Tower of Ancients Chapter 2~The Land of Broken Dreams
#2 of Tower of Ancients
Chapter 2:
The Land of Broken Dreams
There in the fields of nothingness, endless darkness spread throughout the lands. Life withered, waters dried up happiness nowhere to be found. There a statue stood, a figure of a fallen angel with its arms stretched out. Raven layed in its arms; motionless, lifeless as the only thing heard was the heartbeat of a clock. Raven's clothes were torn as blood slowly dripped from his fingers. Black miasma covered the ground, the ticking grew louder as small pieces of the statue fell into the darkness. Below Raven's lifeless body, a small girl was hugging herself tightly as her long blue hair covered her face from sight. She began to weep as tears stained her clothing. Suddenly, an image of a black wolf appeared before her. His eyes were dark and emotionless as he stared at the child, another wolf appeared beside the black wolf. More images appeared before her as different creatures all stared at her, she cried more and more as her grip tightened around her body. The distance between them widen greatly, where the images stood life was pure and true while where Raven's body and the girl's were dark, cold, and dead. The ticking grew louder and louder, suddenly dead silence.
Back in Reality, Rebecca was looking through her spell books as Inuko placed Raven's body on a soft patch of leaves.
"Tome of Healing, Tome of Casting hmmm come on where is it?" she said.
Inuko brushed Raven's hair from his face as he cleaned his wounds,
"Come Raven, please wake up..." he said quietly.
Rebecca feverishly passed through the pages of her tomes looking for the Book of Revival. Raven's heartbeat grew weaker every passing hour, Inuko was helping Rebecca search for what is needed to save his old comrade. She looked at Inuko with a sad expression,
"I-Inuko I a-am sorry I cannot do anything. Our best bet is to get to the Kingdom of Celeria as soon as we can. I am sure mother will know what to do." she sadly said.
Inuko glanced at his dying comrade as pain was felt in his heart.
"How long does Raven have Rebecca?" he asked as he tightly made a fist.
She walked over to Inuko and placed her arms around him as she embraced him,
"A few days, hun." she said.
"Lets go..." he replied.
Rebecca gathered the remains of their equipment as she strapped them to her back. Inuko walked over to Raven's body as he lifted him up in his arms,
"I'll save you Raven, no matter what the cost is." he said to him.
Inuko and Rebecca continued their way down the dirt path to the Mountain Region of Celeria. Meanwhile, back in the Realm of Dreams the black miasma grew denser as it choked the land of life. The little girl slowly looked up as her white eyes saw the two wolves again sitting by each other. They looked happy, as images of small pups played around them. The young girl hide her face from their sight as she drove herself deeper in the darkness. The images of the wolves pushed further away from her and Raven. Her body tembled at the thought of her loneliness in the world. Her dreams turn to nightmares, as Raven's body grew weaker.
Suddenly back in reality, Inuko quickly came to a halt as he placed Raven on the ground.
_"Rebecca!" he yelled. _
Rebecca dropped the bag as she ran to Inuko and Raven. She fell to her knees before Raven and placed her head on his chest. Inuko kneeled before them as he began to panic. Rebecca closed her eyes as she listened closely as Raven's heart came to a halt. She opened her eyes quickly as she sat back up and placed her hand over his heart,
"Ren Kai!" she yelled.
Electricity formed on her hand as it shot from her palm and struck Raven's Heart. His body jerked up as it landed back on the ground. Inuko placed his ear close to Raven's mouth,
"He's not breathing." he said.
"Ren Kai!" she yelled again as lightening continued to striked him again and again.
Meanwhile, in the realm of dreams Raven's body jerked as well. The young girl gripped her heart as she turned and look at Raven's body. The fallen angel's body started to crack underneath his body. The girl stood up and quickly turned towards the image of the black wolf as he slowly grew closer to Raven.
"NOOO!" she yelled as the wolf quickly came closer.
She quickly turned towards Raven and struggled to walk closer to him as the pain in her heart grew. Raven's body suddenly jerked once more as his eyes opened to the call of Inuko's voice. The girl climbed up the statue as pieces of it began to fall apart.
She stood over Raven's body as she slowly pulled out a blade,
"I-I don't want to go back. I don't want to feel that pain anymore. E-Even if I have to kill us to prevent you!" she cried.
She lifted up the blade as Inuko continued to call out to Raven. As she thrusted the blade downwards the image of the black wolf became solid. Suddenly, her hand stopped as Inuko grabbed hold of her arm.
"I won't let you kill him!" he proclaimed.
The young girl turned to Inuko as tears filled her eyes, she dropped the blade as Inuko's grip tightened on her arm. Raven's body began to breath again, as the black miasma slowly subseded.
"LET GO! I-I dont w-want to go back! I-I HATE YOU!" she yelled at Inuko as she began to hit him in the chest.
Inuko looked at the girl as she continued to struggle against him,
"W-Who are you?" he asked.
The girl thrust her face deep into his chest as she continued to weep in heavy tears. Inuko looked down at the girl as he released her arm, he then looked at Raven's body as tears also streamed down from his face.
"A-Are you...?" he stutted in wonder.
The crying girl pushed herself away from Inuko as she gripped herself tightly
"I-I HATE YOU!! I-I AM NOT GOING BACK! I-I d-don't w-want to feel the pain...anymore..." she cried out loud.
Inuko walked closer to the girl as he gently picked her up into his arms. The girl struggled in his arms trying to push him away as he tightly hugged her.
"I am Sorry..." he whispered into her ear.
The girl's eyes widen as her tears stopped, she looked at Inuko as he brushed her hair from her face.
"Let's go back Raven." he said gently.
Suddenly, streams of life sprewed out around them as the world of nightmares came to an end.
Back in Reality, Inuko awoken as he sat up from the strange trance. Rebecca rushed to him as she questioned him what happened. Inuko grabbed the back of his neck as he stood up.
"It's going to okay Rebecca." he said as he looked at Raven.
Raven's eyes slowly opened, he sat up as he crossed his arms over his chest hugging himself. Inuko walked over to Raven as he kneeled before him, he placed his claw on his head.
"We'll talk about it later, okay Raven?" he said.
Raven slowly looked up wanting to avoid eye contact with Inuko and nodded. Inuko placed out his hand to Raven, Raven slowly extended out his hand and grabbed Inuko's hand. Inuko stood up as he pulled Raven up with him.
_"..........." Raven stood in silence as he looked at Inuko and Rebecca.
_
Rebecca walked over to Raven and slowly examed him.
"Hello, my name is Rebecca. Its nice to finally meet you face to face Raven." she said smiling.
Raven looked away from them as he stared at the ground. He began to walk away from them; Inuko placed his claw on Rebecca's shoulder,
"Please don't mind him my love, he wishes to be alone." he said as he kissed her cheek.
She looked at Inuko as she replied,
"Hun, did something happened between you two?"
Inuko looked at her as he picked up the equipment and slinged it to his back,
_"Something I haven't noticed until today." he replied. _
Rebecca placed her finger to her lip thinking,
"Huh?" she said.
Inuko began to walk away as Rebecca ran off towards them.
"I am sorry, its between Raven and me." he said.
As the three continued to walk down the rocky path, they stopped at a spring to gather water. Raven kneeled before the Spring as water reflected the image of the young girl before him. Raven's eyes looked away from his reflection as the image faded. Rebecca sat by a tree as she massaged her feet. Inuko placed down the gear as he walked over to Raven. She looked up and saw the two,
"Oh I see...that's what he mean't. "she thought to herself.
Inuko sat down besides Raven as he looked at him,
"Raven?" he said.
Raven gripped his legs as he hid his face from Inuko.
"Raven, I-I understand now..." he said as he tried to place his claw on Raven's shoulder.
"I-I am sorry... I-I didn't mean to..." Raven replied.
Inuko leaned back and looked at the spring,
"Nothing will become of this, Raven." he said.
Raven doved his face deeper into his legs,
"I-I know...I-I never wanted to tell you." he said.
Inuko looked down at their reflections, as the water slowly moved back and forth. Suddenly, the image of the girl replaced Raven's reflection once more. Inuko quickly looked at Raven as if his eyes were playing tricks on him he saw the girl as Raven.
"Raven? Listen, the strong feelings you have towards me. I-I am sorry we are-." he tried to say.
Raven quickly stood up as he slowly walked away from Inuko. Inuko looked down and sighed as he fell to his back.
"This is going to be harder than I thought." he said under his breath.
Rebecca watched Raven walk away towards to the woods,
"Oh dear..." she said.
She placed her shoes back on as she walked over to Inuko.
"Is everything alright, hun?" she asked.
Inuko sat up as he placed his arms on his knees.
_"I think he hates me now." he replied. _
Rebecca began to rub his back,
_"Let me talk with him." she said. _
Rebecca stood up as she walked after Raven, she walked several feet as she found him hiding in the arms of an old statue of Mother Earth.
"Raven?" she asked.
Raven hid his face deep in the statues chest,
_"Leave me alone." he replied. _
Rebecca walked closer to him as she froze, the statue's arms began to embrace Raven. Rebecca began to step back in fear,
"R-Raven? C-Come let's go back." She stutted.
The statue looked down at Raven as he began to temble in her arms.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" he yelled.
The statue quickly turned towards Rebecca as its eyes began to glow red, suddenly a huge root bursted from the ground as it threw Rebecca to the ground several feet away.
"INUKO!" she screamed as she struggled to get up.
Meanwhile, Inuko's ears twitched as he heard Rebecca's screaming out his name.
"Rebecca!" he shouted as he dashed towards her voice.
Several roots burst from the ground as they danced wildly as the statue's arms embraced Raven tighter trying to shelter him from his pain. Suddenly, a huge root swung towards Rebecca as she tried toshield herself with her magic. Inuko appeared before her as he took the attack full force. Inuko was thrown back into thetrees behind him as they shattered upon impact. Inuko's body fell to the floor as he coughed up blood.
"Rebecca.." he said.
Raven opened his eyes as he turned his face and saw Rebecca and Inuko on the ground, huge tree roots surrounded him as they formed a shield around him and the statue.
"I-Inuko?" he struggled to say.
He looked up and saw the Statue's eyes glowed red,
"P-Please stop. D-Don't hurt him...M-Mother...I-I l-love him..." he said to her.
The statue's head slowly moved and looked down at her child. Her eyes changed back to normal as the roots quickly drove back into the earth. The statue kissed her child's forehead as she slowly released Raven. Raven looked at her as the statue changed back into just a statue. He jumped off and dashed towards the injured Inuko,
_"I-Inuko, I-I am soo sorry." he said as he placed his hands on Inuko's chest trying to keep him awake. _
Rebecca struggled to walk towards Inuko and Raven as she fell to her knees before them.
"I-I can't cast magic here...somethings blocking it." she said gripped Inuko's claw tightly to her face.
Raven's eyes widen when he heard Rebecca's words, he tightened his hands as tears rolling down his cheeks. Suddenly, Raven's hands glowed as Inuko's injuries began to heal. Raven opened his eyes as he saw he was wearing the same pendant as the statue of his mother.
"M-Mother?" he said.
Inuko's eyes opened as he saw Raven healing him,
"R-Raven?" he asked.
"Please puppy, don't say anything." he replied.
Inuko's vision faded as he saw both Rebecca and Raven smiling.
Later that night, Inuko awakened as Rebecca laid beside him, with her arms around him. He looked at the campfire as Raven was nowhere to be seen. He looked up to see Raven sleeping in a huge flowerbed high in the trees. Inuko thought to himself what happened earlier as images flowed freely in his mind. Inuko placed his arm around Rebecca's body as he kissed her head. He drifted back to sleep.
The next day, Inuko awaken to the rising sun as he looked down and Rebecca was nowhere to be found. He sat up and saw her laying next to Raven, Raven embraced her as he laid his head on her.
"Raven..." he said quietly.
Inuko stood up and began to stretch his body, he then walked over to the spring and washed. Raven awoken from his sleep as he sat up rubbing his eyes. He looked down and saw that Inuko was gone, he then looked to Rebecca beside him and slowly climbed down to the ground. Raven slowly sneaked away towards the woods, Rebecca opened her eyes as she saw Raven return back to the statue. When Inuko returned, he saw Rebecca cooking some food on the dimmed fire. "Where's Raven?" he asked. Rebecca looked at him,
"I think he went back to that statue." she replied.
The eggs slizzed as Rebecca flipped them over. Inuko walked up behind her and kissed her cheek,
"Want me to go get him?" he asked.
She shooked her head,
"I think he needs some time to be with his real mother." she said.
Inuko looked at her,
_"Real Mother?"
_
At some distance away, Raven came upon the haven from before, as flowers covered the ground. A beam of light pierced the treetops above as it shined on the statue from before. A statue of a woman with long hair, wearing a the same pendant as Ravens'. Raven slowly walked up to the statue as the flowers began to move. Suddenly, the statue began to move like before; she slowly placed her hand on Raven's cheek as she brushed his hair to the side.
"My Raven..." A strong yet sweet godly voice spoke.
Raven's eyes widen as he replied,
"M-Mother..."
Back at camp, Rebecca tried to explain her converstation with Raven to Inuko.
"Raven never knew where he came from or even if he had a mother until the events that happened yesterday." she said.
Inuko stood there is disbelief,
"So,Mother Earth is his mother?" he asked.
"Thats what I believe is the case, hun." she said.
Inuko was stunned to hear this,
"That would explain how that statue was able to move yesterday and how come my magic wouldnt work at all. Raven realized that is no longer alone in this world." she said.
Inuko looked at her with a serious look,
"I see..." he replied.
"However, this is a very serious manner Inuko. If Mother Earth is indeed Raven's mother then the legends are true. The Forsakened Ones truly exist in the world, this is a bad omen." she said. I
nuko replied,
"I know of his other half already, I only seen his true form once before when we first met."
Rebecca's eyes widen,
"W-What?" she asked.
_"When we first met, his body was of a demon he knew nothing but destruction and pain. Raven's true name was Iskar The Fallen Angel, we fought for many days high in the mountains. Just as we drew our last attacks, I asked him why he wanted to destroy everything. His answer was to be of purpose to someone. I felt his loneliness as I looked into his eyes. I told him I wanted to be comrades with him, that I wanted him to be by my side. He stopped, our long lasting fight came to an end. He regained his human form that day, he stood by me and did what I have asked ever since." he said. _
Rebecca began to understand their complex past as she listened on.
Meanwhile, Raven was talking with his Mother as he hold his necklace tightly.
"Mother, I have so many things to ask you." he said.
"Raven, I know what you want to ask. You aren't alone, you have six other sisters my dear. When you have met all of your sisters, you will find me." she replied.
Raven's eyes widen, "I-I have sisters? W-Where can I find them Mother?" he asked.
"They wonder the lands as you will do, some have opened with eyes and some wait to be awakened. My dear Raven, please follow your heart. Accept the truth, don't allow yourself to become blinded by lies and hate." she whispered into his ear.
"This pendant will protect you my beloved, the stronger your bonds with others are,the stronger you will become." she said as her voice slowly faded.
Raven stood there in the Haven as a gentle breeze passed by him.
_"Mother..."
_