OH, my gosh..............this short fic is taking TOO long to finish. Sorry, but I
haven't been getting ideas for this fic. For those of you who still
remember Fire and Magic from late 2003, thanks for coming back. For any new
readers, thanks for reading. Kinton clouds and one-minute dreams coming
your way.
..................................
"Um, great wizard," Kaoru began with a tap at his shoulder.
"Kenshin, may it please my lady," he smiled back. "Nothing has changed, understand?"
She nodded, and continued. "That Ultimate Recovery thing, I was wondering..............would you teach mine?"
Kenshin placed a hand on the cloud they were sitting on, and made it stop.
Kaoru did ask at the onset why they were using a cloud for public transport into Lord Shishio's territory. She had fully expected a magic carpet, or a long teleportation. He laughed good-naturedly. "It's our associates in the Middle East who use the magic carpets, milady! They're too conspicuous and too expensive here. As for teleportation, it will require a lot of power, and we would be noticed." So he called down a nice fluffy little cloud, powdered a little pixie dust onto the cloud, and gestured for Kaoru to sit comfortably in the middle of it. He then sat beside her, and with a little twirl of his hand, they were off the ground.
The other white clouds sailed along the clear orange sky, while their own remained stationary, as Kenshin looked intently at Kaoru.
"Kaoru, milady, I will not let you die," he said.
His face was so earnest, so determined, so courageous ---- it rather scared her to think what was going on in his mind. "Oh, of course, you will!" she laughed uneasily. She did not want to die, either! "I just asked for the spell, so when the time comes I would know it. Just a precaution, see?" She then laughed again, desperately trying to make the wizard loosen up.
The fiery-haired wizard eventually smiled and sighed. "I understand. But I will keep my promise to you," he added as he patted her hand. "Do you have a memory jewel?"
She shook her head. "I'm the first mage in my family."
"No matter," he said. "Is there any thing you have with you that brings special memories?"
Kaoru said no. "I would like to have that thing you used to save my life, though!" she asked nicely and cheerfully.
"Good, we can use that," he said. He fluffed the little cloud, and it started sailing again eastward. From inside his coat, he took out the cloth he used to save Kaoru a few days back. He placed his other hand over Kaoru's forehead.
"Now, milady, close your eyes, and remember the thoughts you want to keep."
"About who?"
"About anyone special to you. Someone you want to remember and see........even..........." he looked away, "even when that person dies."
"Alright." She closed her eyes, and soon was drowsy, sleepy, fast asleep.
She was back in the little cottage of the fiery-haired wizard. She watched him as he stirred the soup with a happy smile. She gazed at him from the table, as he approached with a bowl for each of them. She laughed and smiled, as he told him stories about the horses and the townspeople. She then walked with him to the stables, with her smiling at his happy face and bright red hair. When they got there, she took out an apron, and helped him and the other two stablehands rake out the hay. She, Sanosuke and Yahiko buried him in hay, and he reappeared with a silly smile and straw sticking out every which way from his fiery head.
They laughed at his embarrassed face all the way home. She clearly saw how the little shack was full of their mirth that evening over beef stew. The day ended with her in the only bed in the shack, and he rolling out a mattress beside her. "It was a nice day, wasn't it?" she asked him. "Indeed it was," he answered, as he tucked her in.
But when she awoke the next day, she was on the little cloud, staring at Kenshin's purple eyes.
"It's ready, milady," he said, and showed him a new jasper in his hand. "It took only a minute. Very good, milady."
"That was just a minute?! It felt like forever!" It all seemed so real, like she returned to that day and relived it.
"Not only that," and he showed her his own memory sapphire. Now, it had little glimpses of Kaoru, as well as Tomoe. Those of Kaoru were of the same scenes she opened up in her dream. She was delightfully surprised.
"Now, milady," he took up her hand, and placed the jasper in it. "Give me the words as they come."
Oh! The same way it happened then! She looked at the stone, and watched the images that appeared. "Kindness.........contentment...............courage............protecting me..................."
He looked at her. He did not think he had those traits! His face turned a shade closer to his hair. "Alright, then add............."
"I know, 'These are the words that bring me to life.' " She continued on her own, "His fire and his magic guiding me: these are the words that bring me to life."
"Now, the final words have to be chosen carefully.........."
"I don't have to, I already know the words I want," she smiled, and chanted. "'Of love and of trust, no magic has stronger power. These are the words that bring me to life.' "
He recognized his own final words, and smiled in return. "Those who know those words have the power of life and death over you, so be careful who you tell them to. Also, a high-level magician will be able to open your memory jasper and be able to get those words, so you have to guard this stone well."
A high-level magician? "Well, then..........why did Megumi let ME do the spell on you? Why didn't she do it herself?"
"I.........do not know, milady," he answered. "But since you were able to complete it, it shows that you have great potential as a mage."
She? Kaoru? The palace former klutzy magician? The one who got fired for being a hopeless rookie? She knew he was the best in the books, but, but, should she believe him?
"Yes, Kaoru, milady, you should," he answered her thoughts with a smile.
"DON'T DO THAT!!" she protested.
"Yes, milady," he bowed before her, then grew serious and pointed. "Get ready. We are almost there."
Kaoru put on a determined face, as the cloud descended to solid ground. They had reached enemy territory.
The sun had set as they arrived at the castle walls. The streets were already deserted, and windows were closed. It was as if, a great darkness had descended on the castle and all its holdings.
Silently, the wizard positioned the mage behind him, and they walked on toward Aoshi's quarters.
"Man, you could just feel the evil in this place........." Kaoru whispered, holding Kenshin's clothes tightly from behind. "Aren't we placing that invisibility cloak or something?"
Kenshin said no. "Aoshi is somewhere here. If we use magic before we need it, it would make our presence known sooner than it should."
But the black mage already knew. He was already reporting it to his lord with a bow.
Seated on the throne was the lord of this realm, and beside him cuddled his queen. A rather handsome master he was, with well-brushed hair and clean- shaved face. He exuded power and pride with every movement. But his features also warned of great evil within the man's soul.
"Kenshin is here, and he is with a female mage."
"Why are you sure?" his highness asked, as he puffed at a pipe.
"My lord, only the Crimson Master exudes that much power in his aura, even without executing spells," Aoshi explained.
"Are you...afraid.....of him, the Crimson Master?" the lord asked, carefully examining his mage's face.
But Aoshi's eyes were ice, and his mouth solid. "No. The Eyes of Malice are made to withstand even his own power."
"Good. Deal with him personally, and finish him. The effect of your spell on Enishi is complete. We invade tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord," and he disappeared from his presence.
"Dearest," Yumi crooned beside Shishio, "until how long will Aoshi stay loyal to you?"
His highness stroked her cheek. "You know as well as I that Aoshi's purpose is only to defeat the Crimson Master, and become the most powerful mage. When he has accomplished that goal, he will no longer serve me. But by then, I will have no need of him anymore. By then, all holdings will be mine, and everyone, mage or mortal, will have to obey me."
Back in the other great palace that evening, the commander was reporting to the snow prince.
"There are reports from our spies that Shishio is invading tomorrow," he said flatly, but seriously.
"Let them come," Enishi answered nonchalantly, purple spectacles on his nose, the gleam of arrogance in his eyes. "We're ready for them."
"No, we are NOT, highness. There are too few soldiers for the combined forces of three neighboring territories!"
"Who cares? We have Megumi, and a few other mages in the territory, right? Where is that redheaded annoyance?" the prince smirked.
"Megumi cannot do it alone, and if indeed the Crimson Master was seen in the palace recently, he could not be found now." Saitou harrumphed. "I refuse to answer to a man who does not see the gravity of the problem over his kingdom."
But evidently the prince was no longer listening. "He is called the Crimson Master now?" He mused. "Saitou, why hasn't anyone hunted him down and eliminated him?"
"Because we have no reason to do that, idiot!" Misao answered for the commander. She angrily pounded at the armrests of her throne. "Isn't it enough for you that 30 people have been executed unjustly? Will another man die for no reason?"
"No reason? No REASON?!" the prince grabbed the princess by the collar and shook her. "That man killed my sister! I don't care if he is the most powerful. I don't care if he has family or friends. I don't care! He will pay for it with his life! He will pay!"
"ENISHI! You've gone crazy!" Misao pleaded.
"And if that mage has sided with Shishio, he will die with him!" he continued.
"I have had it," Saitou declared. He drew a sword, and pointed it at the prince.
Drawn by Misao's screams, the chief retainer and the palace magician dashed into the hall, and were in time to see the commander begin charging. Soujirou stopped Saitou, Megumi restrained Enishi. Misao was dropped, her eyes full of terror.
The prince pushed away the magician will all the force he had, so hard that she almost hit her head. "Worthless woman, who would not even sleep with me. Do NOT try any of your spells on me."
"Oh, yes, I will, your highness, for your good!" Megumi changed tactics, slowly and seductively drew close to the prince. "I don't like my favorite prince like this." She gave him a long and passionate kiss, much to the princess' chagrin. But she gave her a look of I-know-what-I'm doing. She delicately and deftly removed the purple glasses, and hid it inside her cloak, as she kissed him again.
Finally, she stroked his unruly white hair, and placed a hand on his forehead. "Combination spell: Overwrite and Frozen Slumber. Maintained indefinitely until suspended."
But nothing happened.
Instead, the prince's hands went for Megumi's neck. "Another trick, aye? Not this time." He tightened his grip, until the woman began to choke. "Not ever again!"
It took most of Megumi's power to cast the spell. She had none left to fight against the prince's heavy hands. She was too weak, and the grip was too tight. She went limp. The prince dropped her to the floor, barely caught by Misao.
"Let me have his head, your highness," the commander seriously demanded of the princess, drawing his sword again. "All this malevolence has gone too far. If you do not do anything, we will lose the kingdom."
"Does this mean you are declaring mutiny against me, Saitou?" Enishi glared.
"No. I am declaring your execution!" And the commander charged again.
This time the prince was ready for him, and drew his sword. The clash of metal was soon heard resonating in the halls.
Misao grew very scared. Too much will happen soon, too much already happened in a few minutes. She had to do something. She lifted the lifeless Megumi up and sat her on the throne, then ran to a servant. Misao snatched the servant's silver tray and ran to the duelers.
She took aim, jumped, and whacked the silver tray squarely over the snow prince's head. For added effect, she hit him with the tray at the stomach and under the jaw, then gave him a final whack on the head. He staggered, and fell to the floor. He was out cold, faster than any Overwrite could do.
"MISAO!" Soujirou screamed in shock.
It was only then that the princess realized the extent of her damage, and dropped the dented tray with a clang. She looked with horror at the top of his snowy head, now tinged with red, and at his mouth, which now had blood at the corners. "I.........I.............had to do it................Eni-chan.............I had to................you were too dangerous.................."
Then she realized that she was now surrounded by Soujirou, Saitou, and a roomful of servants. As if all were awaiting orders. She rubbed away her tears, and lifted her head. Someone had to take charge. Enishi was in no condition to do it.
"Sou.........Sou-chan..............in...........inform all the mages of the realm............we need their help...............Commander Saitou...............do what you can to be ready for invasion. For now........for now...........I'm in charge. Mary," she called for one of the servants, "go to the palace magician's place, and get the magician's directory. Find a way to warn Kaoru and the Crimson Master."
Kenshin did not have to be told.
"We have to hurry. We have to get back to the palace as soon as possible," he told Kaoru, as they hastily walked up the stone steps of a high tower, Aoshi's quarters.
"But I thought you said two days," she said questioningly.
"The Eyes of Malice have taken their full effect. We no longer have two days," he answered in a whisper between gritted teeth.
"How........how in the world do you know?!" she raised her voice a bit in her surprise.
"Feel it in you, milady," he said hastily, his hands in hers, and they continued.
Kaoru sought her heart, while they kept running up the tower. She eventually noticed that something was different in what she felt around her. Something was wrong with more than one person she knew. She sought her heart a little more, and tried to understand. Finally, she knew it.
"Megumi. And Enishi-sama."
"Correct, Kaoru, milady."
Now this was really beginning to creep out the magician. Not only was she being called a magician with great potential, now she was jiving with the brain of the greatest wizard! Something was not right with this picture. For that matter, something was not right with the flight of stairs they were climbing. It seemed like they were ascending it for too long, for a tower that was not too high.
"So you have noticed it as well, milady," Kenshin smiled at her with approval. He stretched out his hand, and chanted, "Disillusion." The tower stairs disappeared, and the room of the black mage surfaced; a dark, orderly room, filled with books rather than bottles and loose spells.
"Two minutes," the voice of the black mage came from the shadows. "Lost your touch, Kenshin?"
"What in the--- isn't it big enough that he found out?" Kaoru shouted at the shadows.
Kenshin stopped any more haranguing. "He is right, milady. It took me half a minute before." He then grew serious, and addressed Aoshi. "I have come for Enishi's turquoise and Megumi's ruby."
"It is no use getting back the turquoise," Aoshi said, and stepped to the light. "It is at full power now."
"I know," Kenshin replied. "Nevertheless, I will stop you."
"Just try."
Aoshi took out a wand, Kenshin readied his hands.
"What happened to you, Aoshi?" Kenshin asked.
The black mage raised his wand overhead. "I lost to you."
He fired a straight electric blast.
...............................
Sorry if Crimson Master isn't exactly an imposing title. Couldn't think of anything nicer. I actually thought of maroon wizard earlier, but that sounded awful. Anything with magenta in the title sounded bad too. ^^ Hope you liked this. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you soon!
..................................
"Um, great wizard," Kaoru began with a tap at his shoulder.
"Kenshin, may it please my lady," he smiled back. "Nothing has changed, understand?"
She nodded, and continued. "That Ultimate Recovery thing, I was wondering..............would you teach mine?"
Kenshin placed a hand on the cloud they were sitting on, and made it stop.
Kaoru did ask at the onset why they were using a cloud for public transport into Lord Shishio's territory. She had fully expected a magic carpet, or a long teleportation. He laughed good-naturedly. "It's our associates in the Middle East who use the magic carpets, milady! They're too conspicuous and too expensive here. As for teleportation, it will require a lot of power, and we would be noticed." So he called down a nice fluffy little cloud, powdered a little pixie dust onto the cloud, and gestured for Kaoru to sit comfortably in the middle of it. He then sat beside her, and with a little twirl of his hand, they were off the ground.
The other white clouds sailed along the clear orange sky, while their own remained stationary, as Kenshin looked intently at Kaoru.
"Kaoru, milady, I will not let you die," he said.
His face was so earnest, so determined, so courageous ---- it rather scared her to think what was going on in his mind. "Oh, of course, you will!" she laughed uneasily. She did not want to die, either! "I just asked for the spell, so when the time comes I would know it. Just a precaution, see?" She then laughed again, desperately trying to make the wizard loosen up.
The fiery-haired wizard eventually smiled and sighed. "I understand. But I will keep my promise to you," he added as he patted her hand. "Do you have a memory jewel?"
She shook her head. "I'm the first mage in my family."
"No matter," he said. "Is there any thing you have with you that brings special memories?"
Kaoru said no. "I would like to have that thing you used to save my life, though!" she asked nicely and cheerfully.
"Good, we can use that," he said. He fluffed the little cloud, and it started sailing again eastward. From inside his coat, he took out the cloth he used to save Kaoru a few days back. He placed his other hand over Kaoru's forehead.
"Now, milady, close your eyes, and remember the thoughts you want to keep."
"About who?"
"About anyone special to you. Someone you want to remember and see........even..........." he looked away, "even when that person dies."
"Alright." She closed her eyes, and soon was drowsy, sleepy, fast asleep.
She was back in the little cottage of the fiery-haired wizard. She watched him as he stirred the soup with a happy smile. She gazed at him from the table, as he approached with a bowl for each of them. She laughed and smiled, as he told him stories about the horses and the townspeople. She then walked with him to the stables, with her smiling at his happy face and bright red hair. When they got there, she took out an apron, and helped him and the other two stablehands rake out the hay. She, Sanosuke and Yahiko buried him in hay, and he reappeared with a silly smile and straw sticking out every which way from his fiery head.
They laughed at his embarrassed face all the way home. She clearly saw how the little shack was full of their mirth that evening over beef stew. The day ended with her in the only bed in the shack, and he rolling out a mattress beside her. "It was a nice day, wasn't it?" she asked him. "Indeed it was," he answered, as he tucked her in.
But when she awoke the next day, she was on the little cloud, staring at Kenshin's purple eyes.
"It's ready, milady," he said, and showed him a new jasper in his hand. "It took only a minute. Very good, milady."
"That was just a minute?! It felt like forever!" It all seemed so real, like she returned to that day and relived it.
"Not only that," and he showed her his own memory sapphire. Now, it had little glimpses of Kaoru, as well as Tomoe. Those of Kaoru were of the same scenes she opened up in her dream. She was delightfully surprised.
"Now, milady," he took up her hand, and placed the jasper in it. "Give me the words as they come."
Oh! The same way it happened then! She looked at the stone, and watched the images that appeared. "Kindness.........contentment...............courage............protecting me..................."
He looked at her. He did not think he had those traits! His face turned a shade closer to his hair. "Alright, then add............."
"I know, 'These are the words that bring me to life.' " She continued on her own, "His fire and his magic guiding me: these are the words that bring me to life."
"Now, the final words have to be chosen carefully.........."
"I don't have to, I already know the words I want," she smiled, and chanted. "'Of love and of trust, no magic has stronger power. These are the words that bring me to life.' "
He recognized his own final words, and smiled in return. "Those who know those words have the power of life and death over you, so be careful who you tell them to. Also, a high-level magician will be able to open your memory jasper and be able to get those words, so you have to guard this stone well."
A high-level magician? "Well, then..........why did Megumi let ME do the spell on you? Why didn't she do it herself?"
"I.........do not know, milady," he answered. "But since you were able to complete it, it shows that you have great potential as a mage."
She? Kaoru? The palace former klutzy magician? The one who got fired for being a hopeless rookie? She knew he was the best in the books, but, but, should she believe him?
"Yes, Kaoru, milady, you should," he answered her thoughts with a smile.
"DON'T DO THAT!!" she protested.
"Yes, milady," he bowed before her, then grew serious and pointed. "Get ready. We are almost there."
Kaoru put on a determined face, as the cloud descended to solid ground. They had reached enemy territory.
The sun had set as they arrived at the castle walls. The streets were already deserted, and windows were closed. It was as if, a great darkness had descended on the castle and all its holdings.
Silently, the wizard positioned the mage behind him, and they walked on toward Aoshi's quarters.
"Man, you could just feel the evil in this place........." Kaoru whispered, holding Kenshin's clothes tightly from behind. "Aren't we placing that invisibility cloak or something?"
Kenshin said no. "Aoshi is somewhere here. If we use magic before we need it, it would make our presence known sooner than it should."
But the black mage already knew. He was already reporting it to his lord with a bow.
Seated on the throne was the lord of this realm, and beside him cuddled his queen. A rather handsome master he was, with well-brushed hair and clean- shaved face. He exuded power and pride with every movement. But his features also warned of great evil within the man's soul.
"Kenshin is here, and he is with a female mage."
"Why are you sure?" his highness asked, as he puffed at a pipe.
"My lord, only the Crimson Master exudes that much power in his aura, even without executing spells," Aoshi explained.
"Are you...afraid.....of him, the Crimson Master?" the lord asked, carefully examining his mage's face.
But Aoshi's eyes were ice, and his mouth solid. "No. The Eyes of Malice are made to withstand even his own power."
"Good. Deal with him personally, and finish him. The effect of your spell on Enishi is complete. We invade tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord," and he disappeared from his presence.
"Dearest," Yumi crooned beside Shishio, "until how long will Aoshi stay loyal to you?"
His highness stroked her cheek. "You know as well as I that Aoshi's purpose is only to defeat the Crimson Master, and become the most powerful mage. When he has accomplished that goal, he will no longer serve me. But by then, I will have no need of him anymore. By then, all holdings will be mine, and everyone, mage or mortal, will have to obey me."
Back in the other great palace that evening, the commander was reporting to the snow prince.
"There are reports from our spies that Shishio is invading tomorrow," he said flatly, but seriously.
"Let them come," Enishi answered nonchalantly, purple spectacles on his nose, the gleam of arrogance in his eyes. "We're ready for them."
"No, we are NOT, highness. There are too few soldiers for the combined forces of three neighboring territories!"
"Who cares? We have Megumi, and a few other mages in the territory, right? Where is that redheaded annoyance?" the prince smirked.
"Megumi cannot do it alone, and if indeed the Crimson Master was seen in the palace recently, he could not be found now." Saitou harrumphed. "I refuse to answer to a man who does not see the gravity of the problem over his kingdom."
But evidently the prince was no longer listening. "He is called the Crimson Master now?" He mused. "Saitou, why hasn't anyone hunted him down and eliminated him?"
"Because we have no reason to do that, idiot!" Misao answered for the commander. She angrily pounded at the armrests of her throne. "Isn't it enough for you that 30 people have been executed unjustly? Will another man die for no reason?"
"No reason? No REASON?!" the prince grabbed the princess by the collar and shook her. "That man killed my sister! I don't care if he is the most powerful. I don't care if he has family or friends. I don't care! He will pay for it with his life! He will pay!"
"ENISHI! You've gone crazy!" Misao pleaded.
"And if that mage has sided with Shishio, he will die with him!" he continued.
"I have had it," Saitou declared. He drew a sword, and pointed it at the prince.
Drawn by Misao's screams, the chief retainer and the palace magician dashed into the hall, and were in time to see the commander begin charging. Soujirou stopped Saitou, Megumi restrained Enishi. Misao was dropped, her eyes full of terror.
The prince pushed away the magician will all the force he had, so hard that she almost hit her head. "Worthless woman, who would not even sleep with me. Do NOT try any of your spells on me."
"Oh, yes, I will, your highness, for your good!" Megumi changed tactics, slowly and seductively drew close to the prince. "I don't like my favorite prince like this." She gave him a long and passionate kiss, much to the princess' chagrin. But she gave her a look of I-know-what-I'm doing. She delicately and deftly removed the purple glasses, and hid it inside her cloak, as she kissed him again.
Finally, she stroked his unruly white hair, and placed a hand on his forehead. "Combination spell: Overwrite and Frozen Slumber. Maintained indefinitely until suspended."
But nothing happened.
Instead, the prince's hands went for Megumi's neck. "Another trick, aye? Not this time." He tightened his grip, until the woman began to choke. "Not ever again!"
It took most of Megumi's power to cast the spell. She had none left to fight against the prince's heavy hands. She was too weak, and the grip was too tight. She went limp. The prince dropped her to the floor, barely caught by Misao.
"Let me have his head, your highness," the commander seriously demanded of the princess, drawing his sword again. "All this malevolence has gone too far. If you do not do anything, we will lose the kingdom."
"Does this mean you are declaring mutiny against me, Saitou?" Enishi glared.
"No. I am declaring your execution!" And the commander charged again.
This time the prince was ready for him, and drew his sword. The clash of metal was soon heard resonating in the halls.
Misao grew very scared. Too much will happen soon, too much already happened in a few minutes. She had to do something. She lifted the lifeless Megumi up and sat her on the throne, then ran to a servant. Misao snatched the servant's silver tray and ran to the duelers.
She took aim, jumped, and whacked the silver tray squarely over the snow prince's head. For added effect, she hit him with the tray at the stomach and under the jaw, then gave him a final whack on the head. He staggered, and fell to the floor. He was out cold, faster than any Overwrite could do.
"MISAO!" Soujirou screamed in shock.
It was only then that the princess realized the extent of her damage, and dropped the dented tray with a clang. She looked with horror at the top of his snowy head, now tinged with red, and at his mouth, which now had blood at the corners. "I.........I.............had to do it................Eni-chan.............I had to................you were too dangerous.................."
Then she realized that she was now surrounded by Soujirou, Saitou, and a roomful of servants. As if all were awaiting orders. She rubbed away her tears, and lifted her head. Someone had to take charge. Enishi was in no condition to do it.
"Sou.........Sou-chan..............in...........inform all the mages of the realm............we need their help...............Commander Saitou...............do what you can to be ready for invasion. For now........for now...........I'm in charge. Mary," she called for one of the servants, "go to the palace magician's place, and get the magician's directory. Find a way to warn Kaoru and the Crimson Master."
Kenshin did not have to be told.
"We have to hurry. We have to get back to the palace as soon as possible," he told Kaoru, as they hastily walked up the stone steps of a high tower, Aoshi's quarters.
"But I thought you said two days," she said questioningly.
"The Eyes of Malice have taken their full effect. We no longer have two days," he answered in a whisper between gritted teeth.
"How........how in the world do you know?!" she raised her voice a bit in her surprise.
"Feel it in you, milady," he said hastily, his hands in hers, and they continued.
Kaoru sought her heart, while they kept running up the tower. She eventually noticed that something was different in what she felt around her. Something was wrong with more than one person she knew. She sought her heart a little more, and tried to understand. Finally, she knew it.
"Megumi. And Enishi-sama."
"Correct, Kaoru, milady."
Now this was really beginning to creep out the magician. Not only was she being called a magician with great potential, now she was jiving with the brain of the greatest wizard! Something was not right with this picture. For that matter, something was not right with the flight of stairs they were climbing. It seemed like they were ascending it for too long, for a tower that was not too high.
"So you have noticed it as well, milady," Kenshin smiled at her with approval. He stretched out his hand, and chanted, "Disillusion." The tower stairs disappeared, and the room of the black mage surfaced; a dark, orderly room, filled with books rather than bottles and loose spells.
"Two minutes," the voice of the black mage came from the shadows. "Lost your touch, Kenshin?"
"What in the--- isn't it big enough that he found out?" Kaoru shouted at the shadows.
Kenshin stopped any more haranguing. "He is right, milady. It took me half a minute before." He then grew serious, and addressed Aoshi. "I have come for Enishi's turquoise and Megumi's ruby."
"It is no use getting back the turquoise," Aoshi said, and stepped to the light. "It is at full power now."
"I know," Kenshin replied. "Nevertheless, I will stop you."
"Just try."
Aoshi took out a wand, Kenshin readied his hands.
"What happened to you, Aoshi?" Kenshin asked.
The black mage raised his wand overhead. "I lost to you."
He fired a straight electric blast.
...............................
Sorry if Crimson Master isn't exactly an imposing title. Couldn't think of anything nicer. I actually thought of maroon wizard earlier, but that sounded awful. Anything with magenta in the title sounded bad too. ^^ Hope you liked this. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you soon!