Disclaimer: I don't own them. Nell does. Remember?
Warnings: *shrugs*
A/N: *glances at Bailey-chan* Is anyone else amused that I refer to Tobraea as "Toby" when I'm talking out loud about him? Please, like I know how to pronounce his name.
Oh, and I'm very, very sorry about the long-ass delay! You see, my computer died a little bit before my Winter Break, and I didn't get around to trying to fix it for…well, a month. And then all I could get working was AIM. My Internet Explorer is still dead, but I installed Netscape, so all is well. I'll try to get back to a regular schedule on updating, but no promises.
Oh, btw: we've finished six chapters of the sequel so far. Just so ya'll know. ^_~
~*~ is a change in POV
Thoughts are in italics.
Chapter Eleven: In Which the Girls Like to Talk
"Fools!" Tobraea's fist slammed onto a nearby table, breaking it in half. "You let them escape with our prisoners!"
The four demon warriors stood stoically side by side, unmoving.
"And now, AND NOW," Tobraea continued in a rage, "you report that you are unable to trace them!"
He turned his back to them, facing the window. His dark eyes scanned the view of the outside as if hoping to spot his lost captives.
"It was the perfect trap," he spoke again in a quieter voice, "The impossible maze should have snared them. How could they have escaped?" He was almost begging the still silent warriors to answer him.
They continued to stare, unmoving.
Tobraea sighed. With a wave of a hand, he dismissed them. They disappeared as if they were never there.
Alone with his thoughts, Tobraea glared again at the open window.
"Denice," he snarled. "I know this was your doing. Only you knew the way out of my perfect trap. Traitor. But I still have hope left. As long as the others trust you, I might yet win this battle. Even Amanda does not know the darkness in your soul. Even you don't know. But I know." He laughed, the noise echoing through the room, invading hidden corners and hiding the sun's last rays of light. "Your friends," he spat the word, "might have defeated only four of my warriors. But you will never be able to defeat all of them. They obey me and me alone. It was my gift!" his voice raised. "My gift from the one I serve! I am to rule the Dynasty and no one will be able to stop me! No healing angel or dark princess. Their forces will fail. I will not be defeated!"
Smiling, Tobraea lifted a golden goblet of blood. Toasting, he drank deep and whispered, "So, what now will you do?"
~*~
Denice shivered in the early morning's cool air.
"Cold?" Rowen stepped beside her, following her gaze toward the direction of the castle.
She frowned. "No."
"What's wrong then?" His question floated between them.
"I felt…I…nothing." She abruptly turned and walked back into the tent. "I'll wear a cloak next time," she mumbled, closing the flap behind her.
Rowen, now alone, looked again towards the castle and Tobraea's evil, before sighing and walking back into his own tent.
An hour later, they were all assembled together, seated around a table that had been hastily rebuilt for the occasion.
Lord Shi's summons had included the prospect of breakfast. Kento and Shuu's eager stomach rumblings brought blushes to their faces and smiles all around. At last when their breakfast of fruit, bread, wine, and a type of meat porridge that no one could identify, was completed, the meeting began.
Lord Shi cleared his throat and gestured to Kino, who in turn sat up straighter and spoke.
"We have all agreed that Tobraea must be either destroyed or somehow banished. It is your task to do this. We will aid you in whatever way we can."
Denice looked at the faces around her. The Ronins and Troopers looked hopeful, as did the Warlords and Masho minus Dais, Rajura, Kay, and Kayura. It figured. Amanda still looked slightly tired, but definitely much stronger than the day before. She caught Denice's questioning look and nodded slightly.
She was ready. Denice knew that Cale would continue to watch out for her, a thought which also comforted her. They would need a Healer where they were going.
Denice suddenly realized that Lord Shi and Kino were waiting for her response. Who put me in charge?(1)
"We thank you. We will need all the aid you have to give us. Amanda and I have discussed a plan to defeat Tobraea and his demon warriors. But we need to find a few things." She turned to Kayura and Kay. "You both have the staffs of the Ancients and both of the Spring Ogres?" They nodded. "The Jewels of Life?"
Kayura glanced at Kay. "Mine was lost. I…I have no idea where it is.
Kay quickly responded, "Mine was also lost."
Denice had expected this.
"Okay, than we'll have to find the Jewels and bring Anubis back to life."(2)
Everyone blinked at her.
"Do what?" Ryo and Ryou said together.
Immediately, the table's occupants erupted with talk and exclamations. Only Denice, Amanda, Lord Shi, and Kino remained silent.
Finally, Amanda spoke up.
"Calm down. We'll explain everything." When everyone was once again seated and quiet, she continued. "The Kayuras cannot bear all three at once.(3) We can bring Anubis back to life, but only for a few hours, by going to the place he died. Ryo, you and Ryou must transform into Inferno and Kikotei, and the Kayuras must call on the staffs. The armor orbs, placed on top of the Jewels of Life, must also be present. It is a very difficult undertaking, I must admit. But by giving some of my life force to allow Anubis and Shuten to take form, they can help us destroy Tobraea. I've never seen it done, but the greatest of my people, the Heailurei, our leader, was said to bright back to life our most powerful ancestors when needed."
After a pause, Denice spoke again.
"Lord Shi, can you send someone to help us find the Jewels of Life?"
The old leader grunted. "Kino knows of one of these Jewels."
Kino glanced at his father, and then nodded. "Above our cemetery, many miles to the west, I once saw a red jewel hanging from a high cliff. It was a year or so ago No one else saw this phenomenon. I have almost forgotten it." He looked at Denice and then to Amanda. "I will take you there," he said slowly.
Lord Shi stood.
"Then it is agreed. We will prepare food and packs for your journey. May it indeed be successful." He concluded by signing the clan's symbol for "Blessing"—clasping his arms and bowing to them. He hurriedly left and rushed to his own private tent.
Kino sighed. "He thinks I will die on this quest. And the royalty of my people will fail."
Denice sniffed disdainfully.
"I wouldn't count on it. You're being accompanied by nineteen warriors and one healer. We'll go together to find this Jewel and then separate to seek out the other. You shouldn't—"
Denice was interrupted by a loud snore.
She turned to find Sekhmet snoozing in his chair, a blissful smile on his face."
"SEKHMET!" Dais yelled loudly.
At the sound of his name, the boy jumped up, his green hair wild and his eyes blinking.
"Were you sleeping the whole time?" Cale demanded.
"Ah…no…. I remember something about bringing Anubis back and…ah…well…I, uh…. Aren't we going somewhere to find something and—"
"Never mind!" Cale rolled his eyes in disgust.
"So, what are we doing?" Sekhmet tried to ask nonchalantly.
Now Denice rolled her eyes.
"We're leaving before nightfall, so get ready."
"Okay." Denice didn't have to look to see Sekhmet's confused face.
We should leave him here she thought angry.
"I think we're down to eighteen warriors and one healer now," Kino said, chuckling.
Denice glared at him before turning and walking away. She felt Amanda's gaze on her and knew that the girl was laughing at her.
"Shut up," she muttered to her twin.
Amanda tried to appear confused.
"I didn't say anything."
"Oh yes you did," Denice growled.
"I did not."
"Did too."
"You both sound just like humans, always arguing," Cale grinned. Rowen chuckled.
Now both girls turned on them, frowning.
Amanda caught Cale's gaze before blushing and looking away.
"I have to go pack," Kino suddenly muttered as he walked away.
Denice quickly looked from the retreating figure to Amanda's flushed face to Cale's arched eyebrow. Shrugging, she smiled as she took Rowen's hand and entered her tent.
A/N: …Which I really think shouldn't be so close to the meeting table…thing. ^^; Anyway. Notes.
(1) Who indeed? Because it sure as hell wasn't me. *glares at Bailey-chan* …Though I guess it makes sense. I mean, Denice is the only one that actually knows anything about Lord Shi and Kino….
(2) She said as if it were an everyday occurrence. Let's work on Elvis next, shall we?
(3) Not that she'd be able to use the Jewel of Life, anyway. ^^; And add something else to that: her jitte.
Thanks to:
Nell- Yeah, yeah. Of course I can't. Now, hush. You're making our plans public.
Harry2- Yeah, Denice being a princess was definitely unexpected. Even to the writers. ^^ Anyway. Don't drop the narrator in too often…there won't be anything left soon.
WildfireDreams- I somehow doubt anyone expected the princess thing. ^^
AnimegirlH- I'm glad you like it. And thanks for the compliment on the plot twists…we try our best.