A/N: Sorry about the delay's folks. Here is the second part of chapter 13. Disclaimers in Pervious chapters. This chapter was mostly written by Onyx & S so not so much credit to me this time.
The three strokes of the gong were a signal to the monsters of the Village, in much the same way that the tolling of the bell was. However, while the bell alerted them to an emergency within the Village, the gong was an order for the monsters to gather. They did so at the foot of the Mansion, where the two Yamis could address them from the wide stone platform at the foot of the mansion, giving orders under special circumstances.
Onyx, unwilling to take the time to go back through the mansion to get down to the platform, simply stepped down onto the steep side of the roof and slid calmly down. When the roof ended, she kicked clear of the side of the house, falling the forty feet down with perfect ease, and landed lightly on the center of the platform. The rest of the command group was already assembled, standing in a half-circle rear of the platform. Onyx glanced back at them, nodded once, and walked forward to stand at the head of the stone staircase that lead down to the wide clearing where the monsters stood, which was some ten feet below.
Frowning, Onyx stared down at the monsters gathered below her. "As I'm sure you now know," she began, "the hidden village of Sacelon has been discovered." A murmur, low and wary, swept through the crowd of monsters and quickly silenced. Onyx smirked a little, but hid the expression by ducking her head. Her voice was rich and powerful, and she knew well how to use it. "As I'm sure you also know, the outsider Troy is a soldier in service to the King of our ancient enemy land Lohan, and he has taken our lady Katie back as plunder to the King!"
A roar, half anger and half defiance, rose from the monsters as she finished that sentence, but quieted again as Onyx lifted a hand for silence. "Because of this," she began again, "I will select from your numbers a team of monsters to accompany myself, Sarah, Neo, Damus, and Celtos into the outside world to restore our secrecy and return Katie to us." Another roar rose and fell, quickly replaced by shouts of 'Me! Me!' and the like. However, Onyx raised her hand again, and the monsters fell silent once more.
"I will not make my decision based upon your requests, my friends, you know that. I need monsters that can blend with the human population if needed. Monsters who can ride swiftly, walk silently, and kill effortlessly. I will select those best suited from among you." There were a few disappointed groans at that, but they were quickly stifled as she spoke again. "Those whose names I call, join us here upon the stone. Tsiani!"
The Princess of Tsurugi gave a triumphant hiss as she leapt forward, the deadly diamond blades she carried glittering in the early light.
"Amazia!" Now the Amazon Archer broke from the crowd to run up the steps, her bow clasped tightly in one hand.
"Swaja!" This time it was Performance of Sword, a pale ritual monster with long violet hair, who came forward. Her walk was slow and sinuous, drawing the eyes of many male monsters as she climbed the stairs.
"Kagemusha!" The warrior of the Blue Flame grabbed his staff from where it rested beside him, checked that his sword was secure in his belt, and came forward.
"Masaki!" The Legendary Swordsman's armor flashed as he walked forward, his katana blade gleaming in the sun.
"Acian!" Several monsters had to step aside for the Ancient Elf to come forward.
"Darimus!" The second of Onyx's three Dark Magicians simply popped to the top of the steps, wasting no time with a walk of glory up the long stairway.
"Faher!" A wicked grin on his dark face, the Flame Manipulator leapt gleefully up the stairs to join the force collecting there.
"Swaren!" The Sword Hunter smirked beneath his helmet as he bounded forward.
Celtos, Damus, and Neo quickly stepped forward to join the rest of the monsters. Onyx surveyed them through narrowed eyes, her thoughts hidden.
"Twelve!" Sarah's thoughts were not nearly so hidden. "We're going up against an entire army of the King's soldiers and you're taking TWELVE monsters?"
Onyx scowled at her lighter half and glanced at Veronique. The younger Yami just shrugged before responding, "She does have a point."
Onyx rolled her eyes. "Stera! Silvis!" The two White Fang wolves bounded up the stairs and Sarah shook her head.
"That isn't funny, Onyx!"
Veronique put out a hand to silence Sarah and stepped forward, her face darkening with concern. "Sarah is right, Onyx. Twelve – excuse me, fourteen," she corrected as the two wolves growled, "monsters will not be enough. And as Katie is a part of this, I request you take some of ours as well."
Onyx nodded slowly, her face quieting until all expression had left it. Then, walking around the group of monsters she had already selected, she went to the back of the platform where Garrus, Gartic, and Pyon were standing. She addressed herself first to Pyon, her voice low and sympathetic.
"You were Kate's first monster, and when it came time for her to choose a second in command, your name left her lips without hesitation. You were her friend and confidante for years, and I know how deep your feelings run for her. You will join us."
"It will be an honor," the monster answered simply. He bowed once, deeply, and quickly joined the group of monsters in the center of the platform. Onyx watched him until he had settled next to Neo before she turned back to the twin Elves.
"Garrus, Gartic, you are one of the strangest pairs I have ever encountered. Even after so many years, I am lucky if I can always tell you apart." Garrus smiled a little at that. His brother bore a small scar on one ear, which was the only way to distinguish them while both had their shirts on. When unclad, Gartic had a prominent scar under his left shoulder blade.
"You were separated as children, trained separately, placed with separate masters, and yet, despite it all, managed to come together again here in Sacelon – although you are still under different masters. Or in your case, Gartic, over your Master…"
Both the Elf and the Yami had the decency to blush. Onyx smirked at them and continued. "Beyond your relationship as twins, you share a unique mental bond. You can communicate with one another even without the assistance of the pendants that Veronique and I created. That is why I must now separate you again."
At their stricken looks, she frowned a little, some grief reflecting in her own eyes. "I am sorry, but I have no guarantee the pendants will work outside of Sacelon, and I need a way to remain in communication with the Village while I am outside. Also, the monsters of Veronique's and Katie's that I will be taking are not used to obeying me. Gartic, you are nearly equal to Katie in Veronique's chain of command. This is why I wish you with us, while your brother remains here."
"We do as you bid us, Mistress," the two Elves replied in unison. They embraced each other once, tightly, both reluctant to let go. There was no guarantee of survival for either of them, and neither wished to think it was the last time he would see the other. They parted slowly, Gartic moving forward to join the assembled ranks, Garrus moving backwards into the shadow of the Mansion. Onyx gazed upon them for a moment with something like compassion in her dark eyes, then walked around the group of monsters and returned to the top of the staircase.
She gazed down upon the monsters that stood waiting, her eyes flitting restlessly from one to another. Her gaze settled, after a moment, on a blond monster at the back of the group, one very similar in appearance to one of the monsters behind her.
"Neo!" Both the one before her and the one behind her looked up. Confused, Katie's Neo pointed a finger at his chest, mouthing the word, 'Me?'
"Yes, you. I've seen you on the archery field; you're nearly as proficient with a bow as you are with a sword. That will be useful. Hurry up!" she added, when he slowly began to maneuver his way through the crowd. The other monsters parted before him, and he scrambled up the steps, still looking surprised, and joined the group while Onyx went back to surveying the monsters.
After a brief moment, Onyx's eyes settled again, this time on another set of twins. These, however, were female – the Lady Assailant of Flame twins, Asames and Flamas. She called them up as well, and they came without hesitation. Onyx's next choice was Voleris, the volatile Mr. Volcano, who let out a gleeful cackle as he mounted the stairs. Then she called Celard, one of Katie's Celtic Guardians, and Ferano, the Flame Swordsman. Both were close to the front of the crowd, and mounted the steps at a run.
Trailing her eyes upward, Onyx found several Harpy Ladies and one Harpy's Brother perched in the limbs of an ancient oak tree that grew next to the mansion. Shaking her head slightly at the image of the monsters behaving like a flock of birds, she raised her hand to get their attention.
"Harun! We'll need you as a scout." Looking surprised, the dark-haired monster opened his wings and glided easily down to the stone platform, bowing briefly to his master before joining the group. Onyx nodded absently as he passed and walked back to the top of the staircase. Her gaze flitted over the monsters below for only seconds before resting on a nearly-naked male monster wielding twin scythe blades. He was Katie's Darkfire Soldier # 1. "Defanis…" she murmured thoughtfully, then repeated herself more firmly. "Defanis! I will take you as well."
The monster nodded silently and came forward, joining the growing group at the top of the stairs. Onyx jerked her head at him in greeting and began pacing silently at the top of the steps. Her eyes were flying over the monsters below now, growing darker as she paced with either impatience or concern. She stopped rather abruptly a second later, a wave of determination overcoming her features. Below, the monsters waited with bated breath, each one hoping that his or her name would be the next one called.
"Susa."
A wave of muttering and whispering swept over the monsters. The Susa Soldier was a dangerous, powerful monster. Although he technically belonged to Katie and Veronique, he was difficult to control and had eventually attacked them in a bid to achieve freedom. His actions had had the opposite effect, however, and resulted in him being locked away. Only the Yamis had the ability to free him. Veronique, her face paling, grasped Onyx's arm and spun the older woman around, hissing at her as she did so.
"Are you out of your mind! Susa's uncontrollable!"
"Maybe. But if I give him enough enemies to destroy, and promise him something he desires in return…"
"You can't be serious. Free him from his oath of service? He'd destroy everything within range of his energy if not bound by the Code of the Monsters."
"I'm the most powerful sorceress in the world, Veronique. I'm sure I can figure something out."
Veronique raised an eyebrow at her. "If you think so…"
"I do."
Veronique just groaned and began to chant. "Time ago we locked thee away, and within thy prison you did stay, but hear us now for what we say, is that thou shalt be freed today."
The instant Veronique finished her chant, the very air around them became charged with electricity. Faint blue-white sparks appeared, dancing in the air, snapping softly whenever someone moved. Any loose clothing immediately became drawn either to the skin it surrounded or the clothing next to it, and those with longer hair found it beginning to point in all directions.
"Susa!" Onyx snapped, and there was a sharp pop. A monster stood before her, tall and dark, grinning widely.
"You called?" The tone was mocking and suggestive, and the way his eyes traveled over her body were even more so. Onyx patently ignored his attitude and pointed at the group of monsters behind her.
"Take your place with the others. You'll be joining us on a rescue mission." When the monster didn't move, Onyx calmly turned to stare at him. They were of nearly equal heights, and Onyx's emerald-green gaze bored steadily into Susa's blue-white one. The monster stared defiantly for a moment, but Onyx won out, her bold eyes flashing until the monster submitted. Spinning to take his place with the others, he left a crackle of energy in his wake that made everyone's hair rise.
Looking unimpressed, Onyx waved a hand over her hair and clothes, using her majic to eliminate the static electricity in them. "Dian Keto, Amystria. You will follow us to provide medical help." As the healer and the Mystical Elf detached themselves from the crowd of disappointed monsters, Onyx turned back to her assembled team.
"The team is set. I have selected each of you based upon the abilities you have demonstrated over the years. I will warn you: your training will pale in comparison to the battle we will experience. If any among you do not wish to be included in this mission, speak now." Garrus, standing at the back of the group, shifted his weight and grimaced, duty and desire fighting within him. Duty won out, rather quickly, and he remained silent. None of the other monsters had spoken.
Onyx raised an eyebrow, looking almost pleased. "Very well. All of you, begin your preparations. You are to gather your own supplies – food, water, weapons, clothing. Expect to be gone for two weeks. I want your horses saddled and ready in an hour and all excess supplies down at the stables, ready to be loaded onto pack horses. Damus, Celtos, Sarah, Veronique, come with me. We have planning to do. The rest of you are dismissed to begin your preparations." Turning back to the crowd of assembled monsters, she raised her voice enough to be heard over the low hum of conversation. "Gaia! I need to speak with you!"
It took a long moment for the monster to make his way up to the platform through the flow of monsters going back to the Village. Once he had scaled the steps, Onyx wasted no time in delivering her orders.
"Gaia, as my horse master these instructions go to you. I want horses ready for each of the monsters I take with me, as well as myself and Sarah. That's twenty-eight in all. For those monsters that do not have horses of their own, assign them mounts. Make sure they have great speed and endurance, for we will need to ride quickly. Also, I want you to prepare the pack horses. Burden them only lightly, and make sure they are fleet of foot. They'll have to keep up with our force. You may take any monsters you wish to help you with these tasks." The knight nodded sharply, his pale eyes blinking slowly behind the narrow eye slits of his helmet, and Onyx knew he was already thinking of which horses were suited to the tasks.
"Once you have done that, report to the dragon caves. You'll be taking aerial watch."
"Yes, Mistress," the monster answered simply. He bowed deeply to the woman and popped out.
Onyx nodded wearily and turned back to the four waiting behind her. "I have something for each of you before we begin preparations. Follow me." And with that, she spun around and vanished into the mansion. The others exchanged confused glances and followed.
Onyx was barely ten steps inside the door when a scramble of feet and a high voice halted her.
"Mistress Onyx! Please, I need to speak with you!" Onyx turned around just as Mirai skidded to a stop beside her, pressing one hand against the wall for balance. "Please, I need to speak with you," the young mage begged. Onyx stared at her wide, pleading eyes for a moment before glancing back over her shoulder at the for behind her. Damus looked concerned, Sarah impatient, and Veronique curious. Celtos wore no expression at all.
"Please wait for me in my quarters," Onyx requested after a moment's thought. "I will speak with Mirai and join you shortly."
They nodded their agreement and quietly departed. Once they were out of earshot, Onyx turned back to the blond mage. "Mirai, what is your trouble?"
The girl took a deep breath before plunging in. "Mistress, please let me ride with you. I know I'm young and inexperienced but Katie-san is like a sister to me and I want to help! I can have Calypso ready in twenty minutes and I can pack and be ready to ride and - "
"Mirai!" The mage flinched at Onyx's raised voice, and the Yami sighed slightly. "Mirai, please, listen to me." Leaning down enough to meet the girl's eyes, Onyx spoke softly. "I won't tell you that you are too young, because you are older than I was when I first rode to war. Nor will I tell you that you are too inexperienced, because you are a very powerful mage when you have control of your abilities."
Setting her hands on Mirai's shoulders, Onyx held the girl's gaze steadily as she continued speaking. "What I will tell you is that you are too innocent." Seeing the surprise and confusion in the mage's eyes, Onyx continued. "You are full of life and light and innocence. I don't ever want to see you become as cold and jaded as I have, and that will happen if you see true battle."
Mirai blinked in astonishment. She'd expected an outright refusal, not a surprisingly honest explanation.
"If we fail, Mirai, the battle will not die with us. It will come back to Sacelon. If that happens, you will be part of the last line of defense." The young mage nodded, her eyes wide, and Onyx nodded back. "Go. Stay with your grandfather and Cayenne. You will be strongest together."
Mirai nodded again, then turned and raced from the house. Onyx sighed again, as she had done many times that day, and began climbing the staircase, destined for her quarters. She had gone only a few steps when she felt a soft tickle at the edge of her mind. Smiling faintly, she opened her mind to Damus' presence, feeling his pleased surprise wash over her.
'That was very kind, Rianna.'
'Yes, well,' she thought back, 'don't tell the others. I have a reputation as a cold-hearted bitch to maintain.' Damus' sad mental sigh was her only response.
Three minutes later, Onyx was standing at the back of her living room, pulling a shroud of bloodred silk off of the ancient wooden chest it had been draped over for over two decades. The others watched her with curiosity written across their features.
"Onyx, what's in that chest?" Sarah inquired softly as Onyx pulled a key out of thin air and worked it into the rusty lock.
"Relics from a bygone age – the age of the King's Mages, to be precise." The lock gave with a squeaky crunch, and Onyx quietly raised the lid of the chest. Looking over her shoulders, the others could see a jumble of polished wood and gleaming metal, most of it so tangled together that it was unidentifiable. Veronique, however, drew in a sharp breath, clearly recognizing at least some of the trunk's contents.
"I know that each of us will somehow play a part in the coming battle," Onyx explained softly as she retrieved a small leather pouch from within the trunk. "So, I am giving to each of you a weapon to aide you. Damus, this gift is yours."
Taking the leather bag in his hands, the mage carefully undid the cord holding it shut and withdrew a small object from within. When held up to the light, it proved to be a polished black stone, shaped like a teardrop, and strung on a thin golden chain. Veronique gave a soft gasp, and Damus wondered if she recognized the gem. Onyx silently walked forward and claimed the stone from his hands, lifting the chain over his head so that the stone hung against his chest, only inches above his amethyst pendant.
"I know that stone," Veronique said softly, confirming Damus' suspicions. "It is the one you used in our first battle. You used it to magnify your power in order to shield the troops."
"Yes," Onyx answered simply. "It is a focus stone." Turning back to Damus, she added, "Use caution with that stone, for it can magnify your power tenfold. Keep it with you throughout the battle, for it will defend you when I cannot." Planting a soft kiss upon his lips, she turned back to the chest and withdrew the next gift.
This time, it was an awkward, bulky package wrapped in a worn oilcloth. Onyx said nothing, simply handed it to Sarah. Murmuring in confusion, the Hikari tugged the cords holding the oilskin closed. When it fell away, she gave a soft cry of delight. Her gift was a crossbow, the polished mahogany and brass gleaming in the torchlight.
"My light, I give to you the very crossbow with which I first trained those many years ago. I bore it with me through battle and its aim never falters." Smiling, Onyx also withdrew a handsome leather quiver of crossbow quarrels from the trunk for her light. While Sarah was exclaiming delightedly over her new weapons, Onyx returned to the trunk and withdrew another oilskin-wrapped package. This one was long, nearly five feet, and from its shape looked to contain a longbow. When Celtos unwrapped it, it proved to be a highly polished longbow of superb craftsmanship. "After our victory over the Dark Mages, I claimed this longbow from their captain's cold hands. By possessing it, I ensured that I would wield his strength as well as my own. I wish you his strength in the coming battle." The Elf bowed deeply to her, at a loss for words. Onyx favored him with a faint smile as she handed him the quiver as well.
Now, all eyes in the room traveled to Veronique. The other Yami was standing at the far side of the room, as close to the door as she could be without going through it. Her face blank, Onyx lifted two more items from the chest. Both were wrapped, but their shape was clear.
"Veronique, my old friend… Come here, and receive your gift."
"I know what you would give me, and I want no part of it," came the sharp reply. "I told you decades ago that I never wanted to see it again."
Onyx raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze to the two bundles she held. A blink of her eye was the only indication of her using her majic before the oilskin wrappings of one bundle fell away. It revealed as it fell a fantastic sword, with a hilt and scabbard of intricately carved silver, set with jet and rubies. In the middle of the scabbard, depicted in the glittering gemstones, was the head of a snarling wolf. It was the symbol that Veronique bore on her armor to this day.
Smiling faintly, Onyx addressed Veronique, who still had not budged from the doorway. "Do you know the best way to slay a demon?"
"To – what?" Caught off guard, the younger Yami stared at her counterpart as though Onyx had sprouted a second head. "With a very sharp sword or a good spell, I would imagine."
"That's a common misconception, but no. If you ask Neo, who has fought them, he will tell you: the weapon that will slay a demon most efficiently is a blade made from that demon's own horn or claw."
Damus smiled a little, understanding what his master implied. "Turn the weapon of the beast against itself."
Onyx nodded at him. "Yes. That is why the weapon I bear into battle will be this." At that, her majic instantly undid the bindings on the second sword, allowing the oilskin to drop away. The sword revealed was nearly identical to Veronique's, save only that the design on the scabbard was a rearing horse.
Veronique's eyes darkened a little as she saw it. "Your old sword," she managed, suppressed anger making her voice harsh. "You told me you destroyed it. You said we would start new lives here, and leave our pasts to burn!"
"Because that was what you needed to hear," Onyx answered sharply, her eyes snapping as she regarded her old friend. "You had lost everything and you were in no condition to hear the truth. But now, we have no choice. We have a demon to slay." With that, she tossed Veronique's sword to her.
The other Yami caught it instinctively, single handed. Her strong fingers curled around the familiar weight of the scabbard, caressing the glittering jewels embedded in it. Her face remained indecisive for a moment, but then hardened with familiar resolve.
With swift movements, she brought the sword down, clasping the scabbard to the belt she always wore. "If the battle comes to me," she said finally, her eyes locked with Onyx's, "I will be ready."
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