I know I've been a little slow lately in my updating, but I do have exams coming and later I'll be dividing my time between co-writing and various projects. Still, it's all for the best, so enjoy what we have for you guys. :)
P.S: Thanks again to Victory and Perry - my Wolfpack who works with me side-by-side to make this a sucess. Good news too to TFH fans - you'll be seeing bits of me around somewhere in those words.
Chapter 2: A Purpose Illuminated
When she first rose to her status as the vessel of the Light, the chipette knew little of the burden that was bound to be shouldered upon her creamy-white pelt…nor was she aware that it would be her destiny to open herself to the gentle touch of the darkness.
But Maia had a duty to uphold – from the moment she took her first oath; she would first and foremost serve her order, to uphold the powers of the Light, and to never let her mentor down – a duty she could not even think of failing.
Now the chipette knelt before one of the greatest warriors ever known, whose power was second only to that of the Light, her heart racing like the wind. Her next assignment, Maia was told, would be one that would determine the fate of the universe and those who inhabited it.
"You summoned for me, S'sma Serenity?" she said, using an honorific of the Light. Even as she spoke, Maia kept her head bowed in respect.
"Yes," her mentor replied kindly. "You may rise." Maia smiled as she stood up and faced Serenity, all confidence beaming from her petite figure.
"Ten years ago, when you came to our order, I treated you as I would the daughter I never had," the blonde-furred being continued, "I have watched you grow into the finest warrior the Light has ever cast her blessings upon, and I know we made the right choice. The order is well aware of your beauty and kindness that graces us with your every touch, but you never fail to impress us with your thirst for knowledge. And for that, I am proud to have called you my student."
"Thank you, Serenity. But I feel I'm only worthy because I learned from the best. I swear by the order to live by the code and its colours," said Maia.
"Which is why I have no concern that you might fail us in your next assignment," Serenity clasped her paws together in a poise of relief. "But know this, young one. This task which you are about to undertake will not only determine the fate of the order of Light, but that of the entire universe which we must protect for the benefit of all."
Maia's golden-tinged paws were aglow with glee, yet they trembled with trepidation. "I am ready to accept this mission, my lady- ah, S'sma Serenity."
With bated breath she waited for Serenity's voice to ring firm and strong once more, like deliverance wrought from the hand of judgment itself.
"As you know, we once had a warrior within our midst. And since his exile from the order, we have not heard from him since. Now I have been led to believe that the chipmunk known as Soron Andrews is still alive and fighting for his own cause. Therefore, it is your mission to find Soron and bring him back with whatever method you may choose, but he must be kept alive.
"Soron Andrews must answer for the crimes he committed against all reasoning of the Light."
All feelings of hope within her immediately sizzled up like a blown-out bulb. While the creamy-white chipette remembered to keep her respect as she bowed her head, but deep down inside, Maia felt like screaming.
This didn't sound like an assignment anymore. Instead, the stinging blade of betrayal had stabbed her from the closest of sides like a hidden knife. How could she have been set up for this?
To play the role of a bounty hunter was perfectly acceptable for Maia, given her tracking abilities and senses as sharp as the first ray of sunlight.
But to find Soron Andrews, the fallen rogue who now wandered the face of the earth as a mere chipmunk? That egotistical, self-centered, know-it-all of a moron who answered only to himself and used his powers bestowed upon him by the Light for his own personal gain?
She thought she'd seen the last of him, but it would appear that fate had other plans for the creamy-white chipette. Now she wondered if it would be best to throw herself off the tallest tree or be fed to a vicious pack of snarling dogs.
"You seem troubled, Maia. Is something bothering you?" asked Serenity, although Maia could tell that her benign masquerade wasn't going to fool anyone, least of all her mentor.
"It's nothing, S'sma Serenity. But..." The creamy-white chipette heaved a sigh as she struggled to find the words. "How can we ask Soron to return to us and serve our order? After all the trouble he's caused us, he's likely to spit in our faces."
"Well, you know his nature as much as I do. But you can't blame him – he was given a great burden of his own at a very young age. Even now, Soron still resents us for having interfered in the cause of his destiny."
Every minute that passed within this conversation only fuelled the dissatisfaction that prickled her fur. And Maia finally felt that she could no longer keep her peace.
"He defied our orders not to use the blessing of the Light to satisfy his vengeance! He's cocky, he's arrogant, and he's one of the most selfish chipmunks I've ever met! And he even turned his back away from you!"
Her separate blue and green eyes crackled with defiance as she stared down her mentor, who had not said a word in her objections.
"Serenity, you were the one he trusted the most. And after you tended to him, look what he's done to this order!"
Maia's thoughts began rambling through her past; thoughts of the proud, yet powerful chipmunk who'd always remained a shadow in the crowd, mumbling to himself how he'd get his revenge. She couldn't take it, yet why would her mentor force her to such a mission?
Maia's breath caught when the other being suddenly growled lowly, her deep-violet eyes piercing into her own.
"Do you not think I know that, Maia?" Her mentor's voice filled with anger and sorrow, Maia silenced herself and backed away slightly, sensing as pools of misery welled up within Serenity's emotions.
"I thought, if I could spare him from death, he would become a pure vessel of the Light. I had fallen in love with him when he was younger, and I constantly watched over him from above, keeping him safe. And yet, he still contained that grudge for using his power for his own selfish desires."
"I know I had committed that grave mistake, Maia!" her mentor continued, "I knew it was wrong to have Soron become one of us!" Tears began flowing freely from her violet eyes, rolling down her blonde-furred cheeks.
"And yet, he was powerful, and respectful. He was the perfect warrior in the order; clever, yet cunning. I just… can't believe that he would actually betray us so…"
Serenity then knelt to the ground, and began sobbing silently; her tears shimmering with her sorrow and grief. Maia wrapped her arms around her mentor, comforting her; Serenity welcomed the embrace as more tears began to flow from her jewel-like eyes.
"I'm sorry, Serenity…" she whispered, feeling guilty for causing this mess."If it is Soron you want, then Soron you will get…"
A sobbing "Thank you…" was Serenity's reply.
"However, even if I do succeed in getting Soron, how will I get him to come with us?"
Serenity was silent for a moment; she then looked at her student with a solemn face, a weak smile crossing her lips.
"There's only one chipmunk he'll trust."
And Maia knew of course who they were referring to.
"Phelan…"
Growing up, she'd heard the tales of the mahogany-furred chipmunk whose reputation was as vast as the night skies above, whose ferocity and warrior's code of honor led him to victory in every battle; a prodigy whose talents knew no bounds.
Born of a wolf and a chipette, the former vessel of the Darkness spent his life living in the shadows of his captor's cruel tutelage, until he saw the strength within him to rebel against his cause and now he had found his own calling.
Phelan had a home. He had new friends and a family. And he would die fighting to protect them.
Or perhaps those were the words spewed from a forked tongue to sway the minds of the weak and gullible...
"So, I just have to look for this Phelan, and he can help me get to Soron?" she quietly asked.
"Yes. Soron considers Phelan as a brother, and would listen to him when times are trying." Serenity replied, a slight hint of venom in her voice when she mentioned Phelan's name.
"Lady Serenity, is there something wrong about Phelan?'
Serenity gave a quiet sigh as she looked at her student with grief etched on her serene face.
"You see, Maia, Phelan was the very reason for Soron's betrayal – and the reason why he became such a determined killer…"
Maia's eyes went wide. The former vessel of Darkness was Soron's reason to go rogue? If she hadn't seen any weirder senses of reasoning, this would be at the top of her list.
"But why would the jerk hold a grudge against his own brother?" she hissed.
Serenity silently sighed as she made an orb of pure light in her paw. She broke her embrace from Maia and showed her the orb, which began flashing memories of Soron's past. Maia gasped at what she saw.
A young Soron, stabbed in the chest by a mahogany chipmunk's tiny, serrated claws. With every rasping breath, the chipette could hear the wounded Soron whisper: "brother…" and "Phelan… why?" But the dark chipmunk only laughed- a maniacal, heartless sound- as he threw the chipmunk out of his tree and to the unforgiving ground below.
Maia then saw how Serenity herself came to save him. She took him by the hand, and pulled him to the safety of the order; where she tended to his wounds and tried to mend his broken heart.
Maia backed away from the orb, and shook her head to bring herself back to reality. She looked at the saddened face of her mentor, and she placed a paw on Serenity's; the chipette's mentor seemed to be in a state of lament, never lowering her paw even after the orb had disappeared.
"Forgive me, Serenity… I-I didn't know…"
Serenity nodded slowly in reply, and silence emanated the room as Maia slowly stood.
"Well, if I need to get Soron, how will I get to Phelan?" she asked, finally surrendering to the request.
Serenity followed suit and dusted herself as she regained her lost composure, turning to Maia with a serious face.
"The Sevilles have a close relationship to another group of chipmunks, the Millers, who live just a few steps away from the Sevilles household. They're a family of all girls who are looked after by their elderly female caretaker, so it's only reasonable that you try to blend in with the Millers. Use this to get as close to the boys, especially Phelan. He might give the slip on Soron if he sees what lies inside of you."
"Inside of- are you saying you want him to fall for me?" she nearly screamed, her arms thrashing around in panic. After what she had just seen the holder of Darkness do to young Soron, this was a near-unbelievable request.
"Phelan is our only way to approach Soron, Maia…" Serenity smirked weakly at her student, easily sensing the chipette's emotions of embarrassment and disbelief grow stronger, "Besides, I'm sure your natural charm is all you need to get under his fur."
"…You're torturing me, aren't you?"
"I'm sure you'll enjoy his company, my dear. He's better company than Soron, of that I am sure…"
Maia's face turned bright crimson at the thought of spending time with the former instrument of their enemy; he had nearly killed Soron, after all.
However, on the other hand…Phelan was a warrior: strong, and brave, the perfect protector for a female such as her. Maia could remember her first glance at Phelan, having to admit that the feral look of his fur made him look rather…'cute'; the way those sharp tufts of fur accented his cheeks, that heavy-set brow over those- 'oh, what am I thinking? It's my mission, not a blasted date!'
The cream-white chipette quickly cleared her mind of all those frighteningly alluring thoughts of the feral chipmunk. All that mattered right now was Soron coming back with her to the order. But…what if-?
"Maia? Are you alright?" Serenity asked, touching her student's shoulder to bring the chipette back into her senses.
"I-I'm sorry, S'sma…" she mumbled, looking down at her little feet, blushing more. "I-it's nothing…"
But the blonde-furred tutor wasn't buying it.
"Maia, I've trained you for ten years. You can stop trying to hide things from me, and tell me what's wrong…"
With a sigh of defeat, she looked up to her tutor with worried blue and green eyes.
"W-what if I'm not… pretty enough for him? What if he doesn't like me?" Her face began growing more and more depressed when Serenity suddenly embraced her in a warm, caring hug.
She kissed Maia's forehead, like a mother would her daughter, and she whispered something into her ear:
"If you look into even the deepest darkness long enough, you'll be able to see the light within its depths. And if you follow that light, it will lead you to its heart."
Hearing that brought Maia a strange wave of relief; but as much as it brought relief, it sparked a new sense of curiosity within her. Something was off with her mentor, and she could easily sense the commotion within her mind.
When they finally parted, Maia locked eyes with Serenity, pairs of blue-and-green and violet gems twinkling softly…and she asked a final, daring question:
"Is that why you still love Soron?"
Serenity's deep purple eyes were as wide as a chasm; she froze at the sound of Maia's question.
"W-what do you mean, Maia?" her mentor inquired, clearly confused.
"You know what I mean, S'sma Serenity…" Maia continued, a nervous smile creaking on her lips."What you and Soron did in your quarters seven years ago?"
Serenity's face deepened in color at Maia's mentioning. She sighed, and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, looking Maia dead in the eyes. She couldn't avoid it anymore; it was time to face her student with the truth…though it was the one memory that had haunted her gravely. But first:
"H-how did you k-know about…S-Soron and me?"
A victorious grin lit up Maia's face, and she was more than happy to tell her mentor...
I had just gotten back from training in the courtyard. Lady Serenity was nowhere to be found, and I curiously walked through the many corridors of the order to look for her. As I neared her quarters, a heard soft cries coming from Lady Serenity's room- of pain or whatever else, I did not know.
The strange sounds followed with the crashing of several objects; definite signs of a struggle. My mentor was in trouble! I ran to the door as quick as my paws could carry me, ready to try and bash the door if necessary.
"Lady Serenity! Lady Serenity! Are you okay?" I called, frightened. I looked around the hallway, hoping I could see someone who could help. But the entire hallway was empty, and my mentor might not have enough time. How did our enemies slip through the order's defenses?
I fiddled madly with the doorknob, and cautiously jumped back; the door, it wasn't locked…?
Slowly, I opened the door, and I noticed that the room was dark; the moaning was now clear as could be to my ears. I peered inside…and gasped at what I saw.
There, lying on her bed, was an unclothed Lady Serenity, her arms wrapped tightly around a chipmunk's body; both beings lay on my mentor's bed, kissing passionately.
I couldn't move, my jaw agape in disbelief.
It was then that the two lovers finally flipped positions…and I choked on a shriek when I saw that the chipmunk was none other than Soron himself. But, he didn't have his usual arrogant demeanor; his face showed more…gentleness and compassion…his eyes were warm and loving.
She began dominating him, kissing him deeply, and he was submissive to her actions. Everything she did, he complied without any resistance. The sight of my own mentor doing this…I couldn't take it anymore.
Fearing for the safety of my sanity, I quietly closed the door and ran to the balcony to recover my thoughts.
I don't believe it! Lady Serenity is breaking the laws of the order! Intimate relationships within these walls are completely forbidden! But why is she breaking the rules? Especially with that low-life Soron?
I can't just report this! Serenity will lose her post! I'm okay with Soron leaving, but I can't risk losing Serenity. In the end, I decided to keep this a secret from everyone. Though I'll never forget what had happened…
By the time Maia was finished, Serenity's face was lit up like a bright red Christmas bulb. She quietly swished her tail as she looked away from her student; completely filled to the core with embarrassment.
"I-I see…" she managed to mumble.
Maia broadened her smile and placed her paw on her troubled mentor's shoulder.
"Don't worry, my lady…" she said kindly, "I swear that I will never tell another of what had transpired. Besides, that was seven years ago! I'm sure the elders had already let it slip."
A small sigh escaped Serenity's mouth as she rolled her violet eyes. She slowly got up and fixed herself.
But Maia had different thoughts about that incident all those years ago.
The cream-white chipette had seen a different side of her mentor – a peaceful, happy side she had seen only when she had caught Serenity locked in Soron's deep embrace.
Or rather, it was the hazel-brown chipmunk who had kissed her so lovingly, and Serenity had given in to the pleasures of love forbidden by the order. Was that a howl Maia had heard resonating from her mentor? But for the first time in years, she actually, truly looked…happy.
How could Maia have the heart to reveal herself to them both?
"Now run along…" Serenity's quiet, slightly shaken voice jolted Maia back to the present. "I believe I've kept you waiting for far too long. And I trust you'll need some time to prepare yourself for this mission, won't you?"
The creamy-white chipette nodded. "It will be done, my S'sma."
"Then go forth, young one. May the Light watch over you."
As Serenity dismissed her student with a wave of her paw, Maia could already feel her soul tainted with the lurking shadows of the night that washed over the skies. This was a dangerous and pivotal mission, indeed.
Maia had never told anyone about her own past with Soron, having cleverly locked it away in the deepest corners of her heart where even the great and noble Serenity could not gain its access.
But how long could she uphold her code of purity before giving herself completely to the darkness?
To Be Continued...
Special thanks to both Victory and Perry once more for their OC Serenity (Yes, it's a double joint). As for Maia, say hello to yet another of my OCs - well, actually, it's just her and Phelan.
So, will both ladies get their 'munks? And what will become of Maia's future with Phelan? Do you suspect love is in the air?
Tune in next time, and until then, please don't forget to hit the bottom button below. Thanks! :)
~ Wind