**It's funny, you know I had the idea for this when I was 17 years old... Just journaling away my ideas in a black composition notebook. I spent hours and hours just fantasizing over the plot line, no doubt it has changed quite a bit since then.
I was so nervous to post it on any kind of fanfiction website, because I was afraid of being labelled and made fun of. We are, after all, our own worst critics.
I tried to post a different one instead at first, based off of the three brothers...
It didnt catch on well, and my other fanfiction was still in the back of my mind.
eventually I bit the bullet, and began posting what I had writen at age 18.
I am now 20 years of age, and still writing book 3.
it is 3:04 in the morning, and old habits (such as sleep deprivation and writing obsession) die hard.
thank you my loyal and wonderful fans!
and as always,
Enjoy Chapter: 21! :)**
Chapter 21: Pecking Orders
Water droplets stood stagnate in the air, a decadent scene painted in the air around him, frozen in time.
Kaihn, Freya, and Satoshi had made a soft landing in a nearby pond... well, they were about to at least.
Navin was sitting in place, clutching his head.
"Ugghhnnn... what the hell? I jusht... Oh no."
Blood was leaking from the back of his head, and he was massively concussed. At this rate, the time lapse would last an eternity.
"N-Not this again. Damn... Why couldn't you have been there when my mom was swallowed...? Huh?"
He slammed his fist to the ground, leaving an imprint of dust floating in the air.
"HUH!? WHY!? I just... That was my..."
Tears began to well up in Navin's eyes.
"That was my MOM!"
He burst into tears, silent cries escaping him.
(M-Mister Prince...? Oh no! You're hurt! What's wrong...? I'm sorry! I did this, didn't I!?)
Navin was surprised at that.
He doubted the princess, ghost, or whoever she was could do much from where she was... and, why would she?
As far as Navin was concerned, she was the sweetest ghost girl he had ever met.
"Why would you say that!? H-Hey now, don't go and beat yourself up over this. I think you're really sweet princess ghost..."
He heard the child beginning to cry softly.
(N-No... You really don't get it do you? Th-That wall... It's mine.)
Navin held his hands in his head.
"You mean... You're serious!?"
She began to wail.
(I didn't know! I can't stop it! Navin... I'm really sorry! I W-WISH I COULD MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!)
Navin thought about it.
"So, you can't control it can you?"
He felt a deep sadness from the loss of his mother, and he was really tempted to snap at her...
...but that would solve nothing.
A wave of dizziness washed over him. He continued to clutch the back of his head.
(Navin...? WAIT! Here, HERE! I'll... I'll make you better!)
A warming glow touched the back of Navin's head, and it stopped hurting.
He let out a small breath.
"Th-Thanks... um... by the way, I'm... no, I guess I'm just sorry you can't control this. Just please... figure it out soon."
A sorrow filled his chest.
He really missed her.
Navin was fairly mild tempered, and truly, Mei was the best mother he could have ever asked for. She was always that way, and not just with Navin.
Everyone loved Mei.
"I... She was... She was so wonderful. I miss her a lot, and I don't know... I just don't know when this pain is going to end! I-I want to listen to Eiji and keep moving forward, but..."
Navin began to recollect the recent events.
"Oh no... EIJI! H-He was left behind with... No way! NO WAY!"
Navin heard a splash sound in the nearby pond where the others had now landed.
They had to find Eiji, and find him soon.
...And knowing Niku? They didn't have much time.
...
A cold and sharp metallic thread plunged through the woman's back, an assortment of jewels and her crimson blood scattering to the floor.
Jiro grimaced as he pulled back his threads.
He hated this job.
I mean, sure, this mark was actually kind of a horrible person...
But Jiro was sure he had been a kinder person than this...
Well, at least at one point he was.
He smiled wickedly at Dankon.
"Hey Dankon, does that look fun to you? Just remember, one day when you think you're safe, you're not."
Dankon seemed to recoil in despair.
Seizui let out a soft giggle.
"Oh Jiro, PLEASE kill him for me! Pretty PRETTY PLEEASSE...? He deserves it. You know he does!"
"D-Don't hurt me!" Dankon screamed.
"Oh for the love of heaven!" Aki yelled.
"Who thought it was a good idea to put YOU three together!?"
"Apparently the master did." Said Ame flatly.
Aki shook his head.
"I swear that man is off his rocker... if he tries this shit one more time, I swear to god I'll-!"
Seizui grabbed him by the neck of his shirt, her eyes glowing brightly.
"You'll WHAT!? Say it worm!"
"N-Nothing I SAID NOTHING!" He said quickly.
Jiro sighed.
"Put him down Seizui, you know it's not worth it."
She gave him a penetrating stare, then dropped Aki, who fell to his knees.
Ame sat next to him.
"I think I know why he put them together at least... Jiro keeps Seizui under control. As for Dankon? The master has kind of a sick sense of humor..."
Aki scoffed. "Yeah, you can say that again!"
Jiro rolled his eyes.
"God, how everyone gossips here... Guys? We need to get back to the fortress before sunrise. I'm not sure why, but it would be best to be prompt, yes?"
Aki stood, and Ame soon followed.
"Yeah, he's right, Ame, let's go."
It seems Aki had taken quite the liking to Ame.
Jiro couldn't say he blamed her, Ame was beautiful after all...
(She's definitely not Hiro though...)
Ugh! Who is this Hiro girl!?
(Long black curls, beautiful green eyes... gorgeous...)
So? There are lots of girls with pretty eyes and hair! Seizui is very pretty.
So there.
(Kind heart, loving soul... headstrong, but that also means she never gives up.)
Obviously not, I can't get her out of my head!
(Hiro...)
Stop.
(Hiro, my angel...)
Stop!
(Hiro! HIRO!)
NO! Hiro! HIR-! STOP IT!
Jiro clutched his head in his hands, his chest expanding and contracting as silent screams escaped his lips.
...
Hiro and nine of the Leviathan's were scouting toward the fortress.
The Leviathans seemed to know where it was well enough, and Hiro was just following them for now.
Emi's spell began to flash again.
"Geeze, I wonder how much trouble I would have had without this?"
Emi's spell was still protecting her, but she hoped whatever was trying to get in wouldn't wear it out...
The Leviathan's let out a low grumble, then faded out of sight.
"Um, hey guys? What's going on?"
No answer.
"Um, HELLO!?" She yelled with annoyance.
A group of people walked up to her.
One of the girls stepped forward.
"There she is! Ha! I knew we'd find her, the little blood meag!"
Hiro felt her face grow hot as the others laughed.
She didn't know why, but the phrase 'blood meag' dripped like poison from her lips.
"Who the fuck are you? And, why does everyone keep calling me a blood meag!? You little punks!"
She let out a condescending laugh.
"My name is Iyana, and I take it you're new to the blood roads?"
Hiro scoffed. "Well, isn't someone full of themselves. I take it you're new to a spiked club to your face?"
She backed up in mock surprise.
"Uh oh! the little meag's gone savage... not like it's unlike a dirty little blood meag to be a savage brute."
The others surrounded her, knives at the ready.
Hiro suddenly realized why the leviathans were hiding.
"Come on, let's show this blood mooch what real magic looks like..."
The leviathans appeared behind the group, thier claws at the ready.
"Trust us, the mistress knows." one stated.
"let us show these lovely young lasses what a half death tastes like."
"LET THEM EAT CAKE!" They all screamed.
Their claws shone with a red and piercing light, and all of the women collapsed to the ground, eyes shining with pain.
..all except Iyana.
She had cast a ward of some kind and left the area in an instant.
The blood roads were a beautiful place, this was true.
This had almost distracted Hiro to the fact that this was also an incredibly dangerous place. To make things even worse, there was some kind of ranking system among the mages, and Hiro was at the butt end of it.
No... that's not quite right.
Ive dealt with enough blood magic to know that all mages have their specific weaknesses and strengths. This makes us all even.
So, what's the deal then...?
Some kind of Pecking order?
The last thing this blood bath needs is fucking mage racists!
That look in her eyes though...
...Pure hatred.
Hiro felt a deep sinking feeling in her chest, and she knew that this wouldn't be the last of Iyana...
...Not by a long shot.
...
Navin had just finished explaining his experience to the others.
Well... there had been several experiences.
Navin was shaking as he relayed this information.
"I-I had no idea who she was... I mean she's... She's really sweet. She seemed just so... so..."
Kaihn put a hand on his shoulder.
"I have no doubt the child is kind. Navin... You must remember that this child is not to blame for her actions. Whatever has overtaken her, she has no control over it. It may just be up to the others to save her, and knowing them? Your little omnipotent friend will be just fine."
Navin relaxed, but Satoshi gave Kaihn a stern look of disapproval.
He loved Mei deeply, and had a hard time forgiving this child, purposeful or not.
He also loved Navin like his own son, and did not want him to be shattered if this didn't work out for him and his 'friend'.
There were many mixed feelings here, but Satoshi decided to pick another battle for another day.
The boy might as well spend his days hoping, considering the potential impending limit to those days.
A deep sorrow filled his chest.
At such a young age, to have experienced what he has, and then to have his own life put on the line.
It was almost too much for Satoshi to carry in his heart, to see such a sight.
To let him dream was the only thing he could let him keep now, so he might as well leave it alone.
He felt himself calm.
Freya shook her head.
"Damn kid... You really are tough. Your mother would be proud, from what I've heard of her."
Navin grinned.
"Yeah, she was tough. I remember... Hmm... that's what it was... ha... hmmm... so green."
Satoshi slapped his palm to his face.
"Navin, son... You were telling a story."
Navin perked up.
"There was this really awesome tree right over there! And it had the prettiest...! Wait..."
Kaihn sighed.
"Navin... Your attention span. There is a deficit there. A blatant deficit."
Navin's eyes widened.
"Eiji! That tree reminded me don't ask how but HE'S IN TROUBLE! We HAVE to find him!"
Now Kaihn's eyes were wide.
"He was the only one unaffected by the spell! I tried to reach for him, but..."
He looked down.
"Damn... That kid. He's never had a break has he!?"
*Kaihn! You sick bastard!*
That wasn't me...
(Stop STOP STOP!)
Th-That screaming...
*You did that...*
No... No! NO! It wasn't me! IT WASN'T-!
*YOU TORTURED THEM KAIHN!*
You...? No, another... Not another! STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!
Freya put a hand on his shoulder.
"Kaihn... are you alright?"
He continued to shake.
She couldn't sense any spirits...
She knew that Kaihn had been affected by one for some time, though to what extent, she was unaware.
She did sense someone... a girl.
She was walking...
No, limping toward them.
A girl of about 12 limped, clutching her wounded side.
She had dark, almost black brunette hair, violet and amber tinged eyes, a thin complexion, and sickly pale skin.
Navin ran toward her.
"Oh - OH MY GOD! Lady you're REALLY bleeding!"
She used her free hand to clutch onto his shoulder.
Her eyes began to glow brightly.
"Dreamwalker... It's... It's really you. Your name is Navin, right?"
He shook his head.
"Introductions can wait. Yes, I'm Navin. Here... let me wrap up that nasty gash. Um..."
He took off his white cotton shirt, and tied it tightly around her wound.
She looked faint, but she was no longer losing blood.
Navin shook his head softly.
"Wow... Who would do such a thing...?"
She began to sob softly.
"M-Monsters... Horrible monsters! This... this woman told them to attack me. She was evil and cruel... She - She killed all of my friends, every last one! DEAD! I was the only survivor you hear me!? THE ONLY SURVIVOR!"
Navin felt a deep pang in his heart for her.
How horrible...
He wrapped her in a soft hug.
She continued to cry softly.
Kaihn stroked her hair softly, whispering comforting words.
"It's all going to be okay little seer... we're here. All here protecting you..."
Freya eyed her warily for a moment.
Then, she spoke again.
"It... it hurts! It-! No, I can handle it! I can... handle..."
She began sobbing violently, shivers running through her body.
She was in a lot of pain.
What on earth was Freya thinking!?
It was obvious this woman had the heart of a lion, but she was severely injured.
Even a blood mage could not blink at such a gruesome blow.
Freya held her hand.
"You're so strong... but right now, let us help you... shhh... It's all going to be okay..."
Satoshi kept an unwavering eye on the girl.
He knew deception when he saw it.
He was trying his very hardest to remain unnoticed.
She was using some kind of glamour...
No, wait. She was a seer.
A blood seer.
She used her own blood and life force to read deep into people, and she was good.
If one thing was for sure, he would not fall for it.
If there was one thing in the world Satoshi was an expert in, it was seeing who the people were, and who were the monsters dressed in a person's skin.
Satoshi couldn't prove it yet, but somehow he knew.
This little girl was playing the sheep, but underneath it lay a savage wolf.
He was on his guard now, because she had the others convinced, and Satoshi knew when to pick a fight, and when to stand in wait.
He wasn't sure why yet, but something told him that this girl was a little monster.
The funny thing about Satoshi? Yeah, he's not the kind to guess wrong.
"What's your name, little seer...?" Kaihn asked softly.
"Iy-Iyana..." She croaked.
"My name is Iyana."
Iyana... what a hateful little monster.
**Damn. Just... Damn. That was fun. I get all heated over my own writing!... Enjoy the messterpiece to come... mwaha! ha! Haha! MwahahhahahaahahAAAAA! (This is some red wedding level shit. Prepare yourselves.)**