sighs Wow, its boring around here. Spitfire and Crescentstar went on vacation....Now I have no one to talk to....Oh well! At least Ive got awesome people to review my story! Like these:
roses in bloom- Thanx! Say hi to Bob for me!
Sylvia Viridian- Thanx! Happy b-day to you too! Oh, and I know that Tea seems impossibly perfect, but, strange as this might sound, thats how I wanted her portrayed. Youre probably confused now, and I dont blame ya. All will be explained in later chapters. For now, try to ignore her...uhh...perfectness.
Cheetah Goddess
Serpent's-Embrace-No, I havent, and it makes me so sad! bawls hysterically.....Hehehe...sorry....
JellyBob 15
tarranna
Fluffylittledragon
Demon Inu Girl
Thanx again, to all who reviewed. You know, I never expected to get this many reviews for this story. I thought maybe one or two a chapter, but I get seven or eight a chapter! That makes me feel good, it really does! Sometimes Ill come home depressed, and then Ill log on to ff.net and see that I have a review or two. It just makes my day!.....Okay, enough with the rambling, time for the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: voice dripping with sarcasm Yes, I have trapped the creators of Yu-gi-oh in a bowling ball bag and feed them water and bread every three days.
K, now its time for: Chapter 8A Step Into the Restless Realms
Three figures stood shivering in the frosty predawn air. The tallest was obviously irritated, pacing back and forth and muttering incoherent words in an edgy tone. He kept on glancing at the soon-to-be-rising sun, cursing as he did so. The woman standing beside him was more calm, but began to give in to the restlessness caused by standing still and waiting. She too began to glance at the horizon, minus the cursing. The third, a slightly older woman, was too cold to portray her current emotions. She stood there in frigid silence, trying to generate enough heat to keep her warm.
"Seto, relax. Hes going to show up.
"Maybe, but if he doesnt come soon, Im leaving without him."
"You cant. Hes the only one who has a large enough knowledge of the undead to be of use to us.
"And thats why the stupid bastard is cutting it this close! I explained to him and explained to him that if we dont leave before dawn, the teleportation wont work. I told him he needed to show up early. But no, he has to be a big dramatic and wait until the last minute!" Seto continued to rant at Narquins incompetence while Serenity just stood there. She sighed. Seto was rarely angry, but when he did it was something relatively equal to provoking a short-tempered dragon.
Setos ranting was cut short by a dark red burst of flame just to the left of where the three were standing. Narquin stepped out of the portal, his face and body covered by a dark gray cloak. He carried three bundles in his arms along with a roll of parchment and a book. While the bundles and parchment seemed normal, the book was a different matter. The cover was made of a dark red, nearly black, leather with black binding and text. The book looked very old, the leather worn, the pages yellowed. But the black letters were still sharp and as dark as a moonless night.
At the sight of the book, Seto stiffened. His eyes grew to slits and he hissed in a dangerously mild voice, "What the HELL is that book doing here?
Serenity did not know the books title, but she did share Setos uneasiness. The writing was foreign and sinister, curling and coiling like a serpent before it strikes. Evil seemed to seep from the pages and through the leather, drifting out into the soft morning breeze like a corrupt fog. Serenity could almost see the air being tainted. The book possessed a forbidding aura of darkness that made Serenity tremble. She tore her gaze away from the book to stare at Seto. He was furious, even more so than he had been. He knew this book, and apparently he despised it. She didnt blame him.
"Calm down, Seto. You know very well that its the only full account of the Restless Realms ever written. It could prove to be invaluable to us." Narquin replied. Then, with a smirk, added, "I thought Id never see the day when Mr. Full-of-himself was frightened by a book.....Your parents would be ashamed of you.
By now Setos voice had reached a tone that was beyond fury, and Narquin realized that maybe he had said too much. "It is not the book I fear, it is its creator. I would be a fool not to fear him, for he has much more power than I. And one more word of your insolence, Narquin, just one more word, and I swear I will make you die a thousand deaths, each more horrible than the last. Do I make myself clear?
Narquin tried to hide his fear, but he was fighting a losing battle. "Perfectly."
"Good." Setos voice had now an icy tone to it, a tone that matched his eyes. "Now, what is it that you are holding?
"Ah! These are cloaks I made myself. I brought one for each of you, and I highly suggest that you wear them. The material will protect you from the burning waters of the Restless Realms." With that, Narquin handed a cloak to Rerana, Seto, and Serenity.
Rerana quickly donned it gratefully, but Seto and Serenitys reactions were much different. Seto shook with rage and Serenity had become as pale as a sheet. Finally, barely containing his fury, Seto managed to sputter out, "You made these out of DRAGON SKIN?!
"Well, yes, thats the only thing that repels the water." Seeing Setos anger, as well as feeling it, Narquin quickly added, "I didnt kill them, I found them already dead on one of my travels.
"It doesnt matter how you got them, this case them being dead, its that you had the nerve to dishonor a dead dragon by skinning it." He thrust the material roughly back into Narquins hands. Serenity followed suit, glaring at Narquin with a malevolence he had never seen.
"You fools! The waters will burn right through your skin without these!
Seto responded with a cold glare that seem to say ÔShut up now and I might not kill you.' Narquin understood and backed off immediately. He had once experienced a portion of Setos infamous temper and did not wish to again.
After several minutes of silence had passed, Rerana meekly suggested that they should get going soon before dawn came. Seto and Serenity nodded while Narquin mumbled something.
The group formed a circle and began speaking a series of words, the intensity growing every second. Finally, the group was washed in a cloud of eerie silver mist. When the mist cleared, they were gone.
Serenitys eyes slowly opened as she felt the mist disappearing. Her eyes were met with a bleak and discouraging sight. Gray, gray, and more gray. For a moment, she wondered if one of Narquins cloaks blocked her vision, so dull was the landscape. She couldnt even tell where sky ended and land began, or even if there was a division. The four of them were standing on the vast gray plain that covered the majority of the Restless Realms. In the distance, she could see the River of Deaths Flow, winding around the Spire of Black Doom like some hideous dog curled around the feet of its master. The Spire, however, was much more revolting. The giant mountain rose up like a spear that seemed to pierce the gray, lifeless sky. It was jagged at the bottom, as well as wide, and eventually became smoother and more slender. The rock of the peak was twisted, as if by an invisible hand, so that it resembled a serpent. Serenity shivered in the stale air that smelled of death and decay. She remembered hearing stories that in the very inside tip of the Spire dwelled the source of all evil. No one knew who or what it was. No one who entered the Spire ever returned. Her analysis of the Restless Realms was cut short by a swear and then a ÔWhere the hell is he now?!' from Seto. Serenity looked around and sighed. Narquin was missing.
Seto was now very annoyed, very angry, and just plain pissed. Whether Narquin had gotten lost in transition or just wandered off, he didnt know. What he did know that now he would have to search for the worthless scrap of flesh and bones known as Narquin Vvarmin. He turned to Serenity and Rerana. "Im going to have to search for him, I guess. Itll be best if I go alone since I know this place. Theres a rock outcrop over there that hides an underground cavern where you can stay. Its only about 100 meters away. Do you see it?
Although it blended in with the gray surroundings, Serenity saw it. "Yes, I see it Seto. Does anyone or anything live there?
"No. Make sure you dont get followed, youd be sitting ducks if you got trapped in there.
"We will. Go on now, he may not be far.
Serenity and Rerana headed towards the outcrop as Seto set off to find Narquin.
After just a few moments of walking and looking over their shoulders, Serenity and Rerana reached the outcrop. They soon found and entered the cavern, which was, to their relief, empty of all life save a few bats.
Their state of solace, however, was cut short when the sunlight streaming in was cut off by a large, hulking creature. Too terrified to move, to scream, they stood there in shock and disbelief as the creature came closer to them. But they had checked and checked on the way here, Serenity thought, Nothing could have followed them! Although it was difficult, Serenity could now identify the creature. She and Rerana were in the presence of a colossal black dragon.
When it seemed as if he might collapse from walking, Seto spotted Narquin ahead. Strangely, he was just standing there, staring at the sky. Upon reaching Narquin, Seto promptly went up to him and punched him in the jaw.
"What was that for?!
"For being a bastard. You know that I had to leave Serenity and Rerana somewhere by themselves while I searched for you? And what the hell are you staring at?!
"Serenitys a big girl now, Seto, she can take care of herself. As for the other question, have a look yourself.
Seto did, but only to satiate his curiousity. The sight wasnt very promising. Circling and exiting the dark and ominous Spire were hundreds upon thousands of black dragons. Black dragons werent neccessarily evil, but these particular ones didnt look too friendly. He had to get back and tell Serenity about this. He had a very bad feeling about who those dragons worked for. He tore his gaze from the dragons and turned to Narquin. "Come on, we have to get back to Serenity and Rerana." Then, while glaring threateningly, he added, "Xenorith help you if either of them are harmed."
Turning sharply and starting the walk back to the outcrop, Seto heard Narquin say, "Oh, dont worry, he already has.
Before these words could fully register and allow Seto to act, it was too late. The knife had already been stabbed into his back.
Ooooh, my first cliffie! Arent I so nice for ending the chapter there? Hehehe..dont worry, the next ones coming soon.
Well, just so you know, this story is probably going to be long. Im looking at 20 chapters right now, depends on how it turns out. Im sorta making this up as I go. I know how I want it to end, I even know what the last chapters going to be. Its the other stuff that makes me think. Man, this fic is really twisted. I had originally planned to have Narquin be Setos best friend. o.O Well, see ya next chapter! Byses!
Dont forget to R&R!!!!
roses in bloom- Thanx! Say hi to Bob for me!
Sylvia Viridian- Thanx! Happy b-day to you too! Oh, and I know that Tea seems impossibly perfect, but, strange as this might sound, thats how I wanted her portrayed. Youre probably confused now, and I dont blame ya. All will be explained in later chapters. For now, try to ignore her...uhh...perfectness.
Cheetah Goddess
Serpent's-Embrace-No, I havent, and it makes me so sad! bawls hysterically.....Hehehe...sorry....
JellyBob 15
tarranna
Fluffylittledragon
Demon Inu Girl
Thanx again, to all who reviewed. You know, I never expected to get this many reviews for this story. I thought maybe one or two a chapter, but I get seven or eight a chapter! That makes me feel good, it really does! Sometimes Ill come home depressed, and then Ill log on to ff.net and see that I have a review or two. It just makes my day!.....Okay, enough with the rambling, time for the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: voice dripping with sarcasm Yes, I have trapped the creators of Yu-gi-oh in a bowling ball bag and feed them water and bread every three days.
K, now its time for: Chapter 8A Step Into the Restless Realms
Three figures stood shivering in the frosty predawn air. The tallest was obviously irritated, pacing back and forth and muttering incoherent words in an edgy tone. He kept on glancing at the soon-to-be-rising sun, cursing as he did so. The woman standing beside him was more calm, but began to give in to the restlessness caused by standing still and waiting. She too began to glance at the horizon, minus the cursing. The third, a slightly older woman, was too cold to portray her current emotions. She stood there in frigid silence, trying to generate enough heat to keep her warm.
"Seto, relax. Hes going to show up.
"Maybe, but if he doesnt come soon, Im leaving without him."
"You cant. Hes the only one who has a large enough knowledge of the undead to be of use to us.
"And thats why the stupid bastard is cutting it this close! I explained to him and explained to him that if we dont leave before dawn, the teleportation wont work. I told him he needed to show up early. But no, he has to be a big dramatic and wait until the last minute!" Seto continued to rant at Narquins incompetence while Serenity just stood there. She sighed. Seto was rarely angry, but when he did it was something relatively equal to provoking a short-tempered dragon.
Setos ranting was cut short by a dark red burst of flame just to the left of where the three were standing. Narquin stepped out of the portal, his face and body covered by a dark gray cloak. He carried three bundles in his arms along with a roll of parchment and a book. While the bundles and parchment seemed normal, the book was a different matter. The cover was made of a dark red, nearly black, leather with black binding and text. The book looked very old, the leather worn, the pages yellowed. But the black letters were still sharp and as dark as a moonless night.
At the sight of the book, Seto stiffened. His eyes grew to slits and he hissed in a dangerously mild voice, "What the HELL is that book doing here?
Serenity did not know the books title, but she did share Setos uneasiness. The writing was foreign and sinister, curling and coiling like a serpent before it strikes. Evil seemed to seep from the pages and through the leather, drifting out into the soft morning breeze like a corrupt fog. Serenity could almost see the air being tainted. The book possessed a forbidding aura of darkness that made Serenity tremble. She tore her gaze away from the book to stare at Seto. He was furious, even more so than he had been. He knew this book, and apparently he despised it. She didnt blame him.
"Calm down, Seto. You know very well that its the only full account of the Restless Realms ever written. It could prove to be invaluable to us." Narquin replied. Then, with a smirk, added, "I thought Id never see the day when Mr. Full-of-himself was frightened by a book.....Your parents would be ashamed of you.
By now Setos voice had reached a tone that was beyond fury, and Narquin realized that maybe he had said too much. "It is not the book I fear, it is its creator. I would be a fool not to fear him, for he has much more power than I. And one more word of your insolence, Narquin, just one more word, and I swear I will make you die a thousand deaths, each more horrible than the last. Do I make myself clear?
Narquin tried to hide his fear, but he was fighting a losing battle. "Perfectly."
"Good." Setos voice had now an icy tone to it, a tone that matched his eyes. "Now, what is it that you are holding?
"Ah! These are cloaks I made myself. I brought one for each of you, and I highly suggest that you wear them. The material will protect you from the burning waters of the Restless Realms." With that, Narquin handed a cloak to Rerana, Seto, and Serenity.
Rerana quickly donned it gratefully, but Seto and Serenitys reactions were much different. Seto shook with rage and Serenity had become as pale as a sheet. Finally, barely containing his fury, Seto managed to sputter out, "You made these out of DRAGON SKIN?!
"Well, yes, thats the only thing that repels the water." Seeing Setos anger, as well as feeling it, Narquin quickly added, "I didnt kill them, I found them already dead on one of my travels.
"It doesnt matter how you got them, this case them being dead, its that you had the nerve to dishonor a dead dragon by skinning it." He thrust the material roughly back into Narquins hands. Serenity followed suit, glaring at Narquin with a malevolence he had never seen.
"You fools! The waters will burn right through your skin without these!
Seto responded with a cold glare that seem to say ÔShut up now and I might not kill you.' Narquin understood and backed off immediately. He had once experienced a portion of Setos infamous temper and did not wish to again.
After several minutes of silence had passed, Rerana meekly suggested that they should get going soon before dawn came. Seto and Serenity nodded while Narquin mumbled something.
The group formed a circle and began speaking a series of words, the intensity growing every second. Finally, the group was washed in a cloud of eerie silver mist. When the mist cleared, they were gone.
Serenitys eyes slowly opened as she felt the mist disappearing. Her eyes were met with a bleak and discouraging sight. Gray, gray, and more gray. For a moment, she wondered if one of Narquins cloaks blocked her vision, so dull was the landscape. She couldnt even tell where sky ended and land began, or even if there was a division. The four of them were standing on the vast gray plain that covered the majority of the Restless Realms. In the distance, she could see the River of Deaths Flow, winding around the Spire of Black Doom like some hideous dog curled around the feet of its master. The Spire, however, was much more revolting. The giant mountain rose up like a spear that seemed to pierce the gray, lifeless sky. It was jagged at the bottom, as well as wide, and eventually became smoother and more slender. The rock of the peak was twisted, as if by an invisible hand, so that it resembled a serpent. Serenity shivered in the stale air that smelled of death and decay. She remembered hearing stories that in the very inside tip of the Spire dwelled the source of all evil. No one knew who or what it was. No one who entered the Spire ever returned. Her analysis of the Restless Realms was cut short by a swear and then a ÔWhere the hell is he now?!' from Seto. Serenity looked around and sighed. Narquin was missing.
Seto was now very annoyed, very angry, and just plain pissed. Whether Narquin had gotten lost in transition or just wandered off, he didnt know. What he did know that now he would have to search for the worthless scrap of flesh and bones known as Narquin Vvarmin. He turned to Serenity and Rerana. "Im going to have to search for him, I guess. Itll be best if I go alone since I know this place. Theres a rock outcrop over there that hides an underground cavern where you can stay. Its only about 100 meters away. Do you see it?
Although it blended in with the gray surroundings, Serenity saw it. "Yes, I see it Seto. Does anyone or anything live there?
"No. Make sure you dont get followed, youd be sitting ducks if you got trapped in there.
"We will. Go on now, he may not be far.
Serenity and Rerana headed towards the outcrop as Seto set off to find Narquin.
After just a few moments of walking and looking over their shoulders, Serenity and Rerana reached the outcrop. They soon found and entered the cavern, which was, to their relief, empty of all life save a few bats.
Their state of solace, however, was cut short when the sunlight streaming in was cut off by a large, hulking creature. Too terrified to move, to scream, they stood there in shock and disbelief as the creature came closer to them. But they had checked and checked on the way here, Serenity thought, Nothing could have followed them! Although it was difficult, Serenity could now identify the creature. She and Rerana were in the presence of a colossal black dragon.
When it seemed as if he might collapse from walking, Seto spotted Narquin ahead. Strangely, he was just standing there, staring at the sky. Upon reaching Narquin, Seto promptly went up to him and punched him in the jaw.
"What was that for?!
"For being a bastard. You know that I had to leave Serenity and Rerana somewhere by themselves while I searched for you? And what the hell are you staring at?!
"Serenitys a big girl now, Seto, she can take care of herself. As for the other question, have a look yourself.
Seto did, but only to satiate his curiousity. The sight wasnt very promising. Circling and exiting the dark and ominous Spire were hundreds upon thousands of black dragons. Black dragons werent neccessarily evil, but these particular ones didnt look too friendly. He had to get back and tell Serenity about this. He had a very bad feeling about who those dragons worked for. He tore his gaze from the dragons and turned to Narquin. "Come on, we have to get back to Serenity and Rerana." Then, while glaring threateningly, he added, "Xenorith help you if either of them are harmed."
Turning sharply and starting the walk back to the outcrop, Seto heard Narquin say, "Oh, dont worry, he already has.
Before these words could fully register and allow Seto to act, it was too late. The knife had already been stabbed into his back.
Ooooh, my first cliffie! Arent I so nice for ending the chapter there? Hehehe..dont worry, the next ones coming soon.
Well, just so you know, this story is probably going to be long. Im looking at 20 chapters right now, depends on how it turns out. Im sorta making this up as I go. I know how I want it to end, I even know what the last chapters going to be. Its the other stuff that makes me think. Man, this fic is really twisted. I had originally planned to have Narquin be Setos best friend. o.O Well, see ya next chapter! Byses!
Dont forget to R&R!!!!