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(Un-named Story); I will save the world with my writing!
Topic Started: Feb 4 2008, 07:54 PM (278 Views)
Writing Goddess
Writing Goddess
Chapter one: There’s always a first time for everything:

Komi (Ko-mee) was scared. He had never done this before.
“Oh come on......don’t be such a wuss.” He knew that people had to do this to survive, and he wasn’t the only one.
Komi peeked out around the corner, “Here comes someone now...” It was a man, with light green eyes; the color of a newborn plant, his peach colored skin was backed up by a simple cream-colored robe. The aura of his presence was one of someone laid back, calm, and was not the one to worry. He walked past Komi, glancing at him once, to acknowledge him, but not suspecting the youth was planning anything out of the ordinary. “Today isn’t his lucky day.”
Komi briskly followed him along the ally, his feet not making even a slightest sound; a natural thief instinct that he had learned the hard way when he pick-pocketed. He tightened his grip on his lucky rock.
He walked up behind the man, so close that the man’s robes gently brushed against Komi’s shaking hands. Komi’s hands quivered, gently rubbing the man. The man stopped. Every muscle in Komi’s body tensed up, fear swelling inside him; he had felt this feeling many times before...the fear of being discovered. The tension and anxiety was filling up inside of him, near blowing.
The man did not turn around. Komi slowly calmed down, getting a hold of himself and focusing on what he was doing. The man did not move.
“Finish it.” He told himself. Komi lifted his rock high and pulled down with all of his might on the back of the man’s head.
The man crumbled to the ground, unmoving.
Komi dropped his rock and thought of what he had done. There was guilt curtaining over Komi, but not stopping him from taking money and possessions from his victim. “I can’t believe I did that, before it was just pick-pocketing......now I’m a murderer. But it’s his life or mine.”
The man let out a pained groan.
“`Guess he `ain’t dead.”

Komi started by tying the man up in thick ropes and gagging him with a stinky hand towel. He then riffled through the man’s coat pockets, which produced four gold coins (1gold coin=15coppers).
Komi looked at the coins in his hands. Komi tucked the four gold coins in one of his many pockets and continued riffling through the rest of the man’s belongings. He spotted a bulging pouch in one of the coat pockets.
“Bingo.”
He tried to undo the zipper and open the pouch. He yanked on the metal zipper. It didn’t budge even slightly.
“It must be jammed real tight.”
He continuously yanked at the zipper, desperately trying to open it. He needed some new income because he had used what little money had pick-pocketed.
“I guess I have to use my knife.”
Komi pulled out his knife that was hidden in his boot, tossing the blade in between his hands. He longed to use his knife again. He had no idea why.
“Just get the money.”
He wedged the knife into the zipper and pushed down. The knife cut into the velvet pouch and.....
“Rip!”
“Now, finally I can figure out what’s inside.”
The contents of the pouch spilled out.....photos, pictures, contracts all relating to.... “Komik Faliko (Ko-meek Fa-leek-O)? That name sounds familiar...... wait......no......Komik.....that’s my.......name”
Komi fell backwards, tripping over his own two feet. Something was defiantly wrong here. His name....in this man’s pouch......why? He turned around to the man that he had mugged. The ropes and handkerchief lay on the ground, the ropes cut and handkerchief soaked in slobber.
The man was gone.

The clank of feet on loose cobble stone caught his attention; he swiveled around and let out a startled gasp of surprise.
The victim of Komi’s mugging was looking down on him.
“W-what are y-you d-doing?” Komi stuttered in fear of what the man might do to him. Terror was a new feeling for him. His “victim’s” eyes widened with recognition.
“Heh.....Komik Faliko.....fancy meeting you here in......this manner.”
“W-what are y-you g-going to d-do to m-me?” Guilt was swelling inside of him like an infected wound......How did he know Komi’s name? How did he have pictures and all sorts of stuff about Komi?
“Oh.....I’m just going to return the favor you’ve given me.”
“W-what d-do y-you m-mean?” The guilt disappeared in an instant, replaced by dark, cold fear.
The man picked up a rock. Komi pushed back on the ground, desperately trying to escape the revenge Komi knew his “victim” rightfully deserved.
“I’m n-not afraid of y-you.” Komi stated, trying to sound brave when he knew he wasn’t.
“Be a good little boy and come with me....I’ll take you by force if necessary. You’ll realize the Osila secret police can be most...” The man clenched his teeth, “......forceful. Oh....and also, just so you know for the future.....my name is ‘Cocoroho Hei’ (CO-CO-rO-hO Hee)” Cocoroho smiled wickedly, “nice to make your acquaintance Komik.....hopefully—”
At that moment a blur of speed and motion flew out from atop the building above them soaring through the air landing with precise accuracy on Cocoroho’s back. It was a girl, wearing an olive green tunic and leather pants. She had dirty blonde hair and Bluish yellow eyes the color of the moon. Cocoroho struggled to get a grip on her and remove her from his back but she held tight, holding onto his tough skin by the neck.
He collapsed to the ground, her weight being too much to bear. The girl pinned both his arms with her knees and pulled out a sword, holding the thick jeweled blade to his throat, the whole time the girl was silent as she glared into Cocoroho’s calm face.
“What do you intend to do to me?” Cocoroho squeezed out, his lungs crushed by her body.
“Just showing you it’s past your bedtime.” She replied, no emotion in her voice. “Goodnight.” She flipped the sword around and jammed the hilt of the sword into Cocoroho’s forehead.

She stood up above him and looked down on the Cocoroho’s unconscious body. Her eyes showed no sympathy. When she turned to Komi her eyes softened, “Are you all right kid?”
Komi was amazed at her, too stunned to speak. She was beautiful....
“I said; Are you all right kid?!”
“I’m fine.” Komi replied, “It’s just—”
“Just what!?” she snapped.
“Whoa she got a temper.”
“It’s just.....that man....he know my name and almost everything `bout me.” Komi whispered.
“Is that new to you?” She inquired softly, not waiting for an answer “The secret police know every kid living on the streets.......it just so happens he is your.......agent. Recently the secret police....they have been trying to.....capture all the......err........vulnerable targets.”
“Oh.” Komi said....stunned......had this never occurred to him? How could he know that he was not a target!?
“Well...I guess I’ll be off then.” She started walking out of the ally.
“Wait! Don’t go!” Komi shouted after her.
She turned around, showing Komi a puzzled expression. “What do you want? If its money you want....seek elsewhere.”
“No.....not that, it’s just....”
“What!?!”
“Umm.....could `ya be.....umm.....my companion?” Komi asked hopeful.
Her mouth hung open, agape.
“Only for a while.....what if he comes after me again?” murmured Komi, thinking over what had just happened.
“If I recall correctly....you mugged him.”
“But.....please.” Komi pleaded.
“Well what do you know! A thief wants my company.....that’s a first.” She smiled a smile that made Komi think of his parents, whom he hadn’t seen since.......his birth. “Okay, I’ll travel with you, for a time at least. Pleased to meet you....?”
“Komi,” He replied....happier than he’d ever been in a long time. He liked this girl. “And you are....?”
“Arina (A-ree-na).”
“Have you got dinner today....Arina?”
She shook her head......“No.”
Komi pulled out the four coins, rubbing them in his hands..... “It is getting late. We should get dinner and shelter for the night.” Komi thought over what he could do with the four coins. “The sun getting low in the skies. We better hurry.” Komi started walking out of the ally way.
Arina followed without a word.


It was long after dark when Cocoroho regained consciousness. At first he forgot what was going on and why he was here and then....he remembered the mugging and how close he had been to completing his mission.
“Cocoroho! Can you hear me?” buzzed the annoying voice of the secretary of the head of the secret police in his ear. He hated it when she used mind communication.
Cocoroho groaned....“Yes.”
“Did you complete your mission and obtain the target?”
“The target mugged me as planned......and then I almost had him...but—“
“But what?!” The voice pounded in his brain.
“A girl assaulted me when I had him.”
“Did you kill her?”
“No.....they both escaped.”
After listening to a stream of her curses and saying about how the head of the department would have his head, he finally cut the link.
“Komik Faliko.......you may have escaped tonight......but I will capture you soon. Enjoy this freedom you have now while it lasts.”

Chapter two: A couple months later: The increasing influence:

Arina was the closet thing Komi had ever had to a friend. All those years on the streets, alone, he now finally had someone which he could share his experiences with. He loved Arina, her soothing presence that eased all of his worries away.
“I don’t know how to tell her I love her, if I don’t know if she loves me.”
When in fact, even though Arina would never realize it, she loved Komi too. She loved him deeper than she had ever felt a love for anyone. The feeling of love, dormant all those years, had finally awoken....fogging her mind.
“Komi?” she whispered softly.
“Yes?”
“I’ve never felt this way before.....I feel confused within myself.” She looked uneasy. “It seemed so clear a minute ago......”
“What is she talking about.....not that it matters, whatever she says, and I’ll always be lost in her eyes.” Komi thought to himself, gazing into her endless eyes that reminded him of something....he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
“Can you.....please not look at me like that?”
Komi stopped staring, knowing it was upsetting her. He let his feet dangle off the bridge, and looked down at his reflection. Komi had reddish brown hair that stuck out crazily with a sort of grace to it. He also had hazel eyes and just slightly darker than fair skin. He noticed his scar on his left arm..... “I remember when I got that,” Komi thought to himself “I was five, and it was my first time pick-pocketing.......the man caught me in the act and cut me with his knife, and he got arrested for child abuse.”
Komi chuckled to himself, remembering at least one semi-happy memory. He looked back down at his reflection, and thought to himself. “If that man comes after me again, if.....Cocoroho comes after me again....I will not be as weak as I was before. I need to be prepared for this type of thing from now on.” His face grew serious, “I guess I’ll be working out from now on then.” Komi sighed, “And I thought I was a street kid because I wanted to escape work, oh well.” He inhaled slowly, “this is the price I must pay to keep whatever freedom a thief gets.”
Neither Komi nor Arina noticed the cloaked figure spying on them from the shadows of the building nearest to the bridge.


Cocoroho couldn’t believe it. “Are you sure it’s them?” he asked the secretary.
“Yes I’m positive.” She snapped
“This is good news.” He said.
“Now I might not get fired after all.” He thought filled with dread at the thought of losing such a good-paying job.
“Yes it is.”
“You said the girl was Homino’s target?”
“Yes she is.”
“Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone tonight.”
“Possibly.”
Cocoroho cut the link and laughed, his voice echoing in the ally way, “Well Komik, your time free on the streets is up.” He pulled out a concealed knife and placed poison in the shaft. “The girl goes tonight too.”
“If only you had come with me...this could all have been avoided. Hopefully you’ve gained enough sense to have me kill you quickly at least.”
Cocoroho stalked down the ally way and disappeared into the darkness.


“Arina........could `ya train me?” Komi asked quietly, almost hoping she wouldn’t hear, “If Coco whatever his name is comes after me again....and you’re not there......he’ll most likely capture me, and maybe even kill me.”
“Komi, I’ve known you for what......a day, I’m not ready for this yet. Maybe I should just go.....” She looked solemn.
“No!”
She turned to him, puzzlement dancing in her beautiful eyes.
“Please......don’t go, I-i love you.....I `don’t want you to go.” Komi felt pained at the thought of losing her so soon. Arina pretended she hadn’t heard Komi, when deep down those were the words she needed to hear. Not being needed or wanted for eight years had mentally hurt her. She didn’t want to leave Komi either.
“I will train you as best I can, then I shall introduce you to someone I know who can train you in an area of expertise I can’t.”
“When do we start?”
“Now.”
Arina leaped through the air at Komi. Caught of guard, Komi barely side-stepped before she landed on the air where he had been standing. She forward rolled on the ground and stood up.
“Nice dodge.” She complimented.
Komi smiled sheepishly. While he was thinking about what she had said, she started sprinting with lightning speed to his left. He followed her with his eyes. Then she flipped, spiraling directly at him feet first. She crashed into Komi. Komi let out a big “Oof!” as he flew backwards through the air at such a fast speed he knew he could not escape without breaking a couple bones. He felt his right forearm snap when he landed sideways on the cobblestones. He tried to exhale but felt a liquid rushing down his throat.... “It’s my blood...” was the last thought before he fell into darkness.


“Komi.......Komi......? Wake up......” A voice commanded.
“Ugggh....Ohhh......” Komi groaned in pain.
“WAKE UP!” The voice yelled in his ear.
Komi drifted towards the light he knew was reality. Komi woke up in a start, breathing irregularly and fast. He couldn’t stand up, he couldn’t move.
“And he returns to the world of the living.” Arina smiled down at him.
Komi smiled back, “You....fight.....well....” Komi said, gasping for breath between words. “What......did you do.....to me?”
“You only broke two ribs, an arm in three places and your right wrist. Not too bad for a first time.”
A new voice entered the room. “You youths are always roughhousing and this sometimes happens.” Komi could tell the voice was one of someone around their twenties, his eyes darted at the source of the voice, a young man with smooth brown hair and blue crystal clear eyes, and he was wearing a simple brown tunic with a black overcoat that covered his fair skin. He looked like a caring person, though his words said otherwise.
Komi’s thief instincts kicked in. He was in a pale white room with beautiful oak furniture carefully carved. He realized it was the best style of furniture he had ever seen. He gazed at pictures of men and woman on the wall with names titled below the pictures. He recognized some of the most famous healers in Osila’s names. He saw a plague mounted on a wall to his right. It stated the duty to heal and such. It finally hit him; he was in a healer’s home.
He whispered to Arina, “How do `ya intend to pay for this?”
She whispered back, “I’m not paying for it.”
“Who is?”
“Heh....you are.”
“What!?”
“I used your four coins you got from Coco.”
“That’s all the money I own!”
“You have to pay for your injuries.”
“I can’t believe it.” Komi almost cried, “now I’m `gonna starve.....”
Komi tried to sit up, but his wounded body couldn’t hold his own weight and he collapsed back into the bed.
“Now if you don’t mind.....I have to go to the bathroom.” Arina stated.
“I do too.” Komi whined.
“Gosh......it’s hard to believe you’re a thief, the way you pout all the time.” Arina chuckled at Komi, who was helpless to do anything to stop her, “I’ll be right back.” She walked out of the room.

The young healer walked to the door, looking out as if trying to find someone. Then he walked back in with a puzzled expression.
“Who are you looking for?” Komi asked in an innocent voice, relatively grammar filled, which was rare to Komi, who fluently spoke street talk.
“No need to get carried away....act casual.”
“Oh...nothing.” The healer shrugged the question off. His crystalline blue eyes were swollen with fear, he was glancing out the windows and back at the door, as if he was sure someone was watching, “But, now it’s time for your medication.”
The healer reached for a vial and shot, and loaded the vial’s contents into the shot quickly and threw it away, but not before Komi had read it.
“Lethal Injection.....? What is this nut trying to do....kill me?”
“Don’t scream....” The healer’s voice was rusty and scared. He obviously wasn’t comfortable with what he was doing. He flicked his hand at the door. The door slammed shut and Komi heard it lock. Komi swallowed down saliva. Magic......was that was going to be the cause of his death?
“W-what are y-you d-doing?”
“I’m......I’m going to kill you.....in the name of the secret police....” His voice was even more fragile, the young healer was terrified of doing this. “The true throne must be realized.......”
“W-what d-do y-you mean?” Komi stuttered, just because the assassin was scared didn’t mean he shouldn’t be.
“The secret police want you dead.…” The healer whispered.
“B-but…..b-but, y-you don’t have to do `nothin you don’t want to.....”
“......You know.....you taught me something......but if I don’t kill you.....they’ll kill me........after this.....I’m done with the secret police......I hope this doesn’t hurt you too much......” He nodded, knowing that this was the only way he could possibly keep his life.
The young assassin/healer removed the shot from its case, preparing it to inject.
The window closest to the assassin shattered as glass flew in all directions. The cause of the broken window, a rock, hit the assassin squarely on the side of his neck with a “snap!”
His body crumbled to the floor sideways; his thick chest was laying flat on the icy pavement with his head tilted sideways awkwardly, Komi knew he was dead. The assassin’s left ear was pressed to the ground, his handsome face turned towards Komi with an expression of shock and pain that seemed frozen in time.
The crunching sound of shoes on glass startled Komi. Komi looked away from the young assassin’s pain struck face. The sound was coming from the window.
A form climbed in through the shattered window…..“Arina?”
“Komi, you are really starting to be a pain.....this is too much for me.” Arina’s voice greeted him like a bee finding nectar. “...And seriously, that stuttering you do whenever you’re scared, it’s annoying!”
Komi had gotten used to Arina’s dry and rude attitude and recognized the comment as a playful gesture.
“I really do love her.....and everything about her......but......that man....I.....I think he was somewhat good.....he....he didn’t deserve to die.”
“So I take care of your captor and all you can do is stare at me?!”


“What!? He failed?! This is not acceptable! He should be punished!” the head of the secret police was furious. His blood-red hair stood on end, his eyes glowed with a deep, somewhat evil fire-like appearance to them.
“No need to punish him sir.” The secretary snapped.
“What do you mean!?” He shouted at her face, leaving bits of his lunch on her face.
“He’s dead sir.” The secretary whispered, wiping her face with a handkerchief that she disposed into the trash can.
“Oh.” The head of the department said dumbfounded, “Get someone else on the job then.”
...
...
...
“DO I NEED TO REPEAT MYSELF?!”
“No sir.”

(My post was too long, the rest is gonna be on (Un-named Story Part II)
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Writing Goddess
Writing Goddess
Chapter 3: Out into the streets:


“Get up!” Arina yelled at Komi, “I don’t care how much it hurts....get up!” Komi groaned with pain and realized why the reason the young assassin hadn’t finished mending his bones.
“He wanted an easy, quiet murder to take place....”
Komi ached all over, he felt like his body would fall apart any second now. He grasped Arina’s shoulder as a cane.
“Wait....I’ve got it!” Arina let out a happy sound that Komi couldn’t quite make out or understand. “I can put you in a roller.”
“A roller......you `ain’t serious?” Komi had never been placed in such a disadvantage physically. He didn’t want to be put in one now or any time in the future. “I can walk.” He pushed off Arina and gripped the bedside. He slowly made his way across the room to the door.
Arina applauded for him, “Good job,” smiling, she added “now let’s navigate through traffic with you in that condition.”
“`Kay then.....don’t need to worry `bout nothin’. I can do it.” Really he wasn’t so sure. What would he do, grip other people in the streets?
“Have it your way then.....I’m going to get something that I think we could use.” Arina said over her shoulder as she left the room.
Komi attempted to follow, peeking around the corner just barely seeing her walk into a room. “The Banking/File storage room? Why’s she in there?”
He stumbled out of the room, tripping on the not fully closed door and landing face first on the tile, his mangled body sprawled all over the floor. “Ow.....”
Arina did not hear, or at least did not come out to help him. Komi lay on the ground unmoving, he felt so helpless, and his mangled body could not do anything in this current state. “Maybe should take the roller....”
A fire burned within him, urging him to do it himself, he had always done it himself and he always would. Thoughts of giving into the roller dissolved in an instant, replaced by a fire that burned with his freedom. He could do it himself. He would do it himself; he had never needed anyone before Coco had gone from the hunted to the hunter....he didn’t need anyone now! He knew it was a lie, he needed Arina, not only could he not physically survive without her because of Coco and whoever else was after him, he needed her.....because.....because.....
“I love her.....”

“What are you doing on the ground?!” Arina’s voice brought Komi back to his senses. “You didn’t try to follow me did you....?”
“Ya.” Komi said to the ground.
“What did you say?” Arina joked.
“Yes!”
“Get up...” Komi made no movement. “Come on, I’ll help you.” She grasped Komi’s unbroken arm and yanked up with all of her might.
“Ugggh...are you trying to break both of `em?” Komi squeezed out through his clenched teeth.
Arina made no reply and finally pulled Komi up and shoved him against the wall.
“You’re just so caring for `me broken body.” Komi whispered, but Arina still heard.
“I care too much I sometimes think.” Arina yawned. Stretching her arms, Komi noticed she was holding a large pouch up in the air.
“What ya got?” asked Komi.
“Oh.......this?” she jerked her head towards the pouch.
“Uh-huh.” said Komi, leaning up against the wall.
“I just got back your money and a tip because he did not finish your....healing.” She said pointing to the killer’s carcass. Komi quivered at the damp feeling and stench of death in the room.
“Let’s just get out of here as soon as possible....and can I get my four coins back?” Komi inquired.
“The easiest way to get you out of here would be to put you in a roller.” Arina pointed out. “I’ll give you your coins in a minute.”
“`Kay....`Kay, just let’s get out of here quick.....” Komi was feeling sick, “I think the secret police `be coming by soon to pick up their.....err.....friend.....” Komi said jerking his head towards the body.
“No, I’ve killed many of their agents and they don’t care.....they’re after us only. They don’t give a care for their operatives’ lives.” Arina whispered. “I sort of feel sad for that man....” Komi saw Arina first glance at the body, then a small tear rolled down Arina’s cheek and splashed onto the hard pavement. “But anyway.....here you go.” She handed Komi four gold coins. All signs of sadness disappeared from her face in an instant.
“Gahh! My arm....” Komi nearly cried, the pain being too much to bear.
“I’m getting a roller.” Arina ran out of the room.
Komi leaned his back against the wall and inched his way into a more comfortable position. But nothing was comfortable with his entire body severely injured. His grasped his arm with his other arm; just to reassure himself it was there.
“Since when been me life been gettin’ so rough.....death, broken bones....what next?!” Komi thought to himself....realizing the drama in the recent events.
He looked at the body again. He had to do something, the man that regretted what he was trying to do......he deserved some sort of memorial.
The pain in his wounded body left him for the moment and Komi gripped the body by the assassin’s sweaty palms. “He sweat when he tried to kill me.........was he scared that badly? Why.....why did you join the secret police..........why?” Komi asked the lifeless body, but he knew it wouldn’t answer.
As Komi dragged the cold body over into the light, the assassin’s smooth brown hair tossed around while his broad chin bobbed against his muscular chest, snapping every time. Those muscles.....they could no longer be used for anything, not to kill, not to save.
“His neck.....it’s bumping against his chest......It’s because the neck is broken, the slightest motion twists his neck into a place where it couldn’t be......if he were alive.”
Komi removed all of the assassin’s light garments except for his partially torn peach undershirt and long creased pearl white pants. To remove those would be wrong and not honorable. The undershirt had a long wide tear that went down the center of the shirt until it reached his belly button, made by a glass shard, thus exposing his entire chest. A small pendant lay on the assassin’s moist chest, now cold from lying on the icy pavement. The pendant was made of fine gold and had a small emerald in the center. It was a friendship pendant. Komi brushed his hand over its metallic surface, “So even `em assassins have friends?”
Komi laid the body flat on the floor, the killer’s terrified face staring at the ceiling, his damp hands palm down, his pale pink fingernails were neatly clipped and they brushed the tile as the hand curled slightly, trying to make a fist. His shiny black shoes were pointing upward. Komi pressed his hand on the assassin’s chilled bare chest, feeling clammy flesh, small black hairs and bulging muscles, he held his hand over the heart, almost hoping that it would beat again. He felt sorry for the young assassin, who knew what he was doing was wrong.....
Komi shivered slightly, the assassin’s bare chest had a feel of damp, and somewhat chilly, as it rubbed against Komi’s warm flesh, “His blood is cold now, he been dead for a while....”
The assassin’s blue eyes were still open, swollen with fear. The young assassin had used to have a crystal gaze that had seemed charming, before his death, now it twisted and distorted by the look of terror on his pain struck face. His eyes were wide in bloodcurdling fear, the pupils so dilated so that there was only a rim of crystal blue color. Komi gazed into the assassin’s eyes, looking for some sort of sign of good. He saw none.
Glass shards had made ragged tears in the killer’s overcoat. He reached into one of the killer’s pockets, riffling around with the contents, Komi pulled out the assassin/healer’s I.D....which was partially ripped from a glass shard, impaled right through the I.D. tag and into the assassin’s chilled flesh, blood was seeping out of the wound and dropping down to the tile, rolling into cracks in the floor.
Komi read the tag and pressed his forehead against the assassin’s bare chest. “Homino (Ho-mi-nO)......that’s his name......Homino; the man who tried to kill me. He had a clean death......I hope...I hope that you had a nice life Homino, even though you tried to kill me.....you knew it was wrong, which is a start to being a good person.... Homino, may Faquicko Queen of the Dead watch over your soul, whatever you have done in your life, however wicked or loving, may you be loved wherever you go, and may happiness, in whatever form, follow your footsteps.”

In the Tower of the Gods, where the gods met, Faquicko, “Queen of the Dead”, thought over the prayer the young thief had given to the newest citizen of her realm, the young healer who had attempted to commit murder. She usually didn’t approve of thieves and also the thievish youngster had toyed with Homino’s body. But he had given a prayer to someone who had meant to kill him. She chose her decision and cast her blessing along with Yomu, “The Thief Lord” into the pot of Fate. The other gods had yet to decide their choices. Komi had neither offended them nor pleased them. Komi’s good luck upon other thieves and those near death would be increased by many million times because of Faquicko and Yomu.

Komi, back in Osila, had no idea what the gods and goddesses were planning and maybe, just slightly, didn’t have as much faith in them as everyone else.
Komi spotted a bulging pouch like the one he had found in Cocoroho’s pocket. “Maybe I can figure out whose target Homino’s is...would he want that.....if he was going to quit the secret police.....?”
Komi pulled out his knife, not bothering to try opening the pocket without it. “I wasted precious time then, and I `ain’t wanting Arina to see all this. She’d be ashamed of me....messing with `em stuff of the dead......Even if I did him a prayer.” Komi thought as he pulled his blade from its sheath. He cut deeply into the velvet pouch, letting the knife sink through the rich, soft fabric. Files poured out onto the hard pavement. It all belonged to....
“Arianne.......`nother kid most likely on the run.....like me.” Komi longed to help Arianne, whoever she was, even if he simply wanted to just...be with her when the secret police went after her. He made a mental note to himself. “Arianne....remember that name, whenever I find her, if she wants it, me and (hopefully) Arina will be with her.....I thinks I’ll help all of `em kids on the run if they `wan.” Komi knew he would help them.
The awkward sound of wheels on tile startled Komi. “Arina’s `comin.” He stuffed the files into the pouch and shoved the pouch under the Homino’s lifeless body and with much pain, Komi rose to his feet and dragged the carcass, gripping Homino’s cold moist hands and pulling him back to where he had died, Komi slid him back into his position, touching the chilled fleshy cheek as he moved the head back into it’s twisted place.
Komi sat down on the bed, feeling like his very bones were aching, he knew that under different circumstances, he and Homino could have become friends. Just then Arina walked into the room.
“Hey.....you moved. Is this getting easier?” Komi felt like Arina was scrutinizing him very closely. He knew he couldn’t lie under her gaze. Luckily, he didn’t have to.
“Get in the roller.” said Arina, gesturing to the roller.
Komi climbed into the roller, feeling his muscles bulge with the effort. Arina gently rolled the roller out of the bedroom, only stopping once to open the front door. The fresh breeze hit Komi’s face filled with scents of food and other miscellany items, their scents tainting the distant scent of the river just outside the city and the forest beyond. He was outside, heading towards the city.
“Hey.....wait.....when was the last time I ate?”



Chapter 4: A friend and master of magical ways:


“They killed Homino?” Cocoroho inhaled deeply, prepared for the reply.
“Yes.” The secretary showed no emotion in her voice.
Tears almost formed in Cocoroho’s eyes, he gripped his friendship pendant that he and Homino had made in their younger years. They had grown up together in one of the sub-families to Osila royal house.
“Do I see tears?” The secretary inquired, not for an emotional purpose. She was asking because it was against the rules to show sadness, happiness, or love in the secret police.
“No....you don’t.” The tears left his eyes. “Homino wouldn’t want me to mourn when he was lost.”
“Homino knew the price he might pay when he joined this worthy cause.” Cocoroho had hit the jackpot, the perfect thing to tell the secretary. To even it out Cocoroho added quietly, “May I have the honor of eliminating the conquerors of Homino?”
“Once we have located them I will notify the head of your request.” The secretary whispered, for the first time since he had joined the secret police, Cocoroho heard a touch of sorrow in her “emotionless” voice.
“And next time, don’t go after the children unless you’re told too, directly from the head, it was hard enough getting you out of prison because of carrying a poisonous knife. Be more careful next time.”
Cocoroho didn’t make a sound.
“Okay then. Leave my office.”
Cocoroho left the room.

Smells flowed through the wind, buffeting Arina and Komi as they struggled through the streets against the wind. Accompanied by the smells were shouts of merchants selling all sorts of products. Even in this injured state Komi couldn’t resist stealing. His target was a passing man waving a golden watch studded with diamonds that flickered in the sunlight. The way Komi’s target threw his arm through the air with his watch bouncing beams of light in all directions everyone knew he was bragging. Komi was going to put an end to that.
The man passed, while showing the watch’s shine he was also defiantly exposing it to thieves like Komi. The man walked by throwing the watch almost directly into Komi’s face, Komi’s hand shot out like a dart, gripping the watch at the latch, thus making the watch drop out to his other hand that was waiting to catch it. All of this taking place in less than two seconds; the man didn’t notice his watch was missing until ten seconds later, when he went screaming for the local police to find his watch. Komi had left them far behind within the ten seconds, Arina had sped up the roller. He quickly shoved the watch into one of his pouches.
Arina whispered into his ear, “Don’t do stupid things like that that might make you go to jail....not here......if you do go to the jail, the secret police can get you easily, and if you’ve committed more than five thefts, and they find out, you’ll be executed or be killed by lethal injection.”
“I won’t go to the `can, I’m too quick for `em Day Guards.....they won’t get me, no worries...” Komi whispered back. Arina made no reply so Komi looked into his pouch and fiddled with the shiny watch until the cart came to a stop.
“We’re here.” Arina pushed the roller and Komi into a small building and closed the door behind her.
A wave of smells and sights greeted Komi, the thick scent of herbs, and.....something else; the herbs on the shelves explained themselves, and the other smell, so......
“Otherworldly.....”
Arina was looking for someone.
“Wait here.” Arina said over her shoulder as she pushed her way through tall plants and curtains of ivy into another room. Komi could barely here anything except for murmurs in the other room. As hard as he tried, he could not hear Arina’s words.
Arina walked back out with a cloaked figure at her side, he removed the hood and glared at Komi. Komi felt exposed under his gaze. He wore a red robe that fell to the floor, making a little pile of fabric on the tile. His long black hair was covering his ears and one of his eyes. The other eye, a deep green, like the color of ivy, glared at Komi.
“Pleased to meet you.....?” The figure said, just loud enough to hear.
“Komi.....” Komi told the figure. “And you are?”
“Oh.....I’m just a friend of Arina’s.” The figure said, “You can know me as Quel.”
“Hello Quel, Arina tells me you can help me in an area of expertise she can’t in training.” Komi said, eyes gazing on Quel’s fancy clothing.
“This is true.” Quel said, his eyes never leaving Komi.
“What area would that be?” Komi asked, the staring war had begun.
“The arts of magic are my specialty.” Quel said calmly.
“...........how can you teach me to do magic? I am no magic user.” Komi remembered the assassin and how he had used magic to trap him. Would he use magic like that.....?
“I can teach you to negate the effects of magic or dodge it, maybe even use it if you’re willingly enough.” said Quel, his gaze never leaving Komi’s face. After a few moments of silence, Quel quivered slightly, something was not right. Even after these few moments with Quel, Komi knew the mage was the one who was always calm and never would show uncertainty at any cost if he could contain it. Quel whispered a few words into Arina’s ear and Arina rushed to the window and stared out it. A black-robed man in shiny dark silk was standing outside the door.
“How long can you hold him?” Arina asked Quel.
“Long enough to teach Komi a few things.....his power.....is great....it resists my......illusions. He is not....normal.......he...he knows I can slow time.” Quel murmured, clearly physically tired. “Komi.....come.” Quel beckoned to a small cushion.
Komi sat on the cushion, arching his neck to look up at Quel. “What’s going on....who is that man?” Komi inquired.
“That man......he....he controls darkness, he has....he has killed.....one of royalty....so many......deaths....at his hand.......” Quel stuttered. “Whatever happens.....never fight....him directly.” Quel tapped Arina on the shoulder. “Arina....get me a.....blue potion.....fast....he crushes my defenses.” Quel fell back in a plush red chair, his black hair fell back and exposed the other eye, a crystalline blue eye like......Homino’s eyes.
Arina rushed out of the room and through the ivy wall, she returned moments later with a jug of blue liquid. She poured the contents of the jug down Quel’s throat.
Quel shot up in the chair, exhaustion gone and at apparent full strength.
“I must teach Komi all I can now, Arina, you go make potions for your journey later, you know how.” Quel pointed to another room. Arina rushed into it and Komi could hear the clanking of metal spoons and pots.
“Komi, I’m going to play a game with you.....” Quel stated.
“What `ya mean a game?”


“I am shocked at you......” The head of the secret police said through barely containable fury. His face was red, a slow sheet of purple crawling over his face.
“What do you mean?” The secretary inquired, puzzlement dancing in her glowing yellow eyes.
“You gave Jorihar permission to go after Komik and Arianne without my notification?”
“Absolutely not....I always ask your permission, my lord.”
“He must have just gone, the nerve of that sorcerer, going after children without permission.” The head muttered under his breath. “Doesn’t he realize all of this must be planned out......?”
“All I know is that I could get him for you, I have a force at my disposal in case of such mishaps.” she reached her hand out to a red button.
“Don’t.....wait; I want to see what he’ll do.....”

“That’s all....?” Komi asked Quel.
“Yeah.....dodge the flaming missiles.” Quel stated calmly as if it was nothing to worry about, fireballs where not hard at all, “These ones won’t kill you, but they’ll hurt you a lot.”
Quel held out his hand and a small flame sprouted from the center of his palm. It stayed there, waging and seemingly endless battle against the darkness around them. Then the flame leaped around his hand, dancing to an unheard rhythm. The flame slowly spread out until it covered his entire palm, then grew upward until a flaming sphere sat in his hand, his hand closed around it, and the flame shown through his skin.
“Get ready.....” Quel raised the fireball up in his hand. The flame leaped from Quel’s hand, a flaming fury heading towards Komi. Komi forward rolled to the left and the fire smashed into a shelf behind him. To his surprise, it did not burn up the oak shelf; it simply dissolved against the wooden surface.
“Whoa......” Komi let one eye wander to the unharmed shelf, but his other eye remained on Quel, incase he should fire again.
“It only injures living beings....” explained Quel as he conjured another fireball.
“Oh....” Komi sidestepped the next fireball and it smashed into a window.

After dodging fireballs for half an hour, Komi had been seared three times by the flesh hungry flames, and he had been hit once directly in his chest.
Komi leaned up against the wall, his sweat dropping onto the ground, making little pools on the tile floor. His hair was soaked in sweat and it dribbled down his chin onto his shirt. Every part of his body hurt. Quel conjured another fireball and threw it at Komi. Komi was too slow; he had barely started moving when the flames crashed into his side, he crumbled sideways to the floor. Fiery pain was searing his side.
Groaning with pain, he opened his eyes to see if Quel would fire again. Quel stood over Komi, his hand held out. Komi gripped the hand and pulled himself to his feet.
“Good job.” Quel congratulated Komi.
“.....thanks.....” Komi said through his long gasps for air.
“Arina! I need one of the green potions and a red one.” Quel called out to Arina.
“Okay....” came the distant reply.
Arina came into the room holding two greatly decorated rugs, one holding a lime green liquid, and the other holding a blood red liquid.
“You should drink the red one, it regenerates strength.” Quel beckoned to Komi to drink the bloody looking liquid.
“What does the green one do?” Komi liked the look of the more cheerful lime green liquid.
“It restores magical power.” Quel said as he took the jug from Arina and gulped the liquid down in less than one breath. He placed the empty jug on the floor and fell back in the plush chair, letting out a content sigh.
“Okay....” Komi picked up the jug, swishing the blood colored liquid around in the jug, wondering whether it was edible or not. He flung back his head and poured down the liquid, savoring the taste of raspberries and chocolate. He fell down onto the cushion and whispered, to no one in particular, “It tastes good......” He drifted into sleep.
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Writing Goddess
Writing Goddess
Chapter 5: The Land of Hopes and Dreams:


“How long has Jorihar been sitting outside that door?”
“About three fourths of an hour sir.”
“Hmm.....he’s taking too long, bring him back.”

Komi dreamed of Raspberries, he was in a small forest searching for raspberries, the thick canopy of trees let little sunlight meet the forest floor. The forest floor was covered with dead leaves and little living plant life. Komi saw a berry bush! He rushed to it and sighed in disappointment, this was the third time he had seen a berry bush without berries!
“Gosh.......where are the berries.” Komi shouted mentally.
“Berries do not grow here.” A sudden voice startled Komi. He whipped around to face the speaker.
It was a young girl of about fourteen, her curly blonde locks danced around her face. Her long eyelashes opened to reveal dazzling lavender eyes. She had pale pinkish skin and a long red cloak with encrusted symbols around the edge of the cloak. The way she held her head tall and prideful Komi could tell she was one of royalty.
“You......” she whispered, gazing into his face, “can it be.....? The one they speak of.....the one they watch.....?”
“What?” Komi asked, “Who are you? What are you talking about?”
“Umm.....your name.....it is Komi? Correct?” her eyes wandered to his scar, which she scrutinized as she had done his face.
“Yes.....but who are you?”
“I......I am Vina........why are you here?”
“I drank a potion and fell asleep.”
“What type of potion?”
“It was supposed to regenerate my health.....”
“Umm.......it’s not possible for you to be here.....”
“Wha?! Where am I......? And why aren’t there any berries?”
“You....you’re in the kingdom of Hopes and Dreams....Komi, you’re in the Land of the Gods.....there aren’t any berries here, none have grown since Hyra, God of Berries was conquered......”
“You....I’m....In the Land of the Gods? How are you here?” Komi stuttered at the fact that he was in the gods’ single kingdom. Was he dreaming?
“I’m Vina, the goddess of choices....and no you’re not dreaming.” Vina glanced back at his face. “I don’t know how you got here......”
The crunch of leaves startled Vina and Komi. Komi turned around to see three glowing knights on horses made of the wind itself. The wind horses moved with a grace that Komi had never seen before, beauty within beauty, they stopped about seventy feet away from Komi and Vina. The leading knight got off its horse and tromped through the leaves toward Vina.
“What are you doing on my land?” Vina shouted at the knight. It made no reply and continued walking towards her. “You have a choice here.....tell me why you are here or leave.”
The knight stopped, gripped his helmet, and removed the heavy chunk of metal from his head. His face had a long scar going down his entire left cheek; he had rough tan hair and navy blue eyes.
“It....it can’t be.....you......you aren’t allowed here.” Vina told the stranger.
“In the name of my liege, you shall let the boy come with me.” The knight pointed to Komi, “My master tried to summon him but it seemed it was slightly off course.”
Vina glared at the knight, and whispered to Komi, “I’ll give you a choice here. I don’t trust those gods, they are.....working with someone whom I think is....awful being.....he’s not god or human, he’s a demon sorcerer.”
“I.....can you get rid of them?” Komi whispered back.
“I ca—” She was interrupted by the lead knight.
“Hand over the boy or I’ll take him by force.” He called to Vina.
“You have two choices.....” she started.
“What do you mean? I will do as my liege commands!” The knight bellowed as he charged.
“Leave now or I’ll make you.”
“Never!” He continued charging, he was forty feet away and approaching fast.
“Bye.” With a flick of her hands, the charging knight disappeared into bright lavender light. The other two knights whispered nervously to each other, still on horseback. “You have the same choice as your friend.” shouted Vina.
Their white stallions of wind galloped away, carrying their riders with them, off into the sunset. They crossed a hill and left Komi’s sight.
“Whoa.....” Komi whispered.
“You now have enemies.” Vina said softly, “I wonder why you were summoned.....by that wicked man.....father should know about this.” She started walking towards to what Komi thought was north.
Komi trailed after her, tired, and hungry.

“What do you mean none of your operatives can get near the door!” The head paced back and forth. “This is absurd!”
“By the looks of it, Jorihar got to that door about twenty times faster than our most powerful mages could. It’s guarded by time slowing powers and illusions.”
“Hmm....you couldn’t even get to Jorihar?”
“No sir, he came to us.”
“He did?”
“Yes, he says that his master wishes him to go to the Dark Gate.”
“Did he say why?”
“No sir.”
“Well....it’s best we don’t ask, I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Anyway...get Cocoroho here now. I have to ask him something.”

When the moon had risen high in the night sky, Komi sat by a small lake. Vina stood on a rock overhanging part of the lake, she held a small bowl in her hands, and she had crushed all sorts of plants and added water from the lake. After warning Komi for no apparent reason not to drink from the lake, Vina held the bowl over the cleft and dropped the contents of the bowl. From the second the contents impacted the crystal surface, Vina had chanted mysterious words.
She chanted to a tune, a hollow, lonely tune that echoed all over the lake. It was a melancholy tune that sounded of sadness and tears and grieving for lost family. Then, slowly, like an ember in a pile of slightly damp wood, it grew happier. The flames leaped around in joy of the happiness, soon consuming all the wood. Before the last bit of happiness ended, before that last bit of wood was eaten by the flames, the happy note held still. Gently, the note died off into the sound of crickets chirping.
A vision appeared on the lake, a man of his fifties, white hair blending with pale milky eyes, his skin wrinkling all over his face. His voice was like honey on chocolate though. “My sweet daughter......what is it that you desire to speak with me?”
“Father.....it’s just....”
“Dear child.....tell me your worries.”
“I....I met someone in the woods.....someone...someone human.”
“What do you mean child? Humans do not roam here.”
“It’s.....he’s the one.....the one those in the Tower watch.”
“I do not understand.......what do you mean my sweet daughter?”
“Komik is here father......the Demon summoned him......and soldiers came....and I....I.....I banished them from my realm.”
“If the Demon’s soldiers came, they wanted someone of importance.....yes? It was right to banish them from your realm because they entered without permission. But, if they seek and item....and you have it.....dear, they will have it.”
“Father.....I wanted your advice....but if you’re asking me to force someone to go with the Demon....I.....I don’t think I could do that. I am after all, the Goddess of Choices.”
“My dear.....I was hoping it didn’t have to come to this.....my....my.....the Demon.....his troops are near you....”
“Of course they are! My territory borders theirs!” Vina exclaimed.
“No....no....they are much closer than that. Dear.....come to me. Hide with me from the Demon....come....please. I don’t want you to die.”
“Father....if the Demon is here....I’d rather stay with Komi.....he....he is the god’s prophecy, I won’t let him die.”
“Okay then....goodbye and farewell, daughter.”
Darkness swooped over the lake as the vision left. Wind made an eerie whistle and rustled the leaves. Crickets no longer chirped.
Vina turned to Komi, who was glaring around. “Something’s here.”
“They’re coming.....” Vina’s eyes darted around the forest near them. “Komi, you’ve got a choice.....leave or stay.....I really want you to leave, if you don’t.....if you die......the.....the prophecy will not take place.”
“How will I know it all wasn’t just a dream....?” Komi whispered to Vina.
Vina reached to her neck and gripped a necklace; a simple amulet of turquoise color, she delicately pulled it off and placed it in Komi’s warm hands. When she placed her hand in Komi’s hand, Komi felt a feeling of delight that pulsed through his entire body. He held her soft, pale hand and wished that he could be with her always. The feeling of someone near him, close to him, she had decided to stay with him over going to her father. He cared about her somewhat, a feeling he never wanted to lose. He pulled out his other hand and covered her hand with his. He kneed to the ground and kissed her hand. Her soft, warm flesh touched his mouth; he embraced it and pressed his lips against her hand. He finished the kiss and stood to his feet. He smiled at her, his eyes gazing into her bashful expression.
She broke the peaceful silence, “Time for you to go......” She removed her hand from his suddenly, her soft hand disappearing from his grasp.
“Okay.....” Komi sighed “I wish I could be with you always......”
“Bye.....” she waved her hands and a blinding flash of light hit Komi, pushing him back onto nothingness, Komi was drifting through time and space, slowly traveling from the Land of the Gods back to Osila. Komi opened his eyes, seeing only lavender. He was surprised at the amount of shades of lavender that surrounded him. Komi closed his eyes again and woke up back in Quel’s house, in Osila.


Chapter 6: In the presence of Truth:

“Hi sleepyhead!” Arina smiled warmly down at Komi, “It seems like Quel over there died.” Arina rubbed Komi’s hair, ruffling it up and giving it back its spiky grace.
“How long...have I been sleeping?” said Komi, smiling back up at Arina.
“About.....I’d say about.....about two days.....” Arina said thoughtfully as she sat down on a cushion next to Komi. Then.....she did the most surprising thing. Arina reached out and pressed her soft lips against Komi’s. She held the kiss, and brought her hands up to Komi’s cheek and brushed it gently. She ended the kiss after a peaceful amount of time and rubbed his cheek one last time, and stood up and walked into a different room.
“She kissed me......I feel....I feel......” Komi thought hard on what the kiss meant.
Love was what Komi was feeling.
As Komi thought of the love he had experienced, Quel woke from slumber, and felt the evil presence of the black robed figure gone. He would need supplies soon....in case of evil’s return. Quel walked up and plopped down on a cushion next to Komi, “Komi,” He whispered.
“Yes?”
“I need to go shopping soon, care to join?”
“I guess, do you have something that could help mend my bones?”
“Okay.” Quel left the room.
Komi yawned and thought of Vina, the delight of her touch. He riffled around in his pocket for the amulet Vina had given him. Nothing was there. “What?!” He thought, almost ripping out his pocket, “Was it all a dream?” He spotted the amulet on the floor by the cushion. He bent down and grabbed it, smiling at the thought that Vina had given him this. He sat down on the cushion and tossed the amulet in between his hands. Komi missed Vina.
“Here you go Komi.” said Quel as he handed Komi a pinkish bubbly liquid. Komi slurped the drink down and his head fell back on the cushion. After a while, Komi fell back into slumber.

Cocoroho knew this was the place. By the light of the full moon, he made his way up the pathway and into Homino’s house. He walked into the house slowly, stepping lightly over glass chunks as he made his way down the hallway and into the patients’ room. A thick beam of moonlight shone through the window and on Homino’s lifeless body. Cocoroho went up to Homino, and kneeled next to his body. He turned the body so it faced up. Cocoroho then saw everything. The pain Homino had experienced when he had died. Homino’s crystal blue eyes met Cocoroho’s lime green eyes. A tear rolled down Cocoroho’s cheek and dropped onto Homino’s chest. Cocoroho then saw the pendant. He pulled out an identical pendant and touched the two pieces.
Cocoroho arched his back and hugged Homino’s body. He ignored the clammy, chilly flesh and didn’t let go of Homino. He held the body’s head near his heart and let out a wail of sadness and grief. Cocoroho’s friend, his best friend that he had spent years in the company of, was dead.

What woke Komi was a bloodcurdling scream.
Komi jumped to his feet and raced towards the sound. He pushed his way through ivy, not caring as he tore down chunks and pieces of beautiful plant. He made his way into the room and his eyes swept around, searching for the sound.
He saw it. He didn’t believe it.
Instead of a dying intruder or injured friend, Komi saw a bird.
It made the noise again.
Komi left the room.
Komi walked back out and bumped into Quel, who regarded him warily.
“What did you do to my ivy?”
Komi stuttered in disbelief, as he rushed to save some dying person that needed help and instead was fooled by a bird and now in trouble for ripping Quel’s most prized possession.
“Oh never mind, we need to go to the market.” Quel walked to the door and opened it. “Go ahead, just don’t get lost, and follow me closely, rotten gangs these days try to....swipe my stuff.”
“Heh.” Komi whispered, he had been such a thief before.
They walked out of the safety of the house and into the streets.

Chapter 7: The Fight:

Komi and Quel walked through the streets, buying what they choose. They had visited the bakery for fresh bread and the deli for meats and cheeses. The last stop Quel planned was the orchard. They were walking down a mostly deserted street.
“The orchard is just up here, and once we’re done, you can buy as you please, new clothing, a weapon.” Quel jabbered to Komi.
Komi was focused on his surroundings. Something was not right.
Quel hissed to Komi, “At least I know how to hide it when someone is following us.....”
Komi glanced casually over his shoulder and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
A couple barrels, an abandoned shop, a couple of teens talking in the alleyway, and a rusted bike.
“Wait....wait...the teens, what are they up to?” Komi glanced back to where the teenagers were. They were gone.
Komi stopped and looked around. “They’ve got to be here somewhere.....” Komi spotted a shadow moving in the alleyway. “Bingo.....” He stalked to the alleyway, silent on his feet and peeked into the alleyway. A black cat walked out and purred and rubbed against Komi’s legs.
“Where.....are they?” He thought.
Komi felt cold metal push up against his neck. “If you don’t make a sound, you may leave this place breathing.” A hoarse male voice commanded him.
“Wha!? Who!?”
The metal pressed against his neck harder. “The name’s Aaron, not that it’ll matter, if you’re dead.”
A softer, more delicate female voice joined the conversation, “Aaron.....don’t frighten him too much, he’s only a kid.”
“Shut up, Viv.” Aaron hissed.
Aaron whispered softly into Komi’s ear “Now, whoever you are, tell me, where is the other one that was with ya?”
“I’m right here.” Quel’s voice came as a relief to Komi. The blade released its hold on Komi and he rolled over to Quel. He saw his captors, three gangly barefoot teenagers about sixteen years old; the one on the right, the one named Aaron, was still holding his knife and had fair skin and a somewhat muscular build, his eyes where a deep chestnut brown, his hair was long and greasy, with a dark black shade, he looked dumbfounded and slowly backed up against the wall.
“You....you’re a mage.” He whispered.
The second one, Viv, had fair skin and a thin build. She moved with grace even as she backed to the wall beside Aaron in fear of what Quel would do. Her eyes where sky blue and her hair was short and somewhat blonde. Fear shown in her eyes as she leaned against Aaron, resting her head on his shoulder. The third one had dark brown skin and a muscular body and greasy hair pulled back into a tail. His nose had a thick gold ring dangling from it; his eyes showed brown but flashed pinkish red in the shadows. He stood motionless and showed no emotion.
“Now, because you messed with my friend, I suppose this will hurt a lot.....”
Quel muttered a couple words of power and flung his hands at the frightened trio. Powerful magic brought them to Quel, where they hovered in midair in front of him. Viv trembled in fear but could not move.
“Vandals are nothing against me, you have spoiled your lives.....and this is the consequence for your attempted thieving. And...Also...I hope this hurts a lot.” He flung his hands towards a railing and all three flew backwards and hit the back of their heads against the iron rail. The magic released, and their bodies fell down face first, all three out cold. As gravity took its toll on Aaron’s unconscious body, his grip on the knife released and clattered to the cobblestones, his hand followed and met the hard ground a foot away from it.
Komi thought of pocketing the blade.
“Nah, I’ll leave it to them, they’ve already lost enough.”
“So....liked your first time meeting a gang?” Quel smiled at Komi and gazed warily at the unmoving trio.
“Ummm....sure?”
“Let’s get out of this place, it smells like rats.” Quel glanced at the teenagers one more time and moved out of the alleyway.
“Okay.” Komi followed a couple feet behind Quel. As Komi moved out of the alleyway, he heard a groan; one of them had woken up again.
“I’ll make quick work of that.”
Komi rushed back into the alleyway to see Aaron standing up, leaning against the wall, rubbing his head, Aaron felt pain, but not permanent damage. The knife was still on the floor. Komi ran for it. Aaron recognized Komi’s intentions and reached the blade first. He held the blade in one hand and gently ran his fingertips on his head with the other.
“You’re gonna die......” Aaron hissed, and winced at the feel of the bruised head. “I’m gonna kill ya here `n now.”
“Not as long as I’m here.” Quel silhouette was black against the dusk. He muttered a couple words of Power and slowly raised his hand. Aaron rose along with the pull of the hand.
“I could beat you if it wasn’t for that accursed magic!” Aaron cried out.
“You!” Aaron shouted at Komi.
“Me?”
“I could beat you with my hands tied behind my back!”
Komi felt anger rising inside of him. Aaron was near the building top.
“You’re such a wuss. You have the mage do it all for you.”
“Drop him.” Komi told Quel.
“You sure?”
“Please drop him, I want to finish him.”
“Okay then.” Quel walked over and sat by the two other unmoving thieves, “I’ll make sure these two don’t interrupt.” He propped their bodies up against the rail and cast sleeping charms on them. Their unconscious bodies fell back down, the teen with the tailed hair hit the cobblestones first with his grimy hands outstretched, one of them lying partially on Quel’s boot. Viv fell on top of him. Quel shook the grimy hand off his boot and sat down next to Viv, whose body was laying facedown on her friends’ back. The teen with the tailed hair and Viv’s breathing grew into a relaxing rhythm, even in the uncomfortable looking state.
“Quel?” Komi whispered
“Hmm?”
“Don’t help me.”
“Okay.”

“Hey!” A hoarse voice called to Quel. The floating victim was still floating.
“Hmm?”
“Let me go!”
“Oh.” Quel waved his hands and Aaron fell and hit the cobblestones flat.

Aaron attempted to rise from the ground, but fell back down, his greasy hair pooling over his face and on the cobblestones. He attempted again, and rose to his feet. His hands were scratched and bleeding, his face was scratched badly. And there was a long tear down his shirt, exposing his muscular chest, he yanked the torn shirt off and dropped it to the ground and drew a thin knife that grew thicker as it as it reached the hilt.
He brandished the blade a couple of times and leaped at Komi. Komi moved well over six inches out of the blades reach, but it seemed to reach out to him and gave him a small cut on the shoulder.
Komi felt the blood trickle down his arm, he saw the grim smile on Aaron’s face, but he couldn’t believe it. He was well out of its reach. The metal licked him again.
“I can see you’re too stupid to figure it out alone.” Aaron held the blade in front of him, and pressed an unseen trigger; the blade grew a couple of inches, and retracted a couple of inches.
“Now that I know how it works, this punk is dead.” thought Komi wickedly. “Dead meat.”
Aaron finished the demonstration and continued the battle, he lunged at Komi. But this time Komi was ready for the complicated blade. It grew and reached for Komi, but Komi wasn’t there, he had moved to the side. He watched the blade soar past his flank. He reached into his pocket and with lightning speed pulled out his knife; he quickly cut Aaron’s hand and whacked the blade. It fell out of Aaron’s hand, and clattered over to Quel. With no blade to defend him, Aaron knew he was at a disadvantage. Komi advanced on him. Aaron readied himself for a frontal attack. Komi faked a blow to Aaron’s chest and cut him on the shoulder. Aaron flung around to face Komi. Komi socked Aaron with his knifeless hand in the stomach. Aaron doubled over in pain. Komi used his knee and swiped Aaron in the nose, his head flew back, and he let out a cry of pain. Blood covered his nose and dribbled off of his chin to the floor.
“End his suffering now.”
Komi jabbed the brass hilt of his knife into the back of Aaron’s head, and Aaron fell over face first onto the ground. He was out like a light. His greasy hair pooled over his face and onto the cobblestones. Blood trickled out from underneath his greasy hair, staining the edge of his hair crimson.
Komi looked over to Quel and the other two thieves. “Quel....let them take care of him; he’s a thief and a vandal. But he doesn’t deserve to die.”
“I know.”
Quel released the charm on the two unconscious thieves and got to his feet.
“Komi, it’s been a long day, let’s go home.”
“One sec.”
Komi walked back over to Aaron, kneeled by his body, and snuck two gold coins underneath his bloody hair. “Don’t make this happen again....not when you can choose what you do in your life.”
He got up, glanced back at the thieves whom had tried to kill him, and followed Quel out of the alleyway and home.

Viv woke with Cio’s (Cio, the teen with rattail.) greasy hair in her face, her entire body lay over her unmoving friend. She smelt blood, and then saw Aaron. She rushed over to her friends’ side, not bothering to wake Cio. Her tears mixed with his blood as it trickled in and around cracks. She turned his bloody head over and laid it in her lap. It was coated with blood; the tips of his hair had been stained crimson by his blood. She cleaned most of the blood off and put her hand by his nose. It was broken. She opened his mouth, hot air buffeted her face. He held her hand over the mouth and felt ragged breaths being made. Her heat leaped with joy. He wasn’t dead. She cleaned off more of his face and the surrounding ground. A sparkling glint shown through the blood. She picked up two gold coins soaked in Aaron’s blood.
“Well, that kid....Komi, he’s not such a bad guy after all.”
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Writing Goddess
Writing Goddess
Chapter 8: Lost in a safe haven:

“Cocoroho?” The secretary’s voiced pounded in his brain.
“Yes?”
“We have some new targets for you, bring them in, dead or alive, the head doesn’t care which.” Her voice snapped at Cocoroho.
“Who are they?”
“Three teenagers, all of them are sixteen years old.” said the secretary as she pulled out the file. “Gender: Male,
Name: Aaron,
Nickname: None,
Height: 5feet and 4inches,
Weight: 187lbs,
Best friend: Vivian.” She started the next teen.
“Gender: Male,
Name: Ciol,
Nickname: Cio,
Height: 5feet and 2inches,
Weight: 163lbs
Best friend: Vivian.......
And the last one,
Gender: female,
Name: Vivian,
Nickname: Viv,
Height: 4feet and 9inches,
Weight: 159lbs,
Best friend: Ciol and Aaron.
These three are coming your way, looking for a doctor, hide Homino’s body, clean up that house, and get ready for them. Do not fail me this time.” She closed the file and cut the link. Cocoroho did as he was told.

“Click.”
Quel pulled out the key and turned the brass knob and opened the door to his house, Komi went in and held the door open for Quel.
“We’ll need to put the groceries away and clean you up and—” Quel stopped dead in his tracks. Komi turned around, the entrance room was trashed, broken pots and shattered bits of wood and glass lay everywhere, the furniture looked like it had been dissected by flaming meteors......
“What in the name of Faquicko happened here?” Quel whispered.
“I...I don’t know.” Komi stared dumbfounded at the wreckage. “Wait...ARINA!!!” Komi ran through the ivy and into the next room. The floor was bloodstained, Arina’s jeweled sword was stuck in the wooden wall, a small note was left on the table next to the turned over beakers.
The note read:
“Arianne has been taken into the custody of the Secret Police because she has been recognized as a threat to the common good of the Secret Police of Osila. Signed: Hrak Maelin (The Presidential head of the Secret Police Department)”
“No.....she’s gone.....” Komi whispered as a tear plopped onto the note. But it was not his own, Quel stood behind him. More tears followed. Then the crack of lightning illuminated the room for a moment, followed by the boom of thunder. Rain pounded Quel’s home, and Komi felt none of it. He was broken, the one girl that had saved him, ran with him, the one that had kissed him, she was gone.
Arina was gone.....
It hit him like that, no more simple or complicated.
Arina was gone......
Komi heard the door shut and more rain pound. He didn’t care. He wanted to sleep, to forget it all. To forget the pain.
Komi lay down on the cushion, but sleep never found him, more lurking worries and fears racked his brain. Komi sorted through them all, deciding which was worse.
Arina was gone.....

Aaron was slung over Cio’s muscular shoulder; his bleeding nose mixing with the rainwater. No matter how hard they had tried to bandage it, the bleeding wouldn’t stop. Viv had finally decided to take him to a healer. The nearest one was in a little white house half a mile from the alley Komi had left them in. Cio held Aaron and glared out into the black rain, scanning for Viv. A brief flash of lightning illuminated the area and Cio saw her. Viv rushed back to him in the alley and stood at his side. She pressed herself against his body and felt the warmth. She savored it. Aaron’s limp hands hung out by Cio’s side. Viv reached to one of them and tenderly stroked Aaron’s damp hand.
“Put Aaron down for a minute, he needs it.”
Cio gently lowered Aaron to the wet ground, and propped his limp body up against the wall. Viv reached to Cio’s face, and gently pulled it to her own. She pressed her soft lips against his. And, in the cold drenching rain, Cio felt love for the first time.
She pressed her body closer to his, and lowered her hands and reached around to his back. She pulled herself up against him and they shared warmth. She slowly retracted from his face and looked into his eyes. His rough face slowly formed a warm smile.
He slowly pulled her back to him and pressed his body against hers. She pulled his wet shirt down and felt his muscles, slowly massaging over the worn tissues. Her soft hands felt his entire chest. They had begun to drift apart. She pushed herself against him, savoring the warmth and feeling of tight love one last time.....
She pressed her lips to his, feeling love pulse through her one last time.
She removed herself from his body, the warmth dissolved into the cold rain.
Viv leaned down to Aaron, pressed her lips against the side of his cold neck, and felt with her hands around his chest. Her soft hands slid over the wet chest searching for a heartbeat.
“Thump....thump.....thump.” She pulled away slowly.
“Cio, please pick him up. We’re going to see a doctor.”
Cio leaned down to Aaron and slung the limp body over his shoulder again.
“Follow me.”
He followed, hauling the unconscious Aaron along with him.

Komi felt pain all over, he had lost her.....
Arina was gone......
The person he loved was gone.....
Arina was gone.....
He felt nothing else.....
Arina was gone......
Then, a tiny flame that was hope found its way into the damp hopelessness. It talked of Arina. He felt her, saw her, heard her. He listened to hope. After many hours, it was all figured out.
Hope had told him what to do.....

“We’re here....” Viv whispered to Cio.
They slowly made their way up the cobblestone path, bare feet brushing against hard stone. The rain had grown quieter and softer, but only a little. A new crack of thunder and flash of lightning renewed the hard pounding rain.
Viv reached the door first, but waited until Cio had caught up to her.
“Okay....here we go.” Viv smiled at Cio.
“Knock! Knock!” Her tightened fist banged against the wood door. A couple moments later the door opened a crack.
“Hmm? Who is it?” A middle-aged voice inquired.
Viv replied quickly “Our friend is badly injured and......could you help him?”
“I suppose.” The door widened more to reveal a man with light brown hair, and lime green eyes. “Come in.”
Viv walked in first, followed by Cio holding Aaron. The healer closed the door behind them and walked up behind Cio.
“Oh dear.....oh my!” the healer whispered, “your friend looks like he got the pulp beaten of him......Oh my! A broken nose?”
“Umm, can you please fix him up as fast as possible?” Viv asked the healer.
“Oh yes.....all of you, follow me.”
The healer walked into a room titled “patients room” and beckoned for the teens to follow. Both entered the room.
“Put him on the bed.” The healer commanded.
Cio gently laid Aaron on the bed. The healer went over and started examining him, scrutinizing the body closely. “Wait! He’s awake!” The healer slowly moved and Viv and Cio saw Aaron looking at them. Aaron’s eyes followed the healer as he went over to a counter, holding a labeled vial and shot, he loaded the contents of the vial into the shot and prepared it to inject. Viv and Cio couldn’t read so didn’t know what was going on. Aaron could read, he knew exactly what the so called healer was doing.
“Lethal injection.”
“Well, this medication will clear out that broken cartilage in the nose, and by tomorrow you’ll be as good as new.” The healer smiled happily.
Aaron knew he was going to die; he had been on the verge of death for hours now. He knew what was coming, and was determined to make the healer’s side of the experience show scars. He gripped the blade in his pocket and readied himself for what death was going to feel like.
The healer advanced, holding the shot like a knife.
“This won’t hurt......” The shot soared towards Aaron’s heart. At the same time the knife flew from Aaron’s pocket towards the healer’s heart. The healer saw it coming, so did Aaron. The healer could move, Aaron couldn’t move. The healer moved slightly to the side do he could still inject the poison into Aaron’s heart. The blade impacted the healer; the cold metal sank deep into the healer’s ribcage. The shot impacted Aaron’s heart.
As the poison took its toll on Aaron’s heart and entered his bloodstream, the light in his eyes faded into blurry blue, and Aaron thought his last thought. “Viv, I hope you and Cio.....live through this, and love each other greatly. He.....he deserves the love Viv, I...I don’t.”
Viv screamed.
Cio gasped.
Cocoroho smiled.

Komi could sleep now; he needed to talk with Vina. Vina could tell him something, Vina could help him. It all revolved around Vina now, if she couldn’t help, Komi knew he would fall back into hopelessness.
Vina could help.....
Vina would help.....
Sleep met Komi and blanketed over his worries, troubles, and fears. Vina would be there. Vina had to be there. Vina would help.
Komi was fast asleep.

Cocoroho fell to his knees, and pried the metal blade from his body. Blood gushed and gurgled out all over the floor. He pushed the knife away from him and lay flat on the hard floor. Viv shuttered again and rushed for the door. With the last of his magic, Cocoroho shut the door tight and locked it. Viv froze in her tracks. She wanted to believe none of it had ever happened. But there he was, Aaron, dead.
“Viv....Viv?” Cio whispered softly. She made no reply. Her gaze was glued on Aaron. Aaron’s gaze was glued on her. “Viv!”
“What do you want with me!? I’m in a crisis here ya know!”
“Him....” He glanced at Cocoroho.
“Oh, in the name of all of the gods....let’s get out of here.”
“My pleasure.” The door was still locked, but that was no problem. Cio pulled out his knife and jammed it into the wooden door. He quickly sawed a hole around the knob and pulled it out. He yanked on the wooden frame and it broke. They were free. He moved into the hall, half expecting Viv to follow him. She didn’t. He looked back in; she was still looking at Aaron. “Come....hurry Viv.” She looked away from the body and to Cio.
She followed Cio out of the room; they both sprinted down the hall, out the door, and into the stormy night.

Komi felt lavender, tasted lavender, smelt lavender, saw lavender, was lavender.
The lavender was endless, stretching as far as he could see. Lavender was everywhere. The lavender tasted like every fruit he had ever liked. He floated around in the lavender. Thoughts of Vina and talking with her prowled his mind. He was so obsessed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the figure until it called out to him.
Its booming voice shattered Komi’s thoughts, “Where is your destination?” Komi whirled around to see a figure cloaked in lavender robes, his face was lavender and so were his eyes.
“Who are you?” Komi asked.
“What is your destination?” The figure repeated.
“Where am I?”
“What is your destination?”
“But...who....where...what?!” Komi stuttered.
“What is your destination?” The voice boomed.
“I wish to go to....Vina Goddess of Choices, her territory.”
“That territory is no longer in existence.”
Those words hit Komi like one of Quel’s fireballs, consuming all hope in the blink of an eye. Komi crumbled down to what he thought the ground was, but fell into nothingness. The figure followed, determined to get some destination out of Komi.
“What is your destination?”
Komi didn’t care anymore. He didn’t care about life. Life was pointless now.
“Death.” Komi whispered.
“So be it.” The figure waved his hands and Komi saw a black void. Komi gave no resistance as the void swallowed him up. Darkness engulfed Komi.

Chapter 9: Love’s ways:

Viv chattered in the cold rain. The drenching raindrops splattered against her body and washed away her warm salty tears. Viv and Cio both sat in an alleyway by each other. Cio inched closer to Viv and pressed his side up against hers. Viv trembled again and fell over in Cio’s lap, her face looking up at Cio’s eyes. In the dark shadows they glowed pinkish red. He arched his back and pressed his lips to hers. Viv reached to his neck and pulled him farther down. He kissed her again. Viv pulled down his shirt and pressed her body to his warm chest.
He removed his lips from hers and looked into her blue eyes. He whispered three words into her ear.
“I love you.” She pressed her lips against the side of his neck, still holding her body against his bare chest. She pulled herself closer and moved her lips to his ear.
“I love you too.” They held together, love pulsing through their bodies. She held her body to him and rubbed his muscular chest. She kissed his neck again, pulled herself closer to him, and let go of him. She dropped into his lap, staring up at his rough face. Cio pulled a tarp over them and they fell asleep together, warm bodies pressing against each other, hot breath on each other’s necks. Viv and Cio felt happy for the first time since Aaron’s death.

Cocoroho had lost a lot of blood. He knew it. His blood was all over the floor. He had never guessed the teens would be so hard, that the injured teen would stab him. He healed the wound with his magic and rose to his feet. Aaron’s dead body lay in the bed, his eyes still looking at Cocoroho, mockingly. Cocoroho smiled at the dead carcass.
“Thought you saved your friends?” Cocoroho laughed. “Those two are mine once I clean this up.” He looked at the bloody mess around him. That was going to be a while.

Chapter 10: Death’s friend:

“Komi.....Komi?” A voice echoed in the darkness.
“Yes I’m here!”
“Why? Why have you come, young child of the prophecy?” The voice was ancient and cold, smooth like a snake.
“There is no point in living.....” Komi’s voice was filled with sorrow; sadness was building up inside him.
“Oh Sorrowful One, cry not, there is hope.” The ancient voice whispered.
“Arina is gone, Vina has been destroyed. There is no hope.”
“Stop that now! I have tried to help you! Listen! Your friend, the girl with moonlit eyes lives; she lies at the Gate of Darkness. The Goddess of Choices is a prisoner to the Demonic One. They live! Hope is here! Do not think such things again! You are our prophecy. You must not give up.”
Komi smiled, his friends were not out of reach. Hope was there, he knew it. “Thank you....” Komi whispered.
“I’m not done. I have one more thing to tell you before you leave my realm. Before you journey to the Gate of Darkness, the gods have prophesied two, two more must join you on your quest.”
“Who?!”
“I no not names, except that you have met them before, you will meet a son of Adam and Daughter of Eve. Their eyes show power yet to be found, the power of water will reign in the daughter and the power of loving fire will reign in the son. Delicate creatures, they are. Not related family has died, and the two have loved each other greatly. Be careful Komi, watch your back too many times, and make sure you know who lurks in the shadows.”
“Thank you, for bringing me back to my senses, you are indeed kind.” Komi smiled in the endless darkness.
“Child, you have deserved this, and more.” The ancient voice began to fade off into the distance; Komi barely heard her last words. “The fate of the Land of Mortals and the Kingdom of the Gods rests in two pairs of hands, one of then yours.”
“Who....who is the other one?”
“That is not in my power to say. You will do a great many things; you will make the right choice.” The voice faded into nothingness and Komi heard nothing, absolute silence. The voice was gone. Komi knew it.
Komi saw darkness, and imagined Vina.
“....Komi.....Komi....come....to me....” Vina’s voice broke the silence.
“Okay....” Komi paddled through the darkness towards a new light. Lavender once again had found its way to him, the lavender swallowed him, and Vina spoke again.
“My power has been weakened. Do not come to this realm until you have met the prophesied two.” Her soft voice caressed over Komi.
“Okay...”
“Goodbye and may good fortune follow your footsteps.” Vina whispered.
Komi was hit by a wave of lavender, tumbling through time in space in nothingness.
Komi was going home....
Komi had to find two people.....
Komi was ready.....

Cio woke with Viv laying on him, her entire body pressed against his muscular chest. Her hands were on his cheeks, her head lying against his chest. He kissed her softly on her neck, holding her close to him. A thin ray of sunlight beamed through a tear in the tarp, letting in some fresh air.
Cio shook Viv’s unconscious body slightly, “Viv, wake up.”
“What do you want?” Viv whispered self consciously.
“Wake up.” Cio shook the body slightly rougher.
“Okay! Okay! I’m up!” Viv raised her head a little, saw where she was, and fell back onto Cio’s chest. Cio felt a soft kiss on his neck. She pressed her body closer to his chest.
Cio shifted position and Viv rolled off his body and onto the tarp. Cio rubbed her cheek one last time and sat up on the cobblestones.
“Ugh.....”
He pulled back the tarp and let all the sunlight sink into his skin. He blinked a couple of times. The air was colder now. He got to his feet and stretched his arms and legs.
Cio yawned, and remembered....
Remembered last night.....
Remembered what had happened.....
The storm.....
Aaron....
“No! No! ....Don’t think of that.....Not now.”
Cio stretched his body and thought. How would he and Viv survive?
“Yawn......”
Once Cio was fully awake, he realized that his stomach hurt. He had to go to the restroom. He saw a thick grove of trees through a crack in the wall at the end of the alley. He got an idea.
Cio walked over to the wall, and ran his hands over the cracked wall. The wall was softer than clay here.
“Odd....” thought Cio as he began to dig the wall away with his bare hands. The soft clay came out easily. He kept digging until the door was big enough to get his body through. He pushed his leg first through the crack, reaching with his toes for ground. It touched solid dirt.
He pushed his other leg along with his first one in and it too touched the dirt. The dirt was soft on Cio’s cut and worn feet compared to the hard cobblestones inside the wall. Both of Cio’s dirty hands slid inside the hole and gripped the other side of the wall. He arched his back and slid his waist and back through the slimy clay wall. His shirt was back with Viv, and the clay stuck to Cio’s muscular body. Cio’s upper body was the only part on the inside. He pulled his neck through, the slimy clay rubbing against his flesh. His head was all that was left. He slowly moved his head through the wall, but his hair was stuck. The greasy rattail hair was caught in a bit of solid rock, sticking out of the slushy clay.
He winced.
Cio turned around slightly and winced again, by turning his head to attempt digging the rock out, he had moved his hair into a twisted position. Pain seared on his scalp, yanking his stringy hair. Blood dripped down his shoulders and down his chest.
He reached with his grimy hands to his hair and slowly released the cloth band holding his hair together. It complied and clumped over his shoulders. He dared to move his hair. The pain did not come. Blood still ran down his legs and on his feet, soaking into the dirt ground.
Cio pulled the rest of his body through the hole and continued to the grove. It was sort of like a barrier to outsiders, the trees so tightly packed that it created a wall.
Cio circled the barrier searching for an entrance. Slowly he traced his finger along the edge of the barrier. He pulled his knife out and sunk it deep into the nearest tree. He pulled the blade out and sheathed it.
He circled the barrier, looking for a way inside. He saw some old dead wood halfway around the grove, it crumbled in Cio’s hands. He jammed his knife into the wood and carved out a fist size hole and pressed his eye against it, trying to see inside.
Cio saw a small pond in the center of the barrier, the entire barrier was about forty feet in circumference and twenty five feet in diameter. The lake was about fourteen feet from Cio’s hole. A cluster of tall ferns was off to Cio’s right.
“This is the perfect place.”
He cut out more room, and carved at the dead wood. After about half a hour his hands were red and swollen from splinters, his bleeding in his scalp had slowed and he felt lightheaded. Blood soaked his hair and he thought of going back to show Viv this place.
“I don’t want her to see so much blood.”
So he continued carving out a door.
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Writing Goddess
Writing Goddess
Chapter 11: Evil returns:

“You’ve got to believe me Quel.”
“I do.”
“Then why won’t you do something?”
“Did the prophecy mention me helping you find some friends?”
“No, so what?”
“Stick to the exact words....bending the rules may get you killed.”
“Fine.”

The sun was slightly higher in the sky when Cio had widened the hole to a reasonable size. A small door lay before him, a prize for all his hard work.
“Gotta clean this blood off.”
Cio ducked and crouch walked into the grove. Once he was inside he saw something new. A small stream trickled into the pond and provided it with freshwater.
He kneeled in the soft grass by the pond. He slowly reached his hands into the water and scrubbed the grimy hands clean. He brought his hands to his head and brushed his fingertips over his bloody scalp. He winced in pain, but continued feeling his cranium, if just to understand how injured it was.
He finished examining his scalp and lowered his bloody head to the water, his head reached the water first followed by the rest of his head. Coldness overwhelmed his head. It felt like a brain freeze. But he forced himself to remain calm and reached his hands to his hair and scraped the dry blood out into the water.
Cio pulled his hair out of the water and flung it over his shoulders. He pulled the bloody cloth band and soaked it in the water then tied his hair back into the tail. He lowered the rest of his body into the water and soaked the blood off of it, resting his head on the bank of the pond.
He rose from the water cold and drenched. He expected cold wind to him and freeze him but the tree barrier held true and did not let the merciless wind chill him.
Cio realized he had to go to the restroom.
Cio saw the tall ferns.
Cio pushed his way into the ferns.

Viv woke sweating.
Aaron was dead.
She peeked out from under the tarp, where was Cio?
Aaron was dead.
The light in his eyes fading into a blurry blue......
Cio was gone.
Aaron was dead.

Cio emerged from the ferns, clearly relieved. His soaked shirt had dried a little, as had his hair. He glanced at the pond, expecting it to be tinted red by his blood, but it showed not even the slightest sign of blood. The bleeding had stopped, he was comfortable inside the barrier, he felt safe.
“Cio?” Viv’s voice sounded off in the distance.
“Viv!” He called out to her.
“Where are you?” Her voice sounded again.
“Stay by the tarp...I’m comin’.” His rough voice commanded.
“Okay...”
Cio rushed out of the barrier, ducking under the doorway so his head wouldn’t hit it, he bounded around the barrier and up to the cracked wall. He looked through the cracked wall and saw Viv, but her back was facing him and she was glaring out into the crowded streets.

“No...” Viv whispered as she stared at a lone figure standing calmly in the middle of the street. His robes were a simple creamy brown, his hair a light shade of chestnut brown. But the most recognizable feature was his lime green eyes. It was the healer, from last night, Aaron’s murderer, it was Cocoroho.
“Viv!” Viv twisted around to see Cio’s thievish grin peeking at her from....from, the wall? What was going on?
“What are you doin’?” She hissed.
“I found somethin’, I want you to see.”
Viv rushed to the wall and whispered to Cio “The murderer, from last night....he’s here.” Her voice trembled.
Cio looked baffled “Ya sure?”
“Yes...yes, he’s he’s--Ack!”
Cocoroho’s shadow crossed the alleyway, it was impossible to miss. Viv and Cio were seconds from discovery. Viv jammed her body into the crack and fell to the dirt.

Cocoroho knew he had found them. He turned the alleyway expecting to see the two teenagers huddled together begging for mercy. They were gone. Cocoroho continued down the alleyway, saw the warm tarps, and knew he was right. They were close. He glanced to the end of the alleyway....a hole? He walked closer and saw an ankle band on the cobblestones. He picked it up, examined it, and knew it was Vivian’s. He poked his head through the hole and looked around. A trail of blood went over to a tree grove. He smiled and knew that tonight the Night Guard would be picking up two dead bodies.

Komi was walking through the streets. He had to find two people. He didn’t know where to start. He glared down the nearest alleyway to see a figure peeking at a hole in the wall. Even from the behind Komi knew who it was.
“Cocoroho....”
Why was he here? Not that it mattered; all that mattered was that Komi was ready to take him on. Cocoroho jammed himself through the crack and disappeared from sight. Then Komi saw him stand up. Komi scaled the wall and saw Cocoroho walk to a tree grove about thirty feet outside the town walls. Komi jumped from his spot on the wall. The tree grove was more like a wall than a bunch of trees.

Viv and Cio held each other tightly, they could hear the assassin’s footsteps. He was close. Cio could feel Viv’s warm breath on his neck, and for the second time in his life he was terrified. Not for himself. For Viv. Cio pulled her over to the ferns and pushed her in, the assassin knew someone was here. But if she stayed hidden, maybe he would think Cio was alone. Cio unsheathed his knife and prepared for the battle that he knew was coming.

Komi climbed one of the trees making up the natural fortress with long purposeful pulls. The tree was a tall one but he was a good climber and was up it in no time. It gave him a perfect view of everything that was inside the barrier. The pond, the swaying ferns, the door, one of the teenagers that had attempted to mug him, a shadow crossing the door.
“Wait, Cocoroho is after them?”

Cocoroho knew he was close. The kill was near, very near. He ducked into the barrier and looked around. One target was visible. The terrain was awkward with a river and pond, the tree barrier casting a strange shadow from above that seemed oddly familiar.
“Stay focused.” He loaded a poison dart into his weapon and leveled it with the target’s chest, aimed for the heart. Without a word, he pulled an unseen mechanism and the weapon fired.

Time slowed for Cio, he glanced over to the ferns and saw Viv, her beautiful eyes glowing, watery light flickering in her eyes. So beautiful, so enchanting.
“It’s not real....”
Cio looked to his hands, his fiery love was there. He turned back to Viv, her face showed an expression of horror that her friend was going to die. She leaped through the air so fast that it defied time itself and landed next to Cio. The dart wasn’t even halfway there. Viv’s eyes darkened to a soft sapphire blue and watery ribbons of blue light flew from her palms to the pond, giving it an unknown command.
The water rose in ribbons and flew over to Cio and Viv, building up a wall in front of them, the dart was a couple yards away now, the wall built higher, the dart was inches away now. They closed their eyes and held together, embracing death.
“Plip.” The dart splashed against the wall, sending up a shower of droplets. But the wall held true and the dart did not breach it.
The water fell down, streaming back into the pond, and Viv crumbled down to the ground, clearly exhausted. Sweat beaded down her face and clouded her blue eyes. Cio bent down to her face and whispered “You’re amazing.”

Cocoroho stood stunned. Magic.....it was magic. Magic had saved his enemies. Magic, they could control magic. The enemy could control magic. Magic. Magic had saved them. Magic had saved his enemies.
“GET CONTROL OF YOURSELF!”

Komi was half surprised by Viv’s demonstration of power, but not fully. He recalled the words he had heard from the ancient voice in death.
“You will meet a son of Adam and Daughter of Eve. Their eyes show power yet to be found, the power of water will reign in the daughter and the power of loving fire will reign in the son.”
Viv was one of these two. Komi knew now that the world depended on this battle.
“Before you journey to the Gate of Darkness, the gods have prophesied two, two more must join you on your quest.”
Komi saw Cio whisper something to Viv and draw his blade and advance on Cocoroho.

Flames leaped around Cio, all he could think was “Must protect Viv.” Nothing else mattered now. He looked to his hands again; he saw his love for Viv. Cocoroho saw fire.

“Must kill them, failure is not acceptable” thought Cocoroho as he drew his blade and loaded another dart into the weapon and aimed to shoot the unconscious Viv.

Cio’s knife glowed red, and he drew closer to Cocoroho. Once he was close enough he flung his blade down at Cocoroho with all his might. Cocoroho’s sword met his, but Cio’s attack was abnormal. Flames engulfed the blade and Cio’s love met Cocoroho’s pain and hate.

“So much love, and fire...” Cocoroho felt tears rolling down his face. He saw Aaron’s blurry blue gaze, staring upon his killer’s face. He saw Viv, defying laws of physics to save her friend. He saw Homino, cold and dead on the floor of his on house.
“NOOOOOO!” The pain escaped Cocoroho in a deafening shriek of misery and despair. His body couldn’t handle the emotions channeling through him. Tears swarmed down his face, consuming the assassin he once was. He crumbled to the grassy floor, choking on his own tears, his body twisting around on the floor. Then....he was still. His breathing came out in ragged gasps.

Komi was awestruck as he watched the man fall to the ground, he could never even think of killing him again after what had taken place before him.

Cio felt his power consuming him, flames dancing from his eyes and all over his face. His eyes glowed crimson. He would kill this man. And avenge Aaron. He rose the blade and brought it down, aiming for the man’s neck.

“No!” Cio’s flaming gaze turned on Komi. Komi jumped down from the tree, forward rolling and reaching out with his legs, Cio fell over Komi’s legs onto Cocoroho. The fiery blade was inches out of his grasp. He struggled to get it. Komi kicked the blade out into the pond and did the only logical thing he could think to stop Cio.
Komi jammed the hilt of his knife on the back of Cio’s head and he fell limp over Cocoroho, dead to the world.

Komi pushed Cio’s body off Cocoroho and reached into the ex-assassin’s pockets. He pulled out a large wad of rope and undid the bundle. He dragged Cocoroho over to a tree and propped him up against the tree. Then circled the tree with the rope and fastened the rope tightly around his stomach. He cut the rest and headed for Cio. He dragged Cio over to another tree and double knotted the rope tightly around Cio. Komi then walked over to Viv and looked around. No suitable trees were visible. He tied her firmly and pulled her over to a grassy clearing. He reached into her pocket and brought out a blade. He walked over to Cocoroho and took his dart weapon and riffled through his pant pockets and the inside pockets of his jacket, which produced two stabbing knives and a thin short sword. He threw them all into the lake. He looked over his work.
Three people tied up firmly.
He made a break for Quel’s house.

Chapter 12: A living death:

Arina was alive.
Or....at least she thought she was.
After unsuccessfully battling the agent that had come for her, she had been subdued by drugs and locked in a solid steel box on the back of a wagon. It was heading for the Gate of Darkness. Even in her drugged state she knew that they wouldn’t kill her, yet. Why else would she be in this place....alive? She leaned up against the wall. She liked it when life actually moved. It was going slow now. She wanted something to happen.
The lid of her prison opened and the agent opened a bottle of gas and dropped it into the box with her. She frowned.
“I hate it when I go unconscious; I always miss the good stuff then.”
Her body fell limp.


Chapter 13: New pieces to the puzzle:

(Quel needs to accept them, Im still working on this part)

Chapter 14: An unusual friend:

Arina felt her arms pinched back against each other as she was shoved up against the iron bars of a cell. She heard the creak of iron as the cell door opened and she felt herself being jammed into the small room and collapsed on the floor, her soft hair covering her pale face. The door slammed shut and a few moments later Arina heard an old voice muttering a few words to a younger voice. Then the soft thudding of a sentry began pacing outside her cell. She glanced up to see a handsome young man about fifteen years old, wearing a white undershirt and loose jean pants with a leather belt and brass buckle. His eyes were brown, the same color of his short brown hair. On his right calf a tattoo of a blue water serpent coiled down his leg and around his ankle. His feet were grimy and bare. He glanced to Arina and smiled warmly at her. He walked over to the stool by the cell and leaned against the cell looking down at her.
She gripped a fist sized rock she had snuck into her pocket and got up and walked over to the bars. She reached through the bars to his face and stroked it. He withdrew, and whispered.
“How did a `beaut like you get in a dirty place like this.”
“People make mistakes....”
And then he moved back in and reached through the bars to her face and stroked it. He leaned up against the bars and she leaned up against the bars and kissed him. Her eyes connected with his and she brought one of her hands up to his face and stroked it. Then she withdrew, and whispered “You are so...so handsome and warm...I wish I could be closer...”
“I love you...” He smiled softly.
“I love you too...”
“If I let you out—”
“I wouldn’t leave you...”
The keys jingled as he removed them from his belt and riffled through the keys to a rusted copper one. He inserted it into the keyhole and turned it. The door creaked as it opened and the barefoot sentry walked in to her. She got up and moved over to the small cot in the cell and beckoned for him to lie down. He lay down flat on the cot and she rolled over on top of him. She slowly undid his belt buckle and pulled off his shirt. She lay on him and slowly reached to the rock in her she had snuck under the cot. She pulled her hand up, rock in hand, to the top of his head, while the other hand stroked his cheek and held a kiss. His chest muscles were tense. His hands came to her stomach and slowly pulled up her shirt.
She smiled.
He smiled back.
She slammed the rock down on the top of his head and his body grew relaxed, his hands fell down to his chest and his head turned to the side. She pulled her shirt back down and glared at his face.
“Worthless piece of trash.”
She reached to his belt and slid the keys off his belt and left it undone. His pants came down to his thighs and his underwear was visible as she pushed his relaxed form over the side of the cot. He landed face first flat on the ground, hands outstretched. She walked out of the cell and clanked it shut behind her. She sat calmly in the stool outside the cell and breathed in. It was easy to take out one guard, but how could she get out of here? Like that?
Not all sentries would break the rules to have a chance to fall in love with a beautiful girl.
She smiled knowing that she had been lucky enough to catch him off guard.
He was an idiot.
She was lucky.
She had been this lucky, she hadn’t had this much luck since she had saved Komi in the alleyway so long ago....
That was when Viv showed up.

Komi sat on the black rock next to Quel, hoping that Viv could finish her part and come out of there with Arina. She had been gone for months, and he missed her. He glared up at the full moon and remembered how much her eyes looked like that moon. The thick forest around him seemed to grow thicker and Komi could barely make out the Dark Magic floating around the prison at the edge of the forest. It swelled darker. Viv had to hurry.

“You’re Arina?” Viv whispered to Arina.
“That is correct. Who are you?”
“Well, Komi told me that I would find you here, I’m Viv, and I’ve come to rescue you.” Viv smiled faintly.
Then she saw the unconscious sentry.
“I can see you’ve already saved yourself.....is he alive?”
“Yes.”
“Could I check?”
“I don’t care.”
Arina pulled out the keys and handed Viv the copper one, Viv slid the key into the keyhole and opened the door. She walked in to the barefoot boy and sat down next to his head. She set her soft hand tenderly on his forehead and stroked it gently.
“His scull is....cracked...he’s dying.”
“I can take blame for that.”
“I’ve got to save him.”
“Why?”
“Because anyone here doesn’t have much of a choice for life. Become a sentry for this prison, or die.”
“Then he should die.”
“I can’t allow that.”
“Why?”
“Because I vowed to save any lives I could.”
“Hmph. He deserves to die; he won’t make a good guard anyway.”
“Then he will come with us.”
“Fine.”
“Let me concentrate.”
Viv’s eyes darkened into a soft blue and pale bluish magic flickered around her hands. She pulled his head over to her lap and stroked his handsome face. Then her left hand rose to the back of the sentry’s scull and she brushed his head. Her magic glowed brighter and her eyes darkened. With her other hand she pulled out a bottle and little droplets from all over the prison fluttered to her bottle and the glass bottle slowly filled.
She stroked the back of his head and brought the water to his lips and poured a couple drops into his mouth.
He coughed the water up and Viv poured a couple more drops down. He drank them down. Then his eyes fluttered open and his head turned to his side. He saw Arina. He thought she looked like an angel. She was so beautiful to him.
“If you don’t mind me asking...who are you...?” Viv whispered to him.
“I’m....”
The sentry coughed hoarsely and turned back to Viv.
“I’m Daren....”
“Hi Daren, I’m Viv, and this is Arina.”
“What’s...goin’ on?”
“Well....let me tell you.”

Daren had moved to the cot and sat listening calmly to Viv through the whole time. She finished the story talking about how she had been sent to save Arina.
“I’ve decided that...if you’ll let me, I’ll try my best to help you....”
“Is that something you want?”
“Yes....it is.”
“Then we had better get movin’.”
Viv held out her hand to Daren and Daren took it and rose to his feet. He thought over all the possible exits from this part of the prison at this time. He calculated that there were three quick exits and two that could be passed with no sentries. Then he calculated that the north one exited into the forest and the west one exited into the marketplace. He realized that his friend, Nik, was guarding the North Passage. But he would be off duty; the guard switch would be taking place in a couple minutes.
He glanced over to Arina, and whispered to her.
“Did you do...what you did just to escape?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have no feelings for me?”
“I have no love for you.”
“Oh...I just want you to know....I do love you.”
“Hmph.”
Daren decided that he would win Arina’s favor over, and one day she would want to be with him for who he was, and for the love she would feel for him.
After thinking this he told them his plan to escape.
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Writing Goddess
Writing Goddess
Chapter 15: Decisions:

“So if we exit this way, nobody should be able to catch us....follow me.”
Daren moved swiftly down the damp passage-way. They moved pass multiple cells identical to Arina’s, none occupied. They walked to near the end of the corridor and Daren raised his hand to signal them to stop and Arina made out the soft padding of footsteps moving back and forth around the corner.
“A sentry...?” Arina thought calmly, “I’ll take him.” Arina whispered in Daren’s ear. He nodded no and peeked around the edge of the corner and saw the back of the sentry. He was wearing a white undershirt identical to Daren’s and had an elaborate tattoo in the form of a dragon on the back of his shoulder. He wore a thick gold chain around his neck and his bare feet were dirty. He had baggy jeans that hung so low that his grey underwear was clearly visible, the folds in the jeans crinkled up at his feet. He reached the end of his corridor and turned to walk back to the cell he was guarding.
Daren quickly moved back into the safety of the passage with Arina and softly pressed his full lips to her ear and whispered “I’ll take care of this.”

She nodded calmly and backed up to Viv and convoyed the message and Viv nodded her approval and they both stood backs against the wall.
Daren knew what he was about to do. He walked out into the hallway as the sentry was walking back against him. The sentry passed a window that was partially open vertically. He called out to the sentry “Hey Nik!”
The sentry turned around startled, and noticed who it was “Oh, yo Daren!” He was about fifteen and had his long red hair pulled up into a tail, his face had rough features but he was very handsome and cheerful. He briskly walked over to the jail cell he was guarding and leaned up against the stool. “`Sup?” he smiled broadly at Daren.
Daren walked over and leaned up next to the boy and gave him a friendly nudge, “I just got off duty and wanted to know how my bro’s doin’. You’re staying kinda’ late, aren’t ya supposed to be off duty now?”
“Yep, but the warden asked me to stay late to guard this dump.”
“Must be a real bore, huh?”
The boy nodded earnestly, “This job’s boring.”
“How `bout you `n me ditch this junk pile?”
“I’d love to.....but—.” He looked depressed and slumped in the stool.
“But what?”
“This is the only way to make a living `round these parts, sorry bro.” He frowned and stood back up. He tightened his belt buckle and glanced back at Daren again. “Don’t get too wound-up about it.” He smiled and started walking back up towards the opposite side of the corridor, away from Arina and Viv. Viv sighed with relief and knelt down and breathed in deeply. Arina stood beside her and muttered a couple words of assurance.
Daren heard Viv.
So did Nik.
Nik whipped around and trotted over to the cell and whispered to Daren, “Intruders....or escapees....will you help me take `em in for questioning?”
“You bet, bud.” Daren stood up next to Nik, “I’ll come in behind you on the left, you move in and draw their attention...kay?”
Nik smiled at Daren, “I’m so glad to have a friend like you.”
Daren thought about this friend he had come to like deeply, the friend he had shared so many laughs with. The friend he had known from his childhood. Sacrifices had to be made. So Daren forced a false smile to his face and nudged Nik again.
Nik unsheathed his thin knife, a gift from Daren, and advanced down the corridor thinking that Daren had his back. As Nik advanced down the hallway sharp pain seared in his scalp and Nik felt small drops of blood roll down his forehead. His legs fell out from beneath him and he fell to the ground.
“Wha—!?” Nik let out a little shout of surprise. He lost his grip on the knife and it clattered out of his reach. All he could do was glance out of the corner of his eye at Daren as he was dragged down the stone corridor by his hair.
“Hey! Dude?! What’s goin’ on dude!? Agh!” Nik let out a cry of pain as he felt himself get pulled to his feet and shoved up against the wall. He turned to Daren, who still had his fingers entwined in Nik’s greasy hair. “What’s your problem, dude? That seriously hurts!”
Daren’s eyes darkened at Nik’s agonized expression, “I hope this is cool with you, bro, no harsh feelings.”
Daren shoved Nik’s head out the window and snapped the latch as closed as he could. The cold iron of the window frame pressed hard against Nik’s throat. Nik’s hands flew to his throat and he tried to jam his fingers between the frame and his throat.
His index and middle finger caught between the frame and his throat and he painfully whispered “Daren.....what’s.... goin’...on?”
Daren walked up and frowned, “Well....I’m—, sorry bro...”
“But.....but....we’re friends.....” Nik gasped from lack of air. “Please....”
Daren’s hands softly moved up Nik’s smooth shoulders and clasped around his neck tightly, Daren knew he still time to save his friend. He wouldn’t though. To do so would mean giving up the angel....Arina.
Viv jumped out from behind the wall, “No! I can’t let you do this!”
Daren tightened his grip on Nik’s throat and turned to Viv, “Why not, he is an interference.”
“My oath kept you alive, and it will do so to him too.”
Viv walked over to the window and undid the latch, Nik collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath and holding his fingers on the raw skin around his neck.
Daren stepped back and picked up a stone the size of his fist. He walked up to Nik, pushing Viv out of the way. He grabbed Nik’s hair and pulled him to his feet, and whispered menacingly, “Stand up against the wall with your hands in the air.”
Nik complied hastily, and his breathing began to slow into a regular pace. Daren walked up to Nik, gripping his hair and holding his face into the stone wall with one hand, and slammed the rock into the side of his head with the other one. Nik dropped to the floor instantly, blood flowing down the side of his face. Viv slammed Daren into the wall and sat down next to the limp form, Arina came up behind Daren and locked his arms together and held him still.
“Viv...?”
“Oh my goddess of mercy...”
“What?”
“He’s...alive.”
“Really?”
“One minute please...”
For the second time that day, Viv’s eyes darkened to a navy blue glow, she pulled his bleeding head onto her lap and stroked the wound. The skin slowly came together and all that remained was the blood. Viv wiped it off on her hands and onto her pants. Then, holding her glowing hands over his face, she chanted the words of the sleeping charm. Once she was done she turned to Arina.
“I made sure to put a sleeping charm on him for a minute, just in case he wakes up.”
“Now we just need to tie him up, and him.” Said Arina, pushing Daren closer to the wall.
“I’ll....get you some rope, if you let me go.”
“Not happening. Now, you’re going to show me where the rope is, or I’ll kill you, then, once I have the rope, then, and only then will I let you walk freely.”
“Fine.”
“Good.”
“That way.” Stated Daren, nodding with his head.
“I’ll just stay here and keep and eye on him,” said Viv, stroking Nik’s red forehead, which lay in her lap. Nik was halfway across her body, both of his arms above his head, showing a thin layer of armpit hair. His bare feet touched Viv’s, and his fire-red forehead lay in her lap, on top of his thick mess of long red hair, which had come undone of it’s hair band during the fight. She pulled his body closer, gripping his long, muscular arms and pulling him farther on top of herself, as if defending him.
“Okay now, let’s get a move on!” Commanded Arina.
“Alright, alright!”
“And no funny business,” she warned, “I’m not in the mood.”
“You’ve ever been in a good mood?”
Arina drew a knife and pressed to his back, drawing a thin streak of blood, “Didn’t I say no funny business!?”
“Ouch! Sorry!”
Daren pulled Arina down a hallway and made a left. A small door titled “Storage” was in front of them.
Arina pressed the blade to Daren’s back and opened the door. She leaned down and picked up a bundle of rope and undid it.
“You said you’d lemme go now.”
“Yes I did, but I’ve changed my mind...” She said as she tied the rope around his wrists and up around his neck. After she loosened the rope around his neck she tied a hole and slipped the rope through it and over his shoulder so it was in front of him. “Now, if you decide to turn traitorous...”
“Oh come on!”
“Now, getta move on!”
They walked back down the hallway and saw Viv, still stroking Nik’s forehead. She looked up and giggled at Daren, “In a bit of a knot, aren’t you?”
“Shut up, you hag.” Daren replied mockingly.
Arina sunk her knife into his back about three inches and yanked it out quickly. Then, with her other hand, she gripped the rope around his neck tightly and yanked it.
Whatever outburst Daren had been planning was stopped and all he could do was soundlessly gasp and tears of pain rolled down his cheeks and his face turned into an agonized expression of torture. He dropped to his knees and began to spasm out on the floor.
Arina gripped her knife, cut of a bottom bit of her dress, folded it neatly and bent down to Daren. She turned his head over in her hands and watched him suffer. She tied the cloth around his mouth and gazed into his fading eyes.
“ARINA!?!” yelled Viv, enraged.
Arina released the rope and Daren’s nose flared with breath. Arina leaned in closer to Daren and whispered in a voice so soft only he could hear she said, “I will kill if you anger me one more time. That “hag” is the only reason you are alive.”
Arina rose and tossed a bundle of the rope over to Viv, “Tie him up.”
Viv turned Nik over and pulled his arms behind his back. She tied a large, tight, knot using her knife she cut off the edge of one of his pant legs and tied it around his mouth.
She released the sleeping charm and he slowly woke up. He had no idea where he was or what was going on. He struggled. Viv was gentle and slowly helped him to his feet. His muffled curses echoed throughout the hallway.
Arina walked up so she was about a foot in front of him and brandished her knife. He understood and the curses ceased.
Arina glared at him, daring him to move, and walked back to Daren. She grabbed the knot of rope around his hands and lifted him with a grunt. Then she pushed him towards Viv saying, “If he struggles once, kill him.”
Then she walked over to Nik, she lowered the cloth over his mouth and growled menacingly “Show me the fastest way out now.”
He spit at her face and smirked, “Not in a lifetime, beautiful.”
“Did you see what I did to Daren?” she talked slowly and mockingly, “No, you didn’t. See that rope on his neck?”
Nik gulped down saliva and whispered softly, “Yes...”
“I pulled the rope. I’ll do the same to you if you aren’t going to talk; we have no need for you.”
Nik remained silent.
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She picked up the rope from the ground and clenched it in her hands.
“Ok! I’ll talk! Just promise you won’t kill me...”
“If you tell the truth, you have no need to worry.”
“Make two lefts and a right and you’re out.”
“Thank you.” Arina pulled the gag up on his face and gripped his bare shoulders roughly and pushed him down the hallway. He shrugged her blows off with little effort.
“Tough guy huh?” She grinned at him; through the cloth he smiled back and nodded enthusiastically.
Viv grabbed Daren by the knot of rope on his hands and pulled him down the hallway, then the next, and the next, until the light of the half-moon greeted them.
“Judging by the star constellations, it’s about 3:00 in the morning.” Said Arina,
“Well I’m tired! I vote for sleep.” Said Viv,
“I’d bet that Daren agrees...” said Arina, “That’s two to one.”
She walked over to Nik and pulled the gag covering his mouth down, “What do you vote for, Nik?”
Nik yawned loudly and announced “Sleep.”
“Oh, so you’re against me, huh!?”
“Yep.”
“Well, I’m gonna...”
She grabbed his cheeks and pulled his face to hers and kissed him. She held the kiss and ran her hands over his chest and back. She found his tied hands on his back and held them for a moment, then the kiss ended, just as quickly as it started.
Nik smiled broadly, “So lemme get this strait; you kidnap me, punch me a few times, threaten me with my life, and then kiss me!?”
“You said all we wanted to know, thanks for your input.” She pulled up the gag over his mouth, but she could tell he was still smiling and he her.
After an hour or so, Viv found a suitable spot for the night. It was an area mostly hidden by the thick trees and covered with a thick layer of moss. Arina shoved Nik into the moss. After he landed he turned around and glared at Arina.
“Well, it must be safe, he survived.”
Viv helped Daren lie down on the moss next to a rock on the opposite side from Nik. Then she pushed some moss up into a pile and spread it out over the length of about three yards, forming a makeshift bed.
Viv walked over to Daren, tightened the rope and walked over to Nik and tightened the ropes holding his hands.
Arina looked over to Nik, his handsome face smiling and inviting. She dozed off for a moment and then fell into a restless sleep. Arina dreamed, so many images flashing before her eyes, she could only make out two of the images. Nik and Komi. Then a sudden warmth ran through her and the weight of death pressed on her, a scream rang out through the cold, chilling her to the bone, and then the light of day brought her to her senses. What did it mean? Surely a bad omen. Something horribly terrifying was going to happen soon, and Arina had no idea what.
The day was gone in an instant, and she was dragged into an eerie sleep again. The same images flashed before her, the warmth flowed through her again, intensified a million times over. The same weight crushed her into oblivion and the same bloodcurdling scream echoed through her mind, drawing her to awareness.
Nik was sitting upright next to her, untied and un-gagged when she awoke. He smiled at her curious face,
“She let me out, the other girl I mean.”
“Oh.”
“You didn’t sleep well, did you?”
“No...but...”
“Yes?”
“Being with you makes me feel better.”

That instant, the image of Komi in her mind shattered. Arina leaned over on top of her hands and groaned.
Nik let his hand hold her chin up and he gazed into her eyes,
“You ok?”
“I...dunno...”
With his first hand still holding her chin up, he leaned in and kissed her and his other hand held hers. The kiss ended and she threw herself over Nik, hugging him. His hand softly patted her back.
“I’m so lost...” Arina whispered.
Nik pulled back, gazed into her eyes again and kissed her, in between the kiss his softly spoke, “You...can’t...be...lost...you’re...with me...
“I—”
The warmth pulsed through her, vibrating and leaving her feeling like every bone in her body had shattered.
“Ohhh....”
“Do I need to get...is the other girl a healer?”
“Yes and no.”
Nik looked puzzled but remained silent.
“Yes, she’s a healer, No, don’t get her.”
“Oh, ok.”

The day went by quickly, no sign of Komi or Quel had been found. In the middle of the night, Arina was awakened by Nik’s smooth voice, and lips.
“Yes...?” Arina whispered.
“Let’s go on a walk.”
Nik helped her to her feet and walked her out of the camp, his bare, muscular arms around her.
“It’s chilly out.” Arina commented.
Nik grinned, “Want me to make it warm?”
“No thanks.”
Nik sat down on a long, smooth stone and beckoned for Arina to sit down next to him. She did, He slowly rolled his arm around her and slid her closer to him. She reluctantly leaned against his shoulder and sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Nik inquired.
“Nothing...” Arina stated.
“I’m serious.”
“I...”
“Yes?”
“I feel like I’m betraying someone.”
“Oh...who?”
“Another guy...”
“Do...you...not like me?”
“Don’t get me wrong, you’re handsome, sweet, and you make a great kisser, it’s just...”
Nik was silent.
“I...”
“Your heart...belongs...to someone....else.” he whispered.
“I...”
“Arina...”
She gazed up at the stars.
“I love you...Arina.”
She was silent.
“Well...”
“I’m...cold let’s...go back.”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“I need to do something.”
“What?”
“Why don’t you like me?”
“Nik, I do like you, it’s just—”
“No you don’t,” He grimaced, “I can tell, there’s something about me that you don’t...like!”
“Don’t be so childish!”
He smirked wickedly, “I’ll show who’s childish.”
“Nik, stop joking around, I’m serious!”
“I am serious.”
His blade clicked off of his belt and flickered in the wavering moonlight, and he commanded holding the knife at her, “Lie down.”
“Nik, stop it!”
Nik pressed the blade to her throat and pushed her down on the flat stone. He got over on top of her and tore her dress, leaving glittering strands of white thread everywhere, glowing in the moonlight. He ripped at her dress until her form was completely exposed to the chilly wind.
“You’re hurting me....please....stop...” Arina whimpered.
“You did to me what nobody else could, you broke my heart, now I’m going to do something that as long as you live, you’ll never forget.”
He unbuckled his belt and pulled down his zipper. He threw the belt to the side and pulled his pants down to his knees, and slowly slipped off his underwear. He slowly lowered himself onto Arina and held back her struggling hands with his forearms and held the knife to her throat with one hand and stroked her pale face with his other hand.
“It’ll all be over soon, beautiful...”

Arina felt his warm skin against hers, she wanted to kill him, to injure him so badly, but she couldn’t find the strength inside of her to do it. She felt a slow, easing, warm liquid leaving him and entering her. That calming warmth that soothed her so much she was terrified. She barely heard his voice,
“Do you love me now?”
The warmth pulsed through her and vibrated so much it felt like every bone in her body had shattered into a million pieces.
“Want more?”
More of the foreign fluid eased its way into her. She heard the faint cry of a wolf in the distance. Then fours paws padding on layers of leaves, growing closer, and closer.
Nik looked up from Arina and around. The echoing sound of wolves surrounded them, and then came to a menacing halt.
One pair of vibrant green eyes glared at Nik from the shadows. Nik peeled his flesh from Arina, yanked his loose-fitting pants up, and jumped to the ground, waving his knife back and forth in attempt to scare it off.
The creature he guessed was a wolf slowly walked out of the shadows. She was a magnificent creature, her fur was a solid silver-grey color and her large ears were perked up, she held her head high with pride.
“Begone! Get outta here, mutt!”
The wolf waited no longer, she made a jump towards the rock, twisted and ricocheted back towards Nik. Barely tilting her head from the angle she had launched at she bit deeply into his hand. He screamed and dropped his knife. The wolf slid on the ground, and without turning launched at Nik’s leg. She tilted with precise accuracy in flight, and using her teeth, ripped into his calf. Nik yelped in pain and collapsed to his knees, his wide face before the moon, a river of pain and tears.
“Please....please...don’t let me die....” his face was red and swollen from his tears.
The moon watched calmly, as if nothing had happened.
The wolf snarled and charged at Nik, teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
Nik turned at the last moment, eyes and mouth wide in terror, then, the wolf’s teeth connected with his neck and clenched tightly. The impact sent Nik flying into the stone; his head hit the sharp end of the stone. His eyes widened slightly and his body grew relaxed. The wolf let go of his neck and placed her two front paws on his broad chest. Holding her head high, she howled.
Once she was done, as graceful as a cat, she climbed up to Arina and curled up next to her, doing her best to help her through the many hours ahead.

A single ray of starlight beamed softly on the corpse feet away from Arina. Nik, his eyes wide and frozen, his bloodied body tainted red, his undamaged hand still grasping the wound to his other hand, the fatal bite to the neck that shone to the bone. Two jet-black paw prints were engraved through his shirt and into the skin, a symbol of his wrong-doing. The corpse would be gone by morning, nothing but memory would be able to tell of his crime.
Arina didn’t know Nik was dead, she could barely think. But she could dream, and that she did. She dreamed of a person who could never betray her, because, unlike Nik, he truly loved her.

Back at camp, Viv woke up in a start,
“Someone needs me.”
Viv ran through the forest, in no particular direction, ducking under vines and jumping over logs. She saw the corpse first, then the wolf with bloodied teeth, then half-naked Arina.
“Wha!?” Her instincts told her to run, a wolf could cause them all to perish. Voices, no, not voices, but thoughts entered her mind. She knew the wolf wouldn’t kill her, she knew what Nik had done, and she now knew Arina’s condition.
“I...can...take care....of Arina...”
The wolf nodded respectfully and jumped from the rock to the ground. She gripped the corpse by the neck of his undershirt and dragged him into the shadows. Then she heard the sound of ripping flesh, the gurgle of blood, and then silence. Viv noticed a gleaming knife on the ground, she bent down and examined it and knew it was Nik’s. She gently picked it up with her sleeves and tossed it into the bushes. She sat down next to Arina and attempted to shield her from the prevailing winds, she could not. She pushed her, trying to wake her up, Arina would not wake up.

(Im stuck here. HELP :'( )
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Healer
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I read it all and I think it's good, maybe some travelers can find Viv and Arina and help them. The only thing that I think you need to work on is more descriptive sentances, but its optional, you dont need it.v :wub:
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