FOREVER DESTINY : Ancient Era Arc 1
Before the Beginning
Episode 14:
"The Lesser of Two Evils"
Story Focus: T'myra and the Dekutan's Chosen
By Nekochan
Author's Note
More from my most recent brainstorm. THANK YOU MY DEAR SLEDGEHAMMER-WEILDING MUSE! (Grin) Anyway, there will probably be one more episode (plus an epilogue) after this and that will wrap up Before the Beginning, the first arc in the Ancient Era! (Smiles) Then, I won't feel so bad about taking the second arc more slowly than I had at first, plus focus more on some stuff I just skimmed over and didn't explain very well.
Arigatou Minasan! (Thanks everyone!)
Nekochan
(-)(-)(-)
2:45 AM Monday- Hell, G'gonstrm May 9th- 981 D.A.
K'rant bowed in front of his mother and father before approaching. If it hadn't been for R'nast insisting he be allowed to go first - and promising an explanation to their father later - K'rant might have been distracted at that moment, since he had to concentrate in order to execute his control perfectly. But, he knew it would take a few moments for his powers to fully overcome the Demon-sister.
His mother looked up from her place on the floor that had been covered with as much extra clothing as the Gizmutan could salvage. "+"My Fourth Son, K'rant, may I present your new little brother, My Fifth Son, G'kret."+" She held up a tiny creature for K'rant to see.
K'rant took the child into his arms and looked down at it. The little Gizmu had glistening, dark green skin that covered him from the tips of his baby, clawed toes to the barely-present horns on his head, as well as all over the membranes of his little wings. The baby G'kret stirred and yawned, showing two tiny teeth where K'rant knew menacing fangs would be before long. Then, his little brother blinked his small eyes and looked into K'rant's face, an innocent smile coming over his face. G'kret had bright gold eyes that shone only briefly when he smiled, but the aura died down again after that.
"+"I am honored to have such a child as this G'kret for my younger brother, Mother,"+" K'rant acknowledged before handing G'kret back to his mother. Even though it was a ritualized saying - he remembered it from D'mri's birth - K'rant was sincere in his words. He could tell that G'kret held a power that none of the other Children possessed - each of his siblings' powers were unique, as was his, much like their runes were - and that addition would become a great asset to their cause, should it take so long that G'kret had to grow up in the shadows of the Dekutan. K'rant clenched his fist, thinking, I will not allow that to happen. "+"My Great Father and Mother, please forgive me, but I must now depart to concentrate on my powers to further the plan that Your Children have set in motion. I am sure that my Eldest Brother R'nast will be able to give you a full explanation, as he promised."+"
"+"You are granted your leave, My Fourth Son,"+" the Children's father pronounced with a wave of his hand. He was standing up next to where his mate lay on the floor holding their newborn child.
K'rant bowed and then walked towards the exit room, passing by his six siblings, who watched him leave and then returned their gaze to their parents.
'Which Runes did he inherit, K'rant?' R'nast inquired of his younger sibling as K'rant reached the exit.
K'rant couldn't help smiling as he thought to himself, knowing R'nast would pick it up, Mother's Bright Eye on his right hand and Father's Spider on his left foot, Eldest Brother.
R'nast mentally chuckled to K'rant, 'What a pitiful combination! His power shall indeed grow swiftly with such pathetic Runes to limit his power. I'm sure you two will become quite close, K'rant.'
I believe we will, Eldest Brother. I only possess the Clasp from Father on my right foot and the Snake Fangs from Mother on my right shoulder, after all. I hate to say it, Eldest Brother, but it seems that the younger siblings have had the luck of the draw when it comes to our Runes - your power came with much practice and struggle, did it not?
'Yes that is true. Perhaps you are right, K'rant, but that is only a sign of the Dekutan's influences weakening. It is proof that now is the time to strike. Don't disappoint us, K'rant!' R'nast left K'rant's mind to focus on controlling the Demon-sister and his own to focus on his parents, the Great Father and Mother of the Gizmutan. The Lightningbolt on my left hand and Arrowhead on my right knee will not be my concern much longer.
"+"We shall first proceed with the Ritual Introduction of a Newborn,"+" the Great Father spoke as a command, "+"Then My Eldest Son can inform us of the plans My Children have laid in my short absence."+"
"+"Understood,"+" the remaining six Children echoed.
Each Child, in order of age, was permitted to approach their Mother and examine their new little brother, G'kret. After R'nast, N'denz and then T'vda went forward. Next was R'skan, followed by N'kndi. After a short pause, D'mri moved up, giggling all the way - normally K'rant would have gone just ahead of her, but she'd momentarily forgotten his absence.
"+"I'm honored . . . to have a child, this G'kret . . . as my younger brother, Mommy,"+" D'mri spoke slowly at first, but finished in a very giddy and excited manner, holding her arms out before her; it was her first time at a Newborn Introduction.
The Great Mother looked up at her mate with a pleading look - she knew he would have severely punished lesser Gizmutan for improperly stating the ritualized saying as D'mri had.
It was then that D'mri realized her severe breech in custom at such a critically proper time. She tentatively bit her lip, pulled her arms behind her back, folded her wings, and looked at the ground, hoping her display of shame might help her Father forgive her.
The Great Father sighed and then nodded to the Great Mother.
The Great Mother smiled and held G'kret underneath of D'mri's gaze to let her know it was okay now.
D'mri's happy demeanor returned and she scooped G'kret into her arms, rocking him slightly and waving a finger in his face. G'kret cooed and laughed in response to her playing, the golden aura of his eyes shining slightly from his closed eyelids as his tail flicked in excitement. D'mri held him high, brushed her nose to his, then returned him to their Mother's arms before scurrying back to her place at N'kndi's right-hand side.
"+"Now, My Eldest Son, R'nast,"+" the Great Father's voice boomed after the short silence as he sat down next to his mate once more, "+"Tell your Mother and I what scheme you seven have concocted and what its purpose might be."+"
R'nast stepped forward and towards the Great Father and Mother before beginning, "+"Recently, as you may or may not have been aware, Great Father, Your Children caught some lingering intruders within our Domain . . ."+" R'nast paused to await a response from his Father.
"+"I had noticed. Continue,"+" the Great Father commented, noticeably less than interested.
I need to jump to the point, R'nast decided quickly. "+"As Your Children were discussing their punishment, one of the intruders called out. He spoke of the Dekutan and The Prophecy."+" If that didn't get his attention, then I don't know what will.
All of The Children and the Great Mother watched with baited breath as the Great Father of the Gizmutan slowly got to his feet and stood to his full height.
"+"Tell me all that you now know of this, R'nast,"+" the Great Father commanded.
All of the Children, including R'nast, couldn't help but grin.
R'nast took a deep breath and began, "+"The one called Badamon spoke of nine beings summoned by the Dekutan to fulfill their Prophecy, five called the Conduits in search of items of power, known to them as Artifacts. Surely these must be the Dekutan's Chosen, meant to fight Chosen of Our Kin in the Battle for Cheakir. We knew of the Dekutan's Power-keys meant for their Chosen - these Artifacts most likely - but if the Dekutan's Chosen already have them . . ."+"
"+"Then we must not let the Battle take place, for Our Chosen are not even a complete group yet! You have a plan, then, R'nast?"+" The Great Father inquired, completely serious now.
R'nast nodded. "+"Apparently, only four of the Conduits have retrieved their Artifacts. They believe that the final one is located here, in Hell -"+"
"+"Most likely the Dekutan's secret to keeping Our Kin trapped here!"+" The Great Father burst out.
"+"Perhaps . . . Great Father, you recall that the Ceremony to seal Our Kin away eternally requires the Power-keys of the Dekutan?"+" R'nast asked calmly.
The Great Father looked directly at his eldest son, numerous emotions running across his face. "+"Explain your question, R'nast."+"
R'nast nodded once more. "+"The Agreement with the Dekutan stated that the Ceremony was to be performed by the victorious Champions to either seal Our Kin or free them - make permanent the effects of our Runes or remove them. The Ceremony requires the Power-keys, but the Dekutan's Chosen have them and we dare not risk beginning the Battle for Cheakir in order to take the Power-keys away from the Dekutan's Chosen. Then, why not simply get the Dekutan's Chosen to perform the Ceremony which will free Our Kin?"+"
The Great Father's eyes were wide with wonder and anticipation. "+"R'nast . . . have you discovered a way to do this? Surely the Chosen know of the Agreement and the Ceremony!"+"
R'nast shook his head. "+"They know nothing, Great Father - neither our captives nor the Dekutan's Chosen; D'mri made sure our captives were telling the truth and we learned of the state of the Dekutan's Chosen's knowledge from a different source . . . We learned from the one called Badamon that the only Conduit without their Artifact is a being known as T'myra. She has the blood of the Gizmutan in her, but also that of the Magicians - the Dekutan's creation. Your Children currently have possession of this T'myra -"+"
The Great Father looked agitated, "+"She couldn't possibly defeat all of the Dekutan's other Chosen, especially without her little trinket from the Dekutan! What could one Chosen under our control do against all eight of the others?"+"
R'nast smiled before answering. "+"She can do a great service to us, Father . . . She can deliver the Chosen with that kind of power right into our hands!"+"
"+"How do you know this?"+" The Great Father demanded.
R'nast replied quickly, "+"The one called Badamon informed us that this T'myra was in a relationship of sorts with another Chosen called Hariel, which we confirmed from this T'myra - at the very same time we clarified that the Dekutan's Chosen knew nothing of their involvement in The Battle for Cheakir or of The Agreement. This Hariel possess an enormous power within his Artifact - this T'myra gave us that information, too. Your Children suspect he holds the Power-key which is the focal point of The Ceremony of Unsealing -"+"
"+"And you intend to make an exchange so that he will perform The Ceremony that will free us? One Chosen for the other, playing off their Dekutan-influenced emotions?"+" The Great Father interrupted his son.
R'nast nodded, bowing.
"+"R'nast . . ."+"
R'nast sensed his father walk right in front of him and so stood upright, not sure what to expect.
The Great Father clasped R'nast's right shoulder in his left hand. "+"You are proving yourself worthy of the title of My First Son."+"
The Great Mother, the five Children, and the Great Father all smiled at R'nast, who couldn't help but grin at the praise. It was all going to be worth it after all; their plan would succeed and R'nast would finally be able to fully prove himself to his father, when his power was realized at last with no damned Runes to suppress it.
R'nast's smiled broadened and he stood a little taller; his head reached level with his father's chin, which gave him even more reason to grin. That meant he was only barely shorter than his mother, too. He was nearing the height of his maturity, at which point he would stop aging physically but continue to grow in power. It seemed like everything was going his way.
It's about time! R'nast snarled internally, though his grin didn't lessen at all.
(-)
2:55 AM Monday- Hell, G'gonstrm May 9th- 981 D.A.
K'rant was physically alone in his hollowed-out cavern for a personal sleeping chamber, but mentally he was working his way around the Demon-sister's mind and slowly increasing his hold over her. He needed her body to be conscious, but he couldn't risk that until he was sure that her mental self was completely enveloped in the Dreamscape he'd manufactured from her memories.
It's not like it was that hard to find - that night was extremely close to the surface of her consciousness; she must think of that memory, in fact a series of memories beginning after that night, on almost a constant basis, K'rant mused.
It was proving more difficult for K'rant to overcome the Demon-sister's mental defenses than he had anticipated; she had innate magical abilities inherited from her Magician heritage - he knew that - but he had not realized how that would have affected her mental state. If K'rant was going to fully possess her, he had to know enough about her mental capabilities to manipulate her body. That meant her Demon abilities, Magician abilities, and fighting style.
All of a sudden, K'rant discovered the core of her Magician abilities. His body shuddered and he almost lost contact with her. Her Demon abilities alter her mentality in such a way that it would become difficult for me to control her . . . but this power . . . why did she not use it against us in the first place? Is she even aware of it? K'rant smiled broadly, This will be more than a challenge . . . this might actually be fun.
At that moment, K'rant poured all of his power into the Demon-sister. He felt his fingertips gripping someone tightly and his vision clear. There was a boy there, whom he instantly recognized as his target; the Conduit even more powerful than this one he had possessed; the Demon-sister's romantic partner and a descendant of the Dekutan, like all others living on the surface of Cheakir: Hariel.
K'rant let loose his power on Hariel and stood up, sizing up his opponents. It was time for a battle.
(-)
3:00 AM Monday- Hell, G'gonstrm May 9th- 981 D.A.
"FIGHT ME!"
T'myra began to rise in the air, chanting her spell as she did so, but the darkness in her voice made Hariel's heart stop. She wasn't calling on the power of the Dekutan - she was calling to the Gizmutan.
"Come on, Rufu!" K'kedki shouted as he launched himself into the air, releasing the latches on his wings and drawing his sword.
Rufu followed suit, her cape melting into her sleek wings. Everyone could see the pained look on her face. "K'kedki-" But Hariel had the same thoughts in mind.
"PLEASE DON'T- YOU CAN'T- K'kedki, it's TAMER!" Hariel cried as he scrambled to his feet, running after them. It was Kokuen-oh who held him back, but he too was looking up at T'myra.
K'kedki couldn't look at Hariel - he knew that it would have shaken his resolve. Instead, he asked a pointed question outloud to remind even himself of his rationale. "Would T'myra want to stay possessed?"
Hariel didn't know the answer to that question, but his gaze turned to where T'myra was hovering. Apparently, T'myra's controller also knew how to make her Manifest her demonic image.
"I am the one who controls the Demon-sister's fate now!" She called out, whip raised in one hand and magical energy crackling in the other, which she launched in front of her to create a barrier when K'kedki moved to attack her. "And holding back will not save any of you!"
Hariel looked back at his other friends. Shedosh had put up a shield similar to T'myra's and was protecting the three girls, who were each in the middle of a spell. The shield was big enough to get all four of them, but it barely missed Hariel and thus Kokuen-oh, who was in front of him.
Acuashy's eyes lit up and a beam of light shot out from her hands towards the melee. "(Noonday Sunbeam!)" It erupted in T'myra's eyes, temporarily blinding her.
"(Venomous Strike!)" Sashyrary launched a small orb at T'myra, which transformed into a snake's head and hit her flesh, making her shriek in surprise and pain.
Najyana pointed directly at T'myra. "(Shadow Double!)" With that, a shadowy figure appeared behind the flying Half-Breed, trying to grab onto her and clawing at the same time.
T'myra growled menacingly and broke free of the shadow's grasp, nimbly avoiding K'kedki and Rufu as she went, but they wasted no time pursuing her. "WHIP LASH!" She shouted, and everyone was amazed to see the whip shoot out of her hands and slash K'kedki across his armor, making cuts into the thick metal; she didn't seem affected by Acuashy's blinding light at all. "Weak magician's power! Weak-minded fools! You cannot possibly be the Dekutan's Chosen that I am searching for!" She turned to glare angrily at Hariel. "What's the matter, Hariel? Can't you summon your Artifact? Or am I not worthy of your time? Is T'myra's life not worthy of your time?" She demanded.
Hariel's breath caught in his throat as he tried to absorb what had just come out of T'myra's mouth - this creature knew his name and that he had an Artifact?
"Don't listen, Hariel! It's not T'myra!" Rufu cried as she charged T'myra, trying to pierce T'myra's deflecting aura with her rapier.
Hariel narrowed his eyes and broke out of Kokuen-oh's grasp. He made no attempt to run, but called out to the controller, "My armor won't do me any good because I'm not fighting you! Call me a coward or say I'm not one of the Dekutan's Chosen but I don't CARE! I could never strike T'myra and I never will! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"
"Pick a different spell!" Shedosh cried to the girls as he continued to keep up the shield-barrier.
All three nodded and began to cast their chosen spells.
Acuashy launched a series of small lightning bolts at T'myra, but the energy merely crackled against her barrier.
Sashyrary noted that and switched spells; pulling a few pins from a pocket at her waist, she launched them at T'myra and they were suddenly dripping with poison. The pins seemed to pass through the barrier, but only one hit T'myra herself near her stomach.
Najyana grinned, "I know something to stop her!" She made a motion as if to grasp the air in front of her and suddenly all of the shadows around T'myra, K'kedki, and R'rafko swirled like a cloak around them. Hariel and Kokuen-oh were on the edge of both Shedosh's shield and Najyana's darkness dome.
T'myra grinned, fangs bared, and deflected K'kedki's blind swinging and R'rafko's desperate thrusts with her rapier before setting off towards Hariel, Sashyrary's poisonous pin falling to the ground. She landed directly in front of him, pushing Kokuen-oh out of her way, and wrapped herself around Hariel, digging her claws in. "I was hoping you'd come quietly!" At that, she began to sink into the earth with a struggling Hariel.
"NO! T'MYRA! TAMER!" Hariel screamed, struggling to free himself.
Kokuen-oh stood up with Sashyrary's help and turned to Shedosh. "T'myra has Hariel; I don't know what she's doing or where she thinks she's going, but she intends to take Hariel with her!"
"Stop!" Shedosh called to the girls to hold their next spells, "You might hit Hariel, Saberstryke, or Rafakoh!"
T'myra chuckled gleefully and held up her barrier as K'kedki and Rufu fumbled in the darkness, trying to stop her. Soon, no part of T'myra and Hariel's bodies couldn't be seen even in the shadowy illumination.
Confused but worried, Najyana dropped her dome of shadows and everyone gasped at the sudden disappearance of Hariel and T'myra.
Silence followed and no one knew what to do. Acuashy and Sashyrary released the magical energy they'd been preparing while Rufu and K'kedki landed near the four spell-casters. Shedosh dropped the shield and his staff broke the silence as the rings clanged against the rods holding them up.
"Shedosh- please tell me you have a plan? Do you know what that thing was that had T'myra?" K'kedki demanded.
The rings of the Ancient Staff chimed softly as Shedosh shook his head. "K'kedki . . . I- I don't know . . ."
"Look!" Acuashy screeched in fear, pointing at the ground where Hariel and T'myra had disappeared. It was starting to glow orange.
The Conduits jumped back in shock as the ground erupted in white light, accompanied by a loud scream from Hariel.
". . . KIKOUTEI!"
It echoed all throughout the cavern and the other Chosen could have sworn they felt the earth tremble under their feet. They only just caught sight of T'myra flying upwards from Hariel, who was in the position to call his armor, and it looked like she was in utter shock.
Shedosh gasped happily as Acuashy clung to him, "Hariel!"
R'rufu, too, was elated. "You're okay!" She looked over at K'kedki, but his attention was wholly focused on T'myra.
"All right, Hariel!" Kokuen-oh shouted, holding Sashyrary's hand tightly.
Najyana was apprehensive, Where is that shadowy figure I saw earlier? Surely if T'myra's possessor was having this kind of difficulty he'd ask for back-up . . . unless his goal isn't to kill us! Of course; his target is Hariel! He's not even trying to kill Hariel! But . . . but what on Cheakir could the Gizmutan want with Hariel when they've already got T'myra?
T'myra was at least as surprised as the Conduits, if not more. "IMPOSSIBLE!" Her frustrated scream could be hear all throughout the caves.
(-)
T'myra's parents had long since left her, but she still couldn't sleep. Those same thoughts were plaguing her. She had tried reading a book, sitting by the fire, and just lying in bed, but nothing worked. So, she was utilizing her last resort - staring out of her window. She could see the whole Mycuajan countryside, the city of Mysecuamaja's silhouette, and Rujyeruna's Eyes were filling the night with her soft gaze.
Then the glow intensified and T'myra thought she could see a figure in each Eye. Was it a person? Two people?
As she concentrated, pulling back the curtains to get a better view, she realized that the left image was indeed a young man with white hair, a pale complexion, and ragged clothes; he had a sad countenance about him. The figure on the right appeared to be in some kind of regal, white armor, but the helmet was off, held at the figure's side - it was the same young man and he, too, was sad.
Tamer . . . She saw both men speak at the same time she heard the voice in her head.
I know tha' voice . . . She realized and her heart was filled with warmth. She smiled, clutching her hands to her chest and her fluttering heart within. Who is this man tha' makes me so glad t' see 'im? Tha' can make me blush wit' a mere word?
The glow around the two became even brighter and she could only make out their faces now.
"No! Stay! PLEASE!" She found herself shouting.
Tamer . . .
"COTTON!" T'myra screamed and the world around her shattered.
She was trapped in some sort of electrical cage; she had no idea where that was or how she'd got put in there in the first place, but she did know one thing: Cotton needed her help - somehow!
(-)
When the light subsided, the other Conduits could see Hariel's small form just barely underneath the helmet of his Kikoutei armor. It began to glow brightly, first in white, then red, and then both at once - white with red on the outside.
"They're resonating! But why?" Shedosh cried out, looking at his staff, which was glowing a pale cyan. Sure enough, when the Conduits looked around K'kedki's swords were glowing golden orange and The Prophecy was emanating a bright green aura in Kokuen-oh's hands.
"Maybe we're close to T'myra's Artifact? Maybe it can save her!" Rufu exclaimed with renewed hope in her voice.
T'myra glared down at them from her hovering spot. They really are the Dekutan's Chosen after all . . . I can sense that the Armor is stronger than the other Power-keys . . . that makes it the Focus doesn't it? I can't fail-
"T'MYRA!"
She looked down at Hariel, clad in his white armor as he walked towards where she was hovering. "Ready to give in this time, Cotton?"
A glint of light came from the shadows and disappeared quickly. Najyana noticed it, though. I knew it! They're not about to sacrifice T'myra's possessor to get Hariel, but they still want him just the same! "Everyone, I think T'myra's going to have some help soon if we don't get out of here!"
Hariel smiled pitifully up at her, holding his arms out to her. "Tamer, you're stronger than this. You're stronger in spirit than you are in power alone. Come back to us, Tamer."
T'myra laughed and snarled at Hariel, "She can't hear you! She's trapped in her Dreamscape - " Her body suddenly went rigid and her eyes became blank. She didn't move at all, but spoke loud and clear, "Gizmutan plot . . . using Artifacts . . . DON'T GIVE IN!"
Hariel's heart leapt and he cried out to her, "Tamer, fight it!"
T'myra screamed, her hands flying to her head, but the aura overcame her again. "Well, that was unexpected, but I had merely relaxed my hold on her; I just have to tighten my grip!" And T'myra's fist clenched, causing her to bleed a little from her palm.
"Then tell me how to get her back, you monster!" Hariel spat at her possessor. Give in? Give in to this monster? Is that what T'myra meant? What else does she expect me to do??
"It's quite simple really," T'myra said lazily, "I'll leave T'myra's mind alone . . . if you agree to release me."
"Release you?" Hariel repeated. That can't be good.
"Hariel, don't listen to him! He's a Gizmu! A Demon!" Shedosh insisted, running towards Hariel. However, he collided with a protective sphere around T'myra and Hariel; it was navy blue.
T'myra lowered her hand. "This doesn't concern them. This is your decision, Hariel. How important is T'myra to you? And how important is your little quest for your gods? The choice is yours to make and I have endless amounts of patience regarding this matter."
Hariel hung his head, clenching his fists. "Meaning that if I save T'myra then the Prophecy will fail."
T'myra giggled, "Oh, I wouldn't say that . . . but either way it will make completing your task very difficult. I'm afraid I can't help you with that." She spoke these words laughingly, almost losing the dark mood entwined with it.
"Then why release her? Why possess her in the first place? What could you possibly need me for?"
"You'll find out soon enough, Hariel, but I'm afraid I can't tell you any of that until I am convinced you are my ally."
"At least tell me who you are."
"My name is K'rant, one of those sealed away by the Dekutan long ago. Does that change your decision?"
A grimace came over Hariel's face. "No . . . Just . . . just tell me one more thing."
"Ask."
"Will I die?"
T'myra appeared to look shocked and thoughtful as she descended to ground-level in front of Hariel. "From releasing me? I should hope not. That would be extremely inconvenient."
"Then . . . " Hariel closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "I agree to release you, if you'll release T'myra." Maybe I can stop it . . . somehow . . . after T'myra's safe.
"Done . . ." A bright light surrounded T'myra as she raised her arms again, then fell to her knees.
Hariel caught her before she hit the floor, and he was reminded of when he first found his armor. He hadn't told her at that time that he loved her and endured her scorn for many days when they had a silly argument after K'kedki found his swords. But then Kokuen-oh found The Prophecy, and it was at that time in the hallway he and T'myra confessed their love for one another. He had cherished every moment since then, even as they became worried about Shedosh when he dove into the lake to retrieve his Ancient Staff which later transported them to G'gonstrm in the first place. Now, here he was, saying good-bye to her after such a short time together.
" 'A- 'Ariel?" T'myra gasped weakly.
He started to cry; he couldn't help it. The sound of her voice - her Mage-sounding, youthful voice - told him she would be all right and he hugged her close, knowing he was going to lose her again. "Yes, Tamer. I'm here . . . I'm here, but I can't stay very long."
"Wha' . . . ?" She looked so confused and sad.
"I had to save you, Tamer, I just had to. But- but I made a promise that I have to fulfill," Hariel explained, holding her gently now.
"I don't una'stand . . ." she whispered.
He brought her face to him and kissed her lightly, then again. "I know I told you I'd never leave your side, T'myra, but this was the only way to- Just remember how much I love you, Tamer, and maybe you'll be able to forgive me someday. Someday . . ." He stood up slowly; she tried clinging to him, but it was no use - she could barely even move a muscle.
This way . . .
Hariel looked around and saw a flame the color of the deep sea hovering in front of his face, which then started moving towards one of the caverns many exits. He looked back and saw his friends running towards T'myra, not seeming to be able to see him.
It's better this way, Hariel decided. Now they can't try to change my mind or tell me what a fool I was.
As his form disappeared into the darkness, he took one last look at T'myra's sad face, which seemed contorted in a silent scream and then dreamless sleep.
I love you . . . my little Dekata.
(-)
T'myra gripped the bars again, screaming in pain, but she was flung backwards just like every other time she'd tried to escape.
I give you a great deal of credit for managing to break out of my Dreamscape. If Badamon hadn't warned me in time . . . you might have spoiled all of the surprises!
She stood up, panting. It wasn't that hard t' figa' out once I saw 'Ariel in the moon! Now LE' ME GO, GIZMU BASTARD!
K'rant's voice chuckled in her mind. Such a temper you have, Demon-sister. However, Hariel will do precisely as I tell him . . . or else!
T'myra slid into a slump, then glared into the darkness. I swea' I'll stop ya', K'rant! If it takes all o' m' powa', I'll get 'Ariel back an' stop ya'!
K'rant's menacing eyes appeared before her cage and lit up like the cage itself. Not if you can't even regain consciousness! Crackling energy surged all around T'myra as the cage closed around her.
It was a darkness she had become all too familiar with - the swell of her subconscious taking over.
(-)
3:15 AM Monday- Hell, G'gonstrm May 9th- 981 D.A.
"Lady! T'myra!" K'kedki called loudly, trying to rouse her. He dared not touch her - he'd learned his lesson with Kokuen-oh - but feared for her health.
"Let me take a look at her, Saberstryke," Shedosh said, placing a hand on the Lord's shoulder before kneeling down next to T'myra. "I fear she may either still be under the effects of that spell - without the possession - or suffering from some kind of aftereffect."
"Aftereffect?" Rufu queried, her hands gripping K'kedki's tightly.
Acuashy piped up, "Sometimes, Ms. Rufu, the casting of certain spells takes so much energy out of the magic-user that they are extremely exhausted afterwards. In the rare cases of some very powerful spells being cast, the magic-user may even fall asleep immediately afterwards or slip into a very deep kind of sleep. I have even heard of more permanent effects being the aftereffects of spells - blindness, deafness, weakness of the body, weakness of the mind - but those cases were usually the result of spells being cast incorrectly."
Spell-casting seems so dangerous . . . R'rufu commented to herself.
Shedosh had barely paid attention after he realized Acuashy was giving the answer, but he did notice when Kokuen-oh knelt down next to him.
"She'll recover, won't she?" Kokuen-oh asked very softly.
"Of course she will, she's T'myra!" Sashyrary chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. While remaining standing, she wrapped her arms around Kokuen's shoulders and hugged him tightly. "She's strong; she'll pull through - if nothing else, for Hariel's sake . . . right?"
Kokuen nodded and smiled wryly. "She won't be happy to hear what he's done when she wakes up." He lifted his left hand up and gently massaged Sashyrary's head just above her ponytail at the base of her neck. "Thanks, Mysti."
Sashy merely smiled, leaning into his touch and blushing slightly.
Najyana sighed, desperately trying to remain calm, "So now we have a couple of things we need to accomplish, the question is in what order to do them:" She held out one hand and extended her first finger, counting it with her other hand. "Hariel has disappeared, apparently . . ." she gulped and tried to continue, "sacrificing himself to save T'myra and frankly he may or may not be dead -"
K'kedki interrupted her, "We'd have sensed if he was dead - the same way we knew something had happened to T'myra, even if Hariel did feel it before us."
Najyana acknowledged his comment with a nod and extended her second finger, counting it as well. "T'myra is still unconscious and she most likely - evidenced by her outburst during the battle - knows something about what in Hell is going on - "
"I think WE are what in Hell is going on, Najyana," Kokuen-oh put in.
Najyana glared at him, "It's an expression, Kokuen-oh, and you know it! I'm merely doing my best to retain my sanity right now!" She turned away, holding her head in her hands.
Acuashy moved over to her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We are all in the same predicament, Friend Najy, but we have to do our best to remain calm."
"I'm sorry . . . It's just . . . I want us to win, is that so bad?" Najyana asked. "I mean, I want Hariel to live and T'myra to live and the Gizmutan to leave Cheakir alone forever - " She sighed again. "But that seems so far away, now . . . T'myra was always so confidant . . . and with all that's happened, I guess it finally hit me: none of us - not one of us - can just go along for the ride. We're all in this fight for a reason . . . I just haven't figured mine out yet . . ."
Acuashy smiled at her other companions before facing Najyana. "Friend Najy . . . I think I just did."
Najyana looked at Acuashy with tears in the corners of her eyes. "What do you mean?" she wondered.
"You have a power in your voice, Friend Najy. You have inspired us to keep going in the face of adversity -" Acuashy motioned to the other Conduits, who each nodded in turn. "- And that is just as important as any power used in combat."
Kokuen-oh casually opened up The Prophecy, consulting it and hoping for some hint that they were on the right track.
"So . . . what does it say, Kokuen?" Sashy asked, peering over his shoulder as she stood on her tiptoes.
His friends looked at him anxiously.
Kokuen-oh turned to look at T'myra, then opened the book for all to see.
On the left page was the cryptic writing typical of The Prophecy, but on the right page was a diagram. It showed a light shining down on one figure that was lying down from the top of the page. Apparently arranged around the figure and evenly spaced were four other figures that were standing up. However, the four figures were lower down on the page than the one figure lying down. Most peculiar was the symbol at the top of the page, apparently the source of the light: it looked like a necklace with an incomplete circle hanging off of it.
"I don't understand," Rufu said out loud as she shook her head, the confusion written on her face and evident in her voice.
Kokuen-oh merely closed the book and put it under his arm. Then, he held up three fingers on his right hand and counted the third with his left hand. "We have to find T'myra's Artifact."
(-)(-)(-)
Continued in: Trial and Error
9/10/2005
I don't think there is a single word in this whole episode that was in my original conception of this story. Now, that's not a bad thing, but man . . . It just goes to show how much can change in a few years. All I can hope is that my readers - looking around for said readers - like this new way things are going. I also hope that the wait has been worth it. I absolutely love this new plotline and it's very refreshing to be coming up with new material, but it simply takes a long time when you're working and going to school. So, I'll leave it at that saying only this: remember I'm writing a Ronin Warriors / Yoroiden Samurai Troopers fanfic? Start paying attention.
9/14/2005
I realize now that I'm not happy at all with either of the battles in the episode, but I can't think of how to modify them so I am happy with them. I'm worried that they'll have to be like the one in ep. 11, "High and Mighty" in the sense that I had to let it settle in my brain for awhile playing out until I can think of how to fix it. Of course, I'm open to suggestions. Believe me, I've reworked these two a dozen times already, but I just can't get a handle on battles the first time around I think. Initially I wanted to put the second battle in the next episode, but this one was so short already and it didn't make sense to be in the next chapter anyway, so I did my best to create it as I thought it would play out. Even still . . . I just don't like them.
12/29/2005 & 3/13/2006
So ... yeah ... in the rewrite process, we ended up running over my allotted word count, so I decided to break here and create a new episode. Please don't kill me. (shrinks away in fear). Also, instead of waiting around for me to finish the next episode (I had wanted to post them both at once, in case I needed to edit some more), I decided to just go ahead and post this one. The next one will follow soon and I think you'll really enjoy it, since I had help rewriting the battle scene, so now it's just amazing. Please look forward to it! wink-smile
Nekochan