NENGO 327年11月23日 6:52 PM - 38 Days Until Culmination
While THRAX is busy getting the book they've all inquired about, Danika, Anri, TRITHAL, and Elric begin preparations for supper. A short time later, while their food was cooking, THRAX and AXEM cleared the relatively-large dining room table of the journals, books, and notes that they all had gathered, and set them in a neat, somewhat organized pile on a desk in the next room. About that time the others started bringing in food from the kitchen. Everyone sat down and ate the delicious meal in silence, knowing that they are probably in for some long, drawn-out spiel.
After supper, everyone gathered in the next room and waited on THRAX to sit down and start whatever kind of explanation he's gonna go into.
-----
Stoner Stephen: "Aw, man! The suspense it just killing me! What's he gonna say? What's he gonna say!"
Jeremy: "Shut... the fuck... up! I can't believe you hired this guy, Evil Ray. Where the hell is Bob?"
Evil Ray: "I'm not real sure. I think I saw him on TV doing an infomercial on how to make an extremely enormous pecker smaller."
Jeremy: "The guy goes from selling cock enlargement to cock shrinkage. Guess his wife got tired of horse cock."
Evil Ray: "Phuh! Silly!"
-----
While Jeremy and Evil Ray were having their silly conversation about Smilin' Bob, THRAX had gotten comfortable in his chair and opened the book.
(Stoner Stephen begins doing the Twilight Zone Theme)
THRAX: "Shut the fuck up, Stephen!"
Stoner Stephen: "Sorry..."
Okay! Everyone appears to be seated in a kind of circular fashion, or something. THRAX is sitting on a Lay-Me-Big-Boy .... err... Lay-Z-Boy-style rocker-recliner. Elric is sitting at the desk with all the journals examining random pages. Jarsar, Xaklafor, Veiko and Vash are sitting on folding chairs that they found somewhere. Danika and TRITHAL are sitting on a love seat, and TRITHAL is rubbing Danika belly. AXEM is sitting on another lazy boy recliner with his feet propped up, all relaxed-like. Kuta is on the couch with Anri's head in his lap. Don't get any ideas! She's laying down, not on her knees! THRAX shoots an irritated/annoyed look in their direction. Adeth is sitting on the floor staring off into space.
THRAX: "So, you guys really wanna know what's in this journal? Ugh! I was hoping to avoid this. The less people know, the better. So, I'm gonna have to swear you all to secrecy on this shit. This information cannot leave this house. Understand?"
They all nod in agreement.
THRAX: "Good. This is gonna take a while, so bear with me. Xanatos fought in the Draconian Wars, as I'm sure you already knew. During that time, he found and gathered up all 7 of the crystals. After the wars, he hid them all and left only clues to their locations here, if anyone should ever find this place. Basically the purpose for all these journals and notes here is mainly to serve a smokescreen. While the clues themselves are true, the way they're interpreted makes the difference as to whether or not the reader will be able to locate the Crystals. You see, Xanatos had no intention of letting anyone but himself have the crystals, so he kept the key to decrypting these notes in a separate, safe place... this journal here."
TRITHAL: "You mean to tell us that we've been busting our ass all day trying to figure out what these notes mean, when you knew all along that they're a 'smokescreen'? I think that calls for an Oklahoma ass-whuppin. Someone call Roy D. Mercer!"
THRAX: "Hang on! I'm not finished yet! While it is true that both Kaiser and Phoenix are in the Labyrinth; they are both beyond the Gates of Hell... and apparently, only the Dark Flare can get them open. Until now, neither me nor anyone else has taken the time to organize these notes and journals. I was hoping that, as we were reading through all these notes, that we would come across a clue as to where the Dark Flare is."
AXEM: "So, wait a minute... Are you saying that we've gotta find the Dark Flare BEFORE we can go after the others? Cuz I thought we were gonna save that for last."
Kuta: "In theory, that would be an ideal plan... but given that finding the Dark Flare first is absolutely necessary, we'll have to figure out where it is first... unless, of course, there's some other way to get through the Gates of Hell."
TRITHAL: "So, what does that journal say, Thrax?"
THRAX: "Basically, this journal is an account of the 400 or so years that Xanatos spent on the Human side of the Incisor Sea in what is now the Prefectures. In it, he describes the events that caused him to leave Okreman Territory, and everything that happened afterward."
Anri: "You're really gonna tell them everything, aren't you?"
THRAX: "They've kinda backed me into a corner. So I kinda have to. ... Now, I'm not sure where Kokichi found the FrostDrake, or how Janxion got his hands on the FireDrake; but Vankar had to have left the Badlands at some point, or he's got a spy at Sabretooth, because according to this journal the Defender was hidden within the mortar of the walls of the Mountain Castle."
Kuta: "So Midus had it with him this whole time and didn't even know it? How could that have been possible? Does he even know anything about the Dragon Crystals?"
THRAX: "Oh, he knew alright. He helped Xanatos hide it there. It was a kind of exchange... Midus got to protect a dragon crystal and Xanatos got a new life and a new identity. That's where Dale Gorge comes in."
Danika: "So... he started a new life there and you were born soon after. You really are his son, aren't you?"
THRAX: "No... not exactly. There's this special Draconian charm that Xanatos had, which can be used to lock a myrmidon in a human form. The only way to truly unlock it is with a dragon crystal. Anyway, a side effect of this charm, if used incorrectly, will erase the Myrmidon's memory and return them to childhood. Basically, you become a human child with no memory whatsoever."
TRITHAL: "Yeah, and...?"
Elric: "I think he's saying that Xanatos did the charm wrong on purpose. I suppose that would give him a real chance at a new life... But what about Midus? Surely he would've sought out Xanatos by now. Especially since Vankar now has the Defender."
THRAX: "I think he may have forgotten all about it. It is quite possible that he could have had some memory loss due to his condition which we helped Ali take care of last year in Volume One... which would explain why he didn't recognize me."
AXEM: "Why would he recognize you?... unless you're actually..."
Anri gets a little smirk on her face as the group is starting to put the pieces together.
THRAX: "So, continuing on. Thirty years ago, in the forests near the Village of Dale Gorge in Mount Sabretooth Prefecture, a couple found a young child who had no memory of home, his family, or himself. They contacted the Prefectural government to try and figure out who was missing a child fitting his description. Midus figured it out quickly and sent the couple a message saying that the child they found is an orphan and they are free to adopt him if they chose. They were overjoyed at that news and they immediately got the adoption papers finalized. They named him Thrax. Very soon thereafter, the father was called away on some business that was never made clear, and never returned. Later he met Chris, Axem and Trithal. So that pretty much sums it all up." (sighs) "We could have a major war on our hands if this info gets out... especially if Vankar finds out."
Danika: "So, wait a minute..."
Xaklafor: "You're Xanatos?"
Adeth: "Woah! Like, holy shit or something, man!"
THRAX: "I don't actually really remember any of it. I get brief memory flashes here and there. But, nothing coherent."
TRITHAL (strangely not as surprised as everyone else about this revelation): "I see. So, what about the Dark Flare? Does that journal say anything about where Xanatos hid it?"
THRAX: "It does have a vague mention in the very first entry about where he hid it, but it makes no sense whatsoever. That's why I wanted us to go through the rest of his journals, so that maybe it would make some more sense."
TRITHAL: "Let me see it. Maybe I can figure it out."
THRAX hands TRITHAL the journal, and TRITHAL spends a few minutes examining the first few entries. While doing so, the rest of the party continues in quiet discussion.
Elric: "You know, Gwarlihim once told me about an old friend of his named Duoserg, who was given the duty of guarding the Gates of Hell in the Dark Labyrinth some 1000 years ago. If all else fails and we can't locate the Dark Flare, maybe he knows another way to get through the gates."
Kuta: "That's a wise hypothesis. If anything, he could probably help us locate the Dark Flare, since Xanatos had to have used it to get through the gate to hide the Kaiser and Phoenix."
TRITHAL: "Ok... in the first entry of this thing, Xanatos describes traveling down a river of liquid fire for many days, then passing through a sealed gate and finding himself in a huge maze of tunnels. He goes on to say that, when he got close to the exit, he wasn't sure who or what would be out there, so he buried the Dark Flare in the wall of one of the tunnels."
Danika: "That would suggest that maybe it's hidden somewhere in the Dark Labyrinth."
TRITHAL: "True, but, in the next entry which is dated a week and a half later, he is in the village of Kaivez on the Dolmaiyan River, and he says something about some dragon worshipers there. He had to have been there for at least a few days, and it would take a shitload longer than that to get from the Dark Labyrinth to Kaivez."
AXEM: "So, then, none of that adds up at all. Where do we know of a gateway to a lava pit near Tanchi Prefecture? I know of a smokin' hot babe who will put you through hell in Tanchi City... but that's something entirely different."
Kuta: "Well then, I would guess the best option would be to head for the Dark Labyrinth and the Gates of Hell. If this Mr. Duoserg is still guarding the Gates of Hell, then I'm sure he'll be able to shed some light on this."
THRAX: "Then I guess it's settled. We head towards Lockhart Village tomorrow, which is at the base of Mount Gagizet, near the Labyrinth entrance. It shouldn't take much more than a week, maybe a week and a half tops, to get there. We can get all of our supply issues taken care of there before we go into the Labyrinth."
Kuta: "How long from Lockhart to the 'Gates of Hell'?"
THRAX: "Two full weeks trekking through the pitch black tunnels of the labyrinth before reaching the iron gates leading to the Hell-Fire Valley."
TRITHAL (pondering to himself): "Hmm... Hell-Fire Valley..."
Vash: "What's on your mind, Trithal-San?"
Jarsar: "Yeah. You seem like you know something we don't."
Adeth: "Woah! What could the Sensai know about this?"
TRITHAL (takes deep breath, exhales): "Well, since Thrax has spilled the beans, I guess I should, too." (to THRAX): "You don't remember me from back then, do you?"
AXEM, Danika, Anri and Adeth: "eauWHAAA?!"
THRAX: "Why? Did Xanatos know Macha-Rei or something?"
TRITHAL: "They were more like close allies, perhaps comrades."
Veiko: "Wow! This sounds like a kick-ass story!"
TRITHAL: "Some 50 years ago, Liiche of the Cold was the biggest agitator against the Nengo treaty and the formation of the Prefectures, and tried everything he could to stop or disrupt it. Sometime around 35 years ago, the highly-decorated General Midus, leader of the armies of Mount Sabretooth, was spotted conversing with Xanatos on numerous occasions by Liiche's spies. Of course, hardly anyone who knew Xanatos back then knew he was a Myrmadon... but it was believed that Midus knew, and that's why he sought out his advice so much. Liiche realized that it would be catastrophic if the Humans and the Draconians were to form an alliance, so he sent an assassin to kill Xanatos. The one he sent was his most-trusted lieutenant, Chihime the Blood Princess."
Xaklafor: "And who was this 'Chihime' person?"
Kuta: "A previous incarnation of Macha-Rei, or Trithal here."
AXEM: "How is it that at almost every reference point to the past we've come across so far in this volume has had some correlation with Trithal? Why can't my past history be relevant to something?"
THRAX: "Maybe because the yeezy-fucker who created your character bailed out on Evil Ray and Jeremy after only the first few episodes were written."
AXEM: "Well that sucks!"
TRITHAL (continues): "When Chihime first got the assignment from Liiche, she went out on her own to scope out Xanatos and do reconnaissance... but Xanatos caught her and held her prisoner for the next 5 years. To cut a very long story short, Chihime and Xanatos discovered they had alot in common and became good friends. Chihime even taught Xanatos the Macha language... which is why Thrax knows it today."
THRAX: "... holy shit! You know, I never thought about why I know how to speak Macha. It seems like we started using it out of the blue around 5 years ago after you came back from Morgura. It feels so natural to use it, I never questioned it."
TRITHAL: "I taught you more than that, even! Remember back in Episode 12 when we were fighting Mori-Kami, and I spoke to you really rapidly in the Macha language causing you to involuntarily do something? I programmed your mind for that back when Chihime was working with Xanatos."
Danika: "So, why would Chihime work with Xanatos when she was Liiche's most-trusted lieutenant? That sounds like an extreme conflict of interest."
TRITHAL: "Chihime never really pledged true loyalty to Liiche, simply because he was just a little too crazy. It was indeed a true statement that Xanatos and then-General Midus were working together on a way to deal with Liiche. Since Chihime knew everything about how Liiche operated, and what his biggest weaknesses were, she was invaluable in helping find a way to neutralize him... which happened one day 26 years ago in Kureganu Prefecture."
Kuta: "I remember when that happened. Back in Episode 23, you said that was when you let Chihime die and you escaped to Morgura as a little girl named Minako."
TRITHAL: "Right. A week or so before that happened, Xanatos and Liiche negotiated for my 'release', and I went back to Liiche and helped set the plan in motion. At the same time, Xanatos was coordinating with Midus and his army, and preparing to strike against Liiche when the time was ready. Then finally, on the morning of the 23rd of Gougatsu, in the 301st Year of Nengo, the bloody battle ensued. Almost all of Liiche's soldiers were killed, including Chihime, and quite a few from Midus's army died there as well. During the battle, Xanatos showed his true form to everyone there... and while it probably ultimately defeated Liiche and drove him to the peak of Mount Sabretooth, it caused all the humans around to see him for what he really was... a Dragon Lord. And, of course, thanks to the anti-dragon propaganda that exists in the human world, everyone wanted him expelled from the Prefectures. Since Midus knew all along who he was, and since he owed him for helping to banish Liiche, Midus let Xanatos disappear into his newly-conquered prefecture, and I guess part of the deal was that Midus would take care of the Defense crystal for him."
THRAX: "So you knew all along that I was Xanatos, yet you never said anything about it until now. What else do you know?"
TRITHAL: "Hey! Out of all fairness, I never realized you were Xanatos until after I first came back to Dale Gorge 5 years ago after being assimilated by Macha-Rei. Of course, I was well aware of the circumstances that were in place, so I never said anything about it... knowing you would find out on your own when the time was right. Besides, what would be the point in telling you about it before now? You most-likely wouldn't have believed me... and it would have served absolutely no purpose whatsoever to tell you about it."
THRAX: "Yeah, well, I guess that makes sense."
The party continued conversing about what-not and whatever, until they noticed that the hour had grown quite late, and they had quite a journey ahead of them the next day. So soon afterward, everyone found themselves a comfortable location in the huge house to sleep. There was plenty of room for everyone to sleep somewhat by themselves, except of course for TRITHAL and Danika who slept together, and strangely Kuta and Anri slept in the same bed that night also. THRAX was somewhat annoyed by it, but was too tired to deal with it that evening. It is near midnight now.
No comments:
Post a Comment