When Shadows Rise
Chapter 13
Heaven can Wait
"Okay it is time to pull back, to focus on now. Can you hear me Jaeoh.?" The dark haired Kouhei leader nodded. The mediation technique put him in a deep trance but he was still partially focused on the here and now. He had let Mamaru steer him to this place in an attempt to find his center again. His growing anger was making him reckless. The last attempt to work out a plan of attack had him storming out. Of the moon court only Mamaru and Iriko seemed to understand.
The shadows had taken to attacking what seemed like random temples and dojos. It was obvious they were searching for Suteko's brother. They had one of the descendants of the Crystal kingdom chi masters and needed the other. Mamaru had decided that Jaeoh needed to know a few of Suteko's secrets. The one bearing on who she had been. Also on Mamaru's growing suspicion that Jaeoh may be the reincarnation of the ancient prince. That was both hard to swallow, harder to ignore. But now he let the anger wash away, flow into something else. If he didn't master himself he would do something foolish.
He slowly released his tension, calling forth the soothing sound of rain on leaves, a warm fire crackling next to a soft rug and a woman. A woman eager for his presence.
Mamaru watched as the Kouhei leader slowly relaxed. The aura of contained anger that flickered with green flames had settled back. He had been ready to call in Gregor to subdue his leader. Since the capture and knowledge of the Star Knight's torture he had been acting rash. Each time a team went out to deal with the growing shadow incursions he had shown up and flew into battle. Even upstaging Rage's attacks. The ancient memories were taking over the young man. He had to use every trick in his hard won personal arsenal to keep him from using Hana's artifact to mount a single handed rescue. Ancient drives were overwhelming when added to current attraction. But they had turned a corner. Just as he moved to bring Jaeoh out of the trance something odd happened. Faintly across the room a figure was forming. Mamaru gasped as Suteko shimmered next to Jaeoh.
She place a finger to her lips, shaking her head. As the image grew clearer he could see that the Star knight was in bad shape. This projection was dressed in torn gi and was covered in blood and burns. She moved slowly toward Jaeoh, reaching out a hand. While her form was easy to see, she was transparent, like a ghost. Mamaru whispered, "are you dead?"
She turned her large green eyes to his and shook her head mouthing, "No,," before turning back to Jaeoh.
When her hand touched the Kouhei's temple she flickered. Jaeoh's eyes flew open and his jaw dropped. "Suteko…"
She smiled weakly and nodded. With her ghostly fingers still on his temple she started to speak. Mamaru heard nothing but Jaeoh held a one sided conversation.
"Jaeoh-san I need your help." Her voice came softly inside his head.
"We will get you free, I promise." He whispered.
The image shook her head, "No Jaeoh-san, no. Not for me. I need you to help my brother. Kaneda is drawing near to Ran-chan's hiding place. If he finds my brother, he finds the final gate."
"Your brother has his friends. He can defend the gate."
:Yes, he can, if he knows they are coming. Ran-chan is a tad slow sometimes. I need you to get a warning to him. He has to be warned, to be helped. He needs people to guard his family."
Her voice was fading as her form flickered. "Suteko?" he asked, worry slipping into his voice.
She seemed to shudder now as something was attacking her. "Don't….worry about me Kohiski. Please just listen." The shudders were getting stronger as the men watched. "Have Rei-sama send a message to the Hidden Hill temple. Have her tell them, "Hide the key," she gasped and it looked like she stumbled. "The Shadows Rise," her back arched and she let out a sc ream that this time Mamaru heard. They both watched in horror as black lightening covered her form and blood flowed across her features.
Both men reached for the ghostly image. She cast a longing look toward Jaeoh, "I wish we could have…" she faded as she was pulled back to her body. A crystal thudded to the floor.
Jaeoh and Mamaru sat in silence for along moment. Finally Mamaru asked. "What was her message?"
Jaeoh stood, from the floor to his feet he transformed to Sailor Kouhei Draco. "She wants a message sent to the Hidden Hills temple. Tell Rei to send this exact message. "Hide the key, the Shadows Rise." He reached down, picked up the crystal and strode out.
Mamaru blocked the doorway. "What else Kouhei?"
Jaeoh's eyes flared with green dragon power. "Nothing else for you sensei. It is time the Kouhei bring Unicorn out of the shadows." They locked gazes and Mamaru moved aside with a nod. He too had seen the ghostly projection. They could not leave the woman to die alone. No matter her orders.
"I'll give the message to Rei and get the senshi ready to go." Mamaru started to go left when he felt Jaeoh's hand stop him.
"No, have them take care of the city. The Kouhei will bring back our lost and we will punish the traitors." His voice was scary, low and angry, holding a touch of something else. Almost an echo, as if an ancient warrior was shadowing his modern incarnation.
Mamaru nodded, at this moment one prince to another. Ancient Hiro had made his appearance and it was time to prepare.
The men separated and Mamaru went first to Rei, who nodded at his message, her eyes wide. He then went to Usagi and whispered in her ear. He made sure to have a hand holding her down. She looked up and nodded then gestured for her senshi to gather about. They talked and argued over who would go and who would stay.
Jaeoh headed to the office. At this time Gregor, Uhanzee and the injured Samuel were watching the table. The Kouhei felt a draw that did not touch the Senshi. The table held secrets that Hana would not reveal but they understood. Understood that this was more than the only link to the shadow realm and the prisoner held there.
They looked up as one as they felt his power. Gregor's slow smile said it all. "Time to get the ladies I see," He let out a loud laugh as Hana and Shayla came in supporting a weak but upright Iriko.
"Kouhei we have to finish this. We have left the Knight too long."
Iriko looked at her new friends. "Jaeoh-san, I need to go with you."
The Kouhei powered up as their leader stared at the senshi of secrets. "Why?"
"Because I can get past the guards and shield you. Hana and I have expanded my shield."
He turned his eyes to Hana who nodded. "She will be needed."
"Then power up senshi, we leave now!" His voice cracked out like a whip. Iriko transformed and stood straighter. The added strength and power helped her overcome the last lingering weakness form the poison and her wound.. Earth moved to stand at her side, his hand clasping hers.
"Time, open it up."
Hana reached into her own pocket an pulled out a key. Unlike the key used last time, this key was made of topaz that glowed. She slid the key into the lock, twisting it first to the left, then to the right. Before she pulled it out she looked at her team. "This time the only way back will be with this key. We have 12 hours. Any longer and you will be trapped in shadow and time." The Kouhei each nodded as did Minerva. She lifted the lid and she reached inside. "Brace yourselves. I'm taking us as near to Suteko as I can. Be prepared. "She lightly touched the white jade of Unicorn and as one everyone in the room was transported in a flash of light.
Mamaru turned away and wished them a silent luck as the senshi set out to warn the temples.
******
Seiya was once more in the Room, using her flail Someone had cleaned up her new favorite toy. "Tell me who is helping you slut and this will stop." She raised the weapon and brought it down along Suteko's lower back. The Star Knight jerked but no sound escaped this time. The human body can only scream for so long before the vocal cords give out. Hanging from the ceiling with no way to support her weight had pulled both shoulders out of their socket. IT had caused her to nearly die till Kaneda realized he might lose his lure. He ordered Aki to return them to place and lowered her so that she cold stand. She had even been allowed to lie on her belly till the dark magic had knitted her up enough to stand more torture.
Suteko had learned if she focused inward she could block out the pain. It made the pink haired madwoman enraged when she couldn't feed on her victims fear and pain but it allowed Suteko's spirit to roam. She had managed to slip free long enough to deliver her message to Jaeoh.
Letting her eyes flutter shut once more she pictured his face She understood better now the nature of her attraction to the Kouhei leader. When she was recaptured she had been tortured to the point she nearly died. It was the first time she slipped free. She was met by her ancestor who held her and told her everything. To find out that she first had been born far way in a different time was hard to grasp To find that her destined mate was the handsome Kouhie leader was another Suteko had been shown his life, explained the error in fate that had them grow up apart and the correction that made them warriors of that fate. It was now up to Jaeoh and his team to decide whether this time they would be together or apart forever. As much as she longed for the ending offered it was unlikely now. She sent her destined love to fight with her brother.
"Oh no you don't woman." Suteko started with a gasp as a bucket of cold water hit her square in the face. "I said it is time to talk. " She felt Seiya wrap her fingers in her hair and pull her head up with a hard jerk. The sharper pain brought her fully back. She let out a strangled sigh.
"The Master wants his answers slut and you are gonna tell him everything." Seiya ran her hand over the swollen flesh, smiling. The pain from this creature was exquisite. Pure as the light she was supposed to be able to use. It filled her like a delicious three course dinner. Addicting like the finest drug, even better than sex. If she would just talk. Kaneda promised her heart's desire if she could just get the location of the Guardian from this woman. Trading off one stranger for the joy of having little Hana strung up like this with Gregor chained on the floor watching. Teach them to forget who belonged to who.
Her fingers tugged harder as she fantasized. "Tell me bitch!"
Suteko hissed. Her brother was safe as long as she didn't talk. If she could get this mad woman angry enough she would go too far and then it wouldn't matter. You can't get information from the dead. She could then apologize to Chris and Akuma. 'You know…Kaneda doesn't keep promises." she whispered.
"You are wrong woman," Kaneda's voice clawed like ants on the skin as he stepped into view. "I keep my promises. I told you that you would be mine Suteko and you are. To do as I wish." He gestured for Seiya to move back. He flowed around the chained Star Knight and laughed. "It seems my sweet Pain is very thorough following her order and you will tell me where he is woman. If I have to have her pull it from your bones."
Even though it was useless she reached as deep as she could. She let her lip slip into a smile and she felt power tickle up. "No Kaneda. I won't betray those I love." It wasn't strong but touched on her heritage and let power spill from her skin. The chi power was not as strong as when she was Unicorn and she couldn't channel it but it burned pure in the murky shadow filled room, striking the dark Lord like a slap sending him skittering back to the doorway. "Stop her!"
Seiya smiled, reached back and punched her hard, rocking Suteko's had back. The light snapped off as she passed back into unconsciousness. "Damn bitch will not give in. There must be another way to get the location." Kaneda's hood turned and she could feel his pleasure. "Come woman, leave her for now. We need to set a trap."
*****
Across two halls the Kouhei appeared inside the last room they knew she had been in. The shielded room inside the shadow general's quarters was empty. Even the chains were missing this time. Minerva went straight to the door, extending her senses as far as the shield allowed. There didn't seem to be any conscious minds in the outer chamber. Concentrating she slowly opened the door. The outer room was also empty. She gestured for the rest to follow her.
As his team moved about the generals chamber Jaeoh stood in the center of the room, his eyes ion the floor. The tools and victim might have been removed but there were a few signs. Drops of blood that hand not been cleared up. Kneeling down he could see that the floor was pitted, as if the blood had eaten through. He got back up, "Where are you?"
Minerva led the team out of the room, carefully checking ahead of them. This hallway was empty of even basic shadows. When they came to an intersection she paused, searching mentally. "there is a gathering five hundred years to the left." Her voice was distracted as she mentally searched. "But Unicorn is only 100 yards to the right." She looked over her shoulder at Jaeoh. "She isn't alone."
The Kouhei nodded. Rescue was never easy. "How many?''
She did a quick count, her brow furrowing as it wasn't clear.. "There is one human with her but the shadows,…I can't count them . " she looked forward again. "It is like she is surrounded but not by minds I can touch." She opened her eyes. "The one to worry about is the human."
"We'll deal wit whoever it is once we are there."
Leading the way Minerva kept the Kouhei form being spotted. the small shadows seemed to swirl past heading in the direction of the gathering. None of them even paused for a moment, Minerva's shield managing to cover the entire group. She paused them each time a creature passed until they reached he final intersection. She stopped them and held up a hand. "There is a problem," she said as she looked around the corner. She quickly explained what she saw.
Samuel slid up. He recognized the Reaper from before. This time he had a friend and they were guarding a door that glowed darkly purple in the gloom. "Problem she says." Earth slipped his Si into both hands, twirling them. The mingled earth brown and green power flickered along the tines. "We got two Reapers here, man." He looked back to his leader. Jaeoh's eyes were glowing with green flames in the dim light.
"Back off Earth, this belongs to Rage and I," he pulled his katana, letting the power slip down the blade. Rage grinned and slipped up to his leader's side, he short gladuis glowing red. As one they stepped into the hall.
The two reapers immediately flowed to block their way. Tall, thin and ragged looking, like creatures from some fantasy film. The creatures carried the traditional scythe. In a deep, tomblike voice the creature on the right swung his scythe to block the aisle. "You shall not pass."
Rage smiled wider. "Who said we want to pass dust bag?" As one Rage and Draco struck, blades glowing as they fought.
Sword against scythe normally would be a one way ticket to a grave but these two warriors were masters of their chosen weapon. Between their techniques and the power that being Kouhei gave them sparks flew. A hall is not the best place to swing the normal scythe but if it is apart of you there are things you can do that a normal human can not.
The Kouhei warriors took part of the shadow Reapers off with each swing or thrust but the creatures managed to get a few energy sapping blows across. Rage mostly shook off the blows, the shadow powers not effecting the bear like man. The trickle of blood into his eyes just made him smile wider as he closed past the reach of his opponent and with a cry he thrust forward, burying his gladuis into the midsection of the shadow minion. His grin widened to a truly hideous sight as he pulled the power from the Reaper. This greater shadow held more energy than the other shadow he had fought. They were locked together for long moments as he sucked it dry, the red glow lighting up the hall.
Draco's battle was wilder. His katana flashed as he spun and slashed. Again pieces of shadow fluttered into the darkness. His more precise attacks removed the outer layer of his opponent, exposing the black skeletal form in places, but something odd was happening. The few wounds that he picked up were slowing him down more than he expected. He hissed as the scythe caught him along the thigh. The wound was shallow but he felt his power flowing out along wit his blood. He stumbled to the side before taking a deep breath and dodging as the scythe came back around. The beast was not prepared as the Kouhei bounced up and onto the descending blade, his green flame covered blade circling to removed the hood and head from the Reaper. Everything paused for a moment then the robe collapsed inward. Jaeoh landed lightly but then stumbled letting out a low hiss. He grabbed his thigh with a confused look on his face. It was a shallow cut, why did he feel so weak? He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and concentrated on his balance.
Gregor turned to say something and stopped. Jaeoh was leaning against the wall as blood slid down his thigh. "Sweet water! Front and center!" He crossed to his leader, dropping to a knee to inspect the wound. From what he could see it was shallow but the amount of blood was wrong. IT looked almost like Jaeoh was reacting like Unicorn. Not as intense but wrong for a Kouhei.
Shayla stepped up and placed her hands over the wound and let her power flow. The green healing energy closed up the cut but slower than expected. She cut a glance at Gregor who nodded once. The silent communication went unnoticed as Jaeoh scanned the hallway beyond. "Enough fussing Shayla. We need to get into that room." He pushed her away gently but firmly, turning away before the wound was fully healed.
As he moved forward Gregor gestured to Uhanzee and Samuel to flank him. It might normally be his place to flank their leader but he needed a word with the women. Turning to Hana he growled softly, "What the hell is up here ladies? Why is he reacting like Unicorn.? The growl in his voice would have frightened a normal woman. Like an angry polar bear, he seemed to fill the hall. Shayla and Iriko shook their heads and turned to Hana. She straighted and raised a hand.
"He is still our leader, the same man who saved our souls. This is just," she paused searching for the right words. "Just another part of him. IT will become clear in a little bit."
Greg gave his partner a hard look that softened briefly as her eyes pleaded with him. "IT better, little Nezuze. It better."
Uhanzee and Samuel followed their leader into the room. Blades drawn, they looked about, eyes darting about them. The room was empty but for a woman in a long gown who was kneeling before the woman they came to save.
Jaeoh stood frozen for a long moment. His eyes riveted to the woman in chains. He could just barely, see her chest rise in breath. He moved in a flash, his katana out and at the throat of the kneeling woman. "Get her down, NOW!" His voice was low, intense with an almost echo.
The slender woman looked up at Jaeoh and whispered. "I can not My Lord." she reached up and her long elegant hand passed right through Suteko's leg.
Jaeoh started and then looked closer. This woman had cat slit pupils. "What the hell are you?"
"I am your guardian my Prince." He eyes glowed in the purple darkness as her voice stayed soft and calming. "She needs you now young master. If you don't get her out of here soon she will die."
Samuel rested a hand on Jaeoh's arm. He could feel a tremor pass through his leader and spoke as calmingly as he could. "She is telling you true man. Those chains embedded in her suck her strength. They are killing her slowly. She could barely stand the last time she had them on." The concern in his stocky friend's voice cut through Jaeoh's anger and confusion.
"How do we get her down, woman?" He asked more politely this time.
The willowy stranger stood as Rage and the ladies entered the chamber. Minerva centered her attention on the woman and blinked. The stranger's form flickered from human to cat in her mind's eye. "Persephone?"
The woman looked over and shook her head. "Demeter. How?" Then she smiled. "Oh Minervan I see." She turned back and rested a hand on Jaeoh's quivering arm. "My lord, you need to release her. Your sword..."
"What?!" Jaeoh brought the sword back up, thinking that the woman wanted him to kill the one he came to save.
She shushed him softly, "You must use it to break the chains?"
Greg looked back and forth between Jaeoh and the stranger, then circled around to behind Suteko, preparing to catch her. Even the battle hardened warrior was unprepared for what he saw. He let out a gasp when he saw was remained of her back. "Damn it to hell!" He whispered. "Jaeoh, stop pissing. We have to get her down...carefully."
Samuel moved to grab the chains like he had done before but Demeter held up a delicate hand. "No warrior, your method will make it worse. Only My Lord can free her now!"
Shayla stood back, nearly ill from the pain and glee that hung about the room. The taste of both victim and torturer was heavy in the air. "Get her down and fast." Across the room she could feel Suteko's heart stuttering as it tried to keep her alive. "I don't care how but get her down!" Iriko and Hana rested their hands on Shayla and eased a shield about the sensitive healer.
Jaeoh gestured to his men. "Get ready," then he closed his eyes and breathed. Something made him pull the sword up before his eyes and words he never heard before in a language dead and gone filled him. A peace he never had filled him for an instant before his blade flashed. First to the right and then the left. The chains broke with a puff of green smoke and the eerie wail of a dying shadow beast filled the minds of those in the room. He stayed down on one knee, blade extended and eyes closed as Greg caught Suteko, carefully.
Shayla shook herself free of her friends and rushed over. She slapped her hands to Suteko's temples and flooded her with clean green healing energy. As before, it was a battle to force it through the shadow taint. "Damn it Unicorn, fight it!" she whispered to her patient. "I'm not letting you go!"
Time seemed to speed up then as things happened so fast. Greg carefully lowered the nearly dead Star Knight toward the floor but the strange cat eyed woman yelled for him to stop.
Uhanzee's head came up as he heard movement coming toward them and questions started to flow. Hana pulled forth the Topaz key. "Quickly everyone together, their coming!" She held up the key and slid it into a lock that wasn't there. The room was flooded with golden light and everyone in the room faded from sight as the door burst open.
Iriko stared right into the eyes of the man who had nearly killed her and smiled. A smile worthy of a Kouhei. She mouthed a word as she disappeared. "Gotcha!"
Chaos erupted as the Kouhei, Minerva, Demeter and Suteko appeared in the middle of Setsuna's pristine living room. The senshi had just returned from a battle at two separate temples to find the golden glow flooding the living room. Questions flew as they spotted Suteko and the strange maiden. Demeter was currently kneeing between Oak and Earth, her head down and a soft ancient prayer on her lips. Greg had passed Suteko to the dazed Jaeoh who placed her on the floor, his sword still clutched in one hand.
Shayla broke the tableau with hard orders. "Everyone back off. Those with healing I need you now. Everyone else get out!" When Jaeoh started to move she stopped him and gestured to his other hand. Somehow Suteko had curled her fingers about his. Very softly she told him to let Uhanzee take his sword away. He released his treasured blade without a thought, eyes on one very pale and swollen face. Once his hand was free he reached out and brushed the long silken strands from her face. He sank down, dazed and confused, the wound on his leg started to seep, coating his thigh in bright blood. Hotaru, Mamaru and Usagi all added their strength to Shayla's, channeling gold, silver and purple energy into her clean green. They fought a different battle now. No one noticed the green flames that flickered around the clasped hands.
Across the great room Greg loomed over the willowy stranger. His eyes still held a touch of red, anger at the damage done to one of their own made him short. "Who are you? What did you do to her?"
Demeter, kept her eyes down, her hands clasped in her lap. "I did nothing to My Lady. I could never harm her."
"Who are you..." Greg got into her face but blinked at the answer from an unlikely source.
"My sister, Demeter is who she is you big bully." Persephone jumped between the woman and Greg. She placed a paw on her cheek and they communed for a moment before she slowly transformed into another willowy beauty.
Greg and Uhanzee gasped and looked to Hana, who simply shrugged. The senshi looked from one to the other, then at the moon cats. "Twins?"
Persephone turned and tried to glide to her mistress' side. She was stopped by Greg's gladuis. "Answers cat. You aren't' going near her till I get them."
Persephone gave him a pained look and sighed. "I told you, she is my sister, Demeter. She had been searching for Jaeoh but when I found him she went back undercover."
"And?"
"Please Master Swordsman can this wait a little? My Lady needs more than the healers can give her. She needs her Lord's Light and clean moonlight on what skin she has left." Demeter's voice was begging. "If we don't move fast this all will not matter. We will lose them both again."
Whether it was the sincerity or the pleading look on her delicate face or more likely the matching concern on Persephone's he let them up. As one the cat women moved across the room and placed hands on Jaeoh's shoulders. Be it chance of fate or not Suteko lay directly under a skylight and the full moon glowed down on her.
"You must remove what is left her clothing My Lord, then call the light."
Jaeoh looked up, brow furrowed then he nodded. With a pass of his hand the tattered remains of Suteko's gi faded away, startling the working healers. Then three voices lifted in a long pure tone. Two clear sopranos and one deeper tenor, blending together. Everyone in the room felt a power rising as a wind came form no where lifting hair and ruffling clothing. Suteko's form lifted from the floor and floated at Jaeoh's eye level. The tone changed then as his voice alone rang out. Calling on an ancient gift not seen in 4000 years the green flames sprouted from his arms to flow around and about Suteko and Jaeoh. Shayla was forced back, gently as the power did battle with the shadow taint coursing through Suteko's body.
Every eye was turned to the battle between black shadow power and the new green fire. A cowled creature, like an extension of the Shadowmaster fought tooth and nail with a green flaming dragon. The battle was fierce, darkness doing its best to defeat the light but a single white beam of moonlight struck the shadow as Usagi used her crystal. It stunned the shadow long enough for Jaeoh's jade dragon to sink tooth and claw into the shadow and tear it apart. As it shredded away Suteko took a deep breath and screamed. Immediately Shayla and the others turned back to sending waves of healing into her body. The wound that was her back slowly closed as everyone watched. Smaller wounds closed like they were months old and even the gash on Jaeoh's leg disappeared.
The wave of energy dissipated as Suteko slowly floated back down. The song fadedd as she touched down and Jaeoh slumped over, his head coming to rest beside hers. The two maidens pulled a strangely patterned robe from the air and gently covered Suteko. They bowed their heads in a silent prayer of thanks. Usagi and Mamaru sunk to the floor, hands clasped and Shayla sank to her haunches panting. Young Hotaru simply fell over. For a very long moment the room was filled with stunned silence.
It was Greg who broke it, "What the fuck just happened her kiddies?" Blinking, heads turned and looked at each other and low laughter broke out.
"Destiny, Hot Head," Hana said softly as she reached out and slid a tiny hand into his massive one. She smiled, a true open smile.