Chronicles of the West

Chapter Ninety Three

Days past and those in the west began to breathe easier. Sesshoumaru was not fooled, just because they'd not been attacked did not mean the enemy was gone. No, they were waiting and perhaps creating. They'd not returned to the razed ruins and therefore he concluded that they had another home elsewhere.

Inuyasha agreed and had sent patrols in the four cardinal directions to search it out. Sesshoumaru would not permit him to join them. After the recent events, he felt it better that Inuyasha not be risked in a repeat.

Kagome still didn't know what he'd seen in that castle that had shaken him so. He would not tell her and Sesshoumaru was an informative as a rock wall. Saio was up and about these days. She was determined to find the ones that had taken Ninia's life.

She went to the shrine for Ninia each day and begged her fallen friend to be a little more patient, each day she promised to see them fall. Sesshoumaru did not discourage her, vengeance was often a fire to keep one warm…. A concept he knew only too well.

Kurama had closeted himself away in Sesshoumaru's study and turned over the enchanted blossom. Sesshoumaru gazed at the glowing petals for a long while before dismissing the fox. "Oh and Kurama" he added as the fox was closing the door, "Tell Taisha to prepare to head north. She will be accompanying Toga. He needs to gather his men". Kurama nodded, and closed the door softly. He would be going north as well then.

Sesshoumaru's gaze returned to the bloom in his palm. Something so fragile looking could do so much. It could improve the world… or end it. He had to protect it, more so now. He didn't harbor any doubts that Josin and Sero would make use of it to further their agenda.

He had to keep it away from them. Or, he thought suddenly, bring them closer to it. His expression changed then, one so rare that it frightened even those who knew him well. It spoke of danger and dark rage simmering just below the surface. His eye grew colder. His pale lips curved upwards in the barest hint of a smile.

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Satoru stared at his father, unblinking. Inuyasha leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest. His golden eyes were serious, intent. Satoru finally seemed to find his voice, "What do you mean an enchanted blossom?" he asked quietly.

Oh, he'd heard the rumors, the whispered tales of the far famed flower. He, however was a believer in science, despite his own nature. Inuyasha grunted from his position, "Just what I said" he replied, "The bloom has been found. Kurama was sent to steal it away. To bring is safely to the west".

Satoru knew his father would never lie and he was forced to consider the implications of such a thing. Lifting his golden eyes to his sire he spoke again, "For what purpose does the west need it?". Inuyasha's ear flickered, "We don't" he said baldly, "But you know as well as I do what kind of trouble a thing like that can cause".

So there it was. Sesshoumaru had commanded possession of the bloom to safeguard it. "This places the west in an undesireable position" he pointed out. Inuyasha merely Keh'd. "Kurama was very thorough at making certain no one will be able to tell of it's location".

Satoru frowned, this meant that Kurama killed them of course. While he didn't approve, it made sense. "And what will you do with it now that you have it?" he asked. Inuyasha shrugged carelessly, "Nothin. We'll just make sure it stays safe, unused and safe". Satoru nodded.

Inuyasha studied him carefully, "When are you going to leave this room?" he asked suddenly. Satoru's gaze settled on his many documents. Inuyasha disliked not being answered, something his child was more than aware of.

"Victor is worried" he said then, "And while I don't understand the reason behind your relationship with him, I will point out that you are obliged to see him". Satoru still, would not meet his gaze. Inuyasha stomped over and plunked himself down in a chair opposite of him. "Look, you wanna love another male fine. That's different" he said, "But caring about some one is not. You can't do this kind of thing to a human, they hurt more easily than demons do… you know that".

Satoru growled softly at his father, unwilling to reveal his many reasons. "I have…things… to sort out" he hedged. Inuyasha looked at his son from beneath his lashes, "Such as your feelings for Josin". Satoru's eyes flashed to his father's and then narrowed.

"I have no feelings for that thing" he spat. Inuyasha chuckled, "Oh yes, I nearly forgot. You harbor feelings for the soul that he once was. I know how that feels, and I will tell you this Satoru. I hope that you don't need the things I needed to see the truth. When one has died, whatever the reason, they are not the same when they return. What you think is your lost lover is a shadow of him".

Satoru tapped his claws on the table, but his father went on, "I loved a priestess". Satoru blinked, "Of course you do, mother is a priestess". Inuyasha shook his head sadly, "Your mother unsealed me from the tree, what you don't know is that another priestess put me there, the one I loved. My first love. Kikyo".

Satoru listened more closely now. "Your mother was the reincarnation of her soul and I guess that's why she was able to free me. For so long I saw her as the copy of the one I wanted and when I began to feel for Kagome as herself, Kikyo was reborn. From earth and clay and ashes, and I believed she was the real woman, that I had loved so deeply".

Satoru could only imagine how that must have hurt his mother, "And what happened?" he asked. Inuyasha had the grace to blush, "She tried more than once to end your mother's life and in the end I very nearly lost Kagome. When I saw the truth, finally, Kikyo's life was ending".

Having had his say, Inuyasha rose and left the room. It wasup to his son to act now. He had once been deeply wounded that his son, would be different, keeping the company of other males rather than revel in the softness of women.

When Daishi had stumbled into his son's life he had wondered, nay, hoped that she would be the light that turned him. It was not so, and in time Inuyasha had accepted the fact. Not always gracefully, but Kagome had helped him with that. After all such things were done in her time. Now, that he'd accepted it, he wanted to see his son act responsibly toward his human male.

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"Hold it still Amari" Tohru scolded gently. The winged foxbat held tight to a squirming rabbit. Another addition to Tohru's secret garden. This one had a broken leg, and Tohru was trying her best to splint the fracture.

Amari sighed, "I am holding him, he just wiggles". Tohru giggled as she wrapped the bindings around the wood. "Almost done" she told him. Amari had spent the majority of his days with Tohru or with her wounded animals. They calmed him a great deal.

Sesshoumaru kept watch over his youngest daughter, and was quite pleased to see her interaction with the foxbat. It was clear that she perceived him to be no different from her pets. A wounded creature that needed care and love and nuturing.

The foxbat was fairly blossoming under her care. He laughed often now, and she often cajoled him into playing games with her. Like a child should. They'd spent hours bent over the chess set, she explaining the rules and he pronouncing them stupid.

Sesshoumaru stole him away in the evenings before dinner to speak of weightier matters. Ones that should not have been thrust onto shoulders so young. Amari understood that the makers now knew he lived and would most likely seek him out in the field.

Sesshoumaru instructed the foxbat to take up weapons training with Ayeka. She was patient and highly skilled and her pupil took in her knowledge like a sponge. It was perhaps the most he could do for the boy at the moment. Perhaps all he could at all.

He stood listening to the lighthearted banter for a few more minutes before withdrawing back into his chambers. Ayeka was pulling her uniform off, and setting her armor aside. "Will you allow Aislin to go north?" she asked. Sesshoumaru shook his head, "No, I believe that our movements are being watched and I will not put her in greater danger".

She sighed, pushing her long red hair over her shoulder, "Toga will be most displeased" she ventured. Sesshoumaru had no doubts of that, however his position was not likely to waver. "It is for the best". Ayeka shrugged into a lounging robe and lifted her thick hair over the silk collar. "How long will you deny him?" she asked, moving to press against her tall mate's back.

His clawed hand covered both of hers where they rested on his waist. "I shall permit the bonding as soon as Toga returns. However until, this matter, is dealt with I prefer to keep the family close". She nuzzled into his long silky locks and sighed in contentment.

"What are you doing back there?" he asked, his voice soft. She inhaled deeply and smiled against the warmth of his body. "I am smelling you my lord" she replied. Sesshoumaru arched one brow and peered down at her from over his shoulder, "And are you now inu as well?" he teased.

She cuddled closer to him, "I like your scent" she told him, "It makes me feel warm and safe and brings many other things to mind". Sesshoumaru turned in her grasp, "What manner of things?". She motioned to him and he bent at the waist allowing her access to his pointed ear.

She told him a breathy voice exactly what was on her mind. The stoic lord remained bent for several minutes as his tiny female spoke against the pale shell of his ear. Golden eye blinked several times at terms and phrases used and then he straightened.

Sesshoumaru towered over her in all his glory, his stoic expression belied by the rather noticeable bulge in his hakamas. Ayeka grinned at this knowledge and spun, dashing away from him. Her mate smiled wickedly, for there was little an inu liked more than a good chase.



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The beginning ~

Genesis 1:1-2. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the water.

He created the beasts of the fields and the birds in the air. He created man to rule over them all, made him in His image. Before these things were done, there was nothing. Or perhaps a great explosion in the cosmos dictated the stirrings of life on a faceless lump of cold rock in the cold embrace of the universe.

That is what many people believe. They are wrong. For there are in this world a great many things that cannot and have not been explained. Even so, unseen wars wage through all times. So I shall tell you the story of how it all came to be, and you shall remember it...when the signs are written in the skies and rivers. Follow me through this twisted, oft times tragic tale of love, betrayal, darkness and light. For I was there and I bore witness. I still do, to this day.

Before the world, as you know it, was born, God, or as we say, the Transcendent, ruled over the heavens in the land of Astria. His gaze was far reaching and he reigned over the collective of unearthly peoples. His bright palace in the capital, Shinen, from his great throne, the Valshinen. Though unmatched in power, he was not alone, he had his fellows. Non-humans. Another race of beings, and these were called Astrians. Scriptures call them angels, but the truth is something vastly different. They were his warriors, people, defenders of all he had wrought.

Residing in the heavenly plain, amid golden cities and halls where knowledge flowed freely, they were without equal in all that was known or would ever be known. Their truest form was energy, slyph- like airy confections of light and power. Immortal unless killed, their fathers and grandfathers dotted the skies of the cosmos, glittering patterns of their former glory. When they took solid form, they were the heavenly beasts of old, brought to heel by the Great One. They respected power and strength and he had plenty. Astria was indeed a most beautiful land, formed of ancient magics and light. Lush forests, and bright streams and lakes abounded. The colors of the world bright and pure, luminous. Like it’s people.

Astrians, though warlike in nature, had achieved a utopia of peace and learning. The prize of all their fighting and bloodshed. Their kind flourished within Astrian borders and kept a watchful eye on all of creation. For all their knowledge and power, they remained curious of new things and places. So it was, that when earth was born and all within in, that they turned their gaze there.

A race unlike the mortal man, that stumbled on new legs in the world, Astrians looked on with no small measure of curiosity at this newest work. Many Astrians began to feel jealousy towards humans, for the Transcendent, the most powerful of them, seemed to favor them. It did not sit well with such proud beings to share the love of the Father of the heavens, that they should not be first in His love and sight.

After man's expulsion from Eden, they were watched carefully. Astrians believing that their point to the Transcendent had finally been made in man's disobedience. It was not so, and in time watchers were appointed. For it was clear that man,left to his own devices would falter. So the watchers were sent. The Grigori, the ones who see. The ones who watch. The gentlest of angels, the fiercest of warriors. They would teach and guide.

From the twelve noble houses of Astrians, were appointed the chosen few. Beings of pure energy, descended from the line of heavenly beasts. Strong, skilled, honorable, above reproach They knelt before the Transcendent, pledging fealty to their lord and their human charges. None of them knowing how long this duty was to hold them. So there was rejoicing in the capital city of Shinen. A new world lay before them.

"You shall see to man" the Transcendent commanded and the regal beings had bowed and left the shining halls of Shinen palace. This select group of powerful Astrians was sent to the earthly plain to safeguard the children of Adam, to nurture them. To make certain that they did not fall to the wayside. These watchers came with the best of intentions, but then, the path to hell is paved with such, or so they say.

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200,000 BC~

Elenciel looked over the land that was to be his. This was his domain, all that fell beneath his far seeing gaze of liquid gold. The many streams and forests, the creatures that dwelled there, even the mortals. A place so different from home. A rough frontier of untamed wilderness. Man was his concern now. Primitive creactures to be certain. Rough settlements, no, filthy encampments were all they had.

A new race that might one day work alongside his own. The humans. A race vastly different from his own. For he was Astrian. Magical beings, as old as the world itself, older still. He had accepted this task as his own and he would see it done. That didn’t mean that he didn’t long for the pale light of Astria, or to romp in the greener than green fields in his true form. Or that he didn‘t pine for the jade green seas and skies of pale violet. The air so fresh and clean that it cleansed one within and without.

For many, countless years, Astrians roamed the face of the earth as demigods. Tall, powerful, beautiful. Graced with elven ears and razor claws, fangs, and power over all that fell within the scope of their eye. They were beings which inspired awe in the early man. Sent to earth, they came to be called many things. Gods, daemons, spirits. Perhaps the name that suits them best is Grigori. The Watchers, those who are awake, those who never sleep. Or so they said.

Exceedingly lovely and powerful, they were the result of the union of holy light and arcane magic. A dangerous combination of incredible power. Male and female, both existed, though rarely in flesh. Astrians like their overlord, the Transcendent were formed of pure energy and power. Spun of starlight and consciousness.

Since arriving in this new place, Elenciel had not taken his true form of bodiless energy, nor did he take the ancient form of his beast. Choosing instead to appear almost human. They’d not had need of bodies for ages. Here, in this new place they were forced into the confinement of flesh. When battles occurred they took on the bestial forms and fought until the blood of foes was spilled, then they returned to energy.

They could however, take corporeal form if they so chose, and the watchers did so. It was far more effective to communicate with man when they could see you, or touch you. So it was that Elenciel and his many brothers held the immortal flesh and discovered the physical sensation of touch. A thing long forgotten in their world.

Humans were wary of them in the early years. Elenciel and his gentle brothers and sisters had literally had to coax the young humans from dwelling of rock and hide. Humans had learned one law of nature, the strongest beings were to be feared. There were none stronger than Astrians here. In time, however, humans came to depend on the knowledge that the pale strangers passed to them. Small villages were built and then larger cities.

Still, they held some measure of fear for the good people of light come to help them. Astrians were much larger, stronger, faster than mortals. With power over the seas, the skies, the beasts, able to shape shift at will, they were feared, adored, and even worshipped, but the watchers continued with their mission paying no mind to the mixed reception they received. Paying no mind to temples and shrines that dotted the world in their names.

Despite being among humans, the watchers found they were lonely. A great loneliness of spirit that did not seem to go away, their gentle hearts longing for that which was familiar. Being away from Shinen took it's toll. For there was no magic in this new place, and their souls hungered for it. Finally, they poured energy into the earth and as a result other magical races sprung to life. Elementals, imps, sprites, fae, even elves. Their magical enhancement of the world soothed the homesick Astrians to some degree.

Decades passed. Elenciel looked over his lands and people, humans included. His years devoured by the passing of those mortals. How odd that the much loved creature had such a finite lifespan. To one of his countless years, such a small passage of time seemed a waste. With such limited years how could man possibly hope to learn all there was to know? The people prospered under his hand and he gained a great deal of loyalty from those around him. Still it wasn't enough, and in time he took note of an Astrian woman. Zaria.

Tall and pale, fierce and proud. She was the embodiment of his people's grace and strength. Her father had grown tired of the world of men and left the care of his region to his headstrong daughter. She was quite capable and under her firm but gentle hand, the children of Adam prospered. Elenciel found himself quite taken with her. She was a most straight forward ruler for the south.

He had already begun negotiations to secure her hand. Though he had encountered a few obstacles in that respect. Mostly from the lady in question. Astrian females, generally tended to bend to the will of their intended male. Their submission came from eons of instinct, the design of nature. Her father was in favor of the match, she herself was resistant. Not caring to be looked upon as new ground to be conquered.

An opinion she was quick to share with him. She'd not bothered to mince words either. It irritated him as much as it interested him. He swore he would have her as his own. So, a private battle of wills was waged between them, spanning two hundred years. During that time the world changed greatly. Not always for the better. It slowly became clear that certain watchers had broken sacred laws. In their growing attachment, several watchers began to teach humans their ways. Men had learned herbal lore, they read the stars and practiced magic.

They knew healing arts and ancients chants. It was not to be borne. This was knowledge reserved for Astrians, and not for the unworthy eyes of mortals. Elenciel was guilty of teaching them to write, read, that they might recall their days later. He'd taught them basic mathematics and calculations. He felt not a whit of remorse in doing it either. If man was to survive on his own, he must be cultured and educated. He also knew that even with Astrian knowledge, humans would never be their equals. It was a physical impossibility.

There were those in Astria, who did not agree. They felt angered and threatened by the fact that a race outside of their own, a species other than their own should learn such things. If humans knew all there was to know, then what was to stop them from using their freewill to revolt? It was dangerous and beings lesser than themselves should remain that way.

However, a number of Astrians had grown fond of their wards. Perhaps too fond. Seeing the softness of mortal women, the beauty of forbidden flowers, doomed to fall too soon. Many had taken human lovers and children were born. Astrian purists raged at the idea. The most sacred law had been broken. It was expressly forbidden for Astrians to mate outside their own. A law as old as any of them could recall. The halls of Shinen blazed with the ferocity of their anger. The betrayal of the watchers in imparting such knowledge. Indulging such actions.

They clamored for their overlord to take action, but He refused. Content instead to watch the unfolding of the events with a calm eye. He understood that his people were fretful, but he saw no need to move. He was nearing the time of repose, the needed rest to replenish the great amount of energies he used.

The angry ones waited until the Transcendant slipped into repose and stole away to the earthly plain. Brandishing fiery weapons and enormous, bestial form the swept down like avengers in the darkness. The earth shook under giant paws and the air vibrated with the resounding snarls and roars. Heavenly blades scored the landscape.

They began to hunt those who had defiled their noble bloodlines in such a way. They cut bloody swaths across the lands, clashing with those who sought to protect the half breed children, the Nephilim. They tore across the face of creation in the forms of great beasts, filling human hearts with terror at their savage actions.

A dark haired, midnight blue eyed Astrian named Assael, was one of those who gave life to Nephilim children. His human wife Atlantea had lived on an island in the sea and often spoke of it to him. Long forgotten by people, it was shunned for it's isolated location. Assael deemed this a perfect location for a sanctuary. At the same time Remiel, another watcher had decided to take his human wife and nephilim children to her homeland as well. Thus word went out through an intricate network of messengers.

Those watchers who loved their humans wives, husbands and half blood children gathered them together in the protected city in the center of the sea. Assael and Remiel built great magical walls around their chosen areas. Here the knowledge was exchanged and encouraged. They called it The World. For it was to be their future. The Astrians rose into the air to fight battles over the turbulent waters.

Conflicts escalated until those who had been impartial were forced to take action for the protection of their own lands and wards. Battle spread like hungry fire across the world, leaving death and charred ruins. Humans, Astrians, and Nephilim fell by claw and sword. The cloud of death swept to each shore and further out to the havens of the Nephilim. The most blatant strongholds of union between the species.