Occurs to me that I never put out the final segment of this project like I 
intended, despite it being up on my site for two months.  Well, let's not 
play incomplete journeys.

In other news, I've been picking through a recent oneshot (another 
videogame.  I'll get back to good ol' anime soon, promise!), and have hit 
another snag concerning prose.

http://www.livejournal.com/community/nexuspost/3106.html

It boils down to me not having a fesable sample of prose style to draw from. 
  If anyone could provide one for me (keeping in mind that I'm not trying 
for script format), I'd be eternally grateful.

Anyway, here's that final segment.  Enjoy.

- Kenji M. (nexuspost@hotmail.com)

The  Nexus:
http://swisscheese.sandwich.net

Random Plug:
http://www.livejournal.com/community/alien_suicide/

_________________________________________________________________
Don�t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! 
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/


-- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
-- File: dr.txt

The following characters are owned and copyrighted by Capcom, and
are not intended to be used for profit.  Unless fun is profit, in
which case, don't sue.  You won't get much.

*********

Colors of the Sun and Sky

Breath of Fire 2 vignettes

By Kenji Murasaki

04 - Dusk Requiem

*********


It had been years since he was aware.

His time, one endless stretch of dripping water and constant digging of
the natural terrain that had been his body and temple, was marked only
by maps and calendars left by miners.  These he could hardly translate,
not for a lack of knowledge in languages, but for the irksome trifle of
not recalling how to use his lips.

Even for formidable spirits, decay tended to be an issue.  Still, there
were methods to circumvent date marking and enunciation.  What he
could not speak about, he projected into others.  It was very effective,
enough that he knew he'd saved 128 miners in the caves since his body
finally deteriorated into whatever ore the laborers had found so valued.

He knew that it had been years since the last cave-in...or was it days?
Too often he found himself confusing the two.  All of that was
irrelevant, because now was the time to make save number 129.

He extended himself, covering miles of ruin in an eyeblink to detect
the source of danger, and properly convey the super instinctual
sensation most lifeforms understood, not all different from a cry of
caution--

And paused, batting now-nonexistent eyes in confusion.  Something was
horribly afoul with the peril he sensed.  For one, it did not permeate
from within his cavernous domain, but instead was heading toward it.
The second, and more intriguing point, was the danger was very
deliberate.

Piqued, the ancient projected his 'self' to the general area of the
disturbance, and discovered a chase.  Two people, a man and woman,
were being pursued by an ominous creature with murderous intent.  The
creature was unnatural, he immediately discerned, a construct of unholy
purposes.

And, unless his aura reading abilities had failed, the creatures
tendencies specialized in dragon slaying.

That couldn't very well stand, not on his watch.


*******************


They were inside his sphere in influence, now.

It was touch and go for an uncomfortable moment.  It was obvious that
the two refugees were already grievously injured, while the stalking
unnatural remained relentless and unscathed.  That originally had
confounded the ancient, for he was certain that dragons had sworn to
always combat and defeat unnatural life erected by the Goddess.

Apparently not.  The male had taken several more wounds before repelling
the beast with a holy ward.

He had led them from there, certain that the creature was neutralized,
only to stare (intangibly) in shock as the unnatural dispelled the holy
ward with its own.  It then herded the two toward the primary cavern
shaft, and into a corner.

But that was fine.  They would have help, now.

He looked into the two pacifistic victims, determining their spirits.
The woman was no good, requiring every ounce of her energy to
protect something.  The male...

He swore an oath.  In the 128 cave-ins he'd absolved, he had never
lost one single life on his watch.  This male dragon, mortally injured,
would be the first.

Still, there was a chance to save two lives.  The male was as enraged
about his lack of offensive as the ancient was confused.  Moreso, he
considered with no small distaste in his not-mouth.  Regardless, he
would think of consequences after the fact.

He directly entered the dragon's spirit.

Initially, the man was struck still, not sure what to make of the
contact.  "By Ladon!" the man swore.

The unnatural stepped back, confounded and on edge.

Power, the ancient thought into the dying man.

"To...punish?"

... If it is desired.

"I accept," the man responded, a cold smile on his bloodied lips.

Satisfied with the permission given, the ancient brought about the
full potential of the battered man to bare.  Almost immediately, the
cave lanterns seemed to dim, and the man's body crackled with tendrils
of black lightning.

"What in the name of God?" the unnatural stammered, massive polearm
at the ready.

"Your undoing, Gaw.  Ladon himself has stated you will kill no more!
With my last breath, his command will be done!"

A guttural scream erupted from the man's throat before the ebony
energy enveloped him completely.  In his placed emerged a dragon,
easily five times the man's original size, with wings much like the
wyverns of ages past.

It was a brief encounter.  The unnatural tried to strike at the dragon,
but, even mortally wounded, it proved too fast.  Just as quickly, the
dragon spat an etheral ball that caught the unnatural in the chest.
It cried out, and stiffened.  Copper skin and pagan robe grayed,
turning stone.  The statue husk tittered back and shattered on the
cold, unforgiving floor.

The dragon gave a primal roar, and then collapsed, true to his words.
The woman stood astonished, fast approaching shock.

Not wanting to lose her, the ancient caressed her spirit, coercing her
into slumber.


*******************


Peace, sister.

"... Wha?"

The woman awoke, slowly coming to realization.  Her companion had been
possessed, and her assailant vanquished.  She was at a loss to explain,
however, how or why it had happened.

Taking in her appearance, she noted with apprehension that she was
covered by her robe, as opposed to wearing it.  Who had done such a
thing?  Her companion and would-be executioner were both perished,
had some miners seen to her?

Not likely.  Her surroundings were quite different from what she could
recall--she had fainted in a dead end, after all.  She was, instead, in
a cavern, open and spacious, away from any signs of artificial invasion;
not a lantern in sight, nor any mine carts to speak of.

You are safe.

And then there was the eerie, detached voice speaking directly into her
mind.

"W-who are you?  Did you--"

Calm.

The sensation did just that, or, at least, it tried to.  Weeks of endless
fear and flight had edged the woman enough to reject the coercion.
She curled into herself, wrapping her arms around her knees.

You are not violated.  Your seed healthy.

"Why should I believe you?  You responsible for Kain, aren't you?!"
She was nearing a hysterical state.  She knew the answer already,
and it horrified her.  Should the intangible presence choose, it could
very well break her.  How would she protect her child?

... Angry, that one.  I fear repercussion.  Still, no better alternative.

The words came stilted, as if the person was speaking for the first
time.  There also seemed to be a heavy amount of sorrow within the
voice, as well.

"Please, who are you?  Will you let me leave?"

... Cannot.  It is safe, here.

Again, she sensed the taint of remorse in the words.  Morose, and
regretful.

"I have to leave.  I beg of you, release me.  I will do..." She paused,
uncertain of what she could offer, or if she even should.

Safe here, Dologany.

Her eyes widened.  "Then, you are the guardian of Infinity?" she asked,
hopeful.

... No longer.  Ruins.

Despite those words, she relaxed.  Dologany had been their objective
when she and Kain had fled.  The ruins themselves were negligible.  With
the elder dragon sealed away, there was only one other way to safeguard
her young.  Rumor had suggested the survival of the guardian who had
watched over Infinity for a millennia.

You sought me.  Why?

She smiled at the sincerity.  "Spirit, my child will be the Destined
One.  I sought a pilgrimage of sanctuary from his enemies."

You are safe.  Your seed healthy.

"Then there is hope.  He will grow, and repel our persecutors."

The world...has changed?

"Yes."  She nodded, despite herself.  "The races have been vexed by
the reborn Goddess of Destruction.  She gives them false riches so
they turn a blind eye to our purging."

Myria.

She nodded again, but remained silent.  She felt the spirit prod her
conscious, pulling memories of running and hiding, constantly fearing
for her life.  Subjugation, death, loss.  Endless massacres.  Before the
woman could catch herself, tears were openly streaming down her cheeks.

Apologies.

"No," she responded, shaking her head.  "It is your right to know."

Your child...will change this?

The woman blinked at the spirit's voice, even more melancholy.  "He
will balance all that She has destroyed."

Am sorry, Maya.

"What, is something the matter?"

... You are dying.

The woman blinked.  "I-I am?  But I feel fine."

"No."

He appeared, then, kneeling in front of her.  A boy of his late teens.
Red pants and a padded, cream shirt were his only garments, and
his long, azure hair was kept bound in a ponytail.  His hardened face
was downcast.

"You are dying, Maya."

"But, how?  I feel--" That was when Maya noticed, she did not feel.
Not a single sense was fully active, like she was separate from her
actual body.  She looked at the boy in disbelief and anxiety.

"Peace, sister."

"How... How can this be?"

"A dream, Maya.  You are safe, here."

"What of my child?  Oh, gods...."  She hugged herself closer, not
wanting to accept that she had failed, that her child and her people
were doomed.

"You are safe, here.  Your seed is healthy."

Maya looked into the spirit's remorseful green eyes.  "Is it possible
to prevent it?  My death?"

"All things...must die.  I will go, too."

"But there has to be a way!  There must be something to help; the
Destined One must--"

Maya couldn't continue, and broke, sobbing into the spirit's shirt.
Despite all her diligence, every hope that her people, that she,
carried, it was over.  her son would never experience life, least
of all deliver his people.

For what seemed like hours, the maiden cried, bleeding her despair into
the lonely specter that would be her witness, and sole mourner.

"All is not lost."

Maya looked at the boy, incensed.  "Anything.  I will do anything."

He nodded, and gestured to her nude body.

"Hibernate."

Shocked, Maya considered the suggestion.  "Sleep?"

"Slow the process.  Seed will remain healthy."

It was possible, though a terrible gambit.  If her body should give out
on her at any time...

"I will assist."

Maya glanced at the youthful face, and nodded.  "So be it."


*******************


He watched as the woman, Maya, awoke from her slumber.  She was a
terrible mess, but had a fire in her eyes he recognized.  Once, on an
almond-shaped face and ebony wings, bearing untold magics of an insane
Nightmare, yet refusing to yield.

His past-- when he was tangible, and could eat, and fight, and fish.
He missed that mundane sport most of all.

He easily recognized Maya, now.  A villager youth of Dologany, before
it was sealed when Evans was nullified.  The Dragon clans had departed
the very same day.

And, that same day, Ryu Bateson breathed no more.  From there, it was
the guardian of Infinity's ruins that remained.

As he regarded Maya haggard stumble into the depths of what used to be
the alter realm of Infinity, he thought of the regrets he accumulated
over the time that spanned between cave-ins.  True, they were mostly
petty and materialistic, but a treasure to an intangible one.
Maya, now resting on a massive cropping that stretched into the
darkness, began to remove her dirty, bloodied garments.  Ryu looked
on in silence, admiring her bruised, but prominent beauty, wondering
non-existent possibilities.

He had perished so young, really.  Time ticking on at his silent battle
with Deathevans, and then his time spent in the ether let him know
that much.  Unless Yua had sired, the McCarren/Bateson line had ended
with him.

Not that there was bitterness about the sacrifice.  There wasn't enough
remorse within him to warrant second thoughts about his decision.
Still, teaching a son to fight, or reading a story to his daughter...

Maya.

Shrugging her leggings away, the dragon maiden turned to the air,
hugging herself against the dank chills.  "Yes?"

Is...it important?  That your child is Fated?

"I...."  She wrapped her discarded robe against her body.  "Yes."

You doubt.

"True," Maya answered in a thoughtful tone.  "I would not have, before,
but--"

Something convinced you.

"People.  They have shunned us, but there is no hostility to their
feelings.  Until we were exposed, Kain and I lived among them.

"They were peaceful, if ambitiously inquisitive.  Nothing like before,
with Evans' taint.  Those who reject the Goddess are not persecuted."

Ryu considered her words.

"She only hunts we dragons who did not convert and submit our
birthright, and has ceased advancing her crusaders at the southern
continent.  She is malevolent, but--"

People live in peace.

Maya nodded.  "Still, he is needed.  The purges cannot--"

Her pause was not of Ryu's interruptions, but of the pains within
her body.

Your time is short.

"I-I know," Maya muttered through clenched jaws.  She curled into a
fetal position, taking in frantic gulps of air.

You must sleep, now.

"Yes," she admitted.  Ryu watched her emit a gentile light.  It
brightened until her body was no longer visible, then expanded, covering
the entire outcropping.

When the light subsided, a dragon remained, laying on its belly, taking
slow, steady breaths.

No one will harm you.

Thank you, Maya thought.  Thank you for allowing him...this...chance.

She slumbered.

Ryu gazed at her, a sense of d�j� vu prevailing.  Did Nina watch over
him like this?  Did Katt?  He recalled stints of consciousness where he
could almost hear their voices.

He had to forfeit their chance.  His chance.

There was no way to make it up, and he did not desire one.  Despite
Myria's mad bids, the world had improved.

Yet, he was still needed.  Worse, another would take his place.

He would let it happen.  But instead of accelerating the boy's birth,
the Fated One would come of a time where dragons were not hunted, and
would be free to accept his own destiny.

Admittedly shifty, but Maya did not disagree with his motives.  After
all, did not mothers wish the best for their children?

She would pass away in peace, and Ryu would watch over the little life
for as long as he could.

Because, when he thought about it, one did not often get the chance
to see the true fruits of their labor.


*******************

And so end's that series.

Truthfully, I had a lot of fun seeing just how far my writing style and
habits have come along since my initial projects.  This four-piece
experience has shown me that I suck horribly.

But not as bad as I had a year ago.  ^_~

This part in specific occurred, like Darkest Before Dawn, overnight.
Funny thing, those inspirational urges.

Thanks to the folks who offered their ears, eyes, and voices for
the nearly eight months it took to put this all together.  I really
appreciated, and yes, I am plotting to whine at you all again on the
next project. ^_~

Until then, Back to the Hack with me.

- Kenji M.
8/21/04





             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'