Ranger24: Here things get really dark an mysterious. But I would like to note that certain elements from Darkness unleashed are being encorperated into this chapter. Particularly... Well you'll find out soon enough.
Chapter 30: Knife on the wind.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The next day Naruto woke up to find that Ranger had already left but had left a tray of food, a small bag of coins, and message scratch in chalk on the wall. As he ate his breakfast he read the message.
Dear Naruto,
Going to check out the palace for more intel. Be back be dark. You're free to enjoy yourself for the day. Keep your bow strung. Don't attract attention to yourself. Stay undercover.
Signed Ranger.
Naruto smiled pocketing the coins and heading out into the streets. He wandered about the main market looking into every shop that struck his intrest but none were as intresting as Chibi's herb shop back in Terim. Most of what he bought was food. He ignored the gift shops due to the fact they were mostly selling junk.
As he wandered about, dodging thugs, beggers, and a crazy knife weilding monk, he heard an auctionier giving off a list of prices. Curious he made his way into a crowd of well dressed people gathered before a platform on which stood a group of ragged people, a couple of armed thugs, and a tan skined man reading off a list of prices. Naruto frowned.
Naruto: Where are the goods for sale.
A man with a monicle glanced down at him.
Nobel 1: This an auction boy, the goods are right up there and that man is Tailal.
Naruto was still puzzeled until the man, Tailal, on the platform finished reading of his price list. Then he brought foward a large man with plenty of muscles.
Tailal: And now we have our first item. Capture just a month ago in the hadirac desert and an excellent speicmen if I may say so myself. Look at those arms he's strong as a bull! He'd be perfect as a sheild bearer, but let me tell you my lords and ladies it would be a waste! He's as bright as a nail. If you can get him to speak a civilized tounge.
Naruto ground his teeth! Slavers. Naruto began to reach for his power to summon a spell to save the man and kill this Tailal fellow. But then his sense caught up with him. He couldn't attract attention. Even if he did the guards would be on them both before he could do more than use the spell. He watch in anger as the man was sold to a hook nosed man. Next to be brought to the platform was a little girl no older than four, wrenched from the arms of her screaming mother! He stomped away the womans screams still ringing in his ears for the next four blocks.
Naruto: I'd like to see someone try and cut my purse right now!
To say the least he was pissed. He knew that fighting the empire would be the best way to help those people on the platform. He stormed his way through the city glowering. Before he knew it he was at the gates of the cathedral.
He glanced at the door and saw it was engraved with words from the anceint language.
May he that enter here forget his own, for life is unimportant.
He pushed his way inside to find a rows of peus leading up towards and altar. In the corner was a pipe organ that was so tall it would only play if a gail hit the cathedral. The stain glass windows were filled with scenes of lust, anger, misery, and horror.
He made his way silently towards the altar and bowed his head. He didn't pray but he paid homage to the building itself. The lives it had seen ruined, the tortures visited, and the sadness that filled the air about it. He whispered words in the ancient language giving himself strenght. Then he turned around towards the door.
His breath caught in his throat. Standing at the entrance were the Echoplasmares! They held swords in hand and seemed to be watching him. Without a word he went to his quiver and fired an arrow! The Echoplasmares ducked the bolt and ran towards him! He fired three more times but they dodged each shot! The door burst open and dozens of soldiers scrambled to get inside!
Naruto: Thats my que to run!
He turned on his heel and leapt over the altar! He ran towards a door in the corner and ran inside startling a group of monks! The cursed at him as he ran through the room! He didn't stop until he hit a dead end in a bathroom! He gathered up his power quickly!
Naruto: Jerda!
The wall before him exploded opening out into an orchard! He ran into the tree's to hide as the Echoplamsmares swept outside! He soon found that the orchard was smaller than he'd thought. The only way out was over a wall! He ran at it gathering his power to his feet and he ran up the side before jumping down towards an alley.
Naruto: Cortana! The Echoplamsmare's have found us! Warn Ranger! I'm heading back to the inn!
There was silence for about three second before her response came.
Cortana: He says get the ponyta's ready! Becarefull! You're in great danger!
Naruto: Don't I know it!
He soon arrived back at the inn and ran up to their room grabbing their belongings before running back outside! A group of soldier's came down the street just as Naruto hide behind a cart drawing his bow! He stayed put until someone tapped him on the shoulder! He glanced up to see Ranger who had a haggered look on his face!
Ranger: Come on we have to get out of here before they shut the gate!
Naruto: How'd they find us?
Ranger: I'll tell you later! If there is a later now come!
They climbed into the saddle and rode towards the city gates! When they got there however Naruto gave a groan of dispair! The gate was already half shut with a double line of pikemen infront of it! The wall was crawling with archers!
Naruto: They'll cut us to ribbons!
Ranger: We have to try! You deal with the gate leave the soldier's to me!
Naruto focused on his power as Ranger raised his hands face screwed up in concentration! Naruto shouted aloud as the pikemen planted their pikes into the ground!
Naruto: Dugrind hurld!
The gates froze in place to the shock of the on lookers. Naruto glanced at Ranger, the pikemen still stood there ready for trouble. Ranger cursed and black marks slowly snaked up the side of his face. Naruto's eyes widened. Then in a such a deep voice that Naruto couldn't make out the words spoken the pikemen were sent spinning to the ground their weapons clattering to the floor!
The two of them rode out of the city Naruto still looking at Ranger's face at the dark marks on his face as the gates boomed shut! The markings had the shape of arrow heads and went all along the left side of his face, neck, and left arm. Ranger glanced over his shoulder.
Ranger: Incoming!
Naruto glanced over his shoulder to see a storm cloud of arrows streaming towards them! Ranger pulled Al's reins bringing the horse closer!
Ranger: Close you eyes unless you want to freak out!
Naruto squeezed them shut as there came a strange sound and then a great heat! Then there was a silence save the horses hooves cloping on the ground. Naruto opened his eyes and quickly wished he hadn't.
Strange leathery grey wings enclosed him and in the saddle next to him was something, grey skinned with shaggy black hair and wearing Ranger's clothes. It had claws for hands and bloody red eyes. Then even as Naruto stared in silence the creature gave a sigh and its skin turned back to Ranger's usual color. The wings turned into Ranger's cloak and the hair receed to its normal lenght and color. in one second Ranger was riding next to him panting.
He glanced at Naruto and gave a weak smile.
Ranger: You can ask about that later too.
As soon as they were out of sight of the wall Cortana landed next to them Ranger pushed Naruto out of Al's saddle and into Cortana's.
Ranger: Ride her and don't come down unless I tell you too!
Before Naruto could say anything Cortana shot into the air. The wind was slowly starting to pick up it was getting dark. Cortana as doing her best to keep from being buffeted by the air flow. Naruto's head pounded by what he had seen Ranger do.
Cortana: All the time we spent hunting those guys wasted!
Naruto: I know.
Cortana: What is it?
Naruto sighed.
Naruto: What the heck just happened down there?
Cortana: What do you mean?
Naruto: Ranger, back in the city when he was trying to use magic to beat the soldiers these weird marks appeared on his face and when the arrows were about to hit us he told me to close my eyes. When I opened them he looked like some kind of demon out of old stories!
He quickly describe Ranger's terrifying appearance to Cortana. She made no comment on the subject however. When the sun went down Cortana forced to land right next to Ranger who was riding hard still.
Ranger: What is it?
Naruto: Winds to strong.
Ranger: It's not that bad.
Naruto: It is up there.
Ranger cursed handing Naruto Al's reins. They rode on until it was nearly midnight when they stopped for the night. They were probably nearly a hundred miles from the city. Ranger climbed out of Demonwings saddle, a little shakey. Naruto sat down as Ranger started the campfire. Ranger sat down as the fire got going and put a peice of gum in his mouth.
Naruto: How'd the echoplasmares find us?
Ranger: I was informed only minutes before Cortana warned me that there were spies amongst the servants. My questions had been noticed. The Echoplasmares must have been dispatched already to capture you.
Naruto: Were can't go back there can we?
Ranger: Not for like ten years.
There was a silence as Ranger started to make dinner. Finally Naruto couldn't hold it anymore.
Naruto: What the heck are you?
Ranger glanced up.
Ranger: What do you mean?
Naruto: Back at Dras Leona you transformed into some kind of monster!
Ranger rubbed his left shoulder at the point were it meet the neck.
Ranger: Remeber when I said I didn't have a mark.
Naruto: Yeah.
Ranger: Well I do. But it's not what gave me my powers.
He turned around and pulled down the side of his shirt he had just been rubbing. There on his skin was a strange black symbol. Three black triangles facing outwards.
Naruto: What is that.
Ranger: It's a curse mark. There rare and very dangerous. It's almost like a brand. There are two types. The seal of hevean and the seal of shadows. I bear the seal of Shadows. It marks me as an enemy of the empire in a way. Most people can't surivive receiving a curse mark. Those that survive live a cursed life.
Naruto: What do you mean?
Ranger sighed staring into the fire.
Ranger: Curse marks are meant to increase a persons power. They can be both a blessing and a curse. When need a curse mark can increase your power, in its most advanced stages it causes a transformation of your bodily form. However using a curse mark is dangerous as using it can slowly drain your strength. Also in moment of high emotion it can be triggered on accident. Most people who have a mark use speacil spells or herbs to supress their marks but it only lasts as long as they wish to.
Naruto: Okay...
Ranger sighed again.
Ranger: I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I didn't want to freak you out.
Naruto: So now what?
Ranger: The Echoplasmares might be following us still so we have to keep watch.
He pulled out his sword and lay it across his legs.
Ranger: I will take watch one.
Naruto nodded and stood up to grab his bed roll. The mark on his plam itched suddenly and he glanced out into the darkness. He shook his head and turned back to the fire.
Ranger: Something wrong?
Naruto: Nothing just thought...
Suddenly there was blast of pain on the back of his head and he fell forward onto the ground out cold.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Naruto's eyes flickered open his head buzzing. He glanced over his shoulder to see Ranger tied on the ground. Then he looked to his front and saw an Echoplasmare rumaging through his and Ranger's bags! Another was fitting a muzzel on Cortana who was chained up! Naruto growled in anger getting their attention. They looked at him faces hooded but he could tell they were pleased.
Echoplasmare 1: Yes the drug is working. I don't think you'll be doing anything.
Naruto: You bastards.
Echoplasmare 2: Now, now none of that. Just sit quietly.
Cortana growled as the Echoplasmare slapped the muzzel for safety.
Echoplasmare 1: She was queit cooperative after we threatened to kill you.
The Echoplasmare rummaging through his stuff brought a out Za'roc.
Echoplasmare 2: What a pretty thing for some one so insignificant. Perhaps if you behave you can polish it.
It glanced at the black symobol and gave a cry of suprise! It's comerade rushed over to him and they began clicking together in their strange language.
Echoplasmare 1: You will serve our master very well.
Naruto: If I do I'll kill you.
The echoplasmare kicked him in the ribs! Naruto cursed as he felt some ribs crack!
Echoplasmare 1: No, you see we are protected but you...
It pulled out a knife with a black blade!
Echoplasmare 1: Are disposable.
Ranger groaned and the Echoplasmares turned back to eachother.
Echoplasmare 1: It's wearing off.
Echoplasmare 2: Give him more.
Echoplasmare 1: Let's just kill him he's caused us much greif.
Echoplasmare 2: We were told to bring them both alive.
Their hands rested on the hilts of their swords.
Echoplasmare 1: We could say he was killed when we captured them.
Echoplasmare 2: I good plan but what if the boy talks?
The other echoplasmare laughed evily raising its knife
Echoplasmare 1: He would not dare.
The echoplasmare thought it over for a moment.
Echoplasmare 2: Agreed.
They made towards Ranger who looked up his eyes looking bleary. Then an arrow sprouted in one of the echoplasmares shoulders! The creatures ran for cover weapons ready. Ranger stood up his knife snapping the ropes.
Suddenly arrows came from the other direction! The echoplasmares began to make a run for it but one turned drawing its sword to strike Ranger but Naruto tripped it up! It crawled away on all fours. The other turned and hurrled it's knife at Naruto!
Suddenly Ranger leapt infront of the knife going level two curse mark! The knife hit him with a dull thunk! Ranger cursed and hurrled his own knife at the Echoplasmare who cursed in pain clutching at its arm before running away. Then Ranger collapsed to the ground reverting to his normal form.
Naruto: NO!
And then Naruto blacked out.
Ranger24: ACK! MEDIC! Read and review!