Chapter 6: An Unspoken Truce
I peaked out into the opening of the den. It was big enough to fit us and give us a small bit of privacy. She was lucky enough that I found her before those men took her away.
"She seems to have unfortunate luck."
"Rhaast." I warned, I wasn't in the mood to hear his rant about her being useless and to dispose of her. I turned my head to see her sleeping next to me. Her breaths were slow, her hair laid messily all over her. She seemed less hostile towards me now.
"Probably because you saved her. And now she's forgotten how horrible you are." I rolled my eyes at the voice that was now chuckling in my mind. I smiled though, Rhaast was right, my plan to make her submit was working. By breaking her slowly she'll soon do anything I ask whether by fear or by warping her mind into believing anything I say. Although I won't send her off on her own anymore.
"I'll just have to play the savior for a little while, huh." I whispered to myself while reaching down to move a piece of hair from her face. She grimaced, shifting away from me. I looked from her back towards her instrument that laid across from us. It shimmered softly in the dark. I listen to her breathing, slow and quiet. She was in a deep slumber. As quietly as I could I slowly lifted myself up. Being used to staying silent and unsuspecting I left without her waking up.
"Where are you going?" The voice echoed in my mind.
"For a walk." I answered curtly. There was a slight pause before he spoke again.
"To spill more blood, perhaps?" I grinned, shaking my head. I walked through the woods along the pathway.
"No, unless a poor unfortunate soul crosses my path right now." The voice groaned in my head. I used the shadows to take me faster through the woods. I looked up into the sky, it was hard to see the moon through the canopy of the trees. But if I had to guess, I'd have a couple hours left before the Sun would rise.
The sounds of frogs crying out alerted me to know that water was close by. And if there is water nearby, people would be close too. I went further in until I saw an opening.
"Hmmm a village? Why are we here?" The voice echoed again in my head. I choose to ignore him, and snuck through the entrance. It was quiet as the majority of the village was sound asleep except for the few dogs that walked around. Sneaking by animals was tougher than being unseen by humans. However it was still possible, I made my way to the back of one of the stone buildings. I took in a deep breath and watched my hand turn into black smoke allowing me to pass through the wall. I stepped through, feeling the floor with my hands.
"Wood." It felt worn, I'd have to be careful here, wooden floors tend to make sounds. I looked around the room. For most people looking into a dark room you'd see nothing, and wander around lost. However thanks to the powers Rhaast gave me I was able to see clearly in the dark. Where else before I relied on my other senses besides sight.
"Kayn, I sense someone here. Awake…" I looked around more, finally seeing a small boy sitting up from his bed. He was directly staring at me. I grinned at the boy and held my finger to my lips.
"Shhhh…" I turned my head back to look around the room more. It was certainly boring, empty mostly besides a bookshelf and a desk with papers littered all over. Knowing this kid he'll think this was a dream, and even if he told someone they'd never believe him. So long as I don't harm the child.
I walked towards the stairs, and phased through them.
"Bingo." It was a room full of various items, all neatly organized.
"A shop?! Why?" I shook my head, I walked around looking through the items.
"Remember earlier? With Sona by the water." I paused to pick up a bar of soap. It was smooth to touch. Slightly oily feel, however the fragrance of the bar was peculiar. Smelled sweet like a field of flowers.
"She's taking a liking to me more for saving her. If I give her something she wants she'll be more willing to listen to me." I mumbled moving my thumb along the soap. A slight creak sounded in the pitch dark. I quickly stuffed the bar into my many pouches I had strapped along my waist and rose up.
"Who are you?." The small wavered voice spiked behind me. I turned to see the small boy standing by the stairs. He rubbed his eyes and held onto the railing. I smirked at the boy. "Your cover is blown by a kid. You really are letting yourself become weak Kayn." The voice echoed in my mind, I shook my head at the annoyance of both of them.
"A dream of yours." I whispered back into the empty room. I let myself slip into the walls, my eyes never leaving the boy's eyes. I watched him stumble backwards and scramble back up the stairs before falling out into the open night. I followed the shadows carefully not to disturb any animals in my path, until I reached back into the woods. The safety of the woods had let me relax more. Whether the boy told anyone is no longer my issue nor concern. Entering the small den I looked around and everything was as it seemed to be. The woman laid undisturbed; her small breaths indicated she was in deep sleep. I took my place next to her and sat beside her.
I took a small tuft of her pale blue hair and twirled with it between my fingers. It was soft, yet other parts of her long hair was starting to tangle. I turned my head towards the entrance. We'd soon have to get moving to keep up the pace Varus tasked us. The biggest issue was leaving Ionia to Bilgewater. None of us really knew how to, besides hijacking someone's ship. I turned back to the sleeping girl. But perhaps she could be more useful for that. I stared out into the opening of the den, sounds throughout the night echoed into the den. Small animals wandering about in the night could be heard occasionally. The rustling of leaves from the wind made the night feel calming, almost alluring. It's been ages since I have had a full night's rest, most cases I could squeeze in an hour or two in. Ever since I took up the task to wield the Darkin scythe Rhaast would enter into my dreams. He made it almost impossible to sleep through the night. Mostly due to the visions he would show. Almost as if to taunt me, showing me a glimpse of what might become of me if I allowed him to overtake me.
Nightmares… The word bounced around in my head. That's all they were, fake visions to keep me slipping. In the beginning it was visions of slaying my entire clan. Slaying my master, letting my bloodlust take control and rampaging through Ionia. My body contorted and unrecognizable, my eyes blazing red in pure hatred. This is what I would become. No… It wouldn't come to that, I lifted my corrupted hand and took a moment to analyze it more. I could feel the heat radiate from it. It was mine, I could still control my arm. But it felt odd, as if it wasn't entirely my own anymore. The corruption only took some parts of my body. When I first gripped the scythe, I was too confident. Saw no respect for the weapon, and within minutes it engulfed my arm spreading rapidly. If it wasn't for Zed I fully believe I would have lost the battle within. My naive mind was humbled. I flexed my fingers watching the metal claw like fingers twist and respond to me. So many lives have been lost to these hands. Yet the hunger is insatiable. Always demanding, always seeking.
I turned my attention back to the girl, and furrowed my brows at her. Girls like her had it easy, hell even now she had it easy. I let her live when I had every opportunity to kill her. All she had to do now was just obey. Yet her simple minded brain fails to see this.
She's a hindrance… The voice invaded my mind, I didn't respond to it. Hindrance of not she was the key. Key to my freedom, and if not then she'd be killed off.
I watched her twitch and her face turned sour. I couldn't help but laugh at her quietly. Poor thing, I sneered in my head. Her eyes shot open, rising up quickly her breaths were quick and shallow. I watched her blinking then turning to me. She sulked back, keeping her distance from me. Her eyes were still wide, I clicked my tongue at her.
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty. You barely slept." I smirked at her, her breathing calmed down more. Before nodding in agreement. I studied her more, smudges of dirt covered her pale almost porcelain like skin. Her hair was messy and frizzy from the lack of care.
"Come." I motioned her to come closer, she stared at me, frowning slightly. I rolled my eyes at her and motioned again to come sit next to me. She crawled over and sat next to me, her arms holding her knees close.
"Do you trust me?" I asked in a softer tone, she looked at me again bewildered. I couldn't help but laugh at her even more.
"Turn your head. I will show you that you can trust me, ok?" She seemed at a loss, whether to listen or not. Yet she halfway turned so she could watch me from the corners of her eye. I raised my uncorrupted hand to her head, and she shied away. Reaching more I pulled the hair ties that held her pigtails. She winced as removing the hair ties was slightly difficult. The hair had tangled with it and so it had pulled a few strands of her hair. I swept her hair from her face. Raking my hands through her long locks trying to get some of the tangles out. Her tense shoulders relaxed some.
"Pig tails are stupid in combat, just so you know." I spoke through the silence. She turned her head, her eyes catching mine. Almost quizzically she raised her brow at me.
"What, am I wrong?" I grinned more. I yanked her hair making her turn back to look ahead. Giving up on detangling her head I split her hair into three portions. The portions were uneven but I didn't really care. I made work on her hair, braiding it into a single long braid. I used both the hair ties to tie the end, it was messy but better.
"There. Now you don't look as stupid. It'd be better in a bun realistically but I prefer braids." I crossed my arm, watching her grab her hair and flipping it over her shoulder to study it. She Turned to face me, pointing at the braid and reaching down and wrote "Thank you." into the dirt. I shrugged at her, and looked away.
"We should leave." I hefted myself up, walking over to my scythe. I turned my head over my shoulder staring at her. She seemed sluggish to move. Yet followed behind me, keeping her eyes low. I faced forward and led her out of the den. I looked up at the night sky. The stars were out still, the wind was light playfully tickling at my hair.
"Come, we train now. Then we'll rest some more and travel again once the sun sets." I turned to quickly grab her. She held onto me tightly as we moved through the forest, the trees blurred together. The sensation of passing through obstacles was a rush. Something I'd never get over, yet the longer we went for the more bitter it became. That was the draw back. Be careful… Or you might just become a shadow of yourself.. The words echoed in my head once more. It was Rhaast's warning, the only ever warning he has given me. The words were laced with a glint of sarcasm, and if I knew any better I'm sure it was all just bullshit to make me scared to use more of his power. Yet I would heed his words, because what if? Somethings you just had to be cautious of. The cold pierced into my body, spreading fast. I slowed to a stop, catching my breath as I looked around. It was a small clearing, it's manageable. Yes, this could work for now.
~xXX~
Note: this chapter makes me giggle...