Ranma ½ is the property and invention of Rumiko Takahashi. The following story is not produced for any monetary or personal gain. Its sole purpose is to entertain using the characters and plots developed by Takahashi. ALL rights reserved

Shadows of the Land   Volume I :   The Journey to Aina

Chapter 6: Shadows and Cloaks

"But you must become King," cried one of the druids.

"No I don’t want to be king! I just want to be myself, so just leave me alone!" shouted Hoya as he left the royal compound into the surrounding the forest.

"Well our hand has been forced," commented druid#1,"He has chosen his path already."

"But Hiro isn’t fit to be a king. He is too egocentric and power hungry!" observed druid#2.

"Be that as it may, it has been written that one of the them will become king, we have no choice," stated druid#1 reservedly.

"It is out of our hands, isn’t it?" asked druid#3

"I believe it has always been," replied druid#1.

"You know what is to pass don’t you?" asked druid#3

His friend and leader smiled, "If it were up to me I’d tell you, but nothing I can do will change anything,...yes,...I have been given the vision of what is to pass. There will be great trouble, hardship and turmoil. But someday a traveller will come, a chosen one, only then will we return to the happiness of these days."

"Remember the words of our forefathers:

The future has already been chosen and fate already sealed. Though we are free to choose, we have already chosen and will still choose the same path. For only the eternal one knows of the past, the future and the present, only he sees all and knows all. He is and was and will be the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the beginning and the end."

"But why must the eternal one let us suffer so..."

"Who said suffering was bad. Yes that is a good question, who said suffering was bad...."

Later that night, the oldest and most wizened of all the druids, the leader of them all, passed away peacefully in his sleep. The Eternal one, carried this faithful follower into the realm, that he may look over his people in the time of their greatest need.

_____________

King Hiro stood from the balcony of his lofty fortress. Below him, tens of thousands of armoured men gathered, cheering and supporting their king. The clamour of their swords resounding throughout the vast valley carried by the wind and her children.

Throughout the years, the druids had silently been watching Hiro’s every move. They watched him build his fortress and his army, and were powerless to do anything about it. He had moved from the safety of the narrow confines of the valley to the lands surrounding it. There he pillaged the fields and the people. Most of northern lands of the continent had fell to his power. Single-handedly, he had groomed a large empire that stretched from the Bering strait to within the reaches of the Chinese empires. The only thing that stood in his way of total power in the region was a relatively small village hidden by the hills near a magical place called Jusenkyou.

He had used all of his tactical wisdom to steer his forces clear of the Amazons. They were renowned for their tenacity in battle and their legendary techniques. He had never threatened them before, but times had changed. His army was stronger than it ever been. The druids knew that there was a slight possibility that, if taken by surprise, the Amazons might fall. That was a chance they could ill afford. The Amazons and their legends were the only reason Hiro had not moved further into the south. If they fell, then the whole continent would eventually be his. That could not be allowed to happen at any cost.

Hiro had stripped the druids of rank and privilege, which he gave to his loyal supporters. However, the circle waited in the dark passages of the old castle, their ears attuned to the commotion above.

"We must stop him! You know he wants to march into Jusenkyou and conquer that land!" commented druid#1.

"Yes, but how do you propose to do that?" asked druid#2.

"We must use the remainder of the magic given to us to form a barrier to this valley so that he can’t leave."

"But if we do that, how will anyone be able to leave or find the valley?"

The leader pulled out two mirrors from his robes. "Well we have used these mirrors before," he remarked.

"Yes, that is true, but we created the Naban mirror for quite a different purpose!" replied druid#3.

"But won’t the formation of the barrier and the impregnation of these mirrors relieve us of most of our magic?" asked druid#4.

"Sadly…yes," answered the leader of the druids. "We will be totally powerless after we place the barrier. But it must be done. Hiro must be stopped at all costs from conquering Jusenkyou, the Land of the Magical Waters."

The others around him nodded.

"Then it is agreed," stated druid#2, "For the sake of the others we must do this. Gather everyone, we will need help."

--------

While Hiro organised and rallied his men, the druids and their families gathered in their secret meeting place under the floors of the old castle.

The old castle during the reign of the old King, was masterful in its design. It was splendidly crafted, with its foyers leading out to intricately designed gardens. These gardens were kept radiant by the magic of the druids. The lush green trees offering their shade and the beauteous scent of the flowers adorning it, made it the perfect place for relaxation or courtship. The courtyard led directly into the castle since there was no need for a moat or any serious defensive mechanisms. No one dared hurt the old King for fear of retribution by his citizens. He led them with a kind heart and a just mind. Thus, the old castle was always filled with the laughter of the people of the state.

However, the castle was built to mimic the heart of those who ruled. When Hiro came to power, slowly the brightness and glory of the castle disappeared. The flowers began to wilt, the trees no longer looked as lush as they once were. The walls began to show their age. Creepers began to infest the outer walls surrounding the gardens. Soon, the castle looked centuries old, a forgotten place, the remnant of a past era.

Hidden within the old rugged stone walls of the castle, were tunnels and rooms centuries old, which had been formed by the ancient druids. The only ones who knew of these rooms were the Circle. The old king had granted them their secrecy. Not even Hiro knew of these old chambers

Now in this time of haste, much had changed. The rooms were now the sole haven for those who wished to remain out of Hiro’s path. The Circle mostly stayed underground and was supplied with news from above by informants. Their forefathers had constructed a large assembly hall that seemed to have been built there for exactly that moment.

Their friends and kinsmen slowly filled the room, their faces troubled as to why they were called. Only the Circle had known of these rooms and thus, many of their kinsmen were amazed at the size of the assembly hall. The hall was a huge circle and seemed to be gouged out of the solid rock by some immaculate hand. The roof curved in a gentle arc adding to the grandeur of the hall. The walls were smooth and polished. They glowed with a subtle elegant light grey, giving a calming atmosphere to those within their confines.

The word slowly spread among the many gathering in the hall. Most of them were hesitant about attempting what they were going to do, but in their hearts, they knew that if the Circle had decided that this was the action to be taken, then they must comply. All the older druids, who had been initiated, gathered in the hall. The others, who had not come of age, exited the room and were given their own separate tasks to perform.

The circle joined their hands, allowing their energies to flow into one another. Similarly, the others behind them joined their hand until concentric circles were formed with the Circle of Elders at the centre. Looking up to the heavens, the chanting began; first one voice, the voice of ten, then the voice of the whole assembly.

The chants became louder and louder, bringing forth the magical power bestowed upon the druids. Words came alive, like a fountain in spring, growing and spewing forth...

And the words of the many called forth a power bestowed only to them, a power that seemingly welled up from the earth itself. No one saw the bright plumes of light erupting from the sides of the wall, for so deep was their meditation. The air sizzled and crackled with the luminescent energy encompassing the room. The white wisps of energy came from every direction. They coalesced and revolved around the hall, spiralling as a newly born star and slowly being concentrated into the centre. The brilliantly white phosphorescent sphere at the centre of the hall grew in size until all of the energy that had entered the room had been sucked into it. With a loud cry, they all raised their joined hands to the heavens as they sensed the completion of the sphere. Then, there was silence...

**************

Hiro stood on his balcony, with his generals around him. He had planned this attack perfectly. His men had neither the skill nor the training to defeat his enemies in one on one combat. However, surprise and sheer weight of numbers should be able to give him the advantage. His plan was simple really. He would attack the Amazons from three directions in the night. His assassins should be able to take out the outposts of the Amazons without too much trouble. If his men were successful in removing the women guarding the outposts without them alerting the village, they would attack the village while the women slept. Hopefully, most of the Amazons would be asleep, allowing his men an even greater advantage in the resulting confusion. Confidently, he ordered his men to march to Jusenkyou. Soon all would be his.

He watched as the battle formations of his forces moved in three separate directions. He could taste victory in the air. The march to Jusenkyou should take ten days by foot. By then he would have news of his victory. Now, he would enjoy the pleasures of his castle and await news.

***********

Slowly, the druids came out of unconsciousness. The effect of putting the barrier and imbuing the mirrors had drained them even more than they had imagined. They all felt tired and weak, drained of all their energy. Luckily, they had prepared for this. From the chambers of the other room, the younger druids, who could not take part in the ceremony, entered the hall, bringing baskets of food. The elders ate quickly and rested, while their strength returned. Hurriedly, they gathered young and old alike into the hall.

"My friends you must scout now for new lodgings. By the end of the week, I believe that Hiro will find out why his forces can’t leave the valley. We will all be in danger! Take this precious time to find yourselves new homes where he cannot find you. Who knows what he will do to us when he finds out."

Most nodded in agreement. They knew Hiro well. He would not be very forgiving when he found out. They had spoilt all his plans for the future. His ego would be crushed by the fact that they had outsmarted him. He would want vengeance...

***********

Hiro sat in his private chambers awaiting word of his troops. For some reason, the druids around the castle looked uneasy and very cautious around him, but he could not fathom why, not that he really cared. They could do whatever they liked as long as it did not adversely affect him. His uncle had used them as a support group for whatever projects he devised. Hiro did not know why his uncle had used them as his advisors and he didn’t see any reason to keep them around. That is why he had dismissed most of them from their positions except the precious few who he still needed. He wanted this to be _his_ empire and did not want anyone compromising his position especially the druids.

He heard a commotion outside his chambers. It could not be his men reporting in. Even he knew it would take at least ten days before word could come back from Jusenkyou. Something was wrong, he could feel it! He repressed his anxiety and waited.

Hiro himself was a daunting figure. Almost seven feet tall, he easily towered over his men, and he used his height to his advantage. His height along with the black robe he always wore made him seem a bit sinister. That struck a chord of fear into the hearts of most of his men. This messenger was no different. He opened the door to the chambers hesitantly and bowed to Hiro. Hiro was now more concerned about the news the man had to bring rather than the trivial honorary regards being said to him.

"Hurry up and tell me what you have to say!" demanded Hiro in a commanding voice. The messenger visibly shook in front of him.

"Well…uh…the generals report that they are having difficulty leaving the valley!" stammered the messenger.

"What! What do you mean they can’t leave the valley!" shouted Hiro.

"Well they said that every time they tried to leave the valley, the either got lost, or ended back up in the valley," stated the messenger in a rather meek croaking voice.

Hiro was about to blow up in the messengers’ face but decided against it. Having his men wandering what he was thinking was more advantageous to him than having them know he was fuming mad. He dismissed the man with a wave of his hand. The man stumbled out of the door, frightened and relieved at the same time. Alone, Hiro began to think.

He knew his generals were excellent tacticians and warriors themselves. If they could not get through the valley, then something had to be stopping them from leaving the valley, but what could possibly do that?

After several long seconds the answer popped into his mind...magic!

The only people he knew capable of magic were the druids.

He started seething in rage. What had they done?

He told his guards to find the druids who were supposed to be in the castle. They scrambled out of the room, each one afraid at the definite signs of rage showing on Hiro’s face. The druids could not be found. By now, Hiro realised his plans had been fouled by the druids. He shivered in his unquenched thirst for revenge. He ordered his troops to find and imprison all the druids. Hiro knew all his plans for conquering the world had been foiled. Damn those druids!

Hiro had pillaged all the books of the druids. All the druids his men captured were put to hard labour. He had been left totally confined to the valley that was Aina. Hiro got bored with aristocratic life. He was getting older and he was getting bored. Life remained the same. He had nothing to do nothing to achieve nothing to conquer.

Then one of the older scrolls had some writing that caught his eye. It spoke of attaining immortality. Hiro was intrigued. If he was immortal he would have plenty of time to expand his empire; perhaps he could rule the world. The magic the druids had used couldn’t last for all eternity. Visions of him upon the whole globe spanned his mind. He smiled...

The scroll was worded in a very ancient text that could only be vaguely translated without magic. Hiro had read the scroll over and over. It spoke of immortality and obtaining it, but it also warned about some exchange. Hiro did not know what that exchange was, but all he saw was the immortality and power being offered to him. He wanted that power. He prepared for the ceremony.

It was simple really. All he had to do was chant the words at the bottom of the scroll ten times and then all that power would be granted to him.

Hiro began chanting. He hardly knew what the words meant, but he trembled in anticipation of the power he would receive. He felt nothing until he began the tenth and last time.

A cold dark aura washed across the room. Shadows bounced from side to side, creeping from the darkness into the light. They played against the dim illumination of the candle light like moths across a flame. Drawing closer yet fearing to be burnt. The aura condensed over a cup Hiro had left on the table. A cold black liquid settled on the side of the cup, its dreary tentacles slowly winding its way down to the base of the cup. Hiro stared at the cup in glee. This was the final step. It the cup lay the elixir to immortality. Hiro drank the dark liquid excitedly, then he felt the presence. His face was filled with horror. Now he knew what the warnings on the scroll meant and he could do nothing about it now. His fate was sealed. The road had been chosen, there was no turning back.

In order to attain the immortality he had been promised he had to give away part of himself. The shadow had come to claim its part of his life. Slowly it overcame and usurped control of his body. His willpower crumbled under the overwhelming aura of the shadow. Unlike the Neko-ken, the dark shadow that was forcing itself upon him did not totally release him from knowledge of his actions. The shadow allowed him to see exactly what it was doing to his body. Its mind invaded his; its thoughts became his thoughts. They were thoughts of hate, of pure evil. It now had total control over his body and began to torment him with its demonic thoughts while its cackling laughter rang throughout his mind. What had he done!

***********

The shadow had felt the presence of Amazon Matriarch. She was possibly the only danger to him that he could vision, but he could easily prevent her from coming to the castle. He, the shadow, loomed in the dark cave hidden within the heart of the castle. He had given that stupid fool Kripin the job of Governor. The man was totally afraid of him and that was his driving force; fear of what would happen to him if he did not obey his master. The shadow snickered, soon he would kill Kripin and he will do it in such a way as to derive the utmost pleasure from it.

He had captured almost all of the druids. They represented the hope of this valley and he wanted to crush the hope of these people. He held them in the enclave of his cave as his slaves. Slaves indeed! They had used all their power to erect the barrier, now they were totally helpless and powerless. However, that same barrier had prevented him from leaving that blasted valley. His negative energy prevented him from using the positive energy of the mirrors and repelled him from the barrier. He was trapped. Now all he could do was enjoy himself with what he had to destroy in the valley.

Through Kripin, he was aware that the visitors had destroyed one of his fortified posts with simplistic ease and had defeated some his better warriors.

The shadow was intrigued by certain developments. The Amazon matriarch could easily be evaded he had enough wisdom to know that her knowledge of him and of the arts could be deleterious to his position. The pig-tailed boy he had first brought was supposed to be able to beat him according to the legends. He did not see how the puny boy could possibly defeat him, but destroying the boy and his friends would be fun. The most fun he would have had in a long time. He was looking forward to meeting the boy.

*********

Hiro read the thoughts of the shadow, which occupied his body. He had salvaged the little morsel of information that gave him a glimmer of hope to be released from the prison he had trapped himself in. If this boy could possibly defeat the shadow, his spirit would be released. Hiro had prayed for this release: freedom from the torment of the evil of the shadow. He yearned for freedom, for some measure of peace.

The shadow gave him a gleaming cold smile. It knew that by giving him that scrap of information, Hiro would have hope. He would enjoy seeing the man’s spirit broken again.

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