Chapter 3: Pain
*Sheba POV*
I lay there to watch silently in the dark. Tis was the last dawn I will ever see, but why should I believe liar such as himself? Myself looking at that obviously showed trust in his figure. I did not want to trust him. I must not allow myself in any circumstances for that to happen. I told myself, don't think about it. I have decided to try and think about something else, like the surroundings. I describe the environment as a raised area of dense forests and rocks with a deadly silence as we settled in temporality for the night. A few monsters had attacked the wagon trains occasionally, but Jikku took them down like thunder. There were very few clear areas on the lower evaluations, but they became more abundant as we went higher off the ground. It was spectacular to see the sights of the world below us. There was a certain ridge I wished to see down with my eyes, but Jikku forbidden me to step outside the wagon when it was not a necessity. Staying in a small uncomfortable wagon cause my mind to become weary, in other terms, bored There was nothing to do but just observe the life of this clan of Jikku's. I soon left this world and into an ambient trance. It ponders me why they destroy the innocent lives of others. It was not their fault that their enemies have had many misfortunes along the paths of their life. I knew every human was born with a pure heart, but from childhood they experience horrors that a child should never have to face. In many ways, the only way they were treated is the only way they shall act throughout the rest of their lives. I knew they were afraid to step into living new better lives as there old environment of living is the way they are so used to living to. What makes me angry is that the fact they carry their life's burden onto other people's backs, just so they can support themselves. Ruthlessly killing others and taking property and processions just so they can get what they want. Greed and power can become overpowering on one's soul if used it abusively. That is one of the many lessons they have not acknowledged. They become reproach rather quickly with the things they took. Soon afterwards the raids of their murders become worse, and more in numbers. Taking other things as well, become the same way. I wonder if these people will learn someday, that a there is a better life out there than just killing and stealing in order to have riches and power.
To think about it, I knew Jikku would not kill me, but there was a slight potential that I would get beaten more than ever. It was unwise and foolish to have attacked him in the weak state I was in. Though I shouldn't take all the blame on myself. Anger, pain, and angst triggers emotions that no soul can handle as it builds up. They lose control, and regain consciousness shortly after. I awaited in awe as I sensed Jikku coming back to retrieve me.
"Girl," He called out and suddenly jerked my arm outward to the wagon. The rest of my body stumbled to the ground from the wagon. The surface was a bit rocky as it left embedded stone marks in my arms and legs. He grasped around my neck in a strangling like way. From all of this, he ordered for me to ring a tight like dog collar around my neck. I heard that clanks and clings of heavy chains being carried my way. No more will I have to will to have mobility in my arms, head or legs. What was going to happen now? I have the potential to see through the future, but nothing hasn't came up in my dreams at all. My hands became closely tied together with a rough rope again as I was pushed into a line of his horde. They all where on each side, leaving a small trail in between them.
Oh no....they all had weapons. I began to cry a little in fear as I heard Jikku speak.
"Run through, or I will kill you at the very spot you are standing on."
Instinctually I obeyed, as fast as I could, I bravely went into this trail of pain. The very second I ran through, pains erupted all over my body. With all my strength I went through, but the light of the tunnel was too far out of reach. The instant I blacked out, something sharp entered my body to the side.
What is this pain? Why do I feel a warm liquid spilling slowly out on the side of my body? Cold hands soon pricked the tops of my hide. I cried inside, and outside as I felt beads of salt water fall down the temples of my cheeks. A voice like poison haunted my mind while in my wake, at the same moment of time.
"Don't make me have to kill you, behave little girl"
"Why.........leave me alone.."
"I cannot until I reach the location as where I am able to take what I want from you."
"I will prevent it from happening. You know I am capable of doing that."
"You will be long gone before you succeed in doing anything, now shut up if you want to be healed, girl."
I spoke no more. There was too much pain to think clearly. My mind remained blank and idle for while until I felt the wound in my ribs disappear. I did not want to wake up into reality. No longer do I wish to come back to be treated in the worst ways possible. Yes, I am grateful for his healing, but he did not heal the more abundant cuts and bruises. I guess he wants me to feel pain and not able to move. I took a deep silent breath. What was this feeling I recognized in the winds? Was it a sign? There was something unusual with the wind as they did not feel normal to my senses.
Maybe I'm going crazy. All ready I no longer feel myself even existing within this body. I advised myself to get some sleep, as I was tired from today's events.
*Felix POV*
I lay hidden amongst the forest cover, and eye the surrounding woodland area for any signs of the band wagons. Furtively I got near into the area that seem to be the borderlines of the campgrounds they had established. From the shadows that emerged from the flames, it was hard to tell how many men were actually in the camp. Most of them were slumbering in the mist of their dreams, some laying near the dying campfire, some in the wagons nearby. Numbers won't matter thought. Every horde like this is like that of a snake. The snake is dangerous all together, but without his head, most likely the leader, the snake has no chance of survival, as a horde without a leader.. For the days and nights I haven't slept or rested. I didn't feel a bit tired at all. Echo suggests that my will to save the princess has overflowed into great strength and endurance. The true power of a warrior. Echo told me that it was legendary to be in the state that I am. I whispered back that I had engulfed a rage for this person who had did horrible things to someone I felt affectionate to, and my oath to her was to protect her at all costs. My eyes shot up as I saw a cloak drift into the wavy shadows. Rage filtered to my eyes in the sight of the lone wolf. The things I saw him do. The horrifying images that Sheba sent to me through visions with ESP. I drew my sword out slowly and went closer to my target. I knew he would sense my psynergy well.
"I already know you are there, no need to hide." Jikku spoke behind, looking directly at me.
I revealed myself in the shadows of the fire. My eyes seem to fill with hatred as I stared him down.
"I do not have all night, staring at me won't do you any good."
" I'm here to silence you with death." I said in a growl. "I'm taking back the person you had no right to abuse!"
"What forces you to think so dawdle like?" I heard him chuckle, as he melted into the darkness suddenly.
In a flash I foresaw the steel of his blade. I was fast enough to counterattack with my blade, but a newly open scar appeared on my left shoulder. I ignored it, focusing my attention onto this horrid person. Our swords locked together as the sounds of steel clashing against each other filled the night, awakening the horde.
*Sheba POV*
"What the hell was going on?" I woke up instantly to peek outside the wagon. Two figures in the shadows engage in battle, one in cloak, one in cape -the one in cape must be Felix! As I tried to get out there to help him, I felt the chain around my neck and the pain in my body. Some how..I must break through. My body bubbled up like molten lava and soon afterwards, I felt more strength, but less control over my mind. I.. no.. lon...ger.........ca..n...sp..eak.....
--Present Time--
"Look arr' master's gel's escapin!" One of the horde's men cried out to Sheba as she broke the chain off with her bare hands. "How'd she do dat!?"
" Dunno, but don't jus' stand there matey's get her!" Jikku's main commander, Katarow shouted. Twenty men, armed with daggers, knives, and cutlasses charged after the enraged leader of Lavivero, whom ran off from a short distance, and stopping dead in her tracks. She faced the incoming group, with a tempest swirl in her eyes. Her hands lit up as the moon disappeared in a heap of storm clouds which suddenly rolled in. From a distance thunder rumbled, and constant large streaks of forked lightning struck horizontally across the heavens as it strolled along. Sheba stood there, gathering electrical energy that normal non adept people could not see. The men thought this girl was stupid, standing there like an open target. She did not sense this was an ambush attack. The other group of men went to go attack behind, and encircle her when signaled by another member of the horde. At once, knives slashed her like the lightning above. Her storm inside finally let loose. Plundering from out of the raging clouds from the upper world, came huge blasts of bolts rained down like a monsoon. The electric currents encircled Sheba, shocking her opponents to death and leaving a guarding shield around her. Nearby wagons tipped over as tempest winds flew at them, along with other people. The remaining men scattered like a birds flying out from a tree at the sight. She grabbed an axe out of the hands of a new corpse laying in front of her. She took it, regardless how heavy it was and walked on top of the fresh dead corpses, to the fighting shadows. But from behind a tree, Katarow outstretched the bow in his arms, aiming for the psyche girl's head. With precise timing, the bow let out a vibration howl and the arrow fly at it's target. He fled to take shelter in the trees for a chance to shoot another arrow.
Arrow struck axe as the steel double sided axe tore the arrow in shreds. Its feathers floated softly to the ground at Sheba turned to the tree where Katarow stood. He had known that he was seen by her, and that she had turned his arrow into nothing but a pile of sticks. He knew she had the potential in reaching his location in a matter of seconds, so he moved swiftly farther off. Rain pelted his black hood as he hid behind a few moistened boulders. Crouching down, he took another arrow to it's shaft, and took aim at the figure in the forest. Like the bullet it swooped closer to Sheba.
The arrow was torn by another small swing of the axe. Katarow couldn't believe his eyes. His arrows would always hit the precise target when fired. He didn't understand how such a weak girl was able to hold such an heavy axe, and hit even the fastest arrows made. He didn't realize it, but from above, the girl he had hit from 5 yards away, had bestowed upon him.
Without a word and in a matter of seconds, the smell of freshly chopped flesh flowed though the crisp forest air. Blood dripped from the edges of her weapon as she finish her slaughtering. She continued to follow the path of the shadows.
*Felix POV*
He jumped back, and like lightning struck he me off the ground with sword and psynergy combined. As soon as I tried getting back on my feet, Jikku hacked away my right arm, to discourage using the Sol Blade. I fought back defensively with a earthen spire, following odyssey to back him away a bit. Echo was released to blind his visual quality. He fell back first into a tree, but getting up afterwards to continue combat. Now its Mud's turn. He flew down hard into the ground, inflicting mud onto Jikku's feet. I begin to notice that his once pure dark cloak became as red as a rose with thorns. We both faced each other again, like the beginning of the battle had started. This time, I leaped from the side of him to strike him hard with the help of Geode, but strangely enough, he somehow knew I was going to do that move. That good thing was that Geode's attack was not calculated. Jikku was sent flying hard into the ground. But he got up again in an alarming rate, healing and fighting as the same time. He swung his weapon at my blade so hard that I lost a grip of it. The Sol Blade fell out of my grasp, and slid sideways down the grass, out of my reach. With the glare in his eye, I felt a hurting pain inside. My Djinni's energy was drained with an unknown move that was similar to Djinn Storm, only more powerful and painful. All this energy went into him, as if he was fully recovered. The waves of the final blow knocked me down back into the ground, most of my energy had ran out.
"The weapon I was searching for all these years is finally mine." Jikku took Sol Blade, and held it in his right hand, replacing his older one in his left. With one foot, he jabbed it onto my head, crushing me. I regretted not getting any sleep..if only I had..I wouldn't be as in a weak state as I was now. I saw the two swords above me as if in a second they were to be halfway into my hide. But..there, I saw a mere shudder of fright in the glare of those yellow bellied eyes. With one slice I heard, his head was gone and his body fell ontop of mine. In disgust I threw the body off to see Sheba standing there with the eyes of a demon. She then took the head of Jikku, and toss it in the nearby river. I saw her drop the axe, revealing the tears that had awaited to fall. I got up, but stumbled from the lack of strength. Without a word, I felt tiny hands, delicate and soft around my stomach. Despite the rain which recently began to pour, she carried on. Where was she dragging me to? I had lost all sense of direction. I closed my eyes to relieve the pain. All my psynergy was drained, and I wasn't able to heal myself. Then, she stopped for a moment. She had taken me into one of the nearby wagons as a alternate shelter from the rain. How was she able to pick me up and place me inside? I have never seen Sheba be able to do that. As for the wagon, at least it was a little warm and dry in there. Much better than being out in the rain.
For awhile all was quiet. Sheba sat from a short distance away, with her arms around her knees. Like a statue she sat and watched droplet after droplet hit the grasses and shrubs. Nothing but the sounds of the violent weather outside were created. Echo tiredly said to try and speak with the girl, as she is mentally ripped apart. I took his advice as usual and crawled up next to her.
"Don't cry...Sheba..."
"Rest." She look with her eyes swirling red like a giant windstorm.
What is wrong with her? Never in my life I heard her speak in a tone like that. Maybe she changed over the past four years since we last had saved Weyard, or possibly the abusive treatment she recieved had turned her into a vicious demon girl. I talked to her again.
"Tell me....tell me what's wrong."
"I'm not in the mood for talking." She turned her head away. I could hear her sobbing softly to herself. I cannot allow her to suffer like that as she suffered the last few days again. I took her under my arm, surprisely, she didn't respond to it agressively.
Silently I took her in close. At first, she was shribled up like a rock, barely moving, but soon enough she slowly uncurled and relaxed her tensions.
"You should already know what is wrong."
"I'm sorry what happen..with the raid of Lalivero and all....I sh.."
Her eyes began to splash down as she wiped her tears off her arm. "Don't remind me..please..it's painful.."
"It's hard to get through situations like this." I hugged her tighter and stroked her head. "I remember being seperated for a long time after the storm in Vale 7 years back."
"But you had your parents there with you, I was alone without anyone for emotional support." I felt her hands and arms snug closely with one of my arms.
"That is true, but around that time so much was going on that was unstable with my emotions, just as you are having now." I look foward to the storm, which was starting to weaken. Sheba's heart must be in the process of calming down from anger.
Felix, I am sure you are tired too, I am departuring to dreamland now.
I should be as well, do you think you'll be ok for now?
I have you to comfort me, physically, and emotionally. (O_o;)
I felt warm around the cheeks as she said that into my mind. For a moment I created a wall barrier so no one could get in. Soon enough I began to have strange feelings, like the ones Ivan describe to me and predicted. The little seer had been right! I like my mind wander off in pursuit when I felt Sheba began to shiver at a constant rate.
How stupid of me. It was freezing outside, and I hadn't given the thought of keeping her warm!? I took the thick cloth which was tucked closely with my armor shoulder plates. I wrapped it around Sheba sideways so I could cover myself as well. She had her eyes closed, tears still flowing from endless thoughts. Trying to not wake the slightest movements of her, I softly rocked her like a child in a mother's arm. I continued to do so until I was aware she was fully alseep. Slowly I place her down beside me. It was time for sure I would depart to the world of dreams.
A/N: Another chapter done. About time anyway.
I would like to note that this takes place a far 4 years after the release of Achelmy and the return of the Golden Age.
And if you are wondering what happen to Winds of Earth? Well as explain before, that story was simply boring and difficult for me to write. But if you insist me posting it up again, I might make arrangements of that.
