An Oh My God FanFic
The Hazards of Divinity
by
Part 1 - Section C
Brett Handy
I yawned mightily and rubbed my eyes, then winced at the
bright light. After a few moments I'd adjusted to the light
and I found myself on a large bed. There was a weight on the
end of my right leg and I pulled the sheets back to reveal a
cast of some kind, covering my foot and the lower part of my
leg. Rising to a sitting position I noticed that my wounds
had been healed and I was also in a clean set of clothes.
Seeing a pair of crutches leaning against the bed, I
edged myself over and managed to stand up. There was a
grinding noise and a huge figure took a pace towards me, from
where it had been standing against the wall. "Commander", a
mechanical voice droned, "You are still not operating within
specifications... please do not attempt to leave this set of
apartments".
I recoiled slightly and sat down on the bed, "What the
hell are you?", I asked it.
"My designation is Nemesis-1", it replied, "I am a model
4000 combat droid".
"Alright", I said, "Then could you please tell me what
you're doing in my room?".
"You have been designated as my commander", Nemesis-1
answered, "My functions are at your disposal".
I frowned, "Who told you that?", I asked.
"My former Commander has designated you as her
replacement, my orders are to obey and protect you", it
answered.
I raised an eyebrow at it, "Your former commander
wouldn't happen to have white hair, a healthy figure and an
unusual interest in interfering?", I asked sarcastically.
"Oh very funny!", Urd said from the doorway, "That's the
thanks I get for rescuing your sorry carcass!".
I grinned, "You're a sight for sore eyes", I said.
Urd walked over and sat beside me on the bed, "How are
you feeling", she said seriously, a worried look in her eye.
I smiled, "I feel great", I replied.
"Good", Urd said eyeing me coolly.
I gave her a puzzled look, "What's wrong?", I asked.
A moment later I was pulled into an almost violent hug,
"You stupid, stupid man!", she sobbed.
I gulped a little nervously, this was a side of her that
I hadn't seen, "Hey", I said, returning her hug, "Don't cry,
I'm alright".
Urd continued to sob for a few minutes and I held her
until she'd finished. Giving her a kiss on the cheek I
loosened the hug and looked at her in the eyes, "Hey, don't
worry", I said firmly, "It takes a lot to get rid of a guy
like me".
Urd smiled slightly and wiped her eyes, "I was so
afraid", she said worriedly, "I didn't know if you were alive
or dead.. ".
I gave her shoulders a squeeze, "I'm sorry I put you
through that...", I began.
Urd silenced me with a kiss. I returned the kiss and
hugged her tightly. There wasn't a knock on the door and Urd
reluctantly separated from me and walked across the room to
the door.
I nodded to Makoto as he walked into the room, "Glad to
see you're feeling better", Makoto said.
"Thanks mate", I replied. He seemed slightly
uncomfortable and I frowned, "I take it that this isn't a
social call?", I asked.
He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not", he said, "Her
Majesty is concerned about why the Bugrom chose to kidnap
you".
I shrugged, "I don't really know", I said honestly, "She
offered me a job in her 'service' - but I turned her down".
Makoto frowned, "Why?", Makoto asked.
"Why do you think?!?", I replied indignantly, "I don't
think it would have been a good career move, 'slave' isn't
exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life".
Makoto shook his head, "No that's not what I mean", he
apologised, "I mean why did she pick you?".
I glanced at Urd, "How much did you tell them?", I asked
her bluntly.
Urd shrugged, "Just that I'm a goddess", she said.
Makoto shuddered slightly at the casual way she said it,
then he looked at me, "Are you a god too?", he asked.
I shook my head, "No mate", I said softly, "I'm not a
god".
Urd looked like she wanted to protest, but I gave her a
warning glance, "I have a few powers", I said, "But nothing
like a god".
Makoto almost breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good",
he said.
I gave him a quizzical look and Urd looked angry, "What
are you talking about?", I asked.
"Well", Makoto began sheepishly, "It would completely
destroy my impression of heaven, if everyone there had an
Australian accent".
I grinned, "Have you ever been to Australia?", I asked
him. At his blank expression I grinned, "Then you won't know
heaven when you see it", I said. Makoto chuckled as he walked
out of the room.
******
Makoto trudged along slowly as he left Brett and Urd's
rooms. He wasn't used to lying to people he considered
friends. Marching quickly to the palace room he nodded to the
two guards and walked inside.
"Makoto!", Fatora called, "Come here and tell me what you
have found".
Putting a solemn expression on his face, Makoto sat down
beside the princess, "Brett has said that he is not a god", he
said carefully.
Fatora frowned, "That's all you found out?", she asked
sharply.
"What was I suppose to do?", Makoto asked defensively,
"Ask him to detail everything he can do?".
"Do not speak to me in that tone", Fatora ordered.
Makoto sighed, "Yes Princess", he replied.
Fatora stood, "If he's not a god..", she mused, "I might
be able to use him..".
"If that's all?", Makoto asked.
Fatora gave him a condescending glance, "For the moment",
she said, "I might have need of you later".
After Makoto had left, Fatora stepped into her private
waiting room and nodded to her guest, "You heard?", she asked.
The figure nodded, "Now Princess", he said, "I think we
want this new friend to stay for a while... I want to know
more about him...".
"Oh!", the figure said, almost as an afterthought, "Do
not harm him".
Fatora nodded and walked from the room. The figure stood
and walked to the balcony, jumping up onto the railing.
"Majesty Gallus", he said, looking up the sky, "You thought of
everything". With that Prince Najato of the Phantom Tribe
jumped down and disappeared.
******
I yawned mightily and rubbed my eyes, then winced at the
bright light. After a few moments I'd adjusted to the light
and I found myself on a large bed. There was a weight on the
end of my right leg and I pulled the sheets back to reveal a
cast of some kind, covering my foot and the lower part of my
leg. Rising to a sitting position I noticed that my wounds
had been healed and I was also in a clean set of clothes.
Seeing a pair of crutches leaning against the bed, I
edged myself over and managed to stand up. There was a
grinding noise and a huge figure took a pace towards me, from
where it had been standing against the wall. "Commander", a
mechanical voice droned, "You are still not operating within
specifications... please do not attempt to leave this set of
apartments".
I recoiled slightly and sat down on the bed, "What the
hell are you?", I asked it.
"My designation is Nemesis-1", it replied, "I am a model
4000 combat droid".
"Alright", I said, "Then could you please tell me what
you're doing in my room?".
"You have been designated as my commander", Nemesis-1
answered, "My functions are at your disposal".
I frowned, "Who told you that?", I asked.
"My former Commander has designated you as her
replacement, my orders are to obey and protect you", it
answered.
I raised an eyebrow at it, "Your former commander
wouldn't happen to have white hair, a healthy figure and an
unusual interest in interfering?", I asked sarcastically.
"Oh very funny!", Urd said from the doorway, "That's the
thanks I get for rescuing your sorry carcass!".
I grinned, "You're a sight for sore eyes", I said.
Urd walked over and sat beside me on the bed, "How are
you feeling", she said seriously, a worried look in her eye.
I smiled, "I feel great", I replied.
"Good", Urd said eyeing me coolly.
I gave her a puzzled look, "What's wrong?", I asked.
A moment later I was pulled into an almost violent hug,
"You stupid, stupid man!", she sobbed.
I gulped a little nervously, this was a side of her that
I hadn't seen, "Hey", I said, returning her hug, "Don't cry,
I'm alright".
Urd continued to sob for a few minutes and I held her
until she'd finished. Giving her a kiss on the cheek I
loosened the hug and looked at her in the eyes, "Hey, don't
worry", I said firmly, "It takes a lot to get rid of a guy
like me".
Urd smiled slightly and wiped her eyes, "I was so
afraid", she said worriedly, "I didn't know if you were alive
or dead.. ".
I gave her shoulders a squeeze, "I'm sorry I put you
through that...", I began.
Urd silenced me with a kiss. I returned the kiss and
hugged her tightly. There wasn't a knock on the door and Urd
reluctantly separated from me and walked across the room to
the door.
I nodded to Makoto as he walked into the room, "Glad to
see you're feeling better", Makoto said.
"Thanks mate", I replied. He seemed slightly
uncomfortable and I frowned, "I take it that this isn't a
social call?", I asked.
He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not", he said, "Her
Majesty is concerned about why the Bugrom chose to kidnap
you".
I shrugged, "I don't really know", I said honestly, "She
offered me a job in her 'service' - but I turned her down".
Makoto frowned, "Why?", Makoto asked.
"Why do you think?!?", I replied indignantly, "I don't
think it would have been a good career move, 'slave' isn't
exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life".
Makoto shook his head, "No that's not what I mean", he
apologised, "I mean why did she pick you?".
I glanced at Urd, "How much did you tell them?", I asked
her bluntly.
Urd shrugged, "Just that I'm a goddess", she said.
Makoto shuddered slightly at the casual way she said it,
then he looked at me, "Are you a god too?", he asked.
I shook my head, "No mate", I said softly, "I'm not a
god".
Urd looked like she wanted to protest, but I gave her a
warning glance, "I have a few powers", I said, "But nothing
like a god".
Makoto almost breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good",
he said.
I gave him a quizzical look and Urd looked angry, "What
are you talking about?", I asked.
"Well", Makoto began sheepishly, "It would completely
destroy my impression of heaven, if everyone there had an
Australian accent".
I grinned, "Have you ever been to Australia?", I asked
him. At his blank expression I grinned, "Then you won't know
heaven when you see it", I said. Makoto chuckled as he walked
out of the room.
******
Makoto trudged along slowly as he left Brett and Urd's
rooms. He wasn't used to lying to people he considered
friends. Marching quickly to the palace room he nodded to the
two guards and walked inside.
"Makoto!", Fatora called, "Come here and tell me what you
have found".
Putting a solemn expression on his face, Makoto sat down
beside the princess, "Brett has said that he is not a god", he
said carefully.
Fatora frowned, "That's all you found out?", she asked
sharply.
"What was I suppose to do?", Makoto asked defensively,
"Ask him to detail everything he can do?".
"Do not speak to me in that tone", Fatora ordered.
Makoto sighed, "Yes Princess", he replied.
Fatora stood, "If he's not a god..", she mused, "I might
be able to use him..".
"If that's all?", Makoto asked.
Fatora gave him a condescending glance, "For the moment",
she said, "I might have need of you later".
After Makoto had left, Fatora stepped into her private
waiting room and nodded to her guest, "You heard?", she asked.
The figure nodded, "Now Princess", he said, "I think we
want this new friend to stay for a while... I want to know
more about him...".
"Oh!", the figure said, almost as an afterthought, "Do
not harm him".
Fatora nodded and walked from the room. The figure stood
and walked to the balcony, jumping up onto the railing.
"Majesty Gallus", he said, looking up the sky, "You thought of
everything". With that Prince Najato of the Phantom Tribe
jumped down and disappeared.
******
I sighed in relief as the hot water covered my shoulders.
Urd had finally gotten around to fixing my ankle and I was
relaxing in a nice hot bath. The palace must have been set up
on some natural hot springs, because the water had a slightly
sulfurous smell to it. I lazily swam a length of the pool,
enjoying the floating sensation immensely. There was a thick
mist in the room, and the late afternoon sunlight gave
everything a 'unreal' look.
I rested my head on the edge of the pool, just letting
the warmth soak into my bones. I must have dozed off for a
moment because I didn't notice Urd's entry (to the room, or
the pool). The first indication I had that I wasn't alone was
Urd's hands massaging my shoulders.
"What the!?!?", I began, half turning around.
"Shh!", Urd ordered, her hands digging into back. I held
my place with an effort and after a few moments began to enjoy
her backrub. It was only when her hands moved around to my
chest and she rubbed close up against my back that I grabbed
her wrists.
"What?", Urd protested.
I shook my head and swam slightly away from her,
releasing her hands. She looked puzzled and a little hurt.
"What's wrong?", she asked quietly.
I ducked under the water, pushing the hair away from my
forehead, revealing the demon's symbol there. "You should
know what I've become", I explained, tapping my head.
Urd smiled slightly, "Do you think that changes
anything?", she asked, laughing slightly.
"Of course it changes things!", I said sharply, "Not only
am I no longer a god... I'm now a demon!".
"Brett", Urd said seriously, swimming closer, "It's not
the powers that make you a demon, it's what you do with them".
She swam over and hugged me tightly, "I love you", she said
firmly, "not your powers".
I nodded and thought for a moment, suddenly I found
myself pushed under the water forcefully. I spluttered and
coughed as I rose to the surface, "What was that for?", I
choked out.
Urd smiled cutely, "Thinking too much", she replied
laughing, and swimming away quickly. I gave chase and caught
her just as she reached the shallow end of the pool, laughing
I picked her up of the water and threw her back into the deep
end. She landed with a huge splash and came up looking like a
half-drowned rat, her hair was a mess.
I laughed at her condition, until I realised that I was
standing naked, half out of the water. Quickly moving into
deeper water I caught a playful expression on Urd's face,
"Thanks for the show!", she called teasingly.
Leaning back against the wall of the pool, I noticed Urd
swim up beside me. I gave her a smile, "Thanks", I said
quietly.
Urd looked at me slyly, "I should be thanking *you*", she
purred.
I blushed several different shades of red and shook my
head, "Not *that*!", I replied, "Thanks for setting my
thinking straight".
Urd grinned again, "Well that's *one* thing I wanted to
get straight between us", she said blandly.
I blushed again and Urd took pity on me, "Alright", she
said, huffing slightly, "I can see that I'm not going to get
anywhere until you've sorted things out for yourself".
I looked at her apologetically, "I'm sorry..", I began.
She shook her head, "It's alright Brett", she said
smiling, "I understand". Then her eyes narrowed, "But don't
think this lets you off the hook", she warned, standing
suddenly and walking from the pool.
I think my eyes must have bugged out of my head at the
scene she presented, walking slowly from the room. She
noticed my look and I heard her laughter tinkling down the
hallway. After I'd finished my bath I returned to my room for
the night, crawling under the blankets and savouring the feel
of a real bed. I jumped in surprise when I felt Urd join me,
"What are you doing?", I half-demanded.
She gave me a long look, "Just because I decided to lay
off for a while", she said, giving me a penetrating gaze,
"Doesn't mean that I'm letting you out of my sight!".
******
We had a week left to find the portal that Washu had told
us about and things were not looking promising. For some
unknown reason, every time we managed to get Makoto into his
lab, and start making progress towards tracking down the
location on the portal, he was suddenly summoned to talk to
Fatora.
"I'm sorry", Makoto puffed, as he stumbled back into the
room, "The Princess wanted to discuss the funding for my
research".
I shook my head, "Don't worry", I told him, "it's not
your fault".
Urd, who had her feet up on the desk in the classic
'bored' position, sat up suddenly, "We're no closer than we
were yesterday", she said, "This is getting us nowhere".
Makoto nodded and sat down, "Even without the
interruptions, I don't think we'd be much further advanced",
he admitted.
He glanced at his ruined equipment, "If we could somehow
detect the natural fissures from a distance", he mused, "Brett
could probably spot the weakest point with his unusual sight".
"That's great!", Urd said sarcastically, "And how are we
suppose to locate something when we don't have any idea how
to?".
I frowned, "Could you do it by magic?", I asked
curiously.
Urd thought for a moment, "I don't think so", she
admitted, "Location and tracking spells have never been my
strong point, it's a pity Skuld's not here..".
I gave her a quizzical look, "I was an administrator for
the Yggridsal System", Urd explained, "Skuld was the person
who tracked down the bugs... I'll give her one thing, her
tracking spells are second to none".
"Well", I mused, "she actually gave me a tracking device
for my birthday..".
Urd gave me a curious look and I leant forward, keeping
my voice low, "I *stored* it and brought along", I explained.
"Stored?", Makoto asked curiously.
Urd gave him a cool look, "Don't ask", she said
haughtily.
Makoto held up his hands defensively, "Alright", he said,
"I'll go and see about organising some transport...". He
stood and quickly moved out of the lab, almost tripping over
some equipment in his haste.
I gave Urd a puzzled look, "What did you do while I was
gone that's got them so timid around you?", I asked curiously.
Everyone had seemed really deferential towards her since I'd
gotten back.
Urd shrugged, "Nothing you wouldn't have done in my
place", she said.
I gave her a disbelieving look, "Oh never mind!", she
sighed, "Where did you store it?".
I shrugged, "I dunno", I replied, "I have no idea where
those things are stored".
Urd sighed, "I guess it's my own fault", she said
resignedly, "I should have explained dimensional/physical
mechanics better to you".
"You never explained them to me at all!", I protested.
"Whatever", Urd said, "Just tell me your password and
I'll unlock your pocket dimension".
"That's what it's called?", I asked, "A pocket
dimension?".
Urd nodded, "Now what's your password?", she insisted.
I gave her a blank look, "Password?", I mused, "I don't
think I use one".
Urd frowned and then clicked her fingers, suddenly there
was a large pop in the air above us and suddenly all the items
I'd stored away over the last 12 months appeared. The two of
us ducked for cover as the pile hit the ground. "Great", I
said, looking at the condition of the room, "This is another
fine mess you've gotten us into!".
"HEY!", Urd protested, "It's your junk!".
I crawled out from under the table and began sorting
through everything. I found 10 sets of clothes, 2 different
sets of body armour, three swords, an assortment of computer
equipment, various tools, magazines, spell manuals, novels and
even some assorted snackfood. Lying on the bottom of the pile
was Skuld's tracker.
I pulled it out from under the pile and flicked it on,
"What would you like to find?", it asked in Skuld's voice.
I grinned at Urd, "Looks like we've got a start", I said.
She was flicking through a magazine that she'd plucked
from the pile, "Interesting", she said, "You like this kinda
stuff huh?".
I glanced over at the magazine she was holding and
blushed, "It's not mine!", I complained.
She smiled knowingly, "Sure Brett", she said, then she
turned the magazine to look at the pictures upside down,
"Amazing", she commented, "How do they managed to get her into
those positions....".
I snatched the book out of her hands and opened the front
cover, then I placed it back into her hands.
"To Brett", she read, "Happy birthday from Tamiya and
Ootaki... this can start your collection!".
"*that* was their birthday present for me", I explained.
"Oh", Urd said, looking a little disappointed.
I grabbed the magazine from her and gave her my biggest
scowl, to which she just smiled sweetly. "So what are we
gonna do with all this stuff?", Urd asked, looking at the
rather large pile.
I picked moved one of the sets of body armour and a sabre
from the pile, "Just send it back where it came from", I
suggested. Urd nodded and was preparing to send it back when
Makoto walked into the room, accompanied by Nanami.
"What the hell?", Nanami said, looking at the pile of
odds and ends in the middle of the room.
Makoto walked over and had a quick look at the
collection, "Where did you hide all that?", he asked, looking
at me closely.
Urd cleared her throat and then snapped her fingers. The
pile suddenly rose into the air and disappeared in a flash of
white light, "That answer your question?", she asked.
Makoto nodded dumbly and Nanami smiled, "That's a neat
trick", she said.
Urd wobbled slightly on her feet and I looked at her in
concern. "It's alright", she said, leaning against a table,
"I've just been overdoing it a little".
"OH!", Makoto said, after having regained the use of his
mouth, "We came to tell you that the Princess Fatora wishes to
discuss a matter of importance with you".
Urd nodded and began walking towards the door. "Not
you", Makoto said apologetically, "She said she wanted to talk
to Brett".
"What?", I asked, "She's never been the least bit
interested in speaking to me".
Makoto shrugged, "I don't know", he admitted, "She asked
for you specifically".
I was turning to leave when I felt a hand on my shoulder,
I looked back to see Urd holding up my sabre, "Take the
sword", she suggested blandly.
******
Brett fidgeted with the hilt of his sabre as he walked
down to corridor behind a guard. He'd taken Urd's advice and
had changed into a set of body armour, Urd had wrapped a sky-
blue cloak around his shoulders, saying something about it
being 'more dramatic'. The guard knocked politely on the door
and it opened a crack, he whispered something that Brett
didn't catch and the door opened all the way.
"Please come in", a servant said, bowing slightly.
Princess Fatora was gazing out the window, her eyes
thoughtful. The servant bowed and left, closing the door
quietly. "Come over here", Fatora commanded.
Brett shrugged, and walked over beside her, looking out
the window, it was a spectacular view to say the least, "Very
nice", he observed.
Fatora let the curtain fall back over the window, "Yes",
she said, "This land of mine is very beautiful". She walked
over to a mirror, "It reflects the royal family I suppose",
she said suggestively.
Brett didn't respond and Princess Fatora sat down on a
pile of pillows, "You don't like me much, do you?", she asked,
indicating that he should sit in front of her.
"Not particularly", Brett responded shortly, sitting down
where she indicated.
Princess Fatora smiled thinly, "At least you're honest",
she said grudgingly.
Brett smiled back, "It keeps misunderstandings from
happening if everyone knows where they stand", he replied.
Fatora was silent for a moment staring at Brett
thoughtfully, "I can't believe she'd choose you over me", she
said quietly.
Brett gave his head a shake, "Princess", he said
seriously, "Urd's made her decision, I wouldn't try to reverse
it if I were you".
Fatora shook her head, "Of course not", she said, "She's
made it perfectly clear what would happen if I tried anything
like that".
"Oh?", Brett asked, looking curious, "What did she say?".
Fatora blushed slightly and then shuddered, "Never mind",
she replied, "I've got more important things to discuss with
you".
Brett raised an eyebrow, "Such as?", he asked.
"This", she said, pulling out a large map from under a
pillow. Brett leaned forward and examined it carefully, the
map was very old and it had some rather strange writing on it,
"What is it?", he asked.
"Some of the guards brought this back from the phantom
tribe's caverns", Fatora explained, "Supposedly they were
trying to map their way back to their home dimension, and this
is the result".
Brett frowned thoughtfully at the map, "Urd should be
able to read this", he said firmly, "We should show it to
her".
Fatora looked curious, "How should she be able to read
it", she asked.
"Well", Brett said carefully, "Gods and Goddesses can
read any mortal language".
"Oh?", Fatora asked, "You know a lot of Gods and
Goddesses then?".
Brett shrugged, "I've met my fair share", he replied
evasively.
"Hmmm", Fatora mused, looking Brett up and down
carefully.
"What?", he asked a little nervously.
"I'm just wondering what such powerful beings could see
in you", she said.
"Perhaps it's my charming personality", Brett observed
sarcastically.
"Perhaps", she allowed, "But perhaps there's another
reason they find you so valuable".
"Valuable?", Brett echoed, "Me? I don't think so... you
must be mistaken".
"Yes", Fatora said, "I must be". There was a moment of
strained silence, until Fatora finally nodded, "You may go",
she said shortly.
As the door closed behind him the figure of a young boy
stepped out from behind the drapes, "Well, that wasn't much
help", he observed dryly.
Fatora shrugged, "I did my best", she replied.
Najato gave her a disdainful look, "Very well", he said,
"I shall look into this myself". A moment later his form
shimmered and was replaced with an image of Nanami, "I'm sure
that I can be persuasive", he/she purred.
******
"Here we go", I said, unrolling the map on a portion of
the desk that Makoto had cleared.
"What's this?", Makoto asked curiously, as he and Urd
examined the map.
"According to the Princess", I explained, "Some of the
guards retrieved this from the caves of the Phantom Tribe".
Makoto frowned, "She never told *me* anything about it",
he grumbled.
Urd looked at it closely, "From what it says", she
explained, "after the phantom tribe arrived here following the
'holy war', they made several attempts to use the natural
portals to get home".
I frowned, "So what happened?", I asked.
Urd pointed to several places on the map, where the
picture was half-done, "Those places seem to be rather
dangerous", she explained, "They lost many warriors trying to
map their way... eventually they gave up".
Makoto looked at the map with apprehension, "Are you sure
that you two don't want to wait and see if we can get my
portal working?", he asked, "This travelling via the natural
portals seems rather hazardous".
I looked at Urd and she shrugged, "Can you get it
working?", I asked bluntly.
Makoto hesitated a moment before answering, "If I can
find the right parts...", he began.
I shook my head, "I thought that you spent nearly six
months trying to locate the parts you've already used".
"Yes", Makoto allowed, "But I'm almost sure that I could
find some more..".
I smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry mate, but I can't bet
the rest of my life on an 'almost sure'".
Makoto's shoulder's slumped slightly, "You realise how
dangerous this is going to be?", he asked, "There could be
anything waiting for you beyond those portals..".
I glanced over to Urd, who nodded firmly and I placed a
friendly hand on Makoto's shoulder, "Don't worry about us", I
said, "We'll be fine".
******
When Urd and I arrived back at our room, after a long and
boring dinner with the two princesses, I noticed that she
seemed more than a little abstracted. She began to change
into her nightgown and I coughed a little nervously, "Err,
excuse me?", I asked.
Urd shook her head, "Sorry", she mumbled, then she
snapped her fingers and the change was instant.
I grinned a little sheepishly and moved into the other
room, shrugging off my armour and putting the sword on a
table. I changed into some clean clothing (in the more
conventional way) and returned to the bedroom, only to find
Urd standing out on the balcony, staring into the sky.
"What's wrong?", I asked her quietly, "You've been
distracted since I showed you that map".
Urd turned and gave me a winsome smile, "I've just been
thinking", she said, "About what it would be like to remain
here".
I frowned, "Here?", I echoed.
Urd nodded and took my arm, "Look at this place", she
said, "It's clean, beautiful, almost like heaven, but without
all the gods..".
I smiled slightly, "It is quite nice", I replied.
Urd smiled, "What we're planning to do is very
dangerous", she warned, "Those descriptions on that map were
pretty horrific about the creatures in those other universes".
I nodded, "What do you want to do?", I asked her
seriously, "Do you want to stay here?".
She looked uneasy, "I don't know", she admitted, "I
thought I wanted to go home.. but the danger..".
I smiled, "What?", I asked, "Are you afraid?".
Urd nodded, "But not for me", she said, "I'm afraid that
I'll lose you".
"What?", I asked, "Me? no chance".
Urd shook her head, "There's a bigger chance than you
realise", she warned, "Without your powers, you're a sitting
duck... ".
I gave her a serious look, "You don't think I should go
with you?", I asked in almost disbelief.
"NO!", Urd said, grabbing my arm possessively, "I just
don't want you to have been hurt because I wanted to go home
and you didn't".
I grinned at her, "I want to go home too!", I replied
firmly, "Don't think it's just *your* decision!".
Urd slugged me in the arm, "Then why didn't you say so?",
she asked.
******
"Is this seat taken?", asked a voice from behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder and noticed the smiling visage
of Nanami, "Not at all", I replied, gesturing for her to sit
down. I'd been enjoying a nice relax in the gardens, Urd and
I were scheduled to leave this afternoon and I was trying to
soak up the peace and quite.
She sat down beside me and smiled at my expression, "You
look nice and relaxed", she commented with a grin.
I smiled and leaned back in the seat slightly, "If I were
any more relaxed, I'd be in a coma", I replied.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, before Nanami gave
me a curious look, "So how did you meet Urd?', she asked
casually.
I laughed slightly, "I made a wish", I replied. At her
confused expression I explained how Gods and Goddesses grant
wishes.
"So what did you wish for?", she asked curiously.
I shook my head slightly, "Ahhh.. well", I sighed, "Sorry
Nanami, I can't tell you".
Nanami raised her eyebrows, "Oh?", she asked slyly, "Was
it *that* personal?".
"NO!", I replied quickly, blushing slightly, "It was
nothing like that".
Nanami laughed at my expression, "Sorry", she apologised.
The two of us sat quietly for a few more minutes before Nanami
stood, "So I guess I should say goodbye to you then", she
said, "I hear you're leaving this afternoon".
I nodded, "We've still got to find the portal", I
explained, "And then it's still a long trip home".
Nanami frowned slightly, "And from what I hear it's quite
dangerous too", she commented.
I sighed, "Don't remind me!", I said, "Urd almost called
the whole thing off because she was worried about protecting
me".
"Oh?", Nanami asked curiously, "I thought she was an all-
powerful goddess?".
I laughed slightly, "She does give that impression", I
admitted, "But she's not omnipotent none of the gods or
goddesses I know are that powerful".
Nanami smiled a little strangely, "That's interesting",
she said, "I'm amazed you know so much about gods and
goddess'".
"If you'd lived with three goddesses for a more than a
year, you'd know a bit too", I replied. We talked for a few
more minutes, about nothing much in particular, until it was
time for me to meet Urd back at the throneroom.
I walked into a throneroom in uproar, there were guards
running back and forth, all armed and the princesses were in
deep conversation with two of their generals. I edged over to
where Urd was standing, "What's up?", I whispered.
Urd shrugged, "Oh, the Bugrom just crossed the river of
god again", she replied, "Apparently they've begun attacking
smaller towns along the river".
As the news began to pour in from the frontlines Londs
came over to talk to us, "Their Royal Highnesses regret that
they must withdraw their offer of sending troops with you on
your journey", he said apologetically, "But we need every man
to combat the Bugrom".
"That's alright", Urd said, "I travel better without an
army underfoot anyway".
The two of us bid farewell to the Princesses and met
Makoto at the door to the throneroom. "I guess this is
goodbye", he said, holding out a hand.
I shook his hand warmly, "Thanks for all your help mate,
and who knows?", I grinned at him, "We might see each other
again".
He shook hands with Urd and we picked up our backpacks,
"Let's go", Urd said, "I want to get moving before the Bugrom
get any closer". We jumped into the small skiff that Urd had
somehow managed to borrow and she took the helm, steering us
north, to where Skuld's tracking device said there was a
portal.
******
"Are you sure that he'll be going in that direction?",
Jinnai asked sceptically, "And he has a way back to earth?".
Najato nodded, "Yes and yes", he replied bluntly.
Queen Deva looked at Jinnai curiously, "If you can return
to your earth", she said, "and come back with those weapons
you speak of...".
"We can rule both worlds!", Jinnai laughed.
******
A red eye blinked a few times, before it tried to focus
on it's objective. It's primary had changed location, leaving
it behind. After a moment it decided to follow, staying near
it's primary was one of it's main rules.
Tracking the primary was easy enough and after a few
minutes of working out speed and direction it set off.
Several obstructions stood in it's way, and it quite calmly
walked through them, never slowing. Tracking down it's
primary, designated as 'Brett'.
******
Urd blasted a Bugrom solider with a bolt of blue
lightning and swept her sweat-soaked hair from her eyes. She
glanced over her shoulder as Brett smoothly knocked out the
Bugrom he was fighting with the hilt of his sword. She gave
him a sour look, "You're suppose to use the sharp part!", she
called.
Brett shrugged, "It gets the job done", he replied, "And
it's far less messy". The two quickly picked up their
discarded packs and resumed their trek up into the mountains.
It had been three days since they'd left the Palace and they'd
been without transport from the second night. Some of the
Bugrom had managed to destroy their small skiff.
"It's this way", Brett said, after examining the tracking
device for a moment.
"Any idea how far?", Urd asked.
"About four or five miles as the crow flies", Brett
replied, he looked up at the mountain range they were moving
into, "But with that kind of incline, I'd say it's more like
ten miles".
Urd sighed and then after a few minutes shivered
slightly, it was getting late in the afternoon and her clothes
were soaked with sweat. She pulled a cloak from her pack,
wrapping it around herself, "It's getting cold", she
commented, "How about we stop for the night".
"Let's just get a little more distance between us and the
Bugrom", Brett replied.
They trudged on for another half hour, before Urd
stumbled into Brett's back and he turned around, "Are you
alright?", he asked in concern, noting the dark circles under
her eyes.
Urd blinked at him groggily, "I've felt better", she
groaned.
Setting up camp, Brett noticed how lacklustre Urd
appeared to be and shook his head, "I think you need a
recharge", he said reluctantly. He reached into his pack and
pulled out several containers that he'd borrowed form Mr
Fujisawa's private collection (while he wasn't looking of
course!).
Brett tossed them across the fire to Urd, who eyed the
bottles carefully, "What if we're attacked again?", she asked,
"I won't be in any condition...".
Brett shrugged, "You aren't in any condition now to help
if we get attacked", he said quietly, "And I don't want to see
you get any worse". Urd cautiously took a sip from the
bottle, "Not bad", she allowed.
"Well", Urd said, raising the container, "Bottom's up!".
Brett grinned, "Oh no, please don't do that again", he
laughed.
Urd gave Brett a dirty look as she lowered the now empty
bottle and took a deep breath, "Don't start that again
please", she said sourly, "You know that I really needed a
recharge that night".
Brett stretched slightly, "Well I'd say that you brought
a whole new meaning to that expression", he teased.
"Shush up", Urd slurred slightly, "You know yoursh the
only one *hic* I get drunsh around".
Brett gave her an amused look, noting that Fujisawa's
private stock certinally was potent, "Oh?", he asked, "And why
would that be??".
Urd swayed slightly as she walked around the fire and sat
down against Brett, placing an arm around him, "Becauhse
*hic*", she explained, blinking owlishly.
Brett shook his head, "Because why?", he asked.
"You'rsh the only *hic* guy I trust in this *hic*
universe not to take *burp* advantash of me", she finished,
leaning up again him. Then she noticed Brett's amused
expression and gave him a half-scowl, "OH?", she asked, "can I
*hic* trust you?".
Brett gave Urd a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "Of
course you can", he said firmly.
Urd gave him an even bigger scowl, "DAMN!", she said, "I
was *hic* hoping that I was wrong".
******
I carefully placed Urd in her sleeping bad, "G'nite Urd",
I said quietly, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
She mumbled something indecipherable and smiled
unconsciously, before rolling over and beginning to snore
loudly. I moved back out of the small tent that we'd brought
along and looked up at the unfamiliar heavens.
"Nice view from up here in the mountains", called a voice
from across the clearing.
I spun around, drawing my sword, "Oh put that away", the
young boy standing at the edge of the clearing said
scornfully.
"Hello Najato", I greeted him carefully.
"You remembered my name!", he said delightedly, "I'm glad
my reputation precedes me".
With a flick of my wrist I flung my sword across the
clearing, burying it half-way into the tree beside Najato's
head, "It certainly does", I commented, sitting down.
Najato didn't even flinch as the metal embedded in the
branch and he smiled, "That's a good trick", he said.
I shrugged, "Not hard with that kind of blade", I
replied, "Now what do you want?".
"I've come to warn you", Najato said firmly.
I raised an eyebrow, "Warn me about what?", I asked.
Najato smiled, "Jinnai will never allow you to reach your
destination and is following you", he said.
I shrugged, "I'd already worked out that, the dozens of
Bugrom we've been fighting kinda gave it away".
Najato tapped his nose, "But do you know *why* he's
following you?", he asked.
I shrugged and Najato continued, "He's planning to go
back to earth in your place", he explained, "And then return
here with some items".
"Oh?", I asked, already knowing the answer, "What kind of
items?".
"Weapons from your world, that he thinks will shift the
balance of power in this one", he said. Then he noticed my
expression, "Am I boring you?", he asked.
I raised my eyebrows slightly, "Not at all", I replied,
"I'm just wondering what kind of profit you could make from
telling me this".
Najato sighed slightly, "I want you to help me find a way
home for my people", he said firmly.
"What?", I asked in disbelief, "You helped kidnap me!".
"That's correct", Najato sighed, "But that was before I
realised how helpful you might be to me".
"Oh and that makes everything alright?", I asked
scornfully, "Not bloody likely mate!".
Najato shook his head, "Where do you think you got that
map from?", he asked, "I organised it for you, from the
expeditions that have gone before".
I glanced over to the map, which was sticking slightly
out of one of our packs, "Why the change in attitude?", I
asked, looking at him carefully, "I thought you're people
wanted revenge above all else".
Najato nodded, "That was correct under Gallus", he
admitted, "But *I* decided that there are so few of us left
that we need to work on survival first".
I raised an eyebrow, "Sounds reasonable", I allowed, "But
I don't even know if we'll make it back to Earth, let alone
find your dimension".
"I understand that", he allowed, "But I'd like your word
that if you do find our home dimension, you'll tell them about
us and how to get to us".
Something unusual struck me then, "Why would you trust
me?", I asked, "You know nothing about me!".
Najato's eyes twinkled slightly and he answered me in
Nanami's voice, "I know more than you think", he said.
******
"MMmmmm", Urd moaned in her sleep.
Brett wafted the smell of cooking bacon and eggs into the
tent for the third time, "Breakfast!", he called again.
Urd's stomach warred with her mind as to the question of
waking up for a while, before the stomach won and the goddess
opened her eyes. She stepped out of the tent into bright
sunshine and winced, "Why didn't you wake me earlier?!?!", she
demanded, "It must nearly be noon!".
Brett shrugged, "You needed the sleep", he said, "And
we've still got a day before the portal opens".
Urd stumbled over to the campfire and picked up the
breakfast that Brett had prepared for her, "This is a bit
much!", she said, looking at the big plateful.
"Eat it!", Brett insisted, "We don't know what we're
going to find on the other side of that portal, who knows when
we're going to have time to eat a hot breakfast again?".
"But what about the Bugrom", Urd asked, around a mouthful
of food.
Brett smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry", he assured her,
"I'm sure the Bugrom won't bother us this morning".
They completed their meal at a leisurely pace and Urd
sighed in contentment, "That was great", she said at last, "I
haven't eaten like that since we left home!".
Brett grinned as he shouldered his pack, "I haven't had a
chance to cook since we left home!", he returned, "I've gotta
keep my hand in!".
The two friends walked for several hours, before they
came to a large cave system, Brett took a lantern from his
backpack and Urd lit it with a small spell. They walked
warily inside and followed the little tracking device through
the maze below the mountaintop.
After about twenty minutes they located the chamber where
the portal was suppose to appear, Brett walked inside
shielding his eyes. "This must be the place", he said,
wincing, "It's much brighter than any of Makoto's portals
were".
Urd nodded, to her the chamber was completely dark,
except for the lantern Brett was carrying. She took the
lantern from him and investigated the small room, on one wall
was an arch-like structure, with some strange writing on it.
She examined the wall carefully, but could make heads or tails
of the markings.
"So here you are!", called a voice from the chamber's
entrance.
Urd spun around to see Jinnai and a group of Bugrom
blocking the entrance. She raised her hands and began to
cast, but Brett stepped in front of her, blocking her view.
"Hello Jinnai", he said, raising his sword, "I've been
expecting you!".
Jinnai looked confused for a moment, "What?!?!", he
asked. The Bugrom surrounding him looked equally confused.
"I was expecting you", Brett said again.
"Well", Jinnai said, smiling evilly, "Then you're
expecting to lose!".
Brett shook his head, "Nope", he said firmly, "You're
surrounded and outnumbered, I think you should give up".
"What?!?", Jinnai laughed, "surrender to the two of
you?!?!".
Brett grinned, "I think you'd better count again", he
suggested.
Suddenly, at various places around the room, Phantom
Tribe warriors began to appear. Najato appeared beside Brett,
"Sorry we're late", he apologised.
Brett nodded to him, "No problem", he replied, "Would you
mind getting rid of Jinnai and his friends?".
Najato smiled and raised his hand. The warriors began
advancing toward the startled Bugrom. Jinnai's eyes bulged,
"What are you doing?!?!?!", he screamed at Najato, "I thought
we had a deal!??!?!".
Najato shrugged, "I decided to renegotiate", he replied
blandly.
"RETREAT!!", Jinnai screamed, turning a fleeing the room.
The Phantom Tribe Warriors gave pursuit, screaming battlecrys.
As the sounds faded into the distance Brett smiled at Najato,
"Those illusions of yours were great", he said, "I couldn't
tell the difference".
Najato shrugged, "Nothing to it", he said, walking from
the room, "Good luck in your journey and remember your
promise".
******
I was feeling pretty satisfied as Najato left the room,
until a hand closed on my shoulder. I turned to look at a
very pissed-off Urd, "Err", I began, "That's right.. I didn't
mention....".
She spun me around and grabbed my chin, forcing me to
look her in the eye, "Just what were you thinking of!?!?", she
demanded angrily.
I grinned guiltily, "Sorry Urd", I said holding up my
hands in surrender.
She controlled herself with a great deal of effort, "Next
time you work out one of these little plans", she said
dangerously, "TELL ME ABOUT IT!".
I winced at the tone in her voice, she let me go and
turned away angrily, muttering unflattering remarks under her
breath. I carefully placed my pack on the floor and began to
make us some lunch. A few minutes later Urd came over and
grabbed a sandwich, "Don't think that by making lunch for me
you're making up for anything!", she said sharply, walking
back across the room and sitting down, facing away from me.
"The thought never crossed my mind", I lied carefully.
As evening approached outside, the little chamber began
to cool off quickly. A chill wind blew through the tunnels
and it whipped at our lose clothing. Urd sat shivering across
the room from me, her back resolutely turned away. After
about half an hour of chilling I pulled a sleeping bag out of
my pack and walked over to where Urd was sitting. Ignoring
her protests I sat down beside her and wrapped it around the
both of us.
She objected when I placed my arms around her shoulders
and I gave her a stern glance, "It's too cold to be angry with
me!", I told her bluntly, "I'm not freezing over there by
myself when the both of us can keep warm together!".
After a few moments she sighed and leaned against me,
shivering, I hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry", I said quietly,
"I worked this out last night... I should have told you this
morning.. but I didn't want to have anyone overhear".
"I understand that", Urd murmured, "I just don't like to
be surprised". Urd cuddled closer to me and eventually the
chill left her skin. I was half-drifting off to sleep when
there was a brilliant burst of light in the chamber and an
ear-splitting boom filled the air.
The two of us untangled ourselves from the sleeping bag
and I quickly stuffed it into a pack. "Ready?", I asked Urd.
"As I'll ever be", she replied, holding out her hand to
me. I took her offered hand and the two of us stepped into
the portal.
******
As usual, all comments are welcome....
E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
WWW: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind