Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Past 35 A.D
Running, it was always exhilarating. To feel the wind wiping past you, and through your hair. The feel of your feet beating against the ground, your heart beating wildly in your chest. If you had a beating heart that is.
Running, was something Aria was far to use to. She didn't run from her enemies no, she just liked to run. However, at the current moment, she was indeed running from her enemies. She could hear them behind her, there were six of them and they were closing in on her fast. Jumping over a fallen tree, Aria risked the chance to look behind her.
A fatal mistake as her foot got caught on a stray rock, she grunted as her face met the dirt. The sounds of running feet stopped and Aria rolled over in time to miss the sword that was aimed for the back of her head. Kicking her legs out, Aria's foot connected with the knee of the demon standing over her. The satisfying crack was heard as the demon's knee cap was shattered.
Aria flipped onto her flip and winced as claws were racked across her back. Spinning on her feet, she kicked the demon away from her. Grabbing the sword stuck in the ground, Aria cut the next demon in half. She danced around the claws and fangs that were coming at her, the burn of fangs hit her as a spider demon sunk his fangs in her shoulder. With a yell, she cut his head off.
The remaining demon looked up at her as he clutched his broken knee. "Just get it over with wench."
Aria looked down at him as her vision swam. The spider bite contained poison and it was already affecting her. "You attacked that village. That village was under protection!"
"So, what? They are just stupid humans, nothing but food for us demons. They deserved what they got!"
The demons head hit the ground a moment later and rolled away from its body. "And you deserved that too."
Stumbling away, Aria braced herself against a nearby tree. The wound on her back was deep, her blood was running down the back of her legs and onto the forest floor. Placing her hand over the spider bite on her shoulder, Aria started walking in the direction of her Aunt's house. She wasn't that far from it, maybe about 4 Kilometers, if she could only make it that far.
Her labored breathing is the only thing that could be heard in the dark forest around her She knew that if any other demons were nearby, they could smell her blood. It was only a matter of time before one came to pick her off. She kept a tight grip on the stolen sword in her hands, her eyes focused directly in front of her.
Almost there.
As her vision blackened and swam, Aria fell against the nearest tree. She was so close, yet she didn't have the strength to continue. The poison, it was making it impossible for her to move. Looking up at the canopy of trees, Aria sighed. Barely over a hundred and now she was going to die, all because she couldn't keep her nose out of another people business.
Her eyelids drooped closed and the sword fell from her hands, she lost consciousness a moment later.
The sound of a crackling fire touched her sensitive ears as she woke up. The fact that she was alive confused her, the smell of herbs surrounded her. The animal skin she was laying on was soft against her face and naked torso. Whoever saved her was dressing her wounds. A hiss escaped as whatever healing ointment that was being used was applied to one of the cuts on her back.
" If it hurts than maybe you shouldn't be getting into fights. "
Aria opened her eyes and did her best to look behind her. Her aunts solemn face greeted her.
"Sorry Aunt Maki. I couldn't help it though, they attacked a human village. One that was under protection, I couldn't just ignore it and not do anything." Aria said lifting some so her Aunt could wrap the bandages around her torso.
"You're lucky that I was out picking herbs, I smelt your blood and arrived just in time to save you from being a demon's dinner." Maki chided, as she tucked the bandages into place.
With some effort and her Aunt's help, Aria sat up and turned around to face her aunt. "I'll do better next time."
"Next time!"
Aria blinked at her aunt. She didn't understand the look at bewilderment and slight anger on her aunt's face. "If it happens again, I'll be more cautious and not pick unnecessary fights." Aria promised. Her aunt studied her face for a second before gathering her herbs and standing up to put them away.
"They were different this time Auntie, the chased me. Not because I ruined their meals, but because their leader told them to." Maki looked over her shoulder at Aria, the girls face was shadowed as she looked down at her hands. "I didn't see him, just his eyes and fangs. He commanded them to follow me."
...
Aria could hear the screams before she smelt the smoke and saw the flames. Sliding to a halt at the top of a cliff, Aria looked down in horror. The entire village was in flames, she could see humans running for their lives as demon chased them down.
She watched as a mother was ripped in two in front of her children, a growl tore from her throat and she jumped off the cliff a second later. She landed smoothly in-between the children and the demon, thrusting her hand out she smiled as it pierced the demon's chest cavity. The demon's eyes widened as Aria ripped its heart from its chest.
The demon fell dead at her feet, alerting the others around her that their comrade was hurt killed. Looking over her shoulder, she looked at the frightened kids. A boy and girl,
"Run! Now, and don't look back."
The eldest boy must have understood her and grabbed his younger sisters hand pulling away. Aria waited till they were out of sight, before looking back at the demons around her. There were more of them than she thought, twelve in total. Wait, no. There were thirteen of them.
The thirteenth one was hiding in the back, in the shadows. Aria could make out violet purple eyes and large fangs as whoever it was smiled at her. Her attention was snapped back to the demons around her as they shuffled closer to her. Quickly she glanced around to see what weapons were near her, a half-broken sword and a bow and some arrows were a foot from her.
Smiling at the demons surrounding her, Aria moved and slide to grab the bow and arrows. Notching one, she spun around and released just in time to sink an arrow into the first demon that jumped after her. She shot two more down, but jumped backwards as the fourth swung his axe at her.
Aria gathered her energy into her palm and shot an energy blast to knock the demon away and into a nearby building. She missed the fifth demon as he came at her, a fist crashed into her face and Aria spiraled backwards, sliding against the ground. Stupidly, she lost the bow because her clumsy fingers dropped it.
Rolling away stood up, only to duck. Her head nearly rolling as the big brute narrowly missed her head. Aria ran towards the demon and jumped, landing on the demon's shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his head fell backwards and twisted her body as she went. The snap of the demon's neck was heard as she flung him over her body and into the remaining demons. Smirking Aria looked behind her, she caught sight of the leader moving forward. Without a second thought she took off towards the forest.
"After her!'"
Aria heard the command but didn't look behind her as she heard the other demons yell and give chase.
Time for some Cat and Mouse.
...
Aria shook her head to clear the memory. That wasn't your usual run-of-the-mill attack on that village, every demon that came near it could feel the protection spells that surrounded the village. Yet, they attacked it anyway and the same time she came near it like he always does. It's like they were waiting for her.
Scoffing Aria laid back down on her stomach, she was being stupid and reading too much into things.
Maki watched her niece fall asleep from the reflection of her mirror. Once Aria's even breathing reached her ears, Maki collected her cloak and left the house. She placed an enchantment over her home, so no demons could get inside, sighing Maki turned and walked into the dark forest.
She didn't have to walk very far before she smelt him. His scent could be smelt all over the darn place. Ironically, the spot she found him was on top of a nearby hill that overlooked the forest. She looked down and noticed that her house could be seen from all the way up here
Looking over at the man Maki bowed her head. "My lord."
"I'm not your lord anymore Maki." The man's deep voice was smooth and encased her being. "Let us not stand on formalities."
Straightened up Maki let the glare she was hiding come to light. "Did you seriously have to do that? She could have been killed!" She didn't even try to hide the anger in her voice.
The man's violet eyes landed on her, but her anger did nothing but grow. "I just tested her, nothing more."
"Those demons were out for blood! I take it you didn't even tell them what their purpose even was for when you rounded them up for your little escapade." Maki crossed her arms as the man turned his attention back to her house. "What if she would have died!"
"I wouldn't let that happen."
Maki scoffed. She lied to Aria when she told her that she saved her, in truth it was this man. He is the one that brought Aria back to her, saved her from succumbing to her wounds.
"I don't know why you saved her in the first place. You attacked that innocent village, one that was under demon protection."
"A small price to pay, the girl needed to be tested. The village was nothing." The man growled.
"It meant something to Aria!" Maki yelled, as she stalked forward. "Aria loved that human village, she would go there once a week to play with the children, and help the elderly! Now thanks to your little ploy, they are all dead."
Maki tensed when angry violet eyes turned to connect with her own. Maybe she said to much, this man was her lord at one point. She knew that he wouldn't kill her, she hoped he wouldn't anyways. He entrusted her with his daughter, even though it was because her lady foretold it as so.
"My daughter needs to learn. She will learn how to defend herself, she will learn to fight. I'd she is destined to be a leader, she will need to be strong." The man said as he glared at the trembling wolf demon.
Maki nodded and bowed her head. "As you wish my lord." Turning away Maki paused. "She is still young though, let her grow and see what happens as time passes." She waited long enough to see his head once before she ventured back the way she came.
Aria was still asleep when she got back. Sitting down next to her, Maki tucked Aria's blonde hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek. She thought of her as a daughter, and she loved her as such even though Aria was not of her blood. When she was entrusted to watch over and protect Aria, she didn't even consider the fact that she would come to care for the girl so strongly. For the past 103 years Maki raised her, taught her, protected her.
Of course, she was mainly good at healing, but that was a lifesaving trade. Maki was considered a demon witch, she knew what humans dubbed what she did as spells and witchcraft. When it was just her heritage, her demon energy was unique, and she could use it in different forms of protection. She taught Aria how to do the same, although Aria had trouble with the enchantments, she took up the healing arts well.
A loving smile graced her lips when Aria snuggled into her touch, her body shifting slightly to get closer to the warmth Maki gave off.
"I will always protect you, my daughter."
Past 67 A.D.
Why was there so much blood?
It was everywhere. All over her body, soaking her clothes, staining her blonde hair red. Aria looked down at the body in her arms, dull yellow eyes blinked up at her.
"Please don't leave me, please don't leave me." Aria begged as tears flowed down her cheek, she could contain the sobs that wrecked her body.
"A... Aria."
"No! Save your strength, I can heal you." Aria sobbed as she moved to cover the gaping hole that was the woman's chest.
A hand caught hers. "No child, there is no saving me."
Aria sobbed harder. "You can't leave me, please aunt Maki...please don't leave me. "
This was a nightmare, it had to be a nightmare. Her aunt was not dying in her arms, she wasn't drenched in her blood nor was it forming a ring around them. This couldn't be happening! Aria felt herself starting to hyperventilate.
Her aunts bloody hand touched her cheek, bringing her back to earth. "Listen I. To me child." Maki tried, she sucked in a ragged breath only for it to come out as she coughed up more blood. The blood splattered across Aria's chest. "Always remember...that I..." More coughing. "I'll always be with you."
"Please don't leave, I don't know what to do. This is all my fault..." Aria sobbed squeezing her eyes closed.
It was her fault.
If she would have listened to her aunt! If she wouldn't have ran off with that stupid guy! If she would have just STAYED! The demons ambushed Maki while she was out in her garden, it was calculated, planned and Aria was too late to stop it.
"Don't blame your...self." Maki smiled. "I need you to go...south...go find." A coughing fit hit Maki.
"Stop talking! It'll only make it worse." Aria pleaded, the light was fading from her aunt's eyes.
"I love you Aria...never forget..." Maki smiled one last time. "I love you...My daughter. "
Aria's eyes widened as the hand that was touching her face fell away and her aunt's chest stopped moving. Hugging her aunt close to head, Aria threw her head back and screamed. Thunder cracked overhead, and the skies opened a second later as the heavens begun to cry.
Aria didn't know how long she sat there, rocking back of forth, holding Maki's body as the rain washed the blood away. Her loud sobs turned into hiccups before eventually fading into nothing. Laying her aunts head down, Aria stood up.
Her hands clenched into tight fist at her sides. Someone was going to pay for what they did.
"I love you too...mother."
Okay so I know that seems kinda rushed, but I did it on purpose. I love Maki, but I never planned on her being a big part of this story. I wasn't going to kill her off just yet, but why drag it out?
Aria will be affected by her death though, and the mother daughter bond will be there.
Now, I need someone's help. I'm not very good at writing emotions...so any insight would be appreciated.
Till next time!
Totidem Verbis: I was shocked to see your review, my idol reviewed my story. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Aria's destiny is going to be a fun one indeed. Sad, but happy. Her story is going to be a joy to write that's for sure. As always, you're the best!