Oh my God ?
An Oh My Goddess FanFic
by
Brett Handy
CHAPTER 11:
Nilthar walked over to Urd's body and sneered. "Looks
like your student could have done with some more teaching", he
commented. A second later a blue light flared from Nilthar's
wristwatch and a sharp snap echoed around the clearing.
Nilthar screamed in pain as his wrist was broken, he fell
backward and leaned against a tree. Occupying the area where
Nilthar had been standing was the *very* angry figure of
Brett. He rubbed his neck, "Well that was an awkward fit", he
mumbled.
Brett was minus his wrist watch, which was sitting in the
middle of a force bubble over at Nekomi Tech. He looked in
disbelief at Urd's body and then turned to where he knew that
Nilthar had regained his feet. "You *bastard*", he swore at
Nilthar, "You don't even have the guts to face me yourself".
Nilthar (who was cradling his wrist carefully) narrowed
his eyes. "Oh no?", he asked, raising his good hand and
sending a powerful fireball hurtling in Brett's direction.
******
I was at this point having second thoughts about running
to the rescue. I remembered to cast the shielding spell that
I'd memorised so Urd (if she was still alive) and I were
protected from Nilthar's first blast.
I smiled grimly at him, "You'll have to do better than
that", I taunted.
Nilthar set his jaw against the pain and raised his
broken arm. "Alright then", he said through clenched teeth.
There is something to be said for keeping your mouth shut
when dealing with an opponent who is obviously more powerful
than you are. I forced as much power into the shield as I
could, straining to hold it under his renewed attack. It was
then that I had a rather unique experience.
<Brother.. Hear me...>, came a voice in my head.
I nodded and talked out loud, "Who are you?", I replied.
<Just listen>, it said. What followed was a detailed
explanation of the correct way of casting force-bolts.
"I already know that", I replied, straining with the
effort of maintaining the shield, "Tell me something new".
<OK>, the voice answered, <How about a little
encouragement?>
What I felt then was not the slow, comfortable, build-up
of power that I had come to associate with spellcasting. It
was more like someone had flicked a light switch, instantly
filling me with raw energy. Needless to say I put it to good
use. Nilthar must have noticed the sudden jump in my energy,
because he desperately threw up a shield, just in time to stop
my first shot.
I smiled slight and threw another, followed by another.
I must say the sensation of casting this kind of spell was
something unexpected, it was exhilarating. What I failed to
notice was the state of my hands and arms, with the first
bolt, all the hair was vaporised along my arms. Each bolt
thereafter began to burn my hands. By the fifth bolt tears
were streaming from my eyes at the pain. Thankfully before I
had to cast a sixth, Nilthar turned and fled after Marller,
who had already departed the scene.
I held my arms out carefully, they were red and blisters
were already forming. I was also totally and utterly
exhausted. Then I remember Urd, lying motionless on the
ground. I hobbled over to her, turning her over carefully,
she was bleeding from a nasty cut to her lip, and didn't
appear to be breathing. "No!", I said, checking her pulse, it
was there, but only faintly. I quickly began running over all
the healing spells that I'd learned, but none seemed to be
quite enough for this situation.
Desperately I tried the only thing I could think of, <Are
you still there?>, I thought firmly.
<Brett?>, came the surprised (but tired) response,
<What's wrong now?>
<It's Urd>, I replied, <She's hurt badly and I don't know
enough to heal her>
I received what would probably be the mental equivalent
of a sigh, <Ok>, the voice began, <First you....>
I carefully raised Urd's head and upper body from the
ground, resting her against my shoulder. Wincing at the pain
in my hands as I repeated the gestures as the voice explained
them to me. Unfortunately I never got to see what the result
was, since I passed out just as I concluded the spell. I've
since learned that whenever you exceed your power, there is a
tendency to black out.
******
Belldandy and Skuld ran at full speed through the park,
slowing only when they encountered the odd tree. "Come on",
Skuld said, racing ahead, "Urd's in deep trouble this time".
Belldandy huffed a quick affirmative and increased her
pace, they had just entered the clearing which was the scene
of the fight as Brett's final spell was cast. Skuld shielded
her eyes at the white flare, "What was that?", she muttered,
raising her mallet and moving quickly over to where the
unconscious forms of Brett and Urd were lying on the scorched
grass.
Belldandy reach the pair first, "I'd guess that Brett was
trying to heal Urd's injuries", she concluded.
Skuld looked at her sister closely, she didn't seem to
have any injuries, "Well he seems to have done a good job",
she commented.
Belldandy nodded, "Your right", she replied eyeing here
sister, who was snuggled up against Brett's chest, "Urd looks
fine to me".
Skuld grinned, "Well perhaps we should just leave them
alone", she suggested.
Belldandy smiled slightly, "I wonder what Brett's
reaction would be?", she pondered, then she remember that
Brett had been fighting too and gave him a quick visual
inspection. She gasped at the condition of his lower arms and
hands, they were bleeding and blistered, "Skuld!", she said,
pointing.
Skuld winced and quickly put her mallet back into it's
holster, moving over to gently touch her sleeping sister on
the shoulder, "Hey, wake up Sis!", she insisted, being careful
not to disturb Brett too much.
Urd mumbled a quick, "Go 'way.." and snuggled down
against Brett more comfortably. Realising that this was
unusual she opened her eyes with a start, "What the....", she
began loudly.
Belldandy placed a hand on her mouth, "Shhh", she said,
"*Don't* wake him". Seeing that this was probably asking too
much for Urd (being quiet that is...), she quickly cast a
quick sleep spell.
Urd was about to protest anyway, until she remembered the
reason she had been napping, "Nilthar", she hissed, quickly
rising to her feet.
Belldandy placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's alright",
she said, "Brett took care of him".
Urd looked at his unconscious form disgustedly, "Oh
great", she said, "Now I've got to thank him for rescuing me".
Belldandy's face became bleak, "Look", she commanded,
point at Brett's burnt arms.
Urd followed her gesture and gasped, "He...", she began
quietly.
Belldandy nodded, "Yes, I'd say he did that to himself,
casting beyond his ability", she confirmed, ripping off some
cloth from her dress and carefully binding his hands. The
three sisters winced as Brett whimpered unconsciously at the
pain. Belldandy removed a small mirror from her pocket, "I
can get him home easily", she said, "But taking you two would
only make the trip harder on him".
Skuld and Urd nodded and stood back as Belldandy
transported herself and Brett back to the temple. They turned
and walked slowly back towards their earthly home. "Sis?",
Skuld asked.
Urd grunted in acknowledgment.
"Why did you do that to Brett?", she asked quietly, "I
mean that thing about pretending to be his friend?".
Urd sighed, "I wasn't really pretending", she said.
Skuld nodded, "I didn't think you were..", she said, "But
why couldn't you just be friends with him *without* resorting
to a disguise spell?".
Urd smiled, "Well it seems that Brett would rather share
his feelings and problems with another guy than with a girl",
she explained, "It's a real failing of him".
Skuld nodded, "I suppose so", she said, "But would you
discuss all your problems with him?, I mean remember that time
you....".
Urd cut her off, "WELL", she interrupted, "I guess we all
have thing's we wouldn't discuss in front of a member of the
opposite sex", she admitted.
"I'm sorry I ruined Christmas for everyone", Urd said
quietly.
"I don't think it's *me* that you should be apologising
to", Skuld said. They continued back to the temple in
silence, each with their own thoughts.
******
Nilthar screamed as the bone in his wrist was set back in
place. "You couldn't have made that more painful?", he asked
sarcastically of Marller.
Marller grinned at his discomfort, "You can do this
yourself", she said , "Or you can let me get on with the job".
Nilthar bit back a heated reply and steeled himself for
the rest of the healing. Aside from the broken wrist, he had
bad burns to his back, from where he had turned and ran from
the fight, "Not one of my greatest moments", he thought to
himself, "Where did he get all that power from?".
He screamed again as Marller healed the bone, it seemed
that whoever designed the spells that the Demons were using
had neglected to mention the fact that while healing was
accelerated, you still got the pain (just all at once instead
of while it healed naturally). "That should do it for your
hand", she said, moving around behind him, "But this might
take a bit longer".
Nilthar nodded, "Well get on with it", he growled.
Marller grinned behind his back, "Oh yes", she thought,
"I'm going to enjoy this".
******
Belldandy arrived back at the temple to find a *very*
worried Keiichi pacing the dining room floor. "Bell-chan!",
he said in relief seeing her materialise from the mirror. He
raced over to her, and grabbed Brett's head before it could
hit the floor.
"What happened??", he asked worriedly, noticing the
makeshift bandages on Brett's hands and lower arms.
Belldandy smiled, "I'll explain later", she said, "For
now I think it's best if we take Brett to his room".
Keiichi nodded and the two of the half-dragged and half-
carried Brett to his room. Belldandy replaced the bandages
with fresh ones from a first-aid kit and then covered Brett up
to let him sleep.
Keiichi looked at her curiously, "Why can't you just heal
his hands?", he asked.
Belldandy sighed and sat down, leaning heavily against a
table, "It has to do with how the wounds were made", she
explain tiredly, "He inflicted them on himself using magic, so
they have to heal naturally, all I can do is speed up the
process a bit".
Keiichi smiled, "I'm glad everyone got out of this ok",
he said placing an arm around her shoulders.
Belldandy leaned against him comfortably, "Yes", she
murmured. Then after a moment she sat bolt upright, "Where's
Chia-Yao?", she asked.
Keiichi pointed to the kitchen, "He's in there, hasn't
said a word since you got back", he replied.
Belldandy peaked into the kitchen, Chia-Yao lay snoring
in the middle of his pentagram. She smiled at the position he
was in, curled up in a ball, lying in the protective centre of
the diagram.
"I don't think we'll have to worry about him until the
morning", she said to Keiichi, smiling.
Keiichi nodded and then swept her up in a fierce embrace,
kissing her on the lips. Belldandy smiled at him as he broke
their embrace, "What was that for?", she asked.
He grinned, "Merry Christmas, Bell-chan", he said, almost
shyly.
She nodded and gave him an equally passionate kiss,
"Merry Christmas to you too Keiichi", she replied.
******
I don't know how long I was asleep, it could have been
hours, or weeks (I found out later it was days). I opened one
eye and glanced around my familiar room in the temple.
Everything was unchanged, except for one unusual feature, Urd
was sitting on a chair at the end of the bed. She had
obviously fallen asleep while reading a book, because it was
lying on the floor next to her.
"Well at least she's alright", I mumbled to myself. I
felt something unusual on my hands and raised them so I could
see (bad mistake). I hissed in pain as I moved my fingers, my
whole hand felt like it was on fire. I must have disturbed
Urd, because she came awake with a start, I quickly closed my
eyes and returned my hands to where they had been, before she
woke completely.
Keeping one eye slightly open I watched her stand,
stretch (a *very* pleasant sight indeed) and then moved over
to take a look at me. Deciding that I needed a bit of revenge
I began mumbling in my supposed sleep.
"Urd....", I muttered, "...how could you... Why?.....".
The effect was immediate, she started crying (not
*exactly* the reaction I was expecting to evoke - I thought
*maybe* she would feel a *little* guilty), "Brett...", she
sobbed, "I never meant to hurt you....", and then she broke
off.
I began to wonder why and then realised that I had opened
my eyes and was looking straight at her. I did the only thing
that came into my mind, with as neutral an expression as I
could manage, I muttered, "Errr, yeah, G'day....".
"You...", Urd said, looking at me with daggers in her
eyes, "You...", she seemed to be stuck, "You....", and then
she finally decided on a conclusion to the statement, "YOU
CREEP!!".
I winced and raised my hands in a gesture of surrender,
then hissed in pain again, as I jostled my hurt hands. "Hey,
go easy", I begged, "I'm an invalid at the moment".
Urd frowned at me, seeming to lose part of her anger when
she noticed I was in pain. "Well if your well enough to talk
then your well enough to eat", she said, leaving the room.
I looked at my hand, "Eat??", I muttered, "How the hell
am I suppose to eat with my hands in this condition?".
My question was answered a few minutes later when Urd
returned with a bowl of soup and a spoon, she sat down on the
edge of the bed, "Open up", she said, aiming a spoonful of it
in my direction.
I think I managed a "Blub.. Slurp, Glup!", in reply.
"That's good", she said, reloading the spoon for another
round.
I frowned, "How long till my hands are healed?", I asked
bluntly.
She grinned, "What?", she asked, "Already sick of my
company?".
"Not yet", I replied and then looked at her critically,
"But your bedside manner could do with some improving".
In response she shoved another spoonful down my throat.
******
Chia-Yao awoke in a start, sitting up quickly, "What
the??", he muttered, looking around the room.
He in an unfamiliar room, looking around he noticed plans
and diagrams all over the place and a computer occupied the
centre of the room. "Where...", he began and then remember,
"Oh that's right I'm at the temple".
He stood and rolled his shoulders, "I gotta make that
body armour more comfortable to sleep in", he thought to
himself. Muttering a quick incantation he changed his
clothing (or at least he would have, if the spell had worked).
He looked at his unchanged clothes strangely, "Now why
didn't that work?", he muttered uncertainly.
"Probably because you've got no power left", Skuld
commented from the door.
Chia-Yao turned around to her, "What do you mean?", he
asked.
"Well", Skuld said, walking into the room and sitting
down at the computer, "You used up so much power on Christmas
Eve that your still depleted".
Chia-Yao nodded, "Your probably right", he said, "Brett
really sucked me dry with those force bolts, I don't know how
he managed to channel all that".
Skuld grimaced at him, "Well he didn't come off
unscathed, his hands were badly burned", she explained.
The God of Truth punched the wall in frustration, "DAMN
IT!", he cursed, "I shouldn't have let him draw so much
power".
Skuld placed a hand on his shoulder, "Come on, it's not
your fault", she said, "You couldn't have known".
Chia-Yao shook his head, "I *should* have known", he
insisted, "It was *my* responsibility to deal with Nilthar,
Brett shouldn't have had to fight him".
Skuld eyed him strangely, "You've changed since I last
saw you", she commented.
Chia-Yao nodded, "More like I've *been* changed", he said
with a wry grimace, then he looked at her appraisingly, "Looks
like *you've* changed a bit too", he commented, "I'll probably
have to start calling you 'Lady Bug'".
Skuld poked her tongue out at him, "Oh *very* funny", she
said sarcastically.
Chia-Yao smiled tiredly, "Well I guess I'd better make my
report", he said, "Where's the phone?".
******
It had been two days since Brett and Chia-Yao had awoken,
while Brett's hands were healing quickly, it would still be a
few days till he was without pain. Urd had been waiting on
him hand on foot, to his apparent annoyance.
"Would you *please* leave me in peace", Brett insisted.
"If that's the way you feel about it...", Urd returned.
"Yes!", Brett insisted, "Please go!".
Belldandy looked up as Urd stomped into the room,
muttering "Stupid mortal, he can't even tell when someone's
sorry", she slumped down at the table where Belldandy was
reading a spellbook.
"So have you actually said 'I'm sorry'??", Belldandy
asked,
Urd nodded, "I'm sure he can tell....", she began.
Belldandy shook her head, "All he can see is someone
hanging around waiting to be forgiven without even admitting a
mistake", she explained, "I think you will have to apologise,
no bluffing or making excuses".
Urd shook her head, "What if he doesn't forgive me?", she
asked quietly.
Belldandy sighed, "Well then you'll have to deal with
that", she said bluntly, "But you've got to at least make a
start at patching up things".
"I though he was going to punch me when he found out that
I was Okuda", she admitted, "It frightened me a little to
think I'd forced him that close to losing control".
Belldandy smiled, "Well it might help to remember that he
also saved you from Nilthar, at no small cost to himself", she
said, "I don't think that's the act of someone who doesn't
care".
When Urd remained silent Belldandy got up and walked over
to where Urd had placed the presents Brett had gotten her for
Christmas, she picked them both up and pushed them firmly into
her sister's hands, "This is probably a good place to start",
she insisted.
******
I'd just finished putting on my jeans (not an easy task
with your hands bandaged), when there was a knock at my door.
"Come on in", I called, sitting down on the bed (I was still a
bit worn out from the fight and accelerated healing that had
gone on).
To my surprise Urd opened the door (surprise because she
usually barges in, unannounced - a habit that had gotten
several things thrown at her in the last couple of days).
"Back to torment me some more?", I asked with a grimace.
Urd sighed, "I think we've got to talk", she said,
sitting on the other end of the bed.
"About what?", I asked tiredly.
"How about these", she asked, placing two familiar
objects on the bed between us.
I shook my head, "What's to discuss?", I asked, "I think
you answered my letter pretty well by your actions, as for the
other one, I think I'd call it a gift to a departed friend".
Urd sighed and bowed her head, "Look I might have made a
mistake about pretending to be Okuda..", she began.
"*MIGHT*??? YOU *MIGHT* HAVE MADE A MISTAKE???", I
shouted, getting angry that she would dismiss Okuda and my
friendship as a 'mistake', "You pretend to be my friend all
the time laughing at me behind my back...".
Urd interrupted, "I WAS NOT *PRETENDING* TO BE YOUR
FRIEND", she shouted back.
That took me by surprise, "You what??", I asked,
confused.
She shook her head, "That's just it, I wasn't
pretending", she said quietly, "I never told anyone about our
discussions and I never laughed at you behind your back".
I must admit that I was confused. "But why couldn't you
be my friend without resorting to trickery?", I asked.
"Oh right", she said sarcastically, "Like you would
confide in *me*".
I sighed and thought about it for a moment. "All right",
I said, "I think I can accept why you did it, but I'm still
not happy about it".
Urd nodded, "I didn't think you would be", she said
quietly, then she picked up the small box and handed it to me,
"I think you'll want this back".
I opened the box, noting the destroyed mess that was left
of the rose. I looked at it and shook my head, "I should have
guessed", I said quietly.
Urd frowned, "Guessed what?", she asked.
I smiled sadly, "That the first girl I give a real
*romantic* gift to wouldn't like it", I explained.
Urd shook her head, "I never said I didn't like it", she
returned, "I just didn't think you'd want me to have it, well,
not anymore".
I grinned at her, "You have no idea how hard it was for
me to think of this", I said.
She smiled, "I *do* know how hard it was for you to find,
remember?", she replied.
I grimaced, "That's right, you would know", then I looked
at the rose, "Well since it took me so much time to think of,
I wouldn't want it to go to waste".
I passed one hand over the box, reciting a spell that
Belldandy had taught me, one that repairs broken objects. It
was a strain and after I completed it I felt *very* weak, but
Urd's reaction made it worth while. I passed her the rose,
now whole.
She smiled brilliantly (and her smile was a least as nice
as Belldandy's), "Thank you", she said simply, accepting it.
I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Ahem... Well since I'm
giving you the rose anyway", I said, passing her the box with
the letter still inside.
She looked surprised, "You'd still like to go out with
me?", she asked, bemused.
I nodded, "Well I figure that it's worth a try", I said,
"We got along fine when you were pretending to be Okuda....".
But even as I said it I felt a small twinge at taking a second
chance on Urd.
She smiled, "But I think if we go swimming, this time
I'll use the ladies change-room", she said.
I blushed red, "Err yeah", I replied. I looked at the
happy smile on her face and smiled back. "At least I can give
the appearance of having forgotten all about it", I thought to
myself.
--------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 12:
Chia-Yao and Skuld appeared in the bathroom of the
temple. They had just finished putting in a report about the
incident of Christmas Eve. "Brett's not going to like this",
Chia-Yao forecast, gloomily.
Skuld nodded, "I'm sure your right", she responded.
It had taken them nearly two earth days to make their
report and return, Brett had only just awoken when they'd left
and he and Urd were at each other's throats.
They walked into the kitchen to find Belldandy preparing
dinner, a radiant smile on her face, "Hello Skuld, Chia-Yao!",
she greeted them enthusiastically.
The pair gave each other a questioningly glance before
turning back to Belldandy, "Uhh, hi Sis", Skuld returned,
looking at her questioningly.
Belldandy however seemed totally oblivious to her look
and continued bustling around the kitchen. "Dinner will be
ready soon", she said, "Why don't the two of you go say hello
to Brett and Urd".
Skuld and Chia-Yao exchanged another bemused glance and
then headed towards Brett's room. "Correct me if I'm wrong",
said Chia-Yao, "But is she *unusually* happy for some
reason?".
Skuld nodded, "I can't figure out what's put her in such
a good mood", she replied.
A moment later they heard laughter coming from Brett's
room. "Oh sure, laugh all you like", came Urd's sarcastic
reply to Brett's laughter, "But remember that *I'm* the one
with the full licence *now*".
"Yes ma'am", came Brett's response, "I'll be sure to
follow all of your orders and make sure do as you say.. not as
you do!".
Skuld frowned and knocked on Brett's door, "Ahh, hello?,
Brett?", she said hesitantly.
"Skuld, Chia-Yao, come on in", said Brett, from his
position seated beside Urd on the bed. They had a photo album
in front of them and Brett was grinning at one of the
pictures.
The pair entered cautiously, Skuld craning her neck to
look at the page, she recognised it as the Goddesses' family
album. "Oh take a look at this one", Urd said, turning the
page, "This was when Skuld first discovered that she liked
ice-cream". The picture was of a wrecked ice-cream shop, and
a six year old Skuld covered from head to toe in a gooey mess.
Brett laughed out loud at the scene it presented and Chia-Yao
(who had decided to take a peek) was restraining himself with
a great deal of effort.
Skuld grabbed the book from Urd's hands, "I think that's
quite enough of that", she said tartly, "What possessed you to
bring this out?".
Urd shrugged, "Brett wanted to know a little about our
past", she replied.
Skuld looked at the two of them sitting on the bed and
shook her head, "When we left the two of you were about ready
to rip each other apart", she said bluntly, "What happened??".
Urd blushed slightly, "Well, let's just say we worked
things out", she replied.
Brett nodded and smiled a little, "I don't think things
will be quite the same", he noted, "But we're not driving each
other crazy anymore".
Skuld smiled, "That's good", she said, "Since the two of
you are going to have some *special* training to do".
Brett and Urd looked at her dubiously, "What kind of
training?", Urd asked warily.
Chia-Yao smiled a little nervously, "Well, it's been
decided that the two of you need to learn a little more about
combat, so I'm going to....", he began to explain.
"YOU?!", Urd exclaimed, "You're going to teach me?".
Chia-Yao nodded, "Ahhh well, I guess you could say it's
more of a 'refresher course' for you", he said.
Brett tapped Urd on the shoulder, "I think perhaps it's
for the best", he said reasonably, "Neither of us did too well
against Nilthar", for emphasis he held up his still sore
hands.
Urd thought for a moment and then nodded to Brett before
turning back to Chia-Yao, "Brett's got a point", she allowed,
"I guess I *am* a little rusty".
Chia-Yao grinned a little nervously, "Alright, we'll
start tomorrow afternoon", he said.
Skuld held up the book, "Well I'm going to go and lock
this away somewhere", she said, "I'll see you all at dinner".
******
"That was great", I exclaimed, upon having wolfed down
the meal Belldandy had prepared.
Urd looked at me amusedly, "At least this time I didn't
have to feed it to you", she commented.
I flexed my fingers, they were still quite tender and the
thin gloves that Belldandy had found tended to rub a bit
awkwardly, "That was the best part of it", I replied with a
straight face.
She raised one eyebrow and me, but left it at that,
continuing to eat her own meal. Looking around the table,
everyone else seemed to be a bit nervous, especially when Urd
and I exchanged conversation. While Belldandy seemed happy
enough, Chia-Yao, Skuld and Keiichi all seemed to hand on
every word, as if expecting an explosion.
I sighed, "Alright", I demanded of them finally, "What's
the problem?".
Keiichi cleared his throat, "Ahh, well...", he started,
"It's just kind of strange...".
"That I'm not still angry at Urd?", I asked.
The other four nodded, "Well to be perfectly frank", I
said, "I'm still a little upset".
Urd up anxiously, "But I thought....", she began.
I nodded, "It's alright", I said, "I'm still upset and a
little angry when I think about it... But I've accepted it".
Urd smiled a little, "That's good", she said, "I thought
for a moment we were backsliding again".
Keiichi shook his head, "You might have accepted it", he
reasoned, "But I don't think you've quite forgiven Urd yet".
Silence rained around the table and Urd gave me a
piercing look, "You haven't?", she asked quietly, "Have you?".
I remained silent staring at my empty plate, I guess I
finally realised that I'd been hiding the truth, I still felt
betrayed and humiliated, that hadn't changed. After a moment
Urd rose and left the room, walking outside.
"Why did you do that?", Skuld demanded of Keiichi
angrily, "they were getting along fine".
I held up my hand, "It's alright Skuld", I said,
"Keiichi's right, I guess I'm still angry at Urd...". Then I
thought for another moment, "No, not really angry, kind of
nervous, I guess".
Chia-Yao frowned, "You don't act nervous", he pointed
out, "You seemed to be having a good time this afternoon".
I nodded, "Oh, I enjoyed looking at the photo album and
talking with Urd about unimportant things", I explained, "But
if I had to talk about something serious.....".
Skuld nodded, "You don't trust her anymore", she
concluded.
I sighed, "I think that about sums it up", I said, "I
still *like* her, but...".
Chia-Yao shook his head, "She's your *teacher*", he
pointed out, "If you don't trust her, it's going to make it
hard for you to advance much further with your learning".
"Well this is all very nice", I said, standing up,
"Thanks for your concern, but I think I've got to work this
out by myself". With that I walked from the room, heading for
the peace of my own room.
******
"So where do we start?", I asked Chia-Yao the next
morning, we were outside in the courtyard, at the last minute
Belldandy and Skuld had also asked to join in.
"Well firstly we've got to choose a weapon", he
explained, indicating the sword he held in one hand (it was a
Japanese Katana).
Skuld twirled her mallet around, "I think I've already
got mine", she announced.
Chia-Yao grimaced, "We're not going to be attacked by any
cute little furry bugs", he said to her, "Why don't you pick
something a little more... well.. dangerous?".
Skuld smiled and swung her mallet at Chia-Yao's feet, the
God of Truth jumped the downward swing, "Hey!", he shouted,
"What are you doing?".
Skuld leaned against her Mallet, "If it's not dangerous,
why avoid it?", she asked sarcastically.
Chia-Yao grumbled a little but finally accepted the
mallet as a valid weapon. At this stage I figured it was time
to start asking questions, "Why on earth are we using hand to
hand weapons?", I asked, a little confused, "What happened to
just casting spells at the bad guys?".
Chia-Yao nodded, "You *could* just cast spells at them",
he said, "*But* remember that you expend a lot of energy when
casting a spell, especially combat spells".
I frowned, "Alright", I said, "How about something for me
then".
Chia-Yao grinned, and quickly muttered a spell, a large
sword appeared on the ground in front of me, it looked
*heavy*.
I picked it up gingerly, "What am I suppose to do with
this?", I asked, straining with the heavy blade, "Who do I
look like?... Conan?".
Chia-Yao shrugged, "Well, I'm sure you'll get used to
it", he encouraged.
I shook my head, "Not bloody likely", I replied, "How
about an epee or a sabre?".
He scratched his head, "Why would you want something so
flimsy?", he asked.
I smiled, "I've always been good with a epee and I liked
using a sabre too", I said.
Seeing everyone's blank expressions I decided to explain,
"I used to do a little bit of fencing", I explained.
Chia-Yao shrugged, "Alright then", he said, casting
another spell, this one transformed the huge sword into a
familiar sleekness of an epee. I picked it up and twirled it
around a few times, attempting get an idea of it's balance. I
ran through a few routines trying to remember the correct
technique.
By the time I felt comfortable with the sword, Urd and
Belldandy had chosen their own weapons (a pair of short swords
and a staff, respectively). "Alright", Chia-Yao said, "first
we'll begin with some basic attack techniques.....".
We practised for nearly two hours, everyone becoming more
comfortable with their equipment. Finally Chia-Yao decided
that we were ready to begin sparing amongst ourselves, I
glanced over at Urd (who hadn't said a word to me all
morning), "Care to duel?", I asked in a light voice.
She sighed and nodded, we stepped away from the other
three, who had stopped to watch. I saluted Urd with the point
of the blade and then came to the on-guard position. She
raised her swords and began circling around me. Adjusting my
stance I followed her with the tip of the blade, suddenly she
made a quick dart forwards with one blade and I parried. We
thrust back and forth for nearly ten minutes, neither of us
able to get past the other's defences.
Finally during one particular exchange of attacks and
counter-attacks, my sore hand decided to make itself known. I
grimaced in pain and Urd took the opportunity to disarm me. I
shook my head, "Damn... bloody hand", I panted, rubbing some
sweat from my eyebrow I looked at the sword point resting
against at my chest.
Urd, who was also breathing heavily, smiled triumphantly,
"Gotcha", she said, lowering the blade.
I raised my hands, "Alright", I said, "You win...".
She suddenly lost her smile, "Brett!", she said sternly,
"Look at your hand".
I frowned and turned my palm over, there was blood lining
the cuff of my leather fencing glove. I pulled it off quickly
to see that the underglove was soaked in blood. I had re-
opened some of the skin. "Damn", I muttered, "I thought that
was healed".
"Oh, I'll get the first aid kit", she said, turning to
head upstairs.
"Don't worry about it", I said, "I can take care of it
myself".
She turned and looked at me squarely, "I'm sure you can",
she said, "But it might be nice if a *friend* helped you with
it".
I sighed and nodded, "Sorry", I said, following her
inside.
She remained silent and seemed to concentrate fully on my
hand while she re-bandaging it, "Brett", she said finally, not
looking up, "I'm sorry".
I smiled, and raised her chin with my good hand so that
she was looking me in the eye, "It's alright Urd", I said, "It
might take me a bit of time to start feeling normal again....
but *I* will work it out".
Urd smiled a little sadly, "*You're* going to work it
out?", she asked, "all by yourself?".
I began to nod and then realised what she meant, so I
stopped and smiled broadly at her, "Oh?", I asked, "do I have
a friend who'd like to help me with that as well?".
She nodded, "If you think you can start to trust me
again?", she asked.
In response I leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on
the cheek, "Come on", I said standing and giving her a hand
up, "We don't want to give anyone the wrong idea".
She looked faintly disappointed, "Oh... we don't?", she
asked, hanging onto my hand as we walked outside.
******
Marller watched the sparing form a distance, "Hmmm", she
mused, "I don't think we're going to be able to take them by
surprise again".
Nilthar nodded, "That damned Security Daemon", he
growled, "He's the reason I couldn't beat Brett".
Marller smiled, "Are you sure that Brett's not just to
much for you?", she said.
Nilthar snorted, "Just shut up and do what your told", he
admonished her, "We need another plan".
Marller grinned evilly, "Oh.. I've already got a new
plan", she said.
Nilthar looked at her speculatively, "And?", he asked.
Marller tried to look innocent, "Oh I'm sure you'll come
up with something yourself before too long", she said, turning
and walking away from their rooftop perch.
"Hold it", Nilthar said, "If you've got a plan I'd like
to hear it".
Marller glared at him, "Well so long as you agree that
we're partners in this thing from now on", she said.
Nilthar grudgingly nodded, "Alright, partners then", he
said reluctantly.
Marller nodded and whistled loudly, "Come on out", she
called.
A few seconds later the door to the rooftop opened and a
young lady stepped out, "Hello there", she said in a cold
voice, "I think we have something in common".
Marller smiled, "Nilthar, I'd like you to meet Sayoko,
Sayoko - this is the Demon Nilthar", she introduced them.
******
I spent the rest of the afternoon watching the others
practice, sitting on the front steps of the temple with
Keiichi. "I never thought I'd be using one of these for
real", I said to Keiichi, indicating the epee sitting beside
me.
He frowned, "You never mentioned that you'd trained with
any weapons before", he commented.
I smiled, "When I trained it was for competition", I
explained, "Twice a week for about five years I spent a couple
of hours at my school's club".
He smiled, "Were you any good?", he asked.
I grinned, "Well I won the school championships three
years in a row", I replied.
"So have you done anything else that might be useful?",
he asked.
I thought about it for a moment, "Well I'm a good cook",
I replied.
He smiled, "I think Belldandy can take care of that
pretty well", Keiichi laughed.
I pretended shock, "Hey mate", I said, "This is the 90's,
and your relying on your girlfriend to do *all* the cooking
and cleaning?".
He blushed, "Well I've never really been very good at
cooking", he admitted.
I stood, casting a quick spell, banishing my sword, "Come
on then and I'll give you a quick lesson", I said.
Keiichi followed me reluctantly, "Are you sure?", he
asked.
"Trust me", I said, "I know what I'm doing".
******
Urd sniffed the air, "What's that smell?", she asked.
This made everyone pause, they all tested the air, "I
don't know", said Chia-Yao, "But it smells good".
Belldandy suddenly raised her hands to her mouth, "Oh
my", she exclaimed, "I forgot all about dinner".
Skuld smiled, "Well it looks like someone remembered",
she said, getting rid of her mallet she started for the temple
and the delicious smells therein.
The other three smiled and followed her inside. To their
amazement sitting on the table was the majority of three
course meal, all prepared and set out neatly. Brett looked at
them from the kitchen door, "I think you all might like to
freshen up a bit", he commented, "Dinner will be ready soon".
Keiichi stepped out from behind him, "And believe me you
don't want to miss it", he added.
Brett looked at him, "If your here", he said, "Who's
watching the apple crumble??".
"Oh no!", Keiichi exclaimed, turning and dashing back
into the kitchen.
Brett was hot on his heels, "You've got to remember to
keep an eye on these things", he chided Keiichi.
The three Goddesses and one God looked at each other and
shook their heads, "He's teaching Keiichi to cook?", Belldandy
asked bemusedly.
Urd laughed, "Look at it this way", she said, "Maybe this
will give you a bit of a rest from the kitchen".
A shout echoed from the Kitchen, "KEIICHI!", called
Brett, "You let all the water boil away again!".
The Urd thought about it for a moment, "Maybe not", she
added.
******
"That was *very* good", commented Belldandy, "Well done".
I smiled at her compliment, "Well Keiichi deserves some
credit too", I said, "Without him I wouldn't have been able to
make enough for everybody".
Keiichi frowned, "That's not what you said when I
accidentally added chilli powder to the gravy", he pointed
out.
Everyone looked at their plates suspiciously, "Hey!", I
said, "Don't worry about it, I made it over from scratch".
I nodded to Keiichi, "How about that desert you made?", I
asked.
He smiled and ran into the kitchen, "Coming right up!",
he called.
Chia-Yao looked nervous, "*HE* made?", he asked.
I nodded and then dropped my voice to a whisper, "It's
ok", I assured them, "This is the first thing my mother
teaches her students to cook, a child could get it right".
"I heard that!", came Keiichi's voice from the kitchen.
"Besides", I said grinning, "It's my favourite desert".
Keiichi returned with desert, it was apple crumble and ice-
cream.
"That was very nice", Belldandy said, "I must get the
recipe".
I nodded, "I'll have the proper recipe for you after I
get back", I said.
"Back?", Chia-Yao asked.
I nodded, "I'm going home for a visit after New years", I
explained.
Looking at their disappointed expressions I frowned,
"Look, you guys are great", I said, "But I *really* miss my
family".
Standing I began to clear the table, only to have Skuld
and Belldandy tell me to rest my hands. Not being one to look
a gift horse in the mouth, I nodded and walked back to my
room.
******
I was standing in front of a vacant lot, I couldn't
remember why I was here, or how I got here. I looked around,
noticing that it seemed like a familiar setting, I just
couldn't put my finger on it.
I noticed that everything seemed devoid of colour, like
the life had been drained out of the place, the lone cherry
tree that was still standing was without leaves and looked
almost dead. There was no sounds of birds singing and I
couldn't see any people around.
Walking around I stumbled across a large sign announcing
the construction of a new mall. Examining the sign I felt a
chill as I realised where I was, this was where the temple was
suppose to be.
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E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
-Albert Einstein
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