Author's Note: That last chapter was actually a lot of fun to write! At first I wasn't sure how I was gonna get them into the dig site but once I really thought of Rebecca's computer prowess it all just kinda fell together. I love a good action scene-even if it's hard to write out. A big, fat THANK YOU to my reviewers and favorites! You guys are awesome sauce. I cannot believe the word count on this already! AND I JUST STARTED. It's gonna be a long one folks, better buckle up. Another lengthy chapter for you my lovelies, enjoy! DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY YUGIOH CHARACTERS. ANY RESEMBLANCES/SIMILARITIES OF CHARACTERS FROM OTHER WORKS ARE ALSO NOT MINE-THEY SIMPLY MAKE MY STORY THAT MUCH BETTER.
Chapter 9: For An Alien, You're Not What I Expected
It had been about two days before Marik felt comfortable leaving the infirmary, and five more days to leave the safety of the opulent suite he had been using. Not that he was still injured, just that he had a hard time working up the courage necessary to step out and take in the new world he'd found himself in. In the time he'd been hiding in the palace he'd only seen Aeva twice. She wasn't kidding when she said she had "matters to attend to..". On both occasions she greeted him and asked if he needed anything-and both times he asked to go home. The answer was obvious, since he was still here and confined to the castle walls. He still wasn't sure if her being around comforted him or made him more nervous.
Kisa visited him every day. She carried breakfast, lunch and dinner up to his room, sat with him and answered his questions whenever he wasn't clammed up in anxiety. All he really knew about her was that she grew up in the castle, had healing powers and the strange color of her hair and eyes were the real deal. She seemed nice enough to trust though, sweet and thoughtful. He had been a little embarrassed about being such a baby about everything but she was incredibly patient. The ice had officially broken between them when she had assisted him with the workings of his private bathroom the first night in the room. When the large ornate tub began to fill from absolutely nowhere he'd been blown away, thinking she had summoned the (gloriously perfect temperature, he found later) hot water. The girl sat him down and waited till his jaw came up off the floor to explain how everything worked. She gave Marik a summary list…
One: There was no running water or electricity-at least, not in the sense that he was accustomed to. Everything was powered by something Kisa had called Iren Lucis, or light runes, carved or engraved on almost every surface imaginable. Tiny, intricate and impossible to see unless you were looking for them they powered the entire kingdom-providing light, warmth, water, fire...Kisa mentioned that there limitations to what they could do, but if that was true he damn sure didn't see them. He still wasn't sure if they were a natural or a magic phenomenon. That night he had stayed up late into the night turning 'off and on' the light that emanated from the walls and ceiling-until a maid came to tell him "Don't play with it!" since the light from his patio window was keeping her up.
Two: There were two distinct races that inhabited the land-Humanis and Animalis. All he got from that is there were more human looking people and then there were animal-ish looking people, and that there was blending between the two blah blah blah...All he needed to remember was no matter what they may look like, that identifying between the two depended on the individual. He hadn't seen any Animalis yet but he took her word for it.
Three: There were a large number of others, like Kisa, who had powers or more developed talents. They were called Ingenis, but the closest translation for Marik would be 'gifted'. These magical qualities were mostly genetic, but there were those who could be taught to hone or create these special abilities.
Four: All of Avhall was dictated by the laws created by the Council, until all seven Sovereigns were once again seated and ruling as one. To date, only three have been crowned-and they act as part of the Council. They use their gifts to protect the people and lands that surround the palace while the Catalyst searches.
Other than that, as long as he stayed inside the palace and steered clear of the Council members (she didn't tell him why, which worried him) he'd be just fine. Sure, no problem. Marik had himself convinced he wouldn't be here long enough to really learn anything anyway. Currently he was strolling through the large hallways looking for said ginger girl, who surprisingly had not showed up to say good morning today. He was wearing the same pants and navy shirt he'd shown up in. Someone had washed them and brought them up to the room when he'd left the infirmary. It might have been his imagination but the fabric felt softer than before, and smelled faintly of...lilac, maybe? He found himself sniffing at his wrist while he wandered the enormous halls. The tall domed ceilings were held up on rows and rows of thick pillars, almost every door frame held massive double doors and the windows looking outside (and in one hall, inside a ballroom) were large cathedral types-some housed stained-glass with detailed designs.
The entire building was warm and bright. It was a beautiful work of architecture, he had to admit; most of the palace left him slack-jawed, but the one thing that didn't sit right with him was the lack of color. With the exception of the furniture and general décor splashing eye-catching color here and there like cherry wood or red curtains, everything was a pearly-looking white. Literally everything. The walls, pillars, floors, ceilings, banisters, staircases, arches-it was all made of the same type of stone. If he had to guess it was either marble or alabaster...he'd ask Kisa when he found her. Walking through an open set of doors he was faced with a large window that opened to a balcony-which also was made from the creamy white stone. 'This is a little ridiculous..' He should tell Aeva to fire her contractor. Looking around to make sure no one was around, he undid the latch and stepped out on the balcony.
"Hoooooly shit!" Marik could now see why everything was the same color. A few feet to his right the balcony ended abruptly; a large rock wall climbed up up and up past the roof of the palace. Through the moss and wild growth on the rock face he could see the same pearly stone substance peeking out. He looked around wildly, backing up into the banister before turning and taking in the scene before him.
"Am I on a mountain?! It's ..carved...into the mountain.. They live on the side of a mountain. Fan-fucking-tastic." He gaped, eyes roaming back and forth trying to process what he was seeing. Far below him was a large village that was teeming with life; the villages gave way to stone buildings and cobbled streets leading to the base of the mountain-one particularly large street wound its way all through the stone city and up to where he could barely see the palace begin. He turned and looked back up to the roof, guessing he was at least halfway up to the top. 'How big is this place?' The sun beamed down through the clouds, making the massive building gleam. Marik swung back again to look back out at the kingdom-it looked so picturesque... like a land out of a fairy tale story.
"I wish my siblings could see this…" Marik whispered to no one. If there was any silver lining to this whole debacle, this view was it.
"Master Marik, what are you doing out here?" A sweet voice spoke from behind him.
"WAH!" Marik jumped about a foot in the air, grabbing his heart. Spinning around he found Kisa looking at him curiously. "D-don't do that! You scared the hell out of me!"
"My apologies Master Marik, I did not expect to see you out of your room and couldn't help but to ask." She smiled and waved him back inside. He followed and she closed the balcony doors behind them.
"Please don't call me that." He said, bowing his head. She looked confused.
"Then what shall I call you? It is impolite not to address someone properly." Her small head barely came up past his waist, and she had to look up at him.
"Just Marik is fine, I...used to be called that by others...let's just say the title comes with bad memories and I'm not that person anymore." He avoided looking at her, keeping his eyes straight ahead. A sad, fleeting memory of Odion bowing before him flashed across his mind and he bit the inside of his cheek to distract himself.
"I see, very well then, Marik it is." She nodded, and skipped alongside him to keep up with his long legs. "What brings you out of your safe space, if I may ask?"
He smiled at that, and his dark thoughts faded away, "Actually I was looking for you. I'm so used to your visits that I was worried when you didn't show up this morning. Do you not want to be friends anymore?" He feigned hurt, giving her a sad pout.
The young girl looked crestfallen, "Oh! I'm so sorry! Of course I want to be friends! I was on my way up but I had been called away by Lady Aeva. If it hadn't been an urgent matter I would have sent you word of my absence." He chuckled and patted her small shoulder.
"I'm kidding, I know we're friends. But I was worried that you weren't there,...and if I'm being completely honest, I got hungry. I couldn't find anybody to help me find food." Right on cue his stomach rumbled.
Kisa giggled at his embarrassed expression, "Well in that case, I can most certainly help with that. If you'd like, I can show you down to the mess hall? The cooks here are wonderful, and food is prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner for all who live and work in the palace."
Marik felt a little uneasy having to possibly interact with other people here but his growling tummy overrode his uncertainty. He nodded and she led the way.
"Okay, it's official. I'm lost. I will never be able to find my way around this place without you." Marik's eyes spanned everything and anything along the way to the mess hall. After ten minutes of hallways and staircases his brow furrowed, a sliver of doubt entering his mind that she was leading him in circles. Everything looked the same dammit!
"It does take some getting used to, I myself ended up lost countless times until I could remember where everything was. I even had to ask for assistance once when I found myself in the dungeons." She chattered away, filling the silence as they walked. She had named off certain rooms or hallways, informing him of their purpose or where they led-some led up and some led down and others just led to more rooms or hallways. It was a maze. He lost track after she led him past the infirmary, but he felt better knowing he could at least recognize one part of the palace.
Just a couple floors down from the infirmary was a room-no, an entire floor just for eating. Four sets of doors-one on each of the tall walls- opened to an area roughly half the size of a football field filled with several long wooden tables set with plates, cutlery and platters upon platters of food. He couldn't keep himself from salivating at the wonderful aroma surrounding him. People were coming in or going out, sitting down and tucking in or just snagging up a snack only to head out again. Kisa giggled at his dumbfounded expression. She had a cute high-pitched laugh.
"And this is the mess hall, where you can find almost anything you like at any time of the day, except for special occasions-where everyone is invited to eat in the throne room. They usually don't clean up till late but it varies depending on who is in charge of the kitchens." She guided him forward to an end table and promptly sat him down. A few people noticed his arrival and gave him curious stares before turning away. Others peeked over at him before their conversations dropped to whispers. He gulped. Anxiety bubbled low in his gut.
"Pay them no mind. No one will bother you." She whispered to him, giving the room a pointed stare. People went back to their normal interactions abruptly. Marik felt that had Kisa not been with him they wouldn't be quite so indifferent about his presence. He turned his attention to the large spread of food. Fish, chicken, platters of fruits and vegetables, nuts, potatoes and slices of bread were all set out along his end of the table. Picking up one of the clean plates from a nearby stack he helped himself to a little bit of everything. Kisa joined as well, choosing chicken and a bushel of grapes to nibble on.
"Oh wow, this is good." Marik moaned, mouth full of chicken. She had been right. These cooks were amazing. It took all his willpower not to scarf everything down in seconds. "Ow come my foo wasn' dis goo?" He muffled, mouth full. Kisa held back another giggle at his over-stuffed cheeks.
"There's a small kitchen up on your floor, I was getting your meals from there. There's a rotation of cooks for the upper floors...I don't really know them as well as I know Carmen and Eleazar. They are the head cooks for the whole palace but they mostly work down here. I shall pass on your regards net time I see them." He barely heard all she was saying, still savoring the unusual flavoring. Everything had been prepared like it was back in his own realm, but it tasted a little different-in the best way. Spices and sugars that almost seemed too much or too tangy but came out just right anyway, like his tastebuds were over-developed.
A woman in a gray dress approached them, "Kisa, you're needed in the infirmary. I was told it was not an urgent matter but that if you aren't previously occupied to come quickly." The ginger girl nodded and thanked her.
Marik swallowed his food, "Do you need to go? I can head back up with you if that's okay, I'm still not sure if I can find it on my own."
"Of course, take your time. It's not urgent. I'm sure it's just the children's ward anxiously waiting for a story." She smiled and waved a hand dismissively.
After he finished Kisa convinced him to take a bowl of fruit for later in case he didn't want to risk finding his way down again, which he gladly did. They left the hall and wound their way back up to the infirmary, which was just a couple of floors down from his room.
"I think I can find my way back from here, thanks for showing me around Kisa." Marik gave her a friendly smile and she beamed up at him.
"I'll come see you closer to dinner time, okay?" He nodded and she trotted off into the room. He turned and walked up another staircase and into one of the larger hallways. 'I think the stairs up to my floor are at the very end.' He began heading down the hall noticing there were only two sets of double doors on this floor. Was he on the right floor? Yeah, this had to the same one. The first door was shut but as he passed the second set he heard a familiar voice.
"...shall I expect you back?" Aeva's voice drifted out of the door, which stood barely ajar. Aeva! She was actually around! He couldn't help himself, walking slowly up to the door he peeked inside. He had every intention to knock and announce his presence, really he did, but something told him to wait...
He could barely see, but an enormous bookcase on the wall opposite him took up most of the view-in front of a desk he could see two figures standing, facing a number of others he couldn't see.
"We expect to return on the next full moon, but it could be longer…" A man's voice spoke, followed by a woman's voice.
"This should give you ample time to prepare him for the first meeting." The woman's voice was calm but sharp.
Aeva, who he suspected was out of sight, answered, "That is the plan. And what of you two? Will you also be traveling to the other regions?" She had to be talking to the two standing in his line of sight and as he focused on them he was shocked.
The first closest to him was a very tall, imposing woman with wild navy hair all the way to the floor. If her height wasn't intimidating enough her appearance overall was even more so. She had a extremely slim build, scary-long fingers and her skin was the blue pallor of death. Her prominent cheekbones stood out and her hair was pulled back away from her face. He thought her complexion was a trick of the light but no, this chick was blue. 'Blue?' Marik found himself staring at her strange disturbing beauty, but the other figure left him completely entranced. What had to be the most beautiful, angelic-looking woman he'd ever laid eyes on stood next to the blue lady. She too, stood tall and slender. Curvy hips and long legs graced by her flowing peach gown. Her big blue eyes framed by long lashes, hair whiter than snow-whiter than Bakura's-and gentle features made him gasp.
Unfortunately for him, the blue lady heard. Her frightening yellow eyes snapped to the door and her hand shot out-effectively snapping the door closed in his face. Marik didn't hesitate. He high-tailed it down the hall and up the stairs, not stopping until he found himself back in his room with the door firmly shut behind him. Breathing heavily, he sat down on the bed chastising himself for snooping. 'What the hell was I thinking?! These people have powers! I better watch my step or someone's gonna turn me into a damn toad...or worse.' Looking down at his hands he found a half empty fruit bowl. Frowning, he assumed the rest was strewn about the hall he just came tearing through. Great. He left a fruit trail for miss creepy and angel face to follow. 'Maybe I should go pick it up?' Nope. Not happening. Someone else would surely clean it up. He placed the bowl on the bedside table and promptly went to draw himself a bath to kill time. He was so not hiding from anyone that might show up asking about snooping Egyptians with fruit trails.
On the outskirts of the village…
Brigan and his small force of troops rode up to the tree line but not entering. A farmer's son ran up next to his horse.
"Master Brigan! Please you have to help! They're getting away!" The youth gasped out, his long brown hair falling into his face. His dirty clothes suggested he'd been roughed up, and his lip bled freely down his chin.
"Calm yourself son, tell me what you saw." He spoke in quick, clipped tones. He needed information before he entered the forest.
"Th-these awful, grotesque looking black creatures! I've n-never seen anything like them! They cr-crawled out of the forest a-and attacked my family while we were tending the herd! Three of our fattest cows w-were slaughtered before our very eyes! They took me mum and sister! Dragged them into the trees!"
Brigan's eyes widened, "Black creatures?" The youth nodded vigorously, tears building in his eyes, "Show me where!" He barked. The youth sped off towards the fields, Brigan and the troops following on horseback. Up ahead he could see the fence pieces splintered on the ground, and a man slumped over on the ground.
"DAD! The Captain is here! Wake up!" He fell to the ground next to him and shook the beaten man awake.
Looking around he could see smoking puddles of black gunk smoking in puddles around the area. Brigan leapt off his horse and knelt next to them. The elder man was in poor shape, with open wounds filling up with a nasty green pus. He supported the man and gently roused him.
"How many were there?" He asked, the man cracked open his eyes and gasped out.
"A dozen or more, they moved so quickly...we were ambushed..my wife and daughter were taken. Please...go after them." He fainted. His son began to sob. Brigan gripped the young man's shoulder.
"Get ahold of yourself, this isn't over yet!" He stood, addressing the soldiers, "Five of you take this man and his son to the palace! Get them help immediately and send word to Lady Aeva! Do not touch his wounds! The rest of you with me!" He jumped back on his horse and they sped off into the trees. The ground of the forest was uneven, and the thick trees made it hard to maneuver as a group-the horses were slow but they followed the trail of broken and sludge-covered trees and rocks. About five minutes in they heard screaming just ahead. Brigan spurred his horse faster and broke into a small clearing. Once through his horse stopped abruptly, almost throwing him forward. The whole meadow was filled with the disgusting creatures. The man's wife lay unmoving on the ground and several ugly black masses surrounded a screeching young girl. Their mucky, sludgy appearances were worsened by the awful snarling and slobbering sounds coming out of their large slack mouths. They were tearing at her skin and clothes with long, spindly talons and she struggled to protect herself.
Brigan dismounted and pulled out his broadsword, the rest of the troops also preparing to fight. "RELEASE HER NOW!" He roared, holding the large blade aloft. The creatures all froze and turned to the soldiers that now surrounded them. The girl could be heard sobbing as she curled up in a ball. Brigan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as too many pairs of bright red eyes locked on him. The creatures all screeched at once, exposing rows and rows of wickedly sharp teeth, launching themselves at them. They moved fast, and were on the soldiers in seconds. Brigan swung his sword left and right, cutting down any that approached him. He could hear the others yelling and struggling to fend off the vile beings and he pushed his way past them as fast as he could to get to the two villagers. He slew several more-they hissed as they died, before melting into the smoking puddles from before-and jumped to straddle the girl's small figure-standing over her protectively. He stood and glared at the monsters circling them.
"Well?! Come on then!" He swung the sword high above his head as they came at him.
FWOOSH!
A wave of purple magic struck, slicing nine creatures in half-before winding around the battlefield like a deadly living wind-cutting and plowing through groups of the beasts. Their hissing and cries of pain music to Brigan's ears as he looked around. Aeva strode through the fighting, waving her hands back and forth, directing her killer winds. He nodded a silent thank you to her and she nodded back. With her help, they were able to slay the few creatures attempting to flee.
Brigan knelt next to the girl, "It's over, you are safe now." She trembled so hard it looked like convulsions, and her torn and tattered body began to ooze the same green pus like her father. Her eyes darted around wildly, shock taking over.
He removed his cape and wrapped it around her tightly, picking her up bridal style. He turned to find the Lady kneeling by the woman, gently turning her over. Brigan didn't need confirmation, the woman was already gone. The body was severely beaten, torn up and left to bleed out. Her dull eyes open and staring lifelessly at nothing. Aeva sighed and closed the poor woman's eyes, waving a handful guards forward.
"Take them to the palace infirmary. The girl needs immediate medical help. Have her mother placed in a private room. Be gentle with the news, if the nurses are occupied. The rest of you spread out! I want this area searched for any more of these vile beasts-if you find any you are to kill them on sight!" They all fisted a hand over their hearts and went to work. A fellow guard came and took the girl from Brigan's arms, mounting a horse with her and speeding off the the castle.
"How did you find us so quickly?" Brigan asked, falling in step with her as she headed back towards the village.
"I had Nicias assist me. What happened here?" Her eyes scanned the ground, inspecting puddle after puddle of the foul smoking substance. Brigan grabbed his horse's reins and led the large chestnut mare out.
"A watchman stationed close to the farmer's village received a message from the woman's son about their farm being ambushed by these creatures. He reported and sent word to the palace. Unfortunately, we arrived too late." Brigan glowered at the ground, looking at her when she placed a consoling hand on his arm.
"You saved her. Her mother's injuries were too severe, even if she had been alive when you arrived she never would have made the trip back." They continued walking further out of the forest.
"Lady, I don't believe this is an isolated incident."
"How so?"
"The riots in Dell Vallah were not truly riots. We learned from those arrested that they were premeditated attacks during a street festival. Men, women and children were all violently attacked for seemingly no reason other than to cause panic and fear. The worst part is that it was not caused by any particular group or cult, it was inflicted by regular people with no ties to one another. These perpetrators were picked at random." Aeva looked surprised at that, but kept walking. The forest grew sparser as they grew closer to the farm.
"Picked? What do you mean picked? And how does that relate to this attack?"
"I've seen this black substance before, from the individuals we arrested." At that, she stopped and turned to him.
"Explain."
"We have nine currently in custody from Dell Vallah, five men four women. Upon arrival we began interrogating them for any information on the attacks. They all gave the same answer, they were told to hurt people. The longer we questioned them the less...coherent they became. After about eight hours they all became confused and delirious, with this sludge dripping from their orifices. This morning, two men became severely ill and were sent to the infirmary for foaming mouths, they slobbered this acidic green substance all over their cells. It doesn't make any sense, but I know there's a connection. As far as I know, these dark creature have not been seen or reported anywhere near Dell Vallah, but I think we have enough evidence to sound the alarm and up the protection for the surrounding areas."
Aeva slowly nodded in agreement, "Dell Vallah is on the other side of the mountain, this means if these two incidents are related then similar attacks could happen anywhere. Instruct the garrison to double their watchmen and spread word through the kingdom for everyone to keep their eyes open for any disturbances. Anything out of the ordinary is to be reported immediately." They broke through the trees and Aeva reached for her horse. The large buckskin mare neighing and trotting up to her. She mounted quickly and pointed her horse towards the palace.
"And what will you be doing? I should like to assist with you when you search the prisoners." Brigan said, mounting his own horse.
"And so you shall. I will wait for you to arrive back. There are a few things I need to discuss with Beira before she departs. And I have a guest to check in on." She spurred her horse into a run and bolted away.
Brigan watched as her skirts flapped in the wind as she disappeared up the road. His instincts were on high alert still, adrenaline slowly dying down after their battle. He knew there was something bigger happening just out of sight, and he was determined to find it.
Aeva walked briskly through the palace looking for her Sovereign. She only had a few more days to prepare for the new king's ritual and she was lacking a number of items that could only be found in the farthest parts of the realm. She opened the doors to the Grand Library and found it empty and the lights dimmed.
"Ah my dear Aevangeline...Were you looking for me?" A cold, emotionless voice whispered from the dark corner of the room.
"I was hoping to catch you before you departed the palace, yes." Aeva did not let the cold bother her. Her Sovereign naturally had a chilling effect on others, but their bond allowed her to look past the cruel exterior.
"I felt as much, you were calling for me." The Queen stepped out from the shadows and came to sit on the desk surface. Her long dark dress swayed buoyantly around her legs, giving off the impression she was floating. Aeva stood before her and bowed her head before rising to meet her yellow eyes.
Queen Beira. The only Sovereign to survive the first great war. Aeva's mother had sought her out as a young woman, and crowned her years before the realm fell to chaos. It seemed like only yesterday Aeva had been drawn to her dark temple at the farthest corner of the land. Convincing her to return to her throne had proved challenging, but eventually she came. The wraith-like queen preferred the seclusion of her chosen domain, only appearing for Council meeting or special occasions.
"How may I be of service dear Lady?" Her deep, double-timbered voice reverberating through Aeva's frame.
"As you know, I'm attempting a revival ritual in a few day's time. There are things I need for the spell to work. I was hoping you could retrieve them for me."
The Queen frowned, "You mean to say that I shall have to return before the month is up? So soon.."
"I am aware of your general displeasure being here for too long, but yes, it is essential that I receive these items before the full moons." She walked behind the desk and grabbed a pen, writing down the ingredients she needed and handing it to her.
Beira glanced the list over, "Hmm, I believe I can find most of these. Whatever I cannot retrieve myself I'm sure Rowena will have."
"If you can do it without her help I'd be most appreciative. She is much too curious for her own good." The cold woman chuckled darkly in agreement.
"Very well, I shall return before your moon ritual." She stood and meandered over to the darkest corner of the room. Holding a palm towards a wall, she focused her magic and a round, dark portal opened. She turned and gave Aeva a wicked smirk and disappeared through the black swirling whirlpool; it disappeared behind her.
Aeva felt warmer once she took her leave, and left the library to find Marik. It was time she informed him of the dangers of her realm.