It was a warm evening on Aurora 12, allowing the people on the starship to finally relax. Earlier, the air conditioner had broken, and Mina, the technology robot that took care of most technical problems, had fixed it just a few hours ago, so now the students could rest without jackets or coats.
Talis Rashkae and Serina Ariamra were both seated in their bunk, playing a game of cards. The Uxorian was burning up, and was wearing nothing but a casual tank and frayed blue jean shorts. Serina was dressed comfortably in her pajamas, and was settled on one of the bean bag pillows she had pulled up to a table.
Talis looked briefly at her cards, then slapped her entire hand down in front of Serina. “Ha! A pair of aces! Beat that.”
Serina giggled and quietly laid her hand down beside Talis’s. [A perfect straight,] she said through telepathy, the speech echoing in the Uxorian’s brain. Since most Siscanites didn’t have mouths, mind-talk was the way they communicated. Serina was no different.
Talis sighed and frowned. “This is a shitty game anyway,” she muttered, gently kicking the bean bag pillow Serina was laying on, her bottom horse half splayed out. She yawned, allowing her fangs to catch a few beams of overhead light. Serina watched with growing interest. She always had wondered how the Uxorian could eat with her sharp incisors.
[It’s still freezing in here,] Serina murmured, rubbing her hands together to insulate heat. [I thought Mina fixed the air conditioner.]
“You’re freezing?” Talis questioned. “I’m about to die over here.”
[I think you’re forgetting who the Uxorian is in here,] Serina commented with a wry grin. Talis shrugged and returned the smirk. [Hey, you wanna get something to eat?]
“Sure,” Talis agreed, following the Siscanite down the hallway. They walked into the galley, only to be greeted with the sounds and smells of some of the crew finishing their dinner. Talis grabbed her tray of fruits and vegetables that was already fixed up and laid out for her, then settled down beside Brekke Velsquez and Qamra Moonbeam. “Hey guys,” she greeted cheerfully, picking up an orange from off her plate. She began to peel it.
Serina trotted over to them with her own dinner, her long, pony-like tail swishing behind her as if to brush away a fly, even though there weren’t any around. [Hey, has anyone seen Lionheart?] she asked, setting her tray on the table.
“Oh yeah,” Brekke answered, the almost human-like warrior picking a few crumbs of something or other off of her plate. The Taoian looked human enough, with her mildly tanned skin versus Talis’ snowy white complexion, and her dark, shaded blue eyes. The only difference between them was Talis’ odd hair—long and silver, streaked with blue.
Qamra flicked a crumb of bread at the Uxorian. “Lionheart just ran off to the bunk a few minutes ago, muttering something about checking her U-mail.” Qamra knew the Universal Mail system was Lionheart’s favorite pastime, even though she barely knew how to use it. Talis snickered. “She’s waiting for an U-mail from Misao.”
Brekke, Serina, and Qamra exchanged knowing glances with mild grins. They all knew that the young Roo had a huge crush on her warrior mentor back on the lush, green planet of Tao. Even though he was three years older than she was, and completely mute, they still were great friends. Misao had taught her sign language, and they often talked over the videophone.
Qamra sighed. “She loves him, you know,” she said quietly.
[I know,] Serina agreed with a shrug. [But Lionheart’s naive. It’ll never work out for either of them.]
The table was quiet for a few moments as the four friends struggled to find something more to say. Then they all shrugged and began finishing their dinners in silence.
* * *
Lionheart sadly shut down the computer. She hadn’t gotten U-mail from Misao in days. It troubled her, knowing that he only looked at their relationship as a steady friendship, and she longed for something more. Sighing, she leaned back in her chair. The young Roo was well-muscled, though she was putting on a little weight these days without the exercise she had gotten back at home. Her kangaroo-like build and cinnamon-brown fur marked her as different from a lot of the crew, yet everyone respected her as an equal.
Lionheart pondered. It had been a long time since she had left Tao in search of her destiny, as Kaede, her mentor, had put it. Since the wars with Junichai and his armies had long since passed, she had to leave her home in order to find her true self, and prove her worth to the Yatagai Warriors. Which was when she joined the Aurora 12. The Aurora 12 was home to many. The entire crew, consisting of thirty or so teenaged members, lived upon the large starship, floating idly around space and seeking adventure. Of course, there was the catch of schooling classes 5 days out of the 8-day week, but things were great. Couldn’t be better.
She thought back to Tao, her old home. What did Kaede mean anyway, when he said that she must find her destiny? She had thought about it for hours on end with no resolution. She had to claim her right to become a Warrior, and to fight alongside her friends; the only friends she had in the world until she met the crew of the ship. Thinking about her past, she lifted up her mattress. A hole had been cut into the bed beneath, allowing a small crevice to hold her secrets. Looking around to make sure no one saw her, she drew forth a box from the hole, then allowed the mattress to fall back into place.
The box was of an old wood, made long ago by Lionheart’s ancestors. An ancient clasp locked the box tight, making sure that no one but the young Roo would ever discover the dark past it held. Pausing a moment, as if fighting away painful memories, she opened the box, drawing forth a clear crystal orb.
The orb was perfectly shaped, and beautiful beyond imagination. Lionheart frowned at it as she set it on the table. This orb, she knew, held her entire past.
* * *
A young Lionheart strapped on her battle gear, the traditional warrior-in-training leather jerkin. Since she was soon to draw her powers from the Power of Ice and the Strength of Courage, silver and blue icicles hung from the decorative armor. Taking her two sais, she slipped them neatly in her belt and walked out into the battle of Tao.
She was still very young, she remembered, and foolish. Kaede, the leader of the Warriors, had specifically told her not to do anything stupid and to stay in hiding. But Lionheart wanted to help. She had taken her battle gear and joined the other Taoians in the fighting. The six Warriors--Kaede, Kazuto, Chiku, Ayako, Tatsuya, and Misao--were already busy fighting the large army of villains that had overrun her Lifespring… the lush, beautiful valley that was her home.
Without thinking, the young Lionheart had rushed into the battle. She wasn’t even looking at what she was killing, and only felt the hot, burning rage of battle as she cut and sliced into her enemies with an amateur attack.
As Lionheart watched the orb, remembering days past, she felt a tear slide down her cheek. She knew what was coming up. She almost wanted to smash the orb into tiny slivers until it was unrecognizable, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the old war.
Inside of the orb, an enemy knocked the young Lionheart from her feet with a well-placed blow to her middle. Sprawled out under trampling boots, she felt a strong hand grab her shoulder and pull her back to her stance. Blinded by enemy blood, she shoved one of her sais up into her rescuers’ belly, killing them instantly. Wiping the blood from her eyes, she looked down upon the body of her attacker. It was Chiku.
Horrified, Lionheart staggered back, only to see Kaede and Kazuto chasing the last of the enemy soldiers back onto their own lines. She was alone now, surrounded by the dead bodies of Junichai’s men, and the body of one of her own.
Crying freely, Lionheart snatched up the orb, shoving it roughly back into the velvet-lined box. She couldn’t stand the past of what she had done.
Then she felt a pair of eyes on her back. Turning around, she saw Brekke, staring in openmouthed horror at her, and what she had seen. “Lionheart.. I..” she sputtered, backing towards the doorway. With that, the native Taoian was gone.
Blinking back the wetness of her sorrow, Lionheart didn’t even try to stop her. She knew the crew would have found out sooner or later that she was a murderer. With her ears down flat against her head in sadness, and tears flowing down her face, Lionheart threw herself onto her bean bag pillow and cried.
* * *
It was dark. The entire ship was asleep, all except for Lionheart. She lay awake in bed, thinking.
She heard the faint breathing of Talis and Qamra as they drifted in silent slumber across from her in her bunk. She wished she could get to sleep, but sleep was impossible, she knew, when she had so much on her mind.
Brekke had seemingly been avoiding her ever since she had seen Lionheart’s dark past in the Orb of Makita, a gift given to her by Kazuto when she lived back on Tao. The Orb was all seeing, and could bring up anything she wished, as long as it was something she had lived once before. When she had first joined her friends on Aurora 12, she had secretly spent hours watching their old adventures in the Orb.
Suddenly, a voice spoke up from across the room. “Lion, you awake?” Brekke asked, softly.
“Yeah, I’m awake,” she answered, just as softly, sitting up. “We need to talk.”
“I know. That’s why I asked.” Brekke hopped down from the top bunk she shared with Qamra, and turned on a tiny flashlight, pulling a beanbag pillow to the center of the room and reclining on it. Lionheart followed, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“Brekke, how much did you see?” Lionheart started softly, clearing her throat. She wanted to know how much she needed to talk about before she jumped to conclusions.
Brekke sighed. “Everything, Lion. I saw everything. I was gonna ask you if you were all right, but you were so engrossed in thought I didn’t want to disturb you. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay,” Lionheart said with a wave of her hand and a mild intake of breath. “You guys were going to find out sooner or later.”
Brekke nodded. “Is that the whole story? I mean, you never did tell us how you came aboard the ship.”
Lionheart managed a faint but forced smile. “I think it’s time you guys knew the truth. I can’t hold it back for any longer. Wake the others up.” Brekke jumped to her feet and shook Qamra, Talis and Serina awake. With a few mutters and groans, they got up and joined the two Taoians on the floor.
Lionheart sighed and explained everything that Brekke had seen in the Orb of Makita. By the time her story was done, everyone was wide-awake.
“You killed one of the Yatagai Warriors?” Talis asked, still not quite believing the story. Qamra nudged her sharply in the ribcage and she quickly apologized.
“It’s okay, Qam,” Lionheart said. “I need to get it out. There’s more to the story.” She cleared her throat and began the tale.
* * *
“When I was young, my mother and father abandoned me, in order to rush off and fight in the war with Junichai,” Lionheart began, looking at each of her friend’s faces that were gathered around her. “They were killed, and Master Kinta took me in. He was the trainer of the Yatagai Warriors.”
“Wasn’t he killed?” Brekke asked, cocking her head to one side, questioningly.
Lionheart nodded. “He engaged in a one-on-one battle with Junichai himself, in order to save a young Neptunian boys’ life. They were both killed in the battle we think, but we never actually saw Junichai’s body. I was still very young then, and do not remember much of it. The Warriors took me in and raised me.
“On my tenth birthday, I was given a pair of sais by Kaede, the leader of the Warriors. He told me that I had courage, and that I was to train to become one of them, so that when I got older, I would be valuable in protecting Tao.
“I trained hard for two years, earning my right to become one of the Warriors. On my thirteenth birthday, Junichai attacked our very own Lifespring. Kaede and Chiku both told me to stay in hiding, to stay away from the battle. I was stupid, and determined to earn my destiny. I charged out in the battle. An enemy then knocked me from my feet. Blood splashed in my eyes, and I couldn’t see. When a helping hand grasped my arm, I struck our blindly, killing Chiku.
“By that time, Junichai’s armies were gone. I was alone, out in the midst of all the blood. Tears stung my eyes, and all I could think about was the word “murderer” as I ran from the Lifespring.
“I ran far away, almost to the other side of Tao. Tatsuya and Misao found me two days later, sobbing in the trunk of a hollow tree. They took me home.
“I was stung by guilt for weeks after, listening to Kaede rave and rant about killing the one that murdered Chiku. They didn’t know it was me. They still don’t know. I haven’t had the heart to tell them. Every time they would bring him up, I would cry. Tatsuya just thought it was because I was upset. They had no idea.
“After a few weeks, the guilt became unbearable. I felt so alone. I couldn’t even tell Misao. That night, I ran away. That’s when I found you guys. I decided to stay with the Aurora, and try to put Chiku’s death behind me. After a few months, I made friends, and forgot about it. But I also forgot about home.
“One day, when everyone was at the library and I was here alone in the bunk, practicing my martial arts, I got a call on the videophone. It was Misao. He had been looking for me, and told me that the Warriors had been worried sick, thinking that I had been captured by Junichai or killed. He was incredibly relieved, until I told him that I had run away. He was extremely upset, wanting to know why I had run from Tao. Lying, I told him that I needed to get out and see the world. Earn my right to be a Warrior, on my own. After a few weeks, the other Warriors came to accept my absence, and told me that I could always come home if I wanted to.”
Lionheart finished her story, taking a sip of water that was lying on her dresser. She sighed, seeing how her friends would react. Qamra just nodded thoughtfully, and Serina put her hand on the Rooz’ own. [You know I’m completely supportive in this, okay?] she asked quietly, her tone comforting.
Lionheart nodded. “Thanks, guys. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this before. I… couldn’t. It was hard for me.”
“We’ll always be there, Lion,” Talis said, grinning.
“Yeah,” Brekke agreed, looking out the window at the stars. “Always.”
* * *
Qamra yawned and sat up. She reached over and grabbed her VISOR from the nightstand, adjusting it over her eyes. Since she was blind, she needed the technology to help her see. She looked around her. All the bunks were empty, and already made up. She made a face as she realized that she must have slept late.
Jumping out of bed, she hurriedly pulled on some clothes. She was about to go down to the mess hall for some breakfast, when she heard the familiar beeping sound of the videophone.
“Oh jeez,” she muttered, hitting the answer button. It took a few moments for the screen to adjust, but when it did, she was surprised to see one of the Yatagai Warriors, Tatsuya, flash up. “Uh, hi. I’m Qamra. Want me to get Lionheart for you?” she managed to say, slightly embarrassed since she hadn’t bothered to brush her hair or take her morning shower.
“Yes. Please, hurry, it is a matter of extreme importance,” the female Roo answered, gravely and very professionally. Qamra thought she sounded a little arrogant, but didn’t voice this thought out loud. Instead, she wondered what could possibly be so meaningful, and nodded. Then she sped off down the hall, returning minutes later with a very sleepy Lionheart. When she saw Tatsuya on the videophone, she immediately wiped the sleep out of her eyes and sat down in front of the console. Qamra exited politely, the door sliding and clicking shut behind her.
“Hey Tatsuya. What’s up?” Lionheart asked with a yawn.
Tatsuya regarded her by putting her ears back solemnly. “Lionheart, you must come home. Armada, Junichai’s sister, has taken over the Lifespring. She has joined forces with a Spung named Warlord Fethene, and they have captured Kaede, Ayako, and Kazuto. We need you home.”
Lionheart’s jaw dropped nearly to the floor. Thoughts and memories swirled in her mind. She had not been on the ship long when she had met the Warlord. Cruel and heartless, he had killed two of the crew members, Morg and Jin, and would have nearly wiped them all out were it not for the quick thinking of Serina. But that was another story. “F-Fethene? He came to Tao? Why?” she blurted, trying to keep her thoughts under control.
“We do not yet know, Lionheart. But we need you. Tao needs you.” Tatsuya pursed her lips. “We’ll meet you at the Ice Wall, tonight at midnight. Until then, my young Warrior, goodbye.” Tatsuya disappeared on the screen.
Lionheart could do nothing but stare at the blank screen in mute shock. She would have to go home, and face her past. She narrowed her eyes in hatred at the Warlord, and Junichai, and his bloody sister. It just wasn’t fair.
Grabbing her sais from the box under the bed, she opened her closet. Hanging in the far back, hidden by shadows, was her Warrior armor. She quickly took it out and strapped it on, slipping the weapons in their sheaths. With a tear glistening out of one eye, she walked down the hall, towards the airlock where her small passenger ship for four, Nightwing, waited.
* * *
Serina and Qamra walked down the hallway towards their bunk. Qamra had told the Siscanite about Tatsuya’s ‘important news,’ and they both had wondered if it had anything to do with Lionheart’s past. They decided they were going to find out.
When they rounded the corner, Serina collided with Lionheart, knocking them both to the floor. [Ow...] Serina muttered, rubbing her head.
“Sorry,” Lionheart apologized, helping her friend to her hooves with a paw.
Qamra and Serina both noticed that she was wearing the traditional Warrior armor, and was armed for battle. “Where are you going?” Qamra asked, curiously, dreading the obvious answer.
“It doesn’t concern you,” Lionheart replied, biting her lip. She wanted to tell her friends, but couldn’t. She didn’t want to see them killed. She brushed herself off. “I’m going home.”
Qamra almost keeled back. “Why?” she asked, horrified, even though she had known the answer. It still surprised her.
Lionheart sighed. “Look, I don’t have time to explain. But please don’t try to follow me, either of you.” She narrowed her eyes at the two of them, warningly. “I’m serious, guys. It’s extremely dangerous, and I don’t want to drag you into it. I’ll contact you when I get to Tao, if I can.”
Serina growled as Lionheart turned heels and walked towards the airlock. She ran towards her and jerked her arm back. [Lion, stop! You need to tell us what’s going on! We can’t let you go alone!]
Lionheart snarled, and without even realizing it, threw Serina against the wall with a furious bout of strength. The Siscanite hit the barrier hard, and slid down to the floor, wincing painfully. Lionheart opened her mouth in surprise at what she had done, and ran towards Serina to give her assistance. “Serina, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it...”
The Siscanite flinched in anger and pushed Lionheart’s assisting hand away.
The young Roo watched her friends go, tears stinging her own eyes. She blinked them away, then walked inside the holding bay. Seeing Nightwing in the corner, she boarded her ship, and opened the airlock, flying into the stars. Towards her home. Towards her past. Towards Tao.
* * *
It took only a few hours for the Nightwing to reach the large planet of Tao. When she got closer to the Lifespring that she had learned to call home, she saw exactly what Tatsuya was talking about. Armada’s armies had covered and destroyed miles of beautiful once-green land, and turned it into smoking, charred earth.
Lionheart pulled Nightwing into a small cove on the shores, and hid it underneath large shrubs and brush. At least Armada hadn’t reached the water yet. She looked at where she was. A long ways from where she was supposed to meet Tatsuya and Misao at the Ice Wall. Sighing, she strapped her backpack onto her shoulder, and started the long trek towards the meeting place.
After walking a few miles through the thick and unruly underbrush, the tired Roo leaned against a tree to rest. It was nearing nightfall, and only a few hours until midnight. She’d have to hurry.
Picking up her pack, she started walking once more. Just then, two Spung warriors jumped out of the brush, both armed heavily with swords and pikes. “Another Roo?,” laughed one. “I thought we got them all?”
“Guess not!” chuckled the other cruelly, charging her. Lionheart whipped out her sais, and slashed quickly across the first Spung’s eyes. With a scream, he fell unconscious to the bloody ground.
Without even a fair warning to the other, Lionheart plunged her weapon deep into the Spung’s throat. Blood splashed onto her armor, and with a gurgled cry, the other Spung slumped to the ground, dead.
Lionheart made a face at her crimson weapons, and wiped them on the ground, cleansing the blood off. She then took off towards the Ice Wall, hoping she could make it by midnight.
Tao’s three moons hung high in the sky, illuminating the planet.
Lionheart crept along through the brush, noticing that as she got deeper into the forests, it got colder, and the plants were beginning to freeze. She was nearing the Ice Wall.
She had never been there before, but had heard Kaede talk about it many times. It was a meeting place for the Warriors if they ever got separated or couldn’t contact one another. The Wall had a mind of it’s own, only allowing those with good in their hearts to view it’s magnificence and beauty.
Finally, Lionheart saw it. She stopped dead in her tracks, allowing the falling snow to cover her fur. She stared in awe.
The Ice Wall was beautiful, a mirror of silver and white stretching clear across the land with no end that she could see. A majestic blue dragon was frozen in a block of ice nearly three feet thick, guarding over the Wall. Her wings were spread apart in a menacing fashion, and her jaws were open in a frightening snarl. Yet, even with these features on her scaled body, there was still some majesty in her eyes.
“Lionheart!” exclaimed a familiar voice. She turned towards it, and saw Tatsuya. “We thought you had gotten lost!” The female Warrior grabbed the younger Roo in a friendly hug.
Lionheart smiled. “I had to kill two Spung, but I got here okay.” She broke away from her elder and grinned.
Then she heard a clank of metal nearby. She recognized it immediately. “Misao!” she cried, leaping towards him. He smiled and signed a hello in his crude hand language. She giggled and gave him a hug.
“You’ve grown up, Lionheart,” Misao signed, motioning to her armor and the fighter’s anger in her eyes.
Lionheart smiled, and looked at her two friends. She knew she was home.
* * *
“She actually left?” Brekke asked in horror. “Without telling us?”
Qamra nodded. Talis, Serina, Brekke, Darien, Kit and Qamra were all in their bunkroom. Serina was sulking on her bean bag pillow, still angry and hurt about Lionheart. Qamra had just finished telling the others about her sudden abandonment.
“What are we gonna do?” Talis asked, biting nervously on her bottom lip. Qamra watched her, afraid that she would hurt herself. “We can’t let her go off alone. Armada is too strong if paired with Fethene. She’ll be killed.”
[We have to follow her.] Serina said, standing up with a look of cold determination in her eyes.
“But...I thought...” Brekke said, trailing off.
[I don’t want to lose a friend over a stupid fight. We’re going to Tao.] Serina said, running off to the holding bay where the Virtue waited.
“Kazuto, Kaede and Ayako are being held in Fethenes’ killcruiser. It’s parked on the other side of Tao, where the Warmbloods are,” Misao signed to Lionheart, filling her in to the details of their plan. They were all seated in Misao’s secret hut, hidden high up in the treetops. “Before we go rushing off to fight, we need to get the others.”
Lionheart’s mouth opened in surprise. She laughed with relief and happiness. “Qamra and Brekke have friends over there! The other warriors! They can help us!”
Tatsuya lowered her ears. “Lionheart, Fethene has enslaved most of the other Side. Jake, Tobias, Xaiver and Marco are probably captured too.”
“No.” Lionheart growled. “If I know them as well as I think I do, then they’d have escaped. They’d die before they allowed themselves to be captured, just like us.”
Suddenly, the door to the hut was shoved in. A figure staggered to the floor, covered in scratches. A spear fell from his hand onto the ground.
“Tobias!” Lionheart exclaimed, helping the warrior up. “Are you alright? How did you climb up here?”
Tobias coughed, and grabbed onto the large Rooz’ shoulder for support. “I...I’m, alright. The others... Marco, Xavier and Jake... they’ve been taken. I barely managed to find you guys, but then remembered this place. It’s a wonder I got up here in one piece.”
“Fethene must be holding your friends with ours. He wants to make sure no one can stop him and Armada,” Misao signed, helping Tobias to a chair.
“I saw your friends,” Tobias muttered, breathing heavily from his long run. “They’re being held in a secret tunnel, underneath Fethenes’ killcruiser. He wants you to think they’re inside. He has guards surrounding the entire inside and outside of the ship. He’s waiting for you to come for them.”
“Then we’ll surprise him,” Tatsuya announced, banging her fists together in an angry fashion. “Lionheart, you and Tobias will go to the killcruiser, and spy on Fethenes’ next move. Misao and I will travel to Armada’s palace and attack her openly. Maybe we can catch her off guard and take control of the armies.”
“No!” Lionheart shouted, so suddenly that Tobias almost fell out of his chair. “It’s not fair! Just because I’m not a Warrior yet doesn’t mean that I’m not capable!”
“We’re doing this for your safety, Lionheart. We don’t want to lose you like we lost Chiku.”
Tatsuya’s words hit Lionheart like a vicious slap to the face. She winced and turned away from the female Roo, blinking back tears. She knew she would have to face her past sometime, but this was too soon. She didn’t know if she could handle it right now.
“Tats,” Lionheart begged, “please let me go with Misao to fight Armada. I can do it. We’ll create a distraction so that Fethene will come to her aid, and you and Tobias will be able to free the others.”
“That is not wise, Lionheart. You are still young,” Misao signed, compassion etched on his worn features.
“Young has nothing to do with it!” Lionheart growled, seething with anger. “I’ve been through worse than this! We face challenges worse than this on Aurora! You have no idea what I’ve been through!”
“She’s right, Misao,” Tobias whispered, coming to Lionheart’s rescue. “I’ve seen her in battle. She’s worth having around.”
Tatsuya sighed. “Alright, Lionheart. You and Misao will go to Armada. We’ll free the others.”
Lionheart smiled. She was finally getting the respect she deserved. “When do we leave?”
“Right now,” Tatsuya said, standing up. “Now listen closely. It’s almost morning. Meet me and Tobias back at the Ice Wall at noon. If all goes well, we’ll have freed the Warriors and Tobias’s friends by then, and we’ll be able to confront Fethene and Armada openly.” She moved near the door, drawing her sword out of its sheath and handing Tobias his spear. “Remember—noon.”
* * *
The Virtue flew towards Tao at the speed of light. Talis, Serina, Kit, Darien and Qamra were seated comfortably in the ship’s tiny area, with Brekke at the helm, maneuvering. It was almost daybreak, and Brekke declared that they would be in Lionheart’s Lifespring in about an hour.
“What’s Tao like?” Darien asked, seated beside Serina on a mattress pillow.
“Invaded,” Brekke cut in, pointing to the screen. They saw the destruction Lionheart had, hours earlier. “If I know Tao well enough, the only hidden place Lionheart would have pulled the Nightwing is on the shores. Armada shouldn’t find the ship there.”
“Then that’s where we should go, right?” Kit asked, softly.
“Maybe we should go get Xaiver and the other Warriors,” Qamra suggested, uneasily. Everyone turned to look at her and she cleared her throat. “Well, don’t you think they’d be able to help?”
Brekke shook her head. “No. My side of Tao is also under attack. They either would have taken cover, or tried to find Lionheart’s friends.”
“Very true,” Talis commented.
Brekke nodded and pulled the Virtue into a cove. The others felt the slight vibration as the ship hit the sand, and then proceeded to the hatch. Brekke opened it, and they all stepped outside onto Tao.
Misao and Lionheart slowly crept towards the dark tower in front of them. The younger Roo stared up in awe. It was huge, several stories high, the dark marble clawing its way up to the heavens in grotesque, intertwined towers.
“Lionheart, listen closely,” Misao signed, stopping her next to a barred window. “We’re going to enter here. We’ll stick together, and for no reason leave each others’ side. Is that clear?” Lionheart nodded. “Armada should be in her chambers, probably alone, or with one or two guards. That shouldn’t be a problem. We will confront her openly, and hope she calls the entire guards, Spung and all. Then, we run back the way we came, and back towards the Ice Wall. Hopefully, we can lose them on our way there.”
Lionheart gulped. She knew this was going to be dangerous. “Misao, what if they’re blocking the door or something? Shouldn’t we have maybe a backup plan?”
“There isn’t time for that.” Misao sighed, looking up at the window and quietly prying open the bars with his strong muscles and one of Lionheart’s sais.
“Fine,” Lionheart grumbled, stepping on Misaos’ outstretched hand and jumping up into the window. She landed neatly on the black marbled floor, and pulled Misao in after her. He handed her the sai, and she put it neatly back in its sheath.
“Over there,” Misao said, pointing to a doorway. “That should lead to some stairs, and upward to the chambers.”
“Gulp,” Lionheart whispered, walking towards the threatening doorway. She stopped in front of it, pressing her ear against it. She waited a few moments, hearing nothing. Then, satisfied, she pushed it open.
A dark hallway stood in front of the two of them, torches attached to the walls to light their way. Misao grabbed one, and led the way down the corridor.
Suddenly, Lionheart was grabbed from behind, and a strong hand clamped down on her muzzle, pulling her into the shadows. She struggled, but Misao hadn’t even noticed she was gone. He kept walking down the hall, and as he carried the torch farther and farther away, Lionheart and her captor were covered in darkness.
Growling, Lionheart slammed her elbow into the attackers’ stomach, knocking him away and down to the ground. Misao heard the thump and turned around, snarling. Lionheart kicked the figure on the floor a couple of times, and looked down at him as Misao bathed him in torchlight.
It was a Spung warrior. She had her three-fingered hands in front of her face, shielding herself from Lionheart’s stinging blows. Whimpering, she shut her eyes. “Please, don’t hurt me anymore,” she hissed pleadingly, forked tongue sliding out of her mouth as the words escaped.
Misao grabbed the collar of her shirt, hauling her to her feet. “What’s your name?” Lionheart growled, taking her Sai out of its sheath and pressing it to the unlucky Spungs’ neck.
“I am called Nekya.” She gulped, gasping for air as her windpipe was slowly being crushed.
“Okay, Nekya, where is Armada?” Lionheart asked, threateningly. “Answer me, and you’ll live.”
Nekya whimpered. “She...she’s in her bedroom. On the tenth floor.”
Misao grinned. “Tell her to show us where it is,” he signed.
“You’re going to show us where it is, Nekya, or we’ll pound your pathetic little body into the cracks in the floor.” Nekya nodded as Misao pressed a dagger to her back.
“Now, lead,” Lionheart growled, as the Spung walked slowly down the hallway, leading them both to the tenth floor, and Armada.
A tiny Spung warrior padded down a dark hallway on the tenth floor, making his way towards Armadas’ bedroom. He stopped outside her door, knocking once.
“Come in,” the mysterious female voice replied from inside. The Spung obeyed, closing the door behind him.
A beautiful woman was lying on her back on a black satin bed, her white and black streaked hair tumbling over her head and onto the floor. Her skin was a ghostly white, and her lips, nails and eyes were black as a raven. She wore very little; the only thing clothing that delicate, desirable flesh was a thin black robe. “Ah, Keenath. Bring you news?”
“Yes, my lady,” Keenath said with a rather former bow, forehead close to touching the floor. “The two Rooz have entered the palace and taken the bait, just as you predicted.”
“And you stopped spying on them to bring me this news?” Armada snarled, standing up and walking to him until he was completely at eye level with her breasts. “Go, creature, continue with your task! You are disturbing me. Do not return to me until you have seen the dead bodies of the two Rooz!”
* * *
“Where exactly are we going? Don’t we even have a plan?” Kit questioned, trailing behind everyone as they slowly made their way through the dense underbrush. Brekke and Qamra were leading, discussing quietly what their move should be, Talis was behind them, sweating heavily from the humidity, Darien and Serina walked side by side together, talking quietly, and Kit brought up the rear, his fur damp and matted around his face as he panted.
Qamra stopped suddenly, causing them all to run into each other, and glanced angrily back at Kit. “What, do you have an idea?” she snapped, crossing her arms.
The large Felinian ran his fingers through the thick tangle of ebony hair that framed his face. “Actually, I do, if you’ll listen to me for a moment.” He made his way through the crowd of them up to Qamra. “Will you listen?”
She sighed. “Shoot.”
“All right. Brekke, do you know where Armada’s palace is?” Kit asked, looking at her. She nodded. “And Serina, you know Fethene well, where would he most likely keep his ship?”
“We can use this to an advantage then,” Kit said quietly. “We should split up. Some of us go towards the ship, some the palace. We’re sure to find Lionheart there, right?”
Everyone nodded.
“Good. Serina, you make the groups.”
Serina stepped up to the lead, somewhat surprised as the burden of leadership was placed upon her. [Kit, since it was your plan, you will take Talis and Brekke to the palace. Darien, you and Qamra follow me. We’re going to the ship.]
“Where do we meet back?” Darien asked, stomping his hoof impatiently. “And when?”
Serina looked to Brekke, since she knew Tao better than anyone. “Uh, I’m not exactly familiar with this side of Tao, but I’ve heard of a meeting place located in the north. It is called the Ice Wall, the place where warriors meet fellow warriors when they get split up. I don’t know the exact location, but it has a mind of it’s own and will help us if we get lost.”
[Good. We meet there at nightfall.] Serina said, beckoning to Darien and Qamra. She led them towards the ship, leaving Kit, Talis and Brekke alone.
“Brekke, lead on,” Talis said softly, grinning.
Brekke smiled and started walking the opposite way of Serina, towards the west. Kit and Talis shrugged, then turned to follow her.
Tatsuya held up a torch as she and Tobias walked down the damp, dark tunnel towards the dungeons. It had been easy to get in; only two guards had been at the doors. Their bodies were lying safely at the bottom of a deep spring nearby, never to be found again.
“How much farther?” Tobias asked, jumping slightly as something small and furry skittered across his foot. He took his spear from off his back and held it ready in his hands.
Tatsuya put her finger to her lips. “I don’t know,” she whispered softly. “Knowing Fethene, his tunnels could be miles long...”
“Oh, great.” Tobias sighed sarcastically.
Suddenly, someone screamed out Tatsuya’s name. She grinned in triumph, and tore down the hallway towards the voice. It was Ayako. He was throwing his large frame against the bars of a cell carved in the sides of the tunnel, trying to free himself. His wooden staff had been taken away from him, and was leaning against the opposite side of the tunnel. Tobias quickly grabbed it and thrust it through the bars to the large Roo.
“Thanks guys. Now will you help me get out of here?” Ayako pleaded, tugging on the doorway.
Tatsuya began working on the bars, trying to break through them with her sword. “Where are the others?” she asked, throwing one of the bars in a dark corner.
Ayako grunted. “Somewhere down there... I can hear Kazuto talk, but I can’t see him.”
Tatsuya nodded as she thrust open the door, freeing her friend. Ayako grinned and strapped his staff to his back. “Come on, let’s get the others.”
Misao shoved Nekya forward towards the large door that concealed Armada’s bedroom. Odd, he thought, that we haven’t seen any guards. He looked over at Lionheart, who was stepping heavily, looking down at the floor in sorrow. He sighed. She knows we aren’t going to get out of this alive... I wish I had a chance to tell her that before she came. Her friends are really gonna miss her. He stopped for a moment, surprising both Nekya and Lionheart. How do I really know we’re going to die? One part of his brain asked. Because we’re behind enemy lines, that’s why, the other part screamed. He almost shed a tear.
“Misao, why did you stop?” Lionheart asked softly, looking at him with the saddest eyes he had ever seen on anyone. He shook his head.
“Nothing, Lionheart. Just thinking,” he replied, adjusting his blade rings around his wrists so they would be easy to access.
Lionheart blinked silently to him. “We’re gonna die, aren’t we?”
Misao couldn’t even look her in the eye as he answered her. “We’re walking straight into a trap, Lionheart. You don’t have to come. But I’m going, and I’m going to stop Armada. Or I’m going to die trying.”
“If you’re going, then I’m going.” She reached out and grasped Misao’s paw in her own, a tear falling to the black marble floor. “Before I go in there, I want you to know something.”
“What is it?” Misao nearly staggered back at her response, dropping his blade rings. They clattered to the floor.
“I love you, Misao.”
“What?” Misao signed, almost angrily, as he picked up his weapons from the floor. He had not expected that, not ever, and was thoroughly surprised. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I love you!” Lionheart said, sobbing. Tears flowed down her face as she broke the truth to him at last. “I’ve always loved you, Misao! You meant more to me that anyone ever did!”
Misao sighed. “Lionheart, this is not the time, nor the place for your puppy love...”
His harsh words hit her like a blow to the face. She staggered backwards, sobbing uncontrollably. She had never thought he could be so cruel. “You... I can’t believe you!” She growled between tears. “I’d rather die than stay here and talk to you!”
Before Misao could stop her, she ran crying up to the door to Armada’s bedroom. She thrust it open. Ten warriors, armed with bows, were pointing their deadly arrows directly at her. Armada was standing behind them, sneering. In a split second, all the arrows fired at once, and Lionheart fell to the floor, slipping into blackness.
[Now, the ship is over there, hidden under that brush. Fethene should be nearby, or inside.] Serina said, peeking over a high covet of grasses. [What’s our plan?]
She didn’t have time to say anything else. A familiar voice shattered the stillness, surprising them. “Well, well, well... if it isn’t Qamra Setterwind Moonbeam.”
“Jake!” Qamra shouted, a little too loudly, jumping up and embracing her friend in a hug. Serina and Darien stood up in surprise, not expecting to see the Tao gang so soon.
Xaiver, Marco and Tobias walked up to them, each hugging Qamra and Brekke, with four of the Yatagai Warriors behind them.
“I trust you are Serina...” The largest Warrior asked, looking down at her from his large height. A true fighter, Kaede looked every bit the leader of the Warriors Lionheart had described to her. He was sinewy and muscular, wearing his armor that stood for his Virtue, the element of Water.
Tatsuya, Ayako and Kazuto stood beside him, each with their arms crossed and weapons out. They were ready for battle.
Darien looked both sets of Warriors from head to toe, noticing the chains that were still attached to their wrists. It didn’t seem to bother them. Quick introductions were made, and they all agreed on their plan. They were heading for Armada’s palace.
No! Misao screamed in his mind, throwing Nekya in the midst of the archers, confusing them a bit and allowing him some time to grab Lionheart in his arms and run back down the hallway. He heard Armada bark out orders to the archers, but he couldn’t understand her words. He was too enveloped in Lionheart’s life.
She looked terrible. Her breathing came in ragged gasps as she tried to suck air through her pierced lungs. Two arrows were stuck in her body, still quivering from the recent shot. One was embedded deep in her upper arm, and the other had found it’s way into the young Rooz’ chest. He could not tell if it had hit her heart or not.
An arrow whizzed by his head. They were following him. Another nicked his cheek as it flew by.
Suddenly, he heard a cry of pain from in front of him. Someone ahead had taken the arrow meant for him. Extremely upset and puzzled, he ran on, and nearly stumbled over a fallen black shadow.
“Misao!” A voice cried. He recognized it immediately.
“Brekke! What the hell are you doing here?” he signed, setting Lionheart down next to the shadow. He looked over and saw Talis crying over the black form. “What happened? Who is this?”
“This is a new crew member, Kit. That arrow hit him deep in the chest... we don’t know what to do,” Brekke said, wincing as she pulled the arrow from the Felinians chest. He growled in pain, but said nothing.
“Lionheart has been wounded as well. We need to get them to safety, back to the Ice Wall,” Misao signed back, urgently. “The guards are coming. I’ll get Lionheart, and you, Talis, get Kit. Brekke, lead the way.”
Talis lifted Kit with almost no effort, and he managed a weak smile at her as she ran after her friends.
Brekke’s group met up with Kaede near the Ice Wall. Reunited, they all hurried towards it. Pursuit was near. Several times Talis and Misao stumbled, almost dropping their barely conscious charges. Kazuto and Serina helped them along, until they finally reached the large mirror.
“Everyone, arm yourselves,” Kaede ordered, drawing his own very large blade. Misao and Talis both gently put down Lionheart and Kit, hiding them in the brush near the Wall. The group of them all drew their own personal weapons, and got ready for battle.
It wasn’t long before they heard shouts and war cries heading through the trees. They all turned to face the oncoming attack.
Talis burned with hatred at the sight of Fethene. He had killed her months earlier, and she was determined to avenge her own death.
The five Yatagais glared right into Armada’s eye as she marched ahead of her own large troop of Shadow Warriors, feeling bloodwrath heating up inside of them.
Fethene and Armada stopped the troops about a hundred yards from the small army of fourteen. Kaede, Xaiver and Serina looked at the large force of Spung and Shadows standing behind the two hated enemies. There was at least five hundred, all armed to the teeth.
Serina felt Darien’s hand slip into her own. She looked at him, smiling. “I hope we get out of this alive,” he whispered.
Qamra and Xaiver exchanged glances also, hoping the same thing.
And then, with a battle cry echoing off the Wall, Kaede led his small army towards the mob of enemies.
Serina didn’t notice the heavy rain that started to fall as she swiped at three Shadow Warriors with her scythe tail, lopping all of their heads clean off at the neck. She reared up and kicked another in the stomach, shattering its ribs. Lighting ripped across the sky as she trampled numerous enemy bodies.
Qamra and Xaiver fought back to back; Xaiver slashing and cutting enemies apart with his blade rings and Qamra tearing into her enemies with her claws, fully morphed into a large, gold dragon. “Qamra!” Xaiver screamed loudly over the rain and thunder. “Look!”
Qamra turned her head in the direction he was pointing, and saw Brekke go down under a sword blade. She was about to run to her aid, but Darien galloped through the melee, scattering Spung as he went. He grabbed Brekke around her waist, and pulled her onto his horse half, running towards where Kit and Lionheart lay.
Talis leapt at a Shadow Warrior, biting down ferociously on his throat. Tasting blood, she let go, watching as his body fell to the ground, lifeless. Another one grabbed her around the waist, and lifted her high in the air. Intending to throw her down onto an upright spear, she froze his hands and shattered them with a single punch. He screamed in agony and ran.
Marco, Kazuto, and Jake fought in a tight battle triangle, easily beating down a large troop of Spung. An arrow protruded from Marcos’ arm, but he didn’t notice as he defaced a Spung with a sharp blow to its face.
Kaede cleared his way through the large army, moving towards Fethene and Armada. Blood dripped from a large cut above his eye, and an angry bruise was starting to form on the side of his head, but he barely noticed them as he advanced on the two Warlords, sword in hand.
Fethene and Armada stood side by side, not even seeing the large Warrior until he was upon them. Armada rolled away as the wicked blade narrowly missed her shoulder, but Fethene took the blow deeply in his side. Moaning in pain, he drew his own sword and turned to face Kaede.
“Bastard!” he cursed, clutching his side in pain. He drew his own sword. Before he could attack though, a sharp, clear voice pierced the night air.
“Stop, Fethene!” Lionheart growled, droplets of rain dripping from her soaked body. The two arrows still were embedded in her flesh, but she didn’t even flinch as she moved towards them at an easy gait, her sais at the ready.
Fethene looked between the two Warriors, eyes darting quickly. He sheathed his sword. “This isn’t over. I’ll be back,” he hissed, leaping away. “Count on it!”
The Spung looked up from the battle, seeing their leader flee. They too ran, half the numbers they started with.
Now, everyone had stopped fighting to watch Lionheart and Kaede advance on Armada. It was silent on the battlegrounds, except for the occasional clap of thunder.
Armada was dripping wet, and panting heavily in anger. “You...” She growled, pointing at Kaede. “Your master killed my brother!”
Kaede shook violently, eyes burning with fury. “Your brother murdered Chiku!”
Lionheart looked between the two of them, growling. With a battle cry, she leapt onto Armada, knocking her from her feet and digging her weapon deep into the woman’s thigh. She screamed, and leapt to her feet, limping slightly. Mud covered the two of them.
“Lionheart! This isn’t your fight!” Kaede snapped. “Go back to your friends! I’ll handle this!”
Suddenly, Kaede fell to his knees, roaring in pain. Lionheart watched in horror as a familiar man jerked a dagger from the Rooz’ back. “Junichai,” she whispered in utter disbelief, tightening her grip on her sai.
The man was tall and sinewy, dressed in robes of ebony. His white and black streaked hair was plastered to his head from the rain, and his pale, white skin shone with a brilliant gold sheen as lighting reflected off of it.
“You know who I am,” Junichai sneered. He wiped Kaede’s blood off of his dagger.
“You...you died!” Lionheart snarled. “Master Kinta killed you!”
“I escaped. Barely.” Junichai answered with a shrug of indifference. “But unfortunately, you won’t.”
With those last words, Junichai and Armada both advanced on the young warrior with intents to kill.
Lionheart watched her two hated enemies advancing on her. She didn’t even think. She whipped out her sais and slashed at the nearest foe--Junichai. He took the blow across the face, bleeding from a horizontal slash across his left cheek.
“That was for my friends!” She growled, kicking him severely in the knee, shattering his bone. He dropped down on his legs. “That was for Master Kinta!” And then Lionheart took him out. She brought her hands up in a wide arch, and then pummeled them down onto the earth. A ring of ice surrounded him, and he gaped in horror as the ice shattered into tiny needles, each embedding itself into his flesh. With a scream, he slumped to the ground, unconscious. “And that was for me!”
Armada watched her brother fall to the ground. She shook her head and snarled. “This isn’t over, warrior. Not until I win.” She kneeled down beside Junichai, and they both disappeared in a flash of bright light, along with what remained of Armada’s army.
Lionheart looked out over the battlefield, surveying the scene. Only six of her friends stood; Serina, Qamra, Jake, Misao, and Ayako watched her proudly from below. The others were slumped to the ground, some unconscious, trying to bandage their wounds with what little they had. Lionheart ran to Kaede’s side, and cradled his head in her lap.
“Kaede, please, talk to me,” she begged quietly, shaking his still form. His eyes opened slightly, and he smiled gently at the young warrior.
“Lionheart...you have finally proved yourself,” he rasped with a cough. Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth. “You have become on of us.”
“No, Kaede! Don’t die! Please! You can’t die!” Lionheart sobbed, curling up in a ball and rocking back and forth. She let the tears come. “Please, Kaede. Hang on. We’ll get help.”
“Lionheart, do you see the sun?” Kaede whispered. Lionheart looked at the sky. All she saw were dark clouds. “It’s beautiful. It’s so... beautiful.” With that, Kaede closed his eyes for the last time.
Misao, Serina, and Qamra walked over to Lionheart, all stricken with grief. [Come on Lionheart,] Serina said sadly, helping the warrior to her feet. [There’s nothing we can do. He’s gone.]
Misao grabbed her paw in his own, a tear running down his own face. “We’ll always remember him, Lionheart,” the male Roo signed, his ears down flat against his head. “Always remember him as we do Chiku.”
Lionheart jerked away from him, stepping back a few paces. “It’s all my fault!” she cried, stumbling over the fallen body of a Spung. “I killed them both!”
With that, she tore off into the trees, disappearing through the mist. [Uh-oh. Should I go after her?] Serina said, looking at both Qamra and Misao.
“Yeah. We have a lot of injuries to take care of,” Qamra replied, walking towards the unconscious bodies of her comrades. Misao nodded and followed her. Serina watched them both go, then tore off after Lionheart.
It didn’t take long to find the Roo. She was in the hollow of a tree trunk, curled up in a fetal position and sobbing uncontrollably. “My fault... all my fault...”
Serina could easily see that she was delusional with grief. [Lionheart, come on. Let’s go home,] The Siscanite whispered, tugging gently on Lionheart’s arm. [You can’t stay here forever. It wasn’t your fault. Kaede died the way he wanted to. You can’t blame yourself.]
Lionheart looked up at her friend, her face a soaked mass of tear-stained fur. She blinked away the wetness. “I killed them both, Serina. It was all my fault.”
[No it wasn’t. Now, it looks like it’s gonna rain again. Are you coming?] Serina pawed the ground with a hoof.
Lionheart wiped her face off, taking Serina’s outstretched hand. “Yeah.” Suddenly, the young warrior looked at the sky. “Rain... water.” She blinked in realization. “Kaede was water...and I’m ice! Come on Serina! I got an idea!”
Puzzled, Serina galloped after Lionheart, who was running back towards the battlefield at full speed.
Kazuto carefully laid a cloak over the form of his fallen leader. He was bandaged all over, mostly small cuts and bruises, but his ankle was broken and he was hobbling along on one footpaw. “Goodbye, Kaede,” the large warrior whispered, kneeling beside the body and muttering a soft prayer.
Then, Lionheart was at his side. “Lionheart!” Kazuto exclaimed, standing up as best he could.
“Kaz, your necklace. Do you have it?” she asked, pointing to her own. It was a pouch filled with small, clear colored crystals, each in the shape of icicles. Each of the warriors had their own, symbolizing their own element.
“Lionheart, you should know I never take it off, why do you ask—Lionheart! You’re a genius! Get the others, quickly!” Kaz exclaimed.
In seconds, Lionheart had returned with Tatsuya, Misao, and Ayako. “What’s this all about?” Ayako growled sadly, looking at the cloak covering Kaede. “Can’t we leave him in peace?”
Kaz smiled and pointed to Ayako’s own necklace. His eyes went wide with understanding.
“Everyone, join hands,” Tatsuya said, making a circle around Kaede. Lionheart grasped hands with Misao and Kaz as she whispered a prayer along with the other Rooz.
Lionheart shut her eyes and felt the pouch against her breast grow warmer. She was blinded by light as she opened her eyes. The light was coming from the pouches, all aimed towards Kaede.
Then Lionheart dropped to her knees and everything went dark.
“She’s awake!” A familiar voice screamed happily, pounding through Lionheart’s brain like a crack of lighting. She pressed her ears against her head, swearing lightly.
“Goddamnit Brekke, please don’t yell...” Lionheart growled, opening one eye and looking at her friend.
Brekke glanced at her sheepishly and quickly apologized. “Sorry Lion. It’s just that you’ve been out of it for three days, and we thought you’d never wake up!” Lionheart moaned and tried to sit up, but was immediately pushed down by the Taoian. “Are you crazy? Lay down, you’ll only hurt yourself.”
“Where are the others? And where am I?”
“Serina took Kit, Talis, Qamra and Darien back to the Aurora. They all had major injuries. I vouched to stay here with you till you woke up. Besides, I wanted to spend a little more time with Jake and them. And for the second question, you’re in your old bedroom. Misao carried you here after you went unconscious.” Brekke held up a cup of water for Lionheart to drink.
“Kaede...” she whispered, remembering. “Kaede! What happened?”
“He’s fine, thanks to you guys,” Brekke explained, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. She grinned. “You guys brought him back. But Ayako said that the power must have been too much for you, and you zonked out.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Lionheart sighed sarcastically. “Where is he?”
“Who, Kaede?”
“Yeah. I need to talk to him. Alone.”
Brekke raised an eyebrow. “You’re gonna...?”
“I have to tell him, Brekke. It’ll kill me if I don’t.” She managed a sitting position, leaning against the pillow in her old bed. “Can you get him for me?”
“Sure thing,” Brekke said, bolting out of the room. She returned seconds later with a very happy Kaede, and then slipped out for the two warriors to be alone.
“Lionheart! You’re finally awake!” Kaede said, grinning and embracing her in a warm hug. She barely returned it, a sad expression creeping across her face. He cocked his head to one side, questioningly. “What’s wrong?”
"I have to tell you something. About Chiku," she whispered.
"What is it?"
"Junichai didn't kill him." Kaede looked at her, puzzled. She swallowed before continuing. "I killed Chiku."
Kaede stared at her in openmouthed shock, refusing to believe the confession Lionheart had held inside of her for so many years. She swallowed hard, cringing back for fear of a blow being dealt to her face. It didn’t come. Kaede was too surprised to even move.
“W-What did you say?” he managed to get out, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at her. His eyes started to water. “You did not! Junichai killed Chiku!”
She shook her head sadly. “No. Remember that night you told me to stay inside? I didn’t. I couldn’t. I wanted to help, so I ran out in the battle. I couldn’t see, and I accidentally slashed out and hit him.” She closed her eyes. “I didn’t mean to. I’m so sorry.”
“You’re lying!” Kaede snarled, jumping up and wiping the tears from his eyes. He stumbled, running out of the room at full speed. Lionheart watched him go, sadly, and pulled the covers up to her chin, falling into a deep, haunted slumber.
“Lionheart...” A voice whispered by her head. “Lionheart...you are forgiven.”
Lionheart opened her eyes to see she was not in her bed anymore. She was in a small clearing in the woods, a soft, opaque mist hovering slightly over the earth. She looked to her left and spotted the warrior temple. But she could not find the speaker.
“Who are you?” she asked, reaching down for her sais. They weren’t there. She kicked at the mist angrily, scattering it so that she could see a small bit of the ground.
“You do not need weapons here, Lionheart,” a strong voice said from behind her. She whirled around and faced the shimmering form of Chiku.
She stared in awe at the impressive figure, not knowing what to think. “Chiku...but I killed you...” she whispered.
The large Roo clasped his hands on her shoulders. “Yes, that you did. But I know you did not mean it. You were only trying to help Kaede and your fellow warriors. That is why I am forgiving you.”
“How can anyone forgive me for what I did?” she asked, brushing a tear away. “I took the life of an innocent. I took your life away.”
“Lionheart, as a warrior, you must learn to forgive and forget. It is in the past. We cannot let our pasts haunt us as yours has. You must give it up. I have haunted you for a long time, and I think it’s time for you to say goodbye.”
“I can’t say goodbye to you! I loved you Chiku,” Lionheart whispered, clinging to his waist in a desperate hug. “Please, don’t leave me.”
Chiku shook his head and stepped away from her. “Lion, I must go now. You must let me go.”
She sighed and managed a forced smile. “I’ll never forget you, Chiku. But I will let this memory fade. I will put my past behind me.”
Chiku nodded and smiled. “Goodbye, Lionheart, warrior of Ice and Courage. Till we meet again.”
With that, he turned and walked back through the mist and into the forest. When Lionheart awoke she remembered nothing of the dream.
Lionheart watched as Tao drifted from view from the window seat of Bunk 6. She was alone, covered in bandages from her encounter with Junichai and Armada. They had escaped, and would surely be back. But she would be ready for them next time.
A small going away party had been held a day before the Aurora 12 left the planet, and Lionheart had sadly said goodbye to her friends and mentors. The Medlab had been extremely crowded when they got back; everyone had at least one or two injuries to be treated. Lionheart barely had use of her upper arm, which was bound heavily in a cast. Arianna had reported that the arrowhead could not be gotten out without major surgery, and Lionheart had not wanted to risk it. So she would have to live with the scar and the minor pain for the rest of her life. The other arrow had narrowly missed her heart, piercing her right lung. She breathed in ragged gasps now, but it would pass in a few weeks.
Suddenly, she heard the door open behind her. Qamra limped in, supported by a pair of crutches. She managed a faint smile. Lionheart didn’t return it. It was her battle that her friend had been dragged down into, and Qamra had gotten off with her leg sprained in two places. She had refused bandages, and Lionheart winced at the black and dark purple bruise that covered her entire leg.
Lionheart shook her head. “I’m sorry about that Qam...” She apologized again, drumming a finger on the wall nervously. “You know I am.”
“Lion, if you apologize one more time, I’m gonna break your leg,” Qamra said, grinning ear to ear as she sat down next to her friend.
Lionheart smiled. “Everyone holding up all right?” she asked, knowing from the painful look on her face that her friend had just come from the Medlab. “Everyone doing better?”
Qamra shook her head. “Not hardly. Well, better than the battle. Kit still hasn’t woken up from that coma.”
“Ick. I can’t believe that arrow hit him in the heart, I feel so terrible. What if he dies?”
“He won’t. He’ll do fine. I’m worried more about Talis than Kit, she won’t leave his side. Hasn’t slept since he got shot.” Qamra replied, scratching her chin thoughtfully.
“Somebody oughta make her sleep and eat.”
“I’ve got a notion to. I think Ser is already on her ass about it.”
Lionheart snorted. “I’m gonna be on her ass about it. And speaking of which,” she growled, “what are you doing out of bed?”
Qamra shrugged sheepishly. “I’m fine.”
“I’m fine,” Lionheart imitated, cocking her head to one side in annoyance. “Yeah, fucked up, conceited and stubborn, but fine.”
Qamra made a face and stood, leaning on her crutches. “You get some sleep. Almost 2200 hours. Ser and Brekke are gonna be in here soon, hopefully with Talis.” Qamra moved over to her own bunk, sitting down carefully and pulling the covers up to her chin.
“’Night Lion.”
Lionheart smiled. “’Night Qam.”
The young Roo sat at the window for a long time more, until Tao was just a tiny speck in the overwhelming darkness of the universe. She fingered the warrior pendant around her neck and managed a chuckle. “I think I finally found my destiny, Kaede,” she whispered, walking to her bed and turning out the light.