12/03/19

I've been steadily working on this story. Not at a blinding pace since a lot of the writing I do is after work now and I'm often pretty tired. But I think this is a good way to keep the story moving!

An issue I found in attempting to write this was I wanted Jaynix to be X Jaynix right from the go, a full on complex personality but then I realized, Jaynix became that way as more stories happened. So that is what I'm seeking to do here as this Jaynix comes into her own and remembers who she is, things are gonna take a turn.


Lost

Standing in the ruins of the city, Jaynix looked over the state of this world. A great catastrophe leveled entire cities and from what Coco and Murasame told her, it was extremely likely that even the world beyond the Red Mist looked like this.

Even so, with all this destruction and ruin. Jaynix still could not recall anything. Her memory starts with seeing a face, a beautiful face. The first senses she could recall was...pain and fear over not knowing where she was or what had happened. And then, a deep, all consuming thirst.

All she could do was focus on what the woman in white, what Io told her, the encouragement to get her standing and moving. Beyond that, she knew nothing.

Then she was forced into thralldom and one trip through the caves later she learned the basics of the world from those who have been doing battle with it for longer than many care to admit.

She learned of what they all were, including herself. Revenants. She learned of the Lost. The Red Mist. Blood Beads. Bloodsprings. Then she met others. Beyond her loyal follower Io, there was Oliver, Louis, Yakumo, Murasame, Coco and Davis.

Oliver Collins. He helped her when she was still learning the ropes. Her first sense of familiarity was when she picked up a discarded Lost Broadsword. The sensation...she couldn't describe. Yet even relying on sword skills she couldn't recall, she was still rusty. Too rusty and a Lost got the drop on her and Oliver…

Now, Louis' mission was her mission. Everyone was suffering in this world and he believed that she could help with her unique power. She had nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to.

So, why not?


The next day found the five Revenants: Louis, Yakumo, Jaynix, Io and Mia back at the Cathedral of the Sacred Blood. Having been made aware of the existence of the other Successors, finding another sealed door was critical. Several members of the group remembered passing one on the way through the labyrinth of bone walkways and towers.

Louis tossed Jaynix an old radio to keep in touch and broke away from her with Yakumo at his back. The larger man turned to them, giving the others two thumbs up and undoubtedly a smile beneath his mask before vanishing into a tower with Louis.

Mia gestured ahead.

"Well then. No better time than the present. I feel we're going to be here for a while. Again."

Jaynix nodded. With all the twisting pathways and multiple levels...getting around again wasn't any easier. At least there were a few new routes open but she couldn't quite piece together a way to get back to that sealed door. Moving ahead first, Io and Mia fell into step behind her as she muttered.

"This place blows."

"With any luck we'll be out of here soon."

Mia stated, checking her bayonet over to ensure it was ready for the Lost they'd no doubt encounter.

The Lost. As they walked in relative silence, Jaynix thought of all the furious battles she and the others waged against the seemingly endless horde of Revenants. Her skills with her blade improved with every encounter.

No. They didn't improve, they returned. The way she moved was practiced. That was something that Louis had noticed during sparring sessions. Yakumo even recognized some small behavioral quirks Jaynix had, pointing out that it seemed like she was military trained.

"Jaynix."

Turning, she looked to the shorter woman behind her, Mia.

"Did you need something?"

"No...it's just...If you don't mind me asking. Is there something else you wish to find here?"

Raising an eyebrow, Jaynix responded.

"What do you mean?"

"It's just that you seem...distracted."

At that, Jaynix's thoughts about her awakening and the world faded, instead replaced by that...dream. The city covered in hellfire. She wanted to find it. She wanted to know why she was seeing a place she didn't recall. She wanted to go there.

"Jaynix?"

"Lost!"

At Io's call the pair turned as a Lost materialized in the air above them and shot towards them, massive lance at the ready. Quickly the pair split up, rolling to either side of the walkway as it crashed in the middle.

Seizing the opportunity, Io waved her arm and bolts of electricity shot out, striking the Lost multiple times. Focusing on the woman it charged. Mia quickly set her bayonet and fired on the Lost's back, it ignored the blows and continued its charge towards Io.

With a roar, Jaynix stepped in front of the creature and swung her blade, striking it with enough force to cause it to stumble. Now focused on Jaynix it brought its lance to bear and struck back. The pair exchanged blows as several more Lost crawled over the railings and onto the walkway where the battle was underway.

Noting this, Mia cursed and turned away from Jaynix and the Lost, she stuck the end of her bayonet into one of the Lost still climbing and blew its head off. The body tumbled into the abyss, fading into ash. Another Lost raised its blade and charged Mia. The end of her coat morphed into a tail and swung out, knocking the blade aside letting Mia get in close with the bladed end of her weapon and deliver several swift strikes.

Io meanwhile was surrounded by three Lost, closing her eyes she could see the memories of another attendant, doing her duty. The Lost charged, Io dove aside, rolling to her feet, her lance swung out. A Lost found itself caught by the end of the weapon, lifted and thrown off the walkway, screeching as it fell to its death.

The other two turned on her and charged as she fired gift after gift until they were too close and evaded their strikes again.

Jaynix glanced over at Io's situation then looked back to see the Lost she was fighting was gone. Quickly she swung about to see it behind her, its weapon cut her across the side. Gritting her teeth she focused on her arm, morphing with her Blood Veil into a claw, she roared and sunk it deep into the Lost's chest.

Feeling the blood return to her, the power, she tore the claw out. Falling limp, the Lost faded to ash. Focusing on her weapon she watched as flames covered the surface of it. Swinging the weapon, the same happened to Mia and Io's weapons.

As she rushed to aid Io a massive Lost dropped down onto the walkway from above. Slamming the hammer into the path there was a noticeable crack followed by a groan.

"The path!"

Mia yelled as they heard something snap. Killing the last Lost on her end, she joined Jaynix in dodging the massive Lost's wild swings.

Io finished her two enemies and swung her arm out again, an aura encasing Jaynix and Mia, making them feel lighter. Taking advantage, Mia leapt clean over the giant Lost. The beast looked up at her allowing Jaynix to sink her flame covered blade in its body.

Roaring in pain it swung at her, the blow threw Jaynix clean off the walkway. Spinning herself around, her feet found contact with the support of another walkway. Kicking off it she landed behind the Lost as the bridge began falling apart.

With another leap she found herself landing near Mia and Io as the bridge broke away, the remains and the Lost falling into the abyss.

Mia and Jaynix's chests heaved at the exertion, the former wiped her brow as Jaynix turned and continued moving.

"We shouldn't push ourselves."

"Maybe. But this isn't the place to rest."

Looking to the broken path, Mia nodded before joining Jaynix, Io following suit as Jaynix pulled out her radio and contacted Louis, letting him know about the conflict and the broken bridge.

"Hmm. I guess we'll have to find a new way around if we head over there. Thanks for the heads up. Is everyone alright?"

"Yeah. They caught us off guard but we all made it out unscathed."

"Good. We'll check back in if we find something."

With that the call ended, Jaynix wore a slight grimace as she placed a hand on her side. Unscathed. Right. Looking to her companions she spoke.

"I'm sorry."

As the trio entered a tower, Jaynix continued.

"I was distracted. Just like you said Mia. That first Lost would never have gotten the jump on us if-"

"Jaynix. We're alright. We survived."

Jaynix shook her head as Io came closer and placed a hand on her side where Jaynix was still bleeding. As Io healed her, Mia came closer.

"Was it because of last night?"

"...yeah…"

"...that wasn't the first time was it?"

"No."

Once Io was done she stepped away, Jaynix giving her a warm smile before addressing Mia.

"I want to learn more about that dream...I thought I could do that and help Louis but clearly multitasking isn't a power of mine."

She chuckled at her poor joke as Mia put a hand on her shoulder. Io spoke up.

"You said nothing would stop you from finding answers, Jaynix. I still believe in you. Always."

"Thank you, Io. Mia."

Feeling a bit better, Jaynix took stock of their surroundings. Spotting a staircase she followed it up as it spiraled along the walls. Gesturing she began moving up with Mia and Io close behind.

As they ascended, Jaynix noted the silence. It wasn't like this when she explored the city ruins with Yakumo and Louis. The former liked to keep the noise up when they were in the clear. Louis didn't mind, those two were thick as thieves after all.


"What about you Jaynix? Favorite food?"

"I don't know."

"Oh right. The memory thing. Well, anything about the city ruins stand out to you?"

"Not really."

"Anything about Louis that stands out to you?"

"..."

"What about me? Y'know that I-"

"Yakumo."

The bigger man looked to Louis then back to Jaynix who was staring at the ground as they walked.

"...sorry. I'm just trying to keep the mood up y'know. I want you to feel included Jaynix."

She looked over to him, there was no reason for him to lie about that but she felt unsure about something. Coming to a stop she waited for Louis and Yakumo to do the same.

"...was it a good idea?"

The men looked at each other, then back at her with Louis speaking.

"Was what a good idea, Jaynix?"

She sounded out the question in her head for a few moments before speaking.

"Was I...a good idea?"

Yakumo was caught off guard by that question as Louis closed his eyes and thought.

"Your abilities. The fact that you can bring Bloodsprings back to life and awaken mistle...I couldn't pass on having your help. If I'm going to achieve my goal, I need you. So in that respect...I definitely think so."

Jaynix shook her head.

"But you don't know me...not well. I don't know you either. I don't even know me. What if-"

"Jaynix. I think it's best that we stay away from maybes and what ifs. With the world in the state that it is...I think we can suffer a little luck and convenience. I see no valid reason to ask you and Io to leave and to be honest. I don't want to. If we don't know each other...then let's get to know each other."

Jaynix couldn't fight the smile beneath her mask. Something about that answer.

"If you say so."

Yakumo's hand collided with Jaynix's shoulder, a friendly slap with maybe a little too much force.

"I can't put it as well as Louis could but I'm totally cool with you too, Jaynix. No worries here."

She sighed.

"If you two are fine with it...I have no reason to object. It's not you two that truly worry me...it's me."

"Because of your lack of memories?"

Jaynix nodded, watching Louis cross his arms as she continued.

"The only reason I believe I'm a good person is because of the faith Io seems to have in me. The trust. If she believes in me well then...I can't be all that bad...but if she's wrong...I don't want to be the cause of misfortune falling on any of you..."

At that Louis and Yakumo smiled with the latter speaking.

"Well, while the doom and gloom doesn't sit too well with me, I am happy to know that you care about us that much. Seems like you do fit in, Jaynix."

She looked to him then to Louis who was nodding. She wasn't sure how long it'd take her self doubts to leave, but at least for now...


"Did I ever tell you about that butterfly I killed?"

Mia who was checking the condition of her bayonet once again stopped and looked to the other woman.

"The...what?"

"The butterfly."

"...no...I don't believe you have. What brought this on."

Jaynix recalled the way that Yakumo told stories around the mistle they rested at during the night. Gesturing with her hands she launched into her story.

"Now imagine a wide open field and a giant cocoon…"

"Giant cocoon...why were you there?"

Io asked to which Jaynix snapped one of her fingers as Yakumo often did when he recalled something.

"We were looking for a human woman. Another Revenant was chasing her, wanting to continue using her for blood because he hand no Blood Beads. With Lost everywhere we needed to keep her safe, so Louis made the decision to track her down."

Mia smiled.

"Always willing to help others. That's definitely Louis."

As Jaynix continued to tell the story of her, Louis and Yakumo's battle against the Butterfly of Delirium, she saw the focused stare of Io, engrossed in the story as well as Mia's own fascination with the tale having never seen a Lost like the one being described.

Jaynix liked the way they were looking at her, the attention, the positivity. Now she truly understood why Yakumo did things like this. It also helped keep her mind clear of the countless doubts still floating around.

This ease she was beginning to feel. That was what she wanted to hold onto. No matter what comes.