Disclaimers Notice: Depends on if you are going to sue me or not...
Authors Beginning Note: Hiya! I'm back, sorry that I was so late in postin gup tjhis chapter, I've been really busy. Well anyways, here's the answer to my evil cliffie!
***************
Chapter 4
Kidnapped
**************** ` ~*~*~Previously~*~*~
"Chihiro, above you!" I looked straight above and saw to my horror, a creature with long sharp claws, and dull pink, hellish eyes coming straight at me. It's wings beat hard and fast, giving it more momentum. I can smell the putrid odor of death and carnage from it all ready. What was even worse though...was it's coming for me and all I can do is watch in fear...
~*~*~ Present~*~*~
********
Two things happened at once. First, instead of running, I fell back, though it hurt, I'm sure it's better than being ripped apart by one of those things, and then as I felt the air of the Ishrite sweep over me, a blood curdling yell was heard, and it was driven to the nearest wall... impaled... by none other than Fiammeta's wooden spear. She walked over to it as I sat up and pulled it out of the Ishrites twitching body with a sound like suction from jello. Blood oozed out, and I nearly heaved. Fiammeta looked around on the ground and picked up an object.
"Here, you will use this as your weapon." She said handing me a pole. Well, it is better than nothing so I willingly took it. Just then I heard a schrill unearthly cry and twirled around to look at where it had come from.
"Wait! Don't!" Fiammeta commanded, but I looked anyway, though I wish I hadn't. One of the Ishrites were in the middle of the street, sitting on it's long thin back legs. In it's one hand it held half of a body. It's mouth had blood dripping from it's sharp fangs, and bits of flesh clung to its lips. It lifted the body back up to it's mouth and took another bite, which resulted in a loud crunching sound and bones were cracked and chewed upon, along with blood splattering the foul creature. This time I did heave. When I was done I turned away and looked up into the sky at the circling Ishrites. They are circling the town like hawks. They gave off a shriek and I could feel the one behind us join them, as well as a few others from the city.
"What are they doing?" I asked Fiammeta, she seemed to at least have a clue about these creatures.
"They are waiting."
"For what." I didn't need to wait long. Another creature very similar to them flew by faster than I had seem these creatures fly. This one had inky black skin coloring and looked even deadlier compared to the other ones, but that wasn't what drew my attention to it. No. It was it's riders. For on it's back sat a man with black clothes, a maroon sash and a yellow head band. His hair as black as the creature he sat upon, and right behind him slumped over as if unconscious was a man wearing white and blue. His green hair standing out against the dark black creature.
"Kohaku."
"What?" Fiammeta said, but I didn't bother replying as I scanned the area and found what I was looking for. I ran to an empty stall where a creature, an odd one I haven't seen before, stood tied. It's huge, and looks like an insect with four stilt legs. It's face looks smashed in, but it'sa eyes were kind and intelligent. I looked at the odd, but definitely recognized the similarities in it, saddle it wore. No bridle. This is going to be interesting.
"Wait, you can't do that! It takes years..."
"I don't have years, only seconds. That will have to do." I said stepping on to the stall ao I could climb up on its back. Once on I leaned forward, and whispered into the hole on the left side of it's head, I could only guess to be ears...
"Please, follow them as best as you can. Try to be really fast to." And it took off.At first it was odd. It hurt to ride on it, but it's fast. It zoomed around corners of the streets with complete ease and ran fast enough to keep up with the Ishrites that were leaving to who knows where. This creature was a blessing. Soon though, we came to a vast field. Well, I guess a field is a bit off. It's a vineyard. Though it contained more than just fruits that looked like grapes. In fact it contained many gourds, and peas, of fruit types. Some I knew, that were taught to me in my many years at the Bathhouse, others were completely new to me. But that isn't what I was interested in. Other than Kohaku, the thing I was interested in, was the huge cliff we were about to go over.
"Turn around! There's got to be a bridge or something!" I yelled, but the thing kept going at it's rapidly increasing pace. Its hoof like things pounding the ground. But it did not turn. It did not stop. And before I knew it, we were air born.
"NOOOO!" I screamed. It can't end like this! It can't! No! I won't let it! I yelled in my head, but slowly began to realize that we weren't falling anymore, as a matter of fact we were ascending. I looked at the creature as it flew. From within those spindly legs had been wings, and theses wings were spread out of it's all four legs and it's legs were bent so that they were even with it's body. The thin translucent webbing of the wings looked as it would tear, but it stayed strong, as we stayed right on the Ishrites' tails. The man turned and looked back at me, though we're still too far back for me to define his facial features.
"We aren't even close to Kohaku! There are so many Ishrites! How can we fight them!" I said exasperated, it seemed all my plan had succeeded in doing was to follow the kidnappers. Oh great. Just then, something odd happened. The thing that I'm riding started to make sounds...like a whale! It's very pretty, but like a whale! I can't believe it.
"What are you doing?" I asked it, but it kept on making whale sounds. I could feel its body rumble as it belted out clear, changing notes. The man looked back and I looked right at him. He yelled something, but I couldn't hear it, but my guess is, he told the Ishrites to drop back and try to destroy us. How do I know this? Easy, all of the Ishrites dropped back and began circling us. The thing made one last, high pitched note, before sharp sicle blades sprang forth from it's legs next to the wings. Then came another guttural whale call, but it wasn't coming from the creature I was riding. I looked behind me, and I saw thousands of creature just like this one! All of them loaded with wings and blades, though they had blades also on there backs. These are VERY smart creatures. Soon, pandemonium broke loose and a battle began to ensue. One of the Ishrites swooped over to us, ready to strike, but one of the green creatures sliced it as it flew by. Soon we were surrounded in a circle of fighting creatures on our side, like football! But what was even better was, we were winning, and I was close to Kohaku and the Mysterious rider.
"We have to get closer!" I yelled above the wind. And closer we got. The rider looked back, and I could see every detail in is features, from the semi-boyish face, the tawny yellow eyes, to the evil smirk on his face.
"Well, well, well. We finally meet. You must be the infamous trouble maker, Chihiro. A Pleasure. Though I'm sure not for you."
"Let Kohaku go!" I demanded. I don't like this guy one bit. He's too arrogant for his own good.
"Well then. If you want him, take him. But you'll have to catch me first." He smirked and did a sharp turn in mid air.
"Please, follow them." I whispered softly to the creature. It complied and did a sharp turn as well. The rider looked back again.
"Well now, it seems you might actually provide a challenge. Let's see what you and your Stitheret can do." He took off even faster than before, appearing and disappearing in the clouds. A Stitheret. Somehow, it fits.
"We have to hurry." I said and the Stitheret willingly did so. We went so fast, tears streamed down my face. I was wondering where they had disappeared to when I looked up, and right above us, a few mere inches, was the Ishrites belly. My pole! I had been carrying it all along!
"A tad bit lower please." I whispered.
"Did you say something?" I looked straight into the cruel eyes of the man who was riding this thing. His eyes danced with merriment. He thinks this is a game! This guy is just sick! He hung from the Ishrites neck.
"Yah! I said duck."
"And why would I..." I didn't let him finish. I swapped him with my pole, hitting him straight in the nose, which immediately began to bleed. He put his hand up to his nose and touched the dripping blood. He looked at me in surprise and then grinned.
"I told you that this might be a challenge. You know you're the first one to hit me like that, besides my sister?" He nearly laughed! I glared at him, my anger boiling. So I took the pole and went to hit him again, but he saw this one coming and dodged it.
"Nope, it won't work a second time, I can garuntee that." So I smirked. He looked at me, his smile gone. He looked more serious, calculating what my next move was. So, instead of hitting him with the pole, I did the next best thing. I forced it into the Ishrites gut.
Needless to say, it did not go through, though that was probably a good thing, otherwise I would have had it's last meal dumped on me, and I don't think I would have been able to stay conscious for that. It fact, the creature bucked and began falling, the man had been thrown a few feet in the air from us. That was a good plan, if in fact Kohaku was not falling in the air as well.
"Kohaku! Hurry, we have to reach him!" I screeched in panicked. I however wasn't quite prepared for the sudden downward flight, and nearly flew off, but somehow managed to cling to it's back at the last second. Bringing myself closer to it's body, I tried looking thorugh my teary eyes as well, but that was almost impossible. The winds was deafening as it blew past my ears, but we were getting closer, and closer. Finally! He's only just a few feet away. I reach out to grab his arm and he was jerked up. But no by me.
"Stop!" I cried to the Sitheret, and my stomach was slammed upwards as we jolted to a mid stop in the air. I looked up and say that man, floating in air, as if he were standing on ground! And in his hand, is Kohaku.
"I demand you release him!" I shouted with rage. This guy has a lot of nerve. When I get my hands on him...
"Well, Jin, it's been nice playing with yah, but I must go, duty calls. And I'll be taking your precious boy friend along with me." He said mockingly. Jin, now there's a name I hadn't been called in a while. How does he know to call me Jin? And why that and not Sen?
"Over my dead body!" I cried with ire and the Stithret began to fly up towards it him. The man gave a loud whistle, placing two of his fingers in his mouth. The loud noise seemed to confuse the Stithret, because it stopped. I watched the man as a gaping whole was torn in the sky. It was a milky black with orange lightning striking in random places. He looked back, 'gracing' me with one last mock grin as he flew through the hole, along with the Ishrites. The hole began to close.
"No! We must go! We have to hurry!" I yelled urging the Stithret forward. We raced in the air, right behind the last Ishrite. Faster, and faster we went. Almost there...and then it was gone. The hole, had disappeared back into the sky. Along with the last Ishrite, and without me.
"No...No..." I shook my head. This just can't be. I failed. If only I had been faster, or smarter, or stronger. I could have...it just...no....
"Kohaku!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed into the still air, letting defeat, and guilt overwhelm me, as I let the Stithret giud us to the ground.
****
Authors Ending Note: Oh no! Chihiro! Kohaku! What could this mysterious man want with Kohaku? And poor Chihiro! Struggling her best to fight for her sick, unconscious husband all on her own (with a little help form the Stithrets of course)! How is she suppose to follow a man who disappeared in a black hole, way up in the sky? One thing is certain, Chihiro is stuck starting a new adventure, and one that could alter the lives of many, and cost a few as well.
Authors Beginning Note: Hiya! I'm back, sorry that I was so late in postin gup tjhis chapter, I've been really busy. Well anyways, here's the answer to my evil cliffie!
***************
Chapter 4
Kidnapped
**************** ` ~*~*~Previously~*~*~
"Chihiro, above you!" I looked straight above and saw to my horror, a creature with long sharp claws, and dull pink, hellish eyes coming straight at me. It's wings beat hard and fast, giving it more momentum. I can smell the putrid odor of death and carnage from it all ready. What was even worse though...was it's coming for me and all I can do is watch in fear...
~*~*~ Present~*~*~
********
Two things happened at once. First, instead of running, I fell back, though it hurt, I'm sure it's better than being ripped apart by one of those things, and then as I felt the air of the Ishrite sweep over me, a blood curdling yell was heard, and it was driven to the nearest wall... impaled... by none other than Fiammeta's wooden spear. She walked over to it as I sat up and pulled it out of the Ishrites twitching body with a sound like suction from jello. Blood oozed out, and I nearly heaved. Fiammeta looked around on the ground and picked up an object.
"Here, you will use this as your weapon." She said handing me a pole. Well, it is better than nothing so I willingly took it. Just then I heard a schrill unearthly cry and twirled around to look at where it had come from.
"Wait! Don't!" Fiammeta commanded, but I looked anyway, though I wish I hadn't. One of the Ishrites were in the middle of the street, sitting on it's long thin back legs. In it's one hand it held half of a body. It's mouth had blood dripping from it's sharp fangs, and bits of flesh clung to its lips. It lifted the body back up to it's mouth and took another bite, which resulted in a loud crunching sound and bones were cracked and chewed upon, along with blood splattering the foul creature. This time I did heave. When I was done I turned away and looked up into the sky at the circling Ishrites. They are circling the town like hawks. They gave off a shriek and I could feel the one behind us join them, as well as a few others from the city.
"What are they doing?" I asked Fiammeta, she seemed to at least have a clue about these creatures.
"They are waiting."
"For what." I didn't need to wait long. Another creature very similar to them flew by faster than I had seem these creatures fly. This one had inky black skin coloring and looked even deadlier compared to the other ones, but that wasn't what drew my attention to it. No. It was it's riders. For on it's back sat a man with black clothes, a maroon sash and a yellow head band. His hair as black as the creature he sat upon, and right behind him slumped over as if unconscious was a man wearing white and blue. His green hair standing out against the dark black creature.
"Kohaku."
"What?" Fiammeta said, but I didn't bother replying as I scanned the area and found what I was looking for. I ran to an empty stall where a creature, an odd one I haven't seen before, stood tied. It's huge, and looks like an insect with four stilt legs. It's face looks smashed in, but it'sa eyes were kind and intelligent. I looked at the odd, but definitely recognized the similarities in it, saddle it wore. No bridle. This is going to be interesting.
"Wait, you can't do that! It takes years..."
"I don't have years, only seconds. That will have to do." I said stepping on to the stall ao I could climb up on its back. Once on I leaned forward, and whispered into the hole on the left side of it's head, I could only guess to be ears...
"Please, follow them as best as you can. Try to be really fast to." And it took off.At first it was odd. It hurt to ride on it, but it's fast. It zoomed around corners of the streets with complete ease and ran fast enough to keep up with the Ishrites that were leaving to who knows where. This creature was a blessing. Soon though, we came to a vast field. Well, I guess a field is a bit off. It's a vineyard. Though it contained more than just fruits that looked like grapes. In fact it contained many gourds, and peas, of fruit types. Some I knew, that were taught to me in my many years at the Bathhouse, others were completely new to me. But that isn't what I was interested in. Other than Kohaku, the thing I was interested in, was the huge cliff we were about to go over.
"Turn around! There's got to be a bridge or something!" I yelled, but the thing kept going at it's rapidly increasing pace. Its hoof like things pounding the ground. But it did not turn. It did not stop. And before I knew it, we were air born.
"NOOOO!" I screamed. It can't end like this! It can't! No! I won't let it! I yelled in my head, but slowly began to realize that we weren't falling anymore, as a matter of fact we were ascending. I looked at the creature as it flew. From within those spindly legs had been wings, and theses wings were spread out of it's all four legs and it's legs were bent so that they were even with it's body. The thin translucent webbing of the wings looked as it would tear, but it stayed strong, as we stayed right on the Ishrites' tails. The man turned and looked back at me, though we're still too far back for me to define his facial features.
"We aren't even close to Kohaku! There are so many Ishrites! How can we fight them!" I said exasperated, it seemed all my plan had succeeded in doing was to follow the kidnappers. Oh great. Just then, something odd happened. The thing that I'm riding started to make sounds...like a whale! It's very pretty, but like a whale! I can't believe it.
"What are you doing?" I asked it, but it kept on making whale sounds. I could feel its body rumble as it belted out clear, changing notes. The man looked back and I looked right at him. He yelled something, but I couldn't hear it, but my guess is, he told the Ishrites to drop back and try to destroy us. How do I know this? Easy, all of the Ishrites dropped back and began circling us. The thing made one last, high pitched note, before sharp sicle blades sprang forth from it's legs next to the wings. Then came another guttural whale call, but it wasn't coming from the creature I was riding. I looked behind me, and I saw thousands of creature just like this one! All of them loaded with wings and blades, though they had blades also on there backs. These are VERY smart creatures. Soon, pandemonium broke loose and a battle began to ensue. One of the Ishrites swooped over to us, ready to strike, but one of the green creatures sliced it as it flew by. Soon we were surrounded in a circle of fighting creatures on our side, like football! But what was even better was, we were winning, and I was close to Kohaku and the Mysterious rider.
"We have to get closer!" I yelled above the wind. And closer we got. The rider looked back, and I could see every detail in is features, from the semi-boyish face, the tawny yellow eyes, to the evil smirk on his face.
"Well, well, well. We finally meet. You must be the infamous trouble maker, Chihiro. A Pleasure. Though I'm sure not for you."
"Let Kohaku go!" I demanded. I don't like this guy one bit. He's too arrogant for his own good.
"Well then. If you want him, take him. But you'll have to catch me first." He smirked and did a sharp turn in mid air.
"Please, follow them." I whispered softly to the creature. It complied and did a sharp turn as well. The rider looked back again.
"Well now, it seems you might actually provide a challenge. Let's see what you and your Stitheret can do." He took off even faster than before, appearing and disappearing in the clouds. A Stitheret. Somehow, it fits.
"We have to hurry." I said and the Stitheret willingly did so. We went so fast, tears streamed down my face. I was wondering where they had disappeared to when I looked up, and right above us, a few mere inches, was the Ishrites belly. My pole! I had been carrying it all along!
"A tad bit lower please." I whispered.
"Did you say something?" I looked straight into the cruel eyes of the man who was riding this thing. His eyes danced with merriment. He thinks this is a game! This guy is just sick! He hung from the Ishrites neck.
"Yah! I said duck."
"And why would I..." I didn't let him finish. I swapped him with my pole, hitting him straight in the nose, which immediately began to bleed. He put his hand up to his nose and touched the dripping blood. He looked at me in surprise and then grinned.
"I told you that this might be a challenge. You know you're the first one to hit me like that, besides my sister?" He nearly laughed! I glared at him, my anger boiling. So I took the pole and went to hit him again, but he saw this one coming and dodged it.
"Nope, it won't work a second time, I can garuntee that." So I smirked. He looked at me, his smile gone. He looked more serious, calculating what my next move was. So, instead of hitting him with the pole, I did the next best thing. I forced it into the Ishrites gut.
Needless to say, it did not go through, though that was probably a good thing, otherwise I would have had it's last meal dumped on me, and I don't think I would have been able to stay conscious for that. It fact, the creature bucked and began falling, the man had been thrown a few feet in the air from us. That was a good plan, if in fact Kohaku was not falling in the air as well.
"Kohaku! Hurry, we have to reach him!" I screeched in panicked. I however wasn't quite prepared for the sudden downward flight, and nearly flew off, but somehow managed to cling to it's back at the last second. Bringing myself closer to it's body, I tried looking thorugh my teary eyes as well, but that was almost impossible. The winds was deafening as it blew past my ears, but we were getting closer, and closer. Finally! He's only just a few feet away. I reach out to grab his arm and he was jerked up. But no by me.
"Stop!" I cried to the Sitheret, and my stomach was slammed upwards as we jolted to a mid stop in the air. I looked up and say that man, floating in air, as if he were standing on ground! And in his hand, is Kohaku.
"I demand you release him!" I shouted with rage. This guy has a lot of nerve. When I get my hands on him...
"Well, Jin, it's been nice playing with yah, but I must go, duty calls. And I'll be taking your precious boy friend along with me." He said mockingly. Jin, now there's a name I hadn't been called in a while. How does he know to call me Jin? And why that and not Sen?
"Over my dead body!" I cried with ire and the Stithret began to fly up towards it him. The man gave a loud whistle, placing two of his fingers in his mouth. The loud noise seemed to confuse the Stithret, because it stopped. I watched the man as a gaping whole was torn in the sky. It was a milky black with orange lightning striking in random places. He looked back, 'gracing' me with one last mock grin as he flew through the hole, along with the Ishrites. The hole began to close.
"No! We must go! We have to hurry!" I yelled urging the Stithret forward. We raced in the air, right behind the last Ishrite. Faster, and faster we went. Almost there...and then it was gone. The hole, had disappeared back into the sky. Along with the last Ishrite, and without me.
"No...No..." I shook my head. This just can't be. I failed. If only I had been faster, or smarter, or stronger. I could have...it just...no....
"Kohaku!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed into the still air, letting defeat, and guilt overwhelm me, as I let the Stithret giud us to the ground.
****
Authors Ending Note: Oh no! Chihiro! Kohaku! What could this mysterious man want with Kohaku? And poor Chihiro! Struggling her best to fight for her sick, unconscious husband all on her own (with a little help form the Stithrets of course)! How is she suppose to follow a man who disappeared in a black hole, way up in the sky? One thing is certain, Chihiro is stuck starting a new adventure, and one that could alter the lives of many, and cost a few as well.