Chapter 14
A lone bead of sweat ran down Shyong's nose and dripped off the end. His trembling pale blue eye followed the drop until it splattered to the dark green marble floor. Slowly, he brought his hands to his forehead and snaked his fingers through his hair, grasping it tight. As he laid, head hanging off the edge of the bed, he swore under his breath. Why did he have that god awful dream again?
The same damn dream of everything he knew getting blown into oblivion with that 'man' standing right along side him, orange eyes wide, that fucking smug smile on his face.
Clenching his teeth hard, he rolled onto his back. Who was that man? Better yet... "what" was he? What right did he have giving him those dreams; to bring back those horrible memories? He stared, face frozen, at the sloping white ceiling of his room. Shyong's first thought was that the man was a dragon. He had the same color hair and the same type of eyes as they did, so why not? But, Shyong soon realized, the more he stared at him in his dreams, the more it hit him that this man was no dragon. He was something far more dangerous. What...he did not know, and frankly, he wished he could care not about.
His eye moved from the ceiling to the shining broken glass littering the floor. His hand stung at the sight. Lucia retired soon after he struck the window, leaving him to mop up the blood. Stroking the swollen bloody flesh gently with the fingers of the other hand, he wondered if what that bastard had shown her, honestly had given that much of a fright.
A weak knock at the door brought him to a sitting position. "Yes?" he croaked, breaking the seal of sleep from his throat. The large wooden door creaked noisily open and a young wide eyed soldier crept into the room. Shyong blinked in the sunlight that streaked in behind him. The boy was a rookie, someone he had never seen before. The awkward way he wore his cloak proved that. He scowled, the little twerp didn't even know how to knot it right. Bringing his fist to his lips, Shyong cleared his throat. "You knocked?" The idea of anyone sending a thing like that boy to summon him, made him a bit angry.
The soldier saluted, hand trembling slightly against his sandy colored bangs. Shyong noticed the way he averted his eyes. Didn't want to stare at the scar, he guessed. My, he thought jovially, rumors flew high in this place. He had noticed other soldiers hurrying more than usual to get out of his way lately. The boy blinked back sweat. "Th-the King...His majesty w- wishes to s-see you, Sir Tsunaia." He stammered, wincing as the colorless eye failed to blink along with the other.
"I see..." Shyong said gruffly. He stood quickly, causing the boy to flinch. Another smile flickered on his pale face. At least none of them would ever give him lip again. "Be gone, boy. Tell his Majesty I will see him promptly." He said giving a flick of his wrist. The soldier nodded and stepped out of the room, his saluting hand still glued to his forehead.
Shyong pulled his cloak from the top of a bedpost and threw it over his shoulders, brow creased in thought. Had the Princess returned? No, not yet... He hadn't heard anything like that...unless... Heart pounding, he proceeded out into the main hallway, footsteps echoing loudly on the hard wood floor. He smirked. Maybe he would get a chance to prove himself after all.
* * *
Sunlight streaked through the stain glass windows in the great hall, creating odd shapes of colors on Shyong's ashen face. The candles on the wall still flickered, even though it was daytime. He shuddered slightly in their majestic presence. He didn't think they ever burned out. Boots shuffling loudly on the cushy crimson carpet, he made his way slowly to where the King was sitting.
As if basking in the sun's warming glow, his Majesty was sprawled on the chair, hands reaching up and caressing one of the candles' outstretched wings. He turned sleepily towards him as Shyong knelt. A smile appeared. "Oh, I knew I could count on you to come straight here, my dear Tsunaia."
Shyong looked up, brow furrowed. "Sire...Is there something wrong?" Never in his days as a soldier, had he seen the King so...
The King laughed. It wasn't the gentle laugh of a normal man. The hairs on Shyong's neck rose. He waved a hand nonchalantly. "Oh, it's so funny, Tsunaia. I just have to share this with you." The laughing persisted for a few seconds, then died into a look of excruciating pain. Shyong's eyes widened.
"He's dead, Tsunaia."
"Who, Sire?"
The King laughed again. "They found him ripped to shreds in a Synesta bar!"
Shyong watched as his shoulders began to shake. Something wasn't right. Why was he acting like this...? "Your Majesty....."
"Don't you get it, Tsunaia? They killed him. The prize of Valcomn!"
"They killed...Bevelle?" Shyong couldn't help but to smile.
The King sat up slowly, bringing his hands to grasp his forehead. "Yes. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems as though he was killed...by magic."
"What kind of magic?"
"Strong...magic. The kind...she possesses."
Shyong's eyes widened. "Are you sure, Sire? I didn't think it was time just yet! I mean, our..."
The King's face again broke into a smile. "No, Tsunaia. It has begun."
Closing his eyes, Shyong pushed his cloak back and lowered his head. "Sire, I would like to have another chance. I can do it this time! We need her back more than ever!"
King Windia's eyes flickered. "I realize this. That is why I've summoned you here." Shyong watched as he lifted a hand from one of the orbs fused into the throne. He snapped loudly and the crimson curtains behind him parted.
"Faben..."
Faben, the castle Priestess walked forward, her long white robe dragging on the carpet. She knelt beside the king and bowed her head, long dark red hair spilling forward in a river of curls. She held the pose for a good minute, then looked up at Shyong, sage eyes bright. The King placed a hand on her shoulder. "Faben will equip you with everything you need, if it so happens a fight with the dragon is imminent."
Shyong nodded, as turned to stare again, at Faben's disturbingly calm face.
* * *
Dark clouds billowed in the afternoon sky, casting an ominous shadow over the land. The winds picked up suddenly, carrying leaves and debris high into the air, and causing large ripples in the usually calm river. Deja looked up and reached back to grasp her violently whipping hair. Squinting, she glanced back at the group. "I think a storm's coming! It looks pretty bad!" Her voice was muffled slightly as the clouds emptied their contents onto them.
Red scowled through pouring rain, wet fur bristling. "You think so? My, I don't believe I noticed!"
Gabe grasped Deja's shaking shoulder and pulled her back. "Everyone! Let's take shelter in the woods! We'll have to wait this one out." He boomed. Ryu and Nina nodded.
* * *
An hour passed. The rain showed no signs of letting up. The group sat in silence, each trying to occupy themselves. Gabe and Deja attempted to make a fire, failed miserably, and resorted to magicking a weak sizzling fireball that floated near them. Red spent most of his time brooding and picking bugs and weeds from his soaked matted fur. Ryu sat with his back against a tree, staring with an expressionless face at the pale blue lighting weaving through the clouds. Nina had her back to him, wings open and over her head. Her eyes were fixed intently, on a drop of rain hanging on to the tip of one of her feathers.
It was odd, she thought listening to the soft pitter patter of more rain drops on her wings, how she had ended up here, with these people. Not too long ago, she was in her room, watching a similar storm. She had enjoyed it, she rather liked rain, but...it was in a different way. Then, the rain had seemed far away...not...real, she supposed. Here, she was experiencing it, feeling the wet humid air and the chill of the rain drops on her body. She glanced over at Ryu who was wiping rain from his face. It was all because of him. He brought her here to experience the rain. Well, not the rain necessarily, but...the world..... Her eyes widened. Was that...it? Is that why he took her? To show her? To help her see the world from a different point of view? He grasped his hair and wrung it out. Water streamed from the long locks and hit the muddy leaf littered ground loudly. She lowered her gaze. But why? Why would he care? Was he not in Windia for a purpose? Did he not travel all that way for some important reason? She brought her eyes to his face again. Was he really...that selfless?
Red cleared his throat loudly bringing her gaze to him. He snorted and crossed his arms. "I hate rain."
"I wondered how long it would take you to complain about something." Deja laughed menacingly. "I guess this is a new record."
He pursed his lips. "Piss off, fox! I was just sayin'."
"I think it's rather relaxing."
Red looked up at Nina who was smiling softly. "You do, huh?" He smirked. "Now how stupid is that? It like a freakin' monsoon out there!" Thunder cracked loudly followed by a heavy streak of lighting in the almost black sky. He pointed a clawed finger out. "You call THAT relaxing?"
Nina shrugged. "I don't know. I used to watch them a lot through the skylight in my room back in Windia." She cupped her chin in her hands. I always wondered what it would be like to fly in them."
Red raised a bushy red eyebrow. "Now, that's stupid. How would you even do that? Do you ever see birds flying in the rain? No, and you know why?" He laughed loudly. "Because it's stupid!" Nina's face fell.
Gabe pulled back the hood of the cloak he was snuggled in, pointing his large gray furry muzzle at Red. "You hate rain, huh? Well you wouldn't last a minute near Angel Tower."
Ryu's eyes flickered and Nina looked up.
Deja nodded. "That's right. The Urkan Region is a valley surrounded by a constant storm."
"Did you say Angel Tower?" Ryu asked softly, pulling himself closer. Gabe nodded.
Nina's eyes widened. "It never stops raining? How can that be?"
The fox shrugged and pushed wet black bangs from her pale forehead. "No one knows for sure...but it seems to be because of all the magic floating around there. They say it used to be a desert, but a man cast a spell there to make it rain. Angel Tower has so much magical energy, it can't possibly contain it all. It leaks out, and it probably caused the spell to be everlasting."
"What are you, a damn encyclopedia?" Red snapped. Deja blushed.
Ryu leaned forward. "Gabriel, why were you guys heading to Angel Tower? What purposed does it serve for you?"
The dog man smiled. "Red's rite of passage."
"You mean it's training for him?" Ryu asked moving his emerald eyes to Red who became unusually silent.
"What's Angel Tower?" Nina asked, flapping her soaked wings gently.
Gabe brought the floating fireball close to him and grasped it in a giant hand. He squeezed and it burst. Tiny specks of red light lingered in the air for a second, then collected into a shapeless mass before him. Nina watched in awe as a miniature tower-like structure was erected from the middle. Gabe's gray hair wavered in the wind, exposing his beady black eyes. "Angel Tower is a building that was once used to sacrifice and contain the spirits of dragons thousands of years ago, when no one cared for their kind. Beings known as 'Guardians' carried out these duties. Over the years, the race died and the tower was abandoned, but so much magic survived and was trapped in there, that the structure practically became a living 'being'."
"But how can a building...be alive?" Nina asked softly.
"The kind of magic worked there was more powerful than anything anyone now could ever imagine. With that kind of power, almost anything could happen. Ghosts were said to roam the levels along with monsters born of amazing strength. The tower is crawling with traps and overgrown man-eating foliage, a place not to be traveled by the weak."
Ryu's eyes shone in the light of the floating tower image, flickering a deep orange red. "So Worent does it too."
Gabe nodded. "Yes. The Worens and the Dragons both noticed this was an ideal place to train their armies. At first, they underestimated the danger, and sent troop after troop to their deaths. After many casualties, the tower became restricted to only the most elite of fighters." He glanced at Red. "Weretiger..." Then at Ryu. "...and the transforming dragons."
Nina leaned forward, eyes widening. "So what do you have to do there?"
"Well, the Worens might do it different than the dragons, so let me explain." Ryu nodded. Gabe cleared his throat. "There are many Worens, but only the leader's family is born with the ability to summon the power of the Weretiger. Red's father has it and so does he. This is because the leaders are supposed to be able to protect the village from any harm. Weretiger is a being of absolute brute strength and unsurpassed speed...the downfall is, though, unless the user has a strong mind to begin with, he is unable to control it, and therefore, becomes berserk on contact. Leaders of villages had no way to train their minds and bodies for this overwhelming power. Nothing was strong enough for them to train against and they couldn't transform into it in front of other people...What if they lost control and slaughtered them? That's when Angel Tower came into the picture. Rumors had flown saying the dragons trained there, so why not Weretiger? So they attempted it and had little success. Sure, the monsters there were strong, but the Worens that went there had no discipline, no help, and so, the second rate "Guardians" were born. They were people with strong faith and bravery. People the Weretiger candidate trusted his life to. People that, over hundreds of years, created the beads and the magic to help contain the berserk qualities of Weretiger. Together, Woren and Guardians would head to Angel Tower to train and to fight."
"How does one know he's mastered Weretiger?"
Deja smiled. "When he can transform both ways with total control."
"Does it take a long time?"
"It depends. Some take days...some, years."
Nina shook her head. "What about the beads? I thought you said when Red put them on, he had to wait twenty-four hours to take them off? How could he transform again?"
"It's possible to transform with the beads, it just takes a lot of effort..."
"...Therefore, perfect training." Ryu whispered.
Gabe nodded. "Yes, but I will tell you, no Weretiger has ever made it past the fifth floor."
"Why not?" Nina's eyes were so wide, she felt they would fall out.
"'Him'."
"Hmmm?"
Ryu smiled. "Ladon's spirit is said to dwell on the topmost floor...waiting for a dragon with the power to awaken him."
"I don't understand..."
"The dragon races' rapture." Red said softly.
All heads turned to him. "Red..." Ryu whispered.
The Woren's cheeks flushed. "You know I'm not as stupid as you think!" He spat angrily. "I know about Ladon and that shit. ...Damn it, STOP STARING AT ME YOU BASTARD DRAGON!"
Ryu looked away quickly. "I-I'm sorry, Red. It's just not many people know about...that."
Red's tail flicked. "Well, I mean, it's in your races' freakin' scripture. I know about it. I had to learn it. Anyone going to that place should know. Ladon got pissed because the Goddess was trying to purge his race, so he retorted by creating something far more powerful that anything she could ever imagine." He narrowed his eyes at Ryu. "You know what I'm talking about, boy. The freakin' Kaiser Dragon." The dragon remained silent.
"What do you mean, 'rapture'? And what is the Kaiser Dragon? How could 'he' be a threat if he's not awakened?" Nina asked, blonde brows furrowed.
Ryu sighed. "It's true, he's not awakened, but he is there. Whoever he meets, he challenges. Whoever defeats him, he deems worthy to wield the power of the Kaiser, the most powerful dragon known to mankind." He looked up at the violently waving trees. "By 'rapture' I mean the purge of the races."
The winged girl's hand came to her mouth. "Purge...?!"
"Well...it really depends on the one who finds him. If the person is pure of heart, he gives them the power to make a difference. If the heart is full of malice, though...that's a different story, and one I'm not too familiar with and hope to never be." He said softly.
Deja yawned and stood sharply. "Okay, you guys, enough talking. Let's try to get some rest before the storm ends. I have a feeling it will take us all night to make up time." The floating tower image burst into the tiny crimson shards again and then were pulled back together to form the fireball.
Ryu nodded and settled back into his earlier position. Nina drew back against a tree and folded her wings back. Her mind raced as she tried to take in everything she had just heard. It didn't make any sense! Had her father known that powers like these had existed in the world? Right under his nose? Her eyes moved warily to Red. The other day he had told her a rumor was going around that her father wanted to start another war with the races. Did he know? Did he want to actually pick a fight with powers like these? Watching water drip from the tawny fur of the worens face, it made her wonder... Who was there to protect Windia...?
* * *
"Your eye looks much better, Sir Shyong Tsunaia." Faben's soft sing-song voice stated as she drifted by him, her long embroidered white robe flowing. Thunder cracked and his eyes shot to the large stain glass window spanning over almost the entire ceiling. It contained an elaborate portrait of the Goddess standing on the edge of a cliff, arms outstretched and long blonde hair waving behind her. Dark clouds loomed in the background and were parted in the middle, a single ray of light coming through. It illuminated only her. He gazed over it for a minute. The portrayal of her omnipotence was amazing. The artist really made that one beam of light work for her.
"Look here, Shyong." She snapped and his eyes quickly met hers. He bristled. Even though she had healed him earlier, he didn't think she had the right to order him. A small smile touched her lips and she knelt towards the pew he sat on, placing her hands on either side of his face. He shivered. They were cold.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked, eyes narrowing.
She remained smiling and touched her fingers to his scars. "I'm merely searching for the 'taint'."
"What?"
"The 'taint' of the dragon."
He sneered. "That's all rubbish. Do you really still believe in that curse? I thought it was cast away with the last Kaiser."
"We cannot be sure unless we check, Shyong."
He hated the way she called him by his first name. "You actually think 'he' is the Kaiser? That boy?"
"No, but I do think he is extremely powerful. So much hated went into this wound..."
Shyong snorted loudly. "Yes, I figured this when he tore my face off."
She tossed her long hair back and frowned. "You also have a lot of hatred. Do you really believe the Goddess will protect those with malicious intentions?"
He shrugged. "I'll take my chances." It wasn't as though she didn't have malicious intentions for the dragons or anything.
She sighed and drew back to her feet. "As you wish." Slowly, gracefully, she lifted her arms, the long white seeves of her robe falling and bunched up on her shoulders. Shyong's eyes widened as her fingers began to dance in the air, making complicated glowing patterns. He flinched as the candles in the cathedral simultaneously burst into flames. Light and shadow flickered over her body and eyes, giving her an ghastly demeanor. Turning slightly, she opened her mouth and closed her eyes. Shyong watched as she began to chant in a language he did not understand. He could only stare as she danced slowly in front of him, fingers emitting a strange blue light that blew towards him and settled on his skin like a glowing shield.
Suddenly, her voice broke into a high pitched cry and she jerked back, eyes bulging. Shyong jumped up and she crumpled to the ground. He ran and grasped her shaking shoulders in his trembling hands. "Mistress Faben! Are you alright? What happened...?"
Groaning gently, she glanced up, sage eyes darkening. Shyong leaned forward as she began to whisper in a low raspy voice. "There...are dark...forces lurking inside you..." she wheezed. "They.are fighting for control...each more...dark than...the other..."
"What? I don't understand!"
She took a deep rattling breath. "You...are protected...but the Goddess shall punish me...for helping...such a wretch..."
"Faben!" Shyong cried as her eyes began to roll back in her head. "You tell me right now what the hell you mean!" He shook her, and her body went limp. He clenched his teeth. What the hell had just happened?! What...
A sudden chill came over his body and his head snapped upwards. Upon the ledge of the ambulatory, behind the alter of the Goddess, the white haired man stood, with his arms outstretched, a iniquitous smile on his frail face.
A lone bead of sweat ran down Shyong's nose and dripped off the end. His trembling pale blue eye followed the drop until it splattered to the dark green marble floor. Slowly, he brought his hands to his forehead and snaked his fingers through his hair, grasping it tight. As he laid, head hanging off the edge of the bed, he swore under his breath. Why did he have that god awful dream again?
The same damn dream of everything he knew getting blown into oblivion with that 'man' standing right along side him, orange eyes wide, that fucking smug smile on his face.
Clenching his teeth hard, he rolled onto his back. Who was that man? Better yet... "what" was he? What right did he have giving him those dreams; to bring back those horrible memories? He stared, face frozen, at the sloping white ceiling of his room. Shyong's first thought was that the man was a dragon. He had the same color hair and the same type of eyes as they did, so why not? But, Shyong soon realized, the more he stared at him in his dreams, the more it hit him that this man was no dragon. He was something far more dangerous. What...he did not know, and frankly, he wished he could care not about.
His eye moved from the ceiling to the shining broken glass littering the floor. His hand stung at the sight. Lucia retired soon after he struck the window, leaving him to mop up the blood. Stroking the swollen bloody flesh gently with the fingers of the other hand, he wondered if what that bastard had shown her, honestly had given that much of a fright.
A weak knock at the door brought him to a sitting position. "Yes?" he croaked, breaking the seal of sleep from his throat. The large wooden door creaked noisily open and a young wide eyed soldier crept into the room. Shyong blinked in the sunlight that streaked in behind him. The boy was a rookie, someone he had never seen before. The awkward way he wore his cloak proved that. He scowled, the little twerp didn't even know how to knot it right. Bringing his fist to his lips, Shyong cleared his throat. "You knocked?" The idea of anyone sending a thing like that boy to summon him, made him a bit angry.
The soldier saluted, hand trembling slightly against his sandy colored bangs. Shyong noticed the way he averted his eyes. Didn't want to stare at the scar, he guessed. My, he thought jovially, rumors flew high in this place. He had noticed other soldiers hurrying more than usual to get out of his way lately. The boy blinked back sweat. "Th-the King...His majesty w- wishes to s-see you, Sir Tsunaia." He stammered, wincing as the colorless eye failed to blink along with the other.
"I see..." Shyong said gruffly. He stood quickly, causing the boy to flinch. Another smile flickered on his pale face. At least none of them would ever give him lip again. "Be gone, boy. Tell his Majesty I will see him promptly." He said giving a flick of his wrist. The soldier nodded and stepped out of the room, his saluting hand still glued to his forehead.
Shyong pulled his cloak from the top of a bedpost and threw it over his shoulders, brow creased in thought. Had the Princess returned? No, not yet... He hadn't heard anything like that...unless... Heart pounding, he proceeded out into the main hallway, footsteps echoing loudly on the hard wood floor. He smirked. Maybe he would get a chance to prove himself after all.
* * *
Sunlight streaked through the stain glass windows in the great hall, creating odd shapes of colors on Shyong's ashen face. The candles on the wall still flickered, even though it was daytime. He shuddered slightly in their majestic presence. He didn't think they ever burned out. Boots shuffling loudly on the cushy crimson carpet, he made his way slowly to where the King was sitting.
As if basking in the sun's warming glow, his Majesty was sprawled on the chair, hands reaching up and caressing one of the candles' outstretched wings. He turned sleepily towards him as Shyong knelt. A smile appeared. "Oh, I knew I could count on you to come straight here, my dear Tsunaia."
Shyong looked up, brow furrowed. "Sire...Is there something wrong?" Never in his days as a soldier, had he seen the King so...
The King laughed. It wasn't the gentle laugh of a normal man. The hairs on Shyong's neck rose. He waved a hand nonchalantly. "Oh, it's so funny, Tsunaia. I just have to share this with you." The laughing persisted for a few seconds, then died into a look of excruciating pain. Shyong's eyes widened.
"He's dead, Tsunaia."
"Who, Sire?"
The King laughed again. "They found him ripped to shreds in a Synesta bar!"
Shyong watched as his shoulders began to shake. Something wasn't right. Why was he acting like this...? "Your Majesty....."
"Don't you get it, Tsunaia? They killed him. The prize of Valcomn!"
"They killed...Bevelle?" Shyong couldn't help but to smile.
The King sat up slowly, bringing his hands to grasp his forehead. "Yes. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems as though he was killed...by magic."
"What kind of magic?"
"Strong...magic. The kind...she possesses."
Shyong's eyes widened. "Are you sure, Sire? I didn't think it was time just yet! I mean, our..."
The King's face again broke into a smile. "No, Tsunaia. It has begun."
Closing his eyes, Shyong pushed his cloak back and lowered his head. "Sire, I would like to have another chance. I can do it this time! We need her back more than ever!"
King Windia's eyes flickered. "I realize this. That is why I've summoned you here." Shyong watched as he lifted a hand from one of the orbs fused into the throne. He snapped loudly and the crimson curtains behind him parted.
"Faben..."
Faben, the castle Priestess walked forward, her long white robe dragging on the carpet. She knelt beside the king and bowed her head, long dark red hair spilling forward in a river of curls. She held the pose for a good minute, then looked up at Shyong, sage eyes bright. The King placed a hand on her shoulder. "Faben will equip you with everything you need, if it so happens a fight with the dragon is imminent."
Shyong nodded, as turned to stare again, at Faben's disturbingly calm face.
* * *
Dark clouds billowed in the afternoon sky, casting an ominous shadow over the land. The winds picked up suddenly, carrying leaves and debris high into the air, and causing large ripples in the usually calm river. Deja looked up and reached back to grasp her violently whipping hair. Squinting, she glanced back at the group. "I think a storm's coming! It looks pretty bad!" Her voice was muffled slightly as the clouds emptied their contents onto them.
Red scowled through pouring rain, wet fur bristling. "You think so? My, I don't believe I noticed!"
Gabe grasped Deja's shaking shoulder and pulled her back. "Everyone! Let's take shelter in the woods! We'll have to wait this one out." He boomed. Ryu and Nina nodded.
* * *
An hour passed. The rain showed no signs of letting up. The group sat in silence, each trying to occupy themselves. Gabe and Deja attempted to make a fire, failed miserably, and resorted to magicking a weak sizzling fireball that floated near them. Red spent most of his time brooding and picking bugs and weeds from his soaked matted fur. Ryu sat with his back against a tree, staring with an expressionless face at the pale blue lighting weaving through the clouds. Nina had her back to him, wings open and over her head. Her eyes were fixed intently, on a drop of rain hanging on to the tip of one of her feathers.
It was odd, she thought listening to the soft pitter patter of more rain drops on her wings, how she had ended up here, with these people. Not too long ago, she was in her room, watching a similar storm. She had enjoyed it, she rather liked rain, but...it was in a different way. Then, the rain had seemed far away...not...real, she supposed. Here, she was experiencing it, feeling the wet humid air and the chill of the rain drops on her body. She glanced over at Ryu who was wiping rain from his face. It was all because of him. He brought her here to experience the rain. Well, not the rain necessarily, but...the world..... Her eyes widened. Was that...it? Is that why he took her? To show her? To help her see the world from a different point of view? He grasped his hair and wrung it out. Water streamed from the long locks and hit the muddy leaf littered ground loudly. She lowered her gaze. But why? Why would he care? Was he not in Windia for a purpose? Did he not travel all that way for some important reason? She brought her eyes to his face again. Was he really...that selfless?
Red cleared his throat loudly bringing her gaze to him. He snorted and crossed his arms. "I hate rain."
"I wondered how long it would take you to complain about something." Deja laughed menacingly. "I guess this is a new record."
He pursed his lips. "Piss off, fox! I was just sayin'."
"I think it's rather relaxing."
Red looked up at Nina who was smiling softly. "You do, huh?" He smirked. "Now how stupid is that? It like a freakin' monsoon out there!" Thunder cracked loudly followed by a heavy streak of lighting in the almost black sky. He pointed a clawed finger out. "You call THAT relaxing?"
Nina shrugged. "I don't know. I used to watch them a lot through the skylight in my room back in Windia." She cupped her chin in her hands. I always wondered what it would be like to fly in them."
Red raised a bushy red eyebrow. "Now, that's stupid. How would you even do that? Do you ever see birds flying in the rain? No, and you know why?" He laughed loudly. "Because it's stupid!" Nina's face fell.
Gabe pulled back the hood of the cloak he was snuggled in, pointing his large gray furry muzzle at Red. "You hate rain, huh? Well you wouldn't last a minute near Angel Tower."
Ryu's eyes flickered and Nina looked up.
Deja nodded. "That's right. The Urkan Region is a valley surrounded by a constant storm."
"Did you say Angel Tower?" Ryu asked softly, pulling himself closer. Gabe nodded.
Nina's eyes widened. "It never stops raining? How can that be?"
The fox shrugged and pushed wet black bangs from her pale forehead. "No one knows for sure...but it seems to be because of all the magic floating around there. They say it used to be a desert, but a man cast a spell there to make it rain. Angel Tower has so much magical energy, it can't possibly contain it all. It leaks out, and it probably caused the spell to be everlasting."
"What are you, a damn encyclopedia?" Red snapped. Deja blushed.
Ryu leaned forward. "Gabriel, why were you guys heading to Angel Tower? What purposed does it serve for you?"
The dog man smiled. "Red's rite of passage."
"You mean it's training for him?" Ryu asked moving his emerald eyes to Red who became unusually silent.
"What's Angel Tower?" Nina asked, flapping her soaked wings gently.
Gabe brought the floating fireball close to him and grasped it in a giant hand. He squeezed and it burst. Tiny specks of red light lingered in the air for a second, then collected into a shapeless mass before him. Nina watched in awe as a miniature tower-like structure was erected from the middle. Gabe's gray hair wavered in the wind, exposing his beady black eyes. "Angel Tower is a building that was once used to sacrifice and contain the spirits of dragons thousands of years ago, when no one cared for their kind. Beings known as 'Guardians' carried out these duties. Over the years, the race died and the tower was abandoned, but so much magic survived and was trapped in there, that the structure practically became a living 'being'."
"But how can a building...be alive?" Nina asked softly.
"The kind of magic worked there was more powerful than anything anyone now could ever imagine. With that kind of power, almost anything could happen. Ghosts were said to roam the levels along with monsters born of amazing strength. The tower is crawling with traps and overgrown man-eating foliage, a place not to be traveled by the weak."
Ryu's eyes shone in the light of the floating tower image, flickering a deep orange red. "So Worent does it too."
Gabe nodded. "Yes. The Worens and the Dragons both noticed this was an ideal place to train their armies. At first, they underestimated the danger, and sent troop after troop to their deaths. After many casualties, the tower became restricted to only the most elite of fighters." He glanced at Red. "Weretiger..." Then at Ryu. "...and the transforming dragons."
Nina leaned forward, eyes widening. "So what do you have to do there?"
"Well, the Worens might do it different than the dragons, so let me explain." Ryu nodded. Gabe cleared his throat. "There are many Worens, but only the leader's family is born with the ability to summon the power of the Weretiger. Red's father has it and so does he. This is because the leaders are supposed to be able to protect the village from any harm. Weretiger is a being of absolute brute strength and unsurpassed speed...the downfall is, though, unless the user has a strong mind to begin with, he is unable to control it, and therefore, becomes berserk on contact. Leaders of villages had no way to train their minds and bodies for this overwhelming power. Nothing was strong enough for them to train against and they couldn't transform into it in front of other people...What if they lost control and slaughtered them? That's when Angel Tower came into the picture. Rumors had flown saying the dragons trained there, so why not Weretiger? So they attempted it and had little success. Sure, the monsters there were strong, but the Worens that went there had no discipline, no help, and so, the second rate "Guardians" were born. They were people with strong faith and bravery. People the Weretiger candidate trusted his life to. People that, over hundreds of years, created the beads and the magic to help contain the berserk qualities of Weretiger. Together, Woren and Guardians would head to Angel Tower to train and to fight."
"How does one know he's mastered Weretiger?"
Deja smiled. "When he can transform both ways with total control."
"Does it take a long time?"
"It depends. Some take days...some, years."
Nina shook her head. "What about the beads? I thought you said when Red put them on, he had to wait twenty-four hours to take them off? How could he transform again?"
"It's possible to transform with the beads, it just takes a lot of effort..."
"...Therefore, perfect training." Ryu whispered.
Gabe nodded. "Yes, but I will tell you, no Weretiger has ever made it past the fifth floor."
"Why not?" Nina's eyes were so wide, she felt they would fall out.
"'Him'."
"Hmmm?"
Ryu smiled. "Ladon's spirit is said to dwell on the topmost floor...waiting for a dragon with the power to awaken him."
"I don't understand..."
"The dragon races' rapture." Red said softly.
All heads turned to him. "Red..." Ryu whispered.
The Woren's cheeks flushed. "You know I'm not as stupid as you think!" He spat angrily. "I know about Ladon and that shit. ...Damn it, STOP STARING AT ME YOU BASTARD DRAGON!"
Ryu looked away quickly. "I-I'm sorry, Red. It's just not many people know about...that."
Red's tail flicked. "Well, I mean, it's in your races' freakin' scripture. I know about it. I had to learn it. Anyone going to that place should know. Ladon got pissed because the Goddess was trying to purge his race, so he retorted by creating something far more powerful that anything she could ever imagine." He narrowed his eyes at Ryu. "You know what I'm talking about, boy. The freakin' Kaiser Dragon." The dragon remained silent.
"What do you mean, 'rapture'? And what is the Kaiser Dragon? How could 'he' be a threat if he's not awakened?" Nina asked, blonde brows furrowed.
Ryu sighed. "It's true, he's not awakened, but he is there. Whoever he meets, he challenges. Whoever defeats him, he deems worthy to wield the power of the Kaiser, the most powerful dragon known to mankind." He looked up at the violently waving trees. "By 'rapture' I mean the purge of the races."
The winged girl's hand came to her mouth. "Purge...?!"
"Well...it really depends on the one who finds him. If the person is pure of heart, he gives them the power to make a difference. If the heart is full of malice, though...that's a different story, and one I'm not too familiar with and hope to never be." He said softly.
Deja yawned and stood sharply. "Okay, you guys, enough talking. Let's try to get some rest before the storm ends. I have a feeling it will take us all night to make up time." The floating tower image burst into the tiny crimson shards again and then were pulled back together to form the fireball.
Ryu nodded and settled back into his earlier position. Nina drew back against a tree and folded her wings back. Her mind raced as she tried to take in everything she had just heard. It didn't make any sense! Had her father known that powers like these had existed in the world? Right under his nose? Her eyes moved warily to Red. The other day he had told her a rumor was going around that her father wanted to start another war with the races. Did he know? Did he want to actually pick a fight with powers like these? Watching water drip from the tawny fur of the worens face, it made her wonder... Who was there to protect Windia...?
* * *
"Your eye looks much better, Sir Shyong Tsunaia." Faben's soft sing-song voice stated as she drifted by him, her long embroidered white robe flowing. Thunder cracked and his eyes shot to the large stain glass window spanning over almost the entire ceiling. It contained an elaborate portrait of the Goddess standing on the edge of a cliff, arms outstretched and long blonde hair waving behind her. Dark clouds loomed in the background and were parted in the middle, a single ray of light coming through. It illuminated only her. He gazed over it for a minute. The portrayal of her omnipotence was amazing. The artist really made that one beam of light work for her.
"Look here, Shyong." She snapped and his eyes quickly met hers. He bristled. Even though she had healed him earlier, he didn't think she had the right to order him. A small smile touched her lips and she knelt towards the pew he sat on, placing her hands on either side of his face. He shivered. They were cold.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked, eyes narrowing.
She remained smiling and touched her fingers to his scars. "I'm merely searching for the 'taint'."
"What?"
"The 'taint' of the dragon."
He sneered. "That's all rubbish. Do you really still believe in that curse? I thought it was cast away with the last Kaiser."
"We cannot be sure unless we check, Shyong."
He hated the way she called him by his first name. "You actually think 'he' is the Kaiser? That boy?"
"No, but I do think he is extremely powerful. So much hated went into this wound..."
Shyong snorted loudly. "Yes, I figured this when he tore my face off."
She tossed her long hair back and frowned. "You also have a lot of hatred. Do you really believe the Goddess will protect those with malicious intentions?"
He shrugged. "I'll take my chances." It wasn't as though she didn't have malicious intentions for the dragons or anything.
She sighed and drew back to her feet. "As you wish." Slowly, gracefully, she lifted her arms, the long white seeves of her robe falling and bunched up on her shoulders. Shyong's eyes widened as her fingers began to dance in the air, making complicated glowing patterns. He flinched as the candles in the cathedral simultaneously burst into flames. Light and shadow flickered over her body and eyes, giving her an ghastly demeanor. Turning slightly, she opened her mouth and closed her eyes. Shyong watched as she began to chant in a language he did not understand. He could only stare as she danced slowly in front of him, fingers emitting a strange blue light that blew towards him and settled on his skin like a glowing shield.
Suddenly, her voice broke into a high pitched cry and she jerked back, eyes bulging. Shyong jumped up and she crumpled to the ground. He ran and grasped her shaking shoulders in his trembling hands. "Mistress Faben! Are you alright? What happened...?"
Groaning gently, she glanced up, sage eyes darkening. Shyong leaned forward as she began to whisper in a low raspy voice. "There...are dark...forces lurking inside you..." she wheezed. "They.are fighting for control...each more...dark than...the other..."
"What? I don't understand!"
She took a deep rattling breath. "You...are protected...but the Goddess shall punish me...for helping...such a wretch..."
"Faben!" Shyong cried as her eyes began to roll back in her head. "You tell me right now what the hell you mean!" He shook her, and her body went limp. He clenched his teeth. What the hell had just happened?! What...
A sudden chill came over his body and his head snapped upwards. Upon the ledge of the ambulatory, behind the alter of the Goddess, the white haired man stood, with his arms outstretched, a iniquitous smile on his frail face.