The sun and the Moon
Part 1
New Japanese Generals
Sometime in 1550...
"Hey hey!" The men raised their cups and clanged them next to those who sat at the table with them. "More ale! More ale!" Shouts rang out in the inn.
"I think you've already had enough." A voice came from a person sitting at the bar, back facing them.
"Too bad there's no women around here." One man said out loud.
"Sure there is!" Another replied.
"Oh no. Women wear dresses!" The men laughed.
The person at the bar turned around to face them sideways. "I think you're forgetting who's the soldier and who's the General." Then the person turned back. "Smirking about my red bicolor body armor." the voice mumbled.
The men silenced themselves to a more quiet banter. Then the food arrived. "Ah! Now here's a meal!"
"Have a drink Unacera." A man stumbled to stand next to her, but leaned on the bar for support.
"No thanks." She replied as she started to eat.
"Oh come on. Relax a little." He sat and tried his best to lean seductively on the bar.
"I think you're plenty relaxed for the both of us."
"You're the most beautiful General I've seen." He leaned his face in.
She drew back. "Urg. Ale breath."
"Oh come on." He leaned in even further to wrap an arm around her waist. Then a fist flew and a leg sweep and the man was quickly on the floor taking some chairs with him. The rest of the men laughed. The person who fell stumbled away, shocked at how the woman so easily beat him.
"Men." She murmured. "Excuse me, boys. Guys like that never made it to manhood." Unacera sighed. "Guess it's time to head off to bed." Just then the men started to sing aloud. "Oh gosh." Her hands raised to her ears. "Now I know what hangovers must be like. Gee I hope they aren't catchy like colds." With that she finished her food and left. She entered a room, shut the door and looked around. Her lips silently murmured a spell and the torches lit. At least it's a bit more quiet here. You'd think they were partying not because of their victory but because I'm leaving Ireland for Japan soon. She sat on the bed and pulled out a book she left there earlier. Unacera sighed as she laid down and held the book over her head as she began to read. Eventually she started to fall asleep and she closed it again before shutting her eyes. As a last thought before falling unconscious, she murmured another spell and the torches suddenly went out.
Before the sun arose, Unacera was up and packing. As she suspected all the people drinking last night were still unconscious. She shook her head again as she remembered having to step ever so carefully over a few bodies on the floor of the inn. Her hands caressed the harp she held in her hands. It was the one thing that survived her attack on her village as a child. Fingers lightly brushed against the strings as they quietly sang to the air. Unacera smiled and placed it in her saddle bag. Then she mounted her horse with her blue, white, and green robe flying around her as she did. A few parts of it were tugged to let it hang better, then her right hand reached down for her white staff that was in the ground. She picked it up and held it like a lance. A small growl from behind caused her to look in the distance to her left side. A figure on a horse was racing toward her. Curious, Unacera turned her horse and decided to meet this person halfway. A feeling of familiarity came over her even before she could make out who it was.
"Unacera!" The man yelled as he laughed joyously. They both stopped and he moved his armored zebra near Unacera with Dragon Wind between the two warriors. "Finally we meet again. As usual under the same circumstances."
"Maybe. Maybe not." She smiled at the man as they started to gallop together. "It's been a long time."
The man nodded, his short brown highlighted blonde hair flying up and down. "Are you planning another campaign?"
"Of sorts. You could say a campaign in Japan."
Michael's brown eyes opened wide. "The calling?!"
"Yes. Just a few weeks ago."
His head sank a little and his bicolor brown body armor slumped into the saddle. "Here I was hoping to help you." He turned to her and cheered up. "Maybe I still can! I'll come with you. I haven't had the calling yet." One of his brown blonde eyebrows raised. "Can they fit me and a zebra on that boat of yours?"
"Hey they agreed to take Dragon Wind!" The large winged leopard growled. Both Unacera and Michael laughed in response.
Several years later...
"Yami Archdruid Sho Unacera."
"Hai?"
"I'm glad you're here. I need your help." The man continued in Japanese.
"Who doesn't?" Unacera responded in the same language perfectly.
The man lowered his gaze. "I know. It's just that you Celts are renown for being great fighters and your skills are admired."
"Yes I know. Everyone wants General Unacera. You know I only fight along my morals." She tried to sound more proper but she preferred to continue to go about her calling than fighting again.
"Of course. I wouldn't ask something if it was offensive."
"Naturally."
"Here's the map with the location of the last report of the forces we're against." He stood next to a table. "The forces of ours are here, here, and here. Finally this group here will be yours to command."
"I command people because they want to commanded by me."
"And they do."
"So what is the name of your enemy?"
"Those associated with the enemy you know. The same enemy of the Ancients' clans."
"Talpa." The name came off her tongue with much hatred.
"Yes. The worst is one of their Generals that is headed this way. This one is new, a General Isis."
"Isis." She repeated but her voice was different. There wasn't the same amount of hatred there. It was more serious and almost remorseful.
"Yes we don't know where exactly in Japan that she started but it has spread."
Unacera nodded. "I agree."
"Good." He took some drink bowls. "A toast to our alliance." They raised the bowls and drank down quickly. Unacera involuntarily moved her face to the side, luckily as the man was looking away. Whoah that's strong. Not that I'm used to drinking anyway but... She looked at her empty drink bowl. Sake. "Ah." The man obviously pleased with the quality of his drink, and not seeing Unacera's reaction, assumed she felt the same. "Please eat some more."
"Oh no. If you don't mind I would like to examine this map more."
"Of course. I'll let you know whenever we get report of movement." He bowed in respect and Unacera returned the gesture. Then she looked for a long moment at the map, thinking to herself.
"An update just came in General."
"Good."
"There appears that they required a new General."
"What is the name?"
"I'm afraid the information is confusing. There's this myth of some sort going around it seems."
"You give me confusing information?!" The voice interrupted.
"Well there is this dog headed god of war called Hesus, of the Celts from Ireland. They say that this Hesus is fighting on their side."
"Well this isn't Ireland!" The soldier shrank back from the raging voice. Noticing the reaction, the General paused and continued more calmly a moment later. "Hmmmm. Perhaps there is something in this." The soldier still had his head bowed in respect and fear. "How powerful is this General?"
"The new General's skills are renown over Ireland and there are tales that originate with the Ancients. Indeed a great one to fight against."
"Don't think that I am a fool."
"Of course not."
"Perhaps I shall watch and maybe one day our paths will cross."
"May I take my leave now General Isis?"
Isis waved her hand and turned back to the map. "General Hesus," she whispered.
A figure stood alone on a cliff by the shore on a horse. The animal pawed at the ground out of boredom as it's gray mane and tail flew in a breeze. All of the black horse was armored as was the person sitting on it. The cape made a sound as the wind cut around it. The sun was setting and dark clouds already started to settle in. It promised to be an starless night. "Perfect!"
"Maybe not." A figure galloped beside. "I heard that General Isis is headed this way. You pushed this too far."
"You told me to lead, so I did."
"How far have you gone in so little time?"
"With low losses. In fact I've gained soldiers."
"If you wanted to catch General Isis' eye, you did it. I don't think they're very pleased at their losses or the person behind it."
"I hope we still have that advantage of ours going."
"You mostly do that yourself with that armor."
"So it looks like a dog headed creature of armor? Why not use Hesus?"
The man shook his head and sighed deeply. "Sometimes I wish you would be more open about these plans of yours. You are as unpredictable as the way the blows."
"The less that know, the better." Her blue eyes locked with the man's brown eyes. "If I could tell you I would. Go back to the camp, I shall be there after a few moments." He merely nodded in response and galloped back the way he came. "I wish I could tell you my plan, but sometimes even I am not sure how it will go." Unacera whispered. Suddenly her eyes opened wide. Wait. She spurn her horse a little into an easy riding pace as she looked around. That town between our armies... it's still quite a distance away from both of us. I was going to evacuate it as usual but what if I can use it to my advantage?
A woman stood alone in a rampaged city. The walls still crumbled to the ground. Small fires burned on the house roofs. She found herself looking down at an old woman kneeling on the ground.
"What have you done?! Do you know what you have done?! You'll bring the wrath of Hesus down!"
"Myths! Useless words!"
The old woman grabbed the person's shirt. "Hesus the god of war will come for you! The dog headed god who wears the blood of those he has killed on his face!"
The person struck the old woman down. As she did, she sensed something and looked up. There a short distance down the pathway of the town was a figure on a dark horse. The horse was black and its armor seemed out of the ability for people to create. On the horse sat a large figure with a dog's head, looking quite like the Egyptian god Anubis. The figure too was splendidly armored, even a helm was shaped for its strange head. It pointed a large sword, like a no-datchi, at the woman standing before him. "Isis-San." A voice coldly echoed.
Isis involuntarily shivered and felt cold seeping into her rather quickly. She straightened herself as she pulled out her sword. Calling her courage, and disbelief of what was before her, she mounted her stallion. "Come and try to take me Hesus!" The figure did not answer but slowly let his horse pace up the path. Isis' horse swayed nervously from side to side, trying to ignore its master's commands to go forward. "Uma no baka." she said in frustration. The creature was gaining ground slowly. It was like the whole moment slowed and still Isis was unable to control anything. She readied herself as their swords approached each other. The blow proved unbelievably hard for something moving so slow. The woman fell off the horse as it reared, her brown hair spilling over the ground. She rolled and looked up only to see the dismounted creature standing above her. Isis tried to raise her sword, but her arm, like her stallion, wouldn't obey her command now.
"Sayonara Isis-San." The creature moved its sword in a beautiful and deadly blow. The woman's green eyes just stared in disbelief as the sword approached its mark.
"AAAAAAHHHH!" Isis sat up after her scream. Sweat covered her entire body. She breathed deeply several times to slow the pounding of her heart. "It was only a nightmare," she whispered to calm her thoughts. Still the fear seemed to linger. I knew we would meet. Somehow I saw it. Now the closer we approach each other, the more these things appear in my subconscious. This never happened before. What do they mean? What is this calling I sense? She shook her head, brown hair finally falling into place. Something caught her eye that she had rarely seen. Over the hills the sun was starting to rise. It all seems so beautiful. Bah! The Nether World looks better. Yet, when the sun and land is in this position it reminds me of that place so much. The golden colors of the sky return for a brief moment. Again she banished the thoughts in her mind. Time to get everything together to continue on the march. This world will yet be conquered, and when my master returns he shall reward me for my dedication. She stood up and looked around. "I'm tired of this. Time to advance!"
Isis looked around from on top of her Dynasty horse. It was long and grueling but the town was taken. She wanted to move out, but the town was a good place to keep her army for the moment. There was plenty of food and slaves to provide for herself and her army. Her soldiers had already removed the corpses of those who fell before she arrived to clear her way. The scene still left a feeling of unease. This looks like my dream. Isis moved and dismounted. A soldier quickly took the reigns of her horse. She then walked and entered a house.
"Quickly! Serve our General!" A soldier bellowed. The people shrieked as they brought food, water, and other comforts to the General. Isis reached out and grabbed some sake. She drank it down, trying to drown out the feelings she had. She sought to regain the things she knew and lose these doubts. Maybe I can stay here for a little while. After a while here the fear will subside and I shall finish my goal. Someone filled her bowl again and Isis drank more slowly this time. She let the drink swish around in the bowl, regarding it with no reason. Suddenly a commotion caused her to look up. She gasped as the point of a katana laid on her neck. The rest of the people of the house had also weaponed themselves and had slain the soldiers.
"I wouldn't scream if I were you." The man said coldly to Isis.
"How long do you think you can keep this up human," she whispered.
"I'm not worried. You see. Either way we are dead by either trying to kill you or under the Dynasty's rule. Personally I'd rather die while attempting to kill you." The other people of the house gathered around, holding their weapons and motioned for Isis to stand. A few of them tightly held her arms. "Come," the man said, still keeping his katana close to her neck. Together they walked out of the house. Outside other townspeople revolted to fight the soldiers. "Surrender now or lose your General." The soldiers looked toward the voice, which proved to be a foolish move. The people drove their weapons through the armors without remorse or mercy. The greenish gray mist flowed out of their wounds.
"You have no honor." Isis said coldly.
The man held his katana closer to her neck. "Oh no. This is self defense against your attempted tyranny."
"Hold!" A voice came close by. The man looked up and lowered his katana to his side. "She is to be taken alive." The crowd cleared a bit to allow the horseman to ride up.
Isis' eyes opened wide. Again it's like my dream! An armored horse and warrior with a armor that looks like a dog's head. She regained her composure. "Sho Hesus," her voice snarled in complete disrespect.
"Such strong language to one who has saved your life."
Her reply was cut short by the voice. It wasn't a man at all as she heard in the dream. The voice was soft and feminine. "My life. My life is nothing now."
"You fight on the wrong side." The figure motioned her clawed hand and the men moved Isis forward in that direction. Her green eyes still scolded the armored figure as she passed. Unacera stopped one of the men further back as he passed. "She gets no better treatment than myself, and no worse."
The man gave her a look of confusion. "If that is your wish General." He bowed and continued to follow the group that held Isis. Unacera looked back, turning her horse to watch. It all happened as planned. Still though she felt something different about this person. I have no real hatred for her. There is something in her that seems.. Oh I can't describe it all. It's like the calling, but I'm being pulled onto another path of a similar direction. The Archdruid turned her horse away to ride into the woods near the village. She would meditate there and find her answers.
She pushed the branches aside with a small knife carefully. Slowly she made her way into the forest. Soon what she relished to see was there. The figure was sitting on the ground, clad in a robe of white, blue and green. A white staff with a circle on top was in front of the figure, standing on its own. The small knife moved slowly in the air, motioning what the wielder imagined she would do to that back of the figure. She crept ever so slowly behind and prepared for a quick fatal blow. As her arm swung, it was caught and twisted so the knife was forced to fall from grasp. The figure turned slightly to regard her attacker. "Konnichiwa Isis-San."
Isis growled in response. Her green eyes locked on the figure as she tried to mentally figure where her knife was on the ground.
In a swift move, the robed woman took the knife and hid it. "Must you always act so mean spirited to someone who saved your life?"
"By your death I shall no longer be dishonored!"
The figure turned around completely. Her blue eyes regarded the Dynasty General softly. Long orange red hair fell of its own accord with no tie to constrain it. Isis almost gasped at the woman before her. Indeed it was obvious she wasn't Japanese, but there was something there she couldn't place. It was something that attracted her. Isis started to banish her thoughts, trying to convince herself that it must be a spell but still the feeling held. Confusion flooded her mind. A war began there. It was between what she learned from her father, and these thoughts that seemed to be like old feelings brought to light. Suddenly an image came to mind.
"Isis!" A woman lying on the ground cried with an outstretched hand reaching up. Tears streamed her face and fell down her cheeks to the dirt ground.
"Mommy!" A very young girl's voice cried back. Isis felt herself somehow in that child's body, bouncing up and down on what must have been a shoulder. The woman's form lost its define features as the distance between them increased.
"Isis! Somebody help! Please don't take her! Isis!" The rest of the woman's screams and pleads faded away to the wind.
To be Continued...