West Wastelands

The savage west of Echo, filled with deserts, plains, and savannas.

The Savage West
A harsh wind blows on the vast white sands of the West Lands of Echo, the harsh desert sun burning across the plains. In the far distance, Kalin can see a vast outcropping of rock, one that must stretch miles high, and from corner to corner of the horizon. He can sense a great many beings living there, all attuned with the powers of natural energy, the elements. Closer to him, but still a great distance away from him, a figure made of stone emerges from a large stone, its eyes glowing faintly yellow, watching Kalin.

Kalin: *stares at the creature* Hey there. You're name wouldn't be Rocky now, would it?

"I don't find that tone of yours particularly funny, outsider. What is your business in the lands of the Element Clans?"

" I'm not fond of your voice either, but do you see me complaining? As to why I'm here... I wish to learn from your people."

The eyes of the being narrow. "First you mock me for having a body of stone... since we're on that subject, I should mock you and call you Fleshy. Is it funny now? I would think not. Regardless, you do that and expect us to teach you our powers, after such crude disrespect? The earth is patient, the earth gives life, but it does not forget. It is also unforgiving. It is said that the young cub who taunts the rattlesnake is the first to be bitten, first to die. It serves a reminder and a lesson to the other pups that such reckless behavior can lead to their own demise."

Kalin sighed with impatience. "Enough with your damned euphemisms. I have little time to have you question me. Either let me through, or prepare for trouble."

"I am no gatekeeper. I came here out of curiosity. But you will not enter without our people's consent. Those who do not respect the earth shall be given no respect. Though if you wish to try, you may attempt to speak with the Guardian. All must be judged before entry. No exceptions, not even one such as yourself, an aetherborn/netherborn." The elemental crumbles and blows away into sand, leaving only the vast wall of stone off in the distance.

Kalin continues to walk towards the valley on the horizon, a determined expression on his face.

When he comes to the face of the cliff, there appears to be no entrance, just a massive wall of stone, save for what appears to be a massive statue engraved engraved in the cliff face.

A loud rumble occurs as the statue suddenly starts moving, and it bends over at looks at Kalin, its massive eyes dwarfing him.

"Who are you to come to this land, and what is thine purpose? We know all of those who are born of the Earth, and we have not seen thee before."

"Kalin, denizen of Twilight. My purpose is to learn about the elements of nature from your people...I feel like I've said this once before."

"What is your purpose in acquiring power? We only teach those who respect the lives of the innocent, and uphold the honor of a warrior. We have no place for savages."

"Wow...not even a minute, and you're judging me. Whatever. I want...I need to get stronger in order to protect those to whom I have promised my power. In particular, one of your own."

"One of our own? Whom do you speak of?"

"...Didn't think you'd call my bluff like that, to be honest. Does the name Caess ring any bells? You know, tall, cold, Elemental Terror? Anyone like that?"

The guardian rumbles. "Caess of the Elemental Terrors is an enemy and scum to the ears of all honorable elementals. Are you some sort of agent of the 8?" Its tone seems more aggressive.

Kalin: "Oh. Well...that sucks. But, as cool as that title sounds, I am not an "agent of the eight". I AM an agent of justice and, believe me, good or no, Caess deserves justice, as do all those affected by Phoenix, and their apparent extermination plan."

The guardian seems to stir aggressively. It appears to be readying a punch, when a voice rings out. "That's enough, Guardian." A man with a grey beard looks down on them from the top of the wall. He looks down on Kalin with an impartial expression. "You may let him through."

Kalin steps around the guardian quickly, a smirk on his face. "Saved by the bell. And I mean you, not me. Have a nice day, don't fall off a cliff...or do, either is fine with me." He walks up the stairs to meet the man standing there. "Nice to meet you."

"I am the Earthlord of the Earth clans. You are Kalin... it is clear to me that you seek training in the elements... even though you lack the spirituality to match."

"I'm plenty spiritual," Kalin said, before shifting into his light and dark forms before returning to normal. "See?"

"That isn't what I meant. You have plenty of power, but none of the spirituality to understand it. You have power, but in the hands of a fool, the only thing power brings is destruction. Destruction to the wielder and those he cares about. You carelessly flaunt the 'greatness' of your strength, yet you, a aetherborn/netherborn, you still lost to an enemy with a lesser heritage. Would you like to know why you lost the battle that cost Caess's freedom?"

He closes his eyes. "Those who do not fear their power lose themselves and bring only disaster and ruin. To themselves and everyone else. Those who fear their power use it wisely and understands how their power affects themselves and the world around them. The elements are not mere tools to be wielded recklessly. They are a dual force. Creation, Destruction. They go hand in hand to give life... and to take it away."

For a moment, Kalin's mouth hangs open, a snarky comment on the tip of his tongue. He then thinks better of it, and closes his mouth. "I understand that concept more than you realize. At this very moment, I am agonizing over the fact that I not only refused to know my own strength, but the strength of others..." Falling to his knees, Kalin sobbed. " I cannot let it happen again. So, whatever it takes, I beg you, please help me."

The man opens his eyes slowly. "That is the first key principle of Earth. Understanding ones flaws, accepting humility. A common misconception is that the earth is static. Unmoving. Unchanging. This is faulty logic. As we speak, the whole of the earth shifts and adjusts. Many countless cracks and faults run through its vast depths. At times there are mighty holes and caverns. Even in a seemingly solid rock, each has its individual grains and seams. Just like you. While you have strengths that all can see, deep down you have cracks and holes where the enemy can pry open and tear down your foundations. With the proper understanding, they can simply exploit one flaw and bring you to a decisive defeat. You experienced it first hand."

"I thought...I said I would protect her. Protect both of them. And I failed. I failed them..."

The Earthlord walks down stairs, towards a large city of stone. "Yes, but you can always try again. Perseverance is important. If you just crumble and allow your enemy to beat you down, you've already lost. You came here looking to correct your faults. That in and of itself is good. For you, we will try with a common example of easily shapeable Earth." He walks down all the way, and picks up a handful of sand. "Sand is one of the most basic forms you can learn to control, but like any form of Element, it has many distinct properties different from your standard Earth element."

"What do I need to do?" Kalin said, not completely recovered from his moment, but calm enough to learn what he needed to.

"You know of Sedimentary rock, yes? It is the most common, and of the three types, is not as well bonded. Sandstone is a common example. How does mere sediment become solid rock?"

"It...dries. When sediment is dried of water, it becomes rock."

"That is a simple way to put it, yes, but it does often form in riverbeds. However, without an additional element to the mix, dry sediment is just that. Dry sediment. Dirt doesn't just become rock by drying after being wet. It requires some force. Now, the thing with elemental Earth, is that it's not about the rocks as a whole. It's about controlling every particle and grain. In order to move solid rock, you must first move the individual grains as one movement. Hence we start with sand."

"Okay..." Reaching an arm out to allow his energy to flow through the ground, Kalin closed his eyes in concentration. Slowly, sand began to gather beneath his hand, building up for a moment before exploding. The dirt caused a small cloud to appear, making Kalin cough slightly. "Damn it!"

"Patience, Kalin. What's important is careful gradual control over every particle. You must be able to make the sand work as one unit, rather than separate forces against their will."

He raises his hand, and sand blows up from the ground, and drifts like a cloud around the Earthlord's arm. "Try to sense the individual grains, the more you can control individually the stronger the control on the bonds you can retain in more structured forms of earth. Focus on calming and stilling your mind, be impartial to your emotions and focus on the unity you desire to bring upon the grains of sand and your own mind."

"I'll try... Okay, start simple." Kalin said as he reached out again. After a moment, a single grain of sand rose up to his hand. Kalin focused harder, allowing more sand to encircle the grain, forming a tiny sphere of sand that proceeded to drop into his palm.

"Good. Try creating something larger, a cube for instance."

Raising his hand into the air, Kalin levitated the sphere into the air, and allowed the sand around him to raise towards the ball. The sand took the shape of a large block, faster than his previous attempt to manipulate the element. Satisfied, Kalin tried to disperse the sand once again. However, the sphere continued to grow at an alarmingly quickened rate.

The Earth Lord raises his hand, and the sphere explodes in a cloud of dust.

"Much better. But trying going much slower. Progress is progress, but smooth and steady will prevail in this training."

"I wish I had time for that. Unfortunately, there's a war I'm attempting to end elsewhere. This journey I am on is a short lived one..."

"I see. I wish you luck, though if you wish to continue, call for me and we can resume at a later time. Even a basic understanding such as this though can come in handy. If you must leave, go with the Earth's Blessings."

"Thank you..." Kalin said, opening a gate and stepping through it without another word.Now comes the hard part...

A Black Refuge
Valeric appears on the sheer slopes of a spike like mountain, on old cracked marble steps. Below him, the steps wind haphazardly far below to a vast plain ringed by mountains, the height so enormous that Valeric can see a great stretch of desert, savannas, and plains even beyond the ring of mountains. A warm humid breeze blows, and further into this massive valley Valeric can see a dense jungle. Looking further up the mountain he sees an immense black temple made of some kind of steel that seems to suck at the light. A single massive sliding stone door appears to be the only access point. He suddenly feels spearheads poke at his neck as strange shadowy forms of humanoids appear, some Elementals and some Spirits.

"Who is the intruder?"A raspy voice echoes in his mind from the lead being, and he can tell from its thoughts that it is insane.

Van Valeric: I am Van Valeric.

"What is your purpose here?"

Van Valeric: Taking are of some children. What about you?

It looks at the seven, then growls gruffly. "This isn't a daycare-" It seems Kukyo's soul, and then let's out a venomous hiss.

''"What have you done with the master?!" ''

Van Valeric: I've done nothing to her. It was one known as Hadari who devoured parts of her.

The being snarls, and it slams its spear into the ground, making a large echo. The temple doors swing open with a rumble, and it walks inside, and the other beings form a sort of honorguard around them, though they seem distrusting of Valeric.

Van Valeric: I suppose we wait out here. *walks inside*

The guards escort them inside, and one of the first things Valeric notices as he walks into the central chamber of the massive temple is what appears to be a Gateway.

Van Valeric: Is that how you get around?

"It is Azure Gate. The link created by the Master to the world of Earth... though shattered long ago on Earth by White... the original White. But our master made the gate ever so clever... if one remains standing... the gate can rebuild itself with but one command on the other side... we have waited for years for the return of the masters..."

Van Valeric: Hmmm...oh so clever indeed.

The being that lead them in looks over at Valeric."Touch nothing. I will lead you to the master's chambers. We will know if you wander."

Van Valeric: Don't worry about me. Stick to what you do best and I will stick to do what I wasmeantto do best.

The being walks up to a female statue and appears to caress its cheek with its head, and does for for a minute, before pausing and slowly looking back at them. "....errr.... it's the door switch. ....No really it is."

A whole minute happens, and nothing happens, and Valeric is about to speak when a secret door slides open."See! It opened!"

The being walks into the secret doorway. Saisei mutters, "I bet he's just a creep."

"I heard that!"

The being leads them into a brilliantly adorned room that looks too good for even royalty. Two female spirits with black blindfolds stand in the center of the room.

"If you require anything, they will assist you. Now if you don't mind... I must inform the clan of her lady's arrival..."He walks out, and the door closes behind him.

Van Valeric: That reminds me of a certain someone I used to know.

Kagayaki looks at Kukyo's soul, quietly looking at her."I always heard that she would come here to avoid us... when we would fight one another... this place was where she could.... try to find some manner of peace... but even this place wasn't a perfect sanctuary..."His eyes sadden.

He wearily hands her soul to Valeric, timidly so.

Van Valeric: Every mother wishes to find some peace when their children become a handful. But she no doubt still loved you. *puts forth his hands over Kukyo's soul and whirlwind of chill surround's her soul*

Kagayaki looks at him. "What are you doing?" The two attendants seem to be watching them, though not with their sight.

Van Valeric: Making her whole again.

He sits down on the carpeted floor, while Saisei walks off by himself and takes out a sheet of steel, and begins blowtorching designs into it. The others also do various things, Mikadzukikei sits and meditates, with perfect spheres of water being formed by her concentration and they slowly begin to orbit her.

Van Valeric: Process,Process, Process. I feel like things are no longer making sense. Too much. This world can only take so much at a time. It's not ready for all of this. If only...If only what?

Kaminari yawns, then looks at Saisei's metal object and slowly an impish grin crosses her face.

Van Valeric: It's coming along. A little while longer.....*shakes his head* No one told me the Flux was contagious.

Kaminari points a finger at the metal plate and an electric discharge shocks Saisei. "OW! I hate it when you do that!!!" Mikadzukikei opens an eye and glares at them.

Van Valeric: Calm down, children. If im going to restore your mother, I'm going to need focus. So please be silent until I am done.

Kitakaze and Hyōdo look at each other, and then Hyōdo creates a metal crate around Saisei, and Kitakaze creates a void where the crate is, and as the crate begins to violently rattle and bounce and jump like a demon is trapped inside trying to get out, the others quietly laugh, even Kagayaki smiles a bit as he watches Saisei violently and silently beat the living hell out of the crate in futility. They can't hear it, but they're pretty sure he's screaming something on the lines of ripping their guts out and dangling them from the Eiffel Tower.

"Problem solved." Kitakaze giggles.

Van Valeric: Children...I'm not sure who I'd prefer to watch over. Evoh or these little ones.

Kagayaki walks over to a bookshelf and pulls out a large black book, and silently begins reading.

Van Valeric: *rubs his head right quick* Several more minutes and it will be done...

One of the attendants disappear and bring a table along with food and drink, and then the two sit down next to the bed on the far wall.

Van Valeric: *head twitches* Several more minutes...It's coming along.

The children all eventually get bored and let Saisei out, just without the ability to speak still. He proceeds to chase them while they all happily outrun him with ease. Kitakaze evades him simply by jumping onto the really tall ceiling, Kagayaki dissolves into a rainbow, and Hyodo merges with the floor. After a while, Saisei gives up, but smolders bitterly. He proceeds to amuse himself by lighting the carpet near him on fire and quickly putting it out.

Van Valeric: I wonder how the boy is doing...Meh. It's hard to say.

Kagayaki finishes his book and then curiously watches Valeric.

Van Valeric: No worries. I'm almost done. Your mother will be good as new. And may even feel happiness for the first time.

"Thought you got rid of me huh...?"The voice of Void God appears in his head.

Van Valeric: Mind going away? I'm in the middle of something. I can deal with you another time.

"Not really. I am a universal concept. I mean, technically I'm everywhere. Under your foot, under the rug, whispering in your ear... oh wait, looks like I can actually move. Well, I know what I'll be wasting my time on... enjoying the sweet sensation of not standing still for thousands of years. I'll be back just as soon as I figure out where the cookies are in non existance. Hmm. I'm told by Anger that there's no such thing here... what a shame... oh! You asked me to leave. Ok. Now that I'm done distracting your mind, I'll go do that. Right now. Now."It finally leaves.

Van Valeric: One annoying concept. Few more minutes...

The seven get so bored they have a contest to see who can avoid sleeping, and it finally comes down to Saisen and Kaminari, who both stare each other down, until they both keel over and fall asleep snoring.

I bright lights shines

Van Valeric: It is done...

Kagayaki and the others eventually stir, and Kagayaki approaches Valeric, his face weary.

The light floats into the air and begins to take form

Van Valeric: *puts his hand on Kagayaki's shoulder* Don't worry, boy. Your mother will be fine now.

She takes form, and Kagayaki catches her as she falls. She doesn't appear to be awake, so he takes her to the bed and places her down so she'll be comfortable. Valeric notices her hair is still long, but now a light grey and only down to her waist. Her clothing is a white dress based off memory of the ancient style she was familiar with.

After a moment he notices towards her scalp the hair is actually black, but the outer edges of her hair are grey to light grey. Kagayaki puts a hand on her head, and bows his head slightly.

Suddenly a large black wing smacks Kagayaki in the jaw and he is knocked over and onto the floor as feathers fly into the air, and a second one appears on Kukyo's other side, and Valeric notes how they seem to teem with energy, before dulling into solid black. Eventually he notices her hair begin to grow solid black, like it was when he had met her originally.

Her face twitches, and her eyes slowly open, almost bronze in color, though dull as though she wasn't fully alert.

Van Valeric: Welcome back, Kukyo.

She blinks, confusion spreading across her face. She then turns towards him, at first a slightly angry expression burns at him, but it changes into shock and confusion as she looks at herself, and he hears her speak another language, Babylonian. "What... is this? What's happened to me?!"

Kagayaki doesn't seem to understand her, and a few of the others don't either, but some of them seem to have an indication of understanding, Kitakaze understanding perfectly.

Van Valeric: *Babylonian* You freed you of the cures that has plagued you for millenniums. *snaps his fingers* Speak now.

"...Why... Valeric... why? ...Why would you help me...?" She curls up so that her head rests on her knees.

Van Valeric: There are many things I would wish to change in my life. I guess helping you would be the start of it. Besides, your son asked politely.

"...You would have been better off just killing me in cold blood, just like the rest of humanity." She closes her eyes. "But we already had that conversation..."

Her eyes open, and the look is quite firm. "Still. I wasn't conscious the whole time but... you said in a way you considered me yourdaughter. And my children yourgrandchildren. When you go to slay my race, what's to stop Jibaku from killing me and the rest of my family? From destroying Echo, the world I gave life to, my sanctuary? Or are you going to tell him to off everyone except us?"

She bites her lip, a trickle of blood runs down her chin.

Kagayaki reaches over to her desperately. "Mother... calm down, everything is fine now... you don't have to worry anymo-" She swats his hand away and buries her head in her hands.

After a moment, "...I'm sorry...Kagayaki... you didn't deserve that..." She sobs.

Van Valeric: I am very complex man. There are things in this world you might not understand. But I do understand this: I cared and look what's come of it.

Kukyo lets out a long breath of air, and slowly gets out of the bed, her balance unsteady. She then struggles to master her wings, and tucks them against her back after a minute, then approaches Valeric. She lifts her head to look up into his face, her bronze eyes for a moment unreadable, she just stares up at him. They soften to a degree, though reluctantly.

"...Thank you... Van. ...In spite of how I feel about you... I appreciate what you've done for me. For them." She indicates the children with her head, then looks back at him.

"But understand something. A long time ago, I attempted to view what would bring my demise, if anything could. Would you like to know what I saw? I saw that my own power would lead to my destruction. I spent most of my days restricting myself and not allowing myself to regress to hate. Despite how much I wanted someone to blame, I never turned away from hope. But over time I came to understand something else Valeric. It wasn't just me. My mind's eye learned much. I saw gods fall, blinded by their power.

Look how hard I tried, Valeric. Look what I became. Look at what could have been my fate. If you hadn't freed me... I would have been destroyed... lost forever. I'm going to give you something to consider. If you're truly wise you'll heed my words. Those who fear their power will come to understand themselves and will prosper. Those who do not fear their power will come to be destroyed by their power, as well as those they care about.

You won't listen to me, fine. I understand. Better than anyone. I was almost the same way once. But do you remember what I said, that you will be defeated tomorrow?"

Van Valeric: Whether I am defeated tomorrow or not, I will not die. So let defeat come. It's not like I haven't been defeated before.

She sighs. "Whatever. Do whatever. It's clear you don't respect how I feel, I won't bother trying anymore since that's how you feel. Do you have any other business here, or are you going to go join your 'Destroy the World Club' friend?" She walks over to her bed and sits down, and sighs heavily, holding her forehead.

Van Valeric: Who said I didn't respect you? Certainly not me. Before I leave, I will give you something else. any One Answer. I will answer at least one question you always wanted to ask. Whether it be about someone or something. I will answer the one question you always wanted to know.

"...I don't even know how to respond to such a thing. ...but... for so long happiness was taken away from me... I was always denied happiness. So...I guess... how...will I find... happiness- no... how will I find the companionship I seek... the thing that can make me feel whole... I've searched for so long... but I'm still no closer to it... so... yes... how will I find it? ...Love?"

She pauses. "I already found it once in someone... but he... already belonged to another's heart. I would not dare tread upon it. ...I want to find it... for real this time."

She looks at Kagayaki. "I love you and your siblings. Never forget that. ...But while I love you... ...it is not the same love I'm searching for. ...But I won't abandon you. Always know that."

Van Valeric: Happiness will come to you, but you need to stop looking for it and live your life. Happiness can only be obtained for how you live, same with love. You looked for it too hard and that's why it was denied to you. Your life was wasting away the longer you looked. Stop spending you life looking and just live and it will come. Believe me, Kukyo. It will come to you one day.

She closes her eyes. "You're probably right. I just don't know where to start now. The people on Earth undoubtedly hate me... as does the people of Echo... funny that is... that my own world would turn against me."

Van Valeric: *nods his head* I know where you can start. Give hope back to one who has lost it all.

Kukyo looks at him. "One who has lost it all?" She yawns, and her wings accidentally smack Suisen in the face.

"...I need to figure out how to control these things..."

Surreal Reunion
Van Valeric: *lends her a dark orb with a smudged image on it* Tap it and say something.

She looks at him quizzically and taps it. "...Umm...weird?"

The sudged image glows and reveals to be a blue tulip flower

"Wha-what?...Where am I? Its dark again...I-i can here them I can heeere them...The darkness...there-there coming to pick at me again..Not again...I don't ...why?...why?...I don't understand...I could never understand...Why...why it happened...why it ALL happened...I-i can't think right...I could never think right...that's why...the world....it hated me..."

She looks down at the orb confused. "Is this... someone's thoughts?"

Van Valeric: no. this is someone's soul. This is indeed infact the last soul you devoured.

She looks back up at Valeric. "Devoured...? The last time I devoured someone was my first, and that was by accident, a few hundred years ago."

Van valeric: Oh yes. It was that Void God or whatever it was. But I held on to the soul of the water beast that fought it. You might find it rather similar. Ask it 3 questions.

She looks back at the orb and at him, then takes a seat in a chair with it. "...Are you in pain? ...You seem distressed..." She says softly.

"Pain?...I felt it my entire life...I was a mistake...a mistake made by the one who made me hated...and a mistake to my family...I was a mistake to the whole world...My heart can only take so much...when I...knew the truth......I lashed out at the world that tried to get rid of me..."

Her eyes close. "Why do you think you're a mistake?"

" I don't think...No one could help...all I've done.....I don't know anymore...it's like a vague image in my head...but i can't put it into words...Why does this always have to happen to me!"

"Can you tell me what happened to you?" The look in her eyes are saddened slightly.

"Everything...I enslaved my kind...I tried to protect my new home...but I was weak...I was always weak!...I was taken back to enslave them again, but this time they took my memories away so that I could function right...And the world slowly picked at me...away...and finally...I learned the truth of my downfall...I struck out against the world and the world struck back harder...I struck at the one person who made me hated by the world...but when i faced him....darkness...darkness consumed me and the darkness of the world started to rip me apart...and i never saw the light again...I sceamed but I knew no one cared...I was just like most...forgotten..."

She looks at Valeric. "Who is this?"

Van Valeric: I'll give you a hint. His name is a number. This number means 'grace'. Which this one has fallen from.

She looks at him puzzled. "...I know that the number five means grace... but is five his actual name...?"

Van Valeric:...you know what...j-just ask him. No one can even answer my riddles anyway.

She laughs, before looking back down at the orb. "...Hey... can you tell me what your name is? Do you remember?"

"My name......yea...I remember....I remember good and well...Jon...Jonathan Waltz...you can refer to me as 5x5....most everyone did...and I'm the man who was hated by the world..."

Kukyo's face goes incredibly pale with alarm, and her pupils shrink practically to dots. She almost drops it she is so startled.

"J- J-on..?!" She yelps aloud, before slowly her mind processes everything, andveeeeeryslowly her head turns towards Van Valeric.

"Explaination. Now." Before he can speak, she suddenly throws two daggers at him, when they both catch his sleeves, they suddenly and violently slam him against the wall and begin sparking with an energy field that immobilizes him. She draws a third which practically radiates an over all energy as though it was made for the sole purpose of killing.

"I want to know why you would happen to have this soul in your possession,Van Valeric!" She growls.

Van Valeric: Time travel. You see, I knew what was going to happen. Your encounter and the truth. I just simply needed him for just that. He's a fool to help others. He was already lost when I took him. The world has taken their toll upon him and they threw him into everlasting darkness to be ripped apart little-by-little.

She silently glares at him for a moment. "Time travel... ...you used time travel... and just... took him? So you used him against me, knowing that I know him...?" She silently gives a look to Kitakaze, who silently nods after a minute. She looks back at Valeric, then at the sphere, where her gaze holds for a moment.

"...Why have you done all of this..."

Van Valeric: He was all but lost. torn apart by the world who sought to erase him. He wanted to feel needed. to feel purpose. And I gave it to him, only for a short time however. Besides, he was the only one I knew who wold be willing to help me. And like I said, i knew you would confront me the way you did and when you chose size over matter, I simply had retort. The water beast you saw is what the world called as the Domino Effect. I simply thought he would be useful. He was...for a time. I was simply using one last broken thing before it could be qualified as useless.

She grips the knife harder. She then throws it, and it lets out a scream like a tortured soul, before cutting the energy that binds Valeric down. She then sinks into the chair, silently crying while looking at the sphere.

Van Valeric: His life mean't nothing. So, I decided to let you give him another chance...If you can. He has been broken by the world and only trust himself, but even he knows he can never accomplish anything by himself. Also, I recommend you don't tell him your name.

She lifts her head to look at him. "And why's that?"

Van Valeric: He feels that that the world has abandoned him, even God himself. He also felt that you abandoned him. After you last saw him, he never saw you again. He felt that yuo found happiness and wanted to leave everything behind. Everything including him.

"...Then I won't tell him. ...Not yet. But I will give him my name. ...Just not the one he knows." She looks down at the sphere.

"...Hey...it wasn't polite of me, but I only asked of you. If you'd like, you can ask me something if you want." She says quietly.

"...I dont know what to ask...so many questions I have you can never answer....They're foolish questions anyway..."

"While I don't know everything, I do know many things. You could say that we will have plenty of time to know each other, so don't worry about it. But still, if you want, you can ask about me, if that would be easier for you."

"....Ther is no one in this world I can trust....and even if I do get close to you...I'll end up losing you or taking advantage of my weakness.....It's all happened before..."

"I think I will be fine, Jonathon. Not many people live to tell the tale of surviving being devoured by a spirit. Twice. In the same day. And you're not the only one who has been hated by the world. Or two." She laughs lightly. "I find that it's best to ignore what the world thinks of you."

" It's so hard....when I see it so plainly...And I can feel their hate drill into my very soul...It burns..."

She sighs. She looks at Valeric. "Do you know what he's capable of? Is he still able to go into that beast form? ...Or did... the Void God strip him of even more power?"

Van Valeric: He is linked to the waters of the world. The Domino Effect gives him cotrol of all water realted substances, making him a world-ending foe. So it's best not to upset him. You should be great full that some part of him is still sympathetic to others, Which still causes his downfall.

Kukyo sighs. "What a lovely time to be mortal." Kagayaki looks at her confused.

"Don't you have any of your powers, mother?"

She rubs her forehead. "No son. I'm as meek as any normal human would be."

He frowns. "But what about those wings?"

Kukyo looks at Kagayaki. "If I knew what they were for I would tell you by now." She lets out an aggravated sigh. She quickly looks down at the orb. "Sorry that this isn't exactly a fluid conversation. I'm sort of entertaining company at the moment and my... rather rowdy children."

She stands up and looks at Valeric. "I suppose the man with big ideas might have a clue as to why a human would have wings?"

Van Valeric: Maybe it is the remanaint of you spiritual nature. I can put you inside the orb, to meet him.

"I'll ask him. I'm not one to toss myself into a potentially deadly pit of vipers."

She turns her attention to the orb. "I was actually wanting to know if we might... talk a bit more in person. You don't have to say yes if you don't want me around."

" If you must...It would be nice to atleast speak to one last person before nothingness takes me..."

Van Valeric: Take your hands and clasp the orb and think of Jonothan and it will take you to him.

She does as he says and feels the transition, and opens her eyes.

''There before her eyes lies and abyss of blight and blured images of ho Jon had viewed all the events that lead up to now. 5x5 is sitting with his knees tucked in.''

5x5: Are you here?...

Kukyo looks at him quietly for a moment. "Yes, I am. I'm right here." She adjusts a few strands of her black hair so that it isn't in her vision. "So many sad memories..."

'5x5 looks over his shoulder enoguh for Kukyo to look at his face. Half of the skin on his face has been torn off and he has open eye sockets which hold no eyes. He's wearing ripped and torn leather attire ad has inch-deep scatch arks all over his body. He is a bit tanted with blood and has bandges wrapped around both arms.'

'"...They'll only get sadder...don't worry...hopefully the Flux will take care of that..."'

She frowns, masking the urge to choke. "Flux?" She asks calmly. "I heard that term before. What is it?"

"...I begin to feel no emotions for my actions...and with this I question them....all I feel is a mild pain in my head...the more I ask...the mroe I forget...and soon...my memories fade...all of the....and then...after all my memeories are gone....I fade too....just like my memories..."

It isn't noticed by Kukyo, but her eye color brightens a bit after hearing that. Her eyes partly close. She scans the many memories and sees a particular face.

She says in a very low voice, "I should have guessed it was him."

"...find something useful in the salvage..?"

She opens her eyes. "He ring a bell?" She shows him an image of a clearer memory of the Admin she has.

"I can't see...the dakrness...it blinded me for so long...I'm guess I have been blind way before.."

"I see. Listen Jonathon, I know you probably don't trust me. I understand that. But I want to help you. If there is something you want to accomplish, I will help you. If there is something you want I will help you acquire it. You might ask why I would help you. The only thing I'm privy to say really is that I know more than you know. About you and the world. I walked through darkness once Jonathon. Like how you were, for a long time I was like this. Desolate, alone, hated, forgotten. But I have not grown weak. In the end, the darkness made me stronger, though the road was long and painful."

She closes her eyes. "I am Kuria Raito, the Clear Light."

" Pleased...I'm Jonothan Wlatz...most people call me 5x5..."

"Listen... I have some things I have to address, but I'll be close by, I promise. Hold out for me, will you? I'll try to help you however I can." Her bronze eyes barely disguise the turmoil raging within her.

" No need to worry...It's not like I've got anywhere to go..."

Kukyo... ...''no... Kuria... if I must convince him of who I am, I must first believe myself. I am Kuria. I am no longer emptiness... I will make a new name for myself. A new future. Clear Light... that is what I will become... so that others lost in darkness have something to hold on to... the clear light that never dims...''

Kuria reluctantly departs, wishing she could stay for an eternity so that she could help him heal.

Van valeric: Good. You didn't upset the boy. It is a shame that he has fallen short of the glory of God, more than all of mankind itself. I leave him in your care. Someone needs to and it certainly won't be anyone of this world.

She looks at him for a moment. "So you know... it's Kuria now. Kuria Raito. Also... I don't really have pockets or anything to go around holding a sphere like this... have a way to I don't know... give him an actual body?"

Van Valeric: Yes, I do. I can make an exact replica of the body he once had before. But I must need a memory of what he looks like.

She looks at Kagayaki, who silently nods. His eyes glow white and a image of 5x5 fizzles into being from the light.

Van Valeric: *takes the light* I see. I'll be back shortly. Wait until then. *walks into the darkness and disappears*

Kuria sighs, and sits down. She thinks quietly for a moment, then walks over to a drawer and takes out a flute. Sitting on the bed, she slowly begins to play, eventually going faster and more fluid, and the seven patiently listen to the music.

"...The flute...I remember the sound...I was givin one when I was in The 3rd Beyond...it was...a majestic instrument..."

Kuria looks over at the sphere. "Yes, I love them. I once sought out the finest flute maker in all of Echo so she could make me this one. Such a sweet girl. Sad, but sweet. When my guest gets back with the surprise I had him prepare for you, you can play it if you'd like. If you don't remember how, I can always teach you."

"...............They took it...The Captors...they took it away from me....I never played anything ele ever again after that....unless you count a gun as an instrument..."

"There are many great plagues in the worlds. Hate. Sadness. Pain. War. None of them should have to exist. Yet they do, and the strongest thrive while the weak struggle and die... ...not that you're weak. I think the opposite, actually." She plays more notes on the flute.

"....Then you couldn't be anymore wrong....cause I wouldn't be a spirit consumed by the darkness if I we're strong..my body belongs to another who is truly strong..."

She stops playing, a harsh note ending the melody. "You've confused strength with power. Failure with weakness. It's true. He had more power than you. But strength? If you weren't strong... then we wouldn't be talking right now, would we?"

"...power?...I never had that...never since I was taken from The 3rd beyond....and even after I was taken....I never used them...The only time I used them was when I...knew the truth..."

"They do say desperation and anguish can lead to poor decisions. Not that I don't blame you. I once did the same. Though as I am human you might be keen to discredit me."

"I don't know if that's why I my life has been such a pain....It probably is..."

"Not everything has to do with you. Sometimes things just happen. You have to learn to either learn how to surf or get knocked off the surfing board."

" I don't surf...but I undertsand...but you still do not understand..."

Kuria sighs. "Jonathon. I can't help you if you're going to be cryptic. When a spirit speaks, they should always be direct and open. Less communication issues. If there's something you think I don't understand, why don't you tell me instead?"

"I had no say in my existence...no choice..I was supposed to end up this way...torn up and alone in the dark...ready to fade away..."

Kuria closes her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"No...you not sorry....I am..."

''Van Valeric comes back with an exact replica of 5x5's body, only that it looks different than the 5x5 Kuria remembers. He has the same face but his hair is a navy blue and has a crack-looking scar in between his eyes. The rest of his body has scar marks all over it, as if they were scratch marks. Both of his arms have stitches.''

Van Valeric: i did my best to make this body. I preferred he would want the body of himself before the loss. *hands Kuria the body*

She places it on the bed, and then the seven gather around it, while Kuria puts the black sphere on its chest. The seven begin to concentrate, while orbs of their elements form beside the sphere.

''....I'm weak... There isn't a way for a single one of us to do this alone.... together.... yes.... but.. ...the phases are broken... ...if only... if only I had the power to help him... ...why...... in the end I'm worthless...''

Her eyes cloud with tears and she closes her eyes.

''I just... ...couldn't find anything worth to protect... ...and now that I do.... I can't... ...do anything...''

Van Valeric: That's why you have this chance. To do something about it. No one else would because they dont care, but you do. If you wish to find happiness and spread it abroad, you start here.

"You don' deserve to be sad...I know you must be a good person...it's just that I can't my chances...I've all but run out...I'm not worth crying over..."

Valeric feels a twinge of unease across the back of his neck, and suddenly Kuria collapses, and he senses the presence of the will of Void God.

Van Valeric: *sigh* Yes, Mr. Void God. How can I help you? It's not like I was helping a girl with wings or nothing, just standing around a bunch of unconscious bodies.

''My business is not with you. I'll be brief. I am going to kill her. For good this time. She's more trouble than she's worth.''

Van Valeric: Sadly, That can't happen. You can go away now.

''Actually, you making her human again was probably the dumbest move you could have made. And now I'll simply destroy her. Honestly Valeric... if you knew just what kind of things she will be capable of doing... you'd be thankful.''

Van Valeric: Sorry sir. Couldn't quite here you over the sound of you speaking gibberish. You mind speaking more clearly next time?

Whatever...

Kuria runs, but she isn't moving. The infinite blackthingis gaining.

''It's not too late... become one with us again...''

No! No no no! Go away!

''You cannot escape us. Join or be consumed.''

''Please no... not again! Someone... please... ...help...''

"She said no!"

The water monster appears screaching and tackles the black thing and as it does so it shines

The thing shakes him off, roaring. Red eyes gleam in the center of the mass.

You never learn... time for your final lesson.It says in a voice combining its original voice and the Admin's. It creates a scythe of pure heat and brings it down at the water beast's head.

Kuria pants heavily, as the shadow monster pulls her into her own memories, and she is running again. Running away from death. Destruction. The conquering army descends upon her with horses.''So many horses. Chariots. Not the chariots.''

The men grab her legs, and long black chains slowly begin to pull her towards a black void. She wildly thrashes like an animal, her form reduced to a mere child, struggling to grab onto anything, anything to keep herself from growing closer...

Water washes them into that black void and Kuria falls into a water puddle

Kuria lies there, shuddering in fear, eyes filled with fear.

The Second Chance
5x5: Get up. You're not far to reality. I nkow what it's like for you to fall into your own mind and never find a way out. How it always haunts you, but you must strive forward if you want all this to end. Valeric is waiting for you. You cannot die while you still have the rest of your life to live. Your looking for something you couldn't find, are you just gonna let that be taken away from you? Before you even have a chance to find it?

Her fear seems to subside, but her breaths are still ragged. Her eyes have a faraway look.

A memory crawls into her mind, slowly but vividly. One she had lost a long time ago...

''Lonely... cold... afraid... pain... Can't go back... but can't go forward... ...I'm... so... ...lost... ...am I... doomed to... wander forever?''

An angelic voice speaks to her.

''No. you are not doomed. It only seems that way because you can't see the light, but let God be your light and may He guide you.''

A light shines before Kuria

''Follow the light, for God has called upon you to do his bidding. If you do this, you will be rewarded with God's favor.''

Kuria closes her eyes, floating on the water's surface.

''I followed... ...but... I... ...couldn't find anything... worth protecting. I only thought of the family I had... I tried to preserve it... even though they brought calamity upon the world... I failed the calling... I only brought destruction on the world... which he called me to protect...''

''...It was all my fault. I led them back to the world... I attacked his children... all to protect my family... even though it was wrong... and when I was sealed away... I tried to beg forgiveness... but all that time... I was facing my punishment...''

''With all I've done... all that I've ruined... destroyed... ...how can I face him... ...and try to go back to what is already lost?''

''In the end... I followed the light... but selfishly dove into darkness... ...is it even possible for me to see the light again?''

''Yes there is. God has givn you another chance. He's never given up on you, Kuria. And even though you felt like you failed, God will neverstop loving his children. No mtter how much bad they bring unto the world.''

She opens her eyes with a start, and slowly manages to somehow sit up, her breath slowed with wonder.

She slowly makes an effort to stand, her eyes widened.''After...all of these years? All that I've done...? But... why...?''

Her eyes begin to tear up, her head bowed, shamed.

''Because we serve an awesome God. And he's awesome for reason, not just for his power, but for his everlasting love too.''

Above her, a black version of Kuria appears with a long blade, speeding towards her ready to impale her, but Kuria makes no effort to defend herself, infact she allows herself to be impaled.

Kuria and Kukyo stand on the puddle, face to face.

''You need me. I am your past. I am everything you are! Accept me, stop trying to run!''

''...You are my past. And without darkness, the balance is broken. ...But you will not define me. I'm not going to run. ...but I do accept you... as my past...''

??!

''I'm not going to run from you... because you'll be running along side me... Yin and Yang... we are but two halves of a whole.''

....

The sword slowly crumbles, as does the image of Kukyo. As she fades, Kuria embraces her, and Kukyo finally finds peace, and the dark void around them crumbles into light.

As she feels the warmth of the light for the first time, she hears the fastly dulling roar of Void God's rage fade, as she finally escapes his bonds, and the pain of the past seems farther away, replaced by a strange warm feeling.

I am... happy...Kuria feels her strength return to her, and awakens with a gasp.

She looks at Valeric. "I'm sorry... I... I just had to take care of unfinished business."

Van Valeric: Oh now worries. I understand.

"Valeric...did she make it...is she alright..."

Van Valeric: Yes, she is indeed.

Kuria stares at the black sphere, a strange look on her face. She stretches her hand out toward it, and suddenly her wings flare with an aura of dark and light energy. An orb of darkness, but also of light, forms next to the sphere, and it combines with the other orbs of energy and infuse both the sphere and the body, uniting the two with their energy. When they finish, Kuria collapses onto her knees, her black hair becoming dark grey from the use of energy, and she pants heavily.

Van Valeric: Get up so i can begin. I must warn you of a few things though before I give him his body. He will most likely proned to anger and more hostile. His capture has hardened him to the point where he is nearly like his fther, keep him out of any troublesome situation as much as you can. Another is that you should never mention the one named Shiroi to him. At all. And finally, keep and I out for him when he sleeps. Since I brought this one from the future he has a link to his younger slefs mind when in trance. He might try to send a message to his younger self to ause all the events that caused his downfall prematurely. do you understand?

She stands up after a minute, a bit shaky though. "...Yes. I understand. I will be taking measures to ensure he doesn't go out of control."

Van Valeric: Ok. Let me begin. *takes the dark orb and inhales it as an exxence. He tehn goes over to 5x5's 'body' and breathes the essence into it*

' The body begins to move a little' 

Kuria takes a seat in her chair, rubbing her forehead, deep in thought.

5x5: *opens his eyes and sees valeric*

Van Valeric: Welcome to you new chance at life, boy.

5x5: *looks at his semi-damaged body* Not halfbad of a surprise.

Kuria looks up. "Hello again. Only this time I hope you can actually see me." Her hair gradually returns to its full black color.

5x5: *loks at her for a moment* Not trying to pull one of those retarded one liners, but are you an angel?

"I'm afraid not. Wings are for show I'm afraid. I'm human you see. Though there was a time where I was a spirit. My friend here says that the wings are probably a remnant of that past self." She smiles weakly, the spell had drained her quite a bit.

5x5: I know how that's like. I've been as weak as any human being since the braces, up until my fury became so strong I used the entrie extent of powers against the effect of the braces. Besides, you can se your wngs to fly to a better place, if there still is one.

"Anyway, Valeric, thank you. I believe we can take it from here. You've done more than I would have expected... so thank you again." She nods her head in a small bow of respect.

Van Valeric: It's the sign of my apologizes. *pulls her closer* Also,since the boy is still slowly fading he will most likly push his limits to an extent. Basically, risking his own life. So try to keep yourself and him out of trouble.

"I understand. If we do run into trouble, I have my children, I know they don't look it, but they are powerful enough on their own to defend me. If their power wasn't sealed, well, history proved that already."

Van Valeric: Ok. Then I leave him to you then. Remember what I told you. And may God be with you.

"Also with you..."

Van Valeric: I'll just wait and see. *disappears into the darkness*

She turns toward 5x5. "Well then, how are you feeling at the moment, Jon?"

5x5: *looks around* Strange...out of place...mind still can't process...or think in that matter...my eyes feel warm, if that makes sense...so many things I feel at once but most of them wont even count as feelings...

"I see. Do you need time to think for a moment?"

5x5: NO! I can't! I-I can't be allowed to do that If I try to sort out what I'm thinking, I'll only fall victim to the Flux and fade faster. I can't do that...

She puts her hands up. "Ok ok. I understand. Now regarding that, I have a way to in theory help heal you. Physically... spiritually... mentally... but you'll have to hear me out on this, ok?"

5x5:....*shakes his head* Ok...

"There are various lakes charged with powerful energy in Echo, Jon. They bring balance and stability to the mind, heart, and soul of normal beings, but for spirits or spirits that have fallen, it can be a way to regain their powers. None of this unfortunately comes free. A side effect of these lakes is a trial produced by both the spiritual energy of the lakes and the person's own mind. With each of these lakes will come a specific trial we will have to overcome if we are to benefit from its effects.

If we want lasting effects from doing this, we will need to visit all of them. I believe there are five in both the North and South Poles, with three in the central lands. ...Understand that the trials will force you to confront things you'd rather stay buried, but their purpose is to make you stronger for confronting those things. If you can overcome the trials of the Lakes of Resolution, you can eventually in theory heal. If it will put a true end to the Flux, I know not. But I do know that if it doesn't, it will make you far stronger and restore much of what you've lost."

She closes her eyes. "You will not be alone in this. I too am intending to journey to these lakes. I have a calling that Imustanswer. I too failed once Jon. Just as this second life can be your redemption, so too shall these trials be mine."

5x5: The last thing I wanted was to go back there...but...If this is my chance to correct my mistakes...I will do this.

"I am glad you are willing to try. I don't blame you for your reluctance. Facing one's past is always difficult to endure. But to reassure you, we don't even need to visit any cities of the Spirits to find them."

5x5: And your quite kind to actually want to help me...like you care....but I don't want to jinx myself....

"Of course I care. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have helped you at all. " She pauses, as 5x5 looks at the Seven. "Oh, I didn't introduce them. These are the Seven Warlords of the Elements, more commonly referred to as the Chaos of Creation." 5x5 quickly notices she said seven, noteight, remembering well enough the fact there was eight including...

5x5: I thought there were eight warlords? But...that means one of them is or maybe was.....Kukyo.....*has a hint of sadness on his face*

"What's the matter? You mentioned Kukyo? Did you know her?"

5x5: *nodded his head*...Yes....I did....

"...I see. ...I'm afraid that not but a few days after she left Echo... ...she was lost in battle against a dark being which was called the Void God. Where it truly came from is a mystery, but it was suspected it might have come from the darkness within her, and consumed her. ...If she does exist... ...no one to my knowledge has found her. I was entrusted with the guardianship of her children, the Seven, and that is why I am here today.

...I am very sorry."

5x5:.......*before he even knos he blacks out, noly t wake up after a few minutes and fined everything ccompletely busted up. Cracks and craters everywhere as if an earthquake happnened. 5x5 begins sobbing*

"...I'm sorry. ...........I should have told you more gently. ...Did she mean something to you, Jonothan?"

5x5: She was the only thing.......She was the only one I could ever think about that would keep me living...know that one day she would come by and see me again....even though part of highly doubted that....I still believed....and every night I would pray to god in hopes that he would listen to me and allow me to see Kukyo one day......The weird thing is I only knew here for only a minute or 2 in total of only seeing her three times.....She was....the only one who gave me hope.....And if she could find hope and find happiness out there....I could too....But now......*looks up* WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME, GOD? You took everything away from me....*pounds the ground with his fists hard enough for a crater to form under him. He looks at his hands and sees that they are bleeding* Why her too?....Now I truly am all alone....

Kuria cautiously approaches him, and puts a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Jonathon. ...I shouldn't have told you this... ...forgive me."

5x5: *begins to fade*...Why?....Why?....

Kuria desperately embraces him, her head burying into the back of his neck, and he can feel her soft hair. Her large wings fold around him as well, shimmering with incandescent light.

"God will not abandon you... because he did not abandon me. When I was being assaulted by that dark force... you protected me... so let me protect you..."

".......and when I was trapped in the abyss, surrounded by despair... he saved me... so let me save you... we will not abandon you. So don't abandon yourself.... please..."

She sinks down slightly, tears rolling down her face. "Please... let me make it up to you... for all of those lost times... all of those memories... I'm begging you... don't let this be how it ends... not again..."

Her tears drip onto his neck.

''Please... if I am to be... your chosen... then please... let me do my duty...''

''Please... let me save him... ...he is... a part... of my world... this world... ...let me save... this lost child of this world...''

''...I don't want to fail him... not... please... not... again...''

5x5: *stops fading and embraces her back* She didn't deserve that...she deserved something far better than that...even after all my memories were fading....she was the only one I remembered...she had to be very important to me if I had forgotten everything else and still remember her...

He notices that she holds him like that for a long time, and a few times he thinks he can hear her say 'thank you',to someone. She still cries, though much softer.

5x5: I just...I just wanted her to be happy...

"Jon... if something ever did make her happy, it would have been you. I have no doubt in my mind she was happy... in the end... just knowing you probably would have meant the world to her."

5x5: *embraces her tighter*...Thank you...

While they hold each other, Saisei coughs. "Awwwwwwkkkkkkwarrrrdddd......"

Mikadzukikei smacks him angrily. "Shut up idiot!!"

5x5: *reveals a small smile smile at the children's bickering*

Mikadzukikei walks over to him, and studies his eyes. She puts a hand on his shoulder, and she can sense his inner power, and he can sense the great magnitude of hers, almost awestruck by how much power she has.

"You are that of water-kin, are you not?" She says.

5x5:Yes...my mother....she was a nymph. A water nymph. why do you ask?

"...My power ties me to all that is the water, the ocean. I can see the fragility of your mind. I have one thing to say to you, you listening?"

5x5:...Yes...I'm listening....

She grabs his chin and pulls him to her eye level.

"You be nice to Kuria, do what she says, even if you don't like what she has to say, or I swearI will chop off your dick and have Saisei burn it to f*cking ash. We clear?"

5x5: *grabs her hand and removes her hand from his chin and grabs her hair, twist it around his hand pulls her hair* I'm not one to be threatened by little kids...Why would a broken man want to break anyone else when he can't even now how feel...how to think...how to react...for all I care....I could rage on everyone and everyone could be half-dead...but I can't and I won't. Threats will only anger people more. Your a child after all, so I'll let that pass by *lets go over her hair*..as for being nice...I cant reassure much...we'll have to see how things go...I don't want to hurt anyone...

Her eyes glow blue, and he feels an ancient consciousness, Mikadzukikei's consciousness, bear down on his own, enough to make him fall on his knees.

"I am not a little girl. I am not a mere child. Our appearances merely reflect the forms we are most comfortable assuming. In reality Kukyo, our mother was only sixteen at the birth of her first born, Kagayaki. We have known thousands of years, and we ourselves now have many descendants. Out of respect for my mother's memory and her fondness of you, I won't strike back. But know your place, water-kin." The pressure of her consciousness withdraws, but the energy feels heavy in the air. She dusts herself off and walks away, a silent anger brewing as she walks.

"We have somewhere to be, but we will return soon. Respect Kuria's wishes and do as she says. She means you no harm and only wishes you well. When we get back, I expect you to have abided by that." The seven begins to glow.

Kagayaki looks at Kuria and 5x5. "Take care of yourselves." They disappear.

5x5: They...care about you alot....

"Yeah... ...still really annoying to manage them..."

5x5: *looks down at the floor* I wish I had a family that cared....

"Hey. As long as you are with me, you're part of my family. As long as you're party of my family, they are part of your family. Understand?" She says softly.

5x5: Yea, i guess...but sometimes...it's not the same as having your actual family....you know?

"I know. I haven't been with my family in a long time. It's a void that few can fill."

5x5: Atleast your family continues to live. My entire family is dead...

"I see. In any case, I feel it best if we go. The seven will rejoin us, but at a later time. ...Right now, I feel that we should leave this place. Dementor is not fond of me or the Seven."

5x5: *sighs* Ok...

Kuria guides 5x5 through the building, and out of the front gates, where 5x5 beholds the immense landscape of the West Lands of Echo, the vast plains and deserts, jungles and savanahs.

5x5: So much to go through...*takes a deep breath*

"But isn't it beautiful? Savage yes, but then again, there is said to be beauty in the beast. You're probably more familiar with the East Land though. This land is ruled by the mighty Elemental Clans, eight of them. Towards the center regions lie Azure and the isolated human country, I forget its name... and of course, Chinmoku and its vast territories to the East. The North is the frozen Kingdom of the Positives, while to the South, the Kingdom of the Negatives lies shrouded in mystery. A turbulent world... but it's home."

5x5: *looks all around from left to right* It it beautiful...but I bet I might regret that once we get started.

Kuria gives him a impish grin which he faintly remembers from somewhere. He doesn't have time to think about it as she suddenly tackles him off the face of the mountain and for a terrifying moment they fall before Kuria extends her wings and eases their descent into a gentle glide, 5x5 securely in her arms, their descent is a slow lazy circle around the mountain.

"Gotcha," She teases.

5x5: *with no effort at all pins her to the ground by the neck and draws forth his right hand turns it into a fist, with look of rage on his face, but as he looks at Kuria he slowly calms down and hoists her up and turns away* Sorry....

The look he sees on her face unnerves him a bit. Her eyes simply stare up at him from where she lays on the ground, her face shows no sign of even the slightest distress or fear. Even when he had pinned her he had felt no fear of any kind. The only hint that she had even noticed he was about to strike her was the sweat suddenly apparent on her face. But her eyes feel like solid steel, unwavering, unchanging, just looking at him. He remembers this look though, in the various spirits he met in the North. They would stare at him with no hint of what they thought or felt about him, just observe him as though they were reading his very soul.

Finally a change happens in her eyes, though very slight, a bit of softness. "I take it surprise parties on your birthday are also out of the question." She says with an air of humor.

5x5: *eyes grow wide with sadness, but narrow down abit* Yea...

She smiles, then laughs lightly. "*Babylonian*Oh relax silly boy!*English* Nevermind that, Jon. Don't work yourself up over that. I shouldn't frighten you like that. Valeric told me not to be that way with you, but I should have taken it more seriously. It was my mistake. Don't worry yourself. I only have myself to blame. Don't beat yourself up over this."

5x5: I didn't mean too...I just can't take it...not like that....

"Jonathon. Please. It's not your fault. Don't worry about it." She looks over to one side, still laying there.

"Hmm... I wonder what she wants..." She muses.

5x5: Who's she?...

Kuria points to where she's looking, and 5x5 sees a large wave of shimmering energy approaching them.

5x5: Is that a spiritual tsunami?

Suddenly from the wave of energy a white fox with eight tails leaps forth, brilliant blue spirit brands running down its graceful body. It lands in front of them, and bows its head. It looks at Kuria for a moment, but then it looks at 5x5, and its gaze seems to lock onto him immediately. For a while it does nothing else but gaze upon him, similar to how the other spirits have, and then he hears its beautiful song like voice say:

"....I am sorry. Forgive me." It then turns to Kuria, and it appears as though they are conversing in private. The whole time, it seems to avoid looking at 5x5 for some reason.

5x5: Hmmm. I wonder what their talkin' about...*tilts his ear toward their direction*

He doesn't manage to hear whatever they are saying, in fact they seem to be speaking mentally. Eventually, the two look toward him. Kuria speaks.

"She is going to give us a ride further west, a bit closer to the first lake. She cannot take us all the way there, as she has some important matters to attend to."

5x5: Sure thing then.

The fox tilts its head to one side.

Kuria laughs. "I'm sorry, I forgot. This is Shirubā, the Eighth Fox-Wind of Echo. There are nine different Fox-Winds in the world, and they govern the weather patterns. She also says she's sorry."

5x5: Whatever for? No one should be sorry for me...

Kuria looks at Shirubā, but the fox looks away from her.

Kuria looks back at 5x5. "She won't say. She just keeps repeating it. She sounds... desolate."

5x5: I see...Should we get going then?

Shirubā lowers herself to a level where they can climb on her back.

5x5: *climbs up on her back*

Kuria climbs on behind 5x5, and after a moment coughs. "Errm... can I put my arms around you? ...For support so I don't fall off...?"

5x5: *was caught of guard by the question* Ughhh....sure...sure you can...

She does so, and just as she does, Shirubā takes off with force of a space rocket.

5x5: *is trying to hold one as tight as he can*

"Hey, I know I said we wanted to get going quickly, butNOT THIS FAST!!!" Kuria screams, and Shirubā slows down and turns her head to look at them.

''My apologies. Did I frighten you?''

5x5: I think you started off a bit ' too ' fast.

She chuckles.

Sorry little one.

5x5 eventually notices a few spirits are flying with them, while he can't exactly see them, he senses them, and can pick up a curiosity from them.

5x5: Their curious...

Kuria nods. "You're not exactly normal to them. It's the same with anyone who enters Echo. Strangers tend to be more interesting to them than most people are. ...That said, it gets annoying when they start chattering and attract their friend's attention as well."

5x5 *remmbers oemthing familiar about what she said* Interesting...where to?

Kuria looks at 5x5. "Huh?"

5x5: Where to?...

"Well she is going to take us close to one of the lakes, a day's journey away at least from the glade we'll land at."

5x5: Alright, which direction though?

"We're going across the center land. Why? Is there a different direction you want to go? The order of which lakes we visit doesn't matter."

5x5: No. Ijust don't like wandering around in circles.God knows i've done that too much...

"The plan is to do all of the central lakes, then the South, then North. After that we can go where ever you'd like."

5x5: I don't care we start. As long as we can get this over with.

Kuria looks very tired, as the moon begins to rise after the long day, and he can swear her black hair is now a very dark shade of grey. They finally land, and Kuria pats Shirubā, who then flies off, though the smaller spirits require more convincing.

She looks at 5x5 with her tired eyes. "Jon, do you mind if we camp here for the night? I need to sleep... it's been such a long day..."

5x5: i understand...You go ahead and sleep.

She slowly rests her head against a rock. "...Before I go to sleep... promise you won't wander... I'd feel safer... if you stayed close by. ...I can't protect myself like I used to..."

5x5: You don't have to worry about that...*looks up at the moon* I have nowhere to wander off to...