by Adria Eustis
“That dress,” he hissed into her ear, “how her body torments me.”
She skulked behind a wheelbarrow, watching the goddess mourn at the single grave beneath the willows.
“Do it,” he whispered into her ear. “Do it, what are you waiting for? Do it now!”
“And I'll live forever?”
“Yes,” he hissed.
“You won't betr-.”
An apparition hushed her.
The shadow of a young girl, dress torn and arms battered. The girl's black eyes looked through her, as she looked through the girl's translucent skin.
“Why is it so cold here?” The young girl asked, squeezing a water logged doll against her chest.
She looked away, “will you take away the people of the dusk?” She whispered.
“Yes,” he hissed. “Do it, quickly before she returns to the skies.”
She looked down at the master's longbow in her hand. Delicately constructed from the wood of an Astirum tree – born eternally withering and only of the shadow-realm. It's grip encrusted with precious vibrant red vatestite gems. She took aim at the goddess, ignoring the creature of the dusk as it played with it's dead dolly. Ever since the master had given her his weapon, she had been plagued by frightful spirits, she wanted it to end, she wanted her gift of immortality, that which was promised to her.
“What are you waiting for?” He whispered, his horned shadow circling her as she trembled.
She pulled back the silk string, watched it shimmer, golden, like the surface of the fifth moon. A diamond arrow manifested between her fingers. Footsteps approached from behind, she peered over her shoulder.
“They can't see you idiot. Kill her.”
The goddess raised her head from mourning and began to turn. She fired the arrow and watched it glide, glittering, slicing apart the night. What have I done? The last thing Imperia saw of that place, was a violet haze that swarmed the deity as she fell and crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud. Suddenly the night ended and the apricot sun burned her skin, shielding her eyes from the brightness, she felt her stomach dip, she'd returned from the realm of the fifth moon. But why? The master promised they wouldn't see me! The goddess was no where to be seen, her lifeless body left behind in her own world,
“Are you alright?”
Spinning, she came face to face with two villagers, dressed in mourning robes. Startled, she dropped the master's longbow to the ground. The robed men looked towards it, reeled back, at least they were afraid of her, maybe they'd leave her alone, maybe she should do off with them too, interference, no, no, can't have interference, no one can know!
“We don't want no trouble lady,” the shorter man said, walking backwards.
“Get away from me!”
Imperia stumbled, grabbed the nearest tombstone, as the ground around her began shaking, a violent rumble tore through her silk slippers.
“An earthquake?” The taller man yelled.
“Can't be, not in these parts!”
“The horses!”
The men took off through the graveyard, tripping and falling, scrambling back to their feet as they fled. Shadow's Kiss lay still in place as the surface beneath it shook as though denying the laws of the world around it.
She gasped, her hand flung to her mouth, she'd never seen such a thing – the sun was swallowed up by a... a wave? What the?
The ocean reached high, grey and blue, frothing at the edges of it's curled wave. Though miles away from the shoreline it was there – as clear as day – where it should not be!
Imperia reached out for Shadow's Kiss, but was flung some feet sideways by a tremendous jerk, tombstones toppled around her and the weeping willow's flowers rained to the grass in mass suicide. The wind picked up, tearing through her hair and clothes, threatening to fly her like a helpless kite. A thorny bush, thick with black roses flew at her, arms raised over her face, it stung as it hit and burned as it stuck into her as she was sent rolling through the graves.
A constant fierce crashing of water echoed throughout the island. This was me. I did this.
The cemetery was awash with plants ripped from their roots, slabs of concrete lay resting in pieces. Trinkets and flowers from mourners were strewn far and wide. Her eyes searched for Shadow's Kiss. A tear fell down her face, she'd lost sight of it, it could be anywhere! Was it invisible now, like before? He'd be angry that she couldn't return it. Perhaps he would still honour his word? He had to. He had to for all she had done for him.
~
Nina opened her eyes to the dewy morning. Cain was up already, sharpening his blades on a rock.
“Morning,” he said.
“Hey,” she looked around, “damn, I had hoped I'd wake up and all of this would be gone.”
“Fraid you're stuck with me.”
She was so thankful for another day. Especially one that had him in it.
~
Not long after they woke Cain was already pushing to leave and get out across the island, he was stood, packed and ready before she could finish her last bit of stale bread for breakfast. The stench of burning drifted over from the beach and now that it was light she could even make out that they weren't far from the light-house. Those girls from the night before did not look like contenders she wanted to try her hand at defeating. Happy to leave, she heaved herself up with a groan and followed behind him, hoping that today they would find some unfortunate pray to take down. If they could be jerks like the arsonists that would be ever better. She hated that she was thinking like a crazed serial killer, but felt content that her partner in crime wouldn't judge her for it. You know, what being a crazy murderer and all?
It had to be not long past six in the morning, but they'd been walking for half an hour already when Nina remembered her slumber adventure.
“I had a crazy weird dream last night,” Nina said.
“Was I in it?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“No, did you want to be?”
“No comment.” Cain turned away before answering.
“Hmm! Well anyway, it was almost like I wasn't even me. I had all these thoughts and memories of someone else.”
“What happened?”
“You know I guess it makes sense. People say you dream about things going on around you. Well in the dream, I saw ghosts, and I shot an arrow and killed this lady. Makes sense, what with being shot at and you telling me about ghosts. Oh and I remember there being something about moon realms, like you were telling me.”
“Tell me more.”
She felt shocked at his request, not expecting him to want to hear about her dreams.
“There isn't much to tell really, that's all that happened.”
“You said you had memories of someone else? What kind of memories?” Cain stopped walking, they stared at each other.
“Things about making a deal with some guy, a god actually, he was a god, how crazy.” She shrugged, it did sound so stupid now that she'd said it aloud.
“A deal?” He continued on walking, kicking a pile of branches out of the way. The woods here looked like a lot of explosives had gone off recently. Bark was charred and it stank of ash.
“It was just a dream.”
“I like hearing about dreams.”
“Hmm, well, alright. This person, who I felt like I was, she'd make a deal with this god for eternal life, and he'd had me, her, do all his dirty work for him.”
“Interesting. Tell me more.”
She glanced at his back, wondering if his hidden face was mocking her weirdness or if he was genuinely interesting.
“More? Huh, well there isn't anymore, I woke up right after I shot her with my magical bow. Well actually I dropped the bow and it vanished. Then I woke up.”
“Where were you, when all of this happened?”
“Are you going to analyse all this and give me some clairvoyant view on my life or something?”
“Yes. I'm just the greatest at interpreting dreams. I'll need to know everything.”
He shot her a sarcastic look, followed quickly with an enchanting smirk that was probably meant to annoy her but only gave her an overdose of lust.
“I was in a graveyard. I'd opened an arched iron gate to get in, does that mean I'm open to new opportunities or something? Oh and there was a willow tree, that has something to do with peaceful sounds right?”
He seemed deep in thought, remained silent for some time.
“Cain?”
“Yes?”
“The dream? Am I going mad?”
“No. You're fine.”
“You know it's weird but the more I think about it the more I remember about the girl who I felt I was, I think my name was-”
His finger pressed against her lips. Sparks flew, sending her pulse racing.
Dizzy from his touch she almost didn't notice that they were no longer under the safety of the trees, but had arrived at what looked to be another exit to the blocked up mine that they had slept outside. This one wasn't cut off by heavy boulders, she was sure he would be eager to get inside and search for those weapons he was so crazy about.
“That's all I need to know. Let's talk about something else.”
“Seems you're the one going mad. What did you dream about? Flying elephants?”
“You.”
“Oh.”
He stopped and looked out the terrain, before heading off in different direction.
“You don't wanna look in there?” She pointed at the opened entrance in the rock face.
“No, we need to head back to that village, the one where we met up.”
“How come?”
“I've just remembered something interesting there that I want to take another look at.”
“Will I ever understand you?” She sighed.
“One day.” He blushed. The image of him doing so embedded in her mind, placed up high on her mental shelf of things to always remember.
“So, who was Cain before all of this?”
“Before? Huh. I'm still the same man I was before.”
“But what did you do, I mean, what were you into, you know before being here?”
“I don't know.”
He jumped down a big muddy ditch, his black boots hitting the ground with a big thud. Everything he did, every move of his muscular body seemed to delight her. He reached back up for her to help her down. Though she hated feeling like a damsel in distress, so she jumped down the same way he had. Only realising the sheer height after her feet had left the edge. She stumbled, her boots catching in the squelching brown sludge. Cain laughed and moved on, as she stood cheeks burning trying to pull out her boots.
“You don't know?” She asked, catching up.
“I never had time to be into things. You're the first thing I've been into. I mean.. that sounded better in my head.”
He kicked a rock, sending it whizzing ahead at great speed. She loved his powerful strength, it made her feel safe. The rock smashed against an old rusted gate that stood embedded into the ground serving no real purpose. She thought to admire it though, so that she didn't have to respond to what he'd just said. An awkward silence followed before she managed to use her voice again.
“What was your time taken up by then?”
“Travelling, my father and I moved a lot. Never stayed in the same place for more than a week.”
“Running from something?”
“To something.”
“What?”
“Well it was more of a someone than a something. Ever since my mother died, my father made it his mission to find this person. Nothing else mattered to him. So I followed along with him. He lost his job and his wife, my mother, when Dederick was crowned king.”
“Oh, sorry. I hope he's okay now, without you.” She wanted to discuss just how, but was afraid he'd find her too nosey.
“He's probably watching.”
“My family won't be, they would never watch this awful show,” she said, eyes searching for the barely-visible Oculus that followed her. She shot it a nasty glare, reminded of the fact that sickos were watching her try to survive.
“Nor would I. But my father has seen enough blood and guts in his life-time, he's pretty much immune. Heart of stone.”
“Did you not get on?”
“We got on great. But until I'm out of here, he won't be able to move on with his life.”
“Did he ever find that someone that you were looking for?”
“Yes. Only recently.”
All the while they spoke, their gaze was on the terrain, scouting for danger. She could never forget they were in a danger zone. Voices low, they were almost whispering.
“Did they kill your mother or something? Is that why you were looking for them?”
“No. But they were my mother's last words. To find that someone, so that's what we did. And that's all we did.”
“I don't get it though, so you completed your mission, then ruined it all by ending up in here? It doesn't make sense. Did someone in the motor garage kill your mother?”
“Let's just say, they were in the right place and the right time, and leave it at that.”
“That's not good enough, I need answers. How do I even know if I can trust you? How do I know you're not using me? Will I wake up with a knife in my back tomorrow?”
“I wish I could tell you. But I can't. And I know exactly what you think of me, you think I'm a monster, and I'd love to change that. But I can't. And I can tell you a thousand times that I'll never hurt you, but my words would be wasted. And you can take your leave whenever you want. But I beg you not to, cause I'd be forced to follow, and that would prolong this whole thing.”
“What thing? You make no sense.”
“Your mind suffers, I'm sorry. Forgive me.”
“Cain. Just tell me we're going home and soon. Because I don't feel like you care about my mission. My mission to get fifty damn points and get the hell out of here, not only that but you need a whooping three hundred, and to be honest, I can't help but think if I do go home, I'll never see you again.”
“Does that upset you? If you didn't see me again?”
“It breaks my heart.”
“We're going home, together,” he said, flashing her a smile. Blue gaze touching her soul.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
JANINA
October, Year of the Pearl Acacia
It took some force to pull of her boot, almost sending her flying backwards down the yellowed grassy hill. Rubbing her aching feet she stared out over the bumpy terrain ahead, the mornings light rain had made the journey even more difficult, she'd give anything for some good hard concrete to walk on instead.
“Are you sure this is the way? I don't remember a lace-flower field? Nor that over there, looks like the lower half of a castle,” she said.
“We came around the east way last time, but I'm positive we'll arrive at the same place.”
“Sure you don't wanna make our way up that hill to the castle, always wanted to see one.”
“Not much left of that one,” Cain said, sipping on the rain water in his plastic bottle.
“Might be some weapons in there, maybe a sword, who knows even a suit of armour – I could do with one of those.”
“You don't need armour, Nina, you got me.” He laughed, pleased with himself.
“Oh, ha ha. Come on, there might be some people in there.”
“There probably is, and they'd see us coming.”
“True that. Guess I'll never see a castle.”
She laced her boot back up, cursing in her head at all the wonders she'd missed out on seeing.
~
They headed through the lace-flowers, white buds swayed in the breeze. There'd been so many points in her life that she'd imagined skipping happily through the pretty white petals, twirling through garden scents, laying back and enjoying the sun and the easy life. She wanted then just to forget the harsh reality of her life and pretend she was a hummingbird. But far away gunfire to the south brought her back as soon as
she'd imagined her wings.
Nina glanced sideways at the ruins of the castle, sitting temptingly atop the tallest hill around.
“When we get out of here, I'll take you to all the castles in Ainin,” Cain said.
“I like your wishful thinking. But I doubt it's gonna happen.”
“Come on now I-”
“Green! It's green!” She interrupted. Staring at her info-pad.
They stopped dead still, accessing the situation. There appeared to be nothing around but flowers, tall grass, and more grass. Thick grass for miles. A decent place to lay low and hide. She armed herself with two daggers, gripping them tight, eyes wandering through the grass for a slippery snaked. Cain retrieved his flimsy short bow from it's scabbard, pulled an arrow into place. Back to back they stood, she hoped he wouldn't feel the trembling in her limbs. Eyes nervously darted through the fields, every slight change in green received her attention. The breeze swirled through, rustling sounds made it all the more harder to listen for movement. Whoever it was must be crawling, were they armed? She prepared herself for a bullet wound, imagining all the places it might hit. If there was ever a time to discover she had a divine power it was now. Please gods and goddesses grant me something, anything!
A head of thick dark hair rose up from in front of her. Eyes wide, spit stuck in her throat, she couldn't move, speak, remember her own name. Orange eyed and squared featured he hushed her with a long finger over his scarred lips. His naked torso slowly appeared above the plants, a dog-tag around his neck glinted in the barely-there sun. She recognised him almost right away as Zane. The shifter. Suddenly a bullet wound was welcome. Though he was some distance away, she felt already in his clutches, game over. She could see her own credits rolling up the screen. Janina Ambrose, oh such a gruesome death. Zane's left eye twitched, he seemed to fully standing now, quite short, for a guy, but built like a professional wrestler. She could see no way out of this, Cain was looking the other way, she had unspokenly volunteered to scout this direction and any second now the beast would leap at her and her guts would spill out all over the lace-flowers. The least she could do, was let him know, so that he could get a head start.