Ch. 9

As sunset coloured the western horizon, the travellers reached the area where the cave they sought should have been. It was Rei's sharp eyes that noted a sinking by the side of a tree covered mount.

"That has to be it," Kenny affirmed as he recalled the maps Mr. D. had shown him before departure.

"It seems to be abandoned," Kai said. "But let's move away from the path to be on the safe side. Tala…" Kai nodded his head to his brother, "you scout ahead. Return immediately if you see something." Tala nodded, completely serious. He took off his silver cape and handed it to Kai before sneaking away silently as a shadow. Kai pushed the redhead's cape in his pack and motioned for the rest to follow him.

"Where does that cave lead?" Tyson wondered.

"To an underworld city," Kai answered. "It was supposed to be a refuge for demons in case of a catastrophe. However, at the disappearance of the phoenixes the demons locked themselves within Daemon in the mountains.

"Now there is no telling who has taken over our sanctuary." The others sensed a slight anger in Kai, as if the prince was offended by the mere thought of someone else living in the underworld city. The small group moved through bushes and behind trees, staying out of sight. As they neared the cave, only a few meter away from the opening, Kai ordered a stop.

"We will wait for Tala to report before we go any further," he explained in a low voice.

"What if something happens to him?" Max whispered. Kai, realizing that the younger demon was slightly afraid, gave an encouraging smile.

"Tala is a survivor from the wolf-demon clan massacre, he has lived most of his life in the wilderness and is the best scout I have ever met," the blunette said softly. "He's in his element now. Nothing will happen to him." Max smiled as well and gave a nod, trusting their leader.

Rei watched the phoenix from the corner of his eye. Kai was a born leader, strong and courageous. That is what Rei believed at least. The blunette may have been far out of the tiger-demons reach, but at least he could speak his affection through unquestionable loyalty. And as the leader of the cat demons Rei would surely become a royal advisor and he would have a reason to be near Kai every day. Pathetic, yes, but the tiger couldn't care less.

For one moment by accident, or perhaps unknowingly on purpose he locked eyes with the prince. Ruby and gold looked into each other in silence. The tiger felt his gaze soften, and he saw something in those pools of deep red that he couldn't quite catch. Then suddenly, Tala was beside Kai, demanding the leader's attention.

"The place seems empty," the redhead reported. "I went 'till the tunnel separated in two, but didn't see anything." Kai considered this for a moment and then motioned with his hand for everyone to follow.

"I and Tala will go in first. Rei will guard the rear. Kenny, you stay in the middle and close to Max. If anything happens a shield demon will be your best protection. Let's go."

As the group crept through the bushes Tala leaned closer to Kai and whispered: "Your mood seems to have approved." His brother picked up an average sized branch and smiled, a rare, true smile, and whispered back: "He looked at me and… His eyes were glowing, Tala!" The wolf patted Kai's shoulder just as they entered the cave.

"Told you so…"

The floor of the tunnel was uneven and treacherous from centuries of neglecting. It continued in a downward angle for quite a bit and Kai and Kenny did their best to shed some light for those in the group lacking night vision. Kai had lit the top of the branch he'd picked up on fire and Kenny had whispered a prayer to summon a bulb of light. After a long walk, possibly close to half an hour, they came upon the branching Tala had mentioned.

The tunnel leading to the left was large, like a main road, with one row of stone pillars dividing it in two.

The one leading to the right was smaller, about half the size of the left tunnel, and without any further decorations.

"What do you think?" Kai whispered. His words echoed in the silence.

"Let's check the big one first," Tyson murmured.

"There would be sense for the large path to lead to the throne room," Kenny agreed. And so, nervous about breaking the eerie silence, the group started moving. They had not walked far when they were forced to stop. The entire tunnel in front of them lay collapsed and large boulders blocked their path.

"Well, right tunnel it is," Tala said and turned away from the chaos.

"We do not seem to have much of a choice," Rei muttered.

"Let's move," Kai sighed, following Tala. Keeping their original formation the boys turned and ascended down the right passageway. It was wide enough for two to walk side by side, yet Kai nodded for Tala to go ahead. The walls had crumbled at a few places but it was never impassable. A few meters into the darkness they came upon a set of stairs leading further down. Tala sneaked down before the rest, marking the safest steps. The silence surrounding the demons was deafening yet no one dared to say a word to break it. Suddenly Tala returned; swiftly, silently and pale as a ghost.

"A monkey," he hissed. "A flesh-eating giant gorilla!" Just some way down the path!" Rei let out a curse.

"We should turn back," the tiger whispered.

"Exactly! I bet we could dig a small opening to the other tunnel," Tyson agreed. Tala grabbed his brother's arm and leaned closer.

"It's all there," he told the prince. "In the same room as the ape. All the gold and gems and the throne!" Only sheer will kept Kai's legs from buckling from under him. Kenny wasn't as lucky and the boy fell to the ground in dismay.

"Everything..?" Kai asked, not wanting to believe their horrible luck. Tala confirmed it with a nod. After one quick glance at the direction they were coming from, Rei abandoned his post and pushed past the younger ones. He then grabbed Kai's shoulder and turned the blunette around to face him.

"It's not worth it," the tiger whispered franticly. "You don't need the throne to claim your place! The demons will accept You as king the moment they find out You're a phoenix!" Kai opened his mouth, looking deep into the golden eyes, but it was Tala who answered.

"It's not the throne, it's the crown," he explained. "The enchantment on it will protect the phoenix wearing it 'till end of time. Without it Kai is vulnerable to assassination attempts."

"Then I will protect You. I will protect You with my life! Don't take the risk with that ape…" Rei was pleading now. Silence rested once again over the adventurers, stretching itself for an eternity before finally broken.

"I need the crown."

Rei flinched at Kai's emotionless tone and slowly took away his hand. It seemed that only Tala realized Kai was in shock. His brother could not manage any emotions at the moment, and so he seemed cold and distant. The redhead watched as Rei lowered his head and heard him whisper "Very well, my Prince." The wolf swallowed and looked away. Things did not look well for any of them.

Kai was quick to come up with a plan. It was daring, but the best they could do given the situation. The entire group sat huddled outside the entrance to the room inhabited by the primate. The light had been extinguished but a slight greenish glow from the room provided enough for all of them to see. Luckily, it seemed to be the only one of its kind close by. With one quick glance inside, Tala sneaked to the other side of the doorway and leaned against the stone wall, waiting for Kai's signal. Kai stayed on the other side of the opening with Rei close by his shoulder. Behind Rei was Max and behind him Tyson and Kenny. The dragon held his sword ready to be drawn though Kai had ordered him to stay and protect Kenny who was their only healer. The phoenix nodded and Tala and Rei started transforming. They were the only ones both strong enough to take on the gruesome ape and small enough to move about in the enclosed space. Kai sat in silence, watching the flesh-eating creature gnaw on some bones, possibly humanoid. He was not as calm as he tried to appear. They had only this one chance, and if they failed, they would all be killed. No person in their right mind would ever challenge this monster. It reacted purely on instincts, and its thick fur and leather like skin made it almost impossible to kill. Combined with its monstrous strength and limitless stubbornness the ape was a killing machine, pure and simple.

With one small signal, the blunette sent his brother and his loved one into battle.

A white wolf ran into the room attempting to bite the ape's ankles, followed closely by a large tiger that with one leap went for a thick and furry throat. As soon as the tiger brushed past him, Kai moved into the room followed by Max. The shield-demon immediately transformed, serving as a guard for Kai and ready to protect the others if need be. Rei felt his teeth sink to the bone in the gorillas shoulder, unfortunately leaving himself open for attack as well. From the corner of his eyes the cat saw Tala pull back after nearly being stomped on by the roaring monster. The wolf had done his job and the gorilla was limping.

"Rei move!" the future king shouted and Rei pushed away using his front paws.

Ten beams of fire hit the confused ape's chest and spread quickly over the coarse fur. Its injured leg gave way and the beast fell to the ground where it could no longer cause harm to anyone. Tyson and Kenny entered the room and with a quick recommendation from Kai, Tyson unsheathed his sword, carefully walked forward and beheaded the still flaming creature. The silence that followed was as unbearable as the stench of burning flesh and hair. Tala, Max and Rei turned back into their humanoid forms. Still, no one spoke. Rei was bleeding from his upper arm where the primate had managed to bite down and Tala held his aching ribs, thinking that one powerful kick must have cracked them. But still. They had fought and survived a giant ape.

"Kenny… take care of… the injured," Kai managed to say in a hoarse voice, trying to deal with the danger he had sent his two most beloved into. The blunette turned and walked past open bags of gold and gems and silverware and goblets scattered here and there. The walls were covered in insects; glowing larva and such, which give of a green light that gleamed on the treasure. Kai stopped in front of a platform and looked upon the throne for the second time for as long as he could remember. But it was nothing as how he remembered it. The chair was dirty and covered in cobwebs and on it sat a mummified body.

"Who is that," Tyson asked, coming to stand next to the platform as well.

"My grandfather," Kai muttered. "Voltaire. Whatever happened to him we will never know." Taking a deep breath of the foul air, Kai stepped upon the platform and moved to stand next to the throne. He hesitated only for a moment before reaching his hand and tugging the tiara-like object from the former king's head. Without the magical item to protect it, the mummified body crumbled into sand. Kai dusted off the crown spun in pure gold. The design was simple, yet more beautiful than any he had seen before. And as if recognizing the fresh aura of a phoenix, the crown seemed to emit a soft glow of its own.

Not being one for ceremonies, and slightly worried that his nerve would fail, Kai pulled the crown on his head. For the others it seemed like nothing happened, but Kai felt the millennia old enchantment flowing through his body, settling in his very blood. A feeling of tranquillity filled him, and he smiled as flames burst from his body, wrapping around him in a protective embrace.

Rei nearly screamed as he saw his love spontaneously combust. Tala sunk to the floor and Kenny, Max and Tyson were in too much shock to even breathe. The fire died and for a few seconds the most incredible sight blessed their eyes. The young blunette's skin was glowing and his eyes were shining like liquid fire. The crown added its own light as did the wings of golden yellow and ruby red feathers growing from the prince's back. The wings disappeared as the glow died, and Kai stood in front of the adventurers in his naked glory, all clothes having been burnt away. Truly, the only thing that seemed to have changed was the sudden appearance of two blue triangles on each cheek. Without shame the phoenix stepped down from the platform and started rooting through chests and trunks before finally finding some clothes that weren't too badly damaged by time. Rei was blushing furiously, looking away awkwardly as Kai redressed in a pair of loose blue pants, a black silk shirt and a pair of black boots. Tala stood up and stumbled over to his brother, poking him in the arm just to make sure he was really there. Suddenly Tyson let out a shout and started to blabber excitedly. He was soon joined by Max. Kai looked at the two younglings and then said to Kenny:

"Didn't I tell you to take care of the injured?" Kenny nodded, slightly embarrassed. "Start with Tala. I wish to talk with Rei in the meantime." Tala gave his dear baby-bro an encouraging pat on the shoulder and walked over to where Kenny stood. Rei fell to one knee as the blunette approached him. The tiger was in the presence of a king now; the first in centuries. Kai opened his mouth to protest but changed his mind and sat down next to Rei, motioning for the other to do the same.

"I don't want you to kneel in front of me," the phoenix said. "Bow all you want if it makes you feel better. But you and Tala are the only ones I never want to see kneeling." Rei bowed his head slightly.

"It's an honour," he replied. Rei watched as Kai sighed slightly, wrinkling his nose at the lingering stench.

"I don't know how best to say this, so I'm going to speak directly," the blunette admitted. "We would make a smart match." Seeing Rei's bewildered expression he explained. "I doubt, with no offence to your kin, that all cat-demons will bow as easily at the sight of a phoenix. But if their clan leader ruled by the king's side, they would have nothing to oppose." Kai paused. It was more difficult than he had expected, and the hardest was yet to come, but the memory from outside the cave encouraged him to speak. "I know you care for me. And I would do everything I can to make and keep you happy."

Rei could not describe his feelings at that moment. It was partly dread, partly joy, partly anticipation. He dared not say anything, opting to wait until Kai elaborated.

"I'm asking you to be my mate," Kai blurted out. Yes… Rei was overjoyed, and fought hard to keep a smile off his face. The black-haired boy forced himself to calm down and think rationally.

"What about Your heir?" he asked. "You will need a female to produce an heir to the throne. Males cannot bear children, therefore our relationship wouldn't last." To Rei's astonishment Kai chuckled.

"I am a hermaphrodite. All phoenixes are," the blunette explained. "It means that I can impregnate myself and give birth. It's been a way to keep the bloodline clean whenever royals wish to marry from outside the kin. Mixed breeds are not allowed the crown, I'm afraid, for political reasons." The phoenix reached over to gently close Rei's mouth that had fallen open, his fingers lingering a few seconds. "Will you accept my proposal, Rei?"

For the first time, Rei smiled openly as he nodded in answer. Kai leaned in and placed a gentle kiss, their first, upon Rei's lips. It was little more than a soft touch of warm, slightly dry lips, lasting less than a second. But no more was needed as warm red eyes locked with glowing yellow ones.

One last T.B.C. The epilogue, and then I'm done. It's way past twelve at night as I'm finishing this, and you people are lucky I've got insomnia. But now I think I've deserved my rest. Early morning tomorrow. Got to go to school and finally finish that stupid project.