"Is this an illusion?" Kurogane asked, looking around at their transformed surroundings.
Ayame was doing the same. She and the others were standing on one stone pillar each. Many more similar ones rose out of the lake below them. The waters of the lake had a pinkish hue, same as the spheres which floated all around them. Even the mist seemed to be tinted with the same colour. The woman, she called herself Kiishimu Ayame recalled, stood inside a patio constructed in the middle of the lake.
"I don't think so" Ayame could feel magic all around her. It was not the same as the Ryanban's magic, but no less dangerous. "Whatever you're seeing around you has been sculpted by her powers"
"You're right, pretty child" Kiishimu said, the edges of her mouth crawling up her porcelain cheeks in an uncomfortable looking smile, "It's my secret art. And it is not just beautiful to look at"
Kiishimu flicked one slender, long nailed finger. A floating sphere near Syaoran shivered to life and zoomed towards the boy. Syaoran had just enough time to cross his arms in front of his face. Ayame expected the pinkish orb to bounce away on impact. However, it broke open with a splash the moment it hit is arm. Just when she thought everything was okay, steam began to rise out of Syaoran's water soaked sleeve and a part of it melted and fell off.
"It… melted…?" Syaoran said, staring at his hand.
"The damage my secret art causes is very real" Kiishimu's smile just got wider.
"So if we get badly hurt…?" Fai asked. The mage was still smiling, but the cheerfulness was gone, replaced by a slight edge to his voice.
"You die" Kiishimu raised her arms above her head. In response, all the spheres around them began to attack. The next minute was a blur to Ayame as she dodged the orbs of acid; jumping from one pillar to another, missing several by a hair's breadth.
Ayame landed on a particularly large pillar and caught her breadth. That's when she saw Syaoran lose his footing and plummet straight down into the lake… the lake whose colour was the same as the attacking globes. Instinct took over immediately. Ayame directed her little remaining magic and manipulated the air around Syaoran. The boy gasped as small currents began whirling around him, first cushioning his fall, and then lifting him and depositing him safely on a nearby pillar.
Ayame doubled over, her hands on her knees, chest lurching with heavy breaths.
"Ayame-san!?" Syaoran called out.
"I'm okay, I'm okay" she yelled back, straightening up and wiping the sweat off her forehead.
Fai landed beside her and eyed her reproachfully. "You didn't have to do that"
"I had to" Ayame replied, "I have a feeling that the waters of the lake and the spheres are the same"
"So you're saying that if we fall into the lake, we'll melt" Ayame heard Kurogane say from somewhere behind her.
"We can't keep dodging like this forever… we need to find a way to defend ourselves" Ayame said. Using magic was not an option anymore. She could already feel the muscles in her stomach clench because of exhaustion. If she wanted to survive this, she was going to have to be very careful.
"I might have an idea…" Fai muttered. Then, without explaining himself, he jumped away, landing nimbly on top of a lamppost.
"Woohoo! Kuro-min!" Fai called, "Break this"
Kurogane, who was on a pillar right next to the lamppost, looked up at the grinning mage and growled, "Why should I?"
"We can't keep going unarmed, you know" Fai said.
"Next time, do it yourself!" Kurogane yelled, delivering one sharp punch. The lamppost snapped and broke into pieces. Kurogane quickly grabbed a usable portion. Fai grabbed one for himself and kicked another one towards Ayame. Ayame caught the six foot long wooden rod.
"This would do very nicely" she said, swatting away a few droplets which were heading towards her.
They all managed to keep themselves from getting seriously injured, but Ayame had a feeling it was only a matter of time. She had relocated herself near Syaoran, since the boy had no means to protect himself from the barrage of acid droplets.
"I can't help but feel she is toying with us" Ayame said.
"But how do we get out of here?" Syaoran asked, ducking as Ayame thwacked another acid orb.
"I think Syaoran-kun and Mokona should get out of here first" Fai said.
"I'm listening" Ayame said while Syaoran protested, "But you and Kurogane-san won't last like this!"
"We can manage around here" Fai replied, "Nothing can be achieved with all of us trapped here"
"He's right, Syaoran" Ayame said, "You and Mokona go on ahead, we'll take care of this situation here and join you in no time"
"But Ayame-san, I can't just leave you here!"
"Syaoran, look" Ayame fixed the boy with a stern gaze, "There are more important things that need to be done here. I would like to come with you as well, but it'll be easier for just one person to escape from here. Don't worry about me, I'm a little tired, yes. But my strength is coming back with every passing moment, so I will be fine"
Fai, who had relocated himself next to Kurogane, patted the ninja's back and said, "Yeah there is nothing to worry about. Kuro-pii will take care of things for sure"
"Why me again?" Kurogane snapped.
Syaoran looked at Kurogane and Fai for a moment, then back at Ayame, who nodded reassuringly.
"Okay" he finally said.
Fai pointed at the ceiling of the space they were standing in and said, "The magic is weaker up there. Syaoran-kun should be able to kick his way out"
At this, Mokona suddenly popped her head out of Syaoran's robe and said, "It's so high! Can you get up there, Syaoran?"
"I wonder what you children are talking about…" A smooth voice drawled. Kiishimu was standing in her patio, her jet black eyes watching them… fondly!? No, that can't be right.
"Sorry" Fai called back, grinning, "We'll be done soon"
"Don't let me get bored, little children" Kiishimu said, her eyes glinting dangerously now. But Ayame couldn't get the feeling that she was missing something out of her head.
"Answering your question, Mokona" Ayame said, pushing her thoughts aside for a moment, "I'm sure Kuro-sama can propel him up"
Kurogane clicked his tongue in annoyance, but held out his pole anyway. Syaoran jumped and landed on the pole with a dull thud. Kurogane adjusted his grip for a moment, then swung the pole forward with full strength, sending Syaoran flying up. A few agonising seconds later. Ayame heard the crash as Syaoran kicked a hole far above them and disappeared into it.
"You two are so cool! Hyuu~!" Fai cheered.
"I told you to stop making whistling sounds with your mouth!" Kurogane yelled.
Ayame jumped over to where they were standing to get a better look at the gap Syaoran created. Even on straining her eyes, all she could see was black.
"Please stay safe, Syaoran" Ayame whispered.
"I'm sure he will be fine, Aya-chan" Fai said, "But can't the same about you"
"Meaning?" Ayame asked.
"You lied to Syaoran, didn't you?" Fai said, "When you told him that your strength was coming back"
Of course she lied. The other option was to tell him how every swing of the pole sapped her energy, how her muscles ached with every jump. The magic she had used up had created a vacuum inside her and all her strength was being sucked into it. And it will keep getting sucked in till she rested off the exhaustion… and that was not going to happen any time soon.
"He has enough to worry about" Ayame said, her tone flat, "And I still have enough in me to fight. I didn't see why I had to give him the smaller details"
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Fai said, shaking his head, while Kurogane muttered something incoherent under his breath, his tone disapproving.
"You children are very clever" Kiishimu said, wistfully staring at the hole above them, "Well, one escape can't be helped"
There it was again, that fond manner. However, it disappeared as she flicked her wrist and said, "I'll just have to teach the remaining children a lesson"
The droplets above them splashed open, sending a shower of acid over them. Ayame hissed as the water smarted and stung her exposed skin. Steam arose from her clothes and edges of her sleeves, sash, and tunic began to melt away. Ayame could feel the ribbon holding her hair together weaken as it got soaked with the acid. She took a deep breath, but soon realised it was a mistake when she spat out the few drops that took the opportunity to sneak into her mouth. The bitter taste lingered and the water left burns on her tongue, as if she had drunk something too hot.
"Looks like things got kicked up a notch" Fai smiled. Through the vapours rising from his clothes, Ayame saw the glint of danger in the sapphire blue of his eyes.
Kurogane smirked at the comment.
"You can't escape the way the little one did" Kiishimu said, snapping her fingers.
And that's when Ayame saw it – the glinting black jewel on her headdress.
One particularly large ball of acid zoomed towards them. Fai moved to swat it away, but the sphere writhed and flattened out, avoiding the pole. The now flat wall of acid floated in front of them for a brief second before the ends began to close in, cornering them.
Kurogane immediately tensed himself, preparing to jump away. Ayame did the same. But Fai was rooted to his spot, his wide eyes fixed on the wall closing in on him. Ayame glanced at Kurogane. A quick understanding passed between them. She firmly held onto her pole with her left hand and looped her right arm around Fai's waist. A heartbeat later, she felt Kurogane's pole slam into her back. Currents of sharp pain coursed through her body as the force of the hit propelled her forward. She tightened her grip around Fai as they zoomed away. But the ninja hadn't been quick enough, Ayame felt fire erupt on her outstretched left arm as a thick sheet of acid passed right through it.
By the time she managed to land herself and Fai safely on a nearby pillar, she couldn't decide what hurt more – the rigid wall of pain in her back or the flaring, piercing pain in her arm. She held onto Fai for support and panted, blinking to get rid of the bright yellow spots in her vision. All the pain and exhaustion was making her light headed.
"You alright there?" Kurogane called out. Ayame could hear the concern hidden in the baritone of his voice.
Ayame raised her left arm and replied, "Yeah, yeah. I'm alive and kicking… Oh!" she added as her entire left sleeve melted and fell down, revealing fair, flushed skin covered with angry red spots. Ayame hissed softly as the cool air hit her exposed arm, making it sting. The acid burns definitely hurt more, she decided.
"Aya-chan…" Fai whispered, staring at Ayame's arm, his eyes wide with shock.
"Hey, it's alright" Ayame said hastily. She was a little taken aback by the horrified look on his face. It was so different from the aloof, goofy smile he usually walked around with.
"It looks worse than it feels, really, it's okay" she insisted.
Fai's face finally eased into a smile, albeit a sad one, "You should be more careful"
"You're the one to talk" Ayame smirked. At that moment, the black ribbon in her hair decided it couldn't hold on any longer and snapped, spilling her jet black hair loose over her shoulders. "We better find a way to end this before the rest of my clothes melt away and I lose my dignity in front of two men I barely know"
Fai finally laughed at that.
"This is starting to become a pain" Kurogane joined her and Fai, "Not only are the spheres fast, now they can morph too" He then looked at the burns on her arm and added, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes" Ayame sighed, "We have bigger problems right now, don't you think?"
"You children are very clever, and very brave" Kiishimu said, "The only person who was able to face me like this was a Shinban from Ryonfi"
"That would be Chunhyang's mother, right?" Fai asked.
Kiishimu smiled softly as she said, "Yes, she said she had a girl with that name" Then a distressed frown darkened her face as she continued, "What this country truly needs are people like that Shinban and you children, not the Ryanban and his stupid son"
Ayame caught the black jewel on her headdress glint as Kiishimu's face became impassive again. "I regret us parting, little children. But it's time to say farewell"
The words had barely left Kiishimu's mouth when Ayame heard the thundering rush of water. The contents of the lake gathered together and rose upwards, creating a towering wave of frothing, bubbling acid, threatening to melt away their lives in a split second. Ayame decided that this was the right moment to share her observation.
"She is being controlled" Ayame said.
Fai and Kurogane both gave her quizzical looks.
"What makes you say that?" Kurogane asked.
"It's just, the way she talks to us. There are moments when she speaks to us fondly. And then there are times when she suddenly becomes completely emotionless, right before…"
"She attacks" Fai finished, his eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully.
"So you are basing this on a flimsy observation?" Kurogane did not bother to keep the scepticism out of his voice.
"It's not just that, there's also that black jewel on her headdress" Ayame explained, "It glints every time she is about to attack. I think the Ryanban is using that to control her"
"So maybe, if we get close enough to break it, we can stop this" Fai said.
"It can't be that easy!" Kurogane said.
"Do you have a better idea?" Ayame snapped.
"She is right, Kuro-chii" Fai said, his signature smile back on his face, "If we just stand doing nothing, we'll die. And I don't want to do that"
"You don't want to die, and still you won't use your magic to get yourself out of this situation?" Kurogane asked.
Fai's smile did not waver one bit as he replied, "Yup"
The answer didn't surprise Ayame. If he wanted to, he had had plenty of opportunities to use his magic.
"It doesn't matter to me" Kurogane said, "I'm not gonna die here either. I need to go back to my country. That pork bun won't leave till we find the little princess' feather. So we need to quickly find it and get the hell outta here"
Ayame couldn't help but smile at Kurogane's reply.
"I want to move on quickly too" Fai said.
"Why is that?" Ayame asked.
The mage's smile dropped as he answered, "If the person sleeping back in my world awakens, I might get caught. That's why I need to run and pass through as many worlds as possible"
For a while, no one said anything as Ayame and Kurogane waited for Fai to further explain himself. But the mage showed no signs of doing so.
"We break the jewel and we're good, right?" Kurogane asked.
"Exactly" Ayame said, "Let's go"
Kurogane reached and firmly grasped her shoulder, pulling her back. "You're staying put, Princess"
"Kuro-muro is right" Fai said. Guilt flashed through his eyes as he added, "You've done enough for today"
Ayame sighed. This was an argument she was not going to win.
"Fine. I'll stay. But you two be careful"
"I have an idea" Kurogane said. He pulled Fai away and muttered something. Ayame couldn't hear a single word he was saying. The blonde listened intently, a mischievous smile creeping over his face.
"That will work" Fai nodded.
"What are you two on about?" Ayame huffed, curiosity eating away at her.
"Just watch, Aya-chan" He have Ayame a wink, and jumped away, heading straight for Kiishimu.
The leap was strong, but it still was not nearly enough to reach the woman. Ayame was about to voice her concern, when Kurogane jumped off too. As the ninja almost came to level with the mage, he placed one firm hand on the blonde's shoulder and pushed himself forward. That gave him just enough momentum to close the little distance between him and the patio.
Kiishimu was surprised by Kurogane's sudden appearance, but she reacted soon enough. Just as the man landed in front of her, Kiishimu extended her dainty, clawed hand and thrust her sharp nails into Kurogane's chest.
"KUROGANE!" Ayame's heart pounded as she feared the worst. She shouldn't have let him execute some crazy plan all by himself! If something were to happen because he was helping her get Sakura's feather back…
"He's alright, Aya-chan" Fai called out, "Look closely"
Ayame took deep breaths to calm herself and looked closely. Kiishimu's nails were buried a good inch into Kurogane… but there was no blood!
"You are quite the schemer" Kiishimu smirked. She pulled out her hand with one fluid movement. Kurogane's clothes ripped as the object to which Kiishimu's nails were embedded into was pulled out – the thick magazine the ninja had purchased from Hanshin.
Kurogane grinned, obviously pleased with himself and rightly so. That was quite clever.
"I hate the rain. So, stop it. Right now!"
Kurogane raised his pole and hit Kiishimu hard on the head. The black jewel on her headdress shattered. Ayame felt the world tilt around her. The lake, pillars, the gigantic wave of acid all phased out and they were back where they began – the small-ish, square, high-ceilinged room.
Ayame breathed out a sigh of relief. It was finally over. And she had made it out fine… well almost fine. Her joints and muscles felt sore, her back still throbbed and her left arm felt tender and raw, pain spiking at random points at random intervals. Not to forget the state of her clothes – half the sleeve of her right arm had also melted away, her knee length tunic had reduced to mid-thigh and there were multiple rips all over her pants. One glance at Fai and Kurogane told her that they were probably feeling the way she was. But, they had made it out alive. That's what counts, right?
"You stay still" Kurogane threatened Kiishimu, "If you make another strange move…"
But Kiishimu didn't listen. The woman straightened herself up smoothly and placed one, swift kiss on Kurogane's cheek. Ayame fought the urge to burst out laughing as the ninja's face turned three different shades of red.
"What the hell did you do now?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"That was my thanks" Kiishimu said softly, one long finger tracing Kurogane's jaw.
Kurogane shrugged out of her embrace and asked, "For what?"
"I was being controlled by the Ryanban with the spell on the stone you just broke" Kiishimu replied.
"You were right, Aya-chan!" Fai lilted. He waved his arms dramatically and made his way over to her for a hug. Ayame shuffled aside at the last moment, sending Fai tumbling into the ground.
"You're mean, Aya-chan!" Fai bawled. Ayame smirked.
Kiishimu's pitch black eyes regarded Ayame curiously. "You are a very clever child" She then addressed all three of them, "I'm sorry for blocking your way. You wanted to know where the Ryanban is, right? That bastard and his son are on the top floor of this castle. I'm guessing the youngest child has already arrived there"
Ayame chewed her lips as she thought about Syaoran. How was he doing? Was he alright?
"I advise you to keep your guard up" Kiishimu continued, "They will definitely resort to some dirty, cowardly trick… those misers"
"We will get going then" Ayame bowed down, "Thank you for letting us know"
But as she turned and was about to follow Kurogane and Fai, who were almost at the door, Kiishimu said, "One moment please"
Ayame wanted to leave as soon as she could. However, ignoring Kiishimu like that would be rude. She seemed to be on their side, for now, but there was no way of truly knowing. Ayame decided not to take a chance. Reluctantly, she stopped. "Is something the matter?" she asked.
"You helped me regain my freedom" Kiishimu said, "And I want to return the favour. I do not like owing someone"
"There is no need for that really" Ayame assured her, "You gave us the Ryanban's location, that's a fair trade"
Kiishimu ignored her words. She reached out and wrapped a cold hand around Ayame's wrist and pulled her forward. Ayame could feel the ornaments of Kiishimu's headdress against her neck as the woman breathed into her ear, "The child of the universe will wake from its slumber"
Every single thought – worry about Syaoran, anxiety about getting the feather – was wiped clean from Ayame's mind. She even forgot about the pain and exhaustion as she pulled back a little to stare at Kiishimu.
"Aya-chan?" Fai asked.
Syaoran was up there, he could be injured, in desperate need for help. The man who held a piece of her younger sister's soul was just a little away. But… but… she had to know! Ayame had pieced together the fact that she was on this journey because of that prophecy. So far, she had been walking blind because there was no other option. Now… she could finally get some answers! But she would have to leave Syaoran alone just for a while longer. Was it worth it, though?
"Did that woman do something to you?" Kurogane growled.
"No" Ayame heard herself, "I'm completely fine"
She took a deep breath and stepped back. She had made up her mind
"You two go ahead. I will join you in a bit. Kiishimu and I need to have a chat"
Even though it killed Ayame to do this, she knew it was the smarter option in the long run. The more knowledge she had, the better she will be able to complete this quest of hers. Somehow, her journey was linked to this 'Child of the Universe'. She had to know who, or what, it is. Ayame decided to trust Syaoran, trust the boy's determination, trust the fact that he will be alright.
"I don't think I understood you, Princess" Kurogane narrowed his eyes, "You want us to leave you alone with the woman who was trying to kill us moments ago"
Kiishimu clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
"I know how this sounds" Ayame said, "But I have to do this. It's important to me"
"And what is this important thing that you have to do?" Kurogane pressed further.
"It's personal in nature" was all Ayame gave in reply.
Kurogane opened his mouth to protest further but Ayame spoke first, "I know I sound absurd. But this is very important" She paused for moment to decide what to say next. At this point, telling the truth seemed to be like the only option. Well part of it anyway. "When this journey began, for me it began with too many questions. And since then, the pile of questions has just been increasing. Now, finally, I have an opportunity to get some answers. So please, let me do this"
"We don't have to leave you alone for that, Aya-chan" Fai pointed out.
"I know" Ayame replied, "But, it's not something I wish to share yet. And it has got nothing to do with any of you"
There was a moment of silence as the three of them stared at each other – Kurogane suspiciously, Ayame imploringly and Fai curiously.
"If that's what you want, Aya-chan" Fai said. "Let's let her do her thing, Kuro-tan" he added, patting the ninja's shoulder.
Kurogane glared at Ayame for a couple of seconds more before turning away, scowling.
"Kurogane-san, Fai-san, one more thing" Ayame said, her voice trembling slightly, "Please look after Syaoran till I get back"
Ayame hadn't trusted these two men before she had walked into this castle. But their recent fight, the teamwork they showed, the way they watched each other's back… something had changed between them. She knew the others felt it too. Kurogane and Fai had looked out for her, and she knew she could trust, at least little bit, that they would do the same for Syaoran.
"Whatever" Kurogane muttered before stomping away.
"We will, Aya-chan" Fai gave her a smile, a genuine, melancholic one, before disappearing into the corridor after Kurogane.
When the echoes of their footsteps finally died down, she turned to Kiishimu.
"How do you know about the prophecy?"
"Along with being a skilled user of the secret arts, I am also a dream seer. We dream seers always know about things like this. Prophecies have a way of affecting many dimensions at the same time, so we like to stay informed"
Ayame found the answer satisfactory. She remembered Yukito telling her something on the similar lines a few years ago. She then got to the point.
"What can you tell me about the Child of the Universe?"
"Are you sure that's what you want?" Kiishimu said, a sly smile working its way across her face.
"What do you mean by that?" Ayame snapped.
"I will do just one favour in exchange for helping me. You decide, do you want information… or something else"
Ayame was confused now. What could this woman possibly offer that might be more valuable than information?
"I don't think there is anything else you can offer" Ayame said primly.
"Just ask me the question, Princess Ayame" Kiishimu was practically laughing now.
Ayame was about to ask how she knew her name. But then again, if she knew about the prophecy from her dreams, it was no surprise Kiishimu knew who she was.
"Fine, humour me. What else can you give me in return for releasing you from captivity?"
"Those five locks you have on your heart, sealing away your magic and some very crucial memories, I can break the first one for you"
XXX
A/N: The next chapter, within 24 hours, as promised! Don't forget to review :)