Special Black Chapter 02
Thread Three:
Thick, towering stacks of clouds congested like city traffic on the slow-paced thruway of endless blue sky, moving steadily toward the eastern horizon. A sea of green forest spread below, interrupted by outcroppings of streaked gray rock and the wide ribbon of a silvery-blue river. Despite the panoramic view that included the sprawling city far to the south, this was a quiet place, sought out only by the few humans who appreciated the scenic beauty.
A stick snapped in the woods nearby, but the Dark Selestarri kept his gaze trained on the far off smog and skyscrapers of the city. Like a colony of termites, they destroyed everything they touched, polluting and sickening the land and air. There was nothing he’d like more than to raze it with fire, the terrified screams of the humans a fitting funeral dirge for their supposed civilization. Free from the oppressors, nature could restore the land within a few hundred years.
“Do you not find it to be a strange word,” he quietly asked the figure standing at the top of the worn trail. “ ’Civilization’?”
Turning, he faced the new arrival, deliberately taking the time to smooth his pitch-black robes, the garments of the Incendia Seeker’s attendants. Normally he hated them, but there was power in their presence, and her orders had been specific, so he’d complied. Smiling, he flipped green and white bangs from his face and leveled maroon eyes at the slender Bright.
“ ‘Civilization’ is defined as a refinement of thought, manners, or taste,” he continued, ignoring her pointed glare. “Yet humans are nothing more than a pack of rabid dogs, dragging one another further and further into corruption and destruction.”
“Coming from an abomination such as yourself, Half-Breed, that thought carries little weight.”
Drawing the magic to teleport, he materialized behind the Bright, obsidian claws easily piercing the thin fabric of her white, embroidered robe to press firmly against the soft flesh of her collarbone. Yanking the voluminous hood to her shoulders, he leaned in close, lips at her ear.
“Harsh words,” he whispered, pleased as she began to tremble. “However, since I don’t see your partner anywhere nearby, I’d suggest you curb them before I accidentally forget that my orders included that you not be killed.”
Twisting from beneath his grip, she hastily backed away as he laughed. “I doubt you’d foolishly incur the wrath of your mistress,” she said tightly, nervously pushing rose-tinted hair behind her ears.
“And I very much doubt your mistress would be pleased to know of your extracurricular activities.” Messing with this high and mighty Selestarri was proving to be much more fun than he’d thought. Perhaps he should run more errands for the Seeker. “After all, you’ve been selling out her pride and joy for nine years now.”
Mouth pinched, she gave him a look burning with such fury he’d have been unsurprised if his clothes caught fire. A flick of her wrist brought a thick manila envelope dropping out of the air and onto the weed choked rock between them.
“They’re in West Central,” she gritted from behind clenched teeth. Squaring her shoulders, she turned toward the woods in a swirl of white feathers and fabric. “Maybe this time you Dark will uphold your part of our agreement and these annoying little get-togethers can end.”
He shook his head, amused as the dense trees and bushes quickly swallowed the Bright. Collecting the envelope, he took one last look at the spectacular northern view before the teleportation magic triggered a void that wrapped everything in black.
Thread Four:
The wind whistled over the dark rooftops, clearing the way for the frosty winter cold. The lights of West Central lie in all directions, stars cast over the blanket of night. Standing on the rooftop of the Frontier Bank building, only a few miles from the downtown district of the city, two masked and cloaked figures watched the skyline and waited.
Spread below was the flat rooftop of one of the most expensive apartment buildings in the entire city. Usually reserved for wealthy businessmen or local celebrities, it was, according to Messenger, the home of Kribensis’ primary supporters, Stoer and Lochs. Originally from Germany, they were identical except for their hair color: orange for Stoer and blue for Lochs. The beauty of their model exteriors was deceptive, masking the vicious and cruel demeanor favored by their master. Many had fallen under their spell of perfection only to be tortured by bestial and bloodthirsty games.
Messenger had promised that tonight the twins would attempt to wake Kribensis from his magical stasis, her words proven true when the longhaired Germans stepped onto the roof from a covered doorway. Leading ten disoriented young men, they had quickly set up a large circle on the rooftop. Candles and men alternating, the ring framed a large network of intersecting patterns that were sketched over the roof tiles in chalk.
Sashi watched the perimeter of the building and waited patiently for the events to unfold. Undoubtedly, these humans they were supposed to meet would appear tonight, drawn by the summoning of their enemy. It would be interesting to see just whom the Bright Selestarri had found worthy of championing.
Concentrating on the black-clad Stoer lighting the tapered white candles, Sashi dropped the barriers shielding his mind and reached for the model with his telepathy. Instead of the normal stream of audible thought-chatter, there were only the same six words, repeated over and over in the language of the Selestarri. It sounded similar to an Incantation, special words that activated the magic contained within scribed patterns. Just as he didn’t recognize the set-up of the pattern on the rooftop, the Incantation words were unfamiliar. It seemed Messenger had been correct, the twins and their master were being helped by the Dark.
Sashi pulled away from the man’s thoughts and turned to Aki. Leaning against a short railing, the voluminous cloak melted his lean frame seamlessly into the night sky, the tribal fox mask obscuring pale features and chestnut hair. Completely calm, his partner absently brushed the mask’s windblown feathers and ribbons from his eyes when the cold night breeze rushed between the buildings. He kept a black-gloved hand on the leather hilt of his weapon, slowly relaxing and tightening his grip as he watched the scene below.
The swords that each of them carried were a gift from Patron many years ago, magical Selestarri-forged blades that drew upon the will of the wielder. Not their primary weapons, but given the circumstances and lack of alternatives, would have to do. They had been hell getting through customs.
Adjusting the long cloth pieces attached to the back of his mask, he returned his attention to the rooftop, the arrival of the summoning-crashers immediately drawing his eye to the far right-hand side of the building. Hunched in the shadows, the small figures were poorly hidden behind a vent casing.
/I assume you see that. / He sent to Aki.
Feathers and ribbons shifted as the fox-masked boy nodded. /Ready? /
/Float? / Sashi asked. Supported by Aki’s telekinetic power, they could extend a jump to more than half its usual length. It was effective, and they’d done it countless times, but still, in the end, it was a strange feeling, being lifted by the power of another’s mind.
/Yeah, you first. / Aki stepped away from the edge, leaving Sashi a clear path.
He backed up, gathering the cloak and twisting the cloth around his waist, preparing to make a running leap. Sprinting over the concrete rooftop, he launched into the air, breath held as the wind gusted, threatening to slam him against the looming apartment building. Just as the jump began to lose its momentum, he felt the strength of Aki’s telekinesis wrap around his body. The sheer force of Aki’s mind pulling him through the air, Sashi landed silently on a darkened section of the roof below. Moments later Aki carefully set down as well, a soft thump the only sound to herald his arrival.
Searching for the two creeping humans he’d seen from above, Sashi turned as his partner nudged his shoulder, following as Aki gestured at the formation of men and candles.
/You recognize the pattern? /
Behind the rabbit mask, Sashi frowned. /No, summoning isn’t exactly practiced, you know. It’s extremely intricate, and probably took hours to construct, and that’s never a good sign. /
Dim red light flickered before stretching to surround the circle, weak glow extending into the darkness. Haltingly at first, then growing smoother, it snaked along the chalk pattern covering the tiles. Partially obscured by the wind, the men began to chant, quiet and low, the same Selestarri words that Sashi had heard in Stoer’s mind. It seemed that the night’s activities had already begun.
Another light tap on his shoulder, and Aki pointed to the opposite side of the building. The two figures across the rooftop had moved from the shadows, revealing two human females. The shorter girl, her green hair swept into a ponytail, carried a sword, and her companion, a girl with two long purple pigtails trailing down her back, held a glaive. The runes running over the length of both weapons indicated the Selestarri craftsmanship. Despite the moonless night and unfamiliar surroundings, there was no mistaking these two girls, only hours before they’d all stood in the halls of West Central University.
/What are they doing here? / He asked Aki.
/I have no idea, but they must be the same humans we’re looking for, / his partner replied, watching from the darkness as Kimi pulled a small round object, about the size of a tennis ball, from the pockets of her jacket. Shivering slightly, the girls climbed onto the vent casing.
/Do you want me find out? /
Aki shook his head. /You know that people are sensitive to having their thoughts invaded by others. No matter how much you enjoy it, Sashi, it won’t help us in the long run. /
/They aren’t supposed to find out who we are, remember? /
/I thought all you telepaths were taught ethics. /
Sashi sighed. Humans left their thoughts floating where anyone could reach them, broadcasting to the entire telepathic community. Sometimes just keeping the thoughts out was hard. In the end, however, Aki was right, and so he’d stay out of their minds for now.
/Fine, / he said to his partner. /I’ll leave them alone. But what are they doing with that ball? /
Aki shrugged. /Lets find out. /
Staying close to the edge of the roof, Aki made his way towards the direction of the vent casing. Sashi followed in the shadows behind, keeping an eye on the circle in front of them. The red light had grown brighter, and something was happening directly over the illuminated patterns at the center, but the shifting glow made it difficult to see.
“What are you doing?” Aki asked, stepping behind vent and pitching his voice over the wind. Above, the heads of both girls whipped around to stare at them, Reisu clutching awkwardly at Kimi as she nearly fell.
“Who the hell are you?” Kimi growled, anger flashing in her brown eyes as she glared down at the masked boy.
“We’re here to do what you can’t.” Sashi moved from the cover of the shadows, the cloak billowing in a sudden gust of cold air.
Her expression matching that of her friend, Reisu leaned over, the bladed staff held between them as she studied their attire. “What can’t we do?”
“Defeat Kribensis, of course,” he replied laughingly, the feathers on the painted rabbit mask dancing as he cocked his head in amusement.
“What?!” Kimi practically screamed, the rapier glittering as she pointed it in Aki’s face.
“We have it on good authority that you can’t handle this,” Sashi explained with feigned patience, unfazed by the two fuming females. He knew he was baiting them, but if they couldn’t at least stand up to Aki and himself, how could they hope to defeat Kribensis?
Across the rooftop, the light of the circle flared once before fading, the chanting increasing when both Stoer and Lochs stood and made their way to the center of the circles. Time was growing short.
“Listen,” Aki interjected. “We can do this the hard way or the easy—“
The purple-haired girl cut him off. “That’s it!” she screamed, lunging at Sashi with the glaive held high. From between the folds of the cloak, he drew the Selestarri long sword, the blade stained red in the light of the glowing patterns. Kimi followed her friend, landing on Sashi’s right. Sweeping the weapon in a wide arc, he blocked both girls’ strikes, sparks exploding as the inherent magic collided. Twisting around, he sliced at Reisu’s exposed knees, forcing her against the vent casing.
“The hard way it is,” Aki lamented with a long sigh, drawing his sword.
Turning his attention to Kimi, Sashi parried her rapier and pushed hard, shoving the furious girl back a few steps, stealing a glance at the circles as she struggled to find her balance. A fresh rain of sizzling sparks flared as Aki deflected Reisu’s attack, the metal giving a strangled shriek when the blades crossed.
The deep, burgundy light emanating from the chalked patterns cast the scene in dark, shifting overtones, it had begun to pulse in time with the cadence of the chanting, as if it had taken on a life of its own. The twins had joined hands and stood directly in the center, eyes closed and faces composed as they spoke the Incantation. A shadow formed at the nexus of the patterns, between Stoer and Lochs, and was slowly rising into the air. The chanting reached its loudest point, and then suddenly died off. Three of the entranced men collapsed as the shadow began to solidify into the vague outline of a person.
“Hey Fox-Head,” Sashi called, drawing his partner’s attention. Deflecting Kimi’s renewed effort, automatic after years of training, his eyes remained on the events across the rooftop. Following his gaze, the green-haired girl stopped in her tracks and turned to face the circle.
“Shit! Reisu!” she yelled, sprinting toward the magical patterns. Ducking under Aki’s halfhearted swing, Reisu ran after her friend.
In the circle, the shadow had finished its transformation. A man with silver hair lay in the arms of Lochs, wrapped tightly in a thick blanket. The young men, their energy used to drive the spell, toppled over, depleted with the completion of the Incantation. Leaving his brother’s side, Stoer began to slowly walk in the direction of the girls, flashing a wicked smile as he rolled up his sleeves and cracked his knuckles.
/Kimi and Reisu aren’t much of a match for those twins. / Sashi glanced sidelong at his partner, but the fox-masked boy had his eyes on the impending battle.
/They practically stink of the Dark’s magic. / At a flick of Aki’s wrist, his sword rose into the air, held aloft by his telekinetics. /Maybe we’ll even the odds a bit. / The Selestarri sword whistled through the blackened sky, streaking over the heads of the girls and catching the German model completely off guard.
The force of the impact spun the orange-haired twin around, impaled just under the collarbone, blood darkening his black shirt. The squelch of fluid and tearing of flesh could be heard even over the wind as Aki ripped the sword free, calling the gore-slicked weapon back. Catching the hilt smoothly as it flashed through the night, the slender boy nodded in the direction of Lochs and his silver-haired burden. Sashi followed his partner across the roof, but the fight between Stoer and the girls held his attention.
Furious, the bloodied twin turned to face the girls, breathing hard, but otherwise unfazed by the spreading stain on his chest. An odd mark, shaped like a stylized key, had spread over his wrists and forearms, and his palms were illuminated by a deep purple energy. Undaunted, Reisu pressed an attack, swinging the glaive in a quick strike that she reversed in mid-arc as Stoer dodged. Again the German was faster, grasping the shaft of the pole arm and yanking Reisu toward him. Sashi watched a moment longer as Stoer thrust his palm against the stumbling girl’s exposed abdomen. His fingers gripped tightly and fizzling electricity discharged directly into Reisu, knocking her to the tiles. Kimi stepped protectively in front of her friend as the girl gasped in pain.
Stoer smiled, calmly approaching, easily catching the rapier in his hand despite the desperate assault she unleashed once he was close enough. Heedless of the scarlet fluid dripping over his wrist, he pulled her toward him, almost as if he intended to kiss her. A sharp crack split the air as Kimi’s head rocked to the left with the force of his backhanded strike. Laughing, he shoved her down, kicking the rapier away before shifting his attention back to her injured friend.
Lochs stood on the outermost of the chalked circles, just beyond the ring of immobile men. His golden eyes were cold and flat as they approached, waiting patiently, Kribensis still cradled gently in his arms. They had agreed that it would be best to finish the former emperor while he was still weak, but this was a bit too easy.
Swords raised, they reached the edge of the circle, stepping over the unconscious bodies. Lochs took several steps back, flashing them an evil grin before both he and Kribensis disappeared, the lingering scent of burnt metal trailing in their wake.
Surprised, Sashi pulled up short, staring at the empty rooftop. What the hell was that? Without warning, a dull ache began in his head, pounding so hard he almost dropped his sword. He only got headaches when there was—
A terrified scream split the chilled air. Turning, he watched as Stoer threw Reisu over the side of the building.
Thread Five:
“Reisu!” Kimi screamed, leaping to her feet. Behind her, Stoer vanished, echoing laughter and a smattering of blood the only reminder that he’d been there.
Sashi followed as Aki sprinted to the edge of the roof, arriving next to Kimi just as the girl climbed to the top of the short wall, ready to jump after her friend. Grabbing her shirt, he pulled her down and spun her around, brown eyes panicked and scared above the purplish bruise marring her cheek. Pushing her against the wall, he easily overpowered the frantic attempts to fight him off. Ignoring the ache in his head, he dropped into her chaotic mind, carefully leaving his own barriers in place to minimize the psychic backlash.
/Leave me alone you masked freak! I have to save her! / Kimi’s desperate thoughts echoed in his throbbing mind. /Please be all right, Reisu! Please! /
“Let go of me!” she yelled in his face. Reaching out, he caught her hand as she raised it to slap him. Hysterical, Kimi clawed at his mask with her free hand, shrieking incomprehensibly as he seized her wrist and twisted it, forcing her to look at Aki.
His partner was leaning over the side of the building, fingers clutching the stone of the wall. Bright blue gaze fixed below, his breath came in ragged gulps as sweat streaked from under the mask.
Kimi’s thoughts calmed and after a moment Sashi released her. Leaning over the wall, he checked on Aki’s progress. Ten stories up the city lights were overwhelming, washing the dark street and its inhabitants in a myriad of shifting color. The cold February wind surged between the skyscrapers, tugging at banners and flags and sending the stoplights swaying on heavy cables. Slowly floating toward the top of the building was Reisu. Fear blanched her face and she was visibly shaking, but other than the burn across her stomach, she seemed all right.
“Reisu!” Kimi called out, carefully looking over the side. /Thank god. Thank god. / Sashi caught from her thoughts.
“I’m…I’m okay, Kimi,” the purple-haired girl responded. “Don’t worry.”
Stepping next to Aki, Sashi pulled his telepathy from Kimi to check on his partner. Aki was completely submerged in concentration, his thoughts bent toward pulling Reisu to the top of the building.
A few moments later, Reisu reached the rooftop, landing with an audible thud. Sashi slipped an arm around Aki as the brown-haired boy staggered with exhaustion, leaning heavily on the offered shoulder. The mental strain had almost been too much for his limited power.
/You okay? / He asked, gently leading Aki toward the building’s fire escape.
His partner looked up, lifting the fox mask and smiling despite his fatigue. “I’m fine,” he replied. “I just want to go home.” Sashi nodded and together they walked along the edge of the roof.
“Wait!” Reisu called. Turning, they saw the two girls standing in the dim light, Kimi clutching her friend’s arm protectively. “I don’t know what you did,” she continued, “but thank you.”
Sashi laughed. “We couldn’t just let you die,” he told her. “Even if it was your own fault.”
“What?!” Kimi exploded. “Are you saying it’s Reisu’s fault that Stoer threw her over the side of the building?”
Sashi shrugged. These were the two humans chosen by the Selestarri? He wasn’t impressed. “Let’s just say we expected more from the almighty human champions.”
“It’s kind of disappointing,” Aki agreed softly. /Much more disappointing. /
“Well thanks to you, they’ve resummoned Kribensis,” Reisu retorted angrily.
“Yeah,” Kimi added. “If you hadn’t interrupted us, they wouldn’t have been able to bring him back.”
“Whatever,” Sashi said dismissively. He tightened his grip on Aki and resumed their path to the fire escape. The exhausted telekinetic leaned against the ladder’s metal uprights, and Sashi turned one last time to the girls. “I don’t think it would have made any difference at all if we hadn’t interfered. You’re simply not strong enough.”
Without waiting for a response, he vaulted over the wall to the first platform of the fire escape. Moments later, Aki landed next to him, knees buckling as his feet hit the painted steel. Sashi reached out to steady him, but was waved away.
Grasping the top rung of the descending ladder, Sashi pulled it out, sliding each progressive rung from beneath the platform they stood on, the metal squealing a bit as it reluctantly moved along the track. Once the final step of the short ladder was free, he dropped it onto the platform below.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Sashi asked as they climbed down to the next floor. He preferred the closeness that telepathy brought, but Aki wasn’t a natural telepath, and right now he was too mentally exhausted to handle the strain.
“I just need to rest. I’ll be fine in the morning.”
Sashi let the issue go. Even if he complained about Aki exhausting himself to save Reisu, it wouldn’t do any good. He would just be reminded that it was their duty to save those who were in danger. Sashi didn’t have a problem with that, he just didn’t like saving stupid people.
Reaching the ground, they removed the masks before entering the subway tunnel. Aki sat wearily on a bench as they waited for the line that would take them to the northeast section of the city and the residential quarter that contained their apartment building. Sashi read a discarded newspaper, partially stained with coffee, until the train arrived. The car was empty save a few homeless people sleeping at the back, their belongings collected in the suitcases scattered at their feet.
His partner was fading fast as Sashi lead him to a seat, surprised when Aki leaned against him, close enough to feel the other boy’s hot breath on his neck. Warm tingles flashed over his skin with each exhale, and the jolting train pressed Aki closer as it jerked over the tracks. Enjoying the unaccustomed closeness, he was slightly disappointed when their station arrived, and he gently nudged Aki’s shoulder.
Climbing out of the subway terminal, they headed home, three blocks to the west and headlong into the wind. Not many people were on the streets, and with the exception of the occasional traffic noise, the walk home was mostly quiet.
Nearing their building, Sashi waited for Aki to catch up, the older boy visibly swaying. Unfastening the ties on his cloak, his voice was heavy as he reached Sashi. “Why do you think we were sent here?”
Unprepared for the question, he shrugged. Patron had sent them on several missions similar to this. Find these people, help them accomplish something—it was pretty much standard fare by now. After so many years he assumed it was all just another stopping point on the way to redeeming themselves and ending their exile. True, there did seem to be more at stake here, and the headache he’d gotten when Lochs and Kribensis had disappeared was very unusual.
“It just seems that this mission is different, that’s all,” Aki continued. “It’s so closely tied to the Bright, I have to wonder why they didn’t just handle it themselves.”
“I don’t know,” Sashi replied. He considered telling Aki about the headache, but decided against it. His partner was too tired at the moment and he wanted to think about it a bit before bringing it up. “I suppose we’ll need to work a little better with those girls.”
Aki sighed. “That did not go well at all. We really need to talk with them again, try to find a way to defeat Kribensis without too many problems.”
“It would be a lot easier just to kill him and get on with life,” Sashi said as they arrived at their building and unlocked the outside door. A rolling wave of heat greeted them, the furnaces kept at a high setting to appease the elderly landlady who often complained of the coldness in her bones. The main hallway extended to either side, silent and sleep-shrouded in the late hour. Sashi pressed the button for the elevator, watching the electronic numbers fall as it descended from the top floor.
“Messenger said we had to work with them. Killing Kribensis without them isn’t going to help them complete their destiny or whatever,” Aki said wearily, his eyes closed and body slumped against the opposite wall. Soft chimes sounded as the elevator doors opened.
“But it will stop Kribensis from reestablishing his empire. It would complete at least half the job.” Sashi argued, lighting up the button for their floor. The doors shut and the car rocked slightly as it began its ascent.
Aki gave a quiet, halfhearted laugh. “Good try, Sashi, but I think this is an all or nothing deal.”
“Why is it that the shortest ways are never the easiest?” Sashi complained, waiting for the doors to open and then walking down the left hallway, the telekinetic plodding behind.
“I’d have thought that you’d have figured that one out by now,” Aki said as the locks clicked and they entered the apartment.
“What, that life’s not fair?”
Inside, Aki disposed of the black cloak and mask on the floor and dropped to the couch without removing his boots. “Exactly.”
Stepping around the neat piles of books and paper on the floor of his room, Sashi dropped the heavy outer garment and mask atop a pile of dirty laundry. A long sleeved black t-shirt, too warm to wear in the overheated apartment, quickly followed. He loosened the ties of the tall boots and eased them off before lying back on the bed and closing his eyes. Sleep swarmed to claim him, and he wanted nothing more than to give in, but instead he forced himself off the bed and back into the living room.
Aki remained curled on the couch and Sashi stood over him for a moment, watching the brown-haired boy sleep. He was still suffering from the overexertion of the psionic ability, the aftereffects of the strain evident in his slightly labored breathing and pale skin. It was a stupid thing to do, saving that girl, but Aki was right, if she died then their mission would be unsuccessful and they’d be exiled forever.
Sashi gently shook Aki’s shoulder. “Come on,” he said softly. “You don’t want to sleep out here.”
The older boy shifted, the lucent blue eyes opening slightly as he sighed. “I know, I know.” He took the arm that Sashi offered to help him stand and held on tightly when the exhaustion rocked his balance.
Aki followed in silence as Sashi crossed the living room and opened the door to his partner’s room. Switching on the dim, overhead light, he frowned at the clutter that littered the hardwood floor. He had never been able to figure out how Aki could live in such a mess.
“Goodnight,” Sashi said, stepping aside so the half-asleep boy could pass.
Aki stepped over the threshold, one foot in his room as he turned to Sashi. The space between them was virtually non-existent in the confines of the doorframe. Faces close, Aki’s half-lidded blue eyes found his, the gaze through chestnut strands serious and concerned.
“Do you think this is it, Sashi? That after we help Kimi and Reisu our banishment will end? It’s been so long…” Aki whispered, dropping his head onto Sashi’s shoulder. /I want to go home. /
The unspoken words stabbed deep and guilt flooded Sashi’s mind with an intensity he hadn’t felt in a long time. Seeking to comfort his partner, he carefully stroked the thick, unruly locks of hair, slightly distracted when his fingers met the warm skin on the back of Aki’s neck. They both knew it was Sashi’s fault they were exiled, and in that moment he loathed his very existence.
“I hope so, Aki. I miss our home, too.”
Pulling away, Aki nodded and then continued into the bedroom. Sashi watched as he shed all his clothing save a pair of boxers and slid under the striped blankets, the mattress creaking under his weight.
“Goodnight, Sashi.” The sleepy boy whispered, his voice barely audible.
Sashi turned off the light. “Goodnight.”
Closing the door, he switched off the lamps as he headed for his room. He could still feel the smoothness of Aki’s skin on his fingers, the silkiness of his hair, and for some reason, despite the lingering guilt, he was smiling.
Thread Six:
The next afternoon, Aki sat in the study lounge of the Natural Science Building at West Central University. He’d been trying to concentrate on a book about unorthodox mathematical theorems, but the words more often than not became fuzzy and ran together on the page. Shutting the book, he closed his eyes and leaned back in the padded chair. Although he’d slept most of the day, he was still exhausted from using so much of his telekinesis. Once there had been a time when using that much power wouldn’t have drained him at all…
“Hey!” A voice from the direction of the door cut through his thoughts. Opening his eyes he saw Reisu standing at the door, her long, purple hair tucked under a baseball cap. Dropping her backpack on the floor, she sat down across from him.
“Late night?” She asked, looking at the dark circles that ringed his blue eyes.
Aki smiled. Regardless of their situation, he liked Reisu; she was very friendly and sweet. “Yeah, something like that,” he told her. “I don’t think I’m used to the time change yet.”
“Oh,” she replied. “Where are you from?”
“Sashi and I were living in London, but neither of us is originally from England. We wanted to come back to the States to finish college.” It wasn’t too blatant a lie.
“That’s so cool!” Reisu exclaimed. “I’ve never been to London. How long were you there?”
A flash of white in the doorway caught Aki’s eye. “Umm, several years,” he said as Sashi stepped into the doorway. Wearing a lab coat, his partner looked like his usual, disinterested self.
“Hi,” Reisu said, giving Sashi a smile.
“Hey,” he replied, barely looking in her direction before turning his attention to Aki. “I’m going to be a little while, is that all right?”
Aki nodded. More waiting meant more time to sleep in the lounge. “Sashi’s summer program starts its lab work early,” he told Reisu.
“My god!” she said. “It’s February! What class is that?”
“Neuropsychology, right Sashi?” The younger boy nodded, but didn’t reply.
“Wow, that really—“ Reisu yawned, “sucks.”
“Late night?” Aki asked, laughing.
The purple haired girl giggled. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Hey,” Sashi interjected, a slightly annoyed look on his face. “I just remembered something I wanted to show you. Right now.” White lab coat drifting behind him, Sashi hurried from the room.
“Oh, um, okay.” Aki grabbed his book and followed. What was wrong with Sashi? “See you later,” he called to Reisu before leaving the lounge.
Halfway down the corridor, Sashi waited for him. Without a word, the raven-haired telepath began to walk in the opposite direction from the psych labs. Aki tried to catch the younger boy’s eye, but Sashi was busy taking off the lab coat and wadding it into a ball. From the set of his jaw it was easy to see something was bothering him, but they just continued to walk past the classrooms and lecture halls in silence.
Passing a smaller hallway, Aki seized Sashi’s arm and steered him toward the small couches near the end. “What’s the matter?”
Dropping the wrinkled garment on the floor, Sashi turned, arms crossed. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to talk to her?”
Placing the book on a small side table, he sat on the couch. “She’s nice, and funny. Besides, I don’t remember some rule saying I can’t.”
“What if she figures out who you are? Messenger specifically warned us.”
Aki leaned back, his blue eyes catching Sashi’s gray. “Unless she’s telepathic, I highly doubt that simply talking to her will blow our cover.”
The irritated boy sighed. “Last night, when Lochs and Kribensis disappeared, I got a headache.”
“Damn,” he swore. They’d been told that the Dark could become involved, but if they’d shown up already then this could turn into a disaster. Any kind of contact with those Selestarri was especially dangerous.
Sashi slumped down at his side. “I didn’t actually see them, but one was definitely there.”
They still needed to use Kimi and Reisu to defeat Kribensis, but it seemed like a needless waste of the girls’ lives, particularly with the Dark lurking about. If only they were stronger, he wouldn’t have a problem letting them kill Kribensis and only adding his and Sashi’s strength as backup…and yet, maybe the girls didn’t actually have to fight; perhaps they just needed to be present.
/Well, that’s all great, but we need a plan. / Sashi’s voice echoed in his head.
“How about this?” Aki replied, carefully laying out the thoughts so the telepath could follow.
When he had finished, Sashi nodded. “If it helps us succeed, and go home, then it’s worth a shot.” The dark-haired boy’s eyes were fixed to the floor and he suddenly looked sad.
Aki placed a hand on his partner’s arm. “Hey, Sashi, about last night…” He’d been exhausted and wasn’t thinking clearly when he’d asked Sashi if he thought this was the end. “You know that I made my choice a long time ago, right?”
Sashi nodded, but he wouldn’t look Aki in the face and his gaze stayed on the linoleum floor. A moment of silence hung over them before he scooped up the lab coat and stood. “I still have that work to finish. Wait for me here?”
“Wake me when you’re ready.” Aki replied, closing his eyes and sinking back into the cushions.
Thread Seven:
Later that night, Aki stalked Kimi and Reisu through the lengthening twilight shadows of Oakwoods Park. He’d been following the girls to the clubs and bars of West Central’s Bridge District for over two hours. They were looking for Kribensis and Aki was looking for them. Finally, after no sign of the silver-haired man or his twins, the girls had given up and headed home.
For the most part, everything had worked according to their plan. Originally they were going to confront the girls in their apartment, but when Kimi and Reisu went out for the night, he’d volunteered to follow them, and meet up with Sashi at the playground of this park.
Slipping through the grove of trees that lined the walkways of the park, Aki quietly sprinted past the girls and entered the clearing that held the children’s play area. Mask in hand, Sashi sat on top of the jungle gym, almost invisible in his black pants and matching long-sleeved shirt. Hoisting himself over the top, Aki settled down next to his partner and reclaimed his weapon, mask and black cloak.
“How’d it go?” Sashi asked quietly, his eyes on the pathway that ran past the playground.
“Everything should be fine.” Aki replied, pulling the mask over his head. Sashi fastened his cloak and settled the rabbit mask in place, standing to buckle the sword belt over his narrow hips.
A flash of green and purple light flared briefly amidst the trees, indicating that the girls had seen them and manifested their weapons.
“Ready?” Aki asked as he stood. Sashi nodded, tugging well-worn leather gloves over his long fingers.
As the girls made their way down the path, Aki silently wished for their plan to work. He didn’t want to see Reisu and Kimi lose their lives over this whole “destiny” thing. The ever-present wind whistled through the treetops as they leapt silently to the ground.
“Waiting for someone?” Kimi called as she and Reisu reached the edge of the playground area.
Aki drew his sword, the silver blade glimmering in the glow of the walkway lights. “I think it’s time to finish what we started last night.” He hated bullying them, but it was the only way to pull the girls into a fight.
“What’s wrong, ladies?” Sashi scoffed. “Scared of a little competition?”
“Like your costumes and cheap parlor tricks could really compare to our abilities.” Reisu replied, shifting her grip on the glaive.
Aki glanced toward Sashi. He knew his partner was glaring at the two girls from underneath his mask; the tight clench of his fists an indication that he was fighting to restrain himself from further comment. Questioning the mastery of their magic was always a surefire way to anger the telepath. He took those types of accusations very personally.
“I seem to recall that my ‘parlor tricks’ saved your life last night,” Aki said, looking hard at Reisu. Was this the same girl he was laughing with in the study lounge today? “I think that qualifies us as more than just some idiots who put on a front and delude themselves into thinking they can save the world.” He let the words sink in before continuing; noticing the way both girls bristled at his suggestion that they were frauds. “But we don’t need to justify ourselves to you.”
Sashi nodded in agreement. “Actually, we came here tonight to tell you to stay out of this. We’ll handle Kribensis and the twins.”
The girls began to laugh. “Are you kidding?” Kimi said. “We’ve been fighting Kribensis since before you were born. If you think we’re going to stay away from him, then you’d better think again.”
Sashi drew his sword. “I think that the only thing that will settle this is a fight.”
Aki smiled. Everything was following the plan so far. “How about it, girls?” He asked, taking a step forward. “Whoever loses stays away from Kribensis.” Actually, the girls would be present when Kribensis died; they just wouldn’t be involved in the fighting.
Reisu and Kimi glanced at one another. Finally, Kimi nodded. “If you lose, you have to let us handle Kribensis without interfering.”
“What do you think, Rabbit?” He asked his partner.
Sashi’s only response was the snap of energy as a twisting bolt of electricity flashed over the blade of his sword. Without warning, he lunged at Kimi, the green-haired girl barely managing to get her rapier up in time to parry, their weapons snapping and crackling as the similar magic met. Bringing his other hand to the hilt, Sashi reversed the angle and sliced at her again, but Kimi jumped quickly to the side and stabbed at the ebony-haired boy as he moved past. She smiled in delight as her thin blade scored along his arm, drawing blood. Sashi grunted in pain, holding the wound tightly with his free hand. Despite the blood running through his fingers, the telepath raised his sword. Kimi’s smile faded as Sashi switched the hilt to his uninjured hand.
While she was distracted by Sashi’s ambidexterity, he leapt again, pushing her backward with his shoulder as his leg thrust out to catch her behind the knees. Kimi landed heavily on the ground, her sword flying into the grass several feet away. Sashi stepped forward, raising the tip of his blade mere inches from her throat, patiently waiting for her to yield. Unwilling to lose so easily, Kimi growled, brown eyes narrowed. Slithering through the grass and out from under the sword, she rolled toward the discarded rapier. Grasping the hilt, she pulled back only to stop abruptly; the rabbit-masked boy was already standing on top of the weapon, shaking his head. Furious, Kimi turned to attack with her fists but was quickly knocked onto the grass by the flat of Sashi’s sword, which was once again pointed at her throat, this time the sharp metal pressed directly beneath her jaw. Sulky, Kimi yielded in a huff of annoyance.
/Your turn, / Sashi sent as he lowered the sword.
/She actually managed to cut you. I’m impressed. /
/Shut up. / Sashi snapped as Aki turned to face Reisu.
“Ready?” He asked.
Reisu nodded and raised her glaive. Electricity flashed down the length of the weapon as she sprinted forward, the spiraling energy leaping from the blade as she drew close. Turning his sword, Aki deflected the attack, sending it into the grass at the foot of the slide.
“That’s not going to work,” he told her as they turned to face each other once more. “You’re going to have to fight me.”
Taking two quick steps in her direction, he swung the sword. It slid along the shaft of the glaive, energy hissing as the Selestarri magic collided. For a moment they stood locked, sparks burning into their clothes before the magic exploded, yanking them apart. Aki expected the blast and landed cleanly, but Reisu stumbled and almost lost her balance. Taking advantage of the girl’s precarious position, he jumped forward and seized the glaive with his free hand. Wrenching it away, he slowly backed Reisu toward the side of the jungle gym, holding the blue-steel bladed weapon level with her chest.
Breathing hard, Reisu smiled as she ducked and quickly lunged at Aki’s legs. Surprised, he landed flat on his back, both weapons skittering into the pine mulch. Pulling the corded fastenings of his cloak free as he somersaulted backward and onto his feet, he let the voluminous garment fall. Momentarily distracted, Reisu didn’t see him until his legs swept out and slammed into her shins, knocking her to the ground in a flurry of purple hair.
Winding the force of his telekinetics around her throat, he gently squeezed. Terrified, her green eyes grew wide.
“You’ve lost,” he said, standing over her prone form. “Now you must hold to your promise and stay away from Kribensis. We will deal with him from now on.”
Releasing Reisu, he and Sashi watched the fuming girls collect their weapons and storm down the path that led to the entrance of the park.
As the girls retreated into the darkening night, Sashi couldn’t resist one last remark. “Don’t quit your day jobs, Kimi and Reisu.”
Laughing quietly, they stepped into the shadows of the trees as the girls spun around.
***
The darkness was thick and suffocating, a tangible, viscid substance that resisted Sashi’s efforts to escape. Tightening over his arms and chest, the blackness soaked into his skin, poisoning his body inch by inch. Panicked and enraged, he ripped at the darkness, but the more he fought, the faster it spread, sinking further into his bones with a speed that would overwhelm him in moments.
“I don’t want this!” He screamed into the endless vacuity that held him captive. “Leave me alone!”
“How can you deny what is a part of your soul, Hisashi?” Whispered a cold voice from the void. “We’re only returning what belongs to you.”
Sashi continued to struggle as the blackness closed over his entire body. “You’re lying,” he hissed. “This isn’t me!”
“Of course it is, Hisashi,” the voice contested. “We can see inside your thoughts, your heart, and your soul. You wear the same darkness as us. As time passes, you will be unable to deny it any longer.”
“I am not evil!” The onyx substance filled his body now, stabbing though his lungs, his stomach, coiling like a snake over his throat.
“Give in, Hisashi. You don’t have the strength to fight much longer. Eventually we will come for you, and you will willingly give yourself to us.”
The darkness was an iron casing over his chest, hardening to the point that Sashi could no longer draw air. The poisonous black in his body reached his mind, striving to stifle his resistance and accept its presence.
“I’m not evil!” He shrieked again with the last of his breath. The darkness collapsed, shattering as piercing, white light streamed down like sunbeams through thick clouds. Air flooded his lungs, allowing a renewal of the struggle against the force that held him immobile.
“Leave me alone!” The dream cracked and he found himself pinned to the mattress by a faceless, looming shape. Blinded by the sudden brightness, he continued to fight, clawing at his assailant until strong hands forced his wrists down to the sweat-soaked bed sheets. In a last, desperate attempt, Sashi bucked his hips, hoping to remove the heavy weight from his lower body. The effort was fruitless and he remained stretched over the mattress, drained and despondent.
“Are you all right?” Aki’s voice filtered through the haze of the nightmare.
Sashi opened his eyes to find his partner peering down at him through damp locks of chestnut hair. Angry red scratches marred Aki’s pale skin and a bruise was already beginning to form on his cheek. The strength of the nightmare, his inability to control it, and Aki’s wounds crashed over him with the force of a falling building and a strangled sob slipped from his throat. No matter how hard he fought or how many missions and good deeds they performed, the inescapable darkness and hissing voice was always waiting for him.
“I don’t want to be evil,” Sashi whispered, voice on the edge of breaking.
Aki shifted off his legs and settled on the bed. Warm, soft hands pulled him up from the tangled linens and gathered him against the solidness of Aki’s chest, endeavoring to soothe and relax by rocking gently and stroking his wet hair. Security and comfort fell over Sashi’s wasted body and mind and he closed his eyes, focusing on the beating of Aki’s heart.
“I don’t want to be evil,” he repeated, numb and shivering from exhaustion.
“You’re not, Sashi, you’re not,” Aki whispered, wrapping his arms around Sashi. “I’m here to protect you.”
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