The Ward

Nuut Wereld Chapter 23: And so it was Decided

2012-08-01T00:24:00.000-04:00

Chapter 23: And so it was decided

What followed the revelation that only fire magic could defeat the revived Cucumber, was the type of awkward silence Kiara expected as she looked on with fear. Parlia’s friends didn’t quite understand what was going on, but Parlia definitely did, and so did Danson and Diana who averted their eyes. As Kiara tried to find them, she wondered what they thought. She figured they thought she was still afraid, but she didn’t know how to tell them that wasn’t the case. She didn’t know nearly enough about magic to explain that she couldn’t use hers but her worry made her want to explain. Her worry and her fear of the burning glare that burned into her eyes.

“I…” She had barely pursed her lips and opened her mouth when Keigo took a mighty step toward her, and scalded her with his gaze.

“No!” He roared. “This is the worst possible time for you to run away!” He growled and Kiara shrunk a little. “The other times were all right; we didn’t really need you then, but now there’s no way you can back out!” He barked and Kiara could feel her heart rushing.

“Keigo you can’t-” Diana stepped forward and received the flame of his gaze as well.

“No Diana!” He shrieked. “You know she has to do this! You know I just can’t let things go on like this…” He was still enraged, and had Kiara felt that she wasn’t being put to an unjust conviction, she would of heard a little regret in his voice.

“Wait, are you telling us the red eyed girl can use fire magic?” Marco asked the question that he shared with his allies. “If you can then why didn’t you know about ranks?” He asked a question all of his own, and Keigo replied the same.

“She’s special…” He hissed. “But not special enough.” And his gaze fell back onto her and made her jump. Kiara watched with overwhelming disbelief and fear as Keigo produced a short blade from his pack, and she only briefly wondered what it was for as he drew against her neck. “If you don’t use your magic I’ll cut you down now...” He thundered, and though she wanted to believe this was just another show, there was no hesitation in his deep brown eyes.

“I can’t…” She murmured, and she could see his rage flaring up.

“I told you I’m not giving you a choice!” Keigo drew his blade back, and just for a moment, he and Kiara felt a mighty heat wave as a powerful breeze slammed him against the railing of the boat.

“And I said I can’t!” The fear Keigo had birthed died, and now Kiara stood in the full form of the girl who had sprung onto Emily long before she came to this world.

“Then you have no purpose in our group.” Keigo stood and though he spoke calmly, the rage was still apparent, and although he spoke calmly, Kiara didn’t step down.

What followed that then was the swift youth’s familiar charge, and though she knew he could take her life before she could blink, Kiara stood firm. She didn’t see her spell hitting before her life ended, but still she conjured it up as a distance of twenty-feet became six. Her hands came up, but she knew no victory was to come, and as the five feet became mere inches, she was ready to die and would have, had Diana not caught Keigo’s hand.

“Look at you.” His beloved whispered to him with sorrow in her eyes, and for a moment Keigo’s eyes went wide before he pulled his blade away.

“I… You know why…” He murmured to her, and Diana held him close to her bosom, releasing him from a memory the two would dare not share.

“She’s not afraid.” Parlia spoke, finally having a chance. “I don’t understand what it is.” She remarked, and Kiara was afraid again, If Parlia didn’t know why she couldn’t call her flames than who did? “The power is there, but it’s not responsive.” She surmised what only she could see.

“Then we need another plan for Cucumber.” Danson stepped forward, once more only getting the chance to speak now. “Keigo, you have a fire form, right?”

“I do but it’s slow, it’d be pointless against Cucumber.” Keigo looked at him from his girlfriend’s embrace.

“Then Kiara, since you are the only one who’ll be free, we’ll need you to keep Cucumber busy.” Danson looked to her, and speechless, Kiara nodded. “Then let’s head to your town, Parlia.” Danson adjourned the meeting, and noted the girth of the atmosphere.

With the type of difficulty, one expects when a mane is shattered on a boat, the group got their vessel to the other coast and wasted no time as they disembarked. The moments were silent as they walked from the other edge of the lakeside town, to the town of Mirron that rested a few miles away. It was only when they arrived there, and more so, when they arrived at Parlia’s house that Diana broke the silence with her awe, and turned to Parlia with shimmering eyes.

“Parlia, this house!” She cheered. “You’re a rich kid just like me!” She grinned and Parlia embarrassed, turned her eyes away.

What resided behind large stonewalls, was a magnificent estate that glowed in the approaching night. The yard was a vast field that devoured time as they made their way across it, upon a path of light blue bricks that curved around the edge of the grass. An imposing echo boomed throughout the house as Elliot brought his fist down onto the door, and when it came open Kiara’s group thought they had glanced into the future. The person who stood there was like Parlia in many ways. Bronze skin, unscarred by battle, long and carefully cared to brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail. From her body draped a long pearl dress that touched the top of her feet, and it was only that and the signs of age in her face that suggested she was older than their cared for girl.

“Parlia…” She said in the type of voice you’d expect from a woman who was perhaps in her mid-forties with only the most abstract worries in the world. “You’re safe,” The woman cried as she hugged Parlia and Parlia wrapped her arms around the woman tightly.

“I’m sorry I ran away, mother.” She gave the woman her title and the others wondered why they hadn’t realized that themselves.

It was clear that the woman had questions about the four she had never met before, but perhaps because they came with her daughter or because she was far too relieved to have her daughter back, she let them into the brightly lit house. She led them through a hallway of white walls trimmed with gold, and to a vast den where they sat on a midnight couch, and left only Marco, Elliot and Alexia standing. It was in this marvelous room heated by the flames of a fireplace, with floors of a soft white carpet below their feet that Parlia’s mother asked who they were, and each of them gave some semblance of an answer.

Following this was silence, as all but those who knew, found themselves mulling over the new information, and it was with a snap of her finger to summon a butler that Parlia’s mother welcomed them to her house.

“My name is Biava.” The woman introduced herself, as she sent the man to collect Hors d’oeuvres. “And I thank you not just for bringing my daughter back, but for your willingness to help this town.” She smiled and there was a silent realization that Parlia’s beauty wouldn’t wane with age.

“It’s no problem.” Danson was the first to recover for this. “We likely would have passed through your town anyway, so it’s not too far from our intended course.” He smiled and Biava nodded gratefully.

“Still, you are putting your lives on the line in two ways. The policing division has already been informed about the problem in our town, so by staying here there is a chance you will encounter them.” She replied and Keigo chuckled.

“Not for a while I’d say.” He said. “If Lien’s doing what he promised they’ll have their hands full.” He nudged Danson who gave back a knowing smile. “Besides, we plan to finish this tonight.” Then he became serious as he took his feet off of the woman’s table.

“Again I thank you, please rest up before night fall. There are plenty of rooms you can stay in and if you need food simply ring the bells and Nost will come.” She named the butler as he placed down the Hors d’oeuvres.

Kiara found a comfortable room at the end of the second floor hallway, and stared out its window to the progressing night as she wondered about her flames. Before, she had avoided using them because she was afraid, and that resulted in her instilling fear in her friends, but now that she was ready and willing to use it, the fire just didn’t come. It made her hate herself a little. It made her wonder if Keigo’s willingness to kill her was right. And when both that and the previous foolish thought had faded away, she wondered just how complex magic was. To her, it was just something she could do for the longest, but for Danson and Parlia, and perhaps even Keigo and Diana it was different. She wondered if the day would be different had she not been born on Nuovo Mundo but Nuut Wereld instead, and as she thought about what life would be like, she found herself brought to tears.

For a little while, she sobbed as silently as possible, as to avoid getting anyone’s attention, till a tap came from the door and she wiped her tears away. As she opened it she found Parlia standing there, and she allowed her in before she could ask for entry. Kiara returned to her seat at the window as Parlia took a seat on the red-covered bed, and for a moment, the lovesick girl stared in silence at her scarlet-eyed interest.

“Kiara…” She spoke softly. “Were you crying?” She asked and Kiara laughed to as tears came again and she wiped them away.

“Is it that obvious?” She murmured, and Parlia shook her head.

“No, it’s just… No I don’t think you’ll understand it.” She stood and walked to the window to take Kiara’s hand. “I guess you think it’s silly that I fell in love with you just because you saved me, or even because a fortune teller told me I would, but for me it’s different.” She placed Kiara’s hand on her chest, and let her feel her heartbeat. “For people like my mom, my father, my brother and myself, we know when we meet the person we love the moment we meet them.”

“I…see.” Kiara replied, but didn’t quite understand.

“I knew you were crying because of that. I can sort of feel when you’re in trouble.” Parlia explained. “Can you feel anything?”

“Your heartbeat.” Kiara replied, noting how the soft beats did well to steady her own heart.

“Anything else?” Parlia asked and Kiara closed her eyes and realized that it was something unfamiliar that soothed her.

“I don’t know what it is.” She said with a frustrated confusion. “It’s like, some kind of energy I guess… or a light…” She murmured and looked up to Parlia who put on a wide smile before letting Kiara’s hand go and looking away.

“I’m so happy.” She told her red-eyed interest as she wiped a tear from her own eyes. “I-I’m sorry. I’m sure this true love stuff is creeping you out.” She shook her head and stepped away, and Kiara replied with a headshake of her own.

“I don’t know what love is, to be honest.” Kiara said and looked up toward the sky longingly. “I can say I love my mom, my dad, and my brother but I can’t explain what it is. However… That is, I think if I could ever fall in love with someone, it’d be you.” She looked back to Parlia, and perhaps because the moment called for it, they both giggled at the words they were sharing and Kiara was grateful that Parlia came into her room, and into her life.

The encounter ended with Parlia telling Kiara words she thought she should hear, “I’m not scared, even if you can’t use your fire. I’m sure that you being here, even if you don’t fight, will make my life shine.” And then the love-struck young lady left Kiara with that thought, as she headed back to her room.

The night crept closer as Kiara looked out the window again, and she took her pendant in her hand as she made a resolution.

“Even if I can’t beat him alone, I’ll definitely stop that man!” She said, and was oblivious to a twinkle in the depth of its gem.

[Chapter 23 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 22: Aeriane's Agenda

2012-07-31T00:53:00.003-04:00

Chapter 22: Aeriane’s Agenda

he had headed north since leaving the keep and Sakuya behind, and now Aeriane walked across a wild valley with a sun hat held tight against the wind. It had been three days since the golden caw took her back to the town, and with a ride on a train, she found herself far from human civilization, and silently wondered if there was any civilization at all. The journal Lloyd had given her seemed to suggest that there was. It recapped tales of a young man with a penchant for destructive magic, who was force to flee his home to keep the people he loved safe. The first page seemed to suggest that he was twelve at the time, and from way far off from the endless valleys north of Zhiquao. It suggested that for days he travel to the point he wasn’t sure they weren’t just days anymore, with no true idea he knew where he was going. It was then by fay luck, as he described it himself (many days after the journal was started, that Aeriane imagined two year) that he happened upon a village in a quarry of the valley, and fearing an approaching storm, he took cover in it. From the book there wasn’t really much to go by. He had described the town where Aeriane had emerged from the train. A tiny township that stared into the wilderness, and prepared itself with four armed guards, but beyond that, there were no landmarks, no monumentally large rocks or rushing streams to lead the way. No thicket of trees stood around the road, hiding the village from even the most attentive eyes. There was just a valley, and it was a valley that the sun shined brilliantly upon, forcing the girl who normally wore black and green, to substitute the black for white.

“This is ridiculous!” She yelled out as the vastness of the valley hit her hard, as it had done several times since she had started walking across it. “I can’t see the village, or sense any magic, and I feel like I’m going to be starving in a few days.” She murmured disgruntledly, as she looked at the leather sack she had brought along and wondered if she really brought enough food. “I should’ve got a horse.” She sighed to herself, and started again as she recovered from the hit, having only the company of the journal to keep the pain from coming again.

How did I even manage this? I was in Guera the last time I looked at a map, but now I was somewhere that wasn’t even on it. I ran out food some days ago. I knew I didn’t make enough money to buy a lot when I helped that farmer out, but I thought if I managed it, I’d be fine. I wish I stayed there to be honest. A gray tide has been on the horizon for days since I left, but now it has caught up to me and there’s neither stone nor tree I can use for cover. I’m hungry, and by tomorrow I’ll be sick, but the worse part about that all is that I’m more worried that this storm will ruin my journal!

Aeriane had read this part many times, and laughed at his concern with his journal. He had never imagined that just after writing that, probably in a haze of confusion and hunger, he’d happen upon the village in the Quarry and would nary have to worry about his journal again. It was a funny thought, but a troublesome one as well, as Aeriane wondered if she’d be in such a poor state before she found it, or if she’d die, never knowing what a village in a quarry looked like.

How was there even a quarry around, she had wondered, noting the forevermore horizon, unblocked by mountains or hills. Noting the forevermore valley, with no depressions or divots to indicate a slope in the land. While it was a beautiful sight on this clear day; a great place to have a picnic if anyone had the nerve to come out this far, it was a flat and bland atmosphere, almost as if it was created in haste. So bland and so flat, that if Aeriane didn’t know better, she’d have thought it the make of a lazy illusion.

…

And that’s when it hit her, and she realized what the journal’s owner meant. It was by fay luck that he had found his way, fay luck that he had divined a course to the village in the way that mages would divine their way to places rich with magic. Perhaps the hunger had got to him, and he had decided to see where the closest place was, but he had did it and by doing so, he saw through the illusion. At least, that was what Aeriane had figured, and now that she noted that she could hear no stream or sense an iota of magic, she realized it wasn’t an illusion but something a little greater.

Calmly she sat the pack that carried her food and clothes aside, and held up her hand with her eyes held shut. In the void of blindness, she could see a new world began to stir around her. A world where small pixies swam the breezes and gnomes walked across the dirt around and between her feet. She could feel the pixies’ stream go on for an eternity as they swam through the space between her fingers, and she followed that eternity as her body slowly turned. Long line. Long line. Another long line, till finally she felt a loop in that line and she found what she was looking for.

Quickly she looped her pack back upon her back, and rushed off the direction she looked, (right of the dirt path) till she came to an abrupt stop to a rock that just seemed to appear. She marveled the large stone that was more of a gray veiny marble, than the granite, one would expect, and stroked its face with a little awe and glee. As her hand ran down it, symbols lit up in its face, and she had to restrain herself from jumping with joy.

“A teleportation stone.” She remarked as she flipped through the journal. “I guess he didn’t notice it was one either.” She had stopped on the page where he had described the quarry, and noticed that there was no mention of the stone beforehand. “Please allow me access.” She whispered to the stone, and felt the world flood with a cool breeze as something pulled her arm.

She felt as if she was soaring high above the world, for feet, for acres, for miles, and so forth, soaring so fast and so high that it was as if she soared through time as well, and had it not been for two pressing matters, she would have preferred to soar forever. The first was the most important one. While it was nice to move with nonexistent powerful wings, she knew that in good time she’d have had to stop, if she wanted to return to her friend’s side. The rushing wind was great against her fair skin, but she had to abandon it for something that needed her attention more. Now the second thing was nowhere near as important, but it was pressing nonetheless. It was the pressing matter of fact, that despite wanting to fly on forever (even if she could) such things had to end, as she realized when she flew from another rock and rolled across a rocky path beside a stream.

After dusting gravel and dirt from her clothes, she took a good look around what she knew to be the quarry of the journal, and wondered just how far from the valley she had gone. She took a moment to take in it all. The breeze was a lot cooler than the valley’s and caressed her face gently without a rage of heat. The stream that rushed beside her was pleasant company to replace the deathly silence of the valley, and the rock walls that stood high around her, did well to shade her from the sun. The quarry could carry sound well too; as she was sure she could hear a battle high above her head, and was all too ready write it off as one that was happening acres away. That was until some pebbles trickling down from above made her look up, and see the shadow of a form, as it fell to the ground. She dived out of the way, unable to prepare to catch him, and watched its stomach arch up as its back hit the ground.

“I warned you that a mage couldn’t take on a swordsman!” A voice came down from above, and once more, she found her green eyes upon the entirety of a shadow. And with that, the shadow jumped down with its sword threatening the ground, and unwilling to consider that it was the right or wrong idea, Aeriane prepared a spell.

There was a brief crackling to alert the youth to the oncoming spell, and then he was shot at by several arrow notches, and knocked off his path. Now that he was still, and his form was caught in the light of the sun, Aeriane could say a number of things about the boy. The first was that he reminded her of Takeshi. A boy in clothes fit for no particular season – light colored, to combat the heat, but long sleeved to combat the cold. His hair was like Takeshi’s as well - left unkempt from many days without the grace of a barber, or even a mirror to monitor what to do.

The second was that, although he had said that a mage was no match for a swordsman; his freshly torn tan-flowing wear, seemed to suggest otherwise.

“Damn it, another one!” The swordsman cursed and turned a peculiar blade of the night’s blue sky toward her.

“Thank you.” Said the mage as he rose, and when the sun met him Aeriane found that she could surmise him as well.

It was not just that he was wounded and bled an almost purple, red; but that his skin was a pale midnight blue, and his ears were pointed like an elf. For a moment, she didn’t know what to make of the lad. Her first thought was that he was a dark elf, but then she noticed through a bob of straggly black hair, that his eyes were lands of black with ponds of gold within them. Had it not been for his eyes, than his mouth rowed with many sharp teeth, and hung open as he breathed deep breaths, would have been the tip that he was no fay man.

“You are from the monster village up ahead?” Aeriane asked him, almost as if to confirm that he was truly a monster.

“I am.” The mage replied and her green eyes lit up with glee as she realized her training was less than an hour or so away.

“A village that won’t be around much longer if you don’ give me what I’m after!” The swordsman roared, and again Aeriane’s eyes lit up as she realized she didn’t ally with the wrong person.

“You need help with this guy?” She asked the mage.

“If you’re so willing.” He replied, and the swordsman’s face twisted with disdain as he found the folly of words and began a swift attack again.

For many reasons in her life, Aeriane had never thought to spar with Sakuya. The first, and most obvious of those reasons was that if they did spar, she would be unarmed or (having been given some form of a sword) completely unmatched. The second, and again, another obvious reason, was that Sakuya’s swings were broad and hard, often imbued with the benefit of discipline and used to tearing through armor and other means of defense. The last reason though, was without a doubt, the furthest from the least. Sakuya made a snail of the young mage when it came to her speed, and because of that imposing speed, she knew she’d never be a good opponent to go against. She had often watched her best friend train, often wondering if she’d ever matched that speed herself, and though at some point she had stopped wondering that (wondering instead if Sakuya would just keep getting faster), the wonder suddenly came back when the swordsman charged and a quick flash of light, conjured a shield to block his slash.

From the look of utter disbelief in his light brown eyes, she knew that he hadn’t expected her spells to be so swift, and hadn’t considered just how much the tides of battle had shifted, for as his sword bounced off the translucent shield, the mage boy stepped forward and pointed a dark blue handgun out. He shot, and for a moment, Aeriane wondered if he was really a mage, till a circle suddenly appeared before the barrel, and subsequently appeared every time he pulled the trigger. The swordsman slashed wildly at Aeriane’s shield as the circles stacked horizontally, till there was a certain arcane look added to them, and he forced himself to pull away.

“Dark blast!” The mage yelled with another pull of the trigger, and through the seven or eight circles that had lined up, a blast the shade of the night shot forward, and exploded against the chest of the retreating traveler.

For a moment, life faded from his eyes as the impact threw him back; and when he hit the ground, his stomach pushed up as he writhed in pain. Aeriane had done the one thing the mage needed her to do as he returned his side arm to his side, and she watched as he stepped forward and pointed two fingers in the air. Above the tortured traveler, an ominous cloud stirred and thundered, and seemed to make the world around them shake. A dark presence escaped the mage and flowed into the building nimbus, till a sharp wind swept the quarry and Aeriane felt a chill run up her spine.

“Dark…” The mage’s voice quivered as it seemed he struggled to control the energy, and made Aeriane step back, a bit wary of what was to come. “Strike!” He roared as he seemed to anchor a dark bolt down from the cloud, that struck his pained target viciously and Aeriane marveled the power (and wondered if it was necessary) as it seemed to darken the sky itself.

For a moment, there was a little residual from the strike. It hadn’t just hit the boy but stirred the water, and threw dust into the air. Now the residual was clearing away, and Aeriane wondered as her eyes found the traveler, completely unmoving, if he had been struck dead. His chest then heaved slowly, and she looked onto the mage.

“Was that really necessary? I mean that dark blast pretty much had him knocked out.” She remarked and the monster boy nodded.

“Yeah it was. I hit him with a dark blast five times before and he just shook them off. “He replied, and Aeriane was satisfied with what she heard as she watched him roll the boy over and cuff him. “If you’re coming to the village, follow me. Our guardian requests that all travelers speak to her.” He displayed an impressive flippantness as he dragged his defeated opponent behind him, and finding no concern with that, nor misgiving with meeting their guardian, she followed; wondering what type of person her teacher would be.

No Kourin Ni Tensai

2012-07-19T16:09:00.001-04:00

No Kourin Ni Tensai this week because I'm out of town. Chapters will be posted monday.

Nuut Wereld Chapter 22: The Plan for Battle

2012-07-18T01:03:00.000-04:00

Chapter 22: The Plan for Battle

Now that things had quieted down, it was a little easier for Kiara to get her bearings and get a good idea of what was going on. It was easier, but instead of looking up and at the strange trio that had proven to be a bit of a challenge, she was instead focused on her hands, wondering why she couldn’t feel the heat of the flame’s breath. It was a long wonder that plagued her as she and the others stood across from their former opponents. One that pulled her away from what was going on, but didn’t separate her from any vital information. As she wondered, Parlia was pacing between both groups, trying to determine an answer of her own. With an excited, that’s it; Kiara was freed from her wonder, and brought to full attention by the formerly pacing girl.

“I’m sorry, everyone.” Parlia bowed to them all and made the tallest of the stranger group; rub the back of his head with embarrassment.

“Hey now Parlia, those type of things aren’t needed. We’re all friends here.” Elliot remarked, and Keigo scoffed as he stepped forward.

With the short boy only a few feet away from the man, his height was more imposing. Standing far more than six feet tall, he loomed over Keigo like a small giant and it seemed like merely swinging his arm would blow the agile youth away. Keigo felt the difference in height to, and it lit a flame in him that made him step even closer and try to find the man’s eyes behind a pair of round dark lens. Suddenly, something heavy touched down on his head and he could feel the flames of rage make his eyes shrink, as he followed a white sleeve back to Elliot’s body.

“Calm down little guy, no need to start anything anymore.” The looming figure laughed, and made Keigo throw up a sharp kick, that smashed hard into Elliot’s face.

The sudden blow made him fall back, and made Marco – the one who almost got his throat torn – let out a booming laugh. The laugh lit the blaze in Elliot as well, and made him rise to challenge Keigo, only for Parlia to call out again and make the battle stop.

“We are all friend here!” She gave a surprising roar that made even Keigo a little fretful.

“Whatever,” The boy said as he caught his fear and tried to hide it as he returned to Diana’s right.

“I’m sorry, Kiara, Danson, Keigo, Diana; I didn’t think that Elliot and the others would come looking for me.” She said and then turned to the other three. “If I knew, I would have told you all immediately.” She addressed them. “But Elliot, you snatched me away without giving me a chance to explain. Did it really look like I was in danger?” Her tone was light, but still firm.

“I’ll admit, I didn’t think!” Elliot retorted with a snort, and made Marco laugh again.

“Elliot, that’s not something you say with such force.” Alexia sighed and Elliot gave a flippant shrug as he turned back to Parlia and saw the rage in his eyes.

“I’ll start by introducing everyone.” Parlia sighed. “This is Elliot, Alexia, and Marco.” Parlia started with the ones she knew longer, naming them from right to left and giving the others a good reason to take them in.

They had already surmised Elliot, his height and originally strange appearances had drawn their attention to him immediately when things had settled down. He was a tall man, an already establish fact, not quite bulky, but burly enough that it looked like his hits would hurt. Beside the long black cape that fluttered in the calm lake wind, he wore a long sleeved white shirt and baggy tan slacks. He seemed to be in his early or mid-twenties, as he stood there with cross arms, dark hair cut low and facial hair neatly trimmed.

“I’m not in my mid-twenties.” The tan man hissed as if he read their minds, and made all eyes jump over to Alexia who stood to his left.

She was the second to seem out of place. A girl in formal looking clothes, a white blouse with short sleeves and a knee length navy ruffle skirt that fluttered over dark blue leggings. Behind the oval-shaped lens of black rimmed glasses, were bright blue eyes that complemented the smile she put on for the introduction. She seemed like the most mature of their group, but she was also the most disinterested, as her eyes kept falling to the book held it her right hand, eager to return to the world it created.

“How old are you?” Keigo asked, and her smile shifted to a smirk.

“Older than him.” She winked at the curious boy as she pointed her thumb at Elliot.

“That’s not an answer.” Keigo hissed.

“It’ll lead you to one though.” She retorted. “Remember, he’s not in his mid-twenties.” She winked again and made Keigo make another hiss.

Finally, their eyes turned to Marco, and compared to Elliot, he stood out the least. There was nothing particularly off about him, no preoccupation with a book, or dark cape hanging from his body. He was just a regular looking kid, a boy with short blonde hair and blue eyes, the rolled up as if he was following a thought floating in the air. He dressed like Elliot, white shirt and tan pants and he emulated his senior as well with arms crossed and an unapologetic look on his face. As they summed him up, they realized their previous evaluation was wrong. He didn’t possess any uncommon traits, but his age compared to theirs (Parlia included) made him the most out of place member in their group.

“And this is Keigo, Diana, Danson and Kiara.” Parlia introduced her four saviors, and made Elliot step up to Keigo, taunting him with his height.

“So you think you’re a badass huh?” He hissed at the dark clad boy who was prepared to hit him again. “Good thought kid, keep it. To be strong is to be confident!” He applauded Keigo as he patted his shoulders but did nothing to stop the youth’s desire to attack him again.

Elliot’s good tidings had done well to calm the mood, making it easier for the two groups to socialize. There was time spent getting to know each other. Kiara’s group learning that Elliot and Alexia were Parlia’s childhood friends and that Marco was Elliot’s younger half-brother. They had learnt that they came to Amor Perfe to save Parlia after they found out about Cucumber’s true intentions, and had watch the conversation get steered the direction it had to go.

“His true intentions?” Danson asked when it was first brought up.

“Yeah, Parlia told you about the fortuneteller, right?” Marco asked and the group nodded as they thought back to the girl’s explanation. “Well she never told us why Cucumber would attack the town, and despite helping Parlia run away; we were pretty convinced he wouldn’t.” He explained.

“Parlia’s pretty special.” Alexia elaborated. “So it’s not uncommon for people to appear and try to get her alone. Marco, Elliot, and I aren’t just her friends, we’re her protectors. So getting rid of us is pretty necessary.”

“How is Parlia spec-,”

“When we were pretty sure he wouldn’t attack Parlia told us she was being chased.” Elliot jump to continue before Keigo could ask the question. “If that wasn’t bad enough, he attacked the town too, threatening to take lives if the Parlia wasn’t brought back.”

“The town people…” Parlia remarked solemnly for reasons Kiara’s group thought were obvious.

“That must be horrible for them. I can’t even imagine how bad it’ll be for you to return, Parlia.” Diana gave her support and received a surprised look in return.

“It won’t be hard at all, actually.” Marco said. “Unless Cucumber isn’t taken out.” He added and their audience looked on with confusion.

“It’s like I said, Parlia is special.” Alexia repeated. “Our townspeople know that, and would rather fight and die than sell her out.” She went on, and made Keigo fidget as he realized they’d never tell him how she was special.

“Then we have to help them.” He sighed, as he abandoned the intrigue. “Parlia said that strange people started visiting the manor, are they involved with Cucumber’s attacks?”

“Yeah, without a doubt.” Elliot said, and signaled to Marco to open a chest a pull out a number of papers.

His brother spread the papers out in front of their group, fighting the breeze’s desire for theft by putting several stones on them. In anticipation, everyone lowered their gaze and sat around the sheets, reviewing them, but not quite understanding what they were seeing. Marco spread out four photos, all with unfocused images and tapped them in sequence.

“It’s really like he has an army, but these are the most dangerous guys he has.” He explained. “Getting past his army is the easy part, but getting past them is impossible. I think it’s safe to say that all of them are elite mages.” He shuddered at their ranks.

“Elite mages?” Kiara repeated, remembering the phrase being mentioned before but not understanding its significance.

“They’re ranks.” Diana replied. “Ranks that suggest the magic mastery level of the persons they’re assigned to.”

“Why don’t you know that, you’re a mage and one who uses wind magic?” Marco grunted.

“Kiara’s special.” Keigo used the moment to stab at the other party and could see a reaction in Marco’s narrowing eyes. “There are five ranks, Kiara. Master, Advance, Elite, Adept, and Novice, from greatest to least in magic mastery.” He explained.

“I would be an elite mage myself,” Danson said. “Diana and Keigo would be Adept, and you, novice. No offense, of course.” He explained.

“None taken.” Kiara nodded. “So these fighting these four people would be like fighting you?” She asked, and got a nod in response.

“What makes it worse is that most people in our town can’t use magic. The only exceptions really are Parlia’s dad and his exploration party, Parlia herself, Elliot, and Alexia.” Marco let out a exasperated sigh as he looked at the pictures.

“Then you need us to kick ass, easy. Tell us about these four.” Keigo snorted and the dejected child smiled as he spread the pictures apart.

“The first one is Marianne. She’s first because she’s always the first to appear. She uses the mirror around her neck to repel magic and uses it for dimensional magic too. Whenever there was an attack, she seemed like the easiest to capture, but she would just use the mirror to make her escape.” He tapped the photo that looked like a girl with long purple hair, drawn into a ponytail.

“The next hasn’t really said his name, we call him Bunny though.” He continued and Kiara stared with awe as she looked upon the figure of a teen with long white rabbit ears erupting from the top of a curly pink-white afro. “You might think it’s because he’s a rabbitus but actually, it’s because he’s fast. We think it might be super speed magic but we can’t be sure.”

“The next we don’t know anything about, not even a name. He’s just a kid, but he’s dangerous. The people who fought Marianne and Bunny came back with some bad wounds…”

“And the ones who fought this kid?” Diana asked.

“They didn’t return…” Marco murmured and made his audience trade looks. “The last one personally gave us her name. She went to Parlia’s house; told us she knew we were planning to attack, and told us to make sure we get her name right.”

“Well?” Keigo asked.

“Cossette,” Marco pointed to the girl who had her back turned to the shot, red hair draped down the hand guard of a large sword. “I don’t know if she can use magic, but she’s fast and strong.”

“So what do y’all think? I mean, if you’re still going to help Parlia.” Elliot asked.

“Easy. Diana can go after Marianne,” Keigo said and Diana nodded.

“How?! What could you possibly do-,”

“Keep track of her.” Diana answered before Elliot could finish. “I have some fierce hunting instinct, trust that I’ll keep her from ambushing us.” She winked and the man submitted, more so to the surprise wink than to her words.

“I’ll go after this Bunny guy, if it’s super speed magic, I’m the best choice. If it isn’t, I have ways to adapt.” Keigo said and Elliot nodded.

“I’ll come with you. My stealth cape can’t make me move fast but it’ll help me pull you out of the fire if they get too hot.” He said and begrudgingly Keigo agreed.

“The boy?” Alexia raised the question.

“Me.” Danson gave the answer. “Normally we’d choose Keigo, but he’s the only one who can match someone using super speed magic. I’m an elf obviously, so the moment I encounter the kid I’ll know what magic he uses and can adapt.” He explained and Alexia looked at the last picture.

“Then Marco and I will face Cossette.” She looked to him, and with a little hesitation, he nodded.

“Then that just leaves Cucumber.” Elliot seemed troubled and did well to crush their assurance.

“What other truth did you learn about him? How is the dead Cucumber living in that manor?” Keigo asked.

“It’s necromancy.” Elliot answered, and all but the red-eyed girl let out a curse.

“Why is that bad, now that we know we can beat him, can’t we?” She asked.

“There’s only three ways to beat a zombie of that level.” Danson remarked, and the movies Kiara had seen had made her sure she knew one.

“Go after the necromancer and make them break the spell.” The first. “Use healing magic or spirit magic to counteract the binding.” The second. “Or…”

“A headshot?” Kiara asked.

“If only, Keigo hissed.”

“Then what?”

“Using fire magic to destroy the binding completely.” Danson’s eyes sank, and the color faded from Kiara’s eyes as she realized what that meant…

[Chapter 22 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 21: Understanding the Benefit

2012-07-17T00:26:00.000-04:00

Chapter 21: Understanding the Benefit

all stalks of bamboo reached up for the clouds, as Sakuya and Jasmine walked between them, heading for a dojo on the outskirts of a bustling town. It had been a week and a half, since they finished their business in Lazurr’s keep, a week and a half since they had seen Aeriane and Takeshi last, and although the lost time and distant friends made them fret, there time together had given the girls something to look forward too. For Sakuya, it was like having a younger sister she hadn’t known until she met Jasmine. At first, her young student had been distant, not quite willing to talk to her or the others, but as they walked alone she opened up, and showed Sakuya the light she had seen before. Jasmine was a fan of heroines, the illustrious Irra being her favorite. Day in and day out she had found herself running to the library, picking up books of fact and fiction just to read about some of the exploits the heroines had done. She had always dreamed about being one herself, sometimes in the confines of fantasy where she would be teleported to the past and fight by Irra’s side, and sometimes in reality, where she would grow up and join the court herself. That type of tale had made Sakuya ask her how she felt about her life now, and understandably, it made the young girl sad. With soft eyes and a softer tone, she told Sakuya how she felt, and made the olive skin teenager give her a hug. This had been a little earlier on the road, and they had let a few minutes pass before it was over, but now Jasmine was back in full form, eager to meet Sakuya’s teacher and learn to become a warrior herself.

“So Sakuya, if your daddy taught you and your brother how to fight, why are we going to this guy?” Jasmine had asked when they came upon a sign, that insisted the town was due east of it.

“Because he and my father practiced the style together. When they were younger they came up with the idea, and met a man who helped them practice it.” She explained as she laughed at the sign, and Jasmine tried to imagine the circumstance.

From the sign, the dojo was only a little ways away. The road led them up a long flight of stairs, past more stalks of bamboo, and indicators of the approaching structure, until they found themselves in the center of a majestic garden. Before they even saw the home, they saw the foliage and ponds around it. Two ponds in the corner of yard, where the walls wrapped around. Around one, several flowers sprouted up and toward them like watchful sentries, and in the other they could hear the splashing of fish. A stone road led to the door of the dojo, and branched off toward a strange purple leaf tree, adorn with pink flowers and white fruit, as if they were extravagant jewels. The sudden change in the scenery had made Jasmine alert, and made her cling to Sakuya as nostalgia took the fencer over, and each step she took, echoed in the depth of memory.

“It’s been so long…” She murmured to herself as she stopped in front of the strange tree, and felt Jasmine jump as the door of the dojo slid open.

Brown eyes turned toward the man who stood there. A slender figure, clad in a black robe, wrapped with a blue sash. As blue eyes turned onto him, they found the things the brown eyes had disregarded. Three scars upon the man’s face two over his right eye that apparently blinded him, and one that almost crossed his nose. In his left hand was a sword held by its radiant blue sheath, ready for a quick draw by his right.

“Oh, it’s you, Sakuya.” The man put on a surprising smile that startled Jasmine more than his scars.

“Jasmine, this is Aoba, my teacher.” Sakuya introduced him, and made his smile toothier as he turned to Jasmine and welcomed the girls inside.

For a moment, Jasmine was in quiet wonder as she sat with her legs crossed at a small table, and listened to Sakuya and Aoba reminisce. The man was younger than Sakuya’s father, a male version of herself when she gave it some thought, and much like herself with Sakuya, Sakuya’s father had some stuff to teach.

“The difference however,” Aoba had said to involve Jasmine in the conversation. “Was that Koji was actually teaching me how to fish, not how to fight.” He laughed as he chugged back alcohol from a gourd.

It was at that moment that Jasmine realized that while they were reminiscing, the tales were for her. It told her of how their style first came to be, how Koji and Aoba had been playing around one day and thought it would be cool is they could use fishing rods to fight. They liked the idea of the rod tricking their target, only for the lure to be the real threat, and soon changed their trips to fish, to days where they practiced.

“We didn’t know what we were doing though.” Aoba said as he ran his hand across low cut black hair. “We swung the rods around a lot, but we were just kids playing around, until our mentor came.” He said and Jasmine became alert, curious as ever to find out about the enigmatic man.

On one of the days where they had decided to actually fish, the man from Zhiquao showed himself, and asked them what had changed. Aoba was silent as the stranger approached them, and Koji had did the talking, explaining casually to the man that sometimes they just wanted to do other stuff. With disappointment, he asked them if they were serious about learning how to fight, and received a response from both of the boys as they laughed it off, and left the man to shrug.

“When he said he would’ve helped us, we were interested again just like that!” Aoba chuckled. “He said he’d have to talk to our parents first and told us to tell them where to meet him.”

“My dad always said that neither my grandparents nor your folks really agreed.” Sakuya laughed.

“Not only did my old man not agree, he swore his ass off that day.” Aoba chuckled. “In the end though, teacher convinced them by showing off the benefit of discipline and telling them that we had potential to learn it.” He ended the tale, but didn’t quiet Jasmine’s intrigue as she heard the familiar phrase and wondered what it was again.

“Sakuya, what is the benefit of discipline?” She asked the question, interrupted by a guitar strum before.

“I see, so you haven’t told her yet.” Aoba’s smile became softer as he put his gourd down. “The benefit of discipline is complicated young lady. It’s generally a bad idea to tell students about it because it might crush their potential to gain it.” He explained and Jasmine’s eyes grew with fear.

“However, Aoba will be teaching us so it won’t be impossible for you.” Sakuya said. “You’ve seen it when I fought my brother. The streaks of energy he and I fired are the benefit of discipline. It’s hard to explain I guess, but it’s apparently energy only useable when you discipline your mind enough.” She explained and Jasmine’s eyes turned to Aoba to see if he could give a better idea.

“It was originally harnessed by monks, and black smiths before fighters. Neither party was really aware of it till the first one used the energy and word began to spread.” He explained.

“The energy? So it’s not just energy alone?” Jasmine asked and both teachers’ shook their head.

“The monks were the first to spread word of the benefit of discipline, and gave each aspect of it a name. Chi and ki. Chi is the basic form of it, discipline of blood, not real blood mind you but the blood of this energy, drawn into your body. When you grasp control of chi, you can change your body’s constitution. Make yourself more agile, fortify yourself, make yourself stronger, etcetera, etcetera.”

“And ki?” Jasmine asked, and watched Aoba pick up a feather. He held it out and bent it, showing the girl it’s flexibility before he swung it at the gourd, and tore it apart.

“Ki is discipline of the spirit, and is essentially projection of the chi, I suppose. The energy I referred too when I was talking about the black smiths was that. You can’t notice chi, no more than you can notice the blood pumping through your veins but you can notice ki.”

“Think of ki like chi for stuff other than your body. With ki, I can make my blade sharper, or stronger. I could make a wooden shield strong enough to stop a cannon ball, and like you saw when I fault my brother, I can extend the reach of my attacks.” Sakuya explained and Jasmine’s eyes lit up with awe.

“So it’s like magic?” She squealed.

“Yes and no. Magic is more complicated than ki. Things like elements bind it, and it has the ability to summon things from other planes. The benefit of discipline is more basic, in contrast.” Aoba explained. “Also note that it’s possible to learn or master chi without ever grasping ki.”

“So then Sakuya, Takeshi didn’t grasp ki?” Jasmine asked.

“That’s not necessarily true. Generally, it’s better not to use ki liberally. It tires you out quicker, so most people who learn it will avoid it unless it’s necessary. You can never tell if someone can or can’t use ki for that reason. However, Takeshi does use it, he just uses it defensively.” Her teacher replied.

“Hoho, I’m sort of interested in this Takeshi kid now.” Aoba laughed. “I got these scars on my eye fighting someone who used ki defensively.” He smirked, and Jasmine looked at the brutal scars again and wondered why it made him laugh.

“So I’m going to learn it?” She abandoned the wonder and turned back to her teacher.

“How long you gonna be with me, Sakuya?” Aoba asked, his smirk still beaming.

“Less than a month now.” She replied, with a smirk on her own.

“Then yes Jasmine, you definitely will.” Aoba chuckled. “Tell me, do you like fruits?” He laughed and left the girl confused as he stood and left the room…

News and a Rant 7/13/12

2012-07-13T12:44:00.000-04:00

News and a Rant 7/13/12

Hello and Welcome to the Ward.

It has been a while since we saw each other last patients, but with things in class being less tasking, I’ll finally be making a return. It was pretty bad place to get overloaded, considering how much has happened in each story but despite that, The Ward and I am back. Unfortunately, there’s some bad news coming along with this. Because I have been missing weeks, The Ward will now update bi-weekly, giving me a chance to write other things, and get my normal stuff out of the way. So, till next we meet; see you at The Ward, where you come to get your boredom cured.

Nuut Wereld Chapter 21: Across The Lake

2012-05-30T22:32:00.000-04:00

Chapter 21: Across the Lake

It was a smooth escape, Keigo had to admit. They had waited for the perfect opportunity to strike, blending into the crowd to avoid detection. In a moment of lapsed defense, Parlia was grabbed, and while the others fought to breach the crowd, the kidnappers would make a clean escape. They couldn’t prepare for the people who were escorting her, but they did consider all the necessary variables. All of them, except the one that shot past Keigo’s head now, and froze a road onto the lake. Danson and the others had finally made it through, and with a push of Kiara’s winds, were sliding across the road. Keigo wasted no time joining them as well, and wondered as a rapid fire extended their path, what the looks on the kidnappers’ faces were.

“Alexia, we have a problem!” They could hear the shadowy figure call to someone on the boat, and watched a young woman step forward, with her eyes planted in a book.

“Yeah, a big problem.” She said as she peeked up, then sat against the rail of the boat and made the figures jaw dropped.

“You wanna stop them?!” He shrieked, and the young woman looked back again, before standing back up.

“It rose like a wave for the depth of the sea, and crashed down just the same, throwing both people and structures away.” Alexia seemed to be reading, and as she did, the water between the boat and the ice road bulged up, and produced a large bipedal catfish that raised a fin into the air.

“Is that summoning magic?!” Diana yelled as they all came to a stop, and stared up to the liquid beast.

“No,” Danson replied, readying his cannon. “This is something I’ve never seen before.” He cursed as the fin the shots he made useless.

He was sure they’d be crushed before Kiara’s winds came again, and their road was torn apart while they dangled in the air. He and Kiara watched as Diana and Keigo took hands, and bolt from her foot launched them like cannons toward the boat.

“Persistence was the enemy of those who advanced, as the beast turned crimson eyes onto them, and let loose a storm with a swing of its fin.” They could hear the faint narration of Alexia, and were knocked back as the creature swung its fin and a wall of water knocked them from the air.

“They were in her domain now and she had no desire to let them leave. The atrocities the sea had incurred were all unjust in her crimson eyes, and she would avenge the depth for the injustice as she fell below the waves.” The sorcerous narration continued, and as Diana and Keigo splashed down, they feared what submersion would mean.

Quickly Danson let loose a rapid fire upward, and came crashing down into the water, joining he longtime friend. He conjured a platform for Diana and Keigo to take a stand, but wondered what advantage it’d give as the beast continued to sink. Meanwhile the kidnappers were getting away, and Kiara was conflicted as to what she could do. On one side, the others were at the mercy of the sinking beast, and on the others, the kidnappers would get away, and achieve whatever dubious goal they sought. She was still afloat in the air, hovering like a leaf on a persistent breeze and though it gave her a good vantage point of her friends and the bulk of the boat, she feared it gave her no advantage. She feared that until a thought came to mind from the massive blowing sails, and she tried to call her fire again. She just had to burn the sail, she thought. Damage it enough that the wind could push it no further, but despite what she thought, nothing came. Despite her attempts, the same thing that happened before happened again.

“Dragao de gelo!” She heard Danson roar, and watched the frozen dragon shoot toward the ship and tear through its mass. She was happy her idea came to him as well, but knew her job was far from over, as she conjured a powerful funnel and pulled the trio off of the platform. As they were launched toward the boat, the sea creature tore their stand apart, and lingered for a bit before her friends touched down. The creature suddenly vanished as Alexia shuffled through a bag of books.

“The pirates were sure they had the advantage when they touched down on the boat. They had been planning for a fortnight and knew the navy wouldn’t see them coming, but they couldn’t account for Admiral Keegan, no one could, not any of his allies and definitely none of his enemies. They were expecting a room full of unprepared dignitary, and were horrifying surprised as they saw a firing range instead.” In silent admittance, the attacking trio marveled how quickly the young woman read the book, but found their marvel pierced as six ghostly figures lifted rifles up.

The bullet met a wall of ice as Danson quickly casted it upward and his two agile friends went over it, and continued their attack. Keigo took the lead and struck at the figures with the edge of his dagger, making Alexia panic a little, as she pulled back and pulled out another book. Her mouth had parted for a moment before she was forced to avoid a sharp kick, and made Diana smile as she kept her attacks coming.

“So you can’t summon those things unless you can read the book.” She struck out, and silently reveled in how easy it was to push the girl back.

“Marco, what are you waiting for, help her out!” The shadowy man yelled, and the helpless helmsman sprang into action, as he blocked one of Diana’s kicks.

Now she was a little frustrated as the youth tried to match her. He was short, and blond, had brown eyes filled with fire, and could barely keep up with her, but still he tried to hold her back, regardless of how many times she knocked him down. It was a persistent defense, and an admirable one at that, but unbeknownst to Diana it was a distraction as well, as Alexia flipped open another book.

“He would have been a fool to think that things would end so easily. Too often, he had encountered pirates and learned that some amongst them could dodge rifle shots. Admiral Keegan was a brilliant strategist who could say that he’d never make the same mistake twice, and now wasn’t going to change that. They had been stationed amongst the people in case the pirates breached the first line, but with a raise of his hand two fencers came out, and met their agile foe.” Alexia spun the tale, and made Diana grimace as the ghostly figures took form and both took a thrust at her.

They stabbed at her with the type of agility the narrative suggested, and pushed Diana away from Marco as she tried to dodge their blade. She could say that Alexia didn’t know how to fight, and could say that Marco was no match for her, but one of the fencers gave her a lot of trouble, and two was just a little too much for her to fight back. As one got behind her, and froze her where she stood, she was ready to feel the sword of the other cut into her before Danson took up arm, and knocked the rapier away. With one fencer dealt with, she turned to the other, forgetting that Marco had taken a place in the battle, but having no need to remember as Keigo blocked the attack he made, and struck without the mercy that Diana had. For the skilled redhead, a weaker opponent was a person who deserved a chance to fight. She adored their ability to stand up to her, and adored more their drive, but for Keigo it wasn’t the same. In battle there was no such thing as a stronger or weaker enemy, just one who had to die, and unfortunately for Marco who felt the wood of the deck meet his back multiple times, his life was due to end. Keigo had been planning, and now he was moving in, readying his dagger for a quick thrust into Marco’s neck. The boy didn’t have a chance to see the blade before he felt its cold iron touch against his flesh, and almost let out a cry as he heard Parlia scream.

“Don’t kill him!” She yelled, and stopped Keigo just before his blade tore into Marco’s neck. No call could be closer than that, as the tip teased Marco’s jugular before he drew it back. “Elliot, Alexia, you two, stop too!” She pleaded and Kiara landed just as Alexia’s books closed and her figures faded away.

“Parlia,” The shadowy figure was a shadow no more, as the garb that covered his body peeled away into a cape. “Who are these guys?” He asked, and admittedly, the four of them were wondering the same…

[Chapter21 ends]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 20: Remnants of Yore

2012-05-30T22:27:00.001-04:00

Chapter 20: Remnants of Yore

ven though the powerful beast had called them out, their legs had frozen up and they were unable to move. Just a moment ago, he had devastated three people unlike them. Three people who had moved through the keep untouched and now he was ready for them. Now he was ready to end their lives in one blow and casually return to his drink. The fear he birthed grew reckless in the quiet and made Sakuya look over to Reginald who stood just as helpless as she did. She had been proud of herself up to this point. Happy that despite the difficulty, they made it through the keep and were ready to take the book, but she cursed herself for her optimism. She should have guessed, but nothing told her they’d have to fight Lazurr. She knew better than to trust his former alliance with Aughus, but never that he’d be a threat. Sakuya regretted it, and it made her the most fretful of their group.

“Will you come out?” Lazurr voice echoed in the depth of his cup, as he brought it up to his mouth. “Or do I have to make you come out?” He said, and they heard his glass clank as he placed it on the table and stood up.

Only one-step was made before Sakuya swallowed her fear and came out, and then stared into the deep black eyes that greeted her as she stood before the king. Up close, his height was more imposing than ever, but she barely had time to think about it, before she fell to one knee and placed her sword down in front of her. Lazurr had continued his slow walk after she had stepped out, but now he froze with eyes beaming with surprise.

“Oh?” He asked, and the others that hid, grew restless as they watched Sakuya kneel.

“We aren’t here to threaten you!” Sakuya yelled and Lazurr looked down on her before taking a step back.

“Then what are you here for?” He asked, and watched as brown eyes found the book on the table and made him let out a sigh before turning around. Lazurr took back his place in the chair then took another sip from his glass, before giving Sakuya a signal to stand, and giving her allies reason to come out.

“It is not often that I get visitors, human or otherwise, and yet I managed to get two parties of them today.” He said and counted his guest as they all came out. “What more, they both want this particular journal.” What seemed like a smirk, appeared on his jagged maul. “Why?”

“It was supposed to be top secret…” Sakuya murmured as she caught Reginald in the corner of her eye, and realized that she hadn’t even told him yet. “But you won’t even consider giving us the journal if I don’t say… right?” She set her gaze on Lazurr who made no gesture, but told her with his eyes, that she was right. Thus, Sakuya recapped everything they had learnt so far. She told the ancient monster of Lloyd and the information he happened upon. She told the archaic king about the corrupted Court in the confines of Bastion, and the man they were corrupted for, and finally she told him of the town stealer and made a normally stoic face, change with a smirk.

“In the time of Aughus, the thing that the humans feared was the monster empire that rose up. I wonder what your fabled hero would think if he knew that all his hard work would lead to you fearing another human.” He mocked them, and made them gulp.

“So will you give us the book?” Aeriane stepped forward, and received the fury of the monster’s eyes.

“Give up!” Lazurr returned a bark, and made the mage stepped down. “I can smell the blood on you, and even if I couldn’t, the tears in your clothes make it obvious. If I’m to believe you, then those people I just cut down were sent by him, and unlike you, they got here without one injury.” He scolded them and Sakuya’s eyes grew wide.

“We can’t!” She roared. “We didn’t come this far just so we could be told that we don’t stand a chance. Maybe we are too weak now but we can get stronger! We will get stronger and we will stop the Town Stealer!” She objected and it seemed that Lazurr’s eyes shifted a little.

“And what if I say I’d kill you all?” He asked, and brought Sakuya’s hand to the hilt of her blade.

She was ready to draw it when she felt a sudden breeze shoot past her, and felt her body freeze up. She was staring at Lazurr, brown eyes still locked with black, but as a bead of sweat ran down her head, she wondered if he was really there.

“My nails are against your neck…” She heard his voice in her ear and gulped. “You can feel them teasing your flesh; threatening to tear it as easily as they tore the swords apart.” It froze her, and made her a little jumpy. “You want to draw your blade, but can you draw it fast enough. Can you draw it before I draw your last breath?” He hissed, and Sakuya swung around, tearing at the air and making Jasmine jump as the blade stopped short of her head. Sakuya gulped again as a sudden realization came to her, and she spun to see Lazurr still sitting in his chair.

“You’re a skilled enough fighter to sense it, but not enough to realize that it was false killing intent.” He said, and Sakuya could feel her heart racing as her body shook. “Those demons I just cut down could not only sense killing intent, but could manipulate their own as well. What killed them wasn’t their weakness, but the assurance that they could cut me down.” He explained. “It was foolish, but a testament to something. They thought they could cut me down, but when you figured I was at your neck, you weren’t even sure you could draw your blade.”

“I…” Sakuya failed to grasp words, and then turned to Reginald as she heard a sudden click.

“She doesn’t need to draw her blade.” He said, and her eyes watched as a revolver came up. “All she needs to do is trust that I will shoot you before you can get out of that chair.” He said, and again the jagged mouth turned up into a smirk, as Lazurr sipped once more from his glass.

“The book is yours.” He said, and once more Sakuya’s eyes went wide.

“But you just said that we should give up…” She stood aghast and Lazurr simply sipped.

“Yes, but giving up gets you nowhere. If I gave up when the odds were against me then this book wouldn’t exist.” He said and picked up the tome as he walked over to them.

The leather bound journal was given to Aeriane who quickly shoved it into a bag, before joining the others in looking up to Lazurr whose eyes seemed to gleam with a bit of intrigue.

“You may use the golden caws to exit the keep; they will fly you out without issue.” He said, and the party wondered if thanks should be given.

“Before we go…” Sakuya spoke. “Do you know where Aughus hid his sword?” She asked the question that needed to be asked, and the monster returned to his seat before giving an answer.

“I do not. In the final days of his life, Aughus sent me and his other travelling companion away, before he hid the sword. We didn’t know why, and I believe the question followed her to her grave, but I always figured that had Aughus not hid it, he would have survived that final bout.” The necessary question was answered, and left the party a bit downtrodden.

“Then can your journal even tell us where it is?” Takeshi asked, and Lazurr seemed to ponder.

“That is a question you must answer on your own.” He stood and left the party to deliberate as a cloud of smoke seeped under the crack of the door, and scooped away the corpses of the felled demons.

“Man, I didn’t think you kids were doing something so heavy.” Reginald looked off as he thought about everything that was told to Lazurr.

“Sorry we couldn’t tell you.” Sakuya said, and the man gave her a firm nod.

“It’s all right, I get it. This is a Court of Irra mission that has y’all going after the world’s most wanted sword. I don’t know what I can do to help right now, but if y’all ever need an extra hand, just called the guild in that town back there. I’ll always be there.” He said, and the four realized this was the end of his tour with their party.

“What next, Sakuya?” Aeriane asked, and Sakuya looked at the broken swords behind her, and thought about what the monster king said.

“We have to get stronger. We were lucky up to this point because we had you, but from here on, luck isn’t going to save us.” She said, and it seemed that Takeshi was lost in thought for a moment.

“You’re right…” He said. “So Sakuya, I’m going to stay here.” He shared his thoughts and left the group shocked.

“Here… as in the keep?!” Jasmine jumped.

“My style was originally made to fight against monsters, but I’ve never had a chance to fight them. Lazurr’s keep is the best place for me to advance.” He replied and they accepted the truth of the matter.

“If you need a place to stay, come back to the guild with me.” Reginald gave him a pat on the back and Takeshi gave back a nod.

“Where will you be, Sakuya?” Takeshi asked.

“Northeast of here is the man, who taught me how to fight after my parents died. If I go to him, it’ll only take one month for me to get a lot stronger.” Sakuya said.

“Then a month…” Aeriane added, and made the others realize she had stepped away from their gathering. “I’ve been reading the journal Lloyd gave me, and have an idea what I can do to get stronger. Sakuya, I’m going to leave too, but let’s all meet up in a month and take the town stealer down!” Aeriane pumped her fist out and smiled, but barely hid how sad she was to be separated from her friend.

“Then a month.” Sakuya pumped her fist out as well, and watched as Takeshi and Aeriane left the room, leaving her with Jasmine and Reginald.

“Sakuya, I’m sure you all can do it.” Reginald’s expression was serious, and his words were kind.

“I… Yeah, I’m sure we can too.” She said, and with that, Reginald was off as well.

Sakuya stood there for a moment as she watched her friends continue off, and then turned to Jasmine with a smile on her face.

“Jasmine, in a month, you’ll be stronger too.” She said, and the young girl smiled as finally Sakuya led the march out of the room…

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 19: Similar Interest

2012-05-16T22:36:00.002-04:00

Chapter 19: Similar Interest

he approach of evening peeked over a ridge as the group arrived to the depths of the keep, and found a manor standing in the dusk. After so much of running through the wilderness and fighting, amassing and healing wounds to the point that Aeriane could no longer cast them away, the sudden structure left them a bit surprised, but also left them relieved. A dark manor seemed to be built into the ridge. Its walls were a blue stone that climbed to two stories, and were covered by the vines of the untended foliage. The path to it was guarded by the birds that greeted them when they entered the keep; six large golden birds perched upon the awry pillars that lined a brick road. It was a surprising sight, and a relieving sight, and in silent admittance it was a beautiful sight as well, as it stood there lurking in the darkness. It was macabre and a bit foreboding, unwelcoming yet somewhat memorizing with its windows lit by dim candle light. It was a sight that left them wishing they had a camera, all but Reginald who pulled one from his pocket and quickly took a shot.

“I have to thank you four.” He said as he lowered the camera, and marveled the sight again.

“So when you said some people hunt monsters to see these sights, you were referring to yourself?” Sakuya asked and the scarred man laughed as he returned the camera to his pocket.

“Not really.” He replied. “I’m as gruff as they get. I go in for the kill, and even if I don’t get my prey, I can leave satisfied. This picture, it’s for my daughter.” He said and gave the group a new type of surprise as all eyes turned on him.

“You have a daughter?!” Aeriane gasped and made Reginald laugh again.

“And a wife.” He smirked, and the young mage was thrown for a loop.

“Considering how dangerous this was…” Takeshi looked at the wounds he gained. “I can’t imagine she approves of you doing this.” He said and once more, the hunter laughed, but this time it seemed solemn, and longing.

“She didn’t.” He said, as he looked over to the boy. “Shortly after my daughter was born I went out on a pretty dangerous hunt. When I got back my wife didn’t approve of it; she asked me to quit or she’d leave me.” He sighed. “It’s obvious what I chose, huh?”

“Hold old is your daughter?” Jasmine asked.

“Eight now, she really talented though. I send these pictures to her and she turns them into paintings. When my wife first told me about her talent, part of my hunting became finding pictures for her.” He smiled.

“Then when Jasmine came along, you didn’t approve?” Sakuya asked.

“Admittedly, no, but she has shown she can hold her own.” He said, and made Jasmine blush. Silently, Sakuya agreed, and wondered how much progress she’d make when her training began.

It seemed necessary to take a break just then, not quite in the mystery of Lazurr’s manor, but not quite in the viciousness of his keep. It didn’t allow their wounds to heal. It didn’t make the job any easier, but it calmed their mind as they approached the keep, and silently pushed the doors open. Much like the outside, the inside was dark, and the approaching night made it no easier to see. Details were sparse in the barely split darkness. Candlelights lined the walls with ten feet of distance, and in them, they could see the red carpet rolled out across dark wood. They could see the deep brown paneling, and could hear voices through the cracks of the wall. As they should, the voices led them, and made Sakuya wonder if she and the others could take Lazurr down. The monsters of his keep had done well to hurt them already, and going in wounded wouldn’t give them a better chance. As the voices grew louder, she wondered if things could be resolved peacefully or if they’d have to fight a battle they couldn’t win. As the voices reached their apex she wondered, till she felt the cold of Reginald’s arm hold her back, and was alerted to the two men who guarded a door around the corner.

“Servants of Lazurr?” Reginald asked, just as confused as them.

“They’re armed.” Takeshi said. “Why would Lazurr have armed guards that aren’t monsters, it’s not like he knew we were coming, right?” He looked throughout the group, and silently wondered if they had been betrayed.

“No…” Aeriane whispered. “Those guys aren’t men, they’re demons.” She said and now the group was alert as they peeked around the corner.

“Demons, here?” Sakuya wondered aloud, and jumped as she realized they had no wounds. “Aeriane, are these the type of demons that heal faster?” She turned to her friend who gave her a no, and made her more on edge than she already was.

“We can assume Lazurr is in there…” Reginald said. “So how do we get inside?” He asked and once more, their eyes turned to him. “It’s up to me then?” He smirked as he pulled one of the explosive shells from his sash, and swung around the corner, alerting the guards.

The shell was thrown and the duo charged him, slicing through it along the way, and smothering themselves in a puff of smoke. As the cloud cleared they slammed against the ground, and Reginald stood over them with a smirk on his face.

“That was the only one I had.” He laughed. “I’m glad it worked.” He said, and the others joined him over the knocked out men. “It was a sleep toxin, was going to use it if we ran into a really nasty beast and you four didn’t stand a chance.” He told them, and though they were a little insulted, they were happy he had it with him.

With the guards knocked out, their party moved on, and pushed opened the door of a den where they saw four other people standing. They ducked behind the pillars that circled the room, and located the monster they entered to seek. He was the backmost figure in candle light. An imposing figure that stood higher than the three in front of him, and had a robe draped down his body. Just barely, they could see his face, but sight of it proved who he was. His eyes were large and black like the swordsman beetle they had encountered before, and a black carapace seemed like a helmet on his head, as it covered the sides and nose of pure white face. Purple lips and mouth hung open to show rolls of jagged teeth. As their eyes moved down his form, they saw his carapace armored arms reaching out with a book in hand, and it drew their eyes to the person he offered it to, a blond woman with a grin on her face.

“This is what you sought, right?” He asked her and the woman nodded as she took it from his hands. “It’s yours to keep… is what I’d say if it wasn’t so obvious what you were planning to do before you left.” The monster added, and Sakuya gulped as she realized none of the three before him had even a tear in their clothes.

“I’ll admit, now that we have this book, we have no reason to keep you alive.” The woman said, and the two beside her drew blades from their scabbard. “And since I have the book, what makes you think you can get it back.” She asked and Lazurr turned his back to her, and walked toward an end table.

He picked up a clear bottle of alcohol, and poured it into a small glass, then took the glass in hand and took a sip from it.

“What are you?” He asked. “You aren’t humans.” He added, and the woman giggled.

“Demons.” She returned. “Let it be a sign of how much power our leader commands.” She said.

“Demons!” Lazurr shrieked and the party watched him quiver as his arms came up. “You think that making it to my lair without amassing one scar proves your strength. You think that the A rank monster that you’ve cut down can compare to the strength of a monster king?” He roared, and heard the armed duo progress.

“You’re wrong!” He bellowed as he spun around, and in a moment a blink had forgot, the heads of the attackers went flying as Lazurr armed himself with the tip of their sword.

“They’re weaker than me, monster!” The woman said as she armed herself with a dagger, and jumped a bit as Lazurr tossed the blade tips down and pour another drink.

“Really? I’d sooner say you were more persistent.” He said, and heard the woman gag as blood began to spill from her neck.

She was a martyr without realizing, and like one, she hit the ground hard as death finally caught up with her. Lazurr retrieved his book and placed it on his table before sitting down, and while they hid, they watched him stare at the door.

“I can smell you…” He said. “Come out!” He ordered, and all hearts sunk…

Kourin ni Tensai Chapter 11: Into the Embrace of Death

2012-05-12T18:46:00.001-04:00

Chapter 11: Into the Embrace of Death

He was extremely damaged, barely able to walk, and the worse part of the entire situation was that Asano was nowhere in sight. Ushio had somehow managed to force himself out of the decrepit house, and somehow managed to carry himself through the village till he found an out of place warehouse, but as he stood at its heavy iron door, he wonder if he had what it took to go on. It was a wonder, but a rhetorical one at that. His body was weak, and he couldn’t see himself swinging his spear, but he knew he had to go on, because turning back just wouldn’t be allowed. It wouldn’t be allowed, and as far as he could tell, he’d never get a better chance to get information than this. Thinking about it, he was a bit upset he didn't ask Rin to come along. He could have used her to distract the specter, and judging from what she told him about her abilities, he could imagine her coming out of the battle unharmed, but unfortunately, for the white haired youth, getting Rin to come wasn’t an option either.

He took in a deep breath and gave the knob a turn, pushing in the iron door and walking into the pitch-black room. In his head he cursed at his disadvantage till a light flickered on, and he saw the last of the graveyard trio standing in the center of the long tattered room.

“Damn it,” The crook cursed, but Ushio didn’t think that it was directed to him. “Damn it, I… damn it!” He seemed flustered, and more than that, he didn’t seem to know Ushio was there. “I don’t care anymore!” He roared. “I’d rather get caught by those prospect guys then to go on like this.” He stared scornfully at the screen of his cell phone, and was still oblivious to Ushio, till he turned and saw him approaching.

“Why don’t you tell me what the problem is then?” The agent approached diplomatically and got a smirk in response.

“You think I’m really going to go with you!” The crook replied and Ushio response was a smug look of disbelief.

“You don’t have a choice, as far as I can tell.” He replied and the crook was taken aback. “I can surmise that your life is in danger, in which case, I can help you.” Ushio returned and the crook weighed the options he had. “You and your little group made the worse mistake you could make. Somehow, Yui… no, Nobuki gave you those powers with the intent to have you help Yui and instead of doing that, you and your friends decided to be crooks. At first it was fine, Yui didn’t care because who would believe that a group of ghosts or whatever were responsible for robbery.”

“Nobody!” The crook answered, clearly proud in his idea.

“Nobody but Prospect,” Ushio replied and the crook was taken aback again. “And that’s where you messed up. When the worst thing you had worry about was the Asabi Police Department, Yui didn’t care, but it became a problem when Asano and I came into the town. She knew we’d catch onto her eventually, and she was extremely cautious when Nobuki told her we already knew about her.” He continued, and reveled in his accuracy as he watched the crook grit his teeth.

“Yeah you’re right.” He let out a nervous laugh. “Everything was fine until you two came along, and now I have to choose between jail and being killed!” He roared and Ushio shook his head.

“No, because turning yourself in is clearly the smarter option.” Ushio replied and the glower the crook gave him in response foreshadowed his next course of action, as cloth, skin, and flesh peeled away from his arms, leaving naught but bone. He reached down and grabbed a four foot bar that lay to his side, then held it up for Ushio to watch it contort into a scythe with a glowing blade.

“Or I can kill you and take your body to Yui!” He roared, and he was caught off guard by how wide Ushio’s eye became. Since the first moment he saw the white haired boy, standing behind a cute girl, he hadn’t expected his composure to be broken, and never expected a face like this. For a moment he wonder if it was sarcastic till he realized it was genuine surprise, and was ready to take his charge, till he heard a small laugh escape.

That was when Ushio fell down on one knee, holding his body up with the rigidness of his spear, while his chest heaved in and out, and he let out a booming laugh. Another thing the crook didn’t expect when he first saw the stern look on Ushio face, was hysterical laughter, but much like surprise, that was what he was getting now.

“I told you that turning yourself in was the smarter option instead of better because I realized you were an idiot, but I didn’t imagine that you were that dumb!” Ushio pulled himself up, but still found himself in the reveries of laughter. “Did you really just suggest that killing a Prospect agent would solve all of your problems? Not that you’d be allowed to. Of all the Prospect agents you could kill, I’d be the worse.” He said and watched the glower returned. “Besides that, do you really think Nobuki would let you?”

“Probably not,” A familiar voice caught Ushio off guard and made him turn his attention toward the back of the room. “But last time I checked, we didn’t work for Nobuki.” It was Byakko that spoke and it was clear that he had activated his power, as he came into the light of the room.

“Yui wouldn’t agree with that!” Ushio objected. “She’d know better. There’s no way Nobuki wouldn’t tell her what killing me would mean!” He roared and Byakko smirked as he shook his head.

“Maybe she doesn’t have to worry anymore.” He said, and the mere possibly that was true was all it took to distract Ushio as Byakko whipped up his blade.

Still confused, the agent was left defenseless as the blade shot his way, till something slice through the warehouse wall and cut the attack off. The door came open again, this time audible in the silence of the room, and Asano stood by Ushio side as they looked onto the man.

“Sorry I’m late.” She huffed as she stopped beside him, and made Ushio wonder if she heard any of what he said.

“Two Prospect agents, huh?” Byakko sighed as he looked at Asano, and recalled the information he had been given. “I liked the idea of finishing you off, after Nobuki interrupted me, but to be frank I didn’t come here to fight either of you two.” He said, and Ushio made a wide eyed charge as noticed where Byakko stood and realized what was coming next.

In that second, a few things had come to him. The first was that Asano didn’t know what was going on, because she didn’t make a move like him, and the second was that the crook was blind, and deceived by Byakko’s words. He ran, but his wounded body couldn’t close the distance fast enough, as Byakko placed his hand on the crook’s back, and jabbed on of his blades through. Ushio stopped, and watched the bar return to its original form, and watched as the crook fell forward, on to the cold cement floor.

"His code name was Reaper by the way.” Byakko smirked as he shook the blood from his hand, and made Ushio transform his spear into a scepter and point it, only for the man to suddenly disappear.

“Ushio…” Asano ran over to him, not sure what had gone wrong but knowing that Reaper shouldn’t be dead. “What happened here?” She asked, and wondered if things would have been different if she made it there sooner.

“I don’t know all the details…” Ushio replied as he fell down beside Reaper, hoping there was a pulse. “But it seems like Yui isn’t afraid of Prospect or that man anymore.” He grimaced as he confirmed the Reaper was dead, and wondered what they could do next…

Nuut Wereld Chapter 20: Theatrical Break

2012-05-10T00:44:00.003-04:00

Chapter 20: Theatrical Break

ith everything that had transpired shortly after they met Parlia, Kiara was sure they’d never reach the next town, but was happy that she was wrong. She had always liked camping. She had enjoyed the quiet night and the small sounds she heard when she rested against the cold ground, but what she liked the most about it was how grateful she was when she could finally go home. It wasn’t going home, but reaching the next town was just as good, as she marveled the beautiful sight and looked forward to the inn’s bed. The town itself was a dock that rested against a lake. White buildings lined brick streets with beds of flowers, and in the distance of the town, several boats could be seen resting on the calm wave. It was almost resort like in its extravagance and mass. They found themselves in a busy shopping arcade as they made their way to the inn, and could see the flavor of the city in the people that surrounded them. It was like a powerful melody that swept them off their feet. Pulling them into the festivities as they began to inspect the shops.

“Wow, this is an old one.” Diana laughed as she looked at a bookshelf and pull off a magazine, drawing Kiara over as she sought intrigue as well.

“What is it?” The red-eyed girl laughed and a smile came across Diana’s face as she turned toward her and tapped a page.

Kiara looked and saw a wall of text lined under an interesting picture. A young girl, maybe a little older than her, stood in masculine clothes with long red hair pulled into a ponytail behind her head, and looked longingly into the eyes of a blonde girl around the same age who seemed resistant to the occasion.

“A play?” She asked as she investigated the text.

“Yes,” Diana smiled beaming.

“And that person is you?” Kiara asked as she found Diana’s name and saw her shine with pride.

“Yeah, a few years back I joined a travelling troupe that performed plays all around the world. It was an all-girl troupe, and I was often casted in male roles.” She explained and was joined by Keigo, Danson, and Parlia as the conversation pulled them over.

“If I recall right, you were pretty pissed when the baron approached you.” Keigo laughed and Diana’s brow furrowed.

“I don’t know what he was expecting. He just walked up to me and said, ‘Young lady, I think you’d look better in male clothes,’ I mean it’s not like I was walking around in a skirt.” She pouted and Danson laughed.

“If that wasn’t bad enough,” Keigo turned to Kiara. “The same reviewer would say over and over again that while the other actresses who played males were powerful and convincing, Diana always seemed like the odd man out.”

“So to speak,” Diana tacked on, making sure Keigo’s quote was correct.

“I used to love watching Diana act.” Parlia chimed in. “When I was younger, whenever their troupe was in Rial I would beg my mom or dad to take me, and would always have fun watching them put on a show.” Parlia eyes twinkled as she thought back, and silently Kiara wondered how the performance went.

“Hmm, if I recall correctly, you did get to play a female character at one point, right Diana?” Danson asked, and the redhead gave him a nod.

“It was the last role I got to play with them.” She let out a reminiscent sigh. “Wait, you saw one of my plays?”

“It was the first and only one I ever saw. A friend I had been traveling with was in love with one of the elfish actresses, and really wanted to see her on stage.” Danson explained and Diana shook her head.

“He must have been disappointed that day, then.” She said and Danson agreed.

“He was at first, but watching you on stage changed his mind. I think it was the first time he ever liked a human girl.” Danson laughed, and Keigo smirked.

“It’s Diana, there’s no reason to be surprised.” He said, and the trio laughed, leaving Kiara all alone as she wondered just how moving the plays had been.

Her wonder translated over to her face, as Diana looked toward her and turned back to the shelf. She inspected the many books, seeing some that she’d love to read, but kept her mind set on just one, till she found it, and pulled it from the shelf.

“Keigo, do you know the lines?” She asked him as she showed him the book, and Keigo gave back a smile.

“Yeah, but I’m being the guy.” He said and Diana’s response was a vehement rejection.

“Keigo, you’re not tall enough to be the guy, so pretty yourself up and play your role.” She ordered and Keigo gave her a dirty look before agreeing as he used his magic to change himself into a girl.

“Now we just need a narrator.” He said, and shocked Kiara with the change to his voice.

“Let me do it.” Parlia pleaded. “I’ve seen this play enough that I can capture the atmosphere perfectly.” She said and Diana handed the book over before pulling Keigo to the center of the arcade.

“Finally he had made it back to where it all began. The golden hill that looked over the sea, and as he pulled his body up, each step ravaging him with pain, he saw the person he met that day, staring back with heavy eyes.” The narration began, and drew a crowd.

“You’re back!” Keigo spoke as Diana played the role of a wounded warrior, as she limped over toward him and stared with venomous scorn.

“And no thanks to you!” Just barely she disguised her voice, but did so enough that she didn’t sound the same. “Had I known that on that day I would be cast into chaos’ maul, I would have never come to you.” Her words were as venomous as her stare, and left both Kiara and the audience intrigued.

“I never would l have let you go if I knew that you would be hurt!” Keigo cried and Diana shook her head.

“It was not the blade that cut my flesh, nor the arrows that ran me through. It was not the weight of the mace slammed against my back, or the poisonous darts they threw. On this day, the day that I die, I want you to know that what hurt me the most was the wrath you dealt to my heart!” Diana’s response was thunderous.

“Please, you have to forgive me…” Keigo reached a feminine hand out.

“Whence my forgiveness would have come is torn beyond repair. It once was given to you, but now scorn resides there.” Diana slapped his hand away.

“But I love you, I really do!” Keigo called on and received Diana’s back as she turned away from him and began to walk off, and though Kiara was expecting another line, the quiet rejection was all she needed to know that this story had a tragic end.

There was silence for a moment before the crowd gave their performance a cheer, and Diana ran over to Kiara to see what she thought.

“I don’t think I did that role justice.” Diana laughed. “It was from a story about a knight who falls in love with an enemy kingdom’s spy. Halfway through the story, she reveals her identity to him and he decides to trust her regardless but…”

“When she tells him the location of her ally’s camp, he goes there and gets ambushed, only barely making it out of there alive.” Parlia jumped in and Diana nodded.

“So she didn’t really love him?” Kiara asked.

“She did,” Keigo replied as he returned to his true form. “But to find out the rest of the details, you should really read the book.” He passed the book from Parlia to her, and Kiara stared at its cover.

“So Diana, you must have really loved that troupe, huh?” Her red eyes turned to the red haired woman, who gave back a longing nod.

“It was great. When I joined them I was surrounded by so many people, and to do plays I had to learn so much. The reason I know magic and how to fight is all because of the other girls in the group.” Diana closed her eyes and thought back.

“It was good for the both of us.” Keigo added. “I was the only guy there if you don’t count the baron, but all the girls were kind to me and treated me like family.” Kiara could see Keigo was thinking back too.

“Why did you two leave?” She asked the first thing that came to mind, but knew she wouldn’t get an answer, as she watched shadowy hands reach out in the corner of her eye, and wrapped around Parlia as they pulled her into the crowd.

The other three had seen the abduction as well and quickly faced the criminal’s way, but were held back as he weaved through the throng, and they barely managed to take a step. With difficulty, they managed to get through, using Keigo’s agility to keep track of the culprit, and watched as a shadow sprung from the crowd and landed on a boat.

“Marco,” Keigo heard the man call out to another on the boat, and jumped from a building onto the dock, as he tried to stop their escape. “Get this baby out of here!” The man yelled and Keigo watched helplessly as the boat swung around, and danced off onto the lake…

[Chapter 20 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 18: Treacherous Locale

2012-05-09T01:24:00.000-04:00

Chapter 18: Treacherous Locale

azurr’s Keep was a place like none other they had seen. A grove that greeted them with a wet dirt roads and leaning trees that let down purple leaves from ledges. They could hear the many sounds of animals within. The large birds that cawed overhead and the small creatures hidden in the brush, that cried out as if to ask for help. It was a strange sight to look at and expect possible death. A peaceful place, both beautiful and graceful, that played the songs of its animal dwellers like a welcoming tune for the on-looking party.

“This is Lazurr’s Keep?” Aeriane couldn’t believe it herself. She had expected a place with ever looming darkness. A place where only the most resilient trees and plants could grow, and those that did wore skulls to ward off anyone who dared pass them by.

“Not what you expect, right?” Reginald asked as he patted his cut short hair. “When I went after my first target, I didn’t think it’d be in a picture perfect place either. I expected something gloomy but…” He looked onto the grove and thought back to his first hunt, and the tall thin trees that held hands and gave the sunlight a green tint.

“This is nice.” Aeriane replied, failing to hold back a smile.

“As strange as it might sound, some monster hunters only hunt monsters to see these sights.” Reginald laughed and let the four stare in awe for a bit longer, as he grabbed his rifles from the back of the truck, and wrapped a belt of explosives around his waist. “When you’re ready.” He told them as he began to walk toward the keep, and though they followed, Sakuya silently wondered why they didn’t continue in the truck.

As they made their first step into the keep, and felt their feet sink into the soft dirt, they realized the place was more bountiful than before, as its orchestra played all around them. Though they continued to follow Reginald, wary of losing their way, not one amongst them could resist the symphony or prepare themselves for what the hunter had seen many times before. To them, the place was a sight worth seeing, but to him it was a danger zone, and that realization soon became apparent as Jasmine tripped over a protruding root and brought the group to a stop.

“This ain’t good!” Reginald dived through them and covered the girl, holding up his iron arm as several quills shot toward him, and making the trio of teens alert as the prepared to counter the attacker.

Before Sakuya could even pull her sword from its scabbard however, she heard the bang of the rifle going off and watched something bulbous fall from a tree, before hearing the rifle go off again, and watching a muscular beast fall back. She stared with awe as Reginald rose and shook the pins from his arm, before pulling Jasmine up and turning to the others.

“C tier monsters, that one there is a sniping toad.” He pointed to the bulbous creature, a blue and green toad that stood at a child’s height, with large holed fingers. “And that one’s a root tail.” He nodded toward the furry muscular beast that lied sprawled out, with a hole in its chest.

“How did you know that was going to happen?” Jasmine asked, grateful that he saved his life, but ever filled with intrigue.

“You’ll never encounter a root tail without a sniping toad nearby. The root tail feeds its tail through the ground, and pulls it up when small enough prey approaches, then uses its strength to make a run for it because it knows the toad will hunt it. The toad meanwhile, poison’s the root tail’s prey, causing it to die later on after it consumes it.” He explained and Jasmine looked at the two beasts and wondered what would have happened to her, had Reginald not been there.

“Thank you.” Sakuya said, and the man smiled.

“It only gets harder from here.” Reginald returned, and the party braced themselves as they realized it was time to rush through.

When they were told that fighting monsters was a lot harder than fighting people, the warnings they got had barely given them an idea of what they’d be fighting. They had rush through the keep, letting Reginald lead the charge, and although he used telltale signs to find out where predators were, it wasn’t enough to keep the seasoned warriors from amassing scars. It had even surprised them at times, as they met all too wary monsters who were cautious of their moves, ready to dodge every spell and attack let free. By the time things had calm down, they learned that they had only traversed half of the keep, and looked upon their many wounds, wondering if they could go the rest.

“It’s hard huh?” Reginald asked as he lay against a tree, and gulped a canister of water down.

“It’s brutal.” Sakuya replied, a bit happy that she was sure no one else had gone this way.

“That’s a good summary.” Reginald said. “The monsters we’ve fought so far are C and B tier, it gives you a good idea of how dangerous Lazurr is when you consider he’s S tier.” He explained, and watched with one open eye as Aeriane healed Sakuya’s wound.

“It’s a good thing I’m here then.” Aeriane said as she noticed him watching, and wondered what Takeshi was up to, as she saw him look down behind a tree.

“I think this guy would have thought the same.” The fighter said, and was joined by Jasmine and Reginald as they looked at a slashed up corpse.

“A swordsman, like Sakuya?” Jasmine looked up to her ally who looked at the tattered man.

“These look like blade wounds. Do you think someone else is here?” Takeshi looked over to Sakuya, then to Reginald as he shook his head.

“No…” The scarred man seemed solemn as he kneeled down. “This person came across a dangerous A-tier monster.” He seemed a bit fretful as his hands tapped the explosives around his sash, contemplatively.

That was when he heard what sounded like cracking branches in the distances, and turned wide eyes toward the open road before looking around at the kids. He waved his hands to get them to go to cover, before he heard the crack again and ducked behind a tree. Silently they watched as a figure came into sight. A man or what seemed like one, with a cloak wrapped around his body and a rain hat hiding its head. He slowly walked in their direction, eyes focused on the road ahead, till it stopped and Reginald cursed, watching it kneel down to inspect footsteps.

“Damn it.” He said as it rose up, and a quivering Jasmine whispered as she slid close to him.

“What is it?” She asked and Reginald pulled out one of his explosives and eyed it.

“It’s a swordsman beetle.” He said before returning it to his sash, and inspecting his ammo pouch. “There are monsters who work like animals, attacking people and other creatures in search of food, but then there are some like them.” He said as he loaded a few more bullets into his rifle. “These monsters live to fight, and the swordsman beetle is one built to do exactly that. It will only fight other things with blades, and with swift movements and sharp strikes few people ever survive an encounter.” He pulled the gun up to his chest, and jumped a little as he heard Takeshi move closer.

“If it only fights people with blades, why are you prepared to shoot?” The boy whispered.

“I told you – it’s built to fight. They possess the ability to determine whether there’s a blade wielder nearby by examining footprints, and if they find signs, they won’t leave until they’re fought. They’re the lesser evil of the two beetles that you can come across, but the worse will appear if this one isn’t taken care of soon enough.” A further explanation was given, and finally Reginald wondered if he was skilled enough to get in one clean shot.

That was when Sakuya came out of hiding and drew her sword from its scabbard. She had been on the ledge across the way, but close enough that she could hear them whispering, and it left him wondering what was going through her mind. He had seen her fight. He had seen her go up against some of the fiercest beast, but he knew her skill wasn’t enough, and considering what he saw, he knew she knew the same. He knew Sakuya didn’t think she was strong enough, but what he didn’t know was what she saw. What he didn’t know was that Sakuya didn’t see a frightening creature disguised as a man, but actually her brother. Stronger, faster, skilled at cutting others down. Those were all things she had seen in Tsutomu, but one thing that the beetle lacked, was a willingness to go easy on her.

“It’s too late now.” Reginald lowered his rifle as he saw the rain hat and cloak dance through the air, and wished Sakuya luck as the beetle flipped swords from four of its arms.

Before it was ready to strike, Sakuya had a moment to take in its look. It was tall bug that stood on two legs. Standing at somewhere around six feet, its body was thin and its carapace was dark blue. Large black bug like eyes summed her up at the same time, and had the mandibles that protruded from its mouth gave it room to speak, she was sure it’d thank her for the battle. If the mandibles allowed it to speak, she was sure it would say that one thing and then it’d be off toward her like it was now, holding four swords behind it as it rushed across the soft dirt. She prepared herself as the distance was cut and swung helplessly as the bug sidestepped her, and swung its leg around. She lunged forward as it slammed into her back, and tried to turn to meet its blades, but instead felt four wounds tear into her as each of its blades were thrust. The pain stunned her as one of its arms came up, but she recovered fast enough to block the blade, but not fast, enough to block its second as one came around and cut into her side. She let out a shriek as the blade came free, and Reginald held back Takeshi and Jasmine as they prepared to run to her aid, then nodded toward a tree in the distance.

“We can’t help.” He said. “The assassin beetle is already here.” He looked away as Sakuya’s body road across the ground.

The beetle stood over her as she pushed herself to her feet, and had its mandibles allowed it to talk, she was sure it would ask her why she even stepped out. It let her struggle as she rose up, and silently Sakuya wondered if she had an excuse. Silently, she wondered if she could blame her weakness on the wounds she had got before, but she didn’t, because she knew she’d be shown no quarter. This time, she charged forward and swung down hard, feeling the density of the beetle’s swords as they blocked hers, and throwing herself back as the two lower ones came forward. A cut in her leg made her fall to one knee at the descent of her jump, and left her rolling back as the beetle swung down. It progressed and thrust forward with frightening speed, missing Sakuya as she managed to dodge, but leaving her unable to attack.

The bug had done damage. It had left some severe blows, and she could feel her body grow weaker as she lost more and more blood. She was ready to use the bleeding sword technique, but didn’t know which attack when end the battle fast enough, and for a second it made her wonder what she could do to teach Jasmine.

“In all honesty, you’re stronger than me.” She told the bug, regardless of whether it could understand. “I know this, and I know I have to win, but I don’t want a victory by pulling off some lucky move.” She murmured, but still directed her words at the bug that looked on with emotionless eyes. “I took in a student, but really there’s a lot I need to learn. If I can’t win a fight without starting with the benefit, then I don’t even have a right to wield a sword.” She continued. “So this will probably be my final move.” She held her blade with both hands and watched the blood pour down from its tip. The bug folded three of its blades back into its arms and held out one as if to say it understood, and was ready to give her an honorable final blow.

“Bloody fang!” Sakuya yelled as she charged the bug with her sword held up, and swung it down as they met each other half way. She felt it collide with its carapace, and felt its blade tear viciously into the side of her chest, then hit the ground as the pain made her stumble, but still looked back. The bug stood still for a moment, almost as if its mind was somewhere else, before it turned to her and showed her the blue blood that coursed from a facial wound.

“So it was…” Sakuya stared defeated, destroyed by how shallow the wound, was before the bug turned away again. It walked toward its straw rain hat, and tossed it on its head, then walked toward its cloak and wrapped it around its body. Once more, it looked at her, and Sakuya wondered what it would say if its mandibles allowed it to talk, before it jumped off into the brush and Reginald ran to her side.

“Why did it let me live?” She huffed as Aeriane and the others came over, and she began tending to her wounds.

“I think you convinced it to. Just for a moment I think it wondered if it should kill you, or let you grow stronger, it chose the latter.” Reginald answered, and as Aeriane casted the final wound away, Sakuya sat up and held her side.

“It devastated me…” She murmured, and the hunter gave her a pat on the back.

“But it let you live, and that means something.” He told her as he helped her to her feet, and once more, they looked down the wet dirt road, ready to move toward Lazurr’s home again…

Kourin Ni Tensai Chapter 10: Restless Sleeper

2012-05-07T18:43:00.003-04:00

Chapter 10: Restless Sleeper

Ushio and Asano had checked Asabi’s town map, to see who would walk past the graveyard at this time of night. They had seen the small businesses set up, an office building for modifying robot intelligence, a bar they sat quietly in the back of an alley, and even an old library that could no longer get visitors, but as Ushio reached to top of the hill, he realized there was a lot more to see. It was beautiful in the nuance of the night. Buildings jotting up from the ground and falling apart, like a graveyard no longer tended by its keeper, and not one thing in the phantom ruined gave a sign of life. Beyond the Asabi graveyard that laid on the edge of town, was another graveyard in and of itself, standing as a monument to architectural marvel.

“A… village?” Ushio couldn’t restrain the words as he slid down the side of the slope, and looked down the long torn roads.

He progressed in the village, noting that it was the criminals he was after, but still he found it interesting, and wondered why it was nowhere on the map. It was small enough to be a part of Asabi, an easily traversed place where the square could be reached in a few minutes, and though a foreboding show of what times forgetfulness could bring, it stood to show that Asabi could last forever.

“It doesn’t make sense.” Ushio’s unrestrained words and thoughts came together, and made him stop at a worn out bulletin board. “Did they really neglect to add it to the map? Or maybe it’s not a part of Asabi?” He looked back down the road. “No, it’s too close to the graveyard; it’s almost as if the graveyard is supposed to hide it. “ His speculations continued, and slowly the targets faded from his mind. Slowly, Ushio was forgetting what had brought him to the place. His mind was focused on the decaying hamlet, as if he looked into hypnotic eyes and more and more he was ready to stay there; ready to do whatever to find out the secret of the town, till something suddenly shot through him and made a static shock shoot up his back.

The shock was a powerful one that left him paralyzed for a moment, but released him from his entrancing intrigue enough to hear the cackling of someone a little ways away. The laughter stirred the agent’s rage, made him run the bulletin through, and on the other side was where he saw the jester, a shadowy figure that emitted a blue glow, and stared at him with shining yellow eyes. For a moment it left him shocked, and made the specter hold laugh collected in puffed up cheeks, till Ushio realized it was one of his targets, and let his composure return.

“What do they call you?” He asked, and though hard to tell, Ushio could see the featureless face twist in disappointment as the specter crossed its arms.

“Straight to business with you Prospect guys, huh?” It hissed, and visibly showed disdain as Ushio’s expression remained the same. “Did you ever consider that I don’t want to tell you my name?!” It roared and finally it got something from the boy, as Ushio smirked and let his spear’s shaft touch the ground.

“Fine by me,” Ushio said. “I can put a number on your case file when I’m done with you.” He laughed, and the specter was undoubtedly enraged as his eyes turned red, and he was off toward Ushio like a bullet from a gun.

The agents spear was ready as he pointed toward his target, and as the optimal distance was shaved, he swung his body around and tore through the specter’s side. Ushio was ready to claim victory when he suddenly felt something cold move through him, and let out a horrible shriek as he felt the shock course through he again.

“Thought that was all it took?” The specter laughed as it pulled its hands from Ushio’s back. “You ain’t gonna beat me like that!” He laughed making Ushio swing his spear again, this time through the bulk of the specter’s neck, and again, it remained ineffective and left Ushio open for another shock that stole his breath away.

Again, he was hit by the specter, feeling the initial chill then the powerful shock that followed, and as the specter walked through him, Ushio felt the shock surge to his body and fell down to his knees.

“Do you get it now?” The crook asked as he pulled Ushio up to him, and made him gaze into his now yellow eyes. “You don’t stand a chance against me, I ain’t banshee, and I can’t be beat.” He laughed and felt his smirk fade soon after, as a smile came across Ushio’s face. “What the hell are you smirking about you piece of s-.” He was cut short as the agent delivered a head butt, and he quickly scurried away as Ushio swung his spear around.

“There’s no such thing as unbeatable.” The haggard agent pulled himself to his feet, and made the specter grimace. “Even Nobuki has a weakness.” His mind seemed to be somewhere else.

“Yeah, but he’s strong.” The specter laughed. “And he made me strong too. Sure you saw through that little trick, but how are you going to beat this!” He taunted Ushio as plumes of smoke began to billow from the cracks in the ground, and the agent suddenly found himself surrounded by specters.

“Do you get it now?” He laughed, and Ushio gave back a weary look, destroyed by how quickly his defense plan was crushed. “I might not be unbeatable, but against you, I’m unstoppable!” He roared; as he launched his copies at Ushio who did his best do dodge.

Despite Ushio’s best, there seemed to be nothing he could do. When he tried to dodge one, another would shoot through him from the ground, and when he tried to take cover, he found that nothing could hold the specter back. He tried to hide, but the glowing yellow eyes found him wherever he went, and when he tried to attack, he found his offense as useless as before. All he could do was flee from the untouchable youth, running through the ruined village till he was lost in a decrepit house. It was dark, and the odds were against him as he hid in the shadows; and almost as if to mock him, he could hear the specter laughing away.

“You’re Ushio, right?” His predator laughed. “Nobuki said you were probably the most dangerous one. He said that Asano girl would definitely beat me, but you would completely demolish me the moment you get a chance.” He yelled, leaving the white haired youth wondering what game Nobuki was playing. “So do it already!” He roared, and this time Ushio realized he was mad. “Do your best!” He hissed and Ushio calmed himself down, realizing that even if he didn’t have a plan yet, he still had the combat advantage.

“Fine then, but remember you were the one who begged for it.” Ushio stood at the end of the ruined hall, and could see the darkness tear as the specter joined him within.

Like before he launched himself like a bullet, and watched Ushio stand his ground, too wounded to make an elaborate dodge. He slithered through his target, ready to hear his overwhelmed scream, and turned to him in complete shock, as his expectations were betrayed.

“You aren’t the only one who can duplicate themselves.” He heard Ushio’s voice and called his copy specters to survey the house. “So Nobuki told you I’d demolish you, huh?” He asked and laughed as a specter found him in the kitchen, ran him through, and looked back shocked.

“Did he tell you about Prospect technology?” He laughed as one found him in the living room. “Or rather a certain snicker they give us, one that can neutralize a negative’s powers when we place it on them?” He laughed as he was found on the roof. “We’re advised to warn hostile negatives to deactivate their powers before we place it because it feels like their skin is being burned off if they don’t, but…” A specter found him in the bathroom, and was hopeful when its strike stopped his sentence.

“All Prospect agents get those snickers, so there’s no way he’s referring to that.” He continued and heard the specter roar as his copies came back to him and they all occupied the hall. “I hate a lot of things about Nobuki, you know. He and I have an extensive history, and because of it, he knows about a lot of my powers. It is pretty annoying, to say the least.” The specter heard a footstep this time, and was sure Ushio was the real deal as he walked out of a room.

“I hate him because he knows about them, and would probably even save me, if I got stuck while using my scepter.” Ushio turned to him and pointed the scepter out, making an unseen wall hold the specter back. “When I wield this, I am the sovereign of the second world, and you have done what is necessary to be granted entrance.” Ushio spoke.

“Do you think this wall is going to hold me back?!” The specter roared, slamming his hands against it.

“Before you continue there are two rules I must establish, the first.” Ushio continued, ignoring his opponent’s words. “Is that there’s no such thing as untouchable.” He said, and watched the specter’s eyes flash red for a moment, before returning to their default. “And the second is that you’re in intense pain.” His decree was passed and he watched the specter fall to his knees as he felt a pain so horrible, he couldn’t let lose a scream. He collapsed as the pain finally faded away and haggardly, Ushio walked over and placed a sticker on his neck, then let out a sigh as he turned his attention toward the door.

“One down,” He said, and wondered if he could take out the other as he left the house, limping along the way…

Nuut Wereld Chapter 19: Brethren in Battle

2012-05-03T21:17:00.004-04:00

Continued from Chapter 17

Chapter 19: Brethren in Battle

Standing mightily, Keigo and Danson looked upon the two other males and wondered briefly, what Diana and Kiara were up against, when they realized the assassin wasn’t there. Silently the two figured they’d have to finish the battle quickly, but at least one of them wanted to savor it, as he wiped blood from his face.

“Hey, Danson!” Keigo stared at his hand, and called to the elf behind him, who gave him his attention. “Did you really trip me?!” He roared and Danson held back a laugh as Keigo finally caught on, and he still tried to deny it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He held his composure, remaining as focused on the fight as Keigo might have suspected.

“Don’t play stupid with me; you froze the ground so that I would trip!” Keigo saw through the façade and Danson let out a rolling laugh.

“What else could I have done?” He asked, still smiling, but more subtly now. “I had to get you out of the illusion, and pain was the only thing I could think of.” He pleaded, and Keigo stared daggers.

“So tripping me was the best option?!”

“You would have dodged anything else.”

“You could have frozen me in place and punched me!”

“That…” Danson hesitated. “Wouldn’t nearly have been as funny!” He roared, and the two people they were supposed to be fighting, looked on with disdain and frustration on their faces.

“Hey, Musico.” The one with slicked back red hair shook his head, as he crossed white sleeves over a dark blue vest. “I get that these two are supposed to be big shots, but should they really be disregarding us like that?” He turned to the fedora wearing man to his left who ran his finger across his hat and shook his head.

“They don’t seem to understand that despite how famous they may be, they aren’t as strong as us, Todd.” Musico replied and provided the secret requirements, to get the boy’s attention.

“Nonfactors.” Keigo replied. “If either of you were a match for either of us, we’d be giving you the attention you want, but Danson knows that all it will take is one step from me and you two are done for.”

“How do you know we aren’t illusions” Todd asked.

“Because illusions don’t work on me!” Keigo roared, and was off in the blink of an eye, swinging his blade like claws through colored smoke as he aimed for Todd’s neck. The dancing smoke mocked him as it congregated, and reformed into a smirking man.

“Danson, what the hell!” Keigo roared, and Danson held back a laugh.

“You were so confident; I didn’t want to tell you.” He said with a smirk, but let his smile fade as he accepted it was time to focus. “It must be smell based. They knew normal illusions wouldn’t work on you, so their using that cat’s nose of yours to rope you in with this one.” He explained and the illusions faded away as their technique was revealed.

With deceptive clouds gone, Keigo took a whiff of the air in and focused his eyes off into the distance. As he began to charge, he stopped at the trumpeting of a trombone, and felt a heavy strike collide into his chest. It knocked the transformer back, and left him a little dazed as he heard the trumpeting again, before Danson slid in front of him, and raised his wall of ice. Though unseen, the attack crashed into it, and both boys rethought their previous evaluation as the wall went tumbling down and they stared toward Keigo’s target, both with wide eyes.

“Seems like sound magic.” Danson said as the trumpet played in the background.

“And he’s mocking us.” Keigo grimaced, as the trumpet played magnificently.

“You can see them, right?” Danson asked.

“Yeah.” Keigo nodded, and the elf put a smile on his face as he looked toward where he imagined they were standing.

“Go!” He yelled, and Keigo was off, moving despite what happened before with only one goal in mind.

He could hear the rhapsody turning toward him, and could see Musico doing the same, but despite what he both heard and saw he charged, and felt something cold shoot past him as Danson’s crystal cannon released a blast. It collided with the blast of Musico’s attack, and left a veil of a chilly mist to hide where he would strike next. Their enemies watched helplessly till Keigo burst through the cloud, and tried and failed to stop him as his eyes turned Todd’s way. He jumped toward him, claws pulled back and ready for a gruesome slice, and behind him, Musico brought his trumpet up to his lips, ready to blow Keigo away.

“Campo abaixo de zero.” Danson yelled as he slammed his hand on the ground, and watched as the frozen dirt rushed toward the musician and sealed him where he stood. Frozen feet did nothing to stop Musico from blowing his horn, but they had served at least one purpose, as his black eyes watched Keigo pull away. The powerful shriek let free from his horn blew his ally away, and left him vulnerable as Keigo’s arms swung back, and he quickly advanced onto his prey.

“Guillotine slash,” Keigo roared as his claws began to glow and Musico stared with complete distress as a blade of light came flying his way. He blew his horn, hoping the sound would deafen the blow, but was still left screaming as it cut into his chest and freed him of his frozen bindings with its force. With scorn, he looked onto Keigo as he began to advance again, but failed to stop him in his tracks as he slashed out and droplets of blood danced through the air.

That was when Keigo shrieked as he fell to his knees, and Musico kicked him in the back, before jumping out of the way of Danson’s blast, He spat on the ground as the hovered over the boy, then looked down to him and back to Danson.

“I’m a sound mage!” He roared. “Did you really think that my trumpet was the only weapon I had?!” He bellowed and thought back to the moment of his swipe, and the brief snap he heard before everything went red.

“And to think.” Danson saw a phantom emerge from thin airs as Todd descended upon Keigo and wrapped his arm around his neck. “Did you really ignore me thinking all I could do was cast illusions?” he said as he placed a dagger against the young man’s letting him know that his answer would be the difference between a quick or slow death.

“No, I didn’t think that at all.” Keigo struggled. “I just knew that you’d be the first one we finished off.” He said as he pull his transformations strength to the test and swung Todd around, just as Danson slid over to him and drove a sword through his back.

The redhead fell limp as the blade came free, and his body began to freeze as it fell to the ground. That left only Musico, who stood shock by the sudden change of events, and helpless as Keigo finally delivered a slit to his throat. Blood spilled forth as he joined Todd on the ground, and the victorious males looked on with exhaustion, and bit upset about how much damaged Keigo got.

“A risky move, Danson.” He said, as he placed his hand on the wound the crystal blade had given.

“Risky, but necessary, besides, I wouldn’t have done it if there wasn’t a healer nearby.” Danson said, and hoisted Keigo’s arm over his shoulder as he let his magic sensing guide him to where Diana and the others were…

[Chapter 19 ends…]

Nuut Wereld Chapter 18: A Masterful Combo?

2012-05-03T21:16:00.003-04:00

Continued for Chapter 16

Chapter 18: A Masterful Combo?

This wouldn’t be the first time that Kiara would have to fight, not after the battle she had with the golden-eyed woman, and not after the assistance, she provided against Lien, but despite the encounters she had before, this one felt completely different. This one wasn’t going to be like have first magical bout, where she was fighting fast and hard to protect her friends, and it wasn’t going to be like her second, where Danson and Keigo had done most of the work. Diana was there to help her, and she knew that the young redhead would do a lot more than herself, but this time she knew she couldn’t hold back, and this time, she didn’t want to. It seemed like time slowed down just long enough for her to gather her thoughts and bring her hands together. She thought back to the dream, what it taught her, and what she feared and calmed her heart a little, as she began to conjure her flames. She could feel the heat between her clasped hands. She could feel the blaze burning in her scarlet eyes, and although she wanted to say she wasn’t afraid, wanted to say she could control her fire now, her mind stopped her as it sank back to the sound of scorch conjured screams.

“I can’t do it…” She murmured to herself, and suddenly felt a gale of wind as Diana stepped in front of her and stopped Vanessa in her tracks.

Kiara watched with amazement as the redhead pushed the woman back, reversing her advance with a volley of kicks, and punches that collided with the ferocity of a beast, yet still managed to do little damage. It was impressive watching the older woman kick at Vanessa, and she was in awe as the laceration a swing of a small blade delivered did little to hold her back, but as Kiara watched, feeling lower than she had before, she began to notice something, and realized there was nothing Diana could do. Diana was a master of combos, combining each break in her furious attack with a release of a magic charge, but despite the grace, Vanessa remained unaffected. She remained unaffected as Diana threw down a charge that blew up a cloud of dirt, and she remained unaffected as Diana pulled up behind her and swung a power kick around. Kiara didn’t know that much about fighting, and had been in a lot less than at least one of her friends would approve, but despite that she could tell that something was off, and as Diana received a blade to her leg, she realized she had to let her know. She gave up on conjuring her flames and conjured a gale instead, blowing Vanessa away, and watching her land with grace.

“Kiara, what was that?” Diana asked, hiding behind a wall of bravado, a bit of relief.

“Something’s wrong.” Kiara replied. “I don’t know what it is, but doesn’t something seem wrong about the way that woman fights?” She asked and Diana stared at Vanessa then at the wounds on herself, and slowly began to put together the pieces.

“That other girl!” She barked and the smirk that came across Vanessa’s face, told her she had finally caught on. “I completely forgot about the puppeteer.” She grimaced, and even though Kiara had keyed her in, she herself was still left behind.

“I don’t understand.” She said, and Vanessa snickered.

“Then you’re not a very good mage, and you’re an even worse teammate.” She scoffed, and showed Kiara the back of her hands. “The redhead caught on so sure, I’ll tell you. These circles you see are the connection between me, and Cammie back there.” She laughed.

“She’s covering for her.” Diana extended. “When you get into a fight, if you aren’t used to fighting at close range, you enter what’s called tunnel vision, which pretty much focuses your eyes on the person you’re trying to strike. I assume it’s supposed to help you fight better, but all the same it can be responsible for you getting attacked from behind so…”

“So the puppeteer is working like another pair of eyes, using the distance between her and the actions to watch the assassin’s back!” The trick was revealed and the smirk across Vanessa’s face told Kiara she was on the right track.

“It’s a bit stupid though.” Diana laughed. “Telling us your fancy technique, tells me who I have to aim for!” She said, and Kiara saw a charge just briefly, before Diana stamped down on it, and was launched the puppeteer’s way.

Like a bullet she zipped pass Vanessa, completely undetected, and was ready to deliver a powerful hit, before something sharp dug into her side. The sudden pain sent her for a loop, and made her crash into a tree as she missed Cammie completely, and grasped the tear in her flesh.

“Ones a bad teammate,” Vanessa said. “And the other is pretty headstrong. Did you really think I’d tell you that and not have a safeguard up around Cammie?” She turned to Diana, and Kiara’s eyes turned onto the ground around Cammie, as a dim light began to fade away.

“Diana, I’m sorry…” She murmured, accepting Vanessa’s assessment as truth, and the wounded redhead who rose in the distance put on a smile before standing up proud.

“Kiara.” She said. “I don’t blame you for anything, I was the one who charged in like an idiot after all, and I’ve been fighting people like them for years.” She told her and Kiara felt tears gather in her eyes, before quickly wiping them away and becoming resolute.

“Who do you want to focus on, Nessa?” Cammie asked.

“The short one doesn’t matter; it’s the bolt that we have to worry about.” Vanessa said, and called out a blade of light as she ran her left hand across her right.

Insulted and left behind, Kiara watched haplessly as Vanessa shot toward Diana. She watched the sniper swing her bladed arm down, and watched Diana make a weak dodge, before throwing out a punch that was destined to miss. She watched the redhead hold back a scream as the blade tore into the flesh above her eye. Vanessa had told her that she was terrible, and left her watching because of that. Diana fought hard; despite the wounds, she had accumulated and made Kiara consider what she could do.

As she heard a yelp come from her redheaded acquaintance, she focused her eyes on Cammie and thought about what she had seen. When Diana had attacked, like a proximity mine the spear of light have jotted up, stabbing her before she saw it, and forcing her off path. From that, she could assume that there were more all around her, but wondered just how much “all around” meant as her eyes trailed to the sky above.

“An aerial attack…?” She considered, but wondered how she’d go about it, before she saw Diana sore through the air, and crash down with a powerful kick. “That’s it!” She yelled, and was happy her opponents were ignoring as she began to conjure her spell.

She could feel the magic gathering into her hands, before she closed her eyes and felt it throughout herself, and made it go down to her feet. She felt herself float a little, and dropped back down as it caught her by surprise, then opened her eyes again and casted the spell with all of its might, launching herself into the air.

Below the two were still oblivious to what she did, and left her with a smile on her face as she looped her body down. Cammie caught her just briefly as Kiara began to fly her way, before she was thrown back by a certain burst, and sent the puppeteer flying away. Vanessa was the next to catch what Kiara had done, as she saw her partner being blown away, and turned to adjust her proximity spell, before she felt something heavy slam into her side. She grunted and looked over her shoulder to where Diana’s fist was dug in, and Diana watched her eyes grow wide as she caught on to what she was going to do.

“Bolt,” The redhead said, and wrapped her arm around her purple clad opponent as she tried to pull away. “Stinger!” She released her spell, and heard Vanessa let out a shriek, as the charge tore a nasty wound into her back.

She stumbled a bit away as Diana let her go, but knew the battle hadn’t ended as Diana swung her leg around. The hit was hard, and made Vanessa thankful for all Cammie had done as the pain from the both hits collected, and her mind found it too much to bear. Diana looked upon the two girls to confirm that things were through, before running over to Kiara and giving her a pat on the back.

“I was a little worried back there, Kiara, but you really came through for me in the end.” She smiled, but the cuts she had gained made Kiara hang her head.

“I should have done something sooner.” She said, and thought back to what she had learned; silently wondering why she couldn’t call her flames.

“It’s cool Kiara, I survived after all.” She smiled, but the look she got in response, told her Kiara wouldn’t accept forgiveness. “Besides, Parlia can patch me right up.” She said, and Parlia nodded as she walked over and scanned Diana with a ray of light. As it faded, Kiara was happy to see Diana wounds casted away, and hid her regret under that happiness as she accepted the battle had ended…

[Chapter 18 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 17: The Might of a Hunter

2012-05-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

Chapter 17: The Might of The Hunter

Although Reginald had told them to come with everything, they could, to prepare, Sakuya and the other found themselves a little overwhelmed, as they considered what items they could take along. By the end of the day, they had decided nothing, hoping their control over the benefit and magic would give them a better chance, but by the afternoon of the following day, they were wondering if their decision was sound. It had started with them going to the guild, only to find out that Reginald had already signed out. When they questioned the barmaid, she gave them the same look of disrespect before sending them to the edge of town, where they saw their escort set up. That was when they questioned their decision. They had seen the steam powered vehicle that would carry them to the keep, but before that, they saw Reginald, and the loads of weapons he loaded into the back. A war axe, a couple of rifles, boxes marked with the words “High Explosive,” and even a heavy looking gun that seemed to fire nets. The readiness was overwhelming for the neophyte, who hesitated to call out to him, fearing they’d look the fool.

“So you’re here?” He called out to them as he spotted them in the corner of his eye, and waved his heavy iron arm, beckoning them over to where he stood.

“We… we really didn’t think to get any of that.” Sakuya said, and the man let out a hardy laugh as he made room in the back of the truck for them.

“Don’t worry about it.” He said. “Remember that on my first monster hunt, I took only a knife and a gun and I still came out of there alive.” He tapped his arm, but the look between the four, told him they didn’t want to make such a close call. “Besides, getting a few scars mean you’ll get a bit of respect.” He laughed, and climbed into the truck before the four could trade another disdainful glance.

Sakuya and the others boarded the truck, careful of the weapons that Reginald put in back, and felt their bodies jerk a little, as it pulled off from the side of the road. The trip would take a while, an hour and a half at the least, but the rather pleasant breeze that rode over southwest Zhiquao would make it a trip that they could bear. From cobblestone streets, to the dirt road of the town’s border, their driver took them, and the rhythmic tapping him did against the side of the vehicle, made them realize they had nothing to do.

“I guess it can’t always be magical blast and sword fights.” Aeriane laughed, and left the others feeling awkward as they struggled for something to say. “Well, that didn’t go like I expected it would.” The young mage pouted, and managed to get a laugh out of Takeshi.

“So Takeshi,” The snicker suddenly made Sakuya alert. “You’ve said before that your style was developed to fight monsters?” She asked and the young man nodded as he leaned against the side of the truck.

“My teacher had lost his wife and child to a monster that lurked his town’s roads. Though he was a peaceful man when he trained me, back then it left him scornful, but he didn’t have any way to take the monster on.” The tale of a mourning man’s revenge began.

“Why didn’t he put out a bounty for that monster?” Aeriane asked. “My father would often stumble across monsters that had very hefty bounties on their heads in his research.” She explained and Takeshi shook his head.

“I think it was because he wanted to himself. Before it happened, my teacher was a very simple man. He was born blind, but it never stopped him from getting through life, and even starting his own little business. When he lost them, I think it made him feel helpless, and it resulted in him training six years to perfect his style.“ He explained, and made Jasmine perk up.

“Why didn’t he just get someone to teach him?” She asked and the sudden end to Reginald’s typing, keyed them in to him joining the conversation.

“Because monsters are different from people.” He started. “Sure there are many different kinds of people, many different kinds of ways to fight, but one thing will always remain the same. People have two eyes, two arms, two ears, two legs, sure, some may not work but that doesn’t change anything, we’re limited by how our bodies are built. Monsters though, they’re different, more akin to animals, except, where you could easily shoot an animals, monsters have the versatility of a human.” He explained, and Takeshi nodded in agreement.

“When my teacher was training me, he told me about some of the monsters he trained against. Some were limbless creatures, like snakes, but they were fast and made up for their lack of body parts with poisons and spikes. Other were like people, bipedal creature you could mistake for a person from afar, but were far different from any normal man or woman. They were faster, or had longer arms. They were stronger, and could blind you with a glob of ink, the list goes on but the thing that remained the same was that in his early days, he was never quite prepared for the monsters he faced, truth more so, when you remember that he was blind.” He added to the explanation, and an intrigue Jasmine listened intently.

“Such things aren’t the only stuff you have to take into account, either. “ Reginald said.

“Yeah, when you learn normal martial arts, you’re pretty much taught to finish the battle quickly. Aim for vital points; break bones, blind them, daze them, it’s pretty much simple when it’s applied against a person, but when the physiology of a monster is different, what you learn normally, won’t always apply.” Takeshi elaborated.

“So would a person be able to notice that you fight like you’re fighting monsters?” Jasmine asked.

“If they’re skilled enough, they’d notice that instead of aiming for vitals, I actually focus on heavy blows.”

“Your teacher sounds like an impressive guy.” Reginald said. “I can’t imagine how he created a style like that without the ability to see. I imagine he’s lost more limbs than me.” He laughed, and saw Takeshi shake his head in the rearview mirror. The boy looked to Sakuya who gave a nod, and let him relax.

“I think that, since his life was always pretty difficult with his blindness, it made him a prime candidate to be a benefactor.” He explained, and could foresee the confusion it created.

“What is a benefactor?” Jasmine’s eyes turned to Sakuya, but before she could get an answer, they felt the jerk of the truck, and heard its door open. They joined Reginald outside the vehicle, and looked onto the place where it had come to a stop.

“I’m sure there was a lot more y’all wanted to say.” He started as he turned brown eyes onto them. “But let’s stop the chatter now, so that I can welcome you to Lazurr’s Keep.” His arms spread wide and the four youths stood beside him, looking upon the great expanse where the key to their mission resided…

Kourin ni Tensai Chapter 9: Those Who Dance Amongst The Dead

2012-04-27T18:59:00.002-04:00

Chapter 9: Those Who Dance Amongst The Dead

A cemetery in the middle of the night was always a good place to see terrible things go down. Maybe zombies would rise from the grave and seek the flesh of the living, or a vampire would rise from a hundred year sleep, ready to regain a long dead throne. It was a place where ghouls and ghosts lay. A place you’d normally avoid to visit, the moment the sun sank into the horizon, but unfortunately, for the two Prospect agents, they’d have to fight both fear and cold. They had come out into the night, dressed completely in black. Stealthy enough to avoid the detection of any passerby, but unwilling in entirety to avoid the detection of the crooks that lied within. They were over a fence and zipping pass the many tombstones that lined a hill, until they found the trio Kouta had mentioned, sitting around a grave with the flare of their cigarettes giving minor sight of their faces.

“Hey boys, look what we got here.” One of them rose to their feet as they saw Ushio and Asano coming over, pulling his wool hat a little further down his head, almost as if to keep them from seeing his face.

“More targets?” Another rose and made Ushio grimace as his cigarette fell from his hand and he smothered it into the pristine graveyard’s ground.

“I don’t think so.” The last of the males stood, and gave the duo a chance to take them all in, noticing that they could not quite see their faces, but would recognize them easily from the matching coats they wore.

“You’re right to think that.” Asano stepped forward. “We’re here for two things, and if you give them both to us, you’ll find you won’t have to see us again.” She said and the boys traded a look before snickering, and turning hidden eyes back to her.

“What makes you think we’re going to give you anything?” The leader of their group laughed, and Asano’s eyes focused on him as she tried to assign a name.

“Because all we want is information, and risking your lives to protect that really isn’t worth it.” She replied and their leader laughed once more before she finally decided to call him, idiot.

“Go ahead sweetheart; ask your questions, we’ll definitely cooperate.” The idiot spoke and as if puppets dancing to his command, his goons laughed again.

“First of all.” Ushio stepped to Asano’s side. “Is it true that you’re stealing from the people who walk by this place?” He asked before thinking back to when they set off, and how he checked the town’s map, to see who’d actually go this way.

“What are you, cops? What makes you think we’re going to answer that?” The idiot said and Asano crossed her arms, and replied with a laugh of her own.

“Because it’s not worth endangering your lives.” She reminded them, and just barely, she could see a smirk turn up, in the light of the idiot’s cigarette. His fingers danced across a phone as he pulled it from his pocket, and as one of his goon’s phone vibrated, the Prospect agents found themselves alert. The goon read the text as the light shined strong, before sliding the phone back into his pocket and giving his friends a nod.

Suddenly, his skin became pale, and just barely, they could see his eyes turn completely black. The duo began to call out their weapons, but froze as the goon let out an ear-piercing shriek, and they felt their hearts race with booming beats. As they stood there, stuck in the binds of fear, they watched with disdain as the other two ran further up the hill, and quickly conjured their weapons in a moment of relief. They were ready to charge with their weapons at the ready, but fell to the shriek again, and cursed as the goon let out a laugh.

“Pretty epic, huh?” He said and their eyes became sharp. “I was pretty pissed when they started naming me after a girl monster, but looking at the stupid looks on your faces makes being the Banshee, not half bad.” He said and they assigned him that name as the fear wore off again, and he let them rise to their feet.

“So, what are y’all going to do?” He taunted, and Ushio and Asano traded a look.

“If we flank him we’ll be done with him fast, and easily be able to go after the other-.”

“Nope, I got this guy all to myself.” Asano cut her longtime friend off, and left him wide eyed as he considered the idea. “Let’s not pretend I’ve done that much since I got here. You’ve fought that windy-cutter guy, and Rin-san, while all I’ve done is saved Masaru-san with a sneak attack. We both know that if I don’t prove I can fight on the front line, he’ll never let me work with you again.” She said, and Ushio remained silent, helplessly unable to deny her claim.

“Are you sure you can take him alone?” The Banshee said as if to steal the words from Ushio mouth, and in reply, Asano launched her boomerang and watched it sore under him, as he leapt in the air.

“Go, Ushio!” She yelled as her boomerang began its spin back, and Banshee let out a shriek as a thought came to mind.

Ushio had only barely taken a step as the boomerang arch down, and left the Banshee laughing as it ran him and Asano through. With jubilee, the mugger laughed at how easily the two were taken down, until something heavy suddenly slammed into his head, and he was sent rolling back as it slammed into his body.

“How the hell…“ He was ready to question the abrupt hit, when another one came around and he watched Ushio rushed by as he lay embarrassed on the ground.

“I was going to ask you who you worked for before your friends ran off, but now all I want to know is, did they really make you think this fight would be easy?” Asano taunted him as the Banshee rose to his feet, and she could see rage burning in his all black eyes.

“There’s no way I’m going to be taken down by some girl playing with a kids toy!” The Banshee roared as he took his stand, and Asano gave him a flagrant shrug before grabbing her boomerang at both ends.

“If you insist.” She sighed as it began to glow and she held back a snicker, at the Banshee’s grimace as it turned into a fan.

“Do you think this is a joke?!” He roared. “Do you think you’re funny?!” He raged, and Asano holding up her hand to show that she found it a little funny, did nothing to calm him down.

“I think I should be asking you that, considering what a Banshee is, seems to me like your friends left you behind as a distraction.” She replied and the Banshee smirked at the idea.

“Do you think they’d really leave me behind, if all I could do was screaming?” He asked and Asano nodded, making the bit of bravado he gained, quickly die under the weight of his rage. “Well you’re wrong.” He tried to suppress his anger with his pride, and held up his hand as black nails tore through his glove.

“…Are you sure about that?” Asano taunted him once more, and watched him charge as he let out another of his paralyzing shrieks.

She could only stand helpless as the Banshee slid across the ground, but as she stood, her eyes took notes, and she jumped back as his nails came out. For a moment, the Banshee stared, unsure of what he had just seen, before letting out a shriek again, and once more closing the distance with a swish. This time as his nails came out, he felt something slice through his neck, and coughed as it made him gag before it sliced through his face. There was no blood drawn by the sudden swings, but still he could feel the nonexistent tear in his flesh, further stretching the sudden existence of his disbelief. His hands came up to ward off another swipe of Asano’s fan, but merely served as an alternate cutting board as they felt the feeling of the slash flow through them, and he fell down to his knees.

“How are you able to move before I hit you?!” He roared, as he used the snow to sooth his hands and Asano let out a sigh of disappointment, before stepping back and giving him a chance to take his feet.

“A paralyzing shriek that freezes your target for several seconds, allowing you to either make a swift escape or deal a fatal blow. In the moments that their paralyzed, the shriek has an effect on you as well, increasing your speed so that you can close the distance in time.” She replied, and the Banshee stared in awe at the evaluation. “That’s what I noticed from the few attacks that you performed on Ushio and me, and yet you have no idea what it is that allows me to stand unaffected.” She stared at him with eyes narrowed with disappointment, and the Banshee’s brow furrowed, as silent words came to mind.

“Don’t think that your fancy organization makes you better than me!” He shrieked and Asano shook her head.

“I’m better than you because I went into this fight knowing that I needed to know about your abilities to gain an advantage, not because I’m an agent from Prospect.” She said, and could see his eyes burning. “But thanks, that little line you said there pretty much tells me that you work for Yui.” She smiled, and Banshee’s rage smothered his disbelief, as she one-upped him, and made him charge again.

With a flick of the fan, it returned to a boomerang, and with a quick turn of her body, it went flying the Banshee’s way. Slicing through his legs, it made him stumble and slide across the snow where the agent slammed her foot into his back, and lowered herself on to one knee.

“Disable your powers.” She said to him, and the Banshee struggled violently, before letting out a strong no. She sighed once more, eternally upset by his ineptitude, and cringed as he let out a shriek of pain, when she placed a strange sticker onto his neck.

Now she stood over him, a little disappointed by how easy things had been, lamenting just how quickly the battle had come to an end, before imagining Ushio standing victorious as well, and imagining the mockery their mission advisor would give. She hated that the fight she had chosen her turn out to be settled in a couple of moves, but accepted that now wasn’t the time to lament as she rushed up the hill after her longtime friend…

Nuut Wereld Chapter 17: Standalone

2012-04-26T01:51:00.000-04:00

Chapter 17: Standalone

The casting of an illusion always came with a ring. A brief buzz between the moment the illusion was cast, and the moment it kicked in, and for most, it was nothing more than the sudden onset of a headache. For most, it was nothing, nothing but a minor annoyance, but for Keigo, it was all he needed, to know that it was time to move. As swiftly as the illusion could have set in, he had broken out of it, and with a quick flick of one of his tablets, his body began to transform. The familiar crack and shift of bones, the sudden additional hair that was in no way his nature shade. All these things had kicked in, in the moment he felt that sting and broke free, and in the moment that followed, he picked up his friends with his monstrous strength, and sprung from the tree house right before an arrow jetted in. A sudden explosion sent him tumbling as he fell to the ground below and almost let them go. Around him, like the watchful eyes of a large cat, stalking its prey before it sprung forward for a deathblow, he could feel the intent of his enemies, all barreling in, all threatening to do to him what that large cat would do to whatever woodland creature it sought that day. He felt the intent as he weaved through the woods, trying his best to remain at top speed and to carry his allies at the same time. Arrows zipped in and missed him as he vaulted off a trees and rocks, but as one tore a thin line into his leg, he knew he couldn’t carry on like this. He could protect them if he put them down, but not if they were too close together. He could hold out till one of the others woke up, but first he had to figure out who it would be, and to do that, he’d first have to figure out what the illusion was. A sudden pained groan from Diana gave the youth a good idea, and with that, just as an arrow zipped his way, he was off into the brush again with a plan in mind.

It was an illusion that tormented them with the past, or at least he assumed, and had it not been for what he had heard mere hours ago, he would have assumed that Kiara would break free of it first. Instead, his money was on Danson and Diana, and his trust in his elfish friend made him the person he’d leave alone, while the girls stayed in his defense.

“I’m sorry, Danny.” He said, even though he knew not one word would reach him. “I’m really not doing this because of how I normally am, though I guess you won’t see it that way.” He laughed, and quickly ducked as an arrow threatened the back of his neck.

Once more Keigo was off into the brush, not as burdened by the weight as he was before, be still enough so that he couldn’t keep at it. Upon finding a large tree, he rested the girls against it, and stared off into the dark curtain, wary of what attacks it’d hide. As several glowing circles opened up mere feet he clenched his fist with resolve, silently hoping that Diana would wake up soon. Soon would take a lot longer than he wanted though, as a hail of arrows were let free, and his inhuman speed allowed him to intercept them. With a swing of one of his daggers, he knocked them aside at their head, but still felt his heart jump at every collision, shocked and relieved that all had yet to explode. It was impressive what it did to him, he thought. Making him happy that his defense didn’t backfire, but making him cautious of when it would. One arrow, two arrow, three arrows, the assault shifted in its numbers, going as high as fifteen, and going as low as one, but even though he deflected everyone he hit, he knew they were still doing their job. No matter how athletic he was, he knew it was wearing him down. No matter how vigilant he could be, he knew that eventually they’d cut him down, and he cursed at his lover for not yet breaking free. His breath was becoming heavily, his body more so than that, and more than he was before, he was cautious of what his enemies would do. That was when it happened. That was when the swing of his dagger was met by an explosion, and he was thrown against the tree and felt his head ring. He was expecting the blast to come, but never for it to feel like that, and the sudden pain left him daze as his worse fears came to light, and the circles prepared arrows again. If he had enough sense to count, he would have seen all fifteen ready to come his way, but all he saw was danger. All he saw was an impossible need to block them all.

Standing in the face of impossibility, Keigo was ready fail, and when the arrows launched, he knew that failure was mere moments away. He tried to move but the damage made him stumble and curse once again, right before a translucent wall rose from the ground. From left to right Keigo looked, till he found the person he sought. Still dazed, Danson was coming in from the left, with his right hand held out, and his left on his head.

“Took you long enough, Danson!” Keigo called out, in both annoyance and relief.

“Yeah, I didn’t realize it was an illusion till…” The elf suddenly stopped. “I see.” He murmured as his eyes trailed off to the still resting girls, and Keigo’s eyes followed.

“It’s not what you think, Danny. I did this because I knew you would wake up first.” He pleaded, but he could see the betrayal in his friend’s dark eyes. The sting of it, and the poison it fed in, burning beyond the ice mage's cool, hotter than even he could contain.

It was at that moment that Keigo realized arrows were no longer being fired. He realized that the watchful predators were still watching now, and were laughing as Danson created his crystal blade, and progressed slowly across the dirt with only one thought in mind. Keigo was ready to raise an objection again, in both his want to protect his friend, and to stop the hidden snipers from getting the last laugh, but before a word could leave his mouth, he found himself vaulting off of a tree, dodging as Danson thrust out his blade. He ducked as the elf spun around, and quickly avoided a swipe, and then launched himself into the air as the ground below him began to freeze. Landing behind Danson, he suppressed a trigger to snap his neck, and once more found himself ducking. as the sword came around. Danson slashed and Keigo dodged, till the younger boy was against a tree, and as Keigo prepared to vault again, he froze in fear as Danson’s cannon was made.

“I’m sorry, Danny.” His eyes clenched shut as he tossed his dagger Danson’s way, and he smiled as he heard it clink against the ice of his cannon’s barrel, while he himself pulled his body to the side.

“So you were willing to kill me, even though you claim it’s not what I think?!” The elf roared.

“That’s not really fair, Danson. You were trying to kill me first. Besides, if I wanted to take your life I’ve had about ten chances to do so already.” Keigo replied, and wondered a second too late, if he had said too much. That wonder was just as quickly answered, as Danson’s hands came together in front of him, and a frosty mist escaped their clasp. It was a sight Keigo had seen before, and registered as a sign of all out rage, as the elf’s hands slowly began to separate, and a ball of light began to glow.

“Dragao,” He murmured, and Keigo was off, moving as far away from his longtime friend, as his dazed and damaged body would allow. “De gelo.” He heard the murmured completion of the spell, and wonder if he was far enough away, before he felt his foot slip back and his face slammed into a frozen ground.

There was only one moment to let out one last curse, before he saw the ice dragon arch down from over ahead, and wondered if he had a good life till finally it crashed down. If he was a squeamish person he would have felt embarrassed at that moment, as he rose from the attack unscathed, and felt both rage and disbelief fluster.

“You back with me, Keigo?” Danson asked as his form came into sight and Keigo wiped blood from his face and rose to his feet.

“They got me in an illusion…” He grimaced.

“Yup.”

“You know we have to pay them back now, right?” Keigo grinned and Danson nodded as they looked onto the two men they had stumbled upon, and prepared to get a little revenge…

[Chapter 17 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 16: The Blood of a Hunter

2012-04-26T01:50:00.003-04:00

Chapter 16: The Blood of a Hunter

Opening the door hit them with a distinct smell. Cheap cigar smoke, mixed with alcohol and sweat, and a little of the bravado from the patrons within. In all her days, Sakuya could never guess this was what the inside of a monster-hunting guild would be, but now that she had seen it, she couldn’t say that she was surprised. It was more of a bar than any other establishments. Floors and tables of dark wood. A counter staffed by a barmaid, who discussed tales of battle with three or so people who sat around it. Sakuya had always thought of a guild as a place for getting jobs and joining organization, but the only thing that alluded to that, was the bulletin on the back walls. With Takeshi, Aeriane, and Jasmine in tow, she walked across the foggy room and took a seat at the counter. The barmaid, a plump woman with braided hair pulled up into a ponytail, turned hazel eyes onto her, and told her with a glance, that she was somewhere she didn't belong.

“What brings you hear, little miss?” She asked, catching a glimpse of Sakuya’s sword before writing her off, after failing to see something else.

“We’re looking for a hunter.” Sakuya replied, and the three patrons at the counter cackled at the thought.

“If you’re looking for someone to share game with, a monster-hunting guild is the worse place to go.” A woman spoke, and shocked Sakuya with the three vertical scars, that graced her visage.

“That’s not what we’re after.” Takeshi replied, half hoping that his familiarity with monsters would gain him a bit of respect. “What we need is some to help us traverse Lazurr’s keep.” He said, and in a shocking turn of events, the room that seemed to never shut up, suddenly went quiet.

“Hmm, you’re asking for a tough job.” The barmaid spoke. “Monster hunters don’t tend to work in groups, but a group of them is what they’d need to traverse that keep.” She said, and Sakuya looked around the room to the many scarred and drunken people, who looked back, visibly considering whether they should take the job.

“You won’t get anyone.” The scarred woman said. “You lack the signs of monster hunting, no scars, and no lost limbs. You might carry a sword, but it’s pointless if you’ve only used it to fight other people.” She explained and Aeriane stepped forward, with her brow furrowed.

“So what you’re telling me is that we don’t look like monster hunters because we aren’t torn to pieces. Maybe we’re good monster hunters.” She barked, and the suddenly silent room, erupted with laughter.

“That’s not how monster hunting works.” A burly man behind her grinned, as he walked up to the bar. In the moment the group tried to take him in, they found their evaluation stopped, as they heard the clank of an iron hand. Their eyes were drawn now, to the artificial limb that rested on the dark wood, before going back to a face ravaged by one long scar, and brown eyes content in the drink he had brought with him.

“There’s no such thing as being a monster hunter without getting a few scars.” He said. “Some of us get them from taking on monsters we have no business going after. Others get them from fighting monsters that were in their league, but were trickier than they thought. Monsters are dangerous creatures, especially the smarter ones.” He explained, and caught the awe in Jasmine’s eye as she watched his iron arm bring his drink to his mouth.

“He’s right.” Takeshi added. “My teacher perfected his style from fighting monsters, and gained several wounds from doing it. When I asked him why he wouldn’t let me train against them, he told that perfecting his style, almost resulted in his death.” He explained, and the people around the counter nodded, all recalling the times they nearly died.

“Is that how you lost your arm?” Jasmine asked, and the man looked at his iron limb, letting its cold grip pull him back through time.

“I was a pretty stupid kid.” He said, and recalled the day. Recalled the cloudy sky, and the trees that stretched higher than any he had ever seen before. Recalled the gun he had at his side, loaded with six shots, and the feel of the paper in his hand, that told him of the C-rank beast he had no chance to capture.

He had only visited the monster-hunting guild once, when he found himself on hard times. His average frame had got him laughter, but not as much as how fair his face was. A handsome youth, he was only sixteen at the time, and the only accomplishments he could say he had was that the girls in his village fell head over heels for him, but he had stepped in the forest to gain another, to slay a red furred beast, that stalked the town nearby.

“I had done a little research about the monster before. It was a pretty big thing, bigger than any of the animals in the area, and almost as if to show that, instead going for the neck it went for the arm.” He started, and recalled how his brown hair had been pulled into a ponytail, and just for safe measures, he had hidden a blade under a white cotton shirt.

He entered the forest with a plan in mind. The beast would charge, and the moment its maul opened to claim his arm, he’d deliver a swift shot and drag its body back for money and respect. It charged, and as he had planned, his gun was ready, but the creature knew his strategy as if it had discussed with him, and quickly gain cover before a shot was made. He was left frantic now, as no back-up plan came to the forefront, and in this fear and confusion, the beast descended from above, and with fangs dug into his shoulder, it slammed him to the ground.

“I screamed as it dug in.” He said, and remembered the mocking maroon eyes that stared at him from his right shoulder. The maroon eyes that told him, it’d let go, and made him almost grateful. Almost, until a talon dug it and tore the flesh with a bit of stir.

“It let me lay there screaming. Just torturing me as if going after it was an insult, I was sure I’d die there. If not from the pain, then from the blood loss, but I managed to change things around.” He could feel the pain in the iron shoulder, and feel the distraught and desire he had. He fumbled for his right hip with his free left hand, and jammed the dagger he drew into the creature eye as it reveled in his torture.

As it reeled back in pain, he fumbled for his pistol, and gave the monster one shot.

“Dead, but not without a cost.” He ended his tale, and once more thought back – back to when he returned to the guild with his arm mutilated beyond belief, and was told it’d need to be amputated because a toxin in the monster’s claws. Jasmine was silent.

“And now he’s one of the most respected hunters in this guild.” The scarred woman said.

“Fine, I’ll admit I was wrong.” Aeriane sighed. “But we still need to get through Lazurr’s Keep.” She pleaded, and the man stroked his chin with his left hand.

“I'm Reginald, andI’ll escort you.” He stood, and the group’s eyes turned to him. “There’s something in Lazurr’s keep I need to go after. I doubt I’ll ever get a better chance to get it, than this.” He said and Sakuya restrained a smile as a secret worry was relieved. “We’ll meet here tomorrow, come with everything you can to prepare.” He ordered, and with that the four were off, back to the inn where they set up, to prepare for whatever the keep would bring…

News and A Rant 4 -23-12

2012-04-23T21:21:00.000-04:00

Hello and Welcome to The Ward

Wow, a News and a Rant posted on the day it's supposed to be posted. So back in March I said that The Ward would be updated again, come April, and with only two weeks remaining in the months, I suppose it could be said that it is now returning not a moment too soon. Starting tomorrow, April 24th, The Ward will be active again with a new chapter of Tengoku Senshi, and as the week goes on, there will even be a new chapter of Kourin ni Tensai. As for the projects that led to the sudden hiatus, one is nearly done while the other hasn't even been started yet. This is unsurprising mind you, as I suspected the second project wouldn't be started till May at the earliest, but the status of the first one is all caused by me. Nevertheless, look forward to The Ward being up and active, starting tomorrow.

Till next we meet, See you at The Ward, where you come to get your boredom cured...

News and a Rant 3 - 25 - 12

2012-03-25T13:30:00.000-04:00

Hello and Welcome to The Ward.

Honestly, every time I start News and A Rant I think to follow the opening line with "Where you come to get your boredom cured," but I always save it till the end instead. Unfortunately, even if I didn't save it till the end, I couldn't say it this time because lately, The Ward hasn't been a place where you could get your boredom cured. This was because until recently, I had been working on another project, which I'm technically still working on, and unfortunately, since I'm going to be working on another project starting today, The Ward won't be active again anytime soon. Instead it'll be going on another hiatus till about mid-April, when I promise, even if neither of my projects are finished, I'll begin updating again.

So since I mentioned it, I figure I should give a little information about one of the projects. Recently I obtained the program RPG Maker VX, and with it, I fiddled around to get my bearings and decided to make an RPG. This program allows user to make j-rpg style games, with a dragon quest-like battle system (unless you use a script to change it). So anyway, after creating a short game to get my bearings, I created a second one that is meant to be a lot longer and a lot more immersive. Because of a lack of a better title at the moment, that game is called Grand Tale, and because it's a lot longer than the first game I planned to release it in acts, it's second one so far being the longest. So even if it's not much; since The Ward will be sleeping till April, I leave you with Grand Tale and hope that this rather short game manages to entertain you.

Till next time, see you at The Ward, where you come to get your boredom cured.

And Thank You for 1,000 views.

Nuut Wereld Chapter 16: The Game You're Playing

2012-03-13T18:20:00.003-04:00

Chapter 16: The Game You’re Playing

The smell of the morning on hard dark wood was a smell Kiara had never smelled before. A delightful smell, like an everlasting air freshener, that made sleeping in the large wooden room an event she would always remember. The hard floor had been hell on her back, and the lack of a pillow left her neck with a kink, but the smell that subtly lofted through the air, made it possible for her to ignore the pain as the morning sun cut through cracks in the wood, and woke her with a warm welcome. She stood and stretched, and ignored the pain, as she walked to a hole in the wall, and looked down to the ground below, marveling the beauty she hadn’t seen in the night. The bounty of many colorful flora and fungi that lined the road her and the others had walked, some taken by the embrace of the morning glow, and others hiding in the caverns of trees. It was a beautiful sight that she had never seen before, never seen in the massive metropolis she grew up in, or at least, never seen like this. A sight that could inspire her to paint if she knew how, but instead had her turning to the others to ask if she’d ever see a sight like this in her travels again. That was when she noticed it. That was when she noticed that although last night she had been a little uncomfortable lying inside the cramp space, this morning she had all the freedom in the world, as she rose and had enough space to stretch out.

“Where did everyone go?” She wondered aloud, and felt her heart jump as she heard something dig into the tree outside.

She went to the opening to the room and looked down to the ground below, where she saw a person she hadn’t seen before, but was sure she could recognize. It was a woman in a white blouse that bared her midriff, and a short sash like skirt, that was slit on one side. Her hair was blond short and curly and brown eyes greeted Kiara as she looked down, with a bit of ill–intent, and a lot of impress.

“Who are you?!” She exclaimed, cautious that this was some sort of trap.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know girl, not after what you did.” The woman hissed back, and for a moment Kiara’s head ached as she had a flash from the night before. A flash that showed her the woman below, as her mouth moved and a name came to her head.

“You’re… Cammie.” She said, and the woman’s eyes narrowed with disgust as they confirmed the recollection. “Where are the others?!” Kiara roared and the woman’s eyes went wide with surprise.

“So this is the game you’re playing. That must be how you slept so well, you convinced yourself to forget everything you did.” She said, and again Kiara’s head ached, but this time what flashed in her mind, was something that was blurred out. “Oh don’t worry, I’ll remind you. Last night my team and I attacked, and you and your friends decided to fight back.” She said and Kiara could see the image now.

It flashed for only a second, but in that second, she saw a lot. She saw an arrow zip into the tree house, and felt her body be pushed as Keigo grabbed her and Diana grabbed Parlia, and with Danson, they jumped from the tree house before it exploded. They fell to the ground below, and that was when Cammie first appeared and Diana’s green eyes turned up with rage as she demanded the woman’s name. The next scene was something Kiara had seen before, but the one that followed was blurred out again, forcing her to pay heed.

“That was when we attacked you all. Vanessa was right though, it would have been better to separate you, because with you all working together we didn’t have a chance. The other three did well pushing us all back, and they forced us to use our trump card, that was where you came in.” The recap went on and the image became clear as Kiara saw Danson Keigo and Diana, spring into action. She saw the young male and his lover shoot forward as Danson summoned a wall of ice and stopped a hail of arrows. She saw Diana punch the woman in the purple tunic, and saw swift moves as Keigo delivered two kicks to two men. Literally, they were pushing Cammie’s troops back, as the young couple juggled their opponents, and when they could go back no more, one of the males called out and Cammie knew what she had to do. The next scene blurred.

“So I summoned our weapon and we pushed your friends back. They couldn’t fight, and that girl couldn’t fight, so it was all up to you.” Cammie said, and Kiara saw. She saw the dark green creature with long arms, rise from a magic circle drawn on the ground, and she watched Keigo and Diana charge it before its massive arms knocked the back. They rose and prepared to charge again, but the beast quickly knocked them down, and proceeded toward Danson and herself. The elf conjured his ice cannon, and froze the beast at its feet before conjuring a sword as well and jumping through the air. Kiara had thought that would be where the fight would end, but the monsters mouth came open, and with a powerful roar, it sent Danson flying back. That was when she saw the hopelessness set in. The fear that if those three couldn’t do it she didn’t have a chance herself, and that was when she remembered what Parlia had said, and remember what she should have done before.

“You blew me away first with a powerful spell, but I found Vanessa before she died and I learned what you did next. I’ve seen plenty of people with red eyes before, but I’ve never heard of them glowing. Glowing like yours did when you used your fire magic and completely roasted my beast. She said you looked toward your friends like they should be happy for what they saw, but then…”

Then she saw a scene she had never wanted to see again. The look of terror in their eyes, the look that made her want to run away, but this time she couldn’t do it as the fires raged up and completely engulfed them. It engulfed the elf, the redhead, and the boy with unkempt hair, and engulfed the girl that kissed her and their enemies as well. Their screams scared Kiara as they echoed through the woods, and she tried to calm the flames, but they only raged more and left her to fall to her knees.

“Vanessa had barely managed to get away, but when I found her I couldn’t believe what I saw. You burned her beyond recognition, and put her in an eternal nightmare. I put her out of her misery, and promised her that I’d definitely get revenge. Revenge for her, and those poor saps that trusted you.” Cammie said and Kiara was too destroyed to say anything in response, as her mind tortured her with the suppressed memories. “You should make this easy for yourself, and just die.” She said and Kiara let out a wail as her horrors claimed her mind.

“Fine…” She submitted to the suggestion, but still felt it wasn’t right. “I… can’t go on… I can’t control it anymore…” She shuddered at the thought, but still felt something trying to pull her away.

“Kiara!” A voice rang out, and she turned to see specters standing against the wall. “Kiara what the hell are you doing? Get up and kick that woman’s ass!” The specter spoke with Taylor’s voice, and made Kiara wipe her face.

“This is why you can’t be afraid, Kiara.” Another spoke with Parlia’s voice. “If you fear it, it’ll overwhelm you. Your magic won’t hurt you though; it only wants to protect you.” She explained but Kiara still held herself, as a specter walked over and placed its hand on her shoulder.

“Listen sweetie, I’m still mad at you for running away but do what you have to do. Beat that woman into the ground, make graves for your friends, and return to me okay, so that I can properly punish you and give you a hug!” The specter spoke with the voice of her mother, and the strength that her mother always had, shined through as Kiara took to her feet and used her gales to jump to the ground below.

Without touching her pendant, her hands were ablaze, and although she could feel their heat in her eyes, her heart did not waver as she steeled her mind again.

“I won’t die!” She exclaimed. “I’m sorry to Danson, Diana, Keigo, and Parlia, but I can’t die here. I have to see my family again, I have to see my friends again, and when I see them and apologize for running away, I’ll repent for what I did to others as well.”

“Humph, just like a criminal to try to escape their crimes!” Cammie roared but Kiara did not waver. “Just like a criminal to…” The woman repeated, and this time Kiara did waver as the world around her became smoky and began to fade away.

Now the time was night and Cammie still stood in front of her, but the time of day wasn’t the only thing that changed as she saw the woman in the purple tunic standing a ways back as well. She could feel something soothing flow up her back, and turned to Parlia, focused with glowing hands, then turned to her right and saw Diana, happy to see she was back as well.

“Good to see that you’re finally awake, Kiara.” Diana said, and Kiara shook her head.

“What happened?”

“An illusion, one of their teammates can use illusions and they waited for us to fall asleep so that we’d be more susceptible to them. “ Diana explained and Kiara turned to Cammie as she heard her scoff.

“So even she managed to break free huh? I was thinking that since she doesn’t have a bounty she’d break free first but it looks like you have a lot of demons, girl.” She said, and Kiara’s eyes turned sharp. “Someone like you must be pathetic, so weak, yet pretending to be so strong. You’re going to fail you know? You can pretend you can help, but thanks to you every one of your friends is going to-.” The woman’s rant was cut short as Diana shot forward and delivered a strong hit to her face.

“Kiara, I’m sick of hearing them talk. What say you and I finish them off?” Diana turned back to her, and something became apparent to Kiara, as she saw the bruises and realized Diana was fighting alone to keep her safe.

“Yeah,” Kiara said as she balled her fist at her side. “Let’s!” She exclaimed as her hands ignited as they did in her dream, and she and Diana charged forward as they entered battle once again…

[Chapter 16 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 15: The Power of Music

2012-03-06T15:13:00.002-05:00

Chapter 15: The Power of Music

The slushing of the waves against the side of the ship did well to calm Sakuya’s mind, as she leaned against its railing, and stared at the clear blue sky. Illius’s words, and more, the entire fight scene, had left her in a perpetual maelstrom, and although her mind did calm a little, it still raged uncontrolled, making her look back through the pages of time. Tsutomu was strong. Stronger than she had even imagined, as the gap between them became apparent, and left her with utter defeat. She couldn’t do it alone. She couldn’t take over their family’s business by herself, but she wondered if Tsutomu could. She wondered if he had only trained her because of familial obligations alone. She wondered about this and wondered about that, but as she lowered her head and shook it exhaustedly, there was something she didn’t have to wonder about because she knew that it was true. The last client she had shared with her brother; a rather ditzy girl whom she had expected to get into more trouble than she could avoid, had turned out to be more astute than Sakuya could have guess. More astute than Sakuya could have wanted her to be.

“She realized it.” She whispered to herself as her friends watched a little ways away, knowing that this was a moment from which only introspection could help Sakuya escape. “She knew that I was weaker than him and didn’t tell me. She held that recommendation in my face, as if she wanted to slap me with it.” She continued her monologue as her fist tightened and that girl with dark blue hair and gold eyes, flashed in her mind. “But I guess she couldn’t have told me…” She sighed. “Because I should have realized it myself.” Her fist unclenched and she slid down the rails into a sit, where finally her friends came over.

“Feel better, Sakuya?” Aeriane asked and Sakuya gave her a smile.

“I wish I could say yes.” Her reply was as exhausted as the nod of her head.

“Sakuya you shouldn’t worry.” Takeshi said, still as hurt from his helplessness as Sakuya was from her defeat.

“Yeah, I think that just means we all need to grow.” Aeriane smiled as she thought back to her fight against Annalin, and how victory was little more than a fluke.

“We can be students together.” Jasmine chimed in, and Sakuya laughed at her student’s joke before looking back to the sky.

“Lazurr’s keep…” She murmured. “When I think about it. It’s not really that far off, huh?” She raised the question as her eyes set down onto Aeriane who stared bemused for a moment, before the thought was finally shared.

“I… I really don’t want to go there.” She sighed.

“I’m sorry, Aeriane, you can stay at the inn in the nearby town instead.” Sakuya gave her a smile again, and Aeriane pouted, before crossing her arms.

“You know I can’t do that.” Her eyes scrolled left as she disregarded the gesture, and spotted a confused Takeshi and Jasmine, who failed to catch on to their idea. “Sorry guys. You see, Tsutomu and Sakuya have very different fighting styles. I mean they make the same forms with the benefit, but how they use those forms are pretty different, that’s because Sakuya had a different teacher.” She explained, and all eyes fell onto Sakuya.

“When I was younger, I didn’t want to be a bodyguard, so other than being taught the basics of the benefit of discipline, and the basics of using a sword; I didn’t really practice a style like my brother or my parents. That was until they died…” She started.

“And you decided that you’d dedicate your life to going after their killers?” Takeshi asked.

“Yeah. I dedicated myself to it, but really, I didn’t know how I’d do it. My parents had taught Tsutomu, but he wasn’t that good at teaching me. Luckily there was another person I could go to.”

“Who was that?” Jasmine asked.

“Her father’s friend.” Aeriane answered.

“My father developed the bleeding sword style when he was really young, and he did that with a friend of his. It was developed with the same concept in mind, but much like Tsutomu and I, they used it differently, so when I was trained by him, I picked up his way.”

“And Tsutomu picked up your fathers.” Takeshi completed the tale, and the girls shook their heads.

“If that’s so, then doesn’t that mean you only loss because you were trying to match Tsutomu’s move with one you couldn’t use?” Jasmine raised the question, and somber nod was given in reply.

“The bloody guillotine is too basic a move. The fact that his broke through mine tells me that my control over the benefit isn’t good enough.” Sakuya closed her eyes as she raised her hands before her face, and while Jasmine suspected that she was feeling something, the young girl had no clue what it was.

“Um, Sakuya.” She spoke. “What is the benefit of discipline?” She asked, but as Sakuya’s lips parted to answer, the strum of a guitar stopped her, and drew their attention to a young man walking up.

The man stood in long and flowing dark purple clothes, baggy pants that stopped shortly over open-toed wooden sandals, and a purple shirt under a long a flowing purple coat. Bandaged hands strummed the guitar as he walked over while blue eyes were casted down, and almost hidden under a full head a wild and untamed brown hair.

“This feeling in this area.” He stopped behind Jasmine, who turned toward him and backed away. “It’s really bleak so I thought I’d play you all a song.” He said, and they traded looks before Sakuya stepped forward and shook her head.

“You don’t have to do that, but thank you.” She said and the man shook his head.

“I think I do.” He laughed. “It may seem weird but as a bard I notice certain tempos, and in your voice I can hear so much uncertainty. Please let me play you this song, I’m sure it’ll turn things around.”

“Thank you…”

“Alec.”

“Thank you Alec, but really…” Sakuya declined again, then stopped herself as he strummed the guitar and finally she gave in. “Actually, please do play.” She said and Alec smiled as he took a few steps away, and centered himself on the deck.

Like a mighty blade, his right hand climbed into the air, and as it fell down the first note was played and all the chatter on the ship came to a halt. With a rapid tempo the song rose and fell, playing what seemed to be the same notes over and over again, yet captivating the unintentional audience, who listened breathless, unable to think of what to say. Alec was in a harmony as his fingers made magic with the strings, and everyone that listened was in the harmony with him, feeling the flow of time falling out of their grasp. The song began to slow down, and its sound became a murmur, till finally the song was, over and all other noise was back as the deck erupted with applause.

“That…” Sakuya was still breathless, and still unsure of what she could say. “That was the most graceful thing I’ve ever heard…” She found the words and Alec smiled before he walked over to her and pulled a leaflet from his overcoat.

“I’m nothing compared to her.” He said as he drew Sakuya’s eyes toward the dark skinned woman one the leaflet, who seemed to be singing on a well-lit stage. “If you’re ever in Geura and you’re feeling down, just go to one of her shows.” He made the suggestion with a smile, and left Sakuya with it as he began to walk away.

“Sakuya?” Aeriane turned to her.

“Yeah, I don’t know why, but that song really helped me out.” She turned to Aeriane, and the smile she gave made her friend giddy as she looked toward the mysterious man.

“PIRATES!”A voice suddenly stopped their peace, as it barely beat a cannon ball in a race, as it crash into the sea.

The group turned their eyes toward the open sea, and saw the ghastly ship in the distance, as a cannon was loaded again, and its shot was aimed their way. They heard the explosion as the iron mass was fired toward them, and Sakuya prepared to meet it with one grand slash before she felt the wind rush by her, and saw Alec get in the way. With his bare hands, he stopped the massive ball before tossing it in the air, where once more his hand fell down and returned the shot with massive force. As it lodged into their fore mast, he climbed onto the railing, and gave Sakuya a kind look before nodding his head.

“Hey now, you should remain chill. Leave this to me, okay?” He said, and Sakuya could do nothing other than accept his idea, as he kneeled down and aimed his body toward the pirate’s ship, launching himself toward it before he gracefully landed on their deck.

Twenty pirates surrounded him as each one drew a cutlass, and the scraggly looking captain came down from quarterdeck with a pistol in hand. He joined his man in the circle around the bard, and laughed at the comfortably dress man as he pointed his gun his way.

“Ah ya dun made a big mistake laddie. Even if you can do fancy things like dis and that, you ain’t got a chance against us all.” The Captain spoke and Alec’s eyes focused on him, as they called back from his memory.

“So you are him, ‘Red cross,’ right?” He asked and Red Cross smirked as he heard his name. “Good, then I shall inform you why I’m here. About a year ago, you did something that you probably thought a normal task. You attacked a boat going from Zhiquao to Geura, and on that boat there was a much loved man, who was heading home to see his new born daughter for the first time, but never made it there.” Alec started, and could barely restrain his anger as the pirates laughed.

“Aye matey, such is da life of anyone unlucky enough to run across Red Cross’s gang.” The captain said, and something about Alec changed as he put on a sinister smirk.

“Unlucky huh? I guess that would be you then, because the mother of that newborn child managed to get in contact with me, and hired me to do a job.” He said and the pirates continued to regard him barely. “The request was simple, and for simple pay. The pirates that attacked her husband would suffer a fate far worse than his.” He explained and again the pirates laughed. “So I’ll ask just once, who here wasn’t on this ship a year ago?”

“There is none on my ship new to this life, matey.” Red Cross answered and made Alec smile.

“Good…” They heard him say, and that would be the last word they’d hear, as Alec moved through their ranks and broke swords and necks with mere swings of his hand. Reducing Red Cross’s numbers within seconds, before the captain was all that remained.

Red Cross shot at Alec, but watched his bullets do as good as his cannon ball, as Alec knocked them aside, and took three sword tips in hand. He threw them like darts, and watched them lodge into Red Cross’s stomach before the captain fell to the floor and Alec walked up and placed his feet on the blades. He let them slowly sink into the captain’s stomach, and reveled in his scream, before jabbing his hand forward, breaking, and tearing every bone and muscle in the pirate’s neck. He cared not to look at the carnage as he turned and jumped away from the boat, and said nothing to Sakuya and the others as he landed back on their ship and continued on his way.

“I don’t think we have to worry about them anymore.” He stopped after a sudden change of mind. “And to be frank, neither does the court of Irra.” He told them as he continued toward his cabin, leaving them wondering what exactly had gone down…

Nuut Wereld Chapter 15: Into The Woods

2012-03-01T15:44:00.001-05:00

Chapter 15: Into the Woods

When Diana caught up were her friends, halfway into Amor-Perfe’s woods, she was surprised to see nothing had gone wrong, and at the same time, cautious that something would. The moment her eyes caught Danson’s vigilant form in the distance, she made an effort to get his attention as quietly as possible, and had him lead her back to where the others were in wait. She told them about the light in the north, and the woman from the Eagle Scope School who was apparently after someone in their fold, and as she saw Parlia hang her head, she wondered why she thought it could be anyone else. Parlia was the one who was being pursued after all, and anyone who dared come after herself, Danson, or Keigo would have known to come with a better plan. Instead of trying to distract them, or even get them to run in the woods, where all the sounds of the night would give them cover, they’d choose a moment where their chances were high, and in that moment, they’d strike the necessary blow. The planning alone made it obvious that there target wasn’t herself, or the two she had known for a while, and Parlia being pursued made it obvious that they were going after her, and that made Diana wonder why those thoughts hadn’t come to her before. It made her wonder why it was so hard to figure out whom their target could be, till she looked over to Kiara, and realized that she was the enigma of the group.

“But I’m being paranoid.” She responded aloud to the thought and Keigo shook his head, oblivious to what she meant as he considered what Vanessa’s plan could be.

“I wouldn’t call you paranoid at all.” He said. “They definitely wanted us to come here, and I’m guessing they waited for us to come deep into the woods before they sent off that flare, it makes me wonder though: why haven’t they attacked?” He asked the group who traded confused looks before their eyes all fell onto Parlia.

“I’m not sure.” She said, and as she looked back to them, it was clear that she was holding something back. “The… they didn’t waste time with the last group that escorted me…” She revealed her hand, and Keigo let out a sigh of disappointment as they realized the gravity of the situation.

“This is bad.” Danson said. “Even with Keigo and Diana here, we still have to worry about that woman from the Eagle Scope School, and we don’t know what type of magic her allies use, nor do we know how many of them there are.” He put all their problems out for all to see, as his mind stirred them up to form a plan. “It’s bad. It’s definitely what they want considering they haven’t attack us yet, but we have to continue through the night.” He offered a solution, and both of his seasoned allies let out sighs while Kiara looked on, wondering what she could do.

“There’s no way we can fight them?” She asked, and Danson turned to Keigo.

“I got absolutely nothing. The only malicious intent I can feel is coming from the nasty monsters that are watching us.” He said, and the bushes began to rustle as Keigo drew attention toward them.

Kiara shrunk against a large tree as she saw glowing yellow eyes pierce the curtain of the night, and watched with horror as seven canine-like beasts, emerged from the brush. At first she wanted to say that they were wolves or coyotes, but their bodies were far too elongated, and their purple fur and four eyes, told her that couldn’t be. They were probably the most terrifying thing she had ever seen, more so than the speckled beast because of their numbers alone. Their massive paws and open mauls would have made their fierceness vast enough, and the bark like sounds they made in communication would have easily done the same, but the truly frightfulness of it all, came from the look on her companions’ faces. Danson, Diana, and Keigo, whom she imagined to have taken on greater challenges before, all stood with nervous looks, even though they were ready to go to blows.

“Well guys, I just realized I left my bossut on the other edge of town.” Diana tried to apply levity to the situation, but of the things that weren’t changing, the atmosphere could be included.

“Well that’s no good.” Danson laughed. “I’m sure it could have really helped us out here.” He tried to add levity as well, and made Kiara think back to what she learned about the creature; how its strange form was determined by the food it ate, and how Diana had made the mistake of giving it a little of everything. “Keigo?” Danson looked back to his friend who rummaged through the contents of his rucksack.

“Even in my cheetah form I don’t think I can take all of them out, fast enough.” Keigo replied, and now Kiara couldn’t remain silent anymore, as even the arrogant Keigo seemed to admit defeat.

“Why not?” She asked.

“Look closely at their tails.” Danson replied, and her scarlet eyes locked on to the tails that swung rhythmically through the air, exuding small clouds of gray smoke. “They may look dangerous, but all they really have going for them is their immense speed. Because they’re rather lankly figure they don’t have much going in the way of fortitude, so to keep their prey from fighting them off, they release a gas built up in their fur that numbs the body.” He explained the smoke, and made her realized that this was a matter that only she could resolve.

Taking her pendant in hand, Kiara swept up a gale and quickly sent it forth, making the creature cringe as they felt it push them back. As their toxin was blown away and the others prepared to attack, all seven of them set their four eyes onto Kiara, and quickly sprung toward her with revenge overwhelming their desire to eat. When Danson told her that they only had their immense speed to depend on, Kiara never had an idea of what exactly he meant, but now she understood as they shot pass her friends, and prepared to tear her apart. She only had a second to think of what to do, and that second didn’t go to thinking, as she realized there was only one way she could survived, and began to call out her flames. She was ready to give the beast the rage of her fire, but stopped as she felt the tree behind her rumble, and watched with wide eyes as a branch shot forward and entangled the closest beast. She heard a pained yelp as the branch tightened around it and crushed its bones, then watched the other beast pull back as that one’s body was thrown to the ground.

“You monster better run off.” She heard an elderly voice roam down from the tree, and joined the others, who looked up to the elderly woman in a dark pink robe, “Wouldn’t want me to do to you what I did to your friend would you?” The woman teased them, and the creature seemed to glower as they disappeared back into the curtain of the night.

The branch that crushed the beast grew upward into the tree, and wrapped itself around the woman before it brought her to the ground. Taking a moment to see if Kiara was safe, she joined the group of five at the base of the tree, and gave them an apologetic nod.

“I’m so sorry.” She said. “I’m sure I could have assisted you sooner, but I was asleep you see.” She said, and Kiara looked up to the tree again at the dark brown house of wood, that rested between its branches.

“A wood witch? In the calm lands and not the wetlands, forgive me if I think that’s a little odd.” Diana addressed the woman with suspicion and received a weak chuckle in response.

“Yes, the wetlands tend to be where we witches roam, but we can’t go denying that the calm lands have plenty of woodlands too, right?” She said, but still Diana regarded her with suspicion, sure that this could be a part of Vanessa’s plan.

“We owe you thanks.” Danson said.

“I don’t think so. I can tell by the look in your faces that you all were wary before those colfurrs attacked, helping people out is the least I can do. How about you stay in my tree house for the night?” The witch replied and Keigo shook his head.

“We don’t even know your name-“

“Onia,” The witch cut Keigo off and made him give her a sharp look.

“Well Onia, even if we know your name, there’s no reason we will go about trusting you.” His response was sharp as well, and Onia’s was another weak chuckle.

“I think we can.” Danson said, and now Diana and Keigo looked toward him with suspicion. “It’d be going too far when you think about it. Why would they lure us out into the woods, let the colfurrs attack us, have their ally save us, and make us fall asleep. If they really wanted to knock us out, they could have let the colfurrs do that.” He explained his reasoning, and begrudgingly the others accepted it.

“I don’t think I saw her before either.” Parlia added to his reasoning and once more Diana and Keigo begrudgingly accepted, as the woman called branches down from the tree and had all five of them pulled up.

“There’s fruit in there as well, so you all should be able to sleep tight. As for me, this was my final night in the calm lands, so I’ll be moving on.” Onia called up to them, and though Keigo and Diana still found this suspiciously convenient, they trusted the decision of their appointed leader, and decided that that moment would be fine for a nap.

As they enjoyed some of the fruit Onia left behind and quickly prepared to rest, the old witch who gave them the home shuffled through the night, toward the exit of the woods. She could see the vibrant moon reflecting in the lake of the next town, but found her travels halted as the colfurrs converged again. She had expected this moment to come when they slinked away with their solemn looks, and now she was prepare to face them, as something about her began to change. What was once long and gray unkempt hair, turned a vivacious and stylish pink, as what was once a woman hunched and wrinkled by age became one that stood without issue, with smooth and soft caramel skin. She ran her hand down her left arm as she reveled in her return to her true form, and green eyes turned toward the creatures that barely let the marvel hold them back.

“What reason do you have to be mad?” She asked them in a voice that told no tale of age, a sultry voice with a hint of spite clear enough for the beasts to detect. “You’re monsters, and even though you have moderate intelligence, you know that there is no justifying going after someone else kill. His life is mine to take, and if you weren’t too stupid to run away, none of you would have had to die.” She talked to the beast with a hint of anger, shining with the bravado that Kiara had expected Keigo to give. “But I understand, because of his friends I couldn’t take his life, and because of me, you all didn’t have anything to eat, so we all want to vent right? To take our aggression out on someone else, and luckily for you all, I’m right here, and luckily for me, you’re all here too.” She chuckled and the beast began to circle her as they called her bluff.

“Yes, that’s exactly what all of us want.” She continued as they closed in. “But I’m the only one here who will get it!” She hissed as the ground became disheveled, and roots shot up like spikes, skewering all the beasts. “Next time I’ll get a chance to fight you, when your friends aren’t there to help. Next time, I’ll show you how different things are, Danson…” She chuckled as she continued toward the next town and the roots retracted, leaving the colfurrs’ corpses to decay…

[Chapter 15 ends…]

Tengoku Senshi Chapter 14: Setting a Path

2012-02-28T14:28:00.000-05:00

Chapter 14: Setting a Path

To call him a man would have been out of place, because he was more monster than anything. Not just because he so coldly told, one sibling to take out another, but also because he truly was a monster in all shapes and forms. From his head four short black horns protruded through a forest of bushy white hair, that fell down to the sides of his head, over long and pointed ears. His eyes were large and red, with iris that nearly engulfed their sclera, separated by a long thin nose that had three spikes going down its bridge. Though he neither smiled nor glowered, rows of sharp teeth could be seen in a mouth left agape.

“S-sir?” Tsutomu finally freed himself of his aghast, and said the only thing his mind would allow him to say. “You’re joking right? She’s my younger sister.” He turned to his commander who took a seat on the trunk of metals, and looked from him to her.

“Yes I can tell, from your scents alone. That doesn’t change that I want you to attack her.” He said, and now Julie and Lee joined Tsutomu in their surprised, as they looked at the formerly dressed monster, who sat with tan hands intertwined. “If you don’t, I will.” He said as he rose to his feet, and Tsutomu averted his eyes, unsure as to what he should do. “Then so be it.” The monster said, and before Tsutomu could object, he was off, with his eyes locked on Sakuya’s face.

His fist was pulled back, as his frightening speed cut the distance in a second, and as he was ready to throw it forward, he stopped as he saw Takeshi step in the way. For a moment, he stared with surprise, till his mouth shut and turned up into a smile and his fist shot forward and left Takeshi wide eyed. He took a few steps back now, as the young fighter lowered his guard, and now Sakuya’s eyes turned to him, as she tried to determine what had just went on.

“Takeshi, are you alright?” She asked, and heard an audible gulp come from her brother.

“I couldn’t keep up. Every time I determined which way his attack was coming from, he was already attacking me from a different direction.” Takeshi turned to Sakuya, and she felt her heart sink as she saw the helplessness in his eyes.

“And if I hit you, it would have done plenty of damage, despite you being a benefactor.” The monster said, and Takeshi lowered his head as he failed to find an argument. “But give yourself a pat on the back; I never met anyone who could keep track of my fist.” He said, but Takeshi didn’t hear him beyond the voice of utter defeat. “The girl couldn’t.” He added, and now Sakuya lowered her head as well.

“Come on Commander Illius, you don’t really want Tsutomu to fight his sister do you?” Julie questioned the commander, who look toward his long black nails and swung his hand as if to cut something.

“Yeah, Commander Slaak, I doubt Sakuya is a criminal.” Lee added to the objection, and without looking toward them, Illius crossed his hands behind his back.

“I don’t recall saying that she was a criminal.” He said. “Tsutomu, you have three seconds.” He warned his subordinate who looked from him to Sakuya, still unsure about his course of action. “Three.” He started and all eyes turned to him. “Two.” He continued and all eyes turned to Tsutomu as Illius swung his hand again. “One-.” He started, but stopped as Tsutomu’s sword came from its sheath, and the hapless spectators watched it cut through the air.

Illius words were enough to have Sakuya on guard, and made her ready to block as Tsutomu sword came down. She jumped back as she tried to figure out her brother, but was force to swing her sword again, as he came forward for a stab. Again, she blocked as his sword pulled back, and he spun his body around, and again she dodged as the sword cut through the air and this time hit the ground. Once more, she tried to figure her brother out, but gave up all attempts, as his sword rush passed her face, and made her realized his was in peak form.

“Don’t hold back Tsutomu.” Illius ordered him, and both siblings realized what that meant, as Tsutomu pulled his sword back and held it up straight.

“Bleeding sword style.” Tsutomu said as blood began to run from his blade’s tip, making Sakuya hold her sword horizontally before herself.

“Bleeding sword style.” She repeated, but unlike his, her sword bled from its hilt.

“Bloody guillotine!” They said together as they wrote in the air with blood and launched crimson guillotines toward each other. The translucent blades met halfway, only for Sakuya’s to be torn apart, leaving her open for the attack.

Holding up her sword protected her from serious damage, but still Sakuya found herself victim to its force as she felt her body rock. She was just recovering from the attack when she noticed Tsutomu charging again, with bloody circles written into the air. She was ready to block his sword as he slayed the distance, but found herself dodging crimson rings instead, as his charge stopped and his attacks shot forward. Carefully she avoided them all, but failed to avoid one other thing as Tsutomu descended upon her, and cast his blade against her neck and his shadow over her form.

“She’s not as strong as Tsutomu.” Aeriane grimaced as she looked at her friends, and saw a miles between the gap in their power. “Why are you making her do this?!” She roared at the sitting man who hadn’t taken his eyes off the fight.

“Will you really make me kill my sister…?” Tsutomu could barely restrain his anger as he realized the position he was in, and wondered if he could attack his commander and still remain in Irra’s Court.

“No.” Illius said. “I just wanted to see how well she could fight. She’s not nearly as honed as you are, getting defeated in merely two moves.” He evaluated Sakuya, and left her further defeated as Tsutomu returned his blade to his sheath.

“Was that really it…?” She hung her head, and Illius tilted his as he walked over to her.

“As you know, Tsutomu, Lee, Julie, during our mission I had to briefly leave the capture to you three as I was called into that city’s police station. This way because the Court had a meeting last night, and didn’t want me to miss out on it, even though I was away.” Without turning to them he addressed his subordinates, who listened as clearly as Sakuya did, trying to figure their commander out. “Nuanda spoke to lengths about many things. The Town Stealer, The Sword of Aughus, a scholar who connected the two, and she mentioned a number of names.” He went on and now Sakuya’s group could see where this was going.

“So what if our names were mentioned, Sakuya didn’t do anything wrong!” Jasmine exclaimed, and shrunk as Illius’s large eyes set down upon her.

“You’re right, and that was the point. She didn’t do anything wrong, and it wasn’t likely that she would. That’s why I submitted an idea. With what we learned about the Town Stealer, we would be focusing our efforts on capturing him, but the sword of Aughus would still be out there, and his men would still be looking for it, and if not them, then the men of that scholar’s mentor.” Illius continued. “So why not have them go after it as well as covert agents. Not necessarily a part of the court of Irra but working so closely with it that we can assist them while they search; that way if there are any double agents, that mentor and the Town Stealer won’t get any info on the Court’s movements.”

“You’re late; we were already going to look for the sword.” Sakuya said and Illius nodded.

“I’m sure you were, but now two things are different. The first is that you can depend on Irra to assist you when you need it and…”

“I know that I’m weak.” Sakuya finished the statement, and again Illius shook his head.

“Yes, so you know you need to get stronger if you want to go on with this mission. “ He said as he gestured for his underlings to follow him. “Next time we meet, I shouldn’t need Tsutomu to test your strength.” He left her with those final words as he led his team away, and Sakuya felt low.

She had silently realized that Tsutomu dwarfed her in power; that it was for that reason that he was suggested over her, but now she had to truly admit it to herself and decide what she needed to do. For a moment, the defeat had grasped her, but the looks of support her allies gave her as she look toward them, told her to hold her head up and set out again. Illius said that he shouldn’t need to test her strength next time they met, and she was going to make sure that he was right…