Post by Sonye on Sept 2, 2009 2:15:18 GMT -5
Chapter 17 – The Storm front
‘Alright. That’s all we have time for now. Get some rest you two. It’s very important that you are as alert and healthy as you can be tomorrow.’ Lua was instructing the human couple. ‘Yes, and try not to worry too much. Champions will take shifts and patrol the area. And tomorrow morning, you will do just fine. It will be a piece of cake!’ Linch added jovially. ‘Battles are not, and have never been just “pieces of cakes”.’ Lua retorted. The group had returned to the clearing by the creek to finish training for the day, but the champions were on a higher alert and fewer volunteered to help train, so it had just been Kite and Mia in the last few hours. As usual, Linch and Lua’ela had instructed them, and provided the two heroes with some last-minute tips. Mia yawned as if on que, “Alright.” She said groggily. Kite let the tip of his sword fall to the ground and he sighed. “I feel like we need more training.” He admitted, his lips pulling into a smug expression. As usual, Lua was blunt, ‘You probably do. But that is all we have time for, due to the unfortunate series of events earlier this evening. Sleep is your priority now. Go.’ And as usual, Linch com-pensated for her crudeness. He whispered, ‘Trust me. Those jokers will be no match for you two, even if you were to go it alone.’ Mia beamed at the eagle, and Kite shrugged. “Let’s go.” He urged, taking Mia’s hand. And they were off. Mia didn’t understand Kite’s rush, but she said nothing. She figured he was just letting his nerves get the better of him.
When they walked through the front door, the house was quiet. To Mia it was oddly eerie. There was nothing. Nothing… until she heard Kite’s sniveling. Concern struck her features and she planted her feet, thus stopping him by the hand as well. “Kite…?” she said in a velvety voice. He stood with his back to her; obviously trying to hide it. Mia pursed her lips and walked around to the front of him. He turned his head away accordingly. “Kite… Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. It’ll be easy.” She cooed, taking his other hand, and when he whimpered, she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his shirt. “Please don’t cry, Kite.” Her words were muffled. He clung to her tight, his face in her hair. It smelled so sweet to him, and it looked black in the darkness of the house. This night would be the last time for moments like this. It was ticking away. Tomorrow he would have to die and leave her here alone. Only he knew this… and hew knew that it was better that way. He wept silently.
An hour passed with them holding each other like that. Kite wouldn’t let Mia go until he could stop his tears. She was fine with this. She rubbed his back soothingly while he clung to her. When he finally stopped his crying, he still wanted to hold onto her. But they had to rest, if he would have any chance of altering the prophecy. He wiped what was left of his sorrow from his face and broke the em-brace. “Let’s go to bed.” His dismal voice scared Mia, but when she looked up he was smiling with admi-ration at her. She smiled back and nodded. Right before she had started walking, Kite swept her up in his arms mid-turn and carried her up the stairs and into their room. He set her down and she sat on the bed. He stared at her, taking in her features again. Maybe he would remember her even in death. If he was going to think, or dream of anything… He wanted it to be her. She was focused on his eyes, and couldn’t help but beam at him. He smiled back, and planted a kiss on her lips. “I love you.” He said, stroking her cheek, “Don’t forget that, ok?” he plead, now cradling her face in his hands. “Why would I ever?” she boggled. He blinked, and then closed his eyes and dropped his hands with a sigh, “I don’t know.” He said, re-opening his eyes and smiling half-heartedly. “Just. Don’t forget. I love you. So much.” He repeated. She looked at him with apprehension and nodded. He kissed her again and turned to walk towards the door. With one hand on the knob, he paused. “Do… you mind if I sleep with you tonight?” he turned back towards her. “Of course not.” She answered immediately. He smiled at her lack of hesi-tation. He sat on the bed with her and kissed her some more before they fell asleep.
Kite awoke from a nightmare in the middle of the night. He had seen Mia mangled and lifeless on the ground and he shot up in bed. Mia was undoubtably fine and flawless beside him, but she woke up from the bed's jolt. “Mmm?” she murmured sleepily. “Nightmare.” He breathed. And then Mia had fallen asleep again. When the shock had passed, he smiled down at her. She was so beautiful to him. Perhaps even more so while she slumbered. He reached out carefully and stroked her brown hair. She stirred slightly, but remained asleep. Suddenly, a bang on the window snagged his attention. He stared at the window with apprehension. All he saw was the full moon. He glanced down at Mia and she hadn’t woken to the sound. A thud came from outside their room, and he flashed a glance at the door. His breathing picked up. For seconds, the house was silent. Then he dared to whisper. “…Mia?” he breathed, still scrutinizing the door. “Mia.” He touched her and felt something wet. He turned his head and eyed his hand. Blood. His eyes snapped down at Mia and he recoiled. “Mia!” he cried. She was a mangled body again, right there beside him in his bed. He started to tremble, and heaved. At the same time, a voice cackled from the shadows. He sucked in his breath and listened with widened eyes as the voice boomed from some place that he could not pinpoint. “The hero has died. You could not save her.” Kite’s eyes flashed to all corners of the room, blurred by tears. It was suddenly much darker, and the voice seemed to emanate from every direction. “What will you do now, boy? The world is mine…” Kite was beyond his voice. He continued to search for the source of the voice, but there was nothing. Laughter rang out again. Kite slowly realized that it was Mitsuk lurking about. But still he was no where to be seen. “You can’t see me, because I am the shadows. I can see that you’ve lost all hope. Now…” Mitsuk paused. Kite inhaled sharply and glanced about him. “… Die.” The voice came, full of venom and sinister origin. And then Mitsuk was unveiled, but Kite saw him for a split second, and then he was engulfed in shadow.
Kite awoke a second time, yelling and writhing in figmental pain that abruptly ended as he regained consciousness. Mia was suddenly hovering over him, restraining his writhing with her hands. He found her wide, fear-stricken eyes. They were bluer than ever. “Kite! Kite! What’s wrong? Please!” Her voice shot through the octaves. He stopped squirming and gazed into her celestial eyes. “…Nightmare. Sorry.” he said absently. Mia released her grip on him and her face fell cheerless. “Kite…” she sighed as he reached up for her cheek again. Then Mr. and Mrs. Foloc came through the door. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?” Kite sat up and gave them a smile, “Just a nightmare.” he shrugged, “Sorry about wak-ing you.” He held the blithe façade while his mother scrutinized him. Mr. Foloc had already lumbered off. She sighed in surrender, “Get some sleep, you two. Love you.” A nurturing smile flashed as she turned to close the door. “Love you.” Kite echoed her. When the door shut and the hall light flicked off, Mia put her arms around him again from behind. “Sleep.” He murmured, moving her arms so he could lie down. Mia stole a kiss before she lay down as well. The next time the two stirred, it was early morn-ing. Linch was striking the window over and over with his beak. When both Kite and Mia had their eyes on the eagle, he stopped. ‘The enemy is active early! Come quickly!’ and he flew off. Mia started to jump out of bed but Kite grabbed her arm, “Wait!” Mia stopped and looked back at him. His face was greif-stricken for an instant, and then he forced an awkward smile. “I love you.” Mia went closer and kissed him again, and he kept his lips on hers as long as she allowed it. “I love you too.” Mia said when he let her talk. “We gotta move.” She said, darting out of the room. He followed with haste and they ran together towards the clearing where they would meet with the champions before they marched on. His eyes remained locked on her no matter what. Lua briefed the assemblers on what to expect. The lioness flashed a glance in Kite’s direction, but it would not be returned. He gazed upon Mia only.
He never wanted her to disappear.
‘Alright. That’s all we have time for now. Get some rest you two. It’s very important that you are as alert and healthy as you can be tomorrow.’ Lua was instructing the human couple. ‘Yes, and try not to worry too much. Champions will take shifts and patrol the area. And tomorrow morning, you will do just fine. It will be a piece of cake!’ Linch added jovially. ‘Battles are not, and have never been just “pieces of cakes”.’ Lua retorted. The group had returned to the clearing by the creek to finish training for the day, but the champions were on a higher alert and fewer volunteered to help train, so it had just been Kite and Mia in the last few hours. As usual, Linch and Lua’ela had instructed them, and provided the two heroes with some last-minute tips. Mia yawned as if on que, “Alright.” She said groggily. Kite let the tip of his sword fall to the ground and he sighed. “I feel like we need more training.” He admitted, his lips pulling into a smug expression. As usual, Lua was blunt, ‘You probably do. But that is all we have time for, due to the unfortunate series of events earlier this evening. Sleep is your priority now. Go.’ And as usual, Linch com-pensated for her crudeness. He whispered, ‘Trust me. Those jokers will be no match for you two, even if you were to go it alone.’ Mia beamed at the eagle, and Kite shrugged. “Let’s go.” He urged, taking Mia’s hand. And they were off. Mia didn’t understand Kite’s rush, but she said nothing. She figured he was just letting his nerves get the better of him.
When they walked through the front door, the house was quiet. To Mia it was oddly eerie. There was nothing. Nothing… until she heard Kite’s sniveling. Concern struck her features and she planted her feet, thus stopping him by the hand as well. “Kite…?” she said in a velvety voice. He stood with his back to her; obviously trying to hide it. Mia pursed her lips and walked around to the front of him. He turned his head away accordingly. “Kite… Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. It’ll be easy.” She cooed, taking his other hand, and when he whimpered, she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his shirt. “Please don’t cry, Kite.” Her words were muffled. He clung to her tight, his face in her hair. It smelled so sweet to him, and it looked black in the darkness of the house. This night would be the last time for moments like this. It was ticking away. Tomorrow he would have to die and leave her here alone. Only he knew this… and hew knew that it was better that way. He wept silently.
An hour passed with them holding each other like that. Kite wouldn’t let Mia go until he could stop his tears. She was fine with this. She rubbed his back soothingly while he clung to her. When he finally stopped his crying, he still wanted to hold onto her. But they had to rest, if he would have any chance of altering the prophecy. He wiped what was left of his sorrow from his face and broke the em-brace. “Let’s go to bed.” His dismal voice scared Mia, but when she looked up he was smiling with admi-ration at her. She smiled back and nodded. Right before she had started walking, Kite swept her up in his arms mid-turn and carried her up the stairs and into their room. He set her down and she sat on the bed. He stared at her, taking in her features again. Maybe he would remember her even in death. If he was going to think, or dream of anything… He wanted it to be her. She was focused on his eyes, and couldn’t help but beam at him. He smiled back, and planted a kiss on her lips. “I love you.” He said, stroking her cheek, “Don’t forget that, ok?” he plead, now cradling her face in his hands. “Why would I ever?” she boggled. He blinked, and then closed his eyes and dropped his hands with a sigh, “I don’t know.” He said, re-opening his eyes and smiling half-heartedly. “Just. Don’t forget. I love you. So much.” He repeated. She looked at him with apprehension and nodded. He kissed her again and turned to walk towards the door. With one hand on the knob, he paused. “Do… you mind if I sleep with you tonight?” he turned back towards her. “Of course not.” She answered immediately. He smiled at her lack of hesi-tation. He sat on the bed with her and kissed her some more before they fell asleep.
Kite awoke from a nightmare in the middle of the night. He had seen Mia mangled and lifeless on the ground and he shot up in bed. Mia was undoubtably fine and flawless beside him, but she woke up from the bed's jolt. “Mmm?” she murmured sleepily. “Nightmare.” He breathed. And then Mia had fallen asleep again. When the shock had passed, he smiled down at her. She was so beautiful to him. Perhaps even more so while she slumbered. He reached out carefully and stroked her brown hair. She stirred slightly, but remained asleep. Suddenly, a bang on the window snagged his attention. He stared at the window with apprehension. All he saw was the full moon. He glanced down at Mia and she hadn’t woken to the sound. A thud came from outside their room, and he flashed a glance at the door. His breathing picked up. For seconds, the house was silent. Then he dared to whisper. “…Mia?” he breathed, still scrutinizing the door. “Mia.” He touched her and felt something wet. He turned his head and eyed his hand. Blood. His eyes snapped down at Mia and he recoiled. “Mia!” he cried. She was a mangled body again, right there beside him in his bed. He started to tremble, and heaved. At the same time, a voice cackled from the shadows. He sucked in his breath and listened with widened eyes as the voice boomed from some place that he could not pinpoint. “The hero has died. You could not save her.” Kite’s eyes flashed to all corners of the room, blurred by tears. It was suddenly much darker, and the voice seemed to emanate from every direction. “What will you do now, boy? The world is mine…” Kite was beyond his voice. He continued to search for the source of the voice, but there was nothing. Laughter rang out again. Kite slowly realized that it was Mitsuk lurking about. But still he was no where to be seen. “You can’t see me, because I am the shadows. I can see that you’ve lost all hope. Now…” Mitsuk paused. Kite inhaled sharply and glanced about him. “… Die.” The voice came, full of venom and sinister origin. And then Mitsuk was unveiled, but Kite saw him for a split second, and then he was engulfed in shadow.
Kite awoke a second time, yelling and writhing in figmental pain that abruptly ended as he regained consciousness. Mia was suddenly hovering over him, restraining his writhing with her hands. He found her wide, fear-stricken eyes. They were bluer than ever. “Kite! Kite! What’s wrong? Please!” Her voice shot through the octaves. He stopped squirming and gazed into her celestial eyes. “…Nightmare. Sorry.” he said absently. Mia released her grip on him and her face fell cheerless. “Kite…” she sighed as he reached up for her cheek again. Then Mr. and Mrs. Foloc came through the door. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?” Kite sat up and gave them a smile, “Just a nightmare.” he shrugged, “Sorry about wak-ing you.” He held the blithe façade while his mother scrutinized him. Mr. Foloc had already lumbered off. She sighed in surrender, “Get some sleep, you two. Love you.” A nurturing smile flashed as she turned to close the door. “Love you.” Kite echoed her. When the door shut and the hall light flicked off, Mia put her arms around him again from behind. “Sleep.” He murmured, moving her arms so he could lie down. Mia stole a kiss before she lay down as well. The next time the two stirred, it was early morn-ing. Linch was striking the window over and over with his beak. When both Kite and Mia had their eyes on the eagle, he stopped. ‘The enemy is active early! Come quickly!’ and he flew off. Mia started to jump out of bed but Kite grabbed her arm, “Wait!” Mia stopped and looked back at him. His face was greif-stricken for an instant, and then he forced an awkward smile. “I love you.” Mia went closer and kissed him again, and he kept his lips on hers as long as she allowed it. “I love you too.” Mia said when he let her talk. “We gotta move.” She said, darting out of the room. He followed with haste and they ran together towards the clearing where they would meet with the champions before they marched on. His eyes remained locked on her no matter what. Lua briefed the assemblers on what to expect. The lioness flashed a glance in Kite’s direction, but it would not be returned. He gazed upon Mia only.
He never wanted her to disappear.