Shattered Eternity The First Stanza: Deincian Episode 2

Chapter 2

 

 Standing with one hand against the tiled wall, the warm water ran down my body, chasing the dirt and grime down the drain. I tried my best not to use shampoos and body washes that had perfumes in them since I had a sensitive sense of smell and that was one of the primary tools I used to hunt, so I needed to keep it sharp. The soap dispensers only had scents in them, so I opted to wash with just water. It'd give me an excuse to enjoy hot water for a change.

 With a white fluffy towel around my hips, I walked out of the showers while drying my hair with another. After I had finished drying as much as I could, I draped the towel on my right shoulder.

 Ayame was directly to the right of the door, sitting on the floor looking at her phone with my shirt folded neatly next to her. Her eyes found me, and her face instantly turned red while she put a hand up next to her eyes like a blinder,

“You’re naked mister!” She exclaimed.

 I leaned down and scooped up my shirt, and unfolded it, looking at the front and back to find there was no hole, or even evidence of one from before. Her comment brought a wave of laughter from me,

“And? I’m not shy. Besides, Like you didn’t steal a peek earlier anyway.” I teased her while I put my shirt on.

 She stuck her tongue out, but didn’t deny it. I patted the chest of my shirt,

“Wow.. It’s like there was never a hole at all! Nicely done!” I gave her a thumbs up.

 “They don’t make clothes for people with tails, so I had to learn to either modify, or make my own..” she adorably fidgeted nervously, not sure why.

 Turning back into the locker room, I got dressed the rest of the way. Not because of any bashfulness on my part, but to save that poor girl a heart attack.

 Sitting next to her in the darkness of the gym after i finished dressing, I glanced over at what she was reading so intently on her phone,

"Ten interesting facts about men…?"

 Ayame jolted, then lifted her phone from sight, while hitting the idle button to turn off the screen,

"It's rude to read over someone's shoulders!!" She almost yelled.

 With another laugh I leaned back against the wall. Although the echoes of her agitation continued for a short while, I lifted my phone and checked the time.

"4:30 am.. " then slid my phone into my jacket pocket.

 My stomach gave a grumbled sound. It's just like in my dream, I hadn't even noticed how hungry I was until now. The thought of Cap Can caused my mouth to water. 

Too bad you can't get Cattlepillar meat anymore… supposedly Beef is similar, but I disagree.

 Standing with a stretch, I lifted my fists towards the ceiling, my jacket hiking up just a little.

"Do you wanna get some food?" Looking down at Ayame, and offering her my hand.

 "I know just the place!" She hoisted herself to a stand with my help.

 

 The place she knew, turned out to be the living quarters. Who would have thought? Ayame stepped behind the small kitchenette counter, and grabbed a countertop electric stove burner, and a rice maker. She made rice with a skill that said she had done it a million times and honestly, I could easily believe it.

 She wore a cute apron above her hoodie that had the image of a small stuffed bear holding a pan of cookies. Leaning over the counter, she rested her weight on her elbows, and tilted her head,

"Want anything specific?"

Now would be a good time to press her amnesia.. I thought to myself.

"Yeah, Actually. It's a dish called Shrew Stew, know it?"

 She tapped a delicate finger to her chin several times while looking up.

 "Can't say that I do." While giving a dismissive shrug.

 Joining her on the other side of the kitchenette, I started looking through cabinets,

"How many of those stovetops do you have?"

 Opening a cabinet to my left, she pointed to a small stack of them,

"A handful. Why?"

"Perfect."

 Snagging all of them, I placed them on the countertop. Two in front of her, and two in front of me. 

 On a hook behind me sat a few more aprons. Grabbing one, I slid it over my head and tied it.

 The refrigerator that was in the corner to the right of the cabinets was only about chest high, but boy did they keep it stocked. Maybe working for the council wasn't all bad! Shuffling around inside I found the basic ingredients that I needed for the dish,

"So the way this dish is made takes two people. Feel like helping me?"

"Where do I start?" She said with a sparkle in her eyes while she pushed one sleeve up with gusto. 

 After setting her ingredients in front of her, I turned to focus on my own. She would do the vegetables, and I would focus on the meat. Luka would usually use a hardy vegetable like eggplant in place of the meat, because of the aforementioned vegetarianism. I opted for eggplant as the idea of Luka eating meat didn't sit quite right with me, especially after learning her reasoning for it..

 

"I chose to be a vegetarian after my first tour of duty with the Queen's Guard. Back then.. We were such a young species. The Great Betrayal was still fresh in the hearts of all that walked the Earth when The Matron called for all of her daughters to come home to the safety of the Forest. After all was said and done, there were only eight tribes of Seedless left.” Luka gave a visible shudder, while her hands held herself at the elbows.

“Were there more?” I asked, lifting my arm to stretch the length of the wagon’s backrest behind me, trying to stabilize myself among the bumps of the road.

“There were nine..” Her jaw quivered while she pressed her lips tightly together,

“To this day I don’t know what possessed them…for Seedless to eat their own kind… They were savages. Kidnapping and brutally killing and eating one another. I swore to the Matron that if I survived that horrific campaign…  I would swear off meat, so that I had one thing less in common with those monsters..” with a frog catching her voice she turned and looked out to the green pastures and rolling hills at the side of the long dirt road we traveled.

 

 The sharp knife glided easily through the Eggplant, creating steaks that were roughly 4 centimeters or so thick. The meat of the Cattlepillar had a certain taste and texture. However eggplant had neither The texture similar to overcooked lobster, a texture of which I could do nothing about in the eggplant. The flavor however I could compensate for at least a little with a little more pepper than salt, since those were the only two seasonings I would use beyond a little garlic. I set the two freshly sliced eggplant steaks aside.

 My next task was to make a mirepoix of half an onion, one carrot, two celery sticks, and two cloves of garlic. I sliced them, then rough chopped them.  

 Setting my preparations to the side, I lowered my hand to hover above my pans. Feeling the rising heat, the temperatures were just about right. Dropping a dollop of butter into the large pan, I poured the mirepoix in, stirring it at first. Before I did anything else though I needed to give Ayame her instructions for her half. Turning to her-

 Ayame had already sliced the mushrooms perfectly. She carefully placed the mushroom slices onto a wider skillet with butter, letting them brown on one side before flipping and removing for the next slew of mushrooms.

 My shoulders relaxed down as I watched her quietly. Intently she proceeded to chop her other vegetables into little sticks in between changing out mushrooms from her pan.

 This was how Luka made Shrew Stew.

"You know, for not knowing how to make Shrew Stew. You really know how to make Shrew Stew."

 She turned up to me, and gave a hollow smile and muttered not a single intelligible word.

 Turning from her, back to my ingredients. Her smile concerned me, I needed to see what was going on in her head…

"If you need help with those potatoes, I can cut them for you, on account of how tiny your hands are!" I poked her with a tease that Luka had been sensitive about. She swiftly, and playfully bumped me with her hip.

 "You keep mouthing off like that love, and I'll mash your potatoes!" She said with a cheery voice. In her Irish-like accent,  she pronounced potatoes more like "poh-tay-tuhs."

 I couldn't help but stop, and looked back at her with a laugh. Her eyes had changed where one third of her pupils were a bright and lovely shade of green,

"Yeesh, duly noted!" I laughed again while she gave me that sweet disarming smile.

 Phew, went straight for the jugular so to speak. Don't worry boys, I won't let her hurt you!

 However her response was what I was really after. The empty way she had responded to knowing Shrew Stew raised all sorts of red flags. I hadn't stopped to think and ask myself… Could this be hurting Luka? Would pushing so much and so often cause damage to her memories? There was so much about the situation that I didn't know or understand, I'd have to ask Oururuu about it later.

 For now though, I turned back to my ingredients.

 I coughed the mirepoix pan several times, and turned to face my other task. With a few quick rubs, I spread salt and pepper along the flesh of the eggplant steaks while adding several dollops to the now heated pan, enough to evenly coat the bottom in melted butter. Dropping two sprigs of rosemary into the melted butter, I stirred them until their leaves were brown and crunchy, then picked everything out of the now Rosemary flavored butter. 

Back then.. we used to use a root with a similar smell, but imparted a savory flavor so we didn't need to use salt.

 The butter bubbled around the eggplant steaks after adding a soft shake before carefully letting them go. I roughly had two minutes before they needed to be flipped. I turned my attention back to my other pan, coughing it gently, then stirring in some soup stock bouillon. I opted for vegetable flavor since I was making Luka's version. The bouillon these days was much easier to use than the stuff I grew up using. We called it soup leather. It was near non-perishable, and we made it ourselves from boiling down clear soup stock. I liked the new stuff better.

 I had let my mind wander a little while I poured in just enough water to cover the mirepoix. Soon though my eyes had wandered over to Ayame while she was working hard on making the cream portion of the stew. Bringing the cream to a boil, then stirring in finely grated cheese, adding her choice of seasonings. By the time her sauce was ready, the soup was boiling a circle in the liquid of the pan, informing us that we were almost done.

 Before that however it was time for me to turn the eggplant. A golden color on the bottom side, now on the top in a flip that gave the pan a fresh new sizzling sound. This time however I tilted the pan, and spooned the rosemary butter onto the golden brown steaks for the entire two minutes. Once the bottom matched the top, I removed them and placed them to rest on a plate with a small towel under them. Now to add the cream sauce to the soup.

 We both reached for the handle of her cream sauce pan at the same time, making our hands graze one another.

 Her skin is so soft..

 I retracted my hand, while a blush welcomed itself onto my face.

"Sorry I-I didn't.." I stammered.

 "It's okay." She batted her eyes a few times, while holding her hand still on the pan handle, as if to invite mine back.

 Girl you are making this difficult..

I reached out and held the handle with her, then poured the cream into the soup. 

 The cream caused the soup to thicken, and lighten in hue. Instantly she let go of the handle. With delicate and careful fingers, she lined the vegetable sticks she had cut earlier into a spiral pattern around the inside of the pan. When she had finished her decoration, I slid the steaks I made onto the top of her vegetables.

 "I thought this dish had meat in it.." she looked from the pot.

"Usually it does but.. listen you'll love it this way."

 And together, we finished the mouth watering construction with a lid.

 She stepped past me while I cleaned up the mess we both had made. Curiosity had gotten the best of me when she stood on her tiptoes to open a cabinet above her head. She lifted a leg, bending it at the knee touching her heel to her backside as she retrieved two cups, and just as many tea bags. That however wasn't what I was focused on. 

 My eyes admired the entire length of her body. Slowing my gaze to appreciate the curvy shape of her backside that ran down to two strong and toned legs. Trying to swallow mentally, I had accidentally and audibly swallowed my nerves down. 

 Lifting my eyes, my blood ran cold. She had caught me staring, yet hadn't said a single word. Instead, she moved her fluffy tail to the side, as if to give me a better view,

"See somethin ye like?" Her words dripped lubriciously.

 With a rough ahem into a folded cloth I turned away, putting a hand over my chest. 

Please.. please quiet down. 

 The sound of my heart almost pounding out of my chest vibrated off the walls. Feeling my face so hot I could swear I was glowing.

"So.. the pot needs to cook on low for another twenty minutes. I'd typically like to put it.. in.. an oven." I finished the sentence but I now had my libido arguing with my head over blood supply.

 Her soft hands grabbed at my belt from behind when she pressed her small chest to my back,

"I bet you would.." her lustful tone continued for a second until she wavered.

 It was only a moment before she fell past me directly onto the floor. Her blue locks poured over her petite frame. 

 I'd say it would have been shame that I felt, but that wasn’t complex enough to explain the odd emotion running unchecked through my head. Anger, lust, sadness, and joy waltzing in tandem, exchanging their dancing partner in a perfectly choreographed dance that flowed like a winding river. 

 Without another word, I knelt and lifted her up to a sit, her back against the lower cabinets. Her head slumped to her left for a moment, then snapped upright. 

I saw the punch coming this time, and honestly I should have been used to the black by now.

 

 "Oh no!! I did it again!!"

 

I awoke to the sound of Isith and Isaath hushedly arguing. I slid from the four post bed, and tiptoed down the hallway to press my ear against Isaath's door at the end of the hall.

 "Are you even planning on telling him?!"

 "I intend to!" Isith rebuttaled with her soft voice.

 "When?!" Isaath had been exceedingly forceful during this exchange.

 "I am earning his trust! Otherwise he won't believe me when I tell him!!"

 What were they talking about? Tell me what?? What does Isith mean by "earning my trust"? The only answer that came rationally, was that I was being lied to. Again.

 Without much control, I gave a low snorted growl. There was now nothing but silence beyond the door. In one moment the door swung open, only to be greeted by Isaath wearing a cold stare down at me.

 "How long have you been standing there, runt?"

"Long enough!" I belted out, bearing my teeth.

 "Maielk it's not-" Isith tried to speak,

 Isaath reached out and seized me by the arm. With all the strength I could summon, I shoved her off of me. Her backside hit the floor while I sprinted down the stairs, and out the front door.

 I couldn't believe this. I couldn't believe how I had been so stupid as to trust them! They spoke soft, pretty words while doting on me, lowering my guard. My eyes filled with tears while my heart filled with rage. I was going to go home.

 Now the idea of leaving all of this behind me, and going home sounded like a valiant endeavor. However in practice it proved to be a much more difficult task. I reached a long straight path that I didn’t recognize. Countless Seedless looking at me for a moment, only to rush their children inside, closing their doors and barring their windows. Leaving nothing but an empty ghost town before me. I should have expected no less! All of their kindness, all of their pretty words. Lies! My teeth grit tightly, and fists to match clenched when I walked down that empty road looking down with tears welled in my eyes.

 Hours counted by while I tried to find the entrance to the forest, so that I could leave. Not a single soul offered me direction, only fear and animosity found me. 

 As the day began to wane into night, I found an open prairie, with a single tree in its center. I sat beneath the tree with my back to it. I wiped and wiped but the tears wouldn't stop. What could I have-

 "M-Maielk?" Isith's soft tone was just barely heard over the wind.

 I looked back, her face covered with concern and a hand in a loose fist over the center of her chest, her other hand held out towards me. I gave a snorted growl, and turned from her,

"You're all the same. Why can't you just leave me alone..?"

 "I'll do as you ask. But only if you hear what I have to say first."

The silence that was born between us was tense, and with sharpened ears I waited for her to start. I assumed it would be lies, but maybe, just maybe she'd tell me something worth knowing.

"I haven't got all night." I sharply said.

 She gave a small gasp while physically starting, then sat on her knees next to me,

 "Isaath and I are concerned for your well being. And we may very well be isolated in our concern.."

"Is that what I was supposed to believe?" 

 "Yes and no. Maielk.. If you manifest that terrible power you will never see your family again." She paused to let those words sink in, "You will never live the life you have up until now, again. They will chain you, and cage you. Cart you to each battlefield and release you. That is the fate the universe has dealt you if you summon that power again."

"Then why are you so kind to me? Why not treat me like the Demon everyone else does..?" I shouted at her, her ears lay back from my verbal assault.

 "Because.." she resituated herself, and took me by a horn to bring my head to her lap, her hands petting through my hair,

 "When I look at you, I don’t see a Demon. I see a scared, and confused little boy who just wants his mother.."

 I looked away from her with my eyes. No matter how angry I was, and hurt, and scared, what she said was true. I just want my mom.. my dad, and the quiet life we lived outside the village. Was she saying.. I'd never see any of them again?

 

My eyes slid open, a sharp pain throbbed in my left eye with soft, delicate fingers passing through my hair in a tender touch. Finally focusing on the figure above me, she was gilded by the early morning light that crested the horizon through the windows.

"Luka.." I smiled.

 "Hey.." she sniffled.

  I sat up, rubbing my head. My hand slid from my head to my left eye that still stung,

"Did you..?"

She looked away with a shameful expression, then quickly nodded.

"Man.. you gotta find more constructive ways to lay hands if you wanna touch me that bad.." I stood with a groan. 

 The clock next to the Shrew Stew indicated I had only been unconscious for around fifteen minutes. Meaning the food would be ready in only a few more minutes. With a slight stumble, I leaned against the edge of the counter. Ayame stood, and held her left arm at the elbow,

 "I'm really sorry.. I.. I don't know why I do that.."

"Hey.. we've all got our demons right?"

 She lifted her sight to find me offering her a genuine smile, showing my teeth. She reciprocated, and smiled brightly. 

DING

 The timer went off, with a single and polite sound. Reaching back I turned off the countertop burner. Ayame was already excitedly grabbing plates and cups, to set the table.

 A groan came from the hallway, with Jace entering the room shortly after. He was wearing a grey pair of sweatpants, a white T-shirt, and cute open back slippers. He sniffed the air of the room,

 "Something smells good.."

"Well this gives morning wood a new meaning."

 "What? I'm not-" Jace looked down at himself.

"Because you're the biggest dick I know!"

 "I'd rather be a big dick than a black eye.. what are you two doing up so early?" He pointed at my new shiner, then sat at the table.

"We made Cap Can." I showed him my teeth in response to his comment.

 "I thought it was called Shrew Stew-"

 "OH MAN, you made Shrew Stew?! I gotta call Bor-... I mean.. Skylark!"

"You might want to wait on that. We didn't make enough to feed him!" I laughed.

 Ayame made short work of dishing out plates with food on it, though oddly there wasn't one for the black haired stranger.

"Aren't you short one?" I pointed to the plates,

 "No?" She tilted her head with her ears leaning cutely again.

 "He's talking about Marielle." Jace interjected while staring at his phone.

"Who?" I asked with a hint of distaste.

 "Me." the black haired stranger cleared the corner of the hallway. She was now dressed in a black knee high skirt, white button up shirt, and a blue tie as glasses sat on the ridge of her nose. My nose scrunched up at the mere sight of her.

 "Good morning to you too, Hiro." She stepped past me, and grabbed a jacket from a hook to my right.

 "After school, you and I are going to have a long discussion about the other day."

 I responded with a snorted growl. I eyed her up and down, and noticed she didn’t have a school uniform on. 

"Why not just talk about it during school?" My response was laced with all sorts of attitude.

 "Teachers are not supposed to be seen fraternizing with the student body."

 Her attire made sense now. Especially since her clothes looked similar to Oururuu's, even though he was the Nurse. That really is too bad, a teacher position would have suited him better.

 Giving a short courteous bow, Marielle excused herself out the door, and went right.

"So she's not the type of undead to eat… must mean she's a vampire." I thought out loud while joining the other two at the table,

 "She's actually pretty nice. You should look beyond your own prejudice and give her a chance." Jace pointed at me with a fork.

 I rolled my eyes, then turned my attention to watch Ayame take her first bite. Her mouth closed on the fork, and didn't let go. 

 Her chin quivered when she finally pulled the fork from her mouth. With each fork full her eyes welled up more and more until she was full out bawling while eating her food by the fork full.

 Jace and I shared a short look, then went on to eat our food.

I had taken a single bite-

 

I grunted impatiently, striking the flint and steel repeatedly.

"Come on.." 

 No matter how many times I struck them, the tinder bundle wouldn't catch. I set the flint and steel down and pressed my hands against the edge of the stove as my chin quivered,

"COME ON!" I kicked the stove, then dropped to my knees with my head against it. Lifting a hand and covering my eyes as soft sobs that escaped my lips violated the quiet of the dark house.

 How.. How did it come to this? Why had I survived? Why not her? My own words echoed in my brain,

"I DON'T EVEN HAVE A SANCTION, SHE WAS WORTH MORE!" I had yelled at Oururuu just earlier that day.

 A familiar click of platform boots echoed from the wooden floors of my house. I stood with my back to her and kept my hands leaned against the cool iron sides of the stove.

"I thought I might find you here." Her words echoed in a somber repetition.

"What do you want?" I hadn't looked back as tears still stained my face, and I was as prideful as they came.

"I was concerned about you.."

"I'm fine." I replied with a sharpened edge.

"Maielk.. it's okay to feel your feelings.." her steps echoed closer to me.

"IT WAS MY FAULT!" I whipped around, shouting at her with tears that continued to drip off my chin.

 Her hands lifted while she walked across the wooden floors to me. In a blind rage, I swiped at her.

 It was easy to forget, due to her small stature, how strong she was. I was reminded when she caught my swipe with ease by the wrist, and pulled me forward. I toppled to my knees before her. And with a gentle touch, she brought my head to her chest, and turned her cheek to my hair.

 "You're not alone in this grief.. we all loved her."

 I had felt Luka lift her head from mine, but I didn't know why until she spoke.

 "You were trying to make Shrew Stew.." she said with a sad tone.

I turned my head while I bit my bottom lip in anger. I had no intention of answering. My pains were mine, and they should stay that way.

"You know..it's called Shrew Stew because only a Shrew would make it by herself.."

 

 I sat there at the table frozen, panting through my nose with my mouth closed on the fork of food. That memory triggered an episode… why did it do that??

 My eyes focussed, then blinked several times. Pulling the fork from my mouth, I gave that fake smile, and took an inhale-

 "Jetlag?" Jace spoke up.

"Y-yeah.."

 "Ought to have Corvid look at that. I'm sure he's got something for it.."

"Maybe I will." I looked at Ayame, who still wiped at the tears in her eyes from earlier, and despite her tears, she smiled.

 

The day came, and went with little to show for it. Finally though I had caught a quiet moment to myself to watch the sunset from the school's roof. I had to admit it. The sunsets were pretty here. 

 Standing, I grabbed onto the chain link fence, and looked out beyond the horizon. I could feel more Whispers coming, as if I were bait.

 To make matters worse, Ayame continued to vex me. How Ayame even existed was beyond me. She was Luka without all of Luka's experiences, prejudices, and control. She was a little ditzy and air headed in my opinion, which only furthered the confusion, as the Luka I knew and loved was obviously the more intelligent one between the two of us.

 The rattle of the rooftop door rudely interupted my inner monologue, and the moment I stood fully open I was assaulted by a stench I was not fond of.

 "Hiro." Marielle spoke in a professional and almost commanding tone.

"Undead." I turned back to the sunset.

 "This undead has a name."

"I am aware."

 She walked the short distance between us, putting her back to the chain link fence and the sunset. Looking at her, I had taken notice the sunlight that was above the horizon had painted her a soft orange color.

"I thought vampires were supposed to burst into flames in the sunlight."

 "Not this one!" She said most proudly.

"That's too bad. I was hoping you'd do something.." 

 "Would you prefer I twinkle?" Her tone was almost playful.

"Alright.. What do you want?" I said showing a few teeth

 "Good. Now that the foreplay is over. I have a gambit of questions for you."

"Well, what do you want to know?"

 "Everything. That fire, your chains, I want to know everything there is to know." She had sounded excited, almost as if she were starstruck.

 I gave her a perplexed look, bringing her to recover with a soft ahem into a fist.

 "I apologize. Let's start with something simple shall we?" She turned, placing her shoulder against the chain link fence wearing a serious expression on her face when she faced me.

 "Who are you, really?"

"I knew leaving that kid's body behind was a mistake.." I turned my head to face her, my gaze narrowed.

 "The council documents everything. You know that right?"

"Yeah well.. paperwork was never really my strong suit. So now what? Do I need to kill you?"

 "Make no mistake, I'm not your enemy. So far you've proven a powerful ally." She turned her back to the fence again, folding her arms over her considerable bust.

"I haven't gotten where I am by believing that sentence. Help me believe you."

 "How about this? If I can guess your identity with a single attempt, you'll give me the benefit of the doubt. Since your friends seem to trust me.."

"Give it your best shot."

 "Maielk Kammael. The last Dragon. Known as 'Butcher' to many." Her gaze met mine.

"Man, that is a really good guess. What tipped you off?" I looked back out to the sunset to watch the tiny sliver that was left on the edge of the ocean.

 "Honestly, those chains of yours are a dead giveaway. And here I always thought that the Butcher was just an old wives tale, meant to scare children, and inspire young council members to greatness."

"There's nothing great about what I've done.. I didn't choose that name." I pushed off from the fence.

 "Your enemies did. And they were the ones to write history, Maielk."

"I assume you're going to file a whole report to your owners, since they are such fans of paperwork. So tell them this. Since they don't understand the depth of the water that they find themselves in, stay out of my way. Don't make me bring this city to the ground."

 I pulled open the creaky metal door, and went inside.

 I knew that my time was going to be short, but I didn't know I was going to get figured out right away. I had bigger things to worry about right now though, so The Council was just going to have to wait. But something tells me they don't wait very well.

 

 By the time I had returned to the living quarters, it was night time. Jace was sitting on the couch watching something on the TV, I didn't pay much attention so I had no clue.

 Ayame was standing behind the counter with a pot on a stovetop. She looked up at me as soon as I cleared the doorway.

 "Hey! You're just in time! I'm making my specialty, Ramen!"

 "She's actually pretty good at it." Jace waved a hand in my direction.

"I guess I'll have to give it a try then."

 I sat at the table in the corner, and stared at my phone for a short time. I was reading about near death experiences. I had always been curious about the concept of whether there were consistent reports from people who've had them. So far, nothing really matched. I lifted my hand and ran it over the skin on my right shoulder under my shirt.

 

 With every ounce of strength that my body possessed, I threw my right hand sword to sail through the air with an immaculate zing.

CLA-A-A-A-NG

Shattermane's twisted weapon had diverted its path just enough to miss Saraath. 

 Not from me you sick beast! You won't steal FROM ME.  I flanked her to watch her back. I knew I broke rank, and this wasn't how Luka and I fought, but I wasn't going to lose the only piece I had left of home. Not here, not in a place like this.

 The smaller enemies never stopped coming! They were easy enough to fell, but there were so many of them! Ripping my sword from another's skull, I stood panting, and reached up the back of my hand to wipe away at black blood from my cheek.

"MAIELK LOOK OUT!" Oururuu yelled at the top of his lungs.

I turned, and in slow motion I saw it. At first it was just a single line among the grey clouds, but as they parted it drew nearer. Shattermane's weapon had returned.

 With all of the speed I could muster I leapt backwards, tackling Saraath to the ground. In the same moment the twisted blade cleaved open my right shoulder. With each pound of my heart my body became heavier and heavier.

  Maybe it was the exhaustion from such a long fight. Maybe the corruption had slowly sunk in. I don't know why I chose to do what I had. I was fast, and could have dodged it. But with Saraath behind me.. it was either her or me.

 Above her, I lifted a finger to touch her cheek as the blackness encroached my vision, leaving a streak of maroon over her fair flesh. The moment my eyes locked onto hers, she screamed. The weight my body finally felt became too much for my arms to bear, my elbows buckling to drop me onto Saraath below.

  I couldn't feel my body, and It wouldn't move anymore. GET UP, THEY NEED YOU, YOU HAVE TO GET UP! I screamed in my own mind. But as the moments drew on, the sounds of battle, and voices began to fade into a peaceful nothing.

 

It was so quiet..

 

The soft noise the bowl made caused me to start. My hand gripped the side of the table, digging my nails into the wood. My heavy breathing violated the quiet lull of the room. 

 "Hey.." She spoke softly.

 I knew Ayame was there, but for some reason I jumped at her voice.

 "You never saw Corvid about that, did you..?"

 I looked away, my teeth clenched as anger painted my blood.

 "He can help you.. if you let him."

 For a moment I saw Saraath in my mind as she said those exact words. I gave a snorted growl in frustration.

 Ayame placed a pair of chopsticks to the right of my bowl before she sat down to eat as well. The aroma of the food hit my nose, drawing my attention. It smelled good and looked even better.

"This looks.. good." I said through clenched teeth, forcing myself out of my own head.

 "I'm glad you like it" she said right before an audible slurp came from her.

 And all at once, my entire body relaxed. Leaning my head back I stared at the ceiling for a small time. I didn't dare let my mind wander lest I be neck deep in another episode.

 With a soft and relieving breath, I sat up, and stared into the bowl that Ayame had so graciously prepared for me.  It was a medium size bowl. The toppings on the ramen took up the majority of the space. The soft boiled egg had been cut in half, and sprinkled with black sesame seeds, it was accompanied by slices of what looked like pork, and sticks of carrots. There were even what appeared to be some sort of sprouts. The whole dish itself was very well rounded. I shouldn't be surprised though, even without her memories, she still has Luka's raw talent.

Chapter 3

 

 The still and the quiet of the living quarters could be a little unnerving. I wasn't used to such a comfortable place, with a warm bed, and food so readily available. I had given up a lot to hunt the Whispers.

Before I had followed that first whisper here, I would sleep wherever. Fallen trees, mud huts, anywhere I could find. I was accustomed to the sounds of nature, whether it be the sound of rushing water, wind through the trees, or the scurries of the creature's that crawled the Earth during the calm quiet of the night.

 I lay restlessly above the covers of my bed. The back of a wrist to my forehead, I stared out the window at the moon and stars, and the faint lights of the city.

 The size of the school itself was plenty large, and surrounded by lush green acreage that slowly rolled from forest to the concrete jungle of the city.  Even though tall buildings ran nearly the entire perimeter of the school the acreage offered a sort of privacy for the school.

 With such a peaceful, and serene setting, I finally closed my eyes. The experience of falling to sleep for me is one that no other activity can imitate. The feeling of sinking into yourself, while simultaneously feeling as if you're levitating. It was truly an odd, but pleasant experien-

 My Dragonic sense struck me like a deer in headlights. A loud boom rattled the entire building. This sound held such a force that it threw me from the bed, and onto the floor. I scurried to my feet, and literally jumped into my shoes.

 Sliding open the door to my room, I stepped out into the hallway, and accidentally ran into Marielle. 

Ugh now I'll smell like undead all night, I'll need a shower just from touching her.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a rush to the door

 "Time to work." she acted surprised

 We soon stood before a large creature. It resembled a boar, with red glowing cracks that ran over its body in random directions. Two red, and piercing eyes reflected the moon's light, giving this creature an ominous aura. 

 I hadn't had time earlier to look at Marielle, but found she was wearing black leggings, with a white skirt. A black top hid beneath a white short jacket with its inside lined with gold and fur. 

Hm.. vampires have the funniest sense of fashion..

"Do you even know how to fight?" I asked rudely

 "Inspire thy divinity, 'O thou who art born without fang or claw, steady thy heart, open wide and with steel, line thy maw!; Aether."

 Marielle sank her hands into two Aether portals. With a quickened draw she withdrew red and blistered hands from the portals, each marred fist holding a Katar. Though her flesh recovered quickly to its olive color due to her vampiric healing factor, it was her use of the Aether and what she retrieved from it that I was most interested in. The handles of the weapons were covered with an ornate golden plate, while both blades were given blood grooves with gold along the edges.

 Her use of the Aether both surprised and intrigued me. As far as I knew, vampires couldn't use the Aether, and to top it off, I didn't even know you needed an incantation for it. Though I've only seen two others use the Aether for nigh infinite storage, Oururuu and myself.

 The questions I have for Oururuu seem to be piling up.

 Soundlessly, Jace appeared by my side,

 "Where are we at?" He asked while drawing his gladius from the cuff of his Dragonic gauntlet.

 "We're-" Marielle and I both spoke.

Biting my tongue I motioned for her to proceed.

 "We are just about to engage, we were waiting for-"

 Thundering steps boomed past us, while Borthal roared in his normal lizard beastman appearance, gripping his large battle axe above his head,

"Inspire thy divinity, and forsake thy sense for hate to flow, every confessed tongue will burn and know, fire shines and devours all in its path, let none stand between thou and thine aftermath!: Monolith!"

 The spaces between Borthal's thick scales glowed a bright and radiant red. The Whisper turned and faced him, then charged him with a roar.

 "That's our cue." Jace tapped me on the chest with the back of his hand.

 While we rushed in, I looked around. Where's Ayame?

 The Whisper reached Borthal before we did. He lifted the haft of his great axe to block the attack and stop the beast in its tracks. Or at least that had been the plan. The Whisper phased through the haft, and struck Borthal, sending him flying into a wing of the school, mostly demolishing it. He wasn't down for long though as he came sprinting right back out, his axe at the ready.

 The Whisper charged him, quickening its pace wildly when Borthal stopped dead in his tracks.

 He dropped to all fours, his right hand still clutching his axe. The deafening roar that echoed from him sent shivers down my spine. His scales thickened, layering themselves on him like a suit of heavy armor. This was his sanction, a sanction I held all transformation types to in comparison.

 Indomitable. It covered Borthal from horns to toes in thick armored scales, making him extremely difficult to injure. However the downside is that his nerves are numbed. Back then we'd watch out for him because he'd have no idea when he was taking too many hits.

 I wonder if that stayed the same too..

 Borthal flew head over heels, cleaving a swath in the ground until he slid to a stop on his feet.

 "Come on little bro! Let's make some bacon!"

"Hell yeah!" I bolted for Borthal.

 Assuming a sort of batting stance, he held the head of his axe at a slight forward angle towards the Whisper.

 My hands still hurt from the extended use of my chains in the fight with the last Whisper, but without a weapon I had no other options. It would take me a few days to recover, but I could at least add another shard to my jar. With a jump I landed deftly on the head of his axe, and commanding a power that still impresses me, he launched me at the Whisper like a torpedo.

 With the light of the moon, I watched Jace throw his sword into my path, tumbling it blade over hilt. He must have figured out I don't have a weapon right now.. 

 My hand solidly gripped the sword handle, while the dragon head attached to the pommel.

 Spinning mid air I brought the edge of the sword to the broad side of the boar in a powerful strike that sliced it in half. With another spin, I drove the blade of the sword into the ground below me, and swung with my feet to change my direction. With a voice of effort, I pulled the sword from the ground with my chain and led it with a massive arch marking the path of the chain for the sword to follow. A second slash cleaved the whisper into a second half.

 Shot putting Jace's sword to the group, I pulled on the chain, helping me to effortlessly land among them. Whipping my chain up, I retrieved the sword, and removed the dragon head from the pommel.

 Ayame arriving made all of us turn and face her. Breathing a little heavily, she looked down kicking with her toe,

 "Sorry I'm late.."

 "Where were you, and where is Corvid?" Marielle reprimanded Ayame.

 "That's why I'm late, I couldn't get a hold of him so I ran to his house on the other side of campus, and he wasn't home."

 "Skylark, do you not live with your brother?" Marielle turned that reprimand on Borthal.

 "I was at the school when that thing attacked." He pointed to the chunks of dead Whisper.

"What's it matter? We're done here-" 

 My Dragonic sense hit me mid sentence with enough force to garner a physical response, my entire body pulsed with a jolt. I turned back to the quarters of Whisper.

 Each piece turned and bubbled, boiling like hot tar. Individually spreading out, they lifted and regenerated a form anew. In a straight line, shoulder to shoulder stood four of these whispers, a little smaller than the form they generated from, but every inch looked just as dangerous. Red cracks ran along their bodies simultaneously, with red eyes flaring and glowing, and in unison they roared.

 I returned Jace his sword,

"You're gonna need this "

 The battle seemed to march on for hours. We all stood, back to back surrounded by many smaller versions of the boar. We were panting, covered in sweat, bruises, and blood. I had always possessed the mentality of a hammer, so everything looked like a nail.  This new breed of whisper was frustrating, it used to be hammering them would work, but now? Intelligence… access to divinity.. regeneration.. without help, we weren't going to win.

 In private I turned my gaze back to Jace and Borthal,

"If I can't win back control.. just promise me you'll stop him."

 The two looked at each other, then nodded.

 Stepping forward my hands shook, sore and beating red all the way to the elbows. I have never had to rely on my chains this much, it made me wonder if they were doing permanent damage.. I pushed that thought from my mind, I didn't have any other options I'd entertain until right now. Rubbing my fingertips together I gave a soft and nervous exhale. I REALLY didn't want to resort to this..

 Taking a sharp inhale I lifted my hand, forming my wildly pulsating orb while a bright red glow emanated off of it.

"Slaimus! Come forth and form a contract with me! Defeat mine enemies for a taste of thy freedom!"

 And in the darkness of my mind, a tall being emerged from the void. With piercing yellow eyes, long bright red hair, and two horns that curved back from the top of his forehead. He wore a smug grin that radiated pure arrogance. I hated this one, but he was powerful and his Sanction would be of use at the moment. He stepped to me as I stood from the chair in the middle of the light, and he sat.

"Phewee! Now boy, I never thought in a million years you'd call on me!" 

 He stood, looking at the palm of my hand, opening and closing it several times.

"Forgot what it was like to be in a real body!" His gaze surveyed our surroundings,

 "You done got yourself into a pickle now eh boy? Don't worry I'll-" his eyes found Ayame.

 "What do we have here? Now Maielk you know I have a thing for these precious little creatures.. Because nothin, and I mean nothin..'' we stepped close to Ayame, "..is more warm, or invitin, than a Seedless' insides.."

 I cringed within, and it seemed that Ayame shared my sentiment as the feeling I bore, she wore on her face. 

 "Hiro.. I don't.. I don't like this.." she said with her ears laying back.

Our hand reached for her hips,

 "Don't worry Darlin, y'all will have plenty of time to get to know me while I'm-"

 My right hand flashed across, gripping our left hand at the wrist,

"Work now. Play later." I reprimanded him with a growl.

 "Ugh, fiiine, but y'all better keep it warm for me." We pointed at Ayame, then turned.

 I could feel his annoyance wash over me while he lifted out his arms.

"You're a disgusting animal" I spoke with a little venom.

 "Real shame you ain't figured it out by now boy. We're all disgusting animals, Maielk. Here we go!"

 Slaimus, the frozen Demon of the North. He had been a prominent member in the court of Xanros, though the master would likely not listen to his recommendations anyway, but nonetheless he would have given counsel. Maybe it was good counsel, maybe it wasn't. What I know is that for now through Contract, he worked for me.   

 Slaimus earned his name as the Frozen Demon of the North with his Sanction being a devastating blizzard that froze his enemies solid. It wasn't a normal sanction though, it wasn’t natural. It was evil.. it was Deep Magic.

 He enjoyed the finer things in life, beautiful petite slave girls, good food, and power. Having been born with none of these things, it wasn't until he lay on death's doorstep, that he gained his terrible power, by making a deal with the Ice Devils. Beings who were almost nothing but raw elemental power, and fed on the fear, misery, and worship of other beings.

 We turned and approached the mob of Whispers,

 "I am mighty grateful for y'all being as patient as ya are, so if I may have everyone's attention puh-lease!"

 We lifted our arms out, and I could feel the cold chill run through my body,

"Ostugh sutatelled rotia ni tae, sudirf rutirruc sorgis,"

 Our eyes turned a cold blue color, while the wind chilled, lifting us into the air.

"Sigrun seder zhuut dao ari xortia, atlan sitcoro olec ni shin sutia roval auqi,"

 Orbs formed in the palms of our hands, leaking ice and cold in every direction with our arms running the same color as our eyes.

"Rutrevnoch maniarp da ogilach anitutam muc!"

 Our hands collided the orbs, causing an explosion of ice and snow, coating everything in the immediate surrounding, freezing it solid.

 We lowered to the ground, and as soon as our feet touched,

 "Now, delivered as promised."

The boar's bodies cracked, and fell to frozen chunks. As the ice melted, they turned grey, and crumbled to ash with a single shiney shard hitting the ground.

 "With a little more, to keep the nuisances at bay.." a grotesque smile seized our lips. 

 We turned to look, Everyone save for Ayame was frozen as well.

Our hand reached for Ayame again,

"This wasn't part of the contract, Slaimus!" I caused our body to lock up.

 "Don't worry so much, they ain't dead. So what if I done made a few changes to the agreement!"

"You forget who's body you're in!" I roared from within.

 "And you forget who's in the driver seat!"

Our hand neared Ayame, who took a step backwards away from us.

 "Don't worry sugar, Daddy's gonna be real nice-" I punched Slaimus in the right side of our face.

"Not her.." I said out loud.

 We stumbled to the side, while our hand reached up and held the stricken spot.

 "This one's special to you huh…? Aright, if that's how y'all wanna play it! You want your body back so damn bad? Y'all are gonna have to fight for it!" He struck us in the left side of the face.

 We took off sprinting, while we belted a laugh into the night air still cold by the remains of Slaimus' Sanction. Nearing the school, Slaimus grinded the left side of our face against the rough stone walls, cackling like a mad man. The jagged stone of the school tore open the skin on my already scarred cheek.

"How's that feel pretty boy?!"

We circled back around near the group who were now bickering among themselves regarding the current situation, having just thawed. I reached my hand up while I kicked one of our own feet, causing us to fall and tumble along the ground. I held us down by our neck,

"YIELD" I shouted.

 "What're you gonna do if I don't boy?"

"You'll be in violation of our contract. And you know what that means!"

 He stopped for a moment, our eyes grew large,

"You are far too useful to be wasted on the void. Wouldn't you rather have Paradise? Yield!" I pressed further. 

 He remained silent for a small time, weighing his options I assumed.

"Nah! If I can't have the whole thing, I want a taste!" We flipped to our feet, and with a mighty lunge we made way for Ayame. However, she wasn't playing the game Slaimus wanted. Delivering a back spin kick, her heel made solid contact to our left temple, knocking us out cold.

 With Slaimus and I now in the darkness of my mind I tackled him. Holding him down by his neck, he lifted his hands in surrender.

"NOW YOU YIELD?!" I screamed within my mind.

 "Come on now, can't say that weren't fun." He gave a laugh, "Yes.. I yield. But I want Paradise from now on. The void is too dark and cold."

"Swear to me, bound by contract. Never disobey me again!"

 "I do solemnly swear my fealty to thee, Heir."

 I stood, panting. With a swipe of my hand, he vanished into a puff of mist,

"Then to Paradise with you.."

 Now being in the quiet dark of my mind, I stared at the chair that represented my consciousness. The light above it was still out, and with a tender sigh I shook a little. This was how it was every time I had used my Sanction. Submitting my physical body to another soul to use their Sanction. Once they lose consciousness I can handle them, but they typically wreak havoc in the meantime.. 

 I was lucky Ayame did what she did.

  The scent of earth and grass hit me first. My eyes fluttered open while I gave a groan. A large, rough hand gripped my shirt at the back of the neck, and pushed into the ground.

 "Is it you, little bro?"

"Yeah it's me, big bro."

 The hand released, and sat me up. Jace squared behind me fiddling the binding around my wrists. The chains rattled, the lock clicking open. I brought my hands in front of me, and rubbed at each wrist with the opposite hand. 

That was rough, I thought raising a hand to touch the still bleeding cut over my left cheek's scar. Soft, pale hands slapped at my hand that rubbed the scrape,

 "Don't. You'll get dirt in it " Ayame lifted out a small medical kit from her hoodie's pouch. I had been wondering what she kept in there.  Flipping it open, she retrieved a large rectangular self adhering  bandage. Touching one half of the sticky side to my skin I decided to speak,

"Listen Ayame.. Sorry for how I behaved earlier."

 "I mean.. it's not that I don't want…" she gave a long pause, her eyes looked away from mine, and bounced several times. After a moment, she gave a tender sigh,

 "It's okay. I forgive you." Sliding her thumb up the bandage, sticking it completely to my cheek.

 She stood, and patted herself down, and looked at Marielle.

 "You guys go one ahead, I'll clean up here." She wore that disarming smile, which had struck me as odd.

 "Good work." Marielle responded and walked on ahead.

 Jace and Borthal helped me to my feet, but I lightly pulled away from them,

"I'm okay. Really."

 "I don't know man, that was quite the kick you caught in the head!" Jace laughed at my expense.

 I rolled my eyes and turned from him, only for him to snag me again, and put his arm over my shoulders while we walked. He leaned closely to keep our conversation private.

 "What the hell was that?!" He spoke in a hushedly excited tone.

"That's the other half of my Sanction. I don't like using it.. Every soul I devour I can use their Sanction, but only if I trade control with them."

 "Holy shit man.." Jace said in a quiet but awestruck tone.