Chapter 3 – Dreams and Reality
Perspective: Terra Branford
The darkness was all around and no light was visible or even seemed to exist. Blackness was everywhere and the woman looked around in confusion and in surprise as the last thing she had seen previously was a blinding light not all-encompassing darkness. She looked around for any semblance of normality in the area in which she found herself and could see none. She was surrounded on all sides by a black space that was blank and gave no light. She began walking with arms outstretched to hopefully touch something, anything. After walking for a short distance thinking that perhaps she would encounter something a quiet hum started to appear in the air. Its origin was unknown but as it slowly increased in volume to a non-obtrusive hum, the area around her slowly shifted from black to a dark and dull grey.
As she looked around after she had become acclimated to the grey and unnatural light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time, she noticed that there was nothing around her. There were no landmarks, no buildings, no people, not anything in sight but that dark grey light that was all-encompassing. Looking down, she saw that the very ground itself was also giving off the same grey light in such a manner that she couldn't even see what it was that she was standing on.
She wondered where she was and how she got there when it hit her more suddenly than she realized. She was actually capable of thinking and this amazed her as her last conscious thought was of how she would never be able to think again. Trying to remember when she thought that, of where she thought that, or even of why she thought it, she couldn't recall anything of the event. Attempting to think of where she was now, she tried to recall exactly how she ended up in a land of perpetual light and emptiness. Her eyes closed in concentration and her head bowed in focus as she tried to remember.
She gasped in shock as images assaulted and imposed themselves on her consciousness. A house on fire, surrounded by other houses, all on fire as well. A street, with many dead men in brown uniforms in various poses as dying had treated them unkindly and the fires licked at their bodies like a pet does to its master. A room with metal walls and a door barred with a large gated lock in front of her, with the sound of scraping feet as someone walked behind her as she sat in the lone chair with lashings of metal and rope holding her in place. Another street with dead men, this time filled with snow that looked like it had been painted red by some shoddy artist with little talent, sanity or care with the blood of the men that looked like a lightning bolt had hit them, their bodies twisted and charred in various clothing, all adapted to the cold weather.
She opened her eyes in surprise and pain as she thought of those she had seen dead. It looked so familiar; the scenes were so real she thought that she had to have been witness to the events themselves because no amount of description could draw that vivid an image in her mind. For some reason, she knew that she had been there when it had happened. She knew that she had witnessed those things, and fear gripped her tender heart as she suddenly and painfully knew that she had been a participant of those happenings.
She shook with sadness as she felt a sudden onslaught of guilt and depression as she somehow knew that she had killed them. But why? Why did I kill them? How? Were they trying to kill me or was I trying to kill them? Tears began to form in her eyes and caressed her cheeks as they fell while she began to deny what her mind told her had happened. I didn't kill them. I couldn't have. There is no way that I would have done that. I'm not a murderer. I hate fighting. Why did I do that? It can't be true. It's not possible.
She began to feel hot, too hot, as she continued to argue within her own mind as to why she did or didn't do such things. A voice came and echoed from somewhere near, yet sounded so very far off from her. "Relax, you're safe now. Relax." The voice sounded almost caring yet she couldn't understand why anyone would be kind to someone like her, to a murderer like her. She looked around for the voice but with her tearing vision she saw nothing in the dark grey expanse of her sight which was slowly brightening to a medium grey light. It's not safe. I don't deserve to be safe. I killed them. I deserve to be lying right next to them.
The heat continued to build around her as she shut her eyes to block out the images that seemed to have returned again from their absence. New images were there this time. A cold middle-aged voice that laughed with simple joy tinged with insanity as she saw flames flying from where she was to engulf another group of brown-clothed men in uniform. The cold voice saying, "Burn them, burn them all. Leave none alive. Torch the place to the ground. Leave nothing but death and destruction behind." And the laughing went on and on as she saw the flames dance higher and higher from the remains of once tall and quiet homes.
Another scene; this one while standing on a balcony of black metal surrounded by a few other men and women in brown uniforms similar in design to the men from earlier in her mind, yet different in style and manner with other markings that differed in meaning. Far in front near the end of the balcony overlooking a wide expanse of other soldiers that were similarly dressed as she, was a trio of people standing side by side. They were intriguingly different yet all stood with that air of supposed superiority that echoed the fact that they were in charge and others were meant to obey.
Two men and one young woman made up that group that stood there, all staring away from her, with the woman in the center of her two taller companions. To the woman's left was a very tall man, his armor brightened to a lustrous shine that almost made it glow with radiance. His long dark blue cloak trailing behind him as he stood beside the other two with his brownish hair short and well-kept with no chaos apparent in his looks or mannerisms. Order seemed to be his very essence as he looked as if he was the very embodiment of that thought and principle.
To the young woman's right was a man whose very looks and even feel was almost exactly opposite of the man previous. Shorter than the other man, he was still taller than the young woman in the center. He was dressed in garish clothing, a felt hat on his head with a feather sticking from the top at an odd angle, his unnaturally whitish hair sticking out chaotically from beneath his cap. His clothing was an example of his manner as he wore very bright and clashing colors that seemed to have no order in their creation or in their positioning. He was leaning forward slightly, almost as if he couldn't quite stand straight which added to the oddness of his supposed superior position in wherever this was. Situated behind like she was, she couldn't see his face but she could glimpse the side slightly and it looked like he had on a pasty and filmy substance that seemed as if to change the color of his face to a sickeningly white that would have only looked natural on those truly ill.
Between the two men stood a young woman that looked no older than she herself was. She was dressed in a simple yet concise white bodice/armor that was form-fitting yet efficient. Her white cloak trailed behind her in the wind as her hair that matched the color of the sun, was picked up as well and flew on the currents of the breeze before settling once again behind her back to show that it reached not quite waist high, but most certainly longer and lower than shoulder-length. Beside the other two, she seemed almost insignificant and even seemed to pale in comparison and size but the way she held herself showed that she was very much a part of that group, just as much as the others.
All three of them were staring forward at a lone man that was standing at the end of that large and spacious balcony. His hair was long and graying, yet his stance was firm and unforgiving as he stood tall and straight before the crowd. He seemed to be elderly in years, yet it seemed to be no mistake that all around him stared at him with a sense of adoration and awe that seemed to never cease. It seemed as if the very people worshipped him and what he stood for. As the cries of jubilation were ceased by the elder man raising up his hand to silence them, he began to speak, loudly and firmly, as one would if stating something so sure, so true, that there could be no other possibilities.
"My loyal children. A new age is upon us. The past ways of simple life will be done away with as we go forward in this new millennium. Through our power, we have begun to harness the might of ages past and to restore the lost power of Magic. We are the ones who will grasp the future that is brightly glowing for us and us alone. We will usher in a time and an era of peace and prosperity that has never been known before. It is our destiny, our cause, our very right to have power over this land. With the might of Magic at our disposal, we will become the new center of the world. All others will bow down to us and we will rule as we rightly deserve to over all others. Let us go forth for the future. Let this coming millennium be far brighter than the last. Nothing shall stand in our way. To the Empire!"
His speech finished and his boasting complete, the crowds erupted into cheer at their leader, mentor, their very example of strength and might and his eloquent words. He seemed to almost bask in the attention and the worship that he was receiving as shouts of "Long live the Emperor," and "Glory to the Great Gestahl," and "All hail Gestahl the Fearless," were heard among the people. The scene ended amidst cheers of joy and acclamation.
With her mind full, her head in pain, and her heart in confusion, the woman opened her eyes once again and saw the same plain and simple landscape exactly as before but this time with the light brighter and almost to a light white surrounding her from all places. The same kind voice from before spoke and echoed through the area with new words this time. "You're safe now. You don't have to be afraid anymore. Just wake up."
So this is nothing more than a dream, she thought. But it can't just be that. It's too real, too terrible to be a simple nightmare. It had to have happened. And I don't deserve to be safe after what I've done. Just leave me alone. Let me stay here in this place of nothing where I deserve to stay.
Her retreat from the world of the conscious didn't last however as the area grew brighter and brighter and she had to close her eyes yet again but this time not to keep out images or thoughts but to keep the light away. Yet, she could still feel the brightness of the light through her eyelids as it continued to increase in magnitude and power. She could only keep out the light for so long until she eventually felt it become too strong and she entered the waking world.
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The light that greeted her as she opened up her eyes was real this time and brighter than she would have liked. It took a few moments for her sight to return and her eyes to adjust to the uncomfortable glimmer of the lamps that provided light in the otherwise dark room. It felt like she hadn't opened her eyes or even moved any part of her body for quite a while. She felt exhausted and not at all well-rested, despite the fact that she could feel a soft bed underneath her with numerous blankets covering her as well.
Seeing that the bed she rested on was laid up against the wall to her right, she turned her head slowly to her left side to get a better view of the room she found herself in. It was small but quaint. The lamps hanging from the wall above her head gave off ample light to see and she took advantage of that opportunity to look around. A small circular table that was actually more of a stand was next to a chair in which sat a man of elderly stature dressed in clothing seemingly designed and fitted for life in cold weather. He was apparently asleep and she felt no great need to wake the unknown individual so she continued to look about. There were a few pictures adorning the walls, mostly of a woman she didn't recognize and what seemed to be a younger version of the man in the chair.
She felt something covering her forehead that was pressing down on her head. Something that seemed to be wrapped around her so she rustled a bit underneath the blankets as she tried to pull her hands out from where they rested. She felt quite weak as if she hadn't eaten in a long time and it took more strength and effort than she felt was necessary or comfortable to pull her hands up to her face to feel out what it was that was weighing down her head. Before her hands could reach her head, her motions had not gone unnoticed.
Apparently her movement had awakened the man sitting there, because she heard a sharp intake of breath followed by a soft snort that was replaced nonchalantly by a slight yawn as she heard movement from the chair and its sole occupant. Turning to look she found herself seeing two hazel eyes that stared straight at her with what seemed to be a sense of hesitation and hope at the same time. The man smiled at her and she realized how odd it seemed to fit on his face, almost as if he wasn't accustomed to smiling often or something of the like. It also happened to accentuate his already slightly overgrown nose and the too-big-for-comfort glasses that rested on it.
He spoke and she recognized it as the kind echoing voice from her troubled sleep and wondered what he had meant when he had said, "you're safe now," during her delirium. The timbre of his voice was soft yet commanding in a way, such that others who heard it knew that when this man spoke, then was the time to listen and pay heed.
"I see that you are finally awake. Welcome back to the world of the living. You had been under that fever for almost four days when it finally broke last night. I was worried for a while there that you might not make it through. That fever was unnatural in its strength and what it did." He spoke with such a calm reassurance that she relaxed slightly at his kind words. She felt like she should be unaccustomed to kindness and that only seemed to cause her to think again. Just where was she anyway? She decided to voice her question and opened her mouth with the intention of asking the man just that when all that came out was a rasping breath followed quickly by a cough. She attempted to sit up to better situate herself and try again when he spoke first while rising to his feet.
"Not so fast. You just overcame a terrible fever and haven't eaten anything with little to drink the past few days. Let me get you something to parch your thirst as well as wet your voice to see what we can find out about you." Yet again his kindness was so disarming that she could hardly do anything other than watch as he grabbed a wooden cup mostly filled with liquid from the table that was nearby. He walked over and helped her sit up with the blankets still covering her entire body, enough to drink as he brought the cup to her lips and she tasted cool refreshing water. It was a simple blessing, but a very much appreciated one as she slowly sipped what she could and fell back heavily on the bed beneath her.
"Where… where am I?" Her voice soft yet capable, she asked the man in whom she felt she could place some trust in. That was the first of many questions that were flying around her head faster than she could possibly voice them. But with her throat slightly refreshed with the water she could at least speak that one most tantamount question first.
The look she received from the man was not what she was expecting. Instead of a simple nod of understanding and expectance, she received a quick look of incredulity and shock mixed with a tinge of sadness that left his face so quickly, if she wasn't as good as she was at seeing and understanding the emotions of others she might have missed it. The look was quickly replaced, almost too quickly to be natural by a small smile and gratitude in his expression that never seemed to reach his eyes.
"My, my. You seem to have recovered quite quickly from that experience. Enough to not only be coherent but to talk as well. Quite remarkable actually." The manner in which he looked at her yet again had her feeling mildly uncomfortable and not only because of the kindness she saw there. There was a sense of confusion and study that was in his eyes as he looked at her. Almost as if she was a puzzle box that he had received and then after thinking he solved it, happened to open up and reveal a smaller and much more complex puzzle inside. What bothered her more was the fact that she realized that he hadn't answered her question either.
Believing that the answer to her question would not be forthcoming, and that any other questions she asked would be treated in the same manner, she instead deciding to voice a statement rather than a question.
"My head… it hurts." That, she could feel more than anything. Actually almost every single part of her hurt, but her head was what ached the most, and having that weight still pressing down on her forehead wasn't helping matters at all. Since her hands were already almost out of the blankets in which she lay because of her previous attempt to feel her head, she pulled them completely up the way to her face and felt what weighed her down.
Bandages, quite a large number of them it seemed were covering the top, front, and even side sections of her forehead. They were thicker than she would have expected because it seemed that they stuck out from where her head should end at least an inch and felt far heavier than normal bandages should be. Having ascertained what it was and knowing that the man standing nearby was the one who bandaged her up and watched over while she lay with a fever, she knew that she owed him a statement of gratitude and thanks.
"Thank you. I don't even know who you are and yet you have cared for me." She tried to remember if she had seen him before but even lacking what she could coherently remember at the moment, his face seemed unfamiliar and she doubted they had met before. His face was not the only thing unfamiliar about him either, his kindness felt foreign to her, as if she had never been the recipient of kindness before. That thought did not sit very well with her.
"Oh forgive me," he said hastily with a small amount of embarrassment. "I have been so worried about you getting better over these last few days that it seems that I have neglected my manners. You have been here for so long that I was beginning to forget that although I have seen you, you do not know who I am. My name is Arvis Trinbel. I am a professor at the Narsche University here in the city, and found you during my late night stroll five nights ago. Gave me quite a scare too, I wasn't expecting to find a young woman such as yourself unconscious in the snow with a heavy fever."
She took in all that he said and accepted it as truth. After all, he had helped her and she had no reason to disbelieve him so far. He had found her out in the cold and took her to what appeared to be his home out of pure kindness and had gone beyond that by bandaging her up and offering her water and a smile. She was slowly regaining her strength and began moving about underneath the blankets of the bed to try to get up. Her motions were interrupted by Arvis' words before she could do so though.
"Before you try to stand, I think you would want to know that when I found you, you were injured and your clothing was ripped in numerous places. I took the liberty of dressing your wounds, but unfortunately that required removal of your clothing, so before you get out of bed I would keep that in mind. " He said it so simply and yet she could already feel the blush that was creeping up her cheeks to stain her face as the thought of someone else seeing her unclad caused her a great deal of embarrassment.
He began lightly chuckling at her reaction, so she bent her head down with embarrassment to which he responded with more open-hearted laughter. She kept her head down and her lime-green tresses covering her face to hide her blush and her embarrassment. His laughter died out slowly and he spoke again. "Relax, it had to be done to help prevent infection of your wounds. No need to be embarrassed, you're young enough to be my own daughter. I treated you with the utmost respect while I treated your wounds. No need for shame here."
His words yet again, had a disarming effect on her and she found herself looking up at Arvis with a bashful countenance as she pondered his words. Still in slight shock at the situation she began to think instead of say anything. It seemed that she could trust this Arvis, even though she had never met him before. He was the only one she knew at the moment. And that's when it hit her. Her mind was slowly clearing, she was having a conversation with a complete stranger, albeit a nice one, and she couldn't remember anything before she woke up. Well, that wasn't a complete truth. What she could remember she didn't want to. Knowing that since she had never met Arvis before, he didn't know who she was or what she was doing here in… Narsche, did he say? With no hope of getting information from him, maybe she could have her clothing give her a spark of remembrance.
She decided that was the course of action to follow and asked bashfully, "Where are my clothes? I would like to get out of bed and I don't want to walk around without anything on." Her request was simple and she doubted that he would refuse her that privilege considering all that he had done for her, so it surprised her when he denied her question.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you back your clothing. As I said before, they were ripped quite a bit and I can't very well have you wearing clothes that ragged. I had to toss them out, they were too destroyed to even be honestly called clothing anymore actually. You seem to be about my wife's size when she was somewhere around your age so some of her clothing should fit you." He spoke this while walking over to a wardrobe made of a dark wood that she couldn't name, and opened it up wide enough for her to see inside. He then started rummaging through it while continuing to talk. "You remind me a lot of her really. Well, before I married her. She seemed so demure and bashful before that. Ha. Once we were married she somehow found a way to tell me everything that I was doing wrong and could do better on. Oh, those were enjoyable times."
During his speech he had pulled out something red from the back part of the wardrobe, followed quickly by some other object that was of a light purple color. He reached down to the bottom area of the wardrobe and pulled out two red strap-on boots. Grabbing the three articles, he turned back to her once again and walked towards her while saying, "These should fit you, there are undergarments in the second drawer on the right side of the wardrobe. I'll let you get your own." Having said that, he promptly placed the articles of clothing on the lower end of the bed and proceeded to walk out of the room. His last comments as he left were, "Take your time, you may be weak because of the fever but I doubt that will slow you down for long. If you need me, please don't feel embarrassed, just call for me and I will help you as I can. I will be in the kitchen down the hall on the left." And then he left without a second glance back.
Waiting a full fifteen seconds until after Arvis left, she made the slow and labored process of getting up. While laying down only her head hurt, but upon sitting up and attempting to stand she realized that her whole body hurt and ached. It wasn't enough to stop her from getting up, but it was enough to make movement hard and unsteady as she walked slowly on weak legs to the aforementioned drawer. Looking in and not really giving much thought to it, dressed in the underclothing that was found there. That task completed she turned around and nearly fell over from turning too quickly. Careful there, I don't want to actually have him come and help me get dressed now do I? After recovering enough to walk in still uneasy steps back to the bed she looked at what was actually laid out for her. She saw a red dress that was not as long as she would have liked that went up enough to reach her neckline but interestingly didn't cover her shoulders. She found along with the short dress an interesting style of cape that was a shade of dark yellow near the top but which changed in color dramatically as it went down the cape where it ended in a vibrant dark color of purple.
She slowly, with aching and sore muscles, put on the dress and found that Arvis was right, it fit her quite well actually. She walked with slowly more steady steps over to the wardrobe and found some white leggings that suited the dress and put them on to cover her lower limbs. She didn't like showing off her body to others. After a little bit of rummaging through the wardrobe, she found near the back where Arvis had found the actual dress, the unattached sleeves that went with the outfit. Trust a man to forget the whole outfit and what goes with it. After donning the sleeves and the cape that was attached by a simple necklace around the front of the neck she again went to looking through the closet. Smiling slightly she found that also there was some cloth that would be adequate to wrap around her waist and give her some semblance of covering her small hips from sight as well, she wrapped it around her and then turned, slowly this time, to look at a mirror that was placed in a functional spot across the room.
She didn't look like herself. Even though she couldn't remember much anyways, she didn't feel like she would normally dress like this. She felt… as if what she was wearing something that was far too elaborate for her, as if she had never worn nice things or extravagant clothing before. The entire look seemed to be just one big fantasy from which she didn't want to wake. Although the bandages on her head didn't add to the original style, it somehow suited her. Deciding that she had looked at her figure enough in the mirror, she walked back to the bed and, sitting on it, pulled on and laced her red heeled boots to complete the ensemble. Standing, content in her appearance, she made confident strides to the door and opened it up.
The hallway was simple and there were a few doors on either side but she ignored them and walked softly yet with a calm assurance to the end of hall where she turned left and looked in on the kitchen where Arvis was sitting at a round wood table with a book in his hand. Hearing a noise he looked up from his reading and smiled as she walked in. "You look marvelous my dear, come sit down. I don't usually have guests so my meals are normally prepared for just one, but I made something special for you today." His mannerisms seemed slightly more relaxed and less scrutinizing than before and it was a welcome change to her. She sat down at the only other chair across from him and looked at the food that was there. She really was hungry. After all, he had said that she was out for four days or so right? So she hadn't eaten in quite a while.
She began piling her plate with what food was there and proceeded to quickly ravage her plate in a manner only the truly destitute in manners or the undernourished can. His light chuckles added only a slight embarrassment this time at her manners, but her stomach far out-ruled her mind in choices of action at the moment.
After eating her fill and able to think more clearly, she looked up at Arvis and saw him, once again with a contemplative look on his face. Why does he keep staring at me like that? Realizing that it was probably because of her rude manners, she resolved to start then and there and act as she knew she should.
"Uhm, Mr. Trinbel?" His blank look was gone quickly and he shook his head slightly out of his reverie at her comment. "Yes?" came the response. "I know who you are yet I haven't introduced myself." At this she paused, how was she going to tell him that she didn't remember anything, let alone her own name? But she had to try.
"I know this may sound strange, but I can't introduce myself. Be.. Because I don't even know who I am or even my own name." Her voice came out disheartened and quiet while he quickly responded back. "Who you were is never a measure of who you are now, or of who you may become in the future." It sounded false, rehearsed even. Glancing up at his eyes she knew that he had thought up that previously and was waiting for the right time to say it. "You knew I didn't remember, didn't you?" Her tone pointing, but not quite accusatory.
"I thought as much, but I didn't want to voice my ideas until after you were more comfortable and coherent, and dressed," he added at the end. "Why? How did you know that I can't remember?"
"Well, I have my reasons and I am just going to leave it at that for now, so you just relax and try to remember. How or why I thought as much doesn't concern you or threaten you at the moment, so there is no use worrying about it. Ah! Although I was not able to salvage your clothing, I would like to return something of yours that I believe might help a little." Standing he reached in his right pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a red jewel of some sort attached to a simple yet shiny silver chain. She instantly recognized it, as though she had never been apart from it. It belonged to her, how or why she didn't know, but that pendant was something very important to her. Handing it to her, she quickly unhinged it and, pulling her hair to the side, clasped it together behind her neck. It fit so comfortably, she knew that she was accustomed to it.
His eyes softly scrunched together in thought and slight displeasure at something and she wondered what. He stood and said, "With your hair down, it will get caught in your necklace, we will need to put it up to keep it out of the way." He walked out of the room, yet returned only a few moments later with a purplish-red small cloth in one hand and a brush in the other. "May I?" he asked softly as he approached her. Trusting him, she turned slightly so he could help, he began to straighten her hair somewhat with the brush and afterwards pulling her hair up into a ponytail and tying it with the cloth.
Stepping away from her, he looked down at her with a strange expression on his face, before bowing to her and taking her hand, he said, "It is truly a pleasure to officially meet you and introduce myself my lady. Arvis Trinbel, at your service." His proper style and antics brought a smile to her face and a giggle to her lips. When her small laughter had died down, she looked at him and responded without thinking, "Terra."
Her eyes went wide. I know my name. That's my name. I'm Terra. She looked at Arvis and he had a kind smile to which she knew he had understood. "My name is Terra," she said with more conviction and a happy sound in her voice. That simple statement meant the world to her right now. She was remembering.
"You're recovering quicker than I thought you would. You really are a remarkable young lady. I'm sure that all of your memories will come back as well; in time that is." He opened his mouth to say more but was interrupted by a loud and raucous banging on a door that was coming from another section of the house. His head turned quickly and his expression dropped at the sound.
"I had hoped that they would not be here so soon." He turned to her and said, "I know that you have a very gentle heart Terra. I know that you have been forced to do things that you wish had not happened, but the past is unchangeable. There are those who think that you should be punished for deeds done while under the command and force of another. I do not. Unfortunately those that do are here now to apprehend you and I will not allow you to be hurt anymore." The banging began again with greater force this time and his expression darkened while being both serious and sad as he continued. "You need to get out of here quickly. I cannot fight and you need to remain free. Follow me." He turned without even a glance back at her and quickly left the room while the banging began to be accompanied by some shouting coming from outside as well.
Terra followed Arvis without question and with complete trust as he wound his way down the hallway to the room in which she awoke. He walked straight to the wardrobe and after rummaging through to the back end she heard a creaking sound as the back of the entire wardrobe opened up like a door and he beckoned her forward. The shouts were growing in volume and she heard a cracking sound come from across the house as Arvis grabbed her arm and practically threw her into the wardrobe. "You have to leave, NOW. This will lead you into the caves behind Narsche. Run, fast as you can. Don't let them catch you. I'll send someone to get you as soon as I can. I hate to just help you and throw you out but I don't have a choice." Another loud crack came from across the house as he finished and she looked up with fear in her eyes at him.
"Don't worry about me. They won't hurt me, but they will you so leave quickly. I'll send help just go and hide quickly. Take care of yourself Terra." With the said he pushed her through the hidden doorway and closed it up quickly. She felt tears of concern begin to well up and she turned quickly before they could be shed while saying, "Goodbye, Arvis." As she raced down the dark tunnel, the only sounds being her own footsteps and the drops as her tears hit the hard cold earth beneath her feet as she ran.
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The caves were dark but with the soft glow of her unique Pendant and her sharp eyes, Terra was able to make her way swiftly down the path. It had come to a junction a while back and she had heard sounds of hurried footsteps down one path with shouts of anger and hatred so she had very little choice in her direction. That was only the first of four splits so far, and she could only hope that her luck would be enough for them to not be able to follow her through all four of them. But once again, she heard the sounds of the angry group of men behind her and she stood up and away from the side of the cave where she was leaning to catch her breath to prepare to run again. How did they know where I was? These tunnels were so confusing that even they wouldn't be able to know where they were, let alone follow her through them.
But here she was running again. Her feet were tired from running and her lack of adequate rest from her sickness was catching up with her quicker than she hoped as she ran quick as she could away from the group chasing her. Why are they after me? She heard the scuffling of feet in front of her and that was all the warning she had before a man jumped out at her from the path in front trying to grab her by any means possible. Her fright was quick and she jerked just far enough out of his reach that his jump was too short and he landed on his face in front of her. Not bothering to check to see if he was alright, she took off running again, going past him quick as she could to get away. But before she followed the tunnel past another turn, she glanced around and saw the man standing and preparing to give chase.
He had on clothing made for cold weather, thick with furs and heavy too it seemed. As she ran off quickly she remembered when else she had seen clothing like that. It was a horrible memory but it came with strong vividness. Red snow, painted that way from the blood of men she had killed, all wearing clothing similar to what that last man had worn; houses on fire with more men rushing forward with pickaxes and other mining equipment to kill the assaulters of their city.
Now she didn't have to wonder why they were after her. They wanted revenge on friends and family killed, killed by her under orders and the command of someone else. She knew that she wasn't in control of herself at the time, even though she didn't know why she wouldn't have control over herself. The sound of running feet and the soft glimmer of lanterns alerted her to the fact that they were gaining on her from behind, so she quickened her pace best she could with her fatigue and turned right at the next intersection hoping and praying to whatever Gods might be listening that she make it away from them.
Her prayers were not to be answered though as she came rounding a corner only to see light ahead of her as well as behind. She was well and truly trapped now. She leaned heavily against the wall behind her trying desperately to catch her breath knowing that there was absolutely nowhere left to run too. The shouts grew louder and the lanterns light brighter as the two groups of men began to converge on her last bastion of solace and freedom.
Panic began to enter her system as she looked from one group to the other as they slowed to a walk seeing that she was not running anymore. She didn't want to be captured. She didn't want to be hurt. She didn't want to be killed for doing something she had no control over. She just wanted to be left alone. Her breathing slowing down to a tolerable level she started to understand what they were saying.
"So this is the Witch who killed our people." "Yeah, and now she can't run anymore, can she Cleitos." "She gave us quite the run didn't she?" "She can't get away now though, can she. Not unless she can fly through rock." "She's ours now."
Terra's face grew more troubled and scared with each passing moment as they all walked slowly closer and closer to her. I don't want to die. Many other thoughts came to mind, but that one was most prevalent. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Her panic became too strong for her to think coherently anymore and she began hyperventilating. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Her eyes closed to block out whatever was coming and she reached out to something, anything to keep her from being captured, to get away, to make it out of there.
She felt something in her chest, it was a kind of heat that quickly edged its way into her arms that were held out in front of her in quiet desperation to fend off the men. The heat grew and grew and she felt like her very arms were on fire. Just when she thought that it would never end she screamed in pure unabashed fright and fear of what was going to happen and the heat that she felt had built up into her arms almost instantly left and she heard an explosion that echoed in the caves so she couldn't tell from where it came.
She heard a cracking sound and felt the ground beneath her shift so she opened her eyes up to look at what was happening. Seeing all of the men standing around her a little more than twenty feet away with shock and utmost surprise on their faces, she glanced down and saw a crack that ran between her two feet. As she watched, within a single heartbeat the crack splintered and became a spider-web of fractures beneath her. She had time to barely begin a scream before she felt the ground shatter and collapse beneath her and she was swallowed up in the darkness below, only losing consciousness after hitting something hard beneath her.
Writers Notes
Of all the characters, Terra is the hardest for me to write because of her own lack of personality and depth of character compared to the other characters. At least in the beginning of the story. Later on her character development is something truly inspiring and her dedication to hope unwavering, but right now, she is just a young, scared, and unknowledgeable woman thrust into situations beyond her grasp.
For all of those who are wondering about Arvis' explanation of the Slave Crown, that will happen in the following chapter for my own choices and reasons. It will be dealt with and it will still feature a part in the story, just the method of introducing it and explaining it will be slightly different.
I know it might be kind of cliché to end both the last chapter and this one with fallings into unconsciousness but it seemed to be the best breaking off point from Terra's perspective and a fitting conclusion considering that the flashbacks were included at the start rather than after her fall from the upper cave levels.
Word Count: 7,616
Uploaded: 2008/11/14