Song of Night

 

I’ve not got a lot to say except it’s amazing; I’ve got all my intros off the Mary Black CD. It’s useful seeing as I’m too lazy to go searching for better tracks. But I like her music anyway. Anyway, on with the fic…..

 

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When I was young I spoke like a child

 

And saw with a child’s eyes

 

And an open door was to a girl

 

Like stars are to the skies…..

 

-Mary Black

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The Oniyuri jungles sat menacingly in the centre of the land, sloping up the mountains and over valleys. The trees stood tall and malicious as deep rivers twisted through the cluster of wildlife, as did the creatures that lived within. Humans never strayed there, for their own good too. Magical barriers had been placed long ago by Shinma to prevent their allies or prey from wandering into the depths of the jungle and never to be seen again. Now they did not even notice the black stain on the land that represented the dark forest. Shinma found that if a human refuses to believe or witness something they would blatantly ignore it as though it were invisible.

 

Now Miyu stared up into the dark leafy canopy ahead and wondered how humans could ignore something this imposing. Patches of sunlight could still be seen so it was obvious that they were nowhere near the centre of the jungle. Tamae’s eyes flicked each way, her heart beating in her chest. It was hard to distinguish the future or dimensions of this place. The air was so clogged with humid heat and magic she could barely focus her thoughts. It did not help to have milky white or thin red eyes observing them from the trees. She felt a hand on her shoulder and spun round in fright to find Kaya behind her. Smiling she tried to collect herself, feeling embarrassed.

 

“Nothing will attack you when I am near,” Kaya whispered. Tamae nodded but fear could not but gnaw at her stomach.

 

Miyu stopped abruptly a little ahead. “It is here,” she murmured, reaching out her hand to brush the air in front of her. “I can feel it trying to ward us off.”

 

“The barrier?” Mei asked. Miyu nodded.

 

“This is not a physical barrier,” she continued. “It is one that affects the mind and very affective. No magic or skills can be used against it except determination.” She turned, again the childish smile on her lips. “Shall we continue? It’s like a game.” She began to walk off, Mei closely following. Oki followed obediently without a word but Tamae stayed where she was.

 

“Kaya,” she murmured in a small voice. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

 

“I have faith in you,” Kaya said beginning to walk ahead. “Remember, none of this is real.” Tamae stared after her mistress. None of this is real? What did she mean by that? Finding her legs again she moved forwards into the gloom.

 

Miyu stared into the dark ahead, took a deep breath and stepped forwards. A sudden cold chill whipped through her body. The atmosphere was dark, suffocating. She struggled to breathe but then paused. She was not drowning, just standing on firm ground whilst illusions clouded her mind. She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Unsteadily she took a step forwards.

 

As she began to walk again she got the nasty feeling she was wading through water that slowed her down. Each footstep was an effort. She halted again. She could feel a deep inner sinking feeling in her stomach and again her senses were on fire. She glared furiously ahead, trying to fight off the urges to run. To her surprise she could just see a figure ahead of her. His face was barely visible, shadows cast over his eyes. She could not miss the blue hair tied back in a ponytail.

 

“Lorne!” she tried to shout but her voice only came out as a croak. He apparently hadn’t heard her, just stared ahead as though in a trance. Miyu tried to step forwards but stumbled. She felt pathetically weak and angry with herself. She gave another feeble attempt to move forwards but tripped and fell to the ground. Where there had been mud and leaves her hands now sank into water. She cried out as she felt herself sinking. “It’s just an illusion!” she told herself furiously scrabbling for firm ground. “It’s just an illusion!” She stopped sinking a bit and looked up to see a dark figure behind Lorne. Even from the ground she could see the blade glinting in his hand. “Lorne!” she shouted again. “Please save yourself! Lorne!” She tried to move forwards but the ground was sucking her in. Water churned up round her waist. Now it was round her shoulders but she still fought savagely. The knife was raised, catching the sunlight. Miyu tried to cry out again but water now flooded her lungs. The blade came down straight into Lorne’s back. He writhed slightly then keeled over, fresh blood staining the ground. Miyu’s tears mixed with the water as it washed over her head. As she sank down, no longer fighting for breath a single thought came to mind.

 

Lorne….. he died….. but not like this….. he wasn’t murdered….. was he?

 

Suddenly Miyu opened her eyes in shock. She was lying, sprawled on the ground in the mist of the jungle. She touched her face but it was dry. She had broken free of the illusions! Turning she saw Mei get to her feet and again begin to fight towards her.

 

“Oki’s close behind. She says Kaya and Tamae are coming,” Mei called. Miyu nodded and began to wade through the dark.

 

She felt the barrier lift as she made it to the other side. It was as if a great weight had been lifted from her mind. The veils of darkness slowly lifted and soon she could spy the flickering light of a torch burning a little way off. There was the sound of hurried footsteps crunching through leaves. Oki arrived; blue garments twirling round her feet and she turned to see Tamae running forwards, Kaya at her side. Tamae stopped, her head drooped, her mouth pinched together in a look of shame.

 

“We had some difficulty getting through the illusions,” Kaya explained softly. Tamae’s expression became sour.

 

“I had difficulty,” she mumbled. “I haven’t got much of a strong mind.”

 

“Do not feel ashamed,” Miyu said firmly. “The illusions here are powerful, they seek out what terrifies us most. Even I found it hard.” She faltered slightly, trying to keep the image of Lorne cut down before her out of her mind.

 

“Let us continue,” Mei stated and turned to leave. Miyu smiled gratefully after her. She always knew when to end a conversation. The Japanese Shinma crunched onwards through the undergrowth as the darkness ebbed away. It was not long before Tamae cried out, “Look! Ahead!”

 

Miyu peered through the darkness and it was there she saw it. The Oniyuri temple sat alone among the trees, creepers growing up its sandy coloured walls. Through the leaves runes and carved pictures were still visible. A short flight of steps led up to a large oppressive door marked with yet more ancient writing. Miyu walked forwards to the steps. She noticed a long twisting snake had been carved into each step, their eyes were encrusted rubies that flickered in the firelight of the torch in a nearby bracket fixed to the wall. It gave the impression that they were watching you. Mei advanced and was about to hurry up the steps when Miyu seized her wrist.

 

“Wait,” she ordered. “This isn’t right. I sense no kekkai (magical barrier), no wards, nothing. It’s seems a little too unprotected for such a great artefact, don’t you agree?”  She bent and picked up a round stone in her hand. “There’s one way to test,” she murmured. With a flick of her wrist she tossed the stone onto one of the steps. As in reply the snake that had been carved onto the step suddenly writhed, raising its flat head and snapped at the stone with sharp gold fangs.

 

At once Mei reached for her quiver and promptly fired one arrow at the twisting serpent but the iron arrowhead merely bounced off its coils. “It is still only a statue, immune to physical attacks,” Kaya warned.

 

“Rocks are eroded by water!” Oki said triumphantly raising her hand. “Get ready to run!” With those words she thrust her hands forwards and two jets of water burst forth. All the snakes suddenly hissed and struggled under the mercy of the icy torrents.

 

“Now!” Miyu called and sprang forwards. She leapt over the first three steps but as her toes touched the forth a snake burst from the waves and snapped at her ankle. She leapt forwards again leaving the snake to thrash angrily. Finally she reached the doors slightly out of breath as Mei joined her. Tamae hopped easily from step to step evading each of the fangs. She knew when they were coming. Finally the water ceased and Oki leapt agilely up the steps landing beside Kaya. They turned to the towering door.

 

“This is when it gets interesting,” Miyu said. With all this protection surrounding it the Toranoko had to be a great talisman indeed, she reasoned. There was no time fear. Striding forwards she placed a hand to the door. Encouraged by the fact that no attack was launched she pressed harder and the door slowly creaked open. The hall inside took her breath away.

 

It was impossibly huge with a cavernous domed ceiling and a stretching marble floor. To the right chained to the wall was a rather ominous looking statue of a muscled demon with the body of a clawed lion and the head of a snarling horned bull. In the centre of the floor sat a stone bowl with a flame burning in its pit. Above looked like a rather complicated stand for a large circular mirror and on the far wall was a great fresco painting. It depicted what seemed to be the aftermath of a fierce battle. There was the fallen figure of a warrior with a bloody sword between his shoulder blades, a crowned king waving to a crowd of people and a kneeling man with his hands together in prayer facing his king.

 

“What’s this?” Tamae asked. “This room doesn’t look Japanese. I think it’s Greek or Roman.”

 

“What makes you say that?” Kaya said observing the menacing statue of the demon.

 

“For a start that looks like a Greek demon called a Minotaur and another thing, wall frescoes were very popular with Greeks and Romans.” She saw the look she was getting. “What? I read it in a history book when Kaya and I were staying in a human village one night.”

 

“All the same, that knowledge doesn’t help us depict this,” Mei muttered. “Miyu..?”

 

She turned to see Miyu holding the little leather diary Lorne had given her long ago. The pages were yellowed and some had fallen out but overall it was legible. She flicked through the pages and paused on one bearing a large accurate sketch of the wall fresco. Underneath was some scribbled writing.

 

Sketch by Toshiki Go, believed discoverer of the Toranoko. Go entered the temple without his notebook to retrieve the Toranoko believing he knew the secrets of the trials to receiving the talisman off by heart. However, he never left the temple and his corpse was never recovered. A Greek slave painted the original fresco with this rhyme beneath.

 

Underneath that was a caption in large block capitals.

 

THEY SAY NONE CAN RULE A REALM LIKE A KING AND HIS WARRIOR CAN

BUT THE LIGHT SHOULD SHINE ON THE PENITENT MAN

 

Miyu read the last caption aloud. “How strange,” she murmured and looked up at the wall painting, then back to the sketch. It was there she noticed a little arrow marking on the hands of the kneeling man and above in small writing it said ‘lamp’.

 

“Penitent,” Oki whispered, her brow furrowed. “Penitent, penitent, what does it mean? Humble before god!” she suddenly exclaimed.

 

“The light should shine on the penitent man…..” Miyu said pacing towards the fresco. She glanced at the sketch, at the arrow and then at the strange mirror suspended over the flame. “Lamp…..” Her eyes widened. “Hang on, I believe I understand!”

 

She walked over to the mirror and grabbed hold of its edges. She gritted her teeth as she turned the mirror slowly upwards. The many hinges around it groaned in protest as she moved it further upwards. Sure enough as she had thought the light from the reflection of the flames was now shining on the back of the kneeling – or penitent – man. She gave a shove the left and the light fell upon the penitent man’s hand. The was a sparkle of green light as it reflected off an emerald set in one of his rings and suddenly there was a clanking sound. A gap appeared down the centre of the fresco and the wall painting split revealing a small dully lit chamber beyond.

 

Also at that moment a torrent of water crashed towards them.

 

“Oki, what are you playing at?” Tamae cried, spinning round.

 

“It wasn’t me!” Oki snapped back. “It was-”

 

“Ah,” Mei muttered. “Trouble.” For at the far end of the hall near the entrance stood eight Western Shinma.

 

They all looked tired and beaten and several were massaging what were unmistakable snakebites.

 

“You!” Miyu spat. Her face changed instantly and she was once more smiling. “You don’t take warnings well, do you? And I thought that little incident on the ship said something about our power.”

 

“You here for round two?” Tamae said menacingly, raising her knuckles.

 

“We’re not here to fight you,” Lemures snarled. “We’re here for the Toranoko.”

 

Mei wondered if Miyu would change her attitude at that point but she stayed calm and smiling as though at her own private joke.

 

“You mean that talisman?” she asked gesturing vaguely towards the chamber. “By all means take it,” her eyes sparkled. “That is if you can fight past us.”

 

“Miyu!” Mei hissed.

 

“They won’t beat us,” Miyu said airily. “And we’re having so much fun already, why spoil it just when it gets interesting.”

 

Pazusu tried not to sigh with impatience. He was not worried about fighting the Japanese Shinma; it was just her he was concerned about. Larva meanwhile stared with venom at Miyu. She was inviting them to fight! Now was his chance.

 

“Well, I’m ready!” he called.

 

“And us too!” Spartoi and Lemures added in unison.

 

“Oh look, you’re here too,” Miyu smiled at the blue-haired Western Shinma. “Let’s hope the conclusion to this fight will be less disappointing than last time.” She giggled and flames danced around her feet.

 

Both Japanese and Western Shinma surged forwards, meeting in the centre of the hall with a great clashing of knives and spells. Mei’s katana flicked sideways clearing Shinma out of her way. Finally she was standing before Pazusu.

 

“Lord Pazusu,” she bowed. “We meet again.”

 

“You wish to continue our fight?” Pazusu replied.

 

“Yes, but this time I shall win,” she whispered in a deadly voice.

 

“We shall see!” Pazusu called leaping back, his hand out stretched. The energy rippled through the air but Mei now knew what she was facing and had been ready for the awesome power. She leapt up, katana outstretched and landed neatly before Pazusu. Her sword flicked upwards in one smooth motion as Pazusu moved back. He was not, however, fast enough and the thin blade nicked his left cheek. He ignored the fresh blood dripping from his cheek and focused his magic. Mei recognised the coming of that fatal energy beam and started to run backwards. Pazusu cast the beam directly between her shoulder blades, the white light illuminating his face. Mei ducked but the beam slashed through her shoulder.

 

She cursed loudly as flecks of blood spattered her face but she turned to face her opponent, ignoring the pain. Drawing her bow she fired three accurate arrows at Pazusu, one after the other then took off at a run to avoid being hit again.

 

Pazusu spotted the arrows coming at brake neck speed and sent a blast of power forwards, evaporating the first two but the third sped past him, just missing his right ear. He noticed Mei was keeping in open spaces, away from corners to avoid being trapped. Suddenly he called out an old incantation aloud and the magic from his hand split in two, cutting through the air like two wolves.

 

Mei paused, not sure whether to duck, jump or roll to the side. Either way seemed a risk so she took the only course of action that seemed necessary she ran towards the nearest wall and up it. The twin spell crashed into the stone as she just leapt off in a summersault. The shards flew everywhere and one rogue piece sank deep into her already wounded shoulder. She hissed with pain, trying to keep her balanced. She could feel the damp blood trickling down her arm and quietly scolded herself for not making a faster decision.

 

Now her left arm was completely useless and that meant she could not use her bow. Now that her long distance weapon was ineffective she started to run towards Pazusu for some close combat. Mei wondered why she was so intent on fighting despite the fact she was injured. Soon she came to the conclusion that she would never let herself be beaten after that fated day long ago.

 

She brought her katana out and held it firmly with her right hand. She stopped before Pazusu and held out her blade, readying for the next round.

 

“You’re strong,” he commented. “But also hurt badly. Do you still wish to fight?”

 

“I will give you no such satisfaction as victory!” she snapped in reply.

 

“Very well.” Pazusu could not help but be impressed by this Japanese Shinma and her determination. But this time he would finish her off.

 

Mei watched Pazusu raise his hand yet again but now she could not help but let a sly grin light her lips. Though she was specialized in physical combat there were times when you had to fight sorcery with sorcery. As Pazusu called out another deadly spell she leapt into the air. Twirling her katana above her head she cried out, “Hyra Jubilee!” The room suddenly darkened and many of the Western Shinma fighting paused. The ground around Pazusu rippled then gnarled black hands burst through the marble seizing Pazusu. He tried to move away by they circled round him, grabbing his wrists and handfuls of his robes, dragging him down to the floor. Now he was quite immobile.

 

“Lord Pazusu!” Spartoi called but was suddenly fiercely engaged in battle again by Kaya.

 

The room slowly returned to its usual hue and Mei dropped weakly to the floor. She was breathing hard though her breath seemed thin. She pulled herself weakly to her feet, katana in hand and pointed it at Pazusu’s throat.

 

“Do you kill me now?” he asked. He strength felt like it was draining.

 

“I have you….. at my mercy…..” Mei panted. “After what you did to me…..” her fingers brushed the shoulder, “That is a greater….. satisfaction than….. death.”

 

Pazusu eyed her oddly. “You think differently to most Shinma,” but that was all he could say before the last of his strength left him and he fell into unconsciousness. The clawed hands gripping his wrists at that point evaporated.

 

Meanwhile Oki was engaged in a furious battle with Water Lipper. The other Shinma kept leaping to the side as wave after wave of water crashed into each other. Tamae twirled her hands through the air, duplicating her image and greatly confusing Cait Sith and Night Gia. Kaya also sent frightening amounts of black magic at Spartoi and Amy.

 

Spartoi lifted his hand and called out, “Go, my dragon!” The great-scaled beast coiled round his shoulders rose and flew at Kaya, eyes flaming. Its jaws flew open as Amy cried out, “Fire Crush!” Cascades of fire spewed from its mouth.

 

Kaya watched the rippling fire approach and held out her hand. A shield flickered to life before her and the flames washed over her. Pointing her staff at the Occidental Shinma she cried, “Night serpent!” A thin black snake issued from the silvery orb in her staff and lunged at Spartoi and Amy. It twisted round their bodies, black smoke rising gently from its scales. They both choked and struggled as the serpent let the dark magic seep into their veins. Spartoi’s fingers struggled to reach his sword. They brushed the hilt and then he had seized it triumphantly. Bringing it up in one large swipe he cut the snake in two. It howled in pain and anguish before evaporating and the Occidental Shinma grinned. Kaya also gave a thin-lipped smile.

 

“Now what do I have in store for you in my dark arts next?”

 

And at the far end of the hall there was the sound of a scythe crashing into a stonewall. Larva cursed and swung his scythe again and again but Miyu merely giggled and leapt out the way. She found fighting this battle very amusing.

 

“You fight with skill,” she commented leaping over his head. A flame curled to life in her palm. “But look how much venom you put into those blows. It makes your attacks predictable.” Larva bared his teeth and swung again. The blade hummed through the air, scraping against the wall and causing a great scratch mark as she twisted elegantly out the way.

 

Miyu leapt into the air and threw the flame downwards. It billowed up in a great scarlet vortex as it swirled across the floor. Larva leapt back and deciding that the scythe was too slow a weapon to use, snapped his fingers and the blade evaporated in a puff. Now he leapt up to join Miyu, slashing with his hands. His jagged nails tore at the air but Miyu merely danced away.

 

“Why do you fight with such fury? Are you that determined to defeat me?” She looked at his face of anger. Larva quickly got the disconcerting feeling that she was analysing his expression. “To win back your master’s trust?” she guessed.

 

Larva froze and dropped to the floor. She landed neatly a few metres in front of him, flames flickering round her. Larva looked up at her, her skin clean, no burns or scratch marks, unlike his own. What fury she made him feel, and yet a form of curiosity too. She was like a dark angel, an angel of the flame.

 

He drew his hand back and charged. He tried to clear his mind but the determination burned on. This time she did not move but as he drew near she leapt forwards and caught him by the shoulders. He halted instantly, his crimson red eyes staring into her liquid gold ones. She brought her face close to his and whispered, “Fight with your mind, not your anger.” She stepped slowly back, her delicate fingers sliding through his blue hair. “Are you ready to fight now?” she asked and leapt back. She giggled. “Come on!”

 

Larva stared up at her. She had been so close, so delicate. He shook his head and closed his mind, clearing his thoughts and focussed on the Toorima Hime.  He drew his hand once more before him. He flew towards her, cloak rippling and brought his claws forwards. In one slashing motion he had cut through her skin. She opened her mouth in vague horror and clutched at her arm. The wound was not deep but it was the surprise that affected her. Drawing her hand away she regarded the blood on her finger for a moment before licking it off before she smiling up at him.

 

“Very good. Now you can fight well I look forward to our confrontation next time.” She turned and began to run towards the small chamber containing the Toranoko.

 

“What?” Larva snapped. “You just can’t leave our battle!” He began to chase after her. Catching up with her he tried to seize her wrist but she danced away. They were now racing each other along the floor, wind whipping their faces as they struggled to beat each other to the chamber.

 

Across the floor Pazusu groaned and opened his eyes. His entire body ached. He noticed Mei slumped against the wall, tired out from the battle. As his vision sharpened what he saw made him want to black out again; Larva and Miyu tearing across the hall straight towards the Toranoko.

 

“Larva…..” he hissed in a hoarse voice. “You idiot…..”

 

The chamber was dully light by a candle burning a blue flame. There was a pedestal in the centre of the floor bearing the Toranoko, a blood red stone with gold tiger gilded into the surface. Larva and Miyu flew through the door, still trying to beat the other one down. Larva saw Miyu streak ahead, spotted the red stone and without reason or thought of the consequences leapt towards the stone. Also at the moment Miyu seized the Toranoko. Their fingers both landed on the stones cold surface. There was a shocked paused then a…..

 

CRASH!

 

A wave of red-hot energy erupted from the womb of the stone. Both witnessed the horrid feeling of having their blood drained from their hands. What made the ordeal in a way considerably worse was watching as the crimson liquids swirled under the now transparent surface of the Toranoko. There was a faint tremble felt under their fingers then a burst of energy threw them backwards against the opposite wall.

 

Larva reflexively threw his elbows out behind him to pad his collision. He glanced up hazily as Miyu also struggled to get to her feet. Something glowed in the corner of his eye forcing him to turn round. Red curling letters began to burn themselves onto the far wall opposite the pedestal.

 

SURGING ROUND YOUR VIENS

A NEW POWER HAS GIVEN BIRTH

BUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS PLACE

YOU MUST BE TESTED FOR YOUR WORTH

 

Miyu and Larva glanced at each other. Miyu’s body was tingling, her mind was on fire. She had never felt so much energy flowing through her veins, she felt almost suffocated. She could tell from the ominous way the letters appeared this rhyme was not foretelling good times.

 

As if in answer to their question there were cried of horror from the hall. Miyu rose and stared out of the chamber door and her jaw could not help but drop…..

 

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TBC…..