My Rants
I'd say it's time to introduce a new....thingy...
And I personally want to say CRONO CROSS IS AWESOME! MAYBE I'M JUST SWAYED BY THE INTRODUTION...

Don't worry...I like Terranigma just as much.

***
Chapter Six: Death Gaze
***

Kumari?: The hole is straight ahead.

After numerous stops and rests on the journey, the party finally made it to the hole. This was a relief, since the glider they were carrying was a pain.

Elle: Let's set up camp right here. Once we go into the hole, there's no coming back. And besides, it getting dark.

The sun dipped into the clouds, and its rays were almost invisible.

Meilin was working her chants to mirage the camp from...foreign eyes... and Perel helped Elle set up a bonfire to cook some food.

Perel: How much of those claw cubes are left?

Claw Cubes...the leftover claw meat dipped in salted water to make a primitive jerky.

Elle: Just a little bit. We're also running out of meat that we found when we searched the village.

They actually brought enough courage to investigate the town. After raiding through every house in Freedom, they gathered up all the food. Meilin made sure that the meat was cooked well, in case of a strain of Asmodeus in the food.

Elle: I'd say that the food we have excluding the cubes would last us about one more day.

Meilin: Then what should we do?

Kumari?: Although Crysta is gone, there should be enough crops leftover to be harvested. I mean...the Dark Gaia didn't plant seeds and farm.

Elle: Then let's have a huge meal. Tomorrow is a big day.

After cooking the raw beef and sharing the cubes around, they all drank some water-also found in Freedom-and went to sleep...all except Kumari.

Kumari?: Soon....very soon...

***

Meilin: GET UP!

Meilin kicked Perel up. He was dazed and half asleep.

Perel: Huh...?

Meilin punched Perel on his arm.

Meilin: That should wake you.

Perel: Hmmm...? Such a weak punch? I might as well go back to sleep-

Meilin brought her fist down on his head.

Elle: Stop it you two. We have to go now. Pack up.

THe entire camp was packed up, leaving almost no trace of them sleeping there. After that, they walked for about a mile, and found themselves above a huge hole, spreading a couple hundred feet across.

Meilin: That's a big hole...

Elle cleared her throat to speak.

Elle: Okay everyone...This is it. Once we go down there, there's no looking back. I know I shouldn't be saying this, but if any of you want to leave, then do so right now.

Perel: I know, you shouldn't be saying that.

Meilin smiled, and Kumari nodded.

Elle: Get the gliders. YOMI!

Yomi popped out.

Yomi: Yes?

Elle: I trust you and Kumari will know the way?

Perel held up the gliders with the help of Meilin. It spanned far enough to let everyone hold on.

Kumari?: Yes.

Yomi: You better hope so.

Elle propped the gliders upright, and grabbed the center. Perel, Meilin and Kumari got their share of the cold metal also.

Yomi: Um...there's one problem...How do I get on?

Elle grabbed Yomi and tucked it under her arm.

Yomi: LET GO!!!

Elle: What? Let's go? Alrightee!

The entire group ran at a leveled pace, and made their way to the edge of the hole.

Elle: JUMP!

They all followed, and made a quick nose dive. Although the gliders kept limited some of the speed, they still blazed down the hole.

Yomi: AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I'M GONNNNNAAAAA DIIIIEEEE!!!!

The light was completely cut off, except for a eerie glow emitting from the hole's bottom.

Elle: KUMARIII!!! TELL US THE WAAAYY!!

Yomi: (I'm gonna cry...)

The glider took them speeding down the hole, but as they went, they could see a cutoff toward three holes-one to the left, one in the center, and one to the right.

Elle: MAKE YOUR CHOICE NOW ELDER!!

The three holes grew bigger, and they flew toward the center.

Kumari?: Left.

Kumari was unusually calm for an old person flying down a deep hole.

Elle: OKAY! REAR TOWARD THE LEFT!!!

All of them tried tipped the glider toward the left. They were absorbed into the hole. Nothing was to be seen ahead of them.

Kumari?: A halfway point is ahead. When we get there, push yourself forward, because the gravity will start to push us down. If we don't make it to the top at the first try, we'll fly in the hole for eternity.

Meilin had her arm wrapped with Perel. They both pushed forward.

Kumari?: This part will be tricky. While pushing yourselves forward, make your way to the right on the next cutoff.

Elle pushed herself and followed Kumari's exact instructions. The next cutoff came as planned, and they all reared to the left.

Kumari?: That's it. Let's prepare to land-

As crystal sunlight appeared, something brighter came their way.

Elle: What the hell is that?

The bright light appeared in the shape of a boomerang. It got nearer and nearer, but once it made contact with the glider, a flash was seen. Then it was gone.

Meilin: What was that...? OW!!

Meilin's left sleeve was sliced, and a thin line of blood was found on her skin.

Perel: Are you alright?

The entire glider had a bright stream of light halfway through it. There was a crack, then the glider split apart.

Elle: Perel! Meilin!

The glider split, and when they neared the exit, the glider lost its velocity.

Elle: JUMP IT!

As all four jumped, the exit had two caverns going into opposite directions. Elle and Kumari landed on the right side, and Meilin along with Perel landed on the left. The glider broke apart and fell into the abyss. Then, strangely, the two caverns shook, and rocks covered each side.

Elle: Perel!! Meilin!!!

Her voice couldn't be heard, as her voice was blocked by the rocks.

Elle: No...

***

Meilin: What do we do?

Perel: Well...There's only one way to go...

They both walked deeper into the cavern, but a thin stream of light could be seen. Meilin hugged nearer to Perel. She was obviously afraid.

Perel: Jeez....do you have to keep doing that?

Meilin frowned at Perel, but still grabbed hold of him.

Meilin: Let's keep moving toward that light. I'm sure there should be some kind of light in the Underworld.

They moved along until they neared the end of the cavern. The sight they saw in front of them.

Perel: Where did this come from...?

It was a village....A VILLAGE?

Meilin: And the strangest thing is that this village looks like Strolkolm...

They looked at each other.

Perel: This can't be....Crysta...can it?

Meilin: No...it was destroyed...

Perel: ...Let's go in.

The two children moved into the town, and found that it was a mirror image of Strolkolm.

Meilin: This isn't possible...

Perel: Nothing is making sense anymore...

They heard a crackle behind them.

Perel: What was that...?

They looked behind their back...and they found themselves knocked out on the floor.

***

Elle: C'mon Elder. Walk a little faster. We have to get to that light.

The light flashed brightly as they walked closer. They reached the end of the cave...

Elle: Strolkolm...?

Kumari?: It can't be your village. We're in the underworld.

Elle looked confused.

Elle: Well if it isn't Strolkolm, then what is it?

Kumari?: I'll have to admit that it looks exactly like Strolkolm... So there's only one possible answer. It's Crysta.

Elle: Excuse me?

Kumari?: Crysta-your dark side village.

Elle: But wasn't it destroyed when the Dark Gaia was destroyed?

Kumari?: What do you mean?

Elle gave a Kumari a funny look.

Elle: You said Crysta was destroyed when the Dark Gaia was destroyed... right?

Kumari though for a second.

Kumari?: Oh...now I remember...

That was strange. The Light Gaia being forgetful?

Kumari?: Let's go in.

He changed the subject rather quickly. They moved in toward the town.

Elle: I can't believe this...Everything here looks exactly the same... with the exception of the crystal sky...

*CRACKLE*

Elle: What was that?

She picked on her ears, and found a whoosh...RUNNING...Elle turned around and had her spear raised. It was held in such a way that it was able to block any attempt of attack.

*CLANG*

????: HAAAHAHA...

Elle opened her eyes, because the block was intense enough to close them.

Elle: Who the hell are you?

All she saw was a cape and a pair of pure white eyes. And a scythe... Elle pushed it away. The cape was the only thing that flew. There was no body...it was like a ghost..

Elle: You bastard! You're the one that cut our glider!

????: HAAHAHA! Really now? I didn't mean to do that...I meant to kill you! Allow me to introduce myself...

It went into a stance similar to Elle's.

Death Gaze: I am Death Gaze, high official and servant to Dark Gaia.

It raised its scythe, and Perel and Meilin appeared behind it. They were unconcious.

DG: Your friends, I presume?

Elle: Perel! Meilin!

DG: You've been causing the sealed Dark Gaia a lot of trouble!

Elle: What are you talking about? Dark Gaia is dead! Besides, we were out to resurrect him!

DG: ...belive whatever you want. I only want to....KILL YOU!

DG flew forward, straight toward Elle. It raised its scythe, and took a sideway slash.

*CLANG!!*

Elle had blocked the blow...but she was being pushed downward.

DG: You must understand...that no matter what, I'm stronger than you... unless...

Elle: Damn....you...

Elle was struggling.

DG: I grow bored. Hardly what I expect from a heroine. So let's spice things up a bit...shall we?

The DG was talking about Elle's...berserk state of mind.

DG: C'mon...Turn into your pitiful berserk state.

Elle's shoulders grew tired. If she were to fall over, then that would be the end of the heroine's legacy.

DG: I know how...

The DG loosened its grip on its weapon just a little to wave a transparent hand toward Perel. Soon after, an explosion came out of the ground, and blew Perel back, farther than where Meilin was lying.

Perel: UUUAAAGGHH...

Blood was coming out of a wound that opened up on his side.

Elle: PEREL!! NOOO!!

*Heartbeat*
???: ...

*Heartbeat*
???: Elle...get up...

A gleam suddenly shined on Elle's eyes. Those eyes...again...

*CLANG!!*

A ripple of energy waves blew out of the two weapons contesting each other, and DG found itself flying back. It slowed, then stopped itself.

DG: Ahhh....Such power...I see you're awake. Now let's see how powerful you are...

It flew back toward Elle, but Elle took her spear up.

Elle: TERRA WAVE!!

She stabbed the ground, and a huge earthquake sound shook through the air.

Juts of earth came flying upward, in a straight line toward DG.

DG: How weak...

DG floated a little higher in its course.

DG: This is a real earth shaker!!

DG took its scythe, and slashed at the earth.

Circles of earth that waved around its scythe jutted up, growing higher and higher toward Elle.

She snickered, while hopping backwards in short successions. Then Elle took a power jump when the earth jutted up, and landed on the raised earth.

Elle: You bastard...you injure helpless people...

DG flew forward again. Elle went toward DG, and they went on to a straight collision course. The DG gave a slice, but Elle ducked. She had a wide opening. The spear went staright through, put only pierced through its cape.

Elle looked bewildered. She took the spear and sliced upward. It smoothed between its eyes, but DG wasn't touched.

DG: You ruined my cape! HAAHAAHA! You can't hurt me! I am the air itself!!

It flew back, then using the reverse momentum, it blazed forward.

Elle: What?

DG had dissapeared while going forward. Then, almost moments later...

DG: You're DEAD!

Elle caught sight of the scythe appear right in front of her, and DG took a slice sideways. Elle moved her body backwards, but a little too late.

Elle: AHH...

The gleaming scythe blade slashed through a bit of her skin. If she didn't move back, it would've sliced through her completely. The force of the slash pushed her back, and she fell off the jut of earth, blood streaming out of her middle wound.

DG: You're quite skilled...But not enough...

Elle flipped her body and landed on her feet. Then she tumbled backwards, and stopped in a crouch. She was breathing very heavily.

DG: Time to finish this pitiful duel...DEATH GAZE!

A black aura surrounded Elle. She couldn't move...not even to blink her eyes.

DG moved forward, and the point of the scythe moved back.

Elle: (NO...)

DG swung the scythe, and ran her through with the scythe. The curved blade protruded out of her side.

Elle: ......b..a...s...t..a...r.d...

Elle fell on her side, and gasped for air. She closed her eyes...

***

ElleL: So cold...so dark...

ElleL was sitting on a chair, in complete dark. A chair...

ElleL: (How do I know I'm sitting on a chair...?)

ElleL didn't know how she got here, or when. She just sat, patiently. The room was pitch black, and not even the chair could be seen.

ElleD: You failed...

ElleD appeared right in front of her. In this pitch black darkness, she could be seen. She was a source of light.

ElleD: You went out to ressurect the Dark Gaia and you failed.

ElleL: And where were you all this time? I was doing all the work!

ElleD: You are wrong. I was doing the work. And let me explain how.

ElleL listened intently.

ElleD: Elle Light, and Elle Dark. Although I was in your body, we represented two different things. You, Elle Light, represented spirit. You represented life, and love. You were pure in heart, and you bring life and happiness to others.

ElleL: (I never thought about it like that...)

ElleD: I'm Elle Dark. I represent mind and body. I represent death and hate. As you were pure in heart, I was a balance of taint. When we combined, Your body was stronger, and learned more, because I was linked with Ark, and also because in representation I bring death upon others. And in turn, I learned more about love...for Ark.

ElleL: You loved Ark anyway...

ElleD: That's true...but I never understood it. I never took sight on this feeling I had whenever I was with Ark.

ElleL: My body...my spirit...

ElleD: This berserk state you're in...was because of me. I sleep, lending my power to you, until I'm called on. Then I take over completely.

ElleL: Called on by whom?

ElleD: I don't know...but it keeps telling me to awaken from time to time...

ElleL: Am I...dead...?

ElleD: Not yet. You might of failed, but it's not too late. I bring on death, and you bring on life. Death Gaze stabbed your body when I was taking control of your body. So I will soon be gone...

ElleL: If I represent life...then I can keep you from dying...and I can keep myself from going with you...

ElleD: Exactly. If I were to die, then you would also...but you can bring me back...if we merge again...

ElleL: Then let's do it!

ElleD: There's one problem. If we merge again...you will no longer be able to unmerge. We will stay together, because our spirits will mingle.

ElleL: So I will be berserk all my life?

ElleD: No. We will both be taking control. There will no longer be Elle Light and Elle Dark. We will just be Elle.

ElleL: I understand...and we should merge again. If we don't, then we will be gone anyway. Let's go.

ElleD nodded, and held out her hand. ElleL grabbed hold of it, and a huge bluish portal opened up. This shined light everywhere.

ElleD: We will be one...

ElleL: ...and we shall be Elle.

Both stepped into the portal, and light covered both of their eyes.

***

Elle opened her eyes. Her eyes were no longer merciless.

Elle: Get away from me.

Elle grabbed her spear instictivly, and struck DG's scythe. DG flew back, pulling the scythe with it. It was freed from her body.

DG: That isn't possible!

Elle: Believe it.

A stream of light twirled around her middle wound, and skin reappeared. Her other wound closed up as light gleamed on it, and she was back to normal.

DG: Hahaha...A simple nuisance...DEATH GAZE!

The same black aura covered her again...but this time...

Elle: Stop that bullshit!

She waved her spear up, and the aura broke. Elle zoomed forward, and struck DG's scythe again.

DG: AHH...

Elle: I should've know. I thought you were really invincible...but it's just a trick.

DG: ...

Elle: That cape, your eyes...it's all an illusion. The real Death Gaze is the scythe itself. I was aiming for the wrong part.

DG: YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!

DG sliced at Elle, but she hopped back and struck the scythe three more times in succession.

DG: ...AHHH! PAIN...I NEVER FELT...

Elle swung the spear at the scythe with most of her strength.

DG: I'LL.....KILL....YOU.....!!!

Elle: I don't think so.

Elle was at a far distance with DG, because it was pushed back because of the blows. Elle moved forward, and dissapeared.

DG: WHAT...!

Elle: Now you're DEAD!

Elle reappeared right in front of DG. Her back was toward its face.

Elle: TERRA SLASH!!

She twirled, and her two pointed spear clanged with the scythe, and two white glow waves went through and sliced through the ground. It went right through the scythe, and Elle landed.

DG: NOOO!! AAHHHHH!!!

The scythe snapped and flew out of the illusion's hand. It dug itself toward the ground behind it, and crumpled to dust.

DG: AAAAHHHHH!!!

The illusion disitegrated, and dissapeared.

Elle ran toward Perel, and touched his wounds. It closed up, but a slice was still there. It was enough to wake him up.

Perel: ....Elle...what happened...?

The slice was bleeding, but it wasn't enough to be fatal.

Elle hugged Perel.

Kumari?: Hmmm...Elle...it seems you are now one.

Perel: What...?

Meilin woke up.

Meilin: Oh NO! What happened to Perel?

Perel: It's quite funny how you have concern for me over you. Elle... I had a weird dream...I was walking into Crysta...and this ghost hit me...

Elle put a finger on his mouth.

Elle: Ssshh. You won't have such nightmare again.

The entire town was reduced to dust. But Kumari survived it somehow...

Elle had some suspicions about Kumari...

Meilin: What are we going to do now...?

Elle helped Perel to his feet.

Elle: We have to go resurrect the Dark Gaia. We are near.

Kumari?: Look...what's this?

Elle looked toward his hand. A jagged half circle.

Elle: Can that be the seal...? Where did you get it?

Kumari?: Ummm...I found it...

Elle didn't care about where he found it at this point. She was tired.

Meilin: I know! Let's make camp, and we can head off tomorrow.

Elle: That sounds good...

After they ate the last of the claw meat saved, they went to sleep... except for Elle.

Elle: (Kumari...the seal...and Death Gaze...and official of the Dark Gaia...but how...? Crysta...? Asmodeus...? How...?)

Elle closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

***
???: All will be known...tomorrow...
***

Terranecare is almost finished. Chapter seven will come ASAP... A weird thing that I was thinking about while writing this is that the Digimon Hawaiian Victory Song Thingy goes great with that last part.

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