SINS OF EDEN
Chapter 7
*****
Akane packed her things into her small bag. After a long day of work, not to mention
Nui's incessent comments about Shin, a more than exhausted Akane was ready to call it
a day.
"So, you should've seen him! He has like the best body I've..."
"Nui, don't take this the wrong way, but please, shut up."
Nui smiled at Akane, baring her teeth at her in an almost cartoon manner.
Akane sighed and grunted a short laugh. It was nice to have some quiet.
"Anyway, tell me, why you been so off today, girl?"
"Huh?" said Akane.
"Precisely. You seem really off today. What's wrong; besides the obvious?"
Akane sighed. "It's- nothing."
"Holding back on me, eh? Don't blame you. We all need some privacy."
Akane nodded and smiled, packing her gi-
Nui sank to her knees and grabbed Akane's waist. "Pretty please! I'm dying to know! Tell
me!"
"Nui! That's enough!"
Nui rose and giggled, grabbing her bag and running out of the changing room. "See ya!" she
yelled before she left.
*Whew!* Akane thought. Nui had been borderline unbearable today.
Now packed, she retrieved her purse, checking of anything was missing, out of pure habit.
"Huh?"
Akane moved around several things, before her heart almost jumped out her throat.
"Where's the envelope?" She dug to the very bottom and in all compartments. Nothing.
The envelope was gone.
Akane sat and drew in her breath. She retraced all events and causes that might have made
the envelope dissappear.
Lunch? No, that wasn't it. She only took her carry-on wallet. She left the purse safely
in her locker.
In the morning? No, she was training, her purse near her before she went to lock it away.
Then, when the hell did she lose it?
Akane felt a pang of hope. Maybe it fell off in her apartment. It had to be. She was
dying to read it, and was regretting not having read it sooner once again.
Grabbing her things, she left her job, waving to the secretary as she passed her. She wanted
to get home and find that damn envelope.
-----
After an extensive search of top to bottom, still no envelope. She had look under every
single item in her apartment, and yet she came out empty handed.
Akane sagged in the couch. She felt really down. Losing something she had so much curiosity
about, not to mention that would provide a lot of helpful information...
She closed her eyes and tried not to scream out in frustration. If only she had Chijaru's
home number, then maybe she could call, but that was out of the question. She might get
Ranma, and she didn't feel she had the energy to confront him. At least not now.
Not feeling up to cooking, she ordered out some chinese and settled for a quiet evening watching
one of those old movies they air on special days.
Nearing ten, she yawned and turned off her TV. She had to get sleep, now that she felt better
about the entire ordeal.
After having gone through her motions, she went to her bed, drawing up the quilt and turning
off her night-lamp. She would have read some, but she felt a little too tired tonight.
-----
She looked around, and saw those who she knew...
*Hello? Anyone?*
She turned around and saw that she was back home; in the dojo, but she was the only one
there...
*What's going on? Is anyone there?*
She heard a noise, and turned around. Now she was back at home, but her place was dark...
*'I know you...'*
*Who's there!? Come out!*
She looked up, and saw the night-sky, empty of stars, as if a storm was approaching.
*'heheheheheheheh....'* echoed through the dark.
*Come out! Where are you!*
A fierce wailing began from all directions, calling...
*No, No! Leave me alone!*
For...
She swung at the dark. *Go away!*
Help...
Many hands, dark hands, grabbed her arms and legs, the wailing getting louder. She struggled
against her holds, but was unable to break free.
*NO! LET ME GO!*
In terror, she could see a figure rising from the dark, taking the shape of a man. He slowly
came to her, laughing, his bright and unblinking eyes staring directly into hers'.
She screamed as he came to her. She stood before her, slowly reaching down into her...
She screamed as his hands pierced through her body, reaching deep into the crevises that was her,
pulling out...
She screamed at the utter terror of watching him pull out...
HER. The other her reached out to her as the figure sucked her deep into his body, her arm
reaching to re-unite once more...
*Help me!* she screamed to she who belonged with her, but she would not reach, the man sucking
her deeper...
*NO!* she screamed, reaching to her counter-part, pulling her back to her...
Until, his face was seen. A mixture of evil and darkness in a way that would make a man go
mad, as he laughed at her, sucking her soul away...
*You're mine!*
-----
Akane sat up, screaming. She looked around the dark room in fear. Quickly she reached for the
lamp, turning it on. She looked at the now lit-up room, still breathing hard. She was sweating
cold.
"A dream," she told herself. "Just a bad dream."
Calming down slowly, she ran her hands through her hair. That was the scariest nightmare she had
ever had.
She pushed back the covers and swung her legs to the side. She needed a drink of water before
she could get back to...
Akane felt something odd beneath her bare foot. She looked down and saw she was stepping on
something small and rectangular. She reached down, picked it up, and to much her delight, it
was the envelope.
Akane wondered for a moment how it had gotten there. She was positive she had looked under her
bed and all around, so why hadn't she seen it?
She checked her clock, and saw it was almost One A.M. She had to pinch herself to be conviced
she was not still dreaming.
Drawing back her legs and pushing away all residual fear, she opened the envelope, taking
out the note inside.
Akane read, slowly.
- Dating back to the early Druids, one of their most ancient and secretive practices
were uncovered. It appears they feared nothing, for they had the ability to control
almost all, save for one thing. One being that they left 'un-named'.
The elemental drive that is life is constituted by two elements: Good and Evil. Within,
there must exist a balance, in all things, made adequate for survival. That is all that
must be so.
However, there exists this, who is 'un-named', who seeks a disruption of balance. By
out-weighing good, it shall gain control. That, is as it is put, the essence of greed.
It seeks control, and will stop at nothing to get it.
No one knows what this being is, but some have attributed it as: 'He who is beyond time;
beyond life.' A thing of incredible magnitude and undomitable power. It's existance
remained a mystery, until it was found to thrive on those he lured.
The Druids attributed many deaths to a force unknown. Over many years, they discovered
the bodies of their brothers and sisters, lying dead, but being perfectly healthy.
They tried to discover the cause, but to this day, have come up empty handed.
One man, greatly respected within his tribe, discovered that the bodies lacked their
aura; almost as if it had been ripped from them. It was by this that the Druids
knew to a degree what they had discovered. Using their vast knowledge, they tried
to find 'it', but never did. Many people dissapeared over the course of time, and
they were powerless against it. The only explination they could get was that this
'being' could somehow shield it's presence, by some sort of barrier.
Even to this date, they have not discovered why it chooses it's victims, and dissapears
without a trace. The only warning we have been given, is to find it's cause soon.
Time may be running out. The worst will fall upon us.-
Akane re-read it several times.
She couldn't put her finger on it, but this did make sense. But how?
Why did Chijaru give her this? This didn't answer any of her questions about Ranma.
She folded the note and put it back in it's envelope. She looked at the wall, trying to make
sense of things. It made her head spin.
She closed her eyes and thought back to her conversation with Chijaru...
Until it hit her.
She reached for the note and read, very urgently this time.
-Thrive on those he lures-
*I did fancy him for a while, but...*
-Essence of greed-
*I've done so much for so many, and what are the thanks I get?*
-Some sort of barrier-
*I can generate a very strong barrier...*
Akane's breath came in short intervals. It all made sense!
*Mutual benefits...*
*Find an enemy or a friend...*
*We've been in hiding...*
"Oh my God..."
End of Chapter 7
'Till next time...
BlackDragon
Chapter 7
*****
Akane packed her things into her small bag. After a long day of work, not to mention
Nui's incessent comments about Shin, a more than exhausted Akane was ready to call it
a day.
"So, you should've seen him! He has like the best body I've..."
"Nui, don't take this the wrong way, but please, shut up."
Nui smiled at Akane, baring her teeth at her in an almost cartoon manner.
Akane sighed and grunted a short laugh. It was nice to have some quiet.
"Anyway, tell me, why you been so off today, girl?"
"Huh?" said Akane.
"Precisely. You seem really off today. What's wrong; besides the obvious?"
Akane sighed. "It's- nothing."
"Holding back on me, eh? Don't blame you. We all need some privacy."
Akane nodded and smiled, packing her gi-
Nui sank to her knees and grabbed Akane's waist. "Pretty please! I'm dying to know! Tell
me!"
"Nui! That's enough!"
Nui rose and giggled, grabbing her bag and running out of the changing room. "See ya!" she
yelled before she left.
*Whew!* Akane thought. Nui had been borderline unbearable today.
Now packed, she retrieved her purse, checking of anything was missing, out of pure habit.
"Huh?"
Akane moved around several things, before her heart almost jumped out her throat.
"Where's the envelope?" She dug to the very bottom and in all compartments. Nothing.
The envelope was gone.
Akane sat and drew in her breath. She retraced all events and causes that might have made
the envelope dissappear.
Lunch? No, that wasn't it. She only took her carry-on wallet. She left the purse safely
in her locker.
In the morning? No, she was training, her purse near her before she went to lock it away.
Then, when the hell did she lose it?
Akane felt a pang of hope. Maybe it fell off in her apartment. It had to be. She was
dying to read it, and was regretting not having read it sooner once again.
Grabbing her things, she left her job, waving to the secretary as she passed her. She wanted
to get home and find that damn envelope.
-----
After an extensive search of top to bottom, still no envelope. She had look under every
single item in her apartment, and yet she came out empty handed.
Akane sagged in the couch. She felt really down. Losing something she had so much curiosity
about, not to mention that would provide a lot of helpful information...
She closed her eyes and tried not to scream out in frustration. If only she had Chijaru's
home number, then maybe she could call, but that was out of the question. She might get
Ranma, and she didn't feel she had the energy to confront him. At least not now.
Not feeling up to cooking, she ordered out some chinese and settled for a quiet evening watching
one of those old movies they air on special days.
Nearing ten, she yawned and turned off her TV. She had to get sleep, now that she felt better
about the entire ordeal.
After having gone through her motions, she went to her bed, drawing up the quilt and turning
off her night-lamp. She would have read some, but she felt a little too tired tonight.
-----
She looked around, and saw those who she knew...
*Hello? Anyone?*
She turned around and saw that she was back home; in the dojo, but she was the only one
there...
*What's going on? Is anyone there?*
She heard a noise, and turned around. Now she was back at home, but her place was dark...
*'I know you...'*
*Who's there!? Come out!*
She looked up, and saw the night-sky, empty of stars, as if a storm was approaching.
*'heheheheheheheh....'* echoed through the dark.
*Come out! Where are you!*
A fierce wailing began from all directions, calling...
*No, No! Leave me alone!*
For...
She swung at the dark. *Go away!*
Help...
Many hands, dark hands, grabbed her arms and legs, the wailing getting louder. She struggled
against her holds, but was unable to break free.
*NO! LET ME GO!*
In terror, she could see a figure rising from the dark, taking the shape of a man. He slowly
came to her, laughing, his bright and unblinking eyes staring directly into hers'.
She screamed as he came to her. She stood before her, slowly reaching down into her...
She screamed as his hands pierced through her body, reaching deep into the crevises that was her,
pulling out...
She screamed at the utter terror of watching him pull out...
HER. The other her reached out to her as the figure sucked her deep into his body, her arm
reaching to re-unite once more...
*Help me!* she screamed to she who belonged with her, but she would not reach, the man sucking
her deeper...
*NO!* she screamed, reaching to her counter-part, pulling her back to her...
Until, his face was seen. A mixture of evil and darkness in a way that would make a man go
mad, as he laughed at her, sucking her soul away...
*You're mine!*
-----
Akane sat up, screaming. She looked around the dark room in fear. Quickly she reached for the
lamp, turning it on. She looked at the now lit-up room, still breathing hard. She was sweating
cold.
"A dream," she told herself. "Just a bad dream."
Calming down slowly, she ran her hands through her hair. That was the scariest nightmare she had
ever had.
She pushed back the covers and swung her legs to the side. She needed a drink of water before
she could get back to...
Akane felt something odd beneath her bare foot. She looked down and saw she was stepping on
something small and rectangular. She reached down, picked it up, and to much her delight, it
was the envelope.
Akane wondered for a moment how it had gotten there. She was positive she had looked under her
bed and all around, so why hadn't she seen it?
She checked her clock, and saw it was almost One A.M. She had to pinch herself to be conviced
she was not still dreaming.
Drawing back her legs and pushing away all residual fear, she opened the envelope, taking
out the note inside.
Akane read, slowly.
- Dating back to the early Druids, one of their most ancient and secretive practices
were uncovered. It appears they feared nothing, for they had the ability to control
almost all, save for one thing. One being that they left 'un-named'.
The elemental drive that is life is constituted by two elements: Good and Evil. Within,
there must exist a balance, in all things, made adequate for survival. That is all that
must be so.
However, there exists this, who is 'un-named', who seeks a disruption of balance. By
out-weighing good, it shall gain control. That, is as it is put, the essence of greed.
It seeks control, and will stop at nothing to get it.
No one knows what this being is, but some have attributed it as: 'He who is beyond time;
beyond life.' A thing of incredible magnitude and undomitable power. It's existance
remained a mystery, until it was found to thrive on those he lured.
The Druids attributed many deaths to a force unknown. Over many years, they discovered
the bodies of their brothers and sisters, lying dead, but being perfectly healthy.
They tried to discover the cause, but to this day, have come up empty handed.
One man, greatly respected within his tribe, discovered that the bodies lacked their
aura; almost as if it had been ripped from them. It was by this that the Druids
knew to a degree what they had discovered. Using their vast knowledge, they tried
to find 'it', but never did. Many people dissapeared over the course of time, and
they were powerless against it. The only explination they could get was that this
'being' could somehow shield it's presence, by some sort of barrier.
Even to this date, they have not discovered why it chooses it's victims, and dissapears
without a trace. The only warning we have been given, is to find it's cause soon.
Time may be running out. The worst will fall upon us.-
Akane re-read it several times.
She couldn't put her finger on it, but this did make sense. But how?
Why did Chijaru give her this? This didn't answer any of her questions about Ranma.
She folded the note and put it back in it's envelope. She looked at the wall, trying to make
sense of things. It made her head spin.
She closed her eyes and thought back to her conversation with Chijaru...
Until it hit her.
She reached for the note and read, very urgently this time.
-Thrive on those he lures-
*I did fancy him for a while, but...*
-Essence of greed-
*I've done so much for so many, and what are the thanks I get?*
-Some sort of barrier-
*I can generate a very strong barrier...*
Akane's breath came in short intervals. It all made sense!
*Mutual benefits...*
*Find an enemy or a friend...*
*We've been in hiding...*
"Oh my God..."
End of Chapter 7
'Till next time...
BlackDragon