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| | | Reflection |  |
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| Author | Message |
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Precision
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 |  Subject: Reflection  Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:53 pm | |
| A fiction, still in construction. It started as a small story in my head that quickly mushroomed into this. Currently in Act 4. Sadly I'm not even past 10% of the story. At this rate, I won't be done until next year.  Hopefully summer would be merciful to me. Here is it's home link in E-games forums: http://forums.e-games.com.ph/index.php?showtopic=83250I tried migrating the story here, but the board says that it was too big.  Might turn it into a proper pdf file if I had the mind to do so... | |
|  | | +CT.mizzyunna
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:22 pm | |
| You can double post if you want since it's a story. So it won't say that it was big :]
I'll delete my post (this) afterwards when you posted it already :] | |
| | | | +CT.Krzteli
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:26 pm | |
| Uhm, you can actually post your work here in this thread Precision. | |
| | | | Precision
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:48 pm | |
| Prologue: Remembrance - Spoiler:
I love the sea. I love its breeze. Its fragance. And even its voice.
Does the sea have a voice?
Maybe not. But someone whom I have known for a long time believed it does.
Maybe it was foolishness, or a bit of childishness, but I had come to believe her words.
Too bad.
Too bad.
Have you ever wished you could return to the past? If so, welcome to my story. If not, well, read on, it's not that I care actually.
I'm not actually a man of speech, so forgive me if I babble too much, but please bear with me, and stay. I'd really appreciate it.
Once, there was a young man, a foolish young man named Chaser. He was a quiet boy, a student, and perhaps one that you could call smart. At first glance, he might strike as a bookworm. A very uninteresting person.
Casting that aside, Chaser is a loner. He does not want attention, neither does he need it. He is a bit of a cynic, a skeptic you might add, of the world and everything around him. He hates fiction, supernatural, paranormal, meta normal, super normal, and pretty much anything that ends in normal that isn't normal. In a sense, a pretty realistic person stuck in a reality more than anyone else. He is quite cold with people, especially quirky ones. The only people worth talking to, he would say, are the people who use their heads. I use mine. Do you? And he quickly dismisses them with a piercing look before turning away.
He especially hates daydreamers, and thinks that they are just being meow. Get real, he would say, it would do the world a lot of good.
Perhaps because of this, he had become a celebrity at his school. He attends Maximillian High School, 1st year, and a first classman to boot. He is very popular, not only for his snubbish behaviour, but also for his looks. Many girls had tried to get his attention, either by being cute, being seductive, or being frankly forceful. Unfortunately, he had no illusions about love or infatuation. But that didn't stop them from trying. From my experience, people always wanted something that they cannot get, probably viewing it as a challenge.
All in all, a normal (although snobbish) high school student.
Or I thought I was.
Years ago, it was a dream life, to study, graduate, get a job, live a comfortable life, then curl up and die. It was a very exciting prospect for me. How about fun and adventure? No way, I'd say then, an exciting life only leads to pain, and who wants that? I'd rather be boring than be in pain. I'd rather be normal.
Ha ha, I was very foolish back then.
It was a strange knock that blew my dreams all away, shaking my small world to the very brink of the abyss.
Act 1: Reflection Chapter 1: A Strange Knock - Spoiler:
I retain, even to this day, the pride that I have lived my life as I wanted it.
To exist, to breathe and to know that you are alive, doing what you are supposed to do. The true nature of life. However, for some people, such things are not enough. They want spice in their life, what truly makes life--alive.
I am not one of those people.
Here, as an aspiring top student of Maximillian High (or Max High, a pun by the less industrious students), I am content to know that my future is secure as long as I get top grades, top citations, top recognitions. I do not want, nay, do not need these, these distractions to operate functionally and efficiently. I find books to be more entertaining, and only hard books will do.
All in all, a boring little man.
It was the 19th day of July, when my life took a sudden swerve on the slippery mountainside. It was a sunny day, as far as I can recall, and it was a Friday. I was happily digesting a book at the back of the classroom during the break, minding my own business.
"Got a minute, Chaser?" It was a familiar voice. Wait, who was it? Ah yes, Benedict, the class president. I looked up briefly and grunted before turning back to the book.
"I'll assume that as a yes."
Leave me alone.
"I am here to congratulate your achievement in the Essay Contest last week. The professors were very impressed with your work."
Essay Contest? Did I join one? Hmm, I recall winning five or six contests last week...oh, that contest.
"Thanks," I just replied.
"It was a good piece, worthy of notice. In fact, they want it to be delivered tomorrow by Babel in the auditorium. Nothing like an excellent voice saying an excellent piece, is there?"
Babel? More like babble to me.
Babel, the senior man with a big mouth. I can't say I really like the man, but I do admit that he speaks like the devil's advocate. If I were to choose someone worthy for my piece, it would be him.
Not that I'd care, of course. As long as it is my essay, and they give good marks for it, I can't be any happier.
I just nodded at Benedict to show that I heard, and he promptly left without another word. Trusting the gut feeling that I'd be disturbed again, I left for the library.
The trip was highly uneventful, though the destination will be.
The library was an isolated building in the middle of the campus, as large as a small house, and smells like an old bookstore. The walls need painting, windows need washing and door needs mending.
I've never seen anything more beautiful.
I promptly walked inside, and asked the librarian for a good book.
Pulling a chair beside a window, I promptly started reading.
I could read like this for hours and not notice the passage of time.
Unfortunately, not today.
As sudden as lightning and as frightful as thunder, there came a crashing noise behind me. As I turned to look at the window, I briefly saw the brand name of a shoe, before fully appreciating its durability as it came smashing right into my face. Connected to the shoe was a young girl, roughly my age, I think. As she landed on my face, I could only say an "oof" of pain before briefly passing out.
Chapter 2: Ralein - Spoiler:
It was a rather awkward moment I would admit. Reading one moment, then being bludgeoned by someone on the face the next. This wouldn't do at all. Not at all.
But its not as if I had a choice in the matter anyway.
After coming to my senses, I realized I was staring at a girl's face. Close. About 10 inches away. You get the idea.
It is not as if I am unfamiliar with the opposite sex. Just inexperienced.
Very inexperienced.
I recoiled with fear and tried to get away from her. I let out what sounded like a yelp. As I realized that she is probably the one who assaulted me, I tried to scream for assistance. And she quickly covered my buccal cavity with her palm. I tried to resist, by I was held down by a strange force. Fear? Perhaps. Or even anticipation.
You have to understand, I hadn't experienced anything remotely strange or exciting for the short 14 years of my life, so being pinned down by a girl is kind of a first for me.
"Be quiet." Her voice was gentle, and yet silent, like a thorn in the rose that you don't see until it pricks your foolish finger.
"Are you all right?"
How can I be all right if I was bludgeoned by your shoe, being forced silent and is scared hell out of my wits?
If there was a time I lose my composure as the proud and mighty Chaser, this was it.
"Just shake your head if you are."
I shook my head: HECK NO!
"Good."
What the-- GOOD? Is she insane or something?
Suddenly I heard footsteps coming closer and closer. The librarian, I thought. FREEDOM! Unfortunately for me, it was not meant to be.
"Let's go quickly. Quietly."
I suddenly felt that I could move again, and I tried to stand up. But her hands held me like iron shackles. What she did next practically impressed (freaked) me. She pulled me by the arm, leapt out of the window still clutching me. Luckily, I wasn't wounded by the sharp edges of the broken window. But before I could thank my luck, I realized I was being kidnapped by a girl. Great. Just my cup of tea. Oh don't mind me, I'm just a genius in human flesh being kidnapped by a probably psychopathic girl whose name I don't even know.
We landed on the bushes outside the window, and I could here screams coming from inside the library. So much for silence. Realizing that she removed her hand from my mouth, I tried to scream, but her iron grip on my arm dissuaded me. If she can clamp my arm like that, who knows what she can do?
Without wasting a beat, she practically dragged me all the way to the gym, which was supposed to be closed today (No gym classes on Friday, sadly). When we arrived, I was wondering how she plans to get in. Break another window? I almost asked.
Me and my big mouth.
She ran (dragging me) to the back of the gym and literally jumped at the glass mosaic at the side of the gym. She broke one frame, and miraculously, we managed to get in without being wounded by the razor edges of the fragments flying at us. She quickly took me to one of the seats at the side which the students use for lecture in the PE class. Then before I could struggle (as if it would have done anything) she forced me down, and clamped my mouth shut.
"I'm sorry for the rough handling, the name is Ralein. Nice to meet you."
I'm not sure I can say the same.
For the first time, I realized that this girl, Ralein, is very pretty. She had light brown hair, a nice set of face that one could swear to be angelic. But her eyes, there was something different in her eyes. Yes, what do they call it? Heterochromia. Although I'll presume that her eyes were supposed to be brown, her right eye was red. I tried hard to avoid the red eye. It was like a probing mechanism, a scanner that is digging inside me. It made me feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Sorry about that" She looked away. I blushed when I realized I was staring at her.
You have to understand that while I am used to attention, I'm not used to THIS much attention.
"We have to wait here."
Wait for what? Is she--
Just then, we heard voices coming from the outside. Without thinking twice, she dragged me up again, and ran to the second story of the gym. While I was tired of being dragged around like a sack of potatoes, her iron grip is like an adhesive that I couldn't dissolve.
As the voices seemed to come closer, she pushed me under the seats and gestured for silence. I heard their voices from downstairs, though they didn't make sense to me.
"--kidnapping someone--"
"--find her, quick."
"It's not like she'd--"
"Spread out"
The last one meant freedom for me, and I fervently wished that they'd hurry up. But a voice outside said something and they left quickly to my dismay.
Ralein seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as she eased her grip on me, but not too much that I could break free. She then looked at me with that eye and it felt like it was ripping me apart. But it only lasted for a second. Suddenly, the eye felt like a normal eye, and I wondered what the heck is wrong with me. Eyes, I told myself, are only sensory receptors for light. But it sounded hollow, even in my mind (or what's left of it).
"Now I think explanations are due, don't you think?" She smiled sincerely.
Only I thought that it was the most scariest thing in the world.
Chapter 3: Identity - Spoiler:
In retrospect, it was pretty funny. Being kidnapped by a fourteen year old girl who could jump through glass windows like they were paper, being dragged around like a sack cloth and hiding in the gym like a bunch of criminals, it was pretty funny. Just not at that moment.
"You are Chaser, correct?" she asked with her calm, unnerving voice. If I were in her place, I won't stop shaking like what I am doing now.
"What if I am?" I answered, trying to sound tough.
"Then, things would certainly be a lot more interesting won't it?" she replied with a smile. I practically froze.
"What do you want? Why are you kidnapping me? I don't have any money, and my parents won't negotiate!" I tried to shout, but my voice was near breaking. I was practically near sobbing.
She laughed. A genuine laugh, full of mirth and humor. It was a beautiful laugh. Its just the timing that makes it all the more frightening.
"I don't need your money, silly. And I'm certainly not kidnapping you. Someone needs you really bad, and I came to get you." She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Great. Just great.
To think that I was kidnapped by a probably psychotic girl is one thing.
To be kidnapped by one is another thing.
"Oh don't worry about it too much, her orders were to bring you in, spic and clean," she added with a smile.
Come to think of it, she smiles most of the time.
"H-h-how could you be so calm? The guards know that you got me, you know? You're not going to get away with this!" Then I noticed what she was wearing. A uniform. Maximillian High Girl's uniform. With its 100% black cotton blouse, lined with lace near the neckline and sporting a blue necktie, its simply irresistable. Add to that the blue plaid skirt ending near the kne--wait, what the heck I'm thinking? I'm losing my grip on sanity with every passing second!
"Oh don't worry about that. She already got that figured out," she responded with her annoying but otherwise nonchalant attitude.
"She?"
"You'd see soon enough. She'd practically tell you everything. You lucky guy." She said with a smile more outspoken than usual.
Then there was a loud keening sound that resonanted within the walls of the gym. It was defeaning. It was overwhelming. Suddenly the whole building seemed to shake.
Is this an earthquake? But there were no reports! No announcements! How could they be so carele--
I was shaken out of my thoughts when Ralein grabbed me by the collar to help me stand up.
"Our carriage has arrived," she said playfully.
I was awed. My mind cannot comprehend what I just saw.
At the center of the gym, at the basketball court, with the size of a small house, was a distortion. It was like a ball that was sucking everything around it. I realized that the wind around us was picking up speed and there were flying debris that were being sucked into that...thing. In a sense, I saw something that I swear that did not exist.
A Black Hole. I was babbling like an idiot while I stared.
"A b-b-black--"
"Oh, its not a black hole silly. It's just a fancy way of travelling to our place," she replied, quite unconcerned by the fact that she practically pushed me over the edge of sanity.
"Now, in we go." She practically picked me up by my arm and threw me.
I'm certainly not heavy, but I am not that light!
But nevertheless, I thought as I was being sucked into the nothingness, I swear she was very pretty.
Yes. I broke down at that moment. Funnily, I don't remember anything after that except waking up in a bed, a fancy bed I'll admit, but a bed nonetheless. I was dizzy and there were buzzing voices in my head, and I could only catch a few phrases which didn't make sense. I could only hear a name.
"Chaselier."
Chaselier? I know that name. But she--
And then I blacked out.
Last edited by Precision on Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:05 pm; edited 1 time in total | |
| | | | Precision
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:01 pm | |
| Chapter 4: Mirror - Spoiler:
Watching me wake up isn't actually a cup of tea for anyone. I'm actually grouchy in the morning (as if I was any different when fully awake), but these two young women were actually watching me before I was even aware where I was.
"So, got a good sleep?" Ralein playfully asked.
"I can't believe this. This, this, this nerd is supposed to be me in this world? How frustrating. I simply refuse to accept this fact. I'd rather be stuck with your endless babbling than put up with this." The voice was female, a bit high-pitched, and from what I can hear, pretty egoistic too. Her voice vaguely reminds me of someone...
"Chaselier, you can't be picky. You said it was him, so I picked him. Anyway, you were supposed to scout before I extracted him to be sure that it was the right one." It was Ralein. "Plus, I thought you already met before."
"We already did, but from the looks of him, I don't think he is even smart enough to remember your name. He is pretty scrawny and poorly dressed. He looked better when he was younger."
Not smart? Well, I'll have you know that I'm contest material and as for having the most perfect academic reco--
Suddenly I felt Ralein (I knew it was her. The grip told me everything) grab my shoulders and shake me like a wet cat.
"Hey wake up, I know you're awake so WAKE UP!"
She was literally shaking me that I felt my neck would snap.
"You know, you should stop that before you kill him," said the high-pitched voice.
The shaking stopped and I carefully opened my eyes and saw Ralein standing by the bedside. The other girl was sitting by a small round table, drinking something suspiciously like tea. I sat up and looked at the both of them.
"Whe--I demand that you tell me where am I." Even though I just went through a near maddening experience, I wasn't about to let my poise down.
"Germany." The sitting girl said.
I was dumbfounded. Germany? I was staring at her before I realized I left my mouth open. Bad idea.
Ralein shoved something inside my mouth. Whether it was food or something else was a thing I didn't like to think about. Before I could spit it out, I accidentaly swallowed it.
"Hey, Chaselier, he's a big eater!"
"Shut up Ralein."
I assume it was food because I didn't throw up. I really hope it was food. I really do.
Chaselier walked towards me, and for the first time I could make up her features. She had a brown hair, green eyes and a scowl that reminds me of--
Me.
I noticed a mirror by the wall, and looking at it I could see myself, Ralein and Chaselier. Chaselier looked enough like me to pass a close relative, even a sister.
Except I lived alone, had no sisters or brothers, and my family isn't what you actually would call close.
My brown hair, my green eyes, how could she have gotten it? Chaselier. Chaser. My head was spinning. What the heck is going on?
Wait. Chaselier. The name is familiar. Where did I...?
"So you're Chaser right?"
It was a rainy afternoon when I met her. I was five then. I was crying because I was beaten up by the bigger kids at the playground. I hated them because they hurt me. I hate my parents because they didn't protect me. And most of all, I hated myself because I was weak.
"Yes", I said holding back the sobs, "what do you want?"
"Well, I thought you wanted help, because you're crying."
"I don't need your help!"
She laughed. "Well that's the spirit," she said, "I didn't think you'd be that weak. Well, what are you waiting for? Stand up!"
"But my legs hurt."
I showed her my wounded knees.
"Well a scratch like that won't kill you, stand up!"
Her voice was mesmerizing. I could not resist her command. I tried to stand up, but my legs really hurt. I almost fell, but I felt her hand reaching out for me and I took it.
"Well that wasn't too hard wasn't it?"
"My leg hurts!"
"Oh really?"
I looked down and saw that my legs were clean. No wounds. Not even a speck of dirt. And the pain was gone.
"Remember Chaser, something that hurt you but didn't kill you only makes you stronger. Be stronger. You have to be."
I looked at her face. Brown hair. Green eyes.
"Who are you?"
What are you?
"My name is..."
"Chaselier? But how--?"
When I came back home, my father scowls made me shiver.
"Back from the pigpen again? Why can't you be more like your father? I didn't play when I was your age! I studied. Books are my toys. Now go to your room and study!"
"But I only--"
"No buts! If you continue doing this you'd be nothing better than a street rat, From now on, I won't allow you to play outside. I have gotten you a tutor. He will teach you the knowledge and manners that befit your status. Do you hear me? Chaser? Chaser?"
I ran to my room without even looking back.
"You never hear me", I sobbed on my bed, "you were never there. I hate you! I HATE YOU!"
But nobody answered. I guess nobody heard me. Come to think of it, nobody ever does.
'Something that hurt you but didn't kill you only makes you stronger.' Her words echoed throughout my mind.
The next day, I asked my parents whether they knew someone called Chaselier. She had green eyes and brown hair like me. Her name even sounds like mine!
I didn't notice it then, but they tensed when I asked.
They didn't answer. But then again, they never do.
When I came to school I saw the bullies. I tried to run, but they saw me and caught up with me. Their leader, a small thug whose brains are smaller than a pinhead grabbed me by the collar and said:
"Sorry."
I was shocked.
A teenage girl cornered them the other evening and demanded that they apologize or she'll put cockroaches in their lunchboxes.
Was it her?
What is she? A fairy?
I believed that for a long time.
Until I realized that fairies didn't exist.
Until I stopped trying to remember that memory because it was unexplainable. An irrational memory. I kept telling myself that I was young then, my memory was messed up.
Until I became a man of consequences. A man dealing with facts. A matured man.
Until I became Chaser.
I know that supernatural beings do not exist.
Except here was a proof of one. Almost ten years ago, she helped me stand up when I was down. The only person who told me I could be stronger. That I had to be. The only one who helped me.
The only person who cared about me.
Not my work, my intelligence, not even who I am. The only who cared about me
And she didn't look as if she had aged a year.
She approached me and spoke in a clear, even tones.
"Well looks like we meet again, Chaser."
Chapter 5: The Two-Faced Girl - Spoiler:
The tea was bitter. I'd rather have coffee. But they said there wasn't any, so I had to make do with what the have. Plus, it was more nutritious and tasty.
I just can't believe them.
Aside from the fact that I was practically ripped out of my perfect routine, kidnapped by a girl and practically thrown to another country without the luxury of a passport and visa, it was a perfectly normal tea break.
I don't know how long before I'd snap again.
Chaselier looked at the open window. It was only dawn. She sighed before looking at me.
"I guess I have to apologize for Ralein's behaviour. She isn't too dependable at times, though she is the most suited for the job."
I just nodded, and there was silence across the table. Ralein was with her usual smile and was seemingly content to listen. Chaselier took another sip of her tea.
"So, tell me, who are you really? And not just your name. Who are you?"
Chaselier carefully placed her cup on the table.
"That was certainly a surprise. I didn't think you'd remember my name. However, I'm not good at explanations. I'll let Rilena explain."
Rilena? I looked around the room, expecting someone to come bursting in from the door, or through the window.
"Ralein, call her." It was Chaselier.
"Understood." Ralein spoke in her usual cheery tone. Then suddenly she stopped smiling.
A gust of wind came from the open window. As if heralding something, it carried a cold that sent chill to my very bones. I looked at Ralein.
Except she wasn't Ralein.
It was still her, the light brown hair, the face, but it was her eyes that were different. A minute ago, it those eyes were full of childish playfulness, as if everything was just a game that she was playing. Now, her eyes were shining with a cold fire, and her right eye...it was staring at me with the same piercing look Ralein did at the gym.
It was as if she aged a hundred years in an instant. Gone was her childish look and demeanor. Now she looked like a hundred year old sage in a young girl's body.
"I am Rilena." Her voice was like a piercing icicle through my heart. I felt something usual, fear perhaps? Yes, it was fear. This girl was nothing like Ralein. She looked and spoke like someone who can do anything without remorse.
"I was only able to meet you for a while in that place, what do you call it? Ah yes, a gym. I was able to confirm that you are indeed the one we are looking for. Ralein was entrusted with the duty of extracting you, and she succeeded to a certain degree. However, you are not the one we need...yet."
What in the world is she talking about?
"Can you explain?" Chaselier asked. She looked puzzled as well.
"He is indeed Chaser, a cosmic copy of you, Chaselier. However he is not the Chaser we need. His existence is altered somewhat. From what you narrated, he is supposed to be a rebellious youth. However, his character profile does not fit your narration. He is barely passing to our standards. For what we need him for, he has less than 5% rate of success."
For someone who I suppose was insulting me, she is meow polite.
Now why couldn't she be the one to kidnap me? Then it would have been a lot more comfortable.
I mustered the strength to speak.
"Who are you people? And try to speak in a way I could understand. Please?" The last one was half-begging.
"I am Rilena, an existence brought to organic form by the people from Chaselier's plane."
"Plane?"
"Yes, we are indeed not of this world."
Well, at least that part I could have figured out for myself.
"In a sense we are from this world, but not the world as is."
Okay, that part just got me. Is this supposed to be a science-fiction novel? Because that is something beyond my capabilities to understand.
I must have looked meow because she continued:
"Just tell yourself that we didn't come from this world."
She paused a bit to look at Chaselier. Chaselier nodded, like a mental note was passed between them.
"In the reality where we came from or in a sense, Chaselier's world, the existence of sentient beings you call humans are put in grave danger. In her world, a race of super-conscious beings called the Vanlir has enslaved the humans and threatens to upset the balance of the cosmos. As we speak, the Vanlir are tracing us through possible realities to find us, but more to the point, to find you."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Ralein, I mean Rilena looked at Chaselier. Chaselier shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but that information is restricted for me to say."
I sighed. There was no point arguing.
"So what do you want from me?"
Rilena spoke in clear, even tones.
"We want your existence here to be rewritten. It will be redirected to our planar existence."
"In other words, we need you to come to my world," Chaselier chided in.
"And you want me to help you, without knowing why?"
"Yes." Rilena looked at me with the eye
I looked away. If they were going to intimidate me, I wouldn't play their game.
Then I sensed a sheer amount of hostility in the atmosphere. I was only able to look at the window before Chaselier grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me out of the room.
"Ralein, I need you here!"
Rilena immediately changed. In an instant she was Ralein again, the playful look and aura confirmed it.
"What--"
I was only able to sputter a few words before I was pulled again by Chaselier to a hall outside the bedroom. She released her grip and ran.
It was a bit comical to see a girl in a formal dress running.
"Follow me quickly!"
I was shocked out of my thoughts by hearing Ralein shouting.
"They are here!"
She immediately pulled me in a familiar way and I was only able to regain my balance without being dragged down by running as fast as her.
I never ran this fast in my entire life.
And suddenly, the bedroom where we were staying exploded.
| |
| | | | Precision
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:02 pm | |
| Chapter 6: Decisiveness - Spoiler:
A few hours ago, I am a complete stranger to danger, excitement and/or girls trying to drag me around like a rag tag doll.
A few hours ago, I would actually think that I'm just crazy and probably hallucinating.
A few hours ago, I wouldn't take any of their words at face value.
Now, I'm being chased by a race of beings called the Vanlir, with only two young girls to help find my way across this labyrinth they call a hotel.
Do you, by any chance know what a Vanlir is?
They are a race of super-conscious beings...
What are super conscious beings?
They are beings who are able to detect awareness, and be able to travel through them.
Literally meaning, they can hear any thought, and exist within them.
They can also interact with thoughts, but more precisely, feed on them.
They can also interact with the reality contacting a conscious thought.
In other words, I'm practically dead when I face one.
At least that much I can understand by Chaselier's yells over the sounds of explosions, the screams of the tenants, and the happy yells of Ralein which resemble a choir of four year olds fighting over a toy.
"Hurry up!" Chaselier shouted ahead of us.
You don't have to tell me that!
We made a sudden turn and climbed down the fire exit. The metal stairs clanged with our heavy footsteps. Upstairs I could hear, nay, I could feel them coming. It was a feeling of foreboding doom, a strange eerie feeling of fear that I cannot explain.
When we reached the door leading to the hotel's back, Chaselier just kicked it off the hinges.
Are all girls this aggressive?
We followed her outside leading to the silent streets of Germany. Right now, I don't care where we are, as long as I can make it through alive.
"The park, quickly!" Chaselier commanded with authority.
We ran down the street, and the seemingly tireless Ralein asked, "Nicholls will be there?"
"Of course he will be, or else I'll cook him alive after this."
How can they be holding a conversation while running like this? They must have iron lungs or something, I'm literally trying to catch my breath here!
The park is actually just a plaza with a few benches and a garden at its center. There, a man was waiting for us.
As big as a bear, and maybe as strong, stood a man wearing a black patch at his left eye. He had a large scar at his left arm running across the elbow to the wrist. He had a bristling white beard and wore an intimidating look that almost made me stop me dead at my tracks.
The key word was almost
I stumbled on a rock and tumbled twice before he picked me up like a toy.
"Nicholls, nice to see you!" Ralein greeted the giant man. Nicholls' face split into a smile.
"Nice to see you to Ralein, and also to you m'lady." He bowed to Chaselier.
"Get ready for the transfer, we have to be quick, they are after us." Chaselier was panting.
Nicholls face turned into a frown and swore.
"Then we have to be double quick then, but I might miss the target by a few degrees without proper preparations," Nicholls gruff voice answered.
"Regardless, this is a matter of importance. Just make sure that you keep us together."
"Roger that."
Suddenly, a distortion like what happened in the gym was forming in the air. The wind fizzled with activity, and the garden was being ripped apart.
"Wait a minute, you are going to take me without hearing me first?" Well, they're certainly not going to take me anywhere without my consent.
"There is no time for that, either follow us or we'll leave you behind, and trust me that I won't leave without you."
"Then I won't move until you explain what the heck is going on. What are those things? What are you? Where did you come from? Is this even real? Amuse me, because I'm trying hard to retain my sanity here."
Ralein chuckled. I glare at her and asked her what's funny.
"You are as stone-headed as she is."
Chaselier sighed. Then her face became softer and said in comforting tones:
"I can't tell you that without knowing if you will help us. The decision of whether you will or won't lies in your decision. However, whatever it is, we would accept it. If you choose to help us, we will take you to a world you have never seen before, and maybe never have a chance to see again if you refuse. If you refuse, we would do whatever in our power to lead the Vanlir away from you and try to bring you back to your place. But after we leave, your safety is no longer our welfare. And although it pains me to say this, but if we leave you, then all our efforts of trying to reach you will be wasted. So please, if you have to decide, decide now."
Instantly a thousand thoughts flashed in my mind, like a council debating whether the world is round or flat.
An adventure! I've never had one before, maybe this is my chance!
But won't you rather stay behind and return to your old life? What about your studies? Your work? All those will be wasted.
But, if this is my only chance for adventure, there probably won't be any like this again.
Probably.
Probably.
I made my decision. Chaselier looked at me expectantly. I nodded. Ralein beamed at me with her childish grin.
"So its decided?" Nicholls asked. "Then off we go!"
We jumped towards the distortion. (Actually, Ralein pulled me, but let us be content with the thought.)
It was like and unlike my experience at the gym. I felt like I was being sucked into that thing, but instead of fading to black, the surroundings became blurred and brighter. Soon, it was like I was bathing in white light. I was blinded, and the keening sound resounded everywhere.
A second later I found myself lying in a middle of a shallow stream. It was dark, probably nighttime. The stream was surrounded by a forest of unfamiliar trees.
Trying to stand up and sputtering mouthfuls of water, I looked around and saw Chaselier at the banks. I walked towards the shore and called her. She looked at me and gestured to follow her. She motioned towards the small cave nearby.
The cave was a little damp, and heck of a lot wetter than what I am comfortable with. Besides that, I'm already dripping wet with the first class ride to Wonderland in courtesy of little missy. We sat in opposite corners facing each other and hugged our knees in an effort to stay warm.
"So do you know how to make fire?" she asked. I shook my head. I never was a camping person.
She shrugged and tried to squeeze water out of her long hair.
"Hey."
Chaselier looked at me.
"Sorry about this."
I was considerably surprised. She didn't strike me as someone who'd apologize readily.
"So, what you said earlier, was it all true?"
"Yes. Except for one thing."
I gave her a puzzled look.
"Which part?"
"About taking you back."
"You mean about taking me back to my place? You'd really leave without me?"
She looked at me with her green eyes and spoke in a serious tone.
"No, I'd let Ralein grab you and drag you along with us, whether you like it or not."
And that's that.
And that's how I met the dainty Chaselier, and coincidentally, how my life turned upside down.
If it was a story I would laugh.
Now I can't even muster the strength to sigh.
"We'll look for the others in the morning. You stay here and get dry. I'll look for firewood." Chaselier stood up and walked outside the cave without further word.
I stood up. No way is she getting all the adventure.
"I'll come with you."
She looked at me with considerable surprise. She whispered, half to herself, and maybe half to me.
"Maybe, there's hope for you yet."
She smiled before turning her back on me towards the trees.
Chapter 7: The Cursed Princess - Spoiler:
Have you, by any chance, ever heard of the story about the cursed princess?
It’s about a princess who was cursed to bring everlasting misfortune to everyone around her. She was cursed to be a burden to everyone, and the people of her kingdom called her a demon. She was locked up by her father the king in a dungeon so she would not be able to cause harm to anyone.
However, what the people do not know was that the princess could hear their thoughts, all their feelings and their angst. She could feel what the people thought about her, and she was tortured in her every waking moment by hearing them. One day, by some odd chance, she was able to hear a prophecy made by a wise man through its thoughts. She heard that to end the curse, she has to willingly kill herself. This will end the misfortunes troubling the kingdom.
When she heard that, she was instantly afraid. When she heard the guards opening her cell, she knew that they would kill her. However, she knew the fatal flaw of the prophecy. She has to consent to die. They will not kill her for fear of not being able to end the curse without her. Knowing this, she ran past the startled guards who were opening the door, past the servants upstairs and was able to hide in a cellar. There, she found a secret passage leading outside the castle and was able to escape the kingdom that wanted to kill her. Then, she lived the life of an exile, avoiding everybody who was near, fearing for their safety. She always traveled and always alone.
Such was her sad fate.
Now why am I telling this?
Well, that was the question I almost asked Chaselier when she told me the story.
That morning, after putting out the fire, we proceeded to find the others.
“Where are we anyway?”
"We are in the middle of the Grene Forest."
"Grene Forest?"
"It's a small forest that has escaped the notice of the Vanlir. Therefore, many survivors have gathered in settlements scattered across the forest."
We walked quietly, gingerly trying to find our way across the floor of branches and dead leaves.
"So, what are the Vanlir? In a way I could understand, please. And why do you need my help?"
She stopped walking, and without facing me she asked a question.
"Have you by any chance, ever heard the story about the Cursed Princess?"
What the heck? I don't even read fiction.
"The Cursed Princess?
"Forget it."
Suddenly we heard a shout coming from the trees. The shout was unmistakable.
"Chaselier!" shouted Ralein.
"Nice to see you again m'lady." Nicholls came after Ralein, brushing away branches like they were nothing but inconsiderate insects.
Ralein noticed me a bit later.
"Hey you're here too!"
She seemed to have forgotten that she was the one who pulled me.
I just nodded at her.
"Well, we have to get to my place. Good thing its not a long way off. Just a few hours hike would do."
And how long is a few hours? I long for a cab, or even just a bike.
After three hours of endless walking across the green wonderland, I asked Ralein if she knew about the cursed princess.
I never saw her so out of herself. She literally stopped on her tracks and looked as if she had seen a ghost.
"Who...it was Chaselier wasn't it?"
Now, what the heck was that about?
"Yes, she asked me about that story after asking about the Vanlir and the purpose of me being here."
She went paler. Gone was the childish smile. Gone was her seemingly ever happy, cheerful self. It seemed like she had aged a hundred years in that one moment.
She took a deep breath and told me the story. I listened intently and asked if she knew what happened afterwards.
"No."
"So she just became an exile?"
She didn't answer.
And she didn't talk afterwards. It was unsettling. Chaselier looked at us and asked if there was something wrong.
For once in my life, I decided to shut up.
We maintained that barrier of silence until we reached a small wooden...house. I'd rather call it a shack, but that would be too rude.
"We'll stay here for the meantime," Ralein said silently.
She opened the door, and Chaselier walked inside.
I looked at Ralein, and for the first time, I saw a strange look from her face. What is it? It's hard to point out.
Ah yes. I remember now.
I saw it when she avoided my eyes. I saw it when she trembled when I was close to her.
It was fear.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:05 pm | |
| Chapter 8: A Dubious Prophecy - Spoiler:
I really hate this place.
No chairs, no rugs, just pure hard floor.
And worst of all, there is nothing else to serve but tea.
After all, we were walking for more than three hours, and I expected a more...hospitable place to stay.
But for all intents and purposes, this is Ralein's place, and I am in no position to complain. In fact, I might even consider the place...homely. At least more homely...than my--
We were all sitting around a small table, with nothing but a tea service on it. The house itself was nothing special, though it's a bit lacking in furniture. There is nothing inside the house but a table, a small mat and a stone stove. A pile of empty pots are dumped at a corner.
I sipped my tea. It was a bit more bitter than the one earlier, but it was warm and rejuvenated my weary legs.
Ralein still hasn't lifted her depressing aura, and I feel a bit guilty about it. But still, how would I know she'd react that way? What was up with the story anyway? Even if she already told me the story, I'm no closer to understanding anything.
And as for asking questions? I've given up on getting anything out of them. Chaselier seems content to sip her tea. Ralein is sitting silently (which surprised...and worried me at the same time) and seemed preoccupied. And Nicholls? I'd rather talk to a wall. He is so big, I felt he might squash me.
I squirmed a bit, and Chaselier caught my eye and spoke:
"Ralein, I need Rilena."
Ralein looked at her and just nodded.
There was a cold draft. She is here.
For a moment, I thought I was possesed by a feverish feeling. I looked at Rale--no, Rilena and asked her, "What are you?"
Rilena looked at me, her right eye boring into my soul.
"What am I is none of your concern, mortal. Just suffice your curiousity by telling yourself that I am an ally. I am a consciousness that lives on this girl's body, I am neither her, or she as me. We are two different entities, cursed to a single body."
Her icy stare stabbed me repeatedly. I looked at Chaselier, and she looked a bit uneasy. Maybe Rilena isn't what you'd call friendly.
"Since I have already agreed to help you, would you care to explain things to me more thoroughly?"
Rilena answered me with silence. What does she want?
"Please, I think he has a right to know now," Chaselier spoke in a coaxing tone.
Rilena spoke once more, and maybe it was my imagination, but she seemed...colder.
"I spoke to you of the Vanlir, a race of being capable of sensing and intruding minds. They are formless beings, existing as nothing but pure thought. However, they can assume a form native to the owner of the mind. They can appear as an ordinary human to a human observer, but at the same time they can appear as a bird to another observer. In other words, they thrive in stealth and deception. In this way, they were able to effectively hamper the resistance of the human race."
I was dumbstruck. A race of beings able to change its form? I must be dreaming. But then again, I said to myself, after being sucked into a black hole two times, I should know better.
"The Vanlir are not of this world. They live in a seperate plane of reality, another dimension if you will. However, due to a catastrophic event, a rift between the two worlds have been opened. And with that, they were able to enter and invade the world."
"Catastrophe?"
"The Catastrophe, as we call it, was the start of the decade war that enveloped this world. Even now, the war is still being fought, but the humans are being pushed backed into a corner. Victory is within sight for the Vanlir. The Catastrophe was caused by a man who dabbled in the studies of opening gates to other worlds. In an experiment, he accidentally opened the rift to the world of the Vanlir."
"So what--," I began to speak but Rilena cut me off.
"On the day of the Catastrophe, a prophecy by an old man was spoken. It said 'At the birth of the flower, shield and sword, shall darkness begin to reign. And the flower shall die, and the shield will be broken, and its petals shall turn to dust. The sword will shine with a radiant shine, reflecting a light never-found. Its light will consume the path, until nothing but dust remains. The darkness will die, to be replaced by a world of ashen sigh. The flower will cry, and the shield will catch its tears, and the world shall be renewed.' "
Now what was that about?
"This prophecy was the only thing we have to defeat the Vanlir. Of course, nobody was able to decipher its meaning, nor was anybody able to find the flower, sword and shield," Chaselier said to me. "But there was another prophecy, only said recently by that same old man."
"To seek the key, first find the door. To see the door, find the one who 'chases the wind'. Her reflection shall be the key," Rilena chanted, almost solemnly.
"One who seeks the wind?" I asked.
"One who seeks the wind. In our old tongue, the wind was called 'lier'."
I looked at Chaselier.
To chase the wind. To chase "lier". Chaselier.
"And you believed the word of an old man?" I asked haughtily. "It could have meant anything."
"Yes, except this old man was the King before the Catastrophe. He was Chaselier's father, and the same man who caused the Catastrophe."
I nearly spilled my tea.
Chapter 9: The History of Darkness - Spoiler:
I stared at Rilena's expressionless face. It reminded me a lot of plaster walls.
Chaselier was tense. Her hands tightened around her tea cup while taking a long sip.
"Eleven years ago, an artifact discovered by a man named Matthew Elkwood was brought to the palace of King Julius VII, Lord of the Kingdom of Lierhalesia. Elkwood, along with his associates presented it to the king proclaiming that they have discovered a key to traveling to other worlds. He claimed that the artifact was a gateway, and he knows the way to activate it. Being the curious man King Julius was, he asked Elkwood to show him the capability of the device."
I was tense. I could barely hold my tea cup.
"Upon its activation, a rift was opened inside the castle. It created a distortion that sucked both the King and her only daughter inside the rift. Elkwood, in his panic, reactivated the device that caused a second distortion. From this distortion came out the king, but without his daughter. Knowing his folly, Elkwood escaped from the palace, but his associates were captured by the King.
"After that incident, the King was a changed man. He was often seen and heard mumbling and talking to himself. At times, he becomes hysterical and yelled at his subjects. He ordered the captured scholars to rework the machine to get his daughter back, else they will be tortured to death. However, with all their knowledge, the scholars could not activate the device.
"A year later, the King became impatient and ordered the deaths of the scholars. On the execution day, Elkwood suddenly appeared and pleaded audience to the king. He claimed that he knows how to find her daughter and bargained for the life of his friends. The king promply ordered him to be impaled on his device. King Julius himself was the one who stabbed Elkwood on the chest with a spear to pin him on his 'demonic device'.
"Losing his rationality, Julius grabbed an axe and started to destroy the device. However, Elkwood in his dying breath, reactivated the device which threw open a portal in which came out the princess. The king did not recognize her daughter and swung the axe at her, wounding her left arm."
Chaselier dropped her cup, spilling tea over the table.
"Miss Chaselier, if you do not want me to continue, please say so."
Chaselier was trembling. Or was it just me?
"Just continue."
"The royal guards were able to save the princess, the king however, started attacking the guards and they were chased out of the room where the device was kept. With a galvanizing stroke, King Julius struck the device in his fury. The device reactivated for the final time, this time opening a rift to the world of the Vanlir. The Vanlir unleashed their fury and attacked the guards.
"The princess was evacuated out of the castle and was taken to the town of Srila, where she was a doctor cared for her arm. She was weak because of losing too much blood, and the doctor feared that she might die. However, she was spared and was able to gain use of her arm a few days after. They found the King shortly afterwards, mumbling and insane. The regents wanted to put him to death, but her daughter belayed that order and ordered the care for his father.
"In the capital, the Vanlir raged. They fed on fear, and the people in the town were being harnessed for their minds. They captured the city in less than a day. The soldiers of other towns under the rule of King Julius made a desperate attempt to contain the Vanlir, to no avail.
"Thus started the War. It lasted for ten years, until the Vanlir has scattered the forces of Lierhalesia. Without the unity of a leader, it was an easy task for the Vanlir to pick out individual towns at their leisure.
"Five years ago, in the middle of a battle, a man presented himself before the princess, saying that he wants to see the king. The man was conducted to the presence of the king who was now a decripit, old man. Seeing him, the king spoke the words of the prophecy, ''At the birth of the flower, shield and sword, shall darkness begin to reign. And the flower shall die, and the shield will be broken, and its petals shall turn to dust. The sword will shine with a radiant shine, reflecting a light never-found. Its light will consume the path, until nothing but dust remains. The darkness will die, to be replaced by a world of ashen sigh. The flower will cry, and the shield will catch its tears, and the world shall be renewed.'
"The princess was rejoiced to hear her father speak again. However, after speaking those words, the king fell silent and refused to speak anymore."
I looked at Chaselier, and I saw a single tear flow from her eye.
I looked at her left arm. To lose your father like that, I thought, is worse then having no father at all.
Maybe...we are not so different after all.
Chapter 10: A Mirror - Spoiler:
"The princess herself was a changed woman when she came back."
Rilena's voice broke my reverie.
"When the Elkwood Relic was activated, the princess was thrown to a place whose major inhabitants are very much alike those who live in this world. The population of that world call their world by many names, but the most accepted was the name Earth."
I guess I should have seen this one coming.
"The princess was five years old then, and was transported to a small town of insignificant nature. Her arrival was unnoticed by most townsfolk but her circumstances were very dangerous. The language of the two worlds are quite different, and the streets of that town at night are unwelcome to strangers. However, she was fortunate enough to find shelter from an old man who was concerned enough to look after her."
I just noticed that Rilena's eyes were glancing at Chaselier's direction every now and then. Chaselier had already wiped her eyes, and no trace of sadness remained, only stoic strength coming from a place I know not.
"The old man lived alone, and was happy to provide Chaselier's needs. He taught her the common language used by the people of the town which was called English."
Rilena stopped her near-robotic speech. She was now staring at Chaselier with a blank expression. Chaselier sighed.
"Edmund took care of me for the next few days. He was kind enough to teach me, and never asked questions about where I came from and why was I wearing expensive clothes from my father's castle," Chaselier said in a controlled voice.
"It was hard at first to live a simple life, without the luxuries I once had. But he was patient and let go at my own pace. Eventually, I was able to adapt to his simple lifestyle. Being a woodcutter, he was often away from the house, and I was left to tend the house while he was away.
"For five years, I lived this simple life. I eventually sold my expensive clothes to buy simpler ones and to help Edmund find tools for his work." She paused for a moment then said, "I could even say that I felt like he was my father." Her voice trailed silently afterwards.
I sipped my tea, and was surprised to find out that I'm actually almost finished the cup. I looked absentmindedly at the open window, observing the tree branches slowly swaying with the wind.
After a while, she spoke again.
"Edmund has his own secrets however, he always kept a small mirror which he kept in a locked drawer in his room. I caught him many times looking at the mirror with a strange look on his face and when he sees me, he quickly puts it away. As he didn't ask about my secrets, I felt I wasn't in any position to ask his.
"However, all this came eventually came to an end. The town where we lived was raided by bandits living near the mountains. Since it was a backwater town, it was defenseless, and the constables were green privates that do not know the face of combat. Edmund was at the town at that time to deliver lumber. The bandits attacked swiftly, attacking with wanton frenzy and pillaging the town hall's vault. Edmund was one of the few brave villagers who tried defending the town. Of the ten people who stood up to fight, only two survived. Edmund wasn't one of them.
"When I heard about the attack, I rushed to town only to see Edmund in his final gasps. With his final breath, he entrusted me a key to the drawer and told me to find the person I would find inside.
"A few days after the funeral, Edmund's words came back to me. I used the key to open his drawer in his room, and found it empty save for the mirror. In my curiousity, I took the mirror and looked at it. Do you know who I saw?
For a moment I thought to myself, maybe the mirror would show Snow White? Not that I read the story, but at least I know about it that much.
"I saw you."
A cold draft entered the room from the window.
Chaselier suddenly reached for something in her skirt's pocket. She took out a small hand mirror, pretty much like the ones girls use for their everyday use. She held the mirror out to me and offered me to take it. I gingerly took it, and reflexively looked at its smooth plane surface.
Looking back at me, was the face of Chaselier.
For the second time, I nearly spilled my near empty tea cup.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:08 pm | |
| Chapter 11: Beliefs and Doubts - Spoiler:
It has been a while since I've enjoyed outdoors like this. Sitting under a tree and thinking, what the hell did just hit me? I might even start to enjoy this. Feeling the wind blow on my face, I leaned against the tree trunk and sighed.
What are these people thinking? Chaselier, Ralein, and Rilena. Their stories are very...surreal.
It seemed like a very made-up story, So many inconsistencies, so many...
It felt like a fantasy.
And if the part about Chaselier was true, then how was she able to see me when I was five, and see me about ten years later without looking as if she aged?
And her left arm...it felt so...familiar.
Maybe I'm just over thinking things.
Heh, that's rich, me over thinking. Almost all my life, I had been thinking. What to do now, what to do next, tomorrow, the next day, next week, next year.
Everything was supposed to be on schedule.
Until now.
Well, not that I'm ungrateful, but still...
Maybe I was bored then, I just didn't want to admit. Maybe I did wish to have an...unusual life.
But all my life I was dreaming of becoming just like my...
...
No.
The irony. To become the man I always hated.
The man I owe everything I have.
Still, a rational man like me could not forsake the fact that they indeed have means of traveling through space. Yes, through distortions. I don't know the details of their means. Nor do I want to.
It all felt so...fictional. And I'm not exactly a fan of that literature.
Still, there is nothing much I can do about it. But was it all real. Why me? Why is it me?
It could have been anyone on that mirror.
So why?
I felt sleepy, the cold evening wind was my lullaby to blessed sleep. The three hour trek was taking its toll.
Before I knew it, I fell asleep.
It was a very surreal dream. But then again, it's a dream, right? For someone dreaming, I'm pretty logical. I should be proud of myself.
I was standing in front of a large manor. It had a green roof and painted white walls reflecting its elegance and luxury. Though I did not wish it so, I felt a nostalgic feeling looking at it.
It was indeed familiar. It is my house. Was my house. I've never considered that place to be my home. I couldn't tell you how glad I was to know that I have to stay in a dormitory at high school.
They said dreams reflect reality, what is happening or what will happen.
In my case, it showed me what already happened.
It was a rainy evening then. Though I don't particularly cherish this memory, this one is as clear and vivid as glass.
I heard some noises coming from within my house. There was a crashing sound, and I heard screams coming from within. The door of the manor flew open, and a boy of ten came running out, clutching his left arm. He quickly passed me by, and I turned to see him climb the front gate of the mansion--the prison door seperating him from the outside world.
To the cue, the servants came rushing out to give chase. The shouts coming from inside the house were becoming louder. The thunder rolled down the sky, deafening everyone who could hear. The servants were soaking wet, but they were determined to get the escaping boy.
The boy was already past the gate, his splashing footsteps fading as he ran farther, and farther away. The gate was being opened while the boy's father...my father was by the house door, his eyes bulging in anger, and his voice hoarse from yelling.
I couldn't help but feel...depressed. I should be angry. I was always angry at my father. Maybe that's why...
Why I feel...so...
Lonely.
Suddenly a hand touched my shoulder. I turned around and saw two people standing behind me.
One had a light brown hair, brown eyes, and a face you could call angelic. Ralein. She had a pensive look, as if in an eternal trance.
But didn't she had one red eye?
And behind Ralein was another...girl? I couldn't be sure. She...It was about as tall as Ralein, her long black hair hiding most of her face. But I did see her eyes.
They were red. Like hers.
She spoke in a tongue that I did not understand. Suddenly, Ralein grabbed my neck and said in an a quiet voice:
"Wake up."
I suddenly woke up with a start and saw Ralein sitting in front of me. She was holding me against the tree on my neck, hard enough to render me uncomfortable, but not hard enough to choke me. I looked at her and saw her sad eyes looking back at me.
"Sorry, but she told me to do this..."
Her quiet voice choked my next question, which coincidentally was my favorite question:
Why?
Suddenly her right eye seemed like it was glowing. The red eye looked like it was burning. I wanted to look away, but I was transfixed to its mesmerizing glow. Suddenly the world was becoming darker, the tree, wind and the house behind Ralein was fading to an ink black world. Only Ralein and I remained.
I felt like I was being ripped apart.
A spear of pain seemed to split my head into two, and I screamed...or at least tried to. My voice...I had no voice. Suddenly I realized, I can't hear anything!
I was afraid. Afraid what Ralein could do to me in such a state. She could just tighten her grip on my neck...but...
"I do not want to hurt you."
Her voice split the silence.
"I have to take you to her. She wants to see you, in person."
Suddenly a keening sound erupted from, from...everywhere. It was a shrill sound, near to breaking my eardrums. The black world around us was swirling, and I felt like I was being swallowed.
No. I am being swallowed. The inky blackness was wrapping around me, and I felt like I was sinking into nothingness. I screamed, but no sound escaped my lips.
I felt my awareness slipping from my grasp with every second. Before I lost all my senses, I heard a woman's deep voice.
"Welcome to my world Chaser. Welcome to my world of eternal darkness."
Her voice was cold as ice, and each word seem to pierce my soul.
Rilena.
Chapter 12: Rilena - Spoiler:
When I came to my senses, I felt like someone who had run a marathon. I was disoriented and tried to open my eyes to see where I was.
People say that if you are in a dark enough place, it won't matter if your eyes are opened or closed.
You won't see anything either way.
It's so dark.
Isn't there any light around here?
Where am I anyway?
...
Where is anything?
I tried touching my face, but even if I could feel my hands, it's disconcerting that you cannot see them. For someone like me who had relied upon sight for almost all my life (except during the times you had to close your eyes for various reasons such as pepper sprays), it was very...
Disturbing.
Yes, that's it.
Disturbing,
"So how do you like this place?"
The voice was unmistakeable. Though it sounded much...older, no, more ancient than the first time I heard it, it was Rilena's. It sounded like a volcano's rumbling, it's feminine pitch underscored by a tone of someone holding enough power to unmake me from where I am.
The voice let out a piercing laugh that seemed to shake the whole place.
I felt chills just hearing that laugh. I tried to stand, but I felt my legs freeze on the spot.
"Ralein, if you do not help this boy, he might become unusable after I'm finished with him."
I felt a subtle warmth coming from behind me. I looked behind and saw a light casting away the darkness. At the center of the light was Ralein.
Except this Ralein was...different.
Her light brown hair was more...golden, and it flowed past her waist. She wore a white flowing dress, reminding me of those Oriental priestesses. For the lack of a better word, she looked solemn. Her brown eyes looked at me, but she did not speak. Her face was emotionless, but I felt something brimming just underneath.
Clutching her right hand was a little girl. She wore the same clothes as Ralein, the long hem of her dress carpeting the ground. The little girl wore that smile Ralein had, and she had the same eyes as the Ralein I know. She pulled Ralein while she walked towards me.
As they walked, the darkness seemed to vanish little by little. As the place became brighter, I saw that I was in a big room. It was built of granite, and without any hint of subtlety, it was apparent that it was a prison. Shackles were scattered everywhere, and hanging across the walls were various torturing devices that reminded me of medieval times.
If there was something I indeed found strange about this place was that there were no windows. Or doors for that matter.
A perfect prison, a place where you cannot get out. No wonder it was so dark.
I felt a small hand clutch my hand. The girl pulled my hand gently and said:
"Hold my hand."
She pulled my hand toward Ralein's who was lifting her other hand towards mine. The little girl put my hand into her's who held it solemnly and firmly. I felt a strange warmth flowing from her palms to mine, and I felt...
At ease.
It was very...comforting.
The illumination around Ralein increased, and the room was bathed in light. Curiously, it didn't hurt my eyes when I look at her, nor am I blinded by the warm light that emanated from her.
As the room was being illuminated by Ralein, I became vaguely aware of a lurking darkness in the far side of the room. It was an impenetrable darkness that not even Ralein's light can dissolve.
"You humans love your light too much. I find it quite uncomfortable."
Her voice came from that darkness. I faintly heard the clinking sound of metal before I saw her emerge from that darkness.
I saw her again for the second time. Her long black hair flowing past her shoulders were almost carpeting the ground where she was standing. It hid most of her face, and most of her body--which was well and good since I realized a bit later that she was not wearing anything at all.
I felt my heart pound when I realized that I was staring at a nude female.
Then I noticed something. Around her arms and legs where manacles and chains wrapped around her pale, nearly grey skin. Every time she walked, the metal shackles clinked around noisily as it tried to restrict her. And her red eyes are fixed on me, and they were glowing like it had an inner fire illuminating it from within.
So is this prison for her?
Where is this place anyway?
"This is the place within Ralein's mind, she took you here under my command. This is the place where I stay within this unbearably weak thing that you humans call as your body."
She sounded as if she could read my mind.
"Yes, I could read your mind."
I was shocked for a moment, but Ralein tightened her grip on my hand.
"It won't be good to act meow in front of Rilena," teased the little girl.
"Don't worry, I don't expect anything from someone like him"
I noticed something different in Rilena's voice. It was not the emotionless tone that she does with Ralein, but this one is full of arrogance and disdain. She spoke like someone speaking to a squirming bug.
It took me a while before I could find my voice.
"What do you want?"
Rilena laughed, and the walls reverbrated with it.
"That should not be your concern human, since you could barely do what we want anyway. No, I wanted you to come here for another reason."
Her red eyes was unbearable.
"Come here."
For the first time, I realized that Rilena was already at the limit of her manacles. They were already squeezing around her limbs as she tried to come nearer.
The little girl walked toward Rilena, pulling Ralein who was still holding my hand.
Rilena smiled. Her smile made my blood freeze.
"Don't worry, she won't hurt you." The little girl spoke quite cheerfully.
Well, easy for you to say.
"She won't hurt you," she repeated.
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"Because I'm here."
The little girl looked back at me and smiled, her words sounded like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Sighing in resignation, I walked with them, closer and closer to the darkness.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:09 pm | |
| Chapter 13: Light and Darkness - Spoiler:
I barely felt Ralein's hand as we approached Rilena. As we approached her, the warmth flowing from Ralein's hand diminishes with every step. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, and soon I felt like I was walking in a bog.
When we came to stand before her, I felt an unnerving sense of dread. I cannot explain it, but her very presence makes me question the wisdom of me being here.
"So, boy, tell me, who are you?"
Who am I? Don't they kind of know that already? In fact, I haven't asked them yet how they knew about me. As a matter of fact, I should be the one asking that question!
"I'm pretty sure you knew that my name is Chas--"
Rilena cut me off quickly.
"Not that, you foolish boy."
She said the word "boy" with unusual emphasis.
"I want to know who you are."
She lost me there.
Hmm, who am I? As far as I knew, I am an insanely smart high school student from a well-to-do family--
"Not very humble, aren't you?"
Oh shoot, I forgot she could read minds.
She looked away from us and looked as if in a trance. Her black hair moved with her head with alluring grace that was near inhuman.
"You are way worse than what I thought. To think that you do not understand the situation fully. Chaselier should had enough time to input information to you as well..."
Who is she speaking to?
Suddenly, she looked at us with anger in her eyes.
"Regardless, Chaselier has already made contact. Trying to interfere with the time again might make you more unstable. Guess we are stuck with your stupidity."
If I only knew what she was talking about, I'd be more angry than what I felt now.
"So, you do not know why you do not appear as yourself in the Felrefr?"
Felrefr? Does she mean the mirror? But when I looked at the mirror, Chaselier was--
"Exactly."
I looked at Rilena, my curiosity overcoming my fear.
"The mirror of Felrefr differs little from an ordinary mirror. However--"
She paused for a moment and looked at me in the eyes.
"Felrefr has the ability to see what others cannot. It only works under special parameters, and it wouldn't normally work with humans. If a normal human looked into that mirror, you would only see your reflection."
To see what others cannot?
"For you to see Chaselier in the mirror would mean that you already have been connected by a special link. I myself do not understand this link, for I have little information between humans."
Special link? But I only met Chaselier once, inexplicably, ten years ago, then met her again no more than a day ago.
"And that is exactly what I want to know. How did you meet her? Was a distortion present? How long were you in contact?"
She paused again to let the words sink in.
"Tell me."
"NO!" The little girl suddenly screamed, and yelled something incoherently. Suddenly, Rilena snapped her head to look at her, and an invisible force emanated from her glowing eyes. The little girl was thrown across the room, her screams echoing across the walls.
Suddenly, her eyes glowed again, and I felt something from inside me being ripped out. Then I saw fleeting memories...my recent experiences, my school life, my childhood...all flashed before my eyes before I could even protest. It felt as if my entire being is being sucked into an abyss, and Rilena's eyes were drawing closer and closer...
The darkness, I felt like I was being swallowed...
A thought came to my mind. She is taking my memories!
It was an irate thought, but at that time, it was the most logical explanation.
Suddenly, a warm pulse reverbrated through my being.
"No."
It was a single word, and yet it was so full of power. Never in my life did I hear such a pure, and powerful voice. It was as if the skies themselves suddenly descended, and the voice was as gentle as the breeze, and yet as majestic as thunder. Rilena stopped when she heard the voice.
Where did it come from?
"Big sister..."
The little girl looked at us, almost teary-eyed. It couldn't have been her...
Which would mean...
I looked at Ralein and saw her emotionless face change slightly. It was almost unnoticable, but there was something different.
She looked...angry.
"Please stop..." the little girl was crying.
The light emanating from her seemed to increase in brightness exponentially. It was blinding, as if the sun itself has descended. Yet it was not painful, it felt warm, like, like--
When the light subsided, something has changed.
Rilena was panting, sweat dripping from her face. She slumped down the floor, her chains cackling noisily as she moved.
"You, you, how dare you--"
She sounded less menacing this time. She sounded exhausted. Was it the light?
Ralein didn't answer her. She slowly approached Rilena and put her other hand on Rilena's chest. I felt a force build up around them.
Then without a warning, Rilena suddenly was thrown back into the darkness, her voice was drowned by the clinking of the chains.
There was a small pause, and no sound was heard, except for the silent crying of the little girl.
There was only a single thought in my mind. It was a thought that I could not voice out.
Ralein, what are you?
Chapter 14: Reflection - Spoiler:
Everything was silent for what seemed a long time. I didn't dare move as I might break the ethereal silence we were bathing in.
After what seemed an hour, I felt Ralein move. Her grip on my hand loosened slightly, and I could feel the tension around us start to dissipate. Still, I didn't dare speak.
Ralein released my hand and quietly approached the little girl.
"It's going to be fine now," Ralein said to her.
"But..."
"Don't worry."
Ralein reached out for her. The girl approached Ralein and wrapped her shoulders in an embrace. Ralein whispered words of comfort to her. Then the light became pulsing, turning into subtle waves like those of a candle. The pulsating light emanating from them was strangely comforting. For a moment, I forgot the entire encounter with Rilena and was content to watch them.
The little girl then looked into my eyes, and she smiled. Instantly, my mind flashed to the time I first saw that smile. Her brown hair was shorter, and she looked older then, but it was unmistakable.
She is the Ralein that I know. Only younger, I suppose.
For a moment, our eyes locked, and time stopped.
The little girl pulled herself away from Ralein, and approached me.
"Sorry."
It was a single word, yet it was full of emotion. I can't doubt the girl's sincerity, but then why did Ralein bring me here in the first place?
"Rilena wanted to see you. And I couldn't stop her. But she isn't the one I wanted you to see."
I kneeled before her to look at her small face. She touched my face and spoke.
"It was me. I have to show you something, so you will understand."
And with that, I felt all my doubts slip away, and I fell asleep.
The next thing I remember after that was like a dream.
End Act I : Reflection
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:11 pm | |
| Act II: One Who Chases the Wind Chapter 1: Elkwood - Spoiler:
"Good morning, your Highness."
Morning already?
I promptly got out of bed and saw Nana drawing the curtains of my window. The sunlight rushed inside the room, filling it with its warmth and light.
"Your dress is already here, Highness. The maids will get you ready for breakfast."
The door opened and a half dozen maids came in. The last one was bearing a red dress with frills around the neck and hem.
I particularly hate that dress. It's too heavy, it's too hot. I don't like the color, and the frills make me itch. If I listed all the things I hate about that dress, I bet I could fill a scroll.
"Nana, do I have to wear that dress? I would rather wear my green one."
Nana frowned at me. From that look alone, I knew I said the wrong thing.
"You are going to appear before the citizens today. You have to wear something that befits your title, princess." She emphasized the last word.
I just sighed. Why are all grown-ups like this?
A maid started to take off my nightgown, while another gently lifted my long brown hair and started to brush it. As they dressed me, Nana was lecturing me about etiquette and--
Oh, and that too.
"As a princess of this Kingdom, you should be aware that you are someone with responsibilities. Our country has high hopes for you, as you are the only heir of the King, and it has come to my notice that you are spending more time with the commoners--"
I yawned. It's always like this every morning. I looked at the window and saw a white bird perched on a tree outside. I looked at it closely and saw that it had something strapped to its neck.
It went through the window and flew across the room, scattering its white feathers around the room.
"What is this?" Nana screamed. "Catch that bird immediately!"
The maids who weren't helping me dress up ran around the room trying to catch the bird. The bird flew high near the ceiling, then decided to perch on top of my wardrobe closet.
It was a funny sight. Four royal maids running around trying to catch an elusive bird that is ever beyond their reach. And how Nana glared at them!
I just couldn't help myself, so I laughed
The bird then flew across the inept hands of the maids then landed on my bare shoulder. I then offered my palm and it hopped on my hand. I heard a click, and the device strapped on its shoulder opened and a note came out. With its mission done, it flew out of the room quickly before anybody could even move to catch it.
I opened the note quickly and read the three words in there. Then I quickly tore the note before Nana could tear it out of my hands.
"Do you by any chance, princess, know that bird?" Nana was asking a very serious question.
I tried hard to stop my giggling.
"Not at all," I said innocently. Nana frowned at me and looked at the pieces of paper I'm holding. She took it from my hand and threw it out of the window. Nana wasn't much for details.
But the bird did its job.
The note contained three words.
________________________
Park
-Edward Elkwood
________________________
I'll be there. A princess must fulfill her promise, no matter how hard it may be.
How do I get out of the castle? Easy. I know the castle by heart. I knew it better than everybody, besides my father.
And I knew it better than Nana.
Thinking how Nana would react when they find out that I escaped them again, I couldn't help but smile.
I'll be there Ed.
Just you wait.
I'm going to show all of you that I'm not your average princess.
After all, I'm Chaselier de Lierhalesia.
Chapter 2: Breakfast - Spoiler:
"So how are you today, my little princess?"
My father could be so...clingy at times.
"Just fine today, I guess."
And that elicited a scowl from Nana who was watching me cut my bread with a knife and fork.
"That would be fine, Nana, it's family time after all," my father said with a smile.
But Nana isn't someone would actually yield that easily, not even to the king.
"Your Highness, it has been my duty to groom the princess for the day it would come that she would take your place as the sovereign, however," she drew a deep breath for a moment she continued, "the princess still has still much to learn. Why, she would not even choose someone to be her husband! Why the poor count's son was crushed when he was rejected--"
Aren't I a bit too young for that? I'm just five, for heaven's sake!
"At this rate, we may not be able to secure a suitable man for your Highness' daughter, especially at this perilous situation. Many nobles does not want a female sovereign, and--"
"However, my daughter is just not ready for those things yet. I do appreciate your concern, but I believe my daughter is smart enough to handle herself in these kind of things. After all, she's her mother's daughter," my father interjected. "It's too bad that she passed away when Lier was young..."
My father covered his face for a moment. When he showed his face again, there were no tears, but his eyes were rimmed with red. My father really loved my mother. She died when I was really young, and I can only see her through the pictures my father keeps in his room. He'd tell me that I'll see her someday...
but...
When?
After breakfast was my lecturing especially made by Nana. Today was special since I was going to show myself to proclaim that I needed suitors. For heaven's sake Nana, I don't want one! Why is she bent on making me engaged?
Probably because she's an old spinster, I concluded with a smile.
Still, I have my own plans. And around a half-hour from now, I would be gone from this castle for the rest of the day. My father could cover for me. He always does.
I just smiled at the solid wall behind Nana. Sometimes what you do not see makes a thing more beautiful.
Chapter 3: Escape - Spoiler:
"Just a brief break then, and after that, the maids will see to it that you look at least presentable in front of the people later."
Well, so much for the thirty minutes. It felt more like ten years. Nana could just drone on and on in a subject without as much as a breath break.
If this is what it takes to be a Lady of the Court, I'd rather be outside the castle. Still, at least she was grateful enough to give me a short break.
Of course, that was after insuring that the windows were locked (escaped through that a week ago), the guards are at my door, and door itself was locked. Well, who can blame them? This castle has more holes than Lierhalesian cheese.
Still, hopeless it may seem, nothing is impossible for the great Lier.
After Nana left, and the guards have finished checking the room, I proceeded with my plan.
There was always a cabinet beside the bookshelf, although it was never used. I once thought it was strange, but Nana said that it was the orders of the King. So one day, during my breaks, I sneaked up on this room and tinkered with the furniture.
I discovered that the cabinet, not only is it lighter than it looks, it actually hides a switch behind it. When I tripped it, a section of the wall slides off to reveal a small ladder leading directly to the sewer.
Why it's there, I have no idea. But then Nana said that the architect who built this place is a bit eccentric.
Of course, I didn't tell anybody about that switch, and it sure paid off. Ever since we used this study room, escaping have never been easier.
I put my ear on the door, the guards were quietly chatting, but I'm pretty sure they'll check me every now and then to see what I'm up to. So I had to hurry.
I pulled the cabinet and quickly threw the switch. The wall quietly slid open. I quickly undressed and put my clothes undressed and stowed it inside the cabinet. Poor maids, they're going to have a hard time washing all the dust from my dress.
Wearing only my undergarments, I pulled the cabinet to block the passage. That way, when I trip the other switch down the ladder, the section of the wall would close, and the cabinet would look as if it wasn't moved at all.
As why I'm wearing only my undergarments? You'll see soon enough.
I quickly climbed down the ladder and carefully felt for the switch when I reached the bottom. After finding the switch, I reached for a small rope hanging on the wall. As I pulled it, a section of the wall in front of me noisily slid open.
I looked both ways to make sure that no one besides me was here before I entered the sewer. It smells bad, but the knowledge that I'm free for the rest of the day made up for it.
After a fifteen minute walk, I reached a ladder leading upwards. It led to an unused cellar in an abandoned house. The ladder was rusty, but since I'm not that heavy, I had no trouble climbing it.
After opening the trapdoor leading to the cellar, I looked around to check any unwanted visitors. Seeing that I was alone, I went to a box where my stash was hidden. There I had a change of common clothes so I could pass off as a commoner. I dressed up quickly.
Now if they'd let me dress up myself, they would be surprised that I dress up faster than when I have a bundle of maids grooming me like a horse...
When I finished dressing myself, I put a cloth around my hair to it up in a ponytail. They never let me do that in the castle. I put my ring (the royal signet that I was supposed to wear all the time) in my pocket for safekeeping, and quickly put the box to where it was and made sure that no trace of me being here could be seen. I quickly left the place.
Now, I'm no longer Chaselier de Lierhalesia.
Here, I'm just Lier the streetgirl. Except for one person who knew who I was of course.
Edward.
Smiling to myself, I quickly ran towards the park.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:13 pm | |
| Chapter 4: A Challenge - Spoiler:
It was a sunny day, and the city square was quite busy with the celebration. Today was the town fair, and many townfolk have already set up their shops to display their wares. Some where just chatting around, while others could be seen just drinking inside the taverns. Everyone seems to have something to talk about the celebration and everybody is in a festive mood.
Many of them are talking about how the "princess" would be paraded around the town later. Well, I can't help but feel guilty at that. But still--
The park itself was full of people, and a crowd of people were sitting by the fountain to see a clown and his monkey performing. Some were throwing cheers, while others were throwing coins. A flock of birds were crowding near a little boy throwing crumbs to feed them.
I strolled past them and went forward towards a nearby bench where a lone boy was sitting. He was petting a white bird on his shoulders and seems to take no notice of his surroundings. He saw me as I approached and stood with a smile on his face. The bird on his shoulders flew away and landed near the fountain to mingle with the other birds.
"Lier! Nice of you to come. But what about the parade?"
I just grinned at him. He should know better.
"Sometimes I think that you're much better playing thief more than anything else."
"I take pride in that," I said with a smile.
His scratched his yellow curly hair and looked at me with his brown eyes.
"Well, Erik and the others are already at the garden, you're the only one their waiting for."
I just sighed. Why do boys can never wait for a girl?
"So you're my chaffeur, Edward?"
Edward blushed at that. I just laughed. I hooked his arm with mine and I felt him freeze.
"Chaselier, do you think this is okay?"
"Oh don't worry, I'm just Lier, remember? We'll be fine."
I felt him ease a little and we walked together towards the garden like a couple.
The garden was actually an abandoned plot of land by the eastern part of the city. It was enclosed by wooden walls and signs telling people to stay away. However, Erik--the resident street rough--has found a rotten plank and made a secret entrance to the plot. Since then, children near the east quarter have been hanging out in that lot. Fortunately, none of the city guards were able to find out about it, since everyone of us were careful not to let them discover the place.
When we reached the walls, we both checked our surrounding before moving the rotten plank to enter. Seeing nobody else besides us, we entered the garden and moved the plank to hide the entrance.
The garden was actually a mixture of rough undergrowth, wild plants and flowers and a few trees. It was quite big that we could play hide and seek in there, but small enough not to attract any merchant's attention. That is why it still belongs to the city, and nobody was interested enough to buy it.
And that's fine with us.
Erik and his group were already waiting for us under a nearby tree. Erik was about five years older than me, and he was already built like a wall. He had big arms, but I'll say that's the only thing about him worth noticing. His sense is considerably smaller than his head, and the only reason everybody listens to him is because of his attitude, and because he is the oldest and biggest kid in the garden.
I'll soon change that.
Erik looked at us with his usual smirk and scowled at us.
"So, making us wait eh? This should be good,"
I returned a smirk at him. Although I'm the youngest in the garden, I am by no means a weak little person that I may look...which I try hard not to.
"Edward is going to continue with the challenge," I said in a business-like tone.
Erik laughed, and his gang laughed with him. I felt Edward tense up behind me.
"You're serious? I mean, you're not just kidding me?"
I nodded arrogantly. I mean, why should I waste my time on you if we were not serious?
Erik approached us carry two wooden sticks. He threw one at Edward who clumsily caught it.
Whatever happened there you ask? Well it started with the day I first came to the garden.
During my first visit here, I was actually challenged by Erik who said that I was too small to join in the garden. However, the boy who brought me here defended my right saying that since I also live at the east quarter (though I don't really live in any quarter since my home was in the center of the city...), I have the right to join.
Apparently Erik used that as an excuse for a fight, and launched himself at Edward. However, the others were able to break them apart, and I stepped in between. Pointing a finger at his ogre-like face, I challenged him to a duel.
I mean, not a fight-to-the-death duel, but a duel with wooden swords, kind of thing. He laughed at me of course, and said that a girl won't win in a fight against him. So I kicked his shins, and while he was rolling in pain, I told him:
"Fine, if you don't want to fight me, then Edward will fight you."
"What?!" Edward shouted behind me.
Edward had been known as the resident push-over, and fights with him are often one-sided. He is nothing like his brother Matthew who was known to be a scary person. Though I have not personally met his brother, there were enough stories going around.
Edward was another matter altogether. He was as frail as a kitten, and pretty much lets other people walk over him. And that's the time I told myself, I'm going to make a man out of you.
Or a whatever man I can pull off his eight-year old body.
After laughing like an idiot he is, Erik accepted the challenge, saying that Edward would probably back off anyway. He talks like he already won.
Except for one thing,
Lier may not know anything about swordfights, but Chaselier certainly does.
After all, who is the successor of the Liersolien?
Chapter 5: The Art of Liersolien - Spoiler:
A few weeks ago, Edward stood before me at the park, panting.
"Lier, please...let's stop," Edward told me between breaths.
I pointed a wooden sword at him and said in a strong voice:
"Erik is going to eat you alive two weeks from now, if we can't make a warrior out of you, so hunch up!"
Edward sat down in exhaustion.
"But you're the one who wanted me to fight! I don't even want to do this in the first place," he complained in his whiny voice.
I clucked my tongue to show my dissatisfaction.
This boy is supposed to be three years older than me?
"Fine, a break I'll give you a break then, and then it's back to exercises."
He visibly sagged and lied down the grass, his chest rising and falling steadily. I took the wooden sword in his hand and saw the bruises and wounds from overtraining.
Maybe I was pushing him a bit too hard, I told myself.
"Ahh, I'm so tired."
But his whiny voice always gets to me, I amended with chagrin.
As if in impulse, I tore a long cloth from my hem and divided it into two pieces. I wrapped one on the handle of his sword, then wrapped the other on his wounded right hand.
"Er..."
"Don't worry, this will help you in handling your sword. It won't help if you're too injured when you fight Erik."
After finishing the wrap on his hands, I gave him his sword and then stood up. Edward stuttered for a moment.
"Th-Thanks."
Suddenly from behind us, a scream tore through the air.
"Thief!"
We both snapped our heads around and saw a man clutching a purse running towards us.
"Get back here!"
Behind him, a woman clutching a small club was giving chase. As they passed us, I thought, maybe this would be a fine demonstration.
A wind blew steadily. Birds chirped. As the wind blew across my face, I can hear its whispers.
Kesalier, pawel ot soli lier.
Deka pawel ot eno hot.
The words came to me, and I felt a breeze form.
The wind have given power to your sword.
Put that power into one thought.
Into one thought.
The sword I was carrying felt like it was ten times lighter.
Into one thought
I started to run, and I felt my surroundings melt around me. I can barely hear Edward's calls. The park seem to fade from my sight. Only the target matters. My sight seem to converge around the running thief, and everything else became a dark shadow.
A strong wind blew, and I felt like I was being carried by it's grasp.
I let the wind carry me, and I barely felt my feet touch the ground with every step. It felt like I was walking on wind itself. It was like I was almost flying. It was a strange feeling.
Is this how a bird feels?
I was vaguely aware of my speed, and I was quite surprised when I passed the woman, and quickly overtook the man. As I passed him, I turned and blocked his path. I held my weapon with a firm grip. It was like the training sessions with my father.
I felt a strong wind, and--where was it coming from?
I looked at my sword and saw the dust swirling around it.
Wind.
The thief drew a small dagger from his belt and launched an attack.
"Get out of the way, girl!"
I vaguely heard his words.
I lifted my weapon to defend myself, and I heard my father's voice in my mind.
When you feel the wind calling out to you, just call its name."
The wind's name.
I shouted and poured all my strength into a single word:
The wind's name...
"Lier!"
As the dagger became nearer, I felt the wind blow stronger than before. The dust and leaves were swirling around me, and I barely blocked the blow. As the dagger met my weapon, it was blown away, as if it struck a stone wall. The thief was surprised, and I took the moment's hesitation to deal a punishing blow at his stomach. The blow knocked him back and sent him sprawling on the ground.
I did it!
For the first time, I called the wind!
A perfect swing.
Then my sword felt like lead and I dropped it. Before I could pick it up, I saw the world become tilted and then fade to black.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:15 pm | |
| Chapter 6: The Secret of Lierhalesia - Spoiler:
When I woke up, I was lying on a bed inside an unfamiliar room. The walls were wooden, and the room itself was a bit bare. Aside from the bed, only a closet, a chair and a desk were the only furniture inside the room.At my left was an open window with wooden shutters. I heard a few birds chirping outside and listened to their songs.
I was soon broken out of my reverie when Edward came into the room. He was carrying a basin of water and a piece of cloth. When he saw that I was awake, he put the basin on the desk and dipped the cloth, squeezed the excess water and then handed it to me.
"You should wipe yourself, you're all grimy," he said quietly.
I took the wet cloth and wiped my face.
"Lin said you would be fine, she said that you just used a bit too much..." he paused for a second, trying to find the right words. "Too much power."
He was trembling...but why?
Just then another person came into the room.
"She's awake?" it was a small voice, definitely a girl's voice. But why is she wearing those strange clothes?
She was wearing a grey hood covering most of her face, and her gray robes covering her body. She reminded me of those witches I read about in my books. Except she's younger. A lot younger. I'd say that she's about Edward's age, but with all those robes, it's a hard guess.
Edward looked at her uneasily and answered, "Yes, but Lin--"
Lin cut off him off by saying, "I'll talk to her for a moment."
He looked at her for a moment before leaving the room without another word.
When we were alone, the girl faced me and asked, "Who are you?" It was a cold voice that gave me chills.
I saw a glitter behind the darkness of the hood. A red glitter not unlike those of the gems I always see in the palace. I was mesmerized by the glow, and I didn't hear her question.
"Who are you?" she repeated, more softly. The glittering vanished, and her voice sounded less malevolent.
"I...just call me Lier," I told her.
"Just Lier?"
I nodded.
"Tell me Lier, why do you have the wind contract on your arm?"
I was speechless.
The wind contract? But how does she know?
"Only a few people have that mark on their arm to show their pact with the wind. From what Edward told me, it seems you used that pact to help you catch the thief. But you used too much energy calling out the wind...and that was dangerous."
"How--?"
She raised her hand to silence me and said, "Forget it, as long as you don't push yourself as hard as today, you'll be fine. Be sure to take care of youself that you don't do that again. We can't lose someone with such a talent in controlling wind in such a young age now do we? It's quite amazing that you can call out the wind like that when most people with the mark couldn't call a breeze until they were ten..."
The Contract of the Wind, the ceremony I took when I was around three was the mark that I was the heir of the throne. My father told me that I share a special bond with the wind because of it...but it was supposed not to be told outside the family...how does she know about it?
Our family believed that the spirits of the wind guided our family for generations, and those who have been marked by the contract are able to call for their help when needed.
But before today, I couldn't even call a breeze!
Could she explain why I was able to use the wind like that? I don't even understand it myself!
Who is she?
"Tell me, who are you?" I managed to ask her.
I heard a chuckle coming from within the hood.
"As you have your own reasons not to tell me your name, I also have mine. But I warn you, Edward isn't the type of person to easily accept such things without an explanation. I only managed to stay here without giving my name because of his older brother."
"What are you telling me?"
She was quiet for a moment, and then turned away saying, "It would be better if you tell him about yourself now, than later when he figures it out. After all, boys are quite touchy about those things. Oh, don't mind me, I prefer not to know about these kind of things too much anyway. I don't think Edward shares my sentiments however...."
She left the room, and Edward came in.
"Lier..."
I looked at Edward in his eyes, and I sensed his apprehension.
Should I tell him?
It wasn't exactly my plan, but...
Not saying anything to him will make it worse, doesn't it?
And he is my only friend, not that I don't have friends inside the castle, but he is my only friend that likes me not because of who I am...should I tell him the truth?
My original plan was not to reveal to anybody my real identity, because I wanted to know how life outside the castle is like. I was able to hide the truth with the help of my father's stories, and by ruining my old clothes to make them look like common wear.
Come to think of it, I never asked my father how he knew so much about common life...I should ask him later.
Still, if I don't tell Edward, he'd probably figure it out later. Using Liersolien against a thief was a bit overboard.
But I didn't expect it to go that well! I only wanted to let him see my skill...
"Lier, are you really alright?" he asked me.
I decided at that moment.
"Lier isn't my name."
He looked at me with confusion in his eyes. I continued quickly so I won't lose my resolution halfway through.
"My real name is Chaselier Lieren de Lierhalesia. I...am a princess. My father is the king."
He stood there with his mouth wide open.
"Pr-princess?"
I reached inside my pocket and felt for the ring inside. I took it out and showed it to Edward. The ring bore the emblem of a bird flying over a shield with a sword engraved behind it.
The royal signet...the Lierram.
Chapter 7: Confessions of a Princess - Spoiler:
He looked at my open palm with genuine confusion.
"You're the Princess Chaselier?"
I could only nod.
"You mean you're not just some street girl like you said?"
"I just wanted to--" I tried to explain.
"So you lied to me?"
His question was like an accusation. That, more than anything else, hurt me the most.
________________
It was a clear morning when I saw him, he was sitting by on a park bench while feeding a small white bird from his hand. It was my first day outside the palace, and I saw many things that are all beyond my experience. The sweet shop that holds many kids (and me) captivated, the town square where performers and entertainers hold their acts, and the market which was full of people from all sorts of places...
But in the end, it was like my home. Full of people running around while minding their own business, and there is no one I could talk to...
I tried saying something, but a lump formed in my throat, choking down my words. I tried with all my might to hold back my tears. I'm not going to cry! Not in front of him...please...
The look he gave me made me realize that I was staring at him. I tried to look inconspicious as he approached.
"Do you like to hold him?" the boy asked me. He held out his hand to me where the bird was perching.
I was surprised at his question, and as I do not want to offend him, I offered my open palm to the bird, and the bird hopped onto my palm. The bird looked at me with its black eyes.
"So what's your name?"
________________
I bit my lip to hold back a sob. I felt my eyes burn, and I couldn't hold back.
A lone tear flowed unbidden from my eye. I...I don't want to cry...
________________
"My name is Edward...so you're not from around here aren't you?"
"I just moved here..." I said for the lack of words. I watched the bird hop around my palm.
"You shouldn't be out here all by yourself, you know. This place can get pretty rough for a little girl like you," he casually said.
"Rough?"
"Some of the bigger boys like to play here. When they see someone new, they get to play around with them," he said with genuine disgust in his voice. "Frankly, they're just bullies and you should be more careful else you might get hurt."
"How about you?" I asked him. "Do you join them?"
He shook his head emphatically.
"No way, I don't want to mess with those guys. It's better to just listen to what they say so they'd leave you alone."
"But isn't that sort of...cowardly?"
He laughed.
"Lier, I'm no hero, so I don't need to be that brave. And most of them are afraid of big brother, anyway."
"You have a brother?"
"Yeah, although he can be a bit strange sometimes. How about you?"
I shook my head.
"Really?"
"It's a bit lonely," I told him. "With nobody to talk to, it's a bore."
He laughed again.
"If you only know the trouble of having an older brother, then you wouldn't say that."
"Really?"
________________
I felt Edward approach the bed. He said something, but I couldn't catch the words.
________________
It was almost evening when we both have to go.
"It was nice talking with you, Lier."
"I could say the same thing." I smiled at him.
"So you'll be here tomorrow?"
I thought about it for a moment. Slipping past the guards is going to be a chore, but it is possible.
"Sure."
"See you, then."
"Bye."
And we parted our ways. I looked back and I saw him lift his hand and the white bird flew down and rested on his arm. I wish I could do that.
Edward.
________________
"I-I just wanted to know what it feels like to be outside. I didn't mean to lie...it's just that you might not like me if you knew...I-I'm sorry...It's just--" I said between the choked sobs.
I felt his hand reach out for mine. His hand felt warm.
"It's fine," he said in a comforting tone.
I felt his arm wrap around my neck and pull me into an embrace. His clothes were warm, and his touch was something I never felt before.
"Everything will be fine."
I released all my loneliness and sorrow into that single moment.
I leaned on his warm body and cried.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:17 pm | |
| Chapter 8: Confrontations - Spoiler:
When I looked out my window, I saw children playing on the streets, unmindful of the day that passes by. I looked at them behind the windows that encased my world.
I looked at them, knowing that I cannot join them. I'm different, for I was destined for more than being a citizen of my country. It had been my destiny to lead my country one day, and lead it to the prosperity it deserves. Everybody looks at me for a child, yet my childhood has been robbed from me the day I was destined to rule. To be the royal heir. The only heir.
That was my excuse, and my prison.
Should I hate them for that?
They feed me and raise me, they give me a home many would ask for, and I more precious to them more than any treasure in this country.
Why then...why did I want to be free? Was it all because of my whim? Or was it something else?
_______________________________________
It was a warm sunny afternoon, and I was supposed to be taking a break from my lessons. Nana was away that day, and I was free to stroll around the castle as much as I wish.
That day was when it all began.
I always liked to climb up the towers. The tall spires that stood out from within the castle were very high, and climbing them were punisheng enough, however they give a good view of the castle and the city beyond the walls of my home.
That day, I decided to rest on the top of the tower, as it was always breezy there. The day was quite warm, and I wanted to cool off.
When I reached the top of the ladders that led to the topmost part of the spire, I took a look at the view below me. I saw a couple of children outside the walls playing tag. I watched them for a bit, maybe with some envy, while they played around.
They seem not to have a care in the world.
I then felt something in my chest, a burning feeling that I cannot get rid off. It was painful, and at the same time, it gave me a wild rush--a sense of excitement I've never felt before.
It was yearning. I was yearning to be free.
I want to be with them, the other children who were playing on the streets with happiness in their eyes.
I want to be like them, unmindful of the world and its affairs. Those same affairs that would be thrusted upon me, whether I like it or not.
I want to feel, how it's like to be a child.
_______________________________________
That night, I asked my father about the children playing outside. Why can't I be outside? Why can't I join them?
Then his words were something I would remember forever:
"You are a child of this nation, my dear little Lier. You are destined for bigger things more than anyone of your age could ever dream of. You are a princess, and you must never forget that, for your life has already been dedicated for the sake of our country--as with your mother's life...and mine."
He closed his eyes for a moment and leaned back on his chair.
"Still, you are nothing but a child, and I feel like a bad parent if I wouldn't let you be treated as such...still, it is for the good of the country."
Later, when I went to bed, I was surprised to find a note under the sheets of my bed.
It read:
"To my dearest Lier,
I hope you make good use of this.
Please be careful.
And be happy."
There was no sign of who wrote this, as the writing was blocked, but I knew that it was from my father. Folded with the note was a detailed map of the castle. Written behind the map was another note.
"Memorize this map and then burn it afterwards."
I didn't understand it at first, but after many days of exploration and nights of memorization, I was able to grasp the map by heart. There were many trapdoors and false walls around the castle, and it was a family secret that the royal family should know them all. I was surprised to find that only the rooms reserved for the royal family had no such tricks.
I remembered vaguely from my lessons about the times when Lierhalesia was at war, and the castle itself was being sieged. When the enemies were able to infiltrate the castle, the soldiers hid inside the secret passages and ambushed the invaders almost one by one.
Shortly after memorizing the map, I watched the piece of parchment burn when I threw it inside the kitchen's oven.
I decided to make use of that knowledge.
_______________________________________
I was amazed at what I saw outside. There were many things I have never seen before... For the first time, I saw people running around and not greet me everytime I passed by. I was dressed plainly...I used my old clothes and ripped the hems and frills, then mended it with my sewing skills (which, unfortunately, wasn't that much). I was practically someone else.
It was a clear morning when I saw him, he was sitting by on a park bench while feeding a small white bird from his hand. It was my first day outside the palace, and I saw many things that are all beyond my experience. The sweet shop that holds many kids (and me) captivated, the town square where performers and entertainers hold their acts, and the market which was full of people from all sorts of places...
But in the end, it was like my home. Full of people running around while minding their own business, and there is no one I could talk to...
I wished to approach the boy, but I didn't know what to say. That was when I caught him looking at me. The look he gave me made me realize that I was staring at him. I tried to look inconspicious as he approached.
"Do you like to hold him?" the boy asked me. He held out his hand to me where the bird was perching.
I was surprised at his question, and as I do not want to offend him, I offered my open palm to the bird, and the bird hopped onto my palm. The bird looked at me with its black eyes.
"So what's your name?"
I struggled for words. I couldn't tell him my name, could I? I need to invent one. But what? He looked as if he was waiting for an answer, and I couldn't tarry long if I want to talk...I told him the first name that came to my mind.
"My name is Lier."
"My name is Edward...so you're not from around here aren't you?"
"I just moved here..." I said for the lack of words. I watched the bird hop around my palm.
"You shouldn't be out here all by yourself, you know. This place can get pretty rough for a little girl like you," he casually said.
"Rough?"
"Some of the bigger boys like to play here. When they see someone new, they get to play around with them," he said with genuine disgust in his voice. "Frankly, they're just bullies and you should be more careful else you might get hurt."
"How about you?" I asked him. "Do you join them?"
He shook his head emphatically.
"No way, I don't want to mess with those guys. It's better to just listen to what they say so they'd leave you alone."
"But isn't that sort of...cowardly?"
He laughed.
"Lier, I'm no hero, so I don't need to be that brave. And most of them are afraid of big brother, anyway."
"You have a brother?"
"Yeah, although he can be a bit strange sometimes. How about you?"
I shook my head.
"Really?"
"It's a bit lonely," I told him. "With nobody to talk to, it's a bore."
He laughed again.
"If you only know the trouble of having an older brother, then you wouldn't say that."
"Really?"
We laughed together.
We talked about many things, and I learned a lot from him. It was almost evening when we both have to go.
"It was nice talking with you, Lier."
"I could say the same thing." I smiled at him.
"So you'll be here tomorrow?"
I thought about it for a moment. Slipping past the guards is going to be a chore, but it is possible.
"Sure."
"See you, then."
"Bye."
And we parted our ways. I looked back and I saw him lift his hand and the white bird flew down and rested on his arm. I wish I could do that.
Edward.
_______________________________________
Ever since that day, I decided that I want to become like Edward, someone who is free--without anyone telling what he can and cannot do. Every time I could manage to slip past the castle walls, I would go to the park and see him petting a white bird. We would talk, and he would show me around the city. Then when afternoon comes, we would part and promise each other that we would meet again.
Well, as long as my father covers for my absence in the castle, I was safe from Nana's punishments.
But then I found out that life on the streets were different.
One day, I found Edward sitting under a tree in the park, his clothes were ripped and his eyes were swollen.
"What happened to you?" I asked him.
"It's nothing," he told me. He turned away from me.
"Are you hurt?"
"Go away."
I was taken aback by his response, and I didn't know how to react. We were both silent for a moment, and I just stood there waiting for a response.
After a while, he spoke again.
"Sorry."
I sat by his side.
"Don't worry about it," I told him. "But what happened to you?"
He hesitated for a moment before he talked.
"It was Erik, he was in a bad mood, and I bumped him. And then he punched me for it. Then when I tried to run, his gang held me down as he beat me up."
I was astounded.
"And you just let him?"
He curled up his legs and he put his head on his knees.
"You don't understand. He's bigger, and older, and faster--I'll just get hurt even more if I fought."
"So you let them just hurt you for nothing?"
"It's not like that. Even if I fight, I'll still get hurt."
I sighed. So, he has a bully problem. Well, I just can't just let anybody hurt my friends now, can I?
"So is Erik really that strong?"
"He can lift a wooden box that takes three of us to lift."
I was quiet for a moment, thinking what I would say next.
"So, do you like to be able to beat him, even just once?"
"Yeah, like that would happen."
I chuckled at him.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"Sure, anybody would. The only reason his gang hangs out with him is because they don't want to get beaten up. They usually hang-out in the garden, where other children play. He acts like he owns the place, since he was the one who discovered a way inside."
"Can you take me there?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Trust me. But we should get you cleaned up first."
_______________________________________
I decided to help Edward. Why?
Maybe it was because I wanted to thank him. I wanted to teach him how to fight, in exchange for how he treats me like a friend.
A friend.
I wanted to give something to him, even if it was this little thing. I wanted to teach him how to fight for himself, so nobody would try to hurt him, and he could protect--protect who?
What am I thinking?
_______________________________________
As I felt him withdraw, I sensed his embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it like that. I just...I didn't want you to cry...and I thought--"
I wiped my eyes and smiled at him. I decided something that I'm sure would shock those in the castle if they heard.
"Edward, if you are able to defeat Erik, I would make you my first knight."
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:18 pm | |
| Chapter 9: Tempering Steel - Spoiler:
A week before the fight, we were resting under a tree in the park. We were training since morning, and Edward was exhausted. It was quite a surprise for me too, with what Edward could accomplish in five weeks. He could barely last thirty minutes with our first practice, now he could almost last as long as me in a spar. He nearly broke through my defense and I was hard-paced trying to keep up with him. In the end, I prevailed because of my training.
I didn't dare use the wind--that would be...overkill. Even so, I was still amazed at his improvement. Even with a wooden sword, he is almost as fast as me.
He'd beat Erik easily. No doubt about it.
I was trying to draw deep breaths to stop my panting when I heard Edward sigh beside me.
"This is exhausting, but at the same time very fulfilling. I never felt this excited before."
"Well, at least you're getting the hang of it."
We were quiet for a while and we stared at the blue sky through the green canopy of the apple tree. I was panting, and quite annoyed too, since the only reason that kept Edward from winning was that he was always holding back when we spar.
That's why he has considerably more bruises while I'm spic and clean. Except for the sweat of course.
"You know, you shouldn't hold back in a fight, even if it is just for training," it was more for my pride than his. I didn't like to think that I'm beating him because he was just holding back.
"I'm not holding back, you're just too fast," Edward told me between pants. "How could someone living in a castle move that fast?"
"I got a good teacher."
"Who?"
"My father of course."
"Your father taught you?" he said in amazement. "No wonder you were so good. They said your father beat a hundred soldiers single-handed in the war between Lierhalesia and Einhalden."
The Ein War. The war that obliterated the entire Einhalden Kingdom and subjugated it under Lierhalesia. It happened five years ago, around the time I was born. I don't exactly know the details (history isn't my cup of tea, you know), but it was considered a heroic epic by many. Many songs were sung and poems recited about it. Most of them were about how my father led the Lierhalesian army to its victory and won against the invading Einhalden army.
But I never actually hear my father as much as mention a word about it. And Nana told me not to ask him.
I wonder why?
After resting for fifteen minutes, I stood up and told him to go for another spar.
We were standing, facing each other and swords at ready. We were circling each other, watching each other's movements very carefully. In a sudden beat, Edward lunged and I brought up my sword to defend.
Then splinters of wood came flying as our swords both snapped under the impact. We were both shocked for a moment. Then we both laughed. Clutching our broken wooden swords, we sat again under the tree and talked until afternoon.
Well, at least he is not going to be the one explaining how two wooden swords from the barracks suddenly disappeared. The poor sergeant in charge of the inventory would get a tongue-lashing this afternoon. I better apologize to him later.
When the sun was already starting to hide behind the clouds, Edward asked me where I my room is at the castle.
"Why do you ask?"
"Pen might pay you a visit."
Hearing his name, the small white bird fluttered down from the branches and landed on Edward's shoulder.
"At the eastern side of the castle. My room faces the sunrise. A bit annoying in the morning, though." Especially if somebody faithfully opens the curtains wide open every morning.
"Hmm...the one with the red windows?"
"Yes, that's the one."
He stood up.
"See you, then."
"See you."
My Knight.
____________________________________________________
"A knight?" my father asked.
We were inside my father's study and while he was quite busy, there was a matter that I needed to resolve.
"Yes, how do I get a knight?"
He leaned back on his ornate chair for a moment to think.
"A knight is someone sworn to protect his liege lord and his family with his life as long as he lives. You can't just get a knight. A knight is specifically chosen by the lord itself--like me for example."
I thought about it for a moment.
"Do you have a knight?"
"Of course I do. They are always with me wherever I go. The guards at the door are my knights. The guards at your room are my knights. They are entrusted to protect you from any dangers that might follow you."
He paused for a moment and added:
"In fact, you may not see them, but they are always nearby, ready to protect you."
They are always near--wait, that would mean that I'm being followed every time I go out of the castle!
My father smiled at the apprehension on my face.
"It's necessary for a princess to be protected from any danger. Though I don't think you'd need one looking back at what you did few weeks ago. Though I don't exactly approve of your actions with the thief...I can't say that I'm not proud of what you did. It seems that the wind favors you."
Darn! So I guess it reached him. Then again, almost nothing escapes my father.
"So...this Edward. Is he a good friend of yours?"
Whoa. He's fast.
"Yes, he is very kind. He was the one who took care of me when I passed out after calling the wind."
My father looked at me with his solemn eyes for a moment, then said, "I believe that this Edward would make a good knight, don't you think?"
I was speechless. There are times that he seems to read my mind.
"I'll give you two weeks to tell him that. Then let me know what he says."
When I told Edward that I'll make him my knight, he almost fainted. I wonder how he'd react when I tell him that the king wants him to become a knight.
I think he'd probably pass out on the spot.
"But promise me one thing. Be careful. Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't call the wind again."
His face was serious.
"I promise."
Chapter 10: A Duel - Spoiler:
Everyone was silent, and the only voice was the wind's. The wind blew, carrying whispers to me but whose words I cannot catch.
Edward stood attentively, his sword ready to attack or defend at any time. Erik was shouldering his weapon like a club. His confidence was evident on his smirk.
Edward showed nothing. His face wore no expression.
Don't show your fear or anger to the enemy. It would tell him what you plan to do next, that's what my father told me.
Erik brought his weapon up, and charged at his opponent. Edward stood his ground and waited.
My father always told me that when an opponent rushes in without plan, you should use that against him.
Erik swung his weapon and Edward sidestepped to avoid the attack. He nimbly took three steps to the right and struck Erik's side. Erik cried out in pain as he felt the blow, but it was far from over.
Erik was never someone to give up without a fight. He threw a wild kick at Edward who quickly backstepped while avoiding another wild slash from Erik.
Do not use our energy if you know that you could tire out your enemy. Do not expend your energy needlessly when you can win without using any at all.
Erik began a series of attacks, slashing high and low. Edward nimbly deflected the attacks or just avoided them altogether.
I'm going to teach you a little about Liersolien. It's all about being fast and striking when your opponent is weak. It's not just being able to use the wind, it's more on being like the wind.
After a few minutes, Erik was panting and sweat covered his brow. Edward suddenly began a complicated pattern of blows, all exploiting Erik's tiredness.
Liersolien is about striking where your opponent least expects it. And striking hard when he is the least ready for it.
Erik tried in vain to block the attacks, but soon Edward was within his defenses and was stalking him like a hawk. With a quick flip of his wrist, he twisted his blow to strike Erik's sword arm making him drop his weapon. In a blink, Erik was weaponless and Edward came to deliver the finishing blow.
Also, make the final blow look as dramatic as it could.
Did your father tell you that too?
Nope, but it would make the fight more interesting wouldn't it?
It was a quick sweep that made Erik fall back. In a moment, he was sitting on the ground looking at the end of Edward's weapon.
It was over in less than ten minutes.
"So fast.." Erik could only say. "Who--who taught you to fight like that?"
Before Edward could speak, a voice suddenly spoke up.
"So Lier, this is what you were up to."
It was a familiar voice, a voice that strikes fear and dread to those who heard it. I heard it before, and I could never tell why I felt this way everytime I heard it.
I looked up the tree behind Erik and saw a girl sitting on a branch. She had light brown hair and wore an expression that could be called arrogant.
It was the first time I saw her face, but I knew I couldn't be mistaken.
Up on the tree sat a girl named Lin.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:20 pm | |
| Chapter 11: The Girl with a Red Eye - Spoiler:
She looked at us with a grin. I could only stare at her. It was Edward who spoke first.
"What are you doing here?" he yelled at her. He sounded angry. But why?
Lin smiled at him and just said in a playful tone, "Are you still angry with what I did to your older brother? It wasn't my idea you know...he planned it from the start."
She chuckled then added: "I just helped him fulfill his dream..."
"You..." Edward could only whisper that one word.
Lin took no more notice at Edward and immediately looked at me. She leaped down the tree with such grace that she didn't even get any injury.
"So Lier, done playing already?"
Playing?
"I'm not sure I understand..."
"Of course you don't."
Her innocent smile is getting on my nerves.
"Lier, she...get away from her. She's dangerous."
Erik for once was content to keep silent and watch. His gang were quiet as stones.
"Why? What did she do to your brother?"
Edward grimaced and held his wooden stick at Lin threateningly.
"Why don't you tell her Edward?" she said in a merry tone. "I'd like it very much."
"Shut up!"
This was the first time I saw Edward really angry. His face was read, and I can read something in his eyes.
A will to hurt someone.
No, much deeper than that...but what is it?
"So you won't tell her," she said in a disappointed voice. She looked down for a moment, but suddenly brightened up as if she had an idea. "Right now, the king is in grave danger. I wonder how Lier would like that. And it would be Matthew's fault too..."
My father...what is going to happen to my father?
"What...what are you talking about?"
She laughed coldly, and I felt cold as the sun started to hide behind the clouds.
"A few hours from now, a grave catastrophe would happen that will alter the face of the world forever. I wonder what would happen then," she said with a glazed look.
Is she mad? What is she blabbering about? Is this a part of strange, twisted joke?
But Edward looked as if he'd totally attack her.
"You...you changed my brother! He became totally different the day you came into our house. He...he...he became like a madman ever since you showed him that thing! He was like a possessed man...He won't even talk to me anymore... You...you are a demon! Give back my brother!"
Lin's smile vanished instantly and her red eye seemed to flash.
It was so fast.
Edward suddenly flew backward from Lin's blow. It was a straight punch, but from where I was standing, I could even fill the draft she made when she moved.
He crashed on the flower patch and didn't move.
"Edward!" I ran to his side as fast as I could, but I was blocked by Lin. She snatched the stick from Edward's hand and threw it to me. I caught it with my trembling hands.
"Don't worry, I didn't kill him." She was still smiling.
I...
I...
What is she?...
"So Lier, care for a spar?"
Before I could answer, she leaped towards Erik who quickly ran away to hide behind the tree. His gang quickly dispersed and left through the hole. Only the four of us remained inside the garden. Lin picked up Erik's stick and pointed it at me.
"Ready?"
Without further warning, she leaped towards me, her weapon ready to strike. I quickly tried to block, but the suddenness of the attack made me overbalance, and I was quickly weaponless.
I stared at the end of her weapon.
I was...
Afraid.
"Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit."
Then she spoke in words that I cannot understand.
Ein, deka pawel ot em.
Ein reah i spek drow.
Ral ein.
I suddenly felt the world around me drown in an everlasting darkness. I stared at her grinning face as darkness suddenly enveloped me. I saw her red eye flash like it was alive.
I..
I..
Help...me...
Chapter 12: Nicholls - Spoiler:
From somewhere came a rough, gruff voice.
"Stop!"
Immediately, I felt the darkness withdraw, and I felt the sun pop up from behind the clouds. I felt its warmth bathe me, and I felt whole again.
For once in my life, I was thankful for the sun. I felt blessed by its warmth.
Lin took a quick glance at her side, and I felt her attention being diverted elsewhere. I quickly seized the moment to grab her weapon and pull her down. I used my weight as leverage and Lin became outbalanced.
"Aaah!" I heard her shriek.
Even if I am small, I'm no weakling.
Suddenly from nowhere, a rough hand pulled us away from each other.
"Enough!"
Then, a squad of soldiers wearing the royal emblem appeared. They formed a circle around us and drew their swords.
A tall man with a muscular body came from behind the soldiers. He wore the green uniform of an officer, and at his side he wore a baldric which held his longsword. He looked at me with his black eyes then bowed.
"Sorry for the intrusion, m'lady," he said. "My name is Nicholls Mullet, Captain of the Liercors. Your father has assigned me to keep an eye on your welfare, m'lady. We have been given orders to apprehend anyone who wishes direct harm to m'lady."
Lin looked at him apprehensively. Whatever arrogance she had earlier had suddenly vanished.
"So, you are the girl He was talking about. Ralein--the bearer of darkness."
"Impossible. HE is here?"
"He has warned us of your appearance in that form, and your wish to inflict injury to m'lady."
Lin smirked then said, "That interloper is not going to do any good. Not even to your precious princess. Chaselier de Lierhalesia, know this--not all people want you alive. Some people would rather have you and your father dead."
I felt cold at her words, and I couldn't find any comfort.
I could hear Nicholls mutter: "Such words coming from a child...this...is a monstrosity..."
"Hmph. Such arrogance to call me a child. You should know that I'm no longer that, ever since they melded me. Ralein is just my vessel, no more. I am Eintrenall the Eternal Darkness, and I have been summoned for vengeance."
"Or Rilena, as He had called you."
Lin...or whoever she is raised her palm toward Nicholls.
"Kesa-er is a fool. To think he would go this far to influence both worlds with his nonsense. All this to save a girl?" She spat out.
"This is foolishness. He is just wasting his time."
Nicholls then drew his sword and told Lin: "Leave this place. We have been ordered not to hurt you, nor to fight. However, if your presence continues to threaten m'lady, then I would not hesitate to cut you down!"
Lin smile twisted into a face of mockery.
"To threaten a little girl like that...isn't that a bit, unknightly?"
"To use a little girl's body like that is even more disgusting," Nicholls spat out at her.
Lin laughed, and a strange eerie coldness surrounded us, and I shivered.
"To all you fools then, a good day. You should know what have been fated Nicholls, you couldn't do anything to stop it. Not unless he wishes to destroy both worlds."
Suddenly, I felt something...change. Lin dropped to her knees and then lay still on the ground.
"Tsk, such cowardice. I feel pity for the poor child."
Lin suddenly squirmed then sat up. In a small voice unlike what it was earlier, she said:
"Where...where am I?"
Is this even her? Gone was the menacing look in her eyes, so is the threatening aura that she brought with her.
It was as if she...became a child. No...she is a child...but what is she?
Then from nowhere I heard a voice that boomed with authority.
"Nicholls, I'll take the matter from here. Bring Edward and Chaselier to the castle. Warn the King immediately of what will happen. Though I fear it's too late already."
Behind me stood a young man with brown hair and green eyes. He looked at me, then smiled.
"Nice to see you again, Lier."
Who is this man? He went to Nicholls and talked about something I couldn't hear.
"What happened?" It was Edward. He was shaking.
Then again, I was shaking too.
"I don't know, Edward."
I don't know.
Nicholls approached us then said gently: "We must go back to the castle, m'lady."
He took a quick look at Edward and asked his name. Edward quickly answered him.
"Then everything seems to be in order. We must bring you to the castle and warn your father."
I was alarmed.
"Why? What will happen? Is he going to be fine?"
"Is it about my brother?" Edward shakingly asked.
"Yes and no. Everything has already been preordained. We can only now hope for the best."
I didn't understand his words. But I was too shaky to ask.
Nicholls picked the both of us effortlessly and placed us on his shoulder.
"Hang on tight." He turned to the man with green eyes.
"Will you be fine?" he asked the man with green eyes.
"I'll be. I know Ralein better than anyone else. Good luck."
The man took a deep breath.
"And I'm sorry."
Nicholls nodded and replied: "Everything has been preordained by the Entity of Order and Chaos. We can only wish for the best." Then Nicholls walked towards the wall with the rotten plank and kicked it down. The board fell apart noisily.
Outside, a carriage is waiting for us, and Nicholls ushered us inside.
He said a word to the driver, and the driver nodded. He lashed his whip, and the carriage was moving.
We spoke no word until we arrived at the castle.
End Act II: The One who Chases the Wind
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:21 pm | |
| Act III: The One Who Bears the Darkness Chapter 1: Hatred and Fear - Spoiler:
I am cursed. Ever been since I can remember. Maybe even before I was born. I am cursed. They hate me. My father hates me. My mother hates me.
The world hates me. I can hear them, their whispers--their scowls.
I am nothing.
I am lost.
So you are awake, little bearer?
Shut up. Go away.
I can't go away. I am your curse, remember?
Go away. GO AWAY!
She laughed in a cold voice, and my world shook with it.
You are nothing, little bearer. You are nothing.
There was no comfort in ignoring her. I could still hear her.
You are my vessel, nothing more. Remember that. Everytime you hear your name, you will be reminded of it.
Vessel of the Darkness.
The One who Bears the Darkness.
I am nothing more than that.
Demon, abomination, heretic.
I could hear them, they think of me as nothing more than what I am.
It's because that's what you are.
I...
You are my tool. You are nothing.
I...
You are not even human. You are mine.
Yours...
Yes, you belong to me.
Eintrenall.
Call me by my name, and I shall hear you.
Because I'm the only one who can.
The only one...
A loud rapping came from the metal door.
"Hey, you still alive in there?"
A grinding metallic sound came from the food slot under the door. As it slid open, a lamplight pierced the eternal darkness of the room. I turned my eyes away from the light. As I did so, the brace holding my neck sounded noisily as the chains grinded against each other. I heard the guard outside make a grunt as a tray of food slid under the door. The slot was closed immediately, and darkness once again bathed the place I call my room.
"That's you're portion for the day. Sheesh, and mine haven't come yet..." the guard's voice trailed away as his footsteps faded.
They are only feeding you because they need me.
I know.
You should remember that.
Yes.
Now eat, my little bearer.
I tried to stand, but the shackles and chains bounding my feet made me stumble. As I lay on the floor, I crawled dragging the chains behind me noisily. I felt their cold touch bite my ankles, but I don't mind.
You can't feel the pain anymore can you?
Pain?
Yes, my little bearer. You can't feel it anymore, can you? As long as you are with me, you won't feel any pain.
I pulled myself up when I reached the tray. It contained a piece of dry bread and a pitcher of warm water.
They are a bit more generous today.
I picked the dry bread and tore a piece with my mouth. As I chewed, the taste of sawdust filled my tastebuds.
Not bad either. Then again, it's not like they want you to die yet, do they?
I chewed quietly as I ate, and listened to her voice.
She told me everything I knew, the world outside, the reason why I'm here.
She is the only one I can trust, and the only one who can hear me.
Yes, I'm the only one.
She told me that I'm a vessel. A disposable vessel that had the honor of bearing her. Because of that I would be blessed by her grace.
That's why I'm still alive.
My fathe--the king wants her. That's why I'm being kept alive. If it wasn't for her, the king would have me killed a long time ago.
They told me that they blamed me for the terrible loss at the war. It was my fault that they lost, and many people died.
That was barely my first birthday.
I have no memory of the world outside. Only her words formed the images inside my head. It was an ugly world, full of hatred and anger. I don't like that world. This place is much better.
Ever since I can remember, this has been my place. And I don't mind it at all.
You don't mind it at all.
I don't mind it.
Good.
She told me that I was to blame for the loss at the war. I wasn't good enough for a vessel, and she wasn't able to help the king win. That's why Einhalden fell, and the royal family was forced into hiding.
Why all those people died helplessly, and all the glory destined for Einhalden has vanished.
My fault.
I felt something wet and warm flow down from my eyes. I tried asking her what it was, but she didn't answer.
Someday, they will come to get me.
What?
When they get me, they will have no more need of you.
I don't--
If they don't need you, they will just kill you. Gone like a rat.
I shivered. I felt a stange feeling in my chest, a feeling of warmth and cold at the same time.
So, you are afraid that they will kill you?
Afraid?
You are afraid aren't you?
What does afraid mean?
It means that something will happen that you don't want to happen.
Something I don't...want to happen?
Then I heard a voice coming from nowhere. It sometimes happen whenever she wants to show me something.
"We need Eintrenall who is residing within her. How long before the extraction can begin?" the voice was full of authority. It was the king, no doubt. I heard this voice a dozen times already.
"It would be awhile, your Highness. However, the life of your daugh--," this voice was new, and I do not know who he is.
"I have no daughter, peasant. That child is no more than a vessel for Her. She should be blessed that she lived her life as a vessel for her. She has failed us once, she should be happy that she'd been given a chance to live as Her bearer."
"No matter how short it may seem?" the voice asked.
"No matter how short is may seem," the king replied with a tone of finality.
It's soon then.
What's soon?
My salvation from your worthless body.
And then--
They'll kill you.
I felt the strange feeling return. What was it?
I was...afraid.
Why do they want to kill me...
I don't...
Why...
Why?
I felt something warm and wet fall from my eyes, and I tried to wipe it. As I wiped one, another one fell, and then another. Soon I can't wipe them all of them off in time, and they fell down my face to my chains.
For the first time in my life, I knew what I felt. It was so familiar, that it was a regular feeling for me already. She told me its name. I was afraid.
And I cried.
You are mine.
Her words brought me no comfort.
You are my bearer.
Bearer of the Darkness.
Ralein.
Hear your name, and let it remind you of who you are.
Ralein. That's my name. Or what they call me.
I'm Ralein, the One who Bears Her.
The Disposable Vessel.
And with that enlightenment, I wept myself to sleep.
Chapter 2: Outside the Door - Spoiler:
Wake up!
It was a warm voice. It came from within my mind and I thought for a moment I thought it was her. But the warmth...it couldn't be.
Wake up! Please, if you can hear me, wake up!
I opened my eyes and was greeted by the ever darkness of my cell.
Who...who are you?
Yes, answer her, who are you?
It was Eintrenall.
The voice stopped for a moment, but I still felt its warm presence. It's warmth, it felt so--alive. I've never felt anything like this before.
Listen to me, the king will have the extraction done today. You must escap--the---
The voice was fading, and the warmth was fading away.
So? What does that have to do with me?
The--mark--Kes--wrong--ves-el
No, don't go!
I felt the warmth flicker one last time.
--am Rumina--Lumtrenall--v--ell--si--ter...
And the warmth was gone. I was suddenly cold, more than the cold I usually felt inside the cell. It was more like...
Loneliness?
Yes. Loneliness.
For a moment I was silent in my thoughts. I thought about nothing. I have long since given up on my predicament. Then a single thought came to me.
Extraction?
Then her words came to me like a bucket of cold water.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It's soon then.
What's soon?
My salvation from your worthless body.
And then--
They'll kill you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I...now...I just don't--
Kill me? But I don't want to die--
Why don't I want to die? I'm disposable after all, aren't I?
So why? Why am I so afraid?
Bearer, tell me something--I want you to tell me this truthfully.
Do you have a sister?
Sister? I don't remember--I have been here ever since I can remember. I don't remember anything aside from the things you told me.
I thought so.
It was the first time I heard her...troubled. I felt her presence shift inside me, like a chain inside my body slithering like a snake. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't pleasant either.
Ever since I can remember, she was the only one who I could talk to. There was never anyone outside the door who'd answer me. I tried shouting, yelling--but there was never anyone who'd talk or even yell back.
I was alone with her.
She taught me things I never knew, things I can't understand. She taught me how to talk, to do things...to walk--to--
Almost everything I can do. I owe many things to her.
So no matter what she says or does, she is like a mother to me.
Eintrenall.
Little bearer, do you know the story of Lumtrenall?
No. Why? Who is she?
She is the most important person--
Then a grinding sound came from the door, and it swung open, filling the room with orange light.
It was a dim light, but that was more light than what I ever saw before.
It was lamplight.
It was so bright. I closed my eyes to ward away the brightness.
I heard many footsteps enter my cell. I tried squinting, and I saw that they wore something grey and shiny.
Armors. They're soldiers I suppose
Armor? Soldiers?
I bet it's your father's.
Then a man wearing strange clothes entered the room. He looked at me with utter disdain and disgust.
"Tch. Is this how the king treat's her daughter? Why, not only is she chained to the wall, she's stark naked! It's a wonder that she can survive the cold here. Must be the influence of the Entity of Darkness. Hey you!" It was the voice from yesterday! He gestured at the guard.
"Put some clothes on her will you? It causes me great discomfort to see a little girl look like a used rag."
He said that without a drop of mercy. He said it with mere disgust. I couldn't say how I knew, but I could feel it.
They're here to take you away.
A flare of fear suddenly rose from my chest, and I backed away from them.
A soldier approached me, and I instinctively flinched back to the wall as he reached for my neck. He took hold of the chain of my neck brace and pulled it with a tug. I was pulled up, and he took out something thin and shiny and pushed it into my brace. He turned it and my brace fell down with a noisy clang. He did the same for my arms and legs.
For the first time since I can remember, I wore no restraints.
I suddenly felt weak, and I fell down on my knees as a soldier put a warm cloak around me before picking me up and tossing me over his shoulder. My vision swam, and their voices dissolved into whispers.
When they took me out, I can barely recognize the place. We were in a dark, stone corridor with torches on the walls for light. Many metal doors like the one in my cell were lined up across its walls.
A dungeon. Just as I thought
A dungeon?
Yes. It's where they put dangerous people to keep everybody else safe.
Dangerous? It took a while before I understood.
I'm dangerous?
Why?
More than you ever know, my little bearer. More than you'll ever wish to know.
They were walking for a long time, and I could only stare at the back of the soldier carrying me. I never felt so weak before...I couldn't even squirm or cry out.
I couldn't even remember to be afraid.
They took me to a large, dark room whose walls were filled with strange...
Symbols. Those are the mark of Darkness. The Einram.
I looked at them and they faintly reminded me of the circles that Eintrenall showed me when she taught me about shapes.
Tables and chairs were arranged across the room and a large--
It looks like a glass vat. Oh wait, I haven't taught that to you yet.
They took me to the vat, and the man with strange clothes said something. I couldn't understand the words...my mind is...swimming...
I...
I barely felt or realized that the soldier put me inside the vat. When I was inside, I suddenly felt the weakness withdraw, and my vision and hearing became sharper.
"So little girl, how do you like it in there? I wish I could say that I hope that this would become a pleasant experience for you. But then, I would be lying," he said in a sing-song voice.
"But this would provide ample entertainment for me, and I hope it would to you too," he said with an evil smile.
I was breathing heavily, and I felt the fear as if it was eating me alive.
This is the extraction chamber. They want to seperate me from your body.
Then I would die? Like a disposable vessel?
Probably.
I couldn't help it. I began sobbing.
From the outside, I heard the man with strange clothes exclaim, "Marvelous! Simply Marvelous! To think that the Eintrenall would be able to interact with the vessel in such a way! This Is Marvelous! I could only wish that the king would want me to study you much longer!"
Stop crying, I'll help you escape.
Esca--?
Yes, now listen to what I'll say.
But why? I'm just a ves--
I know, I know--haven't I told you that many times already. It's because I haven't finished talking to you about Lumtrenall. I want to tell you about her before you die.
I felt her shift within me, like a ball trying to get out. It was ticklish.
Now just imagine a ball, then make it explode.
Explode?
Yes, explode with a big boom!
I tried imagining a ball, like the ones Eintrenall showed me in my mind. But explode? How do I--
I saw a black ball in my mind, pulsating like a heart. I tried to reach it, but it suddenly grew and grew and then--
Call me!!
Ein Trenall!
The whole vat, and the room exploded in a dark, angry haze of energy.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:37 pm | |
| Chapter 3: The Interloper of Chaos - Spoiler:
It hurts! It hurts!
My whole body felt like its on fire. I feel the pain creeping throughout my body, into my arms and legs. I fell down the vat and landed on the glass covered floor. My head pounded and it felt like its being split open.
I didn't even realize that I was screaming in pain.
Then I felt a presence, someone was looking at me. I felt the pain slowly trickle away, and my vision started to clear. I tried sitting up
The room was in disarray, bodies lined the floor along with shattered glass, splinters and broken stones.
"Looks like a bomb hit the place."
The voice was soft and gentle, and yet it retains a bit of its roughness.A hand suddenly rested on my bare shoulder.
"Lay still, you're still weak."
I lay down the floor and looked at the man who spoke. It was a young man with green eyes and a mop of brown hair. Or that's what I think they're called.
Brown hair and green eyes...
I heard Eintrenall speak inside my mind, but her voice was more fainter, as if she was more distant.
"Are you hurt?"
He looked at me with a strange look in his eyes. It's the first time I've ever seen those kind of eyes. They were full of concern.
"N-no..."
He took off his brown cloak and put it over my shoulders like a blanket. Then he lifted me up gently on his arms.
He walked over the fallen bodies and stepped over the broken fragments of glass as he quietly tried to leave the room. He carried me gently, and I felt his warm body with his every step. It drowned away the cold feeling I always felt, and for once I felt so...alive. I closed my eyes, and I felt him draw me closer. For a while, I thought I was in a dream, and for once it wasn't like the nightmares that always plagued my dreams.
"Stop!"
It was the voice of the man with strange clothes.
I felt him stop in his tracks and turn to face the strange man.
"Who are you? What do you--"
I heard a single word, a voice of strength and brought a pang of fear into my mind.
"Erer."
A big silver sword suddenly appeared behind the his shoulder and sped straight towards the strange man's chest. He suddenly put a hand on my face, and I could only hear the strange man's strangled shriek before he fell silent. He then turned away before removing his hand and resumed his quiet walk.
We were both silent as he brought me through the maze of walls and rooms that I can't recognize. I saw littered bodies everywhere, and throughout the place, the walls were scratched and cleaved in many places.
"Good thing the vanlir didn't reach you," he said aloud.
"Vanlir?"
He looked at me and smiled warmly, but he didn't answer.
After a while, we reached a very bright and big room, whose walls I cannot see, and whose ceilings were draped with a blue...
"We're outside. It's your first time, I think?"
Outside? So this is what outside looks like. He put me down gently on the grass.
The grass felt strange on my skin. I sat up, and the cloak fell down my shoulders. I suddenly felt him tense and he quickly turned around.
In my mind, I heard Eintrenall laugh.
Put the cloak around you. I don't think he appreciates your nudity.
I did as she said and wrapped his cloak around my body, it was warm, and I didn't mind its weight. I've never felt so warm before.
I tried standing, but my legs felt weak and I fell down the grass. He looked at me and offered a hand.
As I took his hand, I felt a note of finality inside me. I didn't know what it meant, but it felt so strange and pleasant at the same time. My heart pounded as I touched his bare hand.
He pulled me up so I could stand, and he said:
"Tell me, what is your name?"
My name? But it--my name--
Tell him your name.
"Ralein. My name is Ralein."
He nodded and smiled.
"You could call me Kes. They call me the Interloper of Chaos, but I don't actually want to hear you call me that. Is that fine?"
I didn't understand what he said, but I nodded.
"We should get you some clothes. Use my cloak in the meantime. Is that fine with you?"
I nodded again.
From that moment on, I was more than Ralein, I was more than a vessel. I decided that I want to be with him for as long as I can. His warmth, his smile...
All I can remember is that he took me away from that miserable place, and showed me the promise of tomorrow.
He called himself the Interloper of Chaos.
What a funny name.
Kes.
How I wished that my story would go on like this, like a fairy-tale out of a book.
But I am the cursed princess, no happy ending would ever suit me.
Happiness for me would be but a fleeting moment, I was destined to find it.
But not keep it.
I didn't know it then, but the winds of fate were already starting to blow.
Chapter 4: Journey - Spoiler:
For many days after that, I travelled with Kes--and for the first time, I saw the world through my own eyes. It was beautiful, and yet sad at the same time. This land was bleak, many towns were deserted and we only met a few people. We walked often, but sometimes we would take a ride on one of the passing carts or wagons.
I looked at my white dress. It was plain, but it was the most beautiful dress for me. Kes sew it together after he was able to buy some cloths and threads from the first town we passed by. Even if it was a bit large for me, I was able to fit in it comfortably. It was my first clothing as far as I could remember.
And Kes made it for me.
As we travelled, Kes taught me many things that Eintrenall wasn't able to teach me. Despite her warnings, I told him about Eintrenall, but he wasn't surprised at all like Eintrenall expected. In fact, he seemed as if he was expecting that fact.
I looked at the distant city that we were supposed to be visiting next. It had high black walls, and towers jutted out from them like trees. It had a scary look, and I felt depressed at the sight of it.
"Einhalden. Or what's left of it," Kes said to me. I looked at the approaching walls and saw that it was broken in many places, and the gates were laid bare. Many of the towers have been destroyed, and those standing were already half-falling.
As we neared the city, the driver of the wagon we were riding on asked us if we were going to the city.
"Yes," Kes answered him, "I believe that we should get off now, Ralein." The cart stopped, and I jumped down, Kes following me behind. The driver took a quick glance at us before cracking his whip and going on his way.
"Why does he look at me like that, Kes?" The driver always looked at me strangely, and so does the other people that we meet.
"Probably because we haven't cut your hair yet," was his quick reply. I looked at my hair. It was quite long, dropping past my ankles and rolling behind me like a blanket.
"Aren't you uncomfortable with that?" he asked me.
I shook my head. "Not at all, but if you want to cut it..."
"Your hair is beautiful, no matter how long it is," he answered with a smile. He took a small dagger from his belt and handed it to me. I took it and cut my hair up to my shoulders. The cut hair dropped like a curtain. Kes took it and carefully folded it before putting it inside his cloak.
Shaking my head to get off the excess hair, I asked him, "What are you going to do with that?"
He grinned at me and said, "It's a secret. But I'll tell you someday."
It felt strange to have short hair, it has been long since I can remember, but the change was a welcome feeling.
We entered the city through its main gates. The wooden planks supposed to be its doors were lying around and already rotting. The city itself was dreary, and it felt more like a ghost town. We saw no people, and only rats and stray dogs came to greet us. Ahead, a huge black structure loomed over us, and it looked forbidding.
"We won't be here long," Kes promised.
The huge black structure that was once the castle was nothing more than a rubble, and its standards were left half-burned on the ground. Kes approached the rubble, and picked a something from the ground. He showed it to me, and I saw that it was a piece of red cloth with a solid black circle drawn on it.
"Do you recognize this?"
I tried to remember when Eintrenall suddenly spoke.
It's the Einhalden's family crest. Your family crest.
"That is correct."
My eyes widened as I realized that Kes answered her.
"Don't worry, I know Eintrenall very well, but I'd prefer to call her Rilena."
Rilena?...Boy, who are you?
Kes laughed.
"You never change. Tell me Rilena, do you know where the Einer is?"
I sensed Eintrenall's surprise.
"What's wrong Eintrenall?" I asked her aloud.
You...Kes...how do you know such things?
"I am the Interloper of Chaos. I know such things."
Eintrenall fell silent.
"Sorry about that Ralein, I just wanted to make sure of something."
I was more surprised than confused.
"Don't worry about it," he told me.
He started to walk away, when Eintrenall spoke again.
The Einer was kept under the castle.
Einer?
It's my emblem, the symbol of the Einhalden's allegiance to me.
"Yes. That would be an accurate description. Einhalden has allied themselves to the element of Darkness, the way Lierhalesia has allied themselves with the Wind, and Lumeria with the Light."
I was getting confused. He might have caught the look and my face because he said further.
"Don't worry about it, its not your worry, really. I just need the Einer."
It was kept under the castle, in a vault that no one can open. I myself have put those locks in place.
"Then it would be a simple matter of finding and opening it."
Boy! Didn't you hear me? I said I put--
Eintrenall's thoughts came short as the ground started to shake. The rubble started to topple, and the stones started to roll down. I saw Kes with one of his arm outstretched and was whispering something. He glanced at me and said, "Don't worry, the stones won't reach us."
The stones that rolled turned into dust, and soon the rubble was starting to become smaller and smaller. Soon it revealed a path going down, underground.
The stairs were made of stone, and the trapdoor that hid it had already caved in. Continuing with his whispers, Kes did the same with the boulders blocking the way.
Soon, the way down was unblocked, and Kes offered a hand to me.
"Shall we go down?"
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:38 pm | |
| Chapter 6: Bonds - Spoiler:
It was like a vision, or a dream--everything that happened felt real, and yet ethereal at the same time. I looked at Rumina with disbelief.
Then from nowhere, a cold presence suddenly came. It was a cold touch on my shoulder that made me look behind.
Behind me was a woman with long black hair and burning red eyes, but her face beheld no emotion--reminding me of the statue. There is no mistake about it, she is Eintrenall.
"What do you want, Rumina Einhalden?" she asked in a cold voice.
Rumina didn't answer, but she tilted her head in gesture. Behind her, a quiet luminiscence appeared--taking a form of a globe of light like the one Kes used. It slowly grew and took the form of another woman. She had silver hair and blue eyes that shone like sapphires. She wore a soft look that made me yearn...yearn for what?
"You...Lumerin...no, Lumtrenall, why are you here?" Eintrenall asked in a serious voice. "You know the consequences, why do you insist in meeting me?" Her eyes burned with quiet wrath.
Then, a gust of wind suddenly came, binding us to our spot.
"It's because I told her to," it lone voice, bearing authority and command. She descended from above, her tall stature illuminated by an unseen light and her long brown hair dancing with the wind. She looked at us with her deep green eyes.
She reminded me a lot of Kes. I kept my silence, and I listened to them.
"Ralein, Rumina--the bearers of light and dark...I never expected you to meet this soon. He must be very anxious."
"What is the meaning of this?" Eintrenall yelled at her. "You know what will happen when we make contact! Do you wish to undo this world?"
"Not at all, this is not my will, but his. I'm only doing this, because I know I can trust his judgement," the green eyed woman replied.
"And how much do you trust him, Keeper of Order?" the silver-haired woman asked her.
"Enough to entrust him my gift."
I sensed Eintrenall's animosity towards her.
"You gave him the gift? You, of all people, know the foolishness of that. I refuse to accept this. I will not take part of this foolishness, not for my sake--or yours. I swore an oath to you once, I will do that oath when the time comes--but not this. No, not this."
The woman with green eyes looked at Eintrenall with a stern frown.
"I'm not asking anything from either of you, I'm asking you to listen. You need not worry about resonating with Lumtrenall, the Interloper of Chaos has already made the necessary preparations to separate both your entities but not your awareness from each other. That way, we can do this without any worries."
"Do what?" asked Eintrenall in a disgusted voice.
"The Interloper of Chaos will entrust to us a part of the Heart of the Weaver...he did not explain it, but it was imperative that it should be given to us immediately," said the silver haired woman.
"You, you're in league with him?"
Then another gust of wind came, and Kes appeared from behind the woman with green eyes. He wore the same clothes, but he looked...fiercer. But his eyes, they were still the same eyes. Standing next to each other, the woman and Kes looked like twins
"And so he arrives, the manipulator," Eintrenall said with disgust.
"Yes, I am indeed the manipulator of this, but you should know why I'm doing this," Kes told her. "You should have learned by now the folly of the King of Einhalden."
"Yes, it was foolish to bind me to someone like Ralein."
"No, what was foolish was binding you to Rumina."
Eintrenall was speechless. "Don't tell me...he used the wrong..."
"Yes Eintrenall, the girl you call Ralein, her true name is Rumina de Lumeria--Einhalden, the child of the wisp. I...am partly responsible for this, that is why I cannot simply watch as you continue to assimilate her soul, especially when her soul bears the light!"
"But how..." disbelief filled Eintrenall's words.
"On that fateful day of the madness of Einhalden's king, he stole one of his daughters believing that he would achieve power when he finally summons you to this world. Unfortunately, I found out that he has been tainted by the Vanlir."
"The Vanlir? But they can't be..." but Kes cut her off.
"They can. The portal has been opened, though the seal remains. It is only a matter of time before it breaks. Their influence has been targeting the Einhalden king for many years, and recently has totally succumbed to it. His actions at the war proved that."
"So now what do you want?" her haughty attitude was starting to return.
"I will entrust to both of you, Eintrenall the Eternal Darkness, and Lumtrenall the Eternal Light, the Heart of the Weaver. This will help you contain your entities inside your vessels and prevent them being devoured by your influence. You should know Eintrenall, that Ralein should not die.
"Your oath still stands."
Both Eintrenall and the silver haired girl nodded.
"But you should know, Interloper of Chaos, that when the time comes she must--"
"I'm sorry that it has to come to this. I really am," Kes told them in a sad voice. "But I refuse to accept that."
"BUT INTER--!" Eintrenall shouted.
"No. The reason I am here is because of that."
He then took from within his cloak a clear glowing blue hourglass. He whispered a few words, and a big silver sword appeared in Kes' other hand. With a quick slash, he struck the hourglass which glowed with an eerie light until it drowned in it. It looked like a ball of magnificent luminiscence.
The ball then split into two and floated towards Eintrenall and Lumtrenall who accepted one of each.
I suddenly felt something warm enter my body, and felt weak. My legs started to lose strength and I fell down and knew nothing more.
End Act III: The Bearer of Darkness | |
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:39 pm | |
| Act IV: The Outbreak of War Chapter 1: To the Grene Camp (Ch) - Spoiler:
When I woke up, I was sitting under a tree. Alone.
What was that about? Was it a dream? My thoughts were confused, and I tried standing up. My legs felt wobbly and I leaned on the tree for support.
What happened? I can vaguely remember what happened. I saw flashes, of someone...was it Ralein? I can't remember...
I shook my head and tried to clear my thoughts. Reality came rushing in as I tried to walk back inside the house. Each step felt heavy, like I've been running for hours.
Where is everybody anyway?
"Hey, what happened to you?" I heard Chaselier's voice coming from the house. She was standing by the door sipping a tea cup.
I put a hand on my head and told her that I felt sick. She let out a sigh and bid me to go inside.
Nicholls was sitting on the floor at the corner of the room looking at us.
"Is there something wrong, m'lady?"
"He feels sick, check him out--I'm going to try and find Ralein."
Then a flash of memory hit me. Of course, Ralein--how could I forget? She brought me to this dark place--and I met Rilena...then--
"Wait, I have to tell you something. I think Ralein...she's not human isn't she?"
Chaselier raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not. If she was, then how could she had traced where you were back at your world?"
Wait, my world? Does that mean...
"Don't tell me you haven't figured that out yet," she said in an annoyed tone.
"B-but I thought you said we were in Ger--" I stuttered.
"That was before we went to the second distortion, right?" she asked me like she was asking a kindergartner. "If you want proof, then look at the sky. Carefully this time."
I ran outside to see the sky. I looked at the sky and saw--
No.
No way.
Hell no. Wake me up--I'm probably dreaming.
Up on the sky were six floating orbs--or moons, as I they would say. Each gave each own brilliance and color and lit up the sky like it was day. I heard Chaselier shout out from behind.
"It's not everyday that you could see all the six moons in one night though."
Wait--night? But it was too bright...Then it hit me, with all these moons in the night sky, it would have been so bright that I could mistake it for the day.
Was I so immersed in my thoughts that I didn't notice all this earlier? I was walking for three hours, three hours and I didn't notice!
After that, I deserve a good hit on the head.
"Chaser!"
That small voice was unmistakable. Ralein came from the woods while carrying a jar and wearing different clothes. For a moment, I was kind of disappointed. She looked good in that unif--
I shook my head again to clear it. Priorities, priorities.
I ran towards her and grabbed her by the shoulders. I shook her while I asked.
"Who are you, what are you, tell me--"
I shook her until she became dizzy. Then I felt a strong sharp blow on my head that made me fall on my knees.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Chaselier shouted at me. She hit me with a stick at the back of the head.
Ralein sat on the grass as she tried to get a bearing of the situation.
I tried to explain myself.
"But she, she brought me somewhere dark and then I saw Rilena and I saw two Raleins--"
Another sharp blow came from Chaselier, and I was reeling in pain. Chaselier then turned to Ralein.
"What were the two of you doing?"
Ralein shook her head. Don't tell me you know nothing!
"Rilena asked me to bring him to her...and maybe she went a bit overboard?" she said the 'overboard' part with a hurry.
And a sharp blow came from Chaselier directed at Ralein who dodged with eased.
"Hey, what was that for?" Ralein demanded. She seemed to have gotten her cheerful self back. While not entirely fond of her, I can appreciate her smile more than her frown.
"That was for fooling around with him. You know how he is, he just barely figured out that we're not on his world anymore."
"Really?" Ralein asked in disbelief.
Hey! Stop ignoring me. My head pounded from the blows.
"Why did you bring him to Rilena? You know that he would barely survive her presence, only the Heart and the Lock restrains her from getting out and doing what she wants."
"I thought, since he looked like him...he could be him...and I thought..." Ralein tried to explain. Chaselier let out a terrible sigh of resignation.
"Why is everyone around me like this?" Chaselier muttered under her breath.
I heard that!
"You, of all people should know Kes, and you should know that he--"she pointed a thumb at me "--is barely a fourth of the man Kes is."
"You don't understand! I felt it, it was like Kes but not like him. When I showed him his memories, he passed out..."
Another sharp blow came hitting Ralein squarely on the head.
"You're getting way ahead of yourself. I knew I shouldn't have brought you here. You become too excited when it is about Kes. I told you, they have the same existent Refrekwa, so they may look the same, just I have the same Refrekwa with him. But that doesn't make us the same person, does it?"
Refrekwa?
"What is a refrekwa?"
Chaselier looked at me, and I flinched when I saw her sharp look. So scary...
"Refrekwa is the signature of existence of a certain thing or being. It tells the amount of Ein, Lume, Lier, Frez, Uni, Riet, Re and Er in a being."
Ein, Lume--what is she talking about?
She put a palm on her forehead to show her exasperation.
"Just think of it like your DNA--or what your people call it, though that is another thing entirely. While the DNA or whatever tells how you're body is composed, the Refrekwa tells what are you composed of, how much and how pedef you are. Sorry, there is no word for pedef in your language, and if I explain it to you what it means, we can't reach Grene camp by tomorrow."
"Grene camp?"
"It's a settlement for humans that are fleeing from the Vanlir, it would be safe there--and we would have more people who are more knowledgeable of the situation."
Nicholls came outside and shouted something.
"I think he says that the distortion is ready to fire one last time," said Ralein in a cheeky tone.
Chaselier ignored her, and just told her to grab me. Ralein picked me up by the collar and dragged me--reminding me of a sack of potatoes.
Nicholls stood by the open clearing in front of the house and told us to stay in little circle.
"Wait," I said. "You're going to do that again."
Nicholls was the one who replied.
"Don't worry. This is probably the last time you'll ever do this. This is the last burst, and we don't have anything for replacement."
He took out something from his tunic that looked like a black hourglass which glowed with an evil dark light. Nicholls threw it on the grass, and the familiar rumbling sound came as the wind felt as if it was being sucked in. A black ball of nothingness suddenly opened up, and Chaselier, Nicholls and Ralein walked in--with Ralein dragging me from behind.
As the distortion closed, I had only one thought.
What the hell did I get myself into?
Chapter 2: Chaselier the Rebel (Ch) - Spoiler:
We found ourselves at the edge of a tightly maintained camp. It had palisade walls and spiked barricades. A moat around three feet wide surrounded the walls which were filled with water.
Without a doubt, this is a place of war.
I knew that they were in a war, but they haven't told me yet what they want from me, nor the reason they just pulled me out of my life so forcefully. And I'm not exactly fond of all those epic battles and fighting most men of my age hunger for.
So why am I here again?
It was a moment of weakness and excitement. That's probably it. Maybe an adventure isn't really for me.
Not that it would make any difference though. Unless I hope for a miracle, they won't probably be returning me anytime soon.
A voice shouted from atop the walls.
"Who goes there?"
Chaselier glanced up and threw back her long brown hair before saying:
"It's me. You're expecting anybody else?" The soldier stiffened into a salute before shouting something at the gate. The wooden gate opened and a large plank of wood was brought down using ropes.
"Let's go in, I really need a rest," Chaselier said with a sigh. She walked placidly across the plank, and we followed in. Or more accurately, Ralein and Nicholls followed while I was being dragged behind.
I couldn't stand it anymore.
"Wait!" I told Ralein. "Can you at least stop pulling me, I can walk by myself you know."
She looked at me with a curious expression before smiling and released me from her iron grip, letting me drop to the floor like excess baggage. I quickly regained my stance and quickly cleaned my clothes before following them.
"And I thought you were enjoying yourself so much that you weren't complaining," Ralein briefly said before running towards Chaselier's side.
I can never understand that girl.
A heavy hand fell on my shoulder, and I looked behind to see the giant Nicholls smiling at me underneath his undergrowth of beard.
"Follow me, I'll show you to your room." I followed him across the camp, watching the bustling activity of soldiers with their drills, and squires helping out with the maintenance of weapons and supplies.
"What is this place?" I asked him.
"The Grene Camp. One of the largest camps under the command of Frezelle."
"Frezelle?"
"She--is an acquaintance of m'lady, and the Warlord of the fallen union of Frezloc."
"A Warlord? Wait, like in a feudal periods?"
"Feudal? I'm not familiar with that word. My proficiency in your language is only limited to what m'lady and Ralein has thought me."
"Feudal periods were the times when countries were divided into small kingdoms led by a single ruler. At least that's what I remember from my lessons."
Nicholls rubbed his beard while walking.
"You could say that Frezelle is a lord of sort, though her country has already been ravaged by the vanlir, a small army of fifty thousand are scattered across this forest under her command. They are armed and ready to attack or defend if she gives the order."
"Fifty thousand?" That's a lot of soldiers, at least for me.
"Before the war, Frezloc had almost ten million soldiers."
That sent a big chill through my spine. So the vanlir were that strong?
"Wait, what about the vanlir we left behind? Won't they be wandering around my world?"
"No worries, those vanlir are already trapped in our first distortion."
"First--then--"
"The reason why we didn't use the distortion to travel here directly was because we needed to trap those vanlir in a place we call the Eren--the void. The distortion we used the first time was to trap them there, while not revealing our true destination. M'lady and Ralein have deviced that plan in order to transport you safely."
We arrived in front of a woolen round tent. Brushing off the leather flaps, Nicholls entered and invited me inside. He offered me hot tea and cookies which I greedily devoured--they tasted so much better than the one's at Ralein's place--and lay on a woolen mat on the floor before drifting off to sleep.
I woke up afterwards when I heard a shrill yell coming from the outside.
"Wake him up!"
It was the unmistakeable voice of the dainty Chaselier. I wiped my eyes with my hands before sitting up when I heard someone enter the tent. I suddenly felt a grip like Ralein's--only more brutal, harder and rougher. Chaselier threw me outside the tent and I quickly scrambled to get up.
For a girl, she's pretty strong.
She wore a leather tunic, and none of the softness that I expected from what she wore earlier. She looked like a drillmaster more than anything else.
"Get up and hurry, Frezelle wants to see you," she said vehemently. I heard Ralein laugh from behind me.
"You shouldn't be that rough with him, you know. He might break," she teased. Nicholls was beside her wearing an amused look.
Chaselier gave her a leer that silenced her. Even if it was not directed at me, I felt a supernatural force emanating from her that gave me a terrible sense of dread.She quickly walked towards a large tent, which I guessed was the command center of this camp. I followed her without another word, and Ralein followed.
She is not someone to be trifled with. That's for sure.
Frezelle was not someone I expected her to be. I was expecting someone of authority, wearing the standards of battle and barking like a mad general. I was expecting someone who would bring fear to the hearts of our enemies and bring up the morale of our soldiers.
Frankly speaking, I was expecting someone older.
The brave Warlord of Frezloc, the one who led the greatest retreat in history while minimizing casualties and bringing havoc across the enemies. The prodigy of military tactics, and referred by her soldiers as the Frezlor, the Fire Mistress.
Here, sitting in front of me in a wooden chair and jotting down notes in a parchment while looking at a large map full of red markers, was a girl barely older than me. She had long, blazing red hair and wore round spectacles that made her look older than her age. At her side stood a middle-aged soldier wearing his armors and badges which I took for as his rank.
"Here he is," Chaselier said without a trace of her earlier anger.
Frezelle looked up and stared at me with her black eyes before going back to her notes.
"He's younger than what I expected."
I should be the one who'd say that!
"His training should start as soon as possible," Chaselier replied quickly.
"We have no men for that."
Wait, training?
"What training?" I asked, but I was ignored completely. This is getting annoying.
I was about to repeat my question when Chaselier rushed at Frezelle's table and slammed her fists on its wooden surface, toppling the markers and shuffling the parchments and notes.
"You should know better than to act childishly, Chaselier," Frezelle quietly replied.
"But it's important that he is made aware of the situation soon!" Chaselier yelled at her unyielding figure.
"Then would you rather be the one in charge of his training?"
Chaselier fell silent at backed away from the table.
Then a sound of alarm rang and a soldier ran inside screaming,
"Vanlir! Vanlir!"
His words echoed across the camp, and Frezelle stood up and her eyes emanated with authority.
"All men to their positions!"
Then a sound of crushing wood filled our ears as we heard the screams of men echoing throughout the camp.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:41 pm | |
| Chapter 3: Attack at the Grene Camp - Spoiler:
The sound was deafening and I suddenly felt a buzzing sensation in my head. It was like a fly suddenly went inside my brain and flew around like the annoying bug it is.
Frezelle immediately reached for her weapon under her desk and the soldier behind her drew his sword. I heard the sound of metal clinking outside. Frezelle drew a bright red longsword and shouted a single command to Chaselier before rushing outside.
"Hide him."
Chaselier immediately pulled me toward the back and picked up a long slender sword from a nearby weapon rack. Ralein and Nicholls did the same. Chaselier nodded at the two before talking to them.
"Ralein, get him to a safe place and don't let him get killed. Nicholls come with me," she said in quick commanding tones.
"Yes, m'lady."
"I won't let him get killed," Ralein said with a chuckle. Does she ever think seriously?
The sound of an explosion rocked the tent and both Chaselier and Nicholls rushed outside the tent while Ralein pulled me by the arm and dragged me to the back exit of the tent. Outside, splinters of wood, broken shields and fallen swords littered the camp.
But I didn't see any bodies.
Ralein ran and I tried my best to keep up with her. She made criss-crossing paths across the maze of tents and after taking a sharp turn--I saw them. It was in the drilling area that I saw my first corpse. Corpses.
They littered the ground, armors and helms smashed--their limbs were scattered around lying on the floor and their blood making a sticky pool of death.
They looked like they were chewed by a huge vile beast...The buzzing in my head grew louder, and my vision blurred as I stared at the garden of boides littered around us.
"They don't really take any survivors do they?" Ralein quietly said before dragging me away.
I was in shock with the death that I saw. How could she be so calm with so much death around us? I barely reassembled my thought when Ralein made a sharp turn then suddenly stopped.
"Uhh, I think I made a wrong turn."
In front of us no more than fifty feet away and standing ten feet tall, was a large black monstrosity that resembled no living thing that I know. It had no distinctive features, except for its smooth black skin which was splattered with blood. It was humanoid in shape, but it was altogether shapeless--except for its two long arms that smashed and grabbed anything in range.
On its feet were a pile of half mutilated corpses, and a hundred other soldiers fighting to keep it at bay.
And thus, I saw my first Vanlir. The buzzing in my head was unbearable, and I clutched my temples as they pounded with every heartbeat.
So much for a wrong turn.
I could barely remember anything except being afraid so much that I couldn't even tell my legs to run. Ralein tugged me and started to back away when the Vanlir.
Then I felt a strange pang of animosity coming from the monster, and it looked at us. I don't know how I knew since it had nothing that looked like eyes, but I felt that it looked at us and it immediately stepped over the soldiers blocking its way, knocking them away like useless toys.
Ralein immediately took a quick run without the pretense of consideration for my welfare. I heard its steps as it plodded to overtake us. It knocked over tents and crushed them like paper.
I regained my balance and started to use my legs as Ralein continued to pull my arm.
"Well, now you're learning to use your legs," Ralein said gleefully.
"You...you..." I panted. "Aren't you even scared of that thing?"
"I've seen worse forms of Vanlir, like thousands of flesh-eating rodents swarming over the camp, or an army of--" I cut her off quickly.
"Okay, I get it. How do you guys beat that thing?" I asked a smiling Ralein. She put a finger on her lower lip as she looked immersed in thought while dodging the debris and fallen tents on our way.
"Frezelle or Chaselier usually gets them, but the usual way also works."
"Usual way?"
Then I heard a blowing trumpet as a thousand arrows came flying towards us.
"Don't tell me--"
Ralein looked back at me and smiled.
"Well, you won't feel so good with that many arrows on you, wouldn't you?"
Get serious for once!
Many of the arrows rebounded on its hard skin, while a few lucky ones made its mark and sank deep into its flesh. Everytime it did, the buzzing in my head grew weaker, until it stopped. I heard a great shout from behind us and I looked back at the Vanlir.
Wielding a great red blade which shone like white fire was Frezelle, brandishing her weapon and cutting one of the monster's legs. The wound suddenly burned like fire, and the leg fell away as it burned. The vanlir fell on fours as Frezelle made another slash to what should be its neck. Its head fell off and burned like coal as the body of the vanlir collapsed like a sack.
A great cry of truimph came from the ranks of the soldiers, and Frezelle sheathed her blade and turned back towards us.
She was...intimidating.
And then I felt a sharp blow on my head as I heard a shrill voice shouting at us.
"What the hell do you think you are doing here?"
Chaselier was standing in front of us, a sword in her left hand a long wooden stick on her right.
Great, just great.
For a moment, I forgot to give thanks for being saved from the vanlir and prepared to meet Chaselier.
Chapter 4: The Vanlir - Spoiler:
The morning in this place is darker than the night. I almost have mistaken it for a long night. The sun shone dimly in the east, and the clouds were overcast making the day look gloomy.
I'm not sure if I like this world at all.
That morning, after a brief and unrestful sleep, Nicholls fed me another shot of tea and cookies before patting me on the back and wishing me luck. As I stepped out of the tent, I saw a scowling Chaselier waiting for me outside.
Isn't that a nice way to greet the day? It's pretty hard to think that I was chased by a huge monster only a few hours ago. But the aura of death and destuction in the camp hasn't been lifted, and everyone--except a certain someone--is on the edge.
Me? Hardly, I don't even know what Chaselier plans to do. She talked about special training and lecture, but right now I'm primarily concerned in retaining my sanity.
Ralein smiled serenely behind Chaselier like an innocent girl. meow you! Stop smiling! You're the reason that she's in a bad mood in the first place!
You were the one pulling me around, you! So why does Chaselier blame me for being in the way last night?
I briefly smelled a burning fragrance, and I tried to look for its source. Chaselier raised an eyebrow.
"They're burning the bodies."
What?
I asked the same question out loud.
"The people of Frezloc, the soldiers under the command of Frezelle, believe in Freztaf--the writ of Fire. They believe that life came from fire, and by burning the bodies of their dead they return the life they borrowed from Frez the Entity of Flame."
So that's why.
The ordeal from last night was still fresh in my mind. The sight of dead corpses mangled like chewed meat...
I don't think--
I felt my stomach churn, and I doubled-up vomitting the scant remains of my stomach.
I heard Chaselier walk away without a word. Ralein approached me and rubbed my back and whispered:
"You'll get used to it."
Get used to what? This isn't my choice in the first place! What do you people think of pulling me out of my peaceful life and thrashing me on to things I can barely understand? This is madness!
She offered me a cloth to wipe my face then left me alone with my thoughts. I wiped my face, and stood up, before making my steps to the place I needed to go.
I need to understand, I need to know why.
It's not because of whim, or my stubborness, but I really need the reason why I am here. The reason why they want me--of all the people in the world.
The reason they drag me around and treat me like a piece of baggage.
I trodded casually to the command center. Since Chaselier isn't accomodating with the answers, then Frezelle might be.
Before arriving at the tent, I saw Frezelle standing by a campfire alone, while writing something on a piece of parchment. Sensing my approach, she looked at me--the firelight glinting on her round glasses like fireflies.
"What do you want?" she asked. She spoke with authority like Chaselier, except without the hint of arrogance and haughtiness she always wore.
"I just wanted to ask--what is everything here all about? The vanlir, me being taken here, this world--everything."
Frezelle nodded, then walked away and gestured me to follow her. I followed her to the command tent where I saw a waiting Chaselier inside. Frezelle took her place on her chair and waited for me to speak.
So this is it then, the time I can ask all the questions I want.
"So--tell me, what is this war for exactly?"
And so Frezelle started to speak, and her voice was like a storyteller speaking an old song with her words.
Their world was called Rerelan which meant "Land of Everything". They believed that the six personas of Renaere who they considered to be their Creator, resides in their land in the form of the six elementals: Frez to Rumin Fez or the Radiant Flame, Lier to Breze Lierlan or the Breeze of the Lands, Sumi to Sumidet or the Water of the Seatides, Rea to Rietna or the Heart of the Stone, Ein to Eintrenall or the Eternal Darkness, and Lumerin to Lumtrenall or the Eternal Radiance.
Each of this elementals or Entities as they call them, reside in each part of the world and help in maintaining order and balance. They have formed contracts with the humans and other living things inhabiting Rerelan, where the humans will inherit the guardianship of the Entities and getting their blessing in exchange for helping keep the balance of this world. The humans have built numerous structures and shrines where the fountain of power pouring forth from the Entities may be harnessed, but there is a big temple dedicated to each entity, forming a central chain of power that spreads across the land.
Rerelan is divided into six countries, each dedicated to the Entity that resides there, and the temple of that Entity is considered to be the most sacred ground in that continent. Each of the countries has each own government, and they lived with each other in relative peace until recently.
Frezloc Union, was a country governed by magistrates that serve under the might of the Warlord--though until recently, the title 'Warlord' was only an honorary title whose origin predates back through their history.
Lierhalesia was a kingdom governed by a monarch whose dynasty has remained unbroken until it fell years back.
Sumiumi is a trading country, whose ports are open to every country and remains to be the center of trading and transportation during the war, was governed by merchants and traders who facilitate the order of business in their country.
Rietmon is a country near the mountains of Riettani, whose main concern was mining for gems and metals in its vast pits and chasms. They are led by a single ruler they call the Rietlor. The Rietlor is chosen by the people, and he remains in power until he dies, or he decides to resign his position.
Einhalden was a kingdom who declared war on Lierhalesia before the coming of the Vanlir which resulted in catastrophic losses and eventually led to its demise. It's final king was killed shortly before the Catastrophe, and he left no known heirs. Now, Einhalden is a fallen wasteland--a no man's land as it's sovereign Lierhalesia has succumbed to the vanlir.
Lumeria is a theocracy, whose sovereign was thought to be the will of Lumerin itself. Lumeria is a pretty isolated country, and it has not lent any help to the other countries since the Catastrophe.
The Vanlir was a race of legend, written in the lore of Renaere. They are a race of beings that are attracted to desire, and they use that to control the beings around them--and feed on their energy. They were once fought by Re na Ere, who banished them into the Eren or the Void. They are considered to be the anathema of life, taking it whimsically without any thought, and inflicting pain without remorse. They can transform to any being of terror, and killing one would require an army. It was unknown how the Vanlir was released, but the idea was that the Elkwood Artifact activated by the late King Julian of Lierhalesia has caused this. The final distortion it made where the Vanlir came out, was the turning point of this world.
Lierhalesia fell quickly under the vanlir, and Frezloc was harrased by these monsters until it finally fell three years ago. We are now staying in the borders of Rietmon, under the permission of its Rietlor. Rietmon continually supports the remnants of the army of Frezloc with its supplies, but the army is dwindling, and until last night, the army stands around fifty thousand. Now its probably less.
From the remnants of the records of the fallen Frezloc, it was said that a thousand vanlir raged across its plains, annihilating the former Warlord and his army of ten million men. Frezelle and her army of eighty thousand fought defensively until they were pushed back towards the borders of Rietmon who joined the fight and was able to drive them back, though they are still being harried by lone attackers like the one yesterday.
However, a prophecy made by the late King Julian gave them one last final hope to escape this crisis. Many believed that the king's madness was caused by his exposure to the Eren, saying that he was touched by Reanere and served as its messenger. His final words carried no meaning, except for the reflection of Chaselier, which would mean the mirror of Felrefr...
The mirror of Felrefr was an artifact believed to be left by Reanere. It was like a normal mirror, and many thought that it was a hoax, until it was stolen and was found by Chaselier when she returned.
But...wasn't it found with Edmund? Chaslier didn't say any word about it as Frezelle continued to talk.
The Felrefr was called the Mirror of Reflection, it shows the thing you needed to see, and was considered a part of the puzzle said by Julian.
Now where do I fit in?
I appeared before the mirror when Chaselier looked at it. What does it mean?
Frezelle does not know, but she believes that I must be the key to help in defeating the Vanlir.
A key? I don't even know how to fight, so what do you want?
"I believe that the time will come that the answer will be clear. For now, we humbly request your help in restoring our world," she politely said.
"You believe in things too much. Religion was never my best subject."
Frezelle looked away with a glazed look in her eyes.
"Sometimes...all you can do is to believe."
I had nothing to say to that.
"I ask you again, Chaser of the other world, would you aid our cause?"
I was speechless. Not that I want to refuse flat out, nor to accept it readily, it's just that I'm not exactly a fan of lost causes.
"I need time to think. I...this is too much for me. I have never seen so much unrealities in my life, and its straining my psyche to the limit for me to believe."
Chaselier suddenly looked as if she was going to say something, but Frezelle raised her hand.
"I see. Take as much time as you need to decide."
She stood up, and quietly walked to the exit.
"Either way, it is our war--not yours. Though I regret that in our desperation, we had to make you carry our burden."
Chaselier followed her quietly and flashed me a brief glance before going outside.
I slumped on a stool and pondered my next action.
What a mess! What a mess!
| |
| | | | Precision
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:42 pm | |
| Chapter 5: A Visit from the Interloper - Spoiler:
That night, I was staring at the ceiling of Nicholls tent, I lay on my back, with my arms behind my head and pondering all the things I heard that day.
Nicholls was outside and taking a breather, but he left me his usual pot of hot tea and a plate of his cookies. It was astonishing how that bear of a man can make cookies that taste this good. Maybe I should ask him.
My mind is wandering, and I can't think clearly, I heard so many things today, and I barely know when to start analyzing what. I let out a deep sigh before getting up and grabbing another piece of Nicholl's specialty. I bit a large part from one of the brown cookies before pouring myself a cup of his tea. The tea was a bit sweet, but its warmth rejuvenated me, and comforted my uneasy mind.
I sighed before lying back and thinking things through for the umpteenth time.
What a mess this is. What a mess indeed.
I was like this for an hour or so before I decided to get up and get some fresh night air. The air outside was moist and humid. The sky was also darker, and when I looked up, only two moons were up in the sky. One emitted a soft white light while the smaller one reflected green light, lighting up the night with a soft vibrant tone.
"The moons of Lume and Lier are up today. We won't see a full night sky for a while yet," boomed Nicholls voice. He was sitting by the grass outside the tent and was looking at the beatiful night sky.
"Is it always this bright like this?"
Nicholls breathed heavily before answering.
"The night sky in your world is a lot darker than ours. The only night we could call dark is when they are all blocked by Er."
"Er?"
"The Moon of Chaos. It's the biggest of all the moons of Rerelan, but its very unpredictable. It might show up in the night sky, sometimes it shows up during the day. Or it might not even show up for years. It's been ten years since it last visited, and it might be years before it comes still."
"Ten years?"
"Yes."
Ten years...the start of the war. I was pensive for a moment before wandering off to the center of the camp. The center of the camp was crowded, with soldiers chatting around or eating their dinner. There were many repairs to be done, and many of the soldiers are in their night shift, continuing the work of those now resting for the night. I was suddenly hungry for something filling, and I tried to find the kitchen.
It suddenly dawned on me that I have absolutely no sense of direction inside this camp. Soon, I got myself lost in this labyrinth of tents and campfires. Walking around aimlessly in search of the kitchen, I found myself in the part of the camp where most of the damage was done.
Scattered tents and broken splinters of wood were lying across the ground, and many of the soldiers where trying to make an organization out of all the mess. Many bodies were wrapped up in red sheets, and some were being carried away by the soldiers.
I stared at the senselessness of it all, and walked away. All this death and destruction, I might be new at this--but I can't--understand it. Not at all.
"So senseless, isn't?" A quick quiet voice startled me from behind. I turned around and saw a man wearing a brown cloak hooded around his head which hid his face. From his voice, I could tell that he was young, might even be as young as I am, but it carried a hint of maturity at the same time.
"Chaser, I presume? So it's already that time already. Time passes by like birds, I can scarcely feel their ticking moment. Years passed, but to me they are but mere moments."
What's up with his poetic speech?
"Pardon me, but I must introduce myself." He bowed with great effect. "My name is Kesa-er, though you can call me Kes." He straightened up, and for a moment I saw a flash of green beneath his hood. When I blinked, it vanished. I waved it away as a part of my delusional hallucination.
"Kes, you say." Where have I heard it before?
"You, of all people should know Kes, and you should know that he--" Chaselier pointed a thumb at me "--is barely a fourth of the man Kes is."
"You don't understand! I felt it, it was like Kes but not like him. When I showed him his memories, he passed out..."
Then a thought suddenly dawned on me.
"You are the Kes that they were talking about! Just who are you?"
Kes let out a joyful laugh, clutching his belly and crouching with each burst.
"So they were talking about me?" He said between the laughs.
Is this guy mad? Come to think of it, everyone that I have met ever since Ralein landed on my face was a bit...different.
Kes staightened up again, then sat down on a nearby log that has fallen from a large tent. He offered me to take a sit. He didn't seem dangerous, despite of his strange clothes, but I was still being cautious.
"I'd rather stand."
"As you wish." He was still for a while before he asked me, "So, what do you think of all this?"
"I think, it's all insane." I was surprised at my words. I suddenly opened up to a perfect stranger whose face I do not even know.
He seemed content with that answer. He seemed to be reaching for something within his cloak, and took out a strange black key. It was blackened with a tarnish I cannot fathom, and I felt strangely afraid of it.
"Don't worry, it won't bite."
I reached for the key, and it felt unexpectantly warm in my hand.
"Carry it for me, you'd need it soon enough."
He stood up and started to walk away, but not before saying this:
"You might think that you have been dragged into this, and you might hate everyone enough to blame everybody else.
"But trust me, you had a choice, and this is what you chose--even if you don't remember when you made that choice.
"You might suffer pain beyond what you can imagine, or even feel death closer than everybody else, but this is the path you chose. Whatever pain it may bring--this path will bring you more happiness than anything else.
"Oh and last thing, Ralein might not look like it, but when in trouble and nobody else is around, tell her this: Ein na Lume. Remember those words, your life will depend on it.
"And if possible, don't tell anyone I was here.
"Especially Ralein."
He walked away without another word,
What a strange guy. I held the key in my hand, then absentmindedly put it in my pocket.
He didn't seem to be an enemy...but what was he talking about?
The path that I chose?
Pain and suffering?
Looks like my future is getting bleaker by the second, huh?
Chapter 6: Training - Spoiler:
The next few days were uneventful as the camp tried to mitigate its losses and reorganize the camp. The vanlir attack was too sudden, too surprising.
In fact, the guards didn't know it was in camp until it took form.
From what I heard from Frezelle, there were supposed to be alarms that would detect the vanlir before they would get even close to the camp. However, this one went passed those alarms and made the first attack before the alarm was raised.
I don't know the details but from what I can gather, they are very upset about it. Upset enough that everybody was busy doing something. Repairs, maintaining order, running around carrying supplies, treating the wounded, it seems everybody is bust and I don't see much of the three. Frezelle was often around the camp, I suppose she was supervising all the work. Tough job for someone young like her, but I suppose that's her calling.
I sighed as I lay on my back and stared at the ever bland ceiling of the tent. I was bored. Not that I'm complaining of course, but after what transpired during the last few days, my life drastically changed.
Days ago, I was a normal student. Then I was kidnapped then dragged all the way here because of some desperate attempt to realize their salvation through a prophecy. It was all to crazy, but quite...fun.
I couldn't believe that I was having fun. When was the last time I had fun anyway? Not when I win contests and have to force myself to smile against the crowds of people I barely know while carrying a trophy that nobody really cares about. Not when I stand before the class, reciting a speech that lifts their hearts, but actually were just a bunch of words stringed together because they sound good.
Definitely not before my family as they congratulated me for becoming the dream they want me to be.
It was all so...empty.
A storm in human form suddenly came and swept away my thoughts and broke down the fragile glass of my reverie.
"Get up, you lazy dog!" Chaselier's voice split through the air. Her stern demeanor coupled with the darkness of the tent gave her a look that was almost unearthly. I was startled, and I gave an unmanly yelp before getting up. Quite embarrassing actually.
"Stop making a fool of yourself and follow me," she said curtly and exited the tent.
I wonder what she's up to? Well, I got nothing better to do anyway.
Turned out that I would had been better served had I stayed in the tent.
Chaselier was waiting for me outside, and gestured me to follow her. We walked through the maze of tents for about five minutes before we arrived at the edge of the camp. This part of the camp was unfamilliar, with a clear stream running through the shady trees and a pleasant clearing that would be perfect for a picnic.
Unfortunately, Chaselier had other plans.
We were standing six feet apart in the middle of the clearing. Nicholls was watching underneath a nearby tree while Ralein was handing two training swords to Chaselier. They were made of wood and about two and a half feet long. Knowing the purpose of me being here, I narrowed my eyes as Chaselier started to explain.
"While Frezelle understands that you must have a choice in this matter, I believe that at least training you the basics of fighting would prove to be useful for you. I'll teach you the basics of swordplay and hopefully you'd be at least able to defend yourself.
"Why would I want to fight in the first place?" I asked her. "It's not like I'd win in such a brutal endeavor, anyway. Fighting isn't really my forte." The last part was true, as far as I can remember, I never won in fist fights--and it's not with the lack of trying. I was a prone target for bullies since I came from a well-off family, and often I get roughed up for no reason at all. Who says that fights needs a reason anyway?
Anyway, everytime I get roughed up, my father would talk to their parents. And they never bothered me again, until a different set of bullies comes into town.
Eventually, when I grew up, the bullies went away. I never wondered why, and I never asked.
Chaselier threw one of the training swords at me. My dexterity failed me, and my nose took the price. Bounding off my nose, that meow piece of wood clattered down on the bare, dry ground.
"Pick it up."
When I stooped down to pick the stick, I felt a sudden shift in the wind, like an incoming breeze that suddenly stopped. I took a quick glance up and saw a grimacing Chaselier about to bring her weapon down. With a resounding thump, she brought it down my poor, exposed head. The force of the blow brought me to my knees.
Ouch!
"Ouch! That hurt! What was that for?"
With a devilish glee, she said: "You should always be ready for anything. Had you picked up your sword while keeping your gaze at me would have prevented me from bashing your head that easily."
I stood up straight and tried to ignore the throbbing pain on my head.
"Shouldn't you hold back a little?" I told her.
"I am holding back," she said simply.
Like hell you are! I can't seem to put in words, but I feel that I am being mocked as I stared at her back while she walked back to her place. She then turned back at me and waited.
She stood at ready, lifting her weapon to defend, The wind blew, and her brown hair waved with the gentle breeze.
"Come at me. Don't hold back."
Well, if you say so.
I tried to remember the fencing fights I saw at my school once. Though I didn't really pay much attention, wooden swords are pretty much like big sticks with edges, right? So I just have to swing it hard enough and hope that I hit something.
I charged towards her and swung. However, she deftly blocked it. With one hand too.
"Swing harder!" she yelled.
I stepped back and prepared to strike a harder blow. Before I could raise my sword, I got jabbed at the gut. Good thing I haven't eaten much during breakfast.
"Too slow! Get up!"
She's turning into more and more of a tormentor by the second.
I regained my stance, this time I was wary of her--she's faster and stronger than me, anyway. Think Chaser, what will you do now?
Chaselier charged, her hair flying with the wind. Before I could react, I felt my sword flew up in the air as it smashed against Chaselier's blow. It landed a good three feet away,
"Aah!" I said as Chaselier pointed her weapon at me.
"Do it again!" Chaselier yelled. "This time, keep your attention on my sword!"
That evening, I lay inside Nicholls tent while he tended my sore body.
"Well, so much for an uneventful day," I groaned.
| |
| | | | Precision
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:43 pm | |
| Chapter 7: Camp Life - Spoiler:
My body was still sore when I woke up the next day. Like always, I woke up alone inside the tent. Though I'm pretty sure I hit the sack before Nicholls, he sure is an early riser.
Either that or I'm a heavy sleeper.
A plate of cookies and a pot of tea were waiting for me for breakfast. Again. Not that I'm complaining, but I need more variety. I drank a little of the tea, but left the cookies alone. After drinking a cup, I went outside to do a little stretching.
Turns out that sores and stretching do not mix well.
I stretched a little, and then feeling invigorated, tried to stretch some more and ended up with a pinched nerve at my back. Cursing my stupidity, I sat on the ground and leaned on the tent's side. While nursing my sensitive back, I heard some footsteps approach. Nicholls, accompanied by Chaselier, were approaching me. I suddenly felt apprehensive when I saw Chaselier carrying a wooden stick. But Chaselier just threw me a glance and walked off without another word. Nicholls just strolled along without noticing me.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized that I'm not going to go through that again.
Standing up and feeling a little better, I went around exploring the camp. Most of the damage was repaired, and I felt a little admiration for the fellows managing the camp. Fixing all that damage in a week is a chore. Finishing it in less is almost a miracle.
Most of the soldiers ignored me, while some just looked and nodded me off. While I feel a little embarrassed, I felt annoyed at the same time. While not that popular from where I came from, people certainly paid attention to me. Here, I'm pretty much as important as the grass.
Walking around, I saw Frezelle talking with Ralein. I approached them, and I felt Frezelle shift her attention to me. Ralein turned around with a curious look in her eyes. I froze on my spot as Frezelle looked at me with her blank eyes which awfully reminded me of Rilena...except she possesses that certain softness that Ralein's doppelganger lacks.
Frezelle approached, and while she was barely past my shoulders, the way she carried herself shouted authority. When she opened her mouth to speak, I tensed.
"Oyu koe?"
Huh? What did she say? I was barely able to remain in my seemingly calm composure.
"I don't understand..." I tried to say as casually as possible. Frezelle raised an eyebrow--which was as close to an expression I have ever seen in her. She turned to face Ralein.
"Ralein, emko reeh," she said, almost a whisper. Ralein approached and studied my face very, very carefully. "Me keta erak hist," she said casually to Frezelle who just walked off without another word. Not even a glance.
"You didn't eat Nicholl's cookies didn't you?" she said with a curious expression in her face.
Cookies? Oh yeah, I skipped breakfast.
"Well, I did drink the tea..." I tried to say. Ralein suddenly sighed.
"You should eat those cookies, otherwise you'd sound as strange as you look," she said, suddenly grasping my arm and dragging me back to my tent.
"What's in those cookies anyway?" I asked her, ignoring the familliar feeling of being dragged around...again.
"Nicholl's specialty is brewing stuff up. Most of them do nasty things, but some are useful, like the ones in his cookies. He put a potion of some sort so you could speak and hear in our language without being taught. Kind of like a translator, except more environment friendly."
"Wait...so that's why I can understand everybody until today? Then, how is it that I can understand you?"
"It's because I'm speaking in English, silly," she said with a chuckle without breaking a stride.
Back at the tent, I could sense Ralein trying hard to stop from laughing as I tried to eat the cookies. Not that they don't taste good...but imagine having to eat them everyday...the thought just chills me. Then I had a good idea.
"Hey." Ralein looked at me, amusement present. "Who taught you English anyway?"
Ralein suddenly looked thoughtful for a moment. An unsettling silence suddenly blanketed, and I felt a strange pang of hostility from her. I immediately changed the subject.
"Forget it. I just want to know if you can teach me.”
Ralein suddenly brightened up.
“Teach you what?”
“Your language, of course.”
Ralein seem to think about it for a moment. “Maybe, maybe…”
She stood up and left the tent. What an eccentric girl.
Later that day, I found Chaselier and Nicholls again. They were at the same clearing were I was battered by the dainty princess yesterday. That reminds me, she’s a princess right? How come she acts more like a soldier than royalty?
Chaselier was leaning against the three while Nicholls was talking to her while seated on the grass. Nicholls suddenly looked at my direction as I approached.
“Hmm?” hummed a very surprised Nicholls. “What are you doing here, lad?”
“Just strolling around, I guess.”
“What do you want?” Chaselier’s sharp voice cut through the air. I was immediately tense. What’s her problem anyway? She seems to be in a bad mood ever since we were here. She seems a bit more hostile than when we were at the shack.
“Maybe I’ll just walk away for now…” I said, easing away like a weasel.
“Then do it.” Her voice said it was final.
Walking away, I overheard them.
“As if he wasn’t problem enough, the boy comes to our care…”
He? However, I walked away quietly not wishing any more hostility from her. But what were they talking about?
This place seems to spark more mysteries than I even begin to care. Sometimes I think that the more I stay the more I don’t understand. It’s like a dream.
Maybe I’m still dreaming. Pinch-pinch. Nope, still awake.
Anyway, it won’t do me any good if I become too inquisitive. Let them tell their story in their own good time. I’m having far too much fun.
Unfortunately, sarcasm doesn’t work in my own mind.
Sighing, I walked back to my tent and was totally unprepared at what I saw.
To be continued... | |
| | | | Precision
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:41 am | |
| Chapter 8: The Unruly Rilena - Spoiler:
Ralein was waiting for me at the front of my tent...or I thought it was her. Her blank expression told me otherwise. She was staring at me blankly, and I was careful to avoid looking at her right eye. It was unmistakable. Her quiet demeanor and silent stare told me everything.
Rilena.
I approached her, and was greeted by her cold silence. She was standing by the tent flap, and I tried hard not to cry out. The air around her is always so...uncomfortable. But uncomfortable would be an understatement.
Averting my gaze from her, I asked, "What do you want?"
"We need to talk. Inside." Quick and simple. Such is her eloquent way.
While I have no intention of going inside a room alone with her, I felt the irresistable urge to follow. In fact, I'm telling my body to run away--unfortunately my body isn't obedient lately.
It's not that I'm afraid of her, but something about her makes my skin crawl. I don't know why...but something tells me to beware of her. Something--
Before I knew it, I was sitting by the table across her. I was mesmerized by her quiet nature in contrast with the energetic Ralein. But by instinct, I knew she was someone I should fear. I wonder why. Something tells me that she's more dangerous than she appears, far more dangerous than anything I've seen before.
Even more than the vanlir that chased my through the camp.
Even so, here I am sitting in front of her across a small wooden table. She stared at me with her blank face without any hint of what she wanted to talk about or whatsoever.
After a minute or so, she spoke, "Do you remember what happened last time?"
Last time?
Suddenly flashes inside my mind blazed through my thoughts like a fuse. I was inside a dark room and I saw Ralein and Rilena...
The memories came flooding back and I suddenly have to resist the urge to pull myself back from the table.
"You...where was that place? What were you doing?"
Rilena answered me with her monotone voice.
"That place was a part of Ralein's mind. One of her abilities is to connect other people's thoughts with hers."
Wait. What did she say?
"Abilities? You mean like...magic?" I almost vomited the word. The word magic didn't exist for me until a few days ago.
"Not in the least. Humans use the word magic for something that cannot be explained. Her abilities are not that kind of magic in the least."
She sounded more like a philosophy professor more than anything else. However, I cannot appreciate the moment.
"So you're telling me that was her mind?" Seems like a dark mind to me. I couldn't imagine someone like Ralein having a bleak place like that for a mind.
"It was just a part of her mind. Specifically, my part in her mind."
I just nodded in reply.
"My mind is different from Ralein's. You can say that I am a different person altogether apart from her. I live inside her body as she acts as my vessel."
Okay...I'm still with her so far, I think.
"I am able to converse with her inside her thoughts, and likewise she could do the same. She can also swap her consciousness with mine, meaning we can exchange who is controlling her body with her consent."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"However, the last time I talked to you, Ralein was unstable."
Unstable?
"Whatever do you mean...?"
"Something you said had bothered her to a point that she requested my help to bring you directly inside her mind. You see, her abilities is limited in a way that she cannot reach other people's minds and connect to them directly. She, at most, can only hear passing thoughts and at worst, hear thoughts that you might be 'shouting' inside your mind."
It took a while for that to register.
"In short, she can read thoughts, at least to an extent."
I almost blurted something out loud. Rilena decided to ignore me.
"However, that limitation would at some extent overcome by her connecting with me. You see, I too have my own abilities, and I have a good reason to help her."
She suddenly lifted her right arm in the air and suddenly a black cloud appeared, hovering an inch above her palm. As if trying to reach something, she put her hand inside the puff of black and drew a heavily ornate black dagger. It's curved blade was shining with a cold black luster. Suddenly standing, she went around the table and stood behind me and held the dagger inches from my face.
"You see, I have always wanted to know who you are. And I plan to know it very soon," she said with utter calm and monotony.
I held my breath as I felt the blade come closer and closer.
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:46 pm | |
| Chapter 9: The Black Key - Spoiler:
I was felt as if I was frozen in place. I didn't know if it was some kind of devilry at work, or was it just what they called "paralyzed with fear."
In any event, I was held down to my seat as Rilena held the knife near my neck. Forget the fact the she pulled the knife seemingly from thin air, I'm more concerned about my neck here!
"Let's see..." Rilena said with her usual composure. She raised the dagger as if to strike, and I closed my eyes.
"Ein to Memoeliea."
Her words suddenly fluttered past my ears, and I saw the world around me swirl like an angry whirlpool. Flashes of memories suddenly fluttered, and I saw visions of what happened in the past. We were swimming across the vast sea of images, and Rilena was intent on seeing them all.
Except it wasn't my past. Not as far as I remembered.
The images came like when you watch in a cinema. They were like a scenery around us, and Rilena and I were just the quiet audience who did nothing but watched. The images came with a flurry of colors, until it became clear and showed us a great black mountain.
I saw a faceless man carry a lifeless body of a girl down the mountain. Around him was the aftermath of a battle. Standards were raised, and everyone was celebrating victory.
I carried her in my arms like a tiny child. She was my precious...
Carried who? I never carried anyone in my life.
The man cried silently, letting his tears fall on the limp body on his arms.
I promised her, and I failed...but I will not let that stop me...
I was getting confused. There were voices in my head, telling me stories I couldn't even begin to grasp.
The man knelt and carefully laid the lifeless girl on a stone as he cried helplessly.
She died in my arms, and I was helpless, helpless...
Then the scene dissolved, and turned into a flower garden. It was night, and I saw two people standing in the middle of the moonlit grass. I saw the girl handing a robed man a key.
"With this I entrust you my life."
I failed her.
I saw the black key, like the one Kes--
"Kes? What are you doing here?"
I suddenly saw a man in grey robes appear with us, seperate from the images around us. He stood silently and menacingly. The images stopped swirling, and reality came back in focus. We were once again inside the tent without a hint of the bizarre place I was in a few seconds ago.
I suddenly felt a shift around me and in a moment, Ralein was standing beside me. She dropped the dagger and took one step towards Kes who raised a hand in reply.
"I want to speak with Rilena. Alone," Kes spoke in a barely controlled voice. Ralein flinched at his words.
"I just wanted--" Ralein began to say. Kes raised his arm again.
"No. I will only speak to Rilena."
I was at awe with what was happening, and I could barely contain my confusion, and I must admit, my excitement.
"Hey, what's happening here?" I had the courage to ask.
Kes looked at me, and I saw a green flash under the hood.
"Don't worry, this concerns you as well."
And I suddenly felt a presence enter my mind.
Don't say anything about the key. Not a word. I'll explain later, Kes' voice said in my mind.
Ralein was silent for a moment, and with her back turned, I couldn't see her face. For a moment I thought she was just standing there, but I had a brief passing feeling that she was crying. Her shoulders where trembling slightly, and her head was bowed. I tried standing up and to my delight, I saw that I was free from what was restraining me before. I approached Ralein.
Suddenly, Rilena was with us again. I withdrew from her as fast as I could.
"Block her from your thoughts. I don't want Ralein hearing any of this," Kes told Rilena in a clear tone of command.
"You do know I can tell her after you leave." Her words were mocking, but without emotions, I couldn't tell.
"Of course, but that is with your discretion. However, I'm pretty sure you don't want her hearing any of this."
"And why is that?"
Kes pointed a finger at me.
"Because that young man has memories he shouldn't have. Ralein gave him the memories. I assume this was your doing? What you want to know about him is something that cannot be contained by mere memories alone."
Rilena was silent.
"I'm pretty sure that you want to know everything about me Rilena," Kes said dryly. "But trying to do that by luring me out like this won't work you know."
Rilena was still silent.
"What do you want to achieve exactly?" asked Kes.
"I want to know what the vision meant."
"What vision do you mean, exactly?"
"You know which vision. The one at the old man's prophecy. The dead girl. The crying man. The black key. I want you to tell me."
"Ah yes. I remember that...." Kes fell silent. "That is something that is even beyond me."
"Then do you plan to doom this world? You are the only person who could understand that riddle. Why won't you tell us?"
I could feel Rilena tensing. I could tell that she was angry, but the calmness in her voice was strangely unsettling.
"Then I'll tell you something that I know. Find the black key. The black key will answer your questions."
My hand reached for the cold metal key in my pocket, fingering it instinctively.
Keep it for me, you'll understand in time.
His words inside my mind echoed, and I pulled my hand back. I stared at the two beings standing with me inside this warm tent.
For a moment I had the courage, and I opened my mouth to speak.
(Next: Chapter 10: Visions)
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| | Subject: Re: Reflection Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:45 pm | |
| Chapter 10: Visions - Spoiler:
It was a simple question, really. A single sentence containing my curiousity?
"What vision?"
Rilena turned her head to look at me, and for once I could say that she regarded me seriously. Rilena's eyes bore through me, but I had no intention to relent.
"Tell me, what vision are you talking about?"
I had enough of your small talk Rilena, now tell me something for once!
Something close to a frown entered her face, and I was surprised. That was as much emotion as I had ever seen her wear. However, my surprise was short lived as a flurry of images entered my head like a swirling whirlpool.
I heard someone speak inside my own mind. The words were familiar.
At the birth of the flower, shield and sword, shall darkness begin to reign.
Once again, I saw the dark gloomy mountain from before. Two armies mustered upon its feet. As it finished forming the ranks, a shout was cried and the battle was joined. The sounds of battle raged in my ears as if I was there myself. I could hear the blood-curdling screams of slaughter and death, their shouts and yells filling my ears.
I was standing by a nearby cliff. A good place to watch death in action. I felt sick with so much death, a bitter taste formed in my throat. I averted my gaze from the battle and I saw a woman guarded by soldiers fleeing the battle on horseback. She was carrying two bundles, one on each arm, wrapped with a clean white cloth. She was whispering something to the two bundles which squirmed every now and then, and I realized that they were babies. To my horror, I wondered what sick fate could have brought such young souls to this place.
I suddenly heard a woman's voice speak. I don't know how I knew, but I knew that it was the fleeing woman's voice. She only said a few words.
"I'm sorry, my children. I'm really, really sorry..."
The image before my eyes faded, and I suddenly felt like I was floating. When the haze lifted, I was floating above the mountain peak. Above it's dark and gloomy cone, I saw a large boulder encircled by smaller stones of the like make. The stones were interlaced together with lines made of pebbles, forming a huge eight pointed star showig the way towards the eight directions; North, South, East and West. The huge boulder was the rose in the compass.
Above, or rather, behind me was the sky. I saw a large gaping hole, as if the sky was ripped open by an unseen force. I could compare it to the large ball of nothiness that Chaselier used--the ones I call the distortion, and yet this hole was terribly alike and yet unlike it. It was black and empty, yet I felt a terrible presence just lurking beyond. I suddenly felt a shift in the scene, and I looked back down.
There were six people standing by the stone markers, save for the North and Southern arms which were left alone. They wore hooded robes which covered their bodies, and I cannot discern which were male and which were female. Each one wore a differently colored robe; red, blue, green and brown. The two at the Eastern and Western arm wore black and white.
The robed people were chanting. I could hear their trance-like voice echoing through the air. A cry of rage emanated from behind me. From within the hole, I saw two large yellow eyes gazing upon us. I felt its presence observe the tableu below me then reach out with its long black arm. Then, its arm suddenly met an invisible barrier of energy which sizzled with frenzied fury. The creature from beyond cried with utter rage as it vented its anger on the barrier holding him back.
The one wearing white suddenly threw back its hood and approached the large central boulder.. She was a young girl, but I cannot discern her face, as if it was clouded by a misty haze. She drew a long, black dagger from within her robes and touched the boulder. The large stone began to glow. She then struck the stone with her dagger with all her might.
The stone emitted a ray of light which engulfed struck the one wearing green robes and quickly engulfed it with its white light. I suddenly heard something shatter and I watched to my horror as the beast behind me reach out for them...
The girl in white robes looked above and closed her eyes, as if in preparation...
Erer!
I heard a keening shout from below as a man wearing a brown cloak rushed up towards them. Then, the Southern marker shone with a silver light which quickly devoured itself in its brilliance. When the light faded, the stone was replaced with a large silver broadsword about a feet in width and five feet in length. It's triangular blade covered the shearing guard and ended in a point at its tip. It was stuck upright on the ground and the man stopped to draw it.
The black arm continued approaching towards the girl in white as the man jumped an insane distance that cannot be called human...
Then a haze descended and I felt like someone cheated at the movies. My feeling was averted when the haze lifted when I saw the flower garden once again.
"With this, I entrust you my life..."
I saw the girl, and I was sure that it was the one in white. She gave the black key to the man wearing brown robes, except now it wasn't a robe...but a cloak....
"With this, I give you my soul..."
The man gave the girl a pendant. The pendant looked like a brown hourglass, and for some odd reason, I thought it was familiar.
The haze descended again, and I heard the voice speak once more.
And the flower shall die, and the shield will be broken, and its petals shall turn to dust. The sword will shine with a radiant shine, reflecting a light never-found.
I saw the man with brown cloak carry the lifeless body of the girl down the mountain. Someone was walking behind him.
It was a girl wearing green robes. She had long brown hair and green eyes...
Chaselier?
Is that her?
My attention was forcibly averted as the image turned towards the sky. The sky was clear.
I looked back down, and I saw the man in brown gently laid down the lifeless girl on the grass and raise his silver sword towards the heavens then gave a great shout.
Then the image faded, and I saw the staring face of Rilena whose eyes contained something that I could only call surprise.
In a clear monotone voice she asked me in plain English.
"How...how did you do that?"
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