**Hello readers! Welcome back to my story! :D for those of you who have read both the first and the second one... You are so amazing. In general, the fan fiction may have been a slow start, but I'm glad to say I've made it this far. I have never finished a good story, let alone published it online. I hope that you will all enjoy the third one just as much, if not more than the first and second.
I am very excited.
Enjoy Chapter 1! :)**
Chapter 1: The Dragon's Jaw
Hiro was sitting around in a dark and dingy cell.
The floors were damp, and covered with this mud like slime. The whole place smelled like a twice digested sewer. All of her clothes and armor were taken, and replaced with rags by big burly men who insisted on stripping her in front of the other prisoners. She had done a number on them for that before she was restrained and put into solitary confinement.
Her legs were bound to the floor by chains, and her hands were all slimy and sticky from the residue on the ground.
She grimaced.
"I just really hope that's not what I think it is..."
An older sounding man gave a heavy sigh.
"It's best not to wonder... Get thinking about such things too much, and you'll surely go mad."
Hiro stopped. This man didn't sound like the hardened criminals she had encountered on the upper floors. He seemed to have been aged by this place.
Physical spirit beings can age in a sense. Some prefer that look, and to some it is a symbol of celibacy, but that's more rare...
Then there are those who are aged by misery and suffering. It forces a wisdom that shows on your features.
Hiro couldn't see anything... It was so dark, and her eyes hadn't adjusted to the pitch black.
"I guess so..." She said.
"Why is it so dark? I can't see a thing..."
The man sighed. "They do it to keep us in a state of fear, and it makes it harder to escape. I could have been able too... It's too bad they have already killed me. Night vision was one of the many spells that would have aided me in my escape."
Hiro blinked.
"You're a spirit then? Where are you?"
"I'm not actually here... I'm protecting you from the other spirits."
She froze.
"Other spirits?"
"Why is it do you think, that you have been unplagued by most medium troubles for so long?" He asked.
"I have been watching over you for quite some time Hiro, and it is most inopportune that we should meet here."
"Why here?" Hiro asked.
"Why now, after all this time."
He sighed sadly.
"I have had my hands full... Warding off assailant spirits isn't a job for the faint of heart. The fact that I am making time to talk to you now, may not actually be so good for you. I'm afraid I can no longer protect you from the whisperings of other spirits, there are other dangers that are far more great in your path. Worse than the spirits... You will have to determine who to trust on your own now... I will instead put every effort into steering you away from this danger."
"What danger?" Hiro asked. "And who are you?"
"This danger is eventually inevitable, depending on how your family and friends fair in the trials ahead. I will steer you from it as long as there is still hope to protect you. My name is Uwayaku-Kuhn. I am your father's father, and your grandfather. This place is called the Dragon's Jaw, from which there is no escape... Supposedly."
Hiro sighed.
"Dad mentioned you once... He never really knew you. Why is that?"
She felt a sorrow hanging in the air.
The figure of Uwayaku-Kuhn appeared before her. He looked like her dad, and had the same eye color they shared, but he looked a lot older.
"I, much like you, and my son Kaihn, am a Blood Syphoner. We had originally lived in Deadmarch, and Sora was my wife. She was the mother of my three sons, who were but mere infants upon my capture. I had told her to flee Deadmarch with our son's, and told her I would find her... I did lie. I do have my regrets on never being able to raise them, but I do not regret protecting them... It is unfortunate that Kaihn was swallowed and sealed by his poltergeist... I do wish that I could have given him the training to ward off such things. All blood syphoner's have somewhat mediumistic traits. The level of yours does concern me... Without training, you will be swallowed by a most horrendous poltergeist. Some are more fortunate, and never encounter such a problem, developing their abilities normally. You are not so fortunate."
Hiro laughed bitterly.
"Clearly not! Look where I am... You said something about a poltergeist?"
He sighed with annoyance. "You are your father's daughter. Were you even listening child? I said it will swallow you."
She scoffed. "I know that! I was about to ask what happens when you get swallowed."
"Then don't be vague." He said sternly.
"Speak what you mean, and don't play the daft one."
"Geeze... Well aren't you harsh." She said coldly.
She softened. "Thank you for protecting me. Sorry about that... Um, so what does happen when you get swallowed? Are you still alive? For how long?"
He smiled.
"Those are good questions."
His face fell, and his expression became darkened.
"Yes, you are swallowed by a poltergeist who entraps you in your body and mind... You are fully aware of your actions and deeds. The poltergeist also feeds off of the torture of it's victims, and of it's inner host. The Kaihn you know is a manifested demon of resent and festered hatred... The real Kaihn, my son, is being held captive by the poltergeist."
Hiro went pale.
"That's horrible... Why would... That's just awful."
His expression was painfully sorrowful.
"It is... My son has also been protecting you, by swaying the demon to leave you generally unharmed, and likening you to him. He is the one who also keeps the demon searching, at times blindly, for your location... He has suffered for this greatly."
Hiro teared up.
"So... The real Kaihn is taking so many blows for me."
She looked at him.
"Even you have been protecting me... And here I thought I had it so bad."
She burst into tears.
"I was always complaining! I was always looking for trouble, and being just... Just stupid! I didn't know! I swear I didn't know! I'm sorry!"
She felt a warmth as the spirit wrapped it's arms around her.
"You could not have known... I wouldn't have wanted you to. Children often make mistakes, if they did not, they would learn nothing. Kuhn, and no one else, is innocent of such mistakes. I will not lie, it isn't wise, and often stupid. You are smart, you are just not wise."
"I don't feel smart." She sniffed.
"But that sounds reasonable. How do I get wise? I'm sick of messing up!"
He laughed loudly.
"That IS how you get wise! You are much like your father..."
He looked at Hiro.
"You say that you didn't know then what you know now. That is some wisdom... Now that you have gained that much, take it in, and stop complaining. A positive outlook can hinder most turmoil."
She looked down.
"Damn... You really are wise."
His eye twitched.
"You will refrain from such language, as it is unbecoming of a maiden."
She gave a look of protest.
"That wasn't that bad! And... Well, it's kind of a bad habit."
He looked at her sternly.
"I will be your guardian on the blood roads, until then, and after. I say you will refrain from such language. You will do so. Bad habits form when the proper discipline is not invoked, I will help you, and you will thank me later."
She looked down stubbornly.
"Well, thanks and all, but you can't boss me around."
"Yes I can, and I will." He said, just as, if not more stubborn.
"You cannot simply be allowed to run a mock with no guidance. No parental figures or such keeping you in line. Did you think that when you left, I would leave you to do as you please? You are but thirteen, and a lady."
"AND a lady!?" She exclaimed.
"Just because I'm a lady, doesn't mean I'm some damn delicate flow-!"
She felt a small zap on her hand.
She grabbed her hand.
"Ow! That fucking sm-!"
Larger zap.
"Ow! Okay that shit-"
Another larger zap.
"That HURTS!"
She exclaimed.
"You're such a..."
She stopped, and gritted her teeth.
"A very mean person who zaps people... Not nice."
"I am your guardian, not your friend." He said firmly.
"And that worked, didn't it."
She glared at the ground bitterly.
"Yes. It did."
"Also, your conduct with that boy is deplorable." He commented.
She sighed.
"Please don't. Are we really going there?"
His gaze remained firm.
"I understand that you don't understand. If that boy cherishes you, he will cherish you under rules as well. At this age, he should be polite, and in fact, insist on restraint. Courting comes at an older age than this. He has shown some fair qualities of this, but your conduct is unacceptable."
She looked down, her face red from embarrassment.
That last comment stung a little.
"You know? I'm going to try and be as honest as I can with that. Usually I blow up, or get mad. That never works out well, and with you? I could see it going worse. I just... Well, a few things. I don't want to just back track, and I guess I see your point... Kind of. That kind of hurt..."
He sighed.
"My intention was not to hurt you... Thank you for being honest. Perhaps I should be a little more gentle, but that changes no rules. Boundaries are only put there to protect you, not to hinder you. He will probably understand more than you'd think. If someone is not willing to cherish you under all circumstances, then they are not worthy."
She looked up thoughtfully... She'd never thought of it that way.
"So, what ARE your rules...?" She asked.
He nodded.
"Yes. First and foremost, the extensive kissing and formication ends."
She went red.
"You don't have to put it that way! Damn, your so... Wait, I-!"
He zapped her again.
She scoffed. "It was an accident, but whatever."
"There will be less accidents this way." He said.
She glared at him... Then she sighed.
"And I thought my dad was strict..."
He laughed. "Well, not really... At all, actually."
She smirked. "I don't know about that. Maybe your just over the top..."
He shook his head.
"Perhaps... But I doubt it. I will continue now. Second. Holding hands, and casual hugs are acceptable. Receiving comfort is acceptable. This constant cuddling and holding you two do... Not acceptable."
She looked away irritably.
"Fine." She said flatly.
He gave an annoyed sigh.
"And do show some respect for your elders... I will forgive it this time, but when you answer me, please respond with, 'Yes Ojiisan.' Or 'Yes sir.' Your choice."
"Yes sir." She said.
He nodded. "Fair enough."
She looked around the cell, and her eyes had slightly adjusted. She was aware of her surroundings again, and shivered.
"This place feels off, just bad vibes all around."
He sighed. "That is a psychic feeling of distress, when harmful or tortured spirits are bound to a place. I can help you with deciphering this for now, but you must pay attention. There is a small shiv to your left, and a rigid wire near the back of the room."
Both of the things glowed blue momentarily.
She shuffled over, and picked both of them up.
She nodded. "Thanks, this will be more than enough."
He blinked in surprise. "Really? The lock's are not simple ones, and-"
She had finished before he finished the sentence.
"Done." She said.
He stopped.
"So you are... I apologize, I have not watched your actions often, as it was a challenge to ward spirits off. I saw some things... My, what trouble you must have caused my son! He has had his work cut out for him it seems..."
She smiled sadly. "You have no idea..."
She stood, and felt a horrible twist in her leg.
She let out a scream. "Dam- just, ow! Sorry... Really trying!"
She fell to the ground, and grabbed her leg.
"It felt bad, but I didn't think it was broken!... Until I walked on it. Why is it always broken bones with me?"
He examined the leg.
"That is broken... Well, I cannot train you in most techniques, because I am not a living blood syphoner... I can however, show you some things. You are a Syphoner that can use blood to give yourself physical strength. This can also be used to restore injuries that are not severed. For now you must walk on it, but if you can manage drawing even a small amount of blood from a watchman, use his power to heal yourself. They haven't sealed your blood magic as they did mine, because they are not aware of it. Use this to your advantage."
She cringed. "I... Okay. I just really don't like the idea..."
"Do not be afraid." He said.
"It is a useful ability, and your birthright."
She sighed. "Alright then... How do I use it though?"
"Focus the power on your injury. Then, instead of converting immediately to strength, it will mend your wounds."
She nodded. "Right, thank you."
She stood, and grabbed the wall next to the gate as pain pulsed through her leg.
"I have a high pain tolerance." She said between gritted teeth.
"But this hurts."
"I know." He said. "But you must escape today. This danger is nearing, and you must accomplish your task and leave to the blood roads as soon as possible. Bring the ill woman with you if you must"
Her breathing became shaky as she felt the bones in her leg, digging into her flesh.
She let out a painful whimper, and edged toward the gate.
She picked each lock in quick succession, and the gate slowly opened.
She managed to sneak past some guards.
"Hiro...?" Eiji whispered.
"Is that you!?"
She nodded.
"Yeah..." She said.
"I'm out... Let me get you out too. Where's Em?"
He sighed. "I think she's in a lower cell... They bound my magic with this odd seal. It feels like fire... It's this metal... Thing. It's like they sewed it into me or something."
Uwayaku-Kuhn sighed.
"So they have sealed his magic with a hard-silver seal... That may be difficult to remove."
Eiji jumped.
"Who's there!? Who was just speaking!?"
Hiro sighed. "It's... Actually my grandfather's spirit. He helped me escape."
She looked at Uwayaku-Kuhn.
"Yeah... Eiji can hear spirits, but he can't see them."
He nodded. "This will make communication easier, if anything..."
Hiro picked the lock on Eiji's cell, and he was able to walk out from there.
He had been more cooperative, so his limbs were unharmed.
"Which direction are we going?" Hiro asked.
Eiji pointed ahead.
"We walk straight, and turn right down some stairs... Then I don't know."
Hiro sighed. "Alright... Let's go."
She cringed as they began to move, Eiji noticed that she was limping.
"Are you okay? Hiro, what's wrong with your leg?"
"It's broken." She said.
"But we have to keep going... Uwayaku-Kuhn said that there's something dangerous coming. After we heal Freya, we have to leave."
Uwayaku-Kuhn gave Hiro a stern look.
"You will refer to me as Ojiisan, or your grandfather... You do not call your father by his first name, I would hope."
She sighed.
"Alright, grandfather then."
Eiji looked worried.
"What's this danger?"
There were guards turning the corner.
Eiji grabbed Hiro, and carried her to the corner of the stairwell entry, where there were shadows.
They stopped.
"What was that!?" One exclaimed.
"I don't know." Said another.
"I think I heard it run toward the stairs!"
They ran toward them, and looked straight at them.
"The prisoners have-!"
They stopped.
Uwayaku-Kuhn was hovering above them, doing some kind glamour on them.
"What are we doing here?" Asked one.
"I don't know..." Said the other.
"Man... This place sure does wig you out sometimes..."
They walked away in the opposite direction.
They both let out a sigh of relief.
"That was too close..." Hiro whispered.
"Yeah..." Eiji agreed.
"Let's save the questions for later... I'm going to carry you, is that okay?"
She nodded.
They moved quietly down the stairs, and roamed silently through the halls.
They heard Emi in the distance, and other voices as well.
"Oh jump! Just get! Away with all a ya! I said no."
"Please..." They echoed.
"Do it! Free me!" Some said.
"I'll make you..." Other's said.
The others were screams and cries for help.
"Fuck off!" She yelled.
"Ya can't make me do shit! What? I said jump! Get! Scram! Fuck all mighty! Do I hafta spell it out for ya!?"
Uwayaku-Kuhn gave a defeated sigh.
"What is wrong with the youth these days? Oh well, it seems your friend is also a medium."
Hiro nodded. "Looks like it, and she's getting mauled..."
They walked over to her cell.
She jumped.
"What the!? How in'th flyin' fuck did ya get out!? And who's this old geezer?"
"Watch your tongue!" He yelled.
"I am Uwayaku-Kuhn, Hiro's grandfather. I'm helping her escape, but that doesn't necessarily extend to you young lady... You may want to rethink your language around me."
"Geeze gramps..." She mumbled.
"Yer just the cheekiest old guy on the block, aintch'ya? Fine then... I'll stop my cursin' dammit."
He gave a heavy sigh.
"If that's the best you can do..."
Hiro picked her lock, but found it considerably harder than the others.
"Oh wow... They really wanted to keep you in, huh?"
She nodded. "Yeah... The fuckers... Fuck, sorry. Dammit, can I start over?"
He gave her a flat look.
"Yes. You may."
"Um... Well... The damn watcher's busted both've my legs. Chained my arms and busted legs they did. I think my arm's fucked up... I mean, busted too. I dunno if I can move, but I'll try... Damn flush's."
Hiro sighed.
"Put me down, and carry Emi." She said.
"She needs it more than I do."
Eiji nodded, and gently set her down.
"Be careful, okay?"
She stifled a cringe as she nodded.
"Alright, I will." She said.
Eiji knew she was in pain, and desperately wanted to tell her to stop moving.
Hiro limped over to Emi, and picked the locks on her chains with ease."
"Damn..." She said with awe.
"Yer pretty good at that... Ya got some silver hands with a pick."
She shrugged. "Basic patterns and puzzles... I've always been good at it."
She grinned. "Heh, no street smarts? That's a damn tall one yer tellin'..."
Hiro shook her head.
"Really, that's the best I know."
She gestured for Eiji to come over.
He walked over, and lifted her up.
She stifled a painful scream.
"For fuck sake!" She whispered.
"I mean... Be careful with me, ya know I bruise easy!"
Eiji shook his head.
"I think bruises are the least of your problems..."
She sighed when she felt the metal seal on his arm press against her shoulder.
"What did I tell ya 'bout castin' Eiji? Shit... That's gonna hurt like hell to get out... It hurt now, don't it?"
He nodded. "It does. It's bearable though, apparently we need to heal Freya, and get out of Deadmarch."
Emi froze.
"What's gonna happen to Deadmarch?"
Eiji sighed. "I don't know, and right now there's no time. We need to leave."
She was silent for a while as they walked back up the stairs.
She sniffed.
"I just wanted to make it better..." She said softly.
"I know the watch's always been kinda crazy, but I..."
She stayed silent, hoping no one would notice the tears streaming down her face.
"It has changed a lot." Said Uwayaku-Kuhn.
"I will help sway the citizens in evacuation, if that is what you choose to do."
Emi stopped.
"Y...You'd do that? Did ya used to live here old guy? Then... Then ya know what I'm sayin'! Things hafta change!"
"I know, but keep your voice down!" He exclaimed.
"Were I not here, someone would have heard you."
"Sorry..." She whispered.
"I'm kinda loud sometimes..."
"Sometimes...?" Hiro and Eiji whispered in sync.
She smirked. "Well, all the time, but ya ain't judgin' me are ya?"
Hiro gave a tired sigh.
"No... I'm not."
They approached the watch door.
"STOP!" Emi whispered loudly.
"that's the barracks! You'll get seen for sure! They'll string ya up then, and trust me, ya don't wanna go out that way."
They both gulped.
"There's a passage to the left that should free you from the watchmen's eye." Said Uwayaku-Kuhn.
"However, it may be dangerous in it's it's own right. It is your decision..."
Emi nodded.
"Let's take that path."
Eiji tensed, and shook his head.
"That's a bad idea."
She scoffed. "Ya got any better ones?"
He gestured toward the door.
"With the vibe I'm getting? I'd rather take my chances with Uwayaku-Kuhn's abilities and the watch."
Emi shook her head.
"Now that's a bad idea... Sure, we might get out. If we get seen, we're dead... At least in that shortcut we got a chance."
Eiji sighed. "Fine, we'll take the left passage."
They all walked toward the passage...
It seems Eiji had picked up on his mother's intuition.