Threnody

***

[A dream, a horrible, terrifying nightmare, that’s all it had been. That’s all it could have been. He would wake up in his bed and go to his Right of the Spring. His mother and step-father aren’t dead; Shito isn’t dead. It had been the illusionary visions of the night…]

[Tsurugi’s eyes open pointed toward the sky. The smell of blood and flame hangs in the air. A dream it was not. In the dream he had died too, been granted the sweet rest of eternity. Now he is alive and awake while everyone else sleeps to never wake again.]

[Tsurugi sits up and looks around. The sun is an hour past rising. The earth on which Tsurugi rests in stained the color of blood. Nothing stirs in the village, as nothing lives to stir. Tsurugi stands. Tears run trails down his cheeks as he looks to the bodies of his family and friends. A thought of magic and he is gone.]

***

[The blood had left her quickly, and so her life must have as well. The sword used to cut through the flesh of her neck lies in a puddle of the blood it released. Tsurugi stands over the body of Tu-Rihn-Nah; his mark glows softly.]

[His hand reaches out for the blade. He does not flinch as crimson tendrils of energy extend to wrap around the hilt, rather he just stares a moment before recalling the power and the sword with it. He looks over the weapon. A scabbard sitting on the floor nearby is retrieved in a similar manner to find a place hanging at his side. The sword is slipped into its sheath uncleaned. Tsurugi kneels in Tu-Rihn-Nah’s blood and takes her into his arms. Words of magic cause them both to vanish.]

***

[Near sunset a group composed of four elves and a dryad stand on the outskirts of the Kotobuki village. One elf with cream colored skin and hair like the sky stares into the village in a state of pure shock. A dark elven male with a blue stone embedded into the flesh at the base of his throat kneels to examine a patch of red earth; the dryad stands near him. A young dark elf reaches for the elf of light, but the fourth stops him shaking her head. She looks enough like the one kneeling to be his twin, though she holds no blue stone.]

Natherinth: This certainly is not the party you told me to expect.

Katrinth: Nath…

Sylvaph: Natherinth is correct. If this is what you term a party then I must request that you do not invite me to such an event again.

Yesod: This isn’t a party… This is… [His head shakes sadly.]

Natherinth: This is dead, carnage, war. Rather disgusting. [He stands.] However, something is still alive.

Landria, turning rapidly: Tsurugi!?

Natherinth: I cannot say, but notice that there are no bodies. People have died here. This amount of blood could not collect otherwise. Something has moved the dead, and it was not an animal.

Sylvaph: There are no animals near; they have been frightened. The wind is whispering about an dark angel and a song of death, but it tells no more. I do not know what it means.

Natherinth: If anyone in this village could survive an attack it would be Tsurugi, and his brother would not die easily either.

Landria: Right, and Tsurugi was away for his ceremony. He must have survived!

Natherinth: It is a possibility.

Katrinth: Then we should search.

[And so they do. The group treks their way through the streets of the village. Not a single body is seen through the journey, though there is much blood. Landria releases a shriek of horror when they reach Tsurugi’s home. The house itself is burned almost completely, and around it there are multiple patches of crimson earth, some of which run together. Natherinth stands in the center of one such patch.]

Natherinth: Can you feel it, sister?

Katrinth: There’s so much energy…

Natherinth: Yes. I’ve never felt so much power, and it’s been dissipating for some time, but in this spot-

Sylvaph: Energy was drawn from the world until no more could be held. Then it was all released and spread throughout this place, but this was the center. New energy was created here.

Yesod: What could do such a thing?

Natherinth: I do not know. Nothing I have ever encountered held such ability, not any being I have read of. I am eager to find out.

Katrinth: Quite! Do you hear that?

Landria: What? What is it!?

Natherinth: If you would refrain from becoming hysterical and remain quite perhaps we could hear. [His serpentine eyes lower into a glare at her. She is silenced. His eyes close to better concentrate.] Shoveling. I hear earth filling a hole.

Yesod: Burial…

Natherinth: That would be the most obvious conclusion, yes. Follow me, I shall take you there.

[Natherinth walks to opposite direction from which they had entered the village; the other follow him. They come the end of the village and to a plain covered with large stones arranged evenly. At the base of each stone is a mound of freshly turned earth.]

Yesod: There’re so many…

Katrinth: More than there are people in the village.

Natherinth: Quite. Whoever is doing the burying is a humanitarian. Look at this stone.

Katrinth: Kuth-Rihn-Nah. That’s a human name, from the Nah clan’s village south of here.

Natherinth: The attackers, no doubt. And this marker next to his, the one with the flowers.

Katrinth: Tu-Rihn-Nah.

Landria: That’s-

Yesod: Tsurugi’s human lover.

Landria: He’s alive, he must be!

Natherinth: Perhaps. Look at the carving of the letters. I know not of any tool which would engrave in this way. Note also that many are without names, so whoever is doing the work knew these two. This entire situation puzzles me. The sounds comes from over that hill. We should look there for answers.

[The group walks though the rows of grave and crosses the hill. They are presented with a figured garbed all in black. A sword hands at his side. He has just finished filling the final grave. A large unmarked stone sits at its head. To its left are three other makers equally large. The shovel is dropped to the ground. The figure extends a hand toward the stone. Lines of energy the color of blood leap toward the stone and eat into its surface. Shi, death; To, useless. The work done, the hand drops.]

Landria: Tsu… rugi… Tsurugi!

[Tsurugi turns and looks to his companions with a face free of all semblance of emotion. He appears as if he does not even recognize them, and then he is gone, flighted away on wings of magic. Two tear drop in his place. Landria drops to her knees. She weeps into her hands.]

***

[The room is metallic on the inside with artificial lighting the likes of which Tsurugi has never seen. It is the inside of the hidden cave on Mount Namida. An image flickers into being before the Crimson Blade. It is a projection with the likeness of Kotobuki.]

Image: Greetings, Tsurugi. Your coming was fate, and so I have prepared with recording to welcome you. If you are here you have already encountered the part of me sealed within the amulet and gained immortality. Another piece of what I was is contained within the computer System Sephirot. May it serve to guide you and teach you. Farewell and good luck. Greetings, Tsurugi. Your coming was fate…

[Tsurugi steps through the image and into a chamber beyond. Shelves of books fill half the room, and there is a large terminal with a screen along one wall. Adjacent to the terminal is a large loop constructed of a strange metal. Tsurugi looks over the terminal. Lights flick on and off and beeping sounds are heard. The monitor lights up to display an image of the face of Kotobuki. The room speaks.]

Sephirot: Greetings-end. I am System Sephirot-end. Tell me how I may advise you, Tsurugi-end.

Tsurugi: Just tell me how to die.

Sephirot: Analyzing… Unexpected error-end. The magical field surrounding you is stronger that it ever was for Kotobuki-end. There was an unforeseen complication involving the amulet-end. It holds the ability to increase the power of magical spells, and therefore the power of the immortality spell has been enhanced greatly-end. There is no known method of removal-end. I am sorry-end.

[Tsurugi’s flame starts to glow.]

Tsurugi: That’s it then? My parents are dead. My village is destroyed. My brother is dead. My beloved is dead. And you say that I will never die?

Sephirot: Surely there must be something for which you would live-end.

Tsurugi: I can’t face my friends. I’m a monster… I killed all those humans.

Sephirot: Those humans killed your family, did they not-end.

Tsurugi: That is no excuse. I deserve to die for what I’ve done.

Sephirot: Death takes no courage-end.

Tsurugi: Then call me a coward. All I want is to rest…

Sephirot: I’m sorry, but that is impossible-end.

Tsurugi: Then what am I supposed to do with eternity?

Sephirot: Find a reason to live it-end. Until then, learn, train, and improve-end.

[Tsurugi sighs as his flame winks out; his face loses all emotion. He selects a book and is confronted with roman characters.]

Tsurugi: What language is this, I can’t-

Sephirot: I will teach you-end. The path of the Sephirot is that toward enlightenment-end. I am a teacher; you are a student-end.

***

[Eight months pass and the elves see nothing of Tsurugi. Landria has sunk into depression, and so Yesod is running the affairs of both kingdoms with the advice of Natherinth; meaning, of course, that Natherinth is running both kingdoms. It helps to keep his mind busy. Katrinth has no such luck. Without her favorite sparring partner she’s lost much of her will to fight. Sylvaph finds herself experiencing emotion, sorrow.]

[The time of the Unification Festival arrives. The people want their party, though the ruling body is not in the mood. Those in power must bend to the wishes of their subjects, the festival is on.]

Yesod: Landria, at least try to smile, for the people. They want their ruler to be happy.

Landria: What do I have to be happy about? So much time has passes and we still haven’t seen him since that day. How could he be so mean to me?

Yesod: Us, you mean?

Landria: It’s doesn’t matter. I just want to know he’s all right. I just want to see him again…

[Off to the side and spoken only in their minds.]

Sylvaph: Should we inform them?

Natherinth: I’m not certain it would be wise. She is likely to get over emotional. He is using strong magic to conceal his presence, how like the fool to sit beneath a tree…

Sylvaph: There is the possibility that he wishes for us to find him.

Natherinth: Us perhaps, but regarding the others I’m still uncertain. He may not even be the same person we knew.

Sylvaph: He appears the same.

Natherinth: There are changes that may occur internally. You are not the same dryad I saved from death, I am not the same darkling who saved you.

Sylvaph: This is true, though I still think that the others should know.

Natherinth: Very well… [Spoken aloud.] Landria…

Landria: Nothing you can say will make me smile, Natherinth, so don’t even bother to try.

Natherinth: Tsurugi is here.

[Landria’s mask of sorrow shattered as a smile caressed her face with the promise of hope. Natherinth rolled his eyes.]

Landria: Here? As in here at the festival? This had better not be a trick. If it is, so help me… I’ll have you executed.

Natherinth: I think you would be hard pressed to eliminate me, and forgot not that if I die Sylvaph does as well. Regardless, he is here, at the festival. He’s using magic to conceal his energies, but the trees reported his presence to Sylvaph, and my link to her reported to me. Therefore consider the fact that he may not wish to-

Landria: Just tell me where he is.

Natherinth: …be found. He’s under the third tree on the right side of the courtyard. Now then, sister.

Katrinth: Race you there, Nath.

[Katrinth sinks into her shadow, Natherinth and Sylvaph step into the folds of a spell.]

Landria: Damn those servants of yours… You coming?

Yesod: I think I’ll stay here… and keep order. You have a good time, and say hello for me.

Landria: All right, if that’s what you want…

Yesod: It’s best at least one of us stays here.

[Landria shrugs and rushes off.]

***

Tsurugi: Natherinth, Sylvaph, I was wondering when you would come to me. [He says this a second before they fade into being. He smiles at them.]

Natherinth: Yes, well. Another should-

[Tsurugi raises his right hand in a rapid motion to defend his face. A shito embeds itself deeply into his wrist; blood flows down his arm.]

Tsurugi: Hello, Kat.

[Katrinth emerges from the shadow of the tree Tsurugi is sitting by.]

Katrinth: By the gods, I’m so sorry! You were supposed to go Shadowless…

Tsurugi: It’s all right, really. [pulls the blade from his wrist, whips it off, and hands it to her. He then wipes the blood from where the shito had struck.] All better, see?

Natherinth: No spell of healing has been cast.

Katrinth: How…?

Tsurugi: That is a story that shall wait until the others arrive.

Natherinth: If you wished us to find you why did you hide your power?

Tsurugi: I didn’t want you to be jealous. [Smiles as the spell drops.]

Natherinth: Your energy level has increased a fair amount-

Katrinth: A fair amount? He’s as strong as we are!

Natherinth: Quite. And you mark does not burn. You’ve surpassed us with it lit, but never while it was dormant.

Tsurugi: It is burning, actually, it almost always does now. I’ve learned a spell of Kotobuki that conceals the flame. You’ve both fallen a bit out of practice anyway.

Katrinth: How could you say such a thing!?

Natherinth: Because it’s true. I’ve been too busy overseeing two kingdoms to practice my magic, and you’ve just let yourself go as you have no one of skill to practice with. Is that why you came?

Tsurugi: Partially. Landria and Yesod need to start commanding their kingdoms. Also I helped start this festival, it would be a shame to miss it.

Sylvaph: Why do you smile?

Tsurugi: What do you mean, why shouldn’t I?

Sylvaph: Your mouth portrays joy, but your eyes contain only sadness. I do not understand.

Tsurugi, no longer smiling: . . . Landria is almost here. Yesod decided to stay behind. I’ll tell my story when she arrives.

Landria, coming in to view: Tsurugi! [Now that he can be seen she works her magic to stand right next to him. Her arms encircle him; he return the embrace.] I missed you so much. I was so worried!

Tsurugi: It’s all right. I’m all right.

Natherinth: Am I the only one who feels that is not entirely true?

Sylvaph: I feel what you feel.

Landria: [Releases Tsurugi and moves back to regard him with a puzzled expression. He smiles at her.] What do you mean?

[In answer Tsurugi stops smiling and sighs. He pulls from a scabbard at his side a curved black sword that seems to devour the light around it. His face assumes an emotion free visage as he runs the bladed edge across the flesh of his arm, slicing into it deeply. Landria looks on with fear.]

Landria: Why you do that!? Give me your arm, I’ll heal it.

[Tsurugi shakes his head. He wipes the blood from the blade and replaces it. He wipes the blood from his arm.]

Tsurugi: My body heals itself. I’ve been cursed, Landria. Minor injuries heal quickly, and I’ve ceased to age. Even if I die I’m restored in a hour’s time.

Katrinth: You’re immortal.

Landria: What kind of a curse is that?

Natherinth: The worst imaginable. Is there any way to remove it?

Tsurugi: None exists in this world. Do you know of the legend of Kotobuki?

Natherinth: He was an mage from another world. Do you mean to look elsewhere for a method of removal?

Tsurugi: Exactly.

Natherinth: How, may I ask?

Tsurugi: The teleportation spell we know has a more advanced form that will allow a caster to cross worlds. ‘Traveling’ it’s called. However the spell is long and complex, and will take years to learn. There is a construction called a gate, however, that will allow me to speed the process and create a permanent portal between this reality and my destination.

Landria: How on just one second. Why do you want to leave so badly?

Tsurugi: My family, my entire clan is dead. What reason have I to remain.

Landria: Us maybe?

Tsurugi: . . .

Natherinth: Fooling girl, do you not see?

Landria: What?

Natherinth: He will live for millennia beyond us. He does not wish us to see him live, nor does he wish to watch us slowly die.

Tsurugi: You are correct. To stay would bring pain to us all. I was reluctant to even show myself now, but I couldn’t allow you to be sad Landria. And I couldn’t allow the Darkling’s talents to waste away. And Sylvaph, I’m sorry. I’ve made you feel.

Sylvaph: It is all right. If I am to live among creatures of emotion it is best I develop some of my own.

Landria: Doesn’t want to watch me die… but that’s why I…

Tsurugi: What is it?

Landria: Nothing. Nothing at all…

Katrinth: What happened that day we last saw you?

Tsurugi: Basically I caused the destruction of the entire village. Tu-Rihn-Nah’s father found out I loved her and was not very pleased. He was waiting for an excuse to rally the other clans and destroy my village, I dropped one right into his lap.

Landria: He didn’t kill her, did he?

Katrinth: We saw her grave…

Tsurugi: She killed herself when… when she heard that I was dead. I’ve been able to gather that she betrayed me on the condition that I would be allowed to live. Her father killed me and she killed herself to spite him.

Natherinth: How did you become cursed?

Tsurugi: A cruel joke of Kotobuki’s. It seems that I’m the Child of Destiny, fated to inherit Kotobuki’s knowledge and immortality that he, being a complete fool, had sealed in an amulet which increases magical power. It took all of his great power to remove it originally, now it’s strength is so much greater I doubt I’ll ever die.

Katrinth: I bet whatever gathered all that energy in your village could-[Tsurugi’s sad smile stops her.]-That was you, wasn’t it…?

Tsurugi: You’ve seen me in my True From, Nath, remember?

Natherinth: I do. The power of that form is even greater than you hold now.

Tsurugi: Beyond that there is a Final Form. I became an angel with six wings of black feathers; a Dark Seraph, if you will. I felt the energy of the world rise up to join with that body until it could hold no more. Then it started to overflow as I either began to create energy, which SS states is impossibly, or draw it from some unknown source. I felt I could do anything with that much power, but it was too much to handle and I died quickly within it’s throes. To enter that from, however, I need more energy than all of us have together right now, and even then I don’t think I’d be able to remove the curse.

Landria: You don’t sound very optimistic.

Tsurugi: Sometimes I think that part of me died when I first did.

Natherinth: Who is the ‘SS’ that you mentioned?

Tsurugi: System Sephirot. Quite interesting really, especially in relation to the dark elves’ religion. Yesod, Tifireth, Hod, Din, Kether, and the others are all branches of the Sephirot. SS says he knows nothing of the dark elves, but it makes me wonder if Kotobuki was the first traveler to come to this world. In any case, SS is a computer. Explaining just what that is would prove a bit difficult-I’m not certain I fully understand. Suffice it to say that he is my teacher. A part of what once was Kotobuki is within him to guide me.

Sylvaph: To where?

Tsurugi: Neither he or I know. He maintains that there is no way for me to become mortal again, and I maintain that, if, as he says, there are infinite worlds out there, a cure must exist in an infinite number, or at least one. He has yet to come up with a counter argument for that one. [A moment of silence.] I’ve kept you from the festival long enough. I should be going…

Landria: But you’ve just gotten here-

Natherinth: He’s been here some time, actually.

Landria: [Glares at Natherinth] But we just found you, and it’s been so long…

Tsurugi: The less we see of each other, the easier it will be when we ultimately must part. I’m sorry… I noticed that flowers have been planted on the graves. Thank you.

Sylvaph: It was my doing. It seemed proper when compared with the customs I’ve witnessed in the past. None would grow on the child’s sight though…

Katrinth: She tried, Tsurugi, but the flowers refused. At least that’s what she said. Nath supported her.

Tsurugi: It’s all right. It suits him. Shito would have considered bright colors a distraction. It’s time for me to go…

Landria: You’ll come back, won’t you?

Tsurugi: So long as I reside in this world I wouldn’t miss this festival for all it contains. I’ll also visit the graves of my people on the anniversary of their deaths, and you’re welcome to see me then, but please don’t bring birthday gifts. [smiles sadly.] Oh, Landria?

Landria: Yes?

Tsurugi: You forgot to say ‘hello’ for Yesod. Please give him my regards. [Smiles as he fades from view.]

Natherinth: He’s improved considerably. Well. He is alive, and shall continue to be. Are you satisfied?

Landria: He seems so sad…

Natherinth: And you would not had your entire life been torn to shreds and then forced to carry on forever? I think he is faring quite well when all things are considered.

Landria: I guess you’re right.

Natherinth: Quite. Sister, is something troubling you?

Katrinth: I wanted a match is all. He could have stayed around long enough for that.

Natherinth: Dear Katrinth, you would be no match for him whatsoever. He knows the weaknesses of your Shadow Tactics, even if he only has knowledge of Shadowless. His resting power is equal to ours, and we both know he can get stronger easily under the right circumstances.

Katrinth: Do you really think he’s gotten that good?

Natherinth: I suspect he’s better than we suspect.

***

[The time comes for Tsurugi to visit the graves, and the others meet him there. He greets them warmly and seemingly happily, though Natherinth and Sylvaph point out his eyes carry different emotion than his whole. Tsurugi plants a death lily, a black flower that is cold to the touch, on Shito’s grave. It takes root and thrives where no other plants will.]

[Four more years pass. Tsurugi continues to improve, and the Darkling twins train and study doubly hard to keep up with him. They meet once more in the cemetery; they know it will be the last. Tsurugi says farewell to Shito and the rest of his family. He stands near Tu-Rihn-Nah’s grave a silent moment. They leave the graves and go to a grassy hill in the shadow of Mount Namida.]

[Yesod and Landria, Natherinth and Sylvaph, and Katrinth stand opposite Tsurugi.]

Yesod: So… this is it.

Tsurugi: Hai. I’ve learned the spell to open the gate. I may never see any of you again…

Katrinth: Take this. [She hands him a book and a set of scrolls.] The book is of magic. All the dark-elven spells you’ll ever need. Nath scribed it himself. The scrolls describe the procedure involved in all the shadow tactics. I hope that they serve you well.

Tsurugi: They will. I thank you, and you Natherinth.

Natherinth: Katrinth deemed it necessary, so I-

Sylvaph: You may hide your emotions from them, but not from me. He is experiencing sorrow and loss.

Natherinth: Thank you for revealing that… [Looks at her with only slight anger.] She feels the same. We’ll… we shall both miss you, Tsurugi.

Tsurugi: I’ll miss you too, my friends. [Tsurugi holds his hand upright. Two books appear held by it.] One of these contains Kotobukian magic, the other describes the Kotobukian fighting style. They’re in Blackwynd Elven. Sylvaph, for you I can give only this. [He takes her hand and places in it a single seed.] That is from another world and will grow flowers that are one of a kind, not unlike you.

Yesod: I have nothing to give you, friend. I’m sorry…

Tsurugi: That’s all right, I’ve nothing for you. [smiles.]

Yesod: You gave me my kingdom. You need not give me more.

Tsurugi: With Nath and Kat you would have gotten your kingdom in time. Lead you people well, Yesod. I think you’ll make a fine king.

Yesod: I don’t think so, yet… but you’ve been right in the past. [Smiles.]

Tsurugi: Landria…

Landria: . . . [all the strength of her will is working to keep her tears inside.]

Tsurugi: I’ll miss you most of all. You’ve always been there for me. I--[sigh] Farewell, Landria.

[Tsurugi turns to go. Landria’s defenses shatter. Tsurugi finds himself embraced from behind by a sobbing, blue-haired elf.]

Landria: You can’t go, you just can’t! I… I love you Tsurugi.

[Tsurugi’s body becomes rigid as the words sink in.]

Tsurugi: You what…?

Landria: I love you! I think I always have… I just couldn’t tell you before because… because you were the one that was going to die while I was watching. I can’t let you leave me now.

[Tsurugi breaks free of her hold and turns to face her. He takes her within his arms.]

Tsurugi: I have loved you for as long as I’ve know how to love. But… [He releases her reluctantly.] Love is not immortal. It is a beautiful thing mainly because of its ability to die.

Landria: You don’t believe that, I know you don’t.

Tsurugi: You’re right… but I’m afraid we must if we are to go on.

Landria: If you must go take me with you. Make me immortal, you must know a way, and we can be together.

Tsurugi: I can’t curse you to that, and SilverMoon need a ruler.

Landria: I’m not officially queen for another five years. The people can do without me. Yesod can-

Tsurugi: Yesod has a kingdom of his own, and Natherinth is not a king. You have to stay. We shall say that love can die. It can last a long time, perhaps centuries if done right, but it can end. Destined love, however, is eternal. If we are destined to be together, we shall be together.

[Tsurugi draws her close. He kisses her. It is their first and possibly the last. It is sweet and loving, pure and wonderful. When at last they part Landria has around her neck a silver chain on which hangs a silver sphere and under that a clear crystal. Two wings come from the sphere, one demonic, the other angelic.]

Tsurugi: It is called the crystal dream. I bought it for you many years ago on that day the kingdoms were unified. I’ve been meaning to give it to you ever since. It is enchanted now and shall protect you. But also it shall serve as a key to the came on Mount Namida. If, before your coronation to become queen of SilverMoon, you can find another to take your place it shall open the path and the gate shall take you to me. If that happens we are fated to be together, if not I hope that you find happiness with another… Fare Thee Well.

[Tsurugi hugs her tightly. He teleports to his cave while holding her. She feels his touch slowly fade until it feels as but a feather in a dream.]

Landria: Another… I don’t understand. Who else could-he must mean…

Natherinth: Your brother. Exiled from SilverMoon for loving one of his race. He is Tsurugi’s great grandfather. As acting queen you can allow him back and give him the throan.

***

To be continued. Maybe. And if it is it will probably be in two different directions. ^_^;;