Beyond the Flames Chapter 15

Chapter 15

(Kai's POV)

"Kai stop! Let's continue on foot!"

Ebony's voice was bursting with such liberal anxiousness I halted my Blade Cycle instantly at her plea.

She hurriedly disengages herself from behind me and runs to one of the groves nestled with the mysterious flowers known as Tiger's Bane.

I dispel my Spinjitsu Vehicle staring at Ebony all the while as she kneels carefully amongst the sallow-colored orchids.

The bloodied golden spores continue to dance amongst the canopy above and twirl lazily around us. I watch in stunned silence as many attach themselves to Ebony's person as well as her pure white hair.

What the hell…

None of the spores have ever stuck to me or my brothers or even Sensei Wu.

So why—

"Ayane, so this is the type of environment you were raised in…how wonderful," Ebony sighs blissfully as she rises from the grove of Tiger's Bane.

She turns to face me and lifts her arms outstretched in front of her to inspect the mystical spores that hugged her body.

"Even though I've been amalgamated with all of you for over two months now this is the first time I've ever had a chance to see a real forest."

I heard her, but I couldn't shake the obviously portentous sign before me filling my core with unholy dread. The spores on her body continued to shimmer then all at once darkened to purified crimson giving the illusion of blood dripping from her body.

No…GET OFF OF HER!

As soon as this vicious thought obscured my mind the spores detach themselves from Ebony slowly and I move closer to her.

That faint smile lights her face as she watches Tiger's Bane essence ascend into the sky to proceed their never-ending journey and I halt in front of her to remove the lingering spores on her myself.

"Is something the matter Kai?" She asks serenely.

"No nothing," I reply a bit too hasty, doing away with one last spore on her exposed shoulder where her mysterious birthmark emblazoned her flesh.

"How do you feel? Do you feel any different now that we're actually in Ramza?"

Ebony's attention strays to the forest around us before settling on my face once more.

"There is certain…tangibility in the atmosphere that seems to bear down on me. We are indeed being watched closely other than that however my mind is stable. Let us begin our search."

I nod in affirmation as Ebony turns to walk deeper into Ramza and I follow. The silence and overbearing presence of the forest is familiar even after my yearlong absence, but I know despite the voiceless whispers the wind brings there are indeed animals here to provide us with sustenance.

Everything will be okay…I'm sure of it.

The way is shut…the trail disappears moving to accommodate the natural lay of the land leaving only the towering Oaks and Sequoias with rays of sunlight shining down through the leaves of their canopies.

Ebony treks leisurely, unhurried although something tells me she's not just taking my advice from my past experience in this wilderness.

After a while, the creaking of branches overhead captures my awareness immediately and I briskly focus my gaze to the trees.

A pair of squirrels scurries along the wooden limbs merrily above us living their lives with no consequence.

…Lucky bastards…

Ebony remains silent as she walks over to the Oak tree the squirrels were currently frolicking on and places her hand on the massive trunk; her eyes never leaving the small mammals, her expression a mixture of awe and…longing.

Ebony…

Making my way to her, I place my hand gently over hers while the other I rest comfortably on her hip. I think Ramza had made her slightly docile since she doesn't stir from her observation and rip me a new one.

"Why didn't you tell me you would like to see a forest? You know I would've been more than happy to take you to one and let you explore to your heart's content."

"Because I knew business must come before pleasure," she counters easily, glancing at me from her peripheral. "My training was all I cared about and besides I'm here now in this beautifully bewitching wilderness, so I am satisfied."

Yeah, but Ramza isn't a place one would like to take a leisurely stroll in for fear of their sanity, I thought still feeling perturbed from the watchful eyes of the forest around us.

"Come on, we should keep moving," I say instead and turn to continue the way we were going with Ebony alongside me.

"Oblivion says we should use Ramza itself as our guide, through the Caverns of Woe, below the Waterfalls of Cetra the citadel stands proudly amongst the everglades in a tempered state."

"Okay, but how do we know when we've come to the right place? I sincerely doubt there would be a sign out front saying "Welcome to the Caverns of Woe tread carefully and don't touch anything" is there something we should be aware of?" I ask while keeping an eye-out for any recent activity of game.

The Kunoichi of Darkness laughs softly at my retort and I smile despite myself. I reach out and grasp her hand weaving my fingers through hers lovingly feeling once again astonished and elated that she allows me to do so.

She squeezes my hand in an act of tenderness before answering.

"As long as we show we have wherewithal and do not commit any harrowing acts against Ramza then the forest will grant us safe passage."

"Uh great," I sigh with impatience, "and what counts as offensive behavior?"

"That Oblivion is unsure of, but I'm confident Ramza will let us know if we offend it in some wa—"

During mid-reply Ebony's stomach gives a loud echoing growl and I halt to look at her.

A tint of rouge lights her bronze cheeks as she shifts her eyes away from mine embarrassingly.

"Well, it is about lunch time and we haven't had anything to eat since yesterday night," she defends herself.

"That's true," I admit looking up through the evergreen leaves and seeing the sun high in the sky. The transition of time is almost absent I notice, have we really been walking through Ramza for hours now?

The density of the forest has begun to part leaving grasslands and groves of assorted flowers in their wake. The much sturdier trunks of Maple trees appear and visibility is absolute with the reduction of overshadowing canopies.

This is a good place to stop and really start to look for food and water or we won't last long.

"Kai look."

I return my gaze to Ebony and see her pointing east from our location.

"Those trees bear fruit, I think they may be pears, so I'll go and forage while you hunt."

Before she has a chance to step away, I halt her advance with a sure grip to her hand.

"Okay, but listen if anything smells weird or looks weird don't pick it. Only harvest the fruits you recognize if I remember correctly Sensei Wu said nothing should be taken from Ramza without giving something back in return, so just take what we need…nothing more nothing less."

Ebony holds my gaze steadily and replies, "Understood and what do we give in return?"

"The seeds of the fruits and hearts of any animal we consume. That should please Ramza I think and show we are taking only what we need to survive."

"We'll meet up here under the Sequoia in half an hour that should give us ample time to do what we need to do okay?"

"Under the Sequoia in thirty minutes I understand, let's go."

I release her and watch as she goes towards the hoard of fruit trees to the east. Once she's out of sight I turn around and venture back through the thicket of bushes knowing that herbivores prefer the dense undergrowth for security than wide open spaces.

Remembering my mother's teachings, I keep a trained eye on any abnormalities that may appear amongst the clovers and other plants. I may not be as good as Ayane, but I'm not an amateur either. I know what to look for.

I tread softly through the brushwood spread over the forest ground when I finally spot something that makes a smirk form on my lips.

I approach a small cluster of wildflowers and kneel beside them. Inspecting them carefully, I can see the petals have been chewed away and quite recently too.

Now I'm getting somewhere…

I pull my hood over my head and continue to inspect the feeding ground.

The soil underfoot is yielding and I can easily make out the hoof imprints left from a doe by the size of them.

Looks like she's headed further north, I thought while getting back to my feet and following the trail quietly.

During my silent stalk, I stop immediately when I see the doe I've been tracking nibbling on a small patch of bluebonnets about five-hundred yards away.

"There you are and you're nice and fat too. I can't tell from this distance if you're pregnant or not, but I'll take my chances," I whisper while keeping a steady eye on my prey.

I scale the nearest Oak tree with dexterous proficiency for a better vantage point and remain downwind of her as I begin to bridge the gap between us.

I stop on a sturdy limb above her just as she lifts her head from her grazing. She continues to chew contently blissfully unaware that her life was about to end by my hand.

Without a moment more of hesitation, I remove one of my kunai from my belt and leap from the tree.

I am death from above and my aim is true as my weapon pierces her neck straight through the jugular vein.

She falls limp against me with the last of her breath leaving her body and I gently lower her to the forest floor.

At that moment, Ramza bears down on me…the glare I receive is threatening and vicious as it was a year ago when I killed a hare with a well-placed snare.

My breath quickens as my anxiety spikes and the voiceless whispers of accusations begin carried by the gales of Ramza.

"Why…?"

"Why have you killed one of mine?"

"She caused you no harm."

"This transgression against me shall not go unpunished!"

"I want appeasement, I want equivalent exchange!"

I shake my head vigorously and reply as strongly as I can.

"And you shall have it for I did not kill unjustly! We need this doe for her venison so that we may live and traverse your land, that's all!"

"You…the one who is born of fire I have not forgotten your actions one year prior to this day."

"What will you offer…?"

I take several deep breathes to calm my mind as well as my body before I give my answer. The doe below me stares at nothing and the kunai I used is still imbedded deep into her neck.

I remove it with practiced ease making sure not to cause any unnecessary damage to the flesh and once I do the river of blood begins to flow.

"I…I am flattered that you remember me Ramza no doubt you remember my brothers too and I offer this."

I grip the kunai firmly and position it over the chest cavity of the doe where her heart rests. I slice through her adequately, reaching the silent organ in little time.

Now comes the hard part…

With surgical precision, I sever the Brachiocephalic artery, all pulmonary veins, the superior and inferior vena cena, and last but not least the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery.

Warm blood gushes heavily as I sever the important cords and the removal of the heart is perfect if I do say so myself.

"Ahhh yes…very nice."

"The heart of a doe is supple and pure…place it to the left of you amongst the daffodils."

"I shall collect it."

I do as Ramza instructs and nestle the heart in the grove of bright trumpet-shaped flowers.

How the hell is this going to work, I thought skeptically as I waited for Ramza to retrieve the doe's heart.

The hairs on the back of my neck prickle from under my hood and the sense of imminent danger causes me to whirl around on instinct to face my enemy.

My right hand rests on the hilt of my sword while the other wields my kunai as I scan my surroundings carefully.

The forest is still and beautiful…

…Son of a—

I quickly turn back around to return my gaze to the daffodils only to see the heart had vanished.

"This shall suffice."

"On your first visit your arrogance and naiveté shrouded your vision, but regardless you left me a gift of appeasement."

"A rabbit's foot you left as did your brothers leave gifts."

"The one born of lightning, the antlers of a buck…"

"The one born of ice, the seeds of many apples…"

"And the one born of earth, a dozen skins belonging to the reticulated python that he consumed for nourishment…"

Cole ate twelve snakes?! He never told us that…sheesh.

"Predator versus prey, prey versus predator…"

"…It is the natural way of not only my forest, but of this universe."

"Only the strong will survive and as we speak this theory is being tested."

"What?"

"The one cloaked in eternal darkness falls prey to one of my many inhabitants."

"WHAT?!"

"Go now son of fire and remember…"

"As long as you are within my being you will watched…"

The whispers fall silent and I waste no time in sheathing my kunai and hurling the corpse of the doe over my shoulders to race back to the Sequoia where Ebony and I were to meet.

My heart pounds in my ears when I hear the aggressive roar of a big cat in the distance.

In the direction I am going…

"EBONY!" I shout, running as fast I can to the open grasslands and stumble upon the sight of Ebony on her back wrestling with a hefty tan cougar.

I see that Ebony had no time to draw her weapons for the cougar must've ambushed her when she was traveling back to our meeting spot.

The mixture of fruit lying scattered near their position is proof of that.

She was keeping the large feline at bay with her bare hands, pushing against the cat's chest as it tried to bite and claw at her half exposed face.

"Hold on I'm coming!" I yell while throwing the doe off me and drawing my Dragon Sword of Fire.

Before I can charge however, another roar sounds from behind me and I turn just in time to see the attack pounce of another cougar.

I dodge to the right and recover quickly, its claws missing me by a miniscule of a second.

Another one?! Cougars don't travel in packs! I thought furiously as the second cougar doubles back to rush at me again.

To hell with you!

As the cougar tries to pounce on me again, I shield myself with my left forearm and let it bite down on it.

I wince in pain and growl out, "Don't hunt what you can't kill!"

My sword ignites and I forcefully stab through the cougar's unprotected middle. It gives one last feeble bite at me then hangs limp on my blade, I quickly push him off freeing my blade and turn around to Ebony and her aggressor.

"Ahhh!" She cries out in pain when the cat manages to swipe at her face, cutting the right side deeply.

The sight of Ebony's blood turns my vision red and I charge releasing a roar of my own. As I near, I raise my sword to decapitate the vile beast when suddenly the cougar stops moving altogether as if frozen.

Huh?

Foam collects around its mouth and it regurgitates bloody green sputum wildly. Its eyes bulge and violent spasms rack its body as it falls over to the side giving a final twitch then stilling.

I stare at it confusedly for a moment thinking it will rise once more to attack, but it doesn't.

The cougar is dead.

I shake myself from my stupor and kneel quickly beside Ebony.

"Ebony, are you alright?!" I ask urgently while pulling her into my arms, but she doesn't answer. Her gaze focused straight ahead and I follow it.

"Nani sore?!" (What is that?!) I exclaim in astonishment and ready a few shuriken to hurl at the large reptile.

"No Kai wait don't!" Ebony yells placing her hand on my arm to still my attack, "It just saved me," she finishes in a whisper and I glance quickly from her to the…snake I guess.

A black forked-tongue flicks out suspiciously and as it raises its body from the ground, black eyes with crimson slits meet my focus.

Most of its long thickly muscled white body was coiled underneath it and I could see its zenith black scales glowed in multihued glyphs unlike any pattern I've seen on a snake before not even the Serpentine. What are the most bizarre and alarming characteristics however was that it had two white horns protruding from its flat head and behind them…a black and silver mane.

It tastes the air once more then cautiously slithers towards us or to be more precise…towards Ebony. The closer it gets the more apprehensive I become, but Ebony's hand is still on my arm staying my hand from attacking this weird and deadly creature.

It crawls on her leg and continues upward until it rises again to look Ebony in the eye.

"What…no…who are you?" The Master of Darkness asks quietly and lifts her hand to the head of the snake slowly.

Her fingers trace the snake's horns then moves to its mane, petting it gently.

"Ebony, are you even looking at this thing? It has DEATH written all over it," I say with narrowed eyes, glaring hatefully at the easily detestable reptile as it ignores my presence completely.

"Even so, one should never judge a book by its cover. I feel…I feel we should give him the benefit of the doubt for I don't think he means us any harm.

"You gotta be kidding me—

*Rumble of thunder*

At the sound, all three of us look up to the sky and see familiar dark cumulous clouds form overhead in the once fair sky.

Great…

The snake is the first to recover and retracts himself from Ebony and begins to slither away.

Good riddance…huh?

Just as I think this it stops and turns its head back to us, flicking its tongue expectantly.

"Now what?"

"I think he wants us to follow him," Ebony replies in a curious tone and I gawk at her in disbelief.

"You want us to follow him to his snake pit?! I don't think so!" I shout angrily and Ebony's garnet gaze meets mine calmly, the blood from the cut along the right of her face still flows and drip from her chin.

"It's only a hunch, but—"

"Alright, I get it," I sigh with discontent although I look at her worriedly. "We'll do this your way, however if anything goes wrong we're going to stop and do everything my way, deal?"

She removes her mask and gives me a soft smile.

"It's a deal."

I get to my feet bringing Ebony along with me.

"At least we can eat once we find a good place to settle for the night," I say while going over to retrieve the doe I killed.

"The fruits I harvested are still in good condition, so we'll have those as well," Ebony remarks from behind me as I gather the doe on my shoulders again and turn to face her.

She collects the fruits in a basket woven together with leaves and nods her head towards the snake that waited patiently the entire time for us to make a decision.

"Oh Ifrit…time to follow the snake I guess."

*Roar of thunder*

The mysterious serpent moves quickly heading southwest and soon we're traveling at a surprisingly efficient pace to keep up with it as we trek on an incline.

"Where the hell is it going?" I say distrustfully as Ebony and I run alongside each other.

The trees were getting more sparse, the landscape changing into a more rugged and rocky terrain. I feel the first droplets of rain hit me and I know we must find shelter fast before the downpour begins.

"Kai, up ahead."

We are on the slopes of some mountain now the jagged outcroppings of rocks welcome my view and there right above us a pitch black opening to a cavern.

Exactly where the snake is headed…

Maybe…maybe I was wrong about him…or her…whatever.

Our guide slithers up effortlessly and we follow close behind. The mouth of the cave is foreboding, but at least it's dry and will provide decent shelter from the upcoming storm.

"Thank you, my comrade," Ebony says with gratitude while we enter the grotto after the serpent.

A flash of lightning illuminates the cave briefly and I quickly make out a formation of rock slabs leading upward deeper into the cave.

Hmm, we should stay at the mouth for now and explore this place further tomorrow, I thought resolutely as I place the doe carcass carefully on the ground.

*Rumble of thunder*

"It would seem that we made it just in time," Ebony observes and I glance behind me to see she speaks the truth. The downpour of rain has begun hazing the outside view as darkness covers Ramza completely.

Well time to get to work…

"Damn it," I curse loudly, "I didn't even think to get any dry wood to start a fire!"

Ebony is quiet at my outburst and simply kneels to inspect the fruit she collected.

A low hiss sounds from our slithering friend and I turn my gaze to him. He slinks back outside as I stare after him in puzzlement.

He returns shortly, a glyph amongst its scales glows a bright green and with him…

"What in hellfire…"

Gathered twigs and leaves levitates beside him as he glides across the sandy dunes towards us and what was even more strange was that they weren't even wet.

He drops them at my feet and flicks his tongue at me with another hiss before slithering away towards Ebony.

"Okay, this is too much," I remark in exhaustion and plop down on the sandy ground.

Ebony scrutinizes the snake with narrowed eyes obviously trying to figure out what exactly he was.

"You can understand us can't you?"

It wasn't really a question more of a statement and to my surprise the snake nods in confirmation.

"Alright then, first what are you?"

The snake moves about through the sand creating a picture of some sort, but I can't tell what it is. I look to Ebony to see if she knows only to find her one visible garnet eye cloudy and unfocused.

She must be conversing with Oblivion…

"…So, you are a Nyoka?"

The hiss of content is all the answer we need to guess yes.

"Do you have a name?"

More slithering then another picture is formed.

"…Rapture, yes that definitely fits your character and description," Ebony says with a smile. "Do you belong to this forest, to Ramza?"

A simple shake of the head, then Rapture begins to move and multiple small pictures are formed.

"…G-R-I-M-F-E-L-D…you belong to someone named Grimfeld."

A strike of lighting sounds and gives a flash of light to our cavern once more. The name "Grimfeld" is illuminated ominously and for some reason…

"Is anyone else hungry because I'm starving," I say suddenly and organize the twigs and leaves according to create a nice fire, but before I can summon my element Ebony grasps my hands tightly.

"No Kai, don't…I…" She struggles with her words as I stare at her in bewilderment.

"Ebony, we can't exactly eat the deer raw. We need to cook it before it spoils," I explain gently, but she just shakes her head.

"The sight of the fire, the heat of the flames…Starlight…I can't…"

My eyes widen in realization and I pull her into my arms protectively.

"Ebony, you know that I didn't cause it. It was the Serpentine they did it."

"I know, but…"

I understood her feelings. The reason why she stayed away from me whenever I used my Spinjitsu or elemental powers, her home of eighteen years burning still lingers in her mind and my element being the cause of her devastation…

Maybe…I don't have a chance.

I don't know why I'm getting angry, but I am. I never felt like this before for anybody and now that I know my chances with Ebony are an illusion—

My hood is pulled back by Ebony's hand and that same hand glides smoothly through my spikes. The cut to her face has long since stopped hemorrhaging and even though it is a nasty laceration she was still incredibly beautiful and strong.

My love for this enigmatic young woman smolders deep inside me.

A flame that still burns…and I'm fooling myself if I think it will ever be extinguished.

"Kai, I hold you in the highest respect. It was not just the others who helped change me you had a significant role as well. I was…unnerved by your feelings for me unsure of myself if I could give what you wanted without having it used against me. I still do not know if my love is truly all you desire and if it will satisfy you, but if you want it then…you can have it."

I'm left dumbstruck as Ebony's lips are placed upon mine. How long have I waited for this to happen? Years it feels like…a consensual kiss between us.

I maneuver her body more comfortably against mine and return her kiss passionately. Our hands weave together and so much emotion courses through my body that my element reacts swiftly. I sense Ebony's element also shift within her as our kiss gets deeper, driving me crazy with want and yearning. The need for oxygen becomes a bother, so we part for a moment and I take the time to tuck her fringe of stardust behind her ear before meeting her lips once more.

I taste her and the flavor is smooth and sensual like delectable strawberry mousse. The familiar spark of flame rouses the both of us and we break apart abruptly.

There…igniting the twigs and leaves mystically…black fire.

"Did I do that?" I question in a dazed stupor.

"I think we both did," Ebony says while placing her head underneath my chin.

The flames dance seductively casting a supernatural glow throughout the cavern and beyond the flames laid Rapture, comfortably coiled and staring unflinchingly at us.

"Ugh, fantastic…we just made-out in front of a snake."