Episode Nine - First Piece

“This so-called ancient ‘shrines’ really piss me off.” Siri growled in the darkness. The moment they stepped in, the large doors had closed behind them, leaving them no choice but to press through the dark.

“Siri, do you always have to complain? Can’t you just light up the room?” Rubicent growled.

“Fine, but I’m sick of going into all these dark places. Start carrying a torch with you at least…” Siri continued to mutter as the familiar orbs flew into the room from Siri. A moment later the room was completely lit up.

“This is fun!” Juri exclaimed.

“What are you doing anyway?” Kuro asked. He quickly glanced over at Dart, and saw that he was still meditating with the fire. He shrugged and glanced at the glowing object in Juri’s hands. He blinked as there seemed to be images moving on the screen.

“It’s called a video game!” Juri smiled as she continued playing. “I learned about them from Siri.”

“That’s fine and all, but where did you get it?”

“Suchi left her bag here. She didn’t want to get it wrecked since she has some valuable stuff in there… Next I’m going to toy with the… uh CD player thing.”

“…Why are you going through her bag though?” Juri pressed pause on the game, blinking at the question.

“You know, I have no clue.” Juri looked back as she heard a thump. “Are you okay?” She asked looking at him eye-level now since he was on the ground.

“Yeah… I just tripped…”

“It’s probably Siri’s influence.” Juri shrugged and went back to the game.

“What do you mean by that?” Kuro said a little worried.

“Well, I did absorb some of her energy… Since most of her energy is negative, it couldn’t really be helped.”

“Eh…” Kuro sighed, deciding to put it off for now. “I wish I could have gone with… I’m worried about Suchi.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much. Suchi still has her uses for Siri. As long as she stays with us, Suchi is in no danger.”

“Gee, that’s reassuring…” Kuro sighed. He shrugged and looked over her shoulder as she played.

“Ugh!” Siri growled. “What is up with these places and almost empty rooms?” She said as she looked around. The floors, walls, and even the ceiling ware made from some kind of reflective, mirror like material. In the center of the large room was a small platform raised up by a few steps.

“Actually, that platform is a sort of transporter.” Rubicent answered.

“Really?” Siri went up to the platform before Rubicent could stop her. Luckily a protective barrier bounced her back. “Hey! What did I say about that?”

“Even you cannot break this barrier, Siri. Only Suchi can.”

“Me?” Suchi asked. It had been the first thing she said since they entered the room.

“Yes, step on the platform and it should unleash your power. Then you can help bring the maps together and let us see what are on the pieces.”

“Should?” Siri muttered. “Go ahead Suchi. Might as well get this over.”

“…Heh…” Suchi laughed nervously. She sighed, staring down at the floor, which reflected the image back at her. She shrugged and stepped onto the platform. “Now what?” Before anyone could answer, Suchi was surrounded by darkness, vanishing from the room.

“What kind of trial will she have to go through anyway?” Siri asked.

“She must face herself to unleash her powers.” Rubicent answered.

“Isn’t that a little cliché?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“These tests always have to do with facing your inner self. It’s very annoying.”

“Oh and how many of these trials have you gone through?” Siri just smirked as a response. “You have an odd sense of humor.”

“I’d like to think so.”

“Since we have this time on our hands, may I ask you something?”

“Sure, go right ahead.” Siri answered. “I may not answer though.” She still had the same smirk on her face.

“Why did you choose this form?”

“Why did you choose yours?” She shot back.

“Good point.” He sighed and sat down, his tail twitching behind him. “I just hope Suchi is alright…”

“Huh? What’s going on?” Suchi asked as she looked around wherever she was currently. She could see nothing but darkness before her.

“Uh… Hello?” She asked.

“Hello.” Her voice seemed to echo. She would have thought it was simply this had the tone not changed. Suchi gasped as she turned around, a familiar girl standing before her.

“You… look like me?” She said cautiously as she stared at the girl with matching blue hair. Although she looked like a mirror image, Suchi thought the girl seemed older somehow.

“I am you, obviously… but I am the past you.”

“I don’t know what that means.” Suchi said blankly.

“You do know about reincarnation and all that right?” Suchi nodded at herself. “Well, I’m the you from a past life… we have the same soul and all…” She sighed. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Obviously.”

“Don’t be sarcastic with yourself.” The older Suchi said. “But you wish to unlock your power?”

“Well, yeah… It’s my destiny and all that… but mainly Kuro and Siri said that monsters will come to my world as long as my powers exist.”

“So you don’t want the pendent for power, just to protect your world?”

“Yeah…”

“Good enough, I’ll help you… But we have to be careful with Siri around.”

“Wait, you know Siri?” The younger Suchi blinked.

“Oh yes… now close your eyes…” Suchi sighed and did so as a light encompassed her…

“Whoa!” Suchi stumbled off the platform she had stood on when she departed. Rubicent quickly caught her.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“Yeah…” Suchi answered quietly.

“So, how was the big trail thing?”

“Okay I guess…”

“Okay? Can’t you sense a map piece or something?” Siri said with a grin, showing her fangs in the dim light.

“Heh…” Suchi said as she backed up unconsciously. “She said it’d take a little while before I sensed it… we should get back to camp.”

“Fine, better start pulling your weight…” Siri growled as she left. Rubicent sighed.

“Let’s get going…” Rubicent said as he turned towards the door.

“This is just going to get tougher…” Suchi muttered to herself as she, too, exited.

“Go fish.” Juri smiled.

“I do not understand the point of such a childish game.” Dart grumbled.

“I am a child so…” Juri stuck her tongue out at him. Dart sighed.

“You are probably older then all of us together…” Dart muttered. A moment later he was rubbing his face after Juri slapped him.

“Be careful what you say to a young lady!” She hissed.

“No offense, Juri, but you may have picked up a little more of Siri then you intended…” Kuro quietly said.

“Heh…” Juri snickered. “Guess I am a little quick to anger.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” The group turned as a voice came from the woods. A moment later Siri stepped into the light. “You shouldn’t talk about me behind my back… And you, Juri, other then the fact we’re the same species, are nothing like me.” She walked over and sat down in front of the fire.

“Where is…” Kuro started.

“Suchi?” Rubicent walked into the light of the fire next, carrying a sleeping, and loudly snoring, Suchi. “She got tired on the way back…heh…” Rubicent walked over to her tent and set her inside. He emerged from the tent a few moments later.

“She is okay?” Kuro asked.

“Just fine.” Rubicent smiled. “And we also know where the first piece is.”

“What?” Siri screamed. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She hissed.

“Because we’re going to wait until tomorrow.” Rubicent smiled as Siri started to advance. “And if you want to know where it is, you’ll have to follow us. I don’t want you getting any ideas...”

“Fine.” Siri hissed. “But first thing tomorrow, we’re going to go get that piece…”

“So, where is this piece?” Siri demanded. “Some scary cave? The forbidden part of a mysterious wood?” She continued listing a few more cliché places before Kuro stopped her.

“We aren’t going to tell you anything until we are there.” Kuro sighed.

“Grr…” Siri hissed and sighed. “Let’s get going. Lead the way already!” She said as she glanced at Suchi.

“Um… that way…” Suchi pointed to the north.

“All there is in that direction is a lake. I was kind of hoping we could get out of this general area… We’ve been stuck here forever…” Siri sighed.

“That’s where I sense it coming from!” Suchi insisted. “I can’t help if it’s a lake!”

“Well, it shouldn’t take too long.” Siri grumbled as she headed north.

“Let’s just follow her and hope she doesn’t try to kill us all…” Rubicent sighed as he and the others followed.

Ironically, true to Siri’s word, it only took them a few moments to get to the lake. “So now where to?” Siri demanded.

“Um… I think the piece is in the lake.” Suchi said nervously.

“…And how could that be?” Siri growled. “I’m not going to go diving!”

“Perhaps there is some hidden secret?” Kuro suggested.

“No comments unless you know something.” Siri hissed.

“Be nice.” Juri interrupted. “Besides, I think I know what to do…”

“How would you know?”

“Because I am the one who hid the map pieces.”

“What?” Siri screamed as she picked up Juri and shook her. “How can you just calmly state an important fact like that? Do you know where they are?” She hissed as she shook the relatively young phoenix.

“No!” She said as she pushed her off. “I can’t remember that kind of stuff. I can remember the trials I had set up though.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“I mean this.” Juri dusted herself off and then walked over to the lake. She raised her hands above her head. “O great guardian of the lake, come forth!” She yelled out towards the water.

“What’s that supposed to do?” Siri growled.

“Odd… I’m sensing something.” Rubicent blinked as he watched Juri.

“Nothing is happing…?” Suchi said.

“Juri?” Kuro asked.

“Hmm.” Juri sighed and picked up a stone. She tossed it out into the lake. “I said come forth!” She screamed. She coughed when she realized her temper was acting up. A moment later the ground started rumbling as the water seemed to break apart in the center of the lake.

“Why hast thou summoned me?” A booming yet feminine voice filled the area as a creature arose from the water. It looked like a giant, snake-like creature only it was a medium blue in color, and had a dragon-like head. Its nostril flared slightly as it glared downwards.

“Why hast thou awoken me from my slumber? Why did thou hit my head with a rock?”

“Hey! Stop talking like that!” Juri yelled up at the creature. She, for it was a she judging from the voice, bent her long neck down and looked at Juri.

“I know you…” She turned towards Rubicent. “And you…” She then turned towards Siri. “And you!” Her head snapped back, causing Siri to grin.

“I didn’t know there was a dragon around here…” Siri grumbled.

“Of course not. Even though we hide in obvious places doesn’t mean we go around announcing it to people.” Rubicent responded.

“We?” The dragon blinked.

“How’s it going Yousha?”

“You are Rubicent? Why are you traveling with these people?” She asked, glaring at Siri.

“Uh… that’s a little complicated.” Juri answered. “But we need the map piece you have.”

“What? You are… her…” She blinked at Juri, and then turned her attention to Suchi. “So that is how you found me…”

“Uh…” Suchi backed up nervously. “Could we have the map piece please?”

“Only if one of you can show me your strength… I will not hand it over with her around unless I know you can handle her…”

“The ‘her’ is standing right here you know! And combined they couldn’t take me on.” Siri grumbled.

“I will take your challenge dragon.” A voice spoke before they could continue.

“Huh?” Yousha looked at the source of the voice. “You are a human…” She blinked at Dart. It had been the first time he had spoken in a while, and the group had almost forgotten he was there.

“I will take your challenge dragon.” He repeated.

“Hmm… I find you interesting. So be it!” Before any of them could react, Dart disappeared in a column of water, along with the dragon.

“Grr!” Siri growled, causing the group to automatically back away from her. “I wish people would stop disappearing on these stupid challenges!”

“Well, guess we’ll just wait some more. You thought I was an over dramatic dragon, wait until Dart meets Yousha…”

“…Where?” Dart asked simply as he glanced around. He seemed as though he were in an underground cave, which was surprisingly well lit. He suddenly noticed a woman standing near the far side of the cave, staring at him. She was not there a moment ago…

“Dart, right? We dragons like to appear unexpectedly huh?” She laughed slightly. She was taller then him, most likely six feet, and had long flowing blue hair down to her waist behind her. Her eyes seemed to glow slightly with the same crystal blue. Dart noticed as her matching tail swatted at the air seemingly random.

“I am Yousha, and you must fight me for your challenge.”

“It’s been a while since I have fought a dragon.”

“Heh… I’m sure it was a lesser one or I would have heard. Anyway, why have you decided to challenge me?”

“I was tired of being idle. My skills were becoming rusty and I needed a warm up. I do not like feeling useless, even to a group like the one I travel with.”

“I see.” She smiled. “And why do you travel with them?”

“By following Siri I will eventually find the one who destroyed my village.”

“How do you know it wasn’t Siri who did it? Because she said so?”

“It is weird… but I sensed something about Siri… she could have killed me but she didn’t…”

“Interesting… Oh, yes. We have to fight now.” She said as she smiled. A moment later she pulled out a katana, seemingly out of nowhere. “I admit, this isn’t as high class a blade as Siri’s, but it will do. Come at me with you full force, Human. You cannot kill me, but if you do not try I may kill you.”

“I understand.” He said simply, his staff clicking as it transformed into a scythe. He growled as he rushed towards her. She smiled and raised her weapon to block, the sound of metal on metal filling the small cavern.

He tried to slash at her again, but she easily blocked it. “Come on human, you lasted a few moments against Siri. Taking me on like this should be easy for you.”

He growled and slashed his weapon towards her stomach. She jumped back easily avoiding the weapon. A moment later he was slashing down at her, causing her to bring up the katana to stop him. This was just a distraction for next he swept at her legs, now causing her to topple over onto the ground. He brought the scythe down once again, just barely missing her head as she flipped herself back onto her feet.

He charged forward again, swiftly slashing at her as though he were handling a pocket knife. She still managed to block every one of his attacks. “I shall end this now.” He growled.

He slashed at her again, aiming at her face. She managed to bring up her sword in time, but was her view was blocked for a moment. A moment was all Dart needed as he jumped her, keeping the weapon in her face to block her view until he was behind her to slash at her back. The blade of the weapon slashed through her blue, light cloth and into her skin. Dart stopped and blinked when his blade came into contact with something solid.

“What?”

“I’m a dragon, remember? But you have done well.” She turned at smiled at him. He reflexively backed up, reading himself for further battle. He glanced down at the area where he hit her, only to see blue scales showing through the cloth.

“Here you go.” She shoved something in his hands. He looked down to see a small, puzzle-shaped object made from a material he couldn’t identify. “It’s a map piece.” She clarified. “It is made from an ancient tree so it’s really durable. Hold onto it yourself, and do not let Siri have it. Well, tell Juri and Rubicent to have fun!” Before he could respond a column of water once again surrounded him.

“Good luck… you’ll need it…” Yousha smiled as she got ready to go back to sleep. “I won’t be needed again for a while hopefully…” She said as she yawned and returned to the lake.

“I strongly dislike that.” Dart grumbled as he reappeared.

“Where is it?” Siri tackled him. He managed to kick her off of himself and get to a safe distance.

“The dragon said I should keep it, and keep it I shall.” He declared.

“We will all make sure of that.” Rubicent and Kuro both said.

“You can always get it later?” Suchi suggested.

“Grr! Fine!” Siri growled. “But I’d better get the next one! Speaking of which, where is the next one?” Siri asked.

“I think… to the east.” Suchi responded more to herself.

“Fine, let’s get going now.” Before anyone could stop her, Siri took off towards the east.

“Let’s just go.” Juri sighed. “It’s a lot safer then arguing.” The rest of the group sighed, and followed Siri into the distance, leaving Yousha and the lake behind…