The title says it all...
Disclaimer: Me! No! Own!
Ch 11 Path to Cast Iron Gates
Torres watched from under the shade of a tree as Shin paced to and fro. "Three days were promised," Shin stated. "The eve of the sixth is at hand and no word nor breath from Zari. Why?" he stopped and hung his head.
"None know, though what we do know," Sarinor said cheerfully from the higher branches. "Is that Zari is alive. Junid and Talme have left to see to that."
"Junid to Basi, then Talme to Wakeed shortly thereafter, no, within the same quarter of an hour. Each left in haste and have yet to return. Dai Kaio, I can no longer sense them!" He raised his head, determination across his face. "I leave for Basi," he declared as he looked at Torres, who nodded. Shin disappeared.
The marshes were ran in the heat of the passing sun. Clouds now loomed overhead in an ominous shroud. The naked trees appeared to be nothing more then upright twigs in the broken soil. Shin watched the horizon rise as he floated to the ground. "Empty," he whispered as the cold wind whistled by. "Nothing even in close range." He sniffed the air as the wind blew by again. He continued to breathe in deeply as his eyes surveyed the sky. "None left the ground, no trails to be seen, above or..." shifting his eyes to the ground, "... below, least not here. Therefor I will search." He took one step, and the ground crumbled beneath his feet. He jumped and hovered in the air. Raising his guard he turned his head in all directions. Then came the twinge of a dying presence. ~*Junid!*~
White flames blazed about his body then trailed behind him as he rocketed forward. His eyes scanned the ground. He blasted through the heavy stench hanging over the bog then checked himself abruptly. His heart sank as he recognized the elderly frame of Junid, who lie motionless in the midst of fading energy trails. Shin dropped to the ground and ran to his friend.
He placed a hand gently on Junid's back. "Junid," he whispered. He shook Junid's shoulders, "Junid," his voice growing louder. His fingers found their way to Junid's neck, feeling for a pulse. As soon as his fingers touched Junid's skin, he jumped back.
Junid's skin was as cold as ice and pale. Shin recognized the feeling of death that lay with his friend, mentor, and former master. The sudden flash of gleaming metal caught his eye. But a few inches away lie Junid's sword. Shin's trembling hand reached for the pommel. His fingers hooked onto it and pulled it toward him, all the while he fought with the fury that sickened him. He curled his hand around the hilt and wiped the dust on his sleeve. Staring blankly at it, he shook his head and thrust it into the ground then collected stones for Junid's grave.
When he placed the last stone over Junid's pale face, his eyes were dry with no tears left to cascade down his face. He stood still as stone and gazed at where Junid's head was buried. His hand searched for the sword at his side; eyes never leaving the stone veil over his friend's face. Curling his hand around the hilt, he jerked it from the broken soil. He slid the flat of the blade across his sleeve, slowly angling it toward his hand as he rotated it until the edge slashed his palm. His face twitched as the pain gave a jolt. Cupping his hand to hold the blood, he stepped toward the stones then balled up his fist. Listening to the slowing drip, drip, drip of his blood splatter against the stones, he spoke with a voice quivering in fury, "I swear... by the blood thou hast been forced to bleed, and by this very blade I have forced through my flesh, so shall it spill the blood of thy murderer. Or else my life is forfeit in the trail..." He drew a breath. "Alas, farewell my friend." In a rush he scooped the discarded scabbard from the ground and sheathed the blade. As his fingers worked to fasten the scabbard to his sash, his eyes widened... "Talme..."
The arctic air ripped through his uniform as he flew over the glacier that enveloped the entire planet. His eyes stung from the ice that battered the skin of his face. All the while his senses extended to find her signature. Nothing. ~*Please Talme, not you too.*~ His senses suddenly picked up the energy trails all around him, moreover, in the canyon below him. Encouraged by the biting ice he allowed himself to fall into the jagged chasm. His senses were suddenly overwhelmed by the heat of the energy wave that had formed the chasm. Wiping at the ice on his face he suddenly felt himself drawing raspy, panicked breaths. He saw nothing but solid walls of ice, reflecting his own image.
His ear twitched. He diverted his eyes toward the darkness beneath his feet. There it was again! The faint sound of a woman's gasp. On impulse he dove into darkness, forming a small ball of ghostly blue light as he went deeper. The light hit a black patch to his right yet still gleamed against something dark, not black, but a dark blue, almost purple. His face twisted in pain as he heard the loud gasps become shrill wheezes.
Deep within the hollow in the wall, he heard her. She wheezed for breath and he did not know why, nor did he want to know. Still, he forced himself to enter the hollow. Holding the light away at first, at the sound her quiet voice he drew it forth. Immediately he let go and it dissipated. "Shin?" she said in a feeble whisper. "Junid? Who's there?"
He didn't answer for the image of her was still too fresh in his mind. At first he had seen an unstained patch of her uniform that drew his eye. Then his eyes fell upon her face, spackled in her own blood. Dried blood was splattered all around her. One arm rested across her chest. He remembered how the blood stilled from her entrails, how that all that remained of Talme was her head, right arm and half of the right side of her chest.
"Sari... nor...?"
"No," he replied. "It's me... Shin."
"Shi-" She stopped to draw a sharp shrill gasp. She whimpered as he drew her up in his arms. He watched her face twist in agony and as she fought for breath.
"Forgive me," he whispered as he clutched her to his chest. "Had I been here I could have..." he paused to swallow the sob rising in his throat. "I could have stopped this."
"Stopped what?" He gasped as he realized she didn't know. She didn't know she had been blasted in two. "Shin... what's happened to... me? Why can't I feel... my legs..? I'm so numb." Her voice was so soft he could hardly hear her. "Why am I so cold?"
"It's alright, you're fine." His words were bitter to the taste but what else could he say? Well Talme, you've been split in two and you're going to die?! Gently he put her down and tore off his sash and overcoat then wrapped it around her. "You've been in this place for a while, encased in ice so it's no wonder you're numb." His word raced against the sobs that threatened to make him choke.
She smiled, "okay." Panic bolted through him as her hand moved to feel her waist and legs. Before he could catch it she suddenly gasped. She broke into a series of shrill panicked wheezes again. He drew her up in his arms and clutched her tightly to his chest. Her fingers curled into his back, wide eyes staring at the ice ceiling. She could feel him tremble and hold her tighter against him. Drawing a quiet breath, she turned her head slightly so her mouth was next to his ear. "Listen..." her voice was calm and collected. "Let this be your last lesson from me. Everything must end, it is the way of things. Life, sees death. Just as the sun reigns the daytime sky, so must it relinquish its domain to the stars at dusk. Do you understand?" She felt him nod his head, his cheek rubbing against hers. "Also, you must help Zari. She..."
Gently he withdrew but still cradled her in his arms. "Yes?"
Her eyes began to glaze as her eyelids fluttered down. "She... needs... you..." She suddenly widened her eyes and drew a shrill breath. "She needs you to lead her... out of darkn..sss." Fresh tears fell from his eyes as her eyes closed. "She needs your love..." She opened her eyes. He watched as the light behind them went out. A film came over them, making them gray and empty.
"Be at peace," he whispered as he brushed his hand down her face, closing her eyes.
"Hm?" Torres hummed as he looked up from the mirror in his hand to see Shin step out of the glowing portal. "Shin?"
"They're dead sir. West Kai and North Kai, they've both been killed."
"They can't be."
Shin quivered as he spoke, "I buried them sir!" He clutched the hilt of Junid's sword hanging from his sash and turned so Torres could see the bloodstains on his overcoat.
"I see."
"Where is Sarinor?" Shin asked.
"He left for Elfang. He sensed Zari combating this strange creature. Undoubtedly it's Bibi-Dee's creation."
"What?!"
Torres nodded. "He-" His eyes slowly widened then he looked back at the mirror in his hand. "No, impossible."
Shin dashed to his side. Peering over his arm he watched as Sarinor was encased in a pink blob then thrust into the body of some small, pinkling creature. Torres watched as the creature roared as its muscles bulged. Veins rose out from the bulk, surging with new power.
"Can you believe this?" Torres mused. Shin didn't reply. "Shin?"
He turned to see Shin standing with his back to him. He stood amidst white fire, scaring the ground at his feet.
"Shin!"
"First Junid, then Talme, now Sarinor!"
"He's not dead."
"You're right, it's worse! He's become part of that creature. His strength now flows through its veins!" His aura grew and waved wildly.
"Shin! Calm yourself. Otherwise you'll lead them here."
"Too late for that," said a sinister voice from the air above. Shin's aura vanished and he sprang back in front of Torres, thrusting his hands into a defensive stance. "You merely pinpointed your location. Buu lead us here."
"Bibi-Dee," Shin growled.
The wizard laughed. "In the flesh!"
"Shin," Torres whispered. "Go, I'll handle them."
"I'm not going anywhere," Shin replied.
"Stand aside rat!" Bibi-Dee spat as he floated to the ground. "You're time will come but for right now I'm only interested in the Dai Kaio." Bibi-Dee struggled to keep his balance as his creation, Buu, crashed down beside him. He turned and cursed at the salivating monster.
"Dai Kaio," Shin whispered. "Now's your chance. Go!"
"It's my responsibility to protect the younger members of the Kai code. My place is here."
The wind suddenly picked up, on its wing rode a feminine chuckle. "Is it now?"
"Sir," Shin said. "I believe you're mistaken."
"What?"
Shin thrust his hand out at Bibi-Dee, making the wizard pause. "This is not your place." A lavender ring rocketed from his hand and filled with a silvery reflecting surface. Before Dai Kaio could react, Shin grabbed his wrist and threw him into the portal. It closed immediately.
Bibi-Dee threw his head back and laughed. "Fool! You don't stand a chance!"
His hand rested on the hilt, fingers encircled it, then drew the gleaming blade from the sheath.
"Heh, I think no." He snapped his fingers.
Shin grunted as the blade was knocked from his hand by an unknown force. His head snapped sideways and he saw a tall woman with flowing sea green hair skid to a stop. Shaking his hand, he watched her turn and grin then shifted his glare back to the wizard.
"Ah ah ah," Bibi-Dee said as he waved his finger. "I believe you have a few obstacles before you get to me. Desdelona?"
Shin listened as the tall woman replied, "aye sir?"
"Take a break."
"Thank you sir."
"As for you Buu, keep your eagerness at bay for but a moment." Buu growled in protest. "I am your master," Bibi-Dee growled back. "You will do as I say!" He cleared his throat and grinned wickedly at Shin. "You'll get your turn, but first... Amethyst, if that is your real name, come down and say hello to your former master."
"No!" Shin whispered. He turned his eyes skyward and watched a small figure float down beside Bibi-Dee.
His grin broadened as Shin dropped his hands. "Well... don't keep him in suspense."
"Aye, milord," the figure replied. Slender fingers withdrew the hood from her head and flipped it back, exposing her short white hair, golden eyes, and the black M on her forehead. "Greetings," she said with a sadistic grin.
"Kalila... no."
Disclaimer: Me! No! Own!
Ch 11 Path to Cast Iron Gates
Torres watched from under the shade of a tree as Shin paced to and fro. "Three days were promised," Shin stated. "The eve of the sixth is at hand and no word nor breath from Zari. Why?" he stopped and hung his head.
"None know, though what we do know," Sarinor said cheerfully from the higher branches. "Is that Zari is alive. Junid and Talme have left to see to that."
"Junid to Basi, then Talme to Wakeed shortly thereafter, no, within the same quarter of an hour. Each left in haste and have yet to return. Dai Kaio, I can no longer sense them!" He raised his head, determination across his face. "I leave for Basi," he declared as he looked at Torres, who nodded. Shin disappeared.
The marshes were ran in the heat of the passing sun. Clouds now loomed overhead in an ominous shroud. The naked trees appeared to be nothing more then upright twigs in the broken soil. Shin watched the horizon rise as he floated to the ground. "Empty," he whispered as the cold wind whistled by. "Nothing even in close range." He sniffed the air as the wind blew by again. He continued to breathe in deeply as his eyes surveyed the sky. "None left the ground, no trails to be seen, above or..." shifting his eyes to the ground, "... below, least not here. Therefor I will search." He took one step, and the ground crumbled beneath his feet. He jumped and hovered in the air. Raising his guard he turned his head in all directions. Then came the twinge of a dying presence. ~*Junid!*~
White flames blazed about his body then trailed behind him as he rocketed forward. His eyes scanned the ground. He blasted through the heavy stench hanging over the bog then checked himself abruptly. His heart sank as he recognized the elderly frame of Junid, who lie motionless in the midst of fading energy trails. Shin dropped to the ground and ran to his friend.
He placed a hand gently on Junid's back. "Junid," he whispered. He shook Junid's shoulders, "Junid," his voice growing louder. His fingers found their way to Junid's neck, feeling for a pulse. As soon as his fingers touched Junid's skin, he jumped back.
Junid's skin was as cold as ice and pale. Shin recognized the feeling of death that lay with his friend, mentor, and former master. The sudden flash of gleaming metal caught his eye. But a few inches away lie Junid's sword. Shin's trembling hand reached for the pommel. His fingers hooked onto it and pulled it toward him, all the while he fought with the fury that sickened him. He curled his hand around the hilt and wiped the dust on his sleeve. Staring blankly at it, he shook his head and thrust it into the ground then collected stones for Junid's grave.
When he placed the last stone over Junid's pale face, his eyes were dry with no tears left to cascade down his face. He stood still as stone and gazed at where Junid's head was buried. His hand searched for the sword at his side; eyes never leaving the stone veil over his friend's face. Curling his hand around the hilt, he jerked it from the broken soil. He slid the flat of the blade across his sleeve, slowly angling it toward his hand as he rotated it until the edge slashed his palm. His face twitched as the pain gave a jolt. Cupping his hand to hold the blood, he stepped toward the stones then balled up his fist. Listening to the slowing drip, drip, drip of his blood splatter against the stones, he spoke with a voice quivering in fury, "I swear... by the blood thou hast been forced to bleed, and by this very blade I have forced through my flesh, so shall it spill the blood of thy murderer. Or else my life is forfeit in the trail..." He drew a breath. "Alas, farewell my friend." In a rush he scooped the discarded scabbard from the ground and sheathed the blade. As his fingers worked to fasten the scabbard to his sash, his eyes widened... "Talme..."
The arctic air ripped through his uniform as he flew over the glacier that enveloped the entire planet. His eyes stung from the ice that battered the skin of his face. All the while his senses extended to find her signature. Nothing. ~*Please Talme, not you too.*~ His senses suddenly picked up the energy trails all around him, moreover, in the canyon below him. Encouraged by the biting ice he allowed himself to fall into the jagged chasm. His senses were suddenly overwhelmed by the heat of the energy wave that had formed the chasm. Wiping at the ice on his face he suddenly felt himself drawing raspy, panicked breaths. He saw nothing but solid walls of ice, reflecting his own image.
His ear twitched. He diverted his eyes toward the darkness beneath his feet. There it was again! The faint sound of a woman's gasp. On impulse he dove into darkness, forming a small ball of ghostly blue light as he went deeper. The light hit a black patch to his right yet still gleamed against something dark, not black, but a dark blue, almost purple. His face twisted in pain as he heard the loud gasps become shrill wheezes.
Deep within the hollow in the wall, he heard her. She wheezed for breath and he did not know why, nor did he want to know. Still, he forced himself to enter the hollow. Holding the light away at first, at the sound her quiet voice he drew it forth. Immediately he let go and it dissipated. "Shin?" she said in a feeble whisper. "Junid? Who's there?"
He didn't answer for the image of her was still too fresh in his mind. At first he had seen an unstained patch of her uniform that drew his eye. Then his eyes fell upon her face, spackled in her own blood. Dried blood was splattered all around her. One arm rested across her chest. He remembered how the blood stilled from her entrails, how that all that remained of Talme was her head, right arm and half of the right side of her chest.
"Sari... nor...?"
"No," he replied. "It's me... Shin."
"Shi-" She stopped to draw a sharp shrill gasp. She whimpered as he drew her up in his arms. He watched her face twist in agony and as she fought for breath.
"Forgive me," he whispered as he clutched her to his chest. "Had I been here I could have..." he paused to swallow the sob rising in his throat. "I could have stopped this."
"Stopped what?" He gasped as he realized she didn't know. She didn't know she had been blasted in two. "Shin... what's happened to... me? Why can't I feel... my legs..? I'm so numb." Her voice was so soft he could hardly hear her. "Why am I so cold?"
"It's alright, you're fine." His words were bitter to the taste but what else could he say? Well Talme, you've been split in two and you're going to die?! Gently he put her down and tore off his sash and overcoat then wrapped it around her. "You've been in this place for a while, encased in ice so it's no wonder you're numb." His word raced against the sobs that threatened to make him choke.
She smiled, "okay." Panic bolted through him as her hand moved to feel her waist and legs. Before he could catch it she suddenly gasped. She broke into a series of shrill panicked wheezes again. He drew her up in his arms and clutched her tightly to his chest. Her fingers curled into his back, wide eyes staring at the ice ceiling. She could feel him tremble and hold her tighter against him. Drawing a quiet breath, she turned her head slightly so her mouth was next to his ear. "Listen..." her voice was calm and collected. "Let this be your last lesson from me. Everything must end, it is the way of things. Life, sees death. Just as the sun reigns the daytime sky, so must it relinquish its domain to the stars at dusk. Do you understand?" She felt him nod his head, his cheek rubbing against hers. "Also, you must help Zari. She..."
Gently he withdrew but still cradled her in his arms. "Yes?"
Her eyes began to glaze as her eyelids fluttered down. "She... needs... you..." She suddenly widened her eyes and drew a shrill breath. "She needs you to lead her... out of darkn..sss." Fresh tears fell from his eyes as her eyes closed. "She needs your love..." She opened her eyes. He watched as the light behind them went out. A film came over them, making them gray and empty.
"Be at peace," he whispered as he brushed his hand down her face, closing her eyes.
"Hm?" Torres hummed as he looked up from the mirror in his hand to see Shin step out of the glowing portal. "Shin?"
"They're dead sir. West Kai and North Kai, they've both been killed."
"They can't be."
Shin quivered as he spoke, "I buried them sir!" He clutched the hilt of Junid's sword hanging from his sash and turned so Torres could see the bloodstains on his overcoat.
"I see."
"Where is Sarinor?" Shin asked.
"He left for Elfang. He sensed Zari combating this strange creature. Undoubtedly it's Bibi-Dee's creation."
"What?!"
Torres nodded. "He-" His eyes slowly widened then he looked back at the mirror in his hand. "No, impossible."
Shin dashed to his side. Peering over his arm he watched as Sarinor was encased in a pink blob then thrust into the body of some small, pinkling creature. Torres watched as the creature roared as its muscles bulged. Veins rose out from the bulk, surging with new power.
"Can you believe this?" Torres mused. Shin didn't reply. "Shin?"
He turned to see Shin standing with his back to him. He stood amidst white fire, scaring the ground at his feet.
"Shin!"
"First Junid, then Talme, now Sarinor!"
"He's not dead."
"You're right, it's worse! He's become part of that creature. His strength now flows through its veins!" His aura grew and waved wildly.
"Shin! Calm yourself. Otherwise you'll lead them here."
"Too late for that," said a sinister voice from the air above. Shin's aura vanished and he sprang back in front of Torres, thrusting his hands into a defensive stance. "You merely pinpointed your location. Buu lead us here."
"Bibi-Dee," Shin growled.
The wizard laughed. "In the flesh!"
"Shin," Torres whispered. "Go, I'll handle them."
"I'm not going anywhere," Shin replied.
"Stand aside rat!" Bibi-Dee spat as he floated to the ground. "You're time will come but for right now I'm only interested in the Dai Kaio." Bibi-Dee struggled to keep his balance as his creation, Buu, crashed down beside him. He turned and cursed at the salivating monster.
"Dai Kaio," Shin whispered. "Now's your chance. Go!"
"It's my responsibility to protect the younger members of the Kai code. My place is here."
The wind suddenly picked up, on its wing rode a feminine chuckle. "Is it now?"
"Sir," Shin said. "I believe you're mistaken."
"What?"
Shin thrust his hand out at Bibi-Dee, making the wizard pause. "This is not your place." A lavender ring rocketed from his hand and filled with a silvery reflecting surface. Before Dai Kaio could react, Shin grabbed his wrist and threw him into the portal. It closed immediately.
Bibi-Dee threw his head back and laughed. "Fool! You don't stand a chance!"
His hand rested on the hilt, fingers encircled it, then drew the gleaming blade from the sheath.
"Heh, I think no." He snapped his fingers.
Shin grunted as the blade was knocked from his hand by an unknown force. His head snapped sideways and he saw a tall woman with flowing sea green hair skid to a stop. Shaking his hand, he watched her turn and grin then shifted his glare back to the wizard.
"Ah ah ah," Bibi-Dee said as he waved his finger. "I believe you have a few obstacles before you get to me. Desdelona?"
Shin listened as the tall woman replied, "aye sir?"
"Take a break."
"Thank you sir."
"As for you Buu, keep your eagerness at bay for but a moment." Buu growled in protest. "I am your master," Bibi-Dee growled back. "You will do as I say!" He cleared his throat and grinned wickedly at Shin. "You'll get your turn, but first... Amethyst, if that is your real name, come down and say hello to your former master."
"No!" Shin whispered. He turned his eyes skyward and watched a small figure float down beside Bibi-Dee.
His grin broadened as Shin dropped his hands. "Well... don't keep him in suspense."
"Aye, milord," the figure replied. Slender fingers withdrew the hood from her head and flipped it back, exposing her short white hair, golden eyes, and the black M on her forehead. "Greetings," she said with a sadistic grin.
"Kalila... no."