Chapter 3
"Oh Katrina, this pond is so beautiful! Look at the lilies!" Bei-Mei sat at the water's edge.
"They are so pretty!" Katrina smiled and kneeled beside her.
"Be careful you two don't fall in." Arriana said lazily from under a tree nearby.
Both the royals turned and stuck out their tongues and giggled. The sun was making the water sparkle and the lilies drifted lazily across the water's surface. It was a perfect afternoon.
"I can't wait to show you what my decorations look like mom. There are red tablecloths and streamers and balloons."
"Sounds like a blast." Bei-Mei was grinning.
"Oh, it is going to be we are having tea, cake, grandmother's cookies and a ton of food she made." Katrina was beaming.
"Oh, I missed your grandmother's cooking. You've learned a lot from her haven't you." Bei-Mei was serious, Sarabi's cooking was only matched by Katrina's.
"Yes. She has taught me a lot and I enjoy staying here. I just wish I could come visit more you in China more often." Katrina dipped her feet in the pond.
"I know, sweetheart. It is too dangerous right now in China though. Rumors are spreading that an invasion is imminent." Bei-Mei frowned at the water.
Katrina gazed at her mother. She was so strong and smart, so for her to be worried was a great concern. Bei-Mei worrying was a very bad sign indeed.
"The invasion has already begun….hasn't it?"
Bei-Mei's head popped up, then she chuckled sadly, "Just like your father. You can see right through me can't you?"
She sighed. "Yes the war has been going on for many decades now. Both sides have lost a great deal, fortunately, we gained a foothold a few years ago and have been pushing them back, it is the only reason I am allowed here now."
Katrina looked at their reflections in the water. "Mother. Are we normal?"
Bei-Mei tilted her head at her, questioning her daughter. "Yes, I suppose we are."
Katrina shook her head. "I don't think we are. We are different from humans and hide from them, yet we are not like demons...we have powers and can change shape, that is something demons only dream of. So...what are we?"
"We are spirit's much like your grandmother, but we are a slightly lower...rank I guess you could say. We are the Tigers of the Continent." Bei-Mei sat a little more straight, she was proud of her heritage.
"We are a noble and proud people and you are part of that lineage. Not only that, but you are a Silva. SIlva's have been worldly and divine guardians since before man first spoke. So do not let your head hang as if you are ashamed. Be proud to be who you are." Bei-Mei finished.
Katrina pondered of it then sat up and smiled, "I suppose you are right mother, and I am not sad. I was...confused."
"Well, don't be. You are who you are. Nothing to be confused about." Bei-Mei laughed a little.
Katrina smiled with her. "Yeah, you are right."
They fixed their gazed on to the water, and everyone was relaxed. They even had a small picnic on the water's edge with the three girls laughing and joking.
Bei-Mei noticed it first. A shadow followed by dozens more in the tree line beside them. She tensed up keeping an eye on the forest.
One by one they all noticed Bei-Mei's stare and followed it to the trees. They stood as a group their backs to the water.
"Who approaches?" Bei-Mei's voice was anything but friendly.
"It is us our queen. We were sent by the advisor to fetch you. You are unsafe." A giant tiger member stepped forward.
Bei-Mei stood and put a hand to her hip. "I have no need to be babysat like a cub. Tell the advisor that he can take his fatherly attitude and focus on our country instead of me. I am positive they would not send a large group here, so I would like to spend the rest of my daughter's birthday uninterrupted."
The tiger members bowed and the leader spoke again, "I am sorry to disturb you, but rumors have traveled the invading forces have been found here in Japan. It is in your's and your child's best interest you return with us."
They moved closer, making a semi circle around the group. Bei-Mei and the others formed a circle around Katrina.
Bei-Mei's voice was more commanding. "I do not care if they are here. I am quite capable of handling myself, and my daughter is under the protection of her father's family the SIlva clan. So I assure you we are very safe here. Return to the mainland and tell the advisor to not concern himself with me while I am here."
The semi-circle of tiger member's got tighter around them. Arriana and Yuri placed a hand on their hidden guns. Momo prepared her sword. Bei-Mei kept an eye on each member.
"Friends of yours?" Arriana commented.
"These are no friends of mine. I had heard of betrayers in the clan, but had been unable to find them."
The other tigers looked at each other, obviously nervous they'd been discovered, the leader was the only one who remained composed.
"I had heard of the uncanny ways of the royal family. But to claim members of your tribe are unfriendly...clearly you are unworthy of your title! You who have sent countless of us to die for you while you parade like there is no war!"
Bei-Mei gritted her teeth in anger. "It is you who are unworthy of my tribe. You know nothing of being royalty! I would be on the battlefield with you if it weren't for my other royal duties. Now you brandish claws and fangs against not only your queen, but your princess as well!"
The tiger stood many more times taller than Bei-Mei. "We have allied ourselves with the truly righteous ones. The demons will have their waters and we our land!"
Bei-Mei stood taller, although smaller she was no less intimidating. "Now you tell me you have allied with the enemy! Your stupidity will not be overlooked. Return to the mainland now and I may show you mercy."
"You insult us, send us to war, then threaten us? Clearly you are not worthy the title you bear and we shall kill the princess and end your corrupted line now!"
Weapons all around were drawn.
"You DARE threaten my child! I have given you your choice yet you wish for death! Then step forward and taste death."
"You are but women." He licked his claws, "Soft women, I shall enjoy ripping you apart."
The group smiled as Bei-Mei spoke, "Such bold words...let us see if you can back them up."
He just grinned as the Tigers moved as one. Attacking as one, they began pushing the small group closer to the water's edge.
"Why do they...keep pushing us back. We will fall in the lake at this rate." Yuri huffed between shots and punches.
"They've got to have some back up near the lake." Arriana answered. She kicked one, then blew his head off with a .45 colt handgun. "That's the only reason they'd be doing this."
Slicing into one of their faces with her claws Bei-Mei grimaced, "The demons we are facing are fish demons...they have to be on their way."
Arriana pulled out another gun shooting two at a time. "Then we gotta beat the bad guys."
"We aren't getting anywhere fast. There's too many of them." Yuri reloaded punching one as he rushed her.
Bei-Mei knew she was right. They had to win this, but how could they with Katrina here? Protecting her, keeping the circle up. They really were going to wind up in the lake, then the demons there would kill them all.
"We have to get Katrina out of here!" Bei-Mei shouted over the roaring tigers.
"But she can't handle these guys if they follow her." Arriana shouted back. "She has some training, but these guys have decades more."
Bei-Mei gritted her teeth. She was right. Katrina could fight, but these were seasoned warriors of her clan. Katrina alone was no match for more than maybe more than a few. These guys could overwhelm her in no time.
"Send Momo with her! One alone might not be able to but with both of them they could make it till Morbius gets here!" Yuri said as she shot another.
"Of course! Morbius HAS to be on his way!" Momo sounded hopeful.
"No way he'd miss out on this fun." Arriana smirked as she killed two with one shot.
Bei-Mei's hopes began to cautiously climb. Morbius had to be on his way...no...he WAS on his way. They just had to wait that long.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest Morbius was pushing all his power into running. Slaying any stray demons in his path with a single swoop of his shadow sword. He could feel Momo's panic through the magic amulet hanging on his neck.
A 'gift' to filter his powers and a served as a means of communication between his self and Momo. Momo was a priestess of sorts and he was bound to her bloodline, when it ended, only his mother knew. The amulet was her doing and he sometimes hated her for it. But for now he was grateful, it was leading him straight to his family and friends.
He snarled, "These damn demons will regret ever threatening MY family."
Back at the lake they were nearly on the water's edge. Bei-Mei could see the shadows swirling in the lake. She had to make a choice.
"Momo take Katrina and go. We can hold them off long enough for you to get some distance." Bei-Mei slashed through another tiger's throat.
Momo nodded and took Katrina's hand. They begun sprinting towards the woods when a demon burst from the lake slashing Momo's arm and dragging Katrina in the water.
"Katrina!" Bei-Mei became frantic as she fought the demons.
Momo stood up and dove into the water after the demon.
"Momo! Hurry guys they'll die in there!" Yuri shouted.
Arriana remained calm and kept firing, "Momo and Katrina are made of tougher stuff than to let one demon get the better of them."
Bei-Mei wasn't so sure. "An injured human and a child can't stand a chance. If we don't get to them now they'll die."
Pink light shown from below the water's surface, and the shadows were attacking the light.
"See, that's Momo's magic... she's fighting them." Arriana was relieved.
Bei-Mei could only catch agonizing glimpses as she prayed they would resurface.
Morbius felt the raw terror in Momo. He knew things had just gone from bad to worse and he silently berated himself for taking things so casually before. No point beating himself up though, he was almost there, and he hoped what he was racing towards wasn't their corpses.
Under the water Momo was barely holding them. After lopping off the monster's arm she managed to get a shield around her and Katrina. The shield surrounding them was weak and she could barely breath to hold it. Katrina was out cold, demons were attacking from every angle and with each strike the force field was weaker. She pushed all her power into this and managed to re-strengthen it, but her powers would soon run out and they'd be killed.
"What do I do! Morbius! Sarabi-sensi! What do I do!" Momo screamed.
Above the surface seconds turned into minutes. Bei-Mei was nearly in full panic as she kept slicing through the tigers. Some of the fish had surfaced and joined in as the tiger's number's began to dwindle.
"Aaah!" Yuri screamed as a fish spear sliced her leg open.
"Yuri! Stay down!" Arriana turned and shot the fish, but it only left a small hole. "Dammit their scales are tough!"
"Aim for the eyes! Don't quit!" Bei-Mei shouted over her shoulder.
"Not a chance." Arriana and Yuri reloaded.
They were gaining ground, slowly as the numbers dwindled, but the sheer numbers had started taking it's toll.
Yuri had collapsed from blood loss, Arriana and Bei-Mei were doing all they could to protect their fallen friend, but power and bullets were limited and they were running out of both.
Under the lake Momo was experiencing similar issues. This was the longest she had ever maintained a shield and she was rapidly getting tired. If she didn't think of something fast they were gonna die.
Morbius was getting closer. He could smell blood and hear the fighting. They were just beyond the trees.
Bei-Mei caught scent of Morbius and her heart soared. He was here he was finally here!
"I see dad!" Arriana was wrestling with a spear aimed at her.
The fish didn't stand a chance. In one swift movement Morbius was across the pond and jamming his shadow blade in the beast's skull. The battle paused with his presence.
"Hello darling did you miss me." He kissed Bei-Mei's hand.
"It's about time you got here!" Bei-Mei huffed at him.
"Long run." Morbius shrugged apologetically.
Bei-Mei couldn't help but smile a bit. Even in danger he's charming.
A fish charged in the blink of an eye it's head was spinning on the ground.
"How rude to interrupt a man and a lady. Now where is Katrina and Momo?"
Bei-Mei pointed towards the lake. "A demon dragged them under there awhile ago."
Morbius studied the lake. He knew they were alive for now, but he couldn't just abandon the girls. They were so worn out they were about to collapse and Yuri was already down. He turned to the demons his power flowing. How dare they...how dare these creatures attack them!
Momo's vision started getting blurry any second now and the shield would shatter. Then the water pulsed and throbbed as if it were alive. The fish demons were all either slain or running away. Momo held Katrina as the shield faded, cold water engulfed them as Momo lost consciousness.
"Momo? Wake up." Katrina was shaking her.
Momo groaned.
"I got a solution." Morbius said.
"No dad don't!"
"AUGH!" Cold lake water was dumped on her.
Momo came to, to an area of destruction, carcasses lay everywhere, everything was burned or shattered.
"What...what happened?" Momo sat dumbfounded at the destroyed clearing.
"To put it simply I took care of the problem. Not my favorite trick, but a large fireball explosion works wonders when you want someone dead." Morbius grinned.
"You know Sarabi isn't going to be happy about this." Momo grimaced. "She's gonna have to heal all this damage."
Morbius scanned the destroyed landscape. "Yes, but she's got this."
The group laughed as they all got in the car and drove back to the mansion. As predicted Sarabi was greatly upset about the clearing, but relieved everyone was safe. Bei- Mei continually thanked Momo for rescuing Katrina. Then the party started and all previous stress was dissipated.
"Well, everyone!" Katrina grinned, "This has got to have been my best birthday party yet!"
Everyone rolled their eyes and laughed heartily. The party continued long into the night and it really was a great party!