Greetings and salutations, readers of my fic!
-
...It is readers, right?
-
-
Disclaimer: Authoress does not own Yugioh or BlackandWhite, just the plot and the made-up stuff.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Athena and Minerva were waiting by their respective Temples as Yuugioh flew over the mountains the next morning.
-
-
"We trust you have -"
-
"Fulfilled our task. In that case -"
-
"Welcome back."
-
"I have found the two riddles I was supposed to find," Yuugioh said, wanting to get this business over with.
-
"Then speak!" The other two chorused immediately.
-
"…What goes over the water under the water over the water, without getting wet?"
-
Both goddesses looked slightly confused before Yuugioh answered his own riddle.
-
"An egg in the belly of a duck."
-
-
"Ah," Athena said.
Minerva chuckled slightly before indicating for Yuugioh to continue.
-
"Ahem…Dark as night, flees from light, gone at noon, greatest at the birth and death."
Athena answered slowly, "A shadow?"
-
"Wonderful," Minerva said.
-
-
"And now -"
-
"If we can answer this next -"
-
"That'll be it for your little quest."
-
-
Yuugioh tried to think. Layweh hadn't mentioned anything for this part - then again he hadn't told her about this part - but where was he going to figure out a riddle on such short notice?
-
Out of his subconscious, words seemed to rise of their own accord. He spoke them without really meaning to.
-
"It's something you can see, but you haven't seen it before."
-
-
Both goddesses seemed ready to answer, then hesitated. They mulled it over, muttered to each other. Yuugioh felt a thrill of satisfaction as he waited for what seemed about an hour before the two turned to face him.
-
-
"Splendid! What a challenge we have not seen!"
-
"Such an incomprehensible riddle we've never seen."
-
"Tell us not the answer, please -"
-
"We think it'll really pass the time, you see."
-
-
"You two just wanted to have something to talk about," Yuugioh said in astonishment as that sank in.
-
-
"True - you are the first visitor we've had in ages."
-
"Our combined lands are somewhat combined cages."
-
"But such a puzzle will last us for generations!"
-
"We thank you for the deviation!"
-
-
Both goddesses flew off before Yuugioh could say anything else. He was about to follow when a shining light caught his eye from below.
-
-
Going to investigate, he came across a rather large box. A glowing box.
-
The twin's voices came over on a breath of wind.
-
"Therein that box is what you seek."
-
"We must implore you not to peek."
-
"If seen by another than who for you sought -"
-
"The lives of those are tolerated not."
-
-
Blinking at the cryptic warning, Yuugioh lifted up the glowing box. Even to him it was heavy, but he diligently carried it over the mountain ring and across the stretch of ocean to the main island.
-
He flew straight towards the Duchess's Village, and after being recognized, he was able to set the box at the Duchess's feet.
-
-
-
-
She seemed almost disappointed that he'd succeeded, but soon they were able to speak in private.
-
"So, you have been sent by the Lord Kazul to recover a piece of Rainbow Creed," she mused. "There is one located on this island - it lies in a cave, deep under the mountains, and is guarded by a pack of troll beasts loyal to the Dark Lord."
-
-
"Who is the Dark Lord?"
-
The Duchess looked fairly taken aback by the question.
-
"You do not know of him? Perhaps the name confuses you - he is also called the Deathgod."
-
-
"Deathgod? That's what that hermit said, but I still have no idea what you are talking about," Yuugioh said as apprehension filled him.
-
"Very well - I shall inform you of whom I speak."
-
-
-
Long ago, in the darkest ages of Eden, there lived no gods, no Creatures, no living thing - only monstrous beings of power and destruction spawned from the bowels of Hades.
-
Until a new force of such beings emerged into existence - beings of light, that sought to create life instead of destroy it.
-
-
Their sudden start of existence started a war that almost destroyed the world, but in the end a most unusual thing happened.
-
The combined powers of each side drew them together like pieces of iron to a magnet. Struggling all the while, the forces of darkness and light merged into one huge creature of neither and then - it shattered.
-
-
The new being, formed from both sides, could not hold its existence for long and shattered into millions, billions of smaller particles.
-
-
Much of this became the living force of Eden; the trees, animals, people - others spawned into the first gods and goddesses, and still others formed into the Creeds.
-
For thousands of years, these forces lived in harmony and there was peace in Eden. But after many centuries of peace, the Creeds faded from common knowledge and vanished into unknown reaches of Eden.
-
For many years after this, peace remained, but soon dark forces began to creep into the very hearts of men, Creatures, and gods. Evil gods and goddesses, corrupted and sadistic, began terrorizing their worshipers and viciously attacking their peaceful neighbors.
-
-
In their search for more and more power, the Creeds were re-discovered as the forces of evil sought to possess them. While the White Creed would not grant them what they sought, the three Dark Creeds were more than happy to assist them. The Rainbow Creeds were soon sought by both sides, as their power served whosoever could control them irregardless of intent.
-
Soon, a new war had broken out, and all the world seemed aflame until a single being - to this day no one knows who it was - was able to capture all the Creeds and hide them away from Eden and its warring states. Without the power of the Creeds behind them, the evil gods became little more than nuisances and peace returned.
-
-
But now a new force of evil is on the rise. A most evil god, one who is only known as the Dark Lord, seeks the Dark Creeds in order to unleash his wrath upon Eden and destroy everything.
-
-
-
"So it would seem Lord Kazul seeks the Rainbow Creeds, in order to fight against the Dark Lord. I do wish him much success," the Duchess concluded.
-
Yuugioh was still caught up in the legend for a moment, then shook his head clear.
-
"So, this Dark Lord has trolls guarding the Rainbow Creed on this island?"
-
-
"Correct. On the far side of the mountains that are to the north of this village, there is a cave that opens into the sea. It winds deep underneath the mountains and island, and at its deepest point lies the Rainbow Creed you seek. The Creed is guarded by a horde of trolls that serve the Dark Lord's wishes by preventing his enemies from using it against him."
-
-
The Duchess rose from her seated position.
-
"If you feel your Creature is up to the challenge, she can do battle with the trolls. If not, wait until you feel she is. That is all the advice I give to you on the matter," she concluded before heading into her tent, shutting the flap behind her and clearly indicating that was the end of their meeting.
-
-
-
Yuugioh flew out of the village to think about this. Lupine and Luster were already voicing adamant opinions of their own.
-
"Oh boy, der's nothing I like better dan a good slaughter!"
-
"Isn't there another way to resolve this other than fighting?"
-
"We'll jest give 'em da old one-two -"
-
"Is Laurel even ready for a fight? She might be too young -"
-
"Zap 'em with a few Miracles - a few fireballs'll really heat dis thing up!"
-
"I really don't think this is such a good idea -"
-
"Don't be a wimp, we'll totally obliterate dem! Right Boss?"
-
"Master -"
-
-
"Will the two of you please BE QUIET!"
-
-
The pair froze as Yuugioh snapped at them. Relieved at the sudden onset of silence, Yuugioh let himself enjoy it for a few minutes before speaking.
-
"I would prefer it if this could be resolved without fighting, but if necessary I will do what I have to in order to succeed."
-
As he went in search of Laurel, Yuugioh missed the whisper Luster gave to Lupine.
-
"Famous last words."
