Chapter Twenty-Five: Departure from the Castle
Chihiro absently organized the room, her mouth curved into a diminutive frown. Sorrow overcame her making it impossible for her to speak, tears streamed down her face in an endless cascade. Why do I have to leave? What do the phoenixes want of me anyhow? She thought to herself bitterly. Deep inside though she knew that it was useless, at least among the phoenix colonies she might be of use in the search for Haku and the battle against the Evil One.
"Leaving so soon?" Chihiro turned around to face her stern amber-eyed teacher staring at her.
"Hai sensei," she said bowing respectfully as was expected of her.
"Then take this," she caught a small black stone wrapped in rich gold cloth that her teacher threw at her, "it'll help protect you in the battle against the Evil One."
"Uh thanks…" was all Chihiro could manage to say in reply as her teacher walked away. That's strange, she thought to herself staring at the shimmering black stone, why would he want to give me this stone? He's not the exactly the nicest teacher I've ever known, and has always seemed to hold some sort of ill will against me. Maybe he's just doing this because he realizes the importance of the recent events; in any case I'd better keep it in case I do have to rely on its powers to protect me. She safely rewrapped the stone in the shimmering gold cloth and put it into her jacket pocket.
Hikari walked into her room, "done packing yet?"
"Yeah," Chihiro muttered gruffly, "is it okay if I spend a few more minutes in here? I'm really going to miss this place, so many things events have happened to me here."
"Okay then, I'll wait for you out in the hallway." Hikari left the room. Chihiro sighed as her friend left. So many things had happened to her while staying in here, in the place where Haku dwelled for most of his youth. I really miss him. She thought to herself as she walked out of the room, making sure to close the door behind her.
"You sure you don't want to stay there for a few more minutes?" Hikari asked her.
"No it's okay," Chihiro told her, "besides too many horrible memories come to mind the longer I stay." Hikari nodded, and walked away Chihiro absently followed her paying little attention to the route they were taking.
"Okay we're here," Hikari announced suddenly, "now all we have to do is to wait for Kai which hopefully won't take very long." Chihiro looked around herself; they were at the entrance to the palace the one they had taken when first arriving.
"Hope you guys haven't been waiting too long." Kai said as he walked towards them, like Hikari and Chihiro he didn't bring anything with him except for the Ruby pendent that always hung around his neck.
"No we just got here." Hikari told him.
"Good. Well I guess we're leaving then, it's been a while since I last saw the phoenix colony where we are headed to."
"Aren't the others coming with us?" Chihiro asked.
"No, the council asked to see just you and Hikari." He exited the palace, with Hikari and Chihiro following him. They changed into their other forms just before arriving at the gate to the palace; they passed through the gate without incident.
I wish Sakura was here. Chihiro found herself thinking as they flew through the cloudy sky. At times flying through the clouds, which was seldom as Kai was a phoenix and didn't like getting water in his feathers, which were sensitive to water. Hikari though didn't seem to notice the Kai's discomfort whenever they flew to a cloud; by the expression she wore it was clear that she was thinking about something. Her emerald eyes seemed to lose the energy that was usually found glowing within. Despite her concern about her friend, Chihiro did not try to comfort or inquire about Hikari's current state.
Sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating the three friends in its brilliant glowing light. Kai banked to the right, towards the sun, and disappeared into a cloud located directly to the right side of him nearly losing Chihiro and Hikari in the process. Hikari hissed with anger after they caught up with the young phoenix.
"Sorry about that," Kai apologized quietly, his voice barely recognizable from the soft caww embedded within his voice. Hikari snorted in reply, her eyes observing the landscape below her and the clouds that seemed to surround her in great snowy walls forming sculptures of condensed vapors. The horizon undetectable because of the massive clouds surrounding them it seemed as though they were being trapped within cages of the fluffy white formations.
Chihiro watched the world around her with her intelligent dark brown eyes, the color of dirt after a rainstorm. Her flowing golden main tossed gently by the chilly breeze that existed at the altitude at which they were flying in. She sighed; flying was one of the few things that she was fond of. It helped calm her whenever she was stressed or nervous, she felt that all the worries that had chained her were irrelevant once in the air. Noticing that Kai and Hikari had just flown into a large cloud to the northwest she followed them.
They flew on for what seemed like hours, the sun slowly rising higher in the dome-like sky its light shinning upon them, reflecting the pale scales of the dragons and the fiery red feathers of the phoenix. Kai screeched in ecstasy as a glass-like palace came into view, it was surrounded by other glossy buildings their almost translucent alabaster walls glowing with the golden light of the sun. The palace and the other buildings sat atop a grassy island, which hovered hundreds of feet above the land in the sky. Clouds surrounded it and encircled its uppermost pinnacle located in the high dome of the palace.
It's so beautiful, Chihiro thought to herself amazed at the scene that she was witnessing. As they neared the phoenix colony, three fierce-looking phoenixes flew towards them. Two were snowy white, their wings seemingly imitating the beauty of ice and snow, their light grayish sapphire eyes glistened with years of untold stories. The third was a brilliant golden red; its feathers seemed to mimic fiery flames dancing amid the shadows. "Who are you and why do you seek entrance into the colony of Baihu?" The ruby phoenix asked its eyes suspicious and wary.
Kai dipped his head in respect, "I, the messenger Kai, return to the phoenix colony of Baihu with the dragons Hikari and Chihiro upon recent orders given unto me by the council."
"You may enter," The phoenixes parted and opened a foreboding steel gate circling the city so that Kai and the others may enter. Chihiro gazed in wonderment at the splendor of the city of the phoenixes.
Stop staring Chihiro! We didn't come here to tour this place, we were summoned remember? Hikari snapped at Chihiro. Her emerald eyes blazed with anger, and she absently snarled at Kai who was flying in front of them.
Sorry about that Hikari. I guess I kind of forgot the reason why we came here in the first place. Chihiro replied quite sheepishly.
No it's alright Chihiro I too have to admit that it's quite spectacular. Kai reassured her.
You were listening in onto our conversation! If I'm telling something to Chihiro, you could at least assume that it's private. Hikari said accusingly.
Sorry about that then Hikari. Though I do admit what I did was wrong, you seem a bit grumpy today is something wrong?
Nothing's wrong Kai! You're like Sora; every time I'm not behaving normally you think that it's your duty to try to try to figure out what's causing it. Would you mind your own business for once? Kai didn't reply, but instead flew towards the palace at a slower pace as if waiting for his friends to catch up with him. His expression was unfathomable, as if he was hiding something. Hikari flew up to him her eyes glistening furiously. She snarled at him, her distaste at what he was doing obvious.
Kai stopped and turned to face her, his eyes glowing venomously. We're just worried about you Hikari, something's troubling you and both of us know it. Is it Haku? Does it have anything to do with the Evil One? Is there something about the Emerald that's bothering you?
Hikari looked at Kai and snorted. You're not even close to what's been troubling me. If you want to know you'll have to figure it out for yourself because I'm not telling you. Kai hissed in distaste, but didn't argue. Chihiro flew up to both of them, her dark brown eyes observing both patiently. She had an idea what it was that was troubling Hikari.
Its Sakura isn't it? You've been a bit uneasy ever since her departure. Hikari looked at Chihiro, and nodded.
Was it really that obvious? Hikari asked Chihiro.
It depends; some think it obvious while others do not. Um Kai maybe you should turn around and guide us the rest of the way to the palace even though we already know where it is located. Kai chuckled and agreed, turning around he flew the rest of the way to the glass-like structure that was the palace, its silvery domes and arches sparkling amid the clouds.
Two snowy white phoenixes greeted them as they entered the high arch that was the gateway. "The council members have been expecting you." They said in unison. Their silvery eyes watching them carefully, an icy aura seemed to surround them both. Both looked to be two birds carved out of ice and snow during the height of the winter. Kai dipped his head towards them in respect, to his surprise Chihiro and Hikari did the same, before landing on the ground and transforming into his mortal form. To which the dragons also did without complaint.
He walked into the glossy palace, as did Chihiro and Hikari. A tall girl with flowing back hair leaned against the doorway. Her dark eyes inspected them carefully, as if trying to decide whether they were friend or foe. "Hey Kai want to chat afterwards?" she asked him when he passed her.
"Uh sure Kasumi," Kai stopped and told her, "though it kind of depends on if the council wants to talk to me afterwards about the messages I had to relay to the Dragon King and if they have any other important duties they want me to carry out." Kasumi frowned; thoughts streamed through her mind ideas of how to override the council's intent.
"I'll see if I can arrange for you to meet with me afterwards so that we can chat." She walked away, disappearing into a passageway a few feet in front of them. The three resumed their journey to the Council Hall, where they were expected to meet with the council, soon afterwards. It didn't take long for them to reach the oval shaped room with high arched ceilings. An elegant golden chandelier hung loftily above them, light streaming through the tiny crystals dangling from it was cast throughout the room.
In front of them sat twelve men and women, they sat in chairs located in a balcony draped with luxurious maroon velvet. Each of the council members looked imposing and grim, as if they had just received some very unfortunate news. Kai bowed when he saw them, and so did his fellow travelers.
An especially grim-faced lady addressed him after the three had risen from their bow, "So you have returned Kai, as we have expected you have brought Chihiro and Hikari with you. Am I correct?"
"Hai," Kai replied.
The lady turned to his companions, "Which one of you is Chihiro Ogino?"
"That would be me," Chihiro said rather pitifully.
The council member though didn't seem to notice and turned to Hikari, "I suppose you are Hikari then?"
"Hai," Hikari said bowing again.
"You didn't have to do that Hikari, once is enough or trice if you prefer. You have come here for a reason, Hikari and Chihiro, you are to be tested. Sadly the Dragon King misinterpreted our message to him and had both of you trained before the testing. Our objective was to test you before you the training, so that we had an accurate impression of your abilities. This is only a minor inconvenience though and shall not affect the testing as horribly as you might imagine. I do suppose that you are tired though and have allowed for all you, Kai included, to rest for a few hours before the actual testing is conducted. Kai, I expect you to take them to the guest room where our guests will be staying. You may leave, that is all I wish to say."
Chihiro and her friends left the room, after bowing first. "We're not going to have to stay long here are we?" Hikari asked once they were a good distance away from the Council Hall.
"It depends on the results of the testing and if the council has any plans for you later on." Kai replied blankly. "I wouldn't expect to stay here too long though; it's very possible that you will have to move to another part of the city to continue your studies."
"Continue our studies? I thought that…" Hikari said, shocked.
"Yes Hikari you are expected to continue your training here, the results of your testing will determine the level at which you will be placed."
"I have to be tested too? I thought that just Chihiro had to be tested and that I had to come along because of the fact that I had the Emerald shard."
"If you knew anything about the Council of Phoenixes, you would know they wouldn't anything useless like that. If they wanted to know who it was that now wields a piece of the Emerald they would have sent me to ask the Dragon King. Besides it's a tradition of the council to test those who are newly chosen by the power stones. Don't ask why, because you'll find out later when you're to be tested." Hikari grumbled, but otherwise didn't complain. "Okay we're here, luckily for you two my quarters aren't too far away. I'm staying in the room next to Hikari's just so you know."
Kai pointed to one of the cedar doors that lined the hallway. "This is my room; the one directly to the left of it is Hikari's. Chihiro, yours is to the left of Hikari's." Chihiro obediently followed Kai's directions to her room. When she opened to the door she found herself starring into a lavishly decorated room with tiny statues and carvings made of marble, jade, and granite. She let out a small gasp upon entering, for the room had several other doors within it leading to three other rooms. She found these rooms to be a bedroom, a bathroom, and a quiet study with a sturdy low oak table lying in the center. Along the shelves of the study were scrolls and books arranged neatly on the reddish brown shelves.
She found plants growing in beautifully carved pots placed in the study, the entrance hall, the main entrance room, as well as a few leafy plants that were found in her bedroom. Chihiro absently wandered into each of the rooms gazing at the decor and the elegant furniture within each. It took a while for her to believe that the rooms where to be hers for the next few days while she resided within the phoenixes' palace. She kneeled upon a lavishly embroidered mat lying besides a low end table that was placed in the center of the study, gazing at the scrolls and books that filled the shelves that lined the room.
The phoenixes were obviously much worldlier than the dragons from what she saw and wondered why. I should ask Kai when I meet up for him later, but for now I'm just content to rest for a while. She thought to herself as she plucked a volume off of the shelf and began to read.