It had been a week since Arran and his friends had left for the Broken Lands, a vast portion of the world that lay to the far south of Morgone Homestead, beyond the Uncharted Southen region lay the barren wilds of the Broken Lands.
As the day turned to night, Kai'ran stopped his horse in an open area to set up camp. " We have made it almost to Uncharted Southen Regions. so let's camp here for the night
That night once camp was set up, Arran saw Tsuki curious about where she was going. Arran followed Tsuki until they reached an open area with a large stone in the center, and Tsuki placed herself on the smooth top. Arran watched as Tsuki unfolded nine silver fox tails that she spread out to their full length.
Arran watched with awe as Tsuki conjured a billion and as the pale moonlight shone down on her body Arran listened in awe as from Tsuki's voice came the most betuafil song he had heard
" In the distance, I hear its call, the wonderful call of the Old Bell. That so pleases my heart and my soul.
How can I resist your pull on my heart and soul,
Sing the song of the Old Bell so that you may not fall victim to its call, such as the people of Farcry had so long ago. Had they known, would they have not rung its old metal like that of a gong so that the people of Farcry may hear The Old Bells sweet and venomous song
The Old Bell sings sweet nothings in my ears, promising me everything, and all it takes is all that I hold dear to my heart and soul...
The Old Bell's song rings throughout my skull; it brings pain to all who lived in Farcry that day.
Oh, Old Bell device of darkness and bringer of the end may you be silenced for all time, and your song never fills my ears with the sweet melody of your song.
On that day, the Old Bell pulled on the strings of my heart, telling me all that I needed to know.
As I watch the town of Farcry burn and crumble, no more do I hear a sweet song but only mocking laugher from the gods above.
The mocking faded as the tolling of the Old bell weaver of lies and harber of the end of all things left my heart and my soul. The Old Bell has completed his task and fallen asleep at last, and No one knows when the Old Bell will toll once more.
But beware this upon the ringing of the Old Bell the End of all Things will begin and all will be lost, forever."
Arran wiped tears from his eyes as Tsuki turned to face him " Oh, Arran, I did not see you there!" Tsuki said, her voice flustered and somewhat embarrassed. Arran bowed and said, " No, I should not have followed you. I just came to ask you what was wrong with you and Suzume recently,"
Tskui folded her tails back up and went down off of the rock, and said, " As you heard from the song Farcry the homeland of the Kitsumes is not a place either of us wants to return to,"
Arran replied, " So were you speaking of yourself in the song?"
Tsuki shook her head " No, The Song of the Old Bell predates the Kitsumes, but it was once our duty to keep it from being rung."
Arran was about to ask if it had been rung, and Tsuki replied, " No If the Old Bell had been rung..." She paused; a cold chill ran down her spine as she dared not think of what would have happened.
" Nevermind, forget I asked," Arran said
Tsuki replied to Arran, " I think before we reach Farcry, it is best that I tell everyone more about the Old Bell and its terrifying power."
As Arran and Tsuki were walking back to camp, Arran looked at Tsuki and said, " So why do you and Suzume not want to go back to Farcry?" Tsuki was silent for a long time then spoke
Tsuki replied, " Back when Suzume and Myself lived in Farcry. My mother, Christina Evergraden, without warning, sent us to live in the Jed'taree Temples. Suzume and I trained our Kyi and studied the way of the Jed'tare. I was eighteen when the news of Xenoventaress defeat reached the Jed'tare Temple. At that point, I did not even know who Xenoventaries was or Jarred Dra'ghoul. The Jed'taree Temple is kept isolated from all news of the outside world." Tsuki stoped her aura glowing a deep red as tears ran down her face
" It would have stayed that way if Suzume did not see the battle unfold her own eyes due to her ability to see partly into the future and told Grandmaster Jen'dar who when news that Suzumes prophecy had come true.
He told us that it was time for us to go. We have learned all we can from the Jed'tare and sent us to Castle Dra'ghoul. Where I found out that my mother had died in the battle and our city of Farcry was destroyed." Tsuki said; calming down, Arran replied, " how was Suzume? when she saw all of this for the first time?"
Tsuki replied, " I don't know, fine, I think. She does not tell me everything she sees, nor does she have to." Arran could sense a tinge of regret in her voice as a big sister for not being there for Suzume.
" What about you? How were you?" Arran asked Tsuki smiled a bit " The same as I always been, although memories from back then can be a bit hazy."
The early morning sun rose slowly over the hilltops as Tsuki, who had not been able to sleep the rest of the night, sat next to Arran by the fire pit. Tsuki looked at Arran, then said, " when you were Draco Dra'ghoul, you taught me how to use my Kyi, and I know that you have some control over yours, but would you mind if I teach you what you taught me all those years ago?"
Arran nodded and said, " Yes, that would be a good idea."
Kai'ran and Ezra were dueling the sound of their blades clashing could be heard at the fire pit where Suzume sat reading the Journal that Emma left them.
"Well, it seems like Kai'ran is ok with Ezra." Arran said, looking at Mera, who was standing nearby said: " Kai'ran is more open to others than I am and is not as concerned about the balance being broken as I am."
Mera watched Kai'ran duel; her eyes followed every movement of Ezra's sword. " Why do you distrust my brother so much? I understand that he was the cause of Morgone becoming Zargorwarth the Demon Lord, but that was eight hundred and seventy-two years ago?"
Mara sighed and said, " I know, but it is just that I can still sense darkness from within him, and I am afraid that Ezra may hurt you or Kai'ran."
Arran replied, " I can understand that I have that fear as well, but the best thing to do right now is to trust that Ezra will continue down the right path, and we just need to help him as his allies."
Mera replied, " Thank you, Dragonborn, for setting my mind at ease." Arran replied, "anytime."
After the group had finished packing up their gear and put the campsite away, Kai'ran suggested that they continue on foot; the terrain would no longer be suitable for horses.
Several hours passed as they walked through the Uncharted Southern Realms Arran shivered as he could feel an intense chill run through his body as the cold December winds cut through him. Suzume looked at Arran and asked, " Are you ok?" Arran did not know; he was feeling fine when they left the campsite this morning. " Yeah, I am fine," Arran said to Suzume, who nodded, unsure if he was telling the truth.
Three hours passed, and Arran still felt the cold slicing through him " Arran!" Suzume cried out as, without warning, Arran's legs gave out; Mera grabbed him before his body could hit the ground.
" What's wrong with him!" Suzume asked Mera, who looked at Arran's neck and saw a dark blue needle sticking out from the back of Arrans's neck. Mera removed it carefully and tossed it to the ground Kai'ran looked at the blue needle and said," Paralyzing Needles? But are those not used by..." he was cut off as Kai'ran fell to the ground, Paralyzing Needles stuck in his neck as well.
" Damn, I don't know when but we have been ambushed by Jarrad Vermillians Men," Mera said as she was the last to fall.
Tsuki could barely keep her eyes open as the eight tall masked men walked up to her; she could feel their cold hands on her body touching places that if she could move, Tsuki would have a bite their hand off,
" Is she the one that Master wanted?" one of the men said
" Yes, I think it was all of the females go to Master Jarrad, Kai'ran goes to Talon." Tsuki and Mera heard Kai'ran cry out in pain. " Calm yourself, Lock; you will get your turn to touch him." a third man said, his voice calm and silkily smooth
If Suzumes face could express fear or if she could scream, this would be the time as a Nightwalker wearing a long black trenchcoat and a wide-brimmed hat knelt his hollow sunken in eyes peered directly into her soul
Lock asked Nine, "Why do you want her anyway?" who replied, " It is not I that wants her; I am only a servant of Azadawn the Overseer and bound to his components." he turned and looked at Arran and unpolarized him " Lord Azadawn is waiting to speak with you, privately Arran. If you come now, your wife will not have to suffer long."
Arran lunged at Nine to get Suzume back, but with a wave of Nines's hand, Suzume disappeared. Lock had run away by this point, and the polarizing vemon on the needles walked to where the others could move and her arms but could not stand up yet.
"Aran! Yu ned to calam dowhn!" Tsuki cried out as best she could; her face and body were made of stone, and her head pounded like crazy as each word tumbled from her mouth in a sluggish tone,
Arran turned to Tsuki, who had fallen unconscious as the last bit of her strength had been used up; Kai'ran and Mera stood up weakly, having recovered enough to help
" Dragonborn, we need to leave here. Tsuki needs our help." Mera said to Arran, who looked at Nine as he vanished into a wisp of smoke. " All right, I think there is a town nearby. I am sure we can get help there" Kai'ran pointed to a small gathering of houses not far from where they were.
Arran picked up Tsuki and said, " well, let us go; Suzume will kill me if Tsuki kicks it."
As they made their way to the nearby town, Arran could hear Tsuki talking in incorporate ramblings
" Is she going to be ok?" Arran asked Kai'ran, who was also worried for Tsuki.
"Maybe it is a high possibility that Tsukis needle was laced with something else to make her more complect and vulnerable when she was given to Talon." Finally, the group made their way into the small town of Lin Vera.
" Is there a healer here? My friend is a Kitsune, and she was hit by a paralyzing needle and required aide." Arran said as a tall older man walked out and said, " Yes, my name is Dex, and I am a healer. what is wrong with your friend?" Dex asked as he looked at her; he saw the Vermillion sigil on her.
Dex looked at Arran and said, " Was this one going to be taken to a Vermillion by chance?" Arran nodded
Dex sighed " well, then I fear there is much more than just paralyzing that needs to be healed. " Tsuki was placed on a long steel table as Dex said, "Your Kitsune friend was also hit with a Neurological Fear Hex that is used by Ravenwalkers to break the will of their prey, making them complacent and weak, allowing this is mostly used on Kitsumes that are being given to Talon or Jarad Vermillion."
Mara responded, " Can you reverse it?" Dex was silent then said, " I can remove as much as I can, but it can not be permanently removed only reduced and the effects only slightly nullified. She will always be at risk of the hex taking effect at any given time."
At that moment, Tsuki let out a blood curling scream. Arran gripped his face as Tsuki's claws cut deep into his face " Everyone gets out! She has already injected one of you." Mera and Kai'ran nodded as Dex called in a second Healer to fix Arran's face.
Mera and Kai'ran did not know how long they waited for either Arran or Tsuki. Once Arran left the Healers' room, Mera covered her mouth in shock as the wound was healed, but five long scars went from the top of Arrans's forehead down across his left eye and to the back of his head.
" Are you able to see me?" Mera asked, her voice trembling with fear. Arran nodded " Yeah, It's just a scratch, and besides, she did not mean to" Mera was about to stop Arran as he went outside to train, but she thought better of it.
Three Hours Later, Tsuki woke up and was told everything that had happened, so she went to where Arran was training in a clearing close by. When she got close, she could see Arrans's sword firmly placed in the ground, and his chest armor was lying next to it.
Tsuki watched Arran, who was shirtless; the pale moonlight shone down on his Viridilan scaled skin as he attacked a large post furiously; chunks of wood broke off with each strike from his hands and every kick from his legs. When finally, the post splintered into thousands of shards that scattered themselves across the area.
" Arran.." Tsuki started as she walked out to talk to him, slowly she placed a hand on Arrans's shoulder and could hear his labored breathing; glancing down, Tsuki gasped as she saw Arrans knuckles were worn nearly to the bone.
Tsuki forced Arran around and said, " what are you doing!" Arran sighed and sat down " I don't know, releasing some inner anger, I guess." Arran paused then said, " Do you know that it has been almost a year since all of this started, A year where I have lost almost everyone I care for." Tsuki began to heal Arran's hands as she said, " Yeah, but that is not all that happened, is it?"
Arran shook his head " No, I have made new friends who are more than just my allies; they are like my family."
Tsuki did not know what to say to this; she only nodded. "I am sorry that you were not able to get Suzume back from that man."
Arran replied, " I know, But your safety was more important at the time. But I give you my word that I will save Suzume."
Tsuki replied as she stood up and helped Arran up, "thank you. Let us go back so that Mera and Kai'ran don't worry about us anymore and get some sleep."
As Arran slept, Suzume sat in a dark cage down in the depths of the Crimson Tower and Azadawns chamber a tall figure with a medium build wearing a dark blue cloak over his stone-grey skin that, the figure blinked his milky white eyes as he bowed before Azadawn
" My lord, I hear that your servant Nine has acquired a Kitsune?" the figure said, pushing strands of his long snow-white hair away from his face as he stood up.
Azadawn replied, " Yes, you are correct, Inken."
Inken smiled and said, " Would it please, my Lord, if after Nine has removed its soul if I proceed to phase two?" Inks voice was like that of a pleading child.
Azadawn replied, " yes, But she must remain alive." a third figure walked up next to Inken; her body was encased in first one armor, and she wielded a staff with a heart at the point. " Master, are we truly keeping this disgusting fifthly flesh beast in your solution domain."
Azadawn laughed " Of course, Hato no joo, just let me take care of Nine." he scarched the figure under her chin like a dog. He no joo fell to her knees and cried out, " thank you, my king! I will do anything so that I may feel the pleasure of your touch."
Inken scoffed and said quietly as he left, "Whore" as Inken left, he could hear the screams and howls of pleasure coming from Hato no Joo in Azadawn's chamber. Inken grunted as he tuned them out as he descended to where Nine was keeping Suzume.
Nine stood over Suzume, who lay on and large metal table; her hands and feet clamped down the table.
" What are you going to do to me!" Suzume cried out as a mask was placed over her face. Inken watched from afar as Suzume struggled to get up as pink gas flooded her airways, and in less than a minute, her body was completely numb, and Suzume was passed out.
Inken watched closely as Nine plunged his hand into Suzumes chest and pulled out a ball of glowing white light " Good, now to give this to master." Nine said as he teleported to Azadawns chamber.
Inken grinned as he unclamped Suzume and teleported to his lab high in the tower. Inken placed Suzume on a table and set a suction cup-like device on her belly. Light and liquids of all colors flowed through many tubes, forming into an unknown life force.
" Yes, it is all going as Azadawn has planned," Inken said as he flipped a massive switch; the life force thurst itself into Suzume. suddenly the machine began to malfunction as two unknown orbs of pulsing white light overtook the previous life force
Inken cried out, " no, some damn god has implemented her with some reincarnation." In a flash of white light, Suzame was teleported to where Arran was camping
Meanwhile, Nine walked into Azadawns chambers and bowed before him, presenting the Kitsune soul. Azadawn grabbed it and devoured it; in an instant, the shadowy fog began to disappear from Azadawn and slowly began to take physical form.
" I suppose I should thank you for being unquestablely loyal to me," Azadawn said to Nine, who gazed upon Azadawns body that was encased in a suit of golden armor. " No, My Lord, I only live to.." Nine stopped and spat up blood as Azadawn sliced through Nines neck
Falling to the floor gurgling up blood Nine looked pleadingly at his king; he crushed Nines skull.
" Now that Suzume is returned to Arran and Phase two is complete. All I have to do is wait until it is time to start phase three.
The next day Arran did not want to get up until he heard Tsuki scream his name and tossed Arran out onto the ground
"May I help you, Tsuki?" Arran said, confused at what was going on.
Tsuki calmed down and said, " When did you..." before she could finish, Arran heard a familiar voice
"Tsuki, wait! It was not his fault!" Suzume cried out
Arran breathed a sigh of relief " Thank the All-Mother, your all right."
Suzume replied, " I would hold off on thanking her until I tell you something."
Suzume paused and nervously said, " Arran... I think in pregnant."
Arrans' eyes rolled into the back of his head; Kai'ran and Mera caught Arran as he passed out from shock.
"Suzume, you have ease into that type of news; you can't just tell him point-blank. Oh, by the way, I somehow just woke pregnantly." Mera said
Suzume snapped back, " What was I supposed to say! As of right now, I feel like a mess, and I want to go back to sleep."
Tsuki looked at Kai'ran and said sternly, " My sister will not continue this journey; you will take her to either your house or somewhere where she can be properly treated." Tsuki used her magic to create a messaging device that she attached to Kai'rans waist. then looked him in the eyes
" you will keep me updated on how she is doing and if there is any trouble. You will also protect her with your life, or I will tear you apart." Tsuki pointed to Kai'ran's gorin " That is where I will start first."
Kai'ran stared at Tsuki " Just me or Mera coming as well?" Tsuki replied, " oh no, Mera stays; she is replacing Suzume."
" Fine, Come here, Suzume. I'll take you to Silverstar Medical Research Base on Candar seven," Kai'ran said
Tsuki cried out, " No, I meant here on Tylingariea. Your ass." Mera sighed just as Arran woke up " Please tell me I was dreaming when Suzume said she was pregnant?"
Tsuki shook her head and said, " No, I am afraid not, and I let Kai'ran take her somewhere to get proper treatment, so he took her to Silverstar Medical Research base on Candar seven."
Arran stood up and said, " well, at least I know Suzume is going to be in a place safer than Tylingariea. So what now?"
Mera replied, " We go to Farcry. I will use Suzumes wepan, and besides Erik and the others are meeting, use there anyway."