Ahh, the Kataart Mountains! I don't think I'll ever forget this place. So many interesting events have happened here in my life. I smile as I walk along with the others.
They were quite annoyed when I showed up. Zelgadis gave off the most delicious appetiser of anger and hatred. I never really have figured out why he hates me with as much bile as he does, but I guess I will someday. His was a mere snack compared to the schmorgusbord named Filia Ul Copt. And there's no guessing about why she hates my guts. She'd be shocked if she knew why I hated hers, but that's a secret I'd like to keep. Let her believe it's simply a Mazoku/Ryuuzoku thing; that'll work just fine. Amelia seemed surprised and a tad bit suspicious of my arrival, but nothing major. The only two that remained unfazed in the slightest were my two long-haired friends, Lina and Gourry. So predictable this bunch...
We continue forward, scaling the treacherous paths that no human was meant to tread upon, yet did anyway out of sheer stubbornness to reach their goal. I wonder why Filia didn't suggest flying the group to the temple? That would've been the easiest route. Perhaps even she doesn't know the way. My grin grows as my unseen gaze turns towards her. Nope, she's frustrated as hell; she has no clue where we're going. That's alright. I know. Hence the reason why I currently lead the group. Never thought I'd see the day when they'd willingly follow me somewhere. Guess I underestimated them.
Shit.
A pair of Golds descend upon our party, their long, very pointy spears of finest orihalcon glimmering in the late morning sun. They run their golden, slit-pupiled eyes (I have always found that funny; slit-pupils are only associated with Mazoku by humans, taking the odd shape to forewarn of evil) over our party, scrutinising over each member. Their eyes widen as they rest almost simultaneously on my happy, carefree face. Nope, not gonna hide my aura, lady dragons. As if you could do anything to stop me with your spears should I try to attack.
"Namagomi!!!" one shouts. I feel my left eye twitch. Do they all call me that?
"How dare you enter our sacred mountains! This place is not for you, Mazoku scum!" the other screeches. Gods, I may have to kill them just for being impolite.
"Now, now. We're not here to cause any trouble. Just let us pass quietly and you'll hear nothing of us, ne?" Ooh, Filia's pulling in her aura. Still ashamed of travelling with me, huh? Yare, yare!
I walk forward and they bar my way with their spears, a harsh clanging resounding through the mountain pass. The ryuu on the left narrows her eyes at me. "Not a chance, raw garbage."
Okay, time to try a new tactic. I open my eyes, slowing dropping my grin and revealing my amethyst shards. Good, their fear multiplies tenfold. "You will not block our way," I grate out. I'm really not as pissed as I'm sure I look, but hey, I'm one damn fine actor!
I pull back my right hand, the one holding my staff, pointing it at Lina-tachi. The ruby orb flashes once as I send them off to a pocket dimension. I'd have an ex-Karyuu-ou no Miko leaping towards me with a big mace if I let her witness what I'm about to do.
The Ryuuzoku guards place their spears at my neck now. "Where did you send them, Trickster Priest?"
Ah, I get it now! They refuse to give me the honour of my name. I'll bet they've had that trained into them since childhood. I put back up my mask and grin at them winsomely. "Sore wa himitsu desu!" I crow, practically sending the two into facefaults.
Just as quickly, I drop the happy mask, switching to one of disgust. Head held high in a condescending manner, I raise my hand, shaking a 'no-no' finger at them. "Tsk, tsk. You really should've co-operated with us earlier. Now you have to pay the price for insurrection." I spread my fingers wide in a deliberately slow fashion, making certain the two watch me closely. Then I clench the digits into a tight fist, using my power to choke the two simultaneously. They drop their spears and clutch at their throats, gasping for air. They will get none.
I slam the tip of my staff into the hard ground, cracking the parched earth even more than the sun's slow drying process has done. The Ryuuzoku explode in a wash of red and gold, the blood splashing off the shield I throw up around me. No need to change clothes if unnecessary. Hmm, this sorta reminds me of the War, just on a smaller scale. With a snap of my fingers, the remains go up in a blaze, reducing the two Golds to ashes. I walk over to one of the boulders in the path and set down a map leading to the temple, then phase out. I release the others from my pocket dimension back into the pass as I appear before a rock face a few miles away.
An obvious cave has been carved out of the rock, seemingly by the ravages of time and nature, but I know better, and apparently so do the Ryuuzoku that reside in this range. Another pair of guards protect the entrance. They haven't noticed me yet. That's good. As enjoyable a meal they'd make, I'm quite full now, and I'd really like to get this over with. I send out my power and put the two to sleep. What a worthless guard. I snicker as I walk past their slumbering forms. As I stroll under the opening, a tingle goes through my body. A magic barrier, huh? I should've expected that. Well, I got through, but will the others? I shrug. I'll worry about that when they get here.
My gods, this place still looks like a cave. How boring. I turn down the corridor, entering a small living room. Now, this makes more sense. A few chairs sit around a table with a tea service lain out on it. I hear footsteps from another corridor. Ah, so the temple guardian appears. Nice timing. My eyes nearly bug out of my head as the woman steps out into the light of the living room. Straight dark brown hair falls just below her shoulders, tied behind them in a loose ponytail. She wears the dressings of a common shrine maiden, and her green eyes light up at seeing me, stifling a chuckle from the look on my face no doubt. The guardian casually walks over to the table and sets down the teapot she brought with her, then turns back to me.
"Long time, no see, Phe."
I blink at her. "No kidding. Last time I saw you, Reina, you were dead, lying in a pool of your own blood."
"Well, obviously things have changed, ne? C'mon, have a seat," she motioned me to the table. "You want some tea?"
"Sure." Well, at least this situation won't turn out volatile, I think. Reina was my best friend when last we met.
"Weren't expecting me as the guardian, I take it?"
"That would be an understatement, my dear."
"Ah, still hiding your confusion under that stupid mask and flattery. I guess you haven't changed much. Surprising, considering all that's happened in your life the past 1000 years or so."
"Since when do you where dresses, Rei?"
She frowns. "Since L-sama brought me back and made me play miko at this damn temple." I chuckle. That sounds more like the Reina I remember.