[In the fox den, Yoko Kurama sits sternly and quietly. Okiya, Osuko, and Endoya surround him with smiles and caresses. Remayolo stands in front of them while Yokira contently sits off to the side.]
Remayolo: At last we are all reunited again! This calls for a celebration. We should do something fun, exciting, and dangerous. We should go on an adventure that we were not able to do while our brother was absent.
Endoya: So tell us what you have been planning.
Okiya: I don’t believe Little Yoko has caught wind of it yet…
Yoko Kurama: Yes. Why have you so earnestly sought my aid? augh…
[Remayoko shoots a glare at Yoko Kurama. Yoko Kurama collapses forward with eyes wide open and pupils shrunk. His hands hold him up so his face doesn’t hit the ground, but his breaths are shallow and rapid. Yokira alertly rises to one knee.]
Remayolo: Dear brother, remember your place.
[Yoko Kurama slightly nods with a grunt through clenched teeth. Remayolo smirks and Yoko Kurama resumes breathing normally. He sits back up and resumes his calm composure then Yokira goes back to sitting as well. Remayolo stands in silence to build suspense.]
Yokira Voiceover: Why is he being so stubborn? I wanted him back, but seeing him like this just doesn’t feel right…
Remayolo: Once upon a very long time ago; [while talking images appear to go with the monologue] even eons before we came to be, back when Demon World was being created, there were The Mahabi. With enormous power, the world was formed. Virhum created all the soils and dirt we stand on today. Jalap made water flow all around and filled in the crevices. Pavayu surrounded what room remained with atmosphere. Then Anji breathed a sultry breath filling the world with warmth and light. However, these four often bickered. Virhum did not like his work smothered in liquid and would shake to create holes and burry the water and Jalap would mount up enough strength to crumble the formed mountains with tidal waves. Pavayu would send chilling cold winds that would freeze the others while Anji sent lava to entrap them. Each wanted to rule the others and the war between the four raged on. With all their individual efforts however, they could not create much. Then one day, Dokerei came along and stepped in on their fight and took charge. Under his supervision, their combined powers created an environment that living organisms could survive in. Not long after, plants and animals inhabited the world.
Okiya: [now sprawled out in Yoko Kurama’s lap] And that’s what our powers are modeled after. [yawn] What a bedtime story, though Little Yoko probably hasn’t heard that one in a while…
Remayolo: There is another legend however. [complimentary images continue] There was a revolt against The Mahabi after the world was created. Some feared the overwhelming power of these gods, others simply feared the short tempers that could ignite cataclysms that would ruin the lives they had assumed, a few were even jealous and desired the power for themselves. This coalition overpowered The Mahabi and that was the end of them. No one actually knows what became of the seemingly invincible Mahabi. One rumor states that those who lead the insurrection kept all the power for themselves and now hide in the depths of Demon World with unbelievable power. Another anecdote implies that the influential rebels sealed up the power of The Mahabi and use it to grant immortality to those who offer them priceless riches. The hearsay that I would like to scrutinize is where The Mahabi were tired of fighting against that which sprouted from their world and simply faded away after preserving their power into many tiny gems that would maintain the stability of the world. Ziberian Crystals! But if anyone were to hold even one of these stones, they would be filled with such power that they would become invincible. If they fell into the wrong hands, the balance of the world could be disrupted! To prevent this, The Mahabi hid all the Ziberian Crystals. This legendary location is referred to as the Crystal Caverns where obstacles of all sorts block and guard the treasure…obstacles relating to the elements which we control.
Osuko: So now that our pack is complete again, we should be able to make it past all the obstacles.
Remayolo: Precisely, so what do think of my proposition?
Endoya: I think it sounds simply fascinating!
Osuko: With that power and invincibility, we wouldn’t need to be so secretive with our doings anymore.
Okiya: We would gain control over the universe!
[Remayolo glares down at Yoko Kurama, who gives a gasp then tilts his head forward in affirmation. Remayolo, Osuko, Okiya, and Endoya look over at Yokira since she hasn’t responded yet, and has just been sitting silently in the corner the whole time.]
Yokira: [unenthusiastically] Let’s do it.
* * *
[Members of Zerka are still sleeping where they had partied. Ehay is asleep under a table, sitting up against a table leg. Sukeyuay is sprawled out with other members of Zerka nearby.]
Sukeyuay: [quietly mumbles] I don’t need to go to work…it’s cold outside… [rolls to the side while clutching a table cloth as a blanket]
[The Initiatory Demon walks up to Sukeyuay then kicks his side then walks over to Ehay and kicks his shoulder. Ehay raises his head, causing it to hit the table.]
Sukeyuay: You got some nerve interrupting a guy’s dream!
Initiatory Demon: Hey my sleeping beauties! The council wants to see ya!
Ehay: [Emerges from table with hand on head] What is this about?
Initiatory Demon: Oh you’ll see, apparently the two of you have impressed the council.
Sukeyuay: Great! They saw my unique talents!
Ehay: [under breath] Or ouble-tray.
[Sukeyuay and Ehay follow the Initiatory Demon to the council in silence until they arrive. The Initiatory Demon waves his arm to present the two to the council and steps to the side.]
Zerk: Impressive performance during the instigation my brothers. Such caliber is rare to witness even among the finest of our members. We would like to extend leadership opportunities to the two of you. They would, of course, be to help all the members of the brotherhood.
Sukeyuay: [acting cautious] I don’t know… we still don’t know too much about what’s going on. How do you know we won’t screw things up?
Zerk: Wise…very wise. But all you would be required to do is help the others reach your levels of skill.
Sukeyuay: And why, should we except?
Zerk: To help the others, that is why we are a brotherhood is it not? [pause] However…if you were interested in power…or treasure…or just simple pleasure…we may be able to work something out for you. [eyes meet Sukeyuay’s] But only if any of that appealed to you.
Sukeyuay: [serious tone] How about ‘D’? All of the above.
Zerk: We don’t usually let our newcomers come straight to the top, but if you both can prove yourselves, we could make some room for you up here.
Sukeyuay: And what exactly is it that you want us to do?
Zerk: [points] If you travel for a day and a half in that general direction, you should be able to spot a portentous miasma that surrounds the legendary Crystal Caverns. The center of these caverns holds a very unique looking crystal. If you can pass the trials along the way and bring back some of those crystals as proof, then you will have shown you hold all the qualities necessary to accept the responsibilities and privileges among our exalted leadership. And do not worry about our organization’s details; we will give you a perfect understanding of it upon your successful return.
Sukeyuay: And all we gotta do is bring back some shiny trinkets? Sure. You’re on.
Initiatory Demon: Come this way, we’ll make you ready for the journey.
[Sukeyuay and Ehay follow the Initiatory Demon away from the party while the council watches and muses.]
Prominent Figure #1: Well they fell right into that one.
Prominent Figure #2: Gullible as newborns.
* * *
[In the fox den, Yokira, Endoya, and Okiya pamper themselves while chatting]
Okiya: Do you think they will be able to bridge the gap in so short a time?
Endoya: With all the time it took us to achieve what we have now, I doubt it. But Remayolo will make sure Little Yoko is prepared enough for the task.
Okiya: Sister, you must tell us about the humans you have been with. Found any Scrumptious ones?
Yokira: Mmmhmhmhm…such a variety of exceptional delicacies. But alas, since those anti-human eating laws it has just been mortals, mortals everywhere, but not a bite to eat…I didn’t want to attract attention from the wrong demons while there…but it was all so tempting, I did slip a few times; especially when I had pressing males that couldn’t resist me after hearing my voice.
* * *
[In a forest Remayolo observes and directs Yoko Kurama fighting against Osuko. Yoko Kurama lashes a whip at Osuko, but mid-strike it bursts into flames and disintegrates.]
Remayolo: I have supplemented your power, now you must discover what skills you are able to do with that strength now.
[Osuko prepares a ball of fire in his hand. Yoko Kurama uses a bamboo chute to extend towards Osuko as if to spear him, but again his weapon is incinerated. Simultaneously Osuko is hit from the back; he turns and sees rancorous tree limbs protruding from the ground.]
Osuko: [screams] You got me!
[Osuko tackles Yoko Kurama. As they rumble, Remayolo approaches.]
Yoko Kurama and Osuko: [turning for a joint attack] BURNING FOREST BLAST!
[Remayolo crosses his arms in front to block. Yoko Kurama and Osuko laugh as the smoke clears out. Remayolo emerges with a displeased look on his face then springs on top of them, initiating a three-way playful brawl.]
Narrator: And thus training went. Two forces, one goal. But who will gain the prize?
