Quick A/N: I have had this idea for a while, and I decided to try it out.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Teen Titans or any other DC character. Plus, weapon ideas come from The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan. And I did not come up with the words for the titles.
Enjoy!
. . .
Chapter One: To Every Thing There is a Season
Wrapped in a cocoon of warmth, smothered by the thick, black smoke plaguing the air, she laid, helpless, as the world pressed in around her. Ash rained down from the sky, the water from the lively stream nearby turning into boiling steam that would make her skin melt on contact.
Trapped by the flaming chunks of buildings around her, she had fallen, her legs caught under a heavy tree limb, which had descended down on her out of nowhere.
As her eyes flickered about her erratically, she failed to notice the bright glow of the approaching inferno. The heat did not seem to increase to her already abused nerves; the fire's blaze had already scorched her pale skin.
The flames began to lick at her, lighting her clothing and singing her hair. With a wordless scream, crying in agony-
She woke up screaming, her skin shiny with sweat and her face flushed, damp, and salty. In the night she had rolled over and had almost crushed the small pouch strapped to her side. She opened it, clutching its precious contents to her chest.
She calmed down slowly, her breaths easing into a steady pace. Looking at the woods around her, she scanned the area, wary of strangers. Once she was satisfied with her scouting, she turned her attention to her supplies.
Before resting, she had packed up all of her belongings except for her sleek knife, which always stayed with her. Unlike a normal, cutting knife, her blade was expertly crafted, made of sturdy and lightweight metal with a silver-blue tint, which was mined from the Lntrgwar* caverns. It had been smithed into a graceful curve, with its hilt composed of smooth, strong leather. The shape of the blade was strange but just right for its purpose. Both simple and made with finesse, it made a wonderful throwing weapon, specially crafted for weight, speed, and balance. From spending years training with these weapons in secret, she could even use them in hand to hand combat, able to effectively block swords with them.
Along with this knife, she had a second knife, slightly different in structure and build, but of mostly the same design. Its uses were mostly the same, but each knife had unique properties.
Additionally, she carried a recurve bow in her backpack, its shape giving her extra power to make up for her lack of expertise. She rarely used the bow, but had learned to in case of emergency.
Checking her provisions, she figured she would have at the most a day's worth of food left. After that, she would be forced to forage for sustenance among the forest plants. Luckily, she still had plenty of water left, in the sturdy flask resting on her hip, opposite of the double scabbard holding her knives, which was just below the special pouch she wore. For a moment, she considered rationing herself further. Eventually, she decided that it wouldn't be worth it, as it wouldn't give her enough energy to continue far.
She knew she would have to move camp immediately. Although she was pretty sure no one had heard her, she could never be 100% sure that she was still safe there. Even so, she was reluctant to leave that spot, because it seemed so safe and hidden.
Slinging her backpack over her shoulders and closing up her pouch, she made sure to erase as many traces as she could of her presence there. During the night, she had done her best to light as small a fire as possible, which would leave traces of ash and smoke, and touch as little as possible. Now she swept a blanket of dry leaves over the remaining charred wood, the embers long having burnt out, and smoothed the dirt that she had disturbed in the night. Doing her best to leave few footprints, she began to head out of the tiny clearing.
Suddenly, a branch CRACK!ed behind her. Whirling around, her hands instinctively drew her knives. Standing still, she scanned the tree line on the far side of the small open area.
There! A streak of movement. Well, rather, not the person- or thing- itself, but what it moved, like the tree's branch swaying so slightly, or the slightest twitch of the bush's leaves.
And a voice. "Come out. I know you're there." Definitely a male. From what she could tell, it was probably someone roughly her age.
She held her breath, not moving save for her eyes, flicking her gaze back and forth to look out for the attacker. If she moved even the slightest bit, it would surely give away her position.
"I don't want to have to hurt you, you know," the attacker attempted to reassure her. The voice sounded nearer, but she could always be imagining it.
In her head, she snorted with doubt. Yeah, right. You'll hurt me.
Then, a sharp, cold sensation blossomed on her neck. Without turning her head, she asked in a level voice, "You think that you've got me, don't you?"
As quick as a predator lunging at its prey, she struck backward and hit them with the hilt of one of her knives. As the cold withdrew from her neck and her attacker doubled over in pain, she sprang away, moving as quickly and quietly as she could go.
"That'll show him to mess with me," she muttered inaudibly as she glided through the shadows of the forest.
However, she felt herself falter. Her movements became sluggish and her mind began to cloud over as it became increasingly harder and harder to breathe. Soon she was on her knees, gasping for breath. Her head swam, her vision blurred, and her heart pounded twice as fast. Groaning, she clutched her head.
Stupid, stupid, I should have known that-
Then he was standing in front of her, smirking, arms crossed over his chest.
"I don't think I've got you, I know I've got you," he gloated. Leaning closer, he stated, "You've been bitten by the deadly Xielk* snake. Only I have the antidote. I'll give it to you, but only if you come with me to our community and answer some questions for us." When she didn't answer, he continued, "Or I can leave you to die here in the forest. It's your choice." He began to walk away.
The only sound she could make was an (undignified) whimper of pleading and began to reach out with a shaky hand before she passed out on the cold, hard forest floor.
. . .
"TODAY IS THE DAY WHEN OUR MASTER TAKES HIS BRIDE!" A strong, tall man stood on the stage, high above the people so his shouts would carry over all of them. The crowd cheered in anticipation. The roar was broad and mighty, but a tinge of fear hovered at the edge of it.
"THE SPECIAL ONE CHOSEN IS-" He peered at a piece of paper before continuing- "LEWKKL* FROM THE AREA OF LMLELRG*!"
The aforementioned young woman gasped, and now realized why she had been specially noticed by the guards when she arrived at the ceremony. Urged on by the people closest to her, she slipped through the crowd and made the nervous ascent onto the stage. Her legs trembled and her knees threatened to give out as she came to stand in front of everyone, thousands of people watching the tiny speck that was her.
"NOW WELCOME OUR GREAT MASTER, TR-" A nearby servant rushed up and whispered in the man's ear to correct him. "I MEAN, OUR GREAT MASTER, SCATH!"
The applause was thunderous, louder than the cheers that had come earlier. But the fearful air atmosphere grew stronger, and a stranger watching the ceremony would think that the people did not adore their master at all.
Through the doorway at the back of the stage, a looming shadow slowly made its way to the center of the platform. Each step was slow and deliberate and seemed to shake the earth's foundations themselves. Finally, the figure entered into the light, and his appearance was made clear.
His hair was long, and a deep, dark color. His skin was toned and even, his muscles strong and bulky. He carried himself with an air of confidence, his expression not too far from being sinister. What he wore no one would remember, but the fire in his eyes they would. Anyone could tell that he was daringly handsome, yet doubly intimidating. The young woman felt herself nearly melting before him, overwhelmed both by his beauty and the fear that he caused.
"NOW IS THE TIME!" he boomed in a deep voice, his cold, ebony eyes flashing with dangerous light. "I HAVE WAITED LONG ENOUGH FOR THIS TIME." Even though he stopped shouting, his words resounded in the hearts of the crowd. His eyes commanded full attention as he towered over the young woman beside him.
"In the first season, we mourned the loss of those whose time has come! We grieved for those who left us during the previous year, yet came to accept their sacrifice for my Domain. We showed utmost respect to those who have given their lives for the sake of the greater.
"In the second season, we celebrated the harvest! Every village gave the firstfruits of their livestock and their produce, and we enjoyed to prosperity within my Domain. The toil during the previous seasons bore fruit as we collected in preparation for the time to come.
"In the third season, we enjoyed our lives and were merry! We made use of the harvest from the season before. We had no worries, no pressure to fulfill the responsibilities of each day. Each man worked for himself alone, and all cast away their sorrows in exchange for happiness.
"But now, we rejoice in the time of new beginnings! We know that everything will come anew, whether it be harvest, life, or-" He turned his gaze to the young woman, his eyes boring holes into her soul. "-love."
. . .
* These are names I made up using an original code called the K-B code. Can you guess how it works? (Hint: in English, it would be the Coral snake).
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you liked it. Do you have any suggestions or critiques?
Please review, flames are okay, and tell me what you think!
ITNOJ- SHB 😉
