him and a golden washed blade was clutched in his hand. He was dressed in full golden armor with a full helm. I glanced over at Takeru and he look as confused as I was.
The troll roared and threw its battle-ax at me. "Light screen." I extended my hands forward and bright pink energy flared around my arms. I focused the energy on the palms of my hands. The energy spread making a wall of energy in front of me. The ax touched the wall and disintegrated.
Takeru flapped his wings and flew at the troll. He drew back his fist and slammed it into the troll's face. The troll fell to its knees. I dropped the wall of energy. "Arrow storm." I drew an arrow and drew it back. Pink energy gathered on the end of the arrow and I fired it. The one arrow split into hundreds and all of the arrows sleeted into the troll.
"Energy beam." Takeru lifted his hands above his head and gold energy gathered on the ends of his fingers. Takeru pointed at the troll and a finger sized energy beam shot out of Takeru's hands. The beam hit the troll and spread over it. It gave one last roar before the high energy ended its screams forever.
"Shit." Said Tai pulling himself off of Sora. He stood shakily to his feet. "Why didn't you tell me you could change into some angel."
"I really didn't know I could." I said.
"How?" Asked Sora. Tai extended a hand and she took it. He pulled her to her feet.
"I just didn't want Kari hurt and it felt like my necklace responded to that." Said Takeru.
"Same thing here." I said glancing over at Takeru shyly.
"Oh get over with it and kiss already. The sexual tension between you two is so thick I could cut it with my sword." Said Mandy climbing to her feet and retrieving her weapon. I walked over to Takeru and he smiled.
"Do you want to?" I asked. I couldn't believe how shy I felt. I knew there was nothing more that I would want but I felt like a six-year-old. Takeru sheathed his sword and cupped my face gently. It was amazing how gently hands that could wield a sword could hold me so gently. Takeru moved his face close and our lips met. I could feel the electricity coursing through the touch. We didn't break apart until we were both breathless.
"Wow." Said Takeru.
"Likewise." I said smiling.
"Great job Kari." Cheered Tai. We both broke apart and blushed at my brother's comment. Takeru wrapped one hand around my shoulder and pulled me back against him. His wings wrapped around us, forming a wall between us and unwanted eyes, as he pulled me into another kiss.
End Note: That was the end of the fourth chapter and I hoped everybody liked it because I liked this one. I know it took longer for this one than the others but I had some trouble writing, with school and everything. I was in a science fair and got first prize for the methodology. (cheer!) If anybody knows of any good Taiora please tell me because I just can't find any. Anyway cya til the next chapter.
(Looks up and composes myself.) Oh yeah and please enjoy the story. (Breaks back down into hysterics.)
Finding the Past
*Kyle*
I stared past the steel blade of my horribly balanced long sword and at my opponent in the arena. He was a younger slave than me and was armed with a long spear with a shaft that was splintering. Nobles cheered from the stands around us, goading us to kill each other. They never actually allowed us to kill each other even though they yelled at us to, slaves were just too expensive.
I flicked my blade in a quick low routine to test out the young slave's defenses. He reacted slowly and barely managed to block even the simple routine. I decided to go easy on him since the longer the fights lasted the fewer people that had to fight. I fell into a simple pattern that my opponent had to work hard to stop.
I had been lonely since Tai and Kari had left for the Gathis kingdom. They had been my only friends within the slaves because not only had I known them long they were the only people who walked around with some sort of hope in their eyes of a better life. All of the slaves that were left were more like zombies then people. They just wanted the most food without getting beaten for it.
Since Kari and Tai had left I could feel those feelings taking over me. There wasn't anybody to even talk to in the castle. "Ahhhhhhhh." I screamed slashing me sword down with as much strength as could. The heavy blade hit the spear's shaft and shattered it in half. I brought the sword back up and rested the tip of the sword against the younger slave's throat.
I shouldered my blade and turned away from the young slave. I walked into the slave's armory. There were four other people in the armory. One was sharpening a knife and the other three were sitting on the one bench in the room.
I walked over to the bench and was about to sit down when the door to the armory opened. A soldier was standing in the doorway with a cruel smile on his face. A long whip was curled in one of his hands. "Slave." He pointed at me.
"What?" I said not bothering to show the respect I was supposed to. I was tired of acting like they were better than I was just because I was branded. The whip snapped at my face but I just moved my head easily to the side. The end went past my head and hit the stone instead of my face. I grabbed the weapon from the air and yanked on it out of his hands.
"You'll pay for this slave." He didn't look quite like he knew what he was supposed to do now that a slave was standing up to him. The rest of the armory was quiet, too and the slaves were pulling back against the walls.
"Why? Because I would rather dodge than be hit by you." The soldier stepped back into the hallway and four more soldiers flanked him. They all pulled out short clubs and walked back into the room. I was tired from fighting and I had just lost my only friends. They did not pick to mess with me on a good day.
I reached up onto the wall and pulled down a short sword. "You dare to defy us." I responded by slashing down with my long sword. The one I attacked blocked with his club and the wood splintered underneath the weight of the blow. Another hit me in the chest with his club but I just took the hit. I jabbed my short sword through the soldier's ribs and the sword cut into his chest.
He managed to look at me in disbelief before he slid off the end of the sword. Blood started to pool around him. Another soldier took the advantage of my lowered guard. The club hit me on the side of the head and knocked me to my knees. Pain lanced through my head but I managed to hold onto consciousness. Two more clubs hit my arms and the swords fell from my grasp. One final blow to the back of my head sent me into the black depths.
I groaned and shook my head to clear the cobwebs in my brain. White dots sprinkled my vision and it felt like white-hot daggers were being stabbed into my eyes. Okay, that was the last time I was going to try and move fast. It felt bad enough without moving quickly.
I tried to move my arm to check my head but my arms were shackled to the ceiling above my head. I could move my legs round still. I glanced around. The only source of light around the room was a single torch set in the wall. The little light in the room showed a few weird shapes carved into the floor stones and a small cushion on the ground.
"I see the crazy slave is up now." Ryban stepped into the light. He had a goblet of wine in his left hand and a strange black blade that seemed to crackle with energy in his right hand.
"And ready to kick your ass." I didn't know what was going on but I could tell I probably wasn't going to get out alive so I might as well get to insult Ryban.
"Tough language for somebody that's chained to the ceiling." Ryban toke a slow sip from his goblet.
"Let me go and we can fight then you black hared punk." I grabbed onto the chains and kicked off the floor. I slammed my foot into his face and he fell backwards. I put my feet back on the ground and smiled at the king. He wiped a small trickle of blood that was dripping from his mouth with his hand. Ryban threw the goblet and it hit me in the head. Red wine dripped down my face as the goblet clattered to the floor.
"Fine." Ryban drove the black sword forward at my chest. I tried to move but the blade caught my chest. It drove deep into my body and slashed through my heart. Black energy crackled over my body and I opened my mouth for a scream that never came.
*Sora*
I sat in my throne and looked out over the people assembled in the long room. Takeru was in his slightly bigger throne to my right and Mat sat in the king's throne that was past that. To my left was an empty throne that had used to be mine before father died last night.
It still hurt like it had just happened. Our whole family had always been close and our father and me were closer to me than anybody. I think it's because I reminded him of mom so much. A man with holding a cushion with the crown on it slowly walked down the aisle in the middle of the room.
He stopped in front of Matt and kneeled in front of him. Matt took the crown from the cushion and placed it on the top of his head. From how much his shoulders slumped when he put it on you would think it weighed tons. The crowd started to cheer but Matt didn't get any happier. Matt raised his arms and the crowd silenced quickly.
"I have something I would like to do before everyone leaves." Matt's deep voice projected over the quiet people. "Tai and Kari would you please stand." The two who were sitting in the front row stood and walked before the new king. They both kneeled in front of him with identical expressions of confusion on their faces. "These two went out of their line of duty and managed to help save the rest of the royal family. As a gift for their heroic deeds they will be given their freedom and anything we can give them." Identical gasps of surprise rose from the two.
Takeru and me looked over at Matt. We hadn't been told this was going to happen before time so we were as surprised as Tai and Kari. He glanced over to us and motioned forward with one hand. We both stood and I walked over to Tai while Takeru walked over to Kari. They both stood.
Tai grinned at me and despite all that was happening I smiled back. He extended his hand with the D branded onto it. I grabbed his much bigger hand in my smaller ones. I concentrated and my hands turned cold. When I pulled my hands away the D had disappeared off the back of his hand. When I looked back up I found he had his eyes closed.
"You can look." I whispered to him. He raised his hand in front of him and opened his eyes. He turned his hand back and forth as if he couldn't believe it. He dropped his hand and smiled at me. I smiled again. Tai looked over at his sister and my brother. They were both staring at each other and smiling like idiots.
"What would you two like?" Asked Matt. "If it is in our power to grant it we will." Tai met my eyes and smiled mischievously. Suddenly his head darted forward and our lips met. I could feel the passion burning in his lips and was surprised at first. I got over my surprise and answered his passion with my own. Our arms slipped around each other's waists and we held the kiss.
The crowd started to cheer and we broke apart. We were both blushing crimson. I looked over at Takeru and he was staring at us with his mouth wide open. Kari was standing beside him cheering for her brother. I glanced at Matt and he smiled knowingly at me.
I turned back to Tai and he grinned at me. I pulled back my hand and slapped him across the face. "That's for not asking me first." I slapped him on the other cheek. "That's for doing it in front of the whole town." I grabbed his waist and kissed him full on the lips again. When we pulled back I smiled at him.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"That's because I wanted to."
*Takeru* A week later
I lay on my back in the courtyard of the castle staring at the white clouds floating lazily past. Kari lay beside me staring up at the clouds as well. She played with her necklace. Tai sat near us with Sora's head lying in his lap. They were both smiling at each other and talking quietly. Mandy was sparring with a soldier near us and easily beating him.
I smiled as I looked over at the two. I had been surprised at first but I was happy that my sister had found somebody. Without somebody she would have had to marry a prince from the surrounding area and nobody would have been happy with that.
Matt walked over to our small group. Joe was beside him and they were both talking to each other. They stopped by us and we all looked over at them lazily. He had taken his crown off and now only wore a simple golden circlet. Even that looked like it was weighing him down, though.
"What are you four doing?" Asked Matt.
"At the moment a little bit of nothing." I said looking back up.
"Do you want to get some food for the table tonight. With the … death of father and the banquet in his honor our larders are a little empty."
"We'll go." Said Tai looking up from Sora. "I need to get up and about any ways."
"You board with me?" Asked Sora smiling at Tai.
"No, I mean that…" Tai realized that she was teasing him and smiled. "You." We all smiled at the two though they were too busy looking at each other to notice. I stood to my feet and Kari stood up next to me. Tai helped Sora to her feet.
"Takeru and Sora both have horses and you two can take any horse that isn't already picked by a lancer." Said Matt. "I would love to come with you guys but being king is harder than I thought."
"Yes, sire." I said bowing.
"Shut up."
"Yes your majesty." I bowed again but a smile broke the seriousness of the movement.
"You never even listened to dad so I know you're not going to listen to me. Now get going. Just be sure to bring Mandy with you. It's not safe for the royal family to be bye themselves any more." We all laughed and the four of us going hunting turned towards the stable. We walked in and the scent of manure and hay met our noses. The stable was well kept, with the floors washed clean and clean hay in each of the stalls. There was a horse in each of the stalls.
I walked over to a stall that held a tall roan. It was my horse, Silver. Silver shoved its nose into my hand and I obligingly scratched it.
"Is this your horse?" Asked Kari.
"Yeah. You can pick any horse you want. The lancer stable is farther down so don't go there." I said. I vaulted over the door into the stall and pulled Silver's riding gear off of the pegs in the wall.
"Umm…Takeru." Said Kari.
"Yeah."
"I've never ridden a horse before." I had been riding all of my life and it had never occurred to me that Kari wouldn't know how to ride.
"I can teach you." I said. "Let me just finish with Silver and we can ride together on him the first time." I cinched the saddle onto Silver's back and grabbed the reins. I unlatched the stall door and led Silver out. Kari and I walked out into the courtyard. "Okay, I'll lift you up and just slid your leg over the saddle."
"Okay." I walked behind Kari and placed my hands on her waist. Her hair was only inches from my face and I could smell the lilac soap that she had used to wash it. I bent my knees slightly and lifted Kari up. She slid her leg over the saddle then straightened. I put my foot in the stirrup and lifted myself into the saddle behind Kari. I put my arms around her sides to pick up the reins.
She sighed and slid farther back so that she was leaning fully on my chest, and nuzzled her head into my chest. Again the scent of lilac filled my nostrils. I had to shake my head to clear my head of the intoxicating smell because I knew that I wouldn't be able to think straight.
"Quaint." Said Sora riding up on her own roan mare. Kari smiled at Sora and snuggled closer to my chest.
"You know Takeru maybe you two would rather stay here instead of coming with us." Said Tai riding on a black on the other side of us. Mandy rode up beside him and she was smiling, too.
"You know Takeru we could." Said Kari looking up at me and smiling devilishly.
"Uhhhh…" I said blushing crimson. "I think we should go on our ride." I flicked the reins and Silver started forward. They all laughed and started after me.
*Kari*
I sat in the saddle with my back against Takeru's chest. I could feel his hardened muscles through his shirt and the feeling of strength was comforting. I hadn't known Takeru very long but it just felt right. It also didn't hurt that he looked as good as he did.
"Over there." Whispered Tai. I looked over where Tai was pointing and I could see the antlers of the buck sticking out of the bushes. Tai drew his short bow and strung it quickly. He pulled a white fletched arrow from a quiver attached to his saddle. The arrow slid back smoothly and then the arrow slashed through the air.
The buck exploded through the bushes. The arrow was stuck into the buck's chest and blood was flowing freely. It turned and ran into the forest. "After it." Yelled Mandy.
"Hold on tight Kari." Takeru whispered into my ear. I nodded and he kneed Silver in the sides. Silver sprang forward at a pace that rattled my bones but I moved closer to Takeru and held onto the saddle horn. We rode hard for close to ten minutes before Tai, Mandy, and Sora reined back on their horses. "Whoa, Silver." Said Takeru pulling back the reins. Silver slowed then stopped next to them.
We were near the edge of the forest and the trees gave way to a shear cliff face. Long vines covered most of the cliff face.
"Where did it go?" I asked wiggling in the saddle to try and work muscles that felt like they had bruised during the ride.
"I don't know. We were following it and then it looked like it disappeared." Said Tai climbing out of his saddle. He kneeled and stared at the ground.
"What do you see?" Asked Sora.
"I don't know. I've never done any tracking before. I just heard that you were supposed to look at the ground." Said Tai looking up and Sora and grinning. Takeru laughed and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at my brother's stupid joke. There was no need to encourage him any.
"Just follow the blood." Said Mandy pointing at a small line of blood that stained the forest floor. I looked along the blood trail but it stopped at a wall of vines.
"But it stops here." Said Tai leaning his weight against the vines. The vines parted and Tai fell through.
"Tai." Said Sora jumping down from her horse. She pushed the vines aside to show Tai lying in the entrance of a dark cave. The dead buck lay beside him.
"Oww." Said Tai rubbing his head. "What the heck is this?"
"A cave." Said Takeru. Tai shot a glance at Takeru at the smart comment but kept quiet. He dismounted from Silver. "Okay Kari just slip your leg over the back of the saddle and then jump down."
"Okay." I said. I slid my leg over the back of the saddle. My foot in the other stirrup slipped and I fell backwards. Two strong arms caught me before I fell very far. I looked up and saw Takeru smiling at me. "Thanks. It wasn't as easy as you made it look."
"It usually takes a few times to get it right." Said Takeru. I could feel pleasant warmth on my chest and looked down. I could see the bright glow of my necklace through the cloth of my shirt. Takeru's necklace was glowing through the material of his shirt as well.
Takeru put me back down on my feet and we both pulled our necklaces out. "Is that the necklace Mom gave you?" Asked Tai sitting up.
"Yeah." I said. I could feel an almost invisible connection to the cave and the necklace seemed to want me to go into the cave. "Can you feel that, Takeru."
"Yeah." Said Takeru. He put me on the ground and I walked towards the cave. I pulled my necklace out and its glow grew stronger in the air. The necklace shed light into the cave but didn't even lighten on the ceiling of the cave. Takeru stepped up beside me and the golden light from his feather added to the light. It still didn't light the reaches of the cave though.
I caught something glinting in the light from the necklaces and turned my head so I could see what it was. It looked metal and it was moving. "Takeru." I yelled tackling him to the ground. A long spear slammed into the rock wall above us and sunk into the stone almost up to the middle of the shaft.
I could hear the sound of weapons being unsheathed behind us. I climbed to my feet and Takeru was close behind me. He drew his sword and I drew my stiletto. "Where the hell did that come from?" Asked Tai trying to stare through the darkness that cloaked whatever had thrown the spear.
A low growl filled the room and hot air bathed us. A group of bones flew out of the darkness and clattered to the ground at my feet. Some of the bones were snapped cleanly in half and long teeth marks ran down the length of some.
"I don't think I want to meet whatever could do that to bones." Said Mandy.
"I don't think we have much of a choice." Said Takeru. He moved protectively in front of me. The ground shook as big feet hit the ground. A large humanoid stepped into the dim light cast by the necklaces. Its twenty feet of height was all muscles and thick skin. Sharp fangs glittered in its mouth and dark blood covered the bottom part of its mouth. Its hand were tipped with sharp claws and one clutched a double hand battle ax like it was a hatchet.
"A cave troll." Said Mandy. "We might have a little trouble with this one."
"Let's get it." Said Tai. The cave troll roared at the top of its lungs and slammed its fist into the wall. When its fist pulled away part of the stone wall came with it. "Or we could just stand here and wet our pants." The cave troll ran at us.
"Ice slide." Yelled Mandy. The blade of her sword glowed blue and she jabbed it into the ground. Ice spread over the ground. The cave troll hit the ice and slipped. It crashed into the ground and slid toward us. It hit Mandy in the legs and sent her over its back. Mandy crashed to the ground and her sword fell out of her grip.
Tai jumped forward and swung his sword into the cave trolls head. The sword bounced off of the troll's thick skin and didn't leave a mark. The troll backhanded Tai and sent him into Sora. They both fell to the ground effectively out of the fight. The troll climbed to its feet.
Its hand shot forward and caught me around the throat. It lifted me into the air and strong muscles crushed the air from my throat. I slammed the stiletto into the cave troll's arm but the tip of the blade barely penetrated the skin. I tired again and again but it didn't go any farther in then the first time.
"Let go of her." Yelled Takeru. Slamming his sword into the cave trolls side. His necklace flashed and gold light filled the whole cave. The sword bit deep into the troll's side and black blood gushed from the wound. The troll's other arm shot around and grabbed Takeru around the throat.
My lungs were starting to burn from lack of oxygen and my stabs were becoming less and less frequent. The troll lifted Takeru up beside me and Takeru looked at me sadly. His hand reached over and gripped mine loosely. All I could do was squeeze his hand very weakly.
I wish I had gotten to know him more. This wasn't exactly how I had seen Takeru and me ending up. I wish I had gotten to know him better. Blue and crimson eyes locked. If I was going to die I was at least going to die looking at something I liked.
My necklace started to grow as bright as Takeru's and I could feel a wave of energy envelope me. Pink and gold energy exploded from our bodies knocking the cave troll's arms away. We both fell to the ground and landed on our feet. Energy flared around us like fire and dripped along the ground.
"What the…" I said confused looking at my arms which were glowing bright pink. The energy gathered around us and flowed over our skin. It hardened and turned opaque. I could feel even more energy washing over me and the skin behind my shoulder blades itched.
I reached behind me and my hand ran into something behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw a pair of pink wings extending out of my shoulder blades. My clothes had changed as well. I wore white armored boots, white armored gauntlets, an armored skirt edged with pink, a white circlet, and a white breastplate edged with pink. A metal composite bow rested in my hands and a quiver full of pink fletched arrows.
I concentrated and the bubble of energy flowed into my body. I glanced over at Takeru and he was changed as well. Golden wings extended out behind him and a golden washed blade was clutched in his hand. He was dressed in full golden armor with a full helm. I glanced over at Takeru and he look as confused as I was.
The troll roared and threw its battle-ax at me. "Light screen." I extended my hands forward and bright pink energy flared around my arms. I focused the energy on the palms of my hands. The energy spread making a wall of energy in front of me. The ax touched the wall and disintegrated.
Takeru flapped his wings and flew at the troll. He drew back his fist and slammed it into the troll's face. The troll fell to its knees. I dropped the wall of energy. "Arrow storm." I drew an arrow and drew it back. Pink energy gathered on the end of the arrow and I fired it. The one arrow split into hundreds and all of the arrows sleeted into the troll.
"Energy beam." Takeru lifted his hands above his head and gold energy gathered on the ends of his fingers. Takeru pointed at the troll and a finger sized energy beam shot out of Takeru's hands. The beam hit the troll and spread over it. It gave one last roar before the high energy ended its screams forever.
"Shit." Said Tai pulling himself off of Sora. He stood shakily to his feet. "Why didn't you tell me you could change into some angel."
"I really didn't know I could." I said.
"How?" Asked Sora. Tai extended a hand and she took it. He pulled her to her feet.
"I just didn't want Kari hurt and it felt like my necklace responded to that." Said Takeru.
"Same thing here." I said glancing over at Takeru shyly.
"Oh get over with it and kiss already. The sexual tension between you two is so thick I could cut it with my sword." Said Mandy climbing to her feet and retrieving her weapon. I walked over to Takeru and he smiled.
"Do you want to?" I asked. I couldn't believe how shy I felt. I knew there was nothing more that I would want but I felt like a six-year-old. Takeru sheathed his sword and cupped my face gently. It was amazing how gently hands that could wield a sword could hold me so gently. Takeru moved his face close and our lips met. I could feel the electricity coursing through the touch. We didn't break apart until we were both breathless.
"Wow." Said Takeru.
"Likewise." I said smiling.
"Great job Kari." Cheered Tai. We both broke apart and blushed at my brother's comment. Takeru wrapped one hand around my shoulder and pulled me back against him. His wings wrapped around us, forming a wall between us and unwanted eyes, as he pulled me into another kiss.
End Note: That was the end of the fourth chapter and I hoped everybody liked it because I liked this one. I know it took longer for this one than the others but I had some trouble writing, with school and everything. I was in a science fair and got first prize for the methodology. (cheer!) If anybody knows of any good Taiora please tell me because I just can't find any. Anyway cya til the next chapter.