Creative Works

[DeaconPhenix]

So, a quick update for you guys. I had to get a second job so I don't have as much free time but I am still working some writing into my schedule and even if I may have to delay my posting of the next arc, I still intend on getting it out as soon as I can.  So, if you are still interested in the storyline, sit tight, much more to come and if you are just tuning in, welcome and I hope you like the first arc. Thanks!

[DeaconPhenix]

I have another update, one that I am very excited to be sharing with you. I have gotten a ton of writing done in the past couple of weeks and I am just about set to start posting the next arc. The first chapter of this next arc, which is entitled "Eternal Tomorrow", will be posted Saturday November 29th (one week from now. YAYYYY!). From there, I'm going to follow a rough two week plan until I get way ahead of myself and then maybe I'll start posting every week. Anyway, I hope everyone who reads this fic is excited cuz I sure am to finally be posting again. See ya guys soon!

[DeaconPhenix]

Well, I know I'm a day early, but it's been forever since I've been posting chapters, so I'm happy to announce that the next arc is ready to go. Like I said, I'm going to follow a very relaxed schedule at first for a couple of reasons. First, I'm still not quite happy with the cushion I have between writing the story and posting the chapters and the second being that I don't want to get too far ahead of anyone that is just tuning into this story. So, if you are new to my fan fic, this is SPOILER TERRITORY!!!!!!! Anyway, to those who have finished the first arc and to those catching up, please enjoy the second arc of the story, entitled "Eternal Tomorrow".

Eternal Tomorrow

Act 1: Kyuutenchokka (Sudden Crash)

Shadows shifted and danced across the large room like little sprites scurrying through a forest. The braziers burned low, the coals long gray and almost burnt out. This added to the effect of the imaginary goblins and Squad Two Captain Shun Kuroda's eyes swam with fatigue. He had been awake for the past forty hours and although his bones cried out for reprieve, he had the feeling that he was going to see a lot more before rest came.

Just the thought of these ryoka was tiring enough, but Shun understood that if the Commander-General called an emergency meeting at this time of the night, there was serious business at hand. These meetings were usually held between Commander-General Nakashima and the four captains from Squads Two to Five, but an uneasiness began to settle into Shun as he realized that only Captain Kolan Janar of Squad Three was present. Captain Kuroda had heard rumor that the captains from Squads Four and Five had ventured forth from the walls of the Soul Society to investigate the presence of the ryoka and the longer that he waited with no word from these two forced Kuroda to realize that they may have been more than just rumors.

Kuroda looked to Captain Janar to see if he exhibited any similar emotions, but the Third Squad Captain appeared relaxed, his straw hat worn low on his head as if he was napping. Sick of the silence that dominated the room, Shun asked, “surely you are not sleeping in the Assembly Hall of the Commander-General, are you Kolan?”

A small smile creased Kolan's face as he shifted his hat further up on his head, exposing his sky blue eyes and black locks of hair. “Nay, but I should be at this late hour. It should be a rule that emergency meetings be held in the morning.” the captain answered.

“Well, then they wouldn't be emergencies, would they?” Shun asked jovially, adjusting his black-lensed eyeglasses. Kolan only shrugged, his white captain's robe ruffling ever so slightly as he crossed his arms across his chest and resumed his “dozing”.

Shun scratched his head, brushing his black hair back. He chuckled softly, knowing that he had begun to notice a lighter tone in his hair over the past few months. Was he getting old? Not terribly so, he would say. Shun Kuroda was middle-aged for a shinigami, older than Kolan by a score and Ryushin Takedo's senior by forty years, but he hopefully had many long years on this earth before he considered himself old. No, the gray hairs that he had noticed in his sleek black hair were caused from stress. Not that being up in the wee hours of the morning was helping either, he thought. He was just unable to stop thinking of his fellow captains, Ryushin Takedo and Victor Valtherion, and the consequences of the fact that they still had not returned from their mission outside the Soul Society. Had they encountered trouble? A battle against the ryoka? Shun had felt reiatsu fluctuations all throughout the previous day, but was unable to attribute exactly where they were coming from. Was it possible that the captains may have actually fallen?

More to calm his nerves than to get an opinion, Shun asked Kolan what he thought of their colleagues. Once again, Kolan shrugged, not showing any notice that he had even pondered their fate. Shun let the question hang in the air for a moment and Captain Janar finally appeased him by saying, “I know that they fought the ryoka in the plains, but in the heat of the battle, I was unable to distinguish their individual reiatsu.”

“You don't think that they could have fallen to the intruders, do you?” Kuroda pressed.

Kolan wanted to shrug again, but he didn't have to as the Commander-General entered the room and stood at the base of the assembly hall between the two braziers. Accompanying the Squad One Captain was his lieutenant, a small woman with short brown hair. Asuka Sakamoto was her name, a dangerous woman that appeared quiet, but was able to turn fierce in an instant. Shun personally disliked Lieutenant Sakamoto, believing her to be power hungry and after her captain's position. What a coincidence, he thought, I have the same problem.

Kuroda and Janar bowed low as Nakashima entered the room, the old sage walking slowly to his position at the head of the room. Although he never showed any emotion to any of the other captains, there was a spark in his eye that gave both captains cause for concern.

Nakashima waved his hand and the Captains of Squad Two and Three returned to their feet, Kolan having removed his hat as Shun held his glasses in his hands. The Commander-General took many minutes to observe the two captains before he gathered his sources of information and addressed them. “Squad Two Captain Shun Kuroda and Squad Three Captain Kolan Janar, I must apologize for calling your attendance at such an early hour, but the news I have is no mere trifle.” Collecting himself, the first captain continued, “I have reason to believe that Captains Takedo and Valtherion have failed us in detaining the ryoka.”

Janar's eyes widened in shock as Shun started forward. “How could this be? Ryushin and Victor are two of our stronger captains!”

“These intruders are not mere commoners.” Asuka Sakamoto said solemnly from her place to the side of Nakashima.

“That may be so, but we are talking about captains of the Soul Society.” Kuroda declared.

“In any case, no threat to our city should be taken lightly.” Nakashima responded.

“What leads you to this conclusion, if I may ask?” Kolan questioned.

Nakashima nodded and stated, “in the final moments of their battle, the reiatsu levels of all warriors dropped to nothing except for one of the ryoka. Our captains may have been able to stop one of the intruders, but I believe the other is still out there and has finished off Takedo and Valtherion. I have not been able to sense their reiatsu for a long time.”

“What can we do to help?” Shun asked.

“I have already dispatched a search team to recover and investigate the situation. My task for the two of you involves the squads that indefinitely have no captains. Until we learn more of the current whereabouts and fates of these captains, you are to each police and order Squads Four and Five.” Nakashima exclaimed. “Leave your lieutenants in charge of your current squads for the time being. I expect no outbreak or cry from any of these squads in the meantime.”

Shun and Kolan nodded and turned to exit the hall, but Nakashima was not finished. “One more thing, Captains. I believe these ryoka to be the sons of Jaxon Phenix.”

“Phenix? You couldn't possibly mean the Shokubai?” Kolan questioned awestruck.

“Be on your guard.” That was all the Commander-General had to say.

========

Shugo yawned, the big giant struggling to stay awake at his pre-dawn post. The gate guard had kept an astute outlook for any trace of the ryoka since the battle outside the city had ended, but that was many hours ago and a quiet summer night had a way of lolling one to slumber. The big man peered over to his brother, the soft-headed Shuggoraio, only to find his compatriot slouched against the wall, fast asleep.

Shugo grunted loudly, but his brother made no move that he had heard and continued to sleep. The fool, Shugo thought to himself, leaving me to guard the city by myself against these intruders. Not that he had anything to worry about, right? The giant laughed at himself for getting worried. There was no need to worry, he reminded himself. There was no ryoka on earth that could defeat the likes of the good Captains Takedo and Valtherion. Those two were in a class of their own; there was no way that they could lose.

The guard thought back to the time when he had first been appointed to his duty for the city. That was right after Hanran, the tragedy that tore Korvalien apart and the city was defenseless to the threat of the intruding Hollows that sought to take advantage of the city's plight. Shugo remembered the incident when a large pack of the ungodly creatures descended upon the Soul Society, led by three of the Menos Grande, the elite soldiers of Hueco Mundo. Shugo and his platoon had been pushed to their limits by the fiends and the giant feared for his life, but Captain Victor had appeared, quiet yet confident. With one word, one uttering of “bankai”, Valtherion and his zanpakuto Merutodaun had slain the three Menos Grande and had sent the rest of the Hollows fleeing back into their shadow realm. From there, the captain turned and addressed every one of the soldiers individually, making sure that they were alive and well. Victor had been worried about their well-being and now it was Shugo's turn to worry.

As much as he tried to place all of his confidence in Captain Valtherion's ability to survive any battle, the sneaking suspicion that things had gone awry had never left the gate guard since the battle had ended. With his fortitude shaken, Shugo had to wonder who on this earth could have possibly defeated two captains of the Soul Society. Safe for the Commander-General, Shugo had believed that the captains of Squad Four and Five were the strongest alive and could not be bested. However much he tried to comfort himself, the unrest remained in Shugo's heart and it made the quiet hours alone all the more difficult.

Trying to distract himself, Shugo tossed a clay flower pot towards his younger brother. The urn landed right on Shuggoraio's head and shattered into pieces, yet the oaf still remained asleep, unperturbed by his brother's actions. Growling, Shugo stomped across the pathway of the great thirty-foot door to awaken his fellow guard. He noticed nothing out of the ordinary until a large blast of air rushed over him suddenly. Shugo stopped, realizing in shock that the wind had come from the closed portal.

“What is this?” he questioned aloud. “This door is solid wood. There are no cracks.....” His sentence was cut short as the large door smashed open in front of him, the force of the blow taking him from his feet as debris crashed over him. The giant cried out in pain and surprise as he was forced to the ground under the weight of the door. Grunting, Shugo shoved a large portion of the destroyed door off of his body as he tried to stand. He looked from side to side in fear, yet saw nothing. There was no disturbance anywhere within the Soul Society. It was as if nothing had happened at all.

Nearby, a metal plate in the street rattled slightly as it settled back in place.

[forgingaheart]

Nice start to the next arc.  The captain's meeting was interesting, and then there is that poor giant at the gate...somehow they always seem to get so beat up.

[McDavey]

With that captains meeting it makes me wonder where the other captains are. I am starting to wonder how far the ryuka will make it, and if they have some other strong guys I haven seen yet, I would hope. I liked it cant wait to see the next ones. keep up the good work.

[DeaconPhenix]

@forging: yeah, those poor giants always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

@davey: Yep, the ryoka have one in hiding right now. We shall see her in a couple of chapters.

Anyway, here's the new chapter. I hope you guys enjoy a certain "introduction" in this one. It was pretty wild writing it!

 Chapter 2

There was darkness for a very long time, an everlasting amount of time it seemed. Nothing in life could compare to it, for it wasn't even a darkness. It was a nothingness, an absence of any and all substance, a departure from reality. There was no sadness or relief or anger; there was just nothing. Then, when it seemed that this empty world would become eternity, something happened. There was no telling what that something was but a graying figure appeared in the blackness, like an overcast rain cloud on a day that was quickly deteriorating. Slowly, this smoky gray shadow blanketed over the tenebrosity, bringing a dim light to the world. No sound or feeling accompanied this hazy sight, but the dusty tendrils represented something substantial, something that dominated the absolute dark.

Eventually, this dream-like fog solidified to show a figure in the foreground of the grayness. Vision still came blurred and unclear, but there was definitely a person nearby. Then the pain came. At first, it was a dull ache, thudding deep inside like a dormant volcano, but it spread quickly, catching fire to the rest of his body as it awoke, his nerves spiking as the agony renewed itself. He unintentionally moved, his body shuddering in spasms as the pain found an all new level.

“Please don't.....Capt.....you should not be....”the voice came muffled, but the ability to hear was a distant second priority to dealing with the exploding anguish he was experiencing. This time he tried to move, but found that his body would not respond to any exertion he put forth. He appeared to be paralyzed and that scared him more than the pain did.

“You are very hurt........we'll get you........I just need you to make sure.....” he understood a little more each time, but the overriding pain still made it impossible to comprehend everything. He tried to move again, but this time, he was restrained.

“Captain Takedo, I must ask you to please remain still. You are gravely wounded and if you thrash around, you are going to make the bleeding worse.” the voice spoke clearly to him now. Ryushin struggled to open his eyes for more than a moment and when he finally could, he realized that there was a member of the Ninth Squad huddled over him, using kido to keep him conscious.

His mind was still fuzzy and he could barely think, but Ryushin remembered that the Ninth Squad was the Soul Society's Relief Squad and he understood that he was in the best care possible. “Lieutenant, he's going to need immediate care.” the shinigami stated as calmly as possible, viewing some of the captain's worst injuries.

Lieutenant Keiko Shimizu hurried over to their location, her hands already coated in blood. There was a distressed look on the young woman's face, but as soon as Ryushin came into her sight, she hid it away in favor of the stern demeanor she had been telling herself she must maintain. The last thing that she had expected to see on this mission was two of her captains defeated and lying motionless on a deserted battlefield, one stone dead and the other fading away in their hands. Keiko took a deep breath, brushed away her dirty blond hair with a forearm and addressed the situation.

“What is his status?” the lieutenant questioned, fearing the worst. She crouched next to her assistant in the mud, surveying the mess that Ryushin had become. His face was splattered in blood that had dried brown over his nose and mouth. Slashes covered his shoulders and torso, decorating his body like a psychotic artist's rendering. Keiko was afraid that many of these were very deep and she wondered how Ryushin was still alive, let alone awake and cognizant.

“He's going to need immediate attention from within the Soul Society. I'm afraid the only one who can heal some of these wounds is our captain.” the squad member stated. “I'm afraid if we move him, his internal bleeding is going to worsen and his pain will put him into shock.”

“Let me handle this, Naoi. Help tend to the other matter.” Keiko replied, huddling over the fallen captain. “Captain Takedo, can you speak?”

“Vic....Victor...” he tried to say.

“Don't worry about Captain Valtherion. You have to worry about your own health right now.” Shimizu spoke lightly. “We have to get you back to the Soul Society immediately.”

“Water?” Ryushin questioned.

“I have something better for you, Captain.” Keiko responded, placing her hand over his forehead. Wincing, she jolted him with a blast of reiatsu, knocking him unconscious.

  

=========

The sewer was pitch black, a sightless hell to a human of normal sight. Deacon Phenix was fortunately not a normal human by any means, but the dank tunnels still reminded him of his torturous possession by the demon Malrulcentiar, the acclaimed Lord of Shadows. In those days, he had just been a creature of eternal pain, a corrupt fiend waiting to die. Every waking moment in that sub-plane dominated by the Shadow God was agony, every intangible shift in his form accompanied by suffering. As a creature of darkness, he had to learned to dread any form of light, viewing it as the worst pain. Now, Deacon felt claustrophobic in this dirty sewer, wishing he could be in the fresh air and sunlight.

Deacon slid down against one of the moist, slimy walls, crouching down on his haunches with his arms crossed in front of him, resting on his knees. He stared off into the dancing shadows for a long time before looking down at his brother, lying silently on the cold stone. Aeryk had awaken earlier for the first time since the fight, feverish and delirious in the complete darkness. He had raved that he was dead and Deacon could barely keep from breaking down when he heard his half-brother uttering Noniko's name over and over as if he was looking for her in the afterlife.

For now Aeryk slept, although Deacon understood that the most he could hope for his brother would be an endless coma if he didn't get some help. What could he do though? He was hiding in a disease-ridden prison in enemy territory. What had Ryushin been thinking? For that matter, what was Deacon doing listening to an enemy that he had just destroyed in battle? Did he truly expect that his opponent would give him helpful advice after Phenix had taken his life?

Deacon sighed heavily, knowing that none of the negative emotions building inside of him were helping the situation at all. He would just have to manage, just as they had managed for months trying to find a cure for Noniko's sickness. He attributed the suffocating darkness to his helpless feelings. He knew that by sitting there doing nothing was not going to help “manage” the situation, but neither would it if he tried to access the surface without being completely healed. He would either be captured or killed by a soul reaper of any competence and his brother would be left to rot in the sewer.

“I cannot allow that to happen.” he stated aloud, peering down at Aeryk once more. “I promise I will get you some help. Just hang in there a little bit longer, my brother.”

With that, Deacon lied down, trying to clear his mind and get some meaningful sleep. He had napped earlier as his wounds had overcome him and the restless sleep was accompanied by horrible dreams. He would dream that he was still battling Ryushin, that all that had happened since then had been a dream itself. Even though blood was spilling from his body, Takedo had laughed at Deacon over and over, sneering behind bloody and missing teeth. “How could you think that you had defeated me, you fool? You are nothing but a shade, a being of nothingness, a rot upon this world!” the captain would shout and as Deacon looked down upon himself, he realized that he was indeed a shade once again, trapped in his incorporeal form and forced to feel the pain he thought he had abandoned those years ago. Edaluna was a lie, he realized, a sham created by his maniacal mind to cope with the ever-present agony he experienced. “Your goddess is false.” Ryushin scoffed. “Even if she was real, she would abandon your pitiful soul anyway. You are weak, shade.”

Edaluna is a lie. My goddess is not real. Everything is false.....

NO.

Deacon opened his eyes, realizing that he had fallen asleep after all. He had to shield himself for a moment for there was a blinding light in the tunnel. Slowly adjusting, he peered into a familiar violet shine that offered him relief at last. At first, he struggled with the change, looking down at his brother in panic. Relief flooded over him stronger, breaking his tension as he understood that his goddess had a plan. He accepted the change and the light overtook him, shining throughout the entire tunnel and blinding all sight. A moment later, the light faded, leaving the sleeping Aeryk by himself in the sewer.

{thanks for reading}

[forgingaheart]

So three of the four dragons continue to live for now (good), but poor Victor has died (dang), tis a shame as I liked his character...

I hope Takedo continues to survive, as well as Aeryk.  Somehow I rather suspect that Shade/Deacon Phenix is not in any danger dying, but I do wonder what his goddess, Edaluna, is going to say to him about his battle and quest so far. 

[DeaconPhenix]

I'll just say that Deacon has no safe ticket through this story lol. Nothing is what it seems in this one.......

[forgingaheart]

I knew that he wouldn't get a free ride, it's just that I figured his goddess Edaluna wasn't going to let Deacon die at this point in the story. 

[DeaconPhenix]

Well no chapter this week. I have literally been working seventeen hours days at work and I have no time to write at all. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!! Anyway, I hope to be able to get one more chapter up by Christmas. Hopefully it will be by next Friday. I hope everyone's holiday season has been going well (or as well as it can get) and have fun out there in the cold!

[forgingaheart]

Dang!  BTW, when do you find time to eat, sleep, or say "Hi" to the family, let alone write?

[DeaconPhenix]

 pretty much never. I'm burning on both ends here lol.

[DeaconPhenix]

Well, this will be the last chapter that I'm going to post up until the holidays are over. Work has been really crazy and I have been logging mad hours but that should all be ending here in another week or so, so I'm looking forward to getting some time off and writing a good bit more. For now, here is Chapter 3. Thanks for reading and everyone have a great holiday! Merry Chrismakwanzakah and Happy New Year!

Chapter 3

A piercing scream ripped through the air like a shock wave powered by an earthquake, a harrowing cry that left everyone on the streets of the Soul Society stumbling backwards in fear and distortion. Panic quickly spread throughout the main avenue as the scream continued unabated, piercing the very souls of those who remained outside.

The scream broke into a sobbing wail as the gates of Korvalien slammed shut, dust billowing into the morning sky. The two giant guards stood with pikes in hand, looks of sorrow on their face. The soft-headed Shuggoraio wept openly, tears splattering down the front of his dirty shirt. His older brother Shugo stood silently, the same feelings welling up inside of him. He would spend tears later when the streets were empty. The Ninth Squad Search Team walked down the main avenue of the city quietly. Some held their heads low, some sniffed back their own tears. Lieutenant Keiko Shimizu stepped as quickly and tenderly as she could through the growing crowd, knowing that she could not show emotion yet. It was a sad day in Korvalien. Captain Victor Valtherion, the hero of Squad Five, was dead.

As members of the Ninth Squad tried to restrain her, Lieutenant Janelle Ellebrecht screamed out again just as fiercely, wrestling to get through the crowd to her fallen captain. She scratched, she clawed, she cursed the names of every shinigami blocking her progress. “Get out of my way! Leave me be! I must see to him.....oh my Captain!” Janelle wailed.

Commander-General Nakashima approached the struggling shinigami and the crowd departed from before her. Janelle burst forward and sprinted towards the quickly constructed gurney that held her dead captain. “Lieutenant Ellebrecht, you must stop this foolishness.” Nakashima spoke strictly.

She paid no attention to the Commander-General and continued to move towards the body of Victor Valtherion. A spark of electricity flickered in his eyes and when the lieutenant continued to press forward, Nakashima manifested the sparks into blasts of energy that ran threw his arms. The bolts struck from his hands, smacking into Janelle and knocking her backwards, breathless upon the concrete street. Even then, she struggled to gain her feet, but she was quickly restrained by a host of Squad One members. Addressing the masses, Nakashima commanded, “tragedy strikes the hearts of shinigami everyday, but as seated officials, it is our duty to maintain our wit and emotion. Resign this woman to the detention cells.”

The members of Squad One dragged Janelle away from the scene, her screaming and sobbing voice trailing the entire way. Captain Shun Kuroda watched this from the rooftop of one of the nearby buildings. Inside, he was a tumultuous storm, a shocked and afraid man. Two of their captains had fallen that previous day and there was no sign of the ryoka. They could be anywhere and his station demanded that he be on alert and ready to battle to the death at all times. Kuroda had been in mortal combat before, but never at this stage. Never had he seen a power that could overthrow the likes of Valtherion and Takedo. Shun had dueled against both the captains and was aware that if he was locked in battle with either, he would fear his life. Now, one of them was dead and the other maimed and dying.

Behind him, his lieutenant, a rare shinigami, peered down at the crowd with a judgmental look upon his face. Gallievo Malvae was a dark elf, an underground race of purported evil design. He was abandoned by his kind at a very young age and through several vagabonds and traveling caravans, made his way to Korvalien, where he was adopted into the shinigami way after a fine show of his power. The dark elves, drow as they are called by the outsiders of Korvalien, live almost as long as shinigami and Gallievo had no trouble matching his powers against some of the elite within the Soul Society. In fact, fifteen years ago, it was Gallievo that had been the captain of Squad Two and not Shun.

Kuroda thought back to that time, after the dust had finally cleared from Hanran and the Soul Society had finally recovered from its major losses. Malvae had assumed the role of captain after the former had betrayed his position and joined the rebellion. The bred dark motives within him had shown clearly to Shun back in those days and he felt that Squad Two had a fleeting chance to succeed under Malvae's leadership. As Gallievo's philosophy seemed to parallel the former captain's more and more, Lieutenant Kuroda challenged him to a formal bout for captaincy of the squad. Through this, Shun defeated Gallievo and became the new captain of Squad Two. Seeking to establish peace within his own squad as well as the rest of the Soul Society, Shun chose not to kill Gallievo, instead declaring the drow his lieutenant. Looking into the dark elf's glaring eyes now, Shun doubted his decision.

“What are your thoughts on this sight, Lieutenant?” Kuroda questioned, breaking the tense silence between the two.

Gallievo snapped up, his red eyes blazing like hot coals through his black skin. Through gritted teeth, he announced, “they were weak. I find it hard to rely on captains within Korvalien that cannot deal with threats to their homeland.”

“Weak? Perhaps it is that these ryoka just proved stronger than our great captains.” Shun suggested, adjusting the black-lensed glasses on his face.

Gallievo scoffed and brushed a hand through his long white hair. “That is highly unlikely that ryoka could possess enough strength to defeat a competent shinigami. By no means are they “great” captains anyway. They had grown complacent and therefore weak.” he spat.

“We do not yet know of the well-being of these ryoka either.” Shun reminded his lieutenant. “They could be lying in a ditch, their lifeblood coursing into the mud for all we know.”

“Wishful thinking. I believe that yon pretentious captains were wholly overwhelmed and summarily destroyed. These ryoka are far from dead.” Gallievo answered spitefully.

“I hope that you are wrong, Gallievo.” Shun stated quietly.

“Is this why I was called up here, to watch this charade?” the lieutenant asked.

“No, I must discuss our actions in the coming days. Squad Five is missing their captain and even if Captain Takedo survives this, Squad Four will be without him for a long time. I need to take over one of these squads for the time being.” Kuroda announced.

“Who is to control the other?” Malvae inquired.

“Captain Janar of Squad Three. In this event, I need you to police our squad until my return. Assure everyone that I am still the captain of this squad and that I am not leaving them for another. As soon as Lieutenants Ellebrecht and Maeda are in control of their respective squads, I shall return.” Shun instructed.

Malvae grumbled something under his breath before nodding his acknowledgment. As he turned to leave the rooftop, Shun stopped him, staring deeply into this eyes. “Do not disappoint the squad, Gallievo. Do not disappoint me.” he declared.

Gallievo only gave him a blank look before turning away.

{thanks for reading}

[forgingaheart]

Nice chapter.  Boy, the Commander-General is a bit of a jerk, imagine insisting on decorum at a time like that.

So Kuroda's Lt. is a dark elf, who use to be captain of the squad Kuroda now commands.  Good reason for tenseness between them all the time.

[DeaconPhenix]

So I have a cool holiday gift for you all..........another chapter! I finally found some decent time to write and I got sooooo much work done. This chapter is one of the longer ones so far, but it will introduce two very interesting characters that will have a big effect later on in the storyline. If you happen by this Christmas morning, enjoy the read and Happy Holidays everyone!

Chapter 4

 

The streets of the Soul Society were empty all day long after word spread that the ryoka were still on the loose somewhere. Captain Mika Kobayashi had spent the whole day assembling her squad around watch posts and assuring them that they would be fine and that the ryoka could not attack again in such short time. Even though she reinforced her words to all those of her squad that she saw on duty, there was a nagging sensation within Mika that she could not ignore. It was hard to explain, even if she was only trying to explain the feeling to herself, but she didn't think she was falling into the wildfire that was the public paranoia. She didn't feel like somebody was watching her; it was different, almost as if someone was looking.....through her eyes. She tried her best to ignore the odd feeling all day long and when day turned to dusk, she retired to her quarters exhausted.

The candle burning brightly in her room, Mika looked into the mirror atop her bureau, her amethyst eyes glittering in the light. She removed the holly crown that sat atop her long midnight colored hair, setting it on its mantle. She sighed at how exhausted she looked in the mirror and began to undress, knowing that she would have another long day tomorrow. Untying her red obi, she removed her captain's robe and hung it on its respective post. Her unusual ruby red sleeveless kosode stood out in the awkwardly lit room. She was known as the “Crimson Princess” to some of the shinigami of the Soul Society because she favored a red kosode over the traditional black, and even though she despised the nickname, she never turned down the garment her mother had given her. She just didn't like being referred to by that name. It was an old dead nickname, one that had belonged to the original Crimson Princess herself, Amane Michiyo. Mika had seen the reaction of her fellow captain Ryushin Takedo on hearing that name and she hated that he had to feel a pang of sadness every time some fool uttered it in good mirth.

She stripped off the kosode and quickly wrapped herself in her nightgown, her head already nodding off. Collapsing into her bed, Mika was asleep in minutes. That night, she dreamed of the moon over and over. In the first dream, Mika was walking through a field of corn, listening to the bugs chirping and the wind sawing through the corn. There was a smell of harvest in the air and Mika felt delighted to walk through the field in the light of the moon. The sphere hung in the sky like a beacon, lighting her path. She followed this path jovially, gazing up to the moon in admiration and awe. The silver disc almost called out to her, shining so brilliantly that she imagined it was a lantern of the gods. Then, everything changed. The moon turned blood red and her path fell away to darkness. Instead of enjoying a nice walk through the field, Mika was now lost and dreading every step. A feeling of panic spread through her, anxiety ripping through her system like a shock wave. She tripped over unseen things, things that scared her, things that made noises, little screeches and hoots. She burst through the cornstalks in full panic, crashing through the field and falling on her face every couple of yards. It was as if her legs had betrayed her, like she had forgotten how to walk and it was then that she realized that she was being followed. Panic turned to terror and she tried to gain her feet and flee, but it was too late. Too late for the shadow was upon her....

She passed into a second dream and the cornfield was gone. Now she resided in her own quarters, standing by herself in the shadows of the night. She was in her captain's regalia, yet she felt like she was freezing cold. The moon shone through her balcony window, lighting the front half of her room. A lark cried somewhere in the night outside and she continued to feel a chill growing inside of her body. Then, the moon was suddenly blocked out and she looked up to see a dark figure standing on her balcony. The man made no move towards her, but she could feel the cold emanating from him, the icy grip of death itself. Then he did come forward, stepping deliberately towards her and despite herself, Mika cowered away. As he neared, she saw a grim look on his face, a face like the moon....

She was then on the main avenue of the Soul Society, her bankai blazing around her as fires burned throughout the city. She hurried down the street, looking for the cause of the conflagration, but all she saw were the bodies of the dead, slashed corpses, charred and ashy corpses, those that asphyxiated on the smoke. They were piled atop one another, blocking her onto the main avenue and she feared what kind of evil had descended upon the city. She ran from block to block, looking for survivors, but her screams and calls were left unanswered. It was as if she the only living being in all of the Soul Society. She called once more and this time she was answered by an indecipherable voice, one hidden away in the corner of one of the buildings. She rushed towards the source of the voice and once again found that dark figure, nothing more than a shadow even in the blazing fires of the city. The man turned and pointed at her. Mika stopped and looked at herself, only to realize that the fires were erupting from her own sword, casting the city into ashes. She had killed all of those people? Was it possible that she had done such a terrible thing? The figure beckoned towards her before disappearing into a ray of light, coming from the night sky. She gazed upward in horror, only to be swallowed up by the light of the moon....

Mika awoke in a cold sweat, her nightgown clinging to her body. It felt like somebody had splashed a bucket of water over her while she slept. She sat up in bed in the panic that those that aren't quite awake possess and Mika threw the covers off of her. She hurried to the balcony and looked out into the city, but saw nothing out of the ordinary, a seemingly peaceful Soul Society. There was no fire, no overpowering glare from the moon, no dark, shadowy figures in the night. It was just the dozy pre-dawn streets resting below as they had for thousands of years.

Calming herself down, Mika returned inside and poured herself a glass of water from the basin by her bed. As she cooled off, she found herself getting dressed and heading out of her quarters. She felt an uncontrollable urge to get to the Squad Three headquarters. Why Squad Three, she wondered as she walked confused through the streets. She had heard that the squad was currently being policed by Lieutenant Fuji Senbashi, while Captain Janar dealt with the issue of Squad Five. Mika did not care for the lieutenant in the least bit, always thinking of him as a snobby brat that held his nose too high for his own good. Why did she need to get to the building then, she continued to wonder.

Closing the distance, Mika was beginning to see the building in the distance and her fine eyesight picked out a person sitting in one of the benches that decorated the front deck of the Squad Three headquarters. She could not tell who that was due to the dim light adorning the streets of the city, but she picked up her pace a bit to see who was awake at this late hour of the night.

Arriving at the base of the building, she found that the figure was the third seat official of the squad, a well-to-do girl by the name of Shuyural Kurokawa. Shuyural held considerable respect in the squad for both her fighting ability and her great skill at healing, a combination that any squad sought in a seated official. Kurokawa had initially begun her time in the Soul Society in the Ninth Squad, the squad known primarily for healing and scout parties. She had transferred to the Fourth Squad once she realized that her fighting skills were developing just as well as her healing. In the aftermath of Hanran, Shuyural had transferred again to Squad Three to assist in rebuilding the shattered squad.

The girl waved at her as Mika continued to approach and she waved back amiably. Shuyural was a dear friend of Ryushin and Mika liked her for that aspect. As a younger and newer captain, Mika had grown up and advanced in the Soul Society basing her ideals off of Ryushin's ways, respecting his great ability to handle any situation, fight any battle. His morale, discretion, and personality were all things that she sought to better in herself and she enjoyed the time that he spared for his friends, which she had been counted as after knowing him for some time. They had spent many walks discussing things that seemed trivial to everyone else, but had secret and most times comical meaning to them. Mika had been crushed when she found out what had happened to Ryushin in the battlefield and when she thought about it, she realized that was why Shuyural was up at this late hour as well.

“Are you worried about Captain Takedo as well?” she asked, sitting next to Kurokawa.

“How could you tell?” Shuyural asked ashamedly, staring down at the ground.

“He's our friend, Shu, it's hard not to worry.” Mika answered, putting an arm on the girl's shoulder. “He's going to make it.” she said, trying to appear strong.

Shuyural looked into Mika's eyes for a moment, her own eyes welling up with tears. “I....I'm just so scared.” she stuttered as the tears overwhelmed her and she placed her head in her hands. The sobs came then and she weeped into her hands openly, unable to hold it back anymore. Seeing her that way, Mika struggled even harder not to cry as well and she continued to rub the woman's shoulder, hoping to be of come comfort to her.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Mika declared, “he's strong Shu. Remember how he walked out of the city? He looked powerful, able to conquer any foe.”

“But the way he returned!” Shuyural cried. “I saw him up close. He was flayed!”

“I know he's hurt, but we have to be strong too. He's going to make it. He's too adamant not to live. We just have to hold our hope in our hands and pray for him.” Mika responded, feeling the lump rising again in her throat. This time, she wasn't sure she could keep it down.

“I just can't help but be scared. I mean, the ryoka are still out there. They could have infiltrated the city by now and be watching us right now.” Kurokawa sobbed.

“Come on now. That's no way to think. I'll tell you what, why don't you go down to the Ninth Squad first thing in the morning and check in on the captain. If there's any chance that he's awake, he will want to see a friendly face to cheer him up.” Mika suggested.

Shuyural looked up, brushing her blond hair out of her face and wiping her eyes. “I think that's a good idea.” she was able to say before she burst into tears again. She hugged Mika tight and the captain was unable to hold her cry back anymore either.

{thanks for reading}

Message Edited by DeaconPhenix on 12-25-2008 02:43 AM

[forgingaheart]

*Checks my stocking*  YESSS!  New chapter.

Mika seems the be a interesting character, the holly wreath was a nice touch for the Christmas season (eventhough since I've seen her avatatr....i know it part of her outfit).

Still...after those nightmares I doubt I'd go outside till morning.

Shuyurai also seem to be interesting...  Can't wait to see were they both fit innto the "party"

[McDavey]

lolz,I can't beleive one of those fools suvived, well it seems to me Deacons ambitions are fool hearty, I mean, I think he might just plow through good guys until someone finally strikes him down, as for Aeryk I dont hold much hope for him. I would think it enteresting if deacon had become overcome by delusions put in his mind by the demon that possed him, if it still does, and the dreams are flashes of reality.

[McDavey]

I guess calling the characters fools comes from going the two captains facing adversaries that they didn't know how powerful they were, I felt like they should have tried to analyze their opponent, but I got the feeling that is what you were going for, that the two captains underestimated the ryoka, or at least I thought so. On the matter of Deacon, my running theory is he might still be demon possessed and seeing whatever the demon wants him to, but the reality might be what he saw in the dream, and Forging asked me where I got the demon aspect, I guess it is from the  a mythology that in the book and movie Eragon that says a shade is someone who is demon possessed, so maybe I am not sure what you meant by calling him a shade in your story

Message Edited by McDavey on 12-28-2008 05:38 AM

[DeaconPhenix]

Nah you got it right for the most part. Deacon isn't plagued by the same demon, but the memory of his time in that possession is still something that pains him greatly. This is almost a demon in itself as you will see later on that some of his decisions are determined by his past experiences. I'm glad you are open about your opinion McDavey and I wish a lot of others would be too. The thing I love about writing this story is that there are so many different ways of "justice" and each character has their own idea of what that means. Whether you believe in the ryoka or you back the Soul Society, it makes for a great discussion piece when it comes down to our own opinions of the issues I present in the story. Do I think Ryushin and Victor were foolhardy? Definitely dude, why would they go out there by themselves when they had no idea the power that these outsiders possess? Is Aeryk a little crazy/obsessed about resurrecting his wife? There's another issue that people will take different sides on. Anyway, thanks for the feedback and don't feel that you got to hold anything back or explain yourself to me buddy

[McDavey]

I just wanted you to know what I thought, I dont think I got it out too clear earlier from what Forging told me, heh, I do wonder waht Deacon's plan is, he has to have something up his sleeve, or at least i would like to think.

Message Edited by McDavey on 12-29-2008 12:30 AM

[DeaconPhenix]

There's always something up his sleeve.....

[DeaconPhenix]

A short chapter for now. Chapter 6 is a longer one and I should hopefully have that up by Saturday night. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 5

As the sun crossed over the horizon, Captain Kolan Janar was already on his way towards the detention cells, his straw hat covering his face to block out the glare of the low-hanging sun. He wasn't sure why he was going to speak with the lieutenant of Squad Five, other than to maybe calm her down and help her prioritize the issues Squad Five would now be facing. He understood that she had some kind of connection with Victor, but she needed to see that grief was going to do nothing but harm her chances of running the squad while they faced the threat of the ryoka. Everyone hurt after they found out what happened, but even though the Commander-General had seemed a little cruel for imprisoning Janelle, he was essentially right. This was not the time to let emotions get in the way of rightful judgment, especially since the criminals had not been apprehended yet. Kolan knew that Janelle was stubborn, but he didn't see her as a stupid woman. She would realize her duties to the squad.

Reaching the detention building, Kolan allowed himself to be escorted inside by one of the guards, who led him down to where Janelle was locked. Peering into her cell, Kolan could tell that she had not had a wink of sleep as she sat slouched over a wooden chair. She was obviously still shaken up, for she asked bitterly “what do you want?”

He gritted his teeth for a second before saying, “I wanted to see how you were doing. You didn't sleep at all, did you?”

Janelle looked up with a morose look and the bags under her eyes told the story even better. She didn't even bother to respond. “I'm sorry about Captain Valtherion.” he declared, taking off his hat and holding it down at his side.

She seemed not to want to respond to anything he said, but as Kolan tried to address her again, she muttered, “Ryushin let him die.”

A shocked expression sprang free on Kolan's face and he took a moment to control himself. Ignoring her lack of respect by not using his title, Kolan stated, “I find that hard to believe, Lieutenant. Captain Takedo is an honorable man and a good friend of Captain Valtherion. I don't think that he would allow Victor to die without giving every last bit of effort that he had.”

“Then why is Victor dead and Ryushin still lives?” Janelle inquired stubbornly.

“And how would that be better if Ryushin died as well?” Kolan snapped at her, already tired of her antics. “Instead of one leaderless squad, we would have two and disarray across the Soul Society. Those ryoka are still out there, Janelle. We can ill afford to not have our wits about us.”

“My captain went out there to die and Ryushin was not able to save him!” she screamed back.

“What makes you say that? Why would Victor abandon his squad like that?” he questioned. “You need to clear your grief-ridden mind and start thinking clearly, Lieutenant. Those two fought bravely side by side and I can assure you that neither would have betrayed the other. Now use some damn sense!”

She drew back at his commanding shout, unable to respond with anything. “I need your help, Janelle. I have my own squad to take care of and I need your help to manage Squad Five. I cannot do it on my own. There is too much going on in the city for me to run two squads. You are going to have to act as the captain of the squad.” he explained.

Janelle seemed unable to say anything, opening her mouth to speak three or four times with nothing coming out. Finally, she uttered, “I'm sorry. I have been out of line.”

“It's alright, Lieutenant. Will you help me with this task? Victor would have wanted you to take his position in this event.” he asked.

She nodded solemnly and rose to her feet. “I'm ready.”

{thanks for reading}

Message Edited by DeaconPhenix on 01-05-2009 12:34 AM

Message Edited by DeaconPhenix on 01-05-2009 12:35 AM

[forgingaheart]

I still feel sorry for Janelle. 

Plus I actually think that the Commander-General treatment may of made matters worse.  It might of been better to let her get to her captain's body, plus let her cry for a few minutes and then snap her out of it.

At least Kolan seemed to finally of gotten her on the right track.

[Bad_Witch]

Okay. I'm finally caught up. I must say great read. I really enjoyed the fights scenes in the first arc, as well as the background. I'm glad that Ryushin is alive so far, but I'm wondering what side he'll be on if he continues to survive. Janelle's response is emotional, but she is right, too. Ryushin did have a hand in Victor's death by distracting him. I wonder how she'll react, if she ever finds out. Can't wait to read the next chapter.

[DeaconPhenix]

I'm glad you are liking it so far and even though I'm breaking from the fighting to develop some storyline between the characters, there will be many more battles coming soon. I agree that Janelle's reaction is emotional and she should have been allowed time to grieve, but at the same time, Squad Five has been left without a leader and she also has to understand her responsibility to her people as well. Anyway, I'm definitely posting Chapter 6 Saturday night and I'm really interested to see the reaction to what goes down.