16Chapter VI: Legend of the Demi-beasts
"Ow! Not so tight, will you?" Tyea exclaimed, as she jerked her arm away.Ami sighed. "Tyea, hold still. We're never going to get this on.""I don't see why I need a sling. It's only a small sprain.""You're lucky your arm was the only thing you injured," Rudy said, as he entered the bedroom. He sat down on the bed, beside her and gazed at her with solemn eyes. "Tyea, I've always supported you in everything you did, but as your older brother, I also have a responsibility to keep a close eye on you. Just promise me you'll be more careful next time. I don't want to lose you, too."Tyea nodded and smiled. "Okay, I promise," she said, as Rudy embraced her.He gently kissed Tyea's forehead, then left the room, followed by Ami and Ariel. As soon as they were gone, Tyea fell back on her bed, and let out an exasperated sigh. That's when something caught her eye from inside her closet. She walked over to it, and pulled out a rectangular box. Pensively, she opened the olden box, and began browsing through its many items.
Meanwhile, in an island off the coast of Ireland lay an enormous castle. A thunderstorm was brewing in the area, as lighting flashed in the sky, silhouetting the ominous citadel.Inside one of the dark rooms of the castle, was man with long silver hair, and ice blue eyes. He walked towards the window, and pushed aside the velvet curtains to observe the darkening sky. "Hmm, and so the sky sheds tears once again."
"Lord Jaller," addressed a woman, as she entered the room. She wore a tight- fitting ninja outfit, and her long, raven black hair was tied into a high ponytail.
The man turned slightly, and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. "Ah, Kasumi, any news from Willis?"
The woman hesitated before answering, "I'm afraid he was unsuccessful at obtaining the two demi-beasts. Surprisingly, one of the bladers was able to break free from the orb's spell."
"What was this blader's name?"
"I believe it was Tyea Avalon." Jaller remained silent, as he contemplated on what Kasumi had said.
"Avalon, is it? She must have a strong will to be able to break free from such a powerful hold." He smirked. "Very well. We'll just have to try again, won't we?"
Taken aback by his response, the female warrior argued, "But, Lord Jaller, are you sure it's wise to-"
"Just because she was able to break free once, doesn't mean she can do it again. In time, her demi-beast will be mine," Jaller said, as he glared at the stormy skies.
Back in London, nightfall had come to pass over the lively city. Streetlights were turned on, as stars began dotting the night sky; the full moon radiated its luminous light upon the shadowed earth. The Bladebreakers and their friends had just finished dinner, and were currently in the den discussing the day's events, with the exception of Tyea and Ariel.
"So, how's Tyea doing?" Madison asked.
"She didn't come down for dinner."
"She said she wasn't hungry, but she's okay." Ami shrugged.
"It's not like her injury is critical or anything."
Just then, Ariel entered the room. "Well, I just talked to Sirus. He wasn't exactly happy to hear that our demi-beasts were nearly stolen." She gave a sheepish smile, as she fell into Rudy's lap. "He, Eli, and Davis should be here by tomorrow."
"What are you guys planning to do, though?" Tyson asked. "I mean you don't even know who was trying to steal your demi-beasts in the first place."
Stumped by the blader's question, everyone remained silent, as if to formulate some sort of solution. Kai, who had been off in the corner listening to the conversation, suddenly exited the room. He went unnoticed by all, except Kristy, who went to follow him.
Outside, the stars sparkled like diamonds against the darkened sky, as a calm wind blew and crickets chirped their nocturnal song. Kai, however, disregarded the serenity of the atmosphere, as he walked out into the balcony and leaned on the railings. Not long after, Kristy joined him.
He glanced up to look at her, as she neared him. "Beautiful isn't it?" she asked, marveling at the environment. Instead of answering, Kai lapsed into another one of his silences. He simply looked over his shoulder at the landscape before him.
Kristy sighed dejectedly. Her eyes rested intently on Kai's face, as she asked, "You're worried about Tyea, aren't you?"
"And why wouldn't I be?" he retorted.
Kristy blinked, as she was shocked by his reaction. At length, she drew in a breath before speaking. "Kai..." She hesitated a moment. "Is there something you want to tell me about you and Tyea?" Kristy's question immediately caught his attention.
He turned to look at her, as an awkward stillness began to envelop the two. Kristy held her breath, while she eagerly waited for Kai's response. "What makes you think that?" he cautiously asked.
Kristy shrugged. "I-I don't know. You two just seem really close. It makes me wonder if you were ever in a relationship with her."
Kai closed his eyes and turned away. "If by relationship you mean a romantic one, then no. Tyea and I are just..." He faltered, as if he were unsure of his answer. "We're just friends, Kristy." Kai averted his gaze back on his girlfriend, whose hazel eyes threatened to overflow with tears. He smiled, as he pulled her into an embrace, and ran his fingers through her soft red hair. "Listen, I love you, and nothing is ever going to change that," he whispered into her ear.
Kristy let out a quiet sigh of relief, and smiled. Returning Kai embrace, she wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face into his chest. "I love you, too, Kai," she said.
Kai gazed lovingly at her, before he bent down and pulled Kristy into a passionate kiss.
Tyea was in her bedroom, rummaging through the olden box, when Zephyr emerged from her beyblade. The hawkish demi-beast approached the bed, where Tyea sat, and silently watched her mistress. It was nearly midnight, and the rest of the household was already sound asleep.
"May I ask what you are looking for, Mistress?"
Tyea sighed. "To tell you the truth, Zephyr, I'm not exactly sure. But, if my mother was able to help me once, maybe she can help me again." She pulled out an aged journal, and began scanning through its pages. "My parents studied the history of bit-beasts, so there's gotta be something in here that can help us."
Inserted between the pages of the journal were several pictures, some of which had Rudy and Tyea when they were much younger. Tyea smiled adoringly as she was looking through the photos, and suddenly stopped to gaze at one picture in particular. In the photograph was eight-year-old Tyea, with her parents and Rudy, sitting atop a picnic blanket, among an autumn setting. The leaves on the trees were painted with shades of golden yellow, orange and red.
"You miss them, don't you?" Zephyr quietly asked.
Tyea sighed. "This picture was taken a couple of days before the accident. At first, I didn't understand why they left us...or, at least, I didn't want to accept their death. I was so devastated that even Rudy began to worry about me."
"Sometimes, Tyea, denial only leads to more pain."
"I suppose it does," the teenage girl agreed.
Just then, as she was flipping through the pages, a folded piece of paper fell out of the journal; curious, she opened it. Tyea's golden yellow eyes widened, as she read through the note. On the paper were sketching of what appeared to be demi-beasts. In fact, one of the illustrations was indeed Zephyr. Tyea was also able to recognize the other demi-beasts to be those of her friends'.
However, there were two unfamiliar demi-beasts; one appeared to be a combination between a flower and a pixie, and the second the creature looked far fiercer than the others. Below it was writing that read: Ilex.
"Interesting..." Tyea murmured.
"Hey, Zephyr, take a look at this." Zephyr, too, faltered when she saw the drawings. Tyea pointed to the unknown demi-beasts. "Do they look familiar?"
Zephyr shook her head. "Not at all, Mistress. Then again, I can't really remember much about my past."
Tyea blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Most bit-beasts have been in existence for centuries, maybe even as far back as when we freely roamed the earth. Usually, a bit-beast holds knowledge of its past, though in my case, I only have mere fragments of vague memories."
"So, bit-beasts were once free spirits?"
"Not even spirits, Mistress; actual, living creatures. The story goes that our powers became too powerful, and thus we were sealed away in order to protect the Earth in its entirety. That is how we bit-beasts came to be what we are today."
As Tyea was absorbing what Zephyr had said, she glanced down once again at the menacing demi-beast. "I just know there's a dark force behind this whole conspiracy. Do you think we'll be powerful enough to take on whatever's after us?"
Unsure of what to say, Zephyr remained silent. Tyea sighed, and her gaze dropped to the floor. "There is an ancient technique that just might help us," Zephyr said a minute later. "However, it's also very risky."
Tyea glanced up, and looked at her demi-beast attentively as if to gesture her to continue.
"The technique," Zephyr said. "Involves the two of us fusing with each other." "A fusion technique?" Zephyr nodded. "What we have now Mistress is merely a bond between a blader, and her demi-beast. But, with this technique, we go beyond that bond, and actually fuse together to ultimately share one mind and body."
"I'm guessing that it's harder than it sounds."
"Not only that, but it's also dangerous. In order for our bodies to combine, your body must be able to handle my level of energy. If it cannot maintain control of my energy..."
Tyea glanced down, knowing very well the expected outcome. She thought for a moment, trying to decide between the pros and cons of her chosen take of action. At length, Tyea arose from her bed, and audaciously stood before Zephyr.
"Let's do it," she declared.
For a moment, Zephyr hesitated. "But, Mistress-"
"Zephyr, I know our chances of making this work may be dicey, but it's the only line of defense we've got right now." Tyea's expression softened, and she smiled. "Before my mother passed away, she told me to keep you close to my heart. And today, when that guy almost took you away, I had this terrible empty feeling right here." She brought her hand up to her heart. "I'm not about to lose you, Zephyr."
Zephyr could sense the love and determination within the few words her mistress spoke. She, too, had felt the void sensation as she was being abducted; she hadn't liked it anymore than Tyea did.
After a while, the demi-beast nodded. "Very well, Mistress. If that is what you wish. But, do know that this will involve a lot of hard work and training." Tyea smirked. "If that's what it takes to protect you and my friends, then so be it."
