I've been busy lately, so little time for updating and responding ^^"" Also I'm working on a massive meme that takes up a lot of time.
As usual, sorry if this is hard to understand!!
(Ending portion is probably my favorite)
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The Foot of the Mountains
Chapter 7
Taj walked with Kaira ahead of Kyo, fuming. He always knew Kaira was just a nice person, but why him of all people?
"Why'd you bring him with us?" Taj asked Kaira.
"He's all alone out here, I don't want him being alone..." Kaira said, looking back at Kyo. He stared back with blue eyes. Kaira blinked and looked away. She could have sworn his eyes were silver before.
Everyone looked up in surprise when they saw Taj and Kaira return with a stranger.
"Who's that?" Davis asked Taj when he angrily sat next to him.
"I don't know! It was Kaira's idea to bring him with us!" Taj said angrily.
"This is Kyo!" Kaira announced happily, pulling Kyo along with her to Steel. "He's all by himself, so I thought he could come with us."
Steel looked Kyo over once, disapproval on his face. "We're not bringing anyone with us who'll slow us down." Kyo looked towards Taj, who was still glaring.
"What Element does he use?" Kyo asked, mentioning Taj.
"Taj? He's a Water User," Kaira said.
"I'm a Water User too..." Kyo said, smiling, he turned back to Steel. "How about you test me against him? If I win, I'll come with you, and if I lose, I'll leave." Everyone stared at Steel expectantly. Taj couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"If it suits you," Steel said lowly. "Have at him."
Kyo smirked, instantly summoning the power of Water. Before Taj had a chance to move a geyser spouted beneath him, throwing Taj into the air. Kyo focused harder on the Water once Taj was suspended in midair above everyone else. The water surrounded Taj and trapped in a giant sphere of water, hovering above everyone's head. Everyone was surprised that Kyo was able to dominate so easily against Taj. Dimi stood watching his son, eating his pot sticker.
"Aren't you worried for your son at all Dimi?" Leo asked.
"No, I'm not worried about him. I taught him how to hold his breath!" Dimi said almost too proudly.
"Hold his breath?! For how long?" Dimi stopped and thought for a moment.
"Last time I checked it was only about five seconds."
"Five seconds?! What kind of father-figure are you?!"
Dimi took a proud stance. "The thin kind, with blue hair! And I look damn good in these clothes too!"
Kyo summoned another geyser beneath him. The geyser erupted in water, sending Kyo flying gracefully through the air. He unsheathed his sword, and drew the blade across Taj's prison water sphere. The sphere broke apart and Taj fell through the air, hitting branches of trees as he did. Kyo landed gracefully in a tree. He flipped out of the tree and landed effortlessly back in front of Steel before Taj could hit the ground.
"I like him," Ken said, smiling at Kyo.
Steel gave off a small, deep chuckle. He's arrogant, Steel thought, But he's definitely skilled in what he does. He could prove useful to me...
Kalon laughed at the sight of Dimi's only son defeated. "Who needs cigarettes? This is awesome!" he laughed. "I think he should come with us!"
"He is," Steel said.
Taj slowly sat up drenched and feeling humiliated. His forehead was still trickling a small stream of blood. Dimi slowly walked over and looked down on his son.
"I can't believe I let a guy like him beat me so easily..." Taj muttered to his father.
"Don't worry Son! You'll always be a champion in my eyes!" Dimi said with his trademark smile. Taj looked up at him with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Really?"
Dimi snorted a laugh. "No! I was just trying to make you feel better!"
"Dad! How about a little emotional support!"
"What was I supposed to say?!" Dimi asked. " 'Great job coming in last Son'? 'I'm proud of you and your kicked ass'? 'Keep on losing'?" Taj looked down in shame. He hoped Kaira wasn't as disappointed in him as he was.
The next day Steel had them all moving at dawn. He led them into the forest where they found a small grassy trail that led further upward into the mountains. Ryo walked slowly, Kaira holding onto his arm with Kyo on her other side. She always seemed to happy and full of life, Ryo wasn't used to it. Taj walked slower than anyone, falling behind at the back of the group. He walked alone and stared at the ground, grumbling to himself.
"Demon," Steel called back. It took Ryo a moment to remember Steel was referring him, and he looked up. "Walk with me." Ryo gave Steel a hard look, but joined him at the head of the line.
"Your father can use all of the Elements?" Kyo asked Kaira, mildly surprised.
"Yeah, as far as we know, he's the only one," Kaira said, watching her father join Steel. She looked up at Kyo and noticed his eyes were a deep violet color.
"What?" Kyo asked when he noticed Kaira staring at him.
"Your eyes are violet," she said. "But...first they were silver, then blue, now they're violet..."
"Oh...it's nothing. They change colors all the time."
Kaira looked back at Taj at the very back of the group. No one was walking with him, not even his best friend Davis was talking to him. Kyo noticed her concern. "I'll go..." he said, and slowed down to meet Kyo. Taj gave him a bad look.
"What do you want?" Taj asked in a cold voice.
"I'm sorry to burst your bubble back there," Kyo said. Taj didn't appreciate the pun. "And I didn't mean to immaculate you in front of your girlfriend." Taj glanced ahead at Kaira, walking with her cousin Davis.
"You mean Kaira?! It's not like that!" Taj said quickly.
"Really?" Kyo asked lightly, looking ahead at Kaira as well. Taj saw a spark of interest in Kyo's eyes when he looked at Kaira. Kaira saw them staring at her and smiled, walking back to join them.
"Are you both better now?" she asked Kyo. Taj grew more furious at Kyo's interest in Kaira, and threw a punch at him. Kyo barely dodged Taj's fist, and caught it with his own. Kyo gripped Taj's fist, looking slightly surprised. Taj's confidence fell.
"Oh shit I lost the element of surprise! Go get someone quick!" Taj yelled at Kaira. She quickly ran ahead to get Ken and Davis, while Kyo punched Taj across the jaw. Taj fell to the ground, with Kyo on top of him, holding him up by his cuffs.
"What's the matter with you?!" Kyo demanded. Taj punched Kyo in the jaw and rolled over and forced Kyo down.
"You know why! You have no right--" Ken tackled Taj off of Kyo, and slammed him into the ground. Kyo got up and joined Ken in hitting Taj.
"Get off him!" Davis said, grabbing Ken from behind and dragging him away. "We're all traveling together! You could at least act like adults and try to get along!" Ken shoved Davis off before walking away calmly, like nothing had happened. Kyo stood up by himself, casually dusting his clothes off.
"You shouldn't be such a pissy little bitch," Kyo said to Taj before walking away. Taj glared at Kyo with pure hatred, rubbing his chin with the back of his hand. Davis offered his hand to help Taj up.
"You know, you did start it..." Davis said bluntly, helping Taj.
"Shut up," Taj said. "It wasn't my fault..."
At the head of the group, Ryo looked back and briefly saw the end of the fight. He wondered if Kaira ever suspected anything.
"We need to talk about Kain, Demon," Steel said, not looking at Ryo or Leo. Both of his sons walked on either side of him.
"What about him?" Ryo said.
"When we get to the Razada House, we're all going to have to face him."
"I'm not going back there," Ryo said. "Are you Leo?"
Leo looked down in thought. "I don't want to," he said simply. Steel smiled his wicked smile.
"All of us are going to have to meet him. And I need you two to help if we want to get the Lightning User." Steel said, smiling. Ryo gave him a curious look.
"Who's the Lightning User..." Ryo asked slowly.
"Oh, come one Demon. You must know who I'm talking about." Leo's eyes grew slightly.
"You're not talking about Roxanne, are you?" he asked.
"Roxanne?" Ryo said. "Roxanne is our Lightning User?"
Steel smirked. "Correct. We need to convince Kain to release her from service to accompany us."
"But why Roxanne? Isn't there someone better than her?" Ryo asked.
"I thought you liked Roxanne?" Leo asked curiously. Steel remained silent.
"Well...I do, just, not like that!" Ryo said, angry Steel wouldn't answer his question. "But why her?"
"Because...." Steel continued. "She was the best. And our job required the best in every Element."
"What are we even doing Steel?" Leo asked. "We've been walking for days, and none of us even know what we're doing following you!" Steel considered this for a moment, his dark maroon eyes wandering.
"I'll explain more after we get Roxanne," he said. "But for now, I need both of you to cooperate to get Kain to release Roxanne."
"What would we have to do?" Ryo asked, miserable.
"Both of you will have to face Kain. Lion will ask for Roxanne to join us, and Demon..." Steel looked into Ryo's green eyes. "You'll have to do whatever Kain tells you to." Ryo didn't say anything. He wanted Roxanne to be released, but he wasn't thrilled about working for Kain once again.
"What excuse can I use to convince him?" Leo said.
"I told him I was collecting seven of you to bring to Camaria before I left," Steel said. "You won’t have to say much. His mind is deteriorating at his old age." Ryo and Leo both gave Steel a sideways glance. Steel didn't appear to be much older than them, but they both knew he was much older.
"How old are you Steel..." Ryo asked cautiously.
Steel looked at Ryo, his eyes were dark and menacing. "That's nothing for you to be concerned about Demon."
Steel stopped walking and looked to his right. Everyone stopped and stared at him.
"What is it?" Jim asked, looking to the right as well.
"There's a dragon," Steel said quietly. "Just there..." A deep growl came out of the forest to their right. The ground started to shake, gently at first, but grew into a violent quake. The earth exploded just right of the path, scattering the party in different directions. A great serpent slithered from the hole made in the explosion. It was huge, with a snake-like body covered in sapphire scales. The head was shaped like a dragon with a snout and horns growing from its head. It looked around at the humans around it and growled deep.
Kalon let out a laugh. "This just keeps getting better!" he yelled, pulling on his leather gloves.
"Father, no!" Ken screamed, but it was too late. Kalon ran at the dragon's hide, his fists glowing with the energy of Earth. He punched the dragon in the side, his fist digging deep into the dragon's scales, and making the body shift in his place from the impact. The dragon roared, and took in a breath. It exhales deeply, fire erupting from its mouth. Kalon dove behind boulder, the flames barely missing him.
"Idiot!" Ken yelled at his father.
"Shut up!" Kalon yelled back, still dodging the flames.
Kyo saw an opening in the Dragon's neck, and pulled out his silver sword. He leaped on the dragons back, and ran towards the neck. At the right moment, Kyo summoned Water eneryg to his sword and gorged it between the dragon's scales on the back of its neck. The sword sunk slightly in between the scales, but not deep enough. The scales shifted from the dragon's movements, and the pressure cracked Kyo's blade down the middle. Kyo cursed before flipping off the dragon's back. The dragon roared again loudly, tossing its head trying to dislodge the shattered blade in its neck.
Steel stood a distance away, gazing at the magnificent beast his army was battling. It was an Elemental Dragon of the Mountains. Extremely rare, but of no use. They could not be tamed, and only reaped havoc upon humans.
Ryo focused on summoning the Element of Fire. He focused the red energy into a beam of power that he fired at the Dragon. The energy beam struck the dragon's back, but did not wound it. The Elemental energy reflected off the dragon's scales and was sent flying in scattered directions.
Kalon punched both fists into the ground bidding the Earth to form spikes that moved along the ground towards the Dragon's back. Dimi summoned a violent torrent of water, and sent it flying towards the Dragon's left side. Caza muttered a small incantation, and a whirlwind of blades was summoned, and swiftly headed towards the dragon's right side. Leo muttered his own incantation, and a great tornado of fire was sent at the dragon's front. All four attacks struck the dragon from different sides at one. The Earth spiked shattered against the dragon's scales, the flames failed to scorch, the windstorm broke apart once it hit the dragon, and the water splashed against the dragon's scales, and trickled down.
"It's immune to everything!" Kaira said hopelessly.
The dragon roared and thrashed its tail, attempting to hit one of its attackers. Kyo watched in, his mind searching for some sort of clue to it's weakness. He saw the dragon open its mouth, preparing to breathe fire again. He saw a glimpse of the inside of the dragon's mouth. It was fleshy, without scales. Kyo saw its ultimate weakness, and ran around to be in front of it.
The dragon spotted Kyo with its black eyes, and inhaled, preparing another breath of fire. Kyo stood still, holding his ground, timing his attack. The dragon exhaled its fiery breath, and Kyo leaped in the air over the flames. To everyone's amazement, Kyo hovered in midair. Water Users couldn't fly.
Kyo summoned a stream of water, and sent it down the dragon's throat, extinguishing the flames. He focused a bit harder, and summoned Lightning, sending a surge of Electricity to travel down the stream of Water into the Dragon's mouth. The Dragon attempted to roar, and started jerking its head violently, the electrified water burning and destroying its insides. It slowly started to sway, then finally crashed into the ground, smoke and dying flames emitting from its open mouth.
The entire party stared at the giant dead dragon for a minute, unsure if it was really dead. Then they all turned their attention to Kyo, who was standing distantly, looking slightly disappointed.
"You can use more than just Water?!" Jim asked. Kyo looked away.
"Yeah..."
"What else can you use?" Steel asked, interested. Ryo stood at the back of the group, staring at Kyo.
"Well...all of them," Kyo answered, still looking down. "But I can only use Water, Ice, and Lightning efficiently..."
"You can use all of them...?" Kaira said softly. "You're just like Dad! He can use them all too! Isn't that awesome?!" She looked at Ryo happily. He didn't say anything. He always thought he was the only one. He wondered where this Kyo grew up, and how he learned to use all six Elements.
Kaira saw her father's thoughts and decided to leave him alone. She wandered closer to the dead dragon. She gently reached out and rubbed its sapphire scales. She felt a little sad that it was dead. A small glimmer caught her eye. It came from the hole the Dragon had slithered out of. She walked a little closer and knelt by the hole. On the edge of the hole, half buried in the dirt was an emerald stone. Kaira's heart sank, and she carefully dug up the emerald stone.
"What is it?" Ryo asked, walking up behind her.
"It was a mom dragon..." Kaira said sadly. "It was trying to protect its egg..." She held a slightly large emerald egg that resembled a stone.
"That's an egg?" Ken asked, kneeling down next to Kaira and inspecting the egg. "I think we should leave it. We don't want another one of those things..."
"It's just an egg! It'll be a baby when it hatches!" Kaira said, holding the egg close to her. She looked up at Ryo. "I can keep it can't I?"
"I don't see any reason why not..." Ryo muttered, not wanting the attention. Steel sneered at the egg, but said nothing. Kaira smiled happily and gently rubbed the egg. At her gently rub, the egg shuttered, making Kaira gasp. Dimi shoved past Ken and Kalon and knelt next to Kaira and the egg. Kaira held the egg close, and carefully rubbed the egg again. The second time, the egg shook violently, then a single crack emerged from the side. Kaira squealed happily and rubbed faster.
"It's hatching!" Dimi said happily and joined Kaira in rubbing the egg. Everyone except Steel crowded around the hatching egg. The crack slowly grew across the outer shell, inspired by Kaira and Dimi's rubbing. The egg gave one last violent shake, then a piece of emerald eggshell fell off. A small, chubby, dark green tail popped out of the hole and wriggled.
"It's so cute!" Kaira exclaimed happily. Ryo couldn't help but smile at her happiness. The small, short tail wriggled, stuck in the hole. Kaira carefully started pulling more pieces of shell off the egg. The emerald shell of the egg collapsed, revealing a small creature. It was short and stout, without legs and arms of any kind. It had no horns, and a short round snout. The small dragon wriggled helplessly in Kaira's arms until it was resting on its stomach. It produced a small squeak and started sniffing Kaira's shirt. It sniffed up towards her face, where it opened it's small black beady eyes. It stared up at Kaira, instantly accepting her as its mother. It made another squeak, and started wriggling again.
"Aww, I want it!" Dimi whined. "I’ll trade you anything you want for it!"
"Shut up!" Kalon said, grabbing the scruff of Dimi's shirt and dragging him away.
"What are you going to name him?" Kyo asked, kneeling and rubbing the dragon's head.
Kaira raised her head, thinking for a moment. "Ryo," she said. "It's the same color as Dad's eyes."
~
"Demon, you're wanted at the gate," a maid said hastily to Demon. She left him as soon as she said her message. Demon looked up from his work, scrubbing the floors of Kain's patio view of the garden. He decided he was finished with his work for the day and put his supplies away. His hair was messy and dirty, and he wore a simple gray outfit all of the maids and servants wore. The outfit was missing the right sleeve, clearly showing his black tattoo around his right arm.
He left into the hallway, slowly making his way toward the entrance. He wondered what he could be needed for at the front gate. He prayed he didn't have to work anymore. It was nightfall, and he was tired, and only wished to find something to eat, then sleep. As Demon passed the stairs he saw Lion descending them, looking just as tired,
"Hey Lion," Demon said, slightly happier. "I didn't see you yesterday, happy birthday."
"Yeah, you too, " Lion said joining his brother. They were both eight years old. Lion had his own bedroom to himself while Demon now occupied a room in the servants’ quarter. Demon spent everyday cleaning floor, and doing random tasks for the older maids and servants. Lion spent everyday with one of his three tutors, studying, sparring, or learning rites and manners.
"I stole this for you," Lion said, handing Demon a sandwich. Demon took it quickly and started to eat. Since he was seven, he had been denied food. The only way Kain allowed for him to survive was if Demon could manage to steal food without getting caught. And every time he got caught he was punished severely. Lion stole food for him often, but Demon was on his own for the most part. Lion was given almost anything he could desire. Being the prodigy of the Razada House, Kain favored him.
"Do you know what we're wanted for?" Demon asked with a mouthful of food.
"I saw a carriage when I looked out my window," Lion said. "But I didn't see much else..."
They reached the front door and Demon wrapped the sandwich back up and placed in his front pocket for after. Demon opened the door for Lion and let him pass through first. A carriage was pulled up near the door, and Steel stood next to it, his arms crossed. Demon was careful to keep his head lowered in his presence.
"About time," Steel said coldly.
"We're sorry..." Lion said softly.
"Shut up!" Steel snapped. He opened the carriage door, and a girl stepped out. She had dark brown hair that was tied back in a tight bun. Her eyes were a light strawberry color, and she wore a fancy white dress with gloves. She gave them a smile.
"This is Bella, she's your fiancée, Lion," Steel said, nudging Bella closer to Lion. Lion's eyes widened in shock
"Fiancée?! But I'm only eight!"
"You'll get married when you turn eighteen. You have ten years to learn to like each other," Steel said coldly. Bella gave Lion a smile, but he didn't smile back. "Bring her to the second spare bedroom, that's where she'll be staying. You’ll be required to spend one day a week with her."
Bella continued to smile blankly. Lion sighed, and slowly left, leading Bella into the house. Demon watched them go, afraid there was another girl in the carriage for him. Night had fallen, leaving Demon and Steel standing outside in the cold. It began snowing lightly, with the only light source coming from inside the house.
Steel reached into the carriage and roughly dragged out a second girl. She was crying, with one arm covering her eyes. Her hair was long and blonde, looking like it hadn't been combed in awhile. She wore a messy and torn black dress. She appeared to be a few years younger than Demon. Steel shoved her towards Demon, making him catch her from falling.
"She's yours," Steel said. "She'll be sharing a room with you, and helping you with your chores from now on." Without another word or glance, Steel left them and went inside. The girl kept sniffling and crying, hiding her face. Demon didn't know what to do for her.
"Um...do you wanna see our room?" Demon asked.
"No!" the girl sobbed. "I wanna see my mom!" Demon felt sorry for her. Considering she was now at the Razada House, working as a servant, he knew something must have happened to her mother, causing her to be orphaned and taken in.
"Well...come on." Demon said awkwardly, taking her hand and leading her inside. She walked slow, still crying, but followed him. He led her to the servant’s quarters section of the house.
"This is both of our bedrooms," Demon said opening his room's door. There were two beds on either wall, two nightstands, and a bay window that opened to a small ledge. "You can have the left bed..." She slowly walked to the bed and sat down. Demon tried to think of something he could do to make her stop crying already.
"What's your name?" Demon asked sitting on his bed across from her. She slowly looked up at him.
"Roxanne..." she said, her sobs slowly dying down.
"Roxanne..." Demon repeated. "You can call me Demon..."
"Why....?"
"Because, that's what they call me..." Roxanne finally removed both hands away from her face, her tears finally stopping. She had light green eyes.
"I don't think you're a demon..." she said softly. Demon was surprised.
"Roxanne, do you hate green eyes?"
"No...why?"
"Nothing," Demon said, looking down. "Are you hungry?" Roxanne nodded. "Well, from now on, we have to steal food, and not get caught, or else we get in trouble."
"Why?"
"Because, Kain hates us. Here." Demon pulled out the sandwich Lion had given him earlier. He thought she might need it more than him. She took it and slowly started eating it.
"I like you..." she said finally. "You're the first nice person I've met since they took me away from my mom at the hospital."
"Well you haven't met my brothers. Or my sister. she's really nice, you'll like them." Roxanne gave him a concerned look.
"Do we have to get married?" she asked.
"I guess so..." Demon said shyly. "Everything we do here is controlled by Kain..."
"I wont mind..." Roxanne said. She gave Demon the first smile he'd seen from her. "I don't mind staying here as long as you're around."
