FOREVER DESTINY : Ancient Era Arc 1
Before the Beginning
Episode 8:
"Here's Sand in Your Eyes"
Story Focus: Kokuen-oh (and the Sandstrikers)
By Nekochan
Author's Note
Okay, let's see if Kokuen-oh can make it to his Artifact without fainting, shall we? I don't think he'll make it, do you? But, then, what do I know? Maybe we can focus a little more on him this time . . . Anyway, remember to trust your heart more than your eyes, okay? The Conduits don't know this fact yet, but they'll learn . . . and they'll learn the hard way. Wish them luck!
Arigatou Minasan! (Thanks everyone!)
Nekochan
(-)(-)(-)
11:45 PM Saturday-- Cuomytatos, Mycuaja May 7th-- 981 D.A.
"+All that's green turn to stone; all that lives cease to grow+" The Sandstrikers chuckled to each other as they weaved their trap for the Conduits. "+The Conduits will be gone soon; we'll surround them and they'll find their doom+"
They were preparing the perfect trap; the Conduits would never see it coming!
(-)
11:50 PM Saturday-- Nabyjacuo, Mycuaja May 7th-- 981 D.A.
The Conduits and Rafakoh had gone ashore and were conversing about getting to Cuomytatos.
"You go on ahead, R'rufu," K'kedki insisted. "You need to get us a ride to Cuomytatos; I'll stay around here and train with Kokuen-oh."
"Are you sure, K'kedki? It's pretty late . . ." R'rufu asked with concern in her eyes.
"Yeah, Kokuen-oh needs all the help he can get right now," the Lord explained.
"Okay . . . come on guys!" R'rufu called. She and the other Conduits left to find a ride.
"Thank you, Saberstryke. I really appreciate it," Kokuen-oh said gratefully.
"Don't worry about it. Let's head towards that countryside," Lord Saberstryke pointed to some hills that were only a little ways off.
"Sounds good . . . Aoh? Kohshooh? Rohkoh?" Kokuen-oh called for the sailors.
"What's up, Kokuen-oh?" Kohshooh wondered, peering over the side of the Kahroh.
"We're going to that countryside over there. If the Captain and our friends get back before we do, can you send them over there?" Kokuen-oh requested.
"Sure thing! Good luck!" Rohkoh replied and waved to them as they set off.
"Bye!" Aoh called as he was getting down from the crow's nest.
The hill wasn't that steep and it didn't appear as if it had rained recently, so the grass was crisp and not slippery.
"This will do well for a practice battleground!" The Lord said, satisfied.
"So . . . how are we going to do this?" Kokuen-oh asked.
"Well, the easiest way to start would be for you to show me what you can do first. Then, I'll improve your technique and teach you some new styles. When I think you're ready, we might even have a sparring contest," Saberstryke explained.
Kokuen-oh nodded and drew his shortsword.
He began to fight with an invisible enemy and it was all Lord Saberstryke could do to hold his tongue. Kokuen-oh was good at showing off the sword and he was good at using it to parry or defend against an attack, but he lacked a fighting spirit, or any good offensive moves, for that matter.
K'kedki spent a long time teaching Kokuen-oh offensive attacks as well as good ways to use his parrying ability. It was approaching midnight when Kokuen-oh asked to stop the session.
Then, Kokuen-oh thought he heard the almost mute sound of metal sliding against a sheath.
"I thought we were going to spar?" Saberstryke inquired.
"You can't be serious-- You know all of my moves!" Kokuen-oh protested.
"And you mine," the Lord replied. "Come on, I won't even use the Soul Swords." He wasn't lying; Saberstryke had drawn one, mundane longsword.
"Well, okay . . ." Kokuen-oh sighed, drawing his short sword once more. As he did so, he could feel the wind pick up. What the-- But he was brought back to reality by Lord Saberstryke's charge.
"Rule Number One!" Saberstryke shouted. He brought the sword down on Kokuen-oh, who blocked it above his head. "Eyes on your enemy!" Saberstryke commanded.
"Thanks for the advice!" Kokuen-oh chuckled and pushed the Lord away. Something became caught in Kokuen-oh's eye . . . Dust? Sand . . . He looked around and could see the wind carrying sand to his direction and it was swirling all around him.
Saberstryke came at him again, not seeming to notice the dust storm at all.
"Keep that up, Kokuen-oh, and I will beat you all too easily!"
"Not likely, Lord!" Kokuen-oh cried, parrying him. What's with this sand storm, and why doesn't he notice it?
Kokuen-oh's sword was held against Saberstryke's and neither moved it, trying to force their opponent away.
Kokuen-oh couldn't help but look around in awe. It looked like he was in a desert!
But there aren't any deserts in Mycuaja . . . only Sahngell . . .
What IS he looking at? K'kedki cursed. He has to keep his mind focused on the combat
"Hey, Saberstryke, do you--" Kokuen-oh jumped back and over the Lord, but was cut short as he looked at the Lord again.
His armor had changed drastically, as had the colors . . . He had no wings and no cape . . . The figure turned around and it flashed the Lord Saberstryke's image, but then reverted back to its new form.
"Saberstryke?" He gasped, backing away, but was grabbed underneath of his arms and held back. Kokuen-oh behind him a little and saw another of these new figures.
Together, as one held Kokuen-oh and the other charged him, the creatures cried, "+Prepare to be Sandblasted+"
"+SABERSTRYKE+" Kokuen-oh screamed just as the creature was about two feet from him. "+I CAN'T STOP IT! They're coming and I can't stop them! I'm sorry I couldn't see . . . I can't see it . . . Can't see . . .+" The sand faded away and Kokuen-oh was on the hill again.
The figure holding him faded, causing an exhausted Kokuen-oh to fall forward. The creature who had charged immediately changed back to Saberstryke, who managed to catch Kokuen-oh before he fell.
"Kokuen-oh, are you okay?" K'kedki gasped as he saw the look of pure fear reflected in Kokuen-oh's eyes.
Kokuen-oh's eyes began to close and then he whispered, "+Prophecy . . .+" Then he fainted.
Why would he speak in G'gonn? I've never heard him actually speak our native tongue . . . he's always used Sahngellian. Why would he use G'gonn now? Something had to have happened during that combat . . . Saberstryke could hear the other Conduits and Rafakoh clamoring towards him; no doubt they had heard Kokuen-oh's scream.
The Lord only had a short time before R'rufu and the others arrived. He thought as they approached, This poor guy and his damned prophecies . . .
(-)
1:10 AM Sunday-- Nabyjacuo, Mycuaja May 8th-- 981 D.A.
"Oh Dekutan, he's waking up!"
"This is a first! He's usually out for much longer . . ."
"Somethin' big is gonna 'appen . . . I just know it!"
"I think we can handle it, whatever it is . . ."
"There! Kokuen-oh, are you fully conscious now?"
Kokuen-oh strained his dark green eyes to see who was speaking to him . . .
"It's me, Rafakoh . . . your friends are here, too, Kokuen-oh. Come on, I'll help you sit up . . ."
Kokuen-oh allowed her to support him as he sat up in the same bed he had been in earlier that day, back on the Kahroh.
"By the time this adventure is over, I'll never want to sleep in this bed again . . ." Kokuen-oh muttered.
"I don't blame you. Kokuen-oh, do you remember your prophecy?" Saberstryke asked.
"Yeah . . . I do . . . Hey, I was awake!"Kokuen-oh gasped. There was only that one prophecy before with Antulpan when I was actually awake . . .
"So you were. You were out for only a few minutes," Shedosh explained.
"Man . . ." Kokuen-oh sighed. "Everyone, my visions are getting weirder and weirder . . . and now I'm awake for them to happen!" He looked at his friends with determination in his eyes, "We have to get to Cuomytatos--" Kokuen-oh yawned, "--in the morning."
Everyone laughed for the temporary peace of mind they had achieved, and then dispersed to go to sleep.
(-)
7:15 AM Sunday- Nabyjacuo, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
Kokuen-oh yawned loudly and then inquired, "Shedosh, why are we getting up so early?"
"If I'm going to help you, we need to get you into a calm, clear state of mind. Before the troubles of the day hit is the best time," Shedosh explained. "That means early in the morning." He was already fully dressed and waiting on Kokuen-oh.
"Whatever you say . . ." Kokuen-oh replied sleepily, tossing his covers aside and groggily stumbling out of his bed.
"Now, we're going to sit down and meditate. I want you to think of the prophecy you had yesterday, and tell me exactly what went on, as well as anything you notice or feel this time around," Shedosh sat down on the floor in the middle of the room.
"Okay," Kokuen-oh sat down across from him, held his hands together in his lap, and closed his eyes. Now I just have to make sure I don't fall back asleep . . . "You know Saberstryke and I were sparring, right?"
"Yes, go on," Shedosh insisted, his own eyes closed and his hands in front of his face in an arcane gesture.
"When I first drew my sword- that was when the wind picked up . . ." Kokuen-oh continued, "After we clashed for the first time was when I realized that the wind was carrying dust . . . or sand . . .."
"I see . . ." Shedosh acknowledged.
"Then our swords clashed in front of us and we wouldn't move. I pushed him away, then jumped back and over him. When I turned around, I wasn't facing Saberstryke's back, but another armored figure-" Kokuen-oh stated.
"Describe this armored figure - and please think about what you are saying," Shedosh requested.
"His armor was much thinner than Saberstryke's . . . primarily dark greenish-gray in color. It had a couple of blood-red pieces on it, but also some dark green. The armored plates were arranged so that the armor looked like something a spy or assassin would wear, but consider it heavy protection, you know? It allowed for a wide range of movement. When he turned around, I could see his glowing red eyes. But then I was held by arms by someone completely identical to the first figure. When the other figure charged, he cried out 'T'thar l'le k'ktik k'kub m'mjan-p'ppep!' along with the figure holding me-" Kokuen-oh was stopped by Shedosh.
"Wait, wait . . . 'Tuh-thar luhl-leh kihk-' " Shedosh began to sound out what Kokuen-oh had just said.
"Oh," Kokuen-oh chuckled, struggling to keep his eyes closed, "I forgot that you don't know G'gonn . . . What they had said was 'Prepare to be Sandblasted', only they said it in G'gonn."
Saberstryke had said that Kokuen-oh called out for him and then said 'Prophecy', both in G'gonn, before he fainted. Perhaps I know why now, Shedosh thought. "I understand now; go on."
"I called out for Saberstryke because I wanted my prophecy to end. I didn't know what it meant and couldn't see it; I just wanted it to end. When the figure was only a few feet from me - that's when the figure turned back into Saberstryke and all the sand parted away. I started collapsing to the ground, but Saberstryke caught me. All I could say was 'Prophecy' and then blacked out," Kokuen-oh finished.
"I see . . ." Shedosh sighed, opening his eyes. "Kokuen-oh, tell me - you can open your eyes now - what do you think that particular prophecy meant?"
Kokuen-oh opened his eyes. "I think I'm gonna' get viciously attacked by some guys in light armor that work as a team," he retorted.
"With no one there to help you. So you really need to focus your energies on improving," Shedosh concluded. "Of course, I'm sure there's much more to it than that."
"I guess your right. I can see that now," Kokuen-oh agreed.
"Very good. Then, we're getting somewhere," Shedosh noted.
"Slowly," Kokuen-oh grumbled.
(-)
8:00 AM Sunday- Mycuaja Countryside May 8th- 981 D.A.
The Conduits had hired a man to drive the six of them to Cuomytatos. Saberstryke, Rafakoh, Shedosh, and Kokuen-oh were in the back of his cart while T'myra and Hariel sat up front with the man, playing the part of young children, despite the fact that they didn't say much to one another. Saberstryke spent most of the trip explaining, in a hushed voice, to Rafakoh all that the Conduits had learned about their quest; it was more like a few clarifications than any true revelations. Meanwhile, Shedosh was "training" Kokuen-oh some more.
"Now, tell me, what does this say?" Shedosh asked, holding up a piece of parchment with some encrypted Sahngellian writing on it.
"Oh, I don't know . . . I think it says 'Listen to your heart'," Kokuen-oh guessed and then shrugged. It was probably the fiftieth time he'd been asked that same question.
"Right. Now what could it mean?" Shedosh asked, pushing Kokuen-oh just as he had been for the entire trip by cart.
"To . . . think about what you feel, not anyone else. Go with what your instincts," Kokuen-oh attempted as his answer.
"That's good enough," Shedosh nodded and set the parchment down as he began to scribble something else on it.
"You're getting pretty good, Kokuen-oh. Keep up the good work," Saberstryke complimented him.
Kokuen-oh looked at The Map as he spoke, "Thanks; I've been studying this thing too." He held up The Map and gently wiggled it. "It's a really weird map. At first it was hard for me to figure out how everything went together, but, now that I've been studying it - and had the writing translated for me - it doesn't seem so hard anymore. I wonder why . . ."
Rafakoh tussled his hair and laughed. "Guess your just getting that good, eh?"
"R'rufu . . ." Saberstryke pouted at her, as she was sitting next to him.
"Oh you get plenty of feminine attention, K'kedki! These poor guys haven't had any!" She insisted. Then she grinned at him, changing to her sultry tone. "Besides, you always get the night shift." She winked at Shedosh and Kokuen-oh.
Whoops and laughter erupted from Kokuen-oh and Shedosh as Saberstryke radiated red.
"Look! His aura can change colors!" Shedosh cackled.
"Man, Saberstryke, if you don't like the nightshift, I suppose I could trade with you!" Kokuen-oh teased.
"Not- On- Your- Life," the Lord growled menacingly.
Rafakoh kept leaning against his shoulder and giggling, telling him to lighten up.
Hariel sighed. At least they're enjoying themselves . . . "How far do we have to travel until we reach Cuomytatos, Mister?" Hariel asked the man who was driving their cart.
"Oh, not long now. It'll take about another hour," he replied.
"Great . . . I'm bored!" Tamer complained aloud.
"You could come back here and help me . . ." Kokuen-oh suggested.
"I said I was bored, not desperately lazy!" Tamer turned around and stuck her tongue out at him.
"Fine, fine, but your missing out on loads of fun!" Kokuen-oh warned.
"Sure . . . it's real entertainin' when ya' already know 'ow t' do it!" Tamer laughed.
"Sit back down in your seat, young lady!" Kokuen-oh ordered, jealously.
Tamer stuck out her tongue again, but turned around and looked at Hariel, who was staring at the road ahead as if concentrating solely upon the horizon. She frowned slightly and thought, I really should talk t' 'im . . . soon . . . in private . . .
(-)
9:00 AM Sunday- Cuomytatos, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
"Oh man, my back!" Rafakoh grumbled after they had paid the merchant and began to walk into Cuomytatos. "I haven't had to sit down for that long in ages! I was seriously considering flying beside the cart!" She stretched her arms over her head and arched her back forward.
Saberstryke couldn't help but stare; he was glad that his dark skin made it difficult for anyone to tell that he was actually blushing.
Kokuen-oh made a noise in his throat that indicated he doubted Rafakoh's comment very much. "Yeah, then that Mystic would've gladly taken us!" He remarked sarcastically, "Especially after he found out that half his cargo was from G'gonstrm!"
"But he didn't find out, did he?" Rafakoh laughed.
"Well . . ." Saberstryke tried to change the subject, saying, "Now all that's left to do is find the place where Kokuen-oh's Artifact is." He sighed, "I wonder where it could be . . ."
"In some caves . . ." Kokuen-oh muttered.
"What did you say?" Shedosh asked as he stopped and turned to Kokuen-oh.
The other Conduits and Rafakoh stopped as well.
Kokuen-oh raised his voice so that the group could hear him, "I think it'll be located in those caves I saw in my prophecy."
"But there are no caves in Mycuaja!" T'myra insisted.
"I know . . ." Kokuen-oh admitted, "But I also know what I saw in my vision."
"Caves . . ." Rafakoh mumbled.
"Do you know something, R'rufu?" Saberstryke asked.
"Well . . . I'm just thinking that, if we're dealing with a Seer's Artifact, then we can't think of hard, concrete things all the time. We have to think in all perspectives, just like how Kokuen-oh's been training," R'rufu insisted.
"That's it!" Shedosh gasped.
"What?" Everyone else demanded.
"We are dealing with a Seer's Artifact. That's the key: a Seer," Shedosh noted.
The others' facial expressions changed to even more confused.
"T'myra, you've heard of the Seer's Legend, right?"
"M' mom told it t' me as a kid . . ." Tamer reminisced, then snapped back to reality, "Are ya' sayin' it's true?"
"I think so . . ." Shedosh insisted.
"Um - hello - what is the Seer's Legend?" Saberstryke inquired.
"Basically it says that Seers first emerged in Mycuaja when people started talking about a 'spiritual desert' in the cities of Mycuaja. They also happened to be the people who could predict the future, tell fortunes, and couldn't cast spells," Shedosh explained, "Those were the people who became known as the Seers. So, what I'm saying is that perhaps this Spiritual Desert leads to the caves that Kokuen-oh is talking about!"
"And . . . how do we get into the Spiritual Desert?" Kokuen-oh wondered.
"Well . . ." Shedosh began.
"Uh . . ." Tamer sighed.
"We don't know . . ." Shedosh and Tamer said together.
"The Legend doesn't say," Shedosh further explained, "Supposedly only Seers know how to get there and most of them find it by accident, I've heard."
"Great . . . So, now what do we do?" Saberstryke asked.
Shedosh thought for a moment, then responded, "Kokuen-oh can try and lead us to it."
"Excuse me?" Kokuen-oh chuckled, "Exactly what do you mean by that?"
"Well, maybe you can try and control what you see in your visions . . . then you could see how to get into the Spiritual Desert," Shedosh suggested.
Kokuen-oh looked Shedosh square in the eyes and raised an eyebrow, "Control what I see? You must be joking! I can't even control when I get them!"
"Uh . . . is it wise to depend solely on Kokuen-oh's recently developed and still unstable powers?" Rafakoh mused out loud.
Shedosh shrugged, "It's our best chance right now."
Hariel paid attention to the entire conversation, but only barely; he was still lost in his thoughts about how to brooch the topic of his feelings to Tamer.
(-)
9:30 AM Sunday- Cuomytatos, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
After finding a taverns with rooms available for the Conduits to stay in, they made arrangements to give Kokuen-oh the best possible conditions for concentration in a trance.
"Kokuen-oh, none of us will disturb you. I want you to concentrate on everything you know and have learned to help you focus your abilities as a Seer," Shedosh explained.
"But - isn't this supposed to be Rafakoh and Tamer's room?" Kokuen-oh asked.
"Yeah, but it's early in the day; we'll keep busy with the boys," Tamer laughed.
Hariel blushed and looked at his feet.
Kokuen-oh had to laugh, That boy . . . such the lucky bastard for getting her affections . . . I'll have to stick around for a long time to make sure he treats her well- when they finally get together that is!
"Come on , everyone, let's leave Kokuen-oh to his mystical self!" Saberstryke joked, but began motioning for everyone to leave as they laughed with him.
After his friends had left, Kokuen-oh took a blanket from the beds and placed it, folded, on the floor. He sat down on it, legs crossed, and began to focus his mind. He started by recalling what he had seen in his vision during the battle with Saberstryke. Then his mind began to wander, thinking about what all of it could mean.
When his mind had come back to the vision in the sandstorm, he had a thought, What if that sandstorm I experienced was IN the Spiritual Desert? Could it be . . .
At about the time he thought of when he had been in that desert, in his mind he noticed the wind began to pick up and bring sand along with it. He mentally stood up and turned around, shielding himself from the wind. What he saw sent him into complete shock.
He saw the same armored figure that looked like an assassin. Kokuen-oh was facing the figure's back.
It was crouching low in concentration, but then stood up and chuckled, "+You are appalled to see us again; the fearful, master team+" He turned around and motioned to his twin, who was behind Kokuen-oh.
"+But be warned, novice Seer; this time is no dream+" The other cautioned.
This time? Then my other prophecy of this desert . . . it wasn't a prophecy at all? That could be why I was awake . . . Did Saberstryke really save me, or are they just lying . . . "+This - this can't be real! I'm still in my trance+" Kokuen-oh protested.
"+Indeed you are, but you are also in this place+" The figure in front of Kokuen-oh laughed.
The one behind Kokuen-oh agreed, "+In the Spiritual Desert, where we are to fight you, face-+"
"+To face+" The other finished.
"+And why, may I ask, are you going to fight me+" Kokuen-oh asked, drawing his short sword.
"+You are a Conduit; a threat to us+" The one behind him answered.
"+And to our master. Obey him, we must+" The figure in front shouted the second half of his speech and, while doing so, charged Kokuen-oh who blocked the sword and leapt out of the way.
"+I see. You're pretty confident you'll beat me, aren't you+" Kokuen-oh laughed, "+But I won't go down so easily+"
"+Your funeral+" They both screeched as they began to circle him.
At first, Kokuen-oh decided to just wait for one of them to attack. However, after a minute or so, he lost sight of where exactly they were. He sliced the nearest 'assassin', but ended up hitting thin air. Kokuen-oh paid for his mistake with a pommel in his back, sending him into the warm sand.
They're moving too fast, I can't tell where they are or aren't!
"+The Sandstrikers are victorious+" The two cackled with their long, thin swords crossed at Kokuen-oh's neck.
"+Sandstrikers, eh? So, will you kill me now+" Kokuen-oh asked with mild interest.
"+We would not be foolish enough to slay you ourselves, Seer . . .+"
"+But you will be silent for the journey we must embark from here+" The second Sandstriker swung his sword high and hit Kokuen-oh hard across the back of his head with the pommel.
The last thing Kokuen-oh recalled was a sinking feeling, like he was sinking into the sand . . . Damn those Sandstrikers and my cursed, confusing prophecies . . .
(-)
10:00 AM Sunday- Cuomytatos, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
The remaining Conduits decided it was best to leave someone at Kokuen-oh's door. Hariel and T'myra both volunteered with embarrassed looks since the other had thought the same thing, but neither backed down. So, the other three went downstairs to pay the tavern- / innkeeper for the nights they planned to stay. Afterwards, they decided it was best to just let T'myra and Hariel have some privacy.
"It's time that they patched things up," Rafakoh had said to her two male companions as the three of them descended the steps.
At Kokuen-oh's door, Hariel sat on the left side of the exit while T'myra sat on the right. For a long time, neither said a thing to the other.
Finally, Hariel spoke in a timid voice, "T'myra . . ."
"Hm?" She mumbled an acknowledgment without opening her eyes or looking at him. She was seated cross-legged with her arms up behind her head and leaning back slightly.
Hariel got up and sat on her right. "Can we talk?"
T'myra slowly opened her eyes, but still didn't look at him.
He wasn't sure if that was a 'yes', but he knew that he had to speak his mind. "Did you hear me . . . last night . . . what I said . . ."
T'myra turned away from him. After a short pause, he heard her respond, "Yes."
Hariel was barely able to ask the next question; it was caught in this throat. "How - how much?"
"All of it." The answer came quickly this time.
Hariel's heart skipped a beat and he hesitated before speaking again. "Are you . . . mad . . . at me?" he managed to ask her.
He didn't hear a response, but he did hear short gasps and cries.
"Tamer . . ." Hariel put his left hand on her right shoulder and tried to turn her to face him, but she shrugged his hand away. "Tamer-"
"I'm not mad at ya'," T'myra spoke softly.
Hariel was beyond confused. She heard that I love her . . . she's not mad at me . . . WHY is she crying? "Tamer, please don't cry-"
"I can't 'elp it; I feel 'orrible-"
"You feel horrible?" Hariel gasped, "I was the one who lied, T'myra. You have every right to be mad at me! How can you say that?" I don't believe this . . . SHE feels guilty for HER actions? She really has changed since I met her . . .
T'myra faced him with wet eyes and face. "I acted just like CH'TSU!" she bawled, "I don't deserve ANYONE fo' actin' the way I did. . ."
Hariel wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. "Don't EVEN think like that, Tamer!" He hissed with narrowed eyes, despite the fact that she could no longer see his face.
T'myra's eyes were wide in shock, but she didn't have the willpower to release herself from his embrace, nor to speak in protest.
"For starters, Ch'tsu was being influenced by the Demidons. Second, everyone makes mistakes, Tamer! I told you; I lied straight to your face," Hariel loosened his hold on T'myra, but held her by her shoulders so that she would look at him. "You deserve the best, T'myra!" His eyes softened as he pleaded with her.
T'myra looked into his maroon eyes and her own expression softened, making her look dazed. It's as if . . . I can't turn away . . . an' I believe everythin' 'ee says.
"Listen to me, T'myra!" Hariel made sure she was looking at him before he continued, "I'm telling you the truth now; I am so sorry that I lead you to believe I didn't have any feelings for you. Tamer-" Hariel paused to catch her chin in his right hand. He looked straight into the sparkling emeralds of her eyes and said, "I love you."
She couldn't speak; she couldn't think. But she knew what he'd said. Her lips started to tremble as her eyes became even wetter. T'myra burst into tears and collapsed against his chest.
Hariel gently massaged her back and stroked her head, not daring to say anything else that might upset her even more.
"You're so forgivin'," Tamer muttered, " 'Ow can ya' love someone like me?"
Hariel kissed the top of her head and then laid his left cheek there. "I have so many reasons, T'myra, but none of them are important. I love you; that's all that matters. I just want to help you move on, despite the grudges you rightly hold."
T'myra wrapped her arms around Hariel's chest, under his arms. "You're too good t' be true, Cotton," she whispered.
"Hey, I have my flaws, too, Tamer." He gently massaged her back as he continued, "I love you so much. You have no idea how long I've been wanting to tell you that."
Tamer moved her head out from under Hariel's chin. She looked at him pointedly, as if contemplating her action, then slowly brought her lips to his. Shock-waves of emotion went through T'myra's whole body and she cried a little. She instantaneously remembered Ch'tsu's kisses . . . and knew now that Hariel felt so much better to be with. She put her hands on his jawline and deepened the kiss, surprised to find that Hariel opened up to her and without any resistance.
My first kiss . . . Hariel drank in the sensation; it was so much better than he could have ever imagined and somehow he knew exactly how to respond. He moved his hands to around her waist and pulled her tighter into his embrace. Kohmah, don't ever take her away from me again . . .
She let her hands travel down to his chest and pulled away only far enough to speak; their noses touched as did their upper lips. "I love ya', 'Ariel," she breathed, loud enough for him to hear and yet low enough to urge him on.
He had longed for the day he would hear the words. A sincere smile broke across his face and she returned it with the same amount of emotion. He passionately returned her kiss and she brought her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her and even deeper into the kiss.
This is real love . . . T'myra sighed internally, This is what it feels like t' be with the one ya' love . . .
After they broke the kiss, T'myra slowly repositioned herself so that she was sitting in Hariel's lap and leaned her head against the niche of his neck on his left side.
"Do ya' forgive me?" She asked quietly.
Hariel cradled her with his left arm and held her left hand in his right. He brought it to his lips and kissed her soft fingers, then held it against his chest. "Of course I do. Do you forgive me, Tamer?"
"Yes . . . Racuyl," Tamer replied softly, tears threatening to fall again. She blinked them away and rested in Hariel's arms, never having felt as safe or happy in her whole life.
Hariel started to drift off to sleep as well, feeling a great weight of mental strain lifted from his shoulders. He looked down at T'myra as she began to fall asleep; he could see her chest rise and fall with every breath, and that was enough to make him smile again. I want you to be happy, Tamer . . . that's all I want . . . He bent down and whispered just above her forehead, "No matter if I'm Hariel Akuen or Racuyl Aryn- An Angel or a Mystic . . . I'll always be Cotton for you, my little Dekata."
He saw a smile creep onto her face and she gripped his thumb a little as he held her hand. She let out a content sigh and they both found themselves unable to stay awake any longer.
(-)
11:00 AM Sunday- Cuomytatos, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
Saberstryke, Rafakoh, and Shedosh were downstairs in the tavern sitting around a table, empty and drying glasses sitting on the table off to the side. They had been discussing trivial matters like the dispute between Hariel and T'myra, as well as how Kokuen-oh and Shedosh should find girls for themselves. Shedosh had conveniently turned the conversation towards the symbols he'd discovered back in Sahenangell.
"I just think it's weird that we haven't seen any other Dekutadin symbols," Shedosh stated.
"Would you care to enlighten me on who exactly all of these other gods and goddess are?" Rafakoh asked. "It's not like I was raised somewhere that would teach me about the gods of Sahngell or Mycuaja."
"Certainly," Shedosh answered and took a deep breath. "In Sahngell, there is the belief that Kohmah, the Great God, can represent himself in many forms, nine of which are the most important. They reflect the elements and seasons - one goddess for each element and one god for each season. However, in Mycuaja, it is believed that Cuamyjy, the Mycuajan name for Kohmah, actually has divine assistants and three have ascended to godhood as Cuamyjy's direct subordinates. They represent the sun, moon, and stars so that Cuamyjy can look after all of Cheakir by himself."
"And you found symbols on each of the prayer rooms to K'kmaj's nine Sahngellian incarnations?" Rafakoh said tentatively.
Shedosh was familiar with the G'gonn name for Kohmah and continued the conversation without asking for an explanation. "Yes. I had expected to find symbols that were related to the element of the goddess or season of the god, but that was not the case. I found what I have termed aspects of human nature, or Virtues. The single-character aspects were Righteousness, Social Grace, Trust, Moral Justice, and Wisdom on the five goddesses' doors and Loyalty, Endurance, Filial Piety, and Obedience on the four gods' doors. The other two characters on each door could only be read together, or all three characters had to be read as one-"
"You've really put a lot of thought into this, haven't you, Shedosh?" Saberstryke chuckled slightly.
Shedosh nodded. "It's just such an intriguing notion; Kohmah and even Cuamyjy have only ever been represented by physical connections - fire, water, Spring, etc. - and never as such distinct characteristics that create a 'good' soul."
"I see- sort of . . ." Rafakoh gave a small laugh. "You'll have to discuss this more with Kokuen-oh-" Rafakoh stopped suddenly as she realized that Shedosh had a very concentrated look on his face. "Shedosh . . . What is it?"
"Kokuen-oh's been in there an awful long time . . ." Shedosh sighed.
"Perhaps he's finding out how to get into the Spiritual Desert as we speak," Rafakoh supplied.
"Perhaps," Saberstryke scoffed.
"Now, K'kedki, don't be so gruff," R'rufu soothed, laying her head on one of his shoulders.
"That kid wasn't ready. He wasn't trained enough yet," Saberstryke insisted.
"He's not a kid, you know. He's in his early twenties, physically, so he must be in his mid-fourties!" Rafakoh guessed.
Saberstryke snorted, "And more than half of that time was spent being treated like a fairly normal Demidon child. T'myra still acts like a Mycuajan child the same age as she looks, sometimes . . . Kokuen-oh hasn't had the vast experience as an adult that even Mystics and Mages get as adults. He's still a kid - a teenager - at heart and in his mind. He needed more training first."
"Saberstryke's right," Shedosh spoke, startling the other two. "Kokuen-oh wasn't ready . . ."
"Shedosh, what do you-" Rafakoh began.
"Something has happened to Kokuen-oh. I can feel it; we need to check on him," Shedosh insisted as he started for the steps.
The others quickly followed him upstairs, but slowed down so as not to disturb any dialogue Hariel and T'myra might have been having. They didn't hear anything, which concerned them, but they continued to walk slowly and as quietly as possible.
They found Hariel sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, on the right side of the door with Tamer in his arms. Neither appeared to be awake, but both wore expressions of contentment.
R'rufu leaned against the Lord's shoulder and took one of his hands in hers. "Finally . . ." she whispered, truly happy for the young couple.
Shedosh pointed to himself and whispered, "I have the least amount of heavy clothing on. I won't make as much noise as you two."
Saberstryke and Rafakoh nodded their agreement.
Shedosh walked the short distance to where Hariel was seated and crouched low. Gently, Shedosh placed a hand on Hariel's shoulder and squeezed it a little.
Hariel slowly opened his eyes and said, "Hey, what's-"
"We think something may have happened to Kokuen-oh," Shedosh said quietly. "Is the door still locked?"
Hariel nodded. "And we gave Kokuen-oh the key . . ."
Shedosh smiled, however, and spoke softly, "You should probably wake up T'myra, Hariel."
Hariel blushed, but nodded again, and gently shook his left arm. He brought his right hand up to brush some stray hair away from T'myra's face as he spoke, "T'myra . . . Tamer . . . wake up, Tamer."
T'myra furrowed her brow and stirred, then opened her eyes. "Cotton . . ." she spoke quietly with a smile on her face. Then she looked a little confused. "Is Kokuen-oh-" she yawned, "-done already?"
Hariel gently helped her sit up straight and squeezed her hands gently, "No, and the others think something's wrong." Hariel watched concern drift back into T'myra's eyes as he helped her to stand.
Before she could ask any questions, Shedosh turned to Lord Saberstryke. "I know we'll have to repay the tavern owner later, but-"
"Not to worry! We paid him in advance, remember?" Saberstryke cut him off as he punched the door next to the lock, jiggled the handle from the inside, and awkwardly opened the door.
"Now where are we going to sleep tonight? I'll be up all night worrying about you boys looking in on us!" Rafakoh shrieked playfully.
It was T'myra who blushed this time. Hariel, on T'myra's right, held onto her right hand as they walked in. He squeezed it slightly and gave her a simple smile.
"Be quiet! Kokuen-oh could still be meditating and we don't want to disturb him in a trance!" Shedosh whispered. As they entered the deathly quiet room, he continued in the same low tone, "This isn't right . . ."
"There 'ee is!" T'myra hissed, pointing to Kokuen-oh's rigid form with her free hand.
In the small room, two beds had been pushed against the wall along with a bedside table. There was a medium-sized wooden chest with a good-quality lock on it that had been pushed into the adjacent corner. Kokuen-oh was sitting on a folded blanket on the floor in the geographic middle of the room, cross-legged and with his hands on his knees. His back was completely straight and his head showed that he had been looking straight ahead when he'd closed his eyes.
" 'As 'ee been like that the 'ole time?" T'myra wondered.
Indeed, while his figure was still that of someone meditating, everyone could tell there was something different about this meditation state.
"I think so," Shedosh confirmed, "But this isn't the correct state of mind . . . He's no longer in control. You can tell by his aura."
Kokuen-oh's pale green aura, which normally flared during his prophecies, was a very soft, pulsing glow that was barely visible in the light.
"Kokuen-oh?" Saberstryke asked quietly.
The Seer did not respond nor stir.
Saberstryke moved his hand towards his friend's nose, but Shedosh pulled him back, shaking his head, 'No'.
"Well, 'is body's asleep, then. I guess I'll 'ave t' wake 'im up!" T'myra let go of Hariel's hand and readied the small fireball in her hands that started her signature spell.
"T'myra!" The other Conduits gasped and rushed the small girl, stopping her from casting the spell.
Once they had convinced Tamer that no large spells would be used in awakening their friend, Saberstryke made a suggestion.
"Perhaps we should try shaking him-"
"No!" Shedosh insisted, "That could have disastrous results on the connection between his mind and body!"
"Well, we've got to do something," Rafakoh groaned.
"What if we just touched him, to see if that breaks the trance?" Hariel wondered.
"Maybe . . . but it needs to be a very light touch," Shedosh said and allowed Hariel to move forward.
Hariel whispered in the Seer's ear, "Kokuen-oh?"
Still he did not move.
Hariel tried touching Kokuen-oh's shoulder with his index finger, then pressed a little.
After a few seconds, Saberstryke sighed, "It's not working. You can move away now, Hariel."
Hariel looked a little frightened as he turned to face the others. "I wish I could!" Hariel then noticed a small glow around his finger, a light green aura. "Something's holding me to him!"
"What?" T'myra gasped, rushing up beside him. As she moved in, the glow became a bit larger and and darker in color. "What is this?"
Saberstryke, Rafakoh, and Shedosh looked over the children's shoulders. Sure enough, the dark green aura was there and now pulsing.
Then, the glow pulsed out around the whole room.
T'myra panicked. " 'Ariel, get away from that!" She put her arms around his shoulders and tried to pull him away.
Next, the Conduits felt as if they're minds and souls were being pulled away, into the black vortex.
Hariel tried to call out to T'myra, but his voice no longer worked. He did catch a glimpse of the look of sheer terror that had consumed T'myra's eyes. He wanted so desperately to erase that fear. T'myra . . . I hate to see you like this . . . I told you that when we first met . . .
No . . . 'Ariel . . . T'myra whimpered, still holding onto him as the two collapsed to their knees and finally to the ground.
Rafakoh tried to hold onto Saberstryke, cradling him in her arms as he cried out in pain, holding his head. The only effect this had was that Rafakoh was also drawn into the darkness.
"+Now the others follow their friend; into their darkest dreams; to The End+" A pair of voices chuckled in G'gonn.
(-)(-)(-)
Continued in: Magical Bonds
2/5/2005 and 2/28/2005
Okay, so here's the thing: 1) I'm still trying to figure out exactly what kinds of symbols I can put in this story and have the server print them out. So, for a while, you may notice parts of the story that look like speech, and probably are, but with no markings around them. 2) My computer is still in the shop, which has made trying to figure #1 out even harder, not to mention posting my story. So, I hope you will accept my apologies with these two (mostly) complete and updated chapters.
To anyone who was hoping for a little bit more angst before Hariel and T'myra got back together: I COULDN'T BEAR IT ANY MORE! I hated having to write them ignoring and not speaking to another; them being a couple was one of the first things I created in this story! It broke my heart to see them apart. So, sue me for being a hopeless romantic.
4/1/2005
Lots of restructuring, but very little content changed. All I did was some minor wordsmithing.
Nekochan