Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters, sometimes the setting, and a few of my own creations.
Authors Beginning Note: Yay! My first chapter, on time, in ages! Anyhoo, this chapter is a bit of an intro to some more important things to come. I think you should enjoy it.
Shout it outs!
WhiteWolf125: I'm glad to have you wrapped around my webbs of intrigue.
Shitza: Glad to hear from ya! No worries, I've had to reread a couple of fics more than once.
Velf: I think my favorite folktales/legendsare the more Irish/Welsh because their is a lot of mystery in the characters. Greek and Roman is interesting if not over the top dramatic at times and Asian is quite fascinating.I absolutely love folklores, fairytales, an dlegends. Especially incorperating them in my own version of plots, turning them into something new, while keeping their nature the same.
I'm delighted to hear such praise from you. It makes me blush. >blush :) Anyhoo, Kohaku is defiantely not out of the picture (woopee!) So sit tight!
Chelsea: To tell you the truth, I had almost forgotten about Beast >hangs head in shame Don't worry, news about him will be found here before the story ends, I promise! As for the answer to your questions, they will not be revealed until the story begins to unfurl further.
Keetra: Oy! I didn't even think that my readers would be confused about that. I guess I would. (Der on my part) Lol! I'll try and make sure to explain those things more here later on. Cliffhangers are a wonderfully devious tool that I thoroughly enjoy inflicting upon my readers:)
Chapter 45
Escape
Taking a different rout, I felt us in a completely different area.
"Where are we?"
It's like…being in a huge dome almost…or outside…its…pretty…
I looked up at the glass ceiling. Dark clouds rumbled over head.
"We are in the main garden. It is the center of all of my home. This country is like a spiral of gardens both herbal and aquatic." I looked up as drops of rain began to paint and roll down the sides of the garden ceiling.
"Its raining." I whispered. A thought was triggered and I couldn't help but jolt at its memory.
"Follow the rain."
"My dream."
"What?"
"I…I had a dream. About Kohaku. He said- to follow the rain." I looked up at the sky watching the aqua petals fell, longing to touch it. Almost thinking if I could, he would be with me again.
"To follow the rain?"
"He said to follow the rain. That is where Aikia and Ahrima are. Follow the rain."
"Are you sure?" I met her gaze.
"I'm more sure of it than anything right now."
"Than I must tell mother and father so that they can plan out an expedition." She turned and began mumbling to herself.
"Than they can start an expedition. Of course a full out attack won't work. It will have to be silent. Only our best warriors. Possibly the fey folk will aid…" I grabbed her shoulder.
"I am going." She looked surprised.
"Going where?"
"I am going to face Aikia and Ahrima." Her look hardened like that of a mother telling her child,
"No."
"Yes."
"You cannot go. You will die…"
"Than die I will! I have people whom I promised that Kamikakushi would be saved, and I plan to at least try to keep my promise! I will not fail any one else!"
"You will keep your promise. You have told us much valuable information, have you not? We will be able to stop Aikia…"
"Why won't you listen to me!" I said frustration. I was torn between crying or hitting something.
"I am listening." I stared furiously at her. She looked hurt and betrayed, but I was adamant about my idea. She turned.
"Take it up with my mother and father. They will decide."
I followed her through the garden, the rain pounding harder and rolling off in big tears. The plants we walked past were all foreign to me. Some bore fruit or flowers, others were nothing more than leaves. One plant that especially caught my attention was like a phoenix. It was a tree as tall as me and it was constantly a glow with a warm blaze. As soon as one branch died from burning another regrew in its place.
We met against what looked like a wall but as soon as Selena placed her hand against it, and the door slid open to a smaller room. Neat and orderly, with a few plants making it more pleasant. The king and Queen, as well as many others were already there, seated around an oval table; that was carved out of a still growing tree; and were obviously in heated debate over some matter or another.
What was most fascinating in the room was the holographic images that would occasionally appear in the middle of the table and demonstrate a speaker's meaning.
"Eh hem." Everyone stopped and looked at Selena and I.
"I hope this is a matter of importance, Selena." Aleesandra said pleasantly but with a slight hardness to her eyes.
"We believe, or at least the child believes that she knows the where abouts of Aikia and Ahrima." Murmmers travled through the room. Aleesandra raised a hand and it was again quiet.
"And pray do tell how such valuable information has come to you." I stepped forward.
"I had a dream. And in it, Kohaku said to follow the rain. I think he meant it to be like the idea of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow." A few chuckled rose.
"And?"
"And well, at the end of it, is Aikia and Ahrima." Aleesandra looked piercingly at me.
"Are you sure this dream actually had significant meaning and not mearly…"
"NO! I know what I am talking about…"
"Child, you have had a troubled experience, perhaps it is just stress…"
"No." I said bitterly in reply to an Arielo dressed in black.
"I had this dream before Kohaku died. In fact I've been having dreams like this one for a long time. I truly believe that it was Kohaku's way of reaching me. They were too real to just be dreams." The room buzzed with whispers. Again Aleesandra held up her palm till all was silenced.
"Very well. We shall take into consideration the information you have presented. If you have nothing else to say, I think it would be more appropriate if you found yourselves another place to be." Selena nodded and tugged on my arm before I could reply.
"Selena!" I shouted, barely out of the room.
"What?" Calm as an ocean breeze.
"They have to hurry! Who knows how long the rain will last!"
"No decision will be made until the meeting is over."
"And how long will that take?" She shrugged.
"Sometimes it takes weeks."
"But we don't have weeks!" I screeched feeling my pulse race.
Are you kidding me…tell me she's joking…weeks…we don't have weeks…I mean…Ronan said those quakes are almost constantly going…who knows how long Kamikakushi and Earth has…arg…will no one listen to anything around here…
"Forgive me, but I must leave you. Duty calls." Without hesitation, she unfolded her wings, the occasional feather lilting towards me. She disappeared into the air.
"Why won't you…Grr!" I yelled in frustration.
"Why won't who do what, my love?" I turned, hand in air and before I could think about it, I had slapped the person behind me.
"Owe! Now what did I do to deserve that?" Fox rubbed his cheek.
um…oops…
"Sorry?." I shrugged sheepishly. He flicked his trademark smile and seemed to almost completely forget the possible stinging in his cheek.
"It pains me to hear such questionable sympathy. No matter. Good to see you up and out of bed. Even if it's on the wrong side." I scowled.
"A frown does not belong on the face of a grand lady."
"It's a good thing I'm not a grand lady then."
"What malady dares intrude upon your heart so heavily?" He said in mock sincerity.
hmm…where should we start…at the beginning…with that bastard Aikia…or…
"I need to go away from here." I said choosing a direction to walk in.
"What would you…"
"The rulers are at a meeting discussing what to do. Selena says this could take weeks. We may not have so much as days, or hours when you think of it." We were silent as I pierced my lips to help me concentrate.
"Well then. I suppose that makes sense. Do you have a plan on how to leave here?"
"No." He shook his head and grinned.
"I guess I'll just have to pull a few strings then."
"What?" I raised and eyebrow. I could see a mischevious glint in his eyes.
"You said you want to leave? Well, we'll leave then, but I don't think anything can be arranged until tonight."
"Wait, what strings? You're coming?" He laughed, almost a bark, but a pleasant sound.
"That's a secret, and yes. You don't think I would let my little dove fly away to face the world alone, do you?" I felt so relieved that a rush of tears pricked my eyes and I couldn't help but hug him feircly.
"Well now, if that's the thanks I get, maybe I should do this kind of thing more often. Who knows what more I'll receive." I punched him in the shoulder.
"You'll get nothing if you keep it up. Do you think you could smuggle three more of us out?"
"Three more?"
"My friends Vai, Enuresis, and Rin. Rin and Enuresis came with me from the start. We met Vai on our way through. We traveled together before we got separated but they're here now."
"Are you sure they're trustworthy?"
"I would trust them with my life."
"Well then, passage for five coming right up. Be ready by the time I come and get you." He took a quick bow and left me shaking my head.
My…he…is definitely not your run of the mill spirit…I have to wonder if he's ever hit his head…but I am greatful…now…I need to talk to Rin and the others…
I paced the room. Back and forth. Back and forth. Willing time to quicken with each repeated travel I made. What if…what if he couldn't do it…what if the King and Queen found out…what if…
I shook my head and kept pacing. Recalling every detail of the afternoon. I had talked to the others, told them of everything I knew. Vai was a swilling as ever. Rin thought it through a thousand times and said that "If we were gonna go, might as well go tryin to kick some butt!", well, more roughly said by her. Enuresis was a bit reluctant, not trusting Fox as far as she could throw a large dragon. That wasn't a surprise, she still doesn't even trust Kohaku. In the end, they were for it.
We planned everything as best as we could…with as little as we could…now its up to fox…I wonder whats taking him…he never did actually say when he would be here…he just said be ready for the night…
I glanced around my room. Nothing was useful. Just jewelry, clothes, and plants.
I looked down at my attire. It was as practical as I could find. I couldn't ask for my regular clothes, that would be suspicious. Instead I had to make do with a one piece silk jumper with a sash to tie around the waist. The sleeves from the shoulder down were a sheer fabric and tightened in a collar around the wrist. The back, like everything else was open draped to the middle. The front a 'v'neck. The pant legs came close to a closed collar at the ankles. The outfit originally having a wispy veil material around the waist and falling like a skirt, I left laying on the floor by the closet.
No weapons for me but my bare hands.
I paced some more.
"Where is he?"
The door slid open and I jumped with a start.
"Shh." Fox stepped in.
"Finally." I whispered and we quietly left the room. His steps were straightforward and arrogantly over confident.
"You know Dove,…"
"I'm not changing my mind."
"You can't blame me for trying."
"So how exactly…"
"It's a secret. But no worries, you'll find out soon enough. I already got your other three friends too."
"How did you know…"
"Connections."
"With whom?" I raised my eyebrow. He blushed ever so slightly.
"No one really."
"Is that so. I think my little fox has a crush on a cute girl. A powerful one no less." I teased. He blushed a slightly deeper color but stopped and quickly kneeled before me.
"I could love no other but the face before me." He made to reach for my hands, and I casually knocked them away.
"Liar." I walked forward and he easily matched my stride.
"So. Whose the lucky young woman?" He nearly tripped. I laughed, enjoying this new power of mine.
"My aphrodite, I assure you, it has nothing to do with any woman, for there are none so fair as you."
"Hmm. Well then, what did you have to do?" At this I knew, I was on the right track, as I saw his face pale, and redden almost simultaneously. He gulped loudly.
"Who says I had to do anything?"
"I just did. So what was it?" He looked stubbornly forward. I had a few tricks up my sleeve.
I pretended to let out a few tears and he stopped.
"What is it? What ails your poor beating heart?"
"Why, I thought we were getting rather close." I whispered.
"We are, I mean..."
"I thought we were at least friends, but now after this…"
"After what…"
"If what you say is true, and it really is nothing, than you should be able to tell me…" He looked speechless.
Nope…still not their yet…"It really is another woman isn't it. I know, you won't tell me because…" I made my eyes go big and round, and covered my mouth.
"Dove! I assure you what ever you may be thinking…"
"I was wondering why I haven't seen you until rather recently. I mean, after all, who could resist? There are so many other women here…"
"That's not it!"
"Than what is it?" I said teary eyed. I sniffled for extra effect. He looked around, shifted a little then cupped his hand over my ear and whispered.
"There. You see."
"Oh really." I took a few steps forward, trying my hardest not to burst out with laughter.
"Not a word." He said.
"Of course not." My voice came out high pitched. He glared.
Aikai's POV
I walked down through the tunnels that went deeper than any of the castles dungeons. The sounds of tinkering hammers, scraping, and flames came to my ears as I headed to the main room.
"Oh, Master Aikia, back so soon?" I looked down at the creature. Stubby four legged, stout, muscled arms, and green faced bald man. His nose was croocked, having been broken at least four times. Scars lined his body. Burns weren't uncommon in the mines.
"I need a room."
"A-a room?" He stumbled over his words. His spit slightly coming out and he quickly slurped it up and licked his thin nothing of lips.
"Yes. A room. One fit to make a sword and to use magic."
"I could give you our best Master Aikia, but for one so great as yourself…"
"I'll take it." I growled. He shied away as he bowed.
"Yes sir-master-um-Aikia. Right this way. Righty then. Just follow me." I didn't bother to meet the stares that followed me through. A sight as grand as mine was uncommon, unheard of. I had never come this far before in the mines. After all, the Iraz Crystal Looking Glass that was repeatedly being made after its brother had broken, was delivered to the front gate.
My purpose here was a different one. I felt the tear drop vial bob against my chest. Deeper and deeper we traveled. I waved my hand, but it did no good. A breeze was not to be found in any place here magic, or else wise.
We traveled down twisted spiraling roads. The place was a city upon it self. Fires were constantly being fueled. In some of the stalagmites and stalagtites, one could see tiny holes for windows and doors. One could tell the higher ranked Orn spirits from their houses. Weather they had a liquid metal matted ladder, or a spiral mix of bright metals; a house gilded with the decor of jewels and gilded golds, bronzes, and silvers, or simply a dark metal pot of flowers or other some such nonsense.
The ugly Orn spirit looked up and bowed.
"This is the best we can offer. If you would like to wait a few months, I'm sure we could have something more…"
"No." I sharply ended the conversation and entered the low hanging door. I stepped in, hearing my footsteps echo. A flicker of my thoughts and baubles hung everywhere in the room, lit up and big. I raised my hand and the wood started on fire, which would soon turn into a scorching blaze. A few more adjustments were made. Instruments traveled of their own accord through the air. I let out an icy breath that clouded all things that could reflect so much as a speck of an image.
Ahrima would not know where I was.
Curse her bloody name and soul to…
I picked up a long sheet of Iraz Crystal and felt it with my hands, going over every dimension, and strand of life in it.
"It has been a very long time." I took off my shirt and prepared to go through the long process before me.
Of course I could have done this with magic…but that could have gone awry…and it would never have produced such a powerful weapon as I am prepared to make…