28 Ripples Part 2

In a far away land at night, the winds were howling loudly outside and whipped the sand grains to work causing storms of sand to rage all across the landscape.

No living creatures that lived in a settlement near these deserts dared to leave their houses or sheds. The signs were too ominous, this night wouldn't be a peaceful one.

On a tall mountain, within a small cave an old man was silently assessing the night sky with his aged hollow eyes. He had a long grey beard on his dark face as well as many creases that were formed over his long life.

Yet even though he had long since passed his prime years he was holding his tools with a surprising calmness in his hands and studied the stars with such concentration and vigor he didn't resemble any kind of old man people might imagine in their minds.

But then suddenly this calmness was interrupted and his hands started trembling uncontrolably. He was apparently so shocked that the old man had to let go of the precious bronze metal disk in his hands he used as his measurement tool.

A short clear sound echoed in the cave and only a long time later did the old man finally awaken from his stupor.

"This, this can't be ... no, it's not possible! Ishtar, Farir and Yasum have left their alignment! The stars have been thrown into complete chaos! Change ... change is coming! But why now? I have ... I need to gather the elders, no! The tribal chief, we need to inform the supreme court! O great Allah, is the day of judgement nearing?!"

Despair was written over the old man's face. His observation revealed catastrophical news but even after countless re-attempts the results remained the same! Something had happened! Something big and world shaking! He didn't want to waste more time than necessary and left all his items and books as they were inside his small workspace in the cave and immediately went out to inform the authorities in his surroundings. What he didn't know though was that numerous other astrologers made the same experiences as him that night and were just as baffled and shocked!

.........

On a small island, a grand and beautiful mansion was set up on the top and pink cherry blossoms fell down upon the courtyard of this mansion.

A woman in red white clothes knelt in front of a pond and looked at her own reflection with a deep contemplating expression on her face.

Suddenly a young boy ran across the courtyard towards the woman and shouted:

"Big Sis! Big Sis! We have received messages from your sisters! They say when ....", but he was interrupted shortly after,

"I know what they say Akari.

'When the sun turns black with the coming of the moon

the darkness of the world shall come soon

from the ashes of society will be

a group of legendary peasantry

from where they come from no one will know

but powers beyond imagination shall show

the chaos and order of the world to be

by a single turning point you see

and if they curse the world to earth

the world may never face rebirth' ..."

"Big Sis, what does this mean?", he asked.

"I don't know. It looks like we will have to face a great threat in the future.", she stood up and walked towards the mansion,

"Let's go to the village below, we need to set sail!"

"Where do we go?"

"You have always wanted to meet my sisters, right? I think it's a good time now ..."

...................

In another far away region inside a deep jungle a violet butterfly made her way towards the peak of a hill and passed unhindered through the sea of woods.

As if the plants had a consciousness all branches that may have served as obstacles for that butterfly were pulled back or pushed aside. Bushes, grasses, thickets, vines everything was magicaly paved to the side. This created a spectacle where it looked like the entire forest was welcoming and opening its path full of humility towards this being.

Such ceremonies were only reserved for souvereigns!

Not surprised or awed in any way, the butterfly continued her flight and reached her goal within minutes.

On that hill lied a castle, seemingly kept in perfect conditions, and the butterfly landed beautifully on top the highest tower.

Yet, instead of the mysterious butterfly, it was an equally mysterious women in long violet garments who now entered the tower entrance and walked towards a throne.

At the same time wild and loud steps could be heard quickly approaching the chamber from outside. The door then suddenly burst open and two little clumsy figures fell on top of each other.

When the dust had settled, both small figures stood up straight and bowed towards the woman:

"My lady we didnt expect you to wake up this soon!", the figure on the left looked like a small lion with a golden mane.

"As soon as we heard of your arrival we hurried here to receive you!", the figure on the right side resembled its partner but had a greenish black mane as well as sharp fangs, two white horns and thick fur on its joints.

They both kept up their humble bows and didn't dare meet the eye of the woman.

"Shishi, Komainu, you have done well.", she replied without a hint of emotion and sat upon the throne.

She had long black hair and violet eyes, from her perspective on the throne she had the whole jungle and night ceiling within her view.

Nothing within this domain escaped her eyes and nothing could be kept hidden.

The two little figures had delighted expressions but then Shishi hesitatingly asked:

"My, my lady, did something happen?"

As he didn't get an answer Komainu attempted again:

"If there is anything that is troubling you, this lowly servant would give up his live to get rid of your troubles", and sounded as selfless and brave as possible.

"Me too! I would also give up my live!", Shishi didn't want to be outdone.

"I was first!"

"My live is worth more!"

"You ...!"

"Silence!", the same emotionless voice spoke up again,

"I do have a task for you two."

"Yes!"

"To your service my lady!", both stopped with their quarrel momentarily and took on their straight stances again.

"Go and accompany an envoy to the capital of Aldara to see if anything ... unusual has happened recently."

"My lady, if I may suggest. If we sent a message to our embassy there instead it would be much -"

"No!", she responded coldly back.

"Whhhim! I am sorry, of course you don't need any advises from this lowly one! I should have known better, please punish me!", Shishi knelt down seemingly frightened.

"Rise! I didn't criticise you. But this task, you need to handle it discreetly. I don't want the others from the senate to know about our motives!"

"Thank you for your benevolence my lady! I will engrave your words onto my heart!"

"What exactly should we look into if I could ask?", Komainu asked uncertainly.

"I ... I don't know."

"You ... don't know?", he asked as if he didn't understand what she meant by that.

"The fog is strong tonight and prevents me from seeing the truth. Something major has happened in the Aldara Empire, something that might even affect our republic. That's why you need to keep your investigations secret.", she responded to him, this time Komainu thought he felt a hint of helplessness in her voice.

As both servants realized the gravity of this matter they strengthened their resolves and felt overwhelmed that their master was passing such an important task to them.

"We will be as dark as the night!"

"No one will see us coming!"

"Good. Then be gone!"

Shishi and Komainu suddenly transformed from their small and pitiful appearances into wild and fear inducing beasts! They bowed a last time towards their master and jumped down from the tower into the darkness outside.

For a moment nothing happened and time stood still. Then her voice sounded out again but now with an amused tone:

"Come out Felis, I know you are there!"

"Hahaha, nothing can escape your eyes Lysandra.", a person appeared from within the shadows of the walls. Another woman in black clothes was revealed in the moonlight. She had a long black tail and a voluptuous figure, short black hair and small cat ears.

She stepped in front of the violet eyed woman and lifted her chin up a bit. Their gazes met for a moment before the cat woman broke out into a smile and kissed her partner with her tongue. Both then fell into each other's arms and lost themselves in certain pleasures ...

After a long time when they were finished and satisfied Felis asked with a light tone:

"So, you said before that you didn't know what had happened, I though nothing could escape your sight hehe."

Lysandra's cheeks were still a bit red from the aftermath but she calmly responded:

"It seems like ... the gods have returned!"

"What?!", Felis didn't see this coming and almost stumbled down.

"I am not sure either that's why I needed to confirm this."

"What else did you see? What did you feel?"

"I felt endless pain, and ... I saw a boy with endless potential!"

..........

Somewhere

"Your first chess piece has now come into play, as it looks. Are you happy? Or do you regret it?", a voice spoke out.

"I don't. I never have in the past and I won't start from now on either.", another voice replied distantly.

"I hope you know what you are doing this time."

"Me too. It might be our last chance otherwise ..."