Author's Note: Okay, another chapter with not a lot going on, I apologize, but after this we get to some good stuff again, so bear with me.
Note: If there are any continuity errors, please inform me. I haven't been concentrating on this as much, so I probably slipped up somewhere.
What Now?
Once again, voices called to thin air. The small assemblage was starting to attract attention -- especially the Warlord and the White Tiger, so they deemed it best, as Athena was no longer there, to go elsewhere as well.
Get in. Mia ordered the men as Kayura took the front seat. They stared at her for a moment, too stunned to comply, but her commanding gaze ushered them quickly to their places in the back of the car.
When we get back, Cale, you're going to Dais and. . .If he can find Dais. Kayura muttered. He's been gone for a few weeks now.Oh, no. Okay, no need to panic, we still have Anubis, and maybe the doctor friend of your Graude foundation will know what to do. What do you think, Hyoga. Mia continued, making a conscious effort to stay calm as her head throbbed.
I don't know what to think. I let her slip away again. She was right there, and then gone, just like with Cale. . . maybe Seiya should have been the one to come along.Gee, you're awfully helpful, wallowing over there. Anytime you'd actually like to serve your goddess, please feel free to come back to reality. Kayura snapped, gaining a sheepish look from a rather dazed Hyoga, a glare from Ryo, and a smirk from Cale. Mia merely rolled her eyes, and glanced at Swan, who was getting a sympathizing pat on the shoulder from Wildfire.
I'm sure Dais will be back soon and know more about this than us. Cale stated matter-of-factly to change the subject. Anubis will no doubt be able to help until then, but I don't have a lot of faith in Mamori or your foundation, Swan. I doubt technology will be of much use -- it so rarely is in matters of magic.Fair enough, and you're probably right. All right, so we have a plan. How about you let Kayura and I explain this to the guys? Mia jumped in, a thought occurring to her.
That is probably wise. Kayura agreed thoughtfully as it dawned on her what Ms. Koji was worried about.
Wise? It's probably life saving. If they get mad at you, they won't do anything about it! Cale offered under his breath. Hyoga glared at him for a moment, finally snapping completely from his reverie, then realized the truth in what the Warlord had said.
Then perhaps I should tell them. He said softly, causing Ryo to take up the death glare of Cale, and once again resume the sympathetic shoulder rub.
I'm turning into Cye, what is going on here?' He mused as he realized he wasn't the one going into the depression, and he hadn't really said a word yet.
You are awfully quiet, Ryo. Mia echoed his thoughts, hoping the subject change to be complete this time.
Yeah, I guess I don't really have anything to say. The Ronin leader murmured self consciously. He glanced at Hyoga before looking out he window to where White Blaze was running along side the Jeep. Kayura looked back at him curiously, shrugged, then turned to the front once more.
Hyoga also watched Ryo from the corner of his ice blue eye. The Swan wasn't sure if Ryo and the others had just been opening up to them, or if they had really been changing in the weeks that the Knights had lived with them. The Ronins seemed somehow to get stronger and closer every day. He thought about the other Knights for a bit, then realized they, too, had learned something from their new friends. Their team work was improving, for starters. But he was pulled from his thoughts when Ryo suddenly clutched his head in pain and gasped. Mia looked into the rearview mirror. Kayura kept her eyes out the window, supporting her head and shielding her lidded eyes with a pale hand. Cale had his head back, eyes tightly closed, as if wanting to sleep off a headache.
It's nothing. Ryo grimaced, shaking his head but smiling reassuringly. Just thought I'd try something and it didn't go all that well. Ouch. He added the last word under his breath and gently shook his head as if to clear it.
Would you mind informing us what in heaven's name you were trying. Hyoga cocked his head in confusion.
He was trying to contact Anubis telepathically, and that went off without a hitch, but Anubis yelled in his head. I only caught the periphery and it nearly gave me a heart attack. Cale answered for the somewhat stunned and sheepish Wildfire.
Ouch is right! That voice of his can be rather painful when he uses it right. Or wrong. Kayura agreed, her voice still somewhat muffled by her hand.
Ookay. That's. . . interesting. Since when can you guys do that? Swan wondered, cutting Mia off from asking the same question.
Since recently. It's still an imperfect art. Before they had the basics -- they could relay general emotions and states, but not actual words. Now, they're getting better. Cale explained, still feigning a disturbed nap.
One things for sure, we don't have to worry about who's telling the guys. Ryo muttered, still rubbing his temples.
--
I told you this would be a bad idea! Tatsumi stormed once everyone was once again assembled in the Netherworld, minus one princess and two children. By the time Mia and the others had returned, Anubis and Sekhmet had joined those at the house and rounded everyone up for immediate teleportation. Now the tall bald man was pacing and ranting and being thoroughly ignored by anyone who was doing anything, which was everyone.
Well, Dais should be back soon, and have a better idea of what exactly we're dealing with. Sekhmet reassured the Knights once Kayura and Anubis had once again failed to locate the missing goddess.
That's right, and we know she's still weak, which means she won't be able to do much. My guess is that little trip into our world cost her a lot of energy she couldn't afford to lose. Cale continued, eyeing a very pale Empress cautiously. Anubis looked rather drained as well, which was most disconcerting for one who had already died of energy loss himself.
Kento called in surprise as the white-haired Warlord appeared before him.
Don't look so surprised. You should know me by now, Hardrock. The man smirked, though he was plainly irritated as he turned his back on the Ronin and knelt before Kayura. The reason you couldn't find her, my lady, is because she isn't in anywhere you would be able to look. Athena was brought to a universe of technology. He explained, cutting straight to the chase as if he'd been there all along.
Wait a minute, how did you know. . . Seiya sputtered.
It's my job to know. It's what I do. Anyway, as I was saying, she has been pulled back to a technological dimension which is different from most -- magic does not exist, and can barely coexist. There, we Warlords and you, Empress, would be mortal, and the Cloths and Armors won't work. You're staff is of an older, spiritual magic, and thus transcends this barrier, though it will still be more difficult for you to use, and Athena's divine powers will be relatively unaffected as well, though curtailed slightly. One bit of good news, the force is in its home dimension. If we can defeat it there, we have won not just the battle but the war. It will be gone for good. He paused, letting all he'd said sink in while Tatsumi noticed he had come at all for the first time.
And where have you been, you good for nothing. . . The tall man spun, turning his full wrath on the fatigued Warlord of Illusion.
I have been finding you're goddess, what have you been doing? Dais snapped, rising to face the body guard. While the pink-clad man was of a lesser build, his death glare had been perfected over several centuries, and his words cut his would-be opponent to his self-important core.
You. . . you know where she is?! The bald man asked, in stunned, joyous desperation, swallowing his pride at the prospect of finding and retrieving his mistress.
If you had bothered listening, you'd know the answer to that already. Why did you bring him along, again? Dais asked Anubis.
Because we couldn't very well leave him alone, for his own safety or that of their home. Sekhmet answered, jabbing a hand in the general direction of the Ronins while his other arm was folded across his chest.
Aw, yes, well, isn't that a pity. I suggest we rest, this force can't make a move yet. Miss Kido is quite safe for now, and none of us dimension travelers look particularly fit for traveling. The Warlord of Autumn mused tiredly as he headed towards the Palace. It's late. First thing tomor. . . this morning I'll introduce you to our new allies who are in a similar predicament, but for now, I think it best if we all get some rest.
And with that, he walked away, leaving sixteen very stunned people to stare in disbelief at where his retreating figure had been.
Well, we can't very well argue since he's the only one who knows where we're going, so I guess we're all staying here for the night. Shun recovered quickest. That is okay, right, I mean we won't be in the way or anything?What could we do if you were? Cale growled, causing Ikki to tense.
You could never be in the way, there's more than enough room for everyone. I've been thinking this castle was always too empty, this will be a nice change. Kayura soothed sincerely, smiling at Shun and leading the Warlord of Corruption away by the arm with a little more force than was absolutely necessary.
There's a democracy for ya. Rowen muttered, somewhat amused, somewhat dumbfounded by the situation as a whole.
And I wonder who these allies' are he mentioned. I don't do well in groups when I know my teammates, and he's expecting us to just fit right in with some bunch of strangers who we know nothing about and aren't even from a world anything like our own? Phoenix grumbled, still a little ruffled.
No kidding. I don't like this, either. Rowen added softly.
Well, this is a great start, the first thing you two agree on and it's to dislike people you haven't even met. Sage chided gently.
He's right, if they're in the same spot as us, they can't be bad, we should try to make the best of it, look at how well we get along with the Ronins. Andromeda, ever the peacemaker, backed up Halo to calm his brother.
Fair enough, how about we concentrate on sleeping for now. Shiryu yawned despite himself. It has to be close to one in the morning, and we've all had a rough night.One twenty one to be precise. Hyoga corrected, checking a watch Mia had given him. She had gotten each of the Knights something small when they first moved in to make them feel more at home. And actually, I'm worried about the group we're meeting, too, but I think we can only take this one step at a time.
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Who are these mysterious allies? I'm sure you've figured it out, but just in case you're reading this THAT late, I'll not tell you in hopes for a surprise next week!