AN IMPORTANT READ ME:
- . -;; I can't believe that it took me this long to realize I uploaded the wrong
chapter 6. I am such an idiot. All right, so here it is. What is *supposed* to
be chapter 6. I contemplated leaving his out after the initial discovery, and
letting the fic run as it is, but then my guinea reader told me that it would
probably be better to swallow my pride and repost, than let this little jot collect
dust on the hard drive. It's an important light on the villains of the fic, and it
holds details that will be needed later on to understand the storyline.
To those that actually avidly follow this story, I am so very, very sorry. I
thought there was something funny when the page numbers didn't add up,
but I posted this through a different computer than the usual one, so I thought
it was due to that.
Once again, *huge* apology. My fault for thinking I could do something
correctly. Sigh.
Enough ranting. Onto the fic! ^.^;;
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
The Casting of Shadows
By Phoenix Cubed
Chapter 6 - Faded Hope, Rising Glory
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
The school professor Naiso shuddered in the cold, drew his cloak more firmly
about his frail body, and ran through the darkness, praying that no one saw
him and put a name to his pitiful face. Though it was no longer raining, the
clouds had not dissipated with the end of the downpour. They hung heavily
and foreboding, blocking the shine of the stars and the moon, forcing the cold
to condense and wrap about the souls that walked the ground. Not for the
first time did Naiso wish to be back in his warm home with a thick wool
blanket wrapped about him, instead of running through back allies of less
than tasteful neighborhoods, with only the protection of his shabby and
tattered Lieutenant's cloak. He had pulled the thrice-damned mark of rank
from his memory chest. After Mindu, he had sworn off fighting and battles
and glory for a peaceful, safer life. Cromer was a cruel and evil master,
wanting nothing more than the destruction of anything he could touch.
Cromer and his wicked underlings had gone too far in Mindu, sacrificing
nearly two-thirds of his army to distract the Tieran Yaw away from the
Phoenix long enough to carry out their vile task. The purpose of the task was
unknown; Naiso was simply a Lieutenant, and orders didn't file that far down
in the ranks.
But now, now he had been called back to active duty. And as Jamten had
hinted to him, Naiso was sure his role would be much more active, fiendish,
and dangerous. The aged man sighed; he was much too old for this sort of
work. Why hadn't he gone to the Phoenix when he had a chance? This
would have never happened then.
Naiso's thoughts stopped at the backdoor of a seemingly abandoned
warehouse. This was where the directions stopped; so it had to be the place.
With a deep breath, the teacher gathered his courage and stepped through
the door.
The inside of the building defied the shabby exterior of crumbling brick and
flecking paint with grandiose beauty of what would be to a human, very alien
architecture. Four meters of polished wood flooring covered by expensively
done mud mats graced the entrance, keeping dirty feet from mussing the
plush, four inch thick carpeting that furnished the floor of Naiso's destination.
The walls were done in deep gold and black, with specially tinted lights that
blossomed from the walls to accent intricate carvings that were displayed
here and there. Paintings of famous artists from across not only universes,
but also dimensions, were tastefully hung about the open and expansive
rooms, giving the place a finished, aristocratic air. Music drifted to his ears;
they were beautiful songs played by instruments that he knew could never be
mastered by human lips. The pieces were intricate and soothing, designed to
show off not only the composer and player's talent, but also to please the ear
and distract the mind from the stresses of daily life.
For Naiso, the music was failing, and the reason for it was sprawled elegantly
on an exquisite, deep-seated couch, warming himself by a fire that gave off
very little heat.
"Naiso, old boy, how good of you to come." Jamten hadn't bothered to turn
his head, but had known just the same who had come to him. No one else
was foolish enough to heed the Wicked Servant's calls.
The trembling professor ignored his old master's subtle jab and dropped to
the floor on his knees. His Lieutenant's cloak swirled about him to pillow
beneath his stance, creating the customary greeting ritual. Now for the
words: "Lord and Savior; you take us from the clutches of Destruction and
Creation to your cradling wings. You are the true Light and true Night, guide
me, O' Lord, so that I may follow you in shadow."
"Well," a voice slunk from the shadows, "I see that his mind hasn't mildewed
as much as we thought it might." Kaori shifted into the light. "He
remembered that silly phrase of yours, if nothing else."
Melanie's shadow intertwined with her sister. "I can't believe you had all your
pet minions learn that, Jammie, what's the point of it all?"
"Shows their mouths still work, if nothing else." Jamten slowly rolled his
position on the couch until he was looking directly at Naiso. "And I'm so glad
to know that yours is still working, Naiso. It be a shame if you and I couldn't
hold a heart to heart."
The Lieutenant cowered slightly. His master didn't have a heart; whatever
was coming next could not be good.
"Now now, Naiso, don't look so frightened. After all, as your Lord and Savior,
I am here to help you."
The twins in the background giggled, "to his death, most likely."
Jamten smiled and looked at the twins, "perhaps, after I ask the questions."
The general's eyes swept back to the cowering Lieutenant. "Oh, do get up
Naiso, you're wearing holes in my carpet."
The twins moved from their easy positions in the shadows to prowl about the
still prostrate form of Naiso until he rose shakily to his feet. Jamten watched
him quietly for a few moments before finally speaking. "Tell me now, my
frightened friend, how is it that you came to be the strict professor you are
today and not still a strong force in my army?"
"Was he ever?" Came a smothered snicker.
"Hush, let the man speak, while he still holds his tongue."
Naiso shuddered as he prepared his words; there could be no happy ending
to this. "In Mindu, great Lord, I served you as a younger Lieutenant. I was
apart of the distraction you sent out, but word was given that we were to
retreat and scatter as fast and as far as we could. I did, choosing the closest
neutral dimension I could find until further orders reached me."
"The nearest neutral dimension."
The professor nodded vigorously, "of course. Out of your care, sir, I quickly
began to age. I soon took an occupation that fit the profile I had found myself
in, and have been here ever since, awaiting orders."
"You do realize, Naiso, that this dimension is controlled by the Phoenix and
her like?"
"That is very much the same as neutral sir."
Without warning, a swift fist came in contact with the aging man's tender
midsection. Sickening cracks were audible as he doubled over in pain, falling
to the floor in with a barely audible cry. A foot connected with his back,
creating a viscous retribution to seemingly harmless words.
"Do you think that I am a fool, Naiso? An idiot, perhaps?" Jamten's voice
sounded very close to his ear, soft and dangerous. "The Phoenix is nothing
neutral. She is wicked, dangerous, and your downfall. Did you think you
could escape my services so easily? Once with Fate, you are sealedforever."
There was another sharp blow to his rib cage, more cracking of fragile bones.
It was becoming hard for Naiso to breathe. Warm liquid was trickling down
his face and pooling in the crack between his lips. Blood. He would surely
die, but he would go down fighting this time. "Destiny," he choked out, "will
not let it be so."
A cruel laugh echoed throughout the expensive room, ringing in and out of his
ears in harsh, painful notes. "The truth comes out at last. You have sided
with that passive voice. You believe that the Phoenix will save you, protect
you, keep you safe no matter what."
"She will give us what you could never."
"And what would that be, Naiso?"
"A future."
There was a blur of movement within the corner of the Lieutenant's eye. A
moment later, a strong force threw his prone body through the air and sent it
crashing against the finely decorated walls. Strong claws dug into the tender
flesh of his neck, sending tiny rivulets of blood to line his bobbing Adam's
apple and dribble onto the pale skin of Kaori's hands. She grinned at him,
maniacal and sadistic, but sweet all the same.
Jamten's voice sounded once again very close to his ear, but Naiso could
clearly see the evil general quietly fuming across the room from him. "An
idiot I may be, Naiso, and a fool as well. But I am not the largest of either of
those two in this room or in this world. To put your faith in a dying bird
because she will give you false hope, you are indeed a fool."
"Then what need have you, oh Lord, for a fool? Let us go to the Light with
our false hopes and dreams."
For a moment, it looked as if Jamten would simple explode. Anger rolled
from his body in tight, hot waves. His aura, which Naiso had long since
figured he was hiding, came out dangerously fast and close. If the Lieutenant
had been anymore sensitive to the energy that was Jamten was throwing, he
would have been dead.
Then, as suddenly as it had lashed out, the energy retreated, and Jamten
was as calm as the eye of a hurricane. A smile slowly stretched itself across
his thin lips. "Go to the Phoenix? No, I'll make it easy for your pathetic body,
Naiso. Why don't I bring her to you?"
Naiso's eyes widened. He couldn't.
"Norban, fetch our friend, Naiso wants to have a talk with his little golden
savior."
Prayers unanswered, Naiso turned to look at the source of a sudden
movement in the corner of his eye. There, standing in an unnoticed doorway
was Norban, the boy he had recognized earlier, and, the girl that they had
been toting around ever since they had arrived. Norban sneered slightly and
shoved the girl forward, causing her to trip and fall to her knees at the
viciousness of his hand. For a moment she simply held still, supported by
trembling arms and knees. Finally, however, her head slowly began to move.
Pale, stringed hair fell from her face as she looked up enough to center her
eyes on the professor for the first time since they had met. Those eyes-
watered down, flat, emotionless-how could those be the same eyes that
reduced enemies to spineless wraiths and turned down allies into triumphant
victors? The thin girl before him was beaten, and if not broken, then very
close to it. The Phoenix could never be broken, she'd die first; someone
would rescue her first. It just couldn't be possible, yet...
"I see that you are having a hard time believing this poor Lord, my dear
school professor. Perhaps I should lift the veil."
Naiso was confused, "veil?"
As if almost humoring him, Jamten rolled his eyes in a childlike manor. "Yes,
you simpering excuse for a sentient creature." With a casual stroll, the
general walked over to the girl and took hold of the scruff of her thin shirt,
lifting her high in the air before dropping her. "On your feet, Ivory."
Miraculously, the girl managed to catch herself and balance her body before
she could tumble back to her scraped knees. Jamten continued to talk.
"Now, as we look at this pathetic specimen before us, those who know of the
Phoenix could never possibly relate this scrawny miscreant for the *great *
and *powerful* being that flies around doing good. Why? Because she is
NOT great and NOT powerful, *I am.* And I have willed it that she should fall
to disgrace by accompanying us about our merry way like the good and
obedient dog she is, until we see it fit to deliver her to our Master. From
there, she shall become what Fate has decreed her to be, showing all that
Destiny is nothing but a passive voice, easily muted."
Naiso could do nothing to these words but stare in disbelief. None of this
seemed possible, though the Gospels of Fate had been preaching this for
thousands of years, if not millions.
"I see your small mind has mildewed a bit more than originally thought. Very
well, I shall put it in simpler terms for you." He grabbed hold of the girl's chin.
"This is the great Fire as she should be. This-" and suddenly power flared
through the room, wrapping around every body and squeezing tight. For a
few brief moments, Naiso felt as he had once; young and strong, capable of
anything and everything. Then the feeling left him alone and tired, and he
looked about to see astonishing sights. Everyone seemed to literally melt
before him and into the more recognizable forms from his past.
Melanie and Kaori stood side by side with their blood red hair and crimson
spattered freckles. Now they were indecipherable from each other except for
Melanie's one blue and one green eye. The blue was the permanent trace of
a scar from one of her more flamboyant run-ins with one of the Phoenix's
Color Guard.
Norban stood in his usual slouched position. Fuzzy brown hair in no
particular direction fell to his ears. Though his eyes had not changed, his
height had considerably, easily towering over six feet, with a few inches
thrown in for good measure, it seemed. Norban crossed his arms and
smirked, leaning on the expensive walls to watch the unfolding show. His
sense of humor had always been sick.
"Enjoying the sights, Naiso?" Jamten's smile was as cruel as he
remembered it. His boyish frame had changed very little. Now though, the
weighty sense of age was easily felt. His malicious black eyes were as cold
as they could ever be, swirling deep with years of the joy of inflicting pain and
misery. How many exactly no one knew, he'd been killing nearly as long as
the Lady of Fire had been saving. Jamten stretched out a bit, showing off
what was now a well-proportioned frame. He looked like an eighteen-year-
old athlete. Strong and sleek, but not overly muscled. In this form, though,
he could never be mistaken for as a young adult, or an athlete. Jamten could
be nothing but the hated being he truly was.
"You've been hiding yourselves," the Lieutenant whispered quietly. "Playing
down your auras so no one could find you."
"Silly little Naiso," Melanie giggled, "not only us, but look at your little
savior now."
Naiso closed his eyes and dropped his head; he didn't have the courage to
do so.
"Look, Naiso, or I break her arm."
A soft gasp forced the aging man to look. Jamten had grabbed the girl's arm
and was holding it in an awkward position behind her back. Half an inch
further, and it would snap faster than a dry twig.
"Look, Naiso, and behold the hopes and dreams of Destiny."
Slowly, very slowly, the former now active Lieutenant of the 3rd division of
Fate's Hand looked to the face that the entire room laughed upon. Tears
pooled within his ducts. Jamten had dropped the girl's arm and chin; and
now she stood in all her stripped glory. Blue eyes as dark as the night yet
bright as the sun silently gazed at him from under long silver bangs. It was
truly silver now, though not as soft and as home spun looking as it once had
been. Her now scraggly mane fell down to the blades of her thin shoulders,
bruised and nearly bare under the thin, ragged shirt that she was clothed in.
The rest of her was just as bad. There was hardly an inch of her that wasn't
black and blue or the sickly shade of recovering yellow. The tears finally fell
from his eyes as he met hers one last time, before falling on his knees with
an almost inaudible wail. All was lost.
"Now, my little Lieutenant, look about and tell me who is greater. Tell me,
who is beaten, and who still stands. Speak Naiso, I command you."
"You command nothing but misery and pain, and so l must speak." Naiso
dropped his head to the floor in a submissive position. "You have beaten her
body and suppressed her spirit, but she still stands. For now, however, I give
the point to you. Direct me, oh Master, so that I may obey."
Jamten smiled in triumph. "Excellent, Lieutenant. Now listen closely, I have
great plans for you and all existence this night."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Morning dawned without a cloud to hinder it. Rising over the mountains as
only the life giving star can, the sun burst upon the sleeping world to herald
one more new beginning, one more day of joy and pain, and one more
chance at anything.
Sage sat under his tree, quietly taking in the first rays of morning light with a
detached air. He and the rest of the Ronins had talked long into the night,
despite their guardian's wishes, and had succeeded in doing nothing more
than complete a useless circle thousands upon thousands of times.
Questions would be presented; tentative and dubious answers would be
proposed that led to obscure theories and more questions. Rowen had been
called upon many times to answer questions on a history he wanted little to
do with, making in him short tempered and difficult. Kento, never one to
partake in a philosophical discussion in the first place, had been bored and
had contributed very little after the initial decision had been made. To make
matters worse, Cye had fallen asleep, so the arguments happened much
faster than usual, without the Ronin Soothsayer to keep things rolling
smoothly. Finally, they had been forced to simply abandon the situation for
sleep, the circle completed too many times for even Sage's infinite patience.
The sun was now fully over the mountain peaks, shining spectral waves of
light on the snowy caps and creating a dazzling morning show. Sage
watched the bright star for a while longer before slowly standing and letting
out a magnificent yawn and stretched his arms out to the sky. Deciding he
would let the sun go about its business without his supervision, Sage made
his way back to the Koji house. After all, the sun had been through the cycle
before, and would no doubt continue for years to come. That was simply how
life worked, as Sage had discovered many years ago. Human beings would
evolve and squabble with themselves and their neighbors, creating temporary
solutions to non-existent problems, and think themselves the center of
everything considered important. But all the while, they would slowly circle
the sun, and their lives would rise and set with the great star of life.
Walking up the expansive drive of Mia's "house," Sage could already picture
the goings on. Cye would be in the kitchen, preparing a breakfast that could
feed the entire United Nations army for a year. Kento would be in the kitchen
as well, eating the breakfast that could feed the entire United Nations army
for a year. Rowen would be sleeping, as usual. And Ryo would no doubt be
taking advantage of Sage's absence to use the shower first for once. A soft
snort came from the bearer of Halo. As much as he may have disagreed,
there could be no other leader for the Ronin Warriors but Ryo of the Wildfire.
With and without the armor, Ryo made so many of the decisions. It was so
automatic for him, so ... predestined. Now Sage grimaced. There had to be
a better way of saying that.
Halo was about to reach for the door when he heard a soft jingle behind him.
Turning, he watched as Kayara made her way from the garden to Sage's
side.
"Good morning, Halo, did you enjoy the sunrise?"
Sage had long ago stopped being surprised at what Kayara and the Warlords
knew. He smiled at the petite Ancient and gave a polite response. "Good
morning, Kayara, I did in fact."
"Wonderful," she smiled back, "the light, after all, is made to be enjoyable."
"Does that mean you enjoy me, dear Kayara?"
"Of course, Sage. I always enjoy grinding you in the dust."
Sage bowed low. "Touché."
Kayara's smile became sweet as she gave her companion a slight bow in
return. "As one of only two ladies in armor, I feel it to be my duty to
put you big, strong Lords in your respective places; below me."
Seeing a rare opportunity to jest with the Lady Kayara, Sage took the jab in
stride. "We are forever ready to snap at your ankles, great lady. Now,
allow this poor blonde molecule of dirt to open the door for you."
"But of course, my glowing speck of dust, it would be much appreciated."
Laughing, the two walked in together and headed to the kitchen for breakfast.
Upon entering the kitchen, they were greeted with an almost normal scene.
Kento, as predicted, was busily shoveling food into his ever-growing mouth
and stomach while Cye was trying to keep up with Hardrock's horrendous
appetite as well as feed the newcomers. Ryo must have walked in only a
moment ago, as his hair was still damp and clinging to his skin, reminiscent of
a silky black curtain. Rowen, surprisingly, was up and nearly awake, trying to
jumpstart his system with a cup of coffee as black as Ryo's hair. Sage
decided that Mia must have bustled him out of bed for the company. For
between sips of the slaphappy liquid, Strata made nearly decipherable
comments to Cale, who was doing his best to make sense of Rowen's near
words. Chuckling, Sage decided to do Cale a favor and wake his indigo
scalped friend up a bit more.
"Morning, Sunshine," Sage cooed as he pinched Rowen's cheeks. "It's so
nice to see our big blue star up with the rest of us."
Rowen winced and pulled away growling, "don't push it, Blondie, the coffee's
not gone yet."
The Ronin of Light couldn't seem to rid his face of the smile playing upon it,
"first cup?" he asked, turning to Cale.
Cale nodded, "he started about ten minutes ago. I never knew someone
could drink such strong liquid."
Ryo joined in on the conversation with a grin of his own. "Rowen's the
walking dead without that first cup. The Dynasty might have won if they had
ever attacked us while Rowen was still sleeping."
"Hey!"
"What a tactic," rumbled Dais, "attacking the sleeping Strata in his pajamas."
"You, Dais, are not one to comment on sleeping habits." Kayara lifted an
elegant brow to her Warlord companion; "I've dispelled many an illusion to
find you napping on that web of yours."
Kento started to choke on his food, trying to laugh around a mouthful of
pancakes. Slightly alarmed, Cye lifted her current work off the burner and
hurried over to help her husky friend. With a few hard hits to his back, the
lodged food came flying forth, only to be expertly caught by Kento's teeth and
swallowed before too much of the ABC morsel showed.
"Kento, I told you that you were eating too fast!" Cye waved her spatula
warningly, "you've got to slow down!"
"But Cye," Kento protested between already resumed bites, "you're cooking's
just too good to sit on a plate!"
"Flattery, Hardrock, will get you nowhere."
"Will it get me more food?"
"Kento," Sage groaned, "that was awful."
Adopting a pitiful expression, Kento turned to Sage, "so you're saying that I
won't get more?"
Rowen rolled his eyes and finished off his cup; "the day Hardrock's not
thinking about food, I'll eat my quiver."
Kayara smiled at her companions and prepared a remark to Mia, when she
noticed the guide wasn't at the table. "Where is Mia?" She asked, slightly
perplexed.
Ryo grimaced a bit, "trying to find a way to get around that little writing
barrier on the computer. She's not exactly pleased that she can't write anything
down. I'm surprised she hasn't gone after Sage and I with the hounds of hell
behind her yet."
Sage winced, "I almost forgot about that."
Kayara looked confused for a minute, then enlightenment dawned upon her
features. "The file she was looking for to add our information to. Why
did you not tell her she couldn't record information?"
Ryo rubbed the back of his head, "because we really aren't supposed to.
When I was growing up, we were taught that information about Holy figures
was the most sacred of all knowledge. Village law says that outsiders are
forbidden from the information we have to learn. Safety measures, I guess,
the less people that know about the Phoenix the better."
Sage nodded, "it was the same in my home. Telling Mia might get us in
trouble, though I doubt it. She's very much like family to us, an older
sister. Besides, outsiders, even some villagers, aren't supposed to know
about the Ronin Armors, but they do. And Mia knows just about everything
about us."
"How flattering a fact, Sage."
Halo turned in surprise to see Mia standing in the doorway, her arms crossed
over her chest and a sardonic expression accenting her face. "And just like
any sibling, do I get to get angry at you and throw a tantrum?"
Rowen bit his lip, getting into the conversation. "You could, Mia, but I
wouldn't recommend it."
"And why not?"
"You haven't had your coffee yet." Cye came over with a warm brew that
wafted a delicious scent of freshly ground beans and a hint of chocolate.
Handing it to the distraught Mia, the crafty Torrent guided her to a chair and
sat her down carefully. "There. Finish your coffee, and *then* you can rant."
Sighing in resignation, Mia dutifully sipped her coffee. At the first sip, her
face pinched tightly and her tongue protruded from the corner of her mouth.
"Whew, this is strong stuff!"
Sage grinned, "its from Rowen's batch."
"Gee, that explains everything."
The Ronins laughed and the Warlords smiled, and finally breakfast continued.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
My, but I hope that was worth the grief. Tell me if it was! Please?
- . -;; I can't believe that it took me this long to realize I uploaded the wrong
chapter 6. I am such an idiot. All right, so here it is. What is *supposed* to
be chapter 6. I contemplated leaving his out after the initial discovery, and
letting the fic run as it is, but then my guinea reader told me that it would
probably be better to swallow my pride and repost, than let this little jot collect
dust on the hard drive. It's an important light on the villains of the fic, and it
holds details that will be needed later on to understand the storyline.
To those that actually avidly follow this story, I am so very, very sorry. I
thought there was something funny when the page numbers didn't add up,
but I posted this through a different computer than the usual one, so I thought
it was due to that.
Once again, *huge* apology. My fault for thinking I could do something
correctly. Sigh.
Enough ranting. Onto the fic! ^.^;;
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
The Casting of Shadows
By Phoenix Cubed
Chapter 6 - Faded Hope, Rising Glory
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
The school professor Naiso shuddered in the cold, drew his cloak more firmly
about his frail body, and ran through the darkness, praying that no one saw
him and put a name to his pitiful face. Though it was no longer raining, the
clouds had not dissipated with the end of the downpour. They hung heavily
and foreboding, blocking the shine of the stars and the moon, forcing the cold
to condense and wrap about the souls that walked the ground. Not for the
first time did Naiso wish to be back in his warm home with a thick wool
blanket wrapped about him, instead of running through back allies of less
than tasteful neighborhoods, with only the protection of his shabby and
tattered Lieutenant's cloak. He had pulled the thrice-damned mark of rank
from his memory chest. After Mindu, he had sworn off fighting and battles
and glory for a peaceful, safer life. Cromer was a cruel and evil master,
wanting nothing more than the destruction of anything he could touch.
Cromer and his wicked underlings had gone too far in Mindu, sacrificing
nearly two-thirds of his army to distract the Tieran Yaw away from the
Phoenix long enough to carry out their vile task. The purpose of the task was
unknown; Naiso was simply a Lieutenant, and orders didn't file that far down
in the ranks.
But now, now he had been called back to active duty. And as Jamten had
hinted to him, Naiso was sure his role would be much more active, fiendish,
and dangerous. The aged man sighed; he was much too old for this sort of
work. Why hadn't he gone to the Phoenix when he had a chance? This
would have never happened then.
Naiso's thoughts stopped at the backdoor of a seemingly abandoned
warehouse. This was where the directions stopped; so it had to be the place.
With a deep breath, the teacher gathered his courage and stepped through
the door.
The inside of the building defied the shabby exterior of crumbling brick and
flecking paint with grandiose beauty of what would be to a human, very alien
architecture. Four meters of polished wood flooring covered by expensively
done mud mats graced the entrance, keeping dirty feet from mussing the
plush, four inch thick carpeting that furnished the floor of Naiso's destination.
The walls were done in deep gold and black, with specially tinted lights that
blossomed from the walls to accent intricate carvings that were displayed
here and there. Paintings of famous artists from across not only universes,
but also dimensions, were tastefully hung about the open and expansive
rooms, giving the place a finished, aristocratic air. Music drifted to his ears;
they were beautiful songs played by instruments that he knew could never be
mastered by human lips. The pieces were intricate and soothing, designed to
show off not only the composer and player's talent, but also to please the ear
and distract the mind from the stresses of daily life.
For Naiso, the music was failing, and the reason for it was sprawled elegantly
on an exquisite, deep-seated couch, warming himself by a fire that gave off
very little heat.
"Naiso, old boy, how good of you to come." Jamten hadn't bothered to turn
his head, but had known just the same who had come to him. No one else
was foolish enough to heed the Wicked Servant's calls.
The trembling professor ignored his old master's subtle jab and dropped to
the floor on his knees. His Lieutenant's cloak swirled about him to pillow
beneath his stance, creating the customary greeting ritual. Now for the
words: "Lord and Savior; you take us from the clutches of Destruction and
Creation to your cradling wings. You are the true Light and true Night, guide
me, O' Lord, so that I may follow you in shadow."
"Well," a voice slunk from the shadows, "I see that his mind hasn't mildewed
as much as we thought it might." Kaori shifted into the light. "He
remembered that silly phrase of yours, if nothing else."
Melanie's shadow intertwined with her sister. "I can't believe you had all your
pet minions learn that, Jammie, what's the point of it all?"
"Shows their mouths still work, if nothing else." Jamten slowly rolled his
position on the couch until he was looking directly at Naiso. "And I'm so glad
to know that yours is still working, Naiso. It be a shame if you and I couldn't
hold a heart to heart."
The Lieutenant cowered slightly. His master didn't have a heart; whatever
was coming next could not be good.
"Now now, Naiso, don't look so frightened. After all, as your Lord and Savior,
I am here to help you."
The twins in the background giggled, "to his death, most likely."
Jamten smiled and looked at the twins, "perhaps, after I ask the questions."
The general's eyes swept back to the cowering Lieutenant. "Oh, do get up
Naiso, you're wearing holes in my carpet."
The twins moved from their easy positions in the shadows to prowl about the
still prostrate form of Naiso until he rose shakily to his feet. Jamten watched
him quietly for a few moments before finally speaking. "Tell me now, my
frightened friend, how is it that you came to be the strict professor you are
today and not still a strong force in my army?"
"Was he ever?" Came a smothered snicker.
"Hush, let the man speak, while he still holds his tongue."
Naiso shuddered as he prepared his words; there could be no happy ending
to this. "In Mindu, great Lord, I served you as a younger Lieutenant. I was
apart of the distraction you sent out, but word was given that we were to
retreat and scatter as fast and as far as we could. I did, choosing the closest
neutral dimension I could find until further orders reached me."
"The nearest neutral dimension."
The professor nodded vigorously, "of course. Out of your care, sir, I quickly
began to age. I soon took an occupation that fit the profile I had found myself
in, and have been here ever since, awaiting orders."
"You do realize, Naiso, that this dimension is controlled by the Phoenix and
her like?"
"That is very much the same as neutral sir."
Without warning, a swift fist came in contact with the aging man's tender
midsection. Sickening cracks were audible as he doubled over in pain, falling
to the floor in with a barely audible cry. A foot connected with his back,
creating a viscous retribution to seemingly harmless words.
"Do you think that I am a fool, Naiso? An idiot, perhaps?" Jamten's voice
sounded very close to his ear, soft and dangerous. "The Phoenix is nothing
neutral. She is wicked, dangerous, and your downfall. Did you think you
could escape my services so easily? Once with Fate, you are sealedforever."
There was another sharp blow to his rib cage, more cracking of fragile bones.
It was becoming hard for Naiso to breathe. Warm liquid was trickling down
his face and pooling in the crack between his lips. Blood. He would surely
die, but he would go down fighting this time. "Destiny," he choked out, "will
not let it be so."
A cruel laugh echoed throughout the expensive room, ringing in and out of his
ears in harsh, painful notes. "The truth comes out at last. You have sided
with that passive voice. You believe that the Phoenix will save you, protect
you, keep you safe no matter what."
"She will give us what you could never."
"And what would that be, Naiso?"
"A future."
There was a blur of movement within the corner of the Lieutenant's eye. A
moment later, a strong force threw his prone body through the air and sent it
crashing against the finely decorated walls. Strong claws dug into the tender
flesh of his neck, sending tiny rivulets of blood to line his bobbing Adam's
apple and dribble onto the pale skin of Kaori's hands. She grinned at him,
maniacal and sadistic, but sweet all the same.
Jamten's voice sounded once again very close to his ear, but Naiso could
clearly see the evil general quietly fuming across the room from him. "An
idiot I may be, Naiso, and a fool as well. But I am not the largest of either of
those two in this room or in this world. To put your faith in a dying bird
because she will give you false hope, you are indeed a fool."
"Then what need have you, oh Lord, for a fool? Let us go to the Light with
our false hopes and dreams."
For a moment, it looked as if Jamten would simple explode. Anger rolled
from his body in tight, hot waves. His aura, which Naiso had long since
figured he was hiding, came out dangerously fast and close. If the Lieutenant
had been anymore sensitive to the energy that was Jamten was throwing, he
would have been dead.
Then, as suddenly as it had lashed out, the energy retreated, and Jamten
was as calm as the eye of a hurricane. A smile slowly stretched itself across
his thin lips. "Go to the Phoenix? No, I'll make it easy for your pathetic body,
Naiso. Why don't I bring her to you?"
Naiso's eyes widened. He couldn't.
"Norban, fetch our friend, Naiso wants to have a talk with his little golden
savior."
Prayers unanswered, Naiso turned to look at the source of a sudden
movement in the corner of his eye. There, standing in an unnoticed doorway
was Norban, the boy he had recognized earlier, and, the girl that they had
been toting around ever since they had arrived. Norban sneered slightly and
shoved the girl forward, causing her to trip and fall to her knees at the
viciousness of his hand. For a moment she simply held still, supported by
trembling arms and knees. Finally, however, her head slowly began to move.
Pale, stringed hair fell from her face as she looked up enough to center her
eyes on the professor for the first time since they had met. Those eyes-
watered down, flat, emotionless-how could those be the same eyes that
reduced enemies to spineless wraiths and turned down allies into triumphant
victors? The thin girl before him was beaten, and if not broken, then very
close to it. The Phoenix could never be broken, she'd die first; someone
would rescue her first. It just couldn't be possible, yet...
"I see that you are having a hard time believing this poor Lord, my dear
school professor. Perhaps I should lift the veil."
Naiso was confused, "veil?"
As if almost humoring him, Jamten rolled his eyes in a childlike manor. "Yes,
you simpering excuse for a sentient creature." With a casual stroll, the
general walked over to the girl and took hold of the scruff of her thin shirt,
lifting her high in the air before dropping her. "On your feet, Ivory."
Miraculously, the girl managed to catch herself and balance her body before
she could tumble back to her scraped knees. Jamten continued to talk.
"Now, as we look at this pathetic specimen before us, those who know of the
Phoenix could never possibly relate this scrawny miscreant for the *great *
and *powerful* being that flies around doing good. Why? Because she is
NOT great and NOT powerful, *I am.* And I have willed it that she should fall
to disgrace by accompanying us about our merry way like the good and
obedient dog she is, until we see it fit to deliver her to our Master. From
there, she shall become what Fate has decreed her to be, showing all that
Destiny is nothing but a passive voice, easily muted."
Naiso could do nothing to these words but stare in disbelief. None of this
seemed possible, though the Gospels of Fate had been preaching this for
thousands of years, if not millions.
"I see your small mind has mildewed a bit more than originally thought. Very
well, I shall put it in simpler terms for you." He grabbed hold of the girl's chin.
"This is the great Fire as she should be. This-" and suddenly power flared
through the room, wrapping around every body and squeezing tight. For a
few brief moments, Naiso felt as he had once; young and strong, capable of
anything and everything. Then the feeling left him alone and tired, and he
looked about to see astonishing sights. Everyone seemed to literally melt
before him and into the more recognizable forms from his past.
Melanie and Kaori stood side by side with their blood red hair and crimson
spattered freckles. Now they were indecipherable from each other except for
Melanie's one blue and one green eye. The blue was the permanent trace of
a scar from one of her more flamboyant run-ins with one of the Phoenix's
Color Guard.
Norban stood in his usual slouched position. Fuzzy brown hair in no
particular direction fell to his ears. Though his eyes had not changed, his
height had considerably, easily towering over six feet, with a few inches
thrown in for good measure, it seemed. Norban crossed his arms and
smirked, leaning on the expensive walls to watch the unfolding show. His
sense of humor had always been sick.
"Enjoying the sights, Naiso?" Jamten's smile was as cruel as he
remembered it. His boyish frame had changed very little. Now though, the
weighty sense of age was easily felt. His malicious black eyes were as cold
as they could ever be, swirling deep with years of the joy of inflicting pain and
misery. How many exactly no one knew, he'd been killing nearly as long as
the Lady of Fire had been saving. Jamten stretched out a bit, showing off
what was now a well-proportioned frame. He looked like an eighteen-year-
old athlete. Strong and sleek, but not overly muscled. In this form, though,
he could never be mistaken for as a young adult, or an athlete. Jamten could
be nothing but the hated being he truly was.
"You've been hiding yourselves," the Lieutenant whispered quietly. "Playing
down your auras so no one could find you."
"Silly little Naiso," Melanie giggled, "not only us, but look at your little
savior now."
Naiso closed his eyes and dropped his head; he didn't have the courage to
do so.
"Look, Naiso, or I break her arm."
A soft gasp forced the aging man to look. Jamten had grabbed the girl's arm
and was holding it in an awkward position behind her back. Half an inch
further, and it would snap faster than a dry twig.
"Look, Naiso, and behold the hopes and dreams of Destiny."
Slowly, very slowly, the former now active Lieutenant of the 3rd division of
Fate's Hand looked to the face that the entire room laughed upon. Tears
pooled within his ducts. Jamten had dropped the girl's arm and chin; and
now she stood in all her stripped glory. Blue eyes as dark as the night yet
bright as the sun silently gazed at him from under long silver bangs. It was
truly silver now, though not as soft and as home spun looking as it once had
been. Her now scraggly mane fell down to the blades of her thin shoulders,
bruised and nearly bare under the thin, ragged shirt that she was clothed in.
The rest of her was just as bad. There was hardly an inch of her that wasn't
black and blue or the sickly shade of recovering yellow. The tears finally fell
from his eyes as he met hers one last time, before falling on his knees with
an almost inaudible wail. All was lost.
"Now, my little Lieutenant, look about and tell me who is greater. Tell me,
who is beaten, and who still stands. Speak Naiso, I command you."
"You command nothing but misery and pain, and so l must speak." Naiso
dropped his head to the floor in a submissive position. "You have beaten her
body and suppressed her spirit, but she still stands. For now, however, I give
the point to you. Direct me, oh Master, so that I may obey."
Jamten smiled in triumph. "Excellent, Lieutenant. Now listen closely, I have
great plans for you and all existence this night."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Morning dawned without a cloud to hinder it. Rising over the mountains as
only the life giving star can, the sun burst upon the sleeping world to herald
one more new beginning, one more day of joy and pain, and one more
chance at anything.
Sage sat under his tree, quietly taking in the first rays of morning light with a
detached air. He and the rest of the Ronins had talked long into the night,
despite their guardian's wishes, and had succeeded in doing nothing more
than complete a useless circle thousands upon thousands of times.
Questions would be presented; tentative and dubious answers would be
proposed that led to obscure theories and more questions. Rowen had been
called upon many times to answer questions on a history he wanted little to
do with, making in him short tempered and difficult. Kento, never one to
partake in a philosophical discussion in the first place, had been bored and
had contributed very little after the initial decision had been made. To make
matters worse, Cye had fallen asleep, so the arguments happened much
faster than usual, without the Ronin Soothsayer to keep things rolling
smoothly. Finally, they had been forced to simply abandon the situation for
sleep, the circle completed too many times for even Sage's infinite patience.
The sun was now fully over the mountain peaks, shining spectral waves of
light on the snowy caps and creating a dazzling morning show. Sage
watched the bright star for a while longer before slowly standing and letting
out a magnificent yawn and stretched his arms out to the sky. Deciding he
would let the sun go about its business without his supervision, Sage made
his way back to the Koji house. After all, the sun had been through the cycle
before, and would no doubt continue for years to come. That was simply how
life worked, as Sage had discovered many years ago. Human beings would
evolve and squabble with themselves and their neighbors, creating temporary
solutions to non-existent problems, and think themselves the center of
everything considered important. But all the while, they would slowly circle
the sun, and their lives would rise and set with the great star of life.
Walking up the expansive drive of Mia's "house," Sage could already picture
the goings on. Cye would be in the kitchen, preparing a breakfast that could
feed the entire United Nations army for a year. Kento would be in the kitchen
as well, eating the breakfast that could feed the entire United Nations army
for a year. Rowen would be sleeping, as usual. And Ryo would no doubt be
taking advantage of Sage's absence to use the shower first for once. A soft
snort came from the bearer of Halo. As much as he may have disagreed,
there could be no other leader for the Ronin Warriors but Ryo of the Wildfire.
With and without the armor, Ryo made so many of the decisions. It was so
automatic for him, so ... predestined. Now Sage grimaced. There had to be
a better way of saying that.
Halo was about to reach for the door when he heard a soft jingle behind him.
Turning, he watched as Kayara made her way from the garden to Sage's
side.
"Good morning, Halo, did you enjoy the sunrise?"
Sage had long ago stopped being surprised at what Kayara and the Warlords
knew. He smiled at the petite Ancient and gave a polite response. "Good
morning, Kayara, I did in fact."
"Wonderful," she smiled back, "the light, after all, is made to be enjoyable."
"Does that mean you enjoy me, dear Kayara?"
"Of course, Sage. I always enjoy grinding you in the dust."
Sage bowed low. "Touché."
Kayara's smile became sweet as she gave her companion a slight bow in
return. "As one of only two ladies in armor, I feel it to be my duty to
put you big, strong Lords in your respective places; below me."
Seeing a rare opportunity to jest with the Lady Kayara, Sage took the jab in
stride. "We are forever ready to snap at your ankles, great lady. Now,
allow this poor blonde molecule of dirt to open the door for you."
"But of course, my glowing speck of dust, it would be much appreciated."
Laughing, the two walked in together and headed to the kitchen for breakfast.
Upon entering the kitchen, they were greeted with an almost normal scene.
Kento, as predicted, was busily shoveling food into his ever-growing mouth
and stomach while Cye was trying to keep up with Hardrock's horrendous
appetite as well as feed the newcomers. Ryo must have walked in only a
moment ago, as his hair was still damp and clinging to his skin, reminiscent of
a silky black curtain. Rowen, surprisingly, was up and nearly awake, trying to
jumpstart his system with a cup of coffee as black as Ryo's hair. Sage
decided that Mia must have bustled him out of bed for the company. For
between sips of the slaphappy liquid, Strata made nearly decipherable
comments to Cale, who was doing his best to make sense of Rowen's near
words. Chuckling, Sage decided to do Cale a favor and wake his indigo
scalped friend up a bit more.
"Morning, Sunshine," Sage cooed as he pinched Rowen's cheeks. "It's so
nice to see our big blue star up with the rest of us."
Rowen winced and pulled away growling, "don't push it, Blondie, the coffee's
not gone yet."
The Ronin of Light couldn't seem to rid his face of the smile playing upon it,
"first cup?" he asked, turning to Cale.
Cale nodded, "he started about ten minutes ago. I never knew someone
could drink such strong liquid."
Ryo joined in on the conversation with a grin of his own. "Rowen's the
walking dead without that first cup. The Dynasty might have won if they had
ever attacked us while Rowen was still sleeping."
"Hey!"
"What a tactic," rumbled Dais, "attacking the sleeping Strata in his pajamas."
"You, Dais, are not one to comment on sleeping habits." Kayara lifted an
elegant brow to her Warlord companion; "I've dispelled many an illusion to
find you napping on that web of yours."
Kento started to choke on his food, trying to laugh around a mouthful of
pancakes. Slightly alarmed, Cye lifted her current work off the burner and
hurried over to help her husky friend. With a few hard hits to his back, the
lodged food came flying forth, only to be expertly caught by Kento's teeth and
swallowed before too much of the ABC morsel showed.
"Kento, I told you that you were eating too fast!" Cye waved her spatula
warningly, "you've got to slow down!"
"But Cye," Kento protested between already resumed bites, "you're cooking's
just too good to sit on a plate!"
"Flattery, Hardrock, will get you nowhere."
"Will it get me more food?"
"Kento," Sage groaned, "that was awful."
Adopting a pitiful expression, Kento turned to Sage, "so you're saying that I
won't get more?"
Rowen rolled his eyes and finished off his cup; "the day Hardrock's not
thinking about food, I'll eat my quiver."
Kayara smiled at her companions and prepared a remark to Mia, when she
noticed the guide wasn't at the table. "Where is Mia?" She asked, slightly
perplexed.
Ryo grimaced a bit, "trying to find a way to get around that little writing
barrier on the computer. She's not exactly pleased that she can't write anything
down. I'm surprised she hasn't gone after Sage and I with the hounds of hell
behind her yet."
Sage winced, "I almost forgot about that."
Kayara looked confused for a minute, then enlightenment dawned upon her
features. "The file she was looking for to add our information to. Why
did you not tell her she couldn't record information?"
Ryo rubbed the back of his head, "because we really aren't supposed to.
When I was growing up, we were taught that information about Holy figures
was the most sacred of all knowledge. Village law says that outsiders are
forbidden from the information we have to learn. Safety measures, I guess,
the less people that know about the Phoenix the better."
Sage nodded, "it was the same in my home. Telling Mia might get us in
trouble, though I doubt it. She's very much like family to us, an older
sister. Besides, outsiders, even some villagers, aren't supposed to know
about the Ronin Armors, but they do. And Mia knows just about everything
about us."
"How flattering a fact, Sage."
Halo turned in surprise to see Mia standing in the doorway, her arms crossed
over her chest and a sardonic expression accenting her face. "And just like
any sibling, do I get to get angry at you and throw a tantrum?"
Rowen bit his lip, getting into the conversation. "You could, Mia, but I
wouldn't recommend it."
"And why not?"
"You haven't had your coffee yet." Cye came over with a warm brew that
wafted a delicious scent of freshly ground beans and a hint of chocolate.
Handing it to the distraught Mia, the crafty Torrent guided her to a chair and
sat her down carefully. "There. Finish your coffee, and *then* you can rant."
Sighing in resignation, Mia dutifully sipped her coffee. At the first sip, her
face pinched tightly and her tongue protruded from the corner of her mouth.
"Whew, this is strong stuff!"
Sage grinned, "its from Rowen's batch."
"Gee, that explains everything."
The Ronins laughed and the Warlords smiled, and finally breakfast continued.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
My, but I hope that was worth the grief. Tell me if it was! Please?