Here we are again. You, me and of course the story. I hope you guys enjoy this one. I read it over last night really quickly and I realized I can be horribly disturbing at times. I of course wouldn't change any of that, but still that idea's in the back of my mind. Anyway, you can get a hold of me at either Mist_dark@hotmail.com or Mist_dark@yahoo.ca I check both of them regularly, so you'll be able to reach me.
Thanks to everyone that's e-mailed me about this story, and Saga as well. It's been great hearing from you guys. Hearing what you think about the story, feelings on the characters, questions and general theories on what's happening, or will happen. Special thanks got Kenitra, Shade, Aeoros, Di, Hamado, and Matt. You guys are great. And of course if I didn't include your name, thanks to you as well.
Legalities: This story in no way, shape and/or form is suppose to imply anything about Nsync. If they're gay it's none of my business. If you're too young, or it's illegal in your area to read this, please leave. If homosexual themes offend you, I'd leave as well (and check your web surfing skills. How did you end up here?). Parts of this story are based off the RPG Rifts. All trademarks belong to Kevin Siembieda and Palladium books.
Anyway, enjoy the story,
Until next time, Rune
PART TWO
"What's the point?" Lance asked crossly. "What's the point of any of this? None of us are happy any more. I used to love singing so much, but it's just not the same any more. Something's missing."
"He's right you know," Chris said calmly. The five members of Nsync sat in Lance's living room the day after a concert. "We've been back for six months now and none of us can get it out of our minds."
"That doesn't explain why he screwed up during the concert," JC said.
"Actually it does," Chris said. "We were changed because of our experiences. You in particular Josh. You haven't told us a whole lot about what happened to you, but I know it's effected you deeply. We were all touched by people that meant, and still do, mean a great deal to us. We can't just forget that."
"Are you going somewhere with this?" JC snapped.
"Yes," Chris replied. "None of us can forget those people and it's starting to effect his everyday life, which includes our concerts. The rest of us are feeling the same thing, but not to the same extreme."
"Joey lost Selena," JC pointed out. "And he's not acting the same way."
"I wasn't as close to Selena as Lance was to Selvar," Joey explained. "Sure I loved her, but it didn't have as much time to develop."
JC threw himself backward on the couch where he was sitting. His head flopped backward and he stared at the ceiling. A long sigh escaped his throat. "I don't know why I'm so pissed. I really don't."
"You're pissed off because you can't do anything to help," Lance said quietly. "You want to so badly, but you can't. I have to go through this alone, and I know I will get over it, but it's going to take time. A lot of time."
"That doesn't really help," JC told him. "But thanks for trying."
Lance smiled. "Anytime buddy. Anytime." He moved from his chair to the couch and flopped down next to JC. "I promise to try harder to concentrate on the dancing next time. I know it wasn't a big mistake, but I still made it. I'll work on that."
"There," Chris said. "Everything all better?"
"Yeah," JC said.
"Good, because now we have to figure out how to get Joey and Justin out of their little competition."
While the rest of the guys were involved in the discussion, Joey and Justin had started a tug of war with the other couch. Justin had one end of it in his hands and was pulling backward. Joey was standing at the other end with his face knitted in concentration. The couch would move back and forth depending on who was winning at that particular moment.
"If either one of you ruin my couch I will do such nasty things to you," Lance warned.
"Ooohhh," Justin smirked. "I think artist boy just threatened us." He held onto his end of the couch but it wasn't moving now. Both he and Joey were looking at Lance. "And just what do you think you can do to us?" He taunted.
Lance held up his hand and ticked off his fingers as he started talking. "A. Justin you sleep like a rock. B. I know where you live. C. I have a key to your house and when we're on tour I have a key to your room. And D. I'm a very patient person when I want to be."
"I don't sleep so heavily Lance," Joey pointed out. "Justin's the heavy sleeper of us."
"True," Lance said. "But you love to read your comics. I could easily slip a ward into one of those. Oh did I mention that a ward can remain active for years if left undisturbed? I could plant one now that wouldn't go off for months."
Joey motioned to the couch and it set itself back on the floor. "He makes a good point. Besides I was getting tired anyway."
"Of course you were," Lance said. He watched Joey sink into the couch he'd just set back down. He really did look tired.
"Any ideas what we should do now?" Chris asked. "We've got the entire week off."
"I think I can help with that," a voice came. The guys turned to the source of the voice. It came from the doorway leading into the kitchen.
"The Guardian of the Forest," Lance whispered.
A smile crossed the man's lips. "I see you remember me diabolist. It has not been that long, but it seems like it has been." His gaze swept the room. When it returned to the members of Nsync he spoke again. "It is difficult to remain in this world. It seems so dead without magic. I have come for a reason though. We need your help."
"Our help?" Justin asked. "How?"
"This will be far easier to explain when I am not in danger of fading away from view," the Guardian said. He gestured and a bluish portal opened. "Come. The other guardians await."
Little light filtered through the trees into the darkened grove. The lower branches of the trees were dead and bore no leaves. They resembled skeletal arms. The ground was devoid of any plant and was covered in small pebbles. A thin layer of mist occasionally wafted from the center of the grove to the outer edges. At the dead center of the grove was a block of ice.
Sayer moved from the edge of the clearing toward the ice. He had a long red staff in his left hand that he used as a walking stick, despite the fact he obviously didn't need it. He wiped the frost from the edge with one glove. The ice underneath the frost was clear. Pressed against it was a hand. Frozen in its imprisonment.
"Perhaps I will regret this," Sayer whispered. "But it must be done.'
He pointed his staff at the ice. A wave of flame shot toward the block. The ice remained untouched by the flame for several minutes. Finally a trickle of water appeared and ran to the base of the ice. Fine cracks appeared along the glossy surface. The hand inside the ice moved slightly. Hovering for must a moment as it seemed to try to make a fist. It stopped when it realized that there was still ice incasing its body. A moment later the ice groaned heavily once before it collapsed. A white figure fell to its knees suddenly free of its imprisonment.
"You know the price for my release," the figure whispered.
"You're bluffing," Sayer said. "You've been trapped in that block for over three hundred years. Your powers have lain dormant as long as you have wraith. Perhaps in a few months you will be as strong as you once were."
"What do you want," the wraith hissed.
"I've come to offer you a chance to inflict the pain you once did," Sayer said. "You will serve under me and I will allow you to spread misery through out the land."
"You offer and alliance." The wraith didn't move for several moments while it considered the idea. "If I choose not to agree?"
"I kill you," Sayer answered easily. "I wouldn't though. Choose not to agree that is. I can give you enough pain to satisfy even your appetite."
"I doubt that," the wraith whispered as it stood. At its full height the creature was slightly frightening. It stood over seven feet tall and was paler then even a vampire. There wasn't a single hair anywhere on the creature's body. It appeared well muscled, but lacked any real definition. The most frightening thing about the wraith was its eyes. Or lack there of. Where the eyes should have been were hollowed out sockets. It looked like someone had just reached in and removed the eyes.
"What is your answer?" Sayer asked. "You can't intimidate me. Don't waste your time trying."
The wraith gave a slight nod of its head. "I accept."
Mala slid into the room through the window. She had scaled the side of the building and easily opened the window. Making sure she stayed in the shadows, she made her way toward the fireplace where a large wing-backed chair sat facing the fire.
"You can stop sneaking now Mala," a gentle female voice told her.
"How do you keep doing that Arvia?" The thief asked. "I know you're hearing isn't nearly sharp enough to pick my movements up."
"I have my ways," the woman answered quietly. Arvia's blonde hair hung around her shoulders. She seemed to stare absently at the fire in front of her. "I assume that you were successful in your task."
"Of course I was," Mala said. "I've yet to fail at a mission that simple." She pulled the statuette from under her belt and handed it to Arvia. "Though I've no idea why you wanted this thing. There were more valuable items in the house at the time."
Arvia turned the statuette over in her hands. "I know that, but I've my reasons. I'll explain them when Calypso gets here." She set the statuette next to her on the small table that also held a cup of tea. She took the cup in place of the statuette. Taking a sip she looked up at Mala. "You can remove your mask. No one is going to try to take you away."
"Sorry," Mala said as she reached up to pull off her mask. "Force of habit. I usually forget I'm wearing it." Blonde hair spilled out as she pulled the mask off. It fell to her shoulders and curled inward. Her face was attractive, but not stunning. The thief tucked the mask into her belt.
"Don't worry about it," Arvia said, taking another sip of her tea. "Would you get the door? Calypso is about to knock."
As if to prove her right a knock came at the door. Mala shook her head and went to answer it. "I'm going to have to learn how you do that someday."
A smile crossed Arvia's lips. "Years of training Mala. Years of training. That and natural talent."
Mala shook her head again and opened the door. Calypso was a tall man Latino man wearing a long trench coat. His black hair was cut short and slicked back against his head. Stepping aside, Mala gestured for the man to enter. She closed the door after him.
"You can drop the disguise Calypso," Arvia said. "There's no need to worry about anything here."
Calypso shrugged. "If you insist." The man's features began to soften. First his skin colour lightened until it was a pale white. The hair lengthened until it fell to his mid-back and chanced from dark black to deep red. The hands lengthened slightly, becoming more slender. Calypso was gradually losing height, well gaining other attributes. The front of the Calypso's shirt bulged slightly as breasts formed underneath it. At the same time the body was changing the clothing changed as well. The coat wrapped itself tightly around Calypso and seemed to cling to the body. It melded in on itself and fused completely. It quickly changed colour to become deep green. When the transformation was complete Calypso stood before Arvia and Mala as an incredibly attractive woman.
"Impressive," Mala said. "A shape-shifter. I didn't know you could do clothing as well."
"I can't," Calypso said. "But I spent a great deal of money on a cloak that can. It turns into whatever I want. And as an added bonus I got one that changes colours." She shrugged. "I find it's useful in my line of work. Speaking of which." She pulled a roll of parchment and handed it Arvia. "I got what you wanted."
"Thank you Calypso," Arvia said as she took the offered roll. She unrolled it and nodded appreciatively. This is exactly what I wanted. You can return them now." She handed the parchment back to Calypso and the statuette back to Mala.
"You want us to do what?" Both of the women asked in unison.
"What did you have us collect them for then?" Mala asked.
"As a test of course," Arvia answered. "I wanted to make sure you two were as good as your reputations said you were. And you obviously are."
"Then why these objects?" Calypso asked. "There were far more valuable objects in the study alone. I could have taken any of those."
"But these were worth more if you know what to look for," Arvia explained. "The statuette belongs to a noble woman visiting the city. She'll be in an uproar at its disappearance. The moment Mala took it she knew and she had the building crawling with guards. Since Mala's here, it's obvious she was more then skilled enough to get out without being seen.
"The picture you have is a testimony to the Duke's abilities. He's not just a painter, he's also a clairvoyant. He painted that about a year ago. He most likely picked the image off an object of some sort."
"Or he could have just seen the man in a crowd," Mala offered.
"I somehow doubt that," Arvia said with a smirk. "That man hasn't been in this world for five years. I'd be very impressed if the Duke had been able to see him in any crowd."
"Okay so what?" Calypso said. "The Duke gets visions and paints them. Why have me take one of his paintings?"
"So you have a face to work with of course," Arvia said. "The Duke isn't the only one to have visions. That man will be returning to this world. And he will need help, as will his friends. I want you two to offer it."
Calypso arched an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I have my reasons," Arvia said. "Not the least of which is that I owe them a great debt. This of course won't repay the debt, but it's a start. I'll be paying you both handsomely for your efforts of course. Women of your talents are incredibly hard to find."
A slight flush crept into Mala's face. "Thank you."
"I give compliments when they're deserved," Arvia said. "I'll be giving you triple your normal fee. Though I have a feeling that after a while you won't be doing it simply for the income."
"Who are you?" The girl asked. She wasn't any more then twelve. Her black hair hung around her shoulders in tangles. Her dress was torn in several places, as if she'd been in a fight. A number of bruises were visible despite the darkness of her skin. She was struggling against the ropes that bound her to the wooden post in the middle of the African savanna.
Two men stood before her. Identical twins. Each stood five and half feet tall. Their heads completely shaved of any hair. They both wore light brown shorts that stopped at their knees. Other then that they wore no clothing. The lack of clothing showed their very dark skin, partially darkened by the sun and partially natural colouration.
"We dear child...."
"Are the Gemini."
"Don't worry..."
"This will only...."
"Hurt for a little..."
"While."
"What are you going to do to me?" The girl's voice betrayed the fear she felt.
"Why we're going..."
"To kill you.."
"Of course."
"Why?" She asked. A tear ran down her face.
"Because..." one twin started
"We can." The other finished
Each of the twins took a side of the girl and knelt slightly so their heads were even with her's. Leaning forward they kissed each of her cheeks. Wiping away her tears with their lips. They worked their way around her face. One nuzzled her neck well another nibbled her ear. A whimper came from her throat. Fear paralyzed her body and even if it hadn't the ropes prevented her from moving.
"So young..."
"So fresh..."
One of the twins ripped the remains of the dress from the girl's back. she gave a slight yelp of surprise as the cloth was torn away from her. Another tear slid down her cheek as she was exposed in the mid-day sun. She whimpered again.
"Come..."
"Brother..."
"Let us.."
"Begin."
The twins embraced each other and began to run their hands over each other's bodies while the girl wept. They kissed each other passionately as their hands rubbed each other's flesh. Abruptly the broke apart.
"The power..."
"Has been.."
"Built."
They took a step back from one another and linked hands. They began a ritualistic dance around the post the girl was attached too. They never broke eye contact with one another. A low clicking noise washed over the savanna. It grew as the twins' dance grew more intense.
The girl was busy watching the men dance around her began screaming. A black cloud of insects covered the ground and swarmed up the girl's naked form. Her shrieks filled the air and the twins stopped to watch her. Their arms linked around each other's waist.
The swarm wasted no time covering every inch of the girl's bare flesh. In a moment even the pole was obscured. Her screams were cut off when the insects started crawling in her mouth. She trashed under them trying to shake them off. The trashing grew more frantic and then stopped all together.
The Gemini kissed passionately again as the swarm moved off the post and dispersed back into the grassland. The skeletal remains of the girl hung to the post by the ropes. The remains were swinging slightly due to the abrupt removal of the swarm. The rope snapped and the bones collapsed to the ground in a heap.
TBC
Let me know what you think. Feedback is always welcome. The good, the bad and the whatever. Anyway, hope you enjoyed.
Rune