LESSONS TO LEARN PT 1: Bara’s Deathly Encounter
Sitting on the steps of the Castle, Casee and Yuki are looking out over the courtyard at all the wandering ghosts. Just a couple of months ago the four of them brought them all back to assist in restoring Clover and Arcantha. Many of them were in awe of the fact that they’d truly returned even if they were spirits. A couple of them were flying over their heads and entering the castle as if they’d been there and never left. It had been a long day for the four of them. They’d had class for five hours and were now permitted to walk the grounds freely. Casee and Yuki decided to hang out, Bara wanted to explore the Castle more, while Fazil wanted to partake in some much needed down time. He’d gone off and found a quiet place to simply rest. The day was just a restless and leisurely day for them all and they were all enjoying themselves.
Yuki:
This is all so, so…
Casee laughing:
Yeah I know I can’t really say anything myself. Still I can’t believe that we can’t leave here unless we’re in animal form or shadow form. We have to wait until their done training.
There is silence for a few minutes when Casee decides to ask Yuki a question that she had on her mind.
Casee:
Hey Yuk, does it hurt a little to know that Tog wasn’t meant for you?
Yuki looking down and playing with the step:
A little, but I believe that everything happens for a reason; I guess…I don’t know—it’s just I’ve gotten so used to him that finding out that he wasn’t supposed to be mine does sting. On the bright side we get an animal form of our own so that’s awesome!
Casee smiling:
Yeah that’s true. I can’t wait I want to explore with it and see if we see things differently. (Exclaiming) Hey you and Bara will be getting your wings soon! You think we’ll be able to at least go beyond the veil back to Zeha?
Yuki:
Maybe aren’t they connected? I mean once we stepped through the veil Zeha should still be there right? It seems that would be a rather logical thing, but who knows.
Casee:
They are connected, but if we can go back to Zeha you think it will be cut off from the rest of the fifth island?
Yuki:
It might just be. Clover is a secret place. No one can come here unless permitted. Those that aren’t allowed here know of it, but know nothing about it. We’re here to make sure that we set things right on Arcantha. What is this about punishing our parents and others who are bad?
Casee:
I don’t know, but the way Bara explained it is a bit creepy. He made it seem as though we had to carry out a death sentence for them... Have you seen that smaller building over there beside the forbidden Serpent Waters at the edge of the courtyard? It’s supposed to be the Wares Moss House or something like that. I think that’s what it’s called.
Yuki:
I’ve seen it, but I refuse to go inside it or near it for that matter! What do you think it’s used for?
Casee:
Well we could go check it out and see.
Yuki:
Or we can just make guesses and leave it alone.
Casee:
Or you can suck it up and stop being a baby.
Yuki in a smart aleck tone:
You know you and danger go hand in hand like a poisonous spider picked up by a careless hand.
Casee stares at Yuki with an annoyed look. Yuki stares back at her with wide eyes to let her know that he was not up for exploring scary unknown buildings. But since Casee wanted to go Yuki had no choice in the matter.
Casee grabbing Yuki’s arm:
Let’s go Yuk.
Yuki feeling himself being forced off the step:
Oh my Goddess! Here we go again!
While they went to explore the weird building beside the Serpent Waters, Bara was exploring the castle a bit more. The Holy Castle was rather unusual and large, and as he walked through the halls the walls would shift to the beat of his thoughts. He could see the changes being made as he thought them; adding to some rooms and changing others entirely. Suddenly he found himself in an empty room with a stairwell to the far right. There were dragon candles lit up going downward into some unknown room. Bara without thinking about it decides to go down and see what was there. It was the Holy Castle after all; protected by the Holy Gates keeping out such evilness as Baarda. His helper however was a different story entirely. As Bara descends down the stairs, Fazil walks in and follows him uncertain of what Bara was up to.
Fazil:
Bara, what are you doing?
Bara in a weird voice:
I don’t know. I just feel I need to go down.
Fazil pulling Bara back:
No you don’t need to go down there! This room is completely empty. That’s weird enough. No matter how our thoughts change a room, it will never make it empty. Bastian told us that! He said an empty room is dangerous. I don’t know why, but I trust Bastian, Bakta, and Bale.
Bara:
But it fixed itself this way for me. Obviously I need to go down.
Fazil:
Well then I’m coming with you.
Bara turning to stop Fazil:
No! I think I need to go alone!
Fazil feels himself being thrust backwards by a greater force as Bara continues down the stairs. The door closes behind him before Fazil can get to it leaving him feeling helpless. Wherever Bara was going Fazil hoped that he would be okay. Fazil gets up and decides to go and find Casee and Yuki.
**
Walking down in the courtyard, Yuki and Casee spot more spirits sitting and chatting and waving to them. Casee and Yuki wave back as they continue on towards the building that lay to the east. It was a lot larger than they expected it to be. The building had two enormous towers on each end and sinister looking spires that rose up even higher. There were walkways on either side as well with flying buttresses connecting to two outside courts with two decorated stone benches. The building is a deep shade of gray giving off a coldness and lonely feeling that makes Yuki shudder and Casee pull back. Yuki stares at the yellowed windows on the outside and notices two statues sitting inside the windows looking down at him and Casee. He smiles then looks down at Casee who, after shaking off the feeling the building gave her, is heading for the double doors.
Yuki:
Hey Casee, there are two statues in the top window of this building. I think they are looking down at us. They don’t seem to be guarding the place more like decoration… So, what do you think this place was used for?
Casee:
That’s rather interesting, but, well in order to figure that out we have to go into the building. Standing out here isn’t going to get us any closer to answering that question, Yuki. Now, let’s see what it looks like. I’m pretty sure we’ll figure out what its use is once inside. At least I hope we do.
Yuki:
I’m still not really up for this, but since you’re holding me captive I might as well go in. I mean it’s not like I really have a choice now do it?
Casee:
Stop being such a wimp all the time Yuk this is our place of living it will be fine. They said not to go near the Serpent Waters. They didn’t say anything about the building. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with this building besides the fact that is desolate and dark. Besides this is the only other building besides the castle and we’ve explored just about every part of this place so far in the last four months. Well the only one that I’ve seen inside the gates. Who knows what lies beyond the holy walls.
Yuki:
You know you’re right. That’s so weird. I wonder why there aren’t any other buildings here. There is enough room inside the gates for more.
Casee:
That’s not our concern right now. We’re going into this building and you’re not going to distract us from going in any longer, now let’s go!
Casee grabs Yuki’s arm and pulls him into the dark empty building. She then locates a switch on the wall next to the entrance and flips it on. As the place begins to light up Casee and Yuki sees the inside is even larger than the outside, which was pretty unusual. It was a dull, golden room with lots of machinery, large wheels, gears, deep basins, and stairs on both sides of the room with a small fountain built into the middle as though the fountain grew stairs. There is a small statue of what seems to be a messenger holding an unfolded scroll in its hands and looking at it smiling. It was the only thing not painted gold as everything else was, including the fountain the statue was standing on. On the far left side of the wall are many levers and gadgets to get the machines to work with several clear monitors set on the walls going all the way up to the large ceiling. Yuki found that he and Casee were standing on a platform of some kind that once moved up and down between the first and second floors of the building.
Yuki:
This is pretty nice. Now I really wonder what it was used for.
Casee:
Well we could ask. I’m pretty sure it has something to do with restoring Arcantha. Let’s explore a bit more and find out what goes on here. I mean, it will be up and running… as soon as we figure out how to run this place.
Yuki:
Okay, but let’s use the platform. It just seems so awesome. Wicked.
Casee looks around and sees a large round red switch on the floor.
Casee pushing the switch:
As you wish. Now we have to figure out how to use these levers and switches…
**
Fazil’s brain is overworking itself as he finds himself in the library. Bakta is there sitting at one of the round tables in the dimly lit main room of the library with her eyes closed and her hands raised high above her head. Fazil goes over and sits down. As she opens her eyes she is startled a bit then smiles at Fazil who isn’t smiling back. She senses something is wrong then gets up immediately and grabs Fazil by the arm dragging him out the way he came. As they enter the hallway Fazil sees the walls change closing them in; circling them in a swirl of purple black walls with small black holes. Fazil makes a face but doesn’t say anything until suddenly Bakta stops and spins him around and peers deeply into his eyes then puts on an angry face to show she knows what he is thinking.
Bakta in a bit of a shrill voice:
Okay young mister, out with it!
Fazil a bit shaken:
Listen I don’t know what happened I tried to stop him, but he said that he felt he had to go!
Bakta growing more irate as she speaks to Fazil:
Where he is going no one can get to him. The Ahn-Kin Door is a sacred door that only opens for holy higher ups which would be the Pure Heads of the head God and Goddess. There are usually four for each clan, and as you may know they have also vanished to the mountains and are placed at the base of each clan that they belong to. Down there in the Ahn-Kin lair is where banishing of evil souls separated from their bodies are performed. The Four Clans weren’t even allowed down there! (In a bellowing voice) Why didn’t you stop him if you knew something was wrong?!
Fazil is deeply shaken now and can’t seem to form words as he looks into Bakta’s angry eyes. He feels a bit guilty for not stopping Bara, but felt helpless.
Fazil:
Well if that’s the case then why did the door appear to Bara?
Bakta:
It is a lure. It means that Baarda has somehow found a way to gain access to Clover! Once he uses Bara’s powers he will discard him and come after you three. He wants access to the Heavens so that he may kill Sidia and Charma for banishing him to Apera. His soul was kept intact to ensure that he would never be able to return, but Baarda is very powerful. He was always a powerful warrior God, but the Four Clans gave him a bit too much power in order to defeat Blithe who had a stronger army than Arcantha. As you know our world isn’t big on fighting.
Fazil:
I read this, but we’re so new to this that I knew nothing about the door. Nothing in the books talks about it.
Bakta with a scowl on her face:
You four were never supposed to learn about the door until all four clans were here and restored fully. You three can’t take on Baarda by yourselves!! The Four Clans could only have the Pure Heads banish him to Apera, but his powers could not be taken from him. Somehow he became way too powerful for anyone to contain. He knows things just like Sidia and Charma and believe me he’s already up to date on the four of you!
Fazil sounding hysterical:
Well what can we do?! How can we get Bara back from down there?! What will happen to him?!!
Bakta:
Well I’m not quite sure, but since there are no known sources of water down there Baarda will more than likely use the waters of Apera. They have been changed; they now bend to do his bidding. The waters of Arcantha are alive as well. They have souls and in some ways can think just like we can. He will use this as a source, but they will not run blue; they will run black as night and ugly as evil can be. Bara won’t stand a chance. Where are Casee and Yuki?
Fazil:
Well I was on my way to find them, but somehow my thoughts led me to you. I don’t know where they are.
Bakta:
Close your eyes and try and connect with Yuki. He can then tell you where he and Casee are. You three need to find a way to get Bara from down there. The only ones immune to evil are the Priests and they aren’t here now are they?
Bakta stares at a very upset Fazil then wraps her arms around him. He feels her warm body as she becomes whole then begins to softly sob. He was the oldest and was supposed to keep an eye out for his younger friends, but life before was a lot less complicated for them. Now he was up against the very being he never wanted to deal with and it overwhelmed him greatly. He is shaking physically now, but Bakta holds him tighter to calm him down. She then lets him go and holds him by the shoulders once more and looks him deep in the eyes.
Bakta:
Listen here Fazil, you are a great leader and you know you can do this. Pull yourself together young mister and go get your friend out of that lair. He needs you just as much as you need him. Now move it along!!
Fazil:
What if it’s too late and Baarda gets to Bara?
Bakta:
Well you better pray to Sidia and Charma that we can find a way to get him back on our side. Bara is too powerful and for a kid who doesn’t know how to use his powers he will be an easy target for Baarda to pick off. Now go.
Fazil turns to leave and finds himself on the steps of the castle he steps off the last step and feels himself about to fall but knows that he will not. He lands on the holy grounds and looks up to see Sala frowning at him. She is pointing with her index finger the way of Casee and Yuki and Fazil takes off in the direction the finger is pointing. He sees the spirits that Yuki and Casee saw minutes before and stops to ask them. One spirit a few years older than Fazil looks away from the conversation with the other spirits to talk to Fazil.
Fazil in a panicky out of breath tone of voice:
Have you seen Casee and Yuki? I need them now!
Spirit:
Fazil what’s going on?
Fazil:
I don’t know yet Coil, but I have to find them as soon as possible its urgent!
Coil:
They are in the Wares Moss House. It seems they have found the switches and are playing with the machinery inside.
Fazil looks to his right and sees the large building just five feet from them.
Fazil to Coil:
Thanks, man. Thanks a lot!
Fazil races towards it at full speed. He throws open the door and finds Casee on one platform and Yuki on another. After hitting the switch for the platform they were standing on Casee discovered a switch for another platform parallel to the one she and Yuki were standing on. Now they each were on a platform going up and down and side to side. They are laughing and playing and having fun when Yuki almost falls from his platform after seeing Fazil’s angry expression. It told of trouble.
Yuki nervously asking too many questions at once:
What’s up Fazil? What’s going on why do you look mad? What did we do? Did something happen? And where’s Bara?
Fazil yelling and sounding angry:
Why did you block me?!! I was calling out to you and you blocked me off! Bara is in trouble!! Or at least he will be. Why did you two deliberately ignore my call?! Bakta told you never to do that!
Casee:
Sorry Fazil, I told Yuki to ignore it we didn’t think it was something important and I told Yuki that we’d get back to you once we left this place. What’s up? What’s wrong with Bara? Do you know where he is?
Fazil still fuming:
Well had you not blocked me you’d know by now that---
Before Fazil can finish his sentence there is a loud scream coming from the messenger’s fountain. Yuki, who is already off his platform and on the ground, goes over to the fountain and stares at the messenger who is crying black tears. Yuki looks from the messenger to the scroll and sees what seems to be a name printed in beautiful gold calligraphy writing.
Yuki:
Guys what does “Synjin” mean?
Before they can speak the statue of the small messenger begins writing words down on the scroll without using a pen. He traces them on the paper and the words appear to Yuki who begins to read them frantically.
Yuki:
Guys I think I’ve found Bara and you’re really not going to like this. There is something terrible going on here.
Fazil hysterical now:
What! Where is he?!!!
Yuki:
Let’s just say it involves a dark room, a large black shadow, dark waters, and Bara’s chest tattoo.
Casee in an angry and panicky voice:
Yuki!! What does that all add up to?!! What in the world does it mean?!
Fazil with his head in his hands:
Something very, very bad…
**
Bara is on the floor of the Ahn-Kin lair with his arms and legs spread like an “X” pinned by an unseen force. He looks about himself and realizes that he is in very real danger. Baarda had found a way onto the holy grounds through the unused fountain down in the lair and used it to become the liquefied form that stood before Bara. He was a slimy and glossy black mass with holes blowing inward and outward as if the mass was breathing. Standing where Bara’s arms are is Igara, Baarda’s helper, making small, purple circles in the surrounding black air and drawing up spirits whose souls were banished away for their evil doings. Bara looks down as best as he can and sees that his shirt is open exposing the mark on his chest. It glows a fiery orange and hurts to an immense degree as Baarda’s liquid form uses a liquid hand to feel the mark and the power of it seeping into him.
Baarda in an unusually high voice yet still sinister:
Oh yeah that’s power.
Bara in a shocked tone and wincing from the pain:
What is going on? I thought you couldn’t come back especially when we’re on the holy grounds of Clover!
Baarda in a high squeal:
You are right, but the lair is neither here nor there. It can be accessed from any portal that contains a fountain as long as the fountain is either dry or the water in it isn’t pure. And since there is no one to guard it and keep people like Moi out of it then getting in was a cinch. Igara helped me find the door and all I had to do was get you alone down here. Isn’t this romantic?!
Bara freaked out by the last line spoken by Baarda:
Listen if you’re going to kill me then kill me already! I don’t want to be down here with you any longer!
Baarda:
Oh silly boy I’m not going to kill you, I need that strong boy body of yours so that I can get into the heavens; finally gain my holy pass.
Bara frowning up his face:
Wait I thought you were supposed to be some kind of warrior God wh-what is with the voice and why are you talking like that?!
Baarda:
Don’t confuse it dear boy I’m still the God that the heavens made me to be so don’t think that I can’t ring up power and destroy this puny island. Cause I can. (With a giddy laugh) now then we need to get this thing underway I’ve gots a Head God and Goddess to destroy.
Bara confused about Baarda:
You really are nuts! You are clearly a lunatic! Now let me go before I use my power against you!
Baarda:
That’s not going to happen I have complete control over your powers. And since you don’t know how to use them then it makes it that much more easy for me to do so. Now hold still this dark soul needs a body.
Baarda’s liquid form glides over to Bara’s tied down figure and stands over him. Bara closes his eyes tightly as the mark begins to pull as if hands were stretching it open and screams out in agony. Baarda was entering in through Bara’s mark where his power were stored and this time he would have full control over Bara and there was nothing he could do about it. All goes quiet after a few minutes and Igara stands there with his shadowed spirits waiting for some change to occur. Finally Bara stands, no longer weighted down by the invisible binds on his wrists and ankles, and looks at Igara with a wicked smile and eyes serene green unlike Bara’s. In Bara’s voice he tells Igara to release the rest of the evil spirits.
Baarda/Bara:
Dearest Igara please let the others out. It’s time we paid a visit to the God and Goddess of this wretched world…
