Shattered Crystals ©February 2004 With the momentary pause, Hakuma disappeared into the shadows. Key swore softly and looked about. Miria came over to him and they stood back to back, their weapons at ready. Hakuma stood in the shadows of darkness, but Kaizen could see him. Kaizen growled softly and staggered to the side. The armor on his legs was light to him, but it felt bulky and weighty even so. He gave a grunt of pain as his legs started to feel strange. They felt really weird actually. He looked down and saw that his legs were sparkling strangely. That was when the voice came. サフィヤ it whispered. ルビ There was silence, and then it came back. ... ナルト "Sapphire Ruby," he started, his voice almost as silent as the room. Kaizen felt a breeze flow by his stomach and he shivered slightly in excitement. He crossed his arms over his stomach and pulled the knives free from the rope. He twirled them in his hands, feeling the cool handles. Crossing his arms at the wrists, he grasped the knives tightly, his fingers avoiding covering the sparkling jewels. The gold vines that were on them sprung to life and wrapped about his hands and twisted around his fingers. The silver blades glinted in the light as the gems began to glow. He ran forward, the armor no longer hindering his speed or balance. In fact, the edges seemed to push him through the wind. He approached Hakuma from behind, knowing that he had been forgotten as Key and Miria were the focus of Hakuma's attention. He leapt into the air, spinning slightly, the knives ready to strike. "... Maelstrom!" Hakuma turned and blocked as if had known all along. Kaizen's eyes widened in surprise as he was blocked. He landed on his feet, feeling once again unsteady. He was in for another surprise, but this time a good one. The knives once again began to glow and they pulled Kaizen forwards towards Hakuma. Kaizen once again attacked and as the blades were again blocked, a huge surge of blue water came up from beneath Hakuma. The most shocking part was that within the water was a dark red flame. Miria stared in amazement. "I thought water was mine!" "And fire was mine!" Key said, wondering if he should feel insulted. Hakuma growled in annoyance as Kaizen retreated back into the darkness. He hadn't appreciated what had just happened to him. Kaizen heard another voice in his head and didn't hesitate to listen. Before when he had had visions or voices, he hated them. They would tell him things that he didn't want to know. They'd speak of things he couldn't understand. He knew that these things had made him different from anyone else and prevented him from having any friends. However, these voices were helping him, and for now he would listen to them. サイカチック ヴエインス "Psychotic - Veins!" he said, starting the attack. Kaizen felt the strings that were splayed over his arms start to grow. They wrapped themselves all the way down his arms bringing them together so the back of his hands were touching each other. Then they came to a stop and twisted slightly at the wrists to create a knot. From there, they broke apart again, each of the individual vines driving themselves into the floor. Even though they now were deep in the ground, Kaizen could see them easily twisting and writhing beneath the floor. They formed a shape like a large leaf and glowed for a moment. They then barreled upwards and smashed through the floor, grasping Hakuma. Hakuma was shocked. He struggled in the vines a moment before he closed his eyes in defeat... at least, one defeat. His rapier slipped from his fingers, but as it did it glowed a dangerous red. Even as light erupted from it, it did not shine. The blade sliced through the vines that bound him and Kaizen gasped in pain. As that wicked blade destroyed the vines, Kaizen felt as if he were being cut to ribbons. He staggered backwards, feeling strangely tired as well as beaten. Hakuma landed lightly on the ground and approached the fallen Kaizen. Well, that was most definitely a surprise. "Don't forget about us!" Key yelled, bringing his sword down on the spot where Hakuma had just been. The floor cracked slightly, and Hakuma had to jump away as the floor split completely. Hakuma once again began to approach Kaizen. This time, Miria was determined to show what she had. "Get away from him!" she yelled, twisting her rod furiously. Hakuma snarled as he had to dodge a rapid succession of swipes and thrusts. You shouldn't try and stop me from doing as I wish. I suppose that is why you are the heroes right? You must be as annoying as possible just to get in the way. Hakuma gave a sigh. 闇の統治者 the voice said to him. If you say so... he responded to the voice, even though it made no indication that it heard him. "Dark Sovereign..." he hissed, the faint noise filling the whole room. Key looked around as the hissing continued even though Hakuma was most obviously not speaking anymore. It seemed to be coming from all directions at the edges of the darkness covered walls. The noise crept closer and both Miria and Key found themselves edging closer to Kaizen who was in the process of getting to his feet. The darkness came at them in a huge surging wave. Miria screamed as black goo sprayed over her. It covered Key as well and Kaizen was completely submerged in it. A sinister laugh filled the room and Key shivered despite the relative warmth of the room. Key clapped his hands together twice, wondering why he did so. Once again ホヒカエン was taking control of him. He no longer minded but he still was curious to what was going to happen. His fingertips began to glow and then the light spiraled off into the darkness. As the sparks landed, they lit the area around Hakuma. Key felt a little annoyed that ホヒカエン hadn't had him do this earlier. Hakuma seemed completely oblivious to this. Miria and Key saw that the darkness that was growing was coming from Hakuma's shadow. The shadow grew with a leering smile, sharp teeth gnashing on the wall. A long cape billowed out behind it, covering thick and obviously powerful armor. The shadow was finished with long hair like Hakuma's. As it was now done, it also figured it was going to have a bit of fun. It pulled away from the wall and from Hakuma. The shadow was still connected to Hakuma, but he moved towards the three while Hakuma stayed still. "Well this is just great!" Miria groaned. Chapter 3 Leave comments or constructive criticism below.
Shattered Crystals ©February 2004 Key jumped in front of Kaizen and Miria to block a thrust from a shadow sword. The shadow threw his head back and laughed, the sound sending even more shivers throughout Key's body. Key parried the sword to the side and leapt away from his friends. Kaizen found with dismay that he was stuck in the goo. Miria tried to pull it off of herself but only succeeded in getting a hand stuck in it. The shadow attached onto her faint shadow and Miria found herself battling her own shadow with a serious handicap (no pun intended). Kaizen had one hand stuck to the ground as well as one leg. His other hand was firmly stuck to his other knee. He really wanted to help the others. "Psychotic - Veins!" he shouted, feeling the threads hanging from his shirt desperately pull free from the goo and surge around his arms and down into the floor below. They came out from the ground below the shadow creature and attempted to grasp it. Key stepped back slightly as the vines swept right through the shadow. Kaizen was dismayed at this. Key immediately recovered from his own shock just in time to block the shadow sword again. Kaizen felt frustrated as he once again tried to get free from the goop. Seconds passed as he struggled and he felt like the stuff was pulling him closer and closer to the ground. When he looked over and saw Miria and Key stumbling and gritting their teeth as they tried not to fall, he knew that he wasn't just imagining it. The black goo was pulling them to the ground. He felt completely drained of power and energy, but he didn't know what to do. "Psychotic - Veins!" he shouted. The veins struck the floor beneath him but did not break through. He gasped in pain as he felt his failed attempt drain energy from him. "Please!" he half-screamed, knowing his voice held more emotion than he wanted to show. "Psychotic - Veins!" Again the writhing vines appeared, this time going for the motionless figure that created the shadow. They fell back though as a bright light shone from beneath the armor, pouring out of unseen openings on the smooth blackness. The light shone brighter and the fighting shadows turned to see what it was screaming in agony as their last hiding place disappeared. The light filled the entire room, every corner, every place until only their own dying shadows remained... Hazel eyes blinked hesitantly as the light faded. He had done something he never would have attempted before. Seeing an opportunity such as this had been was rare however, and he knew he wouldn't get another. He felt cool air against his face, at least the part that wasn't covered by the mask. He breathed a sigh of relief. The three others were up again and were approaching him cautiously, ready to attack. The brilliant eyes widened in surprise and then fear. "No, wait!" he called, hoping they would listen. His story was very unbelievable and he knew that if it hadn't happened to him he wouldn't have believed it either. "Don't hurt me... I can explain!" The brunette seemed determined to attack again and the female looked unsure, but surprisingly the one with hair like fire held his arms up to stop them. "Let us listen..." "What do you mean listen?" Kaizen asked feeling a little annoyed at Key's behavior. "We need an explanation, and he has not attacked us since that light." "That is true!" the stranger said, his voice considerably lighter than Hakuma's. He staggered forward, feeling the weight of the armor. Inside his head a voice screamed at him. You cannot do this to me! Do not deny your fate and destiny - It is now, it is I, now release me! He winced and shakily staggered forward again, falling to his knees. As he did so, the armor fell away, bouncing and skidding across the floor to melt in darkness. This revealed a kid no older than they, who had long golden hair (even longer than Rev's) and hazel eyes. The words slipped from Key's mouth before he could think about it. "An angel..." The boy blushed slightly and stood up again, as the first time he had been pulled back down by his hair. He straightened himself, seeming still shaky on his feet. Key went forward automatically and helped steady the boy. The boy smiled at him warmly, but still quite shyly. "Thank you," the boy had muttered, almost inaudible. "It's no problem." Key responded automatically. "My name's Key... who are you?" "Forgot about that." The boy smiled and let his head fall to the side slightly. "I'm Saga." I am taking a break from PimD for a while so HSotD, T5P and BTBL will not be updated during that time unless I give further notice. Thank you for reading. Chapter 3 Leave comments or constructive criticism below.
Shattered Crystals ©February 2004 You're a liar the voice muttered to Saga as he watched the others sleep. The girl, Miria, had complained that she was tired. They had all transformed back to their human selves. After Miria's complaint, Key had suggested they take a short rest. However, the other boy, Kaizen, didn't trust him. He knew this because Kaizen was still awake and glaring at him. He had been doing that ever since Saga had volunteered first watch. He knew that Key had been wary of him as well. Still... They have good reason to hate you the voice continued. "No – shut up..." Saga's voice whispered, the hissing sound carrying across the room and catching Kaizen's attention. "Stop... go away..." You're nothing; you can't prove you're a good guy anyway. Give in to me and I will destroy them for doubting your words! "N-No!" Saga shouted, his eyes shut tightly and his hands over his ears as if to not hear something. Kaizen stared at him in shock. Miria had lifted her head sleepily and looked to Saga. "Is... something wrong?" she asked sleepily. Saga blinked and found himself back in the room with them. "No, nothing's wrong." he said quickly. A few minutes passed and Miria had fallen back to sleep. Kaizen was still awake, staring at him. Saga stood up shakily and Kaizen looked at him warily. Saga deliberately ignored the brown-haired boy and walked away, to the door. "Where are you going?" Kaizen's voice said sharply, cutting through the silence easily. Saga paused at the door, feeling his heart beating wildly. He wants to hurt you, hurt him first! 'N-No!' he thought back, his mind aching. 'L-Leave me alone!' DO IT! the voice screamed at him and Saga lost control, if only for a moment... but that was enough. When Saga finally opened his eyes, he saw that Kaizen was unconscious on the ground before him. Saga's eyes widened immensely and he backed out of the room quickly, shutting the door behind him. He raced down the halls, furious and afraid at the same time. His mind was racing with thoughts, occasionally tormented with the voice's laughter. 'Y-You made me do that! I cannot believe it! Oh god, oh god... I want you to leave me alone! I... I'll prove my friendship to them! You won't make me hurt them anymore! That... that was the last time! I swear to you!' Saga thought viciously, pulling a door open and running inside. He slumped against the wall, his heart racing and his legs shaking. "I... I will prove to them, that I can be a friend," he murmured softly before passing into the darkness. Key woke with a start, and blinked a few times wondering what had awoken him. He glanced over at Kaizen and saw that he was asleep. He smiled. It was good that the boy was sleeping finally. He needed it. He looked over to Saga, but saw that the boy... was not there. He shook Miria but found that she could sleep like a log if she wanted to. He went to Kaizen, pretty sure he'd wake. "Hey Kaizen, get up!" he finally yelled, ready to smack the boy. He sure slept soundly. He shook him violently. Kaizen was still out. Well now, this was just ridiculous... That was when he noticed the scratch marks on the brunette's pale skin. "Holy crap! Miria, wake up! Now!" Miria whined angrily. "What do you want?" She wanted to throttle the boy but he was over by Kaizen. Key demonstrated by shaking the boy's shoulders. Kaizen flopped about limply. She blinked. "Um... what's wrong with him?" Key slapped Kaizen's cheeks lightly. "Saga's gone, and Kaizen is sort of beat up. He's unconscious right now." Miria was awake immediately. "You mean they fought?" she asked. Key looked at her dryly. Miria sighed. "Sorry, I'm still a bit asleep." "Where could he be?" Key wondered, standing up and almost dropping Kaizen flat back on the floor. He managed to grab onto Kaizen's shirt and lowered him gently to the ground. "Saga? I have no idea." Miria said, standing up and pulling her shirt down. She went to the door and opened it with some effort. She looked out. "It's all dark." Key exhaled slowly. ホヒカエン Key opened his eyes, noticing the slightly reddish tinge that came to his vision. He let his fingers ignite and stepped out into the dark hallway. Miria peeked under his arm to look out into the darkness. Doors lined the hallway, and the hallway seemed to go on forever. Miria gave a defeated sigh. "Well, we're never going to find him... unless he wants to be found." Aka bounced out from the darkness, scaring both of them. He seemed to look slightly pleased with himself before speaking. I know you want to know where Saga went... I know where he went. He seemed to raise a nonexistent eyebrow. "Where?" Key asked urgently, unconsciously changing back into his human form. Get sleeping beauty and follow me Chapter 3 Should I continue? I'm not sure on update speed at this point
Justin,I hope you won't spam or troll or do anything nonsensical on this thread. For goodness sake,BEHAVE,okay?! I don't want you messing up this amazing story. Promise?