Bonds of Fate
Shin instantly panicked. Lightning fast, she kicked with all her might backwards. The hands released when she felt her heel connect with her attacker's groin. Whirling around, she prepared for whatever he/she might dish out, then her hands flew to her mouth and her eyes grew as big as soup dishes. "Oh Goddess!!! Corren?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
The man lay on the ground groaning in pain. He had fair golden hair similar to Devon's but longer and tied back in a messy ponytail. He squinted up at her out of one emerald eye. "Nice kick."
"Sorry," Shin said sheepishly, extending her hand to help him to his feet. "But you shouldn't have snuck up on me like that!"
"You shouldn't have been here," Corren retorted, hobbling along the path. "My brother would've had your head if he had caught you."
"I'm not scared of him," Shin replied, tossing her head.
"Yes but I know him, and he doesn't take kindly to people who stick their noses where they don't belong."
Shin snorted. "What was that monster anyways?"
"As if I know. My brother hides everything from me, even though I am the oldest. He values his privacy."
Shin shrugged. "So why's you ambush me anyways?"
"To keep you from following. Little did I know you knew a certain form of self defense."
Shin giggled impishly. "I wasn't planning on following them, I'm not that stupid."
Corren fixed her with a 'yeah, right' gaze. She sighed. "Well not all the way to the mansion anyways."
"One of these days you are going to get hurt. Curiosity-"
"Killed the cat. I know, but I just want to find out more about that monster. There was something about it..."
Corren sighed, "Just keep within your own boundaries. You worry me Shin, you're a promising breeder, but too childish for your own good."
"Corren, I'm fourteen. I AM still a child."
With that she turned on her heel and stalked off toward her stables. Corren watched her go, then shook his head and turned down the path to the mansion, thinking of a way to explain his injury.
-*-
Shin arrived at the stables just in time to get out the food, then pull it quickly out of the way as Seta flew in through the open door and crashed into the wall. Dante came in a few minutes later dusting himself off casually, then sidestepping Seta's angry charge. The Zaku barreled into Dis who was walking in, who in turn knocked down Shade, who landed on Zephyr. Silvern sighed in disgust and stepped over the tangle of bodies. "Males!"
"Ditto to that," groaned Shin. "Dante, what did you do this time?!"
"Nothing," came the indifferent, infuriatingly cool answer. Shin rolled her eyes but dropped it. She threw a vitamin at Dante and another at Silvern.
"Catch them, there are only enough left for one each. I'm going to have to refill tomorrow."
The knot at the door was just getting untangled when Loki knocked them all over again like bowling pins. Shin sighed and went over to help, then hand them all their dinners. "You guys behave tomorrow. I'm going to the town for more food and Devon's probably going to send someone to train you while I'm gone. Be nice!"
"I hope it's not that idiot from last time," grumbled Shade. "What was his name? Jordan, I hope it's not Jordan."
"I'll be sure to request him," Shin joked. "Nah, probably a new guy. Devon likes to torment the new guys by setting them up with hard monsters. First time I was here he set me up with the Dragons. Please, just go easy. 'Kay? Dante do NOT roll your eyes at me!"
The Naraku shrugged. "Alright, I'll try to keep fireball in line."
"See this is what I'm talking about! You bait him on purpose and start a huge fight," Shin sighed, then started climbing up the ladder to the loft where she slept. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, before I leave."
-*-
"There's your purchase kid, have a nice day!"
Shin nodded and picked up the bag, heavy with produce. She elbowed open the door and stepped out into the busy streets, having to jump back as a Zuum drawn wagon hurtled past. "Hey watch were your going lame brain!"
She growled and pushed her way into the crowd. As she was rattled and tugged along, she glanced at the clock tower. Hm, twenty minutes to get back, might as well go browse for stuff, it's my money anyways...
She stopped off at a store window display. It had some neat items, a few she knew her Zans would like. A happy monster is a somewhat obedient monster. Pushing the door open, a faint tingling noise sounded in a back room, as if there were any need. A bored looking young girl was minding the counter, looking half asleep. Unhindered, Shin browsed through the items, half of the good ones too pricey to buy, but she could afford a bottle of wine for Dante, and a large pack of Mint leaves for everyone else.
As she was looking at some orbs, she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned too see Merle, the rancher in charge of the Jokers. "Hi Merle, what are you doing here?"
"I was just in town to see my family," he said. "Need help?"
"Um, yeah, hold this bag for me, it's a bit heavy."
She handed him the produce bag which he lifted with ease. He was another prodigy on Divinity Ranch, not much older than her, with bright blue eyes and platinum colored hair. He had lived in the village all his life, and had shown his exquisite skills by winning a tournament with straight KO's. Soon after he had been offered a job at the ranch, and now was one of the top breeders. He had been Shin's guide when she first came, and a strong friendship was forged between them.
As she waited for the cashier to ring off her items, a question popped into her mind. "Merle, have you had any new acquisitions to your section lately?"
"No, but come to think of it," he leaned down and spoke in a conservative tone. "Master Devon called Phantom, he's my strongest joker, over to the training fields privately, and when he came back, he was a mess. He couldn't train for about four weeks. He's been doing this all around the ranch."
Shin gulped. "Do you think-"
"You'll be next? I give it a fair chance."
Merle fixed her with a piercing stare. "I personally think Master Devon's cracked. Rumor has it he's unlocked a legendary, ultra-powerful monster. It's just a rumor, but I think the proof's building up."
"Yeah, a rumor," Shin laughed nervously, her mind flitting back to the mysterious monster. Was it him? Was it Oberon?
-*-
Silvern wove in between Dis's slashing blades, her speed matching his. To the normal human eye they would've looked like a flashing blurs of black and silver. But none of the ranchers on Divinity Ranch were entirely normal.
Shin monitored the fight with a careful eye. Divinity Ranch had a unique style of training, pitting monsters up against each other or stronger opponents to raise their stats. There was no rock pushing, or tree jumping, or racing. Sighing, Shin glanced at her stopwatch. This had been going on for twenty minutes already!
"Time," she called. "You guys were both really good. See, Silvern, you get along just fine without the charm technique."
The female Zan shrugged. "Yeah, I do."
Shin rolled her eyes. "You're conceited. Okay next we have-"
"Miss Shindri."
Shin turned. An imperious looking man towered over her. "Yes?"
"Master Corren requires one of the Zans, the Naraku or the Zaku if you will oblige. Or both."
Shin bit her lip, this was the time. "Why?"
The man looked down at her coldly. "The Master's business is none of your concern."
"I think it is," Shin replied with an equally cold voice. "These Zans are mine, and it is my responsibility to take care of them. I think I have a right to know what Devon is going to do with them."
"These are the Master's property, and he can call them whenever he wishes. And you must use proper respect with the Master's name."
Shin opened her mouth for an angry rebuke when Dante motioned her to be silent. "Come on Fireball."
Seta shrugged and followed, and already Shin could see the battle lust burning in his eyes. She growled in frustration and worry. If one of them came back hurt or...well she would kill Devon and that monster with her bare hands. The man nodded in her direction with cool, mock gratitude and led the two zans away. Shakily, Shin turned back to the remaining few. "Okay, Zephyr, Shade, go."
The two Zans went into the field noiselessly. Silvern glanced her way. "They're going to be alright," she said, only a tinge of comfort in her silky voice. "They can take care of themselves."
"Yeah," Shin replied. "I guess."
But can they stand up to a legendary monster?
-*-
Dante followed the tall man through the steel halls leading down to the underground arena. He had put on a facade of total nonchalance, while inside he prepared himself for what would surely be a difficult fight. Master Devon only called monsters down to the underground arena when he was sure there would be an interesting show. The Naraku steeled himself against his fear, and then turned a scornful eye on his companion. Seta was clearly struggling not to lash out and attack right then. A Phoenix's fierce blood ran in his veins, combined with a Zan's natural instinct to fight and annihilate. In other words, here was a berserk combination, deadly without control. Dante groaned inwardly and cursed his choice in partners. He would probably cause as much damage to himself as he did to the opponent.
The hall ended abruptly and a pair of platinum doors wrought with silver loomed from the shadows. Talk about Devon to bring style to everything. The man pushed them open and led the two monsters into the arena.
The floor was made out of limestone brushed over with a fine coat of sand for footing. A balcony jutted out from the north wall where Devon sat like a Roman Emperor, smiling cruelly over his personal Colosseum. The giant bowed sharply. "Sir, the opponents have arrived."
"Good," Devon smirked. "Enter Dante, Seta. Don't be surprised I know your names, I'm not nearly as wrapped up in myself as the rumors say. I've watched you well enough to know the pet names your breeder has assigned you. Anyways, come. You have a battle to fight."
Dante stepped forward into the ring. That nagging bad feeling increased several fold. Seta, on the other hand, could barely control his excitement. Devon's voice once again rang out over the arena. "Glad to see you so energetic Seta, you were always one of my favorites. It will prove to be an excellent match. Now, meet your opponent. Oberon!"
The shadows lurking under Devon's podium suddenly took form. Dante quickly hid his surprise as the monster stepped out from them. It was some variation on a Joker, only with a body, and without a scythe, at least none that he could see. Dante could feel it in his blood, this monster was powerful beyond measure. Devon clapped his hands.
"Let the games begin!"
Oberon held out his hand and a long obsidian scythe materialized out of thin air, it's blade of platinum and it's handle engraved with swirls of garnet. Dante slid smoothly into battle stance, while Seta just started powering up. The flames surrounding his blades and shooting from his back like wings flared outward spectacularly. Dante smiled inwardly.
Yes, let the games begin.
Hey!!!!!!!!! Sorry for not updating. You see, I'm writing this on my brother's computer, which is better than mine. The problem is there are only so many instances when my brother will let me on the computer. Thanx for the nice reviews, please keep the feedback coming. I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible! ^_^()
