Chapter 10: Crimson Rain
AN: The last chapter was my best-reviewed chapter ever so I'm happy because people liked it as much as I did, this one has fighting in it because I thought it was about time we saw some action again. I just can't seem to write anything happy at the moment, if anyone reading this has read 'Aftermath' they'll know what I'm on about. Anyhow, how you enjoy the chapter!
Ps: does anyone know if there's an S.S.B.M.A? (Super Smash Brothers Melee anonymous? I think I may be addicted....)
Dilandau just couldn't wipe the smirk of his face, not that it particularly bothered him. As he briefed his slayers about the up coming 'events' he found himself getting more and more excited. It was going to be so much fun! He could already see the looks on their faces, the surprise, followed by realisation, then his personal favourite fear. In battle he would often convince himself that he could smell it in the air, it wasn't just enough to see it in their eyes, he wanted to feel it. To the commander of the dragon slayers it was more than just a simple feeling, it was a drug.
''I will not take part in this foolish 'operation'.''
Hitomi's calm but stern tone radiated round the barn's interior, bouncing off the wooden walls and into Dilandau's ears. His ruby eyes narrowed into slits as he turned on his heels and regarded the girl.
''What?'' His tone spoke of controlled rage, how dare she defy him in front of his men!
Emerald orbs didn't falter in Hitomi's cool gaze. ''I am not under your command and will not fight without good cause.'' From her place above the others, seated upon a higher ledge mostly covered in hay piles. Hitomi spoke again, her back rested up against a wall with one of her slender legs out straight while the other was bent, her left arm resting on her knee.
Dilandau stared at her, he could feel his slayers eyes boring into him, awaiting his reaction. Another second past and his smirk came back as his pale feature un creased. ''Very well.''
Silence.
In a way even Hitomi was mildly surprised, thought she didn't allow her features to betray the feeling. She watched as Dilandau turned back to his men, who where still in line and spoke again, his voice ringing out in triumph. ''We can take down hell beasts, framers aren't even worth sharpening our swords for!''
Many villagers turned round towards the storehouses as a loud cheer irrupted from one of them. After a few seconds of distraction most turned back to their work or play, except for one.
Hitomi's gaze shifted from the men below. Her eyes bore into the barn wall opposite her and for a instant something in her eyes shone, recognition maybe? Another moment and it was gone, her eyes focused once more on the warriors below her preparing for a pointless battle.
''You sure you don't want to join in? Could be fun.'' Hitomi got up in one flawless motion and looked at Van, his chocolate eyes danced with the same excitement a small child expressed on their birthday.
Moving round him to the ladder that lead down to the floor of the barn Hitomi stood for a second. ''Taking someone's life isn't what I would call fun.'' She spoke again calmly but couldn't help it when her voice carried an edge of controlled rage to it. In another fluid movement she had jumped from the ledge and landed again, not missing a beat she continued to walk towards the twin doors of the barn and left, cloak blowing behind her, finishing her sentence as she went, ''Even if they do deserve it.''
~~~~~
Bright yellows and blues exploded in the star filled sky as music and laugher radiated from Lenelle's town square. Children called to each other through the haze of dancers and stall vendors out to make a profit of travellers' good will. The atmosphere was incredible to Hitomi. She couldn't hold back a smile as she watched the dancers and comedians, nodding in polite refusal as she walked past stools filled with every thing under Gaea's two moons.
Hitomi glided through the mist of children and adults as another song piped up from a huge band in the very centre of the celebration.
''May I have the honour of this dance my lady?''
Hitomi laughed a little shyly as a rather hansom man, no more than a year older than her bowed to her and offered his hand. She took it just as shyly and was silently amused as the boy held it in his own as if it might break if he held on to hard. It never cessed to amaze her at how a simple change of clothing could change a person's identity completely.
Instead of her usual tomboyish style of dress she wore a simple but figure flattering midnight blue gown that draped down to her ankles. Gold stitching outlined the collar and hemline as well as the cuffs, which fell past her wrists to land on her knuckles. Her sand coloured hair was tied back in a loop and the small amount of blush applied to her cheeks made her look even more like a lady of any countries royal court.
The young man explained who he was as they danced, with him leading of course. Apparently he was a son of a very wealthy merchant who had come to Fanelia in hopes of helping his friends, the royal family, in their time of need. Hitomi was trying very hard not to laugh out loud. It also never cessed to amaze her at how desperate some men could be.
As the music came to an end, finishing the dance Hitomi politely nodded her head once again in kind refusal as the man, who's name she had already forgotten, asked her for another dance. Moving off the dance floor as flawlessly as she had entred it, Hitomi went in search of objects of interest, knowing that she couldn't go back to her 'accommodation' until her travelling companions had settled their craving for mindless violence.
Sighing she walked towards the nearest stall she could find and allowed a middle-aged man to attempt to persuade her to waste her money on a bottle of coloured water.
~~~~~
Van and Dilandau stood at opposite ends of the barns open doors. Darkness had enveloped the interior of the structure making its contents impossible to see until ones eyes adjusted to the seemingly resilient shadow. Sounds of far off laughter drifted into the slayers ears but laughter wasn't the sound they were looking for.
From his place round the corner of the left exterior wall, Miguel was the first to hear it. The sounds where muffled by the surrounding grassland but they where present. Unsheathing his sword and holding it before him he let the glow from the ever-near twin moons, signalling to his commander that the fun was about to begin.
Inside the light reflected off Miguel's sword and into Dilandau's garnet depths, his smirk now as bright as his eyes Dilandau took his sword from his side and waited. 'Let the games begin.'
The sounds of footsteps and clinking armour grew louder as the party of foes approached. The first of them came through the open doors in confusion, their blades and various other weapons raised protectively as they took each step with a cautious note as if fearing the floor would fall out from under them.
Surprisingly van was the first to emerge from the darkness, sword raised. Dilandau soon appeared from the other direction as they both closed in on the group of now cornered men.
The first didn't stand a chance, they where to far in and had nowhere to go, falling with screams of anguish they fell unnoticed as all out war broke out inside the wooden building. All the slayers where fighting, the sounds of far off laughter had been drowned in the wave of metal against metal. Blood and sweat fell to the floor forgotten as grunts of endurance and cries of war sounded across the newly found battle ground.
Miguel was about to run in to help his fellow slayers until a small figure caught his attention in the moonlight. It was a woman, he could easily tell despite the long cloak and hood that covered her small frame. Sheathing his sword he approached her slowly, stepping lightly so his presence, or lack of it, would not be noticed.
''My lady, forgive me but you should not be here.'' Miguel spoke with a soft tone; he didn't want to scare the poor girl, who was still unmoving.
For a few moments the girl said nothing and let Miguel approach. She waited until he was within a few feat of her and brought up a gloved hand to her hood, pulling it down in a single, swift motion. ''But you see my dear boy,'' She stared, in a voice which could only be described as coldly twisted, ''I am meant to be here.'' She finished, bringing her hands together and muttering a silent chant as Miguel stood as if paralysed in front of her. A small purple light formed in her hands as she smirked at the dead boy, 'such a shame, and so hansom to.'
~~~~~
Hitomi's legs gave way from underneath her without warning as she held her head in her hands. It took a few moments for her to realise what she had felt. Tears stung in her eyes and another instant past, ignoring the concerned words and glances of surrounding people she stood tall again and let her feet do the thinking.
Within an instant she was out of the market and running as fast as she could towards the power source. Closing her eyes as she ran, occasionally jumping catlike over various obstacles in her path she called her sword. In a second it appeared in her right hand, carved dragon glowing in assurance, she would win her battle.
AN: The last chapter was my best-reviewed chapter ever so I'm happy because people liked it as much as I did, this one has fighting in it because I thought it was about time we saw some action again. I just can't seem to write anything happy at the moment, if anyone reading this has read 'Aftermath' they'll know what I'm on about. Anyhow, how you enjoy the chapter!
Ps: does anyone know if there's an S.S.B.M.A? (Super Smash Brothers Melee anonymous? I think I may be addicted....)
Dilandau just couldn't wipe the smirk of his face, not that it particularly bothered him. As he briefed his slayers about the up coming 'events' he found himself getting more and more excited. It was going to be so much fun! He could already see the looks on their faces, the surprise, followed by realisation, then his personal favourite fear. In battle he would often convince himself that he could smell it in the air, it wasn't just enough to see it in their eyes, he wanted to feel it. To the commander of the dragon slayers it was more than just a simple feeling, it was a drug.
''I will not take part in this foolish 'operation'.''
Hitomi's calm but stern tone radiated round the barn's interior, bouncing off the wooden walls and into Dilandau's ears. His ruby eyes narrowed into slits as he turned on his heels and regarded the girl.
''What?'' His tone spoke of controlled rage, how dare she defy him in front of his men!
Emerald orbs didn't falter in Hitomi's cool gaze. ''I am not under your command and will not fight without good cause.'' From her place above the others, seated upon a higher ledge mostly covered in hay piles. Hitomi spoke again, her back rested up against a wall with one of her slender legs out straight while the other was bent, her left arm resting on her knee.
Dilandau stared at her, he could feel his slayers eyes boring into him, awaiting his reaction. Another second past and his smirk came back as his pale feature un creased. ''Very well.''
Silence.
In a way even Hitomi was mildly surprised, thought she didn't allow her features to betray the feeling. She watched as Dilandau turned back to his men, who where still in line and spoke again, his voice ringing out in triumph. ''We can take down hell beasts, framers aren't even worth sharpening our swords for!''
Many villagers turned round towards the storehouses as a loud cheer irrupted from one of them. After a few seconds of distraction most turned back to their work or play, except for one.
Hitomi's gaze shifted from the men below. Her eyes bore into the barn wall opposite her and for a instant something in her eyes shone, recognition maybe? Another moment and it was gone, her eyes focused once more on the warriors below her preparing for a pointless battle.
''You sure you don't want to join in? Could be fun.'' Hitomi got up in one flawless motion and looked at Van, his chocolate eyes danced with the same excitement a small child expressed on their birthday.
Moving round him to the ladder that lead down to the floor of the barn Hitomi stood for a second. ''Taking someone's life isn't what I would call fun.'' She spoke again calmly but couldn't help it when her voice carried an edge of controlled rage to it. In another fluid movement she had jumped from the ledge and landed again, not missing a beat she continued to walk towards the twin doors of the barn and left, cloak blowing behind her, finishing her sentence as she went, ''Even if they do deserve it.''
~~~~~
Bright yellows and blues exploded in the star filled sky as music and laugher radiated from Lenelle's town square. Children called to each other through the haze of dancers and stall vendors out to make a profit of travellers' good will. The atmosphere was incredible to Hitomi. She couldn't hold back a smile as she watched the dancers and comedians, nodding in polite refusal as she walked past stools filled with every thing under Gaea's two moons.
Hitomi glided through the mist of children and adults as another song piped up from a huge band in the very centre of the celebration.
''May I have the honour of this dance my lady?''
Hitomi laughed a little shyly as a rather hansom man, no more than a year older than her bowed to her and offered his hand. She took it just as shyly and was silently amused as the boy held it in his own as if it might break if he held on to hard. It never cessed to amaze her at how a simple change of clothing could change a person's identity completely.
Instead of her usual tomboyish style of dress she wore a simple but figure flattering midnight blue gown that draped down to her ankles. Gold stitching outlined the collar and hemline as well as the cuffs, which fell past her wrists to land on her knuckles. Her sand coloured hair was tied back in a loop and the small amount of blush applied to her cheeks made her look even more like a lady of any countries royal court.
The young man explained who he was as they danced, with him leading of course. Apparently he was a son of a very wealthy merchant who had come to Fanelia in hopes of helping his friends, the royal family, in their time of need. Hitomi was trying very hard not to laugh out loud. It also never cessed to amaze her at how desperate some men could be.
As the music came to an end, finishing the dance Hitomi politely nodded her head once again in kind refusal as the man, who's name she had already forgotten, asked her for another dance. Moving off the dance floor as flawlessly as she had entred it, Hitomi went in search of objects of interest, knowing that she couldn't go back to her 'accommodation' until her travelling companions had settled their craving for mindless violence.
Sighing she walked towards the nearest stall she could find and allowed a middle-aged man to attempt to persuade her to waste her money on a bottle of coloured water.
~~~~~
Van and Dilandau stood at opposite ends of the barns open doors. Darkness had enveloped the interior of the structure making its contents impossible to see until ones eyes adjusted to the seemingly resilient shadow. Sounds of far off laughter drifted into the slayers ears but laughter wasn't the sound they were looking for.
From his place round the corner of the left exterior wall, Miguel was the first to hear it. The sounds where muffled by the surrounding grassland but they where present. Unsheathing his sword and holding it before him he let the glow from the ever-near twin moons, signalling to his commander that the fun was about to begin.
Inside the light reflected off Miguel's sword and into Dilandau's garnet depths, his smirk now as bright as his eyes Dilandau took his sword from his side and waited. 'Let the games begin.'
The sounds of footsteps and clinking armour grew louder as the party of foes approached. The first of them came through the open doors in confusion, their blades and various other weapons raised protectively as they took each step with a cautious note as if fearing the floor would fall out from under them.
Surprisingly van was the first to emerge from the darkness, sword raised. Dilandau soon appeared from the other direction as they both closed in on the group of now cornered men.
The first didn't stand a chance, they where to far in and had nowhere to go, falling with screams of anguish they fell unnoticed as all out war broke out inside the wooden building. All the slayers where fighting, the sounds of far off laughter had been drowned in the wave of metal against metal. Blood and sweat fell to the floor forgotten as grunts of endurance and cries of war sounded across the newly found battle ground.
Miguel was about to run in to help his fellow slayers until a small figure caught his attention in the moonlight. It was a woman, he could easily tell despite the long cloak and hood that covered her small frame. Sheathing his sword he approached her slowly, stepping lightly so his presence, or lack of it, would not be noticed.
''My lady, forgive me but you should not be here.'' Miguel spoke with a soft tone; he didn't want to scare the poor girl, who was still unmoving.
For a few moments the girl said nothing and let Miguel approach. She waited until he was within a few feat of her and brought up a gloved hand to her hood, pulling it down in a single, swift motion. ''But you see my dear boy,'' She stared, in a voice which could only be described as coldly twisted, ''I am meant to be here.'' She finished, bringing her hands together and muttering a silent chant as Miguel stood as if paralysed in front of her. A small purple light formed in her hands as she smirked at the dead boy, 'such a shame, and so hansom to.'
~~~~~
Hitomi's legs gave way from underneath her without warning as she held her head in her hands. It took a few moments for her to realise what she had felt. Tears stung in her eyes and another instant past, ignoring the concerned words and glances of surrounding people she stood tall again and let her feet do the thinking.
Within an instant she was out of the market and running as fast as she could towards the power source. Closing her eyes as she ran, occasionally jumping catlike over various obstacles in her path she called her sword. In a second it appeared in her right hand, carved dragon glowing in assurance, she would win her battle.