Chapter 9: Awakenings

Okay! *cracks her knuckles and prepares to continue* Hm…*gets a water bottle first .;* Okay, NOW I'm ready to go! Time: 5:45 A.M. Stat: Starting the new chapter. Importance of all this: None really. *coughs* That's right folks, I start working at around 5:30-5:45 in the MORNING! =D Sometimes I finish before school, if not, really close . But enough of this nonsense! Let the fight…BEGIN!! *rings the bell* Oh by the way…for those of you who get queasy easily, you have been warned o_o; It's not really THAT bad…but eh when I was originally picturing the scene I almost got sick….; Also, this is a rather uh…long chapter o.O;

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         The tension in the air was starting to choke Kitchel. Or maybe it was because Thatz had her in a type of headlock. It was the latter and she kicked his shin, forcing him to let her go.

         "Why the hell did you do that for?!" Thatz yelled at her while stooping down, clutching his leg.

         "You were choking me you idiot!!!" Kitchel screamed back.

         "Will you two just be QUIET!!!" Rune yelled at them glaring. He sighed when they immediately hushed and turned back to where Rath and Bierrez were staring at each other. "This is NOT the time for you to start arguing. We have to get Cesia out of danger while Rath is busy with Bierrez. Got that?"

         The two saluted. "Yes, sir!"

         With a small sweatdrop on his head, Rune nodded. "All right, then hop to it! And don't bring attention to yourselves!" he added as they hurried over to Cesia, who was lying unconscious on the ground. He turned his attention back to Rath and Bierrez. Rath, don't kill yourself…

The two fighters were staring at each other, neither of them noticing Thatz and Kitchel sneaking over and taking Cesia away. It was in the next instant when they charged and slammed their swords against each other's, releasing an explosion of energy, both fire and demonic. Rath kept his sword steady as Bierrez tried to push his sword down on Rath's, but the dark red haired fighter never blinked nor gave any sign of backing down. The yokai gritted his teeth as they both jumped back, and he charged again at Rath who didn't move.

"I've got you now," Bierrez grinned as he quickly phased behind Rath and jumped up. As he landed, his sword flying toward Rath's neck, he opened his eyes in surprise as his sword suddenly met Rath's sword, which had been swiftly held it up behind him. Surprisingly still, Rath was holding his sword with one hand. Damn, how he is able to hold me back with just one hand?! Is he that strong?!

Rath turned his head slightly and looked at Bierrez. "My turn." In a blink of an eye, Rath turned and slashed at Bierrez, who quickly, though barely, dodged and parried it. Rath continued to attack Bierrez with such speed that the yokai had trouble keeping up.

Rune watched all of this in amazement, and in horror. He had never seen Rath with such an intent look to kill on his face before. It was as if his friend had forgotten everything around him and was only being driven by the desire to kill and annihilate his foe. Is he doing this…because of Cesia…or for her… The thought troubled him. Had Cesia caused all of this? He shook his head, saying to himself that she couldn't have. She wouldn't. It was at this time that Thatz and Kitchel came back, Thatz carrying Cesia in his arms while Kitchel hissed threats at him if he tried to do anything.

         "Like I would do anything to her?!" Thatz glared at her.

         She just glared right back at him and watched like a mother hen as he gently laid her down on a patch of grass. She couldn't keep herself composed any longer as she fell to her knees, her hands covering her face as she finally released the tears she had been restraining for so long. Oh Cesia… She blinked when she felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Rune looking at her reassuringly.

         "It'll be okay, Kitchel. I can help her." He stooped down and held his hand above Cesia, a soft glow emitting from it. Rune closed his eyes, but hesitated. What if I can't do it? What if I'm not strong enough? He felt his power waver when he felt another hand on top of his. He blinked and saw, if faintly, a girl's face in front of his, one hand gently caressing his cheek while the other held his hand. Her pale green eyes were looking into his and her light, blonde hair flowed gently in the wind as she gave him a soft smile.

Everything will be all right, Rune. Just relax and have faith in yourself, as I have faith in you. Her voice was soft and gentle, and a sense of relief washed over him. She leaned forward, and to Rune's utter astonishment, kissed him gently on the cheek. Believe in yourself. I await your return, my dear Rune… A soft breeze blew through and she disappeared.

Rune blinked, unsure if he was going to be able to take it all in. He suddenly realized that the glow emitting from his hand had become brighter, stronger, and now Cesia herself was glowing with the same light. To Rune's relief he saw her chest rising and falling and she started to wake up.

         Cesia slowly sat up, placing her hand on her forehead. "Where…am I…?" She blinked when Kitchel suddenly hugged her. "Kitchel?"

         "Oh Cesia you're all right!! You're all right!!" Kitchel cried as she hugged her friend, the now unstoppable tears streaming down her face.

         Cesia smiled and hugged back. "Yes…I'm fine…" She turned to Rune. "Thank you…again…"

         Thatz blinked and peered at Rune. "Again? You've done this before?"

         "Yes," he said matter-of-factly then looked at his hand. "It seems I have this power to heal…" He absent-mindedly reached up and brushed his cheek. That…girl… A name was trying to make itself known, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure it out.

         Thatz looked at Rune quizzically. He had been staring at something before…what was it? His attention snapped back to attention when he heard a yell.

         Bierrez held his right side, where Rath had been finally able to slash him. He knew his body would be able to heal, but it was taking longer than usual. His sword… He started in realization. It's the Sword of Fire!

         Rath saw Bierrez's concentration break and took the opportunity by swiftly driving his sword straight into the yokai. The yokai's bright, orange eyes widened in surprise as he hacked up blood and slumped over. "Never take your attention away from a fight," Rath said in a voice that seemed to be not his. "It could cost you your life." Rath pulled out his sword and Bierrez feel down onto his knees, clutching his stomach.

         Kharl gritted his teeth. "Apparently Bierrez was still too inept…but he did stay in the fight for this long. Garfakcy!"

         A sudden burst of smoke appeared next to him and small human boy with long orange and slightly spiky hair, his bangs a darker orange color, emerged from it. He looked at Kharl with his green eyes, mischief dancing in them. "Yes, Master Kharl?"

         "Take Bierrez back and heal him. I'll finish things up here."

         Garfakcy smiled. "Of course! Seems he wasn't able to finish it, huh?"

         Kharl looked at his young assistant. "No, I'm afraid not. Like they say, 'If you have to get a job done right, you have to do it yourself.' Oh well."

         "Hehe. Right and Left Bird are upset that they aren't able to feast on some human souls," Garfakcy said grinning up at him.

"Is that so? Well then I'll just have to bring some souvenirs…" Kharl gave Garfakcy such a malicious smile that the young boy shuddered in spite of himself and threw some ashes down, disappearing into the smoke. Kharl turned his attention back to the other group. "Maybe a nice, young human girl would fill their appetites…"

         Rath held his sword at Bierrez's neck, his now dark, blood red eyes staring into Bierrez's life, fading orange ones. "Now it is time for me to end your painful suffering."

         Bierrez glared at him, not wanting to die like a coward. As he felt the sword coming down on him, he suddenly blinked and found himself surrounded in smoke and felt himself being pulled away. "Garfakcy?!"

         "Yeah yeah, man you gained some weight!" the young boy grumbled as he and Bierrez disappeared in another explosion of smoke.

         Rath shielded his eyes and looked back in slight surprise when the smoke cleared. Oh well…it is just prolonging his inevitable death… He was a little irritated, however, that Bierrez had somehow escaped. He looked at his sword. Return… It suddenly turned back into swirling flames and he felt it re-enter into his body. He looked at where the sword had once been. Such…power…I've never felt anything like it…

         "RATH!!"

         He blinked and turned around, only to be nearly toppled over by Cesia. "Cesia?" She just responded by hugging him tightly, burying her face into his chest as she cried into it. Rath looked at her for a moment then gently held her. "It's okay now…" he murmured.

         Kitchel was biting down on a tissue, her eyes big and watery as she watched the scene in front of her. Thatz just looked at her sweatdropping. He glanced up and grabbed her, pushing her out of the way from some vines that had suddenly dropped and were now wriggling around the ground.

         Kitchel yelled at him. "What the heck was that for?!"

         "I just saved your life, you idiot!" he yelled back. Maybe I shouldn't have bothered…

         She blinked. "Huh?"
         He sighed and pointed to where the vines had grabbed a squirrel. To their horror, the vines tightened their grip on the unfortunate creature and after a never shattering scream burst it into pieces. Its blood splattered everywhere, bits of its fur clinging to the side of the tree, only to be sucked into the bark by tiny pairs of teeth that had grown out of the tree. Other piercing screams could be heard from within the tree as its animal inhabitants found themselves either being eaten alive or ripped to shreds by the thorny vines. The head of another squirrel fell to the ground, half of its face gone, the eye sockets empty and covered with blood and, to Thatz utter disgust, bits of its brain oozing out from within. All of this was soon devoured by the carnivorous tree, the roots rising from the ground and dragging the head underground.

Kitchel covered her mouth in horror. "Oh…my…God…"

. That could have been Kitchel! Thatz realized with a sickening jolt and looked around to see Kharl still standing where he was before, his hand raised in the direction of the tree. "Kharl!!"

The yokai just looked at him and started chanting, his voice taking on an ethereal echo. "Vines of death, wrap thyself around thy prey and feed thy master its blood…ensnare thy victim and take its life so that it is on this Earth nevermore…"

The vines had been swaying harmlessly while Kharl was chanting his incantation, so Thatz took the opportunity to drag Kitchel out of harm's way and now stood in front of her. He didn't know what he would do if the vines somehow reached them, but he would try and protect Kitchel for as long as possible. He braced himself as the vines suddenly flew at them, Kharl still chanting. To his surprise, though, the vines suddenly turned and he quickly whirled around, only to find Kitchel rooted to the ground, literally. He realized in horror that the attack had been intended to be from behind and below as the roots from the tree wrapped themselves around Kitchel's legs, disabling her from running.

As if in slow motion, Thatz saw the vines coming from behind Kitchel, racing toward her unguarded back. He could suddenly hear and feel the ground shaking beneath him and felt a voice cry out to him from deep inside. Call me! Call for my power! As a strong breeze blew past him he raised his hand, rock swirling around it, forming a sword. He gripped the hilt and raised it up, the tip pointing the sky. A strong gust of wind whirled around him, picking up rocks and earth. He could feel the words flow up to his mouth and while hearing another voice chanting in sync with his own, Thatz chanted, "Land who enables all to inhabit this Earth, and shapes this world with its magnificent structure, lend me your power to protect my friend and create a barrier between us and our enemy!" He brought down his sword and jabbed it into the ground, creating an explosion of rock and earth as a giant crack formed from it. With the tornado of rock surrounding him, he yelled, "EARTH ARISE!" and jabbed his sword deeper into the ground.

         The wind exploded and pushed the ground forward as the crack sped after it. Kitchel braced herself but couldn't tear her eyes away from the vines that were heading toward her as she looked backwards. She felt the strong burst of wind and with a thunderous crash the ground from behind her rose up, forming a barrier just as the vines hit. She could hear the vines smashing themselves against the relentless wall of earth and the barrier soon spread to form a circle a circle of rock around her and Thatz.

         Wind sends the Earth faster…

         Thatz stood there gasping and looked at the sword in his hands. What the…heck was that…just now?! The wind around them started to calm and the roots released their hold of Kitchel's legs, the ground hardening and cutting them. She staggered for a moment and stared at him. He blinked. "…What?"

         She jumped into his arms and hugged him, crying, "You dumb jerk!" as she did so. She punched him in the chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "You could have killed yourself, you idiot!"

         Thatz just stood there and let her hit him. When she finally stopped and stood there glaring at him, he just grinned. "I know…but I'd prefer seeing you live than dying and have you yell at me through all eternity."

         She stared at him then looked away, slightly embarrassed. "Er…we're stuck here aren't we?"

         Thatz looked around the circle of rock around them, the vines still trying to smash through. "Looks like it." He blinked. "Wait a sec, where's Rune?!"

         "And Cesia and Rath are outside, too!!"

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Rune, distracted by Bierrez sudden disappearance and busily studying the ash that was still on the ground, turned and jumped away in time as a vine flew right past his face. "What the--?!" He turned to Rath and Cesia and saw vines flying toward them, too. "RATH! CESIA! LOOK OUT!!"

Rath quickly looked behind him and pulled Cesia out of the way, wincing a little as the spiked tip vine just missed his arm. While still holding Cesia with his left arm, he quickly reformed his sword and parried any vines that came their way. He gritted his teeth as another vine cut the side of his leg. "Damn…where are they all coming from?"

Cesia tried to pinpoint the source, but it was as if all the trees were now possessed. She looked up at him worriedly. "Rath, you can't protect me like this for much longer…"

"I will," he said through clenched teeth. "Don't worry about me."

"But Rath—" Her eyes widened as a multitude of vines suddenly flew toward them from all sides, their sharp spiked tips glinting in the sunlight.

Rath saw it all coming and swore under his breath. Damn! I can't stop all of those at once! He hugged Cesia tight to him, knowing that at least if the vines should hit, they would hit him and not her. I just have to protect Cesia…if she lives through this then my death will have been worth it… It was then when he heard Cesia saying something.

"Winds, come to thy mistress and protect the one with thy power…Come to thy mistress and heed my prayers to help the one I hold most dear…" A sudden burst of wind swirled around them as the vines hit. The gigantic burst blew the vines away from them, but the vines would not be stopped by the winds and Rath knew Cesia would not be able to hold this up in her weakened her state.

Master…call out my name…

Rath blinked. A voice? He could feel fire burning deep inside him, pushing desperately to be released. Call out my name, Rath. I can help you protect Cesia… Call out to me, Rath!!

Cesia blinked and saw the wind surrounding them. I called the winds…? How? She looked up at Rath to ask but her eyes widened as he started to glow red, fire blazing in his eyes. He held up his sword horizontally in front of them, the blade now glowing and swirling with flames. She could feel the heat emitting from it and wondered how Rath's hands were not being burned. She blinked when Rath started chanting and heard another voice chanting the same words with him.

"Fire from the deepest part of Hell, come to me and burn the ones who threaten us! Let your tongues of death scorch and annihilate those who stand before!" The wind increased its speed around them as he chanted, flames now mingling with it. "HELLFIRE!" In a giant explosion of wind and fire, Rath's sword shot out blasts of flame out to the incoming vines, disintegrating them into ash as well as forming a wall of fire around them. The winds spread the fire around them, inflicting serious damage to the trees around them. Rath lowered his sword heavily and breathed deeply. What in the world… He felt Cesia hugging him and his strength seemed to return, if slowly. Wind spreads the Fire farther…

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         Rune watched in amazement as he saw the ground rose up around Thatz and Kitchel and the fire and wind whirled around Rath and Cesia, but that left him to dodge the incoming vines. Lucky for him he was far enough away from the main tree, so he didn't have to worry too much. But the vines were coming in at a faster pace. He also wasn't sure how long he could keep up dodging. There's got to be a way to stop this, he thought as he narrowly missed another vine attack. They just keep coming! If only they would stop moving… He blinked. Stopped moving. If he could somehow get the vines to stop moving he could figure out a better plan and help his friends escape. He glanced around but kind find no trace of Kharl. Had he left us? If so…why?

         Ice…

         Rune blinked. Ice? That would freeze the vines, thus stopping them…but where was he going to get ice? Rath's fire attack had weakened the vines some, but Kharl was also healing them and it wouldn't be long before they would attack again in full swing. From his point of view he could see both of his friends' barriers starting to wear down and knew it wouldn't be too long before they were gone completely. Call me…

         He blinked and jumped away from another vine attack. Something was flowing through him…like water, he thought. Water… Rune was tiring from dodging the vines. These are really getting on my nerves, he thought as he ducked another vine. Stop them… a voice said in his mind. Call me…Rune…

         Rune felt a cool breeze blow through him and he raised his arms up and swirl of water surrounded them, forming a sword. He grasped the hilt with both hands and held the sword pointed toward the sky. Energy surged through his body like a mighty river. His long blond hair blew wildly as a strong burst of wind whirled around. When he spoke, his voice echoed with the voice another as he chanted, "Faeries come to my aid as I draw forth from your watery realm the power to vanquish my foe! Freeze all who oppose me so that they move no more!!" The wind increased its speed and Rune snapped his eyes open as he yelled, "BLIZZARD STORM!"

         The winds became torrents of sleet and ice as they surged forward, freezing everything in its path. From Rune's sword came forth more icy wind, which then turned into daggers of ice. They cut the vines to shreds and imbedded themselves deep into the demonic trees, instantly freezing the trees.

         Rune narrowed his eyes as brought his right fist down, his left still holding the sword up, and clenched it as he yelled, "ICE SHATTER!" In one giant explosion, everything that was frozen shattered like glass into millions of pieces.

Wind makes the Water destructive…

Rune stood there panting as he stared as the wind calmed and the ice started to melt. Where the trees once stood there were now just shattered pieces of wood. He lowered both his arms and stared at the sword in his hands in shock. What the… He turned to the others, who were now running toward him. He was relieved to see everyone all right. I did it… he thought surprised as Cesia and Kitchel hugged him while Rath and Thatz smiled at him.

         Kharl gritted his teeth. Things were not going as planned. He hadn't anticipated for all three of them to awaken at the same time, and with such power as they had shown. He sighed. Oh well…there's still time… he thought smiling as the dark winds surrounded him and he disappeared from the world.

         "Dude, Rune, that was awesome!" Thatz yelled as he thumped his friend on the back.

         "Thatz!" Rune laughed in spite of himself.

         Rath grinned and started to speak but stopped and turned. He narrowed his eyes. "Show yourself."

         There was a rustle of leaves as a tall short, blonde hair man walked out onto the path, his gentle but deep light, green eyes looking at them. He was wearing a long sleeved, light turquoise colored shirt with white pants, but there were intricate designs of different colors and design all around his shirt and numerous straps as well. A long sword was hanging from one a light blue sash wrapped around his waist. His long, white cape floated gently behind him and as he approached he had the look of royalty written all over him, even if he did try to seem casual.

         The stranger stopped in front of them and gave them a kind smile. "Congratulations on your first battle! We have been waiting for all of you to finally awaken."

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w00t! Man that was a LONG chapter o.O; 7, that's right, SEVEN pages long o.o; Hope you guys enjoyed it though ^_^ I was going to split this up, but decided not to =P Note: I'm really not sure how Rath, Thatz, and Rune use their powers, but the way I did it I think I made them look better than they really are . I think Rune looked super cool the way I did it =D! That is…if you guys picture it the same way…*coughs* You guys know who that newcomer is? ^.^ If you don't, you you should go back to DK school o_O;; Anyway, stay tune for Chapter 10!