Mystery of the Soul
ch 5
Kento and Kaye were sitting at the water's edge, looking out over the calm, glass-like surface. They were having a hard time taking everything in from what she told them. For the time being Meih left the two alone, and sat against the weeping willow. Meih looked over at them and sighed with a concerned frown. "Time flows differently here that it does back on Earth. When one day passes there, two days pass here.'
Kento shot up to attention and looked back towards his aunt. "What!?"
Kaye frowned at him, "Kento, what's wrong?"
Meih stood up and walked over towards them. "I'm surprised that you heard me nephew."
"You're not the only one." Kento grumbled in annoyance.
"Ok, wait a minute, time-out." Kaye said looking at them slightly confused. "What are you two talking about?"
"It looks like Kento can read my mind." Meih replied with a smirk.
Kaye frowned at Kento, "when, how?"
"It just happened, but how, I have no idea." Kento replied while trying to explain it.
"Never mind, aunt Meih, since we're going to have to fight Dark Harpy and her spirit hunters. We're going to need to know everything that you can tell us about them. Since we don't exactly have a choice in the matter." Kaye told her.
Meih gave a slight nod, "alright, what I'm about to tell you is a story that's been handed down since the dawn of time."
"Great, and me with no popcorn." Kento grumbled.
"Kento!" Kaye said in disbelief.
"What?" Kento asked giving an innocent look.
Kaye shook her head, "never mind."
Meih laughed at the two, "alright as I was saying. Long ago there were two clans; the Harpies and the Spirit Hunters. They were at one time living peacefully, but like all things that too began to change. The younger harpy generation were getting tired of the old ways. They wanted to break away and start their own clan. Their elders agreed, but there was a condition. If they wanted to break away, then they would have to agree to never come back. To say the least, the younger harpies were outraged by what their elders said, but they did understand. So they had a choice, to either to be forever exiled, or to learn to live with the old ways."
"Then did they leave their clan?" Kaye asked curiously.
Again Meih laughed, "hang on young one, be patient."
"Sorry, you were saying." Kaye apologized.
Meih nodded, "now where was I? Oh yes, now I remember. A small handful of the younger harpies stayed, while the others left. Time went on, after a while, the harpies that broke away from their clan began to die out, one by one. They didn't know how to survive on the outside. They thought it would be easy, but they soon found out how wrong they were. People ran them off, called them monsters, and treated them as such. The harpies started to believe what the people were saying. Their appearances began to change. Their skin started to turn lavender. Their once white wings turned jet black. But the most dramatic change were their eyes. For they turned black as their souls, and just as unforgiving. The harpies started to loot and plunder every village that they came upon. They enjoyed the destruction that they were causing."
"Wait a minute aunt Meih, you said there were two clans, the harpies and the spirit hunters. But so far, all you talked about were the harpies?" Kento asked as he was trying to figure it out.
"I was about to get to them." Meih replied. "Anyway, not too far from where the harpies were carrying on their destruction. The spirit hunters were watching them from their dragons above. So the spirit hunters approached the harpies. At first neither clan actually believed that the other existed. They've only heard rumors and stories. The spirit hunters proposed an alliance with the harpies. It took some time to convince them, but finally in the end the harpies agreed." Meih stopped for a little while in her story, and then continued. "Time went on, and the alliance between them was strong at first. But then over time the harpies were getting harder and harder to control. Then without warning, the tables were turned, and the spirit hunters were under the harpies control. That's how it's been ever since. The Dark Harpy and the three spirit hunters are all that's left. So they do what they can to survive."
"So how do they survive?" Kento asked not knowing for certain if exactly wanted to know.
Meih's eyes went sad as she looked at him. "they take the souls and devour them. Their energies empower her and her hunters. That's why they have to be stopped, so the spirits that come from here on in won't go through that torment. It's what keeps them young and at full strength."
Kaye looked at her with concerned eyes. "Then how are we..?"
"I told you that all you need before. Trust in what I've told you, trust in yourselves, and most importantly, trust in each other. If that trust in any of those things should falter, then all will be lost, and there will never be peace."
"So basically you're trusting us to pull off the impossible! Aunt Meih!" Kento exclaimed in a mix of disbelief and anger.
Meih shook her head and looked at the two of them with determined eyes. "I know that the two of you will be able to win against Dark Harpy and her spirit hunters. I have faith." Meih smiled at them, and then became serious. "Go, before they come back."
"Aunt Meih, come with us." Kaye urged as the three of them stood up.
Meih shook her head, "I'm sorry, I can't go with you."
"What!? Why?" Kento asked in shock looking at her.
"Something is keeping me from leaving this place. Besides, I have a feeling that I'll be more of a help here while the two of you go ahead." Meih explained. Kento and Kaye looked at each other, their hearts sank a bit. They were hoping that she could go with them and help. Meih saw the disappointment in their eyes, "you two must hurry, or it'll be too late for all of us, including your friends back on Earth."
"What are you talking about? Are they in danger?" Kaye asked in slight urgency.
"I'm sorry, but there's no time, the spirit hunters are coming. Go now!" Meih replied pointing them out as they were flying towards them. Meih could tell that they were hesitant. "I'll be alright, just go!" Kento and Kaye looked at each other and then at her, they nodded and then took off. Meih watched them go, "be careful my young ones, may the Ancient and our family watch over you both."
---------------------------------------------------------
Oni perched himself on a nearby rooftop and waited for his opportunity. Ryo and Sage glared at the man that was standing before them. "Why won't you answer us? Who are you?" Ryo demanded, his and Sage's patience were growing short with him.
"Fine, I'll tell you this much. I'm the last of the once powerful mages that created the spirits of the dragon and the phoenix. As well as the Pearl of Life, but to hear my name muttered from mortals makes me cringe, so you may just call me Mage." he explained looking at them.
"Alright, Mage, since you know why we're here, then tell us how we are to get to the place that has what we're looking for." Sage said in an unwavering tone.
Mage nodded, "alright, since you two are being fool hearty enough not to show any respect to me, I'll tell you this much, and nothing more. You're looking for a ruby called the dragon's fire. To get to where the ruby is being held go down this well, it'll take you where you need to go. But be forewarned now, what the two of you are about to do in order to get the ruby could very well cost you your lives."
Ryo and Sage looked at each other and then back at Mage. "We understand the risk, Mage." Ryo replied with a stern look.
"Fine, I can see that it would be foolish to make you reconsider. Then this is what you have to do. Jump into the well, you'll see many different portal windows on your way down." Mage started to explain to them.
"How are we suppose to know which one to take?" Sage asked starting to get just a little annoyed.
"Think of what you're looking for and your thoughts will transport you to its location. Once there, you'll find yourselves standing in front of a guild. Enter, but be warned, don't trust anyone inside." Mage warned as his eyes narrowed looking at them.
'That's my cue.' Oni thought standing up. Before Mage could continue, a spear flew out of nowhere and embedded itself into Mage's shoulder making him fall to his knees.
"Mage!" Ryo exclaimed as he and Sage ran over to him.
"No, don't worry about me, go…Hurry, into the well!" Mage replied looking at them sternly.
"But.." Ryo said trying to argue.
"Ryo, he's right, we have to go now. Kento and Kaye don't have much time. We have to get the dragon's fire so we can find the Pearl of Life and bring it back so Jia Li and Shen can bring our friends back from the spirit nexus." Sage reasoned looking sternly at him. Ryo nodded and then he and Sage jumped onto the well, and looked down at Mage.
"I'll be fine, go already." Mage said reassuring them. With a defeated sigh, Ryo jumped inside and Sage quickly followed.
"That was very foolish old man." Oni said appearing next to him.
ch 5
Kento and Kaye were sitting at the water's edge, looking out over the calm, glass-like surface. They were having a hard time taking everything in from what she told them. For the time being Meih left the two alone, and sat against the weeping willow. Meih looked over at them and sighed with a concerned frown. "Time flows differently here that it does back on Earth. When one day passes there, two days pass here.'
Kento shot up to attention and looked back towards his aunt. "What!?"
Kaye frowned at him, "Kento, what's wrong?"
Meih stood up and walked over towards them. "I'm surprised that you heard me nephew."
"You're not the only one." Kento grumbled in annoyance.
"Ok, wait a minute, time-out." Kaye said looking at them slightly confused. "What are you two talking about?"
"It looks like Kento can read my mind." Meih replied with a smirk.
Kaye frowned at Kento, "when, how?"
"It just happened, but how, I have no idea." Kento replied while trying to explain it.
"Never mind, aunt Meih, since we're going to have to fight Dark Harpy and her spirit hunters. We're going to need to know everything that you can tell us about them. Since we don't exactly have a choice in the matter." Kaye told her.
Meih gave a slight nod, "alright, what I'm about to tell you is a story that's been handed down since the dawn of time."
"Great, and me with no popcorn." Kento grumbled.
"Kento!" Kaye said in disbelief.
"What?" Kento asked giving an innocent look.
Kaye shook her head, "never mind."
Meih laughed at the two, "alright as I was saying. Long ago there were two clans; the Harpies and the Spirit Hunters. They were at one time living peacefully, but like all things that too began to change. The younger harpy generation were getting tired of the old ways. They wanted to break away and start their own clan. Their elders agreed, but there was a condition. If they wanted to break away, then they would have to agree to never come back. To say the least, the younger harpies were outraged by what their elders said, but they did understand. So they had a choice, to either to be forever exiled, or to learn to live with the old ways."
"Then did they leave their clan?" Kaye asked curiously.
Again Meih laughed, "hang on young one, be patient."
"Sorry, you were saying." Kaye apologized.
Meih nodded, "now where was I? Oh yes, now I remember. A small handful of the younger harpies stayed, while the others left. Time went on, after a while, the harpies that broke away from their clan began to die out, one by one. They didn't know how to survive on the outside. They thought it would be easy, but they soon found out how wrong they were. People ran them off, called them monsters, and treated them as such. The harpies started to believe what the people were saying. Their appearances began to change. Their skin started to turn lavender. Their once white wings turned jet black. But the most dramatic change were their eyes. For they turned black as their souls, and just as unforgiving. The harpies started to loot and plunder every village that they came upon. They enjoyed the destruction that they were causing."
"Wait a minute aunt Meih, you said there were two clans, the harpies and the spirit hunters. But so far, all you talked about were the harpies?" Kento asked as he was trying to figure it out.
"I was about to get to them." Meih replied. "Anyway, not too far from where the harpies were carrying on their destruction. The spirit hunters were watching them from their dragons above. So the spirit hunters approached the harpies. At first neither clan actually believed that the other existed. They've only heard rumors and stories. The spirit hunters proposed an alliance with the harpies. It took some time to convince them, but finally in the end the harpies agreed." Meih stopped for a little while in her story, and then continued. "Time went on, and the alliance between them was strong at first. But then over time the harpies were getting harder and harder to control. Then without warning, the tables were turned, and the spirit hunters were under the harpies control. That's how it's been ever since. The Dark Harpy and the three spirit hunters are all that's left. So they do what they can to survive."
"So how do they survive?" Kento asked not knowing for certain if exactly wanted to know.
Meih's eyes went sad as she looked at him. "they take the souls and devour them. Their energies empower her and her hunters. That's why they have to be stopped, so the spirits that come from here on in won't go through that torment. It's what keeps them young and at full strength."
Kaye looked at her with concerned eyes. "Then how are we..?"
"I told you that all you need before. Trust in what I've told you, trust in yourselves, and most importantly, trust in each other. If that trust in any of those things should falter, then all will be lost, and there will never be peace."
"So basically you're trusting us to pull off the impossible! Aunt Meih!" Kento exclaimed in a mix of disbelief and anger.
Meih shook her head and looked at the two of them with determined eyes. "I know that the two of you will be able to win against Dark Harpy and her spirit hunters. I have faith." Meih smiled at them, and then became serious. "Go, before they come back."
"Aunt Meih, come with us." Kaye urged as the three of them stood up.
Meih shook her head, "I'm sorry, I can't go with you."
"What!? Why?" Kento asked in shock looking at her.
"Something is keeping me from leaving this place. Besides, I have a feeling that I'll be more of a help here while the two of you go ahead." Meih explained. Kento and Kaye looked at each other, their hearts sank a bit. They were hoping that she could go with them and help. Meih saw the disappointment in their eyes, "you two must hurry, or it'll be too late for all of us, including your friends back on Earth."
"What are you talking about? Are they in danger?" Kaye asked in slight urgency.
"I'm sorry, but there's no time, the spirit hunters are coming. Go now!" Meih replied pointing them out as they were flying towards them. Meih could tell that they were hesitant. "I'll be alright, just go!" Kento and Kaye looked at each other and then at her, they nodded and then took off. Meih watched them go, "be careful my young ones, may the Ancient and our family watch over you both."
---------------------------------------------------------
Oni perched himself on a nearby rooftop and waited for his opportunity. Ryo and Sage glared at the man that was standing before them. "Why won't you answer us? Who are you?" Ryo demanded, his and Sage's patience were growing short with him.
"Fine, I'll tell you this much. I'm the last of the once powerful mages that created the spirits of the dragon and the phoenix. As well as the Pearl of Life, but to hear my name muttered from mortals makes me cringe, so you may just call me Mage." he explained looking at them.
"Alright, Mage, since you know why we're here, then tell us how we are to get to the place that has what we're looking for." Sage said in an unwavering tone.
Mage nodded, "alright, since you two are being fool hearty enough not to show any respect to me, I'll tell you this much, and nothing more. You're looking for a ruby called the dragon's fire. To get to where the ruby is being held go down this well, it'll take you where you need to go. But be forewarned now, what the two of you are about to do in order to get the ruby could very well cost you your lives."
Ryo and Sage looked at each other and then back at Mage. "We understand the risk, Mage." Ryo replied with a stern look.
"Fine, I can see that it would be foolish to make you reconsider. Then this is what you have to do. Jump into the well, you'll see many different portal windows on your way down." Mage started to explain to them.
"How are we suppose to know which one to take?" Sage asked starting to get just a little annoyed.
"Think of what you're looking for and your thoughts will transport you to its location. Once there, you'll find yourselves standing in front of a guild. Enter, but be warned, don't trust anyone inside." Mage warned as his eyes narrowed looking at them.
'That's my cue.' Oni thought standing up. Before Mage could continue, a spear flew out of nowhere and embedded itself into Mage's shoulder making him fall to his knees.
"Mage!" Ryo exclaimed as he and Sage ran over to him.
"No, don't worry about me, go…Hurry, into the well!" Mage replied looking at them sternly.
"But.." Ryo said trying to argue.
"Ryo, he's right, we have to go now. Kento and Kaye don't have much time. We have to get the dragon's fire so we can find the Pearl of Life and bring it back so Jia Li and Shen can bring our friends back from the spirit nexus." Sage reasoned looking sternly at him. Ryo nodded and then he and Sage jumped onto the well, and looked down at Mage.
"I'll be fine, go already." Mage said reassuring them. With a defeated sigh, Ryo jumped inside and Sage quickly followed.
"That was very foolish old man." Oni said appearing next to him.