Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Mysterious Games
Janna: When we last left Anne and company, Taiitsu-kun had welcomed them into her humble abode.
Chris: Anne swooned for four days, though, and stopped the group from proceeding to their next destination; Konan.
Jeff: It appears that it's going to be the battle of the century; Anne vs. Berit, in a no holds barred match!
Anne: Um.Jeff.
Jeff: (to everyone, with microphone) So, whom are you betting on?
Kat: Berit.
Luna: Berit.
Max: Berit.
Nick: Uh.what was the question?
Episode 24: Nemuri no heiwa (The Peace of Sleep)
(A dark, mysterious room. It is vaguely reminiscent of the pentagramal room, but this room is far bigger and dimly lit, enough to see shadowed figures of the five speakers. It is clearly the cult headquarters, though)
Liao (speaker 1): Jun, you have been monitoring the progress of the Priestess?
Jun (speaker 2): Yes, I have. She recently found her fifth Warrior, and has returned to the capital to recuperate.
Liang (speaker 4): This one's going a lot slower than the last Priestess did. Plus, why did she return to recuperate? Was it that hard for her to find the fifth whatcha-ma-callit?
Ren (speaker 3): The fifth Star of Suzaku? The task didn't seem strenuous, but she apparently tires easily. It is mysterious, however.
Mei (speaker 5): If you remember, this Priestess is a year younger than the Priestess of Byakko was.
Liao: However, her Celestial Warriors are older than the previous ones. But, more to the point. Mei, you summoned us here for a reason.
Mei: Ah, yes. As I performed my scrying a few days ago, I noticed a very surprising but familiar presence. Apparently, the Priestess of Byakko and her Stars have returned to this world.
(Each other member of the cult draws in their breath suddenly.)
Ren: She has? Why did I not learn of this?
Mei: She only appeared in Mt. Taikyoku, an area where I do believe that your.informants are not welcome.
Jun: Mt. Taikyoku? That's where that damned witch lives, isn't it.
Mei: I would not underestimate Taiitsu-kun. She may not be acting in our best interests, but her power is far greater than mine.
Liao: Then.what is the meaning of this? Why has she returned to this world?
Mei: I do not know. I was only able to see her and her Stars for a brief moment before Mt. Taikyoku's defenses blocked my scrying. But, I felt her entrance to this world; it was quite a momentous event.
Liang: Well.what are we gonna do about it?
Liao: I believe.that prudence is necessary. We do not know why she has returned to this world, or if she poses a threat. It is possible that she could prove to be either a blessing to our cause.or the foil she played out three years ago.
*************
(There is a bright flash of light, and the Byakko group drops out of midair onto an empty street. The eight quickly get up, brush themselves off and look around. The buildings of this city are not constructed in the style of Sailan buildings; their roofs are deeper and more slanted, their streets are wider, and the common buildings are made predominantly of stone rather than wood or bamboo.)
Amefuri: This must be Konan.
Tokaki: Wait.wouldn't we stick out, being dressed in Sailan clothes?
Kokie: Yeah.but aren't we wearing our clothes from the real world???
(The clothes they had previously worn in Taiitsu-kun's palace are gone. In their place are clothes not unlike the ones they had worn on their first trip into the book.)
Anne: Taiitsu-kun thinks of everything.
Tatara: She did create the world; you'd hope she notices things like that.
Karasuki: Weren't we supposed to be looking for Berit?
Toroki: Perhaps we should head for the Imperial Palace.
Subaru: Good idea. But, where is it?
(The group looks around. The street they are on is empty, but off to the distance to the south, a large red structure looms over the city.)
Anne: There it is. Let's go.
(The group walks down the city street, turning onto more of a main road. This street is filled with people, and the majority of them are dressed in simple cloth tunics and dresses. The members of the group, dressed in relatively colorful Sailan garb, stands out like a sore thumb.)
(Eventually, the group reaches the gates to the Imperial Residence. Guards stand in front of the large red doors, and their eyes bug out when they see the eight people dressed like Sailan, but clearly not from Sailo.)
Karasuki: Excuse me. We'd like to speak with the Priestess of Suzaku, please.
Guard 1: Err.the Priestess is currently not accepting visitors. Please state your name and I will convey your respects.
Amefuri: No. We are going to see the Priestess, and there's nothing you can do to stop us.
Guard 2: Don't get pushy, miss. Please state who you are.
Anne: (drawing herself up to her full height) I am the Priestess of Byakko, and these are my seven Celestial Warriors.
(The Guards look at each other in confusion, not believing Anne)
Guard 1: Um.should we let her in?
Guard 2: Maybe.we should let the Emperor deal with this.
Guard 1: Right! While the Priestess of Suzaku is not accepting visitors, you may speak with the Emperor of Konan.
Guard 2: Right this way, please.
(The large red doors open, and the second guard walks down a red tiled path, towards a large red pavilion. The group follows him, marveling at the large open spaces outside of the complex.)
Anne: The architecture is completely different from that of Sailo; in Sailo, the Imperial Palace grounds never would have such an empty space! It would be accompanied by a pool of water, or some grass, or something! Not just boring old tan tile.
(The guard arrives at two ornate red doors. They are emblazoned with inlaid gold, in the shape of a phoenix.)
Guard 2: The Emperor will see you now.
(The Guard knocks once on the door. After a moment, it opens. Konan's throne room is far more lavish than Sailo's. Everywhere, there is lush red carpet, and the pillars are red marble. Golden statues are everywhere, in stark contrast to the simple white of Sailo. At the end of the throne room sits a large chair, with a beautiful man on it. His face is exquisitely shaped, and he is dressed in a red robe that only accentuates his beauty. His hair, obviously long, is up in a bun at the top of his head reserved only for the nobility. He is perhaps better looking than Sailo's emperor.)
Guard 2: (kneeling) Your Majesty, you have visitors. The girl professes to be the Priestess of Byakko, and the others her Celestial Warriors.
*************
(Seiryuu's shrine room. The Emperor sits in front of the pool of water, watching the scene in the throne room play out.)
Emperor: Soon, the Priestesses shall meet. This meeting could decide everything.I must not mishandle it.
*************
(The Emperor considers the eight kneeling in front of him. His eyes reveal no emotion, only appraisal.)
Emperor: (regal, smooth voice)You say that you are the Priestess of Byakko?
Anne: (kneeling) Yes, I am, your Majesty.
Emperor: Really? How old are you?
Anne: 16 years old, your Majesty.
Emperor: 16? Would the Priestess of Byakko not be 19 years old?
(Anne raises her head in confusion)
Anne: I beg your pardon?
Emperor: (accusing tone) By my reckoning, the Priestess of Byakko was 16 when she entered this world three years ago. Would she not be 19 now?
Anne: No! Time in my world passes at a different rate than it does here!
Emperor: A likely story. Guards! Seize them!
(At once, several guards emerge from the crimson curtains lining the wall.)
Anne: What???? I am the Priestess of Byakko!!!!
(The guards run towards the group. The group forms a circle around Anne, and the guards hesitate. Toroki draws his katana, and strangely, the Emperor pulls out a long, straight sword from under his robe.)
Emperor: You dare to draw a weapon in my presence? It appears I will have to deal with this myself. Guards, away.
(The guards step away as the Emperor advances on the group. His neck suddenly flares into red light, revealing the red symbol for "star.")
Anne: You're.a Star of Suzaku?
Emperor: Of course.
(Before the Emperor can speak, Toroki steps in front of Anne.)
Toroki: I've got this. Take the others and find Berit.
Amefuri: We will! Be careful!
(At Berit's name, the Emperor stiffens up. Anne and the others run out of a door to the right of the throne room, which Kokie pushes open with her chi. The Emperor frowns purposefully, and then speaks to himself.)
Emperor: Chichiri, can you hear me? We have assassins in the palace, and they're looking for Berit.
(Toroki raises his sword, and strikes a defensive stance)
Toroki: I'm telling you, we aren't assassins. We don't want to kill Berit, we just want to talk to her.
(The Emperor raises his sword as well.)
Emperor: You've betrayed yourselves through your lies. I'll kill you, and then the rest of you after that.
(The Emperor jumps forwards, sword drawn. He slashes at Toroki's face, but Toroki jumps nimbly backwards out of his reach. Toroki aims a quick attack at the Emperor's blade, beating it to the side and jarring the Emperor's hand to the side)
Toroki: I don't want to hurt you. I'm only doing this for her.
(Toroki's words echo in his ears, and he realizes that he said the same thing to Sitao so long ago. Toroki's eyes widen as the past slowly begins to repeat itself)
Emperor: I won't let you get to Berit, and my comrades will stop your other assassins.
(The Emperor's sword flies at Toroki. Toroki parries the blade, but he is caught flat-footed in his thoughts, and he is forced to stumble back a few paces.)
(The Emperor presses the attack, slashing low at Toroki's legs. Toroki doesn't have the time to parry, so he hastily dodges and counterattacks quickly at the Emperor's sword arm.)
(The Emperor disengages, and hits the flat of his blade against Toroki's sword, knocking it out of Toroki's hands. The katana flies to the floor and spins a few times before stopping.)
Emperor: Now you die!
(The Emperor raises the sword above his head to deliver the killing stroke. There is a flash of white light as Toroki's forehead erupts into light, and there is a sound of metal hitting metal. As the light clears, Toroki holds his sword above his head, parrying the Emperor's sword.)
Toroki: I wouldn't try it if I were you.
(The Emperor's eyes widen as he sees Toroki's symbol on his forehead)
Emperor: That symbol.you're.!!!
*************
(Anne and the other six Warriors run down a hallway. As they turn a corner into an intersection, they are met by two strange-looking men. One has short blue hair with a long tail in the back, and is dressed in the garb of a traveling monk, down to the golden staff. The other one has bright red hair, and is dressed a bit more lavishly. He has slightly rakish look on his face, and holds an expensive-looking fan.)
Blue-hair: (high-pitched voice) Halt!
(The group halts, just out of reflex.)
Tokaki: Hey.wait a minute! Why are you telling us to halt???
Red-hair: (rougish voice) Listen up, assassins! You have two choices; you can either surrender right now without a fight, or we can beat the shit out of you instead.
Kokie: Big words for such a weak-looking guy.
Subaru: Besides, we're not assassins! We're the Stars of Byakko.
Blue-hair: (deeper, more serious voice) And I'm Taiitsu-kun. We won't let you through.
Tatara: Can we challenge you two to a duel in order to get past?
Karasuki: (head in hands) You are soooo stupid.
Red-hair: What do you take us for? We don't duel against some stupid assassins!
Kokie: Fine, we'll just have to pass through you by force.
(Kokie raises her hand, and she rises above the ground)
Anne: Kokie, no! (to the two Suzaku Warriors) Listen, Berit is my sister. I need to speak with her.
Blue-hair: Sister? Berit doesn't have a sister! Don't lie to us!
(The Blue-haired Warrior raises his staff and hits it once on the ground. There is a red flash of light, and a wave of red energy flies at the group. As the wave flies at them, a white shield phases into existence, and the wave hits the shield with a big explosion. As the dust settles, Amefuri stands in front of the group, hand raised. Kokie hovers next to her, her eye on the red-haired young man)
Kokie: We've got these two! Go and find Berit!
Anne: All right!
Red-hair: No! I won't let you get away!
(The blue-haired one holds out his hand, stopping the red one from taking action)
Blue-hair: No.it's better this way. We break up the pack, and eliminate them one by one.
Kokie: I wouldn't talk so mightily of eliminating us, buddy. Don't underestimate the Byakko Celestial Warriors!
(Red-hair's eyes widen at Kokie's declaration of who they are, but the Blue one is not fazed at all)
Blue-hair: Don't listen to them. It's only a trick to make us let down our guard. You take the flying one down; I'll go for the other one.
Red-hair: Right.
(The guy with red hair jumps at Kokie, fan outstretched. She simply dodges in midair, watching him pass her.)
Kokie: Are you trying to hurt me with that fan, or are you just waving it around mindlessly?
(Suddenly, there is a sucking sound, and Amefuri and the blue-haired guy disappear. Kokie's eyes widen, and she s caught off guard when something large and metal hits her, throwing her to the ground.)
Red-hair: Are you flying around to attempt to dodge, or are you just doing it for fun?
(Kokie rolls backwards and jumps upwards, hovering in the air across from the red-haired guy)
Kokie: Is that the best you can do?
Red-hair: Fine.I don't usually hurt girls, but I'll make an exception for you.
Kokie: I'm touched. Bring it on.
(The red-haired guy holds his fan above his head, and for a moment the metal object seems to be surrounded by flames. Then, he begins to speak.)
Red-hair: Rekkkkkkkaaaaa...
(Kokie knows a magical incantation when she hears one, so she almost lazily flicks her wrist at the red-haired man. There is a ripple in the air in front of him, and then a bang. Before he can mouth the second word, he is flying backwards into the wall.)
Kokie: That was pitiful. However, you've made me late, and I have to go find my friends.
*************
(There is a popping noise, and Amefuri and the blue-haired monk fall into a large room. It's a generally empty room, and has a large red door on its south wall. Amefuri gets to her feet quickly, and looks around the room)
Amefuri: Where is this?
Blue-hair: A room where I might dispose of you in a cleaner fashion.
Amefuri: Dispose? Who's going to dispose me?
Blue-hair: I am truly sorry for this; you seem to have much potential. But, sadly, anyone who threatens the life of the Priestess must be eliminated.
Amefuri: We aren't threatening her! We're-
Blue-hair: (cutting Amefuri off) Excuses won't work. Try not to fight, and this will go a bit quicker.
(Blue-hair raises his staff, and thrusts it onto the floor. A large red bolt emanates from the top of the staff and flies at Amefuri. Amefuri casually lifts her hands and evokes a shield, causing the energy to hit it and dissipate)
Amefuri: (not letting the shield down) Sorry. You'll have to do better than that if you're going to eliminate me.
(Blue-hair's eyes narrow, and his hand moves in front of his face. He sticks up his middle and index fingers, and chants a short expression. Amefuri braces herself for the coming attack, but it doesn't come. A moment later, as she relaxes, something tries to force itself into her mind.)
(Amefuri rushes to block the onslaught of the blue-haired man's will. It is exceedingly strong, and she has to work to fend off the intruder in her psyche.)
(Sweat begins to trickle down Amefuri's face from the effort. She is tiring rapidly, and the attack only grows stronger. Her hands involuntarily stray to her pockets, where her fingers brush against the orb given to her by Taiitsu-kun.)
(A white light suffuses Amefuri, as her chi increases exponentially in a few seconds. The blue-haired man, shocked by the sudden increase in her defense, is thrown backwards onto the ground. The white light slowly disappears, leaving Amefuri panting, but still standing.)
Amefuri: (out of breath) That was.quite good. I'm surprised.
Blue-hair: You.as well.are also quite strong. Where did you.get such mental strength?
Amefuri: I told you.I'm a Byakko.Star.
(The blue-haired man sits up, realization finally dawning.)
Blue-hair: Truthfully? Then.show me your symbol.
(Amefuri pulls the collar of her shirt down a bit, to show the glowing symbol on her chest.)
Amefuri: See? We're not assassins.
Blue-hair: I see.then Hotohori has truly made a mistake. In that case.why have you come to Konan?
(With a sigh, Amefuri begins to relate the story to the blue-haired monk.)
*************
(Anne, Tokaki, Subaru, Tatara and Karasuki run down the hallway. Karasuki is using his new mirror to scry for Berit's position)
Karasuki: Turn left! It's the large door on the right, about 300 feet down the hallway!
(The group runs to the door, to find that it is already guarded. A young man and woman stand in front of the door. The young man has blue hair that flaps down onto his brow. The woman has long, purple hair that is tied in a braid down to her waist.)
Man: There they are!
Woman: Right! I'll handle this!
(The group stops in front of the pair, who both strike fighting stances.)
Subaru: Stop! We don't want to fight!
Woman: Sure. You just want to get in there and kill Berit.
Anne: No! I need to talk to Berit! It's very important!
Man: Berit's not taking visitors right now. I'm afraid I'll have to stop you.
Karasuki: We don't have time for this! Tokaki, can you teleport the guy away from here?
Tokaki: Got it.
Tatara: I'll handle the girl. You three go on to Berit.
(With two loud cries, the woman and the man jump at the group, ready to fight. Tokaki jumps at the guy, and as they touch in midair the two disappear. Tatara raises his hand, and a tendril of green shoots out of it. The green wraps around the woman, and quickly becomes a long, ropy vine that coils around the woman, sending her to the ground.)
Tatara: Go! We'll catch up later!
(Anne and the other two run for the door. Tatara kneels to the ground, next to the now-motionless woman)
Tatara: I'm sorry about this. But really, there's been a misunderstanding. We're Warriors of Byakko, and we really need to talk to Berit.
(The woman spits on the ground, and doesn't look at Tatara)
Tatara: Aww, come on. No hard feelings, ok? I don't like to hurt girls, but it sort of had to be done.
Woman: Idiot. I'm not a girl.
(Tatara's eyes narrow, then widen. He goes SD next to the tied up guy and falls over, eyes spiraling)
Guy: Geez.
(Meanwhile, Anne, Subaru and Karasuki enter the large door. Inside is a bedchamber. The bed is large and canopied with red curtains. In the bed sits none other than Berit.)
Anne: Berit!
(Berit turns her head, and sees Anne. Her eyes widen, and she nearly jumps upwards.)
Berit: .Anne?
Anne: Berit, of course it's me!
(Berit looks behind her, at Subaru and Karasuki)
Berit: And.Luna and Max? What's going on? And why are you all dressed so strangely?
Anne: Berit, we came to save you. Don't you get that I was the Priestess of Byakko?
(Berit's eyes narrow.)
Berit: (coldly) You? The Priestess of Byakko? Of course.wouldn't it figure.
Anne: (oblivious to Berit's changing tone) Yes, I am. And now that I'm here, we can go home.
Berit: We? What do you mean? I don't want to go home.
(Anne's eyes widen)
Anne: You don't want to go home? Why don't you?
Berit: Actually, Anne, I like it here. I, in fact, am having the time of my life.
Anne: Berit, don't be silly. You have to go home.
Berit: And why is that? Because you tell me to?
Anne: No, Berit. You don't understand. This world is dangerous. I don't want to see anything happen to you.
(Berit's eyes suddenly soften. She is about to open her mouth and speak when something catches her attention. She looks around in confusion, as if trying to find something in the air.)
Anne: Berit? What's wrong?
(Suddenly, Anne hears the strains of a very familiar song. It is the song that has been sung in her dreams the past nights)
Berit: That song.it's the same one from my dreams.
Anne: Yes.it's so beautiful.but sad.
(Subaru and Karasuki, however, are confused)
Subaru: Um.what song?
Karasuki: I don't hear any song.
(Berit snaps to attention, ignoring the song.)
Berit: You.can hear it too?
Anne: Of course I can hear it!
Berit: (angrily) You.why can you hear it?
(Anne, and Subaru and Karasuki's eyes widen.)
Anne: Berit?
(Berit turns her head towards Anne, slowly.)
Berit: Tell me, Anne. Why did you come back to this world?
(Anne's mouth nearly drops open)
Anne: I came to get you, of course!
Berit: And.why would you come to get me?
Anne: Because you were in danger!
Berit: I'm not in danger. Can't you give me a better reason?
Anne: I was worried about you! I didn't think you'd be able to handle the stresses of being a Priestess!
(Berit's eyes harden into the likes of diamonds, and when she speaks, her tone could freeze the air in front of her)
Berit: Oh. So that's what's really going on. You didn't think I'd be able to do it.
(Anne's eyes narrow in confusion)
Berit: That's always how it is with you; just thinking that nobody besides you can do anything you can.
Anne: Berit, what are you talking about?
Berit: You don't get it, do you? No, of course you wouldn't. You've looked down on me your entire life; you don't need to be concerned with what I'm thinking or feeling. It's always Brush Berit Aside For Other Things Day with you.
(Anne can only stare in disbelief as Berit continues her spirited monologue)
Berit: I've only realized it by coming here; how much you don't care about me. If you did, wouldn't you have come sooner? It's been a month, Anne. One month. What have you been doing for one month? It certainly couldn't have been worrying about me.
Anne: No! Berit, in our world-
Berit: (cutting Anne off) I don't want to hear it. I just don't! I can't stomach your excuses anymore. Let's just end this charade, shall we? I'll stop being polite to you when I'm really angry, all right? And, Anne? I'm not going back with you. I'm perfectly happy in this world, and frankly, once I summon Suzaku, I might live here forever.
Anne: Berit! I can't let you summon Suzaku! It would-
Berit: It would show you that I can do what you can? Show you that I'm your equal, finally? I don't really care what you can't or won't let me do. I'm not going to live under your rules, Anne. And I will summon Suzaku, whether you like it or not.
Subaru: Berit! Listen to her! Do you know what will happen to you if you summon Suzaku? You'll die!
(Berit's eyes show a flicker of surprise, for just a second, but that passes to become cold anger again.)
Berit: I'll die? Really? Why didn't Anne die? I don't believe you. I can't believe you, Anne. You've even turned your friends against me!
Anne: Berit! Why won't you listen to me? I didn't do any of the things you've said!
Berit: Why won't I listen to you? Why won't I listen to you? Because the sound of your voice sickens me! I can't stand to listen to you anymore. I'm going to give you one little tidbit, and then I'll make you leave. Remember this, Anne; I'm going to show you that I'm not the little, weak girl you thought I was. I'll summon Suzaku, and I'll surpass even you. Now, I believe it's time for you to leave my presence.
Anne: (angry now) What? Now, you just listen here! I won't allow you to just say such horrible, untrue things! I'm your older sister, and I deserve more respect than you're giving me! "I believe it's time for you to leave my presence"???? I don't think we're even close to done here!
Berit: You deserve more respect? Do you really? Well, in that case, I will give you some measure of respect. I'll exclude you from the fate I planned for you and your friends. (not to Anne) Chichiri?
(There is a small pop, and the blue-haired monk appears out of thin air.)
Chichiri: Yes, Berit?
Berit: I'd like it immensely if that girl was removed from my sight. And then.separate the Warriors and kill them.
*************
(The Emperor sits in the shrine to Seiryuu, almost cackling with glee)
Emperor: (laughing manically) This is perfect! Perfect!
-
Nick: Wow.
Janna: Wow.
Kat: Wow.
Chris: That was so cool!!!
(The other seven look at him as if he's crazy)
Chris: What?
Luna: Do you like seeing siblings fight? Is that your idea of a good time?
Chris: I found that amusing, actually.
Max: What are you on???
Jeff: Anyways.the next chapter is called "Norotta shinseki kankei", or "Cursed family relations."
AN: Wow, I feel so evil writing this chapter. Trust me, it was incredibly fun writing this chapter. So fun, you wouldn't believe it.or want to believe it. Yeah.
Some people may get mad at me for this, so the opinions of Berit and Anne are in no way those opinions of the people Berit and Anne are based on. At least, I hope not.
Finally, there wasn't much good fighting this episode. Patience, my children. Patience.