Welcome to Gaia! ::

*It was the entity's turn to be shocked. It had never expected this... An inccubus that wished to be human? It knew of no being, no level of magic, that could impersonate such resounding feelings. He spoke with the true heart of a man. And this man-demon was accepting...no begging...to be a mortal.

The entity gave a great laugh. It had not had such a wonderful day since it met its mate. It's voice was no longer cold but seemed hearty and full of life*

I LIKE YOU MAN-DEMON! IT GIVES ME HOPE THAT THE EARTH-REALM IS NOT COMPLETELY LOST. AH, BUT THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE MEANS OF INTRODUCTION. I AM HERUL. I WOULD GIVE MY PROFESSION BUT I FEAR YOU WOULD KNOW NO EQUIVALENT. LET US SAY I AM A MINOR OFFICIAL OF MY HOME. AND YOU ARE WELCOME THERE AS A MORTAL. WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND TELL ME HOW YOU CAME TO KNOW THE CHILD?

ON SECOND THOUGHT, DO NOT ANSWER YET! BETTER WE MEET AND THE CHILD TOO. I SHALL SEE YOU THERE. AND DO NOT LET GO OF THE CHILD FOR I HAVE NO MEANS TO BRING YOU BUT THROUGH THE CONNECTION I HAVE MADE WITH HER

*With Cole grasping Hikari's arm tightly, the two began their journey. In fact, they never actually moved since the journey was dimensional instead of transitional, but it still gave the feeling of crossing great distances.

For Hikari, who had come out of her meditation, already aware of where they were going through the telepathic abilities of Herul, the journey felt like slipping into a cool still body of water as she felt entirely weightless and buoyed up by some strange medium.

For Cole, the trip was different, for the sealing off of his demon blood does not come about so easily. Unlike Hikari, it was as though he weighed 100 times his actual. There was a roaring in his ears and everything he could see was getting brighter and brighter. A dark spot, all the darker because of the brightness of his surroundings, was forming directly in front of him. As it grew, things got brighter, he felt heavier, and the roaring got louder.

And then, they arrived.*

Don't be suprised. We have ancestry with earth from an age not even remembered anymore. But that is a story in itself. Nevertheless, this is not an illusion, and all will be explained eventually.

*The landscape looked exactly like the northernly earth lands. There were fields and trees, and mountains in the distance. An odd looking structure that Hikari assumed was a house was nearby. Herul had walked up to them. He looked almost like a normal man would. Except he was all grey in color and his features had a certain fluidity about them, as if they were not so solidly defined. When Hikari looked down at herself, she saw that she had the same fluidity to her body. She poked at her arm and it rippled in a strange way. She looked for Cole and found him sitting on the ground a few feet away. Something seemed different about him, but she couldn't place it.*

HUMAN? Cole...how, why?

*Hikari noticed that Cole's eyes had turned a brilliant shade of blue. And that he was crying. As Herul approached them, Hikari was shaken out of her shock at Cole's predicament and reminded about her purpose in being here. She had too many questions, her mouth couldn't move that fast...*

You must be Herul. I heard you talking to me... I've never been able to hear telepathic thoughts that clearly, you must be the one who tried to reach me on Earth. Where is this place?

*Hikari's heart sank a bit when she realized it had not been her mother who tried to reach her. She felt regret, but quickly buried that feeling. There was no good in mourning that past... But now she had a hundred more questions, the most important being...*

Why did you bring me here? And how do you know me? Did you turn Cole human? Why?

*Herul laughed and turned to face both of them*

So many questions child! And I am glad to answer them.

*He turned to Cole as there was something to tell both of them. The black orb that Cole had seen on the journey here was floating above his hand*

Cole sir, as that seems to be your name, I am honored to meet you. To win over an enemy that is yourself is the task of a gentleman and warrior. Now face your enemy and be stronger against it. Do you know what this is? This is your demon essence, your blood. Only by being in the realm is the separation possible and safe. To leave here, you would not survive as you are now. We all have parts of us we dislike, some more than others. But the wise know that we must be who we are, bad and good together, or we can't live right. I wanted you to face your other half so you know what you have conquered. But, enough talk of serious matters like that. More questions to be answered!

*the orb disappeared*

This place has a rich and magical history. To go into it at leanth could take months. Suffice it to say, this world is Horoth. It was born of the earth dimension before man ever recorded its own history. A cataclysimic event, called The Event, caused rippling psychic "earthquakes" throughout the dimensioal lattice. Earth momentarily existed in this realm and it's own leaving an imprint of itself along with a city at the center of the psychic phenomena. The inhabitants of that city are our ancestors. This realm is also a few degrees out of phase with the lattice due to The Event. This makes it almost impossible for any other beings to enter this realm on their own. We have been able to keep all evil creatures out of our home this way. This phase shift also gives us our unique physiology allowing our molecular cells to also be in a constant state of flux.

((gotta go crying , and I was just getting started xp ))

*Hikari absorbed all the information slowly. It was all well and good that this realm was 'this that and the other', but it still didn't explain why the heck she was here in the first place. She was, however, intrigued by the physics of the place, she had to admit. Cells constantly in flux... Never being truly 100% solid must make for an interesting experience. It was a very subtle difference, mostly things seemed to appear wavy only as a passing glance, or conversely if you stared too long and hard at something. Still, it was very interesting. But there was one important question that curiously had not been answered*

Herul, there is one thing you haven't told me, which seems to be the most important of all. ..... What am I doing here? How, why do you know me?

That is an excellent question! But now isn't really the best time or place to answer it...just yet. Be patient, you're here now anyway so please enjoy yourself. Please, come inside and I can show you the house. The great room is very warm and the wood shines particularly bright this time of day

*Herul motioned for them to follow him to the structure off to their left. Hikari got up from the ground and brushed the leaves from her pants. She turned to Cole*

Are you coming Cole, or are you going to sit outside until it's dark and then some? *she asked jokingly*

*Cole didn't seem to hear her. She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention*

*Hikari giggled at Cole's reaction. It was almost likehe had just been born, all sorts of feelings that he had never felt before and sights which appeared different somehow. She extended her hand to him to help him up and the three of them went off to the house.

Inside was a juxtaposition of advanced technology and 'down-home' comforts. There were many odd gadgets and gizmos that Hikari had never seen before nestled right next to things like wooded plates, rocking chairs, and woven rugs. In what Hikari assumed was the living room, there was a large screen that she assumed was some sort of TV. There were couches and tables with all sorts of books and puzzles on them. Herul sat in the rocking chair while Hikari and Cole sat down on the couch.*

make yourselves at home. Some of the things around here might look strange, but for the most part things are generally what they appear to be. We've learned how to make them better *he said with a wink*

*He flipped on the screen and music began to play. The screen glowed with colors suitable to the mood. Feeling relaxed, Hikari picked up a book that seemed interesting and flipped through it*

Would anyone care for something to eat? Cole sir, are you hungry or have you ever been? I suppose you might not know what it's like to require physical food. Might I suggest some sandwiches?

*The atmosphere was very peacefull. So peacefull in fact, Hikari had almost forgotten about the "why" of why she was here. Soon, Herul made an odd statement, one that was about to unravel Hikari... He had a look on his face that said 'i know something and i'm going to have fun revealing it'*

Well, it's almost time I think. Never takes more than a few hours round trip anyway. Hikari, you want to know why you're here? Well, one answer would be because this is, or should be, like your second home. And I, well, I know that you still see him on Earth, but if I could, I would like the chance to, I mean I'd like to be...

*Herul seemed to be having great difficulty getting out the last sentance. Where as when they first met, he was an imposing and strong figure, his compusure seemed to have shrunk to almost nothing. He was fiddling with a loose fiber on the armrest covering. Just then, as if the timing was arranged before hand, the side door to the kitchen opened.*

Herul, did she make it? I felt like you were able to get in touch with her. OH, HIKARI!

*A strange woman entered the room. She looked at first like another inhabitant of this world. Her skin was grey and her hair was so white and shimmery that it looked like it were made of diamonds. She had brought her hands up to her face, possibly more shocked that Hikari was at this moment. But...her hands... Oh god. How many times had she seen those hands. There was the cut where she had slipped against the grinding wheel. Father wouldn't work for a week after that happened...he was so afraid of it happening again. He always was over-protective... She didn't know why she looked like she had always lived in this world, but at the moment she didn't care. But then, a tiny seed of doubt crept in. What if this was merely an imitation? She desperately wanted to embrace her but she couldn't bear it if it weren't the real thing. Herul finally found his tounge again and spoke*

People can be here indefinitely as their original form, but to really live here it's best to change. There is a way to travel here that permanently changes you. It is forbidden to use it, or even speak of it, except in special situations. As a gift for a special task I had recently completed on earth, I was allowed to bring her back. She may not be the same physically, but she is who she always was.

*Hikari had been quietly crying for some time. It started automatically, she was hardly aware of it until a salty tear touched her lip and she tasted it. She slowly walked forward and took the woman's hands in hers and looked at them, going over every vein and fold in the skin. Suddenly, she dropped her hands and embraced the woman and the woman, also crying, held Hikari*

Illana...

*After some time, the two broke apart. Illana took one of Hikari's ears...*

They're just like your father's. What a beautiful shade of red. You've grown into such a lovely young lady, my little kitsune. And who is the gentleman with you? I didn't expect you would bring someone else. OH, Have you found a husband?!

*Illana asked this as only a mother could, wanting to know their children are progressing in life. Herul did his best to stiffle a huge laugh, Hikari turned beet red, and behind her she heard a clatter come from where Cole had been sitting.*

*Hikari looked back and saw the Cole was blushing. She had never seen him blush before. She felt her own face was very hot and stammered a bit in her response*

Cole? Husband? Oh no! No no no... He came, well he brought me, well he was a guide to get to the astral realm, since I had no way there myself. He is...a very good friend...but not it that way, I mean, he is the owner of the area where I live now. He does anything he can to help his residents.

But tell me how you came here. I've known nothing since you left in secret that morning. You know, for a while, I was still just a kid really, I was so mad at you for leaving. When I felt angriest I thought that you would rather just live with humans and had given up on us. I knew that wasn't so, but at that moment, it let me be good and mad and get it all out I guess. I just wanted you to know.

*Hikari sat back down on the couch and Illana sat next to her on the floor. She still looked so strange...almost like a complete stranger, if it weren't for the little details she remembered about her, those were still there.*

((gah, I have no idea where to take this now ;_; ))

*Hikari was engrossed in her mother's story...what had happened since she last saw her*

...so I was living in that village for a year before I felt the urge to wander again. You know I couldn't stay in once place for long...except for your father of course, life was never dull there, and I had you...you rooted me like I never thought possible. But without those, I was on my journeys again. Then I settled down in a village far in the south. There was a lot more corruption down there...not really criminal, more like the quality of life. Less people grew crops or did smithing, they were much more industrialized. I guess it was something I had never lived with before, it was intriguing. But with convenience comes consequence. There was a lot more disease since everything was so far away from nature. The village was swept with a plauge. I had caught the eye of a young man who had been renting me a room. When eventually I too became ill, Herul brought me here where I could be healed. Only, I could never return to Earth. But Herul was, is a good man and I missed the company. There wasn't much hope that I would survive as it had wiped out nearly 80% of the village already. It hurt me to leave you behind forever, but to just die didn't sit well with me.

I found you...well, Herul was able to help me track you when you cast that levitation spell. It was like a beacon, since it basically used a simple form of astral magic. I guess I was too anxious to contact you and overdid it. I'm sorry.

*Hikari was just pleased to have closure on the mystery that had shadowed her. She found she could look past everything that had changed after all. This really was her mother, what did it matter if she had changed? Hikari then noticed Cole standing quietly by the window. She went up to him*

Hey. Herul says there are some hiking paths with views of mountains and a huge waterfall and the autum leaves are still on the trees. You wanna go for a walk? Give you a chance to see some things?