FOREVER DESTINY : Ancient Era Arc 1
Before the Beginning
Episode 11:
"High and Mighty"
Story Focus: T'myra and Hariel
By Nekochan
Author's Note
Is this not so cool? You guys don't realize just how fast I'm managing to write this story! (Grin) I'm very proud of myself. Anywho, next up is . . . T'myra! Wait . . . isn't she the last one? Yeah, she is . . . so, what do they have to do after that? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, ne? Right now we have to figure out how T'myra's gonna' get her Artifact and if these little Mystic girls (well . . . one of 'em's an Angel, now, isn't she?) are going to tag along like Rafakoh did. Come to think of it, they ARE a lot like R'rufu in the sense of how they entered this story, aren't they? (Grin) That's not coincidence.
Arigatou Minasan! (Thanks everyone!)
Nekochan
(-)(-)(-)
7:00 PM Sunday- Lebamenacum (Just outside of Mysecuamaja's city limits), Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
"You don't know how much this means to everyone for you and your friends to offer to help us, Acuashy." Shedosh pecked her on the forehead; she was sitting to his left.
Acuashy blushed in response, but smiled just the same. She'd already made the mistake of telling him she liked his little displays of physical attention; she wasn't going to pretend she didn't. Of course, he was more than willing to oblige her; suddenly feeling eleven years younger would do that to any man his age, especially in the presence of the object of his affections.
Acuashy and her friends had just packed up all of their worldly belongings and were heading out with the Conduits and Rafakoh to Cuamyjy only knew where. Acuashy had insisted on going with Shedosh and no one protested. Then, Najyana convinced Sashyrary - it hadn't taken much effort after Najyana dropped the name "(Mr. Kokuen-oh)" - that it would be best if the three friends stuck together, plus it was sure to be a grand adventure out into the wide world. Acuashy had no personal ties to the Mysecuamaja's library, but the other two girls did and that was why it took some convincing for Sashyrary. However, none of the girls had the chance to explain the situation, as they were trying to pack as quickly as possible.
Even though the girls had all shared a small room in the Living Quarters just off the main library, they still managed to significantly encumber themselves; as they were packing, all of them realized that they didn't want to return, for their own individual reasons. As a result, they packed everything that was important to them; the rest they gave as presents to the other Book-hands, who were actually sad to see them go.
Sashyrary had loaded numerous pouches and put them on a belt around her waist in addition to the bulging backpack she now carried. She also had a large, drawstring handbag that she happily swung from one or both of her hands. Despite the heavy load, she didn't complain, because she simply hadn't wanted to forget anything, even after the Conduits continually told her they always stayed at taverns or on Rafakoh's ship.
Najyana had a backpack as well, but it wasn't nearly as full as Sashyrary's, nor filled with the same things. While Sashyrary had packed a change of clothes and numerous lotions to keep herself clean, Najyana had made sure to pack her researching tools and her book of spells that she could cast. She used it primarily as a diary, making notes about how certain spells hadn't worked no matter what she tried or how others were better when she performed certain specific gestures over others. Her belt-pouches jingled with all of the girls collected wealth, as they knew that Najyana was the most responsible and safest keeper for their funds.
Acuashy had about as much as Najyana in both a backpack and some belt-pouches, but that was a lot for the frugal Acuashy. She packed supplies to clean the girls' clothes as well as all of her possessions from home; unlike Sashy and Najy, Acuashy had completely moved away from her home in the Mycuajan countryside to become an independent adult after she received her job in Mysecuamaja. So, she also had some extra food, medical supplies, and a few small reminders of her family.
"Actually, I think the Head was happy to get rid of us!" Najyana laughed, adjusting the shoulder-straps of her backpack.
"Yeah . . . I can just imagine all of them celebrating right now," Sashyrary pouted. Even my Aunt Bysacua!
"Don't tell me you wanted to work there your whole life?" Najyana demanded.
"No . . ." Sashy whispered. I'm just worried what my parents would say . . .
"THEN GET A GRIP! Jeez, Friend Sashy! Normally you're the hyper one!" Najyana sighed in exasperation.
"They seem t' 'ave gotten th' 'ang o' the Sahngellian language pretty quick, didn't they?" T'myra chuckled.
"Hey, that's his fault!" Najyana pointed to Shedosh.
"It takes less energy to maintain a spell for three people than it does for four people. It's also easier this way," Shedosh insisted.
"My body seems to prefer this language to Mycuajan, now. I believe it is because of my being transformed into an Angel," Acuashy piped up. "Perhaps it will take less energy for my portion of the spell if my body does not resist the change," she suggested.
"Perhaps," Shedosh shrugged.
"We have to head towards Lacuos now, don't we?" Hariel asked.
"Yes. My men should have made it to Jyracuolato by now," Rafakoh confirmed.
"You're men?" Sashy gasped.
"Don't think of it like that!" R'rufu scolded, "I'm the Captain of a magnificent ship, the Kahroh. When we docked in Nabyjacuo, I ordered my men to meet us at Jyracuolato." Rafakoh looked a little proud to be able to say that.
"Right . . ." Najyana smirked.
"I MEAN IT!" Rafakoh shouted.
"Shh!" Saberstryke hissed as he cupped his hand over her mouth, "I'm surprised the driver hasn't heard us by now!"
Rafakoh grinned at the Lord and proceeded to kiss his hand. Saberstryke realized this and began to curse having decided to remove his gauntlets earlier. He quickly removed his hand and glared at her with a smirk, which she returned with a wide smile.
"Who's idea was it exactly t' stow away on 'is ship?" Tamer demanded.
"Let's see . . ." Hariel thought out loud, sarcastically, "Shedosh?"
"Do you want us to end up in Sahenangell?" Shedosh asked, "I haven't mastered the Teleport spell, and I'm not about to practice now, even with the Ancient Staff as my Artifact!"
"No we wouldn't want t' get misplaced, but we coulda' just pounded ya' int' the ground until ya' got it right," T'myra shrugged.
Najyana and Sashyrary started laughing so hard that they thought they were going to fall out of the boat, but T'myra grabbed them by their shirt collars and prevented this.
"What's so funny?" T'myra demanded angrily in as low a voice as she could manage.
"We're terribly sorry, Miss T'myra," Sashy managed to say. The girls been told T'myra's real name when they'd first set out from the library.
"But it is quite humorous to hear you, a young woman, threatening an adult such as Shedosh," Najyana explained.
"What? Don't ya' think 'ee could take me up on m' word?" Tamer pulled them closer, glaring at them straight in the eyes.
"No, no, Miss T'myra!" Najy insisted.
"It's just, at a first glance, seeing a child threaten an adult was pretty funny. We laugh at stupid stuff like that," Sashy admitted.
T'myra let go of them. "Why do I even try?" she sighed, rubbing her temples as she sat down next to Hariel, who'd been watching her the whole time to make sure she didn't make any drastic errors in judgment.
"Come on, Tamer, just try to calm down," Hariel said while massaging her shoulders, "They didn't mean to offend you."
"Really!" Sashy whimpered, crawling into Kokuen-oh's lap.
Kokuen-oh looked a little embarrassed, but had no idea what to do about it. So, he just let her sit there, then brought his hands up behind his head. If my hands are up here, no one can accuse me of touching her, he decided. However, he did note how she had specifically avoided causing him any discomfort and simply leaned against his chest. Why am I even letting her do this? Why don't I stop her?
T'myra cocked her head to one side and breathed heavily, "Well if ya' weren't such a baby-"
"All right, all right!" Shedosh stood up quickly and addressed the group, "We're not going to be able to get anything accomplished if we can't even get along!" He looked around at everyone and suggested, "How about we all get some sleep?"
"We aren't tired," Najyana protested.
"That's okay; let the boys get some sleep. Us girls can stay up and I'll explain everything that's been going on to you," Rafakoh bade the young ladies to make a small circle as the boys curled up on the other end.
As T'myra lay down to sleep next to Hariel, she heard Kokuen-oh's voice as he whispered to her, "Hey, Tamer?"
"Yeah?"
"You know when I was unconscious and you and Hariel were talking about my being a Seer?" Kokuen-oh asked.
Tamer's eyes shot open and she sat up, looking straight at him. "How'd ya' know about that?"
"Lucky guess," Kokuen-oh chuckled. "Actually, I saw something like that in my dreams and didn't have much of a doubt that it was real. Anyway, you remember thinking that it was probably because of my heritage, but not really knowing how to explain it?" Kokuen wondered.
T'myra nodded.
"I just wanted to remind you: my mom was a Half-Breed Demidon-Saint, not Mage, in case you thought it might be connected to my non-Demidon heritage," Kokuen-oh said quietly.
"Oh . . . well, that's weird . . ." T'myra sighed, "Then 'ow could ya' be a Seer?"
"I really don't know."
T'myra sighed again and laid back down next to Hariel. "G'night, Kokuen-oh."
"Goodnight, Tamer," he said softly, but cast a glance over at Sashyrary as he lay down. I never really noticed before . . . but they look like relatives, what with Mysti's hair- and eye-color being so similar to Tamer's . . . Is that why I'm attracted to her? Because of her resemblance to T'myra? It's strange . . . I think I want to be wrong about that . . .
Tamer lay down on her right side facing Hariel, who still had his eyes open and was looking at her with a small smile. He took her left hand in his right and squeezed it for a moment. "Tamer, maybe you should take it easy with them . . . they're trying to help us, after all."
She sighed, rubbing her thumb over the hand that held hers, "I know . . . I'll try, okay?"
Hariel brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, then looked her in the eyes. They were so beautiful, just like every other part of her. "I love you, Tamer."
Tamer smiled sincerely and met his gaze. "I love ya', too, Cotton." It had become more than a nickname for the boy she loved; it was her most sincere form of endearment to him.
So, they fell asleep like that: looking towards one another with hands clasped halfway between them, even though they were nestled close together. There was no more than half of one of their arm's length between them and their feet touched.
(-)
7:50 PM Sunday- About halfway to Lacuos, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
"Now wait, wait," Sashyrary protested, "If there's some kind of 'all-knowing' book, then where is it?"
"The Prophecy?" Rafakoh clarified, "Kokuen-oh probably has it. It's his Artifact, after all."
Sashy's expression turned to mischievous.
"Don't even think about it, Friend Sashy," Najyana insisted.
"What?" Sashyrary asked innocently.
"You know very well what I mean," Najyana whispered.
"I'm just going to get The Prophecy," Sashyrary shot back.
"I'll bet," Najyana scoffed. She's going to do something to that poor guy that she's got a crush on now. She seemed to get over her fear of him pretty quick, she noted to herself.
Sashyrary puffed up and let out a breath of annoyance, but just moved towards Kokuen-oh, looking for The Prophecy. Uh . . . there's that Half-Breed, 'Lady T'myra'Sashyrary said her name with accented sarcasm as she knelt next to Kokuen-oh's back. Why does she have to act so high and mighty? I'll bet I could take her on. She spied the book underneath Kokuen-oh's arm and slowly moved to take it.
However, a tanned hand grabbed hers before she could get there.
"That doesn't belong t' you." T'myra was sitting up and had caught Sashy's wrist just as Sashy had neared touching the Prophecy. The two pairs of green eyes met with noted anger searing from them both.
"The other girls and I just wanted to look at it, now let go!" Sashyrary tried to pull her hand out of Tamer's grasp, but she was too strong for Sashy. Grr . . . Sashyrary growled under her breath and pulled harder than she thought possible.
T'myra snickered, then let Sashyrary go.
"AHH!" the Mystic cried as she stumbled backwards, "Why'd you have to go and do that?"
"B'cause it looks t' me like your stealin' somethin' that doesn't belong t' ya'," T'myra scoffed.
"Come on, Tamer, give it a rest," Rafakoh begged, "They were just curious."
"Fine," Tamer said as she gently pulled the book from Kokuen-oh's arms.
"How come you can hold it, but I can't?" Sashyrary demanded.
Tamer held two fingers up in front of Sashyrary's face. "One: Ya' don't know if 'ee'd let ya' look at it, but I know 'ee'd let me 'cause I've known 'im longa'."
Sashyrary grumbled as Tamer continued, putting her second finger down.
"Two: Ya' aren't even in this Prophecy. I'm a Conduit. I'm important enough t' be allowed t' look at it," Tamer finished as she put her first finger down.
"All that sounds like is pride to me!" Sashyrary protested.
"Listen! Ya' aren't even in 'ere! LOOK!" T'myra flung the book open to the last page that was written in, but something startled her:
The four Season Captains sought to read what wisdom The Prophecy held, but the Second Conduit withheld it,
for Second still was not confident in the Captain of Fall, nor the other Captains to a great extent.
They had yet to prove themselves in the Second Conduit's eyes.
"Lady T'myra?" Acuashy whispered, concerned.
"Indeed?" T'myra replied, distracted.
"Are you well? Your skin has changed tone, as has the mood of your eyes. What does The Prophecy say?" Acuashy inquired.
T'myra looked at Acuashy, then to Najyana, to Rafakoh, and finally to the glowering Sashyrary. I reacted b'fo' I even thought about what Cotton 'ad said . . . Rafakoh was right about me, too . . . I do make it so that people are afraid o' angry at me all the time . . . an' Cotton said 'ee wanted t' 'elp me move on . . . did 'ee mean this sorta' stuff, too? T'myra bowed to all of them and, while bent over, began to speak in a quivering tone, "Fo'give me, everyone . . . I- I was wrong t' doubt that Cuamyjy would be so chaotic as t' bring people together fo' no reason, or that any o' ya' would be incompetent o' unimpo'tant." T'myra had begun to weep.
Sashyrary looked appalled. "Wha - what do you mean? That we're part of all of this?"
T'myra stood up, face shaded red. "The Prophecy states that there are fo' Captains o' the Seasons, as they are called. I- I think that these fo' Captains are meant t' assist the Conduits."
"Why do you say that?" Rafakoh asked.
"M' Uncle always told me that nine was a special numba' - that the Dekutan 'ad chosen it themselves. Everyone knows o' the five elements: fire, wata', earth, wind o' ea', an' spirit. Well, there are also the fo' seasons: Winta', Sprin', Summa', an' Fall. M' Uncle Kyn said that these elements combined wit' the seasons formed the most awesome set o' divine powa's the Dekutan would eva' bestow upon mo'tals, creatin' the numba' nine. Pe'aps . . . the Conduits an' the Captains represent those divine powa's," T'myra explained, "There are nine o' us now."
"But, aren't there six Conduits? Antulpan, who turned on you, is the sixth, isn't he?" Najyana wondered.
"Evil is a part o' the world, fo' now, at least. So, indeed, the ten o' us could represent the fate o' the world," Tamer sighed.
"You think that we are the Captains?" Sashy motioned to her friends.
"You're the Captain o' Fall, I know that much," Tamer insisted, still a little pink in the cheeks.
"The Prophecy says that?" Sashy laughed.
"Indeed."
"Well . . . how are we going to determine which of us is the Captain of the remaining three seasons?" Acuashy asked.
"I don't know . . . Pe'aps it's your personalities, but I can't be sure. We should wait until mornin' t' worry about this, though, 'cause the boys don't even know about it yet!" Tamer chuckled a little.
"True, true," Rafakoh agreed, kneeling beside her Lord.
"Then we shall all rest ourselves now," Acuashy insisted and smiled, laying down next to Shedosh.
"Oh I can't wait for sweet dreams!" Najyana sighed, sitting down against the side of the boat.
"You guys go to sleep. I'll stay up and keep watch," Sashy stated.
"Friend Sashyrary?" Acuashy cocked her head in confusion after she sat up.
"We don't want daylight to come and not be ready to leave. I can wake everyone up when we arrive in Lacuos," Sashyrary insisted.
"All right," T'myra shrugged, resuming her place with Hariel.
Lady T'myra . . . she changed so fast . . . she thought she was right and then, when she realized she was wrong, immediately cleared her name. She is indeed a Noble, after all, Sashyrary thought, gazing out at the horizon. That certainly changes my opinion about her a little . . .
(-)
9:30 PM Sunday- Lacuos, Mycuaja May 8th- 981 D.A.
"Miss Rafakoh!"
R'rufu rolled over and snuggled against the Lord, praying to K'kmaj that the voice she was hearing was in her dreams.
"Captain R'rufu!"
Rafakoh squeezed her eyes shut.
"Rafakoh!" Sashyrary yelled in R'rufu's ear.
"EAYAH!" R'rufu shrieked, straightening up and gasping.
"Sshh!" Sashy hissed, then laughed a little, "That didn't happen to be G'gonn, would it?"
"Sure it was," Rafakoh mocked, "It's slang for 'What in Hell did you do that for?' Now, please, answer the question."
"We're in Lacuos," Sashy replied.
"But it's so dark!"
"I guess it's a shorter trip than we anticipated," Sashyrary shrugged. "Help me get everyone else up."
"Sure thing," Rafakoh grumbled and turned to her sleeping Lord. She butterfly-kissed him on the cheek, causing him to smile in his sleep and stir to consciousness.
"R'rufu?"
Rafakoh smirked and began to taunt her courtier, "No, K'kedki; Sashyrary was desperate for attention."
"Hey!" Sashy protested. I wouldn't do that to anyone . . . Well, maybe someone, in particular . . .
"Well, you might've," R'rufu chuckled.
Sashyrary attempted to wake up Kokuen-oh as R'rufu handed Saberstryke his helmet, "Kokuen . . . Kokuen . . ." she murmured.
"Antulpan . . ." Kokuen-oh groaned in his sleep, "Stop this. It's a fraud; he's tricking you . . ."
"Oh no . . . poor guy's getting a prophecy, I'll bet," Sashyrary sighed. "No, dear Kokuen, it's Mysti. Sashyrary?"
"Mysti?" Kokuen-oh mumbled, opening his eyes.
"That's right, Kokuen. It's me." Sashyrary smiled and explained, "We're in Lacuos; we need to get up, sleepyhead."
"You called me Kokuen . . ."
"Uh- yeah . . . My nickname for you," Sashy giggled a little and blushed.
"Antulpan . . . was the only person who called me that . . ." Kokuen-oh sighed.
"You're friend; I heard. I'm very sorry about that," Sashy tried to sound sympathetic. "What was your prophecy about?"
"Antulpan, ironically enough," Kokuen-oh answered, "But I pray to the Dekutan that it wasn't a prophecy and just a bad dream."
"How come?"
"Well, I-" Kokuen-oh began.
"Hey, Sashyrary, weren't you the one who wanted to get everyone up?" Rafakoh asked. She had already woken up Najyana, Shedosh, and Acuashy with the help of the Lord.
"Yeah . . . Fine, I'll wake up the Littlest Lovers, over here," Sashyrary laughed. "Oh, Hariel . . . T'myra . . . wakey wakey!" she called to them in a singsong voice.
"L'lat n'nso n'ngte, j'jy k'kpof," T'myra mumbled.
"Ayn cuyncue majysa denuo name cuyesacuo," Hariel groaned.
"She wants you to leave them alone, but she wasn't as polite as I was," Lord Saberstryke chuckled.
"Okay . . . what did she call me?" Sashy demanded.
"Um . . ." Rafakoh pretended to hesitate and think, "A fool, idiot, bitch, whore, slut-"
"ALL THAT?"
"No, we just don't know which sense she meant it in." Saberstryke gave her a silly grin.
"Yeah, and he wants a few more minutes of sleep," Sashyrary smirked. Sometimes I think I'm too curious for my own good. "Forgive me, oh High Lady, but you really need to wake up, seeing as how we are in Lacuos now and-"
"WHAT?" Both of the sleepers sat straight up.
"Uh, yeah. I know it's really late, but it looks like we underestimated how long it would take to get here," Sashy explained.
"Oh great . . ." Tamer moaned as the other Conduits and Captains moved towards the back of the boat.
"Come on . . ." Hariel helped her to stand up.
They all peered out into the dock. It was very dark out and there was almost nobody in the port except for the captain of the boat they had stowed away on and another person he was talking to.
"Okay, it looks like all we have to do is get past those two," Hariel spoke.
"Well then, can anybody cast an Invisibility spell?" Tamer wondered.
"I can . . . however, I never was very good-" Acuashy protested.
"Oh, don't start, Friend Acuashy! You know you're the best out of all of us!" Najy chuckled.
"Well . . ." Acuashy blushed. "Even still, friend Najy, I am not sure I still have the casting ability-"
"We can discuss this lata'," Tamer interrupted, ending in a sing-sing voice, "Acuashy, if ya' please, just try."
Acuashy nodded. "I will try . . ."
"(Conceal our forms from enemy eyes,
Hide our friends from any spies.
Shift their forms to be invisible and clear,
Stay in this way until enemies disappear.)"
The Conduits and Captains' bodies began to shift and meld. Then, their vision became clear again.
"Why didn't it work?" Rafakoh hissed.
"It did, Miss Rafakoh. Anyone made invisible by the same spell can see one another," Acuashy informed her.
"Oh!" R'rufu gasped and blushed. "Sorry, I've never really used magic except for the three items I bought here a long time ago to protect my ship."
"Forgiven, Miss Rafakoh," Acuashy smiled.
Everyone started walking towards the entrance of the docks when the voices of the two men got a little louder.
"Gero ty audyo benyo G'gonstrm nam cuonsylumes?" one asked. ("(Have you heard about G'gonstrm's plans?)")
"Rycueto, sacuylecuete facuyna!" the other agreed. ("(Yes, it's just awful!)")
"I'll go hear what else they're talking about," Hariel whispered and went off.
"No! Cotton, ya' idiot!" Tamer cursed under her breath. Now ya' aren't gonna' be invisible, 'cause your outta' the spell's range!
Hariel moved over to the side of a building, which the men were talking in front of, and continued to listen.
"(-Using Half-Breeds to infiltrate our land!)" the second continued.
"(And drain our magical power!)" the first scoffed.
Hariel gasped, but made sure to listen even closer.
"(There are rumors that G'gonstrm is going to make all-out war on Mycuaja, just to take our power for themselves. Then, they'll probably take out Sahngell.)"
"(Naïve Sahngell! They only want peace, and have been pressuring the Mages to try and keep settled!)"
"(Sahngell will be the downfall for all of us!)"
Hariel couldn't believe what he was hearing! He leaned in to hear better since the men were walking away, but fell over a barrel and some pots. It was at that point he realized that he was no longer glowing, and assumed he had lost the effect of the Invisibility spell.
"(What was that?)"
Hariel promptly tried to get away as the men came around the corner.
They saw the toppled over items and looked around.
The second one called, "(WHO'S THERE?)"
"(Mew . . . mreow,)" came a soft voice.
"(Ah, it's only the dock cats,)" the first one sighed, picking everything up.
The other man bent down to help. "(Why do we keep them around?)"
Their voices became faint as they walked away and into a nearby building, "(Because of the rats!)"
"(Oh, yeah, the rats!)"
Oh man, that was close, Hariel thought, I didn't see any cats . . .
"If your finished wit' your failed lil spy attempt, can we GO now?" Tamer pleaded. She didn't wait for an answer; she began to drag Hariel back to the group by his wrist. "You're lucky that Acuashy could get that spell off quick enough t' save your butt!"
Hariel cocked his head to the side as he was dragged along, finally noticing the golden Angel finishing a spell. She was so quiet . . . how did she do that? I didn't even hear her cast the spell!
"What were you thinking, Hariel?" Shedosh questioned angrily.
"You could understand them, Shedosh! They were talking about G'gonstrm's plans!" Hariel protested.
"Did ya' actually find anythin' out?" T'myra asked.
"Yes, I did!" Hariel answered indignantly, but then let his face fall. "But it's not good news-"
"Good heavens, what is it, Mr. Hariel?" Acuashy inquired.
"Rumors are going around that G'gonstrm will attack Mycuaja and steal all of its magical powers, then move on to Sahngell, more likely than not," Hariel sighed.
The others gasped.
"It gets worse. The Mycuajans have heard that G'gonstrm's already begun the attack, silently, using Half-Breeds. Also, Sahngell's been pressuring the Mages not to go to war with G'gonstrm, so Mycuaja will probably be unprepared when the attack hits!"
"Oh no," Sashy whispered, clutching one of Kokuen-oh's arms.
"All that means is that we have to move quicker," Kokuen-oh insisted.
As the Conduits and Captains made their way to through the city, looking for a cart or caravan that was leaving soon, Hariel looked up at Acuashy.
"How were you able to remain so quiet? When you cast that last spell, I mean," Hariel wondered.
"It is a gift of my heritage. My family has been able to trick and confuse other Mystics for quite a few generations. Casting spells without the need of audible components is just one of their gifts," Acuashy explained.
"Must be cool to be able to cast spells," Hariel mumbled.
"Ah, you regret your transformation . . . I must admit, I was shocked to discover that I could still cast working spells. Perhaps you still can, Mr. Hariel. Have you tried?" Acuashy asked.
"No . . ." Hariel admitted.
"Well, when the opportunity arises, you should attempt it," Acuashy urged.
"Thank you, Acuashy," Hariel hugged her around the waist, "You've become the closest thing I've ever had to a mother-"
"I would not go so far as to say that. I care for all of my friends. I have not known you that long, but you have Shedosh as your adopted father," Acuashy mentioned.
"Which makes you my adopted mother," Hariel laughed.
Acuashy blushed at his implication.
"Thank you, just the same."
"You are welcome."
Meanwhile, Kokuen-oh was talking to Shedosh, "I don't care if we end up in Sahngell, we need to get to Hell as fast as possible! I fear that The Prophecy is going to continue without us and Cheakir will be doomed!"
"I still think it's too dangerous to use my Staff without me having mastered it yet," Shedosh insisted as they walked out of the shipyard.
"I think it's a good idea; we just need to let my boys know first so they know where we'll be and can head home. I don't want them anywhere near Hell without me," Rafakoh put in.
"I think that's our best bet too, Shedosh. The way we've heard it so far, we need to find Lady T'myra's Artifact and get ready to defend Mycuaja - probably Sahngell as well!" Lord Saberstryke agreed.
"I- I . . ." Shedosh stammered.
"Please?" Sashyrary and Najyana both flashed big smiles and large, round eyes.
"Okay, okay . . . but don't frighten me like that again," he taunted the two girls, the became serious. "Once we get to Jyracuolato, I'll try to get us to Hell."
Soon, they were on their way out of the city's gates in the cart of a man hired to drive them to Jyracuolato. The trip had become such a common travel route that a few trading companies had set aside many carts specifically to be hired by non-merchants to make the trip as well. After all, traveling the route could make money for the companies both ways, since non-merchants typically only needed one-way transportation. So, the carts remained in either Lacuos or Jyracuolato until needed to make the trip again.
Saberstryke offered to stay awake for the whole trip, since it would only be about two hours before they reached their destination. Rafakoh slept peacefully against his chest and in almost no time at all, it felt to the Lord, they had arrived in Jyracuolato.
(-)
12:00 AM Monday- Jyracuolato, Mysecuamaja May 9th- 981 D.A.
"There's my ship! The Kahroh!" Rafakoh said with pride, throwing her arm out in front of her in a grand gesture. She and the others were standing on the boardwalk where it met a pier leading to the Kahroh.
"Impressive," Acuashy complimented Rafakoh.
"Cool paint job," Sashy noted.
"Where's the crew?" Najy asked.
For a moment, no one said anything, taking in the gravity of Najyana's remark. It was completely unlike R'rafko's crew to be nowhere in sight of their own ship while it was docked in a foreign harbor.
"Uh . . . Good question," Rafakoh murmured as she flushed, embarrassed. She took a few steps forward and called out in the darkness, no longer caring if anyone heard them, "Hey! Rohkoh? Kohshooh! Aoh? WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?"
Thunder crashed above them. A storm was coming and the clouds seemed to get darker than they had ever been before.
"You don't have to yell, Captain."
"Yeah, we heard you the first time."
"Rohkoh? Kohshooh?" Rafakoh stammered as two men came from the shadows on either side of the group. "What's gotten into you guys?"
"Nothin', Captain, nothin' at all . . ." another voice came from in front of them.
"Aoh? You too?" R'rufu gasped.
"What's wrong with them?" Hariel asked.
"I don't think they're actin' under their own free will anymo'," Tamer responded.
"Well done , Lady T'myra. Well done indeed!"
The Conduits and Captains cast their gaze to the Kahroh, where a cloaked figure stood on top of the crow's nest.
"You're not as stupid as most of your kind!" the figure called.
M' kindTamer wondered to herself.
"You're that guy I saw in my dream . . . my prophecy! You're the one who's been tricking Antulpan this whole time!" Kokuen-oh shouted up to the being.
The figure bowed like an actor on a stage. "I'm glad someone recognizes me. Ironic that it should be the only former Demidon in your group!"
Kokuen-oh's eyes went wide, "You can't be-"
As the figure stood up, his hood fell off his head, revealing a face that was clearly of G'gonstrm origins and was shaded blue. He had black horns that curved outward and then up, like a bull's. His eyes emanated a paler blue aura and his hair was black, cropped short at his shoulders.
"I am called Badamon, and I have been the test subject for G'gonstrm's draining efforts. I have the power of Mycuaja and G'gonstrm in a body of pure darkness. Do you really think you can defeat me?"
"That's not a question! We will!" Hariel called, ready to call his Kikoutei Armor in an instant as he moved to protect T'myra. All he had to hear was the word 'drain' and he knew exactly what Badamon could possibly be after. HE'S the one that the Demidons have been putting all of the extra G'gonstrm blood in! I don't think I even want to know how . . . but that means he might be after Tamer! Then he had a second thought, What does he mean, 'the power of Mycuaja'? Does that mean he's a Half-Breed, too? No, the Demidons would've killed him too . . . Hariel continued his train of thought, but always kept his eyes focused on Badamon.
Kokuen-oh had likewise worked his way to Sashyrary and Shedosh held his Ancient Staff out in a defensive stance, his other arm behind him and angled slightly down. Acuashy clasped his hand tightly. Najyana, meanwhile, looked like she was ready to fight, her hands up in front of her and her fingers contorted slightly in the beginning position for a spell.
Najy cast a glance to Rafakoh, who was still pretty dazed at the situation before. Come on, Miss Rafakoh! Snap out of it! They aren't your crewmembers any more!
"Then we shall punish G'gonstrm!" Lord Saberstryke agreed, jumping forward. However, his path was blocked by the three sailors.
"Oh, one thing I forgot to mention . . . they are my servants now. You'll have to get through them first," Badamon chuckled.
"I don't think so!" Saberstryke yelled, flying up to battle Badamon. Saberstryke drew the Fervor swords and began slashing at Badamon, but only caught Badamon's cloak. Did he jump . . . or can he fly? "A Demidon?" Saberstryke gasped.
"+Of course+" Badamon cackled, jumping up into the moonlight and spreading his wings.
Saberstryke could now see that Badamon also had dark blue skin on his arms, elongated hands with claws, and a tail with a wide flare at the end. He had to shield his eyes from the moonlight and was tackled by Badamon. Badamon jumped off to attack again, but was caught off guard by a back attack.
"+What the-+" He gasped. He'd descended a few feet, but kept his focus balanced between both of his attackers.
"(Whip Lash!)" T'myra yelled; she had already Raged and was in flight near the aerial melee between Saberstryke and Badamon.
On the ground, Rafakoh was trying to talk to her men. "Boys, snap out of it! Come on!"
"We aren't taking orders from you anymore, Captain," Kohshooh laughed, backing against Rohkoh.
"And we won't ever again," Aoh agreed, backing against the older two men.
From where Rafakoh was standing, Kohshooh was on the left and Rohkoh was on the right, with Aoh in front. She was barely aware of anything else going on around her, and could only stare on in wide-eyed shock, especially after what came next.
"Prepare yourself, Captain!" Rohkoh shouted as a dark light engulfed the three of them in a crackling ball of dark lightning that came from the sky. The lightning dissipated, but now the three looked like they were three great pyres of dark blue fire. Grunts and groans of increasingly deepening pitch came from the continually burning trio.
"Did I forget to tell you about that too? I'm sorry!" Badamon laughed maniacally with sarcasm, dodging one of the Fervor Swords, "They aren't defenseless anymore!"
"+Ryah+" an evil laugh sounded over the docks. At the same time, the fires burst outward and R'rufu couldn't believe what she saw. It was still three people, but they no longer resembled the crew of the Kahroh.
Where Rohkoh once stood, there was one that wore a grotesque, white mask and heavy, dark blue armor. He also wielded a halberd.
Instead of Kohshooh, there was another that had a large cloak which wrapped around his head and body with a whip around his neck. The only feature on his face that could be seen were two, glowing red eyes.
Most disconcerting was Aoh's transformation. The last figure was dressed like a lightly-armored assassin, though his color-pattern was in light brown and blue-gray, with two thin swords and an armored face mask that allowed one to only see his eyes.
"Oh Dekutan . . ." R'rufu gasped, tears forming in the edges of her eyes, "+BADAMON! What have you DONE to them?"
"Only showing you my power, that's all, Captain," Badamon snickered as he lunged at T'myra, who was still flying in the air.
She didn't see it coming and was promptly knocked into the murky waters of the docks below.
"TAMER!" Hariel cried from the pier as he ran and leapt to dive after her, actually grateful he hadn't put on his armor yet.
The being that was formerly Rohkoh suddenly appeared in front of Hariel, as if he were standing on the water. "+Wave of Destruction+" The white-masked one yelled. He sliced a wave of water which flew up at Hariel, so the Angel never made it to the water. "I am now Saranbo! You will deal with me, boy!" He held his halbred at a downward angle, towards Hariel's neck and chest as the First Conduit lay prone on his back on the pier leading to the Kahroh.
"Acua, you and your friends step back a little and try to help us with spells, but only from a distance," Shedosh almost commanded, but Acuashy made a low murmur of agreement and pulled back.
"Friend Sashyrary! Friend Najyana! Come towards me!" Acuashy called and cast her Invisibility spell when they had done so. "Now you can cast spells at them!"
Shedosh began to cast a spell with his free hand, but the cloaked figure that had been Kohshooh smacked him to the ground, knocking his Artifact out of his grasp. After it clattered to the ground, Shedosh tried to grasp the staff, but the monster stepped on it.
"You! Angel! You will battle with the Sun Devil!" He kicked the staff away in disgust. "You won't be needing that."
Kokuen-oh looked around frantically for the third creature, the one that had been Aoh, but was caught off guard as two swords nearly cut open his abdomen. He gazed up at the armored face that hissed at him.
"The Seer . . . you shall fight with me, Gnash!"
Rafakoh could only stare at what she saw; her three best men were now monsters controlled by an even greater monster. Badamon was fighting Saberstryke near the crow's nest of the Kahroh. Hariel was on the pier a little ways in front of her, staring up at 'Saranbo.' Shedosh was on her far left, on the wood of the boardwalk looking up at 'Sun Devil.' Kokuen-oh was in front of her and to the right a little, drawing his short sword to attack 'Gnash.'
The girls . . . R'rafko whirled around and saw nothing except for two glowing red eyes cloaked in darkness. As she ran towards it, suddenly realized why it was there. A long, dark appendage came out and grasped what looked like thin air. Soon afterwards, a squirming Acuashy appeared in the shadow's black grasp as a stunned Sashyrary and Najyana turned to face it, launching small beams of energy at it. A dark orb of black light rose up around the figure, absorbing the two Mystics' attacks.
"AHH! Let go of me!" Acuashy screamed.
Shedosh tried to get up and help her, but Sun Devil stepped in front of him - eyeing him; daring Shedosh to try and get past him unarmed and unharmed.
Hariel tried to roll on the ground to escape a swing from Saranbo's halbred, but only managed to roll in the wrong direction and almost got himself sliced. He quickly stood up as Saranbo raised his halbred again and tried to call his armor, but Saranbo slashed at him, forcing him to duck. He kept trying, but every time he got close to finishing the call, Saranbo would distract him again.
Kokuen-oh wasn't doing so well either. He was fending off both of Gnash's swords, but he was unable to make an attack of his own without leaving himself open. It didn't help that he kept glancing back at Sashyrary to see how she was faring, now that Acuashy's Invisibility was down. From where Kokuen-oh stood - on the pier near the Kahroh - he could easily see Hariel's combat in front of him, Rafakoh facing the girls - they were all a good distance from him - and Shedosh on the boardwalk off to his right. While he couldn't see Badamon and Saberstryke fighting, he could hear the sounds of their combat directly above him.
Sashy and Najy kept up their beams, but the shadow held out a pyramid that blasted them away with a wave of molten fire. He emerged from the gloom of his own creation, grinning evilly, "Pathetic attempts, girls!" "+Badamon! Whadda' ya' say we finish them off+"
Badamon shot a blast of fire that singed the Lord and sent him crashing to the docks below, unable to react fast enough to use his wings effectively. Turning to the figure gripping Acuashy, the Demidon chuckled and began to descend to the Lord's prone form, "+Not yet, Arago. We must make them suffer for the trouble they've caused all of us. K'knkir! S'swrtir! Make sure those girls don't interfere with me.+"
The two Sandstrikers leapt from the shadows and took both of the remaining girls in a headlock with swords at their throats as they lay on the ground of the boardwalk, burnt and barely moving even before the Sandstrikers reached them. They sneered at Rafakoh, "+If you know what's good for you, Captain, you won't make a move, or risk their lives+"
"+You bastards, you're still around+" R'rufu growled, preparing to use her magical bracers.
"Shut it, Captain, or your boyfriend won't be able to make your heart soar," Badamon set a glowing hand on the Lord's wings as K'kedki began to wince in pain.
"What are you trying to accomplish, Badamon?" R'rufu demanded. She was the only one left standing and without an opponent.
"Oh, nothing big," Badamon laughed as he took his hand away, "Just trying to stop all of you from getting in my way." He moved towards the dock as he continued, "You see, I'm trying to resurrect the Gizmutan race, because they were the most powerful beings on all of Cheakir. Then the Dekutan descended to Cheakir and hunted them down, leaving only the children to be raised in a better life-" Badamon mocked. He turned around to face the Conduits and Captains. "-just because we have a more . . . aggressive behavior."
"What's in it for you?" R'rufu laughed.
"If I am the one who resurrects the race, and I also have the power of Mycuaja in me, then I can prove to everyone that I am the most powerful of all Gizmutan, and rule over all of Cheakir!" Badamon cackled.
This guy's nuts, Hariel thought and looked into the water near him. Tamer . . . Cuamyjy don't let her die . . . I couldn't live with myself . . .
Kokuen looked at the large figure with the bulkiest armor that was holding Acuashy, "I thought you were good at heart, Antulpan? How could you let him do this?"
"He's no longer Antulpan; he is my servant: Arago. His mind belongs to me now!" Badamon informed him, then turned to the water. "So, Lady T'myra, what do you say we get you out of that cold, murky water, huh?" Badamon's hands began to glow with a dark energy as the waters stirred. "She's probably a drowned rat by now," he chuckled darkly from his spot on the pier near the Kahroh.
Hariel's skin turned sheet-white as what looked like a soaked child with wings was raised out of the water. "Tamer . . ." he sobbed.
Saranbo laughed, still watching Hariel for any sudden movements, "You all are no match for us; you're too inexperienced and your emotions make you weak."
Hariel glared at Saranbo and was about to make another call for his armor when a voice entered his thoughts.
'Wait . . . Don't do anythin'.'
Hariel returned his gaze to T'myra and his eyes widened when he noticed that Tamer's hands had begun to glow an aqua color, What is she doing? She had me thinking she was dead
Suddenly, T'myra's immensely dark teal, almost navy-colored, wings sprang open. She suspended there just above the water as Badamon backed away in shock.
"The Half-Breed is still alive?" he gasped.
"No shit, your mighty Demon-ness!" The teal aura surrounded her and she sprang forward in Badamon's direction, aiming a little higher than his head.
Is she trying to take out Badamon herselfHariel demanded internally.
Badamon dodged out of the way, laughing as he did so. "You don't expect to catch me off guard that easily do you?"
"Actually, I do," T'myra sneered. She continued her flight, diving low to scoop up the Ancient Staff, and returned to the sky.
"Do you think that you can use that stupid noisemaker against us?" Arago chuckled, still gripping Acuashy tightly.
"No, but I think that Shedosh can!" Tamer thrust the staff below her, and it stuck in the wooden planks next to Shedosh, "Now!"
"But-" Shedosh began.
"DO IT, DAMNIT!"
Shedosh didn't push the issue.
"(Far from here, to the darkness;
Dekutan, guide our voyage;
To Hell, let us fly!)"
Shedosh concentrated as hard as he could as a column of pale blue light split the sky and spilled onto the Mystic-Angel. An orb engulfed him - a light blue sphere - and then flew up into the air.
T'myra smiled, wet ponytails clinging to her face, as a dark aquamarine orb surrounded her. On a power not of her own, the sphere sped up and after Shedosh's.
Hariel was next, a red power circle enveloped him, sparking white here and there. He too was lifted up and after his friends.
Kokuen-oh's orb glowed light green as he drifted upward.
Saberstryke awoke in his orange sphere and made a note to ask what was going on later.
Rafakoh wanted to cry out to her men through her pale amber circle, but couldn't get the words to form.
Acuashy broke from Antulpan's grasp in a blaze of light pink-purple.
Sashyrary leapt up and was surrounded by the colors of the sunset.
Najyana was last in her swirl of dark grays.
The nine orbs flew, circling each other above the evil beings' heads as Badamon stammered, "+Could - could this be the power of the Dekutan on Cheakir+"
The orbs hovered for a second, and then shot off in a northwestern direction.
"+They're going to Hell! We have to follow them+" Badamon called to his minions below him
"+And with a few minor adjustments, I know the perfect way . . .+" Saranbo laughed as he bowed, motioning to the Kahroh behind them.
(-)(-)(-)
Continued in: Souls of the Light and Dark
4/4/2001
YAY! We're nearing the end of 'Before the Beginning!' (BIG grin) (Note from 2/25/05: I take that back; I'm willing to bet this is about the halfway point.) What do you guys think of it so far? I don't know if you won't tell me! E-mail me or leave a critique! Anyway, I'll get going on the next episode, seeing as how I've been sick and addicted to Spyro 3, I'm kinda' behind. So I'll quit yapping and get writing! Ja ne!
2/25/2005 and 4/1/2005
I tried to clarify the battle scene a little better. I hope it helped; be sure to let me know! Update: After all of the modifications this chapter received earlier in the year, nothing needed to be changed in the restructuring. I made some wordsmithing modifications, but that's it.
Nekochan