There we go. Got a little busy after submitting Chapter 9. Finals, other stuff, next semester kicking things into gear, you get the point. I've been busy. But, I'm proud to prestn, Chapter 10.
Chapter 10 – Out of Mind, Out of Life
"There you go. Nice and cozy. You'll get your food and water in a moment." The Sneasel said.
"He… said your names…" Aeden said quietly, his throat hoarse from dryness.
"Hm?" The Sneasel stopped for a moment.
"What were they?" Aeden asked.
"Ah, well. My partner is named Aeolus, and my name is Kakia. Personally, I think the names are fitting. Oh, and I'm sure you'll be getting a new one too."
The Sneasel walked off to grab the food and water for Aeden, giving him time to soak it all in.
"Aeolus, and Kakia. King of the winds and goddess of crime?"
"Oh, so you know your Greek names! How exciting! Hold on, I like this game. Aeden… a corruption of the name Aedan, which means… little fire. Your name means little fire? How the heck does that work when you grow up?"
"Kakia. Finish up here and let's go."
"Oh, alright. Here, little fire. We'll be back in the morning. Ta!" The Sneasel waved as she bounced out of the door.
"King of the winds and goddess of crime." Aeden said, beginning to drink the water left for him. 'Her attitude changed so suddenly.'
'If today hasn't been bad enough, I wonder what's in store for me tomorrow.'
On the other side of the mountains, Ember and her children reached Twilight Fortress.
"And father is here?" Crystal said, looking upon the fortress from the forest path.
"More or less. He's been searching for Aeden at every opportunity." Ember said.
"The sooner he finds him, the better." Acura said.
"When we get there, let me do the talking. You will do as told and nothing else. Understood?"
"Yes, mother." The two Eevees said.
"Good. Come along, children." Ember said, walking down the sloped path.
Two large metal doors opened, and the Sneasel and Scizor brought the fire fox into the dark chamber.
"Release him." The dark voice said. Aeolus and Kakia let go and backed out of the room, closing the doors.
"Aeden, son of Astraea. You have done well to avoid my hunters. Very few can manage such a feat. But, your luck has run out." The voice said coolly. Aeden slowly stood up.
"Today, you are given a choice."
"Join me and live, becoming one of my hunters."
"Or, you can refuse and die."
"I… won't deal with the likes of you." Aeden said, anger in his eyes.
"Then perhaps this will change your mind." A spotlight lit up to Aeden's right, revealing a young Eevee chained to the floor.
Aeden was surprised. The Eevee seemed familiar somehow.
"Cr-Crystal?" He called out.
"Ah, I thought you knew her." The voice said. "Join me, or your precious Crystal dies."
"So, what will it be?"
"I… don't know. It can't be…" He wanted to go to her, but the figure's power was holding him in place. From the expression in her eyes, he could tell that she was scared. He couldn't let her die. If he chose to join this dark master, would she ever forgive him?
"Time is running out, young kit."
"I… she wouldn't want this."
"Is that a no? If you don't decide quickly, her death will be on your paws."
Crystal was suddenly enveloped in red lightning. Her scream filled the chamber.
"No!" Aeden shouted. He looked frantically at the darkness where the figure was.
"Fine! I'll do it! Just please, don't kill her."
"A wise move, young kit." The lightning stopped, and the Eevee dropped to the ground.
"Now, there's someone who would like to meet you." The little light in the room faded away and everything became dark. Behind the figure, the black wall lit up in a faint, purple.
From the wall, small, red eyes appeared.
"Hello?" A voice called out. It was high, like that of a child's. "Hello?"
"Who's there?" It called out again. The eyes began looking around the room. This time, another voice spoke the same question, and another and another, until the air vibrated. Aeden flinched, his ears drawn back.
One of the eyes passes over him and swiveled back. The other's quickly fixated on him. "There you are." It said, returning to one child's voice.
A bright red flash, and Aeden shut his eyes in pain. Memories flashed through his mind, and he thought he was going to die. But they kept coming and going. He opened an eye and realized that whatever was creating those voices, was scanning through his mind, his memories.
"Are these memories? Are they good? Happy?" A high pitched laugh sounded in the chamber. "You don't need these." It calmly said.
The pain increased as the search increased. Images of his childhood flashed by. Images began to be distorted, destroyed… erased. Aeden dropped to the floor. He felt empty as his life slowly disappeared. Who were his parents? Did he even have any? How about friends? Brothers, sisters? He didn't know anymore. All he could feel was a growing emptiness inside and lots of pain. Something was missing, but he didn't know what.
Then, it all stopped. "Scanning complete. Memories erased. Rewriting subject's history to fit into new parameters. Creating new life, now."
"Where is he now?" Ember asked.
"Off in the mountains. They found his scent mixed in with another's. They're checking it out right now." The captain of the guards said. He was an Absol. Strong, confident, and powerful.
"I'm glad he's on the trail." Ember sighed.
"Rain is on the horizon. If it reaches us before they can find where he's been taken, all hope is lost. I'm sure you can feel it?"
"Yes. They better hurry." Ember said, turning to leave. She opened the door and stepped out.
"And captain? Despite all odds, there is always hope." She said, walking away.
Ember walked slowly back to their chamber. They were given the same room that Flare and Aeden had been in. Acura looked out the window at the sunset, while Crystal had taken to the spot Aeden last slept. Ember quietly opened the door. Acura looked back at her, then to Crystal, who slept semi-peacefully.
Ember closed the door and sat in a corner of the room. With the click of the door, Crystal's ears flicked in its direction, and she slowly woke up.
"Hm? Any news?"
"Some." The two Eevees paid closer attention now. "They've found his trail mixed in with another's."
"That's great!" Acura said.
"But," ember emphasized. "there's rain on the horizon, so it may not last long."
"Oh. Well they better hurry." Acura said, laying down.
Ember walked over to her children and stepped onto the bed. She laid down and pulled Acura towards her, wrapping herself around them. Crystal went back to sleep.
Oh my, has Aeden gone back to square zero? Will Flare find out where the path leads before it's all washed away? We'll soon find out.