The Usual disclaimer applies.
I don't own Saiyuki, etc. Read on!
Dec 29 2002
There were birds singing. What the hell? He though in a haze. Birds singing? In the desert? Then again… deserts aren't supposed to be so cool… Sanzo stirred as he tried to shake himself awake. What the hell… his fingers grasped on grass. "Oh…"
He heard Hakuryuu squeaking anxiously. "Quiet you silly dragon…" He muttered and raised an arm to swat Hakuryuu, whose sharp claws he felt lightly pressing in his back. To his surprise, his hand encountered a rod od metal, and he quickly jumped to his feet. Not quick enough. He was looking eye to eye with a gleaming silver spear, and his gaze traveled to the owner.
His mind quickly assessed that it was a female – and she wasn't a youkai. But what did make him stare was that she wore a strange outfit – identical to his, er… black turtleneck and long gloves. Almost identical. His subconscious registered that her armbands and rings were gold, not silver.
"Intruders," She said simply. She had chilly gray eyes, and Sanzo felt it penetrate him. Behind him he heard the others stir. "Out of my way, girl," Sanzo said lazily, taking out his exorcism gun. The female did not budge. Instead, she held out an outstretched hand, and Sanzo felt a sudden change in the air. "You will stand where you are." She continued in the same, low voice. "Do not attempt to fight."
"Oh Yeah???" Goku jumped from behind and aimed his Nyoibou straight at her - she didn't move! The Nyoibou was inches from making contact, when it hit something hard. "What?"
"I warned you to stay put," She said softly. She raised a hand and a glowing ball appeared, like concentrated energy.
"Wait!"
Sanzo looked over his shoulder as Hakkai pushed forward. "Excuse us… I'm sorry for the… intrusion, but we're… not from here," Hakkai tried to explain in the best terms possible. Indeed, they didn't have the slightest clue to where they were… the forest was thick and lush, and there were some plants and animals that did not seem familiar to them. Even the air was slightly different.
"Where are you from?" She asked, the ball in her hand sizzling with energy.
"Uh… Togenkyou? (Sorry bout the spelling!) Hakkai ventured cautiously. "Is this where we are?"
Sanzo made an impatient noise. "Hakkai…"
"No, Sanzo, we might find a way through this peacefully?" Hakkai was still staring at the girl. She herself was strange to them, what with the outfit, the eyes and that hair – a strange shade of turquoise.
"This is not where you expect to be," She finally replied after a long pause. She gestured her hand and the ball of energy disappeared. Simultaneously the crackling tension around them dispersed. The barrier had lifted.
Wow, though Gojyo. This is bizarre. First we get assaulted by an impish youkai, then we meet up with a really hot chick who's wearing something like Sanzo's underclothing, and now we find out that we're not where we're supposed to be? "Anybody mind explaining anything to me?" He asked out loud.
"Please, we won't hurt you." Hakkai said gently. The girl, who all this while had looked coolly impassive suddenly turned around. "On the contrary… it's supposed to be the other way around." She answered. "Very well… please come this way."
They walked through the thick forest silently, With Hakkai leading the four. Sanzo, owing to his dissaproval of the opposite sex, walked at the very back, while Goku and Gojyo were at it again. "Sanzo… That fruit looks good," Goku stared all around him. All the sudden he made a grab for a fruit that lay on the forest floor. "Don't!"
In a flash the fruit had been knocked down to the ground by the girl. "What'd you do that for???" Goku cried, ready to fight for his food. The girl walked over to the fruit. "Watch." She stuck her spear into the fruit and it exploded, oozing foul smelling liquid. Instantly Goku stepped back. "Oh boy, saru, if you ate that, I'm not sitting anywhere near you," Gojyo intoned, his fingers pinching his nose in disgust. "Why do monkeys always go for smelly food?"
"What?" Goku turned red. "You perverted kappa! I know what you're thinking, that nice lady over there – " He didn't get to finish his sentence though, because Sanzo's famous paper fan had made its appearance. "SHI-NE!!!!" he roared as the fan went for both Gojyo and Goku. Hakkai watched, sweat dropped as he searched their guide's face for a reaction. "Pardon us, they're always like this, I hope you're not offended, miss." Hakkai apologized. But the girl did not seem to mind. "We're almost there," She pointed to a sprawling stone fortress down in the valley. "The Citadel."
"Wow, this place is huge!" Goku said in awe. They passed a huge courtyard, where there seems to be a horde of children mock-fighting. Once or twice they caught an occasional bust of magic here and there. Goku was very excited. "Cool! Sanzo, do you think – "
"Shut up!" the gun came out and he fired three shots into the air. Hakkai sweat dropped with a smile. "Ah, Sanzo, you're not in a good mood, are you?"
Their guide didn't seem to be pleased. Her eyes flickered; Hakkai took that for disapproval. "You've scared the apprentices away."
"Tch." Sanzo lighted a cigarette. Gojyo chuckled. "Ah, the priest has his way of teaching, maa?"
"Lord Mara…" Lord Mara looked up as an apprentice entered the room. "Mistress Sarra is here… she wishes to see you."
"Show her in then… why are you letting a Guardian wait?" Lord Mara asked, irritated. Sarra… she had not visited the Citadel for quite a while.
Very soon Sarra entered, and with her Lord Mara saw four strange looking characters. Sarra bowed, a short stiff bow. "Lord Mara."
Mara nodded. "Ah… It's a surprise to have you back, Sarra. Are you going to teach the apprentices now?"
"No." She turned to look at her escorts, who were none other then… du-uh. Sanzo-ikkou. Sanzo was looking impassive, Hakkai smiling, Gojyo… a ciggy hung at the corner of his lips as he admired the room. Goku was still suffering from the after effects of the fan. "They are visitors. They inform me that they are from another place. I will leave you to them." She bowed and exited the room.
Mara was rather at a loss. "Ah… welcome, I think. May I introduce myself? I am Lord Mara, Lord of the Dyraa Realm. And you are…?"
Seeing that the rest we're up to introductions, Hakkai hastily made theirs. "This stony-faced gentleman, (Gojyo chulcked despite a very obvious murderous stare from Sanzo) is our High Priest, Genjyo Sanzo. The redhead is Sha Gojyo, the teenager is Son Goku, and I am Cho Hakkai."
"A pleasure." Mara smiled. Sanzo saw that he had the same smile as Hakkai, a smile that didn't quite reach to his eyes. "Any what brings you here?"
Hakkai outlined their predicament in the shortest terms possible, obliterating facts about youkais and gods… he didn't think they shared the same religion. Mara seemed to understand. "I see. Well, I think I have the answer to your sudden appearance. You see, one of our Guardians returned to the Citadel, gravely injured. She, ah, controls dimension portals, you see. And I believe… she might have caused your dimension to twist, but… it is rather unlikely," Mara explained apologetically. But another idea occurred to Sanzo. "What if there was a counterpart? Another person manipulating dimensions at the same time?"
"Well… I'm not good at technical details, but I believe it is possible. Wait. I will call for assistance." He snapped his fingers and a child came up. "Summon Master Nigaki to me." Mara ordered.
In a short time the said came into the room. (Just for visualizing purposes, imagine Nigaki as a Legolas lookalike, okay?) "You summoned me?"
"Ah, Nigaki, meet our guests." Mara briefly introduced the group. After listening for a while, Nigaki nodded. "Yes, it is possible for this to occur. It happens when a Guardian loses control of his or her emotions, or senses. In this case, Ryudell must have caused their dimension to twist…" He smiled. "Something like a shorted wire." He chuckled. Mara shook his head. 'Are you still interested in that magic of your, Nigaki? In any case, can't you help them?"
"I'm afraid that isn't possible. Ryudell is currently unconscious, and her injuries are rather… Even if we do our best, it will be some time before she wakes up."
"But can't you…?" Mara probed lightly, anxious. Nigaki shook his head in the negative. "No. Ryudell must perform it. She must have some memory of her actions, even if she did them out of control."
Mara seemed satisfied with his answer. "Then, I must extend my hospitality to you – " He smiled at them. "Perhaps you will stay here, at the Citadel?"
"I am sorry, Lord Mara," Nigaki bowed. "There are no quarters available in the Citadel right now. Perhaps they will agree to stay at my place?"
Mara gave his consent. Bowing low, he exited the room. "The best of luck, friends," Mara nodded, smiling as the four exited after Nigaki.
'So you're from another dimension, huh?" Nigaki smiled. "We get people from different time eras mostly. But you're the first from a different dimension."
"Excuse me, but… you seem rather at ease… you're not afraid of us?" Hakkai asked. Nigaki laughed. "I should if you have powers! You see… ah. I should explain. Since my hut is quite a distance from here, perhaps I can explain…
"Dyraa Realm is a realm of magic. There are individuals who can control things… elements, and such. Children who have signs of power are sent to the Citadel to develop their powers. And such… when they are ready, they are put through a task… to choose those worth of becoming apprentices to us, Guardians.
"Guardians are powerful individuals who have obtained the Key – the official recognition of a portal. Sort of like pets who only recognize those carrying the Key. In battle, Portals will respond to those with Keys; a way to safeguard ourselves should we get attacked. Those who fail, either die, or give up their powers to become ordinary people. It's rather vicious." Nigaki smiled. "However, there are some who escape, and these are known as Sorcerers. Though they are not the only evil characters." Nigaki laughed. "I'm sorry… it must seem rather complicated."
"Not at all… Gojyo said lazily. "It's a pretty simple concept. The strong survives, the weak dies." Pretty much what we live by, he thought silently.
