Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Angel of Death ❯ Dreams ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is, will never be, never was mine

The Angel of Death

Chapter 11

Dreams

One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four sheep, five sheep...

Gentle strains of music can be detected.

Six sheep, seven sheep, eight sheep, nine sheep, ten sheep...

A tantalizing aroma lingered in the air.

Eleven sheep, twelve sheep, thirteen sheep, fourteen sheep, fifteen sheep...

Ebony stopped. She opened her eyes dramatically, peering around her. Oddly, she can see well without the thick glasses despite her being myopic and all. Where was she? The place looked familiar. She stretched, stifled a yawn then pulled herself to her feet. She had been sleeping under a beech tree. It gracefully bowed to her, momentarily shifting into a tall lady of the wood, letting the princess have a glimpse of the dryad's human form.

Ebony curtsied in return. m in Lethe. I am in Cair Tara. I'm at home in the garden of the Billion Blossoms. What am I doing here? She looked down on herself. Loose dark green robes of velvet and black sleeveless satin top underneath. My maying dress? I haven't worn this in two years. What's that? She cocked her head to one side straining to hear the melody. Violin strings but the edges of the notes seemed to have been dulled. It's probably Iantha in the library. Funny, though. I have never heard her play that tune before.

Ebony gathered her skirts and ran out the garden. Her shoes clicked sharply on the multicolored pavement as she hastened into the palace. Passing a small fountain, she flicked a coin to it from her pockets and murmured a wish as was customary for her. She finally reached the yawning doorway beckoning to her. They had queer writings inscribed on them which always made her suddenly become solemn.

She slowed down to a trot. Now, she was underneath the archways stretching up to the heavens in perfect parabolas. Ebony trailed the domed ceiling with her eyes. Her eyes fastened themselves on the stained glass roof of the central ball room which she had entered just then. The polished marble reflected the magnificent image of the overhead art work.

Ebony instinctively pulled her skirt close around her legs blushing slightly. They shouldn't polish the floor too much. Girls are bound to have their underwear seen by unscrupulous spectators. She surveyed the doors around her. There were at least seven giant portals leading to the other parts of the palace.

She picked a doorway. She pushed the huge doors open and entered a hall of mirrors. She giggled, seeing the different distorted images on the glass walls. She had always loved walking down this hallway and marveling at her reflection, sometimes fat or thin, at others old or young. But she didn't linger around for so long. The sound of the violin was clearer now, the strings sharply vibrating on her ears. And a delicious smell wafted around her, beckoning to her. Buttered collistars! My favorite.

The princess gathered her skirts once more and made haste to the end of the hall. There stood another mirror but this one was straight. It did not jest around with her reflection. Ebony laughed. This has always been her favorite part of the journey. She walked straight through the glass.

The mirror seemingly turned to liquid, looking like a giant mass of mercury. It slithered around her and seemed to be engulfing her like an amoeba in the process of phagocytosis. But Ebony did not feel smothered. It was like passing through ice but with out any of its knife-like cruelty. Cool, but not in a repulsive way. It may be like diving into the waves of the sea but none so wet. Or maybe like meeting a tornado headlong but not so windy. It was altogether one wonderful indescribable experience. Ebony enjoyed it so especially since she had been away for so long.

The surprise that awaited her in the adjoining room was far more unexpected but much more anticipated. She stumbled into the vast expanse of the library. Books, mountains of books, towers of books, cascades, oceans, anything! Just piles and piles of books. Oddly enough, the whines of the violin still echoed around the room. And speaking of the violin player, there he was.

It was tall man, draped in the colors of Tara. The familiar regal brows encircled by the thin circlet of gold, etched on it the insignia of the king of Lethe. Aside from being a burden, the crown served to keep the ear-length hair, jet black and straight like Ebony's, away from his face. The slightly tilted exotic eyes, the grey penetrating iris, his tall nose and the handsome straight line for his lips; he looked strangely like Audric!

But the woman wasn't the rather tiny, blue-eyed brunette Andromache. She was much like Iantha of the long auburn locks and the huge, round purple Spanish eyes. The nose was rather smaller, the eyebrows much more arched , the lashes longer and the lips fuller like a rosebud. She was tall, too, nearly as tall as the man had she been standing. A silver tiara held back her dark red locks and a look of extreme concentration furrowed her brows.

Ebony realized that these people were complete strangers and that they were in the Royal library, a place exclusive only for the use of Drynwyn royalty. And yet, they felt familiar, as if they were the first people she had ever knew and had known them all her life.

Ebony sniffed. Where is that collistars? Her eyes searched the room. Finally, a person she recognized. Sitting there primly, his snowy white beard flowing down his chest, the dimming sunlight reflecting from his balding top, was King Arawn.

"Grandfather!"

Her voice immediately grabbed the attention of the others. Grandpa hailed her granddaughter. The man stopped playing and acknowledged her, his serene face breaking into a grin. The lady brushed back a few stray strands from her face and also turned her gaze away from her painting. Her face broke into a smile, oddly a wistful one. She dropped her brush and opened her arms wide.

"Mother?!?!?" Ebony ran to the outstretched hands. "Is it really you? But how?"

Another set of arms clamped around her. "Papa!" Ebony exclaimed joyously. She felt herself lifted up into the air.

"And how's my pretty little girl?" he asked setting her down on the floor once again. And indeed she is little to him. Taller than average Ebony only came up to the shoulders of King Aldrich. "Oof! Not so small after all. You're heavy."

"Oh. Come now my boy," said Arawn. "She was an infant when you last saw her. Now she's sixteen."

"Gramps, I'm seventeen and soon to be eighteen," corrected Ebony.

"Of course you are. Bless my noggin!"

"Oh, right," said Aldrich laughing. "I do like to see my other children."

"All things have their time, darling," said Psyche, stopping him. "And now we have other things to attend to."

"What, you're leaving?" Ebony's voice rose shrilly in objection. "But you just arrived. She stood there poised as if about to leap upon them and clasp them down.

Aldrich raised a his hand signaling a halt. Ebony stopped abruptly, nearly skidding on her fur slippers.

"We have something to talk about," said he.

"Come, child," said Arawn, leading her to the divan. "Have some collistars. I know you're dying to eat some." He winked at her fondly.

All of them sat down on the opposite sofas. Ebony sat with Arawn, while Aldrich sat with his wife.

Psyche looked at her daughter expectantly. "I believe you have something to discuss with us."

Ebony nearly choked on the juicy seed-like tidbits. She appeared to be very uncomfortable. Now she has lost her appetite. "You're talking about my powers, right?"

Aldrich merely nodded. Ebony's eyes were cast down, her pupils tracing the lines in her palms. "Those powers I've shunned, I inherited them from you. Just like my enchantress' blood, my human blood, my ki's, my physical appearance, my heritage, my destiny, and, of course, Azrael's enmity.

"I've never regretted being born as the enchantress princess of Lethe. Perhaps, I had once in a while detested the duties attached, but nonetheless I loved my heritage. All in one blow I had thrown away my destiny. And with it the fate of the universe!" Ebony suddenly raised her face, a trouble stricken expression painted on it.

"My powers. Ever since I was born I had them. They were my legacy. I reminder of what happened years ago, of your death.

"I never had the regular childhood Lethian children had. I was sent to study in the school of wizardry and witchcraft three years earlier than normal. All I remember during my puberty is pain, excruciating pain. The development of my powers had been no piece of cake. Now all that pain has been thrown away.

"Just a few years ago, I remember, I easily managed incorporating the skills I learned as a witch and my natural powers. Of course, being the youngest, I was the least developed and was not as powerful as the others. Or so we thought.

"I was twelve then when I decided to stay in Ningenkai. It was when the inconsistent ravages of my powers had finally settled down. I chose Mushiyori because Aunt Kore is there and the school days coincided perfectly with my schedule here. But that wasn't really necessary, I soon graduated from Hagaard's school of magic two years later.

"The truth is, I wanted to have a normal teenage life. Adrian was here before me. It's not that we were running away or something, we just wanted to grow up first before we face the responsibilities of ruling. We wanted to explore our human sides, too. Aiea and Audric were already through high school. Unlike us, they didn't care about getting degrees.

"It wasn't easy fitting in with the Ningens. The first two years were tough enough. I was attending two schools at one time. But even after my graduation, I still had my responsibilities in Lethe.

"Just two years ago, it happened. Ygg used Hepaticae, Adrian's betrothed, to penetrate Cair Tara. That's when I found out that I still have 98% of my powers to develop, that my renowned and more or less feared powers was actually just a small fraction of what I can really do. That's when Azrael's story popped out of the attic. I found out that I was the cause of your deaths."

"It's not your fault. You mustn't think that--" interrupted Psyche.

"Please, let me speak first. Through Hepaticae, Ygg was able to capture all the powers of my siblings and had wiped them out effectively. I was forced to fight him alone.

"Well, there's always someone stronger than one. And I was no match for him. I became desperate. I fought him with everything I had; my skills, my powers, every piece of knowledge I knew all to no avail.

"I knew I had no chance in defeating him, but I didn't give up. With the scanty energy I had in my body, I decided to gamble my life. I was willing to kamikaze just to save Lethe.

"Something happened. My powers suddenly gushed out after being suppressed for so long. The energy erupted like a volcano. Naturally, my body was so shocked of such sudden change. After the energy was released, I was supposed to have gone out.

"I don't really remember much, just Aiea screaming and Ygg laughing. The winds were rising violently, churning around me like a whirlwind. I felt adrenaline course through my body. My head was spinning in crazed panic. I felt myself being stripped of my energy. The pressure was building up strongly around me. Finally, when the force was so tremendous I was suffocating, I was able to let go of the mass. I felt pain anew then suddenly my whole body became numb. My surroundings plunged into darkness. Then, I knew nothing.

"They say I was out for a long time and didn't awaken till a month later. I think I had some sort of temporary amnesia then, plus a great number bruises and cuts, a few second degree burns and some first ones. No broken limbs, thank heavens.

"Ygg was dead. And apparently, by my hand. Everybody congratulated me for a job well done. But my conscience was dealing me with heavy blows of rebuke.

"The battle had taken place in Ygg's fortress in the outskirts of Lethe, actually overlapping with Makai. It was leveled to the ground. Actually, none of it remained. Ygg and his 2,000 men plus their ten mile territory practically vanished into thin air.

"2,000! That was an appalling thought. Perhaps, it was not too large in relation to some genocide and none at all compared to the ravages of war but I had never in my life killed an entity. And that was uncontrolled, unharnessed energy, powers that just happened to overflow. Think of the possibilities if it were to be used properly, the energy gathered by an experienced hand, my powers used in a completely offensive manner.

"The risk was too great. I immediately realized its potentials for destruction. I now know why Azrael wanted me and why you died trying to prevent him from succeeding.

"I knew sooner or later others are bound to try and steal them and I can't control it to save myself and others. And if someone succeeded in taking them, then they'll be able to take Kentrona as well and this world, plus all others, are doomed.

"No, I can't allow that, can I? I can't give up something you paid for with your lives. That's why I sealed my powers.

"Of course, everything could have returned to normal. I could have continued using my "old" powers and keep ignoring the "new" ones. But I was afraid that I'd suddenly lose control and all the energy trapped inside will explode. And now Azrael has reappeared. He wants me and I'm completely helpless."

Psyche was crying. "I'm sorry we left him for you to clean up. We should've--we should've…" She buried her face on Aldrich's chest.

"None of that, mother," said Ebony rather crossly. "I hate it when people act like jelly."

"Nay, daughter," said Aldrich. "The tears cleanses the spirit. Everybody needs to cry once in a while. It'll make you feel better."

"That's not the point," said she, rather desperately. "I can't blub while Azrael takes over the universe. Isn't there anybody strong enough to tackle him?"

"Let me ask you something. You had no control over your powers, right? But you could have learned to. Well?"

Ebony turned a bit red. "Alright, alright, I admit it. I was afraid to do so. I don't know, of pain, of the hardship." She shrugged.

"Anyway, you're an excellent witch. The best enchantress I've ever seen in terms of wand manipulation. Aiea seems more handy in with her potions and concoctions while--"

"He said it himself. My petty spells wouldn't even touch him."

"But whoever said you were just going to use your spells?" Aldrich was very serious.

"What? You mean I have to unseal my powers again?"

"Precisely."

"No! I can't do that. If I use my old powers, who knows when my new ones would suddenly flare out suddenly. I can't stake lives of innocent people."

"Child, you are not given any gift unless you are to use it."

"You mean, I have complete control over it? I didn't ask for it!"

"Didn't you?" Her father fixed on her a deeply probing gaze.

"B-b-but I--I," she blurted out.

"Perhaps you did. But even so your hidden potentials wouldn't have been unleashed even if you wished with all your heart." He smiled an inward smile and spoke as if speaking more to himself. "Ygg himself brought about his own doom."

Ebony was by now standing before Aldrich. "Stop being so cryptic, Papa," she demanded stamping her foot like a little child. "Would you mind explaining to me exactly what's going on?"

"You're a smart girl, Ebony," answered her father quietly. "You just need to think clearly before acting or speaking. Learn to act less rashly and behave with tact."

"You're starting to act like Audric, papa," said Ebony crossing her arms and pouting like a small child starting a tantrum. "I know that already."

"You stop acting like a child," said Aldrich, the unsearchable abyss of his grey eyes expressionless.

"I am a child," answered Ebony in exasperation. "Will you please tell me, pa?", she pleaded.

"Stop toying with her, Aldrich," reprimanded Psyche. "And you daughter, whether he desists or not, learn to control that temper of yours. It can easily get you into trouble."

Ebony exhaled deeply, falling back on the couch. "I'm sorry. I have learned those lessons before. And I do need to think before acting, or speaking for that matter. But I've really changed. Ask Grandpa. It's just that I'm so pressured and I feel so smothered, trapped, claustrophobic. I'm like in a labyrinth and I can't find my way out! Please help me."

"You don't need our help," said her father. "You have everything you need."

"Father, I still need your guidance."

"Very well. You surely won't be able to defeat Azrael in your present state. You need your powers, Ebony."

"But I've given that up. I do apologize for my rash decisions but it seemed the perfect option to choose. No party will be harmed."

"I think you mean the best way out," corrected he. "However, I don't really blame you. That was the most plausible alternative you had. Consider this. Though your powers won't be able to cause harm on anything it won't help at all which is doubtless the Lord's purpose in granting them to you."

"Do you mean I have to choose the lesser evil?"

"No you don't have to. Why choose evil when there is good?"

"I don't understand."

"Like I said, Ygg himself brought about his own end. Look at your left arm. What happened during your fight?"

Ebony did. Her arm was heavily wounded then, full of lacerations. Nay, even the skin was nearly scraped off with some flesh attached to it. It was bleeding profusely then and she had torn a portion of her clothing to temporarily dress it. Now, her arm had their old flawless fairness and not a shadow of a blemish remains.

"Ygg kept hitting my left arm," observed Ebony. "He seemed to be aiming elsewhere and when I move to elude his blow, the blade ends up grazing my skin there until it bled raw. Indeed, that part of my skin was so bruised, my birthmark was barely recognizable." She pulled the sleeves of her robe and displayed a highly unusually shaped symbol, now nearly a ghost of a scar. "Are you saying he was trying to remove that? It's gone now."

"He succeeded didn't he?" said Aldrich. "The seal had been removed. You are bound to erase it, anyway, but much later, when you are ready. Actually, it will disappear by itself later. See, you are to be trained how to use them. Then gradually, the level of energy you'll be able to handle will increase until you're able to handle the maximum powers in expertise. Ygg knew you'd probably die at the sudden surge of energy through your body, being unaccustomed to that strength. Hard luck for him. You managed to hold out, thank goodness."

"Even so, papa. My powers are destructive. If put to ill use all can be lost."

"That's why you are to be trained, child. So that you can convert all your raw energy, channel it, and put it to good use. Remember that they are yours and nobody can take it. Not Ygg, not Azrael, not anybody."

Ebony's face was ashen. She looked like she was a about to puke. "Do you mean to say I had the answer all along, the ability to end Azrael's escapade but I threw it all away!" Ebony's voice rose shrilly. "I CAN"T BELIEVE IT!!!" She was positively screeching.

"Calm down, child," commanded Aldrich in his sharp authoritative voice. "All is not lost."

"You don't understand, papa," she said in an at least humane manner. "It was one of those cast-at-your-own-risk curses. You know very well that those spells are unretractable ."

Psyche and Aldrich glanced at each other dismally. Arawn who had kept his silence since then spoke after swallowing a mouthful of collistars. "I told you so. It's a wonder she even passed as a master magician. And with honors at that."

"Now Ebony," asked Psyche. "How is it that you are able to cast spells now?"

"Well, I have my wand." Ebony held up a thin multicolored wire.

"And?"

"Well."

"What's a wand for?"

"It's a device to channel the energy of the witch. You know, harness and concentrate your powers so that you can cast you spell."

"Can you use it if you have no spiritual energy?"

"Well, uh…well," Ebony looked sheepish.

"Ebony, did you retain anything from the school of witchcraft and wizardry?"

"That was four years ago," she muttered rather sarcastically. But actually her face was very red. "I could have sworn I cast the spells right. Oh my gosh, I can't believe it!"

"Now, now, Psyche," said Aldrich, a glint of amusement crept in his eyes despite the unruffled seriousness of his countenance. "You're the one toying with her."

"Papa, I'm going to throw a tantrum!"

"Give me a break, Ebony. That only works with Adrian."

"Alright. Just explain it to me, please. My head's just about starting to clear up."

"Thanks to the resilience of your childhood, the spell worked for only a while and then the effects was lessened. It's only on you temporarily so you can remove the spell anytime. After you remove the spell, your birthmark will return and Audric will have you training."

"Uh, pa? What sort of teacher did you have in mind?"

"A Ningen."

"A Ningen? Why an Ningen? Why not Audie himself?"

"That's not important right now. Besides, you rarely listen to Audric."

"You still haven't told me how to defeat Azrael."

"You have a head, Ebony. Use it. And a heart. You might find that useful, too."

"Papa, I don't want to use my powers. I fear doing so. Is that bad?"

"Fear is normal, child. Chickening out is another. And about your powers, it's not yet time."

"But how--"

"You're not the only person alive, Ebony. There is something called teamwork and unity." Aldrich rose. Psyche followed suit. So did Arawn.

"Wait. I don't understand why you have to leave. Please stay with me."

"Oh, Ebb," said Psyche. "We don't belong here anymore." They started moving away.

"Wait, don't go!" Ebony sprinted after them. Somehow, she felt her movements suddenly become restricted. She felt as if she was wading against a very strong current while fording a river. The formerly sunlit room became suddenly dark as if fog had settled in.

"You knew we were bound to go. Goodbye!"

"What about grandpa?"

"He has to leave, too. You know that's bound to happen as well."

"No!" Now she can't move at all.

"We'll always be with you, remember that." Aldrich's voice echoed in her ears.

"Our love, dear, never forget." Psyche's voice faded as well.

The last thing Ebony saw was the time worn face of Arawn smiling at her. Then, she began to fall. Her velocity sharply accelerated. Her body was spinning around in a frenzy. She was being sucked into a vortex. Then suddenly, just when the pressure was becoming unbearable, she felt herself hurled against something soft and bouncy. Simultaneously, a strong force pushed on her chest viscously, which sent her reeling back to reality.

Ebony woke up with a start. Her head throbbed madly and the room spun around her, making her dizzy. "Where am I?" she asked herself.

Slowly, the rotation receded. As her thinking became clearer, the vaguer the dream became. Now, she couldn't remember a single thing.

She shook her head in an effort to remember. What was it about? Something about grandpa's time, Audie's time and not yet my time.

She glanced at her watch: 2:00 am. Barely slept for an hour. Can't believe I drank some of that stuff. Yuck!

Her gaze darted around the room. There's Botan and Yukina, breathing quietly like sleeping beauty herself. Well, where's Master Mukuro?

Ebony stood up silently careful not to make the slightest noise against the bamboo slat floor. She peered out the window, her slim shadow stretching on the ground.

There she was. Mukuro's back faced Ebony, her eyes probably on the silvery reflection of the sea. A few paces away from her was Hiei.

Ebony withdrew. She went back to where she was lying and closed her eyes. Somebody else's eyes opened.

Botan.

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4th ed 111201 20:11:55