From: Save Address Block Sender Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 18:14:47 EDT Subject: devil's kiss Teri, Roland, and Shinji soon came upon the massive stone structure that stood before them. It reached high up into the heavens, as if the very spiritualism of the priests made the stone reach up to touch their god. The granite walls shone brightly in the sun, reflecting the golden rays across the ground. The three couldn't help but stand and gape for what seemed ike the longest time. The architecture, although obviously old, had not a trace of damage to it's stone hide. The edges were sharp and practical. No stone had been wasted in needless and tastless decor. Roland was the first to shake off the effect of the building. "C'mon. We had better get this over with," he said, heading towards the huge double doors that stood in the threshold before them. "Huh? Oh, right," Teri said, only half hearing him. "Let's go. You can sight-see later," Shinji agreed, tapping on her shoulder as he stepped past. Roland turned towards the massive doors before them. Bracing his hands agaisnt the heavy oak, he was about to push forward when Shinji stopped him. "What's wrong?" Roland asked, turning to face his companion. Shinji just smiled. "You won't need to do that." Roland gave him a quizzical expression, then jumped back when the doors suddenly creaked open. "Whoa! Straight out of Bram Stroker!" Teri exclaimed in delight. Shinji didn't know who Bram Stroker was, but then again, he didn't know what a gun was either, so he just shrugged and walked into the encroaching shadows of the entrance. The architecture of the exterior extended into the inside as well. The floor was a rich marble, it's well polished surface sending reflections of the group as they slowly walked onward, afraid that the sound of their footsteps would somehow disrupt the peace and the silence that hung like a thick fog in the chamber. Several torches hung on the walls, sending bright, pure fire light to battle the shadows that played across the walls of the temple. Ahead of them, a seperate illumination came from the huge stainglass window in the center wall. The rays of sunlight, given colorful life from the window, shone upon the glass-like floor, creating the visage of a huge, winged creature above the image of a pious priest in prayer. The Marble before them stretched forward, the dark black they were standing on slowly changing into the purest white. All and all, a breathtaking scene. "Wow," Teri was able to whisper, gazing about the room with undeniable awe. Roland nodded slowly. Shinji was about to say something, when they suddenly became aware of a tall, robed figure that stood in silent observation. Even from this distance, Teri could feel his cold, unrelenting eyes as he surveyed them, much like a priest looking upon a man on deathrow. She couldn't supress a shudder. Then, he spoke. "What business have you with the Aoli?" he said, his question more of a demand than anything else. Teri was about to say something, but Shinji beat her to it. "I am Shinji Kintaro of the Silver Fang Monastary. These people have been entrusted to me by the Elders to be brought here. We seek an audience with the T'aoli, Grashna," he said, meeting the priests cold gaze with one of his own.The priest visibly frowned, but then registered what looked like to Teri and Roland as fear, but only for a second. He regained his stony facade. "I see. So you are the one who bears the Mark of the Evil One, eh?" he said with a wry smile. Shinji flinched. "If it were up to me, I would have you thrown out of here. Too bad it isn't." "Too bad," Shinji retorted. Roland and Teri exchanged puzzled looks at the revalation of their companions hidden cold streak, but said nothing. The priest looked a little annoyed that the boy hadn't took the bait, but continued anyway. "If you would wait here, I shall arrange an audience for you," he said curtly, then turned and dissappeared into a dark passageway, his dark robes blending into the shadows. Before they could ask any questions, Shinji turned around to face them, his formerly stern expression having melted away in exchange of his regular bright exterior. "It's okay. We'll get to see him shortly." "What was all that business regarding Mark of the Devil or something?" Roland asked, looking back at the door where the priest dissappeared, but no one emerged. Shinji's smile faded and he looked away, an almost sad expression on his face. "I have one of those," Teri piped up, grinning. Shinji's head snapped around so quickly that Teri took a step back before she'd realized it. "Wh--wha" "You have one?!" Shinji grabbed her shoulder, hard, a strange mixture of hope and confusion flickering across his face. Teri grimaced and tried to shrug him off. "hey-- that hurts!" she protested. Roland grabbed SHinji's collar and yanked him from the girl. Shinji was still fixated on her for a moment, before shaking his head quickly. "I'm sorry-- I didn't mean to.." Roland still held Shinji's collar fiercely, but after a moment watching the boy, he let go fiercely. Teri stopped rubbing her shoulder and attempted to dispel the heavy silence between them. It was bringing home just how quickly she had trusted these two men-- and perhaps how foolish she had been to do so, so quickly. "I was born with it. It's called a Devil's Kiss where I come from." Her packages had been dropped on the floor when Shinji had grabbed her, so unencumbered, she reached down to pull the left leg of her jeans to her knee. She unlaced her boot quietly, and pointed to a thin white mark on her ankle. "The color-- I guess there's no pigment there or something. never has been. It doesn't even tan, really. It's just a birthmark." Shinji almost chuckled in nervous laughter, but made himself relax. "That's-- that's not what the priest was talking about. Mine's.. something different." Teri shrugged and put her boot back on. "What the hell is it, then?" ROland asked, still watching Shinji warily. "It's nothing. Superstition, that's all," he said, forcing a smile. Teri suddenly noticed, almost for the first time, that one of his eyes was lightly gleaming a bright crimson. Before she could comment about it, the priest reappeared and beckoned them to follow. Shinji looked back at his companions. "It's time." * * *