~^~Against the Dying of the Light~^~
     

-Book Eight: Enchanting Isles-

"Do not go gentle unto that good night.
Old Age should burn and rave at close of day.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."		~Dylan Thomas

	"Itai!" Tamahome cried out as he landed, rear-end first on a pile of sand.
The heavens had a strange way of doing things, dumping him and Orion on a
country side, and now on a tropical island. Tamahome quickly surveyed his
surroundings, noticing that lush tropical trees surrounded the area. White,
foamy, waves crashed onto the shore, but Orion was nowhere to be found. He
looked up at the sky, and then heard mumbling coming from the heavens. *Are
they speaking to me?*
"Hello? Angel? Conrad? Kiyoshi? Did you call me?"
	"Aho! You idiot! I'm calling you! Stupid-ass!" A familiar voice rang from
above as Tamahome turned to see Orion stuck up on a palm tree branch.
"Tasukitee! Help me down already!"
	Tamahome chuckled and approached the tree, wondering how the branch could
sustain such weight. "Ano, Orion. That branch is pretty strong to hold your
weight!"
	He had spoke to soon. A crack was heard and Orion fell towards Tamahome, who
tried to catch his guardian. "Oof! Sheesh, how much do you weigh?"
	"Aww, shut up!" Orion jumped off Tamahome who soon began dusting sand from
his dark blue hair, which glittered in the sun, catching Orion's eye.
	"So, is that the 'thanks' I get. Hmph, so much for being a..." Tamahome was
cut off as Orion grabbed his head and forcefully gave him a kiss. A deep one
in fact. The two stood there embracing. Tamahome wanted to pull away, but he
couldn't and just remained there, amazed at Orion's strength. *And my
goodness, does he taste so good!* Tamahome blinked his eyes wide open, finding
himself responding to the kiss. It wasn't even romantic or soft, as he had
kissed Miaka and Leila. No, it was lust filled. Orion ran his hands through
Tamahome's hair, stroking the silky tresses. Their tongues clashed and
Tamahome let the moment sink in, brushing his tongue against the back of
Orion's throat, tickling him. When the two had had enough, and were mainly out
of breath, Orion pulled away and spoke.
	"Is that a 'thanks' enough for you?" Tamahome, shocked and out of breath,
brought his hands to his lips and gulped. *Did Orion have a crush on me?*
Afterall, Orion had been his guardian all his life, maybe even growing to love
him, in different ways, than that of a parent.
	But Orion, left no more time for thinking as he marched away ordering for
Tamahome to follow. The mood was set back again as Tamahome wanted to proceed
into the jungle, arguing with Orion's original plans. 
	"Hell no! We follow me, I'm the guardian with 10,000 years of experience!"
Orion growled again.
	"That's not all you've had under you!" Tamahome replied slyly and smirked. He
heard Orion utter another strand of curse words. "Besides, remember what
Chiriko, err..I mean Conrad said, 'The answers I seek are within me'."
Tamahome began walking into the jungle, brushing leaves and vines out of his
way. He heard a reluctant Orion follow, still cursing and mumbling. *He sure
does complain a lot.*
	The heat inside the jungle was intense, and this amplified the fever Tamahome
now possessed, due to Miaka's illness. He still hadn't found a way to use the
medicine Kiyoshi gave him, the ball had no opening, and it did not open, no
matter how many times he banged it on a rock, or on Orion's head, (when he
would argue too much), for that matter.
	The two stopped at a cool spring, oddly enough placed where the travelers
were to almost faint from exhaustion. They bent down to drink, and noticed
that their refelctions were not their own. Instead their images were replaced
by two women glancing up at them.
	"Tamahome, get back! It's a trap..Ack!" Orion alerted Tamahome to late, as
two pairs of hands reached up and dragged them into the water.
	"Gurgle, gurgle..." Orion said to Tamahome. Well, that's not exactly what he
said, more like what it sounded like. The two found themselves dizzy from the
lack of oxygen. When it would seem that their lungs were going to explode, the
two sirens which had dragged them underwater kissed both of them. Tamahome
looked surprised, but he found that the siren was giving him air and allowing
him to breathe. He turned to check on Orion, who was now embracing the siren,
groping her breasts and placing his hand under her thin gown. He was enjoying
himself, and he would take every opportunity with any pretty girl, or guy;
whichever came first.
	"Baka! Stop that!" Tamahome kicked Orion in the head. They could now speak
underwater as well, and Orion, being one for words began another incessant
rant. The sirens giggled and lead the two deeper into the pond, which now
turned out to be a sea. The wildlife was so different and so much more
colorful than the surface world. Tamahome marveled at the splendor and went to
talk to Orion, who was again kissing the maiden. He had her top off now, and
she was swimming for the both of them. Tamahome sighed and continued to follow
his siren.

*			*			*			*
	"La la la la la la laaaaaaa...." A voice echoed through the throne room, the
tone crudely changing from bass to alto, as Emperor Ramon covered his ears.
*Sheesh. When my wife decides to sing, she really decides to sing...* His head
started tp hurt, and he regretted not having sound-proof door installed into
the palace. Ramon's trend of thought was interrupted as a messenger, one of
the palace's many muses, brought news of incoming visitors.
	The emperor sat up immediately, ordering his wife to be silenced and to join
him in the throne room. *So, the soul comes to seek the guides.* He himself
was one of them, known as the leader and lover. And his wife, Philyra (Greek
for a lover of the arts and music; however not necessarily gifted in music),
was another guide, the warrior. He often received praise on how beautiful a
couple he and his wife made. For sure, their marriage was arranged, just on
looks alone. But it was good to know that his wife was also of noble birth. He
smiled and closed his eyes, remembering his companion's soft ivory skin, the
long, deep violet hair and matching eyes, he would get to business tonight. He
cringed as he heard the queen hit a sharp note, and the doors of the music
hall opened and she soon joined him at the throne.

*			*			*			*
	The muses led the two foreigners towards the underwater palace of Theodosia.
Tall structures surrounded the castle, providing it protection from whirlpools
and ocean disasters. The palace was made out of the finest water-resistant
ivory, which gleamed as the sun's rays striked it surface, and seemed to glow
and night, reflecting the lone shine of the moon. The palace and surrounding
gardens were magnificent; the water lilies and kelp, all gold and beige in
color, complemented the tine of the castle, making it seem even more
glamorous. 
	Tamahome readied himself for almost anything. He expected a fight, and a good
one indeed. He was warned by Conrad that this would be the hardest test of
all. He closed his eyes for a moment, and he swore that he could hear his
heart beat pause for one moment, then continue on again. Pain once more shot
through his body, as he struggled to keep up with the muses. *Miaka, hold on.*
He cringed, and he could feel his insides shrivel up, squeezing the life out
of him. He kept his eyes wide open, trying not to focus on the pain, and he
looked towards the splendid castle.

*			*			*			*
	"Ok, ok. It's my turn!" Conrad pushed forward, attempting to squeeze through
the two adults blocking his view of the orb, which showed Orion and Tamahome
swimming towards the palace of Theodosia. He sighed as he realized that he
couldn't get through Angel and Kiyoshi. He soon turned his attention on
another globe. This one revealing a young girl in bed, writhing in pain. He
cried out a name, over and over again. Unfortunately, with the cheap model of
the orb, they received no sound and Conrad focused his eyes on the girl's lip,
trying to make out the word. She was sweating tremendously, the result of a
high fever. Blankets lay atop her frail and weakened self, as if it would help
her. Conrad shook his head at the pitiful site. He had seen many humans go
through death, and the Black Plague claimed many. The worst part was watching
them die. All that pain and suffering, to come to a bitter end. Those who died
with a good heart, often found themselves at the gates of heaven. And those
who died of a bitter heart, often found themselves in a place not quite
pleasant. Conrad faced away from the orb, not wanting to view the horrid
sight.

*			*			*			*
	The attendants and mesengers of Theosodia, as well as those who wanted to
witness a spectacle, gathered at the palace gates and inside the throne room,
sitting high atop in the viewer's balcony.  This was their idea of
entertainment, much like the Romans and their bull-fighting. They knew that a
fight was going to take place tonight. The citizens of Theosodia were blood-
thirsty and cried death to the two foreigners being brought in to see the king
and queen.
	
	Tamahome and Orion marveled at the splendor of the palace; at how vast the
throne room seemed, the ceiling extended for almost a mile above their heads,
adorned with an astonishing glass chandelier, complete with gold beads and
encrusted with jewels. 
	"Eh, Tamahome. It looks like we're gonna have an easy time here, ne? I mean
look at all the crowds of people welcoming ya!" Orion grinned, still looking
around.
He began waving at the crowd who jeered at him.
	"Ano, Orion. I highly doubt that they are here to welcome us." Tamahome
gulped as he heard the blood-lust cries emanated from the citizens of the
underwater city.
	"Maybe they have something against land-people." Orion attempted to assure
his companion, who was too busy deviating a plan of escape.
	Trumpets announced the emperor and emperess, who were already seated at the
throne. The crowd immediately turned its attention to their rulers, who lifted
up their hands, commanding silence.
	A messenger stepped forward requesting that the man called Tamahome step
forward. Before Tamahome could respond, Orion stepped forward, claiming that
he was Tamahome. His companion, utterly confused, questioned Orion's actions.
But, Orion uttered not a word, instead, communicated through his mind.
	*Don't worry. You'll be safe. Rest now, for they believe that I am really
you. It is a trap. Why do you think we were brought down here in the first
place?*
	Tamahome's mouth hung open in shock. *Why would Orion do anything like this?
This is his mission, his quest. Why is he interferring?*
	*Because I'm your fucking protector and guardian, remember. Baka, besides I
love you.*
	Tamahome couldn't believe what Orion just said to him in his silent message.
He also knew it was true, when he his met the gaze of Orion's, who was now
forcibly dragged away, to be placed in a dungeon. Tamahome was enraged and he
spoke to the king angrily.
	"Why are you doing this to him? Let him go!" He snarled and made a dash for
his friend, but was restrained by the royal guards, who quickly took action.
"Orion!" Tamahome yelled, revealing the masquerade Orion had put into play. He
did not care; why should his friend be in danger instead of him? "Orion!" He
turned to the king and queen now. "I'm Tamahome, he's not! Take me instead!"
	"Baka! Why the hell did ya..." Orion glared at him, angry and surprised.
	"Take me, dammit! I'm the one you seek!" Tamahome now turned to face his
friend. "I did it, because you're important to me. I care too much for you!"
Tamahome was as shocked as Orion was, having heard those words.
	The crowd was no in complete chaos, due to the struggle below. The emperor
once again simply raised his hand, and silenced ensued; peace conquering the
disturbance. It was then that the Emperor spoke.
	"It is no matter. We will have it our way, despite the mistaken identity."
His voice was commanding and elegant and rang through the entire throne room.
His presence alone made Tamahome shiver, as he saw the eyes of the emperor; so
beautiful, yet so lonely. His warm-chocolate-brown hair, suspended in the
water, framed his angled face so perfectly. He was a sight for sore eyes, and
his emperess was one to compete with his beauty. Her dark violet hair sparkled
as her violet eyes cut through the crowd. The couple was as beautiful as the
castle they lived in.
	"Do not take the handsome red-head away." It was the emperess's turn to speak
now. Tamahome smiled, hoping that she was as kind-hearted as she was
beautiful. "No, place him here, so that he may watch his friend die
pitifully." Tamahome sweatdropped and sighed. *This indeed is going to be a
test.*
	
*			*			*			*
	"Oh no! Tamahome has gotten himself into a huge mess, no da." Angel peered
closely into the translucent orb, in which he could see Orion being delivered
in the hands of royal guards, and Tamahome, being rushed at and silenced.
	Conrad gathered around the orb, now that Kiyoshi was off somewhere, He
silently prayed that Tamahome would get out of this mess. He concentrated
hard, being one of his guides, Conrad somehow transfered part of his wisdom
and knowledge gained from many centuries to the young man, now being thrown
into a pit of obstacles. 
	The two watched intently, trying to make out what was going on in the utter
chaos that encircled the guardian and his companion.

*			*			*			*
	No sooner than he had revealed his true identity, the emperor ordered
immediate action to be taken place. A hush fell over the crowd once more, as
their leader lifted his hand, concentrating, shutting his eyes tightly. The
waters remained deathly still and the crowd awaited the next event. 
	A bright red orb of light appeared, floating atop the emperor's had. The
light, once dim, grew to such an intensity, that the waters and the ground
beneath Tamahome trembled. Ramon, the emperor, still focused, manipulating the
sea floor, twisting and contorting it, creating at first a giant hole. Walls
soon sprang up from the ground, creating a labyrinth, trapping Tamahome
inside. The royal guards had reacted quickly, backing off and making way for
the newly formed maze beneath them.
	Tamahome shielded his eyes from the light, and prayed to Suzaku, fearing for
the worst as the sea floor trembled and shifted beneath him. When all was
settled, did he dare open his eyes, to find himself over thirty feet below the
rest of the crowd, in a maze of some sort. Giant walls of sand obstructed his
view, and prevented him from escaping. An eerie feeling crept across Tamahome
as he sensed what the emperor had in store.
	
	"Citizens of Theodosia, I bring to you the warrior from the earth!" The
emperor spoke as the crowds cheered, excited that they were to witness a
spectacle. The emperor's attention now turned to Tamahome, who craned his neck
to face the throne where Emperor Ramon and his empress, Philyra sat.
"Tamahome, if you are him. Prove to me and my wife that you are who you claim
to be! Solve and finish this labyrinth in a matter of five minutes, and your
last two guides, whom you seek, shall be revealed to you!" Ramon smiled,
knowing that his trick was now into effect. For over 10,000 years no mere
mortal had ever exited the maze alive. Only the brightest and the strongest
were allowed to leave. "You have five minutes to reach this end of the maze. I
warn you, it will not be easy. There is only ONE rule, and that rule is that
there are NO rules." The crowd acted up again, seeing that this would prove to
be a bloodmatch. 
	Trumpets blared and announced the beginning of the clock. Tamahome looked at
the emperor, who held a silk scarf, and now released it, allowing the sands of
time to drizzle by, in the hourglass. As soon as the scarf was released and
the time had begun, Tamahome found he could no longer breathe underwater, and
he unsuccessfully tried to inhale oxygen only to cause buubles to escape from
his mouth. The audience roared with laughter as the king's words echoed in his
mind: "There are NO rules." Tamahome had to think, and quickly, for there was
no possible way that he could hold his breath for five minutes. His head was
spinning as he searched for a way to get out, nonetheless a way to survive.
His vision was blurry now, losing all of his underwater abilities which were
temporarily granted to him by the siren. He blindly bumped around, his hands
running against the wall, feeling for a passage, a way of escape. His head was
pounding, his lungs nearly to the point of exploding, when he finally came
upon a spout, blowing bubbles into the water.                    
      Tamahome, relying on primal instinct, bent his head towards the spout
and placed his mouth over it, sucking the air it provided. He regained his
strength quickly, as he proceeded onwards. It was as if Tamahome was lead to
the spout, which renewed his life. He felt his guides' presence with him,
despite their physical absence. Tamahome still lacked the vision to complete
the maze, clumsily swimming around, feeling his way across the walls. He swear
he could hear the crowd chanting, counting the precious time he had left. 
      "Three minutes!" The cry from the audience echoed through the water,
alerting Tamahome, who had to soon stop by another nearby spout. Inhaling the
air, he panicked, awkwardly bumping into the labyrinth walls. He face was
burning, and his body shook with the illness, the same Miaka possessed. Maybe
he was just an ordinary mortal, bound to make mistakes and to suffer by them.
But he continued on, knowing that if he failed, he not only brought down
himself, but Miaka as well. The world, all a blur to him, spun by, not
relenquishing any clue whatsoever on how to get out of the maze. He simply
could not swim fast enough around the corners of the maze, as he struggled and
once again took a breath of air from another spout.
      "Two minutes!" 
      The crowd chanted ecstatically awaiting his doom. He felt death breathe
down his neck, as an icy chill crept through his spine, warning him that
failure was indeed inevitable.
      "One minute!" The cry from the crowd shot through the air, as Tamahome
struggled to again get around a seemingly, never-ending corridor. When all
seemed lost, a familiar voice, one of wisdom reached him, urging him to go on.
      "Take the top. Swim to the top and go straight ahead. The end is
directly ahead of you." The female voice spoke to him, as Tamahome, seeing no
other way, took heed and hurridly darted up and over the thirty foot walls,
once enclosing him and predicting certain doom. The crowd fell silent, as some
gasped, shocked to see someone attempt this. Believing tha there were no
rules, Tamahome put all his might into bringing his arms and legs forward,
swiftly in such a fluid motion, that in that brief moment of triumph, he could
be mistaken as a sea-dweller. Strength and might surged through every part of
his renewed body, struggling to reach the end. He had now shut his eyes,
fearing that the visions would distract him, solely concentrating on his goal,
envisioning it.
      "Ten, nine, eight..." The countdown proceeded onward as Tamahome pushed
himself to the extreme, his lungs about to collapse, his brain, slowly dying,
his heart fading to a soft steady drum; so close to death and eternal slumber.
His entire body ached, and yet he moved onward, knowing that defeat was an
option he would not accept.
      "Three...two..." The countdown ceased in mid air, as a brilliant flash
of red light, broke through the walls of the maze, sea dust clouds rising
everywhere, enveloping the brave soul who challenged the labyrinth. The crowd
fell unearthly silent, as hey awaited the next event. The only sound which
could be heard was a faint cry down below, as Orion screamed Tamahome's name,
hoping that this would bring him back. 
      No sooner have being said, was it done, as the ocean floor trembled with
such power that it would be written in history books as the earthshake which
brought forth new lands and destroyed others. From the rubble rose a lone
figure, emanating red light, his clothes torn, his shirt dangling, revealing
his bare chest. The crowd gasped and retreated in horror as the figure
approached the throne, still carried by the mysterious red light. Orion,
leaned forward, breaking through the grasps of the palace guards and joined
Tamahome, who presented himself in front of the royal court.

      Tamahome wasn't sure what had happened. The events were so vague to him.
He felt a heat source surrounding and protecting his body, as it was carried
throughout the Theosodian court. *Red light? The light of Suzaku* Tamahome
could feel the presence of the phoenix, which thrived within him. He was soon
brought back to reality, from his temporary haze, as soon as his feet touched
the ocean floor.
	"Tamahome!" Orion made a mad dash for his companion and hugged with tightly,
fearing that he would go off again. Tamahome cringed at Orion's brute
strength, and their happy reunion was broken off, as the emperor coughed and
alerted them.
	"Congratulations, Tamahome. I see you are fit for my blessing to be bestowed
upon you." The emperor descneded from his throne and joined the couple, who
stared wide-eyed and his actions and his beauty. "Allow me to introduce
myself. My name if Ramon, Emperor of Theosodia and the leader guide of
Tamahome."
	"You're the leader?" Tamahome almost had to slap himself to believe that he
was awake and not dreaming.
	"Ano, sorry to cause you so much trouble, but to gain my wisdom and strength,
you had to pass through my test, which combined all the tests given before you
came here." Ramon looked Tamahome in the eye and turned once again to the
throne. "The other guide, in which you seek, is none other than my wife,
Emperess Philyra. She is your warrior guide, Tamahome."
	The empress slowly rose from the throne, but not to join the three. Instead
she rose her hand and pointed at Tamahome, and began to speak. "The trials are
not over yet, Tamahome. Before you can gain me, and therefore return to your
former-self, I have one more task in which you must fulfill." Tamahome cringed
and was about to complain. Afterall he had went through, there was still more
trial and tribulations to pay! But his thoughts were interrupted as the
emperess spoke once more, this time in a less harsh voice, taking on more of a
flirty tone. "I ask of you, Tamahome, to..." The crowd listened intently,
eager to know the final task awaiting 
Tamahome. "I wish for you to non-other than, sing me a song..."
	The crowd sighed, having seen enough action for the day, glad to know that
things were definitely lightening up. Tamahome sweatdroppped, as Ramon and
Orion pikued. He cleared his throat and began to sing, softly at first, but
then raising his voice, as his confidence increased.
	The song he had chosen to sing was the perfect song, as the Emperess Philyra
sighed, wiping away tears from her face. His voice was not necessarily the key
element, but the song he chose to sing was just lovely...
	"Kaze no Uta! Mamoru yo mamou otte miterou...." Tamahome finished off and the
crowd applauded and Philyra happily bounded towards Tamahome, who sweatdropped
as she hugged him.
	"You know," she began through sobs. "That is my favorite song in the whole
entire multi-verse!" She sobbed again and wiped the tears along Tamahomes bare
chest. "Ano, we must not waste any more time." Immediately, she closed her
eyes and ordered every one of the guides to do so, and concentrate. The world
once again grew hazy around them, as a new environment dissolved. *The Hallway
of Souls!* Tamahome remembered, knowing that he was at last finished...

-Book Nine: Sense of Balance-

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is
love."
															~1 Corinthians 13:13

	The following events seemed but a dream to Tamahome, who was forbidden to
remember anything about his adventures. He had sought all six guides,
completing himself, allowing him to return and to save Miaka, his true love.
Forbidden to remember anything about the past events, Tamahome was sent flying
back into his body, which now was healed. The cuts on his wrists had vanished,
and he awoke, as if from a dream. His purpose was clear as he immediately got
dressed and darted out the tavern doors, sprinting towards the Yuuki Mansion.
	Allowing himself into Miaka's room, Tamahome approached the bed, clutching a
red ball, from "Suzaku-knows-where". As if he retained no control over his
body, a strange force, lifted his hand, which held the red ball, over Miaka's
head. The ball soon broke apart, sprinkling a glimmering substance over
Miaka's head. Immediately, she sneezed and opened her eyes, startled to see
Tamahome above her.
	"Tamahome! I just swear I had the strangest dream!" Miaka jumped from her
place in bed, into his arms; embracing him deeply, provoking emotions never
before felt. "I dreamt that I was deathly ill, and you had died, believing
that there was no hope for me, because you wanted to be in heaven before me.
Isn't that strange?"
	Tamahome wept out of joy, and he didn't know why. He vaguely remembered some
faces, a hot-tempered red head; a cool blue-haired guide, and so on. He smiled
and whispered in Miaka's ear. "Aishiteru, Miaka." He knew that deep within his
heart, he held the secrets no one would ever know...

~*~The End~*~