Wow! I dunno what kind of drugs I was on, but I re-read the previous chapter 6. And wow, I didn't even understand my own story! I simplified it--hopefully for the better. And thanks for the reviews, and I'll try to put more depth if you would like. I'm trying to become a good writer to hopefully write my own trilogy...probably won't happen, but hey, I can dream.

Oh, and to the guy labelled as "me" in the anonymous reviewers. It's people like you that make people like me smile at morons like yourself. Great vocabulary skills, you'd belong nicely in Southern California. Ah, but you're just a flamer, just to stir-up anger. Sad, so sad. XD

Anyway, hopefully this is better. Less rushed.

Chapter 6 – The Haunting Cries

Kael was alone. The darkness of the woods revealed nothing but what the thin sliver of moonlight could along patches of ground. The silence made his ears strain uncomfortably. He crept silently, the sticks and leaves beneath him cracking seemingly as loud as a whip with each step. His katana was gripped almost painfully is his fist, the sheath pointing behind him but in a position so that he could swing in a wide arc along with the sword..

A rush of wind made him whip around. He narrowed his eyes, straining them to pick up any movement. When he saw nothing but the dark trees and ground, he sighed with relief, turned back around, and—cold steel rushed through his stomach.

It happened so fast all he could do was grunt once. He held his breath, his hands releasing his katana and locked them around the sharp blade, curved slightly like his own. Warm blood seeped from his palms and a steady stream spilled in little amounts from the corners of his mouth. A cold laugh swirled around him. Kael suppressed groaning, clenching his teeth and eyes together as his body exploded with pain.

On the other side of the blade was a boy about his height, grinning with sick pleasure. He was very pale, looked about his age, and his hair was silver-blonde hair was spiked. He wore a blue soldiers uniform with a light chest plate and blue pants that tucked into his black boots. A pair of leather gloves that revealed only the dorsum of his fingers was pulled onto each hand, gripping the navy-blue nylon wrap around the hilt of his katana.

"Who…are you?" Kael said slowly, trying to keep the strength in his voice.

"Consider this a warning," the boy said, his voice like cold venom. "As for who I am, don't worry yourself. Just stay out of my way, wretch. You don't even belong here, or with her. My Master only."

"What're you talking abou…"

"SILENCE!" The boy retracted the blade slightly, flipped it still inside Kael's body, then shoved it back in, making Kael grunt, blood spluttering from his mouth.

"Such a pity that one with so much power cannot learn to utilize his fear and convert it to strength."

Mustering what strength he had left, he watched as the towering hooded figure stood behind the boy, its robes swaying gently in the cold winds.

"But even I wonder what fear you have? Is it death? No, you don't look the type to be afraid of the natural cycle. Is it fear of being alone? Losing someone? Even I don't know. But I will discover it soon and let it consume you for your own good. That is my duty. Silly mortals are so fun to toy with, and how intriguing how the smallest person can have such an impact."

Kael shot awake, panting heavily. Slices of the vivid dream still drifted through his mind. Gasping slightly, he wiped a coldsweat that perspired from his forehead. His heart was pounding uncomfortably and quickly, and his fingers were trembling. He pat his chest, feeling for the stab wound. There wasn't one.

Sighing with relief but still shaken, he sat up and shook the dizziness from his head. Kari was curled up a few inches next to him, breathing loudly but peacefully and a small grin on her face as though having a pleasant dream. He wrapped his arms around his knees, and stared lazily at the fullmoon overhead.

Earlier, they had started along the main road that cut jaggedly through the forest, made of orange compact clay, slightly dusty. She had explained about the sheep and how the Nu Mou beastmasters had a special bond with his flock, so they would come back. He had asked about what the Nu Mou were, but she said that it would be better to wait and meet one himself. They had talked until late in the afternoon when the sun's bottom edge was just barely touching the horizon. Kari turned into the woods, and together they found a small open area in the thickness of the wood.

"We're almost there. We could have kept going and get there when the moon is out, but it'd be better to get there by daylight. Now travelling around Ivalice is like every man or woman for themselves," she had said.

"Why?"

"Well, the gates are always closed at night." She had laughed. "But remember what I said about the civil war?"

"Yeeah…"

"Well, it's a free-for-all just because of it. The city isn't divided—yet, anyway—but most ex-soldiers have chosen sides. On one, you have the pro-monarchy. On the other, the pro-democracy. It's a bad, bad stalemate right now. But, luckily, both sides have agreed to leave citizens out of the fray—unless they get in the way. So, the city runs normally. A battle nowadays is common. Including death."

"Death wasn't normal?"

"Not in battle. The deceased prince's laws made it so when clans and soldiers would begin a battle, the judges were there to ensure laws were enforced and none died."

"How was that possible?"

"It's a well guarded secret, and unfortunately, now lost." She had paused, setting up bits of camp with Kael's help. "I was so…so unaccustomed to death like that. Thank the gods that you so quickly dispatched the Bangaa and his lackeys without killing. Speaking of which, what gave you such speed? It's almost un-Hume like."

"Lucky, I guess." Kael had said. "I was trained since I was little, and I ran every day and other things."

"Even still, I was awed. But you realize that they weren't the best swordsmen?"

Kael had laughed, not feigning. "I realized that."

"But I'm not saying you're bad! I was impressed."

Kael had grinned. "Don't patronize me."

"I'm serious!"

"Uh-huh."

After they had finished setting up the small but comfortable camp, they decided not to make a fire. The air was intensely humid and muggy considering it was near the end of summer. In the middle of eating cold but tasty bread, Kari had broken the silence again.

"Which side would you want?"
"Me?"

"No, the ghost behind you."

"Heh. Anyway, I come from a democracy—well, more like a republic. But to be honest, I don't care. Monarchy has worked, and so has democracy. Both have had flaws. It's fascism I can't stand."

Kari had smiled for some reason. "I don't like talking about politics, to be honest," she was saying as the sky turned into a pale purplish-black. "But monarchy was what stabalized us—although I'd like to see how a democracy worked. I wonder which side we should choose?"

"Huh?" Kael had blinked.

"Well, the clan office told me that certain clans are aligned with either group. All of them. You have the ex-soldiers who choose themselves. But I'd rather be in a clan that's neutral. There's gotta be one of those, right?"

"You're right—no more politics. My head hurts." Kari had laughed, nodded, but he continued. "Whatever you choose. You're the only thing that I can really depend on as to where to go. I've lost everything I previously had."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"So, you'll just follow me around?"

"Well, unless you can help me determine a way to either get back to my world or help me set up a life here."

"Too hard."

"Then I'll just follow you."

"Stalker! Pervert!"

"HEY!"

Kari laughed.

Kael returned from his flashback, staring deeply at the sliver of moonlight that crept through the woods. Kari shifted slightly in her sleep. Her left ear twitched, then muttered something in gibberish, then dozed off again. He admired her beauty for a moment, then shook the thought from his head.

The dream. What do I do about the dream? A fear? But what does it mean? And a fear can become power? Yeah right. But what was with the boy with a katana and white hair? Why, why do things keep piling up? Why me, Lord? Or Lords?

He shook his head, and sighed, finally getting used to all the persistent problems. He did, however, want them to go away. I wonder what Cyril will be like? She said it's a pretty city. But my clothes…I'll have to do something about that. Bah, ah well.

He continued to gaze at the crescent moon high above, wisps of gray clouds drifting past it every so often. I wish life were more simple.

He layed his head back down on the soft but rough pillow of leaves and fell into uneasy sleep.