FictionPress.com - let the words flow| FictionPress.com - let the words flow |
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
Title: Against the Elements
Author: DragonSapphire
Rating: R
Disclaimer: All characters are property of me. Do not use without my permission.
Summary: Human embodiments of the elements fight against a force determined to destroy them and all human kind.
Warnings: Slight profanity, violence, sex, Alternate Universe (AU), and slash. If you are underage, are uncomfortable with any of these subjects, or just not a fan of m/m relationships, please do not continue.
It was much too slow, unstable, and it gave her land-sickness. She had also been given strange, hostile looks for her attire, which covered her from head to toe and left not even her aquamarine eyes visible. But at least where she was going, it was customary in several areas that females not show more than their faces and hands - if even that.
It took a while for her to finally flag down a taxi - the drivers probably took her for a terrorist with her unique, custom-made suit that one of her kind could not survive for a period of time above ground without. The solid white suit trapped in and replenished moisture, as well as prevented the dry, scorching air from irritating her scales and gills. She wore a mask that covered her face and had ventilation slits in the center as well as a visor that protected against the unbearably bright Egyptian sun.
Besides the added protection, it prevented humans from seeing what they shouldn’t.
If surface dwellers ever knew of her kind - although they had already created legends from sightings of naive, curious yearlings and made legends about merpeople, sea monsters and the like - it would mean the end for them. However, the kappa - or ‘water demon’ as the entitlement was roughly translated as - didn’t attempt to dissuade the mis-insinuation. It added fear of the unknown and humans would be more wary of where they chose to explore.
When she finally reached the temple, it was blissfully cool compared to the searing heat of the overhead sun. Refined marble walls shimmered with what appeared to be frost, and were slick and cold to the touch. Exquisite chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, seemingly constructed of fine glass that was identical to ice; if she wasn’t mistaken. It had been nearly a decade since she had last seen ice, or even sunlight, for that matter.
She removed the hood, and sun-reflecting goggles that protected her face. The temple was dim enough that the low light didn’t irritate her sensitive eyes as much. Several children ran by, loud and energetic, lightening the tension of solemn atmosphere of the temple Nautica hadn’t conscious noticed until then. Each child, the kappa noticed before they disappeared as quickly and noisily as they’d come, she knew to be siblings, yet they looked completely different from each other with the exception of dark, slanted eyes of the same intense black.
Her own pale eyes followed their small, retreating figures wistfully. That was how children should be - carefree and alive. Not painfully obedient and sedate. She wondered if her nephew would have ended up as content as these young ones were he not as oppressed as he had been all his life. She couldn’t even remember Ahmaru’s smile, or if in fact he had indeed ever smiled. That thought alone was enough to firm her resolve to help him begin again - it was the least she could do in honor of her wrongfully executed brother.
Her nephew’s father and her half-brother, Araceae, had been a highly respected leader of the Takeda clan, which was the main reason his half-human, half-demon, and only son, Ahmaru, had been allowed to live among the kappa and not cast out to fend for himself among the surface-dwellers. But sadly, neither father nor son had been able to become acquainted; Araceae had been slain the morning of his youngest child’s birth. The woman the kappa had secretly loved so dearly and the mother of Araceae’s heir, Chirya, followed shortly after due to a broken heart and an immensely difficult pregnancy.
Mingling with humans was forbidden, however, if it were to happen the offending kappa was killed or tortured depending on the level of infraction. The half-breed child - if there were any - was spared his or her life due to that fact that children were difficult to come by. If the child had the ability to survive under the sea, then it was allowed to stay in the kappa’s domain, although he or she faced constant resentment and bigotry for the rest of his or her life. The water demon weren’t especially fertile, and most pregnancies lasted the equivalent of three human years, which was incredibly dangerous to the mother and the child since they chanced many complications in that allotted time period.
If it were known to the land walkers the demons - as the mysterious kappas were inaccurately labeled - existed, the entire population would be in grave danger. It was diminishing rapidly enough as it were since the ratio of deaths to live births was becoming more unbalanced as the years progressed.
It was depressing, yes, but Nautica had always known in her heart that the extraordinary beings that once ruled the waters of this deteriorating planet would become increasingly scarce as man dominated and destroyed whatever magick or ‘unnaturalness’ was left in their world.
“Stupid humans...” she grumbled under her breath.
“I am sorry that you think that way, Lady Nautica,” a soft, amused voice chimed in on her thoughts.
Nautica’s head snapped up in surprise, and she cloaked her startled reaction behind a fierce, slit-eyed glare.
“Mother has been expecting you.”
Her glare softened at the still-cheery tone that was unruffled by her intimidating expression, and was replaced by a stern frown of recognition as she took in the tall, handsome human with the familiar ebony gaze that she saw on the children running through the temple.
“Khaijah-kun. (1) I almost didn’t recognize you,” Nautica replied almost coldly as the tall man smiled at her.
“Yes, it has been a while, Lady Nautica.”
She almost scoffed at the other’s formalness, having known Khaijah from when he was but an infant, and just as sweet-tempered. Judging from the other’s plain, traditional robes and smooth, closely-shaven head, he had become a priest. No doubt following the same vocation his immortal mother had abided to for centuries.
“Well, where is that damnable woman at? Take me to her at once.”
Nautica huffed mentally when the man’s amicable smile remained, undaunted by her straightforward personality, but she thought it rather…cute…all the same.
Stupid humans.
------
Khaijah left her outside of an elaborate silver-inlaid door, murmuring softly in his warm, rich tone that his mother, Zanadine, was in the chamber beyond. He left Nautica standing alone before it.
She touched her fingertips to the broad handles, hissing beneath her breath at its bitingly cold surface. Darn thing felt like it was carved from ice. It began to feel as if the frozen silver was burning her flesh as she left her hand wrapped around a handle, but it went unnoticed as she unintentionally picked up voices from inside. The dark, muted tones beguiled her and she couldn’t move away.
“Something...does not feel right...”
The soft voice was slightly muted, and Nautica brought the side of her face nearly against the thick door, but not close enough that her moist flesh would adhere to it.
“Yes. I feel it, too.”
The second voice was different from the first that had spoken, sharp and slightly raspy to the other’s delicate chime-like articulation, but both undeniably female.
“We both know I must go,” the raspy voice continued, “It’s too dangerous to ignore it.”
“…Yes.”
There was a moment of silence that followed the grim statement and a slight sound of cloth brushing together in a gentle whisper, before the first voice spoke again, laced with a distinct sadness.
“Be safe, Ahyana.”
“I will.”
Nautica moved away from the door when she heard footsteps approaching, not abashed in the slightest that she had been spying. Not that she had been ‘spying.’ That was an infringement of privacy done by juveniles, not full grown kappa.
The heavy door slid open without so much as a sound, revealing a tall, dark-skinned woman and an elaborate room beyond. The woman wore tight black trousers and a form-fitting, sleeveless crimson top embroidered with strange symbols that looked similar to Egyptian hieroglyphs. A single streak of white stood out near her temple in her otherwise nearly pitch-black hair that was held away from her handsome yet severe face with a cloth made out of the same material as her top. Her long neck, wrists, arms, and ears were weighted with brilliant gold jewelry which, however, dulled in comparison to her fierce cat-like eyes that were locked on and glaring down at Nautica almost challengingly.
The kappa could feel the spines on her forearms and spine bristle, and she straightened her back as she returned the glare, silently cursing the other female for being taller than she - if only slightly. Even so, that was quite a rare occurrence since her kind were notoriously long-limbed and normally towered over the lesser species.
“Lady Nautica, please enter.”
The gentle voice wasn’t at all sharp or commanding, yet it immediately severed the lock-down between the two women as efficiently as if it had been. The gold feline eyes met Nautica’s a moment longer, and then finally turned away in an unmistakable, yet oddly natural, regal manner.
As Nautica watched the other walk, or rather prowl, silently down the tunneled corridor, she thought she could see a shimmer of heat around the woman, and the couldn’t shake the feeling that the human form was an illusion, hiding the arcane woman’s true nature. Nautica took a deep breath to calm her tense nerves, resisting the urge to shiver when brisk air hit her plated skin where her spines had punctured the material of her suit as she entered.
------
Nautica was prepared to give Zanadine a piece of her mind for dragging her all the way out here on the surface amongst humans, even though it was Nautica who insisted she come herself. She couldn’t understand how the woman could tolerate them – not even being entirely human herself. But the rant she had prepared halted when she saw the other woman.
Zanadine was stunning with her endless expanse of pure white hair and intelligent silver eyes. But she had an aura of sadness around her, Nautica noticed, which soon faded with a soft smile that put her rich surroundings to shame with its loveliness. Her sheer, nearly transparent robes did nothing to hide the fact that she was well along in a pregnancy, which did not surprise Nautica in the least. The priestess was extremely fertile - as the multitude of children running around could atone to - and found absolute joy in developing a vital life inside her.
“I am glad to see you again, my dear friend.”
Zanadine welcomed Nautica with a soft kiss on both of her gilled cheeks as she motioned for the other to join her on the low, elaborate dais. Nautica’s initial irritation faded with the woman’s honest sincerity, although she had never been able to stay upset with Zan for very long anyway.
“Yes, it’s been a while. And I see you have been keeping…busy.”
Zanadine’s ever-present smile only spread further as the other female glanced pointedly at her rounded stomach.
“In three months, this little one will be the twenty-first of my living children,” she said as she followed the other’s gaze tenderly.
Nautica was impressed.
“It’s too bad you aren’t a kappa, Zan. We could really use you down there to procreate and get our population back up.”
Zanadine’s sweet smile was tinged with the hint of sadness once more. “I am truly regretful about your kind, Nautica. The kappa are an honorable race.”
“Honorable, yes,” Nautica said with a faint scoff, “but too damn stubborn for their own good.”
“That they are. Which is why you came to visit, I believe?”
“Hai.” (2)
Even though Nautica complained about leaving her home beneath the coast of Japan to mingle amongst humans, the truth was that it was interesting to see how the land-dwellers lived, and she wouldn’t ask Zanadine to make the trip to her city, especially in her condition.
“My nephew, Ahmaru, as you might remember, is a half-breed and has recently been bestowed with the powers of the water Element after our distant uncle passed.”
Zanadine remained politely silent and attentive as Nautica continued, although she had gotten the basic gist of the situation from the message Nautica had sent her earlier about her predicament.
“Ahmaru is still too much of a child to handle this responsibility without some guidance, and has had almost one devastating incident with his uncontrolled powers already. He needs a mentor that understands him, and doesn’t hold the same prejudices as my kind does about mixed-bloods.”
Zanadine felt her heart go out to the youth and his aunt.
She was well aware of the tribulations of one born in ‘unnaturalness,’ especially with no one to turn to for guidance or comfort. From what she remembered of the extremely passionate and independent boy, and from what she deduced from Nautica; Ahmaru would have difficulty learning self-discipline, especially if he were to command a race that had loathed him from birth.
“He’s strong though,” Nautica spoke, more subdued as her affection and pride for her nephew that she normally kept hidden became more apparent. “It’s hard on him, being hanyou, and unable to hide it. (3) But I’m afraid he will receive the same treatment on the surface with humans, if not worse, as he does where he is right now.”
The winter Season’s silver eyes glowed softly as she felt the other’s helplessness and worry. Zanadine was fond of humans and was continually amazed by their intelligence and astuteness as she watched them evolve over nearly ten millennia. However, she also knew of the cruelty they were capable of, and she understood Nautica’s concern of moving Ahmaru out of one world of pain and forcing him into another.
“I have spoken to my brother, who would know the most about such matters, and I believe Ahmaru would do well in his care. Enyle and his lover, both who are also Elements, live rather reclusively so human contact would not be much of an issue in endangering Ahmaru’s safety.”
Nautica nodded curtly, looking away from Zanadine’s too-understanding face as she felt her aquamarine eyes prickle strangely.
“Very well then. I will have Ahmaru ready within a week – the sooner he is away and begins his training the better.”
Zan ‘hm’ed softly in agreement, and fleetingly wondered if that was enough time to inform her dear brother of his new charge. No matter - Enyle would eventually forgive her if it was not, and he rarely turned away someone in need. Besides, she was his favorite and only little sister, and she was sure he owed her a favor for something or other anyway.
Zanadine pulled a small silver cord that hung slightly above her but easily within reach that chimed distantly. She did not have to wait long before a pretty young woman opened the doors to the chamber and entered with a young child of around two years attached to her hand, walking gracefully towards the two women.
“Mother?” she asked softly as she bowed respectfully towards both women; her and the boy’s black eyes sharp and intelligent.
Zanadine held out her arms to the boy, who hadn’t made a sound, and he immediately let go of the girl’s hand and ran into Zanadine’s arms. She embraced him tenderly as she stroked his soft cinnamon hair, his round face buried against her breasts as she smiled lovingly at her two children.
“Has Cylas decided to grace us with his lovely voice yet, Isendre?” She inquired softly. Her youngest son refused to speak at all, and had always kept to himself, choosing to stay at his mother’s side or in the libraries rather than play with his brothers and sisters.
“No,” Isendre huffed in feigned irritation as she grinned teasingly at her little brother, who just looked back at her solemnly. “He is as stubborn as his mother, no doubt of that.”
Zan tsked sympathetically, brushing a kiss against Cylas’ forehead. The boy focused his gaze on Nautica who frowned at him, but couldn’t help a small thrill of pleasure when Cylas gave her a shy smile, and then buried his face back into the comfort of his mother’s bosom, although his deep ebony eyes never left her face.
“I need to ask a favor of you, my love,” Zanadine murmured as her daughter kissed her cheek.
Isendre picked Cylas up and rested him against her hip, although he immediately squirmed to be let down, and she released him with a sigh.
“Yes, Mother?”
While Isendre and Zanadine discussed the details of sending a message to Enyle about Ahmaru, Nautica eyed the little boy at his sister’s side, who was openly staring back at her curiously. She mock-glared at him, which was immediately received with a broad, lop-sided grin, and Cylas ignored the other two women as he went to stand before Nautica.
She had to admit she was impressed by the kid’s bravery; he wasn’t at all fazed by her strange features and dangerous endowments, instead he only seemed to find her fascinating.
“Cylas…”
The boy’s observing gaze kept Nautica’s a few moments more, sending a strange shiver through her, before Cylas gave her one more tiny smile, and turned and took his sister’s hand.
“You have…nice children, Zan,” Nautica said as the two young humans left quietly, and she stood up, pulling her hood over her long sea-green hair as she moved to do the same.
“Thank you, Nautica. I am very proud of all of them.”
Nautica half-smiled tiredly at her friend as she embraced her ‘goodbye.’ Zanadine knew it was pointless by now to ask Nautica to stay a little while longer, but her smile said that she was welcome anytime. As exhausted as she was, Nautica knew she had to get back especially since Ahmaru knew nothing about her plans, and she wasn’t sure how her hot-tempered nephew was going to react.
(2) ‘Hai’ – ‘Yes’ (Japanese)
(3) ‘hanyou’ – ‘half-breed’ (Japanese)
