Destiny
*Disclaimer*
I DON'T OWN DIGIMON.
Author's Note:
Sorry for taking so long everyone! I didn't mean to, but it happened! I'm really sorry! Please don't kill me!
Anyway, thank you to all reviewers so far. You all are great and have kept me going on with this story. I really appreciate for all the kind words you've written. Keep them coming! And here is a list of all the great reviewers (If I miss anyone, just give me a shout in the review box or just e-mail me):
Dracotk, Chibigreen Tanuki, Madmaddie, mandycroyance, Ken Ichijouzi, WhiteSpectre, Yingying, cze, mysticalkidz, SilverShadow, Mimi, takari4ever7, Fire Mistress, Twiggsy, Mathais-8888, pjac, "The Price Is Right" Fan, reader, Cassandra, Sora Kamiya01, Teeny, PhoenixGirl, Michael, mcguire, Sakura Rain, Ryo 'Kai' Takaishi, hyper_shark, Karimon and Lotus.
Also, for certain reason, I've changed the person who got the second Holy Stone on the tenth chapter. Please refer back to it. But in any case, the person who guessed the question in the previous chapter correctly is… well, you'll have to read through and find out. ^_^
And, the next chapter will take a very, VERY, long time before it would be posted up. This is because; I plan to sort out all the grammar problems in chapter one till eight and rewrite them, though as I said before, there wouldn't be much change. So, I'll apologize in advance first for making you all wait.
I think that would be all. Hope you all enjoy reading this chapter!
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Destiny – Chapter Four : Ovelia, the Capital of Serenegade
1008 A.D., 20th day of the seventh month…
At the gate of Ovelia's city border…
"I'm very sorry, but without the pass into the city, we are not allow to let anyone into Ovelia," the border guard explained. "At this moment, there will be a tournament held at the arena. There would be a lot of visitor coming to Ovelia, and there would be spies or enemies, who had not been in good terms with the King, that might come here and assassinate him."
Another guard, who looked grumpy and not the polite type, took over, "So, all visitors would had known and had gotten a pass from the Lord of their continent."
"But couldn't there be a special exception, just this once?" a violet hair boy, who obviously who had been negotiating, asked.
"We came from a very far place, and we didn't know of it," a blonde hair boy added.
The grumpy big sized guard pushed at them rudely and bellowed, "There would not be any exception, so, be gone! Judging from the way you all wear made you all looked like spies! So, get out of my sight now, less I have you all arrested!"
With the fuming man there, the violet hair boy and the blonde hair boy knew they would have no chance with going into the city. So, they retreated back to where their companions awaited them. The shorter one of the group, who had brown hair and sparkling emerald eyes, asked, "No luck with going into the city, Ken?"
The violet hair boy, Ichijozi Ken, shook his head, "No, the guards wouldn't listen, or at least the grumpy one wasn't understanding."
The lavender hair girl, who was still sat atop her mare, asked, "So, what should we do now?"
The blonde hair boy, who had been negotiating with the guards earlier, answered, "I'm not sure myself." He sighed and then went on, "But in any case though, we should head to the roadside inn that we passed just now and bunker for the night there. Then, we'll figure out what to do next."
The blonde hair boy, looked at the group of four to see if they agreed on his suggestion. Ken and the lavender hair girl, Inoue Miyako, nodded their agreements. But the brown hair boy, Hida Iori just gave a loud, "Hmph," and looked away.
Miyako then picked up from there, "Takeru is right. We should head back there and think of our next move. I wouldn't want to stay out in the wilderness for another night."
Ken also added, "And besides, our horses needed some rest."
As he said that, Ken reached over and patted his own horse and smiled at it. The group had purchased these four horses with all they'd got and had made a run for Ovelia from Thaedan, sometime going nonstop for days. However, the forest continent, Thaedan, being far to the southeast of Ovelia, had took them more than a month to reach their destination.
Then, without a word, the three boys got on their respective horse and canter all the way back to the roadside inn with Miyako in the lead, reading the map Takeru had purchased.
*******
1008 A.D., 20th day of the seventh month…
A blue hair boy walked down the stairs of the inn and went to the drinks counter.
Lee Jenrya had tried to sleep after an exhausting journey from the Castle City of Mescaria, Barole. But even though he was tired all over, sleep never came to him. And added in his maroon hair friend, Daisuke Motomiya's snoring; sleep would be a miracle for him. So, after some thought, he decided to get a drink at the tavern downstairs.
As he stepped into the tavern, he spotted around for a seat. His eyes then fell on a table on the far corner of the room. As he made his way there, he noticed that there were quite some people who were awake at this hour. However, he was not surprised if they were only traveler or mercenary. It would be very normal for people as such to be in a tavern.
When he was properly seated, a waitress came over and offered a menu. Lee took the menu and looked through it. Having too many selections, Lee just picked at a random drink and handed the menu back. When the waitress had gone off to prepare his drink, the blue hair boy placed his elbows on the table and held his head. Silently, he thought to himself, 'I wonder how mom and dad are doing? Shiuchon, Richei, and Jaarin as well, I wonder how they are doing? They must be worried about me…'
But then, someone broke his train of thoughts, "Excuse me, may I seat here? Everywhere else is full already."
Lee lifted his head and looked at the person who had asked him for a seat. She was a girl who wore traveler garments and a simple cloak. A girl with long vermilion colour hair who was left hanging along her back, untied. She also had lavender colour eyes that seemed to sparkle in the dark. Other than that, she was the only girl that had kept Lee's staring at.
"Uh… excuse me, may I take this seat?"
Lee broke away his gaze, blushed and answered in a very nervous way, "Uh… yeah. Sure!" Silently, he added, 'What the heck is wrong with me? Why am I being so nervous?'
"Thanks."
The girl sat down and the waitress, who had taken Lee's order, took the vermilion hair girl's order as well. Once the girl had removed her cloak, she looked at Lee, who kept averting his gaze back and forth, between her and the ground. She giggled at the boy's behavior and tried to engage in a conversation, "So, why were you up so late?"
"Not sleepy," came the nervous reply. In his mind, Lee scolded himself, 'Stupid Lee. Baka. Now you're making yourself look like an idiot.'
For conversation sake, Lee asked, "So, uh… where were you headed?"
"I'm heading to Ovelia."
"What a coincidence. I'm heading there as well with my other three friends," Lee said.
"Really? What are you going to do there?" The girl examined the blue hair boy, "Judging from your feature, you're a fighter. Are you going to join the tournament?"
"Tournament?"
"Yes, tournament. You don't know about it?" Lee shook his head and the girl explained, "I wonder where did you come from? Surely you should have heard about it. But anyway, the tournament that is held in Ovelia once a year is a battle between fighters, to determine who's the strongest one in all of Gaea." She gave an intriguing look and asked, "Are you interested? I would love to see you in action."
For unknown reason, Lee blushed at the girl's last statement. The blue hair boy silently thanked no one that the dark room had hid his red face.
After a few seconds in searching his voice, Lee answered the girl, "No, I guess not. My friends and I have a very important errand that must be done as soon as possible in Ovelia." Seeing the girl's disappointed look, Lee added, "But if we got the time, I might consider it."
"Great!" the girl beamed.
Right then, the waitress returned with their drinks on a tray. She placed the respective drink in front of them and moved along, tending to the other customers. The two sipped at their drinks silently, but Lee never averted his gaze from the girl.
Once finished, the girl stood up and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, uh…"
"Lee. Lee Jenrya."
"Lee… I'll remember your name." She smiled warmly and said, "If we're lucky, we'll meet again. But I have the feeling that it'll be soon."
She turned towards the exit. Lee tried to ask for her name, but before he could utter a word, the girl turned around and said, "How silly of me. I forgot to introduce myself. The name's Nonaka Rika. But you can call me Rika." She saluted with two fingers and said, "Soyanara."
And the girl was gone.
Lee sat there gazing at the blank area of the opened door. He was not so sure of his feeling as of now. He doesn't even trust himself in assuring that it was not love. 'But why did she make me feel… why her presence alone can make me feel so warm?' he thought.
Someone waved his or her hand in front of the blue hair boy right then. That broke his trance mode and he immediately looked at who the person was. He relaxed once he saw that it was only Daisuke. But the panic state came back immediately and he asked, "When did you come down?"
Daisuke blinked at the question and answered, "I just came. I woke up to go to the washroom but found out that you were not in bed. So I decided to come down and check." Daisuke then snorted and commented, "But now, you're here being rude to a concern friend."
Lee gave a sighed and apologized, "Sorry, Dai. It's just that… never mind."
*******
1008 A.D., 21st day of the seventh month…
Yagami Hikari woke up at the beautiful chorus of the birds, singing on perched tree. The rustle of leaves could be heard in the small room that she spent the night in. The fresh air that was mixed by the sweet aroma of the flowers outside made her walked to the opened window, and savored every minute of it.
After a few minutes, she head into the bathroom and decided to take a short shower. Once she removed her cloth, Hikari scooped the water from the wooden tub and poured it over her head. She applied some soap and scrubbed her body free from dirt. She was also extra careful when she was washing her hair; to make sure that it was clean. When she was done, she used a towel that was provided and dried her wet body.
The brown hair girl smiled as she retrieved all her dried clothing that was washed yesterday, and pulled her traveling dress on. Her used one was placed into her backpack which was quite big for her size. But thank god, Wallace's uncle, Kheva, had provided with extra horses that helped carried their belongings.
At that moment, someone knocked on her door and a very familiar voice asked, "Hikari? You awake yet?"
Hikari smiled and answered, "Yes, Daisuke."
"Wallace called me to tell you that we'll be waiting at the tavern below, once you're done," the brown hair boy said from behind the door.
"Okay, I'll be there."
There was some scrambling and Hikari knew that Daisuke had gone down. At his fast pace, Hikari was sure that the boy was hurrying to get breakfast into his stomach. The girl shook her head and continued packing her belongings, which wasn't much. She left the backpack there and opened the door of her room.
The corridor was surprisingly empty except for a few who just got ready and also the workers who cleaned the rooms. She headed left from her room and went down two floors. As she was reaching the ground floor, her breath was suddenly caught in her throat.
There at the foot of the steps, near the entrance, was a boy, with golden blonde hair and eyes as blue as the ocean or lakes that she saw back at her home, who was talking with another boy with violet hair. She wasn't sure why she kept staring at the boy with blue eyes, but his feature alone had mesmerized her. When the boy looked back at her, she immediately averted her gaze and shook her head. In a soft tone, she muttered, "Hikari, get a grip on yourself. How could you stare at a complete stranger?"
The brown hair girl composed herself and continued down. But then, maybe it was pure bad luck or something like that, she tripped and fell. With a surprised yelp, she was falling down the remaining steps. Although it was not that high up, she was sure that she would sprain her elbow at the angle she was in now.
But just when she about to land, someone had saved her from the unintended accident. She looked at who it was and found that her face was going slightly red when she saw that it was the blonde hair boy she had stared at. But she wasn't only blushing at that; it was also because that the boy was carrying her and she once again found that she was staring at him again.
However, she stopped when the boy asked in a very concerned voice, "Daijobu ka?"
Hikari stammered as she answered, "Dai-daijobu."
"Yokatta," the blonde hair boy put the girl down on her feet and went on, "It's a good thing I saw you. Else, you could have end up with a broken elbow now."
"A-arigatou," Hikari said, still stammering.
"Don't mention it. It just so happen that I was looking your way when you fell."
"Looking? With your eyes so focused and everything, I would call that staring." The boy's friend, who was the boy with violet hair, came over and said, "Takeru, you really surprised me. One minute you were talking with me, and the other you're already here carrying this girl."
The blonde hair boy, Takeru, laughed and apologized, "Gomen, gomen."
Then, the two started to walk away. But before they could even move a meter away, Taihu's voice sounded, Hikari, that boy, the one with violet hair! He's also a Warrior!
Both the boys turned around, surprised at the voice they've just heard. Hikari also had her eyes focused on them. And all at once, almost at the same time, the three pointed at each other and exclaimed in one, "You're a Warrior?"
At that moment, a silence was ensued. But Takeru was the one who broke it with a laugh that rang so beautifully to Hikari's ears. After a moment, the blonde hair boy said, "What a luck! We never thought that we would meet a Warrior here! Miyako and Iori would be surprise at this."
Ken, whose face had a smile on, nodded in agreement.
As Hikari was unsure of what the boy had said, she inquired, "Who are Miyako and Iori?"
Ken looked at the girl who had the look of pure confusion, and answered her question, "They are our friends and they are also Warriors, both of them."
"Both of them?" Hikari counted mentally, and exclaimed, "That make six of us already!"
"Six?" Ken asked.
"Yes, I've also some friends – three exactly – who traveled along with me," Hikari explained to the two boys. "They are also Warriors, except for one."
Seven actually, another voice said.
Seven? Taihu voice sounded surprise, almost in disbelief. So he asked politely, So… this boy who is without a guardian…
Why so anxious to know, Taihu – if I'm not mistaken –? We just got to meet each other after a thousand years and not even with a proper introduction, Ken's Guardian, Seiryu, stated.
May Lady Kaze, the Goddess of Wind, strike at me. How could I forget my manners? the griffin said. This girl here, is my Warrior, Yagami Hikari. To Ken and Takeru, he said, And I am Taihu, the Holy Guardian of Wind.
"My name's Ichijozi Ken," the violet hair boy introduced himself. "And my Guardian is Seiryu, the Water Guardian." Ken turned to Takeru and introduced him as well, "And this is Takaishi Takeru. For the moment, he's without a guardian."
Hearing Ken's statement, Taihu asked, Is his Guardian Tenshi then?
Yes, it is, Seiryu answered.
Oh, I should have guess.
After a short silence, Seiryu said, If you all don't mind, I'll be excusing myself. This talking in the Real World is really taking my strength.
With that, the blue dragon's presence was gone. Following that, Taihu also excused himself and left. That left the three teenagers alone, at the foot of the steps. Almost immediately, Hikari smiled and said, "Come on, I'll take you and meet my friends."
The brown hair girl had really wanted to grip their wrists and pulled them along. But the thought of touching Takeru again made her blush without her even realizing it. Smiling, she led them to the Tavern and toward the table where Wallace, Lee, and Daisuke, who had his mouth full, been sitting. In her mind, she screamed at the excitement that all seven Warriors had gathered and the real adventure will begin.
When the girl came over, Wallace, who had been sipping at his tea, asked, "What's keeping you Hikari? Daisuke almost finish your share of food already had Lee not stopped him." Noticing Takeru and Ken, he asked, "Who are they?"
"Guys, let me introduce to you, Takeru and Ken." She smiled and added, "They are both Warriors and they have two more friends with them who are also Warriors."
Daisuke, who didn't seem to be listening, continued to stuff himself. But Lee and Wallace had their lower jaws opened wide already.
*******
1008 A.D., 21st day of the seventh month… 3 hours later…
At the entrance of the roadside inn, it didn't take long for the seven Warriors and Lee to get fully acquainted with each other. Miyako and Hikari especially, got on very well as they were the only females in their entourage. After a short introduction, they were practically chatting all the way as they rode on, back to Ovelia.
Iori as usual, stayed a distance away from Takeru, his clan's sworn enemy. Instead, he found himself talking with Daisuke and Lee. Though quiet as he was, he couldn't resist laughing when Daisuke made a joke and he also couldn't help it but teased him as Lee always did.
Takeru, Ken and Wallace found that they got along quite well themselves. Strange as the three were, they were talking on a lot of stuffs. But most of the time, Wallace was asking about the 'History of the Age of Darkness' as he was not well educated in that part.
As the group of eight reached the gate of Ovelia, after a few hours of hard ride, the same grumpy guard greeted them, "You two again!" He pointed his forefinger angrily at Ken and Takeru. "I thought I told you to stay away from the gates of Ovelia!"
Not wanting the situation to worsen, Wallace rode in front of the guard and showed him the pass that his uncle had given him. Almost hurriedly, and nervously, the grumpy guard stumbled back to his post. After a brief exchange of words with the gate's master, the huge metal door creaked opened, admitting the Warriors and their companion.
Wallace smiled and commented, "I thought that a man like him would never recognize a Grand Pass, but… oh well, that reaction he gave would be enough."
Daisuke looked at the rich boy and raised his eyebrows, "Wallace, you're really a wicked person, do you know that?"
"I know," Wallace smiled evilly. "But at least I did nothing to you… yet."
That made the rest sweat-dropped.
What lied behind the thirty feet high doors and two meters thick walls, made the eight teens stared in wonder. As they slowly trotted in, they took in the surrounding of the biggest city of Gaea. Here and there, people of all races and ages were running around, laughing, shouting, chasing, talking and even some that were minding their own business. All the two-storey buildings, obviously the citizens' houses, which surrounded them, were magnificently built. In the inner part, there were vendors and also buildings that sold weapons, armors, foods, which surrounded the fountain in the middle of the plaza. In the distance, to his left, Takeru could see a huge white open-air dome-shaped building. Further ahead, the castle of Ovelia, the Imperial Palace, stood in all its glories. The castle was so huge that it sheltered part of the city area with its shadow. It was perhaps the finest building Takeru had ever laid his eyes upon. Seven spiraling towers surrounded it at seven different directions. The main castle however, had incredible towers of its own, one that was unbelievingly large at the very center of the construction.
"Magnificent isn't it?" Takeru turned towards Ken who had made the comment on the castle. "Who would have thought that I, a boy from inner Erathia, could see this?"
The young ninja resumed his gaze back at the castle, and agreed with Ken, "Me neither. And as I recall, I'd thought the shrine in the Forbidden Forest was probably the finest structure I'll ever see."
"Well then, this'll be a good story when we get back to our hometown," Hikari pointed out. The rest agreed with a nod.
After another short ride, Miyako remarked, "Is it just me? Or are there too many people – warriors, wandering around the weapons and armors shops?"
Lee looked around and realized that what Miyako had said was true. Right then, he remembered the conversation he had with the mysterious girl, Rika, the night before, "I think it was because of the tournament that is to be held here."
"Tournament?" Iori asked.
"I've heard about it. It's a battle between warriors for the title 'The Strongest Warrior of Erathia'," Wallace, who had also been looking around, said.
"How was it?" Daisuke asked, suddenly very interested. "Are there warriors fighting on a ring and spectators cheering all around until you need to shout to be heard?"
Wallace scratched his chin and said, "Well, this is my first time here in Ovelia. So I wouldn't know it myself. But what I know, however, came from my dad."
They stopped at one of the many inns. Wallace, having the gold his uncle had provided, picked one of the best inns, a five-floor building, and the finest room. As they entered the building, a boy who's in charge of it, led their horses into the inn's stable. Once they had paid their accommodation, they were led into their rooms. Fortunately for them, the rooms were big enough to house six. So the boys stayed in one room and the two girls stayed in another.
When Daisuke entered the room, he hurriedly flopped down on one of the bed. "With this soft mattress, I'm gonna have a good sleep tonight."
Takeru sat down at the bed closest to the balcony and peered outside. "There are still a lot of people outside. I wonder if it'll will ever calm down?"
"I don't think so," Wallace answered. "I've just asked the lady at the counter; she said that the tournament will begin in the next two day and it will last till there are only one warrior left standing."
"If only we have the time, I would like to enter it myself," Lee said.
"Yeah, me too," Daisuke chipped in.
Takeru turned back to the scene outside the balcony and lied down on the bed. As the other continued with their conversation, he turned his mind to his surroundings and fiddled with the amulet around his neck. It reminded him of the people who would be waiting for him back in the Shinobi Village. 'I wonder what Yamato, Mimi and the rest are doing now?' Takeru looked at the rest and thought, 'I wonder how did all this started? I was a shinobi, a ninja; one that lived without a friend from outside the clan. When did I change?'
But as his thoughts continued playing, his mind slowly slipped into sleepiness. And before he knew it, he was sound asleep on the bed with the warm air from the outside ruffling his blonde hair.
*******
1008 A.D., 22nd day of the seventh month…
The next morning, when Takeru opened his eyes, he noticed that a pair of brown eyes was gazing into his. The person, Hikari, blushed furiously and said, "I, uh, I was trying to wake you up and inform you that the rest are downstairs having breakfast. I, uh… I'll be going!"
Takeru blinked his eyes in confusion as the girl scrambled out of the room with a beet red face. Silently, he slipped on his footwear and went down after the girl. Right enough, he found the rest of the group sitting around a round table in the cafeteria. He moved towards them and sat down on an empty spot.
When he did so, Lee said, "Hope you wouldn't mind us starting without you. You were still fast asleep when we woke up. And I thought maybe you would need the rest. So…"
"Don't worry about that," Takeru said.
They left it at that and slowly ate their morning fill. All the time, they chatted as they ate. Miyako decided to ask when she suddenly thought of it, "Say Hikari, what took you so long to tell him to meet us down here?"
The brown hair girl blushed furiously again but she did not answered. Finding fault, Iori said, "I bet the ninjas are always a sleepy bunch."
Takeru, though felt a little anger building in him, said nothing. He wouldn't want to spoil a perfect morning. So instead, he asked, "So what are we going to do after this?"
"Obviously to the castle and meet the King," Ken said. "But the real question is, 'How are we suppose to do that?'"
"What do you mean how?" Daisuke asked.
"Daisuke, what could be in your mind other than food and fighting?" Lee teased. Ignoring his best friend pout, he went on answering the question, "I'm sure we can't just walk in the Castle like we owned it and make an audience with the King, especially not at this time when people from all around the world coming in. We would need a special permission."
"Precisely," Ken agreed, nodding his head.
Wallace held up his uncle's pass and asked, "What about using this? I think we could get through the guard with this."
"I doubt it," Ken stated. "That pass was suppose to get us in here only. I don't think it will do us any good in this case."
Takeru then said, "I guess then we just need to go there and try our luck then wouldn't we?"
They all agreed.
After breakfast, they left the inn, heading towards the castle on foot. Their mounts were still left in the care of the stable boy. As they walked on, they noticed today's commotion was worse than the day before. The shouts of dealers, buyers, sellers, all rang in their heads. The whole group, except Wallace, felt uneasy at this, as they were not used to such commotions, being village dwellers.
When they finally reached the Castle's main entrance, which looked even more impressive at this close distance, they walked across the bridge that was not raised, across the manmade moat. To their surprise, the guards that stood at either sides of the entrance did not stop them. As so, they continued on till they reached a counter. And beyond the counter was a partially visible garden that, to Hikari's point of view, was even better than the one in Kheva's.
At the counter, Wallace, with all his formality, asked the man behind it, "Kind sir, would it be possible to request for an audience with the King."
"Would this be of serious matters?"
"No, but it depends on the situation."
"Sorry young man," the man said almost regretfully. "I can't give you any audience unless this matter is of extreme urgency or you have the clarification from a Lord."
"Would this be of any then?" Wallace showed him the pass his uncle had given him.
The man took it and studied it. Once returned, the man said, "I'm sorry, though this pass was of a Lord, it is but an entry pass. I cannot comply with your request." Somewhere from within the group, the man heard one of the eight groaned. So, he said, "But if you really need to meet the King, I suggest you should join up in the tournament as it is opened to warriors of all age."
The man studied them and went on, "Judging from your look, you're a warrior yourself. And your friends behind you as well. You all could enter as your party in the tournament can consists of any numbers. But in any case, the winner and the runner-up are all granted permission to meet with the King. You could sign up here as this is also the registration counter."
"Thank you, but could I discuss with my friends first?"
The group moved further away and Wallace asked, "Okay, so you all have heard that, what do you think? Personally, I'm going to enter."
"Firstly, I'm out," Miyako said matter-of-factly. "I wouldn't want anybody to know that I'm a Kamian. Many 'treasure hunters' would be after me for sure."
"Me neither, I've no interest with this," Ken agreed with the lavender hair girl. "I'm only a village boy who loves to read. This sort of arena competition doesn't suit me."
"That's too bad," Daisuke said. He turned to Wallace and said, "Count me in."
"Yeah, me too," Lee said. In his mind, Lee thought, 'I wonder if the girl, Rika, would be there as she had said?'
"Okay, that's three already. What about the rest?" Wallace asked.
"I think I'll join to see how fun is it," Iori said. "Besides, I'm way out of training already. Busting savage monsters on the way here is only an easy work for me."
"I guess I'll join too," Takeru said.
"But I guess I'm not much here," Hikari said quietly. "A girl attacking with wind is sure to raise some upheavals."
Ken, saving Hikari from further explanation, said firmly, "But do remember you all; whatever you do, do not use magic during this tournament. That will create a lot of fuss and people would start to panic if news of the coming of the second 'Age of Darkness' spread."
They all nodded in agreement.
Wallace returned to the counters and put down their names. Once done, they returned to the inn they stayed in as they had no other planning and they doesn't intend to do any side trip. Once there, they all entered and sat down in the boy's room to talked out recent events.
Feeling a little uneasy, Hikari asked after a while, "Do you think it would be okay using the magical weapons in the tournament? I mean, wouldn't it also give the same effect as using magics?"
Ken shook his head and answered, "No, it wouldn't. Right until now, no books have recorded any findings in our weapons except the one that I've read in Thaedan's library. But according to my judgment, that book would not have any other copies as it was not a normal book."
Miyako looked at Ken inquiringly. She herself had not felt the book linked with any special things.
Ken took one good look at her questioning face and answered, "That books was well hidden from a non-Warrior's eye. I could feel it when I placed my hand on it. But anyway, I think it would be save for you all to use your enchanted weapons."
"That would be great," Daisuke pointed out and snickered. "Now I'm really looking forward to this."
*******
The next day…
At the tournament arena, which was the huge dome-shaped building Takeru had seen before, the group separated. Ken and Miyako, along with Hikari went off to the spectators' seats as the rest went down the competitors' hallway. Of course, they left after getting 'good luck' wishing from the three who did not participate. As they moved along, Takeru traced his fingers along the smooth wall till they reached a counter seeing that the wall looked intriguing.
The woman behind the counter, who would be in her late twenties, greeted them, "Welcome to the Whitehall Arena's counter. If you're a competitor, please confirm your attendance and also the leader of your group."
"Leader?" Daisuke asked.
"Yes, your group would need a leader," the woman said.
Wallace turned and asked, "Who would be our leader?" He then added, "But please, I'm definitely not taking this role since I'm not the leading type of person. I'm more to the type being commanded as I'm a soldier."
Daisuke shook his head as well, disagreeing on being chosen either. Iori also deviate with it since he said that he was the youngest of them all. However, saving the time from being wasted, Lee said, "Why not have Takeru as the leader?"
"Me?" Takeru pointed to himself innocently.
"Yeah, why not? Ken seems to have a lot of faith in your judgments," Wallace pointed out and at the same time agreeing to the idea.
As the cyan eye boy told the woman of their decision, Iori just looked away with an audible 'hmph' and looked at the charts and notes that were pinned to a board. Daisuke and Lee went to the window that overlooked the whole arena below and gaped at the numbers of spectators. Takeru took the chance and headed to another board that showed the competitors of their turn in the match. To his surprise, there were only eight empty spaces showed where the groups' name should be. This made some worries bubbling from within him, as there should be more than hundreds of groups from all around the world.
Even as Wallace called him from a newly opened doorway, which led into a dark pathway, he knew that something was blooming already. He was proven right when a movement behind him was caught by his acute senses. Immediately, he warned the rest, "Everyone, there's an ambush!"
Takeru ducked the weapon that was swung at his head and caught the assailant arm. The man was thrown to the wall right after Takeru had broken the man's wrist bone. The blonde hair boy heard his friend engaged in their own battle but he did not have the chance to help them as two more man took the place of his first assailant. Though in a poor lighted pathway, Takeru could see that these two held knifes in each of their hands.
After a simple shrug, the blonde hair boy disappeared. The two new assailants were surprised at this and were completely taken aback when a blow was landed on the back of their neck, knocking them out. Takeru had used his unmatched speed to move behind his enemy to knock them out. He had never intended to kill them, as he bared no hatred towards them.
Once that done, he swung his clenched fist backwardly in a backhanding motion. Another man was down on the floor, joining his teammates. Takeru continued to land blows on enemies that seemed to be coming nonstop from everywhere. But after what seemed like the twentieth man he had knocked out, the rest retreated and disappeared into the darkness.
Wallace, Lee, Daisuke, and Iori joined him as they watched the retreating group. Finally, it dawned on Takeru what this had meant. "I think that was a preliminary test for all fighters, testing whether they are qualify or not."
"What do you mean preliminary?" Daisuke asked.
Takeru turned to him and explained, "Just now, I've spotted a chart that showed who would be fighting against who. There were eight empty spaces in that chart." Takeru looked away and asked, "Don't you think that is strange? There should be more than fifty groups if this tournament is held at the world level."
Lee snapped his fingers and exclaimed; "Now I get it! What happened just now, is to shoo off or should I say disqualify any group of fighters that are unworthy!"
Takeru nodded.
Iori then said, "But who cares? Now that we have pass this stupid test, let's get on with this."
Daisuke agreed with the younger boy by clenching and unclenching his fists.
They walked on down the hallway till they reached the end of it, which was the resting room for the qualified competitors. The roar that of cheering that flowed in from a door beyond took them aback. They sat down one corner and eyed their would be foes. In Lee's opinion, the warriors here were not as powerful as he had thought. He suddenly missed the tournaments he had back in his hometown.
Takeru also felt the same way when Lee had voiced out his opinions. He thought to himself silently, 'It seems that we would have no trouble meeting with the King.' But then, his eyes fell on a pair of warrior that stood the furthest. They were two boys of his age. One of them had long hair, held behind by a scarf and tied at the end into a ponytail. The other had hairs like Ken, only in black and kind of unruly. Though not sure why, he felt very uneasy just by looking at them. As one of them looked at him, Takeru quickly looked away and made a mental note to be careful of them.
Right then, a man, accompanied by a person who can only be the judge, walked in from the door where the source of cheering was coming from. "Honored warriors, I, as the advisor of the King, welcome you all to the 'Tournament of Warriors'. Now that the eight groups had already been decided, please prepare yourself for the upcoming battle that will be announce."
The judge stepped forward and said, "You all may choose any weapons you've brought along or borrow weapons from within that room." The judge pointed at a door to the left of Takeru. "Once preparations are done, we'll call for you."
"For now, please relax yourself," the advisor said.
Once the two men had left, Takeru sat down and do some short breathing that was meant for calming one down. He felt nervous not because of the coming battle, but because of the number of eyes that would be on him during the battle. The giddy Daisuke couldn't stop himself from shifting his seating position but his best friend however, sat in perfect calm. Wallace looked up to where the clock was and kept on gazing at it. Iori unsheathed his kodachi, Arataka, and started flipping it from hand to hand.
When Wallace suddenly remembered something important, he motioned all of them to follow him. They moved to an area that hid them from the rest of the competitors. That done, Wallace said, "I think, if we are to use our own weapons, we might as well summon them now instead of later during battle. This will not cause any suspicious like that if we use magic."
They all nodded, except for Lee.
Iori stood perfectly still and concentrated. Suddenly, the scabbard of his Ikazuchi, which was slung over his head to one shoulder, materialized. Wallace held out his an amulet that was wore around his neck. With a silent command, the amulet grew and grew till it was the size of the original Kadaan. Daisuke left his hand at his side, but when held up, a pair of red, steel gauntlets covered them. There was a flash of light and Takeru's Tengoku was in his hand. As Takeru swung his weapon to one side slowly, it had changed itself into a golden staff, without one realizing when it had changed.
Feeling curious, Lee asked, "Takeru, your weapon can change shape?"
"Yeah, sort of. From its memories, it had showed me that it could change into two other forms other than this staff and the usual naginata." Takeru looked as if he was thinking before he went on, "But in my opinion, Tengoku should be able to change into many other weapons."
"Cool," Daisuke noted.
The door where the advisor and the judge had used opened. A woman came in and called two groups of fighters. The two groups departed through the same door and Takeru and the rest once again sat down, deep in their own thoughts. There were a lot of cheers and jeers when the fight started. Since they were not permitted to watch the other groups' battles, as it would be considered unfair, Takeru had no idea what had been happening outside.
After twenty minutes or so, only one group came back in. One of their member seemed to be seriously injured. But that was not of Takeru and his friends' concern since they were called right then.
When they stepped out into the open-air arena, the shout deafened the two emerged group. Takeru's was brought to one side of the raised stage by the same woman and the other group was brought to their opposite.
The woman then explained the rules; "This is a battle where one fighter compete again another from your opposing group. You may choose anyone to enter at which fight and fight as many battles as you see fit. But the winner of a match shall be determined by your opponent or your giving up, or by the unconscious state of one of you. If by any chance you are thrown out of the stage, you're considered lost. The group who won three sets of the match first shall be considered the winner." She looked at them and inquired, "Any questions?"
When she received no reply, only a shook of heads, she walked away. The judge that stood on the stage spoke loudly, over the shouts of spectators, "Competitors, present your fighter."
"I guess I'll take the first round," Daisuke said.
Before anyone can say otherwise, Daisuke had leaped onto the square marble stage that was ten feet wide, and five feet tall, waiting for his opponent – whoever it was. His eagerness was proved by the smile plastered on his face. After a brief discussion in the opposing group, a spiky hair man who held a pair of sickle stepped onto the stage. Daisuke sized up his opponent who wore a simple green shirt and blue trouser. Other than the hideous grin, Daisuke wasn't able to say much of this man he's facing.
The commentator, seeing that the two fighters were prepared, announced, "First match, Motomiya Daisuke against Tsunimaru, begin!"
It was so fast; the man was suddenly dashing forward across the stage, with both his sickles raised. Daisuke also rushed forward, meeting his foe straight on. Tsunimaru slashed at the boy with both his weapons but Daisuke had leapt behind him and landed a chop at the base of the man's neck. Tsunimaru staggered, but did not fall.
Instantly, he had regained his pose and slashed backwardly. Daisuke was barely able to dodge it as it happened so fast. Fortunately, he escaped with only a rip of his cloth, across the chest. Once on his footing, Daisuke rushed forward again, throwing a punch on the man's chest, again, and again. All the while, there was a grin on the boy's face.
At the side of the ring, Lee shook his head while sighing and said, "Someday, Daisuke will regret it if he keep on smiling during a battle."
"I bet," Wallace nodded. "But at least he's winning." Wallace was proven right when Tsunimaru suddenly landed in front of them, out of the stage. The cyan eye boy then went on, "I think this tournament isn't as exciting as I had thought."
*******
Three hours later…
Ken leaned back on the chair, hands folded across his chest. "Everything seems to go well so far."
"What do you mean so far?" Miyako retorted at Ken. "They went through the whole thing into the final match without even losing once!"
"That's kinda true you know," Lee said. "And I thought this would be fun."
The group sat around the table of the arena's cafeteria. Takeru and the rest had gone through the first two matches without any problem. Apparently, they were rewarded with a thirty minutes break before their final match. Seeing that they had the time, the group had hooked up in the cafeteria and talked about their passed matches.
"I guess this break wasn't needed after all since I didn't even battle once," Iori said. He sipped his drink in front of him and promptly went on, "But in any case though, I hope our foes in the final would make this tournament worthwhile."
"Fat chance." Daisuke smiled as he said, "Did you see how I beat those two that I fought?"
Wallace snickered and suggested, "Don't get overconfident Daisuke. You might find yourself losing in the coming match."
"Fat chance again!"
"No, Daisuke. Wallace is right," Takeru said quietly. "Our opponent, I heard, is the two boys we've seen in the resting room."
"What about them?"
The blonde hair boy sighed and answered "I don't know. But somehow, I felt, worry looking at them as if they're… they're – I can't describe it."
Hikari placed a reassuring hand on Takeru's shoulder and said; "Don't worry. I know you all will win this tournament."
Takeru smiled at her and thanked her for her kind words. Without the rest knowing it, a small blush had crept onto the girl's cheek. She hurriedly averted her face to hide it and nervously sipped at her cup of tea that was untouched.
"But in any case, what do you know about tour opponent?" Lee asked.
"That would be cheating!" Daisuke said suddenly. "The rules state that 'we weren't supposed to know our opponents ability'!"
"Better safe than sorry!" Lee retorted. Then, with an ugly smirk, he asked the maroon hair boy, "By the way, since when you play fair?"
"Seriously, Lee, you can't get the day finish without an indistinct comment about me do you?" With a frown, Daisuke continued, "Geez… you're getting as bad as Jun already."
Hikari, who had recovered, giggled and said, "Your opponents, they were called the Minamoto brothers. Since the commentator uses no other specific name, we wouldn't know which is which. However, one of them uses a staff – a red one with its ends pointed and a strange orb like thing in the handle part."
Miyako then supplied more, "But the other one didn't participate once since the first one always win whoever he fought with. So, we wouldn't be of help much if you wanted to know what the other boy is capable off."
"But that would be sufficient," Ken said. "Since you all only need to win two matches only."
Suddenly, Iori stood up and said, "Well, I think we should head back. The next match will be starting any minute now."
They nodded and once again parted way. Now, back in the competitor's resting room, the five boys sat quietly, waiting for the call of the announcer. Their opposing group was there as well, sat in the far corner of the room. Takeru stole a glance at them and once again felt the same creepy feeling crawling across his back. Almost immediately, he knew that this would be a very difficult battle.
Once called, they stood at the same place as in their previous matches. The same woman briefed them through the rules again. However, when the woman was about to leave the area, the commentator announced, "It seems that the Minamoto brothers had called for an All – Out Match. What says our other competitors?"
"What's an All – Out Match?" Daisuke wondered.
The woman who was about to leave, explained, "An All – Out Match will be a match where all the fighters in a group fight with all the fighters in the other. This would be a one-battle match where the winner is once again determined by only giving up, or all the fighters in a specific battle are unable to continue anymore. Also, the 'Out of Stage' rule will not be applied in matches as such."
Takeru looked at the rest of his friends and asked, "What do you think?"
"Are you kidding? It's five against two, a sure-win battle! Of course we take their challenge!" Daisuke said almost immediately.
Lee however, looked worry, "I don't know about that. To ask for such a match could either mean that they are fools or they are full of confidence in winning."
"I think we take their offer! They seem to be looking down upon us!" Wallace remarked angrily. Iori agreed with Wallace with a nod of his head.
Seeing that the majority wins, Takeru turned around, faced the woman and voice out their agreement. The woman then run off and after a moment, the commentator said, "The five young fighters seem to have accepted the Minamoto brothers challenge." Once the two group were on the stage, the commentator began the match, "Let the final match… START!"
Twirling his golden staff, Takeru dashed forward. Soon after, Iori also rushed forward, his Ikazuchi katana held firmly at one hand. Daisuke and Lee, paired together, ran at almost the same pace. Wallace stayed behind to cover for them if needed. The Minamoto brothers however, doesn't seem to be moving at all. The one with the long ponytail, who also held a staff, waited patiently. The other one, like Wallace, was at the back waiting, but with no visible weapons of some sort.
Takeru had slowed his pace so that his companions can move ahead of him. The three, Daisuke, Lee, and Iori, ran on. But when they neared the boy with long ponytail, his closed eyes opened with a dangerous glint. Takeru tried to warn the rest, but the boy with ponytail had already moved from his place with speed that was not normal for a human being. Within a blink of an eye, Takeru's three companions, who had been ahead, were sent flying backward.
However, Takeru didn't stop to check at them as the boy was in front of him now. If it weren't for Takeru being used to seeing ninjas moved rapidly in the day or night, he wouldn't be able to block his opponent's weapon with his own. When their weapons locked, Takeru's brows furrowed at how strong the boy were. Fortunately, he was experienced with the use of the staff. Sliding one hand lower to the edge of his staff, he applied a little more strength and sent his opponent's weapon flying into the air with a quick upward strike. When Takeru thrust his staff at the boy, the boy leapt backward, while grabbing his weapon in midair.
Takeru didn't give a chance for him to recover as he rushed forward again and swung with his staff multiple times though it was all parried. Without warning, Iori appeared from behind Takeru and brought his katana down while in air. After a final evade from Takeru's vicious strike, the Minamoto kicked the blonde hair boy away and blocked the katana with his red staff. When he pushed, Iori twisted his body and landed smoothly.
But to the Minamoto's surprise, Iori's place was taken over by Daisuke who had emerged in front of him without him knowing it. Daisuke punches several times with speed that no normal human can achieve. Yet, it was still evaded by the fighting Minamoto.
After evading for the eight times, the Minamoto grabbed Daisuke's fist and swung his staff to the boy's belly. However, Lee who had kicked the Minamoto off his footing saved the boy. With another kick from Daisuke to his knee, the Minamoto was forced to release the boy and leapt back.
All the while, the commentator was describing their action in full details.
Once the boy had landed, he said with almost an innocent look, "Interesting, I never thought that I would be pushed that far in this utterly meaningless tournament." Suddenly, the dangerous glint in his eyes was there again, "But this is as far as this game will go."
The Minamoto with the long ponytail planted his staff into the ground and released his grip on it. With a different language, he shouted out, "HAKAI!"
This surprised the group of Holy Warriors who understood that single word perfectly. It was a word spoken in the 'Rune' language. But the Warriors on the stage weren't able to digest the word long enough since the stage cracked all of a sudden, beginning from where the red staff was planted.
They all leaped up immediately as the stage below their feet crumbled into small pieces. Though without a foothold, the Minamoto brothers were hovering in midair. And after a long silence, the second Minamoto who had been standing still all along, made his first move. He held up his hand and chanted a series of incantations. The arena seemed to echo his voice with each word. Soon, the spectators were forced to cover their ears.
The final word that the second Minamoto shouted caused a huge gate that had sharp spikes framing its sides, to rise from the ground. When it stopped, the gate opened and from where they were, the Warriors could see a place with an eternal dark sky with dried lands and molten lava littering the ground within. But that was not what worried the Warriors the most. It was the orb that was glowing a dark blue nimbus that was attached to the second Minamoto necklace and also the hordes of winged demons, which had appeared from the opened gate that scared them most.
Instantly, the cheers and jeers were changed into screams of horror. Soon, people were running for the exits and the whole arena was in turmoil. Hikari, Ken, and Miyako, ran to the middle where the stage once were and joined Takeru and the rest.
The first Minamoto smiled and asked, "Why aren't you running? Surely you know this is way beyond you normal human can manage with."
"The only fault with your advice was, we're not 'normal humans'," Ken said.
To proof it, Ken took out the hilt of his Ensui. The Mizu Orb at the base of the sword glowed a bright sky-blue and the water blade was formed by merging the moistures in the air. Miyako's bangle, Jimen, which had looked like a normal bangle with strange carvings, appeared even more dangerous now that it was surrounded by a brown radiance. Hikari called for her Kuuki, an odd bracelet that controlled the power of the wind with the help of the green orb, Kaze that was inserted in it.
Takeru's Tengoku remained unchanged, however it had reverted back to its normal form, the naginata. Daisuke's gauntlets suddenly burst into flames now that the red orb, Honou was glowing brightly in place. Sparks surrounded Iori's katana that was glowing a bright yellow. And Wallace's Kadaan was surrounded by a greenish corona, the same colour of its two orbs; Shizen – just below the center of the three-pointed weapon; and Hana – at the base of its handle.
"The Holy Warriors…" the second Minamoto said with a voice softer than that of his brother. "I didn't know that they have come this far. What are the other Dark Warriors doing, letting them this far?"
"That's not a problem brother. We can handle them." The first Minamoto turned to them and introduces himself, "My name is Minamoto Kouji. The Dark Warrior who holds the Evil Stone, Fundo…. My twin brother there," Kouji indicated it with a gesture of his head, "Minamoto Kouichi, the Keeper of the Gate, have the Tobira no Ishi."
Kouichi then said, "Kouji, why waste our time introducing? Just cut the crap talk and be done with what we're here for."
With that said, the Keeper of the Gate snapped his finger, giving a toneless command to the demons around them. Consequently, the winged demons started killing the spectators that were still in the vicinity. The unlucky ones, children and adult alike, were slaughtered by weapons that were held by the demons, and even some magics that were cast. The brutality caused blood to splatter everywhere.
Takeru shook with anger beyond comprehension. But he held in his fury and asked the two brothers who hadn't made a move yet, "Do you feel anything when you kill these innocent people?"
"Feel?" Kouji smiled deviously, "I've lost the ability to feel years ago when humans did something that had harmed me so much. That's why, this sight only made my blood boil with joy."
That sentence triggered the group of Holy Warriors. Simultaneously, the rushed and leaped towards the Minamoto brothers. Takeru, Hikari, Ken, and Miyako surrounded Kouji and the other four, Iori, Wallace, Daisuke, and Lee, took on Kouichi.
As Daisuke and Lee dashed from opposite sides to their opponent, Iori just ran forward and Wallace jumped into the air, reversing his grip on his trident. Kouichi only took a second to scrutinize his situation. Once ready, he pushed his opened left palm forward. With wide eyes, Iori was knocked back by an invisible force. Two more pushes, Daisuke and Lee end up the same way as Iori. Immediately, the magician sidestepped as Wallace's weapon plummeted down, creating a small crater, though missing him.
Hikari moved her hand multiple ways as winds moved according to her direction, causing blade of winds slashing at Kouji. Miyako hair was spread into eight parts as if it was the legs of the spiders. Each part of her hair changed into a sharp scythe and started slashing wildly as Hikari's wind did. But unexpectedly, Kouji dodged their attacks whenever it came close. Moving even in the air, the Dark Warrior landed and retrieved his staff. This however, was only met by Takeru who had been trying to strike at him. Once the surprise attack was block, Takeru jumped up and let Ken took his place. The violet hair boy slashed with perfect accuracy at Kouji, but like the others, it was blocked as well by the twirling red staff.
The boy with ponytail then thrust his staff, striking Ken's stomach. With a turn, Kouji strike the stunned Ken with the other end of the staff, sending him down to the debris of what use to be the stage. Immediately, he hit the ground hard with the staff, causing a slight tremor. Miyako and Hikari evaded just in time as spikes came protruding out of the ground. Takeru took the moment to move in and slashed with his golden naginata.
Kouichi continued holding back his four opponents with his spiritual ability. His hands moved left and right to keep them from coming two meters near him. Soon, Iori got aggravated and he leaped back. Suddenly, fluffy black clouds covered the sky when the boy raised his Ikazuchi. A single streak of lightning stroke down from within it, homing onto the katana.
"RAIJIN KEN!"
The electrical charged wave scorched the ground as it moved towards its target. However, Kouichi only stared at the approaching charged energy. The magician's eye glinted, resulting in a massive explosion.
When the dust cleared, Kouichi stood where he was, unfazed, though a little distracted. Daisuke had taken the time to slip in and landed a clean hit on Kouichi's face. The boy staggered back as Daisuke smiled with glee for hitting his target for the first time.
Kouichi touched where Daisuke had hit. As his hand swept pass his mouth, something watery stopped his movement. When he stared at his fingers, which were smeared with blood – his blood, Koichi's brows furrowed in anger. With a gaze, Daisuke was knocked backward with a powerful force. Fortunately, Lee stopped caught the maroon hair boy just in time before he was slammed onto the spectator's seat.
As the demons continued with their carnage, the battle between the Dark and Holy Warriors raged on. But it was proven that both were equally good as they haven't been an injury of some sort from any side yet. But as the time wore on, more and more innocents fell victim to the demons.
Evading one last blow, Kouji leaped away and landed side by side with his brother. "We've accomplished what we're here for – things are in chaos enough to give a warning to the foolish man who called himself the King. I think it's time to go already, Kouichi."
Kouichi nodded his agreement, though anger still lingered in his eyes.
Kouji turned to the warriors and said; "We'll not settle our petty rivalry today. Perhaps when we meet again, we'll have a good fight." Kouichi turned away and opened a gate that had materialized out of thin air. Kouji continued before he disappeared into the gate with his brother, "The next time when we meet however, I'll not hold back as I did just now. Get stronger till then…"
Then they were gone along with the demons. Leaving only bodies of the victims and blood around the supposedly magnificent arena. And out of sight of the Holy Warrior, a certain redhead retreated with a smile plastered on his or her face…
*******
The next day…
The massacre in the arena had reached the ears of the Imperial Palace. With it, it had also spread fears through Serenegade. Some visitors from other continents had departed early, back to their hometown, and some seek refuge where they were. The busy streets that was seen the day before was now vacant and void of any people except those who were fleeing.
Takeru and his friends now stood at the audience chamber of the Imperial Palace. When the news had traveled to the King, they were immediately called upon and were to meet the King the day after receiving the invitation.
As this was the first time for Takeru and his friend to meet a person of such power, they smoothed their clothing to make themselves presentable. Miyako even went as far as fitting the boys up with appropriate clothes they had as all shops were closed. The goggle that was supposed to be Daisuke's trademark was removed as Miyako had forced him to do so. The way Daisuke had struggled when Miyako had did so, made the group of friends laughed for a long ten minutes.
As they waited, Hikari asked, "What do you think we're suppose to say to the King?"
"The truth. What else could we say?" Ken answered.
"True, but wouldn't that be something that will bring the whole Gaea upside down?" Takeru pointed out. "It might be too much for them to take such reality."
"We have no other choice," Ken said. "Besides, this might turn out for the better. The armies of Gaea will be ready when the Dark Warriors' minions strike."
Takeru nodded in understanding. But Daisuke grunting and pacing had made him change his topic. "Daisuke, if you don't stop, you will actually feel more nervous."
However, the boy doesn't seem to hear the piece of advice. Acting on Daisuke's behalf, Lee said, "I think that your words had fell on deaf ears. Whenever Daisuke is nervous, he tends to keep his thought on football, his favorite sports."
"Well," Wallace smirked in a friendly way. "We couldn't expect much from him can we? After the short time knowing him, I know that he was that kind of person."
When the double door opened, Daisuke actually jumped with surprise. That caused the group to giggle, even the ever so serious Iori. The messenger bowed to them and led them all the way to the throne room, where the King awaited. When they entered, the messenger left, and the attendant called out their names. Takeru and the others moved neared and fell on their knees to a man on the throne.
The King, as expected, wore garments that would cost a fortune, even to Wallace's family. Though the flowing red robe looked plain, and not a crown was visible on the King's face, the sight of the King was enough to show that he was not a frail weak man with silver hair, in his sixties. The King sat with pride and power on the jewel embedded throne.
His voice was penetrating as he speak, "Welcome, brave warriors who had driven out the demons in the arena. I'm King Magnus, ruler of Serenegade and the head of all the Lords." The king called for them to rise and went on, "The bloodbath in the arena the day before was truly a regrettable one. But thanks to you, brave youngsters, it was stopped. I couldn't possibly express my gratitude.
"As I had heard, it was caused by two brothers who had outstanding abilities. But some survivors had passed on that the duo uses magic. And my trusty Head Advisor here, Lowen, who is very wise in ancient studies, had said and also witnessed that they had used the language that was supposed to be forgotten, Runes.
"Lowen also said that you all uses the same language and also magic. I wouldn't be pointing fingers, but… who on Gaea are you all?"
Takeru, who was speaking for the rest as the leader, said, "Your majesty, I couldn't tell you much about that, but I assure you that we have nothing to do with the Minamoto brothers."
"For the moment, I would take your word, young man." The King's voice then grew serious, "But who are you and your companions? What manner of 'tricks' you have used?" Takeru tried to explain, but the King interrupted the moment his mouth opened, "Do not lie to me young Takeru. Or you might find you and your companions in the dungeon before you could even say the word 'innocent'."
Though offended, Takeru kept his cool and calmness and said what Ken had advised during their time in the audience chamber, "We're just normal teenagers that come from different continents and met due to fate. And this fate, had place a heavy burden on us that might determine the future."
"Your majesty, they could be lying. Even what the boy had said is total fraud," Lowen said suddenly.
But the King raised his hand and said, "It's too early to judge yet, Lowen. I'm always a fair person, let them speak." With his gaze back on Takeru, the King asked, "What's this fate and future you had said? What does it had to do with what happened in the arena?"
"Your majesty," Ken spoke up. "If I may."
The King nodded and Ken continued, "We called ourselves the Holy Warriors. Your majesty might not know what we are, so I'll try to explain to your majesty. To say it simply, we're teenagers who have a normal life and a normal family who were chosen by the Holy Guardians."
Immediately, there were whispering from those present in the throne room. And once again, the advisor accused, "Lies! Everyone knows that the Holy Guardians were gone the moment King Seferius ended the Age of Darkness a thousand years ago! How dare you, mere child, trying to shame the name of the Holy Guardians!"
"We're not lying!" Daisuke said suddenly, perturbed.
"Liars! You don't even have proof! You and your companions are a bunch of lying fools, who don't know your place!"
"You want proof?" Hikari said quietly though her voice obviously sounded angry. She stepped in front of the group and raised her face to the advisor. There was a very serious look in her eyes that made the advisor shut his mouth. Her next few choices of words were force out along with her anger, "We're here to safe the race of humanity. Not to be mocked by the likes of you. If you want proof, I'll show you proof!"
As if Hikari's words were deadly venom, the room felt silence immediately. The ground started to shake, and the wind started to blow wildly in the huge throne room. The fire in the torches hung on the wall flared brighter. Plants in the room started to move on its own as if reaching for someone. Outside, rain started to fall and the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning created a fierce rainstorm.
With shouts of surprise, the guards in the room moved in front of the King immediately, protecting him. From the opened door, more guards streamed in, surrounding Takeru and his friends, though Hikari still stood where she was, as if in a trance.
Still with the disturbance in outside and inside the room, six images flared from the body of the Warriors except for Takeru and Lee. The white tiger, Byakko, emerged from Iori with a fierce roar. The phoenix, Suzaku, spread his wings, throwing flames from the tip of it. Yousei came out of Wallace, and flapped her leaf look-alike wings. The enormous Genbu stomped his feet creating a slight tremor, though the ancient two-headed turtle was only an image. Seiryu, with his snake like body floating around the room, raised his head. And finally, Taihu appeared before Hikari, screeching.
Drained for calling on the images of the Holy Guardians, Hikari fell unconscious, exhausted. Takeru, who had been standing behind her, caught her before she collapsed on the ground. His mind, though worried about the unconscious girl, was also awed at the appearance of the Guardians, as this was the first time Takeru had laid his eyes upon them. Similar to the young ninja, the other Warriors were also surprised at what Hikari had done.
As if they had seen the God Himself, the guards fell on their knees, obviously recognizing the Guardians whose pictures were carved in the Citadel of Serenegade, and also all other temple or citadel scattered in the world. The advisor, Lowen, sat down heavily and started shaking. The King himself, though surprised, only stood up.
However, the King then said, "I now understand that your words are no lies."
Very good, King of Gaea, Seiryu said. But it was a little too slow.
Truly, Suzaku added. Our appearance here, though only an image, had sapped a lot of our spiritual powers and that of Hikari's. I hope it doesn't need a second time.
"I humbly apologize for not believing the words of your chosen ones," the King bow. "But with what had happened, I couldn't give my trust so easily. Plus, my advisor words had made me afraid of being deceived by them."
What afraid of being deceive? You're already deceived! Yousei said angrily. She pointed to where the shaking advisor was and went on; The appearance of that man alone had made me uneasy. Add in the evil aura surrounding him was enough to call him a 'Bad News'.
The advisor immediately stood and ran for the exit. But with a shout from the King, a few guards intercepted Lowen. However, a blast of energy sent the guards lying on the floor. The advisor continued his escape, but Iori had already blocked the exit, with his katana already drew out and pointed at the man's throat. Lowen tried to turn for another exit, but Wallace, Lee and Daisuke closed his escape route.
"Do not be stupid, else you'll find my katana in your flesh, faster than you can blink," Iori threatened dangerously with his malicious eyes glinted with anger towards his enemy.
Daisuke also proofed his resentment by making cracking noises with his fist. Wallace's trident and Lee's furrowed brows also made the so-called advisor think twice. But his eagerness for escape overcame him. Lowen tried to charge up a spell but as Iori had said, the advisor's head was sent flying the minute Lowen moved his hand. With the speed, there wasn't even a trace of blood on Iori's Ikazuchi.
The body of the so-called advisor crumbled to the ground and started reverting back to its original form, which was that of a demon. Like Ken had seen before, the flesh of the demon melted as green blood oozes out of the torn skin. When all traces of it was gone, even the bones, only then did Iori sheathed his katana and returned to stand with the group.
"I apologize for the sight of the mess, your majesty," Iori apologized.
"That would be excuse as it was necessary to do so," the King said. He turned back towards the Guardian and said, "I thanked the kind Guardian for revealing the traitor. It could have caused the fall of my kingdom. Once more, I thank you."
Yousei waved casually and smiled.
"I'm sorry to have kept your time, Holy Guardians. As of now, my ears are to hear and believe all these chosen ones say."
That was very understanding of you, King of Gaea, Genbu said. And as you would have guessed, we have taken this form too long. We'll take our leave as of now.
The King bowed once again, as the six images of the Holy Guardians started to vanish. Once departed, the King stood tall and said to a nearest captain in charge, "Find someone and clean up the mess here, and get some rooms ready."
"Yes, your majesty!"
After the captain departed, the King turned to the Warriors, "With what had happened, I'll need a day to sort things out with my other advisors." A woman came in then. "Gilda here will bring you to your room. Rest, for now, as I'm sure that Lady Hikari needed it."
"We thank you for the hospitality, your majesty," Takeru said where his was, though he bowed awkwardly as Hikari was now carried in his arms.
Gilda led them through a series of flourish hallways and grand staircases. Along the way, the companions asked Takeru whether Hikari was fine or not. Their worries vanished only when Taihu's voice told them that she was only exhausted for trying something new that Taihu had thought her when Takeru and Ken were debating with the King.
The group then reached a single oak door. When opened, Takeru and his friends were now in an amazingly large room. Like the one in Wallace's uncle's, this room was also designed luxuriously to host important guests. The only differences were, the room was much larger with ten four-postal beds, and also a wide balcony, providing astonishing scenery of the whole Serenegade.
Daisuke immediately ran for the balcony, followed by Miyako. The maroon hair boy stretched and sucked in lungful of fresh air. Miyako surveyed the beauty as she used one hand to keep her hair down, as it was blown wildly by the cool breeze. Iori flopped down on one of the bed and lied down, closing his eyes. Wallace and Lee soon joined Daisuke and Miyako on the balcony.
Takeru placed Hikari on the bed and covered her with the red fur blanket. The boy stayed there, knelt beside the bed, worried. He doesn't know why, but he felt… very warm, just by gazing at her. Searching in his heart, he really did felt something for this girl. Was it friendship? Yes, but there also was something else. Less, he wouldn't be staring at her when he first saw her. But Takeru was still confused at the moment, of his feeling, the Evil Warriors, and even the fate he was so convinced of just now. So he just stopped thinking more of anything, of everything.
He was only brought back to reality when Ken patted his back.
"She'll be fine," Kern assured him. "Besides, our Guardians also said that she was only exhausted. You should relax like the rest."
"It isn't that. I'm just thinking of something else…"
"Oh, and what is that 'something else'?"
"Never mind about that, just leave it aside," Takeru said. "Anyway, what should we do next? I'm sure now the King will provide us with the pass to enter the Castle in every Castle City, but what next?"
Miyako, Wallace and Lee had joined the two boys right then. Daisuke also turned around, listening attentively. Iori also sat up straight, waiting for Ken's reply.
Ken however, was silent for a moment. Right then, he really didn't know what to say. But then, calmly, he spoke, "I think, after this, we'll separate and move in group of two."
"What?" Miyako exclaimed in surprise. "Why?"
But Lee however, see right through Ken's intention, "I see. Is it because of the Evil Warriors?"
"Exactly," Ken confirmed it. "Through what Wallace had told me before, the Evil Warrior, Master of Phantasm, Yuurei Obaake, is in the Castle City of Mescaria. I assume that there are also Evil Warriors in the other Castle Cities. Their intention however, I can only guess…"
"To destroy the remaining Holy Stones, am I right?" Takeru stated.
Ken nodded. "That's what I think as well. So, we've to make haste and find the rest of the Holy Stones before it's too late."
"So, how do you intend we do this?" Wallace asked.
"As I have said, we'll split into two groups. The first would be a group containing me, Takeru, Hikari and Miyako. The second one, Lee, Wallace, Daisuke and Iori. I've thought about this formation for quite some time. So, virtually, I've split our group into equal force."
"But, wouldn't we have trouble to meet later?" Daisuke asked. "That would be bad, wouldn't it?"
"I've been taking about that as well. Since I wasn't so familiar with the map of Gaea, I'm having difficulty with that," Ken admitted.
Takeru reached into his backpack and unfolded a map on the table in the middle of the room. The group then studied the map intently. After a long debate, where it involved loud voices, disagreement, and pointing of fingers, a plan finally came up.
"Okay, then it's decided then," Ken, voiced out. "Group one would head to Erathia first, through the land bridge and from there, we'll head to the continent of Wyndian by boat."
"Then, we of group two," Lee said, "-will head to Flamberge, as I'm more familiar there. Then we'll head to the 'Dry Continent', Gwarthen by boat as well."
"And we'll meet in Thaedan again when all are done," Iori finalized their plan.
"Wait, there's a possibility that one of us would not show up," Daisuke said. "What if we failed-"
At that moment, Lee knocked Daisuke head, causing the maroon hair boy to rub the part he was hit. Takeru then said, "Don't worry, Daisuke. I believe that we will all survive through this. And we will all meet in Thaedan's Castle City. This is because, there are people that are waiting for us, and people that we want to protect in this world."
The group was silent but the smile on each of their face showed that they all agreed with Takeru, though Iori hid his smile from the rest.
*******
The next day…
At the gate of the city Serenegade, the two groups stood facing each other on horsebacks. At the request of Takeru, the King did not send entourage to bade them farewell. However, they did accept the offer to wine and dine with the King in the previous night. In the morning, the King had handed them each a passes and also gave them a bag full of gold for the journey ahead. The King, at Wallace's request, sent words to the three Military Academies in Gaea, to be prepared for what might come.
"So, this is it," Takeru said. "Let's meet again in Mincht after this."
"Don't you forget that," Daisuke said enthusiastically. "Make sure you buy some souvenirs for me in places that you're going since-"
Lee knocked at Daisuke's head, quieting him.
Hikari giggled and said, "Don't worry, Daisuke, we will buy something for you."
"Thanks, Hikari," Daisuke said cheerfully, only to be knocked by Lee again.
"Well, time is short," Wallace, stated. "We might as well be on our way."
"You're right," Ken agreed.
"In Mincht then," Miyako reminded them.
They all nodded. And with a final farewell, Takeru's group trotted northeast and Lee's group headed southwest to the 'Fire Continent', Flamberge. As the wind whipped past them, and as the distance between them grew wider, the two groups still didn't leave with a heavy heart. As they all know, they all are connected in a very similar way. Even a thousand miles apart will not tear their friendship away. That is because, their hopes are much more greater than the distance…
Chotto matte mite dare datte
Kinou to maru de chigau
Just wait a minute, everyone
Is different from yesterday
Chotto mite mite
Yokogao no shiruetto mo otona sa
Just look, look
The silhouette of your profile looks grown up
Chotto kimi kimi
Iiwake wo shitai kimochi mo wakaru
Datte yo no naka kore ja
Maru de natte nai jan
Hey you, you
I understand the desire to make excuses
I mean, at this rate
You're nothing in the world
Da ne! kimochi ii kuuki wo
Ima! suitakute
Shou ga nai shou ga nai
Right! I want to breath
Now! Some good feeling air
So badly, so badly
Ashita wa atashi no kaze ga fuku
kara ne
Sekaijuu no doa akete oite hoshii
Ashita wa atashi no kaze ga fuku kara ne
Kimi no sono yowamushi wo
Mouretsu ni fukitobasu yo
Goojasu na jinsei wo!
My wind will blow tomorrow, so
I want to leave all the doors in the world open
My wind will blow tomorrow, so
I'm gonna get rid of
Your cowardliness
A gorgeous life!
Soshite ima sugu kimeta nara
Yuuki wo sotto moteru
And now if you've decided
Just quietly gather your courage
Soshite ima kara doko mademo
Tsugi kara tsugi e bouken
And now til wherever
We'll have adventure after adventure
Soshite ima sugu hashiridasou
Ato de kangaeyou yo
Datte mirai ga kore ja
Shoboi karaa ni naru jan
And now let's just start running
Let's think about it afterwards
I mean, at this rate
The future'll be a dreary color
Da ne! kimochi ii merodi
Ima! utaitakute
Shou ga nai shou ga nai
Right! I want to sing
Now! A good feeling melody
So badly, so badly
Ashita wa atashi no kaze ga fuku
kara ne
Sekaijuu no haato nana iro ni kawaru yo
Ashita wa atashi no kaze ga fuku kara ne
Kimi no sono yuuutsu wo
Mouretsu ni fukitobasu yo
Goojasu na jinsei wo!
My wind will blow tomorrow, so
I'm gonna make all the hearts in the world rainbow colored
My wind will blow tomorrow, so
I'm gonna get rid of
Your gloominess
A gorgeous life!
Da ne! kimochi ii merodi
Ima! utaitakute
Shou ga nai shou ga nai
Right! I want to sing
Now! A good feeling melody
So badly, so badly
Ashita wa atashi no kaze ga fuku
kara ne
Sekaijuu no doa akete oite hoshii
Ashita wa atashi no kaze ga fuku kara ne
Kimi no sono yowamushi wo
Mouretsu ni fukitobasu yo
Goojasu na jinsei wo!
My wind will blow tomorrow, so
I want to leave all the doors in the world open
My wind will blow tomorrow, so
I'm gonna get rid of
Your cowardliness
A gorgeous life!
***********************************************************************************************
Basic Statistics:
*This section is the first time ever being used in fanfiction.net. Therefore, it belongs to me. If any authors who wanted to use this concept in their own story, please inform me and ask my permission first before doing so. Thank you!!
*Those numbers in brackets belongs to the characters' respective guardian.
Main characters:
Takaishi Takeru (None)
Level: 17
Hp: 976
Sp: 81
Mp: N/A
Strength: 32
Magic: N/A
Defense: 25
Mag. Defense: 23
Speed: 42
Luck: 100
Skills learned:
- Kabutowari (6 Sp)
- Sazanka (8 Sp)
Magics learned:
- N/A
Yagami Hikari (Taihu)
Level: 20 (26)
Hp: 794
Sp: 53
Mp: 135
Strength: 18 (43)
Magic: 51 (40)
Defense: 19 (35)
Mag. Defense: 42 (33)
Speed: 35
Luck: 120
Skills learned:
- Kamaitachi (10 Sp)
- Uzumaku no Kaze (20 Sp)
Magics learned:
- Wind Cutter (8 Mp)
- Air Slash (12 Mp)
- Cyclone (16 Mp)
- Aero Cries (28 Mp)
- Tornado (32 Mp)
- *Summoning _ Taihu* (100 Mp)
Ichijozi Ken (Seiryu)
Level: 15 (23)
Hp: 734
Sp: 55
Mp: 84
Strength: 21 (42)
Magic: 33 (35)
Defense: 17 (28)
Mag. Defense: 37 (31)
Speed: 25
Luck: 130
Skills learned:
- Wareme ga Atama (23 Sp)
Magics learned:
- Spread (9 Mp)
- Ice Wall (15 Mp)
- Hail Storm (28 Mp)
Inoue Miyako (Genbu)
Level: 14 (21)
Hp: 734
Sp: 59
Mp: 53
Strength: 24 (42)
Magic: 20 (26)
Defense: 33 (50)
Mag. Defense: 15 (20)
Speed: 17
Luck: 80
Skills learned:
- Kanazuchi (7 Sp)
- Kami o-sage (7 Sp)
- Oogama (9Sp)
Magics learned:
- Stone Wall (10 Mp)
- Rock Break (17 Mp)
Motomiya Daisuke (Suzaku)
Level: 17 (22)
Hp: 1040
Sp: 85
Mp: 54
Strength: 44 (39)
Magic: 21 (31)
Defense: 36 (28)
Mag. Defense: 16 (22)
Speed: 26
Luck: 40
Skills learned:
- Tenga _ Hien Ren Kyaku (6 Sp)
- Tenga _ Rengadan (10 Sp)
- Tenga _ Hachi Yourenga (12 Sp)
- Tenga _ Shishi Senkou (24 Sp)
- Tenga _ Majin Hien Kyaku (28 Sp)
Magics learned:
- Fireball (9 Mp)
- Flame Wall (11 Mp)
Hida Iori (Byakko)
Level: 14 (18)
Hp: 903
Sp: 83
Mp: 43
Strength: 29 (30)
Magic: 18 (23)
Defense: 23 (24)
Mag. Defense: 15 (22)
Speed: 19
Luck: 70
Skills learned:
- Majin Ken (5 Sp)
- Raijin Ken (12 Sp)
- Tatsuumaki, Kougeki suru (17 Sp)
Magics learned:
- None yet
Wallace de Winter (Yousei)
Level: 16 (23)
Hp: 1138
Sp: 67
Mp: 55
Strength: 28 (36)
Magic: 23 (43)
Defense: 24 (33)
Mag. Defense: 23 (30)
Speed: 24
Luck: 60
Skills learned:
- Yousou Shuugeki (15 Sp)
- Hitenryubu (26 Sp)
Magics learned:
- Leaf Dance (14 Mp)
- Vicious Vine (21 Mp)
Misc. Characters:
Lee Jenrya
Level: 15
Hp: 849
Sp: 81
Mp: N/A
Strength: 33
Magic: N/A
Defense: 30
Mag. Defense: 17
Speed: 23
Luck: 90
Skills learned:
- Tenga _ Tsumujikaze (7 Sp)
- Tenga _ Gariuukuuha (13 Sp)
- Tenga _ Hien Ren Ten Kyaku (33 Sp)
Magics learned:
- N/A
***********************************************************************************************
Translations:
Miscellaneous:
Sayonara – Goodbye
Daijobu ka? – Are you alright?
Daijobu – I'm fine
Yokatta – Thank goodness (Relieve)
Arigatou – Thank you
Gomen – Sorry
Hakai – Destruction
Author's Note:
Not much to say, but in any case, please review and tell me how I fare in this chapter. I really wanted to know what you all think about how the romances have work out. If there are any awkwardness and would like to comment about it, please tell me and I'll try my best to repair it.
Anyway, the song above is 'Ashita wa Atashi no Kaze ga Fuku'. That is Digimon Adventure 02 first ending theme.
With that, wait for the next chapter, 'The Battle for Life'.
