Dark Wrath: Chapter Two

Chapter 2: Starting the Journey

The burning sun is only a few hours away from peeking up from the ground as I rise to start what would begin a new chapter of my path. The reminder that what would become of the day both terrifies and excites me. Not one to back away from such a challenge I stand from my crouched position beside My Lady.

I cross the small room in hopes to make it out before she noticed my sudden power disappearane. The smooth red oak floor allows me to move silently. A deadly advantage to the tough training I had gone through. I turn towards the window when I heard the slight breathing of Milady spike. The sign she has awaken.

Her eyes flicker open as I move to keep heading towards the door. Gracefully twisting to face her I smile lightly, "Did I wake you, Milady?"

She doesn't answer me as she walks over to me. I take a slight step back only for her to order in a whispering tender voice, "Don't move, Evelyn."

i tense knowing that if I moved it would be considered treason to the Lady. I breathe slowly as her hands cup my face gently. The warmth causes me to relax to which she leans forwards to mutter in my ear lightly, "Are you sure you want to go back to the outside, Evelyn."

My face flushes at the closeness as I stammer out subconsciously, "I need to, My Goddess. If I am to serve and guard you as your guardian. I can further the studies of my choosing. Please, milady I must leave soon if I am to meet my brother in time."

She sighs softly but encourages me by saying, "Then I wish you luck on your journey, Evelyn. I know you will serve me well."

I smile at her and just as I move to leave in order to get ready she snatches my wrist carefully. I glance at her in confusion and my heart skips a beat as she kisses me on the cheek. Pulling back she gives me a playful smile.

I blush at her before bowing low. Taking my leave I quickly rush out. Hearth thudding I whisper to myself, "What did she mean by doing such a thing?"

Shaking my head I jump up from the stone tiled courtyard to the window leading to my room. Grasping the top I swing myself feet first inside to land silently beside my bed. Shaking my head in amusement I stroke the small demonic Kinen cub the Goddess had gifted me a few days ago for my twelfth birthday.

It gently nuzzles my thigh as I unbuckle the sword from my back. Pulling off my guard uniform I stare back at my reflection in thought. Even though I try each time my eyes drift to the jagged scar crossing from my right shoulder down to my left knee and grimace at the memory. Still though the pride swells inside me for that had been my first night of protecting My Lady and despite the severity of my injuries I had destroyed the threat.

My eyes turn to stare at my reflection's own and I can find myself finally addressing the questions that have been plaguing me since I decided to head back. Did I want to truly go back to that place first? Truthfully I didn't want to see their reactions. If they still will glare at me with such hatred. Such fear.

Finally I scowl at my reflection slightly angered by my unreasonable fear. I shouldn't be so worried about what they thought of me. My place was beside my Lady or studying to become the guardian she needed. Finally I begin to get ready for my departure.

As I pull on the dark shirt I stare in the mirror to admire the hand stitched symbol of my position. The small cub lazily jumps down from the bed to drag out a pair of my baggy black pants. I shake my head with amusement as I pick him up.

Finally I pull the pants free and decide to wear the red cargo pants hiding behind a pair of thick mesh shirts. With a grin I strap my twin swords on my back and ties back the thick ebony hair with a ribbon weaved from a special thread I created.

As the cub touches my ankle I glances down to see her looking up at me in longing. The music of my laughter floats throught the small realm as I pick Rava up and put the scroll in a compartment on my belt. Finally I cradles the cub in my arms before jumping out the window exactly as I had entered.

As I reaches the gate to leave I am stopped by a shout, "Evelyn!"

Twisting around I grips my sword and blocks the swing of the attacker. Lunging I knocks the sword out of my opponent to hear the person congratulate, "You're skills are as sharp as ever, Evelyn-chan."

I stop at the sound of Mei-sensei as she pulls free with a grin on her face. I stare in confusion and ask, bewildered, "Why did you come, sensei?"

Mei-sensei turns serious and says firmly, "You didn't think I'd let my student to leave our world alone now did you, cub?"

I pause slightly. I had planned on leaving without making a big deal of it but apparently Sensei had other plans. With a slight frown at he I mutter, "Why?"

She grips my wrist and yanks me close speaking fiercely, "We care about you, Evelyn Nagori. Do not make me have to say it again."

Pinning me against the wall she whispers in my ear softly, "Do not think you mean nothing to me, child. You were the student and daughter I never had before. Do not think yourself as such low value here. Here we all love you. Do not forget that, young one."

Tears finally break through. Days of agonizingly pushing them back, of playing strong now pushed too far. With a sob I bury my face in her chest and revel in the feeling of safety of the people I knew with my entire being loved me unlike most of my clan. Shaking I could hear the Goddess singing softly of a joyous and soothing song.

Finally I pull back to smile up at Mei-sensei. "Thank you, sensei."

She smirks as I suddenly felt the Goddess's arms circle around me from behind. Startled by the sudden presence I also felt angry at myself that I allowed myself to lower my guard. Sighing softly at the weakness I allowed through I turn to face her.

Her eyes pierce mine in worry. "Are you sure you can handle this, Evelyn?"

I stifle an annoyed sigh and nod. I didn't have a choice. I needed to get better in order to serve her without fear of losing. Nodding stiffly I reach the edge of the compound and without so much as a glance back I step into the woods leading to my clan...and to my journey to be strong enough to protect the person I loved the most.

The sudden thick atmosphere causes me to struggle to breathe. Gasping for air I watch as the trees loom over me as I finally managed to pull in enough air for my lungs. Shakily I push myself up from the gate walls in order to take the first step back home. If I remember correctly it is merely seven miles from here. A fast stop then I decide as I step into a comfortable speed.

Rava runs after me while I ponder over how the clan has or has not changed since I've been gone. I knew from my brother's continuous letters that father had passed during an ambush and despite my attempt to show compassion with this news I simply couldn't. His death was his own undoing in my mind. Still I felt a shred of guilt for not being able to give my brother comfort during the mourning. With a soft sigh I smile leightly as I remember that he had become leader.

The sun slowly climbs up to high noon and I find myself only a few miles away from the clan house. Despite this I consider eating lunch in the woods. I couldn't bring myself to trust the clan to let me in without causing a riot. Finding a nice clearing I unseal the lunch from the small mark on my upper hand without so as thinking. Glancing at the rice balls and salted pork Mei-sensei packed early this morning when I began my shift I decide to start a fire.

Winter is approaching and the testimony was all around me. Dead leaves and the chilling wind were proof enough. Nimbly I leave the clearing to gather some twigs and dead leaves. As I lean down to pick up the last of the twigs I spotted just recently I hear the growl of Rava and the clear sound of someone running through bushes.

Without thinking I drop my load of kindling to rush into the clearing to spot half the food gone and Rava growling at the bushes. I reach back to grip my sword as I edge slowly towards the bushes. The sound of a twig snapping confirms my suspicions the thief was trying to run. With a dark scowl I jumped into the woods.

With the blade of my sword pressed against the neck of a small figure I order sharply, "What do you think you're doing?"

The thief turns around and I at once seath my sword. Two terrified yet starved eyes stare at me desperately. This was no thief but merely a child half my age starving. I could tell he knew no better. Heart melting at his sad look I sternly ask, "May I have my food back?"

Holding out the food he looks at me in guilt. I take the food and grip his hand. Dragging him back to the clearing I order gently, "Stay right here. Alright?"

He looks at me in distrust but nods warily. Smiling lightly at him in attempt to ease his fear I gather the kindling and return. As I start the fire I finally spoke to him, "If you had asked me for some, child, I would not have denied you it. Food is fundamental for us all. Denying a child a right that he has is cruelty. Why did you steal instead of asking." Deep inside I knew the answer. I had been like him during his age.

He stares at me in confusion before muttering, "I have tried asking before, ma'am. They always refuse so why should I think that you would be any different?"

I sigh softly and hand him the half he took before. "I understand your reasoning."

He nods slowly and I am relieved to see that there was a glimmer of trust in his eyes. The gratitude shows in his posture as he relaxes and gives me a look. It was if he was asking permission to eat what I had just given him.

With a soft chuckle I encourage him, "If I give you food you are more than willing to eat it. I do not need all of it."

He nods slowly before eating. I eat my own while keeping an eye on him. He was far too skinny. I can feel my heart break for this small child. I wondered absently where his parents were but decided it did not matter at this point. Finishing my own lunch I stand to leave when he cries out, "Where are you going?"

I turn around to see him looking at me in fear. I pause slightly, "I'm going back to my clan. If you wish you may come accompany me. I'm sure they won't mind another member."

He stares at me now clearly not understanding. "But why?"

I smile and reply honestly, "Because you remind me of me before I found my own purpose for being here. Soon you will find a purpose as well."

He nods. With that promise he stands up and follows me as we head towards the Nagori clan compound.