Chapter 19: Lives Like Numbers
Night had fallen in the forest surrounding an old house carved in the stone body of a lone small mountain. Inside it, at the very lower hall to the entrance, was a group of Yagudos.
Most of them were resting, staring at each other in bored silence. The only noise in the room was coming from the few torches on the walls and the slight ticking of checkers being moved over a board. The two beastmen were playing a silent match, under the not-so-interest look of some of their companions. Every once in a while, someone would snicker at one's bad move.
And the night would've proceeded like that until the dawn, if the slow knocking of the main door hadn't come to surprise the feathered rogues. All the heads in the room turned to look at it.
No one moved nor spoke. They stared in silence, until the door was knocked again. This time louder, as if whoever was outside had grown some unbearable impatience.
Some of the Tengu stood up, and some others picked up their weapons.
- Maybe it's the others… - croaked one of the two who had been playing chess.
Another, bearing a long couse, nodded and then turned to speak at the door. - Password!?
- Xee Musu. - the voice behind the door was weak, but clearly the one of a Tengu.
The birdman who had spoken nodded to another companion, who walked to the door to remove the huge rafter blocking it. - Warrk, very well. Come on in.
The sturdy wooden piece had just been lifted from the hooks when the door was suddenly unhinged by a powerful kick of a tall black-haired elvaan. He then lowered his leg, looking at the Tengu with a bored glare. Next to him was a kid of his same race.
- 'Evening! - they greeted in chorus.
They then entered the room along with some other fellows. One of them, a galka in strange clothes with a big gun in his left hand, dropped the bleeding body of a semi-dead Tengu in front of its shocked companions.
One of them managed to recover from the surprise, and unsheathed a great katana. - What the… Who are you!?
- My, my! How rude… - Exclaimed a black-haired woman with a flowered tiara.
- Shut it. How I act is my own business. - snapped the older elvaan, pouting at her.
The kid was cracking his knuckles with a careless, innocent face. - Besides, we even greeted them…!
- Kyah! Intruders!!
- CHARGE!!! - A Tengu ran forth, his weapon drawn. Unfortunately, he didn't go far. Before he even realized, he had been lifted from the ground from the rock-hard hand of the galkan gunner. - Huh…!?
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John moved his arm as fast as a whip and smashed the Tengu against the wall nearby, digging a hole in it with the beastman's corpse. He then let go, watching quietly his victim slide down the wall to the floor, lifeless. The clawed left hand was still holding the sword convulsively.
- Who… Who are these people!?
- Kill them! KILL THEM!!!
- KINKOBO! - Shion moved swiftly, and swung his weapon to immediately knock down two of his opponents. The beastmen fell to the ground with panicked grunts.
- C-Couldn't it be… - whispered one of the beastmen, lifting its head from the ground, spitting blood. - The famous group of the Holy Dan-
- Enough with that story already! - Kage pushed the Tengu's head to the floor with one kick, shutting him up. He then turned to glare at Dhemetra, who was chuckling innocently. - Hear me well, my dear Holy Dancer. We have no intention to accept your help. - He growled, as more beastmen were rushing out from the hallways to join the fight.
- There they are!
- Over here, kyah!
- We will take care of them by ourselves. - Finished the samurai, with a grin.
The dancer laughed wholeheartedly. - Oh! We will really see about that, that we will!
Kage and Shion looked at each other with a twitch, to then jump up and vent their angst on the poor incoming beastmen. - DON'T TEASE US, HOLY DANCER!
She shook her head with smile. - Look at that, how lively!
- You two, stop getting so cocky! - snarled Kenjii at the elvaans, while fighting back-to-back with Hikari.
The white mage had just knocked out a Tengu, without killing him. After pushing his weapon away, he grabbed the beastman's arms and locked it behind his back. - Well… How about you tell us where you keep your prisoners, now?
The beastman looked up at him, with eyes full or anger.
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It took no longer for the birdman to reveal the position of the prisoner than the time of taking out the rest of the Tengu on that floor. Hikari knocked out the fiend and turned to his allies.
- Shion! Kage!! Go to the top floor! We will be right behind!
- Right on! - Shion placed his weapon on his back and turned to the hallway. - There's no one here who can beat me at runni- What the hell!?
The kid could only stare startled at the dancer storming past him as fast as the wind itself, with an harmonious and confident pace.
- Ugh! S-she so fast…! - He stammered aloud.
- Well, personally I do rely a lot on my legs… - replied Dhemetra stopping at the bottom of the stairs leading up, turning to look at the others with a polite smile. - I wonder if the real reason could be that mine are longer than yours, fellows.
She then dashed up, leaving some very irritated men behind.
- Shion, kill that chick!! - snarled Kage, pointing at the stairs with a twitch.
The monk sighed and moved forward to close his distance with the western woman. She had slowed down as a few Tengu had appeared to stop her on the staircase. When Shion caught up to her, one of the beastmen bodies was already to the ground.
- Kyah!? Who are these people!?
- It doesn't matter! Kill them all!
Easier said than done. Before the beastmen could even prepare an attack, the two jumped in the air above their enemies, landing behind and then hitting their backs. Dhemetra's spinning kick had nothing to envy Shion's swings. The beastmen all fell down the steps, rolling to the others coming up. The dancer and the monk then proceeded onward.
- Out of my way! - was the last sentence the group could hear from Shion before him and Dhemetra disappeared upstairs in the darkness of the stone palace.
Kage grimaced, looking at what had happened with a sweatdrop. - What are they, some kind of acrobats?
Hikari was impressed too, but he didn't think too much about it. As he watched John run up after his partner (and theirs), he shook his head and turned to stare at the ninja's back.
- Kenjii…
The midlander didn't turn to look back, but he slightly moved his head to the left, listening. His eyes were hidden by the long chestnut hair to the sides of his face.
- …What kind of wind is blowing? - asked the white mage, with a frown. - To let us get involved in this kind of situation… Why did you agree to help her? You know as well as I do that they'd be fine here by themselves…
- … - Kenjii didn't reply. He pushed Kage sideways and ran up the stairs in silence.
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Dhemetra stopped at the end of the only corridor she had been able to find, and looked around, as the kid finally caught up to her again. John ran in as well after a minute.
The woman looked around. - But this is… a dead end?
- Wait, there is a door here. - Shion knocked the wooden wall to the left. There was indeed a door hidden in it, a smart camouflage for a beastmen lair.
She watched the monk step back to then hit it with a shoulder tackle. At the second attempt, they could hear a crack.
- It… It's open! - exulted Shion. He then moved away the panel to run in. Dhemetra stepped in front of him to go in first, but the ninja's voice erupting from a few yalms behind caught her attention.
- MOVE ASIDE!
"Move aside?" Dhemetra heard an hiss in the air, and turned to look at the door she was about to enter. She didn't get a chance to glance inside though: John's back was all she could see. Then she heard multiple stabs.
Seven arrows pierced the Galka's clothes and skin, as he shielded the dancer from the trap that had been set.
- John! - exclaimed Shion in terror. The others had just caught up and stared at the man falling on one knee, without a noise, as deep red blood started trickling from the wounds.
- Kyah kyah kyah! - the two Tengu archers in the room laughed with malice at that sight. - One down!
With eyes reduced to slits, Kage charged in and slain them all in a few movements of his spear. - You bastards!!
- Hey!! Are you all right!? - Shion quickly moved to John's side, to help him not fall down completely. With much of his shock, the galka's look was still the same neutral, emotionless one he had always shown so far. His hands were moving slowly from arrow to arrow, pulling them out patiently and carefully from his skin.
- Yes.. - he muttered, without even flinching at the pain he was feeling.
- I told you. - Dhemetra nodded, closing her eyes and performing an elegant waltz movement, spinning and then stopping to place one hand on John's shoulder. - As long as John is by my side, he will not die.
- Ah… that's right… - stammered the kid, watching the galka's wounds regenerate at great speed. He let out a sight of relief as he stood back up to simply nod at Dhemetra, before benting to pick up his gun from the floor.
Kage was still in shock. - I don't know you guys, but this kind of scenes aren't good for my heart!
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- That style…
- Huh? - Hikari turned to look at Kenjii. The two had watched the scene from behind, keeping a small distance from the front group.
The ninja didn't turn to look at his Far Eastern companion. He was staring at Dhemetra and John, with an icy expression. His voice was but a whisper only the white mage could hear.
- …The ability to revive with the energy provided by defeating other foes… - he was muttering. - I don't know what kind of woman she is… but it surely isn't a style everyone would pick..
What is she aiming at?
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- Gawk!
The young elvaan girl winced at the birdman's exclamation. For a moment she had feared she had done something wrong again.. She didn't want to be punished again. Slowly, she started to pour the cherry drink in the beastman's plate, keeping her eyes low. She wasn't very good at serving drinks… she was a weaver back in the village… how long had it been now? The girl looked down at her body, dressed of nothing but a thin leather bikini. The many scars all over her skin made her want to cry, but she knew that if she'd do it, she and all the other girls in the room would've been punished.
However that seemed to be a day luckier than most, as the Tengu had only spoke to address to his companion to the other side of the room. He hadn't noticed her change of expression, and drank down the liquid before talking again. - Don't you have the impression they are doing too much noise downstairs?
- Kahk… - The beastman looked up from the maps he was inspecting. - You're right…
He nodded to another Tengu, the one closer to the door. The birdman stood up and opened it. - Guard… What's going–-
The was a sudden slashing sound, a sparkle, and then the beastman's body fell backwards on the maps of his allies. Everyone stood up in alarm, the women screamed.
- What the…!?
- Oh… Take a look at this… - Said calmly the black-haired woman walking in, bleeding knives in her hands. She was looking at the hostages with a pitiful expression. - Looks like the playboy role is not to be played just by heroes.
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Dhemetra smiled. Yet another good entrance… Much different from what her new traveling companions had made. She looked back at the door, a little embarrassed at the scene of John, the young monk and the elvaan samurai trying to enter at the same time.
- OUCHOUCHOUCHOUCH! - the black-haired man seemed about to lose an arm, crushed between the kid and the door frame.
- I'm stuck! I'm stuuuuuuuck! - was yelling the kid between the two.
- Yes.. Sorry… - muttered John, stepping back to free them.
From behind them she could hear the voices of the two humes.
- What the hell are you doing, you idiots…? -.-
- …Teamwork is not their cup of tea it seems…!
- What…!? - exclaimed one of the Tengu, looking at the scene in anger and surprise. - What do you want, humans!?
- Kyah! Call out the guards!
- Oh, that might be to no avail. - replied Hikari, entering as last in the room with a shrug and a smile. - They all fell into slumber, without even passing through the R.E.M. Phase!
- Quawk! What!?
- You alone would have managed to…!? - The fourth birdman shook its head in a nervous twitch, ruffling his feathers. - Foolishness!
Kage knocked the floor with the bottom of his spear, with a provoking grin. - Do we want to see who's the fool here?
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…The ability to revive with the energy provided by defeating other foes…
- Ugh…!
- AAAHH…!!
The scream of an elvaan girl snapped Kenjii out of his thoughts. He looked up with narrowed eyes at the leader of that group of Tengu. The birdman had grabbed one of the prisoners and dragged her in front of him, a blade pointed at her throat.
- WAAAH! - cried the other girls as the beastmen all imitated their companion's gesture.
The leader looked at Dhemetra with a grin. - Gawk! I assume you came here for the girls!
She screamed again as the blade touched her neck, and a trickle of blood ran down her neck and breasts.
- If you don't move away from that door, this woman will DIE!
- Always the same line… - grunted Shion with a depressed stagger.
Hikari looked at him with a sweatdrop. - What can we do? He's desperate…
- So what? What if she dies?
Everyone fell quiet at the sound of Dhemetra's voice, and turned to look at her. Her cold hazel eyes were firm on the beastman, her lips apparently unemotional… but Kenjii could see something more in them. The shadow… of a smile? It couldn't be…
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- John.
Behind her, the Galka mechanically raised his arm pointing his extremely large gun at the foes and their hostages. His eyes shadowed by the bonnet on his head. The beastmen winced slightly at that movement, and the group could see their confidence fading away in front of that woman who so bluntly had rejected their threat.
- It doesn't matter. - said the dancer again. - We will let the girls die at least once.
- WHAT…!? - exclaimed two of the four beastmen in a chorus.
She chuckled, with a sorry frown. - I apologize, but this kind of threats won't work with me!
- W-wait a minute… - stammered Shion, looking up at John with big eyes.
Kage snarled. - You can't be serious!?
She didn't look at them. - Don't worry, I will revive them all after…
- That's not the point!
- Kahk…. What the hell are you babbling about, hume!? - the first Tengu hissed through his beak, with narrowed eyes.
- N-no… - cried the elvaan lady, looking at Dhemetra in tears. - Help me!
- Four Tengu and four prisoners. - the lady of Ulbuka raised her arm to give John the command. - I can absorb enough energy to regenerate four bodies. We're even.
John cocked the hammer of the gun. His eyes shifted to the ones of the elvaan girl. She saw his and understood he wouldn't have stopped. She closed hers.
- N…NO! NOOOOO!
The gun fired, but didn't hit anyone. Dhemetra looked down at the smoking hole on the floor, a few steps from the Tengu. She turned her head just slightly to look at Hikari and Shion, both hanging from John's arm, keeping the gun down. Their eyes firm on her.
- To hinder us wasn't part of the deal… don't you think? - she said softly.
- We told you already. - said Kage with a growl, running past her and charging the beastmen with great speed. His spear struck the foes with surgical precision, avoiding to cut even one hair of the hostages. - How we act is our own business.
The women ran away into Hikari's arms, crying and screaming, so trembling and afraid their legs collapsed and they fell on their knees, hanging to his arms.
- Be strong, calm down. - whispered the white mage tending to them. - It's all over now.
- Dhemetra… - the kid walked up to the dancer, with a deep frown. - Were you really planning to kill everyone, hostages included? Do you not think that wouldn't be normal at all!?
She looked away from the girls to stare into his eyes, and smiled. - Of course not… it was obvious I was just bluffing.
They all stared at her in silence, and she shrugged with an arched eyebrow. - Why is it such a big deal?
- H… Hel… Help me…
The dancer turned her head and looked down. A survived Tengu was looking up at them. Blood trickling from his beak, and covering the floor under him as a carpet flooding from his stomach, his eyes already shadowed with death.
She heard the sound of footsteps, and watched Kenjii walk past her, up to the Tengu. His blue eyes firm on the beastman.
- It's true… I do not know much of the world outside my continent… - he said, giving his back at her. - …However, there is one thing I know for sure.
He pulled out a sharp knife-shaped shuriken and pointed it at the beastman's head.
- You cannot treat lives as numbers.
Who's your favorite character? 5 votes
last edited 680 weeks ago by Blue KJ
To be an interesting, intriguing, well-written character, there needs to be something to allow the audience to relate to them. That is what the problem is with who wants their character to be "perfect". Perfect characters will never be strong, and strong characters will never be perfect, because WE (those who read, who watch, who RP) are not perfect.
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
Chapter 20: Hungry
Tick tock
There was one thing Kage always hated with all his immeasurable passion: clocks.
Tick tock
Their sound would always remind him of silence. And he didn't like silence. Because when there's silence it means there's something wrong.
Tick tock
Yeah, he liked noise. The laughter of a beautiful girl, the clink of glasses full of sweet sake, and the clink of money placed on the table for the next game, too. Clock's noise was irritatingly oppressing. Like a grimy old man pointing the finger at you.
Tick tock. Time is passing for you too, you know.
It was the sound of Death's footsteps.
He huffed, glancing at the other two occupants of the large room they had booked for the night at the inn. John was sitting in front of him to the other side of the table, arms crossed and a stern gaze staring at nothing at all. The dandy ninja, at the head of the table, had a similar stance. However the hume's gaze was at least alive enough to have a subject of interest: the cup of chai in front of him. It had stopped smoking a while ago.
Tick Tock
How could they stand that horrible noise?
- Eeeh… geez. They are taking too long, aren't they? - He said with a sigh, forcing himself to put up his face the most convincing mocking grin. He felt the result of his effort wasn't any good, and thanked the two for not looking at him (the Galka wasn't looking at him, was he? It was so hard to tell…). - I did tell you, you should've given me the task of accompanying the ladies home. Hm?
He wanted Kenjii to talk. To say anything, even one of his usual pessimistic statements. Hell, even an insult would've been awesome! Just SHUT THAT FUCKING CLOCK UP!
But the ninja didn't fulfill his wish. That bastard.
Tick Tock
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- Ah, there it is! - Shion stood up on the cart, grabbing Hikari's shoulders to keep his balance, and pointing at the lights ahead. The fresh air of the night ran through his red hair, and he inhaled deeply with a smile. He liked the air at night in the East. It was the smell of peace.
- That's the town in which Kenjii and the others are waiting for us, right?
StarSapphire let out a sound of joy and started running ahead, and Hikari shook the reins slightly to cheer on his chocobo to go slightly faster. - Yes, we have accumulated an enormous delay!
Next to him on the driver's seat, Dhemetra chuckled gently. - What can you do… We surely couldn't ignore the celebrations they have offered in our honor for saving the city.
- Also because after returning their girls you accepted to show your powers to everyone in town. - said the white mage, glancing at her with no emotion.
She shrugged. - Anyways, since they had terrorized those girls… you could've at least allowed me to punish the culprits.
Shion didn't like that kind of topic, he was forcing himself to forget what had happened in that palace… that hume woman was frightening in more than a way, but he didn't think she was that bad… Shaking his head, he grabbed one of the many small boxes in the cart behind him and raised it over his head in triumph. - Just look at all the gifts they have given us! They were so many we couldn't even bring them all. I hope the others will be fine with these.
- Right, right. - Hikari laughed politely. - I bet Kage can already smell them… !!!
The sight of something on the road caught the white mage's attention. Quickly, he pulled RedCrystal's reins, and the cart swayed dangerously in a rash stop.
- WAAAH! - Shion fell backwards in the cart, and sat up massaging his head. - W-what's the matter, Hikari!? Huh?
He looked up out of the cart, to the dark road. They had exited the forest thankfully, and so the moon allowed him enough light to see what had caused the white mage to stop the cart. In front of them, on the ground, was a small and thin figure covered in a black cloak. Shion narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to see under the figure's hood, and when his sight focused enough to recognize it, he widened them in surprise.
It was a very young Yagudo. Barely more than a kid. It was staring up at the chocobo and the humes with lucid, small eyes. His torn cloak couldn't hide the shaking in fear of his body. His legs were uncovered, but mostly hidden by the length of the cloth.
- I'm sorry I scared you. - said Hikari softly. - Roads are dangerous at night. Please be careful, okay?
The kid winced, and stood up awkwardly, scratching the soil with the little claws of his hands and feet. Quickly, he picked up an object that had fallen from his lap, a cherry, and ran away towards the trees up the hill behind the cart.
Shion's mouth was still open in surprise, but his eyes saddened. - … That kid….
- Yes, that's what it looks like. - Hikari whistled at RedCrystal, and the chocobo started to move again, this time at a slow canter.
- Hey, Goldeneyes… - Dhemetra was still staring in the direction the beastman had disappeared. - Could you stop the cart?
- I can't.
She fixed the tiara in her hair. - I'll be right back.
- Huh!? Hey! You wouldn't mean…! - Shion frowned at the woman's back, and yelled. - What the hell are you thinking!? It's just a kid!
- Shion… - Hikari raised one hand to intimate silence, and the monk sat back, with clenched teeth. The white mage then looked at the dancer, and his face would betray no anger.
- You can go on foot if you so desire. - he said firmly. - But of course this means you will have to fight me and Shion first.
The dancer's eyebrows arched, and she glanced at Shion for a second. His glare was fueled with fire, not of hatred, but of determination. A little hero of justice.
She sighed flamboyantly and waved it off, her smile back on her face. - Oof… I understand now why Kenjii preferred to keep John and send me to accompany you guys.
- We're happy you understood. Right, Shion?
- Maybe that kid…
- Huh? - the white mage looked past his shoulder to the monk. The boy was looking at one of the food boxes next to him, one hand placed on them and an upset frown on his face.
- … maybe he was hungry.
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- … Your name's John, right?
John's head moved slightly to the right, to meet the hume's blue eyes. He was looking up at him, scanning him as if trying to find something. The ranger didn't reply. He knew the hume wasn't stupid, and that he would've recognized a silence of assent.
- How long have you traveled with that woman?
- … A few years.
- That's not quite a comprehensive response, wouldn't you agree? - pressed the black-haired elvaan, looking at him with an arched eyebrow, his chin resting on one hand.
John didn't flinch. - I do not remember the exact day and month.
The ninja drank some of his chai, and made a face to it before putting it down. - You are a revived too, aren't you?
- I don't even remember how many times it has happened…
Kenjii looked at him again with a frown. - Looking at you, I do not have the impression that she's got any control on your consciousness.
John was surprised at how bluntly and openly that hume had spoke his thoughts about Dhemetra, almost as if he expected he wouldn't tell her anything. It was a strange hume indeed. However, the galka didn't let his thoughts be betrayed by his expression.
- Perhaps she's blackmailing you in some way?
- Why do you ask me this question?
- Mmm… - Kage looked in direction of the window as the familiar sound of StarSapphire's voice reached their ears, soon followed by the cart's wheels sound.
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Hikari couldn't help but laugh heartedly when Shion ran past him and Dhemetra with the excitement typical of his youth to rush at the door they had finally found after drifting from hallway to hallway in search of the right room. The monk opened the door with a careless shoulder tackle that nearly unhinged it, as his hands were occupied by the many boxes he was carrying like a precious treasure.
- Ah, so this is our room…! - exclaimed the boy, swirling around to look at the inside and then placing the packages on the table. Kage's cup of chai fell on his lap and the man immediately charged the younger elvaan with a fit of rage.
- Sorry for the delay! - said Hikari to Kenjii, ignoring the confusion next to him.
- WHAT THE HELL TOOK YOU SO LONG!? - was growling the samurai, locking Shion's head under his right arm to pull his hair.
- YEOW! OUCH! LEMMIE GO! WE JUST HAD SOME THINGS HAPPEN…!
- WE HAD SOME THINGS HAPPEN TOO, YET WE'RE HERE!
- Did John behave? - asked Dhemetra to the ninja, taking off his tiara and looking at him with her head tilted slightly.
He slightly arched an eyebrow, glancing at John with a doubtful look. The galka was back at staring nothing like only a very few good mannequins would manage to. - Just look at him.
- They gave us a lot of food in that city. - said Hikari. - Did you have dinner already, Kenjii?
- Yes, before you arrived. - answered Kage, letting Shion go. - We had nothing else to do…
- AHA! Not hungry anymore!? - the boy immediately jumped to the boxes, and opened a couple. - Then it's all miiiiiiiiiiine!
Hikari laughed in embarrassment. - Shion, you ate but a moment ago…
Kage immediately reached for Shion again, grabbing his head with one hand before he could bite anything. - Nobody told you we don't want any!
- Ouch! Kage, isn't your stomach full!?
- I prefer to eat until I throw up rather than have the show in which you make disappear everything in one second!
- But that's the roasted karakul I wanted!
- They didn't give it to YOU!
- LET IT GO!
- SILEEEENCE! - Kenjii burst, throwing the two upside down with a kick. - YOU'RE A COUPLE OF MURDEROUS LOUTS!
Dhemetra let out an exclamation at that reaction, and stared at Kenjii with amazed eyes, her lips slightly opened in the most sincere expression of wonderment.
- What's the matter..? - asked Hikari, looking at her curiously while tending to Kage.
- He's an artist. - she said softly, staring at Kenjii still yelling at Shion, completely ignoring the conversation taking place behind him.
- Huh? - Kage arched an eyebrow, still massaging his head.
-His wonderful timing, his perfect stance, the sound of his voice… He's a real professional, hands down. - she explained with an admiring smile. - Worthy of his noble origins. Don't you agree, John?
The galka was staring at the scene too, with his usual emotionless look. - Yes.
Kage glanced at Hikari with a sweatdrop. - Are all the people of the West like this? -.-
- I have no idea… ^^;
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- One… Two… And three.
- WAAAGH!!! - Shion looked at the cards in shock, as Dhemetra turned them upside down one by one, claiming them.
Kage brought his hands to his head, screaming at the ceiling in anger. - IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!
- A pity. - said the dancer with a smile, picking up the bills with two fingers. - I take this money with joy.
- Hey, Hikari! Come replace me! - snarled the samurai turning to the blonde hume.
The white mage finished preparing the tea, shaking his head slowly. - Kage, I stopped playing earlier because I couldn't beat Dhemetra.
- Oof! It's no use! What a draaaaaaag! - moaned Shion, letting himself plop on the bed he and the others had been playing Tetra Master on.
- Hahah! - Dhemetra jiggled, while putting the money in a purse. - You are still a child. You are not fit to play card games because one can read your emotions on your face too easily.
The monk sat up with an empty, confused gaze. - Still a 'tray*'…?
Dhemetra blinked. - I think I worded that wrong…
- She was talking about you anyways. <.< - said Kage.
Shion slapped slightly the sides of his face, almost as if trying to see if he would make a metallic sound. - So I'm a tray…
Hikari shook his head in amusement, and peered to the ninja. - Kenjii, why don't you replace him?
- Hmph, nonsense. - The ninja drank down some tea, to then go back reading the local newspaper. - What would I gain at winning to such a stupid game?
- Say that after you actually win. - snapped the samurai, standing up to stretch with a snort.
Shion looked around for another partner. - Hey… now that I notice.. where's John?
- He's outside, taking a shower. - answered Dhemetra, turning to look at the window.
- Mmm…. - Shion seemed lost in thought for a moment and then stood up to rush at the door. - I'm going to take a peek!
The four looked at him, startled. - What? - asked the white mage with a sweatdrop.
- Hey, when the heck did you develop this kind of tendencies!? - Kage peered down at the kid, with a disgusted twitch.
- Huh…? - the boy blinked innocently, not understanding the way his words had been taken. - Think about it for a second… His body has been wounded and regenerated multiple times… Aren't you curious at all?
- Not particularly. <_<; - the samurai scratched his head, watching the monk running out with nothing more than a 'Oh yeah?' as a reply.
Hikari drank some sea with a shrug. - He's always our nosy Shion.
- Let him go. - agreed the ninja, turning a page.
Kage groaned and let himself fall on one chair, resting his chin on one hand. All of a sudden, he felt betrayed. Since when they had embarked on that journey, he had never thought he'd miss having a playfellow.
*************************************************************************************
Shion ran around the corner that lead to the Inn's backyard. The innkeeper had told him there was a pump by the chocobo stable that people would often use to bath with, to the point a kind old carpenter had even built an hydraulic system that would make the water rain down of a grate like a shower. That was where John had been seen.
He found the stables and looked around anxiously. RedCrystal and StarSapphire were out in the paddock with several other chocobos, and looked at him quizzically. He approached them and climbed up the fence, to caress the bird's neck. He smiled at the palfrey, noticing how fast she had grown. Her height was getting closer and closer to the one of Red. Kenjii should have been proud of her. And he probably was, Shion was sure of it.
He then heard a rushing sound, and looked to the right. After another pat, he left the chocobos and ran around the fence. Peeking behind a box's corner, he finally found who he was looking for.
John was under the handcrafted shower, wearing only his kecks, and slowly massaging his forearms. He was doing this in silence, slowly, staring at his hands and nothing else, as if taking part to some important ritual. Shion stared in awe at his massive muscular body. Contrarily to what he had expected, there were no scars other than the one across the galka's nose. All he could see were muscles, muscles, and more muscles. How many packs did he have on that stomach!?
He approached, his mouth still open in awe, The gunner noticed his presence and turned to look down at him. One of his furry eyebrows slightly frowned.
- Fantastic…! - whispered the kid, looking up at him while trembling in excitement. He then let himself burst, and closed the distance between him and the galka, beating his palms all over the galka's chest and arms, to see if what he was looking at was actually true. - FANTASTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!! IT'S INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!! Look at this blap blap of muscles!
- Blap blap of muscles…? - muttered the man, letting the kid do what he was doing, in confusion.
- Magnificent! Your biceps are made of stone! - Shion finally stopped, and looked up at him with shining eyes. - Hey, what do I have to do to get a body like this!? I want to be like you!
The galka looked around, slightly uneasy. - Nothing… in particular…
- Like, eat lots of meat?! Oh, right.. - the monk stepped back, with a frown. - You can't eat, right?
- No. It's not that I do not need it… - replied the gunner. - I just don't feel the need of it.
- Oooh… - Shion placed a clenched fist against John's stomach, looking into his eyes. - …So you never feel hungry?
- Correct.
- Hmmm… - the boy looked down at his feet, in thought, and then stepped back. - Sometimes to be hungry is a problem…
- ? - John frowned sincerely this time, tilting his head slightly.
Shion scratched his head and then smiled. - But to never feel hungry is a little sad, isn't it?
John watched him laugh nervously, unable to find a proper answer. That kid… was… no, there were no words do describe him either.
- SOMEBODY… SOMEBODY COME HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!
The two turned around, towards the female voice who had just reached them, echoing from the Inn's windows.
******************************************************************************************
The innkeeper ran through the third hallway and opened the door of one of his clients with all his strength. - Miss! What happened?
The Tarutaru woman was knelt on the floor, her baby in a green bundle in her arms. She was crying desperately as she looked up at him. - My baby… My baby is…!
The innkeeper and the client of the next room approached her and looked at the bundle. The small tarutaru baby's face was covered with strange black moles, as well as his tiny hands.
It was a matter of a minute for Kenjii and his companions to get there. Hikari immediately approached the woman.
- Pardon me… - he said, proceeding to inspect the baby's state.
- It's a new disease, it just started to spread… - cried the woman, sobbing. - I was just on my way to go buy the vaccine! But he suddenly lost consciousness a few minutes ago…
Hikari stopped his inspection, with a frown. He had the baby's wrist between his fingers.
The heartbeat is…
- In this town there isn't even any kind of center suitable to cope with this kind of emergencies… - was saying another guest behind him, a bald hume.
The innkeeper frowned at him. - There's no hope…
The tarutaru woman looked at them in horror, and then at Hikari. The white mage couldn't do anything but shake his head, lowering his eyes to the floor as he stood up.
She cried louder, and hold the baby tighter against her chest, filling the bundle with her tears. - Nasiri! Nasiri! NASIRI! NOOOOO! NOOOOOOO!!!
- Hikari, can't you…? - Shion grabbed the white mage's shoulder, trying his best to not let the sadness of that scene win over him. - You can…
Hikari shook his head at him. - He's too small… our magic has limits, too. Just as we cannot regenerate a lost organ, we can't revive someone fallen from this kind of death. It's… different than being killed in battle. It's hard to explain, but we can't. Or at least, I can't…
Shion blinked, and looked in the direction the blond hume was looking at. Dhemetra was there, standing at the door and looking at the scene with a slightly sad, and yet dignified frown.
- I cannot fulfill your wish. - she said quietly to the white mage.
Shion clenched his teeth. - Why…?
The woman lifted one hand, with her tiara in it. She shown the flower to him. - I am out of the energy given by the foe's souls.
- Ah… - they looked back at the crying woman, and Hikari couldn't help but feel a grip to his stomach. It was just a baby…
- I did ask you… to stop the cart this evening.
Hikari's eyes widened, and with an unusual speed he was in front of Dhemetra. He grabbed the collar of her dress and pulled her to his face, with a snarl.
The others assisted in shock. - Hikari!? - exclaimed Kage.
- … - The white mage was panting through his teeth, in anger. - You're really a…!
- So… - she interrupted him calmly, staring into his emerald eyes. - …Is any of you here ready to replace that kid?
Silence filled the room. For some seconds, nothing but the woman's sobbings could be heard. Hikari seemed about to say something for a while, but then he just looked down, and let the woman go.
The dancer nodded, with the shadow of a smile in her eyes. - That's right.
______________________________________________________________________
* That's what Dhemetra's pronounce of the word 'child' sounded like in the Far Eastern dialect the group is talking in this fic. Keep in mind that bold words are those said in a different language than the spoken one in the scene.
Tick tock
There was one thing Kage always hated with all his immeasurable passion: clocks.
Tick tock
Their sound would always remind him of silence. And he didn't like silence. Because when there's silence it means there's something wrong.
Tick tock
Yeah, he liked noise. The laughter of a beautiful girl, the clink of glasses full of sweet sake, and the clink of money placed on the table for the next game, too. Clock's noise was irritatingly oppressing. Like a grimy old man pointing the finger at you.
Tick tock. Time is passing for you too, you know.
It was the sound of Death's footsteps.
He huffed, glancing at the other two occupants of the large room they had booked for the night at the inn. John was sitting in front of him to the other side of the table, arms crossed and a stern gaze staring at nothing at all. The dandy ninja, at the head of the table, had a similar stance. However the hume's gaze was at least alive enough to have a subject of interest: the cup of chai in front of him. It had stopped smoking a while ago.
Tick Tock
How could they stand that horrible noise?
- Eeeh… geez. They are taking too long, aren't they? - He said with a sigh, forcing himself to put up his face the most convincing mocking grin. He felt the result of his effort wasn't any good, and thanked the two for not looking at him (the Galka wasn't looking at him, was he? It was so hard to tell…). - I did tell you, you should've given me the task of accompanying the ladies home. Hm?
He wanted Kenjii to talk. To say anything, even one of his usual pessimistic statements. Hell, even an insult would've been awesome! Just SHUT THAT FUCKING CLOCK UP!
But the ninja didn't fulfill his wish. That bastard.
Tick Tock
************************************************************************
- Ah, there it is! - Shion stood up on the cart, grabbing Hikari's shoulders to keep his balance, and pointing at the lights ahead. The fresh air of the night ran through his red hair, and he inhaled deeply with a smile. He liked the air at night in the East. It was the smell of peace.
- That's the town in which Kenjii and the others are waiting for us, right?
StarSapphire let out a sound of joy and started running ahead, and Hikari shook the reins slightly to cheer on his chocobo to go slightly faster. - Yes, we have accumulated an enormous delay!
Next to him on the driver's seat, Dhemetra chuckled gently. - What can you do… We surely couldn't ignore the celebrations they have offered in our honor for saving the city.
- Also because after returning their girls you accepted to show your powers to everyone in town. - said the white mage, glancing at her with no emotion.
She shrugged. - Anyways, since they had terrorized those girls… you could've at least allowed me to punish the culprits.
Shion didn't like that kind of topic, he was forcing himself to forget what had happened in that palace… that hume woman was frightening in more than a way, but he didn't think she was that bad… Shaking his head, he grabbed one of the many small boxes in the cart behind him and raised it over his head in triumph. - Just look at all the gifts they have given us! They were so many we couldn't even bring them all. I hope the others will be fine with these.
- Right, right. - Hikari laughed politely. - I bet Kage can already smell them… !!!
The sight of something on the road caught the white mage's attention. Quickly, he pulled RedCrystal's reins, and the cart swayed dangerously in a rash stop.
- WAAAH! - Shion fell backwards in the cart, and sat up massaging his head. - W-what's the matter, Hikari!? Huh?
He looked up out of the cart, to the dark road. They had exited the forest thankfully, and so the moon allowed him enough light to see what had caused the white mage to stop the cart. In front of them, on the ground, was a small and thin figure covered in a black cloak. Shion narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to see under the figure's hood, and when his sight focused enough to recognize it, he widened them in surprise.
It was a very young Yagudo. Barely more than a kid. It was staring up at the chocobo and the humes with lucid, small eyes. His torn cloak couldn't hide the shaking in fear of his body. His legs were uncovered, but mostly hidden by the length of the cloth.
- I'm sorry I scared you. - said Hikari softly. - Roads are dangerous at night. Please be careful, okay?
The kid winced, and stood up awkwardly, scratching the soil with the little claws of his hands and feet. Quickly, he picked up an object that had fallen from his lap, a cherry, and ran away towards the trees up the hill behind the cart.
Shion's mouth was still open in surprise, but his eyes saddened. - … That kid….
- Yes, that's what it looks like. - Hikari whistled at RedCrystal, and the chocobo started to move again, this time at a slow canter.
- Hey, Goldeneyes… - Dhemetra was still staring in the direction the beastman had disappeared. - Could you stop the cart?
- I can't.
She fixed the tiara in her hair. - I'll be right back.
- Huh!? Hey! You wouldn't mean…! - Shion frowned at the woman's back, and yelled. - What the hell are you thinking!? It's just a kid!
- Shion… - Hikari raised one hand to intimate silence, and the monk sat back, with clenched teeth. The white mage then looked at the dancer, and his face would betray no anger.
- You can go on foot if you so desire. - he said firmly. - But of course this means you will have to fight me and Shion first.
The dancer's eyebrows arched, and she glanced at Shion for a second. His glare was fueled with fire, not of hatred, but of determination. A little hero of justice.
She sighed flamboyantly and waved it off, her smile back on her face. - Oof… I understand now why Kenjii preferred to keep John and send me to accompany you guys.
- We're happy you understood. Right, Shion?
- Maybe that kid…
- Huh? - the white mage looked past his shoulder to the monk. The boy was looking at one of the food boxes next to him, one hand placed on them and an upset frown on his face.
- … maybe he was hungry.
************************************************************************
- … Your name's John, right?
John's head moved slightly to the right, to meet the hume's blue eyes. He was looking up at him, scanning him as if trying to find something. The ranger didn't reply. He knew the hume wasn't stupid, and that he would've recognized a silence of assent.
- How long have you traveled with that woman?
- … A few years.
- That's not quite a comprehensive response, wouldn't you agree? - pressed the black-haired elvaan, looking at him with an arched eyebrow, his chin resting on one hand.
John didn't flinch. - I do not remember the exact day and month.
The ninja drank some of his chai, and made a face to it before putting it down. - You are a revived too, aren't you?
- I don't even remember how many times it has happened…
Kenjii looked at him again with a frown. - Looking at you, I do not have the impression that she's got any control on your consciousness.
John was surprised at how bluntly and openly that hume had spoke his thoughts about Dhemetra, almost as if he expected he wouldn't tell her anything. It was a strange hume indeed. However, the galka didn't let his thoughts be betrayed by his expression.
- Perhaps she's blackmailing you in some way?
- Why do you ask me this question?
- Mmm… - Kage looked in direction of the window as the familiar sound of StarSapphire's voice reached their ears, soon followed by the cart's wheels sound.
***********************************************************************
Hikari couldn't help but laugh heartedly when Shion ran past him and Dhemetra with the excitement typical of his youth to rush at the door they had finally found after drifting from hallway to hallway in search of the right room. The monk opened the door with a careless shoulder tackle that nearly unhinged it, as his hands were occupied by the many boxes he was carrying like a precious treasure.
- Ah, so this is our room…! - exclaimed the boy, swirling around to look at the inside and then placing the packages on the table. Kage's cup of chai fell on his lap and the man immediately charged the younger elvaan with a fit of rage.
- Sorry for the delay! - said Hikari to Kenjii, ignoring the confusion next to him.
- WHAT THE HELL TOOK YOU SO LONG!? - was growling the samurai, locking Shion's head under his right arm to pull his hair.
- YEOW! OUCH! LEMMIE GO! WE JUST HAD SOME THINGS HAPPEN…!
- WE HAD SOME THINGS HAPPEN TOO, YET WE'RE HERE!
- Did John behave? - asked Dhemetra to the ninja, taking off his tiara and looking at him with her head tilted slightly.
He slightly arched an eyebrow, glancing at John with a doubtful look. The galka was back at staring nothing like only a very few good mannequins would manage to. - Just look at him.
- They gave us a lot of food in that city. - said Hikari. - Did you have dinner already, Kenjii?
- Yes, before you arrived. - answered Kage, letting Shion go. - We had nothing else to do…
- AHA! Not hungry anymore!? - the boy immediately jumped to the boxes, and opened a couple. - Then it's all miiiiiiiiiiine!
Hikari laughed in embarrassment. - Shion, you ate but a moment ago…
Kage immediately reached for Shion again, grabbing his head with one hand before he could bite anything. - Nobody told you we don't want any!
- Ouch! Kage, isn't your stomach full!?
- I prefer to eat until I throw up rather than have the show in which you make disappear everything in one second!
- But that's the roasted karakul I wanted!
- They didn't give it to YOU!
- LET IT GO!
- SILEEEENCE! - Kenjii burst, throwing the two upside down with a kick. - YOU'RE A COUPLE OF MURDEROUS LOUTS!
Dhemetra let out an exclamation at that reaction, and stared at Kenjii with amazed eyes, her lips slightly opened in the most sincere expression of wonderment.
- What's the matter..? - asked Hikari, looking at her curiously while tending to Kage.
- He's an artist. - she said softly, staring at Kenjii still yelling at Shion, completely ignoring the conversation taking place behind him.
- Huh? - Kage arched an eyebrow, still massaging his head.
-His wonderful timing, his perfect stance, the sound of his voice… He's a real professional, hands down. - she explained with an admiring smile. - Worthy of his noble origins. Don't you agree, John?
The galka was staring at the scene too, with his usual emotionless look. - Yes.
Kage glanced at Hikari with a sweatdrop. - Are all the people of the West like this? -.-
- I have no idea… ^^;
***************************************************************************
- One… Two… And three.
- WAAAGH!!! - Shion looked at the cards in shock, as Dhemetra turned them upside down one by one, claiming them.
Kage brought his hands to his head, screaming at the ceiling in anger. - IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!
- A pity. - said the dancer with a smile, picking up the bills with two fingers. - I take this money with joy.
- Hey, Hikari! Come replace me! - snarled the samurai turning to the blonde hume.
The white mage finished preparing the tea, shaking his head slowly. - Kage, I stopped playing earlier because I couldn't beat Dhemetra.
- Oof! It's no use! What a draaaaaaag! - moaned Shion, letting himself plop on the bed he and the others had been playing Tetra Master on.
- Hahah! - Dhemetra jiggled, while putting the money in a purse. - You are still a child. You are not fit to play card games because one can read your emotions on your face too easily.
The monk sat up with an empty, confused gaze. - Still a 'tray*'…?
Dhemetra blinked. - I think I worded that wrong…
- She was talking about you anyways. <.< - said Kage.
Shion slapped slightly the sides of his face, almost as if trying to see if he would make a metallic sound. - So I'm a tray…
Hikari shook his head in amusement, and peered to the ninja. - Kenjii, why don't you replace him?
- Hmph, nonsense. - The ninja drank down some tea, to then go back reading the local newspaper. - What would I gain at winning to such a stupid game?
- Say that after you actually win. - snapped the samurai, standing up to stretch with a snort.
Shion looked around for another partner. - Hey… now that I notice.. where's John?
- He's outside, taking a shower. - answered Dhemetra, turning to look at the window.
- Mmm…. - Shion seemed lost in thought for a moment and then stood up to rush at the door. - I'm going to take a peek!
The four looked at him, startled. - What? - asked the white mage with a sweatdrop.
- Hey, when the heck did you develop this kind of tendencies!? - Kage peered down at the kid, with a disgusted twitch.
- Huh…? - the boy blinked innocently, not understanding the way his words had been taken. - Think about it for a second… His body has been wounded and regenerated multiple times… Aren't you curious at all?
- Not particularly. <_<; - the samurai scratched his head, watching the monk running out with nothing more than a 'Oh yeah?' as a reply.
Hikari drank some sea with a shrug. - He's always our nosy Shion.
- Let him go. - agreed the ninja, turning a page.
Kage groaned and let himself fall on one chair, resting his chin on one hand. All of a sudden, he felt betrayed. Since when they had embarked on that journey, he had never thought he'd miss having a playfellow.
*************************************************************************************
Shion ran around the corner that lead to the Inn's backyard. The innkeeper had told him there was a pump by the chocobo stable that people would often use to bath with, to the point a kind old carpenter had even built an hydraulic system that would make the water rain down of a grate like a shower. That was where John had been seen.
He found the stables and looked around anxiously. RedCrystal and StarSapphire were out in the paddock with several other chocobos, and looked at him quizzically. He approached them and climbed up the fence, to caress the bird's neck. He smiled at the palfrey, noticing how fast she had grown. Her height was getting closer and closer to the one of Red. Kenjii should have been proud of her. And he probably was, Shion was sure of it.
He then heard a rushing sound, and looked to the right. After another pat, he left the chocobos and ran around the fence. Peeking behind a box's corner, he finally found who he was looking for.
John was under the handcrafted shower, wearing only his kecks, and slowly massaging his forearms. He was doing this in silence, slowly, staring at his hands and nothing else, as if taking part to some important ritual. Shion stared in awe at his massive muscular body. Contrarily to what he had expected, there were no scars other than the one across the galka's nose. All he could see were muscles, muscles, and more muscles. How many packs did he have on that stomach!?
He approached, his mouth still open in awe, The gunner noticed his presence and turned to look down at him. One of his furry eyebrows slightly frowned.
- Fantastic…! - whispered the kid, looking up at him while trembling in excitement. He then let himself burst, and closed the distance between him and the galka, beating his palms all over the galka's chest and arms, to see if what he was looking at was actually true. - FANTASTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!! IT'S INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!! Look at this blap blap of muscles!
- Blap blap of muscles…? - muttered the man, letting the kid do what he was doing, in confusion.
- Magnificent! Your biceps are made of stone! - Shion finally stopped, and looked up at him with shining eyes. - Hey, what do I have to do to get a body like this!? I want to be like you!
The galka looked around, slightly uneasy. - Nothing… in particular…
- Like, eat lots of meat?! Oh, right.. - the monk stepped back, with a frown. - You can't eat, right?
- No. It's not that I do not need it… - replied the gunner. - I just don't feel the need of it.
- Oooh… - Shion placed a clenched fist against John's stomach, looking into his eyes. - …So you never feel hungry?
- Correct.
- Hmmm… - the boy looked down at his feet, in thought, and then stepped back. - Sometimes to be hungry is a problem…
- ? - John frowned sincerely this time, tilting his head slightly.
Shion scratched his head and then smiled. - But to never feel hungry is a little sad, isn't it?
John watched him laugh nervously, unable to find a proper answer. That kid… was… no, there were no words do describe him either.
- SOMEBODY… SOMEBODY COME HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!
The two turned around, towards the female voice who had just reached them, echoing from the Inn's windows.
******************************************************************************************
The innkeeper ran through the third hallway and opened the door of one of his clients with all his strength. - Miss! What happened?
The Tarutaru woman was knelt on the floor, her baby in a green bundle in her arms. She was crying desperately as she looked up at him. - My baby… My baby is…!
The innkeeper and the client of the next room approached her and looked at the bundle. The small tarutaru baby's face was covered with strange black moles, as well as his tiny hands.
It was a matter of a minute for Kenjii and his companions to get there. Hikari immediately approached the woman.
- Pardon me… - he said, proceeding to inspect the baby's state.
- It's a new disease, it just started to spread… - cried the woman, sobbing. - I was just on my way to go buy the vaccine! But he suddenly lost consciousness a few minutes ago…
Hikari stopped his inspection, with a frown. He had the baby's wrist between his fingers.
The heartbeat is…
- In this town there isn't even any kind of center suitable to cope with this kind of emergencies… - was saying another guest behind him, a bald hume.
The innkeeper frowned at him. - There's no hope…
The tarutaru woman looked at them in horror, and then at Hikari. The white mage couldn't do anything but shake his head, lowering his eyes to the floor as he stood up.
She cried louder, and hold the baby tighter against her chest, filling the bundle with her tears. - Nasiri! Nasiri! NASIRI! NOOOOO! NOOOOOOO!!!
- Hikari, can't you…? - Shion grabbed the white mage's shoulder, trying his best to not let the sadness of that scene win over him. - You can…
Hikari shook his head at him. - He's too small… our magic has limits, too. Just as we cannot regenerate a lost organ, we can't revive someone fallen from this kind of death. It's… different than being killed in battle. It's hard to explain, but we can't. Or at least, I can't…
Shion blinked, and looked in the direction the blond hume was looking at. Dhemetra was there, standing at the door and looking at the scene with a slightly sad, and yet dignified frown.
- I cannot fulfill your wish. - she said quietly to the white mage.
Shion clenched his teeth. - Why…?
The woman lifted one hand, with her tiara in it. She shown the flower to him. - I am out of the energy given by the foe's souls.
- Ah… - they looked back at the crying woman, and Hikari couldn't help but feel a grip to his stomach. It was just a baby…
- I did ask you… to stop the cart this evening.
Hikari's eyes widened, and with an unusual speed he was in front of Dhemetra. He grabbed the collar of her dress and pulled her to his face, with a snarl.
The others assisted in shock. - Hikari!? - exclaimed Kage.
- … - The white mage was panting through his teeth, in anger. - You're really a…!
- So… - she interrupted him calmly, staring into his emerald eyes. - …Is any of you here ready to replace that kid?
Silence filled the room. For some seconds, nothing but the woman's sobbings could be heard. Hikari seemed about to say something for a while, but then he just looked down, and let the woman go.
The dancer nodded, with the shadow of a smile in her eyes. - That's right.
______________________________________________________________________
* That's what Dhemetra's pronounce of the word 'child' sounded like in the Far Eastern dialect the group is talking in this fic. Keep in mind that bold words are those said in a different language than the spoken one in the scene.
last edited 680 weeks ago by Blue KJ
To be an interesting, intriguing, well-written character, there needs to be something to allow the audience to relate to them. That is what the problem is with who wants their character to be "perfect". Perfect characters will never be strong, and strong characters will never be perfect, because WE (those who read, who watch, who RP) are not perfect.
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
Chapter 21: Who Cares?
That night, Shion couldn't stay in his room with the others. He ran outside, in an hallway just next to the inn, with no one else but the waxing gibbous moon looking down at him in silence. He wanted to fight… he wanted to attack something… the anger, the sadness, all those bad feelings were overwhelming him, wrapping around him like a wet blanket in a snowstorm. He started to vent on the air, attacking something that wasn't there. A punch, an uppercut, then a kick, and another punch. He kicked and whirled around as if surrounded by multiple enemies, letting the sweat run down his back, his neck, his cheeks, to mix with the silent tears of hatred he was feeling. He was mad, and disgusted.
"So… Is any of you here ready to replace that kid?"
That moment… all he wanted was… Oh, the angst!
"That's right."
He let out a warcry and jumped in the air for a rotating kick. His eyes widened in surprise when his foot was parried by a massive hand.
He landed, and looked up at the figure looming over him. - Ah…
- Training at this late? - asked John's deep voice.
- Hmm… - Shion ran his hands on his face, wiping the sweat away. - I can't sleep. And you?
- I don't need to sleep much. - the gunner turned around and started to walk away. - You can continue, sorry for bothering you. I just wanted to check the noise I was hearing.
- .. Wait!
John stopped, and looked at the young elvaan behind his shoulder, in silent wait.
- Earlier… About that baby, earlier… - Shion stammered, panting, trying to find the words. - … I had hoped… that some Tengu would jump out of nowhere to attack us… so that the baby could be saved…
John turned around to look at him better. He didn't say anything, and that was all the comfort Shion needed at that moment.
- What could I do!? - he exclaimed, wiping his left eye to stop a tear he didn't want to show. - I'm… I'm so MAD to myself right now…!
The boy then lowered his face, and sniffed. The two stayed there for a while, saying nothing, as nothing had to be said. The galka's gaze had a strange effect on Shion. It was similar to when he'd watch Kenjii sleeping. It made him feel strange… safe. He couldn't explain it.
- … If you want to exercise some, I can keep you company on your training. - said John after a while, crossing arms.
- Huh…? - Shion looked up, running the back of his hand on his cheeks.
The galka smiled slightly, and the moon behind him seemed to be smiling along, like a couple of good parents.
- After all, I never get tired.
***********************************************************************************************
But as Shion was facing the moon, someone else was giving it his back. Kenjii, leaning against an open window in the hallway that lead to his room (he had insisted to have his own), seemed to be particularly focused on the ceiling. He had so many thoughts, he was feeling lost just as he was in the thunderstorm that had welcomed him to the seas of the Far East. And yet, at the same time, he couldn't tell what he was thinking about. He had been feeling weird lately… almost as if he was little by little changing into another person… forgetting about something, and starting to walk into a whole new world. What did he forget?
No, more importantly… what had triggered the change in his mind? What had gotten him lost?
Or who…?
- What are you doing here?
He looked down, to the left, and his eyebrows moved imperceptibly at the sight of Dhemetra approaching what he had temporarily claimed as his window.
He uncrossed his arms momentarily to point at it with his left thumb. - Can't you see it?
- You could've enjoyed the fresh air in your room.
- Leave me alone. - he looked away. - If you don't need anything, get lost.
- Blimey, having a bad mood, aren't we? - she said with a sorry smile. - And what if I had a favor to ask, instead? Could I avoid to go get lost then?
- What do you want?
- Would you like to join us?
Kenjii looked at the dancer. There was something in that question that had struck him, but not quite… It was almost as if a part of it was important, related to something he needed to hear, or to say, or to remember? Who knows.. But all he knew was that it was not that very question.
He looked away with a shrug and replied in what he had learned to be a pure adventurer's slang. - Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass.
Dhemetra staggered. - My, how fast! I haven't even started talking…
- I have something to take care of to the North-East. - he anticipated her. - In any case, it's not my style to tag along with strangers.
The dancer shrugged. - Yet, you are traveling with those three.
- An unfortunate but inevitable association. - Kenjii looked towards his room. - Although I have to admit they know how to be useful sometimes.
She tilted her head, and then leaned against the sill, next to him. - If you need useful companions, wouldn't you think it would be better to pick us?
He glared at her. - For what reason did you put your eyes on me? What's your true goal?
She smiled warmly, and then turned to look outside, up to the sky. - The moon… always shows the same face, from whatever place you look at it.
The midlander gave her a quizzical glance.
- Kenjii… You had a mother too, right?
- So what? - he frowned.
- My Mother was a great woman, an abbess, with a kind soul. - told him the woman of the west. - She picked up a poor abandoned baby as I was and raised her like a true daughter.
Kenjii exhaled deeply out of his nose, staring at the floor. Why was she telling him all these things?
- Back then, I was just a frail powerless child.
What did all of that have to do with her offer to join her?
- In a splendid, clear night just like this one…
What did all of that…
- …she died….
…have to do…
- …to protect me…
… with him?
- …from a monster.
**********************************************************************
Hikari was staring at the ceiling of the room, while laying in his bed. All he could hear was his breathing, and Kage's on the bed next to his. He looked to the left, at Shion's empty bed. The happenings of that day had shocked the young boy, he was sure of it… and yet he didn't feel up to go and comfort him this time.
He felt he could've been afraid of him after what he had done - almost done - to Dhemetra earlier. It wasn't like him to react like that. He had always been collected and calm, he was…
Three sudden scratching sounds distracted him. He looked at the window from where it came. An attack? No, more likely branches touching the glass on the outside. He couldn't see clearly because of the curtains.
- It's getting windy. - said Kage's voice. It didn't have any sign of grogginess, to the white mage's surprise.
He turned to look at him. The samurai was still in his usual sleeping position, on the right side, giving his back at him, one arm folded under his head.
- You're awake?
- Mhm…
Hikari frowned. - It's been a while since Shion ran outside… Don't you think it's strange?
The samurai didn't reply. Hikari sat up, and put his glasses on. He looked around the room, in wait for an answer. However, something else came.
Kage waved his left hand in the air. - Listen up.
- Nh?
- Don't think too much about what happened earlier. - Kage sighed. - Of course, it was not your style… Actually no, it was. It was indeed.
The white mage smiled and let out a deep breath. - Don't worry… I'm not thinking about it too much. - he said quietly. - But I did give a show off there, huh?
Kage sat up with a frown. - Hey, that's not what I meant…
- Maybe it's because I'm like her…
The samurai arched an eyebrow with a grin. - You? Like Dhemetra? Excuse me, in what would you resemble her?
- You don't think so…? - the blond looked utterly disappointed that he had been the only one thinking there'd be something in common between him and that strange woman.
- Of course I don't! - Kage plopped back in his pillow with a chuckle. - To be honest, that chick… I don't know, I don't like her at all.
- I don't think she's an evil person. ^^;
- Make up your mind already! -.-
- Kage… - the white mage laid back down and placed his left backhand against his forehead, taking off the glasses with the other. - Did you notice?
- What?
- Except Kenjii, Dhemetra… doesn't call any of us by name. - Hikari frowned. - And yet, she remembers our names perfectly.
************************************************************************
- Listen, Kenjii… The people of Aht Urhgan… and their monsters…. - Dhemetra stopped leaning on the sill and straightened up, looking at him. - I hate them. Combining your strength to my powers we could… create a world without them. What do you say?
************************************************************************
- The Near East and the Far east… I remember now. - Hikari looked at Kage. - Doctor Shigure told me about it, once.
- The doctor?
The blond nodded. - He said that for a reason or another, the Far East would've never stopped fearing and discriminating the Empire and its people because of their progress in ancient technology and magic… and that because of this, sooner or later Aht Urhgan would've returned the favor.
- Yep. That sounds like him.
Hikari sighed. - Someway… The Snowstorm realized that 'sooner or later'… Could the West be fearing the Empire too? Or is Dhemetra just….
***************************************************************************
- Your plan is nonsense. - Kenjii stood up and walked away. The memories that woman's words had awoken in his mind were nothing he wanted to share. Not even with his silence.
- Kenjii!
The ninja stopped, but didn't turn to look at her as she spoke her last question.
- You are not from Aht Urhgan, are you?
He blinked, and turned halfway to look at her. Oddly enough, he felt the tension of a smirk on his lips. - Who cares…?
***************************************************************************
Dhemetra watched the man of Quon walk away and disappear behind the door of his room. She had guessed right… his smile was a rare and immeasurable treasure. Something hard but worthy to claim.
With a sigh, she leaned back against the sill and looked up at the moon. - Pfft… You're really one difficult man…
***************************************************************************
- WAAH! GYAH! UGH!
Kage let out a loud yawn while walking through the hallway leading to the washbasins storage room, his hair still messed up and his eyes swollen with sleep. What were all those screams?
He reached the window from which the noise was coming from, and leaned against it with his elbows, scratching his head in grogginess. After blinking a few times, his sight finally focused enough to actually see something that wasn't blurry.
In the backyard under the window, Shion and John were fighting in hand-to-hand combat. the kid was charging with all his strength, his clothes all wet with sweat. The galka instead would just parry all the monk's attacks with his hands, with a surprisingly high speed given his bulky body.
The only one screaming was Shion of course. He was letting out a warcry for each attack, to boost his power. - YAAH! AAAH!!
Both the combatants' faces were dead serious and focused, not a glimpse of tiredness.
Kage twitched in disbelief. - Don't tell me those two have spent the whole night like that…
- I wonder when did they become so close to each other… - commented Dhemetra next to him with a shrug. She was all ready and perfectly set, her hair tied in his usual high ponytail over the fashionable tiara.
Kenjii simply let out a 'hmph' while walking past them, without a single glance at the scene below. Hikari, who was following him, stopped a moment and looked out of the window, bringing one hand to the side of his mouth.
- Shion, breakfast is ready!
*******************************************************************************************
The blond's voice distracted John for less than a second, but that was enough for him to not dodge the incoming kick fast enough. The air moved by Shion's attack blew the galka's bonnet off his head. He allowed himself a grunt of surprise.
Shion landed back on the ground with both feet and one hand, and looked up at him. His expression was back to the face of an innocent and sincere child. - Hey, did you hear? It's food time.
John straightened and gave a nod. - Yes… you can go.
- All right, thanks!
The galka followed the kid's movements for a second, as he ran past him. He then walked to his bonnet and bent to pick it up. He dusted it off slowly.
"It's a trade."
Those memories… why were they coming back at him now? The bright, burning sun… the dry air… and Dhemetra's silhouette against the sunlight, looking down at him.
"The power to hold someone's life in my hands… This will be the first and last time."
He could still remember his fear, his surprise… his shock at seeing he had died and returned back to live. His arms trembling, his heart racing, his eyes wide, staring into Dhemetra's…
"Listen well… I'll let you live."
He had seen well that day..
"But from this day, your existence…"
She was crying.
"…belongs to me."
- Hey!
John blinked, and heard a hiss in the air. Quickly, he brought his open left hand to the side of his face, and caught the bullet aimed at him. He looked at it… it was an apple.
He frowned, and looked into the direction the object had come from. To the upper floor of the tavern was a window, and Shion was looking out from it with a big grin, his hands on the hips while wearing nothing but his trousers and a towel to cover his shoulders.
- You can still eat anyway, right? - he said with a laughter.
John watched him disappear in the room again, probably to go get some dry clothes. He felt a smile pulling the corner of his mouth as he looked back at the fruit and gave his first bite since a day he couldn't even remember.
*******************************************************************************
Samu had been working at the inn for his whole damn life. His father was an innkeeper, and his father's father was an innkeeper. And he, goddess damn it, would have been an innkeeper too until the day he'd say goodbye to his land.
And one thing an innkeeper cannot afford is letting his kitchen's food to be stolen. The damn thief had succeeded in its raids more than a couple times now, and it was time to give it a stop. He had a track, and knew he was going to find it that day, and punish it, goddess damn it!
He was thinking all of this while walking through the streets surrounding his damn inn at a fast, heavy pace. He then stopped at the noise of crunches. Someone eating… apples probably. His damn apples.
He followed the noise up to a small, dark hallway that he usually only used to stack unused crates in. Behind one of those was a familiar, thin figure in a tattered cloak.
- Hey! - he snarled. - It's you AGAIN!
The little Tengu winced and spun around, looking at him in terror. His beak was still dirty with little fragments of fruit.
- I told you lots of times to not steal from my storage room already…! - yelled the hume, watching the beastman stand up and start to climb the crates to run away. - Stop right there, brat!
His two assistants ran up to him. - What's wrong!? Was it that kid again?
- Catch him! It went that way!
A loud crash reached their ears. The three men looked up. Near the crates stacked at the top was a broken window, its many pieces of glass still falling to the ground below.
- It entered the rooms!
The men rushed inside the tavern, and started to move from room to room, searching for the intruder everywhere. The innkeeper ran to the floor the window belonged to, and quickly proceeded to open all the doors, scanning the apartments and asking his guests for witnesses.
- Where the hell did it go!?
- I don't know, I thought it'd be here… - said another who had joined the search upstairs.
With an angry grunt, Samu opened the door to the dinning room. He stopped to look at the Holy Dancer's group sitting at the bigger table in the center. They were the only ones eating at that time, as most of them had woken up late.
- Ah, excuse me… - he muttered, looking around. - How strange… Did you see a kid in a black cloak pass by perhaps?
- A kid? No… - said a blond hume with a pair of glasses. - is something wrong?
- Well… you see… - Samu scratched his hair, still looking around in embarrassment and irritation. - … There's this little Tengu who often comes down the hill to our town to steal our food…
- Ouch, what a little pain in the ass. - commented the black-haired elvaan to the left, giving a bite to a loaf of black bread.
- It's still too young to harm people, but… - the innkeeper just shook his head and grabbed the doorknob, turning to them one last time before closing the door. - Just keep an eye on your belongings unless you want them to be stolen too.
*******************************************************************************
Kage took a sip of his drink, listening intently to the steps outside in the hallway. When they sounded far enough, he placed down his cup. - They're gone.
After about five seconds, a clawed hand lifted the long table cloth next to his seat, and the young Tengu took a peek outside. After looking left and right, it crawled out, and stood up to look at the group with a confused expression.
The samurai shrugged and turned to Shion. - Will you pass me that curry?
- Mhm. - the monk obeyed, without taking his eyes off the plate.
The little Tengu looked back and forth at the whole group for a minute, and then lowered its head in a goofy bow before opening another door and running outside.
After the door closed loudly, Dhemetra wiped her mouth gently with an handkerchief and stood up. - I'm full.
She passed next to John and poked his chest with her backhand to invite him to follow.
- What's wrong? Need to go take a pee?
- Kage, we're still eating… - sighed Hikari, yet without much resentment.
Shion stormed up from his chair, glaring at Dhemetra's back. - You're still not giving up!?
She turned to look at him, one hand elegantly placed on one of her knives. - There is still time. That baby we saw yesterday… You wished for him to be saved too, right?
- That's not the point! - yelled the monk. - I don't think this power to bring back to life the dead should be abused of!
Dhemetra gave him a sad smile, with a sorry frown. - You speak as if I was an evil person.
- We're not contesting you… - snarled Kage. - We're saying that what's dangerous is your style!
- I don't know what kind of things you guys have been through… - said the dancer, letting out a dejected sigh. - …but have you ever wished for someone dear to come back to life?
The four men glared at her, each haunted by his own thoughts, desires, and regrets. Yes, of course they had wished so… However…
- I am not inexperienced. I am well aware of the risks concerning my power. I would prefer to not use it if it was possible. - continued Dhemetra. - That is why I decided to use only the energy of those serving Aht Urhgan to fuel my resurrection.
Shion frowned at those words. - What do you mean?
- I mean that I will stop the day there will be no one left.
Hikari stood up. - In other words, what you're saying is that your real goal is to exterminate the whole population of the Near East?
Dhemetra didn't reply. She just looked to her left, with a soft sigh, and smiled in tolerance.
- The Tengu are not serving Aht Urhgan. It's a lie. A lie commanded by a Far Eastern clan named the 'Snowstorm', whose goal is to wipe the Near East with the power of a spirit summoned at the cost of many lives. Those are the people the Tengu have been deployed to kill. The people you are saving.
She and everyone else looked at the ninja who had just spoked. He was still sitting, his arms crossed, his cold, blue eyes firm in the hazel ones.
- We're traveling to stop that very clan.
Kage frowned. Kenjii had been clear on the matter: to not reveal anything about their journey to anyone, Dhemetra and John included. The fact that he, the strict and rigorous leader, had come to have to give up on one of the 'key rules' they had set on their group, was a clear sign that the situation was wrong. Utterly wrong. Kenjii was losing control. And this made the samurai extremely uneasy.
- How do you know that Aht Urhgan will stop sending monsters against these people once you stop the Snowstorm? - asked the woman, calmly.
- We'll find out soon. - muttered Kage, glaring daggers at her.
- It would just be easier if they all died. Am I wrong?
Kenjii's eyes narrowed. - You…
- You! - interrupted him the kid. - Weren't you the one saying you were here to save people?!
- I didn't lie after all.
- A questionable alternative. - said the white mage.
- What's wrong with seeking peace between our people alone? - asked Dhemetra, opening her arms and tilting her head. - In my country, the people of Aht Urhgan are called monsters. Dark entities threatening the lives of the races of Altana. The very idea of coexisting with them is inconceivable. Wouldn't you think that their actions against your country are nothing but the revelation of their true nature?
Kage clenched his fists. - You damn…
- So what if it was? - asked Hikari. - It still doesn't justify the sacrifice of a kid, even if a kid of the Tengu race.
She scoffed, and turned to walk out. - You are really inhuman.
- You're right. After all, we have someone from Aht Urhgan in our group.
Dhemetra stopped, and turned to look at Hikari with slightly narrowed eyes. A move she hadn't expected.
His glare was confident, and serious. - But you had noticed this a long time ago, hadn't you?
Her thin eyebrows arched slightly. - I had thought it would be polite to pretend I didn't know.
- Who the hell asked you!? - growled Shion, taken aback.
Kage stepped in front of Shion, between him and the dancer. - So why don't you kill us? If you despise Aht Urhgan so much, why don't you try to eliminate us?
- If Lady Luck is by your side, you will gain the energy of three men. - pressed on Hikari, stepping ahead to cover Shion too.
Dhemetra chuckles and nodded, bringing one hand to her chest. - I am a very lucky person.
- Let's go somewhere else to fight. - the white mage looked at the midlander. - Kenjii, will you give us some time?
- Hmph. - the ninja shrugged, and stood up. - Do as you please.
That night, Shion couldn't stay in his room with the others. He ran outside, in an hallway just next to the inn, with no one else but the waxing gibbous moon looking down at him in silence. He wanted to fight… he wanted to attack something… the anger, the sadness, all those bad feelings were overwhelming him, wrapping around him like a wet blanket in a snowstorm. He started to vent on the air, attacking something that wasn't there. A punch, an uppercut, then a kick, and another punch. He kicked and whirled around as if surrounded by multiple enemies, letting the sweat run down his back, his neck, his cheeks, to mix with the silent tears of hatred he was feeling. He was mad, and disgusted.
"So… Is any of you here ready to replace that kid?"
That moment… all he wanted was… Oh, the angst!
"That's right."
He let out a warcry and jumped in the air for a rotating kick. His eyes widened in surprise when his foot was parried by a massive hand.
He landed, and looked up at the figure looming over him. - Ah…
- Training at this late? - asked John's deep voice.
- Hmm… - Shion ran his hands on his face, wiping the sweat away. - I can't sleep. And you?
- I don't need to sleep much. - the gunner turned around and started to walk away. - You can continue, sorry for bothering you. I just wanted to check the noise I was hearing.
- .. Wait!
John stopped, and looked at the young elvaan behind his shoulder, in silent wait.
- Earlier… About that baby, earlier… - Shion stammered, panting, trying to find the words. - … I had hoped… that some Tengu would jump out of nowhere to attack us… so that the baby could be saved…
John turned around to look at him better. He didn't say anything, and that was all the comfort Shion needed at that moment.
- What could I do!? - he exclaimed, wiping his left eye to stop a tear he didn't want to show. - I'm… I'm so MAD to myself right now…!
The boy then lowered his face, and sniffed. The two stayed there for a while, saying nothing, as nothing had to be said. The galka's gaze had a strange effect on Shion. It was similar to when he'd watch Kenjii sleeping. It made him feel strange… safe. He couldn't explain it.
- … If you want to exercise some, I can keep you company on your training. - said John after a while, crossing arms.
- Huh…? - Shion looked up, running the back of his hand on his cheeks.
The galka smiled slightly, and the moon behind him seemed to be smiling along, like a couple of good parents.
- After all, I never get tired.
***********************************************************************************************
But as Shion was facing the moon, someone else was giving it his back. Kenjii, leaning against an open window in the hallway that lead to his room (he had insisted to have his own), seemed to be particularly focused on the ceiling. He had so many thoughts, he was feeling lost just as he was in the thunderstorm that had welcomed him to the seas of the Far East. And yet, at the same time, he couldn't tell what he was thinking about. He had been feeling weird lately… almost as if he was little by little changing into another person… forgetting about something, and starting to walk into a whole new world. What did he forget?
No, more importantly… what had triggered the change in his mind? What had gotten him lost?
Or who…?
- What are you doing here?
He looked down, to the left, and his eyebrows moved imperceptibly at the sight of Dhemetra approaching what he had temporarily claimed as his window.
He uncrossed his arms momentarily to point at it with his left thumb. - Can't you see it?
- You could've enjoyed the fresh air in your room.
- Leave me alone. - he looked away. - If you don't need anything, get lost.
- Blimey, having a bad mood, aren't we? - she said with a sorry smile. - And what if I had a favor to ask, instead? Could I avoid to go get lost then?
- What do you want?
- Would you like to join us?
Kenjii looked at the dancer. There was something in that question that had struck him, but not quite… It was almost as if a part of it was important, related to something he needed to hear, or to say, or to remember? Who knows.. But all he knew was that it was not that very question.
He looked away with a shrug and replied in what he had learned to be a pure adventurer's slang. - Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass.
Dhemetra staggered. - My, how fast! I haven't even started talking…
- I have something to take care of to the North-East. - he anticipated her. - In any case, it's not my style to tag along with strangers.
The dancer shrugged. - Yet, you are traveling with those three.
- An unfortunate but inevitable association. - Kenjii looked towards his room. - Although I have to admit they know how to be useful sometimes.
She tilted her head, and then leaned against the sill, next to him. - If you need useful companions, wouldn't you think it would be better to pick us?
He glared at her. - For what reason did you put your eyes on me? What's your true goal?
She smiled warmly, and then turned to look outside, up to the sky. - The moon… always shows the same face, from whatever place you look at it.
The midlander gave her a quizzical glance.
- Kenjii… You had a mother too, right?
- So what? - he frowned.
- My Mother was a great woman, an abbess, with a kind soul. - told him the woman of the west. - She picked up a poor abandoned baby as I was and raised her like a true daughter.
Kenjii exhaled deeply out of his nose, staring at the floor. Why was she telling him all these things?
- Back then, I was just a frail powerless child.
What did all of that have to do with her offer to join her?
- In a splendid, clear night just like this one…
What did all of that…
- …she died….
…have to do…
- …to protect me…
… with him?
- …from a monster.
**********************************************************************
Hikari was staring at the ceiling of the room, while laying in his bed. All he could hear was his breathing, and Kage's on the bed next to his. He looked to the left, at Shion's empty bed. The happenings of that day had shocked the young boy, he was sure of it… and yet he didn't feel up to go and comfort him this time.
He felt he could've been afraid of him after what he had done - almost done - to Dhemetra earlier. It wasn't like him to react like that. He had always been collected and calm, he was…
Three sudden scratching sounds distracted him. He looked at the window from where it came. An attack? No, more likely branches touching the glass on the outside. He couldn't see clearly because of the curtains.
- It's getting windy. - said Kage's voice. It didn't have any sign of grogginess, to the white mage's surprise.
He turned to look at him. The samurai was still in his usual sleeping position, on the right side, giving his back at him, one arm folded under his head.
- You're awake?
- Mhm…
Hikari frowned. - It's been a while since Shion ran outside… Don't you think it's strange?
The samurai didn't reply. Hikari sat up, and put his glasses on. He looked around the room, in wait for an answer. However, something else came.
Kage waved his left hand in the air. - Listen up.
- Nh?
- Don't think too much about what happened earlier. - Kage sighed. - Of course, it was not your style… Actually no, it was. It was indeed.
The white mage smiled and let out a deep breath. - Don't worry… I'm not thinking about it too much. - he said quietly. - But I did give a show off there, huh?
Kage sat up with a frown. - Hey, that's not what I meant…
- Maybe it's because I'm like her…
The samurai arched an eyebrow with a grin. - You? Like Dhemetra? Excuse me, in what would you resemble her?
- You don't think so…? - the blond looked utterly disappointed that he had been the only one thinking there'd be something in common between him and that strange woman.
- Of course I don't! - Kage plopped back in his pillow with a chuckle. - To be honest, that chick… I don't know, I don't like her at all.
- I don't think she's an evil person. ^^;
- Make up your mind already! -.-
- Kage… - the white mage laid back down and placed his left backhand against his forehead, taking off the glasses with the other. - Did you notice?
- What?
- Except Kenjii, Dhemetra… doesn't call any of us by name. - Hikari frowned. - And yet, she remembers our names perfectly.
************************************************************************
- Listen, Kenjii… The people of Aht Urhgan… and their monsters…. - Dhemetra stopped leaning on the sill and straightened up, looking at him. - I hate them. Combining your strength to my powers we could… create a world without them. What do you say?
************************************************************************
- The Near East and the Far east… I remember now. - Hikari looked at Kage. - Doctor Shigure told me about it, once.
- The doctor?
The blond nodded. - He said that for a reason or another, the Far East would've never stopped fearing and discriminating the Empire and its people because of their progress in ancient technology and magic… and that because of this, sooner or later Aht Urhgan would've returned the favor.
- Yep. That sounds like him.
Hikari sighed. - Someway… The Snowstorm realized that 'sooner or later'… Could the West be fearing the Empire too? Or is Dhemetra just….
***************************************************************************
- Your plan is nonsense. - Kenjii stood up and walked away. The memories that woman's words had awoken in his mind were nothing he wanted to share. Not even with his silence.
- Kenjii!
The ninja stopped, but didn't turn to look at her as she spoke her last question.
- You are not from Aht Urhgan, are you?
He blinked, and turned halfway to look at her. Oddly enough, he felt the tension of a smirk on his lips. - Who cares…?
***************************************************************************
Dhemetra watched the man of Quon walk away and disappear behind the door of his room. She had guessed right… his smile was a rare and immeasurable treasure. Something hard but worthy to claim.
With a sigh, she leaned back against the sill and looked up at the moon. - Pfft… You're really one difficult man…
***************************************************************************
- WAAH! GYAH! UGH!
Kage let out a loud yawn while walking through the hallway leading to the washbasins storage room, his hair still messed up and his eyes swollen with sleep. What were all those screams?
He reached the window from which the noise was coming from, and leaned against it with his elbows, scratching his head in grogginess. After blinking a few times, his sight finally focused enough to actually see something that wasn't blurry.
In the backyard under the window, Shion and John were fighting in hand-to-hand combat. the kid was charging with all his strength, his clothes all wet with sweat. The galka instead would just parry all the monk's attacks with his hands, with a surprisingly high speed given his bulky body.
The only one screaming was Shion of course. He was letting out a warcry for each attack, to boost his power. - YAAH! AAAH!!
Both the combatants' faces were dead serious and focused, not a glimpse of tiredness.
Kage twitched in disbelief. - Don't tell me those two have spent the whole night like that…
- I wonder when did they become so close to each other… - commented Dhemetra next to him with a shrug. She was all ready and perfectly set, her hair tied in his usual high ponytail over the fashionable tiara.
Kenjii simply let out a 'hmph' while walking past them, without a single glance at the scene below. Hikari, who was following him, stopped a moment and looked out of the window, bringing one hand to the side of his mouth.
- Shion, breakfast is ready!
*******************************************************************************************
The blond's voice distracted John for less than a second, but that was enough for him to not dodge the incoming kick fast enough. The air moved by Shion's attack blew the galka's bonnet off his head. He allowed himself a grunt of surprise.
Shion landed back on the ground with both feet and one hand, and looked up at him. His expression was back to the face of an innocent and sincere child. - Hey, did you hear? It's food time.
John straightened and gave a nod. - Yes… you can go.
- All right, thanks!
The galka followed the kid's movements for a second, as he ran past him. He then walked to his bonnet and bent to pick it up. He dusted it off slowly.
"It's a trade."
Those memories… why were they coming back at him now? The bright, burning sun… the dry air… and Dhemetra's silhouette against the sunlight, looking down at him.
"The power to hold someone's life in my hands… This will be the first and last time."
He could still remember his fear, his surprise… his shock at seeing he had died and returned back to live. His arms trembling, his heart racing, his eyes wide, staring into Dhemetra's…
"Listen well… I'll let you live."
He had seen well that day..
"But from this day, your existence…"
She was crying.
"…belongs to me."
- Hey!
John blinked, and heard a hiss in the air. Quickly, he brought his open left hand to the side of his face, and caught the bullet aimed at him. He looked at it… it was an apple.
He frowned, and looked into the direction the object had come from. To the upper floor of the tavern was a window, and Shion was looking out from it with a big grin, his hands on the hips while wearing nothing but his trousers and a towel to cover his shoulders.
- You can still eat anyway, right? - he said with a laughter.
John watched him disappear in the room again, probably to go get some dry clothes. He felt a smile pulling the corner of his mouth as he looked back at the fruit and gave his first bite since a day he couldn't even remember.
*******************************************************************************
Samu had been working at the inn for his whole damn life. His father was an innkeeper, and his father's father was an innkeeper. And he, goddess damn it, would have been an innkeeper too until the day he'd say goodbye to his land.
And one thing an innkeeper cannot afford is letting his kitchen's food to be stolen. The damn thief had succeeded in its raids more than a couple times now, and it was time to give it a stop. He had a track, and knew he was going to find it that day, and punish it, goddess damn it!
He was thinking all of this while walking through the streets surrounding his damn inn at a fast, heavy pace. He then stopped at the noise of crunches. Someone eating… apples probably. His damn apples.
He followed the noise up to a small, dark hallway that he usually only used to stack unused crates in. Behind one of those was a familiar, thin figure in a tattered cloak.
- Hey! - he snarled. - It's you AGAIN!
The little Tengu winced and spun around, looking at him in terror. His beak was still dirty with little fragments of fruit.
- I told you lots of times to not steal from my storage room already…! - yelled the hume, watching the beastman stand up and start to climb the crates to run away. - Stop right there, brat!
His two assistants ran up to him. - What's wrong!? Was it that kid again?
- Catch him! It went that way!
A loud crash reached their ears. The three men looked up. Near the crates stacked at the top was a broken window, its many pieces of glass still falling to the ground below.
- It entered the rooms!
The men rushed inside the tavern, and started to move from room to room, searching for the intruder everywhere. The innkeeper ran to the floor the window belonged to, and quickly proceeded to open all the doors, scanning the apartments and asking his guests for witnesses.
- Where the hell did it go!?
- I don't know, I thought it'd be here… - said another who had joined the search upstairs.
With an angry grunt, Samu opened the door to the dinning room. He stopped to look at the Holy Dancer's group sitting at the bigger table in the center. They were the only ones eating at that time, as most of them had woken up late.
- Ah, excuse me… - he muttered, looking around. - How strange… Did you see a kid in a black cloak pass by perhaps?
- A kid? No… - said a blond hume with a pair of glasses. - is something wrong?
- Well… you see… - Samu scratched his hair, still looking around in embarrassment and irritation. - … There's this little Tengu who often comes down the hill to our town to steal our food…
- Ouch, what a little pain in the ass. - commented the black-haired elvaan to the left, giving a bite to a loaf of black bread.
- It's still too young to harm people, but… - the innkeeper just shook his head and grabbed the doorknob, turning to them one last time before closing the door. - Just keep an eye on your belongings unless you want them to be stolen too.
*******************************************************************************
Kage took a sip of his drink, listening intently to the steps outside in the hallway. When they sounded far enough, he placed down his cup. - They're gone.
After about five seconds, a clawed hand lifted the long table cloth next to his seat, and the young Tengu took a peek outside. After looking left and right, it crawled out, and stood up to look at the group with a confused expression.
The samurai shrugged and turned to Shion. - Will you pass me that curry?
- Mhm. - the monk obeyed, without taking his eyes off the plate.
The little Tengu looked back and forth at the whole group for a minute, and then lowered its head in a goofy bow before opening another door and running outside.
After the door closed loudly, Dhemetra wiped her mouth gently with an handkerchief and stood up. - I'm full.
She passed next to John and poked his chest with her backhand to invite him to follow.
- What's wrong? Need to go take a pee?
- Kage, we're still eating… - sighed Hikari, yet without much resentment.
Shion stormed up from his chair, glaring at Dhemetra's back. - You're still not giving up!?
She turned to look at him, one hand elegantly placed on one of her knives. - There is still time. That baby we saw yesterday… You wished for him to be saved too, right?
- That's not the point! - yelled the monk. - I don't think this power to bring back to life the dead should be abused of!
Dhemetra gave him a sad smile, with a sorry frown. - You speak as if I was an evil person.
- We're not contesting you… - snarled Kage. - We're saying that what's dangerous is your style!
- I don't know what kind of things you guys have been through… - said the dancer, letting out a dejected sigh. - …but have you ever wished for someone dear to come back to life?
The four men glared at her, each haunted by his own thoughts, desires, and regrets. Yes, of course they had wished so… However…
- I am not inexperienced. I am well aware of the risks concerning my power. I would prefer to not use it if it was possible. - continued Dhemetra. - That is why I decided to use only the energy of those serving Aht Urhgan to fuel my resurrection.
Shion frowned at those words. - What do you mean?
- I mean that I will stop the day there will be no one left.
Hikari stood up. - In other words, what you're saying is that your real goal is to exterminate the whole population of the Near East?
Dhemetra didn't reply. She just looked to her left, with a soft sigh, and smiled in tolerance.
- The Tengu are not serving Aht Urhgan. It's a lie. A lie commanded by a Far Eastern clan named the 'Snowstorm', whose goal is to wipe the Near East with the power of a spirit summoned at the cost of many lives. Those are the people the Tengu have been deployed to kill. The people you are saving.
She and everyone else looked at the ninja who had just spoked. He was still sitting, his arms crossed, his cold, blue eyes firm in the hazel ones.
- We're traveling to stop that very clan.
Kage frowned. Kenjii had been clear on the matter: to not reveal anything about their journey to anyone, Dhemetra and John included. The fact that he, the strict and rigorous leader, had come to have to give up on one of the 'key rules' they had set on their group, was a clear sign that the situation was wrong. Utterly wrong. Kenjii was losing control. And this made the samurai extremely uneasy.
- How do you know that Aht Urhgan will stop sending monsters against these people once you stop the Snowstorm? - asked the woman, calmly.
- We'll find out soon. - muttered Kage, glaring daggers at her.
- It would just be easier if they all died. Am I wrong?
Kenjii's eyes narrowed. - You…
- You! - interrupted him the kid. - Weren't you the one saying you were here to save people?!
- I didn't lie after all.
- A questionable alternative. - said the white mage.
- What's wrong with seeking peace between our people alone? - asked Dhemetra, opening her arms and tilting her head. - In my country, the people of Aht Urhgan are called monsters. Dark entities threatening the lives of the races of Altana. The very idea of coexisting with them is inconceivable. Wouldn't you think that their actions against your country are nothing but the revelation of their true nature?
Kage clenched his fists. - You damn…
- So what if it was? - asked Hikari. - It still doesn't justify the sacrifice of a kid, even if a kid of the Tengu race.
She scoffed, and turned to walk out. - You are really inhuman.
- You're right. After all, we have someone from Aht Urhgan in our group.
Dhemetra stopped, and turned to look at Hikari with slightly narrowed eyes. A move she hadn't expected.
His glare was confident, and serious. - But you had noticed this a long time ago, hadn't you?
Her thin eyebrows arched slightly. - I had thought it would be polite to pretend I didn't know.
- Who the hell asked you!? - growled Shion, taken aback.
Kage stepped in front of Shion, between him and the dancer. - So why don't you kill us? If you despise Aht Urhgan so much, why don't you try to eliminate us?
- If Lady Luck is by your side, you will gain the energy of three men. - pressed on Hikari, stepping ahead to cover Shion too.
Dhemetra chuckles and nodded, bringing one hand to her chest. - I am a very lucky person.
- Let's go somewhere else to fight. - the white mage looked at the midlander. - Kenjii, will you give us some time?
- Hmph. - the ninja shrugged, and stood up. - Do as you please.
last edited 680 weeks ago by Blue KJ
To be an interesting, intriguing, well-written character, there needs to be something to allow the audience to relate to them. That is what the problem is with who wants their character to be "perfect". Perfect characters will never be strong, and strong characters will never be perfect, because WE (those who read, who watch, who RP) are not perfect.
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
Chapter 22: Shion's Challenge
- There, there… Look at that! - Morugana giggled, and exhaled some smoke while lowering the pipe on her lap. She was sitting on a chair, with legs seductively crossed, in front of a large mirror. On the item's surface were the figures of the midlander's group and Dhemetra - as well as her cumbersome companion - walking out of town, up to a clearing in the hill by the city.
Her tail twisted playfully. - They look like to be having quite some fun, eh? Maybe I'm a little late…
She raised her left, white-skinned hand with long black claws, and gently caressed the jaw of Leviathan, floating around the chair and looking with her. The spiritual beast let out a growling hiss at her, letting the fingers touch it.
- So, what do you say….? - she whispered softly at the avatar with a smile. Her claws then closed violently on the blue scaled neck, and the beast let out a roar, before twisting around Morugana and disappear in a summoning circle. She stood up and shrugged.
- Well, it wouldn't be fun if everything were to end so soon, now would it?
****************************************************************************************
- Kweh!
Kenjii ignored StarSapphire as she walked up to him to place her feathered head on his legs. It was disturbing that she was now tall enough to reach the driver's seat with her neck. Kenjii, sitting on it, simply kept watching at the five people standing against each other in the clearing they had chosen for the fight.
Dhemetra and John were to the right side. The dancer fixed her tiara and looked at the three. - Are you sure about this?
- Just bring it on whenever. - snapped Kage, placing his spear vertically next to him.
- Kenjii…
The ninja looked at Shion. He was staring at him with a serious face. When did that brat grow up so fast to make a face like that?
- I don't want anyone's help. - he said, and then glanced at Hikari and Kage.
The white mage and the samurai looked at each other, and then the blond spoke. - This doesn't involve Aht Urhgan alone, but also the Far East. We will not step back.
Shion nodded, and then glanced at Kenjii again.
The ninja crossed arms and shrugged. - Hmph, do as you please.
After all, he was from the Middle Lands. He didn't have the right to step in that fight.
****************************************************************************************
- I shall reserve no favorable treatment. - said the dancer firlmly, drawing out her knives. - John.
The gunner started into Shion's eyes, and his slightly narrowed. An imperceptible movement that the boy returned the same way.
Dhemetra turned her head slightly, to look at her companion's eyes. Her voice was cold.
- John.
The galka's arm moved fast to his belt. The gun was up and pointing at Shion in the matter of a second. The boy assumed his fighting stance, ready to guard.
Dhemetra pointed at him, John's shadow completely covering her from behind.
- Go.
BLAM!
The first shot fired, and then four others in an high-speed sequence as the group charged the western travelers. Kage ran in front of the group and attacked first, but a close bullet from John's gun reflected his couse blade, and the weapon flied back to stab the ground.
Hikari was next. He stopped a few yalms from the two, a glowing white orb shining brighter and brighter in his two hands. He whirled around and placed his arms straight in front of hmself, aiming the spell at the dancer.
She moved aside with a quick jump and charged him, her knives ready on her hands.
- Now that I think about it, this is quite an unfair situation. - she said. - Three versus two…
- Are you whining now? - Hikari moved to her swiftly, and tried to hit her with a kick.
She dodged with a backflip and then moved under him. - No. I was just talking to myself!
She kicked him on the chin, and the white mage fell backwards. He landed on his left hand and spun to quickly punch her stomach. This time he hit her, and she staggered, her eyes widen in surprise. With clenched teeth, she looked up at him.
He wiped the blood at the corner of his mouth with no expression on his face. - Let us continue.
***********************************************************************
John's gun fired again, missing the boy. The kid of Aht Urhgan took the chance and jumped in front of him, but the Galka swiftly pushed him down with one hand and then kicked him.
- Agh…! - Shion hit a tree with his back and fell sitting. Massaging his back, he looked up at the man looming over him. - …You…
- What the hell are you doing, shrimp!? - yelled Kage, running behind John with his spear back in his hands. Right as he raised the weapon to attack, he saw John's armed hand move under his other's arm, pointing behind at him.
He stopped and dodged the bullet, thankfully not too precise as the galka had aimed without looking at him. - Heh…! I'm too used ad dodging shurikens for these bullets to hit me, bro!
He moved his spear against John on a left-to-right attack, but with his surprise the galka was able to dodge it with a great jump. Kage had barely the time to be surprised before the gunner landed behind him, his gun pointing at the samurai's head.
- KAGE!! - Shion jumped up to kick the galka, distracting him from firing. However he didn't manage to hit him. Only the gunner's bonnet fell to the ground.
Shion spun back to look at his foe. - Why…!? Why do you do whatever she tells you do!? - he exclaimed, watching the man of the West touching his own forehead to check any harm. - What is that you truly want!?
John saw it again. Dhemetra's tears running down her cheeks, her eyes shadowed under her fringe.
"It's a trade."
- It's a trade.
- Huh? - Shion blinked.
- I do not exist. I am what I am… - said the galka, pointing his gun straight between Shion's eyes. - … only with Dhemetra.
Hikari and Kage turned to look.
- !!!
- Shion…! - exclaimed the samurai.
An hiss in the air, instantaneous and precise as a thunder. In the matter of half a second, John was holding his armed arm, bleeding. A shuriken shining of blood between the ripped cloth of jacket.
********************************************************************************
Dhemetra and everyone else turned to look at the midlander. His pupils were reduced to slits, and he had jumped off the cart, another shuriken ready in his right hand.
- I thought the boy had said he didn't want any help, am I wrong? - asked the dancer, coldly.
- The situation changed a little, you know… - Kenjii looked at his companions.
Kage scratched his head. - Yeah…?
The ninja turned his head to the threes behind the cart. - Hey shorty… stop hiding. Come out.
The others looked in that direction quizzically.
- Huh…? - Shion blinked, and then his eyes widened in shock at the sight of a little clawed hand appearing from behind a tree to place on the trunk, and then an hooded head take a peek outside.
- …Why? - said a weal, croaking voice.
Hikari let out a sigh of surprise. - That's right… They did tell us it lived around here…
- Why are you fighting now? - asked the young Tengu, walking out. His tone was sincerely and genuinely confused. - You are those who helped me before…
- What are you waiting for, Dhemetra? - asked Kenjii, looking at the dancer. - Tell him.
She looked at him. Her expression was cold, but slightly interrogative. A move she hadn't expected perhaps.
Shion turned to his friend. - Kenjii…!?
- After all, it's because of this kid if we're fighting. Isn't it? - he said with a shrug, looking back at the Tengu.
- …? - the beastman, or beastchild, looked confused at everyone. He then slightly gasped in surprise as the dancer jumped to land in front of him with an harmonious grace.
- You know, I… - she said, kneeling down in front of him to stare into his eyes. - … I really wish I could take your life.
The Tengu looked at her in panic. - …Huh…!?
- You see, a baby died because of a disease… and now his mother is really sad. If you gave me your life, in return I could give it back to that baby. - she said, peering at him. - Do you understand what I'm saying?
- If I… die… he.. is saved? - he said slowly, with an empty gaze.
- What an intelligent child! - Dhemetra smiled, lowering down the Tengu's hood to caress his head.
- Stop this nonsense! - exclaimed Hikari, with clenched fists. - Don't listen to her…!
The Tengu looked at him, but immediately looked back at the dancer as she spoke again in her sweet, melodious voice.
- Listen. - she said, tilting her head with a sad smile, frowning. - You are always hungry and the people in town will not stop chasing you away. Are you not tired to live like this? Wouldn't you prefer an easier life?
- You coward… - Kage growled, and turned to look at the ninja. - Kenjii! Why don't you stop her!?
- Yes. Okay. - croaked the young Tengu, looking down.
Everyone turned back to look at him and the dancer, in horrified disbelief.
- Daddy… Mommy… all the other Tengu… they all joined the Snowstorm. And those who didn't want to disappeared… - he whispered. - I heard the villagers say that soon I will disappear too. So, I accept…
The beastman raised his head to look at the dancer with a frown, but also what looked to be a smile in his beak. - I think I could as well die now. - he said, gripping the bottom of his cloak with his claws. - Help that baby.
Dhemetra looked at him for a moment, emotionless, and then stood up.
- John.
- !!! - Shion turned to look at the galka raising his gun at the kid. - DON'T DO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!
- Agh…! - the Tengu covered his ears, closing his eyes.
- Why are you shaking?
John stopped and looked at Kenjii. Dhemetra and the others looked at him too. He was standing next to the kid, his arms crossed, looking at the floor.
The Tengu seemed shocked by his question. He opened his eyes in surprise, his gaze empty. His clawed hands slowly separated from his ears. He stammered, and whispered. - …Because…
- …because you're afraid?
- Ugh…
- Is it because you're afraid?
- It's because…. - the Tengu's voice was trembling. - I don't want.. to die…
- I can't hear you. - said Kenjii.
- I-I… d-don't… want… to die…
- Say it once more.
- …I don't want to die…
- SAY IT ALOUD!
- I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEEE!!! - screamed the child, raising his head to the sky in tears. - I DON'T WANT… I DON'T WANT! I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEEEE!
John lowered his arm, his mouth slightly opened in a sigh.
Kenjii turned to look at Dhemetra. - You heard him, didn't you?
The dancer lowered her gaze, to look at the crying child. - You are really… a coward… - she whispered. - I scared you… well, so be it.
******************************************************************************
- …Hmmm, how to say… - muttered Kage.
The Tengu had left, and the group was now standing in quietness under some trees, each with his own thoughts.
- It was rather underwhelming. - commented the samurai, with a sigh. He was sitting against a trunk, next to Hikari.
- It wasn't pleasant at all. - agreed Dhemetra, standing to another tree with crossed arms, on her face had an offended expression, similar to a kid who had lost an easy game. - But there's a question I would like to ask you guys…
- Nh? - the elvaan looked up at her, warily.
- Why do you travel with a boy from Aht Urhgan, after all his country has done to yours?
Hikari looked up at Shion. The kid was sitting on a low branch, letting one leg swing back and forth. His eyes were semi-closed, looking at the horizon in trance.
- Well, let's say that at the moment… we don't belong to neither country. We're like a sort of neutral unknown group carried by destiny to try and save the East. - were the white mage's words.
Dhemetra blinked. - Oh, so it's true that you aren't much popular…
Kage twitched. - Leave us alone! -.-x
- Anyway, I personally don't believe that what we're doing is wrong. - said Dhemetra, stepping away from them to look at the sky. - If the next time we meet that child he will have attacked someone, I will have no mercy. And the same goes for you guys.
The group stared at her in silence, and John walked to her. She looked up at him, and then heard a thump close to her. She looked at Shion landing to the ground.
- Listen up. - said the boy, standing up. - How about a challenge?
The dancer's left eyebrow arched, and she slightly lifted her chin. - …?
- Let's see if you can manage to exterminate all of Aht Urhgan first, - he proposed, looking up at her. - Or if it will be us first, to bring peace between Aht Urhgan and the Far East.
Dhemetra looked at him in silence for a while, and then her usual, elegant smile slowly resurfaced on her lips. - You speak in a really intriguing way, boy…
She then shook her head, and put back her tiara in her hair. - Pardon me, I meant… Shion, right? Challenge accepted.
The monk smiled, and gave a nod to her before looking at his group. Hikari and Kage stood up and walked next to him to pat his shoulders. Kenjii glanced at Shion for a moment, before getting on the cart.
- But I'll spare you today. - said the woman, pointing at Shion in a taunting way, with a little grin.
- Thank you, "Holy Dancer". - he replied with a laughter. - Do you like this better?
And so the two groups separated, nobody looking back.
*******************************************************************
- Ahhh! - Kage let out a sigh of relief, stretching in his old spot at the bottom of the cart. - Finally comfy again!
- Yes, we are much lighter now. - agreed Hikari, peering at his chocobo. - Thank goodness, right Red?
The red bird let out a joyful sound, proceed at a steady pace, heading out of town.
- You know, though… it was a great experience to me. - said Shion, looking back.
- That's because you always become attached to everyone, especially to certain imperturbable guys.. - snickered Kage, with a sweatdrop. - Most than anything, I don't want to be called "the Holy Dancer's group" anymore! "Midlander's Party" sounds much better!
He, Shion and Hikari laughed heartedly. The white mage then looked at the ninja to his left. The midlander hadn't spoken since when he had helped that Tengu. His gaze was empty, low, and perhaps a little… sad?
- What's wrong, Kenjii?
- … No, it's nothing…. - he said quietly, without looking at him.
Dhemetra McRael… she who possesses the power of resurrection through Kriegstanz…
What would happen to her if the Snowstorm learned of her power?
Would they use it for their plans…?
The clan looking after the revivification of Phoenix…. would they allow such a power to escape their grasp?
Why do I even worry about her…?
He shook his head, and looked straight ahead.
- Well anyways… since a certain shrimp decided to involve us in yet a bigger task than the one we're on… and there's a challenge on it… - he said with a shrug. - We can't afford to lose.
Shion looked at him, and then lowered his gaze on his hands. - Yes… but…
Kage looked at him with a twitch. - What? You started it all and now you're whining?
- … Maybe I'm really a tray.
- …
- Don't worry, Shion. Deep inside, even Kenjii is a little 'tray'!
****************************************************************************************
The forest was quiet. Too quiet. Quieter than any day Dhemetra had had in the past.
She kept walking slowly, at a secure pace, listening to nothing but her and Joun's foosteps in the spare grass. Neither of them had spoken since when they had left the tavern with their baggages - a small gobbiebag that John was now carrying on his left shoulder.
She took a deep breath. - Am I wrong… or you would have preferred to go with them? - she asked, looking down.
- … - the galka didn't look at her. - Am I annoying you?
- I didn't say that.
- Then why are you angry at me?
- I'm not angry! -.-x - Dhemetra looked sideways, in thought, and then sighed in frustration. - This is nonsense.
- I'm sorry.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The two looked up in surprise. Above them were one.. two.. no… dozens of crows flying in circles. A bad sign.
They immediately moved back-to-back, John dropping the bag and grabbing his gun in one hand, as Dhemetra pulled out her knives, looking in the surroundings. She then heard steps coming from her left, and saw a figure walking to her in a long black sorcery dress, with a hood on her head.
- After such a long journey.. welcome to the Far East, my dear angel. - said the female voice.
The two looked at the new individual as she put dowjn the hood and smiled at Dhemetra.
- You're…! - Dhemetra widened her eyes in surprise. Her worried frown turned into an excited smile. - You're Morugana!
The blond-haired mithra smiled at her, approaching in a tangling swirl of black feathers.
- There, there… Look at that! - Morugana giggled, and exhaled some smoke while lowering the pipe on her lap. She was sitting on a chair, with legs seductively crossed, in front of a large mirror. On the item's surface were the figures of the midlander's group and Dhemetra - as well as her cumbersome companion - walking out of town, up to a clearing in the hill by the city.
Her tail twisted playfully. - They look like to be having quite some fun, eh? Maybe I'm a little late…
She raised her left, white-skinned hand with long black claws, and gently caressed the jaw of Leviathan, floating around the chair and looking with her. The spiritual beast let out a growling hiss at her, letting the fingers touch it.
- So, what do you say….? - she whispered softly at the avatar with a smile. Her claws then closed violently on the blue scaled neck, and the beast let out a roar, before twisting around Morugana and disappear in a summoning circle. She stood up and shrugged.
- Well, it wouldn't be fun if everything were to end so soon, now would it?
****************************************************************************************
- Kweh!
Kenjii ignored StarSapphire as she walked up to him to place her feathered head on his legs. It was disturbing that she was now tall enough to reach the driver's seat with her neck. Kenjii, sitting on it, simply kept watching at the five people standing against each other in the clearing they had chosen for the fight.
Dhemetra and John were to the right side. The dancer fixed her tiara and looked at the three. - Are you sure about this?
- Just bring it on whenever. - snapped Kage, placing his spear vertically next to him.
- Kenjii…
The ninja looked at Shion. He was staring at him with a serious face. When did that brat grow up so fast to make a face like that?
- I don't want anyone's help. - he said, and then glanced at Hikari and Kage.
The white mage and the samurai looked at each other, and then the blond spoke. - This doesn't involve Aht Urhgan alone, but also the Far East. We will not step back.
Shion nodded, and then glanced at Kenjii again.
The ninja crossed arms and shrugged. - Hmph, do as you please.
After all, he was from the Middle Lands. He didn't have the right to step in that fight.
****************************************************************************************
- I shall reserve no favorable treatment. - said the dancer firlmly, drawing out her knives. - John.
The gunner started into Shion's eyes, and his slightly narrowed. An imperceptible movement that the boy returned the same way.
Dhemetra turned her head slightly, to look at her companion's eyes. Her voice was cold.
- John.
The galka's arm moved fast to his belt. The gun was up and pointing at Shion in the matter of a second. The boy assumed his fighting stance, ready to guard.
Dhemetra pointed at him, John's shadow completely covering her from behind.
- Go.
BLAM!
The first shot fired, and then four others in an high-speed sequence as the group charged the western travelers. Kage ran in front of the group and attacked first, but a close bullet from John's gun reflected his couse blade, and the weapon flied back to stab the ground.
Hikari was next. He stopped a few yalms from the two, a glowing white orb shining brighter and brighter in his two hands. He whirled around and placed his arms straight in front of hmself, aiming the spell at the dancer.
She moved aside with a quick jump and charged him, her knives ready on her hands.
- Now that I think about it, this is quite an unfair situation. - she said. - Three versus two…
- Are you whining now? - Hikari moved to her swiftly, and tried to hit her with a kick.
She dodged with a backflip and then moved under him. - No. I was just talking to myself!
She kicked him on the chin, and the white mage fell backwards. He landed on his left hand and spun to quickly punch her stomach. This time he hit her, and she staggered, her eyes widen in surprise. With clenched teeth, she looked up at him.
He wiped the blood at the corner of his mouth with no expression on his face. - Let us continue.
***********************************************************************
John's gun fired again, missing the boy. The kid of Aht Urhgan took the chance and jumped in front of him, but the Galka swiftly pushed him down with one hand and then kicked him.
- Agh…! - Shion hit a tree with his back and fell sitting. Massaging his back, he looked up at the man looming over him. - …You…
- What the hell are you doing, shrimp!? - yelled Kage, running behind John with his spear back in his hands. Right as he raised the weapon to attack, he saw John's armed hand move under his other's arm, pointing behind at him.
He stopped and dodged the bullet, thankfully not too precise as the galka had aimed without looking at him. - Heh…! I'm too used ad dodging shurikens for these bullets to hit me, bro!
He moved his spear against John on a left-to-right attack, but with his surprise the galka was able to dodge it with a great jump. Kage had barely the time to be surprised before the gunner landed behind him, his gun pointing at the samurai's head.
- KAGE!! - Shion jumped up to kick the galka, distracting him from firing. However he didn't manage to hit him. Only the gunner's bonnet fell to the ground.
Shion spun back to look at his foe. - Why…!? Why do you do whatever she tells you do!? - he exclaimed, watching the man of the West touching his own forehead to check any harm. - What is that you truly want!?
John saw it again. Dhemetra's tears running down her cheeks, her eyes shadowed under her fringe.
"It's a trade."
- It's a trade.
- Huh? - Shion blinked.
- I do not exist. I am what I am… - said the galka, pointing his gun straight between Shion's eyes. - … only with Dhemetra.
Hikari and Kage turned to look.
- !!!
- Shion…! - exclaimed the samurai.
An hiss in the air, instantaneous and precise as a thunder. In the matter of half a second, John was holding his armed arm, bleeding. A shuriken shining of blood between the ripped cloth of jacket.
********************************************************************************
Dhemetra and everyone else turned to look at the midlander. His pupils were reduced to slits, and he had jumped off the cart, another shuriken ready in his right hand.
- I thought the boy had said he didn't want any help, am I wrong? - asked the dancer, coldly.
- The situation changed a little, you know… - Kenjii looked at his companions.
Kage scratched his head. - Yeah…?
The ninja turned his head to the threes behind the cart. - Hey shorty… stop hiding. Come out.
The others looked in that direction quizzically.
- Huh…? - Shion blinked, and then his eyes widened in shock at the sight of a little clawed hand appearing from behind a tree to place on the trunk, and then an hooded head take a peek outside.
- …Why? - said a weal, croaking voice.
Hikari let out a sigh of surprise. - That's right… They did tell us it lived around here…
- Why are you fighting now? - asked the young Tengu, walking out. His tone was sincerely and genuinely confused. - You are those who helped me before…
- What are you waiting for, Dhemetra? - asked Kenjii, looking at the dancer. - Tell him.
She looked at him. Her expression was cold, but slightly interrogative. A move she hadn't expected perhaps.
Shion turned to his friend. - Kenjii…!?
- After all, it's because of this kid if we're fighting. Isn't it? - he said with a shrug, looking back at the Tengu.
- …? - the beastman, or beastchild, looked confused at everyone. He then slightly gasped in surprise as the dancer jumped to land in front of him with an harmonious grace.
- You know, I… - she said, kneeling down in front of him to stare into his eyes. - … I really wish I could take your life.
The Tengu looked at her in panic. - …Huh…!?
- You see, a baby died because of a disease… and now his mother is really sad. If you gave me your life, in return I could give it back to that baby. - she said, peering at him. - Do you understand what I'm saying?
- If I… die… he.. is saved? - he said slowly, with an empty gaze.
- What an intelligent child! - Dhemetra smiled, lowering down the Tengu's hood to caress his head.
- Stop this nonsense! - exclaimed Hikari, with clenched fists. - Don't listen to her…!
The Tengu looked at him, but immediately looked back at the dancer as she spoke again in her sweet, melodious voice.
- Listen. - she said, tilting her head with a sad smile, frowning. - You are always hungry and the people in town will not stop chasing you away. Are you not tired to live like this? Wouldn't you prefer an easier life?
- You coward… - Kage growled, and turned to look at the ninja. - Kenjii! Why don't you stop her!?
- Yes. Okay. - croaked the young Tengu, looking down.
Everyone turned back to look at him and the dancer, in horrified disbelief.
- Daddy… Mommy… all the other Tengu… they all joined the Snowstorm. And those who didn't want to disappeared… - he whispered. - I heard the villagers say that soon I will disappear too. So, I accept…
The beastman raised his head to look at the dancer with a frown, but also what looked to be a smile in his beak. - I think I could as well die now. - he said, gripping the bottom of his cloak with his claws. - Help that baby.
Dhemetra looked at him for a moment, emotionless, and then stood up.
- John.
- !!! - Shion turned to look at the galka raising his gun at the kid. - DON'T DO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!
- Agh…! - the Tengu covered his ears, closing his eyes.
- Why are you shaking?
John stopped and looked at Kenjii. Dhemetra and the others looked at him too. He was standing next to the kid, his arms crossed, looking at the floor.
The Tengu seemed shocked by his question. He opened his eyes in surprise, his gaze empty. His clawed hands slowly separated from his ears. He stammered, and whispered. - …Because…
- …because you're afraid?
- Ugh…
- Is it because you're afraid?
- It's because…. - the Tengu's voice was trembling. - I don't want.. to die…
- I can't hear you. - said Kenjii.
- I-I… d-don't… want… to die…
- Say it once more.
- …I don't want to die…
- SAY IT ALOUD!
- I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEEE!!! - screamed the child, raising his head to the sky in tears. - I DON'T WANT… I DON'T WANT! I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO DIEEEEEE!
John lowered his arm, his mouth slightly opened in a sigh.
Kenjii turned to look at Dhemetra. - You heard him, didn't you?
The dancer lowered her gaze, to look at the crying child. - You are really… a coward… - she whispered. - I scared you… well, so be it.
******************************************************************************
- …Hmmm, how to say… - muttered Kage.
The Tengu had left, and the group was now standing in quietness under some trees, each with his own thoughts.
- It was rather underwhelming. - commented the samurai, with a sigh. He was sitting against a trunk, next to Hikari.
- It wasn't pleasant at all. - agreed Dhemetra, standing to another tree with crossed arms, on her face had an offended expression, similar to a kid who had lost an easy game. - But there's a question I would like to ask you guys…
- Nh? - the elvaan looked up at her, warily.
- Why do you travel with a boy from Aht Urhgan, after all his country has done to yours?
Hikari looked up at Shion. The kid was sitting on a low branch, letting one leg swing back and forth. His eyes were semi-closed, looking at the horizon in trance.
- Well, let's say that at the moment… we don't belong to neither country. We're like a sort of neutral unknown group carried by destiny to try and save the East. - were the white mage's words.
Dhemetra blinked. - Oh, so it's true that you aren't much popular…
Kage twitched. - Leave us alone! -.-x
- Anyway, I personally don't believe that what we're doing is wrong. - said Dhemetra, stepping away from them to look at the sky. - If the next time we meet that child he will have attacked someone, I will have no mercy. And the same goes for you guys.
The group stared at her in silence, and John walked to her. She looked up at him, and then heard a thump close to her. She looked at Shion landing to the ground.
- Listen up. - said the boy, standing up. - How about a challenge?
The dancer's left eyebrow arched, and she slightly lifted her chin. - …?
- Let's see if you can manage to exterminate all of Aht Urhgan first, - he proposed, looking up at her. - Or if it will be us first, to bring peace between Aht Urhgan and the Far East.
Dhemetra looked at him in silence for a while, and then her usual, elegant smile slowly resurfaced on her lips. - You speak in a really intriguing way, boy…
She then shook her head, and put back her tiara in her hair. - Pardon me, I meant… Shion, right? Challenge accepted.
The monk smiled, and gave a nod to her before looking at his group. Hikari and Kage stood up and walked next to him to pat his shoulders. Kenjii glanced at Shion for a moment, before getting on the cart.
- But I'll spare you today. - said the woman, pointing at Shion in a taunting way, with a little grin.
- Thank you, "Holy Dancer". - he replied with a laughter. - Do you like this better?
And so the two groups separated, nobody looking back.
*******************************************************************
- Ahhh! - Kage let out a sigh of relief, stretching in his old spot at the bottom of the cart. - Finally comfy again!
- Yes, we are much lighter now. - agreed Hikari, peering at his chocobo. - Thank goodness, right Red?
The red bird let out a joyful sound, proceed at a steady pace, heading out of town.
- You know, though… it was a great experience to me. - said Shion, looking back.
- That's because you always become attached to everyone, especially to certain imperturbable guys.. - snickered Kage, with a sweatdrop. - Most than anything, I don't want to be called "the Holy Dancer's group" anymore! "Midlander's Party" sounds much better!
He, Shion and Hikari laughed heartedly. The white mage then looked at the ninja to his left. The midlander hadn't spoken since when he had helped that Tengu. His gaze was empty, low, and perhaps a little… sad?
- What's wrong, Kenjii?
- … No, it's nothing…. - he said quietly, without looking at him.
Dhemetra McRael… she who possesses the power of resurrection through Kriegstanz…
What would happen to her if the Snowstorm learned of her power?
Would they use it for their plans…?
The clan looking after the revivification of Phoenix…. would they allow such a power to escape their grasp?
Why do I even worry about her…?
He shook his head, and looked straight ahead.
- Well anyways… since a certain shrimp decided to involve us in yet a bigger task than the one we're on… and there's a challenge on it… - he said with a shrug. - We can't afford to lose.
Shion looked at him, and then lowered his gaze on his hands. - Yes… but…
Kage looked at him with a twitch. - What? You started it all and now you're whining?
- … Maybe I'm really a tray.
- …
- Don't worry, Shion. Deep inside, even Kenjii is a little 'tray'!
****************************************************************************************
The forest was quiet. Too quiet. Quieter than any day Dhemetra had had in the past.
She kept walking slowly, at a secure pace, listening to nothing but her and Joun's foosteps in the spare grass. Neither of them had spoken since when they had left the tavern with their baggages - a small gobbiebag that John was now carrying on his left shoulder.
She took a deep breath. - Am I wrong… or you would have preferred to go with them? - she asked, looking down.
- … - the galka didn't look at her. - Am I annoying you?
- I didn't say that.
- Then why are you angry at me?
- I'm not angry! -.-x - Dhemetra looked sideways, in thought, and then sighed in frustration. - This is nonsense.
- I'm sorry.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The two looked up in surprise. Above them were one.. two.. no… dozens of crows flying in circles. A bad sign.
They immediately moved back-to-back, John dropping the bag and grabbing his gun in one hand, as Dhemetra pulled out her knives, looking in the surroundings. She then heard steps coming from her left, and saw a figure walking to her in a long black sorcery dress, with a hood on her head.
- After such a long journey.. welcome to the Far East, my dear angel. - said the female voice.
The two looked at the new individual as she put dowjn the hood and smiled at Dhemetra.
- You're…! - Dhemetra widened her eyes in surprise. Her worried frown turned into an excited smile. - You're Morugana!
The blond-haired mithra smiled at her, approaching in a tangling swirl of black feathers.
last edited 679 weeks ago by Blue KJ
To be an interesting, intriguing, well-written character, there needs to be something to allow the audience to relate to them. That is what the problem is with who wants their character to be "perfect". Perfect characters will never be strong, and strong characters will never be perfect, because WE (those who read, who watch, who RP) are not perfect.
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
Chapter 23: The Magic City
I've been longing to see you…
- Hey, Morugana! - Dhemetra walked up to the mithra, and opened her arms in an open, friendly hug.
- It's been so long, Dhemetra! - exclaimed the blond female, holding the younger girl tight and patting her back with a big smile before stepping back. - How are you?
John watched the scene from a couple yalms behind his companion, glaring at the new figure. He had never seen her before, but the name…. he could remember it. He looked at the mithra, holding Dhemetra's shoulders in her hands and looking at her, scanning her appearance without ever abandoning that motherly, calm smile on her lips.
- My, my… you're a grown woman now. - she was saying, running her clawed hands on the dancer's black fringe. - You were already pretty cute as a child, but now… Yep, you've become quite a gorgeous girl.
- Stop that, you make me blush! - Dhemetra giggled. - Heheh… You haven't changed one bit, Morugana. Not a single sign of aging! I envy you mithras…
Her head then perked up and she turned to look at him, and walked to him. - Ah, John… remember? I did tell you about her some time ago. - She said, gesturing to the mithra with a wide movement of her left arm. - Let me introduce you, this is Morugana. She's a summoner.
Morugana greeted John with a small nod, her eyes closed in delight.
- When I was but a child she stopped to our church for a couple weeks. - explained the dancer. - Morugana taught me everything about the Far East and the other continents.
The sorcress stepped forth and placed one hand on Dhemetra's left shoulder. - Dhemetra, you came here to see me, right?
She looked at her with a frown. - Huh? What do you mean? You never even left me a forwarding address!
- By the way, how is Mother Beatrice doing?
Dhemetra went pale and looked into the distance before lowering her eyes, letting out a sigh of distress that made the mithra frown. She clenched her fists as the skin on her knuckles turned white. The dancer walked to a tree, her head low, as she struggled to put the words together. The burden on her chest became unbearable as it gave air in and out of Dhemetra's body, fueling her emotions. Her muscles tightened for a moment, and she placed one hand on the trunk, and then relaxed.
She inhaled deeply as she spoke, weakly.
- Mother Beatrice left us… - she whispered, with so much pain and surprise in her voice, it was almost like she was back at that day. - Ten years ago… She died at hand of a monster she thought she had defeated.
- I…. I didn't know…. - the summoner looked down, her face an honest expression of dismay. - I'm sorry…
What a pity…
**************************************************************************
- Yep, a real misfortune. - there was no real anger in Hikari's voice. He placed down the reins next to him and jumped off the cart, crossing his arms and looking at the situation with his head tilted. - Just a little more and we would've entered the city without any problem. - He could feel the smell of freshly baked bread in the air, coming from the town in sight about thirty yalms from the cart, up ahead. It was a reassuring smell, and yet at the same time it felt quite out of place with what he was seeing.
Kenjii was next to him, looking to the gates. He had a calm stance, one hand on his left hip and the other with a katana down to his side. - Besides, if they had shown up once in town it would have only been worse, no?
- SO HUNGRYYYYY!
- Not to count that after running up and down two mountains my ass hurts like hell.
- SO HUNGRYYYYY! - cried again Shion, cutting Kage off. And the samurai looked away from the great swarm of Tengu surrounding them to glare at the kid. The pain at his back suddenly subsided to another kind of pain, the one at his head.
- UGH! I'm sick and tired to hear this endless moan of this shrimp! - his voice was dry, as he hadn't touched any sake in a week. Their encounter with Dhemetra was now but a distant memory. - Cram him with food so he's good for a while.
Looking at Shion, Kenjii had a feeling of envy. He could only barely see in him the brat that he had freed from a cage long ago, the little monk who had fought so hard to impress him but always was the one in need of rescuing. He couldn't help but wish once again he could've been that fast at growing up in his childhood, and looked away as Shion, in one of his spare moments of childish attitude, looked at him with pleading eyes. Yes there were still moments like that… moments for him to act like a brat… but whenever there were things to be taken seriously, Kenjii could see that Shion had rapidly matured into a young man. Maybe he could've actually saved his country…
Something shun out of the corner of his eye, and he turned to see the Tengu charging them from behind. One of them was holding a great spear with a star-shaped blade. - Kah-ka-ka-ka-kahk! Midlander's Party! Your lives and the Holy Feather will be ours!
Kage turned his head to see them approaching.
- Well, I'm sick of their ramblings, too. - he said, countering one's attack and slaying down another.
- SO HUNGRYYY…!
- Okay, I understand… but couldn't you take care of what's going on here for a moment? - asked Hikari, patting the boy's shoulder.
A silvery shuriken shot like a beam from over Kage's shoulder, stabbing into the bird spearman. The creature screamed out just one time in pain, and his claws abandoned the grip around the weapon that fell to the ground as he fell motionless and unable to even see what had killed him.
- Shion, take them down quickly or you're skipping dinner! - said Kenjii, grabbing three more shurikens. His hair swayed over his eyes for a moment under the blow of the agitated wind that had welcomed they down the mountain.
The boy blinked and seemed to wake up from his trance. - Oh, that's right!!!
- I want the holy Fea– the Tengu was interrupted in the mid of its charge by the monk's powerful kick in its abdomen, and fell backwards slamming against a tree. - ..eeerk!
- MISTER SHINOBI!!
The group turned in confusion to look towards the city's gate. It was open, and a man was standing past it, looking at them somewhat excited, one hand to the side of his mouth as he screamed.
- There's no reason to fight them! Come here! Run past this border!
Kage blinked. - Huh?
- Yes, but…
The man shook his head at Hikari. - Just hurry!
The four looked at each other and then started to run towards the city, followed by the cart.
Shion looked back. - But this way the Tengu will enter town!
- Oh, don't worry. - replied the man with a smile as they reached him.
Their feathered chasers stopped but a few steps from the gate, still open, and looked at them in fury.
- Hey… from here on… - muttered one of the Tengu, narrowing his beady eyes.
- Yeah… gawk!
The group couldn't help but stare in disbelief at the beastmen turning their backs at them and run away in the woods.
- It doesn't matter, kyah! We'll wait for them outside… they will have to come out eventually! - exclaimed one of them.
- You have saved your smoothskin, midlander and company! - yelled the last one, stopping to point at them a dirty claw. - But remember this: next time we will get the Feather!
He then spun around to disappear in the darkness with his companions.
- Nh…? - Shion was still blinking, utterly lost. - Hey, did they really LEAVE?
- You really looked in trouble, eh? - asked the man, tilting his head with a smile. - You better stop and rest here for a while!
- Thank you, kind sir… - Hikari was still sweating for the odd outcome. - But why does this place…?
The man bowed. - This city is protected by the divine power.
- The 'Divine Power'?
. Please, this way.
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The city was big and vivacious. The sun was shining bright into the sky of a soft blue hue, banishing the shadows from the wide, numerous streets below. They were full of people walking around serenely, and the many shops around the place shown a large variety of goods coming from everywhere. The calm river that was flowing across the city was bypassed every fifty steps by elegant bridges in stone and wood. Kenjii could feel many smells in the air, some he even recognized with some nostalgia. Not far away from where they had entered, he spotted a paddock where a few young boys and girls were attending a class of chocobo riding. It was the first riding school he had seen in that continent. From where they were standing, he could also hear music, and singing voices coming from the road to the left, probably a choir.
- Ooooh… - Shion looked over his shoulder to a clothing store with many jackets and gilets hanging outside for the customers to check out. A small group of young girls was browsing through the luxuriou clothes, laughing with each other in complete tranquility. The young monk couldn't help but feel sincerely lost at that unusual air, especially after a beastman attack.
- Damn! This town is huge! - he exclaimed with a blink, confused.
The older elvaan looked down at his feet. - Even the streets are paved with stone. - He looked up as one of the girls' laughter caught his attention. One of the girls looked up at him and gave a gorgeous smile that he returned with confidence, and she laughed with her friends again.
- Now that I think about it, after we passed the mountain the landscape was rather changed.
The white mage nodded and turned to look at his chocobo, patting his neck.
- This means that we have come a long way, too.
Kenjii couldn't tell how he was feeling about that place, the strangely tranquil atmosphere all over the place was almost disorienting him. He turned to look at the man who was accompanying them to the inn.
- What's the "Divine Power"?
- Well, a long time ago… the Tengu would attack our community too, and we used to live in terror and despair. But then, a few years ago… the bonze Rozo became the lord of the city. Since that day, nobody of those whose blood has met the Astral Candescence has been able to step into our territory. It is the barrier that he raised to protect us.
Shion turned around to look at the man. - The… barrier? But I came in and nothing happ– - Before he could even realize what he had said his face swatted against the surface of the stone floor, pushed down by the synchronized kick of Kage and punch of Kenjii on his head. The ninja was glaring at him with an eye twitching, looming over him. The samurai instead was looking away, as if pretending he hadn't even noticed his own kick hitting the kid.
- ? - The man looked at the scene, confused.
- Now it's all clear. - distracted him Hikari, stepping between him and the three to cover the massacre. - So that means we've got nothing to fear in here.
- That's right.
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- An anti-Aht Urhgan city…
The four young men had booked a room at the Thor's Hammer Inn, and gathered in the room. It was small, with one big window and four begs all next to each other, with barely enough room to walk for a man between them. It was Kenjii who had decided to not get a too luxurious room, as he had preferred to not lure too much attention in such a strange place.
- We can't say for sure, right? - Kage shrugged in confusion. - After all, Shion was able to step in without any problem.
- He did, but the Tengu who chased us earlier stayed outside.
- And we know that the Tengu are not from Aht Urhgan… Maybe it's a barrier against beastmen instead.
- Meh, who cares!? We're finally gonna be able to sleep in peace, that's the matter! - Shion plopped on his bed, enjoying the soft and tall mattress. - I can't stand their screams anymore! All that 'Give us the Featherrrrrrrrr!' from morning to night!
Hikari sat on the bed next to the midlander, and looked at him. - Kenjii… Can I ask you a question even knowing that, whichever may the answer be, it's too late? - he said slowly, with one hand to his chin.
The hume frowned. - Huh?
The white mage took a deep breath. - It's about the Celestial and Terrestrial avatars. The clan of Kuro Kaminari has at least a summoner in its ranks, and yet they seem to rely in the control of Phoenix to win the battle against Aht Urhgan… Why? What's so special about the terrestrial avatars over the celestial ones?
- Now that you bring it up, I notice that we've never really questioned that. - Kage leaned against his bed's headboard, next to the window in front of Hikari. He had never liked classes, and was annoyed at the simply idea of having to get one from that stuck-up shinobi. But at the same time, he knew that was a question with an answer worth the time to listen. Even if it was the answer of a stupid, catty, passionless long-haired hume.
- Well, the Feather looks really important, so I always thought it was just a good idea to keep their hands off it. - said Shion, looking at the flat box next to Kenjii's side.
Kenjii was resting on his bed, one leg folded up and the right arm resting over the knee, and he glanced at the white mage absently.
He let out a quiet sigh. - You're right. You're asking that a bit too late.
- I have heard some rumors in the past, but nothing precise. - the white mage crossed his arms.
- To tell you the truth this is information that the Federation of Windurst prefers to not let slip out of its highest ranks in my continent, but in this case… - Kenjii looked up at the oil lamp hanging to the ceiling. - The avatars a summoner normally calls forth are not the real divine entities that we know with that name.
With a gentle move, the hume took the box on his lap, pushing up the small hook keeping it closed as he looked down at it. With his thumb and forefinger, he lifted the Phoenix Feather and looked at it. Small embers and golden sparkles seemed to fly as the feather caressed the air, and Kenjii could smell a waft of fire in the air. The boy moved from his bed to the ninja's to look at it closely. His eyes were sparkling with awe, firm on the mystical item.
- As the bards sing, the celestial gods are slumbering. What they give to the summoners in their pact is a fragment of their power, their whisper. - Explained Kenjii, trying to ignore Shion. - Through that, the summoner can call forth a physical form of the avatar, but at the same time, it is not the real avatar. The summoned spirit reflects the summoner's power. - He whirled the feather, staring at it almost as if hypnotized. - We will never see their true full power, as they sleep inside giant crystals in their own world. However… - his eyes gazed over as the others gave him a questioning look.
- There was one Terrestrial avatar that was summoned as his true self in the past. Fenrir… the power of his attack against the beastmen hordes was nothing any summoner's avatar could've ever matched. Forget what you saw when Ame used the Astral Flow. Even if the terrestrial avatars are inferior to the celestial ones, their strength as their true selves is beyond anyone's imagination. - Kenjii looked at them one by one. - And unlike the celestial gods, they are not in slumber. What I think Kuro Kaminari wants is to revive the Phoenix in order to control her like Karaha-Baruha did with Fenrir in the Crystal War.
Shion's eyes widened in surprise, and he smiled. - Woah! So if an avatar shows up on his true form, it'd look even more awesome than the ones Ame summoned! That's so cool! I'd like to see that someday…
- That's not what I said. -.-x - Kenjii twitched. - The legend says that the terrestrial avatars were also conceived to sustain the balance of the unknown branches of the universe we live in. If they were to manifest on their true form, there nature itself as we know it would become unstable. That's why summoning magic was prohibited in the first place: to avoid that someone would ever aim at something like that.
Hikari glanced at Kage and for the first time noticed some interest in the samurai's look about the whole story. His eyes were narrowed, focused on the ninja's words, and the white mage suppressed a chuckle when he noticed a great resemblance between Kage and his pupils of the past.
- I see. - He said, turning back to Kenjii. He tilted his head in thought for a moment, and ran his fingers through his hair. He really needed a shower. He took off his glasses to clean them with an handkerchief. - About this… Kara…? The man who summoned the real Fenrir… what happened to him? Could he possibly have suggested Kuro Kaminari this crazy idea? - he asked with a frown..
- Do you think we're safe, traveling with a guy who's got the voice of one of these fearsome beasts in his head? <.<
- Oh, so it's not that he's strong because he has a whisper… it's the whisper that comes from a strong god…>.>
- Hey, I heard you two! - Kenjii narrowed his eyes and closed the Feather back in the box, to then look down at it. - It's impossible that Karaha-Baruha could've done that. The price for summoning the real form of an avatar is your own life. - He opened his eyes to stare blankly at the box right after those words.
Hikari frowned. - Kenjii…? What is it?
Kenjii just sat there for several moments, in silence, until a pretty loud voice coming from a group of teens below the room's window snapped him out of his thoughts. The ninja's hand had gripped on the blanket under his body, and he let it go to then stand up and open the door. He seemed somewhat in trance, and Hikari questioned him again. Before leaving, he muttered something in return, nothing useful really.
- No… Nothing.
*********************************************************************
- I see.
Morugana sat back on her chair, looking at her pipe as she took it off her lips. Dhemetra was sitting next to her, with her eyes low on the glass in front of her. The ice in it was melting slowly, and the dancer didn't seem any willing to take a sip anymore.
The hume and the galka had followed the mithra to the next city, and only after about a week she had the found the will to tell the story of Mother Beatrice's death to her old friend.
No, friend wasn't the right term… She was…
The summoner took a deep breath. - It's incredible. I have never imagined that someone would be able to kill Mother Beatrice.
- She was a very skilled exorcist. However… - the woman of Ulbuka shook her head, narrowing her eyes slightly, still glaring at the ice in the glass. - Her soul was too kind.
Morugana nodded. - Surely the Aht Urhganian took advantage of a moment of distraction.
- Yes, but I think differently than him. - muttered Dhemetra, looking up with empty eyes. - Aht Urhgan and the other countries will never get along. And I came to its borders because I'm convinced. It's just…
She made a long pause, and the mithra turned to look at her. She didn't press on the dancer, and waited patiently with a concerned, and yet distant gaze.
- About halfway on my journey we met a rather bizarre group… - she finally continued. - … and my certainties, however briefly, have begun to falter.
She looked back at the older woman, and she exhaled some smoke before shrugging. - Tell me, what happened to the monster who killed Mother Beatrice?
- I think it ran away. I do not know why, but I have nothing but fading memories of that day… - Dhemetra frowned. - I remember the moment it attacked me, but after that…
- If it managed to kill an exorcist of that level… it must be a very powerful Aht Urhganian weapon.
- Yes.
The summoner crossed her legs, looking up in thought. - I know of a powerful being of the Near East roaming in this country, too. - she said. - People have been talking about it as of a source of misfortune for a while now.
Dhemetra let out a small breath of surprise, and looked at her with her mouth slightly opened in a question that was anticipated.
The mithra smirked. - Tell me, Dhemetra… have you ever heard of the Immortals?
- Immortals…?
- Exactly. - Morugana peered to her. - Their skin is branded with the fighting serpents of Aht Urhgan, a known mark of disgrace in here… They are heretic fighters who have drained the very essence of monsters… They have mixed their blood to their own, and the Empire uses them as a powerful biological weapon against her enemies. That's what an Immortal is. And one of them as been seen around here. His look is the one of a young elvaan, with golden eyes.
*****************************************************************
- YOU DAMN STUPID SHRIMP!!
Kage didn't listen to the kid's cries for pain as he gripped his hands around his neck and started to shake him back and forth, in rage.
- YOU ATE THEM ALL BY YOURSELF!! I SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT! SPIT!!
- WAAH! What the hell do you want!? You're the one who started to steal them from my plate!!
- It was just some tacos. You can just ask for more. - grumbled Kenjii, twitching. He was resting an elbow on the table, letting the hand support his head in an attempt to look natural in the usual mess his companions were making at lunch time.
- No, Kenjii. Do not encourage them. - said Hikari, looking at the two elvaans with a frown. - What if these two became so fat we couldn't even recognize them? We wouldn't even be able to cram them into the wagon's back…
- We're not baggages! - exclaimed the two, glaring at him with an hurt expression.
- Man… Take a look around… - Kenjii was looking at the other tables around theirs. - This town's so chaotic, even you aren't catching much attention.
Kage blinked and looked around. The ninja was right. In the big hall of the tavern there wasn't a second of silence. It was a burst of voices all around. People calling the waiters, and the workers walking back and forth between the tables, announcing incoming dishes and yelling new orders at the kitchen to the other side.
- Yeah, you're right. - said Hikari, looking at a woman laughing with her children, one of them sitting on her lap. - I guess thanks to the barrier, the people here doesn't feel any threatened by the Tengu outside. Even the war doesn't seem to have reached this place, despite the country's borders being so close… Perhaps it's because the city is not on the maps.
- It's weird, though… - Shion swallowed a cryfish. - I mean, once you step outside the beastmen are still there ready to jump on you, no?
The white mage looked at him. - I have a feeling that the people of this place have cut out the rest of the world. Even the surroundings are wrapped by the mountains… Perhaps this city is completely self-sufficient.
- That might be why there's just one inn in such a big city, too… - observed the samurai, arching an eyebrow.
Kenjii's eyes narrowed. - A true island on land…
- Excuse me… Do you have a moment?
The four turned to look at an old hume who had approached their table. He was mostly bald, except for a strap of black hair growing behind his head from one ear to the other. His eyes were so thin they couldn't tell his eye color, and had a big, polite smile pulling the thin, hairless mouth.
- Would this ninja be he who's referred to as the 'Midlander'? I couldn't help but hear his unusual accent.
Kenjii's expression turned into a mask of sincere boredom. - Not it.
- Stop pretending your fame bothers you! -.-x - snapped Kage.
The white mage's eyebrows arched to the man. - Do you need any help?
- Yes, you see… - the man's head tilted slightly. - … Master Rozo heard that a rather famous shinobi who has often protected our country from the beastmen's siege has come to town, and expressed his desire to greet him.
Hikari glanced at the midlander, and he looked at the man. - Rozo…?
- Yes. He's the bonze who's saved us from Aht Urhgan. He's the lord of town.
******************************************************************************
After lunch, the group was invited to Master Rozo's palace, the biggest house in the whole city. The bonze was an elvaan in the mid-forty. He had mid-long silvery hair that he'd keep tied in a high ponytail, except for a short strand coming down elegantly from his hairline down to his cheekbone, next to the right eye. He had two thin, well-cured mustaches under his nose, and was wearing an large temple vest in white silk and cotton, with a great medallion resting on his chest, hanging from his neck with double laces adorned with wooden black pearls. Despite his outstanding and unusual appearance, all Kenjii and his friends would've remembered of him was his quite evident cleft chin.
- It is a great honor… Kenjii of the Middle Lands, the leader of the group traveling to ease the pain of the victims of the Tengu, visiting our town. - he said. His voice was deep and unfaltering, a sound that reminded Kenjii of those opera singers he had seen rarely take part to Bastok's most popular concerts. - If I had known of your arrival here, I would've managed something to keep you hosted in my palace, rather than a mere inn.
- Do not worry about it. - replied Kenjii, keeping his eyes glued on Shion's hands as the kid swiftly moved every cookie in the dish in front of them to his mouth, stopping only every now and then to gulp down a whole cup of tea. The two humes were trying to sip on theirs as slowly as possible, trying to look natural. Kage, instead, was ignoring the tea. He'd just sit between Shion and Hikari, his legs crossed and one arm resting on the back of the couch, his gaze absently observing the ceiling of the luxurious living room.
- And you do not worry, either. - said Rozo, with a bow of his head.
- Woah, this house is so huge…! - exclaimed Shion, looking around excitedly.
The samurai sneered. - Guess he's somewhat a celebrity after all in this place.
Hikari peered at them, trying to calm down the two. - This probably means he's popular and favored by all the citizens.
Kenjii placed down his cup, looking at it. - I heard that those who have come in contact with the Astral Candescence cannot get past the walls thanks to a barrier you have raised.
- Back then, this was already a big city, but the war had caused sever damage to it. Two years ago, I came here on a random occurrence and casted a spell… and then the events developed to me becoming the leader of this place, with the mission to keep it as a whole.
- I imagine that to raise a barrier over such a wide area one would need a power just as vast. - commented Hikari, with a smile.
- My, thank you… - the elvaan bowed his head politely.
Kage moved away a lock of hair from his eyes. - Well, what if the Empire nowadays had come out with a machine able to control the Candescence's influence in one's body? I suppose then the Aht Urhganians wouldn't look much different from us, now would they?
Rozo laughed whole-heartedly. - Hahahah! That is true. However whoever is able to control magic, such as me for example, would be able to know if he was standing in front of a Far Eastern or a Near Eastern man with a single glance. You do not have to fear.
Kage's glare was growing annoyed and ultimately mockery, and Hikari glanced at him to warn him not to reveal his thoughts too clearly to the bonze.
However the elvaan seemed concerned with a different matter, too important to pay mind to the samurai. - Tell me, rather… How long do you plan to stay?
- We're thinking to leave in the morning tomorrow. - replied quickly the ninja, crossing arms.
- What a pity. - Rozo frowned. - Our city is tranquil and beautiful… I would be pleased if you decided to stay here for a while.
- I'm sorry, we're in a hurry. - Kenjii stood up and the others followed, Shion as last when the samurai slapped his nape to interrupt his eating trance.
- I see… a true pity indeed. - Rozo stood up and walked out from behind the desk to bow at the group one more time, this one more profusely. - Luckily, tonight we'll be celebrating the City's Festival. I hope you will enjoy yourselves!
- Thank you kindly. - said Hikari as he turned to walk away with the rest of the party.
At the doorstep, Kenjii stopped. - Boss.
Rozo turned to look at him again. - Hmm…?
- Who told you that the Midlander had come to town? - asked the shinobi, his expression icy and not even close to the curiosity one would've expected from a question like that.
The bonze smiled slightly, and his eyes closed in reverence as he lowered his head. - It was sufficient to see your look. All the citizens here know of your great deeds for our country.
***************************************************************************
A few hours later, the Festival air had exploded in the streets of Rozo's city. If Kenjii had found it chaotic, he had now no words to describe it. He had seen that kind of enthusiasm and uproar in only the most important festivals of the Middle Lands, and never in such a wide area. The cheers and laughters were similar to only the ones he had heard in the crowds around Mumor's performance, but they were echoing throughout the whole city. The noise was so much he could hardly hear the bangs of the fireworks in the sky above, which along with the thousands of lanterns hanging between every roof, would give a hard time to anyone on telling whether it would be night or day.
The smell of food, incense and pyrotechnic powder was overwhelming, not to mention the smell of alcohol… it was so strong Kenjii had already the impression to be drunk.
- Wow..! - Shion was jumping to be able to peek between the crowd at the performance of two saber dancers wearing white eyeless masks. - It's fantastic!
- There's people everywhere, even in the smaller streets. - agreed Kage, looking around in amusement.
Hikari was ignoring the celebrations. He looked left and right to his companions, and tried to not speak too loudly. - Hey… what do you think of this 'Boss'?
Kage looked at him with a shrug. - Meh, he's much.
The monk clasped his hands behind his head, looking up in thought. - He uses a lot of cool words, but I don't think he knows I'm from the Empire.
Kenjii glared at him for a moment, but then simply snorted and took a look around. Nobody was even noticing their presence in the street.
- I think he's probably hiding something. - said Hikari with a small nod. - Although I have to say this city is living in prosperity thanks to this peaceful equilibrium.
- Whatever that priest's plan is, it's none of our business. - stated Kenjii, crossing arms. - Besides… Hey, are you even listening!?
The shinobi glared at his elvaan companions, who had already turned their backs at him.
- Twenty, you said? - Kage was addressing to two girls looking at him in awe.
The boy instead, needless to say, was staring at food stall selling some smoking meat-on-a-stick. - Excuse me, sir! How much for these!?
- Of course they aren't… - said the white mage with an embarrassed smile to his friend. - How could they with all these good things around them?
Kage sighed and turned to look at the humes, with a shrug and an arched eyebrow. - Come on… It's the first time we get into a place with no Tengu and with a FESTIVAL going on. Why not take advantage of the situation?
- Yeah, Kenjii! Let's have some fun! - cheered on Shion.
The ninja snorted. - Hmph, not even by a long shot. I've got plenty of your noise already. I don't need any more rowdyness.
The two blinked at him and then looked at each other with a grin.
A moment after they were walking away, with arms in the air. - Rowdyness, here we come!! - they exclaimed with a laughter.
- Ah… Kage, Shion…! - called out Hikari, watching them disappear in the crowd without apparently hearing him. - Damn…
- Forget those two idiots. - Kenjii spun around in direction of the inn, walking at a pace as fast as possible, sneaking between the thick crowd.
Hikari turned to look at him, and panicked. - But I can't relax if I think of those two by themselves. Kenjii, you go ahead at the inn, okay?
The ninja sighed. He had seen that coming. - Fine… - he said, just loud enough to be heard by the healer a couple yalms behind. - Tsk…
He could barely make a couple steps ahead before a visibly drunk girl stumbled on him with a careless giggle. He frowned, pushing her away from him gently. Still holding her half-empty large glass of Goddess-knows what alcohol, she looked up at him and smiled brightly.
- Hey, look at how pretty this ninja is!
- Come oh boy, take a glass and wipe out that frown! - exclaimed another man who had heard the woman's loud voice to turn with a grin so wide, Kenjii had almost thought he was seeing Chief Engineer Cid in front of him.
All the citizens here know me and my deeds, eh? Nice lie!
****************************************************************************
- Yes. The Midlander's Party is still in town.
- When are they going to leave?
- … They said they will stop by for a while.
- What?!
- It seems they have a liking for this city.
- You seem rather calm, Mister Priest. - the croaking voice seemed to approach in the darkness of the small room, and Zoro stared into the feeble reflection of light on the pair of black beady eyes. - You realize that we could as well start our raids in town right now, do you not?
The bonze crossed arms. - As you prefer. But if you break our pact… I will see me forced to suspend the regular food supplies, as well as the support funds to the Snowstorm.
- Kawk! - the beastman grinned. - You like to play safe, I see. Fine… but you better find a way to give them to us as soon as possible. Do that, and we'll keep on this happy trade with you. After all, the bounty for taking in that group to Kuro Kaminari is pretty good… And after the project is complete, us Tengu will be free. And you will be from us, too. I trust you don't want your people to find out you're nothing but a charlatan, do you?
The elvaan smiled softly at the beastman.
- Let us try…
I've been longing to see you…
- Hey, Morugana! - Dhemetra walked up to the mithra, and opened her arms in an open, friendly hug.
- It's been so long, Dhemetra! - exclaimed the blond female, holding the younger girl tight and patting her back with a big smile before stepping back. - How are you?
John watched the scene from a couple yalms behind his companion, glaring at the new figure. He had never seen her before, but the name…. he could remember it. He looked at the mithra, holding Dhemetra's shoulders in her hands and looking at her, scanning her appearance without ever abandoning that motherly, calm smile on her lips.
- My, my… you're a grown woman now. - she was saying, running her clawed hands on the dancer's black fringe. - You were already pretty cute as a child, but now… Yep, you've become quite a gorgeous girl.
- Stop that, you make me blush! - Dhemetra giggled. - Heheh… You haven't changed one bit, Morugana. Not a single sign of aging! I envy you mithras…
Her head then perked up and she turned to look at him, and walked to him. - Ah, John… remember? I did tell you about her some time ago. - She said, gesturing to the mithra with a wide movement of her left arm. - Let me introduce you, this is Morugana. She's a summoner.
Morugana greeted John with a small nod, her eyes closed in delight.
- When I was but a child she stopped to our church for a couple weeks. - explained the dancer. - Morugana taught me everything about the Far East and the other continents.
The sorcress stepped forth and placed one hand on Dhemetra's left shoulder. - Dhemetra, you came here to see me, right?
She looked at her with a frown. - Huh? What do you mean? You never even left me a forwarding address!
- By the way, how is Mother Beatrice doing?
Dhemetra went pale and looked into the distance before lowering her eyes, letting out a sigh of distress that made the mithra frown. She clenched her fists as the skin on her knuckles turned white. The dancer walked to a tree, her head low, as she struggled to put the words together. The burden on her chest became unbearable as it gave air in and out of Dhemetra's body, fueling her emotions. Her muscles tightened for a moment, and she placed one hand on the trunk, and then relaxed.
She inhaled deeply as she spoke, weakly.
- Mother Beatrice left us… - she whispered, with so much pain and surprise in her voice, it was almost like she was back at that day. - Ten years ago… She died at hand of a monster she thought she had defeated.
- I…. I didn't know…. - the summoner looked down, her face an honest expression of dismay. - I'm sorry…
What a pity…
**************************************************************************
- Yep, a real misfortune. - there was no real anger in Hikari's voice. He placed down the reins next to him and jumped off the cart, crossing his arms and looking at the situation with his head tilted. - Just a little more and we would've entered the city without any problem. - He could feel the smell of freshly baked bread in the air, coming from the town in sight about thirty yalms from the cart, up ahead. It was a reassuring smell, and yet at the same time it felt quite out of place with what he was seeing.
Kenjii was next to him, looking to the gates. He had a calm stance, one hand on his left hip and the other with a katana down to his side. - Besides, if they had shown up once in town it would have only been worse, no?
- SO HUNGRYYYYY!
- Not to count that after running up and down two mountains my ass hurts like hell.
- SO HUNGRYYYYY! - cried again Shion, cutting Kage off. And the samurai looked away from the great swarm of Tengu surrounding them to glare at the kid. The pain at his back suddenly subsided to another kind of pain, the one at his head.
- UGH! I'm sick and tired to hear this endless moan of this shrimp! - his voice was dry, as he hadn't touched any sake in a week. Their encounter with Dhemetra was now but a distant memory. - Cram him with food so he's good for a while.
Looking at Shion, Kenjii had a feeling of envy. He could only barely see in him the brat that he had freed from a cage long ago, the little monk who had fought so hard to impress him but always was the one in need of rescuing. He couldn't help but wish once again he could've been that fast at growing up in his childhood, and looked away as Shion, in one of his spare moments of childish attitude, looked at him with pleading eyes. Yes there were still moments like that… moments for him to act like a brat… but whenever there were things to be taken seriously, Kenjii could see that Shion had rapidly matured into a young man. Maybe he could've actually saved his country…
Something shun out of the corner of his eye, and he turned to see the Tengu charging them from behind. One of them was holding a great spear with a star-shaped blade. - Kah-ka-ka-ka-kahk! Midlander's Party! Your lives and the Holy Feather will be ours!
Kage turned his head to see them approaching.
- Well, I'm sick of their ramblings, too. - he said, countering one's attack and slaying down another.
- SO HUNGRYYY…!
- Okay, I understand… but couldn't you take care of what's going on here for a moment? - asked Hikari, patting the boy's shoulder.
A silvery shuriken shot like a beam from over Kage's shoulder, stabbing into the bird spearman. The creature screamed out just one time in pain, and his claws abandoned the grip around the weapon that fell to the ground as he fell motionless and unable to even see what had killed him.
- Shion, take them down quickly or you're skipping dinner! - said Kenjii, grabbing three more shurikens. His hair swayed over his eyes for a moment under the blow of the agitated wind that had welcomed they down the mountain.
The boy blinked and seemed to wake up from his trance. - Oh, that's right!!!
- I want the holy Fea– the Tengu was interrupted in the mid of its charge by the monk's powerful kick in its abdomen, and fell backwards slamming against a tree. - ..eeerk!
- MISTER SHINOBI!!
The group turned in confusion to look towards the city's gate. It was open, and a man was standing past it, looking at them somewhat excited, one hand to the side of his mouth as he screamed.
- There's no reason to fight them! Come here! Run past this border!
Kage blinked. - Huh?
- Yes, but…
The man shook his head at Hikari. - Just hurry!
The four looked at each other and then started to run towards the city, followed by the cart.
Shion looked back. - But this way the Tengu will enter town!
- Oh, don't worry. - replied the man with a smile as they reached him.
Their feathered chasers stopped but a few steps from the gate, still open, and looked at them in fury.
- Hey… from here on… - muttered one of the Tengu, narrowing his beady eyes.
- Yeah… gawk!
The group couldn't help but stare in disbelief at the beastmen turning their backs at them and run away in the woods.
- It doesn't matter, kyah! We'll wait for them outside… they will have to come out eventually! - exclaimed one of them.
- You have saved your smoothskin, midlander and company! - yelled the last one, stopping to point at them a dirty claw. - But remember this: next time we will get the Feather!
He then spun around to disappear in the darkness with his companions.
- Nh…? - Shion was still blinking, utterly lost. - Hey, did they really LEAVE?
- You really looked in trouble, eh? - asked the man, tilting his head with a smile. - You better stop and rest here for a while!
- Thank you, kind sir… - Hikari was still sweating for the odd outcome. - But why does this place…?
The man bowed. - This city is protected by the divine power.
- The 'Divine Power'?
. Please, this way.
********************************************************************
The city was big and vivacious. The sun was shining bright into the sky of a soft blue hue, banishing the shadows from the wide, numerous streets below. They were full of people walking around serenely, and the many shops around the place shown a large variety of goods coming from everywhere. The calm river that was flowing across the city was bypassed every fifty steps by elegant bridges in stone and wood. Kenjii could feel many smells in the air, some he even recognized with some nostalgia. Not far away from where they had entered, he spotted a paddock where a few young boys and girls were attending a class of chocobo riding. It was the first riding school he had seen in that continent. From where they were standing, he could also hear music, and singing voices coming from the road to the left, probably a choir.
- Ooooh… - Shion looked over his shoulder to a clothing store with many jackets and gilets hanging outside for the customers to check out. A small group of young girls was browsing through the luxuriou clothes, laughing with each other in complete tranquility. The young monk couldn't help but feel sincerely lost at that unusual air, especially after a beastman attack.
- Damn! This town is huge! - he exclaimed with a blink, confused.
The older elvaan looked down at his feet. - Even the streets are paved with stone. - He looked up as one of the girls' laughter caught his attention. One of the girls looked up at him and gave a gorgeous smile that he returned with confidence, and she laughed with her friends again.
- Now that I think about it, after we passed the mountain the landscape was rather changed.
The white mage nodded and turned to look at his chocobo, patting his neck.
- This means that we have come a long way, too.
Kenjii couldn't tell how he was feeling about that place, the strangely tranquil atmosphere all over the place was almost disorienting him. He turned to look at the man who was accompanying them to the inn.
- What's the "Divine Power"?
- Well, a long time ago… the Tengu would attack our community too, and we used to live in terror and despair. But then, a few years ago… the bonze Rozo became the lord of the city. Since that day, nobody of those whose blood has met the Astral Candescence has been able to step into our territory. It is the barrier that he raised to protect us.
Shion turned around to look at the man. - The… barrier? But I came in and nothing happ– - Before he could even realize what he had said his face swatted against the surface of the stone floor, pushed down by the synchronized kick of Kage and punch of Kenjii on his head. The ninja was glaring at him with an eye twitching, looming over him. The samurai instead was looking away, as if pretending he hadn't even noticed his own kick hitting the kid.
- ? - The man looked at the scene, confused.
- Now it's all clear. - distracted him Hikari, stepping between him and the three to cover the massacre. - So that means we've got nothing to fear in here.
- That's right.
****************************************************************
- An anti-Aht Urhgan city…
The four young men had booked a room at the Thor's Hammer Inn, and gathered in the room. It was small, with one big window and four begs all next to each other, with barely enough room to walk for a man between them. It was Kenjii who had decided to not get a too luxurious room, as he had preferred to not lure too much attention in such a strange place.
- We can't say for sure, right? - Kage shrugged in confusion. - After all, Shion was able to step in without any problem.
- He did, but the Tengu who chased us earlier stayed outside.
- And we know that the Tengu are not from Aht Urhgan… Maybe it's a barrier against beastmen instead.
- Meh, who cares!? We're finally gonna be able to sleep in peace, that's the matter! - Shion plopped on his bed, enjoying the soft and tall mattress. - I can't stand their screams anymore! All that 'Give us the Featherrrrrrrrr!' from morning to night!
Hikari sat on the bed next to the midlander, and looked at him. - Kenjii… Can I ask you a question even knowing that, whichever may the answer be, it's too late? - he said slowly, with one hand to his chin.
The hume frowned. - Huh?
The white mage took a deep breath. - It's about the Celestial and Terrestrial avatars. The clan of Kuro Kaminari has at least a summoner in its ranks, and yet they seem to rely in the control of Phoenix to win the battle against Aht Urhgan… Why? What's so special about the terrestrial avatars over the celestial ones?
- Now that you bring it up, I notice that we've never really questioned that. - Kage leaned against his bed's headboard, next to the window in front of Hikari. He had never liked classes, and was annoyed at the simply idea of having to get one from that stuck-up shinobi. But at the same time, he knew that was a question with an answer worth the time to listen. Even if it was the answer of a stupid, catty, passionless long-haired hume.
- Well, the Feather looks really important, so I always thought it was just a good idea to keep their hands off it. - said Shion, looking at the flat box next to Kenjii's side.
Kenjii was resting on his bed, one leg folded up and the right arm resting over the knee, and he glanced at the white mage absently.
He let out a quiet sigh. - You're right. You're asking that a bit too late.
- I have heard some rumors in the past, but nothing precise. - the white mage crossed his arms.
- To tell you the truth this is information that the Federation of Windurst prefers to not let slip out of its highest ranks in my continent, but in this case… - Kenjii looked up at the oil lamp hanging to the ceiling. - The avatars a summoner normally calls forth are not the real divine entities that we know with that name.
With a gentle move, the hume took the box on his lap, pushing up the small hook keeping it closed as he looked down at it. With his thumb and forefinger, he lifted the Phoenix Feather and looked at it. Small embers and golden sparkles seemed to fly as the feather caressed the air, and Kenjii could smell a waft of fire in the air. The boy moved from his bed to the ninja's to look at it closely. His eyes were sparkling with awe, firm on the mystical item.
- As the bards sing, the celestial gods are slumbering. What they give to the summoners in their pact is a fragment of their power, their whisper. - Explained Kenjii, trying to ignore Shion. - Through that, the summoner can call forth a physical form of the avatar, but at the same time, it is not the real avatar. The summoned spirit reflects the summoner's power. - He whirled the feather, staring at it almost as if hypnotized. - We will never see their true full power, as they sleep inside giant crystals in their own world. However… - his eyes gazed over as the others gave him a questioning look.
- There was one Terrestrial avatar that was summoned as his true self in the past. Fenrir… the power of his attack against the beastmen hordes was nothing any summoner's avatar could've ever matched. Forget what you saw when Ame used the Astral Flow. Even if the terrestrial avatars are inferior to the celestial ones, their strength as their true selves is beyond anyone's imagination. - Kenjii looked at them one by one. - And unlike the celestial gods, they are not in slumber. What I think Kuro Kaminari wants is to revive the Phoenix in order to control her like Karaha-Baruha did with Fenrir in the Crystal War.
Shion's eyes widened in surprise, and he smiled. - Woah! So if an avatar shows up on his true form, it'd look even more awesome than the ones Ame summoned! That's so cool! I'd like to see that someday…
- That's not what I said. -.-x - Kenjii twitched. - The legend says that the terrestrial avatars were also conceived to sustain the balance of the unknown branches of the universe we live in. If they were to manifest on their true form, there nature itself as we know it would become unstable. That's why summoning magic was prohibited in the first place: to avoid that someone would ever aim at something like that.
Hikari glanced at Kage and for the first time noticed some interest in the samurai's look about the whole story. His eyes were narrowed, focused on the ninja's words, and the white mage suppressed a chuckle when he noticed a great resemblance between Kage and his pupils of the past.
- I see. - He said, turning back to Kenjii. He tilted his head in thought for a moment, and ran his fingers through his hair. He really needed a shower. He took off his glasses to clean them with an handkerchief. - About this… Kara…? The man who summoned the real Fenrir… what happened to him? Could he possibly have suggested Kuro Kaminari this crazy idea? - he asked with a frown..
- Do you think we're safe, traveling with a guy who's got the voice of one of these fearsome beasts in his head? <.<
- Oh, so it's not that he's strong because he has a whisper… it's the whisper that comes from a strong god…>.>
- Hey, I heard you two! - Kenjii narrowed his eyes and closed the Feather back in the box, to then look down at it. - It's impossible that Karaha-Baruha could've done that. The price for summoning the real form of an avatar is your own life. - He opened his eyes to stare blankly at the box right after those words.
Hikari frowned. - Kenjii…? What is it?
Kenjii just sat there for several moments, in silence, until a pretty loud voice coming from a group of teens below the room's window snapped him out of his thoughts. The ninja's hand had gripped on the blanket under his body, and he let it go to then stand up and open the door. He seemed somewhat in trance, and Hikari questioned him again. Before leaving, he muttered something in return, nothing useful really.
- No… Nothing.
*********************************************************************
- I see.
Morugana sat back on her chair, looking at her pipe as she took it off her lips. Dhemetra was sitting next to her, with her eyes low on the glass in front of her. The ice in it was melting slowly, and the dancer didn't seem any willing to take a sip anymore.
The hume and the galka had followed the mithra to the next city, and only after about a week she had the found the will to tell the story of Mother Beatrice's death to her old friend.
No, friend wasn't the right term… She was…
The summoner took a deep breath. - It's incredible. I have never imagined that someone would be able to kill Mother Beatrice.
- She was a very skilled exorcist. However… - the woman of Ulbuka shook her head, narrowing her eyes slightly, still glaring at the ice in the glass. - Her soul was too kind.
Morugana nodded. - Surely the Aht Urhganian took advantage of a moment of distraction.
- Yes, but I think differently than him. - muttered Dhemetra, looking up with empty eyes. - Aht Urhgan and the other countries will never get along. And I came to its borders because I'm convinced. It's just…
She made a long pause, and the mithra turned to look at her. She didn't press on the dancer, and waited patiently with a concerned, and yet distant gaze.
- About halfway on my journey we met a rather bizarre group… - she finally continued. - … and my certainties, however briefly, have begun to falter.
She looked back at the older woman, and she exhaled some smoke before shrugging. - Tell me, what happened to the monster who killed Mother Beatrice?
- I think it ran away. I do not know why, but I have nothing but fading memories of that day… - Dhemetra frowned. - I remember the moment it attacked me, but after that…
- If it managed to kill an exorcist of that level… it must be a very powerful Aht Urhganian weapon.
- Yes.
The summoner crossed her legs, looking up in thought. - I know of a powerful being of the Near East roaming in this country, too. - she said. - People have been talking about it as of a source of misfortune for a while now.
Dhemetra let out a small breath of surprise, and looked at her with her mouth slightly opened in a question that was anticipated.
The mithra smirked. - Tell me, Dhemetra… have you ever heard of the Immortals?
- Immortals…?
- Exactly. - Morugana peered to her. - Their skin is branded with the fighting serpents of Aht Urhgan, a known mark of disgrace in here… They are heretic fighters who have drained the very essence of monsters… They have mixed their blood to their own, and the Empire uses them as a powerful biological weapon against her enemies. That's what an Immortal is. And one of them as been seen around here. His look is the one of a young elvaan, with golden eyes.
*****************************************************************
- YOU DAMN STUPID SHRIMP!!
Kage didn't listen to the kid's cries for pain as he gripped his hands around his neck and started to shake him back and forth, in rage.
- YOU ATE THEM ALL BY YOURSELF!! I SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT! SPIT!!
- WAAH! What the hell do you want!? You're the one who started to steal them from my plate!!
- It was just some tacos. You can just ask for more. - grumbled Kenjii, twitching. He was resting an elbow on the table, letting the hand support his head in an attempt to look natural in the usual mess his companions were making at lunch time.
- No, Kenjii. Do not encourage them. - said Hikari, looking at the two elvaans with a frown. - What if these two became so fat we couldn't even recognize them? We wouldn't even be able to cram them into the wagon's back…
- We're not baggages! - exclaimed the two, glaring at him with an hurt expression.
- Man… Take a look around… - Kenjii was looking at the other tables around theirs. - This town's so chaotic, even you aren't catching much attention.
Kage blinked and looked around. The ninja was right. In the big hall of the tavern there wasn't a second of silence. It was a burst of voices all around. People calling the waiters, and the workers walking back and forth between the tables, announcing incoming dishes and yelling new orders at the kitchen to the other side.
- Yeah, you're right. - said Hikari, looking at a woman laughing with her children, one of them sitting on her lap. - I guess thanks to the barrier, the people here doesn't feel any threatened by the Tengu outside. Even the war doesn't seem to have reached this place, despite the country's borders being so close… Perhaps it's because the city is not on the maps.
- It's weird, though… - Shion swallowed a cryfish. - I mean, once you step outside the beastmen are still there ready to jump on you, no?
The white mage looked at him. - I have a feeling that the people of this place have cut out the rest of the world. Even the surroundings are wrapped by the mountains… Perhaps this city is completely self-sufficient.
- That might be why there's just one inn in such a big city, too… - observed the samurai, arching an eyebrow.
Kenjii's eyes narrowed. - A true island on land…
- Excuse me… Do you have a moment?
The four turned to look at an old hume who had approached their table. He was mostly bald, except for a strap of black hair growing behind his head from one ear to the other. His eyes were so thin they couldn't tell his eye color, and had a big, polite smile pulling the thin, hairless mouth.
- Would this ninja be he who's referred to as the 'Midlander'? I couldn't help but hear his unusual accent.
Kenjii's expression turned into a mask of sincere boredom. - Not it.
- Stop pretending your fame bothers you! -.-x - snapped Kage.
The white mage's eyebrows arched to the man. - Do you need any help?
- Yes, you see… - the man's head tilted slightly. - … Master Rozo heard that a rather famous shinobi who has often protected our country from the beastmen's siege has come to town, and expressed his desire to greet him.
Hikari glanced at the midlander, and he looked at the man. - Rozo…?
- Yes. He's the bonze who's saved us from Aht Urhgan. He's the lord of town.
******************************************************************************
After lunch, the group was invited to Master Rozo's palace, the biggest house in the whole city. The bonze was an elvaan in the mid-forty. He had mid-long silvery hair that he'd keep tied in a high ponytail, except for a short strand coming down elegantly from his hairline down to his cheekbone, next to the right eye. He had two thin, well-cured mustaches under his nose, and was wearing an large temple vest in white silk and cotton, with a great medallion resting on his chest, hanging from his neck with double laces adorned with wooden black pearls. Despite his outstanding and unusual appearance, all Kenjii and his friends would've remembered of him was his quite evident cleft chin.
- It is a great honor… Kenjii of the Middle Lands, the leader of the group traveling to ease the pain of the victims of the Tengu, visiting our town. - he said. His voice was deep and unfaltering, a sound that reminded Kenjii of those opera singers he had seen rarely take part to Bastok's most popular concerts. - If I had known of your arrival here, I would've managed something to keep you hosted in my palace, rather than a mere inn.
- Do not worry about it. - replied Kenjii, keeping his eyes glued on Shion's hands as the kid swiftly moved every cookie in the dish in front of them to his mouth, stopping only every now and then to gulp down a whole cup of tea. The two humes were trying to sip on theirs as slowly as possible, trying to look natural. Kage, instead, was ignoring the tea. He'd just sit between Shion and Hikari, his legs crossed and one arm resting on the back of the couch, his gaze absently observing the ceiling of the luxurious living room.
- And you do not worry, either. - said Rozo, with a bow of his head.
- Woah, this house is so huge…! - exclaimed Shion, looking around excitedly.
The samurai sneered. - Guess he's somewhat a celebrity after all in this place.
Hikari peered at them, trying to calm down the two. - This probably means he's popular and favored by all the citizens.
Kenjii placed down his cup, looking at it. - I heard that those who have come in contact with the Astral Candescence cannot get past the walls thanks to a barrier you have raised.
- Back then, this was already a big city, but the war had caused sever damage to it. Two years ago, I came here on a random occurrence and casted a spell… and then the events developed to me becoming the leader of this place, with the mission to keep it as a whole.
- I imagine that to raise a barrier over such a wide area one would need a power just as vast. - commented Hikari, with a smile.
- My, thank you… - the elvaan bowed his head politely.
Kage moved away a lock of hair from his eyes. - Well, what if the Empire nowadays had come out with a machine able to control the Candescence's influence in one's body? I suppose then the Aht Urhganians wouldn't look much different from us, now would they?
Rozo laughed whole-heartedly. - Hahahah! That is true. However whoever is able to control magic, such as me for example, would be able to know if he was standing in front of a Far Eastern or a Near Eastern man with a single glance. You do not have to fear.
Kage's glare was growing annoyed and ultimately mockery, and Hikari glanced at him to warn him not to reveal his thoughts too clearly to the bonze.
However the elvaan seemed concerned with a different matter, too important to pay mind to the samurai. - Tell me, rather… How long do you plan to stay?
- We're thinking to leave in the morning tomorrow. - replied quickly the ninja, crossing arms.
- What a pity. - Rozo frowned. - Our city is tranquil and beautiful… I would be pleased if you decided to stay here for a while.
- I'm sorry, we're in a hurry. - Kenjii stood up and the others followed, Shion as last when the samurai slapped his nape to interrupt his eating trance.
- I see… a true pity indeed. - Rozo stood up and walked out from behind the desk to bow at the group one more time, this one more profusely. - Luckily, tonight we'll be celebrating the City's Festival. I hope you will enjoy yourselves!
- Thank you kindly. - said Hikari as he turned to walk away with the rest of the party.
At the doorstep, Kenjii stopped. - Boss.
Rozo turned to look at him again. - Hmm…?
- Who told you that the Midlander had come to town? - asked the shinobi, his expression icy and not even close to the curiosity one would've expected from a question like that.
The bonze smiled slightly, and his eyes closed in reverence as he lowered his head. - It was sufficient to see your look. All the citizens here know of your great deeds for our country.
***************************************************************************
A few hours later, the Festival air had exploded in the streets of Rozo's city. If Kenjii had found it chaotic, he had now no words to describe it. He had seen that kind of enthusiasm and uproar in only the most important festivals of the Middle Lands, and never in such a wide area. The cheers and laughters were similar to only the ones he had heard in the crowds around Mumor's performance, but they were echoing throughout the whole city. The noise was so much he could hardly hear the bangs of the fireworks in the sky above, which along with the thousands of lanterns hanging between every roof, would give a hard time to anyone on telling whether it would be night or day.
The smell of food, incense and pyrotechnic powder was overwhelming, not to mention the smell of alcohol… it was so strong Kenjii had already the impression to be drunk.
- Wow..! - Shion was jumping to be able to peek between the crowd at the performance of two saber dancers wearing white eyeless masks. - It's fantastic!
- There's people everywhere, even in the smaller streets. - agreed Kage, looking around in amusement.
Hikari was ignoring the celebrations. He looked left and right to his companions, and tried to not speak too loudly. - Hey… what do you think of this 'Boss'?
Kage looked at him with a shrug. - Meh, he's much.
The monk clasped his hands behind his head, looking up in thought. - He uses a lot of cool words, but I don't think he knows I'm from the Empire.
Kenjii glared at him for a moment, but then simply snorted and took a look around. Nobody was even noticing their presence in the street.
- I think he's probably hiding something. - said Hikari with a small nod. - Although I have to say this city is living in prosperity thanks to this peaceful equilibrium.
- Whatever that priest's plan is, it's none of our business. - stated Kenjii, crossing arms. - Besides… Hey, are you even listening!?
The shinobi glared at his elvaan companions, who had already turned their backs at him.
- Twenty, you said? - Kage was addressing to two girls looking at him in awe.
The boy instead, needless to say, was staring at food stall selling some smoking meat-on-a-stick. - Excuse me, sir! How much for these!?
- Of course they aren't… - said the white mage with an embarrassed smile to his friend. - How could they with all these good things around them?
Kage sighed and turned to look at the humes, with a shrug and an arched eyebrow. - Come on… It's the first time we get into a place with no Tengu and with a FESTIVAL going on. Why not take advantage of the situation?
- Yeah, Kenjii! Let's have some fun! - cheered on Shion.
The ninja snorted. - Hmph, not even by a long shot. I've got plenty of your noise already. I don't need any more rowdyness.
The two blinked at him and then looked at each other with a grin.
A moment after they were walking away, with arms in the air. - Rowdyness, here we come!! - they exclaimed with a laughter.
- Ah… Kage, Shion…! - called out Hikari, watching them disappear in the crowd without apparently hearing him. - Damn…
- Forget those two idiots. - Kenjii spun around in direction of the inn, walking at a pace as fast as possible, sneaking between the thick crowd.
Hikari turned to look at him, and panicked. - But I can't relax if I think of those two by themselves. Kenjii, you go ahead at the inn, okay?
The ninja sighed. He had seen that coming. - Fine… - he said, just loud enough to be heard by the healer a couple yalms behind. - Tsk…
He could barely make a couple steps ahead before a visibly drunk girl stumbled on him with a careless giggle. He frowned, pushing her away from him gently. Still holding her half-empty large glass of Goddess-knows what alcohol, she looked up at him and smiled brightly.
- Hey, look at how pretty this ninja is!
- Come oh boy, take a glass and wipe out that frown! - exclaimed another man who had heard the woman's loud voice to turn with a grin so wide, Kenjii had almost thought he was seeing Chief Engineer Cid in front of him.
All the citizens here know me and my deeds, eh? Nice lie!
****************************************************************************
- Yes. The Midlander's Party is still in town.
- When are they going to leave?
- … They said they will stop by for a while.
- What?!
- It seems they have a liking for this city.
- You seem rather calm, Mister Priest. - the croaking voice seemed to approach in the darkness of the small room, and Zoro stared into the feeble reflection of light on the pair of black beady eyes. - You realize that we could as well start our raids in town right now, do you not?
The bonze crossed arms. - As you prefer. But if you break our pact… I will see me forced to suspend the regular food supplies, as well as the support funds to the Snowstorm.
- Kawk! - the beastman grinned. - You like to play safe, I see. Fine… but you better find a way to give them to us as soon as possible. Do that, and we'll keep on this happy trade with you. After all, the bounty for taking in that group to Kuro Kaminari is pretty good… And after the project is complete, us Tengu will be free. And you will be from us, too. I trust you don't want your people to find out you're nothing but a charlatan, do you?
The elvaan smiled softly at the beastman.
- Let us try…
last edited 679 weeks ago by Blue KJ
To be an interesting, intriguing, well-written character, there needs to be something to allow the audience to relate to them. That is what the problem is with who wants their character to be "perfect". Perfect characters will never be strong, and strong characters will never be perfect, because WE (those who read, who watch, who RP) are not perfect.
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
Chapter 24: The Path One Chooses
Kage slammed the tankard on the table, letting out a sigh of please while wiping his mouth with satisfaction. - It was awesome!
The girls next to him exclaimed in a delighted chorus. - Wow! All in one gulp!
Shion turned to the bartender, pointing at his empty dish with a great smile. - Excuse me, sir! Can I have one more of these?
- Of course! You can have as many as you want!
- Come on, boy! Have some beer, too! - a laughing man patted on Hikari's shoulder, handing him a large tankard.
- Ah, no… I… - the white mage tilted his head politely, pointing at the great pile of empty bottles and cans in front of him. - I think these will do.
The man's eyes widened in shock and then he laughed in embarrassment. - Heheh… I see…^^;
A loud sequence of bangs caught the attention of the three sitting at the tables outside of the bar, and they turned to watch a great parade passing by, with all kinds of costumes, including two dragons at the head of it.
Kage looked up at the thousands of confetti floating in the air and grinned at the man who had offered his friend an extra drink. - Man… You sure did set up one great festival…!
- Of course…- he replied, returning the expression. - .. The seventh day of every month we celebrate peace, meaning the day Master Rozo saved our town from the Empire.
- So this is the reason… - said quietly Hikari.
The people around them nodded, and let out exclamations of agreement and cheers in honor of the bonze Rozo.
- This is a true paradise…
- … Yeah! If the Empire would do us a favor and disappeared completely, too, that would be perfect!
- Hahah! I agree!
The white mage frowned, and stood up. - Shion, Kage… It is time we return to the inn.
The kid looked at him in confusion. - Wha…? Already?!
. I'm the one who has to put up with Kenjii's bad mood all the time. Don't make my job harder.. - he sighed, crossing his arms.
The two looked at each other and sighed, standing up from their chairs. - Fine, fine…
As they walked down the large street, Shion noticed a certain commotion to one side. Curiously, he approached under the tolerant please of Hikari and Kage's snickers. Followed by his friends, he sneaked in the crowd to see what the final, great exhibition could be.
What he saw froze him on the spot.
To the wall of the house in front of which they were, a great signboard had been placed, displaying a single word:
Rarity!
In front of it were two men of large size, wearing light and loose white clothes that Shion had seen in the past. It was clothes used to live in the desert zone between the Far and the Near East. In the hands of each was a short whip. At their feet were two thin, small figures.
It was a boy and a girl… Yes, they had to be around his same age. Both deprived of the upper part of their clothes, the girl on her knees, her arms crossed in front of her chest in a bare attempt to cover her breasts. The boy instead was on all-four, nearly crawling at the feet of his jailers. His head was low and his semi-long chestnut hair were hiding his face. The eyes of the girl were glancing up to the enthusiastic audience, dilated with fear.
On her left arm was a tattoo showing two fighting snakes.
Hikari and Kage had reached Shion and were now looking at the scene in shock.
- What… are they doing… ? - whispered the blond.
- Come on, stand up!!! - one of the men of the desert pulled a chain tied to a collar around the boy's neck, jerking him up. He then addressed to the audience with a great smile. - Look! It's Aht Urhgan children captured in the depth of the desert to the west of here… a true rarity! Look at the strong arms of this boy! And not only he's strong, he can also use white magic! Come on, show them!
- What is the meaning of this!? - Yelled Kage, but the crowd's screams of hilarity was so loud his voice was completely covered by the uproar. All around them men, women, even children, were looking at the two young Aht Urhganians with curiosity and happiness, as if assisting at some circus' show with exotic animals.
- Ugh! - Shion staggered forward, and his right hand gripped on Hikari's tunic. The boy kept leaning more and more towards the ground, letting out sick noises of agony. - Aagh… Ahgfh…
The white mage grabbed him, with a concerned frown. - Shion…?
- Hey, shrimp! - Kage turned to look at the two, still angered at the scene but more worried about his companion. - Are you all right!? Ugh…!!!
Hikari perceived his friend fall on his knees near him, but when he raised his look to find him, his vision got blurry and the head started to spin vigorously. - Nh…?!
He knelt down, letting Shion slid to his side, and brought one hand to his glassed. - What… my head….?
He fell on all four, and then all his body touched the ground. Hikari passed out, and Kage was about to follow him in whatever fate had struck the three. The samurai was holding his head in his hands, against the floor, trying to resist the grogginess, trying to not hear those screams….
Magic! Magic! Magic!
*********************************************************************
"It's late…!" Kenjii opened the window to look outside. StarSapphire, in the paddock below, greeted him with a loud cheer. Kenjii snorted at her and tossed the sushi he had pulled out to eat, no longer feeling hungry. He then scanned the streets around in search of some familiar figure that wouldn't be a clumsy cluster of blue feathers. "… What the hell are those idiots doing!?"
(to be continued)
Kage slammed the tankard on the table, letting out a sigh of please while wiping his mouth with satisfaction. - It was awesome!
The girls next to him exclaimed in a delighted chorus. - Wow! All in one gulp!
Shion turned to the bartender, pointing at his empty dish with a great smile. - Excuse me, sir! Can I have one more of these?
- Of course! You can have as many as you want!
- Come on, boy! Have some beer, too! - a laughing man patted on Hikari's shoulder, handing him a large tankard.
- Ah, no… I… - the white mage tilted his head politely, pointing at the great pile of empty bottles and cans in front of him. - I think these will do.
The man's eyes widened in shock and then he laughed in embarrassment. - Heheh… I see…^^;
A loud sequence of bangs caught the attention of the three sitting at the tables outside of the bar, and they turned to watch a great parade passing by, with all kinds of costumes, including two dragons at the head of it.
Kage looked up at the thousands of confetti floating in the air and grinned at the man who had offered his friend an extra drink. - Man… You sure did set up one great festival…!
- Of course…- he replied, returning the expression. - .. The seventh day of every month we celebrate peace, meaning the day Master Rozo saved our town from the Empire.
- So this is the reason… - said quietly Hikari.
The people around them nodded, and let out exclamations of agreement and cheers in honor of the bonze Rozo.
- This is a true paradise…
- … Yeah! If the Empire would do us a favor and disappeared completely, too, that would be perfect!
- Hahah! I agree!
The white mage frowned, and stood up. - Shion, Kage… It is time we return to the inn.
The kid looked at him in confusion. - Wha…? Already?!
. I'm the one who has to put up with Kenjii's bad mood all the time. Don't make my job harder.. - he sighed, crossing his arms.
The two looked at each other and sighed, standing up from their chairs. - Fine, fine…
As they walked down the large street, Shion noticed a certain commotion to one side. Curiously, he approached under the tolerant please of Hikari and Kage's snickers. Followed by his friends, he sneaked in the crowd to see what the final, great exhibition could be.
What he saw froze him on the spot.
To the wall of the house in front of which they were, a great signboard had been placed, displaying a single word:
Rarity!
In front of it were two men of large size, wearing light and loose white clothes that Shion had seen in the past. It was clothes used to live in the desert zone between the Far and the Near East. In the hands of each was a short whip. At their feet were two thin, small figures.
It was a boy and a girl… Yes, they had to be around his same age. Both deprived of the upper part of their clothes, the girl on her knees, her arms crossed in front of her chest in a bare attempt to cover her breasts. The boy instead was on all-four, nearly crawling at the feet of his jailers. His head was low and his semi-long chestnut hair were hiding his face. The eyes of the girl were glancing up to the enthusiastic audience, dilated with fear.
On her left arm was a tattoo showing two fighting snakes.
Hikari and Kage had reached Shion and were now looking at the scene in shock.
- What… are they doing… ? - whispered the blond.
- Come on, stand up!!! - one of the men of the desert pulled a chain tied to a collar around the boy's neck, jerking him up. He then addressed to the audience with a great smile. - Look! It's Aht Urhgan children captured in the depth of the desert to the west of here… a true rarity! Look at the strong arms of this boy! And not only he's strong, he can also use white magic! Come on, show them!
- What is the meaning of this!? - Yelled Kage, but the crowd's screams of hilarity was so loud his voice was completely covered by the uproar. All around them men, women, even children, were looking at the two young Aht Urhganians with curiosity and happiness, as if assisting at some circus' show with exotic animals.
- Ugh! - Shion staggered forward, and his right hand gripped on Hikari's tunic. The boy kept leaning more and more towards the ground, letting out sick noises of agony. - Aagh… Ahgfh…
The white mage grabbed him, with a concerned frown. - Shion…?
- Hey, shrimp! - Kage turned to look at the two, still angered at the scene but more worried about his companion. - Are you all right!? Ugh…!!!
Hikari perceived his friend fall on his knees near him, but when he raised his look to find him, his vision got blurry and the head started to spin vigorously. - Nh…?!
He knelt down, letting Shion slid to his side, and brought one hand to his glassed. - What… my head….?
He fell on all four, and then all his body touched the ground. Hikari passed out, and Kage was about to follow him in whatever fate had struck the three. The samurai was holding his head in his hands, against the floor, trying to resist the grogginess, trying to not hear those screams….
Magic! Magic! Magic!
*********************************************************************
"It's late…!" Kenjii opened the window to look outside. StarSapphire, in the paddock below, greeted him with a loud cheer. Kenjii snorted at her and tossed the sushi he had pulled out to eat, no longer feeling hungry. He then scanned the streets around in search of some familiar figure that wouldn't be a clumsy cluster of blue feathers. "… What the hell are those idiots doing!?"
(to be continued)
To be an interesting, intriguing, well-written character, there needs to be something to allow the audience to relate to them. That is what the problem is with who wants their character to be "perfect". Perfect characters will never be strong, and strong characters will never be perfect, because WE (those who read, who watch, who RP) are not perfect.
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
"What makes a strong character is how they deal with their flaws, their fears, their turmoils, their troubles that get in the way. That's what makes them relatable." – Doug Walker
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