Shadowed Footprints (part VI)
Sorry this is taking a flipping age to get up. My time seems to be slowly diminishing, and studies increasing. ::sob:: Well, wahey! Let the story roll on! (I'm running out of these intro phrases.)
* * *
"Larva..."
A voice so soft.
"Larva..."
Larva tried to open his eyes, but his lids felt heavy. He felt like his was floating, drifting through a calm atmosphere. He tried to move but his joints felt so tired.
"Larva..."
There it was again. He recognised the voice.
"Miyu!" His voice was quiet but he knew she could hear him. He felt a pair of hands place themselves round his neck and Miyu leaning on his chest. "Miyu, is this place a dream?"
"Yes, and no," she replied. "You are asleep on the beach, and you are here as well. Now, carefully open your eyes." Larva next felt her fingers stroking his eyelids, easing them open. He flinched in the light, even though it wasn't bright.
He was lying in the crown of an old leafless black tree. There were other trees, protruding from a sea of red mist like great black icebergs. The sky, everything in fact apart from the trees was a smudged deep red. Miyu was sitting in his lap, holding his hand and watching him concernedly.
"How do you feel?" She stroked his cheek.
"I ache all over," he murmured.
"Relax," Miyu replied soothingly and pressed her face against his cheek, hugging his neck. He tried to hold her in return but his arms felt like lead. "Larva," Miyu whispered in his ear, "Do you understand what has happened?"
"No." She laughed and moved a strand of hair from his eyes.
"You are now my follower, bound to me for eternity. Some of my power resides within your veins, but I have brought you here, to my domain to let you rest whilst the transaction is complete. So rest, sweet Larva." She laid his head back into the trees and curled up next to him. Her lips brushed his cheek and she smiled.
Larva smiled and closed his eyes as she soothed him, her heart beating next to his. United by fire. The prospect did not worry him for he could feel her flame burning deep within. As his eyes closed the world around him vanished...
* * *
"Well, this is a pretty sight!"
Miyu opened her eyes to see Satsu standing over them, her eyes sparkling deviously. Larva stirred next to her as he awoke from her world. She wondered how he felt, if the swapping of magic had worked. His arm was still draped over her but she didn't mind. Actually, she took comfort in his presence. Her inner feelings were torn, half of her was so elated with joy and pure love she believed she could sore over the clouds, but another thought nagged at her mind. She could hear her Mother's voice warning her and the message wasn't a happy one.
"Are you being wise opening your heart to a mortal? You realise with your duties the ones closest to you will suffer."
But Larva is not going to get hurt, she thought back defiantly. Her grip on Larva's hand tightened.
"Off for a stroll to the docks... Leave Satsu to pay the bill... Missing for ages... And now this!" Satsu was rambling on. She looked down disgustedly at Larva and kicked him hard in the back. Larva rolled over, his face livid and instantly he was on his feet, his fist holding Satsu's jacket at the collar lifting her off the ground.
"Larva!" Miyu scolded, on her feet at once. Larva gave one last murderous look at Satsu before dropping her to the ground. Miyu smiled as he slunk back to her side. "Larva, we do not want to lose allies at the hands of our friends. And Satsu, leave Larva be. You do not want to provoke him again." She laughed as the two glared at each other and looked up at the now darkening sky. "Night, we best get moving."
* * *
Satsu had restocked their supplies whilst Miyu and Larva had had their little 'rendezvous' on the beach. It was now midnight and they rested a little away from town. Miyu sat next to Larva and Satsu curled up the other side of the campfire and drifted to sleep without a word. Miyu knew, no matter how still he was that Larva was not sleeping. He had God energies running through his body and Gods require minimal amounts of sleep. Her hand curled round his.
"How do you feel?" she asked and Larva squeezed her hand in reply.
"Awake. I have felt so alive ever since I woke up; all my senses are on fire. I can spot the smallest details, smell the faintest scents, hear the tiniest whisper. It is as though I've just woken up after all these years."
"That is what I feel like, except I can feel other things too." Miyu smiled as Larva draped a long sleeve of his cloak round her shoulders. "I can sense... beings. Other gods, there are so many. Right now, the God of Storms is flying through the south, disguised as a typhoon. Akaiyu, the forest sprite is dancing through the eastern woods. And yet I can find no trace of my brother, Lethes. Larva, I feel so helpless." Larva turned to face her, one side of his face lit up by the fire's glow. "Quenta, he said one reason Lethes would target me might be because I am the youngest and weakest of the four element gods. The weakest..."
She felt a finger lifting her chin. Her eyes met Larva's, filled with concern.
"To me, you are the strongest person I have met," he replied. "And for that, I care deeply for you." One of his pale hands pressed her closer to him and she drifted soundly into a sleep on his lap.
* * *
The day was hot and sticky so the three sought shade under trees and any other available objects. As they huddled under a birch Satsu plunged her hand into the bag and searched about for a bottle of water. Finally she yanked out the bottle and inspected the contents.
"Bugger."
"What's wrong?" Miyu asked.
"We're out of water. Damn," Satsu cursed and dabbed her damp forehead. "Larva, how are you gonna survive under that black mantle?"
Larva didn't reply. He found it safer just not to say anything to Satsu in case it started up a heated row again. Instead he scanned the area for any dangers. Satsu shrugged stared up the dusty track to the dark outline of the village of Mikaa. It seemed like a long way away in this heat. Miyu was sitting quietly at the trunk of the tree, her eyes closed. Satsu touched her arm.
"You okay?" she asked. Miyu nodded feebly.
"I can feel someone approaching," she whispered. "They are heading straight towards us."
"What?" Satsu snapped and looked about wildly, expecting someone to loom up out of the ground. "Larva, you see anything?"
"Nothing."
Satsu drew her sword and pulled Miyu to her feet. Miyu was now staring directly ahead.
"Here it comes," she announced.
"But I don't see-" Satsu began but then ducked as something blurred though the air. She felt her hair ruffle as the thing missed her by centimetres.
Larva, scythe in hand swung wildly at the fiend but could not quite hit it. He could only tell where the assailant was by the gusts of air as it sailed past. Whatever was attacking them seemed to hesitate, and then in a change of tactics the air shimmered as it charged towards Miyu. The fire goddess didn't move, just watched as the thing flew nearer.
"Miyu!" Larva shouted but she did not listen.
"God of land, air or sea," Miyu murmured. "Show your true form to me." The creature flickered, and its outline became visible for a split second, visible as some sort of distorted ram. "God of land, air or sea. Show your true form to me," Miyu repeated in a louder, more commanding voice.
The creature howled disdainfully as it came more into focus. A huge beast towered over them, a pair of red eyes flaming in its skull and a long tail trashed from behind. Two horns curled round its face and it stamped four clawed feet in fury as it bellowed from a fang-lined maw. It had the vague appearance of a goat, a bull and a tiger all lumped into one horrible monstrosity.
"So," Miyu hissed and she sounded genuinely disgusted. "My brother sends a Mordrock to deal with me." She held out her hands and a flame appeared. The creature snorted and pawed the ground. Miyu gritted her teeth and threw the flame forwards. It collided with the Mordrock's flesh but the beast barely noticed.
"Miyu!" Larva yelled and flew forward and tore at the creature's back leg with the blade of the scythe. This had slightly more effect. Black blood dribbled from the gaping wound and Mordrock turned, snarling.
"Larva," Miyu called. "Don't let the blood touch you. It's poisonous."
Larva leapt back as the inky liquid spattered the ground as the Mordrock turned, spitting. Satsu was the next to join the fray. Dodging claws and droplets of blood she threw herself at the beast and sunk her sword deep into its side. She grinned triumphantly as the Mordrock howled and tried to remove the blade, but it had stuck fast. Finally Satsu wrenched the sword from the creature's side leaving a gaping wound. At this point, Miyu summoned forth a fireball and sent it into the tussle. She had aimed not for the Mordrock's leathery skin but the wound and the demon screeched and contorted as the flames burned relentlessly at his insides. Miyu backed away as the Mordrock gave one last shudder and crashed to the ground, his body heaving as the life left him.
Miyu sighed and looked about at the damage that had been caused. Several trees had been uprooted and the ground was covered with pools of stagnant dark blood. She paused. Larva was walking towards her, avoiding the black pools but where was Satsu?
"Satsu!" Miyu cried, rushing over to the body of the fallen Mordrock. She could see a pale hand protruding from under the one of the beast's left limbs. She hesitated before plunging her hands into the poisonous blood- soaked abyss and knew this was going to sting. She reached forwards.
"No, Miyu," Larva said, now crouching beside her. She was about to complain when Larva pushed her aside and sank his own hands under the creature and pulled. Slowly, a bruised and blood-soaked Satsu emerged from under the corpse and Larva laid her in the grass. The thief didn't move. Miyu flew to her side and pressed an ear to Satsu's mouth.
"She's breathing," she sighed and turned to Larva. His hands were soaked in gore and his eyes flickered. "Can you walk?"
"I'm fine," he muttered getting to his feet. "I'll take Satsu." He picked up the limp girl and stared up the track to Mikaa village. "We can reach Mikaa before dark." He informed the fire goddess.
"Then let us go with haste," Miyu replied and her expression was grave. "Time is something we do not have."
* * *
Mikaa was nicely empty of people compared to Genawa. It was not a farmer's village like Daie but more like a miniature town. It was commonly know as the Village of Rain, for grey clouds obscured the sky and despite the warm temperature, raindrops trickled from the rooftops and pattered the cobbled streets. The houses were built of stones whose tones ranged from pale greys to deep blues. Rivers ran throughout the village so the village was divided up and the only way to access the different the opposite bank was by wooden carved bridges. Despite the dampness, Mikaa had a relaxing and calming atmosphere about it, refreshing after the scorching journey.
Miyu hurried through the streets, the rain trickling down her neck but she didn't noticed. She halted twice to ask directions to the nearest healer and then rushed off followed by larva carrying Satsu. Mikaa was a maze, so many streets, so many routes. Miyu quickened her pace, determined to find the healing hut. Satsu's time was running out and they were attracting a lot of attention.
"Sir?" she asked, grabbing a man's arm. The gentleman shied away, tugging out of her grasp. Miyu wrung her hands in frustration. She could picture Reiha already at the healer's, laughing at her little sister getting lost and worried like a lowly mortal. She gripped her hands. Lowly mortal? She was part mortal and they were not weak. She seized another man's jacket. "Sir, please help me. I'm lost."
This man turned slowly. He had a scarf wrapped round his face and a rain hat on so she could see little of his face. Many people dressed like that in Mikaa so it was unnerving at times.
"Lost?" he repeated. "Where do you wish to go?"
"The nearest healer's hut."
He laughed croakily. "You're in luck, my dear." He turned and waved his hand across the street. "You're nearly there. See the hut with the incense burning in the doorway. It's just inside."
"Thank you," Miyu smiled and signalled to Larva. "Over there," she called pointing at the hut. He nodded and they set off into the hut. The man who had given them instructions lingered a while longer, then slipped away.
* * *
The healer's hut was smoky from many burning candles and different fragrances wafted round Miyu as she entered. Strange mobiles twinkled and rotated over their heads and the walls were lined with shelves containing a vast array of liquids and herbs. An old woman wearing a shawl stood behind a counter watching them expectantly. As soon as she saw Satsu in Larva's arms she tutted.
"Ah, another case." She shook her head. "I have no idea where all these casualties come from but luckily ever poison has its cure. And I have that cure. Follow me."
She walked into a side room through a curtain and Miyu and larva followed. The next room was darker, lit by a single oil lamp and a number of futons were rolled out across the floor. Two contained sleeping figures.
"Lay her down on a bed," the woman instructed. Larva obediently placed Satsu on the nearest futon and drew back quickly. The woman marched over to a shelf full of bottles and ran her finger along each label. She paused before a dark ivory canteen and brought it down along with a cup. She knelt beside Satsu and lifted her up slightly, tilting her head back and opening her mouth. She poured a small amount of the antidote into the cup and waited for the contents to settle.
"Young girl," she gestured to Miyu. "Bring that candle over here." Miyu rose and brought the oil lamp over. The woman lifted the cup to the flame. The liquid crackled and turned a violent shade of red. She blew on it and then poured it gently down Satsu's throat. The thief moaned and choked but then settled down to sleep.
"She will sleep," the woman smiled. "Hopefully she'll recover. I mixed that antidote up right after the first case. It seems to react to fire. Strange poison. The first patient I couldn't cure went deathly pale. He looked like the living dead with blood red lips and nails. Quite terrifying. He vanished a while back. Anyway, do you wish to purchase anything?"
"No," Miyu shook her head. "May we stay here with Satsu?"
"Of course," the woman replied and exited through the curtain.
Miyu knelt beside Satsu and held her deathly pale hands. She could see her nails were already becoming a deep shade of crimson. Fire, fire was the antidote. A flame cast light, and light banished all things dark. All the black hearted would flee from the light of the fire.
"Miyu," Larva was standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "What was that beast?"
"A Mordrock," she replied bitterly. "Hounds of the darkness underground. Summoned forth by gods alone. Their hearts are crafted from darkness and they live to kill, to satisfy their thirst for human and often god flesh. But why would Lethes summon a dark hearted demon?" She held Larva's hand and wondered for a moment. Something caught her attention. She looked down and nearly cried out when she saw Larva's hands. They were white with blood red nails now more like claws and the tendons had risen like black streaks across his skin. "Larva! Why did you not say?"
"Satsu was in a more critical state than I."
"But-" she shook her head. "Larva, you don't understand. That woman spoke of her first patient that had touched Mordrock blood. That man became a demon. Larva, you have the hands of a demon now and demons know nothing but evil."
"Yet these hands shall protect you." He held her close. Her fingers stroked his hands and she could feel the darkness recoiling from her, recoiling from her flame. How strange this was, she thought. Demons flee from the fire yet one remains to preserve the light. She was broken from her thoughts by a faint moan from Satsu.
"Miyu? Is that Miyu?" Satsu's eyes opened a crack and she glanced about the darkened room.
"Satsu, how do you feel?"
Satsu smiled as she tried to sum it all up in one word that was not vulgar.
"Awful," she sighed. "My entire body is burning." She sounded so cheerful about it Miyu raised an eyebrow.
"Satsu? You could have died," she stated slowly.
"That's a good thing to say to someone in a critical condition," she muttered. She's still sarcastic as ever, Miyu thought. "I could have died but I didn't, so why are we worrying? I nearly thought it had come too soon..." she trailed off.
"What had come?"
"It's nothing to be fretting over," Satsu replied quickly. She halted. "I said 'fretting'? I'm sounding like my mother!" She glanced at Larva. "Hey, Larva."
Larva nodded silently.
"You still annoyed that that blood didn't finish me off," she grinned evilly.
"Big disappointment," he replied in a deadpan tone.
"Ha!" Satsu smiled weakly. "I think I'm beginning to like you."
Miyu laughed and pushed Satsu back down into the futon.
"Satsu, get your rest," she smiled.
"Which city are we in?" Satsu asked, yawning.
"Mikaa. We came to the right place to refill on water. Our next stop is Iktyo."
"Nearly there," Satsu sighed curling up under her sheets. "No more journeying."
Miyu watched the thief fall into slumber and smiled sadly. "No, Satsu. The journey won't be over. Not yet."
* * *
Miyu was awoken in the night by a loud thump. She turned over in her futon and glanced at the curtain doorway. She and Larva had been given rooms for the night in the healing hut but in a separate room from the infirmary where Satsu slept. Larva was already awake, standing at the window peering out of it. She stood beside him and they watched silently. It was too dark to see anything but Miyu's senses were alive. Larva's keen eyes scanned the street.
"Do you see them?" she asked.
"No, but they are there," he replied in a whisper.
"I know. It isn't a god, I would know. And it can't be a Mordrock because even the most foolish of immortals wouldn't send such an obvious demon into the midst of humans. I believe they are followers."
"Are they Lethes'?"
"Likely to be his." She paused to listen. "They have surrounded us. Lets fetch Satsu." They turned from the window and hurried into the infirmary.
Satsu was awake, staring at the ceiling. Miyu rushed to her side and helped her sit up.
"Can you walk?" she asked.
"Yes," Satsu replied. "Miyu, I can sense something. It's all around the hut. I have never felt this before."
"You are correct. We are surrounded," Miyu stated gravely. "Satsu, you are a thief. You need to help us out the building."
"Very well," Satsu got to her feet and looked about, thinking. She walked to a wall and tapped it. "The walls are hollow. They will be easy to break through. But not here. We need to get to the top floor."
She turned and ran out the room, searching for some stairs. They eventually found a trapdoor in the ceiling with a ladder that folded out of it. It led to the storage room. The storage was dusty and filled with old apparatus. Miyu could hear the door being forced open on the floor below. There was a scraping noise and Larva dragged the ladder up and closed the trapdoor.
"Hurry, Satsu," she whispered. "They will sense us if we do not move quickly."
Satsu knocked on the wall and beckoned to them. This is a stud wall. It is not strong." Lifted her heavy sword she had not failed to retrieve and was about to hurl the blade into the wall when Larva caught her hand.
"They'll hear that," he hissed and faced the wall himself. Pressing both palms against the wall he braced himself and pushed. The wall creaked in protest and then gave way. A long crack ran down its length. Larva smiled triumphantly and kicked. The rubble crashed to the floor and dust flew up in a great sheet. Satsu coughed and scowled.
"Oh, and your way was so much more discreet."
"Hush!" Miyu snapped and pushed them both through the hole. She could already hear the followers hurrying about downstairs searching for a way up. She hurried after Satsu and Larva into the next house. The next room was obviously a spare bedroom for the residents next door. Satsu glanced at the roof and smiled.
"Excellent," she gestured up to a skylight in the ceiling. "We're going on the rooftops."
Larva, seeing as he was the only one who could reach the ceiling, hooked his fingers over the latch and tugged the skylight open. He stood back to let Satsu climb through first. Even though Satsu was short she was an accomplished thief and with an agile leap she climbed through the window and waited, crouched on the roof for the others. Larva offered his hand to Miyu but she shook her head.
"Larva," she smiled. "I can help myself thank you." She took one step up in the air and floated easily to the window were she perched on the edge. Satsu's face was a picture, pure unbelieving horror.
"I'm never going to get used to you doing that," she muttered as Larva hauled himself up.
"What's our next phase of action?" Larva asked as he too crouched.
"Every roof is linked," Satsu whispered. "And every house had drainpipes. And every drainpipe is climbable in my experience." She crept along the tiles discreetly until they came to the end of the line of houses. Sure enough, a drainpipe slid down the side of the house. Satsu looked about the street below checking to see if it was clear, then swung her legs over the edge of the roof and began to shinny down the pipe. Larva went next and landed neatly next to Satsu on the pavement below. Miyu swung her legs over the edge of the tiled roof but paused as she heard a shout.
"They're on the roof! After them!" She saw a hand reaching out of the skylight and threw herself onto the pipe. Just as her head disappeared from view the followers spewed onto the rooftop and looked about. "Where have they gone?"
Miyu, Larva and Satsu tore down the street, keeping to the shadows. They turned into an alleyway and crept down it, searching for an exit. Suddenly a hand flew out and grabbed Miyu by the throat. She choked but spun away to face the attacker and gasped. It was the man who had given them directions to the healing hut. He took his hat off in one sweep and bowed low. He straightened quickly and a pale-eyed man with dark hair stared back at them.
"Miyu," he hissed. "What an honour to finally meet you. After all these years of waiting for you to finally do something foolish, such as stray from your father's protective grasp."
"Who are you?" she snapped, trying to keep her voice cool.
"My name is Getoi and I have been sent to dispose of you. I must say, you FLED from followers. Why didn't you just burn them? To show fear to mortals you must be weak."
"Are you not a follower yourself?" she retorted.
"Why," Getoi drew his cloak back to reveal a long sword, which he drew in one movement. "I am insulted. I am what you would call an assassin of Gods."
"You cannot kill a god with a mortal blade," Miyu snarled, surprised at her own anger.
"But this is no mortal blade," he laughed twirling it in his hands. It gave small sparks as it flicked through the air. "This sword has killed many a demon and sub-god. But I must say I shall enjoy making a disposal of a full god."
"You speak with great confidence. Do you expect to win?"
"But of course," Getoi cried. "Now, enough idle chatter. I am well paid so I wish to make quick work of you."
He held the sword straight ahead of him and charged. Miyu watched him with a withering look and summoned a flame throwing it into his path. He slowed to strike the fire aside. The flames leapt away from his sword and shattered against the alley wall, extinguishing themselves. Miyu leapt back to avoid the blade and in midair threw more fire at the assassin, which he discarded with great ease with flicks from his sword.
Larva now loomed behind him and hacked with his scythe. Getoi turned just in time to deflect the blow and they grappled, blade on blade, cloaks swishing as each spun round trying to make an accurate hit. Miyu intercepted again with more fire but Getoi cast the fire away. Then he leapt into the air and brought the sword slashing down. It missed Miyu by centimetres but pinned her to the wall. He was about to jab when Satsu had her sword to his throat.
"You can't claim your pay if you are without a head," she growled threateningly. Getoi was momentarily unmoving, then with a well-aimed kick Satsu was sprawled against the opposite wall, gasping. He turned back to Miyu to deliver the death strike and froze.
It was while Larva and Getoi had fought that Miyu had considered something. In the depths of her acquired god memory she knew about assassins. They were hired by senior gods to dispose of the smaller immortals that were irritating to gods but not worth going after personally. It was very rare for an assassin to be brave or confident enough to go after a full god. Something had to be driving him and she knew her brother was not capable of possession. And where had he got that sword? Mortal blades could kill sub gods and demons so most assassins used those. But god blades were extremely hard to come by. Then Miyu had considered one possibility. Lethes had sent a Mordrock after her. He had used a demon of the dark so that meant he had come into contact with darkness. Had Getoi been taken over by darkness? If so, there was one thing that he feared. Deep within Miyu that light stirred.
She held up her hand by instead of a red flame, pure white fire erupted from her palm. Getoi screamed as the flames penetrated his skin and tore the darkness within limb from limb. As he body dropped black blood leaked from his wounds.
"So," Miyu murmured. "He was possessed by darkness." The sword Getoi had held now shattered into a black dust. Larva took Miyu's hand and pulled her away.
"Miyu," he said. "We must make haste. The followers will be coming."
"Yes," Miyu replied and she let herself be pulled away from the scene and out of the village of Mikaa. Inside a part of her wept. That was the second time she had been called weak. The darkness was breaking free of its bonds and Lethes was using it for his own good.
As they exited the village through its towering gates and down the road away from the constant rain Miyu stopped and leant against Larva, holding his hand.
"Larva?" she looked up to see him watching her with concern.
"Miyu?" His hand squeezed hers.
"Larva, our land is changing."
* * *
To Be Continued...
Phew! Another chapter is up! Sorry again this had taken such a long time. Each review makes me feel like I'm actually writing for a purpose. Thanks to you all! You make ma day! ^_^
Sorry this is taking a flipping age to get up. My time seems to be slowly diminishing, and studies increasing. ::sob:: Well, wahey! Let the story roll on! (I'm running out of these intro phrases.)
* * *
"Larva..."
A voice so soft.
"Larva..."
Larva tried to open his eyes, but his lids felt heavy. He felt like his was floating, drifting through a calm atmosphere. He tried to move but his joints felt so tired.
"Larva..."
There it was again. He recognised the voice.
"Miyu!" His voice was quiet but he knew she could hear him. He felt a pair of hands place themselves round his neck and Miyu leaning on his chest. "Miyu, is this place a dream?"
"Yes, and no," she replied. "You are asleep on the beach, and you are here as well. Now, carefully open your eyes." Larva next felt her fingers stroking his eyelids, easing them open. He flinched in the light, even though it wasn't bright.
He was lying in the crown of an old leafless black tree. There were other trees, protruding from a sea of red mist like great black icebergs. The sky, everything in fact apart from the trees was a smudged deep red. Miyu was sitting in his lap, holding his hand and watching him concernedly.
"How do you feel?" She stroked his cheek.
"I ache all over," he murmured.
"Relax," Miyu replied soothingly and pressed her face against his cheek, hugging his neck. He tried to hold her in return but his arms felt like lead. "Larva," Miyu whispered in his ear, "Do you understand what has happened?"
"No." She laughed and moved a strand of hair from his eyes.
"You are now my follower, bound to me for eternity. Some of my power resides within your veins, but I have brought you here, to my domain to let you rest whilst the transaction is complete. So rest, sweet Larva." She laid his head back into the trees and curled up next to him. Her lips brushed his cheek and she smiled.
Larva smiled and closed his eyes as she soothed him, her heart beating next to his. United by fire. The prospect did not worry him for he could feel her flame burning deep within. As his eyes closed the world around him vanished...
* * *
"Well, this is a pretty sight!"
Miyu opened her eyes to see Satsu standing over them, her eyes sparkling deviously. Larva stirred next to her as he awoke from her world. She wondered how he felt, if the swapping of magic had worked. His arm was still draped over her but she didn't mind. Actually, she took comfort in his presence. Her inner feelings were torn, half of her was so elated with joy and pure love she believed she could sore over the clouds, but another thought nagged at her mind. She could hear her Mother's voice warning her and the message wasn't a happy one.
"Are you being wise opening your heart to a mortal? You realise with your duties the ones closest to you will suffer."
But Larva is not going to get hurt, she thought back defiantly. Her grip on Larva's hand tightened.
"Off for a stroll to the docks... Leave Satsu to pay the bill... Missing for ages... And now this!" Satsu was rambling on. She looked down disgustedly at Larva and kicked him hard in the back. Larva rolled over, his face livid and instantly he was on his feet, his fist holding Satsu's jacket at the collar lifting her off the ground.
"Larva!" Miyu scolded, on her feet at once. Larva gave one last murderous look at Satsu before dropping her to the ground. Miyu smiled as he slunk back to her side. "Larva, we do not want to lose allies at the hands of our friends. And Satsu, leave Larva be. You do not want to provoke him again." She laughed as the two glared at each other and looked up at the now darkening sky. "Night, we best get moving."
* * *
Satsu had restocked their supplies whilst Miyu and Larva had had their little 'rendezvous' on the beach. It was now midnight and they rested a little away from town. Miyu sat next to Larva and Satsu curled up the other side of the campfire and drifted to sleep without a word. Miyu knew, no matter how still he was that Larva was not sleeping. He had God energies running through his body and Gods require minimal amounts of sleep. Her hand curled round his.
"How do you feel?" she asked and Larva squeezed her hand in reply.
"Awake. I have felt so alive ever since I woke up; all my senses are on fire. I can spot the smallest details, smell the faintest scents, hear the tiniest whisper. It is as though I've just woken up after all these years."
"That is what I feel like, except I can feel other things too." Miyu smiled as Larva draped a long sleeve of his cloak round her shoulders. "I can sense... beings. Other gods, there are so many. Right now, the God of Storms is flying through the south, disguised as a typhoon. Akaiyu, the forest sprite is dancing through the eastern woods. And yet I can find no trace of my brother, Lethes. Larva, I feel so helpless." Larva turned to face her, one side of his face lit up by the fire's glow. "Quenta, he said one reason Lethes would target me might be because I am the youngest and weakest of the four element gods. The weakest..."
She felt a finger lifting her chin. Her eyes met Larva's, filled with concern.
"To me, you are the strongest person I have met," he replied. "And for that, I care deeply for you." One of his pale hands pressed her closer to him and she drifted soundly into a sleep on his lap.
* * *
The day was hot and sticky so the three sought shade under trees and any other available objects. As they huddled under a birch Satsu plunged her hand into the bag and searched about for a bottle of water. Finally she yanked out the bottle and inspected the contents.
"Bugger."
"What's wrong?" Miyu asked.
"We're out of water. Damn," Satsu cursed and dabbed her damp forehead. "Larva, how are you gonna survive under that black mantle?"
Larva didn't reply. He found it safer just not to say anything to Satsu in case it started up a heated row again. Instead he scanned the area for any dangers. Satsu shrugged stared up the dusty track to the dark outline of the village of Mikaa. It seemed like a long way away in this heat. Miyu was sitting quietly at the trunk of the tree, her eyes closed. Satsu touched her arm.
"You okay?" she asked. Miyu nodded feebly.
"I can feel someone approaching," she whispered. "They are heading straight towards us."
"What?" Satsu snapped and looked about wildly, expecting someone to loom up out of the ground. "Larva, you see anything?"
"Nothing."
Satsu drew her sword and pulled Miyu to her feet. Miyu was now staring directly ahead.
"Here it comes," she announced.
"But I don't see-" Satsu began but then ducked as something blurred though the air. She felt her hair ruffle as the thing missed her by centimetres.
Larva, scythe in hand swung wildly at the fiend but could not quite hit it. He could only tell where the assailant was by the gusts of air as it sailed past. Whatever was attacking them seemed to hesitate, and then in a change of tactics the air shimmered as it charged towards Miyu. The fire goddess didn't move, just watched as the thing flew nearer.
"Miyu!" Larva shouted but she did not listen.
"God of land, air or sea," Miyu murmured. "Show your true form to me." The creature flickered, and its outline became visible for a split second, visible as some sort of distorted ram. "God of land, air or sea. Show your true form to me," Miyu repeated in a louder, more commanding voice.
The creature howled disdainfully as it came more into focus. A huge beast towered over them, a pair of red eyes flaming in its skull and a long tail trashed from behind. Two horns curled round its face and it stamped four clawed feet in fury as it bellowed from a fang-lined maw. It had the vague appearance of a goat, a bull and a tiger all lumped into one horrible monstrosity.
"So," Miyu hissed and she sounded genuinely disgusted. "My brother sends a Mordrock to deal with me." She held out her hands and a flame appeared. The creature snorted and pawed the ground. Miyu gritted her teeth and threw the flame forwards. It collided with the Mordrock's flesh but the beast barely noticed.
"Miyu!" Larva yelled and flew forward and tore at the creature's back leg with the blade of the scythe. This had slightly more effect. Black blood dribbled from the gaping wound and Mordrock turned, snarling.
"Larva," Miyu called. "Don't let the blood touch you. It's poisonous."
Larva leapt back as the inky liquid spattered the ground as the Mordrock turned, spitting. Satsu was the next to join the fray. Dodging claws and droplets of blood she threw herself at the beast and sunk her sword deep into its side. She grinned triumphantly as the Mordrock howled and tried to remove the blade, but it had stuck fast. Finally Satsu wrenched the sword from the creature's side leaving a gaping wound. At this point, Miyu summoned forth a fireball and sent it into the tussle. She had aimed not for the Mordrock's leathery skin but the wound and the demon screeched and contorted as the flames burned relentlessly at his insides. Miyu backed away as the Mordrock gave one last shudder and crashed to the ground, his body heaving as the life left him.
Miyu sighed and looked about at the damage that had been caused. Several trees had been uprooted and the ground was covered with pools of stagnant dark blood. She paused. Larva was walking towards her, avoiding the black pools but where was Satsu?
"Satsu!" Miyu cried, rushing over to the body of the fallen Mordrock. She could see a pale hand protruding from under the one of the beast's left limbs. She hesitated before plunging her hands into the poisonous blood- soaked abyss and knew this was going to sting. She reached forwards.
"No, Miyu," Larva said, now crouching beside her. She was about to complain when Larva pushed her aside and sank his own hands under the creature and pulled. Slowly, a bruised and blood-soaked Satsu emerged from under the corpse and Larva laid her in the grass. The thief didn't move. Miyu flew to her side and pressed an ear to Satsu's mouth.
"She's breathing," she sighed and turned to Larva. His hands were soaked in gore and his eyes flickered. "Can you walk?"
"I'm fine," he muttered getting to his feet. "I'll take Satsu." He picked up the limp girl and stared up the track to Mikaa village. "We can reach Mikaa before dark." He informed the fire goddess.
"Then let us go with haste," Miyu replied and her expression was grave. "Time is something we do not have."
* * *
Mikaa was nicely empty of people compared to Genawa. It was not a farmer's village like Daie but more like a miniature town. It was commonly know as the Village of Rain, for grey clouds obscured the sky and despite the warm temperature, raindrops trickled from the rooftops and pattered the cobbled streets. The houses were built of stones whose tones ranged from pale greys to deep blues. Rivers ran throughout the village so the village was divided up and the only way to access the different the opposite bank was by wooden carved bridges. Despite the dampness, Mikaa had a relaxing and calming atmosphere about it, refreshing after the scorching journey.
Miyu hurried through the streets, the rain trickling down her neck but she didn't noticed. She halted twice to ask directions to the nearest healer and then rushed off followed by larva carrying Satsu. Mikaa was a maze, so many streets, so many routes. Miyu quickened her pace, determined to find the healing hut. Satsu's time was running out and they were attracting a lot of attention.
"Sir?" she asked, grabbing a man's arm. The gentleman shied away, tugging out of her grasp. Miyu wrung her hands in frustration. She could picture Reiha already at the healer's, laughing at her little sister getting lost and worried like a lowly mortal. She gripped her hands. Lowly mortal? She was part mortal and they were not weak. She seized another man's jacket. "Sir, please help me. I'm lost."
This man turned slowly. He had a scarf wrapped round his face and a rain hat on so she could see little of his face. Many people dressed like that in Mikaa so it was unnerving at times.
"Lost?" he repeated. "Where do you wish to go?"
"The nearest healer's hut."
He laughed croakily. "You're in luck, my dear." He turned and waved his hand across the street. "You're nearly there. See the hut with the incense burning in the doorway. It's just inside."
"Thank you," Miyu smiled and signalled to Larva. "Over there," she called pointing at the hut. He nodded and they set off into the hut. The man who had given them instructions lingered a while longer, then slipped away.
* * *
The healer's hut was smoky from many burning candles and different fragrances wafted round Miyu as she entered. Strange mobiles twinkled and rotated over their heads and the walls were lined with shelves containing a vast array of liquids and herbs. An old woman wearing a shawl stood behind a counter watching them expectantly. As soon as she saw Satsu in Larva's arms she tutted.
"Ah, another case." She shook her head. "I have no idea where all these casualties come from but luckily ever poison has its cure. And I have that cure. Follow me."
She walked into a side room through a curtain and Miyu and larva followed. The next room was darker, lit by a single oil lamp and a number of futons were rolled out across the floor. Two contained sleeping figures.
"Lay her down on a bed," the woman instructed. Larva obediently placed Satsu on the nearest futon and drew back quickly. The woman marched over to a shelf full of bottles and ran her finger along each label. She paused before a dark ivory canteen and brought it down along with a cup. She knelt beside Satsu and lifted her up slightly, tilting her head back and opening her mouth. She poured a small amount of the antidote into the cup and waited for the contents to settle.
"Young girl," she gestured to Miyu. "Bring that candle over here." Miyu rose and brought the oil lamp over. The woman lifted the cup to the flame. The liquid crackled and turned a violent shade of red. She blew on it and then poured it gently down Satsu's throat. The thief moaned and choked but then settled down to sleep.
"She will sleep," the woman smiled. "Hopefully she'll recover. I mixed that antidote up right after the first case. It seems to react to fire. Strange poison. The first patient I couldn't cure went deathly pale. He looked like the living dead with blood red lips and nails. Quite terrifying. He vanished a while back. Anyway, do you wish to purchase anything?"
"No," Miyu shook her head. "May we stay here with Satsu?"
"Of course," the woman replied and exited through the curtain.
Miyu knelt beside Satsu and held her deathly pale hands. She could see her nails were already becoming a deep shade of crimson. Fire, fire was the antidote. A flame cast light, and light banished all things dark. All the black hearted would flee from the light of the fire.
"Miyu," Larva was standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "What was that beast?"
"A Mordrock," she replied bitterly. "Hounds of the darkness underground. Summoned forth by gods alone. Their hearts are crafted from darkness and they live to kill, to satisfy their thirst for human and often god flesh. But why would Lethes summon a dark hearted demon?" She held Larva's hand and wondered for a moment. Something caught her attention. She looked down and nearly cried out when she saw Larva's hands. They were white with blood red nails now more like claws and the tendons had risen like black streaks across his skin. "Larva! Why did you not say?"
"Satsu was in a more critical state than I."
"But-" she shook her head. "Larva, you don't understand. That woman spoke of her first patient that had touched Mordrock blood. That man became a demon. Larva, you have the hands of a demon now and demons know nothing but evil."
"Yet these hands shall protect you." He held her close. Her fingers stroked his hands and she could feel the darkness recoiling from her, recoiling from her flame. How strange this was, she thought. Demons flee from the fire yet one remains to preserve the light. She was broken from her thoughts by a faint moan from Satsu.
"Miyu? Is that Miyu?" Satsu's eyes opened a crack and she glanced about the darkened room.
"Satsu, how do you feel?"
Satsu smiled as she tried to sum it all up in one word that was not vulgar.
"Awful," she sighed. "My entire body is burning." She sounded so cheerful about it Miyu raised an eyebrow.
"Satsu? You could have died," she stated slowly.
"That's a good thing to say to someone in a critical condition," she muttered. She's still sarcastic as ever, Miyu thought. "I could have died but I didn't, so why are we worrying? I nearly thought it had come too soon..." she trailed off.
"What had come?"
"It's nothing to be fretting over," Satsu replied quickly. She halted. "I said 'fretting'? I'm sounding like my mother!" She glanced at Larva. "Hey, Larva."
Larva nodded silently.
"You still annoyed that that blood didn't finish me off," she grinned evilly.
"Big disappointment," he replied in a deadpan tone.
"Ha!" Satsu smiled weakly. "I think I'm beginning to like you."
Miyu laughed and pushed Satsu back down into the futon.
"Satsu, get your rest," she smiled.
"Which city are we in?" Satsu asked, yawning.
"Mikaa. We came to the right place to refill on water. Our next stop is Iktyo."
"Nearly there," Satsu sighed curling up under her sheets. "No more journeying."
Miyu watched the thief fall into slumber and smiled sadly. "No, Satsu. The journey won't be over. Not yet."
* * *
Miyu was awoken in the night by a loud thump. She turned over in her futon and glanced at the curtain doorway. She and Larva had been given rooms for the night in the healing hut but in a separate room from the infirmary where Satsu slept. Larva was already awake, standing at the window peering out of it. She stood beside him and they watched silently. It was too dark to see anything but Miyu's senses were alive. Larva's keen eyes scanned the street.
"Do you see them?" she asked.
"No, but they are there," he replied in a whisper.
"I know. It isn't a god, I would know. And it can't be a Mordrock because even the most foolish of immortals wouldn't send such an obvious demon into the midst of humans. I believe they are followers."
"Are they Lethes'?"
"Likely to be his." She paused to listen. "They have surrounded us. Lets fetch Satsu." They turned from the window and hurried into the infirmary.
Satsu was awake, staring at the ceiling. Miyu rushed to her side and helped her sit up.
"Can you walk?" she asked.
"Yes," Satsu replied. "Miyu, I can sense something. It's all around the hut. I have never felt this before."
"You are correct. We are surrounded," Miyu stated gravely. "Satsu, you are a thief. You need to help us out the building."
"Very well," Satsu got to her feet and looked about, thinking. She walked to a wall and tapped it. "The walls are hollow. They will be easy to break through. But not here. We need to get to the top floor."
She turned and ran out the room, searching for some stairs. They eventually found a trapdoor in the ceiling with a ladder that folded out of it. It led to the storage room. The storage was dusty and filled with old apparatus. Miyu could hear the door being forced open on the floor below. There was a scraping noise and Larva dragged the ladder up and closed the trapdoor.
"Hurry, Satsu," she whispered. "They will sense us if we do not move quickly."
Satsu knocked on the wall and beckoned to them. This is a stud wall. It is not strong." Lifted her heavy sword she had not failed to retrieve and was about to hurl the blade into the wall when Larva caught her hand.
"They'll hear that," he hissed and faced the wall himself. Pressing both palms against the wall he braced himself and pushed. The wall creaked in protest and then gave way. A long crack ran down its length. Larva smiled triumphantly and kicked. The rubble crashed to the floor and dust flew up in a great sheet. Satsu coughed and scowled.
"Oh, and your way was so much more discreet."
"Hush!" Miyu snapped and pushed them both through the hole. She could already hear the followers hurrying about downstairs searching for a way up. She hurried after Satsu and Larva into the next house. The next room was obviously a spare bedroom for the residents next door. Satsu glanced at the roof and smiled.
"Excellent," she gestured up to a skylight in the ceiling. "We're going on the rooftops."
Larva, seeing as he was the only one who could reach the ceiling, hooked his fingers over the latch and tugged the skylight open. He stood back to let Satsu climb through first. Even though Satsu was short she was an accomplished thief and with an agile leap she climbed through the window and waited, crouched on the roof for the others. Larva offered his hand to Miyu but she shook her head.
"Larva," she smiled. "I can help myself thank you." She took one step up in the air and floated easily to the window were she perched on the edge. Satsu's face was a picture, pure unbelieving horror.
"I'm never going to get used to you doing that," she muttered as Larva hauled himself up.
"What's our next phase of action?" Larva asked as he too crouched.
"Every roof is linked," Satsu whispered. "And every house had drainpipes. And every drainpipe is climbable in my experience." She crept along the tiles discreetly until they came to the end of the line of houses. Sure enough, a drainpipe slid down the side of the house. Satsu looked about the street below checking to see if it was clear, then swung her legs over the edge of the roof and began to shinny down the pipe. Larva went next and landed neatly next to Satsu on the pavement below. Miyu swung her legs over the edge of the tiled roof but paused as she heard a shout.
"They're on the roof! After them!" She saw a hand reaching out of the skylight and threw herself onto the pipe. Just as her head disappeared from view the followers spewed onto the rooftop and looked about. "Where have they gone?"
Miyu, Larva and Satsu tore down the street, keeping to the shadows. They turned into an alleyway and crept down it, searching for an exit. Suddenly a hand flew out and grabbed Miyu by the throat. She choked but spun away to face the attacker and gasped. It was the man who had given them directions to the healing hut. He took his hat off in one sweep and bowed low. He straightened quickly and a pale-eyed man with dark hair stared back at them.
"Miyu," he hissed. "What an honour to finally meet you. After all these years of waiting for you to finally do something foolish, such as stray from your father's protective grasp."
"Who are you?" she snapped, trying to keep her voice cool.
"My name is Getoi and I have been sent to dispose of you. I must say, you FLED from followers. Why didn't you just burn them? To show fear to mortals you must be weak."
"Are you not a follower yourself?" she retorted.
"Why," Getoi drew his cloak back to reveal a long sword, which he drew in one movement. "I am insulted. I am what you would call an assassin of Gods."
"You cannot kill a god with a mortal blade," Miyu snarled, surprised at her own anger.
"But this is no mortal blade," he laughed twirling it in his hands. It gave small sparks as it flicked through the air. "This sword has killed many a demon and sub-god. But I must say I shall enjoy making a disposal of a full god."
"You speak with great confidence. Do you expect to win?"
"But of course," Getoi cried. "Now, enough idle chatter. I am well paid so I wish to make quick work of you."
He held the sword straight ahead of him and charged. Miyu watched him with a withering look and summoned a flame throwing it into his path. He slowed to strike the fire aside. The flames leapt away from his sword and shattered against the alley wall, extinguishing themselves. Miyu leapt back to avoid the blade and in midair threw more fire at the assassin, which he discarded with great ease with flicks from his sword.
Larva now loomed behind him and hacked with his scythe. Getoi turned just in time to deflect the blow and they grappled, blade on blade, cloaks swishing as each spun round trying to make an accurate hit. Miyu intercepted again with more fire but Getoi cast the fire away. Then he leapt into the air and brought the sword slashing down. It missed Miyu by centimetres but pinned her to the wall. He was about to jab when Satsu had her sword to his throat.
"You can't claim your pay if you are without a head," she growled threateningly. Getoi was momentarily unmoving, then with a well-aimed kick Satsu was sprawled against the opposite wall, gasping. He turned back to Miyu to deliver the death strike and froze.
It was while Larva and Getoi had fought that Miyu had considered something. In the depths of her acquired god memory she knew about assassins. They were hired by senior gods to dispose of the smaller immortals that were irritating to gods but not worth going after personally. It was very rare for an assassin to be brave or confident enough to go after a full god. Something had to be driving him and she knew her brother was not capable of possession. And where had he got that sword? Mortal blades could kill sub gods and demons so most assassins used those. But god blades were extremely hard to come by. Then Miyu had considered one possibility. Lethes had sent a Mordrock after her. He had used a demon of the dark so that meant he had come into contact with darkness. Had Getoi been taken over by darkness? If so, there was one thing that he feared. Deep within Miyu that light stirred.
She held up her hand by instead of a red flame, pure white fire erupted from her palm. Getoi screamed as the flames penetrated his skin and tore the darkness within limb from limb. As he body dropped black blood leaked from his wounds.
"So," Miyu murmured. "He was possessed by darkness." The sword Getoi had held now shattered into a black dust. Larva took Miyu's hand and pulled her away.
"Miyu," he said. "We must make haste. The followers will be coming."
"Yes," Miyu replied and she let herself be pulled away from the scene and out of the village of Mikaa. Inside a part of her wept. That was the second time she had been called weak. The darkness was breaking free of its bonds and Lethes was using it for his own good.
As they exited the village through its towering gates and down the road away from the constant rain Miyu stopped and leant against Larva, holding his hand.
"Larva?" she looked up to see him watching her with concern.
"Miyu?" His hand squeezed hers.
"Larva, our land is changing."
* * *
To Be Continued...
Phew! Another chapter is up! Sorry again this had taken such a long time. Each review makes me feel like I'm actually writing for a purpose. Thanks to you all! You make ma day! ^_^