Chapter 16: History Repeated
Yay! I finished my game =D Took 2 dang hours to beat the stupid boss -_-;; usually doesn't take me that long, but the stupid thing kept healing itself and killing my characters x.x And then it had 4 little helpers….*coughs* right just play the game . Anyway…what's going to happen now? o-o Common question I ask…Do you guys like the idea of there being human forms for the dragons? Teeelll me! Anyway…READ ON!
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The flowers wafted gently in the cool breeze that blew across the meadow. A long mountain rage could be seen in the distance, its snow covered peaks hidden in the clouds. A small mouth opened slightly and gently blew the white fluff of a dandelion into the air, dispersing the tiny seeds attached to the fluffy parachutes. The bright, amber eyes watched them fly high above her and into the distance.
Sighing, the young girl looked across the vast meadow filled with a grand diversity of flowers, all in full bloom. She sat there, her dress splayed out around her, and took it all in. It was a beautiful, sunny spring day and the birds sang to their hearts content, filling the area with their melodious voices. It would have all been perfect if something weren't missing. What was it? She looked at the entrance expectantly for a few minutes then sighed again.
"He's late again…"
"Who is?" a young, energetic voice asked behind her.
The girl jumped and whirled around to see a young boy's face with bright red eyes looking at her curiously. "Eep! Don't do that!!"
He laughed. "Sorry it took me so long. I had to do some chores for the Master."
She watched him lie down next to her. "Like what?"
"Oh the usual: polish the swords, dust the shelves, clean the dishes. He's just too lazy to do it himself, hehe."
"You shouldn't say such things," she said looking at him sternly. "You're his apprentice and you should respect your elders."
He stared at the sky for a moment, his dark red hair blowing gently in the breeze. "I guess so…"
"Tomorrow is my birthday," the young girl said excitedly. "I can't wait!"
"I know," the boy laughed. "So how old are you going to be again?"
"I'll be turning eight…"
"Still younger than me!" he laughed.
"I'll always be younger than you!" she snapped. "You're a year older anyway…"
He rolled over onto his side and faced her. He propped his elbow up and rested his head in his hand. "And a few months," he added grinning. "But what do you want me to get you? Is that the reason why you wanted me to meet you?"
She blushed for a moment and turned away quickly. "Um…well sorta. You can get me whatever you want. It doesn't really matter…" She kept her face averted and played with the hem of her dress.
The boy looked at her curiously. "Hey, something wrong?"
She sat there silent for a moment. They could hear the church bell back in the village, its loud rings echoing across the field. The afternoon had gone by quickly and dusk was settling in. "No…there's nothing wrong…"
He glanced over at her then lowered his face. "…Actually…I already have your gift…do you want it now?"
The girl turned to him surprised. "Really?" She paused. "Um…I think I'll wait."
"Oh, all right," he said, slightly relieved. He stood up and held his hand out to her. "I think we better be getting back, before your folks start to worry."
She blinked and looked at his outstretched his hand. Her face reddened slightly as she took it and stood up. "Yeah…I guess so…"
He grinned and clasped his hand over hers. "Come on!" he yelled laughing as he ran forward, dragging her with him.
"Ch-Chotto!" she yelled then sighed and stared after him while running. Her eyes softened as she saw him glance back at her, his face slightly flushed and smiling. She smiled back and they laughed as they ran into the small village deep within the forest.
The young boy dropped the girl off in front of her house and said hello to her parents, his hand behind his head embarrassed. How long has it been?
Beware the flames…
The boy blinked and looked around.
"Is something the matter?" the father asked.
"Did you…hear something…?"
"No," the mother said. She smiled. "You sure you don't want to stay here for dinner?"
"Um…well the Master will get rather angry if I stay out too much longer," he said laughing nervously.
"Aw, all right," she said. "But remember, you are always welcome here."
He smiled and turned to walk away. "Well, see you tomorrow!" he said waving and walked over to his Master's house. He was reaching into his pocket when he felt a hand grabbing the back of his shirt and froze. He relaxed a little when he heard the timid voice talking to him.
"Will you…come back later tonight…?"
He looked up and smiled a little. "Sure, I'll give it to you then."
"…Promise?"
He turned around and hugged the slightly shaking girl. "Promise."
They looked at each other for a moment then parted, each going their separate ways. Everything seemed to go by quickly for the young boy as he anticipated the time when he will give his friend her present. He felt inside his pocket and heard the metal clink! It was almost time. He would have to sneak out from his room, thought it would be difficult. The Master had very good hearing and it didn't help that the wooden floorboards were old and squeaky.
He waited until the old church bell rang ten times before stealthily climbing down his window. He had to jump down the last few feet and landed with a slight thud! He glanced around quickly and sighed with relief when the light in the Master's room didn't turn on. He suddenly realized he had no idea where she wanted to meet him, but that didn't matter. Something was pulling him toward the field and he just let his feet take him where they wanted to go.
The boy stopped at the gate to the fields and clambered over it. He straightened after landing and stared in awe. The girl was standing in the middle of the flowers, the moon now full and bright. Its moonbeam seemed to shine down on her like a singer in the spotlight. The wind gently blew her long, golden hair around her as she turned around suddenly to face him. He gulped as he took a few hesitant steps toward her, unsure of what to do, unsure of what to say. The moon shone down on both of them and was the only witness to see what passed between the two children. The boy slowly reached into his pocket and hesitantly drew out something.
The girl blinked. "What is it?"
He is near…beware…
He looked down, his bangs covering his eyes. "I…uh I…" With his hand shaking, he took out something that seemed to be hanging from a chain. "I-It's something that the Master helped me find…so you could consider it something from both of us…but I'm the one who spent the most time looking for it…"
The fire is rising…
"What is it?" she repeated, though her voice wasn't as firm as it was before. The wind started to grow stronger.
Taking a deep breath as he slowly opened his hand, he said, "It's something to remind you of me…I guess."
The girl's eyes widened. In his hand was a brilliant, clear crystal with the carving of a dragon curled up sleeping inside it. "It's beautiful…" she said softly.
He looked at her square in the eyes. "It's a symbol of me. I'm like the dragon. I'll always be by you no matter what happens. I'll protect you even if it costs me my life!"
She stared at the flushed face filled with determination and with her lips quivering a little she flung her arms around his neck, startling the young boy. "Oh thank you…thank you so much…"
He hesitated then slowly hugged her, the pendant still in his hand. "Do- itashimashite…" he replied as he rested his cheek against her soft hair. Was this the feeling of pure bliss? They seemed to radiate under the moonlight, and he never wanted to let go. He wanted to hold her like the way he was forever.
The flames are burning…burning all and yet also lightning the way. The waters are rising…quenching the thirsts of others and drowning their sorrows. The earth is shaking…creating and destroying all at the same time. The winds of fate are blowing…forever guiding and forever misleading. The wheels of time are turning once more and fate has yet to be determined.
The boy blinked when he felt her grip tightened around his collar. "Ow, hey that hurts…"
"The village…"
He blinked. Her voice was strange. He pulled away from her and looked at her horror stricken face. It was then that he heard the screams. Slowly he turned and his eyes widened in pure terror. The village had burst into flames and huge monstrous beasts carrying yokai riders circled around helpless villagers, only to slaughter them with their razor sharp blades.
She screamed when she saw her parents being chased by one of the riders and ran forward. The boy reached out to grab her but missed and chased after her, yelling for her to stop. But it was no use. She seemed to be deaf and blind to all except her parents and their impending death. He reached her just as the yokai thrust his sword into her father. Horrified he swiftly turned her around so that she wouldn't see the blood splattering. He wished he could cover her ears as well, so that she wouldn't hear the piercing screams her mother emitted as another came up and drove his sword down her back and fall lifeless to the ground.
"Well, well, this looks like a scrumptious little snack," a voice said behind him.
He turned around to see a group of yokai standing in front of him, their blades gleaming in the air. He reached into his boot and drew out a small dagger. He cursed silently, knowing he was no match for them. Had the Master also fallen as well? "Who are you?! Why are you doing this?!"
"We serve under the orders of Lord Nadil," the yokai said.
"Hey, is that the girl?" another said, nodding toward the sobbing young girl being held by the boy, his free arm wrapped around her.
The first yokai ran his finger across his blade. "It looks like it. You can feel it can you? The power emitting from her…Lord Nadil will be pleased," he said grinning. "Hand over the girl, boy, and we'll spare your life."
"You think I'm going to let you take her?" he yelled. He felt something burning inside him. "You dumb bastards, you killed her parents right in front of her eyes! You burned down our only home and killed off all our neighbors and friends!" he screamed, angry hot tears streaming down his face.
The yokai glared at him. "Look who you're talking to, boy," he growled. "We tried being nice to the villagers but they wouldn't say a thing. We gave them fair chances but they refused." He nodded to the others and they raised their swords. "So be a good little boy and hand over the girl."
"Stay back!" he yelled as the inched closer. His red eyes were now burning brightly, flames reflecting in them. "I SAID LEAVE!!" he yelled as a giant burst of flame surround the two children, blowing the yokai back into the buildings.
The girl blinked and looked up to see the young boy's face filled with anger and…fire? "R---" She gasped and froze.
"That's right, it's best for you not to talk…if you want your friend to live."
The boy froze as he felt the metal tip of a sword against his neck.
"You shouldn't have kept your back open," the voice said, the voice smooth like oil and cold as ice. "Do you know what you are? You are betraying one of your own kind. Hand over the girl."
"My own kind?!" the boy yelled angrily but not moving. "I'm human! I'm not a yokai like you!" He gasped when he suddenly felt cold hands grab his throat and hold him high in the air. He looked down to see the deep violet eyes staring up at him. "You're…" he coughed.
"I'm surprised you know who I am," the yokai said, smiling a little. He nodded to the slightly singed group of yokai. "Take her."
"NO!" he yelled as he struggled to get free. "Leave her alone! She never did anything!!!" He gasped as the grip tightened.
"You have power, yet you refused to ally yourself with your own kind. Foolish boy."
The boy glared at his captor. "Let me go you filthy yokai."
Nadil narrowed his eyes and the boy screamed from the pain within his head. "Do you wish to die? I can grant you that if you like."
He gasped, taking deep gulps of breath. The boy summoned all his strength to take one last look at the Yokai Lord. "You're a dumb bastard."
"RATH!!!!" the girl screamed as Nadil swiftly drove his sword into the boy's body. The yokai grabbed her and mounted up on their mutated steeds. "RATH NOO!!"
Lying on the ground, his blood starting to create a small pool underneath him, Rath reached out a hand. "Ce..sia…" He gasped as he got to his knees and clutched his stomach. He felt something on the ground and grabbed it. He knew what it was and clutched it tightly. "CESIAAAA!!!" he screamed before falling back to the ground, the blood now flowing freely.
It is all the same, it had happened before. History is repeating itself once more. Once more you are defeated. Once more you fail. You see your loved one taken down a haunted trail. You swore you would protect her not matter what the cost. But you now lie there dying, alone and lost. What will you do? Will you continue your quest? Or would you like me to give you eternal rest…?
No… Rath's eyes fluttered as he watched the dust receding. He saw a pair of light green eyes flicker in front of him and heard several voices. The fire continued to burn behind him. No…not again… All turned black once more.
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Okay, originally I had another part to this, but it 9 pages and I don't think anyone would sit in front of the computer screen to read 9 pages of words all at once o_o;; So I'm splitting it in two .; Sound similar to the last chapter? It should, and there's a reason. It was tricky trying to cut it right there and make it so the beginning of the next chapter wouldn't be odd. Right, anyway, just keep going, I was nice and went ahead in putting the subsequent chapter .