Shadow of the Past (Chapter XI)

Chapter XI: Race for the Seal 1

Kyan turned in the direction he had heard the Opaqun army coming up the street and Aridous' voice, "I haven't come for the weapon. The blade brings me memories that I shall not want. I have come for my baby brother!" 2

"What?" Kyan asked in a surprised voice. "Baby brother? What are you talking about?" 3

Aridous came up to Kyan and smiled at him, "I'm talking about you, Kyan." 4

Kyan turned his head to see a young beautiful enchantress approaching from behind Aridous. 5

Trazina rested her arm on Aridous' shoulder and smirked at Kyan, "Hey, little one." 6

"Trazina?! What are you doing here? You know very well I'm taking care of this situation." Kyan glowered at her. 7

"Aww.. That's not a very polite thing to say to your older sister. We just came to check on you." 8

The dark figure of the other angel suddenly came up beside Kyan, "The future is looking grim upon this world... our objective was to retrieve you from this planet." 9

"There is still a chance to save it!" Kyan retorted. 10

Trazina sighed, "Its time remains with me now, Aztrael." 11

Kyan fell silent and he glared at her. "I will not allow you to take it." 12

Why must everyone leave before I get my chance? Very well. Rayyeter muttered a few words, causing the remaining Opaquin soldiers to stare at him. 13

Mintes later, a yolchol demon came forth on the pentagram. "What, male? How are you even able to summon me?" Rayyter smirked. "Not now, handmaiden. I need you to create some chaos amongst these troops. Kill them all, for all I care." The demon was about to thrash Rayyeter when she realized the fun in taking on the army. "Ok, but don't bother me again, male." 14

The yolchol attacked the nearest opaquin, while Rayyeter ducked into the nearby alley, looking for a way out of the city. 15

Emptiness. The winds swirled fiercely, throwing the snow into the air like daggers. With the heavy sound of each gust of wind and shaking earth, nature seemed to be revolting and throwing its fury into the mists. As he leaned against Shadow's shivering body, Illion gazed around the vast emptiness of the snowfields. A white sheet lay across the world, but could not keep it warm. The snow burned Illion's cheeks as it blazed about him. The sun was shining, but its heat did not pierce the cold that surrounded Illion, and numbed his body. He was alone, but his solitude did not seem to hurt his heart this time, for he had his purpose. His goal hung over him in the distance that he could not see. He knew the Ruins of Virahim and the Magic Seal were near. He could almost taste the bitterness of his destiny. He knew he would reach the Seal before any others, and could only hope that his plan would lead to the demise of magic, and not to the demise of the world. 16

He stood up then, holding his hood to keep the snow out of his eyes. He then took Shadow's reins with a steady hand. He looked back to the mountains through which he had passed to reach the snowfields, and wondered when his former companions would follow that same trail, if they were even alive. He sighed heavily and then turned north. He could see nothing beyond the gray horizon and swirling snow. Nevertheless, he had faith that the Magic Seal lay beyond the horizon, and that he could end the struggle for that power forever. 17

It had been a few days since Tesshu and Tomoe had set out for the seal. To avoid suspicion, they disguised themselves as traveling healers. They noticed that the farther they travled into the realm of the magic, it got much colder. Tomoe rode on Hana, and Tesshu walked next to her. Tesshu's feet were numb, and snow had encrusted them. Tomoe was also shivering, but not nearly as cold as Tesshu. They continued walking. 18

Ori opened his eyes. He was in a white space. Nothing to see, except himself. His clothes were tattered, and he was bloody. "Hello?" He called out weakly. "Anyone there?" 19

"Hello Ori." a soothing woman's voice answered. 20

"Who are you?" 21

"I am the angel of death. I'm here to make a deal with you." 22

Ori thought for a moment. Maybe he was dreaming. He remembered how Tesshu killed him. This was impossible. If it was, he might as well go along with it. "Lets hear it." 23

"I can give you your body back on the planet. Only if you destroy the one who killed you and open the magic seal." 24

Ori looked around for a person to associate the voice with, but there was no one. "I accept." 25

"Very well." 26

And with that, the whiteness vanished and he was returned to the real world. He felt an overbearing amount of power. Almost...superhuman. He found a blade resting on his back. It was the length of him, and was covered in intricate markings. He drew the sword, and read the markings. "Kokkiou shimiras wa ramari gart!" 27

Nothing happened for the first few seconds, but hands started sprouting from the ground. Undead beasts climbed from the soil. He could control the dead. Excellent. Now Tesshu was his. "Find Tesshu and do away with him!" 28

Tesshu and Tomoe moved their way towards the mountain top. There was a new sense of fear as they moved closer. Something was not well. A small rumbling was cast on the ground. Hana was shaken, and whinnied loudly. Tomoe tried calming her down, but was cut off by a horrbile shreiking. A hand popped from the snow covered ground and latched itself to Hana's leg. "What wizardry is this!" Tesshu cried as he drew his undead sword. He hacked at the arm and unrooted it from the ground, but its grip stayed firm. Another shreiking came, this time from behind him. He spun around in defensive position just in time, as a creature fell into his blade. Blood poured onto Tesshu, warming his frozen skin. 29

Tomoe jumped from Hana and drew the dagger. She fought off a small dog-like creature whose mouth was vertically split instead of horizontally. The dagger jammed into its chest and blood sprayed into her face. This was the first time she had ever taken a life, and fell back from the sheer terror of it. How long could she last?30

It had been a few days since Tesshu and Tomoe had set out for the seal. To avoid suspicion, they disguised themselves as traveling healers. They noticed that the farther they travled into the realm of the magic, it got much colder. Tomoe rode on Hana, and Tesshu walked next to her. Tesshu's feet were numb, and snow had encrusted them. Tomoe was also shivering, but not nearly as cold as Tesshu. They continued walking. 31

--------- 32

Ori opened his eyes. He was in a white space. Nothing to see, except himself. His clothes were tattered, and he was bloody. "Hello?" He called out weakly. "Anyone there?" 33

"Hello Ori." a soothing woman's voice answered. 34

"Who are you?" 35

"I am the angel of death. I'm here to make a deal with you." 36

Ori thought for a moment. Maybe he was dreaming. He remembered how Tesshu killed him. This was impossible. If it was, he might as well go along with it. "Lets hear it." 37

"I can give you your body back on the planet. Only if you destroy the one who killed you and open the magic seal." 38

Ori looked around for a person to associate the voice with, but there was no one. "I accept." 39

"Very well." 40

And with that, the whiteness vanished and he was returned to the real world. He felt an overbearing amount of power. Almost...superhuman. He found a blade resting on his back. It was the length of him, and was covered in intricate markings. He drew the sword, and read the markings. "Kokkiou shimiras wa ramari gart!" 41

Nothing happened for the first few seconds, but hands started sprouting from the ground. Undead beasts climbed from the soil. He could control the dead. Excellent. Now Tesshu was his. "Find Tesshu and do away with him!" 42

------ 43

Tesshu and Tomoe moved their way towards the mountain top. There was a new sense of fear as they moved closer. Something was not well. A small rumbling was cast on the ground. Hana was shaken, and whinnied loudly. Tomoe tried calming her down, but was cut off by a horrbile shreiking. A hand popped from the snow covered ground and latched itself to Hana's leg. "What wizardry is this!" Tesshu cried as he drew his undead sword. He hacked at the arm and unrooted it from the ground, but its grip stayed firm. Another shreiking came, this time from behind him. He spun around in defensive position just in time, as a creature fell into his blade. Blood poured onto Tesshu, warming his frozen skin. 44

Tomoe jumped from Hana and drew the dagger. She fought off a small dog-like creature whose mouth was vertically split instead of horizontally. The dagger jammed into its chest and blood sprayed into her face. This was the first time she had ever taken a life, and fell back from the sheer terror of it. How long could she last? 45

Donalbain looked around solemnly. The Opaqun army was dwindling, but still great. The fight was not against them. It was against Magic itself. He turned north and saw the great looming mountains, and imagined the snowfields beyond. Those fields held the Magic Seal, the decider of the fate of this world. 46

"So let's just get to this ing Magic Seal." 47

Donalbain smiled and turned back to the scattered group. They had come this far without giving up, they would go to the end. He sheathed his two blades and spoke with dignity, "We're leaving. Illion may already be beyond the mountains. We must hurry to the Seal." He turned and began his own march toward the end, smiling as he walked under the red morning sun. The clouds flurried with gold tones and the sky turned a deep crimson. A new dawn was breaking. 48

Trazina approached Kyan and raised her hand to jab him under his jaw with her long black fingernail. 49

"The last grain of sand has fallen for this world. Don't be stubborn about it. Your time is over on trying to save this pathetic little world. Mankind has brought their own downfall and this planet will be going with them." 50

The cloaked angel outstretched his arm, but no hand was revealed as he pushed away Trazina's fingernail away from Kyan. 51

"Calm down, dear sister. No need to become rash." The angel spoke gently. "It will all unfold in due time. You must be patient." 52

Trazina narrowed her eyes and grumbled, turning away. 53

Tiera and her army of soldiers came into the city and noticed a group of people surrounding the entrance of a tavern. 54

She smirked, sensing the great powers that were within the group. "The enemy seems to have angels on their side... angels still can be killed. Cut off their heads." She ordered aloud to her army. 55

The soldiers roared and sent their horses into a charge, flooding the streets with their swords raised. 56

Kyan turned his head and saw the approaching Opaqun's scout army. 57

He quickly spoke to Donalbain as the young man drew out his weapon, "You cannot fight them. You must go to the sealed gate. You must protect it if you wish to save your world." 58

Kyan threw out his large silver wings and grabbed Donalbain and leaped up into the air just as the Opaqun soldiers came to surround the rest of the group.59

Nollie lowered his head, speculative at Adreira's comments. He started to shake his head, paused, looked up at her and saw the genuine sympathy in her eyes. She was right. They weren't human...no, that wasn't even the problem. He was scared...scared at his savagery, unsure whether he would turn on his newfound friends without notice...but then Adreira said she felt safe around him. That made a lot of a difference. Nollie lowered his head once again. 60

"You're right..." Nollie murmured, looking back up with tears brimming in his eyes, "but they used to be...and I...I was so brutal. I'm just afraid I'll hurt one of you...I don't want that to happen...just, just don't let me get like that again. Please?" 61

Aridous looked at Kyan in awe as he saw the wings explode from his back. He looked back at the up comeing army and tightly griped his new weapon. 62

"You two are wrong." Aridous said quitely and harshly as he tried to control his rage for use at the upcomeing army. "From what I've been told, angels aren't suppose to doubt the Light's will. He wants the world be be saved. He allowed this army to try to open the Seal." Aridous looked at the two angels and smiled. "Father won't be pleased with you two." 63

Aridous grabed the hilt of his weapon with both hands and charged toward the aproching army. A newfound peace erupted in his soul. He is doing what he has done for as long as he can remember but now . . . he feels pity for the souls who will meet the end of his blade. 64

As he charged for the attack the light in his soul exploded into a fire of light that insenerated a third of the Opaquin in front of him and blided half of the soilders left. 65

When the light faded Aridous stood with his sword blunged into the cut of a soilder. His body changed from sick and frail to strong powerfull. Even though he still had his small frame there were more developed muscles. 66

His clothes were the small rough robes that he wore but only a pure white. Draped around his body what a white velvet cape. When Aridous jurked out his sword the soilder's blood burst out of his body like a river. 67

Trazina laughed at Aridous' remark. 68

"Father knows very well what my job is. He created me specifically for it, but I do not interfere with the lives of man. I can only suggest that they break the seal, I am not allowed to break it myself." 69

The cloaked angel watched as Aridous charged for the Opaqun soldiers and cut them down with a vengence. 70

"Should we tell him?" 71

"About what?" Trazina asked. 72

"You remember. We weren't supposed to reveal our powers in front of mortals, let alone, use them on mortals." 73

Trazina shrugged and folded her arms. "I want to enjoy watching this onslaught." 74

Tiera watched as the front line of the soldiers be slaughtered and their blood fly up into the air. 75

She unsheated her greatsword and held it firmly. 76

Aridous purged through the soldiers and came sword to sword with Tiera. 77

She narrowed her red-brown eyes from the sockets of her demon helmet. 78

"You of all should understand that magic is a gifted beauty that the Earth has offered us. Why do you keep it from being freed and given to those who are solely born with its gift?" 79

She swung her sword to bring it down onto Aridous' amazing weapon and made him stumble back from her unparalleled strength. 80

Tiera stepped forward to clash her sword again with Aridous'. 81

"You cannot forever hold the magic seal from being broken! You will not take its gracious powers away from me! I will not allow you! I will kill you! I will kill you all for causing me so much pain!" 82

Hateful tears stung Tiera's eyes as her past began to cloud her mind. 83

Tiera stopped and dropped her sword. She shakily fell to her knees and grabbed at her demon helmet, "What is happening?! Why does the thoughts of the past block my sight! Who is doing this to me!" 84

Trazina nudged the cloaked angel and grumbled, "Stop that. That fight was getting interesting with Aridous.. Besides, I like her attitude." 85

The cloaked angel turned his gaze away to look at Trazina, "Hey, I'm the match maker here." 86

Trazina rolled her eyes, "Oh, is that why you wear a cloak? You don't want anyone seeing your diaper, eh cupid?" 87

The cloaked angel fell silent. 88

"Knock it off you two." A deep voice spoke from behind Trazina and the cloaked angel. 89

Trazina turned to look upon a tall handsome young man with long golden hair and large golden glowing wings. 90

"Uh oh. Big brother is here." 91

"What is taking you so long?" The golden angel asked irritably. 92

Trazina muttered, "Aztrael is being stubborn about this planet.. As he always is."93

The zombies never stopped coming. Tesshu and Tomoe lived in perpetual fear, looking around every corner for enemies. They had been fighting these creatures for about a day now, and it was night. After an hour or so, a small cave was visible. "What do you think that is?" Tomoe asked weakly. She was exhausted, and dragged her feet with every step. Tesshu had a gash on his left cheek and claw marks on his back and shoulders. 94

"I don't know, it might be what we have been looking for." 95

The opening was large enough to fit five people snugly, and it was pitch black. Tomoe lit a candle, and they crawled in. They wandered around in the cave until they came to a very intricate door. It had gold and markings and carvings, but the name of the city was covered in blood. There was a man there. He looked familiar. 96

The man was cloaked, and his face was covered in a veil or something. "Glad you could join me." 97

"Ori..." Tesshu said grimly. 98

Tomoe's eyes widened. "Little brother?" 99

"Hey sis. Pity I have to watch you die." And with that, Tesshu saw blood and whiteness, and fell to the ground. 100

The city of Doma was now almost gone from view, as well as the invading Opaqun army. It was just the four of them for the time, alone and on the ending trek to the Magic Seal. 101

It would be interesting to see what would happen, if the Seal would be broken or not. It would undoubtaly come down to the wire, regardless of the fact that the one known as Illion was far ahead of any of them. The Seal was being fought for in a very serious and very determined fashion, and the Opaqun's weren't just going to back down with dieing in the effort...something Teskan could handle personally. If they wanted a fight, he could give it to them. He may not have been one to care too much about this Magic, for philosophical reasons, but he would fight for to protect the risk of the world's destruction. 102

Teskan turned to his left, seeing Adreira and Nollie walking side by side, the obvious shadow of their hands being held by each other clearly visible, although not factually present. Something was going on with those two, something Teskan had came to hate...no...fear ever since Adeira had essence become her own girl. He had protected her for so long, done away with more than a handful of dirty boyfriends, and now she was being sincerly in love with someone that Teskan, although he had a hard time in admitting it, had no dirty intentions towards his sister. He couldn't protect her anymore...and that was teh scariest thought of all. 103

"Magic Seal, the thing that is cuasing all this trouble..." Teskan paused, thinkinf of the words, "...and only one side gets to win...the most unfortunate thing of all..." 104

Kyan glided forth into the mountain pass, holding Donalbain in his arms. They swooped down before the pair of Nollie and Adreira, with Teskan bringing up the rear, and immediately felt the blistering cold. Donalbain tried not to think of the companions they had left behind. Rayyeter, Aridous, Zhan, all had been left to fight it out against an army. But something gave him faith that they would all meet again, even if that meeting came in death. He tried to look to the future and the rising sun. He knew that the snowfields beyond brought the magic Seal, and that place would bring an unknown end. The Magic Seal would be the end of his story. 105

They pushed forward against the stifling winds and bitter cold. The sweeping snow burned and the cold was numbing. Fatigue was taking hold of Donalbain. He was stumbling in the deep snow, falling loosely to the ground. Hope was dwindling as the gray sky never turned blue, never revealing the ruins of Virahim, the sight of the Magic Seal. The clouds never parted and the cold was unyielding. Suddenly, Donalbain looked around, and saw nothing but a pale sheet of snow upon the endless earth. He felt lost in these great snow plains. He did not have the energy to look back and see if his companions were still there. The cold was breaking him. Suddenly he fell upon his knees, his gaze blurring and his mind numbing. He looked before him and caught sight of two bodies in the snow, and then he saw a man with a sinister smile standing over them. He recognized one of the fallen as Tesshu; everything seemed to be falling apart. But in utter despair and desolation, Donalbain only felt more determined. He drew Darius' sword of Honor and slowly rose from the snow, glaring at the distance. He staggered forth, blade drawn, to the man looming over Tesshu's body. 106

Illion watched the red sun pierce the deep mists and swirling winds beyond. The clouds parted, and the white sheet upon the earth began to shimmer. Then there was a silver sparkle in the distance. The shadow drew back beyond the sunlight, and Illion's eyes began to marvel. The ancient ruins of Virahim stood pale in the white dawn, their glory still shining over the world. Illion turned around and looked back to the distant snowy mountain passes. He knew how far the others were. He would do this alone. He then rode Shadow toward the legendary ruins, looking like a silhouette against the snow. He had heard stories about what watched the darkness, protecting the Seal, but they did not scare him. Neither darkness nor death had ever scared him. Shame was his only fear, and now he had a chance to end his shame forever.107