Kari
Leaving Alex's body slumped up against a tree, I went to a nearby pond to wash off all the black blood that a run down my arms and shoulders. I glanced back at Alex, rolling my eyes at him.
I'm going to have a chat with him about how useful he is. Not at all. I thought grumpily. I rubbed water down my arms moodily, knowing I could use magic, but my powers were almost depleted. I looked at my reflection, and my eyes widened.
The reflection was not my own, but someone else's. Shorter, darker hair covered my reflection's head, and the green-blue eyes that stared back at me were all too familiar. They looked exactly like Alex's.
Al
The orb of energy from the Stray invaded my mind, and whatever sense of sight I had shut off. I felt darkness enter me, and then my mind was filled with images. A castle. Being surrounded by guards and other strays. A king sitting upon his throne. More images filed through my brain, and I lost track of time. Minutes... hours....Yeah, you get the point.
King Waru is looking for me.. looking for Alex... but how come I didn't know this? I thought it became unveiled. Then the realization hit me.
It must be hidden somewhere, maybe wherever Alexis could be! I thought, and woke up, the darkness shedding off me.
Lee was looking at me, confused. "So... passing out for about a second... not fatal?" was the first thing he said. "No, your Leeness, I'm still here." I said, getting up and brushing off.
"So, obviously you saw what I saw." I said. Lee shugged. "Yeah, and I bet the others did too." He said. "But it was sped up for some reason... I only got the gist of it." He added, just as Adrian came up, his arms crossed.
"It must be because when your unconscious, time can travel a lot slower or faster in your mind. Ah Duh." He said, rolling his eyes. I sighed.
"Well, all the more reason to find Alexis. And we know the location of this Kingdom...."
Kari
Suddenly, arms locked around my waist and I was pulled backward from the image, almost like snapping out of a daze.
"Calm down." Alex said, his arms still wrapped around me. I realized I was trembling from the recent vision, but that soon ceased. Thoughts flared in my mind to shoot a few curses at him like last time, but if I learned one thing, there was no arguing with him.
"Okay." I huffed. "Good." he said, "Now, tell me what happened." he said gently, resting his chin on the top of my head. I sighed.
"Strays followed me when I was trying to get back, so I had to fight them off and got us here." I said evenly. "Thank you, that's all I needed to know." he said, letting me go. I automatically turned around, my mood going from calm to burning hot.
"Don't DO that!" I yelled at him, not caring that the noise echoed through the forest. "What is wrong with you? You think life is boring! Well DEAL with it! I swear,-" Alex tried to cut me off, with a serious expression, his eyes darting around. "Kari, I think-" But I was on a roll. "you are just a useless waste of space! I've lost my cover because of you, my life-" "Kari would you listen for just a second-" "everything! Just because you have to be guarded because of that stupid spell. That's it-" "Listen, we have to-" "I don't think I can do this anymore-" This time I was really cut off, and it took a second to realize why. Alex was kissing me.
Time seemed to over-exaggerate, stretching it out for eternity. Before I could even move, he broke off, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind a tree. I just stared at him, speechless.
"Finally. The only way I could get you to stop. If you'd listen to me, you would've known you attracted Strays, headed right in our direction." he said softly. I still couldn't speak, but he flicked his hand in the air a few times, and I know it was a barrier hide us from the strays. I stayed silent the whole time, thinking over things. When about an hour passed, finally Alex seemed to take off the barrier.
I looked at my hand, realizing it was still holding his. Somehow that was when it hit me, and the anger that I felt dissolved into sadness, and all of it crashed down on me.
I won't see any of my family or friends again... I'll be wanted for execution..... I felt alone, but after a while I realized I was sobbing in Alex's arms.
Alex
I looked down at Kari, who had fallen asleep, still hugging me. Safe. I thought. I won't let any harm come to you. I added in my head.
We have to get out of this forest, even if the Strays didn't see us, they viewed Kari as an enemy, and are smart enough to look here when Kari used to tell them not too.
The spell must be wearing off even more, whatever hard shell it formed around her mind, in reality it made her even more vulnerable emotionally.
I glanced at her again and then sighed. I feel horrible, for taking that spell off her if this was going to happen. She'd still would have had things to go back to, if I had just wiped her memory of finding me. I thought. But it's so hard to let go....
She looks peaceful for once. I don't want to wake her up. I thought.. Sorcerers don't usually sleep or eat, for they could just maintain the energy flow if they were able. But driving away three strays had taken it's toll on Kari. I rubbed her shoulder. "Kari, we have to get out of the forest, wake up." I said gently. She opened her eyes.
"What?" She said, confused. I got up, helping her up. "What happened?" She asked, looking dazed. "The Strays found us, we have to get out of the forest." I told her. Kari blinked in realization, and then color flooded her cheeks.
"Well, we need to get moving, then." she said, and tugged at my hand, practically dragging me through the forest. I smiled at her in amusement.
"Speak about it, and I will kill you." She growled, and we got further away from her home...
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Chapter Six: The Sixth Confrontation
(just so you know to prevent confusion I changed Alex's name. The one that's missing, not the real one. Her name's going to be Alexis from now on.)
Kari
I walked into the castle glancing at the Strays and guards that followed me with an annoyed look on my face. After reaching a certain corridor, they halted. So did I.
"Right this way, miss." One of the guards said, and I retaliated. "I know where it is!" I hissed, and the guard narrowed his eyes but said nothing. I knew they were following me, not because I would get lost, but because Waru ordered them too. The fact that one their best hunters has been taking this long should be suspicious enough, and if there REALLY was a spell that Waru had put on me, as Alex said, then I knew Waru would know that the spell is half-broken. Or that Alex could be controlling me, right now, and I'm not knowing it. Maybe that's why Waru's keeping an eye on me.... I thought worriedly. As I turned through an archway, I glanced at all the fancy paintings that I grew up seeing everyday, it definitely screamed rich. You see, here's another thing that needs explaining. Right now, we are on Earth, but not the Human's Earth. The Sorcerer's Earth. Back in the day when they could roam freely and the humans knew about magic and allied with it. King Waru of course, was magical himself. Alex had told me of the future, about this New York that Lee loved so much, and how he hung out in different time periods when he'd escape inside his mind at night. Now, you may be thinking, how have we kept ourselves well hidden? Are we there all along? Alex told me that around 5-6 centuries from now, the Sorcerers would come together from all of the world to create a thin veil of magic between them and the sorcerers, where the magical world exists on a different dimensional plain with no humans, but still Earth. Snapping out of my thoughts, I realized I had made my way to my father. He was in a room not as grand as the throne room, but this was designed for the summoning and training of Strays.
He stood at the far end of the room, looking directly at me with stormy grey eyes matched mine. Long black hair, as like mine as well, except his was streaked with grey from age. He looked at me with no emotion. Not cruelty or coldness, but just... blank. He was usually like this, my father, who spent more time around my brother. I wasn't jealous, because this meant more time to sneak out and guard Alex. My younger brother Roi reminded the Royal Tracker of his late wife, whom I cared nothing about. And vice versa. That sorceress was horrible, even for my mother. She was cold-hearted. Now I see where I got that from.
"Kari." My father's voice echoed around the room, and bowed down my head in respect. "Father. I have come back to report to you on my search for the Sorcerer Alex. We believe he is in the city as we speak, for we have tracked him there. Time is all it takes to check the sorcerers of the city." I said formally. The Stray Trainer nodded in understanding.
"I see. Have you sensed any magical barriers?" He asked, and I shook my head. "We are keeping an eye out, though. Trying to search for cloaks that would fool the townsfolk." he said.
"What about the forest?" He asked. "The magical tracks from Alex are stale." I lied, knowing that Alex visits the forest daily, and I always tell the Strays to go look in the city while I check on the forest to cover up for the wanted sorcerer. My Father narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything along the lines of finding me out. Waru would, but on occasion the Royal Tracker would turn a blind eye to his only daughter in these circumstances. "Alright. Continue your hunt." he waved me off, and the guards escorted me to the side door of the palace
Walking out, I made sure to walk slowly at first. As soon as I got up the first hill and out of sight of the palace, I gasped.
The sun was lower than I expected. I'm never going to reach Alex in time before he gets to the dark room!
The reason it takes so long is because I go on foot, instead of using magic. Strays would surely follow me if I used a big amount. But I needed to risk it. I sprung up and soared through the air, reaching the temple in an hour, just as the dying rays of the sun were vanishing. I crashed into the building, walking up to where I had left Alex. To my horror, he was already out in the dark room. And it wouldn't have mattered for me for the fact that I had sensed a presence. Then followed by two more. And they were steadily headed toward where we were.
I risked it, and this is what I get... I grumbled in my head. "Alex, wake up!" I hissed at him, but he wouldn't budge. So it was up to me. I just didn't feel like getting messy today, but whatever. I charged out into the open and met the three looming shadows head-on, not being able to look at them.
The air around my hands darkened as I pulled the shadows from the air into a concentrated area. I shot them at the Strays, again and again. I could only take on two at one time, barely, so I couldn't do anything as the third stray was attacking me, filling my head with dark images and cuts running down my back. I charged on, and somehow ceased my attack, and ran past them. I looked down at my hands, as they charged up to meet me, I was ready. I held up my hands as it blasted pitch darkness at them, and I seemed to scream.
"GO!" I yelled, and the Strays, looking half faded, fled, most likely to return. And even more likely, with more.
It's a good thing they can't speak and tell my father or King Waru about this, or he'd have my head. I thought, dashing inside the temple.
.I have to get Alex's body out of here, since the Strays will be back. I said, and ran over to his body, grabbing him out of the chair and dragging him across the floor, with him floating a few inches above it with the help whatever magic I had left. What a bother. I thought, and ran across the fields and into the forest, dragging his body behind me.
Lee
Before anyone could tell me how impossible that was, I was able to think of more reasons behind it. "Hear me out, guys. A Stray is more of a spiritual creature than a physical creature, right?" I said. "Well, we're not physical at all. If we could capture the consciousness of one, then we could link into it's memories and see what's happened to Alexis." I said, and then grinned at myself for the turn-around. The others seemed to be thinking it over, even Sandra.
"Sounds good to me." Al said, and the others nodded. "There's more the father back we go... so how about the 14th century since they'll be more abundant." he said. It was a snap decision. We all knew what the other was planning, so it took us only a few seconds to figure out a plan. We went through to time, surprisingly no Strays were waiting for us in the in-between. We landed on the outskirts of a random village, and my eyes widened in surprise.There were Strays EVERYWHERE. Walking among the people like guards. Some seemed to be cornering a few people, but other then that it was like no one noticed them. From what I experienced, Strays normally hung around unpopulated areas.
"Grab the nearest one without it causing a commotion." I whispered to myself, even though there was no need to whisper, it seemed like a habit. It's not like anyone saw us, anyways. It's like we were Strays as well. But the Strays seemed to see us. A few were already heading towards us, and we ran the opposite to draw them out from the village and in to the nearby forest. They seemed to take the bait as Sandra, Ecks, and Adrian all went after the three other Strays to fight them away. Al and I circled the last one and concentrated on it's spiritual energy and was that it was crumbling to dust, but a glowing orb remained, which flew directly into Al as if he were flesh and blood.
Kari
I walked into the castle glancing at the Strays and guards that followed me with an annoyed look on my face. After reaching a certain corridor, they halted. So did I.
"Right this way, miss." One of the guards said, and I retaliated. "I know where it is!" I hissed, and the guard narrowed his eyes but said nothing. I knew they were following me, not because I would get lost, but because Waru ordered them too. The fact that one their best hunters has been taking this long should be suspicious enough, and if there REALLY was a spell that Waru had put on me, as Alex said, then I knew Waru would know that the spell is half-broken. Or that Alex could be controlling me, right now, and I'm not knowing it. Maybe that's why Waru's keeping an eye on me.... I thought worriedly. As I turned through an archway, I glanced at all the fancy paintings that I grew up seeing everyday, it definitely screamed rich. You see, here's another thing that needs explaining. Right now, we are on Earth, but not the Human's Earth. The Sorcerer's Earth. Back in the day when they could roam freely and the humans knew about magic and allied with it. King Waru of course, was magical himself. Alex had told me of the future, about this New York that Lee loved so much, and how he hung out in different time periods when he'd escape inside his mind at night. Now, you may be thinking, how have we kept ourselves well hidden? Are we there all along? Alex told me that around 5-6 centuries from now, the Sorcerers would come together from all of the world to create a thin veil of magic between them and the sorcerers, where the magical world exists on a different dimensional plain with no humans, but still Earth. Snapping out of my thoughts, I realized I had made my way to my father. He was in a room not as grand as the throne room, but this was designed for the summoning and training of Strays.
He stood at the far end of the room, looking directly at me with stormy grey eyes matched mine. Long black hair, as like mine as well, except his was streaked with grey from age. He looked at me with no emotion. Not cruelty or coldness, but just... blank. He was usually like this, my father, who spent more time around my brother. I wasn't jealous, because this meant more time to sneak out and guard Alex. My younger brother Roi reminded the Royal Tracker of his late wife, whom I cared nothing about. And vice versa. That sorceress was horrible, even for my mother. She was cold-hearted. Now I see where I got that from.
"Kari." My father's voice echoed around the room, and bowed down my head in respect. "Father. I have come back to report to you on my search for the Sorcerer Alex. We believe he is in the city as we speak, for we have tracked him there. Time is all it takes to check the sorcerers of the city." I said formally. The Stray Trainer nodded in understanding.
"I see. Have you sensed any magical barriers?" He asked, and I shook my head. "We are keeping an eye out, though. Trying to search for cloaks that would fool the townsfolk." he said.
"What about the forest?" He asked. "The magical tracks from Alex are stale." I lied, knowing that Alex visits the forest daily, and I always tell the Strays to go look in the city while I check on the forest to cover up for the wanted sorcerer. My Father narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything along the lines of finding me out. Waru would, but on occasion the Royal Tracker would turn a blind eye to his only daughter in these circumstances. "Alright. Continue your hunt." he waved me off, and the guards escorted me to the side door of the palace
Walking out, I made sure to walk slowly at first. As soon as I got up the first hill and out of sight of the palace, I gasped.
The sun was lower than I expected. I'm never going to reach Alex in time before he gets to the dark room!
The reason it takes so long is because I go on foot, instead of using magic. Strays would surely follow me if I used a big amount. But I needed to risk it. I sprung up and soared through the air, reaching the temple in an hour, just as the dying rays of the sun were vanishing. I crashed into the building, walking up to where I had left Alex. To my horror, he was already out in the dark room. And it wouldn't have mattered for me for the fact that I had sensed a presence. Then followed by two more. And they were steadily headed toward where we were.
I risked it, and this is what I get... I grumbled in my head. "Alex, wake up!" I hissed at him, but he wouldn't budge. So it was up to me. I just didn't feel like getting messy today, but whatever. I charged out into the open and met the three looming shadows head-on, not being able to look at them.
The air around my hands darkened as I pulled the shadows from the air into a concentrated area. I shot them at the Strays, again and again. I could only take on two at one time, barely, so I couldn't do anything as the third stray was attacking me, filling my head with dark images and cuts running down my back. I charged on, and somehow ceased my attack, and ran past them. I looked down at my hands, as they charged up to meet me, I was ready. I held up my hands as it blasted pitch darkness at them, and I seemed to scream.
"GO!" I yelled, and the Strays, looking half faded, fled, most likely to return. And even more likely, with more.
It's a good thing they can't speak and tell my father or King Waru about this, or he'd have my head. I thought, dashing inside the temple.
.I have to get Alex's body out of here, since the Strays will be back. I said, and ran over to his body, grabbing him out of the chair and dragging him across the floor, with him floating a few inches above it with the help whatever magic I had left. What a bother. I thought, and ran across the fields and into the forest, dragging his body behind me.
Lee
Before anyone could tell me how impossible that was, I was able to think of more reasons behind it. "Hear me out, guys. A Stray is more of a spiritual creature than a physical creature, right?" I said. "Well, we're not physical at all. If we could capture the consciousness of one, then we could link into it's memories and see what's happened to Alexis." I said, and then grinned at myself for the turn-around. The others seemed to be thinking it over, even Sandra.
"Sounds good to me." Al said, and the others nodded. "There's more the father back we go... so how about the 14th century since they'll be more abundant." he said. It was a snap decision. We all knew what the other was planning, so it took us only a few seconds to figure out a plan. We went through to time, surprisingly no Strays were waiting for us in the in-between. We landed on the outskirts of a random village, and my eyes widened in surprise.There were Strays EVERYWHERE. Walking among the people like guards. Some seemed to be cornering a few people, but other then that it was like no one noticed them. From what I experienced, Strays normally hung around unpopulated areas.
"Grab the nearest one without it causing a commotion." I whispered to myself, even though there was no need to whisper, it seemed like a habit. It's not like anyone saw us, anyways. It's like we were Strays as well. But the Strays seemed to see us. A few were already heading towards us, and we ran the opposite to draw them out from the village and in to the nearby forest. They seemed to take the bait as Sandra, Ecks, and Adrian all went after the three other Strays to fight them away. Al and I circled the last one and concentrated on it's spiritual energy and was that it was crumbling to dust, but a glowing orb remained, which flew directly into Al as if he were flesh and blood.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Chapter Five: The Fifth Flashback
Kari
I was a blur as I ran down the fields and over the hills that lead to King Waru's Castle. Of course, there was a quicker way to get there, through the city, but I really didn't feel like having a run in with any Strays. They seemed to trail after me more often over since the hunt for the powerful Sorcerer named Alex began. I suspected it was was my father's work, the Royal Tracker. He was, as well, the King's close friend and trusted ally. For me, I'm recognized s a fine huntress for tracking down other sources of magic that the King would add to his "collection." I thought back to that day I actually met Alex, a few months ago....
I had been chasing Alex through the forests of the kingdom, the strays had fallen behind, not being able to catch up to my magic-enhanced speed. It was up to me now, and I was ready. I proceeded to cut Alex off towards the southern edge of the forest, and realized I must have succeeded. Or so I thought. Alex seemed to appear out of no where, grinning and panting at the same time.
"Hi, there!" he said. "That was great!" he exclaimed. "You're definitely a challenge." he said, his breath catching up to him. I glared at him in outrage.
"You think this is a GAME!?!?" I growled. He casually leaned against a nearby tree, hands in his pockets. Looking at him more closely, I noticed that his clothes seemed so different from the inhabitants of Waru's kingdom.
Not letting Alex answer, I went straight on on. "I am instructed to turn you in, straight to King Waru." I threatened. He just smiled at me.
"Now, I know you won't do that." he said. "You're too nice." Nice?!?! NICE?!?! the thoughts of outrage screamed in my head, and I was surprised Alex couldn't hear them.
I seemed to cool off, quickly going over things in my head. If he was just biding time, let him. I thought.
"Waru doesn't need you alive, either! I can just kill you and bring your body straight to him!" I yelled, but then yelped in undisguised surprise. Alex, no longer leaning on the nearby tree, had his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. I seemed to go in a state of shock, and after a few seconds a thought finally registered in my mind. Does this fool even value his life?! I tried to yell a few cursed at him, to get him off me so I could restrain him, but air just puffed out of my mouth instead of words. Alex had put a spell on me! A powerful one at that. But that was the last thought I thought at that moment because I gave way to the dizzying blackness that crashed down on my mind.
Not knowing how long it had been, I was finally able to think and open my eyes, checking my surroundings. I seemed to be in the same spot that I was standing in before, only laid upon the ground.
"That was a lot of influence that ol' Waru had on you, but luckily I was able to lift it. Half-way, at least." Alex's voice came from that same tree he was leaning on before, yet now he was sitting under it. I got up instantly, but didn't seem to find anything threatening or aggressive to say to Alex for putting that spell on me. But then I seemed to speak one word.
"Inflence?" I asked. "Yes, a strong but not very affective spell, you probably didn't even notice it." Alex replied. "You'll have a much nicer mind without it." he said with another grin..
"You.... you hugged me." I said, somehow with no disgust in my voice even though I tried to layer it heavily. Alex didn't seem to be phased.
"Yeah, you'll get used to it." Alex said, and winked.
He seemed to convince me to help his so easily. He could've put me under a spell of some sort, back those months ago casting a spell on me instead making up a story of breaking one that somehow Waru had cast on me. I shook my head from the crystal-clear memory that played in my head, realizing I was standing on the last hill to the castle, and from the feeling of my face I could tell it went red. And with that, I proceeded to the castle, guards and Strays now watching my every move....
Alex
I sat in the temple, not saying a word, as I waited for Kari to come back. "I know she thinks that I am mind-controlling her-" I chuckled at the thought of me doing something like that. "-but in reality, she just has a good heart." I said to myself. "It's so strange, we both seem to talk to ourselves. Sometimes, I seem to talk to seven others." I said, chuckling again. "It hurts me to see her almost torturing herself just because...." I trailed off. There was no end unspoken to that sentence either, because I didn't not know it. I eyed the shackles laid on the floor.
"I will never know, but only guess what her intentions are."
"So let me escape you, waking world,
I have grown tired of endless worry.
Send me into an unending sleep,
Those who live short must hurry."
I said the poem aloud, almost involuntarily. I didn't remember where it came from, but I liked it. It reminded myself of, well, me. Being tired of the world and escaping it. Did that make me a coward? I didn't know. Even if I could put a stop to the spell, without Lexus, I would certainly die
I was a blur as I ran down the fields and over the hills that lead to King Waru's Castle. Of course, there was a quicker way to get there, through the city, but I really didn't feel like having a run in with any Strays. They seemed to trail after me more often over since the hunt for the powerful Sorcerer named Alex began. I suspected it was was my father's work, the Royal Tracker. He was, as well, the King's close friend and trusted ally. For me, I'm recognized s a fine huntress for tracking down other sources of magic that the King would add to his "collection." I thought back to that day I actually met Alex, a few months ago....
I had been chasing Alex through the forests of the kingdom, the strays had fallen behind, not being able to catch up to my magic-enhanced speed. It was up to me now, and I was ready. I proceeded to cut Alex off towards the southern edge of the forest, and realized I must have succeeded. Or so I thought. Alex seemed to appear out of no where, grinning and panting at the same time.
"Hi, there!" he said. "That was great!" he exclaimed. "You're definitely a challenge." he said, his breath catching up to him. I glared at him in outrage.
"You think this is a GAME!?!?" I growled. He casually leaned against a nearby tree, hands in his pockets. Looking at him more closely, I noticed that his clothes seemed so different from the inhabitants of Waru's kingdom.
Not letting Alex answer, I went straight on on. "I am instructed to turn you in, straight to King Waru." I threatened. He just smiled at me.
"Now, I know you won't do that." he said. "You're too nice." Nice?!?! NICE?!?! the thoughts of outrage screamed in my head, and I was surprised Alex couldn't hear them.
I seemed to cool off, quickly going over things in my head. If he was just biding time, let him. I thought.
"Waru doesn't need you alive, either! I can just kill you and bring your body straight to him!" I yelled, but then yelped in undisguised surprise. Alex, no longer leaning on the nearby tree, had his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. I seemed to go in a state of shock, and after a few seconds a thought finally registered in my mind. Does this fool even value his life?! I tried to yell a few cursed at him, to get him off me so I could restrain him, but air just puffed out of my mouth instead of words. Alex had put a spell on me! A powerful one at that. But that was the last thought I thought at that moment because I gave way to the dizzying blackness that crashed down on my mind.
Not knowing how long it had been, I was finally able to think and open my eyes, checking my surroundings. I seemed to be in the same spot that I was standing in before, only laid upon the ground.
"That was a lot of influence that ol' Waru had on you, but luckily I was able to lift it. Half-way, at least." Alex's voice came from that same tree he was leaning on before, yet now he was sitting under it. I got up instantly, but didn't seem to find anything threatening or aggressive to say to Alex for putting that spell on me. But then I seemed to speak one word.
"Inflence?" I asked. "Yes, a strong but not very affective spell, you probably didn't even notice it." Alex replied. "You'll have a much nicer mind without it." he said with another grin..
"You.... you hugged me." I said, somehow with no disgust in my voice even though I tried to layer it heavily. Alex didn't seem to be phased.
"Yeah, you'll get used to it." Alex said, and winked.
He seemed to convince me to help his so easily. He could've put me under a spell of some sort, back those months ago casting a spell on me instead making up a story of breaking one that somehow Waru had cast on me. I shook my head from the crystal-clear memory that played in my head, realizing I was standing on the last hill to the castle, and from the feeling of my face I could tell it went red. And with that, I proceeded to the castle, guards and Strays now watching my every move....
Alex
I sat in the temple, not saying a word, as I waited for Kari to come back. "I know she thinks that I am mind-controlling her-" I chuckled at the thought of me doing something like that. "-but in reality, she just has a good heart." I said to myself. "It's so strange, we both seem to talk to ourselves. Sometimes, I seem to talk to seven others." I said, chuckling again. "It hurts me to see her almost torturing herself just because...." I trailed off. There was no end unspoken to that sentence either, because I didn't not know it. I eyed the shackles laid on the floor.
"I will never know, but only guess what her intentions are."
"So let me escape you, waking world,
I have grown tired of endless worry.
Send me into an unending sleep,
Those who live short must hurry."
I said the poem aloud, almost involuntarily. I didn't remember where it came from, but I liked it. It reminded myself of, well, me. Being tired of the world and escaping it. Did that make me a coward? I didn't know. Even if I could put a stop to the spell, without Lexus, I would certainly die
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Chapter Four: The Fourth Rule Broken
Kari
I woke up, realizing where I was and more importantly, who I was.I looked down at my hands, shackled and bruised.
"Oh Alex.... you knew I could get out of them any time, but yet somehow I'm still here, still waiting." I said, standing up. I looked at the dusty old temple. Then my eyes widened in shock. It was daylight! I glanced at the body of Alex, he was slumped in a chair, looking completely dead.
"What's wrong with you? Your supposed to be out of the dark room by the time the sun rises!" I said, mostly talking to myself.
"Why did you take that risk, splitting your conscience into seven parts? No sorcerer has done that before..." I muttered, again, to myself. "And why me, the one who despises you? I'm supposed to be your enemy, the one who's supposed to hunt you down for your 'immense' power, yet here I am? Why? Worrying about you...." I growled angrily, stalking back in forth in front of Alex's body, my chains jangling behind me. "Maybe you lost a part of your soul, and that is why you can't get back...." I mulled it over. I thought of what it would be like, to lose a part of my soul, a part of myself..... and I shuddered.
"I helped you escape from the Strays one time because I felt SORRY for you, it doesn't mean I'm your friend!" I growled at him. "Look at me, talking to myself because I stay here, chained up at night." I said. "Willingly....." I seemed in a daze, and it was either the blood rushing to my cheeks or coming out of my wrists, but I sat on the ground suddenly. Wear a skirt, father says. Yeah, I would've tripped over it by now..."How does he keep asking me to do this... every time he just wants to loose himself in his head, take a big risk of strays both in his head and out.... why should I take this risk?!?!?" I said. I struggled to get the shackles off.
"Your right. You are taking a big risk." Said a voice from behind and I turned around. Alex, looking gaunt and tired but alive, was looking at her sadly. "You don't have to wear those shackles, you know, you won't leave."
"Yes, I do!" I retorted, and Alex rolled his green-blue eyes, grinning at me. "No, you insisted to wear those, after I convinced you to keep watch. 'I might try to run away.' you told me. 'I'm a completely different person at night.' you said." Alex told me, winking. "But hey, I am too. I'm a lifeless body at night." he said jokingly.
"It shouldn't be amusing to you. It's almost tearing you apart." I shot back. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this worlds no fun. In my split state, I can travel anywhere in time, since I'm not really there so it doesn't change anything! Wouldn't that be cool, to see years into the future, and years into the past? Yeah, there are some downs to it, considering the fact that some of my pieces are girls..."
"You can be... girlish sometimes." I said, and he shot a glare at me, and I looked away. "Yeah, maybe." Alex said. "But I could hear what you were saying, though. You don't have to stay, Kari."
"Yes, I do!" I retorted, and Alex rolled his green-blue eyes, grinning at me. "No, you insisted to wear those, after I convinced you to keep watch. 'I might try to run away.' you told me. 'I'm a completely different person at night.' you said." Alex told me, winking. "But hey, I am too. I'm a lifeless body at night." he said jokingly.
"It shouldn't be amusing to you. It's almost tearing you apart." I shot back. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this worlds no fun. In my split state, I can travel anywhere in time, since I'm not really there so it doesn't change anything! Wouldn't that be cool, to see years into the future, and years into the past? Yeah, there are some downs to it, considering the fact that some of my pieces are girls..."
"You can be... girlish sometimes." I said, and he shot a glare at me, and I looked away. "Yeah, maybe." Alex said. "But I could hear what you were saying, though. You don't have to stay, Kari."
When I didn't say anything, he spoke up again. "I did have a part of me missing. What you see is only six. Lexus is missing." He said.
"What happened?!?" I automatically said, standing up. "That's the thing, I can't remember. But I could probably still see her if she's not apart of me, but the thing is, she could be in any time period." He tried to stand up as well, but looked like he was about to fall over, so I caught him. "Surprisingly, your not heavy." I said with narrowed eyes, and he just smiled at me. Leading him over to a pillar for support, I started ranting. "You're in no condition to go anywhere! Only being six sevenths of you isn't enough!" He just continued smiling at me. "Look at you, worrying about me." He looked at my wrists, and the shackles were gone. "Still here, then?" I looked at my feet and sighed. "I should get back..." I said. "If it's best." Alex said, looking nonchalant.
"Why so reluctant, though?" he asked. Casting me a worried look, he reached for my hand..... and I flinched away.
"No. I can't...." I said. "I'll meet you before nightfall, Alex." I said in a neutral voice, and walked out of the temple. "Too long to wait...."
"Why so reluctant, though?" he asked. Casting me a worried look, he reached for my hand..... and I flinched away.
"No. I can't...." I said. "I'll meet you before nightfall, Alex." I said in a neutral voice, and walked out of the temple. "Too long to wait...."
Alex
I watched as Kari left, feeling disappointed. No. I can't.... I shut my eyes, trying to stop the words from bouncing around in my head. I tried to focus on something else.
"King Waru is on my tail... with all the Strays working for him...." I said. "It'll be hard to hide... good thing I hatched a plan.... or at least the Lee part of me did." I grinned to myself. "So by nightfall, I'm gonna catch a stray....." I said to myself, and still thought I was crazy. I mean, I could die...
"King Waru is on my tail... with all the Strays working for him...." I said. "It'll be hard to hide... good thing I hatched a plan.... or at least the Lee part of me did." I grinned to myself. "So by nightfall, I'm gonna catch a stray....." I said to myself, and still thought I was crazy. I mean, I could die...
"What would it matter? Then Waru wouldn't be able to 'harness my power' or whatever. It's not extra power that allows me to do this. It's boredom..." I chuckled, but it was hollow, and it came back to me in the same tone as it echoed off the dusty walls. "Life can be so short and boring. I mean, we have a longer lifespan than humans but it we're not even allowed to interact with them!" I growled. "We just have to walk around and watch."
"Kari understands how I feel, I know she does." I said, waiting for night to swallow the daylight faster.....
"Kari understands how I feel, I know she does." I said, waiting for night to swallow the daylight faster.....
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