Chapter 10
"Ugh," said Ifrit as he hung over the gunwale. "I hate boats."
"It's disgraceful," said Shiva walking up to him with a vial. "How can you get seasick?"
Ifrit collapsed into a sitting position and groaned.
Shiva shook her head and placed the vial in his hand. "Drink this."
He did and nearly coughed it up. "Yuck! Are you trying to poison me or something?"
"No, just trying to end your misery," she said with a sardonic smile.
"How much longer do we have to live on this tub?" he asked grouchily.
"We'll reach Shrine Island anytime now," she said.
He got to his feet. "Thank Goddesses." He then blinked a bit. "Hey, I feel better."
"You're welcome Ifrit," she said strolling away down the deck.
He looked down at the vial then back up at her and smiled.
Several hours later they were on shore. In the middle of an ornate park loomed a massive marble temple. It had rows of columns along each of the eight walls and a large dome capped the center of the building. Ifrit noticed that Shiva had changed into black skintight outfit that accentuated her curves and exposed her arms and legs. She wore long fingerless gloves of the same material and carried a long staff with ice blue crystals embedded at the ends.
"Er, aren't you cold?" asked Ifrit quietly.
Shiva smirked. "No, I'm never too cold. It's heat I can't stand."
Ifrit blushed and looked at the gardens instead. They walked through rows of neatly trimmed bushes and beds full of colorful blooms.
"Melchior must be quite the gardener," said Ifrit.
"Yes, well her duties as a Magus occupies most of her time, but she loves nature," said Ramuh.
"She's the oracle for Goddess. Sometimes she can see the future," Shiva said.
"What does this have to do with the goddesses?" asked Ifrit.
"Maybe nothing, I hope," said Ramuh.
They climbed the steps and went through the large bronze doors. Inside the temple were elaborate frescos. They seemed to be of scenes of history or mythology. Giants slaying dragons. A knight holding a glowing sword. A king and a queen were sitting together. They saw a lady in blue standing at the altar. She was praying to a large statue that looked like a young woman dressed in flowing ribbon of cloth standing on top of the head of a large horned demon. The woman turned to face them. Her hair was long and white but she looked young. Except her eyes looked ageless.
"Great Magus, we have come to escort you to Styx," began Ramuh.
"I know," said Melchior sadly. "Clouds of darkness have gathered across Golgatha and Eboshi, and now it has started to envelop Asgard as well."
She stepped forward. "We must hurry. They will arrive any minute!"
Even Ramuh looked surprised. "Who?"
"Come," she said walking past.
They followed her outside where they saw four people waiting. The man in the red cloak and hat stepped forward. What was visible of his blond hair was pulled into a ponytail and his eyes were the color of ice.
"Excuse me Magus, I was wondering if you could tell us.." He frowned at Melchior's escort. "Julian, get over here! I need a reading!"
A man in a white robe with red triangles on the sleeves and at the feet stepped forward. He pulled down his hood revealing sky blue hair and rust colored eyes. He held a long crooked staff in front of him and closed his eyes. "Great seer of all mysteries, reveal that which is hidden.Scan!" A glowing light enveloped Ifrit, Shiva, and Ramuh in turn.
"Well?" demanded the man in red.
Julian opened his eyes. "Three Espers, Marcus. Fire, ice, electric."
"And the Magus?" asked Marcus.
"I-I didn't scan her," said Julian.
"Why not?" said Marcus grabbing his collar.
"It's disrespectful to Goddess," he replied.
"Wait who are you guys?" demanded Ifrit.
"The Raj," said a woman in a long dark blue cloak with a high collar that together with a large straw hat concealed most of her face. "I'm Octavia. Pleased to meet you."
"This isn't a party Octavia!" barked Marcus. "We're here to hunt Espers!"
"Oh phooey, you're no fun!" said Octavia putting her hands on her hips.
"Change of plans people," said Marcus grimly. "We'll take out Diablos later."
"Wait!" said Ramuh. "We're enemies of Diablos as well."
Marcus shook his head. "Sorry old Esper. Three Espers are worth more than one."
"What are we up to now?" asked a man in a tattered white cloak, his face hidden in the shadows of the hood.
"Well Serpentarius," said Julian consulting a scroll. "They count as forty-two, forty-three, and forty-four. That is assuming we win"
"Of course we'll win!" said Marcus, angrily.
"You've killed forty Espers?" Ifrit growled.
"Forty-one," corrected Julian.
"You'll pay," said Ifrit clenching his hands.
"Nothing personal," said Octavia shrugging.
The Espers all were engulfed in blinding primary colors. Ifrit emerged in his beast form and gawked at Ramuh's changed appearance. Ramuh now appeared taller, almost a giant, his long twisted beard reaching to his feet and electricity arcing off of his moustaches. He winked at Ifrit and readied his staff. Between them Shiva appeared, the late afternoon sun making her skin almost violet.
Octavia cast first, swinging her staff down against the ground. "Sprits of flame, heed my call.Fire!" Fire erupted from the ground underneath all three of them, causing Shiva and Ramuh to wince in pain. Ifrit frowned as he felt power surging through him instead.
"No you stupid cow!" yelled Marcus. "You're healing the fire Esper! Use earth magic!"
"Saints of the past protect us now.Shell!" chanted Julian. White glowing disks shimmered in front of the Raj and vanished.
"Bjali Jhagada!" called out Ramuh in a commanding voice. He raised his staff to the sky and clouds gathered in the sky overhead. Thunder rumbled in the distance and lighting bolts struck the ground around the Raj. When the light faded, they could see the shimmering barriers absorb some of the magic and vanish again.
"Titan, lord of the earth make thy foes shake and tremble.Quake!" chanted Marcus. The ground shook violently around the Espers, tossing them around like marbles in a jar.
Marcus chanted again. "Titan, lord of the earth make thy foes.."
Ifrit groaned and got up. "Hey, you can't do that!" he protested.
". shake and tremble.Quake!"
"Not again!"
One again they were thrown about like a toy boat in a storm. Marcus laughed crazily as they got up again. "Make it easy on yourself Espers! We can give you a quick death!"
"Eat this!" roared Ifrit spitting fireballs at Marcus.
Marcus frowned as the fireballs whizzed overhead. "Missed me by a mile! You need to work on your aim."
"Uh, Marcus.." Julian began.
By then Marcus could feel the intense heat and threw his burning hat onto the ground and tried to stomp it out. He looked up just as Ifrit head butted him in the chest, sending him flying into some hedges.
"Oof!"
Serpentarius raised his cane and began to chant. "Seeker of the distant void, rain heavenly fire upon the earth.Meteor!" A black starry void materialized beside the Espers and flaming rocks flew out of the void plowing into them. Ramuh fell to his knees, Shiva slumped and Ifrit leaned against a tree panting.
"They're getting weaker!" said Octavia brightly.
"Blessed Goddess, bring succor to those in pain.Cure All!" called Melchior, her hair floating weightlessly around her. Green sparks of energy pooled around the Espers, enveloping them in a cool light. When it faded they looked rejuvenated.
"This isn't worth it!" said Serpentarius. "Let's go!"
Julian nodded to Octavia and they ran off across the smoldering ruins of the eastern garden. Ifrit started after them, but Ramuh caught his arm.
"Let them go Ifrit," he said earnestly.
Ifrit sighed and nodded. Melchior walked among them. "Thank you for your protection," she said.
"But they weren't after you," said Shiva. "You had to protect us."
"Sorry about your garden," said Ramuh wearily.
"Human life is more important," Melchior replied quietly.
"But we're not," said Ifrit.
"You are still children of Goddess," said Melchior.
Ifrit looked at her sadly. "More like orphans."
Melchior touched Ifrit's clawlike hand. He tried to pull it away but she held on firmly. He met her gaze as they heard rustling in the bushes.
"You cowards!" yelled Marcus as he ran off.
"Ugh," said Ifrit as he hung over the gunwale. "I hate boats."
"It's disgraceful," said Shiva walking up to him with a vial. "How can you get seasick?"
Ifrit collapsed into a sitting position and groaned.
Shiva shook her head and placed the vial in his hand. "Drink this."
He did and nearly coughed it up. "Yuck! Are you trying to poison me or something?"
"No, just trying to end your misery," she said with a sardonic smile.
"How much longer do we have to live on this tub?" he asked grouchily.
"We'll reach Shrine Island anytime now," she said.
He got to his feet. "Thank Goddesses." He then blinked a bit. "Hey, I feel better."
"You're welcome Ifrit," she said strolling away down the deck.
He looked down at the vial then back up at her and smiled.
Several hours later they were on shore. In the middle of an ornate park loomed a massive marble temple. It had rows of columns along each of the eight walls and a large dome capped the center of the building. Ifrit noticed that Shiva had changed into black skintight outfit that accentuated her curves and exposed her arms and legs. She wore long fingerless gloves of the same material and carried a long staff with ice blue crystals embedded at the ends.
"Er, aren't you cold?" asked Ifrit quietly.
Shiva smirked. "No, I'm never too cold. It's heat I can't stand."
Ifrit blushed and looked at the gardens instead. They walked through rows of neatly trimmed bushes and beds full of colorful blooms.
"Melchior must be quite the gardener," said Ifrit.
"Yes, well her duties as a Magus occupies most of her time, but she loves nature," said Ramuh.
"She's the oracle for Goddess. Sometimes she can see the future," Shiva said.
"What does this have to do with the goddesses?" asked Ifrit.
"Maybe nothing, I hope," said Ramuh.
They climbed the steps and went through the large bronze doors. Inside the temple were elaborate frescos. They seemed to be of scenes of history or mythology. Giants slaying dragons. A knight holding a glowing sword. A king and a queen were sitting together. They saw a lady in blue standing at the altar. She was praying to a large statue that looked like a young woman dressed in flowing ribbon of cloth standing on top of the head of a large horned demon. The woman turned to face them. Her hair was long and white but she looked young. Except her eyes looked ageless.
"Great Magus, we have come to escort you to Styx," began Ramuh.
"I know," said Melchior sadly. "Clouds of darkness have gathered across Golgatha and Eboshi, and now it has started to envelop Asgard as well."
She stepped forward. "We must hurry. They will arrive any minute!"
Even Ramuh looked surprised. "Who?"
"Come," she said walking past.
They followed her outside where they saw four people waiting. The man in the red cloak and hat stepped forward. What was visible of his blond hair was pulled into a ponytail and his eyes were the color of ice.
"Excuse me Magus, I was wondering if you could tell us.." He frowned at Melchior's escort. "Julian, get over here! I need a reading!"
A man in a white robe with red triangles on the sleeves and at the feet stepped forward. He pulled down his hood revealing sky blue hair and rust colored eyes. He held a long crooked staff in front of him and closed his eyes. "Great seer of all mysteries, reveal that which is hidden.Scan!" A glowing light enveloped Ifrit, Shiva, and Ramuh in turn.
"Well?" demanded the man in red.
Julian opened his eyes. "Three Espers, Marcus. Fire, ice, electric."
"And the Magus?" asked Marcus.
"I-I didn't scan her," said Julian.
"Why not?" said Marcus grabbing his collar.
"It's disrespectful to Goddess," he replied.
"Wait who are you guys?" demanded Ifrit.
"The Raj," said a woman in a long dark blue cloak with a high collar that together with a large straw hat concealed most of her face. "I'm Octavia. Pleased to meet you."
"This isn't a party Octavia!" barked Marcus. "We're here to hunt Espers!"
"Oh phooey, you're no fun!" said Octavia putting her hands on her hips.
"Change of plans people," said Marcus grimly. "We'll take out Diablos later."
"Wait!" said Ramuh. "We're enemies of Diablos as well."
Marcus shook his head. "Sorry old Esper. Three Espers are worth more than one."
"What are we up to now?" asked a man in a tattered white cloak, his face hidden in the shadows of the hood.
"Well Serpentarius," said Julian consulting a scroll. "They count as forty-two, forty-three, and forty-four. That is assuming we win"
"Of course we'll win!" said Marcus, angrily.
"You've killed forty Espers?" Ifrit growled.
"Forty-one," corrected Julian.
"You'll pay," said Ifrit clenching his hands.
"Nothing personal," said Octavia shrugging.
The Espers all were engulfed in blinding primary colors. Ifrit emerged in his beast form and gawked at Ramuh's changed appearance. Ramuh now appeared taller, almost a giant, his long twisted beard reaching to his feet and electricity arcing off of his moustaches. He winked at Ifrit and readied his staff. Between them Shiva appeared, the late afternoon sun making her skin almost violet.
Octavia cast first, swinging her staff down against the ground. "Sprits of flame, heed my call.Fire!" Fire erupted from the ground underneath all three of them, causing Shiva and Ramuh to wince in pain. Ifrit frowned as he felt power surging through him instead.
"No you stupid cow!" yelled Marcus. "You're healing the fire Esper! Use earth magic!"
"Saints of the past protect us now.Shell!" chanted Julian. White glowing disks shimmered in front of the Raj and vanished.
"Bjali Jhagada!" called out Ramuh in a commanding voice. He raised his staff to the sky and clouds gathered in the sky overhead. Thunder rumbled in the distance and lighting bolts struck the ground around the Raj. When the light faded, they could see the shimmering barriers absorb some of the magic and vanish again.
"Titan, lord of the earth make thy foes shake and tremble.Quake!" chanted Marcus. The ground shook violently around the Espers, tossing them around like marbles in a jar.
Marcus chanted again. "Titan, lord of the earth make thy foes.."
Ifrit groaned and got up. "Hey, you can't do that!" he protested.
". shake and tremble.Quake!"
"Not again!"
One again they were thrown about like a toy boat in a storm. Marcus laughed crazily as they got up again. "Make it easy on yourself Espers! We can give you a quick death!"
"Eat this!" roared Ifrit spitting fireballs at Marcus.
Marcus frowned as the fireballs whizzed overhead. "Missed me by a mile! You need to work on your aim."
"Uh, Marcus.." Julian began.
By then Marcus could feel the intense heat and threw his burning hat onto the ground and tried to stomp it out. He looked up just as Ifrit head butted him in the chest, sending him flying into some hedges.
"Oof!"
Serpentarius raised his cane and began to chant. "Seeker of the distant void, rain heavenly fire upon the earth.Meteor!" A black starry void materialized beside the Espers and flaming rocks flew out of the void plowing into them. Ramuh fell to his knees, Shiva slumped and Ifrit leaned against a tree panting.
"They're getting weaker!" said Octavia brightly.
"Blessed Goddess, bring succor to those in pain.Cure All!" called Melchior, her hair floating weightlessly around her. Green sparks of energy pooled around the Espers, enveloping them in a cool light. When it faded they looked rejuvenated.
"This isn't worth it!" said Serpentarius. "Let's go!"
Julian nodded to Octavia and they ran off across the smoldering ruins of the eastern garden. Ifrit started after them, but Ramuh caught his arm.
"Let them go Ifrit," he said earnestly.
Ifrit sighed and nodded. Melchior walked among them. "Thank you for your protection," she said.
"But they weren't after you," said Shiva. "You had to protect us."
"Sorry about your garden," said Ramuh wearily.
"Human life is more important," Melchior replied quietly.
"But we're not," said Ifrit.
"You are still children of Goddess," said Melchior.
Ifrit looked at her sadly. "More like orphans."
Melchior touched Ifrit's clawlike hand. He tried to pull it away but she held on firmly. He met her gaze as they heard rustling in the bushes.
"You cowards!" yelled Marcus as he ran off.