Disclaimer: I do not own the anime, characters, maybe settings and a lot of other stuff that may be mentioned.
Ayumi Kudou: I also wish for more stories of these two and I'm glad I made this. I can't believe I actually made it this far so hope that I will make it to the end.
The sun began to rise above the horizon giving the sky the mixed colors of pink, orange, and blue. The morning was cool and damp making any hostile animal peaceful and lazy, not wanting to create a mess so early in the morning. The trees of the forest were still and quiet though, making the area to suspicious for Viet to sleep a bit later than the usual. Haru however, stays asleep on the branch high above the Asian's head, undisturbed by the unusual quiet of the forest.
Viet decided to practice on her ability to sense objects around her. She breathed in and out deeply and slowly and closed her eyes focusing on blanking her mind.
First, clear your mind of all thoughts. Viet tried to empty her mind, ridding of her suspicions and sense for that moment. It was diffucult for her because she felt like she was being watched by something dark.
Second, breath in and out deeply... She did so, calming the tension in her chest. The feeling was almost gone but she still felt uneasy.
Lastly, open your mind, connect with the world around you. Suddenly, a burst of energy and a strange power filled Viet's mind. She felt the living and nonliving objects that surrounded her from the smallest beetle to the largest tree within the thirty meter radius that she was able to develp after a series of trials and errors. What disturbed Viet most though, was the presence of a dark creature lurking near her. She only felt it for a second before it dissappeared without a trace but she was certain that it was there.
The sound of soft feathers shuffling from above broke Viet's concentration as she saw Haru starting to wake up.
"Good morning little one," greeted the tired bird.
"Did you feel anything suspicious?" asked Viet nervously.
"I felt the presence of a Seraphim close by but it disappeared. We are being followed it seems." Haru shook his body once last time to fully awaken himself before flying onto Viet's shoulder. "We cannot let that worry us though. We must get to the orb and protect it. You will also need it later if you are to fight the leader of the Seraphim."
Viet nodded and packed her belongings before hiking again. She knew the path that she was going on for so many parts of the forest that she passed was too familiar for her. How could she not notice where they were heading.
"We are going to Ha Long Bay, aren't we Haru?" Viet asked to confirm her thoughts.
Haru nodded. "There are places there that you have not seen before and is hidden so no one could find the orb. Because I am the one who has hidden it, I can sense whether it is taken or not but for the past 200 years, nothing has happened. Well, nothing that is withing in my knowledge." The falcon was quiet for a while, thinking. Viet would glance at the bird every now and then, curious about what was going on in Haru's mind.
"Why don't we do some practice with your ability to sense objects?" asked Haru suddenly. "You have been able to sit down and notice things as you concentrate but I need you to be able to do this without a single thought about it while simultaneously doing another action such as fighting and everyday things that you do."
"I see you point," Viet said before taking a bite out of ball or rice mixed with shredded, dried meat. She then handed a small piece of the rice to Haru who ate it contently, tasting the savory flavor of the meat. (Who can guess what this is called? I know what it is but I don't know how to spell it so ...^_^;)
It took Viet twenty-seven tries before she could sense anything within a one meter radius. She sighed, seeing how this ability would take her a while.
"Do not worry little one. Like your ancestor, the both of you have trouble with using your power mentally while you are both better at letting your power out physically. I would not be surprised if Lukas would have the opposite strength and weaknesses. If this is the case, little one, then we shall focus for the rest of today to see how long you will be able to keep that one meter radius."
Viet nodded. "Let's hope that I can do this..." For the next few hours, the Vietnamese woman focused on her senses and getting to Ha Long Bay which made her tired mentally, giving her headaches. It wasn't until she saw a familiar sight did she ignore her pain.
Haru flew off her shoulder and onto a tree branch. "We are here child," he said. Viet gazed at the scenery of the large body of water surrounded by land covered in different shades of green. In silence, Viet followed Haru to a small hole on the side of a mountain that led underground.
"Do we go through here?" asked Viet as she stared at the hole in front of her.
"Either here or we go to the top of the mountain. This way is for those who could swim. Hydra helped make this way while I made a way from the top where there is no water. This would be an easier way to go through with less dangers but you would need to be able to hold your breath for over a minute. There are loose rocks and some traps if we were to go through the top. Which shall you choose, little one?"
"Which would you choose, Haru?"
"I would prefer to go through the top because I don't have to go through water which I dislike unless it is a bath. I can easily avoid the traps by flying but it would be harder for you. Also, you will need a guide to get through here otherwise you will get lost and most likely not come back out so we can't be separated." Viet said nothing only to think of the situation.
"You can hold your breath for over a minute, can't you Haru?" questioned Viet, not taking her eyes off of the cavern in front of her.
"If I couldn't I wouldn't have this entrance here, little one," the bird answered back.
"Then we should go this way. We don't have much time to lose, right?" Haru shuddered but nodded his head.
"Do not make fun of me for disliking water."
"I won't. I use to have a phobia of water when I was younger from almost drowning three times in one year. Yao forced me to face it so its not as bad but I am still cautious."
Viet slowly climbed down the cavern, lighting a fire in midair above her palm when she could no longer see inside. The path was rocky but the stones seemed smoothed out by erosion. The stones felt cold to the touch and some were wet from dripping stalactites. The walls were closed in making the path narrow and Viet somewhat claustrophobic. Haru sat on her shoulder due to the small space.
Haru told the directions of where to turn and what to avoid in the dark cavern. Soon enough, Viet was led to a body of water, the size of a lake and the color of midnight black besides the reflection of the glowing fire and herself and Haru. Across the lake was land, more stalagmites and stalactites, and an empty blackness. Despite its looks and the creeping feeling of loneliness, Viet also felt a small trace of a power, warm and welcoming... Nostalgic even. The feeling slowly spread throughout her body as if magic was going to posses her but in a more gentle and less scheming way.
"We're getting closer, aren't we?" asked Viet with a dream-like voice.
"You can feel it, can't you, little one?" Haru asked this time, ignoring her question for a moment.
"It feels like when a mother gently touches her child, carefully carrying the child with the utmost care to let her love be known and to protect her child. The warmth of a mother's love is what I feel right now. What a strange feeling... I have never felt this way before in a long time. Not ever since my mother had last taken care of me..." The memories were filled with happiness and sorrow. Has it really been over 15 years since she has last seen her mother?
"We should get going child," Haru said, breaking Viet's thoughts. He knew that the mention of her mother brought her sorrow but he could not let her past get to her. Not now.
"Right." With that, she walked to the edge of the water and waited for Haru's instructions.
"First we have to make it to the other side of the lake. You will have to swim across. Any floating, non-living objects in the lake, even a boat with a person in it, will awaken some sleeping creatures in here. If anything, you might want to leave your bag near the shore. These creatures were given the sense to tell if something is living, non-living, and even non-living things on a living creature. The last part just means that they will still not attack you if you have somethings on you that are not alive. They can only sense what touches the water otherwise, if you can fly across it might be easier and less worrisome that anything you have won't fall into the water or detach from your clothing that it will awaken the creatures."
"I think I got that Haru." She didn't want to know what the creature were, already nervous about getting eaten or drowning.
"Once we get to the other side, we will have to swim underwater and there should be a cavern there that will lead to a large air pocket within the cave. There are several down there so let's hope that I'll survive that long to tell you which one to go to." Viet had her bag laid down near the shore of the lake and left other belongings only leaving her with her clothing on her as well as the earrings that Lukas gave her in her pocket that was securely closed by a zipper (zippers existed in this time period seeing how there are video chats as well), and bare feet.
Haru flew towards the other end of the lake while Viet took a few steps back then ran towards the lake, jumping, then diving into the cold water. She cupped her hands and pushed the water passed her to give her an extra push before she started to kick and lift her arms above the water and sliding it back into the liquid, swimming away from her belongings.
The cold water made Viet swim faster than what she was used to, trying to make her movements keep her body warm. The minutes she swam to the middle of the lake felt long and tortuous. Her body started to slow down from exhaustion. The freezing touch of the water was the only thing keeping her awake and not wanting to allow the water to take over her lungs.
When she made it to the shore of the lake, she panted heavily. Fog was forming from her hot breath and the cold air surrounding her. She wondered how it could be so could in such a warm place as Vietnam. She thought again of how this place had no chance in absorbing the energy from the sun outside and accepted the fact that it was cold in the cavern for scientific reasons.
She placed her arms on the edge of land, seeing how it didn't gradually rose up to land. She allowed her legs to float loosely and leaned her head back. Viet suddenly remembered the earrings and quickly slid her hand through the water to her pocket, where she felt the square lump, making her relieved.
"Tired?" asked Haru, hovering above Viet's head.
"When I swam through freezing water that is as big as the Nile River? I would think so," she answered sarcastically. Haru chuckled and landed on her head.
"You'll have more enjoyment flying than swimming. Honestly, I can't wait until that happens." Viet was silent, unsure of what she felt because she never flew before. The only person she knew who had the ability to fly were the men in Northern America or so she heard where they created machines that could fly people. No one in Asia, and she had no doubt about Europe either, had seen the contraption so had doubt if it even existed.
"Ready to go underwater now little one?" asked Haru.
Viet took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "I am ready. How can we see though if its as dark as it is now?"
"You'll see," answered Haru. The vague answer made Viet excited, curious, and doubtful. Viet held the bird under her arm and bobbed her head into the water after taking a deep breath. She swam down until she thought she was hallucinating as she saw a single speck of light moving underneath her. After a few seconds, lights started to glow from aquatic plants that she had never seen before of odd shapes and different sizes. They gave off different colored lights of pale pink to a light blue to a mint green, a pale yellow and a lavender violet. She swam, in awe at her surrounding and wondered how this was possible.
In her head she heard Haru. "Do you see the cavern in front of you? Move to the tunnel above that one then enter it and turn on your first left." Viet followed his instructions to see darkness starting to dim out the lights from the plants. As she turned left, the tunnel started to move upward. Viet followed the path to see a large air pocket with light. She looked around to find the closest place for her was to get out of the water. She first placed Haru on her shoulder, making sure he was okay. He shook his feathers, splashing the water and making his feathers like a fluffy mess of a pillow. Viet couldn't help but giggle at his appearance.
The falcon flew off and deeper into the cave without a word. Viet saw his eyes and knew it wasn't from embarrassment. His eyes were excited and intent on looking for something. Viet quickly got out of the water and ran after the bird. The soft and gentle feeling she felt before became a feeling of passion and determination. It was strong... What else could she describe it? This feeling was unknown to her. She had never felt anything so strong before. Not even from Yao who gave her the determination to survive and fight. This passion, this strength, she admired it yet she was also scared.
The light of the air pocket became brighter as she saw on what looked like a limestone alter was a translucent orb with a mixture of red, orange and yellow. The orb looked like the colors were dancing inside of it, like fire flickering and moving in rhythm with the wind that makes it move.
A flash jolted and Viet gasped as she saw something that was not there.
"Haru, I need you to promise me something," said a feminine voice under a dark cloak. The lights from above danced on the cavern walls but it seemed that shadows also stealthily danced in the corners of the room.
"What is it master?" the red falcon asked, his eyes staring at the person in front of as her back was facing away from the bird and towards a stone alter, neatly cut and smoothed out unlike what Viet had just saw of a chipped and dusty piece of stone where the orb sat.
The cloaked person rested her right hand on the alter. "If anything is to happen to me, you must protect the Fire Orb with all your power. This is a sacred place and there is a very small chance for the Seraphim to find this place but..." She paused for a moment, her hand clenched into a fist. "But, we still have to be cautious. Their power grows stronger by the moment and I am worried that they might surpass me and Lukas together. You must live on if I am to die and not succeed in this mission to stop the Seraphim." The cloaked woman pulled back the hood from her face and turned to face Haru, her eyes filled with worry and sorrow. She walked to Haru and gently placed her hand on the side of Haru's face.
"Do not say that you shall not complete what has set been given to us to do."
"I have my doubts though, Haru. You know this is all true."
"Then please do what you must..."
The flashback ended and Viet stood there confused.
"Is something wrong?" asked Haru.
"Ah, well, when I saw the orb it seemed that I saw a vision of my ancestor and you in here talking about what would happen if she... failed her mission, I guess you can say." Viet was nervous to tell this to Haru but she felt that it might be able to answer her questions that she had.
Haru was silent trying to remember that moment in his life over two hundred years ago.
"I remember," Haru said hesitantly. "My master, your ancestor, was able to grant me eternal life until my task is done. She was completely worried and had her doubts yet she still did not give up in battle or when she talked to other people. She only confined her true feelings to me or to Lukas' ancestor. Strangely enough, both you and Lukas share the same names as your ancestors." Viet stared at Haru who was trying to keep his composure as he talked about his past.
Viet walked up to him and gave Haru a small hug, surprising the bird. "Don't worry Haru. Your master's mission has not failed. Not yet. I will finish her task and make sure you will no longer have to suffer this again."
"Thank you, Viet. Get the orb. The Seraphim were following us and they are most likely waiting for us to come out with the orb. Let us be aware and swift like the wind. We now have to get out of here."
"Does that mean I have to swim again?" Viet asked, dread filling her voice.
"Regretfully, yes, we do if you want to get your belongings back." Viet sighed.
"Let's hope that we can find a way to bring the orb back without me letting go of it..."
"It is big enough for me to carry in my talons to the other side. How else did I get it here?"
Viet nodded and ran back to the water.
Time lapse...
"The next time we come here, I'd rather go to the top of the mountain," Viet said, panting, as she climbed out of the water to her bag and spear.
"That is why I preferred it. I'd rather go through danger and a long hike than swimming in cold water." Haru placed the orb in Viet's hands which she then put in her bag. She took out a piece of bread and broke it in half for her and Haru.
"Time to eat if we want enough energy to get anywhere."
"Agreed." They took their time eating and warming themselves with a fire that Viet made that floated about an inch above the ground. Within about twenty minutes they finished and started walking out of the cavern, dodging stalagmites and ducking from long, hanging stalactites.
The opening of the cave became apparent and Viet was hesitant to get outside right away. She breathed in and out, keeping her composure before she faced what she knew what was coming. She ran outside only to be knocked down by a shadow that she could barely see. Viet groaned and gripped the bag in her left hand as she held her spear in her right.
She heard the rush of the wind, telling her that she was about to get hit again. Before that could happen she had a shield of fire surround her. The shadow that hit the shield screamed in pain and backed away. Viet saw its form to be of an animal that she had scene once but couldn't remember the name to. It had a big ears, almost like a rabbit but pointed upward like a dog. It's head reminded her of a deer but it stood on its hind legs that it seemed to use to jump with. It's lower body was large and its stomach seemed to have a pouch to put something in. Its tail was large and snakelike but acted more like a dogs tail and was covered in dark fur.
Suddenly it clicked. "A... kangaroo?" The kangaroo was a little taller than Viet and had strong muscles. It hopped at her and tried to land a punch on Viet which she dodged. Do they Seraphim use all the animals on this planet? Viet thought to herself.
It started to jab punches at Viet that were much quicker than she had seen anyone punch before. The punches made Viet stumble and fall. It jumped and was about to land on Viet but she rolled away just in time before she was crushed by the kangaroo. Viet quickly got up and swung her spear at the kangaroo.
The kangaroo jumped back and tried to hit Viet again but failed as Viet motioned a threat as she stabbed her spear into the side of the animal. It growled in pain as it backed away. When Viet was about to stab it once more, the kangaroo swung around, knocking Viet down with its tail. It took Viet some time to recover but the kangaroo hopped to her bag and ripped it open with its paw. The orb came rolling out.
"No!" screeched Haru as his feathers turned into fire and he slashed the kangaroo with his burning wing. Viet grabbed her spear and put fire around it then stabbing the kangaroo in the head. It then disappeared into a gray smoke.
Viet ran to the orb and held it in her hands then stared at it to see if it was okay. She could feel the warm power coming from the orb and sighed in relief. She looked at the bag then reached into her pocket to bring out a smaller bag. She salvaged what ever food was still good and placed it into the bag with the orb.
"The last time I saw a kangaroo was in Australia where I was making a treaty so that we could do trading. They were a lot cuter back then along with the koalas," Viet said still shocked to see that the Seraphim even used a kangaroo for a battle.
"Don't let it get to your head little one."
"I'll try."
Omake
Me: Wah, I'm sorry I'm late. I had to go to places and I didn't have time to type this up.
Japan: I'm quite intrigued that you put in a kangaroo to the story.
Me: I had to! I just randomly thought of 'Tekken' then I thought of the fighting kangaroo that they had which is pretty awesome so I thought I put it in.
Japan: Well, if it has to do with one of my games then I guess I don't really mind.
Me: Exactly! Oh and check my deviantart page for some Planetary Moe drawings. I suggest that you guys look it up for what that is about if you don't know about it. Well, actually, look up ROSEL-D the artist of Planetary Moe and go to his first drawing of it in his planetary moe folder in his gallery and it will explain a good amount of it. My newest drawing is of Uranus and his genderbent/turnabout which looks awesome or so I think.
Japan: Is it really okay for you to be advertising like this?
Me: I don't know but I'll do it anyway. It's nothing shameful either because this is my story.
Japan: ...
Me: Next chapter, we'll see Lukas again and his adventure to get his orb. Will he succeed in getting it safely? Or will he have to face a darkness he doesn't want to face or fight?
Japan: Please review leaving comments, questions, predictions and other thoughts you readers have for this story or something that relates to it. Thank you.
