|
|
|
|
Chapter 2
|
" How much farther is it to Crystannia? " asked Pam, her voice shaking with exhaustion. Ihrlie, marching steadfastly forward like some wind-up tin soldier, stopped in mid-stride. Turning aside to respond, her face etched with the unmistakable signs of annoyance, Ihrlie realized the little troope had all but collapsed from the forced march following the events of a few hours before.
Fam had tried her hardest to stave off the effects of the shadow creatures toxins. With so many wounded and so many injuries to tend, the effort had totally exhausted her. Now, it was all Fam could do to try and slow the venoms progress. Ihrlie knew this would come to pass. That is why she pushed so hard to cross the distance to Crystannia.
The effort was proving as futile as Fam's.
" About three more hours..."Ihrlie responded quickly. If her bearings were correct, it would actually be slightly less than that.
" We're never going to make it at this rate." Rae responded with a note of despondancy as she sank to the ground. Helping the guys to walk was becoming a tiresome task. Most could barely stand now. Their wounds as acrid as decaying flesh.
" We can make it..." Pam said, trying her best to sound confident. Afterall, it is what a leader should do at times like these. Truthfully, she knew Rae was right. Mike, Dan, Robert, Jon, Adam, and Brian were fading rapidly. Kevin was holding his own, but his own injuries were beginning to show the effects of the poison. Coupled with the debilitating effects usage of the POWER had on each of them, the situation was a grim as it could possibly be.
Ihrlie covered the short distance back to the bedraggled group, now all prone upon the soft green carpet of grass. Fam had worked her way back to Kevin, hoping she had enough strength to alleviate his discomfort.
She didn't.
Kevin smiled at her. Fam blushed ever so slightly. Her selfless efforts on behalf of all of them had been at considerable cost. Still, Fam continued to try with all her heart, regardless of personal pain. Kevin resolved himself that he could do no less.
"We will rest here for a little while," Ihrlie said sharply. " and proceed after nightfall."
A chorus of washed out " Thank You" 's echoed across the glen.
Moving to one side, the women conferred together as to what to do next. It was painfully obvious that this mode of travel was simply inadequate for the task at hand. The men would all perish at this rate.
Damn that male ego!
" Say..." Amy spoke up at long last, " we seem to be missing a couple of heads. "
Looking around, it was quite clear that Amy was correct. Andrew and Scott were nowhere to be seen. Had they been abducted in all the confusion? Or, HORRORS!, slain like Merle and no one had noticed?
Ihrlie stood quickly, clasping her sword hilt with one hand. " Fam, stay here! I'll be back in a moment."
It was obvious Ihrlie's intention was to go back and search for the missing duo. Fam protested. Then Pam. Rae, Lindsey, Kristen, and Amy all joined in a unified front. It was simply too risky to do such a thing. It wasn't that no one wasn't concerned for the safety of their missing comrades.
"I won't leave anybody behind..." Ihrlie began, becoming annoyed again at this discussion. Suddenly, there was a faint rumble in the distance. Everyone's attention suddenly turned towards a rising cloud of dust to the South. It was increasing by the second.
Was it the creatures again?
Ihrlie wheeled around into a crouching position, ready to strike. Fam, exhausted as she was, stood by Irhlie's side; ready to give it her all. Pam and the others conjured what they could as weapons to defend themselves and those they protected. If it was the creatures....
The cloud of dust seemed to be the size of a mountain now. Irhlie's hand grasped her sword tightly. " If its a fight you want..." she muttered defiantly. She glanced towards Fam. A look of stalwart resolution was upon Fam's face. No matter what, no one would pass.
"AHOY THERE! " came a cry from the cloud. The voice was very familiar. The women relaxed there battle positions slightly. To there surprise, sails began to come into view. Followed by what appeared to be a full size galleon.
On Wheels. Drawn by a team of oddly looking oxen.
" I SAY..."came the voice again. " ARE WE TOO LATE?"
Rae recognized the ship and the voice. It was the Allen and his ship, the CRUSADE, from Escaflowne. A collective sigh of relief washed over everyone. At last, a friend ahd arrived to help. More importantly, a better mode of transportation had arrived at a most opportune moment.
Among the saved souls of the Anime Society, Kristen in her usual randomness and observation asked a curious question to some of her comrades.
"I was wondering since you know we are in the world of Anime and all and we know that Anime is Japanese, how can we know what they are saying to us and they know what we are saying to them? Are we all speaking Japanese and we just don't know it or are they just speaking English to us? Or is there some weird translation thing going on where they are speaking Japanese and we are speaking English but like in the UN we have special devices that are translating everything for us back and forth? Has anybody else noticed this or am I alone here?"
At this, Pam perks up since it was an interesting philosophical idea which Kristen brought up and since Adam was somewhat unconscious or busy playing dead, Pam didn't have another person to debate it with.
"Well maybe its just we all speak the same language here: English, Japanese, whatever, and we just don't notice it," so said the Pam.
"Why be logical though? We are able to conjure up things and such so maybe it is something magical going on?"
"In the type of situation that we are in, maybe its better to be logical and realistic about things. We don't have time for these flights of fantasy or whatever."
Ignoring Pam's logic, Kristen continues, "Hey, wouldn't it be funny that people are watching us right now in Japan and its one of those comedy shows that they have there? A bunch of Japanese children are sitting up close to the screen and laughing at the stupid Americans trying to deal with their new situation of being in a world they can't cope in. Wonder what kind of prize we would win in the end."
Rae pipes in since Kristen is stirring up some more craziness among the chaos they were already in. "Wouldn't that be funny? That was great graphics on their part where we got zapped here. And our prize would be like something weird like tickets back to Lynchburg like on The Simpsons."
"And back to my original thing, would we be speaking Japanese on this 'T.V. show' or would they have us speak English with Japanese subtitles?"
"Just think about it, us speaking Japanese, that would be funny."
Sensing this endless conversation of insanity, Pam chimes in, "Would you two just stop and be for real for once?"
"But how can we be real and serious?" defends Kristen. "If I didn't poke fun at this situation, I think I would collapse or grab my knees and start rocking in a corner or bush somewhere. Have to keep the mood light or we are going to go crazy."
"Now when did you become the logical one," wondered Pam.
Just then, a sudden panic hits Kristen. "But what about school? I have papers to get in and finals to take and labs to do and reports to write....What are we going to do? I can't think about anything else right now. Smith is probably needing me to clean the lab and set it up. Desi is probably thinking I'm an irresponsible assistant. Jessica and Ben are probably wondering where am I and what about the Chemistry students? I have to tutor them. I need to make more money. What about Mel? She's probably worrying about us, Pam. Usually we are home by a certain time. We've been missing for days now and we can't let anyone know where we are or what has happened about us." And with a huge scream, "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!!??"
Just then a slap is heard around the world as Kristen goes reeling to the floor at Pam's feet.
"Thanks, I needed that. So about this Japanese show..."
"We should reach Crystannia by nightfall." Allen stated emphatically, his voice resonating throught the galley of the Crusade " I only hope that we arrived in time to help save your comrades."
"We are most appreciative of your assistance." Though fatigued Pam was expressing her genuine state of gratitude. "Without your help, it was doubtful we could have made it there in time."
Emerging from the stairwell after Allen, Pam, followed closely by the remnants of her entourage, began to absorb the positively colonial nature of their current environs. The Crusade was truly a unique ship among the pantheon of known anime vessels. It was especially surrealistic to think a sizeable team of oxen, dwarfed in comparison, was propelling such a mammoth craft.
Allen acknowledged Pam's sincerity as he continued through the corridor towards his destination. Though the crew was largely male in nature, Allen was not uncomfortable with such a sudden, sizeable female complement. After all, the fair Millerna, the precocious Merle and the sublime Hitomi had been or were still fellow shipmates. Stopping before a closed door, Allen turns smartly towards his guests. With a quick flick of his wrist, the door opens to reveal a rather spacious cabin with all the basic amenities the guests would require to refresh themselves. The group was awestruck by the generosity of their host and the ecstatic anticipation of much needed R and R.
As each of the young ladies entered the cabin, they were overcome with a welcome sense of release.
"Dibs on the bed by the window!!", Amy exclaims emphatically.
Rae blocks her path and states sternly,"You and what army?!?"
Ihrlie, standing just inside the doorway, shrugs her shoulders and sighs, "Boy, this seems like Déjà vu. I'm just happy to have a bed for a change."
Allen looks on from the corridor, a bemused expression on his face, "I'll send for all of you when dinner is ready." With that, Allen closes the door and takes his leave. Inside the cabin, Pam stretched herself across the closest bed, enjoying the first taste of civilization in more than a week. Rae and Amy were still bickering over their sleeping arrangements as Pam drifted off to sleep. Kristin and Lindsay followed in short order.
"I think I'll take a bath before bed", Ihrlie comments nonchalantly as she begins to remove her armor. "I just hope Fam knows what she is doing."
Several decks below, is what was now a makeshift infirmary, Fam sat quietly beside the resting form of Kevin. All around them, in what seemed like an endless sea of misery, were countless other victims of the creatures that had attacked them mere hours before. Rory and the others were resting comfortably on the other side of the infirmary; their wounds being tended to by a host of familiar doctors. Fam turns her attention back to Kevin. Though slow in progress, it was obvious the venom was affecting him greatly.
"Can I get you anything my dear?"
Fam turns to behold the source of the question. Standing before Fam was an obviously overwhelmed Dr. Tofu.
Fam graciously declines the offer and returns her attention back to Kevin. The time to change his bandages had passed. As there were too many in need and not enough doctors available, Fam decided to take matters into her own hands. Reaching forward, Fam carefully began to loosen the fastenings of Kevin's shirt. Suddenly, the realization of what she was doing hit Fam like a 10-ton international mallet. Fam's face became evermore rosy as her heart began to pound faster.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Fam casually blurts out "I never thought a ship this size could be so stuffy.", a faint giggle escaping her lips simultaneously. Returning to the task at hand, Fam's hands quivered as she slowly pushed aside the halves of his shirt; exposing his scarred chest. Fam marveled at the amount of chest-hair Kevin had. It was certainly more than she was accustomed to. Bubbling with an almost schoolgirl giddiness, Fam glided her fingers across the width of Kevin's chest. The sensation was not unlike when she had tousled his hair so many days past. A mischievous smile appeared upon Fam's face. Without reservation she casually reached for his belt, the tip of her tail arching upward with anticipation.
"FAM!!!"
With a loud thud, Fam tumbled to the deck, landing roughly upon her backside. The wrappings she had gathered tumbled across the floor.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!!"
Rubbing the small of her back, her face expressing the pain of the impact, Fam looked up to see a very angry Ihrlie staring down at her. Jumping quickly to her feet, grabbing what few bandages she could, Fam tried desperately to give the impression that she was dispassionately tending to Kevin's wounds.
It didn't work.
Despite her innocent protestations, Fam could tell Ihrlie wasn't buying the act. Ihrlie shook her head.
"I never would have figured you for a hentai.", Ihrlie stated in a disappointed tone as she dragged Fam from the room by the tail.
"WAI!! Ihrlie's being mean again!"
Her dreams were filled with strange visions, children of the wedlock between her subconcious mind and the dreaded reality she was now enduring. Through it all, a figure stood by her side, yet constantly pulled away. Became darker, more like the rest of this shadow world. With an outsretched hand towards her and a voice that spoke no words she could understand, the figure called to her. She would have reached out to touch the outsretched hand, now a shadow, but for the fear locked around her heart like the icy fingers of death.
Lindsey awoke with a start, propping up in her bed. Her blonde hair stuck to the back of her neck and the clothing Allen had lent her and her friends was damp with her sweat. "A nightmare," she thought as she slowly lay back down. But then she heard a sound that made her stop just as suddenly as she had come awake. Movement. From outside.
She slowly and quietly rose from her bed. As she slid the nightshirt over her head and began to dress in her own, now clean clothes, she looked around at her companions. Pam, Kristen, Stacy, Rae, and Amy were still fast asleep. She had no idea where Fam and Ihrlie were. They didn't even have beds in this room. "But then," she thought, "they have no real reason to trust us. We're creatures from another world, they've no reason to trust us at all." Indeed, it often seemed that the pair stayed solely because of Fam's attraction to Kevin. Ihrlie's discontent was more prominent with each passing day.
Lindsey's thoughts were interrupted as the sounds of movement from outside her door resonated once more. Fully dressed, she began to slowly move towards the door. The sounds from outside were scattered and frantic, yet obviously came from just one person. It reminded her of the sounds the drunkards would make outside her door late at night on the weekends. She hated those sounds. Now she sorely missed them. Lindsey cautiously opened the door and peeked out into the night. She saw a figure slouched over the railing, looking out into the darkness. As she approached, the faint light seeping through the clouded sky helped her recognize the figure.
"Robert?" she asked, surprised to see him moving about after his ordeal. After all their ordeal.
The sound of her voice didn't have time to reverberate down the length of the ship and return to her before Robert's hand had found her throat. She looked down, fear in her eyes, and saw black tendrils wrapped around his arm and fingers, stemming from the wound at his right shoulder. There was hate in his eyes. A bestial hatred that only a predator has for it's prey. And there was something else there. Fear.
Lindsey's eyes shifted from fear to pity, knowing the pain her friend must be in. Robert snarled and she involuntarily flinched. Her fingers went to his hand, trying to pry away his iron grip. She felt panic beginning to boil inside the very core of her being. The sound of scraping steel called both their attentions.
Dan was walking towards them. He was leaning heavily against the doorway to the lower decks, and he couldn't even lift the sword he held and had not let go since it had materialized in his hands hours ago. He coughed as he took a weak step forward.
"Let her go," he said, menace lacing his rough, parched voice, "unless you want to lose your hand."
The two friends, consumed with an inexplicable rage, stared each other down. Lindsey felt Robert's fingers spasm around her throat and released an involuntary moan before his hand slowly slipped away. She massaged her throat as she watched an inner battle between her two friends unfold. It was a battle she could not understand.
Finally, after a brief eternity, Robert turned away. He was uncharacteristically furious, thrashing about like a beast. He growled as he settled his trembling hands back on the railing. He looked down at his right hand, at the creatures' darkness that had poisoned him. "You don't know what it's like," he said, almost as if to no one. Dan made his way over to his friend. He tore open his own shirt to reveal the infected scars stretching across his chest and stomach. The same black tendrils had spread to cover most of the surrounding skin. The same poison was sickening him. Killing him.
After a moment, Robert turned back to look at the few stars visible through the thick clouds. Dan turned as well, resting on the railing. He pulled out his bottle of whiskey and took one swig, the most he'd had in days. As he did, the scars on his chest burned and began to smoke. Both Robert and Lindsey stared, awestruck, but said nothing. They knew the effects their strange powers had had on the creatures that had attacked them. There was no reason their poison would not be affected the same pain.
"Is it helping?" asked Lindsey after a moment of silence.
"No," Dan responded without looking at her, "but I like to think it is." He took another swig of whiskey, and the same smoke and crackling sound spread from his wounds. The smell was sickening.
After a time, he spoke again. "Can you feel it calling?" he asked.
"I can only feel the pain," responded Robert, "and the hate."
"Look beyond it, feel beyond it. There's something else there. Something beckons me."
Robert was silent again, lost in thought and deep in concentration. After a few seconds he nodded. "What is it?" he asked.
"I don't know. I think it's the creatures. I think they're a collective mind, taking it's numbers from the denizens of this world. Maybe that's why they were searching for us, why they needed Mike. We're more powerful than anything else here. Maybe they're trying to turn us into them."
Lindsey felt horror, a feeling like spiders crawling on her skin. But logic stood at the forefront of her mind, a rampart to the hordes of madness waiting to take her. "We're almost to Crystannia. They'll be able to help there."
For the first time, Dan looked her in the eye. A smile brushed his face like a feather, for just a moment, and then it was gone. He looked out at the night again.
"They won't be able to help us," he said, "I can feel it. The only ones who can are the ones who did this to us."
"You can't mean..."
"Yes. I can feel them calling, and I intend to find out why."
Robert spoke then, "What about the others? They've been hurt too."
"No. Brian, Mike, and Adam are only exhausted from using their powers. Kevin seems stronger in this place then the rest of us. It might be because of his complete emergence in it, or it might be something else. I don't know. But I've seen his wounds, and the poison hasn't spread far at all. They might be able to help him in Crystannia. They won't be able to help us."
"What about Jon?"
"Jon is the reason I intend to go. He's too far gone. He took more damage than you and I combined. Christ, Bob! You've seen him! You've seen how far gone he is! They might be able to help us in Crystannia. Maybe, if we're lucky. But Jon won't stand a chance. We're the only ones who can help, because we're the only ones who can feel the pull strong enough to find the monsters."
Lindsey began to protest, then, "You can barely stand, you bastard! You're not going anywhere!" Her fear had been replaced by rage.
Dan smiled at her again, a faint, pained smile. "It doesn't hurt when I stop fighting it."
She was shocked at this, at the idea of him willingly giving himself over to this poison that was taking away who he was. The same poison that had seemingly killed Robert's gentle and calm nature.
"Let's go, then," said Robert, fire in his eyes. "Let's go get these sons of bitches."
They both started to make their way down, but then Lindsey's hand was on Dan's arm. "I'm going with you," she said.
"No you're not," he responded, as she expected.
"I can take care of myself," she said, materializing a beretta in her hand and pointing it at him, "and I can take care of you, too."
Dan's smile made Lindsey's resolution weaken for an instant. But just an instant.
"You have to know how it works," he said, "the gun, I mean. You have to know how it works for the power to work. That's why I had a cherry bomb in the desert eagle that time."
Lindsey cocked the gun, then, the click of it louder than thunder in the quiet dark. "Don't I?" she said.
Dan smiled at her again. But it was a different smile. It was a familiar smile that let her know he couldn't be happier to have her with him. Only she knew what that smile meant.
"Let's go then," said Robert, "let's grab whatever supplies we can and go."
"Right," added Dan, "I want out of here soon. Before anyone else wakes up."
By morning, when the ship's cook was doing his routine inventory and discovered some food and water missing, the three were long gone.
A cool breeze whispered gently among the trees, kissing the leaves ever so softly with its caress. Twinkling jewels of starlight danced playfully about; the sun, high upon the sky, shimmered as whispery clouds floated quietly on. It was the sort of lazy summer day one fondly remembered from one's youth.
The great grey obelisk, like some silent sentinel watching quietly from afar, stood solemnly beneath the shade of several large sakura trees. Upon its smooth, chiseled face was etched several words and a name.
With a simple sweep of a hand, the young woman lightly brushed aside a few errant petals that had fallen upon the granite guardian. She kneeled before its cold, unchanging form; clasping her hands in solemn prayer. She uttered not a word. Her thoughts carried away with the wind.
Looking up from her solitude, a single tear flowing upon her cheek, the woman gazed upon the heavens happily. Her eyes, as blue as the sky above, sparkled. Then, as quietly as she had come, she stood and turned away. There was much to be considered, she thought to herself as she walked casually back to her abode; her gait as regal as a queen.
The temple still radiated the same warmth and harmony as the day she first arrived so many springtimes ago. She had come to know every nook and crack of the place with loving admiration. It was her home. It was her life.
The sweet aroma of freshly prepared vegetables filled her with delight. Quickening her pace, the woman gently opened the door to the kitchen. The unmistakable perfume of fish permeated the air, whetting her pallette. Enthralled, she pursued the delicate scent to the dining area.
A great banquet of food had been carefully prepared and placed upon the table, awaiting her return. The woman was overcome with a sense of joy as she surveyed the sumptuous feast before her.
" I took the liberty of cooking breakfast for you, " came a voice from behind her. " After the kindness you have shown me I figured it was the least I could do to show my appreciation. "
Scott entered the room just to the right of the young woman. He placed a container filled with liquid upon the center of the table and then waited patiently for his host to seat herself. She smiled at him, that same smile he had seen upon her gentle face when he had opened his eyes following the events that seemed so distant now.
His theory that this so-called POWER he and the others had could do more than simply create material matter from the air had borne out. Unfortunately the effort had landed him many miles away from his associates. Not that the experience had been all bad, other than the very painful re-entry.
" Thank you, " the woman said softly as she entered the room; effortlessly floating to her knees as she sat beside the table. Scott watched as she gave silent thanks before beginning to partake of the meal.
Strange, he remarked to himself, how different meeting her actually had turned out. Her beauty was as quiet and understated as he had expected; the sort one would expect came from a great reservoir of inner contentment. Yet, she was not all that he had anticipated.
Gone was the youthful long locks of chestnut hair, shorn and shaped into a mature mane that was only slightly shoulder length. Her familiar bangs were still there, as were a few stray hairs that reminded him of antennae. Scott did not mind the change. It made her seem wiser somehow.
" This is delicious." She spoke quickly, food still upon her tongue.
Scott thanked her for the compliment. His father was the real gourmet chef of the family. Still, if his own meager abilities could be successful, maybe there was hope for him yet.
" You will be leaving soon..."
She had not intended her words to be so...uncomfortable. Scott knew this moment would be awkward regardless. He could not stay indefinitly, despite a unfamiliar desire to do so. He had to find his friends. He had to know if they were alive or ....
Well, he had to know their final disposition.
" I understand."
She said it so sweetly and so honestly, her face beaming with that smile that could melt the arctic tundra, Scott almost felt like saying he would stay. Besides, there was that nagging feeling that Scott could not shake; that beneath all her generosity and composure, a deep sadness resided there like an unwelcome guest. The kind he knew all too well.
Still, he could not allow himself the luxury of a delightfull distraction. There were bigger issues to contend with.
Scott looked directly upon the woman' face. He owed her more than he could ever repay.
" I am sorry, but this is something I am compelled to do. I hope you understand Miss..."
Scott felt a finger press itself upon his lips.
" I do understand. " Scott could see the truth in her eyes. " and, please,
call me by my name."
Scott nodded aknowledgement of her request.
" Thank you, " he said quietly, " Belldandy."
Go Back :: Chapter 3
This site © The Lynchburg College Anime Society, Clover Petals.com ©Tasia Chiba
|
|
