Chapter 2: Desending Dragons
Disclaimer: I own nothing! I'm still an idiot!
? POV
*CRASH*
"No, please, come on in."
I looked over to my now destroyed door to see my visitor. In the doorway stood a tan skinned woman, with long pink hair drawn back in a ponytail. Then I noticed her glaring a hole through my head.
'Oh. This could be a problem.'
She stormed over to my desk, the rage of the gods in her eyes. "Where. Is. He?" "He who?" I asked.
*SLAM*
Well there goes my desk.
"Don't play games with me you bastard!" She held up the message I had sent her two days ago. "WHERE IS SOTHE?! AND WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?!" She shouted at me. 'She seems a bit agitated...'
"Calm down and let me explain. To be honest I'm not even sure how he got here." She blinked. 'Good. She seems to be calming down a bit...'. I held out some forms. "Now for the reason I requested you come here. We happen to have a job opening here if you're up for it. You could see him again. You can even enroll the young dragon you're looking after."
She flinched at that. Then glared. "Fine... but if anything crazy happens I'm grabbing him and going back to Neo Goldoa." She grabbed the forms and left. "I'll be back in a week. Anything happens to him before I get back, well..." she growled at me. "...you know what I'll do."
"*sigh*... Every time I let a dragon in here I lose half my office." I shuffle around the scattered papers and find the tranfer documents I need. "I hope you enjoy this, kid..."
W+V
*Sothe POV*
Its been a month since I've started at this school, and all I seem to have done is paint a giant "kill me" sign on my back. After Saizo had been dealt with, Moka had told some people that I had tried to protect her from the behemoth. Since they found him with several broken bones under a pile of trees, they assumed I had completely annihilated him. Thank God the school rules force them to be in their human form at all times, because I just know I'd be fighting at all times if that wasn't the case.
"Good morning Sothe!" And there's the second reason I'm so high on everyone's hit list. After watching me go through several trees, Moka decided to never let me out of her sight whenever possible. When I leave the dorm, she's waiting for me, at lunch she sits right next to me, and she walks me back every afternoon. What do I look like to her? A child?
...don't answer that.
She does have another reason for being so protective of me, though. Mainly because of what she saw in the infirmary last month.
*flashback*
About fifteen minutes after we finished taking care of Saizo, Moka had finally dragged me to the infirmary. "Thanks for the help. Mind leaving so I can bandage myself?" Moka walked over and grabbed the bandages from me. "Nope!" She said, shoving me onto one of the beds. "Now off with that shirt!" I raised an eyebrow. "Well, aren't you the forward one." I joked, hoping it would make her leave. All that got was a glare. "Sothe..."
"Okay fine!" I removed the blazer and shirt, leaving my protective vest on. "Sothe, why are you wearing that?"
I sighed. 'No avoiding it I guess.' "Promise me you won't freak out." She gave me a questioning look, but nodded. I removed the vest, and Moka gasped. "What...what happened to you? Who did this?!" She almost yelled, grabbing my shoulders. I gave a small, self deprecating smile. "I wasn't always the best fighter." She looked down again, looking at one of the few things that stayed with me from my past.
My scars.
Claw marks from feral beast laguz, stab wounds from lances, even some cuts from some blades. Every one had it's own story, every one of them etched into my body like a memory. Moka relaxed her grip on me for a moment, then drew me close to her. "Why...what did you fight that did this to you?" She asked. I thought back to the many causes. Daein under Ashnard. Begnion. Izuka. Ashera.
"That's not a story I want to tell or think about that much. Sorry." I said. Her grip tightened a bit, keeping me close. "Hey, don't worry. I won't go down that easily." I tried calming her.
She didn't release me for the next ten minutes, and ever since then she's kept me right by her side as much as she possibly could.
*Sothe and Moka's Support Rank rose to C*
*flashback end*
Ah well. At least I have a friend here. Even if she sometimes leaves me lightheaded. Speaking of which...
"Mind if I have some breakfast?" She asked. Before I could give her an answer, she latched on to my neck. Right in front of the dorm. With people leaving.
"Kusanagi..."
Moka finally released me, and I turned to see ten different students glaring at us. "You..."
'Oh for the love of... I am not dealing with this first thing in the morning!' I grabbed Moka and ran for the school. "GET BACK HERE YOU COWARD! WE'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR CORRUPTING OUR GODDESS!" I almost laughed at that one. If only they knew...
W+V
"You'v really got to stop doing that." I said while pinching the bridge of my nose. Moka jut stood in front of me laughing sheepishly, while rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry! Its just... after one time with you I just couldn't go back!" 'Aaaaaand plus one to the easily misunderstood statement counter... Does this girl ever think before she speaks? Or is she really just that innocent?' I thought back to the encounter with Saizo. To her silver haired "Other Self". 'Or...is it just that THIS Moka thinks like this?'
*sigh*..."Look. I really don't mind you drinking my blood if you have to. Just think a bit about where we are, okay? I don't need another reason to carry this knife." She frowned a bit at that. "You still haven't told me why you have that. Are you just that paranoid?"
"Have you forgotten what I am?"
"...fair enough. Lets head to class."
W+V
"Ok class, thats all for today. See you tomorrow." Thank. God. Its over. I have nothing against school, but if I ever meet the guy who stuck letters in math, he'll find himself dancing at the end of my baselard. "And Mr. Kusanagi? The chairman has requested you in his office. Please head there immediately." Thats odd. Tenmei usually just comes to me if he needs something. I wonder what's going on?
W+V
The first thing I saw when I approached Tenmei's office was the door. Or rather, the lack of one. Instantly I'm on guard. 'Who the Hell did this to the door?' I wonder. I approached the door.
"Hey. Tenmei. You there?" I asked aloud. Getting no response, I brought out my weapon and began slowly walking in. Once inside, I saw three people. Tenmei was sitting behind his desk, and there was some spiky haired kid about my size in a uniform, but the other was a pink haired woman staring at me wide eyed. I took a closer look at them and-
...wait. That woman. It can't be...
"Sothe?"
"...Ena?" I choked out. The moment I said that tears filled her eyes. She ran over to me and pulled me into a hug. She looked a bit older, but it was her. "You...you're alive! Thank the Gods, you're alive!" She got out between sobs. I wrapped my arms around her, tears beginning to fill my eyes.
"Ena... Its good to see you again."
W+V
Ena let me out of her grip and glared at Tenmei. "Mind telling me how long you neglected to tell either one of us about this? Because if you think my reaction was extreme, just wait until you see Lord Kurthnaga. You're message caused him to put a hole in the castle walls!"
"Kurth is here too?" I asked. I could see the kid tilted his head a bit when I said that. She looked at me sadly. "He had to stay in Neo Goldoa for now. Once he gets some business and paperwork out of the way he'll come to visit."
"'Neo' Goldoa?" "The new name we gave it after rebuilding." How original. I looked over at the kid, who started smiling at me. "So, who's he?" I asked Ena.
"Hiya!" He said while walking over to me. "I'm Kana Kurusu. Nice to meet you!" He said while extending his hand. I grabbed it. "Likewise. You a friend of Ena?" I asked.
He laughed a bit. "I guess you could say that. Auntie Ena has been looking after me for a while now!" 'Auntie' Ena? I'd better ask about that one later. "How do you know her?" Kana asked.
I glanced over at Ena. 'Crap. We have no cover story. Think, Sothe, think!' "Eh, well, we met a few years ago and just became friends." Its not entirely a lie. From my perspective its only been three years since we met. 'On the other hand for Ena its been almost 1300 years. Man, we have a lot to talk about.'
Tenmei coughed, drawing our attention to him. 'Oh right. He's still in here.' "So, other than seeing Ena again, did you need something Tenmei?" I asked. "Other than that," he pointed towards Kana. "I need someone to show young Kana here around the school while I give miss Ena her introduction."
I looked over at Ena, and she smiled a bit. "I've been hired as a nurse here, mainly because of you. We don't need anyone accidentally finding out what you are due to an infirmary visit." 'Thats good. Moka and I lucked out after the incident with Saizo, but if that kept happening I could have been exposed.' "Alright. If you guys want to get started I'll begin Kana's tour. Let's go." Kana followed me out, and before we were out of earshot we heard Ena start yelling.
"YOU KEPT THIS FROM US FOR TWO WHOLE MONTHS?!"
"We should get far away from here."
"Agreed."
W+V
"So what are you carrying there? I asked, directing his attention to an object in his hand covered by a purple cloak. 'Definitely a blade...but why does he have it?' "Oh, nothing. Just a gift from a friend." I raised my eyebrow, but didn't press any further. "If you say so..."
"So these are the classrooms for first years and-" I opened the door to show him my classroom and notice someone in there. "...and this is Moka... you know you didn't have to wait for me, right?"
She smiled and giggled a bit. "You never said I couldn't either." She looked behind me and tilted her head a bit. "Who's your friend?" She asked. He walked over to her and extended his hand. "Hi! My name's Kana! Are you a friend of Sothe's?" She nodded and took his hand. "How do you know him if I may ask?"
"I just met him today. We came here after auntie Ena and Lord Kurthnaga heard he was here!" I froze, and Moka's eyes went wide. "Lord Kurthnaga?" 'Oh damn it. Now she's gonna want an explanation.'
"Hey Kana, how about we get back to your tour?" I asked. "Okay!" The two of us left the classroom, with Moka trailing right behind us.
W+V
"And that should be it. Are there any questions, Kana?" I turned to ask. I saw Moka. Only Moka. "Where's Kana?" I asked. She shrugged. "I don't know. I thought he was behind us." My palm met my forehead. 'Ena is going to kill me...'
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
My blood ran cold, and I looked towards the roar. "What the hell was that?" I unshethed my blade and readied some knives. "Moka, go back to the dorms." I tried to run, but she grabbed my arm.
She glared down at me. "I'm not going to just stand by and watch you get hurt again!" She declared. She moved my hand to her Rosario. "Please...let me fight beside you." My eyes went wide. "Moka..." 'I take back what I said. This girl may have her own place in battle.' I nodded at her, and pulled her Rosario off. Her pitch black aura flared up and knocked me back, and the other Moka emerged from within. "So, we going to fight or what?" I nodded again, and we ran off to fight.
W+V
*Kana POV*
I hope Sothe and Moka can forgive me for this.
While we were walking, I noticed some people following us. As we continued, I realized who they were. These guys...they're the reason I had to hide in Neo Goldoa for so long! Maybe they know where THEY are...
I made my choice. While Sothe was escorting me to the dorms, I fled into the forest to confront my stalkers. "I know you're there, so come out now!" As I spoke, two people jumped out from the trees, conceling themselves under pitch black robes and masks in the shape of skulls.
"Looks like the brat is more observant than we gave him credit for. So, you abomination. Have you come to die?" I glared at him. "Where's my mama and papa? Tell me!"
The two men began laughing. "Oh, don't worry. We'll send them to join you in Hell when we're done!" As he said that, black lightning began to surround them, and burst forward, knocking me to the ground. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!" My weapon was knocked away as well. "Wh-what?" As I looked back, I learned what they were.
Two black creatures covered in scales stood before me. They had long, thin limbs ending in claws, and blood red eyes.
'I knew it... these guys are dragons!'
"Surprised?" He taunted. "Us true dragons can easily take this form, unlike you, you pathetic abomination!" He began raising his claw.
"Now you die!" He swung down his claw, and I closed my eyes, waiting for death. 'Mama...Papa...I'm sorry...'
*CLANG*
"So, you need two giant dragons to take on one kid? You guys are pathetic."
"If you ask me, it just shows how weak these mongrels know they are."
My eyes shot open. I know one of those voices. Standing in front of me, holding back a dragon's claw with just a knife, was Sothe.
"Too bad for them, they attacked without knowing I would CUT THEM DOWN!" Sothe roared. He quickly moved his knife, and brought it down on the dragon's wrist. Blood began to pour as his claw fell to the ground.
W+V
*Sothe POV*
Ena has got a lot of explaining to do for this.
Moka and I had only heard a bit of the conversation before he was attacked, but it sounds like these guys have been hunting him for a while. If thats the case, I won't let them lay a hand on Kana.
I owe Kurth and Ena that much.
"Moka, take care of the other guy!" She grunted and ran off. "Wait. THAT'S Moka?!" I nodded. "She keeps herself sealed most of the time." I explained. "Kana! Can you fight?" Kana came up next to me, holding the thing he was hiding under the blue cloth. "I'll hold my own. They won't stop me!" He removed the cloth, and pulled out a weapon. It was a single edge curved short sword, but with four scale like indents along the blade. 'Thats...a wyrmslayer?! What's this kid doing with that kind of weapon?' Then it dawned on me. 'He knew. He knew exactly what was coming after him.' "Kana." He looked at me. "I expect an explanation after this." He paled slightly, but nodded. "Well then. Lets take this bastard out!"
"M-my claw! You son of a bitch! I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU BOTH!" I chuckled a bit. "If my blade can cut through you with that little effort, then this will almost be too easy." I taunted. He quickly lunged for me. 'Perfect.' I jumped out of the way, throwing a knife at his face. "GO FOR IT!" Kana got the message and quickly slashed at the dragon's chest, slicing through it like it was paper. "GAH! DAMN YOU TO HELL YOU ABOMINATION!" I glanced over at Kana and noticed something.
His eyes began to glow.
"THIS ENDS NOW!" He raised up his left arm and it became engulfed in water. As he thrust it forward, the water dissapeared and left a black and silver scaled spear in the place of his arm. 'What in God's name? Kana...what are you?' His spear met it's mark, plunging deep within the dragon's head. It fell to the ground, and Kana began screaming.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARG!" He fell to his knees, and more water began to surround him. Horns began to form on his head, and silver scales began to cover his body. "Kana, calm down! Its over!" I called out to no avail. He picked up his sword and rushed at me. I blocked it, but the force of the hit knocked the the knife right out of my hand and knocked me down. "Grrrrrr..." He glared at me. "Kana, don't do this! Wake up!" He raised up his hand to end me, and I closed my eyes, expecting my second death.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Kana began yelling. As I opened my eyes, I saw the water that was transforming Kana being sucked into a blue stone on his neck. His scales and horns dissapeared, and he fell to the ground. I looked to my left and was greeted by my savior.
"Didn't expect to need that so soon...sorry Sothe." Ena said, as she picked up Kana. "I know you have questions, but for now we need to take Kana here to the infirmary. Might I ask where miss Akashiya is? Tenmei said she would also be with you."
*CRASH* *THUNK*
As she asked that, the second dragon crashed in a bloody heap on top of the first one. I pointed in the direction it came from. "Somewhere in that direction I would assume." As I said that, Moka walked over and surveyed the damage. "Well that was easy... what happened to you two?" She asked. "Short version? Assassin was pathetic, Kana went crazy." I tossed her the Rosario. "He also had a weapon specifically made to take care of these guys." Moka looked at Ena and glared. "Should we be expecting more of them? Because if what Sothe says is true he was awfully prepared for this." Ena shook her head. "Follow me to the infirmary. I'll explain everything there." Moka just stood there thinking for a bit, then walked over to me and clamped on her seal. "Son of a...!" Moka fell right on top of me again. "What am I, a Throw Pillow?" I sighed. 'Why me?' I slipped out from under her, threw her arm over my shoulder, and started dragging her back.
W+V
After laying Kana down and waking up Moka, I asked Ena to explain what was going on.
"Its not my story to tell." She explained. "As for where he got the sword from, Lord Kurthnaga gave it to him before we came here." 'So Kurth knows what's going on as well...'
"What was that stone you used?" I asked. She brought out another. "This is called a Dragonstone. Certain species of dragons can use them to both seal and channel their powers. Of course, they can only channel as much as they can control." She turned to Moka. "Before I forget, I was asked to bring miss Akashiya to the chairman. Would you kindly follow me?" She led Moka out of the room.
'Thats good...Kana may be more willing to answer one person alone rather than both of us.' I grabbed a nearby chair and sat down, waiting for Kana to awaken.
*10 minutes later*
"Nhg..." Kana sat up, and started looking around. "You okay, Kana?" I asked. "That sealing that Ena did looked kind of painful."
Kana looked over at me, and then gazed down. "...I guess you want to know what I am." I didn't say anything. If he wanted to keep it secret, thats his buisness.
"...I'm half human."
"! What?" I wasn't expecting that. 'That means he can't be a laguz's child. If he was he would be a branded.' "My mama was a dragon, and my papa was human." He smiled sadly. "We lived a nice life together in the human world. Mama and papa were always there for me, no matter what." His smile fell. "Then one day, about half a year ago...that all changed. My kind, the water dragons, hated humans with a passion, and the fact that mama had a child with one angered them. One night, we were attacked, and we got separated. Auntie Ena took me in, and eventually I wound up here." Tears began to fall from his eyes. "I-I've been with her for half a year, hoping that I could meet my parents again. Lord Kurthnaga and Auntie Ena have been searching for them while trying to keep me safe but...but...you saw what happened today! Even with the sword the chairman gave me I was useless! Who's to say that they won't attack again! And what will happen if I go berserk again?!" His sobbing got worse.
'This kid...he shouldn't be forced through this.' I moved beside him and ruffled his hair a bit. "Hey. Let me tell you a story about a girl very much like you." He looked over at me. "Like you, only one of her parents was human. Anyone who learned of this treated her like she was lower than dirt. That is, until she met a young child in the slums of her country." I smiled slightly. "The child became her family, and just like that, her family began to grow. A young swordsman addicted to sparring, a bowman who was loyal until the end, and an grown axman who was like a father to them all."
"Now these five didn't live in the best conditions." I continued. "There home had just lost a war, and one of the contries the lost to overtook it and treated them like unneeded spoils of war. They killed without second thought, as if they were cattle raised just for their amusement." Kana gasped at that. "The girl, alongside her family, began to fight back in order to take back their home. In her travels, more and more people flocked to her. They even looked up to her as their hope, calling her things like "The Silver Haired Maiden" or "The Maiden of Dawn". Eventually, with her new friends and family, she took back her home."
I paused for a second. "I don't know about Moka, but I'm more than willing to be your friend Kana. I know what it's like to not have parents, so if anything is bothering you, tell me. I'll help you through this." I got up to go back to the dorms, but Kana reached out and stopped me. "...what was her name? The girl from the story." I smiled.
"Micaiah."
*Sothe and Kana's Support Rank rose to C*
W+V
I closed the door behind me, took a few steps, and stopped. "You know, its not very polite to eavesdrop you two." I turned, and the two pinkettes walked out from around the corner. I noticed Moka holding a book in her hands, and my eyes went wide when I read the title.
"'The Era of Tellius'... Goddamn it Tenmei." I swore. She looked at me sadly. "Sothe..."
"Not here Moka. I'll explain in the dorms." I looked over to Ena. "You mind helping me with this?" She nodded. "Thank you." The three of us walked back to my dormroom.
W+V
"That child from the story...that was you, wasn't it?" Moka asked. I nodded. "The name Kusanagi was given to me by Tenmei. I never knew my parents, so I never really had one." I took a seat, knowing this would take a while. "To be honest, I never expected I would be telling anyone about this. I still have no idea how the Hell I ended up here in this era." I glanced over at Ena. "That reminds me. Do you know what happened, Ena? The last thing I remember was being hit by Ashera."
She frowned and shook her head. "We don't know either. After Micaiah's attempt to heal you, your body was engulfed in the blue flames. The flames grew brighter, blinding us all, and when we could see again, you were gone." I closed my eyes. 'Guess I shouldn't have expected anything more than that. Ashera was definitely aiming to kill, but what caused her to fail?' I groaned. "Thinking about this is just going to give me a headache. What happened to Ashera then?"
Ena smirked. "Lehran happened. He used every ounce of power he had left to seal her in the same medallion Yune was trapped in all those years ago. His final words were "I want to believe in the future they fight for. And if it means I won't be around to see it, so be it." My eyes widened at this. 'Lehran...Thank you.'
I turned back to Moka. 'I'll ask about Yune later. I shouldn't leave Moka out of the loop this much.' I turned back to her. "So...I guess you learned a bit about us from that book, right?" She nodded.
"H-how old are you? If you don't mind me asking..." she trailed off. I raised an eyebrow at this. "Thats not what I was expecting you to ask first. I'm sixteen." She stayed silent, processing this information. Then, she gasped. "You...you were thirteen when you..." I sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't catch that. Yeah. I was thirteen when I first experienced war. I was nothing more than a child soldier without any training." 'And I probably would have died if it hadn't been for the Commander and Volke...'
"Can you...tell me about it?" She asked. "Are you sure? Its not exactly the happiest story." She nodded. "Can you blame me for wanting to know more about my friend?" She asked, bringing a small smile to my face. "Okay then. I don't think we'll finish tonight, but we can at least start now."
We began to tell her our story. The story of the Silver Haired Maiden, the Orphan Mercenary, and the Whisper that fought for them both.
*Sothe and Moka's Support Rank rose to B*
*Chapter 2 End*
Name: Kana Kurusu
Race: Water Dragon
Class: Water Snake (Swordsman/Brawler)
Weapon levels:
Sword: C
Strike: C
Stone: E
Weapon: Wyrmslayer (A curved blade that is specialy made to cut through scales. Extremely deadly to dragonkin.)
Dragonstone: A mysterious stone used by dragons to control their dragonic blood.
Skills:
Dragon Fang: Using the Dragonstone as a medium, channels part of a dragon's true power into their attacks. For young dragons, this is the only way to use dragon power without losing control.
Description: A dragon of mixed blood being watched over by Ena. His parents disappeared half a year ago, leaving the young dragon to search for them while living in Neo Goldoa. Comes to Yokai Academy after Tenmei agrees to help search for them. The one who yawns the most often.
Name: Ena
Race: Dragon Laguz
Class: Red Dragon (Fights using her breath)
Weapon levels:
Strike: SS
Weapon: Breath
Skills:
Boon: Using the magic from her white dragon blood, heals close allies of negative afflictions.
Blood Tide: Using the inate magic of a Red Dragon, boosts close allies strength in combat.
Miracle: Able to protect oneself from lethal damage. Can fail.
Renewal: Calls upon the user's magic reserves to slowly heal damage.
Ire: All out attack that can only be used by experienced dragons. Slays almost any foe hit by it instantly.
Description: A Red Dragon laguz who fought alongside Sothe against Mad King Ashnard and Ashera. Serves under Lord Kurthnaga, but is currently employed by Tenmei to watch over Sothe. Has a son in Neo Goldoa with the blood of all three dragon laguz tribes. The most overprotective of the group.
A/N: You thought it would be the succubus, BUT IT WAS REALLY ME! KANA!
I could not for the life of me find a good place to cut this, and school constantly interupting me didn't help at all. Having the most incompetent teacher who talks more about classes he took in college rather than the class he's supposed to teach doesn't help either. Ah well. Gotta take the good with the bad in life.
Fun fact: that thing about Ena's child having the blood of all three tribe is true. His father, Rajaion was a Black Dragon, Ena is a Red Dragon, and Nasir, his grandfather, was a White Dragon. So basically, if we ever got another game in the Tellius Saga, he would be the most broken thing in the world. He would have the three tide skills for support, Ire because he's a dragon, and formshift because his father was a royal.
Anyway, thats all for now. Next time we bring in the crazy sex demon. Akira out!