Chapter 1: Shugoshin no Deruphui
The Book of Gold
There is no name for Their realm: no name, that gives That place proper justice. No mere mortal may enter, and come back unchanged. Only the strong may enter, with the hope that when they return, their minds will still be intact. Only the good can enter, with the knowledge that their souls will not be taken away within Its depths.
Those that enter mold That place to fit their souls, and their desires, and that's what makes the place more dangerous. Because along with that, their greatest fears come alive.
They who guard the gate way will tell you now, that for centuries no being has entered or left That place save for Themselves.
They who guard the entrance will tell you that for millenniums none but the greatest fighters have entered.
They who guard the door way hold great power, and yet have none.
They are the four Guardian Gods of Delphi.
~Excerpt from the Book of Gold (Author Unknown).
Delphi is truly a most wondrous place.
It doesn't exist in the true world- at least, not the one that everybody knows.
To get there, you need to know how to create a portal: a portal that will get you from one dimension into another. It requires a lot of control and also the ability to free your mind. And it is also very dangerous, for those foolish enough to think they can handle the distance.
Millenniums back, the whole galaxy was aware of the existence of this place, and of Us, its guardians. There would always be someone there, other then myself and the others.
The reason, for the existence of Delphi, was few, but important.
Delphi was there for questions to be asked, and answered.
A way for the people of different star systems to meet, greet, form alliances, and other important things.
And It was there for the Sailor Soldiers of the Galaxy to be trained.
A great soldier called Delphi a living thing once, after she had battled and defeated It. She told Us that somehow It had been able to read her mind and find out her fears, and set them against her, and to train her physically and emotionally for the world. I think that perhaps she was in there longest. She thanked us, Shugoshin no Deruphui for our help.
Millenniums after she was the galaxy's greatest foe.
So that's what Delphi does. It reads your mind and your soul and finds out what type of person you are, and who you will become. Whether it is a diplomat, a ruler, a soldier, Delphi will know. Delphi will find your strengths and weakness, and use them to your greatest advantage. It will hone your skills.
It will also pit your deepest and darkest fears against you, so that in the end, Delphi may have done more harm then good.
Delphi will mold itself to suit the mind of the person.
We have lived a long time, since the beginning of time, to be exact. I think that the only reason we were born was to guard Delphi from intruders, and intruders from Delphi. Each gifted with the basic elements that formed It, even we have no complete control over It. Perhaps we can lessen what It is doing to the person. We can heal what has been damaged. And we are also linked to It.
When people met there We were also there to monitor. Some of the people there had had no great control over this place, and so We were required to keep things under control.
I think this is what made people stop coming; the stories of unfortunate souls going made within this place. Over the centuries, they stopped coming and coming until it was only a minor percentage of the galaxy that dared enter to train. Because those people stopped coming, they forgot about this place.
The Soldiers of Kinmokusei have never stopped coming here, and so I think it's because of that We have developed bonds with them. Why We've been there to help and assist them willingly, traveling in between worlds instead of requiring their presence in Delphi.
**********
After We woke, we were quite torn between preparing Delphi and finding the Starlights. I remember that Kasei and Vittorio had an argument just over that, and it took both Yukio and myself to calm the two down. Yukio spoke then.
"Only one of the Starlights has been born. It would be best to wait for the other two; when that happens we should get them. The longer they are with their parents, particularly their mothers, the harder it will be for us." He spoke as if he were merely commenting on the weather. It was then that we thought that only Yukio could treat something as dire as this as if it were a situation that could be fixed with a wave of our hand. But his say would be the best to listen to for now, because what he said was most likely true.
He has this special ability to feel emotions. Perhaps that is why he and Healer get along so well.
So after what he said, we opened a portal back to Delphi. Vittorio was the first to enter, then me, then Yukio, and finally, Kasei. It was rather strange to be back there; seeing Delphi so barren from centuries of being untended. Vittorio, Kasei and I immediately began to work, while Yukio sat down and meditated.
"Damn him. He should be moving his ass and helping us." Kasei has the face of an angel, yet he speaks like a common thug.
We just shrugged, and Vittorio released his mental shields, allowing his power to flow out of his being and into the area around him. Beneath our feet, solid ground slowly formed.
Maybe a few weeks after we started, I let down my own mental shields, and let my own power flow forth. The earth was watered, allowing plants and trees and shrubs to grow. Animals, and the monsters of Delphi appeared, and Kasei breathed lift into them.
It was then that Yukio moved. He was the last to release his shields, after Kasei, and he heated Delphi, encouraging the plants and trees to further grow, warming the animals and monsters.
We stayed like that for months like that, allowing Delphi to grow. When you have been alive since the beginning, a few months is but a few minutes of our life.
Kasei was the one that first put up his shields again.
"Star Fighter is alive. In this world." He glanced at Yukio, who had followed suit. The fire god met his eyes, and then gestured for us to follow. Vittorio and I pulled away at the same time, and stepped back out into Kinmoku.
**********
We went first to palace. The records would be held there, in the new computer-machines and searching them would help us. We were to take note of the children who were born this year, three and two months after each other respectively.
"That of course just narrows the list down to hundreds of children." commented Vittorio mildly, when Yukio told us this. Yukio scowled at the Earth God.
"Be glad that we have more then just names to work on," he snarled.
That was something else we had 'going for us'. The names of our people generally don't mean anything just by themselves. However, if one were to… 'mix-and-match', then there could be many possibilities. Fifty percent of the population of Kinmoku's names has something to do with olive blossoms, or any flower in general. Thirty percent have something to do with the elements. Fifteen percent have something to do with rocks and or minerals and the remaining five have something to do with celestial bodies. That of course, was just a very simple example. A person's name could mean flower if used in one context, and kill if used in another.
But those to do with celestial bodies remain in the minor percentage. And even then, the ones we search for don't necessarily follow the rules of being named after stars (rare though this may be). Only fate would decree something as whimsical as this.
Vittorio scrolled down the window, typing a few things. He always was rather adept at things like this; working out how to use the latest technology for his own ends.
"Perhaps we could filter through?" he now suggested airily. A few strokes of the key and finally a click on 'enter', and we were given a list of ten matches. Not much compared to what we had had to go through in the past. Perhaps Fate was lending us a hand, due to what she was planning for us in the future.
"By the light of the night sky," groused Yukio, "If we don't find them now there will be hell to pay for from me!" Kasei smiled indulgently down at him.
"I'm sure," he murmured. Clicking on 'next' to look at the next five names, we waited for the page to load. When it finally did-
"Shit," breathed Kasei.
The first name at the top of the list was Yaten Kou.
All of us turned to Yukio, who looked rather stunned at the name. Kasei will swear years later that had the situation not been so dire, he would have snatched up a pencil and paper and recorded the look on Yukio's face.
We had to eliminate seven houses, to find the other two Starlights. Yukio and I each scryed in fire and water respectively. Almost immediately after I had started, I was able to cross off Sei, Kaze, and Hikari while Yukio said that Chi, Tsuki, Hoshi and Tenshi [1] didn't belong. We were left with Seiya Kou and Taiki Kou.
"Kou, Kou, and Kou."
"How quaint."
**********
In the years that we had gone, Kinmokusei had obviously changed remarkably. The buildings were much more modernized and the clothes were very different to the style that had been seen in our time. What a sight we must have made in our velvet suits and matching flowing capes. The ruffles certainly didn't help, and We were subject to many stares and whispers. The capes were still here, but everything else had changed. None that we could see carried swords.
A little boy ran up to us and asked us if he could play with our swords. His mother walked up, dragged him away giving us disapproving looks while another girl whom we presumed to be his older sister gave us an admiring glance. Yukio glanced away with a snort, and began to walk in a different direction.
"We aren't required to go together are we?" he asked. Kasei scowled.
"If they are of nobles, no doubt we will be required to supervise." He'd had experience in that area.
"If they are… 'commoners'," Vittorio curled his lip at that 'title', "We'll still have to be there."
"Both 'levels' have their problems but their one common fault is that they all have sticks up their asses which need to be removed now before somebody gets hurt!" Yukio glared at us all, and it was then agreed that any release of power might harm someone physically and or mentally, if one were careful. Tact would play an important part of this.
I studied the environment; hot and humid, clear skies, the smell of sweat permeating the air, and that tiny little spark that shouted "Goddamn this heat!" Sailor Star Healer was here.
**********
The home of the Yaten family was rather flashy. Paintings decorated the walls, priceless vases from so-and-so times rested on dark wooden stone pedestals, decorative rugs covered the floor. Yukio nodded approvingly, – he had caught on quickly to the styles of this era- Vittorio obviously thought this was a waste of money and Kasei's expression was neutral. I'm not sure what showed on my face, though judging by Yukio's smirk, it wasn't very pretty. The servant glanced at us almost nervously, stopped outside a door and knocked.
"Yes?" came a voice from inside.
"Milord, Milady, visitors here to pay their respects to the child!"
"Let them in, Furansowa!" 'Furansowa' opened the door and beckoned us in. There was a sneer on Kasei's face.
'The little monster has called the guards!' Sure enough, we felt several people join him at the door a moment later. Weilding metal pointy things that go into other men. Our swords weren't much of a reassurance to them. Perhaps we should've "lost them". But even then, that would not have been much help. Yukio and Kasei always brought on that reaction, with the little mischievous and cold looks in their eyes, and Vittorio's stoicism. I, on more then one occasion have been called too blasé- until they see the seemingly "sly" look in my eyes. And to think we actually bothered bringing flowers- olive blossoms to be exact.
'Stupid mortals,' hissed Yukio. Heh, he always was one with words. A short, rather tubby man- we assumed he was the master of the house- stood and bowed. Vittorio was the first to bow, and we followed suit, before he started speaking.
"Greetings. I am Yaten Hiroshi,"
"And I am his wife, Yumiko," spoke the lady. She stood and curtsied before sitting back down. It was then we noticed the little basket at her feet and the child that sat with in it. Maybe half a year old at the most.
"My wife and I-" he looked at Yumiko- "Would like to thank you for your kindness." She smiled beautifully at us, and Yukio stepped forward to hand her the flowers. By the looks in our eyes, he must've known that we wanted something because he gestured to the chairs.
"Eh, sit down! Sit down!" Kasei walked to the window and stood there, looking outside. Yukio moved a bit to the side, letting Vittorio do the talking, and I positioned myself near the door way.
"Mr. and Mrs. Yaten, I must ask you to keep calm and silent until I have finished speaking." They stared at him coolly, disliking the way he seemed to take charge.
"Here, I am known only as Vittorio." Yumiko's eyes narrowed; she obviously recognized the name. Where from though, was a different matter.
"I'm sure that you have realized by now that this is not a social call." Vittorio continued when they did not answer. "It's very important that you understand what we ask of you." There was a sudden gurgle of laughter, and all eyes in the room turned to where Yukio was. He was on his knees, and the child was crawling to him, giggling. Yukio was smirking in amusement, occasionally glancing over at any of us before returning his attention to the small child.
"Kou," whispered Yumiko. "She doesn't let anybody else touch her beside myself. She cries and screams if that happens!" Yukio ignored her, picking up the child and cradling her against his chest. He was being uncommonly gentle and patient with a child.
Yes, here was the future Star Healer.
"Aren't you a little beauty," murmured Yukio. He looked into her eyes, smiling at the way she followed his movement.
"I'm sure you've read the Book of Gold." Ah, the three magick words! Their attention was instantly Vittorio's.
"The Shugoshin no Deruphui are here at your… service. We are here for your child." Ah, but I am sure she must have been so proud to have the Guardian Gods of Delphi in her midst!
**********
Taiki Arisu answered the door. She looked at us, and then invited us in when we showed her an envelope bearing the seal of the palace. Her mauve eyes were intelligent as she took in our clothes, our manner, studying each of us carefully as she sat us down. This time, I was the one that spoke.
"Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Li."
"Vittorio."
"Kasei."
"Yukio." Her eye twitched as she stared at us for a moment- and then she burst into laughter. Loud, raucous laughter as she stared at them. Her husband ambled in then, looking at us all curiously.
"What goes?" he asked.
"Hiromu, love," she giggled, "Meet Li, Vittorio, Kasei and Yukio." He repeated the whole procedure, staring at us, then bursting into laughter. It was pathetic. Obviously these people appreciated a good 'joke', and more importantly, they knew their history. While they wiped their tears of mirth away, Yukio scowled, stood, and walked out the room. Immediately, they stopped. I waited, and sure enough, he returned a few minutes later cradling a bundle of joy.
"Please tell me the meaning of "Shugoshin no Deruhpui," he said, cradling the child. Arisu flushed at his acidic look, but then he smiled sweetly.
"'Deruphui' means 'Delphi'. 'Shugoshin' means 'Guardian God.' 'No' is the possesive term. 'Shugoshin no Derphui' means 'Guardian God of Delphi.'"
Still smiling sweetly, he said, "It's good you know your grammar. But do you know your history?" Arisu nodded.
"Sir-" Yukio interrupted her.
"I want your child," he stated. "We, want your child. You cannot stop us, any movement against us will result in your incarceration until you are released by order of any of us. The Guardian God Yukio does not take kindly to being laughed at." The horrified look on their faces convinced us that they would not laugh again.
**********
Seiya Daiki was at his store when we arrived. We weren't sure where his wife was, but now wasn't the time to worry or care. We'd find out soon enough anyway.
He beamed at us, noting the expensive clothes we were, and the swords resting on our hips.
"How may I help you, sirs?" he asked politely.
"Is your wife, Orisa here?" asked Vittorio, straight to the point as usual. He blinked, wondering how we knew her name. Kasei smiled and tapped his temple, a secret smile on his face. Daiki winced.
"I'm sorry, but its business and I'm a bit busy right now. Could this wait?" Yukio shook his head, pointed out the back and then walked in. We followed him, and we could hear a woman cooing to her child, and maybe three other childish voices.
"Look! Kou smiled at me!"
"No she didn't! She smiled at ME! ME ME ME!"
"Girls, please be quiet! You'll wake Kou-kou!" there is a choir of 'Yes mother!' and then there are only 'aw's' and 'cute!'. Yukio opened the door, walked in, and headed straight for where the mother sat.
"Greetings," he said, bowing. "I am Yukio."
She was the most intelligent of them all, listening carefully and then stating the terms and conditions. She was right to make the most of her child's time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1. Star, Wind, Light, Earth, Moon, Star and Angel respectively. They've all been mentioned in the Starlights image songs, little entry speeches or poems and prologues one way or another. 'Kaze' would be a variation on air. Nyah.
Vittorio should technically be written as 'Bittorio' since there ain't no v's in the Japanese alphabet. But Vittorio just looks prettier. And where did I get that name? Well, I was searching through this names site, and Vittorio just popped up. Honest. In a Japanese names site no less. It was just screaming to be chosen.
I've created three new characters obviously (Yuki, Vittorio and Kasei). Please give me your honest opinions on them- are they pointless? Are they worth keeping? They're staying anyway.
And "Shugoshin no Deruphui"- I hope you've worked out by now what it means- if not, it translates to Guardian God of Delphi.
*looks at calendar* *Randomly points out a date* January 20th, 2003. Okay, by this date I should have at least another chapter for any of my fanfictions out, of suitable quality and length. If not, well, there's nothing you can do about it because you don't know where I live!