Chapter XII

Revelation

Song for this chapter: Enya- Carribbean Blue (lyrics included in the stroy)

*grammatical mistakes will be corrected as soon as possible, as again I didn't have the patience to edit it now, sorry :s

*picture included!

The strong white rays of the strange sphere of light which's rise was announcing the beginning of the day drove Rilury insane. She was still tired from last night and barely could open her eyes. But when she did, she realized that she was all alone but still had the sheet underneath not taken away.

"He would probably come back. But that's not an excuse to just leave me like that in the middle of nowhere!" she angrily thought and started looking for him only to express her complaints about how a horrible partner he was. After all, they've had…sort of a deal…maybe? She didn't know why they even ended up together from the beginning. They could have just split and she would have defiantly found a way all by herself. That would have been perfect. But, before she could leave like he did, she had to find water. Come to think of it, she barely noticed that she was thirsty until she almost reached the limit of her physiological need. The body was the oversoul object in this world and the bounds aren't so tighten here and maybe this is why she only perceived a small thirst, even if she hadn't been drinking anything for 24 hours.

But the cliff was too high for her just to jump to the lake without using furyoku and not getting nearly killed. She just had to find a small river.

As she was walking deep in the woods she couldn't help notice a small rustle behind her whenever she would move more than five meters. This time she counted her steps and before taking the last one she turned around.

"Freeze! I have a…a sharp amulet that could cut you in half!" she tried to make a lame warning.

"So it's really you who took that stone…"

A more feminine voice than hers, crystal clear, was coming from a younger girl than her. She was wearing a long, black elegant dress which somehow resembled the Victorian era of England. Her silver hair was silky and very long till it reached her thin calves covered by striped black and white socks. Something that caught Rilury's attention was her dark eyes which didn't seem to have a stable black color. The iris seemed to be more like a dark fluid always in motion, somehow foggy, just like a black hole ready to absorb you.

On her head was a hair band with a blue rose attached on it, the only colorful spot on her.

After a while of checking her out, Rilury snapped out of it and tried to give a proper answer.

"No, um, somebody err…kind of gave it to me.."

"I know."

" Wait, so you were following me this whole time?!"

"Of course. I only did this noise on purpose so you will notice me. It's always impolite to bump on someone uninvited"

She was talking with an expressionless face.

"BUT you followed me! Why would you do that?!"

"I have my own private reasons"

"What?! You broke my privacy in the first place!"

"And apparently so wanted this cobra."

Rilury looked instinctively behind. Ten centimeters away was standing a dead cobra which was just in the middle of its fast and silent attack. She didn't even have time to recover from the shock as behind that girl was a huge grizzly bear already on his two feet with its claw raised for a deadly hit.

It collapsed immediately, without her even having to look behind.

"This place is exposed. Should we talk somewhere else?" she said, not even bothered by these creatures that would have given Rilury a lot of trouble if she would have been alone here.

"Ah, I see now. So you were just trying to find teammates."

"Not quite. But since you were the only one left without a team and I already have another one, I suppose it is also your interest."

"Well, I haven't really thought about this before…"

She was hoping she could team up with that boy, Lyserg. He seemed to be a nice guy.

Miyako...this was her name, meaning child of the night. She told her that she knew all the teams from the last SF, as she isn't just another new competitor. According to her, he first time she participated in this fight there wasn't a fair number of shamans for making teams. So she was left behind, therefore this time she made sure she had the team formed right before the second round. She already found a new teammate, so the only one left is Rilury who should make a decision.

Just as she thought, everyone of them already made their groups and she couldn't just break in…If it weren't for Miyako, perhaps the same thing would have happened to her.

After all, they both seem to be alike considering this point of view.

"But yeah. I accept your offer." Rilury smiled, but Miyako had no reaction at all.

"Alright. First thing to do for you is to become stronger." She categorically said.

"What?!" Rilury said in disappointment and a bit ashamed.

"Look at your level of furyoku. I can also sense it. If it weren't fr that stone, you wouldn't have survived by now."

Rilury nodded a bit resigned.

"I know… But how can I do that in such a short amount of time"

Miyako's corner of her lips somehow curved.

"It's simple. But you have to keep it a secret."

"No problem!" she said with a short confidence which suddenly disappeared at the sudden image of Hao smirking in her head. "But…how can I hide anything…from that bastard's mind?! Guh!" around her were flames of anger.

"Take this."

"Huh?"

Rilury watched surprised the strange jewelry that Miyako was offering her in her delicate palm. It seemed to be a black pearl which color contrasted so well with her white skin.

"This is an earring I have specially designed for blocking any exterior agent of making contact with one's mind. Vodoo, possessions , curses and even mind reading."

"It sure looks nice…" Rilury said with admiration. "You know, you could start producing your own line of jewelry after all this is over."

Miyako smiled a bit for herself.

"Maybe, but I think it'll remain a hobby, because this time...nothing will fail." She replied while standing up and then started walking away.

"Wait!" Rilury called. "What's the secret of becoming stronger?"

"Just take a bath in the Spirit Lake this night. With nothing but your necklace on." She answered without turning her back and then walked further.

Rilury was returning to the camp place while thinking about this strange meeting. She was wearing on her right ear the strange beautiful black earring and thought if it really worked. If so, then Miyako must be a strong shaman, especially because she also put down two dangerous creatures without even lifting a finger.

She was staying just in the same place where last night, two young shamans shared a kiss. The location was quite safe and it offered her enough silence for her to think.

"With nothing but your necklace on." She blushed. How could she risk being seen naked in the wild, especially with…him? The thought nearly crossed her head as Hao suddenly appeared from behind the huge leaves, carrying a flask of water. He also didn't seem to be in a good mood.

"Where have you been?" he frankly asked.

"I…was just taking a walk in the nature." She answered in a defensive mode.

Hao darted a serious glance at her. Then his look became shocked.

She smirked.

"So? How does it feel not being able to read my mind for the first time?"

He frowned in consternation but shortly regained his composure.

"Hmph. Simple protecting spell. I don't know how you got it, but you should know that this Reishi ability grants me the power not only to read your mind, but also your heart."

Rilury startled a bit as he smirked.

"Just now you felt intimidated by me."

"No I was not!" she replied with her short temper.

"Your thoughts are influencing your emotions. So I can also tell when you're lying."

"As if I care!" she said a bit pissed. "I'm only glad that now I can have at least some privacy! Because, as far as I see, you are kind of a stalker type, aren't you?" she shortly gave him a comeback.

"Hmph. It was just impolite of you to leave my poncho like that. Somebody could have stolen it."

"Yeah right." She said to herself, but Hao ignored that.
"So, should we head further? It is already afternoon." He said indifferently.

"Ah!" she reminded something."Um…I think it would be the best not to head far from the lake. I…somehow sense a portal."

"You're a terrible liar."

She felt somehow attacked, but maintained a firm position.

"So what? I have my own reasons of doing so, and it is my choice if I want o tell you or not. If don't like this way of exploring, considering that we don't know where to go yet, then you are free to go."

Hao looked at her and then had a satisfied smile.

"It's fine with me." He answered carelessly. "But you have to know, this is called a compromise. And the other part must also have something in return" he smirked.

She looked at him suspiciously but then answered with a sigh.

"Fine. But today is mine! So first thing...could I have some of that water, please?" She asked without letting her coolness down.

He threw the flask to her.

"It was for you from the beginning."

"Then why-...oh, never mind" she said as she drank the refreshing liquid.

"Thanks! Now all I want is to sleep." she added as she laid on her back, because the place they were in was quite a good hideout for the day.

"Why?" he asked with a smug. He laid next to her and his palm was holding his head, which was supported by his elbow. "Planning to do something at night?"

"I'm tired." She said, not negating the question. "Last night you were propped on me so I could barely sleep." She said with a slight grin.

His smug disappeared but still gave no answer than giving a short sigh. He closed his eyes and turned on the other side.

"Playing the mature type, huh?" she said, but only in her head, somehow wanting him to hear that. But she looked at the sky with a satisfied smile. Her eyes slowly closed as they were counting the clouds running on the light blue color.

The night was clear.

The Spirit Lake was spreading its glamour in the darkness, steady and calm, reflecting the blue moon so clear like a mirror. The light waves were dancing on the surface, like it was waiting to embrace something…or someone.

Rilury was standing at the edge of the lake. She somehow managed to sneak in without waking the other one up. Now she was admiring the blue water's refulgence.

She took her clothes off, one by one. Even her earring, because she felt that she had to make full contact with the essence of the lake.

The only thing left was the blue stone, which was somehow gleaming under the pale rays of the moon.

She took a step in and the fluid liquid welcomed her foot with the right temperature. She then walked further, her body slowly dipping in the lake.

*song plays*

When he arrived, she was already half sunken in the water. Only her back was being caressed by the light of the moon making her skin to have a soft gloss. Her curves were harmonizing perfectly with the light waves on the surface.

This sight made him have a soft blush under his eyes, as he wasn't expecting to see this forbidden marble of the night. He instinctively turned his look but he couldn't help himself not looking back, when the water almost reached her neck. What was she doing here? Why? Those were questions that couldn't leave his head.

The water had flown above her chest, as she walked deeper in the lake. When the blue stone touched the surface of the lake, a strong turquoise glow spread within seconds on all the surface. Her eyes caught the gleam.

The spirits were awakening by yellow sparkles arranging themselves in a bright circuit.

Ball of lights were rising from the depths, floating like leaves on the surface.

Dance! Dance! The whispers were spreading in the air, and the waves became bigger, as the lake became more agitated because of the light.

She rose her hand from the water. Standing on her tiptoes, she made a pirouette and the tiny spirits were guiding her steps by playing with her hands. She made slow and gracious moves, dancing like a swan among the diamonds.

He watched her, and the sparkle of the light was reflecting in his eyes. His look was absorbed by the gorgeousness of the girl dancing with the spirits of the water.

So the world goes round and round

With all you ever knew

They say the sky high above

Is Caribbean blue

The spirits were singing, as the water rose and she was higher and higher, as her head leaned on the star décor.

He couldn't turn his look away. He wasn't thinking anymore if her body could be exposed. He was instinctively driven by a strange burning desire of absorbing everything with his eyes. Fascinated by the glamour, spellbound by her spreading charm ...

The water was also creating her a blue dress covering her lady blossoms. She was being protected by the lake by all the curious looks, because she was now one with the spirits. And they wanted to keep her pure. Her body was a temple and her spirit was a diamond they must polish to give it its fully potential brilliance. (*INSERT IMAGE HERE!)

If every man says all he can,

If every man is true,

Do I believe the sky above

Is Caribbean blue?

Those words made him gain his senses. What was wrong with him? He usually has the common sense of not breaking this kind of privacy, but this time…

Was Hao bewitched?...By her?

Rilury didn't have the slightest concern. The spirits were already showing her the true beauty of the world. The Carribean islands, where the sky and the sea were one. Where the mermaids took her by the hand, were combing her hair and singing her a charming song. Explaining the cycle of the Earth, the meaning of dancing with the spirits, the bound with between nature and her true self. Trying to show her something covered in the mantle of the Universe...

If all you told was turned to gold,

If all you dreamed were new,

Imagine sky high above

In Caribbean blue

Around her unfolded a golden aura. Her spirit has grown and the spectacle was ending in a burst of light. The water broke forth in a jet like an artesian well and the light refracted in the drops of water.

A gorgeous rainbow.

A huge waves took her from under the arcade of light, but was as gentle as a woman's hand catching a butterfly.

He left before the wave brought her to the shore. She opened her eyes, as being disrupted for the reverie. Everything felt like a dream, but she knew it was real.

It felt…wonderful. The dense spirit energy was already flowing through her veins.

When Rilury returned, she already saw Hao waiting for her, with his arms crossed, leaning on a tree with a careless position. Just like the time she firstly seen him in this world.

"I see you took a walk again."

She didn't answer. After all, she didn't need to give him any report. Good thing she was wearing the earring.

"Tonight the Spirit Lake had an unusual glow. So I went to check out what was happening."

She blushed. Could it be possible, that he...had seen her naked?

"I like that your hair is still wet." He made a biting remark that made her attend to slap him.

So predictable. He stopped her hand by grabbing her wrist. Before she could react he grabbed the other one and he was already immobilizing her from the back.

She stood there, unable to move as he was holding her hands at the level of her head and made her impossible to turn at him.

His face came close to her neck ad he whispered on her right side, with a slight smirk.

"What a nice black pearl you have. But just one earring doesn't suit you."

His lips touched her lobe and he took the pearl in his teeth. His breath felt dangerously on her neck.

But before he could take it off, her right foot kicked him right on the shin. The kick was so powerful that it made him take some distance. He felt on one knee and stared at her with an angered expression.

But when she turned at him, her eyes were inflamed. She looked at him firmly and mischievous..

"Stop toying with me, Hao!" she shouted as she rose her fist and plunged it directly in the ground.

Suddenly the earth shook and yellow spikes cracked a bit the earth and at least five glowing ball of lights appeared in different locations.

"These are the portals. You know where they are now. This is our compromise. Rilury is out." She made a military gesture with her hand, perhaps a joke she instinctively made to break the tension a bit and not ending the partnership on bad terms.

She then ran in the opposite direction. Hao watched her surprisingly walking away. The strong punch in the ground was defiantly aimed at him at first, but she managed to control her temper.

The smirk reappeared on his lips.

Still, she surpassed him. She did it a few times before, but this time the result was different than he expected.

Few people do that with him. But in the end, he always get what he wants.

Or, more exactly, who...

*IMAGE:

imgur...(slash)xAovNq9

(...) means dotcom

dot means .

you get the rest :D

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**Hope you enjoyed this (kind of too long) chapter! Make reviews and tell me how you think it was!