Chapter 8
Kurama came to, a little surprised that he had; the pain that he had felt from being poisoned had miraculously subsided. Though, the boy was curious, and slightly fearful as to how. The redhead closed his eyes as if to get a feel for his surroundings. He felt that he was floating, but Kurama was unsure of where he was.
Kurama opened his eyes to figure out where he was, only to find he could not see himself all that the boy could perceive was that he was floating in a deep dark form. For the moment, there was only darkness, deep, and all encompassing. Kurama suddenly caught sight of tiny white speckles in the darkness. If the boy did not know better, he would have thought that he was floating in the formless darkness of the night sky. Of course the only explanation for that would be that he was dead. Or having some strange out of body experience, which really only seemed to prove the whole being dead theory.
Where am I? Thought Kurama to himself, without a hint of tension. There was something comforting about his surrounding that kept the boy from becoming alarmed. Kurama suddenly felt as if he was being submerged into something warm, and viscous. It was a liquid of that Kurama was certain though even as he felt his back press into it, the boy did not feel as if he were getting wet.
Perhaps it was just the boy's perception being altered by the affects of the venom in his system. Kurama felt the warm liquid cover his face suffocating him as it did yet the boy found he could not make a move to stop the liquid from covering his face. The liquid it self had no coloring. If anything, it was compose of the same inky black substance that Kurama had believed to be the sky. No doubt now the venom was taking its hold on him threatening to claim Kurama's life. With the realization that fact that he was slowly drowning seemed to elude Kurama's mind.
As if to add to Kurama's woes he began to develop a sinking sensation. Kurama could feel the bubbles from him falling into the substance that flowed about his form. In the darkness of the strange water that ensorcelled Kurama, a light flickered. It was nothing more than a flash of a bright blue white. Then as if the world were making itself known Kurama notice a large round bubble float upward past his face, or at least where the boy thought his face should have been. Then another bubble drifted past him followed by other that seemed to hover as he sank down deeper into the inky watery darkness.
At first it startled the redhead, Kurama was also surprised to see his red hair dancing about his face. Then his hands and the rest of his body seemed to just appear as if from nowhere. Kurama quickly got over his shock and looked quizzically at the light that was hovering over his eyes. The light seemed to gasp as it floated over as if startled by Kurama's condition. A moment later the light suddenly flashed with a brightness that engulfed Kurama's entire body. Kurama watched as the blue whiteness encased him then, the light faded as quickly as it had appeared.
When the brightness of the light dissipated shapes began to distinguish themselves to Kurama's eyes. The boy quickly sat up from the point where he was lying. Kurama was a little surprised as he drew a deep breath of air, trying to shake the feeling that he had been drowning. Having calmed down Kurama let a thankful feeling wash over him. The boy was seated in the softness of his bed underneath him, his eyes were wide open and happy to see the distinguishing light. That is, until Kurama realized that the thick down covers he was settled under were not his.
From what Kurama could tell by the golden light in the room it appeared to be morning and the boy was in a bed that was not his own. In fact, as Kurama looked around the bright sunlit room, he found the room was not his own. So, where was he? Just what exactly happened? How did he get here? Kurama tired to remember what had happed to him. As the boy thought back he remembered he had been fighting then, pain. A pain so intense as it shot through his shoulder it felt as if talons were slicing through his skin. He had been poisoned then, passed out, that's right.
A little unsure of his memories Kurama looked toward his shoulder in a effort to examine himself. The boy realized that his shirt had been removed and his wounds had been cleaned and dressed in bandages. They had been wrapped across his chest, and shoulder, with quite a bit of care. Kurama ran his hand over the bandages, then looked over his shoulder.
Kurama saw a table near the bed. On the table was sitting a small wooden bowl, and a washcloth. Apparently someone had been taking care of him. For how long the boy was unsure, but they must have been the reason that he had not died from being poisoned. Though, he was not too certain that he could just forget the whole being death theory. Not just yet anyway.
"Hello" Kurama said in hopes that someone would answer; no one did standing up slowly Kurama looked around the room, with a deeper curiously. The hearty smell of grass covered in the drying morning dew, mingled with the scent of pine and flowers was heavy in the air. The room was quaint, small but comfortable. A large circular window was letting in the perfect amount of flaxen light into the room. The bed that Kurama had been resting in had thick down covers one them. Though the bed had been comfortable Kurama had felt softer. A small fire was lit in the fireplace of the room, and a pot bubbled over the flames.
The only thing wrong with the room was that it lacked color. Hues of brown, and colors to the like were basically all that the room had to offer as far as stimulation for the sense of sight. Then on a chair just beside the table Kurama noticed a shirt. It was white, Kurama had to assume that it had been set out for himself since no one else appeared to be staying in the room. Whoever had been caring for him had been very diligent.
As Kurama pulled the shirt over his head he realized that it was made of silk, it had a nice feel against his skin, though the sensation was a little unexpected, given the humble surroundings. Kurama quirked his brow when he noticed the door of the room, it was slightly ajar. The redhead could not help but investigate perhaps he would find out where he was, and who brought him here.
"Hello" Kurama called out warily into the hallway as he slipped out of his room. Still, there was no answer. Kurama quietly closed the door to the room he had been in behind him leaving the hallway he stood in complete shadow. Kurama pressed his hand against the wall, then slowly ambled forward.
"Is anyone here?" Kurama called out as a light came into his view he rounded a corner, and found himself standing in the doorway of what appeared to be a very extensive and illustrious library. The room had taken on a deep golden glow and was lavish and rich, in contrast with the other room Kurama had been resting in.
Kurama had to admit that this library was a most beautiful structure. Once he stepped inside the doorway he could distinguish an array of colors, and the sweet smell of aging paper. There were several large ach shaped windows, as well as many more small round windows letting in the sunlight; unlit candles had been placed all around the room, to keep the room bright even when the time came for the sunlight to fade.
The place seemed old. Not so much from age, but in the style of the architecture, it seemed as if it was old. It had a classic look, maybe-gothic. Still, it was absolutely lovely from the marble floor with jade and white entangled in an interwoven design. To the alabaster columns that stretched up to the ceiling that closed off with a dome that was a bright shade of blue. The beauty of the room nearly left Kurama breathless.
The boy lazily ambled deeper into the room looking about as if in a daze. There was so much about the room that could catch the eyes of a curious kitsune. For instance, the large blue domed ceiling had with a golden spiral that would guide one's eyes to the apex of the structure; and the sweet smells of a vibrant summer day that wafted into the room via the windows. Kurama continued to allow his eyes to dance over the intricacies of the room. There was a large cherry wood desk in the room, and comfortable chairs placed next to a large fire place, as well as behind the desk. Each of the chairs were green with golden flax on them. Thick voluminous curtains hung about the windows drawn open to catch the sunlight.
On a table near the plush green chairs was a book, it was spread open, and seemed to be quite an extensive tome. Kurama could not contain his curiosity he had to see what was written on the pages. The redhead could not help but look around before letting his eyes settle on the cream colored paper of the book. There written in thick black ink were nothing more than strange symbols. They seemed arcane, yet somehow familiar. Kurama could not place where he seen such symbols before, but it had not been too long ago.
"Odriga tukamyisa vosho" said a female voice from a distance, Kurama assumed was about at the doorway. The boy quickly looked up from the book, startled by the sudden intrusion on his silence; he seemed almost embarrassed to have been caught looking at the strange book that had been left open as if trying to gain his attention. "Bonosay-karuhi, Cohimeta." Kurama quickly spun around, to find the source of the voice. The redhead looked at the person who stood in the doorway of the library with a raised eyebrow. It was indeed a woman, and she was smiling; in her hands was a tray with a mug of something that must have been warm because steam curled over the mug.
The woman entered the room and sat the tray, mug and all on the desk some distance from Kurama, who just looked at her quizzically. The woman's smile never faded as she quickly walked up to Kurama. "Oovmara, tukamyisa vosho kimatava?" the woman stated with a kind nod, she seemed relieved.
This woman she had a very formal look about her, and she appeared to be in her late thirties or early forties; she wore it well however, for though she knew age her face was quite angelic. Her skin was soft and translucent, her lips a soft red shade, that complimented well the features of her heart-shaped face. She had long strawberry blonde hair, that was done up in a neat braid that hung down her back and she had the most lovely, vivid blue eyes, that Kurama had ever seen in a human face.
So she's the one that saved me.
From the look about her the woman seemed kind and very delicate, for that reason, Kurama did not feel a need to fear her. In fact at the moment he was simply fascinated by this woman. More so because by her dress which made her look as if she were from a different time just by its style. She wore light green gown complete with petticoats and corset, a golden sash, and a gold circlet with a tiny crystal on her forehead.
"Cohimeta?" said the woman again drawing a quizzical look from Kurama.
He had not realized right away but he could not understand a word the woman had said.The redhead could do nothing more then return the quizzical look that the woman gave him. What could she be saying? Is that some form of Latin?
The woman's smile had long faded as Kurama continued to stay silent. The look on the woman's face went from kindly to discourteous, she then, gave a little chuckle. The woman nodded as if she understood something that had not been clear to her before. Then as she stood before Kurama she stretched her hand out to the boy, palm up.
Kurama looked down at the woman's hand. There in the middle of her palm was a strange symbol glowing in a sliver blue light, that the redhead could not help but notice. The light seemed familiar, but Kurama did not linger on that thought as he could not place where he had seen the light.
"Naja secus," the woman gestured to Kurama, as if asking him to extend his own hand as she spoke. "Donahstow ohdusko naja secus." Uncertain of what to do, Kurama slowly lifted is hand and placed it in hers. "Bingga" the woman smiled and nodded. "Bonosay. bonosay," the woman chirped happily indicating that the boy had done just as she wanted. Once she held Kurama's hand in her own, she pressed the middle and index fingers of her free hand to Kurama's forehead.
Kurama tensed up momentarily. "Dulrien" said the woman in a calming manner. The boy figured that the woman had asked him to relax, Kurama let out a deep breath. Still it would be hard not knowing the woman's intention. Kurama's eyes lifted up to look toward the woman's fingers. He wondered just what the strange woman was doing, and who she was. The redhead had to resist the urge to ask the woman what her intentions were. He knew the woman would not have understood him in any case. Kurama found himself once again examining the woman's face wondering her intentions.
A jolt, that was not so much as painful as it was surprising seemed to shoot through Kurama. He jumped slightly, and pulled away from the woman, and looked at his hand. The woman looked up at Kurama in a most apologetic manner.
"Forgive me. Cohimeta" the woman gave a slight bow as she spoke. "I do not mean to cause you pain. This power be not easy to control, and I know not when I cause one pain until it be too late." Kurama looked away from his hand and at the woman. Surprised that he understood her.
Hesitantly Kurama shook his head, almost afraid to speak. "It's alright, it didn't hurt I was just a little startled."
The woman smiled and gave another nod. "You be most polite." The woman seemed a little uncertain of the words that she had just said. Kurama's face was slightly twisted with confusion as well. The woman, looked up toward the redhead with her eyebrow raised, though in her eyes there was a knowing quality.
"I can understand you?" Kurama stated.
"Makes for easier conversation do you not think?" Kurama nodded rather dumbly.
"But… before," stated the boy still just a bit confused.
"I performed a simple translation spell to bridge the gap. As you do not speak Solarian I decided that I should speak your language. Bit strange, it is. How the words form. Commence our conversation again?"
"Please" said Kurama with a nod.
"I see you are feeling well. Cohimeta, that's very good you seemed so ill when you were brought to me. I was unsure you would live. Quite fearful too. I brought you something to eat" the woman said with a smile as she motioned to the table to the far right, where she had set the tray. "You are hungry?"
Kurama shook his head politly. "No thank you."
Despite Kurama's declination, the woman walked over and picked the cup up off the tray with care. Slowly she walked up to Kurama and handed it to the redhead. "For your strength, Cohimeta." The woman nodded giving Kurama a motherly look.
"What does that mean" Kurama, inquired as he accepted the cup politely "cohimeta, you've said it quite a bit." Kurama, took a small sip of the liquid and grimaced. The potion had a strong harsh taste that the boy could not find a fondness for. The woman did not seem to notice Kurama's reaction to the contents of the cup her mind was elsewhere.
"Hmm" the woman droned in a somewhat curious manner. "It must not translate, it's only a term for respect. And you deserve much you will be the one to save this land" the woman said sounding hopeful. Kurama, who had just sat the cup down, gave a confused look.
"Excuse me" Kurama stated trying his best to hide his surprise.
"That is why you be here because fate wanted you to be here. You were chosen by the gods to be our savior."
"Just where exactly is here and why do you think I'm am some type of savior?"
"This place." The woman looked up toward the ceiling her smile faded, and she took on a reflective air as she turned away from Kurama. "It be not altogether real and yet not fully a dream. You be the one that shall cast away the shadow, and make it all real. You be the one of two forms. You must help or the shadows they will spread and consume. Cohimeta." The woman looked back at Kurama, who just looked dumbfounded.
"So this is a dream?" Kurama stated sounding confused, "it's not real."
"No, no Cohimeta," the woman shook her head. "It be quite real, only not so."
"Forgive me if I don't understand" said Kurama sounding almost callous.
"It be difficult to understand now, I can understand you do not believe. But it will all clear so you must." The woman gestured to the chairs that the two stood near. "Be seated Cohimeta I will tell you all that I can, answer any question that I am able." The woman stated leading the redhead to one of the many green chairs in the room. The chairs were as comfortable as they looked. Kurama sank down into the green cushion while the woman preferred to stand.
"Who are you?" Kurama inquired, he might as well find out who was talking to, even if it was a dream.
The woman looked downward and clasped her hands together. "Who I am. I haven't a name Cohimeta. The dead have no use for them." The woman's voice quieted just a bit her voice suddenly becoming very solemn.
"Dead?" Kurama intoned quietly, his eyes quirked in confusion. This woman seemed to be breathing and had an aura of life about her.
"You be surprised." The woman stated with a soft but solemn smile. "I seem quite alive I do ? I assure you I do not live I only exist. Once I had a name, I had forgotten it but the memory has come back having heard it… Talva." The woman looked skyward in a dreaming way. "That is what they had called me. If you wish that will suffice" The woman looked toward Kurama her eyes seemed sad and yet empty. "Though now am just the one who sees, I will not be able to rest until the prophecy is complete. One or the other way."
"The prophecy?" Kurama inquired as a curious twinkle flashed in his eyes, making Talva smile.
"Did I not mention it before. It seems apt that you should come across so many answers in this a place of learning" Talva said, as she lifted the open book from the table. "It is how I know of you, through the lines of the prophecy, which in time you will come to know well Cohimeta."
"How do you know I'm the one that you're looking for? How do I know this all isn't just some dream?"
"Because the other is gone. You look so much of him, yet you differ so. His life force has faded and you be the one. That be all I can assure you of. You must believe, Cohimeta all the answers to the questions you hold, in their own time will be answered. All things must go through the order that the gods have set. It is the reason for all that happens"
Talva looked consideringly at Kurama, who in spite of himself was wearing a soft scowl.
"Look at me not so coldly, I do not hold all the answers. Trust that if I did none of this would be necessary."
"None of what?" Kurama asked growing just a bit apprehensive. "Were you the one that caused me to have those dreams, I'd been having?" Kurama's usually placid voice became harsh and accusing. The boy stood and gave an almost daunting look to Talva. The woman looked surprised upon hearing Kurama's accusation.
"Dreams. Cohimeta this be first I've ever reached you or anyone of the Altraworld. The barrier is rarely crossed it takes far too much power. I was surprised you crossed the barrier in your state, but then that is the will of Tyverin, God or destiny."
Talva quickly gave a sharp gasp as she stopped looking Kurama "But, you spoke of dreams Cohimeta." Kurama nodded a little startled by the way that Talva just jumped from subject to subject. "What in these dreams have you seen?" Kurama regaled Talva with the dreams that he had been having. The woman would give a nod every now and again but stayed quiet until Kurama finished.
"A dark figure" Talva said to herself as she thought about what Kurama had told her "Could it be…" Talva looked frightened, the book she held fell from her hands, and a weakness overtook her body. Talva found she was forced to settle into one of the green chairs. Kurama looked at the woman a little worried, and very curious.
"Ivem Octa, how strong be he now." Talva said to herself pressing her hand onto her forehead. She had taken on a pale sickly color that made Kurama rise from his seat. "It is too soon for him to have so much power." Talva seemed to recover quickly however, she rose from the chair with a startling quickness. "But the fact that you are still alive Cohimeta, that says much of you. Of your strength, you be strong as well no wonder the prophet chose you." Talva pointed to Kurama. The woman noticed the concern in the boy's eyes it looked as if he was about to be overwhelmed.
Talva quickly gave a large apologetic smile seeing Kurama's concern, and the slight confusion; "I be fine, but I've gotten far ahead of myself, Cohimeta." Talva bowed respectfully. The woman quickly bent down to pick the book from off the floor. Talva treated the book with such care that it seemed as if she were coddling a child.
Kurama looked at the thick green binding of the book that Talva held with curiosity. Unfortunately he would not know what words were written on the pages unless the woman told him. A smile crossed Talva's face "I see you are curious to know of the words written within this tome." Talva opened the book so that Kurama could look at the words. He still could not understand a word written in it.
"Its message is indecipherable to you" stated Talva her smile grew wider, as she saw Kurama's disappointment.
"Can you tell me what it says? If it's something I should know…"
"Cohimeta when the time come the words will reveal themselves to you, not before." Kurama's eyes narrowed he was visibly disappointed. "Even if I were to tell you what is written, you would not understand the meaning" Talva stated, then she handed the book to Kurama. "Be patient with this" said Talva as Kurama rather hesitantly accepted the book, it was heavier then he expected, and it felt cold even though Talva had handled it. "I have one other gift for you Cohimeta, you must keep it well for it will be the most important in the future."
Talva reached her hands behind her neck, and unclasped the necklace she had been wearing. The woman held out the necklace, to reveal a crystal on a golden chain. The chain itself was ordinary, but the crystal that hung from it was like nothing Kurama'd ever seen before. A tiny blue flame burned inside it, in the light Kurama saw the blue-white light of his vision flash momentarily. Talva put the necklace around Kurama's neck then smiled, and gave a nod.
After placing the necklace about Kurama's neck. Talva looked toward the windows. Kurama's attention was also drawn toward the window, he was surprised to see that it already appeared to be late; the sky was already becoming dark, the sun soon threatened to faded completely from the sky. "It has grown late Cohimeta, you should rest now. I still fear for your health."
"Wait, who were you talking about, before when I told you about my dream?" Kurama still wanting to more of what was happening.
"You be quite inquisitive" Talva gave a soft sigh. "The dark one, that be what he be called. The bringer of shadow and destruction; his eye glow with malice. He is the bringer of eternal night to all worlds he inhabits. I have no more to say for not much more be known. But you should be wary of him, if you can."
"Already the lies spread Cohimeta, he will not be your only enemy so hold tight to those that will protect you." The redhead nodded meekly "Now you will take care to get some rest." Talva smiled as she spoke. Kurama gave yet another nod, as Talva escorted the boy back to the room he'd awaken in. The woman boiled up another mug of the fowl tasting liquid from before and left it on the table, in case Kurama felt hungry. The redhead was certain that he would not be getting an appetite any time soon.
"Rest well, Cohimeta" Talva stated in a motherly fashion then she kissed Kurama's forehead, and turned to take her leave.
"Wait" Kurama said as Talva was about the bow out. "Do you know how I can get out of here?" Kurama inquired he seated himself on the bed. Talva looked surprised by Kurama's inquiry. It seemed she was surprised Kurama did not know what to do already.
"Just use that which you used to get here, Cohimeta" said the woman she then smiled and left the room, leaving a most confused Kurama.
Use what I used to get here? Kurama thought to himself. The thought of poisoning himself was not sitting well. Kurama looked at the bed he was sitting on. "Of course" the boy intoned. "This is a dream. So… if sleeping is what got me here. Then that is what will get me out." Kurama gave a soft yawn before pulling himself into the bed. Soon the boy had drifted off to sleep.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
A sliver-white fox-like creature pranced about on lavender gray clouds that drifted through the deep blue night sky. Around the creature's neck was a chain of pure gold, on the chain a gem that encased a blue flame that danced and flickered as it burned. The chain chimed with each movement that the creature moved. The stars flickered like shimmering stones in the background as this ethereal fox-like creature chased the slivery moon through the dark blue of the night sky.