Chapter 14- Once bitten, twice shy

Jay could still remember the first time he had seen Nya. The day had started out rather gloomy, with rain blocking his sight and puddles preventing him from sneaking around. Taxes were due the next day, and he hadn't rounded up enough money to protect his parent's from Pythor's cold hand. In a fit of desperation, Jay had decided to rob Pythor himself. The vile king owned enough possessions so that if something were to go missing, it would be hardly noticeable.

The young blue eyed thief had been inexperienced however. He hadn't even been able to climb through the wet, slippery gate. The guards caught him in a flash. Jay had been terrified, not for himself but for his family. If something were to happen to him, who would take care of his parents?

Strong armored arms dragged Jay to the town square. He was pushed roughly onto the concrete. Jay held his hands forward, breaking his fall and skinning the palm of his hands. He kept his blue eyes on the ground, fearing what was coming next. A public execution, perhaps? It seemed too rash. He was just trying to make a living.

"Hear me out!" The guard's voice was powerful, resonating throughout the town. Jay saw people's feet stop and turn his way. He silently cursed the guard. It was one thing to be caught. But to be publically humiliated? "This is what will happen to all you street rats if you ever dare to defy the law again!"

Jay closed his eyes. This was it. One careless mistake had cost him everything. He heard a swish of air, and expected his head to be separated from his body anytime now. Instead, there was a sharp sting across his back. Losing his balance, Jay fell face first into the muddy ground accidentally swallowing a bit of mud. He began to cough. Just as he had begun to recover the sharp sting came across his back again.

A whipping. He was receiving a public whipping. He'd seen people been punished this way before, had seen the terrible shape they had all been in by the time the guard finish. Some became crippled. Some lost the ability to walk altogether. And there were other's who had bled to death.

Jay cursed as the next blow slashed his skin open. Just hold on, He told himself. Your family needs you. He could feel the warm blood soaking into his clothes. Black dots began to drown his vision. He felt light headed, his eyelids too heavy to keep open. Slash after slash he was forced against the ground.

And then, an angel's voice. "Stop!"

The next slash did not come. Jay forced the world to focus and look up at his savior. It was a young girl, short and thick black hair hanging above her shoulders. Her face was blurred by the rain, but Jay could feel her beauty. Not just physically, but inside. She had been the only one of those bystanders with enough guts to speak up. It gave Jay just enough energy to remain conscious.

"Stop?" The guard laughed, a mocking smirk plastered on his scarred face. "What are you going to offer me, pretty girl? I'll consider leaving this sewer rat alone if you come share my warm bed."

"You're a pig." The girl stepped closer. So fierce. Yet so delicate. Jay opened his mouth, trying to warn her away. All that came out was a soft groan. "Have some humanity why don't you? That poor man's had enough. This isn't justice. This is just plain bullying."

"Hey, he stole something and I'll make an example of him. Now get your arse back inside your house before I'm forced to slash away that pretty face of yours." Jay saw the guard raise his whip as a threat. The thief's hand twitched, reaching for the small dagger hidden inside his belt. He groaned, as any movement revived the pounding pain on his back.

"I'm not leaving until you let him go," The girl was stubborn.

"As you wish,"

The guard raised his whip, and Jay jumped to his feet dagger in hand. Swept by a wave of survival instincts, the thief buried the knife deep in the man's left eye. The whip, guided by the guard's momentum, slashed at Jay's right eye. Dagger deep in his eye, the guard roared in protest falling to his knees.

A hand pulled Jay back. The girl. He allowed her to guide him through the mess of people, barely conscious enough to walk. His right eye was now swollen and pounding. But with the black haired girl pulling him forward, everything seemed better than ever.

Laying against a small bed roll, Jay shook away the memory. He shifted his position as the bed roll wasn't thick enough to take away the uncomfortable qualities of the wooden floor. Now on his side, he could see Nya, sleeping upon the only couch in the room. Jay smiled, taking in Nya's familiar's features. The lips he knew so well, the soft cheeks he had once been able to caress, the hair that he used to entwine his fingers in. . .

The eyes that had swelled with tears thanks to his cowardice.

He turned away, his eyebrows moving closer as he frowned. Jay didn't want to remember that day. It had been a moment of weakness, when fear of Pythor's power had overwhelmed him. One moment that had ruined him forever. If after two years of being apart Nya still hadn't forgiven him, she never would. Not that he deserved forgiveness.

"You're nothing Jay," He hissed at himself. "Nothing but a cowardly milk-drinker."

Footsteps approached and Jay closed his eyes, faking sleep. By the light sound against the creaky wooden floor, Jay guessed it was Zane. Where the strange assassin had been at this late hour of the night Jay couldn't imagine. Maybe killing off some random stranger. Or whatever else assassin's did for fun.

With eyes closed and minds wondering, the blue eyed thief eventually drifted off into a land of nightmares and memory, where his shattered past haunted his dreams.

"Why are you helping me?" Jay flinched as the girl began to clean the wounds on his back. Relief came through his skin when the girl spread a cool ointment throughout his burning skin.

"Because it was sickening, what they were doing to you." The girl explained, her voice accented with sadness. " What was worst though, was the way everyone watched, too fearful to do anything. I thought maybe if one person did something then maybe . . . Maybe things would be better. But nothing happened. Everyone just stood there."

Jay bit his bottom lip so he would not whimper like a baby. The girl was now wrapping bandages around the wounds none too gently. The pulse of pain on his back returned, but it wasn't as bad as before. " I didn't blame them. They're all scared, it's human instinct to do our best to survive."

"So you agree with them just leaving you there?" The girl sat in front of him and began to wash up the wound on his right eye. "This is gonna leave a nasty scar. . . Don't expect your eyebrow to fix itself."

"Scars are manly," Jay attempted to smile, but only managed to wince. The girl leaned closer to his face he drowned in the scent of her skin. Cherry. It took Jay an inhuman amount of self control to stop himself from leaning against her. " And I wouldn't say I agree with them just acting like bystanders ,but I don't blame them either."

"I suppose you're right," The girl stepped back, admiring her work. "Name's Nya by the way."

"Nya," The thief nodded, giving up all attempts on producing a smile. " That's a beautiful name miss. Fits your beautiful heart."

Nya cleared her throat, red blooming upon her face. "And your name?"

"Jay," He answered. Without stopping to think, the thief took Nya's small hand in his, kissing the top gently. The blush in Nya's face deepened, and Jay flinched as another smile tried to grow on his face. "And I thank you for saving my life. I am forever in your debt."

After that, Jay bowed as low as his wounds would allow. He had seen men of a higher status bow at women they cared for, or admired. Maybe it was a bit too much, and maybe he hadn't bowed correctly but seeing the blush on Nya's face arise once more was worth more than anything.

And for that moment, for that beautiful moment, Jay forgot who he was. He wasn't a street rat. He wasn't a dirt poor nobody. When Jay saw himself reflected in Nya's eyes, he felt like the richest man in the world.

But like all good moments, it ended far too soon.

"You have recovered the weapons and I am very proud of all you." Sensei Wu said, drinking out a blue cup of tea. He sat before an assassin, a thief, a werewolf, a knight, and a lost prince. All except Zane had red eyes and a unlimited amount of yawns. The sun hadn't yet risen, and they had all been harshly pulled away from peaceful rest. " But it is not enough! You are all still learning to be a team, and we are still not powerful enough to overthrow Pythor."

"You're kidding righ-," Jay's voice turned into a yawn mid-sentence. He wiped his watery eyes then continued. " I mean we got the weapons, we're more than ready to kick a snotty king's arse."

"Don't underestimate King Pythor's army." Cole crossed his arms, chainmail tinkling with each movement. "I trained most of those men, I assure you they could have your head rolling before you could even blink."

"I move faster than you think silver arms." Jay snapped back. " Besides I'd see an attack coming from miles away thanks to the dumb jingle jingle arms you people wear."

"You're just cloaked in jealousy my petty friend." Cole smirked, flipping his black mane away from his eyes. " You could not wear armor like this if you tried. Too heavy for your wee bones."

"I'll show you wee-"

"Enough," Sensei's voice wasn't raised, but it still froze Jay in mid lunge, while erasing the teasing smirk upon Cole's features. "You are a team. And you will respect each other as such."

"Yes Sensei." The knight replied, head bowed.

"Aye, whatever floats your beard." Jay shrugged.

"Now, as I was saying." Sensei Wu poured himself another cup of tea. "Pythor is stronger. Let us not forget he has the skeleton army in his power."

"I can easily defeat them," Zane piped in, voice soft. "Last night I discovered. . . A secret about myself. It seems to have unlocked wondrous abilities within me. I think it is what you called true potential."

Sensei Wu raised his eyebrows, almost looking impressed. "That is wonderful news Zane, but there is still the dark one to worry about."

"So there is still two more things that we need, in order for our rebellion to remain on its feet. " The old man said. "The first is an ancient army of stone, buried deep underground. There is a man named Dareth in the city, who knows the exact location of the cave that leads to this army's resting place. He will be a wonderful guide. Jay you will take Nya with you and discover the secrets of this army and use them to our advantage."

"No no no," Jay waved his arms. " Hold your horses, Nya? She'd rather kill me than do anything alongside me."

"Which is why you two will go. I will not have grudges in my team."

"Alright old man, but it's my funeral."

Sensei Wu handed an aging parched to Zane. "This will guide you to the temple of light Zane. It is hidden somewhere in the forest that surrounds the city of ouroboros. You, Kai and Lloyd will go there to find an old sword, which is able to destroy evil with one touch. Lloyd, you will wield this sword, in the hopes that you may be able to defeat The Dark One."

Zane nodded and took the map while Kai rolled his eyes. "Maybe the 'Prince' should stay here. I'm not up to babysitting."

"Hey!" Lloyd hissed in protest.

"You will go Kai and you will protect the prince." Sensei turned his attention to Cole. " You will remain here to help me, we will need to discuss the weaknesses of Pythor's human army."

"Yes sir."

Sensei looked back at the others. "Off with you! We do not have all century to overthrow Pythor after all!"

Not soon after having met Nya, Jay returned home to find King Pythor waiting outside his house. The King looked extremely out of place, his rich clothing not merging well with the filth surrounding him. Jay quickened his pace, frightened of the King's presence. Why would he be here of all places? Royalty did not belong in the warrens.

"K-King Pythor," Jay bowed as low as he could. He straightened up, but kept his gaze on the ground. " What. . . How can I assist you?"

Jay bit his lip, eyes closed tightly. He had never talked to royalty before. He did not know what the proper mannerism for speaking with the king were. His whole body was shaking, one wrong word and he'd have both him and his family signed up for the death row. A cold hand was placed on his chin. King Pythor forced Jay to look him in the eye.

"No need for all this my dear Jay," The king knew his name? This was either extremely bad or extremely good. The former, most likely. " I was thinking we could be friends yes? It is good for a king to have allies among the people."

"Fr-friends?" Jay refused to let his guard down. Something wasn't right. The king didn't just travel down to the slums of the city for friendship.

"Why of course! You're a very talented thief you know. That can be useful." The king ran his cold hand through the scar resting on Jay's eyebrow. " And I'm also interested on your little friend."

"Nya?" Jay's voice came no louder than a whisper.

"Yes that is her name. Well, to be more exact. . . I care for her brother." Pythor pulled his hand away, in order to retrieve an object wrapped in a thin sheet. " I'm going to make a little deal with you my friend. If you can get one drop of blood from Nya's brother onto this sword, then return it to me, I'll ignore the little incident with my now one-eyed guard."

Jay took the sword. Warmth spread onto his palms, as if the sword itself was on fire.

"If you do not do as I say. . . I'm afraid I'll have to punish you." The king began walking away, his words rooting Jay to the spot. " I think a beheading would be suitable for your crimes."

"I'm only going with you because Sensei said so," Nya strolled past Jay, making sure her daggers were placed tightly against her hips. "Now, who's going to take us to this so called, army of stone?"

"Guy name Dareth. He'll be waiting for us outside the city." Jay stayed behind Nya, both respecting her decision of wanting to stay away and fearful of how skilled she could be with her daggers. Jay had no doubt she'd use them if he got too close. "And Sensei Wu is making us do this so we can get along again."

Nya scowled, "Yeah like that's going to happen."

"You do know I'm sorry though, Don't you?"

"I don't care Jay. You ruined me and my brother's life. Do you even know how hard it's been? I've had to kill people for a living. I can't even look at myself in the mirror without being disgusted. And it's all thanks to you"

Jay sighed, giving up the impossible fight against Nya's free spirit. She was right after all. He had betrayed her and her brother, all because he had been too scared of losing his own life. The rest of the journey was traveled in silence, as the thief's words would be useless at healing the young assassin's broken heart.

At least I can be close to her again

At the edge of the city of Ouroboros stood a short man with large, goofy looking hair. His attire was mainly different shades of brown, with only a golden medallion around his neck breaking the pattern. He turned just in time to see Nya and Jay approaching, and he began waving them forward in a dramatic manner.

"Hello! Sir, Milady," The man bowed lower than it seemed possible for someone with his body structure. " I am Sir Dareth! I shall lead you two into the heart of legend itself, let us go forth then! The stone army awaits!"

"Well then," Jay smiled. "I've never seen anyone so excited to see a pile of rocks."

He could've sword there was a small smile on Nya's lips. But it was gone too fast for him to be sure.

"Now then I will advise you two to be very careful!" Every word Dareth's mouth produced was unreasonably loud. " These caves are very weak you see! One wrong step and we will all be buried here! Not a pleasant way to go at all! I'd rather die in battle. . . Soaked in the blood of those who tried to defeat me!"

"Right. . . Well can you just show us the way? We're in a bit of a hurry if you don't mind. I don't want to be in this job any longer than I have to." Nya walked into the cave at a fast pace, irritated at both Dareth's attitude and Jay's presence."

"As you wish Milady," Dareth trotted forward. " But I do advise you not to walk so quickly, this cave is a death trap if you aren't careful!"

"Maybe you should listen to him Nya," Jay ran forward, past Dareth, to catch up with Nya's rapid strides. "He's our guide after all."

"Be quiet Jay. I don't need your-" Nya's sentence was cut off by her own high-pitched scream. The rock beneath her had given away, crumpling down towards the darkness below. A harsh pull on her arm held her up. Body shaking, Nya looked upward, to see Jay holding tightly onto her muscled arm.

"It's okay, I got you, I got you." Jay grimaced. His arms weren't exactly made of muscle, and he could feel his body slipping down towards the pull of Nya's weight. "I'm not leaving you."

"Not this time"

"Jay!" Nya's voice welcomed him inside the blacksmith shop. The thief smiled, and welcomed her embrace with a soft kiss. "I didn't expect you back so soon."

"Yeah well I couldn't stay away," He tightened his grip on the sword Pythor had given him. Just one drop of blood. He could claim it was an accident. How bad could it be? "Is your brother here? I . . . I found this sword and I I think he might like it."

"Why are you stuttering so much?" Nya smiled, gently poking Jay's stomach, causing him to double over slightly. "And yeah he's here, just follow me."

"Kai! Jay's got something to show you." The thief followed Nya to the back of the shop, where the heat was almost unbearable. Nya's brother looked up at him, wiping away the sweat from his sunburned forehead.

"Better be something good loverboy." Kai smirked, stepping closer.

Jay pulled the sheet away from the sword. His own eyes widened as he realized the entire thing was carved in gold. "I-It's a sword."

"I can see that," Kai stepped closer, and Jay stayed still. Just a scratch, Just a scratch, Just a scratch. "Where did you find this?"

"I . . . Just." Jay lunged forward, scratching a wound upon Kai's uncovered arm. As blood flowed to the golden weapon, a bright red glow emanated from the metal.

"What the hell Jay?"

"It was an a-" The thief stepped back, his eyes wide in shock. Kai, didn't quite look like Kai anymore. Fur began to spread throughout his body. His white teeth grew large and sharp, disfiguring his face. Jay broke open a window and began to climb out. This wasn't suppose to happen. What kind of sword was this?

"Jay! What are you doing! Help!" Nya's frantic shouts caused him to hesitate. He looked back. Kai was no longer himself. He was a monster. A cruel mix between a man and a wolf. He stood over Nya, sharp claws raised.

"I. . ." Fear took over his body. It was too dangerous. Jay couldn't die. He didn't want to die. "I had to. . . I'm sorry."

Jay jumped out the window, running to King Pythor's castle.

Nya looked up at Jay, tears welled up in her eyes. "Why did you do it Jay. . . Why did you leave me?"

Jay fell to his knees, trying his best to keep both himself and Nya from falling . "I was scared. It was wrong and I know it. I was a coward. But there wasn't a day I didn't regret it. I wish I could be someone else. Someone better for you."

"But I'm just me. I'm a coward. I ruined your life. But I'll fix it Nya. I swear. I'm leading you to a happily ever after, even if I'm not part of it."

There was no strength left to fight her feelings. The assassin allowed tears to run freely down her cheeks. With the concept of death so close to her, she realized she didn't want to leave this world with a grudge destroying her once pure heart.

"I can't forgive what you did. . . "She whispered. "But I can give you a chance. I know you can fix this Jay. You're strong. . . But the only way to get through this is to stop trying to change who you are. I've never wanted anyone else but you. Even as I hated you, there was a part of me that loved you more than anything."

"Just remember. . . You are the best you."

It was as if a large weight was lifted for the thief's shoulders. Tears of relief blurred his vision and he blinked them away. He felt stronger. He could feel energy pulsing throughout his body. His muscles swelled with power, and he climbed back to his feet, slowly pulling Nya to safety.

All at once the power was gone. He fell against the rock, feeling exhausted.

Nya kneeled beside him, brushing his brown hair away from his face. " If I'd know giving you another chance would suddenly give you super powers, I would have done it sooner."

Jay smiled, closing his eyes. "I'll fix everything. I just needed that one chance."