I proudly present part 4 of this little saga.
Jazz
"Oh well, there is a time for everything."
Deep inside my heart
I believe that you and I could be
Friends forever more -- thru eternity
And you'd see -- me forever In Your Eyes
Slowing down and ending with his head bent over the lute, a
single tear escaped his eyes. WhyWhyWhyWhyWhy did this have to
happen?' raged his emotions.
It's called living. Both good and bad must happen in order
to keep a balance.' replied his logical side.
"Why do life's lessons have to be so tough?" Jazz whispered
to himself, hoping to find an answer.
Selecting her words carefully, Arshes replied softly "If
they were easy, we wouldn't learn anything from them."
Looking towards the door startled, Jazz drew back slightly
into the bed, trying to almost hide in the blankets. "Is..is
there anything I can help you with, m'lady?" asked Jason, almost
in fear.
Walking over to the bed and coming to stand directly before
him, Arshes said "Maybe..."
Trying valiantly to calm his racing heart, Jazz looked up at
her questioningly. "Why maybe'?" he asked. Like as if I could
ever help you...' he continued mentally.
"That song you just played, an original?" asked Arshes,
trying for a neutral subject, seeing the effect her proximity was
having on Jazz.
Taking a deep breath trying to steady his nerves, Jazz said,
a blush coming to his face, "No...just a song I heard many times
back where I come from."
"That song must have special meaning for you..."
Bowing his head and looking back at his feet, Jazz said
softly "Yeah, it does."
Sighing and shaking her head, Arshes said, deciding to get
right to the point, "Jazz, why are you moping up here?"
"Who said I was moping. I'm just trying to keep in touch
with the situation. If I'm out of everyone's hair..."
"You are causing more problems now than before. We all care
for you and here you, barricade us out. Why??" interrupted
Arshes, starting to get slightly fed up with his behavior.
Trying to sink even deeper into the covers, Jazz mumbled "I
don't know."
"You think you're the only one who lost something vital and
important?? You aren't. Gara lost his clan, I lost my heritage,
and many have lost a lot more than that trying to bring peace to
this land."
Delving into his anger, Jazz said "Yeah, so. I lost the
only thing that puts me in touch with the land and everyone here.
Right now, I am about as useful as a fucking bump on a log. If I
could go back in time and change the things that have hurt people
I would but God Blessedly I CAN'T."
Taken slightly aback by his anger, Arshes tried "Jazz..."
Realization hitting home, Jazz whispered, his head bowing
once again, "Arshes, I...I'm sorry..."
"Jazz, you have several friends here and a young lady who
cares for you greatly. Please talk to us." said Arshes softly,
sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I doubt Felicia wants anything to do with me any more. Her
and Sir Crodyn seem to make a much better pair anyways."
"Why? What happened?"
"I told her...that maybe we should see a little less of each
other. And then I snapped at her when I woke up after my battle
with Karlos."
"Why'd you snap at her?"
"She now has the magic I once had and I guess...I was
jealous of what she could now do." said Jazz with a sigh.
"Okay...but why are you still up here? Geo reassured us
that you are completely healed."
"I...I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of you, Geo...everyone."
"Why?" asked Arshes, not believing her ears.
"With the magic I had, I could be on par with each of you.
Without magic to act as a balancer, the scale is tipped greatly
in your favor now."
"How so?"
"Let's say you cast a spell against me. Before, with magic,
I could counter it. Now, the spell will roll over me like a ton
of bricks. If I stay away from everyone, I can't make them angry
and am therefore safe from any spells thrown my direction."
"Jazz, I was told that if I didn't get you out of your room,
Gara, Tia, and Darschu are going to find a way to get you out."
"Oh sh...boy."
"Yeah, so, are you going to rejoin the land of the living or
are you gonna stay cooped up in here?"
"I think it's time I rejoined the land of the living. Meet
you at breakfast?"
"No, Gara and Darschu asked that I make sure you leave this
room. I am going to stay here until you leave." Seeing Jazz's
wide eyed expression, Arshes continued with a laugh, "It's to
make sure you don't find another place to hide. Now, how are we
going to accommodate sleeping conditions?"
"I..I'll sleep in the chair or on the floor. You can have
my bed." said Jazz, shuffling over to the chair, covering up with
the blanket that had been in the chair.
"No, you could still slip out."
"As if you wouldn't hear me. The door is probably
booby trapped as well. So, where am I supposed to sleep?"
"In bed..." she replied, waiting to finish. Seeing Jazz
nod, Arshes finished "with me..."
Never before in all her days did Arshes see someone
faceplant into the floor. Not on, but into. "D'oh!!" rumbled
Jazz.
Picking himself out of the divot he drove into the floor,
jazz asked, his voice quivering in fright and eyes wide, "Did you
just say with me'?"
"Uh-huh." nodded Arshes, with a slight grin.
Blushing brightly, Jazz whispered "okay...that's what I
thought you said."
"Like as if anything is going to happen...unless you want
something to happen." replied Arshes, adding a little
seductiveness towards the end.
Going as white as a bleached sheet, Jazz sputtered
"Nopenopenope nothinggonnahappen noma'am,uh-uh."
"Okay. Now get into bed." said Arshes, with a giggle.
Jazz eased his way into bed, pulling the covers around
himself tightly, wishing that could turn to sheets of iron.
Watching Arshes as she made her way around the room
extinguishing the candles one by one, Jazz felt his heart begin
to race with increasing fear and clamped his eyes shut.
Putitinthehappybox Putitinthehappybox notgonnathinkthatway
uhuhnotgonnadoit.' screamed Jazz mentally. When the last candle
flame became a spiral a smoke, allowing darkness to claim the
room, Jazz heard the faint rustle of clothing.
Fighting hard to remain coherent as he felt the covers draw
back and bed sag, Jazz offered up a prayer to whatever deity
might be listening, praying that nothing would happen.
Lying flat on his back, Jazz became as still and as stiff as
a statue, his eyes closed in concentration. Seeing this, Arshes,
lying on her side, gazing at the young man, laid a hand on his
shoulder. She was however not ready for his reaction.
"GGGYYYYAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!" screamed Jazz as he cleared the bed
and bedding, landing hard on the floor, in the divot he had made
minutes earlier.
Giggling, Arshes said "Jazz, calm down and relax."
Trying to slow his heart down and regaining his feet, Jazz
looked at Arshes and shot back "Yeah right. NOT GONNA HAPPEN."
"Jazz, you need your sleep. Now come to bed."
"Okay..." replied Jazz, climbing into the bed nervously.
Pulling the sheets and blankets up around his neck, Jazz
closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Having slowed his heart
finally, Jazz eased his eyes open, gazing at the ceiling.
"Better?" asked Arshes, her voice gaining a slightly
seductive sound.
"Yes...good night." replied Jazz, ignoring the seduction
with a sigh.
"Good night." came the suddenly sleepy reply. After a few
moments, the soft, shallow breathing of sleep(definitely,
definitely sleep, definitely) echoed in Jazz's ears.
Rolling up on his side to face her, Jazz studied the half
dark elf's face extensively by the pale moonlight, his eyes
adjusting to the darkness. Finally giving into a strong urge
after a few moments, Jazz caressed her cheek with the back of his
right hand. Feeling her cheek and face move into his caress much
like a cat having it's face petted, Jazz rolled back onto his
back, his eyes closed firmly. Why me?' he thought with regret,
knowing there wasn't an answer.
Finally, sleep was able to partially claim him, and Jazz
fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming barely.
About twenty minutes before sunrise, Jazz awoke suddenly in
a cold sweat. His conscious mind fought to hold onto images that
had entered his dreams. Images of war, armored knights,
creatures of great evil, and other assorted pictures began to
fade with each passing second.
Slowly easing his way from the bed, being careful not to
wake the other sleeper, Jazz stepped lightly to the window to
watch the sunrise. What symbolism can we get from this?' he
thought wistfully as the horizon began to lighten. Lost in
several other thoughts, Jazz didn't hear the bed move again,
giving up the last of the weight upon it. Brought back to
reality by a hand on his shoulder, Jazz grazed the hand with a
slight kiss, giving into an impulse. As the sun cleared the
horizon, he finally asked, blushing slightly, "Sleep well,
m'lady?"
"Sort of...it got a little hot during the night so I threw
off the top blanket."
"Okay. I was wondering why the blanket was on the floor. I
guess I got a little to warm last night." Jazz replied with a
sigh. Looking over his shoulder to see a confused expression,
Jazz continued "I am a very warm blooded person. I wasn't use to
having someone else," his blush brightening, "in bed with me."
"Okay. Let's go get ready for breakfast."
"Yeah." responded Jazz hungrily. "You can go get ready
first if you want." he finished, turning to see that, thankfully,
she had slept in her customary one piece, almost swimsuit.
Nodding, Arshes said, retrieving her stuff and heading for
the door, "If you disappear. I will hunt you down myself and do
something you will regret later." Before the door closed
completely, she heard "Wouldn't dream of it...meet me back here
in a little bit." She swore she heard what almost sounded like a
high pitched gopher laugh but dismissed it.
Getting cleaned up and dressed quickly, Jazz looked out over
the courtyard at the increasing morning activities when a knock
reverberated on his door. "Enter." said Jazz, still watching the
courtyard with fascination.
"Ready to go eat?"
"Yeah, let me grab my stu..." said Jazz, turning to look at
Arshes. His mind faulted and took his vocal chords with it.
Wearing a cream colored shirt/short skirt combo he had seen Tia
wear many times, cinched off with a light blue belt, Arshes
struck a pose.
"You like?"
"I...I...Ayi-yi-yi..." defaulted Jazz to Alpha Five mode.
"Well?? Ready?"
Doing a quick warm reboot, Jazz responded affirmatively.
"Arshes?" asked Jazz, an evil grin forming.
"Yes?" said Arshes, not liking the grin.
"Will you...help me play a joke on Gara and Darschu?"
"What do you have in mind?" asked Arshes, eyeing Jazz
suspiciously.
"Nothing too serious. It's kinda related to what those two
had set you up to do and what happened last night."
"Okay..." she said hesitantly.
Leaning close, Jazz whispered "First, I need you to..."
Seeing a depressed looking Arshes enter the dining area,
Gara and Darschu instantly figured out that things didn't happen
as they had tried to make them happen the previous night.
Looking at each other and nodding, both decided that option B'
was now to be implemented, a.k.a. tossing him into the moat.
"Arshes, what happened?"
"Gara, he didn't respond to me. He became like a statue
when I tried to talk with him." said a despairing Arshes, not all
that far from the truth.
Getting a wink from Arshes, Tia caught on after few moments,
saying "Okay. What else can we do with him? He has in all
purposes locked us out."
"We could toss him in the moat."
"Darschu, please! I would like to keep him alive. He did
save a few lives." replied Sheila, getting a wink from both
Arshes and Tia, understanding that a joke was about to be played.
"What else can we do? He has just plain given up..." tried
Gara, being cut off by the sound of heavy feet approaching at a
dead run.
"HIYA!!!!" screamed a blur, launching itself from the
doorway at Arshes. TackleGLOMPing her effectively, everyone
could see that Jazz had completely enwrapped Arshes with his arms
and legs. Arshes staggered a little under the weight until Jazz
put his feet back on the ground. "Next time Arshes, you are one
who gets tried up and I use the whip."
Gara and Darschu both went wide eyed. Tied up?? Whip?
What did she do?' both thought, though for slightly different
reasons.
"So, Jazz come out of your shell finally?" asked Tia,
allowing Gara and Darschu time to recover.
Releasing the GLOMP on Arshes, Jazz bowed "Aye m'lady. Lady
Arshes made me see the light of my errors and brought be back
from the realm of the terminally dead. But, things will be a
little different where I am concerned."
"How so?" asked Sheila.
"Well, first off, I will no longer need magic lessons. I
gave up all the magic potential I had to save Felicia's life. I
see it as why teach me something I never will be able to use
again. I have made plans to spend that time wisely in the
library and in a forge."
"The library I can see. But why a forge?" asked Tia.
"Well, I might as well as start putting the book knowledge I
have to good use and practice my skills. Darschu, as a favor to
me, could you please Felicia about the power she know wields?"
"Sure. Does she know?"
"No. Please approach her gently and instruct her carefully
because now she has the potential to even match you, Darschu.
And Darschu, one more thing, no pervert stuff with her or you
WILL regret it. Understood?"
"Yeah..."
Turning towards the Princess, Jazz asked "Princess Sheila, I
have a major favor to ask of you."
"Yes??"
"May I please have your permission to use a forge for my own
private projects? I don't wish to take up unnecessary space in
the forges already in operation."
"I will see what I can do. What sort of projects do you
have in mind?"
"Well, since magic is no longer an option for me, I'm gonna
try my hand at doing a little tech. A friend once told me that
in many levels, tech and magic can be seen as the same thing. I
figure it's time I put my effort where it would do the most
good."
"Okay. I will talk it over with my father."
"Thank you." replied Jazz, taking a seat at the table, upon
noticing that breakfast was about to be served. While enjoying
slices of a cantaloupe like melon, Jazz stole the occasional
glance at Arshes, smiling privately.
After breakfast, Jazz, Gara, and Arshes headed out towards
the central courtyard for the usual routine that Jazz still
labeled Frequent Flyers 101'. Finding it slightly strange they
weren't going outside the city's walls, Jazz figured they wanted
a change of environment.
Going through a basic routine, Gara and Jazz warmed up with
a little hand-to-hand work. Suddenly Jazz's emergency senses
went off, causing him to slide to the right just as sword stroke
hit the dirt where he had been standing.
"ARSHES!!!" yelled Jazz, distracted by the sword strike.
Giving Gara the chance he needed, Jazz soon found himself
airborne. Darn. Jazz, you gotta keep your mind on all of your
opponents.' he thought at himself, plowing into the turf.
Picking himself up and facing his teachers, Jazz said "I'll
be back in a little bit. I need to go get my stuff."
"If you don't have it now, you can't use it." replied Gara,
stepping towards Jazz.
"Yeah, right. Exit stage left, running all the way." cried
Jazz, running towards his room at full tilt.
"Get him." Jazz heard Arshes cry as he hit the first
stairway. Getting to his room roughly thirty seconds ahead of
his two teachers, Jazz quickly barricaded the door with a chair.
Picking up a large plank, he slid it into the two brackets on
either side of the door before Gara slammed into it. That
should do it...now to get my equipment.'
Walking over to his vanity, Jazz picked up and slid on his
right arm bracer that also acted as his staff holder. Looking at
the staff there in deeply, Jazz remembered how he had crafted it.
After his third session with Master Ironroot before he had
given up his magical potential, Jazz went out into the forest
around Metallicana, looking for a piece of timber that would make
a good walking staff.
Searching for about three hours, he came across an ancient
looking tree that had recently been blown down. Taking out his
handy axe, Jazz set to chopping off a proper sized hunk. Four
hours later, he finally severed a smaller branch. Totting it
back to Metallicana, Master Ironroot informed him that he had
piece of Iron Oak. For the next three days, Jazz spent all
available time shaping it to the size he needed. He found out
why is was called Iron Oak. Combine the qualities of iron into
that of an oak tree, you get the idea of what the wood is like.
The next step involved a little mining. Going to local
quarry, Jazz set about mining up about four pounds of silver.
It's easy when you use magic. Going back to his room, Jazz
inspected the staff, which had been etched with intricate
designs, for any signs of faults. Calling up a little magic,
Jazz bore a thin hole through the length of the staff.
Making the silver pliable, Jazz formed a cap for each end
and connected them with a silver streak that went through the
center of the staff. In the exact, balancing middle of the
staff, Jazz had carved in twin unicorn designs, back to back.
Jazz filled in the design with silver.
The final step led to the ornation of the staff. Taking
several precious and semi-precious gems, Jazz set them, with
silver inlays, in the staff. With the crystals, Jazz laid spell
after spell upon the staff, the gems holding onto a specific
spell, related to it's coloring. The final spell, Jazz conjured
was a size relation spell. With a simple mental command, Jazz
wanted the staff to be able to adjust in size, ranging anywhere
from 8 inches to 8 feet.
Presenting the staff for Master Ironroot to see, Jazz
encountered a question he hadn't expected. "What did you name
your staff?"
"Well...hmmm...let's see...I shall call it Defensor."
"Interesting name. Why?"
"Well. I made this staff as a defensive rather than
offensive weapon. The name Defensor seems to fit the best."
"Okay...now about you..."
Jazz was awoke from his revelry by the sounds of severely
banging on his bedroom door. Picking up his combat belt,
complete with war hammers, Jazz retrieved one last item from his
wardrobe. Walking over to the window, Jazz set the hook and
tossed the rope out the window.
Putting on a pair of gloves, Jazz slowly eased his way out
the window and down the rope. Hitting the ground, Jazz ran back
up the stairs towards his room. Glancing around the corner to
see Gara and Arshes both pounding on his door, Jazz reached down
to his belt and pulled out his boomerang.
I hope this works.' Jazz thought, letting fly.
Racing back down the stairs, Jazz got back to the rope and
started ascending back to his room. Climbing inside, Jazz heard
the sounds of a scuffle outside his door and chuckled.
Taking the plank from it's holder and moving the chair, Jazz
eased the door open. As the boomerang flew past, Jazz snagged it
and shoved it back home in his belt. Looking at Arshes and Gara
with a smirk, Jazz asked "Having problems?"
"No." shot back Gara, swinging his staff at Jazz.
Where'd he get that?' thought Jazz, stepping back rapidly
to stay out of range.
Grabbing his staff, Jazz hoped a tonfa would be enough to
fend off a staff. Parrying a few strikes, Jazz's eyes went wide
as one he missed sailed towards his face. Suddenly his staff
extended to it's full eight foot length, defending him properly.
Looking with wonder at his staff, Jazz muttered "Alll-right
then. Staff is working. How?"
Gara and Arshes stopped attacking, seeing Jazz looking at
his staff. "Jazz, what's wrong?" asked Arshes.
"Nothing...my staff should NOT be able to do this."
"Why?" asked Gara, confused slightly.
"I designed my staff to use energy, magical energy, the
wielder has."
Making a connection, Arshes said "Magical...but you don't
have magic..."
"Right."
"I say let Geo deal wit this."
"Right Gara, I think Geo would be the only one who might
have an answer for this." Sighing, Jazz asked "Shall we continue
outside?"
"Yes." said Arshes.
Twenty minutes later, Jazz headed for the church, in search
of the one known as Geo.
Wandering about the church still enthralled with the
architecture, Jazz located Geo working from a scroll in the same
room he had lessons with Tia and Sheila.
Knocking on the door softly, Jazz said "Lord Geo, I have...a
slight problem that I need your help with."
"Yes, Jazz, what can I help you with?" asked Geo, concerned
at the look on Jazz's face.
"My staff...is doing things it shouldn't be able to do."
"What do you mean?"
Stepping into the room, Jazz drew out the staff and enlarged
it to full size. "This is what it is doing."
"Okay..." said a confused Geo. "But didn't you design it to
do that?"
"Yes, I did, but it shouldn't be able to do this period."
"Why??"
"Lord Geo, it has to do with what it uses for energy."
"How so??"
"It uses the wielder's magic essence to empower it."
Geo paused for a few minutes, making a connection. "So,
because you don't have magic any more, the staff should not be
able to do this."
Nodding, Jazz said "I'm hoping you might be able to give me
a few answers to this thing."
Taking the staff from Jazz's offering, Geo said "I shall see
what I can do with it." Noticing Jazz's worried/confused
expression etched into his face, Geo said "Jazz, why don't you
head down to the library. I'll come down and get you if I find
out anything."
Jazz brightened up slightly, saying "Okay." Seeing Jazz
head out at a slight jog, Geo turned his attention to the staff.
Now, what did Jazz do while creating you?' he thought, breaking
out a scroll, pen and ink well.
Jazz wasn't paying much attention to where he walked in the
library, completely missing an oversized tome sticking out from
the bottom shelf. Being large footed, Jazz's sandal caught on
the edge of the book, sending him flying into the wall before him
and...
Chapter 7 Serendipity
"
-Serendipity
"It followed me home. Can I keep it?"
-Anonymous
...and through the wall, revealing a hidden entrance.
Picking himself up from the ground, Jazz crashed his head
into short ceiling. Going back down on one knee, Jazz blinked
out enough of the pain to see that he had discovered a secret
tunnel.
Not being able to see far into the tunnel, Jazz backed out
slowly, being careful of the ceiling. Marking the entrance with
two rolled scrolls as the door closed behind him, Jazz headed
back to the library entrance, making a mental list of what he
might need to do a little exploring.
Going back to his room, Jazz put on a different pair of
shoes. Jazz also put on a set of leather armor that princess
Sheila had insisted he wear at times of crisis. Pulling on the
leather tunic and strapping on the leather leg guards, Jazz
regarded his reflection with a nod. Hmmm, I guess I do look
good in leather.' Grabbing his tool belt loaded with his twin
war hammers, pocketpliers, and other assorted stuff, Jazz headed
out, but not before grabbing a length of rope. Suddenly a voice
in the back of his mind erupted with the idea of telling someone
where he was going and possibly have someone with him.
As he closed the door, his eyes fell on another project he
had been working on. Reaching in and grabbing the device
gingerly, Jazz snuck down to the kitchen. Sneaking two pieces of
fruit, Jazz ventured back down to the library.
Selecting a small table, Jazz set up the device he had
grabbed from his room. Taking one of the mobile glows from the
wall holder near the door, he set the glow in the specialized
cradle in the device. He proceeded to fiddle with the other
parts of the device, achieving the desired effect. Namely, a
beam of light shine forth from the lens. It may not be as
bright as a halogen bulb, but it should do the trick.' To free
up his hand, Jazz strapped the flashlight to his right forearm
with two leather thongs.
Doing one last equipment check, absentmindedly wishing for
his staff, Jazz pushed on the wall, opening the secret door once
again. Jazz jammed a small metal spike into one of the hinges to
prevent it from closing before proceeding on.
Walking half hunched over, Jazz opened up his other senses
since his vision didn't work well in the dim tunnel. Scents of
mildew and rot assaulted his nose while his ears picked up the
sounds of water dripping and a distant chittering. Holding his
homemade flashlight in one hand, Jazz walked further in
Suddenly, the tunnel widened out into moderately large area,
compared to the room he had in Metallicana. Off to one side, he
noticed a stairway leading down. I hope I don't meet whatever
is making that sound.' he thought, as the chittering seemed to be
getting louder.
Jazz stepped over to the stairwell, shining his light down.
Unable to see anything, he cautiously stepped down the first few
steps. Stepping down the next few stairs, Jazz kept his left
hand on one of his war hammers, ready to draw it.
Hearing a soft *whomp* ahead of him, Jazz backed into a
battle stance while bringing the flashlight around. Suddenly a
large, matted fur creature leapt at him, crashing into his chest.
Staring into the gapping maw and red eyes of the creature, Jazz
felt the creature bite into his right forearm armor, destroying
the flashlight, and it's claws start to dig into his leather
tunic. Screaming, Jazz brought his left hand, armed with a
fished out war hammer, around, sending the creature flying into
the nearest wall.
Scrambling to his feet, Jazz hurried up the stairs into the
open area when the glow started picking up other red eyes further
down the stairs. Looking towards the tome library entrance, Jazz
could make out other low slung creatures advancing towards the
area. Rats? Why does it have to be rats?' he thought.
Not ordinary rats either. Sewer Rats.'
Looking back towards the stairs he saw at least twelve set
of red, almost glowing eyes staring back at him with more joining
every second. DAMN!!!! I should have asked someone to come
with me. I'm powerless now and can't do a damned thing about
it.' he thought, seeing the rats begin to advance on him.
Backing up against a wall, Jazz drew out his other war
hammer, waiting for the rats to do something. They're gonna
gang up on me. Tough, they will have to deal with me.' he
thought, tightening the grip on the handles of the war hammers.
"It's HAMMMERTIME!!!!!!" screamed Jazz, leaping up and
turning one rat into a messy goo with a twin hammer strike.
Time stood still for a moment as the rats reacted to one
their brothers falling. Rearing up, the rats attacked without
callous, trying to bring their prey down.
Holding the rats at bay as best as he could, Jazz screamed
mentally HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!' as a rat tore into his left side,
just below his ribcage.
Geo had just finished another scan of the condensed staff
and started to write down his findings. It seems to have a life
of it's own. I have sensed a being, almost female in thought
within the staff. How did Jazz do this?' thought Geo, as he
wrote in the scroll. Looking up, he noticed the staff had lifted
off the table and began to float about 12" off the table. He
also noticed a glow that seemed to increase greatly with each
passing minute.
"What the..." said Geo, cut off suddenly as the staff fly
from his study at a great speed.
Running after it, Geo pounded through several halls,
fortunately catching the attention of his daughter, Tia.
"Dad, what's going on?" she asked, having caught up with her
father.
"I think Jazz is in trouble. His staff took off on it's
own. Tia, get some help."
"Right." said Tia, turning off another hallway, knowing and
hoping who to find.
Jazz looked back at the rats who had retreated slightly.
Knowing they would fall on him one last time, hoping to overwhelm
him, Jazz got as ready as he could.
Why did I go exploring on my own?' he asked of himself.
Because you are stupid and should have known better.' he
replied
Right...damn, what a way to go...'
Another part of his mind registered the pain flowing through
his neural network. A side gash that still leaked blood between
the fingers of his left hand, various claw gouges along his arms,
legs, and torso, a large claw gash in his right hand that had
caused him to drop his remaining war hammer, and a splitting
headache from having run into a low hanging stalactite. What I
wouldn't give some magic about now.' Jazz thought wistfully,
knowing it would never happen.
Suddenly a bunch of startled squeaks erupted from the tunnel
back to the library broke Jazz from his revelry. Looking up,
Jazz saw his staff, glowing like a small corona, heading straight
at him. Grasping the staff with his sore right hand, Jazz felt a
slight wave of energy wash over him as the rats backed off even
further. Grasping the staff with his left hand, Jazz nodded,
looking at the rats with fire in his eyes, and snarled "Time to
make the cookies!"
Leaping high, Jazz brought his staff, glowing with green
flames, down, sweeping the rats, that survived, left and right,
effectively scattering them. Spinning the staff around in a
large arch, Jazz sent another three to the sewer in the sky.
Three fireballs erupted in the midst of several rats packs, not
that Jazz noticed.
Two minutes later, Jazz sagged up against one the walls,
clutching his open side. Looking up with nearly fog covered
eyes, Jazz whispered "Geo...dat you?"
"Yes." said Geo, looking at Jazz's wounds.
"Okay..." commented Jazz weakly, as unconsciousness assert
it's claim on him.
"Hurry. Get him back to him room." ordered Geo, catching
Jazz before he could hit the floor. Arshes and Tia each went to
different side of Jazz, taking him from Geo. Wrapping Jazz as
best he could with what bandages Geo had with him, Geo knew it
would take a lot more.
"I will meet you up at his room shortly." said Geo, heading
at full tilt to the church to get healing supplies.
Arshes and Tia slowly walked Jazz up to his room. "Tia, why
did he do this?"
"Arshes, I...I don't know. But I know one thing."
"What's that?"
"He won't do this ever again if I have anything to say about
this." said Tia, determinedly.
Arshes nodded in agreement, thinking Now I know what
Darschu sees in her.' Looking at their cargo, concern etched
into her forehead hoping that he would be okay.
When they arrived at Jazz's room, they positioned him
carefully on his bed and waited for Geo to get there. Arriving
with a lot more bandages and several clay pots, Geo set up and
bandaged Jazz properly, applied healing salves and herbs.
Twenty minutes later, Geo sat back in a chair by the bed.
"He is bandaged up and beginning to heal. Now it is up to him if
he wants to live."
"How bad was it?" asked Arshes, looking at the bandaged,
sleeping form.
"I managed to flush most of the rats' poison from his system
but they worked him over pretty good."
"Why did he go into the tunnel with at least someone knowing
where he was going?" asked Tia, hoping her father had an answer.
"Probably his curiosity got the best of him." said Geo,
tiredly sitting in a chair near the bed.
Both ladies nodded, as the door eased open, revealing Gara.
"What did Jazz do now?" he asked quietly, entering the room.
"He went exploring by himself and ran into something that
didn't like it." said Tia, with a sigh.
Remembering something, Geo asked "Arshes, what did you do
with his staff?"
"I set it on the table by the door."
"Okay...I think it's best if we leave him to rest." said
Geo, climbing from the chair, heading for the door.
Arshes, being the last to leave, looked back at Jazz's
bandaged form, thinking that she would probably never understand
him.
Jazz looked around at the warped scenery, trying valiantly
to make sense. Hues of bright green, blue, and purples lit up
the sky in a repeating pattern. The landscape seemed to be made
up of laser outlined structures. Where the heck am I?' Jazz
asked aloud.
"You are neither here nor there, you are..."
Everywhere?' asked Jazz, interrupting the voice.
"Exactly." said the voice, with a slight chuckle, almost
getting perceptibly louder.
Noticing a cloaked figure approaching him, Jazz drew back
into a battle stance, asking Who are you? What do you want?'
The cloaked figure drew back his hood, revealing a familiar
face to Jazz. His own, though a little older and a little more
mischievousness in his eyes. Jazz drew back.
"Don't be afraid. I'm you in about 800 years." said Jason,
this is how the entity with be called from here on out.
8..8..800...you don't look much older than me.' sputtered
Jazz, in obvious shock.
Looking at his hand, Jason said "If I figured correctly, I
should be about 24 years old."
How is that possible?' asked Jazz, staring at himself.
"You remember what happened to Twister?"
Yeah...he got transformed by the Event...I believe that is
what he called it. It also slowed down his aging dramatically if
I read Twisted Path #3 correctly.'
"Yes. When you arrived in Metallicana, you were also
changed due to the wish granted by Skuld."
So, it was real. Why is my aging reduced? What else about
me changed?'
"Yes, it was very much real. Jazz, you have a purpose to
fulfill. And no, I can't tell what because even I don't know
what it is. Your aging slows down dramatically with each
transition you make. Your healing abilities are increased as
well as your strength, toughness, agility, and power. You won't
ever be a dietian or Legion or Twister, but you are up there.
All I know is that we shall be called the Anime Traveler, or just
straight Traveler." said Jason, intercepting the next question.
Okay...then. Which animes do I visit? And how am I
suppose to fulfill my destiny?'
"I can't tell you, but it will be several. Your staff is
the key." said Jason, showing Jazz a similar staff strapped into
a forearm holster.
My staff?? How can that be?'
"When you...I mean I...ayi-yi-yi...when it was created,
somehow we gave it life, making it more powerful?"
Okay...another question, do I...'
"Yes."
Who?'
"I can't say." said Jason, with an evil grin.
Great. I even play games with myself.' said a flustered
Jazz, throwing up his hands.
Chuckling aloud, Jason replied "I will tell you this. She
will be very special to you and you two together shall make an
unstoppable team."
Okay, at least I finally find someone.'
Looking off into the sky, Jason sighed. What is it?'
"Our time is almost up. But there is something else..."
Damn. How will I know when it is my time to leave? And
what is that something else?'
"The staff will tell you. Jazz, remember. Just because you
may know what might happen and try to prevent some bad things
from happening, it doesn't mean that you will always succeed."
What do you mean?'
"I did, and you will, come across an incident that...ends
with not so nice consequences."
I didn't cause someone's death, did I?'
"No..." said Jazz, looking like he didn't want to talk about
it any further.
Okay...but will I ever come back to Metallicana?'
"Yes, for the wed...Oops, almost spilled the beans." said
Jason, his mood shifting.
We...wed..wedding?' asked Jazz, beginning grin. Whose?'
"Can't say. Though, you do play a large role in it." said
Jason, grinning evilly.
Okay...tell me who the bride is? PLEASE!!!!!' begged Jazz.
"It is a double wedding, and you know her quite well, and
even better by the time of the wedding."
WHO IS IT!!!????!!!!'
"Can't say. The other two are Darschu and Tia."
Okay...then the other two must be Gara and Arshes. It only
makes sense.' figured Jazz.
"Time will tell." said Jason, with an all knowing,
mischievous grin. "Be you later."
Later...' said Jazz, as the world began to faze out.
"Oh yeah. Tell Priss, Skuld, AirRazor, and Arshes hi' for
me. *pause* Oh, and Saku-chan says hi'."
Okay...hey wait. Priss is BGC! Skuld is OMG!! AirRazor??
AirRazor is Beast Wars!! Who in the blazes is Saku-chan??!!??'
"You shall see. Live long and prosper." said the voice once
again as the world faded to black completely.
Opening his eyes slowly, Jazz's view of the ceiling cleared
after a few moments. Slowly moving his head to right, he
squinted his eyes at the brightness of the candles. Looking back
to the left, Jazz saw evidence that someone else was in the room.
How long have I been out?' he thought.
Lifting his head slightly, Jazz saw a familiar figure
standing by and looking out the window. Groaning slightly, Jazz
fell back into the bed, alerting the person at the window. How
badly did those rats mess me up?'
Rushing to the side of the bed, Arshes said, concernedly,
"Jazz, you're awake. Rest now. I'll get Geo."
A few minutes past before Geo, Tia, and Arshes returned,
giving the Jazz the time he needed to survey the wounds. Not
good.' he thought, not liking the damage.
Getting a drink of water from a cup offered by Tia, Jazz
washed the dryness from his throat. Getting into a sitting
position with a little help from Arshes, Jazz asked "What
happened?"
"You went exploring and got messed up." said Tia,
scoldingly.
"Okay..." said Jazz, with no small amount of regret.
"Jazz, you were unconscious for four days. Twice, we almost
lost you. Yesterday, your fever broke and we knew you would get
better. It would just be a matter of time till you woke up."
stated Geo.
"Four days?"
"Yes. Now why did you go into that tunnel in the first
place?" asked Tia, her voice rising in volume.
"I ...I don't know....I got curious. I didn't..."
"Didn't what?? Think?" asked Tia.
"Didn't want to bother anyone with it. I just wanted to do
something useful on my own."
"Okay. What did you learn from this?"
"Next time, bring the explosives and the projectile
weapons." said Jazz, attempting to lighten the mood.
"JAZZ!!!" yelled Tia.
"Sorry...don't ever do that again...hmm..let's see...what
else...have someone go with me the next time I decide to go
exploring?"
"Yes. Will you ever do this again?"
"No, ma'am." said Jazz, attempting a salute.
"Ayi-yi-yi." responded Tia, rolling her eyes.
"Hey. That's my line." said Jazz, noticing Arshes and Geo
with slight smiles on their faces.
"Tough. Now heal up and don't do it again."
"I won't. Thanks Tia."
"For what?" she asked, taken a little off guard.
"For the concern." whisper Jazz.
"Jazz, someone has to watch out for you."
"Funny." said Jazz, with a slight chuckle. "Next question:
Where's my staff?"
"It's on the table by the door." said Arshes, fetching the
object in question.
Looking at it thoughtfully, Jazz grasp it between both
hands, looking at the crystals there implanted. "Okay...Geo, I
believe you would prescribe rest for now."
"Yes." he said, ushering everyone from Jazz's room.
If this staff is as powerful as I said it was...then
maybe...' he thought, looking deeply into a green crystal.
Suddenly a wave of green energy flowed into his arms and
into his body. Seeing another crystal start to dim, Jazz stopped
the energy flow. Doing a physical check, Jazz found that he been
mostly healed. What the heck?' he thought just as a wave of
sleep over swept him.
Awaking the next morning to the sun beating on his face,
Jazz rubbed his eyes, finding that he still had the staff still
in his hand, the hard way. Staff in the eye...not pleasant.
Looking at the staff, Jazz noticed the crystal that had
started to dim the previous night start to get brighter the
longer it stayed in sunlight. Solar powered magic?' he thought.
The energy has to come from somewhere.'
Easing his way from the bed, Jazz hobbled over to the
vanity, looking into the mirror but not before placing the staff
on the window sill. Stretching and hearing several joints snap,
pop, but not crackle, Jazz washed himself up, getting ready for
the noon meal which his internal time clock said it was getting
close to. Selecting something lighter to where, Jazz decked
himself out in a pair of shorts, a billowy shirt, and his
customary sandals. Equipping a belt with his pouch and one war
hammer, Jazz walked over to the window and picked up his staff.
Looking at what he thought was the power meter crystal, he noted
that it seemed to be fully charged.
Slamming the staff home in it's forearm holster on his right
forearm, Jazz walked from his room right past a startled servant.
"Jazz, what are you doing up?" asked the servant.
"I am getting a little hungry and I believe it is just about
time for the lunch bell." said Jazz just as the quoted bell rang.
"I was told to keep you in your room and get whatever you
need." said the servant.
"I am perfectly able to fetch what I need. And right now, I
am hungry." said Jazz, starting to walk down the hallway to the
dining area.
"Jazz." tried the servant.
"You have tried to stop me but were unable. That's what you
will tell them. Now go." commanded Jazz.
"Yes." said the servant with a nod before running off to
tell Princess Sheila.
Getting down to the private dining area, Jazz was met with
stares of disbelief. Looking at them, Jazz asked "What?"
"Jazz, you shouldn't be out of bed." said Geo.
"Yes." echoed Tia and Gara.
"I'm fine. I just need some food to keep going. That's
all." said Jazz, suddenly feeling considerably weaker.
With a nod from Sheila, Gara was at Jazz's side, supporting
him. "Jazz, why did you do this?"
"I...I didn't want to be a strain on anyone..." rasped Jazz.
"Gara, take him back up to his room please." said Sheila.
And tie him to his bed.' thought Tia, at the gall Jazz had
for trying what he had.
A little bit later, Jazz found himself back in his bed and
Darschu and Gara standing in the doorway to his room. Admitting
a servant with a tray full of food, Gara and Darschu watched in
amazement as Jazz devoured the food before the servant had even
cleared the doorway.
"Hungry?" asked Darschu.
"Yes...and still am." said Jazz, just as a tune, sung by a
certain giant carnivorous plant that went by the name of Audrey
II, entered his head causing him to grin.
"Darschu, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"Could you please go down to the tome library and get me a
few things?"
"Okay...as long as you promise to remain in bed."
"No problem there."
"What things will you need?"
"On the table by the door, you should find two lists."
"Okay..." said Darschu, picking up the two slips of paper.
"One the first piece should be a list of books. The second
sheet should be a map of the library with the location of the
tomes. If you could fetch those, I would greatly appreciate it."
"Okay. Now sleep, or I'll tell Tia you went down to the
library to get these tomes yourself." replied Darschu with an
evilly grin.
"10-4. Out like a light." said Jazz, falling into a mock
sleep to emphasize his point. Darschu and Gara closed the door
behind them, shaking their heads. Getting up and hobbling over
to the window, Jazz placed his staff firmly on the sill to let it
recharge. Solar powered magic? How did I pull that off?' he
thought, climbing back into bed slowly.
After a short snooze, Jazz heard the door of his room ease
open, squeaking slightly. Gotta hate being a light sleeper?' he
thought, keeping his eyes closed.
"Where to put these?" asked a definitely familiar,
definitely female voice asked near the door.
Yes. Arshes! Should I?? YES!!!' asked Jazz, trying hard
to conceal his grin.
Hearing her clear off a spot on the vanity, Jazz kicked into
full acting mode, shifting in his sleep' to get her attention.
Launch in 5...4...3..' he thought as the sound of boot
leather rubbing on the floor neared the bed. 2...1...Houston,
we have launch!' Jazz thought, hooking Arshes' arm as she laid a
hand on his shoulder.
"EEP!" cried Arshes, finding herself airborne and landing
softly on the bed, next to the supposed sleeper.
"Have a nice flight." said Jazz, into his pillow, laughing.
"Feeling better I take it." asked Arshes, looking at Jazz.
Lifting his head enough to look at her, Jazz said "Yes. I
just had to do it."
Starting to sit up, Arshes said, her tone half scolding half
something else, "Jazz, you should be resting."
"Yes ma'am. One more thing though..." said Jazz, flipping
over and sitting up.
"What?" asked Arshes, partially turning to face Jazz.
"HuggleGLOMP!!!!" declared Jazz, wrapping his arms around
Arshes, hugging her tight. Having seen this move performed on
AnimeMUCK, he wanted to see if it could be down in this reality.
Caught slightly off-guard, Arshes wrapped her arms around
him hesitantly, hugging him in return.
"Thanks." whispered Jazz in her ear.
"For what?"
"For everything. I owe you a lot."
"Darn right. Now rest." replied Arshes, ending the hug and
standing up.
"Right-o. See you later?"
"Yes. And much sooner if you try that crazy stunt you tried
earlier. This time I WILL have the ropes with me." said Arshes,
sounding very serious. Her smile betrayed the seriousness of the
statement.
"Yes, ma'am. G'Night." said Jazz, setting back down into
the bed with a slight sigh.
Closing the door behind her, Arshes could only shake her
head at what had just happened in Jazz's room.
Climbing from the bed, Jazz hobbled over to the vanity,
fetching the top third of the pile. Detouring past the window,
Jazz picked up his staff. Looks like Defensor is once again at
full power.' he thought, naming the staff by name and getting
back into bed.
Pulling around his swing desk, Jazz started in on the texts
and doing a little work on his tank. I'm still having trouble
with the power plant. Protoculture? Nope, doesn't exist.
Radium? Too hard to work with. Hmmm...crystal? Probably won't
be able to keep the power level up for too long.' thought Jazz
with slight despair. He had originally wanted to get with steam
power, but due to space limits, he was forced to dump it.
After an hour, Jazz fell into an uneasy slumber, staff
firmly held in his right hand.
Waking early the next morning, Jazz climbed from the bed and
stretched. Getting cleaned up, Jazz bedecked himself with a
loose, billowy shirt, a pair of green shorts, and his now
customary sandals. Tying his staff holder on his right forearm,
Jazz slammed the staff home. Grabbing a thin belt, Jazz loaded a
pouch with a few things, not like his usual belt, strapped the
pouch and belt about his waist. Looking at his reflection in the
vanity mirror, Jazz nodded and headed out the door, hoping a
servant hadn't been posted.
Luckily, none had. Jazz walked down the corridor and out to
the castle wall. Seeing the sun rise beginning to rise over the
horizon, Jazz started walking the castle wall perimeter, trying
to rebuild his stamina. Greeting each of the guards, almost all
by name, Jazz continued walking, ending up in the courtyard.
Pulling the staff from it's forearm housing, Jazz willed to
a much larger size and started going through some exercise
motions. Using it with skill, Jazz whirled, twirled, vaulted,
and other assorted things down with a staff. Stopping after a
short series of maneuvers, Jazz found he had fallen into the
routine that Jackie Chan had done in the Live Action City Hunter.
Jazz wrapped up as the morning breakfast bell rang.
Heading for the dining area, Jazz was once again met with
surprised faces. "What?" he asked, taking his usual seat and
wiping the sweat from his face with his napkin.
"Jazz..." tried Tia, getting ready to scold once again.
"Tia. Calm down. I'm completely healed. It's time I got
out of bed and started doing something." said Jazz, just as the
servants came with the breakfast trays.
"Jazz, I believe you asked for the private use of a forge a
short while ago?" asked Sheila as the meal wrapped up.
"Yes I did, m'lady. Hast thou found one that this lowly
servant might use?" asked Jazz, going old style English
humorously, or at least trying.
"Yes. My father agreed to let you have a small forge that
happens to relatively close to Talon's."
"Bonus. When might we go and see it?" asked Jazz, like a
kid about to get a new toy at Christmas.
"Now if you wish."
"Yes please!" replied Jazz enthusiastically, causing a round
of laughter with everyone present. Looking at everyone, Jazz
asked, striking a humorous pose, "What? Can't I get excited
about something?"
"No." said Tia, trying hard to hide her smile.
Chuckling, Jazz replied, trying to look like a whipped
beagle, "Okay..." This proved to garnish another round of
chuckles.
Shortly thereafter, Sheila led Jazz down to the forge that
would soon become his. Entering through a side door, Jazz
noticed that several workmen had already come through, repairing
some of the severest of damage.
Walking around slowly, Jazz did what he could to inspect it,
testing much of the mechanical stuff. Nodding approvingly, Jazz
said "I like it. With your permission, princess, I would like to
kick this thing into full gear."
"Granted. God luck."
"Thanks. I think I'll need it..." said Jazz, looking and
thinking of ways to improve it. "Oh yes, Princess, I have one
more favor to ask of you."
"Yes?" asked Sheila, looking back at Jazz.
"I was wondering if...I could start up a team here at the
forge?"
"Okay. Where would you be recruiting from?"
"That's the tough part. I would like to go through the
ranks of soldiers here to select three people to join me here."
"I...don't see a problem with it, just as long as the
commander of each soldier agrees with it."
"Okay."
"Well, if there is nothing else."
Shaking his head, Jazz said "Nope. Thank you very much,
Princess."
"Okay. Don't forget our session this afternoon."
"Yes, ma'am. See you then."
Sheila closed the door behind her as Jazz did another walk
around of the forge. Kicking his imagination into full gear, he
did a physical layout of the potential forge, liking it even
more. During his latest walk through, Jazz felt an unease creep
up on the back of his neck.
Hearing a whirring sound, Jazz dodges to his left, just in
time to see an arrow embed itself in a timber. Getting to cover,
Jazz mentally cursed for only having his staff with him. Hearing
two *thwonks* near him, Jazz judged roughly where his assailant
was and dove to different cover near the forge itself.
Looking for something to hurl back, Jazz's eyes fell on the
billows, and anchored chain, and a load of ash in the hearth.
Striking up a battle plan and implementing it, Jazz kept his head
low as the arrows continued to hit right above his head.
Readying at best he could, Jazz kicked the billows, setting