Suntiger: I'm early! Yay! That's good news. I'm sorry people, but the last previews were wrong. If you're kind enough to go back to the last chapter, please check it out. I'm such a dumbass. Anyways, on with the fic!
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War of Souls
Does anyone have a clue to where I am? 'Cause I don't. I'm tired of being lost on this planet! I mean, Azura even gave me a map of the planet, but I still get lost! Does that tell you that I'm an idiot? I heard a twig snap behind me. Honestly, with all the dead trees around you'd think you would hear more than just wind and twigs snapping. I was preparing myself for bombs.
My eyes met up with a red one. Immediately I recognized it as Harva.
"Hey, I didn't think I would see you here," I said. She didn't respond.
"What you up to?" Did I mention that it's equally hard to strike conversations with aliens? And I thought Hiei was bad.
"I came here to warn you," She replied finally.
"Well, don't just stand there." I stopped to catch my breath. Aponi was training me. Alien training is hell on Earth. Wait, I'm not on Earth. Forget what I just said.
"Cyrus will be attacking in five days or so. Start training harder," Harva told me. I glared at her. Like I need someone to tell me something I already knew. She smirked and pulled out a sword.
"You're actually not that bad when it comes to magic. However, Cyrus can dispel you. Making you powerless except if you use your own strength instead of magic," Harva swirled her sword.
I pulled out the silver sword Hecate made for me. The hilt had a black ivory grip with a rat-tail tang construction. A silver crystal was mounted in the pommel and said to give me the ability to see the unseen. Whatever that means. It was made up of steel obviously.
Hecate named it Mystic Death. Interesting name, no? Why do people name their weapons anyways? Anyhow, we did a few flying strikes at each other. Made a few throat thrusts, which would be using the sword to cut the throat, and so on. I did a back flip to avoid losing my head. I moved the sword so that the blade collided against hers. Good thing the blade was thick enough otherwise it would have broken. Harva backed away from me.
"Good. Now keep going like that and you'll be an excellent warrior," Harva smirked. I rolled my eyes.
"Says the girl who lost an eyeball," I teased. She gave me a glare.
"Watch what you say among the aliens, Varia, some won't take your jokes so lightly as I." Harva sheathed her weapon.
Geez, I didn't mean to break her happy mood. I glanced around. I was still lost. Damn it. According to Hecate, I've been in outer space for a week. Doing nothing but training. I put my sword down somewhere near a tree and practiced a few basic karate moves. They weren't like the types you would see on T.V. or the ones that the Chinese would use. What can I say? Aliens are weird.
Three days later—
Aponi flipped open her computer. She knew what she was doing, but needless to say, the human didn't. Varia had been walking around aimlessly. She should have expected that from a human. She frowned.
"Azura, please go retrieve Miss Varia. It seems that she is lost," Aponi ordered her servant. Azura smirked. She had been waiting for this command. Azura was just about to step out the door when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She met the glare of her master.
"Just because she's human doesn't mean you can push her around. Have some faith in the soul redeemer," Aponi said.
"I tried to put my faith in her. However, she has failed us. She should have reached the palace by now, but she's still wandering around. It proves that she's useless," Azura replied.
"She isn't using her powers, Azura," Aponi growled.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty. Even if I wasn't using my powers, I would have found the palace." Azura tried to not offend her master.
"Yes, you would have because you're an alien."
"Precisely why I say we should just dispose of her. She has no other reason being here. She's too weak to fight Cyrus," Azura muttered.
"Shut up, Azura. You don't know one little thing about Varia. I bet that if she wanted to she could kick your ass!" Celosia interrupted. Aponi and Azura spun around in surprise.
"When did you get in the room?" Azura snarled.
"What's the matter? Don't like being disrupted?" Celosia narrowed her eyes. She didn't like Azura.
"We didn't sense you coming in, Celosia," Aponi reasoned.
"Well, duh, did you forget that I'm a spirit?" Celosia snapped.
"Stay calm, Celosia. Though, I have to agree with her for once." Solace stepped out of the shadows. Aponi stared at her mother.
"What do you propose?" Aponi asked.
"When Varia gets back, I say that the two should battle," Solace said.
"That's fine," Azura grinned.
"You're not going to get her though. Aithne, go get her if you please." Solace glared at the water dragon. Aithne, who wasn't paying attention, stared at her.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Aithne asked.
"Retrieve the human." Azura informed the fire alien. Aithne left within seconds. Aponi remained staring at her mother.
"Leave us," Aponi ordered.
"I'm not going anywhere," Celosia argued.
"Go Celosia. Aponi and I need to talk alone," Solace directed. Celosia gave Azura one more glare and they went their separate ways. Aponi let out a sigh. Solace kept staring at her.
"What's the matter, Aponi? You don't believe in Varia? You know very well that she is the only one able to murder Cyrus." Solace tightened her hair band. Aponi smiled.
"I do believe that, yes. However, it has to be proven. I don't want to rely just on her," Aponi said, "Which is why I'm training her. I want to see what she's cable of doing."
"You will see during her battle with Azura."
"Why Azura? Why not put her against Aithne?" Aponi questioned, "Do you believe that Azura is a traitor?"
"No. Azura is a very loyal person. Precisely why I put her and Aithne to guard you. Aithne of fire and Azura of water," Solace smiled, "But why not put Azura against Varia? She is the one that doesn't believe in her."
Aponi nodded. "She is a human."
"Big deal. If you ever tried to live on Earth, then you would understand that earthlings live a life just as hard as ours," Solace frowned.
"I apologize, Mother, but I do not see what help she can be," Aponi sighed.
"You will. Be assured that you will." Solace folded her arms. They heard a knocking on the door.
"You may come in," Aponi said loudly. Aithne entered and behind her was the human.
Azura vs. Varia ---
I was surprised to find Aithne in the woods with me. She took me to the palace and there I discovered that Solace and Aponi were waiting for me.
"Did I miss something?" I asked. They looked very serious.
"We wanted to put you through a test. That is if you don't mind," Aponi smiled or tried to.
"She would if she knew what was best for her." Azura's voice entered the room. Geez, what crawled up her rear?
"Sure, I don't mind," I answered.
Solace smiled and suddenly Celosia was standing behind her. The pyromaniac grinned at me. Shiva was there too. She was sitting on Hecate's lap. The veela child looked scared. As if someone told her that the boogieman was going to get her. Hecate was her usual self, but something in her eyes told me that this wasn't going to be fun. Azura smirked while Aponi pressed a few buttons. The ground shook and a stadium appeared. I tilted my head.
"So my guess is that we fight in here?" I was usually good at guessing games. Azura rolled her blue eyes skyward.
"Well, of course."
I was really starting to hate her. I mean, what did I do to make her act so bitchy around me? I began to sense the room temperature get colder.
"Come into the ring, if you're not afraid that is," Azura challenged. Now usually I would have turned around and walked home. This was different. This was between proving if I was a coward/human or some brave beast. Time to be the beast. I stepped into it. Azura did the same. The room got a lot colder from there.
"Are you sure we're not in Alaska?" I shivered. Azura laughed.
"My powers are based on water and what happens when water freezes over?" She asked me. I think just about everyone knows that.
"It turns into ice. I'm not an idiot. Basically, you're saying that you control ice too," I said. Not to mention anything that's related to ice. Now would be the time I wish I had Celosia's power. Damn.
"You know, when you go into combat you're not supposed to use your real name. If you do, it will make it easier for your enemy to find you. What name would you like to be called?" Azura interrogated.
"I don't know," I replied, "What's yours?"
"Frost."
"Figures," I said. Azura laughed at me again. My blood began to run cold, but at the same time boil. I glanced around to notice that nothing was the same. It was like we were in a different world. The palace that Aithne brought me to was gone. A mountain of snow replaced it.
"Hail Blizzard!" Azura's voice broke through the air. In a matter of seconds I was pounded by frozen rain. They weren't small ice cubes. These cubes were boulder sized. I quickly jumped to dodge the flying ice piece that was aiming at me.
I knew I would have to do something better than jumping. I felt my energy flow within me again. The transformation of my spiritual being taking place. My hair turned blood red and claws replaced my human nails. Golden eyes substituted my brown ones. Cat ears and a tail grew out of my body. Azura wasn't surprised like Tala.
"I'm disappointed that you don't have fur," Azura said.
"Whatever." My voice was once again emotionless. This side of me scares me.
I flexed my right wrist. Azura's eyebrows furrowed and she raised her hands toward the sky. It started to pour transparent rocks. I wasn't running this time. I held up my right hand. Power surged out of it. What it was I wasn't sure. The energy caught Azura within it. I was almost in tears. I didn't want to slay her. So what should I do? I heard her screams.
"If you apologize, I'll let you go," I shouted.
"I will never apologize to a human!" She shrieked back. I still didn't want to kill her. I didn't have the right. An idea came to me. I let the energy stay around her for a few more minutes and then freed her. Azura fell to the ground while I took a good look at her. She had so many cuts, bruises, flesh that was threatening to rip apart, and bones that were broken.
"I congratulate you," Aponi whispered in my ear. It was then that the room turned back to its original state. Shiva rushed into the arena and conquered up her healing powers. She gently laid her hands on Azura's broken body. I whirled around to face Aponi because I couldn't stand watching the skin mend back together. I gave her my best glare.
"Well, you have your proof." Solace was watching me. The glint in her eyes shined with respect and approval. Aponi, on the hand, was rather shocked.
"You have the Gift of the Corpse," Aithne said. Her mouth was ajar and her eyes were wide. "No one has seen that power in centuries."
"Say what?" Celosia asked. Good, I'm the only one who's clueless.
"Aliens call their powers 'Gifts'. For an example, my 'gift' is Dynamite. I have the ability to charge up things with energy and then explode them. Azura's 'gift' is Winter. She can control all cold climates and water related substances," Solace explained.
"My gift is of the Inferno," Aithne replied, "I can control anything that's related to heat and flames."
"My gift is of Obliteration. I can erase anything I want." Aponi nodded.
"So what's that gotta do with Varia's gift?" Shiva faced Aponi.
"The Gift of the Corpse is a very powerful one. You can control a person's body and blood. You could turn your opponent's body inside out or make them bleed to death," Solace clarified, "Do you remember your battle with Tala, Varia?"
I nodded and she continued.
"Tala had the Gift of Sword's Blood. Meaning that she could control anyone who had their blood on her sword, which is how she manage to almost rip you apart." Solace's face was grim.
"Your human powers: Phasing, invisibility and defensive shields are also part of your gift since it deals with the body. Atoms in your body separate in order for you to phase and go invisible. Defensive shields come from protecting your own corpse," Aithne spoke.
"Creepy how this all ties up," Celosia chuckled.
"What about Harva?" I asked. She just suddenly popped into my head.
"Harva? You mean Cyrus's servant?" Aponi's turn to ask me. Maybe they didn't know that she was on our side.
"She's not his servant anymore. She's a spy for us." Solace covered me.
"What do you mean?" Aithne questioned.
"I assure you that she works for us." Nowadays, Solace seems to know everything. Damn brainiac.
"Harva has the Gift of Doors. Though it doesn't sound threatening, it's very useful. The Gift of Doors can open up portals and dimensions. Sometimes even black holes," Solace answered my question.
"Varia, you're going to have to practice your so-called gifts," Hecate said. I almost forgot she was there since she was so quiet. I nodded in agreement. I didn't want these powers to get the best of me. Hecate picked up Azura and carried her out of the room. I pursued the robot into a clinic.
"She'll stay in here," Hecate murmured. I bobbed my head in answer.
I caught the scent of dust in the air. I trailed it to its owner. Harva was leaning against the titanium walls of the palace. Hecate frowned at the spy.
"How did you get in here?" I asked. I didn't even sense her come in.
"The Gift of Doors is very useful indeed," said Hecate. Harva's lips formed into a smirk.
"She taught you the alien's term for power."
Hecate and I nodded. I shifted my weight to the other leg. Sometimes I wish Keiko were here. She somehow manages to make me feel at peace.
"Control yourself, Varia," Hecate muttered. She must have sensed my confusion because she pointed at me. I looked down and realized my lower half was missing. Damn gifts.
"Still trying to organize your powers, I see," Harva chuckled.
"I told you to practice your invisibility talent," Hecate frowned.
"I did, but it's not like I'll be able to control it in a week or so," I replied.
"Why are you nervous?" Hecate questioned me. I shrugged.
"Usually Harva comes to give me news," I said.
"True." Harva's smirk disappeared, " Cyrus is in the building."
"Say what!" I yelled.
"How could he? We would have noticed him entering. Unless you gave him a hand," Hecate growled.
"I may have the Gift of Doors, but there are other ways you can surprise your enemies. Besides, you all were too busy watching Varia and Azura battle each other," Harva answered calmly. Hecate shoved me in a closet.
"Stay in here until I come back to get you." She locked the door.
"Like I have a choice," I scowled.
"Harva, do you know where he is?" Hecate asked on the other side of the door. I could see her silhouette shake her head.
"Unfortunately, I don't."
"We'll have to inform the others." Hecate rushed out of the clinic.
Harva was following close behind her. Times like these I'm glad that Hecate forgets that I also have phasing powers. I went through the door. A siren went off and it could be heard all over the palace. I groaned. The noise was painful to my ears. I suddenly heard footsteps running down the hall, and the scent wasn't familiar. Shiest! I didn't even have to try to hide because my powers overtook me.
Right after I became completely undetectable, a girl emerged into the room. She had short hair that cut off at her chin. The color was dark green mixed in with a lighter green shade. A helmet was on her head and when it reached the ears, some finlike ears came out. Her skin was a sort of tan, but you couldn't really tell because of the armor she was wearing. It was similar to Aponi's armor, but it was more lizard like. Her boots looked like they were sliced off a dragon. Her gloves came to her shoulders and she was carrying a samurai's sword. Under the armor you could see that she was wearing a sleeveless green shirt and a short skirt.
Something else caught my attention. She had a tail! Mind you, it was more like a scorpion's tail. Where's a camera when you need one? Her eyes were scanning the room. Too bad she couldn't see me. I realized that she had a really weird eye color. Lime green. I mean, I've never seen eyes that were lime green. She looked like a dragon gone human. She sniffed the air and took a few steps closer to me. Great, she can sniff me out.
"Viper, now is not the time." I heard a scratchy female voice speak.
Another woman came into the room. I had to bite myself to keep from gasping. She looked just like Hecate! They cloned the robot! Of course, it took me a few minutes to realize that they actually weren't alike. For one thing, the woman's eyes were purple. Not like Shiva's eye color because in the middle of the color were hot pink swirls.
She had a darker shade of silver hair that stopped just below her chin and I managed to see that she had elflike ears, which had two earrings on each side. Hecate's features were more serious and cold, but this girl had a playful kind facial structure.
The kind that can fool people into believing that she was innocent.
She wore two necklaces. One was a dark gray chocker while the other was longer that took the form of the Chinese yin and yang. The woman supported a gray sleeveless shirt that had a puffed out collar. She possessed a silver arm bracelet that winded up to the edge of her armpit. Two small white wings decanted from her back. Her skin was somewhat pale.
"But I smell someone in here, Venom," Viper, the dragon lady, replied. Viper's eyes would have located me if I were still visible.
"It doesn't matter. We have to go find Harva," Venom said to her comrade.
"What about this person?" Viper pointed at the sleeping Azura.
"Leave her. She's no use to us. Besides, Vulture wants Harva dead."
Viper didn't argue with Venom. The two women left the room. I wonder if I can still go through walls while remaining invisible. I tested it. I slipped through the first and third wall, but on the fifth one I hit something solid.
"Oww." I rubbed my head.
"You okay?" Aithne helped me stand.
"Just peachy," I answered, "Some people by the names of Venom and Viper are in here."
"So it's true then. Cyrus is here," Aithne mumbled.
"What makes you think that?" I asked.
"We use codenames while in battle, remember? Viper and Venom are also known as Orta and Nyoka. Orta would be Cyrus's top assassin, who has the Gift of Reptiles. Meaning that she can manipulate the actions of all creatures related to reptiles. That would include dragons, snakes, lizards, and so on," Aithne frowned.
"Venom is Nyoka. She was Solace's best friend until she decided to stab her in the back and fool around with Cyrus." Azura appeared in the hallway. Yikes, I left her alone in the clinic!
"You feeling all right?" Aithne raised her eyebrow.
"I'm fine. Shiva's quite the healer," Azura responded. I just remembered another name.
"Who's Vulture?" I questioned. The two warriors stared at me.
"That's Cyrus."
"Hecate decided to give you and your mind invaders codenames," Aithne said, "Though, I don't see the point of it. Cyrus already knows who you are."
"Just give her the name." Azura was a very impatient person. I think she doesn't take losing very easily.
"Varia, you were named Panthera. Hecate is Plague, Shiva is Pixy, Solace is Priestess, and Celosia is Plasma."
"Aithne is Flames and Aponi is Flower. You already know what my codename is," Azura said. I nodded.
"What do we do now?" I rubbed my arm. I was getting cold.
"Look for someone with green hair. That would be Cyrus. If you find him, kill him." Azura stated the obvious.
"I think you guys need to go find Harva. They were planning on killing her," I told Aithne before they could leave. Aithne nodded.
"Be careful, Panthera," She said and winked at me. The two ran away.
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Suntiger: Okay, so they didn't exactly run away, but you get the picture! Anyone confused on what codename belongs to whom? Let me straighten this out.
Aponi-Flower, Azura -Frost, Aithne-Flames. Ahah all 'F's.
Varia -Panthera, Celosia -Plasma, Hecate- Plague, Shiva -Pixy, Solace- Priestess. All 'P's.
Orta- Viper, Harva- Void, Cyrus- Vulture, Nyoka -Venom, Tala- was Vulpine.
Suntiger: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And guess what? The next one should be the last one. Keyword: Should be. I'm not quite sure. I screwed up on the last previews and I'm sorry! Anyways, thanks to:
Schizo aka Steph: You poor thing! LOL! That sounds like me. I can't fix anything without breaking it over and over again.
Peeka-chan: Peeka! Did you get my pictures! I sent you them!
Kitten: -tackles with a hug- I missed you oneesan! I already told you where I've been. But where have you been? I haven't seen you on either. I am your shininess ahaha yay. Good! I want to get better. Which reminds me. If you see anything wrong you better tell me! Get on your fricken computer!
Wolf-black-flame: Tomorrow is my last day of school! Did I send you pictures of them? Goat damnit I can't remember squat.
Eternal Midnight: Well, there was some butt kicking and there will be more. Damn viruses! Hurry up and update!
Tricksterstheifgirl: If it makes you feel better, my Dad is shipping me off to my uncle's place for a month. Computers don't exist there. I mean, they do, but no one uses them. I can't use it because I'm not allowed to. Grrr..
Silverdragon063: Yeppers, it does work every time. Hope you liked the chapter!
Summonerofthesilverwolf: You got my pictures. I know because we've been emailing each other. Cool. LOL. I'm weird. Yea, I got a whole book on names and their meanings. I find it interesting. I try to make it match their personality.
RebelliousGirl: Hey girlie, Thanks for the compliment. Did you want the pictures of the crew? Because you gave me your email.
Baka Hanyou Rahvin: Sup! I already sent you the pictures and I hope you did well on your SATs. Thanks for leaving a review.
Jade Elf: Yea, well, Varia has a lot more coming at her. Just be glad you're not her –laughs- cause I am. Even though she's got most of my personality. Did you finish school yet?
Hieisfiredemoness: Hey! Have fun on you trip. Hiei won't show up for a while. Varia will be taking care of business soon. I don't know. I just felt like picking 'A' names and then other letters.
Queenoftheshadowfangs: Hey girlie! One of my male friends let me borrow his Naruto books. Problem: They're written in Italian. I mean, I speak the language but reading it might take me a while. My quote for the day: To be surrounded by idiots you must be one.
Suntiger: Okie dokie, I've noticed a few things. Such as, I know how many people are actually reading this fiction. They just don't leave reviews. I'm cool with it. I'm glad they read my stuff n.n
Anyways, I wanted to thank
Witchlight of the South
TheMoxie
Pyrassoul
Freak-a-leak (isn't that a song…cool one too)
Catladywantya
Previews:
… I meet Cyrus…
… Hecate finds Astera…
… Solace battles her rival… or was a rival…
… I conquer up a new theme…
…. We've made a decision…
Suntiger: oh yea and before I forget! I got names and some translating to do.
Orta- meaning dragon tamer.
Nyoka- Snake
Azura- Sky blue
Aithne: Little Fire
Astera: Flower
Aponi- Flower
Tala- Wolf ruler
Harva- Army warrior
Cyrus- Sun
You already know the mind invaders. So if anyone wants a picture of any character, let me know. I have them all. Muwahahaha…okay, I'll go now.