Dad, Mom, please don't go again. Please don't leave me! Dad, please don't stay outside!
Her thoughts and pleas are to no avail, as the unforgiving memory continues to play itself out. In as much as she wishes that this story would change, she once again sees her father’s lifeless husk bursting through her homes door. All too familiar, and far too revisited, she knows how this ends. Shortly afterward the wicked man enters her home and slays her mother, piercing his blade through the table. The crimson red blood dripping off the fiend’s swords, yet again freshly embroiled into her mind.
────────
Reliving the terrible scene, Cherise screamed out, awaking in a cold sweat safely atop her bed. Haunted by her failure, Cherise was plagued with this reoccurring nightmare, a continually reopening wound of days long since passed. Still carrying guilt over that fateful day, and what might’ve happened if she had taken another path, Cherise feared the nightmares would never end, that she would forever bear this burden. But in her heart, she couldn’t help but think that it was somehow punishment, for not having acted sooner to stop the travesty that befell her home.
Ten years have passed since that fateful night, and having just recently had her eighteenth birthday, Cherise had now grown to be a beautiful young woman. In her small lodgings, Cherise surrounded her walls and ceiling with an assortment of strange objects from around the Aya. Being relatively confined to the Order, she made do with what allowances she earned, purchasing any strange item of the outside world she could from traveling merchants.
Clenching her blankets tightly, she began to contemplate the dream as she leaned forward. With tearing eyes, she started talking as if her mother and father were still there to listen to her.
Cherise: "Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry. If only I told you and the others what I'd seen, maybe things would've been different. Maybe you’d still would be here with me. But I promise that next time, I just won’t stand around, and do nothing." After noticing some of her loose tears wet the blanket, she spoke remorsefully.
Cherise: "I miss you both so much." And as Cherise was about to wipe away her tears, she heard loud yell coming from just outside her window.
Obi: "Cherise! Hurry up already! Every day!... What’s taking you so long?!" Looking out through a window, Cherise saw the sun was shining brightly, too brightly she thought, as she realized in that moment it must’ve already be mid-day.
Oh no. I slept in again, and today of all days? Obi’s definitely going to be sore with me…
I guess I have no choice. Time to use my feminine charm.
She thought to herself, as a slightly ill-begotten grin came across her face. After deciding her approach, Cherise made up her mind to be as ridiculously cheerful as possible before responding.
Cherise: "I'm coming!” She yelled back out her window with as bubbly a voice she could manage.
────────
Hastily getting dressed and ready as quickly as feasibly possible, Cherise headed outside. She then walked out the front of her wooden living quarters wearing her own white robe of the Order. And feeling the warmth of the mid-day sun on her skin, she did a brief stretch. With her absent minded stretch over, Cherise noticed Obi nearby waiting impatiently for her.
Throughout the past ten years, even though he was only in his early thirties, Obi had been rapidly balding as he’d previously feared. And although Cherise would never tell him so, she was almost positive that his hair loss was undoubtedly do to the vigorous rubbing of his head in frustration over the past years. No doubt, the likely culprits of almost all his frustrations were over the shenanigans Ira and Theo had regularly put him through over the years.
And it was over these same years, which Cherise had picked up something of potentially much greater significance. She’d notice that the rules of the Order, and transgressions seemed to be particularly lax when concerning Obi. In truth, she noticed the special treatment on the first day. But on the many separate occasions she tried asking Obi about it, he either changed or avoided the subject entirely.
And as Obi waited, he had an impatient look on his face for Cherise’s sake. And even though he was holding his staff, he was determined to cross his arms to look even more impatient as he was continually pacing his foot. He was over exaggerating even more so than usual today, but Cherise didn’t mind, she knew it was all to let her know his justifiable disappointment in her tardiness.
Cherise: "Good morning, uncle!" She said while running over to his side in the same bubbly tone as before, hoping it would help calm him down a bit.
It worked like a charm. Shaking his head, Obi's sour demeanor tempered slightly before he responded.
Obi: "For the hundredth time, stop calling me that." To which she responded back a little teasingly.
Cherise: “Aww, but you’re the only one I call that.”
Obi’s face alone spoke of his continued disapproval of the gesture. Giving in only slightly, Cherise continued with her cheerful disposition.
Cherise: "Okay, I’ll stop calling you uncle for today…" She said sincerely, showing her unusual persistence on the matter.
Seeing that this would be an ongoing issue, Obi raised an eyebrow curiously as he looked at her. Staring Cherise down for a few awkward seconds, their exchange somehow evolved into a game to see who’d be the first to flinch or speak up. When Cherise started making faces, Obi finally let off a partially muffled chuckle. He then pretended to use his hand to scratch at a nonexistent itch on his nose. All of which, was an attempt to hide a grin behind his hand, proving that he lost their unspoken challenge. At the sight of Obi’s lighthearted change of attitude, Cherise smiled victoriously.
Yes, mission accomplished!
Remembering something, Obi suddenly scolded her.
Obi: "Oh, and by the way, that's just like you! Since when is mid-day morning? I'll have you know we're several hours behind schedule because we were waiting on you." He said, crossing his arms again, trying to put on a displeased look for her to get a clue.
Not having any real excuse, Cherise looked back apologetically.
Cherise: “I’m sorry, Obi.” She said sincerely while lowering her head slightly, and twiddling her fingers.
Being unable to stay angry with her, Obi just sighed before shrugging.
Obi: "Well, I suppose there's no point dwelling on it here… If those two know what's good for them, then they should be preparing for the trials as we speak." He said while looking off towards the courtyard, and glancing back to Cherise.
Obi: "You ready?" He felt inclined to ask given her tardiness.
Cherise: "Let's go!" She said full of energy, knowing the importance of the day.
────────
It was only a short walk later with Obi before they saw both Ira and Theo in the center of the temple grounds. The two were also wearing the white robes of the Order, but the upper portion of the Ira’s robe above the waist was hanging down his back, held up only by his belt. Although he wore his robe incorrectly, Ira did at least wear a dark long sleeve shirt to cover himself in the robes stead.
Over the past years since their time in the village, Theo was never quite the same high spirited boy he once was. Though a slight improvement upon his arrival, Theo would now only speak occasionally, and even to this day, he still appeared to have a somewhat embittered disposition. But in the end, compared to his former self, he was broken inside. In terms of his appearance however, he was physically fit, and unusually strong for his age. And surprisingly, Theo still stubbornly kept the same childhood haircut over all these years.
Cherise could see that Theo also had a faint darkened cloud at his back. The unnatural sight of it didn’t even make her flinch. Like witnessing the sunrise, it was usual, and expected for Cherise to see it every day, as she had become more aware over the years of this darkness, unseen by others. And she often would see a lingering shadowy fog at peoples back.
But Theo was a special case, he always had a hint of the
foul taint on him, always. But most of the time, the dark presence was nothing larger than the small wisp of a cloud that perpetually followed at Theo’s back. In its incomplete form, the cloud that currently lingered at Theo’s back wouldn’t so much as get a rise out of Cherise. She was more than used to such sights by now. And though she was curious of her unique gift, and how she came upon it, there was no one to turn to for answers. One thing was for certain, she correctly determined it was an ability which was hers alone.
In a stark contrast to Theo, Ira had only grown ever more strong willed, and confident in himself. Of the two, he was slender, but still physical fit in his own right. He kept particular care of jet his black hair, and it seemed to be his only outward trait he diligently kept in order. His hair was much longer than it was as a child, as he tightly tied it back with a decorated metal brace into a warrior’s ponytail. His chosen haircut was very much intentional, similarly accustomed to the style the warriors of the Toride clan were known to have, and with a personal touch, Ira also had two portions of his hair covering a portion of his face, slightly to his sides.
Over the years, for a multitude of reasons, the two had felt the need to distinguish themselves from the others. Being able to constantly rely on one another, the two began honing their skills, and in time they both grew to be amazingly skilled in swordplay.
Upon Cherise and Obi were making their arrival, the two were standing apart from one another, each holding their own makeshift wooden swords. A large wooden great sword in Theo's hands, and two katana styled wooden swords in Ira's.
Even today, they’re going at it again?
It wasn’t until once Obi and Cherise walked closer to them, did they finally pull away their attention from one another. Before they could begin sparring, Obi made sure to yell at them from his ever-decreasing distance.
Obi: "This is likely the most important day since you've arrived here at the Order, and what do I see you both doing?! You're about to start dueling again?! Neither of you two can afford to get tired today!" Ira brushed off Obi’s concerns as he looked at him with a confidence.
Ira: "Don't worry, Obi. This won't take long." He said to the clear annoyance of Theo, who understood exactly what he’d implied.
Not much had changed between the two since they were kids. Sure enough, Ira's taunting would never go unanswered, and Theo immediately started charging right at him.
Confidently remaining in place, Ira grinned before quickly blocking an anticipated strike from Theo, using both of his swords defensively. The two were momentarily deadlock as both pressed their swords onto one another. And as the two were pushing on one another, Ira found the time to brag again.
Ira: "Come on, Theo. You're going to have to do allot better than this, if you expect to beat me." He said with a smirk.
Irritated by Ira's taunts, Theo leaned in forward with greater force, pressing Ira back before taking a wide swing sideways, which was narrowly dodged. Ira’s once confident grin was replaced by a nervous clenching of teeth. Pressing his advantage, Theo swung again, and again from every angle, with Ira dodging every strike, each more effortlessly then the last, now with his renewed confidence on his face.
After dodging the continued attacks, Ira leapt backwards before changing his expression into a more serious one to match his battle stance. Lunging back towards Theo, Ira delivered a flurry of strikes at amazing speed.
Theo was barely able to keep up with Ira’s frenzied assault, and it was getting increasingly difficult to defend himself against the onslaught. Rapidly getting tired, deflecting Ira’s seemingly unending repeated strikes with such a heavy weapon was taking its toll.
Frustrated, Theo got some distance from his opponent. When out of striking range, he used his wooden sword as a pole, planting it on the ground before leaping into the air. Upon his descent, he came crashing back down on Ira, putting all his weight behind his next strike to which his opponent confidently accepted the challenge.
Waiting below, Ira swung both swords in perfect unison with lightning reflexes, shattering Theo’s wooden sword in half as he was coming down. And without giving Theo time to respond as he was landing back to the ground, Ira stopped his swords swing just short of reaching Theo’s neck.
Ira: "Looks like I win." He said, knowing full well it was obvious without him saying so.
These two… They’re always so close to taking things too far.
With Ira's wooden weapons still at his neck, Theo displayed his broken wooden sword upright in frustration. He just pointed at his broken instrument with an annoyed, and unconvinced look, as if implying he’d somehow got unlucky with his choice in weapon. Not particularly offended, Ira backed away to give him some space.
Ira: "No one likes a sore loser, Theo." He said with a playful grin.
Though unintended, Ira’s remark got an immediate irritated response, as Theo threw the useless shattered wood aside.
Theo: “Give me a break! A real great sword would never shatter in two like this. If you tried to block a real strike-" Before things could escalate any further, Cherise abruptly jumped into the conversation as she started walking between the two.
Cherise: "Now, now, you two, don't fight. Remember the entire reason why you both been sparring all these years to begin with. You’ll both have to be working together later today, so play nice.”
Hearing what Cherise had to say, both Ira and Theo looked at her, before giving each other a slight shrug. Even though Theo was still mildly irritated, both were easily convinced into dropping their argument altogether. To lift their spirits, Cherise continued talking with her uplifting attitude.
Cherise: “Isn’t it exciting though?! It feels like we’ve been waiting ages for this today to come, and it’s finally here!" She said in anxious delight.
With the matter between them settled, and Cherise getting her thoughts off her chest, it felt right on cue for Keller's yelling voice to be heard from a distance.
CHAPTER 14 – THE TRIALS
Keller: "Iranagi! I can hardly believe it!" The old man yelled, as he went out to meet them in the courtyard.
The group turned their attention towards Keller, who relied more heavily on his walking cane nowadays. As usual, Keller had some followers in toe. As he was walking towards the four, Keller was particularly heading for Ira with a disgruntled expression. Wearing his usual stern faced expression, the old man was finally getting close enough to be heard without yelling. The old man then stopped in front of the four before placing both hands on his cane, so as to be positioned to scold Ira properly. He then spoke while occasionally striking the ground with his cane for emphasis.
Keller: "Even now, on this day, you still show no respect. If I told you once, I've told you a thousand times, put your robe on correctly! It is an honor to be chosen to serve among the Order’s ranks! Act like it! Display yourself properly, with pride, to show you care!" After reprimanding Ira, Keller then walked passed him before glancing back over his shoulder with a playful smirk.
Keller: "Do try to remember that." Reluctantly, Ira started putting the remainder of his robe on correctly, as Keller continued walking on forward.
Passing the other remaining three in the group, Keller left his small entourage behind to wait patiently for him to conclude his business with the others. Keller’s short walk seemed to have been for no other reason, than to ensure he had everyone’s full and undivided attention before he continued to speak.
Keller: "Iranagi, Theo, as you both already know, you will be starting your trials today. It's been precisely ten years since you've arrived here at the Order and have started your training. So that is to say, you've both finally had the adequate amount of time required before beginning the challenges that lay ahead." He said while seeming to reminisce the past for a moment, as he was looking outward towards the sky for only a moment.
Catching himself daydreaming, the old man continued to speak.
Keller: "Well, today's the day you get to show off what you've learned.
What you're both capable of. The first of three, the purpose of todays trial is not simply to prove you know how to handle a blade, but to see if you’re able of adapt… You will engage in combat with an unknown adversary, in an unfamiliar environment. To see if either of you are able to adjust on a moment’s notice, should you one day have to fight a foe with methods not known to you."
Their interest piqued, Theo and Ira were now both anxiously waiting on what Keller had to say next. And giving the old man their full attention, the two of them hadn’t the slightest clue as to what the challenge included, which he eluded to. And still facing skywards, Keller only stopped for a short pause, before he continued with a slightly raised voice.
Keller: "Your first challenge will be to fell a great beast of your own choosing, to display your capabilities." He said while looking back at Ira and Theo, before continuing.
Keller: "As far as I know, neither of you have ever had experience hunting before. So you both will soon know how it is to fight a monster that is either more agile than you, or has more brute strength. Or perhaps if you’re feeling bold or you’re just unlucky, you may encounter a creature that has both such qualities. Either way, you will need to use your cunning, and wit to overcome such prey." And pausing momentarily, he continued.
Keller: "Of course you will need to bring back proof of your kill, and obviously the difficulty of the beast you defeat will be taken into consideration of your overall success."
Considering what he’d just said, Keller then started swaying his head back and forth, as if weighing the next words he had to offer before saying lighthearted.
Keller: "With that said, I don't want either of you coming back with a rabbit's skin for a trophy!" He said while giving a slight chuckle as he looked back at the group before gazing at the sky again.
I wonder if the behemoth rabbits in the Dwarven realm would be okay?... They are awfully big, but it is rather far away… Then again, why am I even giving it this much thought?
The Shadow of Death Page 10