Ch 10- Search for the Keys
"I was right," Aqune said. She felt relieved by the way things had turned out.
"You are always right, my dear," Buguese replied.
Aqune blushed. It was rare to get an actual compliment from Buguese.
"I'd like to know how Roanin feels a little more," she added. "He still seems so distant, yet he changed his mind." The journal was naturally written in its author's perspective. That was, Spirit Oracle's. She could guess how others might have been feeling, but she couldn't read their minds. Or maybe she could, but she obviously didn't.
"Conflicted, I'm sure," Buguese replied. At least that was his own experience. Buguese wasn't sure himself exactly when or how he came to care about Aqune. It wasn't the day he took her in from the forest. That much he was certain of. He might have felt sympathy for her there, but more than anything, he saw her potential as a tool for Mantid. But there came a time he caught himself watching her frequently. From far off, of course, in hopes that others didn't notice, especially her. And when he realized he came to desire her as a woman, he did his best to try and conceal that even from himself. Which was rather difficult. Did Roanin actually have feelings for Aura? Buguese wasn't as certain about that as Brade was. But he did have some sort of interest in her which was likely painful just to acknowledge to himself.
"Hmmm… I'm sure he is," Aqune replied. She changed the subject then. "Buguese, I'd like to read again for a while."
"Go ahead," he replied. Buguese handed the journal over to her. "We seem to be nearing the end." Maybe not nearing. There were still a considerable number of pages left. But they'd gotten past the halfway point a while ago. The two had been reading for quite a long time. It was a good thing there were no more pressing matters on this day.
Aura was feeling much better in a few days time. She'd made sure she was. The mission to take the Oracle Keys was a really important one, requiring the utmost physical and mental preparation. She didn't doubt Mantid might try and stop them. He was searching for the Oracle Keys as it was, though fortunately had no reliable means to find any. And as Brade pointed out, Mantid did have spies everywhere. They didn't see any Insectors when they discussed the idea of finding the Keys (Roanin non-withstanding) but that didn't mean a tiny messenger wasn't hovering in the distance, or a dung beetle-type lurking in the ground.
When she left her room that morning, she saw Roanin standing by the doorway. Yes, he'd been there basically every time she went outside, for a meal or the like, but she still hadn't gotten used to it.
"You don't have to stand here all the time," she said.
"It gives me something to do with my time," Roanin replied. "There is no sense wasting it on the impractical."
"I suppose," Aura said. It wasn't as if she minded anyway.
"You look better today," Roanin commented. It was true that her face was less pale than it had been. "How do you feel?"
"Great," she said. "I was able to get plenty of rest."
"But you could have healed yourself, could you not?" Roanin questioned.
"Yes," she said. "If it were serious I would have done so. Not everything needs to be changed miraculously."
"But we need to find the Keys as soon as possible," Roanin replied. "Every day spent away from my land, I wonder what's become of it."
"We will find them," Aura answered. She could sympathize, as she worried about the Insector land too. "I did more than just rest and recover myself. I also located all four Keys, so I know exactly where they are. Let's go meet with the others."
The Spider Riders all gathered in the meeting room. Even though only six Spider Riders of this current generation remained, Aura was confident in the abilities of all of them. No one was flawless, but this group had the strength and determination to make up for their lack of numbers. Plus, there was also Roanin. And she was there to help them as well. She always aided the Spider Riders throughout history, but never from the same plane as them.
"Aura, I was getting worried about you," Trigger said. "It's good to see you're back."
She smiled at him. "Don't worry. My life wasn't in any danger."
"Well, I'm glad either way," Trigger replied. "Uh… anyway, about the Oracle Keys. Do you know where they are?"
"Yes," said Aura. She thought it was cute how he jumped to that subject. She knew Trigger was an explorer at heart. Searching the world for ancient artifacts was definitely something that would appeal to him.
"Where?" he asked.
"Well, the closest one is in an underground temple, not far from the castle town," Aura replied. "The temple has been abandoned, but the entrance is sealed off. Meaning, it may be difficult to get in."
"Not too difficult for a Spider Rider," Trigger replied, confidently.
"No, it won't be," Aura agreed. "I've decided that Therma and Mantle should go after that particular Key."
"Sure," Therma said. "Just give us the directions."
"I can do that, but I planned to just send you both there," said Aura.
"I'll go," Mantle spoke. "But even if we get the Keys, I'm still skeptical about using them on Insectors. We should hide them."
"We are not going to use them as a weapon against you!" Roanin replied, annoyed.
"Mantle, look at it this way," said Arachna. "What use would we have for the Keys? I personally think it's best to offer them to someone who needs their help."
He growled at Roanin and sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. If you think it's best, and even Spirit Oracle does, I'll go along with it."
"Good," said Therma. "If we run into any Insectors, it would be great to have your back."
"Where's the next one?" Trigger asked.
"It's very far away," Aura said. "The Key is being kept by the royal family on the neutral continent of Maya."
"Cool! I want to go," Trigger replied.
"Then it may require some negotiations to acquire," Diamond spoke.
"You're right," Aura replied. "I'm sorry, Trigger. For this particular Key, I'm sending Prince Arachna and Diamond to claim it."
"Trigger, Maya has stayed out of the conflict with the Insectors for years," Arachna explained. "They have a dislike for the Spider Riders, for continuing to promote war. Or at least they did years ago. We haven't exactly kept in contact with them."
"I guess it's better if you go," Trigger said. "You're a prince. And Diamond is the head of the royal guard."
"That was my thought," Aura replied. "However, since Maya is very far away, I can't expect you to travel back on your own." She walked over to where Arachna sat on his throne, and Diamond stood to the side. She held her hand over Diamond's manacle.
"What did you do?" Diamond asked.
"I've enhanced the communication system on your manacle," Aura replied. "It will reach a broader range. Once you find the Key, I want you to send a message to Trigger, who will be with me. Then, I'll send the both of you back to Arachna Castle."
"Understood," Diamond replied. She bowed her head.
"So, where are we going?" Trigger asked.
"We get to visit another country as well, Trigger," Aura answered, knowing he would be pleased. "It's called Nuuma."
"Awesome!" Trigger exclaimed. "I wonder what it's like. Are there lots of different countries in the Inner World?"
"Actually, you've already been to two of them," Brade said.
"Two?" He looked confused.
"The Insector empire," Roanin answered.
"Oh," Trigger said. "I didn't think about that."
"It may be attached to the same land mass as Arachna, but we are a nation of our own," Roanin explained.
"Well," Aura said. "That's where the two of us will be going, and Roanin as well."
"Eh," Trigger looked disappointed. "Why do you need a bodyguard if I'm going? I don't think Insectors would even be able to get there if it's so far away."
"The bigger question is why you need to come," Roanin replied. "We aren't going sightseeing, like you seem to think. On the off chance that Aura and I do run into trouble, you will only slow us down."
The two glared at each other, much to the amusement of Brade.
"You've really got your work cut out for you, Aura," he said.
"Umm… I'll be fine," Aura replied. She didn't want the two of them fighting, though. Then there might actually be serious problems. But she did have the confidence to believe they'd both be practical when it came down to it.
"Well… that covers everyone but the Hero Brade," Trigger commented. "Where are you sending him?"
"Actually, this may be the most dangerous Key to get," Aura replied. "Brade, that's why I chose you to find it. With your magic, I believe you can manage better than the rest of us."
"Oh?" He looked curious. "Where is this Key?"
"It's located in the Forest of Bewilderment," Aura replied. "That was where it fell years ago, and no one has managed to find it since."
"What's so dangerous about that place?" Trigger asked.
"Any human or spider who enters becomes disoriented, and can never find their way out," Brade answered. "It is an exceptionally dangerous place."
"Then how come you're sending him there alone?" Therma asked.
"Because for me it would be no trouble," Brade replied. "But the risk is too much for any of you." He paused. "Although, it would be no trouble for an Insector."
"But I am with Aura," Roanin pointed out.
"Yes," Brade replied. "I'm fine with this arrangement."
"Good," said Aura. "Then it's settled." She clasped her hands together. "Before we go, I wish the best of luck to all of you."
"We won't let you down," Therma said.
Mantle nodded in agreement.
"I will let you know as soon as we have the Key," said Diamond.
"Then we'll regroup here, and finally give the power of these Oracle Keys a try," Arachna said.
"Thank you," Aura replied. Could restoring the Insector's sunlight actually stop the war? Maybe not right away. Mantid still remained. But it would be a start. Thinking of Mantid troubled her. He was a failure, but still, he was once a warrior who fought for her. A hero of the Inner World. She had trouble holding any ill feelings against him. She wondered how he would react if this plan was a success. And what could be done about him. Maybe… just maybe there was one solution.
"Well, I'm ready," Trigger said.
"Then let's begin," Aura replied. A bright glow came around her, which continued to consume each of the Riders and Roanin. When it cleared, the room was empty.
"So this is Nuuma?" Trigger glanced around curiously. "It doesn't look too different than Arachna."
"It isn't very different," Aura replied. "Both kingdoms have a beautiful castle town as their centerpiece and many smaller villages spread across the continent. The Nuumans and Arachnans are allies, but because of the distance apart, communication between the nations is minimal."
"So they might not know who you really are," Trigger said.
"I don't think they will," replied Aura. "And they certainly won't know why an Insector is travelling with us."
"Then why did you even bother bringing him?" Trigger asked.
"Roanin can still be of help, as long as no one knows he's an Insector," Aura replied, before Roanin could say anything to argue.
Instantly, she made Roanin wear a black hooded cloak.
"Isn't this rather conspicuous?" he questioned.
"It will hide your antennae," Aura said. "Besides, travelers often dress in cloaks." She then made one appear on herself and Trigger as well, albeit with the hoods pulled down.
"I guess this is alright," Trigger said.
"Well, let's head to the castle," Aura replied.
They began to walk through the town without being questioned. The two men walked on either side of Aura, making sure no one came near her. Finally, they made it to the castle gates. Guards stood before it.
"We're here to see the queen," Aura spoke. She knew the key was directly within the castle. It was likely kept there as a sacred artifact, so they would only be able to have it at the discretion of Nuuma's ruler, currently, Queen Bright.
"And who might you be?" asked a guard. "The queen doesn't accept an audience with just anyone."
"This young man here is a Spider Rider," Aura said, holding her arm out towards Trigger.
"Uh… yeah, I am," Trigger said. "See?" He lifted his arm, allowing the sleeve of the cloak to slide down and revealed his manacle.
"A Spider Rider?" He looked to the other guards worriedly. "Is there some sort of threat?"
"No," Trigger answered, looking to Aura.
"It isn't an immediate threat," Aura said. "But the matter is pressing. It concerns the Oracle Keys."
"I see," the guard said, looking serious. "Please, come and wait inside. It is up to the queen whether she wants to speak to you. But we will pass on your request."
"Thank you," Aura replied.
Soon, she stood in waiting room along with Trigger and Roanin.
"I hate to say this, but it is a good thing you're a Spider Rider," said Roanin. "I doubt they would have let us in otherwise."
"Not if they saw you, that's for sure," Trigger replied.
They all turned silent then, when the guard from earlier came back inside.
"Come with me," he said. "Her Majesty has agreed to talk."
Aura was relieved. She followed the guard to a larger room. There, not only the queen waited, but the Oracle Key as well, in a glass case at the back of the room.
"Which of you is the Spider Rider?" Queen Bright asked, without waiting a beat.
"I am," Trigger replied.
The queen walked closer, studying him. "I heard nothing of a boat arriving on shore from Arachna," she said. "I can't imagine you crossed an ocean on the back of your spider."
"No, of course not," Trigger answered nervously.
"Then where did you come from?"
"Arachna," Trigger answered. "Really."
"When our kingdom was attacked many years ago by Insectors, they came from the sky," the queen replied. "It was an attack which thoroughly caught us off guard. You are not an Insector. Not from the looks of it. But this man is."
She pointed to Roanin.
"Yes, I am an Insector." Roanin removed the hood. Of course, his unusual skin complexion was something not seen on humans. The guards must have taken notice.
"You don't need to afraid," Aura said. "I brought him with me because this matter concerns the Insectors. And because he is my personal bodyguard. Both he and the Spider Rider with me were transported to Nuuma with the help of my powers."
The queen seemed tense. "And who might you be?"
"I am called Aura on this world," she replied. "But my true identity is Spirit Oracle."
"Spirit Oracle." She stared at Aura, but didn't waver at all. "That is very hard to believe. But it is true that no one has seen what Spirit Oracle truly looks like. It is also true that only one as great as Spirit Oracle could rally a Spider Rider and Insector together for a particular cause. That is why I answered your request for an audience in the first place. To understand why two mortal enemies would be travelling together."
"It's all true," Trigger said.
"So you say. Assuming that I do believe you," the queen replied. "What is this great cause? Why does it concern the Oracle Key?"
"The Key will be used to restore sunlight to the Insector lands," Roanin answered. "For ages, we have lived without light, in miserable conditions."
"If the Insectors have light, that will serve as a major step in ending the war," Aura added. "Not a perfect solution, but the start we need. However, we need the power of the four Oracle Keys to make this a reality."
"A major step is not an answer," Queen Bright replied. "That being said, I can not offer you this Key."
"Huh?" Trigger replied. "Why not?"
"To me, this key is of priceless value," the Queen answered. "For years, it has been passed down through my family. It serves as a reminder of my parents, who died many years ago. And their parents before them."
"Don't you have anything else to remember them by?" Trigger asked.
"Perhaps," she answered. "But none I value as much. And this Key is important not just to me, but the entire kingdom. Travelers come just to pray in front of it. If it were a guaranteed solution to end the war then maybe I would be willing to sacrifice it. But if even you, who claims to be Spirit Oracle is not confident in the success of your plan, I will not hand it to you."
"I am confident," Aura replied. "While I said that it will not solve everything immediately, the impact will be tremendous. Roanin can attest to that."
"She is right," he said. "The reason many Insectors fight is because of our strong desire to take back what we've lost. With sunlight, reasons to fight will not be erased, but they will surely diminish."
"You know," Trigger said. "We could give the Key back to you when we're done with it. It's not like we need to keep it."
Aura flinched. She almost opened her mouth to object. But she couldn't. She hadn't told anyone of the idea she'd come up with yet to deal with Mantid. Returning the Key might not be an option.
"Yes," she answered instead. "Please lend it to us."
"Lending it…" she repeated. "In that case… I suppose."
"Yeah!" Trigger exclaimed. "We got it!"
Queen Bright turned around, and walked to the case. She removed the lid, and cautiously took the Key from within. She returned, and shakily dropped it into Trigger's hands.
"Thank you very much for this," Aura said. "We promise we'll put it to good use."
"Aura, you looked kinda worried in there," Trigger said. They were now outside the castle again. "Was there something wrong with my idea? It worked and all."
"Sort of," she said, keeping her voice low. "You see, I have a plan. I may not be able to return the Key to Nuuma after all."
"Why not?" Roanin asked.
"Because I plan to absorb the Keys back into me," she said. "In the first place, they came from my own power. I want to prevent someone like Mantid from collecting them again and using them for dark intentions."
"You told me that you split your power as a protective measure," said Roanin. "If all your power is unified again, what will stop Mantid from finding a way from harnessing it all at once?"
"Because I can send Mantid back to the surface world," Aura replied.
"Really?" Trigger said. "But then won't he mess up my world, or try to come back here?"
"Mantid wishes to return," Aura said. "He was once an Earthen just like you, Trigger. And he resents this world greatly."
"He was?" Trigger was gaping.
"Yes," Aura replied. "And even if he tried to return for some reason, I can make it so that he'll never be able to. That is the best I can do, for both the people of the Inner World and for Mantid's sake."
"Hey… my manacle," Trigger said. It started beeping, showing an incoming transmission.
"This is Diamond. We've got the Key."
"Great, so have we!" Trigger replied excitedly.
Diamond and Prince Arachna were returned to the castle. Moments later, Aura, Trigger and Roanin appeared there as well.
"You're back!" Therma said. Mantle stood behind her, holding the Oracle Key in his hand.
"I bet Brade is here too," Trigger said.
"Actually… he's not," replied Therma.
"Then, is he still in the forest?" Trigger asked with worry.
"If he is, then I'll go and find him," Roanin replied. "We are so close to having all four Oracle Keys."
"The Oracle Key isn't in the forest anymore," Aura said. She felt herself shaking. She had just tried to sense where it was, and the answer was exactly what she hoped not to find.
"Then where is it?" Roanin asked.
"In Insector lands," she replied. "As is Hero Brade."