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Property of Kai De Avalon
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| Wings Of The Wind: Chapter 4 is the property of Kai De Avalon.
Any edits to this page must be approved by its creator i.e. ME |
| Wings Of The Wind |
| Chapter 3 |
| Chapter 5 |
Angel Of The Waves
Rising[]
Kai's heart sang as he rose from the smokey depths of the pit of Tartarus. He could feel the searing heat in the air from the lava below, it felt almost as if a giant fiery hand was reching out to pull him back. He beat his wings harder and harder, trying to escape the heat of the fiery pit. His body was exhausted and his back muscles that controlled his wings were a mass of stinging agony. He pushed onwards and cleared the edge of the valley, as the cooler air washed over him his strength left him. He dropped like a stone his sylph wings evaporating leaving him to fall straight onto the grass below. After the years of captivity the grass felt like the world's softest cushion to Kai. He rolled over onto his back looking up and clear open sky, a grin breaking from ear to ear.
Kai: Hahahahahaha! I made it!! I made it out!!
He tried to raise his arms up, to punch the air, to lash out and celebrate. His arms however had other ideas, they felt like lead weights pinned to the soft grass.
Kai: Maybe just a little rest........
Without another word he passed out in the afternoon sun, the grin still spilting his face.
A Few Hours Later[]
Kai tossed and turned on the grass, his mind a whirl of feverish dreams. Before his eyes replayed the years of flame singed misery; the battles, the training, the wounds he'd suffered. Then as the most gentle balm Francesca's kind smiling face appeared
Francesca:"One day we'll be free of all this, you'll see Cuore Mio.
Kai slowly opened his eyes and a took deep breath of clean fresh air. Then looked at his bright red hands.
Kai: What the hell!!!! It burns! It burns! Mizu!! Mizu!!
Kai ran around the grassy field looking for anything to cool down his burning skin. He ran across the field until he found a pool of water and dunked his hands into it.
Kai: Ahhhh......
Kai saw his face reflected in the surface of the water. One half pale white, the other bright scarlet. Like the time he got sprayed by the gladiator with the flamethrower. He looked around confusedly for the fire.
Unknown: Are you alright young man?
Kai: Huh?
Kai looked up to see a elderly looking man dressed in white ragged clothing and carrying a shepherds crook. His hair was a long messy mop of gray and he had a kindly look about him. As Kai stood he saw the man was surrounded by timid looking goats.
Unknown: You've got a nasty case of sunburn there young'un. Are you going to be alright?
It dawned Kai that the redness was from getting sunburned whilst sleeping in the sun, after not seeing the sky for so long he was a pale ghost. As he struggled to his feet the shepherd expression changed from concerned to uncomfortable then downright terrified.
Shepherd: I don't want any trouble, please don't hurt me!!
Kai looked down to see his tattered clothes revealing the Tenryuubito brand on his chest and it's screaming faced letter 'C' wrapped around it. It was the mark of Saint Caligula's Gladiators. Kai had seen the recognition on the faces of many of his opponents, the shepherd knew what the mark meant.
Kai: I'm not going to hurt you old man. All I want is to get away from here.
The elderly shepherd still looked downright terrified, but nodded slowly and pointed away to his left.
Shepherd: You'd better go that way then and tell no one we met! Its the opposite direction to Saint Calligula's country estate!
Kai's ears pricked up at those words. The estate of his former master, it could be his chance to get revenge. He turned the opposite way to the direction the shepherd indicated.
Kai: As you asked, we have never met. However I suggest you find somewhere else to be.
The old shepherd looked even more terrified than before and quickly ran away. His herd instictually following him and fleeing the bloodthirsty aura eminating from Kai. He began slowly marching in the opposite direction from where the shepherd had indicated. It was time to watch the world burn.
30 Minutes Later[]
The rolling green fields had turned slowly into sparse woodlands as Kai slowly walked his way towards the enormous white marble palace that laid nestled inbetwen the verdant branches. Kai had seen it come into view just a few minutes into his march.
Kai: Nearly there...
Kai was muttering to himself as he made his way through the trees. He was tired, but years of being forced to fight for his life at a moments notice had made him grow accustomed to the feeling of exhaustion. He could push past it for this.
Unknown: .......He's going to kill them all you know
Kai stopped and crouched down as he heard the voice drift through the trees. He tried to call on his Sylph powers but didn't have the strength, his growling stomach reminding him that it had been days since his last decent meal. He slipped forward silently through the trees until he could see the source of the voices. It was two guardsmen bearing the same crest on their uniform as was burned into Kai's chest. The callous C of Caligula.
Guardsman 1: Can you imagine what he'll do to them first?
The other guardsman gave him a withering look.
Guardsman 2: I don't want to imagine it Frank, two days later and that could have been us!
Frank (Guardsman 1): We'd have stopped them Gary! No one has ever escaped on our watch.
Gary (Guardsman 2):........we? You're saying the two of us.....could have stopped Saint Caligula's prized, undefeated Champion and a Cipher Pol Agent? Are you nuts?
Frank could be seen to roll him eyes, even from the distance Kai was away from him. Kai slipped even closer just a few feet away now.
Frank (Guardsman 1): Why else would we be guarding them? We're obviously stronger than them.
Kai slipped out from behind the tree and appeared next to Frank. Dropping into a fighting stance just a few feet away.
Kai: Let's test that theory shall we?
Frank practically screamed as he rounded at Kai, drawing his sword as he rounded towards the his opponent. As the sword arm swung around Kai grabbed his arm in a swirling motion pulling the man off his feet.
Frank's whole body flipped and spun as if being pulled by an invisible force; spinning like a top until his head cracked into a nearby tree. He laid unmoving at its base, whilst his comrade looked on in horror.
Kai: Avalon Style, Yama Kaji Bakufū
Kai's body became a blur as he side stepped impossibly fast to throw an off angle uppercut that snapped Gary's head back so hard it made a loud crunch. Gary dropped to the ground unmoving.
Kai: What do you know....it looks like Gary was right.
He sized up the two men on the ground around him, out of the two Gary was a closer to his build. So Kai stripped off his outer clothing to cover up his slave garb. He hate the idea of putting on anything more that bore the mark of Caligula, but his options were limited. Finally he stripped off Frank's boots and pulled them on. The clothes were more comfortable than anything Kai could remember being allowed to wear, but he had little time to focus on creature comforts. He felt his stomach growl again, he needed food to regain his strength. He use the remains of Frank's water bottle to clean his face, then slowly walked in throught the now unguarded rear gate.
Inside the kitchen[]
As he entered the rear of the building Kai saw the dejected faces look up at him in fear. They were chained to various objects around the room, those obviously being their alloted tasks. The marks on the floor next to them showing they had not been allowed to leave those spots for some time. Kai felt his jaw tighten, before he regained control of his temper. The time would come for revenge, now he would give these people the same chance he had; The chance to be free.
He raised his finger to his lips as he pulled open the shirt to reveal with slave brand on his chest. It took them a moment to understand what they were seeing, but after a moment they realised what was happening. They scrambled to their feet holding out their hands pleadingly. As Kai searched through the pockets of Gary's jacket to find two sets keys; One designed to open cuffs and the other for collars. He quickly went about his work removing all shackles and pointing towards the rear door. Silencing the former slaves as they tried to thank him. He stopped the last man before he left.
Kai: Is Saint Caligula here?
Male Slave: No, he left two days ago
Kai swore internally, his chance of revenge had slipped away before he could get near. He resigned himself to the fact deciding that he would simply destroy the estate. He spotted a door marked pantry (silently thanking Francesca for the time she'd take to make sure he could read) he walked through to find a bountiful wonderland of food. He could hear is stomach growling just looking it over. Grabbing food by the fist full, he began wolfing it down indescrimately. The tastes of the preserved meats, the cheeses, the fruits refreshing his soul like he'd never thought possible. However after two short minutes, he started to feel ill and seemed to start loosing his appetite. He spotted a large sack with a long stiched carrying strap, he filled it to bursting before moving to the exit of the kitchen.
House Guard: *yawning* If you slaves don't cook up a feast tonight, I'll feed you to the monsters in the basement. Its not like Saint Caligula would care.
The man's voice carried into the kitchen a second before he entered himself. Giving Kai a chance to strike him in throat the moment he appeared. The man dropped like a stone, completely unmoving. He stepped into the main house unopposed
Upstairs[]
A young woman sat alone, her heart as heavy as the giant rock she sat on. A woman stolen in her prime and locked in giant aquarium in the mansion of a Celestial Dragon. Eldora hugged herself on the rock that had become her safe zone in what had for the last four years had been her prison and her home. The Celestial Dragon who owned her had begun to grown bored with her singing and she dreaded each opening of the door which lead into the concert hall.
Eldora: I wonder how long this is going to last........its been nearly a week since he asked me to sing.
She felt the water shake violently as if there was an earthquake, a short sharp shock wave that caused the first wave to ever pass over the aquarium. She looked to the door fearing that it was the moment when her owner would come with a deadly animal to get one last vicious thrill and be rid of her. She immediately swam behind her rock to take cover, fear gripping her heart. She reflexively called out
Eldora: I'll be good, I'll sing, please don't kill me!
Another sharp thud and the door caved inwards opening a gap in the middle, she peered around rock into the doorway to see a man appear through the space. His hands and face were stained with blood yet his expression showed only sadness as he walked into the concert hall. He strode quickly across the hall towards the staircase at beside the aquarium.
Kai: Keep coming if you want to die, slaver scum!
Eldora's curiosity overtook her caution and she swam outwards a little from behind her rock. Instantly the man's eyes locked on to her all sadness gone, replaced with a fierce rage that caused her to flinch and get back behind her rock.
Eldora: Don't hurt me.
His face immediately softened as he looked upon her, as if he was becoming a different person. Suddenly he was gone as if he had simply vanished into thin air. Another thud from the door way, where the blond man was now standing over two bodies. He moved back over to the tank obviously looking for her, so she stuck her head out of the rock. The man jumped to the top of the tank and struck downwards through its roof. Eldora ducking behind her rock again in fear, yet the voice that drifted through the water was warm and kind.
Kai: I know how it feels to feel that fear. I won't hurt your or force you to come; but if you want to be free you can come with me. All you need is the courage to take my hand.
Her heart almost sang out to him as she swam upwards towards his outstreched hand. Her arms pulling around him as he pulled her out of the water.
Eldora: Take me with you.
Kai getly lifted Eldora out of the water, and the two stepped down next to the aquarium. Pulling the keys from his pocket again Kai undid her collar dropping the explosive device to the floor. Kai had been trying to figure out what had drawn him to this room. It had been like an imperceptable pull which had been dragging him towards the door. Yet as soon as he'd opened the door he'd known why, he could sense the fear from the room and knew that he was here to rescue this mermaid. The one person who couldn't escape without him.
Kai: I'll keep you safe, you have my word
He walked forward to the great window and kicked it open. He could feel his strength starting to return following the food he'd eaten and decided it was time. He spread his wings and with one great swish took to the skies once more.
Two Days Later[]
In the clear azure skies above West Blue, a strange white shape could be could seem drifting down on the afternoon breeze. It's uneven white shape made it appear as though it was a tiny cloth rushing along in a strong breeze. Yet as it descended it became clearer and was shown a four winged shape soaring downwards from the towering Red Line. It dived down from upon high gliding towards the sandy shores of an unknown island. Kai felt uneasy as he tried to control his wings for the first time flying in the open sky. The air was so different from Tartarus that it almost tasted sweet as he breathed it in. He tightened his grip on the girl in his arms; who was doing everything in her power not to look down at the two thousand foot drop to the water below. Her name was Eldora and she was quite obviously terrified of flying, she was whispering under her breath.
Eldora: Please don't drop me, please don't drop me, please don't drop me!!
She kept repeating her mantra over and over again. He tried to calm her nerves with reassurances
Kai: You're not going to fall, try to calm down.
His attempt earned him a glare of anger from the girl in his arms
Eldora: I'm a mermaid! Mermaid's don't fly!
As Kai thought about it he realised that flying through the air was quite possibly the most unnatural sensation a Mermaid such as her could experience. He was beginning to feel the strain from using his flight muscles for so long; he'd only ever been able to fly in short bursts in the past.
Kai: I'm going to land on the beach, get ready.
Eldora merely tightened her grip. Kai's final approach to the beach couldn't come soon enough, as his wings finally gave in a few feet above the sand landing the pair in wet sand. Kai felt his exhaustion finally catch up to him sending him into unconsciousness. Eldora had struck her head on the hard sand as they struck down and was none too pleased about it.
Eldora: You could have put me down a bit softer.
She felt the splash of waves on the dark scales of her tail and opened her eyes to see her savior prostrate on the ground beside, his wings gone and appearance as it was before. She pulled herself along the ground to his side; turning over his inert form to find he was still breathing. She looked around and saw there was no-one around. Silently she thanked her lucky stars, he knew enough about slaves and former slaves to know that they wouldn’t be welcomed by whoever they met. She quickly pulled them both up the beach to a small patch of tall grass, where she concealed them both. She laid there waiting for her savior to recover, his head laid in her lap and showed not a trace of the violent man she had met in Saint Caligula's Estate.
The Next Morning[]
Kai was recovering his consciousness, his head in Eldora's lap. He could feel a gentle hand stroking his hair as he opened his eyes to see Eldora looking kindly down at him.
Eldora: Are you okay?
Kai: I've been in better shape if I'm honest.
Eldora: Thank you.
Kai: Hmmm?
Eldora: You saved me and carried me all the way here, even though you didn't know me. Thank you.
Kai: I couldn't just leave you there.
Their momentary peace as suddenly interrupted by the sounds of a smashing wood and squealing horses.
???: DAMN IT!! Junior if you don't have this fixed in an hour you're not getting paid this month!
Junior: The entire wheel came off!! How the hell can I fix that, Luca?
The crashing sounds continued as Kai scrambled to his feet. Keeping himself low to behind the grass. He peered outwards and saw a portly middle aged man gesturing rudely at a younger man standing by a huge wheel from a wooden cart.
Kai (whispering): I can see some clothes in the cart. Stay here I'll get you some normal clothes.
Eldora (whispering): Don't leave me here!
Kai vanished from sight, causing a sudden breeze to ruffle the grass. In a second Eldora could see him in the back of the cart moving around. In a few moments Kai was was back over in the grass.
Kai: Throw these on, the skirt should cover her your.....
Eldora: My tail?
Kai suddenly looked bashful, yet had no understanding of why he should feel that way.
Kai: Yeah, that..... I'll try and get us some help into town.
Eldora pulled on the clothes she was given, the skirt barely concealing the dark scales at the tip of her tail. He walked out from the bushes towards the disabled cart.
Kai: How about I give him some help? Would that warrant my friend and I a lift into town?
The Luca looked down from the front of the cart then grunted, nodding his approval. Kai quickly stepped over lifting the cart with one hand and the disconnected wheel.
Junior: What...the...hell?
Kai: You might want to lock the wheel in place.
Moments later the cart was fixed and in working order once more.
Luca: Looks like you've earned that ride kid, where's this friend of yours?
Kai: She's hurt her leg, I'll go get her.
Kai jogged back to the reeds to find Eldora had picked up thier bag of food and was waiting for him to lift her into his arms. The two quickly took a seat on the back of the cart as it rolled its way towards whatever town they were headed towards. The world of Tenryuubito left thousands of feet above and behind them.
| Chapter 3 |
| Chapter 5 |
| Wings Of The Wind |