Fan Fiction ❯ Chaos Insues ❯ CI7 ( Chapter 7 )

How could this have happened? I had been careful about hiding my family ties and still they managed to find out. Things weren't horrific enough, that's why she was taken. The scene played out again and again; the look in her eyes was burned into my mind.

I hung my head, "Kat..." I whispered.

"You're pathetic, you know that, right?"

Lifting my gaze I found Lee standing in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest. His jaw muscles tightened in irritation waiting for some kind of response from me. I further annoyed him by looking elsewhere. I was suddenly hauled to my feet, the chair I had been sitting in falling to the floor.

"Let go of me," I said quietly. My voice lacking any kind of emotion, "I just want to be left alone."

"How long are you going to just mope about? Sittin' on your ass isn't going to help her! You've got to snap out of it Daria!" Lee shouted, shaking me by the shoulders as he spoke.

I shoved him half-heartedly in an attempt to free myself. What little energy I had wasn't enough considering his size and strength. He made two of me both in height and weight. I made one last feeble try to break away.

"Leave her be. We can't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do," Lycan said from somewhere behind me.

Lee gave an annoyed sound, releasing me as he spoke, "And here I thought elves detached themselves from their emotions." He moved to one of the armchairs and dropped down into it. "Ya know, I vote that we take the fight to this, D Bryan character, instead of waitin' around for him to insult us again. I ain't got a clue what he's plannin' and I really don't care, but, waitin' is just going to make things worse for us."

"No good," Pyro said from her spot near the door. "They're expecting us to do just that, rush in without a plan. `Sides, what about Dar's sister, will she still be alive by the time we find her?"

Loc, who had been standing off in the corner, nodded in agreement. "You're forgetting the small army that we'll have to get past Py. They certainly won't let us in unscathed."

"Don't overlook those items, they could take us down from a distance," Bardi added from his spot next to his brother.

"Yeah, them two, er, three...how many has he got again?" Lee asked leaning forward in his chair.

"Four," Grey informed as he entered the room.

Blinking several times, I stared up at him, from my position on the floor. It wasn't possible! Nanashi had only left here...thinking back I realized a full week had passed, no wonder Lee was perturbed with me. I wasn't the only one surprised by the news. Glancing around the room I could see the confusion and shock on their faces.

I got to my feet, my pain and sorrow pushed aside for the time being, this could be the clue we needed. Lee was right; this isn't the time for feeling sorry for myself. If I wanted to save Kat, I'd have to be strong.

"What was taken, when did it happen, and how many were killed?" I demanded of Grey.

"The Angel's Harp, two days ago, and I'm told at least two dozen."

Frowning I pulled out my list, "It's not on here...why?"

"I thought that thing was just a myth!" Lycan retorted, turning to look at me, "A children's bedtime story meant to inspire awe in kids."

"Well, I've never heard about it, so I can't say," I replied.

He went on, "Supposedly, the Angel's Harp, was created by God or whatever cosmic being you believe in. It was then given to one of their followers, an angel if you please, to be used to call souls to the land of the dead. As the story goes, the angel after many years of this could not bear to call anymore for there were far too many. The angel went down to see what was causing all the deaths. When she got there, seeing all the wars and violence amongst the people, threw herself into the fray. She pleaded for them to stop; however, her cries fell on deaf ears. One person, no one knows from which side the attack came, cut down the angel. She lay there bleeding, wondering if mankind was worthy of eternal happiness, a man appeared at her side. He began to heal her and ask that she not think ill of all men. Touched beyond words, she gave up her wings, her only way back to the land above. She placed her energy into the harp, saying that if he played it, her wounds would mend. He did and she was whole once more. In typical storybook fashion they got married and lived happily ever after."

Lee shifted in his seat, "I don't get it, I mean, what good is it when a healing spell would do the trick?"

"Maybe if you were hit with an attack that couldn't be healed by a magic spell," Darkness supplied evenly. "Or, perhaps, it can do more than what the story tells."

By the Goddess, just what the hell did any of this had to do with the other missing talisman? Something seemed rather off. What was it though? The conversation replayed in my mind and I found the thing that was causing me trouble.

"Wait, I'm confused. You say that there are now four artifacts that he has? Claw, eye, harp, and what else?" I asked.

Grey frowned, "The Mirror of Despair, it was taken the same night that we were attacked."

Loc asked my question for me, "Wasn't that housed here at the Core?"

"Up `til two years ago, it was then moved to a more secure location." Darkness said with a snort, "I really don't see how they could get more secure than the magical vault. The mirror never should've been moved."

"Two years," I muttered to myself, "I think that was when I went on vacation."

Lee gave me a funny look, "An' just what does that have anythin' to do with what's goin' on now?"

"Nothing I suppose. Ok gang, things are going to be a hellova lot tougher from here on out. We still have some time to come up with a game plan. Grey, I need a map showing the locations of all the places where the artifacts were taken from, there maybe a pattern." I said firmly.

"Sure thing," Grey replied.

*****

In disbelief, D Bryan rose from his chair, "Well this is an unexpected surprise. Greetings Miss Wayfinder."

Kathryn gazed about the large throne room. She wanted to regain her wits before speaking to the man. She noticed that the flagstones and portions of the faded red carpet were stained with blood. Scorch marks also adorned both the floor and walls. These did nothing to improve her spirits nor did the chains that bound her.

"Thank you for your warm welcome, though I think you have the wrong Wayfinder. That being the case, I wish to take my leave," Kat said calmly.

He raised a brow, "Leave? You can't leave my dear. I'm certain that your sister is already making plans for your release. What sort of man would I be if I let you go before she gets here?"

"A smart one," she replied evenly.

"I do admit, you are of little importance, other than to bring your sister here. She will give me the final piece that I need, and then, I dare say you both will die," He said with a laugh. "Nanashi, I leave this one to you. Oh, do remind my minions, that when the wind witch arrives, not to harm or impede her path."

The tall man standing just behind Kathryn frowned, "What of the others in her group?"

"They're of little consequence, however, let's *try* to capture them alive," Bryan responded coolly.

Nanashi smiled darkly, "I shall inform the men." He then grabbed Kathryn's chains and dragged her out of the chamber.

"Soon now, it will all be over soon," D Bryan muttered to himself.

*****

She bit back a cry of pain. Every part of her, from hair to toes, ached. It hurt to do anything including breathing. The air had become thin and cold. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest. Sweat poured out of her coating her skin and soaking her clothes. Gasping for breath, she lifted her glazed eyes to her tormentor.

Nanashi stood over her grinning at his own handy work. He had taken great lengths to not hit any of the woman's vital organs. She was bleeding from several deep gashes, bruises covering the majority of her exposed flesh, and her brown hair cut page boy short. He could see the fear in her dirt smeared face.

He gave a maniacal laugh, "Let's see how many bones I can break before you scream."

He moved toward Kathryn; his laughter echoing in her ears. She sorely wished she never had open her door to the man.

*****

I was running on pure adrenaline and had been for the last few days. Sleep was a concept for the weak-minded. There didn't seem to be time for it, so, why the hell should I? This, however, didn't deter my friends from informing me that I required some rest. I couldn't go anywhere without one of them harassing me about it.

I could feel that Kat was in pain. Her tear stained face greeted me every time I closed my eyes. If I don't do something soon, she'll die...I can't allow that to happen!

Nanashi's voice boomed inside my head, `I trust you know where to find me should you change your mind.'

I heaved a sigh. It seemed to be the only course of action left for me. The others won't like it; but, what else could I do? I steeled myself for what I must, I grabbed my staff, and traipsed out of my room. I made it as far as the end of the hall before being stopped.

"Where you off to Dar?" Pyros asked.

Pulling my hood up I replied, "Out for a walk is all Py. What about you, found anything new?"

She frowned, "Not yet, but I'm hopeful. Be careful out there, it isn't safe to be just walking about."

"Nowhere is safe, that's the problem," I muttered darkly as I passed her.

I could see the clouds in the blue sky when I emerged from the main building. The sun was high overhead its light shining brightly. Autumn had come and gone. It hadn't snowed yet to which I was greatful.

Taking a few steps into the yard I shifted my features once more. Silvery wings slowly took form extending from my back. I stretched them in preparation. I knew I couldn't make it to my destination before nightfall, however, with a bit of luck the others won't miss me `til it's too late.

Closing my eyes, concentrating hard, I lifted into the air. Hovering several feet over the ground I spared one last look at the Core. `If all goes as I hope, I'll be back guys,' I thought sadly. Rising high into the blue sky, without a backward glance, I winged my way in the direction of D Bryan's fortress.

*****

"Has anyone seen Daria today?" Grey asked over dinner.

For once they were all eatting in the great hall together. Usually they ate seperately in the privacy of their rooms. Their leader had requested this change of pace in order to iron out their game plan. Her lack of attendance seemed strange.

Pyros raised her fork, "I did. `Bout noon she said she was going out for a walk."

The whole table fell quiet at the news. A second later everyone was speaking at once. Pyros couldn't see why they were so shocked, it wasn't like Daria hadn't gone to clear her head before...right?

"Damnit, I knew she was crazy but this?!" Lee called from the far end of the long table.

Loc got to his feet, "We shouldn't rush to conclusions. Perhaps she simply forgot about tonight and is in her room."

Bardi stared at his brother, "You're not serious are you? Since when does Dar forget a meeting?"

"I agree, it's not like her," Darkness said from across the table from Loc.

"Yeah, she's more than likely on her way to rescue her sister," Lycan added from Darkness' left.

Loc sighed, "As I said, we don't know that for sure."

"She took her staff with her," Pyros informed.

Lee made an annoyed sound, "If she wants to die fine, but, she should at least have consider'd doin' it on her own time, not on the group time!"

"An' just what is that supposed to mean?" Pyros demanded, thumping the table with her fist as she spoke.

"Look Py, all I'm sayin' is, she's pullin' this `so that we don't get hurt' crap the same way Light did. Only diff' I see is that she ain't got any backup at all," Lee snapped back.

Everyone turned towards Lee, conversations having stopped. He had voiced the very thing they all knew but didn't want to admit. Follow the leader seemed a hard task to do when their leader takes off in secret.

Grey cleared his throat, "Ahem. I think we should get going, that is, *if* the rest of you are coming..."

*****

She slowly tried to sit up. A paroxysm gripped her so fiercely, causing her to double over, her head rested against her knees. Kathryn breathed deeply as the convulsion subsided. This one had been worst, than any of the previous, in recent memory. When she could move again, she began the arduous process of healing herself.

She knew there wasn't much time left before that totempole with legs returned. It surprised her that Daria hadn't killed him yet. Kathryn had seen the look in her sister's eyes when Nanashi arrived outside the Core. A twinge of guilt shot through her; a healer should never wish for the death of any living creature, no matter how much they may deserve it.

Kathryn went still at the sound of footfalls. She hadn't finished mending her wounds, panicing, she redoubled her efforts. She could her the door as it creaked open and he entered the room. His slow pace gave her hope that, she could complete her healing, before he reached her. He haulted in front of her. Lifting her now sightless gaze she let her hands drop into her lap. Her shackles clinking slightly as they folded under her arms.

He had called in a monster, pretending to be human female, days before. She stole Kathryn's sight using magic and the woman's own brand of science. She was glad that she couldn't see rather than her eyes being removed completely.

"I wonder how long you can keep this up," he mused, laughing at her.

`Forget the healer's code,' she thought, `I hope Daria rips him apart!'

*****

Dawn came quicker than I thought, the warm rays waking me from my light snooze, as did my friends arrival. I guess, I didn't factor in their pursitance, when making my calculations. This was supposed to be a one woman job. Since when did `one' mean `eight'?

I scowled at them, "Just what do all of you think you're doing here?"

"Hey, that's *my* line," Lee said gruffly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Did you forget that we're a team?"

I turned away from them, "This doesn't have anything to do with that. You said it yourself Lee, I can't just sit around doing nothing. Kat, needs me, I can't let her down. They want to make it personal, fine, I don't have a problem with that."

"I hate to break it to ya, but, it's not. Your sister is a friend of mine, and all of us met her, you can't say it's only your fight to fight," Pyros interjected.

"You don't understand," I replied. My whole body started to shake. My voice growing louder by the word, "I got her into this mess in the first place, and when it came down to it, I froze. I didn't do a damn thing but watch! There were several things I could've done...she trusted me and I let her down!"

Darkness laid a hand on my shoulder. "No, that's not true. They would've..." she started to say.

I spoke over her, spinning around to face her, "You don't know that! I could've made sure my arrow had killed Nanashi rather than taking off right away. Or warned her to stay in the village and not go home. Kat didn't know what was going on, and that's my fault!"

"What is your plan? I hope it's not to simply rush in there blasting at everything that moves," Grey asked quietly. He sighed when I didn't answer, "you've got guts, however, guts aren't enough. Count me in, I can at least cover your back."

Lee nodded, "I think I speak for the guys when I say, let's kick some ass!"

Somehow, I knew, there would be no talking them out of this. Shaking my head, I gazed toward the mountain in the distance, "Fine, but don't get in my way."

*****

AN: I didn't want to but I had to cut this chapter short. My story outline has changed a bit since I first started CI. Grey wasn't even supposed to be in here at all, however, whining from a certain individual made me do it. In the next few chapters, things are going to get messy and very drawn out, hence the shortness now. There are other reasons, if you wish to know, see my profile page for the full version.