Stroy #1

Intro

Sorano was taken here when the walls were first made. Her family knew our ruler’s secret and had threatened to spill it before. This threat known, he imprisoned them deep within the walls. But that was not enough to stop them. While imprisoned they met a palace guard called Kiyoshi. He willingly sent their letters to the outer regions. Once the secret was out it started to spread, and fast. Finally the news reached our ruler. Enraged he tried to quiet it, but the damage had been done, and many were now conspiring to overthrow him. Escaping to the walls, he made his rule here.  An order of execution was then made. Sorano’s family was to pay dearly for their crimes toward him.

The execution was prepared for the next morning. Desperate, they begged Kiyoshi to again help them. Kiyoshi replied to their pleas with a firm no. For now he, himself was being carefully examined. Finally he agreed to take their child home to his family and raise her as his own.

That night Sorano and the guard escaped from the palace and into the dark. It was a long and chilling journey. By the time they reached his house, she was exhausted. Grateful, and faint she plopped down into the bed and let her weary body rest.

That night was said to be the night that changed all.

Walls

That night in the guards house Sorano heard voices. They spoke to her. No they whispered among themselves about her.

“Who’s there,” she questioned.

She heard no answer.

Again and again it would happen for two years straight. Sorano would hear voices, but when she called out to see who was there. No one would answer. Only silence and an eerie feel would creep into the room, and steal into her mind.

But one night Sorano couldn’t hear the voices. They were gone. Two nights later they did not sound. She had become so used to hearing them, that it kind of scared her. As she looked up into the stars her heart sank. Dark and ominous laid a cloud blackening the navy night. And then down below her open window she saw a figure, a young boy. He looked to be a little older than her, about the age of 18. His bluish black hair looked ebony in the dark, pale skin and face shadowed from the night; Sorano couldn’t tell if he was looking at her, but she could feel his eyes bearing straight at her.

“Who are you,” she whispered to herself.

“My name is Ryuu,” his voice came, flowing into her mind.

How did he do that? Forget who he is! What is he?  Is he the one I’ve been hearing? Yeah, he’s definitely one, but there were more. He

stares with such intent, as if he can see it all: the past, present, and future. Again, what is he exactly?

“Don’t be afraid,” his voice came again, soothingly, “I’m one of the night, and am here to protect you. The others say it’s treason but, I believe otherwise.”

“You’re here to protect me? But from what?”

“That, I cannot tell you. But swear now; swear not to tell anyone about me. They can hear you, and are watching every move you make.”

“I swear Ryuu, but.”

“I must leave now, my barrier is thinning, and I must be off. Be warned Sorano, they will come for you. Be careful.”

Turning back down into the alleyway he blended with the shadows, and then was gone. Sorano, though speechless was thinking. Pondering what Ryuu had told, and of what had happened, she drifted off. Off into the world of dreams.

                                                ~

The next morning she arose, dressed, and started her regular chores.

“Oh Sorano,” Eri, her adopted mother started, “Will you go fetch some water from the well, please?”

“Sure Eri. I mean mother,” Sorano said.

“Thanks,” she replied smiling.

Buckets in hand, she walked out into the daylight. For a moment she stood still, breathing in deeply, and letting the warmth of the sun soak into her skin. After that one moment of bliss she moved on. The well was a good distance from her home. Normally she dreaded the walk, but not today. Today it was quiet and that gave her time to ponder what had happened.

Last night. Was it real? Did that really happen? No, it couldn’t have. Things like that don’t happen in real life. It was just all part of my imagination, right? Yes! Just my imagination!

Straight ahead lay the well, but something was wrong. No one else was there. A stony silence had fallen upon the small path. Turing around, she noticed a shadowed figure following her. Gold eyes fell into her gaze, again bearing into her mind.

“It it’s you?!”

A quick nod pulled the bluish-black hair from his cloak. Eyes locked he turned away. Soon, he had disappeared from her view, and onto another road.

Racing back down the path, Sorano tried to follow him. By the time she had turned onto the road, he was gone without a trace. Not even footprints were left. A chilly breeze brushed against her as she stood motionless. It was, in a way, scary. Turning about she returned to the main path, and followed it back to the well.

Water sloshing her stiff dress, she pulled the bucket out. The sky was clear, and yet...

This is strange. What’s going on? The air is stiff, and yet there’s a breeze. This is all strange. No matter, I will just go on like it’s a normal day! Nothing’s wrong. It’s all fine, and cheery. Yeah. Okay, fine, everything’s not fine! I’m completely scared at the moment, and something here is really, really, really, really wrong.  Stop thinking on it! The more you concentrate on it the scareder you get! And then you really start to freak out! Err! Fine, then at the least just try to look calm. Calm and courageous. Ah, come on! You know your emotions always show through! Just pretend, okay? Okay! I will pretend to try to be calm. Yeah, I’ll do that!

Flustered, scared, and confused all in one bundle she started heading back down the dirt road home. Her hand clenched the wood bucket handle tightly. Fearful and alone the distance from the well towards her home seemed far away. Far, far away.  The only sound was of her shoes scraping against the ground. Dank and dusty, the road felt. Walls seemed to close in upon Sorano as she proceeded onward. Her heart seemed to pound against her rib cage, and her mind, it seemed to race franticly.

Then from behind there came a sound of movement.

“Ryuu,” she wondered while spinning around.

No, it wasn’t him. It was someone else. He had a scar running down his cheek, short brown hair, and grin frightening enough to scare the feathers off a chicken. Twin double-bladed axes seemed to protrude from his hand as the sunlight glinted on their metal.

“Found you, little girl,” he sneered, showing yellowing teeth.

“Wh-who are you,” she stuttered, “And what do you want with me?”

“I’m Shi the Cutthroat, and you know perfectly, why I’m here little girl.”

“What do you…?”

“One little girl escaped from prison. One little girl will pay the price.”

Slowly backing away, she bolted. Forward! The pail fell from her hands, splashing water everywhere. Onward! It didn’t matter. Faster! She had to escape him. If she didn’t...

 Well, she tried hard not to think about that.

No wonder no one was there today! With him there how would they want to?! But how did he know that I was the one? And how in the world did he find that out?! He definitely did not seem like the intelligent type! Aha! I’ve got it! Our ruler must have sent him to hunt me. But why me?! Oh yeah, I’m the last one he knows about that knows his secret. Uh, I better go faster.

Running like a, well, a girl from a creepy guy trying to kill her, she ran. And she ran fast! The only problem was that Shi still kept up with her. In fact he would run up right behind her, and then stop for a minute, and then catch up again. Strange enough, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

Turning her head she saw him tailing her. (That was when she almost lost her jaw.) How did he do that? It was the fastest she had ever run, but he seemed like it was nothing! How and why?

       I’ve got to lose him? But how?! I need to move and fast!

      

Sharply, she flung herself into the next alleyway that came. Legs giving way she hit the dirt. Picking herself up slowly, she started to make her way through the dark passage. Feeling the cold stone of the walls she felt hopeless. Moving her way through the passage it hit her. The alley wasn’t getting any lighter; in fact it was doing the opposite. Every time she took a step forward it grew darker. Finally she reached the end. She was trapped. Surrounded by stone with only two ways out, down, and up, death seemed so near.

Heart hammering to the rhythm of his thundering steps, she almost fainted. Trapped and alone in an alleyway was not how she wanted to go. Maybe she’d get lucky and actually have a burial. The odds were against it, but still. 

“You’re mine little girl,” his shadowed figure said.

Axes sailed toward either side of her. Biting her lip she prepared for the worst. But, it never came. Opening her eyes she gazed upward. As if time had stopped, both axes stood stock still. And there, leaning against Shi’s neck was a dagger.

“Let her go.”

“No,” replied Shi, “I never quit a job offered to me.”

“Must I,” Ryuu sighed as the dagger started to puncture Shi’s skin.

Blood trickled down the daggers blade, and fell softly onto the ground. Cutting deeper still didn’t convince him. Finally centimeters away from sure death it stopped, but only for a moment. He was waiting for an answer. Now it all depended on what would happen next. Would Ryuu kill him or would Shi let Sorano go freely.

“I implore you again to let her go!”

“Never,” he gritted.

“Then I’m sorry, but we can’t have you going after her anymore. For certain things to come to pass, she must live on. So, I’ll make this simple for you; either she goes free, or die. It’s your choice.”

“I choose death then!”

“Then that shall be your fate.”   

The dagger started to move onward again.

“Stop!”

There rising from the ground stood Sorano.

“Please I beg of you not to kill this man,” she asked, courage rising.

“But, Sorano,” Ryuu started.

“I know he tried to kill me, and if he lived, would probably come after me again. Even still, I can’t bear to see anyone die,” Sorano choked out, tears clouding her eyes.

“Isn’t there another way?”

Ryuu nodded slowly. Pulling the blade away from Shi’s throat he looked toward her. She was trembling fearfully. Tears stung her child-like eyes. Sighing, he looked down again, and turned the dagger around. Then, with a quick swipe of his hand, the handle pounded his head. Shi fell to the ground, knocked out by the sheer force produced by the blow.

“You know he’ll continue his search when he awakes, right,” he asked.

Turning toward her he noticed her nodding in comprehension.

“You know Sorano; you’re not such a bad girl,” Turning to leave Ryuu looked back and asked, “Well you coming? We’ve got to get you out of this place before he awakes. If we don’t he’ll surely find you.”

“O-okay, but where should I go,” she questioned.

“Hm. No, you mustn’t stay here. Sorano you must leave. Go someplace far, someplace where he won’t look for. Probably outside the walls.”

“But, it’s impossible to get passed the walls!”

“Hey, don’t think like that, and anyway. We just took down an assassin sent to kill you. I think we can make it past the walls.”

“Now come on,” he continued, “let’s get you out of here.”

They raced through the town. Although for him it seemed more like a glide.

Her heart pounded with every step, as the walls neared them. They were built 50ft high, an impossible height to climb. No one could break through them either. Glimmering in the light of the midday sun they loomed. Higher and higher they grew. Until they were at its feet, and could go no further.

“There they are,” someone called.

As soon as the cry was out guards were surrounding them.

“Halt,” one called, “We are here to place you under arrest.”

“They must have found him,” Ryuu whispered, “I was afraid I would have to do this.”

“No whispering,” the guard commanded.

At this point Ryuu wasn’t listening. His cloak billowed, and his hair blew, as a wild wind surrounded them. An icy lightning seemed to come from his fingertips. Magic writing surrounded him. He seemed to breathe it, the magic.

“Stop that,” the guard yelled, “or we’ll attack.”

Ryuu turned toward him.

“Go ahead,” he challenged.

“Fine, you’ve got yourself a challenge young man,” He started, “All right men, shoot them down.”

An assault of arrows and spears flew toward them. Every one of them was sliced clean in half with just a flick of his hand. Remains of the arrows clattered to the ground.

“Fine, onward men, and cut them down.”

The winds around Ryuu greatened. And then, they left in such force. A ripple of wind pushed all the soldiers back. It left with such a force that there was a 30ft diameter of carnage. Soldiers were all over the ground, all unconscious, except a couple. One of those that remained standing was the general. Red cloak was ripped, sword at the ready and eyes beckoned for a rematch.

“All right boy, I challenge you. Right here right now, no magic.”

“Very well then,” Ryuu replied.

He grinned gazing over Ryuu. I mean how much of threat could he be. It looked like, to the general that he mostly relied on his magical abilities, anyway.

The two gazed at each other for a moment and then, the general charged. His hands held the sword firm as he swung. Ryuu nimbly dodged. Again the general swung, but this time Ryuu didn’t dodge. Instead he caught his hand in mid-swing. Shocked the general stood stunned, but for just a moment. In that one instant Ryuu knocked the general to his knees. Taking out his dagger he gashed the general’s arm, and leg.

Blood went everywhere, as he fell to the ground. Sorano gasped and covered her mouth.

“Ryuu, will he be okay?”

“Yes. But for now he shouldn’t follow us. That is if he knows what’ll keep him alive. Now come,” he said taking her hand, “We must get you out of this place.”

Winds gathered around them once more, but this time they carried them upward. Higher and higher they flew. Just as they soared, so did her heart.

Wow, it’s so amazing up here!  It’s like actual flying, only better. You know Ryuu’s kind of cute. Oh my! Stop thinking like that! Well I have to admit that it is true. No stop it! Why does he keep helping me? Well besides the reasons he’s already given. Earlier he told me that to ‘the others’ helping me was treason. Who are the others, and why would they call helping me treason? First of all, how would they even know that I exist?

As they reached the top something started to happen. The winds were thinning, and their hold on them was weak.

 “Hold on tightly,” Ryuu started, “We’re going down.”

Slowly the winds died away. And then the two of them started to fall. Plummeting towards the ground Sorano screamed.  It seemed as if it was closing in on them. With each moment, the faster it came.

Hands shielding her face, Sorano prepared for impact. Looking towards her in her panicked state, Ryuu laughed.  Although it comforted her, Sorano couldn’t figure out why he was laughing. I mean they were plummeting towards their doom. How could he?  She soon found out why.

Moments before they hit the ground a strong gust blew upward. It slowed their fall, but just enough, so that they wouldn’t break anything. A loud thud broke the silence of the instant.

“Ouch,” moaned Sorano.

“You all right,” Ryuu asked, “Sorry, about that,”

“It’s all right I’m fine, it’s just that was a harsh landing,” she replied.

“I guess you’re right. It was pretty rough.”

“So, where to now? I’ve never been outside the walls. Not in ages.”

“Yeah, I guess for you it has been a long time,” he replied almost laughing.

“It’s been years, since we were forcefully taken,” she said, eyes hazing over, “But now, they’re gone.”

“Don’t dwell upon it,” he started, “the more you do, the more it will hurt.”

“You’re absolutely right,” she said wiping away tears, “I shouldn’t dwell upon the past. What are you going to do now?”

“I can’t go back; I’ve already done the unspeakable. Helping you was bad enough, but I used my magic in front of mortals. So, I’ve decided to help you get to safety. It can’t hurt.”

“And after you do that?”

“Then I’ll go and help gather an army. That man must be stopped.”

“Thanks Ryuu, for everything. Now, don’t you think that we should get a move on?”

“Right. That’s probably a smart idea considering that they’re after us. Let’s go.”

“I’m right behind you.”

Free at last. That was the first time in years that Sorano had been outside the walls, and she relished the feeling. Joyous and contented she moved toward, home.