Chapter 10 – Those we love
Jasmine and the group are being escorted to the grounds of the castle. Along the way, Jasmine keeps telling to the group that this is Japan but none of them knows what Japan is. Red flags flutters at the distance as samurais other warriors of red armor regularly roams their area. Their group is being escorted by Kento and his men; as they trek the path to the castle, Juan and Kento are catching up the times the lost while the bulk of the soldiers are behind them pulling a prison cage wagon with the tengu clan leader in it.
Jasmine describes Japan to the group from her memory, a country full of nature, anime and gadgets and despite her best effort to give the group a clear description, none of them seem to get the picture that Jasmine says.
"Are you saying that this Japan supposed to have tall shiny structures? That should painful." Atlas replies as he rubs his shoulder. He imagines he is lucky that this world don't have any skyscraper as Jasmine described to him.
"Huge flying creatures called Gundam that humans can enter in them? That sounds like a good idea." Gil adds as he rubs his chin. "Maybe I will try that . . . huge people with smaller people in it defends their land against monstrosities, I love that idea!"
"You mean like us? This body is temporary Gil. I hope you remember that. Once this body dies. . . our lives are gone for good." Kulog with her grim voice fills the group with another layer of stress.
"Please we just had our fight. Can we just relax for a bit?" Kislap tries to keep the group's mood in high levels. "Just concentrate on what we have. We are now safe from the tengu threat and we can rest for a bit."
"That I agree. Me and my men will have a long sleep to recover our magic. We wasted a lot of our energy back there." Amihan replies as she points her crew of elves walking behind them. Some are wounded and being carried behind carriages and some are being shouldered by abled men.
"Heads up everyone." Leshin says as he points at the distance. A huge smoke can be seen in the distance beyond the mountains surrounding the castle grounds. It is quite far from their location but the smoke's size increase as they walk.
Kento signals the group to keep walking as they are almost at the castle. "Lady Tsunade is still resisting Orochimaru. Our men are scattered on the frontlines as we speak and my generals are still having a hard time pushing back Orochimaru's forces. We are worried that we might lose but I am glad that Master Jiraiya brought reinforcements."
"Well, we are here to investigate a different reason but yeah we can help you" Juan replies to Kento.
"Hold on! We are here to see if this Lord Orochimaru is connected the prophesized destruction that the Chronicler foretold. We are not here to join some petty war." Tala flies from behind and lands infront of Kento and Juan.
"Yeah but what if this is connected? We are hitting two birds with one stone." Juan replies. Tala is not budging and she pushes Juan back with the tip of her finger. Juan is surprised from this action. The other guardians are in disbelief that Tala speaks so loudly against Juan and Kento.
"Hey Jiraiya, this is a war. Our purpose here is to find any crazy snake cults and see if they are connected to what the Chronicler saw. Don't play a hero here. As I recall, you almost die against a bird." Tala hovers above the ground with her arms across her chest. She isn't budging and clearly she is irritated from Juan's action – bringing them into a foreign land and almost killing them.
"Guardian, I know that you are friends with Master Jiraiya but we do need your strength . . . "
"Hold your tongue mortal. I can burn you into a crisp right now if I want to. I am speaking to Juan here." She glares angrily to Kento but the warrior won't back down. His stance shifted. His weight on his shoulder becomes light and his feet starts to loosen up. He readies his body from any magical attack.
"I am not foolish Kento. I appreciate that your men helped us from the tengu but we are here on a separate mission. I demand we get back on track." Tala words rings truth to the other guardians except for Juan. Juan smiles and shrugs.
"Do you want to burn Kento alive and make his men kill us all with our magic exhausted from the last fight? Don't act rashly . . . fallen star." The word rings on Tala's ears like a siren. Sudden rush of anger and sadness flood her memory of a time when she was younger and happy. Her mind went black and only one thing is functioning right now – anger.
Tala's teeth grind in anger behind her close mouth. She wants to bite off Juan head off. She wants to burn his body in front of them and make him suffer. She wants to kill everyone and most of all, Leshin. The man she trusted with her deepest secrets betrayed her! Her hand is itching to grab her wand but then she sees Leshin approach her and stand between her and the group.
"We need all to rest and we are just agitated from our last fight. Forgive us Kento. If anything else, we appreciate the help you are offering us and will go to the castle with you." Leshin lower his head. Kento nods and walks past Leshin and Tala. The group proceeds to walk again towards the castle.
Tala looks at Leshin with pure anger. She punches him square on his headdress but it didn't make a dent. Leshin leans in and grabs her arms. She struggles for a bit but Leshin holds his grab tighter then he pulls her close and whispered on her ears." No I didn't tell him. Never had and never will. I don't know how he got it. Let's talk later and keep you head cool. You understand?"
Leshin lets go and starts to walk with the group again. Tala pouts and flies of to the distance far away from the group. She flies so fast and so high that she became a small speck of pink light in a distance.
"What was that about?" Jasmine asked the other guardians but none of them seem to know.
"As she said we are here to see this Orochimaru but she was angered by Juan's decision to aid this Lady Tsunade. I suggest we take the offer and take a rest. Plus, we are the guardians right? It is our duty to uphold the peace." Leshin answers as he leads the way alongside with Juan and Kento.
The castle is what Jasmine expects, a huge old Japanese castle designed with keeps beside and around it. A banner is always placed the highest point in each guard towers and their men are all in high alert. The cold winds from the mountains blows and keep this area cold. A castle surrounded by smaller keeps and guard towers and beyond that it is surrounded by huge mountain regions with town nearing a river from the mountain into a clearing towards the horizon.
"It is a perfect defense. The only path their enemies can enter this castle is either the clearings toward the town and into the castle or they will have to push their selves high up the mountain and down here." Jasmine comments as she wonder the position this castle is in.
"Huh, you know a thing or two about defensive war tactics?" Amihan askes as she overheard Jasmine's comment. "I do, I played Battle Realms on computer shops when I got the chance before I return from home after school." Amihan is puzzled from Jasmine's answer. Jasmine giggles and replies it's a game she plays to pass time and that game gave her some war tactics. Amihan giggles and replies "The Chronicler playing war? That is new, the old Chronicler pass her time reading books of wonder she said to us". "Tell me about her when you have the chance." Jasmines replies and Amihan agrees.
Kento and the group approached the gates to the castle and shouts to open it. Huge iron castle gates with brass decoration stands before them. After a few while the gates swung open and they entered the castle grounds.
Camps, camps everywhere on the castle grounds can be seen. Armory and anvils are busy as the women are taking care of the wounded men on their tents. Blood everywhere and shattered battle armor are scattered on the floor with their wearer intact, lifeless.
The man that Kento asked to run towards the castle first is awaiting their return in the middle of the busy castle grounds. He waves at Kento and instructs the group to go further to the opposite side of the castle. They arrived and they see an empty space with a woman standing in the middle with another group of tough looking men at her side.
"You may rest and set up camp here. Master Jiraiya, you and the guardians please come with me. Kento, make sure Yokoshima is secured at the dungeon." The men move quickly and push the wagon containing Yokoshima away from them.
"Palessekan, take a breather. You deserve it." Amihan orders her crewmen. They give a sigh of relief. They began to prepare tent and treat the wounded. Elves and samurai started to help each other in times of need. A true show of comradery in times of need. This puts a smile on Jasmine's face.
Juan looks disturbed and in pain. He looks like he is getting a horrible stomach ache from the sight of the lady in front of them. "Juan? Is something the matter?" Kislap asked after seeing the Juan in pain.
Juan whisper to Kislap "This is Lady Tsunade, my stalker." Juan walks toward the woman and kneels before the lady but as Juan starts to bend his knee the woman rushes forward and asked him to stop being polite towards her. "Come on Jiraiya, there is no need to be polite towards me . . . this is our home now come, our kids are waiting at the castle."
Jasmine and the others are bewildered from what the lady just said. "KIDS?! I thought you just had three kids?!" Jasmine says in shock. The lady hears this and she glares at Juan.
"Ah crap here we go again. But before we go in full panic mode let me introduce you to each other. Lady Tsunade these are the guardians and that little girl over there is the Chronicler. And guys, this is Lady Tsunade."
Jasmine walks in front of the group to see Lady Tsunade better. She wore long red Japanese dress with decorated with flowers and golden silk to signify her importance. She has a white make up applied on her face and red lips. Her hair was kept tidy as a bun and keeping it in tact with golden pins on it. And she have a snail resting on her shoulder just like Juan have with his frog on his.
Tsunade knelt and extended her arms to shake Jasmine's. "Ah! So this is the famous Chronicler. Thank you for coming all this way. Your timing could not be better. I would like to discuss more but I seems . . . " Tsunade pauses and sees the guardians and Jasmine are bruised and dirtied all over from their fight with the tengus. " . . . you are tired. Please come with me to the castle and rest for a bit then tonight let us discusses important matter at hand." Jasmine and the group decided to take the offer and proceed to the palace of the castle.
Jasmine is awestricken from the Japanese decoration and designs this palace have. Stone lanterns are placed outside of the castle with the gleaming porcelain like marble underneath it gives it a wonderful vibe. Koi ponds scattered almost everywhere with in and around the castle. Wooden floor are kept tidy and clean and the rooms are small yet very pleasing to look at.
Shamizen and other geishas are heard singing in the castle. Their songs give the castle such a peaceful vibes that this helps them to be at ease. Tsunade gave the group her permission to use the facility of the castle to their liking but instructed Juan to come with her at the throne room alone.
"I will be talking with Jiraiya in private. My guides will show you the rooms where you can sleep." Tsunade walks away from the group and Juan gives a big sigh before following after. Then he stops on his track and gives Jasmine a small box with holes on the side. Jasmine inspects this small box then Juan stops him.
"Hey, take this box for me okay? Don't open it. Just leave it at the room where you will be staying." Juan smiles and hastily followed Tsunade. Jasmine just puts the small box in her pocket and proceeds to be guided by the palace's men.
A guide comes shortly after Juan and Tsunade left and instructs them to follow him in a long hall wall with rooms in it. There is a door on the right and on the left is just decorations filled with intricate Japanese designs.
They were guided to their rooms and first up the room for Atlas. "Finally! I can lie on the floor and sleep" Atlas says as he dives to his room. The room shakes violently from his huge size hitting the wooden floor. The guide asked Atlas from stop slamming his body onto the floor but Atlas was fast asleep. The other guardians laughed and proceed to the other rooms and up next is Gil's room.
"Hey is there a water pool or river that I can supposedly freshen up?" Gil asked before entering his room. The guide says that there is a hot spring for each room they are in. "Gil gotta take a long rest on the water to replenish my strength. See you guys tonight." Gil thanks the guide and proceeds to enter his room then a large splash can be heard.
Next is the room is for Kulog and the guide tell her that she can take another one with her to this room. Gil and Atlas are large and their body size takes up the whole room. Kulog is a slim figure and can be shared with another person. Kislap winks at Jasmine. Jasmine face turns red from her imaginations; she and this young good looking guardian can be with her in the same room.
"Oh no, you don't!" She pulls her brother's ears and throws him to the room with her. "I will be staying with my brother to make sure he won't go running around this area and peeking holes he shouldn't look." The guide understands and proceeds to the next room.
"Come on sis! I was just joking!" Kislap can be heard pleading from their room before a large slap his heard following a rant from Kulog. "You don't do that to the Chronicler! This is why I hate you!"
"I will take this next room Amihan. Please take care of the Chronicler." Leshin politely bows to the guide and proceed to enter his room.
Finally the last room on this hall way is for Amihan and Jasmine. The guide nods and leaves them to their room. "Well! It is finally time to rest for a while. Amihan starts to remove her armor so she can relax herself. The room is small and has a futon for the two of them. In the middle of the room, a small table with a small bonsai tree in it and a sliding door to the other end. Jasmine slides the door it and sees the hot springs.
"Cool! This is so Japan!" Jasmine says. Amihan stands up after removing her to inspect the room and she compliment too how this place seems to be very peaceful and calm. Amihan and Jasmine spent the remaining hours cleaning their selves up and talking about their lives. Jasmine and Amihan shared some small stories as they were taking a bath on the hot springs. Amihan shared her life as the captain of the ship and told Jasmine who she loves traveling the world. Thus this is why she carves those small wooden animals on her deck she wanted to immortalize her experience.
Jasmine later followed up her stories about her world: metallic ships that can sail miles and miles without exhausting the men who navigate the seas. They don't use the sail anymore and instead uses machines and locomotion. Amihan is very amused and wondered if she can use this locomotive to her ship. After they washed their selves, the two felt tired decided to take a nap.
All of the guardians are asleep. Atlas snoring deeply on his room .Gil is on the hot spring sleeping underneath the bubbling water. Kislap and Kulog are sound asleep just like Amihan and Jasmine. And Leshin instead taking a nap, he uses his magic to repair his armor and headdress. Behind the silhouette of the thin doors, he finally removes his head dress and decided to clean his armor and weapons.
Jasmine is sound asleep with her dreams showing herself alone in the same hill top with The Great Balete tree that spawned her to this world. She tries to climb up the tree and come back to the world she came from but she fall back to the ground.
"You could climb that if you're strong enough but I doubt you can leave this world." Jasmine turns around to see the lady from the bookmark appears. "Well, I was trying to leave but yes I think your right. I should really see this to the end before I can leave huh?" she asked the lady.
The lady nods and replies "Maybe? I do not know. All I know that you were summoned here and I am the reflection of your confidence." Jasmine shakes her head. "Yeah I get that. You always said that your my confidence and will guard me from physical harm." Jasmine pauses and looks at the sky.
"This world seems freighting at first but the more I let myself my fears go the more I enjoy this world." She grabs the tree trunk and tries to climb it once more and this time she successfully climbs it. "I wish I can show this world to my grandparents" she grunts and climbs further. "Or at least bring the guardians with me to my world so they can see mine".
She climbs and climbs and she finally reaches the top of the balete tree. "And I hope I can find this prophesized danger we are expecting and help this world. . ." she pauses as she takes in the scenery of this green hill and peaceful solitude of the area. "And help this world to be at peace again."
"So you want to be a hero?" the lady asked.
"No. I want to just want to protect those we love."
"Ah . . . because love is worth fighting for?" Jasmine paused from the lady's question and before she can open her mouth to answer back, she finds herself awake.
She looks around and she sees the White Chronicle glowing in a dim light. She rubs her eyes to make sure she isn't half awake and she still sees the White Chronicle glowing in a dim light. She reaches for the book and she sees nothing from it but she feels the book . . . breathing again.
Jasmines think to her that this happened before when she fought was at the underworld and fighting the devil. That lead to the bookmark appearing and now she feels it breathing again. She wondered what she did this time to make the books act up again. As she was contemplating it the book stops breathing and the dim light was gone.
Jasmine looks around and sees the room got darker and only the moonlight is shining down upon their door. She got up and opens the door to the hallway to see if anyone is awake. As she was about to walk pass Leshin's room she heard a voices like arguing.
She sees that the door to Leshin's room was not fully closed and decided to peak in. There she sees Leshin taking a bath on the hot springs, she can only see the back of his head and his body is submerged under the water. There she sees Leshin speaking to a pink light hovering around him and the voice of the pink light seems familiar ��� it's Tala but she shrunken in size?
"Then how did he know?! And stop speaking in this very old and wise manner. HOW DID HE KNOW ABOUT MY BODY?!" Tala screams and she violently swirls around Leshin.
"Calm down Tala. It doesn't mean he will harm you. Your body is safe with me. I promise you your body is safe within the clan and still is there. I might be far away from it by my magic protecting you is still up."
"HOW?! Did you speak this about him? You know if my body is harmed, I WILL DIE."
"I never told a single soul about this. We are the only that knows about this . . . I don't know how he did but I am sure that he only used it to make a fool out of you."
Leshin continues to speak in a relaxing manner and Tala flies around Leshin screaming as panic starts to fill her tone of voice. She speaks in words so fast that even Jasmine cannot follow. Leshin then stretches his arms and a green magic sprouts from the soil and hits the small pink light.
Tala grew back in her size and lands into the hot spring. "Calm yourself Tala. Take a long clean bath after your tantrum early this morning."
"How dare you tell me to calm down? Do I need to remind you? If our true body dies, we die instantly even if we still inhabit a live and breathing body for the Ritual of Power." Tala pauses and looks at Leshin. "Unlike you, you carry your true body within this new body you inhabit"
Leshin grabs Tala hand and placed on his chest. Tala's face grew red in an instant; surprised and unsure what Leshin is doing. "And my heart still craves for your attention. Ever since I was a young elf, I always look up to you."
Tala placed her other hand on Leshin's chest. "Yes . . . I remember. You were just a young elf who always talks to me, the only one that I mind to talking to. You were the reason why I did the Ritual of Power so I can explore this world with you. To live and breathe like you."
Leshin pulls Tala closer "Do you remember why I hide this face?"
Tala placed her hands on Leshin's face "No living being can see an Annani warrior's face for they are sacred relics of the Annani."
Leshin pulls her hands off his face. "I wish I can forget my traditions and run off with you but we have a duty to fulfill "Tala turns around and refuses to listen. Drenched in her pink dress and wet fairy wings, she decided to head out Leshin comes around and embraces her from behind. He sings a tune that seems to soothe the soul. Like a song that heals the soul; even Jasmine feels Leshin's love for Tala from the way he sings this tune.
"This is why I hate you. You know me so well. I love and hate you for it." Tala says as she caresses Leshin's arm. Jasmine starts to wonder when did the two become lovers and how did they manage to hide it from the other guardian. She sees the two starts to heat up as their faces touches one another under the moonlight – like a telenovela that her mom watches every night.
Then Jasmine mouth was covered and was pulled back to her room. Jasmine heart jumps from her chest! She fights back then she heard a shush sound from Amihan. "SHHH!!! Be quite young lady." Jasmine calms down and she calms down. "You almost gave me a heart attack. What were you thinking?" she whispers but then Amihan smiles at her. "You might be the Chronicler but you shouldn't be watching things that are not for our eyes."
"Why are you awake?"
"That tune woke me. That is an Annani's song for their dearly beloved. You can hear and feel the love that an Annai have for someone when they sing that song. That's how they share their genuine feelings for others."
"That's why . . ." Jasmine now understands why she felt caressed by the tune.
"That's why you should keep your nose back here." Amihan placed Jasmine back to the ground and the two starts to relax by the table. Jasmine opens the book and started to enumerate the guardian's origin.
"Juan or Jiraiya is Loki and is brother to Thor, used the ritual to see his family. Kislap and Kulog are living thunder that used the ritual to have their own bodies just to escape the abuse of Zeus and Thor. Atlas is a prisoner of Zeus and left his true body with the ritual. And as I overheard . . . Leshin have his body always with him and Tala's true body is being protected somewhere hidden by Leshin."
"I see. That's why Tala has that sudden outburst. Leshin must have known the location of her true body and was furious why other people would know its location." Amihan nods in agreement. "She has all the right to be angry but that outburst is too much for me."
"So Amihan where is your true body or rather what is your true body?"
"You already saw it. The big storm I summoned with my weapon, Ginunting? Yeah that's the true me. I used the Ritual of Power so I can spend time here and see the world as a man. I was always curious with the world below me."
"I see . . . you're that big tornado that blew off the tengus. You're pretty powerful and awesome! I bet your stronger than most of the guardians!"
"Haha. Thanks but I manage to do that because my Ginunting gathers other storm and winds to its side. After the fight I just return it to the sky. Without it I am just a ordinary elf that can manipulate moderate amount of wind. That's why rest is important for me and my weapon."
As they were talking, they see a light that shines from the hallway. Then somebody knocked on their door. It was the guide from early and they send a message from Lady Tsunade, the guardians and the Chronicler are requested their presence immediately. The guide lit the candles along the hall.
They got dressed and went outside. As Jasmine and Amihan left their room to the hall, they see other guardians have awakened and started to walk outside. The guide is asking Tala who is she as the guide is sure he didn't saw Tala earlier. The guardians answered that she is with them and she manage to slip past the guards with her magic. The guide just goes with it and asked the whole group to behave in front of Tsunade.
As they gathered outside, Amihan whisper to Jasmine not to speak of what they heard or what she saw about Tala and Leshin and keep it to their selves. Jasmine nods and as she tries her best not to think about the steamy action she saw.
They gathered around the guide and they were escorted to a grand hall where Tsunade wore an even grander dress of what she early and beside her is a beaten Juan with bruises all over his face. The guardians were welcomed and were given a place to sit with fish and stew served for dinner.
"Jua.. I mean Jiraiya, what happened to your face?" Leshin asked as he is sited beside Tala.
"I believe I was . . . " Juan was to about to answer then Tsunade interrupts him and replied "Marital dispute. We have some scuffling with OUR relationship. Isn't that right dear?"
Juan smiles and nods quickly. "Oh yes dear. Some small discussion that's all." He grudgingly agrees with Tsunade.
"Now then, please do dig in to the food. I hope you will like it and as we are eating can you please tell me how and why did you come here?" Tsunade asked the group as she smiles.
A woman of voluptuous body, charming voice, beautiful face, dashing dress and her royal status give Jasmine a shiver. She can't describe it but she is like she is a rose with thorns, a lot thorns.
"Uh, honey I did told you the story before. This afternoon while were . . . talking?" Juan answers but Tsunade just looked at her and smile.
"Yes you did. But I want to confirm everything you told me from them. I just want to make sure that you did scour the Antrian continent for many days just to return and with the Chronicler and her guardians and you acting as their leader. Is that true?"
Leshin coughs and Kislap almost choke from hearing that. Tsunade raises her eye brows and give Juan a stern look. "Ah. From their response looks like you lied to me. . . AGAIN."
Juan cowers and like a child and tries to run but Lady Tsunade uses her snail magic and made the friction of the wood disappear and made it slippery for Juan. Juan loses his balance and falls on his face straight to the floor.
"Mercy please! Lady Tsunade. Come on guys back me up!" Juan starts to crawl away from Tsunade but the floor is still slippery and Lady Tsunade uses another magic to spin web from her finger tips and cover Juan in web and made him stick to the floor.
"Now, I Lady Tsunade your wife demands you to tell the truth. Did you come back here for me or another reason other than me?! Because if you lie once more I shall rain down upon my magic till you beg for my love!"
Jasmine and the rest of the guardian laugh from the sight of Juan acting like a child and being afraid. This is the first time the saw him get scared and beat up so bad and they decided to take turns throwing more insult.
"Yeah that's what you get for infuriating me earlier!" Tala shouts.
"What? Don't like it when you're in trouble now?" Atlas also jeers as he reference the frog situation back at the Inn.
"Come on then! Use your time stop magic to escape this one!" Gils laughs and the other follows.
Jasmine laughs and she stands up. She offers to tell the story from the time she fell from The Great Balete Tree up to this point. "Don't worry Lady Tsunade, I will tell you the whole story and please don't be mad at Juan. He really did care for you and he brought us here to help you from this threat that you are facing against Orochimaru. And potentially save those we love from death from other snake cults"
Lady Tsunade looks at Jasmines and smiles. "A child's eyes tell such innocence and truth. I believe in you Chronicler. Please do proceed and spare no details that are regarding me and Jiraiya."
Jasmine starts to tell the tale from the beginning while the other guardians prepare to eat.
Juan muffles in relief knowing that Jasmine understand his resolve to help Lady Tsunade and defeat Orochimaru.