Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The Path of the Warrior ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )
Chapter 2 The Forest Spirit
They had been walking all day through the dark forest; the canopy of trees above them blocking out most light of the sun. The trail was about ten foot wide, with two distinct 5 inch deep gashes in the dirt signifying wagon tracks. They had met no one as of yet, and they were beginning to wonder where the normal traffic you usually see was.
Not much had been said between the two, both admiring the forest around them. Time to time creatures could be heard scurrying to escape the two, and birds of all kinds were singing their sweet melodies.
Akane was bored, very bored. But she knew better them to mention it. She had begun to realize that life on the road would definitely include a great amount of solitude, and a great deal of walking. She had been watching the silent figure next to her, wondering what went through the warriors mind. 'He must get really lonely out here by himself…' she had thought as they made a left at a corner of the path.
It was approaching the time they were planning to set camp when all noise died around them. Ranma's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, and he began panning the area.
"What is it?" Akane asked as she came closer to him and whispered.
"I'm not sure, just wa…" he suddenly shot his hand out in front of her face and snatched an arrow out of the air. The shock was so much for Akane, she almost stumbled and fell. Both heads turned to the source of the projectile to see a small forest sprite walk out of the overgrowth. "What the hell…" began Ranma as he saw the small figure stop, "forests sprites never attack travelers. Humans are on good terms with the spirit Dryad."
Akane instinctively scooted to the position behind Ranma. She had never been in a real fight before, in fact, this was the first time she had ever seen a forest sprite. She looked up into her companion's face and watched as Ranma tried to figure out the reason for the attack. More movement from the trees brought her attention back to the direction of the small figure.
Half a dozen more sprites made their way to stand behind the one that had shot the arrow. She looked at them closely for the first time. The little creatures reminded her of the pictures of a Knome she had seen in her books back home. They stood about 3 foot tall and had thin, wirery muscle frames. They were dressed in a green tunic and green pants. Each seemed to have a dagger of some sort at their belts, and of course the leader, as she guessed he was from how the others stood behind him, had the small bow hanging at his back. Their faces reminded her of a small child, innocent in appearance with slightly larger ears and a longer nose. But what surprised her were their eyes; they seem to not fit them. They were a menacing sight, with small red pupils and squinted into a scowl. The very sight of them sent shivers through her spine.
"Something isn't right…" Ranma brought Akane out of her observations, "these are usually easy going creatures, helping out travelers that are injured or in trouble." Ranma studied them for a second trying to see something out of place. He concentrated with his mystic sense and looked again, only to gasp. "Their being controlled, no wonder! There are magic tendrils coming off them and going off in…that way!" he pointed north through the vegetation. "That's how they're being held under the trance, we have to sever the connections."
"But how do we do that?" Akane asked as the small group of sprites began their approach, faces held in a scowl. She backed up a step. "We can't hurt them if its not their fault!"
Ranma turned his face slightly to look back at her. "Stay back and only attack to defend yourself. I'll take care of them." He looked to her waist and frowned. "Use your magic since you don't have a weapon, but keep it weak. We only want to knock them out. They're quick so be careful." Ranma stepped forward, dropping into a makeshift fighting stance. Akane nodded and backed off close to the base of a large oak tree.
With a snarl, 4 or the figures leapt at Ranma, daggers drawn. Akane could see now what her friend meant when he said they were quick, they moved faster than anything she had ever seen. Ranma drew a small dagger of his own and held it in a reverse grip as they converged on him.
He ducked under the first sprite's strike and raised his dagger up to block the second. He winced as he felt a small gash placed on his left arm where the third struck a glancing blow. A kick to the chest to the forth sent it barreling into a tree and falling unconscious, blood running down his head. A small flash of light could be seen as the mind control spell was severed from its host's prone body. Ranma did not pause to see if the small one was alright, as the three remaining were upon him again.
Sparks flew as three daggers met and scraped across each other. It did not take much strength to push the two attacking sprites back, but their small stature could not be underestimated. Ranma spun to the left, dodging a strike to his lower back from the third figure that was planning on inflicting a deadly wound to his kidney. Ranma brought the butt of his dagger down onto the base of the unbalanced sprite's skull and the small fighter slumped to the ground. Another flash signaled the release of his mind.
The three remaining fighters circled each other, watching each other carefully. Ranma took the time to glance to where the three extra sprites that had stood back were standing before. He blinked when he found no one there. He spun quickly in Akane's direction to see them advancing on his companion. "Damn…" he muttered to himself. His two opponents chose that time to attack.
'Damn…' thought Akane as she backed away from the three approaching figures. She stopped as her back hit the trunk of the tree behind her. She took a deep breath to calm herself. She needed to concentrate if she wasn't going to hurt the little guys too badly. She brought her hands up to chest level and held them a few inches apart, seemingly in prayer.
"Ifreet, lord of the flame, I call upon your great power.
Set ablaze those foolish enough to stand before me."
A small glow began to form between her palms. The three approaching sprites froze in their tracks at the sight of the forming spell. The leader reached around his shoulder and took his bow. He notched an arrow and prepared to fire. He let loose the weapon and it flew swiftly towards its target, only to be incinerated as it met an invisible wall of flame.
Suddenly, the light between Akane's hands grew tremendously, her hands widening to compensate. She looked up to the figures and prepared to fire the spell. Her eyes hardened. "FIRE STOR-aaaaaauuuuAAAAHHHHhhhhh…" she never had time to finish the attack as the tree behind her seemed to open up, and vines snaked out to pull her in. Her voice trailed off signaling her falling into the darkness.
Ranma heard the yell of Akane's attack, then the yell of distress. He turned quickly, only to see the trunk of a large tree seemingly closing. "What the hell!"
He dodged to the right and let the sprite pass. He needed to finish these guys off quickly and find Akane. 'Who knows where she could end up,' he thought. The three figures that had been approaching Akane began approaching him instead. He took a deep breath and faced them all.
Akane groaned from where she had hit the ground. She reached down and rubbed her sore bottom as she began to stand. Looking around, she could see nothing but darkness. Everywhere she looked there was nothing. Her heart rate began to increase as the vast void began to takes it toll. It was a feeling of complete loneliness and vulnerability. She took a tentative step in one direction, followed by a few more. With her hands outstretched before her she walked blindly forward.
"Welcome…" Akane jerked her head back and forth at the sound of a voice. It seemed to come from all around her. It sounded calm, yet held an undertone of evil. "Welcome…" it came once again.
"Who are you!" yelled Akane, still searching the blackness for the voices source. She stopped walking and turned in circles.
"I… am the ruler of this forest." came the simple reply.
Akane blinked when she heard this. "Ruler?" she thought out loud. "Dryad is the ruler of this land. Who are you?!"
A low chuckle came from nowhere. Moments later the voice answered her. "Dryad is…unable to rule at the moment. So I have graciously taken her place."
Akane's brow furrowed. "So it was YOU controlling those sprites! What have you done with Dryad? And who the HELL are you!"
Suddenly, light seemed to come from all directions, lighting up the area. Akane looked around her; it seemed she was in some kind of cavern. Her sight fell on a tall, dark figure. He stood maybe 7 foot tall, a black cape encircling his figure. He was a handsome man, yet his visage radiated pure evil in every aspect. His smirk gave him a look of arrogance and confidence.
"I, my little princess, am the first General of our lord Happosai's glorious army. My name is Darcis, the black knight." Akane warily watched as the man, Darcis, turn and walked to what seemed to be a throne made of greenery. It would most likely be a beautiful sight, as would the entire cavern, if it wasn't for what seemed to be a dark presence upon every surface.
"Happosai, the demon lord? What the hell is one of his lackey's doing in this forest? And why would he want to hold Dryad?" Akane was confused. It had been years since there was any talk of the evil lord. Ever since the fall of Crystallia, his name had fallen into fairy tales and stories told to children. It was used to keep the younger ones in line, parents telling their children to behave or he would come for them.
Darcis smirked wider. "And why, my dear, would I give such information to one like yourself, hmm?" He sat at the throne. "Perhaps you would wish to stay with me to aid in my endeavors?" He looked at her form head to toe. "I believe you would…enjoy being with me."
"Ha! Like I would ever help someone like 'you.' I would die before I aided that tyrant!" Akane was mad now. Here was this arrogant son of a bitch standing as if he didn't have a care in the world, and he's insinuating she should be his woman and help his lord. 'Never in a thousand years.' she thought.
Darcis raised an eyebrow. "If I decide that you will, you will. You have no choice in the matter. You and your parlor tricks are no match for me and the forces of darkness." He looked her hard in the eye.
"I don't think so! I have every say in the matter when it comes to my life asshole. And we'll see how my 'parlor tricks' are useless" Akane sneered at the dark man. 'How dare he insinuate I'm weak! How dare he think he controls me!'
She brought her hands up to her chest.
"Ifreet, lord of the flame, I call upon your great power.
Set ablaze those foolish enough to stand before me."
The power grew in her hands again, and moment later she threw her hands forward. "FIRE STORM!!" The ball of fire shot forward and expanded to a size of 10 feet in diameter. She had put all she had into that spell, just to 'show' him how weak she was. The blaze streaked forward towards it target. Ten feet, eight, fiv… Suddenly it struck a dark force-field that appeared around the man. She stared in disbelief as her strongest spell was extinguished as if nothing was there.
"Is 'that' the best you can do, my dear? HA! Your powers are weak and feeble compared to mine." Darcis smirked at the look of shock on Akane's face. "Now let me give you at taste of my power little girl!" He threw his left arm straight out away from his body, and his cape bellowed out to rest behind his shoulder. A large blade rested at his hip. He slowly drew the sword with his right arm, and held it up for her to see. "I will not even use a spell on you; the power of my sword Soul Reaper is enough to defeat you!"
He raised the blade high over his head. Energy seemed to coalesce around the tip of the mighty weapon. "ARRRRRGGGG!" he yelled as he swiftly brought it down in a diagonal strike. The air around the blade seemed to distort as a black aura made itself known from the sword. A wave of evil ki was sent forth from the strike and was streaking towards Akane, who was frozen in place from fright. Darcis' laugh could be heard from behind the 8 foot wide arc of energy. She watched as it approached, finally coming to her senses. She was about to jump out of the way, little good it would have done, when a figure leaped in front of her.
Ranma had swiftly taken out the remaining sprites and was now looking through a cavern he had found nearby. Akane had seemed to travel down into the earth so it was logical to look there.
The cavern was beautiful. Green moss seemed to glow upon the walls, and flowers grew along side an underground stream, which seemed to light up the whole cavern. The place reeked of powerful magic.
But now, as he went deeper into the cave, further down into the earth, all seemed to grow darker. The air had an ominous feel to it. He once again looked around, seeing that the once green moss was now covered in a dark mist. The small stream now ran black, almost as if it were ink. Everything around him seemed to give off evil.
"What is this place…" he mumbled to himself, continuing on downwards. He could see a light further down, so he made his way towards it. As he approached what seemed like one of the larger caverns, voices could be heard. 'Akane?'
Suddenly, a flash of light was seen as he heard Akane yell what seemed to be the name of a spell. He sprinted forward towards the ledge that lead into the large open space. There he saw Akane, panting from exertion, facing off against a tall dark man. The dark figure was unharmed from the young princess' blast.
"Is 'that' the best you can do, my dear? HA! Your powers are weak and feeble compared to mine."
Ranma's eyes widened as the man threw open his cape revealing his sword. The man seemed to smirk. "I will not even use a spell on you; the power of my sword Soul Reaper is enough to defeat you!"
'Soul Reaper?' he thought to himself. That seemed to ring a bell in his memory, but he could not place it. All he knew was that the sword was giving off a tremendous evil aura, and Akane would not stand a chance against it.
"ARRRRRGGGG!" Ranma leapt from his place as the streak of energy made its way towards his companion.
Ranma had his sword drawn at the ready as the energy impacted. Exodus glowed with power as it repelled the evil energy. His muscles tensed with strain as he fought to slow wave's progress. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to him, the energy dissipated.
"Ra…Ranma?" Akane's shaking voice came from behind him. The man in question simply stared at the dark, looming figure before him.
"Who…" began Darcis, until he caught sight of the blade held in Ranma's hands. 'Exodus…' He suddenly smiled. "I see. I had no idea anyone survived." He lowly chuckled.
"Ranma be careful, he's powerful." Akane laid her hand on his shoulder. Ranma nodded slightly.
"Just stand back Akane, I'll take care of him." She dropped her arm and backed away as Ranma rose to his full height. "Well, since you seem to enjoy showing off your powers so much, how about you try them on me?"
Darcis smirked as he looked upon the man before him. Moments later, he spoke. "I do not think so, not yet. I still have much to do before we cross blades. But be rest assured, we will have our battle." He gestured off to his left towards the shadows. "I am afraid I must take my leave right now, but I will leave you with something to play with." 'I must inform my lord that a descendant of the crown of Crystallia survived, and with the holy sword Exodus no less!' the black knight thought to himself. He once again brought his black cape around him, and in an instant, he was gone.
Both of the people left turned to look towards where he had gestured. There, a huge figure emerged.
"Damn, a shadow Golem!" yelled Ranma, as he readied his sword. It wasn't really a tough monster, but the two of them had been traveling all day, and the small wounds that were inflicted upon him by the sprites were beginning to ache.
"Ranma…I can't cast anything. That last spell drained me since I put everything I had into it!" Akane said as she looked on.
"It's alright, I can handle it." He began running towards the dark monster.
The Golem roared as he approached, and brought a massive hand down trying to smash the insolent human that dared to face him. The golem stood around 15 foot tall, and was made of what looked like black granite.
The massive hand smashed into the cavern floor, shaking the walls. But when it raised it again, there was no one there. Suddenly it roared out in pain as Ranma slashed down across the mammoth of a monster's side, cutting a clean gorge in the rock. The monster swung its giant stone-hand horizontal to the ground before Ranma could react, and it caught him in the side. Ranma was sent flying into the opposite wall, and he slumped to the ground.
"RANMA!" Akane screamed, beginning to run towards the fallen fighter.
"STAY BACK!" yelled the knight, rising to his feet. He felt around his side. 'Damn, a broken rib.' He thought to himself as he winced in pain. He yelled and charged once again, this time Exodus glowing white with intense power.
"AUUUUUGGHHHH!" he yelled, slashing downward in a jumping strike. The blade seemed to extend to three times its length, the white energy becoming part of the sword. It traveled along the monsters body from head to toe. Then everything went still.
A low rumble was heard, and with a final roar, the mighty shadow Golem split in half, the two parts scrapping against each other as they slid to the cave floor. It fell into a pile of rubble, and with that the battle was over.
Ranma slumped to his knees and heaved a big sigh, wincing as the action put pressure on his rib. Akane could be heard running towards him.
"Ranma, are you okay?!" said Akane in earnest as she kneeled next to him. She checked his body out, looking for injuries.
Ranma nodded, waving off her hands. "I'll live." He stood with her help and they moved over to a boulder, sitting down. "Now, tell me who that was, and what he was doing here."
Akane nodded. "He said his name was Darcis the black knight, and he was the first General of the evil Lord Happosai's army." Ranma's eyes widened at the sound of that name, and then they narrowed. "He said he was holding the spirit Dryad, but he wouldn't say why. That's all he told me."
Both were quiet for a moment as they mulled over that information. 'So, finally you have emerged again Happosai…' thought Ranma darkly. He had been searching for years for a way to reach the evil being so he could have his revenge for his family and kingdom. Most rumors said that the demon resided in the evil city of Arsis, but no one knew how to enter, or even approach the place. Finding information on him was very difficult, since he had not done anything since the fall of Crystallia. 'And now a 'black knight' makes an appearance.' he thought to himself
After about 15 minutes, Ranma stood and straightened his clothes. "Well, let's find Dryad and free her, shall we?" Akane nodded and stood herself. Both made their way down the dark passage behind the throne.
They came to a smaller cavern a little while later. There, in the center of the cave was a dark sphere, seven foot in diameter. They made their way over to it, and Ranma held his hand, closing his eyes in concentration.
"She's in there." he said as he dropped his hand. "This is a powerful spell. It could have only been cast by a high mage, and they would have had difficulty with it." Ranma circled it once, looking it over. Akane merely stood and watch him.
He stopped as he came up next to his companion again. "Stand back." he said to her.
"What! You can't possibly cast any spells in your condition! Don't you dare!" She reached up and grabbed him around the sides. He winced as she squeezed and tried to pull him away from the sphere. He reached down and grabbed her hands, gently pushing them away.
"I'll be fine, just please stand back." She looked at him for a moment, and then reluctantly stood aside as he approached the barrier. She brought her hands up in front of her waist and clasped them together. She curiously rubbed them against one another when she felt something warm and sticky on them. She furrowed her brow and looked away from her companion to peer at them. 'What the…blood!' her head shot up and she looked at Ranma's tunic. Sure enough, a dark spot could be seen forming on his tunic on his side. "RANMA!" she yelled and ran forward to try and stop him, but was suddenly thrown down onto her butt as she met a invisible force-field.
"Excelcia, holy being of the ages, lend me your divine power.
Break this dark shield that binds this being, set her free."
Ranma's raised hands were glowing with power as he concentrated and chanted the spell over and over. The energy seemed to coalesce into one point, before shooting out surrounding the black barrier. Brighter and brighter it shone, so much so that Akane had to shield her eyes.
A few minutes later, the light died down, and she turned to see what happened. There, floating in mid-air was a strange, yet beautiful woman. Her skin seemed to be made of wood, yet it was smooth as any normal person's. Her hair was dark green vine-like, and her fingers were longer then the normal human beings. She seemed to radiate power and goodness.
"Dryad…" she whispered quietly. The spirit seemed to look around, only stopping momentarily on Akane. Then her eyes fell upon one point in front of her. Akane looked to where she was looking and gasped. There, lying on the ground motionless… was Ranma.
"What, pray tell, are you doing little one?" a boy jumped away from where he was reaching for the sword that rested against the wall. He turned towards the speaker, revealing a young Ranma, no older than 5.
"Nothing…nothing at all!" he said a little too fast. In front of him stood a middle aged man in brown robes. A short black beard was finely cut, covering a strong chin. Long hair cascaded down behind him, and his eyes seemed to dance with mirth.
The man raised an eyebrow and waited for Ranma to continue. Ranma sighed and bowed his head. "I want to learn how to use a sword, so I can help everyone like you." he said as he dug the tip of his leather boot into the floor.
"So you were just going to pick up the blade and start swinging it around like it was a stick?" asked the man as both his eyebrows rose up. Ranma just groaned.
"Come on Uncle Tallis, I was going to get you to teach me, I know you're a great swordsman." Ranma whined as he looked up to the man.
Tallis chuckled and watched the young boy in front of him. Moments later he finally spoke. "Tomorrow you will get up at dawn, and we will begin your strength training." He pointed at the sword. "You will have to be able to 'hold' the sword before you can wield it.
Ranma grinned when he heard his uncle say this; he was going to be a swordsman!
Everythign around the seemed to fade and distort. Images flew by so quickly you could not make out one from the other. This went on, over and over, for what seemed like an eternity, until the image stopped. There, kneeling in front of a small headstone was a teenaged boy in a black cloak. Silent tears could be seen falling from his closed eyes. The boy reached forward and sat his hand to rest on the marker before him. He sat like this for what seemed like forever, and then all went white…
Ranma groaned as he came back to consciousness. He brought his hand up to his face and rubbed his temples.
"How are you feeling?" asked a voice to his left. He looked towards it, squinting his eyes. He sighed as he recognized Akane.
"Not bad, how long was I out?" he asked, looking back to the ceiling.
"A day and a half." she replied. Suddenly her voice became sterner. "What the HELL did you think you were doing? Why would you cast such a high level spell when you were in that condition? With a broken rib no less! Do you have a death wish?!" she said, standing and putting her hands on her hips.
He looked over to her again. They stared at each other for a moment, and then he sighed. "I was fine."
"The hell you were! You just about died! You would have if it wasn't for Dryad helping your heal those wounds. And she couldn't even heal them completely after you expelled so much mana!" Akane said, sticking out her lower lip as her eyes become slits. "I swear if you do something like that again, I'll burn you alive. Got it?"
Ranma raised an eyebrow. "Fine…" he said after a moment. He began to get up. Akane came over and took his arm.
"Well, lets go see Dryad, she said she wanted to speak with you privately once you were awake." said Akane, helping him steady himself until he got his bearings back.
Ranma nodded again, grabbing his tunic that was sitting on the back of a nearby chair, and carefully putting it back on. Once done, they made their way out.
They knocked on a large wooden door as they stood in a corridor the spirit had told Akane to come to. It was a small hall that was connected to the cavern Dryad had been held. After a moment, the door opened on its own accord, and Ranma walked in.
"I'm just going to be back in the room you woke up in. Come and get me when your done." said Akane. Ranma nodded and closed the door behind him. He made his way to the center of the room, looking around as he went. He seemed to be in a library of some sort.
"I would like to thank you for freeing Me, Lord Ranma." said a voice from behind him. He turned to see the spirit standing before him.
He raised an eyebrow. "Lord?" he asked as he looked at her.
Dryad smiled and raised her hand. Ranma felt something moving under his shirt and looked down. His pendant became visible and seemed to hang in mid-air in front of him.
"This is the crest of Crystallia, the holy kingdom. Only royalty wore such a pendant." She lowered her hand, and the pendant followed suit. "After so many years I can see why most people would not recognize it, but I am beyond time. All of the spirits mourned for the fall of Crystallia, for we loved its teachings and people."
Ranma sighed, and reached down, grabbing the crest and placing in back under his shirt. "Yes, I am a descendant to the throne, but Crystallia is no more. I am no longer royalty…and I wish to remain that way." Dryad nodded in understanding.
"I understand. You have grown up as a commoner, and wish to stay that way. You think that if you were to rule a country you wouldn't be able to travel and help people like you do now." said Dryad. It was more of a statement than a question.
Ranma thought for a moment. "I do not wish for what happened all those years ago to happen to anyone else. I know one sword cannot do much, but as least I feel like I am needed."
Dryad smiled. "Trust me Lord Ranma; you would be surprised what one man can do." She looked at him for a second, and then continued. "I can feel it. You will be needed in the future young one, and the position that which you do not wish to take will play a large role in it."
Ranma turned away as she said that. He was happy with his life as it was, he didn't want to be a prince of a fallen kingdom.
Dryad stood and watched as the thoughts flew through the human before her. After a few moments, she walked over to a bookshelf and partially pulled out a series of books. A small sound was heard and one shelf slid away, revealing a hidden box. She held her hand up to it and chanted. A moment later, a light flashed and she removed the solid oak case. She carried it over to a small table, the shelf sliding back into its original position behind her.
Ranma watched as the spirit sat the small box down, and opened it up. She reached in and pulled out a scroll, tightly bound. She walked over to him and handed it to him. He took it and looked closely at it. His eyes stopped as he reached the seal…it was in the shape of his pendant, the crest of Crystallia.
"That…was given to me for safe keeping after the fall of your kingdom. It is bound by a VERY powerful spell, said to have been placed on it by Lord Genma, your father himself." Dryad watched as he turned the scroll over in his hands. "The one that gave it to me said that only one of the royal family of the holy kingdom would be able to open it."
Ranma looked up into the eyes of the gentle spirit in front of him. "What is it?"
Dryad shrugged slightly, and then gestured to the scroll. "Open it, it must be important of it was put under the protection of one of the ancient spirits, right?"
Ranma nodded, and reached for the seal. It seemed to react as his hand came closer. When he finally touched it, the seal crumbled to dust, and there was a flash of light. Both raised their arms to block out the blinding flash. Ranma felt the scroll seem to disintegrate in his hand. When the light dimmed, both turned back and were shocked at what they saw. There, floating in the mid-air, was a miniature silver dragon.
It gracefully floated there, its small wings seeming useless as they were lazily flapped ever so often. It was an oriental type of dragon, with a slender body that coiled in and around itself. It was maybe 4 foot in length, and 5 inches in diameter. Beautiful silver scales covered every inch of him. Two hind legs were located near the back of the coils, and two longer front legs towards the front. Its eyes seemed to radiate wisdom as they peered first at the Dryad. The dragon nodded its head in recognition, and then turned to the other in the room. Ranma could have sworn that it grinned.
"Well, haven't you grown since the last time I saw you, your majesty!" Ranma blinked as it seemed the dragon was speaking in his head. The serpent must have sensed it, so it nodded. "I am talking to you telepathically. I do not have any vocal cords, so speaking out loud is impossible."
Ranma blinked. "Okay…and who might you be?"
The dragon seemed to fall into a mock pout, lowering its head. Then it mentally sighed and smirked. "Well, you were only an infant the last time I saw you, so I shouldn't expect you to remember me." It nodded its head. "Very well, I am the Royal Guardian and Adviser to the royal family of the holy kingdom of Crystallia, Felnar the white dragon. I have sworn to serve and protect the royal family throughout the ages, and since you are the heir to the throne, I am now here to serve you." He bowed his head.
"Yes, the ancient dragon Felnar." began Dryad from behind him. "Legend said that you once resided in the depths of the holy mountain of Espers, until one day you saw a wandering white knight that was seeking the Temple of the Ancients. You secretly followed him and watched as he battled creatures of all kinds, until he finally reached the summit. You watched as he became a holy Paladin, greatest of warriors, and then as he built the greatest of kingdoms the human race had ever known. You decided to bless its birth with your knowledge and protection." Felnar nodded at spirit's statement, it was quite true. Lord Genma was a great and noble man, and the dragon respected him for that.
Ranma looked from one to the other, as he digested the dragon's words. Finally, he spoke. "Well Felnar, Crystallia is no more and I am no longer royalty, so you are free to do whatever you want. I do not want to burden you with the responsibility of watching over me."
The dragon shook his head. "At your birth I gave my word to always watch over you. I have already missed many years of your life because I refused to leave your father's side in the final battle against the evil invaders. I asked him to seal me in that scroll so that one day I could rejoin you, since I was too weak from my battle with the black dragon Cardis to fly back to my den in the mountains. That was one of the last things King Genma did before the castle walls fell. No matter what you say, I will be accompanying you from now on."
"But…" Ranma started.
Dryad laughed lightly. "Don't bother Lord Ranma, once a dragon makes up his mind, nothing will change them. You seemed to have gained another companion." Ranma sighed in defeat, and Felnar looked up into his eyes.
"I have lived as long as any being of this world, child. I have always loved watching over the human race. They show so much emotion in their actions. I assure you, my knowledge will be of great help to you in anything you decide to do." stated the dragon, its slender body seeming to swim back and forth in mid-air.
Ranma looked at the beautiful creature before him, and smiled. "Very well, I am happy to have you with me. But…" Ranma fidgeted as he tried to word his next statement. "Townspeople might…go hysterical if they see a flying, talking, miniature dragon traveling in their streets. How will you hide yourself, an invisible spell?"
The dragon chuckled slightly. "No my lord…"
"Call me Ranma, I wish to keep my heritage a secret." Ranma interrupted as he looked at Felnar and the spirit behind him.
They both nodded. "Very well, then call me Fel. As I was saying Ranma, hold your arms." He waited for the man to do so. "No, out from your body, horizontal to the ground." Ranma corrected himself. Fel nodded. "There now, this wont hurt a bit." Suddenly the dragon seemed to turn into pure energy and streaked towards the fallen prince. Ranma almost yelped at the speed, but held firm.
The energy seemed so flow around him for a moment, then fade into his clothing. There was a slight tingle to his skin, and then it was gone.
"Remove your shirt Ranma," came Fel's voice in his man's head. Ranma blinked, then obliged.
As his tunic came off, he looked down at himself. His eyes widened at what he saw. An extravagant, beautifully detailed tattoo now coiled around his chest. Its head rested just below his right shoulder, and its body traveled at an angle to disappear under his left armpit. It traveled around his back, disappearing under the bandage Ranma still wore from his rib, and came back to the front just below his ribcage. It made one more trip around his body, coming out the front at stomach level. The tail twirled once around his bellybutton, then ended. Its color matched that of Felnar's real body, and it seemed to move and glide along with Ranma as he turned to and fro, looking the work of art over.
"This is what I learned how to do many centuries ago. It is also how I was able to be placed into that scroll, I simply became a painting. It was very useful when I traveled the land with your father when he had diplomatic business in other countries. I am still able to communicate with you and others, and I'm also able to see some of your stronger thoughts. If you wish to speak to me privately, just talk to me in your mind, I will be able to hear you. I can control my telepathy quite well, so if I wish to speak only to you, I can do so and no others will hear me."
Dryad circled around the young knight. "You are quite beautiful, Felnar."
"Thank you Lady Dryad. You do not know what it means to me to hear that from one as radiant as yourself." replied the dragon.
"Oh stop it." said the spirit playfully. Ranma just blinked as he 'watched' the two ancient beings talk so casually to each other. This was when his thoughts were drawn to a knock at the door. It opened to reveal a curious princess.
"Sorry to intrude but…" she trailed off as she looked at the tattoo that now traveled across Ranma's body. "Where did THAT come from?"
Ranma just looked at her for a second, until he felt a tingling in his chest. There was a flash of light and Felnar appeared in his true form. Akane yelped and backed away. She watched wide-eyed as the serpent seemed to bow to her in mid-air.
"Hello my lady, I am the Guardian and Advise-urk!" Felnar stopped as he felt Ranma's rib in his side. He looked to his left at the man, and saw him shake his head. Fel sighed and turned back. "…Guardian of the mountain of Esper. I am the white dragon Felnar. And who might I ask; do I have the pleasure of meeting?"
Akane blinked and looked at Ranma. The man nodded and she turned back to the dragon. "Umm…Princess Akane of Felicia, it is a pleasure to meet you." She looked at him. "Were you that…tattoo that was on Ranma? And how are you talking in my head?"
"Yes I was that tattoo, I now serve Ranma here. And as to how I am speaking to you, I am telepathic." stated the dragon.
Akane just 'ohhed' and nodded her head. Fel sighed and asked her to sit. He went on to tell him about his origin, and decided to say that he would now travel with Ranma as repayment for helping Dryad. Akane finally nodded in understanding.
Ranma looked to each of them slowly. "Well, I think we need to get on the road. There's no telling what Jumkoffer is up to. We need to find him and take care of him before more travelers die at his hand."
Akane nodded, but Dryad spoke before she could say anything. "Please, let me repay you for your service. It is the least I could do for saving the forest and myself. Come, follow me." Before either could protest, Dryad walked to the back of the library.
They stopped at a blank wall of stone. Dryad raised her hand to it. The wall seemed to flow out of the way as a passage opened up. She continued down the path.
Ranma and Akane gasped as they came to what could simply be called a treasure room. Gold, weapons, armor, and jewels were scattered about. The room seemed to glow from the brightness of the items.
"This is all I have ever collected and/or protected throughout the ages. Each of you may choose one item that you can take. It does not matter what it is, it will be yours."
"But we could never…" began Ranma. But Dryad was having nothing of it.
"I insist, now choose." She waved her hand in a wide arc, signaling them to look throughout the room.
The two began to slowly make their way throughout the large chamber, looking here and there. Every once in awhile they would ask what a certain item was, and what its uses were. Each time the spirit would answer them in full.
A half an hour later, Akane came to a long, slender, sealed case.
"Umm…Lady Dryad, what's in here." she asked as she pointed to the long box.
Dryad came over and smiled inwardly when she saw what the girl was looking at. She had felt something when she had met the young princess, and this item would suit her needs perfectly. She reached over and placed her hand on the chest. A click was heard and the chest opened on its own accord. Akane sucked in a sharp breath at what sat there. It was an extravagant blade, as red as the reddest flame. Its hilt was finely crafted with a grip long enough that one could hold the sword with two hands. Its hand-guard extended out about 5 inches in each direction, with fine rubies crafter into it. The sheath had intricate patterns that traveled along its length, its engraved images seemingly telling a tale long past. All in all it was a work of art. "It's beautiful…" she whispered.
"This is the legendary sword of flame, the Fire Brand. It is said to be crafted with the fire from Ifreet himself, and was enchanted with his power. Legend says that only the chosen one, the fire maiden may pull it from its sheath. If any person was to touch it with ill intentions, they would suffer horrible burns, and sometimes pay with their life." She looked at Akane. "I see you do not have a weapon; can you handle a sword?"
Akane nodded absently, her eyes never leaving the blade. She seemed drawn to it. She slowly reached out to pick it up, and the sword seemed to glow brighter. She picked it up and stood back away from the box. Dryad watched as she carefully gripped the handle and tried to remove it from its sheath.
Flames seemed to come forth as it slowly slid form its resting place. Her eyes widened as she fully removed the blade. Flames seemed to dance upon the cold metal as she turned it over in her grip. She had seen few blades that could compare to this one.
Dryad smiled as her hunch was proven true. "Try to control the flames with your mind." Akane nodded and concentrated. Soon, the flames died down and the sword seemed to return to its normal state. Akane smiled.
"That is a fine blade Akane. You would be a fool to pass that up." came a voice from behind her. She turned to see Fel floating there. Ranma stood next to him, nodding in agreement.
"If you wish, I will help train you better in swordplay and how to control the aura of the Fire Brand." stated Ranma.
Akane smiled widely. "Thank you Ranma, and thank you Lady Dryad. I will make sure to take excellent care of it and to only use it to protect others."
"Your quite welcome child, after all the blade was made for your." Dryad nodded and smiled. She then turned to where Ranma was approaching her.
"I believe I will pass on your offer of a reward, Lady Dryad. I could not find anything that would be of use to me and Fel is an excellent addition to our party as is." he stated.
Dryad studied the man in front of her, deep in thought. She snapped her fingers and walked to a small shelf in the back of the chamber. She looked briefly through what seemed be nothing at all. Finally she returned, holding what seemed to be a cloth made of spiders silk.
"Then take this, I believe you will find many uses for it. It is called the Spiritual Pocket." She handed the seemingly delicate item. Ranma inspected it from all angles. "Now, simply say 'Telinoff." the spirit said.
Ranma looked at her, and then shrugged. "Telinoff." He blinked as the item disappeared. He looked questioningly at the spirit before him. "What did it do?"
Dryad reached down and grabbed a golden dagger from the floor and handed it to him. "This is what you must do. Picture in you mind an imaginary pocket that is located behind your back." She waited until he did so. "Now, picture placing that dagger inside that pocket and put the dagger behind your back, and then simply release it."
Ranma looked at her…and did so. He blinked and turned in place trying to look behind him. There was no 'clank' from the dagger hitting the floor, there was nothing at all. Dryad smiled again.
"The pocket opens a small hole onto a different plane of existence. It can be used to store a limited amount of items." She looked at the wide-eyed listeners and laughed lightly. "Okay, now picture in your mind you retrieving the dagger." The spirit chuckled as Akane made her way behind Ranma to watch closely.
The princess's jaw dropped as Ranma's hand seemed to disappear behind him, returning once again now holding a dagger. "Unbelievable!" she seemed to scream.
"All you have to do is picture what you want and grab it. You will know when you reach the full capacity, so don't worry. I believe that will come in handy with your travels."
Ranma smiled and bowed his head. "I gratefully accept. It will indeed come in handy in carrying supplies and such."
The spirit nodded her head. "Now, before you leave let us eat a meal. I'm sure you are starving since you were unconscious for over a day." At Ranma's nod, she made her way back to the entrance, the rest in tow.
After finishing off a large meal, good-byes were said and the group parted ways with the spirit Dryad. She had wished them luck, and given Ranma a pair of black armguards. They had many empty sockets in them, signifying something was to be placed there. What to place became apparent when a small green stone was created by the spirit of the forest. He remembered her instructions on its uses.
"If you are ever in need of my assistance, simply call for me through this stone and I will come as soon as I can. The other sockets are there just in case you come by another spirit of this world. Each of us can create a summon stone that you can carry. Once placed on the wristband, they cannot be removed in any way, and only you will be able to call upon us. If you are lucky enough to come across another of my kind, seek their assistance. But be warned, use them sparingly and only in the direst of situations, for a large amount of power is needed to use them."
Ranma adjusted the bands on his wrists. Felnar had returned to his place on the prince's chest, just in case they came upon any other travelers.
(A/N <……> is telepathic messages that are said privately to Ranma in his head.)
"So where is our first destination?" came Fel's voice in the travelers' minds.
"We are going to find Jumkoffer, the Orc Lord, and put a stop to his raids. He has become a menace to many people in the surrounding area." Ranma stated.
"How long do you think it will take to find him?" asked Akane from off to the side.
Ranma seemed to think about that for a bit, and then finally answered. "A few days perhaps, hard to say. We need to be prepared at all times though." Akane nodded in agreement.
"Well, that sounds exciting if I do say so myself." said Fel; he chuckled slightly as they made their way down the path.
Now, Akane the runaway princess, armed with her newly acquired Celestial weapon, the Fire Brand; Ranma, newly reunited with the white dragon Felnar, and supporting the newly acquired Spiritual Pocket, made their way onward on a quest they followed as they see fit. It was only the beginning, and little did they know that a powerful darkness was stirring for the first time in many years. They merely walked the path that was set before them, never straying.
Author Notes:
Sorry for taking so long to update. School and work are tiring me out, along with a few new PS2 games. Heh.
So what is gonna happen next to our travelers as they make their way to the Orcs? Keep on checking for updates to find out. If you have any comments or suggestions please leave some feedback so I can take them into consideration.
Next Up: Their journey continues as the castle back at Felicia Castle is going wild trying to find their princess. "WHAT, PRINCESS AKANE WAS KIDNAPPED?"
Thanks for reading
Eternal Flame