Since this is a plot and character driven, long running story I realized a back-story/informational chapter was essential (much to my dismay ;A; ) Ever since the Bleach and Naruto animes. I've hated backstory arcs but hopefully I've written this one well enough to keep me out of that category. Please rate and tell me how I did.
Akefia remembered the first time he saw the outskirts of this town. His heart sunk when the ocean of sand ahead reminded him of the ordeal he went through to get there; the day he arrived on the very spot he now stood.
A ball of brown, white, and a little red lay curled in the sands of his mind, crying without a soul to hear him. The wet dirt and bloodstains caked onto the child's face dried his skin and made his face hurt but the pain was not enough to distract the poor boy from the firestorm that raged on in his heart. Afraid of the dark clouds of death that loomed over the land he had no choice but to leave the only home he'd ever known. The air lay thick in his lungs, making it hard for the small boy to run.
Akefia kicked the sand with his toe; he really didn't want to be there.
"Hey Akefia," said Sheeba walking up behind him, "I see you've gotten here early."
"Or maybe you're just late." Akefia grouched.
"You can't tell me you're still mad about yesterday, are you?"
Akefia spat at Sheeba's feet. Sheeba got the picture. She walked in front of him blocking Akefia's view of the sandy horizon.
"You know, you'll never impress me with that attitude."
"And you'll never impress me so long as your heart keeps beating."
"How cold," Sheeba said in a pouty tone turning her head to show Akefia her fluttering eyelashes, "I don't want you to think of me as the enemy."
"You don't? Okay then, hand over the dagger." there was a sharpness to his words.
"No way!"
"Then I guess that makes you my enemy." Akefia sneered.
"If I recall correctly it was you who tried to rob me."
"And you succeeded! Therefore, you can't shoulder all the blame on me."
"Oh yeah I can."
"Like what? All you've got is that shitty dagger!"
"Check again!"
Akefia thought for a moment then frantically searched his waistband. Sheeba chuckled and flashed a wallet right in front of Akefia.
"Looking for something?"
"How did you-"
"If you were a decent thief you'd at least be able to keep your own pockets from being picked. Here's a tip: stop staring at my ass." Sheeba threw Akefia his wallet knowing the dagger would be enough.
"But I didn't feel a thing! How did you get my wallet?" Sheeba laughed at Akefia's sudden interest in her making Akefia feel stupid, "You little whore."
"You couldn't possibly mean that." Sheeba said in a mock-hurt tone, "Oh well, it's a nice dagger. Maybe I could get a decent price if I sold it to one of the pharaoh's dogs."
Akefia silenced himself.
"Much better." Sheeba said then she turned around to properly face Akefia.
"What now?" Akefia grumbled.
"Now we make a deal." Sheeba said patting the dagger at her waistband. Akefia didn't need her to remind him of his screw up from last night. By now he was sick of the games she played. He gave Sheeba a cold glare from the corner of his eye.
"I refuse."
"Come on," Sheeba urged, "you wouldn'tve even been in this situation if you hadn't tried to rob me. It's not like you can throw he blame on me 'cause if you do you're going to find it hard to get your precious dagger back."
Akefia remained silent as he watched over Sheeba's waistband as if his will alone might make it fall within his reach.
"You're hopeless." She groaned throwing her head in her palms, "I get it, this dagger means something important to you. But it's not like you can expect me to excuse you for what you did. Akefia, I don't like being stolen from. If you think it would help, you could tell me why this blade is so special."
Once more Akefia found himself drifting through his childhood. He saw his mother and father and he held tight to them. Out of breath and with tears stinging his eyes he tried to warn them of the dangers he now knew. They couldn't hear him. The past could not be changed. Behind him Akefia could hear the hoof beats of horses pierce through the night at frightening speeds. He tried to push his parents to move but they wouldn't budge. Something sharp struck near him, one after the other, on both sides. Before Akefia realized what it was his parents fell dead. He turned around to see none other than a solider of the pharaoh on a fierce black stallion. He dived for the sand just in time not to be trampled. Akefia stayed there pretending to be dead, too afraid to do anything else. Once the dust of the attack had cleared he pulled the dagger from his father's back. His mind in shambles, Akefia got on his knees and screamed out in agony.
Akefia snapped back to reality where Sheeba was waiting impatiently for an answer.
"I have nothing to tell the likes of you, don't even ask."
"Fine, it's not like I care as long as it keeps you obedient." she said with an evil smirk.
"So what do you need me to do?"
"Oh... only your average breaking and entering, taking out some security here and there, then a full out assassination. No biggie."
"Exactly what the hell are you involved with."
"Never mind that, all you need to do is be there doing exactly as I say. If you could help me, just this once, I gladly return what is yours. Do we have a deal?"
"What choice do you leave me?" He sighed, "Yeah, I guess I'm in."
Sheeba grinned and reached out her hand which, Akefia noted, was covered in tattoos. He half wondered if he was supposed to shake it or just look on from a safe distance. He never quite liked tattoos. It was obvious that Sheeba did. Finally he took Sheeba's hand and sealed the deal much like the deal he would make with her thousands of years later...
This chapter was interesting since I questioned a few of my readers before making a final draft of this. I asked them what they think would happen (all of them had totally different ideas than myself but I think I did a good job to make both myself and the readers happy.) Anyways R&R and don't be afraid to tell me what you think happens next!