by J E Reed
Elliott engaged in conversation while she continued to look at everything around them. It wasn’t long before she was handed a wooden sword and told to position herself. Though her body still hurt, Kiuno obeyed.
Kikyo eyed her. “Are you up to this?”
“I can’t let you outdo me.”
He smirked. “Good.”
Kikyo lunged at her, but when the blunt wood should have collided with her side, he pulled the attack. Both were handed a shield and though it felt awkward, it was nice to have something to hide behind.
She pushed Kikyo’s blow back and knocked him off balance.
He wasn’t having it again.
As usual, she appeared clumsy compared to Kikyo’s elegance.
After an hour Elliott called it quits and moved to the more interesting subject. Magic always seemed to fascinate him, and she wondered if he were a bit jealous about not having the ability.
“Kiuno, why don’t you sit and rest for a while,” Elliott offered.
She would have loved to join, but remembered the doctor telling her to take things easy. She didn’t want to relive the symptoms of yesterday.
The instructor, who was an entire head shorter than Kikyo, could also manipulate the wind. She had a hard time following them at first, but once tiny particles of debris joined the twirling air, she fixated her gaze on Kikyo. His grace and precision unmatched.
In the span of a few hours Kikyo was correlating the movement of wind with his staff. He turned and pivoted with the element as if they were one. Was there ever going to be something he couldn’t do?
That night, she saw the bandages. Elliott’s were worse. He carried a large gash over the left hip, and she scolded them for not telling her. She wasn’t the only one that should be resting.
Kikyo hid his pain, but she could see his face scrunch with small movements. She felt it too. Now that the excitement was over, her ribs ached with every breath. The small cuts across her arms itched, and the blisters on her hands burned.
Four days crawled by before she attempted to use her magic again. Thinking about the aftermath made her nervous, but she had to try.
Rumor of her participation must have spread fast. A large crowd, pretending to be occupied, cast glances her way. The short instructor from days ago stood before her. She’d finally learned his name was Jose.
Several sat on the sideline ready to block her magic. They described the feeling as pushing against a heavy wall. She’d felt something similar while facing the leader of the slave camp. Being able to do it without creating actual flames saved energy.
“All right, let’s start with something small to be sure you’re feeling all right.” She nodded and the people surrounding them took a few steps back. If they expected a grand display they were going to be disappointed.
Kiuno took a breath. All was silent. She searched her core for the spark buried beneath layers of her subconscious. It still felt distant, but was becoming more familiar.
Minutes passed, and her frustration grew.
Nothing.
“It’s gone,” she whispered.
“What’s gone?” Jose asked.
“The spark. I can’t find it.”
“No need to worry,” he assured. “It happens all the time. Your body is still recovering.”
“That’s normal?” Kikyo asked.
He nodded. “You expended a great deal of energy, and your body is just protecting itself.”
“How long will that last?”
“Could be a few days or weeks. Just keep resting. It’ll come back when you’re ready.”
Weeks?
Kiuno sighed. It seemed Elliott would be lighting his own fires for a while.
REALM: 4
DAY: 82
They stayed a week and a half before Elliott thought it better to move on. Kiuno practiced several times a day, but she’d come no closer to accessing her magic, leaving her in constant disappointment.
Truthfully, she hadn’t learned much. No one seemed to have trouble summoning their elements. To them, the current was clear, and they could pull it forth at a second’s notice.
Kikyo, on the other hand, picked up a lot. He practiced as they traveled by blocking the harsh winds. She remembered how worn he’d been after fighting the feline. That seemed like such a long time ago.
The villagers pointed them toward the fourth realm and the weather grew colder every day. Thin scattered pines did nothing to block the breeze. Kiuno wondered if they would have to settle in one place until the worst of winter blew over. She wasn’t sure how they would fare trudging through a blizzard.
So many things had changed since they first arrived, her fear being one of them. The twisted creatures of the land once occupied the forefront of her mind. Now she thought more about the people who thrived on violence.
Through experience, they’d learned to be more careful, but there was always the possibility of running across hostility.
Her mind wandered to Eldridge. Had they stumbled upon a village of bandits or were they attacked while they rested? What happened to the escort that was supposed to protect them? Would she be a lifeless body left forgotten if she had gone with them?
Kiuno glanced at her wrist, the blue stone hidden beneath thin fabric. People sought it as a means for hope, yet it was a mystery shrouded in danger. What purpose could it serve if no one knew what it meant? Maybe it didn’t have a point at all…
She ducked, feeling the wind from his staff brush against her face. Elliott had almost taken her head off with that last swing.
“Pay attention,” Elliott chided. She moved back into her stance, shoving the thoughts aside. A wandering mind wasn’t the best of things while sparring. They’d moved into the fourth realm a few days ago and made time for training every day since. With her magic absent, it was her only defense.
Pines littered the area, but they were too far apart, leaving the trio vulnerable. Anyone within half a mile could see their fire.
Despite what they’d been told, Kiuno felt her body had shut off the magic altogether. Kikyo worked with her like he used to, trying to dig for any sign of the spark or current, but she was back to square one.
She parried Elliott’s staff, and the impact left a sting in her palms. A shadow flashed to her right. She shoved Elliott forward, spinning the staff to block Kikyo’s attack and struggled to remain upright. He never went easy.
“You’re improving.” Elliott smiled and offered his hand.
An odd game developed where one would surprise the other in a mocked ambush. She’d been the victim of too many strikes. They kept her on edge and conspired against her. Kiuno’s ribs were more bruised now than ever. It seemed her body would never lose its bluish color while in this place.
“You aren’t too bad yourself, old man.”
Elliott’s contagious laughter filled the air. “Your youth will catch me eventually. I have a hard-enough time keeping up with Kikyo.” She looked at their friend, knowing full well what he meant.
They set their staffs aside and Elliott started on dinner. She didn’t like camping in the open, but it was too cold to go without. The sun fell on another day, casting an orange glow over the land. Elliott yawned and pulled his blanket from their pack. Maybe tomorrow they’d stumble across something more interesting and preferably warmer.
A thin layer of snow covered the ground and she knew the next village they ran into might very well be their home for a while. Unless the wi—a rush of air flew across her cheek. Behind her an arrow protruded from the tree.
It’d barely missed.
Kiuno whipped her head back and ducked as more flew.
Where had it come from?
Kikyo ducked down close to her and painful seconds ticked by as she scanned the trees, her mind racing.
Where was—
“Elliott?” His knees hit the ground, and she jumped the few feet to close the distance. His hands gripped her arm painfully as she looked him over.
Four arrows pr
otruded from his back, each buried deep. Frantic, she turned to Kikyo, but he remained still, eyes scanning.
Did he know? Could he see them? Why weren’t they firing anymore?
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe. Another arrow buried itself in Elliott’s back and he let out a hissing breath. Her fingers trembled as red soaked through his shirt. She needed to move. They needed to escape.
She turned to Kikyo and her heart faltered.
Fear.
The one person she relied on to keep his composure. He looked at her and then back to the trees. If he didn’t know what to do, if he were scared—An arrow buried itself straight through the top of Kikyo’s shoulder. He cured, breaking the tip and cast the offending object aside.
This wasn’t real. It was all just a bad dream. Fingers dug into her shoulders and she turned to desperate eyes. Elliott needed help. She had to pull the arrows out, but he stilled her movement by gripping tighter.
“Run.”
Kikyo slammed her down and she watched Elliott’s head collide with the hard ground, his body limp. She screamed, reaching, barely recognizing her own voice. She had to protect him, but Kikyo was too strong, pinning her in place.
Tears streamed down her face as she stared at Elliott and the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Kikyo stood and the sound of scraping metal sent chills down her spine. Several men surrounded them, their weapons drawn. Kiuno finally got the mind to stand and draw her own.
If Kikyo was going to fight, then she would fight too. Her eyes drifted to Elliott despite the approaching danger.
Run.
He could guide them. He could tell them what to do.
Stand up Elliott.
They tackled Kikyo, trying to wrestle him to the ground. His lips moved, but it was as if the audio had been turned off to her world. He slammed his fist into one man’s face and kneed another in the gut before they restrained his hands.
She should help, she needed to help, but everything happened in a blur. She couldn’t breathe, and something collided with her head, causing the nightmare to shift to darkness.
WHEN KIUNO’S eyes opened, the first thing she noticed was the throbbing pain in the back of her head. Her vision swam as she tried to focus in the dim lighting. Had she passed out again or was she dead? No, the pain told her otherwise. She now lay on a wooden floor, arms bound behind her back.
Hadn’t those last events been a nightmare?
Turning, she caught sight of anxious blue eyes staring into her own. Her friend sat bound and gagged. Defenseless. Beside him sat another, crimson staining his frozen form. When she looked back at Kikyo, he shook his head.
Elliott was gone. After all they’d done…he wasn’t even given the chance to fight.
She watched Kikyo’s eyes shift from mourning to cold hatred as a man’s heavy footfalls approached. A calloused hand hauled her up, making her head spin. She was sure it’d been split open.
Kiuno counted thirteen men.
They were nothing, she could take them out with ease, that was, if she still had her magic. In her current state, it wasn’t likely. If Kikyo hadn’t been able to overpower them, what chance did she stand?
Kiuno looked at Kikyo, wondering if his magic were strong enough to fight them off. He must have been waiting for her to wake up. It’d be hard to run carrying dead weight.
The man wrapped his fingers in her hair. “What’s wrong boy, want your girlfriend?” He let out a mocking laugh in response to Kikyo’s scowl. “Don’t worry, we’ll give her back. Might even be nice enough to let you live.”
“Don’t go making promises.” Another warned. He appeared disinterested. Maybe she could talk her way out of this.
“Don’t spoil my fun.” His hot breath against her neck and nipping teeth sent chills down her spine. Kiuno clamped her eyes shut. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t happen. Not after—
“Let her go!” Kikyo’s thunderous voice caused the men to start, all eyes turning. Somehow, he’d removed the cloth from his mouth.
“And if I refuse? You plan on doing something about it?”
He twisted her to face Kikyo, sliding his hands down her wrists as if mocking what Kikyo would never have. He slammed her against a nearby table. Kiuno reared up, spun around and spat in his face. He slammed her against the table again, and stars shot across her vision.
“Get your filthy hands off her!” Her captor flew across the room, hitting the wall with enough force to rattle the small cabin.
All men got to their feet as a furious current blew through the space. Kikyo stood at the core, eyes darting between each of them. His arms remained bound, but that simple mishap wouldn’t hinder the magic.
“The boy is one of the magic wielders. Kill him.”
Kiuno reached for the fire, but nothing happened. Surely this warranted its return. Thinking fast, she used her feet to trip those closest and sat back on the table to slam her legs into another.
Kiuno tucked her legs and pulled her arms forward, but a harsh kick sent her sprawling to the ground. Kikyo’s howling fury shoved three of them away from her. It seemed as if the air itself carried his ferocity.
She should’ve learned not to doubt him, not after everything he’d learned. They might just be able to pull this off.
Kiuno needed to act as the distraction. Allow Kikyo to take them out one by one. As long as she didn’t get held down—
Something plunged into her right side. At first Kiuno thought she’d been punched. It wasn’t until she saw his wicked grin that she noticed the knife. Her blood ran cold as she looked down to find a small slit in her shirt.
She stepped back as a piece of wood shot through his head. He fell, and she clutched her wound. How deep was it? Would she bleed to death?
A blade flew and impaled another to her left. Kikyo was protecting her.
Kiuno turned to find three men slamming him to the ground. Each struggled against the fury that twisted around his body. She jumped to her feet.
They were breaking his concentration.
She was breaking his concentration.
With bound hands, Kiuno dove for a dagger on the floor, but someone grabbed her ankle and her face slammed into the hardwood. The man crawled over her, pinning her with his weight.
She watched the nightmare unfold.
One man climbed over Kikyo and pulled a knife from his belt. It was against his throat before she had time to plea, but she cried out anyway, begging for a miracle, for someone to save him.
Dragging it across, the blade cleanly cut his skin and crimson spilled along the wooden floor.
REALM: 4
DAY: 82
Kikyo was always told, when death came, he’d watch his life flash before his eyes. Instead, he heard one thing.
Her voice.
Do you hate me?
The words stung as much as the first time she’d uttered them. They echoed in his mind as he watched her struggle. It didn’t hit him that this was the end until he hit the ground. From then, he knew, there were only seconds left.
Instead of blissful memories with his mother baking pie or his brother teasing him in the yard, he heard her voice.
Instead of all the times his father had taken him in the woods to track wild game, that small whisper echoed in his mind.
Couldn’t it at least have been something more pleasant?
Do you hate me?
She couldn’t see the little smirk back then. Despite his anger, he couldn’t believe she would ask something so ridiculous, like a child seeking affection, a child afraid of being rejected.
It was her fault…back when she first arrived, it was because of her he’d been struck in the face. He knew, from that moment, she was trouble. Bringing food into a group of starving people…how stupid. He and Elliott saved her from being mauled that day. Even after the fact, they still wanted to see if she had anything in her pockets. Honestly, the girl didn’t even have a pack, where did they expect her to hide it
?
Kiuno was better at things than she gave herself credit for. Too humble for her own good. She didn’t want to outdo anyone, but he forced her. For her own sake, to be able to defend herself, she needed to be pushed to the limit. Past those limits even. She didn’t hold back with him, and he was proud of that. Proud to see her fighting just as hard now.
He wasn’t in pain, he hoped she knew that, but the anguish on her face told him otherwise. She would hurt. For a long time, she would suffer, blaming herself for things she couldn’t control.
He would have given her a playful smile if he were able. Something to remember. Something to drown out the gruesome site that would follow in mere seconds.
The cold blade pressed against his neck, but her fire was spreading.
She’d survive. That inferno couldn’t be quenched, he’d seen it before. She was the strongest of them, though she didn’t know it yet.
Do you hate me?
I could never hate you.
There was so much more to be said, so many things he could have told her, but he didn’t dare.
Hate you? Never, if anything Kiuno, I…
REALM: 4
DAY: 82
Why?
She laid there in shock, heart constricting as his head collided with the floor and blue eyes glazed over.
Her world shifted, cheeks already soaked from memories as she willed him to stand. Willed herself to wake up.
Her entire body shook, but she pushed to her knees, never taking her eyes off him. The flames surged in a torrent, their warmth filling the cabin.
Why now? Why, when it no longer mattered? Why did the fire crave the freedom to consume those around her, raging as their own inferno?
The rope melted from her hands as she crawled to his body, lifeless eyes still upon her.
The screams seemed like something in the distance. Echoes begging for their lives.
Kiuno reached out to wipe a tear only to watch his skin scorch from her touch. She recoiled, trembling hands clenching to fists.
It wasn’t enough that he was gone, but she couldn’t touch him either? She wouldn’t be able to pull his body from this fiery grave? Why couldn’t she do this simple thing for him?