Chapter Seventeen: Prophecy
A wrought iron gate stands between him and the fight. A lithe blond is engaged in battle with an ancient monster, and he can do nothing. He heaves on the metal, but it doesn't give an inch. A sense of urgency fills him, and he knows that he needs to be inside the doors if the woman is to succeed. The monster lashes out with stinging tentacles and although the blond dodges, she is still hit. He waits in vain for the woman to move, but she remains motionless. The demon moves in for the kill, but a voice stops time.
"You have a choice:" the voice says softly. "You can turn your back on her and walk away unscathed and unchanged. The prophecy will be unaffected by your choice. "
"Or?" he prompts, his voice quiet. "Or?"
The voice finishes. "Or you can weaken yourself to help her, and take the risk of one or both of you dying anyways." He glances at the charred ground, taking the destruction that has been released upon the fields once green and rich with crops.
"What happens outside the gates with each choice?" he asks. "What are the consequences?"
"They are unknowns." comes the reply. "You will have to wait and see."
He nods, his cool gaze fixated on the blond whose life lies in his hands. "She lives."
Nakago awoke from his dream, the sense of desperation from the images still lying with him. He reflected and knew that the mysterious blond was Solei.
'Why send me such a dream?" he asked himself, knowing that his decision in the dream meant more than just her life. 'Why show me her possible death?'
'Because the dream-spirits know you CARE, dimwit boy!'
Nakago growled at his inner voice. 'I do not care. She is a trifle to me, only another task.'
'Then why are you even bothering to argue with me about it?' the voice asked smugly. 'Why do you deny it?'
He just ignored the voice and turned his attention to the Mirror of Ray that lay safely in its pouch. He pulled it open and hesitated before running his fingers across the clouded surface, thinking of Solei as he did so. A flash of white light faded away from the mirror and he saw Solei standing alone in a small grotto in a forest not far from the border of Kutou. She shook her head and continued towards the apex of the four lands, her head held high and her glaive a crusty red from dried blood. He watched her walk away, thinking about the dream and about everything that had been said.
"I thought at first something might be there, but I was wrong. I apologize for my stupidity regarding my actions, and wish only to inform you that you will no longer see me, since it is evident you do not want to." She had left with those words. They echoed in his mind, making him reflect even more.
"Do not toy with her, General." the god of the underworld had said. "Do not play games with her heart." Games. That was what it all came down to. Was it all a game? She was no longer with Nuriko… He shook his head.
'All of this time with no opponent is making me weak.' he thought. He took a glance at his bookshelf before he left. The book entitled "Angel" was gone.
They all gathered in the large room, seated around the table in alternating pairs; boy girl, boy girl. Selene sat at the foot of the table, looking straight at Hotohori.
"The prophecy has existed for centuries, and every time either my sister or I have taken it upon ourselves to complete it."
He nodded gravely. "What is this prophecy?"
She took a deep breath. "Would you care to hear it in rhyme?" nods came from all around the table. "As you would, Raya, please oblige." With a nod, the red-head closed her eyes and drifted away to the first time she had spoken the Prophecy, the first time she had known what lay in store for her and the others who now hung on her every word.
"The gods have quarreled
Since the beginning of time
Over power and position
Opposition's sublime.
One has always sought control
Far beyond his rank
His power reaches far and wide
Into magics dark and dank.
To continue his line
His children were born
One for the night
One for the morn.
Solei and Selene
The sun and the moon
Were his vessels of power
Controlled by a tune.
Then they awoke
And got out of hand
Caelestis killed them
To retain his command.
The girls were reborn
To bring about his demise
And under other names
They were forced to live lies.
One was a Protector
The other, a Guide
Their mission was impossible
And they vanished inside.
Another vessel
Of power appeared
The Daughter of the God
A child to be feared.
Together the three
Could topple the god
Yet they were unable
As he had the Rod.
They found the Watcher
The observer of all
The only one
That could foresee the pall.
With her came
The elusive Queen
As ready to fight
As she had ever been.
Games are played
By only one
Most are successful
Once they are done.
The collection of few
Must fight together
If they hope to replace
Caelestis forever.
Such success cannot come
Without a small price
The life of a twin
Comes at the toss of a dice.
For she is the one
Who is forced to play games
And yet gets mixed up
Within the maze of names.
Every time
The group succeeds
The god reappears
To fulfill his needs.
It's an endless circle
Of death to partake
And then once more
The three will awake." She finished the prophecy and looked around to see the reactions of the gathered crew. Amber looked slightly taken aback, and Selene was contemplating something deeply, glancing at Hotohori as she thought. Nicole was unfazed, having heard the words before.
"So essentially we're only here to provide strength to Solei as she fights against Caelestis." Amber summarized.
"What's this Rod the prophecy mentions?" Hotohori asked.
"The Rod is a wand of sorts that controls our father's hoards and minions." Selene trailed her fingers across the tabletop, following the wood-grain. "The tone it emits used to control Solei and I as well."
"What about me?" Amber asked, seeming disappointed at her lack of mention.
"You are needed to keep the partnership separated."
"What?" Amber didn't understand Selene's slightly cryptic response.
Nicole clarified. "You get to keep the Demon God busy so he can't lend his strength to Caelestis."
"NASTY!" Everyone cringed at the volume of her voice.
"Please tone it down, Amber." Hotohori requested. "There are others in the palace."
She smiled guiltily. "Sorry bout that. But it's still nasty."
"It's not meant like that, Amber." Nicole tried to pacify the distraught girl.
Selene cleared her throat. "Not necessarily…"
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that you might be pushed into an uncomfortable situation, Amber." Selene looked as distraught as her eyes would allow. Tasuki shifted slightly in his seat to Amber's left, but remained silent. All of the girls noticed him and smiled slightly. The other guys were stumped.
"Where do I come into this?" Ryndacko asked seriously.
Nicole answered. "You are here to help me."
"Of course. And for you I shall turn gold into straw." Nicole laughed and relaxed against him.
"And the rest of us guys?" Tasuki asked. "Are we just supposed to hang around while the girls do all the work?" his face clearly said that this was not a good idea. "Girls couldn't pull it off." Four heads snapped towards him, flames building in their eyes as their fury took different channels. Amber was first to act, and the loud smack echoed throughout the room.
"I would prefer that you refrain from breaking chairs, Amber."
She grinned sheepishly at Hotohori. "Sorry…"
"GIRLS COULDN'T PULL IT OFF!" Raya's face was flushed, her entire body tense and ready to kill.
Tasuki seemed to recognize the error of his ways, yet his pride forced him to continue. "Well, ya'll failed the first time ya tried."
A flurry of knives pinned him to the ground where he still lay after Amber's attack. "You know nothing of the first try, Flame boy." He tried to move, but the daggers held firm. Selene glared and he stopped struggling. "Shall we show him what the girls can do?" she asked, looking around the table for approval. Even the guys nodded in consent.
"Gather round, ladies." Selene motioned for the others to join her, grinning malevolently down at her pinned captive. Four spiteful gazes intensified as they gathered around him. A loud clank interrupted the advancing females.
"Ryndacko…" Nicole's voice held a hint of warning.
"Aloha." He hadn't moved.
"What was that noise?" Raya's voice wavered slightly as she glanced around. Nothing was out of place.
Selene closed her eyes and recalled her knives from Tasuki's garments, releasing him from his confinement. "Who comes within this place uninvited?" Her tones were cold, and no weakness was to be found.
"I am Zephyr, child of the Demon God." Came the hissing reply.
Amber gripped her mallet tighter. "And I assume you're here to take me to him." She no longer had any questions.
"The partnership requires it."
Amber growled. "Tell my father he requires something else."
Zephyr was curious, but didn't move from his place in the shadows. "And what is that, little sister?"
"Castration."
Okay, that's all for now. I'll leave you here with this last word. Heh. Sry, but it's just my style.
Llama.
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MS