The sun and the Moon
Part 3
Strange Things can Happen
Several years earlier...
"Sekhmet-Kun?" A woman's voice called in the house. Soon several soft footsteps were heard. A head popped around the door, looking inside.
"There he is." A man said in relief.
"Come on. Dinner's ready." The woman said again.
The face looked for a second with large black eyes. His hands were curled in little fists. Quickly he tried to walk to the woman, almost stumbling as he did. The man chuckled in response. "He's determined to get this walking thing down right."
"Here." The woman started to help feed the boy his food. The little slightly chump cheeks moved up and down.
"He's always the cutest thing I've ever seen." The man shook his head as his short brown highlighted blonde hair moved a little as well. He continued to eat his bowl of rice.
"Mine!"
"No it's mine."
"Mine!"
"No. I said it's mine."
"Mine!"
The man sighed loudly, his brown bicolor body armor rising and falling with the breath. On one end, the boy was holding onto the top of the hilt of one of his katanas. The man was holding on with a hand across from Sekhmet. "I need this. You're still too young to use it."
"Mine!" The boy said again, tugging at the sword with all his strength. The man smiled, quickly deciding to make this a game.
"Mine," he echoed the boy's attitude and softly tugging it his way.
"Mine!"
"Let's say it's ours all right?"
"No mine!" The boy tugged roughly. "Mine mine mine mine mine!" The man let go of the sword and the boy tried to run, dragging the katana with him. Soon the boy reached the corner of the room and sat with his back to the wall. He hugged the hilt of the katana lovingly. "Mine!"
"Fine. It's yours. But only for now." He raised a finger and teasingly shook it. He turned back and walked a bit away. Then he put back on his dark green kimono and red sash before sitting to rest.
Sekhmet's small left hand caressed the gold hilt. His fingers traced the lines and the weird design of a snake on the top of the it. After a few minutes of examining the katana, his large black eyes looked up at the man meditating a distance away. The boy stood up and walked to him, dragging the katana behind. When he reached him, the boy tugged at his arm. The man looked down, his brown eyes locking with his. The boy tried to lift the sword a little while saying, "Yours."
Michael smiled. "Domo Sekhmet-Kun." He took the sword gently and Sekhmet watched. Michael held it, letting the light of the room dance on it. Then he moved it around a bit so the light danced on the walls. The boy laughed in delight at the display.
"Pretty lights."
"Yes they are." After figuring the boy had his fun, he bid the katana away.
"All gone." The boy said.
"Time to go to bed now."
Sekhmet frowned. "Oh. All right." The man gathered the boy in his arms and carried him to his bed. He placed him in and wrapped him up.
"Now go to sleep." The boy yawned and turned to his side. Michael just sat there, brushing Sekhmet's green hair aside a bit. After a few minutes the boy finally fell fast asleep. Michael stood and left quietly.
"Domo Michael-San." The woman said as she bowed.
"It is you I should thank." He bowed in return.
The woman shook her head a little, her black hair swaying. "You come at a time I was alone and needed help. You helped me through a difficult birth. Then you help me raise my son and help in the fields. Yet you say that it is me that should be thanked?"
"Indeed though you do not know what your son will aspire to."
"I can guess. The strange armor... it's yoroi isn't it?"
"Hai."
"You came to give it to him."
"Someday." He walked further away from Sekhmet room. "I know you probably wish me to be honest, so I shall. I cannot stay here. If I'm always here, I'll purposely influence him. When I got this yoroi I had no idea I was going to get it. I think it is best if life itself influences him as it did to me."
The woman looked at him thoughtfully. "You of course know about your yoroi best." She looked back to where Sekhmet was sleeping. "When will you be leaving?"
"I'll still stay for a while." Then Michael bowed. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do outside."
She returned the bow. "Of course."
Back to the late 16th century...
The man sat on his saddle, looking over the area. Winter was coming and he knew that somewhere his friend was around. The leaves had already changed colors and crinkled under his stallion's feet. The autumn seemed longer than usual this year, a blessing for him. His battles against the Dynasty had gone well, and he had kept them all far away and unaware of Sekhmet. His army had temporally left out of his leadership, but not permanently. He just needed this bit of time alone as the date of the beginning of winter neared. He spurred on his armored stallion, a zebra, onward into its unbelievable fast pace he knew so well. His dark green and red armor clanged as he rode. We've been separated for a bit again, but it'll be nice to be reunited.
Days of riding and resting past. The man went through villages, staying only as long as he saw fit. All the time he followed the natural feeling and attachment that was leading him to his friend. Soon he heard of people talking about an army not too far away. Ah she's on her winter campaign. He chuckled lightly. Eventually he reached the outskirts of her army and was stopped by a soldier. Michael raised his arms in a non adverse look. "Have someone tell Yami Archdruid Sho Unacera that Kobura Sho Michael is here." A few men talked among themselves and finally two rode off.
"Very slowly dismount." Michael followed the order and allowed himself to be maltreated for the moment. It'll be all set soon. He waited for what seemed like forever with men around him on constant guard. "You know my armor may look like a snake but I don't bite." Michael started to chuckle but stopped as he realized that no one else shared his sense of humor. He sighed. This is going to be a long day.
Finally, as Michael was going to drift to sleep, the two riders came back. "Let him pass ahead with an escort. He is to see General Unacera." The man who was talking then walked up to Michael as he stood. "Forgive me fellow General. We had to make sure."
Michael mounted his zebra again. "That's understandable and very wise." He then spurred his mount forward again. "Come on Zuki. I've had enough of being out here." More of the army became noticeable to him as he rode his way through. Eventually he made it to a camp and asked around until he found where he wanted to be.
"Unacera is busy with a... guest. Please wait over there for her." The man motioned to a tree. "I'll take your.. er.. horse sir."
"It's a zebra." Michael corrected as he dismounted again. He walked to the tree and sat next to it, resting his eyes as he waited. After an hour he heard rustling nearby. The man opened his eyes to see a familiar form. "You here too?"
"Of course." The man replied as he sat down next to him.
"Glad I'm not alone."
"Well with the time of year and the way things have been going. That and I was in the area."
"Same here, except for the part of being in the area. I kind of had a trip." He smiled a little as he turned to his friend. "So who do you watch over Sotsuhiko?"
"Ah a man with great strength like myself. He may as well be a bit of a mystic."
"That must please you."
"Greatly since I miss my priestly home in the Himalayas."
Michael sat forward, a grin crossing his face. "So. What's his name?"
Sotsuhiko looked back, both of their brown eyes locking gazes. "Is that so important?"
"Just asking. If you don't want to say..."
"Anubis. All right. His name is Anubis." He crossed his arms. "There are you happy now?"
Michael's grin grew wider. "Very." Sotsuhiko just sighed in response, running a hand absently through his light blue hair. The other man removed his helmet, allowing the breeze to blow through his dark blonde hair. He placed the helm by his side and sat back against the tree again. "Well?" He finally said after a few minutes.
"Well what," Sotsuhiko replied, getting tired of these games.
"Aren't you going to ask me about mine?"
"I didn't know it was required." He decided to play Michael's game for a bit longer.
"Well I'm going to tell you anyway."
"I figured you would," Sotsuhiko said sarcastically.
"Oh be quiet 'Abominable Snowman'." Michael remembered quickly the myths as he searched for the Titian Sho several centuries ago with Yami Sho Torono. The priests wanted to protect their temple from outsiders so they made the myth and Sotsuhiko with his yoroi made it real. Unfortunately they didn't count on the stubbornness of two yoroi Generals. Michael inwardly sighed at the thought. Torono. He shook his head. "Well mine is half snake demon, as they say here. He's perfect for my armor. His name is Sekhmet."
"Well it would seem that our waiting has been worth while over these centuries. Those next to wear our armor are indeed fit for them." Sotsuhiko sighed loudly. "Good thing too, because soon I'll be able to finally settle down and get a rest from this life." They both laughed.
"No Mekira?" Michael looked worried.
"I'm sure he'd come if he could."
"It's not going to be the same without him."
"I know. Still let's enjoy this." Unacera smiled as all three of them sat in a nearby forest. Each had on their bicolor body armors.
"Well here's something I brought." Michael reached in a pouch and pulled out something. "Sake!" A groan came from both Sotsuhiko and Unacera. "Tough. You're gonna drink it down. Especially you Unacera!" He grinned as he took a long drink. Then he passed it to his left. Sotsuhiko took it hesitantly. "Oh for cripe sake, this isn't the Himalayas. Stop thinking about your priestly duties and take a drink!" Sotsuhiko drank the sake, gulping it down almost forcefully. "There was that so bad?"
"No it was worse." Sotsuhiko said sarcastically as he handed it to his left to the final person in the group. Unacera took it and started to drink slowly.
"Not you too. Come on. Big long drink now. How many times do we get together on the Winter Solstice anymore to celebrate a certain someone's birthday?"
On Michael's charming insistence, Unacera started to swallow down a larger amount. Then she felt something hit her back. The blow forced her to swallow in a quick second the sake that was in her mouth. She coughed forcefully as she could start to feel the affects of the alcoholic drink. Her face turned and blue eyes locked on Michael who was, of course, grinning. Unacera lunged at the man, but he easily dodged and took the sake. He then poured the little that remained all over the Archdruid and laughed. She just glared at him in response.
"Hahahahaha. Happy birthday Unacera!"
"A very happy birthday Archdruid Unacera." Sotsuhiko said more seriously.
"All right. All right. Now I've had more sake in a sitting then ever before. I'm sure that makes you happy Michael. I hope I don't get drunk tonight."
"Ah but wouldn't that add spice to it?" Michael jokingly replied as he followed her thoughts.
"Come on." She urged. "The sun's almost down. We need to prepare."
The three figures got up and started their walk to a nearby clearing on a hill. They never noticed the other person, a feminine figure, who had watched the entire thing from a safe distance. She slowly followed the three Generals to see what they were going to do next.
She yawned as she grew tired and the night dragged on. I can't understand this. All they've done so far is dance. Isis lied on her stomach, watching carefully at the beautiful slow dance of each person. Their faces were serious and usually their eyes were closed. Finally they stopped and Isis pulled herself a little more toward them to hear. They each summoned their armors and stood.
"The autumn has ended. The season of winter is beginning. As it is every year. I pass on and give my strength to you." Michael bowed to Unacera. "May your armor be as steady in battle as the snowfall." He paused and added a new part. "And also to the one who is next."
"Cale-San," Unacera said the name aloud and they all bowed. "I thank you Kobura Sho Michael." Unacera bowed again by herself. "I morn your loss of autumn for your armor. Now is the time that many things seem lost. The world may seem to die around us, but in truth the ground sleeps. Let nature make way for the new life as the old passes on. Just as it will be for the one you shall make way for."
"Sekhmet-San," Michael replied and once again they all bowed.
Then there was a small flash of light and another figure appeared to stand with them. His armor, to Isis, seemed to resemble a spider. "Forgive me," he said in a beautiful voice. "This is the only way I can join you all. I also apologize for taking so long to appear."
Sotsuhiko bowed to the figure. "You are here now, and that is what matters." He paused and continued the ceremony. "On the other side of the world, spring has finished. Flowers bloom and animals flourish. I pass on my power to a new season. Mekira. May your armor thrive as the plants and animals do there now. As shall soon be with the one you raised from a seed."
"Dais-San." Another group bow. "I accept your gracious giving and words Sotsuhiko. I shall carry on the life you started. To show their strength, my season will bring heat onto them. Through this trial they shall prove themselves and become stronger. May it also be so with who you protect."
"Anubis-San." One final group bow.
"It has ended now. The Winter Solstice is over. We have danced, remembering and honoring the dead. Now we shall soon sleep and let new life flourish in our armors." Unacera said.
"Here's to a strange word we almost forgot..." Michael grinned. "Retirement." He stretched out his right arm. Unacera took it as did also Sotsuhiko, and the illusionary vision of Mekira placed his hand on top.
"May we sometime yet meet again." The Archdruid smiled.
"Hai. I hope so too." Sotsuhiko shared the smile.
Mekira bowed. "I must go now. May the winds carry you all in favorable directions." With another flash of light the figure disappeared. The remaining warriors dispersed and walked away in separate directions.
Isis just laid there for a moment. "What a strange ceremony. What do the references to the seasons mean?" She shook her head as she doubted she'd ever find out from anyone, even Unacera. Besides. Isis thought. Yami Archdruid Sho Unacera wouldn't like it much if she found out I watched this I bet. Finally the warrior walked back to the camp, being careful not to be seen from anyone. Hopefully no one noticed I was missing.
One of the armored warriors stopped in his tracks. He sense something vaguely familiar, like the calling he had. Curiosity thoroughly peaked, he turned to follow the feeling. Swiftly and softly he made his way, cautiously following tracks. Soon his eyes saw it, a female form walking to camp. Unacera's guest I presume. He chuckled in his thoughts. It's has to be. For the same reason I had to follow her. Michael pondered for a moment as he stopped to watch her walk away. Hey maybe she like sake. He grinned at his idea to become friends with this 'guest' of Unacera.
To Be Continued...