Monday, May 3, 2004

chapter 7-8
Chapter 7: The Hunter

Deep in the Forest of Shadows walk two distinct figures. A small girl accompanied by a slightly taller young man. Together they walk down the deep dank forest. The vegetation and the surrounding area of Shadow Forest always had a dark blackish color. There was never any sunlight, for the treetops are thick. Little did they know that a pair of eyes was watching their every move.
???: “Hey Megumi, before we get to Sigma, is there anything you want me to go buy before our next hunt?”
Megumi: “Nothing really.”
???: “What do you mean nothing? You wasted at least half of your ammo on our last hunt AND you used to of your two caster shells. Those things aren’t cheap you know. They aren’t easy to make either….”
Megumi: “[laughs happily] Aye Takeshi……you remind me so much of Kawada when you ramble on like that.”
Takeshi: “Did….did you just laugh? I haven’t heard you laugh like after Shougo…”
Megumi: “You just reminded me of him that’s all. What? Can’t I laugh now and then?”
Takeshi: “It’s not that….it’s that it makes me happy to see you….happy…”
Megumi: “[turns around to be front Takeshi] Well….”
Takeshi: “Megumi watch out!?”
Takeshi shoves Megumi aside and takes a blow to the head from the attack. Takeshi crashes into a tree located on the left side of him, his blood seeps from his head and onto the forest ground. Megumi rushes to his side and raises his head.
Megumi: “Takeshi! Takeshi wake up!! Takeshi!!!!”
???: “My my my……what a mess…”
Megumi: “[looks around the area] Who’s there! [withdraws her Dual Berettas]”
A large crocodile emerges from the shrubbery. Standing at eleven feet, his stomach slightly protruding out. His eyes are a deep red and black markings painted his body. Gazing down Megumi, she stands there wide eyed.
Megumi: “[scared] No….it…it can’t be…you’re the one that…..”
???: “Yes Megumi. I am the one who killed Kawada and now I’m here to kill you”
Megumi: “You bastard! I’ll kill you!!”
Just before Megumi fired a round rustling amongst the trees can be heard. Megumi looks above her. The same tall slender red haired red-eyed man appeared from behind and grabbed both her arms and placed them firmly behind her back. Her Dual Berettas fall to the ground.
Megumi: “Who the hell are you!! Let me go!!”
???: “So this is the infamous REAn Hunter Megumi? I can’t believe I caught you off guard. I’m in utter shock!”
Megumi: “What do you want from me!?”
???: “[clamps down on Takeshi’s shoulder then smacks his lips as he releases him] Hmm…doesn’t have the same taste as Kawada did but I guess he will just have to do.”
Megumi: “DON’T YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON HIM! YOU OVERGROWN LIZARD!!”
Megumi vanishes from the man’s grip and appears hovering before the crocodile. With one swift kick, she sends him pummeling to the ground.
Megumi: “[placing her right hand with her fingers apart over her right eye] QUAKE SPHERE!!!”
Clay spires raise from the ground and strike at the crocodile and ensnares him in a cage of earthly spikes. Megumi jumps into the air as spheres of fire fly towards her. She turns around and gazes at the mysterious man with his right hand in front of him.
???: “How can you use Elemental Magic when you are merely a human? Unless….unless the rumor about you is true. Megumi Kawada, the infamous REAn Hunter, also known as a Ominous Mirror. You are able to learn the elemental attacks of your enemies. Once you learn that attack, you can use it at your will, twice as much powerful.”
Megumi: “[places her right hand over her eye] And you cannot use the same attack against me!”
Megumi unleashes the same attack used previously on her. The mysterious man warps behind her and jabs her with his elbow. Megumi lifts herself from the ground and grabs her Dual Berettas. Jumping into the air, she fires at the mysterious man. The bullets freeze before him. With a wave of his hand the bullets fall to the ground and disincarnate.
??? : “Such power for a human…”
“Why don’t you join me?”
Megumi: “Join you? I will never join sides with REAns!? NEVER! I would rather die than join you!”
???: “If that is your wish…..then so be it [vanishes]”
Megumi waits for an attack but nothing. She walks over to the imprisoned crocodile but he too is gone.
[ Hitomi Hospital -- Sigma City]
Doctor: “Miss Kawada?”
Megumi: “Yes Doctor? How is Takeshi? Is he alright?”
Doctor: “I’m sorry to say but….Mr. Tatsuya has fallen into a very deep coma. I cannot guarantee you when he will wake up or how bad will the side effects be. We assume that he will have to learn how to walk and eat again, judging from the heavy blow to his skull. He also lost a lot of blood, you are very lucky you came here in the nick of time. May I ask how did this happen?”
Megumi: “He was attacked…protecting me…”
Doctor: “I see. Well I need to go now and don’t worry.”
Megumi looks at the doctor with watery eyes.
Doctor: “He will be alright and I will make sure he is under 24 hour care.”
Megumi: “Thank you Doctor.”
The doctor walks down the hall and makes a sharp left. Megumi lays against the white hospital wall and slowly descends to the floor. Resting her forehead on her knees, she begins to cry.
Megumi: “Why Takeshi….why did you have leave me alone too…”
“This is my fault….I should have been more aware in the Forest of Shadows.”
[ Flash back]
Takeshi: “It’s not that….it’s that it makes me happy to see you….happy…”
[End of Flash Back]
Megumi: “Kawada….”
“Why did you have to leave me too Kawada….”
[Flash Back]
???: “[clamps down on Takeshi’s shoulder then smacks his lips as he releases him] Hmm…doesn’t have the same taste as Kawada did but I guess he will just have to do.”
[End of Flash Back]
Megumi: “He was the one that separated us four years ago……”

[Megumi’s Past Memory]
A young couple hold their hands together as they walk next to a beautiful reflective river. The flowers are at peak of blossoming as spring begins to awake from its deep slumber. Male birds begin to sing their song of love as they perch on the branches above. The couple stop and look at each with their eyes of awe.
Shougo: “You look so beautiful when the morning sunlight hits your warm beautiful face…”
Megumi: “You look handsome when the sun beams into your eyes Shougo. I’m glad that we married each other….everyday waking up next to you is just…like a dream that I never want to wake up from.”
Shougo: “[hugs her] You will have to awaken from that dream….”
Megumi: “What are you talking about?”
Shougo: “Nothing Megumi….just forget it…”
Megumi: “I can’t believe that our first child will be born in five more months. Kawada aren’t you excited?”
Kawada gazes to the river.
Megumi: “Shougo what’s wrong?”
Shougo: “Let’s go home dear. I’m beginning to feel insecure.”
Shougo suddenly pushes Megumi forward causing her to fall to the ground. Shougo falls on top of her, his back ripped apart. Megumi screams in horror as a large shadow engulfs both of them. A large crocodile stands before them, his hand dripping of blood. Right before the crocodile lunged at her a cloud of mist surrounded the area. As the white mist cleared Megumi was out of sight. Only Shougo’s body was left before the croc. The croc quickly devoured his prey and climbed back into the river but took a good look around the area. Megumi watched as the croc disappeared beneath the river waters, her eyes overflowing with tears, but she couldn’t scream for a large panda had her paw over her mouth.
[Shizu Hospital -- Shizu City]
Doctor: “I don’t know how to say this but….you lost the baby.”
Megumi: “[crying loudly] No! No, I couldn’t have! There has to be something you could do!! Please doctor!”
Doctor: “I’m sorry but I wish I can.”
The doctor leaves the room and Takeshi enters.
Takeshi: “Megumi?”
Megumi still continues to cry.
Takeshi: “Megumi, I’m sorry for what happened to Shougo…”
“[pause as she continues to cry] He called this morning…”
Megumi: “What…..what….did he tell you?”
Takeshi: “He told me to protect you…he knew he was going to die today. He always had a gift in sensing disaster. So from this day forward…I promise to protect you from all harm and never leave your side. EVEN if it means my life Megumi….”
Megumi clings onto Takeshi tightly and weeps even harder.
[End of Megumi’s Past Memory]
Megumi: “You promised to protect Takeshi…..even if it meant your life. Now you lie in a deep slumber……when you will wake up. But I promise you Takeshi, I will kill all REAns who cross my path. They are only a parasite to the world and a threat to humanity. I will make sure every one of them dies a miserable death! I will avenge Shougo’s death and your ill-fate.”
[ Tahiro (REAn Village) - 5 miles from Sigma]
The children of Tahiro play laxly in the city streets. Kicking the ball back and forth with no care in the world. A small Repthian kicks the ball so hard that it bounces outside the village gates. Kanji, who is seven years old, offers to retrieve the ball. Running outside the city gates, Kanji searches for the ball hastily. There Megumi stands, holding the ball with her foot.
Kanji: “[spots the ball] Excuse me lady but can I have my ball back? Please?”
Megumi kicks the ball to him.
Kanji: “Thank you! Hey do you want to play?”
At this point, Kanji’s mother steps outside to check on him. Seeing him nowhere in sight, she begins to call his name.
Rena: “KANJI!!!”
Kanji: “Oh it’s my mom. Come on lady, come with me?”
Kanji begins to run back into town hastily. Megumi waits until he passed the village gates when she withdrew one of her Dual Berettas and fired. The boy fell to ground, the ball bounced forward splotched with red dots of blood. Megumi smiles manically and walks into the city.









































Chapter 8: Where to Next?

The morning sun illuminates stone room. Moss and other vegetation grow and dangle from the walls and the ceiling. Droplets of water fall from the ceiling and onto Iruka’s face, awakening him from his slumber. Slowly he opens his eyes and examines his surroundings.
Iruka: “[confused] Where am I? [rubbing his forehead].”
Rising from the staw mattress he was placed upon, Iruka leaves the half-lit room. Once stepping outside, he is awe-struck as he takes in the sight. Large stone columns wrapped in blossoming vines from the first floor to the second. A few collapsed ruins here and there all wearing a green coat. In the middle is a large pond with water lilies scattered about. The trees rise high above the area. They seem to go on forever, they seem to touch the sky with their green leafy hands. Iruka looks to his sides and then walks off exploring this new area.
Iruka: “I wonder where Aisu is at?”
Iruka came across a door with very bizarre symbols. Curious, he places his hand on the door and it slowly begins to open. Gathering his courage, Iruka slowly creeps inside to examine the new chamber. The room is only half lit due to the balcony. Iruka looks at the wall where drawings of some sort lay out a history. Trying to get a better glimpse, Iruka touches the pictures and ancient writing. Iruka falls into a trance.
[ Mizu Temple - 100 years ago]
Iruka wakes up in the same spot but something is different. The temple is full of life. Iruka walks over to the balcony and peers down to the first floor. REAn children play gleefully in the garden. Some of them swim in the large pond while their parents ando ther REAn adults conversate with one another.
Iruka: “What’s going? I could swear this place was empty…”
Gun shots are heard close to the temple walls. Everyone begins to panic and run to their homes. Mother’s grab their children while the fathers stay full alert at the temple gate. The temple gates open and four large Repthian guards stand tall. Soon they fall to the floor with a loud thud revealing a large group of humans.
Elementian: “[angrily] What is the meaning of this!?”
Human: “There is no need to talk to a dead freak….[unleashes a barrage of bullets]”
Iruka watches in horror as every REAn that stayed to protect their families fell quickly to the human firearms. Elementians were not able to cast their spells fast enough. Repthians and Animos fell quickly as they tried to protect the Elementians who began to summon ancient elemental spirits but they too fell quickly to the firearms. Those that survived the first wave of bullets moaned in pain. The humans would walk up to them and shot them in there forehead or unleash another barrage of bullets.
One by one, each REAn was slaughtered mercilessly. The humans began to search the rest of the temple for any survivors. Iruka suddenly turns around as he heard a noise behind him. Standing before him was a human male point his gun at him. Iruka backed away slowly and fell off the edge.
[End of flashback]
Crashing into the pond below him, Iruka resurfaces. Breathing heavily, he wipes his face.
Iruka: “[looking around him] Now where am I? Was that a past fragment that this place holds? Huh?”
A pair of eyes sink into the water as Iruka turns around. A large shadowy figures swims past his legs.
Iruka: “Aisu? Is that you? Aisu….?”
Slowly surfacing, Aisu stands before Iruka with a open jaw. Iruka turns around right when Aisu clamps down and lifting his head in a vertical position. Iruka begins to slowly slide down his mouth.
Iruka: “No!! Please don’t eat me!! Aisu!!!”
With that said, Aisu spits Iruka back into the water and laughs.
Aisu: “[Iruka resurfaces] Scared you for a minute there huh?”
Iruka: “I nearly had a heart attack!?”
Aisu: “[trying to hold back his laughter] Sorry….I couldn’t resist. You where just there all confused and lost and well…..[laughs]”
Iruka: “Not funny Aisu!! I thought you where really going to eat me!”
Aisu: “You know I wouldn’t do that [sweat drop]. Honestly, you tasted pretty good….”
Iruka: “Geez thanks! Like I really wanted to know that!”
Aisu: “Your welcome! ^^”
Iruka: “Where exactly are we?”
Aisu: “This place is known as the Mizu Ruins. It was inhabited by REAns 100 years ago but….”
Iruka: “Humans came and….”
Aisu: “How do you know? Not everybody knows about the Mizu Ruins…”
Iruka: “Well after I woke up, I went into that room [points to the balcony] and kind of….saw what happened here….”
Aisu: “You saw it too?”
Iruka: “Saw it t--you mean you’ve also seen it?”
Aisu: “The night I brought you here…. I also went into that same room out of curiosity. Touching the pictures on the wall I saw the temple’s past. After that I couldn’t any sleep last night..”
Iruka: “I can tell you’re really tired by just looking into your eyes”
Aisu: “[weak laughter] Hehehe…..[sigh]”
Iruka: “Aisu maybe you should get some sleep. You look like your about to kil over.”
Aisu: “[Yawns] Sounds like a good idea.”
Aisu exit’s the pond and walks over to small bundle of trees that grow next to some fallen pillars. Curling himself up he slowly falls asleep. Iruka floats motionless in the blue waters of the pond, staring into the endless sky. Soon the sun begins to set behind the mountains and the sky turns a deep yellow mixed with orange and violet. Aisu wakes up due to a delicious aroma that lofts in the air. He sees Iruka sitting at the edge of the pond chomping down on something.
Aisu: “[As he approaches] What are you doing?”
Iruka: “Good Evening Aisu. Hungry? [hands over a stick with three large potatoes wedged into it].”
Aisu: “Potatoes? Where did you find potatoes? [chomps down one of the potatoes]”
Iruka: “I found them on the other side of the ruins. They where growing in a small circular patch way in the back. I’m surprised that they survived for so long.”
Aisu: “[swallows the last two whole] Got any more?”
Iruka: “Yeah [points towards the potato pile].”
The stars glow blissfully in the night sky. Iruka rests his back against Aisu’s side as he curls up into his defensive position.
Iruka: “Look at the night sky…..so beautiful…“
Aisu: “[a shooting star shots across the night sky] Make a wish Iruka”
Iruka: “Hehe, I don’t need to since….my wish came true.”
Aisu: “Hmm?”
Iruka: “I always wished for a friend….someone who likes for who I am. Someone who doesn‘t look at me with hatred…”
Aisu: “[warm smile] Iruka…..”
Iruka: “Whoa! Look at that! [pointing to the sky]”
A large meteor falls from the dark sky engulfed in a ball of flame as it makes its way through the atmosphere. A dark beam of light shots from the center of the meteor as it breaks into four large chunks. Each piece seemed to know in the location that awaited their arrival. Disappearing from the sky, the earth shakes with anger. Sections of the ruins begin to collapse and crumble into pieces upon hitting the floor.
Aisu: “Iruka watch out!”
Aisu lunges towards Iruka as two stone pillars began to tilt over to his location. The pillars crash and shatter into large clouds of dust and stones. Underwater, Aisu holds Iruka close to him as the earthquake continues to roar. Chunks of rock of all sizes crash into the pond. The earthquake soon stops. Iruka struggle as he desperately needs air. Aisu releases him and soon resurfaces.
Iruka: “[breathing hard] Is it over?”
Aisu: “I think so…”
Iruka: “[looks at where he was previously standing] I would’ve been turned into putty if it wasn’t for you…”
Aisu: “No problem…”
Iruka: “What was that? I never seen a meteor fall from the sky and then break into four sections before?”
Aisu: “Could it have been Elementian magic?”
Iruka: “No. There is no such technique that allows an Elementian to summon a meteor….”
Aisu: “Well the closest meteor fragment seemed to have fallen south from here.”
Iruka: “We are still in Meiro Forest correct? Well the only city that’s close Yoshiro is Wan Chai.”
Aisu: “Wan Chai? REAns aren’t welcomed in Wan Chai. Humans there can do whatever they wish to us there.”
Iruka: “We need to investigate what or why that meteor fell!”
Aisu: “[remembers the prophecy that Izumi told him] // From the sky shall fall the four beasts that dedicate themselves to the God of Destruction…//
“That must be it….”
Iruka: “What? What’s it?”
Aisu: “No nothing…”
Iruka: “Well….we need to get to Wan Chai as soon as we can”
Aisu: “We’ll go tomorrow morning”
Iruka: “Well….alright then, first thing tomorrow morning.”
[Somewhere in the Meiro Forest]
A large albino seal searches the fallen oak trees worriedly.
???: “Chris!! Chris are you alright!! Chris answer me!!”
A tall slender boy rises from the pile of fallen trees. Wearing dark blue shorts with chains that connect from his back belt loop to his front loops and wearing a white undershirt with an unbuttoned medium blue shirt. He has long brown hair and brown eyes. He jumps down from the pile where the seal expresses his joy knowing that he is ok.
???: “Chris your alright! Thank the Gods!”
Chris: “Of course I’m alright Dewgong, you don’t have to worry about me”
Dewgong: “Why did you leave Chris?”
Chris: “None of your business”
Dewgong: “Don’t lie to me Chris! I know something is bothering you! We’ve been best friends for over 5 years now and I know you better than any human does!”
Chris: “Hmph! [walks away]”
Dewgong: “Where do you think your going!? We should go home and check if your parents are ok! They’ve been worried about you ever since you left home! Especially after this earthquake!!
Chris: “ Whatever….”
Dewgong: “Chris!! Don‘t you dare walk away from me! Grrr…sometimes you’re a pain in the tail you know that!!”
Chris: “[stops] Well you go home then! I’m not going back!!”
Chris begins to run down the dirt path.
Dewgong: “Give me a break…..WAIT UP WILL YOU!!! [runs after him]”
The people of Yoshiro walk out side their homes and shops. They are lucky to have survived yet another natural disaster but little do they know…..that it is only the beginning.

©Iruka Keiko Nanaki. All rights reserved.


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