Crimson Blade (Crimson Series Book 1)

by K. L. O Johnson

  “She’s not your property.”

  “That’s what you all think but from birth she’s mine.” He growls and as I take in this stranger I couldn’t help but wondered about the familiarity that surrounds him. If he knows something he should tell me, if he doesn’t than it doesn’t necessarily matter however, what this stranger said has caused confusion to ripple through me, “What are you talking about?” I question, feeling and hearing my voice tremble at the sound of it.

  “What do you mean: what am I talking about? You should know, or wait . . . didn’t tell me it actually worked.” Now I was more confused than ever before.

  “What worked?” I question, now a little afraid.

  “Tallisis.” he replies with humour in his brusque voice.

  I didn’t think I want to know the answer to that. I regard the sight of this man. He’s a stranger, yes but why does he speak to me as though he knows me. That quip in his eyes tells me something I really didn’t want to believe. “You’re lying.” I mutter.

  “If I was lying then why are you trembling?” he inquires with a tease in his voice. I felt Dante’s eyes on me I couldn’t look at him—I couldn’t look at them. What they did to me was so much worse than rape.

  I regard his face and stand tall. “That may be true,” I whisper feeling tears fall down my face, “But at the same time, you’ve committed a crime.” I declare and felt my energy rush to my fingers not before long. I felt my hand grasps onto something over my shoulder, it’s positioned on my back and I smile. This was going to be smooth.

  “What are you—?” the intruder begins and I point my Prevail at him. A sword passed down through my family for generations—it’s power was what its name represents. The power to prevail. The power to conquer.

  “You’ve violated a council member, a soldier and knight of the Silver Order and my title Crimson Blade. Your punishment shall be death by sword.” I state and felt him tense. The room shifts into a dangerous aura and I felt Dante slowly but sure back up behind me.

  “Do you know what you’ve just done?” he questions, a whisper to his voice. It made my arms prickle in desire but I had to suppress that and I did.

  “Yes. I’ve formally declared this man . . .” I said pointing my blade at the man who stands a few feet from me, “. . . A traitor to the United Council. His death will be slow. I assure you.”

  This stranger has the nerve to burst into a fit of laughter. His black hair and blue eyes shine under the full moon. I notice could tell by his energy levels that he’s in his idol form. A form that was created by our race for the survival of our species, it’s a skill we had to develop as many who lived on earth were being hunted by their primitive ancestors at the time. “You want me to fight you?”

  “It won’t be a fight.” I reply.

  His eyes darken and I felt the danger in his glare. “I won’t hold back just because you’re a woman.”

  I smile, “Don’t bother. I could hold my own against a man of my species. It’s the reason why I was champion.”

  “Was.” the stranger declares.

  I turn to Dante, “What does he speak of?”

  “You’ve been gone a long time and things had changed.” he declares.

  “So in other words . . .” I declare and take my battle stance. “You’re saiding I was going to had to fight for my title again? Correct?” I question.

  “Affirmative.” Dante declares.

  “Hmm. That’ll be interesting,” I smile and launch myself at the stranger who I recognise as Altair. He dodges my attack and I quickly spin around with my sword in hand, I swing and find my sword cuts through the curtain and locks into the wall. The wall cracks as does my glass window; my energy was slowly seeping through my pores—demanding for his blood. I could felt my scales pulsing beneath my idol skin. I regard Dante and saw he’s battling Altair. I notice my head feels heavy and I begin to pant. Lifting a sword becomes troublesome and I find myself collapsing to the ground on until I was on my rear staring through a blackening out gaze.

  Pain seizes my limbs and I felt my body become numb all over ever so slowly. I regard the sight of their battle with anger and horror. Altair had Dante by the locks of his gorgeous silver hair and held a sword at his throat. He whispers something in his ear which I couldn’t hear in my idol form. I watch as his blade turns the colour of blood, my heart leaps in my chest, I know what that was . . . Fortix. It’s in a solidified form. I watch in horror as the sword rips into his chest.

  I didn’t comprehend what happens next but my hands come together and energy gathers before it was released in a beam of light. The next thing I saw was Dante by himself crumpled on the ground. “Dante!” I scream. I sense something drop and realise it’s an energy barrier. I hobble over to him crying. “Wake up please, please wake up.”

  * * *

  Chapter 10: Chapter 9

  * * *

  9. The Starlight Festival

  I gently place his head in my lap and hear footfalls on hurried approach. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Eva she’s shocked at the sight but quickly recovers. She kneels down beside us and begins tending to him, I was too shocked to said anything—too afraid for Dante. I felt myself rock back and forth as her hands began to glow a green—the colour of our energy. I regard the sight of with much fear and uncertainty that I become to understand in a blinding blur that Dante was being taken away from me and hauled on a transparent man-less stretcher.

  There’s something strange about this world that I currently know. I was uncertain once again, I was unsure of what to do. It’s like a saw has ran over my heart and there was nothing I could do to ever mend it again. I steadily pull myself to my feet and saunter towards the door following after the medics. In my daze, I didn’t notice the hand that had wrapped around my slender wrist, only when it tugged did I return. I glanced over my shoulder and saw, Eva. “You need to rest.” she declares.

  I shake my head, “I couldn’t how could I when—”

  “You could and you will,” she sternly informs, her features are hard before they transform into a softer version, I notice she smiles at me, “Dante will be fine. He’s had worse injuries than that and survived—he was our champion after all.” I glanced down the hall and watch as the medics take him away. The one thing that recoiled in my mind wasn’t the injuries that Dante possessed but the title he had now acquired.

  “Champion. Dante’s the Nefaliem Champion.” I mutter and realise, it’ll be him I’ll had to fight if I want my title back. By tradition, Nefaliem enter a championship tournament to determine the next champion—this involved fighters from all divisions and backgrounds. I couldn’t begin to understand how many men and women Dante had to fight in order to gain his title. I was aware that to some men hitting a woman was unspeakable which would had made the tournament more difficult for him. He’s a kind, gentle soul like me. It’s the reason why we get along so well.

  “Yes.” Eva saids before guiding me back to my room, “Time for you to rest.”

  “But Altair—” I begin and Eva hushes me like a mother would to a child.

  “Will be taken care of.” Eva utters with a gentle voice, I was stunned by how calm and relaxed she could be about a man who could destroy worlds with his bare fists. Then again, a lot of Nefaliem could do that, it’s the matter of whether or not, we are willing to break the law or not.

  After I’ve taken a long bath, I crawl into bed and doze off. The next morning doesn’t felt like the morning. Instead, it feels like the evening. I pull myself from my bed and saunter over to my window, drawing back the curtain, I find that it was the evening, stars twinkle in the sky and I internally sigh at the beautiful sight. I hear the door open and in steps Eva with a tray of food. “I thought you might be up by now.” As I stare at her I couldn’t help but be reminded of what had happened last night.

  “Where’s Dante was he alright?” I panic. Eva places the tray down on the table at the end of my bed and meanders over to me, she grasps my hand with teary
eyes. I felt my heart sink. No way. I think, it couldn’t be . . .

  “He’s okay, the doctors were able to save him in time. The healers are working on his energetic channels now and the nurses are taking such good care of him.” she declares, “We were worried about him for some time he kept falling in and out of a death-like-state it was very scary to watch.”

  “You were there?” I asked. She nods.

  “Your grandmother requested my presence, in case something happens, so I could tell you myself.” She pulls from me and heads over to the tray, “Would you like some tea and ‘mognia’?” Mognia was similar to scones on Earth but it was different in a sense where there’s jam and cream layered in the middle of the cooked dough before it was dipped in honey and set to cook—the jam and cream come after. It’s often a small course of serving that’s eaten during tea breaks which was often between training sessions here on Nefelia.

  “But why in the evening?” I question as I move over to the tray where Eva pours the tea in a white delicate cup painted in Neruden—the language of the Nefaliem around the mouth saiding: thou who drink their fill will flourish in isometrics. I smile at the thought, it’s true there are papers from what I remember they might had changed, where having a cup of tea with water between training benefited the mind and body.

  “You’re still recovering remember, I believe it’s good to had the herbal remedies of ‘Japhma’ as much as possible.” Japhma was the tea ground from herbs in the mountains of ‘Lucatha’ in the Prozion region. It’s proven to relax the body and mind enough so that concentration was at its peak but it also has been proven to had health benefits enough so that it’s able to clear energetic channels which in turn nourishes our energetic majic and allows it to replenish.

  “That’s true.” I said and I notice that Eva was quick to bounce over to my wardrobe and pull out a ‘Cathlia’ a traditional Nefaliem dress. It’s a fleecy gown with long sleeves that sway as you move, you’re shoulders for women are revealed but the rest of the female body was concealed. There’s a silver or gold metal bar that rans along the waist and breast of the dress. There are often different designs but at the moment that’s what this design was all about. “What’s this for?” I question.

  “Don’t you remember?” she enquires, “The starlight festival. It’s in one week.”

  I felt my jaw drop. “One week? Really?” Eva eagerly nods.

  “Yes.” she beams and I regard her, surprised. A knock at the door catches my attention and I peer over to saw my grandmother leaning against its frame with her arms and legs casually crossed. My grandmother glanceds over at us with a smile on her face. I couldn’t help but smile in return. All I want to was ran to her and give her a hug. Instead, she stands up straight and holds out her arms offering me comfort. I ran over to her and wrap my arms around her—I didn’t want to cry but I ended up balling my eyes out. We, I remember, stayed like that a little longer than necessary but my grandmother didn’t sawm to mind I was crying like a baby. All she did was hush me.

  Later that evening, I find myself sedentary at the dining room board with my grandmother at the opposite end of this long stretching table. I remember that every dinner I’ve had here so far was with the all three of us; grandma, Dante and me. Dante would often sit beside me. I glanced at the seat beside me and couldn’t help but imagine Dante, telling a silly joke before sitting down. “You should eat.” Grandmother announced pulling me out of my imagination.

  I nod and take a fork, our forks are pretty much like sporks. Our food was often cut up into little cubes before we eat it. By tradition, we eat our foods in small cubes but when we’re in our true form—our dragon form, we tear our food apart before devouring it like a vicious animal. I begin to eat and like that my morning practice session swung by. “Keep your guard up!” I hear Asashin growl.

  “I am.” I retort than within moments, the staff was pointed at the tip of my skull.

  “Really than how come I’ve just delivered a lethal blow.” he mocks. “And right about now, you’ll be dead.”

  I relax from my stance and push the staff away with the back of my hand, “Hahaha very funny.” I sarcastically grumble.

  “No what’s funny was that you were once Champion and you’re still losing to me.” Asashin inquires. I glare.

  “You think you’re funny didn’t you . . .” I trail off and find that I felt Dante’s energy levels, they must be high enough to be detected. I notice that Asashin feels them as well.

  “Well give him a little bit longer and he’ll be on his feet in no time.”

  Taking an opportunity to deliver a sneak surprise attack, I drop and sweep with both my legs and watch as Asashin loses balance, the moment he uses his energy to propel his body forward was the moment, I find the perfect opportunity to push off my hands and flip backwards, pressing out my heel enough so that it nips Asashin in the chin. I flip over and crouch. By the time I was in a crouched position, Asashin was sprinting at me and I was surprised. He thrusts two arms forwards and I sense energy radiate from his limbs, I cartwheel out of the way and ran at him. I could tell that we’re being a little aggressive with each other but I couldn’t help it—he’s winning too much and I need to make sure that I could ascertain my title.

  Asashin, spins around, with his arm hooked out and I duck backwards and slide under. Asashin spins before facing me, his movements are quick, elegant and lethal. I find myself panting, it’s been a while since I’ve used my full strength against an opponent the scary part was or maybe the most frustrating part was . . .Asashin isn’t even sweating. “What does it take to make this man lose?” I mutter under my breath.

  “A lot more than you could dish out Princess.” he replies.

  “You heard me?” I question.

  “Seriously?” he questions with a risen brow.

  “Never mind.” I reply and ran at him again and kick, I leap into the air and spin, delivering another perfect kick. My foot, locks onto Asashin’s arms and I push, I propel my body backwards and watch as Asashin slides along the ground.

  “Good.” he complements.

  I stand tall and smile, “I know right—” I didn’t get a chance to finish my sentence because of the fist I felt lodged against my jaw. Asashin doesn’t move for a moment, his eyes carefully watching my reaction. I step away from Asashin and rub my sore face. “Ow. Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to hit women.” I grumble and Asashin laughs.

  “You’re a warrior not a child. Grow a backbone.” He’s hardcore.

  “Seriously?” I question as I continue to rub my face. “In Australia it’s illegal to hit a woman. And you just did it.” I grumble.

  “Do you want to keep training or not?” he askeds, “Or are you just a sore loser?”

  “Kalverya, that’s not entirely fair,” Zeanna proclaims.

  I nod in realisation and bow to Asashin with a hand over my heart, declaring, “Please forgive me . . .” I peek up at him and saw he’s arms are folded over his thickly toned chest that I could saw lined through his black scales. “It was a bad joke.” I continue.

  Asashin was immobile for a brief moment before declaring, “You’re forgiven.” I couldn’t help but muster a small but bright smile, then suddenly, I felt a cool chill brittle against my skin, ranning goose bumps along my arms. In my idol form, I was reminded of my vulnerability to the weather. “What’s the matter?”

  “I was just wondered ing about the slaves.” I grimly inform. It feels like only yesterday I was there, with the others, in my idol form—in fear of my life. I know that if it weren’t for my training, I wouldn’t be here now. Unless, Asashin was going to destroy every last keeper. I couldn’t help but wondered at the thought of how powerful Asashin was or rather if he had any power. By the looks of things, this scales are black and from what I remember about black scales—they’re a mutation. A genetic condition. I was uncertain if they affect energetic levels and majic levels or not.

  “I didn’t tell you this because I didn’
t think it was the right time.” Asashin declares. “But there were no slaves.”

  “What are you talking about?” I demand, I gesture to the area behind me, “I saw them in the mountains!” I point at the mountain tops in the distance—I know it’s not those mountains but ones further away.

  Asashin glanceds over his shoulder at Zeanna “Maybe she’ll believe you?”

  “Are you serious?” I question, in fear. “If there weren’t any slaves, then where was I?” I question.

  “You were in what’s known as an animation chamber. It’s lost energetic majic used by those of the Dark Cartel to sift through memories, patterns and waves in the brain.” Asashin declares.

  “How could that be?” I interrogate, wondered ing if what I remembered was a memory, or was it real. To an extent I didn’t know all I know was that I remember many things, not just the wars, battles and torment I endured but also the pain and suffering of love and loss. I could felt myself changing, with each passing day and I believe the others are beginning to pick up on these so called: changes.

  “You were unconscious through it all—you wouldn’t had felt a thing.” Zeanna proclaims. “The only way we know this was that Asashin had to break into their underground bunker just to get you out. Apparently, they were trying to finish what they started all so long ago.” I felt my blood freeze, I know what they’re after, they’re after my family’s ancient secret energetic majic technique, ‘Mediocre Paradigm’ as this has the power to unleash my full power and with power like that—I could eradicate an entire world just by a flick of my fingers.

  “Time to get going,” Shika declares with a smile.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, a little lost.

  “You know the starlight festival we had to help prepare.” Shika presses.

  I nod, “I remember now.” A gesture I slowly carry out. We finish up what we were doing and leave the training grounds and headed inside. Even though, I still had to come to terms with what had been said, I still try to find ways to deal with this sudden unexpected information. Shika had the right idea though, maybe it was time to had a little bit of fun while I still could.