Chapter Five
"Out Of The Shadows"
The few hours that had passed allowed for the atmosphere at the Delyerain to calm down considerably. The usual cloud of smoke was now nothing more than a few lingering wisps of white tendrils within the air. The bar had been washed down and only a few people still graced its barstool seats.
The moment Rei stepped through the door, for the second time that night, she did not hesitate to immediately scour around for her old friend Gren. Grateful for the lesser amount of patrons, Rei could easily maneuver herself through the old building. She prayed that Gren would still be where he last sat, or even still at the Delyerain itself. She desperately needed to speak with him, and time would not allow her to calm down.
The wooden floor of the Delyerain echoed the soft noise from Rei's black boots, but otherwise she was silent as a cat as she lithely made her way to the very back. Her violet eyes flared brightly as she noted that Gren was not still sitting there. Now what would she do?
With a great sigh of disapproval, Rei rocked back onto the heels of her feet. She considered where else she could go in search of her friend. Since there weren't too many places that were safe for those who served the Rebellion, her choices were narrowed down considerably.
"The person whom you seek will no longer be returning to these parts." A steady voice stated from directly behind Rei. She quickly turned all senses on full alert, only to come face to face with someone recognizable by appearance alone. Rei's breath caught within her throat, the deep violet of her eyes flaring brightly in response to the words spoken.
Trystan stood before the young woman whom he had been watching for what seemed like an eternity. He still marveled at her youth and undeniable beauty even after all the long years that had passed. There was nothing about this young woman that he did not know himself.
The air between the two figures grew thick and still as tension began to build. Trystan knew this day would eventually come. The day when he would finally be able to come out from the shadows and make his presence known. The day when he would be able to speak to her. It was the day he lived for, what he was born to do.
Rei's mouth opened slightly, the urge to break the silence becoming unbearable. What did Trystan speak of anyway? How would he know where Gren was? The thought that answered her questions settled uneasily within her mind.
"Where is Gren...what have YOU done with him!" The fury that emanated from Rei's tone alone was enough to cause everyone to turn and look at the two who confronted each other. Rei paid no mind though; her entire focus was on finding the location of her friend. Her entire body had gone rigid, the blood surging through her veins. Rei's fingers twitched slightly, the urge to grab Trystan by the throat and beat him into a bloody pulp becoming tempting.
Trystan stepped back slightly, a confused look washing over his handsome face. He didn't expect this kind of reaction, nor did he enjoy seeing Rei in angst. He had to make clear what he had meant. Somehow he had to gain this woman's trust, but that was going to be no easy task. Trystan slowly closed his knowledgeable eyes and ran a steady hand through his shaggy blonde hair. He let out a long sigh in preparation, and finally answered.
"I am afraid that the dark one has taken him." When Trystan reopened his eyes they were brimmed with tears. Their amber depths clouding over as he relayed what information he could to the young woman before him. He watched in pain, as Rei's own expression faltered and fell.
"Dark one..." Rei repeated to her self, her mind wandering as she recalled the enemy that she and the world faced. The face of the man she met in the streets flashed into memory. His long ebony hair. The crimson cloak, a mirror image of a blood red sea. His piercing blue eyes. Rei shook her head trying desperately to focus. She had never had any reason to fear or distrust Trystan before, yet truth be told this was the first time that they had ever spoken.
"I don't understand. Even more why should I believe in your words?" Rei's gaze lowered as she finished her question. Although she asked it, deep down she knew that it was the truth. Somehow she just knew that what Trystan spoke of was indeed a reality. Rei absently raised a slender hand to her heart. She rested it there briefly feeling the beat of her own pulse. Where would she be without Gren? Even after all their time spent apart, she still always knew he was there...somewhere.
"You are right in being leery of me and what I speak of. It would seem like Gren has taught you well indeed. However, I have told you all that I know of... I realize that, that is not much." Trystan opened his arms before him in gesture. "But it is all you and I have at the current point in time."
Rei swayed slightly where she stood, gravity pulling down hard upon her body. Why was this happening? Why now? Her violet eyes had grown very dark, her skin pale as a wave of utter horror washed over her. She looked over to the bar, where the bartender still stood watching.
"Have you seen Gren? Earlier...the man who was sitting over near the back." Rei pointed over to the small table in reference. Yet the bartender merely shook his head in confusion. After Trystan's mention of the enemy the entire attendance of the Delyerain had quickly dispersed. Even he was now having thoughts of closing up early. Not many spoke of such things within the few remaining sanctuaries. It was a bad omen.
Trystan grimaced as he watched Rei desperately reach out to the man behind the bar. He could see the terror and hopelessness growing within her eyes. She did not know what to do or think anymore. Why should she...after all she had currently been through Trystan was surprised to even see her up and about...
...A sudden gust of wind blew through the cracks in the windows that graced the front wall of the Delyerain. It scurried in under the door, scattering what debris lay about the wooden floor. Trystan looked down in dismay as a few stray leaves danced around his boots and between he and Rei. A foul whisper was carried in on that breeze that did not settle well with him nor his nerves.
"We must leave...now." Trystan spoke so low that Rei barely heard him. She was so swept up in her worries that it took his sudden grasp of her arm to draw her attention to the deathly presence that filtered in from the outside. Rei looked to the bartender, only to see that he had taken to the back door that led to the kitchen. Something was wrong...again.
Rei's gaze slowly turned up into that of Trystan's once more. His eyes alone spoke of what was coming. Everything slowed as the front door of the Delyerain suddenly burst open, wooden splinters splaying everywhere. Trystan pushed into Rei hard, forcing her to tumble backwards. She watched as he gripped a scabbard at his side and unsheathed a long slender sword. The metal glinted in the light of the fires that illuminated the room.
Trystan positioned himself directly in front of Rei's fumbling body. She scrambled back, trying to regain some sort of composure as she watched Trystan stand before her...protecting and shielding her the best he could. Her gaze returned once more to the door, and to the creatures that proceeded to enter through it.
Rei could feel her heart pounding within her ears; her breathing slowed in recognition of the enemy that penetrated one of the Rebellion's most sanctified strongholds. She could not remember the last time that the enemy had dared to attack the Delyerain, especially with the station only a few blocks up the street. It usually meant suicide on their part, yet now they entered the building seemingly without worry or fear, driven by some unseen force.
Trystan seemed to sense Rei's questioning of the events that were unfolding before her, and he leaned back resting a hand upon her shoulder. "They are here for you and you alone." He said, an expression of alarm upon his face.
"I don't understand..." Rei retorted, her voice failing despite her best efforts. She knew that she should get up and bear arms, yet her body would not move. Instead she continued to sit frozen in confusion and fear.
"You do not have to understand...just trust. Put your faith in me and my words, I will never lead you astray...to this I swear." The sympathy within Trystan's voice alone caused something to stir deep within Rei's soul. Somehow she had always known that she could trust this man, even now.
From the entrance of the Delyerain came forth many sentinels, all clad in the armor that represented their kind. They were faithful servants to the evil that walked the land, bringing nothing less than chaos and terror to all they crossed. A group of twenty or so filed in, all gathering before the two who were before them.
Trystan quickly extended his free hand, gesturing for Rei to grasp it. He knew that if they were to get out of this alive it would take both of them fighting. He could hear the sentinels filing in behind him and gritted his teeth as he made a mental guess at how many had come.
From her position on the floor Rei could see both Trystan and the enemy as she decided to take his offering hand. Her eyes never strayed from the sentinels, even as she came to a standing position. From within her chest Rei could feel her heartbeat threatening to burst; her palms had become sweaty and she could swear that her hair stood on end.
With a slight nod of his head Trystan gracefully swiveled around, bringing the blade of his sword to rest upon his forehead. Rei in turn flung open her long, black leather coat revealing a massive array of daggers, arrows and a crossbow. In an impressive display of agility Rei unhooked her weapon of choice, arming it and taking stance to fight.
Trystan watched from the corner of his eye as Rei withdrew a magnificent weapon, her crossbow. Within the span of a heartbeat she had it armed and cocked, all prepared to do what would be needed. The fierce determination that had grown in her eyes seemed electric. Rei's long black hair flowed freely behind her, as her long coat settled around her slender form once more. She was a vision of beauty, all the while a capable bringer of death.
Rei no longer allowed herself to question or doubt. All she knew for sure was that her life was now in danger, and that she had to defend it. How else would she be able to find out what happened to Gren? She would not allow herself to die here now, not like this. There was so much yet to do, so much to learn and attempt to understand; yet time never seemed to be on her side. Still, she owed it to herself and Gren to keep on going...even if she wasn't sure that she was headed in the right direction.
Without further hesitation Rei pulled the small trigger of the crossbow that she held. It's thick silver arrow whistled through the air just before lodging itself in the throat of one the sentinels. Blood the color of pure black poured from the gaping wound inflicted while sending its owner into a screaming frenzy.
As if on cue the entire room exploded into battle. The sentinels lunged themselves upon the two they attacked. Their own weapons, various swords and daggers were met with parries and blocks. Although Trystan and Rei were quite outnumbered, they held their ground considerably.
Trystan seemed as though he danced upon the very air itself, skipping from one attacker to the next. The clash of metal ringed continuously throughout the air as he protected himself time and again. With an unusual grace for a man of his stature, Trystan easily maneuvered himself between two sentinels who charged him. He launched himself into the air, landing a fatal kick into the chest of the enemy.
The ground was soon covered in the thick substance of the enemy's blood. It became treacherous to all that stood upon it. Rei tried desperately not to slip on the ground, not wanting to become unguarded and vulnerable for even a second. Still, she risked a glance over her shoulder just in time to see Trystan sever the head of one of the many sentinels they both still faced. How were they ever going to get out of this alive?
Although it seemed that they were winning the fight, the number in the sentinels seemed to never decrease. Rei fumbled slightly as she returned her full attention to another oncoming attacker. Fear and doubt began to etch at her mind once more, and she wondered if it was even of her own making. She looked at the sentinel who charged her and felt the rush of adrenaline surge through her entire body, yet the hopelessness that she had felt earlier began to overwhelm her once more...
Trystan grimaced in disgust as the head of a sentinel whipped up in the air before him, the body it belonged slumping lifelessly to the ground. He quickly wiped his face only to realize that he was covered in it's blood. This was the part of the battle he hated most, the messiness. He took a brief moment to scan his surroundings, pondering how well they were doing in the fight.
The mess of bodies on the floor was all of the enemy; not that he doubted it. Trystan knew that Rei was an excellent fighter, even now before her true power would come to term. Still, he felt the need to check on her. God only knows how screwed up things would be if the world lost her...
...Rei's entire world seemed to stop as she stood motionless before her attacker. A million things went through her head as she tried to grasp what counter attack she should do. Why was she even thinking about this? Fighting didn't require one's thoughts, only actions. Yet Rei could not move, she simply would not.
"moonlight will show the gates of time..." Rei spoke weakly. Her words whispered through the air, addressing any whom would listen. She clung to those words as though they would somehow save her from what she was facing. Yet the sounds of the fight still roared on, drowning out her useless words.
Trystan's eyes finally locked onto the form of Rei just moments before she spoke aloud. He watched in horror as she stood completely still, her gaze steadily fixed on a sentinel who advanced upon her. Its sword was raised, positioned for a fatal blow, yet Rei remained unmoving.
"NO--REI!" Trystan flung a nearby enemy to the side, breaking out in a run towards the young woman. He watched as her mouth moved, silently speaking something. And as he drew nearer he realized that she was not herself, the dazed look within her eyes spoke of foul play. Someone was controlling her...stalling her movement.
"DAMNIT REI, SNAP OUT OF IT!!" Trystan yelled, desperately trying to bring Rei to her senses. To an innocent onlooker it seemed to be an act of suicide, but he knew better. Now was such a fragile time in Rei's life; she would be an easy target for the mind manipulation that the dark one projected.
From within Rei's soul she knew that she should move, or at least do something other than just stand there. Yet standing there she remained, and as the sentinel finally was upon her a single tear rolled gently down her face.
** Coming Soon: Chapter VI **
"Out Of The Shadows"
The few hours that had passed allowed for the atmosphere at the Delyerain to calm down considerably. The usual cloud of smoke was now nothing more than a few lingering wisps of white tendrils within the air. The bar had been washed down and only a few people still graced its barstool seats.
The moment Rei stepped through the door, for the second time that night, she did not hesitate to immediately scour around for her old friend Gren. Grateful for the lesser amount of patrons, Rei could easily maneuver herself through the old building. She prayed that Gren would still be where he last sat, or even still at the Delyerain itself. She desperately needed to speak with him, and time would not allow her to calm down.
The wooden floor of the Delyerain echoed the soft noise from Rei's black boots, but otherwise she was silent as a cat as she lithely made her way to the very back. Her violet eyes flared brightly as she noted that Gren was not still sitting there. Now what would she do?
With a great sigh of disapproval, Rei rocked back onto the heels of her feet. She considered where else she could go in search of her friend. Since there weren't too many places that were safe for those who served the Rebellion, her choices were narrowed down considerably.
"The person whom you seek will no longer be returning to these parts." A steady voice stated from directly behind Rei. She quickly turned all senses on full alert, only to come face to face with someone recognizable by appearance alone. Rei's breath caught within her throat, the deep violet of her eyes flaring brightly in response to the words spoken.
Trystan stood before the young woman whom he had been watching for what seemed like an eternity. He still marveled at her youth and undeniable beauty even after all the long years that had passed. There was nothing about this young woman that he did not know himself.
The air between the two figures grew thick and still as tension began to build. Trystan knew this day would eventually come. The day when he would finally be able to come out from the shadows and make his presence known. The day when he would be able to speak to her. It was the day he lived for, what he was born to do.
Rei's mouth opened slightly, the urge to break the silence becoming unbearable. What did Trystan speak of anyway? How would he know where Gren was? The thought that answered her questions settled uneasily within her mind.
"Where is Gren...what have YOU done with him!" The fury that emanated from Rei's tone alone was enough to cause everyone to turn and look at the two who confronted each other. Rei paid no mind though; her entire focus was on finding the location of her friend. Her entire body had gone rigid, the blood surging through her veins. Rei's fingers twitched slightly, the urge to grab Trystan by the throat and beat him into a bloody pulp becoming tempting.
Trystan stepped back slightly, a confused look washing over his handsome face. He didn't expect this kind of reaction, nor did he enjoy seeing Rei in angst. He had to make clear what he had meant. Somehow he had to gain this woman's trust, but that was going to be no easy task. Trystan slowly closed his knowledgeable eyes and ran a steady hand through his shaggy blonde hair. He let out a long sigh in preparation, and finally answered.
"I am afraid that the dark one has taken him." When Trystan reopened his eyes they were brimmed with tears. Their amber depths clouding over as he relayed what information he could to the young woman before him. He watched in pain, as Rei's own expression faltered and fell.
"Dark one..." Rei repeated to her self, her mind wandering as she recalled the enemy that she and the world faced. The face of the man she met in the streets flashed into memory. His long ebony hair. The crimson cloak, a mirror image of a blood red sea. His piercing blue eyes. Rei shook her head trying desperately to focus. She had never had any reason to fear or distrust Trystan before, yet truth be told this was the first time that they had ever spoken.
"I don't understand. Even more why should I believe in your words?" Rei's gaze lowered as she finished her question. Although she asked it, deep down she knew that it was the truth. Somehow she just knew that what Trystan spoke of was indeed a reality. Rei absently raised a slender hand to her heart. She rested it there briefly feeling the beat of her own pulse. Where would she be without Gren? Even after all their time spent apart, she still always knew he was there...somewhere.
"You are right in being leery of me and what I speak of. It would seem like Gren has taught you well indeed. However, I have told you all that I know of... I realize that, that is not much." Trystan opened his arms before him in gesture. "But it is all you and I have at the current point in time."
Rei swayed slightly where she stood, gravity pulling down hard upon her body. Why was this happening? Why now? Her violet eyes had grown very dark, her skin pale as a wave of utter horror washed over her. She looked over to the bar, where the bartender still stood watching.
"Have you seen Gren? Earlier...the man who was sitting over near the back." Rei pointed over to the small table in reference. Yet the bartender merely shook his head in confusion. After Trystan's mention of the enemy the entire attendance of the Delyerain had quickly dispersed. Even he was now having thoughts of closing up early. Not many spoke of such things within the few remaining sanctuaries. It was a bad omen.
Trystan grimaced as he watched Rei desperately reach out to the man behind the bar. He could see the terror and hopelessness growing within her eyes. She did not know what to do or think anymore. Why should she...after all she had currently been through Trystan was surprised to even see her up and about...
...A sudden gust of wind blew through the cracks in the windows that graced the front wall of the Delyerain. It scurried in under the door, scattering what debris lay about the wooden floor. Trystan looked down in dismay as a few stray leaves danced around his boots and between he and Rei. A foul whisper was carried in on that breeze that did not settle well with him nor his nerves.
"We must leave...now." Trystan spoke so low that Rei barely heard him. She was so swept up in her worries that it took his sudden grasp of her arm to draw her attention to the deathly presence that filtered in from the outside. Rei looked to the bartender, only to see that he had taken to the back door that led to the kitchen. Something was wrong...again.
Rei's gaze slowly turned up into that of Trystan's once more. His eyes alone spoke of what was coming. Everything slowed as the front door of the Delyerain suddenly burst open, wooden splinters splaying everywhere. Trystan pushed into Rei hard, forcing her to tumble backwards. She watched as he gripped a scabbard at his side and unsheathed a long slender sword. The metal glinted in the light of the fires that illuminated the room.
Trystan positioned himself directly in front of Rei's fumbling body. She scrambled back, trying to regain some sort of composure as she watched Trystan stand before her...protecting and shielding her the best he could. Her gaze returned once more to the door, and to the creatures that proceeded to enter through it.
Rei could feel her heart pounding within her ears; her breathing slowed in recognition of the enemy that penetrated one of the Rebellion's most sanctified strongholds. She could not remember the last time that the enemy had dared to attack the Delyerain, especially with the station only a few blocks up the street. It usually meant suicide on their part, yet now they entered the building seemingly without worry or fear, driven by some unseen force.
Trystan seemed to sense Rei's questioning of the events that were unfolding before her, and he leaned back resting a hand upon her shoulder. "They are here for you and you alone." He said, an expression of alarm upon his face.
"I don't understand..." Rei retorted, her voice failing despite her best efforts. She knew that she should get up and bear arms, yet her body would not move. Instead she continued to sit frozen in confusion and fear.
"You do not have to understand...just trust. Put your faith in me and my words, I will never lead you astray...to this I swear." The sympathy within Trystan's voice alone caused something to stir deep within Rei's soul. Somehow she had always known that she could trust this man, even now.
From the entrance of the Delyerain came forth many sentinels, all clad in the armor that represented their kind. They were faithful servants to the evil that walked the land, bringing nothing less than chaos and terror to all they crossed. A group of twenty or so filed in, all gathering before the two who were before them.
Trystan quickly extended his free hand, gesturing for Rei to grasp it. He knew that if they were to get out of this alive it would take both of them fighting. He could hear the sentinels filing in behind him and gritted his teeth as he made a mental guess at how many had come.
From her position on the floor Rei could see both Trystan and the enemy as she decided to take his offering hand. Her eyes never strayed from the sentinels, even as she came to a standing position. From within her chest Rei could feel her heartbeat threatening to burst; her palms had become sweaty and she could swear that her hair stood on end.
With a slight nod of his head Trystan gracefully swiveled around, bringing the blade of his sword to rest upon his forehead. Rei in turn flung open her long, black leather coat revealing a massive array of daggers, arrows and a crossbow. In an impressive display of agility Rei unhooked her weapon of choice, arming it and taking stance to fight.
Trystan watched from the corner of his eye as Rei withdrew a magnificent weapon, her crossbow. Within the span of a heartbeat she had it armed and cocked, all prepared to do what would be needed. The fierce determination that had grown in her eyes seemed electric. Rei's long black hair flowed freely behind her, as her long coat settled around her slender form once more. She was a vision of beauty, all the while a capable bringer of death.
Rei no longer allowed herself to question or doubt. All she knew for sure was that her life was now in danger, and that she had to defend it. How else would she be able to find out what happened to Gren? She would not allow herself to die here now, not like this. There was so much yet to do, so much to learn and attempt to understand; yet time never seemed to be on her side. Still, she owed it to herself and Gren to keep on going...even if she wasn't sure that she was headed in the right direction.
Without further hesitation Rei pulled the small trigger of the crossbow that she held. It's thick silver arrow whistled through the air just before lodging itself in the throat of one the sentinels. Blood the color of pure black poured from the gaping wound inflicted while sending its owner into a screaming frenzy.
As if on cue the entire room exploded into battle. The sentinels lunged themselves upon the two they attacked. Their own weapons, various swords and daggers were met with parries and blocks. Although Trystan and Rei were quite outnumbered, they held their ground considerably.
Trystan seemed as though he danced upon the very air itself, skipping from one attacker to the next. The clash of metal ringed continuously throughout the air as he protected himself time and again. With an unusual grace for a man of his stature, Trystan easily maneuvered himself between two sentinels who charged him. He launched himself into the air, landing a fatal kick into the chest of the enemy.
The ground was soon covered in the thick substance of the enemy's blood. It became treacherous to all that stood upon it. Rei tried desperately not to slip on the ground, not wanting to become unguarded and vulnerable for even a second. Still, she risked a glance over her shoulder just in time to see Trystan sever the head of one of the many sentinels they both still faced. How were they ever going to get out of this alive?
Although it seemed that they were winning the fight, the number in the sentinels seemed to never decrease. Rei fumbled slightly as she returned her full attention to another oncoming attacker. Fear and doubt began to etch at her mind once more, and she wondered if it was even of her own making. She looked at the sentinel who charged her and felt the rush of adrenaline surge through her entire body, yet the hopelessness that she had felt earlier began to overwhelm her once more...
Trystan grimaced in disgust as the head of a sentinel whipped up in the air before him, the body it belonged slumping lifelessly to the ground. He quickly wiped his face only to realize that he was covered in it's blood. This was the part of the battle he hated most, the messiness. He took a brief moment to scan his surroundings, pondering how well they were doing in the fight.
The mess of bodies on the floor was all of the enemy; not that he doubted it. Trystan knew that Rei was an excellent fighter, even now before her true power would come to term. Still, he felt the need to check on her. God only knows how screwed up things would be if the world lost her...
...Rei's entire world seemed to stop as she stood motionless before her attacker. A million things went through her head as she tried to grasp what counter attack she should do. Why was she even thinking about this? Fighting didn't require one's thoughts, only actions. Yet Rei could not move, she simply would not.
"moonlight will show the gates of time..." Rei spoke weakly. Her words whispered through the air, addressing any whom would listen. She clung to those words as though they would somehow save her from what she was facing. Yet the sounds of the fight still roared on, drowning out her useless words.
Trystan's eyes finally locked onto the form of Rei just moments before she spoke aloud. He watched in horror as she stood completely still, her gaze steadily fixed on a sentinel who advanced upon her. Its sword was raised, positioned for a fatal blow, yet Rei remained unmoving.
"NO--REI!" Trystan flung a nearby enemy to the side, breaking out in a run towards the young woman. He watched as her mouth moved, silently speaking something. And as he drew nearer he realized that she was not herself, the dazed look within her eyes spoke of foul play. Someone was controlling her...stalling her movement.
"DAMNIT REI, SNAP OUT OF IT!!" Trystan yelled, desperately trying to bring Rei to her senses. To an innocent onlooker it seemed to be an act of suicide, but he knew better. Now was such a fragile time in Rei's life; she would be an easy target for the mind manipulation that the dark one projected.
From within Rei's soul she knew that she should move, or at least do something other than just stand there. Yet standing there she remained, and as the sentinel finally was upon her a single tear rolled gently down her face.
** Coming Soon: Chapter VI **