Chapter three: Driven Away
Another seven years passed since Cyra had lost his father. Currently, he was a young fourteen-year old, always feeling ready to take on anything that was thrown at him. He wanted to find whoever had sent the soldiers to kill Tyron and destroy them. On a lighter note, he had also become even closer friends with Anne. While he didn't want to admit it, he had a crush on her.
Lucia, twenty-five, was now the chief of the village and was living up to her word on keeping the village safe. She had proven herself worthy in battle, using her whip as a weapon. Beecham was thirty by now, and had received his dream job as Lucia's protection.
At long last, Luce had a baby. The now-middle aged woman was so glad to finally have a child to call her own after taking care of so many others in the past. The child was a boy, who Luce named Lulu.
Luce wasn't the only one who had a baby. Lucia also became a mother, to a boy named Hugo. He was already three years old, and was destined to become Lucia's successor as clan chief.
Because Cyra was so fueled for revenge against the person responsible for his father's death, he instantly wanted to train in fighting. He trained under Beecham, and quickly got the hang of sword fighting.
Currently, Cyra was walking through the village with Anne, both talking to each other.
"So how'd your hunting trip with Beecham go?" Anne asked, pointing to the sack hanging over Beecham shoulder.
"Great." Cyra replied with a smile. "I caught a couple Dark Hares. Man, those things are fast!"
"I must admit that you're getting really good with a sword." Anne complimented. "Beecham's training you well."
"Thanks, Anne." Cyra said.
The two young teenagers looked at the Item shop and saw a young, four year- old girl running into the store, pulling her father by the arm.
Cyra chuckled. "That Aila." He said. "She seems to be so into those items that she buys at the store."
Anne also chuckled. "Have you seen the way she looks at a bow and arrow?" She asked. "It wouldn't surprise me if she grows up to be an archer."
"Maybe so." Cyra said.
The two continued talking for a while, until it was past six in the evening.
Cyra sighed. "Sorry Anne, but I gotta go." He said. "Mom's probably waiting for me to come back with dinner."
"Yeah. My parents are probably getting ready for supper too." Anne replied. "I'll see you around, Cyra." She said.
Cyra bid her farewell as Anne walked off towards her hut. After she had gone in, Cyra turned around and walked towards his own hut.
Pushing away the curtain at the door, Cyra walked into his home, where his mother was cutting some vegetables at a table. Hearing someone come in, Kelsey turned around to see her son walk into the hut with a sack. She smiled. "Did you catch anything, Cyra?" She asked.
Cyra smirked as he walked up to the table. He opened the sack and reached in, pulling out two dead Dark Hares. "Just a couple hares, mom." Cyra replied.
Kelsey beamed. "That's great! I can make a few dishes out of these!"
Cyra helped his mother prepare supper, which took more than half an hour to set up. After setting everything up, mother and son enjoyed a great supper of three different dishes. Afterwards, the two started to put the dishes away.
Kelsey looked at Cyra and decided to start a conversation. "Your hunting skills are getting better all the time, son." She said.
"Beecham is a great teacher." Cyra replied. "But another reason I'm getting better is because I've got determination."
{Just like Tyron...} Kelsey thought. Staring at Cyra, she suddenly felt something hot running down her face. She quickly wiped her tear away, hoping that her son didn't see her. However, he did.
"What's wrong, mom?" Cyra asked, approaching his mother.
"I-It's nothing, son." Kelsey replied quickly. "I'm just thinking about how much you look like your father."
Cyra was silent as his mother suddenly started crying. Cyra too felt tears running down his face as he reached out and embraced his mother. Both mother and son cried as they held onto each other.
Suddenly, the two heard a noise coming from outside. It almost sounded like horses galloping in the distance, coming closer with every passing second. They broke the embrace as they stared at the door. Kelsey quietly walked over to the door and slightly pushed the curtain aside, far enough to stare out the door.
Cyra was wondering why his mother was being so quiet, and was even more surprised when her features became overcome with horror.
"It's him!" Kelsey whispered.
"Who, mom?" Cyra asked, slowly approaching his mother.
Just as Cyra became within arm's reach, Kelsey turned around, grabbed her son's arm and pulled him farther from the door. She quickly led Cyra to a corner of the hut, which was surrounded by boxes. She picked Cyra up and placed him in the corner. She stared at him with pleading eyes. "No matter what happens, stay down!" She whispered.
Cyra did as he was told and crouched down to keep hidden. He prepared for his mother to join him, but saw her run back into the center of the hut.
{What is she thinking?!} Cyra thought.
Kelsey stood still, her back turned to the door. Cyra was almost tempted to jump from his hiding place to get her, but was cut short when three tall figures threw open the curtain.
Kelsey let out a gasp as she spun around. There, standing in front of her, was the man she had run away from so many years ago. He was tall, and had silver hair going up into a spike. He wore black and white armor and a green cape. He had two of his soldiers with him. When she saw him, Kelsey instantly started backing away.
"Hello, Kelsey." The man said coldly.
"S-Sir." A wide-eyed Kelsey replied.
The man got straight to the point. "Did you REALLY think you could escape from me?" He quizzed. "Especially after I had some of my men kill your husband?"
Cyra felt his heartbeat quicken. Standing before his mother was the same man who had his father killed.
Kelsey continued backing away. "S-Sir, please..." She half-begged.
"Go away?" The man asked, sounding like he finished what Kelsey was saying. "What you and your husband did was unforgivable! Your dear husband already paid, so now it's your turn!" He drew his sword and placed the point of the blade against Kelsey's neck.
Kelsey struggled to swallow without letting the sword touch her skin. "Why do you take so much pleasure in killing?" She asked. "This doesn't solve anything!"
The man chuckled. "But if I kill you, I'll have solved my problem, won't I?"
"Solon, please!"
The man addressed as 'Solon' quickly pulled his blade back and thrust it forward, stabbing Kelsey through the stomach. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in pain.
Cyra's eyes sprang open. {NO!} His mind screamed. He didn't want to give away his position.
Solon put his face close to the suffering Kelsey. "Think of it this way, my dear. You've paid your debt. I won't be after you anymore." He said with a chuckle.
Tipping his sword down, Solon let Kelsey slide off the blade, letting her collapse to the floor. Staring down at her, the man grinned evilly.
Suddenly, another soldier entered the hut. "General Jhee! We must leave!" He panted. "The soldiers are approaching!" Solon nodded as he and his soldiers left the hut.
Cyra waited until the horses footsteps had vanished into nothing before leaping from his hiding spot and rushing to his mother's side. Cyra quickly got on his knees and held his mother's head.
"Mom! Mom, please! Don't leave me alone!" Cyra begged, tears falling from his eyes.
Although barely alive, Kelsey managed to look at her teenage son. She smiled weakly but warmly.
"Mom!" Cyra cried. "Why didn't you hide with me?!"
"If he came into the hut and didn't find me instantly, he'd search the hut, possibly finding you in the process." She replied. She was speaking surprisingly well for someone in her condition.
Kelsey coughed a few times before looking back up at her son. "Cyra, please do me a favour." She said.
"Anything, mom!" Cyra quickly replied. "Anything!"
"You must leave Karaya." His mother replied. "Find somewhere else to live. Change your name. And most of all, deny being a Karayan at all costs."
Cyra stared at his mother, bewildered at her statement. "Why must I do all this?"
"If Solon finds you, and finds out that you're related to me, he'll kill you!" Kelsey replied. "If you're to escape his wrath and live, you must deny being a Karayan."
Cyra suddenly realized the seriousness of his dying mother's voice. He quickly nodded. "Yes, mother! I'll do it!"
Kelsey smiled warmly. She pointed to a sword leaning against a pole. "Take your father's sword. He wanted you to have it." She gently placed her hands on either side of her son's head and pulled him down, placing a final and gentle kiss on his forehead.
"I love you, Cyra..." She said weakly.
Suddenly, Kelsey's hands dropped from her son's head and went slack. Cyra instantly started sobbing as he hugged his deceased mother.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Cyra stood in front of his mother's grave with all the other Karayans gathered around as well. Tears streamed freely down his face, as well as most of the others as well.
Cyra suddenly felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see a teary-eyed Anne staring back.
"I'm so, so sorry, Cyra." Anne said.
Cyra sighed sadly. "So am I."
An hour passed. Cyra was upset at what he was going to do, but it was the final request of his mother. He walked out of his hut, placing his father's sword in the holster. He carried several provisions and quite a bit of potch. What he had would be able to last until he reached Caleria, where he'd restock.
As Cyra approached the front 'gate' to the village, he saw the rest of the tribe standing there, waiting for him. Young Hugo was standing beside Lucia, and infant Lulu was sleeping in the arms of his mother.
"Are you sure about this, Cyra?" Lucia asked, a single tear rolling down her face.
"It was my mother's request, Chief Lucia." Cyra replied. "I must flee."
Lucia nodded as she stepped aside to let Cyra pass. When Cyra approached the path leading down the hill, he stopped and turned around to stare at the rest of the tribe. "It grieves me that I have to leave, but my mother said before she died that I'd be in danger in I remained here." He looked down. "I shall miss everyone dearly."
Cyra looked up from the ground to see a sniffling Anne walking through the crowd, towards him. "I-I-I'll miss you, Cyra." Anne sniffed. "Do you think we'll meet again someday?"
Cyra nodded. "I hope so. In fact, I hope to see everyone here at some point in the future."
After everyone said their goodbyes, Cyra thanked everyone. He said his final goodbye as he turned around and walked down the hill, leading away from the village.
Lucia suddenly felt something tug at her leg. She looked down to see her young son staring up at her. "Mommy, where's Cywa going?" Young Hugo asked innocently.
Anne watched silently as Cyra's figure vanished from sight. Fresh tears suddenly found their way to her face.
"...Cyra..."
To be continued...
Author's note: Well, that's another chapter done! At least I explained why Samus has a different name and denies being a Karayan.
Heh. Bet you weren't expecting the villain to be Solon Jhee, were you? Well, he's not going to be making another appearance. At least, not for a while. :)
Please read and review!
Another seven years passed since Cyra had lost his father. Currently, he was a young fourteen-year old, always feeling ready to take on anything that was thrown at him. He wanted to find whoever had sent the soldiers to kill Tyron and destroy them. On a lighter note, he had also become even closer friends with Anne. While he didn't want to admit it, he had a crush on her.
Lucia, twenty-five, was now the chief of the village and was living up to her word on keeping the village safe. She had proven herself worthy in battle, using her whip as a weapon. Beecham was thirty by now, and had received his dream job as Lucia's protection.
At long last, Luce had a baby. The now-middle aged woman was so glad to finally have a child to call her own after taking care of so many others in the past. The child was a boy, who Luce named Lulu.
Luce wasn't the only one who had a baby. Lucia also became a mother, to a boy named Hugo. He was already three years old, and was destined to become Lucia's successor as clan chief.
Because Cyra was so fueled for revenge against the person responsible for his father's death, he instantly wanted to train in fighting. He trained under Beecham, and quickly got the hang of sword fighting.
Currently, Cyra was walking through the village with Anne, both talking to each other.
"So how'd your hunting trip with Beecham go?" Anne asked, pointing to the sack hanging over Beecham shoulder.
"Great." Cyra replied with a smile. "I caught a couple Dark Hares. Man, those things are fast!"
"I must admit that you're getting really good with a sword." Anne complimented. "Beecham's training you well."
"Thanks, Anne." Cyra said.
The two young teenagers looked at the Item shop and saw a young, four year- old girl running into the store, pulling her father by the arm.
Cyra chuckled. "That Aila." He said. "She seems to be so into those items that she buys at the store."
Anne also chuckled. "Have you seen the way she looks at a bow and arrow?" She asked. "It wouldn't surprise me if she grows up to be an archer."
"Maybe so." Cyra said.
The two continued talking for a while, until it was past six in the evening.
Cyra sighed. "Sorry Anne, but I gotta go." He said. "Mom's probably waiting for me to come back with dinner."
"Yeah. My parents are probably getting ready for supper too." Anne replied. "I'll see you around, Cyra." She said.
Cyra bid her farewell as Anne walked off towards her hut. After she had gone in, Cyra turned around and walked towards his own hut.
Pushing away the curtain at the door, Cyra walked into his home, where his mother was cutting some vegetables at a table. Hearing someone come in, Kelsey turned around to see her son walk into the hut with a sack. She smiled. "Did you catch anything, Cyra?" She asked.
Cyra smirked as he walked up to the table. He opened the sack and reached in, pulling out two dead Dark Hares. "Just a couple hares, mom." Cyra replied.
Kelsey beamed. "That's great! I can make a few dishes out of these!"
Cyra helped his mother prepare supper, which took more than half an hour to set up. After setting everything up, mother and son enjoyed a great supper of three different dishes. Afterwards, the two started to put the dishes away.
Kelsey looked at Cyra and decided to start a conversation. "Your hunting skills are getting better all the time, son." She said.
"Beecham is a great teacher." Cyra replied. "But another reason I'm getting better is because I've got determination."
{Just like Tyron...} Kelsey thought. Staring at Cyra, she suddenly felt something hot running down her face. She quickly wiped her tear away, hoping that her son didn't see her. However, he did.
"What's wrong, mom?" Cyra asked, approaching his mother.
"I-It's nothing, son." Kelsey replied quickly. "I'm just thinking about how much you look like your father."
Cyra was silent as his mother suddenly started crying. Cyra too felt tears running down his face as he reached out and embraced his mother. Both mother and son cried as they held onto each other.
Suddenly, the two heard a noise coming from outside. It almost sounded like horses galloping in the distance, coming closer with every passing second. They broke the embrace as they stared at the door. Kelsey quietly walked over to the door and slightly pushed the curtain aside, far enough to stare out the door.
Cyra was wondering why his mother was being so quiet, and was even more surprised when her features became overcome with horror.
"It's him!" Kelsey whispered.
"Who, mom?" Cyra asked, slowly approaching his mother.
Just as Cyra became within arm's reach, Kelsey turned around, grabbed her son's arm and pulled him farther from the door. She quickly led Cyra to a corner of the hut, which was surrounded by boxes. She picked Cyra up and placed him in the corner. She stared at him with pleading eyes. "No matter what happens, stay down!" She whispered.
Cyra did as he was told and crouched down to keep hidden. He prepared for his mother to join him, but saw her run back into the center of the hut.
{What is she thinking?!} Cyra thought.
Kelsey stood still, her back turned to the door. Cyra was almost tempted to jump from his hiding place to get her, but was cut short when three tall figures threw open the curtain.
Kelsey let out a gasp as she spun around. There, standing in front of her, was the man she had run away from so many years ago. He was tall, and had silver hair going up into a spike. He wore black and white armor and a green cape. He had two of his soldiers with him. When she saw him, Kelsey instantly started backing away.
"Hello, Kelsey." The man said coldly.
"S-Sir." A wide-eyed Kelsey replied.
The man got straight to the point. "Did you REALLY think you could escape from me?" He quizzed. "Especially after I had some of my men kill your husband?"
Cyra felt his heartbeat quicken. Standing before his mother was the same man who had his father killed.
Kelsey continued backing away. "S-Sir, please..." She half-begged.
"Go away?" The man asked, sounding like he finished what Kelsey was saying. "What you and your husband did was unforgivable! Your dear husband already paid, so now it's your turn!" He drew his sword and placed the point of the blade against Kelsey's neck.
Kelsey struggled to swallow without letting the sword touch her skin. "Why do you take so much pleasure in killing?" She asked. "This doesn't solve anything!"
The man chuckled. "But if I kill you, I'll have solved my problem, won't I?"
"Solon, please!"
The man addressed as 'Solon' quickly pulled his blade back and thrust it forward, stabbing Kelsey through the stomach. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in pain.
Cyra's eyes sprang open. {NO!} His mind screamed. He didn't want to give away his position.
Solon put his face close to the suffering Kelsey. "Think of it this way, my dear. You've paid your debt. I won't be after you anymore." He said with a chuckle.
Tipping his sword down, Solon let Kelsey slide off the blade, letting her collapse to the floor. Staring down at her, the man grinned evilly.
Suddenly, another soldier entered the hut. "General Jhee! We must leave!" He panted. "The soldiers are approaching!" Solon nodded as he and his soldiers left the hut.
Cyra waited until the horses footsteps had vanished into nothing before leaping from his hiding spot and rushing to his mother's side. Cyra quickly got on his knees and held his mother's head.
"Mom! Mom, please! Don't leave me alone!" Cyra begged, tears falling from his eyes.
Although barely alive, Kelsey managed to look at her teenage son. She smiled weakly but warmly.
"Mom!" Cyra cried. "Why didn't you hide with me?!"
"If he came into the hut and didn't find me instantly, he'd search the hut, possibly finding you in the process." She replied. She was speaking surprisingly well for someone in her condition.
Kelsey coughed a few times before looking back up at her son. "Cyra, please do me a favour." She said.
"Anything, mom!" Cyra quickly replied. "Anything!"
"You must leave Karaya." His mother replied. "Find somewhere else to live. Change your name. And most of all, deny being a Karayan at all costs."
Cyra stared at his mother, bewildered at her statement. "Why must I do all this?"
"If Solon finds you, and finds out that you're related to me, he'll kill you!" Kelsey replied. "If you're to escape his wrath and live, you must deny being a Karayan."
Cyra suddenly realized the seriousness of his dying mother's voice. He quickly nodded. "Yes, mother! I'll do it!"
Kelsey smiled warmly. She pointed to a sword leaning against a pole. "Take your father's sword. He wanted you to have it." She gently placed her hands on either side of her son's head and pulled him down, placing a final and gentle kiss on his forehead.
"I love you, Cyra..." She said weakly.
Suddenly, Kelsey's hands dropped from her son's head and went slack. Cyra instantly started sobbing as he hugged his deceased mother.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Cyra stood in front of his mother's grave with all the other Karayans gathered around as well. Tears streamed freely down his face, as well as most of the others as well.
Cyra suddenly felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see a teary-eyed Anne staring back.
"I'm so, so sorry, Cyra." Anne said.
Cyra sighed sadly. "So am I."
An hour passed. Cyra was upset at what he was going to do, but it was the final request of his mother. He walked out of his hut, placing his father's sword in the holster. He carried several provisions and quite a bit of potch. What he had would be able to last until he reached Caleria, where he'd restock.
As Cyra approached the front 'gate' to the village, he saw the rest of the tribe standing there, waiting for him. Young Hugo was standing beside Lucia, and infant Lulu was sleeping in the arms of his mother.
"Are you sure about this, Cyra?" Lucia asked, a single tear rolling down her face.
"It was my mother's request, Chief Lucia." Cyra replied. "I must flee."
Lucia nodded as she stepped aside to let Cyra pass. When Cyra approached the path leading down the hill, he stopped and turned around to stare at the rest of the tribe. "It grieves me that I have to leave, but my mother said before she died that I'd be in danger in I remained here." He looked down. "I shall miss everyone dearly."
Cyra looked up from the ground to see a sniffling Anne walking through the crowd, towards him. "I-I-I'll miss you, Cyra." Anne sniffed. "Do you think we'll meet again someday?"
Cyra nodded. "I hope so. In fact, I hope to see everyone here at some point in the future."
After everyone said their goodbyes, Cyra thanked everyone. He said his final goodbye as he turned around and walked down the hill, leading away from the village.
Lucia suddenly felt something tug at her leg. She looked down to see her young son staring up at her. "Mommy, where's Cywa going?" Young Hugo asked innocently.
Anne watched silently as Cyra's figure vanished from sight. Fresh tears suddenly found their way to her face.
"...Cyra..."
To be continued...
Author's note: Well, that's another chapter done! At least I explained why Samus has a different name and denies being a Karayan.
Heh. Bet you weren't expecting the villain to be Solon Jhee, were you? Well, he's not going to be making another appearance. At least, not for a while. :)
Please read and review!