Chapter 7: Pinnacle Creation: Dios
She let the light fade. The flames extinguished themselves as the fell to the ground. Jade tried to remain standing but all her energy and strength were gone. "Shit. Sorry, are you okay?"
She looked up at him. Her eyes had fogged over. She couldn't see. "You're too quick to make decisions. I just need to rest a bit."
"Can you see?"
"Now my vision is clouded. It will clear. Don't worry."
She pulled herself back up using him. "You're pretty light."
"Explain yourself."
"Never mind. How old are you?"
"Ten."
"Just a kid."
"Just? Just nothing. I know more than many twice my age."
Her eyes had already cleared. "Can you see again?"
"Yep. I told you it would pass."
"Tasuki, leave her alone. She's been true to her word so far."
Jade left the conversation. She lost her balance as she reached Tamahome and Miaka. She fully expected to hit the ground but was caught by Miaka. "Thank you."
"Can't have you falling on the injured."
"You have something to get ready for, don't you?"
"That's right, all seven are here. We can summon Suzaku now!"
"Keep focused on your goals and dreams and they will come to you."
"You sound like you're going to leave. Please don't."
She smiled. "Not leaving. I just don't think I belong there."
"You're so strange. In your eyes I see only green. I can't tell what you're thinking or how you feel, your eyes are always the same. Only slightly by how wide you open them."
"You'd prefer the illusion?"
"What?"
"I know one illusion. It helped me hide in the early years."
She closed her eyes tight. When she opened them, no longer were they pools of deep green. Her eyes now had defined pupil as well as the white. In short, normal green eyes. "Interesting trick."
"Would it make you more comfortable if I stayed this way?"
"No, it's not who you are."
"I forgot Miaka's scroll. Forgive me."
Her eyes now looked full of pain. Miaka almost wished Jade's eyes were normal and empty but she hadn't returned them yet. "Jade, don't worry we'll get it back."
Her eyes were green pools again. "If you're sure."
Later Chichiri sent Tamahome to retrieve the scroll. Jade found Chiriko. She smiled at him. "Don't worry."
"How did Nakago's pet make it here?"
"Not very nice of you."
"Why are you smiling?"
"No reason yet Amiboshi. You'll find out tomorrow."
"Jade! What do you know?"
"Many, many things. I don't feel like sharing tonight."
He grabbed her arm. "Tell me now. I'll hurt you and face Nakago's consequences."
She ignited her eyes. "I am not his. Let go or they will know who you are."
He let her go and she walked away. She kept away until the summoning. It was all going wrong like she had seen. She tried to enter but the song was causing so much pain. The real Chiriko finally arrived. He broke the spell. Jade stayed out of the way with him as the others rushed out after a fleeing Amiboshi. Jade still remained back as they came back and tried one final time to call Suzaku. Taiisukun appeared instead. Jade ran into the temple. She scolded Miaka on her failure. The one Jade wanted so long was now before her. She asked all to leave but Miaka. Jade lingered. "Taiisukun, please could you tell me the answers? Where do I fit? Why am I here?"
"I'm not sure you can go back to where you and your family came from. You were right, not from here and not from Miaka's world. Do you really want to leave?"
"Everyone I knew from my world is dead. Now all I know is here. I guess I don't really want to go. If I was to have been a priestess then I'd have to go back."
"Yes, that's true."
"This is best even if I am out of place."
"Can I have a word with Miaka now?"
"Yes, thank you."
Jade ran outside. Chiriko was about six inches shorter than her. "I still don't know."
Chiriko looked at her trying to find more meaning from her words. "What don't you know Jade?"
She spread her scroll across the ground. "It doesn't fit!"
Chiriko looked at the scroll. The four gods with seven stars each, beyond that was the Ying and Yang of creation with Nyan-Nyans and demons. All of them were neatly labeled. "Did you make this? There's a lot here. It's been hundreds of years since the gods have been seen and the detail is like you've seen them."
"I made it. I understand all of that. I'm still trying to place this."
She gave one last push exposing the last of the scroll. It was the green eyes and hourglass. Past it she wrote all she knew of the power. "What is that from? I've never seen it before. How did you learn about it?"
She ignited her eyes and the mark. "Everything from experience. That's why I want to know how the hourglass fits."
"Did Taiisukun know?"
"A little. Theoretically I should have been a priestess. Since I never took the deal and all positions are filled I might not be able to return to my true home."
"Why don't you ask Miaka if she could wish you home once she summons Suzaku?"
"I don't want to pressure Miaka. The other half is I don't remember my real world. The family I know is gone so all I really know is here."
"Why did you come here? You seem to be free. This isn't your fight."
She looked towards Tamahome. "I've sided here because he is all I have left of my family."
"He's your family?"
"My protector, like a brother."
"Will you actually fight?"
"As best I can. I'm going to rest. Might need my power later."
She waved and walked off leaving the scroll for Chiriko to study. She left not to a room but to the gazebo overlooking the lake. The water lapped at the side. It was quiet here. She realized how much she enjoyed the peacefulness around her. Hours passed and she didn't notice. Chichiri and Tasuki went looking for her at Hotohori's request. He thought she was too young to wander alone. Tasuki found her and was about to yell for Chichiri. He was about to shout as a hand clamped his mouth shut. Chichiri put a finger before his mouth in a hushing motion. "I think she came here for quiet, no da."
"We can't leave her here. I'm going to ask her to go back."
They walked quietly to the gazebo. Jade sat on the floor in the center. She had her eyes closed as she listened to the world around her. Tasuki walked right up behind her. He thought he could spook her with how quiet he had been. "Tasuki, what are you doing?"
She had yet to open her eyes. Tasuki sat in front of her and slowly moved his hand in front of her closed eyes. "How'd you know?"
She quickly reached up and grabbed his wrist. "I hear you move. Chichiri is around too."
She opened her eyes and let him go. "You must have excellent hearing."
"Not really. Why did you come looking for me?"
"Hotohori was worried you wouldn't be safe alone."
"Were you worried Genro?"
"Where'd you hear that name?"
"I told you my hearing isn't very good."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Fang boy, it wasn't a whisper in a hall, think."
"Tasuki, I think she picked it up from watching time, no da."
Jade nodded. "You were watching me?"
"Not just you, not just then."
"Stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Your answers that don't explain anything."
"Ask better questions. I'm not required to say anything."
"Then don't. I'd feel better."
She silently got up and started to walk away. "Where are you going?"
Jade heard Tasuki clearly but remained quiet. "I don't think she's going to answer, no da. You basically just told her not to answer questions."
"She's moody."
"Not moody, she just standardized her response."
"Should we follow her?"
"She's going back."
An angry Tamahome greeted Tasuki. "Whatever you said to Jade you better apologize."
"I didn't do anything."
"Whatever you didn't do you better figure out fast."
"All right."
Tasuki found Jade sitting on the stairs. "I take it back."
"What?"
"You have to make this difficult. Please go back to answering questions."
She ruffled his hair. "That wasn't hard. Be glad I like you."
"Hey!"
"Now what?"
"I don't trust when you spark your eyes."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Then don't trust me."
"What are you really after?"
"A path to walk with both light and darkness."
"You say some pretty strange things. Where are you going?"
"My old home."
"Wait one minute! You can't go alone."
"Then come with me."
"I'm not your babysitter."
She continued away and he followed. Nothing was said the entire trip. "See, you didn't need to come."
She disappeared into the run-down house. Tasuki followed curious. "So you lived in this dump?"
"It has been abandoned for five years."
"Why so long? Where is everyone?"
"Gone forever. Nakago took them and four years."
"Why did you want to come back here? This place is depressing."
"Tasuki! This is my home. There is a reason."
He ducked under a place where the ceiling was collapsing. "That being?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"Mom had a gift too. From Dad's work with gold I think he might have had a gift as well. I want to take her gem band with me. Dad gave it to her before I left that morning."
"So we're looking for a trinket."
"Not just to me."
Jade entered her parent's room. She felt along the wall looking for the latch. Smiling she pushed on a knot in the wood from the wall. A small door matching with the wall popped open. She pulled it out. It was a gold coil that encircled the head. Instead of connecting and ending they crossed forming a second loop that held the hair back. She traced the decoration for the forehead. It was a kink that held a small emerald and a ruby hung from the bottom. The decorations on the hair loop tinkled as she moved it. "Tasuki! I found it. Time to go."
He walked back to the room she was in. "Good. I don't think I'd let Tamahome near that."
"Do you really have that little faith in Oni?"
She started to leave. Tasuki walked beside her. "Maybe you should wear that instead of carrying it. Someone might run up and grab it from you."
"Dios would not allow itself to be taken. I also can't wear it yet. Now, stop changing the subject."
"Why can't you wear it?"
"Dios isn't like your fan. He chooses who he will serve."
He reached for Dios. "Itai! Why is it so hot?"
"I told you Dios chooses. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Be careful, if that thing is that powerful then it could be dangerous."
She trotted to the stream. "Come here."
He walked over but remained about five feet from the bank. "Pretty."
"You're scared or what?"
"Of course not."
She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the bank and down to the cold water. Tasuki was protesting the entire time. She submerged his hand. In his panic he pushed her into the water. "Tasuki, calm down. It's only a few feet deep."
She stood up knee deep in water. "Sorry Jade, I didn't mean to knock you in."
"How's your hand?"
He looked down at it. "Feels much better."
Jade walked back out of the water. Her thick, layered robes were all soaked and heavy. "Jade, do you trust me?"
"Of course."
"REKKA Shinen."
"If I didn't know you I would have just had a heart attack."
"You're dry. Stop complaining."
She picked Dios up again and started back with Tasuki. "What were their powers?"
"I never quite understood Dad's. He truly was the gold master. Dios is his pinnacle work. Mom's power was simple and harmless yet very strong. I think the flowers still were in bloom because her power is still working. Now, Dios is something different. His power scares me."
"His?"
"Dios lives. I don't know why though."
"Tasuki, where have you been?"
"Oni! He came with me to get Dios."
She held up the headdress. The rubies clicked against each other. He reached out to touch one but Tasuki said it before her. "I wouldn't touch it."
"Why Tasuki?"
"Nothing, go right ahead."
"Tasuki! Oni, Dios might hurt you if you touch him."
"Thanks for the warning."
"Are we leaving soon?"
"I think we'll be ready in a few days."
"Thanks."
Jade trotted off carrying Dios. Tamahome smiled. "She's just a little taller. If not for that I'd say she's still five. Did she give you any trouble today?"
"I don't know what to think. She never tells you everything right off."
"Jade can't say everything she knows or it will change the path of time."
"So that's why she stays back from many things?"
"Probably."
Later that night Jade came across Miaka crying in the hall. She sat next to her and tried to find her eyes under her hair and hands protecting them. "What's wrong?"
"I have to keep away from contact with the Suzaku Seven and Tamahome proposed to me. I turned him away like his offer was a joke."
"Did you tell him the situation?"
"No, but you would know wouldn't you?"
"I thought you would prefer me not to look through time for that answer."
"You're right."
"Do you want me to leave?"
"I'd prefer you not to see me cry."
"You know where to find me."
"Thanks."
Jade walked away inside her something hurt. The robes swished on the floor as she walked. Miaka's pain cut at her and se didn't have to see Tamahome to know he was crushed. A tear rolled down her cheek, silver in the moonlight. Gently she knocked on Tamahome's door. He answered it as she expected to see him. Looking at him now she was surprised he even opened the door. Maybe he did it only hoping to see Miaka there. "Oni, are you okay?"
"Jade, come in. Are you sure you want to know?"
"If it bothers you so much maybe saying something will help."
"Even if I do tell you I really don't expect you to understand yet. I don't mean that against you but you are still young."
"At this point I won't take offense."
He half smiled knowing she was trying to cheer him up in her odd way. "I don't know what's going on. I love Miaka and I thought she loved me as well yet I proposed to her tonight and she acted like it was a joke. I can't think of why she would do that. Do you know Jade?"
"Oni, you know I hate yes or no questions."
"Alright, why did Miaka act like that?"
"It has something to do with what she and Taiisukun spoke about in private."
"Did you look through time for that answer or something you learned in real time?"
"Implied in a conversation held earlier."
"Can you tell me what was said?"
"I could but I won't. That information is something that is to only be between Miaka and Taiisukun. If Miaka feels like sharing it then it is up to her. I doubt Miaka's feeling have changed towards you and it probably hurt her deeply to have to react that way to you."
"You're right, I shouldn't guess how much you'll understand by your age."
"I know I am. If you need me I'll be in my room. I have to figure some issues out."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Do you know anything about Dios? Did Dad ever tell you any of the superstitions or myths of my world?"
"No. He never spoke of your origins or even why I was hired to protect you."
"Thanks. Goodnight oni."
"Night imoutosan."
She smiled as she ran down the hall to her room. She knew it was coming. Seeing it before her she wondered if she was going to be ready for what was coming. Dios might be her ticket. To where was her choice. Nobody had noticed yet and she worked to hide it but here she lacked a shadow. Dios, with the power to wake the dreamer.
She went to her room. Dios was still on the bed where she left him. She traced the kink with her finger. There was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Chichiri standing before her. "Hi Chichiri. Where have you been today?"
"Planning the route with Chiriko and the emperor. Mind telling me about the toy you brought back today?"
She motioned to Dios on the bed. "My father's final creation, Dios. One day o might be able to use it but now he only allows me to care for it."
"What does Dios do to have so much power?"
"It has the power to wake the dreamer."
"You're the dreamer?"
"I'm not completely awake in this world. If you need to know, I cast no shadow here. My parents were the same. With Dios I can choose where I will exist."
"You want to follow your brother if he goes to Miaka's world?"
"Miaka casts a shadow here. Her world is so different. Maybe this is why Dios will not grant his power, I can't decide."
"No da, you're hard on yourself."
"What do you sense from Dios? Is it a sided power or just a lot of power?"
"The power spike concerned me no da. I should go, we leave tomorrow."
"Night Chichiri."
She rolled her scroll out. Tonight she decided her parents and Dios needed to be there too now that she was starting to see. For her parents she just wrote their involvement and powers. Dios was drawn in with the explanation of how his power worked. "Dios, can Tamahome have some of your power?"
She packed the scroll. She moved Dios over so she could go to bed. A ruby had shed from it and yet none were missing. Jade wrapped Dios and set him next to her pack. She clutched the ruby in her hand. It was warm. She bolted out the door and down the hall to find Tamahome if he was still awake. Quietly she knocked on his door. "Who is it?"
There was still so much pain in his voice. "Oni, do you want me to come back later?"
"No, Jade come in. I'll be fine."
She cracked open the door. Tamahome was sitting in a chair on the far side of the room. Jade started to run across to give him a hug. She was about halfway to him when she tripped on her robes. She went face first into the floor. "I still haven't lost my natural grace."
He laughed as he went over to help her up. "Your natural grace will be the end of you. What did you need to see me for this late?"
She started to check the folds in her robes. The ruby was lost in the fall. "I ran to give you a hug. The reason I came was to give you a part of Dios to protect you. I dropped Dios when I fell."
"I didn't see you bring that huge thing in."
"Just a minute. Look for the light."
She ignited her eyes. Under the chair a red light replied. "There."
She returned to normal and picked up the stone. She forced it into Tamahome's hand. "Dios, keep him with you."
"How is this Dios?"
"Dios can divide and regenerate. Do you remember his power? You were there when Dad told me."
"Right, something about waking the dreamer. How will I need it?"
"The same way I could use it now."
"You're a sleeping dreamer?"
"I cast no shadow. Not all of me has ever been awake in this world. Someday you'll be the same. Trust Dios and be sure and he'll help you wake."
"Why won't he let you wake?"
"I haven't made my choice yet."
"What choice?"
"To wake where I originally came from, here, or the option of Miaka's world will soon be open. I know only this world yet choosing this one I won't see you for a long time. Maybe never again."
"Either way I know you'll be happy but missing people."
"I should go. Many things to do in the morning."
"Night Jade."
"Night Oni."
She trotted out and back down the hall to her room. Night had won and sleep had come to her.
