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

Chapter 9: Midnight stroll

In the dark of the night, the girl was walking. 

Gathering all the strength left, she tried to go as fast as possible.

She couldn't allow her feeling to be swayed.

They are just all liars.

They can never be trusted.

That's the thing she learned about this world. 

This world taught her about cruelty, about treacherous.  

They were all the same.

Were they?

The girl stopped for a while, to catch a breath, and to think.

Thought about why.

Why did she act like that?

Why did she ask for help?

Why them?

She had a goal, yet didn't know how to achieve it.

Only thing she could do was keep on going and watching.

And she thought she was right, until she saw them.

Two of them, similar yet different.

Their existence tied with each other.

It was suprisingly strange to see a soul left in this place.

And all of the people, the soul chose to reside in a hollow man.

What did he saw in that man?

Whatever the answer, it didn't matter for her now, she thought.

Since she had made up her mind, one soul would not stop her to achieve her goal.

And the girl kept on walking, slowy and steadily.

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

Meanwhile, not very far away.

"Darn, where could she possibly go in such late hour like this?" The night was not a favourable condition for Kai due to his not-so-good eyesight.

"Really, why do you care? She'll be fine on her own if she manages to left without you noticing." His companion didn't seem to take silence treatment seriously. 

"At this point, even if I tell my reason, what could it change? You will eventually deny it like always." He ran around, looking in every corners.

Seems like he's genuinely worrying - for the first time his soul saw Kai actually put his thought onto some things, moreover, someone. Bad as it was, there's nothing he could do beside desperately keeping him out of trouble. 

"Cheh, so that's how it goes." he said, "seems like I have no choice but to help you then."

"Huh? I just thought that you might come quietly, but not expected to receive help from you." Kai questioned.

"I'd love to stay and watch, but my duty does not allow it. Don't think that I will change my opinion about this later on." The voice returned to his normal assertive manner.

"Whelp, it's good to have you along anyway, thanks bro." Kai smiled, a smile no one could see.

"Don't thank me just yet. Anyway, do you have any ideas where to find her?" A just question.

"Well, ummm.... nope." Typical answer from the guy.

"Christ, you ran off to find someone you just met and you don't even know where to look? Are your brain actually functioning?"

"I just thought that I have to find her, and about the details..." He scratches his head. This boy rarely thought something through before making action.

"[Sigh] and what's with that thing?" His voice turned his attention to the bag Kai's carrying.

"Oh this? I guess she will not welcome our appearance, so I need an excuse."

"You always think about the unnecessary." He frowned.

"It's important for me though." Kai replied.

Important? cause you've fallen for her you idiot. 

The answer was obvious for the soul. He had known all along that Kai had a thing for that girl from the start. It was not something hard to understand, for a guy to meet an indescribable beauty, no, even further than that, to see an omen in his dream. That alone could help that girl claim a major position in Kai's mind. However, only Kai was the one who had his feeling wavered, and that bugged the soul. Since they both shared the same memories and emotions, then why the soul only had such uneasy feelings toward the girl? Was this hostility? Was this fear?

Whatever it is, it can mean only one thing.
Danger's close by.
Then if it's danger, it's my duty to keep him away, but why am I helping him?

He knew the answer, it's the soul's job to give advice, and the mind to decide the action. He had given his piece, but Kai refused to follow. Even this was not the first time, but more than ever, the soul felt the weight of responsibility was on his shoulders (if he had one). For the first time, he actually knew the feeling of powerless. It was like being dragged into the maelstrom, no matter how hard you tried to swim, only one conclusion awaiting.

"Hey, guess I know where to go." Kai's voice pulled him back.

"Huh? where?" He quickly concealed his thinking. A convenient ability that the soul can perform.
I can't afford to show my weakness.

"Think about it, she had no where to go, no one she could run to. However, she managed to make a contact, then the place where she made the contact would mean something right?" Kai proudly explained his idea, kinda confusing.

"And your point is?"

"The lake man, that's where she first met us." Oh, so that was us he referred to. 

"Hmmm, I'm not sure about that, but it worth a shot. Better one than nothing then." The soul also couldn't have any better ideas, he was too occupied with analysing the situation.

They headed to the lake. It was around 11:15 pm, the street was completely empty, and the lights were dim. Somewhere, the sound of some cats fighting each other echoed to their place. The air was cold, but luckily the rain had stopped.  Soon it would be winter, and when it came, there would be no need to worry about raining. Kai rather endured the sheer cold than soaking wet in the rain. He couldn't tolerate heat and wet. The soul felt the same way, however, he didn't have any chances to experience winter in this town, considering that he just came to existence for a few months. So this would be the first winter of him. That thought and Kai's stories about the fun he had in winters made him light up a bit.

Untill he saw that girl again.

"See, I told you she would be here." Yeah congratulation Kai, I wished the opposite.

Thera was sitting on the bench with her eyes closed, making her look just like sleeping. But when Kai and his soul arrived, she suddenly stood up and turned to their direction.

"It's.....you." For a moment, the soul saw a glimpse of confusion in her eyes.

"You forgot this, it would be a nuisance for me to keep it so I return it to you" Kai gave out a bag, which contain her dress, washed and dried.

"So that's your excuse. And you are even trying to act cool." The soul tried not to laugh, and it turned into giggles.

Thera remained silent, the dress couldn't bother her one bit. It were those two.

"Why do you follow me? Didn't I tell you not to?" She looked away.

So that's how she told us, how distinctive.

"Your message was quite extreme. But I just can't let you run around like that." Kai shrugged.

"And why do you care? Aren't you people all the same? Isn't that only yourself you always think about?" So sudden, Thera voice's became all emotional.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Both of them surprised at how Thera was reacting.

"Isn't that correct? People, human, all of them, they are selfish. When they need help, they pray to different gods, they give out sacrifices, they pledge their life to the one they think could help them. But when helps are no longer needed, when they get what they want, they turn their back at each other, at gods, at the world..."

What the hell is this girl babbling about? Is that the fever make she lost her mind? 

"....Ungrateful." Thera sat down, cast her eyes to the shadow around her.

"So what? what does it have to do with your situation?" Kai knew it would be better not to ask, but again, he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Just say, what would you do if you know I am about to kill someone? Will you still help me?" Thera kept saying strange things, which cause the soul trouble thinking.

Kai stay silent for a moment. Mostly because he couldn't comprehend what was going on in the girl's head. Moreover, it was hatred they felt.

That's right, you will leave, you will turn your back at me. No human will bring themselves to trouble by helping a stranger, like me. No one will....

And then Thera felt some one was grabbing her arm.

"Enough of rubbish speaking, you coming back with me." Kai was standing next to her, about to raise her up.

Surprised, Thera could only stare at the guy in front of her. Then, she looked at his hand, holding to her arm.

"That's what you get for wandering around when not fully recovered. It's a good thing you can still stand." Kai awkwardly stepped back, noticing Thera look.

"If that didn't get to you, then I will repeat. I don't need your help, no, you shouldn't help me at the first place."

This girl really is getting me on my nerve. Just what is she? A tsundere bugged robot?

"I get it, but sorry I couldn't follow. You know, not listening to advice is one of my habbits."

"And more to the point, he can't just leave you be, after what you've done to him." The soul spoke out.

"You.... are his soul. What do you mean..." Thera didn't expect to hear Kai's soul.

"I didn't plan to tell you this, but consider how Kai's devotion and feelings toward you, I guess this is best for both of us. The truth is..." And just when he was about to finish...

"Finally we found you, divine one."

He heard a voice. A voice which was even colder than the winter in his imagination that Kai  had described.

Startled, they turned to the direction where the voice came from.

And they saw two shadows. Slowly emerging, as if approaching their preys.

-End chapter 9-

Chapter 8

 Chapter 10