Night Singer
Prologue
She is honor-bound to fulfill her destiny, at whatever cost. She did not wish for this immortal life of solitude. She is not a mortal. Far from it. She is what one might call Dead. And yet, she is not Dead. She is in the twilight between human and demon. A halfling. Immortal halfling. It is her destiny to hunt down and destroy rogue demons who have escaped the Shadows. Her bite offers humans the gift of eternal happiness, yet she herself is destined to fight and destroy demons forever, in perpetual solitude. Who is she?
She is nothing else.
And yet she is something.
She is Dead.
And yet she is not.
She is lonely.
She longs for companionship, this thing humans call love. Because she is a halfling, she possesses a soul. With a soul comes the ability to have certain emotions. But she is destined—honor-bound, to remain alone for all eternity. It is her curse.
A gift?
No.
She is Hitomi.
Hi! DragonSun here.
What happens when you mix Vampire Princess Miyu and Escaflowne? You get this horrifyingly crazy and insane story!
I don't own either of the shows. But I do have all the theme songs stuck in my head. They clash horribly with each other. It hurts my ears.
Enough blabbering…to the Story!
Chapter One: Night Singer
"Hey, Hitomi! Wait up!" Yukari yelled.
The dark haired girl turned. "Yukari." Her voice was soft, tranquil. Her hair, dark, a knife-edge between black and brown, was cut short and her school uniform hung loosely on her slender frame. She was rather tall, not noticeably so, but tall nonetheless. Her eyes were strange; they were golden green, framed by dark lashes. Her mouth was small, set, and serious.
"Hitomi, could I come over today? I've never been to your house before," Yukari asked. "Mother and Father are fighting again," she added. "Please?"
Hitomi shook her head. "I am afraid you cannot," she murmured. "I'm sorry, Yukari."
Yukari nodded. "Okay…"
*****************
Hitomi sat upon roof, letting the breeze fly through her hair. A tall youth in a black cloak stood silently behind her. He wore a mask, and none could see his face.
"If only she knew I had no home to offer her," Hitomi whispered.
"This is your home, Hitomi. It is beautiful," the youth said quietly.
"Yes…it gives such a lovely view of the moon…" Her gaze remained serious, but her tone had changed. "Such trivial things…" She stared at the moon, her strange eyes glowing.
"Van…we have been together for a long time…"
"Nothing short of a few centuries," Van replied.
"There has not been a single demonic occurrence in some time," Hitomi said.
"If you call a week a long time, Hitomi…" Van's grave face smiled behind his mask.
"I am not used to this immortality. It is rather new," Hitomi retorted coldly.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean disrespect," Van said.
"It is all right," Hitomi's eyes, golden with the light of the moon, looked off into the distance.
She was beginning to relax under the cool, silvery touch of the night, when a familiar tingle came to the symbol on her forehead. Her eyes, once gold, now flashed green. "Demons always make a habit of appearing when I least want them," she murmured. Van looked at her carefully through his mask. Had he seen a corner of her mouth twitching into a smile? It had been quite a while since he'd seen that.
"What do you sense?" he asked.
"An Eastern demon," she answered. "It is powerful, but it has just escaped from the Shadows, and it should be weak."
"We should take it, then," Van suggested.
She nodded briskly. "Let us go."
Van vanished first. Hitomi followed.
*****************
The demon was about to make a meal of a human. So it is a vampiric type, Hitomi thought. Easy prey.
She opened her mouth, and three pure notes sounded. The demon turned. Hitomi did not shudder. She was used to grotesque forms by now.
"You! Guardian!" the demon cried. It was not any shape. More of a cloud of black.
Hitomi nodded.
"I don't like to be disturbed when I'm eating," the demon growled.
Hitomi's eyes narrowed. She lifted her hand, and a flame grew.
"Back to the Shadows, demon!" she shouted, and released the flame.
The demon destroyed the flame as if it were a breeze. Hitomi backed away in surprise. The demon attacked in a whirring haze. "Van," Hitomi said.
The male demon was there in an instant. Silently, he used his forearm to block the mist. The demon roared and released another attack, this time a volley of sharp clouds, in the shape of knives. Van dodged them easily, whirling around to face them again as they attacked from the back.
"Van, his hands!" Hitomi commanded.
Van seemed to nod. He moved forward in a fluid motion and the demon's hands, or dust, were severed with a red flash. The demon bellowed in shocked pain, but came at them again. Once more, Van saved her by blocking the demon with his own body. The attack rebounded, and, for the moment, the demon lay stunned.
"To the Shadows!" Hitomi summoned the flames again. She did not miss.
The light from the fires illuminated her grave face as she watched in grim satisfaction as the demon vanished. Van nodded her way.
Hitomi walked to the human. The trembling person regarded her with fear-filled eyes. "N-no—please…"
"I will not take your blood tonight, for I sense you have loved ones, and that you are happy enough," Hitomi whispered gently. "Sleep now, and tomorrow will be better."
She turned to Van. Van disappeared. A minute later, Hitomi had as well, leaving the bewildered man lying on the road.
**************
"Hey, Hitomi! Where have you been?" Myoshi asked.
"Out," Hitomi said simply.
"How much more vague can you get, Hitomi?" Yukari smiled brightly at her friend.
Hitomi did not return the smile; she never did, but her eyes sparkled briefly at Yukari. She seemed somewhere else entirely.
"Oh, you have to be quiet," Kenji said to her backpack. Yukari looked at her.
"Uh, Kenji? You're talking to your backpack."
"Shh! Don't tell anyone!" Kenji hissed. She reached into her pouch and pulled out an adorable kitten. At once Myoshi and Yukari dissolved into fits of aww's, and 'isn't it cute?', while Hitomi watched, amused.
"I named it Lim," Kenji said. "Do you know anyone who will take it? My parents are allergic."
Yukari shook her head. "Mother would never allow it."
"I'm allergic," Myoshi said.
Hitomi remained silent.
"Say, 'Tomi? Why don't you take it, huh?"
"Oh…I don't know, Kenji…" Hitomi murmured, jamming her hands in her pockets and refusing to look at the kitten.
"Pleeeeease?" Kenji clasped her hands.
"Oh…I'll think about it," Hitomi said.
"Great! I knew I could count on you!" Kenji exclaimed.
**************
"Van, what would you say if I got an animal?" Hitomi murmured. She watched her demon friend's mask intently.
"Well…it would depend on the creature you decided on," Van said.
"It's a cat. Fairly young. I'm sure I could care for it."
"I would help you," Van pledged. "Whatever happens, I'm behind you all the way."
"An animal? Did I hear you correctly?" A clear, tinkling voice said. Hitomi clenched her teeth.
"What do you want, Nihon?" (A/N: just so you know, Nihon = Japan. Stupid, I know. She's like Reiha. Think Reiha.)
The beautiful girl smiled at her. "Well, might I remind you that a guardian is forbidden to have an animal. If you don't like this, perhaps we could switch our jobs?"
She smiled sweetly. Hitomi wanted to rip her throat out. But it was against Guardian law to attack a Summoner, and Nihon was just that.
"Nihon," Van said. "Leave."
"Ah, so this is the former stray?" Nihon laughed.
Hitomi detected a snarl in Van's voice as he repeated his words.
"I was only reminding you of your duty, my friend, Guardian," Nihon smiled again, and left.
"You shouldn't listen to her, Hitomi," Van said quietly.
"She is right, though…" Hitomi muttered. "I cannot disobey the laws. I shall tell Kenji I cannot accept her offer."
She sighed, and Van placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I swore to you that I would follow you until you chose to end this," Van reminded her gently. "You are not alone."
But none can ever love me, for I am the Guardian. I must hunt and destroy. That is all I do. None can ever love me, she thought, and sighed again.
"Yes. Thank you," she said.
She was reminded of how Van came to be with her.
He was a Western Demon who had come to Japan several centuries ago, in hopes of conquest. She, protector of her homeland and sworn to banish all demons, had met him there on the shore…
"So this is Japan? Not really worth conquering," the youth said. His black hair fell over his eyes, eyes that were gray.
"Western Demon," she caught his attention with a flame.
"So, what are you? A welcoming party?"
"Something like it. It is my duty to destroy all demons."
"Hmmm…some welcoming party. I will destroy you, and this kingdom will be mine. Though it is not much to look upon…"
"It is my homeland," she said simply.
"Ah…so you are the Guardian. It will be interesting to fight you."
"An honor, I am sure," she spat, and they began.
"Hitomi?" Van snapped her back to reality.
"Yes?"
"It's getting late."
"I never sleep," she said. "But thank you for your concern."
Van's eyes seemed to twinkle behind his mask. He nodded.
"I will see you tomorrow."
Then vanished.
****************
Van pondered his mistress for a long time. She was lonely, though she gave no indication. Though the fact that she had asked for a creature bothered him.
Wasn't he enough for her?
Van, you are jealous of an animal. Pathetic.
She was too solemn.
Her appearance was that of a sixteen-year-old school girl. His was a seventeen-year-old youth, though his cloak and mask hid his age.
Hitomi…why don't you let your barrier down?
I want to care.
It's just that you won't let me.
Hitomi…
Such a beautiful name…
I am only her guardian—but I could be more, couldn't I?
I promised her to stay with her forever, or until she decided to end it.
She smiled then—a smile entirely for me.
The only smile I've seen coming from her ever before.
I want to make her smile again.
I want to care about her.
She just won't let me.
And so I won't.
Van felt a strange sensation come to his eyes, a burning. He rubbed them, and found his long fingers wet.
Tears?
So now I am like a human.
I weep.
Weakling, he cursed.
Then the sensation vanished, and along with it, the aching in his throat. It was instantly replaced by a tingling.
Western Demons.
His people.
They had returned.
The Light of the Sea—it is here…
****************
Hitomi stared out at the sea. "The ocean…"
"Hitomi?" Van reappeared by her side.
"Van."
"Hitomi. I sense something. The Light of the Sea has returned; I must go to it."
"Van—" something in her voice made him pause.
Concern?
For me?
"Van—don't go. Stay here."
"I'll return," he promised. "When the Light of the Sea is no more, I will return. I give you my word."
"Van…"
He acted on impulse and tilted her head, so she was looking up at him.
"Hitomi, I will return."
She saw the sincerity sparkling in his eyes, behind his mask.
"Van…I cannot allow you to go."
"I'm afraid you have no say in the matter," Van said, and vanished.
His voice lingered on the sea-smelling wind.
"…I will return…when the Light of the Sea is no more…this I swear…"
"Van. Be careful," she whispered, and, she too, vanished. It was quicker to get to her school this way.
***************
"You seem sad today, Hitomi. What's wrong?" Yukari asked. Hitomi is always sad, she thought. But today it shows much more.
"Nothing, Yukar—"
"Hiya!" Myoshi plunked down beside them.
"Hello!" Kenji said. "So, have you thought about it?"
"I'm…sorry…I can't…I'm not allowed," Hitomi whispered.
"That's okay. Maybe we could get some other guy to adopt the kitten."
"Perhaps," Hitomi sounded doubtful.
"So," Yukari said, after an awkward silence, "how are you and Arik doing, Myoshi?" Arik was Myoshi's boyfriend. They had been together for a month or so now.
"Pretty well," Myoshi said.
"You and Amano?" Kenji ventured.
"Wonderfully," Yukari beamed.
Kenji smiled. "That's nice to know. Toroshino and I are…getting along, I suppose."
"What about you, 'Tomi?" she turned to the solemn-faced girl.
"I…have no one," Hitomi said.
Their conversation was interrupted as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
***********
Van came to the village where he'd first met Hitomi.
"Ahah! Van! You've finally shown."
He looked around wildly. "Black Knight, show yourself!"
"Ahah! You remember me!"
The Black Knight materialized. His death-horse brayed, and reared. Van prepared himself to charge.
"Pierre sent me to send you a message! He awaits his old friend!" the knight roared jovially.
"His friend is dead," Van retorted. "I am Van Fanel."
"I cannot take no for an answer," the Black Knight smiled. Van felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Very well, then," he said.
In a flash he had pulled his mask off and attacked, conjuring a sword from the air and slashing with it, blocked with his forearms. The knight only grinned as he exchanged blows with the former Stray Demon.
A song filled the air. Van dropped his sword.
Pain.
Agony.
White hot irons being thrust into his temples.
The noise.
Too loud.
Too familiar.
He gasped. "L-Lilith!?"
The Western Demon smiled, her smile as beautiful as he'd remembered it.
She continued to play.
"Lilith—why are—you—doing this—?"
Pain.
Song.
Agony.
Like knives being thrust into his body.
Sharp.
Strident.
Painful.
His ears…
Van screamed, covering his head. He fell to his knees, his mouth wide in a silent wail, his eyes screwed shut against the pain.
"Lilith—why?" he choked, and slumped over onto the ground.
He attempted to raise himself, and he fell back, unconscious.
Lilith, a blond Demon, smiled to herself. Pierre will be pleased, she thought.
Van's mask had long been taken off, and Lilith kicked it aside contemptuously.
"You are not that bitch's slave anymore, my love," she cooed. "You are ours. We will roam the seas forever."
Van made no reply.
Ahhh! Cliffhanger!
I'm keeping you in suspense. So there.
Um…yeah.
I'm trying to write 3 stories at a time and I know some of ya have more out than that, but I have terrible organization skills and this is freakin' killin' me. I also have this lang. Arts long term project due in a week and I gotta work on that too, so don't kill me.
I've already got some ideas for the second chapter, but if any of y'all have some, PLEASE TELL ME!
DragonSun
Prologue
She is honor-bound to fulfill her destiny, at whatever cost. She did not wish for this immortal life of solitude. She is not a mortal. Far from it. She is what one might call Dead. And yet, she is not Dead. She is in the twilight between human and demon. A halfling. Immortal halfling. It is her destiny to hunt down and destroy rogue demons who have escaped the Shadows. Her bite offers humans the gift of eternal happiness, yet she herself is destined to fight and destroy demons forever, in perpetual solitude. Who is she?
She is nothing else.
And yet she is something.
She is Dead.
And yet she is not.
She is lonely.
She longs for companionship, this thing humans call love. Because she is a halfling, she possesses a soul. With a soul comes the ability to have certain emotions. But she is destined—honor-bound, to remain alone for all eternity. It is her curse.
A gift?
No.
She is Hitomi.
Hi! DragonSun here.
What happens when you mix Vampire Princess Miyu and Escaflowne? You get this horrifyingly crazy and insane story!
I don't own either of the shows. But I do have all the theme songs stuck in my head. They clash horribly with each other. It hurts my ears.
Enough blabbering…to the Story!
Chapter One: Night Singer
"Hey, Hitomi! Wait up!" Yukari yelled.
The dark haired girl turned. "Yukari." Her voice was soft, tranquil. Her hair, dark, a knife-edge between black and brown, was cut short and her school uniform hung loosely on her slender frame. She was rather tall, not noticeably so, but tall nonetheless. Her eyes were strange; they were golden green, framed by dark lashes. Her mouth was small, set, and serious.
"Hitomi, could I come over today? I've never been to your house before," Yukari asked. "Mother and Father are fighting again," she added. "Please?"
Hitomi shook her head. "I am afraid you cannot," she murmured. "I'm sorry, Yukari."
Yukari nodded. "Okay…"
*****************
Hitomi sat upon roof, letting the breeze fly through her hair. A tall youth in a black cloak stood silently behind her. He wore a mask, and none could see his face.
"If only she knew I had no home to offer her," Hitomi whispered.
"This is your home, Hitomi. It is beautiful," the youth said quietly.
"Yes…it gives such a lovely view of the moon…" Her gaze remained serious, but her tone had changed. "Such trivial things…" She stared at the moon, her strange eyes glowing.
"Van…we have been together for a long time…"
"Nothing short of a few centuries," Van replied.
"There has not been a single demonic occurrence in some time," Hitomi said.
"If you call a week a long time, Hitomi…" Van's grave face smiled behind his mask.
"I am not used to this immortality. It is rather new," Hitomi retorted coldly.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean disrespect," Van said.
"It is all right," Hitomi's eyes, golden with the light of the moon, looked off into the distance.
She was beginning to relax under the cool, silvery touch of the night, when a familiar tingle came to the symbol on her forehead. Her eyes, once gold, now flashed green. "Demons always make a habit of appearing when I least want them," she murmured. Van looked at her carefully through his mask. Had he seen a corner of her mouth twitching into a smile? It had been quite a while since he'd seen that.
"What do you sense?" he asked.
"An Eastern demon," she answered. "It is powerful, but it has just escaped from the Shadows, and it should be weak."
"We should take it, then," Van suggested.
She nodded briskly. "Let us go."
Van vanished first. Hitomi followed.
*****************
The demon was about to make a meal of a human. So it is a vampiric type, Hitomi thought. Easy prey.
She opened her mouth, and three pure notes sounded. The demon turned. Hitomi did not shudder. She was used to grotesque forms by now.
"You! Guardian!" the demon cried. It was not any shape. More of a cloud of black.
Hitomi nodded.
"I don't like to be disturbed when I'm eating," the demon growled.
Hitomi's eyes narrowed. She lifted her hand, and a flame grew.
"Back to the Shadows, demon!" she shouted, and released the flame.
The demon destroyed the flame as if it were a breeze. Hitomi backed away in surprise. The demon attacked in a whirring haze. "Van," Hitomi said.
The male demon was there in an instant. Silently, he used his forearm to block the mist. The demon roared and released another attack, this time a volley of sharp clouds, in the shape of knives. Van dodged them easily, whirling around to face them again as they attacked from the back.
"Van, his hands!" Hitomi commanded.
Van seemed to nod. He moved forward in a fluid motion and the demon's hands, or dust, were severed with a red flash. The demon bellowed in shocked pain, but came at them again. Once more, Van saved her by blocking the demon with his own body. The attack rebounded, and, for the moment, the demon lay stunned.
"To the Shadows!" Hitomi summoned the flames again. She did not miss.
The light from the fires illuminated her grave face as she watched in grim satisfaction as the demon vanished. Van nodded her way.
Hitomi walked to the human. The trembling person regarded her with fear-filled eyes. "N-no—please…"
"I will not take your blood tonight, for I sense you have loved ones, and that you are happy enough," Hitomi whispered gently. "Sleep now, and tomorrow will be better."
She turned to Van. Van disappeared. A minute later, Hitomi had as well, leaving the bewildered man lying on the road.
**************
"Hey, Hitomi! Where have you been?" Myoshi asked.
"Out," Hitomi said simply.
"How much more vague can you get, Hitomi?" Yukari smiled brightly at her friend.
Hitomi did not return the smile; she never did, but her eyes sparkled briefly at Yukari. She seemed somewhere else entirely.
"Oh, you have to be quiet," Kenji said to her backpack. Yukari looked at her.
"Uh, Kenji? You're talking to your backpack."
"Shh! Don't tell anyone!" Kenji hissed. She reached into her pouch and pulled out an adorable kitten. At once Myoshi and Yukari dissolved into fits of aww's, and 'isn't it cute?', while Hitomi watched, amused.
"I named it Lim," Kenji said. "Do you know anyone who will take it? My parents are allergic."
Yukari shook her head. "Mother would never allow it."
"I'm allergic," Myoshi said.
Hitomi remained silent.
"Say, 'Tomi? Why don't you take it, huh?"
"Oh…I don't know, Kenji…" Hitomi murmured, jamming her hands in her pockets and refusing to look at the kitten.
"Pleeeeease?" Kenji clasped her hands.
"Oh…I'll think about it," Hitomi said.
"Great! I knew I could count on you!" Kenji exclaimed.
**************
"Van, what would you say if I got an animal?" Hitomi murmured. She watched her demon friend's mask intently.
"Well…it would depend on the creature you decided on," Van said.
"It's a cat. Fairly young. I'm sure I could care for it."
"I would help you," Van pledged. "Whatever happens, I'm behind you all the way."
"An animal? Did I hear you correctly?" A clear, tinkling voice said. Hitomi clenched her teeth.
"What do you want, Nihon?" (A/N: just so you know, Nihon = Japan. Stupid, I know. She's like Reiha. Think Reiha.)
The beautiful girl smiled at her. "Well, might I remind you that a guardian is forbidden to have an animal. If you don't like this, perhaps we could switch our jobs?"
She smiled sweetly. Hitomi wanted to rip her throat out. But it was against Guardian law to attack a Summoner, and Nihon was just that.
"Nihon," Van said. "Leave."
"Ah, so this is the former stray?" Nihon laughed.
Hitomi detected a snarl in Van's voice as he repeated his words.
"I was only reminding you of your duty, my friend, Guardian," Nihon smiled again, and left.
"You shouldn't listen to her, Hitomi," Van said quietly.
"She is right, though…" Hitomi muttered. "I cannot disobey the laws. I shall tell Kenji I cannot accept her offer."
She sighed, and Van placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I swore to you that I would follow you until you chose to end this," Van reminded her gently. "You are not alone."
But none can ever love me, for I am the Guardian. I must hunt and destroy. That is all I do. None can ever love me, she thought, and sighed again.
"Yes. Thank you," she said.
She was reminded of how Van came to be with her.
He was a Western Demon who had come to Japan several centuries ago, in hopes of conquest. She, protector of her homeland and sworn to banish all demons, had met him there on the shore…
"So this is Japan? Not really worth conquering," the youth said. His black hair fell over his eyes, eyes that were gray.
"Western Demon," she caught his attention with a flame.
"So, what are you? A welcoming party?"
"Something like it. It is my duty to destroy all demons."
"Hmmm…some welcoming party. I will destroy you, and this kingdom will be mine. Though it is not much to look upon…"
"It is my homeland," she said simply.
"Ah…so you are the Guardian. It will be interesting to fight you."
"An honor, I am sure," she spat, and they began.
"Hitomi?" Van snapped her back to reality.
"Yes?"
"It's getting late."
"I never sleep," she said. "But thank you for your concern."
Van's eyes seemed to twinkle behind his mask. He nodded.
"I will see you tomorrow."
Then vanished.
****************
Van pondered his mistress for a long time. She was lonely, though she gave no indication. Though the fact that she had asked for a creature bothered him.
Wasn't he enough for her?
Van, you are jealous of an animal. Pathetic.
She was too solemn.
Her appearance was that of a sixteen-year-old school girl. His was a seventeen-year-old youth, though his cloak and mask hid his age.
Hitomi…why don't you let your barrier down?
I want to care.
It's just that you won't let me.
Hitomi…
Such a beautiful name…
I am only her guardian—but I could be more, couldn't I?
I promised her to stay with her forever, or until she decided to end it.
She smiled then—a smile entirely for me.
The only smile I've seen coming from her ever before.
I want to make her smile again.
I want to care about her.
She just won't let me.
And so I won't.
Van felt a strange sensation come to his eyes, a burning. He rubbed them, and found his long fingers wet.
Tears?
So now I am like a human.
I weep.
Weakling, he cursed.
Then the sensation vanished, and along with it, the aching in his throat. It was instantly replaced by a tingling.
Western Demons.
His people.
They had returned.
The Light of the Sea—it is here…
****************
Hitomi stared out at the sea. "The ocean…"
"Hitomi?" Van reappeared by her side.
"Van."
"Hitomi. I sense something. The Light of the Sea has returned; I must go to it."
"Van—" something in her voice made him pause.
Concern?
For me?
"Van—don't go. Stay here."
"I'll return," he promised. "When the Light of the Sea is no more, I will return. I give you my word."
"Van…"
He acted on impulse and tilted her head, so she was looking up at him.
"Hitomi, I will return."
She saw the sincerity sparkling in his eyes, behind his mask.
"Van…I cannot allow you to go."
"I'm afraid you have no say in the matter," Van said, and vanished.
His voice lingered on the sea-smelling wind.
"…I will return…when the Light of the Sea is no more…this I swear…"
"Van. Be careful," she whispered, and, she too, vanished. It was quicker to get to her school this way.
***************
"You seem sad today, Hitomi. What's wrong?" Yukari asked. Hitomi is always sad, she thought. But today it shows much more.
"Nothing, Yukar—"
"Hiya!" Myoshi plunked down beside them.
"Hello!" Kenji said. "So, have you thought about it?"
"I'm…sorry…I can't…I'm not allowed," Hitomi whispered.
"That's okay. Maybe we could get some other guy to adopt the kitten."
"Perhaps," Hitomi sounded doubtful.
"So," Yukari said, after an awkward silence, "how are you and Arik doing, Myoshi?" Arik was Myoshi's boyfriend. They had been together for a month or so now.
"Pretty well," Myoshi said.
"You and Amano?" Kenji ventured.
"Wonderfully," Yukari beamed.
Kenji smiled. "That's nice to know. Toroshino and I are…getting along, I suppose."
"What about you, 'Tomi?" she turned to the solemn-faced girl.
"I…have no one," Hitomi said.
Their conversation was interrupted as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
***********
Van came to the village where he'd first met Hitomi.
"Ahah! Van! You've finally shown."
He looked around wildly. "Black Knight, show yourself!"
"Ahah! You remember me!"
The Black Knight materialized. His death-horse brayed, and reared. Van prepared himself to charge.
"Pierre sent me to send you a message! He awaits his old friend!" the knight roared jovially.
"His friend is dead," Van retorted. "I am Van Fanel."
"I cannot take no for an answer," the Black Knight smiled. Van felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Very well, then," he said.
In a flash he had pulled his mask off and attacked, conjuring a sword from the air and slashing with it, blocked with his forearms. The knight only grinned as he exchanged blows with the former Stray Demon.
A song filled the air. Van dropped his sword.
Pain.
Agony.
White hot irons being thrust into his temples.
The noise.
Too loud.
Too familiar.
He gasped. "L-Lilith!?"
The Western Demon smiled, her smile as beautiful as he'd remembered it.
She continued to play.
"Lilith—why are—you—doing this—?"
Pain.
Song.
Agony.
Like knives being thrust into his body.
Sharp.
Strident.
Painful.
His ears…
Van screamed, covering his head. He fell to his knees, his mouth wide in a silent wail, his eyes screwed shut against the pain.
"Lilith—why?" he choked, and slumped over onto the ground.
He attempted to raise himself, and he fell back, unconscious.
Lilith, a blond Demon, smiled to herself. Pierre will be pleased, she thought.
Van's mask had long been taken off, and Lilith kicked it aside contemptuously.
"You are not that bitch's slave anymore, my love," she cooed. "You are ours. We will roam the seas forever."
Van made no reply.
Ahhh! Cliffhanger!
I'm keeping you in suspense. So there.
Um…yeah.
I'm trying to write 3 stories at a time and I know some of ya have more out than that, but I have terrible organization skills and this is freakin' killin' me. I also have this lang. Arts long term project due in a week and I gotta work on that too, so don't kill me.
I've already got some ideas for the second chapter, but if any of y'all have some, PLEASE TELL ME!
DragonSun