I can't believe I'm actually writing stories with my exams in less than
a week. AHHHHH!!! Ok... I'm freaked out now. I'll go study after this is
done.
Betrayed for Love Chapter 3
"Rose, you MUST kill everyone who came in contact
with the moon child. The moon child develops a magical bond with anyone
it meets, especially the mother." Charle's warning echoed in Rose's mind.
She clutched onto her sword tightly, until her knuckles turned white. Rose
exited the cottage and proceeded to attack the town.
When Rose had finished burning the town to the ground,
she flew back to Ulara, weeping all the way. Dying screams continued to
echo in her mind but worse of all, she remembered laughing as she slaughtered
them.
As soon as she reached the palace, she ran to her
bed room and slammed the door. Rose looked at herself in her mirror, her
hair was disheveled, blood stained her hands and armor and her eyes were
red and swollen from crying. Charle opened the door and looked at Rose
with sympathy.
"Don't pretend you care about how I feel."
"The first time is always the hardest, Rosie. After
a while, slaughtering the moon child will be nothing but a small burden
every 108 years."
"You said I would not feel guilty!" Rose snapped,
turning to glare at Charle. Charle merely smiled.
"Rosie, Rosie, you need to unleash the monster!
That way, you won't feel anything at all."
"I did! Dammit! I was..." Rose's voice broke and
she continued in a whisper. "I laughed as I killed them."
"Oh Rose, why do you care so much?" Charle muttered,
shaking her head. "Besides, you have more important matters to attend to.
Shirley. Remember?"
Rose swallowed the lump in her throat and looked
down at the dried blood on her hands. For her own selfish reasons, she
had agreed to end hundreds of innocent lives. The shame she felt was indescribable.
"Perhaps we should get on with some more... important
tasks... like Shirley for instance." Charle cocked her head and smiled.
"Get out."
"Rosie..."
"Get out! Dammit!" Rose hollered. "Before I break
your neck." Charle laughed, clearly unshaken by Rose's anger.
"You wouldn't have the guts to."
"Watch me." With a swift motion, she had her rapier
at Charle's throat. Charle continued to sneer and pushed Rose's sword away.
"Don't make me laugh, Rosie! Killing innocent people
is one thing but when it comes to me, you are a coward! You know where
to find me if you want to know about Shirley." She left, tossing her platinum
hair behind her shoulder.
Rose sighed and turned over, unable to sleep yet
again. It had been several months since she had murdered the first moon
child and Rose no longer felt anything but a dull ache whenever she thought
of it. It was probably the choker's doing, Rose had concluded. She had
also managed to convince herself that what she had done had been for the
world, not only for herself.
Instead, Rose had begun to wonder about Zieg and
Shirley again. I didn't just exchange my happiness for nothing! I need
to know about them. I need answers. Rose sat up and lighted the lamp beside
her bed.
She stepped into the empty hallway and headed down
to Charle's corridor. She stopped outside Charle's bedroom but only hesitated
a moment before sharply rapping on the door.
Charle opened the door a small crack, she appeared
to have been sleeping a few moments ago. Her eyes widened in delight when
she saw it was Rose.
"Rosie! I knew you'd come." Charle said, swinging
open the door. "It was only a matter of time."
"Just tell me where Shirley is!" Rose snapped, storming
into Charle's bed room.
"You never were quite patient. Even when Zieggy
was alive." Charle said, smiling.
"Don't you dare mention his name." Rose threatened.
"Or what? You'll try and kill me again?" Charle
threw her head back, laughing.
"Just tell me where she is!" Rose pleaded. Charle
went over to her dresser and pulled out a scroll.
"Catch!" She said, tossing the scroll at Rose. Rose
caught it without flinching. "It's a map, you may leave tomorrow. Doesn't
matter when you return, as long as you're here to kill the next moon child."
"Fine."
"Remember, Rose. The truth often hurts."
***
50 long years passed by, yet Rose did not even glance
at the scroll. It remained with her, untouched. Something told Rose that
she shouldn't open the scroll, it wasn't the right time. Rose adjusted
her violet armor, starring at her reflection in the hotel mirror. She had
not aged a single day since the first day she had put the choker around
her throat. She had given up everything, her life and her dreams, all to
ensure the future of Soa's unwanted children. During the 50 years that
had gone by, Rose had not seen Charle. Just thinking about that witch made
Rose's blood run cold. Rose snapped out of her thoughts and gathered the
rest of her belongings, preparing to travel to the next town she saw.
As soon as she saw the gray temple, Rose knew it
was the shrine of Shirley. Crowds of people were gathered at the
entrance.
"What is so special about Shirley?" She thought
aloud. A old woman turned towards Rose.
"Shirley was a great hero who died during the Dragon
Campaign. Of course, this happened long before your time!"
You'd be surprised, Rose thought, silently smirking.
"Her restless spirit is still among us, I have been waiting for hours
to receive her blessing." Rose frowned at the woman.
"I need to speak to Shirley."
"Foolish child, The Great Shirley does not merely
show herself to whomever!" The woman laughed, displaying several rotted
teeth.
"She will show herself to me." Rose said. "She owes
me." The woman looked up at Rose, obviously confused. However, Rose offered
no explanation. She shoved her way to the front of the crowd. A hooded
woman dressed in white robes motioned for Rose to follow her. They went
into a small room, it was covered in murals depicting battle scenes from
the Dragon Campaign.
"I will leave you alone... for a while." The woman
exited the room, closing the wooden door behind her. Rose stepped forward
towards the altar, several lighted candles surrounded the altar.
"Shirley." She whispered. "It is Rose... show yourself."
The candles flickered for a moment before dying, bathing the room in darkness.
"Rose..." A ghostly whisper sounded near her ear.
Rose clutched her rapier and whipped around, preparing to strike.
"Come out." Rose demanded, peering into the darkness.
"What you seek shall be answered in due time." The
voice faded away and the candles suddenly flickered to life once again.
The wooden door behind Rose creaked open, revealing the woman in the white
robes. Rose turned and walked towards the door.
"Be strong..." The woman whispered as Rose passed
her. "Black Monster." Rose felt chills run up her spine at the mention
of that name and turned around. But the woman had vanished.
"Hello Rose. You're back." Charle said, looking up from the book she was reading. She took off her reading glasses. "You haven't changed one bit in 108 years."
I've changed a lot. Rose thought silently. I've changed more than you think, I've been reduced to nothing but a monster now. With nothing to look forward to but eternity.
"Unfortunately for you, the next moon child's in
a rather large city." Rose narrowed her eyes.
"What's that got to do with me?"
"You forgot already? Everyone must die."
"How many?"
"1000." Rose closed her eyes and took a deep breathe.
"Fine."
"Finish it tonight then." Charle got up and walked
over to the standing Rose. "You never did tell me? Did you see Shirley?"
"She's a coward." Rose brushed her raven hair behind
her shoulder and turned her back on the smirking Charle.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Okay... this chapter was not only short, it sucked
as well. But I suddenly remembered I REALLY REALLY hafta study. My final
exams are in less than a week and I haven't studied at all! AHHH