Chapter 12: Strange things happened

I thought I had a strange dream just now.

In which I faced my ending, and so close to the verge of death.

Wasn't it when you died in your dream, you woke up in reality?

That made sense why I was awake.

I remembered seeing a source of light, floating in the dark.

I felt as if I wanted to chase after that light, but as I moving forward, it flew even faster.

And then it disappeared, leaving me alone surrounded by darkness.

That was when I felt my body was penetrated by thousands of black blades.

They pierced through me, ripping me apart.

I couldn't even see, I just accepted it.

As it was my fate. 

Pointless, and forgotten.

I will die the same way as I was brought to this world.

No purpose, no meaning

One moment I was there, and then I was gone.

I could feel my existence was slowly submerging into nothingness.

And then...

I felt warm.

The warm of hope, the warm of aspiration.

I wanted to hold on to that scent, I didn't want it to disappear.

And that moment, I knew I was protected.

----------

The second time I woke up from the delirium. However, this time was totally different. I raised my body up, and felt totally refreshed. All the pains from before had gone, as if they were never there. I looked my chest, which was badly wounded, but all the bandages were gone, the same went for the bruises. It seemed like I was never hurt at the first place. Strange. Even moving was impossible back then but now, my body was light and somehow, felt like brand new.

It was dark outside, so I must have passed out the whole day, since I remembered drinking the medicine in the morning. She said that the medicine was supposed to help both of us, but even now, I still couldn't hear his voice. Was that a failure? 

"Oh, You've come to." Ibel said as she opened the door.

"Yeah, your medicine healed me real quick, I thought I would never recover from that. But in just one day is awesome." I replied.

"Huh? what are you talking about? You've been on the bed for a week already. Geez for a moment I thought you were dead." The woman said that without showing any expression.

"One week?" I couldn't believe what she said. I did feel like laying in the dark forever, but still, one week was just too much.

"What are you surprise about? You should be thankful that you made it through and regain consciousness. I was about to checked on you one last time before... you know." She shrugged when she said "you know".

"Before dumping me away? So the part when you told me about the medicine, which I would died horribly, was true then." I felt my heart throbbed.

"Nah, it was a 50/50 shot, and you made it after all. So don't bother it okay?" She winked, what a wicked woman. Then, she placed a tray beside me. 

"Here, you must be starving sleeping for the whole week. Sorry for the plain dishes, I'm not a fancy person when it comes to food." 

"No, I'm the one should say sorry. Sorry for causing you so much trouble. I must have died if it wasn't for you. Thank you for saving my life, miss Ibel." I expressed my gratitude.

"Oh? So even you can say thank once in a while huh?" She raised her voice, I could tell she was mocking, like always.

"Seems like you don't know me at all, I'm not such an ungrateful person you know." I answered.

"Just so you thought. But for your information, it's not only your life you own me." What she just said made me looked at her like an alien. Mentally, I'd prepared for the worst case scenario and when she entered the room, I thought that moment had come. But now, she said something like that.

"Don't look at me like that! It was no such a big deal, at all." She looked away. "And for the record, all I did was triggering the process, you did most of the parts yourself."

"I did? But I don't remember doing anything. You said I was..."

"I mean the mental part you idiot. It was your will power that kept him, um, 'alive', I guess." My will power?  I had that?

"But then, why can't I hear his voice? And I can't even tell if he is here or not."  I asked her.

"Staph, I will explain the details later, for now you eat up and get yourself ready. We will discuss the matter together." She stood up. And when she said together, I remembered another thing.

"Thera...how is she doing?" It wouldn’t be a surprise if she had left, but still, I wanted to see her.

"Why do you care that much? She's just a stranger to you, and you go as far as risking your life to protect her, what's the big idea?" She answered with a question.

"Let's just say that...she has the answer I was looking for." I said.

Ibel stared at me for a while then walking away.

"You will know when you see her. You have half an hour." Then she closed the door.

That meant she's still here, with us. I supposed to feel light up a bit after hearing that, but somehow, the same uneasiness, just like before, prevented me from think of any positive outcome for the situation. I quickly finished the food, four slices of bread and two boiled eggs, with a cup of herbal tea. Strangely enough, I didn't feel hungry at all, even though I was told it was a week since the incident. In fact, I felt a flow of energy inside like never before. Could it be the effect of that medicine Ibel gave me? Then I should thank her more than just a mere saying. I got out of the bed, moving around. There wasn't any slightest signs of the injury. I remembered something Thera said about him taking the hit for me. That was impossible from the start, but now who could guarantee it didn't happen? Just a few weeks ago I still didn't believe in such thing as magic and soul, and now here I am, witnessed a magic fight, revived from death, or so I thought.

The room I was staying in still had plenty of books laying around. It looked like the owner didn't clean it frequently. I decided to take a look on a few books, and took my time. There were all kind of books in this room, literature, science, history, geography, and some I couldn't tell which field they were in. They were all worn, must be old books that couldn't sell and she kept them here to read. There were some specially old books in the corner, which I guessed must be used for a long time. One’s cover almost turned into yellow, but the letters were still readable. However, they were all strange symbols.

The art of soul mastery.

“What is this book?” I wondered. It didn't look like a regular book, instead, it had the sense of a valuable document,  but being thrown around like this made it value sure decreased. When I was about to open it, the sound of a grandpa clock told me it was time to meet the others. Well, it could wait. I opened the door and walked outside the room, that was when I saw her again. Thera was standing near the window, gazing at the moon. Looked like she was alright, but her mood was the same too. I didn't know how should I feel about it, but then something really strange happened.

Thera turned to my way, then she ran to me. Only God knew what had happened for the last week or what kind of talking did Ibel gave to her, but Thera’s action was really…weird. And then, out of the blue, she hugged me. What the heck?

“Thera? What…are you doing?” I could only ask.

“Shut up stupid, I thought you were dead. Do you know… how worry…I was…” What? Was she crying? Just what the heck?

“Um, are…you okay?” My head went all fuzzy as her head now was leaning to my shoulder.

“No, not at all. How can I…be okay…when you were…like that…” Then she looked me in the eyes. Her face was so close to me, and for a moment, I thought she was going to…

“I don’t know…what to do…if you die…” She was going for it. I felt her hands was pushing my head close to her. She was about to give me a kiss. Even though I wanted it to happen, I pushed her back.

“No, if this was a dream, then it might be right, but now that I know I am totally awake, then this must be one hundred percent wrong. The Thera I know, she’s different. She doesn't have any emotion. That’s right, from the start, she couldn't feel a thing. I don’t know why you do this, but since you have a week to observe her, I expect you could make a better imitation, Ibel.” If this was the prank by that evil woman, then it all made sense.

The Thera standing in front of me took a step back, then she smiled.

“How boring, I thought you would play along for a bit longer you know. But you were wrong, I’m not Ibel.”

The figure slowly faded away, as if a drawing being erased. Then, she disappeared totally, leaving a blue flame floating in the air. When I was still being dumbstruck by that scene, Ibel stepped in.

“There you are, I was about to call for you.” She said.

“Umm miss Ibel, what is that?” I pointed at the dancing flame in front of me.

“Huh? Oh that? That’s my soul. I call her Laa.” She answered so normally that I thought she introduce her soul to everybody in town already. I hope that wasn't the case.

“What do you mean your soul? How can I see it?” I was totally lost.

“What? You have one don’t you? Then it’s perfectly fine for you to see other’s.” That made sense, I guessed.

“But how can your soul become visible like that?” The flame was literally dancing.

“Ibel, this seedy looking guy ask too much, and he knows nothing. Such a pain for the soul being with him.” The flame spoke. Her voice somehow resembled that of Ibel, but a bit distorted.

“Don’t be rude Laa. Come with me, I will explain the detail.” Then Ibel and her flame walked down stair. This was getting more and more out of hand. 

-End chapter 12-

Chapter 11

 Chapter 13

Chapter 11: Revival - another suffering

It was so painful.

I felt as if my body was shattered to pieces, and my blood was boiling.

The pain went through my body like a snake wrapped itself around me.

Like a thousand of needles piercing, like a rain of swords pouring on me.

However, there was something else, something hurt even more .

It was powerless.

I couldn't do anything but watched.

I wanted to protect her, but all I could do was getting hit and dying.

I remembered there was something I read in a book before.

“The fear cut deeper than the sword.”

I didn't want to die yet, not when I still couldn't figure out my purpose.

I didn't want to die yet.

I was afraid.

-------------------

Softly, eyes opened.

So this is it I guessed.

Around me, I saw piles of books.

I had died and now I was in heaven. It must be paradise, because there were so many books. Just like I had ever dreamt of. All alone, surrounded by books. I would spend the eternity here.

Even though I had my regrets, but with these I guessed it couldn't be helped.

But there was a problem.

I found myself lying, and couldn't move a muscle.

If it was paradise, then I supposed to be all heal up and freely running, but I couldn't do a thing.

I tried to raise my arm, but even that seemed to be too difficult.

My arms were heavy as if they were tied to a mountain.

“Hah...” I tried to look around, but even turning my head was a nearly impossible task.

So this was not heaven at all.

My foul soul was sent to hell, where my redemption begun, started with staring at the books which I couldn't 

reach to.

What a cruel torture, now I would have to experienced the feeling of powerlessness for eternity.

I closed my eyes, thinking back at my short, meaningless life.

That’s strange. Hated my life as I did, now when it left me, I felt…regretful.

“If only, I could live for a little longer.” I murmured.

“You are not death yet.” I heard a voice.

Tried my best to turn, I saw an angel.

An angel with the most beautiful face, just like hers.

Hers. Wait a minute. Wasn't that…Thera?

Could it be both she and I die and now we share the same place in nether world?

Then I would call anywhere heaven if I could she her there.

“Stop dreaming, you are still alive, try to look around.” She said.

“It was too good to be true after all.” I frowned, realized that we both survived.

From what I could see, we were in a big room, and plenty of books around.

“What happened? where…are we?” I asked

Thera looked concerned, probably about the previous incident.

“Last night, when you were stroke down, they were going to capture me, then…someone showed up and rescued both of us.” She said, looking at the windows.

Could it be briefer?

“huh…And this place belongs to that someone right?” I tried to get up, but it was impossible

“I do not know. I was unconscious halfway.” She talked blankly.

Damn, this was too much information for someone as clueless as I was. If only….

Then I remembered an important thing.

He wasn't there, no, to be precise I couldn't hear his voice any more. I called out to him, but no answer.

What happened? Could it be…

No, there was no way he would just disappear like that. That’s right, he was also recovering like I was. I should give him more time…If that was all he needed.

“You should thank your soul. He took the hit for you.” Then I heard Thera’s voice.

“Uhmm, sorry?” I couldn't comprehend what she just said.

The look on Thera’s face told me that she didn't want to speak any more. She returned to her silent mode. But what did she mean by that? He took the hit? How was that possible?

Again, my line of thought was interrupt again, but this time it was more…severe.

“Rise and shineeeee.” An energetic voice, definitely from an energetic person. I thought I heard this voice before.

That was when I saw someone familiar.

“ Books madam ?” That’s how I normally called her when I came to her shop. She didn't like to be called ‘madam’, but I was too surprise to remember that little fact.

But before I had the confirmation, I received a dreadful glance, and a threatening voice.

“Dear me, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me madam? I'm just 23 you know. Calling me that make me feel I'm going to die soon, do you want to die soon?” Yup, she was definitely not happy with that.

“I'm sorry, m…iss.” She could be very scary sometimes.

Bookshop owner, she told her name was Ibel, was a young girl, somehow childish if I must say. Not only from the look, but she was young at heart. For a business owner to be this cheerful and somehow, mindless, could be quite extraordinary to keep it up for a long time. She had a slim figure, but looked very fit. Probably because she had to do things on her own. She always wore a black shirt with long sleeves, and a pair of jeans, no matter the weather. However, although her shop was located on a residential area, there weren't many customers. I hardly saw any other person than me when I came to buy books, and that crept me out sometimes. I guessed due to her changeable personality that people couldn't stand her for too long. She even went as far as judging the person by the books they bought, which I’d been through one. For me it was quite unpleasant but still bearable, but I wasn't sure about others. After all she’s still nice, if you knew how to deal with her.

“You should be.” She said, “and how is your chest now? Still hurt?”

“Still, even turning hurts.” I thoughtlessly answered.

“I see, that’s what you get from that guy.” She had a serious look in her eyes.

“Hold on a minute, how did I end up here? And why are you here? And who…” There were so many question I wanted to ask, but she stopped me.

“Calm your horse, don’t overwork yourself. You will have everything explain to you soon. Now the most important thing is for him to recover, which depends a lot on you.”  Him? Could she mean…

Notice my expression, she continued.

“Yes, who else do you think I'm talking about? If it was not for him, you could have been long gone. I believe young miss told you already.”

 “She did, but what do you mean? How could he take the hit for me? He’s just…”

“Just a soul? So you are completely clueless aren't you? Lie down please, and drink this.” She gave me a strange liquid which had kinda…indescribable smell.

“Yuck, is this thing supposed to heal us?” I asked.

“No, it gives you a horrible and painful death.” She glared.

“Huh, pardon?” 

“Of course it’s good for you, now would you stop being such a child and drink up?” She had the point.

“Right, what else could it be, you save us after all.” I drank the liquid and…I felt it again.

The unbearable pain was coming back. The mug broken to pieces as it slipped through my hand. My throat was burning, and inside I felt…

“Arrghh, what is it? I thought…” I tried my best to speak. Now my hearing started to go numb.

“Don’t worry, if you *** *** through, you will *** ***, or else, you both ***.” I thought she said something, but I heard no sounds, shadow was gradually surrounding me.

I glanced at the place where Thera was, and she was my last vision before everything turned into complete  darkness. I screamed, not even knowing if my voice could be heard or not. But this pain was too much. My stomach was hot, and my head was like being chopped by axe. I should fell happy that I couldn't fell my limbs, so at least I wouldn't go through any more pains. The worst part was, why was I still conscious? Wouldn't it be better if I fainted? Or this was how the medicine worked? What did she said back then, I couldn't even remember now. ARRRGGGHHHHH, I shout in my mind. If I had my arms and legs at the moment, I guessed they were swinging violently.

----------

Ibel looked at Kai as he laid motionlessly in the bed. Poor boy, she thought, guess it’s a bit too hard for him. Then she turned to Thera.

“Now it is only two of us, I think it’s time for you to tell your story. Who are you?”

Thera remained silent.

“I heard they called you ‘divine one’, but that just make no sense, since divine spirits had disappeared for very long time, there’s no way you…”

“What if I am?” Thera broke her silence.

A drop of sweat ran down Ibel’s forehead. Then she smirked.

“I'm listening.”

The two sat facing each other, tension was in the air.

-End chapter 11-

Chapter 10
Chapter 12

Chapter 10: Hunters

Two men, clad in black mantles.  It’s too dark to have a clear view of their faces, but some features were strikingly recognizable. One was tall, and his hairs were like a silver waterfall. Definitely not from here I thought. The other one was a bit shorter, and he looked…kind of normal comparing to his companion. The important thing now was their identity; however, they seemed to know Thera, judging on how they talked about finding her. But something was not quite right.

I glanced at Thera, and she was staring at the men with non-hospitable look. Silence, heavy silence had taken the area.

At last, the man with silver hairs raised his voice:

“Come now. You may escape us once, but there will be no second time.”  Not the voice I heard just before, this voice was trenchant, and powerful.

The shorter man remained silent, but I could feel his eyes were locking at Thera, who now had stood up and readied herself, but for what I wondered.

“I refuse. I cannot allow myself to be captured.” Thera said.

What were they talking about? Escaped? Capture? Was she being chased down by those men? Did this mean the injured back then…

“You may know that even we received order to bring you back alive, we still can’t guarantee you will be in one piece.” The tall man threatening words seemed to make no change in Thera’s expression.

Did this mean they fought each other before? And the result seemed clear to me. Thera merely escaped in one piece. This looked bad, even an idiot like me could tell. If they brought up a brawl to capture her again, Thera would hardly have any chances to escape this time. I had to do something.  But what should I do? And why didn’t he tell me what to do? This was when I need his words the most, and yet…

“Fufufu, looks like you do not understand the situation miss. Let me tell you.” The short man started to talk, “You do not have any options here except for going with us, even if you want or not.”  His speaking pattern was a bit like that of Thera, the only different was the way he spoke, with a creepy smile.

“No, you are the one who do not understand. I can’t and will not go with you.”  Thera faced them; her voice was full of determination as her stance. Was she about to going to fight them now? Then it would turn ugly, for her definitely.

“Stubborn eh, then….” With that, the short man gave the silver hairs a gaze, and in a blink of an eye, the tall figure disappeared, that was when I felt a push and was knocked down, by a strong gust of wind. I heard a loud clashing noise. Raising my body up, I tried my best to figure what was going on. And what I saw told me that they were not human.

The silver hairs man’s arms were moving at incredible speed, made it looked like he had more than two. He was striking with high velocity and yet, very calmly. Somehow, the look of his face showed that he had seen through the movement of opponent and already seen the ending of the fight. And his opponent, Thera, was fencing off his attacks with her bare hands. Even though Thera couldn’t match him in term of speed, but she made it looked like she was covered by an invisible armor. However, Thera was at her limit, I could tell by looking at her face.

Of course, her injury was not fully recovered, and she was pushing herself the whole time. I had to do something, even if he wouldn’t tell me to.

And when I was busy making up my mind, Thera’s defense finally out of its used, and the man knocked she out to the ground. Thera’s coughing, and laying on the ground while the man slowly approaching her.

“You just wasted our time with your fertile effort. Now go to sleep.” He gripped his hand and about to deliver final blow. There’s no time left for hesitation, I gathered all the strength I had and ran toward Thera. And that was when I heard his voice.

“Idiot, what are you doing?”

But it’ was too late, I jumped in between Thera and the man, his fist went straight to my chest, and that was when I understood why their clash made a clanging sound. It was a blade that gone through my body.

----------

For a moment, the tall figure thought his victory was secured, and he allowed himself to take it easy. Slowly raising his left hand, he looked down to his prey:

“You just wasted our time with your fertile effort. Now go to sleep.”

With an intend to deliver a finishing hit to neutralize the enemy, not to kill her, he released his attack at the girl, but he didn’t think of an unexpected guest.

The boy’s existence was ignored at the first place. To them he was nothing but a bit of dust.

However, that bit of dust now made his stand between the man and his pray. The boy moved so fast that even he himself couldn’t imagine. And that moment, his attack landed at Kai’s chest.

“What the?” the man was totally taken by Kai’s surprise interference.

Still lying on the ground, Thera couldn’t say a word. Partly because of her injury worsening, but mainly because of Kai’s action. Again, that stranger saved her. But this time, he put his life on the line to do that.  That was a truth that she was not able to comprehend.

“Hah, looks like....you owe...me....again...” Kai tried to speak, and then he collapsed on his knee, his face kissed the ground.

“…” the silver hairs man stood quietly for a while, looking at the body of the boy who stopped his attack with his body. Then he turned toward his partner:

“Did you remove the concealment?” He asked.

“As if I did. It seemed like that boy could actually see us, even under the effect of the spell. I wonder…” He touched his chin, thinking.

“Whatever he is, for an ordinary human to take on my blade is just too much; we shouldn’t waste time to concern about that.” And he turned back at Thera, who was at her feet already.

The man from afar was in fact more concerned about that matter. His spell was flawless as ever, the fact that even Thera couldn’t sense their presence proved that. But how did that boy see through it? There was no way for a human to be unaffected.

“Hold on a minute Ray, there’s something I want to make clear about.” He called to his partner.

“Does something matter?” The tall man answered without looking back. He was carefully watching Thera, even though he knew that she couldn’t make a run anymore. Then, the short man stepped toward Kai’s place. He squatted by the boy and silently looking at him, as if surveying with his eyes. Then he spoke:

“Who might this be? I’m pretty sure you two know each other, am I right?” His words directed to Thera, but his mind locked on Kai.

“No one, a human.” Thera said.

“I doubt that. Now come to think of it, we didn’t pay attention when we arrived. I thought he was just a passer by and ignored him. Even when I saw he was talking to you, I thought it was because your boundary was not there. It made sense if I put it like that. Until…”

“Until he poked his nose into our affair and got what he deserved. Is that enough for you?” The man named Ray interrupted him.

“…” The short man stayed silent again.

“Well, may be I over thought it. You are right. Whatever he did to intervene doesn’t matter now that he is one foot to the grave. Even you didn’t make a fatal move, it was still too much for a normal human to handle it.”

“Isn’t that the thing you should realize from the start?”  Now both of them were facing Thera.

“Alright, now you have two choices miss. Surrender or we will force to destroy one or two parts of you. You can still live with that right?” a wicked smile appeared on his face.

Thera raised her hands, ready for another fight. She made her choice.

“If you insist. Allow me Ray.” Then he walked forward. But he felt something heavy at his right leg, as if it was grabbed. He turned around, and Kai’s hand was grabbing his leg.

“Huh?” a flash of astonishment appeared in his eyes.

Kai raised his half-dead body up. One hand now was holding his wounded chest; the other tugged the man’s mantle.

“Do not...harm…her…” Kai gathered all his strength left and moved his arm. His target was standing right in front of him. It was hard to miss. He punched the man into the face and collapsed the second time, left the other three standing still, stunned.

“Impossible.” The tall man startled, believed that his attack had finished the boy.

The short man touched his face where it was punched, and looked back at Kai. His eyes now opened wider, to see something he first saw in his life.

“Now that’s what I didn’t expect.” He murmured. “Finish this quickly Ray, and make sure to kill this one for good.” He said coldly, all of his interest before had gone.

----------

From a building nearby, another shadow had watched the whole things.

“That idiot, he should have stayed down for good.”

Then, the shadow leaped toward their direction.

One second after, Thera saw another person who stood for her.

“Who are you?” Ray stepped back and readied himself. He realized that the one before him was not someone to make light of.

“Sorry, but you will not finish anything tonight.” With that, the mysterious figure spread its fingers while murmuring some words.

“RAY, STAND BACK!!!” the short man’s shout snapped him out of the blue. He quickly jumped back, fast enough to avoid ten rays of light fired at his direction.

“Dammit I can’t see, what the hell is that?” He asked.

“Doesn't look like our art. The amount of mana is quite remarkable.”

Didn’t have the chance to finish his speak; he had to move to dodge another wave of light coming at them.

“Fire your blade, aim at the boy.” He said to his partner.

“Roger.” The tall man formed his hand into the form of a blade, and then swung it at full strength.

“Air…Slasher” He called the name of his technique, and a huge gust of wind was blown to Kai’s place.

“Cheap shot.” The shadow said, jumped toward the attack and raised its hand forward. The wind hit the hand and disappeared.

“As long as it helps me accomplish my goal, it’s fine for me.” The shorter man voice came from behind. The shadow turned back to see his fingers pointing at Thera.

“As I said, just a cheap shot.” The shadow now let loose of itself, as if giving up.

“You understand the situation quite fast don’t you? Now would you mind removing your hood? It’s quite dark around here and I cannot see you very well.” He said.

“And if I refuse?” The shadow didn’t move an inch.

“Then I will just tell my friend here to kill this boy, simple enough? I guess you are here for them, or for us? I can’t really tell.”

“A funny guy as rumor said.”

“Oh, so you know me? My pleasure. But really, for a knowledgeable guy, you are actually not really smart. Instead of trying to pick on us, you should have escaped with them earlier.” The man grinned.

“Forgive me but I don’t actually know you, I just confirm that information based on your friend. That friend of yours is quite popular, so I make a guess on his partner. And for the escaping, I don’t have to do it at all.”

“And why don’t you?” That fact made him not quite happy.

“Cause you are just an idiot cannot figure out where your real target is.”

The man quickly looked at his hostage, which was slowly fading away. A decoy, he thought, then turning to Kai’s place. Kai’s body was also disappearing. So it was a light trick.

“Do you see now? For a funny man, you lack sense of humor in times like this. So long.” With that said, the shadow threw a cluster of small marble balls to the two men’s direction. The balls released a blindingly dazzling light when touched the ground. They covered their eyes as it happened. And when the light had gone, the star of the show disappeared along with it.

The short man looked at the place where the shadow was, then spoke to his partner:

“How interesting. Now this is what I call a hunt.” 

-End chapter 10-

Chapter 9
 Chapter 11