Hey sorry for this Chapter taking MAJOR amounts of time to get written and
posted . Lol I wouldn't be surprised if no one remembers this fic its taken
me so long to get this chapter up. HA! I wrote my self into a hole and just
yesterday did I figure out something exciting to happen to dig myself out!
so any way enough of me talking, you don't come here to read my rants –or
maybe you do—you come here to read the story!!!!
Enjoy~~~~~~~~
Chapter 13: It's not your fault.
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Darnack stood at the entrance to the cave, a few more steps and he'd be out of the place he had called home for the past three years. A few more steps and he'd be back in the old world, back in all the hurt and fear the Dark Lord had caused, back in hell.
Why was he going back? He kept asking himself that question. Only a fool would willingly go back into all that, but in a way he was a fool. A fool that always fallows orders.
He gave a slight heave of his chest, made sure that his bow and arrow was secure, than looked once more at the place he now called home. No one was here to wish him goodbye, that was to be expected, no one was supposed to know he was leaving. Still, he wished Mai was here.
They had grown quite close since they escaped into the caves. He wished Tola, Mai's little sister was here as well. Her childish expressions, and innocent mind could always make him laugh. He would miss them both very much.
He turned back to the cave entrance, Mai would be reading his letter right about now he figured. He smiled ever so slightly, I guess I don't follow orders as well as I thought, but he could trust Mai, and besides, how else was he going to explain his sudden absence except by the truth?
She would understand, he knew.
He stepped into the cave, out of his home, and into hell.
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The sun was just peaking thru the tree limbs as Tai opened his eyes. He let out a tired yawn than let his body stretch. He sat up with a groan and rubbed his back painfully, he had been sleeping on a rock.
The fire was out, and both Matt and Tonai were sound asleep. A thought occurred to Tai, hadn't it been Matt's turn to take watch? He looked closer at the slumbering Matt, he was slumped back on a tree, as if he had fallen asleep sitting up, which most likely he had.
Tai shook his head, he had fallen asleep on his watch. He was going to wake Matt up but than decided against it, he needed all the sleep he could get, might as well do him a favor.
Tai poked at the fire, and after ten minutes of work managed to get it going again. He smiled proudly and sat back. "Hello Tai." A voice said from behind him.
He turned around a bit startled to see Tonai was awake, "Oh hey Tonai, sorry if I woke you."
"No, no, "She shook her head with a smile, "You didn't wake me. I just couldn't sleep anymore."
Tai nodded his head sheepishly, than laughed as Matt shifted in his sleep. "So uh. . . did you sleep good?" Tai asked, trying to create conversation.
Tonai nodded, "Yes, it got a bit cold though."
"Oh yeah, sorry, the fire must have gone out." Tai replied.
They sat in silence until a loud gurgling sound was heard from Tai's stomach.
Tai laughed nervously, "I guess I'm a bit hungry."
Tonai looked towards the untouched fruits from the day before, "I guess we * could * eat them. . ."
"Yeah. . . if there were any more of those * things * in them they should have come out by now. I don't see anything in them, but than again when you first brang them I didn't see anything either so we shouldn't trust that they're safe just on my eye sight. We should probably cut them up before we eat them just to be safe."
Tonai nodded pulling out her knife, and carefully picking up a fruit. Tai grabbed his staff and stood at the ready. She slowly sliced thru the fruit. . .
And nothing. "Phew!" Tai said relived, Tonai smiled and handed a couple of slices to Tai. They ate peacefully for a few moments, both too hungry to have much of a conversation. Finally, when each had had their fill, Tai noticed Matt again.
"Should we wake him up?" He asked.
Tonai looked at the quietly sleeping Matt, "I suppose we should, he must be starving, and it would be best if we left here as soon as possible. . ."
"Alright than, time for sleeping beauty to wake up and smell the sunshine." Tai said, getting up from his place near Tonai and walking over to Matt. "Hey pssst, Matt." Tai said as he neared Matt, than he suddenly stopped, as a dagger flew out of no where and sliced into the ground at his feet.
Tai gulped and took a step back, "Where the hell did that come from!" He yelled looking around wildly.
Matt jolted awake from Tai's yelling, "Wha—who?" Than his eyes focused on the dagger no more than three feet in front of him. "Where did that come from?"
Just than another dagger sliced right next to his head, cutting off a few strands of hair. Matt's eyes bulged. What the hell was going on?
"Someone's here." Tai said seriously, motioning for Tonai to get closer while slowing backing towards his staff.
Matt was now fully awake as he reached up and yanked the dagger out of the tree. It was no accident that he still had his head, that was for sure, because who ever had thrown this dagger was obviously skilled.
Matt got up from where he lay cautiously, looking thru the trees suspiciously. He reached down and picked up his sword, not once taking his eyes off the forest than yelled, "You got our attention, now show your self!" into the air.
Tai raised his staff protectively in front of himself, pushing Tonai behind him. Suddenly, in a blur of movement a man stood before them. He was tall, maybe in his early thirties. He had jet black hair that fell across his face like knives, and wore a black trench coat over equally black armor.
"Here I am." He said with an arrogant smile.
"Who are you?" Matt said raising his sword towards the man.
"The Dark Lord's Servant."
Tai rolled his eyes slightly, "Mind giving us a name?"
The man looked directly into Tai's eyes, "Kellogg."
"Like the cereal?" Tai said his face twisting in a hint of laughter.
Kellogg did not find this that amusing however given that he immediately lurched forwards and in a spilt second was right in front of Tai. Tai gasped in surprise and lifted his staff in defense as 'Kellogg' shot out a hand. Tai was thrown backwards when an incredible force struck him. He slammed into a tree and slumped forwards, stunned.
A spilt second later 'Kellogg' was by Tonai, whom he threw to the ground in an instant. And than he rammed into Matt. Matt was slammed into the tree with a slight shout of surprise than found a very sharp object against his neck, Kellogg's dagger.
Matt had to think fast, in a spilt second Kellogg would twist his wrist and bye bye Matt! He looked towards Tai, who was just recovering from Kellogg's blow, but was still to far away to help, than to Tonai, who was paralyzed in fear, than to the sword he held in his hand.
With a scream of desperation he pushed back with the flat side of his sword, sending the surprised Kellogg back a few blessed steps. Matt than slashed the sword towards Kellogg only to cut into dirt. Kellogg had jumped back in a blink of an eye, saving himself from being cut in half, and was now several feet away.
Tai, who had now recovered, ran towards him with his spear, but Kellogg just side stepped and than in a split second, slammed the blunt side of the dagger into Tai's back, sending Tai crashing to the ground, only to be interrupted by Kellogg's knee jutting into his stomach.
Kellogg dropped Tai to the ground, where Tai laid gasping for air, than turned his sights back towards Matt, but this time it was Matt who had the upper hand. He had charged Kellogg even before Kellogg had had time to turn around, and than used his momentum to spin onto the ground and than flip Kellogg into a tree.
Kellogg landed on the tree with his legs first, and than using them as springs propelled himself back towards Matt. Matt raised his sword in front of his head in a vain attempt for protection, and suddenly it began to shoot out light.
Kellogg was thrown backwards from the flaming light with a shirking scream. Matt stared horrified as Kellogg's face began to give off black smoke. The man named Kellogg let out another inhuman scream than in a blink of an eye was gone, but, Matt knew, not defeated.
Matt dropped his sword in exhaustion and slumped to his knee's to catch his breath. It sure was tiring when ever that damn sword glowed. "Tai." Matt said between desperate gasps of air, "you Ok man?"
He was answered with a loud groan, than a "Damn that guy's punches hurt." Matt smiled weakly.
"TAI! MATT!" Tonai said, finally snapping out of it and running over to them, "Are you alright? Who was that? You made that sword glow very bright Matt!" She said a hundred words per second.
Tai answered, while Tonai helped him to his feet, "Yes we're alright. My guess is that that breakfast cereal of a man, was a present from the Dark Lord, and your damn right Matt made that sword of his glow. How'd you do that Matt?"
Matt shook his head weakly, he was so tired, "I don't know how I did it, but I'm glad I did, or else I have a feeling we'd all be toast right about now."
Tai gulped slightly, "Well it sure took its time in glowing that's for sure."
"What do you mean?" Tonai asked.
"Well," Tai said, rubbing the sweat off his brow, "When we first got them it glowed right away, and than with that spider thing it seemed to warn us. This time we didn't even get a warning and it took it's sweet time in glowing."
"Maybe we were asleep when it glowed." Matt suggested as he looked down at his sword.
"Maybe. . . " Tai said dubiously.
Tonai sighed, "Well, I do not know about you two but I'd be more comfortable if we left this place."
"Good idea." Tai nodded, walking over to Matt and helping him to his feet, he then scooped up two fruits from the ground and tossed them to the weary Matt, who catched them gingerly. "Bon appetite. (1)" He remarked.
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` Several miles away a young women sat in a dimmed room, waiting. They were coming. She could feel it. She leaned over to ready her bow, the time had come then. The chosen had finally arrived. She let out a soft sigh. If this was true, then the final battle would soon be upon them. It would take all the might this world had to offer and then some to even hold a hope of victory.
Even so, she thanked all the gods she knew that the chosen were finally in their midst. Perhaps their chances were improving after all. The chosen would most certainly hold great powers and wisdom, of this she knew for certain, for how else had they come to be the chosen?
She secured her pouches upon her belt and straightened her armor. She would meet the chosen at mid-day just before they entered the city, and offer all the aid that she could, if they should so need it.
With this she set off, in a blur of motion, her agile body, a gift of her race, allowing her a graceful movement, undecipherable to the human ear. Within seconds she was gone.
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Darnack laid his hand upon the ground gingerly tracing the foot prints left in the clearing. There had been a great battle here, with many beasts, it appeared however, the two demons had been victorious. This puzzled Darnack. If the men that had appeared in the village five days past were demons, why then had these demon beasts attacked them?
Perhaps there was more to the story then was told. He searched the clearing for Tonai's foot prints and soon found them. She appeared to be unharmed and what's more, from the position of the men's foot prints it appeared that the men had been protecting her.
Another perplexing twist.
He thought back of his journey to this place, thru the caves and forest, finally reaching the chard city. He tried his best not to dwell on that, it was still too hard. In fact, if not for his orders of retrieving the Excellencies daughter he would have turned back instead of venture into the city of nightmares.
Thru all his search and tracking he had yet to see any signs of struggle between Tonai and the demons. Had his Excellency been wrong? Or was Tonai held in some sort of spell? If so why then had the two demons protected her in this clearing?
Darnack shook his head. Best not to question right now, there would be plenty of time for that once he found Tonai.
With that, he gathered himself in one fluid movement and stood to his full height, continuing on, with feather soft foot steps born of a hunter. He must remember his mission, the sooner he fulfilled it the sooner he could return to Mai.
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"Tonai, are you sure that we're going the right way?" Tai asked.
"Yes," Tonai said with a hint of worry in her voice.
"That didn't sound very confident." Tai remarked.
"It has been three years since I last walked this path, and as it appears three years since anyone else has walked this path," Tonai said gesturing to the foliage that had almost engulfed the path, "So forgive me if my memory is a bit brief."
Tai chuckled, "Alright, alright, don't be mad. I trust yah."
"I remember when this path was a great road." Tonai said softly, the mists of memory clouding her eyes.
"Hey don't worry, we'll get that back." Tai said laying a hand on her shoulder for support.
Tonai smiled, "Yes, I believe you will."
Tai smiled back and wondered for a moment when she had gained so much trust in them. She had only know Matt and him for just over five days, how could she have grown to hold such a deep trust so quickly. It was at this moment that Tai noticed how quiet Matt had been since their little 'adventure' in the morning.
He turned to face his friend who was a few paces back. "You ok Matt?" Matt made no response and just kept walking. "Matt, hey buddy, I'm talkin' to yah." Tai said again, still gaining no response.
Tai and Tonai passed worried glances before stopping to face Matt. "Matt?" Matt stopped as well, this time giving a haughty "shhh."
Again, Tai and Tonai passed glances, this time in confusion, however neither said a word, obeying Matt's command.
They stood like this for several moments, Tai and Tonai facing Matt, who stood in a silent concentration. Suddenly Matt looked up, "Someone's here."
"What? How can you tell." Tai said in surprise.
"I don't know. I could hear their foot steps, but then they stopped." Matt responded.
Tai shook his head, "I didn't hear anything." But after a moment of contemplation he said, "Then again weirder things have happened."
"Such as flukes?"
"You got it."
Tai and Matt then got into a defensive position around Tonai, their weapons raised.
"What do we do now?" Tai asked in a hushed whisper.
"I don't know, say something I guess, let them know we know their out there."
"What if they already know we know their out there?"
"Then we know that they know that we know that—ah shut up! Just say something already!" Matt hissed in frustration.
"Right. . . uh. SHOW YOUR SELF!" Tai yelled into the air, trying to put a demanding twist to it.
"Show yourself, what, are we in some Greek play? What normal person goes around saying show yourself???"
"Well what was I supposed to say? We know your out their?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"I thought we weren't doing that whole 'know' thing though."
Their quarrels were ended when a slender figure stepped from the shadows.
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Shia watched the bickering boys with a feeling of confusion. This must be a joke. They were no older then twenty, hardly grown into their bodies, and they were bickering like children. Surly she must have made a mistake in what she sensed.
And yet, with a growing feeling of dread she saw that they held at their sides the weapons of the chosen, and the golden haired one had heard her arrival which was most impressive. No human ear could ever hear one of her race approach. She let out an inward sign. This wasn't a joke then. They were the chosen.
Perhaps this was just an elaborate disguise, meant to trick the Dark One from their path, and to make him underestimate their powers. To be frank, at this moment she underestimated their powers greatly. With their boyish exteriors and bickering natures she would have assumed had it not been for her sense that they could not hold a weapon let alone be the wise chosen in the prophecy.
They were looking at her now, she must say something. She cleared her throat, and glanced over them once more. They appeared a rag tag group, the golden haired one wearing what appeared a ceremonial cloak, ironically unceremoniously draped across his back. The brown haired one who appeared to hold a furry being a top his head appeared even worse, with his odd garments that mirrored the golden haired one.
She made note of the girl behind the two chosen. She was more properly dressed, however she held about her an air of worry. Shia held a bit of interest as to who she was and why such grand beings as the chosen should chose to travel with such a meek girl as such.
And so she spoke.
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"I am Shia of the Elden clan to the east. I have been sent to help you, chosen." Shia said bowing to one knee in a most reverend state.
Tai and Matt cast confused yet curious glances at each other. "Um. . . hi." Tai said after a moment. "Uh. . . Its alright you don't have to kneel." He said stuttering over his words with a bit of surprise. He had been expecting some giant blood sucking warrior, and here comes this beautiful girl. Quite a day indeed.
The girl, or should he say women, for she was at least five years older then Tai, looked up with a bit of surprise then, slowly stood to her feet. Being a typical man, Tai gave her the once over. She was amply provided on the top, but to the surprise of many, even to Tai, this was not what caught his eye most it was his pointy ears that peeked thru her dark green hair. At her side she held a bow and arrow, and around her belt she wore several pouches.
Matt, using his well practiced charm, had helped the women to her feet, help she took with a great deal of surprise. "You don't have to kneel for us." He said with a smile, repeating the gist of Tai's words.
"But you are the chosen." The woman said with a hint of suspicion.
Matt playing on the obvious fact that the women knew more then they did about the chosen, answered, "Sure we are, why is that important?"
The women, or rather Shia coked her head, then pulled away from Matt gentle hand with a bit of force. "Surly you know."
"Nope, not really." Tai said throwing his hands up in the air.
Shia gave a suspicious eye towards Tai, while Matt rolled his eyes.
"What my friend was trying to say is, we're not entirely sure why we have been sent here yet. We know we are supposedly the 'chosen', but other than that we don't know much, besides the fact that we have to defeat the Dark Lord."
Shia looked at Matt for a long moment trying to judge the worth of his words. "Yes, you are the chosen, sent here to free this world and countless others from the Dark One's clutches."
"Dark One? Why don't you call him lord?" Matt asked.
Shia answered simply, "I do not serve him, why should I address him with such respect as that."
"A good point."
"Indeed."
The group fell into an uncomfortable silence for a moment when finally Tonai spoke out, "You said you were from the Elden clan. I have not heard of that."
The women let the slightest hint of a smile cross her lips. "Not many do. We are not from this world. We were brought here when the Dark One merged Elden with this newly formed world."
"Wait, you mean that more than just the digiworld and Kanac merged?" Tai asked, having been briefed of what Matt had discovered during his conversation with Tonai in the caves.
"Many more." Shia nodded grimly.
Tonai's face grew troubled, "Many times the earth had rumbled like the day when we first merged with the other world. Many of my people had suspected that these rumblings meant that another world had merged with Kanac but we had no way of knowing for certain."
Matt rubbed his eyes, "How long exactly have you been here?"
Shia looked directly into Matt's eyes, "A year and a half."
"Ok and how many worlds 'merged' during that time? Can you tell us an estimate?"
"Sixty-five, not all were inhabited."
"Now, how do you know that?" Tai said coking his head in confusion.
Shia's answer came curtly, "My people know many things."
Tai leaned into Matt and whispered under his breath, "Well that's not cryptic."
"Sixty-five is a lot. Do they have any sort of pattern, can you tell?" Matt said, ignoring Tai's remark.
Tai frowned at his friend, something was beginning to change with Matt. He couldn't quite place it, but something was markedly different. Just then a flash flew before his eyes, in it he saw Matt falling backwards on to the ground. Tai opened his eyes again, giving his head a gentle shake, what was that?
He forced his attention away from his now throbbing head and back to the conversation between Matt and the mysterious Shia.
"In the beginning they were in random order, but recently they have been coming every seven moons or so." Shia answered.
"When was the last merge?"
"Six moons past."
Matt turned towards Tonai to confirm, who nodded in agreement. "Alright then we have to be excepting another one pretty soon. I think we shoul— ahr" Matt stopped mid-sentence to bring his hand to his head, giving out a short grown of pain.
"Matt?" Tai and Tonai said in unison.
With a painful scream, Matt's legs swaggered from under him and he fell backwards, luckily landing in Tai's arms before he connected with the ground.
"Matt, what is it? What's wrong?" Tonai said, her voice filled with worry. Tai just stared down at Matt's tense body. It had happened, just like how he had seen it.
For a long moment, Matt was still, his breathing coming in short gasps, and then he looked up directly into Shai's eyes and said, "It wasn't your fault."
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OK! What'd yah think? Worth the wait? I hope so!
IN THE NEXT EXCITING CAHAPTER OF MERGE:
Whats up with this Shia girl? What was Matt talking about when he said it 'wasn't her fault?' How did Tai do that seeing before it happens thing? Another fluke? Who knows! I certainly don't!!! MWHAHAHA But you will soon if you stay tuned for the next exciting episode of MERGE.
::theme song comes in::
'Till next time!
Reion
03/15/04
sit ubu sit.
Enjoy~~~~~~~~
Chapter 13: It's not your fault.
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Darnack stood at the entrance to the cave, a few more steps and he'd be out of the place he had called home for the past three years. A few more steps and he'd be back in the old world, back in all the hurt and fear the Dark Lord had caused, back in hell.
Why was he going back? He kept asking himself that question. Only a fool would willingly go back into all that, but in a way he was a fool. A fool that always fallows orders.
He gave a slight heave of his chest, made sure that his bow and arrow was secure, than looked once more at the place he now called home. No one was here to wish him goodbye, that was to be expected, no one was supposed to know he was leaving. Still, he wished Mai was here.
They had grown quite close since they escaped into the caves. He wished Tola, Mai's little sister was here as well. Her childish expressions, and innocent mind could always make him laugh. He would miss them both very much.
He turned back to the cave entrance, Mai would be reading his letter right about now he figured. He smiled ever so slightly, I guess I don't follow orders as well as I thought, but he could trust Mai, and besides, how else was he going to explain his sudden absence except by the truth?
She would understand, he knew.
He stepped into the cave, out of his home, and into hell.
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The sun was just peaking thru the tree limbs as Tai opened his eyes. He let out a tired yawn than let his body stretch. He sat up with a groan and rubbed his back painfully, he had been sleeping on a rock.
The fire was out, and both Matt and Tonai were sound asleep. A thought occurred to Tai, hadn't it been Matt's turn to take watch? He looked closer at the slumbering Matt, he was slumped back on a tree, as if he had fallen asleep sitting up, which most likely he had.
Tai shook his head, he had fallen asleep on his watch. He was going to wake Matt up but than decided against it, he needed all the sleep he could get, might as well do him a favor.
Tai poked at the fire, and after ten minutes of work managed to get it going again. He smiled proudly and sat back. "Hello Tai." A voice said from behind him.
He turned around a bit startled to see Tonai was awake, "Oh hey Tonai, sorry if I woke you."
"No, no, "She shook her head with a smile, "You didn't wake me. I just couldn't sleep anymore."
Tai nodded his head sheepishly, than laughed as Matt shifted in his sleep. "So uh. . . did you sleep good?" Tai asked, trying to create conversation.
Tonai nodded, "Yes, it got a bit cold though."
"Oh yeah, sorry, the fire must have gone out." Tai replied.
They sat in silence until a loud gurgling sound was heard from Tai's stomach.
Tai laughed nervously, "I guess I'm a bit hungry."
Tonai looked towards the untouched fruits from the day before, "I guess we * could * eat them. . ."
"Yeah. . . if there were any more of those * things * in them they should have come out by now. I don't see anything in them, but than again when you first brang them I didn't see anything either so we shouldn't trust that they're safe just on my eye sight. We should probably cut them up before we eat them just to be safe."
Tonai nodded pulling out her knife, and carefully picking up a fruit. Tai grabbed his staff and stood at the ready. She slowly sliced thru the fruit. . .
And nothing. "Phew!" Tai said relived, Tonai smiled and handed a couple of slices to Tai. They ate peacefully for a few moments, both too hungry to have much of a conversation. Finally, when each had had their fill, Tai noticed Matt again.
"Should we wake him up?" He asked.
Tonai looked at the quietly sleeping Matt, "I suppose we should, he must be starving, and it would be best if we left here as soon as possible. . ."
"Alright than, time for sleeping beauty to wake up and smell the sunshine." Tai said, getting up from his place near Tonai and walking over to Matt. "Hey pssst, Matt." Tai said as he neared Matt, than he suddenly stopped, as a dagger flew out of no where and sliced into the ground at his feet.
Tai gulped and took a step back, "Where the hell did that come from!" He yelled looking around wildly.
Matt jolted awake from Tai's yelling, "Wha—who?" Than his eyes focused on the dagger no more than three feet in front of him. "Where did that come from?"
Just than another dagger sliced right next to his head, cutting off a few strands of hair. Matt's eyes bulged. What the hell was going on?
"Someone's here." Tai said seriously, motioning for Tonai to get closer while slowing backing towards his staff.
Matt was now fully awake as he reached up and yanked the dagger out of the tree. It was no accident that he still had his head, that was for sure, because who ever had thrown this dagger was obviously skilled.
Matt got up from where he lay cautiously, looking thru the trees suspiciously. He reached down and picked up his sword, not once taking his eyes off the forest than yelled, "You got our attention, now show your self!" into the air.
Tai raised his staff protectively in front of himself, pushing Tonai behind him. Suddenly, in a blur of movement a man stood before them. He was tall, maybe in his early thirties. He had jet black hair that fell across his face like knives, and wore a black trench coat over equally black armor.
"Here I am." He said with an arrogant smile.
"Who are you?" Matt said raising his sword towards the man.
"The Dark Lord's Servant."
Tai rolled his eyes slightly, "Mind giving us a name?"
The man looked directly into Tai's eyes, "Kellogg."
"Like the cereal?" Tai said his face twisting in a hint of laughter.
Kellogg did not find this that amusing however given that he immediately lurched forwards and in a spilt second was right in front of Tai. Tai gasped in surprise and lifted his staff in defense as 'Kellogg' shot out a hand. Tai was thrown backwards when an incredible force struck him. He slammed into a tree and slumped forwards, stunned.
A spilt second later 'Kellogg' was by Tonai, whom he threw to the ground in an instant. And than he rammed into Matt. Matt was slammed into the tree with a slight shout of surprise than found a very sharp object against his neck, Kellogg's dagger.
Matt had to think fast, in a spilt second Kellogg would twist his wrist and bye bye Matt! He looked towards Tai, who was just recovering from Kellogg's blow, but was still to far away to help, than to Tonai, who was paralyzed in fear, than to the sword he held in his hand.
With a scream of desperation he pushed back with the flat side of his sword, sending the surprised Kellogg back a few blessed steps. Matt than slashed the sword towards Kellogg only to cut into dirt. Kellogg had jumped back in a blink of an eye, saving himself from being cut in half, and was now several feet away.
Tai, who had now recovered, ran towards him with his spear, but Kellogg just side stepped and than in a split second, slammed the blunt side of the dagger into Tai's back, sending Tai crashing to the ground, only to be interrupted by Kellogg's knee jutting into his stomach.
Kellogg dropped Tai to the ground, where Tai laid gasping for air, than turned his sights back towards Matt, but this time it was Matt who had the upper hand. He had charged Kellogg even before Kellogg had had time to turn around, and than used his momentum to spin onto the ground and than flip Kellogg into a tree.
Kellogg landed on the tree with his legs first, and than using them as springs propelled himself back towards Matt. Matt raised his sword in front of his head in a vain attempt for protection, and suddenly it began to shoot out light.
Kellogg was thrown backwards from the flaming light with a shirking scream. Matt stared horrified as Kellogg's face began to give off black smoke. The man named Kellogg let out another inhuman scream than in a blink of an eye was gone, but, Matt knew, not defeated.
Matt dropped his sword in exhaustion and slumped to his knee's to catch his breath. It sure was tiring when ever that damn sword glowed. "Tai." Matt said between desperate gasps of air, "you Ok man?"
He was answered with a loud groan, than a "Damn that guy's punches hurt." Matt smiled weakly.
"TAI! MATT!" Tonai said, finally snapping out of it and running over to them, "Are you alright? Who was that? You made that sword glow very bright Matt!" She said a hundred words per second.
Tai answered, while Tonai helped him to his feet, "Yes we're alright. My guess is that that breakfast cereal of a man, was a present from the Dark Lord, and your damn right Matt made that sword of his glow. How'd you do that Matt?"
Matt shook his head weakly, he was so tired, "I don't know how I did it, but I'm glad I did, or else I have a feeling we'd all be toast right about now."
Tai gulped slightly, "Well it sure took its time in glowing that's for sure."
"What do you mean?" Tonai asked.
"Well," Tai said, rubbing the sweat off his brow, "When we first got them it glowed right away, and than with that spider thing it seemed to warn us. This time we didn't even get a warning and it took it's sweet time in glowing."
"Maybe we were asleep when it glowed." Matt suggested as he looked down at his sword.
"Maybe. . . " Tai said dubiously.
Tonai sighed, "Well, I do not know about you two but I'd be more comfortable if we left this place."
"Good idea." Tai nodded, walking over to Matt and helping him to his feet, he then scooped up two fruits from the ground and tossed them to the weary Matt, who catched them gingerly. "Bon appetite. (1)" He remarked.
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` Several miles away a young women sat in a dimmed room, waiting. They were coming. She could feel it. She leaned over to ready her bow, the time had come then. The chosen had finally arrived. She let out a soft sigh. If this was true, then the final battle would soon be upon them. It would take all the might this world had to offer and then some to even hold a hope of victory.
Even so, she thanked all the gods she knew that the chosen were finally in their midst. Perhaps their chances were improving after all. The chosen would most certainly hold great powers and wisdom, of this she knew for certain, for how else had they come to be the chosen?
She secured her pouches upon her belt and straightened her armor. She would meet the chosen at mid-day just before they entered the city, and offer all the aid that she could, if they should so need it.
With this she set off, in a blur of motion, her agile body, a gift of her race, allowing her a graceful movement, undecipherable to the human ear. Within seconds she was gone.
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Darnack laid his hand upon the ground gingerly tracing the foot prints left in the clearing. There had been a great battle here, with many beasts, it appeared however, the two demons had been victorious. This puzzled Darnack. If the men that had appeared in the village five days past were demons, why then had these demon beasts attacked them?
Perhaps there was more to the story then was told. He searched the clearing for Tonai's foot prints and soon found them. She appeared to be unharmed and what's more, from the position of the men's foot prints it appeared that the men had been protecting her.
Another perplexing twist.
He thought back of his journey to this place, thru the caves and forest, finally reaching the chard city. He tried his best not to dwell on that, it was still too hard. In fact, if not for his orders of retrieving the Excellencies daughter he would have turned back instead of venture into the city of nightmares.
Thru all his search and tracking he had yet to see any signs of struggle between Tonai and the demons. Had his Excellency been wrong? Or was Tonai held in some sort of spell? If so why then had the two demons protected her in this clearing?
Darnack shook his head. Best not to question right now, there would be plenty of time for that once he found Tonai.
With that, he gathered himself in one fluid movement and stood to his full height, continuing on, with feather soft foot steps born of a hunter. He must remember his mission, the sooner he fulfilled it the sooner he could return to Mai.
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"Tonai, are you sure that we're going the right way?" Tai asked.
"Yes," Tonai said with a hint of worry in her voice.
"That didn't sound very confident." Tai remarked.
"It has been three years since I last walked this path, and as it appears three years since anyone else has walked this path," Tonai said gesturing to the foliage that had almost engulfed the path, "So forgive me if my memory is a bit brief."
Tai chuckled, "Alright, alright, don't be mad. I trust yah."
"I remember when this path was a great road." Tonai said softly, the mists of memory clouding her eyes.
"Hey don't worry, we'll get that back." Tai said laying a hand on her shoulder for support.
Tonai smiled, "Yes, I believe you will."
Tai smiled back and wondered for a moment when she had gained so much trust in them. She had only know Matt and him for just over five days, how could she have grown to hold such a deep trust so quickly. It was at this moment that Tai noticed how quiet Matt had been since their little 'adventure' in the morning.
He turned to face his friend who was a few paces back. "You ok Matt?" Matt made no response and just kept walking. "Matt, hey buddy, I'm talkin' to yah." Tai said again, still gaining no response.
Tai and Tonai passed worried glances before stopping to face Matt. "Matt?" Matt stopped as well, this time giving a haughty "shhh."
Again, Tai and Tonai passed glances, this time in confusion, however neither said a word, obeying Matt's command.
They stood like this for several moments, Tai and Tonai facing Matt, who stood in a silent concentration. Suddenly Matt looked up, "Someone's here."
"What? How can you tell." Tai said in surprise.
"I don't know. I could hear their foot steps, but then they stopped." Matt responded.
Tai shook his head, "I didn't hear anything." But after a moment of contemplation he said, "Then again weirder things have happened."
"Such as flukes?"
"You got it."
Tai and Matt then got into a defensive position around Tonai, their weapons raised.
"What do we do now?" Tai asked in a hushed whisper.
"I don't know, say something I guess, let them know we know their out there."
"What if they already know we know their out there?"
"Then we know that they know that we know that—ah shut up! Just say something already!" Matt hissed in frustration.
"Right. . . uh. SHOW YOUR SELF!" Tai yelled into the air, trying to put a demanding twist to it.
"Show yourself, what, are we in some Greek play? What normal person goes around saying show yourself???"
"Well what was I supposed to say? We know your out their?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"I thought we weren't doing that whole 'know' thing though."
Their quarrels were ended when a slender figure stepped from the shadows.
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Shia watched the bickering boys with a feeling of confusion. This must be a joke. They were no older then twenty, hardly grown into their bodies, and they were bickering like children. Surly she must have made a mistake in what she sensed.
And yet, with a growing feeling of dread she saw that they held at their sides the weapons of the chosen, and the golden haired one had heard her arrival which was most impressive. No human ear could ever hear one of her race approach. She let out an inward sign. This wasn't a joke then. They were the chosen.
Perhaps this was just an elaborate disguise, meant to trick the Dark One from their path, and to make him underestimate their powers. To be frank, at this moment she underestimated their powers greatly. With their boyish exteriors and bickering natures she would have assumed had it not been for her sense that they could not hold a weapon let alone be the wise chosen in the prophecy.
They were looking at her now, she must say something. She cleared her throat, and glanced over them once more. They appeared a rag tag group, the golden haired one wearing what appeared a ceremonial cloak, ironically unceremoniously draped across his back. The brown haired one who appeared to hold a furry being a top his head appeared even worse, with his odd garments that mirrored the golden haired one.
She made note of the girl behind the two chosen. She was more properly dressed, however she held about her an air of worry. Shia held a bit of interest as to who she was and why such grand beings as the chosen should chose to travel with such a meek girl as such.
And so she spoke.
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"I am Shia of the Elden clan to the east. I have been sent to help you, chosen." Shia said bowing to one knee in a most reverend state.
Tai and Matt cast confused yet curious glances at each other. "Um. . . hi." Tai said after a moment. "Uh. . . Its alright you don't have to kneel." He said stuttering over his words with a bit of surprise. He had been expecting some giant blood sucking warrior, and here comes this beautiful girl. Quite a day indeed.
The girl, or should he say women, for she was at least five years older then Tai, looked up with a bit of surprise then, slowly stood to her feet. Being a typical man, Tai gave her the once over. She was amply provided on the top, but to the surprise of many, even to Tai, this was not what caught his eye most it was his pointy ears that peeked thru her dark green hair. At her side she held a bow and arrow, and around her belt she wore several pouches.
Matt, using his well practiced charm, had helped the women to her feet, help she took with a great deal of surprise. "You don't have to kneel for us." He said with a smile, repeating the gist of Tai's words.
"But you are the chosen." The woman said with a hint of suspicion.
Matt playing on the obvious fact that the women knew more then they did about the chosen, answered, "Sure we are, why is that important?"
The women, or rather Shia coked her head, then pulled away from Matt gentle hand with a bit of force. "Surly you know."
"Nope, not really." Tai said throwing his hands up in the air.
Shia gave a suspicious eye towards Tai, while Matt rolled his eyes.
"What my friend was trying to say is, we're not entirely sure why we have been sent here yet. We know we are supposedly the 'chosen', but other than that we don't know much, besides the fact that we have to defeat the Dark Lord."
Shia looked at Matt for a long moment trying to judge the worth of his words. "Yes, you are the chosen, sent here to free this world and countless others from the Dark One's clutches."
"Dark One? Why don't you call him lord?" Matt asked.
Shia answered simply, "I do not serve him, why should I address him with such respect as that."
"A good point."
"Indeed."
The group fell into an uncomfortable silence for a moment when finally Tonai spoke out, "You said you were from the Elden clan. I have not heard of that."
The women let the slightest hint of a smile cross her lips. "Not many do. We are not from this world. We were brought here when the Dark One merged Elden with this newly formed world."
"Wait, you mean that more than just the digiworld and Kanac merged?" Tai asked, having been briefed of what Matt had discovered during his conversation with Tonai in the caves.
"Many more." Shia nodded grimly.
Tonai's face grew troubled, "Many times the earth had rumbled like the day when we first merged with the other world. Many of my people had suspected that these rumblings meant that another world had merged with Kanac but we had no way of knowing for certain."
Matt rubbed his eyes, "How long exactly have you been here?"
Shia looked directly into Matt's eyes, "A year and a half."
"Ok and how many worlds 'merged' during that time? Can you tell us an estimate?"
"Sixty-five, not all were inhabited."
"Now, how do you know that?" Tai said coking his head in confusion.
Shia's answer came curtly, "My people know many things."
Tai leaned into Matt and whispered under his breath, "Well that's not cryptic."
"Sixty-five is a lot. Do they have any sort of pattern, can you tell?" Matt said, ignoring Tai's remark.
Tai frowned at his friend, something was beginning to change with Matt. He couldn't quite place it, but something was markedly different. Just then a flash flew before his eyes, in it he saw Matt falling backwards on to the ground. Tai opened his eyes again, giving his head a gentle shake, what was that?
He forced his attention away from his now throbbing head and back to the conversation between Matt and the mysterious Shia.
"In the beginning they were in random order, but recently they have been coming every seven moons or so." Shia answered.
"When was the last merge?"
"Six moons past."
Matt turned towards Tonai to confirm, who nodded in agreement. "Alright then we have to be excepting another one pretty soon. I think we shoul— ahr" Matt stopped mid-sentence to bring his hand to his head, giving out a short grown of pain.
"Matt?" Tai and Tonai said in unison.
With a painful scream, Matt's legs swaggered from under him and he fell backwards, luckily landing in Tai's arms before he connected with the ground.
"Matt, what is it? What's wrong?" Tonai said, her voice filled with worry. Tai just stared down at Matt's tense body. It had happened, just like how he had seen it.
For a long moment, Matt was still, his breathing coming in short gasps, and then he looked up directly into Shai's eyes and said, "It wasn't your fault."
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OK! What'd yah think? Worth the wait? I hope so!
IN THE NEXT EXCITING CAHAPTER OF MERGE:
Whats up with this Shia girl? What was Matt talking about when he said it 'wasn't her fault?' How did Tai do that seeing before it happens thing? Another fluke? Who knows! I certainly don't!!! MWHAHAHA But you will soon if you stay tuned for the next exciting episode of MERGE.
::theme song comes in::
'Till next time!
Reion
03/15/04
sit ubu sit.