Chapter 4
The room was dark, the only light was coming from scattered candles dotting around the edges. Harsh winds were howling and beating against the solitary window, with lashes of rain pelting down its frustration. Sudden bursts of white light lit up the eerie space only to show a disturbing sight. In the middle, enclosed in a rune circle were two figures. One bound and kneeling with the other standing upright. The runes turned from their dim glow to a deep red. A heart wrenching scream shattered the night, with head thrown back and their face contorted in the most pain filled and scared features. His scream continued as the other did nothing but watch. A rush of wind blew from within the room, extinguishing the flickering flames and shockingly the runes too. As the scream started to die out, the lightning brightened the room enough to see more clearly. The bound figure was now hunched and trembling on the stone floor. Ethereal glowing came from the standing figure, dimly giving light to the darkened room once more. Some things should stay hidden in the darkness.
Quiet chanting in a soft tone began; words of an ancient tongue filled the room. The chanting figure moved towards the other towering over him, placing her hand stretched out above him. Too weak to move or shout they remained huddled on the floor. If they had the strength overpowering the other should have been easy, but against his foe it was nigh on impossible. With their black hair tied back, her pale reddish eyes now closed in concentration and her mode of dress concealed her well-toned figure. The Dark Queen was definitely a force to be reckoned with at any time.
Her chanting had stopped. Her eyes opened and her face grew expectant. The glow surrounding Kaori grew brighter. The man started to twitch erratically. His body convulsed making his chain bound hands and feet ring sharply on the stone floor. Their eyes flew open wide, stark fear was etched in them as they looked upon the dark figure before them. The convulsions rapidly increased as the body literally flew off the floor with each one. Something was being forced to come out. Whimpers of pain and spit flew from the captive's mouth, knowing instinctively that screaming would only make the pain worse. The runes relit themselves to a pitch black with smoke faintly rising from each one as they surrounded the two. The body stopped convulsing. Kaori finally moved. She knelt beside the prisoner careful not to touch; as once more she began to chant this time her voice filled the room. The runes pulsed to the magic. The victim began to twitch once more unable to stop the short moans and yelps of pain. The Queens voice grew to a crescendo as she placed her hand on the prisoner's chest; the runes pulsed in response to the dark magic. Then came the death scream.
He screamed his lungs out, his body arched upwards by her touch. A silvery manifestation began to occur surrounding the screaming man. As the chant grew the silver mass began to emerge fully. It was a ghostly image of the man, scrambling in panic as it tried to latch itself back in his own body. The chanting carried on and so did the deafening scream. The soul was ripped free. The scream suddenly stopped and the man fell to the ground dead. Kaori finished her part, the soul sucked into her own body all the while it tried to flee from its fate. Her chanting stopped and the runes flickered out. The room was dark and still once more. The Dark Queen rose to her feet her eyes open in satisfaction.
"How refreshing" Kaori whispered
The ear-splitting scream reached even the lower levels, the long tunnels echoing the scream made it last far too long. Cat eyes suddenly appeared at one of the grates of the cell doors, his eyes whilst wide and frantic kept it together as they tried to see some clue about what was going on. Finally the last echoes of the death scream died out and all was still once more. Only the occasional dripping was heard in the lonely halls. The feline eyes withdrew to its darkened lair.
"That's another lost soul being ripped away" a feminine voice whispered from inside
"I don't want to know what torture she unleashes to make them scream like that" a male voice replied
"May our spirits watch over us and that we may never find out"
It was late afternoon with the sun still clinging to the sky, as darkened rays of the oncoming night began to trek their way across. The hallways of an élite school were deserted, with all residents either in the dorms or office. Yet something was off this quiet evening. The usual peaceful atmosphere coupled with the feeling of safety was conspicuously absent. No longer did the walls and grounds give the lodgers the freedom and security it once did. Now it boasted of isolation and danger. Even the staff that looked after the school felt the new effects though not knowing the reasons why. New rules were put into place and enforced, such as a curfew for the dorm students, little things that never seemed enough to break the feeling of impending trouble. Something was going to happen.
It was a little after the curfew bell had rung; the main school residence looked to be clearly deserted, except for one solitary dim light. The Head Sister it seemed was still working diligently. The sound of tinkling china and quiet shuffling was all to be heard from her office. When The Sister had finished putting her newly brewed tea down on a small table, did she perk her ears at a sound. A sound that shouldn't be heard at this time of night. Footfalls were coming in her direction. Casually she flicked her hand out, wand flying from her sleeve to be caught graciously. With a flick and swish of her wand, sparks lit and her office thrummed in response to a well-known spell. The footfalls drew nearer, the more clearer they became, as the Sister could now distinguish that there were at least half a dozen in total. Give or take one. They stopped just outside her door. Bracing herself for any eventuality she moved away from the seating area in front of her desk and just a ways from the door. All was still.
Knock. Knock.
That simple knocking of her door broke all her tension. She let her shoulders slump with relief, quickly disappearing into embarrassment at her own foolishness. It was her after all that had asked them to come after curfew. The big pot of tea should have made her realise the connection sooner. Flicking her wand once more, the thrumming of the room dispelled.
"Come in." she called out as she walked over to sit in the comfiest chair she possessed
Settling herself down, she watched as her six treasured girls filed in all quiet and serious as they sat and waited for her to begin. It tore a little at her heart to see them like this. Remembering with great fondness their loud, exuberant and loving natures they gladly gave to all those around them. How she treasured teaching them, on days when she was lucky enough to finish early. Now all that had gone. Gazing into each of their faces, their eyes showed much. Too much for a young woman to have to bear. She knew too how they missed their departed friends, one in particular. For she too had come to like the outspoken, energetic and bubbly girl, that had graced the halls for a short while. Shaking her head to dislodge the memories, she sat up straighter and her demeanour changed to that of a sorceress with bite.
"Thank you for coming girls. I know it's late but I thought it best to give you the news quickly."
"Is about the War Sister?" Miyuki asked and they all looked towards their elder
"Yes dear." The girls shuffled in their seats even Chikaru who was serving the tea rattled the china in a nervous twitch "I received news from the Council early this morning regarding the new legislation that has come into effect." The Sister stopped there to have a sip of her tea
"What is it?" Shion asked
The Sister sighed as she spoke "The immediate withdrawal of all the Few from human facilities."
The girls broke out in whispers as they heard this; the Sister let them talk it over as she privately knew where this conversation would surely lead. Miyuki managed to calm the others down, as once more they waited for the Sister to continue but one had a question.
"If they want us to leave Astraea, where would we go?" Tamao asked as she cradled her tea in her hands
"The Council wishes for all those underage to go into hiding…" The Sister was broken off the loud snort and loud exclamations of shock
"No way are we just going to hide!" Yaya declared
"Sister there has to be something or somewhere we could help out." Chikaru asked with anger lacing her tone
"Girls, girls" the Sister tried to calm them down. It took a while but the girls quietened down yet they were still quite angry. "As I said the Council wishes this, I didn't say that it was all you could do. Think on it a little."
One by one the girls went from angry, to confused, to recognition and then finally on to resolved. They each knew where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do. Nothing was more important than this and they finally had their chance.
"How?" Kagome asked
"I have been in constant contact with Nagisa's…" she paused watching the collective flinch "with Asa shall I say. She has kept me informed of the goings on within her Council and our own. If you wish to go they will be able to put you up, though as for what help you can provide that is up to them."
"We can really go there?" Yaya asked in surprise
"Shizuma is there" Miyuki whispered
"Nagisa-oneesama" Kagome stated making the room quiet
"The choice I leave up to you. Please think it over carefully. I can only give you until tomorrow to come to an agreement." The Head Sister told them kindly "Now get yourselves off to bed."
The Sorceress shooed them off in a motherly fashion, wishing them a good night as she herself started to her own room. Her thoughts were far from calm. The last few days had been fraught with tensions and worry. The constant feeling of danger and of being watched followed her every move. It was exhausting for the woman as she knew instinctually what it could mean. 'I am getting too old for this. All I wanted was to teach and guide the next generation. Never would I thought that I would be in a war, see the rise of darkness and most of all to see my young girls suffer. If I know anything in my long life, it is whoever follows me will not catch me easily or harm my charges. I have to make preparations.'
"Do you hear that?" the cat eyed man whispered
It didn't take long to hear someone coming their way. The man placed his charge in the farthest corner of the small cell, away from any danger, as he readied himself to pounce if they were indeed coming to this place. A rattle of chains mingled in with the footsteps and was silenced when they stopped. It was replaced with the jangling of keys. It was just outside their cell.
"You sure it's alright to do this?"
"I ain't luggin a dead weight thru them tunnels every time. Cides we ain't gotta feed her."
"Like ya thinkin. They can starve too if they try an help her"
Snorting of laughter was heard and a key was heard opening the cell door. Timon braced himself; the two Orc guards usually wouldn't be too much of a challenge. However meagre rations and lack of exercise put him in the disadvantage. Bright light of the outside made him flinch for a second before he launched himself at them. A heavy weight was hurled into him, making the Balam land heavily on the ground. The sound of a metal bolt scraping shut made him hang his head in shame. He had failed.
It wasn't until his companion started to heave something off him that he remembered something barrelling into him. Quickly he shuffled from beneath the weight and helped her move the body to the lightest part in the cell. The woman carefully positioned the figure and finally they saw what was dumped into their cell. A young woman with red hair and pale skin lay unmoving as the two stared.
"I wonder why they chucked her in here with us?" the man spoke softly
"You've seen her before Timon?" the woman asked him
The man snorted in amusement "I'll say I have. She's the one fighting the Orcs every time they take her. She sure can fight. I wonder why She keeps this one alive"
"Information most likely" the woman said as she sat by the wall nearby her eyes gazing intently on the sleeping woman
"Well we'll soon find out Alexis, when she wakes" Timon shrugged as he sat by her side
The warning bell rang in the distance. A new school day had started. But for some it had a new beginning. As they agreed the night before, the Few gathered at the lake far from eavesdroppers and added privacy. The girls knew what they wanted to do; they had to make sure all of them agreed on it.
"We have to make a decision on what we are going to do." Shion asked them all
"I think we all want the same thing" Yaya spoke up "to find Nagisa"
Tamao and Kagome nodded their heads earnestly as Chikaru smiled her warm smile in agreement
"I want to find Nagisa-chan too." Shion started to speak fidgeting a little at what she was about to say "Do you truly understand the risks if we go to the Isle? The war is focused there they may not want children like us about."
"Does it matter Shion-san?" Miyuki looked over to her "I'd rather try than not at all"
"Besides Shion, the Sister herself assured us that we wouldn't be in the way" Chikaru placed her hand on her friends arm
"We promised them both that we wouldn't give up" Kagome told them as she held tightly onto her bear
The girls grew silent letting the serenity of the lake wash over them. The morning sun twinkling like diamonds on its surface and the warm rays gently bathed them.
"Then we know what we must do" Shion determinedly said with a smile
Yaya raised her eyebrow and smirked at her sempai "Get packing and tracking"
A joyous giggle erupted from the girls, the first in such a long time. Miyuki took hold of her girlfriends hand and started to lead her back to the dorms. The rest following behind, joking and teasing with one another like nothing had changed. A weight had been lifted from their shoulders and they made certain to make the best of it.
The rest of their day went by swiftly. They had informed the Head Sister, by Chikaru's familiar, of their decision and got themselves ready to depart. Even with the dormitory lacking in students, the hustle and bustle of the departing girls sure made up for it. The sounds of running feet, running up and down the corridors with shouts and laughter mixing in were only some of the organised chaos that was happening. You would have thought the school had knocked some maturity into the students, but you'd be wrong. The day grew on and the Few were finally finished, their bags stacked neatly by the door as the girls themselves were having one last tea in the lounge. They had been notified earlier to be in the Warren before the end of the school day, not wanting to draw any more attention to their departure. They were after all quite popular even if they didn't think so personally.
Time moved on and the girls left plenty of time to make their way to the Warren, double checking that the library was empty before lugging their bags and themselves in. They settled down around the table in quiet, as they finally began to get nervous. It was true that they had faced more foes in the grounds, yet the idea of travelling to a realm where True Mythicals lived, engaged in a brutal war and faced constant threats every day was by far making them shiver in fear. They were young Few after all.
"I wonder how Shizuma is doing." Miyuki whispered
"You never really told us about how she got on" Shion reminded her
"I couldn't stay for long afterwards so I don't really know myself" Miyuki shrugged her shoulders as a warm hand latched onto hers
"It feels so strange." Chikaru spoke softly
"Chikaru?" Shion nudged her along
Chikaru shook her head slightly "I just never thought I'd see myself caught up in a war. Let alone willingly go into the heart of one. Knowing the dangers and risks seems so small compared to what we could lose. I guess I've changed more than I realised I had."
The Few grew quiet whilst they listened to the motherly witch, her words having more of an impact when they compared it to themselves. Yaya being her usual self decided to lighten up the air, as she started to tease her older friends who welcomed the change in pace. Soon enough laughs were heard echoing around the Warren and the tinkling of china of someone preparing beverages. One lone figure however was making her way to the library, her face thoughtful and set. She knew exactly what she was looking for as she headed straight to the locked relic section, where all valuable and secured books were kept. Inside was full of old tomes as thick as bricks and as big as a drawing pad. Nestled in between them was a small black book, valuable only in information to the one person that ever had dared to read it.
"So this is where you hurried off to" a cool voice spoke
Tamao turned around quickly looking quite shocked "Miyuki! Don't do that!"
The medusa walked steadily over to her beloved looking a little confused as she wrapped an arm around the elementals waist, she took her eyes off the blunette to look into the cabinet where her answers where made clear.
"I thought I'd better bring it along. Who knows, it might still come in useful." Tamao assured her
"Good thinking Tamao" Miyuki hugged her tighter to her side
Tamao rested her head on the other girls shoulder as she mumbled on "I hope we find her Miyuki. I miss her"
"I know you do. All we can do is try. I don't think for a minute that Shizuma or Kei are relaxing in attempts to find her. You know how stubborn Shizuma can be." The two girls chuckled "Let's put the diary into one of the bags and re-join the others"
Once more the redheaded young woman was tossed ungraciously into the cell, this time however into concerned waiting arms. Timon caught her stumbling a little under the throw, as he quickly laid her down. Alexis made sure the young woman was made comfortable.
"What is the matter with her?" the muscled man asked
His gaze was focussed on the very still young woman, whose red head was held carefully in the lap of Alexis. Gentle fingers touched the lifeless one; her own eyes were closed tightly shut as she looked within herself. The man held his own counsel as he watched her work. Time had no meaning for them in the small space of the cell, not to mention not knowing the time anyways. The life of a prisoner was seeing the same four walls of a cell and if you were unlucky enough to leave it, it was to meet your judgement. A small gasp broke the silence as eyes quickly shot open and her hold tightened on the sleeping woman. Tears were unshed in her hazel eyes that worried the man greatly, rising to his feet he rushed over to her side in a flash. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder in comfort.
"Alexis?" half pleading and half comforting
Her hazel watery gaze held his catlike ones in a locked trance "Oh Timon. This poor lost one." As she once more reassured herself that the woman was really there in her arms.
Timon looked from one to the other. Both Alexis and he knew that the redhead was constantly being dragged out of their cell, to only be tossed back in when they had finished with her. What kept her in the sleepless state was a mystery that had troubled them, since she had been tossed in with them as she was now. Looking directly at Alexis he gained a small glimpse of what he hoped was right yet secretly despaired.
"Alexis do you know what ails her?" speaking softly
Alexis shook her head in exasperation as she shrugged her shoulders to add to the dilemma, her bruised face showed her anger but it softened greatly when her eyes fell on the girl.
"I think someone has broken her mind trying to do arts that they do not understand. From what I can see this little bird, has shut herself away to protect herself, but little by little she is losing her very essence. There is little I can do here."
Alexis began to cry at the thought, tears streamed down her face as her quiet sobs shook her lean frame. Timon wasted no time in pulling the quivering shaman into a fierce hug, trying to soothe her down.
"Is there nothing we can do?" he mumbled into her hair
"Not here. Her magic taints all that try. I need space and natures energy to guide me. You do as well Timon." She sobbed
Things never seemed to improve for the two captives. Alexis finished crying, drying her wet cheeks on her marginally clean leather sleeve, as Timon still kept an arm around her shoulders. Cat eyes looked on to the pale calm face, his mind trying to think of plans to get them out of here, each one looking depressive at each turn. An errant thought suddenly occurred to him about the sleepless one, did she even have anyone or anything waiting for her outside.
"I wonder if she has anyone, or even if they are still looking for her. Who is she?" he distractedly mumbled aloud
Alexis gave him a tiny smile. "She does have someone to get back to; her spiritual energy is connected by soul to another. My dear Timon, she is the link between the souls of us all. If she fails, we will all end up in the darkness."
The solemn proclamation and its delivery were met with a sombre air. The seeing gift could be interpreted in so many ways. However it did give them one clear goal. One in which they both felt that completion was necessary, sooner rather than later. All three of them needed to escape.
It was pitch black in the grounds near the lake. The stars were hidden behind the clouds and the moon itself gave little light. Through the thick wood the sounds of the nocturnal animals were heard and the snapping of twigs was considered normal. However it wasn't normal if accompanying the sounds of twigs snapping and rustling of bushes, were small globes of light in various colours bobbing along merrily. Whispers were heard as it came closer. The lake reflected the colours of the bobbing globes as the troupe of girls stopped at its bank.
"I wonder where she is" Yaya looked about as she dropped her bag near her feet, the others following her example
"She's probably running a bit late Yaya-chan" Shion said
The Valkyrie proved to be right. Ten minutes later a huffing Sister came panting through the trees a small globe of light lit her way as she came to a stop near the girls. Luckily the Few let her get her breath back as they conversed quietly between them. Since she was no spring chicken anymore the Head Sister was grateful to them for that, after one steadying breath she drew herself up and the girls grew still.
"I see you're all packed and ready to go"
"We only packed essentials and a few change of clothes and shoes. The rest we left behind" Shion told her
"Not to mention a couple of books in Tamao's case" Yaya teased her friend
"Huh talk about yourself with a photo of your girlfriend Yaya" Tamao shot back causing the others to giggle
"I've also got a bag for Shizuma just in case" Miyuki pointed to a small bag
The Sister looked fondly over the group "You've grown up quick my dears. I just want to say a few things before your ride get here" she spoke lovingly trying to stop her tears from falling "I am so very proud of you. You may have grown up quickly these past few months but I am glad to see that you have kept your hearts intact. Please be extra careful out there and know that I am waiting for your return. Every single one of you. Whatever you do don't lose hope in yourselves or each other."
Her words had a devastating effect. Tears had begun falling from the girls eyes and the sniffles were about. Each tried to hide it but failed dreadfully. A little fairy didn't even try. Placing her bear steadily on her bag she quickly hurried over to the Sister opening her arms wide at the last moment, receiving a warm hug and soothing words.
"Please be careful my little fairy. Stay by your Onee-sama's side when things get rough. Don't lose your sweet nature." She whispered
"I will" Kagome replied as she drew with eyes puffy and sniffy nose
The Few needed the reassurance they had always been given from their teacher, as one by one they each said their goodbyes and a hug as a cool sudden breeze washed over them. As quickly as it came the wind blew out and all eyes focused on the same thing. Further down the lake's bank a small figure stood stock still huffing on a pipe. Darian was waiting. Gathering their bags the Few all walked down to meet him.
"You girls ready?" he asked them
"Nice to see you again Darian" Miyuki greeted him "I'm guessing this time is going to be like the last?"
"Yup. Gonna be rough" smiling slightly at the girls nervous fidgets
Darian set about positioning the girls making sure each had a hold of their luggage and roughly explaining their trip. Which Miyuki looked highly sceptical at since she remembered it quite differently. Plodding back to his original position Darian nodded his head gravely at the Sister, who gladly returned it. The winds picked up in a sudden squall surrounding the girls and pushing the Sister back a few steps and just as before the winds soon died out, leaving an empty shore line in front of her.
"Please be safe" she whispered
"A smart move Hida-sama" a smooth voice spoke from behind
The Head Sister grew still as she heard the words. Even though she knew it was coming, actually hearing them was an entirely different matter. Remaining calm and her posture relaxed she turned to face her guest. The man was as tall as her and lithe as well. His skin was as black as night, his hair pure white which hung past his shoulders and his ears betrayed his elfish heritage. His eyes had no trouble in seeing in the darkened light, as rumours say they could see even better in pitch blackness much like the dwarves. He was of the Dokkalfar race, dark elves, which were more inclined with the darker arts than their cousins. The Head Sister didn't need to ask or think too hard for a name, as his was written in the history books alongside his mistress.
"You won't lay a hand on my girls. I have made sure of that for now Unae." The sorceress finally spoke
The dark elf shrugged his shoulders slightly "My dear Sister you've sent them only to a drawn out death. How can you protect them from here?"
"How can you hurt them now?" she retorted
"There's still time yet" a small sinister smile appeared on his face
The Sister knew what would happen and couldn't prevent it; however she only needed to stall him a little longer as her fellow Few were scheduled to meet her here very soon. A solution cropped up; even if it left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"I'm surprised Unae. It was your Queen who dealt with the Sisters before me; I thought I would be honoured by her not by her pawn."
The Dokkalfar tensed a little and she knew she struck a nerve. But the crafty elf soon recovered. Dark shadows reached out towards him slowly masking his body as he slowly became one with the night.
"My Queen is too busy to deal with such trifle things. Her power is expanding and her reach has become wider. Soon you shall feel it too."
"I warn you Unae, if I find out the damage you have done to a child under my care, you will receive a much harsher punishment" the dark one continued to smile "that goes for Nagisa too you do realise"
The sinister smile was wiped clean off his face as a snarl of rage filled its place. Even though it wasn't good news to hear, it was enough to know that the phoenix was alive. That was enough. The darkness had completely wrapped around Unae, making him disappear from sight. The sorceress tensed, her wand gripped tightly in her hand. Darkness overcame her.
A/N: Thanks for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting my story :) I hope you enjoyed it.