Chapter Eight
The sound of dripping water was getting on Driretlan's nerves as she traveled through the cave. It was her second day in there and there was no sign of an end, in addition she was injured, there had been a cave in earlier that blocked their way out and Jin was there, which wasn't so bad. Driretlan stepped off a rock and slipped on the slick ground she fell hard and Jin snapped his attention to her.
"You okay?" he asked
She nodded and heaved herself off of the ground. "I am fine." she smirked "Just a small spill on this damned cave floor." She stomped her foot on the hard rock. "I can't wait until I get the hell out of here."
Jin chuckled "Well, i feel the same way that you do. I don't like this place much."
Driretlan smirked "I can't blame you. You can't even feel the wind in here, and i know how much of a wind freak you are."
Jin crossed his arms. "What is wrong with liking the wind? I am a wind warrior after all." he said lowly.
A sudden strong gust of wind blew past them almost knocking them over.
"Well there is no need to get touchy Jin."
"That wasn't me." Jin said "That was definitely an unnatural wind."
Driretlan shrugged. "Then what was it?"
"Maybe we are close the exit." Jin smiled
"Always the optimist." Driretlan chuckled.
A loud banging sound echoed through the hallows of the cave. Jin looked around them seeing nothing. "Where could that be coming from?"
"I don't know, but where ever it is, it might be near the exit. Let's go." Driretlan said running ahead.
Always the hasty one. Jin thought smiling a bit. Hopefully this time it doesn't get us into trouble.
He followed her through a set of connecting narrow caverns, sliding to a stop behind her. She was stopped in front of a wall. "Dead end?" He muttered
"What the hell?" Driretlan snapped "I thought that there would be some sort of exit here."
"Maybe you are supposed to find an alternate exit." Jin smiled.
Driretlan spun around and glared at him. "What alternate exit? There is nothing here but a solid wall."
Jin smirked "This is a test after all Dri. You didn't think that they were going to hand it to you that easily. Try using your other senses."
Driretlan took a deep breath, "Right other senses." she closed her eyes and concentrated but nothing was coming to her.
"Well?" Jin asked
"Nothing." she sighed opening her eyes. "What other senses am I supposed to use?"
The loud banging noise rang out once more echoing more hauntingly than it did before.
"Maybe you should try your sense of hearing. Follow the noise more closely." Jin suggested.
"Great your an optimist and a genius." She smirked. Driretlan closed her eyes and listened as hard as she could, but the noise seemed to be coming from the other side of the wall, but with all the echo in the cave there was no way for her to be able to tell for sure where it was resonating from. "Damn...screw it. I am going through that wall." She growled.
Jin looked at her puzzled. "What do you mean go through...are you planning on blasting your way through that wall?" He asked
"Yep." Driretlan said "Unless you have a better idea." she said taking a fighting stance.
"Well i don't but...." he started
This is her test Jin let her do as she pleases. Jin thought. Besides she is right most of the time.
"But what?" she asked
"Never mind." Jin smiled "Do as you please."
Driretlan smirked, "okay, you asked for it."
She took a back stance and pulled out her sword. The tip ignited in flames and she closed her eyes muttering a chant. a fiery symbol appeared at her feet and then the entire sword became engulfed in flames that licked up Driretlan's arms. She took another step back before launching herself at the wall with her sword in a thrusting position. She slammed the Terrifen into the wall, causing a crater as the hot flames ate away at the rock. The heat around her grew to an almost unbearable temperature, and she hadn't even broken through to the other side yet. Driretlan gave it another boost of energy and she tore through the wall in an explosion of flames. She landed out of breath. "Damn, it took long enough." she cursed.
Jin jogged over to her. "Are you all right?" he asked
"Yea fine." she smirked looking at the huge whole in the wall. On the other side was another long stretch of caverns. "Great looks like we have more walking to do."
Jin nodded. "It does look that way." He smirked.
Driretlan dropped her head, "Why must it be this way...why can't the cave be smaller, that way i could kill who ever is making that annoying noise and get the hell out of here."
Jin smirked "Always wanting the easy way out."
"Damn right." She smirked walking through the hole. "Now lets get moving i want to get this over with."
Jin nodded and followed her.
Meanwhile
Kixston sat glaring at a priest, deep anger burned in his eyes. "Now for the fifth time tell me why in the hell did you send her in there?!" he growled
"He did say that it was for some sort of test." Kaneda pointed out.
"I know that!" Kixston yelled standing up from the large oak table. "I want to know why the hell he thought she could handle something like that! She is far to weak for something of such magnitude, you do realize if she is killed in there that you are totally screwed! It will be easy for someone to swipe a wandering soul!"
The priest sighed "I do realize this, but the lady will be fine. She is plenty strong for this."
Kixston let out a frustrated sigh, "And if she isn't?"
"Precautions have been taken." he said slowly.
"What kind of precautions?" Ichigo asked
"If she is killed in there her spirit will be trapped forever with in the walls of that cave." The priest muttered
"Oh that is lovely." Kixston growled "Then what do you do about the problem with the weapons, there is no way that a few monks like you can possibly keep them safe."
"Hmphf. It comes down to that i will take the weapons." Daruis said walking into the room.
Kixston let out a low growl, "Like hell you will. I will."
Kaneda sighed "Neither of you will take them, i will. They did belong to my brother before they did Driretlan, and if she is dead then i will take possession of them. That is final." he said in a serious tone.
Daruis smirked "Then it is settled, he will take the weapons in the case of her death."
So he is the final guardian, i guess that this could actually be it. I knew that there was something different about that girl. Daruis thought. Those old stories were right, the group has gathered. Whether or not that kid can handle the power that will be given to her is the question. If she loses it, it is all over. then again if she can control it destruction will be avoided. Then again she could decide to kill us all anyway.
"Just a question, how come you weren't with the first group." Darius asked looking directly at Kaneda.
"What do you mean?" Kaneda asked reading through his book again.
"You are a guardian you are supposed to be with her." Daruis said coldly "Or do you just like to neglect your duties."
"Hey. Watch what you say." Kixston growled
"What duties?" Kaneda asked looking over the top of his book at Daruis.
"Your duties as a guardian." Daruis said
"There are certain things that you are supposed to do, things that are you supposed to fulfill." a monk explained
"Like?" Kixston growled
"There will be a time and place for explanation." The priest said. "Darius, think before you start to ask your questions."
Daruis smirked and walked off into the shadows of the halls.
I will just have to get a clear answer later as to why he is so late.... Darius thought.
Kixston started to walk off too.
"Where are you going?" Sharon asked
"To get some air, and check out that cave that this idiot has been blabbing on and one about." Kixston muttered.
"You can't go into the cave." The monk snapped
"And why the hell not!" Kixston growled.
"It is a sacred place that few can enter. Even if you wanted to go in you can't. The cave won't allow it, so you will just have to stay put until she returns." The preist explained
"How are we to get the weapons out if we can't enter the cave?!" Kixston snapped
"You can't, but your friend can." the priest muttered
"Which friend?" Sharon asked
Kaneda flipped the page on his book. "He means me." He sighed. "The same blood runs through our veins, Dri and I that is." He explained "If that cave will let her in it will let me in also."
The priest nodded.
"Great so i have to rely on you." Kixston groaned.
Kaneda smirked "Call it a partnership if you like. but you are stuck working with me for a while Kixston. Might as well get used to it, and lose the attitude."
Kixston sneered and walked out of the room.
Great i have to deal with him....plus i have to find a way to persuade them to help with Cronic's little competition. Hopefully Dri will have it together for once and be out of there alive. Kixston thought as he walked into the deep of the halls.
Lunus walked slowly through the seemingly endless plains that fell before him. His patience started to run low, he had been traveling for a while now not knowing where in the hell he was going. He had just picked a direction and hoped that it was the right way. He fiddled with the sword on his side. He pulled it out of the sheath the blade was a dull red color. "This isn't the Terrifen...but just a normal sword." he muttered "Which means Dri has it." Lunus let out a long sigh. "Time truly has gone on normally, which means that every thing will be different. Hopefully that monastery will be in the same place. Otherwise i am screwed." he re-sheathed the sword and walked on down the field. There was a dull roaring noise behind him and he spun around to see a motorcycle in the distant horizon. He stopped and watched it approach as it grew closer the figure of Cronic Hazel could be made out. "What the..." Lunus muttered
Cronic Hazel sped by Lunus then made a quick u turn and drove back sliding to a stop in front of him. He looked him over quickly. "You eyes are oddly familiar." He muttered
"May I ask why you are paying attention to my eyes?" Lunus asked
Cronic snorted "Don't get any ideas about it. I just thought that i had seen them before." He growled
Lunus rolled his eyes then it hit him, "Have you seen a girl named Driretlan?" He asked quickly
Cronic thought for a second, "Can't say that I have...then again i rarely take names." He smirked
Lunus glared at him.
"Unless she is that girl who travels with that fool Kixston." Cronic said.
Lunus smirked "That would probably be her, thank you for all of your help." He said jogging off.
"What help is he talking about?" Cronic sneered
If he is looking for Kixston maybe i could find where he ran off to by following this blue haired idiot. Cronic thought.
Cronic then turned and sped off. "It is amazing to me how many fools there are in this world, so all easily manipulated."
Lunus was walking up the field the in same direction that Cronic sped off in. "I wonder if she went to the monastery with Kixston. hmf. Maybe he even found Kaneda and convinced him to go....but if he did that he must of relayed the message of my death...and not even Kaneda would believe that i am alive after that, but maybe he will. Hopefully he will." Lunus muttered "Other wise i am so screwed."
Johnny had gotten past his fuming stage to his deep thinking stage. He was sitting on his throne thinking of a way to enact his latest plan. A demon came up behind his throne.
"Sir, I have what you requested." It said bowing slightly.
"Thank you Azrath." Johnny sighed "Well where is the soul of Mitara?"
"It is located on earth, it is sealed into the stone of Angushtri Mountain." Azrath explained.
Johnny smirked "I thought that it would be." He stood up "Come with me Azrath, we shall retrieve it and revive the body as well."
Azrath nodded "But sir, what are you planning on doing with the soul and body?"
"I will use it to my benefit. There can only be one benefactor to Luludi's soul, and if I have Mitara in my possession, the power of Driretlan's soul will be rendered useless. Then i can kill her and use Mitara to gain the power of the Shuvanis Panch." Johnny explained "It is quite simple."
Azrath nodded once more "I see sir. What a brilliant plan."
"Of course it is." Johnny said disappearing.
He reappeared in a cavern inside of Angushtri mountain. Azrath soon joined him.
"This is the place master." Azrath said
"Where would they seal a soul in this place? It has to be beyond capacity." Johnny wondered aloud.
"Maybe there is a special area." Azrath suggested
"Maybe so." Johnny muttered walking deeper into the cavern. Skulls and bones lay strewn about inside the cave. There were odd designs on the wall drawn in blood, some of which were still relatively fresh. The deeper into the cave Johnny went the thicker the air became, it was thick with energy.
"Master there is a lot of energy coming from this place." Azrath pointed out
"It is because this is the burial ground for evil souls. Shamans seal the souls into this stone thinking that they will never escape to cause havoc once again." Johnny explained. "It is truly foolish of them to do such a thing." Johnny waved his hand and the designs on the wall glowed and the air grew even thicker. There was a great wind that picked up suddenly and thousands of souls poured out from the walls rushing out of the cave.
Azrath smirked while watching the work of his master. "Where would this area be master?"
"Ahead most likely." Johnny sighed as a few spirits swirled around him. He grabbed one and twisted it around his finger. "Simple creatures souls are. They have no goal no nothing, they just wander aimlessly."
Azrath chuckled looking ahead. There was a room with a mummified body and bloody inscriptions ever where.
"That looks as though it is the room." Johnny muttered walking ahead. He entered the room and a small field of energy tried to stop him but he easily pushed through it. He walked over to the body and waved his hand over it. "hmmm who ever did this didn't do a very good job. Azrath take this back to hell and fix it. We need the perfect vessel, not a rotting one. And i will start on reviving the spirit."
Azrath took the body and disappeared.
Johnny turned to the inscription covered petastool that the body was on. "now for the hard part." He muttered
Later on
Hotaru slinked out from the shadows of a cave and slung some of her weapons over her shoulder. "I can't exactly go back to hell. I doubt that Johnny is happy with me, and I really don't want to die." She muttered.
outside the cave there was a large waterfall and stream leading off from it. Hotaru started to jump rock to rock over the stream.
Darkwolf appeared in front of Hotaru. "I was wondering where you went off to." She smirked "I see that you have your things does that mean that you won't be returning?"
Hotaru nodded "Johnny won't exactly welcome my warmly."
"Well you did betray him after all."
"I wasn't about to let him kill an innocent person." Hotaru growled
"You know that you can't run forever, he will find you." Darkwolf said
"And i care why?"
"I want to help you though. I have done some things like the ones that you did. But i pulled them off better." Darkwolf smirked "I know some good places that you can lye low."
"I don't want to lye low. I want to get away and live my life the way i was ment to." Hotaru said. "It wasn't my choice to work under Johnny, not that i am complaining he isn't half bad. But i haven't gotten a chance to live my life like you did. So that is what i am off to do."
Darkwolf nodded "I won't tell him that I found you...just watch yourself while you are out there. I can't always look out for you."
Hotaru nodded and Darkwolf disappeared. "You watch yourself too...there is more going on than even Johnny knows. And it may come to a head soon."
A figure appeared behind Hotaru, "Sooner than you think." It sneered
Hotaru spun around to see Gothic. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded.
"I am your worst nightmare kid." Gothic chuckled "I am here to end your misery on the orders of my master."
"Johnny?" Hotaru asked
"No, someone with more power than him." Gothic cackled
"More power than Johnny? You are delusional. There is no one with more power than him, he is the devil. There is none with more power....unless you work for the one upstairs.."
"him, pch. never." Gothic sneered "You don't need to know who my master is now. All you need to know for now is that he has sent me to kill you for helping that pathetic Lunus."
Hotaru pulled out her swords "Bring it. I will kill you." She growled
Gothic chuckled "Whatever helps you sleep at night kid."
Dark storm clouds started to roll in and thunder clashed in the distance. Gothic smirked evilly while staring down Hotaru. "You have no chance kid."
Hotaru let out a low growl. "That is what you think, get ready to die." Hotaru jumped off her rock and launched herself at Gothic.
Gothic dodged and landed skillfully on another stepping stone. "Come, come. Charging me like that will get you no where. You must have more skill than that." Gothic laughed.
Hotaru snarled "I'll show you skill." Hotaru closed her eyes and concentrated, the water level in the stream rose and swashed around her feet. "This is skill."
"Hmf. You can make a little bit of water flow...I am not impressed." Gothic snapped.
"Well you had better be." Hotaru snapped as the water level rose more. cyclones of water circled around her hand and she blasted them at Gothic who dodged them by back flipping out of the way.
Gothic landed gracefully on a stepping stone. "That was pathetic." She laughed "can't you do better?"
Hotaru let out a low growl. "I'll show you better." more water swirled around her and it tidal waved over gothic. "how is that for better?"
Gothic stood strong through the cascade of water. "Was that all you had? That was pathetic. I will show you real power." energy swirled around Gothic.
Oh shit. Hotaru thought. I am going to have to do a lot better than i have been to beat her.
Gothic smiled sadistically. "Are you ready to take me on little girl, you don't have a chance in the world against me." she formed a huge fireball and tossed it at Hotaru who shot a blast of water at it putting it out.
"Fire won't work against me, i think that it is you who doesn't have the chance." Hotaru smirked
Gothic let out a low growl.
Master was right i will have to use the special flame against this pathetic girl. I was hoping to use this to kill that girl Driretlan but this one will make a good test subject. Gothic thought.
I have the upper hand in this one, she is a fire and i am a water element. I can beat her easily. Hotaru thought.
Hotaru jumped forward and a burst of water propelled her even faster and farther, she slammed into Gothic with a bone crunching punch to the stomach. She then hit her with a hook kick, an uppercut and a combo of rounds and spinning side kicks. Hotaru jumped to the shore to catch her breath and unleashed a powerful water attack on Gothic. "That should take care of it." She muttered
Gothic stood on the rock un-phased. "was that all you had kid, this will be easier than i thought." Gothic gathered her energy and then pulled it to the palm of her hand where it formed into a flame that flickered a deep black color. "Immortal flame." She muttered. Gothic charged toward Hotaru who formed a sheild of water around herself.
"Seriously, you can't beat me." Hotaru said.
Gothic punched the shield and the water evaporated. The punch landed square in her chest and Hotaru was thrown back. "Now for the finisher!" Gothic yelled running for the down Hotaru. Just as she was about to land another punch Johnny appeared and blocked it.
"I hate to do this to a lady but." He said forming a flame around his fist and punching Gothic.
Gothic was thrown back into the river, Hotaru took the opportunity to have the river swallow Gothic.
Johnny looked down at Hotaru, "You are going to come with me." He said picking her up and disappearing in a pillar of flame.
Once the water receded Gothic climbed out and coughed a bit. "Damnit, that is twice that I have failed. I will not do it once more, I will destroy that girl."
Driretlan entered a narrow cavern followed by Jin. "Well this place is cozy." she muttered
Jin smiled "Well if that is what you think." he kicked a rock as he felt along the wall. He could see a light at the end of the cavern. "I think that may be our exit."
Driretlan nodded "I agree, lets get a move on." She said impatiently. She hurried out of the cavern to see a larger one that was lined with stalagmites that had burning candles on the top of them. In the corner of the room a large man was working on a makeshift anvil pounding on something with a huge hammer. "Well this is great."
"He might just know the way out Dri, after all he is the only living in here." Jin said.
"Either that or he is the last part of the test." She muttered.
"Only one way to find out." Jin smirked
"I am on it." Driretlan said walking toward the guy. "Hey you, do you have any clue how to get out of this cave other than going back the way I came. It is kind of caved in."
The guy just stood there pounding on the anvil, ignoring her.
"Hey I was talking to you!" she snapped.
The guy just kept pounding and the loud banging echoed through the cave. He didn't turn around no matter how loud Driretlan yelled.
She walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder "Hey!" she yelled
The guy turned around and glared at her. He had deep red eyes and scars that covered his rough face and bald head. "What." he growled, his deep booming voice echoed through the caverns almost as loud as the hammer banging did.
"I want to know the way out." Driretlan said
"There is no way out.." he said dryly
"There has to be!" Driretlan protested.
"Only if you finish the test may you leave, you haven't done that, and you won't."
"What do you mean won't!" Driretlan snapped. "Have i done all this shit for nothing!"
The man shook his head and laughed "You stupid girl. You broke the rules you had assistance and that is forbidden." He growled "You have angered the spirits locked away in this cave by bringing him! Now you must die!" He picked up his large hammer and swung it at Driretlan. She swiftly dodged and it smashed into the ground making a small crater.
"Jin, stay back. I got this guy." she said as she saw Jin move out of the corner of her eye. "he can't be that tough."
Jin smiled and shook his head backing up some. "Just be careful, don't under estimate your enemy."
Driretlan pulled out her sword and took a defensive stance. "Bring it big guy." She smirked.
The guy stood frozen looking at the sword for a minuet then he smirked "You can't beat me with that." He said coldly.
"Wanna bet?" She said lunging forward out of her defensive stance. She pulled her sword into a slashing position then pulled it into a stabbing one. The man used his hammer to block and a blue aura appeared between the weapons. It expanded and Driretlan flew back slamming into a wall.
The man charged towards her pulling his hammer back into a slamming position. Driretlan rolled out of the way again before he could strike. The wall collapsed when the hammer hit it with great force.
"Shit." Driretlan muttered, she got up and charged for the man's back.
This bastard's weapon has some weird effect on mine. so I'll injure him from behind, maybe then he will talk. She thought.
She plunged the Terrifen into his shoulder and he swung his body around quickly and smacked her with the hammer sending her flying across the cavern through stalactites and stalagmites. A bone crunching noise echoed through the cavern when she hit the wall.
The man smiled a bit. "One like you should not have these esteemed weapons." He said coldly "And the penalty for holding one is death."
"Why am I not shocked to hear that? What is with you people and killing me?" she muttered pulling herself to her feet.
"Dri, watch yourself." Jin cautioned.
"I will." she smirked
The man stepped away from the wall with the Terrifen still dug into his shoulder, he held his hammer in his hand ready to use it again. "This time i will kill you." he took heavy steps toward her.
Driretlan glared at him, "Give my sword back you bastard, and i will prove you wrong." she growled
The man stopped and pulled the sword out of his shoulder like it caused him no pain to do so, then he threw it at Driretlan. She caught it in between her hands and threw it up into the air catching it again, she swung it around a few times.
"That is better. So ready to meet your doom big man?" She teased.
The man just charged forward, with his hammer high.
"Predicable." She muttered striding to the side. She swung her sword wide and sliced open his side.
He swung his hammer her direction and she ducked then jumped back. He looked at the wound on his side, then it healed shut.
"What the hell!" Driretlan yelled
He just smirked and charged at her again, she clashed her sword with his hammer.
"Who the hell are you?!" she demanded through gritted teeth.
"Saster, the blacksmith. Not that it is your business." He growled back as the blue aura rose again. This time before it could explode on Driretlan she jumped back and rose a fire shield just as it blew up sending the blast back at Saster. He reflected it sending it barreling into the wall.
"Damn.." She muttered letting her shield down.
I have to figure out a way to kill him other than using the Terrifen. Call it a hunch but i think that it won't have an effect on him. She thought. There has to be a way that i can kill him.
Driretlan dodged several of Saster's attacks while still in deep thought. Out of frustration she pulled out spell breaker and sliced open his stomach. "Do you mind!" she yelled "sheesh I am trying to think here, and if you want to kill me try not leaving yourself open that is annoying the hell out of me."
Jin chuckled "She always has time for that."
Saster let out a low growl. He took a deep breath and shot fire out of his mouth at Driretlan. She blocked her face but the rest of her was burned.
"Do you know how disgusting that is." She growled kicking him in the face. "Now i have your spit all over me."
Saster swung his hammer and hit Driretlan in the side when she was off guard sending her flying into the wall again. It crumbled around her and he charged again preparing to crush her beneath the debris.
Jin jumped between the two putting his arms out. "You aren't doing that on my watch."
Saster brought his hammer up to strike Jin over the head when he hit a force field a white light flooded the cave for a second and Saster was thrown back. He picked himself back up. "how." he muttered coldly.
Jin looked puzzled and smiled "I haven't done that one before."
Driretlan pulled herself out of the fallen rock. "well it was a great help Jin. Thanks." she muttered. she stood up shakily, her whole left side ached where she was struck she started to collapse but used her sword to balance.
My hip has to be crushed, with all the blood coming I am guessing that is what he did. Shit! She thought. I can't move around like this, and that guy is still kicking. If the pain were the only issue i would have no problem but my muscles won't let me move.
She started to walk forward using her sword as a crutch. "I'll just have to fry his ass." she muttered.
"What are you doing! You can't fight him like this. let me." Jin offered.
"That is nice of you Jin, but this is my fight." Driretlan said.
Jin nodded.
Driretlan hobbled forward and stopped when she was a safe distance away from Jin. "I'm going to let you test out something for me. Feel privileged you will be the first person that I have ever tried this on." She smirked
Saster just stared her down and tapped his hammer against his hand.
Driretlan concentrated her energy and a large aura surrounded her body. "I can't win with my sword so i will win with this!" she yelled conjuring a fireball into her hands, she launched it at Saster and he tried to block it with his hammer but it over power it engulfing him. Driretlan took a deep breath getting ready for another attack, she had figured out by now that these guys weren't that easy to beat. Soon enough Saster stepped out of the flames and glared at her, his clothed were charred and blisters had formed on his skin. "Figures." she muttered
Saster just smiled evilly and charged towards her, she conjured a flame wall that blocked his hammer from smashing her, but then he used the spike on the end of his hammer to stab her.
Driretlan shrieked and felt her energy drain from her body. Her aura dissipated along with her flames. She fell back and when Saster was about to bring his hammer down on her a large gust of wind blew him back.
Jin ran over to her. "Come on Dri. You can't take him your hurt too bad." he said
Driretlan shook her head, "I have to kill him, it is my only way out I know it." She mumbled
"can you stand?" Jin asked
Driretlan shook her head, "You have to help me kill him Jin." she muttered
"You saw how his wounds healed, he is like an immortal." jin said.
Then it hit Driretlan, "Even immortals can die...Jin! I have to stab him through the heart with my sword." she explained. "That is how you kill a vampire...I can kill him this way too."
"He isn't a vampire Dri." Jin pointed out.
"I know that.. just trust me. Help me stand up." She said
Jin lifted her and she pulled her sword up, and she started to fall again but Jin caught her. "Be more careful." he said
"I am..." she growled
Saster had recuperated himself and was coming their way. Jin tried to knock him back with another gust of wind but Saster stood strong. "Dri, can you think fast?"
Driretlan nodded she was already thinking. As Saster got closer Jin picked up Driretlan and backed up until he was against a wall.
"Not good." he muttered.
Driretlan slid out of his arms and stared down Saster thinking. "I could.. shit.. I can't walk...." she muttered
"I could launch you with my wind.. you would just have to have good aim and be careful on the landing." He said
She nodded "Sounds good to me." she stood shakily with her sword in position. "I am ready when you are."
Jin nodded and focused his wind power shooting her forward towards Saster, she had enough speed that Saster had no time to react and she pierced his heart. But as sort of a delayed reaction he hit her with his hammer again, this time it was weaker. Even so the attack was strong and she was thrown into the wall.
Saster fell to his knees and his eyes and mouth glowed with a bright blue light that seemed to be bursting from with in. He let out a deep yell and grabbed his face. A light engulfed the room and Jin shielded his eyes. When the light cleared there was only a pile of bones and a rust hammer where Saster once was.
Jin walked over to it curiously, in the pile of bones there was a bright green gem, he picked it up. There was a spot that looked like a sword had gone through, then the spot seemed to recover it self leaving a flawless gem. Jin picked up the stone then jogged over to Driretlan who lay half buried in a pile of rubble. "You still alive Dri?" he asked pulling the rocks off of her.
Driretlan moved and tried to sit up, "Yea i think so..." She muttered "I killed him right?"
Jin smiled and nodded "You killed him all right. He is just a pile of bones." He brushed the rest of the rubble off of her and pulled her to a sitting position. "But it looks as though you were wrong about killing him and finding an exit."
Driretlan sighed "There has to be a way out of here." she muttered "Did you find anything that might help us?"
Jin nodded slowly and pulled the gem out of his pocket. "Does this count?" he smirked
Driretlan nodded "Yea it does, maybe there is a place to put it that reveals a door or something." She chuckled "Either that or it is here to look pretty."
Jin sighed "Well we can look for that after we wrap those wounds on your sides." He untied the bandages on his arms. "You will have to sit up a bit further Dri."
She nodded and sat on her knees. "Just don't cut off the circulation." she chuckled
Jin smirked and tied the bandages around her waist closing the wounds. "I knew that those may come in handy someday."
She shook her head as he tied them off. "I am guessing after we get out of this hell hole you are going to have someone do that right."
Jin nodded "You wouldn't want to die from an infection." he said. "Shall we look for where this belongs now?"
Driretlan started to nod when she saw a bright white ball floating in the air in front of her. "What in the hell is that?" she asked pointing at it.
Jin looked to where she was pointing and saw nothing. "What are you talking about Dri? I don't see anything."
"Bull, there is a floating white ball thingy beside your head." she argued.
"I think that the blood loss is effecting you." he said "I will look for it you stay here and rest."
Driretlan had her eyes locked on the floating ball, it suddenly moved to a nearby wall. "No, it isn't. Jin pull me up, i have to follow that ball of light. I think that it is telling me something."
Jin sighed and helped her up. "Where is it?"
She pointed to the wall. "there." she said.
Jin walked her over to the wall and then stopped. The ball of light sunk into the wall and Driretlan touched the spot where it had been. Suddenly a red symbol appeared on the wall it was glowing and flickering brightly. "I guess that you weren't wrong Dri."
Driretlan smirked "when am I wrong?" she chuckled "wait.. don't answer that."
Jin smiled, "So what now?"
She took out the gem and handed it to Jin. "I would guess that you put it into the center of the symbol." she said.
Jin nodded and placed the gem in the center of the symbol. It glowed brightly for a second then the light faded. "Hmm."
Then out of the wall stepped a woman dressed in battle armor, she was glowing an eerie color but she had a sincere smile on her face. "So, you succeeded." she walked over to Driretlan "I am very proud."
Driretlan looked at her confused. "What do you mean? Who are you?" she asked backing away a bit.
The woman smiled "I am your blood your ancestor." she explained
"You would be Lady Luludi." Jin said.
The woman nodded. "that i am." she looked over Driretlan, "You look battered, it seems as though my father is tougher than he let on." she said with a slight laugh
"That was your dad?!" Driretlan gasped, "Shit that makes him old, an old man had me on the run...damn i am losing it."
"I thought that he was killed." Jin pointed out.
Luludi nodded. "That he was, He was kept alive by the spell that Jevlin put on him. He was put here to kill all who get this far and stop them from obtaining what this cave holds."
Jin nodded, "Makes sense. Jevlin wanted a failsafe just incase he did die."
"Sounds like an asshole to me." Driretlan coughed "So where is this damned thing that i am supposed to obtain? and which way is out?"
Luludi chuckled "You are ambitious i will give you that. Follow me."
"Hold on a sec, how do i know that you won't try to kill me?" Driretlan asked
"By trusting your heart instead of your instincts." She explained "Something that will become imperative to know."
Driretlan sighed "Great....just lead the way miss follow your heart."
Luludi laughed and walked off and Jin followed with Driretlan.
"I think that she has lost it." Driretlan muttered yawning.
Jin smirked "that may be so." he pulled Driretlan's arm up over his shoulder further. "Some people may have thought that you have lost it as well."
Driretlan shot him a sideways glare. "Let them. Just because they think so doesn't make it so."
Luludi lead them to a dead end, she simply touched the wall and it dissolved to reveal a room filled with shimmering white crystals and a bright pool of water.
"Wow, this is pretty." Driretlan said.
Luludi nodded. "I used to come here all the time as a child and play. But that was before the curse was put on the cave and the souls were trapped within these walls."
Driretlan nodded "I figured as much, souls aren't trapped in this large of quantity with out a curse involved. Especially the souls of demons." she growled
"Dri." Jin started
"My parents souls are damned here for eternity because of that guy... when i first agreed to this it was for the challenge of becoming stronger, now it is a personal vendetta. I want to take his soul and send it to the depths of hell." she snapped
Luludi nodded "as did the others, but they never made it passed my father. You are the first person ever to do that. I applaud you." Luludi said, "But don't think that because you beat him you are hot stuff. Let me tell you something, there are people after these weapons that are stronger than you could ever imagine, even higher powers maybe. So you need to watch yourself otherwise you will be killed and your soul, once it leaves this cave is fair game. and that is all they need to unlock full power. it will take years of training for you to be able to reach a level where you can take care of these opponents. So you must always be on your toes ready for a new opponent to appear."
"Then what the hell do you expect me to do until then?" Driretlan snapped
"You have guardians for that reason, and the help of..." she started but she caught the look in Jin's eyes.
[Don't tell her whose soul i share my body with yet. I want to do that on my own, when the time is right.] Jin said telepathically.
Luludi nodded "and the help of those around you." she added. "Take care of them and yourself." she walked over to the water. "Come drink this, it will heal your wounds and give your strength back."
Driretlan nodded and Jin helped her over to the pool of water where she took a drink of the crystal water. Almost immediately after drinking the water she passed out and her body started to glow a light red color.
Jin took a fighting stance. "What did you do to her!" he yelled
"It is integrating into her system, that is what this cave holds this mystic water that was distilled by Shuvanis. If you don't trust me ask him." she smirked
Jin nodded and relaxed sitting down, "How long will she be out?" he asked
"Hard to tell, depends on how much power she has. But she will come out of it fine." Luludi said as she began to fade. "Please take care of her, she is the last of my daughters."
Jin nodded "I will take care of her."
Luludi nodded and disappeared.
Jin let out a long sigh. "It seems as though i am in deep. Who knew that saving her would get me pulled into this."
[Best not complain Jin. the worst is yet to come.] Shuvanis said
[Why do you say that? Did you have another vision?] Jin asked worried. The last few visions that Shuvanis had weren't so pretty and Jin was afraid to see any of the newer ones.
[I haven't yet, but combining my intuition and the last few premonitions. things don't look to good.] Shuvanis explained.
[Any good news?] Jin asked hopefully
[Yes, once Driretlan awakens you will be able to leave this cave.] he explained
Jin let out a sigh of relief. "Well it is good that we won't be stuck in here forever." he slid down and leaned against the edge of the pool. "I am going to take a quick rest, hopefully Dri will be awake by then." he glanced over at her. she was scrunched up into a small ball and still was glowing.
Kixston stood at the mouth of the cave looking in. It didn't seem so peculiar to him, it just looked like a normal cave. If it wasn't for the magical aura emitting from it he would have thought so.
I can't believe that I have to rely on that Kaneda guy to get the weapons out of here when she dies. This is bull shit. Only if Lunus was still alive....but that guy who I fought did fight like Lunus and he sure as hell looked like him. Kixston thought. If it wasn't for that winged guy i might have found out if that was Lunus, then i could have put her worries to rest. Even after all these years she wants to believe so badly that he is alive. he is the last of her family, or so she thinks. and why the hell didn't she know that Kaneda was her brother, when she first met him she didn't know who the hell he was. What kind of family is that? With the way that she acts when someone talks about her family you would think that she would know who her own brother is.
Kixston kicked a rock into the cave mouth and it bounced back at him. "Well that is dandy, that old man was right." he let out a long sigh. "So I will have to depend on that fool to get them out. Damn."
"Be thankful for what you have Kixston. at least he can help you." Ichigo said hoping out of a tree. "After all with out Kaneda you would be totally screwed.... besides the weapons are going to Kaneda not you so why do you care so much?"
"Because if they fall into the wrong hands, it will automatically involve me. I would have to go out there and kill them." He growled
"So now you are becoming a vigilante. That is the last thing i thought you would become."
"It isn't that way." he muttered "You wouldn't understand why i would do it anyway, you can't understand."
"Try me." Ichigo said.
"It is not your business to try!" He snapped "I have my reasons for doing things in life, and i have my reasons for doing things when it comes to her. All of which aren't concerns of a mere human such as yourself."
Ichigo sighed "You know it isn't healthy to repress things."
"Who said that i was repressing!" he yelled "I said that it was none of your business! That has nothing to do with repressing."
Ichigo smirked "Sure it does, you won't tell anyone your problem that has to do with repressing. Listen if you dont' want to tell me that is okay. I thought it might be good for you to get it out you know." she watched him hoping that he would crack, ever since he met Driretlan and him she wondered what the nature of their relationship was. It was obvious that he cared for her and that he was trying to deny it.
Kixston sighed "Well i am glad that is covered. I am not going to tell you, and i never will."
Ichigo let out a low growl, "You are impossible!" she yelled
He glared at her. "Why do you say that. Frustrated that i won't talk to you."
She nodded "From the second that i met you and Dri i wondered what kind of relationship you guys had. I found out that you raised her, but i knew that there was something more there. I wasn't sure what and i am dying to find out."
Kixston chuckled dryly. "There isn't anything there to wonder about. We just act how we act becuase she is used to me, our personalities clash...and.. that is it." he muttered looking at Ichigo.
She could tell by his eyes that he was sad about something, but she wasn't sure what it was or why. He seemed to complex yet so simple, but despite that she couldn't figure him out. "Oh, well if that is it then.. I guess that i thought wrong. Either that or you are in denial of it yourself, which ever way it is. I will find out the truth." she said before leaving.
Kixston let out a long sigh, "In denial of what?" he muttered. He walked up to the mouth of the cave and touched the invisible barrier.
I just hope that she comes out okay. he thought.
He walked to the stone edge and sat down leaning his sword against his shoulder.
Kaneda sat in a tree watching. "Looks like that priest was wrong, there isn't any one here that has shoulder length brown hair. Wonder where he wandered off to." he muttered. "Hope he didn't run into trouble of some sort."
Kixston looked up at Kaneda "What are you talking about?" he asked
"There is supposed to be a person here with shoulder length brown hair and he isn't here." Kaneda explained
"you mean Jin?" Kixston said "He was supposed to be here? Then where is he?"
"You tell me." Kaneda said jumping out of the tree.
Kixston sighed "Well we know that he can't go into that cave, so i say that we look for the kid and give him a good long talk."
"Sounds good to me. I need something to occupy me." Kaneda smirked
"Why not read that book of yours." Kixston teased.
"Because when i start to read it i start to think. And it is bothering me, so if i am occupied i won't think."
"Yes, because we all know how dangerous you thinking is." Kixston chuckled
Kaneda sighed "whatever. Are we going to go now?'
Kixston nodded and got up, "Lets roll."
As they were walking off they felt a power surge come from the cave. They both turned around and looked at the mouth of the cave.
"What was that.?" Kaneda asked
"A power surge, i think that Dri might be fighting or something." He sighed "Come on lets find the kid."
Kaneda nodded and followed.
Just be careful Driretlan, I told Lunus that i would take care of you. And i would hate to break a promise between brothers.
A little later
Driretlan slowly woke up and looked around. "What the hell happened?" she asked
Jin smirked "You were knocked out, I guess that water had something to it."
She sighed "Yea guess so." she muttered.
"Well are you up to leaving?" he asked
She nodded "Yea lets get out of this hell hole." she said
Jin walked over to her and helped her to her feet. "Let's go then."
She nodded walking a bit. Her hips still hurt but she still walked to the end of the cavern and stared at the wall that she was getting a weird vibe from. "I think that this is our exit. There is something really weird about this wall."
Jin nodded "Yea i can feel it too."
She walked up to the wall, it was cold solid stone. "Well i think that i will have to attack my way through again."
Jin nodded "Well have at it. Don't injure yourself further though." he smirked
"I won't." she pulled out her sword and concentrated some of her energy into a flame. Her sword burst into flame and she was caught off guard.
Woah that hasn't happened before, that was supposed to be a small flame. Maybe that water threw my concentration off. She thought.
She shrugged it off and charged the wall. When her sword hit the stone it became almost liquid like and her attack bounced back at her then she fell through the wall.
"That is my cue." he muttered racing toward the wall and going through it as well. he tripped and landed on top of Driretlan on the other side.
Kaneda came around the corner, "Hey your the kid." he said. "What are you doing on top of my sister?"
Jin rolled off Driretlan blushing a bit. "I fell..." he muttered.
Driretlan looked up at Kaneda. "Since when was i your sister?" she asked
Kaneda smirked "Since you were born. I guess that Lunus neglected to mention me."
She thought for a second about all the things that her brother had ever told her or talked about and she remembered something about finding the other if something were to happen to him. "I guess that he might have, but i was really little. And i can barely remember it."
Kaneda smirked "Understandable."
Jin got up and pulled Driretlan to her feet. Her attack had cut her up a bit but other than that all her visible injuries were gone. He smiled "Well looks like that water has got something to it."
Kaneda cocked an eyebrow "Which water?"
"The water that is in the cave." Driretlan explained "It was given to me by a ghost."
"We'll explain later." Jin added quickly.
"wait.. you were in there?" Kixston asked leaning against the tree. "The preist said that only blood of Luludi could enter."
"I am not sure how i entered." Jin said "I just heard a scream and went in."
"If we wouldn't have i would have died. Those spirits kept pressing their way into my body." she said.
Kixston's eyes widened then he narrowed them. "Maybe if you didn't have such a big mouth that wouldn't be a problem." he chuckled
"You know what! i don't' want to deal with your crap right now. I think that my hip is shattered because some ghoul with a big hammer smashed it in plus i am as tired as hell because i haven't gotten any real sleep." she snapped "So back off."
Kixston smirked "You are always getting beat up Dri. That is almost five times since we started our trip." he said.
"Well if some people would step up to fight." she said
"I do step up to fight, but you always have to be little miss cocky and get your ass kicked. I would have taken Gothic for you or Asamee, but you wanted to take them both." Kixston growled "Besides i fought Lunus, and that was no walk in the park. I do fight."
Driretlan sighed "Whatever, I am glad to see you too." she sneered walking off toward the monastery.
"I thought that you were friends with her." Kaneda said
Kixston sighed "i am, that is just how we show that we care. I give her shit she gives me shit. It has been like that since she was a kid."
"She still is a kid." Kaneda added
"True, we had better follow them and get the whole story. I want to know how that kid got in there." Kixston said.
"That sounds good to me." Kaneda said "But you have to answer one thing for me first."
"Shoot." kixston growled
"When you said that you fought Lunus, did you really? Was that really my brother?" he asked
Kixston nodded "That was your brother but there was something wrong with him. He wasn't himself it was like a different person with different memories. He called me something humans a long time ago called me. I don't think that it was your brother."
"Where is he now? do you know?"
"Some winged guy stopped our fight and took him away." Kixston explained
Kaneda nodded "Okay. At least i know something about it now." he muttered. "I am going to the monastery."
Kixston nodded.
All in all this didn't turn out to terribly, she isn't dead and will recover quickly. Maybe now I can tell them about the tournament that Cronic wants us in. Then once that debt is paid I won't have to mess with him again. Kixston thought. Maybe after that things will calm down a bit.
He looked at Driretlan walking off.
Then again, they probably won't knowing Dri. He thought following Kaneda and Driretlan.
The sound of dripping water was getting on Driretlan's nerves as she traveled through the cave. It was her second day in there and there was no sign of an end, in addition she was injured, there had been a cave in earlier that blocked their way out and Jin was there, which wasn't so bad. Driretlan stepped off a rock and slipped on the slick ground she fell hard and Jin snapped his attention to her.
"You okay?" he asked
She nodded and heaved herself off of the ground. "I am fine." she smirked "Just a small spill on this damned cave floor." She stomped her foot on the hard rock. "I can't wait until I get the hell out of here."
Jin chuckled "Well, i feel the same way that you do. I don't like this place much."
Driretlan smirked "I can't blame you. You can't even feel the wind in here, and i know how much of a wind freak you are."
Jin crossed his arms. "What is wrong with liking the wind? I am a wind warrior after all." he said lowly.
A sudden strong gust of wind blew past them almost knocking them over.
"Well there is no need to get touchy Jin."
"That wasn't me." Jin said "That was definitely an unnatural wind."
Driretlan shrugged. "Then what was it?"
"Maybe we are close the exit." Jin smiled
"Always the optimist." Driretlan chuckled.
A loud banging sound echoed through the hallows of the cave. Jin looked around them seeing nothing. "Where could that be coming from?"
"I don't know, but where ever it is, it might be near the exit. Let's go." Driretlan said running ahead.
Always the hasty one. Jin thought smiling a bit. Hopefully this time it doesn't get us into trouble.
He followed her through a set of connecting narrow caverns, sliding to a stop behind her. She was stopped in front of a wall. "Dead end?" He muttered
"What the hell?" Driretlan snapped "I thought that there would be some sort of exit here."
"Maybe you are supposed to find an alternate exit." Jin smiled.
Driretlan spun around and glared at him. "What alternate exit? There is nothing here but a solid wall."
Jin smirked "This is a test after all Dri. You didn't think that they were going to hand it to you that easily. Try using your other senses."
Driretlan took a deep breath, "Right other senses." she closed her eyes and concentrated but nothing was coming to her.
"Well?" Jin asked
"Nothing." she sighed opening her eyes. "What other senses am I supposed to use?"
The loud banging noise rang out once more echoing more hauntingly than it did before.
"Maybe you should try your sense of hearing. Follow the noise more closely." Jin suggested.
"Great your an optimist and a genius." She smirked. Driretlan closed her eyes and listened as hard as she could, but the noise seemed to be coming from the other side of the wall, but with all the echo in the cave there was no way for her to be able to tell for sure where it was resonating from. "Damn...screw it. I am going through that wall." She growled.
Jin looked at her puzzled. "What do you mean go through...are you planning on blasting your way through that wall?" He asked
"Yep." Driretlan said "Unless you have a better idea." she said taking a fighting stance.
"Well i don't but...." he started
This is her test Jin let her do as she pleases. Jin thought. Besides she is right most of the time.
"But what?" she asked
"Never mind." Jin smiled "Do as you please."
Driretlan smirked, "okay, you asked for it."
She took a back stance and pulled out her sword. The tip ignited in flames and she closed her eyes muttering a chant. a fiery symbol appeared at her feet and then the entire sword became engulfed in flames that licked up Driretlan's arms. She took another step back before launching herself at the wall with her sword in a thrusting position. She slammed the Terrifen into the wall, causing a crater as the hot flames ate away at the rock. The heat around her grew to an almost unbearable temperature, and she hadn't even broken through to the other side yet. Driretlan gave it another boost of energy and she tore through the wall in an explosion of flames. She landed out of breath. "Damn, it took long enough." she cursed.
Jin jogged over to her. "Are you all right?" he asked
"Yea fine." she smirked looking at the huge whole in the wall. On the other side was another long stretch of caverns. "Great looks like we have more walking to do."
Jin nodded. "It does look that way." He smirked.
Driretlan dropped her head, "Why must it be this way...why can't the cave be smaller, that way i could kill who ever is making that annoying noise and get the hell out of here."
Jin smirked "Always wanting the easy way out."
"Damn right." She smirked walking through the hole. "Now lets get moving i want to get this over with."
Jin nodded and followed her.
Meanwhile
Kixston sat glaring at a priest, deep anger burned in his eyes. "Now for the fifth time tell me why in the hell did you send her in there?!" he growled
"He did say that it was for some sort of test." Kaneda pointed out.
"I know that!" Kixston yelled standing up from the large oak table. "I want to know why the hell he thought she could handle something like that! She is far to weak for something of such magnitude, you do realize if she is killed in there that you are totally screwed! It will be easy for someone to swipe a wandering soul!"
The priest sighed "I do realize this, but the lady will be fine. She is plenty strong for this."
Kixston let out a frustrated sigh, "And if she isn't?"
"Precautions have been taken." he said slowly.
"What kind of precautions?" Ichigo asked
"If she is killed in there her spirit will be trapped forever with in the walls of that cave." The priest muttered
"Oh that is lovely." Kixston growled "Then what do you do about the problem with the weapons, there is no way that a few monks like you can possibly keep them safe."
"Hmphf. It comes down to that i will take the weapons." Daruis said walking into the room.
Kixston let out a low growl, "Like hell you will. I will."
Kaneda sighed "Neither of you will take them, i will. They did belong to my brother before they did Driretlan, and if she is dead then i will take possession of them. That is final." he said in a serious tone.
Daruis smirked "Then it is settled, he will take the weapons in the case of her death."
So he is the final guardian, i guess that this could actually be it. I knew that there was something different about that girl. Daruis thought. Those old stories were right, the group has gathered. Whether or not that kid can handle the power that will be given to her is the question. If she loses it, it is all over. then again if she can control it destruction will be avoided. Then again she could decide to kill us all anyway.
"Just a question, how come you weren't with the first group." Darius asked looking directly at Kaneda.
"What do you mean?" Kaneda asked reading through his book again.
"You are a guardian you are supposed to be with her." Daruis said coldly "Or do you just like to neglect your duties."
"Hey. Watch what you say." Kixston growled
"What duties?" Kaneda asked looking over the top of his book at Daruis.
"Your duties as a guardian." Daruis said
"There are certain things that you are supposed to do, things that are you supposed to fulfill." a monk explained
"Like?" Kixston growled
"There will be a time and place for explanation." The priest said. "Darius, think before you start to ask your questions."
Daruis smirked and walked off into the shadows of the halls.
I will just have to get a clear answer later as to why he is so late.... Darius thought.
Kixston started to walk off too.
"Where are you going?" Sharon asked
"To get some air, and check out that cave that this idiot has been blabbing on and one about." Kixston muttered.
"You can't go into the cave." The monk snapped
"And why the hell not!" Kixston growled.
"It is a sacred place that few can enter. Even if you wanted to go in you can't. The cave won't allow it, so you will just have to stay put until she returns." The preist explained
"How are we to get the weapons out if we can't enter the cave?!" Kixston snapped
"You can't, but your friend can." the priest muttered
"Which friend?" Sharon asked
Kaneda flipped the page on his book. "He means me." He sighed. "The same blood runs through our veins, Dri and I that is." He explained "If that cave will let her in it will let me in also."
The priest nodded.
"Great so i have to rely on you." Kixston groaned.
Kaneda smirked "Call it a partnership if you like. but you are stuck working with me for a while Kixston. Might as well get used to it, and lose the attitude."
Kixston sneered and walked out of the room.
Great i have to deal with him....plus i have to find a way to persuade them to help with Cronic's little competition. Hopefully Dri will have it together for once and be out of there alive. Kixston thought as he walked into the deep of the halls.
Lunus walked slowly through the seemingly endless plains that fell before him. His patience started to run low, he had been traveling for a while now not knowing where in the hell he was going. He had just picked a direction and hoped that it was the right way. He fiddled with the sword on his side. He pulled it out of the sheath the blade was a dull red color. "This isn't the Terrifen...but just a normal sword." he muttered "Which means Dri has it." Lunus let out a long sigh. "Time truly has gone on normally, which means that every thing will be different. Hopefully that monastery will be in the same place. Otherwise i am screwed." he re-sheathed the sword and walked on down the field. There was a dull roaring noise behind him and he spun around to see a motorcycle in the distant horizon. He stopped and watched it approach as it grew closer the figure of Cronic Hazel could be made out. "What the..." Lunus muttered
Cronic Hazel sped by Lunus then made a quick u turn and drove back sliding to a stop in front of him. He looked him over quickly. "You eyes are oddly familiar." He muttered
"May I ask why you are paying attention to my eyes?" Lunus asked
Cronic snorted "Don't get any ideas about it. I just thought that i had seen them before." He growled
Lunus rolled his eyes then it hit him, "Have you seen a girl named Driretlan?" He asked quickly
Cronic thought for a second, "Can't say that I have...then again i rarely take names." He smirked
Lunus glared at him.
"Unless she is that girl who travels with that fool Kixston." Cronic said.
Lunus smirked "That would probably be her, thank you for all of your help." He said jogging off.
"What help is he talking about?" Cronic sneered
If he is looking for Kixston maybe i could find where he ran off to by following this blue haired idiot. Cronic thought.
Cronic then turned and sped off. "It is amazing to me how many fools there are in this world, so all easily manipulated."
Lunus was walking up the field the in same direction that Cronic sped off in. "I wonder if she went to the monastery with Kixston. hmf. Maybe he even found Kaneda and convinced him to go....but if he did that he must of relayed the message of my death...and not even Kaneda would believe that i am alive after that, but maybe he will. Hopefully he will." Lunus muttered "Other wise i am so screwed."
Johnny had gotten past his fuming stage to his deep thinking stage. He was sitting on his throne thinking of a way to enact his latest plan. A demon came up behind his throne.
"Sir, I have what you requested." It said bowing slightly.
"Thank you Azrath." Johnny sighed "Well where is the soul of Mitara?"
"It is located on earth, it is sealed into the stone of Angushtri Mountain." Azrath explained.
Johnny smirked "I thought that it would be." He stood up "Come with me Azrath, we shall retrieve it and revive the body as well."
Azrath nodded "But sir, what are you planning on doing with the soul and body?"
"I will use it to my benefit. There can only be one benefactor to Luludi's soul, and if I have Mitara in my possession, the power of Driretlan's soul will be rendered useless. Then i can kill her and use Mitara to gain the power of the Shuvanis Panch." Johnny explained "It is quite simple."
Azrath nodded once more "I see sir. What a brilliant plan."
"Of course it is." Johnny said disappearing.
He reappeared in a cavern inside of Angushtri mountain. Azrath soon joined him.
"This is the place master." Azrath said
"Where would they seal a soul in this place? It has to be beyond capacity." Johnny wondered aloud.
"Maybe there is a special area." Azrath suggested
"Maybe so." Johnny muttered walking deeper into the cavern. Skulls and bones lay strewn about inside the cave. There were odd designs on the wall drawn in blood, some of which were still relatively fresh. The deeper into the cave Johnny went the thicker the air became, it was thick with energy.
"Master there is a lot of energy coming from this place." Azrath pointed out
"It is because this is the burial ground for evil souls. Shamans seal the souls into this stone thinking that they will never escape to cause havoc once again." Johnny explained. "It is truly foolish of them to do such a thing." Johnny waved his hand and the designs on the wall glowed and the air grew even thicker. There was a great wind that picked up suddenly and thousands of souls poured out from the walls rushing out of the cave.
Azrath smirked while watching the work of his master. "Where would this area be master?"
"Ahead most likely." Johnny sighed as a few spirits swirled around him. He grabbed one and twisted it around his finger. "Simple creatures souls are. They have no goal no nothing, they just wander aimlessly."
Azrath chuckled looking ahead. There was a room with a mummified body and bloody inscriptions ever where.
"That looks as though it is the room." Johnny muttered walking ahead. He entered the room and a small field of energy tried to stop him but he easily pushed through it. He walked over to the body and waved his hand over it. "hmmm who ever did this didn't do a very good job. Azrath take this back to hell and fix it. We need the perfect vessel, not a rotting one. And i will start on reviving the spirit."
Azrath took the body and disappeared.
Johnny turned to the inscription covered petastool that the body was on. "now for the hard part." He muttered
Later on
Hotaru slinked out from the shadows of a cave and slung some of her weapons over her shoulder. "I can't exactly go back to hell. I doubt that Johnny is happy with me, and I really don't want to die." She muttered.
outside the cave there was a large waterfall and stream leading off from it. Hotaru started to jump rock to rock over the stream.
Darkwolf appeared in front of Hotaru. "I was wondering where you went off to." She smirked "I see that you have your things does that mean that you won't be returning?"
Hotaru nodded "Johnny won't exactly welcome my warmly."
"Well you did betray him after all."
"I wasn't about to let him kill an innocent person." Hotaru growled
"You know that you can't run forever, he will find you." Darkwolf said
"And i care why?"
"I want to help you though. I have done some things like the ones that you did. But i pulled them off better." Darkwolf smirked "I know some good places that you can lye low."
"I don't want to lye low. I want to get away and live my life the way i was ment to." Hotaru said. "It wasn't my choice to work under Johnny, not that i am complaining he isn't half bad. But i haven't gotten a chance to live my life like you did. So that is what i am off to do."
Darkwolf nodded "I won't tell him that I found you...just watch yourself while you are out there. I can't always look out for you."
Hotaru nodded and Darkwolf disappeared. "You watch yourself too...there is more going on than even Johnny knows. And it may come to a head soon."
A figure appeared behind Hotaru, "Sooner than you think." It sneered
Hotaru spun around to see Gothic. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded.
"I am your worst nightmare kid." Gothic chuckled "I am here to end your misery on the orders of my master."
"Johnny?" Hotaru asked
"No, someone with more power than him." Gothic cackled
"More power than Johnny? You are delusional. There is no one with more power than him, he is the devil. There is none with more power....unless you work for the one upstairs.."
"him, pch. never." Gothic sneered "You don't need to know who my master is now. All you need to know for now is that he has sent me to kill you for helping that pathetic Lunus."
Hotaru pulled out her swords "Bring it. I will kill you." She growled
Gothic chuckled "Whatever helps you sleep at night kid."
Dark storm clouds started to roll in and thunder clashed in the distance. Gothic smirked evilly while staring down Hotaru. "You have no chance kid."
Hotaru let out a low growl. "That is what you think, get ready to die." Hotaru jumped off her rock and launched herself at Gothic.
Gothic dodged and landed skillfully on another stepping stone. "Come, come. Charging me like that will get you no where. You must have more skill than that." Gothic laughed.
Hotaru snarled "I'll show you skill." Hotaru closed her eyes and concentrated, the water level in the stream rose and swashed around her feet. "This is skill."
"Hmf. You can make a little bit of water flow...I am not impressed." Gothic snapped.
"Well you had better be." Hotaru snapped as the water level rose more. cyclones of water circled around her hand and she blasted them at Gothic who dodged them by back flipping out of the way.
Gothic landed gracefully on a stepping stone. "That was pathetic." She laughed "can't you do better?"
Hotaru let out a low growl. "I'll show you better." more water swirled around her and it tidal waved over gothic. "how is that for better?"
Gothic stood strong through the cascade of water. "Was that all you had? That was pathetic. I will show you real power." energy swirled around Gothic.
Oh shit. Hotaru thought. I am going to have to do a lot better than i have been to beat her.
Gothic smiled sadistically. "Are you ready to take me on little girl, you don't have a chance in the world against me." she formed a huge fireball and tossed it at Hotaru who shot a blast of water at it putting it out.
"Fire won't work against me, i think that it is you who doesn't have the chance." Hotaru smirked
Gothic let out a low growl.
Master was right i will have to use the special flame against this pathetic girl. I was hoping to use this to kill that girl Driretlan but this one will make a good test subject. Gothic thought.
I have the upper hand in this one, she is a fire and i am a water element. I can beat her easily. Hotaru thought.
Hotaru jumped forward and a burst of water propelled her even faster and farther, she slammed into Gothic with a bone crunching punch to the stomach. She then hit her with a hook kick, an uppercut and a combo of rounds and spinning side kicks. Hotaru jumped to the shore to catch her breath and unleashed a powerful water attack on Gothic. "That should take care of it." She muttered
Gothic stood on the rock un-phased. "was that all you had kid, this will be easier than i thought." Gothic gathered her energy and then pulled it to the palm of her hand where it formed into a flame that flickered a deep black color. "Immortal flame." She muttered. Gothic charged toward Hotaru who formed a sheild of water around herself.
"Seriously, you can't beat me." Hotaru said.
Gothic punched the shield and the water evaporated. The punch landed square in her chest and Hotaru was thrown back. "Now for the finisher!" Gothic yelled running for the down Hotaru. Just as she was about to land another punch Johnny appeared and blocked it.
"I hate to do this to a lady but." He said forming a flame around his fist and punching Gothic.
Gothic was thrown back into the river, Hotaru took the opportunity to have the river swallow Gothic.
Johnny looked down at Hotaru, "You are going to come with me." He said picking her up and disappearing in a pillar of flame.
Once the water receded Gothic climbed out and coughed a bit. "Damnit, that is twice that I have failed. I will not do it once more, I will destroy that girl."
Driretlan entered a narrow cavern followed by Jin. "Well this place is cozy." she muttered
Jin smiled "Well if that is what you think." he kicked a rock as he felt along the wall. He could see a light at the end of the cavern. "I think that may be our exit."
Driretlan nodded "I agree, lets get a move on." She said impatiently. She hurried out of the cavern to see a larger one that was lined with stalagmites that had burning candles on the top of them. In the corner of the room a large man was working on a makeshift anvil pounding on something with a huge hammer. "Well this is great."
"He might just know the way out Dri, after all he is the only living in here." Jin said.
"Either that or he is the last part of the test." She muttered.
"Only one way to find out." Jin smirked
"I am on it." Driretlan said walking toward the guy. "Hey you, do you have any clue how to get out of this cave other than going back the way I came. It is kind of caved in."
The guy just stood there pounding on the anvil, ignoring her.
"Hey I was talking to you!" she snapped.
The guy just kept pounding and the loud banging echoed through the cave. He didn't turn around no matter how loud Driretlan yelled.
She walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder "Hey!" she yelled
The guy turned around and glared at her. He had deep red eyes and scars that covered his rough face and bald head. "What." he growled, his deep booming voice echoed through the caverns almost as loud as the hammer banging did.
"I want to know the way out." Driretlan said
"There is no way out.." he said dryly
"There has to be!" Driretlan protested.
"Only if you finish the test may you leave, you haven't done that, and you won't."
"What do you mean won't!" Driretlan snapped. "Have i done all this shit for nothing!"
The man shook his head and laughed "You stupid girl. You broke the rules you had assistance and that is forbidden." He growled "You have angered the spirits locked away in this cave by bringing him! Now you must die!" He picked up his large hammer and swung it at Driretlan. She swiftly dodged and it smashed into the ground making a small crater.
"Jin, stay back. I got this guy." she said as she saw Jin move out of the corner of her eye. "he can't be that tough."
Jin smiled and shook his head backing up some. "Just be careful, don't under estimate your enemy."
Driretlan pulled out her sword and took a defensive stance. "Bring it big guy." She smirked.
The guy stood frozen looking at the sword for a minuet then he smirked "You can't beat me with that." He said coldly.
"Wanna bet?" She said lunging forward out of her defensive stance. She pulled her sword into a slashing position then pulled it into a stabbing one. The man used his hammer to block and a blue aura appeared between the weapons. It expanded and Driretlan flew back slamming into a wall.
The man charged towards her pulling his hammer back into a slamming position. Driretlan rolled out of the way again before he could strike. The wall collapsed when the hammer hit it with great force.
"Shit." Driretlan muttered, she got up and charged for the man's back.
This bastard's weapon has some weird effect on mine. so I'll injure him from behind, maybe then he will talk. She thought.
She plunged the Terrifen into his shoulder and he swung his body around quickly and smacked her with the hammer sending her flying across the cavern through stalactites and stalagmites. A bone crunching noise echoed through the cavern when she hit the wall.
The man smiled a bit. "One like you should not have these esteemed weapons." He said coldly "And the penalty for holding one is death."
"Why am I not shocked to hear that? What is with you people and killing me?" she muttered pulling herself to her feet.
"Dri, watch yourself." Jin cautioned.
"I will." she smirked
The man stepped away from the wall with the Terrifen still dug into his shoulder, he held his hammer in his hand ready to use it again. "This time i will kill you." he took heavy steps toward her.
Driretlan glared at him, "Give my sword back you bastard, and i will prove you wrong." she growled
The man stopped and pulled the sword out of his shoulder like it caused him no pain to do so, then he threw it at Driretlan. She caught it in between her hands and threw it up into the air catching it again, she swung it around a few times.
"That is better. So ready to meet your doom big man?" She teased.
The man just charged forward, with his hammer high.
"Predicable." She muttered striding to the side. She swung her sword wide and sliced open his side.
He swung his hammer her direction and she ducked then jumped back. He looked at the wound on his side, then it healed shut.
"What the hell!" Driretlan yelled
He just smirked and charged at her again, she clashed her sword with his hammer.
"Who the hell are you?!" she demanded through gritted teeth.
"Saster, the blacksmith. Not that it is your business." He growled back as the blue aura rose again. This time before it could explode on Driretlan she jumped back and rose a fire shield just as it blew up sending the blast back at Saster. He reflected it sending it barreling into the wall.
"Damn.." She muttered letting her shield down.
I have to figure out a way to kill him other than using the Terrifen. Call it a hunch but i think that it won't have an effect on him. She thought. There has to be a way that i can kill him.
Driretlan dodged several of Saster's attacks while still in deep thought. Out of frustration she pulled out spell breaker and sliced open his stomach. "Do you mind!" she yelled "sheesh I am trying to think here, and if you want to kill me try not leaving yourself open that is annoying the hell out of me."
Jin chuckled "She always has time for that."
Saster let out a low growl. He took a deep breath and shot fire out of his mouth at Driretlan. She blocked her face but the rest of her was burned.
"Do you know how disgusting that is." She growled kicking him in the face. "Now i have your spit all over me."
Saster swung his hammer and hit Driretlan in the side when she was off guard sending her flying into the wall again. It crumbled around her and he charged again preparing to crush her beneath the debris.
Jin jumped between the two putting his arms out. "You aren't doing that on my watch."
Saster brought his hammer up to strike Jin over the head when he hit a force field a white light flooded the cave for a second and Saster was thrown back. He picked himself back up. "how." he muttered coldly.
Jin looked puzzled and smiled "I haven't done that one before."
Driretlan pulled herself out of the fallen rock. "well it was a great help Jin. Thanks." she muttered. she stood up shakily, her whole left side ached where she was struck she started to collapse but used her sword to balance.
My hip has to be crushed, with all the blood coming I am guessing that is what he did. Shit! She thought. I can't move around like this, and that guy is still kicking. If the pain were the only issue i would have no problem but my muscles won't let me move.
She started to walk forward using her sword as a crutch. "I'll just have to fry his ass." she muttered.
"What are you doing! You can't fight him like this. let me." Jin offered.
"That is nice of you Jin, but this is my fight." Driretlan said.
Jin nodded.
Driretlan hobbled forward and stopped when she was a safe distance away from Jin. "I'm going to let you test out something for me. Feel privileged you will be the first person that I have ever tried this on." She smirked
Saster just stared her down and tapped his hammer against his hand.
Driretlan concentrated her energy and a large aura surrounded her body. "I can't win with my sword so i will win with this!" she yelled conjuring a fireball into her hands, she launched it at Saster and he tried to block it with his hammer but it over power it engulfing him. Driretlan took a deep breath getting ready for another attack, she had figured out by now that these guys weren't that easy to beat. Soon enough Saster stepped out of the flames and glared at her, his clothed were charred and blisters had formed on his skin. "Figures." she muttered
Saster just smiled evilly and charged towards her, she conjured a flame wall that blocked his hammer from smashing her, but then he used the spike on the end of his hammer to stab her.
Driretlan shrieked and felt her energy drain from her body. Her aura dissipated along with her flames. She fell back and when Saster was about to bring his hammer down on her a large gust of wind blew him back.
Jin ran over to her. "Come on Dri. You can't take him your hurt too bad." he said
Driretlan shook her head, "I have to kill him, it is my only way out I know it." She mumbled
"can you stand?" Jin asked
Driretlan shook her head, "You have to help me kill him Jin." she muttered
"You saw how his wounds healed, he is like an immortal." jin said.
Then it hit Driretlan, "Even immortals can die...Jin! I have to stab him through the heart with my sword." she explained. "That is how you kill a vampire...I can kill him this way too."
"He isn't a vampire Dri." Jin pointed out.
"I know that.. just trust me. Help me stand up." She said
Jin lifted her and she pulled her sword up, and she started to fall again but Jin caught her. "Be more careful." he said
"I am..." she growled
Saster had recuperated himself and was coming their way. Jin tried to knock him back with another gust of wind but Saster stood strong. "Dri, can you think fast?"
Driretlan nodded she was already thinking. As Saster got closer Jin picked up Driretlan and backed up until he was against a wall.
"Not good." he muttered.
Driretlan slid out of his arms and stared down Saster thinking. "I could.. shit.. I can't walk...." she muttered
"I could launch you with my wind.. you would just have to have good aim and be careful on the landing." He said
She nodded "Sounds good to me." she stood shakily with her sword in position. "I am ready when you are."
Jin nodded and focused his wind power shooting her forward towards Saster, she had enough speed that Saster had no time to react and she pierced his heart. But as sort of a delayed reaction he hit her with his hammer again, this time it was weaker. Even so the attack was strong and she was thrown into the wall.
Saster fell to his knees and his eyes and mouth glowed with a bright blue light that seemed to be bursting from with in. He let out a deep yell and grabbed his face. A light engulfed the room and Jin shielded his eyes. When the light cleared there was only a pile of bones and a rust hammer where Saster once was.
Jin walked over to it curiously, in the pile of bones there was a bright green gem, he picked it up. There was a spot that looked like a sword had gone through, then the spot seemed to recover it self leaving a flawless gem. Jin picked up the stone then jogged over to Driretlan who lay half buried in a pile of rubble. "You still alive Dri?" he asked pulling the rocks off of her.
Driretlan moved and tried to sit up, "Yea i think so..." She muttered "I killed him right?"
Jin smiled and nodded "You killed him all right. He is just a pile of bones." He brushed the rest of the rubble off of her and pulled her to a sitting position. "But it looks as though you were wrong about killing him and finding an exit."
Driretlan sighed "There has to be a way out of here." she muttered "Did you find anything that might help us?"
Jin nodded slowly and pulled the gem out of his pocket. "Does this count?" he smirked
Driretlan nodded "Yea it does, maybe there is a place to put it that reveals a door or something." She chuckled "Either that or it is here to look pretty."
Jin sighed "Well we can look for that after we wrap those wounds on your sides." He untied the bandages on his arms. "You will have to sit up a bit further Dri."
She nodded and sat on her knees. "Just don't cut off the circulation." she chuckled
Jin smirked and tied the bandages around her waist closing the wounds. "I knew that those may come in handy someday."
She shook her head as he tied them off. "I am guessing after we get out of this hell hole you are going to have someone do that right."
Jin nodded "You wouldn't want to die from an infection." he said. "Shall we look for where this belongs now?"
Driretlan started to nod when she saw a bright white ball floating in the air in front of her. "What in the hell is that?" she asked pointing at it.
Jin looked to where she was pointing and saw nothing. "What are you talking about Dri? I don't see anything."
"Bull, there is a floating white ball thingy beside your head." she argued.
"I think that the blood loss is effecting you." he said "I will look for it you stay here and rest."
Driretlan had her eyes locked on the floating ball, it suddenly moved to a nearby wall. "No, it isn't. Jin pull me up, i have to follow that ball of light. I think that it is telling me something."
Jin sighed and helped her up. "Where is it?"
She pointed to the wall. "there." she said.
Jin walked her over to the wall and then stopped. The ball of light sunk into the wall and Driretlan touched the spot where it had been. Suddenly a red symbol appeared on the wall it was glowing and flickering brightly. "I guess that you weren't wrong Dri."
Driretlan smirked "when am I wrong?" she chuckled "wait.. don't answer that."
Jin smiled, "So what now?"
She took out the gem and handed it to Jin. "I would guess that you put it into the center of the symbol." she said.
Jin nodded and placed the gem in the center of the symbol. It glowed brightly for a second then the light faded. "Hmm."
Then out of the wall stepped a woman dressed in battle armor, she was glowing an eerie color but she had a sincere smile on her face. "So, you succeeded." she walked over to Driretlan "I am very proud."
Driretlan looked at her confused. "What do you mean? Who are you?" she asked backing away a bit.
The woman smiled "I am your blood your ancestor." she explained
"You would be Lady Luludi." Jin said.
The woman nodded. "that i am." she looked over Driretlan, "You look battered, it seems as though my father is tougher than he let on." she said with a slight laugh
"That was your dad?!" Driretlan gasped, "Shit that makes him old, an old man had me on the run...damn i am losing it."
"I thought that he was killed." Jin pointed out.
Luludi nodded. "That he was, He was kept alive by the spell that Jevlin put on him. He was put here to kill all who get this far and stop them from obtaining what this cave holds."
Jin nodded, "Makes sense. Jevlin wanted a failsafe just incase he did die."
"Sounds like an asshole to me." Driretlan coughed "So where is this damned thing that i am supposed to obtain? and which way is out?"
Luludi chuckled "You are ambitious i will give you that. Follow me."
"Hold on a sec, how do i know that you won't try to kill me?" Driretlan asked
"By trusting your heart instead of your instincts." She explained "Something that will become imperative to know."
Driretlan sighed "Great....just lead the way miss follow your heart."
Luludi laughed and walked off and Jin followed with Driretlan.
"I think that she has lost it." Driretlan muttered yawning.
Jin smirked "that may be so." he pulled Driretlan's arm up over his shoulder further. "Some people may have thought that you have lost it as well."
Driretlan shot him a sideways glare. "Let them. Just because they think so doesn't make it so."
Luludi lead them to a dead end, she simply touched the wall and it dissolved to reveal a room filled with shimmering white crystals and a bright pool of water.
"Wow, this is pretty." Driretlan said.
Luludi nodded. "I used to come here all the time as a child and play. But that was before the curse was put on the cave and the souls were trapped within these walls."
Driretlan nodded "I figured as much, souls aren't trapped in this large of quantity with out a curse involved. Especially the souls of demons." she growled
"Dri." Jin started
"My parents souls are damned here for eternity because of that guy... when i first agreed to this it was for the challenge of becoming stronger, now it is a personal vendetta. I want to take his soul and send it to the depths of hell." she snapped
Luludi nodded "as did the others, but they never made it passed my father. You are the first person ever to do that. I applaud you." Luludi said, "But don't think that because you beat him you are hot stuff. Let me tell you something, there are people after these weapons that are stronger than you could ever imagine, even higher powers maybe. So you need to watch yourself otherwise you will be killed and your soul, once it leaves this cave is fair game. and that is all they need to unlock full power. it will take years of training for you to be able to reach a level where you can take care of these opponents. So you must always be on your toes ready for a new opponent to appear."
"Then what the hell do you expect me to do until then?" Driretlan snapped
"You have guardians for that reason, and the help of..." she started but she caught the look in Jin's eyes.
[Don't tell her whose soul i share my body with yet. I want to do that on my own, when the time is right.] Jin said telepathically.
Luludi nodded "and the help of those around you." she added. "Take care of them and yourself." she walked over to the water. "Come drink this, it will heal your wounds and give your strength back."
Driretlan nodded and Jin helped her over to the pool of water where she took a drink of the crystal water. Almost immediately after drinking the water she passed out and her body started to glow a light red color.
Jin took a fighting stance. "What did you do to her!" he yelled
"It is integrating into her system, that is what this cave holds this mystic water that was distilled by Shuvanis. If you don't trust me ask him." she smirked
Jin nodded and relaxed sitting down, "How long will she be out?" he asked
"Hard to tell, depends on how much power she has. But she will come out of it fine." Luludi said as she began to fade. "Please take care of her, she is the last of my daughters."
Jin nodded "I will take care of her."
Luludi nodded and disappeared.
Jin let out a long sigh. "It seems as though i am in deep. Who knew that saving her would get me pulled into this."
[Best not complain Jin. the worst is yet to come.] Shuvanis said
[Why do you say that? Did you have another vision?] Jin asked worried. The last few visions that Shuvanis had weren't so pretty and Jin was afraid to see any of the newer ones.
[I haven't yet, but combining my intuition and the last few premonitions. things don't look to good.] Shuvanis explained.
[Any good news?] Jin asked hopefully
[Yes, once Driretlan awakens you will be able to leave this cave.] he explained
Jin let out a sigh of relief. "Well it is good that we won't be stuck in here forever." he slid down and leaned against the edge of the pool. "I am going to take a quick rest, hopefully Dri will be awake by then." he glanced over at her. she was scrunched up into a small ball and still was glowing.
Kixston stood at the mouth of the cave looking in. It didn't seem so peculiar to him, it just looked like a normal cave. If it wasn't for the magical aura emitting from it he would have thought so.
I can't believe that I have to rely on that Kaneda guy to get the weapons out of here when she dies. This is bull shit. Only if Lunus was still alive....but that guy who I fought did fight like Lunus and he sure as hell looked like him. Kixston thought. If it wasn't for that winged guy i might have found out if that was Lunus, then i could have put her worries to rest. Even after all these years she wants to believe so badly that he is alive. he is the last of her family, or so she thinks. and why the hell didn't she know that Kaneda was her brother, when she first met him she didn't know who the hell he was. What kind of family is that? With the way that she acts when someone talks about her family you would think that she would know who her own brother is.
Kixston kicked a rock into the cave mouth and it bounced back at him. "Well that is dandy, that old man was right." he let out a long sigh. "So I will have to depend on that fool to get them out. Damn."
"Be thankful for what you have Kixston. at least he can help you." Ichigo said hoping out of a tree. "After all with out Kaneda you would be totally screwed.... besides the weapons are going to Kaneda not you so why do you care so much?"
"Because if they fall into the wrong hands, it will automatically involve me. I would have to go out there and kill them." He growled
"So now you are becoming a vigilante. That is the last thing i thought you would become."
"It isn't that way." he muttered "You wouldn't understand why i would do it anyway, you can't understand."
"Try me." Ichigo said.
"It is not your business to try!" He snapped "I have my reasons for doing things in life, and i have my reasons for doing things when it comes to her. All of which aren't concerns of a mere human such as yourself."
Ichigo sighed "You know it isn't healthy to repress things."
"Who said that i was repressing!" he yelled "I said that it was none of your business! That has nothing to do with repressing."
Ichigo smirked "Sure it does, you won't tell anyone your problem that has to do with repressing. Listen if you dont' want to tell me that is okay. I thought it might be good for you to get it out you know." she watched him hoping that he would crack, ever since he met Driretlan and him she wondered what the nature of their relationship was. It was obvious that he cared for her and that he was trying to deny it.
Kixston sighed "Well i am glad that is covered. I am not going to tell you, and i never will."
Ichigo let out a low growl, "You are impossible!" she yelled
He glared at her. "Why do you say that. Frustrated that i won't talk to you."
She nodded "From the second that i met you and Dri i wondered what kind of relationship you guys had. I found out that you raised her, but i knew that there was something more there. I wasn't sure what and i am dying to find out."
Kixston chuckled dryly. "There isn't anything there to wonder about. We just act how we act becuase she is used to me, our personalities clash...and.. that is it." he muttered looking at Ichigo.
She could tell by his eyes that he was sad about something, but she wasn't sure what it was or why. He seemed to complex yet so simple, but despite that she couldn't figure him out. "Oh, well if that is it then.. I guess that i thought wrong. Either that or you are in denial of it yourself, which ever way it is. I will find out the truth." she said before leaving.
Kixston let out a long sigh, "In denial of what?" he muttered. He walked up to the mouth of the cave and touched the invisible barrier.
I just hope that she comes out okay. he thought.
He walked to the stone edge and sat down leaning his sword against his shoulder.
Kaneda sat in a tree watching. "Looks like that priest was wrong, there isn't any one here that has shoulder length brown hair. Wonder where he wandered off to." he muttered. "Hope he didn't run into trouble of some sort."
Kixston looked up at Kaneda "What are you talking about?" he asked
"There is supposed to be a person here with shoulder length brown hair and he isn't here." Kaneda explained
"you mean Jin?" Kixston said "He was supposed to be here? Then where is he?"
"You tell me." Kaneda said jumping out of the tree.
Kixston sighed "Well we know that he can't go into that cave, so i say that we look for the kid and give him a good long talk."
"Sounds good to me. I need something to occupy me." Kaneda smirked
"Why not read that book of yours." Kixston teased.
"Because when i start to read it i start to think. And it is bothering me, so if i am occupied i won't think."
"Yes, because we all know how dangerous you thinking is." Kixston chuckled
Kaneda sighed "whatever. Are we going to go now?'
Kixston nodded and got up, "Lets roll."
As they were walking off they felt a power surge come from the cave. They both turned around and looked at the mouth of the cave.
"What was that.?" Kaneda asked
"A power surge, i think that Dri might be fighting or something." He sighed "Come on lets find the kid."
Kaneda nodded and followed.
Just be careful Driretlan, I told Lunus that i would take care of you. And i would hate to break a promise between brothers.
A little later
Driretlan slowly woke up and looked around. "What the hell happened?" she asked
Jin smirked "You were knocked out, I guess that water had something to it."
She sighed "Yea guess so." she muttered.
"Well are you up to leaving?" he asked
She nodded "Yea lets get out of this hell hole." she said
Jin walked over to her and helped her to her feet. "Let's go then."
She nodded walking a bit. Her hips still hurt but she still walked to the end of the cavern and stared at the wall that she was getting a weird vibe from. "I think that this is our exit. There is something really weird about this wall."
Jin nodded "Yea i can feel it too."
She walked up to the wall, it was cold solid stone. "Well i think that i will have to attack my way through again."
Jin nodded "Well have at it. Don't injure yourself further though." he smirked
"I won't." she pulled out her sword and concentrated some of her energy into a flame. Her sword burst into flame and she was caught off guard.
Woah that hasn't happened before, that was supposed to be a small flame. Maybe that water threw my concentration off. She thought.
She shrugged it off and charged the wall. When her sword hit the stone it became almost liquid like and her attack bounced back at her then she fell through the wall.
"That is my cue." he muttered racing toward the wall and going through it as well. he tripped and landed on top of Driretlan on the other side.
Kaneda came around the corner, "Hey your the kid." he said. "What are you doing on top of my sister?"
Jin rolled off Driretlan blushing a bit. "I fell..." he muttered.
Driretlan looked up at Kaneda. "Since when was i your sister?" she asked
Kaneda smirked "Since you were born. I guess that Lunus neglected to mention me."
She thought for a second about all the things that her brother had ever told her or talked about and she remembered something about finding the other if something were to happen to him. "I guess that he might have, but i was really little. And i can barely remember it."
Kaneda smirked "Understandable."
Jin got up and pulled Driretlan to her feet. Her attack had cut her up a bit but other than that all her visible injuries were gone. He smiled "Well looks like that water has got something to it."
Kaneda cocked an eyebrow "Which water?"
"The water that is in the cave." Driretlan explained "It was given to me by a ghost."
"We'll explain later." Jin added quickly.
"wait.. you were in there?" Kixston asked leaning against the tree. "The preist said that only blood of Luludi could enter."
"I am not sure how i entered." Jin said "I just heard a scream and went in."
"If we wouldn't have i would have died. Those spirits kept pressing their way into my body." she said.
Kixston's eyes widened then he narrowed them. "Maybe if you didn't have such a big mouth that wouldn't be a problem." he chuckled
"You know what! i don't' want to deal with your crap right now. I think that my hip is shattered because some ghoul with a big hammer smashed it in plus i am as tired as hell because i haven't gotten any real sleep." she snapped "So back off."
Kixston smirked "You are always getting beat up Dri. That is almost five times since we started our trip." he said.
"Well if some people would step up to fight." she said
"I do step up to fight, but you always have to be little miss cocky and get your ass kicked. I would have taken Gothic for you or Asamee, but you wanted to take them both." Kixston growled "Besides i fought Lunus, and that was no walk in the park. I do fight."
Driretlan sighed "Whatever, I am glad to see you too." she sneered walking off toward the monastery.
"I thought that you were friends with her." Kaneda said
Kixston sighed "i am, that is just how we show that we care. I give her shit she gives me shit. It has been like that since she was a kid."
"She still is a kid." Kaneda added
"True, we had better follow them and get the whole story. I want to know how that kid got in there." Kixston said.
"That sounds good to me." Kaneda said "But you have to answer one thing for me first."
"Shoot." kixston growled
"When you said that you fought Lunus, did you really? Was that really my brother?" he asked
Kixston nodded "That was your brother but there was something wrong with him. He wasn't himself it was like a different person with different memories. He called me something humans a long time ago called me. I don't think that it was your brother."
"Where is he now? do you know?"
"Some winged guy stopped our fight and took him away." Kixston explained
Kaneda nodded "Okay. At least i know something about it now." he muttered. "I am going to the monastery."
Kixston nodded.
All in all this didn't turn out to terribly, she isn't dead and will recover quickly. Maybe now I can tell them about the tournament that Cronic wants us in. Then once that debt is paid I won't have to mess with him again. Kixston thought. Maybe after that things will calm down a bit.
He looked at Driretlan walking off.
Then again, they probably won't knowing Dri. He thought following Kaneda and Driretlan.