Chapter 1: Abduction
KLACK! KLACK! SWOOSH!
Sounds of wood hitting wood filled the air as Chocolate watched Carrot and Reuben sparring within the training hall. She was amazed how much how much Carrot had learned in eight years; he was able to predict every one of his master's moves, almost by instinct.
As they stood apart from one another, Rueben smiled with admiration at his student. "Well done, Carrot," he commented. "Are you ready for this match to end?" The only response Carrot gave was a simple nod. With that, Rueben rushed forward with his practice sword, ready to strike. In an instant, Carrot took a single step, swung with his own sword, and knocked his master's weapon away.
A moment of silence passed before Chocolate was overcome with joy. "Darling!" she cried out as she glomped Carrot. "Congratulations, I knew you could do it."
"Jeez, Chocolate," Carrot replied, blushing heavily. "Cut it out; you're embarrassing me in front of my master."
"There's no need to feel embarrassed, Carrot," Rueben assured him. "She has every right to praise you like that. In fact, you've learned more these past eight years than I could have ever learned in my lifetime."
"Are you serious?" Carrot asked, getting up from the floor. Still clinging to him, Chocolate was just as surprised.
"Absolutely. I have nothing more to teach you, Carrot Glace. You are no longer my student, but a true swordsman."
"Thank you, Master," Carrot replied as he bowed to him. He looked beside himself at Chocolate. "C'mon, Chocolate, let's head home."
"Of course, Darling," she cooed lovingly as they made their way out of the training hall. "You must be starving after such a hard workout. I'm going to make such a wonderful dinner for you…"
Rueben, however, could not help but feel a sense of concern. 'Be on your guard, Carrot,' he thought. 'An ill wind blows on this day. The time has come to face your destiny. And though I am not your master anymore, I am still your guide on this path you are on'
Carrot let out a relaxing sigh as he leaned back against a nearby tree, took in a breath of fresh air and gazed into the night sky. The meal Chocolate had prepared him was a true delight. Now they were spending a relaxing evening under the stars. "Eight years…" he thought out loud.
"Did you say something, Darling?" Chocolate asked.
"I'm just surprised that it's been that long since Rueben first started teaching me." Carrot explained. "Of course, I chose to learn from him. But to be perfectly honest, it doesn't feel like that much time has passed."
"I know what you mean, Darling," Chocolate replied as she leaned closer to him. "I can still remember the night when I comforted you when you were suffering so much."
Carrot could feel his heart beating in his chest; it was as if it was ready to burst. Reluctantly, he put his arm around Chocolate. Feeling his touch, she could not help but feel surprised and overjoyed. "Thanks for being here for me, Chocolate," he said, looking deeply into her eyes. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Oh, Darling," she sighed, her eyes filling with tears. Carrot lightly caressed her face, wiping the tears away. Submitting to the man she loved, Chocolate closed her eyes and drew herself closer. Carrot's heart started to beat faster, but he could not help but be drawn towards her.
Just then, a sharp wind coursed around them, bringing them back to reality. They stood up attentively, though Carrot seemed more alert to the disturbance.
"What was that, Darling?" Chocolate asked, obviously scared by the wind. Suddenly, an ominous shadow descended from the sky and landed a short distance away from them. Within moments the intruder's features took form and his identity clear: Zaha Torte.
"So it's you, Zaha," Carrot said with much disgust on his face. "I should have known you would come back for me."
"Indeed; my ideals cannot be achieved unless I get what I want from you." Zaha replied. "But since you're not going to come willingly, I have to employ another form of tactics." With a snap of his fingers, black snakelike tendrils appeared from behind Chocolate, ensnaring her.
"Damn it, let me go!" she violently cursed as she struggled to free herself. But it was no use. The darkness pulled her beside Zaha.
"You bastard!" Carrot shouted. "Leave her out of this. It's me you want!"
"True enough," Zaha agreed, "but having you suffer like this is more entertaining. Listen closely, Carrot Glace. If you want to save her, come to my lair by sunrise; or else I will kill her. Your dear Kanure Stella knows how to get you there. We'll be waiting for you". With that Zaha and Chocolate began to vanish.
"Don't do it! Save yourself!" Chocolate cried out to Carrot. "Darling! Darling…" And then they were gone.
Carrot dropped to his knees in shock. "Never again…" He muttered, punching the ground in frustration. "I won't lose you again. CHOCOLATE!!!!"
"I don't care if it is dangerous!" Carrot shouted to Big Momma, his voice echoing throughout the halls of the Stella Church. "Send me to where Zaha is NOW!"
"Please try to calm down, Carrot." Big Momma calmly replied, but certainly surprised by his tone of voice. "Surely, you know that this is just what he wants"
"So I'm supposed to stay here while Chocolate loses her life because of me?" Before Carrot could argue any further, a familiar voice came from the front doors of the church.
"Let him go, Lady Kanure. It seem you're just as clueless as Zaha." It was Rueben.
Big Momma was shocked at the sight of him. "Haz Knight Rueben!? What are you doing back here?"
"Haz Knight? Master Rueben used to be a Haz Knight?" Carrot asked in surprise.
"Indeed I was," his former master replied. "I left Big Momma's service 21 years ago, shortly after Zaha left. I foresaw his plans and decided to search for an answer, and I believe I know how to stop him once and for all."
"What do you mean, Rueben?" Big Momma asked in much confusion.
"All you need to do is trust me," He assured her. Then he turned back to Carrot. "Carrot, come with me. There is something at the training hall that has been waiting for you long before your birth."
Note to readers: Kanure Stella is Big Momma's real name.