Don't Look Back – Chapter 7
The Capture
Kallisto paced her study, trying to remain calm with her youngest son. She stopped her pacing, and looked at him square in the eye. "Perun… explain to me again why you are so determined to push me over the edge?"
Perun remained emotionless. "It's not my intention Mother-"
"If it's not your intention, quit doing it! I want you to help your brother Phobos capture Haku. Now, get out of my sight!" Kallisto yelled. Her son bowed, and left her office. She continued to pace, becoming increasingly frustrated with him.
Why did he have to be such a pain? He was the Leader of the First Squadron! He can't just do things that can possibly harm the Druids! Trying to release prisoners certainly falls into that category! Kallisto continued to pace, her fiery red hair falling out of its pins. She sighed, and pulled them all out. Her hair cascaded down to the middle of her back, and her green eyes were livid.
She would get Perun to accept his position among the Druids, even if she had to do it by force.
Perun sighed as he walked along the halls of the Druids fortress. He hated this, being a Druid. But, he was born into this world and he just couldn't run away from it. How he wished he could, but he had tried all ready. In fact, that was why his mother had been so angry with him.
He had tried to free some of the humans they had captured to become their slaves. Perun knew that he couldn't make much of a difference with his mother in charge, but he just couldn't stand there, watching the spells be preformed. The humans would scream, beg for mercy, anything they could do to stop the pain. Most didn't survive, but his mother couldn't care less.
He hated it. He hated the Druids and everything they stood for. Phobos, his older brother on the other hand, loved the Druids and would do anything for them.
Perun passed by a mirror, and stopped. He stood in front of his, and studied his reflection. He looked nothing like his brother, nothing like his mother. So, he assumed he looked a lot like his father. Perun didn't grow up knowing his father, although he had a very good idea about who it was. It was easily Odin, his mother's general. But, Odin and Kallisto both are known for being unable to control their temper when they become to angry. Phobos doesn't hold out long, but Perun can hold his tongue, and not show any emotion whenever he wants.
Perun saw a tall young man looking at him. He wasn't broad shouldered, yet he was far from skinny and wimpy. He was easily the best person to send as an assassin. He was stealthy, couldmove without a sound, and can fit into the tightest spaces. And that's what Perun hated about himself. Just the perfect tool for killing someone, nothing more. His hair was coal black, but would seem a deep forest green when it would catch the light just right. His eyes were dark… dark as the sea at night. Deep blue eyes, darker than the mind can imagine. Phobos's were more of a crystal sea blue, thank goodness. When you put the brothers side by side, they looked nothing alike.
Amaya loved Perun's eyes. And Perun loves just about everything about Amaya, and so does Phobos. It's common knowledge among the men that the brothers have their eyes on Amaya, and that Amaya herself is eyeing Perun. That just sets Phobos into a frenzy. Perun knew that he should back off when Phobos gets angry, but he couldn't do it. Phobos didn't deserve such an angel like Amaya. Then again, neither did he, but that was beside the point.
That was a few years ago. Now, things have changed. Perun will talk to Amaya and flirt with on occasion, right in front of Phobos even. Perun didn't care any longer, and neither did Amaya. It would make Phobosboil over, and Amaya and Perun would just laugh about it later.
"Perun! There you are!" A woman said. Perun turned to face her, and smiled.
Amaya was the leader of the Second Squadron of the Druids, and could be considered a devoted follower… until Perun took her down into the dungeon.
- - Flashback - -
Amaya knew that humans were kept down here, but she didn't know exactly what all happened down here. She saw rooms upon rooms, filled with middle-aged humans, begging to be released. It didn't face her in the least; she knew what was down here. But, the next corridor held things that she never wanted to see.
"Now, Amaya, you can't say that you've been down here, all right? This is a place that only my mother, Maeve, Odin, and I can come into."
"Then why are you taking me here?" She asked softly, wondering what could be behind these doors.
He looked at her solemnly with those deep blue eyes… eyes that she had come to love. "Because you need to see how bad the Druids really are."
"But your mother is the leader! You can't just disband like it's not a problem!" she whispered fiercely. Not only was it true, Amaya would be devastated if Perun left, though she would never admit it.
"I don't care. If you see what's behind these doors, you'll understand." He told her, and took her hand gently in his, and opened the door.
Children. Hundreds of children were held in these cells. Amaya heard a little girl's scream in the distance, and she gripped Perun's hand tighter.
"What… what's going on?" she whispered in his ear.
"You know that we force humans to be our slaves, correct?"
Amaya winced. She hated that. "I do."
"Well, my mother is discovering that the older humans don't respond well, and die. Now, she's found out that children adapt nicely, and are much more easier to control. These children… the oldest is about fifteen. They come here when they are about five or six, and learn our ways. They're taught that they can't go back, that they'll never see their families again, and that the Druids are the only spirits that will take them in."
"But that's not true!"
Perun just shook his head and continued. "So, the children are practically brainwashed for ten years into believing that what we do it right. We teach them that killing is fine, that they won't be punished for it. We teach them that being a human is wrong, and then they scramble to the mages, begging to be turned into a spirit. Those with to weak of a will die during the ceremony, but they don't care. Why? Because they want to be just like us."
Amaya starred at the children in these cells in horror. She let go of Perun's hand, and gripped his arm instead. "Perun… how… how can we be so blind? Why didn't I know this?"
"Because the cadets would have the same reaction that you have, and would disband. That's why you aren't allowed in here."
"Then why did you bring me here? Why did you force me to see this?"
"I can't watch you, living like a Druid when things are this bad. Once you gain a high position, you're stuck for all of time, you can't back down."
"But I'm in a high position…" Amaya whispered, looking at him fearfully.
"Not yet. There are only four people allowed down here for a reason. Those four people hold the real key to what happens to the Druids."
"But… but that's you. You can destroy the Druids with a sweep of your hand…"
"No, that's my mother. I have to do a few more tricks." He said softly, gazing into her eyes.
"You mean… you mean you want to get rid of the Druids?"
He nodded once. "If that's what it takes to get this to stop." He said, waving at the cells.
Amaya closed her eyes, and willed herself not to cry. She opened her eyes, and lifted her chin. "I'm with you all the way."
Perun blinked. He didn't think that this would happen. He expected her to be unbelieving of everything he said, and never speak to him again, get him busted, etc. But, here she was, believing the horrible truth. On top of that, she wanted to help. He gave her a small smile. "Thank you Amaya. I'm going to get us out of here, and these children too."
- - End Flashback - -
"Good evening Amaya." Perun whispered as she approached him.
"Did you hear? Phobos found Haku and tried to capture him." She said hurriedly, and Perun paled. "Don't worry, he didn't succeed." she said hurrily,"But, it turns out that there is a female spirit that had wormed her way into his good graces. So, it's his intention to bring either Haku or her back."
"Who is this woman?" Perun asked, genuinely curious.
"Chihrio. The girl who became a spirit without us doing it."
Perun's eyes widened. "Are you serious? She's the whole reason Mother is in a frenzy… having her here would be the best- Oh no. Mother would have a field day with her, making her join us..."
Amaya nodded sadly. "Knowing Phobos, he's going to get her."
"If he does, that means we're just going to have to help her escape. Which will give us the perfect opportunity to leave."
"What about the kids? I can't leave them behind!" Amaya cried out in a strained whisper.
Perun hung his head, and grabbed her hands. "I don't want to either, but I don't know how we can get all of them, Chihiro, AND us out of here without people getting hurt."
Amaya nodded sadly.
((Chihiro's POV))
Haku was busy talking to Yubaba about who they should ask to form the League to be able to be with me much. That's just fine with me, seeing as I need to sort out my feelings.
This kiss last night had been wonderful, easily perfect in every sense. Okay, well, not perfect, but just about. He admitted to that kiss being completely unexpected and unintentional. But that's not what I got out of his kiss. He meant that, I know he did. I could feel it.
I always thought I loved him, but I keep on telling myself I was TEN YEARS OLD. I couldn't possibly have found true love at ten, could I? I thought that it was just my imagination, but last night… it threw into shock that maybe I wasn't dreaming. Maybe I did find love at age ten? Who would have thought?
((Later That Day…))
I walked through the gardens under the full moon, alone. I knew it wasn't smart, but I just wanted to walk, and I didn't want to wear the floor down in my office.
Suddenly, I stopped. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I felt uneasy. I turned slowly, and saw someone watching me.
"Hello, little lady. I told you that you would see me again soon." A voice drawled, and stepped away from the cherry blossom tree that was hiding the figure. He stepped into the light, and I forced down the panic that rose within me.
"Leave Phobos. Leave while you still have the chance, and if you value your life."
"What are you going to do, send your dragon on me?"
"That sounds like the best idea you've had all night." A deep voice hissed from behind me.
((Haku's POV))
I ran up behind Chihiro and attempted to grab her, but she seemed to float away from me.
"Isn't delightful to control the wind, especially when it's the only element you posses? Both of you may have it, but it is stronger with me, and you know it Haku." Phobos laughed, and I snarled. That just made him laugh harder. "Shame that you have to see me run off with your lovely lady." He said in a mock voice of sincerity. He spoke a few words, and I was flung back against a tree. Invisible cords of air wrapped around me, typing me to the tree.
"Of course, I was saying that it would be a shame for you. For me, it's my amussment of the night. Farewell, Haku. I trust that there will be a ransom on her head in a few hours."
"Haku!" Chihiro screamed and tried to run towards me. But Phobos was faster. He tripped her, knocked her out, and flung her over his shoulder. "To bad you only kissed her once. I'll be kissing her more." He laughed, and I growled.
"You dare do a thing to her, and you'll die before the end of the week!"
Phobos tisked at me, shaking his head. "You really aren't in the position to be making the threats, now are you? Ta, little river god. I have business to attend to." And with that said… he vanished.
I let out a roar of pure fury. After a few seconds, I hung my head. For the first time in 100 years… I cried.
She was gone. Gone where I could follow. Gone to somewhere that I've never even seen no doubt.
Gone… and I never told her a thing about how I felt for her.
I slowly raised my head, and glared at the night sky. I silently vowed that Chihiro would hear what I had to say, even if it was the last thing that I would ever do.
A/N: One thing is for sure. I like writing from Haku's POV A LOT more than Chihiro's. Why? I don't know, why don't you ask someone else. ((jk)) I'm EXTREMELY happy about how many people are reviewing for this, and how fast! It's extremely encouraging, and thank you guys so much! So, seeing as so many of you people reviewed, I'm just going to list names, sorry!
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-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-