The Balance in Love, Lies and War
Chapter 17:
'Pushing him far Away'
Athanasius really couldn't help but smile. It was all just so perfect. He turned to look at Chase, already picturing the utterly stricken look, but he was no longer there. Of course, the half-demon had panicked; the silhouette simply rolled his eyes. Athanasius chuckled. It had been so amazingly easy, as if fate had bowed to his every whim; he was closer now, the end was far closer in sight. The King of Demons took in a deep breath, triumph filling his black, black heart; he had been waiting for so long and now, finally, things were starting to go his way. Just like he had planned.
He may have just lost this war, but in the end, Athanasius knew that he would be the only victor.
Gasping, his legs burned. Utter terror urged him on. Raimundo could not stop running. Even if the poor boy was able to, it is doubtful he would've stopped, the fear driving him relentlessly.
He had turned at the worst possible moment: far too late to save her and just in time to watch it all unfold. There had been so much blood. The Brazilian teenager could scarcely believe the frail slender girl had so much in her. It was like one of those cheesy horror movies, one where the blood literally explodes from the victim. He tried to forget that horrific moment but it was emblazoned in his mind, burning through his eyes.
His terrified mind blocked out all other thoughts; running towards her salvation was all he could do. Of course, if he had just stopped and calmed down he could've let his morbid teenage curiosity take over and he could've realised why he was so terrified. As previously stated, he didn't know much about Kaida. And he hadn't known her very long. And he was only just seventeen. So being in love with her would've been an utter miracle or the perfect set-up (depending on whom you ask).
But he had a connection with Kaida and for some reason or another it was deep and instinctive; the roller coaster ride that was the short time he had known her had exhilarated him in ways he never knew possible.. So whether or not love even came into the picture mattered very little, for a bond had very certainly been made between the two. Even Raimundo knew that when someone like her comes along, you didn't sit around waiting to realise how much in love with her you are, you go and bring her back.
Unfortunately, as Raimundo didn't stop and think or let his morbid teenage curiosity take over him, he never contemplated on the matter. And as he didn't do this he carried on running, without even realising for a moment that Chase wouldn't have gone a second without Kaida in this world or that he had absolutely nothing of benefit to offer the half-demon without the severest consequences.
Because he thought nothing of this, he entered Chase's lair without a moment's hesitation, not realising he would be regretting it for many, many years to come or that any chance of him finding out how much he loved her disappeared the second he entered.
The armour hadn't held out at all. Ripped, cracked and broken, the beautiful concoction of metal and silk lay strewn around her bloody insides; it hadn't been able to protect her. Maybe it had been the utter despair of being abandoned by one she thought of so greatly, for the armour was made of magic and power, things intricately linked with the soul of the user. Defeat would've crushed the masterpiece.
Unable to take her eyes of the corpse, Kimiko couldn't stop the dreadful thoughts from coming. How easy it had been to take a life, one swipe of a paw and all had been lost. This whole war had been for her and now she was the only casualty.
The smell was disgusting. It was rank; death invading the air around them. Jack retched miserably as he approached. Clay and Dojo held back, tears overwhelming the nausea. Omi stayed back.
Dribbling out slowly, blood leaked from the body, the corpse. Kimiko couldn't call it human anymore. It's skin was so white it was almost blue, lips a dark hue of midnight. It's torso had been ripped open, flesh ruby red, a tangle of muscle and organs spilling out; splattered all over it's face were tiny speckles of blood, contrasting so strongly with icy white skin. Pooling in the dip of it's stomach, spilling down to it's hips, like a lake of death, the blood surrounded it.
Kimiko knelt beside it, reaching for it's hand; she cared not for the blood that covered her too now. It was cold, like holding an ice cube in the shape of a familiar hand; a hand Kimiko had known when it was warm and soft. The anguish was so tragic Kimiko nearly drowned.
But then she surfaced.
"You!" She screamed, pointing her finger at Omi, standing up in a flash. Fire roared up around her, her eyes burning, the beautiful porcelain face melting into a twisted contortion of rage and hate. She lunged for the water monk but Jack stopped her, catching her in the cage of his arms, holding her tightly until her rage dissolved into despair; her fire burned him, his skin sizzling, but the boy would not cease his grip. He would not let go.
She collapsed into tears, Jack, Clay and Dojo joining her, all weeping in utter dismay, mourning and grieving, but Omi could not join them. His eyes would not cry, his legs would not move and his hands would not stop shaking. He had never felt so wretched in his entire life. He had never felt so ashamed or unworthy to live. The tiny monk couldn't contain his sorrow as he even wished that it had been him that had died instead.
She couldn't feel anything. Just the loom of imprisonment over her head; Kaida's body her grave. Atalante had never been claustrophobic; yet this tiny, empty room terrified her. The prospect of spending eternity alone in here was simply unimaginable. The dragon sobbed out her little heart, curled round the dead cherry tree whose blossoms were greyed and leaves crumbling to ash, having never felt so broken in her whole life. She had never consulted a higher power before, never begged for anything from anyone, but now, although she lacked experience in the deed, she found herself doing both.
"If you're listening, please bring Kaida back, please, please, just bring her back…" she whispered shakily, finding little comfort in the fact that Chase would not let her leave this world for even a moment. She also found little comfort in Raimundo's gallant act to save the warrior.
Atalante's memory went further back into the timeline of this tale and although she was old and sometimes she was foolish, the spirit of Balance did not forget; she knew that whatever Chase, or Athanasius, had in mind for the poor boy, no one would benefit but them.
So, as she mournfully wallowed in her misery, she despairingly contemplated on Kaida's death. The shadow monster may have ended her life, Chase may have summoned the aforementioned monster and Omi may have led her to ruin, but in the end none of that mattered at all. For if Atalante hadn't been so stupid in the first place, none of this would even be happening.
The spirit of Balance could not forget and she could not forgive and, until she learned how, she'd spend the entirety of her life regretting every second after that fateful meeting, in a crowded party with laughing friends, one Greek summer's night so long ago.
"There isn't much to do when you're dead." Kaida said aloud. She didn't really feel as distraught as she thought she should be. Death certainly wasn't what she had expected. Since she wasn't expecting a visit from the grim reaper, to be perfectly honest, she had no idea what she had been expecting.
Not that there had been a Grim Reaper. The idea was simply laughable. In fact, the dead girl did laugh. She wasn't sure why, it wasn't particularly funny. Nothing really made sense, especially not where she was. The addled girl had no idea how to describe that.
It was like a blurry dream. She could make out faint colours, maybe shapes of other people, but the sound was muffled, as if she knew what was happening but had just forgotten what it was. All she knew now was that she was dead and it felt like she was floating along a current. This made little sense and if Kaida tried to make sense of it, a dull, sleepy sensation took over her mind. Drowsiness was infecting her, a warm sensation filling her limbs.
Did she even have limbs anymore? Her eyes seemed to close every few seconds and all weight from them had been lifted. She felt like she was dissolving in water, all senses blurry, hazy…
Suddenly, a cold, dark hand grasped at her ankle, pulling at her soul, dragging her away from the peacefulness of death. She couldn't really fight it, suddenly the weight and pain of a body filling her every nerve, the hazy dream floating away like a stream. Kaida returned to her body, which, although she had only left for a few minutes, had missed her terribly.
With a hiss, a sizzle, a guttural heave and a rasping gasp, Kaida Balance blinked, and then breathed.
Chase's vision blurred. He had forgotten how tiring it was to bring them back. Sure, he'd done it before, but that had never made it any easier. His head spun. Like a cloud raining down upon him, his hair tangled into his fingers, hiding his eyes. He stretched languidly, his muscles beginning to ache. Did it always feel like this after? Was this some kind of karmic euphoria after returning someone to their rightful place in life? He couldn't remember what it had felt like before. The disorientated half-demon wondered if he had ever even felt anything before.
His head lolled back suddenly, nausea balling in his stomach. There it was, that cold feeling, like a bullet wedged deep in his heart. He had wondered when that would arrive. The bullet reared its ugly head whenever he harmed his princess and since he had just killed her, Chase held onto his throne tightly, bracing himself. Although his exhilarated mind would rejoice to believe that since he had dragged her warm soul from the cool release of death and back into her broken pit of a body, his conscience could be clear. However, things were never so simple.
Suddenly, he had to wipe his amber eyes; he was crying. He had never felt so disgusted at himself, surely if he loved Kaida as much as he boasted it'd be in her interests for him to just… disappear…
"Give her back." The cold voice crashed Chase's train of thought; the half-demon hadn't even heard him come in. He looked down to see a crumbling boy, whimpering, shivering, snivelling. It was pathetic. Just like him. There was an awkward silence. The pity mingled with a strange resentment and an even stranger obscure recognition. Chase sighed; this was pointless. Just about to send the wind warrior away Athanasius appeared beside him. Chase sighed again. Things were never so simple.
Raimundo seemed to not notice Athanasius' arrival, his eyes intently burning holes in Chase's skull. His fists shook by his side. The Demon King whispered what he wanted in Chase's ear, making it extremely clear no shirking would be allowed. Chase had to repress a yawn as he rubbed his forehead gingerly; it was just all so tiring…
"What are you willing to give?" Chase asked half-heartedly. A foreshadowing ache in his stomach started to pester him as he watched the boy fall to his knees. Anything, he whispered, anything at all. Chase nearly face-palmed. This was too easy; the boy was practically handing himself over on a silver platter. Then, with a shiver, he remembered how desperate the first Kaida had been, how she had almost died from grief and desperation before his very eyes. The half-demon choked back a sob.
"Give me your heart." Raimundo nodded frantically, scrabbling at the metal plates of his armour, exposing his tan chest. Tears were dribbling down his cheeks and his breath was short and ragged.
"Take it! Take it, please!" Chase closed his eyes for half a second longer than he should've done, missing something very crucial. For when his eyes opened, his whole world crashed around him. Raimundo's face painted a picture of sheer horror-stricken terror, as if he had finally realised that coming here had been a terrible idea, while the Demon King, Athanasius, looked as if all his dark, sick dreams were coming true. He stood behind the boy, his long, sharp, deadly black nails thrust deep into Raimundo's heart and Chase was so paralysed with fear, the scream turned into a gurgle at the back of his throat.
It all seemed so hauntingly familiar, as if Chase himself had witnessed something similar before. His own claws gripped the arms of his throne, a little whimper trapped between his nauseous stomach and his trembling, frozen mouth. It was like some horrible nightmare played before his very eyes, one he had forgotten about and shrugged off as a bad dream, one that was now coming back to haunt him. He tried to rack his brain for the nightmare, but fear kept dragging him back to the chilling present happening right before him.
Raimundo couldn't move. His mouth gaped wide open, eyes wider still. There was no blood so Chase realised it was not the frantically pumping organ in the boy's ribcage that Athanasius wanted, which only scared the half-demon more. Chase could barely even breathe, let alone think on the horrors Athanasius could commit in Raimundo's soul.
Suddenly, it was all too much for Chase to take, sobbing, curling around his trembling body, he hid his crying eyes behind his shaking hands and whispered repetitively and continuously to himself,
"It's all just a dream."
Kaida could feel herself stretching tentatively. She felt sleepy, as if only just woken from a long, nourishing sleep. Although she had been dead hadn't she, and now, clearly, she wasn't. With a jerk, her eyes flickered open, just in time to cast her gaze down to her bloody torso, the organs, muscle and flesh rearranging themselves quite promptly. The shaken girl twisted round and heaved the contents of her stomach all over the canyon floor, partly because due to utter disgust and partly because her guts were just making sure they were in the right place.
Kimiko rushed to her side, crying with happiness, brushing her fingers through the matted hair, touching the slowly warming skin. Jack, Clay and Dojo gathered around also, all so happy to have their friend back. Omi stayed rooted to the spot. Kaida smiled weakly at them all, just about to greet them, which would then of course end all the troubles, everyone could be happy again. As Chase thought earlier, things were never so simple.
Kaida suddenly doubled over, crying out in pain. Before Kimiko could even ask what was wrong, it became all too apparent. The scars filled with dark night suddenly started to sizzle and eat away at her armour maniacally, as if possessed. Taking a hold on the body and soul it had nearly lost, devouring her back and arms, the scars seized what little of Kaida remained. By the time the poor girl fell unconscious, with the torso realigning itself slowly and the scars devouring her skin, Kaida was in shreds.
Kimiko screamed at Clay to fetch Kaida a blanket from the camp; she was starting to shiver. The cowboy jumped on Dojo quickly, speeding off to help a friend in need. Meanwhile, the fire warrior bundled the shivering, broken girl into her arms, spreading her own fiery warmth. Jack helped too and soon Kaida was locked in the cage of their warm arms. Omi finally scuttled forward.
"I… I wish to help too…" It was barely a mumble, but he spoke it nonetheless. Kimiko was ready to shoot him down, fire blazing angrily, but Jack took her arm and looked at her disapprovingly. Cooling down instantly, scowling, Kimiko let the Water monk join them. His hands shook. Suddenly the tears were coming, raining down his face like rivers. He buried his head into Kaida's shoulder, forgetting the terrifying, sizzling scars and the terrible wound on her chest and just clung on for dear life, sobbing.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, almost silently, and although he didn't realise it, Kaida heard him loud and clear.
"I've been thinkin' Dojo…" The cowboy sounded a little apprehensive so Dojo scuttled towards him. They were at the camp now, Clay loading blankets in his strong arms.
"What?"
"Well… ain't it strange? Raimundo runs off to save Kai an' then five seconds later, she's alive? He can't have been that quick…" Now that Dojo thought about it, it didn't make much sense. In fact, it made so little sense that it was chilling, something clearly didn't quite fit. Clay suddenly shivered, his knees wobbling.
"What's wrong?" Dojo asked, noticing the tremors. Clay looked a little shell-shocked.
"I… I dunno… it's weird…" He didn't need to explain for only seconds later their was an ear splitting scream. The scream was so loud it cracked the canyon walls, so feral and mournful and utterly devastated; it was a wild howl. It was Atalante, the spirit of Balance.
"Zephyros! Zephyros is gone!"
Chase opened his eyes. He still shivered a little, but the fear had mostly subsided. Raimundo lay collapsed on the floor. Athanasius stood next to Chase looking awfully proud of himself.
"You look smug."
"I am smug." Chase shivered again, clutching his belly as a small sickness danced for a second.
"Is he dead?" Chase dared to ask after a minute of silence. Athanasius' wicked grin broadened.
"No." This answer only made Chase shiver again. He had never seen the Demon King so happy.
"I should punch you for what happened today." Chase said meekly and mostly to his clasped hands, so Athanasius didn't hear him.
"Shush, baby's waking up." And indeed, Raimundo was waking up. But he wasn't the Raimundo Chase remembered not-quite-so-fondly. He was stood against the wall, slumped even, already glowing with arrogance. He eyed up Chase with a scornful look, sniggering quietly at his throne and pathetic attempt at authority. It unnerved the half-demon.
"What did you do to him?" Chase asked uncertainly. The bad feeling in his stomach came back, tying itself into knots. His mouth felt dry.
"You'll see." Was all Athanasius offered in reply. A queasy dread welled up in Chase's stomach, like a sudden sickness; he shrunk back in his throne away from the Demon King. Athanasius simply smiled, no longer seeing Chase, his eyes were on Raimundo.
"You're being used boy."
"That bitch is using me?"
"Of course she is, there is not such thing as love at first sight." The boy punched the wall, barring his teeth as he growled. Chase shrank further back into his seat. There was red in the boy's eyes.
"I'll screw her up, the cow." He said finally, cracking his knuckles. Athanasius chuckled.
"Kaida believes she has you wrapped around her finger, why don't you take that assumption away from her," He paused for effect, "forcefully." Raimundo smiled a little but said nothing. Athanasius' smile deepened. "You know boy, you may not belong to her, but she belongs to you." Chase's eyes snapped wildly round to the Demon King and just as he was about to protest as loudly as his cowardice would allow him, Athanasius had already slapped him into silence.
Raimundo grinned devilishly, his eyes glazed with red.
"She belongs to me." With that he left, rushing off in a gale. Athanasius started to laugh; it was a deep, malicious laugh. Chase had to cover his ears and snap his eyes shut, ignoring his pounding, terrified heart.
It should be no surprise to hear that Atalante was not a particularly stable individual. Even without taking recent events into account, being the combined creature of two powerful elemental spirits certainly didn't do her mental health any favours. And living through centuries of traumatic chaos and heavy regrets would've put anyone over the edge.
So, in the far off future, when the scribes discuss the events of this climatic day, one could argue how she howled because being cut off from Zephyros pushed her far beyond the limits of her sanity. She howled because she was so devastated to lose someone she had only just begun to have again.
Some could argue that Atalante knew what was going to happen and cried because of the utter terribleness of it all. All those hundreds of years ago, the first Raimundo's links had been severed and Zephyros had been locked away, exactly like what had just recently happened to dear Raimundo the second. Since the scribes would also know what Atalante knew, they could argue, that the sheer horror of what was about to happen shocked her into insanity. Maybe she howled because she had known all along it would happen and had tried her best to prevent, only to fail horrendously.
Some of these scribes would even argue that the elemental being howled because the first Kaida had been a cool and collected twenty-something, with a high tolerance for pretty much everything; even she had been torn apart in one of the worst possible ways by the events that followed Raimundo's change of heart. So sixteen-year-old, mentally and physically scared unstable Kaida the second hadn't a hope in hell.
Of course, in amidst of this rather heated discussion, there'd be one thoughtful scribe who thought that maybe Atalante cried for all of these reasons. She cried because she was unstable, she did know what was going to happen and she couldn't stop it. She cried because she didn't want Kaida hurt and maybe, just maybe, she cried for all this and because it just wasn't fair; why couldn't everything just be simple for once?
(He clearly knew what he was talking about)
Clay and Dojo had already returned with their blankets by the time Raimundo waltzed in on the scene; Kaida was like a caterpillar hidden in a cocoon spun by gracious, caring friends. They were all uneasy at his arrival, they all knew their links had been severed. They all knew the danger that walked towards them with a cocky little stride and an unwholesome grin on his face.
"She alive then?" He asked casually. The warrior's shared nervous glances, Jack gulped. This wasn't a good sign. The fine hairs on the back of Kimiko's neck shivered. A surge of protective anger rushed through her, as she stood a little taller as he approached.
"Show a little more compassion, she is your girl." Raimundo's smirk broadened and he advanced closer.
"That she is, hand her over then, I'll give her a kiss." He held his arms out expectantly and fear clutched the warrior's hearts. But before any of them could speak up, Raimundo's expectant hands had been battered away by Omi who stood there with his staff.
"You shall not touch her." His voice was low, his cheeks and nose pink and a little snuffled from all the tears he had shed. Raimundo crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow, almost challenging the smallest warrior, but Clay came to his rescue.
"We don't know if any of 'er bones have been broken, if we move 'er we might damage 'er spine." He put himself between the wind and the balance, his broad shoulders acting as a mighty wall between them. Raimundo backed off, laughing.
"Whatever, I'll just get her later." As he walked away, the warriors prepared to leave, their hands shaking, their stomachs twisting.
Master Fung was meditating when it happened. It was a little surprising, as it hadn't ever really happened before. He wasn't sure why it had happened either, but he had the sudden urge to cry. Being a calm and collected individual, it was a bit of a shock. To reconcile himself, he stepped out of his meditating room, leaving the heavy incense behind, exchanging it for the clean, blue air. But here, the urge continued, strengthened even.
The wind whipped him harshly, storm clouds brewing like a sinister plot in the sky. Master Fung suddenly felt uneasy. He had known from the bottom of his very soul, his warriors would triumph against the cruel half-demon and they would return triumphant, but something wasn't quite right.
The air suddenly turned hostile, lashing at the old man, trying to tear his skin, howling, whooping in hysterical, maniacal laughter. Suddenly, Master Fung understood. Rushing inside, away from the notorious breeze, the Master rushed towards his scrolls, tearing them from the shelves, eyes scanning the ancient text. His eyes widened when he found the passage he was looking for.
'It makes so little sense. It was as if the greatest of all Demons had simply taken out his heart and replaced it with his own. Dashi was never to be the same again.'
Master Fung's heart slowed. His eyes were suddenly tired, his body suddenly feeling the strains of holding onto life. An unspeakable sadness seeped into him, starting with his tired toes. He sat as gracefully as his aching muscles would allow, and read a little further.
'He disowned all attachments to his fellow warriors, striking their bonds down, insulting their companionship. I have never seen such a dramatic change in the man. One can only hope it is a demon's spell, and will eventually be lifted.'
The old man slumped a little, wilting like a tired flower. The urge to cry hovered and passed. He wiped his face with weary hands and thought very deeply about what his situation was and what he could do about it. But only one thought entered his mind.
He was far too old for this sort of drama.
A/N: Blah blah blah, XS isn't mine, characters are, yadda yadda yadda, you heard it all before...
I like this chapter, I hope you did too! (Least I didn't leave her dead for tooooo long)
Reads/Reviews are much, much much appreciated!!
Good night!