Titre : The Unholy

Auteur : Niladhevan

Rating : T

Genre : Adventure/mythology/romance (nearly shonen-ai)

Note: Please tell me if you read some mistakes. This is a tale I wrote one year ago as a homework, and some english teachers liked it. Though my english isn't great, I hope you'll appreciate this story.
Names of places and people are often puns of my teachers' names or even my high school's name:
Piyer-Po'Havre : Pierre Poivre
Lord Baalbolia: Mr Balbolia, my History/Geography teacher
Lord Dee : Mr David (aka Mister D), my english teacher
Lord Pörthal: Mr Portal (Mr D's great friend), another english teacher
Lady Wo'Haro: Mrs Hoareau, my french teacher
Some elements of the tale are inspired of the hindu mythology.

---

Once upon a time, in the Red Archipelago, one of the greatest empires, was a deserted island known to shelter the two powerful Seers, called Random and Destiny.

The many wars against the Empire of Raghna were terrible, and everybody was asking the Gods for peace. Regrettably, the Seers were always silent; nobody could come on their island and so some people were saying that Random and Destiny were dead, or never existed. But one day, the Lord of the closest island, received a message from the Seers' Island by a red and giant golden-eyed bird.

"I, Destiny, have seen in the dance of the stars that the seal of Garuda the Sky Lord is weakening. The Red Moon is getting brighter and brighter, as you can see by yourself. If the seal disappears...If Garuda get free, our world will never know peace anymore.
And I, Random, know there is in your army a young knight called Ran. He must come to us, now."

Lord Baalbolia was frightened. The Red Moon above their heads was the jail of the terrible God Garuda, the great Bird of Skies that no god can stop when it was awoken. The consequences would be horrible for all the humans...

So he decided to find the warrior mentioned in the message. The Seers were right: in his own army was a young man named Ran. He was a good soldier, enthusiastic but a bit impulsive. Athletic, his skin tanned by the sun of the islands, Ran had black curled short hair and his eyes were like two blue pearls, almost white. On his forehead, between his eyebrows, there was an indelible "bindi", a sacred red point whose meaning he didn't know, or when and where he got it. He hadn't any family, just few friends, but all his life seemed to be devoted to war: in fact, he wasn't a good soldier...he was the best.

The Lord sent Ran to the Seers' Island without explanations, and the knight, a little bit grumbling, found the old temple of the island after three days running across the tropical forest, tracked by some giant tigers and other nice inhabitants.

The sanctuary of the Seers was like old ruins: a large part of the buildings was invaded by big trees, and the last place with a roof was the "home" of the two wise. When he entered in the dark temple, he smelled a light perfume of incense.

"Welcome in our Temple, Knight Ran." Said suddenly a deep voice.

A few torches appeared around the young knight, who wasn't so surprised by the strange welcoming of the Seers. Random and Destiny were still invisible.

"Yeah, yeah" mumbled Ran. "I'm here, so why the hell do you want me to come in this damned island?"

"Don't be so –"

"I'm what I am, okay? Well, Old Madmen, tell me what's going on!"

Ran seemed to be quite in a bad mood. He didn't like to run during three days alone –excepted the beasts, of course.

Two ghosts appeared in front of the knight, dressed as the Great Priest of the Order - but they were more important than all the great priests of the whole world.

The one with very short dark hair said:

"I am Lord Pörthal, also known as Random."

"And I am Lord Dee, called Destiny." added the other with curled brown hair. "You're here because the Seal of Garuda's jail is fading away, and you're the only one who can restore the spell..."

"Why me? asked Ran, grumbling."

"You're the only one who can complete this quest" repeated Random calmly.

"You must go to the Red Moon now. A bird will lead you to the flying city, Piyer-Po'Havre. There, the Lady Wo'Haro will help you to go to the Moon. She's with us the best magician in the human world."

"Is she beautiful? " asked Ran suddenly.

"Er..."

"As far as I can say...yes, she is, Random answered."

"Really beautiful?"

"Er... yes, but..."

"Okay, Old Madmen. I'll go."

Random and Destiny were flabbergasted. Ran was accepting to save the world, to become a hero just because of a young fair lady. The Seers looked at each other, and Lord Dee added:

"Knight Ran, you should be careful during your quest. I, Destiny, know that a creature will hinde your travel, even if I couldn't know why, when or how."

"I'm so impressed by your powers, Ran retorted ironically."

"Stars can't tell the story of something that wasn't supposed to be created." said Random with a deep voice. "This foe is not a human being or a simple magical creature..."

"We know that only two creatures in the world are born from the will of the Lord Garuda in spite of the Gods Law." added Destiny. "These creatures unholy and heartless were created to serve Garuda during the wars, and its power was so terrible that even gods were killed. But when the Sky Lord was sealed by the Sword, one of its creature died. And so, we suppose that the last creature is coming back to protect the awakening of its creator. I was told that it was known as a serial-killer in the High Spheres."

"W-What?! And you want ME to defeat something that kill the GODS in Heaven?!"

"...Yes! So be careful, young Knight."

"And good luck" said Random with a smile. "I'm sure you will complete this quest successfully!"

And suddenly, the Seers and the light disappeared in the dark temple, where Ran was cursing hell, earth, seers and his Lord for sending him in this kind of quest.

When he went out of the temple, a giant golden bird was waiting for him at the top of a column. He stared at it suspiciously, wondering if this animal could really lead him to the floating city, this little island said to be always pushed by the winds, and so a bit difficult to find at the same place at each visit.

Ran was standing-up, completely lost in his reflections and his wrath, when suddenly a little stone hit him on the head and the Seers's deep voices resounded:

"Don't dream and go now, you fool!"

"Aoutch!" he cried out. "Okay, okay!... Damned ghosts..."

And so the valiant knight got on the bird, mumbling, and both flew away from the Seers' island.

The travel was a pretty little bit hectic. Ran wasn't used to flying on a bird's back, and so he kept clinging to the golden feathers. But the giant creature led him in just one day to Piyer-Po'Havre in midair. The city was like a mountain pulled out of the Earth by a giant god's hand, and adorned with castles in colored glasses glittering under the sunset warm lights. It was such a beautiful place, where many wisemen and oracles were living.

The bird landed on a mansion's large garden, and so Ran fell immediately on the grass in a muffled "BONK!".

"Ah, you are already here?"

The smooth whispered voice made Ran stand up immediately, while the giant golden bird flew away croaking shrilly. A young woman was in front of him, smiling softly. She was tall, thin –well, her chest was flat too- and she was wearing a long loose-fitting white dress with light blue embroideries, but her delicate shoulders were naked, only veiled by her so long straight white hair. Even her skin was as pale as a bright opal, and her eyes were two pieces of ice, juste like Ran's. She was very beautiful, but something was disturbing the knight, even if he didn't know what. "Welcome" she said calmly, glancing at his "bindi". "Are you the Lady Wo'Haro?" asked Ran, stifling his grumbles for once.

She agreed with a smile, before adding:

"You can call me Lalit, that is my name."

"Okay...er...hum...Lalit."

The lady smiled, and Ran felt his heart beating hard. Love at first sight? He couldn't believe it...he had never felt something like this before.

"What is going on, Knight?" she asked, probably surprised by Ran's silence. "Please follow me, it is time to complete your quest, isn't it?"

"Right now? But it's almost dark."

"Ah, perhaps you are tired...I understand."

Immediately, Ran proudly got defensive and retorted he was not tired at all. His protest made the Lady laugh softly, and she said:

"I was sure you would say that."

The Knight calmed down and two poppies bloomed on his cheeks. It was as if he met once again an old friend, someone knowing him perfectly...but it couldn't be possible.

The Lady Wo'Haro did a U-turn and started to walk towards the large and colored house of the witch, and so Ran followed her, feeling a bit confused.

Lalit led him to a large room of the palace overhung by a glass dome, where the floor was covered by a giant white circle with a lot of archaic symbols and complex swirls. There was a fragrance of incense, juste as in the Seers' temple.

"What is it?" he asked to the Lady who was walking towards the center of the circle.

"A Windgate...this kind of magic is almost forgotten by the sorcerers, because nobody wants to go on the Moons nowadays...you should know why."

"The Gods' Jails... "

"Exactly. Please stand on this line...right here...don't move, it's perfect. A Windgate can be activated by the one who drew it..."

She took something out of her silk belt. It was a little phial full of blood, and Ran saw her spilling the crimson liquid on the floor. Suddenly, the white lines got brighter and brighter, blinding the knight for few seconds.

"What's going on?!"

A gust suddenly came from the floor caught him, making him shout out. He couldn't hear himself, and the wind's whistle was stunning him. Perhaps a few seconds later, the bright light gave place to a dark veil, and he felt falling.

When he woke up, the first thing he saw was Lalit's face above him. He gazed at her, blushing, and stammered:

"La –La-La...lit...?"

"We have arrived." she whiffed, here face curiously emotionless.

Ran stood up and looked around him. They were on an identical circle, but this one was drawn on a dry and red ground. The sky was very dark, and he could see the Green Moon, the Ebony Moon and the giant Earth above their heads.

"Are we on the Red Moon? What happened?"

"You lost consciousness during the travel. I guess you are not used to doing it anymore." she answered slowly.

"Anymore? It was the very first time! So...where is this damned God I have to seal?"

Lalit didn't speak and stood up. She gazed at him placidly and asked in a whisper:

"You really don't remember me, Maran?"

Surprised, Ran stared at her. Maran? Who was he? Why was she asking that? The knight moved and stood up too, a bit confused.

"Who is Maran? Perhaps he look like me but I'm not, sorry..."

The witch shook her head slowly, and said calmly:

"Have you ever wondered who your parents were? Why were you always alone? When did you get this red point on your forehead? Why don't you remember your childhood?"

Ran was flabbergasted. He just could retort:

"What's the matter...? Should I know you?"

Lalit crossed her arms on her flat bust, and said with a look of sadness on her face:

"Yes, you should...Maran, you have been sent by the Seers here to be sacrificed. They fooled you. They always fooled you."

"Who –Who are you?!" he exclaimed nervously.

"I am really named Lalit, but Lady Wo'Haro is dead. I killed her because she had been designed to complete the sacrifice. And well, I am not really a women either. I am sorry if you felt some kind of love for me."

Ran didn't retorted that Lalit didn't seem to be as sorry as sh...he...said.

What could he say, now? Lalit was Lalit but not Lady Wo'Haro, who was a woman but killed by...Wait. Could it be...?

"You –You're Garuda's creature!"

"Exactly."

Ran drew his weapon nervously, and stared at Lalit who wasn't moving at all. The androgynous creature smiled softly and said with a gentle voice:

"Calm down, Maran. You are still so impulsive...Don't you understand that I am not your foe?"

"Why should I believe a heartless monster?!"

"Perhaps because you are a "monster" too..."

A deadly veil of silence fell over them. Ran was choking, incapable of doing something, even crying out. And Lalit was still smiling.

"Aren't you furious? They wanted to kill you, just to "keep the peace" on their warlike kingdoms. I am not your foe" it repeated.

"But who am I...?" whiffed Ran, letting his weapon fall down.

"Garuda gave you the name of Maran...'the one who kills with pleasure'. When the humans succeeded in the imprisonment of the Sky Lord, you have been injured and they used your blood to seal our Creator. The Holy Sword was soiled with your blood, and they actually need it again to cast another spell on Garuda."

"But...Garuda has been jailed for two centuries! How can I be still alive?"

"You are not a human being, do not forget that. The Seers used many spells to seal your soul and your memory in another human body. That is why you got this bindi..."

Lalit suddenly started to walk away, leaving a Ran completely flabbergasted behind. The knight seemed to wake up and yelled at the so-called she:

"WAIT! Where are you going now?!"

"Come with me." it answered without a glance. "The Jail is there..."

Indeed, some meters away there was a large bank, and beyond it was a large plain covered by a giant shining bright circle, more complex and powerful than the Windgate. In the center was planted a long sword whose hilt was sculpted as a golden bird with four wings. The ground was very hot, but it didn't disturb Lalit who was already walking towards the Sword like a sweet nice doe in a meadow. Ran followed it anxiously, wondering if he had to believe this unholy creature.

"The one we may call "Father" is under our feet." said Lalit glancing at him. "The light between the ground's cracks means that the Lord is slowly waking up."

"You want it to come back?" asked the knight breathlessly.

Lalit turned to him, and a little smile dug dimples on its silky cheeks.

"I want Maran to come back, and Garuda can make your seal fade away. I do not care if my will gives also wars and sorrow on the Earth."

"How can you be so selfish?"

"I am not supposed to have a heart." added Lalit caressing the golden wings of the hilt. "But Maran made me feel like I have one... That is quite paradoxical, isn't it?"

Ran was wondering why earth he had left his weapon on the Windgate. He had to kill this creature! He couldn't let him wake the Sky Lord up!

"Stop it all, Lalit!"

It shook with a sad smile, and put its gauzy hands on the hilt to draw abruptly the sword out of the giant seal-circle. A terrible and blazing gust of wind came and surrounded them. Ran shot out the name of Lalit, but the fire storm was too much deafening.

He succeeded in approaching the androgynous creature, blinded by the so bright flames all around, which couldn't hurt him.

A great bird noise made the earth and air vibrate, and pushed by some kind of fear, Ran shot his arms out to tear the Sword from Lalit's hands. Just one second he felt the heaviness of the holy weapon, and then he cried out and blowdowned it violently on the ground.

And suddenly the silent fell.

Ran opened his eyes slowly, a bit surprised by this reprieve. His hands were still clasping the hilt, but it were also shaking.

The knight gasped, looking down the sword. The blade was well planted on the seal, but through Latit's body.

"Oh my...La...Lalit..."

The androgynous body was laying on the red ground, like a broken white doll. The blade was passed through its breast bone and the dark blood was flecking the white dress.

He shouldn't feel sad, but he couldn't bear this vision. He didn't remember if he had shoved Lalit taking the sword. It could be so possible.

"Ma...ran..."

A muffled voice made Ran wince. Lalit's eyes were still opened, albeit veiled by a slowly coming death. It was staring at him kindly.

"Well...You...are Ran...now."

A little smile bloomed on its lips crimsoned by the blood. Ran kneeled close to it, but he didn't know what to say.

"It...is alright...Now Garuda is sealed for good since I am dying..." it added in a whisper. "I think...I am a bit sad... "

Ran kept silent, looking at the beautiful tears running down the serial-killer's face. It was still speaking calmly, knowing that it was its last words.

"Maran missed me so much...It was...painful..."

"I don't remember our past life, Lalit." answered suddenly Ran, with a sad voice. "But...I wish the Gods let me meet you once again, in another life. Would you wait for me?"

Lalit seemed to be surprised, and then smiled with a nod. Ran heard a light "thanks", and saw Death's fingers closing Lalit's eyes.

Everybody on the Red Archipelago was exulting, knowing by a Lord Baalbolia's release that the Sky Lord Garuda was definitively jailed on the Red Moon. Great festivities animated the cities during several days to celebrate this victory. But nobody mentioned the name of the Knight Ran, and even his Lord had already forgotten him.

But in the Seers' Island, all the jungle and the ruined Sanctuary was still silent and peaceful...

Well, in fact...not really.

The two ghosts were standing in midair, their faces expressing some kind of nervousness and confusion. In front of them, the unknown hero was like a killer waiting for his prey, his cold eyes fixed on the Seers and a look of bitterness was roaming on his features.

"I'm back." he said in a under-tone.

Noticing the silent of the two Seers, he added:

"I guess you don't know what happened on the Red Moon...is it so difficult to read the future of unholy creatures?"

"We only know that Lady Wo'Haro is dead." owned Destiny.

Ran nodded. Somehow his wrath was more terrible when he was calm, and the Seers flinched when he added in a whisper:

"I would be happy to kill you to help me forget the person I've ever liked...but you're already dead. You're very lucky, Old Madmen..."

"Want do you want, now?" asked Random suspiciously.

"Are you really the Gods' friends...?"

"...Yes."

"Ask them to make me die. Thereby everybody shall be happy. But I want to be reborn juste once, with Lalit, as real human beings."

The Seers seemed to be very surprised, but Destiny cracked a smile and answered:

"We will do our best."

Six years later, on a little island of the Red Archipelago which was inhabited by few fishermen's families, a young woman was walking on a peaceful little tree-shaded beach. Not far ahead from her, two children were playing with the sand full of delicate shells.

She called them, and the older one with a tanned skin stood up smiling bright, immediately imitated by his white-haired cousin. Both of them looked up, with their sapphire blue-colored eyes, almost white.

End.