Echoes of the Past

[JxSlaughter]

The three continued up the mountain leaving the ruined city behind. Jiru never looked back. There wasn't much to see on the mountain. Other parts of the city were full of cleaned paths lined with flowers and sakura blossoms, while this one seemed to be untouched by the desires of the landscapers.

With every step Jiru took, he felt more uncomfortable. It felt like his left eye was giggling around in it's socket. It never did such a thing before. He was a bit worried. His eye continued to feel more uncomfortable, and as they rose it felt more and more like a sharp pain. Eventually it took a lot of effort to hide the pain inflicted. He walked with his head turned away from Sterling and Echo. The mountain was so large that night settled before they could reach it. Both knew that they couldn't stop to rest. They both didn't know how much time Echo had left.

Finally they reached their destination, it was the farthest place the trail could lead them. In front of them there was flat land covered in grass and dew, surrounded by a transparent fog. There was a peak, but below it, was a large dark cave with floors of water that continued outward into a circle. The motionless pond appeared to be crystal clear on the top but when looking down it became blacker and darker as if it continued to the base of the mountain. It was assumed to do so, because no one was able to touch the bottom of the mysterious abyss. Fire flies floated and danced above the pond with their lights illuminating through the darkness.

Jiru walked on with Sterling. His arm was covering the left side of his face very tightly as if he was guarding it. Nervousness was very apparent, for his face had a thin layer of sweat from his panic. He couldn't hide it and he didn't want to go on. But he had to, for Echo's sake.

[laraine]

Sterling saw Jiru's discomfort but ignored it, his concentration was only focused on Echo. He knew that Jiru knew this as well. And he himself would risk it all for his sister to live. Even as they got closer, he could feel the holy presence around the area. This was where a god lived indeed.

"What kind of goddess is this?" He finally asked Jiru. "She must be quite powerful." his hair stood up on his arm.

Echo herself was still lost within the abyss of her dreams. It felt as if she was becoming consumed by darkness. The darkness swallowed her arms and was beginning to eat away her legs. Within her nightmare she was alone and screaming.

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru didn't answer. He knew that Sterling would see her soon, but he felt as if Sterling assumed she would be of the human variety. Boy, would he be in such a surprise. Jiru just glanced over at him and cracked a small hesitant smile. Jiru knew that he shouldn't be here, he wanted to run for his life.

There was a dim light coming from the cave, and it grew larger and larger. Soon a shape was apparent. A large animal body with four legs was walking upon the water steadily, without any hint of rush towards them. The tips of her claws tapped the water in sync causing ripples in the once still water. The dim white light emitting from her body was almost like a haze of mist. Golden eyes that were as clear as day pierced at the group, even though it was still dark outside.

Horns graced the sides of her face just as the statue in the room did, and everything else seemed to be as accurate as the statue: the long but similar shape and fur of a wolverine, long flowing hair- continuing down her back and onto her long lizard shaped, but still furry tail. Her head was leveled with her shoulders as she walked towards them.

Unlike the statue however, she was dressed in some shoulder armored plating with large spikes and was dressed in various jewels along and on her face, neck, and armor. Gold piercings also dressed her ears and had a gold bracelet on one of her arms and many more with dangles on her tail. Strangely, she didn't have any wings-- or any hint of there being wings at all.

She finished walking towards them and the ripples on the water disappeared as if she was floating an inch above it. She raised her head far above them. Her golden eyes did not appear to have pupils so it didn't seem like she was looking at them but rather far into the village and beyond behind them.

All this time Jiru's eye was stabbing at his face in immense pain. He grit his teeth and tried to bear it. His left eye lid was more than just glued shut. It felt like it was contorting his entire left face, but his arm covered it entirely. Jiru's breathing was heavy but he still tried to hide it.

"Why have you sinners set foot on my land?" A stern, woman like voice was heard, but her mouth did not move in sync. The fireflies were still hovering around her.

Jiru didn't say anything and wanted Sterling to do the talking.

[laraine]

Sterling was shocked, quite so that he almost dropped Echo. He grasped a hold of her body and swallowed, meeting the eyes of the beast god evenly. Even though he had spent years in the bandits, his old priest training kicked in. He bowed gracefully even with Echo still on his back and looked up respectfully at the god.

"I beg your pardon for any disrespect or trespass but we have a urgent need of your assistance if you will allow it." He replied in a tone of voice much different than he showed Jiru.

"My sister is in dire need of your help, because of a pact she made with a corrupt god named Loki of the elements. He has tricked my sister in believing that revenge was the only way to justify the destruction of our home town Olympia and she is the last of the priestesses. Because of this Loki needs her soul for some sinister purpose. We fear that a demon is controlling the god and thus wants to acquire my sisters body and soul for some evil means. Jiru said the only way to remove the pact with Loki is to use another gods power. Please, can you help us?" Sterling looked up at the god, wishing that she could help.

But knowing if she couldn't Echo was doomed.

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru stared at Sterling as he spoke. He seemed like an entirely different guy. It was like he had manners all of a sudden. Jiru glanced at Echo and remembered that she was a priestess, so her brother must have been raised as one too. Or so he guessed, because there was no way a bandit would change his ways all of a sudden. Old habits die hard, I guess. He refocused his attention to the deity.

The deity continued to gaze beyond them. She didn’t seem very interested in the group at all. She spoke again. Her lips still did not match the human language she was speaking. “I am mourning for my people. I know that this occurrence could not be avoided, so I hold no grudge.” She closed her eyes and exhaled. Thankfully she was not an angry deity. The people always gave her sacrifices and pleased her in other ways, so she was very patient and forgiving.

“I cannot heal the girl so easily. She has sought her god for so long. She has yet to truly deny him. Until then I won’t lay my powers on her…” It seemed like she was starting to retreat into the cave.

“No, we don’t have time for that!”, Jiru yelled. “There must be another way.”

The deity stood her ground. “Even if I let a blood-line… her brother chose for her, is he willing to carry the blame if she ends up hating him? If you do seal the pact between me and her it will not be so easy. I will curse her to stay in this place until it is fixed back to its formal glory, even after death.” She opened her eyes and looked to the sky. “She will have to come here and drink the holy water below me every night until the stones fall off her body. It may take years. Even if she helps my city all her life and it isn’t back entirely, I will keep her soul with me. Also, but if she takes one step out of the town she will be struck dead in an instant and I will carry her soul with me until the town is fixed.” She paused to allow Sterling to take what she said so far to heart, and then she continued, “Her life force will be connected to me, as it has been connected to Loki. It is how it is. If she isn’t connected to a life force greater than herself she will die.”

Jiru wanted to ask something. For a moment he hesitated because he thought that he would strike him dead. But he thought that if she really wanted to, she would have done it by now. “Can’t she leave even for a while?” Jiru felt like it would be a prison- especially since the place was in ruins. He had to ask.

She leveled her head again and answered. “She can leave for a while if I permit it. I will give her guardian; it is an extension of my life force. If she doesn’t come back in the given limit the guardian will reap her soul and bring it to me until the city is restored. Her body will go into a coma. Yet, if someone brings back the body her soul will return. She will not be allowed out again if that happens. If she breaks the barrier, I will carry her soul as if she was dead.”

Jiru looked at Sterling, he wondered what his answer would be. But he soon turned his head away. It was mostly his fault that Echo did what she did. He knew that he would have to stay too, so that Echo wouldn’t hate him.

Jiru frowned and spoke sadly. "What will it be Sterling?"

[laraine]

Sterling closed his eyes. He thought long and hard about what everyone was saying. He clenched his arms, holding his sister tighter against his back. Finally, after minutes of silence, he looked down.

"In the end, my sister has to make the choice. We still have time. But I will not curse my sister to that fate. But I thank you for your generous offer and offer my apology and condolences to those who perished because of I and my sister."

His mask was still firmly in place as he spoke. He turned to Jiru and then turned away, walking away from the deity, all the while trying to not anger the god. But he himself was furious at the gods. All of them for letting no way out of their contracts.

"Jiru, lets find a place for Echo to rest. When she awakens we have to give her the choice. But, if it were up to me, I would reject that request." his words were hollow.

[JxSlaughter]

The deity retreated from them, as she backed in her physical form faded away- before she walked into the cave entirely.

Jiru hastily ran after Sterling. "Would you really?" Jiru spoke when they were away from the Deity. "But then she would be taken by Loki!" Jiru himself knew that Echo would not live out the sentence. It would take a lot of work to get the city the way it was before. But to him, it still sounded a lot better. To Jiru, he would have chosen yes. Loki would never let her go, so it seemed and the beast deity would have let her go after the city was rebuilt. In the end, Jiru still felt that there still could be a way out, yet nothing came to mind. Not yet anyways. He felt like he was out of tricks.

Hopefully Echo would wake up and shed light on the situation. If she really wanted to be with Loki, who would Jiru be to deny her wishes? Jiru looked down. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of any more help..."

[laraine]

As they exited out of the cave, he turned to Jiru. "Look at her hard Jiru. That god may have been kinder, but what she suggests is nothing less than slavery. You know as well as I after that damage Echo will die before that town will be rebuilt. A lifetime of servitude. She will be shackled, even if she is allowed to leave for periods of time. What I want is her to be free. From demons and gods alike. Can you imagine a life like that? that will hardly be living. Echo won't last much less ten years of that before she herself goes mad. She's barely hanging on as it is! If you love her you will have noticed it the small amount you were with her. She was sad a lot wasn't she? Loki wont take her till I'm dead. That I'm certain of. But I can't go on the journey with her to free her. You will have to." He looked hard at Jiru. "Of course if you'd rather back down I will just tell her the truth of it all. She will likely end up hating you.You are pretty spineless despite the monster you become when that eye oozes."

[JxSlaughter]

"What?! Spineless!? I'll have you know that I've been doing my best to protect her!" Jiru sighed and slouched a bit. "I'm just a regular guy, why does everyone expect so much from me? I can try my best but how far will that go? What about you, why can't you come along? You are her brother after all, and I wont be able to tell when your in trouble. After all, if you die..." He was going to finish his sentence but of course, Sterling already knew. He exhaled for a longer time but this time it sounded like he was whining a little bit. But that was something he did to let his stress out. Jiru held his head up. "What life force can possibly keep her alive without a contract. It seems that all deities have a contract of some sort." He looked at Sterling. "Do I really have to find one with no contract at all? There's no such thing as a free lunch!" Jiru paused for a moment. "Let's just find a place to stay... and go from there..."

[laraine]

Sterling opened his mouth to speak, then closed it tightly. He continued to carry his sister in silence. Jiru didn't know that Sterling had an idea that may save his sister. But Jiru could not know about it, no one could know his idea. They continued to walk in silence.

Finally after a hour or so Echo stirred from on Sterling's back. Her eyes slowly opened and she gazed over to figure out where she was. She felt herself moving and saw her brother and Jiru walking together.

Well..at least they haven't killed each other yet..

Sterling felt her move.

"You awake sis?" he asked.

She looked up and nodded softly. Then she noticed her arms had turned to stone and looked away. She turned to Jiru and gave him a small smile.

"Jiru...I'm sorry for all this...I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to stay far away from me..." a tear slid down her face.

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She was still the Echo he knew, and he didn't intend to leave her until he was on the brink of death. He looked at her seriously worried. "No Echo, don't think about that. I wouldn't do that to you. It isn't over yet." Jiru was really feeling for her inside, but he didn't know how to show it other than just being there for her. He was kind of depressed inside too, he really thought of himself as a regular guy with a disability. He didn't know how he could save her. For if he could even make her truly happy. "If I stopped now, it would all be for nothing. There has to be a way to end this madness!"

Jiru thought that if Loki really wouldn't come back until Sterling died she could just live out her life-- but then again if she wanted to follow her dreams and become a baker other people would think of her as a freak. He wouldn't because he knew her but other people definitely would. Most likely, it would also hinder her baking abilities. It was very depressing to think of the future right now. But he really believed there was some way to help her.

[laraine]

"You are still so kind to me. Thank you Jiru." She said softly. She looked at Sterling. "I can stand, you can put me down Sterling."

Sterling set Echo down and then looked to Jiru, then back to her. "Echo.....we have something to tell you. You see Jiru had an idea. Loki gave us a clue on how to free you. But...its not something that's easily decoded. We need something to remove or replace the energy loki gave you to live in place so you don't die."

Echo closed her eyes and sighed. " I can't believe Loki would abandon me....but...." she looked lost. "But....for my own brother to be with the same people who killed our parents is even harder....to.." She looked about to break down.

"Echo....you must understand. Our parents planned to sacrifice you! To Loki!" Sterling took her by the shoulders and shook her once. "Its true the bandits wanted us all dead. But they took me because I was strong. It was wrong and I hated them for it. But I hated Loki more! Echo see how much he took from you?!"

"Just stop it!" Echo pulled away from him. "You are right but what choice did I have?!!? What choice did I ever have?! I chose the path that I believed was right! Revenge against those who murdered my home! My family!" She clutched her face in her stone hands and trembled.

"What choice....do I have...now?" She pulled her hands from her face and tears flowed from her eyes. "I can't live as anyone normal now....or ever....I was betrayed by the people I trusted. I have....nothing left. I have nothing!"

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru looked at Sterling, he was hoping that Sterling had an idea. But when Echo started crying he couldn’t wait any longer. Jiru went down to Echo’s height and hugged her. He didn’t want to end up saying this in front of Sterling, but he was thinking about it all along. If he had to say it, he decided it would be now. “Echo, no matter what choice you make I support it.” He hugged her tighter, hoping that she would feel better. It was the least he could do, since he was totally out of ideas. She didn’t want to be saved, so why force it upon her?

Loki gave her what she wanted; prolonging her life would most likely anger Loki. He thought that she wouldn’t want to anger the being who gave her the power to avenge her home-town, but then again… they wanted to sacrifice her. Everything was so twisted. One reason piled over another reason. Loki wanted her body and soul. She was going to be sacrificed to him, but bandits came and ruined it for him. To respond to that he gave her power so that she would come to him willingly. This was all for his plan, to get her… even telling Jiru that he was spineless was a part of his plan. This way Jiru would support Echo’s choice. Everything was coming at Jiru as he held her. But why? Why Echo? Would she give him more power than he had? How? She was just a human, wasn’t she? He was a deity. Was he? He already has power, why does he want Echo so bad?

Nothing made sense any more, he played into the will of a being greater than him. Just as he did with the parasite lodged with-in him. He started to think that… he truly was spineless. But he didn't want to be spineless. He wanted to prove everything above him wrong.

He stopped hugging Echo and looked at her. “Please, don’t give up Echo… there… must be a way…” His face looked blank from emotion, and he stared into nothingness, he didn’t know what to do or what to say- or whose side to be on. He whispered to himself looking empty, "Some... way..."

[laraine]

Echo looked at Jiru through tear stained eyes.

He's confusing me, he looks so lost. First he will follow my decisions but he doesn't want me to give up?


"Echo snap out of it!" Sterling said. "This isn't the time to fall apart! You haven't lost anything! You have me! and Jiru.." he added jiru as a side note. "We won't let you continue to be tortured like this! I will never let that god Loki have you!"

Echo's eyes widened at this and she looked down, thinking.

"I just... don't know what to do." she put a hand over her face.

"Echo..the group I was with, the bandits destroy towns that worship dangerous gods. The bandits call themselves the god slayers. They attack towns with gods that practice dark arts and human sacrifice." Sterling sighed. " I can't say I fully approve of their methods, but talking to the people never work either." He clenched his hand into a fist. "Gods like Loki shouldn't be allowed to rule this world. They don't have the right to control humans!"

"Brother...are you planning a war with the gods?" Echo said, scared.

Sterling didn't answer.

"Brother.."

"It doesn't matter Echo, right now we have to find a way to save you. What do you want Echo? Stop being so nice! You never told Jiru the truth did you?!"

Echo looked down.

Sterling looked at Jiru. "And you couldn't see through her lie could you? She never wanted to be taken by Loki. She never wanted to leave. She wanted to just live. But she forced herself to smile and accept it so no one, so you wouldn't be sad. Idiot!"

"Stop it Sterling..." Echo said softly.

" I will not Echo. You never wanted revenge in reality did you? Not as bad as living.." Sterling grasped her arm again. "No one has any right to deny someone who wants to live!"

"But I'm dead!" Echo looked up with a sad smile. "I'm dead, in reality I should never have met either of you...But you are right...I want to live, I don't want to be with Loki and I want to be free!" She yanked her arm away from him. "Happy? Yes, but what I want can't be easily given." She held up a stone arm and stared at it. "It's something I either have to fight for, or give up...." She looked over at Jiru with a smile.

"You really believe I shouldn't give up?"

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru smiled and felt hopeful. “I don’t think you should give up! You should keep fighting for what you want!! Especially since I want to support you! Don’t confuse me with lies Echo. I’m not a mind reader. Whatever it is you want, you shouldn’t give up and I’ll support your decision.” He smiled. Inside he hoped that the lies would end, he was getting of all of them.

Sterling said he wanted to start a war with the gods. Jiru was shocked about it. She needed power to be alive, something beyond human capabilities. Killing all the gods? Wouldn’t that kill Echo’s chance of survival? Surly everyone wanted to remove all the corrupt in power, but… all the gods? How the hell would they do that anyways? There would need to be a world wide rebellion against them all. Well, that was what Jiru thought anyways.

He then turned to Echo’s brother. “Sterling. A war with the gods? How can you do such a thing? How would that save Echo? Besides I’m sure not all gods are evil. There must be some kind of being that will save Echo. I’m sure of it. We just have to find it.” He was hoping that they wouldn't have to resort to war- especially at that large of a scale. Jiru was thinking that Sterling had become mad.

Jiru started to think back on what Echo had told him so far. She had been lying all this time, to protect herself yes. But was it also to push him away? He was starting to question so many things. He thought of her as someone special, someone that needed to be taken care of. Like a daughter or a sister… maybe she would be something more if she stopped pushing him away. He looked at her. “This journey has had people, including you-- trying to test my limits. There were times where I was tempted to be pushed away from you, I was lied to, and discouraged. But it’s my turn to ask you something. Do you want me here? Or do you want me to leave? I don’t want to risk my life for something I am not wanted for.”

Jiru was a nobody; he didn’t use magic or had amazing battle skills. So far he had been using any cunning or tricks he could bring up on the spot. One day it would surely run out and meet his end. He didn’t want to be here for her if she didn’t even want him there. He was just a merchant, caught up in curiosity and he found a great adventure. If she wanted it to end now it would hurt, but he would be glad that he did what he could.

He wanted to see how far he could go, he didn’t want to let down Echo and he didn’t want Loki to be the judge of his life. He didn’t want Sterling to think that he was helpless and weak. He wanted him to be wrong, he wanted everyone who judged him proved wrong. Yet, one day he would have to set his pride down and just live on with his life. If she didn’t want him there, then he would have to put it down and leave.