Chapter Fourteen
While Hali spent the day asleep, Sage spent the day wandering in the woods. Too disoriented to even be able to meditate, Sage just walked aimlessly in circles all afternoon. Thankfully for him, it was not so cold that he actually needed his jacket, because he had left it at the house. But the snow that melted all around him left him walking mostly in mud. Barely even giving his filthy shoes and pant legs even a hint of a thought, he walked on. All the while he wondered what it was that could have produced such a mix of fear and mistrust within him at the very thought of his girlfriend. One moment he was lost in a moment of passion. The next instant he was consumed in fear and suspicion.
Sighing heavily, Sage threw the rock he had been holding. Watching it idly as it skipped over the water before him, he wondered about the ripples as they connected, bounced, and drifted further apart from one another.
So like the life we now live, he thought randomly. For a moment we connect with something outside our solitary, different life. Other times our contact with other people only pushes us farther from normal people. Then, of course, there are the times we come close to touching on something, but end up going another direction.
Grinning mirthlessly at these thoughts, Sage watched as the bloody rays of the dying sun painted the water in hues of fiery oranges and reds. He knew it would be dark soon and he was quite a ways away from the house. In fact, he couldn't remember ever having walked the woods this far away from the house ever before. Though he was certain he would be able to find his way back, he knew he should be getting back before the others decided to come after him. Smirking again at the thought of them coming after him after scaring him so, he started to turn back in the direction he had come when an unnatural patch of black caught his eye. Looking up to the edge of the cliff beside him, he could see a large black cloth hanging off the snow-covered rocks.
Seized by an almost unnaturally powerful sense of curiosity, Sage began to look for a way up the cliff. As if in a trance, Sage began to follow an overgrown trail made some time ago by a person treading back and forth on the barren ground. Winding naturally around trees and bushes, the trail seemed to ascend the cliff in an erratic pattern. Though somewhat doubtful this would take him to where he wanted to be, Sage followed it anyway.
Even as the first stars of the night began to shine brightly in the moonlight eastern sky, Sage began to feel a chill all around him that was not just from the drop in temperature. Deep within his heart Sage could sense two things that both surprised and intrigued him, pushing him ever forward. A sense of being drawn forward by some unseen forced pulled him on one step at a time even as an unnatural imprint of powerful emotions radiating off the very land itself both surprised and worried him. Alert and prepared for anything, Sage approached a visible clearing on the edge of the cliff using all his skills of stealth.
Seeing nothing moving, he hunched down behind a dense clump of dead bushes as he watched and waited. Opening his mind to the psychic imprints of emotions left in this place by some long gone being, he felt his heart twist painfully in his chest. Bordering on tears Sage knew he could not leave these imprints behind, if for no other reason than the fact that they would permanently scar the land. Never before had he encountered such powerful, painful feelings of loneliness, hurt, sorrow, loss, or fear. Taking all of this into himself, he felt the kanji on his forehead glowing brightly as he began to heal the land. Deciding to use this light to his advantage, he continued to heal the land around him as he moved around the clearing.
Here and there Sage could see the remains of what had once been someone's camp sight. In one place lay several layers of blankets frozen to the ground. Nearby he saw the remnants of what had once been a small fire pit. Scattered here and there he could see patches of black cloth that had probably once been someone's clothing. Brows furrowing in thought, he wondered vaguely about the one person he knew that seemed to wear nothing but black. Moving on, he could see remains of many miscellaneous objects scattered all over the ground as though wild animals had gotten to them. Seeing nothing of interest, he started to turn to leave when his foot fell on something that didn't feel like the muddy earth his feet had grown accustomed to walking on. The light of his kanji now quickly fading, he knelt down to find a black, hardcover plastic notebook filled to overflowing with hundreds of papers, most of which were filled with writing all by the same hand.
But, as he opened it, careful not to damage any of it, the last of the light faded away into darkness. Though his eyes were unnaturally sharp in the darkness, even he had no hope of reading anything in this moonless darkness. Unable to just walk away from such a find, and eternally curious about the one who had left this—the one who had left behind such bitterly painful emotions—he carefully closed it once more. Gently removing it from where it lay, he tucked it protectively inside his pullover and quickly turned to leave. Feeling the thrill of excitement at such a find as well as anticipation to read it, Sage hurried back down the trail and into the woods down below. Holding the notebook in place with one hand and brushing aside dead shrubbery with the other, Sage half jogged, half walked his way through the miles of woods and back to his house.
"I'm not just going to stand here and let him freeze!" Ryo's shout woke Hali that evening, as he argued downstairs.
"Yeah! What if he's hurt!? Or lost?!" Kento added heatedly.
Still too groggy to make out the softer voice of one of the others, Hali slowly pulled herself up to a sitting position on her bed listening intently.
"I don't care about Halo's—" Ryo started to shout but was silenced suddenly by something.
Now fully awake, Hali strained her super senses as she struggled to hear whatever it was Ryo was about to say.
"Quiet, Ryo!" Rowen hissed at his friend. "Sage hasn't told Hali anything yet. The last thing we need right now is for her to find out about our—"
Whatever it was Rowen was about to say to Ryo was suddenly cut off by the sound of the back door opening and slamming shut. While everyone sat in the living room frozen in surprise, Sage ran excitedly up the stairs toward the bedroom he shared with Rowen. Sensing Sage's excitement and almost child-like anticipation of something, Hali cursed herself for not being dressed well enough to stop him as he passed her room. Jumping out of bed, she quickly threw on her robe as she listened to the other four quickly filing up the stairs. Throwing open her door, she hesitated seeing the mud tracked all over the floor leading into Sage's and Rowen's room.
"You're up?" Ryo asked as his head popped over the landing of the stairs. Leading the little procession, he eyed Hali almost warily, uncertain how to act after the morning's activities.
Nodding, Hali hid a yawn behind her hands to cover her all too alert state. "What happened here?" she asked in her whispery voice a moment later. "Is Sage back?"
"He's the one that left this bloody mess," Sai grumbled in irritation.
As if on cue, Sage suddenly emerged from his room. Seeing the mess he had made as well as his friends' expressions ranging from irritation to concern he glanced down to his mud-caked clothing. Looking as though he had taken a flying leap into a pond of pure mud, Sage shrugged coolly.
"Just let me get a shower and I'll clean it up when I'm done," he told them offhandedly.
For a moment everyone was silent as they gaped at him in astonishment. Finally Ryo broke the silence with an angry glare.
"Is that all you've got to say?!" he all but shouted. "You've been gone all day out in the woods no jacket, no warning, no nothing, and that's all you've got to say?!"
Shrugging nonchalantly, Sage took the stance the other's knew all too well to be a cover-up for aggravation and mild anger. Casually crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned against the wall beside him uncaringly as he crossed his feet at the ankles. Both looking and sounding rather bored, he just looked them up and down.
"What of it?"
Knowing full well that he had no reason to put on this display of uncaring for any of them, Rowen wondered what exactly it was his friend was trying to hide—or avoid—besides their questions. Rowen watched his best friend closely as he spoke the careless words. Certain that his friend had caught on somewhat, if not entirely, to what he was doing, Sage met Rowen's eyes intensely. Knowing Rowen was the best at reading him, he glanced briefly to Hali in the split second of silence following his words, before meeting his friend's eyes meaningfully once more. Before anyone else could notice any of this, he dropped his eyes to the level of his dirty hands, inspecting them casually as he waited for the next one to speak. Just as he had hoped, it was Rowen.
"Don't waist your time, guys," Rowen told the others as though angry with his friend. "Something probably crawled up his butt and died while he was out there."
Not just three, but four, sets of eyes widened in shock at Rowen's obviously insulting remark about his own friend. Having no idea what was going on and too tired to even bother wondering about it at the moment, Ryo decided it would be best to discuss things in the morning when everyone was more up to it—and not quite so hostile. Eyeing Sage's casual lay-off-or-I'm-gonna-kick-your-butt stance, he turned to the others.
"Look, we're all tired and it's been a long day. Why don't we all just get some sleep and talk about it tomorrow?" Ryo suggested throwing a meaningful glare at Rowen, who seemed to be glaring dangerously to Sage and vice versa. Wondering in the back of his mind what could possibly create such instantaneous hostility between the two, he sighed wearily at the unexpected tension he knew everyone was feeling. "That includes you too, Rowen."
"What?" Rowen asked surprised.
"Let it go, Rowen. Well talk about it tomorrow," Ryo repeated firmly.
"No way. He's had me worried all day and now he—"
"Enough, Rowen," Ryo silenced him.
"Gee, I'm touched," Sage shot at his friend, his voice dripping sarcasm.
Slitting his eyes hatefully at Sage, Rowen silently dared him to say one more word as he rounded on Ryo. "That's my room and I'm going to sleep in it."
Heaving a tired sigh, Ryo was about to tell Rowen to grow up when Sai jumped in, ever the peacemaker.
"You can take my bed tonight, Rowen, until we figure everything out," Sai said almost pleadingly, trying to avoid an argument.
Tossing an icy glare at Sage, Rowen brushed past everyone and back down the stairs saying, "Forget it. I'll sleep on the sofa."
Letting Rowen stalk down the stairs, Ryo only shook his head to Kento who seemed about to say something. Turning back to Sage, he found himself faced with only a roughly slammed door. Giving up altogether, he followed the others' examples and headed for his bedroom. All, that is, save for Hali. Standing patiently in her doorway, Hali waited for Sage to re-emerge from his room to take a shower not sure what she was going to say or do but knowing she couldn't let this go on.
Though something about that whole little scene had seemed greatly artificial, there was no missing the anger within Sage the bordered on hatred. Worse, it was almost as though his power had risen in his wariness and defensiveness. Wondering mildly about the armor she now knew to be the source of his power, she debated on an open confrontation with him. Then she thought about the others in their beds and what would inevitably result from such a confrontation, she thought better of it. She knew there was no avoiding discovery of her true powers if she were to confront him now.
There had to be another way. She knew there was, but she was still too weak from the day's activities to be able to do much. Besides, there was plenty of time—and others—to discuss it. Not knowing how any of them would handle an open confrontation just yet, she decided to learn what she wanted in other ways. Aside from this, Sage needed time to pull himself together. Though a lingering feeling of doubt plagued the back of her mind, Hali was certain that Sage would be back to normal in a few days. It was just the shock to his system that was getting to him right now. Nothing more.
Right?
Before she could pursue these thoughts further, she heard Sage's light footfalls heading toward his bedroom door. Reflexively Hali made her decision. Ducking silently back inside her room, she quietly closed her door and listened as Sage made his way down the hall to the other bathroom. Slumping her shoulders wearily as she rested her forehead on the cool, smooth surface of her door, she let her mind go blank while she took advantage of this moment of respite.
"Is something troubling you?" the ethereal voice of Anubis spoke from across the room with mild concern.
Having sensed his presence moments ago when he entered her room, she smiled briefly to herself before turning to face him. "If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say you were concerned…Ghost."
Frowning in obvious dislike of the term she used to refer to his present state of being, he only replied vaguely, "Perhaps."
Sighing heavily, Hali moved to sit in a chair nearby. "Is there something you want, Anubis? Or do you come here just for the sheer pleasure of irritating me?"
Grinning wickedly, Anubis's eyes flared as he considered the latter of the two. But just as quickly it was replaced with the all too familiar look of serene solemnity that was so striking in one so seemingly young. "I am obviously disturbing you." Bowing slightly to her, he added, "I apologize. I'll leave you to your thoughts."
"No, don't. I should be the one apologizing," Hali surprised herself by saying. She was surprised even further by the feeling of comfort and even peace that he carried with him. She grinned ever so slightly in recognition of the fact that she actually welcomed his presence. "I am being crudely ill-mannered. You're welcome to stay if you want to."
Frowning slightly, Anubis appeared to ponder something for a moment before speaking. "I take it there is trouble in paradise?"
Grinning at his reference to her life, she nodded slowly. "It's nothing," she told him. For a moment they stood in silence before Hali finally asked the question that had plagued her nightmares throughout the day.
"Anubis," she whispered in a voice softened by sadness as she brought her eyes up to meet his, "you told me this morning that something was coming for me. I know you're right because I've felt it too. Felt it for a while. Do you know what it is?"
Utterly taken aback by what he now saw and heard, Anubis found himself unable to speak. Staring dumbfound at the girl before him, he sought for even the slightest hint of deception—and finding none. Tearing his eyes away from the sight he now beheld, he shook his head as if to clear the fog from his thoughts. His mind—his heart—simply refused to comprehend it. Before him stood a girl with power unlike anything he had ever imagined existed. Yet she seemed to him no more than a frightened child. While it surprised and intrigued him, it also terrified him.
Much like Hali, he knew something was coming. He could feel it. He could feel the power of the events that were about to take place with deadly certainty. Not sure what part she played or where all of it would end, he found himself awed by the magnitude of shifting powers and energies all around him. Yet, what terrified him the most was that he was absolutely certain that this girl, this thing, lay at the heart of it all. Seeing her as a frightened child made him shudder to think that she may be the only one that could right everything. What would happen if she was too afraid or too weak to face it all? Even more inconceivably bizarre was just how completely human she was. For the first time Anubis fully understood that for all her power, she was still a living, breathing, fearing person.
Pity instantly replaced surprise as his heart went out to her. Not so long ago he had experienced very much the same in his days of life. Remembering his own feelings of doubt and solitude, he gazed upon her sympathetically.
"I'm sorry, but I don't," he told her softly.
Dropping her head in defeat, Hali just sat silently for several seconds. Moments later she was surprised to feel the cold, yet comforting touch of Anubis's hand on her shoulder. Still, there was to be no comfort for her in the darkness.
"I keep thinking that it's over and I can just walk away and live a normal life. But with each day I become more and more certain that it will never happen. It doesn't matter where I go or what I do. I'll never be normal," she whispered, not so much in sadness as amused reflection. Pausing, she brought her eyes up to meet Anubis's. Holding nothing back in her eyes, unlike her voice, she continued, "I just thought that maybe I could live a normal life here. I thought that maybe they could understand me, because I could sense how different they were, too. I never thought anything was going to happen. I just wanted to fit in. I just wanted to have friends. But it's too late already. I don't know about their armors or how powerful they are, but I do know that it won't be enough. If I leave now, I could be leaving them undefended."
Even for all the twisting, color changing quality of her eyes, there was no missing the pleading or begging for forgiveness that lay within those twin orbs of enchantment. Wishing desperately that there was some small way he could reassure her, Anubis once again felt feelings of deep sorrow rising within him. This one's battles had been long and hard. And it only hurt him more to understand that it was not over for her yet.
Nearly a minute passed as Anubis tried to think of a way to reassure Hali or take away some of her fear or heartache. But there was nothing he could do, and he knew it. Frustrated beyond words, he simply moved to embrace her, to comfort her. Feeling her pulling back from his touch ever so slightly, Anubis hesitated a moment as an idea came to him.
"I may not be able to help you myself, for I am nothing more than a watcher at the moment, but I do know someone that may be able to help you," he told her slowly, hesitantly, unsure of how much to reveal or how to handle it.
Chuckling mirthlessly, Hali shook her head. "First you condemn me and hold me responsible for whatever's going on. Now you want to help me?"
Before Anubis could respond to this, Hali waved it off. "Don't bother. There's nothing you or anyone else could do—now or ever. Not in my battles, anyway."
Resuming his cool exterior, Anubis took a few steps back. "Perhaps, but for the sake of these five, I have to at least try. Besides, what I do does not concern you."
"Whatever," Hali sighed uncaringly. A moment later she added, "I don't suppose you would care to tell me about those armors you told me about, would you?"
"Not likely, and I doubt they would want to tell you either. Don't waste your time. I suggest you direct your energy into more useful areas, like avoiding their involvement in this altogether," he said meaningfully. "Remember that you are not alone in this."
Those last ominous words dug deep into Hali's mind to strike a cord she had forgotten was there. In all the confusion and excitement of the day, she had forgotten her Mother Draconis's words to her earlier that day. Now as Anubis's words echoed and reverberated with chilling clarity in her mind, she brought her eyes up to meet his with a look of sheer wonder and curiosity.
"Not alone…" she mumbled.
Not knowing what to make of this sudden, almost frightening change in Hali, Anubis backed off a step.
Lowering her faraway gaze to a point outside the window, she slowly rose from her chair to wander over to the window. Turning over the thoughts in her mind again and again, she gazed distantly out the window seeing something else altogether. Watching silently, Anubis couldn't help but feel wary at the sight of the intensity in the rapidly changing colors of her eyes. Nearly a minute later, she turned back to him bearing a look of wonder and something akin to surprise.
"I was told about you. A little anyway," she said, in a voice terrifyingly devoid of emotion.
"Who…" Anubis breathed, wishing to escape the dread that rose within him, but unable to turn away from those endless eyes.
Grinning ever so slightly to appear more as a cat facing a mouse than a person to a ghost, Hali said, "Just someone. She told me I was not alone. She said that of all people I know, the one I could truly trust would be you. You are deeply loyal and know of others not from this plane of existence that can help us. You know of others who are supposed to be here with us; if not now, soon. You are a link to the missing pieces."
Taking a deep breath, Anubis resumed his coolly unfeeling stance. "You are correct. I do know of others. But that is not for you to be concerned. And, as yet, they are not involved and I don't intend for them to be."
Pulling herself back from her tumbling thoughts, she sunk down into her bed. "You're right. No more should be involved. Besides, there may still be a way to keep Sage and the others from getting in too deep without me leaving them to their own defenses."
"And, on that thought, I will be departing. I suggest you get some rest. You need all the strength you can get, and you're not looking quite well at the moment."
Nodding slightly, Hali didn't even look up as he left. But, for all the questions and curious thoughts tumbling around her mind at the moment, she knew one thing to be certain. She had to know just how powerful these five men were. Because, in the days to come, she would not always be here. Perhaps she wouldn't be here at all. No matter what happened, she was not about to budge from her current stance unless she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they would be safe in her absence.
Making up her mind to confront them the next morning, she was left with only one question: How much of herself could she safely reveal in the process? She was too weak at present to take them on if they decided not to trust her; and she knew she couldn't hurt them anyway. Aside from that, how much of herself could she safely reveal without getting them only deeper into her troubles