Disclaimer: El Hazard is the copyright of AIC and Pioneer LDC. The author owns only the writing. Chapter 15: Isle of the Demon God Makoto felt a strange sense of deja vu as the airboat races over the ocean. It was a fast trip back to the palace and prepare for the emergency trip. Londs insisted he come along with several guards in a second airboat. The sun had set long ago and they were taking shifts at the wheel. It gave everyone a chance to clear their minds. Makoto pondered just how many other people from Earth had come to El-Hazard and how they came here. There seemed to be no steady rate at which time passed. While Makoto and the other original Earthers has been here for months, only about a day and a half passed on Earth. Would the next one to come here be from a week, a month, or even a generation in Earth's future? He might never know. It was even possible the 'next' visitor arrived years ago. What a way to explain all the mysteries of El-Hazard, Earther time travelers. He and Hiashi relived fond memories from the science fiction club by resuming their debate about time travel. Personal experience made Makoto's position of an unalterable past stronger. After all, Ifurita had told him of his destiny that first night in Shinonome and he fulfilled it just as he gave her the memory of what she will do. Hiashi countered by insisting this one example could not represent all the possibilities. It wasn't a strong argument. At least until Shayla took it upon herself to join in. She was on Hiashi's side of course. She told them what she discovered in the Eye, about how it erased history when a paradox occurred. Unfortunately it only put the two on equal footing again. History was apparently alterable, but it also seemed to follow its original path. Like a dozen times before they said "I hate temporal mechanics." in unison, an unspoken agreement that the debate was over for now. Shayla's arrival also signaled the end of one shift and the start of hers and one of the guards. Londs made it a personal policy to separate couples on guard duty. Shayla thought it was pure sadism and jealousy on his part, but she knew better than to speak her opinion out loud. After Hiashi left Makoto asked her, "In all those erased timelines ... how different were they? Did we ...?" Shayla wished he wouldn't bring it up. As much as she loved Hiashi, there were still a few heartstrings left for Makoto. "No, 'we' didn't. At least in the one's I've seen. Why?" "I know I've been blind to a lot of things. I just don't want to hurt anyone because of it." "A bit late for that don't you think?" Makoto was at a loss for words, "I'm sorry." Shayla couldn't resist smiling, "Hey, that's life. You live. You learn. You get better or you get weighted down in regret. You're a sweet guy, Makoto. Don't ever change and never apologize for it. Now get below decks and go to sleep. We got a lot to do tomorrow." "Uh yes ma'am." he said half-running half-stumbling down the stairs leaving Shayla to think about what she lost and what she gained with only the stars and a stranger who knew better than to ask as company. The Demon Isle hadn't changed too much since their last visit. Sure there were marks of battle, but when someplace is already a wasteland it's hard to make it worse. Unfortunately, Ifurita had no idea where the Lamp might be. All they knew was that it was buried far away from where her tomb once was. The whole island was protected from Elemental searches, which is why she was imprisoned there in the first place. How many other powerful artifacts were here, waiting to be discovered? "It just occurred to me," Fujisawa said, "what do we do if the thing is buried or cut off from the outside?" "That's why you're here." answered Makoto, "Hiashi, I don't suppose we'd be lucky enough that you'd be able to detect the Lamp?" "I'll try." Hiashi stopped, closed his eyes, and reached out with his mind. He 'saw' the dim red energies of the Lamp of Fire and an even dimmer outline of Shayla. He felt the dull silver cord from her inactive Lamp to his left wrist. Miz, who just debarked from the boat, just came into his limit. He felt her Lamp transmit the same cord to his ring finger. Her Lamp had a blue glow, but Miz had a stronger outline because she had used it longer. He tried to reach further, but it was like being locked in a thick fog with only the Lamps and Priestesses as illumination. Nothing he tried could break through the barrier, even just for detection. "Sorry, either it's out of range or I can't detect it. I can sense inactive Lamps, or at least ones which have elemental summoning abilities. It might be ten feet away or a mile." "So where could it be? Mountains wear down over time. And they'd be foolish to hide it underground, I don't care how well protected it would be from Kazusa. They knew this island may later be used to dispose of other objects of great power, no offense Ifurita, and whoever did the disposing would probably use the base of the mountain. So what's left?" Shayla asked. Makoto scanned the horizon of the island. "There." he said pointing half-way up the second tallest mountain on the island. "Why not the tallest?" Hiashi asked. "Like Shayla said, they knew this island would be used later and the tallest mountain would probably get used first. By avoiding the obvious, Izeria's Heroes probably kept it from being discovered all this time. It also appears fits the location on the map they showed us." "Let's hope you're right. The Grand Priestess doesn't have much time left." Above them, concealed by a large stone outcropping, Rhyna and Kazusa hovered. "You should have done a better job." Kazusa said sarcastically. "Well sorry I took a few hours to sleep. I used my power to make sure I stayed on course. Those among the living need to sleep every now and then." "I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about HIM." he said pointing down. Rhyna squinted and saw Hiashi and Shayla walking arm in arm over the broken terrain. "That ... that man. Why won't he stay dead?" "Perhaps his healing abilities?" Kazusa taunted. "Impossible. He was uninjured when I got him. I overpowered it. I saw him fry then get slammed into the wall. No one could survive that! Well I'll finish the job." she said preparing to attack "Oh give it up. That boy is tough, we don't have time. Let them do our dirty work for us. Then we kill them. Just wait." " I hate waiting." Kazusa restrained himself in reminding her just how long HE waited. Rhyna was starting to become uncontrollable, requiring he be more careful in manipulating her. Best to make sure she remembers their ultimate plan, to become their elements instead of just being priest and priestess over them. "Don't tell me you're still carrying a torch for him. I don't think attempted murder improved his opinion of you. Be patient. This island is littered with pockets of crystal that block our scans. Instead of us checking them all, we let them do it. Let them think they've won then strike. It is so much better to bring down the enemy when they think victory is close." Rhyna said nothing, but obeyed his words. Kazusa could almost hear the gears turning in her mind as she visualized how she was going to pay Hiashi back for everything. With the right suggestions, she could probably be convinced the Bugrom are destined to rule. Speaking of which ... "Sir Londs! The Bugrom are approaching! At least six boats!" a guard shouted. "Oh shit. Why does that little pipsqueak have to arrive?" Shayla muttered. "Ifurita. Take Makoto, Alliele, and Hiashi to that second mountain." Fuji ordered. "No. I'm not leaving Shayla behind." Hiashi protested. "Sorry pal, he's right. I'm betting you can detect the Lamp. We'll keep Jinnai away until you find it. Ifurita, you just make sure he comes back in one piece or else." Shayla said. Hiashi resisted for a moment, but ultimately accepted the reasoning as the Bugrom charged their position. "You see how much fun it can be to wait? While the main group is distracted, we can move closer to our objective." Kazusa lectured leading Rhyna from mesa to mesa as the battle below unfolded. Fujisawa led the counter-charge, of course, to give the guards a chance to escape. Shayla attacked from above while Miz provided a line of defense. Not bad strategy considering it wasn't planned. Jinnai tried using the main fight as a distraction as he circled around. Unfortunately Kazusa noticed and covertly used his wind and rock abilities to blow Jinnai's cover. "Why did you do that?" Rhyna whispered. "This battle is merely a distraction for us. It suits our interest to keep in going. If Jinnai got past them, he'd call the bugs off and then where would we be? Part of a three-way race for my Lamp instead of a two way race and a two way struggle." Rhyna was amazed at his manipulating skills. It never occurred to her to use the Bugrom to delay the other rival. Maybe she should start listening to his advice. Ifurita flew with amazing speed towards the target. Makoto knew why. She was trapped here for centuries. It made her uncomfortable, as if she might not leave again. Once inside the mountain, she took the lead. Makoto and Hiashi followed behind. Hiashi periodically checked for the Lamp, but didn't find anything. "Does any of this look familiar, Ifurita?" Makoto asked. "I wish I could say for sure. All these passages look alike." "I can't shake the feeling this is booby trapped. If they were smart enough to try to second guess future generations, who knows what other tricks they planned." "You worry too much, Hiashi. If they told us where the Lamp was, they would have mentioned any traps. Besides, Ifurita can handle them. I know she can." Makoto encourage. Ifurita was happy Makoto had that much faith in her abilities and hoped she would be worthy of it. "There's a room up ahead." she said. The room was carved from the rock long ago. It had a domed seamless roof, a plain stone floor, and no carvings on the walls. Completely unremarkable save for the white six-pointed star in the center. The group looked at the star. "Rather obvious isn't it?" Alliele commented. "No notches for arrows or hidden doors in the ceiling for dropping rocks or any other trap. I think this is just their way of saying, 'we could have lain traps, so don't make us regret making it so easy'. Either that or they found a way to deactivate them from their tomb." Makoto suggested. "Who cares. Let's just get the thing and get out of here. Sister Shayla should have those bugs fried by now, right Hiashi?" Alliele said starting forward. Hiashi gently restrained her. "Don't get overconfident. They might have wanted to lull intruders into a false sense of security. Then when they think they got the prize. Pow, crash, boom, bam. Splat goes the bad man." Makoto took a moment to give a long hard 'I can't believe you said that' stare at his friend. He knew the sci-fi club president liked using lines from TV and movies as jokes, but he didn't do it too often outside the club. At other times he was quiet, depressed, and kept to himself. Anyone who upset him was more likely to receive a biting insult than anything. More than once his words provoked a confrontation with some of the high school's less likeable students. Outside of classes or his club, Hiashi seemed not to care about anything, until now. Ifurita reached out with her staff, scanning the room. She said apart from the obvious pit at the center, the room was safe. They gave the star a wide girth and proceeded into the next hallway. Rhyna was well behind them, using the wind currents to carry Makoto's conversation to them and to let her know where to go in the dark. "This is too easy. My Lamp is almost within reach." Kazusa muttered. "Don't complain. The sooner we get it, the sooner we can get out of here. I hate this place." Rhyna returned. Up ahead the group was proceeding cautiously. The next passage was short, only taking a sharp turn left. On a pedestal, in the center of the room was the Lamp of Rock. Light from an unidentified source shown like a pillar around it. It looked much like Kazusa's Lamp, but was more detailed. Circuitry patters decorated the outside, dancing around a myriad of bumps, indicators and a noticeable circular knob. The brace was open and rotated slowly in the column of light as if waiting for someone. Everyone stared at it for a moment, in complete awe of their discovery. The fabled and nearly forgotten Lamp of Rock. Stolen from the Elemental Church by Kazusa, liberated from him by Izeria's Heroes, who in turn hid it from the rest of the world until the Church can reform itself. "I'm not getting anything from it. Either I have no power over that Lamp or it needs a human user first. Wait, I'm getting something-" Hiashi was cut off by a concentrated gust of wind which sent him into the wall. "That Lamp is MINE!" Kazusa yelled charging into the small room. Wind was not as effective in closed spaces, but enough to scatter the group. Hiashi tried to get up but found Rhyna standing over him with anger and hatred in her eyes. "You'll pay for playing with my emotions like that." she said preparing her power blast. Thinking fast, he managed a sweeping kick sending Rhyna down. Her half-made ball flew in the wrong direction, impacting on the pedestal. The light and the Lamp vanished leaving only an aged scrap of paper floating around. Kazusa grabbed it and read out loud, "You really didn't think we'd make it easy for you, Kazusa?" He growled and crumpled the paper in a fit of fury, "If they weren't already dead. I would kill them! You five are going to take their place. Rhyna, destroy them!" Hiashi, who was knocked behind Kazusa, sprang up and knocked Kazusa forward into the pedestal with some help from a blow from Ifurita's well-aimed staff. "We need more fighting room. Let's get out of here!" she said. They managed to get to the first room before the two recovered. Forgetting the star, they were lucky enough to step around it as they retreated. Except for Hiashi who managed to plant a foot square in the middle. Instantly the star vanished. Makoto and Ifurita made a lunge to save him as he fell, but Rhyna kept them away. Riho was able to protect Hiashi from the force of the impact when he landed."Keep going! I'll find a way out." Hiashi called from the pit. Rhyna was about to jump in the pit after him, but was blown away by a column of air Ifurita generated. The pit was not wide enough for him to fly, even if he was within range to use her abilities. He couldn't sense the link to her Wind Lamp, but there was something else. Rhyna didn't seem to care as she tried again. Kazusa stopped her, "You already tried to kill him twice and failed. Go after the others. I'll be with you as soon as I get the job done." Kazusa ordered as he focused his rock abilities below. When Hiashi landed, torches lit themselves bathing the area in a soft purple-yellow glow. The ceiling had to be about twenty feet above him, the other room at least a hundred thirty above that. For an instant Hiashi thought he saw a bronze glint at one end, but his attention was yanked away by a voice he thought he left behind calling his name, "Hiashi ..." Father! Impossible! How did he get to the Demon Isle? Or El-Hazard for that matter? Nonetheless there he was. No, two of him? One came into the torchlight. His face was the same color as stone. It wasn't his father, but a statue, a living statue of his father. "It-it won't work Kazusa. I don't know how you found out about him, but it won't work." Hiashi said with obviously false courage. "You killed me, Hiashi. I was murdered when I was looking for you. After all I did for you, this is how you repay me. I'm going to teach you one last lesson, 'son'." the lead statue said giving Hiashi a vicious backhand. More statues began to take shape from the floors and walls, each one chanting either his name or an insult as they advanced slowly. Another one formed from the stone below him and delivered several punches before Hiashi was able to get away. Riho was able to absorb some of the punches and even tried taking a swipe back raking one statue along the arm. Unfortunately, just as many punches got through. There was only so much punishment an armor cat can take before their owners feel it. Kazusa watched Hiashi's torment from above. Through his created minions, he could see part of the room. Interference from the scattered protected areas kept him from seeing a perfect image of Hiashi's terror. He kept the automatons simple. Since he couldn't and wouldn't bring the spirit of Hiashi's father through the Eye, Kazusa was forced to base the statues on what little he witnessed. The simple, ghostly messages they chanted were even better than a more detailed replica. Hiashi found himself backing up against the wall. There had to be at least a dozen statues slowly moving towards him, calling him vicious things. "Pathetic wimp." "Completely useless." "Ungrateful." "Lazy." "Worthless piece of shit." The words echoed in his mind again and again joining the chorus. A kick in his stomach sent him in the direction of the forgotten glint. This time he tried to get up muttering, "You're not real. It's impossible. You can't be here." "Quite denying it you goddamn brat. I spent my life trying to make a real man out of you and look where it got us. You have no future in El-Hazard and since I'm dead, I'll just have to spend my afterlife putting you in your place. Even if it kills you, which isn't that bad. You'll know in a moment." the lead statue said reaching out. Hiashi backed away in a panic. Shayla's face flashed in his mind. "No, I do have a future. I do have a power." he defended. "Oh right. You'll be stuck depending on women for your life. Especially that slut, Shayla." it said moving closer. Like that night which now seems so long ago, Hiashi stuck back. A fist versus stone only results in a bruised fist. But at least Hiashi was able to push the lead statue back into the others. Kazusa's creations were strong and tough, but had the dexterity of a beached whale. The push was enough to send it off balance, knocking the others down like dominos. "I did it." he said to himself then again louder as the realization sunk in. "You fucking punk. I'll kill you for that." a voice came from the pile of cracked statues. Other voices echoed in agreement. The sound of stone striking stone surged as the remnants of the automatons picked themselves up and proceeded again to their target. Now they had cracks all over. Some had an arm missing. A few hobbled on one leg, using another as support. The leader was holding his stone head in his hand. "You won't stop us. You'll get what you deserve." the head shouted. Hiashi tried to kick the head away, but missed completely. The statues again started their chanting mixing in forbidding promises of how he will never escape and the pain he will receive. The boy's eyes were of complete fear. He couldn't run or hide. He couldn't even fight back. Whatever he did, they would just keep coming. If ... when they reached him, it would begin again. The attacks, the pain, save that now there would be no haven to escape to, no shelter for protection. Even Riho would be beaten until he was forced to revert into his cat form. Then he too will suffer. Nothing except the hope his suffering would be brief. He continued to move back in an attempt to delay the inevitable. He was now backed up along the wall vowing to himself that it will not happen again, but knowing it would. He never removed his eyes from the phalanx of tormentors as he moved down along one wall using his hands to guide him in the dim light. His right hand leading him passed through part of the solid wall. Something grabbed it and he felt something familiar yet different which was entirely welcome. Above Rhyna was not doing well. Within the cramped spaces of the passage, Ifurita had the advantage. Alliele was sent back for help. Makoto provided a second pair of eyes and tried to loan his strength to his beloved through their psychic link. Rhyna made a mistake in ignoring Makoto. His vantage point gave Ifurita the knowledge to find a weak point in Rhyna's shield. A ricocheted power blast knocked Rhyna into a wall rendering her unconscious. Ifurita stood above her ready to deliver the final blow. Kazusa's laughter at Hiashi's plight distracted the Demon for an instant and caused her to reexamine her priorities. Ifurita slammed into Kazusa as fast as she was able. During her earlier attack and in her fight against the real Afura, she learned physical, hand to hand combat was the best way to deal with wind powers. Unfortunately Kazusa's mastery over rock, even in this stolen form, served to protect him. But it was enough for something else. Inside Kazusa's mind, Afura was partially freed. She had been trapped, forced to watch her body and powers get used, unable to act or stop it. Now she was no longer completely helpless. Mentally they fought for control of the body. The native user against a powerful ghost. Without a controller, the body was motionless save for only the most basic of functions. Makoto and Ifurita watched carefully for signs of a victor. "Just give up. You'll never win." Kazusa shouted in the psychic plane. "I will no longer yield. Better to die now than to let you use me for any more of your crimes." Afura returned. The two fought each other in a way impossible to comprehend in physical terms. In earlier attempts to continue his plans, Kazusa possessed the minds of animals, even a passing Bugrom. He knew how to fight for domination of the mind. Afura, already weak from days of possession and still not completely free from Kazusa's control, could only fight with determination which in this case was a powerful weapon indeed. Kazusa struck first reenforcing what part of her he still possessed and even managed to expand it a little. Afura struggled to reject that control. Kazusa fought harder, sending more of his energy into that spot. When her attention was completely focused there, he instantly changed tactics and asserted control over a different area. Fighting on two fronts and inexperienced in mental combat, Afura knew her defeat was imminent. In one last, desperate gamble Afura managed to send a command to her Lamp. The body took off, flying at top speed, haphazardly knocking into walls as it made its way out of the passage and back towards Roshtaria. In her wake, Ifurita and Makoto were thrown back into the wall. She put the last of her strength in continuing that command as Kazusa finally was able to put her back into her mental prison. Rhyna, who had recovered seconds earlier, finally caught up with him. "What happened? Why are we retreating." "Afura decided to question my authority again." "Looks like she did a good job. We're miles from the island. Should we go back?" "Watch your tongue, whelp. No, we don't go back. We're both injured and exhausted. Besides, they'll be ready for us now. They know we have the Grand Priestess hostage. They won't fail her." Ifurita and Makoto were about to go down the pit after Hiashi when they heard a small explosion. "Oh my God! Hiashi!" Makoto shouted. Ifurita was quick to respond, bringing Makoto with her down the pit into the room below. Hiashi stood there in a state of shock surrounded by rubble, the shattered remains of the statues. He muttered to himself, "Never again. It won't happen again." Kazusa gave the statues enough energy to continue for a while even if he was out of range to control them. Afura's struggle and forcing the body flee moments before, broke Kazusa's concentration. The ghost was unaware of what Hiashi found and how he destroyed Kazusa's creations. Makoto and Ifurita stared at Hiashi's arm and the Lamp of Rock it now wore.