Chapter 3: Vengeful Soul

"There is only a certain amount of hate and anger one may suppress before it starts to eat them away."

They were running. He could hear the sound of boots behind them getting louder. They kept running, past the buildings, turning corners, but the sound kept getting closer.

"Faster Kamui!" A voice rang in his ears, and looking up he noticed it was a man, but he couldn't see his face, "We're almost there."

Kamui looked ahead to see a gate in the distance, that must be their destination. However, before he could think anything else, Kamui heard a slight whoosh of air behind him.

"Kamui!" the man yelled as he pushed Kamui to the side as an arrow rushed past Kamui's eyes, "Tch… Damn it."

As Kamui got to his knees he noticed that the man was standing in front of him, shielding him, with a sword drawn. Past him he could see the legion of soldiers forming, all ready to strike down the man.

"Your end has come Hoshidan dirt," a rough voice erupted from the street they were in, "I grant you the mercy of a swift death."

"One day you'll pay G-"the man began before a barrage of arrows interrupted him. Kamui could hear every little thunk the arrows made as they hit the man shielding him. Petrified, Kamui's vision turned to black.

"Don't worry little one, you are MY child now."

"NO!"

Kamui shot up as he woke from his nightmare. It had happened again, the second night in a row of having a dream like this. Why was this happening?

"Why do I keep getting these nightmares?" Kamui asked himself, "They always feel so real." Observing a bit, Kamui was in his tent of the Nohr camp they had set up the day before. However, before he could think too deeply about his dream the flap of his tent opened, revealing Felicia with a concerned look on her face.

"Master Kamui?" Felicia asked, "A-Are you okay? I heard a scream from your tent…"

"Felicia? You're here too huh…" Kamui paused getting his bearings together, "I'm fine. It was just a bad dream. Thank you for checking in on me."

"O-Of course Master!" Felicia stuttered with red cheeks, "It is my duty to look after you after all!" Realizing she was getting too excited, Felicia paused for a moment, "Anyways, when you are ready, Joker has prepared the morning tea." At that Felicia gave off a polite bow and retreated from the tent.

"Tea huh," Kamui repeated to himself, "Maybe that will help calm my nerves." Getting up, Kamui stretched a little before exiting his tent.

The sun flashed in Kamui's eyes as he exited his tent. It was unexpected, he thought the clouds would be covering the sky, but as his eyes adjusted, Kamui smiled at the blue sky and decided to look for his family. As Kamui walked around the camp, he noticed the amount of commotion going on. Soldiers running from one place to another, some carrying weapons, others were carrying supplies. Whatever they were preparing for it must be for something important.

"Over here Kamui!" Elise's call broke his concentration. Turning to his sister, he realized that she was standing in front of Marx's tent waving to him, "Everyone's already inside!"

"So it's "Kamui" now Elise?" Kamui teased as he walked towards his sister, "What happened to "Big Bro"?"

Elise sighed, "Marx doesn't think such "informalities" should be said in front of soldiers." Elise replied sticking her tongue out, "I think he has bees in his trousers."

"Don't take it to hear Elise," Kamui chuckled putting his hand on her head, "That just means calling me Big Brow will be even more special right?"

"You're always optimistic Big Bro…" Elise muttered making her pouting face, "I'm no match for you."

"Well, I did learn from my little sister," Kamui laughed as they walked into the tent.

Marx's tent was quite larger than Kamui's tent, but that was probably due to Marx being the commander of the Nohr army. The tent consisted of necessities such as a bed and a weapon's rack, but it also had a war table in the middle of it displaying the Hoshido and Nohr territories.

"Ah, Kamui," Marx greeted as Kamui and Elise walked in, "You're finally awake, now then, take your seat."

Kamui took his seat next to Camilla, receiving the usual hug, while Elise took her seat next to Leon, "What's with the war game Marx? Beating Leon again?"

Marx gave off a small grunt, "I would advise you to be more serious Kamui, this table shows the layout of the conflict we have with Hoshido."

"Hm… interesting," Kamui muttered, intrigued, "I guess-ngh!" A wave of pain shot through Kamui's head, causing Kamui to bring his hand to his forehead.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise by the sudden action. Felicia and Joker, who were in the back of the tent, hurried to their master's aid.

"Master Kamui!" Felicia said panicking, "A-Are you alright?"

"I'm… I'm fine Felicia," Kamui replied, "Just a headache."

"A headache?" Joker sighed, unconvinced, "Please drink this Master Kamui. The tea should help you."

"O-Oh, thank you Joker," Kamui nodded as he took the cup, "I'm grateful for the two of you."

As Joker and Felicia grinned and returned to the back of the tent, Marx took control of situation again, "As for other news, these concern you Kamui."

Sipping his cup of tea, Kamui looked up, "Me? Did I do something wrong?"

"Hardly," Marx replied, "First off, Father has gifted you with a new weapon: Gangla."

At the mention of the name, Joker carefully brought up the blade to Kamui. Kamui had to stand from his seat to observe the blade. Gangla was what looked to be a curved sword that had a dark purple blade. The hilt was silver and had what seemed to be a closed eye lid that separated the hilt and the blade. It certainly got the menacing and ambiguous look down.

"Wow! It must be a birthday present Big Bro!" Elise cheered.

"Elise," Marx warned.

"Oh COME ON Marx. There aren't any soldiers here." Elise rebutted sticking her tongue out.

Marx gave off a heavy sigh, "Anyways, the second piece of news is that Father has also assigned you a temporary bodyguard. Jax would you introduce yourself?"

Kamui turned around to see a muscular bald man staring straight into his eyes. Oh Gods, Kamui thought, I didn't even notice him. Aside from his barbaric armor, the man also seemed to carry an iron axe at his side.

"I-I guess my life is in your hands, Jax," Kamui greeted extending his hand. However, the barbarian continued to stare at Kamui with his arms crossed. "Well then…"

At that moment a soldier barged into the tent, "Lord Marx! We have reports that some creatures are grouping north of the camp!"

"Noseferatu?" Marx whispered, surprised, "But we should still be inside the barrier…" Marx paused briefly and continued, "We'll handle the situation soldier. Make sure nobody goes near those creatures."

"R-Right away my Lord!" The soldier replied before leaving the tent.

"Well I was wondering when some horrible, nasty, event would occur," Leon commented, getting up from his seat.

Marx took a breath, "Camilla, Leon, and I will deal with the creatures. Felicia and Joker, I need you two to help any of the soldiers that may have been injured."

Kamui looked up, "What about Elise and I? We can help in the fight."

"Don't worry about it Kamui," Leon joked, "You might cut yourself with your new sword. Besides, I'm sure you'll be fine with your sweet bodyguard."

Kamui winced as he tried to look at Jax again before quickly looking away. Gods, that man's stare was going to be burned into his head.

"Be safe my sweet Kamui!" Camilla giggled as she got up to leave, "Tell me if your new bodyguard hurts you so I can kill him!"

"Wha?!" Kamui gasped, shocked, "Camilla?"

"Oh I'm just joking Kamui," Camilla chuckled, "…partly anyway."

As everyone left to their respective tasks, only Kamui, Elise, and Jax remained in the tent alone. A few minutes of awkward silence loomed the tent before Kamui decided to break the unbearable silence.

"Soooooo… how abou-"

"Follow me," Jax interrupted in a rough voice as he exited the tent.

"A-Ah…" Kamui stuttered trying to think of a response, "O-Ok then…"

"Wait Big Bro…" Elise whispered, concern in her voice, "I don't know about this."

"We'll be fine Elise," Kamui whispered back, "Just stay close to me." With that final warning, the two siblings walked out of the tent.

They followed Jax to the edge of the camp along the cliffs. As they caught up to him, Jax was near the edge of the cliff, looking into the distance, with his back facing Kamui and Elise.

"Go talk to him Big Bro!" Elise whispered pushing Kamui towards Jax.

"W-Wait!" Kamui stammered as he tripped himself towards Jax, "So um, hey Jax. That's quite a big axe you got there. Like you're weapon axe I mean. Um… Gods…. SO a wyvern, two monsters, and a priest walk into a bar-"

In an instant, Jax turned around and grabbed Kamui by the neck, lifting him up and choking him, "Gods you're annoying, I guess it makes killing you easier."

"W-Wait! What!?" Kamui gasped as he tried to free himself from Jax's grip. The man was only using one arm, yet Kamui couldn't break free or reach his sword which was at his side.

"Big Bro!" Elise screamed as she rushed to her brother's aid.

"Tch.. pathetic," Jax brushed Elise to the side with his free arm, knocking her down to the ground, "I have orders from King Garon to kill you Kamui. Although…" A menacing smile formed across his face, "He didn't say I couldn't kill anyone that would interfere." Jax began walking towards Elise, axe drawn.

"N-No! Please!" Kamui begged as Jax started to raise the axe above his head.

Elise managed to get to her knees before she looked up to see Jax in front of her about to strike her down, "B-Big Bro?"

Jax broke out into a mad laugh as he swung down his axe.

"NO!" Kamui yelled with rage as he reached to grab the axe with his hand. Although, it wasn't a normal hand that grabbed the axe's blade but one that resembled a dragon's claw. Unable to think, Kamui shattered the axe's blade leaving only the hilt in Jax's hand.

The shock of Kamui's arm transforming into one of a dragon's talons caused Jax to drop Kamui, "You… You're-" Jax stuttered before Kamui interrupted him by choking him with his transformed arm.

Kamui didn't want to hear his explanation. He didn't care. This man was about to take his sister's life along with his own. Kamui looked at the man that was struggling in his grip. The neck was so fragile… He could break it like a stick. It'd be quick. It'd be so easy. The rage in him wanted him to do it… all the hatred.

"Big Bro…"

Kamui turned his head to the voice, his eyes still filled with anger, only to see his sister Elise tugging his cape. Her tears about to fall from her face.

"It's okay Big Bro," Elise continued, "It's okay now…. You saved me," Elise beamed a smile as the tears broke free,"You're my Hero!"

Oh Gods…. What's wrong with me….

Kamui's arm turned to normal as Elise hugged her brother. Kamui could faintly hear the sound of soldier boots coming towards them.

"You're… You're now hero Kamui," Jax's rough voice snapped Kamui back into reality, "You're a monster. A monster that has been holed up in your luxurious cave."

"I wouldn't be speaking to a Prince of Nohr in such a manner Jax," Kamui rebutted, head high, "Once Marx returns, you'll return to the Kingdom of Nohr and be trialed for treason."

"I'm not going back to Nohr you dense fool!" Jax spat, "And neither are you!"

Before Kamui could react, Jax tackled Kamui, knocking him and Kamui off the side of the cliff. Kamui could hear the gasp of Elise, the fleeting touch of their hands as his feet failed to find solid ground. All he could see was the blue sky of as he fell, but even that disappeared as the trees blacked out his vision…

Blue

"KAMUI!"