Dangerous and Magical
Chapter 10: Truths and Capture!
Rain. Some people say it gives you peace with the way it washes away all the sad moments in life, so peaceful, yet sometimes it can be so harsh. It hits your body again and again like a thousand needles raiding down from the sky. These needles can penetrate so deep that it can pierce through the very skin and stab at the fragile heart, making someone feel the pain of their suffering beyond anything they ever felt before.
As the cold rain fell from the darkened sky, Krystal felt a sharp pain in her heart, and felt all the forgotten and surpressed memories of her past begin to surface; as she held the young male light creature.
(((Flashback)))
"You can't hide forever, I'm going to find you!" a young six-year-old girl shouted out into the thick forest.
As the girl continued to walk, her elbow-length blonde braided hair swayed back and forth, as she looked left and right. She was searching for two people. Suddenly, a small blast bolted down landing at her feet, stopping the girl in her tracks, making her jump, slightly startling her. Just then, laughter could be heard from above, and the girl turned around.
"Krystal, you are so gullible! I can't believe you fell for that one!" a young boy of five years, laughed. He had short blonde hair half covering his blue eyes.
"Oh, really," replied the girl smirking, "Well at least I stay prepared and alert!"
She said this as she also let loose a small blast from her small hand. It traveled ripping through the air until it hit the tall tree branch, which was the one the boy was sitting on, making it crack and break, thus making the boy fall down and land in a soft bush underneath.
The young Krystal smiled that soon turned into worry. She ran over to where the boy fell and cried out, "Neo! Are you all right?"
As she hurried to move stray limbs out of the way, little Krystal soon stopped and started to giggle softly, as she saw her little brother crouching over soothing his sore behind, on which he landed.
"Geez! No wonder the Mistress Sage finds so much confidence in you." Neo said looking up at his sister with bright eyes.
"That is true, but the Mistress thinks highly of you too. She believes you will become a great Magical Swordsman." Krystal protested.
Hey, that reminds me, shouldn't we be at the temple for training by now?" asked Neo, as he looked up to see the bright sun in the middle of the blue sky.
Krystal's eyes went wide. "Oh gosh! I totally forgot that was the reason I came out here in the first place! We are late for training!"
Quickly, the two children ran out of the forest towards the center of the village where the diamond temple stood. They were halfway there, when little Krystal stopped abruptly, and in another realization, she asked worriedly.
"Neo, wait! Where is Aurora?"
(((End of Flashback)))
Who is Aurora?
Krystal wondered this as more memories came flooding back in waves. Suddenly, a strong yet gentle hand pulled her from her thoughts. Krystal opened her eyes to see she was still holding the young male in her arms. The white magician looked up with watery sapphire eyes; there standing above her was the dark magician, with extreme curiosity in his violet eyes.
Mace stared down at Krystal, surprised that she was crying over the one who tried to hurt her, and even more surprised when she cried out 'Brother'.
"Krystal, what is going on here?" Mace asked, kneeling down to look at her, locking their eyes' gaze, violet and sapphire.
Realizing she was crying, Krystal tried to wipe them away with a free hand, while trying to speak confidently.
"Mace, th-this is my younger brother. He is a light warrior like me. However, he was stolen away by the Fiends, and I guess they trained and changed him into the Skull Knight."
Krystal said this as more and more tears flowed down from her eyes. She completely collapsed in Mace's arms, as her long surpressed memories became clearer. Slowly releasing Neo's limp hand, Krystal cried herself into a dream-filled slumber, within Mace's grasp.
As the crowd stared at the two light creatures, the group was suddenly parted as the Dark Sage came through leaning on his wooden staff. Silently, he surveyed the scene of the previous battle. Then he spoke calmly, dismissing the crowd to go back to their regular activities.
After everyone left, he turned to the seven warriors.
"First of all, welcome Buster Blader and Shadow Phoenix to the Land of Shadows. Now if you would all come to the Dark temple. I will summon the Mystical Elf to heal all those injured. Please follow me."
With that, Master Sage turned to leave and the others began to follow, each one holding another in their grasps. In front was the Black luster soldier, holding an unconscious Dark Necrophia gently in his arms. David slightly staggered, for he was still a little light-headed by the minor concussion he got when his head hit the pavement. He almost fell if it wasn't for the gracious help from Shadow, after a slight urge from Dreamy. Shadow pushed up against David's back keeping him steady. Behind them, the magician of black chaos limped along with the Dark magician girl supporting him with his arm over her shoulders. Robert smiled at Catalina. He appreciated her help, though his feelings did not run deep. He only saw Catalina as a younger sister, and it was his duty to protect her. However, Robert did notice that Catalina kept stealing quick glances behind her. Robert decided to look as well, and saw the Blake carrying the unconscious light creature. Robert could see Catalina's eyes turn into extreme worry and concern. He was happy for her, but that didn't mean he wouldn't still protect her. Next to Blake, walked the Dark magician, and in his arms, asleep with a tear-stained pale face, was the White magician. Mace kept glancing at Krystal, suddenly realizing why she had broken their kiss earlier.
/'I understand! It is her past that is stopping her from seeking the future. I don't care what it takes, I am going to help with her fate in any way I can!'/
Later, in the Dark temple, everyone was gathered in the big dark, circular room. In the middle, was a grand dark staircase leading up to a pair wide doors. Around the sides of the room were several smaller rooms, each one covered by black silk curtains. Ellie wandered in and out through many of the rooms, each time her smile brightened. Slowly, one by one, Robert, Natasha, and David came from the rooms and joined their small group, until only three people were left inside.
As Ellie went about her rounds, Blake couldn't help but notice her smile brightened. He breathed a sigh of relief escape his lips when he saw his wife eye him, silently telling her husband that everything would be all right. Blake and Ellie were so close that they didn't even have to talk to each other to know what the other felt. They shared this since they first met.
The two had met when the young Mystical Elf was making her first journey outside the Valley of Light, off to the Fire Lands to heal the injuries of those whom have fought in the many battles. The Fire lands were always at war with each other, one warrior always trying to overthrow another, seeking great power. This was their way of life.
Usually fire warriors did not prefer outsiders; however, they did respect the Dark magician and the Buster Blader. The White Sage had heard of the battles and summoned the wandering Blake to lead and protect Ellie. He accepted gallantly. The more and more time they spent together, the more in love they became. Finally, as soon as there was peace in the in Fire lands, or as much as it was going to last, the two were married under the bright orange sun as it sank slowly below the graceful exploding volcanoes. With the giving of each other their lives, the two each gave something else. Blake gave the timid Ellie newfound courage whenever she went to a foreign land to heal by herself. In return, she gave him the compassion to respect all those weaker than he.
Meanwhile, sitting in one of the rooms was Catalina. Looking on, she stayed at the bedside of the sleeping form known as Neo. She couldn't help but stare at the light monster hoping he would be all right. Catalina was usually always friendly to foreign warriors when they visited. However, now as she looked at the light pale face Catalina felt nervous. What's Neo like? Would he like her? The young girl moved closer to sit on the edge of the bed where the boy lay. Slowly and gently, she reached out her hand and started to stroke the boy's cheek. He felt cold. Just then, the boy began to stir; Catalina realized this, however, was too paralyzed to move.
"That feels good...so warm."
Neo opened his eyes staring blue into blue.
"Please don't stop, you feel so warm."
His pale hand reached up to hold her hand in place from being pulled away. Catalina couldn't move even if she wanted to. Neo then sat up slowly still holding the girl's hand, and spoke smoothly.
"What's your name?"
Finally regaining some of her senses, she answered.
"Catalina."
"Beautiful, my name is Neo." He said quietly.
Catalina pulled her hand away slowly, her normal curiosity taking over.
"Do you really know the White Magician?"
Neo blinked, "You mean Krystal? Yes, she is my slightly older sister."
Catalina wasn't surprised, for Krystal did cry out, 'brother' to him earlier.
Suddenly, Neo's eyes went wide. "My god! I forgot to apologize. Forgive me for nearly destroying your land, and hurting your people. I didn't know what I was doing." He said as he bowed his head low, but he quickly picked it back up when he heard a cheerful giggle from Catalina.
"We are not blaming you for anything, Neo. It is the Fiends whom are to blame for stealing you away."
They both smiled. Then, Neo spoke again, this time sounding slightly worried.
"How is Krystal? Is she ok?"
"Hey, don't worry Krystal is fine; although, you did give her a little scare when you appeared from her enemy."
"Can you take me to her?" asked Neo, showing full concern in his eyes.
"Uh..sure, but I'll have to see if it is all right with Ellie for you or her to leave."
Neo nodded, and with that Catalina stood up and left the room through the dark curtain, leaving Neo to wonder if he would ever see her again.
(((Dream Sequence))) (This is my first so go easy on me)
"Hey, Krystal! Wake up!"
Sapphire eyes opened slowly to reveal bright light surrounding a light figure standing over them. Sitting up among soft white satin sheets, 12-year-old Krystal looked around to see she was in a small hut-like room made of golden yellow hay somehow held together as if by magic. The door and windows were covered by white satin curtains. As Krystal's eyes roamed, they soon came to a figure standing in front of her. It was a young 8-year-old boy with shaggy blonde hair covering his light blue eyes.
"Neo? What's going on?" asked little Krystal, looking confused as she tossed her two-foot blonde braid over her shoulder.
Neo laughed, "What do you mean, sister? Don't you remember? There is no training today! So we were going to go on a picnic!" he exclaimed excitedly, "Just the three of us."
"The three of us?" Krystal wondered, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Come on Krystal! We have been planning this for a month!" Neo stated, grabbing Krystal's pale hand in his own and pulled his sister outside into the bright sun. There the two children stood surrounded by dozens of small huts almost identical to each other. The two ran through the village leaving only small footprints in the soft yellow/white sand. Soon they stood in the center of the large sandy courtyard right outside the glistening diamond temple. Their silence was soon broken by a loud yet smooth shout.
"Hey! What took you two so long?"
Krystal and Neo looked up to see a young girl, with long golden flowing hair, jump down from her spot on one of the giant diamonds that radiated out from the temple. With picnic basket in hand, she ran over to the others. Krystal went to greet her.
"Hello Aurora! I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I guess I shouldn't have stayed up so late practicing with my magic. Sorry."
Krystal said this and in return received tight hug. "Hey don't apologize, it is not everyday that my little sister is meant to be the greatest light warrior in the Valley!" exclaimed Aurora smiling big.
Krystal blushed a little and Neo piped up, "But Aurora, I thought you two were twins?"
Aurora cringed but kept it hidden behind her big sweet smile, and spoke again sounding more excited.
"Come on; let's go find a spot to set up our picnic. Don't worry I've got the perfect place." Aurora said turning around so her sister and brother could not see her smirk.
"Great!" shouted the other two in unison.
The three children led by Aurora found themselves in a clearing among a cluster of lush green trees, near the mountain boundary of the Valley. Soon they reached a small clearing, and started to set up blankets for their small feast.
After about an hour, the siblings laughed, as they ran among the thick forest, playing their favorite game 'Magic Ball'. This game is played with a small sparkled ball. Each time the ball glows, someone must hit it with the palm of his or her hand. The person who hits it the most times before the ball fades and falls to the ground is declared the winner. The ball bounces and floats around about 25 feet in the air, so the young children kept jumping up and climbing the trees in order to reach it.
After about another hour, all three children lay in the middle of a wide- open field on a tall cliff, overlooking the Valley. Their little game was over. Aurora and Krystal ended in a tie, as they usually did, and with Neo coming in a close second. These three children were happy together no matter who won. The three of them were closer than anyone in the whole village.
As they slept peacefully underneath the warm sun, neither of them sensed the dark clouds covering over the Valley, bright lightning crashed and loud thunder roared. Upon hearing the thunder, Krystal lazily opened her blue eyes only to have her ears pick up the shouts of Neo and Aurora. Upon hearing this new sound, Krystal jumped to her feet only to be met with two dark shadowed figures holding tightly on to Neo and Aurora, who were both thrashing about trying get loose but to no avail. Now angry, young Krystal, although she did not receive her staff yet from the Mistress Sage, grabbed the blue diamond amulet around her neck, and started a chant. This caused the gem to glow and shoot at the shadows several times, making them fall to the ground, dizzy in the head.
Seeing the figures were growing unconscious, Krystal took this advantage and ran over to her siblings, who had collapsed from using so much energy. As Krystal started to untie their bonds on their hands and feet, she was too concerned to notice the dark figure behind her. The young girl had just finished Aurora's bonds and was starting on Neo's, when something picked her up, holding her arms tightly against her body. She gasped.
The figure held her tightly as she tried to kick and throw punishes at him. As she looked up, Krystal saw the dark figure smirk, and as she yelled at him to stop what she feared he was going to do, he threw her aside, sending the young magician into a nearby tree.
"No...please." Krystal begged weakly, as she saw the figure, through barely open blue eyes, bend down and pick up the two children, and quickly and silently vanished into the darkness. In an instant, her brother and sister were gone.
Just then, to Krystal, "No..." everything was darkness.
(((End of Dream Sequence)))
"No!"
The White magician bolted up still wrapped under layers of black silk. Krystal was breathing heavily, memories of the dream replaying over in her mind. Tears began to form in her eyes, at all the memories that came flooding back.
Just then, the black curtain flew open and the Dark magician ran in upon hearing the White magician's cries. Mace had been standing outside Krystal's room waiting for her to awake, she had been asleep for two and a half-hour, and Mace was getting worried. Suddenly, he heard her shout and fearing the worst, he ran in. Standing there, Mace saw Krystal sitting in her bed. Calmly yet a little nervous, he walked over and sat down on the bed, watching the White magician with her head in her hands, crying, like she had a horrible nightmare. Mace never wanted to see Krystal like this; it almost caused his heart to tear each time he saw her tears fall.
Placing his hands gently on her shoulders, he made her look up. Her blue eyes were clouded with tears.
"What's wrong, Krystal?" Mace asked softly, concern showing in his voice.
Feeling such warmth from the Dark magician, Krystal collapsed against his chest. There the two were, sitting in each other's arms. Suddenly, Krystal cried sounding angry.
"Mace, I am so weak!"
This shocked Mace, and he made her look at him. "What are you talking about? You are not weak!"
"Yes, I am! I couldn't save them then, and I can't do it now! I must rely on others for help!"
"Whom couldn't you save?" asked Mace, as he pulled Krystal back into a gentle embrace, "If you are talking about Neo, he's going to be fine. The Mystical Elf is with him right now."
"Are you sure he's going to be fine?" Krystal asked staring in to Mace's eyes, with extreme worry for her little brother.
Mace nodded as he gently raised his hand, stroking away loose strands of blonde hair. Slowly, his hand made its way down and started wiping away wet tears that clouded her blue eyes and covered her pale complexion. Cupping her face in his hands, Mace pulled Krystal closer, wanting so much as to kiss away every memory of her lost and tortured past. Closer and closer, until they could feel each other's warm breathe on the other. Heavy eyelids slowly closed.
"Excuse me, but is Krystal awake yet?"
The two magicians were jerked back into reality, as they looked up to see the Dark magician girl peaking her blonde head through the black curtain.
"Yes Catalina, is everything all right?" asked Krystal, not quite sure what she was doing in Mace's arms.
Catalina fixed her gaze on Krystal, a little nervous to hear Mace's reaction to her news.
"Oh, everything is fine. The Mystical Elf said that Neo was feeling well enough that if you wanted to see him, you could."
As Catalina said this, Krystal's eyes widened as she let go of Mace's arms, and before Catalina could even finish; Krystal stood up and ran through the curtained doorway.
The two dark magicians walked out of the room just in time to see Krystal disappear behind another curtain, leading to Neo's room. Catalina was about to peak her blonde head through the curtain, wanting to see more of Neo, however, Mace laid his hand on her shoulder stopping her. She looked at him at him as he spoke calmly.
"Let them alone. They need this time to talk of things their family has missed."
Catalina smiled and nodded.
The two magicians then walked over to sit with the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, as Krystal entered the dark room, there she stood, in front of a young male, clad in loose black drawstring pants and a loose gray shirt, both contributed by Catalina's "too big to fit" wardrobe. The young man, barely noticing another's presence, sat on the bed, his back to Krystal, leaning with one elbow on the windowsill. He stared out the window over looking the dark shadows stretching for miles. Volcanoes far in the west erupted into the dark blue sky, the vast deep blue water surrounded everything, forming lakes and rivers and oceans through out the land. Just beyond the shadows, the land was covered with lush forests and green meadows and even tall mountains were gathered in a several groups reaching far beyond the clouds.
However, in the middle of the vast forests, stood a small cluster of white- colored mountains, called the White Mountains, which within stood the Valley of Light. Neo's blue eyes threatened to fill with tears, knowing well that he was responsible for almost destroying his home.
Just then, he felt a soft hand placed on his shoulder. Neo turned his head to see Krystal smiling at him, as she was half sitting on the bed. Silently, they looked at each other, with equally bright blue eyes. Until, Neo turned away again and continued to stare out the window. Krystal moved closer to him, and wrapping her arms around her brother, she spoke softly in Neo's ear.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah, and I almost destroyed it; destroyed my home." Neo whispered back, sounding angry.
Krystal hugged him tighter, "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know what you were doing."
"I know." Neo said, turning around facing his sister, "but still did it and I know it."
By this time, the young magical swordsman laid on the bed, crying in his elder sister's arms. The white magician pulled her younger brother into her lap, holding him, comforting him, while she stroked his fine blonde hair.
Just then, Krystal spoke in just above a whisper, "Neo...Do you know where Aurora is?"
At this, Neo looked up, and more tears began to flow.
"I- I don't remember. The last thing I do remember is Aurora and I screaming, and then more screams as Aurora was taken away from my side. Then, nothing...nothing but darkness."
(((Flashback)))
The two unconscious light children were thrown roughly into a dark, damp dungeon cell. The young boy was the first to awaken, and was frightened by the constant darkness, he huddled into a distant corner, crying. Closing his eyes, he wished this was a nightmare, and he will wake up with his sisters in the golden, bright Valley.
But it never happened.
On the other side of the cell, lay a young girl with long golden hair pulled in a long ponytail; she awoke to the sound of crying. Sitting up, she looked around. When she saw her little brother crying, Aurora quickly went over and held her little brother tightly in a warm hug. Silently, the two sat there, when Neo spoke through his tears.
"Sister, I want to go home."
Aurora smiled, "Ssh, don't worry, I'm sure Mistress Sage and Krystal will find a way to help us. I will protect you little brother, I promise."
(((End of Flashback)))
"That was the last time I ever saw Aurora. After that, the Fiends took her away. I never saw her again."
As Neo finished telling his story, he had collapsed in his sister's arms, now crying uncontrollably. Krystal, on the other hand, was in shock that someone could do such horrible things to children of light, especially her family. She was also angry with herself that she had forgotten and was forced to surpress all these memories. She vowed to herself that she would get revenge for her brother's pain; she will save her twin sister.
As soon as she felt Neo fall asleep, Krystal stood up and covered him in the layers of black silk. She smiled at how peaceful he looked. Then, picking up her blue gem staff by the door, Krystal was about to go ask permission to leave for the Land of Fiends, but suddenly she stopped as if by some invisible force.
Behind her bright green light glowed, and started to form deep, dark black portal. Krystal's blue eyes all of a sudden became clouded over, as she turned around and started to walk toward the green light and into the portal, as if mesmerized.
During this time, Neo, who wanted to be with his sister longer, couldn't sleep. Slowly, he opened his blue eyes, but his small smile turned quickly into fear and shock. Helpless, Neo jumped from the bed and ran toward the portal, through which Krystal had just entered, only to have it close, making him run smack into a stone wall. Tears began welling in his blue eyes again at the thought of losing his sister, again.
Then fear and shock quickly turned to anger as Neo, blinded by the rage of losing his family, began pounding on the stone gray walls with his pale fists, where the portal was, hoping it would open up again, but it never did. After his tantrum, Neo slowly sank to the floor tired and in tears. Even though he had used a lot of energy, Neo still continued to cry out softly, with his fists still punching the wall, wanting the Fiends to give back his sisters. "No...give them back...don't leave me again..."
TBC>>>>
OMG! I think that was the longest chapter I have ever written. Let's see...4427 words. Yup, I would say that is a lot.
Ok, I will have chapter 11 up hopefully soon, next month.
I believe there are about two more chapters for this story that is if everything goes according to plan. Here's hoping.
In addition, I am trying to update my Gundam Wing story "The Perfect Warrior" at the same time, so bear with me. Moreover, if you can review both please do so.
Until next time!
White Spirit Angel