Sword of the Stars Part 8
Toward the Horizon
When Duo returned to the clearing, he saw that the others had awakened. Wufei was sitting with Quatre outside of the tent. When Duo met Quatre's gaze, he saw that the blond's eyes were red-rimmed. He looked away from Duo. Heero was staring at him. Duo met his friend's eyes and nodded. Heero stood up.
"Are you going to...?"
Duo took a deep breath. "If everything Yohan says is true, than I am the only one who can fight the Dark Lord. I have to try, don't I? What would Father say if I didn't?"
Heero opened his mouth, but closed it without saying a word. Yohan straightened his robes. "I want you to understand something, Duo. This quest will not be easy. There is a chance you could be killed. Also, there are tasks to be done in order for you to receive the Star Sword. The first thing you must do is obtain the keys to the Temple of the Skies."
Duo frowned. "You mean no one can enter the Temple?"
"That is part of the test to see if you are worthy of the Sword. If you can overcome the trials and obtain the keys, the Celestial Palace will open and allow you to come in. Are you prepared?" Duo shrugged. "As prepared as I'm ever going to get."
"Good. The keys are in the forms of two orbs: one of earth and one of water. The first one is located in Daylonia. That one you must obtain without me. If you come out of the cavern with the orb, tradition states that you will truly be worthy of finding the other, and I will guide you there. The cavern holding the orb of earth is within the mountain range bordering Triantia. It should not take you long to get there if you hurry. I can cast a spell to make one of these horses run faster, if you wish."
Duo nodded. "I'll go at first light," he said with fierce determination.
Yohan smiled. "Very well. I shall prepare some supplies for you." The mage turned and walked toward his tent. Wufei and Quatre moved out of the way so he could enter it. When Yohan was gone, Duo sat down wearily.
"Did I make the right choice?" he asked himself. "It's kind of unsettling, having the fate of the entire world resting on your shoulders." He laughed softly to himself, noting the chuckle held a trickle of hysteria in it. He was speaking of the entire issue as though it was a task to pick up supplies from a market.
"Master Zendrick will be proud of you," Heero said. His friend sat down beside him. "So you are going to get the Star Sword?"
Duo nodded. "I'm going to try. It's not going to be easy but there's no one else. I have to go." He lowered his head. "I leave at dawn to search for the Orb of Earth. Wish me luck."
"I'll wish you luck on the way there. I'm going with you."
Duo stared at Heero with wide eyes. "Yohan said only I could use the Sword--"
"He said only you could wield the Sword, he didn't say I wasn't allowed to help you get it."
"But there's bound to be danger on the way, Heero. You heard Yohan, we could be killed. You should stay here."
"You told me to keep moving so the Imperials wouldn't find me," Heero said. "Besides, if I'm there to watch your back, you'll have less of a chance being killed, right?"
Duo opened his mouth to protest, but decided not to. He'd be grateful for Heero's company. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it. You didn't think I'd really let you go alone, did you?"
Before Duo could reply, Quatre appeared in front of him. He and Heero stood up. Quatre's eyes were still red, but there was strength in them, too.
"Duo," he said, "I would also like to accompany you."
Duo and Heero exchanged glances. "Quatre..." Duo began.
"No, wait, let me finish." He took a deep breath. "There is nothing left for me in here. Garrania is part of the Empire now. It...would be an honor to help you obtain the weapon needed to defeat the Dark Lord. I can fight, too. I won't be in your way. I--" Duo raised a hand and he fell silent.
"I've seen you fight, Quatre," Duo said. "And you would be a great help. It would honor *me* if you came."
Quatre stood expressionless for a moment. Then he smiled. "Thank you, Duo."
Wufei joined them and smiled. "Unless you have any strong objections, Duo, I would also like to go with you." Duo opened his mouth, but Wufei continued. "Before you say anything, remember that I am a Healing Cleric of the highest degree. I would be able to heal your injuries. I also have excellent defense against magical attacks."
Duo grinned. "I was going to say a Healer would be a great help, Wufei."
The Cleric smiled in embarrassment. "Oh."
Yohan emerged from the tent with saddlebags of supplies. "All of you will be going, I presume?" Duo nodded in wonderment. The mage had guessed they'd be leaving together. Heero took the saddlebags and went to deal with the horses. Yohan put his hands on Duo's shoulders. "The enemies you'll face for the Orbs are unlike any you've ever seen. You must be brave and stand strong against them. If you come out of the cavern holding the Orb of Earth, I will be waiting for you. From there I will guide you on your path to destiny. Best of luck to you, Duo Zendrick."
Duo smiled. "Thank you, Yohan."
The mage turned to the others. "Heero, Quatre, Wufei, do your best to protect Duo on this journey. If he dies, all is lost." Quatre and Wufei nodded slowly. Heero turned from the horses and grinned at Duo.
"He'll be fine. If he thinks he can die and leave me alone to deal with Triantia, he'd better think again!"
Duo smiled at his friend. "I'll get the Orb, Yohan. I promise." The morning sun peeked through the trees. "It's time to go." He walked toward the horses. Heero gestured to them. One was white and one was black.
"Which one do you want?" his friend asked. "They're both stallions." Duo thought for a moment, then took the white horse's reins. "I think the name Cloud suits you fine."
Heero took the reins of the black horse. "Then this one's mine." He mounted and settled himself in the saddle. "I'll call him Bolt."
"Bolt, huh?" Duo mused as he climbed onto his new horse. "That's original."
"It's better than 'Cloud'!" Heero retorted with an amused grin.
Duo rolled his eyes and offered Quatre a hand. "Coming?" The blond nodded and climbed up behind him as Wufei joined Heero.
Yohan looked up at them. "Remember, the cavern is bordering Triantia. As soon as you cross the Garrania-Daylonia border, head north. I will follow you. Luck be with you."
Duo nodded. Yohan reached out and touched Cloud's nose. The horse shone a bright blue color, then returned to normal. The mage did the same for Bolt. "Now your steeds will travel faster," he explained. "In addition, they will not need as much food or water as usual, making them able to travel for long periods of time. Now go, all of you, and retrieve the Orb of Earth. I will be waiting."
With a final wave to Yohan, Duo flicked Cloud's reins and the horse began to gallop onto the path leading out of the forest. Heero followed him several seconds after.
TBC...
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