Shadow within the Darkness

(Day 13 – Part 1)

By: Little Ucchan

This is it. Sage had felt that way ever since he had set foot outside the church's mahogany double doors. As he surveyed his environment, taking into account that the edifice was nested at the back of a small clearing with a dirt road running parallel to the entrance, all he could think about was that one phrase of closure. He felt it in the depths of his being that this was going to be the last battle he would fight in his dream world. He was glad, almost relieved that it was all coming to an end. Maybe now he'd have some answers as to what was going on within the deep maze of his subconscious. But at the same time, he didn't want it to end. Sage might have come accustomed to the dreams in the span of two weeks. Or maybe… he was just dreading the outcome.

Hidden within the shadows the surrounding trees had provided, he waited where the road and open space intersected, getting as close to the pathway as he was willing to get. His still form was obscured to anyone who would be coming up the road by the large tree trunk he was settled against. It was a perfect spot for an ambush. Letting his senses roam around, he immediately focused on the aura that was quickly approaching from behind.

It was still a distance off, but he recognized it at once. It belonged to the first demon he had ever encountered. The walking overkill that had murdered the commander and had destroyed the entire royal guard with minimal difficulty. It was the same one that was approaching now. The same goddamn one.

Sage cursed under his breath, but then clutched the hilt of his sword tighter, a look of determination crossing his face. He will not lose!

His senses wandering again, he picked up the new location of the demon the same time a new aura came into play. He identified it as the aura he had felt when he was still inside the church. But that one had disappeared as quickly as it had come. And Sage had dismissed it as a figment of his imagination.

But the aura was there. As clear as day.

He kept his focus on it and the abnormal energy patterns it was giving out. It would come out as strong as a heart beat, and then die to a point where Sage had lost it a few times completely, the demon's aura overshadowing the weaker one. He then realized belatedly that the demon was chasing after it, the instances where the aura faded in and out being points of exhaustion.

He suppressed the urge to suddenly run down the path to this person's aid. That wouldn't do either of them any good. Sage was already at a disadvantage when it came to strength. He needed to keep the element of surprise on his side if he wanted to win. But it was hard, knowing that someone was in danger, running scared from a monstrosity with such raw, negative energy that it was sickening to even breathe its foul scent. That was the demon Sage had to face. Had to kill. And he waited, concentrating only on his opponent's aura closing the distance on its prey. The demon was near. Only a few seconds more. He felt the other aura rush right by him, and then Sage was on the move.

He dashed forward onto the open road, his blade colliding with the handle of the demon's battle-ax. Once again the demon was able to read Sage's sudden movement and block his attack. But that didn't mean that the ambush was totally ineffective. The demon had to break its hold almost immediately, not having enough force in its block to begin with. It backed up to regain its footing, at the same time deflecting the near blow from Sage that almost pummeled through its chest. The demon couldn't understand. Its last encounter with the boy wasn't nearly as fierce as it was now. He seemed to be on fire, his attacks growing stronger every time he swung his sword. What the demon didn't know was that the stakes had just been raised. Sage wasn't just fighting for himself now.

Each time their weapons clashed, he could feel the demon slowly gaining control. It was only a matter of time before his opponent was no longer in shock from his surprise attack, its parries becoming more aggressive, and its muscles more rigid. The demon went for an overhead strike, its favorite move. And that's when Sage thought it was best to disengage.

He jumped backwards before the blade struck earth, clearing a good distance between himself and the demon. Landing smoothly on his feet, he adjusted his grip on the hilt and held his sword out in front of him. The demon wrenched its weapon out of the ground, standing upright to glare at the boy a few yards away, and consequently, at the other human that had temporarily escaped its grasp.

Seeing the demon's gaze divert to his left, Sage turned his head back slightly, stealing a glimpse at the young woman that had drifted towards his side. But that one look was enough. His voice got caught in his throat when a flash of recognition crossed his mind. The eldest daughter of the king was standing right behind him.

He almost didn't believe it at first, the girl's pale skin being marred with cuts, bruises, and dirt. Her clothes were worn and tattered. Her long red tresses, previously pinned into an eloquent design, hung loosely around her shoulders. She looked like a normal girl. That's what Sage had believed until he caught sight of the jewels that garbed her attire, the tiara that still rested atop her head, and the pendant of pure ivory with a six-pointed star etched into its heart.

Despite how long he knew he was staring at her, the princess did not once look at him, her eyes entranced by the demon's malevolent glare. She took a tentative step back, trying to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. Her voice gone and her entire body cold and shaking, she couldn't do anything but stand there, frozen, as the demon bore a hole through her soul.

Having had enough of this standoff, Sage sidestepped to the left, blocking the girl from the demon's vision and inevitably breaking the hold that it had over her. Two sets of eyes now were focused on him. The demon's cold orbs were locked on his own, and the princess's worried aqua green ones peered at him from his backside. He was vaguely aware of her presence until an action on her part grabbed his full attention.

Sage stiffened when he felt a set of slender arms encircle his waist, drawing his body close to hers. His mind reeled back in confusion, feeling an odd mix of emotions packed into her embrace. He felt fear in her heart. A hint of grief as well. But predominantly, he felt tenderness, and a strange longing. Longing… for him?

Sage slapped himself mentally. It wasn't possible. He didn't even know this girl. But, she seemed to be quite familiar with him, and he didn't know why. Whatever uncertainty he felt he quickly pushed aside, eyes flickering back to the demon. It was still there… waiting. If he kept the princess this close to him, she'd get caught in the impending battle. He had to think of some way to get her safely away from here.

But the plan he was trying to devise during that short period of time completely vanished, instead being replaced by one single emotion: confusion.

"Takeru… don't." The princess's voice came out as a small whisper, her words gently caressing the nape of his neck. "Don't fight, Takeru. Please."

Takeru?

Do as she says, a voice alien to him cut through his mind. Sage turned his eyes to the demon, seeing its gaze more stoic and unyielding than before.

I'm not interested in you, boy, he heard the demon's voice a second time. A masculine voice. Deep and raspy. Stand aside.

The princess tightened her grasp around Sage, oblivious of what had just happened but aware of sudden rise of tension that hung thick in the air. She didn't want him to fight. She didn't want him to die. But, even if staying by his side was going to kill him, she couldn't bring herself to let go. She just wanted to stay there, in her closed off little world… with him. That's all she wanted.

But it wasn't meant to be. The princess was brought out of her reverie when Sage pulled one of her hands away from his waist, taking it in his hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

"…Your sister is in the church," he said, keeping his eyes fixated on the demon. "Go get her and then escape through the back exit into the forest."

He felt her arms grow taut, her clasp on his hand more fierce. "No…" she pleaded. "No… I can't."

The demon was growing impatient. I will not repeat myself again. Stand ASIDE!

"Go," he ordered.

"Takeru…"

Sage winced inwardly. There it was. That name again. Why did she keep calling him that? His thoughts were becoming more jumbled, racing as the events unfolded before him without actually being aware of it. Ever since she had uttered that name… it had thrown him into chaos.

He had since become focused on that name, his mind, instead of concentrating on his enemy, laboring to decipher its hidden meaning. But when he did, engrossed in his own thoughts, Sage painfully became aware of his own actions. His mouth had spoken words that were not his own. That he didn't even think about. His body was carrying out orders that he himself did not give, as if following an age-old plan triggered into play by one single word. What was going on? Had he no control over his own body? Was he not even there? Just watching everything happen through someone else's eyes?

No… Sage knew it was himself standing between the demon and the princess. He felt her arms, her warmth against his back. He felt the adrenaline running through his veins, his muscles locked, waiting in anticipation. It was all too real. He had to be the one in control. He just had to. At least, that's what he told himself. But as the final act began to escalate to its dramatic close, Sage would realize that there was no stopping what was written in stone.

***

Saturday. 7 A.M. All was still in the dim household as a young teenager quietly stole out of the comfort of her warm blankets, her body slightly shivering when her feet came in contact with the cool wooden planks that lined the floor of her bedroom. She sat there while her feet blindly felt around the side of her bed for her house slippers. The tip of her toe brushing over cotton, she quickly eased her feet into the material, smiling at the feel of the soft cushion underneath. Rising from her seat on the bed, she stepped out of her room and into the hallway.

Satsuki treaded softly down the corridor, not wanting to wake anyone. Her mother was exhausted from the previous night's endeavors, having had taught three full classes at the dojo, so Satsuki didn't want to disturb her sleep. Looks like Grandpa is going to handle today's lessons. A smile formed itself across her lips when she thought of Grandfather Date doing his usual morning exercises. He was surely one of a kind. Most men his age would have killed over by now with the stress he'd put on his body every single day. I swear that man will outlive us all!

The girl reminded herself again to walk lightly when she came across Sage's room, another person she did not want to accidentally wake up this morning. She stopped for a moment in front of his door, taking in a long silent breath as she did so. She'll be the first to admit that she was worried about him. He usually doesn't sleep in late. Neither is he so hard to wake up in the morning, as he has been for the past two weeks. Nii-chan's instincts are very sharp, so he'd sense if I was trying to wake him up but… The corners of her mouth slipped downward into a frown. He's always dead asleep.

Her face suddenly darkened with a scowl as she abruptly spun on her heels and continued on her way. You always have to worry me like this, Sage Nii-chan, she thought more in frustration than in anger. What's wrong with you lately?

***

Dammit, what's wrong with me?  

*SLASH*

I can't seem to focus at all.

*SLASH*

And I have to fight today.

*SLASH*

…Aw shit.

Sage lowered his practice sword, taking in long labored breaths after the rigorous training he had just put himself through. He never usually pushed himself so hard. Especially right before a match, instead spending the time in deep mediation to clear his mind. But when he awoke that morning, his mind was all but clear. And meditation did not help. The next best solution was to have a thorough workout, concentrating only on his kendo practices in hopes that the physical exercise would purge his already cluttered mind of the thoughts that ran circles around his head. But thirty minutes into it had already proven useless.

Ojiisama would have a fit if he saw how poorly I was doing, Sage thought to himself, sitting down Indian style on the floor. He found out that he couldn't do any of his thrusts right. And his attacks were severely lacking in power. If I keep this up, I might as well forfeit the match.

He sighed aloud, a small habit he was starting to pick up whenever he couldn't figure out what was going on. The dreams just kept coming back to his mind, like last Wednesday, when he and Ryo didn't go to the fight and found out that the armors were stolen. They weren't as powerful and persistent as back then, but still his visions were enough to be a distraction. If only I could find a clear link between my dreams and the threat we're facing now. But none came to mind. Nor did he feel that some epiphany was on the verge of being brought to his attention.

Sighing again Sage picked up his bokken and began doing a few practice swings. He was well into training before he had noticed the small figure that was standing, watching him. Immediately stopping what he was doing, Sage blinked back surprised eyes at the girl leaning against the doorframe of the dojo.

***

Laura had walked in on Sage a few minutes before the boy had realized that he had an audience. She was actually going to step back outside once she'd found out that he was in there but had stopped short from doing so. There was something different about him. She could tell as she watched him practice. He was… detached in a way. Almost as if his body was going through the movements but his mind was somewhere else. In another world maybe? Lost in thought? She began to wonder what kind of topic could possibly warrant such attention from him when she felt Sage's eyes suddenly fall on her.

"Sorry," Laura immediately apologized, feeling guilty for having had disturbed him. "I didn't think anyone was in here."

When the silence continued and Sage did not lift his gaze, a sudden thought came to mind and she gave him one of her mischievous smiles. "Don't stare too hard."

That certainly got him to speak.

"It's not like that," he said defensively, all the while contemplating the reason behind her change of mood. "I'm just… surprised to see you."

"Why's that?"

"Well," he began, glancing at the wall clock of the dojo, "Your sister's lessons don't start for another hour."

"Yeah," she agreed. "I didn't expect myself to be here this early either."

"You didn't?" he asked, surprised. She shook her head. "Then why—"

At that exact moment, Grandfather Date decided to walk into the dojo, catching sight of his grandson and the new visitor. "Laura! I'm so glad that you were able to come by," he greeted rather cheerfully. "I hope I didn't cause you any inconvenience."

"No, not at all." The girl bowed respectfully to the old man. "But… I'm a bit confused. Why did you wish to meet with me all of a sudden?"

"Ah, yes." He paused for a moment. "It's on the issue of your sister's lessons. You mentioned before about not being able to pay right away."

"I'd understand if you'd want me to withdraw her lessons until I'll be able to—"

"Nonsense!" Grandfather Date held up a hand to stop her. "Remember, it was I who insisted that she start, even when I knew you didn't have the money because of your sudden move to Japan."

"…I don't understand," she said outright. "What did we need to discuss if you already knew that much?"

"A proposition," he simply said.

"Oh?"

He nodded. "Something I'm sure you'll agree to."

Sage had been listening to the conversation with only half an ear open, his curiosity having been satisfied when he found out the reason for Laura's sudden appearance. Sammy's lessons huh? Well that's reasonable. He was about to continue with his training, not that it was going to do any good with his current state of mind, when his grandfather suddenly spoke to him.

"Sage, do you need to practice?"

"Not really," he said, even though he knew it was far from the truth. "I can do it some other time if you want." He was going to excuse himself so they could talk in private, but his grandfather stopped him.

"That's not what I meant," he corrected himself. "…Are you up for sparring right now?"

Sage blinked. Sparring? Now? He supposed he was up to it. But sparring with Ojiisama when I can't even focus… Well, it could turn out alright. Maybe Sage would concentrate more if he fought a good opponent.

"Yeah," he answered. "I've already warmed up. So it should be alright."

"Good," Grandfather Date nodded. "Then get another bokken from the back room."

He did as his was told, walking towards the back of the dojo and into a separate room where all the equipment was stored. All the while, Laura kept a close eye on him. Why did the conversation suddenly switch? she thought to herself, turning her gaze back to Grandfather Date.

"Date-sama…"

"Laura," he stopped her yet again. "Keep in mind that this is difficult for me to ask. For I have never done it before. So bear with me."

"Excuse me for saying so, but you always came off to me as the straight forward type," she said with a bit of a smirk. "I never thought you'd have trouble speaking your mind."

The older man chuckled a bit. "Yes that's true. I'm not one to hold back."

"Then may I suggest that you don't start now? I'm sure what you're going to say isn't unreasonable."

"Very well then," Grandfather Date agreed. "I'm sure you're aware that I train Sage in his kendo practices on a regular basis."

"Yes. You told me that once."

"But, along with my daughter, I teach many classes and private lessons during the course of a week. More than I'm willing to handle sometimes."

"It must be tiring."

"It is. But it's something I love doing." He shook his head. "Unfortunately, I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Really Date-sama, I'd never guess you were anything over thirty!"

He laughed heartily. "I wish it were so! But the truth stays the same. And my grandson keeps improving his skills daily. I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up!"

"The follies of old age," Laura said before she could stop herself. She glanced over at Grandfather Date, hoping that he didn't take offense of her teasing and was rewarded by a very amused grin.

"You're a charming young girl, Laura Kinoku."

"And you, Date-sama, are an energetic old man who would not admit defeat to the forces of nature."

"Do you really think that highly of me?"

"Yes I do," she replied. "But I'm beginning to wonder what you're trying to get at. I thought I'd asked you to be straight forward."

"That you did," he agreed. "But I can't help but try and ease you into what I'm proposing, since I know you'll have a… how should we say… vehement response to it."

Laura raised an inquisitive eyebrow with that last statement. "I didn't think we'd known each other that well for you to make that assumption."

"Yes well… I'm fairly certain."

"Really?" The old man nodded. "Try me."

Maybe she was just tired of waiting for Grandfather Date to say it. Or maybe, it was some mischievous instinct that wanted to prove him wrong. But later, she was sure to curse whatever it was that had possessed her to speak those two words, prompting the old man to tell her directly what he was thinking. Maybe the nice, soft approach that he was taking earlier would have been better.

***

"You want me to what?!"

Sage heard the shriek as clear as day, although he didn't hear what his grandfather had said. Nor did he feel like he wanted to. It's her business. Picking up another bokken from the shelf and testing its weight, he tried to get his mind to focus on fighting. But his ears refused to stay shut to the voices drifting towards him from the dojo, and Sage found himself listening in on their conversation.

"I told you you'd react that way," he heard his grandfather say.

"Yeah well… of course I'd react that way!" Laura had answered back, which earned some laughter from Grandfather Date.

"My dear, I wouldn't have suggested it if the pros didn't outweigh the cons. Besides, you know why I am proposing this in the first place."

She sighed. "Yes I know."

"You'd prove to be a better challenge than I would. Plus rivals tend to bring out the best in each other." There was a pause in the conversation. "Come now Laura. I think it's a great opportunity."

"That might be debatable."

"And why is that? Don't tell me you won't benefit?"

"…I would, actually."

"Well then?"

"He'd never agree."

"But you agree."

"…Yes."

"Then that settles it."

That last part of the conversation had worried Sage. He had a dreadful feeling that the agreement that just took place somehow involved him. If asked why he felt that notion, he wouldn't be able to explain. But there was something about the way they were talking that immediately told his mind that something was wrong.

But before he could find out more, the conversation ended and he heard his grandfather's footsteps making their way across the dojo to where he was. Sage quickly busied himself with examining the wooden sword in his hand when Grandfather Date entered the back room.

"You're taking rather long to pick out a sword," the old man commented from the doorway.

"I couldn't find the right one," he replied, noncommittally.

"I see…" A pause. "May I have a look?"

Sage handed him the bokken he had chosen, watching as Grandfather Date tested the weight. "It's too heavy," he finally replied. "I need one of the lighter ones."

"But Ojiisama, that's the weight you normally use."

"True," he nodded. "But I'm not your opponent. Laura is."