Chapter Sixteen: His Promise
"Nall!"
My name filled my senses as I stopped in the middle of the hallway. Zoteaki also paused and starred up vacantly at the air, as if it was it that was calling me. Fear welling up in my throat, I kicked the ground beneath and was about to call back to Amber, but thought better of it. It could be a trap to find out where we were, after all. These were ninjas we were facing, and I had to think like Zoteaki. Speaking of him, I glanced over to him as sweat rolled off his face.
"Are you ok to carry on?" Zoteaki panted, as a bead of sweat fell from face and onto the ground beneath us. Shocked, I nodded my head eagerly and held my hand tightly on the sheathed sword. I needed to be able to unsheathe at a second's notice, just like Zoteaki could.
"Why are you asking me that? You're the one who looks like he is going to pass out." I replied in a loud whisper. We had a few moments to catch our breaths before continuing onward. Even if we didn't, I wanted to take this break. Honestly, I didn't think Zoteaki had enough stamina for this sort of running. And to think I've become this costumed to this human body. If only I had my aurora back..
"Please don't worry about me." Zoteaki replied hoarlessly, holding back at a cough. Sympathy gripped at my heart as I wished I had brought a canvas of water. Thinking for a moment, I knew something that could lighten the tense mood before making another run for it.
"Come on pretty boy, at least we had lobster before this," I grinned and ran a hand through the locks of my hair. Zoteaki glanced up at me. If he wasn't sweating, I'm sure his face would be red. But it was already red. Unexpectedly, I felt a jolt of frustration being shot through my veins as I fell to my knees, clenching my fists tightly.
"Nall?" Zoteaki suddenly called out, extending a hand to my shoulder. No, I would not faint and miss another battle! I had to prove my weight. Squinting in pain, I starred at the blue dragon and shook off the dulling pain.
"What the fuck was that pain?" I whispered, glancing down the halls to make sure nothing was coming. Zoteaki paused then shook his head with a light smile. Furrowing my eyebrows, I gritted my teeth and tried to find out what he found so funny or amusing.
"You know we have these bracelets on." Zoteaki lifted his hand and pointed to it. Trying to understand what he meant, I suddenly smiled lightly then puffed out my cheeks angrily.
"Try to control your frustration next time! You're deadly when your mad." I pouted, trying not to go to loud. Zoteaki shook his head and helped me to my feet. We both were standing in the hall near the fork in the hall. Heart beating rapidly, I glanced at the blue dragon who was starring down them.
"Which one?" I asked meekly, breathing long and slow breaths.
"Right." Zoteaki replied, with no question in his voice. Not wanting to argue, I nodded and followed Zoteaki in a running pace down the hallway.
And there we went. Running into the unknown. If it was just me running down this endless hallway, I would have given up a long time ago. even as we ran, misery and unsuirty gripped at my tattered heart and soul. It was as if Ghaelon himself had securely placed his blood-tainted hands, and pry at the gentle soul of within. Through all of the pain and despair, I found a flickering hope. Hope that Zoteaki and Amber would lead me into the unforgiving light of faith. An maybe, someday, my lost self will be ragged back into pure innocence. Right?
"How much longer" As I spoke, I could feel my energy diminishing. Each step I took seemed like another opportunity to pass out. Oddly, all these halls were starting to look familiar. Over and over.
"We can't stop anymore. We need to find the others." Zoteaki panted from my side. Glancing over, I watched beads of sweat roll down his face.
"I Know that," I retorted. "All these halls look the same.." As I spoke, I could feel countless sighs escape from my lips.
As if it was contracting what he just said, Zoteaki paused and I halted by digging my shoes against the floor. Hell, Iw as getting better sat this whole human body thing after all.
"What did you say" A fixed stare was cast at me from the blue dragon. Furrowing my eyebrows slightly, I starred back at him.
"These halls are all starting to look the same," I heaved, repeating what I had just said. Taking quick breaths, sweat rolled down my face and irritated the pervious wounds from earlier battles.
"That's it." Zoteaki declared unsheathing his sword, taking a step backwards, I silently calculated his actions. Yet I came up empty.
"What's 'it?" I asked timidly.
"Did the ninja not say this was the shifting Horrors?" I nodded as he continued eagerly, " Well, if the halls keep sifting, someone must be controlling them. I doubt this place has a mind of it's own. So that means they purposely keeping our forces separated. They want us to face the Horror separately. So, the easiest solution to this would be to keep running. Of course, that is far to simple, right?" I nodded uneasily. "Was we need to do is face the Horror and stop the shifting and regroup." Zoteaki finished.
"Take on that thing!" I stammered in dis-belief.
"Precisely, of course, I want you to let me take care of him. I promised to keep you alive, so I'll take on the responbilites of the duel." Zoteaki held his sword firmly as he snapped his eyes shut tightly.
"No I'm not letting you fight that thing alone," I retorted. Zoteaki opened his eyes and watched me. "I'm not letting another friend die."
"I could tell you meant that." Zoteaki held us his wrist with the bracelet, and a flicker of amusement passed his aqua eyes.
"Now, that's really touching." My body tensed as a shiver fell down my spine. I glanced over to see Zoteaki's initial reaction, and was washed over by fear when I saw his eyes gapped open, clenching the sword even more tightly than before. It was as if the voice itself had caused more fear than the Horror itself.
"Stop this damn shifting and let us leave here!" I yelled, taking a step forward. I was expecting Zoteaki to do the talking, but he just stood there, parlayed in an unusual fear. It was as if his whole body was stone, and the only living part was his quivering eyes.
"Why would I want to do that when I'm having so much fun?" The voice rang out again.
"We've done nothing to you, so let us out of here!" I hollered, unsheathing the garnet sword and swinging it aimlessly in the air, creating a 'whoosh' sound.
"You must have a screwed up mind then, because we've never done anything to make you this ticked off to mess with our minds!" I snapped, trying to figure out who and where the sound was coming from. It wasn't the same ninja as before, I could tell that, but the voice was still as powerful.
"..." I glanced over when I heard Zoteaki's blade hit the ground as he began to shake increasingly. Stunned, I ran over to his side once more As I stepped closer, I watched in horror as he fell to the ground on his knees, as he held his head, sword infront of him, just lying there.
"Zoteaki!" It wasn't common for him to act like this. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I gave him a violent shake and still no reply came. Straightening up, I glanced around and tried to figure out what had come over my companion.
"What did you do to him!" I hissed, yelling at the top of my lungs.
"Me? Why nothing of the physical or physic sort. Perhaps my voice is what is tearing at him." Heart-stopping, I glanced over to Zoteaki as he quivered. Shaking my head, I stepped back over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder wearily.
"Zoteaki, who is doing this do us?" I growled, under my breath. No reply. Anger flashing up, I shook him once more. "God damnit, who did this to you!"
"...It was.." Zoteaki rose his head from his hands as his hands shook. It was as if this was some sort of nightmare, and everything was different than it had ever been. Even as I stood there, I could feel the grief and pain rushing through my veins from the connection of the bracelets.
"Who? Tell me, Zoteaki!" I demanded.
"It was..." His eyes snapped shut as he held his chest painfully near his heart. "My sensi.." A painful tear fell his eyes.
"Your.. sensi!" I gasped in stun.
"So you remember your master? Very good." As the voice called through the halls, I kept my eyes firmly on my friend. As he laid there on the ground on his knees, tears of frustration fell from his face and sweat rolled his face. It was as if he was some sort of puppet, merely for the use of amusement and torture.
"How could I forget..." Zoteaki whimpered.
"You said he died.." I answered, gazing at him. Raising his sullen head uneasily, Zoteaki starred at me with the icy aqua glance.
"No... but I wish he had so I could have lived on, forgetting the.. torture.." Zoteaki stammered.
"The torture?" By now I was really confused.
"Yes Zoteaki, remember that pain." The voice snickered.
"After my parents died, master took me in with Jasmine. However, that kindness he had before the accident was completely erased by a sudden change. He turned brutal... making me train to my limits, making me to do impossible tasks.. slicing my face with knives when I couldn't complete a task... slashing my fingers so I would learn to wield a sword through pain. He was the source of all my pain after my parent's death.. so I blocked him out and ran away with Jasmine.. far away from master, and forced myself to forget the pain, and remember him as before." Zoteaki whispered.
"You sick.." I began but Zoteaki clenched my arm sleeve painfully.
"Please... don't make me remember Nall, don't say anything." Zoteaki then let go and lowered his head.
"Your too weak to block the memories. As long as you live, you will know the everlasting pain of betrayal and treachery. As long as you walk the path that you have chosen, nothing will ever be right. Mock my words, Zoteaki, you will never forget." The voice declared.
"What the hell are you talking about!" I hollered. "Zoteaki is choosing the right path by siding with me to strike down Ghaelon."
"Please Nall... don't say anything else about my master. Please..." Zoteaki whispered. I glanced down at him.
"How can you continue to call him master after he treated you like filth?" I demanded, starring widely at the blue dragon with confusion.
"Just please.." Zoteaki closed his eyes and breathed heavily.
"I will allow you two to leave this place, unharmed, if you can defeat me in duel. And by that, I mean you Zoteaki." The voice whispered.
"Me?.." His voice sounded so young and full of nerves.
"You expect him to spar against his old sensi? Are you insane or something?" I hollered but Zoteaki stood up, holding the sword firmly.
"If that is what you wish, master, I will fight you in one last duel. For the power to forget, and live on to right for what I believe it right. And with this blade, I will strike you down as if you were an enemy. because you are..." Zoteaki whispered.
"Zoteaki.." I whispered softly, feeling the misery gripping at his heart through the magic of the bracelets. "You don't have to do this, we'll find another way out," I began but Zoteaki shook his head in dismay.
"No, Nall. I must do this, for it is my destiny." he whispered.
"Fine.. but I do reserve the right to make sure he doesn't end up killing you." I glared.
"Please Nall, do not interfere. If it is meant for me to be struck done by my former master, so be it." Zoteaki whispered, eyes closed and blade near his eyes. I could not believe the words that were coming on of his mouth.
"You have to much self-honor for your own good." I sighed, looking away.
"White dragon." The voice directed to me.
"What?" I replied, vaguely paying attention.
"Go down the hallway and hang a left. Once there you will be confronted by your comrades. Take them out of here, and wait for Zoteaki's arrival outside. Even if he is struck down, I will deliver his body to you."
"..." I wanted to rip that man's heart out for being so unrurally about their fight, but I glanced at Zoteaki.
"Just do it.." Zoteaki whispered.
"Fine, but if you die, I will never forgive you, not even in death." I turned my back and ran down the hall.
Life was spinning so fast as I ran. I wanted to turn and go back and help Zoteaki in his fight. In my ears I could hear the clanging of swords, and it was tearing my heart apart. I couldn't bear to think what would happen if Zoteaki did lose the fight. What would become of this quest? Would Amber and I seriously have the strength to strike down someone as powerful as Ghaelon? Would we still want to?... Even now, thinking about him dieing was unsettling and I had to push the vile image far out of my mind.
As I ran, I felt my sense of direction faltering. There was no one here to guide me, to tell me everyone would be turn out fine. When people did say that, I found myself becoming enraged. But now not having someone there to tell me it, I was beginning to miss it. Running, running was all I was doing.
And even when I ran, images of Zoteaki falling in pain flashed through my mind. Even though I'd deny sometimes, I really did feel a mutual connection to the dragon, and seeing a fellow companion was the worst thought possible..
So I continued to run. I ran for every memory, ran for every tear, and ran for my beliefs. Down the twisting hallways, and hung the left as the sensi told me. Although we had conversed, I really didn't learn Zoteaki's sensi's name. All he addressed him by was master. And that urked me, to see Zoteaki break down that heavily.
"Stay back! I'm not afraid to kill you!"
My ears perked up as I neared the end of the hallway and saw it turn right. Turning right rapidly, I saw myself in back of Amber, Lethe and Kia, starring down the Horror. Sweat rolling down my face, I swallowed down the regret and fear in my throat. I was getting out of one battle to fight another, and probably a harder one judging by those fangs...
"Get back Amber!" I hollered. Instantly, Amber glanced over her shoulder from the lead and spotted me. Lethe and Kia ran to my side and signaled for Amber to do the same. However, she stood there, sword unsheathed, fifty feet away from The Horror.
"No, I'm going to prove to you, Nall, I'm not worthless!" Amber hollered, gripping the sword with both hands. Ears flattening back to the best of my possibilities I ran forward and grabbed Amber by her ear and snarled at her. She glanced over at me, shocked from the pain. "What are you doing!" She hissed and batted away my hand.
"You're going to get yourself killed. Come on! We need to get out of here, the entrance is past where Zoteaki. The way is opened for us, we'll have to backtrack, but we can get out, so come on!" I hollered.
"No! I'm going to finish this thing." Amber hissed as the snorting of The Horror filled my senses. That call and strength from the single snort sent shivers down my spine. Especially the blood dripping from it's fangs, and it's piercing red gaze.
"Stop trying to be brave! This isn't bravery but foolishness!" I growled. Amber slowly lowered her blade and glanced at me at the distance between us and The Horror lowered.
"Hurry!" Lethe called from the back.
"All I wanted is to prove my worthy.." Amber whispered, looking down. "I wanted to show I could fight, show that I wasn't a worthless dragon."
"Please Amber, I don't think you're worthless. Let's go!" Amber glanced at me, slightly nodded, and charged alongside me with Lethe and Kia.
Thank heavens The Horror was a slow runner, because we'd seriously be in some big trouble. As the four of us raced down the same path I had just taken, I wondered exactly what I was going to find. Would Zoteaki be there... dead? Stomach falling down to it's lowest pits, I continued to run. Now more than ever did I want to be in a place called Home. Find some place I could call my own, and be safe. Safe for once in my life.
As we entered the last hallway before the twist to where Zoteaki's battle lay, I slowed my pace and turned to the others of the group. They followed suit as she neared the corner. I could tell Amber wasn't sure why I had slowed down, but she trusted my judgment. As we jogged to the corner, I braced myself the horrific sight that would be in front of me.
And that's just what I saw.
"Zoteaki!" I hollered, running up to his side. There he sat, kneeled over with his face bleeding in several places, and his fingertips sliced open. The sight was gruesome and I didn't want to think about the details. Breathing heavily, I leaned over and extended my hand and lifted his chin so his eyes met mine.
"Let me die Nall.." He whispered, eyes shut tightly.
"No, you said you wouldn't let me die here. Well I'm returning the favor. I'm not leaving here without you!" I spoke, as I saw the blood slowing pouring from his delicate skin. As if it wasn't bad enough, I glanced beyhond him to see a man clothed in red with long brown hair, pulled back. In his hair was red streaks, and he had black marks on the sides of his cheeks. He looked to be the age of thirty, yet the stories would prove that age to be impossible. So he was ageless too..
"Zoteaki lost, so I claim his life as my victory." The man spoke from across the hall, holding a bloody sword. Wincing, I stood up and growled.
"Over my dead body!"
"We're not letting you take Z either!" Amber called from behind me. Glancing over, I saw Lethe, Kia and Amber defensively glaring at the man behind me. However, Zoteaki just kept in his kneeled position, strands of brown hair blocking my view of his aqua eyes.
"It'll be better for all of us if I rid of this trash." The man glared at Zoteaki with such disgust.
"How can you be so cruel to someone?" Kia asked from next to Lethe. Her voice reminded me of how sincere Mia could be and I could only nod and sigh at the same time.
"Fight someone and demand their life as victory! That's not how a true warrior fights!" Lethe added in, unsheathing his blade. However, I rose my hand to the young swordsman to sheath it. I wasn't sure if he had, because I kept my eyes squarely on the man.
"I, Jin Kenalon, only takes lives when I see fit." Jin snickered, holding the blade tightly. Emerald eyes were starring back at me widely.
"Well, Jin, I'm not letting you hurt my friend!" I hissed.
"Nall..." I glanced down and saw Zoteaki whispering my name. Tilting my head, I glanced at him for a few moments.
"Yea?" I spoke so everyone could hear. I didn't care that Jin had a smug smirk cross his face, and that Amber was holding her sword against my wishes. All I cared about at this moment was if he was going to be okay.
"Just let him kill me." Zoteaki pleaded.
"No!" I yelled.
"..." Amber starred downward.
"You accept him?" Jin asked curiously. I glanced up and hissed angrily, firmly gripping the blade with all my might.
"Yes!" I retorted.
"No matter how dark his past and future is, you accept him?" Jin asked, sheathing his sword.
"Zoteaki is Zoteaki. And if you're going to kill him, you'll have to get through me!"
"And me!" Amber added in, stepping up to my side.
"Count me in." Lethe growled, stepping up beside Amber.
"And I'll help." Kia spoke, taking out a bow and arrow from her pack and standing beside Lethe with a large amount of pride.
"You're all pathetic. Too blind to see what's in front of you." Jin sighed then walked up to Zoteaki, blade still safely sheathed. "You have fallen to the level of your friends saving you. But do you really consider them friends? No matter what, you can't escape your past and destiny. You can't avert the path you've decided upon. No matter how much you try to act like a responisble and wise man, you will always be the cowardly boy who ran away. You can never escape, Zoteaki."
"..." Zoteaki looked away.
"Count yourself lucky. And I wish you luck for your future mishaps." he snickered and then rose his hand. Stunned, we all watched as a bright light showered us, and everything went blank.
I awoke sitting in what looked like a bed of an inn, as everyone starred down at me. Amber looked at me with that tilting head expression, Lethe poked my side, and Kia was attempting to cast healing spells upon me. Cracking open my other eye, I watched as they backed up and allowed me to push myself up so I was sitting down.
"You're finally awake." Amber spoke, with a light smile. Lethe glanced over at me, a few battle scars upon his young face.
"We thought you were a goner." He grinned and I watched as Kia nudged him painfully in the side.
"I'm glad you're ok." Kia smiled lightly.
But the only thing on my mind right now was my friend. Hastily, I glanced around the room from my perch on the bed, searching for the blue dragon. No sign. Heart-dropping, I searched once more, hopping that he'd pop up out of nowhere, and surprise me. But that wasn't the case as I averted my gaze and sighed.
"He's not here..." I sighed.
"He went out for a walk an hour ago." Amber spoke as I glanced over at her.
"He looked he had a lot on his mind." Lethe sighed.
"Maybe you should go find him?" Amber asked, crossing her arms with a smug grin.
"What's with the look?" I snarled, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh.. nothing," Amber smiled and Kia shared the same look. Watching the two, I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to understand why both females bore the same expression. Either way, it was pointless and I pushed myself off the bed and stretched my legs.
"Yea.. I'll do that, thanks, I think?" I told the three and made my way out of the room, before any of them could reply.
I wasn't really in the mood to speak with them all that much, so I exited before that much could converse between us. Once I left through the door, I saw I was in one of those rooms that lead straight out into the city. It was night, and the stars seemed to glitter in the vague darkness. Not a single soul was on the streets, which was a first to me. Glancing up and down them, I decided to walk to the city plaza, a place I heard was the greatest sight ever.
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I closed in on the city plaza which infact was a large fountain with a small park with benches etched around it. Reluctantly, I pushed myself forward and stepped in. And I was glad I did.
Moonlight shimmered on the trickling fountain waters as it traveled along the twisting pipes. The gentle cascading sound of water filled my senses as I took the seat closet to the fountain and gazed up at the star. This was the perfect spot... a place just to think.
And that's when I did think. Think about everything that had happened such the start of the journey. I had started on a simple quest to visit Grandpa Quark, and ask for the meaning of life. However, he was slain by Ghaelon and I learned that the dark sorcerer was still alive. As if things couldn't get worse, I was sent to a forest where I met Zoteaki. His sister died in a harsh battle, and I promised him we'd defeat Ghaelon together.
Then we went to Vane, and witnessed the downfall of the greatest city ever, and I saw Mia's last plea. The poor leader of the guild was in so much pain for not having the power to save her city, and Zoteaki hurried me out of there, before I lost my head and fought against someone who was stronger than me.
And then we meant Amber, and made our way to Gann. Gann was where I finally began to understand Amber, and except her for who she was. I lost once more to pirates, and learned that Zoteaki had a fiancé that he truly didn't love, but was assigned to. Cursia De Drogoon was shared on that boat, and that fateful night we were shipwrecked. But the group saved me, and I learned of the secret of the Gold Dragon. However, I'd never tell the others.
And then was now, at Pentigual. I was growing stronger, learning to fight, live, and think like a human. As I went along, I was learning respect for the spieces once more as Lethe and Kia joined us. And now, as I sit at this fountain, I began to wonder where my journey would take me next. We still needed the Black Dragon, and perhaps these other two dragons Quark and Alex spoke of.
"Nall?"
Glancing over, I saw a familiar figure standing behind me. Opening my mouth to reply, I found no answer and just sat there, basking in the night beauty. It was a long while before I watched him sit down in the reflection of the water. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath before opening them once more. So much was to be said, but I couldn't find a place to start.
"...You didn't have to save me."
"I did. You were going to let yourself be killed." I replied hoarlessly, keeping my gaze upon the rippling fountain.
"Life makes no sense to me, and I thought it'd be easier if I just died. But it wouldn't be, and you proved that to me. I have a purpose here, and I have to fulfill that before I can finally earn my eternal rest." Zoteaki whispered. Stunned, I glanced over at him for a few moments.
"...I don't know what to say, Zoteaki. I just don't." No words were registering in my head as I sat there. Another moment passed.
"Nall, there's something I want to talk to you about." Zoteaki called out.
"Yea?" I paused and glanced over at him once more. Multiple scars were on his face, and he had bandages covering his entire hands. He was in bad shape, but still found the strength to walk. I had to admire his strength as I sat there.
"Why do you trust me so much? I'm just a worthless creature, fighting for a farfetched dream. I'm no hero, or immortal who can defeat the odds. I'm just a nobody. Why do you have so much faith in my words? Zoteaki asked.
"For some reason, when you tell me something, I believe you. I just do," I didn't know what it was that made me trust him so much. But I believed his promise, and that promise led me to a trust and a strive to save him.
"I can't wait to see you once you've got your Dragon Aurora back," Zoteaki lightly smiled.
"Yea, I miss being a dragon," I sighed, biting down on my bottom lip.
"Well... tomorrow we are going to head off to The Black Dragon Shrine. We're using means of dragon for once, so you Lethe and Kia will be in need of a ride, so you'll have the choice of either me or Amber." Zoteaki spoke, averting his eyes.
"I don't really trust Amber carrying me on her back." I snickered. "So me and Lethe will ride on you and Kia and ride on Amber." I advised.
"So you agree that the girl's coming with us along with Lethe?" Zoteaki asked curiously.
"I believe that's he's the next dragon master. He's brave, and has faith in his dreams. And the girl seems very useful when it comes to healing. Besides, she might be the key we need to awakening Lethe's true power of the dragon master." For once I was explaining something to Zoteaki.
"Hmmm... smart." Zoteaki smiled.
"Well, I'm going to go hit the sack. I'll see you tomorrow." I got up and made my way out of the plaza. However, Zoteaki cleared his throat and I turned away.
"I'm going to stay here a bit longer.." He whispered.
"Oh.. ok." I spoke, unsure why.
"Night, Nall."
"G'night... pretty boy.." I snickered and I felt a snort of anger before running off and hearing Zoteaki stomp angriliy and hiss the words 'Shut up with that already!' under his breath.
We had a long way to go, and many more mysteries to unravel. Why was it us, and what was so important about the dragons. Just who was the black Dragon, and why was there legend of six dragons. Everything made no sense, but I had to stay positive. If It wasn't for me.. my best friend would be dead.
AN:
Dun dun dun. Fear the chapter! Next chapter will actually show who the Black Dragon is! I bet you can't wait! Anyways, the next chapter will be more action then plot, so be prepared. Ok, maybe lots of plot and lots of action. Eitherway! Enjoy! and drop me a review, pleez!