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Thundercats Fanfic 2011- Twisted chains of fate

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Chapter 21

The meeting grounds

May looked at her surroundings and pulled on her hood instinctively. It was midday and they were walking towards the Priest's temple. They weren't sure if they had made the right decision, but she was convinced that the great Jaga might have some answers for them. Even though she was scared of fucking things up big time, it was like seeking council from Arthur's Merlin.

Who wouldn't talk to Merlin?

She smirked to herself. How he would react to their questions was a mystery?

Even without revealing themselves, there was a chance he could tell King Claudus of their existence. Or even see them as a threat. They were aliens amongst people who surely knew very little of space travel and other worlds. A medieval society could have a very negative reaction. Human history was the closest proof to how ignorant people reacted to things they weren't familiar with. It was the riskiest card to play, but if he was someone they could trust, there was much to gain. Her palms sweat, the adrenaline coursed through her body as they took their first steps to the temple. There weren't many people around, and she gapped at the distance between the floor and their objective. She didn't remember it being so high up the day they had been here. She glowered at Rei who seemed as leery as she was. May conveyed half a smile and clasped their hands together.

After a long while they reached the top and they scrutinized their surroundings with short breaths. May saw only two clerics guarding the door who appeared as still as stone statues, tall and regal with their eyes gazing straight ahead. They wore a helm in the shape of a feline´s head, over a hood of fine cloth that covered everything except their eyes. Large pauldrons adorned their shoulders which made them look taller, over a long milky white colored robe. She couldn't help feel small and a bit vulnerable while she stepped closer to them. It was a bit like looking at ancient gargoyles or sphinx statues, she thought.

She wasn't sure how to approach them, or what she could say that could be appropriate. So she gathered her wits and stood between them with Reia at her side. She bowed awkwardly and raised her head to salute.

"Good afternoon clerics" Their heads twisted speedily to their direction, their gazes focused intensely on their presence, as if they locked on their target.

Just like robots… So stiff, ugh!

May bit her upper lip and raised a brow, a little thrown off by their reaction.

"Well… We would like to see Jaga the High Priest." The priest guards looked at each other and quickly returned there gazes on them as if intrigued, never saying a word "He's expecting us! We have these seals as a token of his invitation…" Rei and her pulled out the cat seals and raised them at the side of their heads, hoping the two guards would say something.

There was momentary silence and one of the guards inclined his head in a short nod to the other.

Weirdos…

"Wait here." One of them spoke firmly as he opened the door leaving them alone with gargoyle number two.

May shrugged at Rei's speculative stare and they both waited at the doorstep a little alert.

After a few prolonged minutes of waiting, the guard reappeared closing the huge door behind him.

They sure have strength…

May inspected them wide eyed.

"Follow me…" motioned Gargoyle number one.

So Maryam and Reia did follow him with cautious steps. They walked for a while around the temple and arrived at a small garden. It was simple, full of green pastures and blue flowers that May had never seen before. At the furthest point of the garden, the High Priest had his back to them while tending a flower bush, his staff resting over a stone. When they stepped closer the guard had already left them without warning.

"It is a fine day for flowers is it not? It's wondrous how they bloom if taken care of." He said abruptly without turning around.

"They are beautiful sir" May answered a little taken aback by the subject.

Jaga turned around with a pensive smile on his face and knelt to take his staff. As he arose elegantly he strode towards them and ushered them to follow with his long finger. Everything about him, from his regalia to his stature, emanated a natural ease and a strong presence that made her question his true powers.

It would be awesome to see him throwing spells and see his cape flowing in the wind like a true sorcerer!

But she switched her thoughts to the more important issue. The reason why they were here in the first place. And she couldn't help notice he was taking them through a path behind the temple to a small door, which he opened and revealed a small room surrounded by seats that were very similar to church benches. In the middle of the room there was a shrine with a miniature stone icon of a priest holding a book?

Mays eyes traveled from the effigy to Jaga as he took a seat and invited them to join him. They sat close to him dazed to the core by the calm energy around them. A place so silent and peaceful, that May thought of it as a safe haven.

"This is the temple's greeting grounds… A special place for any who seek peace and knowledge" He waved a hand illustrating his surroundings.

May nodded and shimmied her way to be closer to him. Adjusting into a comfortable position to stare him in the face, preparing for what might be a significant conversation. For which she would have to tread carefully.

Jaga placed his staff beside him and spoke softly.

"I have brought you here to show you that you are safe and have nothing to fear… This is the most sacred of places, even for royalty. So you may speak freely and rest assured we are alone"

May breathed deeply before speaking.

"So there is no one here but us?" She asked and the priest nodded "And whatever we say will remain here…between us?"

Jaga nodded again and rose to his full height.

"I keep my promises child. Not even the King can venture here uninvited." Jaga walked to the shrine and clapped twice and the room suddenly lit with fire torches at each corner "Now… that is much better don't you think?" He conveyed a warm smile and sat again in a bench facing them.

"Okay… So whatever we say stays between us then? " Maryam repeated.

"I already gave you my word little ones… Do I scare you so? " Jaga said smirking in an almost sarcastic tone.

"No… It's just. We don't want to draw unwanted attention to us" May explained in a stiff tone.

"I can understand that..." He blinked slowly and pointed his hand towards them. May felt a shiver creeping up her spine "You may ask any questions you need answered, as long you reply mine to the fullest"

May quirked a brow and shrugged in agreement.

"I guess that's fair enough"

Jaga placed his hands over his head and removed his helmet. Revealing the fact that he was semi-bald, which stunned May in such a way she had to suppress a teasing smile. Her lips twitched and she couldn't help ogling at his bald head.

He looks like an old Sean Connery… Beard and all!

Jaga swayed his head to the side and raised a curious brow at her.

"What are your names?" Jaga asked calmly.

"My name is May…Her name is Reia. Why did you want to speak to us?" She countered quickly.

"Many cats come to our doors seeking to be trained into priesthood and sorcery. Not many succeed overcoming the trials. Each has a destiny… Something different to offer if they become one of us, that is." he paused "As I said, very few show such eagerness and passion to commit" He stated it with clear intrigue "Every person has a certain glow… When I saw you, it was as if you would give your soul to pass those doors."

"Our souls huh? Well… I'm not sure about that. " Maryam snorted and then fell silent.

what lie"Do you know s behind our doors?" He frowned and twisted his head to the side in a very feline way.

May looked at Reia who was fiddling with her fingers nervously. Was he considering them thieves? Or qualified students? She wasn't sure what he was implying anymore. His questions were definitely confusing.

"No… But I'm sure there are priests, students, a sort of training room maybe." She scratched her head "I'm just guessing here. We've never been inside before."

Jaga stared at them thoughtfully. His eyes were so unreadable that she had to force herself to concentrate on his body language. There was no question he was analyzing them in the same manner.

"I see…" He placed a hand under his chin immersed in thought "I can't identify your accent. Your scent is unnatural and you conceal yourselves as priest's do." he paused raising his head "You asked me if I would help someone who is not of my own kind… I wonder if that is the reason you hide yourselves. You're not cats. Still there is no other mixed familiar scent" He suddenly scowled at them and May couldn't help feeling a little nerve wrecked "So you leave me no choice… What are you?"

May held her breath and cringed at Reia's excessive pressure on her hand. She realized there was no way of escaping this subject even if they tried. And despite Rei's objections, she knew lying to a high priest wasn't smart at all.

"I guess you scored a point there… You are correct. We are not cats or dogs…" She hid from his stare sheepishly and began to trace the bench frame.

"There is no reason to hide from me… But if you insist on hiding, I'll respect your decision."

"Well…uhm… We weren't sure if we could trust you. Plus if people saw us, they wouldn't take it kindly, according to our knowledge. Everything that is different from cats is underneath them… Like dogs for example… Except we're not like any animal you've smelled, as you clearly said yourself…" She stated and Jaga seemed unstirred.

"Either you are both keen observers or someone has been introducing you to our shameful flaws as a species."

May smiled nervously and bit her lower lip. Jaga returned her smile widely.

"We can draw our own conclusions… But yes, we've been introduced to some cat-people facts." She paused being careful of not fully giving away information "But it's kind of easy to see it without anyone's help, just by paying a little attention."

Jaga inclined his head slightly and spoke narrowing his eyes.

"Do you truly think I see as plainly as others do?" He asked amused.

Mays brows rose in shock and her heart skipped a beat. He was right. He was a wizard, a priest, a cat-man who must've spent his whole life pondering and looking at things differently, like philosophers or monks. Someone who surely practiced introspection or meditation daily, to reach some kind of super enlightenment. His posture and his manner of speech was a clear statement of that sort of life. Suddenly she realized, this wasn't just any person they were having a silly chat with. They had the honor of speaking to a holy man, someone of great importance and stature. Someone, who could comprehend and assimilate things differently from the regular folk, and hopefully not see them as something dangerous to his people.

Funny how things take a while to hit you in the face

"Why were you at the door that night?" Jaga asked, casually removing his cloak.

"We…" She hesitated but Rei nudged her to tell him. She gaped at Rei surprised then stared back at Jaga "Saw something… and heard something as well. I don't think anybody else could see it… I mean, it's not that it wasn't there… At least we thought there was something. Not that we're crazy or anything like that!"

Jaga laughed wholeheartedly and swayed his head from side to side.

"The way you speak is very amusing child. I understand perfectly… You saw something beyond sight. Both of you have, in fact. There is no need to feel nervous. We are on equal terms you and I"

May exhaled a breath in disagreement.

"We are so not on the same level! Trust me…" She covered her eyes and then peeked at Reia, who seemed as lost as her.

"Would you allow me to look at you as you are?" He asked softly.

May's eyes opened like two plates, surprised at the request.

She took a moment to order the unruly doubts and eyed Reia from the corner of her eye, who astonishingly, uncovered her face. Her friend took her time to slowly remove her gloves and scarf. Then she glared at the priest without an ounce of fear on her delicate features.

This was definitely unexpected…

She cocked her head to the side and followed suite.

As she looked at the priest, she saw no trace of shock, fear or threat. Showing himself more amazed than disturbed, his eyes moving frantically to capture every peculiarity in detail. Smiling, not in a mild way, but truly happy to see them. She couldn't help feel a sudden satisfaction at his reaction. He hadn't looked at them as lab rats, but as beings to admire.

"You are truly one of a kind… You honor me with such trust" He rose and stepped closer "You are a marvel to behold! You were correct in your assumptions… There is no animal like you. Though you have some similarities with some species… You do not belong fully to any of them." He gestured to their hair "Your manes are very similar to our own. Your faces! So feline and yet so alien… What are you?"

"We're humans… We don't look threatening or disgusting to you?" May inquired truly incredulous.

"Jiumans?" He stepped closer inspecting them "No… You are different. That is all. I feel as though I am trapped in a dream. Where have you come from children and how?" Jaga sat beside them and seemed hypnotized.

"We're from a planet similar to yours called Earth… Yeah I know! Weird huh?" May laughed nervously as Jaga looked at them and nodded.

"Earth? That explains many things. Beings from another world no less… May I?" She nodded while he reached for her hair "How were you able to come here?" Jaga asked while he lightly caressed a lock of May's hair.

"That's the thing were not sure… Do you recognize these?" Maryam pushed up her sleeve and showed him the bracelet. He looked at her wrist thoughtfully.

"I haven't seen such craftsmanship in decades… "His voice sounded strained and caught in his throat "There can be no doubt…These were clearly forged by the Blacksmiths from the Jaguar and Bengal clan… How… did you come by this?"

"We have two of these actually... It was a gift from a friend." May allowed his shared information to sink in before speaking further "These people… They're cats? Blacksmiths of important clans you mean?"

"Yes…but I haven't seen anything like them before. There are ancient books that speak of similar artifacts… But little of them have been recovered. Still I can recognize their origin… "

"We think they are sort of why we're here in the first place…" May added.

Jaga's ears twitched and his gray eyes locked with hers.

"Can you remove them?" Jaga asked.

"I wish we could…But sadly no! Their stuck in place! Do you have any idea what they are or what they can do?"

He was silent for a moment and his hand traveled lightly over her wrist without touching. He frowned and exhaled a long breath.

"Is there something wrong?" May asked a little annoyed.

"You think these brought you to our world?"

"As I said we're not sure…"

"They've clung to you, you say? How do you feel since you've worn them?"

She hesitated before answering the question. She had always had dreams, so that was normal. The super healing wasn't normal though. But there wasn't anything certain that could confirm the bracelets were responsible for it. The only palpable proof to justify their space travel. And yet the Frisbee thing could be blamed for that too.

"Normal I guess… Sometimes they feel really warm. They burn our skin actually. Like the first day we put them on…" She looked at Reia who nodded in confirmation.

"There must be something you noticed different. Unless…" He stopped speaking abruptly and he signaled Rei to show him her bracelet. She did. And his face remained thoughtful. "Your jewel is empty child… How did it become so bleak? Did they look the same in the beginning?"

May ran her fingers through her hair irritated.

"She's lost her voice ever since we arrived here, so she can't speak. But yes, the jewel was as red as mine is now." She rubbed Rei's back in a comforting motion "My body healed faster, and so did Reia's, except her vocal cords of course. Humans heal… But not that fast. When we arrived, we were literally a bloody mess. We were looked after though… But I healed at an outrages speed. Still, that didn't happen to Rei. So we're sort of lost." She sighed frustrated "I mean they look like normal jewelry, but they're not."

"I'm truly sorry for your loss… Did the person who took care of you teach you our language May?"

The way he said her name sounded so normal, so familiar. It sort of helped her relax and really clear her head. Come to think of it, she hadn't thought of that detail. How could she forget that? She hit the wood bench exited.

Jaga raised his brows surprised.

"Good point! Actually, I woke up speaking thunderian without any clue as to why?"

Jaga stood up and began pacing the room back and forth, apparently withdrawn in thought. After a long moment he spoke calmly.

"This was truly unexpected…This is a sign that wasn't foretold and I do not understand its nature. In simple words, there must be a reason why you have found such things in your world…" He gave his back to them and sighed deeply "Wielding such objects without proper knowledge is dangerous… Yet I see no danger, because they have clearly chosen you as their holders. Whatever they are, they know where they should remain"

"Wait a minute… What do you mean by 'they'?"

"There are few artifacts that cats have recovered from our ancestors. One of them, being the sword of Omens"

"Omens?" May quirked a brow and couldn't help feeling intrigued.

"Yes… Omens is a sword wielded only by the worthy ruler of our kind. It protects us and has blessed the cats with power and sovereignty. Nothing can compare to it." He hummed thoughtfully "But there is a gap in our history as a race. Much has been lost to us. That is why I am not certain of how to help you." Jaga took her hand in his and smiled. "You are young, lost and in another world no less… You are wise not to tell anyone else of your presence. There are many questions that need answers. And you carry part of our history with you. Much has been forgotten or concealed of our heritage for our protection." He paused and placed a hand on her chin "You must protect these treasures with your lives, as we do not know what they are capable of." May eyed him warily. Jaga's expression was a mixture of amazement and worry. "This is a very delicate matter which we cannot address unprepared. Other than the obvious reason that you are both not from this earth, there is also the scandal of a thunderian relic being under the possession of a foreign species."

"But what are they?" May insisted.

"I do not know… But you seem at peace baring them… I can see that you hold no threat to us. Somebody might have given you these for a purpose! You could be being used as an envoy or a deliverer of an omen. Your friend must have trusted you enough to keep these items safe. There are a million reasons, and yet nothing is certain!"

"So that's it… That's all you can say…" May huffed a frustrated breath. She had a hunch he was hiding something, a subject he wasn't sure he should share "Rei has read many books. She told me your people believe in magic… In jewels that possess a certain energy or power. Is that true? Because where we come from, not many believe magic exists. Some do agree in the energy or life force in people and things. But then again, everyone has different beliefs on Earth." Rei smiled at her and she felt very happy with herself for remembering what Lynxaris had told Rei.

Jaga gave a half smile and took his staff as though presenting it to them.

"You are correct. We wield certain powers if the mind and soul is trained. We also possess talents… I am impressed!" He stepped closer and knelt before them "Everything has a life force, which many are not capable of seeing. As do trees, water and gems. They can have less or more power depending on their source you see… They withhold a life of their own. The exceptional ones may require years of training to wield them, unless born with a natural ability." He moved his staff towards them and swirled it around making little stars fall around them like glittery rain "As you do… Everything has its own glow"

That word again…

"So these might be or might not be like the sword of Omens… But they have a use, a way of mastering them, which doesn't mean we are supposed to be the ones to harness their power and that we are simply their keepers, until they find their true masters… Like Arthur's sword, Excalibur. Yours is Omens. These might be related to it in some way? Am I on to something here or am I crazy?"

"Indeed… But the rest are only assumptions May. Anything is possible… For all we know, there might be other reasons as well" Jaga tapped a finger on his cheek "You learn and listen well. This pleases me. Even so, there are no certainties of what withholding these relics mean and why they come from another world. We must consider beyond the simple facts."

Reia elbowed May and wrote a question on paper.

'Do gems communicate things to the holder?'

May pointed to the paper Rei was holding shyly.

"Yes… It might depend on its master's ability of course. Some are only capable of using a small portion of its power. The bracelets might have taken a liking to its bearer and shown them something. Be its power, knowledge or anything that's within its capacity. May has received our language as a gift, for example. The rest is a mystery that we all wish to unravel as we do with Omens"

"There are still things that somebody like you doesn't know about Omens? That's a real big, huge downer! I mean… we're like light-years away from knowing their potential… Isn't there like a manual or something? "

"We have sought this knowledge for many a year young ones" He took her wrist in his hand and took Rei's as though comparing them "My ancestors sought to keep these secrets, this knowledge safe from entities with poisoned souls. Ancient priests thought it best to hide things of the past where no one could find them. They say there is a book called "The book of Omens", which holds all that needs to be known. We have yet to find it…" He smiled as he caressed their hands "There is a time for everything I believe… Destiny is a wise one"

It was comforting and weird to have someone as important as Jaga the High Priest hold their hands. But May realized that he understood that they were lost and suffering for it. A higher understanding of their problems as an alien species, in uncharted territory and with some really important things that didn't belong to them. With no clue as to why it happened. It was all over his elderly features, a sort of worry and caring sentiment. Then he tapped them gently and withdrew himself at a minor distance.

"Tell me your age?"

May took a moment to think and Reia suddenly began reminding her with hand signs all over her face.

"Oh…" She giggled nervously for not being able to remember. So much time had passed by, it was hard to recall such a silly detail "I'm seventeen and she's nineteen years old"

"You are very young… Almost as young as the heirs" He twisted his head again as he sat "I assume you left everything you loved and valued behind… I'm very intrigued by this Earth planet of yours. Is it like Third Earth?"

"Very similar! Though there might be some differences of moons and stars. The vegetation is way more colorful here. The food is different too…" She stopped before she could say anything about the life forms on earth. "But some things don't change…"

"I suppose, if you say so, I'll take your word for it. How long have you been here? Are you alone?"

May shook her head in response.

"We're not alone… And we've been here in Third Earth, for almost… Two years."

"You must've been heartbroken and so lost… You are very brave to venture and survive at such a tender age. But you must be careful of who you trust… There is no certainty what could happen to you if you are in the wrong hands."

May shivered a little and stuttered before answering.

"We think we are… in very trustworthy hands. Temporarily that is…"

"But who are these people who have kept you safe? Who found you?" Jaga asked appearing genuinely concerned.

"I… Oh God…Might as well say it! Far too deep in shit to actually avoid the topic right? Excuse my cursing… Ehm… Plus you seem like a nice person" She looked at Reia who shrugged back at her and raised a hand to her face. Apparently Rei wasn't very proud of the way May conducted herself in the conversation. She took a deep breath and spilled the information like it burned her tongue "General Panthro found us… He nursed us to health and named us his charges or daughters I think"

Jaga's eye's widened in surprise.

"But is he with you?"

"No, no…" May's shoulders slumped and her voice lowered considerably "He left us under someone else's care. He said he had something important to do… He didn't say why he was leaving. He never even told us what he was doing when he found us. But he's the greatest cat I ever met, although I'm still a little mad at him…"

"I never thought of Panthro as a fatherly figure, or a family cat, but then again, possibilities are infinitely beautiful. He adopted two daughters, not of his own kind…That is a great statement of care and trust from such a stern general… Considering the circumstances, I can understand why he would want to tell Claudus personally of this event. Especially knowing what you are… Though do not worry… One of his reasons must be a deep sense of caring for you two as well" He smiled at them "The reason why he left, is because he is still seeking the book of Omens. He must be ashamed to show himself with empty hands and…"

A sudden nock on the door halted their conversation.

"Yes?" Jaga asked calmly.

A young female voice spoke softly behind the door.

"Your presence is requested my lord…"

"I'll be there shortly…"Then he whispered "I'm afraid we must continue this conversation another time. I will leave first… Open the door after I've left and follow the path to the garden. I'm sure you know your way from there"

"Yes we do… Thanks for your help!" May inclined her head respectfully along with Rei.

" I mean to help you and I will not forget this matter. It is of upmost urgency that we unravel this mystery as soon as we can… You cannot hide forever under the shadows and there is no telling what could happen if we ignore this sign. Be it fate or coincidence… I will not share this with Claudus until Panthro's return. But I will make sure to study the matter hastily. The only thing I ask of you, is to remain safe until our next meeting" He laid a hand on Maryam's shoulder "Come back to me children, before the next black moon" He stood and left the room as regally as he had entered it.

After a few minutes they arranged their disguises again and May left without looking back. Reia held to her arm with a strong grip and seemed a little introverted. Jaga had pointed out many interesting things that could have stirred some ideas in Rei's calculating head. Even so, to May one thing stood out in the conversation, more than any other subject. The way he had referred to their bracelets.

He said 'They'… As if they were persons.

He had also remarked the fact that they had a purpose of being here. But she wasn't sure she agreed. The idea of Nadia giving the bracelets to keep them safe didn't fit with the ogre girl story. Also, she didn't think Nadia knew any alien cat people or even wanted to help them. It was something else…

She placed her arm over Rei's back and they walked in silence under a storm of thoughts. They would be lucky if they managed to sleep. They had a long night ahead of them!

Rating: T

Warning: I am rating each chapter , based on language and scene content... Chapter includes: mild cusring and some answers =P .

Disclaimer: I do not own the Thundercats series. Only the characters I created.

Author's Notes: Well, well... Hoped you had a good time with precious chapter. I'm so excited! Things are ... moving! lol! This was an enexpected chapter in my head. It was orignally meant to be inside chapter 20, but I decided it really needed to stand solo, because of its weight and information load. I hoped you liked chapter 20 as much I did! And will just see what happens with this one... Ooh my fingers be burning mon! So chapter 23 is being uploaded next... See you there!

© 2016 - 2024 Shasaria
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