Shitza: Oh, isn't this growing tense? (Curses her dizzy head.) Okay, I started to write right after the last chapter, I am impossible I know. And I'm surprised you don't think I'm evil yet? You sure have unusually high thoughts of me, complete opposite of my dear older brother. Okay, not entirely true, at least not when it comes to school. I'm still home since I feel I cannot walk without bumping into the wall or something. The fever is gone, but my head don't seem to think so, sigh.
Never mind, this little author has suffered worse things in her short life. As for what I am here for, Yay another chapter! Indeed the demons have gone really rough now, haven't they? Oh, I do love this part of the story, (smiles evilly.) Can't wait to give our little friends here some more problems. But to start I am going to have some deep thoughts, so if you wonder who is the intro in this chapter I've let it to Zeo.
The title of this chapter surely makes you curious, doesn't it? "Secret love" oh, I love that title. It's a pairing I love, I think I've put hints now and then, very small for someone who is close of ruining fun in the past by putting out too many details. I've finally learnt to keep quiet!
Speaking of quiet. Haven't added all details about fusing so small notes do appear in the chapter. As if you wonder what kind of attacks they are using. Brand New Beyblade moves. I hope I warned you this fic is a little different from the others. This chapter features new fusing and new attacks.
Many things are new. One thing is that I think I'll finish this fic in a record time! Has anyone noticed it's only been up for a month, or a bit more then a month? It is already over 70 000 words, something that I can put as a personal record. Whew, my fingers are probably burning in the heat of typing.
Chapter 13 Secret LoveI cannot believe it. For the weeks I've spent at this place, the turns and twists, the anger and suffer, I've gotten to know me. To know my goals and my own strength. I never knew that the human body could be this strong? If I even dare call myself human now… some would call me monster. An inhuman creature living out of pure darkness… no wait… That can't be, can it? I mean I am a human. I was given humanity through Kim. Oh, those evil creatures what have they really don't o her.
What is going on? The gate? Kim? It can't be! What have the demons done to her? Dressed in black, what is going on? I've heard before black takes out a woman's beauty but this is really ridiculous. Those demons, they must have brainwashed her or something. That they even dare!
Kim's eyes are filled with darkness. I know her eyes are dark, in beautiful deep brown… wait a minute… what the hell am I thinking? It's what Kai would have described, have I gotten weak or something? Do I secretly have feelings for her? I feel so confused; this all… everything is so new. Could I, be in love?
ARGH! I need to sort this out. I wish I could talk to her, but right now I wonder if she would be able to hear me. Destined for demons… feh! I'll make sure that won't happen. That demon-king thing has just gotten himself another rival. Kim, I'll get you out of there. I promise! I owe you that after what you did for me!
Everyone was so quiet; they didn't know what to think. Kim stood there, her shoulder-length black hair blowing in the wind. The seven friends prepared for another fight. They didn't know what to expect. This came like a sudden shock from the sky. They had no idea if they even dared to attack. They knew they would have to bring her back and still they weren't sure of what was going on.
Kim smirked seeing how shocked her opponents were. Her attack sent them flying as a beam of darkness hit the ground before them. She was toying with them, testing them. Playing with their strength, growing on their nerves. Tyson was first to get to his feet and ready to fight as well. Ray quickly jumped up as well stopping his attacks.
"Don't!" he warned him. "We said we would bring her back not kill her."
Tyson growled, but Ray was right. Anger mixed with their powers created deadly storms. The others got back to their feet as well, their eyes ablaze with anger. Hilary tried to run over to give Kim a lesson, if Max and Kenny hadn't restrained her. Zeo stood by Kai's shoulder, both thinking the same. There had to be something within them that could bring her back.
Kai sighed. "Her Light has definitely been put out." He said. Zeo looked over to him. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I knew her when we where younger, or I thought I did then. She used to be at Biovolt with the rest of us, training to be the best. Kim though didn't share the same goal as the rest of us. I remember when we had matches she always won over most of the strongest boys, her blading skills were better then most people who ended up there. But when Boris came to congratulate her she simply shrugged it of and left. It startled us, but we learnt to accept it. She was still kind to us, treated her like brothers and we loved her as a sister. I think some loved her more then that but she didn't pay attention to them. She ignored them easily."
Zeo raised an eyebrow. He never had heard that version before.
"In the winters, when the snow almost drained us we spent many days outside training. Boris thought it was for the better training but some of us never managed it through. She tried to help us stand, never fearing for her life but for others. I do remember Tala was close, he was so cold. She always wore a fur coat over her shoulders to keep her warm and she gave it to him. She had just a thin vest underneath; it was amazing she had survived the day of struggles. Tala had tried to give it back but she had refused saying he needed it better. Now the words make sense, but can you imagine our bewilderment?"
"I have to agree it must have been weird." Zeo said. Kai continued.
"I have no idea what Biovolt planned really, I have my theories but I'm not sure. My grandfather Voltaire never told me anything and he used us all. Kim was sent to win our second World Tour and she did, she was amazing. Of course blade technique has improved a lot, it was almost ten years back or something. Some months later I blew the place up and escaped it for a good while. Kim escaped too, but I thought she was dead. Well, until you know when. But she is really a good soul though."
Zeo scratched his head. Did all of that come from Kai? It sounded so unalike him. Zeo looked back at the other captain but he was gone. Way ahead. Zeo hurried after wonder4ing what was going on.
The others followed as well, hurrying after their captain. They summoned their bit beasts and jumped up on their backs. Ray and Driger fused yet again. Kim smiled seeing the attack. She created several bolts of dark energy sending the attack at them. They all dodged and hurried after her. A dark shield met them all, except for Ray who jumped through growling.
"Do try to remember who you really are," Ray/Driger said. (Shitza: Yes, they can talk like this. Don't bother asking.)
Kim growled sending another dark attack. Ray jumped over it, his body flowing green. Zeo jumped in as well, fusing with Cerberus. The two four-pawed beasts hurried after her trying to get her back. Kenny joined as well being the third person to fuse.
Still though over brave attempts it was hard to beat something this dark, this strong and all three of them were forced to the ground by shadowed whips. They all tried to stand, but failed as the pain stroke again and again. Zeo howled, a deep painful howl as the whips hit his back with such a ferocity you could hear bones crack. Ray tried to move away, but something more then the whips pinned him to the ground. Kenny was caught in a cage of dark vapours.
'If only we could help them!' Max thought angrily. 'No one deserves to suffer all this pain. I should do something!' "DRACIEL!" he shouted.
Rain poured over them, max felt every drop of rain as the heaven was crying. Crying, like his soul was crying right now over the darkness that penetrated this world. He could feel the water within him, the water trickling down his face, the water falling into puddles on the ground. He could smell it, he could hear it, and he could be it.
His blood grew colder as if it was turning to ice. His skin became leathery, his body sunk down became croaked. A thick shell grew on his back covering most parts of his body like an armour. His hair completely disappeared but it would return once he became himself again. A wave of water, water from all the puddles and pools around him suddenly washed up behind him showing the intense strength of this tortoise. Draciel had come to life.
MAX'S POV
Wow, I made it! This is so cool! I am sharing thoughts and mind with Draciel. It's not so bad, can't understand what Zeo and Ray were so frightened of. There's nothing to be scared of right? I mean, come on! Draciel is cool. He's not violent, or is he?
Hmm, now how can we deal with this? I'd hate to harm Kim, but we have to make her snap out of things. Hmm… I'm not sure I dare attack her myself, really I am simply a defensive creature trying to protect things. Water embraces you, right? Water isn't meant to be feared only respected. So, what to do? I could need some help here.
I send some of the flood to help my friends get out of their pain. The darkness binding them bends to my powers and disappear. Ray and Zeo gets up, sending me thankful nods before attacking again. I hope they know what they are doing. I'm not sure of what to do, but I better do something soon, and fast. Time is running against us.
"Rain Catastrophe!" I shout summoning the powers within me. The power is enough to make me weak but what can I do? Just sit here, no, I need to help! I have finally mastered it, we have done it. Draciel agrees with me in this. "Now!" I shout towards the rain clouds, feeling my last strength ebb away.
The clouds around them suddenly opened to drench them in water. But that wasn't everything. This water was alive and deadly. It centred before them melting into a huge pillar before their eyes. The pillar suddenly bent over like an attacking snake before lunging itself towards Kim. Kim shrieked and disappeared in a flash of darkness. Everyone else cheered as Max finally woke up, having missed the action but he knew already what had happened. He knew the outcome by knowing water.
Completely drained of his strength Ray and Tyson carried him. Ray was still very bruised from all beating and Zeo winced in pain as he made his way back with the others. The villagers proceeded to build up the walls as quick as possible. Kenny trembled now having received a bad amount of claustrophobia. He never wanted to be in a locked room again. Hilary was trying to talk some reason into him.
One fight can change everything and now they were treated like kings. They all were given beds to rest seeing as some were wounded and others needed to think in quiet. Each bed had a niche showing of their powers. Max's for example had blue silk, and the mattress was made of none-smelling seaweed. A small stream of water coming from a hole in the wall was the sound that soothed his sleep as he felt he was literally being healed in the lake itself.
Their beds had many functions, which feels weird to say as they are simply bed. Daichi's idea had been to let their elements heal them with him doing as little job as possible. After a while he happily could notice it worked. The lightning seemed to be able to mend Ray's bones and Darkness took away Zeo's bruises. Sounds impossible but every element can heal as well as destroy. The team of friends soon opened their tired eyes. Tired but perfectly healed.
"Sleep!" Daichi said to them. "You will need all your strength you can get. Thinking of what you did today we owe you the right to tell you exactly what is going on here. With the same words my mother and me got to her them.
(Shitza: As for my readers, there will be a flash back.)
The thunder outside roared shaking the house. Two small kids, barely three years old sat on the floor playing with a blue little thing called beyblade. They were so young and yet they seemed to enjoy it. Their mother stood over the open fire cooking dinner. She had red hair, bright green eyes and a soft voice singing. The two kids looked up to her before getting to their small feet, running over to her hugging a leg each. The mother laughed, put down the frying pan she was holding in the air over the fire and gently picked them up, one by one. First the little boy, the son of her present husband and the daughter of her ex. She loved her daughter but hated the man who was the father. Uniwa knew she was dying but had decided she would spend the remaining days of her life with her two children raising them to be good.
The wind rustled through the chimney. The storm grew harder and harder. Her husband was outside and she was worried of him. Someone knocked at the door. Gently she made her two children let go of her legs before walking over hoping it was her husband who had come home, but to her dismay it wasn't. It was an elderly woman, probably the oldest living woman in the Valley at that time. The woman croaked after water and Uniwa, who was the gentle Light of the time, couldn't say no. She fetched a mug of water and helped the old woman to drink. Daichi and Kim crawled up to each other, trembling in fright. The old woman put the empty mug down, with shaking hands. She looked at Daichi and then at Kim. Her eyes grew wide and suddenly her pupils disappeared. She began to sing in a croaking voice sounding like a harsh crow.
"The time will come when Light will die
The star of hope diminish
The night will rule with no fear
As Light has left our side
Her soul and heart will be wiped away
The bride she is of evil
Unless a stronger power walks up
And gives the Light back…"
The song continued for several more phrases, but as she sang her eyes turned back to normal. She was still singing, but in his mind Daichi was sure he could hear something, and the things he was about to hear would never be forgotten. "Take care of your sister you man, for she is the key of either darkness or light. Her soul is easily penetrated by darkness and if you don't keep an eye on her darkness will take her as its bride. To think of it, darkness must take her as a bride if this world won't go under."
Those words echoed like a nightmare inside of Daichi's mind, and it had haunted him until now. The old woman died after saying those words, her last word was remember and so he had done. He wasn't sure if his sister did remember, right now she probably did not.
Daichi sighed. But after everything he had been through he had never been able to imagine this. The question that had bothered him for so long may be answered. His nightmares had ceased for the last years had disappeared.
"So you mean that no matter what your sister does, she will end up in darkness?" Ray asked hours later, raising an eyebrow.
"Such is life. Poor sis, no wonder she hates to be alone in the dark. Yes, she does, she is afraid of darkness and for a good reason. Poor sis, once she gets back from that it's loads of candles and no shadows in the room. And I thought I had taught her not to fear Darkness. Oh, poor me having to go through that training again."
Max laughed, but he was the only one who did. The others simply nodded not sure of what to think. For them Kim had been strong it felt weird to think she had any weak sides, of course this was just natural. Hilary poked Max on the ribs trying to get him to shut up, but it didn't seem to work. The blond haired fellow wouldn't stop laughing.
"What's so funny?" Everyone asked. Max calmed down enough only to giggle giving them his reply. "I just thought about what Daichi said about darkness and then thought about our dear Zeo here."
"WHAT!" Zeo shouted getting to his feet alarmed.
Daichi smirked. "You know, you can be right Max. Sis has had some unusual weak spots for this guy lately, weird thinking usually she is dead frightened by it."
"No way!" Kai said quietly, his lips barely moving. It was enough to let the others hear. The others ignored who had said it, but they all glared mischievously at Zeo. Sweat trickled down the turquoise haired blader's forehead as he tried to think out a plan to escape this embarrassing situation. To his surprise Hilary was the one to save him.
"Let's drop it guys, his love life is his own matter, all though if he wants his girl he should really move on with it. We came here for other matters, isn't it right?"
Everyone else nodded and Zeo sighed quietly out of relief. His thoughts strayed back to Kim and he wondered what was happening to her. She had been so cold, so evil, and so inhuman…
'Wait a minute, inhuman!'
"Guys, I think I have the answer!" he said making the others jump. Their heads bent closer to each other.
The morning sun grew steadily over the deep hole that was the Valley of Elements. Most people got up at this early hour, only to be surprised by a loud clanking coming from the gates. Four teens, a Neko Jin, a cross species between dog/human, owl/human and tortoise/human stood by the walls tending to them. Magic mixed with blood and timber made a good protection to the arriving battle. Three more teens stood outside the walls for an early morning exercise, meaning that they took down some minor dark creatures and demons. This was just simple preparations as they were waiting for another creature to visit them during the coming night. Ray grinned putting magical scrolls on ever trunk they put in the ground using inhuman strength. Zeo winked in response as the Neko put another one into a hole in the ground. Zeo waved his tail sealing it to the ground with magic. Everything was done with enough magic to protect this place from demon attacks three centuries forwards. Of course they weren't expecting a normal demon attack as well.
"This is the dirties piece of work I've ever laid my hands upon!" Tyson complained carrying rat blood in a bucket. (Shitza: honestly, I'm not letting them cut themselves. This is T rated after all.) The blunette sighed heaving the bucket to Zeo. Zeo wrinkled his nose. His senses were sharper this way then being human and he definitely disliked blood. Behind Tyson two more faces appeared, each carrying buckets filled with the red content as well. Ray sneezed and put a piece of cloth over his nose. Zeo followed example, hating the scent.
"Sorry guy's if we are ever going to get this done then you have to put up with it! Besides, there will be some nice fish and fresh meat after this." Hilary said jokingly.
"No meat for me!" Zeo said. "But the cat here would surely like a meal."
"Hey!" Ray complained. The others laughed, as pole after pole was put into ground in a fast speed. Enchantments were placed in all six elements; wind, fire, water, lightning, wisdom and darkness. After a few more hours of work and nearly lunchtime they all stepped back admiring their work. Ray, Zeo, Max and Kenny changed back to themselves smiling.
When the villagers saw their work they felt a bit safer then they had before. It all grew even better as Daichi had strapped vines growing up to strengthen and planted more defence outside. New traps were dug up, most of them leading into underground lava rivers. Demons liked heat but lava killed them. It was a good thing or else they would not know what to do. The hours went on, the silence soon entered the village again. The Bladebreakers and Zeo ate dinner together enjoying a last meal, for they did not know if even they would survive.
A slight chill grew coming from the north as an avalanche rained down from above the cliffs. Whispers from unknown places echoed in the dead silent place. The Valley was almost emptied, something that had not happened for many generations. In the safest area, the caves above, children and women held their breaths as the dark shadows moved under them. Tears trickled down their faces as in the horizon they could see the huge army of demons approach. The sound grew. Stomp… stomp… stomp… never dying. The last free life of animals, a few birds and some rats scattered as the approaching darkness neared. Demons, most of them now human corpses, marched towards the last defence the humans had. A small annoying Village in the Northwest of this place. Their last obstacle before an eternal night and with their new queen they knew they could not loose.
The Bladebreakers watched the rings in a bucket of water. The endless marching shook the ground. "Are you all ready?" Tyson asked in a whisper.
Silent yet determined faces met him as they all walked through the doors to get to their positions. Max gave him a high five and Kai a friendly smile, something that was rarely spotted. The captain had told them that if one of them would not survive this battle they could forget the BBA bonus. Tyson thought of it as a joke, but it had given them some light laughter. The BBA bonus came to retired players for their loyal services.
Zeo smiled as well as the turquoise haired teen disappeared completely in the darkness. He and Kenny had been sitting with the words of the Prophecy trying to figure it out. Hilary had helped them, since she was quite clever as well. Everyone had added their theories, and together they had a possible answer. It may not be correct, but it was a good answer. The seven friends scattered into different parts of the Village. Tyson, Kai and Ray had decided to lead the armies. Hilary and Kenny were preparing a surprise for their little friends. Max was heading for the lake and Zeo had disappeared of to the south parts of the Valley, travelling on Cerberus. The teen took a long road to get to his destination, but it was worth it.
As Cerberus, Max and Zeo disappeared through the gates, the gates really opened to reveal a huge army read for battle. Kai, Raya and Ray stood before them all, their bit beasts by their side. The demons slowly yet steadily approached sending fear into their hearts. But they did not show it.
The demons had to be at least five times as many more then them, but they would not budge. They would fight till the very last man, which hopefully would not have to happen. Raya tossed something to both Kai and Ray, two golden masks; similar to the one she wore, but still not. They had the same kind of design, except Kai's was in the shape of a bird and Ray's of a tiger. The two of the grinned putting them on. The demons stopped some hundred yards away from their own armies, all grinning at the sight of all blood. The demons had brought a wild assortment of creatures. Dogs from hell, cats born of fire, crows, evil fairies of ice, mutant animals tortured to become as cruel as they were. They even had some corrupted spirits that yet had not become demons.
But you could not say the ten villages had nothing to trade for this warm welcome. When the rumours about the battle had spread hundreds of creatures had come for aid. Eagles had swayed down their deep talons pointed towards the demons. White swans had flown in from the lake where they usually rested. Brightly coloured birds from all over the valley came to aid them. Wild stags, wolves and other creatures that lived in the Valley came for their support. Even if they were simple creatures they added strength and strength was needed. The horn sounded telling them all that the battle had begun, just as the sun was about to sink.
'This is probably the maddest thing I've ever done in my entire life' Zeo thought as he and Cerberus slowly climbed down the steep walls of the hellhole. 'And all this to save a girl, wonder what dad would have said if he saw me now. And he thought I could do nothing without being constantly guarded, poor dad. He would have had a heart attack seeing me like this.'
Zeo sighed as he and his bit beast finally managed to get down. The purple bit beast growled seeing what kind of environment they had come to. It reminded him too much of Hades. "Hush!" Zeo told him. "We don't want guards down here to notice us."
The two friends quietly sneaked through a mass of caves stopping whenever they could hear the cackling demons or when something seemed to happen before them. Twice they almost bumped into demons but managed to get out of the way before anyone noticed them.
#Have faith master, we will find it soon# Cerberus said. Zeo nodded as they continued down, deep down where no living man had put his feet. To the key to turn this battle.
TBC
End Notes: Sorry for the abrupt stop… I thought I'd leave it there. No worries, I'll continue soon. Still home, still home.
Z Star The Hidden Dragon: The cold, or whatever it is, is still there. I did leave for school for today (couldn't miss the school photos, mum literally chased me out from the house.) Anyway, it was a nice review you sent. I do really hope I'll get better soon; this is getting far too ridiculous. Thanks for reviewing and cheering my mood.
Storms-winter: Oh, not going to mention what will happen, the last teaser still stays for the next chapter. Tonight I am not into more writing on this chapter, feels like the mysterious things will have to start over a bit. I'm a bit tired… I hate to get up early, and that's what I did this morning. So long and thanks for reviewing.
Fire Falcon: Ah, at least you tried. This fic is nearing the end, but it's still far from the end. At least six more chapters to go, and that is the minimum of what I will post. Maybe even more. This is just the first part of the battle. I'm happy you like the action, thanks for reviewing and thanks for the help.
Kendo Baby: Now you know how I feel. I'm in secondary high so there is so little time really most I do is study and write these days. Having fun on weekends. Hope this update was soon enough. Thanks for reviewing.
End Notes:
Like I said, the teaser you read in the last chapter stands for the next chapter as well. For once I managed to write decent length review replies without babbling too much. (I do that all the time.) Thanks for all support, you guys/girls are wonderful!
Good Night!
ZzZzZzZz… huh… oh…
Shitza