Chapter Twenty: The Book of Souls
"... And to face the demons of their underworld haunts …"
Père David's Deer woke up still feeling dizzy from last night, it had been a very emotional night for the entire Cadre, having to
say goodbye (for now at least) to their beloved Crusaders. The warm embrace of Sphinx's arms helped Père David's Deer face reality, she had nursed her back to health and now Sphinx was very happy to return the favour. Sphinx thought that if she did look after Père David's Deer, the Deer would continue to do the best for the Cadre, during the hard days to come, that would be crucial, she also felt her feelings developing for this Deer.
-Were you just waiting for me to wake up?- Père David's Deer asked, stretching slightly before sinking her face into Sphinx's bossom, even with her chest piece still in the way, it felt good.
-I had you in my arms, you also needed to rest a bit more, I wanted that moment to last forever- Sphinx said, gently running her gloved hand through Père David's Deer messy hair, feeling the Deer caress her hand as she moved.
Sphinx had never seen a veteran Friend that was so gentle, it reminded her of the first impression she got of Smilodon, she wanted to befriend her and hear stories about the past. Sphinx wished that she had survived. As luck would have it, she was defeated by Garm but she survived, ending up in Père David's Deer's care. Sphinx wouldn't allow harm to come to this cute, little, sweet Friend.
-You are making it hard for me to get up, but I got work to do- Père David's Deer said sighing, wishing she had the time and privacy to try her luck with Sphinx, but the Cadre came first.
-"WE" have work to do, let's go prepare for today, it's going to be important for you- Sphinx said standing up, while holding Père David's Deer's hand, guiding her to stand up proudly with her.
-Stop trying to scare me, I am already terrified, you know?- Père David's Deer said, feeling the pressure about the fact she'd have to try to get an Astral Guardian to find her worthy, for the sake of the Crusader Cadre she would do that and so much more.
-Let's go have some breakfast- Sphinx suggested, poking Père David's Deer in the belly, making the Deer groan in frustration.
-A full belly means a happy heart- Horus commented as he manifested on top of Père David's Deer, trying to calm the Deer down.
-I'm gonna get white hairs from both of you!- Père David's Deer yelled exasperated, she really wished that all she had to do now was to make sure each member of the Cadre was healthy.
The pair of Friends continued to walk until they were outdoors, to see the sun greeting them once again. To their surprise both Bald Eagle and Boomslang were already up, not only that but they were also training with Nidhogg and Jinmengyo, the battle couple were fighting against a pair of Einherjars in the form of Cheetah and Maltese Tiger, working hard to create and maintain the weapons made of the power of their Astral Guardians.
-Move your feet Boomslang, firmly hold onto your convictions, that will make your Turtle Shell Shield stronger!- Nidhogg said encouraging the Snake to be more mobile, the shield strength depended on her willpower, not on how stiff she was in her defensive stance.
-Bald Eagle focus on covering Boomslang's blind sides, you don't need to go all out in your attacks, one good hit might be all you need to win a fight!- Jinmengyo said trying to let Bald Eagle learn the value of precision, being too aggressive could spell doom for both her and Boomslang, with all the fiery power she could wield.
-Okay!- Boomslang and Bald Eagle replied together, their synch increasing every single sparring session, they were giving their all. Just like how they promised Narwhal that they both would do.
-I am so proud of them- Père David's Deer said to Sphinx, not wanting to distract the Battle Couple from their combat training, she also didn't want to look too soft in front of them.
-You've done well leading them this far, but this lesson isn't your field of expertise, you left them in better hands- Sphinx said pushing Père David's Deer to move along already, instead of getting emotional right there, as they had no time to waste.
-You two should go have that meal and get ready to go, my half-brother grows impatient- Horus said, urging them to hurry even more, the urgency in his voice worried Père David's Deer.
-Are you two connected to know that or something?- Père David's Deer asked, actually interested about it, while she and Sphinx started to quickly prepare something simple, milk and cereal would be good with something else to snack along the way.
-We are connected in the same way Byakko, Seiryuu, Genbu and Suzaku are- Horus explained, pecking at Sphinx to hurry up, causing her to be even more clumsy than she usually was.
-Stop that!- Sphinx said annoyed, she wanted to look cool in front of Père David's Deer, not even worse than usual, it really irked her. Sphinx didn't want Père David's Deer to see it, how much she had grown to depend on the Medjai for everyday things.
-It's okay, let me do it, I'm good at this- Père David's Deer said holding Sphinx's hands, showing her that she could trust her to do menial things like this, Père David's Deer enjoyed feeling useful and it also was the role she often had to play in groups.
-Let's just get going, okay?- Sphinx begged blushing very hard.
The pair set off to journey to wherever Horus' half-brother awaited for them, after saying goodbye for now to the trainers and trainees left behind. Père David's Deer was still quite moved by the dedication displayed by everyone in the Cadre, from Bald Eagle and Boomslang, to the others including the Ravens that now too had joined the session, to provide the Battle Couple with a different pair of enemies to spar with.
Sphinx held Père David's Deer in her arms and took flight, setting to return to the Sankai region, the place where they found Sphinx nearly dead and also where they saw Koryu's rather cruel impression of puppeteering. They haven't even seen her yet and she still terrified them both more than either Fenrir or Garm. Horus flew with them, making sure they weren't being followed by anything or anyone, they would be very vulnerable on the ground and while the Judgment lasted.
Sphinx lead them into the entrance of what used to be a Japari Park underground facility, the aura of dread around it and the lack of illumination made it feel eerie, like a very ancient tomb.
-He is here- Horus said to the Friends, finally vanishing again.
-I'm sure it's perfectly safe, let's go!- Sphinx said cheerfully, starting to descend into the darkness, not waiting for the Deer.
-Down? Always down…- Père David's Deer said sighing, before joining Sphinx down in the dark, her scent was easy to follow.
The two Friends descended down a spiral staircase to what seemed to be restricted to the general public, a Japari Park facility that had a goal no Friend knew, now it just laid forgotten in the desert. Père David's Deer looked around her and felt as if they were being watched, she wasn't sure if it was the Facility security cameras, Horus' half-brother, or a Fiend stalking them.
-This way- Sphinx said, as she took a subtle passage, amidst a broken wall and several layers of destroyed hardware. To Père David's Deer, it looked like that hole was made in combat, this kind of damage was caused by something getting punched across the room.
-There was a Battle here, a long time ago- Père David's Deer said looking around, noticing more damage sustained by the nearby walls and hardware, it seemed like the damage was so severe that the Lucky Beasts decided to abandon this Facility entirely.
-Don't get distracted now, I can almost taste his scent in the air, Sphinx stand ready- Horus said, calling the attention of both Friends, sensing that his half-brother was already there, watching them from somewhere.
-Hello, half-brother, I see you brought company?- Anubis said, staying hidden in the darkness, his voice seemingly came from every direction at the same time.
-Show yourself, I bring you an aspirant, just as you requested- Horus said, showing a deep tone of respect to his half-brother, physically manifesting just to bow while standing on the ground.
-No need for these formalities, you are welcome here, as things have escalated further in the past week- Anubis said, he finally manifested physically in front of them, the Jackal God had been hiding in the shadow of what seemed to be an improvised last resting place of a Friend.
-Yeah, we earned a small reprieve out of pure luck, with the Human's Eye in the Sky making the Fiends be cautious- Horus said remembering the information Nidhogg's Ravens had given them. Rhyo contacting that Human had brought spy satellites networks into action, which had pressed the Fiends to hide until those all-seeing machines went back to rusting away, in the cold darkness of space, orbiting the very weary Planet Earth.
-It will not last much longer, we gotta make a move soon, she is almost ready!- Anubis said finally standing right in front of the Friends. Much like Horus he looked like inverse-coloured version of someone else, in this case of Byakko, considering the differences between a Tiger and a Jackal, Anubis also had an ankh as a collar, which matched with the one Horus used.
Both Sphinx and Père David's Deer remained silent, for now they listening to the brothers seemed like the most wise option, for they wanted to get Anubis to help them fight Koryu.
-Brother, why did you decide to help us now, you refused to help me hunt for Seth!- Horus said visibly frustrated at his Brother.
-Your blood feud with Seth doesn't concern me Brother, but the fiend Koryu plans to break the balance between Life and Death, that's why I'll help you now- Anubis explained in simple terms.
-I see, shall we go then?- Horus said, feeling content with the fact that Anubis would help too, they needed all hands on deck.
-First I gotta judge the candidate you brought me- Anubis said.
-She is a good girl! Check her out- Horus said, presenting Père David's Deer as if she wasn't right there. This made the Deer's dread turn into shame, she blushed red unable to speak up for herself, it felt like she was being pushed into an odd blind date.
-Most Friends are, but I need someone special, someone who understands balance… I must ask you to leave us alone- Anubis said in a serious tone, Horus agreed and silently urged Sphinx to leave with him. This matter would be decided by Anubis and Père David's Deer, there was nothing else either of them could do, but hope that their Healer could earn the favour of this Astral Guardian.
-What am I supposed to even say to him…- Père David's Deer muttered to herself, realizing it was all on her, to get his help.
-Saying "Hi" would be a good start- Anubis said, in a soft tone.
-Hello, Anubis-Sama- Père David's Deer said, she bowed very respectfully, kneeling down all while looking down very scared.
-It is not your time yet, Shifuzou, you intrigue me- Anubis said, calling Père David's Deer by her old nickname, something that he shouldn't know. Being called that right now creeped her out.
-How do you know my old nickname?- Père David's Deer asked trying to hide her fear, being unable to keep things secret from him. It was what she feared the most about having her own Astral Guardian, for all the good will she gathered through her experience, with and charm, she still enjoyed being mysterious.
-You've seen so much Death, so many voices turn into a sad orchestra, it's your bittersweet aria- Anubis said, he tried to explain with a musical metaphor, further scaring the poor Deer.
-I am afraid I don't follow- Père David's Deer said apologizing.
-Come a little closer and I'll show you, all the bonds you built over the years, it's so beautiful- Anubis said, inviting the Deer, the things she would see would be quite painful to remember.
Père David's Deer knew that she had no choice, chickening out here would disqualify her immediately, she hesitated even with all at stake. The silence in the god-forsaken sunken facility was finally broken, by the heels of Père David's Deer boots tapping the ground as she moved forward, she found her courage when she remembered her unfinished business with all of the Fiends.
Darkness enveloped Père David's Deer and she knew no more.
-Wait! What happened?- Père David's Deer asked as she woke up, she looked around and recognized it all, she was "home".
-You were in a coma, a Cerulean had stolen your Spark!- A familiar voice answered her, the moment Père David's Deer recognize who it was, she couldn't hold back her tears at all.
-Park Guide Mirai!- She shouted jumping to lean on her, but before contact was made, she vanished and she fell into the darkness again, reappearing in an entirely different situation.
-No… Why?- Père David's Deer asked about to cry, as she saw that she was somewhere else, it was the worst day in her life.
-I'm sorry Deerie, but we gotta leave Japari Park, Hell has broken loose!- It was the voice of her old Caretaker, this was the last thing he had said to her, before they never saw each other ever again. She decided to stay and help in the fight, as He was forced to leave without her, Caretakers were evacuated first.
This was a memory and while painful to see again, it felt quite different from the first one with Park Guide Mirai, that was just cruel and it felt like something out of character for Anubis. Père David's Deer then realized what was going on, she saw an eerie figure that resembled someone part of her recent memories, it was someone that she thought was gone for good. Nightmare stood before her once again, a mere silhouette that she could still recognize, as it comically waved it's ghastly hand at her.
-I missed you- Nightmare said, in a fairly weak tone of voice.
Père David's Deer opened her mouth in horror but she couldn't say a word, last time Nightmare was in her head, she was only saved because someone else who did love her had intervened.
Anubis then realized that shadow of doubt lingering over this Friend wasn't natural, this Spectral Fiend made him realize that this infection had to be stopped at the source, else soon Japari Park would be overrun under the birth of new powerful Fiends.
Nightmare knew she was outmatched in her weak state, even then she still didn't want to let go her prey. She craved the soft meat of this troublesome Friend, Nightmare wanted to feast on her fear, as much as she wanted to crush her under her hoofs.
As Anubis menacingly moved forward to face Nightmare, the Fiend tried to find a weakness she could exploit, to topple the God, to her surprise she found an angle from which to attack.
-Behold the future that awaits you- Nightmare said starting her attack, twisting reality around them, showing Père David's Deer and Anubis what Japari Park would be like under Koryu's rule.
A grim wasteland full of Cerulium and Sandstar leaking through cracks in the ground, the diverse Biomes on the Islands were all gone and the Ocean around them laid desecrated too. The bleakness of such view was overwhelming, but before anyone could say anything, Anubis tapped one of its paws on the floor.
This caused the vision to continue and soon it was Nightmare who was horrified, Anubis showed her what would happen after their victory, how the Fiends had consumed all the sentient life, then they turned against one another. A predictable outcome, but Anubis kept going and showed them that in time, centuries worth of it, Life would bounce back eventually and the balance would be restored. Nightmare remained speechless, this God seemed okay with knowing this, that Fiends would sooner or later fall was harrowing, even for someone like herself it was unnerving. Nightmare roared defiantly, in the face of Anubis and the cruel fate he had foreseen, for her and all of her kind.
-Fiends might be ruthless, but Life is relentless, you can't win- Anubis sentenced, showing no fear in face of Nightmare's roar.
-You don't care about the Friends? About your brother or about yourself?- Nightmare asked outraged, she tried to hide her fear under a veil of wrath, as she remained too stubborn to escape.
-I can save this deer right now, let her go- Anubis demanded, knowing he had the advantage here, Nightmare lacking some sort of physical form allowed him to use his power to repel her.
-I refuse! Her tender flesh and fresh blood both belong to me!- Nightmare roared, clinging to Père David's Deer's mind and soul.
-You leave me no choice, to give this lost soul the peace that death has grinded away from her, I cast you down Nightmare- Anubis said, he moved in to nuzzle with Père David's Deer's face.
The Deer remained gone but Nightmare screamed in pain, the Fiend recoiled as her ghastly form was slowly being pushed out from the Deer's body, Anubis connected with the Deer's body in time to prevent the spasming from Nightmare's forceful exit to hurt her new Host's limbs. The last thing both of them saw of Nightmare was a hateful glare but with a big smile, as if it were the horror would never stop hunting Père David's Deer, much like when she lost her full physical body and ghastly form, she'd never stop, she would have her revenge and feast on her body one day, sooner or later, Nightmare would find a way to return.
-Wake up, little one, we have scores to settle- Anubis said to Père David's Deer, he gently woke her up, she was still in pain.
-You saved me! Why?- Père David's Deer asked confused, from what she knew Anubis ruled over the dead, it made no sense to her, Anubis felt he underestimated this Deer's low self-esteem.
-I recognize your potential! You've put up with the feel of loss many times, yet you accepted it as a part of Life, you maintain the balance by trying to save as many lives as possible- Anubis said complimenting the Deer, as he stood behind her like a real Astral Guardian should do, Anubis didn't really hate this feeling.
-My potential? I've failed so many Friends, so many times, they counted on me and I let them all down- Père David's Deer said, as she knew that the memories she was recalling, Anubis could see them too. A compilation of Friends that she failed to save.
-You don't see it yet? The fact that you failed and kept trying, it's a very powerful thing, you learned that holding onto things hurts more than letting them go! You understand the Balance that exists between Life and Death- Anubis said as he showed her the good deeds that results from them, both success and failures, left an impact on others that kept turning the wheel.
-The only way for you to continue growing and to truly connect us together, is to accept that while you can save many lives, Death is still a part of life - Anubis continued while Père David's Deer listened in silence, he helped her stand up once more, bestowing upon the Deer the blessings of the Necropolis.
-I'm sinking into the floor!- Père David's Deer yelped scared, as she realized that it took her focus to not simply phase through physical objects now, she jumped and quickly casted away that strange power that Anubis had just given to Père David's Deer.
-So long as you don't stray from the path of balance, you'll be as relentless and impervious as Death, I'll teach you how to make the most of it- Anubis said making a promise with his new hostess, she would make an excellent ally on maintaining the Balance, against anything that threatened it in the future.
-Your power is scary but useful, I suppose… - Père David's Deer said before she was interrupted by Sphinx flying into the scene.
-I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!- Sphinx bawled in a very comical manner, everyone else present just rolled their eyes.
-I told you, she'd and Anubis would be fine- Horus said as he nodded knowingly to his half-brother, who responded in kind.
-Nightmare is gone, for now- Anubis announced quite proudly.
-I'm afraid that she won't ever stop haunting this Deer- Horus said, the God was quite impressed at the sheer power of the ghastly horse Fiend, Horus pondered about the source of it all.
-Let her come, as I have Anubis by my side now!- Père David's Deer boasted, very relieved of being free of the curse upon her.
-Bold words, but don't let the power go over your head, having your own Astral Guardian is a blessing and a big responsibility- Sphinx said to Père David's Deer, before she cuddled the Deer, as now she had an Astral Guardian that matched with her own.
-Thank you for choosing me!- Père David's Deer said bowing to Sphinx, as well to the half-brothers Gods, that connected them even more... As if Destiny itself had brought the two together.
Sphinx blushed and looked away, as she had misunderstood Père David's Deer words, but still felt she had finally caught up on her developing feelings for her Savior. If Père David's Deer had caught up to them or was playing fool, Sphinx didn't know but she wouldn't miss an opportunity to get closer to her, she knew that the Deer always bonded with the Friends under her care, but she wanted to bond with her now, long after she had finally recovered. Sphinx did owe her life to Père David's Deer.
-Hey, I'm talking to you Sphinx, are you listening to me?- Père David's Deer asked poking Sphinx's exposed navel, snapping the poor Sphinx out of her brainstorm, the Deer smiled to her.
-Sorry, I am overwhelmed with joy and pride, from you earning Anubis' blessing, now I'll have to teach you how to make use of her powers!- Sphinx said, trying to cover up her enjoyment of having Père David's Deer touching her again, Horus whispered to her about her half-brothers powers, Sphinx knew what she had to do now, how to explain to Père David's Deer what she could do now, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Necropolis. Sphinx smiled knowing that this meant she'd have to spend time with the spunky fun-sized healer of their Cadre.
-I am sorry to interrupt this tender moment, but time is of the essence, we must hurry and rally with our allies- Horus spoke up, knowing they had to return to Point Hope before sundown.
-He is right, we are almost out of time, the Fiends will return to end our resistance… In turn, we will end their existence, for the sake of balance!- Anubis supported Horus, boldly claiming that they would be victorious, in spite of her cynicism earlier with Nightmare. The Jackal God firmly believed they had a chance.
-Let's fly back to Point Hope, Friends are stronger together!- Père David's Deer said, her confidence renewed now that she put behind her failures, focusing on doing good in the present.
-Airline Sphinx, now taking off!- Sphinx giggled, as she easily picked up Père David's Deer in her arms, then she took flight.
As the Friends left, the ruins became dark and silent once again so Nightmare manifested, she didn't manage to get enough life to take her own physical form again, but at least she could hold onto this physical realm somehow. The mystery of the Sandstar and how it worked wasn't missed on her, but she didn't care at all about it, Nightmare was glad to have some weird degree of immortality, Nightmare would feast on that Friend in due time.
-Cursed Gods, denying me revenge!- Nightmare roared angrily but her voice came out as merely as a whisper, she was quite weakened, she needed to find a new host to feed from it's fear.
Before Nightmare could do anything else, she felt the pull from her master, the overwhelming dark presence of the First Fiend.
-You are foolhardy, it's amusing to see you keep trying, in spite of how weak you currently are- Koryu said, gentle running one her colossal claws through Nightmare's ethereal mane. The fact that Koryu could still interact with Nightmare in this form made her nervous, just like when a cat plays with a very small critter, right before the bloody finale, that Koryu had summoned her back to her lair after she was defeated again didn't help at all.
Nightmare looked around, suddenly she was at the Forge with Koryu, the hidden place that the meddling Friends were close to discovering, when they travelled through the Sankai region.
But as luck would have it, it was the cowardly traitor Nidhogg that had driven them away from it, away from the danger but also from the price hidden there, the reason Koryu remained confident about her victory. The doubts Anubis seeded in her mind had vanished, empty words from a mad prophet, the Fiend reassured herself, her dark mistress couldn't be defeated.
Nightmare was there now, bestowed power by a physical god, hearing in the distance the steps, growls and smithing of the Minotaurs, hard working servants of Koryu, preparing the tools of conquest for when their Mistress gave the order to make the Mainland of Japari Park crumble, they longed for that day.
-I'll get her, sooner or later, I'll get her!- Nightmare sworn in a low growl, she was too weak to roar, she then felt the blessing of Koryu filling her. Suddenly, Nightmare felt corporeal again.
-There, now you got enough strength to actually interact with you prey, as you love to do- Koryu said, she opened her eyes glowing with power and her golden scales shining in the dark,
Wendigo's Curse had transformed Koryu into a Cellien Dragon.
Leaving behind the form of a Friend didn't bother her anymore, for this power she'd do much worse, if only that presence in the back of her mind stopped to sabotage her at every single turn.
-You are too kind, your Majesty- Nightmare said, thanking and bowing to Koryu for this gift, the horse was like a Knight and the Dragon was her Queen, she was ready to battle once again.
-The eyes in the sky are about to go into slumber again, but the Weapon isn't ready yet, I know what to do but I hesitate even now- Koryu said sadly, she knew that she only needed the Time Amulet to complete her masterpiece, a relic weapon worthy of a God. Yet it felt cruel, to march down Point Hope, a special place that couldn't be rebuilt, to end the lives of Friends that could be spared, converted into instruments to serve her.
-Your wish is our command, whatever you order we will make it happen, by your will!- Nightmare said, as she was getting a bit too over the top with her groveling, Koryu made a gesture and the Horse immediately was silent, looking down in repentance.
-That is enough, I admire your resilience, you are my favorite after all… I will wait, until the Eyes in the Sky are slumbering again, then we will take Point Hope by force!- Koryu roared as she slammed her massive tail and spread her wings, both roars from Minotaurs and screeches from Harpies joined her as well.
As the sound of chaos made echo through the dark cavernous depths, a different noise awakened but quickly went dormant again, it was humming, it was writhing, it was an Abomination!
A thing that shouldn't exist, something born out of pure malice,
it would soon rise and crash upon the Crusaders at Point Hope.
Yet amid all this, deep inside her black heart, Koryu felt regret.