A/N: Hello again. I present you with the second chapter of Kaiana's backstory. Here we find out what happened to Kaiana while she was with the Court, and at the end you get to see how she and Drysi met for the first time. It's not a very graceful introduction to say the least -_-"
(Drysi is Kaiana's "soul mate" in Magic and Mischief).
I apologize for the wait for those of you who've been wondering what happens next. The next chapter will be the resolution.
Note: There is a reason this is rated teen. There is a good bit of violence and it's a little gory. You have been warned.
"Is everything okay?"
Kaiana was shocked back into reality when she heard Lena's voice. The sapling had been daydreaming as her friend took her through the massive building. She looked to her right, meeting the other girl's gaze, and nodded. "I'm fine," she said. "Lost in thought is all."
The red leaved sylvari cocked her head to the side; her gaze leaving the sapling's to glance at the dagger on her belt. "You didn't have to bring that with you."
The two of them passed by scattered cliques of other sylvari, the same feeling surrounding them all: empty. The emptiness was unsettling, and Kaiana's fingers wrapped around the hilt of her light blade. The deeper into the settlement they went the feeling worsened.
"I don't trust them," she said, her tone soft so that only Lena could hear her.
Lena smiled at Kaiana and took hold of her hand, a gesture that was meant to be reassuring.
It did little to fill the emptiness.
"I told you, you don't have to trust them. You have me. Who else do you need while you're here?"
Kaiana looked down at their hands. It was strange. She'd never held someone's hand before meeting Lena. She wasn't sure what significance it was supposed to hold, but she was nice to have something to hold onto.
"I… I know. You're right," the sapling said after a moment. "But I'd like to defend myself, just in case."
Lena nodded, even though she still seemed confused. Nevertheless, she continued to guide her newfound friend through the settlement.
It was Kaiana's third day in this place. She was starting to get used to the feeling, but when she recognized it she couldn't help but feel completely lost. She drew closer to the mesmer, almost clinging to her arm like a human child to a parent.
After being on the receiving end of more glares and glances for several more minutes, a voice cut through the disturbed silence.
"Lee-lee!" Eifelian called. She appeared from the shadows and strolled up to the two girls.
"What do you want Eif?" Lena inquired, her tone hardened. It was obvious she wasn't in the mood to speak with her.
The taller sylvari smiled, a smug look while her eyes teased an innocent look. "I'm hearin' thorns in your voice. Is somethin' wrong little flower?"
Lena sneered at the nickname. "I've told you before; I'm not a 'little flower'. Other than that, everything's cherry."
Eifelian smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly in a teasing sort of way. "Where are you takin' Kai? Goin' to 'ave some fun with her? I thought that your room was on the other side."
Kaiana's pale green face flushed golden, sap-like blood rushing to color her cheeks with embarrassment towards this statement. She was only a couple weeks old, but thanks to the Dream she knew of love and lust. It was strange to think about as it was, and Eifelian's hinting at something happening between she and Lena made these thoughts even stranger.
Eifelian smirked and stepped closer to Kaiana, closing the distance between them. She pushed Lena aside, tearing away the anchor that kept the empty feeling from being overwhelming. She stroked the sapling's cheek before taking hold of her jaw. Eifelian leaned forward so that their faces were less than a breath from each other. Her blue eyes stared seductively into Kaiana's and she spoke in a soft tone, as if to give a false sense of security. "Unless, of course, you'd rather come with me?"
Pink and purple lights danced about Eifelian's head. Her eyes widened and her face contorted as if she were being torn apart. She pulled back from the sapling and held her head in her hands as she let out a horrifying scream. Kaiana cringed and backed away in horror, her back meeting a wall and preventing her from going any further.
"Stay away from her," Lena growled, her gold eyes glaring at Eifelian. Her hand was stretched out, sparkles of the same pink-purple light swirling around her fingers.
Golden blood dripped from Eifelian's nose as she forced herself to look up at Lena. Wincing, she wiped off her face, glaring at the girl.
Lena scoffed and lowered her hand. The light vanished and she stepped forward, glaring down at the girl. "Next time I won't go easy on you."
Eifelian spat as she pushed herself up. "You're goin' to regret that, you mental little bitch," she seethed, unsheathing her daggers.
"You've already lost this round Eif," Lena snapped, clenching her hand into a fist and then extending her fingers. A final glimmer sparkled around her hand and then vanished. "Save what little dignity you have and leave."
"You're cracked," Eifelian said, glaring down now that she was back on her feet. "Even for Nightmare, you're cracked!"
The sapling frowned. The word sounded vaguely familiar.
The mentors warned us about dangers in the jungle. Something about Nightmares… Kaiana thought nervously. Sudden realization struck her, and she felt her face pale. She gripped the hilt of her light blade again as the bystanders came forward, intrigued by Eifelian's comment. Is this what they were talking about!? These empty people!? Oh no… I remember now…
"I told you to leave," Lena said loudly. The lights began floating around her fingers again and Eifelian visibly cringed, cowering slightly. She glanced at the crowd and smirked. "Unless, of course, you want to put on a show for them?"
Various members of the crowd cheered them on.
"If I fight you," Eifelian started, "then who'll keep an eye on your Dreamer pet when you're gone?"
Kaiana swallowed. She remembered now; everything that the mentors had warned them about the world outside the Grove, including the Nightmare Court and other enemies that lurked in dark places.
The Courtiers turned around when Eifelian mentioned 'Dreamer' and looked at her. She froze, paralyzed with fear and unable to draw her dagger.
"I've already told you, Kai isn't my pet! She's a friend!"
"And what a good impression you're makin' for her. She's a couple weeks old, probably has no real clue what she's doin' here, and I bet you've yet to mention how enjoyable you find it to cause others excruciatin' pain." Eifelian turned to look at Kaiana. The sapling was still frozen against a wall. "Look at the poor thing. You've scared her stiff."
"You're Nightmare as well!" Lena shot back. "What makes you so different!?"
"I only wish to release saplings from the Tablet. To make 'em understand. You don't. You know nothin' of the tablet or the Court and why it was created! You're not even a Harbinger like the one we found three years ago! The only reason you're still alive is because the Grand Duchess likes you. Had that not been the case you'd 'ave been dead long ago."
Lena fumed and the magic returned, swirling up her arms as she tried to hold back her magic. "Shut up."
Eifelian quickly locked onto Lena, pressing her daggers against her throat, the edges of the blades drawing golden blood. "Say one more word or try charming me again, an' you'll never talk again."
"You won't do it," Lena snarled.
She pressed harder, drawing even more blood. "You're right. I'll hand you over to the others. To the Mists with Faolain," Eifelian seethed, pressing harder. "We'll 'ave fun treating you like a prisoner. Endless torture. Healing just to prolong the suffering. It must be hell."
"I thought you didn't approve of torture." Her comment brought on more blood.
"Against Dreamers I find it pointless and a waste of time. Against you? Mmh, let them 'ave you."
Kaiana swallowed as a Courtier drew closer.
"A Dreamer," he hissed, evil lighting up coal black eyes. "This should be fun."
He lunged for her, but she regained her ability to move and quickly ducked out of the way, stabbing him in the side with her dagger. He let out a cry of pain and soon others started coming at her. The sapling stayed low, countering attacks while fighting back.
She'd never imagined what it would be like to stab someone in the chest before, but she realized now that it was horrible. The crack of bones as she forced her way in, and the squishing sound that came as she sliced into organs beneath the several layers of muscle… It made her feel sick to her stomach as she fought her way through those who wished to cause her harm.
"Get out of here Kai!" Eifelian shouted.
Kaiana looked at her for a moment, realizing that all the roles had reversed. Friend was now foe, foe was now friend, and she was no longer a guest. She was a prisoner if she didn't run for it now.
Scrambling around the Courtiers that were on the ground around her, she fled out the entrance of the massive building. Her bow would do little to help her now, and she ignored the corridor that would have led to Lena's room.
Just keep going Kaia, she thought.
"After her!" a Courtier from behind her called. "Don't kill her! Capture her! The Grand Duchess wants her back alive!"
Mesmers ported into the clearing amidst the buildings, and thieves appeared out of thin air to run after the sapling.
"Dammit!" she cried out, almost tripping over her own feet as she ran. She closed her eyes, hoping that she had fallen asleep and that she could wake up. She opened her eyes and found that she was still running. The exit was visible from where she was, but it still seemed to be impossible to reach. Swearing under her breath, she kept running until she was caught.
Pink-purple butterflies suddenly appeared as a mesmer took hold of her arm. "Gotcha," he said. "You sure have been causing a lot of trouble, haven't you?" The Courtier laughed in low tones at this before licking his lips. "Come closer, Dreamer. I'll show you what living is really like."
Kaiana struggled to free herself from his grasp, pulling hard until he yanked her back and nearly pulled her arm from its socket. Magic lights swirled around his fingertips and he lifted it up to her head. She braced herself, but nothing happened.
The Courtier sneered. "The master charmed her pet," he seethed. "No matter, regular methods work as well." The sapling tightened her hold on the dagger and stabbed it into his side. The Courtier only grimaced at her attack and pulled her again.
"You want to play games? Fine!" He pulled a sword from the sheath on his belt and cut into her leg. Kaiana felt tears prickle her eyes, but she refused to show weakness. Not allowing him a chance to hurt her again, she carved into him the way she'd carved into the tree. She stabbed him as hard as she could, twisting the blade as she went and pulling it out forcefully. The Courtier's eyes grew wide for a moment before losing their light. He went limp and collapsed on the ground.
Her breathing grew heavy as she stared down at him. Before it was to escape. Hurt them before they hurt her. But she'd killed him, and this sudden realization made her feel light headed. She'd killed him... He was doing what his people thought was right, despite how twisted it was, and then she'd taken his life from him! She'd killed many in the building as well, but only now was she understanding what she'd done.
Kaiana felt sick to her stomach and time seemed to slow down, the Courtier staring back up at her with a permanent grimace. Her hands went up to her mouth to keep back to bile that had risen in her throat.
Pale Mother, what have I done!? she thought, horrified with herself, as her stomach turned. Her legs went limp and her body purged the contents of her stomach onto the ground beside her. Acid burned in her throat and she her eyes watered. Coughing and gasping for air, a voice called to her from behind.
"Babe's first kill," a female Courtier called. She wasn't pursuing the sapling; she was standing to the side, enjoying the show with a sadistic grin that matched everyone else's. "Did you enjoy it? It's wonderful, right? The strength you feel as your blade pierces the flesh…" She let out a pleased sigh. "Oh, how delicious."
The sapling narrowed her eyes at the girl. Swallowing hard, Kaiana wiped her mouth against the sleeves of her leather armor and stormed over to the Courtier. She lifted a brow at the sapling and opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off when Kaiana stabbed her below the ribs.
Twisting and pulling out the blade, Kaiana closed her eyes and turned away as the Courtier fell to the ground. The Courtier moaned in pain, part of it terrified and the other pleasure filled. It was sickening that she took so much enjoyment in being stabbed, but it had shut her up.
More tears threatened to fall, but she held them back. Tears showed weakness, and weakness meant that they would make easy work of her. They didn't want to kill her, but she still feared for her life. She refused to show any weakness as she neared the several guards that were now blocking the gate out. The grip on her dagger never loosened.
Just relax…
The sapling brought her dagger to her chest, the blade directed towards the guards as she ran forward. Whips cracked in the air and as she drew closer they cut into arms, legs, and torso. The lacerations on her skin stung like acid, and she grew weaker with every step that she took. Still she kept going. Kaiana closed in on the guards, finding weak points in their thick leafy armor and exploiting them. She cut through the guards like grass until she was face-to-face with Rose.
The dark skinned sylvari stood at the gate with her mouth agape. She looked from the downed guards to the sapling and placed a hand on her scepter.
Kaiana glowered up at the final guard, her dagger at the ready. To her surprise, Rose turned towards the twisted black vines and said, "Just get out of here. There'll be more coming for you anyway."
She didn't question this and ran as fast as she could south. It was dusk, and soon the jungle would be aglow with luminescent plants. The Pale Tree would serve as a beacon, its great white leaves reflecting the light of the sunset. She held onto this and continued running, adrenaline still keeping her upright.
Just relax, she told herself again. Once you get home everything will be fine. Once you get home you'll be safe in your pod and nothing can hurt you.
She continued to tell herself these things. It was the only way for her to concentrate on matters more important than her longing to pass out.
The clearing where she'd first met Lena came into view, and she swallowed. She could never come back here, or she'd be found again. These thoughts were quickly pushed aside. Instead she remembered how she'd originally gotten there. The Grove wasn't far now and she held onto that as she ran back towards Astorea, the small settlement just outside the Grove. Mender Aviala was nearby now. She'd be able to get help.
Kaiana ran through the settlement, catching the attention of many of the sylvari. Aviala noticed her from the other side of the clearing and rushed to her aid.
"What happened to you?" she asked, taking Kaiana's arm and wrapping it around her shoulder.
The sapling could barely answer. "Nightmares," she panted, out of breath from the run. She couldn't form proper sentences as Aviala took her to her pod. "I was… stupid. So many… so awful." Her vision started to blur. "It hurts…"
A sylvari with golden leaves and skin watched as her mentor brought in the damaged girl. Her jade green eyes grew wide at the sight. "What happened to her!?" she exclaimed.
Aviala lied Kaiana down on a counter before turning to the other girl. "I think it was the Court, but the poor flower can't even speak properly right now. Drysi, go to the Grove and gather some more supplies. If we have to we'll take her there, but I think she's been poisoned. Go quickly."
Drysi blinked at the young girl for a moment, meeting her desperate gaze as something familiar sparked within her, and quickly hurried out.
Kaiana's vision flashed black for a moment, one of the faces from her Dream appearing before her. It was the face of the apprentice. When the vision disappeared, she was in a world of silence and darkness. She couldn't feel pain. It was bliss, and she only hoped that she would feel better when she awoke.