Konaxu pointed westwards. "Continue going in that direction, Ranma... over there is the tunnel entrance I have discovered a few days ago. I'm not too sure where it leads... but as long as it isn't a dead end, chances are high that it goes underneath the Shadow Mountains."
"That's all?" Ranma mumbled. "A hidden path underneath the mountains? That's the big secret how to get on the other side?"
The mermaid shrugged. "Well, it's just a guess..."
"All right..." Ranma sighed. "Guess I'll have to take my chances... thanks for your help anyway!"
She smiled. "Anytime! And remember, once you have passed the mountains, just continue your journey westwards, and you'll reach the kingdom of Tokoi sooner or later."
"Thanks again," Ranma said as he started walking and left Konaxu behind. "And tell Tsaquasa it was fun hanging around with her..."
"Good luck!" And then, he stepped behind a big boulder and was gone.
----
It only took Ranma half an hour before he found the entrance to the tunnel that Konaxu had told him about.
High above his head the Shadow Mountains were rising, looming creepily in front of the night sky...
It was clear that climbing those mountains was out of the question... Heck, they were so high, Ranma had doubts even Goku with his famous cloud would have troubles flying over them.
Then he concentrated on the dark cave in front of him.
Luckily, the mermaid sisters had wrapped up some food for him, as well as some water in a waterskin. That should be enough for some days. Well, the question was, how long was this tunnel?
"Only one way to find out," the martial artist told himself and stepped into the darkness.
----
It was dark inside the tunnel, very dark. The only reason why Ranma had been able to go on at all was that Konaxu had also given him some of the glowing crystals, and they were illuminating his way.
After walking along the bumpy and stony tunnel for some time, Ranma got hungry, so he stopped for a small lunch break. He really couldn't say just how much time he had already spent within the caves, and how long he still had to walk. But he had the feeling that it would take him at least one more day. At least the tunnel was very broad and had a very high ceiling...
After finishing his meal, he took his lightning gem and continued his way.
He took another break when he had the feeling that one day must have passed since he had entered the tunnel... at least that's what his inner watch told him. Also, the long way had made him tired, so he decided to go to sleep... until he felt fit enough to go on.
----
Ranma woke up when he heard the sounds of loud voices, the clanging of steel, the clopping of hooves and the snorting of horses.
Startled, he jumped to his feet, wrapping the glowing crystal with some cloth, so it only gave off a very dimmed light.
He peeked out from the rock he had been lying behind and held his breath.
Travelling through the darkness of the tunnel was a very large number of the dark knights from Yokot, carrying weapons, tools and other stuff. They were going on foot, riding horses or steering small carriages.
"How did they get here?" Ranma mumbled to himself. Did Ekana know of this tunnel as well? Was this her invasion army on its way to Tokoi? If that was the case, he had to reach Ja'an in time, before it was too late.
Sadly, most of the troops already seemed to have passed his hidden sleeping spot, so he wasn't able to leave until the very last of the knights has walked past. Cursing his bad luck, Ranma waited for a good chance.
After some time, Ranma had the feeling he could risk sneaking out of his hiding place... the last riders just passed his position.
He waited a few more minutes, then he grabbed his stuff, planning to follow them in some distance. But then something unpredictable happened: A straggler appeared behind him, obviously a spy that had to make sure that no one was following the troops.
When Ranma saw him, he knew that it was too late: The knight had seen him as well.
Therefore he rushed his enemy with full speed, before he could alarm his comrades. Reaching the black horse, he knocked the knight out of the saddle and to the ground. Cursing, the dark warrior jumped to his feet and drew his sword.
Carefully, the two opponents circled each other. Ranma knew that his martial art skills were hampered because of the lack of ki within this realm, but it should be sufficient against one single enemy.
Then the knight attacked: He raised his black blade and let it whoosh through the air, aiming for Ranma's head.
Skillfully, Ranma ducked under the strike and countered with a low punch at his opponent's stomach. The blow threw the knight backwards, and before he could recover, Ranma jumped after him to take away his sword.
But the knight had a solid grip on his weapon, so it didn't work on Ranma's first try. They continued to struggle for the weapon, all the while the dark soldier was sitting on the ground.
Then the knight managed to pull the sword out of Ranma's grasp. Ranma jumped after it, tripped over a rock lying on the ground... and pushed the sword right into his opponent's chest.
The sharp blade slid through a gap within the black armor, pierced the knight's heart... and ended his life! The warrior uttered a quiet 'urk'... then his lifeless body fell down to the ground.
Ranma stared at the dead body of his enemy. That was the first time he was forced to kill his opponent... well, if you don't count Saffron.
Ranma decided not to think about it anymore. It was an accident, and that guy had been his enemy after all... still, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the nameless knight.
The knight's horse was still upset and pranced around Ranma, whinnying quietly.
Ranma took the reigns of the black stallion and calmed him down. "Hey, calm down, boy... It's all right!"
The horse relaxed after a moment. It seemed that this horse wasn't really an evil creature... it was just used by an evil master.
When looking down at the armor-clad form of his dead opponent, Ranma suddenly got an idea...
----
Ranma had the strong urge to scratch his back, even though he knew that would be futile. The black armor was mighty uncomfortable... but it wasn't supposed to be comfortable, only to be a good protection. And, clothed within his enemy's armor, complete with the helmet, the other members of the dark army wouldn't recognize him. Add the horse, and the disguise was perfect.
Tsaquasa would have been proud.
Ranma realized that the black stallion he had claimed was indeed a gentle animal, obviously mistreated by its previous owner. After realizing that his new master was a good man, the stallion was more than ready to help him out. Within his dark eyes, Ranma could see an impressive spark of intelligence. He decided to call the stallion 'Boy', because that was what he had called him while speaking with him for the first time.
Ranma managed to quickly catch up with the rest of the army, and no one was suspicious about his behavior. He knew he had to leave the black army sooner or later, but it wouldn't be easy as long as they were travelling through this long, dark tunnel. Well, he had no other choice...
And so, Ranma continued his way as part of an army that was out to conquer the magical world of Ja'an...
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(Posted Thu, 02 Nov 2006 18:38)
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