A Night at The U.N.
Liam stood in the mirror, adjusting his bow tie one last time. His fingers danced with the fabric, but still; no matter the effort or the attempt; it ended crooked. He sighed and shrugged, glancing up to study his reflection in the mirror. A strong crisp voice interrupted his analysis, "Quit Preening and hurry up, we will NOT be late this time because of you." A small smirk played across his face before quickly changing to practiced innocence. "Yea ma, Im'ma walking" replied Liam, his thick accent nearly obfuscating his words. He turned out of the dining room and advanced towards the door and his waiting mother. "And cut that ridiculous turn of tongue out, I didn't raise you educated and proper to be speaking street like your cousins" she chided, while deftly straightening his bow tie. "Yes mother, of course. Shall we depart?" All trace of his Irish vanished as he took her arm in his and they hurriedly departed.
Later, on the Limo drive over.
"Relax and stop fidgeting. She'll think you look handsome." A knowing look and a ghost of a smile.
"What are you talking about?" A twitch and confused look.
"Miss Amaya is supposed to be there. Why else would you spend an hour getting dressed and ready?" A Raised eyebrow and another hidden smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Head turn to hide the face and a hand to adjust the hat.
"Must you wear that silly thing?" Brief annoyance.
"Yes, mother. And you know why." Mild amusement.
"Well I trust that if anyone searches you they won't find your knife?" Resigned look away.
"Of course." More amusement.
As the door opened, Liam stepped out and breathed in the cool New York night air. He turned and held his hand out to his mother as she too stepped out into the cold. He waited for a moment while she adjusted her shawl around her shoulders before taking her arm. "You never even mentioned what you thought about my dress", she said with feigned injured tone. Liam smiled as he replied , "Elegant and commanding as always mother. Your enemies will prostrate themselves before your beauty." "And now I remember why I stopped asking your opinion.""Well you can hardly consider my opinion unbiased, I am your son after all." She smiled and sighed all at once as he lead her up the stairs and to the entrance.
The entrance hall to The United Nations had gone under it's traditional seasonal transformation. Christmas and holiday decorations illuminated the halls, festive lights suffusing the room in glow that enriched the very soul. Liam smiled as he swept his gaze across the room. It was the same every year; the decorations ranged from Christmas to Kwanzaa to general non-religious "Season's Greetings". The decorations were as varied as the guests. Liam slowly navigated through the eclectic crowd, his ears coming alive with more languages then he could make sense of. It all blurred into a nonsense low mumble. Again Liam peered around the room, taking in the grandeur of the place. Crystal chandeliers, men in suits and women in gowns and dresses. He also noticed the men and women trying hard to stay in the background, the body guards and security; their fine suits barely concealing the bulges of firearms. This wasn't a place of the rich, the super elite that ran the business world. This was the place of diplomats and politicians; men and women who used their words and power to influence and guide policies that affected nations. Liam smiled once more and shook his head almost sadly. If only they knew how ultimately pointless their words and policies and schemes truly were.
Liam sat at his table, idly toying with the name card addressed as "Ambassador O'Doherty". He sighed as he ignored the chatter coming from the other consulate members at the table. Despite the festivities, he just wasn't in the mood for it tonight. Again he searched the crowd and again he noted an absence. He pulled out his phone checked his email for the fifth time. He sighed once more and put his phone away. Dinner had been delicious as was the dessert. Now the people were mingling and sharing a general merriment in the way only the rich and refined did. Translation...talking and boring dancing. Just then, Liam's phone beeped to tell him he had a new text message. He pulled it out and immediately his heart jumped to his throat when he saw the sender. Odd, a picture text? Quickly he opened up the message and brief confusion settled in his mind. It was a picture alright; of him, in his tux sitting at the table with a caption that read , "Nice outfit...
". Realization struck Liam as the same instant he jumped to his feet. His eyes darted every which when, searching for once face and one figure.
There she was, standing out in the crowd as a candle in a dark room. Liam's eyes drawn to her face, blazing with a radiance and warmth that could scorch the sun itself. She stood a hundred feet away across the crowded room, but Liam saw no one else but her. Everything else faded from his sight. He etched every feature of her face into his mind. The way her soft lips curved into a shy smile, the way her raven hair acted to silhouette her perfect face. And her eyes. Words could not describe the way her eyes seemed to dance in the light. It was as if the gods had captured the very essence of the sky, added an almost neon brilliance to it then placed it where her eyes should be. A clear voice rang out in his mind , "Liam, you're staring. What are you waiting for, go and greet her". His mother's strong voice broke the spell; he spied her off in another direction talking to Ambassador Tsukokawa, Amaya's father. His eyes turned once more to the enrapturing beauty, noticing a slight hint of red now creeping into her cheeks. Liam swallowed, mustered his courage and crossed the room, trying hard to calm his excitement and not appear too eager.
"Good evening Miss Tsukokawa, I'm glad to see you could join us". Liam intoned formally with a smile and bow. Amaya smiled wider and Liam felt like his heart was going to explode. "Why thank you Mr. O'Doherty, I'm glad to be here," she replied in an equally formal intonation. They held each others gaze for a moment longer before Liam grinned and Amaya burst into a giggle fit. "Oh god how I hate these formal things, everyone being so stuffy and uptight. My father even made me wear a kimono this year. Ugh, I hate it." For the first time, Liam noticed anything other than her face, as he looked down to see the pristine white garment she was wearing. "You're gorgeous," Liam said as if entranced. He reddened as he quickly added , "It's gorgeous, it makes you exotic". She blushed again, deeper and playfully punched him in the arm. "Well yea, here it does. Back home I look like just any other girl". "No girl looks like you do Amaya," Liam smiled as he slid the hidden compliment in. Amaya glanced down then back up, her eyes boring their way straight through Liam. The stared into each others eyes for a moment before both lost their nerve and looked away. "It's pretty loud in here. I can barely hear myself think". Liam smiled; the room wasn't that loud but he took the invitation. "Well we could always take a walk to somewhere quieter?" he said as he offered his arm.
The fountain trickled in the background as they strolled into the courtyard. Liam's heart raced as he held Amaya's arm in his. They filtered through topic after topic, letting small talk fill the silence. "So is your mom still harassing you about college?"
"Yea, I'm still trying to convince that all I want to do is be an EMT but she refuses to listen. She's insisting I go to college and get a degree."
"So do I hear Dr. O'Doherty in the future?"
"Nah, waaay too long to be chained to a classroom. I'm think I'm gonna try and see if she'll compromise on letting me just get a two year degree and go into nursing".
"Well it's still healing the sick and helping the injured so good luck with that"
"How about you? What's the 'Tyrant Tsukokawa' say about your future?"
Amaya stopped walking and Liam turned to face her as she pointedly looked down at the ground. Liam's heart froze as he read her body language. He instinctively reached out and took her hands. "Whats wrong?"
"Well, my father and I had a long discussion...I have two options". The anguish practically dripped out of her mouth as she spoke. "I can..I can either go to NYU or Julliard". She threw the words out hurriedly; Liam froze as his mind tried to comprehend the words, "Wait, what? That means..?" Amaya's face snapped up, all humor, smiles and happiness. "That means I'll be here in New York for more than just the summers and holidays. That means I'll be closer.." Her voice trailed off as they stared into each others eyes, they thoughts sharing the same thought. Liam's heart was racing along with his mind, trying to process all the implications. He stepped closer as his hand, seemingly of it's own volition, reached up to her face. Her eyelids fluttered at his touch and he felt her sharp intake of breath. His mind went racing back to five years in the past, when he had stolen a quick kiss from her. This wasn't that moment. This was something else entirely. Their bodies knew what to do. Liam leaned down as Amaya raised her face to his. The world seemed to slow as all Liam felt was his own pulse racing, Amaya's light perfume flooding his brain. This was a perfect moment.
As he leaned in for the moment that he had been thinking about for over a year now, his brain exploded with danger. He grabbed Amaya against his chest and twirled around just in time to feel a piercing pain in his back. "Liam, what the hell?" "Oww.." Liam reached behind him and pulled out..a shuriken? Liam held it out in front of him, looking at the blood with confusion. "Liam.." Amaya looked at him with fear and shock. Liam couldn't help but feel the same as he looked around. He couldn't see anything but..writhing shadows?? Something was obviously not right here. He knew there was someone out there, no, wait, more than one; but he couldn't see anyone. His face scrunched with confusion, but then an idea sprung to mind. He brought up a hand to cover one eye and reached deep inside his veins to call forth his gift. Suddenly the weaves of fate, life and magic sprung into his vision. There! The shadows and the darkness weren't real, they were concealing shapes, humanoid shapes. Four of them.
"Come on out, I can see you anyways" Liam intoned has he reached into his pocket and pulled out Athrú. Amaya stared wide eyed as four shapes emerged from the darkness. "What in the name of...ninjas?!? You've got to be kidding me" Sure enough, four figures clad in black wielding black katanas. They moved in disturbing silence, flawlessly coordinated as they advanced. A soft, fearful voice. "Not ninjas..Shinobi" "Well whatever they're called, they're in for a surprise".
But before Amaya's words registered in his mind, the shinobi advanced with blinding speed. He threw Amaya to the side as he willed Athrú to change, trusting it to pick a suitable form. He brought it up just in time to block the sword swipe, Athrú having become a sword breaker. He pushed forward and stepped back, willing Athrú to change again.
Things became a blur as Liam reveled in the moment. These things were fast! But he was no slouch either. This was the moment he had been training for for six months. Before he knew it he was surrounded. He called forth stories his mother shared to him as a child, stories of Lugh and Cu Chulainn. He felt his veins surge as he rallied his courage. He swung Athrú, great sword form, in a huge arc before him. Lucky shot! Athrú cleaved through one shinobi and dug deep into the side of another; the first shinobi dissolved into a dark mist. Pain lanced through his shoulder as his reward for his effort. He dropped to his knee and tumbled to the side. One down, one injured and Liam wasn't doing to well either. His eyes glanced to the wound in his shoulder, then back to the shinobi. He smiled. Changing Athrú into a chain whip he launched his attack again. The injured shinobi didn't react in time, taking the small knife at the end of the chain to the eye. Again he paid for his attack, this time with a cut to the ribs.
The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity. The shinobi were perfectly silent, perfectly coordinated. They weren't fools either, they would wait for him to attack and then respond. A sudden idea sprang to his mind. Risky, but it could mean the end of the fight. They circled around him, stalking in obscene silence. Out of the corner he saw Amaya, frozen in perfect horror as she watched what transpired. He swallowed anxiously as the shinobi continued to pace. Then the perfect moment arrived. He launched his attack at the one in front, leaving himself open in the back. Block! The shinobi parried his attack, knocking his blade high and wide. Then his mind burst wide as pain overloaded his senses. He looked down to see two feet of steel protruding from his chest. Well...that hurt. Somewhere in the distance he heard a scream. He looked to the side, distantly seeing Amaya struggle with another figure.
Pain overloaded his senses. He grunted as the shinobi withdrew the blade from behind. In his mind's eye he swore the one in front smiled underneath it's blank mask as it sheathed it's katana. Snarky asshole. Liam's face contorted with rage as he willed Athrú, bringing it down in a quick deft movement. He plunged Athrú, knife form, deep into the shinobi's neck. Black mist spurted out, then it dissolved. He dropped to his knees, his concentration slipping. Well, at least one thing went right. He watched as the shinobi, perfectly silent, walked around him. Left for dead. He heard Amaya screaming.
The pain was incredible, but he rallied his concentration. He pulled deep inside, summoning his divine essence and pushing it towards the pain. He struggled back to his feet, rising to stand. He felt a surge inside; he looked down to watch the hole in his chest seal up, then his shoulder and side. He smiled as he squeezed Athrú tight in his grip. Being his father's son had a lot of fringe benefits; this was the first time he'd healed from something so serious before though. He stalked quietly after the shinobi that was still leaving, raising Athrú to strike. The shinobi turned just in time to get the axe shape of Athrú in the face. He looked up to Amaya.
"That's far enough Scion.." Liam stared at the scene in front of him. A man, a thing, held Amaya in his grasp. He was dressed like the shinobi, but there were startling differences. First, his face was only partially covered. His lips were curled in almost a manical grin, his eyes wide. Liam could only help but stare for a moment. Was it his imagination, or were there little black dots swirling across the man's eyes. Flame red hair burst from the back of the man's head. He held one hand over Amaya's mouth, the other held a kukari across Amaya's throat. "We didn't expect another scion here. Perhaps we should have, fate's a bitch that way". Liam slowly began to step forward, "That's fine right there boy, wouldn't want this pretty neck to get a second smile.." The man slid his tongue across Amaya's cheek as she squirmed. Pure terror screamed from her eyes as she pleaded silently to Liam.
"I highly doubt it. You obviously came here to kidnap Amaya, you're not about to kill her" "Oh, and what do you know of my orders boy? I was instructed dead or alive, and either suits me fine. You killed four good men....I might just kill her to see your reaction". Liam flexed, rage coursing through his veins. Then something amazing happened. His eyes glanced down to Amaya's side.
Something rang again in his mind as he watched the next few seconds. Something the man said. Another Scion. The bracelet around Amaya's wrist began to shift. Tendrils of shadows twirled down around her hand and twined through her fingers. The darkness coalesced into a blade, a wakizashi. Fear still reigned in her eyes as she swiftly brought the blade up, plunging it deep into the man's side. The man hollered in pain; his grasp broken as Amaya tore herself from his hands, her blade from his side. Liam saw his opportunity. He drew Athrú back, willed it to a spear and hurled it with all his might, all his though and all his heart. Athrú struck drew, boring straight through the mans chest, impaling him against the wall. The man shrieked in again and struggled, pulling on Athrú to free himself. Liam dashed forward and grabbed Athrú with his hands. Their eyes' met. The man cackled and spat black blood in Liam's face, "This isn't over boy, we're just gonna keep coming for the girl". Liam grinned, "Maybe, but it's over for you regardless". Liam twisted Athrú and tore it free, willed it to change one last time and severed the man's head with an overlarge cleaver.
Liam stepped back and took a deep breath, trying to calm down his heart and ease out of the adrenaline surge. "Liam.." He turned to see Amaya, concern and fear etched over her body. Her hand still clutched the blade. Liam let a weary smile come to his face, "Well, that was fun. Scion's one, Titanspawn zero". He stood up straight, flicked Athrú back to a knife and twirled it in the air. He walked forward and extended his hand to Amaya, smile wide on his face. "Liam O'Doherty, Scion of Lugh of the Tuatha De Danann. Pleased to meet you". Terror momentarily forgotten, a shy smile creeped onto Amaya's face, " Amaya Tsukokawa, Scion of Izanami of the Amatsukami" Liam grinned wider as he took her hand, brought it to his face and kissed it. She snorted and giggled.
A sudden cacophony of noise filled the courtyard. Liam whirled and pulled Amaya behind him as he stared in wonder and confusion. Samurai filed in with swords drawn. Liam's head swung back and forth as a seemingly endless number poured into the courtyard form all directions, completely surrounding them. He couldn't believe his eyes. Real samurai with swords and armor, faces concealed by masks with demonic visages. Liam swallowed and changed his weapon into a great sword, "Well this is gonna suck.." Amaya grabbed his arm, "Liam..Liam! It's ok....they're my father's..." Liam blinked with confusion, but as if summoned by name, Amaya's father strode through the crowd.
Liam had met the man before, even talked to him. But this time something was different. His very being radiated command; Liam couldn't help but stare at him. His face was a grim and serious mask as he approached, the Japanese language spewing from his mouth rapid fire," Inexcusable! I told you not to leave my sight! You knew the assassins were going to strike soon!" Amaya bowed her head in acquiescence," Yes father" "And not only that, but you are also with a scion from another pantheon! We Scions of the Amatsukami do NOT associate with our lessers!" "But father, I didn't know! And he saved my life!" Her father snarled," Then that is another sin on you; you cannot rely on other pantheons, they will betray you in the end!" He walked forward and yanked Amaya away. "Go wait in the car, you are done here". Amaya looked at Liam with sorrow and pain, her lips silently mouthing his name. "I said go!" And Amaya fled, with only one look back to Liam before exited the courtyard.
"And as for you..." He stood straight, switching to English. He didn't know that Liam had learned Japanese to impress Amaya. "I had permitted your flirtations with my daughter till now, but since you have changed that is no longer an option". His face was hard and cold as stone. "It would be best for my daughter if you just silently went away.." His voice was filled with dark foreboding as all the samurai in the room turned to face him in unison.
"That is quite enough Daisuke!" A clear voice rang out in the courtyard. Liam couldn't help but smile as he turned. His mother, aged but still beautiful stood in a doorway. The samurai nearest her retreated from the might of her voice, the heaviness of her aura. Regally she walked into the room, unconcerned and uncaring about any imagined threat. Daisuke, Amaya's father Liam realized never knowing his first name, gave his mother a hard glare. "You're not really stupid enough to pick a fight, here, in my presence?" Daisuke grinned viciously. "You retired Shaena, remeber? Gave up your relics and everything. What threat do you pose?" "Simple my simple minded fool. Do you want to risk an inter pantheon incident? You know my mother, and you know she always watches her children, retired or not. You won't be able to sweep any violence under the rug". The man grimaced and pause. With a curt nod, all the samurai faded into darkness. "Very well.." And he left.
Liam turned to his mother and smiled. She smacked him lightly on the face. "Ow, what the hell?" "Don't give me that, you were provoking him weren't you?" "No, I swear, I didn't do anything but save Amaya's life!" "Yup, that would do it." She sighed and looked around. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and get out of here. Then I'll tell you a story about Ambassador Daisuke..."
Two weeks later
Liam stared unblinking at his computer screen. His mind tried to make sense of the words in front of him. Words like "Forbidden" and "Never again". He read and reread the email over and over. Amaya was gone, taken by her father to some remote place in the country for "safety". She was never allowed to see him again. Liam's face dropped into his hands. What was the point of being the hero if you couldn't get the princess?
". Realization struck Liam as the same instant he jumped to his feet. His eyes darted every which when, searching for once face and one figure.