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 chapter is on time!
Shout it outs!
Aharah Musici: You'll just have to wait and see.:)
Keetra: Well thank you, I think?I'm glad to know I at least can get the cliff hangers down right:)
Velf: LOL! Ya, you better get working on your chapter, because that was an evil cliffhanger!
Chapter 46
A little Intervention
Katsu's POV
"I have food, as long as you don't bite off my finger. You better not try anything either. And don't think this means I like you or nothing. My loyalties lie with Master Aikia, so no mind tricks neither." I said. He glared, but gave the slightest of nods.
Curse the brightness of this room…I almost have to squint…even with this fabric over my eyes…givin me a freaking headache…stupid crystals…
I shook my head, set the cup of water down. I put the sack in my mouth and looked at the chains. Tensing my body, I leapt and grabbed the clinking metal circlets. He grunted.
"Sorry man. No pain no gain." With all the flexability and strength in me, I twisted upside down and fed him pieces of bread, cheese, fruits, and what ever else I had scrounged up.
Ain't no different than feedin her was really…I mean…sure she was more…well…tipsy…and he's hangin from chains…but taint no different…
With the sack empty I leapt down and looked at the cup of water, then to him, than back.
well now…how am I going to accomplish this one…I can't give it to him like I could with the food…not without spilling it all first…
The water sprung up in a stream and I jumped. I looked on as in three gulps, it all disappeared into his swallowing mouth.
"Well. I guess that's one way of not spillin anything." I took up the sack and cup, ready to leave.
"Why do you owe loyalty to him."
"Well now, so he speaks. Fer a while I almost thought you had no tongue." I cocked my head to the side for a moment, waiten to see if he would say anything else.
"He helped me out is why."
"For what in return?" I laughed, my tail twitched.
"See, that's the amazing part. Nothin off my hide really. Though I am technically his apprentice." He looked me over and shook his head.
"What was that look for?" I flicked my tail, daring him to insult me. He closed his eyes.
"May that be all you need give." He whispered. I glared.
"What would you know about it." I hissed and stomped out.
Sure…master Aikia has killed a few people…and done some bad things…and he comes off real cold…but…I dunno…deep down…he's a cool guy…there's just something about him…that just aint totally…the evil guy he puts out…
"All set?" I looked at fox, not quite sure I liked this form of transportation. My stomach flopped at the idea and I backed away from the edge of the hanger. The wind howled loudly against its edge. I glanced at the others.
Enuresis looked pumped at the idea. Liked a daredevil ready for the next challenge. Vai looked absolutely terrified. I felt sorry that he felt he had to do this. Rin looked non pulsed about the whole thing. After all, she used to do something like this a long time ago. A few years can't make you totally forget.
I looked at my back. Long leathery wings were protruding from my shoulders. I shook them. It was weird to feel something that had never been there, there now.
Stupid pill…if I would have known it was going to hurt that bad…dang…growing wings in ten minutes isn't an easy task…almost too much work for how temporary it is…every one else almost thinks it normal…this wing growing business…not me…never…have I done something like this…
"Come on Dove. Ready for your first flying lesson?" I watched as Ring grabbed hold of Vai's right arm and Enuresis, in her adrenaline rush, his left. They tipped out and free fell until Rin opened her wings and Vai did likewise. Enuresis let go and seemed to spin out of control. I took an involuntary step forward, and Rin looked ready to rescue her, when Enuresis did a flip, a dive, and then became in control. Rin then commenced in chiding her of her stupidity. I let out my breath of worry and turned my attention back to the matter of attention. My turn to fly.
"I don't like this one bit…" I tried to scream as Fox leapt out, almost pushing me, but my voice was violently swept away. The rain and wind beat against me. I felt the taste of acid in my throat as I was frozen in terror and falling fast.
Open your wings…I help…dive…then glide…simple…
I felt my body slightly move involuntarily at his words, as if it were hypnotized into doing what he said, and soon I caught an updraft and was level with all of them.
That…was mortifying…
Scary…yes…but…you have friends…none let you fall…we here…all for you…all to help…
I looked over my shoulder, noticing that I had somehow pulled slightly ahead and become the leader. Enuresis was doing twirls and flips even in the strong air current. She was reveling in the feel of flying. Vai, was unsure and constantly needed a little encouragement from someone here and then when he became unstable. Rin flew with grace and ease. She looked to be almost at home. She fit the picture, but in a way, it was almost wrong. I shook my head.
Will she ever…truly belong someplace…I thought…for a while she fit in here…but maybe…
I shook my head and pulsed my wings, steadily getting the hang of flying on my own. Not feathered wings, but graceful, almost bat like wings, beautiful in their oddity. I think I would have felt more out of place if I had had the white glories that Selena, her family, and her race shared.
Katsu's POV
I tip toed past the throne room. Hearing Ahrima mumble to herself. A low mantra almost. Not missing her words for an instant I tried to creep by without notice. Unlike Aikia I, can't just pop in and out of thin air. There are some places that you have to go to and the only route is right through Ahrima so to speak.
"That girl!" I jumped and fell back. She stopped, it was quite.
This is it…I'm a gonner…good bye cruel world…
I held my breath, but when nothing happened, I let it out and stood up.
"No! It can't be! Wings! What is she, that witch. I want her dead!" I heard Ahrima screech.
She sounds more insane… than the last time I passed through here…
I dared push the door open a creak and saw her in all her stark raven glory. She glowed with a dim light in the darkness, standing in front of a mirror, her back to me.
She msut be more insane than I thought…I don't see anything in that mirror…its all black…nothing…I mean…it's a seeing mirror…ain't there supposed to be somethin to see…
"I know! That's it! Lightning! I don't care what she is, none can survive a shock as powerful as lightning. I will singe her hair right off! And burn her heart out!" She laughed.
Uh oh…somehow I don't think he's just talking about some foreign village girl…here I go again…stupid conscience…never needed it before…should just loose it…don't know how…but I'll loose it…startin now…
I stepped back and started carryin on with what I was doin, when I felt my feet take a reverse direction.
Or maybe…later…I mean…might as well let her…reach the castle…then die maybe a more heroic death…I mean…I certainly wouldn't want to die…not by lightning…after all…how many heroes get sung about who've died by lightining…
I shook my head.
Off to warn the stupid glowin pain in the neck…his girlfriends about to die…again…
Aikia's POV
This is taking too long…no wonder the Orn Spirits die faster than villagers when Ahrima is in a mood…the crystal is magic itself…in entity…
I struggled to meld the Iraz Crystal to my whims. It takes a strong will to control it. It may as well me alive for as unpredictable and unbidding it is. Refusing to follow the hand, but absolutely obdurate when touched by magic. I cursed under my breath as I looked at the clear liquid that quickly cooled and became un-useable.
" I will get no where at this rate." The door near came to an opening crash. Many Orns looked up in startlement. One in charged rushed over.
"Master Aikia, is there something that you require?"
"I demand the presence of your best craftsman."
"Craftsman?"
"Craftsman in the ways of Iraz Crystal. Now."
"Right away. Of course. He shall be brought here. Right away." I watched him bow and shouted something across to the others workers. A line of similar shouts traveled through out and rang against the metals and the earth.
"Send him in when he has come." I waved my hand in a superior manner and went back into the room. With a mere thought, the room was cleared of its mess and prepared for another making, excepting the untouchable useless pieces of crystal in the corner.
I stood by the fire, relishing in its intense heat. My muscles quivered ever so slightly at the remembrance of their strains. Sweat dripped all along my body. It was an odd feeling. A feeling of familiarity that would have brought comfort excepting the fact that it was foreign in its familiarity.
It must be done…and quickly…or I shall find myself bowing…with a broken spirit…to that witch…no soul will be safe…not that dragons …not even mine …no matter how powerful…
"You requested me?" I turned around and looked at the impudent Orn boy, who looked no older than seventeen, but had a well defined body. His blood was more than likely as not muddled with that of an earthen mage at one point, for he looked to be made of earth himself. His skin as black as night, and eyes an amber. His head was bald andhe retained much a fair face. His arms thick, chest broad, and four legs lithe.
"Tell of the wielding of this Crystal." He frowned ever so slightly as he looked at the pile in the corner. He went off and gently cradled the pieces of worthless garbage as if they contained his very freedom.
"So. Not even the great Aikia can wield a simple piece of crystal." He stood up. I struck him in the face, enough for his lip to bleed and swell in the corner. He spat it out and glared in defiance.
"I will not tolerate insolence."
"You're gonna hafta if you want anything from me. I have nothing to loose. I am not afraid to die. So really, you put up with me, or you will get nothing."
That…pompous…arrogant…
I let out a care free smirk.
"I must say. That speech was quite heroic. Though, you presume too much to think that I need you that badly. If I felt my energy wouldn't be wasted, I would kill you on the spot. However, why do that when I can have you slave away down here in the mines and die anyways." I saw a more rueful look creep upon him instead of the arrogance. I had won.
"With that over, I give my consent to you to begin teaching me the craft wielding of Iraz Crystal. And do be brief, my sister and I have a couple of worlds to conquer."
"Start from the beginning then. I will watch to see what you're doing wrong." I let the snide remark slide as I began concentrating on doing a fruitless task.
Chihiro's POV
"Look at that?" Rin pushed forward to be even with me and looked at the darker clouds around us.
"I think we're in trouble."
"Ah, come on. Its just a little rain." Enuresis said as haughty as ever. Vai shook his head.
Light storms…
What…
Light storms…they…very…killing much…we wet…are in much danger…
"It's a lightning storm." I shouted above the new gust of wind. We were pushed back, but not completely hindered. A flash of electric thread pierced through the rain in front of us. It was merely the beginning.
"Dove! I hate to say this, but I think we should land!"
"No! Not after we've come this far!"
"But Dove! We don't even know how much farther! The rest won't hurt us none either!"
"If we rest, or wings might disappear!" I screamed, more stubborn than a run away mule.
"Than we'll just walk!"
"That will take too long! Who knows how long this rain was enchanted to last!" The arguing stopped. No one was happy, but they followed.
The sky was constantly alit. The lightning struck with rapid strength and raped the sky. What was most odd however was that the strikes seemed to keep getting closer to me.
"Chihiro look out!" I pushed sharply aside as a strike nearly streamed through me.
No…I will not stop…I can't stop…I won't rest until…Ahrima and Aikia's plans are completley turned upside down…I can't let them do this…not now…not ever…
I felt my wings slow and the wind become more mighty.
"Rin, I…" I looked over my shoulder but couldn't spot anyone. The flashes came more quickly, and the wind more forcefully.
"Rin! Enuresis…!" I lost control and was flung in a dizzying spiral.
No…I have to fly…I have to go up…but which way…where is up…
Katsu's POV
"You gotta do something! She's gonna die!" His head snapped up in immediate attention as I jumped into the room and announced it in a grand gesture.
"Who."
"Great Artiallimus himself. Who do you think! That girl chick of yours!" His eyes flashed suspiciously. I crossed my arms and glared. My tail swung and in my anger, it poofed up on end like goose-bumps. Its all his fault.
"Look, you can take my word on it or not, its up to you. Personally if I had a girlfriend I wouldn't let her get fried by lightning bolts." I hissed at him. He looked composed, but I could see fear in his eyes. Then a he freakin went to sleep.
"Alseep! She's about to die and…"
"Let me concentrate." He said calmly. I can't believe she married this low life. Sure he's powerful, but he doesn't seem to care all that much about her.
He hung there, his eyes closed. I almost saw him sway, but with the freaky lights, I coulda swore he had an extra toe too. He began to sweat and I knew something was off.
"What now."
"I can't do it." I gaped at him.
This all powerful…freaky pain in the butt…that is supposed to be like this catylyst thing…can't even save…a stupid girl…
"And why not!" He glared at me then at the crystals. Thousands of beams of light ran from him to them.
Well gee…wasn't that like rubbin salt in a cut…well…I guess nows as good a time as any to see what would happen…
I took out a thick dagger from inside of my sash and unsheathed it. It rang and shone of a pure substance, crafted by a master. I looked at the beems and walked around for a moment.
"You better be ready with what ever you gotta do, cause I ain't riskin my tail fibers." I didn't even glance at him as I placed the blade at an angle in a certain light. It deflected from its original crystal and cut into another's path, similar to playing with the light in the streets to blind people. Only the light kept bouncing in here as it met others, those deflected and bounced as well.
Reminds me of bungy worms…all of them knockin into each other…then they bounce…
Sometimes they would reflect to the point where the light went straight back to that Kohaku guy. Maybe he'll roast like meat over a spit.
I looked up at him and noticed his eyes closed. A single drop of sweat fell from his face, but nothing else was indicated as to his well being.
Master Aikia said…never disrupt a spell…unless you know exactly what it is…and what its intended for…then and only then…stop it by countering the spell…dangerous stuff happens when you mess with magic…
I felt my hairs rise. I jerked at his sudden movements. His heart thumped loudly, his chest rose in gasps. I dropped my dagger and the lights instantly returned to their normal places, slightly dimmer. Before I could let a word out, he fell into his chains limp as a noodle.
"Hey! Wake up! NO way am I lettin' you sleep on me like this! Did ya save her or what!" He didn't so much as twitch. I jumped up and slapped him. Maybe not very smart, being as he seems to be able to do some magic even though he technically isn't supposed to be able to I mean with all of the spells and wards, and what ever cocaphooey with lots of letters in their names are set up. He didn't so much as twitch. I felt my tail bristle.
"I risk my paws just so you can save your wench and you don't even bother staying awake long enough to fill me in on if she died or not! I mean, jeez! I may be just a street cat new come from a backwards ally, but even I have better manners than you." I stormed off.
What does he take me for…yesterdays rat…
Aikia's POV
I redid all of my work, laboring over the failure that laid on the ground. He shook his head and looked deeply into the fire. I spat on the floor, only for it to sizzle and leave nothing but dust behind.
"Your hands work with great skill. I must wonder where you attained such an art. Never before have I seen such proficiency. I can only imagine what kind of things you could make with just simple materials such as gold or silver." All of his praise seemed to be pushed out, like spit from the tongue of a desert wanderer's mouth.
"But?"
"What you lack is not something I can teach you."
"Elaborate." He stood, as if age had come upon him. He picked up the flattest sheets of crystal and set it up as one would a mirror.
"You are strong and forceful but you do not work with the crystal. Instead you try to coerce it onto doing your will. With metals and ordinary you have to be like. Iraz Crystal is another matter of its own."
"When I said elaborate, I meant the basics. Not petty details." He scowled at his reflection in the deep amythyst depths before him.
"You must gently coax the crystal into doing what you want. Not force it." He set down the piece and turned to face the door.
"I am done here." I let him leave. Thinking over my task. Something that was supposed to be much easier became very difficult. I reorganized my tools and set up the place in a useable manner, prepairing to start anew.
I held my detestable challenge before me. An image passed through my mind, unfamiliar and yet…It slipped away and I shook my head.
I glanced down at the vial that swung at my waist, tied to my sash.
"All this trouble for two measly worlds." I sighed. Taking the precious material I lifted it into the harsh blaze that tried to lick away my skin. I felt my eyes close amidst my workings.
"Just let go of everything you are doing." The man before him shook his head. He had a beer belly to be sure, covered by a grimy apron and was balding. A strictness was spoken in the way he held his body, but his eyes had room enough for gentleness. He held in his hand a thick mallet and in the other a rod of metal.
"But Master…" I felt a stir of confusion in me as I looked up at the man. My actions truly not my own.
"When you let go, you give the material control."
"Then how do you make it into what you want it to be?"
"In general, you force the idea into your materials, but how it will actually turn out is a metals own decision. If you force it completely to your will, than you will never create anything worthy of being used. Now watch." He plunged the rod into the flames.
I snapped my head back and twisted the crystal out of the fire, as if my hand had been bitten. It was smoldering to the point of melting. I quickly let it drip into a mold and set it back into the fire.
What was that I saw…it was…strange and…it was nothing…
My thoughts turned bitter. I felt the image I saw become hard to grasp and it slipped away like oil.
I pulled the mold out from the fire and dipped it into a large tub of water. Quickly tossing it out of the mold and onto the anvil, I grasped the rod in one hand and a hammer with the other. I began pounding it into the shape I desired.
Authors Ending Note: I know, I did a full 360 w/ Aikia and his workings. I dunno. Something in me just had to. You gotta admit, it did add a little more interest, ne?