Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Ranma ½. Many references are from various mythologies, as well as some random Xena: Warrior Princess Easter eggs.
AN: This is a complete rewrite of Amazons. Ranma POV. After the manga series.
From Somewhere Within
Chapter 3
Alona waved her hand offering us to see the village below. Which didn't really answer where we were.
We walked down the hill towards the village passing houses and huts, no two alike. It was like a house from every part of the world had been picked up and dropped here, wherever here was.
Alona stopped in front of an old looking hut and opened the door. The room was covered in dust and cobwebs.
"Apologies, I haven't been here for a while. There is a small water basin in the back if you'd like to freshen up. Just leave your bags anywhere."
Alona dropped her pack and started opening the shutters. Fresh air rushed in, kicking dirt and dust up, making us cough.
Akane went in the back, returning with her hair pulled back, her face dripping with water, and a simple t-shirt and shorts on. She left her bag delicately against the wall and wiped her face with a towel.
"This okay?" She asked.
"It's fine." "Looks great." Alona and I said simultaneously.
Akane gave me a look and blushed slightly.
I also dropped my things into a corner and went to the back room.
A large blue porcelain bowl sat on a table and the water looked impossibly fresh. Being either daring or foolish I brought some to my lips and gasped at how pure and sweet the water tasted. I gulped some down, and despite the cooler temperature didn't change to a girl when it splashed me.
I freshened up, washing dirt and grime into the water. I tried to move the bowl to dump the water out but found it fused to the table. I then watched as magically the water turned into crystal clear water again.
When I returned to the main room, the floors, walls, and furniture were all clean and a small fire was going in the fireplace.
Alona had changed into a light blue tunic and loose linen pants, with slippers on her feet.
"You both ready to go?"
We nodded and left the hut which seemed much less old than it looked when we first entered.
We made it to the village center where people were bustling about, setting up tables, chairs, and food.
"Is there some sort of celebration?" Akane asked.
"This is just how dinner is done here. We all get together to welcome and recall. We will join them after we visit the Council of Elders. They are looking forward to meeting you." Alona explained.
We followed Alona into the largest hut off the center area. The air thick with incense and the walls covered with tapestries of Amazons in battle.
I looked around taking in the images. Fierce warriors in battle, fighting armies, dragons and giants.
"Are these all real?"
Alona shrugged with a mischievous grin.
Akane and I looked around more in awe, catching each other's eyes as we pointed out particularity cool or strange images.
Alona stepped forward and spoke a few words I didn't recognize or understand.
"Greetings sister. We welcome your return."
Almost like a mirage, a long table of women appeared before us.
"Did they just magically appear?" I whispered over to Akane.
"I think they did." She whispered back.
A middle-aged woman with long black hair spoke.
"Hello, Ranma and Akane of tribes Tanaka and Mori. I am Hoshi, leader of the Japanese Amazons."
"Tanaka? Mori?" I asked.
"Those were the surnames of your mothers, grandmothers, and going even further back. Modern Japanese women take their husband's names, but women who stay with us either make up a name for each generation, hold none, or pass it down from mother to child." She replied with a smooth even voice. She nodded down the line and each of the women introduced themselves.
A silver-haired short woman spoke. "I am Xuannü of the Chinese tribes."
A very dark skinned woman with thick black curly hair went next. "I am Ada of the Dahomey, but I represent all tribes from Africa."
Next was a red-haired, freckled girl, much younger than the other women and maybe younger than me and Akane. "Aren of the Celtic tribes."
"And I am Licia of the rainforest tribes. Modern-day Brazil." She was the color of coffee and milk with long thick dark brown hair.
"And I am Alona of the first tribes," Alona added bowing her head slightly to her sisters. I packed that into my mind to ask about later.
"Have you been filled in on the mission, young ones?" Xuannü asked.
Akane stepped forward, and a vision flashed of her sitting up there with these Amazon queens.
"We've been told of the history of The Trusted, The Sun Talker, and The Chosen One. We are here to take care of the later, though I still don't understand how."
"Alona seems to have skipped some important details," Aren said throwing a glare at Alona who pretended to look confused.
"And that is…?" I asked. I didn't like where this was going.
"The Trusted One is your grandmother, Akane. The 'chosen one' you speak of, Hikari, is your cousin."
Akane's eyes widened at this news.
"How could you not tell me?!" Her voice was a harsh whisper, way scarier than when she yelled.
"I did not think it important," Alona replied defensively.
"Is there anything else I'm missing out on?" Akane asked The Council.
They all glanced amongst themselves.
"I do not know if this is wise to divulge," Ada started, "But your mother, Kariko, was killed by Hikari."
"How could you keep this from me?" Akane asked again. Her voice a wisp that I could barely hear.
"Blood may be thicker than water, but does not change anything. Hikari is a menace even in the spirit realm and you are the ones who can deal with her."
"Akane can deal with her because she is blood. Alona, I'm confused. What did you tell them?" Hoshi asked.
"That they were Amazons and we need their help," Alona said incredulously.
I was confused about this turn of events. Alona seemed to be acting so young to these women yet I was sure she was older than them all. She had not lied but had kept some pretty important information from us.
"And why is Ranma here?" Licia asked.
"He's obviously Akane's partner." Aren offered.
I bristled at the idea of being anyone's partner. I was Ranma Saotome! I fought bad guys by myself, and I won.
"No, I asked him along because I didn't think they'd let me take Akane by herself." Alona clarified.
My eyes widened in shock. I was a tag-a-long! I was never special to begin with.
I felt this weird wave of jealousy towards Akane till I looked at her.
She wasn't crying outwardly, but she was crushed. Her mother was killed by her cousin and now she had been brought in under false pretenses to fix things.
"I'm her friend and curious about my lineage. That's why I am here." I stood up taller and moved a bit closer to Akane who caught my eye and smiled.
I flashed back to when we first met and she asked if I wanted to be her friend. And then the hurt when she realized I was a boy. Melancholy fell over me causing the pounding to come back to my head.
"Also," Alona added, "I think you'll find this interesting." Out of nowhere she pulled out a water bottle and splashed me.
"Hey!" I exclaimed. I shook my hair and the wisp of red sent my mind back to the vision. I shook it away.
The Council gasped.
"A child of the sun and moon…" Licia remarked. The words felt so familiar and my scar began to itch.
"Well I'll be, almost a perfect double of Haruko!" Hoshi exclaimed looking closer at me.
"Does, she— er he have the mark?" Ada asked.
"Only as a girl," Alona answered.
"Fascinating," Xuannü added. "I've always wondered about this."
"Can we be excused?" Alona interjected. "I'm hungry."
I gave a sideways look at Alona. Since when did she act like such a little kid?
The Council didn't seem to take offense to the question and Hoshi waved us away.
"We will talk again soon. Akane, come visit if you have any questions."
Alona bowed, almost sarcastically, if that's possible and turned and left the tent.
"Oh, Akane," Hoshi called out. "Your mother's grave is here. There's a marker in Japan, but she wanted to be buried here. I'll send someone after dinner to show you."
"Thank you. I'd like that."
Akane gave a deep bow to the women and exited the tent with me right behind her.
The sun had dropped behind the tree line, a fiery orange glow bathed the village center in a warm light as the last few people sat down at the huge table.
A red panda scampered by with a heard of children hot on its tail, till it dashed behind a building and out came a young girl no older than 12 with short black hair.
"Mei!" Someone called and the girl turned to the voice. "The Council would like to see you for a moment!" She chirped and ran past Akane and me into the tent we'd just exited.
Alona waved her hand, having found three seats and we sat down together.
She introduced us to the other people immediately in our vicinity and the feast began.
"Why were you so rude to the Council? Aren't they your sisters?" Akane asked.
Alona shrugged as she shoved food in her mouth.
"I find the entire idea pretentious. Even if it was mine…" She muttered returning to her plate.
I rolled my eyes in my head. I would never understand this woman.
As the food came by I heard languages from all over the world mingling together in a roar. I recognized maybe a half-dozen from my travels and couldn't help but be amazed by the different faces I saw all sitting together.
Food came by in a constant flow and was snatched off the plates faster than even Pop could grab.
I tried a samosa from India, feta pie from Greece, spicy goat and pumpkin from Ethiopia, and hundred and one other dishes that were all better than the last.
I was quickly satiated when three girls came up to me and Akane.
"Akane-chan?" The youngest of the three asked.
"Yes?"
"We are of the Mori tribe. We all share a grandmother or something. But we're here to take you to the resting grounds if you'd like to see your mom." The oldest responded.
Akane's eyes filled with tears and a smile spread across her face. "I'd love to. So what are your names?"
They walked away before I could hear the names, and I got up from the table to do some wandering around.
I went to the main food fire and asked for some hot water to change back.
Not thinking anything of it, I changed back in front of most of the village and was met with a hurricane of questions.
Some people told me they knew someone who also had a Jusenkyo curse, but had never seen a human one. A few of the younger kids looked at me like I was a demon. Some of the guys my age asked questions about my female body. It was just like I was back in Nermia during my first days of school.
It all was very weird. I'd forgotten I wasn't around people who knew everything already and found the attention exhilarating.
I excused myself and after asking a few people found the resting grounds.
Akane was by herself sitting in front of a clump of flowers with tiny white flowers speckled about.
"Akane?"
She looked up, tears flowing down her cheeks silently.
"Ranma, meet my mom. Mom, this is Ranma."
I looked over the bush again, confused.
"She wanted her favorite plant above her instead of some stone block. It's a madder plant. Used for dying cloth red. I am the madder girl. I get it now."
Akane broke into sobs.
I fell to my knees and wrapped her in my arms.
I held her till her cries softened, just like the night before we left. What I wouldn't give to go back to that roof. Go back to a simpler day.
I hesitated before going for it. I broke off a small stem of the flowers and placed them behind Akane's ear, brushing tears off her face.
She smiled softly, that smile that killed me. The moonlight seemed to beam straight on her, bathing her in silver light.
It had only been a few days but already there was something different about her, something more than wanting to protect her from harm. I wanted to fight with her. Keep her by my side forever.
I forgot myself and reached forward, cupping her chin in my hand and leaned in for a kiss.
I flashed to us playing Romeo and Juliet. To every time I teased her or pretended to not care when really I did. To the failed wedding. And then a real wedding. A real kiss. I could feel her soft lips on mine, see her eyes looking back at me with love and understanding. But that faded and before I could even touch her lips, she pushed me back.
She stood up looking hurt. She pulled the flowers from behind her ear, and threw them down at my feet before she ran off.
"Akane!" I stood up and shouted at her. "Akane! I'm sorry. Come back."
Come back. I whispered to myself.
I walked around as the village slowed down. By the time I got back the table was gone, and only a few smaller fires littered the area with a few people sitting around them.
I made my way back to Alona's hut and let myself in. She sat on a chair reading a thick book that looked thousands of years old with characters I didn't recognize. Without looking up she spoke.
"She went to bed."
"I figured."
"There's a room for you in the back to the left."
"Okay."
I thought about asking about Akane, since this stranger seemed so invested in our lives but decided against it and went to the back room on the left.
The door on the right was open ajar and Akane was laying down on a futon.
"I'm sorry" I whispered and entered the door on the left before fitfully falling alseep
My eyes snapped open. I knew I was in the dream world and tried to use that as armor, that what happens here might not be true.
I walked through the darkness. I came out from the tree, back in the clearing we were at just a night before.
Jingu Kogo sat waiting for me.
As I stepped forward, little white flowers started floating down, covering the ground in a blanket of white. I sit down, the flowers puffing up and I recognized them as the madder flowers from Akane's mom's grave.
"So any words of advice now? I assume you know about my blunder. So much for love her always."
Jingu Kogo sighed.
"Love isn't a fight Ranma. There is no winners or losers."
"Really? 'Cause I feel like a loser right now."
"Ranma. I probably shouldn't do this but…"
She waved her hand and the world went dark again.
The scene lightened to Akane sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking an ocean. The waves crashed and sprayed water on her face which made her laugh. I felt her fear as she looked at the water. The knowledge that if she fell she'd be doomed.
I watched myself arrive and felt her happiness upon seeing my face. I pulled her into a hug and we kissed. I swear I could feel it on my lips. She tasted mostly sweet, but a little salty from the sea spray. It is heaven.
I watched myself pull away from her. An evil grin crossed my face and I threw her into the sea.
Her heart was racing, I could feel the panic, and I'm terrified too. I jumped in after her.
Her emotions are a whirlwind. She is excited to see me, I will save her, but remembers who put her in this position. I grabbed her, hold her in my arms but we keep sinking. I was kicking furiously but couldn't seem to move up.
The evil me was looking down at us, laughing and taunting.
We sunk deeper into the cold inky blackness.
I inhaled deeply feeling the water enter my lungs as I'm dragged into blackness.
My eyes opened and I was back sitting across from the goddess.
"What the fuck was that?!" I wasn't known for swearing but that was pure terror.
"That's what Akane is dreaming, right now," she replied.
"Oh."
"I think it's best if I don't see you again. I'm sorry Ranma. I'm so sorry."
She faded away, then the flowers, and then I was back in blackness.
I woke to the sun in my face, yet felt like I hadn't slept in days.
I got dressed robotically and left the room. The hut was empty. Akane's door was wide open with no sign of her. The fire was out in the front room and Alona was nowhere to be found.
I walked to the center of town where tables are set out again. There were different breakfast foods laid out more in a buffet style, with people walking around grabbing food off the tables.
Despite the numb feeling, my body had no problem packing away plate after plate of food. My hunger couldn't be filled, yet I had felt no reason to eat.
Yet, I ate till I ached. The dream haunted me. That I could possibly ever do something like that to Akane made me feel sick.
I helped clean up, keeping to myself, only muttering "hellos" and "good mornings" to people if they spoke first.
After the food and tables were cleared the area filled back up. Men, women, old and young, all come out and stood arm's length apart. I joined towards the back, waiting to see what would happen.
Slowly drums kicked up and the collective of people started a kata. It was fairly basic and I followed along enjoying the stretch of my muscles.
A flash of red caught my attention. I saw Akane a few rows ahead of me softly chatting with some other girls. Her hair was pulled back in a red headband, her hands wrapped, and she was dressed similar to what many of the people were wearing. Loose pants, a fitted tunic, soft shoes. Similar to my favorite red Chinese tunic and pants and slippers outfit.
They stopped chatting as the kata got harder. Spin, kick, uppercut, scissor kick, backhand.
I had to stop watching her and actually pay attention as the kata got more complex and faster. I wondered how so many people could keep so in unison. I couldn't see a teacher or leader of any sort, yet whenever the kata changed, no one seemed to miss a beat.
Someone darted between us, under kicks and punches, tapping shoulders and letting people know they were done for now.
I focused harder on my form, I didn't want to be tapped out.
Akane got tapped out a few moments after and joined the growing crowd on the sidelines.
There wasn't not many of us left. Maybe twenty or so.
I'm tapped out around fifteen or sixteen and watched the remaining warriors. There was five men, six women, and the rest were members of the Council.
Aren, despite so young looking, kept up with them. Her movement's felt like Alona's and I wondered how old she really was as well.
Hoshi was tapped out and she bowed, before coming to stand by me.
"So Ranma, enjoying the village so far?" She asked, wiping sweat from her brow.
I nodded and watch as the numbers go down fifty percent. I had never seen moves like they were doing. A move would start looking like it would end with a punch and then switch to a flip. If I was fighting one of these people, I didn't think I would have been able to read their next move, which I assume was the purpose.
When it was down to the final two, Alona and Ada, swords were thrown in and the two began to spar.
"How old is Alona exactly?" I asked never letting my eyes leave Alona. Her speed was frightening.
Hoshi laughed. "She might kill me if I divulge that, but let's just say she's the first."
"The first Amazon?" I asked.
Hoshi smiles and shrugs. "That's what they say."
"How old do you have to be to be part of The Council?"
"Want to join?" Hoshi asked.
"No, Aren just looks so young."
"She's actually one of our older members. Some of our elders like to look younger than they are."
"Like Alona. She's shown us her real form."
"Yes, and no. Alona is Alona. She is something very different." Hoshi said, her face darkening a touch. "It's about to end now."
Alona kicked Ada's sword from her hand and pinned the dark woman's hand behind her back, forcing her to the ground.
The crowd cheered, and Alona bowed before helping Ada up.
"Does Alona always win?"
"She taught all of us everything we know. There's no surprising her."
I nodded, noticing that the response didn't really answer my question.
"Hoshi…" I turned to ask answer question but the Japanese elder was nowhere to be seen.
The crowd dispersed and Akane's new friends went in a separate direction leaving her alone.
Before I reached her, a young man, maybe a bit older than us, went up to her and handed her a bouquet of multicolored flowers.
He bowed and briefly held her hands squeezing them affectionately. At his departure, I am at her side.
"Making friends?" I asked, hiding my hurt feelings. My voice surprised her slightly. She doesn't turn to look at me, just stared at the flowers intently.
"The people here are very friendly," Akane said in a flat tone.
"So it seems," I replied.
Why does it have to be this awkward? Why can't we be goofy like we've been before? I'd love for her to call me a pervert or baka or something.
Alona came up to us, chugging down a glass of water.
"Shall we train?"
"Yes!" Akane said too quickly.
Alona looked at me expectantly and I nodded yes as well.
We picked up a few more people on our walk through the village before we reached proper training grounds.
There were free weights, an obstacle course, dummies for hitting, and racks full of weapons, most of which I didn't recognize.
Alona assigned each of her students to a task and then joined back with us.
"Akane, I want to try the kama again."
Akane nodded, spotting her weapons off to the side in light leather sheathes.
She pulled them out, and twirled them in her hands, the sun bouncing off the freshly polished edge.
"Alona…" Akane gasped. "They're beautiful. Thank you."
"I'll make sure you know how to clean them and keep them sharp. I can also teach you to carve into the handles and really make them your own." Alona replied with a kind smile.
I turn and roll my eyes examining my fists.
One of the girls from the kata came over and whistled.
"Very nice. May I?" She looked at Alona.
Alona nodded and the unknown girl grabbed two wooden sticks, before she got into position with Akane.
They bowed and began.
At first, it seemed like this girl had the upper hand, but Akane tapped into her ki and started to become a fierce opponent.
The flower boy from before, entered the training area, and took his shirt off, rolling his shoulders out.
With an arm in a stretch, he caught Akane's eye and waved his fingers in her direction.
Akane pushed harder against her opponent and I heard the sound of wood hitting the ground and then clapping.
Akane was in a low lunge, her kama spread out wide at her sides and the girl standing with her sticks sliced in half.
I felt a surge of jealousy again. I tried to push it down, ignoring this boy that seemed to have caught Akane's attention so quickly.
I felt like a fool and threw down the staff I was starting to toy with and leave the field. I wasn't proud that I was acting like a spoiled kid, but I honestly thought I would have punched that guy out if I stayed a moment longer.
After a few hundred meters I looked back to see if Akane was following, but she was too busy with her admires.
I ran out of the village till I hit the tree line.
I practiced jumping into the trees and swinging from the branches, working so my brain couldn't think.
After a while, I settled down in the crook of a branch and watched the village. I could barely see the training ground from my perch, and couldn't help but wonder if Akane had even noticed I left. I sat in the tree sulking until I heard grunting and branches snapping.
"Damn, that was hard to scale." Akane groaned as she pulled herself up next to me. "So where have you been?" I hid a quick smile and hardened my face.
"Didn't know you cared."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, obviously I do."
"What about flower boy?"
She looked at me quizzically.
"Alroy? He's the herbalist apprentice. He was giving me herds and flower to use for a stomachache I had when I woke up."
"He seemed awfully touchy with your hands too." I murmured.
"He was showing me pressure points in my hands that can also help…Where you jealous?"
"No!" I shouted.
"Right, why would you get jealous over a thick-dumb-macho-chick like me right?"
I immediately felt bad.
"No, it's just that I-" I fumbled.
I looked at her face and she was trying to hide a smile. I softened at her slight smile.
I burst out laughing and she followed suit. The tension between us lightened and I felt better than I had in a while.
"Nothing like a good laugh, eh?"
I agreed and am taken back to when Dr. Tofu fixed her ankle after the first Ryoga encounter and she said something about a good cry.
The dream from the night before enters my mind but I didn't say anything.
She cocked her head to the side and gave me that dazzling smile, I almost fell out of the tree.
"Want to train?" She stood and offered me her hand.
"I'd love to."
"Okay, so how do we get down from here?"
I laughed and showed her the best way to scale down a tree.
We joined back with everyone at the training grounds just in time to go have lunch.
Lunch was a much smaller affair than dinner or even breakfast and we sit around on logs chatting with other Amazons our age.
They talked about how they spend their summers here, but most lived in larger cities or towns. During school breaks they traveled together and learned about new cultures and visited new countries and other Amazon villages hidden in secret pockets around the world.
"About that, where are we? We came through a tree in Japan and that makes no sense," I asked.
Alroy answered.
"When the Amazons scattered, the goddess of the moon worried about her people, so she made portals all around the world that lead here. The birthplace of Amazons. According to legend the first woman came here after escaping an oppressive male society and went searching for other women who felt the same. Some women were slaves, others just sick of the patriarchy. They were the first Amazons. She had many daughters and they became leaders of the first tribes around the globe. She then begged the moon goddess to look after them and the portals were created as such."
"That sounds…"
"Insane?" Mei adds.
"Yup, exactly," I said with laughter.
"We don't understand the magic behind it, but can't deny that it exists," Alroy added.
"So I could go to Germany right now?" Akane asked.
"Not exactly, there's something to do with the moon phases, as well as who is leading you. There's only a handful of Amazons who can travel through the portals and go where they want to go. Alona, Aren, I think all the council members and a few other elders."
"What happens if I just went in right now?" I asked.
"Pretty sure you'd just go into a hole in a tree. Nothing would open." Mei answered.
Everyone nodded and the topic is dropped.
Since Akane and I laughed it out, I was feeling better about this place. The people are kind and just normal guys like us.
We spent the rest of the afternoon with our new friends who had lots to teach us and loved to hear our crazy stories from Nermia.
Alroy turns out to be a bit of gentle giant, and most of his skills are disarming as quick as possible. He teaches me how to put someone in a sleeper hold, and Akane how to knock any weapon out of someone's hands.
Mei, who turns into a red panda when splashed, is great for training speed and agility. She's been cursed, or blessed in her eyes, since she was very young and often feels more comfortable in her red panda form. We practiced hunting and tracking something that doesn't want to be found, even without ki-training.
Alona popped in every now and then to encourage certain skills to be learned but left us to ourselves for the rest of the day.
Every night was a large dinner where we heard more stories, meet more people, say goodbye to friends leaving and welcome new people showing up.
Whenever someone was heading to Japan we send letters home and sometimes get ones in return. Our fathers capitalized on our simultaneous absence and have gotten rid of most of our rivals.
Ucchans still thrives but word was Ukyo was settling down very happily with a chef at a ramen shop that took over after the Chinese Amazons left.
The Kunos continued their reign of weirdness but with us gone, they stayed out of the way of the Tendo household.
We received a lovely "Sorry" basket of Chinese junk food and treats from the Chinese Amazons, that was brought to us by someone who lived in a nearby tribe, it was pretty cool of them.
In this fashion, two months pass and we hardly noticed.
My dreams and visions had stopped and Akane and I were finally getting along pretty much all the time. We didn't talk about the night I tried to kiss her. We were friends. Truly and honestly friends.
It got to the point where we had to send in deferment papers for school. We didn't know when we would return but when we did, we wanted to pick up school where we left off.
At least that was my plan. Akane still said, "We'll see" and it seemed more and more likely she wasn't planning to come back with me.
After another amazing breakfast, we joined our comrades in the morning kata.
I had made it as far as the top ten, and Akane had made it to the top thirty. Both of us were respected and regular faces in the village.
"Alona," I started. We were back in our hut, enjoying the cool summer night in front of the fireplace. Akane was learning different languages and reading children's books in Cantonese, French, and Spanish. I had taken to wildling. I liked turning the plain wood into something beautiful. I'm not very good yet but it keeps me busy.
Alona doesn't look up from her ancient text but cocked her head towards me so I know she's listening.
"We've been here awhile now. What happened to the mission? I thought we were in and out."
She sighed and closed the book, which she hardly did.
"Because I'm scared Ranma." Akane lowered her book and was at full attention.
"I'm scared you're not ready. I'm scared I'm not ready. Last time I failed and I'm not a fan of history repeating itself. But you're right. We do need to go in, so you can see what it's like."
"Go in? Go in where?" Akane asked.
"The spirit world," Alona said matter-of-factly. "No time like the present. Let's go."
She stood up and we followed.
We left the village and head out towards the forest. Soon it is too dark to see much of anything.
We treaded carefully and soon I could hear the ocean.
The salty air and waves crashing caused a spike of anxiety in me and I sensed it in Akane as well.
We walked down the cliff, along the sand till we reached a circle of stones. They were standing upright, over 4 meters tall and the air in the circle crackled.
"We can enter anywhere, but this is the only place in the world where no harm can come. Be prepared, because nothing is what it seems in the spirit world."
She sat down and motioned for us to do the same.
We sat in a tight circle and held hands.
Alona began to chant and the air feels thick and heavy.
I shut my eyes in panic, it felt like a wave was about to hit me.
The feeling passed over me and I opened my eyes to the void.
"You've been here before, haven't you Ranma." I nodded and looked around, knowing there was nothing to see.
"Now things will try to attach to you and come back with us, because of where we entered nothing can just attach, but things can still trick you. Never say yes to anything or anyone."
'Anyone?' Akane mouthed to me. I shrugged and looked just as confused.
We walked through the darkness for what felt like forever, and then the whole area lightened up and we were outside of Furinkan High School.
We watched a long-haired Akane enter the gates and get charged by a group of high school boys.
She fought them off with ease and continued on, but something was with us now.
One of the boys got up and floated towards us.
"Oh, Akane." He moaned. Akane immediately got into a fighting stance.
"I killed myself because you always turned me down. Do you even know my name?"
Akane's face paled and I felt her resolve weaken.
"Will you go out with me now?" He groaned, and rubbed a hand through her hair which looked like a breeze ruffling her hair.
"Stay strong Akane," Alona muttered.
Akane took a deep breath and her resolve hardened.
"Begone spirit. I owe you nothing." She bellowed.
The spirit turned red and grew larger, projecting an oni appearance.
"Just another pompous girl who thinks she's too good for us." He roared.
More of the boys got up from the school setting and floated around us.
Akane summoned her ki and threw balls of blue fire at them. They wailed and vanished into a mist.
She examined her hands carefully.
Alona shrugged. "Spirit world is a weird place."
One last boy floated out and bowed into a dogeza.
"Akane. I died in a car accident. I am so sorry for the trauma and heartache I may have put you through. Do you forgive me?"
Akane softened and began to open her mouth.
"NO!" Shouted Alona. "Never say yes. NEVER." She emphasized.
"Please dearest Akane, I cannot move on without your forgiveness. Will you please accept so I may move to a better place?"
Alona's eyes widen and she shook her head.
Akane looked conflicted and I felt her thoughts swirling around as if I was in her head.
She opened her mouth again and Alona summoned a twisted dagger and drives it through the boy's back.
He withers in agony screaming and twisting in pain.
"Please Akane, please forgive me…" he choked as he turned into a skeleton, then ash and blows away.
The Furinkan High School scene faded away and we were back in darkness.
Akane slumped to her knees.
"Why? He just wanted forgiveness. Why did you have to do whatever you did to him?" She wailed.
"Never. Say. Yes."
Alona chanted again and the wave of feeling crashed into us. I opened my eyes back to the spirit gate in our world.
Akane was panting, trying to catch her breath.
I pulled myself next to her and patted her back.
"Shhhh" I shushed trying to calm her down.
Alona stood up and glared at Akane.
"What?" I snapped.
"Your girlfriend here is going to get us all killed." She shot back.
"What's the worst that could have happened if she forgave him?" I pressed. "Really what's the worst thing?"
"Oh, I don't know. He could have leeched off her life force until she died. He could have used her growing knowledge of ki to open a portal anywhere and let anything into our world. He could have dug into her subconscious and sent her on a killing spree. There is no such thing as a happy spirit. Spirits don't stick around if they are fulfilled in life. There's nothing ever benevolent about them. But why believe me, it's not like I've been around the past 3000 years dealing with this kind of stuff." She threw her arms up in exasperation. Then paused when she realized both Akane and I had our eyes locked on her.
"3000 years?" I asked.
Alona looked sheepish. "Figure of speech?" She shrugged.
"If we are going to deal with Hikari, you need to be straight with us. How old are you?
Alona groaned. She shook her head around like she was having an internal argument in her head.
"Fine. Follow me."
I helped Akane stand, who was still shaking, and we followed Alona further down the beach.
We walked for almost an hour before we cut back up into the forest. Alona took us further in, and despite the sun still being hours away the forest started to lighten like light was seeping straight from the bark and leaves.
I heard the trickle of the water before we saw it. A bubbling fountain made of marble and gems stood in a clearing with a perfect beam of moonlight illuminating it.
Alona pulled a flower from her pocket and crushed it into the water.
The water changed colors and faces appeared in the water. It was like someone painted directly on the water it was so opaque and yet transparent.
Alona touched the palm of her hand to the water and 13 faces became so clear it was as if their faces were on the other side of the water.
"This is me. Well, this is me and my twelve daughters. The first Amazons."
Akane and I gasped and looked closer at the faces. One was definitely Aren in 10 years, another looked like Alona, the others all looked familiar but weren't anyone we knew. The oldest face was unrecognizable except the scar from eye to ear.
"But this is the face you have now," Akane said pointing to a face.
"And this one has your scar," I said pointing to the oldest face.
"That is my true face. The Alona skin, I took from my daughter." She said softly.
I narrowed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose with my finger.
"You took her skin?" I asked, bringing a protective arm around Akane.
"Not like that! I'm not a monster!" Alona said defensively.
"Sit down and let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, I was a normal girl. I lived with my parents on a farm and every month we paid most of our earnings to the lord of the area. There was no real reason to, except he killed my brother when we said no once.
So each month we paid him. And then I hit an age that caught his interest and he said he'd take me instead of money each month. So each month I spent a night with this man" she sneered "and my family wasn't destitute anymore. We were able to get livestock, we were able to eat every night, and we could afford better tools. My parents I guess as an apology, got me a horse. A beautiful horse that was the color of moonlight. One day, the night before the lord would come for me, I took my horse and left.
My parents were probably slaughtered and the farm destroyed but I didn't care. I was free.
I worked hard, earned some money and made my way to this island. By then I was very pregnant. Almost due. In this spot, I gave birth to a beautiful little girl. To my Alona. I raised her right. Never let a man touch her.
Eventually, I met others. I would come and go from the island, meet people I felt worthy and invite them.
I would use men for their seed then kill them. From 12 different men, I had 12 different daughters, each more beautiful than the last.
But my stories of the outside appealed to them so I let them go. I wouldn't trap them in a world they hated like I had been.
They went and did what I did. Multiple men, multiple babies, and we kept spreading. We kept growing. We created societies that worked for the people who worked for them.
My 6th daughter, Yuet," she touched the picture of a black haired woman with a cheeky grin.
"She found these pools. Pools of magic. That if something or someone fell in and you fall in you can take its form. So I called all my daughters to come and make a pool in their likeness. The idea was that if you fall in at 20, then fall in again at 60, you'd be 20 again. And thus we became immortal.
But some of them decided they didn't want that life after the first few hundred years. Some tried to destroy their pools but the Alona one survive, the Aren one, and two more. So I change faces. Let my daughters live on forever."
"And Aren?"
"My youngest. But yes, the face you see is her at the age of 14. The last one who's stayed with me."
Alona touches the water again and it returns to a bubbling fountain. Her face is sad and she suddenly looks much older. Much closer to her true form.
"Alona?" Akane asks worriedly.
"Using magic ages me faster. I have a feeling that this is my last form. I doubt I would even make the journey back to the springs. But I have to deal with Hikari first. She is my fault, so I must take care of her."
"What do you mean she's your fault?"
"The Twin Prophets, your grandmother, and great-aunt Akane are my many times great-granddaughters. My magic gave them those powers and my magic drove them insane. Now I will pass on my magic to help destroy the mistake they turned into."
Alona sighed and started walking back through the forest. We followed her, unable to speak.
No wonder she didn't trust anyone, even her own daughters chose death over living forever with her.
By the time we got back to the village, the sun was starting to rise over the hut tops. The early morning shift was getting the table and breakfast ready.
Alona made it back to the hut and went to sleep but Akane and I were too wired to join her. We walked to the resting place and found the grave marker for our grandmothers. They were side by side and the trees planted above them has intertwined and fused together.
We sat on the grounds above the resting place of our maternal grandmothers and held hands. Akane's hands were ice in mine and I rubbed the back of her hand slightly with my thumb to warm it up.
"Would you want to live that long?" Akane asked after a moment of silence.
"No." I shook my head immediately. "Would you?"
"I don't know." She replied. "The idea of seeing the world and having as much time as you want? It's appealing. But watching everyone you know and love die? Less so."
She snickered to herself. "But if I do decide to, there is that spring of me though. I could be 16 for a while." She mused.
I balked at the idea. Would Akane really want that? Settle down and then just get sick of it, become 16 again and move on?
"What about right now?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're 16 now. You're seeing the world now. You could travel now and then just settle down later."
"And who would I be settling down with?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I- I—I- " I stammered, "Whoever you want you know? I mean it's not like I'm suggesting… anyone in particular."
"Mhm." She hummed and gave me a sideways look.
We stayed like this till we heard the breakfast gong. We stood up, shook the dirt off our pants and walked back to the village hand in hand.
We arrived at the center and no one batted an eye when we strolled around holding hands.
I just kept praying no one would say anything and break the spell.
Alroy passed by and gave me subtle thumbs up, I waved his hand away and distracted Akane with a bird in the distance.
"Look over there. It's a bird."
Akane laughed and pulled her hand from mine scratching her nose. I felt myself slump internally until her hand slipped back into mine.
I was so shocked she looked at me funny.
"Is this not okay?" She started to pull her hand away.
"No, No!" I exclaimed grabbing her hand back. "This is exactly where it's supposed to be," I said shyly rubbing the back of my head.
Akane bit her lower lip, holding back a grin and kept her eyes ahead, looking for a spot for us to eat.
After our meal and our morning kata, we finally broke our hands apart. We joined our friends at the training grounds.
Akane could more than take care of herself I thought watching her. Even though it had only been about 3 months since we left she was already keeping up with a lot of the kids our age who had been doing this ever summer since they could walk.
It probably didn't hurt that I was sparring with her regularly. Every day we practiced. Sometimes bare hands, sometimes her with kamas and me with a staff, sometimes I had a weapon and she didn't.
We were even getting to the point with me, Alroy and Mei coming at her at once. She wasn't amazing at splitting her attention but she was good at keeping one or two of us busy so she had less to deal with. She was strategic and it paid off well.
We had lunch, which we walked to hand in hand, and were about to head back over for another spar or lesson with one of the many talented people when Alona caught up with us.
She looked better than the night before but was easily 10 years older looking even in her younger form.
"We need to do more spirit realm training. I've been holding back too long. We need to do this by the Fall Equinox."
"So soon? That's less than a month away!" I complained.
"I know, I know. I've failed you. But this means we have about 21 days to get you in shape for a spirit battle. I feel confident in your physical talents, now we need to apply it to a world with no rules."
Akane and I locked eyes and nodded.
"Now or never right?" Akane asked.
"I guess so," Alona replied. "Do you feel strong enough to not go to the circle? It's time I'm not sure if we can spare."
Akane and I once again decided wordlessly.
"Let's do it."
"Okay. Follow me." Alona looked anxious, which I guess made sense but didn't feel me with confidence.
This time we just went back to the hut. We sat in the circle and quickly Alona's chant brought up to the spirit world.
This time we moved quicker within the realm. We dealt with personal demons from everyone.
This included me seeing the full memory of my dad abandoning Uyko after stealing their cart. Her dad's spirit was almost immediately hostile and it felt wrong to dispel him, but I couldn't promise to marry Ukyo. I was beyond sure of that now.
Alona explained that unless you summoned the dagger, which she taught us to do with much hesitation from us, the spirit wasn't destroyed, merely sent back to a respawn point so to speak. That dispelling was the closest way to deal with a spirit, since most couldn't or wouldn't move on.
Alona, herself dealt with two of her daughters and countless grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and even a few seed donors, as she called them. Each time seemed to take something more from her.
After three more sessions, Alona explained that spirits can be helped to move on, but she didn't want us bogged down with it. She would make sure someone taught us once Hikari was dealt with. When pressed why she couldn't do it, she just gave us a sad smile and went to bed.
Because the spirit world was physically draining and did, in fact, take a piece of your life force with every summoning to it, we were now 2 weeks away from the equinox so Alona could rest between traveling.
The village was also getting ready for the equinox. They were going to have a big harvest festival, Amazons from all over the world were coming for it, so lots of help was needed and Akane and I had plenty of time while Alona rested.
It was an odd schedule, some days harvesting crops, or building extra huts, other days spent learning how to kill spirits and protect our souls.
The letters being sent to Nermia were less frequent and so were the return letters.
In a way, this place felt more like home than Nermia ever really did. I missed Mom from time to time, but being with Akane was worth it.
Akane and I were getting closer all the time.
We had even gone on a few dates, kind of.
We would go running the morning together, or snuggle up on the beach and watch the sunset.
We hadn't kissed yet. I hadn't felt brave enough to try again after the last failure, and it never seemed like she was interested. But we held hands, and hugged, and cuddled and that was pretty great.
Jingu Kogo started showing up in my dreams again. I never asked why she said she couldn't see me anymore but then started showing back up. I had a feeling I wouldn't like the answer.
Instead we would sit and have tea and she would teach me the history of the Amazons. It was interesting to hear about and Alona would ask me questions to add to the ancient text she worked on at night.
We were a week away from the equinox when The Council called for us.
"Ranma and Akane. We've been watching you and we couldn't be happier that you two are our champions in this fight. By birth, you are both Amazons, but we would like to officially ask for you to stay here afterward and become teachers for future generations. You would be elders, and be treated with utmost honor and respect."
I opened my mouth to speak, buy Hoshi held a hand.
"Think on it. You have more pressing matters on your mind, we know."
"On that topic" Ada started. Aren stood up and came around in front of the table.
I had never seen her this close and was amazed how much she looked like Alona and true Alona since I still didn't have a name. Her almond-shaped eyes were exactly the same except the grass green color, and her skin was fairer with freckles all over her cheeks and nose.
"We present you with the Light Dagger." Aren opened the box she was holding and a dagger sat on a bed of red velvet.
"This is the Amazon's oldest artifact made of pure moonlight and we see it fitting to be yours in this final battle." The Council stood and bowed to us.
I looked at Akane and she nodded, reaching for the dagger.
"Oh no. Akane. Ranma is the child of the Moon and Sun, we think it best if he wields it." Xuannü chimed in.
Akane smiled stiffy and nodded, stepping back and letting me take it.
It was light, weighed absolutely nothing, but felt solid in my hand. It was both cool and warm to the touch and the blade was so thin I swear I could see through it.
"You honor me Council," I said bowing. The Council bowed back and we left the hut.
Akane gave a curt bow and left with me.
I marveled how the blade looked in the sunlight, it completely disappeared no matter which way I turned it.
Alona looked at me carefully but said nothing.
We returned to our hut and Akane went into her room, the door slamming shut.
I knew why she was mad. I would have been steamed. But why couldn't she just be happy for me? The only reason I was the child of the Moon and Sun is because of my stupid curse. She knew how much I hated it. It's not like I asked to be special. Special, more like chaos. It followed me everywhere I go.
I would just say that. Tell her it wasn't really an honor but a burden. I have to use this blade to kill someone. Even if they were just a spirit.
I nodded, convincing myself this is the best course of action and walked to her room. Alona slid in front of me and shook her head.
She widened her eyes and pointed me back to the front room.
I slumped my shoulders and went back.
"What?" I whispered harshly.
"You were going to go in there and say something stupid and we have a very important battle coming up and I'm not going to let you ruin things because of your ego."
"I don't have an ego!" I snapped louder than I want.
Alona raised an eyebrow. "Really? Were you going to go in there and tell her she should have the dagger? Because she should. This is her fight. Or were you going to go in there and tell her it's a burden and not an honor?"
I lower my eyes ashamed she read me so easily.
"What do you mean she should have it?"
"Maybe she's not the child of the Moon and the Sun, but maybe she is. It's not like there is a set definition. But you come in, literally a male and a female sometimes, and they are all gaga for the 'prophecy' they can't see anything else. Akane was chosen because of her blood relations, not you. You make your own fate and it is Akane's to make. You are in the way of that."
It had been rolling back and forth for a while but now I was ready to lose it.
"You're just saying that because you hate men! I heard you two in the woods when we were traveling her. You don't think I'm good enough for her. You think I'm holding her back! Well, you're wrong. We make a great team and if she wants the dagger I'll hand it to her!" I was fuming, how dare this person come in and throw off the dynamic me and Akane share?
"I don't hate men, but I also don't think you're worthy. Nodoka made a mistake when she chose your father and so did Kariko when she chose Soun. I might have had twelve daughters but I also had eight sons who I loved just as much as my girls. They went off to become amazing men, good husbands, and fathers and gave me many beautiful grandchildren. Women think they need a man to protect them but they don't. They need a man who will support them, and so far you don't support her. You want her stronger for your benefit, not hers. If you believe she can live without you, then go and tell her you think, no, you know she deserves the dagger. She doesn't need your shielding and protection."
Alona's words stung.
What if Akane didn't need me? Why was I so hung up she come back when this is done and we are together? Why couldn't I let her go?
No. Alona was wrong. I was the one chosen to wield the dagger and hold the burden of killing Hikari. Akane would be grateful she didn't have to bloody her hands. I didn't want to either, but I would do it for her. I would do anything for her. As I had before. As I would in the future.
I nodded to harden my resolve, and Alona clucked her tongue.
"That's what I thought." She shook her head at me again and left.
The next morning Akane was quieter but said she was fine. She understood why I got the dagger and not her. We dropped the topic after that.
I couldn't help but feel like her hand wasn't as firm in mine any more but I pushed that thought away.
We went once more to the spirit realm and spent the rest of the time helping with the festival. It was a nice distraction from the ball of angst boiling in my stomach.
Even a spirit, killing wasn't the answer, was it? I knew she was evil but she was dead, so what was the harm? These thoughts kept me awake most nights.
The morning of the equinox came in a flash.
We woke before the sun. I studied the dagger closely, making sure my hand and eyes knew every spot of it.
When I came to the front room Alona and Akane were dressed and waiting.
We nodded to each other and walked towards the forest.
It was a precaution, but in case Hikari got through, we didn't want to be in the middle of town should she get out to the physical world.
We sat down, the dagger in the sheath on my side, Alona chanted and we entered the spirit realm hopefully for the last time.
The air immediately felt different than it had before.
We didn't walk for long before we found something.
There was a spirit sobbing in the distance. As we got closer we realized it had been chained up.
"What?" Akane asked.
Alona shook her head. "No, no, no" Hikari has trapped a spirit that should be free here. "No, no, I can't. I'm so, so, so sorry." Alona was spinning around crying to herself so Akane and I drew closer.
I pulled the dagger from its hold, just in case, then Akane's face broke.
"Mooom!" She rushed forward and the spirit looked up and sobbed.
Akane cradled her mom's head, testing the chains.
"Akane? Akane! My baby why are you here? This is no place for you." Kariko's face was a cross between relief and sorrow.
"I, we're here to stop Hikari. Mom, I'm okay. You're going to be okay. I'm going to free you." Akane summoned a picklock with her ki and fumbled with the chains. "Wait, Mom." Akane shrunk herself down and climbed inside to manipulate the mechanism with her hands.
There were a few clicks and the lock fell off. Kariko rose up, as Akane crawled from the lock and returned to normal size.
They two hugged and cried. While Alona paced in the background.
I felt the wind shift, as did Akane and her mom and we all frozen.
"Baby, I'm free you must go before she gets here! Go please! I'll be okay."
"Awww, but what a touching family reunion." Hikari appeared before us and the pounding in my head began for the first time in months.
"Back off!" Kariko said, standing between her cousin and daughter.
I stepped forward with the dagger pointed at Hikari.
"Little boy thinks he can take me down?" Hikari pouted.
My hand started to shake at the face of this spirit. She didn't even look like she used to be human. Her very essence was wrong. I strengthen my grip and added another hand.
"Zahra. Welcome to the party. Join us, dear."
Alona stopped pacing and rolled her shoulders back coming to face the spirit.
Kariko looked over the woman.
"How? Why? Did you drag them into this?!" Kariko screamed, her face warping.
"You get me killed, you almost get Nodoka killed and now you bring our children into this?"
Alona flinched and closed her eyes. Tears fell slowly down her face and she whispered I'm so sorry" over and over again.
Hikari snapped her head back, her neck stretching far too far, and howled with laughter.
"Oh, what a treat." She purred.
I paused myself and took in the scene. Alona was defenseless and no help. Kariko was turning purple and Akane was trying to keep her mother's spirit calm and Hikari was so focused on Alona she'd forgotten about me.
I inhaled deeply and looked at Akane. She looked fierce protecting her mom. More spirits had heard the noises and were coming closer to see what was going on. I had to act fast. I had to act now.
I lunged forward, sliding the light dagger into Hikari.
She howled and disappeared, a flash of light radiating out from where she once floated.
"It's over" I whispered.
"It's over."
I bowed to Kariko who smiled fondly at me. "You look so much like Nodoka. I hope she's proud."
Kariko and Akane said their goodbyes and we grabbed Alona who seemed in shock.
"Let's go home," I said gently shaking her shoulder.
Color came back to her face and she nodded, giving a sad look to Kariko before saying the return chant and taking us home.
My eyes snapped open and we were sitting in the forest. The sun was shining brightly and voices carried from the village.
Akane and I smiled and hugged. We did it. We won again.
"Where's Alona?" Akane asked pulling away.
I looked around and called her name.
"Maybe she went back already?" I shrugged.
"I guess… "Akane said, uncertain.
We walked back to the village hands clasped strongly together once more.
"Wow, the bonfire must be huge for the smoke to be that black!" Akane commented as we got closer.
"Those don't sound like excited screams…" I realized after a few more steps.
We looked at each other and broke into a run.
The huts were on fire, people were running around screaming.
Bodies laid on the ground.
And in the middle of it all, Hikari.
"I'm baaaaaaaaack."
Dogeza: deeply apologetic bow