Darkness' Gift Ch.5

"The Dynasty has a phone?" Kanassis almost squeaked as they had turned the corner, the three would teleport as soon as the coast was clear.
"Yes, of course, several in fact. We have soldiers and spirits answering them." Cale smirked.
"Spirits?" Kanassis shook her head. "What was the plan if she had actually wanted to see me off at the airport?"
"Don't worry Kanassis, we have our ways. We probably would have just conjured forth tickets that had already been used or some that weren't going to be and disappeared before we reached the plane....and as for the luggage, we can take care of that too." Cale slid an arm around her shoulders. "You did very well though."
"If we didn't have to be back at the Dynasty, I'd say we should hang out here for a bit." Dais looked around and eyed the pair a bit. "The only downside is that those little Ronins are probably lurking about. And this suit itches."
Kanassis relaxed, yet she seemed more alert. A little uneasy, but clearly not enough to make her pull away. *Those two need time alone or something. This will be stressful until they go either way in this thing between them.* Dais noticed an alley way and headed for it, taking the lead, giving them some space.
"Kanassis, you're OK with everything?" Cale looked down at her.
"Yeah, I guess I just need to get used to things. The stone walls don't exactly say technology friendly." Her remark made Cale laugh.
"True, just wait until you see Badamon on phone duty." Cale was grinning, even with the sunglasses he had a very predatory presence.
"Bada-who?" Kanassis tilted her head.
"You'll meet him soon enough...perhaps even too soon. Not exactly a being one would invite to a party." Kanassis nodded, and found herself leaning into Cale, her western ways telling her it was wrong, her instincts telling her western raising to fuck off.
*Well, well, well, I do wonder how this is going to turn out.* Dais looked backed at them as they entered into the alley. *Looks hopeful.* Making sure that there was no one in sight, Dais was the first to teleport back to the Dynasty, the pair right behind, only after they had teleported, Dais teleported again, off to do his own thing.
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Anubis teleported several feet from Cale and Kanassis right after Dais had teleported away. "Cale, I hope you don't mind, I want to have a little...get together later, bit of sake, celebrate the Dynasty's little prize here." The Warlord of Cruelty smiled, the girl's expression changed to one of un-amusement.
Cale shrugged. "I'm always up for it, you know that, Anubis. Are you?" He removed his sunglasses and pocketed them. Kanassis nodded rather than speak. She was picking up on Anubis planning something, what exactly, she couldn't figure out.
"Then I expect you and her both after dinner, you know where Cale." Anubis walked away rather than teleport. Cale just walked with Kanassis, taking her back to the training room.
"Hmm, I was going to talk to you tonight about the Dynasty, but I guess tomorrow night will have to do if you don't mind?" They had reached the doors of the training room.
"Not at all." Kanassis grew a bit hot, blushing, he simply smiled, enjoying the sight of the rush of red to her cheeks as he finally slid his arm from her. *Too soon...* Giving into the fact she had to get back to training, she backed into the door, pushing it open and slipping in, keeping her eyes on him for as long as she could. *The scar, will he tell me?*
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The remaining hours of training didn't get much done. Kanassis was learning to hold her astral projection longer. What was making it harder was seeing all that she was. The other plane was quite disturbing, especially here, in the Netherealm. Fantasy horror come to life. And this was her fate, to work here, for this evil Emperor, funny how Talpa was no long the disturbance in her mind.
Kanassis had her run, picked up her scrolls and went to her room, tired and exhausted. There was however, a knock at her door soon after she closed it and sat down on her bed. So getting up, the muscles in her back protesting, and opening the door was a chore. It was a girl.
"I'm Kayra." She pushed her way in. "You're tired."
"No, I'm Kanassis.." She huffed at the intruder.
"Doesn't matter, you need to get ready....oh, bruises, thats OK, you'll get used to it, and this will help." A tin canister appeared in her hand. "Yarrow, in the bath water and even as a wash rub down. We all use it. This little thing Anubis is doing, we often have these, this one is pretty loose though." Kayra walked over to the closet and started looking through it. "Hmm, will have to get you some ceremonial clothing though." Kayra summoned a dress, something in between a kimono and a dress. "I guess this would be to your liking?"
"Wow, yes....wow." The dress was red with a black and silver lotus pattern sweeping along the edges, long flowing peasant sleeves, and long flowing skirt that would nearly hit the ground when she put it on.
"Well, after dinner just toss this on and do whatever is your thing. Not like you have to really work to get Cale's attention." Kayra disregarded Kanassis' squeak. "I will come and get you after dinner." With that Kayra left.
*I don't want to eat...it hurts. Dear heavens, it hurts.* Kanassis dragged herself to the dining hall. Chances would be, she'd end up sleeping in unless if she was woken. There didn't seem to be a set time of day here due to the walls of the castle and the dim lighting that reminded one of the evening. Kanassis took her typical seat next to Cale. The Warlord of Corruption and Decay stopped eating what looked to be some kind of stir fry.
"Here." He pushed a bowl of noodles and meat over to her. "Noodles equal energy."
"Thanks." Kanassis' voice was soft as she picked up chop sticks and started eating slowly. It took her a little while to pick up the pace, beginning to feel better the more she ate. Sekhmet had walked past, eying Kanassis and took his seat down the table. Anubis was once again, nowhere to be seen, likely preparing for later. Dais was at the end, eating some type of soup. Dinner was quiet and uneventful, everyone saving any chance of conversation and all energy for later. The long hard day had yet to wind down.
Kanassis, back in her room, had gotten a quick shower, a light rub of yarrow water, and dressed, just in time for the knock on her door that was Kayra.
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"Sekhmet, remember that time when Anubis oiled the ceiling? As soon as Dais got to the center, all tired and ready to nap...boom, hits the floor!" Cale nudged Sekhmet who merely smirked. "Dais didn't even bother to try again until the ceiling was washed, but merely acted just like a cat, walked off as if he had meant to do that." Anubis nearly spilled some of the sake, trying not to laugh.
"I caught him checking his armor, wondering what the hell happened later." Sekhmet looked at the scowling Dais then over at Anubis. "Don't spill it, Anubis."
"I'm not." Anubis handed Sekhmet his wooden box cup, Dais was still waiting for his, patient, watching Sekhmet take a pinch of salt and toss in the sake.  Cale had gotten there early and was now working on his second.
"That's OK, him putting the green dye in Anubis' shower head was more than enough revenge." Sekhmet looked at Cale and they both grinned.
"Green Giant!" They said at the same time and busted out laughing. Dais was now grinning and daydreaming about the incident that now had Anubis scowling in turn. Anubis shoved Dais' cup at him, the Warlord of Illusion said nothing. Dais saved his smart ass remarks for more important times.
In the door way Kayra appeared, Kanassis following, her hair still somewhat wet. Cale got quiet as soon as he noticed Kanassis, Sekhmet started bugging Anubis for a refill already.
Kanassis sat down next to Cale, as Kayra set to making Dais move on over so she could sit between him and Anubis. Dais scooted a bit to allow her sitting room, all the while observing. *Cale really needs to get rid of that silly grin.* Dais took a sip.  He was content to take his time.
  Anubis seemed to take his time to annoy Kayra in pouring her cup until he caught the glare of momentary poison from the young lady, and seemed to be just as air headed about Kanassis' cup, only Kanassis was too busy glancing around the room to care how long it took for her drink.
  "I'm sure there's....things you wish to know about the Dynasty, Kanassis..."  Anubis held out the wooden square that held the drink of choice and watched her take it.  "Feel free to ask whatever you'd like."
  The room was quiet in a relaxing way.  No pressure while Kanassis thought for a minute.
  "What is the real story behind everything that has happened on Earth?"
  *Nice, broad question.*  Dais watched as the other Warlords looked at each other.
  "It originally started when the idea was to take hold of Tokyo. Things weren't going to plan, fighting the Ronins and somehow luck stays on their side-"  Sekhmet mumbled something that vaguely sounded like 'lucky charm....kid....and bitch' before continuing his explanation and Cale nearly cracked up. "We had prisoners from the city, and as soon as those damn Ronins tried getting through the gates, poof.  For some strange reason, we're over near-by Kyoto, no prisoners, and yet, lots of added energy from what Master Talpa said."  Sekhmet's eyes narrowed, not that is made much difference in his appearance.  
  "What type of being would have that kind of power?  We searched for an energy source that could do that, and none was found.  The Ronins caught up after our search, the fights followed, as did destruction of course, and once again, the Netherealm portal is moved, this time St.Petersburg, Russia.  We searched again for what could have been moving The Dynasty and giving us energy again, the only thing was a hint of energy from a silver light that was streaking across the sky apparently.  Cale was the one who saw it, Russia is too damn cold for my liking."  
   "Of course is is, you're just as cold blooded as your pets."  Anubis was pouring himself another cup.
    "Cale on the other hand, was right at home."  Sekhmet's tiny black pupils rolled while Cale grinned and shoved his box at Anubis for a third cup.  "Well, like I was saying, Talpa started to go into trances and watch his screen a lot.  He started to get a bit obsessed with trying to find what or who had all that power to spare, figuring it could be the key for him to take and rule Earth once and for all.  Thus, he started moving us around, sending us out on searches, giving us energy draining orbs especially where there was a lot of crime, murders, and such things.  We were also encouraged to cause havoc of our own, in order to produce more of the type of energy that we need, and so the Ronins have followed us."
    "Emperor Talpa started to pick up on you, and we moved, closer and closer to your city, thinking it was the power source, the incident never occurred again, and once were were close enough, he knew it wasn't you, but of all the people in the world, you *do* hold something of interest according to Lord Talpa, something that could be very useful."  Sekhmet shrugged.
    "Speaking of, how is your training going, what is it that Talpa has you doing beside providing Anubis with an unnecessary outlet for his aggression for the first part?"  Dais tilted his head, keeping his smirk over Anubis' glare completely mental.  
    "Ah, it's different, he has me projecting."  Kanassis closed her eyes and shook a little.
    "Projecting?"  Dais watched her carefully.  *Something bothers her...what would this projecting be?*
    "Astral projection.  It's where you get your spirit to leave your body without dying."  Kanassis downed the rest of her sake and held it out as soon as Anubis offered a refill.  Cale put an arm around her shoulder as soon as she was refilled.
    *Sometimes Cale is thicker than a 10 ton slab of concrete.  He proud she's taking to the sake, he can't see she disturbed about something.  Time to find out a bit about her...*  "So, Kanassis, what was your life like back home?"
    "Dull......lonely........mom was away at work or at a bar, or at some guys house.  School, only a few teachers ever gave me the time of day.  I'm not exactly....socially acceptable to many people's standards, especially in a small preppy school like mine.......was......was......"  Kanassis nodded a bit.  "I had my books, my music, my TV, video games, unlimited Chinese and pizza money, and a key to the liquor cabinet.  I went to parties i wasn't invited to and pissed people off when I could, a few concerts here and there, that was about it.  That was my pitiful life back home."  Cale squeezed her a little for comfort, she smiled a bit.
    "So no pets?"  Sekhmet looked at her strangely.
    "No, mom wouldn't allow anything.  Not even fish.  No matter how high my grades are.....were."  She blinked.
    "Here he goes again, trying to push off his snakes onto other people..."  Dais sighed.  *Is this really necessary?*
    "Shove it Dais!"  Sekhmet snarled and threatened to throw his cup at Dais.
    "Snakes are interesting, but i really wanted something that didn't require a cage for its own safety.  Fish were more of a last resort."  Quickly she spoke and Sekhmet blinked a few times and settled back down.
    Kayra was content to listen and watch, taking small sips, happily sitting in between the Dais and Anubis, quiet as could be.
    *She seems to have a talent for handling other, I suspect she just needs to harness it and build her own confidence.  She could be a great asset to the Dynasty, especially with the way we squabble, even I'm guilty of it.  The sake seemed to loosen Sekhmet up a bit though.*
     "Hey Sekhmet, remember that time when you glue Anubis' hairbrush to his dresser?"  Cale nudged Sekhmet a bit too hard and too high, sent him tipping into Anubis, who just shoved him back into Cale with a scowl at the mention of his hairbrush.  "Whoa.."  Cale pushed Sekhmet upright.
     "Remember that time that Anubis cooked all your meat to well done?"  Sekhmet rubbed his hands.
     "That wasn't a kitchen accident?!"  Cale seemed to settle into deep thought, plotting, only to give up and squeeze Kanassis lightly again and demand yet another refill from Anubis.  Kanassis followed suit for a third.
     *There all going insane.*  Dais tossed his head back finishing his first and last cup before getting up and leaving them to their madness.
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     "So you saw Cale without his helmet?  The warlords are human?"  Rowen shook his head.
     "Yeah."  Sage was leaning up against the wall of the hotel room, next to the door.  This was the first time since the incident that the Ronins regrouped from checking out the city and those nearby.
     "So he killed the girl's father for trying to rape her, and did nothing to her?"  Ryo was puzzled.
     "Yeah."  Sage had given up repeating every detail, there wasn't a point, nothing to do now but confirm if they were getting it right, and re-explaining the unbelievable situation parts that they weren't.
     "Thats not like Cale at all!  He's a beast, he's gone for Mia and Yuli without a second thought!"  Kento was fighting mad.  When he wasn't hungry now a days, you could guarantee he was fighting mad with all the problems with the Dynasty.
     "Yes, I know.  Why wouldn't he kill her?  Thats the question."  Sage sighed.
     "He is still a man....I guess.  Perhaps he had interest in having her for himself."  Cye sat down on one of the beds.
     "It didn't seem like that unless if he was thinking of sweet talking her.  I don't know how long they had been there, who knows what's going on."  Sage dropped his head and closed his eyes.
     "You're sure you didn't hear anything, Sage?"  Mia was showing concern, most likely for the female.
     "I'm sure.  It was spooky, they both were staring at me when I got into their immediate sight, like they both heard me coming, and I was quiet, I made damn sure of that."  
     "His power does lie within darkness, maybe he hushed her and she just watched to see what he was staring at."  Mia was trying to reassure Sage with no success.
     "Maybe you're right, but something was off about everything.  I can't place it.  Maybe we should try to find out where the girl lives?"  Sage just couldn't shake the feeling he was getting.  It was like his gut was telling him there was far more too this than met the eye.
     "In the morning, man, we need sleep, other wise we'll be useless."  Kento yawned, stretched, and was the first Ronin out of Mia's and Yuli's room, back to their own.
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    The time was filled with talks of who played what jokes on who.  Apparently Kayra had even gotten the warlords a few times quite well.  A couple more drinks and Kanassis was more than ready to call it a night, she wasn't feeling too well, so Cale called it quits with her, and helped her back to her room.
     "You sure you're going to be all right?"  Cale was a bit wobbly himself, but he was trying to hide it.
     :"I think ssssoooo....I think I'm going to be.......a bit sick...."  She leaned against the door frame to her room.  *I want you to stay......but I don't want to be sick if you stay....especially with the way my stomach is hurting, its never been this bad.*  She fought off the pain, trying not to double over.  "I'll be fine, Cale."  
      "Let me know if you need anything.  Don't be too proud to ask."  Cale didn't see her wince at his words, but she nodded, he nodded, and he left to his room.
     Her stomach lurched and twisted, knotting up as she stumbled inside and to her bed, laying down to muffle her soft cries of pain, drifting, drifting into the darkness, the comforting darkness.