Chapter 4: The village off Kull elna.
Feria's POV
The next day I woke up with the brightest smile on my face and when I looked to my side my smile only brightent. Akafia was laying next to me with his blanket half covering mine and a arm carefully wrapped around my chest, something that made me slightly chuckle. my my it seems i actually managed to soften up the mighty thief king... he never slept this close to me before.
"Good morning" I smiled and gently rubbed a hand throught his messy hair. "time to wake up"
Akafia mumbled something under his breath before he meekly opened one eye. shooting half a meter back when he saw were he was laying. something that made me yelp startled and also back away.
"what the bloody hell woman!?" Akafia grumbled, rubbing his eyes out. "never come that close to me when I am just waking up! you startled the life out of me"
"I didn't, you lied that close to me when I woke up" I protested as I got up and folded up my blanket like I did every morning before I went to the cave entrance. the sun was rising behind the mountain, making the river sparkle beatifully red and orange. "I guess... the aftermath off last night..."
I thanked whatever deity that was listening that the sky was a red and orange collor, masking the blush on my face as I remembered our dance last night as I bussied myself with re-igniting the fire and preparing breakfast. Looking up when Akafia came out off the cave a moment later and without saying a word to me to the spear to the river to start fishing
"well well, will wonders never seize" I caught myself thinking, smiling a little when he dropped his long overcoat so it wouldn't get wet. Akafia was rather muscular… he was well build and I could see from the scars on his back that he indeed has lived a long hard life… "that is the first time he willingly helps around here"
Smiling I watched as he started to hunt for fish while I concentrated on making the fire to cook them later. Ignoring the strange flutter in my chest whenever our eyes has a chance to meet….
Akafia's POV
After waking up next to that blasted Feria for some reason (really i don't remember going to sleep so close to her!) I got up and got myself dressed and went out off the cave. The rising sun promising another hot day with no chance off escape…. Just my luck! I had hoped by now those goody two shoes friends off hers had come and look for us! Which would at least provide us with a way out off here!
While moping about the fact that i was gonna be stuck here with Feria another day I picked up the spear that she left near the river to go and grab some fish before I suddenly realized something:
"Was I just about to help her survive?" I lowering the spear for a moment and looking up at Feria whom was working on the fire. She looked up and as our eyes met I could once again feel that strange flutter in his chest… that light feeling that made me sick and at thesame time made me feel strangely comfortable. "oo well" I shrugged, picking up the spear and shedding the royal coat I had stolen from the tomb off the previous pharaoh. "it's also for my survival… so i might as well help"
With these thoughts in mind I got into the water and started to look around for some potential fish. While doing so I looked up every now and again at Feria,whom was re-igniting the fire with the tools she had made herself. Our eyes met and I fell the air getting pushed out off my lungs as I was reminded off our dance the other night once again.
"What in the name off Zorg the dark one is going on with me" I placed a hand over my stomach and lowered my eyes at the water to try and concentrate on fishing. Tho despite my best efforts I could still feel her eyes at me making my face heat up despite it not being that hot yet. "Am I getting sick?"
"No Akafia..."
Startled I looked around,but saw no one except for Feria whom was still clearly concentrating on the fire and cooking our morning meal.
"Did you say something?" I therefor asked as calmly as possible, not wanting to give her the impression I was hearing things.
"No, I was bussy with the fire" Feria looked up from her work and as soon as her eyes met mine the fluttering feeling in my chest were back. "You alright?"
"This is something far greather then the both off you"
"I am quite fine thank you" I grumbled, looking at the water again to make the strange feeling go away. Greather then the both off us my ass... "i just... zone out other things when I am hunting"
"Listen to your hearth Akafia..." that voice! I looked towards the spot the voice had come from,feeling the corners off my eyes go moist when I record-iced the voice... that had been my mothers voice when she was still alive! How was that possible? "She is not the enemy my dear boy"
"Mother..." I mumbled,snapping my head up when I suddenly fell a soft hand on my shoulder. Looking up I saw Feria was looking at me with a worried look.
"Akafia, whats wrong?" Feria asked, looking at me rather worried. "Your crying"
"Nah the salty water made my eyes water" I quickly rubbed the tears from my eyes and averted my eyes so she wouldn't see that I was lying. "Its okay"
"Akafia..." Feria placed a tender hand on my arm that made me look up at her with a suprised look. What was her gain? Why was she being so stupitly nice? And why is my hearth making a leap every time she touches me? "There is no shame in crying... whats wrong?"
"I... I thought i heard my mother" dang Why did I give in to her so eaily!? Why didn't I lie like I would have in any other situation? "She startled me that's all"
"What did she say?" Feria looked at me with a suprised look, tho underneath her suprise there was a hint off... regret? Pity? Uuurg I didn't needed her pity! I am the thief king for crying out loud! People tremble at the sight off me!
"Yet if times were diffrent... if you had been raised as a normal citizen off Egypt?" A voice in my head wondered this time a male voice (my fathers!) "Wouldn't she have been exacly the kind off girl you would like?"
"Maybe" i answered the voice in my head before replying to Feria's question;
"Something about you not being the enemy" I shrugged,looking at a spot behind Feria as I spoke. Trying my best to not look affected by the fact I just heard the voices off my parents since I was five years old... when they had still been alive.
Feria's expression softened even more, if that was even possible. "Well, I'm definitely not your enemy, Akafia. I'm just someone trying to survive, just like you." She paused for a moment, as if considering her words carefully. "And...I don't want to be your enemy. I hope...we can learn to trust each other... become friends rather then enemies"
I scoffed and turned my gaze towards the river, trying to hide the small smirk that was tugging at the corners of my mouth. Trust? Trust was something I couldn't afford to give easily, especially not to someone like her. And friendship was even rarer for me to give.
But there was something about Feria, something that made me want to trust her, despite my better judgment I fell strangely safe around Feria . Maybe it was her genuine concern for me, or the way she saw past my tough hand remained on my arm, a soft presence that made my heart race.
"You don't have to say anything, Akafia. But just know that I'm here." She gently squeezed my arm, her touch sending small shivers down my spine. "And...maybe we can lean on each other for support. We're in this together, after all."
I turned my head slightly to look at her, really look at her. Her eyes were filled with sincerity and kindness, a stark contrast to the harsh realities of our situation.
"Fine," I grumbled, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. "But only because I can't get out of this godforsaken place without you."
"Thats good enough for me" Feria's smile widened, and for the first time, I saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "So what do you say?" Feria smiled,holding out her hand towards me. At which I looked with a rather suprised. "We call a truce until we get out?"
"Truce till we get out" I agreed getting up to my full hight as I shook her hand. Feria followed my example and for a moments our gazes locked and I again fell that strange sensation in my chest...
Thankfully the moment was broken off sooner then expected by a sound coming from behind me. I looked up, trying not to look too startled as I did so when i saw the two crocodiles sit at the riverside behind me.
"Oo hello again" Feria quickly let my hand go and walked over to the pair. Crouching down next to them she listened intently as they started to make a lot off strange noises to which Feria listened intently and nodded every now and again as a sign she understood.
"What are they saying?" I asked rather impatiently. If she was really able to speak with these crocodiles couldn't she make them speak a bit faster?!
"Their saying we can cross the river safely here and now" Feria translated. "If we then keep walking south we should be able to reach a village in a few days"
"Then we better gather up enough supplies for the travel" I replied sternly.
Feria nodded at this and filled a few very large water skins with clean water for on the way,then gathered up food supplies in a bag that should last us throught the trip and a few days after in case we can't find food supplies right away upon arriving (which I had to admit I found rather smart off her) while i gathered up some blankets as well as some other items that were worth keeping. The rest off the things we left in the cave as a testament to the nights we spend here...
Normal POV
Once the duo gathered up all their things they hopped on the backs off the two crocodiles Feria had befriended to safely ride to the other shore. Once there they said their goodbyes to the family and headed into the desert on the other shore to the village the crocodiles had seen.
"Any idea what village the crocodiles might have seen?" Feria wondered as the two off them walked throught the desert.
"Well I am not quite sure" Akafia rubbed the sweat from his forehead then took a sip from his water skin. "But its very likely its a un-inhabited village"
"You know the way well then?" Feria wondered.
"Well i have visited big parts off egypt" Akafia smiled. "Tho i know the northern boarder best"
"Let me guess; thats the closest region to Kull Elna" Feria asked smirking.
"Well how did you guess" Akafia quipped. Making Feria smile because she saw one ff the rare smiles Akafia had when something amused him.
"Whats your favorite place in all off Egypt?" Feria wondered with a smile on her face. Thinking he looked kinda handsome when he smiled.
"There is a small jungle like area to the south off Kull Elna that I used to visit a lot" Akafia replied without looking up at Feria. "Its lovely... with a waterfall and nature all around"
"Maybe we can visit it someday" Feria blushed a little, realizing as what that might have sounded like. "As...friends ofcourse..."
"Ofcourse" Akafia rubbed over his forehead to hide he was blushing at the idea off going to such a romantic spot with a female... even if she claimed it was only as friends. "Just as friends..."
After this a long silence followed in which the two were completely alone with their throughts. That was until Feria suddenly remembered something she had seen in the palace...
"Akafia?" The thief king hummed as a sign he was listening. "How do you materialize Diabound?"
"What makes you ask this all off a sudden?" Akafka asked, looking up at Feria with a suprised look.
"I only now remembered seeing it being chased out off the palace by Slifer the sky dragon" Feria admitted with a sheepish smile. "So... how did you do that?"
"For me it is really easy" Akafia concentrated for a moment, after which Diabound suddenly materialized next to him. "He is my ka monster... the monster bound to my soul"
"Thats so cool" Feria beamed, gently reaching out to touch Diabounds snake. "Do we all have a Ka monster?"
"If you have enough darkness in your hearth" Akafia smiled, thinking Feria being able to pet Diabound looked kind off cute,before he came to the shocking realization this was the first time anyone was allowed to touch Diabound appart from him. "You will"
"Why didn't you call him up sooner to get out?" Feria wanted to know next.
"I tried" Akafia grumbled something under his breath Feria assumed were some cursewords he didn't wanted her to that made her smile, since she indeed disliked people cursing near her "It didn't worked up until just now"
"If I have a Ka monster, What do I need to concentrate on?" Feria swirled around to look at Akafia now. Suddenly feeling a very strong curiousity taking over. "how do you call it out?"
"Just focus on all the negative energy you have in you" Akafia smiled a little at her curiousity. "Project that outwards... imagine it standing before you"
At this Feria closed her eyes and did as she was instructed. Feeling a dark energy come out off her and... nothing
"Its okay,it never works at the first try" Akafia reassured Feria when he saw the dissapointed look on her face. "Really try to bundle up the most negative memories you have"
"You sure i can do it?" Feria asked, looking up at Akafia uncertainly.
"Seeing what you told me you have been put throught,yes" Akafia replied solenmly.
Feria closed her eyes again now and focused on those negative emotions more. All the times she had slept on a empty stomach.. all the times her uncle Leo had scolded her for things she couldn't help... the helplessness she had fell whenever Odeon was beaten for not living up to their uncles expectations.
She fell the Darkness and hopelesnes bundle up in her even stronger then before and when she opened her eyes this time... the red eyes black dragon was staring back at her.
"Not what i had expected" Akafia deadpanned looking at the Red Eyes standing almost as tall as Diabound "but okay"
"I did it" Feria beamed, walking over to Red eyes with wide eyes. "He is way bigger then I imagined"
"And this is not a cheap Kaiba Corp hologram either" Akafia smirked, watching as Feria patted Red eyes on the nose. "This is the real deal... " Akafia walked over next to Feria and placed a hand on Diabounds snake before continuing; "this creatures... our Ka monsters... their bound to our soul..."
"Awsome" Feria replied. Still seemingly impressed by her ka monster.
"It is till your friend the Pharaoh and his little pries palls start locking away ka monsters for their own gain" Akafia spat. "That causes us to die"
"Thats hardly fair!" Feria looked up with a suprised look. Sure the Pharaoh had mentioned they locked away ka monsters to end the shadow games... but he had never mentioned those that had their ka monster trapped would perish! That sounded rather unfair! Cruel even. "I am all for the shadow games ending... but killing people is just straight up cruel"
Akafia looked at Feria now with a dumbstruck look. Not having expected that reaction off the young brunette before a grin spread over his face. If Feria was guillable enough to believe that small lie she might be guillable enough to believe he was in fact the good guy and he could turn one off the pharaoh's most vailable fighters against him.
"Okay Akafia! All you gotta do is make a pouty face and act sad" Akafia told himself firmly, before focusing on Feria again whom was still petting her red eyes.
"It isn't" Akafia bowed his head and pretended to hold his tears back. "And all off that for his own gain"
"Own gain?" Feria wondered, cocking her head to one side in confusion as she asked his.
"Oo do you really believe he only locks the spirits off those commiting crimes away to end the shadow games?" Akafia smirked,seeing to his delight the girl was falling straight in his trap. "Your friend the so called rightous pharaoh wants power... just like his father Aknamkanan" Akafia spat that name like it was poison. "Whom created the Millenium items just for that... sacraficing the spirits off the people off Kull elna... My people"
"That is horrible" Feria clapped her hands before her mouth in shock. Before she walked over to Akafia and before he could react the brunette had wrapped her arms around him and held him in a tight embrace. "How old were you... when that happened?"
"Around the five years old" Akafia answerer,smirking inwardly as he gently wrapped his arms around the girl to return the hug. She was falling for his trap hook line and sinker...
"And you have been all alone after that ever since?" Feria asked with a worried expression on her face.
"Unless you count Diabound as a somebody... yes" Akafia replied solemnly "It's been a lonely existence," he admitted softly, his voice filled with a touch of sadness. Just enough to convince Feria he was actually still sad about the death off his people.
"But that's why I fought so hard to obtain the the Millennium Ring. I wanted to gain the strength to seek both revenge against those who wronged me and justice for my people." Feria pulled back slightly from the hug, looking up at Akafia with sympathy in her eyes.
"I can't even begin to imagine the pain and suffering you've been through," she said softly. "But I want you to know that you're not alone anymore. We're in this together" Akafia nodded, a genuine smile forming on his lips.
"Yeah, you're right," he smirked as she cuddled him close again "together"
Feria's POV
After we shared one final hug I turned to look back at our ka monsters still standing side by side behind us.
"Can... can we ride them?" I suddenly wondered out loud. Trying to put his little sob story to the side for later. Oo Akafia might thinks he can play me for a fool but I am a lot more able then he thinks I am. I could clearly see on his face that parts off his story (the parts about the Pharaoh being evil) were lies. The rest off his story was clearly genuine tho and I would have to ask the Pharaoglh about it when I found him or he found me. For now I just wanted to focus on getting to that village.
"yeah, how come you ask?" Akafia wondered, looking at me with a suprised look while I climbed on the back off Red eyes so that I would be able to hold on to his horns while I am in the air.
"then why walk when we can fly?" Akafia smirked when I said this and also climbed onto the back of his Ka monster. Not fast enough tho because I already launched into the air on the back off Red eyes, lauching as I did so. "to sloow!"
"oo your gonna get it now!" Akafia called, and before i knew what was happening he was suddenly flying in front off me. "who is slow now your highness?"
"Still you" I chuckled as Red eyes used his red lightning attack in the general direction off Akafia's ka monster to make Diabound halt in order to not get hit by the attack… slowing him down.
"aah I see" Akafia grinned evilly. "the kitty wants to play dirty"
I stuck out my tounge at him in a playfull manner as we soured throught the air. I couldn't help but somethimes look at the amazing vieuw and think about the song "a whole new world" from disneys "Aladin" in my time line and then… when I looked to the side… Akafia smiled at me as he was about to close the gap between us once again and I fell that strange flutter in my chest once again… was it love I was feeling? Was that why I Was that why I fell so strange whenever he was near me?
quickly dodging a few attacks Akafia fired back at me I managed to spin back into the leading position as the outlines off a village became clear in the distance.
"I can see the village the crocodile's men-" i started to call to Akafia but stopped when i saw he was no longer flying behind me. Did he fall off?
Quickly I turned around and flew over the spot i had last seen him but he wasn't there. Strange... quickly I flew into the city. Almost falling off the back off Red eyes when i saw he was sitting there... waiting for me.
"About time you showed up" he commanded with a grin on his face.
"You asshole! I thought you fell off and hurt yourself" I blushed admitting he had given me quite the scared me by suddenly dissapearing. "I was worried"
"Believe me this isn't the first time I rode on Diabounds back" Akafia cleared his troath,clearly trying to hide he was touched by my worry for his safety. "I won't fall off easily"
"That is good" I replied calmly petting Red Eyes on its nose before i turned around and looked at the village. "What is this place?"
"This is the village your crocodile friends spoke off" Akafia looked around at the crumbled buildings and empty streets in which i thought I saw something white like a ghost move around every now and again. "This is Kull Elna" Akafia looked at me and I fell a shiver run down my spine as he said; "my home village"
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And with that I end the fourth chapter of my story. I really hope you enjoyed it! Because I am starting to enjoy writing this story more and more! Thankfully their shared story is far from over!
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