Shinjite - Fantasy

‘What a fool she is to make camp alone.’

The man, his face lost in the cowl of his cloak, silently watched the young woman sleep soundly in her bedroll. Leaves rustled around the mysterious figure as he was joined by two others, similarly hooded and cloaked.

“When will we ‘announce’ our presence?” A voice, plainly that of a woman, quietly inquired. Although not seen, the smirk on her lips was evident.

The watcher replied, equally hushed, “We must wait until she finds the Void Pulse. As soon as she lays her hands on it, she will be ours.” A lone fang glinted dangerously as the full moon slid from behind cloud cover.

“We will wait then.” Another voice, male, added decisively.

****

After traveling all day and receiving little rest, Kaze was hurried in her decision of a campsite. However, surrounded by trees and sheltered by a rock outcropping, she figured it would not be easily discovered. The young woman would rather have not made camp alone, although, given the circumstances, it didn’t seem as if she would have a companion for quite some time. Sighing, Kaze set to work. As she laboured, she went through the events following her early morning departure.

The half angel, half soulless told no one of her journey, managing to sneak out of town while darkness still held everything in its grasp. Although she hated leaving her friends behind, she felt it was necessary lest they insist on accompanying her. If they were meant to come on this foretold journey, it surely would’ve happened.

Shaking the thoughts from her head, Kaze lay in her bedroll watching the flames of her cooking fire flirt with the air. As she turned her gaze toward the sky, the young woman realized with a start that it was cloudy. It seemed to have happened without her noticing. Kaze scolded herself for not paying close enough attention, at the same time reminding herself that lack thereof could get her killed.

Closing her eyes and sighing, Kaze drifted off into sleep induced by arduous travel.

Night fell on the village below, and as they thanked the Gods that the angel had come to save them, they laid eyes on a second figure, draped in heavy robes, his face concealed from view, his very presence casting a blanket of dread over the entire village.

"Hold, stranger! What do you want from us at this hour?" The man called out, holding a shovel at the ready, should the visitor turn violent on them, but the man merely looked up, his hollow eyes staring at the man before him.

"...A name..." He spoke softly, in a near-rasp, as his hand lifted, curling long, sharpened fingers into a mock clutch of death, "...I want a name..."

The man shook, but tried to hold his composure, "W-who's name?! If you're looking for someone in specific, I assure you, you won't find them here." He pointed the end of the shovel at the stranger.

"MINE!" The rustling of robes announced the strike long after it connected, the electricity crackling in the air, as well as the loud snap of the man's jaw and neck, as he was sent spiralling into the dirt across the street, nearly into the doors of the local pub. The robed man stood back up straight, and turn his head slightly to look at the tavern, and raised his hand, pointing two fingers at the building, a black-purple orb formed, with dark energies pouring into it, before the orb grew to the size of a basketball and flew forward, eating through the doors, and suddenly expanding to engulf the entire building, eating away at the ground around it, leaving blackened scars across the earth extending from it's edges.

However, the most disturbing part of the attack was that the blast itself had killed no one, but the horrific screams of excruciating pain that emenated from inside signaled that being dead would have been far more pleasant than to live inside it.

One man managed to stumble out the doors, and out of the edge of the barrier, his flesh burnt away across his chest and face, and most of his arms, in some places one could see his skeleton where the orb had done the most damage thus far, his bloodied body heaved in deep, painful breaths.

"....W-why...?"

The stranger, who had started to stride past the tavern, stopped, and looked at the man.

"...Wha-what did we do to... to you...?" His resilience was amazing. Most people had their lungs destroyed after spending that long inside. The stranger mused on this for a moment before speaking.

"You exist. You merely exist. Your know of your existance, and why, however meaningless and pitiful it is. You filth, worms, never gave that luxury to me!" He brushed his hood back, allowing the man to gaze upon the last visage he would see before death, "You want to look away, but you can't, can you? The pain, the lovely pain that you feel prevents you from diverting your eyes from my face. Let me help you close your eyes."

The stranger knelt down, gripping the man's face, and exerted immense force on the man's skull, crushing it with only his hand, before tossing the body back into the aura of death he'd created, and turned back to task.

He would make everyone suffer. They'd suffer delightfully. And everyone would know.

Their screams would become their dirge. The razing of the buildings would become their funeral pyres. And everyone in the lands would hear their pleas, and see the flames, but no one would save them. No, no one could save them.

Aiden sat on the rooftop of his academy. He stared up at the sky and watched the clouds slowly float overhead, sometimes they even overlapped the moon. With a slight yawn he stretched his back and stood up.

“It’s about time I return to the students.” He said to himself as he turned on the roof and crawled through the concealed door.

When he came back into the room he could smell the simple yet elegant aroma of food that usually floated around his walls. The woman downstairs named Doris was an excellent cook and made lunch for him and his students’ everyday as a thanks for keeping the children off of the streets.

Aiden carried himself down the simple halls; his feet making a light thumping noise as they pushed on the wooden floor and brought him to the wooden staircase that led down into the training halls below. He stopped at the top of the stairs and listened quietly to the voices below.

“When is Master Aiden going to come back? Lunch is almost finished.” A young girl said.

“He’ll be back soon. He’s probably dreaming on the rooftops again.” An older voice said, probably a boy in his teens.

Aiden smiled to himself as he began to walk down the stairs, trying to be quiet. He slightly jumped when he heard a quick and loud park from down the stairs. He poked his head out from the stairs and saw all the kids staring at him, a large and shaggy black dog in front of them, his tail wagging and his tongue dripping all over the floor.

“Oh Noir, why do you always catch me…” Aiden said as he walked off of the stairs, the children giggling at him.

A small girl ran up to Aiden happily and punched him in the leg before she jumped into the air excitedly. Aiden knew her well, she was one of his newer students, and her name was Cassandra. He had been watching her closely, because for an eight year old she showed great promise as a martial artist and knew how to pay close attention.

“What is it Cassandra?” Aiden asked her as he placed his hand on her head, attempting to still her.

“We need to continue the lessons! My mom will be here soon!” she said at him in her quiet voice.

“Alright then, we’ll get to the lessons again in a moment.” Aiden said with a smile as he walked into the center of room.

“Noir!” he shouted at the dog. “Go and find Derek, he should have to help us teach the students as well.”

The dog barked before he turned and jumped out of the window, landing on the soft grass outside. He quickly ran down the beaten road and began to sniff around, looking for the scent of his master’s friend.

"HEEEE YA!"

*CRACK*

"HEEEEE YAAAAA!"

*CRACK*

"HAAAAIIIII YAAAAAA!!!"

*SNAP*

"HA! That's perfect. Better every time."

Derek took a few steps away from a practice tree wrapped in ropes he uses to strengthen his fists. He removed the ropes and slung them around his waist to replace his chain kama, which he left at the dojo. He kneeled so he could be at eye level with the imprint he had left in the bark. He looked at his fist and his eyes went wide.

"Broken knuckle. Fantastic. I'm definatly going to have to get Doris to look at this."

Just after realizing his fist was in some pain, he heard a faint sniffing. He had trained his ears to notice quiet sounds that were approaching.

"Noir..." Derek whispered under his breath. It was getting dark out. And Derek thought this could finally be the day were he got to sneak up on his friends companion, instead of the other way around. He found a cluster of trees to hide behind beside a clearing of grass. He watched the black shadow slowly walk into the clearing. This was his chance. He jumped for the shadow.

"RAAAAH!!!!!" But within the blink of an eye, it was gone. He began to get jittery. " A ghost dog. Naw, I'm just letting my wits get the best of me." Suddenly he heard panting. Loud and heavy from all around him. He heard a bush tussle, and he quickly jumped to see a shadow lunging at him. He didn't have enough time to stop the darkness to connect with his chest, and he hit the ground with a thump. He opened his eyes to see the cute pup staring into him, and a drop of drool hit him in the cheek. "Thaaanks..." Derek said as he wiped off his face. He stood and looked and the dog.

"So, I guess this means Aiden wants me to work huh?" Derek thought for a moment. "I guess I have had quite an extended break, and I was just gunna head back anyway..." His eyes floated to Noir, who was still staring at him...

"WHAT'S THAT?!" Derek yelled quickly pointing off into the forest. Noir's face tightend as he turned around to see, but he quickly turned back to the site of Derek running off in the direction of the dojo. It was a race. It didn't take long for Noir to overtake him and arrive at the dojo. They stood panting at the door. He knocked and Doris answered. "Thanks D." Derek Smiled, Doris frowned and walked away quietly. He shrugged and continued through the familiar halls. He found Aiden standing infront of his class. He tapped Aiden on the shoulder and as he turned around he stuck his fist in Aiden's face.

"Check this out! Don't ask how..." Derek looked at the class... "I'll tell you later..."

And with that Derek accepted the welcome from the students and sat down to hear stories of their day, and Aiden's next lesson.

Darnaus stood up from his kneeled position and looked further and thought he could see a campsite, Darnause Had been following Kaze for sometime when she told everyone she was heading off on her own Darnaus knew it was linked to what he was doing.Darnaus wanted to her help and knew that she would uncover the truth and he needed to be there so he could give his report to his employer. Darnaus continued on the treeline not staying on the path for long he knew how to hide and sometimes the best place was the most obvious so he contnued beside the path.


Darnaus Could see the campsite clearly know and knew it was Kaze's no one else would be on this road so he continued running through the trees but still being very silent making swift strides as run knowing it was alway quieter.

She was in a maze. It was the only explanation. An infinite labyrinth lacking an exit. There was no way out, no escape. It felt like hours that she had been running. Endless hours of being chased by that... that thing. She whimpered in terror. It would catch her soon. Strong as she was, it would have her. She couldn’t keep running forever. Already her breath came short and her legs tired. She was at her end.

Maybe... maybe if she gave up it would show her some mercy. If she stopped trying to elude it, perhaps it would make her journey into the spirit world a quick one. She fell to the ground. Frigid stone met her soft knees. A cruel hand stretched from the encroaching darkness, coming to rest on the top of her silken head. Seizing her fiery locks, it wrenched her upwards. She cried out. It growled its pleasure.

****

Kaze woke with a start, sitting up straight in her bedroll. Chest heaving, cold sweat trickled between her breasts. Trying to calm her racing mind, the young woman closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. As her breathing returned to normal, Kaze scanned the shadowed campsite, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Finding nothing incriminating, Kaze disentangled herself from her troublesome covers and rose to her feet.

The embers of the fire she had left burning glowed softly, offering some comfort to the shaken girl. Kaze peered up at the sky. It was close to dawn, the horizon just beginning to brighten with the sun’s warmth. Knowing that she would not fall into sleep’s embrace again this night, Kaze decided that now was as good a time as any to be on her way.

As she leisurely went about collecting her belongings, the angel noticed something seemed to be... off. A slight deviation in the harmony of nature. Shrugging the mysterious notion from her mind, Kaze continued in her endeavour, if not now proceeding with caution.

Everything bundled up and ready to go, the young woman heaved a sigh of relief at having the chance to leave this place. Where during the day the surrounding pine trees had been comforting, they now loomed with an air of menace. She longed to be in the open again. Grasping her halberd in her left hand, she adjusted her heavy pack and set off through the brush.

Nearing the road that she had come in on, thoughtfully chewing a hard biscuit, Kaze wondered if she would reach a village by midday, ‘A decent meal would be nice. I haven’t been traveling long and already I’m sick of these stupid biscuits.’ Glowering into the shadows, Kaze emerged from the trees, tearing off another chunk of biscuit.

Darnaus could hear movment in the campsite he was creeping up on and he could see a woman packing up getting ready to move on down the path.Darnaus saw her scanning the trees and he ducked down quietly.Noticing she didnt see him he continued moving closer but being more careful as she seemed somewhat to be more cautious ,Darnaus could tell by the way she was scanning the trees that she knew something was there but she didnt seem to pay to much attention to it as she continued to pack her things.Darnaus Saw her pick up a large pack and picked up a well sized Halberd ... It was Kaze he remembered the weapon.


Darnaus didnt want to reveal himself quite so soon because he didnt know what her reaction was going to be.Pushing his hair back away from his Eyes Darnaus Continued getting closer to the point that he could see her clearly and noticed she was chewing on a Biscuit, personally Darnaus couldnt stand travel food and preferred hunting his meals.

Darnaus was constantly focused on Kaze's Movments studying her body language to make sure she didnt know he was following her but she semmed to still be slightly more cautious so he kept his feet light and his head close to the ground.Darnaus Knew he would have to reveal himself evetually so he decided to make a large noise by cracking a dead log to get her to start looking but contiued moving so she wouldnt catch him were he made the noise and hid a 50 yards from the log.

Aiden laughed slightly as Derek showed his broken knuckle off to the class.

“Good thing Doris is good at mending things with her magic abilities, or else we would have a problem.” He thought to himself as he began to pace in front of the class, who sat now in four groups of three each, Derek kind of sitting in the middle and slightly ahead of them all.

Aiden smiled towards the class and made a small bow towards them today would be a nice lesson to end the week with. As he rose back up to his full height, he saw the first few parental figures walking into the doors. Noir sat beside the door, tongue hanging out of his mouth, his tail beating against the floor. He knew what today was about.

Aiden looked at the two groups on the right side of Derek, and motioned for them to rise. They did so obediently and made a respective bow towards Aiden, they had no idea what was coming. Noir stood up silently and began to inch closer to the children keeping its body low as it crept closer and closer.

“Alright, Jon, and Sam.” He said as two larger boys stepped forward, both wearing a pair of leather combatant gloves.

“You two are to turn and face each other in a sparring match to see which of you have made the most progress in your two groups. Tonight will be a quick tournament, with two minute long rounds for each match.” He said as he heard little gasps and awes come from the students and parents.

He faced Derek, and motioned for him to stand. “Our Refs for tonight will be Derek and I; you’ll get points for knocking them out of the area or knocking them on their back. The highest ranked student in each tournament will then challenge the other student winner to see who goes home with the prize today.” Aiden added as cheers lifted through the halls.

Derek stood and smiled as he looked at the children.

“The matches will be as listed!” Aiden said before he began to list off the children’s names and who they would be fighting. Children rushed amongst their groups to fight who they were paired with and soon the first two rounds were under way.

Aiden smiled as Jon was thrown on the ground, Sam the obvious winner in less then a minute.

“Derek, how are you kids doing?”

The stone would glide along her Claymore once more before she had placed it down, raising the tip of the sword in the air infront of her. her gaze swept over the sword before she stood from the stump she often considered a chair, green eyes scanning the plain before her, and the forest behind it. She has a feeling that someone was near, or watching. placing her claymore upon her shoulder while still holding the hilt, she walked towards the tree line without hesitation. not even a worried look crossed her face, nor did a smile. her eyes seemed to empty to be human, even though she was indeed just that.

her steps bent the waist-length grass down, creating a path as she walked through it, but she remained quiet.. aside from the rustling of grass. Once she reached the tree line, she flipped her hood over her head, just covering her eyes. she could still see out, though. she heard a loud crack, quite a few yards away by the sounds of it. then saw movement.

she hid herself behind the tree, glancing over it to watch this someone hide. this obviously had nothing to do with her, if it did he wouldnt have ran in her direction. and he wouldnt have made himself so obvious to someone at this position she stood at. she could not hear the strangers steps, but he was obviously there. she peered in the direction he had ran away from, seeing a woman. she looked about as tall as herself, but seemed to not be as old. of course this girl would be on the alert now, since the man had made such a big racket. does this man make a habbit of stalking young girls?

why would a man-or woman- whos steps have been carefully thought through and made silent make such a stupid move? was it done on purpose? why would he want to get the girls attention in such a disturbing mannor?

do they know eachother? she couldnt help but wonder what the connection was here, all she knew was she got a very content feeling from seeing this girl. like an empty spot inside her had finally been filled. who knows, it could have been her imagination.

her hand tightened around the hilt of her claymore, lowering it down infront of her, sticking the tip of it into the ground without making a sound. she would remain at her station untill it was safe to move, or untill the situation got dangerous and started to involve her and she needed to move.

Second round.

Damien was on his second rounds of drinks. Granted, as he was the only one at the table nestled along the pitted, smoke-stained wall of the tavern and there was no conversation to delay the draining of the smooth pewter mug. However, Damien rarely, if ever, drank quickly. If that paradigm ever was shifted, it would be in celebration of the job he was about to receive details on. Provided the contractee showed up prior to the fifth round.

Though Damien had worked for many years as a mercenary, he hadn't previously had a contract quite like this one. Or, more specifically, a contract so ambiguous. The small company that employed the bowman had delegated a variety of tasks to him over the years, ranging from guard detail for reputable merchants to more clandestine operations such as assassinations, though only one victim had been of such social stature that there had been retribution. Yet this was the first contract in which the only explicit instruction from the genial man who contacted the mercenary company was for a private meeting with the individual assigned the job.

With the perfect vision of hindsight, Damien couldn't help but wonder why he had volunteered himself for this: all vagueness aside, the odds were that the exclusive purpose to such an unusual arrangement, besides an egocentric customer, was not that the actual details were sensitive or complex, but simply that they would be delivered pedantically.

It wasn't recently that the man realized he was most likely about to meet one of Tiyan's more ostentatious inhabitants. But as he sipped his drink and recalled the Byzantine extremes of some of the upper class and wondered how such behaviour would be exacerbated when those individuals dealt with 'lessers' such as mercenaries like himself, Damien did realize something.

It was time for the third round.