I have not created the Tenchi Muyo! characters in this story. They are property of AIC, Pioneer and Masaki Kajishima.
Chapter 4 - Games of a Boy
In the center of the tunnel, where water was supposed to be flowing, only some puddles of stinking grey liquid remained. The decaying channel had once been part of the Juraian sewer system. But the days when millions of cubic meter polluted water were streaming through the widely branched passages had long passed. The second Juraian emperor had ordered the construction of a new modern water recycling system above the old one and so only the stench reminded of the its original purpose now.
With the water gone primitive plants and modest animals had started to occupy the dark realm. Most of the animals down here were harmless but a few could be really annoying.
Now and then a squeaking sound echoed through the tunnels. Obviously the rats were enjoying this dark and filthy place. However, they weren't the only mammals living deep beneath the earth.
"Are you... dead?" The little boy nudged the small motionless body with a short stick. But the animal didn't react not even when he tried once more.
"You are dead," he finally stated, dropped the stick, grabbed the rat by its tail and walked away.
It was the fifth dead rat he had found and there was plenty of time to find more today. He remembered a day when he had collected ten, but that had been shortly after he had started this game. There were times when he would find only one or two, so he actually felt quite proud of today's success.
He reached his home and entered the hole without hesitation.
Once the medium sized room had housed some of the machines controlling the sewer system. Now it was furnished like a place to live. Illuminated by the artificial light of two lamps fixed on the cold walls were several crates, a little shabby table and a bed. There was even something that vaguely resembled a cooking station of sorts, complete with dishes.
And the cave wasn't abandoned. Near one of the artificial light sources on a little crave sat a black haired woman, darning something. As she noticed the boy she smiled, then she recognized the animal he was carrying.
"Throw it away this instant!" her voice was low but resolute.
"But mom... it's the fifth I've found today. I just wanted to show you," the boy replied sulkily.
"Kagato," the woman stood up, walked towards him and crouched in front of her son. "How many times have I told you not to search for these dead rats?"
The boy starred into her eyes but remained silent.
"See. It's not that I want to spoil your game. I know there's not much for you to play with down here... but..." Her voice had become very sad and Kagato didn't like his mother speaking that way. So he interrupted her.
"I know. Rats are carrying diseases. And when I touch a dead rat I may become ill."
His mother gave him a sad smile. "You remember. So why do you touch them anyway?"
"I'm just holding it on its tail." Kagato's glance moved to the animal was holding. "Only my stick made contact with its body. And the tail is clean. See." He extended the rat towards his mother. "It is not even hairy."
"The boy is right," a friendly male voice said.
Kagato turned around and smiled at the tall blond man. "Hello Kashuan."
Kiris rose up. "You're early today." Other than her son she didn't seem to be pleased by the man's appearance.
"Well." Kashuan shrugged. "Today's work is done."
Kiris nodded briefly and walked back inside. Kashuan pointed to the rat Kagato was still holding. "Better throw it away," he said and followed Kiris.
Kagato thought for a moment, than he hurried to the place he had chosen to get rid of the dead rats.
As he returned Kashuan and his mother were already involved in conversation. Kagato sat down beside his mother and listened to the news from the surface. But other than expected Kashuan wasn't telling about rumors or events in the city. Instead he was emphasizing some guy's adventures in space. Most things Kagato did not understand but he remained silent knowing that later there would be plenty of time for asking questions.
"So he's finally back," his mother said when Kashuan had finished the strange story.
Kashuan just nodded.
Kagato's gaze wandered from him to his mother who was starring into the distance looking miserable.
"Who's back?" he asked into the silence as it became obvious that none of both was going to tell him.
His mother ignored his words, but Kashuan looked at him. The blond man's voice was indifferent when he answered. "The heir to the throne of Jurai, your father."
Kagato's eyes darkened and an angry expression appeared on his face. "I have no father," he said aggression vibrating in his voice.
His mother cast an admonishing glance at him but said nothing.
"It's ok, boy. I wouldn't call a man who's been hunting my mother for years father either." Kashuan stated and turned to Kiris again. "I talked to a man close to a knight who said that they still have orders to arrest a woman matching your image."
"But..." Kiris raised her head and her sad brown eyes met the cold blue of Kashuan's. "... it's been more than 4 years. Why don't they just leave us alone?"
"Hell knows. But probably they will give up soon. Meanwhile," he rose and stretched. "I'm taking the boy for a walk." Kagato noticed the strange glance he and his mother exchanged. "Come on, boy."
Kagato stood up as well and said goodbye to his mother before he followed Kashuan out of their cave.
"Are we going to the surface now?" Kagato asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
"No," Kashuan responded looking straight ahead. "It's too dangerous for a little boy."
"But I am not a little boy anymore," Kagato contradicted but the other man didn't seem to listen. Instead he was starring into the area lit up by the lamp he was carrying in his right.
"What is so dangerous up there?"
There was no response, so Kagato started pulling at Kashuan's shirt. "Listen to me! What is so dangerous?"
Finally Kashuan paid attention to him. He stopped and turned to the boy.
"That's difficult to explain and you won't understand it anyway. But I promise that I will take you to the surface once the time comes."
Kagato sighed. "You always tell me that. But if this time doesn't come soon, I will find the way out by my own."
A dry laugh emerged from Kashuan's throat. "I doubt this," he said and went on.
Kagato hurried after him. "What's there to laugh about?" he asked angrily. "You've found a way in, so I will find a way out."
"I don't think you have the slightest idea how huge the old sewer system is. Even when I take you on a walk we don't see more than a single leaf, if you imagine the system as a huge tree."
"I've never seen a tree in my life," Kagato responded sourly.
"But you will, so stop sulking, boy. When you're more mature I will take you to the surface and show you the mighty trees of Jurai."
"Your promise as a pirate?" Kagato asked hopefully.
Kashuan smiled at his words, then he looked straight into the sharp eyes of the boy.
"My promise as a pirate."
Kagato nodded in approval. "And you will show me your space ship. And take me on a robbery tour, will you? I want to see how your ship battles the enemy fleets!"
Imagining all the adventures he was going to experience together with his older friend, Kagato became really excited. But his excitement was calmed instantly as he felt a hand patting his head.
"You will see whatever you want, boy."
"Stop treating me like a stupid kid!"
The seriousness in Kagato's voice made Kashuan withdraw his hand immediately. He did not like to admit, but the older the boy grew the more... respect he felt for him. There were an awful lot of rumors concerning the power of Juraian royals. The boy's blood wasn't pure yet he was the son of the Emperor himself and therefore he had to possess some hidden power. Kashuan knew that Kagato was too young to know how to use it, but he guessed that it would be hard to control.
Loud voices resounding through the tunnel caught his attention.
Kagato's face darkened but he said nothing. So they went on in silence, listening to the voices which grew in volume with every passing second. Soon Kagato was sure that at least two of the five men must have been drunk, because their bubbling was barely understandable. The others were making dirty jokes about some women. Kagato felt a cold shiver running down his spine as he heard their thunder-like laughing.
Kashuan suddenly increased his pace and Kagato had to run as to not fall behind. They reached a crossroads and he saw light dancing in the distance of the tunnel to the right. The men grew silent as soon as they became aware of Kashuan's presence.
"What's all the noise about?" Kashuan shouted angrily.
"Alveo was talking about his nightly adventures yesterday," the man in the lead shouted back.
"Pretty much to laugh at," another added still giggling and a third murmured something which was not understandable.
"So you've experienced an adventure, Alveo?" Kashuan stopped as the group of shabby clothed men had come close and glanced at a bearded dark haired man older than himself.
While Alveo was nodding eagerly, a deceitful smile appeared on Kashuan's face.
"Then I suggest you should tell us, too. I'm sure the boy...," he looked down at Kagato's grim face. "... can't wait to hear what pirates do at night."
Alveo obviously was puzzled. He opened his mouth only to close it a second later. Instead of him the man beside him spoke up.
"Good idea, isn't it, Alveo?" He tapped him on the shoulder and laughed.
"Shut up!" Alveo shouted back, giving the other a coarse push.
Kagato was pretty sure that the man he got to know as Morse wouldn't leave it at that. But before he was able to go for Alveo, Kashuan spoke again.
"Now that this is settled, I hope you haven't come with empty hands."
"Of course not, Boss," the man in the lead who was called Salza answered immediately and pointed to the huge cans they were carrying. "Bread, meat, vegetables, eggs and the usual supply of water."
"I'ven stole sm fruits fher athe mar... mar... market," one of the drunken ones mumbled.
"Fine. Then there's no need to waste any more time. Half an hour."
The men grinned at Kashuan's words.
"Eye, boss, we will hurry," Salza went past the blond man and turned to Kagato. "We don't want to keep Kiris waiting, do we?"
Hearing his derisive voice Kagato had a hard time looking indifferent. But he remained silent and waited until the five pirates had passed by.
"Come on." Kashuan told him and Kagato followed him. For some minutes they walked on in silence, so there was only the monotonous sound of their shoes hitting the wet ground. Then Kagato broke the silence.
"Why are you working together with them?"
Kashuan smiled at the boy's naive question. "Because I have... things to do, I can't do on my own. Maybe you won't understand that now, but a man needs comrades, people he can trust. A group is more powerful than a single person."
"Bah! When I'm grown up, I'll work on my own." Kagato's voice was resolute and Kashuan didn't doubt that he meant it.
"You don't like them, do you?" But before the boy could agree, he continued. "I can't blame you for it, but always remember one thing. I'm no different than them."
Half an hour later they returned to the dark cave, which was Kagato's home. They hadn't even gotten close to the entrance, as they were greeted by the laughter of the five pirates.
"Seems like they've started the party without us," Kashuan said, slightly increasing his pace. As Kagato didn't follow in kind he turned around. "Come on, Alveo is gonna tell a great story."
But Kagato walked even slower.
"I'm not interested in his stories. They are all made up anyway."
"Don't let him hear that." Kashuan smiled and waited until the boy had reached him, then they walked slowly towards the dot of light that was the cave.
Kagato enjoyed walking together with the blond pirate out of many reasons, but mainly because it allowed him to discover new areas of the sewer system. Of course he had tried to go on an adventure tour on his own, but he had to realize that it was absolutely impossible to go more than some hundred meters. The darkness had become so substantial there that he had been forced to give up. Unfortunately Kashuan paid much attention that every time he and his gang left they took all the lamps they had brought back to the surface. So his only chance to explore new tunnels was to go with Kashuan.
At least once a week he and his companions brought new supplies. And while the others talked with his mother Kashuan would take him for a walk. The pirate would tell him about their dangerous missions and patiently answer all of his questions. Kagato didn't know too many people but he thought of Kashuan as a wise man and deep inside he had decided to become a pirate as great as him once he had grown up. As for now he could only look forward to their next walk.
"The boss is back!" someone shouted from inside the cave.
"And he is going to keep you company," Kashuan responded and joined his lighthearted men.
Kagato remained standing near the entrance, watching the blond man taking seat on a crate. Normally the crates were piled up neatly on the right side of the cave. Now they were scattered all over the ground. In the right corner five of them had been placed to form a circle and on each of them a pirate sat.
As he approached the circle Kagato's gaze wandered around searching for his mother. And after a few seconds he saw her. She was lying on the construction made off wood and an old mattress they used to sleep, her back turned to him. Kagato walked over to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, carefully touching her shoulder.
She jerked at his touch and turned around slowly. Even in the dim light he could see that she must have been crying.
"Oh, you're back." Her voice was low. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine, just a little bit tired."
"Hey boy," he heard Kashuan shout. "Let your mother rest and join us."
But Kagato didn't move and kept watching his mother's weary face.
"He's right. After a few hours of sleep I will be with you again. Now go over to them." Kagato allowed himself to be convinced by her smile and nodded.
"Come on, there's a seat left for you." Kashuan pointed to a crate standing next to the one he was sitting on.
After Kagato had placed himself there, Kashuan silenced the others with a gesture and spoke up again.
"Alveo promised to tell us about his nightly adventures, but maybe it's a better idea to let me recount a nice story, nobody of you knows yet."
The pirates exchanged surprised looks but remained silent, not knowing what to make of this new development.
"Well, you got me curious now," Morse finally said and a smile appeared on Kashuan's face.
"I thought so."
It was unusual for Kashuan to hold back a story. Normally he would only retell things the members of his gang already knew. So Kagato was very curious about this one as well.
"On a little planet deep in space once lived a single man," Kashuan started, making it obvious that he was telling a story and no more.
"He had chosen the loneliness, because he trusted nobody, not even his own family. And he had good reason to distrust everyone."
He made a short pause and Kagato already wondered why a man would consciously choose such a life in isolation.
"The man possessed a very valuable item. It was so valuable that he had built a fortress with an alarm system and various deadly traps to protect it. His urge to be near the treasure day and night was so great, he even slept next to it."
"Strange guy," Alveo murmured and the other nodded in agreement.
"You might say so, but he was so obsessed he was ready to give his life to protect it," Kashuan explained and continued, making it obvious that the most interesting part was yet to come.
"Nobody ever tried to steal his treasure simply because nobody knew of it. At least that was what the man was thinking. But he was wrong. One night he was woken up by a noise. He activated the lights and was startled half to death. A young woman with spiky cyan hair and yellow eyes was standing in front of him. Immediately he drew the blaster he always kept by his side. He fired at her, but the shots went directly through her body and she vanished. For a second the man thought that it had all been just a nightmare, until the women reappeared directly in front of his treasure. Terrified, he shouted 'Stop!' and 'Who are you?' and she grinned at him and said," Kashuan disguised his voice so that it sounded really dangerous, 'I'm the space pirate Ryoko and you should rest now.' She formed a red glowing ball in her hand and burned the man to ashes. Then she took the treasure and vanished once and forever."
Out of habit the two drunken ones started laughing but in the faces of the others Kagato could see that they were thinking about what Kashuan had just told.
A few seconds later a grin appeared on Salza's face.
"A nice story so far, but nothing more. Cause when the man was really living on his own and was killed by that female pirate, how the hell would anyone know what happened that night?" he questioned.
It was hard to tell whether Kashuan's expression was one of feigned or genuine insult. "Do you really think I'm making up stories to entertain you?" He looked into the round and then at Kagato who hurried to shake his head.
"No. It really happened. I told you the man was using a security system and of course there were several observation cameras. Some of those were found, still intact, and they had recorded the whole robbery in detail."
The men nodded.
"And she was called Ryoko? Ryoko... Ryoko...," Alveo seemed lost in thought. "Thought I heard that name before."
Morse shrugged it off. "Maybe we'll hear about her again."
"I'm sure about that." Kashuan rose. "I guess it's time to leave."
The others agreed and clumsily went at gathering their equipment. While one after the other walked out of the cave Kashuan went over to Kiris and exchanged a few words with her which Kagato couldn't understand. He only saw his mother nodding and guessed that Kashuan was asking about her condition.
"C'mon, boss," a drunken voice called from outside.
"I'm on my way." Kashuan turned to face Kagato. "Take care of your mother, boy. We meet next week."
"Bye," Kagato said and watched the blond pirate disappear into the darkness.
As the voices had died away he moved the crates into their corner again and searched the supplies the pirates had brought for something tasty to eat. He tried a red fruit he had never seen before and found it really good. After consuming another one he cleaned his hands in a bowl of water. Only then he turned around and realized that his mother had been watching him the whole time.
"You're a good boy." She smiled. "I guess your father would have been very proud of you."
Kagato bit his lip but said nothing. He hated the man everyone called his father for everything he had done to his mother. That she had to hide deep under the surface for years was only his fault. So he couldn't understand why his mother was still talking about him.
But as he saw fresh tears forming in her eyes he forced himself to smile.
"I'm tired now," he lied and his mother nodded.
With swift movements Kagato got rid of his shoes and slid under the blanket. For a moment he enjoyed the warmth of his mother's embrace, then he remembered the rats.
He wouldn't be able to break his record if he was going to sleep now. But Kashuan had told him to comfort his mother and Kagato knew that this task was of a much greater importance now. Besides, lying in a warm bed was much better than walking in the humid cold outside. The dead rats wouldn't go anywhere anyway.
On that day Kagato had heard of the dreaded space pirate Ryoko for the first time. He should find out later, that reality had been slightly different than Kashuan's story. The little planet had been the greatest planet of the Karana system, inhabited by over ten billion people. The fortress had been the palace of the crown prince and the treasure itself turned out to have been some kind of gem. Only a single guard had been injured during the robbery. But at that time Kagato believed in Kashuan's story and his description of the space pirate Ryoko.
Two years later Kagato had nearly forgotten about her. He also didn't care about searching for dead rats anymore. A present given by Kashuan for his birthday a few months ago had taken all the old games from his mind. Kagato remembered that special day quite well.
It started like a normal day, except for his mother hugging and kissing him. Throughout breakfasting she told him like every birthday the story of his birth, how anxious she was and how Kashuan and his men had helped her. Kagato listened and wondered for the first time why the pirates had helped his mother that time. But he did not voice the question.
After finishing breakfast he went outside and started the 'walk in the dark' game. The objective was to make as many steps away from the cave as possible. For the first fifty that was not a difficult task, but from there the light faded quickly. Probing the wet wall Kagato went on. He had only made a few more steps when a light suddenly appeared in the distance.
Kagato recognized his chance immediately. Without further hesitation he cut through the darkness, headed directly for the light and Kashuan. Setting a new record that way was easy.
"Still searching for an exit?" the pirate greeted him.
But Kagato ignored his words and answered with a question of his own.
"I thought you wouldn't come for another two days. Why are you here?"
"Why am I here?" Kashuan echoed. "It's your birthday, boy."
Kagato was about to tell him that he hadn't shown up on his last one either, but Kashuan continued in a low voice.
"It's not a usual birthday. I think you're ready to become a man now."
Kagato frowned. "Does that mean you will take me to the surface?"
"Well," the blond pirate smiled. "I will take you with me when you are able to use this."
He held out a wooden stick, half a meter of length.
"That's just a stick," Kagato stated slightly upset about Kashuan making fun of him.
But the pirate shook his head. "It's more than that. It's a stun lance, or... part of it." He smiled apologetically. "I had to reduce its length so that you would be able to use it. Give it a try."
Kagato took the lance. The wood was much lighter than he had expected. He slid his fingers over the smooth surface in awe.
"It once belonged to a noble knight in royal service."
Kagato looked up, his expression serious. "You've killed him?"
He felt the need to ask although he knew the answer quite well, what surprised him was the way Kashuan answered. There was true regret in his voice.
"I had to," Kashuan said. "Otherwise he would have killed your mother. But that doesn't matter now. What I meant was that it is an excellent weapon..." He made a short pause. "... and I'm sure you'll be more than worthy to use it."
"Thank you." Kagato bowed slightly, then he suddenly stabbed at Kashuan. But the pirate evaded the tip of the lance with apparent ease and grabbed it in the same motion. Before Kagato was able to realize what had happened his new weapon was pointing at him.
"It's not that easy, boy," Kashuan said and lowered the lance.
"Well, thanks for showing me." With a grim expression Kagato took his weapon. "So what's the deal? You want me to defeat you?"
Kashuan laughed like he had just been told an especially good joke. "Of course not. You won't be able to accomplish that within the next ten years." He turned serious again. "I just want you to practice a little every day and whenever I'm here I will show you some moves."
"That's all? But when will you take me to the surface then?" The bad presentiment that all of this was just another trick to put him off for some years came to him.
But Kashuan smiled like he had read his thoughts. "I will decide when you're ready to deal with the danger outside. But I promise that you will celebrate your next birthday under the bright blue sky of Jurai."
Kagato smiled at the thought of Kashuan's promise and looked down at the lance he was holding. After a few months of practice the surface had started to showing several gashes but nevertheless it was still a wonderful weapon.
He took position like Kashuan had shown him, took the lance firmly in his right hand and tensed his muscles. Becoming one with the weapon was very important, so he stood there, eyes closed, and concentrated.
Suddenly his eyes popped open and with a battle scream he jumped forward. The lance fluently cut through the air in a huge circle. When his feet met the ground again, he slashed at the empty space in front of him, dodged and turned around and the same time. A forceful stab to his right finished the last imaginary enemy off.
Kagato was satisfied. There wasn't that much more he could learn about handling the stun lance. A faint smile appeared on his face. Kashuan had to take him to the surface soon.
A faint light from the ceiling partially cast away the everlasting darkness. Surprised by the sudden brightness the rats ran for their lives, squeaking their terror. The shape of a slim figure appeared in the hole through which the light was descending. He activated a lamp fastened to the right side of his body and kept climbing down more of the metal rugs attached to the wet stones of the wall. While doing so he pulled the cover back into place over the hatch above him, so his own lamp was quickly turned into the only source of light.
Carefully he climbed further down and after a moment a splash told him that his feet had met the ground. Neither was there any unusual sound to be heard nor did his blue eyes see any movement except the shadows cast by his own lamp.
Kashuan felt a little relieved. He did not like the darkness of this old sewer system and wouldn't it be for the boy, he would have thought twice to come down here again.
He took a deep breath of the stale air and moved on, taking the light from its place at his belt. It wasn't necessary to use both hands anymore, so he could take the light into the right to light the area in front of his feet. His left moved to the hilt of his light sword and a dark smile appeared on his face.
Today would be the ultimate test for Kagato. Kashuan had been really surprised at the progress the boy had made. He was able to handle the lance as well as it was possible for a child of his age.
Nevertheless Kashuan wasn't satisfied with him. From some investigations he had undertaken, he knew that as a descendant of a Juraian royal, the boy definitely possessed some hidden power. A few members of the royal families had been married to princesses of other influential kingdoms and their descendants had always been able to bond to a mighty tree ship. So they had to possess some kind of power. The same applied to the son of Kiris. The difficult task now was to get him to release it. But he was confident that he would be able to do it this time. Life or death, there was not much room left for choice.
Kiris stood at the entrance of their cave and watched her son thoughtfully. He was moving fast, striking in front of him and back, jumped and whirled his weapon through the air. Kiris was impressed by his fluent motions but at the same time scared.
What he was doing outside everyday now weren't child's games anymore. Although his lance only cut through thin air, it seemed like he was battling real enemies. Kiris had talked herself into believing that he was only fighting to defend himself, but as she watched him, more than once she couldn't help to think of slaughter. His facial expression was so serious and determined, Kiris started to get doubts about him turning out to be the decent guy his father would have wished him to be.
She felt exhausted and moved back inside. With a sigh she sat on the bed and watched the dancing shadows created by the artificial light.
During the last weeks she had often thought of Azusa, had recalled the wonderful time they had spent together. Kagato had asked her once why she was not angry with him for what he had done to her. Without further thinking she had answered that his heart was always beating for her and he had been forced to act like he did. She herself had made the mistake to believe he had a choice.
Unfortunately the boy had been unable to understand that. She couldn't reproach him for disliking his father, especially since Kashuan who seemed to disagree to the whole Juraian royalty was a strong influence to him.
No matter what he and his so called pirates had done to her, she was still thankful. Wouldn't it have been for them the knights would have arrested her.
Back then she hadn't realized the threat that the unborn living being inside her represented for the first house of Jurai. According to the law he would be the heir to the throne once Azusa abdicated.
"But never would the royalty allow such an unworthy bastard of mixed blood to claim his right," Kashuan had explained to her. And Kiris knew now that he had been right. They would have taken her baby and maybe even her life.
For the first year she had been living down here she had sometimes thought she would have been better off that way. She had missed the smell of flowers, the twittering of birds and the warmth of the sun. But soon she had realized that there was something for her to live for. The baby needed her and it had a right to live. So she had pulled herself together and had tried to be a good mother.
But by watching Kagato now Kiris saw her influence fading. Kashuan certainly wasn't the person she had first thought him to be, but nevertheless he was a criminal. Yet his strength and power as a leader had made him a perfect idol for Kagato. And different from his friends who just wanted to have fun, Kashuan had always cared for the boy and she knew that he would continue to do so once she wasn't there anymore.
"Mom?"
Kiris looked up and saw her son standing in front of her.
"Are you ok?" he asked slightly worried.
"I am," she answered. "I was just thinking."
"Hm," Kagato nodded and his face lit up. "Kashuan is here and we are going to fight now."
Kiris' glance wandered to the tall figure standing near the entrance.
"Hello, Kiris," he said smiling. "Don't worry about him. By now he's good enough to hold himself against me, I think."
Kagato bowed down towards his mother and whispered into her ear. "He promised to take me to the surface if I manage to do so."
"Well," Kiris shrugged it off with a sigh. "I can't stop you anyway, can I?"
Kagato shook his head slightly.
"But," she addressed Kashuan, "Be careful so he won't get hurt."
"I will," the blond man promised.
Taking a firm stance, all his muscles tensed Kagato was waiting for the fight to start. His fingers were holding the lance tightly in front of his body. He was ready.
"All right," Kashuan drew his sword and moved into an attack position. "Because my weapon is much more powerful than yours, I will go easy on you." His voice was mocking.
"You don't have to, unless you want to be beaten," Kagato replied, annoyed by his demeanor.
Kashuan smiled and with a faint hiss his light sword was activated.
"Wow!" Kagato shouted starring at the dark, shining blade. His mother had told him that Kashuan was in possession of a black light sword, but since he had never brought it along, Kagato had had no idea of how beautiful it was. Although the pirate was standing at least three meters away from him, he could almost feel its energy.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Kashuan let the blade glide though the air. "Still willing to fight me?"
Kagato returned Kashuan's resolute gaze and nodded.
"Okay. Block or avoid at least five of my attacks and I will give you a free ride to the surface."
"It's a deal," Kagato answered and tensed again.
Without saying another word Kashuan swung his sword and started his first attack.
Kagato saw the black blade tearing towards him and jumped aside, but Kashuan was incredibly fast. Just in time Kagato brought his lance up over his head. The light sword met the wood producing a terrible sound. For a second Kagato thought that his weak weapon would simply be cut in two by the powerful blade, but much to his surprise it actually held. Realizing that there wasn't much force behind it anymore, Kagato pushed at the enemy sword and used the opening to quickly retreat a few steps.
"Well done," Kashuan stated. "Four more to go, but be prepared. It's no game anymore."
Kagato concentrated on becoming one with his weapon and for endless moments they just stood there starring down each other.
Suddenly Kashuan jumped forward. His blade moved in a wide arc from the left towards Kagato's body. Kagato grabbed his lance with both hands and was about to block the attack like the one before as he noticed that it was only a feint.
The black blade changed direction slightly and moved towards his head now. Kagato tried to bring up his weapon and jump back at the same time. He failed at both.
As he stumbled to ground awkwardly he could almost feel the draft of the blade cutting through the air next to him. But instead of giving him time to get up the pirate launched another attack already. Kagato rolled aside and saw that the light sword made contact with the stones of the ground just a few inches beside his head.
"Do you want to kill me?" he shouted angrily as he hurried to get up. But the pirate just looked at him coldly. There was no expression on his face and his blue eyes weren't gentle anymore. Watching the tall pirate lifting the black blade, Kagato felt a shiver running down his spine.
His fingers clenched around the stun lance. No matter how skilled Kashuan was, never would he give up. Only three more attacks he had to survive and his greatest wish would be granted. Suddenly Kagato felt a strange emotion but before he was able to put a finger on it, it was already gone.
Holding his blade with both hands in front of his body Kashuan made a step forward. But Kagato didn't fall back. He raised his lance in the same way as Kashuan and tried to prepare himself for a powerful blow.
Feeling the strong determination of the boy in spite of his chances for success, a smile appeared on Kashuan's face.
"What's there to grin about?" the boy asked.
"Nothing," Kashuan replied, now serious and swung to strike.
The weapons crashed into each other again and again. Much to Kashuan's surprise the boy was able to parry the first two blows. But the third forced him to fall back. The fourth missed the boy's shoulder only because he turned away at the right time. The fifth could have killed him easily but of course that wasn't what Kashuan intended to do. He moved a little slower so that the boy was able to bring his lance up again but still fast enough to force him to fall back more and more.
Another mighty strike hit Kagato's lance and suddenly his back made contact with the wet coldness of the wall. There was no room to back away anymore, but Kashuan obviously didn't even think about stopping his attacks.
The black blade cut through the air with incredible speed. Kagato tensed, but still a terrible pain shot up through his arms as he blocked the downward slash with his own weapon. He was pushed against the wall roughly.
Kashuan raised his sword again, in order to repeat the same attack once more. But this time the blow would be much more powerful. Kagato's concentration slipped. As he watched Kashuan's blade moving towards him, his connection to the lance broke down completely.
The black energy cut through the wood like butter. Suddenly the world seemed to slow down around him. Kagato knew that he had no chance to avoid the deadly blow anymore. He felt cheated that he would never see the sun and the trees of Jurai now. Anger walled up inside of him.
Kashuan was shocked about the power of his own weapon but he was unable to stop the attack now. He thought about all the effort and how it had all been in vain after all.
His blade cast a dark glow on the boy's skin. Suddenly another color mixed into it and before Kashuan realized what was happening his weapon met a resistance which was neither flesh nor bone.
Kagato was feeling strange. Enormous power was flowing through him, yet it drained his own energy at the same time.
The faint blue light around him vanished as quickly as it had appeared and Kagato sank to ground, breathing heavily.
Kashuan deactivated his sword.
"Quite a show, boy," he said smiling and extended his hand to help Kagato up. But the boy just looked at him in shock.
"What was that? I mean... why did you never show me... how to create a shield?"
"Well," the pirate shrugged. "Maybe because only people of royal blood command this kind of power."
"What power?" Without thinking Kagato grabbed Kashuan's hand and stood. His mind was somewhat fuzzy but the thought of the newly gained power chased the dizziness away.
"Your mother never told you, did she?" Kashuan shook his head slightly and continued in a very serious tone. "The members of royal houses are different than normal Juraians. It is said that their fighting skill is perfection. They are able to shield themselves by a bright shining light and..." he hesitated wondering if it was wise to tell the boy already. But Kagato's curious glance urged him on. "They can bind to a mighty tree ship and access its power as well. This is the very power that allowed them to retain their control over the empire for so long."
Kagato just starred at him for a few seconds, then he blinked.
"So you're taking me to the surface now?"
Kashuan laughed. "I will. But not now. I have to talk to your mother first and if she agrees I will take you the next time I come. Okay?"
Kagato wasn't pleased by this answer but he nodded. He had been waiting for so long, what did one more week matter now?
"Okay," he said and hurried as fast as his weakened legs would carry him back to the cave.
Kashuan put away the hilt of his sword and followed him slowly.
The boy had actually discovered part of his power. So the first step had been done. Now it was at Kagato to learn how to use it. Everything else would come by itself.
Chapter notes:
First, thanks for reading. For those of you who were surprised by the strange relationships between characters, please be reminded that this is an AU story. However, the relationships are exactly the same as in our main story "Purity and Corruption", in which they were introduced.
So finally the main character of this side-story has made his appearance. He has not yet develloped into the character we have gotten to know in P&C, but rest assured that he will grow up quickly within the next chapters.
What do you think about the dark athmosphere of the sewer system? My brother keeps telling me that this is the best chapter so far. I think I agree, but only because the characters were much easier to handle than before.
Well, maybe I'm going to get lucky and get a review this time... in case there is still someone out there reading this.
Yours Tamrin
And again: Thanks to Kryo who managed to check the chapter within very short time.