***
Jikoken'o Muyo!
Chapter 9
***
Amongst the fleet of Tokimi, a problem had arisen. Zisho sat at her keyboard amongst her command ship, which looked no different from any of the other ships in her fleet. She typed furiously, running over the EMP schematics, trying to figure out how to change the configuration. The problem was a slight oversight - EMP affects electronic devices only. But Juraian ships are almost completely biological. Likewise, their shield generators were psychic barriers made by living things.
Muttering oaths in a dozen languages, Zisho called up another set of schematics. This set showed the plans for a basic Jurai patrol ship. The schematics showed the command pod, surrounded by three wooden wing-like extensions that enclosed the pod. It was basic data, to be sure, but it served her purposes well enough. Punching a few keys, the schematic changed to show the power connections. According to the schematics, all power flowed from a central point, presumably the tree. The only way for a living thing to project power without killing itself was for it to be psychic, according to present knowledge. After examining all sets of schematics, she could think of only one real answer - she had to change from Electromagnetic to some sort of psychic wave.
But therein was the problem. Tokimi's fleet was mechanical, and thus possessed nothing to power a psychic charge the likes of which would be needed. There were psychics, the priests of Tokimi, but nothing strong enough to take on the trees.
But I am came a whisper to Zisho's mind. Suddenly, she felt as though a great weight were being pressed on her. She felt extremely heavy, her mind crushed underneath a stronger will, and she felt filth in the depths of her soul.
"Tokimi," she whispered in fear-inspired awe.
I will make your ships fit for your task.
"But why didn't you do this sooner, milady?"
It was not sound. I deemed it best to wait until all fleets were in place. Now they are. Now I shall act.
"My Lady's wisdom knows no bounds."
***
In the garden aboard the Night Runner, Kyrin and Ryoko were sitting in a tree. No kissing in this tree, though. Just talk. Not that either of them minded.
"Let me ask you something," said Ryoko.
"Like I have been so far?" replied Kyrin with a slight hint of amusement in his eyes. But he didn't say no, so Ryoko smiled then continued.
"I was wondering... how did I fall in love with you?"
"I don't understand the question. With a smart, sexy stud-muffin like me around, how could you not?" Kyrin laughed at himself, with Ryoko actually genuinely laughing with him. "Well, in all honesty, I don't really know. I mean, let's face facts. It wasn't like it could have lasted."
"Well, if I'd known that in the first place then - wait. Are you saying I didn't know about my purpose?"
"For all I know, you were clueless up 'til Kagato took control."
"But why wasn't I told?"
"No idea," replied Kyrin. "That's something you might want to ask Washyuu."
"Hold on a sec." Washyuu?
Yes, Ryoko, what can I do for you?
Why didn't I know about what I was made for?
After a half minute of explanation, Ryoko turned back to Kyrin. "It was supposed to be psychological subterfuge. I was supposed to get as close as I could to you, so that you wouldn't expect anything. It was decided I'd have an easier time of it if I had no idea what I was really doing."
"That sounds like a lot of trouble to go to just to lull me into false security."
"Well, when the galaxy's greatest genius is trying to stop what is quite possibly the greatest threat known to life, a little extravagance is a given."
"True."
"But that still doesn't answer my question. When did we first begin to fall in love?"
"That's a good question. I guess..." Kyrin pondered for a moment. "I guess it started up after a training session...."
Swords met again and again in an intricate dance that was death to the one who stepped wrong. At least, it would have been, had the swords been real. Kyrin panted slightly, as did Ryoko, their blades never wavering in uncertainty.
She is quite skilled, thought Kyrin. He'd never seen a student who caught on so quickly. She only saw a move once, but could mimic it perfectly. A double boon, this, because the one who was mimicked could see his own problems in the move he'd tried to teach. This girl, his apprentice, was a miracle. What other word for her was there?
They battled across the floating courtyard, coming perilously close to the edge many times. Below them were other platforms, including the Academy's main platform. The Academy main hall was a collection of spires, silvery in color, holding the reception area, the cafeteria, and the dorms. Classes were held in the north, south, east, and west wings; for safety reasons, the labs were located far away. The other side of the planet was an interesting place because of this. Below the platforms was a planet of forest. There were no oceans on this planet, but a multitude of freshwater lakes and streams provided enough water for the ligneous ecosystem.
A blocked stab prompted Kyrin to spin around and deliver a fatal whip-slash that was deflected by the wooden blade of Ryoko. She sidestepped right, letting the opposing blade slide off of hers. She brought the bokken straight down at Kyrin, confident that she had him. She didn't expect him to rise up, grabbing her arm with his left hand and bringing his bokken to her neck. Seeing this, she quickly teleported away.
She appeared a few yards away and held the bokken loosely in her right hand.
Time to get serious on her, thought Kyrin. He breathed deeply in, and out, cleansing his body of fatigue and mental chaos. Suddenly, he raced towards her.
What in--? Before Ryoko could finish her thought, an impact in her stomach sent her flying. Rolling to her feet in a crouch, she saw that Kyrin was racing towards her again. Timing her block, she slammed her blade in front of the fist. She still went flying, with bokken broken; however she didn't land quite so roughly. All right, she thought, I see it now. Come try that again.
And try he did. He rushed her one last time. Ryoko stood up and waited until the last instant then slid into a stance with her left leg out and her weight all on her right. She struck him very quickly with a palm strike to the square of his chest. His momentum lost a dramatic amount of power, while she grabbed his left arm and swung him over her. With a resounding thump, he hit the ground. Before he could blink, Kyrin found Ryoko's fingers placed on his forehead, crackling with energy just short of touching him.
"Give?" she asked quietly, but her voice betrayed an undercurrent of excitement.
"Very good, Ryoko," replied Kyrin, "but don't count me out just yet."
Ryoko was about to ask why when she saw it - a column of energy, ending in a point, which had extended straight to her heart. She growled and stood up. "Damn it, you got me again!" she snarled.
"You did better this time, though," replied Kyrin. "Used to be that you couldn't get me at all. Now you've gotten me, so I'll die, even if you go too."
"But what good is the victory if I'm not around to enjoy it?"
"If it saves others, that is victory enough. Even if it means death."
"Well, sir," she said, a slight blush on her face, "let us hope that doesn't happen between the two of us." Silence reigned supreme for a good few moments after that comment.
"I couldn't come up with a good response to that. I had just realized the prospect that maybe there was something deeper there," finished Kyrin.
"Isn't that reading a little too deeply into a single statement?" asked Ryoko, a slight amount of skepticism in her voice.
"Well, seeing as we started getting closer thereafter, I think I read just right."
"Yeah, whatever. Sorry, but I just can't - Kyrin?" Kyrin had gotten a strange, far off look in his eyes and suddenly....
"Ah!" he grunted, his hand clutching his heart. He growled as pain coursed through his body, setting every nerve on fire with the tinder that was old wounds. The wounds he'd gotten in healing Ryoko sprang back into life, bleeding fiercely, added to his own.
That's what you get for trying to get close to a girl jeered Kain's voice. I can't have my brother getting involved with a beauty like that - especially one who tried to kill us.
You mean tried to kill you, you piece of--
Ah, ah, ah, temper, temper. More wounds appeared, going back to times before Kyrin's arrival, going back almost to that very first battle between Ryoko and Kyrin. Kyrin reached into the gems, only to discover that Kain had grabbed control. He couldn't focus his will enough to even think about fighting Kain off.
Ryoko, for the most part, was repulsed by what she saw. She began to edge away, getting ready to run for help when one of the wounds that appeared suddenly became very familiar. It was a long gash, along the top of the right forearm, which bled ever more heavily as other wounds crisscrossed it. In looking at it, her arm began to ache in sympathy. She looked at the gems embedded in her arms and made a decision.
Through vision hazed by pain, Kyrin saw Ryoko begin to move closer. "What is she going to do?" he asked himself softly. He found out soon enough, as she placed a hand on his forehead. The gems began to glow softly and as Ryoko's concentration increased, wounds began to slowly close.
Kain began to growl menacingly in Kyrin's mind. She's not supposed to be able to do that he snarled. He tried to push against the healing force, but Kyrin restrained him and began to push him away. The healing quickened.
Finally, Ryoko removed her hand from his forehead. She shook a little everywhere, trying to shake off some slight exhaustion when Kyrin began to sway. Whoops, that's right, thought Ryoko as she grabbed Kyrin and held him close to keep him from falling over. Healing uses what's in his system already, and forces his body to make more of whatever's necessary. No wonder he's so tired. Oh heck, he's gonna be hungry later....
"Ryoko?" asked Kyrin, his normally quiet voice now little above a whisper. His head rested on her chest as Ryoko continued to hold him, her head resting on his gently.
"Yes?" she murmured back softly.
"Why did you stay?"
"Because, Kyrin," she replied, gazing down at him, "I see now that you aren't making up anything. If you were, you wouldn't have taken those wounds for me."
"You saw that one, huh?" Kyrin closed his eyes in memory. "Kain gave it to me as a reward for trying to be kind to you."
"But you healed me of it. Since you ended up getting it yourself, it looks the same as having stepped in front of me to take the wound yourself."
"Ryoko...." Kyrin became quiet as she held him close.
***
Indoran sat in conference with the other Generals of Tokimi. They each stood in the corners of a triangle embedded in the metallic floor. The perimeter was surrounded by runes inscribed in the floor, changeable depending on the room's purpose. He turned to look at Zisho quietly, his yellow eyes meeting her cold blues. "What is the status of your research into the ships?" he asked.
"Complete, as promised. Our weapons have been changed to disable the tree-ships."
"Wow, that's nothing short of a miracle," said Cenus. "And how many of our psychics did you have to take away to get this done?"
"None at all," replied Zisho. "See for yourself." She gestured and a picture swirled into existence. It showed a sinister looking tree, with black bark and leaves the color of fire. "Our Lady Tokimi has blessed us with trees just as powerful as the trees used by Jurai."
Indoran nodded, apparently satisfied, but not Cenus. He laughed and said, "Ah great. You should've spent time trying to fix that stupid explosive device and instead you go off and plant trees."
"Cenus, you are truly a fool," replied Zisho. "I train my soldiers to be the ultimate, the very highest form of stealth to be stealth itself. If my soldiers are found out, then they are no good to me. I refuse to settle for anything less than perfection."
"You aren't one to talk," sneered Cenus. "Who's the one that's got that wicked, scarred--"
"That's enough, both of you." Indoran eyed them both, a pale angry flame agleam in his eyes. "The purpose of this meeting is to decide upon an attack plan." A holographic map appeared in the center of the triangle, showing the entire Jurai star system.
"I advocate a subtle approach," stated Zisho. "We wait for a point in time when one of the patrols is farthest away from a shield generator. Then, a detachment of ships destroys the generator and slips in through the gap. The entire fleet could arrive at Jurai in less than 4 days."
"You're ignoring the possibility of Tsunami," replied Indoran. "Tokimi's hand is guard over us, but in the time it takes to get the entire fleet there, Tsunami could arrive. If Tsunami fights Tokimi, she'll have to focus on the fight she'd be engaged in, and we lose her protection. Then the Jurai fleet will have a much better chance against us."
"Then use my approach!" shouted Cenus. "We blow open the shields, charge in and destroy the fleets. Then we move straight for Jurai, killing anything that gets in our way!"
"Once again, you're not accounting for every variable. If we blow through at one single point, you have to depend on there being a great amount of the defense fleet already there. Assuming that there aren't many there, you're allowing the perfect opportunity for the Juraians to regroup and push back our assault."
"Hell with that! We're invincible, aren't we?"
"True, but it's too much of a nuisance to kill them off a few at a time. Did not our Lady say, 'Move towards Jurai with all speed'?"
"But wouldn't an attempted breakthrough draw a lot of ships?"
"We're faster than anything they can put together. In order to let a great deal of ships come to us, we'd have to slow down, thus hampering ourselves even further, and meanwhile there's still the Tsunami variable." Cenus growled savagely. "What I suggest," continued Indoran "is a mix of the plans. All of our fleets break through, all of them move straight towards Jurai. Not only do we destroy most of the fleet inside the shields, we also add the psychological effect of invincibility. When Tsunami arrives, she will find the fleet shattered, her people cowering, and Tokimi reigning supreme."
Zisho smirked slightly. "I'll be damned. Looks like you got us again." Cenus muttered something darkly.
***
One week passed. The Yagami was on point-guard at the head of the fleet. They were supposed to be getting close to the Juraian border, and with no new data they had no idea what to expect. Mihoshi monitored the scanners avidly, while Kiyone piloted. So far there had been no news, no transmissions from the fleets.
"Anything yet, Mihoshi?" asked Kiyone for probably about the tenth time.
"No nothing... wait, I'm getting something." Mihoshi typed a couple of commands into the console and a visual of the object appeared. It was a pale cylinder, inscribed with Juraian markings. "Looks like some kind of escape pod, huh?"
"Yeah. Let's pick it up." A few minutes later the pod stood, open as though split down the center, in the hangar of Yagami. There were many small individual pods inside, tall and somewhat wide, capable of fitting a single person. But all were empty, save two that held two acquaintances of the GP women - Azaka and Kamidake, Knights of Jurai.
"Oh my God, they're dead!!!!!!!" wailed Mihoshi, running around flooding the hangar with her tears. This immense noise was enough to cause the Knights to moving.
"No! Mihoshi! For God's sake, shut up and look!"
"Huh?" Mihoshi paused and blinked, staring at the stirring warriors. "Oh, thank goodness!" She ran up to them, helping Kamidake down while Azaka received aid from Kiyone.
"Where are we?" asked Azaka, his voice somewhat hoarse from disuse. He looked around. "Ah, the Yagami." He detached himself from the arm of Kiyone and bowed somewhat stiffly. "Forgive the inconvenience, Lady Kiyone," said Azaka, "but we must speak with the Crown Prince. Dark tidings we must bring to him."
"Dark tidings? What happened to the fleet?"
"The fleet," said Kamidake, "is the source of the dark tidings we must regretfully bring. We implore of you, lead us to Prince Tenchi."
"Sure, OK, no problem," said Mihoshi. "But what about you? Are you ok?"
"Our well-being is irrelevant to the safety of the Empire." Azaka winced slightly; pins and needles were restoring the feeling to his limbs. "Please, show us to the Prince."
A few minutes later saw them all aboard the Night Runner, in the tactical coordination room. It was a circular room, and held a single, circular, massive holographic projector in the center. Around the room, officers sat at consoles to monitor the information that was fed to the projector to give an overall real-time map of the current battle. Currently, thanks to Washyuu, the projector was showing a computer simulation of what should have been at the entire front based upon current information and the variables therein. Around the table stood Tenchi and the group, with Genjo and Shino also being present.
"Quite a system, Washyuu," said Kamidake in a respectful voice. Unlike Azaka, Kamidake had an acute interest in technology. "However, how are we supposed to enter information?"
"Well," said Washyuu in a voice that mimicked slow thought, "I could have you explain every painstaking detail, reliving the trauma of whatever happened, while the technicians are annoyed at having to enter in every single piece of information, yet maintaining some amount of sympathy for what you had to endure. Or," she winked as two devices that looked like dirt-bike helmets appeared out of subspace, "I could have you put these on, link you into the system directly and have your memories input the new variables so the program can tell us what happened." Needless to say, they opted for the second. They sat down, the helmets were placed on their heads, and their eyes closed as they tried to focus their minds on what happened. As the variables changed, the map began to change as well.
After they were done, the map had drastically changed. The former map had shown the enemy arrayed sporadically around the borders of the Jurai system. At the fringes of the map, the Jurai fleets outside the borders were patrolling around the enemy, while the inside fleets did the same to the borders. It was what it was supposed to be. Suddenly, though, the enemy began to break through the borders all over the place. Fleets within and without scrambled to intercept foes that they couldn't possibly hope to contain.
Now the projected results showed a much more dire situation. The inner fleet of Jurai, almost in its entirety, had been wiped out. The remnants of the inner and outer fleets had regrouped and were pushing with all speed towards the Jurai planet, in a desperate attempt at intercepting Tokimi's fleet. Given the variables, however, it didn't look like they would catch up in time.
"Aw shit," muttered Shino. "How in the name of --"
"Don't take my name in vain," warned Washyuu, shaking a finger.
"Sorry mom. But how could this happen?" Shino pressed a few buttons and the gate positions lit up onscreen. "I could understand if the breaks were forced at those points," he said thoughtfully, "but these happened all over, and at roughly the same time. Some of the breaks even occurred before the gates fell. Either the Juraians have saboteurs in their ranks or the enemy's developed a new weapon."
"I vouch for the new weapon," said Azaka. "One of their ship variants was only using EMP before the shield's collapse. When they attacked the shields this time, they used some sort of psychic energy wave that collapsed the shield."
"OK then." Washyuu cracked her knuckles. "Our next move needs to be made based on the projections."
"It's a safe bet that by the time we get there, with their new weapons, that the situation on Jurai will have degraded to ground fighting."
"Well, if it weren't for the fact that you've got a fleet to deal with, that'd actually be ok." Everyone turned to stare at Kyrin, but it was Katsuhito who illustrated the point.
"All our soldiers are Dareis trained," he said. "Their fighting styles are strong enough that they can field small armies and still have a good shot at victory."
"So it all comes back to the fleet." Washyuu thought for a moment. "OK, we're all gonna have to get to work like crazy. We'll have caught the enemy within a week. I'm gonna get to work boosting this fleet's abilities. The rest of you," she indicated her 'family', "are going to train hard. This means you too, Sasami."
"But Washyuu, what can I do?" asked Sasami.
"It's your planet in danger, Sasami," said Washyuu. "You've got the patron megami of your planet residing inside of you. I suggest getting in touch with her, trying to learn about her."
"All right," said Sasami. Immediately, everyone walked or ran out, intent upon their preparations.
***
She saw them coming. She'd seen them for quite some time, watching them from afar, ever since she had come to her senses and sworn fealty to the true master. She felt no fear at their approach. They were merely a couple of idealist fools, incapable of posing any real danger. She couldn't believe that she, Tokimi, was related to such base creatures.
She had taken a form resembling human, her body that of a trim athletic young lady, swathed in a green gown that went white at the shoulders. Her light brown hair hung down to her waist, a feathered crown adding to her exoticness. Her eyes, two eerie black predatory slits on fields of brown, watched a single 'prism ship,' a genius invention from Indoran. There was no sign that it was slowing down as it approached the planet, even though its course would take it straight through the northern hemisphere of the planet. As she watched, the ship powered up a force field at the bow and increased its speed.
It was a spectacle to see, as it blew straight through the planet's northern hemisphere. The effect was similar to that of a small meteor hitting the planet. A huge tsunami wave spread from the point of impact as dust shot up into the atmosphere. The planet, merely from that single impact, would be darkened for many months, but the next explosion as the ship burst out the other side was the knockout punch. A twin tsunami burst out from the point of emergence, as several more tons of dust and debris were shot into the atmosphere. That planet would be a dark barren place soon.
"You certainly have a knack for destruction," came a quiet voice. Tokimi turned to see a man in black medieval Earth-style armor. His head was bared, with his long blond hair spilling down to his chest. He was almost pretty, except for two blood-red eyes, which spoke of the perverse joy of death.
"Asrael," acknowledged Tokimi.
"The master bids his greetings," said Asrael. "He extends through me great pride in your achievements."
"I take joy in serving my master," she said, simply.
"Just make sure that the other megami don't get to discover the joy of serving their Master."
"If they haven't gotten it already, I get the distinct feeling they won't get it until it's too late."
"Indeed. They are incapable of seeing the Truth, and it is their blinding pride that gives us our strength."
"It is an irony, is it not?" asked Tokimi with a slight smile. "Our master was given the power of light that he might illuminate the way for others, and yet now he uses the light to blind our foes. I love it."
***
I just don't get it, thought Washyuu. Tokimi was never strong enough to block my sight; why is she capable now? She sighed as she inserted new microchips into the ship's computer. After all, her train of thought continued, we're the ultimate. We can't train and attain higher levels because we're already there, which means that it's not a difference in strength. Sounds more like she's gotten wise to my tricks.
"Anything I can do to help?" asked Kyrin, suddenly seeming to appear out of nowhere. In truth, he'd been on the way back to his room to try and rest a little, but on seeing her with such a look of vexed agitation he couldn't help but want to help.
"Well, if you happen to get any clues on how to see a fallen megami, tell me," she replied.
"Well, what if something doesn't want you to see?"
"But there's nothing strong enough to stop me from seeing her. I figure she's gotten wise to my tactics on how to spot her."
"Are you so sure? We have many names for the Dark One. One of them is 'Sight-blinder,' because of his ability to mask even the simplest spiritual truths behind deception."
"But how could such a being exist? We didn't see anything like that before, back at the beginning."
"Of course not, Washyuu! Don't you get it? You are not the most powerful because the Dark One is strong enough to implant the 'knowledge' that he doesn't exist."
"You've got a point. Come to think of it..." Washyuu thought for an instant. "Tokimi never had a reason to leave us before the Fall. When she did, she never gave us a reason, never gave us a clue. She just seemed to change. Crap, I can't believe I didn't see it sooner!" She smacked a hand down on a console, which promptly winked out of existence. "And now this force, whatever it is, is giving her power and shielding her from us. Oh man!" Her eyes began to focus far off. "This blows us out of the water. With all that extra power, I don't think we could defeat her with both I and Tsunami fighting her."
"Well, if there's a Dark One, surely there's a Light One as well."
"But why would such a One shield Himself from us?"
"Let those that have eyes to see, see; let those that have ears to hear, hear," replied Kyrin. "You didn't acknowledge His existence because you chose not to."
"Oh - oh God!" She smacked herself on the forehead. "What have I done?"
"Made a mistake that the Great Redeemer will redeem you of."
"Will He eh? Hm... I'd normally call this horse hockey, but given the times and measures, I think I'm willing to listen."
"OK, but first I suggest bringing that console back."
"... Oh. Shoot. Twenty thousand years without practice does leave one lacking, I guess."
***
"What do I have to do, Tsunami?" asked Sasami. She knelt in front of the lake, with Tsunami's ghostly image staring back at her.
"This battle will be fought on two levels," replied Tsunami. "We will be a part of both. The first level is the spiritual level. Washyuu and I will pit our powers against Tokimi. How we fare will affect the physical level. If we are winning in the spiritual realm, we will be winning here, and vice versa."
"What do I do, then?"
"You'll handle the physical part. Specifically, you will link with the tree aboard Tsunami and control the ship."
"I? But Tsunami, I've had no practice with that!"
"Precisely. Which is why you must practice here and now." With that said, Tsunami gestured and a small sapling appeared. "Use this tree to establish Light Hawk Wings," said Tsunami. "Think of it like taking part of its life force and placing it outside the tree, while maintaining a link between the tree and the Wing." While Sasami began to concentrate, Tsunami's eyes looked on, even though her mind looked elsewhere. Her mind looked towards Jurai, in the path of a great spiritual darkness that approached from all sides. A darkness that not even her children could turn back.
"Ah! Tsunami!" She turned and smiled as Sasami breathed in wonder, a small LHW floating in front of the tree. "Good work, Sasami. Now, try moving it around. Just focus your concentration on the life force moving in any direction. Don't try to push it, though. Just will it to go one way or another."
"Will it?"
"Yes. When you walk, you will your legs to move one in front of the other. You think 'go there' and your legs go there. Think the same way with the Wing."
"Go there." Sasami concentrated somewhat again, and the Wing slowly began to move.
"Good! Very good!" Tsunami smiled. "I'm very proud of you, Sasami. Now I want you to keep moving it. Try to get a feel for it, and that'll be all for today."
As Sasami kept working, Tsunami looked again. She sensed it - her sister had grown in strength. But how could that be?
"It could be that someone's giving her strength," came a voice. Tsunami and Sasami looked around, but it was Tsunami who found the stranger. He was dressed in odd contrast to the crew. He wore a white t-shirt, with a pair of blue jeans that had a hole in the right knee. He was handsome, with short black hair and olive skin. However, something that struck Tsunami was how huge he was. Not in terms of width, but in height, for this man was incredibly tall. She would have given 7 feet to his muscled frame.
"Who are you?" asked Sasami. Her voice held a note of curious awe, upon seeing such a stranger.
"Nobody, really," he replied. "I guess if you want to call me something, though, call me Gabe."
"Nice to meet you," said Sasami, smiling shyly. Normally, Tsunami would've been on guard, but she could sense no ill will from this man at all.
"What do you want here?" asked Tsunami.
"I come bearing tidings," he replied. "My Lord has sent me to you on an urgent matter. Will you hear me out?" Tsunami nodded. "Your sister has grown stronger not on her own, but because there is one who is with her. He is one who has betrayed the universe because of his own pride, because of his own selfish gain. He is stronger than anything you have encountered to this point, and is giving his power to her."
"How can you know all this?" asked Tsunami.
"Because my Master is stronger than this dark force. He is stronger than you. He is offering His strength to you in your time of weakness."
"Forgive my skepticism, but why doesn't He just appear here Himself?"
"You misunderstand. He is here because I am here. He is in me."
"Surely we would have sensed such a Being by now."
"You cannot because your heart refuses to see the Truth."
"What Truth?"
"There is one amongst you that already knows," replied Gabe. "Seek him." And suddenly, he was gone. It wasn't one of those slow fades, or a phase shift of any kind. One moment he was there and the next he was quite gone.
"What? Where is he?" Sasami looked around.
Tsunami reached out, straining to find him. "He's gone," she replied. "He's just not here anymore."
"What does it mean, Tsunami?"
"I'm not sure. Keep practicing, please. We don't have all that much time left." With that, Sasami focused on moving the Wing. Tsunami simply disappeared back into the water.
What does it mean? she asked incessantly. And, incessantly, no answer came.
***
Knight: I meant to have this one out sooner you know. But time has a funny trick that somehow involves slipping away.
::this time he's sitting on a tree branch in the garden, while Sasami practices below::
Knight: I'm actually without complaints for once. Oh sure, there's the regular stuff about school and homework and how I never get a break. But for all my griping, it just keeps coming. I wonder what it could mean...
::suddenly, the tree branch gives out from under him::
Knight: AHHHHH!!
::two gardeners show up, with bungee cords stretching from their backs to a branch higher up::
Gardener 1: Man, pruning giant bonsai is such a pain.
Gardener 2: Yeah, but did you hear all the noise it made as it fell? It must have been riddled with rotten stuff.
::they shrug and move on to another branch::
Tenchi Muyo and all related paraphernalia are copyrighted to AIC and Pioneer.
The only things that are mine are those things that I perceive as original, and thusly are mine. If you recognize an idea that you came up with first, all credit goes to you.
You can contact me at: KnightOfCyril@aol.com