Yes! At last, the chapter in which *almost* everybody arrives in Avalon! Yahoo! Of course, I was so obsessed with getting them there that the quality of this part isn't as good as I hoped. Oh well....
{ On The Hill ~ Kaze wo Kanjite ~ and opening animation plays.... }
オブリヴィオン・ゲート
Log 9: Oblivion Gate
Four obelisks stood in the gardens below Kathryn's suite, arranged to create a diamond-shaped figure in the ground. White markings in the soil, fading with age, denoted an arcane design of interlocking circles.
Keith glided to the center of the formation from Kathryn's balcony, the sultana and her general in his arms. He set his feet on the marked ground, letting his passengers walk from his arms. Moonlight shone on his bare body, making him look like an ivory figure.
Kathryn unsheathed Xariandagia again, invoking the spell that clothed her in the sword's fiery armor. The design on the ground gleamed silver in the glow of Xariandagia and its armored bearer.
Then the wind spoke.
«The Oblivion Gates hear you. We recognize Xariandagia, borne by Sultana Kathryn of Sálíphirá. We also recognize avellonis, borne by Lord Keythedrian, whom angels name Prince of the Eagles. Where shall we take you?»
"Fanasia," Kathryn replied smoothly. "We would like to appear at the Gate outside Fanasia at an hour before daybreak."
«We open the Gates for you, Sultana. May the god-angels bid you safe travels.»
The four obelisks shone white, their light spreading to the design in the soil. In a blinding flash, a vortex of multi-layered pulsating violets and magentas formed in the air, flush with Keith's chest.
The angel thrust a hand into the window. "Wild magic," he muttered.
"Go through," Kathryn urged. "We will follow."
Without a second thought, Keith jumped into the portal, followed immediately by Kathryn and Derrik. When the last of them had entered, the portal shrank into nothingness. The light of the obelisks was swallowed by darkness.
Keith opened his eyes; he stood in the center of a quandrangle of trees, ankle-deep in snow. Kathryn and Derrik were nearby, the both of them shivering in spite of the activated Xariandagia's warmth.
"I forgot ... it snows in the Plains Country," Derrik chattered from clenched teeth. "And it is dark at this time...."
Keith plowed through the snow towards the humans, gathering them closer together. He brought a pair of his wings around them, barely feeling the warmth fade as Kathryn deactivated Xariandagia's armor.
"We need coats, Keith," Kathryn muttered, muffled by the angel's wings. "Can you create...."
"I shall." He took his staff, tapping Kathryn's shoulders, then Derrik's, with the knobbed head of the weapon. In a flash of light, coats of bear fur fitted themselves on the humans' bodies, fastening tight with silver buttons. Hats and mufflers swaddled their heads, and proper boots formed on their feet.
Kathryn pulled down her muffler to reveal her mouth. Her eyes teared as she was Keith, now retracting his wings, kneal before her.
"Keith ... aren't you cold?"
He shook his head. "No. I cannot feel heat or chill - those are mortal feelings."
"You should at least clothe yourself, and hide your wings before we enter the town...."
"I am still weak, Kathryn - but I shall do as you say."
He closed his eyes and arched his back as the ivory pinions molted off his shoulders. A replica of Derrik's uniform, covered by a fur coat, formed over his body.
"Stop overdoing yourself," the familiar voice in his head yelled; "save your strength!"
But by then Keith was unconscious on the snow, avellonis clamped tight in his hands.
Don't worry, I'll make sure this is the last time in a while that Keith decides to faint - but you can't blame him, since he's done so much. Remember - next section has original Jewel Rider character! Gasp!