by Lance Wilson
“Maeraer” he whispers and goes to reach for her, to pull her close, to comforter
“NO, DON’T TOUCH ME” she shouts out at the top of her lungs and curls up in a small ball. Then, calmly a dark shadowy figure walks in and sweeps his younger sister away from him.
“Come little one, your nights just beginning” it’s lord Oda’s voice; a sick twisted pleasure resonating in it.
“Leave her alone… I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE” Mellyruna shouts at him but when he rushes for him, the beam of light thins until he is sure the door has closed. Mellyruna only falls to his knees, his body trembling, how, how could this be, his father killed, his brother beaten and whipped like a dog, his sister, he doesn’t even want to know.
More time passes, minutes, hours, days, weeks, it’s impossible to say. Every time he opens his eyes he hears them hears the moans and groans of the men, the whimpers and cries of his sister… . he has to get out, he has to get out soon, he has been here far too long, much longer then a day, maybe past a week. Too long, far too long. Finally the sounds stop, there is only silence, and again a beam of light, he doesn’t want to look but he can’t help himself, he has to look, he has to know, has to see what is next. As he opens his eyes, he sees only one thing, in the middle of the beam of light, casting a shadow across the room, a cross. Tears fill his eyes, no, it can’t be, this can’t be. He slowly moves on hands and knees to the cross, he knows who’s name will be on it, but he doesn’t want to see, hates to see, but must, The cross is dusty and as he reaches it he finds a cold dead chill around it, like the dead of winter has come and stayed only for here. The looks at the cross but there is no sign of the name, slowly he moves his hands across the cross bar, dust falls off and soon he can read the name, just as he thought, it is Attonnan, his twin, the most gentle of the two. Dead now, dead from the Fuma clan no doubt. He drops his head to the ground and sobs to the grave, sobs, sobs for his brother, the one he played with since they were little, the one he told all his secrets to, all his dreams, all his ambitions. He shall never become a man, never know the love of a wife, and hear the sound of children. All he ever knew was the pain their father gave him, the pain of being hated, and now, now nothing… . he only lays there his head at the base of the cross and sobs. Soon the door opens, Skorm is shocked at what he sees, and apparently the mind as eaten at him more then he even thought it would. It has only been a day and it seems the darkness and solitude has broken him. Mellyruna lays there his head on the floor, sobbing, sobbing at visions that aren’t there. Skorm only shakes his head and then and walks out of the room, he shall have his apprentice tend to him; this is hardly worth his time. It is only an hour of so later when Neckity walks into the room and lowers her head and then gently sits beside him. She gently strokes his face how sad for him, she wonders what kind of nightmares have haunted him for that long, or has they just scared him recently. It doesn’t really matter all that matters they are there now. Slowly she picks him up in her arms, his cloths, his body is soaked in sweat. It appears he will require a bath again, she can’t say she won’t enjoy it. Carrying him through the halls she takes him to the bath
Once inside the bath she gently lays him down and strips him of his new clothing. His body is incredible, strong looking muscular, his unkempt light brown hair. Her hand gently strokes his hair as she gets lost remembering his eyes and his kindness. His intoxicating green eyes, his essence. He is not the one, no, the one she is looking for was told to have a storm in his eyes, a tempest storm the likes of which has not been seen since the days of the gods, this is not him. But a brother. Mecmed has indeed chosen wrong, she is not sure that to say or do, she can only hope that things work out and that the storms of the future do not come crashing down on them. Once he is undressed and soaking in the bath she watches as he slowly wakes up. His green eyes flash and sparkle and a smile come over her face. She has chosen to remove her mask just as she had done the last time. She still wears her black cloak hiding most of her figure and over her eyes she has a silk cloth tied over them so that he cannot see what she has done to them.
“I… where am I. Neckity, where” but slowly he stops himself and he starts taking long breaths.
His mind is reeling, the time in the room, seeing all that he did. He has seen too much, his brother, his sister, their fates, the fate of his father tortured and hurt, his brother, beaten and broken, his sister, passed around like a wine skin, and Attonnan, poor Attonnan. Destroyed before he even had a chance at a happy life.
“I don’t know what you saw in there, but it is only a trick, a trick of your mind. You created those visions, not magic so there is no reason to believe that it is true or that it has already happened. It was all in your head” Neckity says and smiles at him.
“It was so real, I can’t believe that was all in my head, what if there is magic in the room, magic to see visions of things that are going on, or going to happen.” he says and looks
“The only magic in that room is to make it so that nothing is seen, heard or felt. The point is so that the mind will feed on itself. You will come to know yourself better that way. In your case I guess it brought your worst fears, but your safe now” she says and grabs a cake of soap.
She watches as he takes a deep breath and his eyes glaze over. She can tell that what ever has gone though his mind will haunt him for the rest of his days; at least until he learns otherwise. He is so sweet, and knowing the aura that is around him he knows that he will make a wonderful leader, if given the chance. Maybe, maybe it is time she started playing her cards seeing if she can’t pave some of the way for him, him and some of the others. Her master didn’t teach her these things, how to influence the ways around her, but she has learned them just the same. She smiles to watch him sink himself into the bath, letting the hot water soak over him and wash away all that bothers him, all that has haunted him.
“What is it you saw in the dark, what is it that haunts you?” She asks calmly and smiles though the mask.
“Things, things I pray that aren’t true. I’m sure you know that I am an elf of the Unagi clan, well what is left of it. The visions are of what has happened to my family. Tell me, could you, could you find out what has happened to them” Mellyruna says wondering that since she is an apprentice of Skorm she might have some influence.
“I wish I could, but that is far too much to ask of just me. I am only an apprentice to the wizard, if you were to ask Skorm perhaps or even Mecmed, they would probably have better luck with it.” She says looking away a bit.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked anything, it’s just, those visions, they were so real, and I’m just worried that’s all” he says gently reaching out and touching her shoulder.
“I’m sure you will see them again, you just have to be patient. I know for a fact that Mecmed has plans for you. If you have the patients then I think there will not be much you can’t do.” She says with a chuckle, her hands now moving down his chest washing him.
Mellyruna only leans back and enjoy the bath. Before he knows it his eyes grow heavy and the warm scented waters slowly lure him to sleep. Slowly once she is finished bathing him she gently picks him up and takes him to a room. Once she is in the room she smiles and looks over the clothing that both Mecmed and Skorm have chosen for him. The cloths are just as they were before, all white with gold trim and gold embroidery along the back and a little on the sleeves. White pants and all the leather, the boots, bracers and belt are the color of burnt wood. She knows that he will need one last thing. Slowly she reaches into the closet knowing that there will be one in there, but he will not wear it if he doesn’t know it’s there. She lays out a golden silk cloak, for the most part it is normal, a pure golden silk, but the lining is a silver silk, and taking up the entire back of the cloak is a emblem, a all in silk as well. The emblem is a sword tip down over it is a broken crown, under it a broken collar and behind the sword is the shadow of a dragonhe
ad in black silk. The sword is in silver and gold silk, the outline meticulously stitched in black, the spire chain along the handle also stitched in black. The blood letters in the blade embroidered in black. The crown is silver also outlined in black, with blue jewels embroidered into it. The collar is a gray silk. You cannot see the emblem the way the cloak is folded, but she knows it is there; it is the cloak that they wear in the church. His next task is the one where he will cleanse his soul, she knows that he will see things; he will find his path and in that, he may vary well free them all from the rule of Mecmed. She can only hope that the gods show him how.
Hours later Mellyruna is awakened by the opening of the door. He quickly jumps out of bed in shock. Looking over at the door he finds that in the entrance is Skorm. He is as he always is, his black robe, his hood pulled up, and his golden mask with the black tribal markings.
“Get dressed, you shall now cleanse your soul” Skorm says and looks at him. He is a bit shocked, he thought the cleansing of the mind would do more damage, but it didn’t, oh it took its toll on him but did not break him. Perhaps this youth is stronger then he though. Mellyruna then gets out of bed finding himself once again naked to the world. Blushing slightly he goes to the cloths on the dresser, he can se that they are either the same cloths that he had going into the room of darkness, or replicas, he can’t tell for certain. Beside the cloths is a large folded bundle of golden silk. Smiling he puts his cloths on piece by piece. Then calmly he unfolds the silk revealing the cloak and it’s emblem.
“Lord Skorm, do you know the emblem, can you tell me what it means,” He says showing the emblem on the cloak to Skorm.
“Yes it belonged to the lords before Mecmed, it means that by the heart of dragon no collar nor crown shall imprison the soul of the warrior. If you wear that you might want to be careful, it may end up waving a banner he will not like.” Skorm says knowing that it was the banner of the old kings that he killed, but with Mellyruna wearing it he can’t say weather or not Mecmed will take it as a threat or not.
Mellyruna thinks about it rather long and heard but in the end he drapes the cloak over him and clasps it. Skorm only shakes his head and leads him down the halls. It is time for the cleansing of the soul, in this the task is not difficult. Skorm shall lead him to the chapel where he will be given to the monks. The monks in turn will give him there little speech about god and the creator and all that, and then he will spend the day in prayer. He walks through the halls with Mellyruna and watches as all the guards see the emblem as he passes, they remember the old kings and remember the emblem, some turn white and wonder, others just shake their head knowing that Mecmed will not stand for it. The chapel is set apart from most of the rest of the place. A huge building with walls and spires of its own. The windows are stained glass with images of some kind of story told, Mecmed can guess that it is the story of some kind of god or hero, just like all the other chapels. Skorm gets as far as the doors when they open. In front of them is a monk in silver silk robes, the hoods pulled up so the face cannot be seen.
“So this is the young prince Mecmed, We shall take care of his education from here, you are not allowed to step foot in this chapel Skorm” The monk says, his voice old but stern.
“You think I fear your golden god, I walk with the shadowed one. I have no need for your chapel” Skorm says his voice dark and smooth but predatorily just the same.
The monk watches him leave and then slowly puts his hand on Mellyruna’s shoulder. Slowly he leads him into the chapel and shuts the door behind them. The chapel is not that different from the one they had at home, a huge room with seats for everyone, plush carpet, old dark woods the windows stained so that each one depicts a scene of some hero’s tale. The whole pace has a deep and resonating feel of power and sacredness. Walking down the main isle he feels like a child again, like a small boy, chapels and temples have always had that effect on him.
“I was told that you would tell me the tale of your god and all that this chapel represents” Mellyruna says and smiles at the monk
“Not so much, I will tell you of our god, but we are not like the others that would come to you, we shall tell you what we are about, about our god, but the choice is as it always is, yours and yours alone. I hope you will be as kind as to listen, either way you must spend the day in prayer and if we are lucky our lord will speak to you, show you of your path” The monk says and gently squeezing his shoulder
“I’m sure you have many things to tell me, but if you don’t mind I would like to just get to my task” Mellyruna says and smiles at the monk.
“Vary well, perhaps if you see something then we can and perhaps I can help you try to interoperate your vision.
“Thank you” Mellyruna says and walks down the isle by himself straight to the front and knees in front of alter. Taking a deep breath he pulls his hood up and takes a deep breath. And calms his mind. He remembers how the priests used to tell him how they found their voice to god. Taking a deep breath he continues to do exactly as they told him. First he continues to breath slow and calm, and then clears his head of all things. After a few minutes of this he begins to focus on the inner calmness deep inside himself. Something begins to come over him and he is overcome with the need to look up. Once his head is raised he finds that he is no longer in the chapel, but just a black room and in the middle of it there is a pillar of light, this time much larger then the one that was in the room of cleansing. His eyes flash wide when he sees that in the middle of the pillar of light is Attonnan, his small and thin stature, his greasy black hair, and his haunting blue eyes. Also in the pillar of light is his father. His father is wearing his lords clothing, in his hand is a long whip with thorns woven into it. Mellyruna watches with horror as his father whips his younger brother. He is astounded that his brother doesn’t scream, doesn’t grunt, he only hangs there, tears rolling down his face. He watches as his father whips him over and over, his shirt and skin are ripped apart blood pouring down his back, but still now a sound. Finally his father rolls his shoulder and smiles at his brother, then with a growl, walks back into the shadows. Mellyruna slowly walks up to his brother taking off his cloak, just as he goes to drape it over his brother another figure walks out of the shadows. He recognizes this figure with all the hate in the world; it is the blue skinned demon lord Fuma Hojo. Slowly Fuma walks over to Attonnan, not even seeing Mellyruna and backhands him across the face, again Attonnan makes no sound. Fuma only chuckles and without warning plunges his gloved hand deep into Attonnan’s chest. Attonnan’s eyes flash open and he goes to let out a scream, but can’t. Mellyruna watches as in a matter of seconds his brothers goes limp before him, Fuma has murdered him, killed him in cold blood. Without thinking he pulls a blade that is at his side and goes to take a swing at the demon lord, but it only cuts right though him as if he were air. Fuma only chuckles pulling his hand out of Attonnan’s chest and then walks back into the shadows. Mellyruna stares at the lifeless body of his brother, how could this be, his brother, killed so young in life. He was never even given the chance to be called a man in the eyes of the elven nations, all he ever was given was pain and sorrow, no not true. He loved his brother, as did Byrdi, Maeraer and Rin, they all loved him. Sure he had more pain then others but he had the love of his family. As his hands gently reach up to stroke his brothers face the image fades and vanishes. Mellyruna can feel his whole body tremble but then, everything seems to calm down as he feels a hand on his shoulder. Turning slowly he finds his brother, he is dressed differently then he has ever seen him. He is dressed much like the people inside Bushi. His hair combed out and taken care of, he has a golden toga with silver trim and a white under shirt. Around his waist is a studded light tan belt, and around his wrists are studded leather bracers. His wounds and scars are gone and there is a twinkle in his eyes.
“I once had a dream, of a wild open prairie as the sun was rising and the sky became the most soothing pale blue, In the
dream I had golden wings, and we flew, we were the same you and I. But I’m gone now and your not. I need you to follow your heart, you are a child of the west winds, and you have to follow the voice, follow the voices deep inside you that call to you. I need you to follow your dreams, but please remember me; we are brothers, for as long as there is a sun. Remember me when you think of the Unagi and our lands. Whenever you hear the wind through the canyon, whenever you feel the spray of the sea, wherever you go I’ll be there beside you, I’m your brother, for as long as there is breath in your body, I am your brother. We are two hearts now joined together, I am in there, in your mind, in your heart, and in your memories.” Attonnan says, his voice sweet and calm
Mellyruna can barely bring himself to look at his brother, their eyes finally meeting. Attonnan has the same sweet smile he has always had. Mellyruna slowly reaches up and gently strokes his brothers cheek
“I’m sorry” he says as he watches his brother become faded and soon, is gone into the shadows from where he came.
Mellyruna snaps back to himself and raises his head, he expects to see the pitch black room that he was in, but no, he is instead back at the chapel still knelt in front of the alter. Slowly a monk walks up to him and gently places his hand on Mellyruna’s shoulder and squeezes it reassuringly.
“Are you alright, you have been in your trance for almost the whole day, dusk has come and gone.” the monk says with a polite smile.
“I had a vision of my brother, of the pain he had to endure when he was alive. Now, now he seemed so happy and calm.” Mellyruna says looking up at him.
“From the sound of it I would say he has been embraced by the creator, although I must give my condolence for his passing” the monk says and smiles at him.
“There was more that he said, more that I don’t understand. He was talking about how that when I remember the Unagi and it’s land that I should also remember him. That we were brothers under the sun,” He says and looks over at the monk, he will not be the only one he is going to talk to about this. Neckity is the apprentice to a sorcerer and he is sure that she might have some insight to this.