by Aaron Oster
A loud whirring sound filled the area as the circular piece of stone began to spin, and the doors began to open. If either of them had expected there to be any grinding, they’d have been wrong. The massive stone slabs inched open without a sound, the only noise coming from the still spinning stone circle. It stayed connected to the righthand door, while the left sported a cutout in the shape of a half-circle.
The strangest part was that Roy couldn’t see so much as a single latch or seam to indicate how the doors had been kept closed. But when he really thought about it, it only made sense. This entire Trial seemed to be a construct. So, doors made entirely of Qi or Charka or some higher form of energy, wouldn’t exactly need seams to seal themselves.
The doors finished swinging open, giving the two of them their first view into the world beyond.
“And, of course, there’s more water,” Roy muttered as he beheld the new sight.
“This water looks different,” Aika said, taking a step forward. “I’m getting a strange feeling from inside. Maybe this is the last Trial?”
Roy shrugged, but followed along after her. His Spirit Sense had been closed off, due to their last week and the fact that he couldn’t really feel anything. He now opened it wide, and finally felt what Aika was talking about. Unlike the other parts of the Trial, where Water Essence had been abundant yet not overwhelming, here it was.
There was so much Essence that Roy almost felt like he was drowning until he reined it back in. There was a loud and grinding crunch from behind as Roy stepped onto the damp yellow grass, and both he and Aika whirled to see the doors slam shut behind them.
“Well, that was unnerving,” Roy said as he tried to calm his racing heart.
This place was seriously eerie. It reminded him of a damp forest clearing on a moonless night, but without all the trees and the moon, for that matter. A heavy mist clung to the ground, spreading out before them and coating everything, making visibility a bit difficult. Roy supposed that was the cause of all the Water Essence in the air, though he wasn’t about to open himself up to all of that again.
Small strips of stone spread out in patches, interspersed between wide shallow pools of water. Unlike the swamp, this area was mostly stone, and even with all the fog, Roy could see the silhouettes of mountains in the distance.
The area felt less open than one might have thought, though. Roy didn’t know why, but he got the feeling that it was a lot smaller than the places he’d been in the Trials thus far. Perhaps it was because of all the low-hanging clouds, or perhaps he had the feeling of being inside, due to the doors they’d just come through. Either way, he didn’t like how this place felt and wanted to get out as soon as possible.
“Let’s get going,” Aika said, her voice sounding oddly muffled in the utter silence. “I don’t like the feel of this place, and the sooner we get out, the better.”
Roy couldn’t agree more, and together they set off at a light jog. Neither of them were idle, keeping their gaze on a constant swivel and looking out for danger. After more than thirty minutes of jogging, they hadn’t seen so much as a thing. Roy was growing more and more nervous and the distinct feeling of being watched began to prickle across the back of his neck. Every time he turned to look, there was nothing there but the water and fog.
“I think I can see something up ahead,” Aika said, breaking the silence for the first time since they’d first entered.
“What is it?” Roy asked, squinting through the fog and trying to see what she could.
Aika’s eyes were far better than his, so he had no luck in piercing the thickening mist.
“I think it’s a Torii gate,” she replied. “Let’s speed up a bit. I’ve got the feeling we’re being watched.”
Roy nodded, glad that he wasn’t completely paranoid and hadn’t been imagining things. They both activated their Movement techniques, Aika making sure to keep pace with him and not leave him behind. It took less than a minute to reach their destination at their speed, and they both came to a skidding halt, sending sprays of water into the air.
“That’s definitely something,” Aika said, eyeing the towering Torii gate.
“I’ll have to second that,” Roy replied, craning his neck upward.
The Torii gate towered over one hundred feet tall and was a light blue-green color. To either side stretched utter blackness, the water and stone simply vanishing up against its smooth surface. The opening in the Torii gate was likewise blocked. However, it was sealed by a smooth sheet of stone, one that had a single circular impression in its center.
“Do you think we need another key?” Roy wondered, turning back around and scanning their surroundings.
“Without a doubt,” Aika said, unslinging her staff and looking around.
The entire world was horribly silent, the fog continuing to billow about. To Roy, it was oppressive and terrifying. He hated knowing that there was something out there that he couldn’t see, and that it was most likely going to attack them. His fists began giving off a soft glow as he allowed Power Essence to flood his body.
White light began wisping off Aika at the same time as she unveiled her Core, allowing her power to burst forth. Roy took comfort in that, allowing more of his Essence to leak out, wrapping his entire body in a misty approximation of his Armorer technique.
As though on cue, the water began rippling, small movements at first, but growing ever more violent as the seconds passed. Small droplets began to rise into the air, and Roy felt his muscles tense. He had a feeling that this would be their final and most challenging fight in these Trials. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to run. All the two of them could do now was just stand and fight the hardest they could.
36
“And what clan are you from again?” asked one of the guards at the main family compound.
Ferry noticed that while they’d moved to intercept them, the guards all reeked of fear and uncertainty. Their stances were also very respectful, which was only to be expected in the presence of someone more powerful.
“The Crater,” Kaeru said.
“And what are you doing in Light City, seeking an audience with the Sovereign, no less?” the guard asked.
“What I’m doing here is my own business,” Kaeru replied evenly. “As for why I’d like to meet the Sovereign? Why, to offer my respects, of course.”
The guard hesitated, and Kaeru pressed his advantage.
“There’s also a relative of mine that I’d very much like to see. She arrived here early yesterday morning along with another two men and this fine ferret behind me. Perhaps you remember them?”
The guard visibly balked – clearly, the others had left an impression upon him – and quickly stepped aside.
“You are free to go see the Sovereign. I can’t guarantee that you’ll be given an audience, as she’s a very busy woman. We can take the prisoner off your hands, though. I mean, if you want,” he was quick to add.
“I think I would like that,” Kaeru said, thrusting the shackled bear-man into the guard and marching forward. “Come along, dear Ferry. It’s nearly morning, and the others must be worried sick about you.”
Ferry scurried quickly after the man, only taking a moment to hiss at the shackled bear-man before entering the compound. It was silent, everyone presumably asleep as they headed for the main palace. Ferry could smell something strange in the air, though it was faint. Something was distinctly wrong, but she wasn’t entirely sure what it could be. The feeling faded as they approached the palace, and she simply dismissed the feeling as being imagined. She had had an exceptionally long night, after all, and was quite tired.
No one guarded the entrance to the palace as they entered – it seemed that the mere knowledge of the Sovereign living there was more than enough to deter visitors – so Ferry and Kaeru simply strode right in.
“Wow, I can really feel something from down that hall,” Kaeru mused, seeming awed by the Sovereign’s power.
Ferry could only nod and squeak. B
eing unable to sense power on that scale, she’d simply have to take the man’s word for it. One thing that she did notice upon entering was the distinct lack of two scents — Roy’s and Aika’s. She sniffed the air a few more times as they walked, trying to see if she might have missed them somehow. After that failed, and after she failed to find them with her other senses, she voiced her concern to Kaeru.
“Not here, you say?” repeated the Supreme, rubbing at his chin. “I wonder where they could have gone.”
At that moment, the doors at the end of the corridor swung open, and Ikari herself, the Sovereign of the Itachi clan, strode out to greet them.
“If you’re referring to the two weaklings my foolish brother tried to pawn off on me, you’re out of luck. They’ve been gone for over two weeks, and if they aren’t dead yet, they soon will be.”
Kaeru’s brows furrowed at that. He was clearly surprised at the unexpected appearance of such a powerful Martial Artist, but was puzzled at the same time as to how they could have been gone so long.
“Time works differently in the Trials of Water,” Ikari explained, pulling a small metallic disc from her robes and turning it between her slender fingers. “So, while only a couple of days would have passed out here, two entire weeks have passed in there.”
“And what exactly is this Trial of Water?” Kaeru asked.
“I’m not surprised you’re interested, Tonde Kaeru, head of the Tonde clan. You are a Water Artist, so you should be.”
If Kaeru was surprised that Ikari knew his name, he didn’t show it. His lips hardened into a straight line, though.
“If what you’re saying is true, and I’ll have to assume it is, you’ve sent a member of my clan…”
“…and Roy!” Ferry squeaked, indignation and anger pouring off her in waves.
“…and Roy, into a set of Trials that they couldn’t possibly beat. Is that correct?”
“I never said that,” Ikari said, now running the tips of her fingers along the outer edge of the Trial Key.
“But you implied it,” Kaeru said.
Ikari shrugged. “What am I supposed to do about it? It’s not like I can just take them on, not that I would even if I could. If they wish to be the disciples of a Sovereign, then they need to earn it.”
“Send me in after them,” Kaeru said flatly.
“I beg your pardon,” Ikari replied, seemingly affronted by this weaker man’s demands.
“You heard me,” Kaeru said, tightening his Belt. “You sent a member of my clan in there to die. As clan head, it is my responsibility to go in after her and make sure she makes it out alive.”
“How quaint,” Ikari said, eyeing the man from under hooded lids. “And what can you offer me in exchange?”
“I don’t know what a Sovereign could find useful,” Kaeru said. “I don’t really have anything to offer.”
“Oh, I can definitely think of a few things. But, fine, we’ll make a deal. One favor. That’s what you’ll owe me if I send you in after them.”
Kaeru didn’t hesitate even for a moment.
“Done. Now send me in.”
Ikari quirked an eyebrow, but when he didn’t back down, she shrugged once again.
“Very well. Enjoy your trip.”
She tossed the metal cylinder to the floor before him, and a whirlpool burst forth, flowing up around his ankles in the span of just a few seconds. Ferry had jumped back instinctually, not wanting to get caught in the water. But now, she tried to move forward, to join Kaeru and follow him to find Roy and Aika.
“I’m afraid there’s no space for you in there,” Ikari said, sliding out of her shadow and blocking her path. “The two of us are going to have a little talk soon, but until then, I think staying in your room is the best option.”
Ferry began to sink then, the shadows around her writhing up to swallow her whole. She struggled, tried to resist, but for the first time in her life, the Darkness did not heed her command.
“Don’t be afraid, Ferry,” Kaeru called. “Don’t fight it, just go. I promise I’ll find them and bring them back. Just stay here and stay safe.”
Ferry wanted to fight and struggle, but the earnestness in Kaeru’s voice convinced her to stop. And, for the first time ever, Ferry instilled reason over instinct and allowed herself to be swallowed by the shadows. The last thing she saw before the darkness closed in was Kaeru vanishing into the whirling pool of water. All she could do now was hope that they didn’t just make a huge mistake.
***
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to stop it in time,” Geki said as Hermit landed on the ground for a short break.
Hermit eyed his younger brother critically, noting the multitude of injuries spanning his entire body. It took a lot to injure a Brown-Belt, but this Cavern Beast was monstrously powerful and if left unchecked, could pose a serious threat to not only them, but to the remaining four Scions as well.
“As much as I hate to admit it, I believe you’re right,” Hermit replied. “I think it’s time you all left to get Ikari. With the two of us working together, we should be able to stop this Beast.”
Geki bristled a bit at that but calmed quickly as he saw the wisdom in Hermit’s words. Two Sovereigns fighting a Beast would kick up a lot of power, the type that neither he nor any of the others gathered here would survive.
“I believe we are close enough to the city that Ikari will agree to leave,” Hermit continued. “I’ll stay here and try to slow it down. Make sure she understands the severity of our situation and how many lives have been lost already.”
Geki nodded solemnly, then turned and gave the order to leave. The remaining Martial Artists, who had been engaged with the Cavern Beast, immediately broke away without complaint – not that Hermit could blame them. He’d been going at it for the better part of two days now, and from what he’d understood, they’d been fighting even longer than that.
“Best of luck to you,” Geki said. “No matter our differences, I hope you succeed, if not for your sake, then for the sake of our clan.”
Hermit gave his brother a nod before turning back to face Time Ripper. The Cavern Beast had grown slightly since it had eaten Gaki, and its power continued to increase at a rapid pace. Light City was only a hundred miles behind him, and nothing stood between the city and their current location. As Geki’s presence faded, Hermit straightened his back, removed his Belt and upper robes, and proceeded to stretch his back and neck.
The Gray-Belt vanished as he released it, fading from existence until the next time he called upon it. Hermit craned his neck from one side to the other, hearing a series of crackling pops. He eyed the approaching Beast and took deep breaths as he ramped up the flow of Reiki through his body. He could feel the presence of the other Martial Artists vanishing quickly into the distance. They were still too close for him to go all-out, but far enough away for him to ramp up his power exponentially.
“Alright, beastie,” Hermit muttered, widening his stance as his body was surrounded in a brilliant and burning orange-red light. “Let’s see what you’re really made of.”
37
“Is that thing a water golem?” Roy asked as he and Aika watched the water droplets pull into the air, flowing towards a single point and beginning to take on a recognizable shape.
“No,” Aika said grimly. “If it were just a golem, we might have a chance of winning. No, that thing is far more dangerous.”
Water shot from the ground then, ballooning some fifteen feet upward and taking on a somewhat humanoid appearance. The creature’s eyes were two spots of white, standing out amid the gray-blue water. A massive pair of arms, each tipped with three pointed fingers, extended from its shoulders and its torso extended all the way down until it touched the water. The water itself swirled and roiled as it flowed over the creature’s body, making it appear like the surface of the ocean, but without disrupting the creature’s features.
“Then what the hell is it?” Roy demanded as he felt an immense amount
of power begin to radiate out from a central point on the water creature.
“A Water Elemental,” Aika replied.
Roy felt his blood run cold at that, and his eyes swiveled back to the creature, which continued growing larger by the second.
“You’re joking, right? Elementals aren’t real. They’re supposed to be a myth!”
Elementals were far more dangerous than golems for one specific reason. Unlike a golem, which took someone else to animate it, an Elemental had a Core, much like a Beast. Unlike a Beast, however, Elementals were literally made of Essence. Elementals were just that, the pure element. They were a manifestation of Essence, one that was free-thinking and could act as it saw fit. When he’d been younger, Roy had read about them, but all the stories had pointed to them being made up.
“I’m afraid not,” Aika said, taking a firmer grip on her staff. “They’re all too real, and it looks like we’re going to have to beat it if we want to leave.”
Roy gritted his teeth as he turned his attention back to the Elemental, which had now stopped growing enough to allow its features to become sharper. It turned its white eyes on them, invisible brows pulling down and giving the creature a much more menacing appearance. A wide crack formed on the lower half of its jaw, and the Elemental opened its mouth. A loud, gurgling roar, sounding like the crashing of waves on rocks, echoed through the silence.
A bright blue spot appeared in the center of its chest, shining through and lighting its body from within. It was immediately obvious that this was where the Core was located, not that it really helped their situation. Roy could feel the power emanating from this creature and knew it was entirely beyond him to defeat. He wondered if he even had the strength to damage it, let alone just staying alive.
“See what you can do from range,” Aika said as Light Essence began wisping up from her skin. “Whatever you do, don’t get close.”
Then, she was off, dashing at the creature and summoning her Light Lance. The white projectiles appeared midair, flashing towards the Elemental. Without fail, they were all aimed for the creature’s only weakness, its Core. The Water Elemental would not go down so easily and raised an arm to intercept.
