Verdantia: Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Above and Below: Part Three

So cold. It was the coldest Rei had ever felt in her life. Teeth chattered in her mouth as she lay shivering on the dusty floor of the humongous cavern, the ground almost cradling the side of her face. The voice she heard no longer spoke but its presence was unmistakable. She could feel the condensed hatred of its aura without even trying.

"Why?" The one word question emerged as a dry croak from her parched throat. There was no answer and she realized the thing that lingered there several yards in front of her inert form did not deem her worthy enough to respond. She was a meal, a source of energy to be used up until only a husk of herself remained before it moved on to something else. The thought made a small part of her inside burn with fury. But the anger inside of her was nothing compared to the despair she felt. The light was growing dim and it took her a moment to comprehend it was not the lights; her own vision was fading.

Oh Ashtarte, I survived that fall and that run across mushrooms only to become food for this, Rei thought. She willed her eyes to stay open but sheer force alone was not enough. Her body, already shaking with fatigue and coldness seized with the effort. This was it; her eyes were closing, she would cease to exist beyond this moment. It pained her to even breathe.

Verdantia: Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine: Above and Below: Part Two

Still panting from her previous exertion Rei squeezed into the break in the wall. It was an extremely close fit and if the crevice was much smaller she would not have been able to move forward at all. Her hands braced the rocky wall pressing against the front of her body. Her back fared no better as the compressed earth grazed against her from behind. With no room to walk normally she inched forward sideways emerging into an enormous cavern after a yard or two. The entire space was lit by a strange fluorescent glow emanating from giant crystal formations which shot out from the walls and ceiling.

The scene in front of her was like nothing she had ever seen before and Rei's jaw dropped, her mouth a small 'o' of amazement. The light from the crystals lit the cavern so brightly it rivaled daylight. Pillars dotted the space and upon closer inspection of one nearby she could see the formation of it came about as stalagmite met stalactite, unifying them into a single unit from floor to ceiling. Her hand came away with a gritty layer of dust when she automatically pressed it to the pillar in curiousity of the texture before dropping it back to her side. She encountered more pillars as she wandered further into the incredibly large cavern. There was no way to know where the exit could be and she could only hope to eventually stumble across it. Ears alert for any noise, her footsteps were almost silent if not for the small sandy crunch underfoot, each grain seeming to carry a pinpoint of the green glow within itself. Spread out over the floor into beyond it created quite a spectacle, stardust sprinkled over the floor instead of in the sky above.

Verdantia: Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight: Above and Below:Part One

"I received a visitor today," Minako announced, wasting not a moment upon Makoto's entrance into the drawing room. Minako's lips quirked and although both Makoto and Ami noticed, they remained silent and waited for the blonde to continue. "We've been summoned by her Majesty, Neo-Queen Serenity."

"What? Why?" Makoto blurted. To say the Traveler was surprised was an understatement, and she surmised from the Healer's expression of amazement that Ami had not anticipated such news either. She had been expecting a meeting where they discussed the information they sought from the blonde.

"Your appearance in Verdantia fits a much larger role than you thought. It was her Highness and her advisor that predicted your arrival," Minako explained. "Queen Serenity requested I discover your and Ami's whereabouts, which I would have happily complied with had you not come to me. Our meeting was destined."

Makoto could only stare at Ami in disbelief at Mina's words.

-x-x-x-

Wake up.

Wake up!

A voice spoke loudly and Rei woke instantly, knowing the voice came from inside her head. It was a familiar sound from her childhood; a voice that could be kind and loving or stern whenever necessary. When that voice spoke: Rei always obeyed. It was time to wake up. Her violet eyes opened slowly to greet utter darkness. Rei groaned as she stirred and the fine layer of dust covering her crumpled form shifted, motes floating into the air unseen as she rolled from her side onto her back. She coughed and brushed her face clean as best as possible in the dark; the jerky movement set off a pounding in her head that made teeth grit. She gently probed the spot below her right temple from where the pounding seemed to emanate and her fingers came away with a sticky substance. She bought her fingers to her nose and sniffed the sticky liquid gingerly; the copper scent of blood assailed her and she winced.

Verdantia: Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: It Begins

Minako was staring in concentration at the Koi Pond's ledger when the rapping of knuckles on her office door made her look up. She rubbed the bridge of her nose between the tip of her thumb and forefinger before sighing and snapped the large leather-bound book closed. Her business was doing well but the numbers always gave her a headache. This ledger issue was best left to the accountant after all. But even the meetings with the accountant were tedious, Minako concluded with another sigh.

She sat back in her chair before calling out, "Enter."

The visitor, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, entered and closed the door gently behind her before striding to stand in front of Mina's desk. The blonde had never seen the woman before but she only had to take one look at the visitor to know that the woman worked for the Neo-Queen. The knowledge of it was apparent in the visitor's ramrod straight posture. She wore civilian clothing of muted colors but the starched neatness of her attire were a giveaway. She may as well have worn her typical armor, Minako thought.

"You are Mistress Aino?" came the query, much to Mina's amusement. Even the women who worked for Minako did not call her that. Perhaps it was because Minako discouraged such proper custom. At most, some of the women insisted on calling her Miss Minako and the blonde had given up on dissuading her staff from using the prefix.

Verdantia: Chapter Six

Chapter 6: The Whip Wielder

Minako Aino noticed them the moment they walked through the door. She knew who they were and what they sought. Although she had never been a patient of the Healer, she recognized the blue-haired woman. She did not know the name of the taller woman, but there was a strange air about her-an other-worldliness if it could be called that. She would be the Traveler. Minako was one of the select few who knew a Traveler had been summoned. If Minako's main occupation was a seller of pleasure then her second would be a collector of information. There was no one who knew more of what was happening in Verdantia than Minako herself. Not even the Neo-Queen and her advisor knew as much as Minako did. Whether it was wild rumors, idle gossip, or highly guarded secrets, somehow they all made it into Minako's den of iniquity where she stored them for further use. Alcohol made short work of loosening the tongues of her customers; she also had some very loyal informants. Of course, because of this the Neo-Queen often made use of her services.

She watched as they walked up to the bar, the Healer leading the way, her expression somewhat uncertain. It amused Minako when she surmised the short-haired woman had probably never set foot in a place like this before. She listened in as they stood a few feet away from her while Naru asked for their orders. The Traveler looked like the drinking type; the Healer, on the other hand, did not seem like she ever partook. They also looked desperately in need of a bath and some sleep. It appeared as though their trip from the Southern Forests had been quite rough indeed. Not surprising really, given the rumors that had reached her ears lately.

Verdantia: Chapter Five

Chapter Five: Setting Out

It happened so quickly but to Ami it was a scene burned into her very retinas. She was rooted to the spot, could only stand and stare as Makoto stripped off her clothing. Lean muscles rippled across a lightly bronzed back and Ami's fingers twitched in response. She felt a sudden need to trace her fingers over every contour of that magnificent expanse of skin. Her gaze wandered down to the Traveler's exposed posterior and felt her breath catch. If her fingers twitched before, they positively tingled now at the idea of touching Makoto's perfect rear. The brunette began to wade into the water and every little movement showcased the work of art that was her body. Lean muscles subtly undulated under silky smooth skin.

For the first time in her life Ami came face to face with unmasked desire and it left her stunned and gasping for air. Her entire body felt hot. She had seen plenty of naked forms in her line of work as a Healer. In every one of those cases she had felt a sense of detachment but for her Makoto was so very different. The woman just seemed larger than life and not just because she was much taller. Every time they were together Ami realized her eyes were drawn to Makoto. The brunette was a feast for all senses. Whether it was listening to her husky voice, watching the play of light in her eyes or across her face or simply spending time together, these were all things Ami enjoyed. Even the woman's occasional crankiness was welcome.

Verdantia: Chapter Four

Chapter Four: A Place of Magic

She stared openly as the woman let her silver hair loose from its ties. In the privacy of her own bed chambers the silver haired woman undressed with ease; she was used to having an audience of one in her rooms. Realizing she would be distracted, the visitor looked around while the other woman undressed; after all, there was an important matter to be discussed first and foremost. Her garnet eyes wandered, landing on walls richly decorated with tapestries-weavings of graceful women long gone. This was a splendor which she would never get used to.

"So it worked?" Hope shone in the voice floating from behind the long silver curtain of hair as the woman bent to undo a garter belt.

Suddenly hot in the cloak, she found it difficult to speak with the view in front of her. Clearing her throat, she answered, "Yes. Everything is going as it should. There will be movement in the near future."

The silver-haired woman stood upright, completely naked and breathtakingly beautiful. She clapped her hands together, obviously quite pleased. Blue eyes glowed. "Wonderful!" She crossed the room towards her visitor, almost seeming to glide in the process. "Now, what about this kind of movement?" the silver haired woman asked as she brushed her body provocatively against the garnet eyed visitor in the dark cloak.

Verdantia: Chapter Three

Chapter Three: The Healer

Makoto woke in a bed she instantly recognized as not her own. Where am I? Wherever she was, she could tell it was late afternoon due to the waning sunlight streaming through the window near the bed. Sitting upright, she absently noted she felt a little sore in the mid-section but her attention was really on her surroundings. The large room, if it could be called a room, was a combination of bedroom, living room, kitchen and eating area. She could see the exposed low wooden beams and rafters would not have provided much room for a second floor had there been one.

The bed she sat in, along with a simple wooden dresser was located in the corner of the room furthest from the door. From the door her eyes were drawn to the kitchen. Dried plants in various stages hung from the low rafters of the kitchen area. They're herbs, she realized.They left a curiously pleasing aroma. Pots and pans also hung down from the rafters. A medium sized pot sat over a low fire in a rustic looking stone fireplace. Makoto's stomach rumbled as her nose detected a delicious scent wafting from the pot. Furniture was sparse but it, like the wooden window frames and door, gleamed softly as if someone had taken time and care to lovingly polish the surfaces.

There was one long wooden table covered in a woven white cloth in the middle of the room. Makoto noted two places were already set with simple mugs and spoons. A small wrapped bundle was placed in the middle of the table and she had a strong suspicion it was probably a loaf of bread. Instead of chairs, two long benches served as seats. The rest of the space in the remaining corner of the room contained two well-stacked bookcases as well as another table. However, this surface was neatly covered by bottles and flasks and items she could only compare to what would be a chemistry set with liquids of all colors.

Verdantia: Chapter Two

Chapter Two: The Muur-Kami

Red eyes with dark pinpoint pupils glared out of the gloom into the bright circle of sunlight. The stones towered in the center of the clearing. The Muur-Kami had been asleep when the booming and crackling rocked through the forests. It had grunted, instantly awake and up on its four legs. It knew the signs of course- it could smell the change in the air, an almost electric current seeping into the stink of the cave it called its home. The third head, growing out of the back grunted in annoyance upon being awakened and the Muur-Kami turned its neck to growl menacingly at the protesting appendage.

The head cowered behind the others, features barely discernible in the blackness of the cave; the Muur-Kami resumed its padding towards the mouth of the cave while bones—some animal, and some human—crunched underfoot. It had been a while since a meal presented itself. Especially one of the Others, a being from a different place, newly born to this world and weak. Drool dripped from its open maw as it remembered the taste of sweet marrow that could only belong to the Others. It had been many years since such a meal, but time was of no consequence to the Muur-Kami.

The heads adjoined to its back shrieked joyfully as it stalked towards the center of the forest. It arrived quickly, peering out at the weakling Other as it gasped for air, struggling. It wouldn't be long before night arrived, the blight of the infernal sun gone and the Muur-Kami would pounce. Oh, how it would feast! The heads tittered in excitement and it let them enjoy themselves as it continued to watch, crimson eyes glued to its prey. Inky tendrils of oily blackness rising from between the growth of heads along its back weaved to and fro in the air patiently. These four tentacles could not stretch very far but they were strong, easily providing aid when the Muur-Kami hunted.

Verdantia :Chapter One

Chapter One: The Speaking Stones

A pristine blue sky spread overhead, vast, never-ending, but it could be hardly seen under the thick canopy of the forest. Nevertheless, Ami enjoyed the walk; every so often through a break in the luscious foliage she caught a glimpse of the gorgeous clear sky. Cool under the trees, she was happy to be wearing her woolen cloak over her favorite white tunic with dark filigree patterns around the collar and the edge of the three-quarter sleeves. A long, flowing skirt hugged her waist, the hem fluttering around her calves, just an inch above the lace-up moccasin boots she wore. Ami found the boots were not only comfortable to hike in but they protected her legs from the underbrush.

Today she was collecting herbs but it certainly did not feel like any kind of work to her. She paused in her forward motion for a moment to appraise her surroundings. Nearby a low plant with flowers similar to daisies caught her eye, the petals small and white with a center of gold.

Ah, feverfew.

Her hand was a few inches from the plant when a loud crackling sound reverberated through the forest air. She froze when what sounded like thunder followed, booming, echoing throughout the forest. As the noise continued birds shrieked and scattered into the air, dark petals taking wing into the blue cloudless sky. In all her years of living on the outskirts of the forest she had never heard a noise quite like it. Through clear patches of canopy and undergrowth she could hear and see all manner of winged and legged wildlife as they fled from the peculiar sound, which seemed to originate from deep inside the Inner Forest.

Verdantia: Prologue

Disclaimers: The character Makoto Kino belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. Margie and Ran are mine, as is this particular plot. If the idea of same-sex relationships offend you then please find something more better suited to your tastes. Thank you. 

Prologue

Somewhere in downtown Manhattan, a little bar called The Cat's Paw sat nestled between a Greek restaurant and an electronics shop. Inside, smoke hung in the air, still and thick. Makoto Kino sat at the bar staring down into her drink. In a moment of self pity she thought to herself, I can't do this anymore.

"How long are you going to sit there feeling sorry for yourself?" Margie asked. In her early forties, wisdom and youth contrasted and entwined in her dark eyes. In another time and place Margie would have been a gypsy. At the moment she was a bar owner, welcoming the lost and the weary. Dispensing advice and the occasional home cooking, she was like a second mother to Makoto. Almost.

"Makoto!"

Her head snapped up at Margie's tone. "How long are you going to stay like that? That girl wasn't worth your time and she knew it. Although I do wish she would have picked a better way to let you know."

Makoto sighed. "It doesn't matter. I'm done with women." She downed the drink and passed her glass to Margie. Margie looked at Makoto. She hadn't changed much since the first time she walked into the bar seven years ago.