Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Priestess of the Moon: Return of the Lunar Dragon ❯ Reunion and Keioke ( Chapter 11 )

“Flash Fire!” Mitt cried, springing into the air and slashing her paw. A spout of violet fire came from her paw and engulfed the target she had been aiming for.

 

“Great Gods of the Earth, Mitt,” Cliff yelped as he sprang away from the flames, “I said hit the target, not destroy it!”

 

“Sorry, Cliff,” Mitt said, landing onto the ground in front of the charred remained of the target, “I didn't think my Flash Fire was that strong.”

 

“What did you expect, a tiny fire ball?” Cliff cried, throwing his hands into the air.

 

Mitt frowned and shrugged. “Well, yeah. Nobody else's Flash Fire gets any stronger than that.”

 

“You are part of a prophecy! Of course your demonic powers are going to be stronger than that!”

 

Mitt grinned and giggled. “You should have seen the look on your face though, Cliff,” she said, “I thought you were going to wet yourself.”

 

Cliff grumbled, spun around on his heel and stalked away. Mitt sighed and flopped onto the ground. The Elders of the village believed Mitt that she was part of the Prophecy of the Priestess, which was what everyone was now calling it. So now Mitt was in training to become a warrior, the first Anthro Kitten warrior in over three thousand years. Mitt sighed again and ran a paw through her blonde hair. Some of the villagers thought that it was wrong of Mitt to become a warrior, since their kind was peaceful, even though she was part of a prophecy. She also had a feeling that some didn't believe that she was part of the Prophecy, that she knew the Priestess, or even that the Priestess of the Moon had come back.

 

The thought of Kiya made Mitt think of where her friend was. She thought Kiya and Reiku would have arrived by now. Mitt herself had been in Anthrowood for several weeks now. Mitt hoped that nothing had happened to them. The very thought of them dying terrified her. If they died, then the world would surely end. She and Cliff couldn't save the world with those two gone, even if they found the others involved in the Prophecy. Kiya was the Priestess, or so the Futuresighter had told her. After Kiya had left, the Futuresighter had told Mitt that Kiya was the Priestess of the Moon, reborn in a new form. Mitt had been unable to believe it, but now with everything that was happening, it was hard not to. Mitt sighed; priestess or not, she just wished that her friend would return safely.

 

A horn sounded and she heard someone cry, “Strangers are coming! Strangers are coming!” Mitt sprang to her feet and ran through the village. People were hurrying along the bridges that linked building to building that were built up in the great trees. There were a few buildings on the ground, but those were mostly for the larger creatures that lived here. She got to the road that led into the village and looked through the trees She saw three figures walking down the road, one caring a forth. She squinted her eyes as they got closed and she recognized one of the travelers. His hair was shorter than when she last saw him, but it was Reiku.

 

“Reiku,” Mitt cried, running towards the people coming. She slowed when she realized that Reiku was carrying Kiya. “What's happened? What's wrong with Kiya?”

 

“Don't worry Mitt,” Reiku said reassuringly, “she is just tired. She used quite a bit of power back there.”

 

“What do you mean?” Mitt asked, and then she noticed Kiya's clothing. She had seen those clothing before; in old books that the Elders had about the Priestess. She also saw the bow that Kiya had a grip on, holding close to her body. “She really is the Priestess,” she said in wonder.

 

“Is this your Anthro Kitten friend?”

 

Mitt looked at the speaker and squeaked. It was a Lupian warrior, the ones from legend. No, Lupians looked a little different. This one must be a half demon; half Lupian, half human. A few quick sniffs confirmed Mitt's guess. She looked up at the demon woman and straightened up tall. “I'm Mitt,” she said, “and yes, I am part of the Prophecy, if that is what you are wondering.”

 

The half demon looked her over and nodded. She then looked over to Reiku's other companion and said, “She seems to be it.”

 

The other companion was a monk and he too looked at Mitt and smiled. “A cute little thing, is she?”

 

Mitt growled and before the monk even knew it, Mitt had whacked him hard upside the head. As she landed back on the ground, Reiku and the half demon were chuckling to themselves as the monk rubbed the back of his head. She crossed her arms and said, “I may be cute, but you say that again, I'll knock your lights out.”

 

Reiku smiled slightly and looked at Mitt. “Is there a place where we can stay?” he asked her. “Kiya needs her rest, and so do the rest of us.”

 

Mitt nodded and turned back towards the village. People above looked down at the new arrivals of their village, some with curiosity, some with nervousness. Mitt led them to a flight of steps that twisted around a great oak. There were several huts up there, one which was Mitts. It wasn't as grand as some of the other houses, but it would fit three cozily. “I'll get some other cots up here,” Mitt said, “and Kiya and…” she looked at the half demon, “you can stay here with me. Sorry, but I'm not sure of your name.”

 

“Keilila,” the half demon said with a smile, “and the monk you clonked upside the head is Ryudo.” Mitt giggled slightly at that.

 

“And where will we go?” Reiku said, as he laid Kiya down on the only bed that was in there.

 

“You guys will stay with Cliff,” Mitt told them, “until I can have other huts cleaned up for you. There are plenty of vacant huts here, just that they had years of dust in them.” Mitt went over to the water basin that supplied Mitt with fresh water and filled up a cup. “Here,” she said, handing it to Reiku, “try giving some to Kiya. She should be kept hydrated.”

 

Reiku nodded and went over to Kiya, shaking her gently to wake her.

 

“Mitt,” a loud voice called from outside, “the Elders are going on about you seeing them. And something about bringing the strangers with you as well.” Mitt spun around and saw Cliff stomp in. The dwarf's eyes widened as he saw all the people in Mitt's house. Then his eyes rested on Kiya, who was sipping water from the cup Reiku helped her hold up. “Kiya,” Cliff exclaimed, hurrying over to her, “are you alright? I knew that that travel would be too much for you.”

 

“I'm alright Cliff,” Kiya said softly, “I'm just tired from the spell I performed in Ghost Wolf.”

 

“Spell! Ghost Wolf!” Cliff yelped, “What are you talking about?” He then saw Kiya's clothing and his eyes widened. “You… you're the Priestess of the Moon. And I thought the Futuresighter was finally losing it. She was going on about a prophecy, how I had to leave my cozy home because I was part of it with Mitt and you…”

 

“Wait,” Ryudo interrupted, raising a hand, “did you say that you are part of the prophecy as well?”

 

“Yes, that's what I said, lad,” Cliff said. He looked from Ryudo to Keilila and back again. “Hold on… a monk, a half demon… oh Great Gods!”

 

“Yes,” Ryudo said softly, “that means we are all together now.”

 

Kiya sat up and looked at Cliff. “The Elders want to see us?” she asked.

 

Cliff looked at Kiya and nodded. “Yes,” he said, “they want to know your reason for being here.”

 

Kiya stood and wavered slightly. Reiku held out his hand to help Kiya, but the Priestess raised a hand to stop him. Mitt watched as her friend picked up the bow that had been dropped next to the bed and used it to support herself. She looked at all of them and said, “We shouldn't keep the Elders waiting.” She then started towards the door.

 

“Kiya, wait,” Mitt said. She rushed to her friend and looked at her. “Some of the Elders don't believe that you are truly the Priestess of the Moon. They may even accuse you for imitating the Priestess.”

 

Kiya looked over Mitt's head, wearing a blank expression. “Then I'll just have to prove it to them then,” she said softly. She then headed out, saying over her shoulder, “Lead me to the Elders, Mitt.”

 

Mitt sighed and went after Kiya, the others following. She had a bad feeling about all of this.

 

~*~

 

Kiya stood before the arch of Elders, each one a different species of creature. There were seven Elders in all, each one at least a thousand years old or more. They had their share of wisdom and their own power, but when it came to Prophecy, they all took it seriously, equally. She saw that most were doubtful that she was the Priestess of the Moon, but she was determined to prove to them that she was who she stated she was.

 

Reiku and the others stood behind her. Mitt stood as tall as she could, but Kiya could tell the Anthro Kitten was nervous. Reiku stood right behind Kiya, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready to spring into action if anything threatened Kiya. Keilila stood steady, her arms crossed over her breasts, her white ears twitching every moment or so. Ryudo stood as calm as Keilila, his grip on his staff loose and gentle. Cliff stood as stiff as a tree trunk, grumbling under his breath softly, looking down at the floor. They all stood waiting for one of the Elders to speak, for them to stop looking them over.

 

Alron, the Head Elder, stood and clasped his long, thin fingered hands at his thin waist. He was a Glyrin, an ancient species of creature. His kind had tall thin bodies with long stick like legs, long thin arms, long, slim necks with small heads and large, liquid black eyes that blinked slowly. They had slits for nostrils, thin, lipless mouths and had bluish, gray skin. Kiya knew that these creatures couldn't be judged by their thin, body structure. Glyrin were strong and had powerful armies.

 

Alron wore long, blue silk robes with gold embroidery. He looked around the other Elders before resting his eyes on Kiya. “You claim to be the Priestess of the Moon,” he spoke in a clear, calm voice, “but anyone can look like the Priestess with the right clothing. Give us the proofs that you are who you say you are.”

 

Kiya stepped forward and held up her bow. “I hold here in my hand the Lunar Bow,” she said in a strong voice, “and only the Priestess of the Moon can hold the bow in her hand.”

 

A murmur ran through the Elders. Some lowered their heads to the other who was sitting next to them to whisper softly to each other. Some looked at the bow in fascination, others in disbelief. Finally, one Elder in gray silk robes jumped to his feet angrily, a Trilindern; a slim, feral creature with green and yellow eyes, white fur with long black claws and a stub tail. The Elder snarled and pointed at the bow. “How can we be sure that that is the real Lunar Bow?” he said angrily, “Any simple dark magic spell can create a false Lunar Bow. It has been done before.” When the Elder sat down, the other Elders picked up their tone of voice, some nodding in agreement.

 

Alron raised a hand to silence the others. “Peace Elders,” he said slowly, “Yes, Jakan, a duplication of the bow had been done before, but those that magic had been lost long ago. But that doesn't mean they cannot be found again.” Alron looked at Kiya solemnly and said, “We are not saying that we believe that you are the Priestess of the Moon, but we are not saying that we do. The bow itself is not enough to prove yourself. The only way to prove yourself is to awaken the Lunar Dragon itself.”

 

Murmurs rose up again and Jakan rose to his feet again. “Impossible!” he declared, “The cave of the Lunar Dragon is a sacred place. No one it allowed to enter.”

 

“No one is allowed to enter because no one is able to enter,” a female Wakket said; a small creature, smaller that Mitt herself, with a tiny, thin body, a fox like face, bat like ears and a long thin tail. The female Elder ran a clawed hand over her feather soft, cream colored fur and adjusted her deep red robes. “The cave has been sealed ever since the death of the last Priestess. But if someone was able to find a way in, they would be killed by the Lunar Dragon itself. The dragon is not a tamed creature. It only responds to the Priestess because of the celestial bond they share.”

 

Kiya nodded, knowing this because of the past memories she had from the Priestess's past life. She stood quiet, waiting as the Elders discussed their decision. Finally, Alron turned to Kiya and the others and nodded. “It has been decided,” he told them, “that Kiya and her Guardian are to go to the cave of the Lunar Dragon. Kiya, if you are able to awaken the Lunar Dragon and it accepts you as the Priestess of the Moon, then we will accept you as well. You are to take no supplies. No food and no water. And you must return on the back of the Lunar Dragon. Travel safely and may the Gods be with you.” The Elder waved a hand at them, dismissing them, before turning back to the other Elders.

 

Kiya and the others bowed as they left. As soon as they left the hall, Kiya sighed. “A new quest,” she said, “this time to prove myself.”

 

Reiku gave a small smile and said, “Yeah, but this time, I'll be with you.”

 

Kiya smiled and said nothing more as they returned to Mitt's hut. Mitt took out a map of the area and showed them how to get to the cave of the Lunar Dragon. Once they knew the way, Kiya and Reiku left, taking no supplies like Alron said.

 

The walk was several hours, but Kiya didn't stop and didn't allow herself to tier. They traveled through the woods and the deeper into the woods they got, the wilder it became. Vines twisted around tree trunks that five men with their hands clasped to each others could wrap around. By the time the sun began to set, they had come upon a cave that was at the base of a large hill. The entrance of the cave was sealed by a multicolored boulder that had odd carvings all over it. Kiya looked at Reiku and with a deep sigh, she stepped up to the boulder and placed a hand on it.

 

The boulder seemed to tremble at the touch of her hand. It pulsed with strange warmth and started to glow. Then it disappeared, revealing the dark passageway into the cave. Kiya began walking down the path, going deeper into the cave, Reiku walking alongside her. She used the light of the Lunar Bow to guide them through the darkness. The passageway twisted and turned for what seemed like over a mile, going downward, deeper underground. Just when Kiya was beginning to wonder if the tunnel was ever going to end and whether or not they would end up on the other side of the world, the tunnel had one final turn and they walked into a large cavern.

 

The walls had crystals imbedded into the stone, some the size of a pin head, others larger than a human being. The light of her bow reflected off of the crystals, creating a soft glow. In the center of the cavern was a deep, shimmering pool. Kiya stepped farther into the cavern, Reiku right behind her. She looked around and noticed that the Lunar Dragon was no where in sight. Wondering if they had missed a turn back in the tunnel, she started to turn back when suddenly the cavern was filled with a musical sound. It seemed like a mix of a great bird's voice and the croon of a dragon. It was deep, low and rich, the most beautiful thing Kiya ever heard. She looked up to see something swoop from a ledge high above them, streaking down towards them. The way it was going, Kiya thought that it would collide into the ground, but before it did, it twisted its body so it glided a foot above the ground on its back. It soared up and twisted back around, and then flew over to her, hovering a few feet above her. The dragon lowered its head to look at Kiya.

 

It looked exactly like it did on her quiver case. Its white fur gleamed as brightly as the light of her bow. It had violet eyes that studied her and powerful legs with long, crystal-like claws. The two horns on the top of her head were twisted and seemed to be made of pale blue crystal, the tips pointing towards the back. It was the size of two draft horses with a wing span of what seemed close to fifty feet and a long neck and tail. Kiya raised a hand and rested it on the Lunar Dragon's muzzle. The dragon crooned softly and pushed against her hand. As soon as that happened, a tingling feeling filled Kiya and she knew that the bond had been made.

:I knew that you would come,: the Lunar Dragon said in a soft, feminine voice.

 

Kiya smiled and stroked the dragon softly. “Yes, I have come,” she said sadly, “but I feel that I don't know you as well as I should.”

 

:You are a different person, yet you are the same Priestess. But it doesn't matter. We can start from the beginning. My name is Keioke.:

 

Kiya smiled and said, “My name is Kiya.” Kiya nodded to Reiku behind her. “And this is Reiku, my Guardian.”

 

Keioke nodded to Reiku and then looked at Kiya. :Let us go now,: she said softly, :the great battle is approaching quickly.:

 

Kiya nodded and she climbed onto Keioke's back. Reiku got on behind her and Keioke sped forward, back through the tunnel. They turned this way and that, but the dragon did it so smoothly that Kiya and Reiku weren't being jolted from side to side. Finally they broke out of the cave and Keioke soared high into the star flecked sky, singing her musical croon. Kiya laughed and leaned against the dragon's warm neck. Behind her, Reiku had a tight grip around her waist, and she could hear him groaning softly under his breath. Kiya smiled, thrilled by the ride. “Back to Anthrowood,” she told Keioke, “and quickly.”

 

~*~

 

Ryudo stood in the center grounds of Anthrowood. He looked over the well that stood there and peered into its depths, curious of how deep it was. He heard footsteps behind him and he looked up. Keilila was walking towards him, as graceful as a Lupian. He had always wondered what those ancient demons had looked like and although Keilila was only half demon, he had a good idea now what they looked like. He waited for Keilila to join him.

 

“Any sign of Kiya?” the half demon asked.

 

Ryudo shook his head and said, “None yet. I hope she and Reiku are alright.” He then chuckled to himself and said, “Amazing at the love that is between the two of them. You would think that a werewolf and an elf would never have something like that between them.”

 

Keilila nodded and smiled. “They do care for each other,” she said softly. She looked away and stared off. “They are lucky to have each other.”

 

Ryudo frowned and looked at Keilila. “Is there someone you care about Keilila?”

 

Keilila sighed softly and nodded. “Yes,” she said sadly, “back home, there is someone who I care for very much, and who cares for me as much in return. His name is Sesshumio and he's a full demon, which is the cause of our problem.”

 

“What do you mean?” Ryudo asked, “If he cares about you, he must not care for you being a half demon.”

 

Keilila shook her head. “He doesn't care that I'm a half demon, but his father does. He says that it would be dishonorable for Sesshumio to be with me because I am not full demon. He believes that my father was wrong to bed with a human woman. When I left, Sesshumio's father was planning to have him marry a woman he had found for him; a full demon woman.”

 

Ryudo shook his head and said, “That isn't fair, to you or to Sesshumio. You are a powerful warrior and a kind person and that's all you should be judged for, not that you are not full blood.” Ryudo looked to the heavens and said softly, “My grandfather taught me to respect others not by what they are, but by who they are. He had known many half breeds and full breeds, but they were all equal in his eyes. This world is corrupted by separation of species. The world isn't as peaceful as it had once been. And I don't think it ever will be again.”

 

Keilila nodded and started to say something when the horn sounded, warning every one of incoming travelers. Ryudo and Keilila looked at each other and knew before someone yelled, “It's the Lunar Dragon! The Priestess of the Moon has returned!”

 

They looked up in time to see the dragon begin to descend down to the ground. They moved away as the dragon landed lightly despite her size. Ryudo hurried over to the dragon as he saw Kiya and Reiku slid off the dragon's neck. “You did it!” he exclaimed.

 

Kiya smiled and stroked the muzzle of dragon, which had turned its head to nuzzle Kiya in the side. “Yes,” she said, “I found Keioke and the bond has been reformed.”

 

“And I'm never flying again,” Reiku said angrily, walking away from the dragon to join Keilila and Ryudo.

 

Mitt came running from the gathering crowd with Cliff right behind her. The anthro kitten threw herself into Kiya's arms and hugged her. “Youdidityoudidityoudidit!” she squealed.

 

The crowd went silent as the Elders stepped through. Alron looked at all of them before resting his eyes on Kiya and Keioke. “The Prophecy has been fulfilled,” he said loudly, “and the Priestess of the Moon has been reborn.” And then to Ryudo and everyone else's surprise, the Elder knelt before the six of them. The other Elders and the people in the crowd also knelt before them, before Kiya.

 

Kiya stood tall and raised a hand. “Rise, people of Anthrowood. I am the Priestess of the Moon, but I won't have anyone grovel before me like I am a God. I am not a God. I am as mortal as everyone here. I can and will die eventually like everyone here. I may live for a hundred years more, or I can die tomorrow. The battle against the shadow is coming and I need you all to help me defeat it. All grudges and feuds between anyone are now vanquished. We must all stand united to win this battle.”

 

Cheers filled the air as the crowd jumped up and down, elderly and children alike. Ryudo couldn't help but smile at Kiya. The young elf maiden has come a long way; a very long way indeed.