- Heaven bend to take my hand
Lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight
Truth be told I've tried my best
The pain came first. Then the screaming. Ari awoke to a burning sensation on her lower back, as if her very skin was being burnt off her body. Slender fingers curled around moist blades of grass as she turned onto her stomach, burying her face in the ground to muffle the siren like calls. She clawed at the blanket covering her body as well as Akitoki, hoping the cool night air would soothe her pain. The movement seemed to only make things worse. Tears streamed from golden eyes as limp strands of silver hair were plastered to her cheek and neck. Black eyes of concern watched the small girl's torture with a feeling of guilt. The canine could do nothing but stand as watch. He had sensed the presence there only moments before and predicted it was something to do with Ari's destiny, but he kept his thoughts to himself. It was best if she found out this way, instead of having him force lectures of responsibility and humility on her. If she discovered this on her own, she would most certainly believe in her purpose, rather than playing with the hand someone else dealt. Still, did the detection have to be so damn painful. Moving towards the limp body of Ari, he nuzzled his head under her hand and gave her a reassuring whimper. She, unlike most of the girls, wouldn't be alone in her journey. It would take more than a few homicidal viruses to tear him from her side.While her companion was taking her pain in stride, Ari was cursing the heavens for this inexplicable sensation. Her body seemed to be rejecting itself, her every limb aching. Honestly. Puberty couldn't be this bad. Finally, the waves of white, hot pain were replaced with stomach churning nausea. Scrambling to her hands and knees, she shuffled to the edge of the clearing, buried her face in the nearest bush and emptied her stomach contents all over the forest floor. It would be a comical sight if anyone had seen her, leaves clinging to her hair as she wiped her mouth on the blanket. Golden eyes were clouded with a mixture of annoyance and fatigue as she pushed herself to her feet, Akitoki following suit. Bare feet slid over the grass as she walked to the closest source of water, anxious to rid herself of the stench of sweat and vomit. Her body had traveled the path so many times before, the sound of water rushing over erosion polished stones greeted her far before she thought. She looked down at the thin white dress that she wore so often. It was too small for her now and out dated. She would buy something new in the morning. No questions.
Reaching behind her, she pulled on the lace string and the dress instantly loosened. Feeling the night air on the her chest and stomach, she shivered slightly. It was colder than it should be in June. Or perhaps it was because she was covered in a thin layer of sweat.. yeah she would go with that one. Stepping out of the pile of clothing, she climbed on top of a rock and stared into the clear liquid. The stars above her lit her reflection and for a moment, she thought she saw a smile. That smile was quick distorted as a red and white fish broke the surface, sending ripples through her expression. The foreshadowing was lost on her young mind as she jumped into the middle of the river, the water so deep that she didn't have to worry about hitting the rocks at the bottom. As she disappeared beneath the water, all sight and sound disappeared. Her senses slowly began to adjust as she let herself sink to the bottom of the river, she had always found so interesting. The banks were rocky and shallow, but the middle.. it ran so deep that no grown man could stand on the bottom and reach the surface with his hands.
Akitoki...you know what happened to me tonight. Don't lie. As Ari bathed herself, she spoke silently to the wolf, who was resting on the bank, his paw dangling in the water. Their conversation would not be overheard by prying ears, because they invaded each other's thoughts. Her voice, although echoing in his head as usual, was steady. It held an undertone of apprehension, or perhaps fear, that told the large wolf that she knew what was coming.
Here, the guardian had two choices. The first choice would be the easier for him, and he could simply wait until she was retrieved. He could deny his knowledge of anything and lay his head on his paws, closing his eyes. Or he could let her know that something was coming her way. As much as his better sense told him to let her discover these things on her own, he couldn't leave the poor girl in the dark. He still saw her as the frail child, who'd clung to his fur for dear life when she couldn't keep herself upright any longer. Akitoki had no family of his own, so he looked to this girl as his child. A father will always protect his child, even if it means he may make things worse in the long run. I imagine, that it was a sign of something big. But other than that, I assure you I don-
The sound of splashing and a light mist over his head interrupted his thoughts, black eyes opening. He raised his head and looked down river to see Ari, her fist resting just below the surface. Her back was turned to him as tendrils of wet hair laid on her shoulders. I'm certain I said don't lie to me. Her voice was stern now, almost scolding him. Just as before, she could tell when he was lying. Their years together had not been in vain, and each day she delved a little deeper into his mind. Stepping out of the river, she laid on the grass next to him, staring up at the stars. With an annoyed growl, he pulled a blanket over her naked form, shielding her wet skin and open pores from the wind. Karlina.
Turning to the side, she faced him, her legs drawn under the blanket. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she used her hands as a pillow, raising her head at a slight angle. "The continent? What does that have to do with this?" She spoke out loud, feeling as if the silence were pressing down on her. Akitoki would continue to speak in her mind, but her voice had shattered the peaceful tone of the nightingales and crickets. Ari had been born on Karlina, but not been back in years. The place held bad memories for her, and she never felt it would be necessary to waste her money on a ticket. Air ships were large and bulky things, she didn't like them. They were a waste of natural materials, when people were just too lazy to walk. Then again, walking from continent to continent wasn't that easy.. they were floating.. Her thoughts had rambled on for nearly a minute and Akitoki could tell. She could see in his eyes the slight annoyance. Giving him her casual 'caught with my hand in the cookie drawer' smile and kissed his muzzle, urging him to repeat himself.
As I was saying. The Church of Elemia is based there, as are the Knights of Elemia. I imagine, we should take a travel there to find the answers to your questions. Even as he spoke, he found each word stung his lips. Ari was so predictable that he thought the words along with her.
"Then off to Karlina we go." Surprised, she looked over to Akitoki, who was struggling to suppress a smug grin. A rare smile broke out on her lips as she wrapped her arms around the large canine, who in turn buried his muzzle in the nape of her neck. Their bond was a strong one and was the only thing that kept her upright. She knew that. Simply holding him close, she nuzzled into his warm fur. The scent of her shop as well as nature lingered on his body and she found it comforting just to be close to the person.. well animal she depended on for so much.
Ari? One thing before we go. I think you may need clothes... His laughter spilled into his voice as he looked down at the naked body that had twisted itself around his. His laughter only doubled as she pulled back, wrapping the too long blanket around her body. It was a hilarious sight, seeing as she was nothing but a child once he'd found her. Now she was growing up into a young woman. But she seemed to forget that at some times. Seeing as she was never around creatures of the opposite sex, nor anyone her age, she had a very awkward sense of self. Like a nine year old, stuck in a fifteen year old body.
Standing, Ari pushed her hair from her eyes and used the old blanket to cover her naked form. "Let's go shopping, Aki. Okay?" And with that, Ari turned around and walked towards town, her feet shuffling across the ground. It was a sound of peace. A sound that she was meant to go to Karlina, in her mind. There was an expression of serene calm on her face, but inside, her organs were tangled. Karlina is where she killed so many people. Where she was born and where her family died. It would be a task staying there for long. But first, there was the issue of getting there. A warm nose on her thigh let her know that this time, she was not alone. Running her fingers through his thick fur, she broke out into a run, racing him through the bushes. Of course, they both knew that the canines speed was no match for hers, but she loved it when he let her win. As her feet left the grass and touched the cold stone of the town square, she unlocked the door to her shop. It was an unusual sight, this small girl walking through the buildings in nothing but a sheet. The people of the town were just starting to wake up, the sun bleeding through the clouds. Pulling a few coins from the pockets sewn into the blankets and waddled up to the nearest cart. Yes, she waddled. One could only waddle when wrapped in a bulky blanket.
Resting her gold on the counter, she pointed to three different outfits and bought them, asking if she was able to change here. The stunned man nodded and stepped aside, leading her into the tiny stall behind the cart. The people of this town were not used to Ari speaking, or buying from them at all. She always wore that same dress and those same ribbons. Akitoki stood faithfully outside of the wooden door while she changed in the tiny six by eight stall. There was more than one curse word uttered before she stepped out of the stall. It wasn't her usual choice, but it would do for traveling. Silver strands of hair were accentuated by black hair clips, holding it away form her face. The clips were in the shapes of birds, with ruby eyes. Around her neck was her usual necklace, a golden and silver choker with a crescent dangling from it. The crescent was framed by silver and red beads. The shirt was short sleeved and loose, black with gold ties trailing down her sides. It stopped just below her belly button. There was an inch or two of bare skin, then the skirt started. Black fabric clung to her hour glass figure and, giving away to the pants she wore beneath it. The pants lead down to the simple riding boots, the outfit itself black with gold details. Tucked under her arm was a cloak with a large hood, which she thought would be necessary, since she would be sleeping outside.
The teenager twirled once and allowed her companion to judge before giving the man an extra coin and sauntering over to her shop, an air of confidence around her for a moment. This was a good day to say she was packing up and moving on for a while. There was a soft musical tone as she pushed her way into her shop, the faint smell of yesterday's baking flooding her nostrils. Akitoki followed her back and forth as she laid the cakes and things on the tables outside of her shop. She would be gone for a while, so no sense in letting things go to waste. A few dozen trips later, she had four tables covered with delicious confections, and a sign that read 'Free!' across the white surface. A few people were already watching her with suspicious actions, wondering what the awkward teen was up to now.
She gave them a glance before walking back into her shop, her cloak draped over her shoulders. A few more minutes passed, and she stepped back out of the shop, locking the door behind her. Heading down the road, they didn't even say goodbye. She didn't wave. She didn't tell anyone when she would return. She just walked away from what she had called her life for these few years. She walked towards the port, which luckily, was only a few minutes away. Their quiet town was popular during certain times of the year. Great place to get cheap imports from Karlina.
"Akitoki... am I supposed to be scared?"
The question was sudden and awkward, and it took the wolf by surprise. He thought about it for a moment, before he turned his attention away from the road and to the girl next to him. "Yes you should, Ari. You should be afraid for your life." His voice was smooth and calm as they walked towards danger, already the port coming into view.
"Too bad."
We believe that we can change ourselves
The past can be undone
But we carry on our backs the burdens
Time always reveals
In the lonely light of morning
In the wound that would not heal
The past can be undone
But we carry on our backs the burdens
Time always reveals
In the lonely light of morning
In the wound that would not heal
