Addressed to Iamagod:

Sorry for taking so long, but as you probably know, I have another project/story that's been taking up most of my time... and I'm still not done with chapter 2 yet. And neither are you I've noticed... lol jk. If you have any questions just email me. That is if my computer doesn't set a new record! It's already kicked me off 4 times in the last 45 minutes! What are you gonna do besides put it through a window?

Disclaimer: ... I wonder... if I did own DBZ I'd be getting it off the respirator/life support by now.

Chapter 6: Legend of Lights

Kibitoshin sank to the ground and rested his forehead in his hand. He paid no mind to the elder as he argued with Agi. Junid said nothing. He only looked at Kibitoshin, trying to see his expression under the hair that had fallen around his face. Finally, fed up with the elder's constant bickering, while he admired Agi for her patience and long silences, he clapped a hand on Kibitoshin's shoulder and sat down beside him. "Don't worry lad," he said. Kibitoshin didn't move or say a word. "We'll find her again."

Agi heard this and immediately took the opportunity to break away from the elder. "All we have to do is find Talme's energy signature," she said reassuringly. "Zari won't be far away."

"How?" Kibitoshin said blankly. "For some reason I can't sense her... or Kalila." The last two words barely escaped through his pursed lips. His stomach suddenly twisted and his skin paled as nausea crept up on him. He couldn't help but flash back on her final words: "One last time... to kill the pain... / I can't... for this argument between us would... never end. Farewell." Then Agi's words flooded his mind: "Your mark has rendered us both blind to her presence."

"You know why you can't sense her," Agi said.

"Yes... but still... I gave her the mark. I should be able to see past it!"

She sighed and shifted her weight. "We'll just have to wait until Talme moves again, then track the portal."

"Why didn't we do that with the last one?" he asked sharply.

"Because I was too busy making sure you kept yourself intact."

Junid raised an eyebrow, "Kept himself intact?"

She nodded, "The type of portal Talme used was not vertical like a doorway or the typical use of one. She had it come down on her." She nodded toward Kibitoshin. "He tried to reach under it so he could reach Zari. Anyone, though, who has gone through the 101 would know that the border must never be touched."

He stood, "Then pardon me for not taking the 101." With that he walked away.

The elder snorted, "You see?! That's what I have to put up with!"

"I almost have to expect it from him," Agi said.

"What?!" the elder cried.

She sighed, "Maybe I'll tell you the story sometime."

Junid pressed his knuckle to his mouth as he thought hard. "There was one thing I meant to ask you Agi," he said, making sure to mind his tone while his mind was elsewhere. "I've been wondering ever since we sensed Talme in the mortal realm."

Agi nodded, "I was hoping we'd come back to this." She carefully sat down on her knees, wary of the long talons sticking out from her heels. "But now where to begin... I suppose with what we all know thus far. In order to summon Talme from this realm Zari had... damn..." She sighed as her mind hit a wall. "Junid, through the time you knew Zari, did you ever notice anything different? Almost out of place?"

"Yes," he said without hesitation. "It seemed as though the lass possessed a power that made her by far superior to any of the Kais: myself, Shin, Torres, and even Sarinor."

She nodded, "Zari is not truly born of the blood of your race Junid. She is the youngest descendant of a sacred bloodline, two to be precise and I'll get to that in a minute. There are five of these bloodlines, each with their own name: Sapphire, Amber, Ruby, Jade... and Amethyst. The ancestors, current and former descendants of these bloodlines were known as the soul stewards. That gets to be too complicated for me and right now I just want you to understand the basics. Once Zari is found she will tell you more."

"Why did you say 'former' descendants?" the elder asked.

"Because three... no wait, two are dead. One was lost when another was born. The Amber and Ruby lines were destroyed. The former Amethyst, Zari's mother Swuari, merged her line with Sapphire. Normally, the responsibility passes from female to female. Thus, a male descendant to inherit is rare. But Sapphire was different, the last true descendant of the Sapphire line was male. He fell in love with Swuari and, despite how she denied it, she with him. Zari was the result.

And she by herself is a mystery. With the blood of two jewel light bloodlines in her veins it is as though she truly has no limit to her ability."

"I still don't see how she could resurrect Talme," Junid said.

She nodded, "And now I can answer that question. Normally, when the soul reaches these gates it is merely a shapeless spirit, but to a jewel light... they can see beyond that to the source of the light emitted. They see the core to a being... a light within, in the shape of a crystal or a jewel. Thus they are called Jewel Lights, as are those who guide and protect them.

Many, myself including, consider the Supreme Kais part of the Jewel Light order. For reasons I'm sure you know or can easily fathom."

Junid smacked himself lightly on the forehead, "That message with Thado's corpse! That's what it meant! 'Prepare for eternal nightfall, for the monster is clawing at its cage, and will be set free to terrorize and destroy the lights you fight so gallantly to protect...'"

Agi nodded, "Yes, and there is also a legend I think you should know.

"At the dawn of time, five beings were created with bright stars as the crystals in their hearts. Their personalities developed quickly, and the pure white light of the stars began to change.

"The first became a golden yellow, and Amber was born. She was still considered the purest and therefor was the leader of all. She was the wisest one, kind, and fair.

"The second was somewhat naive and childish, yet her light burned with a fiery passion. Ruby became the protector and mentor of unborn children.

"The third took longer to change for she retained her purity for the longest time. She admired the oceans of newborn planets and so wished to be such. Her light became a soft blue, to accent her gentle nature, and her fellows gave her the name Sapphire.

"The fourth changed almost instantly. She was secretly conceited and shady. The fifth gave her the name Jade.

"And finally the fifth... Amethyst. She took it upon herself to heal those wounded in the early wars of the universe once the dust had been settled. She made it her obligation to see to her duties before her own happiness. For this very reason, she was lonely for her entire life, never seeking lasting companionship from a man and treated her daughter more like a student.

"Of course all this is merely a legend... but also there is another part, more like a myth. If the powers and attributes of all five were combined, the One would have the power to rival Ledena herself. The fourth, Jade, was the only one who studied this myth, though all knew it. Through the generations the Jade bloodline became more envious of the abilities of the others and desired to have it for itself, but it never acted until this last generation.... The sad thing is, Desdelona killed her own mother to ensure she would not try to betray her. Then she sought to drink the lifeblood of the other Jewel Lights. Ruby was the first to fall victim. Then Amber, then finally Zari's parents. Zari is all that is left between Desdelona and the apocalypse that will occur when the Jewel Lights are no more..."

Yap yap yap! Well somebody had to do all the talking... the chapter after next though sets the snowball rolling downhill!