Mew Master
1st June 2003, 02:07 PM
Chapter 2: Ambushed! Part I of II: Mystical Pendants and Powerful Weapons
One week ago….
In a room with brick walls, a man stood before a small army of men. “My Lord, we are ready to move at your command.” This man was tall and covered with armor. Awards and metals decorated his left breastplate as he stood at attention. A thick sword hung at his left hip as his blue hair stopped at his shoulders. His armor was black and golden and only left his hands and head exposed. The name of this individual was Karsh, and currently he is the leader of a specialized division of warriors. Karsh already had the title of winning over 300 consecutive battles and was the most impressive one there. Five others stood behind him, each giving the impression that they were better than the other soldiers standing there.
At the front of the room a man sat. He had rings on his fingers and sharpened fingernails. Clad in black he was unarguably the Lord of this army. When he spoke, it sounded evil and foreboding.
“General Karsh,” he said. “This mission is very important to us. I doubt that I may have been premature in my interpretations and think you and your comrades are overqualified for this particular mission.”
“My Lord,” Karsh dropped on one knee and bowed his head. “Any mission for you is a mission of honor for us.”
“Yes!” the five standing behind Karsh sounded.
“Excellent. Ha ha, most excellent.” the “Lord” replied, but with some slight slurring on the “xc.” “In the vicinity of Direwood Forest, there are 11 pendants in all that I wish to posses. You can tell the current owners anything in order to obtain them. You may even use force if you wish, but,” Grey eyes glared at the men present in the room, burning into their souls. “I must have those amulets at any cost. Is that understood?”
Everyone replied as one. “Yes sir!”
“Very well. Be off! I expect those items within the next few weeks.”
Karsh rose and pounded his right fist to the left side of his chest as a salute to the Lord. Turning on a heel, Karsh walked along an empty row between the men and left through the main door, closely followed by the others and then soldiers.
* * *
Now…
Leon Wamiyazen sat in his study, going over some important matters that had just come up concerning the shrine. He had a dirty white shirt and black pants held together with a red sash. His brown hair was ruffled and his brown eyes looked over the papers before him. Leon scratched his chin, the small threads of facial stubs from not shaving in two days.
It was not easy being the priest, many came to him for guidance in different matters, but Leon needed some guidance of his own. The shrine was being pressured to stop teaching some of the magic abilities that had been around for thousands of generations and be replaced with scientific knowledge, such a thing Leon and many others were against.
Oriental ornaments decorated his study. Swords, drawings, plants, and even small sculptures. There were two items separated from the rest. Inside a glass container, sitting on a tripod holder, was a small pendant. Made from many white crystals, there was a golden image of a dragon curled around the top of the crystals, its wings folded. Every few minutes it would pulsate a small amount of light. There was also a tall, thin, rectangular cabinet with markings up and down it’s smooth surface. These two things stuck out from Leon’s collection.
There was a scuffle of feet outside his door and he recognized the tread of Saké’s dragging feet, and Pokira’s up and careful step. Saké was Leon’s son and had bugged for the chance to spar with Pokira until he finally gave in. Leon had to admit that Saké’s earnest and eagerness reminded him a lot of Alicia, his own wife.
“Saké!” he shouted through the closed door.
“Yeah father?!” Saké’s voice replied, close to the door.
“I want you to take a shower before you continue training today.” Leon stated.
“Okay.” Leon could hear Saké run towards the showers, and he smiled.
He started to return to the matter at hand when there was a knock at the door. “Yes?”
“Lord Leon, may I enter?” Leon recognized the voice as Pokira’s.
“Pokira, you know better than to be formal with me. Of course, come in. Come in.” Leon stood as the door opened and greeted Pokira like a warm friend.
Pokira entered, but not before bowing before the Priest of the Keikami shrine. Leon just grabbed his friend’s hand and pulled him in before closing the sliding door. Pokira took a seat on the floor as Leon started a pot of tea to brew.
“You didn’t have to bow my friend.” Leon commented as he made sure the tea was brewing.
“I am a man of tradition, you know that Leon.” Pokira stated. “That is why I refuse to refer to Denisu by that nickname he has acquired.”
Leon chuckled. “Yes he has gained a reputation among Hano hasn’t he?” He got some small crackers from a cabinet inside his study, a little kitchenette inside the study itself. “In fact I think that the name Saké is appropriate. For what is more important, a God of Wine, or a drink for the God of Wine?”
“I think that Denisu is fine enough without a name to degrade it to an alcoholic drink.” Pokira replied. The two usually gave subtle jokes towards each other because the two had been friends for most of their lives. They grew up together and both had been admitted to the Keikami shrine for teaching and eventually gained important positions there. Leon was the head Priest and Pokira was the Master Swordsman, both highly dignified places.
“Now, now Pokira, you do realize that he will choose which name he likes more. In fact I believe the main reason he enjoys Saké so much is because of his energy and free spirit.” Leon replied, taking a seat across from Pokira.
Pokira chuckled. “Whichever name he enjoys more, when he becomes priest we will have to refer to him as Lord Wamiyazen if he does not pick one or the other.”
“Ha ha!” Leon laughed. “That we will. Oh Pokira, it has been too long since I have had time to share with Denisu. Just listening to him speak and train, reminds me of Alicia and her free spirit.” Leon’s head turned and looked towards a picture sitting on his desk. There was Saké, around three-years-old, being held by a woman with striking red hair and brilliant green eyes. The woman was holding Saké in her arms, standing by a younger looking version of Leon, clean shaven and tidy hair.
“I remember.” Pokira replied, looking back at the photo on the desk. “I was present at your wedding, don’t forget.”
“And I won’t, I assure you. *sigh* After Alicia's death, the only thing that had kept me going was Saké’s free-spirit and determination. If I lost him, I don't know what I would do…"
The rest of his statement was cut-off by the sound of the tea kettle boiling. Leon stood up and retrieved it as well as two cups and brought them with the crackers over to where he and Pokira were sitting. He sat down and poured himself and Pokira some tea.
As they started to settle down for some tea the main gong‘s ringing echoed through the building. It was a sign that there was a visitor to the shrine.
“Who could be visiting?” Leon asked.
“I shall see.” Pokira rose and started out. He turned and bowed to Leon. “I’ll be quick.”
* * *
At the main doors of the Keikami shrine, it wasn’t Pokira, but one of the sentries that opened the doors and looked out to see what it was the visitor’s wanted. The sentry almost stepped back in disgust. There on the steps, three feline Demi-Humans from The Pack stood, their cat eyes freaking the guard out.
“Uhg,” he said. “What do you thieves want?” He didn’t want to look at them.
The taller one, who must have been a male, spoke first. “Can Saké come out and play?”
“Young Wamiyazen? What business would he have with Demi-Humans like you?”
“Saké please play?” said a younger female.
“Play!” echoed an even younger one.
“He doesn’t have business with the likes of you. Now scat!” the sentry shouted to make them leave.
“Hey don’t be so harsh dude!” the male replied again, shouting as well. “We know Saké and he’s always had time to play with us.”
“I said leave!” The sentry wasn’t playing games with them. “Go now before I ask our Master Swordsman to get rid of you.”
The male was looking down the hall, and who should turn into the hallway but Pokira himself.
“Hey Pokira!” he shouted. “Can you let us in?!”
Pokira noticed and recognized the feline Demi-Humans.
“Pokira! Yay!” shouted the second youngest.
“Pokira!” the younger one said, mispronouncing his name.
“Lynx, well this is a nice surprise.” Pokira walked up right behind the sentry. “And Katie and Jan, you two have grown since the last time I‘ve seen you.”
“Yay!” the younglings replied, running up to Pokira, and he grabbed the two in his arms.
“We were looking for Saké.” Lynx said as he walked in and stood in front of Pokira.
“Denisu is busy washing up, but I’m sure he’ll have time to see you. Let‘s go see the Priest while we wait.” he carried Katie and Jan down the hall and turned a corner. Lynx was trailing behind and turned around to the sentry. He pulled down his eyelid and stuck out his tongue at the man before disappearing down after Pokira. The sentry was speechless.
* * *
The door to Leon’s study opened and the Priest smiled at the sight of Pokira with Katie and Jan in his arms and Lynx following him. “Well Pokira, looks like you adopted a family.”
“I don’t think so Leon,” Pokira smiled back as he put Katie and Jan on their feet. The three visitors bowed their heads to Leon, and knew him pretty well. Their father had visited the Keikami shrine several times and got to know Leon over the course of the past 15 years the Pride had resided in Direwood Forest.
They entered and Lynx grabbed a few extra pillows for him and his sisters.
“So Lynx, what brings you three here today? Your father need something?” Leon asked.
“No sir. I was just hoping to see if Saké would be able to play with us today.” Lynx replied, his head bobbing up and down.
Leon smiled. “Well, I’ve always heard that playing with members of the Pride was the best kind of training anyone could ask for. Of course he can.”
“I’ll go tell him you’re here then.” Pokira rose and entered into the hall.
“Some tea Lynx? Jan? Katie?”
“Please.” the three replied, big grins on their faces.
Leon poured them all a cup, and told Jan and Katie to be careful because it was hot. Lynx was the only one who spat the hot tea out, but apologized and started to clean it up.
A knock and there at the door Denisu Wamiyazen hopped on one foot, struggling to get his boot on. He already had his gloves, arm band, shirt, pants, and other boot on, his vest was in between his teeth.
“Phhorry. I phas in pheh phower.” he said with the vest still clamped between his teeth.
“Saké!” Katie and Jan shouted and pounced Denisu.
“Ack!” he exclaimed as the two girls hit him at once and pinned him to the ground. “Hi Katie. Hi Jan.”
“Saké play with us!” they encouraged. “Play with us! Play with us!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll play, but can I breathe first?” he replied and the two girls got off his chest and he managed to take a breath. He looked up and noticed Lynx.
“Hey Lynx. Figured you were here.” he said.
“Yup, pops never lets me leave these two alone.” Lynx replied with a toothy grin.
“Well common! Let’s go!” Saké started off, but ran into Pokira.
“Aren’t you forgetting something Denisu?” he asked.
“Oops!” Saké kneeled before his father. “Dad, may I please skip my training for the rest of the day and play with the Pride members?”
“Go ahead son, I’ve already okayed it.” Leon replied.
“Cool! Let’s go!” Saké ran out of the room and down the hallway, the three Pride members close on his tail.
Pokira watched them run down the hall. “You could have at least made him sweat a bit over it Leon.”
“It’s all right Pokira.” Leon replied. “It is hard to tease him like that.”
There was a loud clang of a bell that announced the next session of classes to begin. “Hmm, looks like my class is starting. I am sorry Lord Wamiyazen, but I must go.”
“You may go Pokira.” Leon replied, and Pokira left, closing the door behind him.
Leon sighed and started putting the crackers and pillows away. He kept the tea and poured himself another cup and sipped it, glad for the distraction to help clear his mind of his latest problem. Leon was standing near the center of the room and noticed something, his shadow was being cast on the door, something that normally never happened. Spinning around, Leon noticed that the crystal in the glass case was emitting more light than usual, brighter and stronger than its usual daily pulse.
“Hmmmm…. I wonder…” he said.
* * *
Denisu Wamiyazen ran with Lynx, Jan, and Katie hot on his heels. They ran through the small town of Hano as they made way for the trees of Direwood Forest. Some merchants waved at him and at the Pride members following him. Others ignored the Demi-Humans and only waved to Saké, and then whispered about the next priest running around with vermin like those Demi-Humans. The four reached the tree-line quickly and stopped in an open spot.
“Okay, what game are we playing today?” Saké asked, catching his breath.
“Prey and Predator!” Katie asked.
“All right! I’ll be the prey!” Saké replied.
“But you’re always the prey.” Lynx acting like he was complaining.
“Because I can’t sniff out my prey like you guys do, so that makes you the best ones to hunt me down, now doesn’t it?” he replied.
“Isn’t that stereotyping?” Lynx retorted.
“Not the least.” Saké said. “Ready?”
Lynx, Katie, and Jan stood facing three different directions, their backs to Saké and their bodies crouched.
“GO!” they shouted and where gone in bursts of speed, leaving Saké standing in the middle of an open space.
“Okay, here we go. Nimble!” A purple aura surrounded his feet and he felt the spell take effect. In a dash he was off, jumping from the trunk of every tree to another. He disappeared into the forest with the Pride members as well. The game was on.
* * *
On a hill, overlooking the Direwood Forest, Karsh stood. His eyes glanced around the trees to find the locations of which his Lord had told him to find the items. Troops were stationed everywhere around the forest, waiting for his signal. He looked, There was Hano to the northeast, and the shrine’s top cut over the trees. Farther south was Zean, and between the two was Kikata, a small in-between place on a road. He also knew there were several houses scattered throughout the forest and fields. Those were his targets. Currently Karsh’s forces were closer to Hano and the shrine there than any other town.
Satisfied with his survey of the forest, Karsh raised his right hand, a signal. Three soldiers from the forces lead by him gathered towards the more front of the hill and concentrated. Blue auras surrounded their bodies as they pointed their palms towards the sky directly above the center of the forest.
Another officer scanned the edge of the forest, looking for signs that the army on the other sides were ready as well. There were seven similar auras at the edge of the forest.
“Sir Karsh!” the officer reported. “The others are ready.”
“Very well. On my mark we begin our decent into the forest. Remember! Our target is the Keikami shrine, the others have their orders.” He looked and even he could see the auras tipping over the edge of the treetops, he pulled out and checked a pocket watch from his armor. It was time. “FIRE!”
The three soldiers released their combined attack. Aero Blaster, an attack that sent shockwaves through the air towards opponents, but this wasn’t aimed at any structures, just into the air. Several more such attacks headed for the same spot above Direwood forest.
* * *
“So pop,” Kage Ikagaide started. “What’s with the sudden royal treatment?”
Kage, and his father Serge, were currently sitting inside one of the best taverns in Zean. The tavern had the best wine, food, and entertainment in the entire Direwood Forest range, but also had the highest expenses. So it was indeed a rarity that Kage had ever been inside.
“Well, I decided this place would be the best place.” Serge replied.
“For what?”
Serge picked up the briefcase that he had brought with him and laid it on the table. Unlocking the front, he spun it so that Kage could see what was inside. Kage sat dumbfounded at what he saw.
In the briefcase, encased within soft velvet lining, sat two objects, both of them very similar. The two similar objects, looked like gauntlets. Gauntlets that could cover all the way up to his elbow, but also had a section for his hand to go through. The gloves for these gauntlets had metal bars that had to cross over one’s palm, and the looked like they were connected to the gauntlets in some fashion. Both of them were black in color, the same color as the Shadow Element, Kage’s very own Innate.
“Go ahead, try them on.” Serge encouraged.
Kage went and grabbed one of the gauntlets and checked to see which arm it was designed to fit on. He found out it was his left arm and slipped in on, then adjusted the straps to they were tight. Then there seemed to be a strange shadow that spread from the gauntlets and vibrated and moved around his arm. After a tense moment the shadow was absorbed into his very arm and Kage could feel the energy inside his body getting stronger.
“Dad, what just happened?”
“Looks like the Claws have accepted you as their new owner.” Serge said with his fatherly smile.
“What?”
“Clench your fist around the bar, you’ll notice that there’s a switch.”
Kage looked and saw the switch.
“Just don’t point it at me, point your knuckles straight up.”
Kage did that and clenched his fist around the switch. To his surprise a single blade of black metal sprang out and out from the gauntlet. There were two other blades, but these were formed when the main blade broke through the hand section of the gauntlets. The blade had a notch in it that ran down half of the length, and the blade itself was as long as his forearm. Two markings, parallel to the notch and each other ran down the blade as well and then stopped and turned to join a single marking stretching past where the blade was exposed and into the hand parts of the gauntlets.
“Ikagaide!” shouted the female manager of the tavern. “You know the rules, NO WEAPONS!”
“Release the switch son,” Serge said.
Kage did and to his surprise the blade sprung back into the gauntlet and it looked like it wasn’t even there. He gave his father a surprised/curious look.
Serge lowered his voice to a whisper. “These gauntlets are the Black Dragon Claws and have been in our family for over a dozen generations. They will only accept members of this family as the rightful owners and cannot be used by anyone else. The shadow that you saw around your arm? That was the claws searching your heart and seeing if it was true or not, that way they could accept you as their latest owner. They also confirm to the strengths and weaknesses of the one who uses them.” Kage had slipped the other gauntlet on and the same shadow appeared around his arm.
“But why give them to me now?” Kage asked.
“I have discussed it with your mother, and we both agreed it was time you should carry on the family legacy. The Claws are only half of it.” Serge reached inside his shirt and withdrew a fairly large jewelry box. He placed it on the table, halfway between himself and Kage.
Kage reached out and slid the box closer to him and then opened it. He had to force himself from letting out a gasp.
Inside the box, in the same lining that the gauntlets came in, sat a pendant. Oval, it was about three inches across its longest point. There was a dark stone orb in the center, it made up the largest part of it. The outside ring was decorated with lines that started from where the orb was and ended at the edge. This pattern went across the outside ring forming over a dozen triangles. The ones with their bases at the edge of the pendant were black, and the others white. Inside the black orb, which seemed to flow with dark clouds, a metal dragon was perched inside the very center. It was white and stuck out form the rest of the amulet for some reason. The dragon had a long neck that curled so the top of the head was facing the front. It had no arms or legs, from what could be seen, and stretched into a long and serpentine body. A pair of wings was up and were slightly folded around the body, so only the head could be seen. The head had one Ruby eye. A dark red that gave a slight glow through the darkness of the pendant itself.
“What…” Kage stammered, looking for words. “What is this?”
“The pendant in your hands has been in the family for many generations, too many, my father used to say.” Serge started. “It has incredible power. I haven’t seen this power myself but I’m sure you can feel it.”
Kage reached out and took the pendant in his hand, and felt it’s surface.
“Kage what I say now, is very important.” Kage looked at his father. “That pendant must be protected at all costs, because there are some out there who…” Serge never got to finish his statement because a large explosion blasted over Direwood forest. So loud that it caught everyone’s attention.
* * *
At Vared’s home, the sound wave rocked the entire house. Vared jumped to her feet as did the rest of her family.
“What the hell?” her father exclaimed. There came a loud knock at the door.
Rache, a friend of the family had run inside the home. “Is everyone all right in here?”
“Yes we’re fine Rache, but what’s going on?” Maria replied, getting her footing back.
“There was a large explosion above the forest, and now dozens of soldiers are entering town.” he replied.
“What?!” Abram exclaimed. “It can’t be this soon. Vared come with me.”
Vared followed her grandfather into the living room, he almost leapt the entire distance. He rummaged through the gifts he had brought for his family and finally came across the one he was looking for. Abram brought it to Vared and opened it.
Inside a bright orange lining, sat a red crystal. On the very top of the crystal, sat the head of a golden dragon, small tuffs of metal giving it a feline approach and horns on the top of the head. The head itself was elongated and the snout was blunt. Two claws were on the sides, clutching the crystal. A pair of wings wrapped even more around the crystal, just under the hands. Finally a long tail wrapped around the tip of the crystal. A single Garnet eye glowed with the same brightness of the crystal.
“Vared, now listen to me.” Abram said holding his granddaughter’s shoulders. It is very important that you protect that amulet with your life. There are evil forces out there, very evil ones who want the power for themselves, and they will do anything to achieve them. Promise me you will protect it. Promise me!”
“I do. I will protect it with my life.” Vared clutched the pendant close to her heart, and could feel a warm surge of energy flow to her body from the amulet itself. She meant every word about protecting it.
Her mother and father looked at Vared and then at each other. They nodded and her father went downstairs as her mother turned Vared to face her. “Vared,” she stared. “We love you very much, and with you receiving the pendant, we also believe that you must have a weapon, strong enough to protect it.”
Her father came up the stairs from the basement, holding a familiar looking box. Vared recognized it as the one that held her family’s spear.
“Vared, you are now the bearer of the pendant, now you are also the owner of our family’s heirloom, the Dragon Spear.” Her father opened the box and Vared saw the spear in all it’s beauty. “Now we only have to see if the spear will accept you as its owner.”
Vared reached out with her hand and could feel a burning heat coming from the spear. Then her eyes started playing tricks on her, she saw flames engulfing the spear and the flames turned into biting monsters, waiting to engulf her hand in one bite. She hesitated, staring at the monstrous flames before her. Vared bit her lip, expecting to be bitten, she reached for the spear, determined to prove her worth as its owner. Her hand gripped onto the handle and held it tight. To her surprise the flames were blasted apart as she gripped the Dragon Spear and could feel warm energy flowing through her body. It felt warm, like fire, her very Innate.
She picked the spear from the box and saw that it had more beauty than she remembered. It was light, not at all heavy, and there was also a fiery aura that surrounded it and moved up her arm. The aura surrounded her and then she watched it as it was absorbed into her body.
“Good,” Abram stated. “The Spear has accepted your courage as a quality for being its owner.”
There came shouts from outside, getting closer to the house.
“Now Vared, hide the pendant. They shouldn’t bother you, most likely it is me they are searching for, if anything should happen, run. Run and don’t stop.” her grandfather told her.
Vared zipped up her vest and tucked the pendant underneath it, just as soldiers bashed in the door.
“We are looking for a man named Abram.” one ordered. “We have been told that he resides here currently.”
Abram stared at the soldiers. “I am Abram, now what is it you want?”
“You are Abram?” the soldier looked confused.
“Yes, I am Abram. The Seventh Warrior of the Draconian Warriors.” Vared’s grandfather replied.
“Abram, you are believed to have stolen an artifact from the possession of our Lord, Garm. You are to come with us if you cannot or will not return it.”
Abram eyes filled with anger, something no one has ever seen and lived to tell. “That artifact you speak of has been in the possession of my family for countless years. This person Garm has no bearing on it, for it was never his to begin with.”
The soldiers drew their swords. “If you do not comply with our orders, then we shall be forced to kill you.”
Abram glared at them. “Take me on if you wish, but if you value your lives I would suggest against it.” Faster than anyone could have imagined, Abram slid forward, his fist connecting with the lower jaw of the leader of the three men. The man buckled back, all thoughts of consciousness gone. “Vared, GO!”
Vared didn’t hesitate, all of her training had told her when grandpa says something, do it. She dashed out the backdoor as her parents and grandfather fought with the soldiers who had invaded their home. Running out into the street, she saw soldiers swarming over the place like an infestation. Fires burned as they attacked everything and everyone that stood in their way.
“The girl! Stop that girl with the spear!” one of the soldiers from inside shouted.
Vared spun around and saw soldiers surrounding her. I’m in trouble..
* * *
Seylin Hatsuki was laying on his stomach, hiding his face with his arms. This was how he acted whenever his father had boarders over. He tilted his head a bit to see the picture on his dresser.
Staring at the picture, he couldn’t help but look at the woman. Oh, mom….
But his thoughts were interrupted.
An explosion, which may have been right on top of Kikata, rocked the entire house. Disoriented and off balance, Seylin flailed his arms around trying to grasp something to hang onto. Unfortunately, the shaking of the house and his sudden panic only ended in him falling off the bed and slamming his chin onto the floor of his room. The picture on his dresser vibrated and was moved off and slammed down, the glass shattering. Then, the shocks stopped as soon as they came.
“What the hell….” he said, rubbing his lower jaw. “Ow, just happened?”
“Seylin! Seylin you okay?!” he heard his father say as he ran up the stairs. He threw the door to his son’s room open.
“Yes, I’m fine father,” Seylin replied. “But what was that?”
“I don’t know, but it was almost on top of Kikata.” They both looked at the ceiling, expecting another barrage. Nothing came.
Finally his father broke the tense waiting. “Downstairs.” he said and Seylin got up and they both headed down the stairs to their shelter. The basement was a place where even Seylin wasn’t supposed to visit, not without his father’s expressed permission. There was something down there that his father didn’t want him to know about, so Seylin started wondering why downstairs of all places?
They reached the basement floor, and Seylin stared at what he saw.
An alter, a strange alter where a mean looking dragon-like statue had a small box in it’s hands and something in it’s mouth. His father went forward and bowed to the statue before gently lifting the box from the dragon’s clawed hands. Seylin watched as his father opened the box and showed Seylin a magnificent item.
A deep blue stone was connected to a long silver chain. Inside the stone there was a dragon, caught forever with its wings spread and free. The stone was almost shunned down because of the magnificence of the dragon, as if it were unworthy to hold it. The entire chain was pure silver and showed not a single sign of rust or age on it. A single Chalcedony stone set as the eyes stood out from the body. Seylin stared at it for several minutes before he caught himself and looked at his father, astonishment and confusion on his face.
“Seylin,” his father held the chain as if he was going to place it over Seylin’s neck. “This amulet has been in the family for countless generations, and is our greatest treasure. I had hoped that there would be a day when you did not need to inherit this, but from the sounds of earlier, that might not happen. Protect it Seylin. For me, for you, and for your mother’s spirit.”
Seylin almost stepped back. It was rare when anyone spoke of his mother, especially his own father!
“Oh, I almost forgot.” His father turned back and reached for the object in the dragon’s mouth. It was long, almost two meters, and wrapped in cloth. Carefully Seylin’s dad took the object out and then, just as carefully, unwrapped it. “This is to be yours as well.”
Seylin was speechless for a second time. The object wasn’t ordinary, instead it was a 6 foot long naginata with a one foot blade. Two feathers stuck out from under the hilt, they were an icy blue and moved with every slight vibration in the air. The blade was crisp and clean, and very sharp as well. The six-foot handle was sturdy and looked as if it had never been used once.
Almost on instinct, Seylin reached for the handle, and then came the chill. An icy wind from nowhere seemed to blast every part of his skin, causing his fingers to even burn under the extreme cold. His hand got closer, he couldn’t stop now, he had to grasp it. Through the burning chill Seylin grabbed the handle and the freezing winds ceased. He could feel his body be warmed as an icy blue aura poured from the naginata and into his own body.
“Good, the Dragon Naginata has accepted you as its new owner. And it appears that the amulet has too.” he father commented. It was true, in the darkened room Seylin could see both the weapon and pendant glow with the same aura. “That Naginata has never rusted or dulled. Now this should save me time in sharpening yours…What?”
There a crash and the sound of the explosion of earlier. Seylin and his father bolted upstairs as fast as their legs could carry them. Opening the front door they saw one of their neighbor’s homes reduced to nothing but rubble. Seylin gripped the amulet close to his chest as he saw men clad in black and gold armor approach their house next.
* * *
Horus sat with his legs crossed, determined to find the truth hidden by his vision. Even the most experienced Psychics had difficulty in deciphering visions and warnings, and he had an unyielding will. He sat and thought, thought and sat, and even hours after dinner had been finished Horus was still stumped.
His parents must have felt his frustration, for his mother called him downstairs. Finally glad to have some distraction to leave his mind clear, Horus made his way downstairs. He found both of his parents sitting at the dinner table, unusual serious looks on their faces.
“What is wrong? I’m fine, I’m okay. Sometimes when I strain too hard and things strike me like a wall, and I pass out. It’s happened before, you know it.”
“We know son,” his mother commented, squeezing the hand of her husband. “That is why you must listen to us.”
“Horus,” his father started. “What did you see in your vision that causes you to wish us not to help you?”
Horus stepped back. His father had a point, but he had to argue. “It was just like all the others I’ve had when I strained myself. Larger and bigger versions of the Lesser Dragons as well as the laughter. It’s all happened before, but..”
“But not as strong as this one.” his father finished. “Horus, we believe it is time for you to take on the burden that our family has carried on for countless generations.” His mother and father stood up, hand in hand, and lead Horus down into the recesses of their home.
His father pressed an idol and a wall pivoted open, revealing a hallway. Big enough for anyone to enter. They started down a corridor, and down several flights of stairs. Horus looked at the walls. Ancient inscriptions covered each side of the wall like graffiti. It was too dark for him to accurately tell what the hieroglyphs depicted as he kept pace with his parents. Finally the flights of stairs had stopped and Horus whacked his head against a banner across the hall. Rubbing his head, Horus looked at the sight before him.
A room, only lit by four purple candles, not very big, but held on the other side of the wall a class case that held a double bladed sword. By the case stood a marble pillar, and inside the pillar was a wooden box. The flames on each candles burned with black flames. The walls were granite stone blocks, wooden beams holding up a dirt ceiling, the whole place smelt of mildew and dampness.
“Horus,” his mother finally stated after a long silence. “Take hold of this sword, the Twin Dragon Blade. If it causes you to go insane, then you are unworthy of being its owner and your mind will be reduced to ashes. If you are unaffected, then it has accepted you.”
Horus cautiously stepped forward. As he neared the case, the glass door swung open and almost invited him to take the sword. He stared at it in more detail. There were two blades that sprouted from the hilt, each branching off before stopping and becoming parallel. In the middle of the hilt was a single eye, the Elemental Sign for all Psychic Innates, representing the third eye that all creatures posses. The source for most true psychic powers, Horus had his symbol on his upper left arm. The handle was golden colored and the entire weapon seemed to irradiate a purple aura.
Slowly and carefully, Horus reached for the handle and gripped it. Instantly his mind was rushed with feelings, emotions, thoughts, images. They swirled around him, causing an intense wind that threatened to knock him over. He leaned against it, always keeping his hand around the handle, never letting go. Finally the images blasted away, away from his mind and sight, and the wind died as well. Horus dropped to his knees, mentally exhausted and breathing hard.
“Your mind has not been plunged into chaos,” his father stated. “This means the Twin Blade has accepted you. Now you must also be able to accept another part of our burden.”
His father went to the pillar and brought out the box from within it. Carefully he presented it to Horus and opened it. Horus was shocked.
Inside a medallion, there was an amethyst stone inside of it. Inside of the stone itself was a dragon. Not flying or with its neck craned, the dragon was sitting, two Amethyst stones set for eyes and they gave off the same type of glow as the flames for the candles. A silver chain was connected so that the entire thing could be worn around the neck. He wrapped his fingers around the chain and lifted it so he could see it in more detail. It was beautiful in his estimation, the true image of Psychics.
“This pendant is now yours.” his mother said. “We have guarded it for many years, and now it is yours to protect.”
“Horus, you must protect this with your life. It must not fall into evil hands.”
Horus slipped the chain around his neck and let the pendant rest on his chest. “I will, or else I’ll be a discredit to Psychics everywhere.” he threw both of his parents a smile.
One week ago….
In a room with brick walls, a man stood before a small army of men. “My Lord, we are ready to move at your command.” This man was tall and covered with armor. Awards and metals decorated his left breastplate as he stood at attention. A thick sword hung at his left hip as his blue hair stopped at his shoulders. His armor was black and golden and only left his hands and head exposed. The name of this individual was Karsh, and currently he is the leader of a specialized division of warriors. Karsh already had the title of winning over 300 consecutive battles and was the most impressive one there. Five others stood behind him, each giving the impression that they were better than the other soldiers standing there.
At the front of the room a man sat. He had rings on his fingers and sharpened fingernails. Clad in black he was unarguably the Lord of this army. When he spoke, it sounded evil and foreboding.
“General Karsh,” he said. “This mission is very important to us. I doubt that I may have been premature in my interpretations and think you and your comrades are overqualified for this particular mission.”
“My Lord,” Karsh dropped on one knee and bowed his head. “Any mission for you is a mission of honor for us.”
“Yes!” the five standing behind Karsh sounded.
“Excellent. Ha ha, most excellent.” the “Lord” replied, but with some slight slurring on the “xc.” “In the vicinity of Direwood Forest, there are 11 pendants in all that I wish to posses. You can tell the current owners anything in order to obtain them. You may even use force if you wish, but,” Grey eyes glared at the men present in the room, burning into their souls. “I must have those amulets at any cost. Is that understood?”
Everyone replied as one. “Yes sir!”
“Very well. Be off! I expect those items within the next few weeks.”
Karsh rose and pounded his right fist to the left side of his chest as a salute to the Lord. Turning on a heel, Karsh walked along an empty row between the men and left through the main door, closely followed by the others and then soldiers.
* * *
Now…
Leon Wamiyazen sat in his study, going over some important matters that had just come up concerning the shrine. He had a dirty white shirt and black pants held together with a red sash. His brown hair was ruffled and his brown eyes looked over the papers before him. Leon scratched his chin, the small threads of facial stubs from not shaving in two days.
It was not easy being the priest, many came to him for guidance in different matters, but Leon needed some guidance of his own. The shrine was being pressured to stop teaching some of the magic abilities that had been around for thousands of generations and be replaced with scientific knowledge, such a thing Leon and many others were against.
Oriental ornaments decorated his study. Swords, drawings, plants, and even small sculptures. There were two items separated from the rest. Inside a glass container, sitting on a tripod holder, was a small pendant. Made from many white crystals, there was a golden image of a dragon curled around the top of the crystals, its wings folded. Every few minutes it would pulsate a small amount of light. There was also a tall, thin, rectangular cabinet with markings up and down it’s smooth surface. These two things stuck out from Leon’s collection.
There was a scuffle of feet outside his door and he recognized the tread of Saké’s dragging feet, and Pokira’s up and careful step. Saké was Leon’s son and had bugged for the chance to spar with Pokira until he finally gave in. Leon had to admit that Saké’s earnest and eagerness reminded him a lot of Alicia, his own wife.
“Saké!” he shouted through the closed door.
“Yeah father?!” Saké’s voice replied, close to the door.
“I want you to take a shower before you continue training today.” Leon stated.
“Okay.” Leon could hear Saké run towards the showers, and he smiled.
He started to return to the matter at hand when there was a knock at the door. “Yes?”
“Lord Leon, may I enter?” Leon recognized the voice as Pokira’s.
“Pokira, you know better than to be formal with me. Of course, come in. Come in.” Leon stood as the door opened and greeted Pokira like a warm friend.
Pokira entered, but not before bowing before the Priest of the Keikami shrine. Leon just grabbed his friend’s hand and pulled him in before closing the sliding door. Pokira took a seat on the floor as Leon started a pot of tea to brew.
“You didn’t have to bow my friend.” Leon commented as he made sure the tea was brewing.
“I am a man of tradition, you know that Leon.” Pokira stated. “That is why I refuse to refer to Denisu by that nickname he has acquired.”
Leon chuckled. “Yes he has gained a reputation among Hano hasn’t he?” He got some small crackers from a cabinet inside his study, a little kitchenette inside the study itself. “In fact I think that the name Saké is appropriate. For what is more important, a God of Wine, or a drink for the God of Wine?”
“I think that Denisu is fine enough without a name to degrade it to an alcoholic drink.” Pokira replied. The two usually gave subtle jokes towards each other because the two had been friends for most of their lives. They grew up together and both had been admitted to the Keikami shrine for teaching and eventually gained important positions there. Leon was the head Priest and Pokira was the Master Swordsman, both highly dignified places.
“Now, now Pokira, you do realize that he will choose which name he likes more. In fact I believe the main reason he enjoys Saké so much is because of his energy and free spirit.” Leon replied, taking a seat across from Pokira.
Pokira chuckled. “Whichever name he enjoys more, when he becomes priest we will have to refer to him as Lord Wamiyazen if he does not pick one or the other.”
“Ha ha!” Leon laughed. “That we will. Oh Pokira, it has been too long since I have had time to share with Denisu. Just listening to him speak and train, reminds me of Alicia and her free spirit.” Leon’s head turned and looked towards a picture sitting on his desk. There was Saké, around three-years-old, being held by a woman with striking red hair and brilliant green eyes. The woman was holding Saké in her arms, standing by a younger looking version of Leon, clean shaven and tidy hair.
“I remember.” Pokira replied, looking back at the photo on the desk. “I was present at your wedding, don’t forget.”
“And I won’t, I assure you. *sigh* After Alicia's death, the only thing that had kept me going was Saké’s free-spirit and determination. If I lost him, I don't know what I would do…"
The rest of his statement was cut-off by the sound of the tea kettle boiling. Leon stood up and retrieved it as well as two cups and brought them with the crackers over to where he and Pokira were sitting. He sat down and poured himself and Pokira some tea.
As they started to settle down for some tea the main gong‘s ringing echoed through the building. It was a sign that there was a visitor to the shrine.
“Who could be visiting?” Leon asked.
“I shall see.” Pokira rose and started out. He turned and bowed to Leon. “I’ll be quick.”
* * *
At the main doors of the Keikami shrine, it wasn’t Pokira, but one of the sentries that opened the doors and looked out to see what it was the visitor’s wanted. The sentry almost stepped back in disgust. There on the steps, three feline Demi-Humans from The Pack stood, their cat eyes freaking the guard out.
“Uhg,” he said. “What do you thieves want?” He didn’t want to look at them.
The taller one, who must have been a male, spoke first. “Can Saké come out and play?”
“Young Wamiyazen? What business would he have with Demi-Humans like you?”
“Saké please play?” said a younger female.
“Play!” echoed an even younger one.
“He doesn’t have business with the likes of you. Now scat!” the sentry shouted to make them leave.
“Hey don’t be so harsh dude!” the male replied again, shouting as well. “We know Saké and he’s always had time to play with us.”
“I said leave!” The sentry wasn’t playing games with them. “Go now before I ask our Master Swordsman to get rid of you.”
The male was looking down the hall, and who should turn into the hallway but Pokira himself.
“Hey Pokira!” he shouted. “Can you let us in?!”
Pokira noticed and recognized the feline Demi-Humans.
“Pokira! Yay!” shouted the second youngest.
“Pokira!” the younger one said, mispronouncing his name.
“Lynx, well this is a nice surprise.” Pokira walked up right behind the sentry. “And Katie and Jan, you two have grown since the last time I‘ve seen you.”
“Yay!” the younglings replied, running up to Pokira, and he grabbed the two in his arms.
“We were looking for Saké.” Lynx said as he walked in and stood in front of Pokira.
“Denisu is busy washing up, but I’m sure he’ll have time to see you. Let‘s go see the Priest while we wait.” he carried Katie and Jan down the hall and turned a corner. Lynx was trailing behind and turned around to the sentry. He pulled down his eyelid and stuck out his tongue at the man before disappearing down after Pokira. The sentry was speechless.
* * *
The door to Leon’s study opened and the Priest smiled at the sight of Pokira with Katie and Jan in his arms and Lynx following him. “Well Pokira, looks like you adopted a family.”
“I don’t think so Leon,” Pokira smiled back as he put Katie and Jan on their feet. The three visitors bowed their heads to Leon, and knew him pretty well. Their father had visited the Keikami shrine several times and got to know Leon over the course of the past 15 years the Pride had resided in Direwood Forest.
They entered and Lynx grabbed a few extra pillows for him and his sisters.
“So Lynx, what brings you three here today? Your father need something?” Leon asked.
“No sir. I was just hoping to see if Saké would be able to play with us today.” Lynx replied, his head bobbing up and down.
Leon smiled. “Well, I’ve always heard that playing with members of the Pride was the best kind of training anyone could ask for. Of course he can.”
“I’ll go tell him you’re here then.” Pokira rose and entered into the hall.
“Some tea Lynx? Jan? Katie?”
“Please.” the three replied, big grins on their faces.
Leon poured them all a cup, and told Jan and Katie to be careful because it was hot. Lynx was the only one who spat the hot tea out, but apologized and started to clean it up.
A knock and there at the door Denisu Wamiyazen hopped on one foot, struggling to get his boot on. He already had his gloves, arm band, shirt, pants, and other boot on, his vest was in between his teeth.
“Phhorry. I phas in pheh phower.” he said with the vest still clamped between his teeth.
“Saké!” Katie and Jan shouted and pounced Denisu.
“Ack!” he exclaimed as the two girls hit him at once and pinned him to the ground. “Hi Katie. Hi Jan.”
“Saké play with us!” they encouraged. “Play with us! Play with us!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll play, but can I breathe first?” he replied and the two girls got off his chest and he managed to take a breath. He looked up and noticed Lynx.
“Hey Lynx. Figured you were here.” he said.
“Yup, pops never lets me leave these two alone.” Lynx replied with a toothy grin.
“Well common! Let’s go!” Saké started off, but ran into Pokira.
“Aren’t you forgetting something Denisu?” he asked.
“Oops!” Saké kneeled before his father. “Dad, may I please skip my training for the rest of the day and play with the Pride members?”
“Go ahead son, I’ve already okayed it.” Leon replied.
“Cool! Let’s go!” Saké ran out of the room and down the hallway, the three Pride members close on his tail.
Pokira watched them run down the hall. “You could have at least made him sweat a bit over it Leon.”
“It’s all right Pokira.” Leon replied. “It is hard to tease him like that.”
There was a loud clang of a bell that announced the next session of classes to begin. “Hmm, looks like my class is starting. I am sorry Lord Wamiyazen, but I must go.”
“You may go Pokira.” Leon replied, and Pokira left, closing the door behind him.
Leon sighed and started putting the crackers and pillows away. He kept the tea and poured himself another cup and sipped it, glad for the distraction to help clear his mind of his latest problem. Leon was standing near the center of the room and noticed something, his shadow was being cast on the door, something that normally never happened. Spinning around, Leon noticed that the crystal in the glass case was emitting more light than usual, brighter and stronger than its usual daily pulse.
“Hmmmm…. I wonder…” he said.
* * *
Denisu Wamiyazen ran with Lynx, Jan, and Katie hot on his heels. They ran through the small town of Hano as they made way for the trees of Direwood Forest. Some merchants waved at him and at the Pride members following him. Others ignored the Demi-Humans and only waved to Saké, and then whispered about the next priest running around with vermin like those Demi-Humans. The four reached the tree-line quickly and stopped in an open spot.
“Okay, what game are we playing today?” Saké asked, catching his breath.
“Prey and Predator!” Katie asked.
“All right! I’ll be the prey!” Saké replied.
“But you’re always the prey.” Lynx acting like he was complaining.
“Because I can’t sniff out my prey like you guys do, so that makes you the best ones to hunt me down, now doesn’t it?” he replied.
“Isn’t that stereotyping?” Lynx retorted.
“Not the least.” Saké said. “Ready?”
Lynx, Katie, and Jan stood facing three different directions, their backs to Saké and their bodies crouched.
“GO!” they shouted and where gone in bursts of speed, leaving Saké standing in the middle of an open space.
“Okay, here we go. Nimble!” A purple aura surrounded his feet and he felt the spell take effect. In a dash he was off, jumping from the trunk of every tree to another. He disappeared into the forest with the Pride members as well. The game was on.
* * *
On a hill, overlooking the Direwood Forest, Karsh stood. His eyes glanced around the trees to find the locations of which his Lord had told him to find the items. Troops were stationed everywhere around the forest, waiting for his signal. He looked, There was Hano to the northeast, and the shrine’s top cut over the trees. Farther south was Zean, and between the two was Kikata, a small in-between place on a road. He also knew there were several houses scattered throughout the forest and fields. Those were his targets. Currently Karsh’s forces were closer to Hano and the shrine there than any other town.
Satisfied with his survey of the forest, Karsh raised his right hand, a signal. Three soldiers from the forces lead by him gathered towards the more front of the hill and concentrated. Blue auras surrounded their bodies as they pointed their palms towards the sky directly above the center of the forest.
Another officer scanned the edge of the forest, looking for signs that the army on the other sides were ready as well. There were seven similar auras at the edge of the forest.
“Sir Karsh!” the officer reported. “The others are ready.”
“Very well. On my mark we begin our decent into the forest. Remember! Our target is the Keikami shrine, the others have their orders.” He looked and even he could see the auras tipping over the edge of the treetops, he pulled out and checked a pocket watch from his armor. It was time. “FIRE!”
The three soldiers released their combined attack. Aero Blaster, an attack that sent shockwaves through the air towards opponents, but this wasn’t aimed at any structures, just into the air. Several more such attacks headed for the same spot above Direwood forest.
* * *
“So pop,” Kage Ikagaide started. “What’s with the sudden royal treatment?”
Kage, and his father Serge, were currently sitting inside one of the best taverns in Zean. The tavern had the best wine, food, and entertainment in the entire Direwood Forest range, but also had the highest expenses. So it was indeed a rarity that Kage had ever been inside.
“Well, I decided this place would be the best place.” Serge replied.
“For what?”
Serge picked up the briefcase that he had brought with him and laid it on the table. Unlocking the front, he spun it so that Kage could see what was inside. Kage sat dumbfounded at what he saw.
In the briefcase, encased within soft velvet lining, sat two objects, both of them very similar. The two similar objects, looked like gauntlets. Gauntlets that could cover all the way up to his elbow, but also had a section for his hand to go through. The gloves for these gauntlets had metal bars that had to cross over one’s palm, and the looked like they were connected to the gauntlets in some fashion. Both of them were black in color, the same color as the Shadow Element, Kage’s very own Innate.
“Go ahead, try them on.” Serge encouraged.
Kage went and grabbed one of the gauntlets and checked to see which arm it was designed to fit on. He found out it was his left arm and slipped in on, then adjusted the straps to they were tight. Then there seemed to be a strange shadow that spread from the gauntlets and vibrated and moved around his arm. After a tense moment the shadow was absorbed into his very arm and Kage could feel the energy inside his body getting stronger.
“Dad, what just happened?”
“Looks like the Claws have accepted you as their new owner.” Serge said with his fatherly smile.
“What?”
“Clench your fist around the bar, you’ll notice that there’s a switch.”
Kage looked and saw the switch.
“Just don’t point it at me, point your knuckles straight up.”
Kage did that and clenched his fist around the switch. To his surprise a single blade of black metal sprang out and out from the gauntlet. There were two other blades, but these were formed when the main blade broke through the hand section of the gauntlets. The blade had a notch in it that ran down half of the length, and the blade itself was as long as his forearm. Two markings, parallel to the notch and each other ran down the blade as well and then stopped and turned to join a single marking stretching past where the blade was exposed and into the hand parts of the gauntlets.
“Ikagaide!” shouted the female manager of the tavern. “You know the rules, NO WEAPONS!”
“Release the switch son,” Serge said.
Kage did and to his surprise the blade sprung back into the gauntlet and it looked like it wasn’t even there. He gave his father a surprised/curious look.
Serge lowered his voice to a whisper. “These gauntlets are the Black Dragon Claws and have been in our family for over a dozen generations. They will only accept members of this family as the rightful owners and cannot be used by anyone else. The shadow that you saw around your arm? That was the claws searching your heart and seeing if it was true or not, that way they could accept you as their latest owner. They also confirm to the strengths and weaknesses of the one who uses them.” Kage had slipped the other gauntlet on and the same shadow appeared around his arm.
“But why give them to me now?” Kage asked.
“I have discussed it with your mother, and we both agreed it was time you should carry on the family legacy. The Claws are only half of it.” Serge reached inside his shirt and withdrew a fairly large jewelry box. He placed it on the table, halfway between himself and Kage.
Kage reached out and slid the box closer to him and then opened it. He had to force himself from letting out a gasp.
Inside the box, in the same lining that the gauntlets came in, sat a pendant. Oval, it was about three inches across its longest point. There was a dark stone orb in the center, it made up the largest part of it. The outside ring was decorated with lines that started from where the orb was and ended at the edge. This pattern went across the outside ring forming over a dozen triangles. The ones with their bases at the edge of the pendant were black, and the others white. Inside the black orb, which seemed to flow with dark clouds, a metal dragon was perched inside the very center. It was white and stuck out form the rest of the amulet for some reason. The dragon had a long neck that curled so the top of the head was facing the front. It had no arms or legs, from what could be seen, and stretched into a long and serpentine body. A pair of wings was up and were slightly folded around the body, so only the head could be seen. The head had one Ruby eye. A dark red that gave a slight glow through the darkness of the pendant itself.
“What…” Kage stammered, looking for words. “What is this?”
“The pendant in your hands has been in the family for many generations, too many, my father used to say.” Serge started. “It has incredible power. I haven’t seen this power myself but I’m sure you can feel it.”
Kage reached out and took the pendant in his hand, and felt it’s surface.
“Kage what I say now, is very important.” Kage looked at his father. “That pendant must be protected at all costs, because there are some out there who…” Serge never got to finish his statement because a large explosion blasted over Direwood forest. So loud that it caught everyone’s attention.
* * *
At Vared’s home, the sound wave rocked the entire house. Vared jumped to her feet as did the rest of her family.
“What the hell?” her father exclaimed. There came a loud knock at the door.
Rache, a friend of the family had run inside the home. “Is everyone all right in here?”
“Yes we’re fine Rache, but what’s going on?” Maria replied, getting her footing back.
“There was a large explosion above the forest, and now dozens of soldiers are entering town.” he replied.
“What?!” Abram exclaimed. “It can’t be this soon. Vared come with me.”
Vared followed her grandfather into the living room, he almost leapt the entire distance. He rummaged through the gifts he had brought for his family and finally came across the one he was looking for. Abram brought it to Vared and opened it.
Inside a bright orange lining, sat a red crystal. On the very top of the crystal, sat the head of a golden dragon, small tuffs of metal giving it a feline approach and horns on the top of the head. The head itself was elongated and the snout was blunt. Two claws were on the sides, clutching the crystal. A pair of wings wrapped even more around the crystal, just under the hands. Finally a long tail wrapped around the tip of the crystal. A single Garnet eye glowed with the same brightness of the crystal.
“Vared, now listen to me.” Abram said holding his granddaughter’s shoulders. It is very important that you protect that amulet with your life. There are evil forces out there, very evil ones who want the power for themselves, and they will do anything to achieve them. Promise me you will protect it. Promise me!”
“I do. I will protect it with my life.” Vared clutched the pendant close to her heart, and could feel a warm surge of energy flow to her body from the amulet itself. She meant every word about protecting it.
Her mother and father looked at Vared and then at each other. They nodded and her father went downstairs as her mother turned Vared to face her. “Vared,” she stared. “We love you very much, and with you receiving the pendant, we also believe that you must have a weapon, strong enough to protect it.”
Her father came up the stairs from the basement, holding a familiar looking box. Vared recognized it as the one that held her family’s spear.
“Vared, you are now the bearer of the pendant, now you are also the owner of our family’s heirloom, the Dragon Spear.” Her father opened the box and Vared saw the spear in all it’s beauty. “Now we only have to see if the spear will accept you as its owner.”
Vared reached out with her hand and could feel a burning heat coming from the spear. Then her eyes started playing tricks on her, she saw flames engulfing the spear and the flames turned into biting monsters, waiting to engulf her hand in one bite. She hesitated, staring at the monstrous flames before her. Vared bit her lip, expecting to be bitten, she reached for the spear, determined to prove her worth as its owner. Her hand gripped onto the handle and held it tight. To her surprise the flames were blasted apart as she gripped the Dragon Spear and could feel warm energy flowing through her body. It felt warm, like fire, her very Innate.
She picked the spear from the box and saw that it had more beauty than she remembered. It was light, not at all heavy, and there was also a fiery aura that surrounded it and moved up her arm. The aura surrounded her and then she watched it as it was absorbed into her body.
“Good,” Abram stated. “The Spear has accepted your courage as a quality for being its owner.”
There came shouts from outside, getting closer to the house.
“Now Vared, hide the pendant. They shouldn’t bother you, most likely it is me they are searching for, if anything should happen, run. Run and don’t stop.” her grandfather told her.
Vared zipped up her vest and tucked the pendant underneath it, just as soldiers bashed in the door.
“We are looking for a man named Abram.” one ordered. “We have been told that he resides here currently.”
Abram stared at the soldiers. “I am Abram, now what is it you want?”
“You are Abram?” the soldier looked confused.
“Yes, I am Abram. The Seventh Warrior of the Draconian Warriors.” Vared’s grandfather replied.
“Abram, you are believed to have stolen an artifact from the possession of our Lord, Garm. You are to come with us if you cannot or will not return it.”
Abram eyes filled with anger, something no one has ever seen and lived to tell. “That artifact you speak of has been in the possession of my family for countless years. This person Garm has no bearing on it, for it was never his to begin with.”
The soldiers drew their swords. “If you do not comply with our orders, then we shall be forced to kill you.”
Abram glared at them. “Take me on if you wish, but if you value your lives I would suggest against it.” Faster than anyone could have imagined, Abram slid forward, his fist connecting with the lower jaw of the leader of the three men. The man buckled back, all thoughts of consciousness gone. “Vared, GO!”
Vared didn’t hesitate, all of her training had told her when grandpa says something, do it. She dashed out the backdoor as her parents and grandfather fought with the soldiers who had invaded their home. Running out into the street, she saw soldiers swarming over the place like an infestation. Fires burned as they attacked everything and everyone that stood in their way.
“The girl! Stop that girl with the spear!” one of the soldiers from inside shouted.
Vared spun around and saw soldiers surrounding her. I’m in trouble..
* * *
Seylin Hatsuki was laying on his stomach, hiding his face with his arms. This was how he acted whenever his father had boarders over. He tilted his head a bit to see the picture on his dresser.
Staring at the picture, he couldn’t help but look at the woman. Oh, mom….
But his thoughts were interrupted.
An explosion, which may have been right on top of Kikata, rocked the entire house. Disoriented and off balance, Seylin flailed his arms around trying to grasp something to hang onto. Unfortunately, the shaking of the house and his sudden panic only ended in him falling off the bed and slamming his chin onto the floor of his room. The picture on his dresser vibrated and was moved off and slammed down, the glass shattering. Then, the shocks stopped as soon as they came.
“What the hell….” he said, rubbing his lower jaw. “Ow, just happened?”
“Seylin! Seylin you okay?!” he heard his father say as he ran up the stairs. He threw the door to his son’s room open.
“Yes, I’m fine father,” Seylin replied. “But what was that?”
“I don’t know, but it was almost on top of Kikata.” They both looked at the ceiling, expecting another barrage. Nothing came.
Finally his father broke the tense waiting. “Downstairs.” he said and Seylin got up and they both headed down the stairs to their shelter. The basement was a place where even Seylin wasn’t supposed to visit, not without his father’s expressed permission. There was something down there that his father didn’t want him to know about, so Seylin started wondering why downstairs of all places?
They reached the basement floor, and Seylin stared at what he saw.
An alter, a strange alter where a mean looking dragon-like statue had a small box in it’s hands and something in it’s mouth. His father went forward and bowed to the statue before gently lifting the box from the dragon’s clawed hands. Seylin watched as his father opened the box and showed Seylin a magnificent item.
A deep blue stone was connected to a long silver chain. Inside the stone there was a dragon, caught forever with its wings spread and free. The stone was almost shunned down because of the magnificence of the dragon, as if it were unworthy to hold it. The entire chain was pure silver and showed not a single sign of rust or age on it. A single Chalcedony stone set as the eyes stood out from the body. Seylin stared at it for several minutes before he caught himself and looked at his father, astonishment and confusion on his face.
“Seylin,” his father held the chain as if he was going to place it over Seylin’s neck. “This amulet has been in the family for countless generations, and is our greatest treasure. I had hoped that there would be a day when you did not need to inherit this, but from the sounds of earlier, that might not happen. Protect it Seylin. For me, for you, and for your mother’s spirit.”
Seylin almost stepped back. It was rare when anyone spoke of his mother, especially his own father!
“Oh, I almost forgot.” His father turned back and reached for the object in the dragon’s mouth. It was long, almost two meters, and wrapped in cloth. Carefully Seylin’s dad took the object out and then, just as carefully, unwrapped it. “This is to be yours as well.”
Seylin was speechless for a second time. The object wasn’t ordinary, instead it was a 6 foot long naginata with a one foot blade. Two feathers stuck out from under the hilt, they were an icy blue and moved with every slight vibration in the air. The blade was crisp and clean, and very sharp as well. The six-foot handle was sturdy and looked as if it had never been used once.
Almost on instinct, Seylin reached for the handle, and then came the chill. An icy wind from nowhere seemed to blast every part of his skin, causing his fingers to even burn under the extreme cold. His hand got closer, he couldn’t stop now, he had to grasp it. Through the burning chill Seylin grabbed the handle and the freezing winds ceased. He could feel his body be warmed as an icy blue aura poured from the naginata and into his own body.
“Good, the Dragon Naginata has accepted you as its new owner. And it appears that the amulet has too.” he father commented. It was true, in the darkened room Seylin could see both the weapon and pendant glow with the same aura. “That Naginata has never rusted or dulled. Now this should save me time in sharpening yours…What?”
There a crash and the sound of the explosion of earlier. Seylin and his father bolted upstairs as fast as their legs could carry them. Opening the front door they saw one of their neighbor’s homes reduced to nothing but rubble. Seylin gripped the amulet close to his chest as he saw men clad in black and gold armor approach their house next.
* * *
Horus sat with his legs crossed, determined to find the truth hidden by his vision. Even the most experienced Psychics had difficulty in deciphering visions and warnings, and he had an unyielding will. He sat and thought, thought and sat, and even hours after dinner had been finished Horus was still stumped.
His parents must have felt his frustration, for his mother called him downstairs. Finally glad to have some distraction to leave his mind clear, Horus made his way downstairs. He found both of his parents sitting at the dinner table, unusual serious looks on their faces.
“What is wrong? I’m fine, I’m okay. Sometimes when I strain too hard and things strike me like a wall, and I pass out. It’s happened before, you know it.”
“We know son,” his mother commented, squeezing the hand of her husband. “That is why you must listen to us.”
“Horus,” his father started. “What did you see in your vision that causes you to wish us not to help you?”
Horus stepped back. His father had a point, but he had to argue. “It was just like all the others I’ve had when I strained myself. Larger and bigger versions of the Lesser Dragons as well as the laughter. It’s all happened before, but..”
“But not as strong as this one.” his father finished. “Horus, we believe it is time for you to take on the burden that our family has carried on for countless generations.” His mother and father stood up, hand in hand, and lead Horus down into the recesses of their home.
His father pressed an idol and a wall pivoted open, revealing a hallway. Big enough for anyone to enter. They started down a corridor, and down several flights of stairs. Horus looked at the walls. Ancient inscriptions covered each side of the wall like graffiti. It was too dark for him to accurately tell what the hieroglyphs depicted as he kept pace with his parents. Finally the flights of stairs had stopped and Horus whacked his head against a banner across the hall. Rubbing his head, Horus looked at the sight before him.
A room, only lit by four purple candles, not very big, but held on the other side of the wall a class case that held a double bladed sword. By the case stood a marble pillar, and inside the pillar was a wooden box. The flames on each candles burned with black flames. The walls were granite stone blocks, wooden beams holding up a dirt ceiling, the whole place smelt of mildew and dampness.
“Horus,” his mother finally stated after a long silence. “Take hold of this sword, the Twin Dragon Blade. If it causes you to go insane, then you are unworthy of being its owner and your mind will be reduced to ashes. If you are unaffected, then it has accepted you.”
Horus cautiously stepped forward. As he neared the case, the glass door swung open and almost invited him to take the sword. He stared at it in more detail. There were two blades that sprouted from the hilt, each branching off before stopping and becoming parallel. In the middle of the hilt was a single eye, the Elemental Sign for all Psychic Innates, representing the third eye that all creatures posses. The source for most true psychic powers, Horus had his symbol on his upper left arm. The handle was golden colored and the entire weapon seemed to irradiate a purple aura.
Slowly and carefully, Horus reached for the handle and gripped it. Instantly his mind was rushed with feelings, emotions, thoughts, images. They swirled around him, causing an intense wind that threatened to knock him over. He leaned against it, always keeping his hand around the handle, never letting go. Finally the images blasted away, away from his mind and sight, and the wind died as well. Horus dropped to his knees, mentally exhausted and breathing hard.
“Your mind has not been plunged into chaos,” his father stated. “This means the Twin Blade has accepted you. Now you must also be able to accept another part of our burden.”
His father went to the pillar and brought out the box from within it. Carefully he presented it to Horus and opened it. Horus was shocked.
Inside a medallion, there was an amethyst stone inside of it. Inside of the stone itself was a dragon. Not flying or with its neck craned, the dragon was sitting, two Amethyst stones set for eyes and they gave off the same type of glow as the flames for the candles. A silver chain was connected so that the entire thing could be worn around the neck. He wrapped his fingers around the chain and lifted it so he could see it in more detail. It was beautiful in his estimation, the true image of Psychics.
“This pendant is now yours.” his mother said. “We have guarded it for many years, and now it is yours to protect.”
“Horus, you must protect this with your life. It must not fall into evil hands.”
Horus slipped the chain around his neck and let the pendant rest on his chest. “I will, or else I’ll be a discredit to Psychics everywhere.” he threw both of his parents a smile.