CHAPTER 2: Genesis of the Journey
Disclaimer: Do I own Saiyuki? Yeah right.
*Sorry, I'm new to this fic writing... Review if you want, I won't beg! Hehe. And, please no flames.
"Lets get this straight missy, I'm some kind of a guardian angel to you, only that I really don't guard you, I just watch you." Kamatayan started trying to get all things organized. They were way behind the schedule. 3 days behind to be exact.
"You're my guardian angel who doesn't guard me but just watch me. Gee, I get it! Everything seems so clear all of a sudden," Eli replied sarcastically. This gal was making no sense, no sense at all!
Kamatayan grinned, "That's what I like about you, Eli. 1st you're this push- over on the verge of killing herself and the next thing, you're the one who pushes it." She continued not giving Eli any chance to butt in, "Listen well. This is the whole story, ok? You're an outcast of the society. I mean, face it girl, everyone's literally dead-scared of you & your mysterious violet eyes. The doctor explained that it all came from your DNA." Eli nodded in consent. Funny, she was kind of embarrassed, though.
"DNA, my butt!" Kamatayan exclaimed. Eli looked at her obviously taken aback. She was starting to like this Kamatayan a little bit.
"People these days are just too closed minded," Kamatayan continued, "They completely forgot the ways of the past & the promise they did to the 7 worlds." She looked at Eli who was surprisingly listening intently. Kamatayan was glad she kept quiet & let her explain for a while. "The story started this way. At the time when history didn't exist yet, 7 siblings lived in a place that couldn't be described. It was beyond words since nothing was everything before. (Am I making sense?) Anyway, these 7 siblings had personal powers beyond any beings in the universe. They had the capability to control & create nature. It was not surprising that they were considered to be fragile beings since their power takes much of their energy. They were Thene of the ground, Sarah of the water, Rei of the wind, Spade of the fire, Blair of spirits and Zhehn of hearts. They lived a pretty much boring life so…"
"Wait! That's only 6. You said they were 7." Eli cleared out after carefully counting each of them.
Kamatayan looked at something behind her sleeves & explained, "Well, the 7th sibling was never known. Some said he was banished for trying to kill all of them, others claimed that he just existed within each of the 6…but nobody really knew. Ok, back to the topic. They lived a boring life so they decided to create something that would allow them to make wonders from their own powers. Each combined their elements. With earth, water, wind, fire, they were able to create the world. With spirit and heart, they created life forms that were very similar to their own except of the lack of their capabilities."
This is truly pathetic. Eli closed her eyes & leaned back, "Are you telling me that this rubbish is true? Is this how the universe was created?"
Kamatayan looked at her suspiciously, "You have something to say?"
Eli gave her an annoyed look, "This is way beyond me. I have a religion. You know what a religion is?"
"Of course," Kamatayan smiled. Eli looked at her doubtful if she even knew what she was talking about. Kamatayan sighed, "Faith is true. But then, you have to understand something. This is about your destiny. This is not about what you believe in, this is something more than that."
"Like what?" Eli asked sarcastically.
"Like your life, freak. Now listen up," Kamatayan continued ignoring Eli, "The siblings ruled the world & the people on it together, except for Blair who surprisingly declined the offer. Thene, the most sincere & loyal, ruled the nature & the animals. He attained the title 'God of Nature'. Sarah, the picky, over- confident one, dealt with the people's challenges in life, in short she's like the obstacle course. Therefore, she was named as the "Goddess of Destruction & War". Rei, the most forgiving and gentle of them, handled the peoples dreams & ambition. She's also the one who answers the people's request and questions. She was called as the "Goddess of Hope". Spade, who was the most obnoxious of them all, decided to make the people's destiny. Thus, people referred to him as the 'God of Wisdom'. Lastly, Zhehn, the eldest, controlled people's emotions. He was the most loved of all. He was honored as the 'God of Love'. Of course, Zhehn hated the title but he can't do anything anyway."
Eli shook her head & complained, "Where do I fit in?"
Kamatayan sighed, "Well, these gods were very powerful, that they had to suffer being weakened at times by their selves. So, they created yet another being that was closer to them. They were given special abilities but human form. They had special privileges like gods have but they were to remain as mortals. They were called 'VAHS'. They were tasked to protect the gods in case something happens. Everybody feared them because they were rumored to be more powerful than the gods. One saying says that their eyes explained who they were. Their eyes were indeed the most distinct feature. Unlike others, they had icy violet eyes, a shade that usually symbolizes mystery. That's where you fit in, Eli. You just happened to be a VAH."
"No way."
***
Goku yawned & laid back, his head tilting his head to take a good look of the moon. Strange, but he never realized how beautiful the moon looked. He stared at it & in no time, fatigue engulfed his body. He yawned again this time closing his eyes slowly.
Gojyo looked at the kid beside him & twitched his face. Just look at that monkey. How utterly pathetic. Then a mischievous grin emerged.
"Oy Goku!" Gojyo nudged the kid's head, "have you noticed anything?"
Goku whined as he slowly sat up, "You're horny?"
"Yeah...but not that. Have you noticed anything between Hakkai & Sanzo?"
Goku looked at the monk & the smiley freak. He shook his head & guessed, "They're asleep?" Gojyo slapped his forehead & sighed.
"Damn it, monkey. What I'm trying to say is, I don't think they would tell us their little secret."
"So?..."
"We have to steal he truth from them, Einstein!"
Goku scratched his head, "Yeah, but how?"
Gojyo reached into his pocket & produced a wooden pendant. "By this."
"What's that?" Goku asked backing away from Gojyo. One thing he learned is to never touch anything from Gojyo's things. Never. One time, while he was rummaging through the Water Monster's stuffs searching for something edible, he came across some nasty wet socks. It smelled weird & tasted icky.
Gojyo rolled his eyes, "Don't you know anything? This is called a pendant & it's part of a trick called hypnotism."
"Hyp -the what?"
"Hypnotism, ass," Gojyo lowered his voice, "We can control minds while the freaks are sleeping. Yup, & with just this thing."
Goku watched Gojyo suspiciously. "You're sick. I'm sleeping." He turned away & dismissed Gojyo's idea. And he thought the guy had brains.
***
"No way." Eli gulped hard. Get a grip of yourself Eli, the girl must be some kind of a magician, maybe she's one of those circus guys she saw the last day. Yeah, maybe that's it. But then... Eli looked at Kamatayan seriously. But this kamatayan had sincere eyes. Either that or she was really a good actress.
"How am I supposed to know that you're not making things up?"
Kamatayan sighed in frustration & said, "I may look like a fool to you, but one thing is for sure. You're a fool if you start to deny yourself." She neared Eli slowly, "Face it kid, you know this is something else. You're just to mule-headed to admit it."
Eli stepped backwards, "But..."
"I'm still going to force you."
"You have no right."
With that, Kamatayan laughed sarcastically, "Are you kidding me? I have every right to make you do that. And I think you know that, too."
Eli tried to answer back but just as she was about to open her mouth, Kamatayan unexpectedly grabbed her hands & after that, a bright violet light surrounded them. "If you still won't believe, see this."
***
Sanzo woke up & cursed as he saw Goku 's feet beside his head. Pheeyoooey! The kids a living stink bomb. His athlete's foot is too much to take. It's like smelling hell itself. He punched the foot forcefully & mumbled incoherent words. Then it started drizzling.
***
"This is my world, Eli. This is the world you do not believe in."
Eli gulped.
Kamatayan had somehow transported her to some alternate place similar to that of ancient china. But that wasn't the main picture. Everywhere, people suffered. Strange, monster-like creatures burned houses & killed helpless children. The cries of the women was deafening & Eli, who suddenly felt confused, wanted so much to go back. The atmosphere in this world had too much suffering.
A boy walked passed by Eli. His eyes reflected pure pain. As he looked at her, fear started to show. Eli softly assured, "I...I won't hurt you. Come." But the boy couldn't hear her. He started to tremble backing up slowly. Then out of nowhere, a monster jumped towards the kid & tore him from limb to limb. Eli turned her head away. She felt like throwing up.
"Those are demons who lost their mind."
Eli turned to Kamatayan & begged, "Enough. Bring me back."
***
"Sanzo, I think it's soon." Hakkai informed looking up the gray sky. Sanzo shrugged & lighted his cigarette, "I know that."
"Should we tell them."
"Not yet."
***
"Can I save them?"
Kamatayan nodded.
"How?"
"By fulfilling your destiny of course."
Eli breathed deeply, "Which is?"
Kamatayan grinned. Finally. She knew how hard-headed this girl was but she also knew how susceptible she was. "You'll be going on a Journey. You're true purpose is to find the Key of Zhehn. Don't ask. The guide will tell you everything. You will have to work together with his group." She handed Eli a bag, "Here. I prepared this for you. This is your handy bag. It has stuffs inside it that you will eventually need. You have a deadline but the date isn't certain yet. You will have to wait. But I'm betting it would take you about 5 months to complete this."
"5 months?!"
"Ok, maybe 4 months or so. BUT! I'm not sure ok?"
Eli scratched her head & asked, "When will I start?"
Kamatayan looked at the watch, "Is now too soon?"
"Now?!"
"Look, we're behind the schedule. I'd be watching you. But for now, I'm not yet allowed to tell you anything about, well, everything. But remember, there is a guide. He will find you so don't you worry."
Eli wore the bag & asked, "I don't know why I'm doing this but what about my family?"
"They'll be ok. And promise, they won't know."
"Can I leave a message for them?"
"Unfortunately, no."
Eli sighed & nodded slowly. Things was running so fast. But then, she had to do this. Even just for that slain boy. "Ok, I'm ready."
"Here, wear this necklace, " Kamatayan handed the thing, "The guide will recognize you with only this. Only this." Eli nodded & put it on immediately. "So I think it's time now."
Kamatayan raised her hand & chanted in another language. And again, a bright violet light surrounded them. A second later, a black hole appeared before them. "this is where I live you, Eli." Eli nodded. "Be strong."
Eli closed her eyes & walked towards the black hole but just as she was to be sucked in, a thought passed her mind. Damn. "Hey! The name of the guide! What's his name?!" By this time the hole had already shrunk & Kamatayan was no longer visible but she heard a faint answer.
"genjo..."
Eli then felt nauseous. And in no time, she was engulfed in darkness. Genjo.
***
"Come on, tell us! It won't hurt. Beside, we'll know it eventually anyway, might as well do it now." Gojyo begged rolling his eyes. Goku nodded in consent.
Sanzo turned his head away & informed, "It'll just show itself."
"soon." Hakkai added grinning. Sanzo looked at him. Hakkai scratched his head, "Gomen."
Gojyo & Goku looked at each other, "eh?"
