The Hidden Three (Book 1 of the Hidden Trilogy)

Chapter Twenty-Six: Fly Me to the Moon

~Tsuki Hyashi~

(ATH)

"Eliana? Are you alright?" I stepped back into the clearing where we'd left Eliana. Alena stayed behind, muttering to herself and seemingly tracking something. Eliana didn't reply, a strange look on her face. What was it? Fear? Or something deeper- something I would never understand? Of us three, I was the least human. I could definitely feel it. Alena cared a lot for us, and Eliana was the one who always tried to keep up with us. And I- I didn't really feel any of that. I wasn't driven by friendship, or unity- but by urgency, and the knowledge that if we failed, everything I'd ever seen happen would be multiplied a thousand times worse. All good would be wiped out. Not instantly, but I had a feeling we were walking into a trap. The Nartoches- even the rare ones- were multiplying fast. I said this before, and I'll say it now- someone was in charge. I probably knew more about darkness than anyone else- me being the dark side of the moon that no one ever saw but was always watching. Kaito and I were alone- I had no qualms with that- but something tied Eliana to this new darkness. We were heading straight to destroy the Nartoch base which we miraculously located, but was it an attack? Or a suicide mission. Now don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed Eliana and Alena's company, but the thing is, I'd never had much experience with interaction- and friendship was a new concept to me.

"Tsuki... I- I-" I turned to Eliana, who was grasping her staff nervously, using it as a support. Really, I didn't get how that appeared, but every Guardian has their own powers I suppose.

"Yes?" I broke into a small smile. "Did you kill another star?" I said, trying at humor. I probably sucked at it too. The things I were really good at is sword-fighting and intel on Nartoch races. Eliana paled and shook her head vigorously.

"No!" She waved her hand in the air. "Not this time." She coughed, her hand resting on her side. Riiiiiight. The black cut must be starting to bother her. Not a good sign. Well, away with secrecy. If Eliana would jeopardize our mission, if she was being influenced in any way, we all needed to know. I took a deep breath.

"Eliana. Look-"

"We have to go!" Alena burst through the clearing, her back to us and slashing at a shadowy arm. I drew Yorukaze as Moondust whimpered in my bag. Uncertainty, Eliana pointed her staff, which had started to glow. Alena ran beside us and took up a fighting stance. I already had mine. A huge shadowy being, about the height of a tree, with long flexible arms and beady red eyes, pushed through two trees. It had long claws on its hands and feet. It had been a while since I'd seen a Nartoch this close before. This kind- the huge shadowy ones, the ones that hide in alleys or attics- were classified as 'Kage', or Shades. They were the most common of the Nartoches and the least powerful- except for their size. Kage lived among humans often, easily blending into alleyways and luring good people to do bad things. They were one of six classes of Nartoches. The Kage stood to full size, and growled at us, its single snake-like tongue hissing angrily, it's eyes sending waves of fear. That's right. Kage fed off fear. Their magic powers were considerably weak, but enough to cause a human to quiver. Unfortunately for it, we weren't human.

I charged. I drew my blade and jumped, thrusting the blade into its arm. The Kage howled and flung me around, trying to dislodge my blade. No such luck. I twisted it and jumped backward, letting its shadow particles spray out like blood. The wound would soon heal, and we needed to get it in its heart. Strange as it may seem, Nartoches have a heart. It's the darkest part of their shadowy body and could be on their arm, leg, or head. I couldn't seem to see this ones.

"Hey, Alena, can you see its core?" I asked. She nodded.

"It's in the middle of its left leg." She pointed and my eyes followed.

"Great, thanks!" I charged again, jumping into the branches above us. I used the leverage to propel me forwards, my sword aiming to where Alena showed me. Alena charged from below, slashing with her daggers, moving at an incredibly fast speed. Eliana fired beams of light that made the Kage hiss and sputter. I drove Yorukaze straight through its core. The monster looked surprised and it's red eyes flickered out. Slowly, the shadow vaporized like a mirage. We all stood still for a moment, regaining our composure. Then we glanced at each other with huge smiles.

"Yes!" Eliana said happily, finally being in a battle and doing pretty well. We all smiled.

-

-

We slept restlessly, angry whispers and dreams assaulting us. We got up early and packed, making it to the port without much more trouble. The port was large and deserted. There was no boat there yet, but crumbling marble pillars circled the area. We walked through the pillars, and could immediately feel a change. The darkness that was pressing on us evaporated.

"Is this place protected?" I asked Alena.

"Largely."

"Ah." I nodded. Eliana pointed to the right.

"Look! There it is!" An elegant ship, about the size of a small fishing boat, with sails and everything, came closer. It hovered a little above the water, but there seemed to be no one manning the deck. We ran to the edge of the dock and waited for it to arrive.

As soon as it stopped, we boarded. I ran around the boat, trying to find someone who was moving the ship but found no one. Well, now this is confusing. I did, however, find us some cabins. The ship lurched, sending my stomach with it too. We began to float higher and higher above the water until we were well above the trees and starry landscape. That made sense- the Sun and Moon realms were off the ground of Starbreak. Before long, I spotted shadows whizzing around us. They were much smaller than a Kage but speedier. They had the same red eyes and claws but had a tail and wings.

"GUYS!" I shouted. "ARASHI!!"

"ARA-WHAT?" Eliana shouted back. Right. She didn't know all the terms.

"ARASHI! SHADOW STORMS! MORE NARTOCHES!" I yelled as I ran to the back of the ship, drawing Yorukaze again.