Previously on Warriors of Destiny: With the Elders of the Temporal Cult continuing their questioning, the others had time to continue to mingle or explore the citadel. However; disturbing news soon reached the Elders that Shadow and company had been responsible for the destruction of the planet they had recently visited.
Brought before them, the group was asked to explain their actions and at least one of the Elders, Garrus, had already passed his judgment upon them. As the questioning kept going, Garrus became impatient and lashed out. Soon all four of the Elders present were involved, along with some of Garrus� disciples.
The neutral Elder, robed in white, was killed during the battle. Hephaestus, sensing something was wrong, led Tza and Drac into the Council chambers, killing the traitor inside the cult in the process. He also helped Shadow and the others escape the Citadel entirely.
Opening a portal back to their reality, Hephaestus sent the group through, and remained behind. Just after the portal closed, an explosion rocked the Citadel causing Hephaestus and others to teleport to safety. From the snowy hillside, they surveyed the damage and realized that another civil war had begun...
*Time passed: A few hours*
The Ettik hums with its normal dull tones as it drifts forward using its sub-light drive. The holographic wall clock in the galley quietly announces the time as 0700 with a low chime.
Alexei yawns as he studies Ettik�s readouts and nods to the air, �Yes, I know, we should plot a course. But they need their rest, they�ve been through a lot.�
The offspring ship moves gracefully through the nebula ahead of his parent, running alongside a small school of energy rays as they swim through soft clouds as if they were water.
Alexei watches from the bridge view port, pausing to glance at the star chart and Ettik�s position to the last known locations of the other swords.
DracBlue sits in a part of the ship that normally has no traffic; where he can hear himself think, unsure of what he is going to do.
Luna sits on the bed brushing her mane. She looks over at Eclipse, �Showers are so much fun.�
Katie sighs and climbs out of bed, pacing for a moment, before slipping down the hall to the Med Bay.
�Relaxing as well,� Eclipse watches her brushing. �At least I have a use for them now. Probably a good thing I didn�t have odors before, after a few millennium I could only imagine how bad I�d smell.�
Luna smiles at him and winks, �You always came back from the shadow lands pleasantly refreshed.�
Ryu sits at the table in front of a pile of meat that is about the size of himself. He looks like a baby dragon eating away merrily.
Kyra sits in the galley, curled up on a bench, staring blankly at the far wall.
Skirmir glances up at Katie from one of the med tables where he is getting a cut on his hand healed by a med-bot. �Good to see you again, Katie.�
Katie raises a hand in greeting, her eyes going to the still figure on a far table. She walks up slowly to it and just stands there, looking for all the world like someone who�s lost their best friend.
�Trying to burn a hole in it?� Sikozu asks Kyra as she replicates a cup of steaming liquid and then moves to a nearby table.
Shadow sits at a table drinking, and thinking about what is going on with his home.
Clarice paces back and forth in the med bay, near Shinta�s body, �I never meant for this to happen��
�Still no change I�m afraid,� Skirmir studies Katie�s glance, frowning slightly.
�Suppose so�wonder what it�s like now,� Eclipse�s gaze drifts towards the window, imagining what his home dimension is like now.
Kyra�s startled glance finds Sikozu�s. �No. Just trying to make sense of some stuff.�
Tza sits in a corner of her room staring at the carving of herself as a rose bush. �How could something so beautiful come from something so evil?� she moans to herself miserably.
Tabris rolls over in bed and overshoots, pulling the covers off Claron in the process of falling to the floor. �Oof�uh, not again.� Tabris sighs as he reaches up to rub his head.
�I didn�t expect there would be.� Katie�s voice is hoarse as she stares at the shell of Shinta. She reaches out hesitantly and places her hand on top of his. His body is warm, and tears pool in Katie�s eyes.
�Anything you�d care to talk about?� Sikozu continues her inquiry, turning her chair to face Kyra. Taking a large sip of her drink, she lets out a sigh of approval.
Luna lays her brush aside, �Have you tried to go back?� She crawls across the bed to sit closer to Eclipse, �How much of your powers have returned?�
�Not much. I can feel it building, but there�s not enough to even shadow walk yet,� Eclipse lets out a reluctant huff and lays back against the sheets.
Kyra shrugs. �I doubt it would make a difference.�
�It may, you never know until you give it a shot,� Sikozu replies, downing another sip of her drink.
�Why, you overstuffed, pompous ass? Why would you leave me like this?� Katie kneels next to the table, laying her head on their hands, sniffling. �There was so much left unsaid��
Skirmir thanks the med-bot and slides off the table. Glancing at Katie and Clarice, he sighs softly, walking out into the hallway.
Claron tries to hide the smirk on her face from Tab by hiding her mouth against the back of her hand, �I would have gladly shown you my wares�all you had to do was ask.�
Tabris leans up and glances across the now uncovered mattress at Claron, �I�ve seen the wares, unless you�ve got something new in stock?�
Kyra sighs. �Are you sure you want to be bombarded by teen angst?�
�Wasn�t too long ago that I was a teen myself, and I had plenty of angst,� Sikozu manages a friendly smirk, �so let�s hear it.�
Luna lays her paw on his chest, �Let�s not push it too much. I�m just so happy that I didn�t lose you that day.�
�So am I,� Eclipse nods gently, resting his hand atop Luna�s paw.
Taking a deep breath, Kyra closes her eyes. �It�s just hard dealing with the knowledge that I fell in love with a demon. And then having to see the replica of the demon�s host walking around, unaware of what the very sight of him does to me.�
A crab bot skitters across the wall and into the forward observation lounge where Drac is. It glances at him momentarily before making its way to a maintenance panel and prying it open to access the wiring behind it.
Luna looks down at him, �I�m still bothered by something. What happened to that scientist we brought onto the ship with us?�
�Not exactly sure�knowing who he worked for, he�s probably long gone.� Eclipse looks over at Luna.
Katie gently picks up Shinta�s hand and kisses his warm fingers. �Goodbye, Shinta. I�m sorry I failed you so miserably, and in so many ways. I wasn�t the woman you needed, and I wasn�t there when you needed me most. Some friend I turned out to be.� Her voice trembles. �I�ll at least give you a good sendoff. I can do that for you.�
DracBlue looks at the crab bot, then shakes his head and continues to think to himself.
�Have you tried talking to him about it?� Sikozu leans against the chair as she finishes the drink and sets the cup aside.
Tabris gets to his feet and lays the sheets back on the bed.
�Talking to HIM?� Kyra looks astonished. �Why would he want to hear anything I have to say to him? It wasn�t his fault his was the form used to lull us into nearly being killed.�
�Do you think he was one of those deviant cultists?� Luna wonders as she rubs her other paw over Eclipse�s spines on his head.
Clarice shakes her head as she feels her resolve crumpling with each heart-felt word she hears Katie speak. �I�never meant for this to happen,� she whispers softly to herself as she walks into the hallway outside of the med bay, and leans with her back against the outside wall. �If I could change it, I would.�
�Still, there�s a chance he�d hear you out. It�s worth a try,� responding, Sikozu moves from the chair and places the cup on the replicator pad. Glancing back at Kyra, she moves to stand next to the table.
�Possibly, but I didn�t sense anything about him like I sense from Shadow,� Eclipse shrugs.
�I�wouldn�t know what to say to him.� Kyra shrinks down into herself. �I could just see it. �Hi, I was in love with you. Well, not with you, but someone who looked JUST like you. And now it hurts me to look at you cuz I loved the fake you so much.� Yeah, he�d laugh me right out of the room.� She looks glum.
Luna blinks, �What else could he have been? Do you think he�s still here?�
�I don�t think he�d laugh at you. He doesn�t seem the type,� Sikozu rests a hand on her hip, �It�s up to you, but I would talk to him and see what happens.�
�Probably not still here, unless he�s invisible and undetectable.� Eclipse says as he moves his head slightly under Luna�s paw.
Katie stands and takes a shaky breath. �This learning to live again is killing me.� She whispers as she turns to leave. But she can�t resist looking over her shoulder again. �Find a way to lead him to where you are, Kyo. I can�t bear the thought of him lingering in limbo. He was a good man. He deserves better than what he got.�
Luna moves her paw down the side of his face in a gentle caress. �I had that almost overpowering urge to kill him. Maybe I shouldn�t have fought it.�
Looking through the various data pads sprawled atop a cargo container, Shayne sighs and looks back at the half-assembled device in front of him. �Alright, now where�d that projector go.�
�I have no way of knowing what �type� he is.� Kyra lowers her head. �I never knew him. Not really.�
�Then go ask him, find out what �type� he is,� Sikozu glances down at Kyra.
Kyra turns a panicked gaze up at Sikozu.
�Not much else I can say, you can choose to talk to him or not,� Sikozu gives Kyra a shrug.
�Just going to lie there all day on display?� Tabris smirks at Claron as he goes into the bathroom and starts up the shower.
�Oh?!� Claron feigns surprise, �you�re wanting to see how the wares fare in water?� wrapping the sheet around her.
�Water tight, I hope�wouldn�t want any damage to the goods,� Tabris chuckles as he ducks under the hot water stream.
Tza tucks the rose into her pocket as she stands up. She looks at her reflection in the window as she shifts form into a more human appearance. She pushes her amethyst colored hair away from her face as she exits her room.
�There you are,� Shayne says grabbing the circular shaped piece from the bottom of an open cargo cylinder. �Now we just slide you in here,� sliding it into place, he grabs the electro-spanner and secures it.
Kyra nods slowly, her fingers playing with the hem of her tunic.
�Well, good luck with your boy troubles,� Sikozu winks at Kyra and exits the galley.
Katie walks back to her room, laying facedown across her bed, her hitching breaths the only sound in the stillness of her quarters.
�Oh shut up, Kyn. What do you know? You never even made it past sixteen.� Kyra snaps at thin air, looking irritated.
�Okay, we�ll ask them,� Alexei says to the bridge, then moves to the holo console to activate the ship-wide com. �Morning, folks. Looks like we�ve got two possible destinations to pick from. Don�t know what to expect at either, but we need to make a decision eventually.�
Clarice silently watches Katie leave med bay, then whispers, �I know�there�s no forgiveness for what I have done.�
Thorn, who had been silent up till now, speaks softly. �Katerina. You cannot continue to blame yourself for every tragedy that occurs around you. You were not responsible; and wallowing in the mire of your self-abuse will NOT bring him back.�
Tza walks slowly into the galley and looks around. She slides into a chair facing the room and puts the rose bush carving on the table.
Shayne grabs the completed device and lugs it over to complete the set of four, one in each corner of the cargo bay. �There we go. Now to just see if we can get this working��
Luna�s ears twitch as she hears Alexei on the com. �I guess we should go see what the choices are,� she sighs as she looks down at Eclipse.
Katie looks up at Thorn. �But if I�d-�
�You�re probably right,� Eclipse stretches with a yawn.
Thorn cuts her off. �If you�d what? How could you have possibly changed what happened? He knew he took a risk. No one could have foreseen what came to pass. It was an accident.�
Katie�s eyes blaze angrily. �And Clarice? What if she�d given me that letter?�
Ryu finishes eating the pile of meat. Then shifts back to his human form. He sits there drinking from a mug.
Thorn puts a paw up on the edge of the bed. �Perhaps. But she didn�t know what would happen, either. She didn�t plan on him dying, Katerina. Any more than you did. Kindly take her off the roasting spit, now. We don�t need another sacrifice.�
Crawling across the bed, Luna reaches for her boots on the floor. �I�m almost afraid to leave the room without being fully prepared,� glancing over at their swords resting on opposite sides of the altar.
Wraith listens to the com and reaches for his shirt. Glancing down with a grimace at the black marks on his chest before he slides the shirt on covering them. Standing, he moves to the door, pausing to grab a roll of cloth and wrapping it around the black marks on his forearm.
�It�s up to you,� Eclipse slides on his pants and shirt, then grabs Morthoseth in its scabbard and slings it over his shoulder.
�Damn you, Furball!� Katie hisses. �If I want to be mad for a while, you LET me!�
Luna moves to the closet and grabs a fresh cloak. Turning, she holds out her paw and Luciendar glides gracefully to her. �I feel somewhat better now,� as she slips the sword onto her back.
Thorn sighs and curls up on the floor next to the bed. �So be it.�
Kyra lays her arms on the table, then lays her head in them, sighing. �Shut up, Kyn.� She grumbles.
�Here we go,� Shayne nods with approval at the blinking light on the device. Stepping back, he watches as all four activate. A long metal pole extends from the top of each, reaching almost to the ceiling. The projector beam then shoots up the pole and out, a holographic blue cube filling the space in between each device.
The cube�s interior then shifts, taking on the forms and textures of a grassy field with a raised stone platform in the middle. Shayne gives an approving nod, looking out at the simulated skyline and running his hand through the simulated grass. �Good. Now I�ll just have to get to work on some other programs, so we can make you useful.�
Tza smiles slightly as she watches Ryu change shape. Hearing Kyra speaking, she turns her gaze to the girl across the room. �Who are you talking to?�
Kyra doesn�t look up. �My sister.� She mumbles. �Nevermind. It�s complicated.�
Tza runs her fingers over the carving in front of her, �Complicated�tell me �bout it.�
Eclipse heads into the hallway, glancing back at Luna with a nod, �Interesting the level of comfort a sword can give you, isn�t it?�
Turning off the water, Tabris grabs a towel and begins drying himself off. With a smirk, he twirls the towel and up and snaps it at Claron�s rear.
Following him, Luna smiles. �Depends on the sword as to the kind of comfort it gives.� She winks at him playfully.
Cara sits on the edge of her bed thinking about her twin brother. ~Who�s going to be my conscience now, Kabal?~ desperately wishing he�d reply, but knows deep down that isn�t going to happen.
After a few moments, Eclipse arrives with Luna at the bridge, along with Wraith.
Wraith glances over at Alexei, �What are our choices?�
�Oh, wondering if the wares are durable now? Are we, Tab?� Claron giggles as she shakes her rear at him as she reaches for her clothes.
�They pass the tests, I�d say they�re ready for sale, but I already bought you out,� Tabris smiles as he gets dressed himself.
Luna steps onto the bridge and notices Wraith�s bandaged arm. �Wraith?�
�So then, I take it you are pleased with your investment?� Claron playfully asks Tab as she finishes dressing.
Alexei turns to the star chart and brings it up holographically in the middle of the bridge. �Two different systems. Vostok over here.� He points at a star system ringed by a lime green nebula, then to the other a system with a red giant, �And Hoc.�
Kyra nods grimly. �Matches my love life.�
Wraith looks over at Luna and shakes his head. Looking back at the holographic map, he studies the two systems.
�Definitely,� Tabris gives her an approving nod.
Luna looks at the star chart, �Do you have any information on either system?�
Tza sighs, �Ditto, Kyra.�
Tired of laying on her bad, Katie gets up and wanders out of her room, Thorn her silent shadow. She meanders her way down hall after hall, ending up in a corridor she�d never remembered seeing before. Leaning against the wall, she closes her eyes.
�Limited,� Alexei moves back to the holo console, �Hoc has several gas planets in the outer orbits, and the inner planets are unexplored. Vostok is mostly unexplored, except for an automated gas mining station in the nebula that rings the system.�
�Yeah, I guess we both are kinda in the same pickle, huh?� Kyra looks vaguely amused.
�So we�ve got a sword in each of these systems. I don�t suppose we know of any ship activity in either system?� Eclipse ask inquisitively.
�This is what happens when the ship grows and you aren�t around, McKinnon. You end up getting lost.� A wry smile flirts with the edges of her lips.
Shayne deactivates the simulator, then leaves the cargo bay. �Now, what was this business about choosing a destination?�
Katie feels a faint pulse in the wall she is leaning against, leading towards the doorway at the end of the corridor.
�Oh!� Katie jumps away from the wall. �That�s just a little weird.�
Luna tilts her head as she circles the hologram slowly. �Which place is closest?�
�Both are fairly equal in distance. We can get to either within the day,� Alexei comments, glancing past the holo console at the star chart again.
DracBlue gets up and walks over to his room. He sits on the bed, then lays down as his eyes slowly droop closed.
�Well that wasn�t very helpful as a deciding factor.� Luna grumbles as she completes her path and ends up next to Eclipse. �Which sword do you think we should go after, Wraith?�
�I�I do not know,� Wraith lowers his head and takes a breath then looks up again. �They are still faint, I cannot tell which one is where.�
Luna gives Wraith a concerned glance as she turns her focus inward. ~Luciendar, do you feel anything from these 2 swords?~
Ryu stands up, walks to the bridge. He walks in and inspects everything.
Tza smirks at Kyra. �Pickle?�
~I�m too far away to sense them. The boy can sense farther then I, if he is having trouble�~ Luciendar says with some concern.
Alexei glances over at Ryu, �Come to voice in on our destination?�
�We both fell for evil. And now we have to look at the faces we love, and they have NO clue who we are, or were to them.� Kyra�s eyes grow moist.
Luna watches Ryu looking around. ~Wraith won�t admit it.~
Tza leans back in her chair, �And now, what do we do about it?�
Clarice makes her way to the bridge. She stands back away from the others, holding a disk in her hand, listening and feeling unworthy of being in the presence of the others.
�Hell if I know.� Kyra shrugs helplessly. �In your case, given time�you can get it back. In mine�I think it�s a lost cause.�
Ryu says, �We should head to the one with the big red star. There is a guardian there, so it is more likely the blade is still there.�
Eclipse raises a brow, �And how did you come by that knowledge?�
Ryu looks at Eclipse. �I know the one guarding it.�
�I don�t think yours is a lost cause.� Tza glances down at the carving, �I hope mine�s not either. But time is an abundant commodity, if the heart can hold on to it.�
Luna shrugs. �I suppose that�s a good reason to go to one as the other.�
�As long as you can vouch for this guardian, it works for me,� Eclipse says to Ryu.
Alexei nods, �Hoc it is then, unless I hear any objections?� he glances over at Clarice.
Clarice shakes her head, �None from me.�
Wraith nods silently and turns. Clenching his fist, he cringes a bit and touches his bandaged wrist.
Kyra gives it a thought. �Well�I dunno.� She stares at her hands, picking at her nails. She can almost hear Stryder�s voice teasing her about doing it. She winces.
Luna nods, �Alright then�take us to Hoc, Alexei.� She goes to Wraith and lays a paw on his shoulder gently. �Let�s go have a look at that arm, please.�
�It�s nothing�� Wraith looks at Luna with an expression to let it be.
�It�s not nothing, you�re in pain.� Luna whispurrs softly.
Alexei inputs the course into the navigation system. �Off we go then, transmitting course to the offspring.� Alexei watches the other ship change its course and fly closer to Ettik. �Prepare for hyperspace, everyone,� Alexei says over the ship-wide.
�You cannot heal these wounds,� Wraith replies softly, and begins heading out of the bridge.
Eclipse watches Luna go to Wraith, giving a quizzical glance to Luna.
�Looks like we�re heading out already,� Tabris says as he glances out the window, waiting to see them entering hyperspace.
�Lost?� Shayne asks out loud as he turns a corner, noticing Katie at the far end of the corridor leaning against the wall.
Luna follows Wraith, �That may be the case, but I�m still concerned. If your hurt, I want to know the cause. You are too precious to lose.�
�Funny you should ask.� Katie�s shoulders slump a little.
�If you must�� Wraith sighs and heads for his quarters. Occasionally giving glances to the air around him and listening to it.
Claron glances at Tab sheepishly, �Do you suppose we have time to get with our son?�
�You can just give up and move on, but somehow I don�t think that�s an option for your heart or mine.� Tza sighs, �We will either reach out and grab what we want. Or we will sit in the shadows and watch it in silent suffering.�
�I�m sure we do. Hyperspace usually takes a few hours to get us where we need to go,� Tabris turns to Claron with a smile.
Luna looks back at Eclipse as she follows Wraith down the hall.
�But�I�m afraid.� Kyra whispers, almost too softly to hear.
Ettik�s sounds thrum louder as the jump engines activate. Reality peeling away in its usual rainbow array of color and pulling the ship into the swift moving yellow energies of hyperspace.
Ryu walks down the hall. �I wonder if the sleep has affected him as it has me.�
Claron�s eyes sparkle as her smile broadens, �I was hopin� you�d say that.�
Eclipse follows behind Luna, wondering what exactly is going on with Wraith.
�So you are then?� Shayne smirks lightly, �Perhaps I can help you get to where you were heading.�
Tza nods, �I don�t think this boy is as likely to hurt you as the other one. But you still want to guard your heart.� Tza�s tone indicating she feels the same about her own situation.
Katie stumbles a little as the ship hits hyperspace.
�Ain�t that the damned truth.� Kyra nods.
�Let�s go find him then,� Tabris extends a hand and offers it to Claron.
Shayne moves closer to Katie, �Okay there?�
Katie clings to the wall. �I think so.� Trying to recover her footing.
Wraith enters his quarters, which are Spartan, with only the standard features. Turning to Luna, he nods, �The others do not need to know��
�So which one will you do?� Tza asks Kyra.
Claron continues to smile as she accepts Tab�s hand and they head off to find Stryder.
Remembering �Stryder� confessing his love, holding her hand, gazing at her lovingly, then turning into a monster, Kyra shudders.
Aurora perks her ears towards the door, �I believe your parents are coming.� The lioness glances at him from her spot lounging on the foot of the bed. Stryder looks up from reading the computer console on his desk, �Oh?�
Luna nods, �Of course,� glancing at Eclipse as she closes the door to Wraith�s room.
Sliding off his shirt, Wraith cringes and then unwraps the bandage on his wrist. The black marks on his chest are two like slashes, the edges fading away in vein like patterns; and his wrist, the same. But the black veins following the actual vein up to the elbow.
Luna inhales sharply as she sees the black marks. �What is causing this?� She motions Wraith to sit on his bed. �Can I not heal you?�
Wraith shakes his head as he sits on the bed, �It is hard to explain��
Kneeling on the floor in front of him, Luna adjusts her sword. �We have some time. I really think we should know.�
�You want to, or shall I?� Tabris looks at the door to Stryder�s quarters then to Claron.
Katie looks up into Shayne�s eyes. �You�ve familiarized yourself with the ship rather fast.� She comments idly.
�As you know, there are twelve swords that exist in the realms,� Wraith takes a breath, his expression ignoring some of the pain. �There is a reason I know where they are�how to find them��
�It�s not a horribly large ship,� Shayne smiles, �and it does provide maps when you ask it. Really quite helpful.�
Tza sees the shudder pass through Kyra, �He�s not the same being. You can start fresh and new.�
�Sikozu said I should talk to him.� Kyra looks at her fingernails again. �But�I�m nothing to him, now. He has no reason to give me a second thought.�
�Go ahead, the honor is all yours.� Claron smiles.
Tabris gives a knock on the door.
Stryder glances over at the door, �Come in,� he shouts loud enough to be heard outside.
Tabris opens it and steps inside with Claron.
�Are we interrupting?� Claron asks timidly.
�Yes?� Luna urges Wraith to continue softly.
Katie nods, and allows Shayne to lead her back.
�I am the thirteenth. Made by those who made the swords, as a compass and guide,� Wraith extends his arm, cringing as he tests the range of motion with it. �A side effect, I am a beacon to the souls of previous wielders and victims of the twelve. But this,� he motions at the black, �happens when a sword�s power is corrupted.�
Luna stares at Wraith�s arm, �If we can recover the sword they took, can we cleanse it? Will that heal you?�
�Not really,� Stryder slides the chair back from the desk, �I was just reading a bit about what you�ve been through. I�ve missed a lot.�
�That is usually the case, but the longer they are corrupted�� Wraith lowers his head and closes his eyes. �I only know that if six are corrupted, it can kill me.�
As they walk, with seemingly no destination in mind, Katie�s mind wanders to her walks with Syne. She heaves a heavy sigh and wonders again if he�s lost forever. And how many times she can lose a friend before she crumbles completely.
�Did you get the package I sent you?� Shayne questions Katie idly, wondering if she�d remember.
�And what about the marks on your chest? What do they mean?� Luna asks as she looks over her shoulder at Eclipse quickly.
�So have we�so have we.� Claron looks at Stryder, then shifts her gaze to Tab.
Eclipse shrugs, unsure of what to say about the situation.
�They have three of the twelve,� Wraith motions to his wrist, and the two marks on his chest. �They will get bigger over time, until the swords are with their rightful wielders.�
Katie stops and gapes at him. �That was you? The dress? The replica of the night we met. Oh Goddess, I should have known. But�how did you know where to find me? I thought it was coincidence that we both ended up at that torturous bitch�s facility. And how did you know about the ring?� She eyes him with new suspicion. �You weren�t with me when I first saw it. Rogue was. You�do you know where he is?� Katie�s eyes begin to blaze. �All this time, did you know where he was, and you�ve let me suffer???�
�Well�in a manner of speaking, I know where he is,� Shayne sighs, his tone uneasy. �You probably won�t like the answer.�
�Three? Are they all corrupted or just this one?� Luna indicates Wraith�s arm. �How long have these been visible?�
Katie slumps against the wall. �Oh Goddess. He�s dead, isn�t he?� She draws a shuddering breath. �I can�t take any more bad news.� And with that, her eyes roll back in her head and she promptly faints.
�These two for a some time, but I can block the pain,� Wraith indicates his wrist again. �This is recent�from when they took Cinthoric.�
�Oh hell�� Leaning down, Shayne picks her up, then looks over at Thorn.
Thorn growls. �Terrific. Way to go, dude. I told you she wasn�t ready.�
Luna shakes her head, �You said you�re a beacon to the wielders and victims? Do they help you find the swords?�
�Yeah�bad luck caught up to me, it seems. So, what face should she see when she wakes up?� Shayne questions Thorn and he shifts his hold on Katie.
�I don�t know that it matters. She�ll be angry as hell at either one. You�ll be lucky if she speaks to you in the next decade.� Thorn stretches with feline grace.
DracBlue opens his eyes and rolls over. His mind racing even when he sleeps, unable to not think about what Katie said to him.
�Yes, and those of a certain sword have insight on who will be chosen to wield,� Wraith grabs the cloth and begins to wrap it back around his wrist.
�And is there anything you have to add to what you have been reading?� Claron asks Stryder, finally wanting to hear all he has to say about his memories of their time apart from one another.
�I can wait�although, I doubt she would.� Shifting into Syne, he curses, �Seems my armor ain�t so shining anymore. Let�s get our angel here back to her bed at least.�
�But perhaps you should just keep this form, for now.� Thorn sighs.
�If you think it�ll help,� Syne shifts back but keeps his voice. �Any idea how long till she wakes up?�
Ryu walks into the hallway and notices Katie fainted on the floor. He tilts his head and walks toward Syne. �Is she in need of aid?�
�A lot I�m sure�but I try not to remember some of the growing up on my own.� Stryder reaches over to pet Aurora, who purrs gently.
Using Shayne�s voice again, he nods to Ryu, �Thanks, but I�ve got her.�
Tza nods to Kyra, �She may be right. You could just start new. Forget about the other man. This is a completely new boy to flirt with.�
Thorn thinks. �Not long, I�m thinking. She just had to escape that moment. It was too terrible, thinking you�ve been playing her.� He gives Shayne/Syne a piercing look. �Which, you were.�
Kyra�s eyes shimmer. �How does one go about flirting with the man they love, anyway? Do either of us have a clue what the hell we�re doing?�
Claron gives Tabris a worried glance. �Self-preservation tactic? But still�we�d be interested in hearing it all��
�Well, she�s gonna have to be told eventually. Thinking I�m dead won�t help matters any,� Shayne says as he heads down the corridor to Katie�s room.
Thorn�s look turns almost pitying. �For a while, as far as she�s concerned�you just MIGHT be dead.�
Ryu nods. �Very nice trick, to be able to change your voice at will. But I�m betting, that�s not the only trick you have�� as he walks away.
Luna watches Wraith wrapping his arm. �Do not keep these things from us. We need to be prepared to face those swords.� She stands up and paces the room a few turns as she thinks about it. �And the spirits surrounding you, could give us very helpful information on how to get them back.�
�When the time is right, they may�� Wraith slides his shirt back on and stands. �I have never been in the presence of all twelve�I do not know what will happen.�
�Well, you�re the resident expert on our angel here. What�s the best story to tell her?� Shayne says as he opens her quarters and lays her on the bed.
�Flirting can be fun.� Tza smiles, �There�s lots of ways to flirt. Some are obvious; and some are very subtle.�
�But this both is and isn�t a new boy. For either of us. The person inside is different, but we�ll still be looking into the face we love.� Kyra sighs.
�True, the body isn�t new. But the boy is.� Tza frowns, �In my case, I have that nagging issue of how could he not have some kind of knowledge buried inside him of what happened? He�s still the same body without the evil spirit inside.�
Thorn paces beside the bed. �Part of me says to tell her you�ve seen him and he�s fine.� He stops and twitches his whiskers. �But on the other hand, that�s prolonging the inevitable. However, in her current state, buying some time isn�t exactly a bad idea.�
Luna pauses in her pacing, �How many spirits are around you? Just those of the swords we posses, or the pasts of the other swords as well?�
�Okay, how about this. He helped me find her and rescue her, then said he had some leads to follow up on. He told me to get her back here to safety?� Shayne looks at Thorn, reading off the fake story in his head.
Kyra nods. �And in my case, the body AND the boy are different. Though they look more or less the same. I suppose a little light flirting might not be so bad.� Her icy eyes twinkle faintly.
�Yes,� Wraith moves into his bathroom and uses the sink to splash some water on his face.
Thorn thinks it over, then rumbles his agreement. �For now, it will do. It�s not exactly a lie��
�But not exactly the truth either,� Shayne sighs, �I begin to understand why multiple personalities drives humanoids insane.�
Luna gives Eclipse an aggravated look as Wraith goes into the bathroom. �Yes, what?� she mumbles.
Thorn looks bored. �Didn�t you tell yourself you had a few things to find out? Didn�t you tell yourself to keep her safe until you could come clean? And as to your multiple personality dilemma�� He gives a feline shrug, shoulder muscles rippling.
�I believe that�s a yes to both those questions, Luna," Eclipse replies.
Tza smiles at Kyra, �I see a light going on there.�
�Right,� Shayne stands and moves over to the door and leans on the wall next to it.
Katie�s eyes flicker beneath her lids. �Rogue�� She whispers sadly.
�He�s fine, Katie,� Shayne says, wondering if she hears him.
�How did I land in the middle of a soap opera?� Thorn grumbles, sitting back on his haunches and eyeing Katie.
Katie�s eyes open slowly. �And you know that, how?� The emerald ice is back in force, though her voice is hoarse.
�Katerina. You�ve had a shock. Give it a rest, for now.� Thorn�s voice is steely, and Katie blinks.
�When we rescued you, he instructed that I get you back to your friends safely. He said he was going to find out more about the enemy, and has passed information along when he�s gotten it.� Shayne says.
Katie looks at Shayne, confused. But then she just nods, shaking her head. �How did I get in my room?�
Luna wraps her arm around Eclipse�s waist. �They have 3 swords. They�ve progressed further than we�d thought.�
�After you fainted in the hallway, I carried you back,� Shayne gives her a nod.
�Oh.� Katie blinks again.
�And we have seven,� Eclipse comments to Luna. Wraith exits the bathroom and looks at the two of them. �If we move quickly, that can be nine. But they are looking as hard as we for them.�
Thorn nuzzles her arm, purring.
Katie falls for the distraction and strokes him. Though she looks like she was still puzzling over something, she keeps her silence.
Luna looks at Wraith, �How are they finding the swords if you�re the compass?�
Stryder leans back in his chair, �Well, I guess I can start with something easy enough to tell. I became aware of my abilities when I was 10, discovering I could teleport places I�d been before. As the years passed, I could go farther and start going places I hadn�t been before.�
�I think, though�� Kyra frowns, �twill be easier in theory than in practice��
�I do not know, and that is what bothers me,� Wraith gives a heavy sigh, cringing at the end and touching his chest.
Luna reaches out to Wraith, then pauses, knowing she can�t help him. �Wraith, where is your companion?�
Tza hears a snort and glances over, finally noticing Shadow wallowing in his mug. �We can continue this discussion elsewhere. If you�d like.� She says to Kyra with a smirk.
Kyra blushes, eyeing Shadow. �Yeah.�
�Who took care of you all that time? Was there anyone at all?� Claron asks with a pained expression on her face.
�Gale remained in Aventine,� Wraith glances at Luna.
Tza picks up her carving and walks out of the galley, �We can go to my room if you want.�
Ryu walks into the galley and looks at Shadow, �You�re still here?�
Shadow nods. �Aye.�
Kyra trails after her, cheeks still pink.
�I forgot he was there. He seems to live in the galley.� Tza chuckles as they enter her room and she closes the door.
�I know.� Kyra lets out a small giggle of her own. �He�s almost like part of the furnishings when he�s in there.�
Shadow sighs. �You know�they just ignore me...I could probably just sit here and learn the most intimate parts of their lives. And usually, they don�t talk to me. It�s quite funny. It�s like I�m not even here sometimes.�
�At first there was someone, he took me to a different dimension I guess, that would explain my aging so quickly,� Stryder sighs, �I don't remember his name.�
Luna shrugs, �I�m sorry, I just noticed she was not here with you now.�
Ryu smiles. �I know the feeling. But maybe they�re just not used to you. Or maybe they�re so used to you they don�t care if you hear.�
Thorn sighs wearily, the effort of �pushing� Katie to forget her probing for the moment taking a toll.
�What did he look like? Do you remember?� Claron gives Tab a curious glance.
�Not sure�white hair maybe?� Stryder looks between Tabris and Claron.
Claron�s eyes widen, �Finn? Does that name ring a bell?�
�Not that I know of? Friend of yours?� Stryder raises a brow and looks confused.
�No�couldn�t be him. I don�t know why Finn popped into my mind?� Claron shakes her head as she questions herself. �Yes, he is actually. Although, closer to your Aunt Clarice than myself...if the truth be told,� she says with a shrug.
The Ettik continues through hyperspace bound for the Hoc system, with the challenge of retrieving the next sword still unknown to them. And according to Ryu, another �guardian� awaits, protecting the sword from those who seek to claim it without being the chosen.
Elsewhere: In the Vostok system, a group of jump gates open. Long, sleek black ships riding the transition into normal space. A slender woman gazes at the planet ahead of her ship with a smile. Rising from her command chair, she shouts at the officer nearby. �Begin a surface scan immediately, the sword will be ours by the day�s end!�