Mira led them into the room and bowed. “Teacher, they have arrived.”
“Thank you, Mira,” the man replied. The serenity of his voice matched perfectly, the tranquility of Takashaniel. “If you wish, you may remain with us.”
“I have some matters to attend,” she said, “but I will return.” The teacher gave her a nod and she left the room.
Kenyatta shook his head in disbelief, watching through the floor as she descended to the bottom level of the tower.
“My name is Iel,” the strange colored man said. “And I offer greetings and gratitude to you for coming.”
Taliah bowed in response, and the others followed suit. “It is we who are honored to visit you and behold the grace of the tower,” she replied.
Iel smiled, and Akemi thought she noticed his gray and black color shift ever so slightly with his smile.
“There is much to discuss and not much time,” the guardian of Takashaniel said. “I hope I do not appear rude, but we must speak at once.”
“We understand,” Taliah assured him.
Not long into their talk, Mira returned with a clear iridescent tray with seven glasses of the same fashion. She offered a glass to each of them, then to Iel, taking the remaining glass for herself.
Kita took a sip and was instantly invigorated. He looked around the group and noticed the same response. Whatever the drink was, he wanted more.
“As you already know,” Iel began, “the Drek has aligned himself with the Quentranzi demon, Arritezmeshezbreandokabriza, or Kabriza, as you know it. Together they have raised an army of fiends from the dark realm and set them on a path directly here.” At a look of uneasiness from the group, the Ilanyan continued.
“In the past, there was an attempt against the tower by a mage who had foolish plans of subjugating an entire civilization and establishing a new order of magic wielders under his rule. Although he was quite accomplished in the practice of dark magic, he could not get by the tower’s first defense, which is its invisibility to human eyes. You see, Takashaniel cannot be seen by humans, only nature, and some beings of this world can see it. The majority of humans are too infantile in their evolution to be in tune with the tower.”
“Unfortunately, denizens of the dark world can see the tower simply because they exist on a different plane than our world. Although they are evil, they still perceive more than humans are capable of, which is why they are able to see the tower. What keeps them from attacking, however, is that most demons cannot get close enough without being destroyed.”
Kenyatta noticed Iel’s color darken. Did his complexion reflect his mood?
“Quentranzi,” the guardian continued, “can penetrate the protective ward. Other demons cannot enter because they cannot wield magic. Quentranzi, however, can wield magic better than the most powerful mage.”
Kenyatta frowned. “Back in the forest when we fought some of those shadow demon-things, it looked like they were using magic to me.”
“Demons, by nature, have many innate abilities that are beyond many species of the prime material plane, our world. Magic does not number among those abilities for the average fiend.”
Taliah leaned forward, interlacing her fingers. “If I am not mistaken, not more than one Quentranzi can exist in this world at one time.”
Iel nodded. “According to humans’ summoning abilities, yes. But the Drek could summon more than a score of Quentranzi to this world. The simple fact that he was able to summon one of the most powerful of them all is testament enough.”
Iel looked over the group. “I cannot emphasize enough, the importance that you use caution when dealing with this evil. Quentranzi are the smartest of all known demons, and some are especially adept at peering into one’s mind and toying with whatever they find there. You will be tested to your limits.”
For a while everyone sat in silence, absorbing the Ilanyan’s words until he spoke again. “I understand that you have encountered a number of Kalistyi and one Ren.” The group nodded.
“Then you have an idea of what to expect.” The four warriors glanced uneasily at each other. A nervous smile crept across Kenyatta’s face. Kenjiro looked tense, and Kita merely closed his eyes and shook his head in resolution. Akemi sat virtually unmoved concentrating on the Ilanyan’s every word.
Iel regarded the ninja and her brother. “The two of you already have magically charged weapons, but you will need more.” He turned his attention to Kenyatta and Kita. “You will need to have your weapons charged for the first time. I am sending Mira to assist Miss Taliah in the task.”
Some time passed as Iel discussed his plans, and the group detailed their experiences leading up to their meeting in the woods outside Toyotomi. As the group stood to take their leave, a small and incredibly beautiful woman entered the room with a tray to collect the glasses. She wore a cloak that hung to her ankles, with a hood that hung at her back. Her curly shoulder-length hair was a dark sandy-brown color that seemed to glow.
Kenyatta discreetly eyed her as she passed. There was something peculiar about her. She had smooth yet angular features, a slightly pointed chin and a petite nose. Her eyebrows came to sharp points at the tips and at the top, giving her facial features a sleek appearance. Much like her hair, her golden brown skin shimmered in the soft light. She was like nothing he had ever seen before, tiny, almost fragile, but with a hint of some inner strength.
After the unusual girl—or small woman, for he could not tell—had collected the glasses, she turned to leave. Even her stride was unusual, as if she glided rather than walked. As she moved away, a few locks of her hair fell behind her ear and Kenyatta noticed that it came to a point at the tip. He dismissed the sight, thinking the strangeness of this tower and its inhabitants were getting to him.
A sharp poke in the ribs jarred him from his admiration, and he turned to see his sister staring at him with narrowed eyes. Behind her, Kita’s shoulders trembled with repressed laughter.
Kenyatta smiled timidly and jabbed a thumb in the departing woman’s direction, about to explain, then decided better of it.
“These sacks are filled with water from Takashaniel in this dimension,” Iel said, handing one to each of them. “Although they are physically smaller than those you carry now, they hold three times as much liquid. A few sips will renew your energy, but your body will feel as if you’ve had a full night of sleep. I do caution that this will not replace solid food, and anything in excess is unwise. Allow your bodies to recharge naturally, but use this drink to help speed your physical bodies’ return here.”
The Ilanyan moved to stand before the group, taking each under his gaze. “There is more that I would tell you, but we’ve not the time. I must send you back with well wishes and know that I will be watching your progress. When we meet again in the physical plane, it will be as allies against the darkness. From this day forward you will always be able to sense where the tower is and be able to see it with your eyes. I must tell you, however, that only you can see and enter the tower. Anyone else, whether they are with you or not, will be unable to see or enter it. You must not attempt to bring any other human here.”
The Ilanyan closed his eyes and pointed a finger at each of the warriors. All four leaned backward, startled. A rush of information surged into their minds in an instant.
“I have mentally implanted the path of your destination. You now know the way to reach Takashaniel in the physical world. The dark horde has already begun their march here, and you must meet them between here and the Drek’s fortress.”
After shaking off the shock, the companions followed Iel onto the platform and began their descent back to the first floor.
“I have looked inside each of you and I see many of the same qualities.” He looked at each of them in turn. “Strength, courage, passion, indomitable spirit and,” he smiled, “wisdom. Though in time, you will acquire more of the latter.”
The platform stopped on the first floor and Iel escorted them to the front of the tower. �
�There is nothing more that I can do to assist you but to wish you well. Remember that you are not alone in this fight, and you have all that you need to see you through what lies ahead.” He curled the small finger and the one next to it inward, toward the palm of his hand, and smiled. “Inyana,” he said. “Power of light be with you.”
As soon as they stepped out of the tower, everyone awoke with a start, realizing they were back at the campsite. Kenjiro lay still for a moment. He felt as if he had fallen, or rather, been slammed back into his body. He looked around and saw that everyone else seemed to have had the same jarring experience.
They looked around, surprised to be at the campsite after such a vivid experience. It was a few hours before daylight and the air was cool and still. Taliah and—to their surprise—Mira had already begun preparations for their work with the weapons. Mira looked over at the group with that innocent smile that made the men grin like simpletons.
“Would you bring your weapons here please? We are ready for them.”
One by one, the four warriors placed their weapons on the ground. The two women placed each weapon in a specific position and then sat facing each other on either side of the circle they had drawn.
Sensei Akutagawa was finishing breakfast when Akemi came to sit beside him. “I hope you’ll enjoy this.” He gave her a sly smile. “This is the last real meal you will have for a while.”
Akemi smiled back at her youthful old teacher. Aside from the salt and pepper hair gray hair, he looked much the same as when she was a child.
Akutagawa smiled at her in admiration. “Keep your vigor. It is a large part of your power. No matter the situation, you have always found a way to smile through it. You have a kind of cheerful stoicism, but do not let it lead to your demise.”
On the other side of the camp, Mira and Taliah sat with their legs crossed and eyes closed. The others watched, feeling the buildup of energy in the air. It continued to grow until it was almost overwhelming. Blue and silver light lined the bodies of the two women, and the air around them howled.
Kenyatta held his arm in front of his face. It was like a tiny windstorm. “How long are they going to keep that up?” he asked the ninja when she stopped beside him.
“Until they have gathered a high enough energy to transfer it to the weapons without depleting themselves,” she answered.
“You’ve done this before?”
“Not exactly. I’ve charged my sword before, but I have never used a power as strong as this. It is beyond my capabilities.”
Taliah and Mira ceased to glow, but now the weapons radiated energy.
“That feels like a lot of power,” Kita commented, a hint of hesitance in his voice.
“Don’t worry about it,” Akemi said with a wave of her hand.
“You will find that your weapons are different than before,” Mira said. She leaned on her side, spent. “Each is now attuned to the owner alone and has attributes that complement your abilities.” The four companions walked up and took stock of their respective weapons.
Kenyatta’s blades glowed when he held them. They seemed even sharper than before, but lighter and somehow stronger.
Mira indicated the swords. “You will find that the cut of your weapons can now do harm to a demon. They cannot destroy, but they will banish the fiend back to their world.”
Kenyatta nodded as he studied his swords. He could feel the odd power coursing through them.
Kenjiro found that his sword was also stronger and lighter. Taliah moved closer to him. “Yours and Kenyatta’s swords have the least detectable changes of all, but you will discover its new traits in time.”
The shaft of Kita’s staff was a bit slimmer, and now had a wavy form to it, as if it molded to his hand with an ergonomic perfection that seemed impossible.
Mira smiled at him. “Your weapon needed a bit more diversity. You will find that it is retractable and its form interchangeable.”
Kita regarded his weapon with the intrigue of a boy with a new toy. After studying it a moment, he gave it a twist at one end. To his surprise, the long shaft separated into a chain that fell limp to the ground. As with its staff form, the weapon ended with the same bladed tip.
“Not bad,” Kenyatta said, giving Kita a friendly backhanded slap across the chest. “A chain blade will definitely come in handy. I’m almost jealous.”
“You will also discover that it has one other form,” Mira said as she moved away to join Akemi and Taliah.
Akemi held Sekimaru in front of her. It emitted a power like nothing she had ever felt from the sword. “It’s a bit longer now,” she observed.
“And much more powerful,” Taliah added. “Your sword is the most unique, simply by the nature of its creation. It needed the least alteration, but you may find it more excitable than before. I felt a sort of …” Taliah searched for a word she already knew but was hesitant to speak. “… sentience,” she finally said. “Until you have mastered it, I caution you to refrain from allowing it to feed on any demon energy. It was already quite willful, as you know. If you are unprepared to handle it now, the energy surge could be overwhelming and make the sword’s power uncontrollable.” The ninja nodded and replaced the sword to its scabbard.
A call from Sensei Akutagawa brought everyone to the campfire. “You must eat before you depart, but I want to say one thing before we start.” He waited for everyone to gather together and then beckoned for them to sit.
“You will have to depend on each other from now on. You must trust one another and learn each other’s skills, strengths and shortcomings and complement each other accordingly. It is my hope that you will become friends during your travels, as I regard you all as my children. You make me proud and I wish you the best of luck on the greatest mission of your lives.”
For the remainder of the day they ate and talked, and for a time, all were able to put aside the grim circumstances that had united them. As the sun followed its arcing path across the sky, the six companions enjoyed good food and good company, trained with each other under the watchful eye of their esteemed teacher, and finally set up their bedrolls to enjoy what might be the last peaceful night of sleep for a long time.
* * *
Iel watched the six humans from one of the far walls in his room. They will be ready, he thought with a smile.
***
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The sun had yet to peer over the eastern mountains as the four companions saddled their horses. After saddling and securing their gear to the horses, Sensei Akutagawa spoke.
He eyed the six that stood before him with that same proud, fatherly smile. “Kenjiro, Akemi, Kita and Kenyatta. I have said this before but I feel it should be said again. You make me very proud. All of you have become true warriors and good people.”
“With a heavy heart, do I watch you depart into what lies ahead, but with a happy heart I know that you go at your best. In one night you each have mastered the new techniques I’ve taught you. Know that these techniques are unique to each of you. I have had the pleasure of watching you grow over the years and am honored to teach you techniques that would normally be physically impossible.”
He looked at Kenjiro and the two islanders on his right. “On this mission you must trust Akemi’s judgment. She is highly experienced in dealing with demons. I will stress again that you must learn to trust and complement each other’s abilities as though you are family.”
He turned to Taliah and Mira. “I have never had the pleasure of meeting you before now Mira, but I wish to say that you are an exceptional young lady and I can sense a power within you that you have not yet realized.”
He turned to Taliah. “And you, Taliah. I have known you through your brother, and like him, you have become like a daughter to me. Though your true potential eludes you for now, you will soon discover a power inside you that is like nothing the world has seen for generations. If you ever need help or guidance you need only to come and see me.” He laughed as Taliah and Mira tackl
ed him with a fierce hug.
The four warriors looked on, smiling. Taliah and Mira were experiencing the same relationship with Sensei Akutagawa that all of them had. It was like having a second father.
Kenyatta leaned over to Kenjiro and whispered, “You aren’t getting misty-eyed over here are you?” The samurai responded with an incredulous frown, but Kenyatta could see that there was a smile behind those stoic eyes. Akemi glanced at the two and smirked. The childish islander was exactly what her brother needed.
Taliah walked to Kenyatta and Kita and gave her brother a crushing hug, then turned to the waiting Kita. Kenyatta’s lip curled back as Kita and his sister shared a rather long embrace.
“Alright, alright, man! Let’s not get carried away now! Ya wan disentangle my sister from your tentacles, ya?”
Sighing, Taliah moved to Kenjiro and Akemi, giving them each a hug. “I consider you family, now. Watch over my foolish brother, as he will watch over you.” She retreated a few steps as Mira addressed the group.
“Just as he has said, Master Iel is watching you, even now. After this is done, he will watch over you and if ever you are in need, you will find help. I treasure the opportunity to have met each of you, and look forward to our next meeting.”
After saying their last minute goodbyes, the four companions mounted their horses, and in minutes had disappeared beyond the hills.
“They have quite a challenge ahead of them,” Sensei said, breaking the silence. “There is no way I could fully prepare them for what lies ahead, but I believe they are ready.”
“They will be fine, I think,” Mira said.
“Come,” Sensei Akutagawa said. “Let’s clean up and return to Kyokoza. There may yet be survivors we have missed.”
After cleaning their little camp, Taliah created a gate in the air as she had done when she met with the four departed warriors, and moments later, the three were gone.
***
Echoes of a Shattered Age Page 20