Zodiac and Daekavich were extremely worried at their discovery, the commanders had as well caught wind of this. Zodiac just stared at Tema
“how did get…that power…I have his friends captured…bound to my will so… how did he? Boy…where did you get this power?”
“what are you talking about?”
“I have captured all your friends and dispatched of the princess”
“wait…the princess?” thought Daekavich
“…where is your power coming from!?” demanding Zodiac
“what power are you thinking of? Right now I’m fighting with the support from my friends and family and I won’t let them down” Daekavich was in thought
“so he is completely oblivious…so his power necessarily hasn’t changed, it’s the circumstances. Maybe because of the way Zodiac has being using the fusion-drive his forms are weaker than before…or is it because he hasn’t realised. Anyway we have to retreat now. My lord we have to retreat” Zodiac gritted his teeth not wanting to admit defeat. At the time Tema fired a ball of light blinding them momentarily and when their vision returned they saw he had Sophia in his arms to which he gently put her on the floor
“my lord…if he realises…it’ll be trouble” said Daekavich in a low voice
“Boy…you have survived yet again…the next time we meet will be your last. I Lord Zodiac declare war on Radiant light. I hope your prepared” all four of them gather together with a blue column of light and in a flash they vanished.
Tema was trying to wake up Sophia
“Mother…Mother wake up” she came round
“Tema?”
“thank goodness your awake” she hugged him as he helped her up “are you hurt?”
“no I’m fine” she looked round the mountain top “where’s everyone else?”
Tema looked quite depressed “they have all being sealed within this demon circle”
“can you free them?”
“I don’t know…only those with royal blood can free souls. I know I’m a direct relative of king and queen of old but I don’t if royal means through them or royal as in the actual royal family. Well I can give it a try” Tema stood where Zodiac stood and mimicked the movements he made. As he performed, the movements almost came out of instinct and he did unfamiliar motions without realising it. The circle began lighting up going from red to green and then the guardians pillars lit up in sequence with the demon circle.
Tema pulled his hands apart, clenched them and put them together. The green light became blinding, as a dome of green light rose from the circle. As the circle vanished five familiar people appeared standing on the symbol. Sakura, Kyla, Guinavere, Nikistatia and Kyla appeared unharmed. Sophia quickly ran and embraced Sakura
“Mother your all right” said Sakura
“I’m glad you are too” said Sophia. Tema looked round at all of his friends as they all came to thank him but then he noticed someone was still missing
“hmm…where’s Hana?” he asked. The girls looked round but none of them had seen any sign of her. “so she’s really gone” he fell forward
“what happened Tema?” asked Lucile
“After Zodiac had…captured you all…I was left very drained by the demon circle. They all fired an attack and Princess Hana shielded me from the blow” he was upset as he recounted the events.
They all looked rather sad as the realisation that Hana was gone
“Father we saw the whole thing” said Sakura “you fought really well”
“how did you see everything?” asked Tema
“somehow we saw the events from behind Zodiac as he fought you” said Kyla
“I would like to inquire…how did you fight so well against him?” asked Nikistatia
“I dont' know...it was as if he wasn't trying. I beat him and managed to free you...But…” he was on his knees “the princess is gone…she took the blow made for me…and now she’s gone” tears fell from his face as Sakura got down and comforted him with her hand on his back. She noticed something on one of his legs where Daekavich had grabbed him and when she looked at her own hand she could see dirt on her palm. She realised something to which she showed the other girls as well.
They all realised something which Tema had failed to realise
“Father…come on stand up” she lifted him up to his feet “Come on don’t you realise that your wrong about Hana”
“what do you mean?”
“Tema take off your jumper” asked Lucile
“why?” Tema said looking confused
“just do it” demanded Lucile. Tema began taking off his jumper with some difficulty and dropped it on the floor. All the girls looked surprised at what they saw
“father…have you looked at what you’re wearing lately?” said Sakura. Tema looked at his clothes and looked shocked too to see his clothes a bright silver. “but that’s impossible…How am I like this? I changed to this form when I fought Zodiac in the past world but how did I when you were all gone?”
“Tema did you actually see the Princess get hit by the attack” asked Lucile
Tema thought about it and all he could remember was the attacks closing in about to hit him, when the princess grabbed him her hand was over the fusion-drive “is it possible that…” at that moment Tema was engulfed in a ball of light which blinded everyone else.
When the light vanished Tema was in his normal clothes with a familiar face looking at him opposite in her yellow battle outfit. Hana just smiled at him as he stared at her
“what’s wrong Tema? Is there something wrong with my outfit” Tema couldn’t believe his eyes
“is this real? I mean I thought you..”
“Don’t believe me. Then here” she walked up to him and hugged him “is this proof enough” he hugged her back just making sure
“thank goodness” she just let him hug
“you were terrific you know. I sort of saw the whole fight” . After a few moments Tema put her back
“but when did you…fuse...with me?”
“when I shielded you from the attacks, my hand went over the fusion-drive and...you and I were merged”
“so back then…at the past world it was your power I had when I used the silver form. It was you but something doesn’t fit. If I was in the silver form the whole time how come I didn’t fight like I did before”
“I can help master Tema” Kyla walked forward “the silver form before you believed you had acquired from all you see here. Although that is true the form actually was made by her majesty”
“but before…Father was able to perform powerful attacks and magic against Zodiac. So why is this time he looked the same as normal” said Sakura
They all pondered why Lucile tried to sum it up
“before he had help from all six of us and he was fully aware of his power. This time only Hana merged with you so your power wasn’t weaker but new”
“Can you explain it a bit better please?” asked Tema
“how about this Tema?” said Nikistatia “imagine a very heavy weapon that takes six to hold. Now it’s reduced to two so you just have to get used to it”
“so it wasn’t my own strength” said Tema
“no that’s wrong too. I didn’t really help you. Everything you did on your own” said Hana.
"Thank...y...ou" but then he almost collapsed from exhaustion.
As he fell down Hana managed to catch him but he was very drained and weak
“Tema what’s wrong?” asked the princess worryingly as she had to lay him down “Why is he so tried?”
“The forms can put a lot of stress on the user” answered Kyla “but as he gets use to them it’s lessened. However forms that use more power wear him out more quickly that’s why he can’t stay in Arcane form for long. So given the length of time he spent in the silver form I'm surprise he didn't collapse before”
“So this silver form must have put a huge strain on him” said Hana as Tema was still panting heavily as she held him in her arms “he shouldn’t move…he was in the silver form for a long time. So he has to rest” Kyla walked over to him and picked him up off the ground.
“be gentle with father Kyla” said Sakura
“Princess…” Tema muttered
“Tema you have to rest” said Hana
“Princess…Zodiac…has declared…war” he managed to say
“I know Tema. Come on let’s get back. It’s time we thought of a plan” the girls started descending the stairs one by one with Nikistatia supporting Sophia, Tema (still being carried by Kyla) and Princess Hana descending last down the stairs.
They had now finished proceeding down the cavern and came out into the open field with the glow of the moon bathing its light on the world below.
“Kyla…can you put me...down now?”
“all right master” as she put him down Tema could barely stand. Hana came over to him and supported him as he stood “Princess can you support him?”
“yeah. He’s alright with me”
“alright I bid you good night” with that she ran and disappeared into the darkness.
“come on then…Tema” she help assist him back towards Radiant light. After a while in the darkness she turned towards
“are you alright?”
“yeah… I'm alriight. I never realised that…you were...watching over me the whole time”
“oh it’s no big deal Tema”
“no…it is a big deal for me. It’s shown how much you mean to me. When I thought you were…I didn’t want to think about it” Hana was embarrassed but also very happy
“Tema…thanks for being my friend or maybe more than that”.
With some help Tema had made it to the town of Radiant Light. Tema and his friends gathered at the centre of the four-way crossing.
“well what now?” asked Lucile “I mean Zodiac has declared war”
“I don’t really know either” replied Nikistatia “what about you princess?”
“all we can do is fight back” she said confidently
“don’t take Zodiac lightly, he has an army as his disposal. Although some of dark sabre belong to the king, Zodiac has a much bigger influence over them. He is not to be underestimated” said Guinavere
“well…right now” said Tema still a little out of breath “we should rest…and start planning at a later time”
“all right. That sounds fine” said Sakura “Hana would Father be alright staying at the castle tonight?”
“no it’s alright” Tema tried in vain to stand up on his own but his body was still too tired
“you’re not fooling anyone. Please Hana it’s just we need to look after mother”
“alright. I’ll look after him” said Hana. Tema didn’t quite like the idea but he didn’t resist as Nikistatia and Sakura went to look after Sophia with everyone else going their separate ways.
Tema was managing to walk but Hana still had to support him as they made it to the entrance of the castle. A soldier who was standing guard saw the two
“Princess!? Where have you been?”
“Soldier. Can you take sir Tema to my chamber? I must go find Mother”
“alright your majesty”
“do you know where mother is?”
“she should be the dining area” Hana left through the castle while the soldier helped Tema to her room.
Tema sat down on a chair in the princess’ bedroom. Thoughts ran through his head over the events which had transpired. He had gained half of the unity’s he needed, found a new ally but his enemy is now on the move. He looked round the room and found the book on the princess’ desk. Recognizing the book he opened it and scanned through the pages until he came to a page which displayed the five unities. The picture was now colourless as if faded but he could see the five unity’s surrounding the silhouette and the small unity of love in the centre.
“the power of your bonds is linked to the unity’s boy” Zodiac’s message played in his head as he looked at the picture.
The door of the bedroom opened to which the Queen stepped through
“hello your Majesty”
“Yes…hello. What are you looking at?”
“something Princess Hana showed me about the unity’s” he presented the book to her to have a look “something Zodiac said has been bugging me about how the unity’s are linked to the fusion-drive”
“So you’re wondering whether you can obtain the unity’s from your other friends?”
“that’s right but that’s what’s bugging me” he said still pondering
“can you explain?” she asked
“Princess first told me there are five unity’s. Although there is a sixth one she said it doesn’t exist.”
“well that isn’t entirely true”
“what do you mean?”
“The unity of love does indeed exist; however, it is an extremely difficult unity to acquire. Unlike the others where you just have to brave or trustworthy. This particular unity requires a pure heart with no evil intent”
“does the princess have this unity?” the Queen looked taken back
“that’s up to you. She may have or not have the unity of love but I will say this. The silver form that I heard about is only made through a very special bond”
“how did you kno..?”
Tema was cut off when Hana came through the door
“there you are mother…oh have I interrupted something”
“no it’s alright. Why what’s the matter?”
“Zodiac has declared war mother” the queen didn’t looked surprised but instead quite serious
“I was wondering when he would. I have been expecting this but I could never predict when. Starting tomorrow I’d better start gathering our army together and I’ll be counting on you boy. I bid you both good night” the Queen left the two in the Princess’ room.
Princess Hana was pouring Tema some Tea as he sat down in the chair. Tema could see that Hana was quite happy
“you’re in a good mood”
“you noticed. It’s because I can now help you”
“what do you mean?” she sat down on a chair next to him
“When Kyla said we merged together it made me happy to know I can now fight alongside you.”
“you can do that now anyway. I mean without the silver form you’re getting better with every training session.” Hana blushed and was very happy
“thank you for that. now promise me something” she looked serious “that silver form takes too much out of you. So promise me you won’t use it unless you have to”
“Ok” he said as if in defeat
“or let me share the burden of the form with you” Tema was quite embarrassed then as both him and her were reaching for their tea they grabbed each other’s hands by accident, they both flinched out of embarrassment both with very red faces and an awkward laugh as well. Hana quickly got up not wanting to show her face
After a few moments of awkwardness Hana spoke
“well…heh…we should start discussing how we are going to prepare for the war…Tema? she turned to see Tema fast asleep on the table. She smiled and grabbed her cushion from her bed and about to prop up Tema when the queen stepped through
“Hana I need to speak to you” Hana shushed her as she placed a cushion under his head
“ he really was very exhausted”
“he needs it. He did a lot of work today but the battles have only begun”
“Hana you are aware aren’t you of the true significance of the silver form don’t you and what it could mean?” said the Queen sternly to which Hana nodded “Although the silver form can be brought out by many individuals together in a group. In all of history only one pair of individuals were said to ever bring out the silver form on their own to which that woman described. If you alone were able to draw out the silver form out of the boy then he could be the one you’re searching for”
“whether he is or isn’t doesn’t matter to me.” Said Hana making the queen chuckle as she replied
“curiously the boy said a similar answer.” Hana seemed surprised “now come on get some sleep” Hana nodded as the Queen left the room. She began walking back to her own room “I wonder…if my action was the right or wrong one. My actions may have help lead Zodiac down his path but the same thing has happened to this boy and he remains as he is. Goddess of old watch over your children as the war ensues”
Deep within enemy territory Zodiac with his bruised ego was angry beyond belief as he spoke with General Daekavich
“how is it possible he obtained that form…I took away his friends and power and he still…AGHHHHHH!” he fired a beam into the wall
“my lord I theorize the princess was the one who brought out that form”
“Explain yourself”
“Did you actually see the Princess vanish?” Zodiac thought about it “we never actually saw her go we just assumed. Also if it’s true she may have the lost power”
“so all I have to do is take the princess’ power and I can obtain that form” he began calming down but Daekavich remained uncertain
“I don’t think it was the princess herself that brought it out. I think it was more the type of bond they had with each other”
“What do you mean General?”
“the power I hypothesize she has is a very fickle one. This is one power you can’t simply take but from the looks of things the boy can”
“no matter. I have the now the substitute of the three other unity’s. All I have to do is let them grow and they’ll be as good as normal unity’s. Now leave” Daekavich vanished in the darkness.
Shortly after a malevolent presence could be felt in the room
“Zodiac…what news do you have”
“ My king. I have declared war on the pitiful kingdom”
“is it so pitiful that a mere boy can stop you”
“My king the boy has acquired the silver form” the presence sounded interested
“that is no small feat indeed. Who does he share this special tie with?”
“we believe it is the princess of Radiant light. My king can you tell me how to acquire this power”
“This power is completely beyond your reach. Only very particular individuals can harness this power.”
“so what do I do?”
“you must sever the bond that ties the two together but even that might be too late. If the two should fully realise the form’s potential. You will be completely powerless to stop him. I have to ask first were they able to bring the form themselves with no other assistance?”
“yes my king”
“Then severing the bond is going to be almost impossible. There is only one option you must kill one of the two to sever the power before it’s realised and after that there is only one last…alternative” the voice said the last part with some hesitation
Zodiac eventually asked
“what is the alternative?”
“you must know if you seek this alternative. You will lose all sense of your being as you know it. Zodiac won’t exist, are you prepared?” Zodiac listened closely “do you know everything has a polar opposite?. The silver form is the form of a purest heart or emotions. The nether form ,which is dark-blue, is the result of the darkest thoughts, the basic stage is the feral state.”
“how would I start getting this nether form?”
“you must obtain the five unity’s”
“well although I have only two I have a means to create the other three as we speak”
“then you must do one more thing. Sever the most important thing in your heart. What has meant more to you than anything else. Consider this very carefully…we’ll meet again”
Zodiac was left to his thoughts as his face turned a small shade of white
“to sever…the most valuable thing in my heart…that is a last resort. For now I’ll destroy that boy’s power and if I fail…forgive me” he walked out of the room
“I fear he may step from our intentional goal. Make sure he doesn’t stray. Tema I hope your prepared for our true calling”
Tema and Hana were fast asleep in the room in the silent night. As Tema slept he would occasionally stir from his sleep to which his fusion-drive would turn dark-blue and back to silver. The battle may have been won but many more fights were coming to which may break him or alter him as only time will tell.
To be concluded in Eternal Discovery 3: The Fabled Saviour