The Scarlet Trail
Chapter 3, The Scroll Of The GreenWitch
Author's Notes: Hey people!! Okay first to point out that little mistake in that last chapter where Akane said she was from the Tendo line, well...er...that was my mistake. I'll fix it later, in the past life thingy Akane is Akane Fardisi okay. (I'm nobody...nobody is perfect... therefore I am perfect right?) (Crowd: "Um....no comment. *coughs*) Okay, whatever :p, I thought it would be a long time before I wrote about this story again since I was run dry on it, but I thought about it awhile and decided to type down what I have so far so I don't forget. The ending of the story is very clear in my mind and I already have the beginning out so now all I have to work on is the middle part. Wish me luck. ^_^ *Oh yeah, there's probably some mild cursing in here, nothing serious, but I'm obliged to warn ya*
Disclaimers: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone stared down at the battered bruised body of the two Chinese Amazons and her grandmother. Shock, horror, disbelief and so many more deep, terrifying emotions ran throughout their faces. The hospital room was barely large enough for Soun, Akane, Genma, Ranma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Nodoka, and Ukyo. Yet, only Akane and Ranma felt a trickle of familiar fear run down their backs. The same thoughts ran through everyones' minds, *...this is serious...this isn't just another martial artist...this time...this time...whoever it was... actually went for Shampoo's life...* There was something else too that was too peculiar not to be noticed, Shampoo's wounds seem to be a lot more serious then Cologne's or Mousse's injuries. As if whoever it was...was out to get her...
"W-w-who w-would do such a thing?" Ukyo asked in astonishment, voicing everyone's mind-bending thoughts.
"Obviously someone who has a serious vendetta against the Amazons," Nabiki commented in awe.
"Well, at least we're lucky that this time it wasn't someone out to get Ranma," Nodoka said sternly.
Furrowing her eyebrows in anger Akane turned to Nodoka, "Lucky? Lucky?! Auntie, LOOK at Shampoo! Whoever it was wasn't just another fiancee or another challenger, they were really out to get Shampoo! They weren't out there to teach her a lesson or even injure her! They were out to kill her and they-"
"Failed..." a deep voice said from a corner of the room.
Like a black panther assessing it's prey, Kama slided confidently out of the dark recesses of the shadows, a place that fitted him perfectly. Kama's now-chrystal-blue eyes stared unflinching at Akane and the girl turned away, the now-ever-familiar fear increasing inside her.
Finally, Kama turned towards the battered form of Shampoo and the Amazons and his jaw tightened. He couldn't believe this happened! After all these years, all these centuries, it still chased him relentlessly. Suddenly, his dark eyes narrowed and pinned onto Ranma, *...or maybe it's after someone else now...*
He spoke, then, his words like a knife cutting the thick tension, "As I just said, whatever was out to get Shampoo failed...somehow...and it's not done yet. For the moment Shampoo is safe, until it comes back."
Genma and Nodoka nodded, immediatly accepting the words of their Honored Elder Grandfather as truth, but Ranma wouldn't, his mind still distrusting this figure of the shadows.
"How do you know it's a what and not a who? How do you know it isn't someone that did this to Shampoo?" he spat out angrily.
Waving his hand toward the three unconcious forms, Kama said dryly, "Can you honestly tell me you believe a human being did this?" Ranma remained silent.
"You know something about this, don't you?" Akane choked out as strange emotions clogged up her throat. This time, when those ice eyes reached hers, Akane didn't turn away. Kama watched in amazement as he saw the flicker of fire and anger there, barely restrained. How she knew, he couldn't figure out...maybe she was remembering again. Maybe she wasn't. Whatever it was, he couldn't take the risk. He couldn't risk her remembering it all and condenming him for a mistake he regretted with his entire being.
"How much do you know?" he asked softly. Everyone's attention riveted on the pair, but they remained oblivious to it. All there was was the them two and the war between their eyes. *What are you doing, you stupid tomboy? Why are you acting like this?* Ranma asked, a tiny hole opening itself in his chest. Somehow, Akane's unbelievable anger at Kama had hurt Ranma. Why? Simple, all her life Akane wasn't used to showing any large emotions. The only strong emotion she showed was her uncontrollable anger. And the only person able to evoke that uncontrollable emotion had been Ranma...until now.
Ignoring his question, Akane accused, "You know what's out there. You know what did this to Shampoo. You know why it attacked Shampoo. What I don't understand is why the great Honored Grandfather Elder Saotome would allow that thing to stay out there!" She had ended that with a scream that vibrated the room and made Kama flinch. Nabiki sucked in her breath and pulled on Akane's arm, lightly, but firmly.
"Leave him alone, Akane, don't mess with him," Nabiki warned, a slight urgency in her tone. Everyone knew that Kama was ruthless, but they didn't know how much...but Nabiki knew, oh...Nabiki knew.
Flickering one desdainful look at the middle Tendo child, Kama sneered, "What's the matter, Nabiki? Let Akane fight her own battles, she can handle it."
"You leave Akane alone, you hear? I don't care what you do to the rest of them, but you leave my damn family alone, or I'll make you regret it, Immortal," Nabiki spat.
Rasing his eyebrow, Kama asked, amused, "And what will you do, Nabiki? Not lend me any money? Get your people to demolish my reputation? Don't make empty threats, they only backfire on you."
Enraged, Nabiki began, "Why, I-...I...you-..." but her words were cut off as her eyes turned bloodshot and rolled to the back of her head. Nabiki slumped down unconcious as Akane bent over her screaming, "Nabiki! Nabiki!" over and over again.
Taking one look at Nabiki's pale body on the floor, Ranma moved with lightning speed and held Ranma to the wall, off the ground, by his neck.
"What did you do to her?" he demanded harshly.
Kama's eyes held shock, "I didn't do anything to her, how could I when-oh shit! It's in the room, everyone get out!"
Everyone turned to take one look at Kama's face before rushing out of the room, Soun carrying Nabiki. When they were out Ranma remembered Shampoo and tried to go back in the room, but he was stopped by Kama's tall form.
"I should probably let you go in there, but I won't," he said cooly.
"Shampoo's in there, I have to-"
Turning to look at the young Martial Artist, Kama said, "Stay calm. No harm shall come to Shampoo. It doesn't want her anymore. That's why it got Nabiki. This thing always finishes it's job, but obviously it decided that it didn't want Shampoo dead. Let it go Ranma."
Glaring at the Martial Artist once again Ranma released all the hidden anger he held a reign to these past days and took a swing at Ranma. Kama effortlessly blocked it and the two fought like water against water. Blocking, striking, blocking, striking...like a sofistiacted dance that will not end. Wanting to end this tiresome game, Kama used his strength to make a blow at Ranma's chest. Ranma fell back backwards onto the cold, hospital floor, spitting up blood...staining the clean tiles.
Akane was about to run and aid Ranma when the unexpected happened. Giving an unhumanlike growl that broke fear into the hearts of everyone, Ranma stood up. He charged at Kama then and they struck blows again. Only this time it was so fast, that no one could tell what their forms were doing. All they saw was a falsh of blinding light twirling and flying.
In the midst of this light was a surprised Kama being pushed to his limits by an unhuman Ranma. Ranma's eyes had glazed over and the grey were now fading from his eyes and with every second his blue-gray eyes became an even more disticnt, crystal blue.
The memories flashed through both of the fighters' minds...
#######Flashback########
"You killed her! You killed her! you killed her!" an outraged Kama cried as he fought his younger brother viciously not holding back. Ranma's mind stopped fighting Kama a long time ago, too painful was the void in his chest. His body, however, just fought Kama's hits on instinct. *Please this can't be happening! Please...she can't be dead...I need her...I need her...* for the first time in his life, Ranma pleaded.
"YOU KILLED HER!" Kama shouted as he used his anger to reach into the dark recesses of his mind that he neevr dared before pondered. He reached out and accepted the shadow and ice...he crossed the line to Immortality. Getting his new gain stregnth he gave one final blow to the brother he once loved so dear. Ranma flew across the room, his limp body hitting the wall and sliding down...lifeless...
######End of Flashback########
"Noooooo!!! Akane!!!!" they both gave a shout as the light burst forth and faded leaving two Martial Artists on the floor...blood surrounding them...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranma felt the light under his shadowy mind and he blocked it. He had been in a field of flowers with surounding mountains on a hill that seemed so familiar. Akane was there with him...but she looked different. She wore a long, ancient dress and her hair was long. He sat there and watched as she laughed and twirled around the flowers, giggling happily in a way he never heard before. Ranma could barely remind himself to breathe as his heart stopped from Akane's rare, large, warm smile.
Suddenly Akane was there right in front of him. Her face a few inches away from his, her eyes full of mischief. A bunch of flowers were held in her delicate hands. They were the same type of flowers.
"Do you know what type of flowers these are Ranma?" she said, her voice seeming distant, her lips not moving.
Finally looking down at the flowers, Ranma shook his head. They looked like roses...but he knew that they weren't. He also knew these were her favorite flowers.
"It's called a fireweed, Ranma," she told him quietly as if they were two children sharing a secret. Suddenly he heard her voice again, but this time more urgent.
"Ranma?" he heard along with the light. Ranma saw Akane and the field of flowers slowly disappear.
"Nooo," he moaned.
"Ranma?! Ranma, wake up. Please wake up," Akane said again. Ranma didn't want to leave the field of lowers, but he knew that on the other side of the light Akane was there...and sudddenly he wanted to go towards the light.
Akane saw Ranma's eyes flicker before opening and she gave a shout of joy before hugging him tightly.
"A-Akane? Is that you?" he asked her hesitantly. Akane suddenly blushed and released him before saying, "You scared me Ranma, I-"
"What, the tomboy was actually scared...and for me no less...I'm surprised at you, Akane," Ranma smiled softly.
"Why you baka. I wouldn't care if you were hurt at all," Akane said stubbornly.
"Really, Akane I-OHHH!" Ranma groaned as he felt a stab of pain from his side.
"What happened to me?!" he asked in a half groan of pain.
Akane's eyes widened, "Why? You don't remember?"
"I remember trying to save Shampoo and that Kama guy tell me I didn't have to," he said the word Kama as if it was a vile taste in his mouth.
"Oh, okay," Akane said softly.
Remembering Nabiki, the boy asked, "Where's Nabiki?"
Akane gulped before saying, "We explained evrything to Dr.Tofu and he said that she was caught by a disease that hasn't been known since the middle ages. She'll be okay...if she doesn't get sick in any way for the next couple of weeks. She's so weak now that even a cold could kill her."
Ranma digested this as Akane suddenly remembered why she woke Ranma up.
"Ranma, I have something very important to tell you. After you and Kama...um... fell unconcious me and everyone interrogated Auntie and Mr. Saotome about Kama. They couldn't tell us anything about him but they gave us this really old bottle. At first we didn't think anything of it since it seemed empty when everyone tried shaking it. When I tried shaking it though a ripped piece of paper fell out. I was sent up here to bring you downstairs so we can all discuss this," Akane explained.
Ranma nodded, but he refused Akane when she tried to help him walk. When they reached the stairs of the Tendo home however Akane put her arms around him.
When he glared at her though and hissed, "I don't need help," Akane just said innocently, "What? A girl can't hold onto her fiancee without being harassed?" They both blushed at that and continued down the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranma looked at the old black bottle with a paper that said, "Story of the Horse" on it. He tried shaking it, but nothing came out.
"There's nothing else in there after Akane shook it out," Ukyo commented.
Ranma then looked at the piece of paper laying on the table one more time.
Everyone was still trying to decipher what it meant. The paper read:
{{...and so Kama pushed himself farther and farther until he reached the line that no Saotome dared cross. His anger blinded him, however and he crossed the line, accepting it's consequences for what he wanted. The light faded from his being as the shadows came from the corners to greet their new master. He gave one final blow to the already limp form of his once beloved kin. The younger felt the blow, but it didn't matter for he was already dead inside. He crashed against the wall and slided down dead. Kama looked down at his blood-filled hands and gave a shout of agony for everything lost. For his brother. For his betrothed. For his own soul. Immortality and power has a price...}}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3, The Scroll Of The GreenWitch
Author's Notes: Hey people!! Okay first to point out that little mistake in that last chapter where Akane said she was from the Tendo line, well...er...that was my mistake. I'll fix it later, in the past life thingy Akane is Akane Fardisi okay. (I'm nobody...nobody is perfect... therefore I am perfect right?) (Crowd: "Um....no comment. *coughs*) Okay, whatever :p, I thought it would be a long time before I wrote about this story again since I was run dry on it, but I thought about it awhile and decided to type down what I have so far so I don't forget. The ending of the story is very clear in my mind and I already have the beginning out so now all I have to work on is the middle part. Wish me luck. ^_^ *Oh yeah, there's probably some mild cursing in here, nothing serious, but I'm obliged to warn ya*
Disclaimers: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone stared down at the battered bruised body of the two Chinese Amazons and her grandmother. Shock, horror, disbelief and so many more deep, terrifying emotions ran throughout their faces. The hospital room was barely large enough for Soun, Akane, Genma, Ranma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Nodoka, and Ukyo. Yet, only Akane and Ranma felt a trickle of familiar fear run down their backs. The same thoughts ran through everyones' minds, *...this is serious...this isn't just another martial artist...this time...this time...whoever it was... actually went for Shampoo's life...* There was something else too that was too peculiar not to be noticed, Shampoo's wounds seem to be a lot more serious then Cologne's or Mousse's injuries. As if whoever it was...was out to get her...
"W-w-who w-would do such a thing?" Ukyo asked in astonishment, voicing everyone's mind-bending thoughts.
"Obviously someone who has a serious vendetta against the Amazons," Nabiki commented in awe.
"Well, at least we're lucky that this time it wasn't someone out to get Ranma," Nodoka said sternly.
Furrowing her eyebrows in anger Akane turned to Nodoka, "Lucky? Lucky?! Auntie, LOOK at Shampoo! Whoever it was wasn't just another fiancee or another challenger, they were really out to get Shampoo! They weren't out there to teach her a lesson or even injure her! They were out to kill her and they-"
"Failed..." a deep voice said from a corner of the room.
Like a black panther assessing it's prey, Kama slided confidently out of the dark recesses of the shadows, a place that fitted him perfectly. Kama's now-chrystal-blue eyes stared unflinching at Akane and the girl turned away, the now-ever-familiar fear increasing inside her.
Finally, Kama turned towards the battered form of Shampoo and the Amazons and his jaw tightened. He couldn't believe this happened! After all these years, all these centuries, it still chased him relentlessly. Suddenly, his dark eyes narrowed and pinned onto Ranma, *...or maybe it's after someone else now...*
He spoke, then, his words like a knife cutting the thick tension, "As I just said, whatever was out to get Shampoo failed...somehow...and it's not done yet. For the moment Shampoo is safe, until it comes back."
Genma and Nodoka nodded, immediatly accepting the words of their Honored Elder Grandfather as truth, but Ranma wouldn't, his mind still distrusting this figure of the shadows.
"How do you know it's a what and not a who? How do you know it isn't someone that did this to Shampoo?" he spat out angrily.
Waving his hand toward the three unconcious forms, Kama said dryly, "Can you honestly tell me you believe a human being did this?" Ranma remained silent.
"You know something about this, don't you?" Akane choked out as strange emotions clogged up her throat. This time, when those ice eyes reached hers, Akane didn't turn away. Kama watched in amazement as he saw the flicker of fire and anger there, barely restrained. How she knew, he couldn't figure out...maybe she was remembering again. Maybe she wasn't. Whatever it was, he couldn't take the risk. He couldn't risk her remembering it all and condenming him for a mistake he regretted with his entire being.
"How much do you know?" he asked softly. Everyone's attention riveted on the pair, but they remained oblivious to it. All there was was the them two and the war between their eyes. *What are you doing, you stupid tomboy? Why are you acting like this?* Ranma asked, a tiny hole opening itself in his chest. Somehow, Akane's unbelievable anger at Kama had hurt Ranma. Why? Simple, all her life Akane wasn't used to showing any large emotions. The only strong emotion she showed was her uncontrollable anger. And the only person able to evoke that uncontrollable emotion had been Ranma...until now.
Ignoring his question, Akane accused, "You know what's out there. You know what did this to Shampoo. You know why it attacked Shampoo. What I don't understand is why the great Honored Grandfather Elder Saotome would allow that thing to stay out there!" She had ended that with a scream that vibrated the room and made Kama flinch. Nabiki sucked in her breath and pulled on Akane's arm, lightly, but firmly.
"Leave him alone, Akane, don't mess with him," Nabiki warned, a slight urgency in her tone. Everyone knew that Kama was ruthless, but they didn't know how much...but Nabiki knew, oh...Nabiki knew.
Flickering one desdainful look at the middle Tendo child, Kama sneered, "What's the matter, Nabiki? Let Akane fight her own battles, she can handle it."
"You leave Akane alone, you hear? I don't care what you do to the rest of them, but you leave my damn family alone, or I'll make you regret it, Immortal," Nabiki spat.
Rasing his eyebrow, Kama asked, amused, "And what will you do, Nabiki? Not lend me any money? Get your people to demolish my reputation? Don't make empty threats, they only backfire on you."
Enraged, Nabiki began, "Why, I-...I...you-..." but her words were cut off as her eyes turned bloodshot and rolled to the back of her head. Nabiki slumped down unconcious as Akane bent over her screaming, "Nabiki! Nabiki!" over and over again.
Taking one look at Nabiki's pale body on the floor, Ranma moved with lightning speed and held Ranma to the wall, off the ground, by his neck.
"What did you do to her?" he demanded harshly.
Kama's eyes held shock, "I didn't do anything to her, how could I when-oh shit! It's in the room, everyone get out!"
Everyone turned to take one look at Kama's face before rushing out of the room, Soun carrying Nabiki. When they were out Ranma remembered Shampoo and tried to go back in the room, but he was stopped by Kama's tall form.
"I should probably let you go in there, but I won't," he said cooly.
"Shampoo's in there, I have to-"
Turning to look at the young Martial Artist, Kama said, "Stay calm. No harm shall come to Shampoo. It doesn't want her anymore. That's why it got Nabiki. This thing always finishes it's job, but obviously it decided that it didn't want Shampoo dead. Let it go Ranma."
Glaring at the Martial Artist once again Ranma released all the hidden anger he held a reign to these past days and took a swing at Ranma. Kama effortlessly blocked it and the two fought like water against water. Blocking, striking, blocking, striking...like a sofistiacted dance that will not end. Wanting to end this tiresome game, Kama used his strength to make a blow at Ranma's chest. Ranma fell back backwards onto the cold, hospital floor, spitting up blood...staining the clean tiles.
Akane was about to run and aid Ranma when the unexpected happened. Giving an unhumanlike growl that broke fear into the hearts of everyone, Ranma stood up. He charged at Kama then and they struck blows again. Only this time it was so fast, that no one could tell what their forms were doing. All they saw was a falsh of blinding light twirling and flying.
In the midst of this light was a surprised Kama being pushed to his limits by an unhuman Ranma. Ranma's eyes had glazed over and the grey were now fading from his eyes and with every second his blue-gray eyes became an even more disticnt, crystal blue.
The memories flashed through both of the fighters' minds...
#######Flashback########
"You killed her! You killed her! you killed her!" an outraged Kama cried as he fought his younger brother viciously not holding back. Ranma's mind stopped fighting Kama a long time ago, too painful was the void in his chest. His body, however, just fought Kama's hits on instinct. *Please this can't be happening! Please...she can't be dead...I need her...I need her...* for the first time in his life, Ranma pleaded.
"YOU KILLED HER!" Kama shouted as he used his anger to reach into the dark recesses of his mind that he neevr dared before pondered. He reached out and accepted the shadow and ice...he crossed the line to Immortality. Getting his new gain stregnth he gave one final blow to the brother he once loved so dear. Ranma flew across the room, his limp body hitting the wall and sliding down...lifeless...
######End of Flashback########
"Noooooo!!! Akane!!!!" they both gave a shout as the light burst forth and faded leaving two Martial Artists on the floor...blood surrounding them...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranma felt the light under his shadowy mind and he blocked it. He had been in a field of flowers with surounding mountains on a hill that seemed so familiar. Akane was there with him...but she looked different. She wore a long, ancient dress and her hair was long. He sat there and watched as she laughed and twirled around the flowers, giggling happily in a way he never heard before. Ranma could barely remind himself to breathe as his heart stopped from Akane's rare, large, warm smile.
Suddenly Akane was there right in front of him. Her face a few inches away from his, her eyes full of mischief. A bunch of flowers were held in her delicate hands. They were the same type of flowers.
"Do you know what type of flowers these are Ranma?" she said, her voice seeming distant, her lips not moving.
Finally looking down at the flowers, Ranma shook his head. They looked like roses...but he knew that they weren't. He also knew these were her favorite flowers.
"It's called a fireweed, Ranma," she told him quietly as if they were two children sharing a secret. Suddenly he heard her voice again, but this time more urgent.
"Ranma?" he heard along with the light. Ranma saw Akane and the field of flowers slowly disappear.
"Nooo," he moaned.
"Ranma?! Ranma, wake up. Please wake up," Akane said again. Ranma didn't want to leave the field of lowers, but he knew that on the other side of the light Akane was there...and sudddenly he wanted to go towards the light.
Akane saw Ranma's eyes flicker before opening and she gave a shout of joy before hugging him tightly.
"A-Akane? Is that you?" he asked her hesitantly. Akane suddenly blushed and released him before saying, "You scared me Ranma, I-"
"What, the tomboy was actually scared...and for me no less...I'm surprised at you, Akane," Ranma smiled softly.
"Why you baka. I wouldn't care if you were hurt at all," Akane said stubbornly.
"Really, Akane I-OHHH!" Ranma groaned as he felt a stab of pain from his side.
"What happened to me?!" he asked in a half groan of pain.
Akane's eyes widened, "Why? You don't remember?"
"I remember trying to save Shampoo and that Kama guy tell me I didn't have to," he said the word Kama as if it was a vile taste in his mouth.
"Oh, okay," Akane said softly.
Remembering Nabiki, the boy asked, "Where's Nabiki?"
Akane gulped before saying, "We explained evrything to Dr.Tofu and he said that she was caught by a disease that hasn't been known since the middle ages. She'll be okay...if she doesn't get sick in any way for the next couple of weeks. She's so weak now that even a cold could kill her."
Ranma digested this as Akane suddenly remembered why she woke Ranma up.
"Ranma, I have something very important to tell you. After you and Kama...um... fell unconcious me and everyone interrogated Auntie and Mr. Saotome about Kama. They couldn't tell us anything about him but they gave us this really old bottle. At first we didn't think anything of it since it seemed empty when everyone tried shaking it. When I tried shaking it though a ripped piece of paper fell out. I was sent up here to bring you downstairs so we can all discuss this," Akane explained.
Ranma nodded, but he refused Akane when she tried to help him walk. When they reached the stairs of the Tendo home however Akane put her arms around him.
When he glared at her though and hissed, "I don't need help," Akane just said innocently, "What? A girl can't hold onto her fiancee without being harassed?" They both blushed at that and continued down the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranma looked at the old black bottle with a paper that said, "Story of the Horse" on it. He tried shaking it, but nothing came out.
"There's nothing else in there after Akane shook it out," Ukyo commented.
Ranma then looked at the piece of paper laying on the table one more time.
Everyone was still trying to decipher what it meant. The paper read:
{{...and so Kama pushed himself farther and farther until he reached the line that no Saotome dared cross. His anger blinded him, however and he crossed the line, accepting it's consequences for what he wanted. The light faded from his being as the shadows came from the corners to greet their new master. He gave one final blow to the already limp form of his once beloved kin. The younger felt the blow, but it didn't matter for he was already dead inside. He crashed against the wall and slided down dead. Kama looked down at his blood-filled hands and gave a shout of agony for everything lost. For his brother. For his betrothed. For his own soul. Immortality and power has a price...}}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~