Secrets, part 44
In the recesses between waking and sleep, Kavi stood in an odd, yet familiar place. He'd seen it before when he nearly died from Dubhan's virus. As he ran the memories through his mind, two familiar light orbs began dancing around him. "Welcome back, big brother!", chuckled one. He grinned softly. He knew this must be his pending sister in the egg. Still, what did that mean about the other? "Papa, you look sad. Don't worry. Daddy will be okay", it said. "Daddy?", he thought. The spirit must mean Blythe. He sighed faintly, trying to process it all. The orbs drew nearer, getting his attention. "What are you trying to show me?", he asked, curious. "Come on, you'll see!", encouraged the first. With no options, he ceded and followed the lights he know considered souls. "Almost there, Papa!", chimed the second.
They lead him to a new area. It was dark at the outskirts, but the main part of it had a warm glow. A fountain stood at its center with more the spirit orbs playfully bouncing around it. When he set foot inside the light, they scattered. He paused, unsure what he did wrong. "Don't worry, big brother. They're just making room. Come on!" He continued with a deep breath. Finally, a massive glowing orb appeared from inside the fountain. He froze, his eyes huge and his breath held. He knew this soul... "Mom?", he ventured. A familiar voice greeted him. "How are you, my son?", spoke Gita. Tears welled up in his eyes. He broke into a faint broken chuckle as a huge grin spread over his lips. "It's been a while", he uttered. "Yes. You've done well for yourself. I'm very proud of you, Kavi", said the orb. Barely holding his emotions in check, he nodded. "You have to go back to your friends soon, but I have one last gift for you", said Gita. He peered closely, unsure of her meaning. "I understand it's not my time...but -...", he trailed. "Blythe needs you. You promised Tihana you would look after him and his brother. Dubhan will wake soon, as well. You must be strong. I know you can keep your word", she said. He nodded solemnly, unsure of what exactly he was supposed to do.
"Breathe deep, my son", said Gita softly. He grinned faintly. It was something she tell him to help him calm his nerves. He closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath. "I'm glad I got to speak with you again", he said sincerely. "I, as well, but we have little time. I must give your gift", she replied. "Listen close, big brother!", bounced the orb from earlier. The second seemed to giggle at his trepidation. "You're not alone, Papa", it said. "What more could you possibly give me, mother? You gave my life and my magic, my knowledge of language and my taste for learning. All I ever really wanted was a chance to say 'goodbye' and you've given me that", he said, somewhat exasperated. "Your brother is trouble. Blythe is too weak to help him. You will be needed to keep your comrades on the right path. While you yearn for sleep, your work is not yet done. Listen well, Kavi. What I am about to tell you will give you strength", spoke Gita's orb firmly. He nodded resolutely. Whatever she had to say had to be important. "I love you, Kavi and I'm glad you consider me family, but...Your mother is alive. Find her and you will get answers to questions you didn't realize you had", she stated.
Kavi stood frozen in place. "That's...not possible. She died giving birth to me", he uttered, still in shock. "That is only half of the story, the one your father told you. You must learn the truth if you wish to grow stronger. Now go, my son. You are needed", said Gita, her light dissipating. "W-wait!", he cried. "Come back! I have so many questions! Mom, don't leave me again!", he pleaded, tears running down his face. A faint pulse of light is all that remained of Gita's presence. "I love you", echoed her voice faintly. Clenching his fists, Kavi stared at the ground. "I love you, too", he uttered. Several minutes of silence passed. Finally, the original two spirits returned to his side. "It's time to go, big brother. Your friends are waiting", said the first. He nodded silently. Then, he turned to the second. "When will I meet you?", he asked, still trapped in mixed emotions. "When the time is right, Papa. Don't worry. I chose you for a reason. I believe in you", it replied cheerfully. His chest ached at the response. He never planned on actually having his own family. He didn't think it was possible, but now...he really wanted one. He smiled sincerely toward the spirits. "Thank you", he said. Then, everything faded to black.
In the physical world, he hazily opened his eyes. He was still so tired and everything hurt, but he held Blythe tightly despite it all. "Welcome back", smirked Gajeel. "What - ?", he mumbled. He realized someone else was kneeling at his side. Tomas smiled softly as he removed a syringe from Kavi's arm. "The solution?", he asked weakly. Tomas nodded. "Dubhan's healing elixir. I gave some to him, as well", he said, nodding toward Blythe. Rani hovered nervously beside Gajeel. "Are you okay?", she inquired. He offered a kind grin and gently pat her head. "I'll be all right", he assured. He kept one arm tightly around Blythe, still not entirely trusting Tomas. Normally, he refrained from being so close in front of others, but now...he really didn't care what anyone else thought, not after all they'd been through. He softly kissed Blythe's forehead as if affirming he was really there. "Sorry I worried you, Rani", he said. She shook her head and hugged him, simply glad he was back. Then, Gita's words echoed back into his head. He wanted to know about his birth mother, but that wasn't the most pressing matter right now. "Where's Jasper?", he asked keenly.
"Eadmund went to get him. Ronen showed up saying he'd been hurt. I don't know anymore than that", said Gajeel solemnly. "I see...", trailed Kavi, pondering the limitless possibilities. Gajeel shifted his gaze to Blythe. "Is he really all right?", he inquired carefully. Kavi focused solely on Blythe's beating heart. It was a little weak, but he was in a very deep sleep. "He'll come back to us after a good sleep", replied Kavi. "He'll probably be out for a few days", offered Pax, stepping beside the group. "At least", said Kavi grimly. He recalled the chilling details of Blythe's emergence from the flames clearly. Lightheaded, Kavi struggled to right himself. "Easy!", said Tomas, offering physical support. "This stuff is strong, but it'll also take a toll on you", he chided. Kavi sighed, too exhausted to argue. "Where's Yona?", he asked absently. "With Jasper", said Rani softly. Kavi relaxed a little at that statement. "Then he'll be okay", he grinned.
Elsewhere, at the bottom of a deep ravine, Jasper and Van had crash landed. A pair of dark eyes stared at them calmly. Finally, Jasper opened his eyes. "What?", he uttered. Taking in his surroundings, he realized he was on top of Van...or rather, a Van-shaped hole in the ground. "Ow...", weakly drifted up. "Quit your whining! You're not even hurt, idiot", spat a stern female voice. Jasper tried to move, to get off his friend, but immediate agony took over every fiber of his being. A hand grasped his collar and dragged him to the side. He eyed the woman suspiciously. Who would possibly be down there with them? He froze as he took in her features. Dark hair with several braids, dark clothing, woad..."Bran?!", he spat. "What? Don't shout at me unless you want a beating", she snorted. Ignoring him further, she reached into the impression in the earth and dragged Van out by one arm. "Thanks", he said weakly. She smirked at him in response,
"Shake it off. You're not really in pain. You just think you are 'cause your brain's wired to think like a human", she stated sternly. Van's eyes widened at the chiding, but he slowly noticed she was right. Setting him on his feet, she crossed her arms and stared at the pair. "Draco owes me for this one", she complained. Van experimentally pat himself down. Despite a horrid landing, there wasn't a scratch on him. "You're the shield now. You're basically invincible", explained Bran. "Sweet!", cried Van, checking himself over in surprise. Then he remembered Jasper. Hurrying to his friend's side, he looked him over. "You okay?", he ventured. Jasper nodded, though he trembled in pain. He clutched what remained of his right arm in distress. "Keep biting your lip like that and it'll bleed", warned Bran. He glared at her, still angry over Puck. She grinned at his ire. She knew exactly what he thought and she didn't give a damn. "Get over it. I haven't eaten him yet", she taunted. Jasper's eyes widened. "Is that what he promised you?", he asked carefully. "Does it really matter?", she replied coolly. "Look around. It's a long way up", she said.
Van and Jasper did just that, glancing at the seemingly endless cliffs around them. Bran crouched beside Jasper and looked at him closely, so closely he leaned away uncomfortably. She smirked and offered her hand. "Want your arm back? I'm willing to make a deal", she grinned. He sternly said, "No." He didn't trust her. He'd heard too many things from his father to even try to make a deal with the raven. "What the hell was that anyway?!", shouted Van. Bran ignored him, but Jasper looked over in confusion. "Do you have any idea what that probably did to you Yona?!", spat Van, irritated. "I did it to save her", he said firmly. "From what, him?", said Bran, pointing to a disheveled form. "Yavuz", thought Jasper. Shaking him from his mind, he turned back to Van. "You saw everything. Don't pretend you didn't. She would be down here, too, and we both know she was too stubborn to let me go", he said, defensively. Van sighed, annoyed. He knew Jasper was right but he still worried about the new scar that surely decorated Yona's heart. "Not that she's too stubborn...Ok, she is, but..you know what I mean", sighed Van, despite himself. "I know", replied Jasper softly, staring at the sand.
"You two gonna kiss or what?", barbed Bran. Both men glared at her. "So you've got a thing for the same woman. It's happened a million times before. Instead of arguing about how or why you got stuck down here, shouldn't you be figuring out a way to get back to said woman?", she said. Her tone was curt, but she had a valid point. "...Why did Draco send you?", asked Jasper carefully. "Why indeed", she sighed, getting to her feet. "Look, you have a piece to say to me, incubus, so just spit it out and get it over with." Jasper grit his teeth. He had many things to say to her, but nothing sounded right in his mind. "Now isn't the time", he ceded. She smirked and offered a hand to help him up. "You're starting to sound like your old man", she teased. A faint grin crossed Jasper's lips. "Is he...okay?", he asked shyly. "The queen took him to the springs, just like she said she would and here's a clue - if you have any desire to follow in Puck's footsteps, don't question the crown", she said flatly.
Van cleared his throat. They'd gotten off track again. He was going to make a suggestion, but Jasper was staring into the gloom above. "Did you hear that?", asked the incubus, focusing. Van shot a glance at Bran who merely shrugged. "There...It's Ronen!", stated Jasper. "I don't hear anything", stated Van. "Still thinking like a human", sighed Bran. "Jasper! Van! Are you all right?!", drifted down from above. Van grinned at the familiar voice. "Down here!", he yelled, knowing Jasper was in a lot of pain and didn't need the strain. Moments later, Eadmund landed with Ronen in his arms and Lily by his side. "Domine mi, what have you done?!", he chided, a mix of shock and anger on his usually calm face. Jasper dropped his gaze "It was me or both of us", he said. Eadmund set Ronen down carefully and strode forward. Van half expected a punch, but the gargoyle knelt reverently before his lord. "Spoken like a true Glaukos", grinned Eadmund, once more saluting with his arm across his chest. Jasper blushed faintly, fidgeting at the respect. Eadmund rose and inspected the incubus.
Looking over the wound, he sighed. "It takes a lot dedication to eat through one's own flesh", he uttered, peering at the acid burns. Van remained silent. It was a fair point. Eadmund glanced over at Bran in question. "Celestial spirit", stated Van. The gargoyle nodded once in acknowledgment. "You need medical attention", stated Eadmund, tearing strips off his shirt to wrap Jasper's arm. "You don't think you can fly him back up, do you?", snorted Bran. "I don't have to. I'll take him through the earth", replied Eadmund, letting his glass wings and tail evaporate. Bran haughtily stepped away from them. "I did what Draco asked. I made sure nothing killed you while you were stunned. I'm bored and hungry. You're still alive, so there's nothing to eat. I'm going home", she said. Van grinned at her distant behavior. He could almost hear a grain of care in her words. "Oh, and Scutum. He wants to see you when you get back", she added. Then, she was gone, leaving only a handful of black feathers to drift to the sand where she stood.
Eadmund carefully hooked Jasper's good arm around his neck. He offered a hand toward Van. "Are you coming?" Sighing, Van nodded. He didn't have any idea what Draco wanted with him, but he had little say in the matter. After all, the kid was kind of in charge when it came to spirits. He carefully lifted Ronen and teased him about the broken wing. Lily followed and the group melted into the stone.
Back at the cliff top, Yona pensively sat with her knees to her chest, glaring at the arm Jasper left behind. The sands distorted and Eadmund's group emerged. She quickly got to her feet and ran toward them. Jasper winced, awaiting impact, but he felt nothing, but a breeze. Van sent him a puzzled look as she squeezed the spirit. "Thank you", she whispered, hugging him tightly. Relaxing, Van returned the gesture. "Like I'd let him die like that. He doesn't get all of the spotlight!", he teased. His humor faded when Yona pulled away. She wiped her face so they wouldn't see, but he'd spotted her tears. He watched as she walked up to Jasper. She looked pissed. "I'm sorry", said Jasper meekly. "Sorry?...Sorry?! I should beat you with your own arm!", she yelled. She sighed in a huff. Finally, she managed to calm down. "Let's get you to Blythe", she said softly. "Take him", said Eadmund, leaning the incubus onto Van. He retrieved the fallen limb so Yona wouldn't have to touch it again. Something, she was silently, but intensely grateful for. The group faded back into the earth, eager to heal their friend.
Upon the raised walkway, everyone watched as Eadmund and company appeared from the stone floor. Kavi's eyes widened in horror once his eyes settled over his brother. He was too weak to get up, so he tightened his grip on Blythe, trying to calm down. "What did you do?!", spat Pax, frantically looking over Jasper. Rani covered her mouth in quiet terror. Her tiny body shivered uncontrollably. Yona walked passed her, straight to Blythe. "Don't tell me he's still out!", she moaned. "It's no use trying to wake him right now", stated Kavi quietly. Yona looked at him in surprise. "You're up?", she blurted. Tomas strode passed her toward Jasper, catching her attention. Pax quickly turned to defend her prince, fangs bared. The acolyte opened his palm. "What is that?", asked the succubus suspiciously. "Medicine", replied Tomas. "Is it even safe to use on the fey?", asked Kavi skeptically. Tomas's confidence faltered. "I don't know", he answered. "Then don't chance it", said Eadmund.
During the ensuing debate, Gajeel's attention was diverted elsewhere. A sudden chill had taken over the immediate area. He stared at Dubhan. Who was that with him? Maria was out cold and Tomas was in the discussion. Who - ?... He realized the person he was looking at wasn't a solid being. "What are you?", he thought. As if in response, the hooded figure turned to offer a kind smile. Gajeel gaped. He knew that face. "Tihana?", he muttered. Kavi glanced at him questioningly. "Is she here again?", he whispered. He followed Gajeel's line of sight. "Thank you for saving my boys", said the spirit. No one else seemed to see or hear her, only Kavi and Gajeel made any recognition of her presence. She carefully tucked some loose hair behind Dubhan's ear. "You must take him away from here if he has any chance of getting better...Please..." Kavi slowly nodded. Tihana smiled sincerely before turning her gaze to Gajeel. "You've never abandoned Blythe all these years. Thank you." Then, she was gone.
A few moments passed by in awkward silence. "You saw her, too, right?", asked Gajeel. Kavi smiled faintly. "Yes", he replied. "Saw who?", inquired Lily, curious. A murmur from nearby delayed further questioning. Dubhan sat up, blurry eyed and dazed. Tomas immediately returned to his side. "You shot me with the stuff, didn't you?", asked the shadow mage, eying an empty syringe. "I did. Maria, too", replied the acolyte. "Hmph", snorted Dubhan. He wanted to sleep. He looked around and was astounded to see so many people on the platform. "What's going on?", he asked carefully. Tomas gave him the run down while Kavi shifted his gaze back to his brother. Jasper didn't look so good and his arm...dear god, his arm... "What happened?", he thought. Ronen was being checked over by his sister and chided for breaking a wing, but he knew the look in Kavi's eyes, so he explained what had transpired.
Meanwhile, Happy carried Natsu through the darkness. "Left", ordered the dragon slayer. They were following a scent. Finally, they landed somewhere very dark and deep in the earth. Once his sandals hit the sand, Natsu strode forward. He stopped dead as he stood over a body. "Is that him?", asked Happy. Kneeling down, Natsu confirmed it. It was Yavuz Sandrunner. "It he - ?", inquired Happy nervously. Natsu peered hard as he focused all his keen senses. Finally, he sighed. "Yeah."
His eyes flew wide open as a cold hand wrapped around his ankle. "What the - ?!" He jumped backward, shocked. He hadn't heard any breathing or a heartbeat. How was it possible? Yavuz opened one golden eye and glared at the dragon slayer. "Come closer", he said in a broken, muffled voice. "Wh-what are you?!", panicked Happy, hiding behind his partner. An eerie grin crossed the bloody, make-shift mouth on Yavuz's face. "Noctis won't die that easy", he said, struggling to get up. "Natsu!", yelled Happy. Gritting his teeth, the dragon slayer got to his feet. "I can't let you get up", he said, sternly. He glared at the animate corpse. He had no idea what exactly was going on, but he knew one thing - he had to stop it. The darkness shrank away as his fists flared into fire. "You've done enough damage", he stated. Intense heat overtook the bottom of the ravine. When it was all over, all that remained was a pile of ash and charcoal where Yavuz had been. Natsu panted in disgust, trying to catch his breath. He didn't like what he just did, but it was necessary. "Come on, Happy..." The exceed quietly replied with a sad, "Aye". Moments later and the duo was gone.
The black now took on an almost blue hue as frigid air replaced the blazing heat. "It's finally over", sighed Tihana. She stared sadly at what remained of her husband. Looking skyward, she smiled faintly. "Clan Sandrunner is finally free...Blythe, Dubhan, Wink...Be happy" A single tear rolled down her cheek as she transcended her ghostly state. It was finally over.
To be Continued...