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Chapter 2

Into the dark

My name is Taima

I am warrior, a friend to those in need.

I am also cursed with an enemy who threatens all who stand beside me.

It is for this reason I stand before my King, knelt on one knee, my head bowed.

Beside me are my sisters, though not by blood.

They are my adopted sisters.

But they too, are warriors, cursed by enemies akin to mine.

Why is my life so hard?

And why do the lives of those who are my friends have to be threatened for my sake?

But now, I hope that either my life, or the curse will end soon.

Finally, the King turns to us, after consulting with his magician.

"You will be sent to another world…another universe altogether."

Rabi looks up in surprise, her amethyst eyes full of indignation.

"You told me there was no such thing!" she accused the magician," I told you, I presented my proof, and you pronounced me insane!"

The magician coolly replied," and lose my prestige? Never! Especially to one brought so low as you."

My blood-thirsty sister, Nariko, growls low," Careful what you tell my gentle sister, Magician, unless you wish to lose your life."

The magician backs away. Everyone knows Nariko is a berserker at heart, prone to fits of insane rage, especially when her loved ones are in danger. Considering her dark heritage and her immense protective nature, it is not surprising.

I reply," Is there much danger in this dimension?"

"That is unknown." The magician replies with a wicked glare.

The king sighs.

I know this is hard for him.

And I know, unlike the magician, he bears us no ill will. Our father was his friend, our mother his sister's best friend.

He would spare us…but we have put his people in danger, through no fault of our own.

"I wish you the best of luck." The King tells us solemnly.

My youngest sister, Elysia, weeps bitterly.

"We are never to return?"

"So long as you are cursed." The King replies with sadness.

Elysia sniffles as Nariko throws an arm protectively around her.

"Then send us already and be damned!" she snarls at the magician.

I stand, my weapons and a few necessary items strapped to my back.

My three sisters stand with me. I pause and declared," Magician, You have never felt any kindness towards us… but I do not wish our curse upon anyone. Please… if our curse were to follow us-"

"I know just the thing." The magician's smile is anything but pleasant. I shiver, but decide it is for the best.

The magician swiftly chants, and his helpers chant with him.

The air around us spins.

We hear a ripping sound, as if the very fabric of life is being torn.

And then, a space is torn, and we see a whirling tunnel of water and fire unfold before us.

I take a deep breath.

My past is behind me. My future looms ahead of me. I must let go of all I once called home.

The time is now.

I race forward and leap into the tunnel, screaming my war-cry.

"ADAAAAARR!"

8~8~8~8~8~

I see Taima leap into the gap and I know it's my turn.

Within me is still a strong disbelief that this is true.

I have always been right about there being other worlds.

Always have I been censored as being insane for my conclusions in my studies. It has always hurt me…though I never speak of it.

I cannot tell others of my pain…I cannot.

My sisters have problems of their own without my adding to them.

Thus, when I leap into the tunnel, I say nothing. Not my usual war cry of Sukari.

My dark hair falls into my eyes, and I shove it out of my face as I begin to slide through the rift in time, space and matter.

8~8~8~8~8~

Bleedin' hell.

I cannot believe it's come to this.

As I watch Rabi slide into the tunnel, I feel my anger come crashing down into my heart.

I've never been popular here, in my homeworld.

Well, as a warrior, I have…but not as a person.

Damn blood! It's not my bleedin' fault I'm cursed! It never was…but…I guess it is my fault that I've never been able to undo the curse.

Oh, bleeding hearts…

My poor sister, Elysia, is crying her eyes out.

I want so much to make her feel better. She's so much more innocent then anyone here can claim to be.

Poor thing.

But now, I raise my head up and I growl under my breath," Here goes nothing."

I race forward and flip into the tunnel, screaming," DANIEH!"

8~8~8~8~8~

I watch Nariko flip into the tunnel and I sniffle.

My heart is breaking.

This is my home…it's always been my home.

And the curse has never affected me as much as it's affecting me now.

I smell the trees…I smell my world, so rich and beautiful.

Turning away, I see the sun, setting in the west, painting the skies in deepest and lightest of colors.

The trees seem to wave their branches at me as if protesting my departure. Shining like silver glass, is the sea…my true first love. It sparkles in the western sun, and I swear, I will never forget it.

With a deep breath, I whisper," Goodbye, Melchizedek!"

And I race into the Tunnel, screaming," MAHALO!"

I feel the tear close behind me and I scream in fright.

Nothing feels right for a moment. I feel like I'm being stretched, and then, suddenly, I'm shot into the air.

Brightness spins all around me.

I yelp in surprise and I hit the ground, hard.

And then, I close my eyes and just breathe.

8~8~8~8~8~

Donatello yelped in surprise as he tripped and fell down a steep hill.

"Don!" Leo yelled in alarm.

Raphael skidded down the hill and tried to help his brother up.

"You okay, Brainiac?"

"I think I sprained my stupid ankle." Donatello groaned.

"Is that the only part of you that's stupid? Ow!" Mikey grinned and then yelped as Leo whacked him over the head.

Don leaned on his bo-staff as he gingerly tested out weight on his foot.

"Ow! I can't believe this! The tournament hasn't even started and I'm already injured!"

Mikey chuckled," Your foot decided to wimp out on you!" Ow!" Mikey glared as Raphael whacked him over the head.

"Let's get you back to the Citadel. The healer has some solvents for sprained muscles and broken bones as well." Usamo suggested.

Donatello sighed," Is it just me, or is this a really bad sign?"

"It's a sign that you're gonna get PAWNED in the tournament!" Mikey actually ducked both swings from Leo and Raph, sticking out his tongue, he jeered," Missed! You guys are too slow-OW!"

Donatello had reached from behind and yanked on his bandana tails.

Mikey glowered," Do I look like a piñata?"

Raphael smirked," Do we have to answer?"

Leonardo stood on one side of Donatello, ready to help him if he needed it as they started back to the citadel.