This is chapter eleven. Thank you Eddie Camp, caitlinkeitorin, Silverking32, and UmmeiNinja for reviewing last chapter!
Chapter Eleven: Different Paths
Mala didn't know how long she'd run when she finally slowed down to a stop. She slipped underneath a rocky overhang, pulling her quiver off of her back and pressing up against the rock instinctively. She tried to steady her breathing, listening intently for the sounds of pursuit. When she heard nothing, she began to relax.
As her pounding heart slowed, however, she began to feel the familiar surge of guilt. She slipped down, her quiver falling beside her. She'd down it again; ran away when she'd been needed. She leaned her head backwards, looking up into the sky as she tried to control the feelings of guilt. As a thief, she'd learned at a young age that it was better to be a living coward than a dead hero. But she could never completely get rid of the feelings of guilt.
She lowered her head. A heavy sigh escaped her. Not for the first time, she wished she were a Keyblader instead of an orphaned thief. Keybladers were noble, respected, and were the protectors of the world. Keyblades could only be passed down to those with strong hearts. If she had met a Keyblader when she was younger, she wondered, would she have been passed the power? Or wasn't her heart strong enough? She didn't know.
Then she shook herself. Those thoughts were getting her nowhere. It wasn't like it was entirely bad being a thief, after all. What she didn't like was the stigma that came with it.
"Well, this isn't getting me anywhere," she muttered. She pushed herself to her feet, picking up her quiver of arrows and bow, slinging them over her shoulder. She looked back the way she'd come from, eyes shadowed. She figured…she wouldn't be wanted that way. So she turned her gaze to the path before her, and struck out to find a town before nightfall.
The sun was painting the sky in the vivid colors of twilight when Mala finally found a small town. She exhaled a sigh of relief. This area seems to be pretty unpopulated, she thought as she walked into the town. However, she couldn't help but admire the town's scenic setting. Like the Moogle's village, it was set in a forest glade, with trees pressing in on all sides and streams cutting paths through the soil and the town itself. However, unlike the Moogle's village, this place was populated with humans, some of who welcome her with friendly nods. However, most of them had their attention focused on something further in, their voices raised in an excited babble.
"Isn't it exciting?"
"They hardly ever come here."
"I hope my daughter's chosen!"
Mala's curiosity was exerting its hold on her. She pushed her way through the crowd of people, wanting to see what was so exciting. She blinked in surprise when she saw a few Light Army Keybladers standing in the center of the circle. The one that stood foremost among them, to her surprise, was Trevor. As she stared, open-mouthed in surprise, Trevor began speaking over the clamor. "We're not here for a casual visit!" he called.
The announcement brought silence to the excited villagers. He looked around carefully, blue eyes flashing. "We're here to protect you, in case anything bad happens. That is our job, after all." The townsfolk murmured quiet agreement, and Trevor continued. "We'll be staying here for a few days before returning. We'll see if we can't get Keybladers out to this area more often." Appreciation rippled from the congregated people, and he quickly dismissed them to their own devices.
Mala, however, didn't leave. "Is this about the Knight?" she asked bluntly, unable to think of anything better to say.
He turned surprised eyes to her, the blue orbs flashing with recognition. "Well, that's part of it. When Master Tollun - the leader of the Light Army - had another close encounter with that monster, he decided it would be a good idea to check up on some of the outlying areas." He narrowed his eyes as he walked up to her. "It's…Mala, right?" he checked.
She nodded. "Surprised you remember," she muttered, to quiet for him to hear.
"And how are you getting over your experience with the Knight?"
She thought of the armored, black-winged monster, with eyes that flashed eerily from behind the tinted visor of its helmet and its terrible power. "Fine," she lied. The beast still haunted her nightmares, but she wasn't willing to admit it to the young Keyblader.
He quirked an eyebrow, not quite seeming like he believed her, but said, "That's good to hear." Then he walked off, the other Keybladers following behind him.
Mala remained where she was for a few moments. Then, with a sigh, she headed off into the village. Might as well explore; after all, she did still have to find a safe place to sleep for the night.
"Help! The Dark Army's attacking!"
The cry jolted Mala out of her uneasy sleep. She jumped to her feet, jerking her bow off her back and stringing an arrow quickly. She peered around the side of the alleyway, back pressed close to the wall. She blinked in surprise when she only saw one shadowy shape dashing through the town. She snorted. "Not much of an attack." She couldn't help wondering if perhaps the whole thing was a trap.
She saw the forms of Light Army Keybladers begin to congregate around the lone Dark Army warrior. Wanting to know what was going on, but not wanting to be seen, Mala slunk forward through the deepest shadows she could find. It wasn't difficult to edge herself into a concealed position behind a crate, the deep shadows concealing her as she watched and listened.
"Search for others," she heard Trevor order. I'm not the only one concerned, then, she thought as she watched the shapes of two of the Keybladers go dashing off into the night.
"Don't bother," the Dark Army Keyblader spat. "I'm here alone."
"Really?" Trevor asked, sounding skeptical. Mala couldn't blame him. "And why should I believe you, Xuren?"
"You probably shouldn't," Xuren agreed, "except for the fact that this little attack mission was unauthorized."
Trevor snorted. "Right. The Dark Army's second in command would defy the orders of his leader, attacking a town guarded by several Keybladers alone, and get captured without much of a fight." His voice was scathing.
"You can thank your damn brother for that!"
Trevor froze up in shock. "M-my brother?" Mala blinked in surprise of her own. He has a brother?
Xuren's voice was filled with contempt as he continued. "Somehow he managed to beat me in battle. Viril wouldn't let me go on the revenge mission because apparently I was 'too injured.'" His eyes flashed in the gloom. "But I'll be damned if I just sit back and do nothing!"
Before anyone could continue, there was an explosion and a scream from the edge of the village nearest the forest. Trevor's accusing eyes were boring into the dark Keyblader. "Really? Then what's that?"
Xuren actually seemed surprised. "I don't know. No one came with me."
The truth in his words was confirmed when one of the two Keybladers that Trevor had sent out came rushing back, crying out in alarm, "The Knight! It's-" His words were cut short as a shadow suddenly appeared behind him and slashed at his neck. The force of the blow severed head from body in a spray of dark blood. Standing in the moonlight was the form of the Knight, lithe shape glittering in an unearthly light.
Mala locked up at the sight of the monster that haunted her nightmares. No…it's back… She shook, no matter how hard she tried to steady herself. The force of her shaking caused the shaft of her arrow to clatter against her bow.
The Keybladers were apparently too focused on the menace before them to notice the sound. "Be brave!" Trevor called to the Keybladers, slammed the panel that released his armor as the Knight lunged for them.
"Bravery means nothing in the face of this," Xuren growled. But he lifted his Keyblade and fired a sphere of darkness at the Knight.
Trevor looked at him in surprise. "You're helping?"
Xuren snorted. "I may not like you," he growled, "but I can't fight you at my all when I have this monster to worry about." Trevor nodded, then turned back to face the Knight.
The armored creature had slashed through the sphere of darkness as if it weren't even there. It moved nimbly about the battlefield, bringing fear and destruction wherever it struck. The only thing that allowed Mala or the Keybladers to keep track of it was the glowing blue on its arm. It slashed at the Keybladers with razor sharp claws, and fired powerful magic at its assailants. Snarls erupted from its helmet, and its eyes flashed from deep within the glass.
The sight of those eyes was what finally broke Mala out of her stupor. She forced her legs to move, trying to dash away down the street before the monster could see her and follow. Heart pounding and breath shaking, she slipped into an alley, trying to force herself into a concealed space.
"What are you doing, young one?"
The voice startled her. She jumped, the action pushing her out of her hiding place. Now in stark moonlight, she felt fear pulsing through her veins that she'd be seen again. She was about to try and crawl back into her hiding place when she saw the man that stood before her. "Who…who are you?" she asked, her voice quivering.
He quirked an eyebrow at her. "That's not important. Besides, I believe I asked a question first."
"I'm…trying to escape the Knight."
"I see." He blinked once, slowly. "Are you afraid?"
"What?" she yelped, surprised by his question. "Y-yeah, I am."
"Good." She blinked in surprise, not expecting this response. "Only a fool wouldn't be in this situation. However, there are times when you need to face your fears, regardless of how you feel."
"But…I'm a thief," she muttered. "We aren't exactly known for being 'brave.'"
"No," the man argued, "you are you." He paused, then continued, "It's never too late to choose a different path. And I think yours will change, whether or not you want it to." He began to leave, but paused and added over his shoulder. "There are connections all around you. The Knight is much more than what you see at first glance. Be very aware of that."
"What?" she asked in surprise, but the man was already gone.
Mala was still shaking. Slowly, though, she managed to push herself to peer out from behind the corner of the alley to see where the Knight was and what was going on, her hand clenched her bow so tightly that her knuckles were white. She felt her heart tremor with fear as she saw that the Keybladers were losing. Many lay lifeless on the ground. Xuren had mysteriously disappeared. Trevor was, miraculously, still alive, though he looked battered. He was trying to instill courage in his dispirited and terrified warriors. However, it was clear that if the Knight didn't leave soon, none of them would survive.
There are times when you need to face your fears, regardless of how you feel.
The strange man's words echoed through Mala's mind. She took a deep breath, and tried to clear her mind. Not giving herself the chance to think about it, she stepped out from where she hid in the shadows and lifted her bow, pulling back an arrow in a deft movement. Then she released.
Her aim was true. The arrow bit into the blue, glowing, exposed part of the monster's left arm. An inhuman screech emitted from the Knight. Then its head whipped around, ghostly eyes glaring at her. It reached up one clawed hand, gripping the arrow and ripping it out. Blood dripped from the wound that was almost completely hidden by the glow on its arm. As it dropped the arrow, it raised its now-free hand up to the wound. Mala's eyes widened in fear and dismay as the flesh knit itself back together. The only traces left of her attack were the small drops of blood.
Then it lunged towards her. "Mala, look out!" Trevor called.
Yeah, no kidding, her panicking mind managed to think as she stumbled backwards. She fumbled for an arrow in her quiver, trying to string it to her bow and aim it at the beast lunging for her.
A Keyblader lunged forward before it got to her. The Knight whipped around with a furious snarl as the Keyblade clanged uselessly off its armor. It stretched one hand out and grabbed the Keybladers helmeted head. Then, slowly, it squeezed. The armor collapsed in on itself and blood spurted from within.
Mala thought she was going to be sick.
As the Knight dropped the Keyblader's lifeless body, she expected it to renew its attack. However, it had apparently had its fill of bloodshed for one Knight. Two metal plates on its back slid open, allowing broken black wings to spread out behind it. Then it jumped into the air, flapping its wings to gain altitude as it disappeared into the deep black above.
Mala and the few remaining Keybladers seemed thoroughly shaken. Trevor seemed to be the first to recover. With unsteady steps, he worked his way over to Mala. "Thanks for stepping in to help."
"N-no problem," she stammered, still horrified by what she had seen. Then, thinking about what the man from earlier had said, she added, "Trevor, I want to ask you something."
If she could have seen his face, she was sure one eyebrow would be cocked. "What is it?"
It's never too late to choose a different path.
She took a deep breath. "I may not be a Keyblader, but…I want to help you guys out."
And there's the end of chapter eleven. Please review?