Otherworld 3: Tala
Chapter 19 - Endings...
After packing up and wrapping up her mirror carefully, Jaal opened the traveling mirror to the gate in front of the Castle and Chichiri walked through the mirror, then soldiers pushed the two Tala brothers through, followed by Bya carrying the mirror and the luggage. Jaal passed through, moving the mirror with her. She looked around, seeing the Castle for the first time in real life. It was beautiful, lush gardens surrounding a two story manor with twin towers jutting into the sky. Guards already surrounded the Tala brothers, being very careful not to touch them. It was thought that the nets would prevent their merging into another person, but no one wanted to take that chance. Chichiri led the way into the Castle. Coming down the stairs was the Princess of Otherworld. It was nearly three years ago when Bakura first felt the sensation of someone watching him. It took him four months to connect to it and, with the use of a huge crystal sphere, he met Jaal. She told him who she was and that she meant no harm. At first she was not trusted; Jodah's daughter was automatically suspect, but the months went by and she offered no harm and helped Bakura with his spells many times. Then the Tala's were born and she offered to look out for them through her mirror. Instead of her finding them, they found her. She immediately reported their presence to Bakura, but cautioned him to wait until their plan was known. Princess Aara warmly greeted Jaal, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Lady Jaal. You have given Otherworld peace once more!"
"I'm glad I could prove myself."
"We owe you so much!" Aara turned to the young man standing next to her and Jaal introduced Bya, the Blue Dragon. "A Blue Dragon! It looks like the Great Dragons are beginning to wake and walk our lands once more. How many more are there?"
"I am not sure." Bya answered. "We went into hibernation at different times, and even when we were all awake, we did not keep in contact with each other. Jaal tells me that the Red Dragon is awake and lives with Queen Vara and that the Black Dragon is now dead."
"That is true. Kyo woke up on his own and decided to stay in the world and Rhu was enslaved by Jodah to do his bidding and died in the Three Worlds War. Will you stay awake or will you return to your sleep?"
Bya looked at Jaal. "It is not my decision," he said softly.
Aara raised an eyebrow and looked at Jaal. "Is he enslaved?"
"Yes, I used the same spell that Jodah did with Rhu. I could not take the chance of the Tala's brothers swaying him to their side." Jaal admitted.
"Well, this is not my province and neither of you are my subjects, but I wish you would free him."
"I fear that it is impossible. He would destroy me for enslaving him."
"Oh." Aara said sadly, then sighed. What else could she say? An enraged Dragon would not bode well for anyone.
"What will you do with them?" asked Jaal, indicating the brothers.
"That is something we need to decide. I ask that you be a part of that decision. We will meet at three bells this afternoon. Maids will show to your rooms. Is there anything else you desire?"
"I would like to meet Bakura."
"He will be at the meeting. I'm sure he wants to meet you too."
Jaal bowed and Bya gathered up her belongings, "Until the meeting, then."
Everyone gathered in dining hall which contained the only table large enough to seat everyone. Princess Aara sat at one end with her males on either side: Kurama, Hiei, InuYasha, Aniki, Bakura and Shilo. Chichiri was there for Suzaku. Kouga and Kome had come from the Village with Hiten. Kaiba and Rin and their son, Taiki, were seated together. Tala, the true female one, was with her mate Kamui, another victim of the insidious plot of the Tala brothers. Tennu and Kiri were together at the far end. Kurama introduced Jaal and Bya and told the story of how she captured the brothers and thwarted their plans.
Everyone congratulated her and thanked her profusely. Jaal blushed and lower her head, unused to the attention, but secretly was very pleased.
"Chichiri tells me that all you have asked for is a tower?" The Princess asked. "That seems like so little for all you have done."
"I just want to led a quiet life with my studies. A small tower is all I need."
"May I ask why you want it at the juncture of the three worlds?" Kurama questioned.
"I wish to study the arts and spells of the different worlds and some spells require me to be in that world. If my tower is at the junction of all worlds, I can be in that world without leaving my tower." Seeing the looks her words elicited, Jaal continued, "The spells are only helpful and not harmful. And I would be more than willing to have Bakura watch over me."
"I think that would ease our minds. Please forgive us for not completely trusting you." Aara said.
"I understand completely. You are dealing with a child of Jodah and my father has caused you much pain and death." Jaal said graciously, wishing for the hundredth time that she was not the evil mage's daughter.
"Now comes the matter of what to do with the Tala brothers." Kurama said.
"I think they should be executed." Hiten stated flatly.
"But they have not done any harm to anyone." Kaiba interjected. "We cannot execute them as if they were murderers."
"They were planning to take over Suzaku!" Kouga exclaimed. "And they killed Toyna and Chaal."
"The brothers that did those evil deeds are dead. These two are innocent of that blood."
"No! They are duplicates of the one!" Kome joined his father's plea.
"So am I." Tala said, her voice heavy. "I started it all."
"Are you pleading for their lives?" Kurama asked her.
"I don't know. I think that if they had killed, it would be different. But they haven't."
"Was killing Vara part of their plan?" Kurama asked Jaal.
"I only know that they wanted to dethrone her. Whether or not she would be killed was not discussed, but they did want to make her pay. And we know that one of the Tala's tried to kill Vara and was killed when Toyna sacrificed himself. So it can be deduced that they probably did want her life."
"That alone should make their lives forfeit!" Tennu said.
"No," came the soft voice of Shilo. "Enough blood has been split. Seal them so that they cannot use their power and let them live. Give them to my father as feeders if you must, but please don't kill them."
"And I say that they should be executed. I have lost just as much as you." Kamui said, his voice bitter.
Finally, after much discussion and no decision, the Princess spoke, her voice and words solemn. "I think that an agreement will never be reached among us, so I will make the decision and I pray that it is not one I regret. I believe that they are too dangerous to remain alive and that, even if they did not spill blood, they were quite willing to and were planning to incite a war which would have caused much pain and death to a world that has already suffered at the hands of their father, Naraku. Therefore I give the order for them to be executed tomorrow morning. Who will volunteer for this task."
"I will. I can give them a fast and relatively painless death with my lightning." Hiten said, to the surprise of everyone.
"And I will accompany him as a witness for the Castle." Kurama added.
"So be it." The Princess said and adjourned the meeting.
Very late in the night, Tala went to the cells where her brothers were being held until their execution at first light. One of them looked at her and asked, "Did you come to gloat? You betrayed us! If I could manage it, I would send you to your death first!" "Then I guess I am not sorry to see you die. You have learned nothing. I had the same impulse born in me that you did, but I set it aside and found love and peace. You have only found hatred and death. I feel sorry for you." Tala said, her voice soft and sad.
Then without another word, she left them and went to her beloved Bat, Kamui, grateful for his loving arms and her life at his side.