Shadowed Footprints

 

The Gatekeepers

 

Hey, back again! Sorry I haven’t updated for ages but I took a break. I might start a new story, but I’m working on it. We’re on the 8^th chapter and still going! My trail of thought may be lingering but I’m still managing to get this down on paper. Anyway, the reviews are making me smile! ^_^ *grin* Each one is precious to me! And now let the 8^th chapter commence! 

 

*  *  *

 

“Satsu!” Miyu called as she and Larva hurried back into Iktyo. Satsu poked her head out of Yui’s hut.

 

“What?” she yelled back.

 

“We must leave!” Miyu explained quickly. “Now! I just sensed-”

 

“What?” Yui appeared, her eyes wide and confused. “But you only just arrived. I thought you were staying………”

 

“Yui,” Miyu said sadly and approached her younger sister. “I’m sorry, but I cannot explain, except it is very important and I must go.” Yui stared at the cobbled ground, her eyes downcast. She looked up again and forced a small smile, and then threw her arms round Miyu’s waist.

 

“Promise you’ll come back,” she whispered.

 

“I promise,” Miyu replied as Yui stepped away. “But until then, goodbye, Yui.”

 

“Goodbye, Miyu,” Yui replied in a small voice and then turned and began to walk away through the falling sakura petals.

 

“Yui,” Miyu murmured, more to herself. “I’m sorry.”

 

*  *  *

 

It was Satsu who led them down the mountain. She had looked into the mechanic’s job and had been shown the tram blueprints and the layout of the mountain. As they trudged down the rocky track everyone noticed the sudden drop in temperature. There was a small spiral of snow and Reiha materialised before them, a withering expression.

 

“So you received my message?” she said coldly. Miyu nodded, her eyes equally showing no warmth. “Well then, have you felt it?”

 

“Yes,” Miyu replied. “Lethes is near.”

 

Reiha nodded, her icy eyes never leaving Miyu. “I have found he is located at the top of a neighbouring mountain. Dangerously near to Iktyo.” She smiled at Miyu’s flicker of panic at these words. “So I must ask you, do you think you are ready to fight?”

 

“I am,” Miyu said determinedly. “But why would you care?”

 

“Because I don’t want you getting in my way. And besides, you fight along humans.” She spat the word out coldly as though it tasted sour. “What poor company to keep.”

 

Satsu bristled and was about to snarl something when Miyu got there first. “Satsu is tainted with demon blood and Larva is my follower. If you will recall both you and I were human too before we found we were gods.”

 

“True, I was weak before I became enlightened of my powers,” Reiha sniffed airily, then her eyes shot to Larva. “A follower? How quaint.” She paused for a moment as realisation dawned. Then she laughed. “You, and a human? Miyu, you really are a fool.” Miyu clenched her teeth.

 

“Enough!” she shouted, her voice echoing dangerously. “Reiha, make sure you stay out of my way.”

 

“Is that a threat?” Reiha snapped back coolly. “Miyu, I do not believe your strength so why don’t you prove it to me right here!”

 

No sooner had she finished the sentence she sent burst of icy snow straight at Miyu. Fortunately, the fire goddess sprang aside before launching a fireball in her direction, which Reiha sidestepped. Reiha flew backwards until she was hovering in midair, then small icy needles flew from her fingers, splintering the ground. Miyu flew upwards but not fast enough as one needle tore through her right arm. The two sister gods hovered for a moment, then both simultaneously sent bursts of ice and fire at each other, the forces meeting in the middle and erupting with white light. Then Miyu tried a different tactic. She held her hand forth and a small white flame generated itself. Holding up the light spark she cast it at Reiha. The ice maiden retaliated with a torrent of snow but the flame hissed straight through the ice and straight through Reiha’s heart.

 

“REIHA!” Miyu shouted as her sister drifted to the ground. She knelt beside her sister and propped her up. “Reiha?” she whispered. Reiha’s eye opened a slither. She glanced down, expecting to see blood but no a mark had been left. Miyu looked past Reiha to see the white flame had landed among some dry leaves but had not gone out. She waved her and it vanished. Reiha lifted herself up.

 

“A white flame,” she murmured. “To retaliate darkness. Miyu, that is not normal fire. That is pure white light. Nothing can block it, yet it can hurt nothing, except darkness.” She sprung back into the air. “You have proven yourself, little sister. Maybe after we have dealt with Lethes we shall duel again, and I won’t go easy on you.” She laughed and in a gust of snowflakes, vanished.

 

Miyu turned back Larva and Satsu and swayed. Larva flew forwards and caught her as she fell. In his arms she smiled weakly. Larva noticed the blood staining her kimono. He pressed his hands over the wound to stem the flow. The cut was ice cold.

 

“Damn those needles,” Miyu murmured, wincing slightly as Larva pressed the split skin together. Satsu walked over and pulled out the travelling bag. Fishing around she found some anointment, oil she had allegedly stolen from the healing hut in Mikaa. She gently rubbed the lotion on the wound and then tore a strip of cloth from the bottom of her worn coat and wrapped it round the cut. “Thank you,” Miyu murmured then with her left hand she pulled Larva fingers over the wound. “My fire in your veins will help thaw the ice.” Larva nodded and stood up, Miyu still cradled in his arms. He could see the adjacent mountain they would have to climb. I wasn’t far and they could reach it by dusk but as they set off Larva began to wonder if his little Miyu was strong enough to fight her brother.

 

*   *   *

 

“Master,” a finger muttered passing his hand over the glowing orb that depicted three figures walking up a mountain pass. “Miyu draws ever closer. Right into the spider’s web.”

 

“Then you know what we must do,” a voice replied. “She must die. Miyu has to die.”

 

*   *   *

 

“Brr,” Satsu shivered. “It’s colder up here than it was with that Reiha.”

 

Miyu smiled as they hiked up the mountain path, the icy wind biting at her face. The frozen stones crunched beneath her feet and she glanced about. Larva followed silently, his mask in place and scythe in hand.

 

“Be wary, Satsu,” Miyu murmured. “Lethes no doubt is expecting us so he’ll have a nice number of welcoming committees at his disposal. Remember, if the blood is black then do not touch it.” Satsu nodded and glanced about. She reached back and swung her sword forwards off her back and hefted it about menacingly.

 

They continued in silence, the cold pressing in on them and the mountain looming over their heads. The whole atmosphere was very menacing. The cold wind continued to blow, never ceasing. Suddenly Larva glanced up swiftly as a stone from a higher ledge clattered down in front of them.

 

“The first comes,” Miyu said and there was fear in her eyes. This was the first time she had fought with full emotion and her heart pumped furiously inside her chest. She tried to steady herself and concentrated on the flame within. She could still feel the spark kindling itself in her mind. Larva placed a hand on her shoulder. No doubt he could tell what she was feeling.

 

“Calm yourself,” his voice said from beneath the mask. “You have fought many fiends before, this shall be no different.” She nodded and breathed in. Larva watched the road ahead in them, shrouded in mist. “It is here,” he said. Miyu looked up and no doubt the thin silhouette of a person stood outlined in the pale fog. They drew nearer.

 

“Welcome,” the voice cried and there was a sharp almost animal edge to it. “Lethes greets you. He hopes you will stay.” At this the figure, a man by his voice, cackled in amusement. “I am the first gatekeeper. The fire goddess may pass but the humans may not.”

 

“I will not comply,” Miyu replied, the calm dexterity back in her voice. “Neither are truly human and neither will leave my side.”

 

“Oh,” the man leered. “Then what creatures accompany you?”

 

“My follower and a mortal tainted with demon blood.”

 

The man laughed again. “Then the follower and the demon may not pass. My rules will not change unless you force your way past me, which is not wise I can assure you.”

 

“If force is the only way to sway you,” Miyu replied raising her hand, “then it is the method we shall use.”

 

“Good luck,” hissed the man instantly his form shrunk and contorted. There was a nasty ripping sound and whatever straightened was not human. With broad hairy shoulders, large front legs and a head resembling across between a bat and wolf with blood red pupil-less eyes, it snarled and flew forwards.

 

Miyu leapt back and Larva lurched forwards to meet the demon’s charge. His scythe swung and tore a gaping wound in the creature’s side. It staggered slightly but was not completely put off. Instead it swung round, knocking the scythe from Larva’s hands and blood spraying in a torrent and lunged at Satsu. Blood drops flecked her skin but she smiled.

 

“Hah! I am already tainted with dark blood so a little more can’t hurt me.” She thrust her sword out and began slashing at the creature with the speed only part demons possessed.

 

“You may be part demon but you still look human,” the beast spat in return, batting away Satsu’s sword with club-like strokes. “I can change that!” With an expert flick he propelled the sword from her grasp and a clawed talon shot forwards and grasped her skinny body. She choked as she was lifted.

 

“Satsu!” Miyu called and leapt forwards through the air, hand out held.

 

“Cast a flame and I’ll make sure to crush her bones before I die!” the demon howled and to prove his point he squeezed his fist making Satsu gasp for air. Miyu froze helplessly.

 

Larva however did not stay back. Though his scythe was lodged firmly in the ground a few metres away he ran forwards and with his bare hands slashed. Miyu stared as his crimson nails lengthened like a cat’s and clawed through the creature’s arm in one stroke. The beast howled in pain as its hand fell to the floor releasing Satsu. Miyu took this opportunity to cast a white flame and send it into the creature’s hide. As the creature burned and its dark heart was diminished it let out a parting cry before collapsing. The howl echoed in the mountains before vanishing.

 

There was a moment of silence whilst everyone regained their breath.

 

Satsu sat up and looked down distastefully at her hand. It was now a pale shade of white and the nails nearly matched Larva’s except they were a normal length. Larva also inspected his hands but his mask hid whatever expression he wore. He let his claws retract and watched as Miyu helped Satsu to her feet, pushing the severed fingers away.

 

“I’m bad at this,” Satsu laughed. She looked up at the mountains. “Let’s keep moving. The cry obviously warned others that we’re here.”

 

“They already know I’m here,” Miyu said and her voice sounded parched. “But now they know I’ve brought company.”

 

“Then you can introduce us,” Satsu smiled and began hiking up the mountain.

 

“Larva?” Miyu turned to her follower. Larva lifted a pale hand to his mask and pulled it away and lowered his cowl. Miyu walked forwards and placed her arms around him. “Are you afraid?”

 

“No,” he replied, hugging her. She could tell he did not like his new hands but hid that from her. “Are you?”

 

“Yes,” she mumbled. “Very.”

 

“You shouldn’t be,” he told her leaning back so he could look into her eyes. “Because you are the strongest of us all. You are a god.”

 

“But I don’t want to be,” Miyu stared at the ground. Larva had no reply to this.

 

“Come on, you dawdlers!” Satsu shouted, breaking the silence. “Let’s go and get Lethes!” Miyu nodded and they hurried after Satsu.

 

*   *   *

 

“Master, they have killed the first gate keeper. Miyu has brought a follower and a part demon with her as protection.”

 

There was a pause. Then the answer came.

 

“Dispose of them.”

 

*   *   *

 

“The snow’s so thick!” Satsu yelled. “I can barely see three metres ahead of me. Hang on, how do I know you’re still behind me.”

 

“We’re still here,” Miyu called back. The thief was correct. Thick torrents of snow swept across the higher parts of the mountain. Miyu wondered if Reiha was near but she could detect no trace of her sister. What are you playing at, Lethes? she thought. Suddenly she sensed something. Was it a god? No, but it had a black heart, whatever it was. “Satsu!” she called. “Wait!”

 

Satsu stopped and Miyu and Larva came into view. Larva had a hand on her shoulder, as though afraid she would blow away.

 

“What’s up?” Satsu shouted over the gale winds.

 

“There’s something up there,” Miyu yelled back. “Probably our next opponent.”

 

“Miyu,” Satsu called. “You’re the god of fire, so why don’t you just melt all this snow?”

 

“There’s too much of it,” Miyu replied. “And Lethes’ legions would surely see us.” She could see but Miyu was sure Satsu would have just shrugged. They struggled up the slope and halted as a figure appeared out of the snow.

 

The first impression was that of a human, but then as they drew nearer the saw that protruding from his or her shoulder blades was a pair of horned wings. If their opponent was airborne then it would make the battle considerably tougher.

 

“Greetings, Miyu, Child of the Flame,” It was a woman’s voice. “You seem to have ignored the first gatekeeper’s rule but now I must insist that you leave your comrades behind.”

 

“What makes you believe that will obey you?” Miyu asked coldly.

 

“Because most people with common sense do,” the demon grinned nastily, spreading her wings, giving her a more imposing manner. “I am not just a run-of-the-mill demon beast. I am a centurion of the darkness.”

 

She snapped her fingers and the storm died down, revealing her form in true detail. She did look considerably like a woman, with fiery shoulder-length red hair and black bottomless eyes. But her skin was oddly shaded, almost faintly scaled orange in some patches like a lizard. Her hands bore the trademark red nails and as she beat her leathery wings shifting her brown garments she reached to her hip and extended a long sword that could easily rival Satsu’s.

 

“She this blade, Miyu?” She waved the tip of the sword lazily in circles. “This is a night blade, forged only in places of extreme darkness. They are fashioned for each master. This one was made especially for me and it suits me well. My title is Lady Chigatana. There is no finer swordsman than myself. Do you still feel so confidant, Miyu?” She laughed and spun backwards. Miyu glared as the woman. Chigatana, a name meaning ‘bloody blade’. She also knew of night blades and how skilled and deadly they were in the hands of their masters. She looked at Larva, wondering if he would risk fighting a dark centurion just to be by her side. He was already gripping the scythe menacingly. She nodded and glared back at Lady Chigatana.

 

“If you continue to block our path then we have no choice but to wage battle with you,” she said. Chigatana laughed mirthlessly.

 

“Fools! You through away your lives for such a silly purpose. But if you offer your lives then I feel inclined to take them.”

 

She sprang back in a flurry of snowflakes and hovered arms spread.

 

“You shall not harm Miyu,” Larva called now crouched in a battle pose. “We are ready!”

 

“You have brave comrades,” Chigatana jeered. “But you’ll see how they quail when they face my sword.” And she dived. The blade of the sword caught the light and she flew towards Larva. Larva brought the curved blade of his scythe upwards and the two blades scraped together as the night blade was deflected.

 

She spun angrily and tried a different move, lifting herself into the air with great flaps of her wings and hovering. She reached inside her garments and produced five throwing knives.

 

“Dodge these!” she yelled throwing the knives downwards. There was a sudden flash of light and clash of steal as both Satsu and Miyu attacked the falling knives. Whatever blades weren’t burnt to a crisp was hacked in half by Satsu. Chigatana’s eyes glittered angrily as she landed again and began duelling with Satsu. The thief’s reflexes were no match for the centurion of the darkness and soon she was backed into a corner. Chigatana grinned as she poised her sword over Satsu’s throat.

 

“Satsu!” Miyu cried and launched a long jet of flames forth. Both Satsu and Chigatana were bathed in flames. The dark centurion shrieked and tried to bat out the flames but the white fire was eternal and continued to burn until her dark heart stopped beating. Satsu, however also cried in pain as the flame tore at her body, tearing the darkness from her. “Return!” Miyu called to the flames and they died down, leaving Satsu sprawled in the snow. Miyu rushed forwards. “Satsu,” she cried. “Please wake!”

 

Suddenly Satsu convulsed as something inside stirred. The thief could hear a faint voice. ‘You’re time is not over yet.’ She opened her eyes and saw Miyu shrink back in alarm. She couldn’t help but feel a sudden surge of hatred and realised what was happening to her. The darkness was slowly claiming her.

 

“What?” she rasped.

 

“Satsu, you’re eyes,” Miyu trembled. “They’re black. The iris is completely black and they’re bottomless.” Miyu didn’t add how menacingly they glared at her.

 

“The flame must has affected them,” Satsu said hurriedly. She got up stared up at the peak of the mountain. Nearly there, but time was diminishing. “Let’s hurry.” She began to trudge up the remainder of the slope. Miyu stared after her.

 

“Satsu isn’t telling us something,” she told Larva, who nodded in return. They followed her up at a quick pace.

 

*   *   *

 

“Master, they have killed Chigatana.”

 

“They may be strong, but none can vanquish their next opponent. Henzuru………”

 

*   *   *

 

The snowstorm had died down as they neared the top of the mountain, but the temperatures had dropped even further. Satsu shivered and envied Larva’s warm robe and Miyu’s immunity to the weather. She looked up the path and smiled.

 

“Hey!” she called back. “I can see the gate!” She jumped up and down and pointed up the track. It was a large structure of black wood, much like an entrance you’d expect for a great fortress. It seemed quite unguarded, which struck Satsu as strange. Miyu stopped beside her with Larva behind.

 

“This can’t be right,” Miyu said. “Where is the ambush?” 

 

“What? You wanted an ambush?” Satsu asked incredulously. “Let’s get this over and done with.” She started ambling towards the gate.

 

“Satsu! Wait!” Miyu called. She turned to Larva. “Can you feel it?”

 

“Faintly,” Larva replied. “There’s someone approaching.” They looked up and stared as the gate opened a slither and then closed hastily again. A figure was now standing before it. It was silent. They approached warily.

 

“Are you the next gatekeeper?” Miyu asked. No reply. The figure merely nodded. “Speak!” Miyu demanded. “I know you have a voice!” She could swear the creature was smiling.

 

“Greetings, Miyu,” his voice was menacing and reminded her of a lizard. She still couldn’t see his face for he seemed to wear a black coat that flapped behind him in the wind. “I’m surprised you got this far. But,” he sounded regretful in a mocking way, “Your journey ends now.”

 

“What makes you so confident?” Miyu asked. The man’s still posture and cold amusement unnerved her, but the real thing that bothered her was that instead of snarling or gabbling insanely like a dark monster, this man sounded very much human.

 

“I am Henzuru,” he said throwing back his cloak revealing the dim outline of a hand.

 

“Henzuru?” Satsu asked. “That means to transform.”

 

“Precisely,” Henzuru replied in a cold voice stating the obvious. “I was knighted by that name when I transformed into my current state.” He took a step forwards and sharply brought his cowl back enough to reveal part of his face. Miyu started. The face was white, skull-like with long black streaks above and below each eye and the irises were completely red with pupils. Larva had frozen and brought his hand up to his mask, his fingers tracing the features. They were nearly identical to Henzuru’s face. His hands also were identical to Henzuru’s and he now was stuck fast as one thought after another trailed through his mind. Larva slowly removed the mask and dropped it into the depths of his mantle. But if his shock was bad it was nothing compared to Satsu’s.

 

“You were a man touched by dark blood,” she stuttered. “I could have become you!” She sounded disgusted.

 

“I was attacked by a Mordrock near Mikaa. Some pitiful humans tried to save me but I had already fallen into darkness. I escaped.”

 

“The healing hut,” Miyu murmured. “The old woman said her first patient disappeared because she had no antidote. It was you.”

 

“Yes,” Henzuru laughed and his eyes sparked in mirth. “Then I met my master and he showed me all the dark arts a human could know, some even restricted to his highest demons. I am now his final but strongest gatekeeper.” His eyes flared. “And I have no intention of losing!”

 

Without delay he waved his hand in a circle and hundreds of steel pins shot through the air like miniature bullets. Miyu leapt off the ground, spiralling as the pins shot past her without landing a single blow. Satsu and Larva had tried something less fancy to get out the way and now both lay flat in the snow and the needles hissed over them.

 

“You’re fast,” Henzuru smiled. “Try dodging this!”

 

He muttered something under his breath and a large orb of fire appeared. Miyu was quickly on her feet, conjuring a fireball. They both launched their attacks and the fire collided in the middle sending sparks everywhere. Taking this opportunity to attack Larva dived forwards, cutting through the air with his scythe. The fast swinging blade took Henzuru by surprise but barely nicked his skin. With a spin of his hand an invisible force sent Larva flying backwards. He would have crashed into the rock hard gate had Miyu not flown towards him, stopping him in midair. She quickly helped him to his feet but then flew up like a terrified bird as a dark object zoomed after her.

 

“How do you like my dark raven?” Henzuru laughed as the black bird that practically emitted shadows of sorrow swooped after Miyu.

 

As Miyu danced away she realised that she could never outrun it. As that thought occurred the bird instantly was at her throat, slashing venomously. It screeched in anguish and she cried out as the raven’s form changed from bird to a great snake that wrapped itself round her body, constricting all movement. She struggled on the ground but could not free herself of the snake’s grip.

 

“And now Miyu, it is my orders to kill you.” He grinned as though the thought of slitting her throat was the greatest pleasure he would ever have. “Goodbye, Miyu. It is time to die.” A large black orb of darkness appeared in his palm. He tossed it playfully from one hand to the other. “But you won’t really die, just your spirit will die but your body shall remain on earth.” The orb continued to bounce from one hand to the other. Miyu found she was mesmerised by its gloomy shadows. “See this orb? It is a shard of darkness. It will feed on you soul and change you into a demon. You will be the strongest god ever under your brother. You would like that, wouldn’t you?” The question seemed so inviting. Miyu felt her energy draining. The strongest, all would fear her name. Reiha would no longer mock her for she; Miyu would be the greatest god of all.

 

“Yes,” she whispered.

 

“No!” Through the dark folds of mist obscuring her mind Miyu heard a piercing cry. It was……… she couldn’t remember……… “Miyu!” The voice came shrill again. “Do not succumb to this!” A name of a girl, it was on the edge of her memory. Satsu? There was a commotion going on, a blade being drawn. “Remember!” Satsu was crying again. “Remember the light!” Light? Suddenly a bright fire burnt within Miyu chasing the darkness away.

 

“Satsu!” Miyu opened her eyes. Larva was by her side and in one swing of his scythe the dark bonds feel away. Miyu rose, her eyes burning. Henzuru was trying to knock Satsu away but something had changed about her. Her skin was now pale as death, her black hair streaming out behind her. Her eyes had become darker, crimson, and faint black lines were beginning to show up on her cheeks. The demon within her blood had awoken at the very sight of the dark sphere. She spun her sword and the blade had changed too. Now it was dark as night with thin white lines streaking down the blade. With one swing the sword passed through Henzuru’s hand holding the shard of darkness. He howled as the sphere rolled away and vanished. Black blood spilled onto the ground and he clutched the stump of his arm. Miyu stepped forwards.

 

“This is for trying to deceive me,” her voice radiated cold hatred. He held up the white flame and plunged it into Henzuru’s bent back. The demon man gave one last cry before his form vanished. There was a sharp crack and they turned to see the gate had opened a crack. There was a faint moan from behind. Miyu turned quickly to see Satsu bent over, her head in her hands.

 

“I didn’t want it to be like this,” she cried and Miyu could see pearly tears running down her white cheeks. “I could have resisted but the darkness has taken me. I’m practically clinging to my soul by a strand!” She raised her head and little and Miyu could see her face bore a resemblance to Henzuru’s.

 

“Satsu,” she said firmly. “You are not a demon. Don’t ever let anything make you think otherwise. Now come, the gate is open.” She rose and turned towards the gate, Larva at her side and Satsu following.

 

“Miyu,” Larva said quietly. “That demon’s face resembled this.” He drew the mask from his cloak and handed it to Miyu. “Is it a craft of the darkness?” Miyu took the mask and turned it over in her hands curiously. She paused at the back of the mask and ran her fingers over a mark in the back.

 

“Larva, I presume Lady Ranka gave this to you?” He nodded. “Then she gave it to you to protect you. See here.” Lifted the mask up so Larva could see it properly. On the back of the mask etched in between the two eyes was a rune. “This is not a demon mask but a demon ward mask. It will protect you against the darkness.” Larva took the mask back, satisfied and relieved. Miyu took his hand fondly and they reached the gate.

 

Slipping in between the crack in the door they were plunged into darkness. Suddenly torches burst into blue flame and lit the hall in an eerie light. It was a huge circular room built of stone with a majestic domed building and thousands of runes scratched into the stonework. There was a pedestal in the centre of the room with a translucent orb suspended over it. A figure stood before it and now it turned, clad in ebony robes and faced Miyu with a smile. The fire goddess instantly knew who stood before her.

 

“Lethes,” she said. The face was thin and sallow but with electric blue eyes and long white hair tied back in a short ponytail. He grinned and Miyu for a moment faltered. Why did she sense two presences in the room? She glanced about but they were the only people present. She could tell Larva sensed it too.

 

“Greetings, Miyu,” Lethes bowed but straightened quickly. “You have just walked into the lion’s den.”

 

*   *   *

 

To be continued………

 

Bum bum bum! This is the penultimate chapter and the final showdown is up next. This story is reaching its close. But I might do a short epilogue afterwards. Hmmm………