The Dying Light

[LightofHeaven]

He'd been expecting this. Of course, he was sure the question was in her as they walked through the forest seeking shelter. He'd wanted to ask her the same thing, but Rowan had and Reine had told him her story. Now it was his turn, and the question was right in front of him.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I was . . . running from the Fell Things."

"Of course you were." said Rowan, looking up, "A coward like you would run from the scum while his friends were getting ripped up, wouldn't he?"

Haven felt a sliver of anger come to him. The man was accusing him, calling him a coward. But Rowan could not possibly
know what had happened. But it was true, he'd run before Sialan was killed. At the same time, he felt flooded with remorse. But, at least he'd tried to help, hadn't he?

Rowan pressed him, "What were you thinking? That you could make up for my brother's death after the scum betrayed you? That we'd just let you go if you brought her home? Madness! I have to admit that I'm very grateful you brought back my brother's girl. Unfortunately " -- he aimed his crossbow at Haven -- "you aren't going anywhere!"

 

[swordkitty]

Xanja was suprised the girl was even alive, given her condition.

"Leave your sword be, I am no danger to you. It's probably best if you do not move much at all. My name is Xanja. I am traveling to try to find Tuan, though I don't know who or what he is. The Fell Things have ravaged my village and killed my best friend. But who are you and what caused these wounds?"

Xanja rummaged through her pack for some medical supplies. She found some bandages and some clean towels, which she got wet in the now-running-clear river.
"I'm not going to hurt you, just clean you up a bit"

She slowly began cleaning some of the blood and dirt off of the girl and patiently waited for a response.

"My name is Kitrys." She blinked, frowning a bit. "As for these wounds...my town was attacked. By what, I don't know. I probably got the wounds when I fled on my mother's bidding. But," her eyes narrowed softly, "what is a Fell Thing?"

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Reine looked between them, compelled to feel for this man. It had to be difficult to run. Surely, having stood his ground for her, he couldn't be the coward Rowan accused him to be. Still, there was the point that Rowan made, that this man had saved her to make up for his running, to somehow pay his debt of guilt. And then he would perhaps pay for it for the rest of his life, if that were true.

Still, she couldn't take any further yelling. It was late, they all needed to rest. Rising from the sofa and going to his side, she gently placed a hand on Rowan's chest to try to pull back on the reins of his rage, something she knew very well about.

"Ro, please," she urged, until he shouted two very distinct words that agitated her, two words she wouldn't take from him. Reine crossed her arms, a frown taking the place of her her calm features. Stiffly, she repeated, "Your brother's girl? I was not his 'girl'! Leo was a brother to me, as are you! You were all my family. Why is that so difficult!"

Sure, Leo and she had spent a lot of time together, and often, but that gave him no right to start assuming things. He always did that. Everyone always did that. With a sour look, she shook her head and sighed.

"It's late. We're tired and at the edge of our sanity from today. Since you don't seem to want to be an adult and kind host, I will do so, Rowana." Reine spoke the nickname in childish taunting, knowing he would remember the feminine name as one she teased him with when they were children. Swiftly, she motioned to his loft where he slept and ordered, "Go to bed!"

Reine did not stay to see that he did so, though. As soon as she finished speaking, she gave him a final fiery look and left through the door to the outside night, shutting the door behind her not loudly, but not softly either. Once outside, she sighed and hugged herself, looking around in the moonlight at the remains of her past. This really was it for her. It was everything, and everything was now in shambles and ruins. She looked to the right and saw the bench made by the two brothers, and so with quiet footsteps, she walked to it and sat. The cool night air was much appreciated. Exerting that much energy in there had left Reine dizzy, and the fresh air washed over her in waves of breezes as she thought.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Haven wanted to run after her as she closed the door behind her, he wanted to call her back inside and tell her it was dangerous to be out there at night, but Rowan still had his crossbow leveled at him. His eyes still watched Haven accusingly. He was not going to bed --

Twang-thunk!

Haven gasped. Rowan had just fired his weapon, the bolt had embedded in the wall behind Haven missing his head by a hair's kiss.

"If Reine dies, I won't aim high." said Rowan in a menacing voice, and then turned and marched into his room, slamming the door behind him.

Haven sighed, relieved that he'd gotten out of such an ugly spot without saying hardly a word. He glanced at the pitcher from which Reine had drank. It was less than half full now. He was tempted to pick it up and gulp down what was left, but Reine was still outside. He had to check on her, to see that she was safe. He headed for the door.

 

[K9Guardian]

Tuan's boots left the steps and thumped lightly onto the dirt pathway. The sky between the branches of he pines had darkened with the sun setting behind Mount Celdon, though it remained short of twilight. The few visible cabins lay at repose, smoke rising in lazy streams from chimneys. The air felt heavy.

Tuan stood for a moment, staring at nothing. He'd allowed guilt to take root, and now here he was, playing errand boy for some woman. Dionys had escaped death; and for all Tuan knew or cared, Keyes Settlement no longer existed. Why did he worry? He'd madee the decision long ago.

I hate them all, Tuan. I hate you. You're all going to die for my pain, and I won't be sorry.

Closing his eyes, Tuan crushed the memory into oblvion. I'm not him. No, I'm not him.

With a muttered curse, he shook himself and opened his eyes. He needed an axe. Takeo would be happy to lend one, and if he wasn't . . . well, too bad. Tuan headed downslope.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Reine hugged herself against the breeze that for a moment was stronger and slightly colder, until it died down again. She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and once against opened them, seeing the stars. They were bright and beautiful, no longer hidden by trees or any roof of a house. They no longer competed with the lights that were placed in the streets, nor the fires.

Suddenly the door creaked open, some part sliding on the ground. She jumped but didn't look away from the stars, nor did she look at the man as he stepped outside. She knew it was him. His footsteps were different from Rowan's. And, if it were Rowan, he would have just shouted for her to come inside.

"Who are you?" she asked him immediately, never taking her eyes off the sky.

 

[XoxOjo]

Xanja frowned at the girl's question. How was she supposed to decribe the Fell Things?

"The Fell Things are living dead beasts. They claw the life out of you. I don't really know how to describe them, all I can say is that they are the definition of fear, pain, and evil."

Xanja sat silinced, reminiscing on her hate for the fell things. Her mother, her best friend, her neighbors, this girl.
She clenched her teeth together and resumed bandaging Kitrys' wounds.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Haven stepped out into the night. A gentle breeze blew across his face, partially blowin his bangs out of his eyes. He looked around. Where was Reine?

He started to call out, but suddenly a voice spoke. "Who are you?"

He turned his head toward the voice and there she was, sitting on a bench, her face turned upward to gaze at the stars. Relieved, Haven started to slowly walk toward her.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

His shadow floated by her as he walked toward her. His walk really was different. As he drew nearer, Reine looked at his face in the light of the night, studying it curiously.

Finally, she bit her lower lip uncertainly and ventured her question further. "Seriously," she said softly, looking up at him from where she sat. She sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap. "I mean, I don't know anything about you. Name, where you came from..." Reine's eyes glanced up. "... your reasons for running."

 

[K9Guardian]

In terms of size, Celdon Settlement fell far short of large, yet spread in a haphazard manner along paths running through the forest, with cabins built wherever the ground could be leveled, it managed to seem so. As Tuan made his way down the relatively gentle slope, squirrels and rabbits darted here and there, and once a fox crossed the trail, giving him a wary look before vanishing into the undergrowth. Overhead, an eagle's hunting screech split the afternoon. Yet the place held an empty feel, as of a storm about to strike. No humans walked by the lone man;; no sign of mankind existed but the cabins and the chimney-smoke.

Prickles danced up the back of Tuan's neck, but he ignored them. Superstitious people spent half their lives hopping on prickles. Of course, superstition paled to the reality Tuan knew, but he walked on nonetheless, keeping an eye out for jutting roots and low-hanging limbs. And cursed the quickly deepening gloom. He would not finish before nightfall.

He stopped abruptly, glancing to his right.

A man stoood on a boulder some distance away, watching him. No, not a man; a boy, red-haired and just shy of adulthood. He perched there and looked at Tuan, unmoving. Then a smile spread across his face, and he leapt to the ground and dashed away.

Tuan ran a few steps towards him. "Hey, you!"

But the boy vanished into the trees.

The prickles grew into a tingle and crept doown his spine. Had that been . . . ? Of course not! But if it was . . . It wasn't! Still . . . No! Yet . . . The heck with it all!

Tuan began to run towards Takeo's cabin.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"You do not believe what your friend has accused me of, do you?" haven asked, feeling the sliver of anger returning to him. It almost seemed like there was no way out of this. This "spy" business. It had made sense. And now Reine seemed to be torn between the possibilities, Haven could tell by the way she spoke.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

She was quiet for a long time. It was like she was being careful in her words, or just deciding what to say at all. Perhaps, how much. Little by little, Reine opened her mouth, finally sure of what to say.

"It's not fair for us to ask you to explain yourself, but you must understand why we fear you." Once more it was a long time before Reine spoke again. In her thoughts, she plucked a weed and started to pluck off a small branch from the plant, one at a time. "We are known to be hospitable, and I would not wish anyone a night's sleep outside by themselves, but these are dark times."

As Reine pushed herself up and put a hand against the wall of the small dwelling, she looked into his eyes, searching them with a look of uncertainty.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"I do understand," he replied, looking back at her. "I am no enemy. I I am neither a spy nor a threat from the Fell Things."

He paused, expecting her to say something.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

It was clear he was expecting her to say something, but she didn't know what to say. Okay, so he understood. That meant nothing to her. That meant nothing to Rowan, or Jack, or Elise, or... Leo. Still, she was tired of playing secrets with this man. Reine shrugged and shook her head, walking past him.

The uncertainty was gone, at least visibly, and a wall was up. "I'll find a blanket for you, and you can take the sofa," she told him and went for the door.

 

[LightofHeaven]

That sounded great. He'd love to lie down on the soft cushions to sleep. But something inside him was forbidding it.

"No." he called after her. "I would like that, but if you don't mind, I can stay out here."

 

[Fire Of Zion]

"... I can stay out here," he said.

The words echoed. It was then she realized that all was silent. No crickets, none of the usual sounds. No laughing, no life. And then, this man. He could stay out here? He could honestly stay outside? When Reine reached the door, she pulled it open and looked at him, the light of the fire inside cascading over her. The look on her face was cold now, unfeeling and distrusting. He wanted to stay outside...

"Fine. Good night," she said quickly and closed the door behind her as she slipped inside. The door banged closed and then it was quiet again.

Reine was shaking. She looked down at her hands, shaking her head. Quickly, she found a blanket and wrapped herself up in it, lying down on the sofa. Her eyes watched the dying fire in the fireplace, as they slowly drew closed. By the door, she had left a blanket for the man, though she did not want to. His only request suddenly made her hate him, but she could not deny her upbringing. Either way, it did not matter. He'd be gone in the morning.

 

[LightofHeaven]

He watched as she closed the door behind her. For a moment, all was silent except for the sound of his own breathing. He sighed and sat down on the bench. Reine had sounded strange as she bade him good night. He knew she was still uncertain about him. He was still the "coward" Rowan had called him. Of course, they were clueless. He had hardly said anything about what had happened to him or even who he was. But, was it possible that they could even be convinced that he, Haven, was no threat? He'd just have to see.

He sighed again, and leaned his head back against the cabin wall. Gazing up at the night stars, he thought of Sialan. He wished he could talk to him, to ask him for help. But Haven what he haxd to do, and to do that, he needed information. Rowan knew something, he'd reacted to the mention of the name. Maybe, maybe, Rowan would help. If Haven could only prove himself to be friendly, he would help. But how? By sleeping out here, perhaps?

He shook his head. He would find a way. But for now, he needed rest.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Everything was blurring, it was all becoming one thing from many. The town was burning. People were screaming. Someone was yelling at her to go, to leave.

"Get out of here! Get to a shelter. Find the safe haven!"

What? But her safe haven was home, and home as burning. Frantically, she ran, searching for the haven. Haven... haven... haven.. Where was it?! A dark creature leaped from a burning home at her, knocking her to the ground. Out of no where, a hand grabbed hers, bellowing to her.

"Get up!"

Bodies everywhere. The ground was red, a dark crimson red. She twisted and turned, the red covering her all over.

"I can't!"

Fire. The sky was blazing. It shone in his eyes. He was pleading, like Leo had... the night he was killed. He was begging her, and she couldn't do anything. Why couldn't she? Do it, Rei! Get up!

"They're coming..."

It was happening all over again. But Reine was down, trying to get to her feet. There was a face in front of her, trying to pull her up. He was holding her hands, half pulling and half dragging her. And she tried. She really did, but she couldn't get up. And all around her, there were trees, but these were not normal trees, but huge ferns.

"Get up!"

The grass snaked around her ankles and her legs, holding her down. No matter how hard she kicked, she couldn't get free. The ground opened and began to swallow her. She screamed but whoever was trying to pull her up could not, and he threw down her hands.

"Useless! This is what you wanted!"

"NO! Please, don't let..."

"It's your fault, Rei. It's too late, and now you'll be consumed like I was. It's your fault. Why couldn't you save me? It's your fault.... it'syourfaultrei, it'syourfault,it'syourfault...

The Fell Beings stepped out from the darkness. The darkness was blacker than anything she'd seen, and the dark ones glowed, not of light, but a purple-blackness, wreaking of the evilness they brought and spread. She screamed, but the ground came over her head. She twisted against it, she fought her hardest, but it overcame her. She was lost to it.

It'syourfault... It'syourfault... it'syourfaultrei,it'syourfaultrei,itsyourfault,it'syourfault,it'syourfault...

 

[K9Guardian]

The door hung open.

Tuan skidded to a halt, dirt flying behind him. his breath came in ragged gasps. Sinking to one knee, he fought for calm, control. Breathe in, breathe out. It did no good.

The door to Takeo's cabin gaped wide like a skull's maw. The windows seemed to stare like accusing sockets. Silence filled the darkling forest, the shados closing around Tuan like skeletal fingers.

"Bullcrap," he growled through clenched teeth. You're being a fool, Tuan. Raising his voice, he hollered with as much force as he could. "Hey, Takeo! Get your can out here. I want to talk to you!"

The empty forest echoed the words. Hey, Takeo . . . Hey, Takeo . . . The cabin No one answered. The cabin beckoned.

"Probably left and forgot to shut the door," Tuan muttered. He'd known the man would go senile sooner or later. Getting to his feet, he glancedd around. Way too quiet. He had better go in and wait.

Twilight waas in earnest now, the sky a deep shade of violet. Mount Celdon toweed overhead, its brother peaks just visible to the north and south. The cabin grew larger and larger as Tuan approached.

He ascended the porch and stepped inside. And let out a breath.

The inside of Takeo's cabin was neat and ordered; a one-room affair, yet spacious. The bed was well-made and pushed into a corner. A table stood in the center, a vase of flowers adorning its top. And as the dimmess came into focus, Tuan saw that someone stood at the window, back to him.

"Hey!" He moved into the room. "About face, old man. I need an -- " He stopped short. "Oh, s***."

The body had no head.

Slowly, Tuan backed away. It couldn't be. No. He looked around, and as his eyes adjusted, he saw the blood.

It pooled on the floor, glistening and fresh in the half-light. Takeos axe lay at the feet of the standing corpse. A trail of red snaked out of the pool, leading towards the bed.

Tuan's eyes followed it across the room, unable to resist.

Takeo's head rested on the pillow, eyes wide in death and mouth open in a scream that would never be hheard. On the covers, scrawled in a childish hand, two words marked the gruesome display. Hello, Tuan.

"Crap," Tuan breathed. "D***."

Hello, Tuan.

His mind raced. The blood was fresh. Whoever had done this -- Not him! -- they could not have gone far. He backed towards the door, unable to take his eyes from the face of his old, old friend. Takeo, always laughing and joking, the man all women loved despite his age. Takeo, lord of the fishermen, whose handmade rods were sought by men clear to Reda Settlement and beyond. Takeo, who had been like an uncle to Tuan. Down-to-earth Takeo, two-time widower and adopted father of --

Hello, Tuan.

"No!" Rage and fear shot through his body, blinding him. Spinning, he ran for the door. "No, Mathios!"
.
Fiery eyes flared as the black dog leapt for his throat.

 

[K9Guardian]

Tuan roared in pain and horror as teeth formed of the coldest, blackest hell closed around his neck, freezing and burning his flesh all at once. He did the only thing he could. Seizing the beast by the jaw, he yanked with all his might. Blood sprayed as lethal fangs tore free of their hold, but the dog only snarled and shook its head, throwing the hands of its victim aside. Tuan grabbed it by the head, desperate, ignoring the horrible cold that began to spread up his arms, and with another frenzied bellow, flung the creature off him.

It landed on all fours and sprung again, growling. Tuan felt it strike his chest, and then his back slammed onto the floor, the wind leaving his lungs. Eyes filled his vision, red eyes glowing with fathomless hatred, and the stench of sulfur engulfed his senses. Flesh and shadow locked in a contest for his life, rolling and grappling in the home of a murdered man. The corpse standing at the window toppled, and the hound of night darted aside to avoid it. Takeo’s body landed atop Tuan.

Life sang through him. He gripped the headless cadaver and turned on the floor, hurling it towards his attacker, then without pause took to his feet and dove through the window. Glass fell around him in a shower as he tumbled into the brush. He felt nothing; he song of life must not be silenced.

The dog leapt from the shattered window, shadow emerge g from shadow, and Tuan scrambled up and fled. Utter silence reigned supreme; only the beating of his heart and the pounding of his boots existed for him, and not even the trees whipping by seemed to hold reality. Tuan ran, and the dog pursued, gaining . . . More black hounds waited ahead of them.

Tuan tried to swerve, but too late. Base instinct alone saved him. He jumped straight up, pulling in his legs. The dogs passed beneath him in their wild rush, their teeth catching air. Tuan landed with a lightness born of adrenaline, but shadowy bodies flung themselves at him, and he ducked and weaved in a dance that was surely his last.

“Mathios!” he screamed. Rage surged in him, the rage of a man about to die a helpless victim. “Curse you, Mathios! Curse you with my last breath!”

The Fell-hounds paused in their assault and drew into a circle with him at the center. Tuan sank to one knee. His body felt sickeningly numb. For a moment, all wass still. Evil red eyes watched from the night, savoring the kill.

Tuan thought of Kaur. He had no one else to think of.

They closed in.

“Eirun!”

The cry seemed to tear itself from Tuan’s throat. A sudden fire lit within his soul, an aura of strength and light that blossomed around him, a flower of radiance and the feeling of something that guards. The brilliance flowed outward, washing over the dogs, tearing them into wisps of smoke that rose and faded.

Then . . . nothing.