Chapter 2
The Tests
Two days later, Kioku is wandering the streets looking for anything that he can find that he could sell to get some money in which he would be able to get something to eat for that day. Kero was at the abandoned building in which Kioku slept. As Kioku was getting irritated at Kero for constantly ignoring the fact that he needed to not move around as he seemed prone to do, when Kioku held him firmly in his hand, which Kero seemed to becoming adept at dodging when Kioku tried to grab him. Kioku noticed a sparkle in the half-light in the shade of a building. Kioku looked closer and noticed that there were quite a few small treasures in the pile. Kioku knew that this was someone else's cache and he would need to leave it be, as it was necessary to do that so others wouldn't steal from him. Which used to happen until everyone agreed that to survive, everyone would need to not rely on others to get what they needed. Kioku then decided that he would then need to steal something that would be of low enough value that it wouldn't be noticed very much, but high enough that others would want it and would give him a fair price for it.
Kioku then headed for the market and noticed guards strewn all over, which would make it much more difficult. Kioku never knew when the guards would do this, and was the main reason why he hated doing this. Kioku then looked around and found a merchant selling jewelry away from the guards. He wandered over, acting like he was looking for a place to lean against. Kioku leans up against the stall in which the merchant has his shop and has his back to the merchant. Kioku waits until someone begins talking to the merchant to make a sale and then he expertly felt around the rings and pendants that were there and felt for the ones that would get him the most money which would also get him the most food. Kioku takes a handful of rings and slides them on his fingers and pulls his hands back into his cloak before the merchant closes the deal with the customer. Kioku waits until another customer comes up and then slips away. Kioku then is looking for another merchant that he could sell the rings to when a voice cries out, "Thief! Thief!"
Kioku looks towards where he hears the voice coming from and sees another merchant, where he hadn't even gone close to pointing directly at him. Kioku can see guards coming straight for him. Kioku backs up to an alleyway and pulls his dagger from his boot and uses it to try and keep the guards at bay, failing miserably, while saying, "I did not steal these rings."
"If you didn't steal those rings, boy, why is that merchant saying you did?" one of the guards asks.
"I didn't even go near him. I don't know why he said I stole these rings from him," Kioku replies.
"He's right," a voice booms from behind the soldiers, who finally wrests the dagger from Kioku's hand. "I gave him those rings and that merchant has no right to claim that this boy stole them. Now, release him!"
The soldier in command walks to the one who spoke, who is still out of Kioku's sight and replies, "Unless you want trouble stay out of this. If someone claims he stole something, then he did steal something from whoever claims he stole something."
"Then I could say that he was given those rings and the merchant who claims that the rings were stolen could make a profit off of a boy who has not yet earned the respect of even a farmer. If you are certain that this boy did steal these rings, then I will see to it that this is bought up before the lord of the castle."
The captain of the soldiers seemed to grow into a rage at that, but finally gave curt orders and Kioku was released. "Give him back his dagger," the man ordered. Kioku could now clearly see that he was a merchant. The guards tossed Kioku his dagger. Kioku waited for the guards to leave, while putting his dagger back in his boot, then ran over to the merchant, whose stall was right next to the alley and snapped, "I don't need any help from you. I would have been fine."
"Maybe, but then the Leader would have to get you out of the jail, which would not be good for someone so new to the guild," the merchant replied. "If you steal rings, remember that some merchants steal with the guards at their backs. Had I not seen your dagger, I would not have intervened. You must be more careful when you steal otherwise you will not be in the guild for long as the guards will begin to recognize you when come here and you will not be able to be kept within the guild."
"You're with the guild?" Kioku breathed. The man nodded and introduced himself as Kagureta.
"If you wish, I will buy those rings from you so that you may go buy some food for yourself, one who collects the cards," Kagureta said.
Kioku started at the mention of the cards. I thought no one knows about the cards, Kioku thought to himself before hurriedly asking Kagureta, "How do you know about that?"
"All members of importance in the guild are notified when there is a new member. We are also told what they are assigned to do as well as the identifying marks on their dagger. Each dagger is different, but also so simple that anyone could have made it specially at anytime in the past since this country was subjugated," Kagureta answered.
Kioku sells the rings and goes to the area of the market where food is sold. He buys some low priced food and eats most of it on the way back to the abandoned house, where he gives Kero half of what was left when he arrived. Kioku ignores Kero's complaints of how little he got and Kero's accusations of Kioku already eating most of the food that he had before coming to the building. Kioku then drops the leftover coins and pendants in a hidden cache that he created so he could hide his treasures that he found and any spare money he was able to get. He often put money in there, but put very few personal items there. The only items that were now in the cache were the key to the cards, the book that the cards were in and the two cards he had in his possession. Kioku covers the cache up and leans against a wall, while sitting on the ground.
"I still don't understand why I can't come with you," Kero complains, flying over to Kioku.
"I've told you before that if you continued to not stay hidden when we go out, no matter if there doesn't seem to be anyone around that you will need to then stay here. It doesn't help you any when you try to sneak out with me. If you think that I won't notice the presence of you, then you really need to learn what it means to survive in this city," Kioku tells Kero, closing his eyes. "One more day of staying in here, and you may come out with me, however, if you do not do what I tell you, then you will not get another chance."
Kero begins crying out and Kioku ignores Kero, while hiding himself from view. Kero calls out, "I still know you're there!"
Kioku whispers back, "The guards won't know if they don't see me."
Kero then hears the door of the building being opened and quickly flies to where Kioku is hiding.
"Why do we always get stuck with searching these empty buildings?" a voice asks.
"As long as Tomadachi tells us to, we'll need to continue doing this," another voice responded.
The door to the building was shut again. Kero tried talking to Kioku, but Kioku was already asleep. Kero finds himself a place to sleep, as he knows how much Kioku doesn't like sharing hiding places with anyone. "I hope that there will be another cardcaptor soon that isn't like him," Kero mutters angrily to himself.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Days pass and Kioku and Kero eventually begin to gain a grudging respect for each other. Kero finally was able to stay silent when they were out and Kioku began to take what Kero said more seriously. Two weeks after Kioku broke the seal on the book, Kioku and Kero return to find that there was someone waiting for them in Kioku's empty house wearing a hooded cloak that hid their face from view.
"Who are you?!" Kioku demanded.
"Zoge. The last time we met was when you took your initiation test for the guild. I am now here to give you a chance to join the Order of the Ivory Hand. If you wish to join, now would be the ideal time when there are no seekers in the city," the cloaked figure answered.
Kioku nodded and replied, "I accept. I know that this will add to my duties and it will not be tolerated if I am unable to complete any single duty at any time, I will be released from both the order and the guild."
Zoge nods in return and raises a hand. Zoge's hand begins to glow and the room begins to spin around Zoge, Kero, and Kioku. In moments the room is a blur and when it begins to slow down, they are standing in the forest, near some small decaying structures. Kioku ignores the surroundings, but Kero looks around them and when he is about to exclaim something, Kioku silences him with a glance. Zoge sits down on the ground and Kioku follows suit.
Zoge the pulls out a dagger made out of pure flame and scratches in the dirt a small circle. He then places a cup of water and a few small flaming sticks at opposite ends of the circle. "These represent the elements of fire and water. They are basic in all that we do, but still opposite from each other." Zoge then places a rock at a point in the circle exactly between the water and fire. Then he pulls out a small vial that appears to be empty, but when he puts it in the empty point on the circle, it creates a small whirlwind that becomes visible when it touched the dirt. "These represent air and earth. They are what keep fire and water in balance, but they are also opposite from each other. Fire and water is what keeps these two elements in balance. With the loss of one, all elements will be lost and all will destroy itself, as the precious balance will be lost. The center is what connects everything together. It is commonly known as spirit. For you to join the Order of the Ivory Hand, you will need to find which element you are most dominant in."
Kioku nods his head and Zoge says, "Reach you hand over the circle. Whichever element you are dominant in will be revealed. If it is Earth, you will receive a stone dagger. If it is Fire, you will receive a flaming dagger. If it is Water, you will receive a liquid dagger. If it is Air, you will receive a dagger made out of wind. While in possession with any of these items, you will gain resistance to all aspects of the element and will even gain some of the element properties when you choose. However, if there are any weaknesses that will effect you then it will become apparent. Such as, if you are with the Earth, then you will need to remain in contact with the earth in any form otherwise you lose you strength very quickly. However, if you are with Air you will not be able to lose contact with the sky. Fire and Water are different, as they are different opposites as well. The weaknesses for Fire and Water are not always as apparent as Air and Earth, nor are they always the same, as Fire and Water both represent change and Earth and Air are always the same. Reach your hand over the fire and find your element."
Kioku thinks this over and then places his hand just above the circle and waits. At first nothing happens and Kioku is about to remove his hand when the stone begins to blur. Kioku feels his stomach begin to turn as the stone reforms into a perfectly shaped marble dagger. "You are now a member of the guild of the Earth side. If you need any help just focus on your dagger and you will receive help from anyone who has a dagger. You will keep on receiving tests to find out how powerful you are. The more power you have, the higher your rank within the guild will be. Yet, when you fail a test you will then be given no other tests and you will remain at the current rank you are at when you fail the test. If you become powerful enough, you will be given this test again to find out if you have a secondary element. Several of the guild have a secondary element, but very few have a third element and currently no one has gotten a fourth element, thought there have been a few in the past. The fifth element is the hardest to get and only one member of the guild has the final element but no other. He was unable to take another test. He is the mad seer. He would be the one to give the fifth element test, but so far no one has even come close to that point."
Kioku nodded. Kero, who had stayed quiet during this whole ritual now spoke, "This is a much more powerful magic than I have seen."
Zoge nods at Kero. "It is with all things. Everything grows and becomes more powerful, but there is always a point that needs to be broken before it can become more powerful. That point with magic is for it to be used. It never was as strong as it is now until a powerful sorcerer used his magic to preserve something that had no value to him other than it was filled with life that he could not let be destroyed even though he hated it more than he hated his enemies. Because of that act, all magic was double then tripled and finally squared. All because of someone who knew the value of life when he didn't value it at all."
Kero nods and Kioku then begins to return to where he planned on sleeping that night. Kioku ignoring Kero's questions until they reached the edge of the forest where he silenced Kero. I need a real good way of keeping him quiet, Kioku thought to himself, frustrated.
The Tests
Two days later, Kioku is wandering the streets looking for anything that he can find that he could sell to get some money in which he would be able to get something to eat for that day. Kero was at the abandoned building in which Kioku slept. As Kioku was getting irritated at Kero for constantly ignoring the fact that he needed to not move around as he seemed prone to do, when Kioku held him firmly in his hand, which Kero seemed to becoming adept at dodging when Kioku tried to grab him. Kioku noticed a sparkle in the half-light in the shade of a building. Kioku looked closer and noticed that there were quite a few small treasures in the pile. Kioku knew that this was someone else's cache and he would need to leave it be, as it was necessary to do that so others wouldn't steal from him. Which used to happen until everyone agreed that to survive, everyone would need to not rely on others to get what they needed. Kioku then decided that he would then need to steal something that would be of low enough value that it wouldn't be noticed very much, but high enough that others would want it and would give him a fair price for it.
Kioku then headed for the market and noticed guards strewn all over, which would make it much more difficult. Kioku never knew when the guards would do this, and was the main reason why he hated doing this. Kioku then looked around and found a merchant selling jewelry away from the guards. He wandered over, acting like he was looking for a place to lean against. Kioku leans up against the stall in which the merchant has his shop and has his back to the merchant. Kioku waits until someone begins talking to the merchant to make a sale and then he expertly felt around the rings and pendants that were there and felt for the ones that would get him the most money which would also get him the most food. Kioku takes a handful of rings and slides them on his fingers and pulls his hands back into his cloak before the merchant closes the deal with the customer. Kioku waits until another customer comes up and then slips away. Kioku then is looking for another merchant that he could sell the rings to when a voice cries out, "Thief! Thief!"
Kioku looks towards where he hears the voice coming from and sees another merchant, where he hadn't even gone close to pointing directly at him. Kioku can see guards coming straight for him. Kioku backs up to an alleyway and pulls his dagger from his boot and uses it to try and keep the guards at bay, failing miserably, while saying, "I did not steal these rings."
"If you didn't steal those rings, boy, why is that merchant saying you did?" one of the guards asks.
"I didn't even go near him. I don't know why he said I stole these rings from him," Kioku replies.
"He's right," a voice booms from behind the soldiers, who finally wrests the dagger from Kioku's hand. "I gave him those rings and that merchant has no right to claim that this boy stole them. Now, release him!"
The soldier in command walks to the one who spoke, who is still out of Kioku's sight and replies, "Unless you want trouble stay out of this. If someone claims he stole something, then he did steal something from whoever claims he stole something."
"Then I could say that he was given those rings and the merchant who claims that the rings were stolen could make a profit off of a boy who has not yet earned the respect of even a farmer. If you are certain that this boy did steal these rings, then I will see to it that this is bought up before the lord of the castle."
The captain of the soldiers seemed to grow into a rage at that, but finally gave curt orders and Kioku was released. "Give him back his dagger," the man ordered. Kioku could now clearly see that he was a merchant. The guards tossed Kioku his dagger. Kioku waited for the guards to leave, while putting his dagger back in his boot, then ran over to the merchant, whose stall was right next to the alley and snapped, "I don't need any help from you. I would have been fine."
"Maybe, but then the Leader would have to get you out of the jail, which would not be good for someone so new to the guild," the merchant replied. "If you steal rings, remember that some merchants steal with the guards at their backs. Had I not seen your dagger, I would not have intervened. You must be more careful when you steal otherwise you will not be in the guild for long as the guards will begin to recognize you when come here and you will not be able to be kept within the guild."
"You're with the guild?" Kioku breathed. The man nodded and introduced himself as Kagureta.
"If you wish, I will buy those rings from you so that you may go buy some food for yourself, one who collects the cards," Kagureta said.
Kioku started at the mention of the cards. I thought no one knows about the cards, Kioku thought to himself before hurriedly asking Kagureta, "How do you know about that?"
"All members of importance in the guild are notified when there is a new member. We are also told what they are assigned to do as well as the identifying marks on their dagger. Each dagger is different, but also so simple that anyone could have made it specially at anytime in the past since this country was subjugated," Kagureta answered.
Kioku sells the rings and goes to the area of the market where food is sold. He buys some low priced food and eats most of it on the way back to the abandoned house, where he gives Kero half of what was left when he arrived. Kioku ignores Kero's complaints of how little he got and Kero's accusations of Kioku already eating most of the food that he had before coming to the building. Kioku then drops the leftover coins and pendants in a hidden cache that he created so he could hide his treasures that he found and any spare money he was able to get. He often put money in there, but put very few personal items there. The only items that were now in the cache were the key to the cards, the book that the cards were in and the two cards he had in his possession. Kioku covers the cache up and leans against a wall, while sitting on the ground.
"I still don't understand why I can't come with you," Kero complains, flying over to Kioku.
"I've told you before that if you continued to not stay hidden when we go out, no matter if there doesn't seem to be anyone around that you will need to then stay here. It doesn't help you any when you try to sneak out with me. If you think that I won't notice the presence of you, then you really need to learn what it means to survive in this city," Kioku tells Kero, closing his eyes. "One more day of staying in here, and you may come out with me, however, if you do not do what I tell you, then you will not get another chance."
Kero begins crying out and Kioku ignores Kero, while hiding himself from view. Kero calls out, "I still know you're there!"
Kioku whispers back, "The guards won't know if they don't see me."
Kero then hears the door of the building being opened and quickly flies to where Kioku is hiding.
"Why do we always get stuck with searching these empty buildings?" a voice asks.
"As long as Tomadachi tells us to, we'll need to continue doing this," another voice responded.
The door to the building was shut again. Kero tried talking to Kioku, but Kioku was already asleep. Kero finds himself a place to sleep, as he knows how much Kioku doesn't like sharing hiding places with anyone. "I hope that there will be another cardcaptor soon that isn't like him," Kero mutters angrily to himself.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Days pass and Kioku and Kero eventually begin to gain a grudging respect for each other. Kero finally was able to stay silent when they were out and Kioku began to take what Kero said more seriously. Two weeks after Kioku broke the seal on the book, Kioku and Kero return to find that there was someone waiting for them in Kioku's empty house wearing a hooded cloak that hid their face from view.
"Who are you?!" Kioku demanded.
"Zoge. The last time we met was when you took your initiation test for the guild. I am now here to give you a chance to join the Order of the Ivory Hand. If you wish to join, now would be the ideal time when there are no seekers in the city," the cloaked figure answered.
Kioku nodded and replied, "I accept. I know that this will add to my duties and it will not be tolerated if I am unable to complete any single duty at any time, I will be released from both the order and the guild."
Zoge nods in return and raises a hand. Zoge's hand begins to glow and the room begins to spin around Zoge, Kero, and Kioku. In moments the room is a blur and when it begins to slow down, they are standing in the forest, near some small decaying structures. Kioku ignores the surroundings, but Kero looks around them and when he is about to exclaim something, Kioku silences him with a glance. Zoge sits down on the ground and Kioku follows suit.
Zoge the pulls out a dagger made out of pure flame and scratches in the dirt a small circle. He then places a cup of water and a few small flaming sticks at opposite ends of the circle. "These represent the elements of fire and water. They are basic in all that we do, but still opposite from each other." Zoge then places a rock at a point in the circle exactly between the water and fire. Then he pulls out a small vial that appears to be empty, but when he puts it in the empty point on the circle, it creates a small whirlwind that becomes visible when it touched the dirt. "These represent air and earth. They are what keep fire and water in balance, but they are also opposite from each other. Fire and water is what keeps these two elements in balance. With the loss of one, all elements will be lost and all will destroy itself, as the precious balance will be lost. The center is what connects everything together. It is commonly known as spirit. For you to join the Order of the Ivory Hand, you will need to find which element you are most dominant in."
Kioku nods his head and Zoge says, "Reach you hand over the circle. Whichever element you are dominant in will be revealed. If it is Earth, you will receive a stone dagger. If it is Fire, you will receive a flaming dagger. If it is Water, you will receive a liquid dagger. If it is Air, you will receive a dagger made out of wind. While in possession with any of these items, you will gain resistance to all aspects of the element and will even gain some of the element properties when you choose. However, if there are any weaknesses that will effect you then it will become apparent. Such as, if you are with the Earth, then you will need to remain in contact with the earth in any form otherwise you lose you strength very quickly. However, if you are with Air you will not be able to lose contact with the sky. Fire and Water are different, as they are different opposites as well. The weaknesses for Fire and Water are not always as apparent as Air and Earth, nor are they always the same, as Fire and Water both represent change and Earth and Air are always the same. Reach your hand over the fire and find your element."
Kioku thinks this over and then places his hand just above the circle and waits. At first nothing happens and Kioku is about to remove his hand when the stone begins to blur. Kioku feels his stomach begin to turn as the stone reforms into a perfectly shaped marble dagger. "You are now a member of the guild of the Earth side. If you need any help just focus on your dagger and you will receive help from anyone who has a dagger. You will keep on receiving tests to find out how powerful you are. The more power you have, the higher your rank within the guild will be. Yet, when you fail a test you will then be given no other tests and you will remain at the current rank you are at when you fail the test. If you become powerful enough, you will be given this test again to find out if you have a secondary element. Several of the guild have a secondary element, but very few have a third element and currently no one has gotten a fourth element, thought there have been a few in the past. The fifth element is the hardest to get and only one member of the guild has the final element but no other. He was unable to take another test. He is the mad seer. He would be the one to give the fifth element test, but so far no one has even come close to that point."
Kioku nodded. Kero, who had stayed quiet during this whole ritual now spoke, "This is a much more powerful magic than I have seen."
Zoge nods at Kero. "It is with all things. Everything grows and becomes more powerful, but there is always a point that needs to be broken before it can become more powerful. That point with magic is for it to be used. It never was as strong as it is now until a powerful sorcerer used his magic to preserve something that had no value to him other than it was filled with life that he could not let be destroyed even though he hated it more than he hated his enemies. Because of that act, all magic was double then tripled and finally squared. All because of someone who knew the value of life when he didn't value it at all."
Kero nods and Kioku then begins to return to where he planned on sleeping that night. Kioku ignoring Kero's questions until they reached the edge of the forest where he silenced Kero. I need a real good way of keeping him quiet, Kioku thought to himself, frustrated.
