(-Looks at reviews for last chapter-) ...Well at least people are still interested...
Anyway, I'm back! I ran into a writer's block the size of Texas, which is why this chapter took so long. This still feels kinda rushed to me, but by the time you read this, I'll just be happy that I got this bit over with. At least I know exactly what I want to do after this chapter.
Rants aside, Disclaimer: I do not own Baten Kaitos, 'kay? And as Namco hasn't sent any lawyers to my house, either they haven't noticed me or the disclaimers are working. So, on with the chapter.
One last Author's Note: It turns out that it's the Ice Cliffs of Gomeisa not the Ice Mountains as I've called them before. My bad.
Chapter X: Malice
"You're pathetic!" said Morjidza laughing down at this wretched prisoner, "You've been reduced to a weak coward!" he kicked out at his prisoner again, taking some pleasure in the stifled cry that resulted from the blow. "I wonder what everyone will think when they hear that the great Kalas ran for his life, rather than try to save his friends and wife?" Morjidza speculated. Then he smiled to himself, "That even rhymes." He said cheerfully, "Maybe I'll even turn it into a song…"
"SHUT UP!" shouted the blue haired man. Finding a reserve of energy he did not know he possessed, he stood up shakily, and threw himself at Morjidza. He countered easily, grabbing the blue haired man by the collar of his cape and slamming him hard against the nearby wall. The blue haired man fought against Morjidza's hold, but lacked the strength to break free.
"Listen and listen well," whispered Morjidza into his prisoner's ear, "I could kill you right now. I could have even killed you days or even weeks before. But I want you to suffer. I want you to die, slowly, alone, and miserable. I want to make you pay for everything you made my master suffer, after he gave you life."
The blue haired man stared in disbelief, eyes wide, "Malpercio?" he said, "Your master is Malpercio?"
Morjidza smiled, "What a clever Raven!" he said with mocking cheerfulness, "Did you figure that out all on your own? Well, that'll leave you something to contemplate in Hell."
"I'll see you there," said the blue haired man, his voice dripping venom and hate.
Morjidza turned to look over his shoulder at the pilot, apparently having not heard this, "Stop the airship!" he snapped at the pilot. The pilot immediately obeyed, and the blue haired man was dragged roughly to a door in the side of the cockpit he had not noticed before. Morjidza kicked the door open, and it swung outwards, letting in a gust of freezing air, carrying snowflakes. The blue haired man could barely see anything in the gale, but he guessed at what was going to happen. "These are the Ice Cliffs of Gomeisa," said Morjidza quietly to his prisoner, "The lands your wife ruled so well. Right now, there is a harsh blizzard, forcing all the monsters into their godforsaken dens. There is no civilization for miles and miles, nothing but ice and snow from horizon to horizon. And this is where you will die, all alone, in a frozen wasteland. And when you die you will become nothing more than food for the scavengers. Your only legacy will be a pile of bones, stripped bare, buried beneath snow and ice."
Morjidza let got of the blue haired man's collar, but before he could react, Morjidza kicked him in the back, and he fell several feet, screaming, until he landed in a deep snowdrift. By the time he dug himself out, the airship had already vanished into the winds of the blizzard, swallowed up by the storm of ice and snow…
"You really should listen to Vivian," commented Kalas to Allyr later that night, "You're too relaxed."
"And you'd rather have me panicking?" said Allyr, "At least this way I won't die from hypertension."
Allyr had returned home and was sitting at the desk in her room. She knew she should be doing something productive, but she wanted to argue her point.
"Do you remember what happened the last time you didn't listen to me?" asked Kalas.
Allyr muttered something that sounded like a "Yeah I remember. Must you rub it in?"
"All I'm saying," said Kalas, "Is that we need to be cautious."
"Jeeze, it's just a little girl," said Allyr calmly, "What's she going to do?"
"Is this some kind of nervous reaction?" asked Kalas, "Are you calm because you're actually worried?"
"Kalas," said Allyr with deliberate slowness, "It's just a little-"
"No, there's something weird about her," interrupted Kalas, "She's probably followed me here, and now she's stalking us. And the grass did die where she stood. That's not normal."
"But she hasn't done anything." Pointed out Allyr.
"Neither did the Sabre dragon, or the illusion monster," said Kalas, "Before they started attacking us, or kidnapped your brother." When Allyr did not comment, Kalas pressed his advantage, "Look, I'm your Guardian now," he continued, "I'm just trying to help. All I'm trying to say is that we need to stay on our toes."
"Kalas…" started Allyr.
"Would it really hurt that much for a little extra caution?" argued Kalas, "What is there to loose?"
Allyr leaned back in her chair and sighed, "Fine!" she said, sounding defeated, "You win! I'll watch my step."
"There, that didn't hurt much now did it?" said Kalas smugly.
"Oh yeah sure, rub it in why don't you?" muttered Allyr.
"I'm just trying to protect you, damn it!" snapped Kalas, eminating frustration, "Throw me a bone will you?"
Allyr sighed, "I'm sorry," she said, "I know how you feel, and you're right. It's just…" she paused, trying to find the right words, "…I was just thinking about what Takei said to me after we rescued him." Ally felt Kalas's sudden discomfort, "I'm not thinking about abandoning you," she said, "I want you to know that: I don't care what anyone else says, I'm not going to leave you while you're like this."
"You make it sound like this is temporary." Said Kalas almost wistfully.
"About that," said Allyr, sounding like she was screwing up her courage, "I just wanted to ask… have you ever heard of another living person coming to you world, like Spirits do?"
"Huh?" said Kalas, who had been caught off-guard by the question, "Um… no, I don't think so. Why?"
"It's just…" Allyr started, thinking about how she should word her feelings, "Takei's right. I really don't want to spend the rest of my life fighting, and I imagine you don't want to spend your afterlife fighting." When Kalas did not comment, Allyr continued, "Are you sure that there'd be no way for me to go to your world with my physical body?"
"No way that comes to mind." Said Kalas. Then he repeated his question, "Why? What exactly would you try to do if you could go to my world?"
"Isn't it obvious?" said Allyr, "I'd try to find a way to bring you back to life. The Great Whale resurrected Xelha, so why couldn't he bring you back?" Kalas stayed silent. He had not really thought that there was any hope he could come back to life, but he had not considered the Great Whale before. Could, or would, the Great Whale bring him back?
"I'd think so," said Kalas, "Unless he didn't want to, I can't think of why he wouldn't." Allyr sighed, relieved. This meant that there really was some hope. "There's still the issue that we're in one world, and the Great Whale is in another," said Kalas, deflating Allyr's newfound optimism.
"Well," started Allyr, "I suppose, if we ever find a way, we might as well go ahead with it."
"… You'd do that?" asked Kalas, "You'd leave your world for me?"
Allyr was quiet for a full minute before answering him, "Yeah," she said, "I would."
After a silence, Kalas said, "Thanks. I'm…"
"…Touched?" said Allyr, filling in the gap as Kalas looked for the right word, "It's nothing. I care about what happens to you. I know exactly how you feel, and I want to help."
Somewhere, an immeasurable distance away, a small group of beings stood around a large, circular mirror inlaid in the floor. They looked down at the mirror intently, focused on the image swirling in the glassy surface. The group around the mirror could only be called 'beings' loosely. They could have been alive, or they could have been sprits, either once living, or were never alive. They did not seem to have a definite shape. Sometimes they took the form of a colored ball of light. Other times, they might take on the form of an animal or a human. Regardless, the forms always seemed indefinite, constantly shifting and changing, unclear just when they seem to become clear. They were like puzzles, just when the answer seems to be found, something else is discovered, which changes it all. Except, here, there is constant change, and no answer to the eternal puzzle.
One of the beings sighed, "Things do not seem to be going well for these two," it said. It was a woman's voice, but there was something about it that seemed very inhuman. It was more like what a breeze would sound like, if it had a voice.
"No, it does not," agreed a second. This one had a male voice, but it to, seemed inhuman. It seemed to crackle, like a flame in a way that no human voice could.
"I've never enjoyed just watching events unfold," admitted a third, again, female, and sounding inhuman just as the others did, flowing and strangely sweet, "For all our power, we really are nothing but spectators."
"Alas, that is our curse," said a fourth, another female voice, unnatural, but it was the kind of voice that could bring light to a darkened room, "To live forever, but unable to make a difference in the world. To see the world change around us, and remain forever changeless ourselves. "
"Have faith, sister," said a fifth, male this time. The voice was deep, and conjured images of dark places. But dark places that were safe, where one could hide from danger and feel secure, "These two are strong. A way will be found."
"And yet they must suffer so," said the third.
"It shall always be darkest before the breaking of dawn," said a sixth voice, male yet again, sounding young and old, all at the same time. The voice was strangely rhythmic as well, as if it were running like clockwork, "They have been through bad times, harsh times, and we have seen them triumph. They have faced so much, and have not been broken by it. They have challenged a god, and they emerged victorious. I have little doubt as to their fate."
"You of all of us should know that fate is fickle, following few patterns, if any at all," said the third.
"Bickering amongst ourselves shall do us, nor them any good." Said the fourth.
"And yet once more we have no power to help these two," said the second, "We can only stand and watch, when it is within our power to help them, if we could leave this place."
"There may be no need to intervene, even if the choice was given to us," said the first, "Not all hope is lost. There is still a chance that they will go."
"Aye," said the fifth, "There is hope."
"But, as we have felt and seen," said the fourth, "An assassin has been sent, and one that they shall not be able to contend with."
A silence laden with apprehension fell over the assembled beings. "There is another there," said the third, "And she needs something from them. She might protect them, for a time."
"Yet that presents another issue," said the second, "What to do, if she sees fit to separate them."
"She shall not," said the sixth, "To break a bond as sacred as this is a crime none but the wicked would permit."
"These are all thing to come," said the fourth, "Things that are yet to be, if they become at all. There is little else we can do, but wait."
"And wait we shall." Said the fifth with finality. And so the six beings stared back down at the glittering mirror in silence, watching in silence.
It was the next day for Allyr. She had gone to school and it had gone relatively normally. She had been walking out to her car, when Vivian ran up to her, looking as if she had been giving a small glimpse of Hell, and its eternal horrors. She looked pale, almost sickly, and she seemed oddly fidgety, even for one who was always active.
Vivian's state alarmed Allyr, but beforeshe could ask what was wrong, Vivian asked, "Can we go somewhere where we'll be alone?"
"What's wrong?" asked Kalas, pretty sure he would not get an answer.
"We need to leave!" persisted Vivian, "Now!"
"Just calm down," said Allyr soothingly, "Just tell me what's wrong."
Vivian looked at her white sneakers, then at the sky, apparently trying to find something to look at that was not Allyr. "We… need to go somewhere where we won't be overheard." She said.
Allyr was really worried now. She could tell that something was bothering her friend. What was it? Why did she look like she was expecting someone to attack her at any time? "Okay," said Allyr calmly, "Why don't we go-"
"To the park!" interrupted Vivian, "No one's ever there but you!"
Allyr's anxiety was replaced by mild suspicion. Then she discarded it. This was Vivian, what would she do? Maybe she just felt more comfortable going to the park? Why? That does not matter…
"Okay," said Allyr, "If you want to talk about it there, then we'll go."
About fifteen minutes later, Vivian and Allyr were it the park, Vivian leading the way, as if there was someplace she specifically wanted to go. "Something's wrong," whispered Kalas to Allyr, "She knows exactly where she's going. This wasn't something she decided to do spontaneously."
"What do you think I should do?" hissed Allyr at the Spirit, "She's my friend! Maybe this is just…" she trailed off, as she realized what Kalas was implying. "Do you think Vivian is setting me up for something?" snapped Allyr venomously, "Is that what your trying to imply?"
"No!" said Kalas, "Just that something's wrong!"
"I knew that!" snapped Allyr, "That's why we're here, god damn it! Are you going to say something useful, or just point out the obvious?"
"Fine!" snapped Kalas angrily, "If you don't want my help, then I won't bother to give it!"
Allyr continued to follow Vivian, silently seething with anger. Damn it! Thought Allyr, more or less loosing interest in her surrounding, following her friend without paying attention to where they were going, What right does Kalas have, of all people to, accuse Vivian with trying to set me up for something?
Unbeknownst to Allyr, who was still fuming, Vivian had come to a dense area of the park, the early winter snow clinging to the branches and covered the ground, making the pair's breath freeze as they exhaled. Allyr regained her focus, as she recognized an old oak nearby. An oak with Jenny + Eric engraved in the rough bark.
"I remember this place…" said Kalas, more to himself then to Allyr or Vivian. This was where he had bonded to Allyr, all that time ago. It could not have been more than about two weeks. But it felt like months, years even, since he had left his home…
"Allyr…" said Vivian meekly, looking down at the thick roots of the tree, and not at Allyr. Allyr walked over to her friend, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"What's wrong Vivian?" asked Allyr, worried.
Vivian started crying then, looking at the ground, away from Allyr. "Please…" she sobbed, shoulders shaking, "Forgive me."
Allyr looked at her friend, confused. "Forgive wha-"
A hand with a vice-like grip grabbed Allyr's shoulder roughly. "There you are," said a malicious female voice behind Allyr, "And right where I want you." Allyr looked over her shoulder at the owner of the hand, a woman who was several inches taller than she was. Her black spiky hair fell down her back, and her eyes were the color of fresh blood, the pupils were silts like the eyes of a cat. Faster than Allyr's eye could ever hope to catch, the woman punched Allyr in the back of the head, and she fell to the ground, little lights popping in her head.
"You said you wouldn't hurt her!" protested Vivian.
"I made no such promise," snapped the woman, "I said, 'bring your friend to me, or I shall kill you.' I said nothing about what I would do to her. If you get in my way now, I won't kill you, I'll just beat you into a coma you have no hope of ever waking from. Now stay out of this!" Vivian instantly fell silent, but looked at the woman with wide frightened eyes, the way a sheep might eye an oncoming wolf.
"Now," said the woman, looking down to see that Allyr was no longer on the ground. She had gotten up and was standing several feet away, body tense. "What are you going to do to me?" taunted the woman, "Are you going to set your little Guardian on me?" Allyr failed to hide her astonishment that the woman knew about her Guardian. The woman laughed, "Surprised are we?" she said, smiling at Allyr, "I already knew about your Guardian. But do you really think it can hurt me? A human cannot harm me, what makes you think a creature without a body will be a threat to me?"
What's she going on about? Thought Allyr. "Kalas!" shouted Allyr, not taking her eyes off of the woman with the red eyes, "I could use some help right now!"
"Oh, now you want my help?" snapped Kalas venomously.
The woman lunged at Allyr and punched her again, this time in the stomach. Allyr fell to the ground, curling up in pain. "Don't be an idiot Kalas!" said Allyr, getting up on all fours, "Help me! Please!"
"What are you going to do?" laughed the woman, kicking at her victim, "You can barely stand. What can you possibly do to stop me?"
The words stuck a chord in Kalas, as an old memory resurfaced. Of lying defenseless at the feet of someone who wanted to kill him.
You moron! Thought Kalas angrily, disgusted with himself, It's your damn job to help her!
Allyr felt a now familiar feeling that she had been injected with a strong dose of adrenaline. She suddenly felt empowered, invincible even. She stood up quickly and sidestepped another kick form the woman, silver-white light surrounding Allyr's body, as her right hand glowed bright red. "I am Fire, hear my Voice! HELLFIRE!" she shouted, just barely aware that the words were leaving her mouth. Instantly fire seemed to sprout like a burning plant from the ground around the woman. She screeched as she was consumed by the inferno. Allyr fell to her knees, exhausted. Her breathing was hard, but she felt strangely calm. It's over, She thought, It's all over. As the fire subsided, it left only a circle of burned grass, five feet in diameter.
And a very angry woman standing in the middle of the destruction.
Allyr's heart seemed to stop. How… is that possible? Allyr thought stunned, She was set on fire…
"Damn you!" shouted the woman, "I'll make you pay for that!" She took a step towards Allyr, clearly intent on killing Allyr this time. Not just a simple beating this time.
"Stop," said a voice, thought it sounded like the speaker could really care less about the current situation, "They are mine."
The woman turned to see a little girl walking up to her. It was the little girl Allyr had seen the other day. Skin, hair and dress the pure white of fresh snow, and eyes black as oblivion.
"What are you doing here?" snapped the woman, "This had nothing to do with you!"
"They are mine," repeated the girl. It occurred to Allyr, that there was something strange about the girl's voice. There was something about it that did not seem human to her.
"Get out of here!" shouted the woman, her voice becoming shrill, "I must kill them!"
"I need her alive," said the little girl, "It will be better for us both if I am not forced to remove you." The little girl walked close to the woman, who backed away, a look of revulsion, and fear, on her face.
"Leave me!" shrieked the woman. When the girl did not leave, the woman gave a shout of anger, before turning around and fleeing.
That was… odd. Thought Allyr, still on all fours, trying to get her breath back, All the little girl did was walk up to her. But… she had said we were hers, so does that mean…
"I will do you no harm," said the little girl turning towards Allyr. It was as if she had read Allyr's thoughts, "That woman was bound and sent by someone who wants you dead. I imagine you know who?"
"Um…" said Allyr, trying to fight down the instinct that told her to run away as fast as she could, "Yeah, I have a guess. But… who was she?"
"Her name is Malice," said the little girl, sounding like she lacked the energy to care.
"Uh," started Kalas, "Thanks for saving us then…"
The little girl looked up at him, and gave him a look that would have turned his blood to ice, if he still had any, "I did not save you," she said, a patronizing note in her voice, "I need something from you, and I cannot have it if your partner dies."
"Um… well…" Kalas faltered, the words dying before they really ever were.
"What… what's going on?" asked Allyr, sitting up, "Why…"
"…Did your attacker not die?" completed the girl. Allyr wondered if the little girl could read her thoughts, "She is Immortal, as am I. She shall not die by unnatural causes, or by Time's decay."
"Wait," said Allyr, knowing that this was not really the time for questions, but she just had to know, "If your both Immortal, then how come you chased… Malice or whatever her name was away?"
"There are some things," started the girl, "That will still even spite, malice, and hate."
Allyr did not comment on the little girl's enigmatic response. "Then… who are you?" asked Kalas.
"I am Immortal," said the girl.
"I know that," said Kalas, trying to not let his temper get the better of him, "If the one who attacked us was Malice, then you are…?"
The little girl looked at him with cold black eyes for what seemed like an eternity before answering, "I am Death."
That was spontaneous, no? Anyway, please review, again. Hopefully I'll write the next chapter in under a month. Then everyone will be happy.