Shadowed Footprints (Part III)
Ack! The third chapter is here. I forgot to mention it in the second chapter so I'll remind everyone that I do not own Miyu, Larva or any other Vampire Princess Miyu characters that crop up suddenly out of the blue. I do, however own Satsu. Anyway, the fic must go on!
* * *
Larva wrapped his arms around Miyu and clambered out of the back of the truck. Three figures dressed in black stood behind the protection of a shrub and continued to fire arrows at the truck. Muggers sprang instantly to his mind. He wrapped his robes tighter round Miyu and slipped round the back of the truck. Scanning the landscape he spotted a small farmhouse just over the field. Keeping a low profile he hurried across the soil until he reached the house.
The cottage was a neat little house with ivy growing over its brick-laid face and a small red door with a pair of boots discarded outside. Larva rapt impatiently on the door, glancing back in case they had been followed. The finally opened an inch and a small woman dressed in a pinafore glaring up at the eight-foot guard in front of her. Larva bowed quickly and then pushed inside, much to the woman's complaint. He laid Miyu onto a sofa in the corner and then hurried outside again. He stared about for a weapon, seeing as his sword was still in the Moonwhistle Inn and his eyes fell on an abandoned scythe. It was not the first weapon of his choice but it would have to do. He picked it up and experimentally swiped it through the air. Many people, when they first use a certain object sometimes just seem to have an instant understanding. As soon as Larva lifted the scythe he felt he had been using one all his life. He then charged back to the cart to find Satsu struggling against the muggers with all her might. She had discarded her arrows and had drawn a long-sword from the depths of her jacket. It was a heavy and very menacing sword that she handled with ease and even the muggers looked vaguely weary. Bracing himself he swung round from the back of the cart and plunged into the chaos. Satsu gave him a sideways glance and ducked an arrow.
"A scythe?" she sneered. "How original."
Larva dearly wanted to decapitate her but instead he ignored the comment and continued to slash at the oncoming muggers. He was surprised. Usually common road thieves would attack defenceless carts but at the sign of any weapons or struggle they would flee. These thieves were very confident to be fighting two armed people just for goods. One man flew at Larva, his face covered by a hood and high collar. He had a sword clasped in one hand and they grappled, blade on blade. Between each slash Larva heard the man snarl,
"Where's the girl?"
"What girl?" Larva snapped back, ducking a vicious swipe.
This just seemed to anger the man and his blows became more frequent. Larva hissed at one point when the blade whipped through his left cheek. It was only a scratch but it still stung. Finally as the attacker tried to administer an overhead wipe he let his defences down and that was when Larva lunged. The man choked in agony, a thin rivulet of blood streaming down his chest. He fell to his knees and was about to make some motion with his hands when his life left him. Larva turned to see Satsu cornered by the other two muggers. He sailed forwards and quickly dispatched of one from behind.
The third spun round and cursed as both Larva and Satsu rounded on him. He backed up against the cart and dropped his weapon. Raising his hands above his head he looked pleadingly at them both. Satsu glanced at Larva, asking whether they should spare the ruthless crook. Larva was still considering when the crook leapt forwards. Waving his hands in a complicated gesture there was a sudden burst of lightning breaking through the clouds scarring the ground where Larva stood. The guard leapt back just in time and shielded his eyes from the flash. When he looked back the thief had gone. He turned expecting Satsu to be cursing but found her smiling vaguely. She laughed softly to herself.
"The vanishing act," she smiled. Suddenly her amused expression was replaced by one of concern. "That was use of the elements... magic. Those men were trained in arts only mages use. And mages have been dead for centauries." She paused for a moment to think, but then glanced up, alarmed. "Miyu! What did you do with her, hostage?"
Detesting the fact that he was still referred to as the hostage after helping her protect Miyu, Larva lead Satsu to the farmhouse to find a very flustered looking woman standing in the doorway.
"What in damnation is going on?" the woman cried. She halted Larva and Satsu. "No scythes or swords in the house," she snapped in a very strict tone. Larva shrugged and leant the scythe against the wall, followed by Satsu. The woman then nodded in approval and let them enter. "Tea?" she asked as Satsu quickly crossed the hall to Miyu's sleeping form. Larva nodded again and then followed, standing well back from Satsu. There was the sound of cups being removed from the kitchen cupboard and filled with jasmine tea. "That girl so left with me," the woman called over with an icy tone. "She keeps crying out in her sleep. Scared the jeepers out of me. Does she have some illness or something?"
"No, Satsu replied quickly. "She's just surprised." Miyu gave another quiet moan and Satsu stroked her brown hair. "Oh, Miyu. What are you dreaming?"
* * *
Miyu floated.
There was no other word for it.
She wasn't even making an effort to move, just drifting through space.
Actually, it was like floating through a dense red mist. Occasionally an old leafless black tree would drift past her. She wondered why she wasn't frightened. Maybe in this zone all emotions were blotted out? She felt herself slowing and drifting down. Miyu fell neatly into the branch of a tree. There was a small pop and a pale orb appeared in Miyu's lap. She lifted it up curiously and gazed into its depths. She could just see a flame flickering amidst the pale fog. A hiss in front of her caused Miyu to look up as a figure appeared in midair... or the silhouette of one at least.
It was a girl from its, or her figure. Her hair was long and floated around her as though gravity was an easily overlooked matter. Her garment also drifted round her body and kept changing shape from each movement.
"Miyu..." The girl stretched her hands forwards imploringly. Miyu felt herself reaching out to touch the black outline of the figures. "Miyu..." the girl called again in a soft voice. Her voice sounded strange and echoed as though three girls were speaking at once through the same lips.
"Saiyuna!" Miyu suddenly cried, the name surfacing from nowhere. "Why have you summoned me?"
"One of us is lost," Saiyuna replied forlornly. She snapped her fingers and four symbols appeared in her palm. Miyu could see they were little orbs like the one on her lap. One was filled with a raging fire, the next with a wave of water, the one after with a streak of lightning and the last contained a shard of ice. Miyu recognised them as the four elements. Saiyuna removed her hand but the orbs still hovered in midair. She gently picked up the orb of lightning and pressed it to her heart. "Our brother, Lethes of Thunder has been led astray. Jealousy burns in his heart, jealousy for his little sister." She placed the orb gently back into line with the other three.
"Little sister?" Miyu murmured.
"Yes," Saiyuna whispered. "My children," she waved her hand over the orbs. "My two sons, Lethes of Thunder and Quenta of Water. My two daughters, Reiha of Ice and my dear daughter of the Flame," she paused and lifted out the fiery orb with gentle care. "Miyu."
Miyu stared, and vaguely remembered what it was like to feel shock. She stared at Saiyuna and her mother's form became slowly more solid. The skin was a dark shade with pale flowing hair and eyes a piercing green. Miyu spent a few moments just pondering over her mother's age. Her face was smooth and lineless, young enough to be only twenty but her eyes bore a deep wisdom that not even the eldest wise women possessed. Her clothes were really like many sheets of opaque mist that drifted from one colour to the next round her body. Miyu tried to reach further forwards.
"Mother," she called. Saiyuna smiled at her daughter.
"Miyu," she called and her voice began to vanish along with her body. "Miyu, it is time to wake up."
"Mother," Miyu cried straining forwards.
"Miyu, go find your siblings." She was now only an outline fading into the mist.
"Mother," Miyu repeated desperately, a pain forming in her heart.
"Find the fire within. Wake up, Miyu!" Saiyuna called and she emphasised the fifth element. "Wake up, Miyu. Wake-"
* * *
"-Up, Miyu. Please, wake up!" Miyu's eyelids flickered open as Satsu's voice replaced Saiyuna's. "Miyu!" Satsu cried throwing her arms round Miyu's lying form. Through Satsu's hair and robes Miyu could see Larva hovering in the background uncertainly. Miyu smiled at him weakly. Satsu pulled out of the hug, her face dark. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" she snapped. Miyu laughed. She suddenly paused as a white china cup full of jasmine tea was pressed to her lips. She looked up to see Larva gently helping her drink the liquid. The tea burnt her throat but she didn't mind.
Larva helped her regain her health expecting Satsu to whirl round at any moment and drive another dart into his neck, but the black-haired girl merely held Miyu firmly as she drank. The old woman appeared behind Larva's back.
"Is she alright?" she asked, holding a tray of tea. Larva nodded slowly, not take his eyes off the weak Miyu. "It's just that a saw another girl pass through here. She was a strange one at that, all dressed in white with a blue rune on her head and a doll held proudly in her arms. She also fell unconscious in the middle of the road and I found her and nursed her. She kept mumbling and all in her sleep until suddenly, 'poof!' she wakes up and sets off again."
"Reiha," Miyu said raising one hand to push away the cup of juice that had stopped her from previously speaking. Larva placed the cup on the ground and gave her a funny look.
"Who?"
"Reiha," Miyu repeated. "I don't know how I know, I just can feel it was her."
"But Miyu," Satsu said. "How can you have known her? You've set foot outside the p-" Larva gave her a look. "Uh, city."
"I don't know," Miyu repeated. "But we must find her."
"Hang on!" Satsu shouted. "What about Iktyo? What about Yui?"
"We will have to prolong our journey for a bit. Satsu," Miyu held Satsu's shoulders firmly and gave her a pleading look. "Please, this is important to me. My... mother told me to find her."
Satsu looked incredulous and Larva confused. Miyu shakily got to her feet and tried to stand, but her knees gave way and she fell. Expecting her face to meet hard stone floor she was surprised to land into the firm support of many folds of black robe. She blushed slightly as Larva caught her and helped her balance on her feet. Satsu had also risen and made for the door.
"Let's make haste," she said over her shoulder, her eyes resolved. "We must catch up with this Reiha."
"She went east," the woman added.
"How convenient," Satsu smiled. It was the direction they had been heading anyway before the attack. She paused and then deposited a small pouch of gold onto the nearest stool by the door. "For your silence," she added. "You never saw us." The woman nodded quickly.
Larva, realising that Satsu was not intending on helping him, gave one apologetic look at Miyu before lifting her up in his arms and carrying out of the cottage. Miyu let out a small gasp of complaint but relaxed, defeated in his arms realising she wasn't going to be able to walk by herself. She felt safe, now that Larva had her bundled within his robes, completely protected. Larva paused by the door and peered back at the woman still standing in the hall with the tray in her hands.
"May I keep the scythe?" he asked.
* * *
"Fighting with a scythe?" Satsu didn't even try to keep the mockery from her voice to a minimum. "Who do you think you are? The Grim Reaper?"
Larva merely replied by glowering at her. He heard Miyu laugh faintly in his arms. He looked down caringly at her as her golden eyes fixed themselves upon his face. She smiled slightly and shifted her weight.
"Larva," she whispered. "I think I'll walk now."
He obediently let her down onto the dusty path where she staggered slightly but managed to hold herself upright. She took a wobbly step forwards and tripped but caught herself. A look of anger appeared on her face at her own failure. Larva couldn't help but admire her resolve. He strode up to her side and she smiled sheepishly and began to walk at a steady pace. Larva glanced about.
"It seems that Satsu has taken flight," he muttered. Miyu giggled softly.
"Satsu doesn't like being around that many people she doesn't like for too long." Larva gave her a long stare, instantly guessing whom out of the two of them was not in Satsu's good books. He heard Miyu chuckle again, the amusement now more pronounced than ever. "Larva, what was it like being a guard? At the palace, I mean."
Larva shrugged. "Uneventful." He didn't mention the mob of women who attacked him on a regular basis. "No one ever tried to rob the palace, oh, apart from one. The Shadow Thief keeps us on our toes, but we can never catch him. I admire him, in a way. The only thief I know with tactics that work." At this Miyu stopped and laughed openly. Larva paused again, waiting until her laughter subsided.
"Larva, what makes you think that the Shadow Thief is a man?" she giggled. Larva stared blankly at her. "Larva!" Miyu burst out. "You realise Satsu is the Shadow Thief!" She sniggered at his horrified expression. "Do you still admire 'him'?"
"Satsu?" he gazed at the spot where the girl had been. "No wonder Maria doesn't talk about her much."
"You called?" Larva nearly cried out as Satsu appeared, hanging upside down on a tree branch above his head.
"Uh... no," he muttered looking downwards again. Miyu smiled and walked on. Larva easily caught up with her again. There was a rustle of leaves as Satsu leapt ahead of them through the tree's interlocking branches.
"Satsu?" Miyu asked as they walked. "You've been outside the city before. How far are we until we reach the village of Daie?"
"We're nearly there," Satsu murmured. "Hey, hostage." Larva listened obediently. "Keep your eyes and ears peeled. Forests are convenient places for thieves to mug people." Larva lifted the scythe automatically and hefted it left and right. The trees were becoming more in number and a canopy of leaves now blocked the sky. There was a thousand hiding places so Larva drew instinctively nearer to Miyu. He was unsure at first why he felt so protective of her, but then discarded the feeling seeing as Miyu had to return to the palace with all her body parts intact. But still...
There was a rustle in front. Larva raised his scythe. Miyu took a step back, feeling horribly vulnerable without a weapon. Her fingers closed around the katana and she dearly wished then she could use it. She heard the faint creaking as Satsu loaded her bow and tensed the string, ready to fire. There was a long pause. Whoever had moved was now aware of them and keeping a low profile. Tired of the wait, Larva lurched forwards and batted whoever hid within the bushes with the handle of his scythe. He felt the wood connect with something and a figure rolled out, cursing quietly. He lay on the ground, massaging a lump on his right temple and was about to rise when Larva's foot crashed down on his chest, forcing the figure to the ground.
Miyu came closer and gasped at the person lying in the dirt at Larva's mercy. It was a boy with a mane of black hair and long slender ears extending backwards. He was dressed in a loose jacket and belt and was bare footed. His eyes opened wide and the boy scowled. Tilting his head sideways he spat out a tooth. He glanced up at Miyu and a grin spread over his face.
"At last," he sighed. "You're finally here. I've been expecting you for an eternity. I-"
The boy stopped as all the wind was knocked out of him as Satsu landed on his chest, on top of Larva's foot. Her bow was once again strapped to her back and she unsheathed a short sword. Pressing it against the boy's throat she snarled at his face, "Enough chit-chat. Who are you?"
"I-I..." the boy spluttered, gasping for air.
"Satsu, get off him!" Miyu shouted. "How do you expect him to answer whilst you're suffocating him?"
Satsu growled deep within her throat and slid off the boy's chest, deliberately kneeling on Larva's already sore toes. Larva dearly wanted to kick the thief but he was already holding the boy down to the ground.
"Bitch," the boy snarled as oxygen flooded back into his lungs. Satsu would have stamped on the boy's head if Miyu hadn't stopped her. "My name is Ichiro and I'm a messenger boy from Lady Ranka."
An uncomfortable silence followed. Larva brow furrowed as he tried to place the name he had heard before. Was it his father who had mentioned it, or one of his brothers? Somehow, he felt Lady Ranka was a woman of great importance. Satsu broke the silence.
"Lady Ranka? Do you speak of the healer and enchantress that resides within the dark forests?" Ichiro nodded slowly. He spread his arms wide, despite the fact he was still pressed to the ground.
"This is her realm." He pointed a finger at Miyu. "She has been expecting you." Miyu wanted dearly to hid behind Larva's back but held her ground.
"If her Ladyship summons, then I will go to her." Larva was impressed by Miyu's firm words. Ichiro bowed, or tried to.
"Then I will take you to her," he grinned and then stared pointedly at Larva. "Or will try to."
"Larva, release him," Miyu said with authority.
"Wait a sec!" Satsu shouted as Larva removed his foot and Ichiro rose, dusting himself down. "How do we know he is not leading us into a trap?"
Ichiro gawped angrily. "Hey, you calling me a liar? If you want proof of my loyalty to Lady Ranka, here!" He slid the back of his jacket down and bent his head forwards so all present could see the vivid tattoo of a red circle with a black silhouette of a doll in the centre.
"Lady Ranka's seal," Larva murmured. "I believe him." Ichiro pulled his jacket back over his shoulders and then leapt off into the trees.
"Hey, wait!" Miyu called after him.
"Follow my voice!" Ichiro laughed distantly. Miyu, Larva and Satsu set off at a run after him.
The trees gnarled twigs scratched at their faces and root kept appearing at regular intervals, threatening to trip them up but they kept running, following Ichiro's calls. Miyu noticed the woods kept changing, it became darker, the trees now standing like black pillars, veils of mist hung in the air like silk curtains and large rose-like flowers bloomed everywhere, their vibrant colours standing in contrast to the inky blackness. The atmosphere made you feel very nostalgic and Miyu found herself thinking of her mother and yet again she could hear the roar of magic, no approaching but flowing round her. She opened her eyes and found the darkness pressing in on her and was suddenly at unease. She felt firm fingers wrapped round her hand. Looking up she could just see Larva's outline but none of his handsome features. She hoped he couldn't see her face, the burning in her cheeks signalled a blush.
"We're here," Miyu jumped as Ichiro appeared in front of her out of the gloom. His face was illuminated in a blue glow and he held a flower, whose petals seemed to emit a soft light. Out of the corner of her eye, Miyu saw Larva peered in at the flower and the light cast gentle shadows across his beautiful face. Miyu tore her eyes away and followed Ichiro through a low arch that had appeared among the trees.
They entered a domed hall, almost impossibly tall with long vines hanging from the ceiling and creepers blooming with flowers climbing the four walls. Before them stood a large oak door, with carvings of plants and rose engraved across the surface. Ichiro approached the door and knocked importantly.
"Enter," a soft voice called. It was the type of voice that did not need to raise itself to be heard. Ichiro made a motion to push the door when it opened of its own accord. Miyu drew back slightly to find Satsu standing behind her. She glanced at the thief who nodded encouragingly and gestured for her to enter.
Miyu stepped into the next room, which she found was much like a replica of the first hall, except five times the size. The other change was that there was no floor, just a large dark pool with a stone path leading through its icy depths to a rounded platform at the far end of the hall. Miyu began to pace down the pathway after Ichiro and found that Larva and Satsu followed her from behind. As she gazed into the gloom she saw a stone chair in the centre of the stone platform, holding a woman dressed in a white kimono with a flowered obi and her face pretty and place, black straight hair falling round her delicate features. She looked exceptionally like a geisha... or a doll. A stringed instrument Miyu recognised as a koto lay by her feet.
Ichiro approached the platform and fell on one knee, head bowed.
"Lady Ranka," he acknowledged.
"I congratulate you, Ichiro," Lady Ranka said, her glassy blue eyes not leaving Miyu's face. "For finding Miyu. Now leave us."
Ichiro nodded and silently left, shutting the large oak doors behind him. Miyu expected the room to be plunged into darkness but as the door closed hundreds of buds suddenly opened revealing the glowing blue flowers that Ichiro had held as his torch to guide them here. Miyu hovered before Ranka feeling awkward.
"My flowers," Ranka smiled. "They only bloom in complete darkness. Miyu, approach."
Miyu came closer, her heart beating. She could smell the magic that surrounded this woman and felt unprotected. Ranka reached out and held Miyu's chin between slender fingers.
"At last our little fire demon has come to us," she smiled. Miyu stared at her, confused.
"Lady Ranka, I am no demon."
Ranka laughed and released Miyu's chin. Then she rose from her seat and knelt on the ground before her koto and plucked a melancholy note.
"Many people nowadays believe that demons are purely associated with evil. They instantly imagine scaly creatures with fangs and leathery wings that screech and live to taste human blood on their fangs. They do not realise that many demons are born to protect humankind. Some demons look human; some imitate trees and plants or animals. I myself am a demon." She rose from the koto and leapt backwards into the air. Miyu gasped as the lady floated with ease, reclining upon nothing. "Miyu," Ranka looked forlorn. "You are a demon, just like your mother and brothers and sister. But you are not evil."
"I am no demon," Miyu repeated shakily. She was now frightened. "I cannot... I can't use magic..."
"Can't you?" Ranka snapped. "Have you forgotten all Saiyuna told you? Miyu, you must find your inner flame."
"I don't understand-" Miyu began but suddenly leapt aside as Ranka suddenly lashed out. She darted to the side just as slashed through the air with an invisible force. She heard Larva and Satsu leap to their feet, blades at the ready. Ranka turned to them and laughed. With one casual wave of her hand thin strings of light cut through the air, catching them both and holding above the floor.
"Miyu!" Larva shouted, unable to help.
Miyu was breathing fast, fear writhing inside her. Ranka turned again to face her. Miyu backed away. She could tell Ranka would not hesitate in killing her. But what had brought this murderous rampage on? Miyu slammed her back against the wall and spun aside as Ranka's ability to control an invisible force whipped at her again. She wasn't quite fast enough and the energy grazed her arm. She cursed silently clasping her shoulder but keeping her eyes fixed firmly upon her opponent. She could feel warm moisture under her fingers... blood.
Ranka advanced, smiling victoriously. Miyu sank slowly to her knees and her fingers closed on the hilt of the katana. She couldn't use it properly, but it was her only chance, wasn't it? She waited, steadied herself and then drew the sword and lunged it forward. The blade flashed in the light and Miyu for one moment thought she had struck her target. But Ranka had merely sidestepped the katana and with one motion flicked the sword from Miyu's grasp. Doom pressed in. Miyu shrunk back and could feel a lump in her throat. She looked up to see Satsu thrashing wildly at her bonds and Larva hanging limply, a hopeless look of failure upon his face.
I'm all alone, Miyu thought fearfully. At that lost thought, another was born. She could feel terror mixing with anger in her heart, producing wild fire. Anger. She looked up, eyes blazing. She was Saiyuna, Queen of the Elements' daughter. She was the fire goddess! And she was not going quietly.
As Miyu curled herself up into a small, frightened ball a small spark flickered within her palms. A shadow fell over her defeated from.
"And now, Miyu," Lady Ranka whispered, "It is time to die. Goodbye."
"No," Miyu hissed, raising her head, her liquid gold eyes flashing. "My time is not finished!"
* * *
To Be Continued...
Ahh! The suspense! ... Right? Thank you for all the reviews! You all made my day. ^_^ Keep 'em coming! The third chapter is on its way. Remember: the more reviews, the more inspired I am to write more. Ps. that wasn't meant to sound like a threat. ^_^;;
Ack! The third chapter is here. I forgot to mention it in the second chapter so I'll remind everyone that I do not own Miyu, Larva or any other Vampire Princess Miyu characters that crop up suddenly out of the blue. I do, however own Satsu. Anyway, the fic must go on!
* * *
Larva wrapped his arms around Miyu and clambered out of the back of the truck. Three figures dressed in black stood behind the protection of a shrub and continued to fire arrows at the truck. Muggers sprang instantly to his mind. He wrapped his robes tighter round Miyu and slipped round the back of the truck. Scanning the landscape he spotted a small farmhouse just over the field. Keeping a low profile he hurried across the soil until he reached the house.
The cottage was a neat little house with ivy growing over its brick-laid face and a small red door with a pair of boots discarded outside. Larva rapt impatiently on the door, glancing back in case they had been followed. The finally opened an inch and a small woman dressed in a pinafore glaring up at the eight-foot guard in front of her. Larva bowed quickly and then pushed inside, much to the woman's complaint. He laid Miyu onto a sofa in the corner and then hurried outside again. He stared about for a weapon, seeing as his sword was still in the Moonwhistle Inn and his eyes fell on an abandoned scythe. It was not the first weapon of his choice but it would have to do. He picked it up and experimentally swiped it through the air. Many people, when they first use a certain object sometimes just seem to have an instant understanding. As soon as Larva lifted the scythe he felt he had been using one all his life. He then charged back to the cart to find Satsu struggling against the muggers with all her might. She had discarded her arrows and had drawn a long-sword from the depths of her jacket. It was a heavy and very menacing sword that she handled with ease and even the muggers looked vaguely weary. Bracing himself he swung round from the back of the cart and plunged into the chaos. Satsu gave him a sideways glance and ducked an arrow.
"A scythe?" she sneered. "How original."
Larva dearly wanted to decapitate her but instead he ignored the comment and continued to slash at the oncoming muggers. He was surprised. Usually common road thieves would attack defenceless carts but at the sign of any weapons or struggle they would flee. These thieves were very confident to be fighting two armed people just for goods. One man flew at Larva, his face covered by a hood and high collar. He had a sword clasped in one hand and they grappled, blade on blade. Between each slash Larva heard the man snarl,
"Where's the girl?"
"What girl?" Larva snapped back, ducking a vicious swipe.
This just seemed to anger the man and his blows became more frequent. Larva hissed at one point when the blade whipped through his left cheek. It was only a scratch but it still stung. Finally as the attacker tried to administer an overhead wipe he let his defences down and that was when Larva lunged. The man choked in agony, a thin rivulet of blood streaming down his chest. He fell to his knees and was about to make some motion with his hands when his life left him. Larva turned to see Satsu cornered by the other two muggers. He sailed forwards and quickly dispatched of one from behind.
The third spun round and cursed as both Larva and Satsu rounded on him. He backed up against the cart and dropped his weapon. Raising his hands above his head he looked pleadingly at them both. Satsu glanced at Larva, asking whether they should spare the ruthless crook. Larva was still considering when the crook leapt forwards. Waving his hands in a complicated gesture there was a sudden burst of lightning breaking through the clouds scarring the ground where Larva stood. The guard leapt back just in time and shielded his eyes from the flash. When he looked back the thief had gone. He turned expecting Satsu to be cursing but found her smiling vaguely. She laughed softly to herself.
"The vanishing act," she smiled. Suddenly her amused expression was replaced by one of concern. "That was use of the elements... magic. Those men were trained in arts only mages use. And mages have been dead for centauries." She paused for a moment to think, but then glanced up, alarmed. "Miyu! What did you do with her, hostage?"
Detesting the fact that he was still referred to as the hostage after helping her protect Miyu, Larva lead Satsu to the farmhouse to find a very flustered looking woman standing in the doorway.
"What in damnation is going on?" the woman cried. She halted Larva and Satsu. "No scythes or swords in the house," she snapped in a very strict tone. Larva shrugged and leant the scythe against the wall, followed by Satsu. The woman then nodded in approval and let them enter. "Tea?" she asked as Satsu quickly crossed the hall to Miyu's sleeping form. Larva nodded again and then followed, standing well back from Satsu. There was the sound of cups being removed from the kitchen cupboard and filled with jasmine tea. "That girl so left with me," the woman called over with an icy tone. "She keeps crying out in her sleep. Scared the jeepers out of me. Does she have some illness or something?"
"No, Satsu replied quickly. "She's just surprised." Miyu gave another quiet moan and Satsu stroked her brown hair. "Oh, Miyu. What are you dreaming?"
* * *
Miyu floated.
There was no other word for it.
She wasn't even making an effort to move, just drifting through space.
Actually, it was like floating through a dense red mist. Occasionally an old leafless black tree would drift past her. She wondered why she wasn't frightened. Maybe in this zone all emotions were blotted out? She felt herself slowing and drifting down. Miyu fell neatly into the branch of a tree. There was a small pop and a pale orb appeared in Miyu's lap. She lifted it up curiously and gazed into its depths. She could just see a flame flickering amidst the pale fog. A hiss in front of her caused Miyu to look up as a figure appeared in midair... or the silhouette of one at least.
It was a girl from its, or her figure. Her hair was long and floated around her as though gravity was an easily overlooked matter. Her garment also drifted round her body and kept changing shape from each movement.
"Miyu..." The girl stretched her hands forwards imploringly. Miyu felt herself reaching out to touch the black outline of the figures. "Miyu..." the girl called again in a soft voice. Her voice sounded strange and echoed as though three girls were speaking at once through the same lips.
"Saiyuna!" Miyu suddenly cried, the name surfacing from nowhere. "Why have you summoned me?"
"One of us is lost," Saiyuna replied forlornly. She snapped her fingers and four symbols appeared in her palm. Miyu could see they were little orbs like the one on her lap. One was filled with a raging fire, the next with a wave of water, the one after with a streak of lightning and the last contained a shard of ice. Miyu recognised them as the four elements. Saiyuna removed her hand but the orbs still hovered in midair. She gently picked up the orb of lightning and pressed it to her heart. "Our brother, Lethes of Thunder has been led astray. Jealousy burns in his heart, jealousy for his little sister." She placed the orb gently back into line with the other three.
"Little sister?" Miyu murmured.
"Yes," Saiyuna whispered. "My children," she waved her hand over the orbs. "My two sons, Lethes of Thunder and Quenta of Water. My two daughters, Reiha of Ice and my dear daughter of the Flame," she paused and lifted out the fiery orb with gentle care. "Miyu."
Miyu stared, and vaguely remembered what it was like to feel shock. She stared at Saiyuna and her mother's form became slowly more solid. The skin was a dark shade with pale flowing hair and eyes a piercing green. Miyu spent a few moments just pondering over her mother's age. Her face was smooth and lineless, young enough to be only twenty but her eyes bore a deep wisdom that not even the eldest wise women possessed. Her clothes were really like many sheets of opaque mist that drifted from one colour to the next round her body. Miyu tried to reach further forwards.
"Mother," she called. Saiyuna smiled at her daughter.
"Miyu," she called and her voice began to vanish along with her body. "Miyu, it is time to wake up."
"Mother," Miyu cried straining forwards.
"Miyu, go find your siblings." She was now only an outline fading into the mist.
"Mother," Miyu repeated desperately, a pain forming in her heart.
"Find the fire within. Wake up, Miyu!" Saiyuna called and she emphasised the fifth element. "Wake up, Miyu. Wake-"
* * *
"-Up, Miyu. Please, wake up!" Miyu's eyelids flickered open as Satsu's voice replaced Saiyuna's. "Miyu!" Satsu cried throwing her arms round Miyu's lying form. Through Satsu's hair and robes Miyu could see Larva hovering in the background uncertainly. Miyu smiled at him weakly. Satsu pulled out of the hug, her face dark. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" she snapped. Miyu laughed. She suddenly paused as a white china cup full of jasmine tea was pressed to her lips. She looked up to see Larva gently helping her drink the liquid. The tea burnt her throat but she didn't mind.
Larva helped her regain her health expecting Satsu to whirl round at any moment and drive another dart into his neck, but the black-haired girl merely held Miyu firmly as she drank. The old woman appeared behind Larva's back.
"Is she alright?" she asked, holding a tray of tea. Larva nodded slowly, not take his eyes off the weak Miyu. "It's just that a saw another girl pass through here. She was a strange one at that, all dressed in white with a blue rune on her head and a doll held proudly in her arms. She also fell unconscious in the middle of the road and I found her and nursed her. She kept mumbling and all in her sleep until suddenly, 'poof!' she wakes up and sets off again."
"Reiha," Miyu said raising one hand to push away the cup of juice that had stopped her from previously speaking. Larva placed the cup on the ground and gave her a funny look.
"Who?"
"Reiha," Miyu repeated. "I don't know how I know, I just can feel it was her."
"But Miyu," Satsu said. "How can you have known her? You've set foot outside the p-" Larva gave her a look. "Uh, city."
"I don't know," Miyu repeated. "But we must find her."
"Hang on!" Satsu shouted. "What about Iktyo? What about Yui?"
"We will have to prolong our journey for a bit. Satsu," Miyu held Satsu's shoulders firmly and gave her a pleading look. "Please, this is important to me. My... mother told me to find her."
Satsu looked incredulous and Larva confused. Miyu shakily got to her feet and tried to stand, but her knees gave way and she fell. Expecting her face to meet hard stone floor she was surprised to land into the firm support of many folds of black robe. She blushed slightly as Larva caught her and helped her balance on her feet. Satsu had also risen and made for the door.
"Let's make haste," she said over her shoulder, her eyes resolved. "We must catch up with this Reiha."
"She went east," the woman added.
"How convenient," Satsu smiled. It was the direction they had been heading anyway before the attack. She paused and then deposited a small pouch of gold onto the nearest stool by the door. "For your silence," she added. "You never saw us." The woman nodded quickly.
Larva, realising that Satsu was not intending on helping him, gave one apologetic look at Miyu before lifting her up in his arms and carrying out of the cottage. Miyu let out a small gasp of complaint but relaxed, defeated in his arms realising she wasn't going to be able to walk by herself. She felt safe, now that Larva had her bundled within his robes, completely protected. Larva paused by the door and peered back at the woman still standing in the hall with the tray in her hands.
"May I keep the scythe?" he asked.
* * *
"Fighting with a scythe?" Satsu didn't even try to keep the mockery from her voice to a minimum. "Who do you think you are? The Grim Reaper?"
Larva merely replied by glowering at her. He heard Miyu laugh faintly in his arms. He looked down caringly at her as her golden eyes fixed themselves upon his face. She smiled slightly and shifted her weight.
"Larva," she whispered. "I think I'll walk now."
He obediently let her down onto the dusty path where she staggered slightly but managed to hold herself upright. She took a wobbly step forwards and tripped but caught herself. A look of anger appeared on her face at her own failure. Larva couldn't help but admire her resolve. He strode up to her side and she smiled sheepishly and began to walk at a steady pace. Larva glanced about.
"It seems that Satsu has taken flight," he muttered. Miyu giggled softly.
"Satsu doesn't like being around that many people she doesn't like for too long." Larva gave her a long stare, instantly guessing whom out of the two of them was not in Satsu's good books. He heard Miyu chuckle again, the amusement now more pronounced than ever. "Larva, what was it like being a guard? At the palace, I mean."
Larva shrugged. "Uneventful." He didn't mention the mob of women who attacked him on a regular basis. "No one ever tried to rob the palace, oh, apart from one. The Shadow Thief keeps us on our toes, but we can never catch him. I admire him, in a way. The only thief I know with tactics that work." At this Miyu stopped and laughed openly. Larva paused again, waiting until her laughter subsided.
"Larva, what makes you think that the Shadow Thief is a man?" she giggled. Larva stared blankly at her. "Larva!" Miyu burst out. "You realise Satsu is the Shadow Thief!" She sniggered at his horrified expression. "Do you still admire 'him'?"
"Satsu?" he gazed at the spot where the girl had been. "No wonder Maria doesn't talk about her much."
"You called?" Larva nearly cried out as Satsu appeared, hanging upside down on a tree branch above his head.
"Uh... no," he muttered looking downwards again. Miyu smiled and walked on. Larva easily caught up with her again. There was a rustle of leaves as Satsu leapt ahead of them through the tree's interlocking branches.
"Satsu?" Miyu asked as they walked. "You've been outside the city before. How far are we until we reach the village of Daie?"
"We're nearly there," Satsu murmured. "Hey, hostage." Larva listened obediently. "Keep your eyes and ears peeled. Forests are convenient places for thieves to mug people." Larva lifted the scythe automatically and hefted it left and right. The trees were becoming more in number and a canopy of leaves now blocked the sky. There was a thousand hiding places so Larva drew instinctively nearer to Miyu. He was unsure at first why he felt so protective of her, but then discarded the feeling seeing as Miyu had to return to the palace with all her body parts intact. But still...
There was a rustle in front. Larva raised his scythe. Miyu took a step back, feeling horribly vulnerable without a weapon. Her fingers closed around the katana and she dearly wished then she could use it. She heard the faint creaking as Satsu loaded her bow and tensed the string, ready to fire. There was a long pause. Whoever had moved was now aware of them and keeping a low profile. Tired of the wait, Larva lurched forwards and batted whoever hid within the bushes with the handle of his scythe. He felt the wood connect with something and a figure rolled out, cursing quietly. He lay on the ground, massaging a lump on his right temple and was about to rise when Larva's foot crashed down on his chest, forcing the figure to the ground.
Miyu came closer and gasped at the person lying in the dirt at Larva's mercy. It was a boy with a mane of black hair and long slender ears extending backwards. He was dressed in a loose jacket and belt and was bare footed. His eyes opened wide and the boy scowled. Tilting his head sideways he spat out a tooth. He glanced up at Miyu and a grin spread over his face.
"At last," he sighed. "You're finally here. I've been expecting you for an eternity. I-"
The boy stopped as all the wind was knocked out of him as Satsu landed on his chest, on top of Larva's foot. Her bow was once again strapped to her back and she unsheathed a short sword. Pressing it against the boy's throat she snarled at his face, "Enough chit-chat. Who are you?"
"I-I..." the boy spluttered, gasping for air.
"Satsu, get off him!" Miyu shouted. "How do you expect him to answer whilst you're suffocating him?"
Satsu growled deep within her throat and slid off the boy's chest, deliberately kneeling on Larva's already sore toes. Larva dearly wanted to kick the thief but he was already holding the boy down to the ground.
"Bitch," the boy snarled as oxygen flooded back into his lungs. Satsu would have stamped on the boy's head if Miyu hadn't stopped her. "My name is Ichiro and I'm a messenger boy from Lady Ranka."
An uncomfortable silence followed. Larva brow furrowed as he tried to place the name he had heard before. Was it his father who had mentioned it, or one of his brothers? Somehow, he felt Lady Ranka was a woman of great importance. Satsu broke the silence.
"Lady Ranka? Do you speak of the healer and enchantress that resides within the dark forests?" Ichiro nodded slowly. He spread his arms wide, despite the fact he was still pressed to the ground.
"This is her realm." He pointed a finger at Miyu. "She has been expecting you." Miyu wanted dearly to hid behind Larva's back but held her ground.
"If her Ladyship summons, then I will go to her." Larva was impressed by Miyu's firm words. Ichiro bowed, or tried to.
"Then I will take you to her," he grinned and then stared pointedly at Larva. "Or will try to."
"Larva, release him," Miyu said with authority.
"Wait a sec!" Satsu shouted as Larva removed his foot and Ichiro rose, dusting himself down. "How do we know he is not leading us into a trap?"
Ichiro gawped angrily. "Hey, you calling me a liar? If you want proof of my loyalty to Lady Ranka, here!" He slid the back of his jacket down and bent his head forwards so all present could see the vivid tattoo of a red circle with a black silhouette of a doll in the centre.
"Lady Ranka's seal," Larva murmured. "I believe him." Ichiro pulled his jacket back over his shoulders and then leapt off into the trees.
"Hey, wait!" Miyu called after him.
"Follow my voice!" Ichiro laughed distantly. Miyu, Larva and Satsu set off at a run after him.
The trees gnarled twigs scratched at their faces and root kept appearing at regular intervals, threatening to trip them up but they kept running, following Ichiro's calls. Miyu noticed the woods kept changing, it became darker, the trees now standing like black pillars, veils of mist hung in the air like silk curtains and large rose-like flowers bloomed everywhere, their vibrant colours standing in contrast to the inky blackness. The atmosphere made you feel very nostalgic and Miyu found herself thinking of her mother and yet again she could hear the roar of magic, no approaching but flowing round her. She opened her eyes and found the darkness pressing in on her and was suddenly at unease. She felt firm fingers wrapped round her hand. Looking up she could just see Larva's outline but none of his handsome features. She hoped he couldn't see her face, the burning in her cheeks signalled a blush.
"We're here," Miyu jumped as Ichiro appeared in front of her out of the gloom. His face was illuminated in a blue glow and he held a flower, whose petals seemed to emit a soft light. Out of the corner of her eye, Miyu saw Larva peered in at the flower and the light cast gentle shadows across his beautiful face. Miyu tore her eyes away and followed Ichiro through a low arch that had appeared among the trees.
They entered a domed hall, almost impossibly tall with long vines hanging from the ceiling and creepers blooming with flowers climbing the four walls. Before them stood a large oak door, with carvings of plants and rose engraved across the surface. Ichiro approached the door and knocked importantly.
"Enter," a soft voice called. It was the type of voice that did not need to raise itself to be heard. Ichiro made a motion to push the door when it opened of its own accord. Miyu drew back slightly to find Satsu standing behind her. She glanced at the thief who nodded encouragingly and gestured for her to enter.
Miyu stepped into the next room, which she found was much like a replica of the first hall, except five times the size. The other change was that there was no floor, just a large dark pool with a stone path leading through its icy depths to a rounded platform at the far end of the hall. Miyu began to pace down the pathway after Ichiro and found that Larva and Satsu followed her from behind. As she gazed into the gloom she saw a stone chair in the centre of the stone platform, holding a woman dressed in a white kimono with a flowered obi and her face pretty and place, black straight hair falling round her delicate features. She looked exceptionally like a geisha... or a doll. A stringed instrument Miyu recognised as a koto lay by her feet.
Ichiro approached the platform and fell on one knee, head bowed.
"Lady Ranka," he acknowledged.
"I congratulate you, Ichiro," Lady Ranka said, her glassy blue eyes not leaving Miyu's face. "For finding Miyu. Now leave us."
Ichiro nodded and silently left, shutting the large oak doors behind him. Miyu expected the room to be plunged into darkness but as the door closed hundreds of buds suddenly opened revealing the glowing blue flowers that Ichiro had held as his torch to guide them here. Miyu hovered before Ranka feeling awkward.
"My flowers," Ranka smiled. "They only bloom in complete darkness. Miyu, approach."
Miyu came closer, her heart beating. She could smell the magic that surrounded this woman and felt unprotected. Ranka reached out and held Miyu's chin between slender fingers.
"At last our little fire demon has come to us," she smiled. Miyu stared at her, confused.
"Lady Ranka, I am no demon."
Ranka laughed and released Miyu's chin. Then she rose from her seat and knelt on the ground before her koto and plucked a melancholy note.
"Many people nowadays believe that demons are purely associated with evil. They instantly imagine scaly creatures with fangs and leathery wings that screech and live to taste human blood on their fangs. They do not realise that many demons are born to protect humankind. Some demons look human; some imitate trees and plants or animals. I myself am a demon." She rose from the koto and leapt backwards into the air. Miyu gasped as the lady floated with ease, reclining upon nothing. "Miyu," Ranka looked forlorn. "You are a demon, just like your mother and brothers and sister. But you are not evil."
"I am no demon," Miyu repeated shakily. She was now frightened. "I cannot... I can't use magic..."
"Can't you?" Ranka snapped. "Have you forgotten all Saiyuna told you? Miyu, you must find your inner flame."
"I don't understand-" Miyu began but suddenly leapt aside as Ranka suddenly lashed out. She darted to the side just as slashed through the air with an invisible force. She heard Larva and Satsu leap to their feet, blades at the ready. Ranka turned to them and laughed. With one casual wave of her hand thin strings of light cut through the air, catching them both and holding above the floor.
"Miyu!" Larva shouted, unable to help.
Miyu was breathing fast, fear writhing inside her. Ranka turned again to face her. Miyu backed away. She could tell Ranka would not hesitate in killing her. But what had brought this murderous rampage on? Miyu slammed her back against the wall and spun aside as Ranka's ability to control an invisible force whipped at her again. She wasn't quite fast enough and the energy grazed her arm. She cursed silently clasping her shoulder but keeping her eyes fixed firmly upon her opponent. She could feel warm moisture under her fingers... blood.
Ranka advanced, smiling victoriously. Miyu sank slowly to her knees and her fingers closed on the hilt of the katana. She couldn't use it properly, but it was her only chance, wasn't it? She waited, steadied herself and then drew the sword and lunged it forward. The blade flashed in the light and Miyu for one moment thought she had struck her target. But Ranka had merely sidestepped the katana and with one motion flicked the sword from Miyu's grasp. Doom pressed in. Miyu shrunk back and could feel a lump in her throat. She looked up to see Satsu thrashing wildly at her bonds and Larva hanging limply, a hopeless look of failure upon his face.
I'm all alone, Miyu thought fearfully. At that lost thought, another was born. She could feel terror mixing with anger in her heart, producing wild fire. Anger. She looked up, eyes blazing. She was Saiyuna, Queen of the Elements' daughter. She was the fire goddess! And she was not going quietly.
As Miyu curled herself up into a small, frightened ball a small spark flickered within her palms. A shadow fell over her defeated from.
"And now, Miyu," Lady Ranka whispered, "It is time to die. Goodbye."
"No," Miyu hissed, raising her head, her liquid gold eyes flashing. "My time is not finished!"
* * *
To Be Continued...
Ahh! The suspense! ... Right? Thank you for all the reviews! You all made my day. ^_^ Keep 'em coming! The third chapter is on its way. Remember: the more reviews, the more inspired I am to write more. Ps. that wasn't meant to sound like a threat. ^_^;;